“I’ll get right to the point. We go on an expedition to look for the Northern Cross and split the value of the cargo if we find it.”
Rock nodded. “That’s reasonable enough.”
“I can rent an old ship cheaply,” Kalmus went on. “Got a friend in the business over on Satellite 7, a space supply moon. He showed me just the thing for us, atomic drive and all, equipped to carry eleven men. I can dig up a crew too. How much money can you get to pay for your share?”
“That will take some figuring,” Rock said, “and I’ll have to talk over the proposition with the other fellows.”
“I told you I’d furnish the crew,” Kalmus said, with a trace of annoyance. “However, if you want to bring some of your buddies along, I guess that’s your business.”
“We’ve been together all through Academy training,” Rock told him, “and that’s too long a time to split up now.”
Rock was able to get all his six friends together to talk over the plan, even rousing a complaining Johnny Colfax out of his brief sleep. All were in favor of making the voyage.
“I’ll split my share equally among us,” Rock said.
“Nix on that, Rock,” tall, wiry Hugh Blankenship objected. “It’s your dad’s ship and we know about his dream to build a satellite hospital. Besides, you’re the one who’s been holding the clue to its location all these years.”
All of them nodded.