Готовый перевод Страна багровых туч / Аркадий и Борис Стругацкие / The Land of Crimson Clouds / Arkady and Boris Strugatsky: ЭКИПАЖ "ХИУСА" / The Crew of "Hius"

The Crew of "Hius"

"Venus is the second planet from the Sun. Its average distance from the Sun is 0.723 astronomical units or 108 million kilometres... It makes a complete revolution around the Sun in 224 days 16 hours 49 min 8 sec. The average speed along the orbit is 35 km/sec... Venus is the closest planet to us. While passing between Earth and the Sun its distance from Earth can be 39 million km... When Venus is behind the Sun it is far from Earth at a distance of 258 million km. Its diameter is 12400 km, the oblateness is invisible. If we take data for Earth as 1, we will have a diameter of Venus as much as 0.973, its surface area as ​​0.95, its volume as 0.92, the gravity force on the surface as 0.85, its density as 0.88 (or 4.86 g/cm^3), its mass as 0.81... The period of rotation around the axis is about 57 hours... Venus is surrounded by an extremely dense atmosphere made of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, in which crystalline ammonia clouds float... Currently, the study of Venus is being performed by a number of temporary and permanent artificial satellites. Two of them belong to the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Several attempts to land on Venus (Abrosimov, Nishijima, Sokolovsky, Shi Feng-yu, etc.) and perform a direct investigation of its surface were not successful".

Bykov looked at a color photograph of Venus - a yellowish disc on the velvety black background with blue and orange shades - and slammed the heavy volume. "Several attempts to land... and perform a direct investigation... were not successful...". Short and clearly. Yes, attempts have been made. Bykov began to remember all that he knew from books and newspapers, TV lectures and short dry messages from TASS.

By the end of the third decade since the earliest lunar flights, almost all of the objects within a radius of one and a half billion kilometres from Earth were already familiar to mankind. New scientific branches appeared - planetology and planetography of Moon, Mars and Mercury, large moons of major planets and some asteroids. Interplaneters, especially those who had to work far away from Earth for months and years, had already used to quaking depositions of eternal dust in Moon valleys, to red deserts and cachectic groves of the Martian saxaul, to icy abysses and white-hot mountain plateaus on Mercury, to strange skies with multiple moons and to the Sun looking like a bright star. Hundreds of spaceships had been crossing the Solar System in all directions. A new stage of conquering the space by mankind was about to come. It was time to explore 'hard-to-reach' major planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Venus.

Venus was one of the first objects of attention for earth researchers. Its proximity to Earth and the Sun, a ceartain similarity of some its physical characteristics to Earth and at the same time a total lack of any reliable information about its structure attracted cosmonauts to it in the first place.

Firstly, as always, unmanned devices were launched. The results were discouraging. A thick cloudiness, resembling an ocean mud, didn't let see anything. Hundreds of kilometres of normal and infrared film showed the same thing: a white veil of the tight - apparently very thick - layer of fog. The radiooptics didn't meet the expectations either. In the Venusian atmosphere radiowaves were completely absorbed or they were reflected from its top layers. Radar screens remained black or shone with smooth meaningless light. There were no messages received from telecontrol and cybernetic tank laboratories, although they had brilliantly proved their usefulness while preliminary explorations of Moon and Mars. They were completely and forever lost somewhere at the bottom of this dense ocean of the pink-gray cloud mass.

Then daredevils began to assault Venus. Three missions, equipped with the most advanced technology for that time, on the best in the world interplanetary ships, one after another plunged into the atmosphere of the mysterious planet. The first ship burned, not having a time to submit any news about itself (observers recorded a dim flash on the spot where the planetship plunged). The second expedition reported that they were going to land and - in twenty minutes - that their ship was being carried by atmospheric currents of incredible power. Then it fell silent forever. The third expedition successfully managed to land on the surface of the planet. For some capricious whims of the Venusian atmosphere it was possible to maintain a connection with them for the whole day. The commander reported about sand storms and tornadoes, tearing away the whole rocks, and about the crimson darkness, enveloping everything outside. Then this expedition fell silent, too. But in a few days someone quickly said into the microphone: "Fever, fever, fever ..." And the communication interrupted.

