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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/30476-0.txt b/30476-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cc648a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/30476-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,265 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30476 *** + + ZERO HOUR + + _by + Alexander Blade_ + + + By accident Bobby discovered the rocket was + about to be shot to the Moon. Naturally he wanted + to go along. But could he smuggle himself aboard? + + + Illustrated by Lloyd Rognan + + +Dad had already gone when Bobby got up. This disappointed Bobby a little +but then he remembered--_this was the big day_. Naturally Dad would get +over to the project early. And at four o'clock-- Bobby shivered +deliciously at the thought of it. + +He ate his breakfast in silence with Mom across the table drinking a cup +of coffee and looking at a fashion catalogue. He was glad she was +occupied because he didn't want to talk; not today he didn't. Might +spill something secret. Might even let out the _big secret_. That would +be terrible. + +Of course, all things were secret at Buffalo Flats. So secret top +scientists like Dad didn't even discuss them with wives like Mom. And +wives like Mom never asked. + +So it was really something to sit there eating breakfast knowing that, +today, Dad was going to rocket to the Moon. And with Mom not even +knowing the Lunar project was in the works, so naturally not dreaming +that he was going _with_ Dad! The thrill was overpowering. + +Maybe they would have radio communication after they got there and he +would call back and say, _Hello, Mom! Guess where I am? On the moon with +Dad!_ And Mom would say, _Why, Bobby! Scaring me to death like this! I +was looking all over for you._ Sounding very angry but not being really +angry after all. Because maybe Dad would cut in and say, _Yeah, he's +right here with me, dear. What do you think of this boy of ours?_ + +Bobby gulped the last of his cereal so he could go outside and wriggle +for joy. As he got up from his chair, Mom said, "And what's your plan +for today, young man? Davy Crockett or Buck Rogers?" + +[Illustration] + +Bobby had a quick thought--a sudden temptation. Why not give Mom a hint? +Why he could even _tell_ her and she still wouldn't know. Then later, +after he was gone, she would remember back and say, _That boy! When he +tells you something he really means it._ + +Bobby smiled and said, "I think I'll go to the moon today." + +Mom smiled too and went back to her fashions. "Well, see to it your fuel +mixture is correct." + +"I'll check it. And Mom--I might not be home for lunch." + +"Where will you be?" + +"Oh, I don't know." + +"Well, mind your manners and say thank you when you leave." + +Mrs. Kendall, still smiling, watched Bobby dash out into the yard. +Living on a restricted government area had one compensation at least. +You didn't have to worry about your children. Four dozen families, all +with offspring, trapped behind ten-foot patrolled fence. Here, nobody +worried about their children. They came and went and at noon a mother +fed whatever number happened to be in the house at the time. Mrs. +Kendall usually drew six or seven. It would be a relief to dodge the +chore for one Saturday.... + + * * * * * + +Out in the backyard, Bobby fussed around his space rocket a little: +tightening a screw here--hammering in a nail there. Just until he could +slip away without Mom noticing his direction. + +It wasn't a bad rocket at that, he thought. Six feet long with two seats +and a keen instrument panel. But kid stuff of course. After he found the +way in through the sewer he hadn't paid any more attention to his own +ship. + +He could see Mom through the window, back in her book, so he went +casually out through the back gate and turned left, kicking at pebbles +as he sauntered along and trying to look as though he had no place to +go. Had to be careful. Didn't want to bump into any of the other kids +today, either. + +The way in through the sewer was at a place behind Laboratory B. There +was a kind of an alley there that nobody ever walked through and then +this round lid you could lift up and look under. And a ladder you could +climb down. + +Bobby hadn't dared go down at first. But, after thinking about it +overnight, his curiosity won out and he went back and ducked down +into the lower level. He called it a sewer because of sewers being +underground, but this place was clean and had bunches of wires strung +in every direction and faint little lights you could see by. + +Bobby went further and further every trip he took, never telling anybody +because you weren't supposed to talk about things at Buffalo Flats--not +even to the other kids. + +Then he found the big drome where they were building the rocket. It was +so sleek and beautiful and shiny that he just stared at it--up through +the grating in the floor that was for air circulation or something. + +He didn't know it was the moon rocket at first. Not until he'd gone back +several times to peek up at it and then one day two scientists came +walking along right in front of his nose. + +One of them was Dad. + +Bobby almost called out but he caught himself and just listened to them +talking. This was the first time his conscience bothered him about going +underneath the drome. He thought about it a lot--whether it was the +right thing to do. And while he was never able to still his conscience +completely, he quieted down by saying he really wasn't doing any harm +because he'd never told anybody what he saw. + +He learned the rocket was going to the moon by listening to Dad and the +other scientists talk when they thought they were alone. And it was +funny. Because even there, they spoke in low voices and didn't give too +much away. + +He had known now for three days that at four o'clock the roof would open +and the drome would be turned into a blast-pit and the rocket would +shoot out through space to the moon. + +That was all he _did_ know for sure. None of the men had said who was +going on the first trip to the moon. Nothing had been said on that +subject at all, but Bobby knew Dad would go. He would have to. After +all, Dad was the second biggest scientist at Buffalo Flats. Second only +to Schleimmer himself and Professor Schleimmer was very old and +certainly wouldn't make the trip. That left Dad. Dad would just have to +go in order to run the rocket. There probably wasn't anybody else smart +enough in the whole place. + +The idea of going himself had been born the previous day--when he found +a larger grating in the floor near the rocket and realized if he was +very careful he could climb out of the sewer and duck into the rocket +when nobody was looking. Once inside he was pretty sure he'd find a +place to hide until blast-off. + +All the men would probably be strapped in bunks but if he found a place +he could wedge himself in he didn't think he'd get hurt. Then, halfway +to the moon he would come out and find Dad and would he be surprised! + +At first, thinking about it, he'd been scared but after he realized how +proud Dad and Mom would be, he made up his mind. + +Now, crouched beside the grating near the ship, he waited while two +men--technicians in white overalls--walked by. + +One of them said, "Well, whatever happens, she'll make a big splash." + +"You said