【英文小说】欢迎火星人.docx

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1、【英文小说】欢迎火星人 Welcome MartiansThe only sound was the swish of the jets against the sand as the big ship came down. Slowly, nose pointed skyward, a yellow tail streaming out behind the tubes, it settled to the ground like a cat nuzzling its haunches against a velvet pillow.Dave Langley peered through t

2、he viewport.I feel kind of funny, he said.A tremor of excitement flooded through Cal Manners thin frame. Mars, he whispered. We made it.Gently, the fins probed the sand, poking into it. Cal cut the power and the big ship shuddered and relaxed, a huge metal spider with a conical head.Cal peered throu

3、gh the viewport, his eyes scanning the planet. Behind him, Dave shrugged into a space suit, gathered up his instruments.Ill make the tests, Dave said. Keep the starboard guns trained on me.Cal nodded. He walked Dave to the airlock and lifted the toggles on the inner hatch. Dave stepped into the smal

4、l chamber, and Cal snapped the hatch shut.He walked quickly to the starboard guns, wiggled into the plastic seat behind them and pitched his shoulders against the braces. Outside, like a grotesque balloon, Dave stumbled around on weighted feet, taking his readings.Whats out there? Cal wondered. Just

5、 exactly what?He tightened his grip on the big blasters, and trained the guns around to where Dave puttered in the sand. Dave suddenly stood erect, waved at Cal, and started lumbering back toward the ship. Cal left the guns and went to the airlock. He stepped into the chamber closed the toggles on t

6、he hatch behind him, and twirled the wheel on the outer hatch. He was ready to move back into the ship again when Dave stepped through the outer hatch, his helmet under his arm.Its okay, Cal. Breathable atmosphere. And the pressure is all right, too.Cal let out a sigh of relief. Come on, he said. Ge

7、t out of that monkey suit. Then well claim the planet for Earth.They went back into the ship, and Dave took off the suit, hanging it carefully in its locker. Both men strapped on holsters and drew stun guns from the munitions locker. They checked the charges in their weapons, holstered them, and ste

8、pped out into the Martian night.It was cold, but their clothing was warm and the air was invigorating. Cal looked up at the sky.Phobos, he said, pointing.And Deimos, Dave added.Ike and Mike.Yeah. Dave smiled.How do you feel, Dave? Cal asked suddenly.How do you mean?Mars. I mean, were the first men t

9、o land on Mars. The first, Dave!They were walking aimlessly, in no particular hurry.Its funny, Dave said. I told you before. I feel kind ofThe music started abruptly, almost exploded into being, tore through the silence of the planet like the strident scream of a wounded animal. Trumpets blasted rau

10、cously, trombones moaned and slid, bass drums pounded a steady tattoo. Tubas, heavy and solemn like old men belching. Clarinets, shrill and squealing. Cymbals clashing.A military band blaring its march into the night.WhaDaves mouth hung open. He stared into the distance.There were lights, and the br

11、ass gleamed dully. A group of men were marching toward them, blowing on their horns, waving brilliant banners in the air.People, Cal said.And music. Like ours. Music just like ours.The procession spilled across the sand like an unravelling spool of brightly colored silk. Children danced on the outsk

12、irts of the group, hopping up and down, screaming in glee. Women waved banners, sang along with the band. And the music shouted out across the sand, a triumphal march with a lively beat.A fat man led the procession. He was beaming, his smile a great enamelled gash across his face. The music became l

13、ouder, closer, ear-shattering now.Welcome, the shouts rang out. Welcome.Welcome!English! The word escaped Daves lips in a sudden hiss. For Gods sake, Cal, theyre speaking English.Somethings wrong, Cal said tightly. This isnt Mars. Weve made a mistake, Dave.The fat man was closer now, still grinning,

14、 his stomach protruding, a gold watch hanging across his vest beneath his jacket. He wore a white carnation in his buttonhole. A homburg, black, was perched solidly atop his head.Theyre human, Dave whispered.The fat man stopped before them, raised his hands. The music ceased as abruptly as it had be

15、gun. He stepped forward and extended his hand.Welcome home, he said.Welcome home! The words seared across Cals mind with sudden understanding.Theres some mistake . he started.Mistake? The fat man chuckled. Nonsense, nonsense. I am Mayor Panley. Youre back in New Calleth, gentlemen. The city is yours

