The motion was carried, the papers drawn up, and the meeting adjourned.
Holden grasped Professor Erickson firmly by the arm and hurried him to the elevator.
"We've got just five minutes to get to the port. We're catching the first airliner for San Francisco. There are three of the latest model Mars-Earth freighters there, which we will use for our expedition. We will also be near the best source of Europium. Hurry."
As the elevator shot downward, the old professor endeavored to congratulate Holden on his appointment.
"Forget it. This was your idea, and they should have named you leader of the expedition, but that really doesn't make much difference. Anything you say goes, see?"
A crowd was milling around the entrance to the Western Hemisphere tunnel. An official tried to stop Holden and his companion as they pushed their way through the crowd.
"The liner is leaving. You can't go in there."
"Oh, we can't, huh? Here."
A single glance at the paper shoved under his nose, and the gatekeeper came to life.
"Right this way, you're just in time."