“Right you are,” agreed Rock, “and there are many secrets it can reveal to us. Time enough for us to face tomorrow’s dangers tomorrow.”
The Starmen were comforted. If even Rock was not on guard, they felt free to relax.
“What will you do now?” asked Robert Nolan.
“Well sir,” said Mark. “David’s uncle and aunt have invited all of us to go their farm in West Virginia—our parents and David’s sister, too—for a long vacation. I love the stars, but frankly, spending time in the woods and fields, eating home-cooked meals at a large table with fifteen or so people, and sitting in front of a fireplace appeals to me more than I can say!”
“I don’t blame you!” laughed Robert.
“But don’t get too comfortable,” warned Richard, with a chuckle. “Something will come along before too long!”
“Maybe mapping geological samples in the canyons of Mercury,” suggested Joe.
“Maybe,” said Richard.
A little more than two months later, as the Seatons, Taylors, and Fosters prepared to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner on the farm, the Tartarus was speeding through the void.
“We’ve just passed the orbit of Neptune, sir,” announced the pilot.