His apparently
bottomless resources had allowed him to achieve remarkable things in
twenty years. Now he was in the command bubble that lifted like an
antenna from the heart of the space station. A tower two hundred yards
long lifted out from the plane of NME's manufacturing and launching
facility. At its end was a large observation and control center that
commanded a view of every aspect of one side of the plant.
"Launch in forty-three minutes exactly," said an operative in the
command bubble. Nolan stood, looking intently over the man's shoulder
at the screen in front of him. Nolan's eyes shifted repeatedly back and
forth from the screen to the actuality that lay spectacularly open to
view before him.
"Sir?" said another technician, turning toward Nolan. "The Lux Mundi
has now completed docking." The Lux Mundi was Richard Starlight's
personal spacecraft.
"Excellent, John," said Robert Nolan. "Please have Mr. Starlight sent
up here without delay."
"Yes sir." The technician turned back to his station and issued
commands. In less than four minutes, an elevator brought Richard
Starlight into the center of the command bubble of Nolan Mining
Enterprise. He stepped out onto the floor and looked around quickly.
"Over here, Rick," said Nolan, stepping toward his friend.
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