The Planet Mars by Anthology

Author:Anthology [Anthology]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-01-26T05:00:00+00:00

V.

The endless appeal had its effect on the four Terrestrials. They read it as it flickered in the depths of the Martian probe. The prehensile arm jerked and spun in gestures that were almost human.

Dr. Waters and Radeau were finishing their shift on the morning of the fifteenth day since communications had been opened. The weather was insufferably hot and they were very tired. They were waiting for the Cantrills to come and take over the job for a seven-hour period.

“This eternal invitation business has got me going,” Radeau confessed. “My nervous system is as jangled as if it had been put through a meat chopper.”

Dr. Waters was quite ready to agree. “If some revered ancestor of mine were pleading to be exhumed, I would probably know better what to do,” he said in a wan attempt at humor.

Just then Yvonne and Jack entered the room. The two scientists studied their faces searchingly. Young Cantrill’s jaw was grim; his wife’s face was pale but defiant.

“Hello! You two look unusually bright to-day,” Radeau greeted with faint sarcasm. “Have you got something up your sleeves?”

“I think we have,” Jack stated. “I think part of the problem of going to Mars is solved.”

Radeau and Waters exchanged glances. “You mean that, Jack?” the doctor asked, his old features twisting into an expression that was half quizzical, half hopeful, yet almost alarmed. “Does he mean it, Yvonne?”

“He does; we both do,” the girl affirmed. “We believe we have the solution to the fuel problem at least. This is the idea: Send rockets to the Moon—a number of them—each loaded with all the fuel it can carry. Then collect the reserve tubes, attach them to one rocket and start for Mars! You see the point, dad?”

Waters nodded, but without much enthusiasm. “Lunar gravity is one sixth that of Earth. It wouldn’t tie a space ship down as much, even though there would still be inertia with which to contend. Consequently the rockets could build up greater speed with less energy expended. The plan is good as far as it goes.”

“It’s still utter suicide,” Radeau commented. “In the first place, if the trip to Mars were actually achieved, it would be impossible to return, not only because no reserve fuel could be carried, but because the gravity of Mars, twice that of the Moon, is sufficient to prevent a start for so long a journey. Secondly, jumping off from Luna doesn’t clear up the job of navigation. I tell you, it’s suicide.”

Cantrill showed a flash of anger. “Some one’s got to make a beginning, don’t they?” he demanded, his fists tightening. “How can the trick of guiding a ship through space be learned unless somebody tries it? Old Faithful came here without any idea of how he might return home. Have we any less guts than he? We’re being asked to come to Mars. I’ll admit we don’t know why; we don’t even know that the motive is friendly; but judging from the many beneficial inventions Old Faithful brought us, it must be.

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