Everything had been checked; everything was working perfectly—almost too perfectly, it seemed. The motors would have their final inspection tomorrow; meanwhile the stores could be moved into the two ships. It was a pity, he meditated, that one had to leave a stand-by crew aboard “Beta” while she circled the Earth. But it could not be avoided, since the instruments and the refrigeration plant for the fuel had to be looked after, and both machines would have to be fully maneuverable in order to make contact again. One school of thought considered that “Beta” should land and take off once more a fortnight later to meet the returning “Alpha.” There had been much argument over this, but the orbital view had finally been accepted. It would be introducing fewer additional hazards to leave “Beta” where she was, already in position just outside the atmosphere. The machines were ready; but what, thought Maxton, of the men? He wondered if the Director-General had yet made his decision, and abruptly decided to go to see him.
