"It is with regret I warn you that, should this planet prove unsuitable for our purpose, the 'Norga II' will have to return to Norga immediately. The Commander has informed me he has barely sufficient supplies to last him the return trip. After that, time must be spent outfitting the expedition for another trip, time we can ill afford. Furthermore, this expedition having covered all space nearest Norga, the second trip will require much more time to reach unexplored space and will also be unable to cover so large a territory. We can only hope and pray that his next and final report will be one of success."
Var Dalum replaced the tablet in the rack and for a while neither spoke. Finally Lan Yotar broke the silence.
"We have already started preparations for his next trip," he said. "New space-charts of the—"
A shrill buzzing interrupted him and a green light flashed on the intercommunicator. Val Dalum sprang up and pressed a button. "Val Dalum here."
"Commander Ros Vinla reporting," came the voice of the etheradio operator on duty.
"Switch him through," directed the Chief Scribe eagerly.
The Commander's voice came over the set. "Greeting from Ros Vinla, Commander of the Norgan Spacefleet, to Val Dalum, Chief Scribe of the Rulers of Norga," he began formally. "Peace be with you. Will you arrange to have the Elders listen to this report, as my next action calls for their sanction."
Lan Yotar leaned forward and pressed the button that switched the Commander through to the various members of the Council of Elders, all of whom were waiting beside their etheradio sets in their homes.