The super drive was cut and the ship coasted under standard drive at thirty feet per second, per second, acceleration, and the men hung the plates up in the darkroom and began to inspect them for telltale streaks.
"Here's one," said McBride. "About four hundred million miles from Sirius."
"And another," offered Larry, plying dividers and log tables, "about three thousand million."
"Got another," offered Hammond, "but it's doubtful as a possible landing place. Almost ten thousand million mites from the primary. Bet it's colder than a pawn-broker's heart."
"Couple more on my plate," said McBride. He went to the formerly empty solar map and added the discoveries according to scale. "But that one at four hundred million is my best bet."
"Sounds reasonable," agreed Hammond. "Sirius would support humanoid life at that distance. Let's concentrate on it."
"Good. It's in fine position to be concentrated on. Let's see, now, what should we be looking out for?"
"Might be seetee matter," suggested Larry.
"Good. How do we find out?"
"We don't until the last ditch. But it is the most important, nevertheless. We wait until everything else has been disposed of and then make for the planet. Just outside of the atmosphere we heave 'em a rock or two and watch what happens."