Hunter Killer

1 4 LOVE – APPLECROSSING

Fifteen hours to launch!

At six o'clock that evening they had not found Little Bear. In the gathering dusk the cutter lay over Semittante. Peace stood ready in his rubber diving-suit to go down and cut the missile adrift. The tension triggered off by the sweep of the helicopter was now enhanced by the nearness of the blastoff. It was clear in the faces of Boz Blair, Trevor-Davis and the three other Americans who waited for the missile to check it. MKG alone seemed calm, almost detached.

The stream of operational messages from Red and Blue

Forces did nothing to lessen the air of tension. Although the helo search had moved westwards from Love-Apple Crossing towards Agalega, 50 miles away, the surface forces of carriers, destroyers and nuclear subs had not yet entered Grid E-13.

Nor had the vP-5's, which Peace dreaded most. They might come tonight.

Since our arrival back in the cutter, the conversation had been exclusively technical centering round the launch, for which Peace was, I think, grateful, for MKG did not renew his request to listen to newscasts. Mac chain-smoked and watched us from the background of the tight launch team circle,

Peace gave the thumbs-up sign and slipped into the calm water of the lagoon, axe in hand.

We waited.

Boz gave a sharp intake of breath. There was a flurry' of water and the missile broke surface close by, shedding its tail of wooden crating. The long, silver-white thing, fifty-five feet long, six round the nose, and thickening at the tail like a sailor's bell-bottomed pants, pitched easily in the slight swell. The capsule nose-cone was behind the waterproof membrane. Beyond the reef, the sea grumbled. Let's get alongside her,' Boz exclaimed. This is where we take over.' The men started to grin, easing the tension. They had a job to do which would occupy all their thoughts and effort during the night. MKG was to assist for the first few hours and then return to Vingt-Cinq Coups. For us, the long night of waiting lay ahead.

Adele shivered. ' It looks so small.'

MKG smiled at her, saying nothing. But Boz's exuberance was starting to return at the sight of Little Bear. Best in a 209 small lucky packet, they say. Why, that goddam' great Sirius rocket-'

Pete the Texan laughed. ' Aw, come off it, Boz. If this guy gets talking about Sirius, he'll blow a gasket.'

Peace surfaced and stripped off his Scuba mask. We hauled him into the boat and eased alongside Little Bear. Boz made fast to the capsule's side hatch. Andre gazed in speechless wonderment. Boz held a checklist.

' It's a complex business,' he said. Me and the boys will go over everything during the night. How long are you staying, MKG?'

' Till about ten,' replied MM.

We'll come out in the cutter and fetch you back,' said

Peace.

Boz had the pleased air of a showman. He gestured toWards a small pistol switch in the capsule's cockpit. It projected prominently in front of the heavily-padded seat, around whose back were draped safety straps.

See that? That controls the movements of the power plant rods. Trev here's the expert on that-snAp!'

I wondered what was going on in Peace's mind. The sight of the missile seemed to disquiet him.

Boz went on. Before Trev pulls rods, which starts the reactor-or, as we space boys say, it goes critical-we have to check the instrument panels, the monitoring circuits, valves and emergency alarms. They're energized by a small battery unit until the main power starts coming through from the reactor. Each of us has his own department.'

' Let's get going, Boz,' said the big Texan.

You wouldn't think to look at this bum that he's an expert on missile valves,' Boz remarked good-humouredly.

It looks very dark in there,' Adele murmured.

I know-have to know-the position of every switch, every lever, even in total darkness,' replied MKG.

He does, too,' added Boz. Right, fellahs: Now, we'll want a couple of hours before the instruments start to wake up under main power. It also takes some time after she's gone critical to mount full power for the pumps and so on. You can't do anything further here for the moment, Commander.'

' Power-noise,' replied Peace. ' Electric light-pinpoint for search planes. Pumps-target for sonar.'

' Sorry, Commander, but that's the way it is. We'll try and black out the perspex canopy from inside, but we gotta have a good light to check. We can't shorten the drill. Same with the countdown. Once we start the sequencer count, whatever happens in that last hour before the blast-off, we're committed.'

Even if Tyler should show up?' I asked.

MKG replied slowly, Once I'm submerged and counting, for God's sake don't let Tyler do anything rash. This little honey will smash anything on her way up. I don't want the lives of Tyler and his crew on my conscience.'

But it's Boz on the surface who presses the firing-button,' I said.

This is all theorizing,' said Peace shortly. We'll meet the situation as it arises.