The loss of three expeditions in such a short period of time was too much! It became obvious that a new assault of Venus would be possible only after very careful preparation. It needed a laborious, thorough and comprehensive reconnaissance. The International Congress of Space Scientists developed a plan to study Venus for the next fifteen years. For researching works the humanity pushed ahead the whole wide arsenal of science and technology. Several satellite observatories were built, equipped with hundreds of automatic devices. There were used self-propelled scout vehicles, infrared and electron optic tools, ion-scope devices and more other means. The information obtained was tirelessly processed by the largest electronic computers in the world. The stratosphere of Venus had been studied with the thoroughness astonishing scientists themselves. At last, they ascertained the rotation period of Venus around the axis with necessary precision. They made a rough map of mountain ranges of Venus. Magnetic fields were measured. The work was being performed methodically and purposefully.

A French satellite discovered on Venus an area with extra ionization. Some time later that discovery was confirmed by Soviet, Chinese and Japanese researchers. It turned out that the area with super high ionization occupied about half a million square kilometres and repeatedly detected on the planetary surface. The researchers confirmed that it wasn't connected with the thick layer of clouds, and therefore there was a zero probability of its atmospheric origin. It remained only one opportunity that the source of ionization was connected with the hard surface of Venus. If the ionization was caused by radiation, then there must be a deposit of radioactive ores of unprecedentedly high concentration. The name "Uranium Golkonda" just suggested itself.

Now the matter became different. As for heavy active elements the humanity was still on a starvation diet. The mining technology of dissipated elements developed slowly. Anyway, the demand for actinides far exceeded the production of enriching plants, and their artificial production was too expensive. A purely academic scientific interest to Venus supplemented with a more practical purpose.

Again a number of expeditions followed. Sokolovsky died, a Vice President of the International Congress of Space Scientists. Fearless Nishijima returned to Nagoya as a blind cripple. The best pilot of China - Shi Feng-yu - had been missing. Obviously, the old assault means were not good for this planet. It seemed it was mocking at people's efforts. The analysis of the poor data on death causes of the expeditions showed that for a successful landing on Venus we must reject the old forms and principles of interplanetary flights. The International Congress urged to temporarily refrain from further attempts with old methods and established a prize for development a new kind of interplanetary transport, suitable to overcome the boiling shell of the Venusian atmosphere. In the Soviet Union the works on creating a photonic rocket were in a full swing. Other countries were also looking for new ways.

Two years before the beginning of this story there had flashed a message in some central newspapers that on the biggest artificial satellite of Earth, "Weidade Youyi" - "The Great Friendship" - Soviet and Chinese masters of gravitationless casting - casting in weightless conditions - had started moulding a hull of the first photon rocket. And, perhaps, in this rocket Bykov and his comrades were destined to break through to the Venusian deserts that are "unlikely much different from your beloved Gobi".

Would it be a photon rocket or an atomic one, would the Venusian sands differ from earthly sands or not, but it is obvious the expedition isn't going to some well-prepared place. Interplanetary flights and - more important - the work on other planets are indeed a very hard and complicated thing. To conquer Venus and to get the treasures of the semi-mythical Uranium Golkonda one needs a lot of knowledge, absolute health and outstanding composure. One must be a zealous cosmonaut or be one of those heroes that are shown in the cinema and welcomed with flowers or... buried in the dark void of the infinite space. Does a modest engineer Bykov have enough knowledge, health and composure? Anyway...

Krauhin knows better. He is the Deputy Chairman of SCIPC — the State Committee of Interplanetary Communications. So, if Krauhin is sure that Bykov will cope with it, then Bykov will do it. In fact, those cosmonauts are usual people! If they can do it, he will be able to do it as well.

