A. Belyaev - Classics of a fantasy

even you, – it gallantly added, – it is probable, will not cause delight at

Martian Apollo. Yes! There is one more advantage of life on Mars,

which will be estimated especially by women. Year is almost twice longer there, than on

To the earth. And, having lived forty terrestrial years on the Martian account, you can on

to tell conscience that to you only twenty.

– And I will look twenty-year-old or forty-year-old?

– Here I find it difficult to tell it to you. I am afraid to upset, but I think that

forty-year-old. Though, maybe, and vital processes will proceed there

in a slowed-up way.

– I believe that on Mars it is not so bad. A little coldishly…

– But it is possible to live.

– Ellen! You laid a fur coat? – lady Hinton interrupted.

– And Martians will not kill us? – again asked Amelie. Lady Hinton already

glanced at it with displeasure.

– Will not kill. The biggest – will be put in the museum as rare

copies, – with a smile Dzhilber answered.

– As for Venus, – it continued, – I already told that: there not

such conditions, as on Earth. But climate, perhaps, not really pleasant. Not

I know whether fall by the Martian Adam, but on Venus was made

people, likely, strongly made angry god.

– Why you so think? – the bishop became interested.

– John Milton assures of the poem “The Lost and Returned Paradise”

lips of an angel that the axis of our Earth before Adam’s fall stood

perpendicularly to the plane of a terrestrial ecliptic and on Earth was all the year round

identical spring climate. The terrestrial axis was inclined in punishment for

fall of the first person, and climate of Earth worsened. And as

inclination of an axis of Venus bigger, than a terrestrial axis, it is necessary to make

conclusion that venerianets even more made angry god, than our primogenitors.

Venerable professor Kinbruk claims that on Venus it is perfect

there is no oxygen, and approves it on the ground that spectral

the analysis of traces of oxygen it is not revealed. It is incorrect. Physicist

The Michigan university by Artur Adel it was established that

concentration of carbon dioxide in only one upper atmosphere

Venus it is enormous in comparison with terrestrial. If there is a carbonic acid, then

there has to be also an oxygen. Venus has to be similar to a huge greenhouse, and

life on Venus, maybe, accepts especially violent and intensive

the forms surpassing what we have on Earth.

– And animals on Venus are? – asked Pinch.

– If there is an oxygen, moisture, warmly, then why not to be also an animal?

– What water on Venus? – the bishop asked. Dzhilber crafty

smiled:

– It depending on for what needs. In old times the father

Kirkher was interested whether water on Venus for commission of a ceremony is good

baptisms. Unfortunately, I cannot answer this question to you

in the affirmative. In all other relations, I believe, water nothing not

differs from terrestrial.

– I do not agree with my dear colleague, – without having asked permission at

the chairman, Kinbruk began to say. Stormer tried to stop it, but

the scientist did not stop. Fortunately, in the heat of a dispute Kinbruk forgot about audience

also began to pour the terminology clear to nobody, except devoted.

Between scientists the dispute erupted. Zander listening already with impatience

interfered:

– I would ask to give us rather your resolutory data. Venus, Mars

or neither that nor other planet?

– Whether and everything is equal to you? – Stormer who did not get used that asked

somebody interfered with conducting a meeting.

– By no means not all the same, – Zander answered. – If we fly to Venus,

the minimum initial speed of flight of the rocket has to be eleven

whole the four tenth kilometer per second; if to Mars – eleven

whole six tenth. Flight to Mars occupies not less than hundred ninety

two days, to Venus – ninety seven. All calculations depending on

it change.

– But I did not tell about the third opportunity, – Dzhilber told, – about

opportunities., anywhere not to land. If you really managed

to establish that circulation of substances about which told me dear

Leo Zander, and to these you would provide yourself food on vaguely long

term, it would be the best exit. You could install in the rocket

both climate of Riviera, and lighting according to your desire, even in each cabin

different – to tastes of inhabitants. You could make attempt to land

on the planet and to depart from there if life on it is unsuitable.

In a word, you would be masters of the situation and would not depend more on Earth

and sky.

This offer, probably, was pleasant to all.

Zander grinned and asked words. Stormer strictly looked at him

and solemnly proclaimed:

– It is given the floor to the engineer Zander.

– All this discussion, – there began the engineer, – with my point of view, it seems

overdue. You are going to fly in the most near future. You hurry

me with flying away. You hurry me with completion of work. What would be if

I would design the rocket suitable for flight to Venus, and to me would be

the task to fly to Mars or to soar in space without landing is given!

It is impossible to remake the rocket, it would be necessary to build new.

– But you put several types of the rocket?

– From a bookmark before construction not one month proceeds. In ready or

almost in finished form there is only one. And if you want to fly,

on it it is also necessary to make a trip.

Stormer flushed.

– In other words, – he told, – you, without us resolved an issue about

route and in compliance with it constructed the rocket?

– Anyhow I could arrive? Really you believe that I expected

at this meeting to meet something new to me? All mentioned

I was forced to study questions in the most attentive way still to

first drawing of the rocket. All latest astronomical literature, all

last achievements of astronomy. At last, your task – to be guided

to Venus.

– If so, then I do not understand why it was necessary to invite us, —

Kinbruk quite sharply told.

– Well, at least to tell future participants of flight

some data on astronomy, – with a smile were told by Zander. And not only

for this purpose. I cannot assume all responsibility. As if

we are circumspect were, whatever precautionary measures

undertook, our travel after all is risky.

Stormer angrily began to patter fingers on a table. That for tactless

person this Zander! It is good still that it is not heard by other participants

joint-stock company. It would frighten off them.

At the word “risk” of lady Hinton and Ellen made the involuntary movement.

Zander noticed it and immediately hurried to calm women.

– And trips in the train are accompanied by risk, – he noticed. – Not

I think that flight in the rocket represented big risk. But in a case

landings to the planet us, of course, expect many surprises. And I am very much

he is grateful to professor Kinbruk who informed you in advance about

some inconveniences existing on the specified planets. In

astronomical questions your authority will be believed, certainly, more,

than me.

– But where you land us, devil take it? Forgive, the milady, for

involuntary exclamation, – Stormer told.

All waited with breathless attention that Zander will tell.

– Anywhere. I believe that to us it is the more favorable and safest exactly anywhere