When she entered the cockpit, she saw that the three flight seats were open, the safety windows were removed, and the entire crew was already awake. But since Vella was young and a good specialist, she immediately realized that the state of coma still partially holds their minds. People just sit there and don't understand anything. Vella went to the flight engineer's box, but to her surprise, the seat was empty. She immediately returned to the pilots and began to bring them to their senses.
Soon, everyone was back to normal and everyone was already guessing what had happened to the flight engineer. In the cockpit, there was a tense situation in the air and therefore, we decided to go to the command post to assess the current situation and discuss further actions.
– You all already know what happened. We had a tragedy, a man was killed, flight engineer Trimon, – Tomaka said in a calm voice, addressing the entire crew.
– You, Commander, how could this happen? And what should we wait for next? I, for one, am now afraid for my life! – Vella asked, with a slight, barely perceptible breathlessness in her voice that betrayed her great excitement.
– I'm not a girl, but my legs are shaking, too, – Timba said.
Only Pythons didn't say anything, he stood behind Tomaka, who was sitting at the table, and just listened to what everyone was saying.
– The culprit will be identified when we return to Raibonne. It's not the first time you've all flown, but it's the first time I've flown. And, the hands and feet, I have, do not tremble, and you, arrange a panic. Let's all calm down and continue our expedition further, – the commander tried to speak evenly and calmly, suppressing the people's fright with his voice.
– If this is the beginning of the expedition, wouldn't it be better if we went back? – Vella suggested.
– It would be so simple, and who will finance it, Tomaka, me or Vella, or maybe Pythons? – Timba asked, turning as if to the side, to an unknown person.
– Is it better for everyone to die like Trimon? Who will need these treasures then? – Vella asked, looking around at everyone.
– The situation has escalated, I propose a vote, in the end, money, it's just money and life, you can't buy it for them – – Tomaka offered to the entire crew.
– I agree, so I think it will be fair, – said the previously silent Pythons.
– So do I, for the vote, – Timba said, now indifferently, putting himself in the hands of fortune.
– My decision already, I see, will not change anything, so I also vote, – said Vella, and without hiding her feelings, she was upset and seemed to cry, but immediately held back the tears.
The vote was passed, the votes were counted, and the majority was "for". We decided to make a new plan for the expedition, without the participation of the flight engineer, whose work will now be performed by Timba.
All the basic preparations for the landing of the capsules and landers were still made by the technicians at Raibonne. All that remained was to deliver it all to the place, that is, to Malonga first, together with the members of the expedition.
After only a few hours, the team relaxed a little and began to forget about what had happened. People moved on and no one wanted to talk about what had happened. As if nothing had happened.
The flight engineer's cell was moved to the freezer compartment, where medical instruments and special laboratory flasks were stored for biological research until they returned to the Ribonne.. Where then, according to the law, they will give it to the local authorities, for further examination and finding out about the situation that happened, on the "Flying Ferix".
Vella was busy with her scientific training, and Timba was checking instruments and studying atmospheric pressure, in the cabin of the Flying Ferix. Pythons supervised the work of the robots on the platform, Tomaka looked at the available geographical maps, Malonga first. Everything, as it were, has improved a little.
In the evening, at six, according to the internal schedule, everyone accidentally gathered in the dining room.
– I wonder what this planet holds? No matter how much I look at it, I can't make out what is there? – Timba asked.
– According to the maps, that's where our wealth is. Eat whatever you want. Diamonds-please, fuel-any, animals – different, just have time to load, – said Tomaka.
– I think, if the "well-wishers" probably knew what was there, then I would not have got these cards. And we wouldn't be here either, – Pythons said.
– Then I hope we're all very lucky! – Tomaka said and laughed.
– Tomaka, please tell me, is it good to be rich? – Timba, the commander, asked.
– The more wealth, the more responsibility. And not always rich, it means money, – Tomaka replied, assessing his actually poor condition.
– So, as I understand it, in any case, wealth is a great responsibility for people. Then, why be rich, let others think for me, and I will rest and rejoice, – said Tomaka, Timba again.
– Timba, whether you are rich or poor, you will always rest and enjoy yourself, – Pythons joked.
– Think about it, there is a difference ," you are being led or when you are being led." Let's close the subject and talk about the morning landing, – Tomaka said.
– Is something wrong again? – Vella asked the commander, not lightly hinting about the death of the flight engineer.
– No, everything is fine and we will not remember it, we all agreed … not to mention it! – Tomaka answered them all.
– I'm sorry, it just came out of my mouth, – Vella apologized.
– I know everyone was nervous today, – Tomaka said.
– And when we land to win riches, from the unintelligent natives? – Timba joked, referring to the local animals or humanoid creatures.
– In the morning, at eight o'clock, we gather on the lower platform, the standard form of clothing, then we do it according to commands. Chief, I, if anything happens, then by rank, first pilot-Pythons, second pilot-Timba, then, doctor-Vella, – said, for the entire crew, Tomaka.
– Friends, today I am officially the last day of the poor, be happy for me. Thank you all! – Timba said, and with a good mood, he began to eat hot, meat soup.
The crew of the spaceship "Flying Ferix", after dinner, went to their personal affairs. After all, tomorrow, a new day will come, there will be interesting acquaintances, and for them, you need to be always ready.
The entire crew, falling asleep, imagined what might be waiting for him, on this little-known planet of Malonga the first, in the galaxy of Pyrimea. But no one knew that they would really meet there…!
Chapter 3. Malonga first
At eight in the morning, as agreed in the evening, everyone gathered on the lower platform, where they prepared capsules, landers and various cargo vehicles. The platform was huge enough to accommodate several military spaceships, but it was used only for civilian purposes. The spaceship "Flying Ferix", was quite roomy, such a small state, it contained working and cargo compartments. All this made it possible to carry out transportation processes. Of course, they could not be compared to the large ships that plied the prastors of the universe, in which small planets could easily fit.
– Well, the moment of truth has arrived. We're getting ready to land, – Tomaka said.
– That's right, commander, let's go to the planet, we're tired of hanging out in space, – Timba said hurriedly, crossing his arms over his chest.
– I agree. So, now everyone is putting on space jumpsuits and standing, everyone at the free capsule, – Tomaka ordered.
Everyone obediently began to dress, and Timba tried to make a joke, but no one paid attention to him, trying not to forget to fasten some of his zipper or zipper. In space, anything could happen, for example, depressurization of the capsule or overflow of the box with gas, so it was necessary to monitor everything, including the integrity of the oxygen system and the complete tightness of the coverall. One death of a flight engineer was more than enough. No one wanted this to happen again, not even Timba, even though he was being uncharacteristically calm and irresponsible.
– The main computer brain, will switch to automatic command mode, according to the instructions and automatic piloting, – Pythons additionally informed everyone.
– Commands received and executed, – the chief computer brain replied in a feminine, pleasant voice, in the speaker, as if confirming the words of the commander and the first mate.
The expedition was ready for departure, within half an hour, everyone gathered at the capsules.
– Places on the planet, indicated for you. The capsules will open after they cool down, if anyone doesn't know. One capsule, one person! – Tomaka joked. – I wish you all a soft landing, see you on Malonga first!
– Thank you, you also have a soft landing! – Vella said.
– Everything will be fine, – Tomaka said, and went back to his capsule.