To the Stars 2 Wheelworld by Harry Harrison

Author:Harry Harrison [Harrison, Harry]
Format: epub
Published: 2010-05-14T12:58:20.323000+00:00

"Negative. There is no way of controlling them from the engine room. But Vilho can cut the brakes on and off when we ask him, he's jury-rigged a control for that, and that's about all we can expect."

"No point in waiting then," Lajos said. "We're ready -whenever you are."

"Some more water and we start."

It was awkward, exhausting work, made even more so by the deadly heat. Cables were hard to attach with the thick gloves of the coldsuits. They worked without a break until, bit by bit, it was done. Once the cables were att~ched the train was disconnected; the cables to the tank creaked when they took up the strain. But they held. The other tank had already lashed onto the front axle of the car to pull it out of the way. Because of the angle the first car had to be dragged sideways until it was clear of the engine. Impossible, normally, yet it could be done now because of the alien corpses that had caused the accident in the first place. Groaning and swaying the car was pulled across the road until it was clear. As soon as there was room enough the tank instantly dropped the cable and ground over to its position on the very edge of the road.

'All cables attached." The signal came at last. Jan was in the cab of the second tank, supervising the ponderous yet delicate operation.

'All right. I'm rolling back to get tension on my cables. There we are. One, are you still taut?"

"I am now."

"Good. Start pulling on the signal of go. Am I in touch in with Vilho on the brakes?"

"I can hear you, Jan."

"Then keep your hand on the switch. We are going to get your weight on the cables. When the strain gauges read 300 I'll signal you brakes, and that's when you take the brakes off. Understand?"

"No problem. Just pull me out of here. I don't frel like a swim.

A swim. If a cable broke or they couldn't hold the engine's weight it would slide forward into the water. Vilho stood no £hance of getting clear. It wasn't to be thought about. Jan wiped the sweat from his face with his forearm-how could it be hot in the air conditioned tank?

-and gave the order.

"Here it comes, one. The signal is one, two, thre~go!"

The engine and gear train growled as power surged to the tracks. They moved slowly backward, clanking a single tread as the cable stretched under the load. Jan watched the strain gauge as the numbers flicked over. The instant it changed from 299 he shouted into the microphone.

"Brakes! This is it! Keep it coming!"

The engine stirred, shifting sideways-then stopped. The strain went up and up, approaching the breaking point of the cable. There was a safety factor built in, more pull could be applied. Jan did not look at the readout as he applied a touch more power. The cables vibrated, shook with the stress-and the engine stirred. Rolling backward slowly.

"This is it! Keep it coming.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.