"Carey Rockwell - Tom Corbett Space Cadet 04 - The Space Pioneers" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rockwell Carey)

applicants and give them simple tests. An important point in any applicant's favor will be his
ability to improvise and handle three, four, or five jobs, where a less imaginative person
would do but one. Talk to them, sound them out, and then write your report. Captain Strong
will review your opinions and make recommendations to me. I will finally approve or
disapprove the applications."
"Will this cost the applicants anything, sir?" asked Roger. "For instance, will the rich
applicants have a better chance than the poor?"
Hardy's face turned grim. "Only the people that fit our standards will be allowed to go,
Manning. Regardless."
"Yes, sir," said Roger.
"The Solar Alliance," continued Hardy, "has established a fund for this project. Each
applicant will be lent as much in material as he needs to establish himself on Roald. If he
operates an exchange, for instance, selling clothes, equipment, or food, then the size of his
exchange will determine the size of the loan. He will repay the Solar Alliance by returning
one-fourth of his profits over a period of seven years. Each colonist will be required to
remain on the satellite for that seven-year period. After that, should he leave, he would be
required to sell all his rights and property on Roald."
"And the farmers, sir," asked Tom, "and all the rest. Will they all be treated the same
way?"
"Exactly the same, according to their individual abilities. Of course we wouldn't take a
man who had been a shoemaker and advance him the capital to become a farmer."
"Will the quota of one thousand colonists include women and children?" asked Astro.
 "No, but allowances have been made for them. One thousand colonists means one
thousand men who can produce. However, a man may take his family," Hardy went on,
adding, "providing, of course, that he doesn't mean twenty-three children, aunts, uncles, and
so forth."
The three cadets looked at each other dumfounded. The very idea of the project was
staggering, and as Strong, Hardy, and Commander Walters began to discuss the details of
the screening system, they turned to each other excitedly.
"This is the greatest thing that's happened since Jon Builker made his trip into deep
space!" whispered Tom.
"Yeah," nodded Astro, "but I'm scared."
"About what?" asked Roger.
"Having the responsibility of saying No to a feller that wants to go."
The big cadet seemed to be worried and Tom attempted to explain what the job would
really be.
”It's not a question of saying an outright No," said Tom. "You just ask the applicant about
his experience with motors and reactors to see if he really knows his stuff."
Astro seemed to accept Tom's explanation, but he still seemed concerned as they all
turned to Commander Walters, who had finished the discussion around the desk and was
giving Captain Strong his orders.
"You and the cadets, along with Governor Hardy, will blast off tonight and go to
Venusport for the first screenings." He faced the cadets. "You three boys have a
tremendous responsibility. In many cases your decisions might mean the difference
between success or failure in this mission. See that you make good decisions, and when
you've made them, stick by them. You will be under the direct supervision of Captain Strong
and Governor Hardy. This is quite different from your previous assignments, but I have faith
in you. See that you handle yourselves like spacemen."
The three cadets saluted sharply, and after shaking hands with their commander, left the
room.