"Clear Springs Public Film Library."
Joel said, "I'd like to see whatever is available on Asgard, second planet of Alpha Centauri A. Travel films, history, exploration records...."
The librarian gave a short brittle laugh. "That's a large order. Roughly there must be several thousand reels."
Joel hesitated. "A good condensed history then."
She said, "Flagg's Stellar Venture is the latest...."
"That'll do."
"One moment, please."
Once more the screen quivered violently. Music, a thin haunting melody, streamed into Joel's cell, through which came the voice of the narrator. The music stopped.
A dull black space ship was forming within the depths of the screen.