Space 1999 #1 - Breakaway by E.C. Tubb

Author:E.C. Tubb [Tubb, E.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 671801848
Publisher: Pocket Books

Reconnaissance had been busy, the Eagle had been checked, loaded and was ready to go. Morrow approached Koenig as he came from his office.

‘Commander, you’ll need a crew.’

The least of his worries—everyone in the base was eager to get a first-hand glimpse of the new world. Koenig smiled, anticipating the request.

‘You’re booked, Paul. Carter will be the pilot. Who do you suggest we take as analyst?’

‘Sandra Benes, Commander.’

Sandra, naturally, and Koenig could guess why. For a moment he kept him waiting, then nodded.

‘See that she’s briefed. Doctor Russell will complete the team and I’ll be going with you. Check equipment and arms.’

‘Arms?’

‘Laser pistols—we don’t know what we may run into down there. Are you still sure you want to take Sandra?’

‘I’m sure—I mean, yes, sir.’

Helena was just as eager. She came in answer to him.

‘No, John, I’ll go. I’d like to see what’s down there. Lee—I’d just like to go.’

To see what he had seen, to walk where he could have walked, to breathe the same air, to catch the same smells. Despite her previous acceptance of his death memory lingered and, perhaps, a vestige of hope also.

It would die, Koenig was sure of it, but it would take a little time.

And time was running out.

‘Commander, you have ten minutes to lift-off.’ Kano’s face was anxious on the commlock screen. ‘And you won’t be able to stay long if you decide to evacuate. Operation Exodus is pretty tightly confirmed. In a few hours we’ll be moving away from Terra Nova.’

‘Understood.’

‘Yes, well . . . good luck, sir.’

Bergman made contact with less than a minute to go. His face looked from the screen facing the control chairs in the command module. A worried face, anxious, a little baffled.

‘John, something odd’s just happened. Russell’s body has vanished.’

‘What?’

‘Vanished, John, disappeared. Mathias was just getting down to the autopsy when it happened. He was flung across the room by some form of electrical discharge. That condition I spoke about, it could have peaked.’

From where he sat Carter said, flatly, ‘Sixteen seconds, Commander.’

‘John, abort the mission.’

‘On what grounds?’

‘You’re heading into the unknown. Russell’s warning could have been genuine. His condition—if there is anti-matter down there you’ll all be wiped out.’

‘Ten seconds, Commander.’

‘We’ve been through all that, Victor. I’ve made my decision.’

‘Three seconds, Commander. Do you want me to hold?’

‘No, Alan.’ Koenig glanced at the pilot. ‘Take us down.’

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