MKG eyed him speculatively for a long moment. Then Boz took a key and unlocked the side hatchway through the casing into the cockpit.

He signed to Trevor-Davis. Come on, fellah, she's all yours to start with.'

Trevor-Davis lowered himself on to the cushioned chair and looked at us through the Perspex, He raised his right hand, forefinger and thumb circled together. Then he dropped his hand to the pistol-grip switch. We waited. Then, on his left, a dial glowed and a needle quivered.

During the next hour as Boz and his team went to work the instruments came alive one by one-the first had been the power-level reading of the reactor. Boz told us at intervals of coming and going into the cockpit that the others were pressures, velocity of steam flow, monitoring checks. Then suddenly the cockpit was flooded with the bright glow of electric light. Trevor-Davis, who had taken over again from one of the Americans, smiled up at us. Little Bear began to vibrate as the steam built up to full pressure in the reactor. I think we'll leave you to it,' Peace told MKG and the team. He glanced uneasily at the east and at the moon.

We're wide, wide open.'

Mac, at Peace's order, used the engine to take us back quickly to the shore. He seemed to have it in perfect running order. The American team had to accompany us, since the cockpit could only accommodate one man at a time.

Peace, Adele, Mac and I jumped out on to the sand. MKG and Boz nodded goodbye; all their thoughts were on Little

Bear.

We walked slowly up to Vingt-Cinq Coups.

Twelve hours to blast-off!

We sat against the coral wall of the hut, waiting for the news from Mauritius. Peace's eyes wandered frequently across the lagoon to the muted patch of light where Little Bear lay. Mauritius Radio came through:

Up to a few hours ago, neither the person of Marvin K. Green, Vice-President of the United States, nor the French freighter Semittante had been located by the massive search conducted by the American Seventh Fleet. Tonight the eyes of the world are on the Sea of Limuria. The focus of the search is now in the vicinity of the neighbouring isles of Agalega and Love-Apple Crossing. American fliers report that both these places have been heavily hit by the recent cyclone.'

Peace stirred as the announcer went on:

In the wake of the air search are deployed no fewer than five carriers, eighteen destroyers and nine nuclear submarines. American long-range vP-5 aircraft, flying from British bases, today combed a large area south of the Seychelles group, with negative results. These aircraft are using secret equipment to detect submerged wrecks.

` Meanwhile, in the United States, the National Space

Administration states, that tomorrow is the most favourable day for a space-shot. In view of this, carrier-based aircraft are flying round-the-clock missions in an attempt to stay what political observers in Washington consider the most extraordinary episode in the long history of the United States Presidency.

` The bearing of the American people at this time of crisis is no less extraordinary. Since the news broke, churches have been thronged, special prayers have been said for the President's recovery and the Vice-President's safety, and normal activities in all major cities have almost ceased. Many shops are closed and only essential services are operating. People have withdrawn indoors to the sanctuary of their homes, except in Washington, where crowds have gathered outside the White House in silent vigil while the battle for the President's life goes on. A curious silence has fallen on the nation. In New York-'

Peace leaned forward and clicked off the set. For a long time there was no sound but the wash of the sea in the soft tropical night.

` You have all this to account for if things go wrong,' I said. Peace jumped to his feet. ` They must not find Little Bear!'

Seven hours later they had not located Little Bear. MKG had returned in the cutter within an hour; after a broken night Andre had fetched us as a thin line started to show pearly-grey in the east. Now we were back at the mis212 sile. Peace had stood up in the cutter as we crossed the lagoon, trying to probe the lightening skies. They were empty. Boz and his team were weary but triumphant. She's fine every damn' thing just jim-dandy,' he told MKG. She's hot to trot.'

By contrast with his previous mood, MKG was light-hearted, boyish almost, now that the space-shot was at hand. He glanced down into the softly vibrating cockpit. Let's get her to the launch-point, shall we-got it fixed, John?'

Just one more star-sight,' I said, holding my sextant.

He doesn't need a sextant,' Peace said. He could do it blindfold.'

I took my sight and was satisfied. There was nothing 'to keep us in the lagoon longer. MKG looked thoughtfully at the long missile. ' Just pray that at the Jesus moment she hasn't got a hot bottom.'

Boz stiffened.

Hot bottom?' Adele looked startled.

MKG gestured with one hand. She's never been flight tested-too much heat causes the tail to fall apart. If that happens, she'll wriggle across the sky like a belly-dancer. Goodbye Mr. Vice-President.'