it. Hope the brains know what they're doing." + +That made Bobby mad. Who said Dad didn't know what he was doing? Dad was +just about the smartest scientist in the world. + +After the two men left he waited a long time. He heard voices but no one +came in sight. Taking a deep breath, he opened the grating and got out. +It was only four steps to the open port of the rocket. There was a +little ramp they'd used to roll things in and Bobby's feet touched it +but lightly as he jumped into the ship. He found himself in some kind of +a storeroom. It would be a good place to hide all right. It was full of +aluminum barrels all the same size. He found a space between two rows +and sat down and got his breath back. It was very quiet around him. +Scary quiet. But he set his lips firmly. + +He was going to the moon with Dad. + + * * * * * + +John Kendall was a little late that night. He kissed his wife and said, +"Well, did you see the big sky rocket?" + +"How could I miss it, darling? Your supper is in the oven." + +"I could use a Martini first." + +"Coming right up." + +While Myra fixed the drink John lay back in his easy chair and closed +his eyes. "We'd hoped to stage a little ceremony at the launching but +Washington said no." + +"The Russians?" + +"The Eastern Coalition. It was a race. That was why it had to be so +secret. Washington said, light the fuse and fire the thing." + +"Is it still hush-hush?" + +"No. Not between us at least. We fired an explosion rocket at the moon. +It will hit in about an hour and telescopes will show a big purple spot +when our explosives go off and throw dye all over the place." + +Myra handed him a dry Martini. "I see. Lots of fun no doubt but what's +the purpose? Fourth of July on the moon?" + +"Oh, no. If the experiment is a success the next rocket will carry men +instead of a bomb." + +Myra went to the kitchen to see about supper. John called, "Where's +Bobby? In bed I suppose." + +Myra didn't hear and John set his drink down and moved toward the +bedroom. Maybe he was still awake. + +Bobby rolled over. His eyes popped open. "Dad! I thought you went to--" + +John Kendall sat down on the edge of the bed and tousled his son's hair. +"No, son. It's the old _terra firma_ for me. Did you see the rocket +blast?" + +"Uh-huh. It was really something. It went to the moon, didn't it?" + +"That's right." Kendall smiled and thought. Try to keep a secret from +the kids. It just can't be done. "How's _your_ moon rocket coming along, +son?" + +"Pretty good. Gee, Dad! As long as you didn't go, I'm glad I didn't go +either." + +"You were planning to make the trip also?" + +"Uh-huh. I got into the rocket and was all set but I got to thinking +about Mom--how one of us should stay and take care of her in case +anything happened." + +"Smart thinking, son. Now you get to sleep. I'll have a little time +tomorrow. We'll play some ball." + +"That will be keen!" + +John Kendall smiled as he left the bedroom. Kids were wonderful! Give +them a few old boards and a steering wheel and they could build a ship +to fly to the moon. What a wonderful dream world they lived in! + +Too bad they had to grow out of it. + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + This etext was produced from _Imagination_ April 1956. Extensive + research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on + this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and typographical + errors have been corrected without note. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Zero Hour, by Alexander Blade + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30476 *** diff --git a/30476-h.zip b/30476-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3bfe965 --- /dev/null +++ b/30476-h.zip diff --git a/30476-h/30476-h.htm b/30476-h/30476-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..94e6b25 --- /dev/null +++ b/30476-h/30476-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,443 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Zero Hour, by Alexander Blade + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + h1,h2,.bk1 {text-align: center;} + h2 {font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5;} + hr {visibility: hidden;} + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .figr {float: right; clear: right; margin: 1em 0 1em 1em; padding: 0; width: 362px;} + img {border: none;} + a:link,a:visited {text-decoration: none;} + p.cap:first-letter {float: left; margin-right: .05em; padding-top: .05em; font-size: 300%; line-height: .8em; width: auto;} + .dcap {text-transform: uppercase;} + .figt {float: left; clear: left; margin: 15px; padding: 0; width: 145px;} + .trn {border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; min-height: 230px;} + .trn p {margin: 15px;} + .sp1 {font-size: 175%;} + .bk1,hr {margin: 2em auto; width: 30em;} + .bk1 p {text-indent: 2em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30476 ***</div> + +<h1><span class="sp1">ZERO HOUR</span></h1> + +<h2><i>by<br /> +Alexander Blade</i></h2> + +<div class="bk1"><p><big><b>By accident Bobby discovered the rocket was +about to be shot to the Moon. Naturally he wanted +to go along. But could he smuggle himself aboard?</b></big></p></div> + +<div class="bk1"><b>Illustrated by Lloyd Rognan</b></div> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Dad had</span> already gone when +Bobby got up. This disappointed +Bobby a little but +then he remembered—<i>this was the +big day</i>. Naturally Dad would get +over to the project early. And at +four o'clock— Bobby shivered deliciously +at the thought of it.</p> + +<p>He ate his breakfast in silence +with Mom across the table drinking +a cup of coffee and looking at a +fashion catalogue. He was glad she +was occupied because he didn't want +to talk; not today he didn't. Might +spill something secret. Might even +let out the <i>big secret</i>. That would +be terrible.</p> + +<p>Of course, all things were secret +at Buffalo Flats. So secret top +scientists like Dad didn't even discuss +them with wives like Mom. +And wives like Mom never asked.</p> + +<p>So it was really something to sit +there eating breakfast knowing that, +today, Dad was going to rocket to +the Moon. And with Mom not even +knowing the Lunar project was in +the works, so naturally not dreaming +that he was going <i>with</i> Dad! +The thrill was overpowering.</p> + +<p>Maybe they would have radio +communication after they got +there and he would call back and +say, <i>Hello, Mom! Guess where I +am? On the moon with Dad!</i> And +Mom would say, <i>Why, Bobby! +Scaring me to death like this! I +was looking all over for you.</i> Sounding +very angry but not being really +angry after all. Because maybe +Dad would cut in and say, <i>Yeah, +he's right here with me, dear. What +do you think of this boy of ours?</i></p> + +<p>Bobby gulped the last of his +cereal so he could go outside and +wriggle for joy. As he got up from +his chair, Mom said, "And what's +your plan for today, young man? +Davy Crockett or Buck Rogers?"</p> + +<div class="figr"><img src="images/001.png" width="362" height="500" alt="" title="" /></div> + +<p>Bobby had a quick thought—a +sudden temptation. Why not give +Mom a hint? Why he could even +<i>tell</i> her and she still wouldn't know. +Then later, after he was gone, she +would remember back and say, +<i>That boy! When he tells you something +he really means it.