I remembered the lights of the truck, dim in the glare of the flood lights that criss-crossed through the driving rain. I hadn't known who the new replacement would be as they climbed out of the car and ran to the shelter. I thought she had come to say good-bye to Paul, using her father's influence to break regulations. Someone had thrust a watch in my face and I went out to the ship without talking to her.
Seventeen minutes before blast off I had gone to the small cabin where I would spend the next century. Karen was there checking the master control.
"You aren't going along," I had shouted in fear. The area was being cleared and I knew she was the replacement.
"You cannot change the orders, Captain Corbin."
She had been right. We were sealed in and the official voice on the radio cut me short, repeating the order only once. We would leave on schedule.
"Why?" I had shouted. "You're young and beautiful. You're risking your life in this."
"I have my reasons, as I'm sure you do."
"You cannot come because of Paul."
"It isn't because of Paul," she answered coolly. I was still trying to get the officials to change it when the ten minute warning sounded. Then it was too late. I was still wondering why when we switched to automatic drive, far out in space. Then it was time to press the button that operated the suspension. The others were all ready in a dreamless sleep as I watched my arm fall back. The room grew dim. The last thing I remembered was counting the dials on the panel, saying her name over and over.
"I was afraid of the ships," Karen said to Paul. "I don't know why I came."