"I understand," I said.
"Mr. Rogers," he then said, "were any of your past commands of a military nature?"
"How do you mean, sir?"
"Well, on an alien world, for example, have you ever organized a tactical reconnaissance program? Or perhaps planned a system of self covering defense positions?"
"Naturally," I said. "Military sciences are a large part of S Force operation."
"This I know, Mr. Rogers. But have you ever put these sciences into practice?"
"Yes, sir," I said. "May I ask why you wanted to know?"
"No, Mr. Rogers. But it is very good to have you aboard. Thank you, Mr. Rogers." He turned his attention suddenly to a manual on his desk. The interview seemed to be over. I left.
We spent the next few weeks at the Lunar base undergoing extensive testing. Finally the ship was ready for commissioning. Kingsford appeared to accept command and we lifted from orbit, locked into the pre-taped course and set about the business of a crushingly inactive fourteen months of transit.