Archiwum
- Index
- Roberts Nora Miłość na deser 01 Miłość na deser
- Isaac Asimov & Robert Silverberg The Ugly Little Boy
- Kościuszko Robert Wojownik Trzech Czasów 3 Strażnicy
- Roberts Nora Święte grzechy 2 Bezwstydna cnota
- Maklowicz Robert Podroze Kulinarne AG
- 02.Robert Ludlum Dziedzictwo Scarlattich
- 63. Roberts Nora Od pierwszego wejrzenia
- Howard Robert E. Bogowie Bal Sagoth
- Howard Robert E. Ludzie Czarnego Kregu
- Howard Robert E. Dolina Grozy(1)
- zanotowane.pl
- doc.pisz.pl
- pdf.pisz.pl
- docucrime.xlx.pl
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shower of falling stars, every day ended like Solar Union Day with a display of fireworks.
They had seen no dangerous animals. Some of the settlers reported seeing centaurlike creatures
about the size of Shetland ponies, but they seemed timid and had scurried away when discovered. The
prevalent life form appeared to be marsupial mammals in various sizes and shapes. There were no birds,
but there was another sort of flying life not found elsewhere-- jellyfishlike creatures four or five feet high
with dangling tendrils, animated balloons. They appeared to have muscular control over their swollen
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bladders for they could rise and fall, and could even, by some not evident means, go upwind against a
gentle breeze--in higher winds they anchored to treetops, or floated free and let the wind carry them.
They seemed curious about Charityville and would hang over a work site, turning slowly around as if
to see everything. But they never got within reach. Some of the settlers wanted to shoot one down and
examine it; Mayor Daigler forbade it.
There was another animal too--or might be. They were called "peekers" because all that anyone had
seen was something that ducked quickly behind a rock or tree when anyone tried to look. Between the
possibly mythical peeker and the ubiquitous balloons the colonists felt that their new neighbors took a
deep but not unfriendly interest in what they were doing.
Maggie Daigler--she was "Maggie" to everyone now--had put away her jewels, drawn dungarees
from ship's stores, and chopped off her hair. Her nails were short and usually black with grime. But she
looked years younger and quite happy.
In fact, everyone seemed happy but Max.
Ellie was avoiding him. He cursed himself and his big mouth thrice daily and four times at night. Sure,
Daigler had spoken out of turn--but was that any reason for him to open his mouth and put his foot in it?
Of course, he had never figured on marrying Ellie-- but shucks, maybe they were stuck here forever.
"Probably," not "maybe," he corrected. The ban on joining the colony would be let up in time--in which
case, what was the sense in getting in bad with the only eligible girl around?
An astrogator ought to be a bachelor but a farmer needed a wife. Mighty nice to have some one
cooking the turnip greens and jointing a chicken while a man was out in the fields. He ought to
know--Maw had let it slide often enough. Ellie wouldn't be like Maw. She was strong and practical and
with just a little teaching would do all right.
Besides she was about the prettiest thing he ever saw, if you looked at her right.
When Mr. and Mrs. Dumont, by special dispensation, joined the colony it caused him to act. Since
the steward and stewardess would have no duties in a ship without passengers no one could reasonably
object--but it gave Max an approach. He went to see the First Officer.
"Probationary Apprentice Jones, sir."
Walther glanced up. "I think I'd say 'Assistant Astrogator Jones' if I were you. Closer to the facts.
Come in."
"Uh, that's what I wanted to speak with you about, sir."
"So? How?"
"I want to revert to my billet."
"Eh? Why would you rather be a chartsman than an astrogator? And what difference does it
make--now?"
"No, sir. I'm electing to resume my permanent appointment, steward's mate third."
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Walther looked amazed. "There must be more to this. Explain yourself."
With much stammering Max explained his trouble with Simes. He tried to be fair and finished with the
dismal feeling that he had sounded childish. Walther said, "You're sure about this? Mr. Simes has said
nothing to me about you."
"He wouldn't, sir. But it's true. You can ask Kelly."
Walther thought for a while. "Mr. Jones, I wouldn't attach too much importance to this. At your age
these conflicts of personality often seem more serious than they are. My advice is to forget it and do your
work. I'll speak to Mr. Simes about his keeping you out of the control room. That isn't proper and I am
surprised to hear it."
"No, sir."
"'No, sir' what?"
"I want to return to steward's mate."
"Eh? I don't understand you."
"Because, sir, I want to join the colony. Like Chief Steward Dumont."
"Oh . . . A light begins to dawn." Walther slapped the desk emphatically. "Absolutely no! Under no
circumstances."
"Sir?"
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