Part 44 (1/2)

Dirk quirked his eyebrows at this confident and oh, so powerful, young man.

”Remember,” Peter said softly, ”we have to 'see' what we're lifting-at both ends. Then we 'tune' ourselves to do the job.”

”Peter-no, Mr. Reidinger,” Dirk's face burst into a huge grin and he grabbed Peter's hand, pumping it fiercely, ”you'll get that new contract. h.e.l.l, you'll get 'em all.” He dropped Peter's hand, shook his head in awe, and thrust his big fist upward in triumph. ”Yes! The stars are ours!”

Peter felt his heart about to burst; Ceara's rea.s.suring hand gripped his shoulder, her empathic bond telling her how deeply he was moved by this moment.

He had so wanted to be a part of Earth's s.p.a.ce Program. Now he was the s.p.a.ce Program.

Softly to himself he said: ”Or what's a heaven for?”

H I S T O R I C A L N O T E S.

2082.

The second A-s.h.i.+p, the Arrakis, Arrakis, was launched from Padrugoi with a complement of four thousand colonists and crew, bound for a ”likely” planet in Procyon, eleven light years away. As with the was launched from Padrugoi with a complement of four thousand colonists and crew, bound for a ”likely” planet in Procyon, eleven light years away. As with the Andre Norton, Andre Norton, most of the pa.s.sengers would remain in cryogenic suspension. most of the pa.s.sengers would remain in cryogenic suspension.

The keel for the third projected A-s.h.i.+p, the Avalon, Avalon, was laid in the construction facility at Padrugoi s.p.a.ce Station. was laid in the construction facility at Padrugoi s.p.a.ce Station.

2084.