Part 4 (1/2)

”Steve,” he said, ”this is going to be the greatest gathering of minds, thoughts, and ideas in the knowledgeable history of mankind! There are going to be lectures from the greatest minds in the system on any and all subjects you can think of. In one building we're going to build a whole s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p--a rocket cruiser--piece by piece, right in front of the eyes of fair visitors. In another building we're going to have the greatest collection of musicians in the universe, continuously playing the most beautiful music, in a hall built to seat a half million people.

Industry, science, medicine, art, literature, astrophysics, s.p.a.ce flight, to say nothing of a comparative history exhibit designed to show the people where our forefathers went off the track by warring against each other. In fact, Steve, everything you can think of, and then more, will be represented here at the exposition. Why, do you know I've been working for three years, co-ordinating ideas, activity, and information!”

Strong and the cadets sat transfixed as they listened to the commissioner speak in glowing terms of the exposition, which, until this time, by the cadets at least, had been considered little more than a giant amus.e.m.e.nt park. Finally Strong managed to say, ”And we thought the _Polaris_ was going to be so big, it'd be the center of attraction.” He smiled.

Hawks waved his hand. ”Look, I don't want to offend you or the boys, Steve, but the fact is, the _Polaris_ is one of the _smaller_ exhibits!”

”I can see that now,” answered Strong. ”Tell me, Mike, just what do you want us to do?”

”I'll answer that in two parts. First, I would like the cadets to set up the _Polaris_, get her s.h.i.+ning and bright, and with quiet courtesy, answer any question anyone might ask concerning the s.h.i.+p, referring any question they can't answer to the information center in the s.p.a.ce Building.”

”That's all, sir?” asked Tom incredulously.

”That's all, Corbett. You open the _Polaris_ at nine in the morning and close her at nine at night. You'll be living aboard, of course.”

”Yes, sir. Of course, sir.”

”That sounds so simple,” drawled Roger, ”it might be tough.”

”It will be tough, Manning,” commented Hawks. ”Don't fool yourself into a.s.suming otherwise.”

”Don't worry about these boys, Mike. Now, what is part two?” Strong asked.

Hawks smiled. ”Here it is, Steve. The Solar Alliance has decided to open the exposition with a simple speech made by a relatively unknown person, but one who is deserving of such an honor. They left the choice of that person up to me.” He paused and added quietly, ”I'd like you to make that opening speech, Steve.”

”Me!” cried Strong. ”Me, make a speech?”

”I can't think of anyone more deserving--or dependable.”

”But--but--” stammered the captain, ”I can't make a speech. I wouldn't know what to say.”

”Say anything you want. Just make it short and to the point.”

Strong hesitated a moment. He realized it was a great honor, but his naturally shy personality kept him from accepting.

”Steve, it may make it easier for you to know,” said Hawks teasingly, ”that there's going to be a giant capsule lowered into the ground which will contain a record of every bit of progress made since the inception of the Solar Alliance. It's designed to show the men of the future how to do everything from treating a common cold to exploding nuclear power.

This capsule will be lowered at the end of your opening address. So, most of the attention will be focused on the capsule, not you.” The commissioner smiled.

”All right, Mike,” said Strong, grinning sheepishly. ”You've got yourself a speechmaker!”

”Good!” said Hawks and the two men shook hands.

Tom Corbett could contain himself no longer. ”Congratulations, sir!” he blurted out as the three cadets stood up. ”We think Commissioner Hawks couldn't have made a better choice!” His unit-mates nodded a vigorous a.s.sent.

Strong shook hands with the cadets and thanked them.

”You want the cadets for anything right now, Mike?” asked Strong.

”Not a thing, Steve.”