Ric peered—then gave a gasp of disbelief. Even at this distance, it was apparent that the ship had tremendous bulk and stretched for fully a mile!
"They're going to hoist gravs in that? It will fall apart!"
"There are some here tonight," Broxted's voice lowered, "who hope that will happen. The Valiant was built in record time under supervision of Dar Mihelson. It's supposed to have a new type of anti-grav." Broxted paused. "I knew Dar Mihelson well, when I was at Mars University two years ago. A fine man, and I trust him still. He's given his word that not a spore will reach Earth, and every precaution will be taken!"
"It's a ticklish situation."
"Yes. And believe me, the anti-Mars faction here has grown more than anyone dreams! There've been secret meetings, and tonight may set everything off. Ric ... if the Valiant manages to up gravs, keep your eyes open! Wessell's here!"
Ric's brows furrowed, beneath his shock of blond hair. Yes, Wessell would be here. Felix Wessell was Supreme Commander of Earth's Interstellar Fleet, and he'd been particularly bitter in his denunciation of the Earth Council's decision to accept the Mars refugees. There had even been rumors that Wessell was holding the Fleet in readiness, if necessary, to prevent the Valiant from landing on Earth. The man wielded a powerful influence.
Ric looked about him now but didn't see his superior, Wessell, and didn't want to. He did see Lal Disbro, the Martian Ambassador. Disbro and his aides had been stranded on Earth when the sudden malady struck his planet. Now the man was a disconsolate figure who seemed to have aged ten years in as many weeks, knowing that only a few of his people were left and even their fate was an imponderable.
It was largely due to Disbro's frantic efforts that the Earth Council had agreed to accept the Valiant—and then only after appeals to Venus and Mercury had been coldly refused. Looking at Disbro now, Ric felt truly sorry for him.
"It's almost time!" Broxted touched Ric's arm. The telescopic sights were being set to follow the Valiant in its flight. There was tension in the room and sudden, deathly silence. Could the clumsy bulk of the Valiant really hoist gravs, or would it crack up against the wastes of Mars? The future of a race was in the balance.