16、. The world is yours! Welcome home.You dont understand, Cal persisted. Weve just come from Earth. Weve just travelled more than 50,000,000 miles through space. Were from Earth.I know, the mayor said, I know.You know?But of course. Isnt it wonderful?The crowd cheered behind him, telling the night how

17、 wonderful it was.Cal blinked, turned to Dave. The mayor put his arms about the two men. Weve been watching your approach for weeks. Ill have to admit we were a little worried in the beginning.Worried?The mayor began chuckling again. Why yes, yes. Not that we didnt think youd make it. But there were

18、 some who . ahh, here are the television trucks now.The trucks wheeled across the sand, just like the thousands of trucks Cal had seen back on Earth. The television cameras pointed down at them, and the men stood behind them with earphones on.Smile. Smile, the mayor whispered.Cal smiled. Dave smiled

19、, too.Ladies and gentlemen, Mayor Panley said to the cameras, It is the distinct honor of New Calleth.The crowd raised their voices, drowning out his voice. The banners waved, yellow, red, blue, orange. Welcome, welcome, welcome. the distinct honor of New Calleth to be able to welcome home Bobby Gal

20、us and Gary Dale.Galus! Dale! the voices sang, Galus! Dale!Galus!Dale!Just a second, Cal interrupted. You dont understand at all. Those arent our.Four years in space, the mayor continued, four years among the stars. To Earth and back, fellow citizens, for the glory of Mars.Youve got that twisted, Ca

21、l said. We didnt.The mayor took Cals elbow and turned him toward the cameras.You were in space for four years, werent you Captain Galus?Yes, we were. But it wasnt.Space! the mayor gushed. Limitless space. The first men to land on Earth.Again the cries of the crowd split the night.Across the stretche

22、s of sky, the mayor continued. Across the unchartered wilderness above, across the.There were banquets and more banquets, and women of every size and shape. The city of New Calleth went all out to welcome the space travellers. Bobby Galus and Gary Dale.At the end of a week of festivity, the mayor ca

23、me to Cal and Dave.Have you enjoyed your stay, boys? he asked.It was swell, Cal said, but youve got things all.I was wondering when you planned on leaving for the capitol. Dont misunderstand me. Wed like you to stay as long as you want to, but.For Gods sake, Cal snapped, will you please listen to me

24、?Mayor Panley was visibly shaken. Why, of course, Captain Galus. Of course. Why, certainly.He lapsed into silence.Im not Bobby Galus, Cal said. And this isnt Gary Dale.The mayor nodded his head. Youre . not . Galus and Dale, he said slowly.Thats right, Cal said. We didnt go to Earth. We came from th

25、ere. This is the first time weve ever been on Mars. Do you understand? Were Earthmen.Earthmen? The mayor considered this for a second and then burst out laughing. Why, thats preposterous. Absolutely preposterous! His laugh rose in volume to a bellow. Oh, youre joking. I should have known. Youre only

26、 joking.Were not joking. This is all some kind of a horrible mistake. Were the first men to land on Mars. Youve got to understand that, Dave pleaded.The mayor was still laughing. He walked to the door and opened it. All right, boys, have your little joke. Youve earned the right to it. Ill make arran

27、gements for you to leave for Dome City in the morning. He shook his head and chuckled again. Earthmen. Tch-tch. And then he was gone.They sat alone in the hotel room. It looked like any Earth hotel theyd ever been in. A big soft bed. A wall telephone. Two dressers. Two armchairs. A big mirror over o

28、ne of the dressers. A television set on the other dresser.This is screwy, Dave said. Is it possible were back on Earth? Is it possible the joke is on us? Maybe everyone is just ribbing us. Maybe weve been going around in circles for four years. Maybe.No, Cal said. Were on Mars all right. I dont know

29、 exactly how to explain it, but Ive got an idea.Whats that? Dave asked.Cal shrugged. Probably all wrong, of course. But it has something to do with comparable development of cultures on different planets.You mean Mars is in exactly the same state of development as Earth?Something like that. You know

30、 the theory. Give two different places the same materials to start with, and their cultures will run parallel to each other for the rest of their existence.Sure, Dave said. But these guys Galus and Dale. How the hell could we possibly be mistaken for them?I dont know. Cal leaned back on the bed and

