Journey to the Heart of Luna - Andy Frankham-Allen [27]
“And it is most likely that Doctor Grant returned here to examine it.” Nathanial considered this. It made perfectly good sense, after all in Annabelle’s letter detailing Grant’s initial trip to Luna, she did mention that they had seen the glow many miles away from where they had landed. Nathanial knew that Grant returned to Earth to gather to himself more resources and assistance.
“Our concern is that according to all reports, Vladimir Tereshkov was investigating the glow on his last visit to Luna. The one from which neither he, nor any other Russians, have been seen to return. This does rather add support to the concern that Doctor Grant and Tereshkov are working together.”
“On a threat to both the British Empire and America?” Nathanial shook his head. “I do not believe so, Captain.”
Folkard raised an eyebrow. “With all due respect, Professor, Grant is a scientist, and I have met many in my time, and it is often the case that they will do almost anything to prove their theories, to be the first to make the greatest discovery in human history.” He stopped and turned so he was facing Nathanial. “Are you telling me that Doctor Grant is different from every other scientist out there?”
Nathanial shook his head sadly. “I am telling you no such thing, Captain; I am merely saying that Doctor Grant would not risk his niece’s life on such a mission. The potential risk of working with nastavnik Tereshkov is too great. I have never been acquainted with that man, clearly, but I have heard he is quite insane. Doctor Grant’s concern for Miss Somerset supersedes all other concerns.”
Folkard was silent, then he nodded his head slowly. “Hmm…For Miss Somerset’s sake then, I hope you are correct.”
With that, Folkard returned to his previous position next to the bosun and enquired of the helmsman their current bearing. For a moment longer Nathanial just watched, feeling rather insulted by Folkard’s accusation of all scientists. Perhaps the captain forgot that, despite his youthful appearance, Nathanial was just as much a scientist as any other he may have met. Folkard was clearly aware of Nathanial’s watchful gaze, but he chose to ignore it.
Could it be another test? Folkard continually referred to Nathanial as “Professor”, so perhaps he had said such a thing to see if Nathanial would stand up for himself. Regardless, the moment had passed them both by. He turned back to the window, and his mouth fell open at the sight that greeted him.
“Captain!” he said, his voice much louder than expected.
“What is it, Professor?”
“Look!” Nathanial pointed, his eyes still locked on the distant glow. It seemed to come from several miles away, but the greenish-white tint was unmistakable.
5.
“AIRLOCK IS not going to be necessary, sir,” said Ensign Challoner through the cable linking him to Bedford, as they neared the wreckage.
He was quite correct. Huge rents had been torn into the hull of the Annabelle, where the ship had buckled upon impact. Stevenson glanced up to the sky, and saw in the distance the small globe of the Earth. He wondered what altitude the Annabelle had managed before she had been gunned down; high enough to get a message to the Harbinger, that was for sure. At least forty thousand feet, then, and assuming the Russians hit the aether propeller first then that would have resulted in quite a rapid descent, even when taking into account the lower gravity of Luna. Flyers were not light, and without the lighter than air properties of liftwood to avail themselves of, a flyer would drop to the surface of Luna like a brick from the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
“Very well, Ensign, proceed with caution,” Bedford said, looking around. “I am certain we have all heard the rumours of the moon men, and there are almost certainly Russian okhrana on Luna somewhere, with secrets to protect. Ensign Challoner, take Platt, Swallow and Clements with you and search the aft.” He pointed to a particularly large tear in the flyer some feet away. “Stevenson and Miller with