Chapter 40 40. Candidates

"Everything is going well," said Warren Kingsley, smiling happily. "The 'Spider' can climb to the 'Foundation' station." "So you've found a way to increase the power of the battery?" Morgan asked. "A good guess. This thing is going to be a two-stage thing, like the early rockets. When the external batteries are exhausted, in order to lighten the useless load. It will have to be thrown away immediately. The operation is scheduled for four hundred kilometers, and the remainder of the journey will be powered by the 'Spider''s internal batteries."

"What is the effective weight it can send up?" Kingsley's smile disappeared, and he made a detailed account: "About fifty kilograms. However, this weight is enough. Two new oxygen cylinders with a pressure of one thousand atmospheres, each containing five kilograms of oxygen. The masks are equipped with molecular filters to ensure that the carbon dioxide gas enters the air. No. A small amount of water and concentrated food. A little medicine or something. About forty-five kilograms in total." "Are you sure this is enough?" Morgan asked worriedly. "It's quite enough. Before the transport plane of the '10-K' space station arrives, they can maintain it with this amount. If necessary, they can also arrange for the 'Spider' to go on another trip. Bartok's opinion How about it?"

"He agreed. Besides, there is no better suggestion at the moment. In two hours, the 'Spider' will be ready. It will not take more than three hours to sail. Fortunately, all equipment is standard. At present , there is only one problem left unresolved." Vannerva-Moore shook his head. "Come on, Warren," he said slowly, "nothing can be settled here." "I'm not trying to take advantage of my status, Bartok." Morgan continued, "It's a very simple logic. Of course, no matter who is driving the 'Spider', it's fine for anyone who really knows the details There are not many people. When the 'Spider' approaches the space orbital tower, various problems may arise. Among the people who can solve these problems, I am the only one with the best conditions."

"Please allow me to remind you, Dr. Morgan." The senior security officer retorted: "You are already sixty-five years old. In my opinion, it might be more appropriate to send someone younger?" "First, I am sixty-six. Second, age is irrelevant. The danger of this voyage is zero, and the physical strength is absolutely useless." Morgan argued with his characteristic brevity. In fact, in addition to the reasons mentioned above, Morgan can add another one: psychological factors are many times more important than physical factors.Like Maxine Duvall, almost anyone can ride up and down the cosmic capsule as a passenger.However, whether it can handle various emergencies that may occur at an altitude of 600 kilometers is another matter entirely.

"I've always thought," Bartok insisted mildly, "that it would be better to send someone younger. Dr. Kingsley, for example." It seemed to Morgan that Warren sighed irrepressibly behind his back.Because Kingsley could not overcome his fear of heights, he never participated in the experimental work of various projects designed by himself, so he will always be the object of ridicule by his colleagues.Fortunately, explaining this to senior security personnel is not necessary.This is one of the only two times in her life that Vannerva-Morgan has prided herself on being small.

"I'm fifteen kilos lighter than Kingsley," he said. "When it comes to kilos, that's decisive. So let's not waste time arguing. " As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he felt a slight condemnation of his conscience.It's not fair to say that.Bartok was doing his job, and doing it very well.In another hour, the cosmic capsule will be ready.No one ever wasted a minute. For a few rather long moments they stared at each other, as if the twenty-five thousand kilometers between them did not exist at all.Bartok was solely responsible for safety, and logically he could undo any decision made by the chief engineer.For him, however, exercising his power was far from an easy task.

Bartok shrugged helplessly, and Morgan let out a long breath with ease. "Perhaps you're right. I don't like it, but there's nothing I can do. Good luck." Bartok finally relented. "Thank you." Morgan answered the other party's congratulations calmly.Then, the image of Bartok disappeared from the screen.He turned to the silent Kingsley and said, "Let's go." Immediately after leaving the command post and on their way to the summit, Morgan mechanically touched the sensor hidden under his shirt.Cora hadn't bothered him for months, and even Warren Kingsley didn't know such a little thing existed.Could it be that just to satisfy his vanity, he risked not only his own life, but also the lives of others?If only Senior Security Officer Bartok knew this...

It's too late, the decision has already been made.