And part of it was due to the nature of the job, enigmatically. They were working on something entirely new. It was interesting to watch the results pile up, and to add to the diary of the experiment the day's observations and the opinions of the workers.
Then as the end came in sight, the inevitable irritation flared briefly as the technician tossed his chessboard aside with a snort and stamped to his quarters. It might have started a long chain of events if a real diversion had not presented itself, right in the technician's department.
Maynard heard the communicator snap on, and listened.
"Technician to Executive: Spacecraft approaching. Range extreme, about one point seven megs."
"One million, seven hundred miles," said Maynard aloud. "Technician: can you get a reading?"
"The cardex is chewing on the evidence, sir," came the reply.
"Let me know as soon as you get the answer, Stan."