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
"Yes, Pop, but you wouldn't be as well as you are today if it hadn't
been for Owl knowing how to set your leg and make a cast for it, and
giving you the proper medicines and intravenous feedings." Jon turned
to smile at his brother, who grew red in the face and tried to stop
the compliments, but the younger boy rushed on. "He's really a whiz as
a doctor. Knew exactly what to do for you. How's your leg feel?"
"Fine, thanks to you, Jak."
"Oh, it wasn't so much--and I didn't _know_. I had to study a lot to
find out...."
"Anyway, I'm still alive and that shows you did a fine job." Mr. Carver
lifted a weak hand to caress his elder son's face. Then he turned
toward Jon. "I've had fine reports of you, too, Son. Your mother
says...."
"Yes, if anyone deserves praise around here, it's Jon," Jak broke
in. "He has done all the piloting and figuring courses, and he even
invented a one-man control so he can land and take off without all the
trouble and preciseness needed before. Why, he...."
"Nix Owl!" Jon was the one to be embarrassed now. "That can wait until
Pop's stronger. The main thing is to report now, so he can tell us what
to do next."
"Where are we--and what has been done so far?" Mr. Carver asked. "Your
mother hasn't--or wouldn't--tell me, except that we've reached the new
system, and are landed on one of the worlds there."
"We're on Planet Two, and we're laying out the city site that the Board
requires. This sun has five planets, and Two and Three are perfectly
habitable for humans, but no natives above animal level," Jak began.
"There're seven moons--one at Two, two at Three, and four at Four,"
Jon took up the tale. "We've visited all the planets, and have set out
the automatic signal-senders, with tapes giving you the credit for the
prime discovery."
"They named the sun 'Carveria' after you, Mr. C." His wife leaned
forward, eyes shining with pride, and an arm across the shoulders of
each of the boys. "They named the planets after one of us, each, and
the fifth one after the ship, and we've given names to the moons, too."
"This world will be swell for people who like it warm, and Three will
be just as good for those who prefer colder weather. Both are a lot
like Terra at different seasons and sections, and both are rich in
soil, water, forests, metals and...."
"And we discovered a cache of that new fuel-metal you thought you saw
in the spectroscope," Jon broke in, his voice bubbling with eagerness.
"Right here on Two. Not a mine or a vein, understand, but a cache, in a
metal box buried in the sand. Must have been some people a long, long
time ago, because from the sand drifted inside the box it apparently
hadn't been touched for thousands of years. And it showed up on
Five...."
"But it's guarded by some sort of sentient flames," Jak burst in.
His father's face lighted up. "Have you tried it yet?" he asked Jon.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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