</i></p> + +<p>Bobby smiled and said, "I think +I'll go to the moon today."</p> + +<p>Mom smiled too and went back +to her fashions. "Well, see to it +your fuel mixture is correct."</p> + +<p>"I'll check it. And Mom—I +might not be home for lunch."</p> + +<p>"Where will you be?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know."</p> + +<p>"Well, mind your manners and +say thank you when you leave."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Kendall, still smiling, +watched Bobby dash out into the +yard. Living on a restricted government +area had one compensation at +least. You didn't have to worry +about your children. Four dozen +families, all with offspring, trapped +behind ten-foot patrolled fence. +Here, nobody worried about their +children. They came and went and +at noon a mother fed whatever +number happened to be in the house +at the time. Mrs. Kendall usually +drew six or seven. It would be a +relief to dodge the chore for one +Saturday....</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Out in the</span> backyard, Bobby +fussed around his space rocket +a little: tightening a screw here—hammering +in a nail there. Just +until he could slip away without +Mom noticing his direction.</p> + +<p>It wasn't a bad rocket at that, +he thought. Six feet long with two +seats and a keen instrument panel. +But kid stuff of course. After he +found the way in through the sewer +he hadn't paid any more attention +to his own ship.</p> + +<p>He could see Mom through the +window, back in her book, so he +went casually out through the back +gate and turned left, kicking at +pebbles as he sauntered along and +trying to look as though he had no +place to go. Had to be careful. +Didn't want to bump into any of +the other kids today, either.</p> + +<p>The way in through the sewer +was at a place behind Laboratory +B. There was a kind of an alley +there that nobody ever walked +through and then this round lid +you could lift up and look under. +And a ladder you could climb +down.</p> + +<p>Bobby hadn't dared go down at +first. But, after thinking about it +overnight, his curiosity won out +and he went back and ducked down +into the lower level. He called it +a sewer because of sewers being +underground, but this place was +clean and had bunches of wires +strung in every direction and faint +little lights you could see by.</p> + +<p>Bobby went further and further +every trip he took, never telling +anybody because you weren't supposed +to talk about things at Buffalo +Flats—not even to the other +kids.</p> + +<p>Then he found the big drome +where they were building the rocket. +It was so sleek and beautiful +and shiny that he just stared at it—up +through the grating in the +floor that was for air circulation +or something.</p> + +<p>He didn't know it was the moon +rocket at first. Not until he'd gone +back several times to peek up at +it and then one day two scientists +came walking along right in front +of his nose.</p> + +<p>One of them was Dad.</p> + +<p>Bobby almost called out but he +caught himself and just listened to +them talking. This was the first +time his conscience bothered him +about going underneath the drome. +He thought about it a lot—whether +it was the right thing to do. And +while he was never able to still his +conscience completely, he quieted +down by saying he really wasn't +doing any harm because he'd never +told anybody what he saw.</p> + +<p>He learned the rocket was going +to the moon by listening to Dad +and the other scientists talk when +they thought they were alone. And +it was funny. Because even there, +they spoke in low voices and didn't +give too much away.</p> + +<p>He had known now for three +days that at four o'clock the roof +would open and the drome would +be turned into a blast-pit and the +rocket would shoot out through +space to the moon.</p> + +<p>That was all he <i>did</i> know for +sure. None of the men had said who +was going on the first trip to the +moon. Nothing had been said on +that subject at all, but Bobby +knew Dad would go. He would have +to. After all, Dad was the second +biggest scientist at Buffalo Flats. +Second only to Schleimmer himself +and Professor Schleimmer was +very old and certainly wouldn't +make the trip. That left Dad. Dad +would just have to go in order to +run the rocket. There probably +wasn't anybody else smart enough +in the whole place.</p> + +<p>The idea of going himself had +been born the previous day—when +he found a larger grating in the +floor near the rocket and realized +if he was very careful he could +climb out of the sewer and duck +into the rocket when nobody was +looking. Once inside he was pretty +sure he'd find a place to hide until +blast-off.</p> + +<p>All the men would probably be +strapped in bunks but if he found +a place he could wedge himself in +he didn't think he'd get hurt. Then, +halfway to the moon he would come +out and find Dad and would he +be surprised!</p> + +<p>At first, thinking about it, he'd +been scared but after he realized +how proud Dad and Mom would +be, he made up his mind.</p> + +<p>Now, crouched beside the +grating near the ship, he waited +while two men—technicians in +white overalls—walked by.</p> + +<p>One of them said, "Well, whatever +happens, she'll make a big +splash."</p> + +<p>"You said it. Hope the brains +know what they're doing."</p> + +<p>That made Bobby mad. Who +said Dad didn't know what he was +doing? Dad was just about the +smartest scientist in the world.</p> + +<p>After the two men left he waited +a long time. He heard voices but +no one came in sight. Taking a +deep breath, he opened the grating +and got out. It was only four +steps to the open port of the rocket. +There was a little ramp they'd +used to roll things in and Bobby's +feet touched it but lightly as he +jumped into the ship. He found +himself in some kind of a storeroom. +It would be a good place to +hide all right. It was full of aluminum +barrels all the same size. He +found a space between two rows and +sat down and got his breath back. +It was very quiet around him. +Scary quiet. But he set his lips +firmly.</p> + +<p>He was going to the moon with +Dad.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">John Kendall</span> was a little +late that night. He kissed his +wife and said, "Well, did you see +the big sky rocket?"</p> + +<p>"How could I miss it, darling? +Your supper is in the oven."</p> + +<p>"I could use a Martini first."</p> + +<p>"Coming right up."</p> + +<p>While Myra fixed the drink +John lay back in his easy chair +and closed his eyes. "We'd hoped to +stage a little ceremony at the +launching but Washington said +no."</p> + +<p>"The Russians?"</p> + +<p>"The Eastern Coalition. It was a +race. That was why it had to be +so secret. Washington said, light +the fuse and fire the thing."</p> + +<p>"Is it still hush-hush?"</p> + +<p>"No. Not between us at least. +We fired an explosion rocket at the +moon. It will hit in about an hour +and telescopes will show a big purple +spot when our explosives go +off and throw dye all over the +place."</p> + +<p>Myra handed him a dry Martini. +"I see. Lots of fun no doubt but +what's the purpose? Fourth of +July on the moon?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no. If the experiment is a +success the next rocket will carry +men instead of a bomb."</p> + +<p>Myra went to the kitchen to see +about supper. John called, "Where's +Bobby? In bed I suppose."