The Planet MappersEvans, E. Everett (Edward Everett)
Science
The Planet Mappers
Evans, E. Everett (Edward Everett)
Families -- Juvenile fiction; Science fiction; Space flight -- Juvenile fiction; Space pirates -- Juvenile fiction
Some minutes later they saw with satisfaction that their mother's color
was growing more natural, and her body tremors were slowing from the
combined warmth of the extra blankets and hot drink. Only then did the
boys stop to help each other out of their suits.
"Thanks for the help, Mother, but don't you know enough to wear a suit
in weather as cold as this?" Jak's worry made his voice sharp.
"Yes, who's always fussing about us being careful?" Jon added. "Then
pull a stunt like this."
Their mother looked up at them, and the old impish grin they had seen
so seldom of late came onto her face.
"You've got me, Chums," she drawled. "From now on I reckon I'll keep my
big mouth shut."
Jon howled, and Jak added in the same sort of drawl, "Well, now, I
wouldn't go for to say it was 'big,'" and ducked as she slapped out at
him.
Soon the two boys sobered down. "We'd better go examine the lock and
make sure no crystals got in," Jak said.
"Yow, I forgot about that!" Jon sprang forward. "We sure don't want any
of them in or on the ship."
9
Despite Jon's desire to get away from this unfriendly world that bore
his name, he was careful to see that the signal-marker was set out and
functioning, and that the ship's log contained as complete a record
of the resources and data on the planet as was required by the Terran
Colonial Board. The same was true of Four's four moons. Jak checked
all the work, nor did they leave Four until both boys were satisfied
it was complete. Their mother was a great help in taking the numerous
photographs needed, having become quite competent in handling the
cameras. She was so relieved at the steady progress of her husband's
convalescence that she put extra enthusiasm into her photography. The
family still felt that Mr. Carver should be kept as quiet as possible
and away from any mental strain in connection with the ship and the
planet mapping and, in his weakness, he seemed content to leave it
that way for the time being. He asked few questions and accepted the
reassuring answers contentedly.
Nor, even though Jon wished to get back to friendly Two as soon as he
could, did he forget they still had to visit Planet Five, and scout and
record that.
So, as soon as they were completely done on Four, he lost no time
setting course for Five. Once on the way, he announced his names for
the four moons of Four, and now it was Jak's turn to scoff.
"Well, if you can name yours after flowers, I don't see why you've got
any kick coming because I name mine after fish," Jon asserted. "I leave
it to you, Mom--aren't Tuna, Betta, Sturgeon and Porpoise nice names?"
"I think they are fine, just as I think Zinnia and Begonia are aptly
named," she said diplomatically.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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