She shivered and he put an arm round her.

Boz said quickly, Doesn't often happen any more. The cermets boys have seen to that. Just an outside chance.'

Andre brought the cutter close to the nose-cone while I fended her off with a rough oar. Boz hitched a rope into the nose-towing wire and Mac eased open the throttle. Andre gestured to me and we slipped our oars into the crude rowlocks. We heaved. Little Bear moved, gathered way. In the smooth water as Peace gunned the engine, Little Bear followed as easily and tamely as a well-trained dog; I could feel the pulse of her machinery along the tow-rope.

Five o'clock.

We cleared the lagoon entrance and I gave Peace a course into the eye of the soft morning.

Five-thirty.

Boz brought the silver space-suit, which he had unpacked during the night, and helped MKG into it as we moved along. He laid the silver helmet on the thwart-stark, futuristic, against the weather-stained wood. The dawn light glowed on its gold-plated visor which would guard MKG's face against the sun.

The cutter chugged on.

Six o'clock.

Three hours to launch.

Try the radio,' Peace told Adele.

The Navy wavelength said,. Love-Apple Crossing

Involuntarily Peace jerked the throttle. There was nothing more. He glanced skywards and said harshly, Keep it going,

Adele!'

The minute* dragged; the engine throbbed. Love-Apple Crossing had almost submerged its low length into the sea barely two short miles behind. We had about half a mile to go to the launching-point.

The radio said:

Willowtrack to all Red and Blue HUK subs x report your positions to me x'

Six-thirty.

The voice went on:

' My position Grid E-13 approximately 40 miles due south of Love-Apple Crossing x course zero-zero-five true x speed 12 knots, rigged for utra-quiet x'

My God!' exclaimed Peace. I explained to the tense team:

Tyler was 40 miles away, making straight at us, coasting along with all his listening apparatus and radar going. At 12 knots he would be on us in three hours. If he received an inkling of where we were, he could reach us in an hour at maximum speed, if he chose!

I gave Peace an alteration of course. Boz and the team screwed up their eyes against the sun, scanning the horizon to the south, not speaking. The light reflected off MKG'S spacesuit. Seven o'clock.

Stop!' I ordered.

We were in position.

I'll flood her down at once, Boz,' said MKG. There's no point in staying up. In one hour I shall start the sequencer. Shall we synchronize watches?'

The simple action had all the excitement of a war mission.

Little Bear, with its tapered stern, lay like a giant ray in the water.

Boz picked up the helmet.

PacG stopped him for a moment and surveyed the soft scene, the sea, the low isle in the distance. He looked from one to another of us. My secret thundered like St Brandon surf against my brain-I had to tell him! I glanced round. Mac alone of us was sitting, cigarette in mouth, his hand half under the stern thwart where he kept the Remington. He looked like a snake about to strike. I felt Peace's hand grip my elbow like steel.

MKG waved at Little Bear and the sky., ' This will bring out 214 that great untested source of power in the American people which Lincoln saw over a century ago,' he said. ' It has been given to me to be the bearer of that sacred mission'

Lincoln!' whispered Adele. President Lincoln..

MKG did not seem to hear. The strange timbre laced his words. There are no goodbyes in this. Adele, say also to

Andre..

He paused, then impulsively took the old fisherman's arm in Andre's own peculiar grip, and shook it. Tears ran down the mahogany cheeks and he said something brokenly to

Adele.

Adele, her voice thick with emotion, said: 'God be with you. Come back to Limuria.

Boz held out the helmet to MKG. MKG looked quickly in a pocket and brought out a small bible, as if to reassure himself. The scene had a curious unreal air-like a condemned cell, where all normal activity goes on around in a highly abnormal context.

Once the helmet was on, we knew MKG'S voice would become a metallic counterfeit. MKG moved forward to Boz and ducked a little. Boz lifted on the helmet and gave it a half-turn. Boz and the Texan helped him, ungainly now, through the missile's hatchway. He eased himself in and dogged it closed.

MKG was utterly alone.

There was a burp of water at the stern as the ballast pumps started. The missile tilted, its nose at an angle. Then it sank upright to about two-thirds of its length. Boz and the scientists nodded approval. MKG sat in his capsule about 12 feet above us. I think it must have been the bright flash of sunlight on the perspex which brought the frigate-bird down to investigate. I heard the swift rush of wings.

Like lightning, Peace snatched an oar and struck the magnificent bird. It fell, stunned, into the water. Little Bear, on hand signals from Boz to MKG, sank lower until it was the height of a man out of the water.

