A Space Oddessey 2061 Book 3 Chapter 48: Lucy PART VI: HAVEN

A Space Oddessey 2061 Book 3 Chapter 48: Lucy PART VI: HAVEN

Hello, Gany Central - we've made a perfect landing - I mean Chris has - on a flat surface of some metamorphic rock - probably the same pseudogranite we've called Havenite. The base of the mountain is only two kilometres away, but already I can tell there's no real need to go any closer. 'We're putting on our top-suits now, and will start unloading in five minutes. Will leave the monitors running, of course, and will call on every quarter-hour. Van out.' 'What did you mean by that "no need to go any closer"?' asked Floyd. Van der Berg grinned. In the last few minutes he seemed to have shed years, and almost to have become a carefree boy. 'Circumspice,' he said happily. 'Latin for "look around you". Let's get the big camera out first - wow!' The Bill Tee gave a sudden lurch, and for a moment heaved up and down on its landing-gear shock absorbers with a motion that, if it had continued for more than a few seconds, would have b…