Bykov caught himself staring directly into the eyes of a pretty girl, a librarian, at the opposite table. She frowned, then she couldn't help herself and laughed. Bykov scowled. Yes, he needs to send a telegram to Ashkhabad, that it is going to be a long trip. Sorry, we cannot meet before the expedition ... But what would be the result? Is it possible to express in a few minutes that he hasn't dared to speak about for years? Let's leave everything to fate. When he returns - (he reminded a photo from an illustrated magazine: cosmic space heroes have returned from a difficult journey - flowers, smiles, raised hands in greeting ...) - when he comes back, he will take a vacation and go to Ashkhabad. He will come to one house, press the ring button and then...

Bykov looked at the clock. Only few minutes remained till five o'clock. He stood up and with a slight bow gave back the volume of encyclopedia to the smiling girl and went to Krauhin.

In the office the single-eyed clerk nodded to him as to an old acquaintance. Bykov once again looked at the clock (it was a minute to five), ran his hand through his hair, straightened his tunic and resolutely opened the door of the study.

It seemed to him that he entered the other room. The blinds were raised, and the sun burst into the wide-open windows in a merry stream, filling brightly the light velvety plastic walls. The armchair at the table was moved to side, and the special spacesuit still laid on it, hanging its silver cap over the back. The carpet was folded in a roll and stretched along the wall. In the middle of the study on the shiny floor there was a strange object, looking like a huge gray tortoise on five feet as thick as tubs. A smooth spherical shell towered above the floor no less than a meter high. The turtle was surrounded by a few squatting people.

When Bykov came in, one of them, broad and round-shouldered man, wearing dark glasses like cans, covering half of his face, raised his head with the shining in the sun yellow bald and said in Krauhin's husky voice:

- Here he is! Comrades, let me introduce the sixth member of your crew, an engineer Aleksey Petrovich Bykov.

Everybody turned towards him: a tall, very handsome man wearing a light elegant suit; a fat man, red from heat with his head shaven bald; a swarthy dark-haired boy, wiping his sinewy hands with a piece of oiled oakum; and... Dauge, his old good friend Grigory Iogannovich Dauge, still skinny and clumsy like last year in Gobi, only not in wide trousers and a headscarf, but in a regular city-type suit. Dauge was looking at Bykov and friendly nodding to him, grinning wide.

- Please, get acquainted - Krauhin said. - Vladimir Sergeevich Yurkovsky, a great geologist and an experienced interplanetary traveler...

The handsome man in an elegant suit weakly, almost reluctantly, shook hands and turned away from Bykov with an indifferent look. Bykov glanced at Krauhin and it seemed to him that in his round eyes some merry lights quickly flickered on and off.

- Spitsyn Bogdan Bogdanovich, a pilot, one of the best world's astronauts. A participant of the first expeditions to the asteroid belt.

A black-haired guy flashed with his excellent teeth. His hand was hot and hard as iron.

- ... Krutikov Mihail Antonovich - continued Krauhin. - A navigator. The pride of our Soviet space science.

- A gross exaggeration, Nikolay Zaharovich, - the fat man muttered, embarrassed like a girl, and friendly looking up at Bykov. - Comrade Bykov would actually think... Very nice to meet you, very nice, comrade Bykov...

- ... Finally ... However, here I think there is no introduction required.

Bykov and Dauge embraced.

- Great, Aleksey! Great! - whispered Dauge.

- I do not believe my eyes! Ioganych, is that you?

- I am, Aleksey!

Krauhin touched Bykov's elbow:

- The commander and the chief of the expedition...

Bykov turned round. A shortish slender man was standing in the doorway, he was pale and absolutely grey, although judging by his face with clear, refined, regular features, one couldn't say he was over thirty-five. Apparently, he had come in just after Bykov and stopped for watching the simple introduction ceremony.