</p> + +<p>Myra didn't hear and John set +his drink down and moved toward +the bedroom. Maybe he was still +awake.</p> + +<p>Bobby rolled over. His eyes +popped open. "Dad! I thought you +went to—"</p> + +<p>John Kendall sat down on the +edge of the bed and tousled his +son's hair. "No, son. It's the old +<i>terra firma</i> for me. Did you see +the rocket blast?"</p> + +<p>"Uh-huh. It was really something. +It went to the moon, didn't +it?"</p> + +<p>"That's right." Kendall smiled +and thought. Try to keep a secret +from the kids. It just can't be +done. "How's <i>your</i> moon rocket +coming along, son?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty good. Gee, Dad! As long +as you didn't go, I'm glad I didn't +go either."</p> + +<p>"You were planning to make +the trip also?"</p> + +<p>"Uh-huh. I got into the rocket +and was all set but I got to thinking +about Mom—how one of us +should stay and take care of her +in case anything happened."</p> + +<p>"Smart thinking, son. Now you +get to sleep. I'll have a little time +tomorrow. We'll play some ball."</p> + +<p>"That will be keen!"</p> + +<p>John Kendall smiled as he left +the bedroom. Kids were wonderful! +Give them a few old boards and +a steering wheel and they could +build a ship to fly to the moon. +What a wonderful dream world +they lived in!</p> + +<p>Too bad they had to grow out +of it.</p> + +<div class="trn"><div class="figt"><a href="images/002-2.jpg"><img src="images/002-1.jpg" width="145" height="200" alt="" title="" /></a></div> + +<p><big>Transcriber's Note:</big></p> + +<p>This etext was produced from <i>Imagination</i> April 1956. +Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. +copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and +typographical errors have been corrected without note.</p></div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30476 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/30476-h/images/001.png b/30476-h/images/001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5db2be7 --- /dev/null +++ b/30476-h/images/001.png diff --git a/30476-h/images/002-1.jpg b/30476-h/images/002-1.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a7a8b00 --- /dev/null +++ b/30476-h/images/002-1.jpg diff --git a/30476-h/images/002-2.jpg b/30476-h/images/002-2.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..98f85d9 --- /dev/null +++ b/30476-h/images/002-2.jpg diff --git a/30476.txt b/30476.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ed10802 --- /dev/null +++ b/30476.txt @@ -0,0 +1,659 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Zero Hour, by Alexander Blade + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Zero Hour + +Author: Alexander Blade + +Illustrator: Lloyd Rognan + +Release Date: November 14, 2009 [EBook #30476] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZERO HOUR *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + ZERO HOUR + + _by + Alexander Blade_ + + + By accident Bobby discovered the rocket was + about to be shot to the Moon. Naturally he wanted + to go along. But could he smuggle himself aboard? + + + Illustrated by Lloyd Rognan + + +Dad had already gone when Bobby got up. This disappointed Bobby a little +but then he remembered--_this was the big day_. Naturally Dad would get +over to the project early. And at four o'clock-- Bobby shivered +deliciously at the thought of it. + +He ate his breakfast in silence with Mom across the table drinking a cup +of coffee and looking at a fashion catalogue. He was glad she was +occupied because he didn't want to talk; not today he didn't. Might +spill something secret. Might even let out the _big secret_. That would +be terrible. + +Of course, all things were secret at Buffalo Flats. So secret top +scientists like Dad didn't even discuss them with wives like Mom. And +wives like Mom never asked. + +So it was really something to sit there eating breakfast knowing that, +today, Dad was going to rocket to the Moon. And with Mom not even +knowing the Lunar project was in the works, so naturally not dreaming +that he was going _with_ Dad! The thrill was overpowering. + +Maybe they would have radio communication after they got there and he +would call back and say, _Hello, Mom! Guess where I am? On the moon with +Dad!_ And Mom would say, _Why, Bobby! Scaring me to death like this! I +was looking all over for you._ Sounding very angry but not being really +angry after all. Because maybe Dad would cut in and say, _Yeah, he's +right here with me, dear. What do you think of this boy of ours?_ + +Bobby gulped the last of his cereal so he could go outside and wriggle +for joy. As he got up from his chair, Mom said, "And what's your plan +for today, young man? Davy Crockett or Buck Rogers?" + +[Illustration] + +Bobby had a quick thought--a sudden temptation. Why not give Mom a hint? +Why he could even _tell_ her and she still wouldn't know. Then later, +after he was gone, she would remember back and say, _That boy! When he +tells you something he really means it._ + +Bobby smiled and said, "I think I'll go to the moon today." + +Mom smiled too and went back to her fashions. "Well, see to it your fuel +mixture is correct." + +"I'll check it. And Mom--I might not be home for lunch." + +"Where will you be?" + +"Oh, I don't know." + +"Well, mind your manners and say thank you when you leave." + +Mrs. Kendall, still smiling, watched Bobby dash out into the yard. +Living on a restricted government area had one compensation at least. +You didn't have to worry about your children. Four dozen families, all +with offspring, trapped behind ten-foot patrolled fence. Here, nobody +worried about their children. They came and went and at noon a mother +fed whatever number happened to be in the house at the time. Mrs. +Kendall usually drew six or seven. It would be a relief to dodge the +chore for one Saturday.... + + * * * * * + +Out in the backyard, Bobby fussed around his space rocket a little: +tightening a screw here--hammering in a nail there. Just until he could +slip away without Mom noticing his direction. + +It wasn't a bad rocket at that, he thought. Six feet long with two seats +and a keen instrument panel. But kid stuff of course. After he found the +way in through the sewer he hadn't paid any more attention to his own +ship. + +He could see Mom through the window, back in her book, so he went +casually out through the back gate and turned left, kicking at pebbles +as he sauntered along and trying to look as though he had no place to +go. Had to be careful. Didn't want to bump into any of the other kids +today, either. + +The way in through the sewer was at a place behind Laboratory B. There +was a kind of an alley there that nobody ever walked through and then +this round lid you could lift up and look under. And a ladder you could +climb down. + +Bobby hadn't dared go down at first. But, after thinking about it +overnight, his curiosity won out and he went back and ducked down +into the lower level. He called it a sewer because of sewers being +underground, but this place was clean and had bunches of wires strung +in every direction and faint little lights you could see by. + +Bobby went further and further every trip he took, never telling anybody +because you weren't supposed to talk about things at Buffalo Flats--not +even to the other kids. + +Then he found the big drome where they were building the rocket. It was +so sleek and beautiful