"Carey Rockwell - Tom Corbett Space Cadet 01 - Stand By for Mars!" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rockwell Carey)

gravity of Venus was considerably less than that of Earth, he convinced Astro
that he needed the extra weight to maintain his balance. It had been a cheap
trick, but no one had wanted to challenge the sharpness of Manning's tongue
and come to Astro's rescue. Tom had wanted to, but refrained when he saw
that Astro didn't mind.
Finishing his conversation on the teleceiver, McKenny stepped out of the
booth and faced the boys again.
"All right," he bawled. "They're all set for you at the Academy! Pick up
your gear and follow me!" With a quick light step, he hopped on the rolling
slidewalk at the edge of the platform and started moving away.
"Hey, Astro!" Roger Manning stopped the huge boy about to step over.
"Going to carry my bags?"
The Venusian, a full head taller, hesitated and looked doubtfully at the
four suitcases at Roger's feet.
"Come on," prodded Roger in a tone of mock good nature. "The gravity
around here is the same as in Atom City. It's the same all over the face of the
Earth. Wouldn't want you to just fly away." He snickered and looked around,
winking broadly.
Astro still hesitated, "I don't know, Manning. I-uhh-"
"By the rings of Saturn! What's going on here?" Suddenly from outside the
ring of boys that had gathered around, McKenny came roaring in, bulling his
way to the center of the group to face Roger and Astro.
"I have a strained wrist, sir," began Roger smoothly.
"And this cadet candidate"-he nodded casually toward Astro-"offered to
carry my luggage. Now he refuses."
Mike glared at Astro. "Did you agree to carry this man's luggage?"
"Well-I-ah-" fumbled Astro.
"Well? Did you or didn't you?"
"I guess I sorta did, sir," replied Astro, his face turning a slow red.
"I don't hold with anyone doing another man's work, but if a Solar Guard
officer, a Space Cadet, or even a cadet candidate gives his word he'll do
something, he does it!" McKenny shook a finger in Astro's face, reaching up to
do it. "Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir," was the embarrassed reply.
McKenny turned to Manning who stood listening, a faint smile playing on
his lips.
"What's your name, Mister?"
"Manning. Roger Manning," he answered easily.
"So you've got a strained wrist, have you?" asked Mike mockingly while
sending a sweeping glance from top to bottom of the gaudy colored clothes.
"Yes, sir."
"Can't carry your own luggage, eh?"
"Yes," answered Roger evenly. "I could carry my own luggage. I thought
the candidate from Venus might give me a helping hand. Nothing more. I
certainly didn't intend for him to become a marked man for a simple gesture of
comradeship." He glanced past McKenny toward the other boys and added
softly, "And comradeship is the spirit of Space Academy, isn't it, sir?"
His face suddenly crimson, McKenny spluttered, searching for a ready
answer, then turned away abruptly.
"What are you all standing around for?" he roared. "Get your gear and