With a quick glance at Andre, Peace grabbed the bird

Little Bear was head-high.

MKG looked out at us-grave, a slight smile in the deep-set eyes.

Peace snatched the axe from the bottom-boards and struck off the great bird's head. Boz and his team gaped in astonishment. Peace leaned out, holding the twitching stump, steadying himself against the smooth whiteness of the missile casing.

With the bloodied neck, Peace made the sign of the Cross on it.

Adele gave a gasp. There was a startled outburst from

Andre. Boz gave a quick signal to MKG. I heard the rapid whirr of the ballast pumps. MKG raised a gloved hand and gave the thumbs-up sign, his eyes fixed on us all.

The capsule-shield sank to gunwale-level.

Adele translated Andre automatically: The strange ship has a life now..

Another signal. The pumps whirred. I looked down into MKG's strong face. Was he already President of the United

States?

The eyes went for the last time slowly from Peace to me, to Boz, to each member of the team, to Adele, momentarily to

Mac, and finally to Adele. Boz raised his clenched fist as a signal. MKG reached out for a switch.

The capsule vanished.

I do not know how long we all stood numbed, trying to follow the missile into the depths. Adele wept; Peace held the headless bird. The sea was empty, except for the tiny cutter. Only at firing-depth would MKG send up the marker buoy with its radio antenna.

Boz said at last, Commander, we must get at least half a mile away-probably a bit farther is better.'

Seven-thirty.

Let's wait for the buoy,' I said.

No time,' replied Boz. We must get clear.'

Rather than create sound by using the engine, Peace had

Andre raise the lateen sail and we glided across the still sea. The sole marker off Little Bear was a group of frigate-birds tearing at their dead companion.

Andre dropped the sail at Peace's command. The buoy where was the buoy? Adele explained to Andre, whose seasight was keenest. We waited.

Suddenly Andre exclaimed: the bright orange marker with its radio antenna plopped out of the sea. Boz slipped on one of the double rubber-padded headphones of the vu set and fiddled with the dials; the other scientists busied themselves with the DATICO gear.

I'll repeat everything MKG says,' said Boz.

Peace turned to Adele, his voice strained. Keep the radio going all the time. Check Tyler.'

His words were drowned. The big vP-5 swept over us at wave-top height. The thunder of its four great engines momentarily blanked out the radio. It came so low that I could 216 see the massive search radar dome, the pilot and the co-pilot in their seats. It was still in Arctic paint, broad orange stripes against the black hull.

The voice on the radio was vibrant with excitement:

VP-5 maritime reconnaissance Baker Charley Sugar to all HUK and ASW forces x powerful MAD contacts Grid position E-13 x sighted submarine marker buoy approxi- mately 2f miles east Love-Apple Crossing x men in boat using radio x marker buoy has radio antenna x The reply was immediate:

Willowtrack to Baker Charley Sugar x hold that contact x am vectoring all HUK forces to Grid E-13 x home them in x am proceeding maximum speed to evaluate contact x

I looked at my watch.

One hour and five minutes!

Willowtrack was 40 miles away: she could do near 40 knots when pushed-Tyler would be here before MKG blasted off!

Peace's face was like iron. He knelt next to Boz and said into his chest microphone speaker. 'MKG! For Christ's sake, there's a vp-5 overhead. They've picked up this transmission. Tyler's coming-can't you cut it short-'

Boz pushed him away as the headphone crackled. dice, Commander. The countdown routine is fixed. One hour, no less. I'll start MKG in a couple of minutes.'

' Tyler-' repeated Peace. His words were drowned as the big plane thundered overhead again, banking slowly over Little Bear's marker.

Baker Charley Sugar to Willowtrack x strong radio emis- sions x reports, countdown will begin in a few minutes x Willowtrack came back:

All Red and Blue Force aircraft, helos, cowboys and subs vectored to your area x what duration is countdown? The fact that Willowtrack was replying meant she was either on the surface or running partially submerged with her radio mast up, which would make her slower than full speed deep down. The thought of that streamlined hull tearing through the water towards us forced my eyes to the south. The horizon was empty.

Boz said sharply, Sequencer start! I repeat, sequencer start!' The headphone crackled. ' T minus sixty and counting!' MKG had begun the countdown.

