The Rings of Tantalus Read Online Free PDF

Conrad. “Use the same sequence and try variable light intensities and colours. Start at the red end of the spectrum, but alternate with white light signals.”
    “Decision noted, Commander, Execution proceeds.”
    Kwango was looking through the manual telescope. “It’s got rows and rows of windows, Boss,” he said excitedly. “If those little green men are going to notice our existence, now is the time.”
    “Not windows, port-holes,” corrected Conrad absently. “Any response, Matthew?” Now that was a bloody silly question! The robot would have reported a response immediately.
    “No response, Commander.”
    Kwango handed the telescope over to Indira. “I think I can see things that might be radio antenna.” she said excitedly. “There are several rather thick spines sticking out at regular intervals.”
    “Or they could be weapons,” observed Conrad sombrely . “I wish to hell we could get some kind of response. The enigmatic silence doesn’t give me a great feeling of tranquillity.”
    Kwango laughed. “Would you feel any better if some angry little character came on the vid, uttering gobbledy-gook and making sinister gestures?”
    “No. But at least I would know we had got through to somebody… I am going down to the air-lock and getting into a suit. If there is still no response by the time
    I have hooked up all my gear, I’ll take the Santa Maria in to one thousand metres range—very slowly. Then I will jet across and have a look-see… Matthew have one of your boys set up cameras to tape the whole approach operation.”
    “Decision noted, Commander. Execution proceeds.”
    Kwango said: “Why not send me across to that thing, Boss? Putting modesty aside, we both know I have a better computer between my ears than you have. But, apart from that, I am probably a shade more expendable. If there is something nasty in the woodshed, you are the guy who stands the best chance of getting this outfit back to Terra.”
    Conrad smiled. “Putting modesty aside, Kurt, I would love to send you—for three reasons: one, because I am a devout coward; two, because you have the better computer; and three, because you talk too much. But there is a problem. Dirtside, you are a genius. Spaceside, you are a babe in arms. I am a spaceman, you are not. And, despite your superior I.Q., if you tried to jet across to that vessel, you would be spinning arse over apex until your superior computer was a dizzy wreck. Does that answer your question?”
    “Sorry, Commander. Will you accept a draw?” It was a reference to the last time Conrad and Kwango had played chess. Kwango had thought that he was in an impregnable position. But Conrad, sacrificing a bishop and a rook, had finally checkmated him with a queen supported by a pawn.
    “No, Kurt. It’s a resigning position—for you.”
    “What are you two talking about?” asked Indira.
    “A game,” said Kwango.
    “A war game,” amended Conrad. “Don’t forget your orders. It is your task to get the Santa Maria back to Earth if I have the misfortune to make a one-way trip.”
     

 
    Phase Four
    ENIGMA VARIATION THE FIRST
     
    Conrad checked his equipment—the suit transceiver; the life-support pack; the re el of nylon thread; the electro chron, thermometer, pressure metre, jet-fuel supply metre and air-mix indicator set in a thin strip of tungsten steel on the left forearm of his suit; and the laser torch.
    There were two thousand metres of thread on the reel. It had a breaking point of one tonne. It was his life-line and death-line to the Santa Maria if jets failed, or if he was injured, or if his body was to be recovered. He slipped the loop on the end of the nylon thread into the feed slot of the Dead Man’s Winder by the external door of the airlock. A white light signalled that it was engaged. In the event of a disaster, he could be wound back to the Santa Maria at twenty k.p.h. He hoped it would not come to that.
    He tested his suit jets. They worked