- ... Anatoly Borisovich Ermakov.

Having heard the name which had been mentioned a lot in newspapers few months ago, Bykov stretched and stood at attention. There are some people who make you feel their absolute superiority at first sight. Undoubtedly, Ermakov was such a person. Bykov physically felt his enormous will-power, unbending, almost cruel single-mindedness and his flexible, all-round intellect. Ermakov's firm-looking mouth was half-open in a polite smile, but his dark eyes were scanning the new expedition member's face with a guarded and searching look.

It took few unbearably long seconds. At last, Ermakov said softly:

- I'm very glad, comrade Bykov.

The engineer carefully shook his narrow warm hand and hurried away to Dauge. He noticed that Dauge's forehead is covered with sweat. However, in the study it was quite hot.

- So, comrades ... - started Krauhin. - Now when we're all here, let's start our meeting - the last meeting in Moscow.

He came to the desk and pressed a button on the ebonite panel of the videophone. There was a muffled hum. Bykov involuntarily recoiled when the gray turtle slowly sank beneath the floor and hardwood doors closed above a wide square pit. Dauge and Spitsyn rolled out the carpet on the floor and thick Krutikov moved the armchair closer to the table.

- Please be seated - invited Krauhin.

Everybody sat on light chairs made of mahogany. There was silence.

- I'm glad to tell you, my friends - began Krauhin - that the order has been signed. The order signed two hours ago, and everything related to ...um... the personnel of the expedition was approved unconditionally. My congratulations to you!

No one moved, only handsome Yurkovsky suddenly raised his head and glanced at Bykov.

- As for the task... - Krauhin paused, lifted the paper to his glasses. - As for the task, the committee found it necessary to make some changes. Rather, additions.

- Here we are... - Dauge grumbled with displeasure, but very quietly.

The phone rang. Krauhin picked up the phone and hung it at once, flicked the switch and muttered:

- I have a meeting.

- Yes, sir! - answered someone.

- So, comrades. In general and whole, as they say, everything remains as it has been planned. The complex task is a test of the new rocket and the geological search on Venus. As we have a newcomer, who does not know our affairs, and remembering that repetition, as they say, is the mother of learning ... and generally it will be useful to bring to you the contents of this part of the order literally, so I'm reading an excerpt: "Section Eight. Firstly, the purpose of the expedition is to perform a comprehensive test of operating and technical characteristics of the interplanetary transport of a new type - a photon rocket "Hius". Secondly, to land on Venus in the region of the deposit of radioactive ores called "Uranium Golconda", discovered by Tahmasib—Ermakov's expedition two years ago..."

Bykov sighed loudly. Dauge warningly put his hand on his knee.

- "... and perform its geological survey. Section Nine. The task of the geological group is to determine the boundaries of the deposit "Uranium Golconda", to collect samples and to approximately calculate the amount of available radioactive ores. On returning to the committee to present arguments on the economic value of the deposit". Everything is like before, isn't it? - said Krauhin. - And here is the point that hasn't been in the project. Listen: "Section Ten. The objective of the expedition is to find a landing site within 50 kilometres from the borders of the deposit "Uranium Golconda", suitable for all types of interplanetary transportation, and to equip this site with automatic ultrawave beacons of Usmanov—Schwarz construction powered by local resources".

Krauhin put the paper down and looked at the audience. Everybody was silent for a while. Then Yurkovsky significantly cocked his thick black eyebrow and said:

- And who will do all this?

- A strange question, Vladimir Sergeevich - Krauhin grinned.

- Fine, fine, we will find the site - quickly said Dauge. - In the last resort, we will construct it. But as for the beacons ... Indeed, it is probably a delicate matter, requiring some special knowledge.

- Indeed, it is not my concern, my dear friends. It is a problem for the chief of the expedition. - Krauhin took a cigarette from the table and lit it. - Right, Anatoly Borisovich?

Bykov turned to Ermakov with curiosity. Ermakov nodded indifferently.

