The Project Gutenberg EBook of Moon Glow, by G. L. Vandenburg

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Title: Moon Glow

Author: G. L. Vandenburg

Release Date: May 22, 2010 [EBook #32484]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOON GLOW ***

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MOON GLOW

By G. L. VANDENBURG

[Transcriber Note: This etext was produced from Amazing Stories November
1958. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S.
copyright on this publication was renewed.]

_That first trip to the moon has been the subject of many stories.
Mr. Vandenburg has come up with as novel a twist as we've ever read._

_And it could happen._

The Ajax XX was the first American space craft to make a successful
landing on the moon. She had orbited the Earth's natural satellite for a
day and a half before making history. The reason for orbiting was
important. The Russians had been boasting for a number of years that
they would be first. Captain Junius Robb, U.S.A.F., had orders to
investigate before and after landing.

The moon's dark side was explored, due to the unknown hazards involved,
during the orbiting process. More thorough investigation was possible on
the moon's familiar side. The results seemed to be incontrovertible.
Captain Junius Robb and his crew of four were the first humans to tread
the ashes of the long dead heavenly body. The Russians, for all their
boasts, had never come near the place.

The Ajax XX stood tall and gaunt and mighty, framed against the
forbidding blackness of space. Captain Robb had maneuvered her down to
the middle of an immense crater, which the crew came to nickname "the
coliseum without seats."

Robb had orders not to leave the ship. Consequently, the crew of four
scrupulously chosen, well-integrated men split into two groups of two.
For three days they labored at gathering specimens, conducting countless
tests and piling up as much data as time and weight would allow. Captain
Robb kept them well reminded of the weight problem attached