One whole hour until Boz pressed the firing button. Baker Charley Sugar to Willowtrack x countdown has begun x voice says T minus 60 x

After what seemed hours, Boz repeated MKG in a f! at voice:

'T minus fifty. All systems go:

Willowtrack to Baker Charley Sugar x nearest search plane to your position is in Grid E-16 x cannot get there in time x I am proceeding at maximum speed x will echo- range starting at 20,000 yards x is contact moving?

'T minus forty-five. All systems go.

Baker Charley Sugar to Willowtrack x contact steady x countdown now T minus 45 x

Adele sat next to me on the rough thwart, her face white. I saw Peace's sweat drip on to the collar of his rubber divingsuit. Boz and the Americans sat like statues. Peace glanced across at me without speaking. I read his thought: 20,000 yards, nearly 12 miles! When Tyler started to echo-range, we would know exactly how close he was.

'T minus forty.'

Willowtrack to Baker Charley Sugar x who is in the boat? The big plane swung round, inspected us. The minutes were agonizing.

Baker Charley Sugar to Willowtrack x eyeball check shows nine men and one woman x radio apparatus and two antenna-like portables x

'T minus thirty.'.

Half an hour to go.

My palms were clammy. Adele spoke softly in Creole, as if to herself. I think she was praying. Andre said something and she turned to me, her eyes tear-bright.

Andre says the ship down in the sea has its life from the frigate-bird. It will fly.'

How close was Willowtrack? I did a rapid mental calculation. Being partially instead of fully submerged, Tyler would not be getting Willowtrack's full 40 knots. Say 35 now-over 40 miles an hour! If I were correct, he would start echoranging in roughly another 15 minutes. Willowtrack would then be 12 miles from her target! minus twenty-five.'

Willowtrack to Baker Charley Sugar x drop following message to boat by streamer x Tyler to Commander Peace x request with all fervour at my command you call off launch x please convey this to the President of the United States x

'President!'

Boz spun on Peace, staring incredulously.

With the speed of a cobra striking, Peace leaned forward and plucked the headphones from Boz's ears. The Colt with the hocked hammer was in his hand. As he did so, he jerked his head to Mac. He was so quick with the Remington that I did not see him reach under the sternsheets for it. He stood, balancing himself with one foot on the thwart, the wicked muzzle covering the boat.

Peace held the speaker against him so that MKG could not hear.

Yes,' he said slowly, including all the Americans with

Boz in his reply. ' The President had a severe stroke shortly before we ditched Semittante. He wasn't expected to live.'

You knew and you let MKG carry on with this?' Boz looked stunned. Pete Allingham, his face livid with anger, started to get to his feet, but Mac waved him down.

Yes,' said Peace. Little Bear goes.'

Not while I'm here to stop it,' snapped Pete. Mac raised the Remington and pointed it square at the Texan's chest.

I wouldn't try to, Allingham,' Peace said grimly. He's been itching for days to try it out on John and Adele.'

' Jesus Christ!' burst out Boz. You knew too!'

They knew, but they weren't with me,' replied Peace. '

I want you to remember that, Boz, if you have to turn me in to Tyler before the blast-off.'

Blast-off!' echoed Pete. You're gonna let MKG go without knowing!'

Yes.' Peace nodded grimly. What sort of effect would it have on him to tell him now?'

No!' yelled Boz wildly. You can't, Commander, it's too big!'Sit down!' snarled Peace, waving the Colt. The headphone crackled and Peace put it on, drawing to one side to give Mac a clean line of fire.

T minus twenty.'

The vP-5 engines thundered over us. A streamer with a weight attached fell into the sea a few yards from the cutter. Andre fished it out and handed it to Peace.

Peace repeated MKG. T minus eighteen and counting. All systems go.' His eyes never left Boz and Allingham. ' The message-' began Boz.

The headphone crackled and Peace repeated with grim humour. Observe countdown routine. Do not interrupt sequence. T minus fifteen'

The vP-5 swooped down again, two men craning out of the co-pilot's window for our reply. We stared back, motionless, while they gestured at Mac's gun. T minus twelve.'

Willowtrack to Baker Charley Sugar x what does boat reply?

Baker Charley Sugar to Willowtrack x boat does not reply x two men with guns in her x

Willowtrack to Baker Charley Sugar x my sonar reports possible contact bearing 010 degrees true x am slowing to evaluate contact x

I saw the ripple of sweat on Peace's head under the headphones. Tyler was slowing-he would have to, in order to enable the delicate listening devices in his hull to pinpoint the contact. It would be impossible for him to do so while tearing at full speed through the water. Willowtrack to Baker Charley Sugar x contact evaluated as submarine machinery x range 20,000 yards x depth 600 feet x speed zero x course zero x

Tyler had burst into sonar range at under 12 miles. T minus ten.'

