51 "I think my mother knows, too," remarked Little Star. "The girl's our household Servant on the farm. We've known
each other since we were children. My father's not really a Purist, but
he's made some statements about Hashons being o.k., but he can't see
our people marrying them. So I'm kind of lost, sir. I want to write
home. I want my mother to bring Shining Blossom out but I don't know what my father's reaction is going to be."
52 "I've got friends in your sector," explained North, "some in the
Priesthood. Why don't you record a tape to your father, and I'll have
one of my friends take it to him, personally, and talk it over with
him."
53 "That would be a lot of trouble, sir," the young man answered.
54 "Not that much," argued North, "not for a friend!"
55 "Thank you, sir," the young Officer smiled. He looked down at the
Firing Control panel and his expression suddenly changed to one of
bewilderment. "Sir," he gasped, "why have we changed course? We're way
off line, heading into the commercial routes."
56 North looked at his own instruments. "Good Lord!" he cried, "You're
right! How did THAT happen? We'd better check on the navigational
computer. "
57 North began to put in the commands to put the ship back on its
correct course when Little Star gave a startled cry. "E Signal, sir.
Priority band!"
58 "Get to the Communication console," North snapped, "get me a
heading! " He tried to route the signal through his own headset, but it
was too weak. He unplugged, went to the Communications console, and
ordered Little Star to take the command chair. "Head us into the signal," he ordered, "while I try to patch what we've already
got into a recognizable signal."
59 A moment later Little Star looked back at