- I think - he said slowly, - we can handle it. We have at least another month and a half, if I'm not mistaken. During this time, we are fully able to become familiar with the construction of the beacons and perform two or three test assemblies. It is not so "delicate"...

- But keep in mind - interrupted Krauhin - that I won't give you a month and a half. Even a month you won't get.

- Well, if so - it will be enough three weeks. - Ermakov lowered his eyes and stared at his long thin fingers. - Of course, if you provide us this opportunity.

- I don't understand - intervened Yurkovsky, not waiting for Krauhin's answer - what does it mean "powered by local resources?" It is written so, isn't it?

- It means, Vladimir Sergeevich, that the source of energy for the beacons you will have to find on the site - said Krauhin. - However, I think for our technicians this question is clear, right?

Krutikov quickly nodded twice and Spitsyn said, smiling:

- That's simple ... It is some radioactive element, if Golconda even half rich as they say, or thermocouples ... But ... But what can we say?! Orders are orders.

- One thing is to order and another thing is to do, - muttered Yurkovsky grimly. - Anyway, it would be nice to agree this item with us in advance and then put it into the order.

"Why won't Krauhin stop this blossoming dude?" - Bykov thought angrily.

The straight - as a razor slash - Krauhin's mouth stretched into a mocking smile:

- Do you think, Vladimir Sergeevich, that the expedition cannot do it?

- It is a different matter...

- Of course, it is different! - snapped Krauhin. - Of course, different! The only point is that six of eight ships launched to Venus for last twenty years have been broken on rocks. The only point is that "Hius" is being sent not only to... and not so much for your geological delights, Vladimir Sergeevich. The only point is that others will go after you... dozens and hundreds of others. Venus... Golconda cannot be left without beacons any longer, damn it! Either there will be reliable automatic beacons, or we will always send people to almost a certain death. Is it not almost clear to you, Vladimir Sergeevich?

He coughed, threw the cigarette away and wiped his bald head with a handkerchief. Yurkovsky instantly blushed and looked away. Everyone was silent. Dauge nudged Bykov:

- That's how our people are dragged from high empyreans to ground.

- Wait, Ioganych! - whispered Bykov vexed. - Let me hear.

He still poorly envisioned the plan and the means of the expedition. It was clear now that at least one landing on Venus was successful. The landing of Tahmasib—Ermakov's expedition. Uranium Golconda was not a myth.

- ... I guess we don't have to change the calculations of flight? - asked Ermakov.

- No, the calculations don't change. Mihail Antonovich should be oriented to start on the 15-18th of August.

Navigator Krutikov smiled and started to nod his head.

- I have one more question - suddenly said Yurkovsky.

- Please, Vladimir Sergeevich.

- I don't quite understand the role of comrade ... er ... Bykov in our expedition. I do not doubt in his ... uh ... excellent qualities, both physical and spiritual, but I would like to know his profession and his task.

Bykov held his breath.

- You know, - said Krauhin slowly - that the expedition will have to work in desert conditions. And comrade Bykov knows deserts well.

- Hm ... I thought he is an expert on landing sites. After all, Dauge, apparently, knows deserts not worse.

- Dauge knows deserts much worse! - Grigory Iogannovich angrily intervened. - Significantly worse. Mentioned Dauge made a fool of himself in very prosaic Gobi dunes, and if Bykov were not ... You do not know Bykov, Volodya, and do not know deserts. Not all deserts are the same as at the Syrtis Major Planum on Mars.

Krauhin calmly waited until Dauge paused, and finished:

- In addition, Aleksey Petrovich is a great engineer, a chemist-radiologist and a driver.

Yurkovsky shrugged:

- Do not get me wrong. I have nothing against engineer Bykov. But I must know the responsibilities of my comrade in the expedition! Now I know: a specialist on deserts.

