Within a few minutes, the Starmen were aboard the Star Ranger in their
accustomed places.
Just before they lifted off, Zip turned on his communicator.
"George," he said. "Thanks for your friendship. You gave me a gift I
don't think you're even aware of."
"Oh yes I am too aware of it, David." responded the cheery voice. "The
gift of confidence. Do your Latin and find out what 'confidence' really
means. Blessing and peace go with you men." A chorus of voices sounded
in the background, also offering farewells.
Zip signed off. In minutes O344 was behind them.
When Lurton Zimbardo had first announced to Earth that he had aimed a
huge asteroid through space on a collision course, the news of
impending doom spread over the farthest reaches of the globe, bringing
with it hysteria and despair. Pockets of unrest and violence sprang up
but the phenomenon was short-lived. The memory of the Collapse was too
recent, and the populace would not permit violence to prevail-but there
was nothing to take its place. Cities, nations, and then continents
ground to a standstill as people left their jobs and homes and wandered
from place to place aimlessly. The thought of utter, unprecedented
destruction for the whole planet, the home of mankind, struck at the
very heart of the people.
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