The young inventor paused, chalk in hand. “Trouble is, where do we go from there?”
“Remember, Tom,” his father said, “those space people no doubt are still expressing their meaning in terms of mathematical relationships. So the gravitational factor must come in either before or after the two symbols we just translated.”
He took the chalk from Tom and wrote down a series of equations, then tried to relate these to other symbols. Tom frowned and pointed out a flaw in his father’s line of reasoning.
“Hmm, you’re right, son. I was overlooking that angle.” Mr. Swift rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
52 THE RACE TO THE MOON
The discussion went on for several hours. Time and again, either Tom or his father would cover the blackboard with formulas, equations, and symbols, only to rub them out and start over.
It was long after midnight when they finally sank back in their chairs with tired smiles.
“I’m sure we’ve got it now, Dad,” Tom said. “This translation makes sense all the way.”
Mr. Swift nodded as he read over the message. It said: WE WILL LAUNCH A SPACESHIP CONTAINING DISEASED ANIMALS.
SHIP WILL ORBIT AROUND EARTH AND MOON. CAN YOU COME ABOARD
TO INSPECT AND OFFER CURE? WE DARE NOT AIM ROCKET TO LAND ON
YOUR PLANET FOR FEAR OF SPREADING INFECTION.
“Yes, son, I think we’ve cracked it,” Mr. Swift said. “Incidentally, we’d better add these symbols to our space dictionary.”
Compiled by Mr. Swift, the space dictionary-contained hundreds of combinations of mathematical symbols translated into ideas.
“What about making plans for our own takeoff to meet their rocket?” Tom asked.
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