第9部分(第3/7 页)

A　to　E。　〃Cyl　A　is　the　airlock；　where　we　are　now。〃　He　led　them　into　an　adjacent　changing　room。　Heavy　cloth　suits　hung　limply　on　the　wall；　alongside　yellow　sculpted　helmets　of　the　sort　Norman　had　seen　the　divers　wearing。　The　helmets　had　a　futuristic　look。　Norman　tapped　one　with　his　knuckles。　It　was　plastic；　and　surprisingly　light。　He　saw　〃JOHNSON〃　stenciled　above　one　faceplate。

〃We　going　to　wear　these？〃　Norman　asked。

〃That's　correct；〃　Barnes　said。

＇＇56＇＇　〃Then　we'll　be　going　outside？〃　Norman　said；　feeling　a　twinge　of　alarm。

〃Eventually；　yes。　Don't　worry　about　it　now。　Still　cold？〃

They　were；　Barnes　had　them　change　into　tight…fitting　jumpsuits　of　clinging　blue　polyester。　Ted　frowned。　〃Don't　you　think　these　look　a　little　silly？〃

〃They　may　not　be　the　height　of　fashion；〃　Barnes　said；　〃but　they　prevent　heat　loss　from　helium。〃

〃The　color　is　unflattering；〃　Ted　said。

〃Screw　the　color；〃　Barnes　said。　He　handed　them　light…weight　jackets。　Norman　felt　something　heavy　in　one　pocket；　and　pulled　out　a　battery　pack。

〃The　jackets　are　wired　and　electrically　heated；〃　Barnes　said。　〃Like　an　electric　blanket；　which　is　what　you'll　use　for　sleeping。　Follow　me。〃

They　went　on　to　Cyl　B；　which　housed　power　and　life…support　systems。　At　first　glance；　it　looked　like　a　large　boiler　room；　all　multicolored　pipes　and　utilitarian　fittings。　〃This　is　where　we　generate　all　of　our　heat；　power；　and　air；〃　Barnes　said。　He　pointed　out　the　features：　〃Closed…cycle　IC　generator；　240/110。　Hydrogen…and…oxygen…driven　fuel　cells。　LSS　monitors。　Liquid　processor；　runs　on　silver…zinc　batteries。　And　that's　Chief　Petty　Officer　Fletcher。　Teeny　Fletcher。〃　Norman　saw　a　big…boned　figure；　working　back　among　the　pipes　with　a　heavy　wrench。　The　figure　turned；　Alice　Fl