See that? That controls the movements of the power plant rods. Trev here's the expert on that-snAp!'
I wondered what was going on in Peace's mind. The sight of the missile seemed to disquiet him.
Boz went on. Before Trev pulls rods, which starts the reactor-or, as we space boys say, it goes critical-we have to check the instrument panels, the monitoring circuits, valves and emergency alarms. They're energized by a small battery unit until the main power starts coming through from the reactor. Each of us has his own department.'
' Let's get going, Boz,' said the big Texan.
You wouldn't think to look at this bum that he's an expert on missile valves,' Boz remarked good-humouredly.
It looks very dark in there,' Adele murmured.
I know-have to know-the position of every switch, every lever, even in total darkness,' replied MKG.
He does, too,' added Boz. Right, fellahs: Now, we'll want a couple of hours before the instruments start to wake up under main power. It also takes some time after she's gone critical to mount full power for the pumps and so on. You can't do anything further here for the moment, Commander.'
' Power-noise,' replied Peace. ' Electric light-pinpoint for search planes. Pumps-target for sonar.'
' Sorry, Commander, but that's the way it is. We'll try and black out the perspex canopy from inside, but we gotta have a good light to check. We can't shorten the drill. Same with the countdown. Once we start the sequencer count, whatever happens in that last hour before the blast-off, we're committed.'
Even if Tyler should show up?' I asked.
MKG replied slowly, Once I'm submerged and counting, for God's sake don't let Tyler do anything rash. This little honey will smash anything on her way up. I don't want the lives of Tyler and his crew on my conscience.'
But it's Boz on the surface who presses the firing-button,' I said.
This is all theorizing,' said Peace shortly. We'll meet the situation as it arises.
MKG eyed him speculatively for a long moment. Then Boz took a key and unlocked the side hatchway through the casing into the cockpit.
He signed to Trevor-Davis. Come on, fellah, she's all yours to start with.'
Trevor-Davis lowered himself on to the cushioned chair and looked at us through the Perspex, He raised his right hand, forefinger and thumb circled together. Then he dropped his hand to the pistol-grip switch. We waited. Then, on his left, a dial glowed and a needle quivered.
During the next hour as Boz and his team went to work the instruments came alive one by one-the first had been the power-level reading of the reactor. Boz told us at intervals of coming and going into the cockpit that the others were pressures, velocity of steam flow, monitoring checks. Then suddenly the cockpit was flooded with the bright glow of electric light. Trevor-Davis, who had taken over again from one of the Americans, smiled up at us. Little Bear began to vibrate as the steam built up to full pressure in the reactor. I think we'll leave you to it,' Peace told MKG and the team. He glanced uneasily at the east and at the moon.
We're wide, wide open.'
Mac, at Peace's order, used the engine to take us back quickly to the shore. He seemed to have it in perfect running order. The American team had to accompany us, since the cockpit could only accommodate one man at a time.
Peace, Adele, Mac and I jumped out on to the sand. MKG and Boz nodded goodbye; all their thoughts were on Little
Bear.
We walked slowly up to Vingt-Cinq Coups.
Twelve hours to blast-off!
We sat against the coral wall of the hut, waiting for the news from Mauritius. Peace's eyes wandered frequently across the lagoon to the muted patch of light where Little Bear lay. Mauritius Radio came through:
Up to a few hours ago, neither the person of Marvin K. Green, Vice-President of the United States, nor the French freighter Semittante had been located by the massive search conducted by the American Seventh Fleet. Tonight the eyes of the world are on the Sea of Limuria. The focus of the search is now in the vicinity of the neighbouring isles of Agalega and Love-Apple Crossing. American fliers report that both these places have been heavily hit by the recent cyclone.'
Peace stirred as the announcer went on:
In the wake of the air search are deployed no fewer than five carriers, eighteen destroyers and nine nuclear submarines. American long-range vP-5 aircraft, flying from British bases, today combed a large area south of the Seychelles group, with negative results. These aircraft are using secret equipment to detect submerged wrecks.
` Meanwhile, in the United States, the National Space
Administration states, that tomorrow is the most favourable day for a space-shot. In view of this, carrier-based aircraft are flying round-the-clock missions in an attempt to stay what political observers in Washington consider the most extraordinary episode in the long history of the United States Presidency.
` The bearing of the American people at this time of crisis is no less extraordinary. Since the news broke, churches have been thronged, special prayers have been said for the President's recovery and the Vice-President's safety, and normal activities in all major cities have almost ceased. Many shops are closed and only essential services are operating. People have withdrawn indoors to the sanctuary of their homes, except in Washington, where crowds have gathered outside the White House in silent vigil while the battle for the President's life goes on. A curious silence has fallen on the nation. In New York-'
Peace leaned forward and clicked off the set. For a long time there was no sound but the wash of the sea in the soft tropical night.
` You have all this to account for if things go wrong,' I said. Peace jumped to his feet. ` They must not find Little Bear!'
Seven hours later they had not located Little Bear. MKG had returned in the cutter within an hour; after a broken night Andre had fetched us as a thin line started to show pearly-grey in the east. Now we were back at the mis212 sile. Peace had stood up in the cutter as we crossed the lagoon, trying to probe the lightening skies. They were empty. Boz and his team were weary but triumphant. She's fine every damn' thing just jim-dandy,' he told MKG. She's hot to trot.'
By contrast with his previous mood, MKG was light-hearted, boyish almost, now that the space-shot was at hand. He glanced down into the softly vibrating cockpit. Let's get her to the launch-point, shall we-got it fixed, John?'
Just one more star-sight,' I said, holding my sextant.
He doesn't need a sextant,' Peace said. He could do it blindfold.'
I took my sight and was satisfied. There was nothing 'to keep us in the lagoon longer. MKG looked thoughtfully at the long missile. ' Just pray that at the Jesus moment she hasn't got a hot bottom.'
Boz stiffened.
Hot bottom?' Adele looked startled.
MKG gestured with one hand. She's never been flight tested-too much heat causes the tail to fall apart. If that happens, she'll wriggle across the sky like a belly-dancer. Goodbye Mr. Vice-President.'
She shivered and he put an arm round her.
Boz said quickly, Doesn't often happen any more. The cermets boys have seen to that. Just an outside chance.'
Andre brought the cutter close to the nose-cone while I fended her off with a rough oar. Boz hitched a rope into the nose-towing wire and Mac eased open the throttle. Andre gestured to me and we slipped our oars into the crude rowlocks. We heaved. Little Bear moved, gathered way. In the smooth water as Peace gunned the engine, Little Bear followed as easily and tamely as a well-trained dog; I could feel the pulse of her machinery along the tow-rope.
Five o'clock.
We cleared the lagoon entrance and I gave Peace a course into the eye of the soft morning.