"Harry Harrison - Planet Of No Return" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harrison Harry)

doubt if anyone else could, not anyone else in this entire spiral galaxy. Of
course I still think that the whole thing is pretty insane—although I also
think that it is probably the best chance we have of finding out what is
happening down there."

His reactions were so fast; it was something she had never become accustomed
to. His arms were around her before she realized that he had moved; the
strength in his hands like steel inside flesh. He kissed her quickly then
stepped away. "Thank you. With your understanding and belief I am more
prepared now to do what must be done. Let's go to the ship."

There was no ceremony involved in their departure. While Lea checked the
loading lists, Brion talked to the chief navigation officer, who then computed
and filed a number of orbits into the life-ship's computer for them. When the
preparatory work had been done, and all the checklists completed, they sealed
the hatch. As soon as the signal was received that they were ready, the
computer started the program that dropped them free of the mother ship. Gas
jets flared to rotate the lifeship, then the main engines fired to put them
into the designated orbit. Selm-II grew larger and larger on the screen before
them.

"You're frightened," Brion said, covering her cold hand with his large one.

"It doesn't take an empathetic to figure that one out," she said, shivering
and drawing close to him. "This operation may have looked good on paper— but
the closer we get to that planet of no return down there the more worried I
get. Two good men, both of them contact experts, have been killed down there.
The same thing is very likely to happen to us."

50

PLANET OF NO RETURN

"I don't think so. We are tar better prepared than they were. And it is their
sacrifice that has supplied us with the information that we will need to
survive. There's nothing to be concerned about at this time. You must force
yourself to relax, to conserve your energy and resources for the moment when
they will be needed. What we must do now is establish a low orbit and do a
complete survey before looking for a place to set down. Until that time there
is no danger."

The computer broke in, giving instant lie to his words.

"/ have an atmospheric craft under observation. Its present course will pass
beneath ours. Should I display?"

"Yes."

A small dot appeared on the screen moving slowly from left to right.