Brontomek! by Michael Coney

Author:Michael Coney [Coney, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780575021228
Google: 6_dyHgAACAAJ
Amazon: 0575021225
Publisher: Pan Science Fiction
Published: 1976-12-15T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Two more days until the launch.

The last coat of paint was applied. A team of Amorphs started cleaning up the Helling, carrying half-empty paint buckets and waste of the hard, Arcadian wood and preparing the space for the ceremonial buildings: the 3-V cameras, the podium, the rows of seats for the guests. These workers were paid by the organization. When they were finished, a second column appeared with a truck full of prefabricated wooden parts and immediately began to build up. Megaphones roared instructions, cameras surged during rehearsals. And in this mess we tried to do the last work on the boat.

Barker oversaw the assembly of the boat cameras. "The one up there, just below the head of the mast, does not have a radius of 360 degrees, because the mast is in the way."

Susanna walked over the cabin roof, stood on the front edge. 'That means you can pee into the ocean from here if it has to be. But be careful if you turn around afterwards." She grinned at Ralph Streng.

"Damn break-in into a person's privacy, these cameras," Strictly muttered.

"And another in the stern, just above the rudder." Barker pointed his hand. "It covers the cockpit and the main cabin. That should be enough. I don't think we need to install a camera in your sleeping cabin, Strictly. I am sure that the sector is not interested in what is happening there."

"And what about the microphones?" I wondered what else Barker might have come up with to tarnish the shape and appearance of my boat.

"We put some in the main cabin and in the cockpit – and on the front deck, I think, so that Strictly can stretch out and philosophize when the control is switched to automatic. This gives the spectators a nice impression of peace and security."

"But don't forget to remember that from time to time I should philosophize," said Strictly sarcastically.

Barker gave him a quick look. "The... Ah... unfortunately we cannot. On the boat there is only one transmitting system, not a receiving part."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"This is supposed to be a solo journey, isn't it? A man alone at sea, and so on. So you must not hear from other people, have no contact with the outside world until you return. We can see and hear you, but you are alone. We must do everything we can to convince the sector of the authenticity of this company. There will be a neutral observer in the launch and examine the whole boat for hidden auxiliary equipment and other stuff, such as a screw driven by the compressor, and so on. This journey must be above all suspicion, Strictly."

"I want to hope so," Ralph said calmly, suddenly the old one again. "I make this journey because of the challenge it poses to me, and of course I would not tolerate the slightest fraud."

He walked away, and we didn't see him again that day. Later Susanna and I had to go to

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