"Carey Rockwell - Tom Corbett Space Cadet 02 - Danger in Deep Space" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rockwell Carey)

come to Earth.
Young and old, the feeling of belonging to the great fleet that patrolled the space lanes
across the millions of miles of the solar system was something that never died in a true
spaceman. The green-clad cadets dreamed of the future when they would feel the bucking
rockets in their backs. And the older men smiled faintly as memories of their own first space
flight came to mind.
Aboard the Polaris, the young cadet crew worked swiftly and smoothly to bring their
ship to a safe landing. There was Tom Corbett, an average young man in this age of
science, who had been selected as the control-deck and command cadet of the Polaris unit
after rigid examinations and tests. Topside, on the radar bridge, was Roger Manning, cocky
and brash, but a specialist in radar and communications. Below, on the power deck, was
Astro, a colonial from Venus, who had been accused of cutting his teeth on an atomic rocket
motor, so great was his skill with the mighty "thrust buckets," as he lovingly called the atomic
rockets.
Now, returning from a routine training flight that had taken them to the moons of Jupiter,
the three cadets, Corbett, Manning, and Astro, and their unit skipper, Captain Steve Strong,
completed the delicate task of setting the great ship down on the Academy spaceport.
"Closing in fast, sir," announced Tom, his attention focused on the meters and dials in
front of him. "Five hundred feet to touchdown."
"Full braking thrust!" snapped Strong crisply.
Deep inside the Polaris, braking rockets roared with unceasing power, and the mighty
spaceship eased itself to the concrete surface of the Academy spaceport.
"Touchdown!" yelled Tom. He quickly closed the master control lever, cutting all power,
and sudden silence filled the ship. He stood up and faced Strong, saluting smartly.
"Rocket cruiser Polaris completes mission"-he glanced at the astral chronometer on the
panel board-"at fifteen thirty-three, sir."
"Very well, Corbett," replied Strong, returning the salute. "Check the Polaris from radar
mast to exhaust ports right away."
"Yes, sir," was Tom's automatic answer, and then he caught himself. "But I thought-"
Strong interrupted him with a wave of his hand. "I know, Corbett, you thought the Polaris
would be pulled in for a general overhaul and you three would get liberty."
"Yes, sir," replied Tom.
"I'm not sure you won't get it," said Strong, "but I received a message last night from
Commander Walters. I think the Polaris unit might have another assignment coming up!"
"By the rings of Saturn," drawled Roger from the open hatch to the radar bridge, "you
might know the old man would have another mission for us! We haven't had a liberty since
we were Earthworms!"
"I'm sorry, Manning," said Strong, "but you know if I had my way, you'd certainly get the
liberty. If anyone deserves it, you three do."
By this time Astro had joined the group on the control deck.
"But, sir," ventured Tom, "we've all made plans, I mean-well, my folks are expecting me."
"Us, you mean," interrupted Roger. "Astro and I are your guests, remember?"
"Sure, I remember," said Tom, smiling. He turned back to Captain Strong. "We'd
appreciate it if you could do something for us, sir. I mean-well, have another unit assigned."
Strong stepped forward and put his arms around the shoulders of Tom and Roger and
faced Astro. "I'm afraid you three made a big mistake in becoming the best unit in the
Academy. Now every time there's an important assignment to be handed out the name of
the Polaris unit sticks out like a hot rocket!"
"Some consolation," said Roger dourly.
Strong smiled. "All right, check this wagon and then report to me in my quarters in the