Part 2 (2/2)

Without taking his eyes off the screen, Cutler spoke through his clenched teeth, the cigar still sticking from the corner of his mouth: 'What is it?'

'The old guy would like a word with you, sir. Claims it's urgent.'

'O.K.' He beckoned the Doctor over. 'Make it fast.'

The Doctor stared at the white pulsating circle of light on the screen. 'I think I know what you're going to see.'

'Eh? How can you.' he snapped. The Doctor ripped a page out of his notebook.

'It's all down here.' He flourished the paper, but the General took no notice. Instead, Barclay took the paper from his hand. Suddenly, Dyson, who had been standing on the other side of the telescope, called out: 'Quick, we've got it!'

Several technicians scrambled over to look at the screen. The circular blob of light had cleared; its outlines were sharp; they could make out an object somewhat like a golf ball in size, with light and shaded areas.

It's a planet all right,' said Dyson.

'How can it be?' Cutler cut in. 'Planets can't just appear from nowhere. Mars is the nearest planet and it's way beyond this one.'

'It must be on an oblique orbit,' Barclay seemed to be almost speaking to himself.

'And approaching quite fast.' Dyson turned to the Australian. 'Of course, that's what's drawing off the capsule!'

Barclay nodded grimly. 'That's it all right. Zeus Four Zeus Four is out of orbit, and the new planet is influencing it.' 'That's about it.' Dyson nodded. 'It has to be.' 'We must get them down-quick.' is out of orbit, and the new planet is influencing it.' 'That's about it.' Dyson nodded. 'It has to be.' 'We must get them down-quick.'

'An emergency splash down?' Cutler, who had felt at a loss during the preceeding conversation between the more knowledgeable scientists, warmed to the prospect of action.

'Yes.' Barclay moved back to his console, and flicked the mike switch. ' Snowcap Snowcap to to Zeus Four Zeus Four, come in please. Do you read me?'

After the initial crackle of static from the speaker, Williams' voice came over faint but clear: 'Yes, we read you loud and clear now.'

'You are strength two only. Please speak up.' 'Our fuel cells show a power loss.'

'Power loss? How much?'

'The main banks are down approximately twenty per cent.'

Barclay now spoke loudly and deliberately into the mike. 'We are going to bring you down now.'

'We need co-ordinates to correct orbit.'

'Stand by.'

'What the h.e.l.l's going on anyway?'

'I don't know,' replied Barclay. 'Let's get you down here and find out later. O.K.?'

'Suits us,' answered the voice from s.p.a.ce.

The two astronauts in the capsule were sweating visibly from the strain. Barclay's voice came over the loudspeaker.

'Corrected co-ordinates are: zero, zero, four, eight two zero and eight two three...'

Williams began punching up the information. Leaning forward again, he shouted into the mounted microphone: 'Right. Now correct. Out.' He turned to his companion. 'Are you ready on alt.i.tude jets, Dan?'

Schultz twisted slightly and grasped two joystick controls. 'Ready.'

'Go.'

Schultz pressed the b.u.t.tons on the top of the joysticks; a metallic hissing roar came from outside the capsule-but the long bar of sunlight across their chests failed to s.h.i.+ft its position.

Williams studied the instruments. 'Again.'

Once more Schultz stabbed the controls. The two men heard the same hissing roar from outside the capsule as the retro jets fired. Then, abruptly, the long bar of sunlight flashed into their eyes, almost blinding them.

'Look!' exclaimed Schultz. Outside the windows, in the full glare of the sun, the blue and white earth seemed to be spinning round the capsule in a dizzying kaleidoscope of colour.

'We're tumbling!' shouted Schultz.

'Use the manual controls.'

For the first time in his career experience, Major Schultz seemed almost paralysed, unable to act. His hands shook uncontrollably as the capsule swung round and round, wildly tumbling through s.p.a.ce.

Williams put his broad hand on the other man's shoulder and gripped it. 'Come on, man, get with it.'

With an effort, Schultz shook his head, and snapped out of his momentary shock.

He gripped the two joysticks, and heaved hard on the controls. 'I can't. It's too much for me!'

Williams quickly freed himself from the retaining safety belt, leant over and, putting his hands beneath the other man's, added his greater strength to the effort. Gritting their teeth, they inched the controls back until, gradually, the lighthouse-like beam of the sun- which had all this time been revolving wildly across their faces-slowed down and finally stabilised.

Williams eased back into his seat, leaving Schultz holding the controls. Their faces were wet with sweat; their breath laboured almost to the limits of their endurance.

'What's going on?' Williams grunted, painfully forcing his lungs to draw in air. 'I feel absolutely clapped out.'

Schultz nodded, his face grey. 'Something's taking all the power out of my body.

What the heck's the matter now?'

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