and shiny that he just stared at it--up through +the grating in the floor that was for air circulation or something. + +He didn't know it was the moon rocket at first. Not until he'd gone back +several times to peek up at it and then one day two scientists came +walking along right in front of his nose. + +One of them was Dad. + +Bobby almost called out but he caught himself and just listened to them +talking. This was the first time his conscience bothered him about going +underneath the drome. He thought about it a lot--whether it was the +right thing to do. And while he was never able to still his conscience +completely, he quieted down by saying he really wasn't doing any harm +because he'd never told anybody what he saw. + +He learned the rocket was going to the moon by listening to Dad and the +other scientists talk when they thought they were alone. And it was +funny. Because even there, they spoke in low voices and didn't give too +much away. + +He had known now for three days that at four o'clock the roof would open +and the drome would be turned into a blast-pit and the rocket would +shoot out through space to the moon. + +That was all he _did_ know for sure. None of the men had said who was +going on the first trip to the moon. Nothing had been said on that +subject at all, but Bobby knew Dad would go. He would have to. After +all, Dad was the second biggest scientist at Buffalo Flats. Second only +to Schleimmer himself and Professor Schleimmer was very old and +certainly wouldn't make the trip. That left Dad. Dad would just have to +go in order to run the rocket. There probably wasn't anybody else smart +enough in the whole place. + +The idea of going himself had been born the previous day--when he found +a larger grating in the floor near the rocket and realized if he was +very careful he could climb out of the sewer and duck into the rocket +when nobody was looking. Once inside he was pretty sure he'd find a +place to hide until blast-off. + +All the men would probably be strapped in bunks but if he found a place +he could wedge himself in he didn't think he'd get hurt. Then, halfway +to the moon he would come out and find Dad and would he be surprised! + +At first, thinking about it, he'd been scared but after he realized how +proud Dad and Mom would be, he made up his mind. + +Now, crouched beside the grating near the ship, he waited while two +men--technicians in white overalls--walked by. + +One of them said, "Well, whatever happens, she'll make a big splash." + +"You said it. Hope the brains know what they're doing." + +That made Bobby mad. Who said Dad didn't know what he was doing? Dad was +just about the smartest scientist in the world. + +After the two men left he waited a long time. He heard voices but no one +came in sight. Taking a deep breath, he opened the grating and got out. +It was only four steps to the open port of the rocket. There was a +little ramp they'd used to roll things in and Bobby's feet touched it +but lightly as he jumped into the ship. He found himself in some kind of +a storeroom. It would be a good place to hide all right. It was full of +aluminum barrels all the same size. He found a space between two rows +and sat down and got his breath back. It was very quiet around him. +Scary quiet. But he set his lips firmly. + +He was going to the moon with Dad. + + * * * * * + +John Kendall was a little late that night. He kissed his wife and said, +"Well, did you see the big sky rocket?" + +"How could I miss it, darling? Your supper is in the oven." + +"I could use a Martini first." + +"Coming right up." + +While Myra fixed the drink John lay back in his easy chair and closed +his eyes. "We'd hoped to stage a little ceremony at the launching but +Washington said no." + +"The Russians?" + +"The Eastern Coalition. It was a race. That was why it had to be so +secret. Washington said, light the fuse and fire the thing." + +"Is it still hush-hush?" + +"No. Not between us at least. We fired an explosion rocket at the moon. +It will hit in about an hour and telescopes will show a big purple spot +when our explosives go off and throw dye all over the place." + +Myra handed him a dry Martini. "I see. Lots of fun no doubt but what's +the purpose? Fourth of July on the moon?" + +"Oh, no. If the experiment is a success the next rocket will carry men +instead of a bomb." + +Myra went to the kitchen to see about supper. John called, "Where's +Bobby? In bed I suppose." + +Myra didn't hear and John set his drink down and moved toward the +bedroom. Maybe he was still awake. + +Bobby rolled over. His eyes popped open. "Dad! I thought you went to--" + +John Kendall sat down on the edge of the bed and tousled his son's hair. +"No, son. It's the old _terra firma_ for me. Did you see the rocket +blast?" + +"Uh-huh. It was really something. It went to the moon, didn't it?" + +"That's right." Kendall smiled and thought. Try to keep a secret from +the kids. It just can't be done. "How's _your_ moon rocket coming along, +son?" + +"Pretty good. Gee, Dad! As long as you didn't go, I'm glad I didn't go +either." + +"You were planning to make the trip also?" + +"Uh-huh. I got into the rocket and was all set but I got to thinking +about Mom--how one of us should stay and take care of her in case +anything happened." + +"Smart thinking, son. Now you get to sleep. I'll have a little time +tomorrow. We'll play some ball." + +"That will be keen!" + +John Kendall smiled as he left the bedroom. Kids were wonderful! Give +them a few old boards and a steering wheel and they could build a ship +to fly to the moon. What a wonderful dream world they lived in! + +Too bad they had to grow out of it. + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + This etext was produced from _Imagination_ April 1956. Extensive + research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on + this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and typographical + errors have been corrected without note. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Zero Hour, by Alexander Blade + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZERO HOUR *** + +***** This file should be named 30476.txt or 30476.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/4/7/30476/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Zero Hour + +Author: Alexander Blade + +Illustrator: Lloyd Rognan + +Release Date: November 14, 2009 [EBook #30476] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZERO HOUR *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1><span class="sp1">ZERO HOUR</span></h1> + +<h2><i>by<br /> +Alexander Blade</i></h2> + +<div class="bk1"><p><big><b>By accident Bobby discovered the rocket was +about to be shot to the Moon. Naturally he wanted +to go along. But could he smuggle himself aboard?</b></big></p></div> + +<div class="bk1"><b>Illustrated by Lloyd Rognan</b></div> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Dad had</span> already gone when +Bobby got up. This disappointed +Bobby a little but +then he remembered—<i>this was the +big day</i>. Naturally Dad would get +over to the project early. And at +four o'clock— Bobby shivered deliciously +at the thought of it.</p> + +<p>He ate his breakfast in silence +with Mom across the table drinking +a cup of coffee and looking at a +fashion catalogue. He was glad she +was occupied because he didn't want +to talk; not today he didn't. Might +spill something secret. Might even +let out the <i>big secret</i>. That would +be terrible.