The officer in charge of the rocket crews and the take-off stand was a young engineer-soldier named Harper. Paul had met him during the first week at Base. His endorsement of Project Superman was enthusiastic.
After talking with Oglethorpe, Paul took a jeep over to the stand and located Harper. The engineer was overseeing the fueling process on a big rocket.
"Doc Medick!" Harper exclaimed. "How's your crew of head shrinkers coming along? We're just about ready for your new breed of pilots."
"What do you mean?"
"This is the nucleus ship. She's going out in orbit tonight with the first batch of supplies and instruments to get ready for the new Wheel. We're going to need your men awfully fast."
"That's what I came to talk about. Can you spare a few minutes?"
"Sure." Harper led him to the office, where the whining of fueling pumps was silenced. "What can we do for you?"
"I wanted to ask about Cummins. You knew him pretty well, didn't you?"
"Buddies. Just like that." Harper crossed his fingers.