Ten minutes to blast-off.

Then-Peace gave a gasp. He repeated, I have recycled to T minus fifteen. Holding.' He clapped his hand over the microphone and whipped out, Something's gone wrong down there! He's holding the count!'

Thank God!' whispered Boz, his face deadly pale.

Peace stared at the speaker in silent dismay. There was a chatter from the Americans. Mac looked nonplussed. Then

Peace held up his hand. He smiled with grim satisfaction.

Recycle to T minus fifteen. Monitoring checklight fault. Counting.'

My mouth was parched. Tyler had been given five minutes

– five vital minutes for Peace.

Willowtrack to Baker Charley Sugar x proceeding emer- gency flank speed on contact bearing x

Tyler had picked up a firm contact and, on the correct assumption it was Little Bear, was now tearing at us full speed at something over 40 miles an hour. He would be here before Little Bear could go!

T minus ten. All systems go.'.

Baker Charley Sugar to Willowtrack x countdown now T minus 10 x

Peace's hand holding the Colt never wavered. Each minute seemed an hour. The big plane circled in slow banks, centring on the bright orange marker buoy. I thought I detected a cream of white water to the south-Willowtrack's periscope. T minus five. All systems go.'

Willowtrack to Baker Charley Sugar x contact bears 002 degrees true x course zero x speed zero x range 2,700 yards depth 600 feet x

`My God! Tyler's here!' burst out Boz.

T minus four. All systems go.'

The big plane dived so low over the cutter that we cowered away under the thwarts, stunned by the noise. Mac was back on his feet first, Remington in hand.

We could still hear mKG's disembodied voice over the headphone. T minus two. All systems go. Stand by for DATICO checkout. At T minus one I will count to zero.'

When Peace pressed the firing-button, we knew that the umbilical cable which attached MKG to the marker buoy would be blown out by an explosive bolt and we would nd longer hear him.

Boz jumped up, rocking the boat. Stop! Stop!' T minus one. I count… fifty-nine

John!' Adele's face was ashen. She pointed. A white feather of foam broke the calm surface of the sea less than a mile away. Tyler!

Willowtrack to Baker Charley Sugar x stop him x for Christ's sake stop him x .. eighteen… seventeen… sixteen.. fifteen… fourteen

… thirteen… twelve… eleven… ten…' The big plane pulled round, coming at us.

Boz threw himself at Peace, but Peace's eyes had never left him. With a savage blow he clubbed him unconscious with the Colt.

… nine… eight… seven… six… five… four. three… two… one.'

ZERO!'

Peace clapped his hand to the headphone and leapt up.

Gone!'

All of us were on our feet, oblivious of the big plane, oblivious of the submarine.

A white column erupted out of the sea like a depth-charge.

Sunlight exploded on the perspex. Streaming water, Little

Bear leaned over at a crazy angle. Peace gave a wild intake of breath. Then, amongst the white foam at the base, I saw the bite of red flame as Little Bear's motor kicked in. The missile jerked upright.

I turned to speak to Adele, but my voice was drowned in the ear-stunning thunder of the explosion. Adele came hard against my shoulder.

The white thing with its tail of white flame tore skywards, bearing with it the President of the United States.

The blast smacked across the sea. Above Love-Apple

Crossing it brought a flock of white birds into the air, like a plume raised in salute.

EXTRACT FROM CAPTAIN ' S LOG , U. S. N. WILLOWTRACKACK

Love-Apple Crossing, 17th February, 197 The following transcript of a Telstar relay is incorporated in today's log:

Up here in space the sun shines brightly on the bareheaded man about to take the highest oath of office in the United States, Marvin K. Green. His silver helmet and goldplated visor are at his side. On the left shoulder of his spacesuit is emblazoned the Stars and Stripes. The rest of the small group who watch the ceremony stand back in the shadow of the canopy.

' The sharp light throws into bold relief the faces of the President and of Dr Felix 'Coulter, Director of Space Station One. Martin K. Green's shows the strain of his fantastic one-man voyage. Dr Coulter holds the small bible which the

President carried in the cockpit of Little Bear.

' Dr Coulter asks the President to raise his right hand, which he does. He repeats after Dr Coulter: " I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and I will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

' The President looks down for a moment to the brilliant blue-and-white curve far below which is the Earth.

' With deep feeling, he says, "So help me God."'