Bykov gritted his teeth and said nothing. But Krauhin, angrily staring at Yurkovsky with his round eyes, boomed out:

- Correct me if I'm wrong, Vladimir Sergeevich. It seems to me, five years ago when you were on Mars it was your tank caterpillar that broke down, wasn't it? And you with Hlebnikov were trudging on foot for fifty kilometres, because you didn't manage to repair it...

Yurkovsky jumped up and wanted to said something against, but Krauhin continued:

- Even it's not the point. Engineer Bykov is included into the expedition team, beside everything else, for his, so to say, excellent physical and spiritual qualities, in which you, in your own words, do not doubt. This is the person to whom you, Vladimir Sergeevich, can rely on at a critical moment. And those moments will be there, I promise you! As to his knowledge, you can be sure that he has no less knowledge in his field than you have in your own.

- Do surrender! - Krutikov patted Yurkovsky on his back. - Moreover, it was he who saved your beloved Dauge...

- Stop it! - muttered Yurkovsky.

Bykov took a deep breath and smoothed coarse hair at his crown.

- As for duties - Krauhin said, pulling out of table a folded sheet of paper. - Everybody knows them, but... I'll read it out for repetition. "Ermakov is the chief of the expedition, the captain of the ship, a physicist, a biologist and a doctor. Spitsyn is a pilot, a radio operator, a navigator and a flight engineer. Krutikov is a navigator, a computer engineer, a pilot and a flight engineer. Yurkovsky is a geologist, a radio operator, a biologist. Dauge is a geologist, a biologist. Bykov is a mechanical engineer, a chemist, a transporter driver, a radio operator".

- A specialist on deserts... - whispered Dauge.

Bykov shrugged his shoulder impatiently.

- Well, now one more thing... - Krauhin stood and leaned on the table with his hands. - A few words about the "Tahmasib's mystery"...

- Oh, my God! - murmured Krutikov plaintively.

- What did you say? - Krauhin turned to him.

- Nothing, Nikolay Zaharovich.

- Probably, you wanted to say that you are bored to death of this myth about Tahmasib's mystery?

- Well... - Krutikov began to move awkwardly and looked sideways at Ermakov - not quite true, of course...

- But something like that. However, let's return to business. One person in the Academy Presidium is very interested in this issue and requested to include the work on deciphering the "mystery" into the plan of the expedition.

- Of course... - smiled Krutikov.

- I refused, referring to your workload. But, as you anyway will be working in vicinity of Golkonda, please take note all of the phenomena, even little similar to what has become known after Tahmasib—Ermakov's expedition. Agreed?

Everybody remained silent. Only Ermakov said quietly:

- Unfortunately, it is a very common opinion that the strange incident with Tahmasib is a myth. But his death is not a myth...

- He could die from a thousand reasons - said Dauge.

- Possibly. But it is also possible that the "red ring", whatever it could mean, really exists and it was the cause of his death.

- In short, this is not an order, but a request - said Krauhin - although I'm afraid you will encounter with that "Tahmasib's mystery" regardless of whether you believe in it or not... That's all I wanted to tell you. Now about the current affairs. You know that tomorrow we are flying out. An assembly place is here, at twelve. We will go to Vnukovo airport... Aleksey Petrovich!

- I am! .. - Bykov jumped on his feet.

- Please be seated. Where will you stay? In "Prague"?

- At mine - quickly said Dauge.

- That's great! Well, comrades, if you have no other questions, you can go to prepare. You, Anatoly Borisovich, please stay for five minutes.

Everybody stood up and started to bid farewells. Going out into the waiting room, Dauge touched Bykov's hand and said:

- Walk down, Aleksey, and wait for me in the hall, I'll go for the car. We have the whole evening. We'll sit and talk. I think you have a lot of questions, right?

- How insightful you are, Grigory Ioganych! Really! - muttered Bykov.

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Переведено на Нотабеноиде
http://notabenoid.org/book/35064/123854

Переводчики: staswiz, Alex_ander