" Within seconds several asteroids
were marked in his files. He brought their profiles up one by one.
M253.
SHAPE: OBLONG.
MAXIMUM LENGTH: 0.683 MILES.
MAXIMUM WIDTH: 0.307 MILES.
COMPOSITION: 90.568% IRON, 6.443% TIN, 0.752%
ICE, 2.237% TRACE ELEMENTS; CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
Other information was provided, including the asteroid's precise
location and its speed of motion and rotation. Zimbardo hesitated a
moment, then said, "Delete." He went on to the next entry.
M3366.
SHAPE: ALMOST PERFECT SPHERE; VARIATION <5%.
MEAN DIAMETER, 0.057 MILES.
The other information was provided. Zimbardo smiled. "Ah-nearly solid
iron and about 100 yards exactly!" he thought to himself. "That makes
five." He told the computer to save that file, then opened the intercom.
"Gene," he said.
"Yes sir," came the immediate response.
"Contact Mr. Crass and tell him I want M3366."
"Right away, sir."
"Then call the five lieutenants up to my study at once, please. Get
Kimball, Lorry, and Jenner also. Once you've called them, come up
yourself." Gene nodded and activated the personal contact codes of the
men Zimbardo wanted to see.
A quarter of an hour later, the ten men were in the lounge in
Zimbardo's quarters. He was playing host, and pouring out a dark golden
sherry wine into luxurious spun glass goblets.
Pages:
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85