None moved very fast since the space was as crowded as bees
around a hive.
Yellow City was a well planned settlement, in spite of having been
developed jointly by several different mining companies. Although the
competition was fierce for the rich minerals of the Belt, cooperation
was necessary to build the city, especially in the earliest years of
settlement. The result was beneficial to all, as Yellow City could
easily supply the needs of miners of all kinds as well as serve the
traffic to the Outer Planets that almost always came by way of Ceres.
Advancements in propulsion systems were making it possible for some of
the newer ships to bypass Yellow City on their way to Jupiter and
beyond, but Ceres was still a major stopping point.
Zip spoke quietly to Mark. "Mark, please let them know that we would
like to land."
Mark opened the microphone. "Starman Mark Seaton on the starship Star
Ranger requesting permission to land."
The response was immediate. "Yes sir, Starman! Ceres is proud to
welcome you!" The operator went on to give directions for landing.
"Why is he so deferential?" queried Mark after communications had been
completed.
"We're famous!" responded Zip. "We've been aboard ship since the end of
the attempted takeover on Mars and haven't kept up with the news, but
we've become household names.
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