Classics of a fantasy. A. Belyaev
equator and the greatest height on it.
Take the globe, and, turning it, you will see what mountain areas
crosses the equator. Islands of Sumatra and Borneo and South American
The Cordilleras – the Andes. Islands gorist. There are heights more than four
thousands of meters. It is possible that Sumatra and Borneo will become rocket airfields
future regular interplanetary travel, as well as Andes. But on these
islands., it is too crowded: oil, coal, tropical spices and
fruit and other tempting things attracted the capital and people there, and
islands became colonies of a number of powers. Besides Sumatra and Borneo
are rather far from those factories and the plants at which
parts of the rocket are produced. Transfer would cost much.
Therefore, there are Andes. Here everything that to us, is more faithful to you, is necessary:
equator, high mountains, deficiency, off road terrain, desert, solitude. Quite
also the area topography approaches. Flight will be directed on an inclined plane in
twelve degrees on the East, that is in the same direction, in what
also the globe rotates. It to use “free”
additional speed of rotation of Earth to add this speed to speed
rockets. As you can see if skillfully to undertake, then and rotation of Earth is possible
to make the ally. Between the Andes and the Rocky Mountains the valley lies. There,
where the Andes break to this valley, it is convenient to arrange the platform for running start
rockets. Having gained speed, the rocket “will break” from break to leave
Earth. Well, now all “why” are resolved? Blotton nodded:
– I thank you, everything is clear. Do not complain about me for my dullness: to me
it was not necessary to be engaged in these lofty matters.
– However we were so chattered that nearly missed landing, – told
Vinkler. – Already Stormer-city – the purpose of our travel is seen. On
any case be fastened to a chair by belts. Startodr here not quite
it is equipped.
Finger silently executed this council, but Blotton, being fastened, carelessly
told with a type of the skilled person.
– Overcaution!
Chapter 4
AS IT IS POSSIBLE TO CONTAIN A LOT OF THINGS IN SMALL
Today last day…
Ellen drops on the earth of several broken roses and does not notice it.
The aunt ordered to get ready for a trip. “You can select things weight
on centner, and gram more, – she told. – You can take everything that
it is pleasant to you also that you consider it necessary”.
Ellen entered the country lock of lady Hinton from a garden on wide
to white stone ladder. Family crests over doors with cut from
gray stone lions were corroded winds and rains of four centuries.
Four hundred years sharp-toothed, oskalenny mouths of animals protected rest of the lock. And
now it is necessary to leave all to the mercy of fate if only to save themselves…
Winter garden. Fountains in marble reservoirs murmur, birds chirp.
Artificial grottoes, small falls among greens. Palm trees, cactuses
vsevozmozhneyshy types. The most valuable collection of orchids collected by her grandfather in
that time when orchids became fashionable in England and for rare copies
paid gold heaps. Some fancy copies of these exotic
flowers had the history. To receive them, courageous hunters
behind orchids went to the wild woods of the Central Africa and Southern
America, battled against savages, animals, died of fever, stings
dragon. Some of them were burned on fires, eaten by cannibals,
died of the poisoned arrows. When this watered with blood extraordinary,
as if brought from other planet, plants appeared in the capital
Great Britain, on them new hunting – hunting capital began
the aristocrats-snobs trying to catch any price in the
collection the most original and beautiful flowers. Her grandfather then bought up
the best copies, came to admire its collection from different
countries. How many works and money were cost by this winter garden!
Behind a garden the art gallery began. Entrances and exits protect
terrible knights from whom there was only a brilliant cover. They not
will lift heavy swords in protection of the lock, will not cross copies for
honor of ladies of the heart…
Hall of easel painting. Reysdal, Rosetti, Flemings, Dutches,
Spaniards, Italians. Whether not to take what from this room? Some
peace Dutch landscape?. No!
In the dining room – hills of ancient porcelain, crystal, Venetian
color glass. Unless it is possible to take these fragile things in the rocket?
Library. Books are hated it. By!.
Narrow dark corridors Ellen passed to wardrobe rooms. Here
smelled of naphthalene. Cases contained the whole history of a suit. Ellen
removed doors and looked inside. Silk, velvet, heavy brocade,
gold sewing, pearls… And what sizes! As if wore these dresses
the died-out breed of giants. Ellen reached own clothes,
where the dresses sewed for it by the best tailors were stored. To take, to be
can, this gray silk dress? Or this black, output?
Ball – steel color? To what? Evening receptions, theaters… All this
“there” it is not necessary…
Many hours she wandered about the house. Took one thing in hand and, forgetting about
to it, mechanically put back, went further.
It turned out as a result that she loves nothing and it is not tied to anything.
Ellen has no lovely, expensive things. But why then she so dreamed about
inheritance? In what business? She could not understand it.
With bitterness she entered the room of lady Hinton. The aunt sat at a desk
mahogany and, as the usurer accepting gold in a mortgage
weighed diamonds on pharmaceutical scales.
For Ellen it was day of revelations. Having found the aunt behind this occupation,
Ellen suddenly felt that she hates her and despises. These feelings
long ago were concealed in her soul and now emerged on a surface.
– Selected? –