party to quarters."
45 The exchange of salute was given and they waited for the rest of the
party to arrive. As they stepped from the building, onto its broad
balcony, and looked out over Academy City under its great dome, with
the stars and moons and Haven shining above them, they all, for a
moment, were overcome.
46 North stood, with his mother on one side, his wife on the other, and
Morn nearby. "We made it!" he called to his friend, "We really made it!
This is home for five years."
47 "Unless we flunk out!" cried Morn.
48 "Not a prayer! " laughed North. "They're not going to get rid of US
that easily!"
49 The officer behind them cleared his throat. "This way, gentlemen,"
he insisted, "the ladies might be interested in knowing," the officer
continued, "that the city has full services. There are many fine shops
and restaurants serving families of The Academy's staff and cadets. You
are free to enter the city anytime you wish. Of course it is off limits
to cadets, as any portion of Academy is off limits to their family.
50 The living quarters divide the two sections. The red color codes in
all passageways lead to the Academy entrances, the blue, to the city
entrances. It'll take you no time at all to find your way around. There
are also two movie theaters and two theaters with live performances. We
get all the newest films and the best plays perform here. We make every
effort to make our cadets' family's comfortable. "
51 "And , the cadets uncomfortable!" joked North.
52 "Not uncomfortable," their guide remarked, " just extremely busy. We
have an important job to do, and only five years to do it in. I think
history proves we have learned to do it well."
53 They had two days to settle in. Then, the day every Haven male
dreamed of finally came. They were formed