Treachery in Outer Space by Louis Glanzman;[pseud.] Carey Rockwell
page 88 of 220 (40%)
page 88 of 220 (40%)
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control tower on Deimos and received landing instructions.
"_Space Lance_ will touch down on Ramp Three, _Good Company_ on Ramp Six," crackled the voice of the Deimos tower operator, "and don't forget your approach orbits!" "Have you heard from the _Space Knight_?" called Tom. "Sorry, _Space Lance_," came the reply, "there has been no contact with _Space Knight_." Tom began to feel the fingers of fear creeping up and down his spine. Quent Miles had carried out his plan of going on to Ganymede without refueling, threatening not only his own life, but Roger's as well. Sticoon completed the three circling passes around Deimos and shouted to Tom over his shoulder. "Stand by, Corbett. We're ready to go in!" Tom strapped himself into his acceleration chair and, watching the atmospheric altimeter, a delicate instrument that recorded their height above the surface of a heavenly body, began to call off the indicated figures. "Five thousand feet, four, three--dropping too fast--compensate for lesser gravity--two thousand, one, five hundred, two hundred--" Tom braced himself and seconds later felt the impact of the ship settling stern first on the concrete ramp. "Touchdown," he sang out in a clear voice. While Sticoon secured the control deck, closing the many switches and |
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