Astounding Science Fiction (British edition) — page 29: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

PIONEER 27 she was the best thing engineers work- ing with inadequate fuels could devise. The KX-238 transocean rockets on the other side of the field were beauti- ful and sleek in comparison with her, but the orbital rocket did not need streamlining. She would literally punch her way through the sea of air to her orbit in the vacuum of space. Dick looked her over with mixed emotions. She was at the same time an engineering masterpiece and a deadly weapon. If the gyros tracked and the million little items necessary for her successful performance worked right, she would become the first spaceship. If not, she would kill him, and he knew the chances of that were great. Rocketry, for all its advance, was still ninety per cent good luck. There were too many things to go wrong. ‘How do you feel?” Don asked as they stopped by the gantry lift. “Don, I’m scared.”’ “You'll be O.K.” “This ship’s dangerous. It’s a killer; I can feel it.” “Nuts! There isn’t anything you can’t make fly.” “Not any more. I’m too old; I’ve used up all my luck,” Dick replied, shaking his head. ““The rocket planes and transocean jobs, I’ve always been scared, but this is different.”’ ““Streiker and his boys have lots of faith in the Nomad, and they know what they’re doing.” “They’re not going to ride it—’”. Don paused and looked up at the ship, its sides reflecting back the light of the floodlamps. ‘“‘Dick, I’ve worked with you and other test pilots for years, and I know you guys turn down a job if it isn’t safe as far as you’re con- cerned. You say ‘no’ and mean it. To you, this ship is dangerous. Why are you doing this?” “Money.” *“Nuts!’’ Don waved him off.“‘What’s been going on lately between you and your wife? The grapevine says you’re on the rocks.” “So maybe it’s right for a change.” “Don’t tell me that incident in L. A. four months ago—” “It’s not just that. It’s lots of things. I just made a bad mistake in the first place, that’s all.” “And the fifty grand is the only way out, eh?’ Dick checked his crash helmet. Men were clearing the area, ready to man their stations for take-off. “You might say that. It’s the only way I want out.” “Dick, if I were you, I'd take off for South America and not give her one red cent!” “It’s not that simple.’ He looked up at Don. “If 1 don’t make the grade, will you do something for me?” Don looked puzzled and nodded. “I left a letter in your box in the field office. If this deal doesn’t pay off for me, open it and do as it says, will you?” . “Sure, but you'll get back O.K. This thing’s got to be successful, guy. Remember, today the Nomad, tomor- row the space station, then the Moon and planets.” Dick managed a smile and shook Don’s hand easily. “‘After this one, I’m just a spectator.” He turned quickly and stepped onto the lift. The Nomad had suddenly grown to fantastic size, or so it seemed to Dick as the lift stopped at the hatch over a hundred feet above the tarmac, He wished he hadn’t eaten supper; it was lying in his stomach and growling like a discontented animal. He took a quick glance at the field. Lights were wink- ing everywhere, all waiting for this metal monster to throw itself into the evening sky and beyond. Stepping inside, he shut the hatch. Step Three, the spaceship itself, was nestled inside the fat hull of Step connicloooks.conn