It took nearly two months, but finally, under the impersonal lenses of cameras and recorders, the entrance port of the God-Egg swung open and revealed the dark interior. Kennon moved carefully, recording every step as he entered the black orifice in the spaceship’s side. His handtorch gave plenty of light for the recorders as he moved inside—Copper at his heels, both of them physically unrecognizable in antiradiation suits.
“Why are we moving so slowly?” Copper said. “Let’s go ahead and find out what’s beyond this passageway.”
“From a superstitious coward you’ve certainly become a reckless explorer,” he said.
“The Egg hasn’t hurt us, and we’ve been around it many times,” she said. “Either the curse has become too old to hurt us, or there never was any in the first place. So let’s see what is ahead. I’m curious.”
Kennon shook his head. “In this business we must hurry slowly—very slowly. You know why.”
“But I want to see.”
“Patience, girl. Simmer down. You’ll see soon enough,” Kennon said. “Now help me set up this camera.”
“Oh, all right—but isn’t there any excitement in you?”
“I’m bubbling over with it,” Kennon admitted, “but I manage to keep it under control.”
“You’re cold-blooded.”