"Perhaps we'd better look at the other rooms," I told her.
The next room we examined was obviously for recreation. Containers were filled with dozens of strange games and books of instructions in the form of simple drawings. The games were foreign, but designed in such a fashion that they would be interesting to Earthmen.
Two of the rooms were sleeping quarters. The floors were covered with a spongy substance and the lights were dim and soothing.
Another room contained a small bathing pool, running water, waste-disposal units and yellow cakes of soap.
The last room was an observatory. The ceiling and an entire wall were transparent. Outside, the stars shone clearly for a few seconds, then disappeared for an equal time, only to reappear in a different position.
"Hyper-space drive," Verana whispered softly. She was fascinated by the movement of the stars. For years, our scientists had sought a hyperspatial drive to conquer the stars.
We selected a comfortable chair facing the transparent wall, lit cigarettes and waited.
A few minutes later, Marie entered the room.
I noticed with some surprise that her face was calm. If she was excited, her actions didn't betray it.