We have to find out how fast it goes with
how much field and how much rocket-thrust. We have to find out how far
we went and if it was in a straight line. We even have to find out how
to land! The ship's a new piece of apparatus. We can't do things with it
until we find out what it can do."
Cochrane stared at him. Then he swallowed.
"I see," he said. "The financial and business department of Spaceways,
Inc., has done its stuff for the time being."
Jones nodded.
"The technical staff now takes over?"
Jones nodded again.
"I still think," said Cochrane, "that we could have done with a little
interdepartmental cooperation. How long before you know what you're
about?"
Jones shook his head.
"I can't even guess. Ask Babs to come up here, will you?"
Cochrane threw up his hands. He went toward the
spiral-ladder-with-handholds that led below. He went down into the main
saloon. A tiny green light winked on and off, urgently, on the far side.
Babs was seated at a tiny board, there. As Cochrane looked, she pushed
buttons with professional skill. Bill Holden sat in a strap-chair with
his face a greenish hue.
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