THE BLACK HOLE by Alan Dean Foster

Author:Alan Dean Foster
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, American, Fiction, Adventure, General
ISBN: 9780345285386
Published: 2011-09-03T01:50:19+00:00

8

REINHARDT stared angrily at the readout. He touched several controls and was not pleased with the results they provided him. “Get that communication re-established at once.”

Maximillian extended a limb and plugged himself into a console. Man and machine studied the flat expanse of the control center’s main screen.

Alive with the death of plasma and other matter, the black hole filled the screen. The projected hues colored Reinhardt’s face like a watercolor wash.

His attention shifted from screen to instrumentation, switching rapidly from one to another. Both hands danced over controls, causing figures and complex word-trains to appear on multiple gauges. He would note these perfunctorily, adjust other instruments accordingly.

Maximillian hovered nearby, a sentient extension of the ship’s instruments. Physically he became a part of the Cygnus. Spiritually he remained plugged into Reinhardt.

Durant and McCrae strolled over to watch. Their attention was divided between the image of the roiling black hole and the intense, rapid work of Reinhardt— both awesome forces of nature.

“Fascinating …” Durant’s reverent appraisal left some doubt as to whether he was referring to the vision of the collapsar or to its nearby human dissector.

“Only from a distance,” McCrae commented with equal ambivalence.

Reinhardt finished his immediate work, turned to face them. “Are you interested in black holes, Dr. Durant?”

Durant smiled. “That’s like asking a sculptor if he’d be challenged by attempting to chisel a portrait from the face of the Moon. How could anyone, scientist or layman, not be fascinated by the deadliest force in the Universe?

“I’ve studied collapsars all my life, Doctor. The most amazing thing about them is how little we’ve actually been able to learn about them since their discovery in the late twentieth century. Of course, the problem is the same now as it was then. How do you study something that swallows up your instrument probes as soon as they get near enough to learn anything new? It’s like trying to study a man who’s invisible and can destroy anything that comes within a light-year of him. Under such conditions, study is impossible and all attempts at scientific analysis are reduced to guesswork.”

“The long, dark tunnel to nowhere,” said McCrae dispassionately.

“That’s what they are.”

“Or to somewhere.” Reinhardt spoke casually. “Those are the possibilities yet to be explored. Here Dr. Durant has just admirably elucidated why our knowledge of such stellar phenomena is so slim, and nonetheless you proceed to offer a conclusion on the basis of imagination rather than fact. Not a very professional judgment, Dr. McCrae. I would expect better of you.”

“I was being poetic, not analytical.”

Durant spoke before Reinhardt could reply. By this time the younger man’s admiration knew no limits. “Yet you’ve defied the power of that black hole with your null-g field, sir. A stunning achievement.” Reinhardt acknowledged the compliment. “Your praise is excessive, Doctor.”

Durant went on. “Your discoveries must have compensated you for the loneliness you’ve endured these past years. I can’t believe you haven’t experienced loneliness, despite the company of robot associates.”

“What can a man know of loneliness when he has the whole Universe to keep him company? I have had suns for neighbors.

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