</p> + +<p>Of course, all things were secret +at Buffalo Flats. So secret top +scientists like Dad didn't even discuss +them with wives like Mom. +And wives like Mom never asked.</p> + +<p>So it was really something to sit +there eating breakfast knowing that, +today, Dad was going to rocket to +the Moon. And with Mom not even +knowing the Lunar project was in +the works, so naturally not dreaming +that he was going <i>with</i> Dad! +The thrill was overpowering.</p> + +<p>Maybe they would have radio +communication after they got +there and he would call back and +say, <i>Hello, Mom! Guess where I +am? On the moon with Dad!</i> And +Mom would say, <i>Why, Bobby! +Scaring me to death like this! I +was looking all over for you.</i> Sounding +very angry but not being really +angry after all. Because maybe +Dad would cut in and say, <i>Yeah, +he's right here with me, dear. What +do you think of this boy of ours?</i></p> + +<p>Bobby gulped the last of his +cereal so he could go outside and +wriggle for joy. As he got up from +his chair, Mom said, "And what's +your plan for today, young man? +Davy Crockett or Buck Rogers?"</p> + +<div class="figr"><img src="images/001.png" width="362" height="500" alt="" title="" /></div> + +<p>Bobby had a quick thought—a +sudden temptation. Why not give +Mom a hint? Why he could even +<i>tell</i> her and she still wouldn't know. +Then later, after he was gone, she +would remember back and say, +<i>That boy! When he tells you something +he really means it.</i></p> + +<p>Bobby smiled and said, "I think +I'll go to the moon today."</p> + +<p>Mom smiled too and went back +to her fashions. "Well, see to it +your fuel mixture is correct."</p> + +<p>"I'll check it. And Mom—I +might not be home for lunch."</p> + +<p>"Where will you be?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know."</p> + +<p>"Well, mind your manners and +say thank you when you leave."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Kendall, still smiling, +watched Bobby dash out into the +yard. Living on a restricted government +area had one compensation at +least. You didn't have to worry +about your children. Four dozen +families, all with offspring, trapped +behind ten-foot patrolled fence. +Here, nobody worried about their +children. They came and went and +at noon a mother fed whatever +number happened to be in the house +at the time. Mrs. Kendall usually +drew six or seven. It would be a +relief to dodge the chore for one +Saturday....</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Out in the</span> backyard, Bobby +fussed around his space rocket +a little: tightening a screw here—hammering +in a nail there. Just +until he could slip away without +Mom noticing his direction.</p> + +<p>It wasn't a bad rocket at that, +he thought. Six feet long with two +seats and a keen instrument panel. +But kid stuff of course. After he +found the way in through the sewer +he hadn't paid any more attention +to his own ship.</p> + +<p>He could see Mom through the +window, back in her book, so he +went casually out through the back +gate and turned left, kicking at +pebbles as he sauntered along and +trying to look as though he had no +place to go. Had to be careful. +Didn't want to bump into any of +the other kids today, either.</p> + +<p>The way in through the sewer +was at a place behind Laboratory +B. There was a kind of an alley +there that nobody ever walked +through and then this round lid +you could lift up and look under. +And a ladder you could climb +down.</p> + +<p>Bobby hadn't dared go down at +first. But, after thinking about it +overnight, his curiosity won out +and he went back and ducked down +into the lower level. He called it +a sewer because of sewers being +underground, but this place was +clean and had bunches of wires +strung in every direction and faint +little lights you could see by.</p> + +<p>Bobby went further and further +every trip he took, never telling +anybody because you weren't supposed +to talk about things at Buffalo +Flats—not even to the other +kids.</p> + +<p>Then he found the big drome +where they were building the rocket. +It was so sleek and beautiful +and shiny that he just stared at it—up +through the grating in the +floor that was for air circulation +or something.</p> + +<p>He didn't know it was the moon +rocket at first. Not until he'd gone +back several times to peek up at +it and then one day two scientists +came walking along right in front +of his nose.</p> + +<p>One of them was Dad.</p> + +<p>Bobby almost called out but he +caught himself and just listened to +them talking. This was the first +time his conscience bothered him +about going underneath the drome. +He thought about it a lot—whether +it was the right thing to do. And +while he was never able to still his +conscience completely, he quieted +down by saying he really wasn't +doing any harm because he'd never +told anybody what he saw.</p> + +<p>He learned the rocket was going +to the moon by listening to Dad +and the other scientists talk when +they thought they were alone. And +it was funny. Because even there, +they spoke in low voices and didn't +give too much away.</p> + +<p>He had known now for three +days that at four o'clock the roof +would open and the drome would +be turned into a blast-pit and the +rocket would shoot out through +space to the moon.</p> + +<p>That was all he <i>did</i> know for +sure. None of the men had said who +was going on the first trip to the +moon. Nothing had been said on +that subject at all, but Bobby +knew Dad would go. He would have +to. After all, Dad was the second +biggest scientist at Buffalo Flats. +Second only to Schleimmer himself +and Professor Schleimmer was +very old and certainly wouldn't +make the trip. That left Dad. Dad +would just have to go in order to +run the rocket. There probably +wasn't anybody else smart enough +in the whole place.</p> + +<p>The idea of going himself had +been born the previous day—when +he found a larger grating in the +floor near the rocket and realized +if he was very careful he could +climb out of the sewer and duck +into the rocket when nobody was +looking. Once inside he was pretty +sure he'd find a place to hide until +blast-off.</p> + +<p>All the men would probably be +strapped in bunks but if he found +a place he could wedge himself in +he didn't think he'd get hurt. Then, +halfway to the moon he would come +out and find Dad and would he +be surprised!</p> + +<p>At first, thinking about it, he'd +been scared but after he realized +how proud Dad and Mom would +be, he made up his mind.</p> + +<p>Now, crouched beside the +grating near the ship, he waited +while two men—technicians in +white overalls—walked by.</p> + +<p>One of them said, "Well, whatever +happens, she'll make a big +splash."</p> + +<p>"You said it. Hope the brains +know what they're doing."</p> + +<p>That made Bobby mad. Who +said Dad didn't know what he was +doing? Dad was just about the +smartest scientist in the world.</p> + +<p>After the two men left he waited +a long time. He heard voices but +no one came in sight. Taking a +deep breath, he opened the grating +and got out. It was only four +steps to the open port of the rocket. +There was a little ramp they'd +used to roll things in and Bobby's +feet touched it but lightly as he +jumped into the ship. He found +himself in some kind of a storeroom. +It would be a good place to +hide all right. It was full of aluminum +barrels all the same size. He +found a space between two rows and +sat down and got his breath back. +It was very quiet around him. +Scary quiet. But he set his lips +firmly.