A slight increase in thrust to keep the ship from plunging too close toward the sun. Skirting the sun and curving back, under the attraction of the sun, making a long wide loop out into space, and then back toward the sun again.
That was the way it worked—that was the way he hoped it worked.
That was the way the machine had told him it might work.
He sat there limp, wondering about the strange machine, wondering how much reliance you could put in tape running on a spool and a cap clamped on your head.
"We'll be here a long time," said Joshua.
Jon nodded. "I am afraid so, Joshua. It will take a long time."
"Then," the old man said. "I'll go and get some food."
He started toward the door, then turned back. "Mary?" he asked.
Jon shook his head. "Not yet. Let's leave them in peace. If we fail . . ."
"We won't fail." Jon spoke sharply. "If we do, it's best they never know."