31、stared at the ceiling. Maybe well find out in Dome City.Maybe, Dave repeated hollowly.The president of the planet greeted their ship in Dome City. There were more parades, banners, bands, banquets, reporters, cameras, confetti, women, speeches, presentations.And at last, they stood before the Presid

32、ents desk, two bodyguards standing on either side of him. He was a thin man, slightly balding, with rimless glasses.Gentlemen, he said, I dont have to tell you how pleased I am.Cal took a deep breath. Weve been trying to tell Mayor Panley, he said, that we are not Galus and Dale.The President smiled

33、. I know. He told me of your little joke.Its not a joke.The President cocked an eyebrow. No? He looked at his bodyguards. Has space affec . did you feel any ill effects in space? he asked.Cal grimaced. Oh great! Now he thinks were psycho. Look, cant you get this through your heads? We are from Earth

34、. We never heard of Galus and Dale. My name is Calvin Manners, and this is David Langley.Very interesting, the President said. He tapped his finger on the back of his other hand and stared at the two Earthmen.He reached over toward the intercom on his desk then and pressed a button.Yes? a womans voi

35、ce asked.Miss Daniels, will you bring in the photos of Capt. Galus and Lt. Dale, please?Yes, sir.The President turned to the two men again. Those are your ranks, are they not?Yes, but were in the United States Army.The what?The United States Army. The United States is a country on Earth.Really? Now

36、were getting somewhere. What else does Earth have? What is it like? Are the inhabitants intelligent?Yes, we are. Were Earthmen, cant you understand that?I think youre carrying this joke a little too far, gentlemen. A joke is a joke, but weve spent millions of dollars on your trip. Really, this is no

37、 time for banter.Cal opened his mouth, ready to protest, just as the outside door swung wide. An attractive blonde in a smart suit stepped into the room and walked to the Presidents desk. She kept her eyes glued to the two Earthmen, dropped two large photographs on the desk, and turned. She stared o

38、ver her shoulder at Cal and Dave until she was gone.The President smiled knowingly. The women are falling all over you two, I imagine.Were both married, Cal said drily. We dont care for all this.Married? The President was shocked. I thought wed distinctly chosen unmarried men for the job. Strange.We

39、ve got wives on Earth, Dave said.Ah-ha, the President said. Then they are intelligent beings. Pity, pity.A twinge of anticipation curled up Cals spine. Pity? Why a pity? Why do you say that?Well, you know. Surely you realized this was the only flight we could afford.What?For the meantime, anyway. We

40、 may attempt another flight in fifty years, sixty perhaps, maybe more. But youve already proved space travel, Capt. Galus. The achievement is ours. All we need now is money to.Damn it, Im not Capt. Galus, Cal shouted. And weve got to get back to Earth. Ive got a kid, Mr. President. Hes six years old

41、 and. Cal stopped abruptly. Oh, this is all nonsense. Why am I arguing with you? Cant you understand that we are Earthmen? What do we have to do to prove it?The President sighed and turned over the photographs on the desk. They were glossy prints of two men in uniform. They were young men, in khaki,

42、 smiles on their faces.One man looked exactly like Calvin Manners.The other strongly resembled David Langley.Here are your photographs, the President said. This is you, captain, and you, lieutenant. They were taken before the trip. Youre younger, of course.Cal stared at the photograph. It could have

43、 been he. The nose was a little sharper, perhaps, and the face thinner. But it could have been he. It could have been he!Its a freak accident, he shouted. A coincidence in two parallel cultures, a.He saw the look on the Presidents face then. It was a cold look, and a suspicious one. Cal stopped spea

44、king, sweat staining the armpits of his uniform shirt.The President grinned again. Thats better. I understand the strain of space, gentlemen, but we must be practical, mustnt we?He paused. Shall we talk about Earth now?The only sound was the swish of the jets against the grass as the big ship came d

45、own. Slowly, nose pointed skyward, a yellow tail streaming out behind the tubes, it settled to the ground like a cat nuzzling its haunches against a velvet pillow.In the distance, the lights of New York danced crazily, gleaming from a thousand spires that scratched the sky. The radios blared forth excitedly, and the police cars screamed through the night as they rushed to City Hall to pick up the mayor.Inside the ship, Gary Dale peered through the viewport.I feel kind of funny, he said.A tremor of excitement flooded through Bobby Galus thin frame.Earth, he whispered. We made it.9