Read Online The Old Man of the Stars by John Burke - Free Book Online Page B

years stretched ahead, as hazy in the distance as the great nebulae that sprawled across the heavens. Down through space and time twisted the ship.
    Until at last it approached the system in which lay the planet, the first port of call, for whose solid ground and clear atmosphere they had been longing. Dazzlingly framed in the observation port was a bright sun, and round it moved four planets. The ship fell into an orbit round the outer one of these four worlds. Gradually it sank through the fine trailing clouds. Continents opened up beneath it.
    But they were dead continents—vast tracts of slaughter and devastation.
    * * * *
    They landed on the outskirts of a shattered city. Nothing moved in the ruins. The bright sun shone mercilessly on the bleached heaps of masonry and the splintered columns of what had once been magnificent buildings.
    Before opening the airlock, Matthew tested for radioactivity or the presence of any other lingering force that might prove harmful; but the instrument panel stayed reassuringly negative.
    Clifford said: “This is a wonderful welcome, I must say. After all the talk there’s been these past few months—as though we were going on a carefree holiday—and now look at this!”
    The biologist and Matthew were the first to leave the ship. They stood for a minute or two surveying the expanse of silent ruins; then Matthew said:
    â€œI don’t think there’s any chance of an enemy lurking anywhere in that lot. All this happened a good time ago—some years ago, I’d say.”
    The others came out cautiously into the open air. Despite the depressing sight of the crumpled city, so reminiscent of the debris they had left on their own world five years ago, they could not help exulting in the sense of freedom after all this time. One of the women fainted, and Matthew had to admit that he himself felt dizzy.
    â€œWe’d better not poke about in the ruins,” said Clifford. “We don’t want to fall into hidden cellars or pull anything down on top of ourselves. But I think we ought to take the ship up and visit one or two other of the cities we saw as we came down. There may be somebody left.”
    Matthew shook his head thoughtfully. “They all looked much the same from the air. And we can’t afford to waste fuel like that. You know what a colossal drain it is, using power to force the ship through a planet’s atmosphere on mere reconnaissance work.”
    Clifford nodded. “We could try sending out a radio signal, and making a regular waveband check to see if there are any incoming signals.”
    Alida came up to him, her daughter staggering along over the uneven ground, holding on to her left hand.
    â€œBefore making plans of any sort,” said Alida gently, “can’t we spend a few days enjoying the fresh air?”
    â€œShe’s talking sense,” agreed Matthew. “Let’s make the most of things for a day or two. We can do any exploring later. Let’s enjoy being alive and on solid ground. And later,” he added drily, “we can see if anybody wants to stay here permanently.”
    One group of men and women wanted to spend the night sleeping out in the open. It had been a common practice during the months of the Elysian summer, and the sun here was so warm that it would surely be safe to do so here.
    Matthew disapproved. The day here was warm, but the nights might be cold. After having adjusted themselves to the stable temperature of the ship, it would be stupid to run unnecessary risks. For the first night they would sleep on board, and guards would be posted. The guards could report on the temperature.
    His doubts were justified. The night was cold, and a strong wind blew from the distant mountains.
    The next morning groups of two or three went off for walks. “Not too far,” Matthew warned them. He knew that he was regarded as a dismal killjoy, always raising objections; but he knew