It was twelve hours before the urgent call from Central Control brought the captain running back to the laboratory. The doctor was there before him. Professor Schultz wasted no time, he pointed to the instrument panel. "A sudden shift, see for yourself. We'll miss Mars by a million and a quarter at least."
Two hours later the shift in course of the test rocket was apparent to all of them and so was their disappointment.
"According to the instruments the steering shifted a quarter of an inch. No reason shows up," Professor Schultz said.
"Flaw in the metal?" Doctor Johannsen said.
"How far can it go?" Captain Baird asked.
Professor Schultz shrugged. "Until the fuel runs out, which is probably as good as never, or until the landing mechanism is activated by a planet-sized body."
"Course? Did you plot it?" The doctor asked.
"Of course I did," Professor Schultz said, "as close as I can calculate it is headed for Alpha Centauri."
Captain Baird turned away. The doctor watched him.