nerve up and we do the operation on board, DO IT!
Give them your WORD, dammit!"
53 The Engineer's voice also came in. "We can be fixing the ship while
we're waiting, sir. By that time she'll be fully refitted, ready to go."
54 "NO!" came the first voice, "Nothing must be done to your ship until
the six months has passed. It must be as if you did not return. Nor,
can any of you do anything else. It must be as if you were still in
flight going home, unable to help in any way."
55 "Alright," snapped Engineering, "we can do it!"
56 From all around him North heard everyone telling him to agree. "Very
well," he announced, "you have my word! For six months we will do
nothing."
57 "'Then I will withdraw my objection," the second voice put
in. "It
will be interesting to see how well they keep their word ....an
interesting test."
58 "Shut down all drive!" North ordered. "Planetary, too?" he asked.
59 "No," the first voice instructed. "Your ship needs power. We'll
compensate for that. I would advise your crew to hang on. You do not
have certain
shields we have. We will not have time to say good-bye when we arrive,
so I will say it now."
60 "I, also," put in the second voice. "You are a promising species. It
will be interesting to see how you evolve."
61 The Morning Star spun around and was pulled toward the other vessel
until they almost touched. Then, suddenly it was as if they were
leaping, yet it wasn't as uncomfortable. Then, as quickly, it was over.
62 "They're moving away!" gasped Firing Control. "They just vanished!"
63 "Navigation, where are we?" North asked.
64 "I don't believe it!" Navigation cried,