</p> + +<p>He was going to the moon with +Dad.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">John Kendall</span> was a little +late that night. He kissed his +wife and said, "Well, did you see +the big sky rocket?"</p> + +<p>"How could I miss it, darling? +Your supper is in the oven."</p> + +<p>"I could use a Martini first."</p> + +<p>"Coming right up."</p> + +<p>While Myra fixed the drink +John lay back in his easy chair +and closed his eyes. "We'd hoped to +stage a little ceremony at the +launching but Washington said +no."</p> + +<p>"The Russians?"</p> + +<p>"The Eastern Coalition. It was a +race. That was why it had to be +so secret. Washington said, light +the fuse and fire the thing."</p> + +<p>"Is it still hush-hush?"</p> + +<p>"No. Not between us at least. +We fired an explosion rocket at the +moon. It will hit in about an hour +and telescopes will show a big purple +spot when our explosives go +off and throw dye all over the +place."</p> + +<p>Myra handed him a dry Martini. +"I see. Lots of fun no doubt but +what's the purpose? Fourth of +July on the moon?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no. If the experiment is a +success the next rocket will carry +men instead of a bomb."</p> + +<p>Myra went to the kitchen to see +about supper. John called, "Where's +Bobby? In bed I suppose."</p> + +<p>Myra didn't hear and John set +his drink down and moved toward +the bedroom. Maybe he was still +awake.</p> + +<p>Bobby rolled over. His eyes +popped open. "Dad! I thought you +went to—"</p> + +<p>John Kendall sat down on the +edge of the bed and tousled his +son's hair. "No, son. It's the old +<i>terra firma</i> for me. Did you see +the rocket blast?"</p> + +<p>"Uh-huh. It was really something. +It went to the moon, didn't +it?"</p> + +<p>"That's right." Kendall smiled +and thought. Try to keep a secret +from the kids. It just can't be +done. "How's <i>your</i> moon rocket +coming along, son?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty good. Gee, Dad! As long +as you didn't go, I'm glad I didn't +go either."</p> + +<p>"You were planning to make +the trip also?"</p> + +<p>"Uh-huh. I got into the rocket +and was all set but I got to thinking +about Mom—how one of us +should stay and take care of her +in case anything happened."</p> + +<p>"Smart thinking, son. Now you +get to sleep. I'll have a little time +tomorrow. We'll play some ball."</p> + +<p>"That will be keen!"</p> + +<p>John Kendall smiled as he left +the bedroom. Kids were wonderful! +Give them a few old boards and +a steering wheel and they could +build a ship to fly to the moon. +What a wonderful dream world +they lived in!</p> + +<p>Too bad they had to grow out +of it.</p> + +<div class="trn"><div class="figt"><a href="images/002-2.jpg"><img src="images/002-1.jpg" width="145" height="200" alt="" title="" /></a></div> + +<p><big>Transcriber's Note:</big></p> + +<p>This etext was produced from <i>Imagination</i> April 1956. +Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. +copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and +typographical errors have been corrected without note.</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Zero Hour, by Alexander Blade + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZERO HOUR *** + +***** This file should be named 30476-h.htm or 30476-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/4/7/30476/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Zero Hour + +Author: Alexander Blade + +Illustrator: Lloyd Rognan + +Release Date: November 14, 2009 [EBook #30476] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZERO HOUR *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + ZERO HOUR + + _by + Alexander Blade_ + + + By accident Bobby discovered the rocket was + about to be shot to the Moon. Naturally he wanted + to go along. But could he smuggle himself aboard? + + + Illustrated by Lloyd Rognan + + +Dad had already gone when Bobby got up. This disappointed Bobby a little +but then he remembered--_this was the big day_. Naturally Dad would get +over to the project early. And at four o'clock-- Bobby shivered +deliciously at the thought of it. + +He ate his breakfast in silence with Mom across the table drinking a cup +of coffee and looking at a fashion catalogue. He was glad she was +occupied because he didn't want to talk; not today he didn't. Might +spill something secret. Might even let out the _big secret_. That would +be terrible. + +Of course, all things were secret at Buffalo Flats. So secret top +scientists like Dad didn't even discuss them with wives like Mom. And +wives like Mom never asked. + +So it was really something to sit there eating breakfast knowing that, +today, Dad was going to rocket to the Moon. And with Mom not even +knowing the Lunar project was in the works, so naturally not dreaming +that he was going _with_ Dad! The thrill was overpowering. + +Maybe they would have radio communication after they got there and he +would call back and say, _Hello, Mom! Guess where I am? On the moon with +Dad!_ And Mom would say, _Why, Bobby! Scaring me to death like this! I +was looking all over for you._ Sounding very angry but not being really +angry after all. Because maybe Dad would cut in and say, _Yeah, he's +right here with me, dear. What do you think of this boy of ours?_ + +Bobby gulped the last of his cereal so he could go outside and wriggle +for joy. As he got up from his chair, Mom said, "And what's your plan +for today, young man? Davy Crockett or Buck Rogers?" + +[Illustration] + +Bobby had a quick thought--a sudden temptation. Why not give Mom a hint? +Why he could even _tell_ her and she still wouldn't know. Then later, +after he was gone, she would remember back and say, _That boy! When he +tells you something he really means it._ + +Bobby smiled and said, "I think I'll go to the moon today." + +Mom smiled too and went back to her fashions. "Well, see to it your fuel +mixture is correct." + +"I'll check it. And Mom--I might not be home for lunch." + +"Where will you be?" + +"Oh, I don't know." + +"Well, mind your manners and say thank you when you leave." + +Mrs. Kendall, still smiling, watched Bobby dash out into the yard. +Living on a restricted government area had one compensation at least. +You didn't have to worry about your children. Four dozen families, all +with offspring, trapped behind ten-foot patrolled fence. Here, nobody +worried about their children. They came and went and at noon a mother +fed whatever number happened to be in the house at the time. Mrs. +Kendall usually drew six or seven. It would be a relief to dodge the +chore for one Saturday.... + + * * * * * + +Out in the backyard, Bobby fussed around his space rocket a little: +tightening a screw here--hammering in a nail there. Just until he could +slip away without Mom noticing his direction. + +It wasn't a bad rocket at that, he thought. Six feet long with two seats +and a keen instrument panel. But kid stuff of course. After he found the +way in through the sewer he hadn't paid any more attention to his own +ship. + +He could see Mom through the window, back in her book, so he went +casually out through the back gate and turned left, kicking at pebbles +as he sauntered along and trying to look as though he had no place to +go. Had to be careful. Didn't want to bump into any of the other kids +today, either. + +The way in through the sewer was at a place behind Laboratory B. There +was a kind of an alley there that nobody ever walked through and then +this round lid you could lift up and look under. And a ladder you could +climb down. + +Bobby hadn't dared go down at first. But, after thinking about it +overnight, his curiosity won out and he went back and ducked down +into the lower level. He called it a sewer because of sewers being +underground, but this place was clean and had bunches of wires strung +in every direction and faint little lights you could see by. + +Bobby went further and further every trip he took, never telling anybody +because you weren't supposed to talk about things at Buffalo Flats--not +even to the other kids. + +Then he found the big drome where they were building the rocket. It was +so sleek and beautiful and shiny that he just stared at it--up through +the grating in the floor that was for air circulation or something. + +He didn't know it was the moon rocket at first. Not until he'd gone back +several times to peek up at it and then one day two scientists came +walking along right in front of his nose. + +One of them was Dad. + +Bobby almost called out but he caught himself and just listened to them +talking. This was the first time his conscience bothered him about going +underneath the drome. He thought about it a lot--whether it was the +right thing to do. And while he was never able to still his conscience +completely, he quieted down by saying he really wasn't doing any harm +because he'd never told anybody what he saw. + +He learned the rocket was going to the moon by listening to Dad and the +other scientists talk when they thought they were alone. And it was +funny. Because even there, they spoke in low voices and didn't give too +much away. + +He had known now for three days that at four o'clock the roof would open +and the drome would be turned into a blast-pit and the rocket would +shoot out through space to the moon. + +That was all he _did_ know for sure. None of the men had said who was +going on the first trip to the moon. Nothing had been said on that +subject at all, but Bobby knew Dad would go. He would have to. After +all, Dad was the second biggest scientist at Buffalo Flats. Second only +to Schleimmer himself and Professor Schleimmer was very old and +certainly wouldn't make the trip. That left Dad. Dad would just have to +go in order to run the rocket. There probably wasn't anybody else smart +enough in the whole place. + +The idea of going himself had been born the previous day--when he found +a larger grating in the floor near the rocket and realized if he was +very careful he could climb out of the sewer and duck into the rocket +when nobody was looking. Once inside he was pretty sure he'd find a +place to hide until blast-off. + +All the men would probably be strapped in bunks but if he found a place +he could wedge himself in he didn't think he'd get hurt. Then, halfway +to the moon he would come out and find Dad and would he be surprised! + +At first, thinking about it, he'd been scared but after he realized how +proud Dad and Mom would be, he made up his mind. + +Now, crouched beside the grating near the ship, he waited while two +men--technicians in white overalls--walked by. + +One of them said, "Well, whatever happens, she'll make a big splash." + +"You said it. Hope the brains know what they're doing." + +That made Bobby mad. Who said Dad didn't know what he was doing? Dad was +just about the smartest scientist in the world. + +After the two men left he waited a long time. He heard voices but no one +came in sight. Taking a deep breath, he opened the grating and got out. +It was only four steps to the open port of the rocket. There was a +little ramp they'd used to roll things in and Bobby's feet touched it +but lightly as he jumped into the ship. He found himself in some kind of +a storeroom. It would be a good place to hide all right. It was full of +aluminum barrels all the same size. He found a space between two rows +and sat down and got his breath back. It was very quiet around him. +Scary quiet. But he set his lips firmly. + +He was going to the moon with Dad. + + * * * * * + +John Kendall was a little late that night. He kissed his wife and said, +"Well, did you see the big sky rocket?" + +"How could I miss it, darling? Your supper is in the oven." + +"I could use a Martini first." + +"Coming right up." + +While Myra fixed the drink John lay back in his easy chair and closed +his eyes. "We'd hoped to stage a little ceremony at the launching but +Washington said no." + +"The Russians?" + +"The Eastern Coalition. It was a race. That was why it had to be so +secret. Washington said, light the fuse and fire the thing." + +"Is it still hush-hush?" + +"No. Not between us at least. We fired an explosion rocket at the moon. +It will hit in about an hour and telescopes will show a big purple spot +when our explosives go off and throw dye all over the place." + +Myra handed him a dry Martini. "I see. Lots of fun no doubt but what's +the purpose? Fourth of July on the moon?" + +"Oh, no. If the experiment is a success the next rocket will carry men +instead of a bomb." + +Myra went to the kitchen to see about supper. John called, "Where's +Bobby? In bed I suppose." + +Myra didn't hear and John set his drink down and moved toward the +bedroom. Maybe he was still awake. + +Bobby rolled over. His eyes popped open. "Dad! I thought you went to--" + +John Kendall sat down on the edge of the bed and tousled his son's hair. +"No, son. It's the old _terra firma_ for me. Did you see the rocket +blast?" + +"Uh-huh. It was really something. It went to the moon, didn't it?" + +"That's right." Kendall smiled and thought. Try to keep a secret from +the kids. It just can't be done. "How's _your_ moon rocket coming along, +son?" + +"Pretty good. Gee, Dad! As long as you didn't go, I'm glad I didn't go +either." + +"You were planning to make the trip also?" + +"Uh-huh. I got into the rocket and was all set but I got to thinking +about Mom--how one of us should stay and take care of her in case +anything happened." + +"Smart thinking, son. Now you get to sleep. I'll have a little time +tomorrow. We'll play some ball." + +"That will be keen!" + +John Kendall smiled as he left the bedroom. Kids were wonderful! Give +them a few old boards and a steering wheel and they could build a ship +to fly to the moon. What a wonderful dream world they lived in! + +Too bad they had to grow out of it. + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + This etext was produced from _Imagination_ April 1956. Extensive + research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on + this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and typographical + errors have been corrected without note. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Zero Hour, by Alexander Blade + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZERO HOUR *** + +***** This file should be named 30476.txt or 30476.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/4/7/30476/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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