Twelve minutes later the news came into Starlight Enterprise and was
tranferred immediately to Richard Starlight, who was at work in his
office. He finished listening to the message, then turned and looked
out over the stark moonscape. Slowly, he smiled.
The next day, just after noon, Richard was again in his office. Joining
him for lunch were John Rwakatare, Robert Nolan, Beowulf Denn, and
Commander John Lewis and a few other visitors from Space Command.
Though the food was delicious, the meal was a dismal affair. Long faces
and few words expressed the atmosphere of the gathering.
Richard, however, and Robert seemed not to share the gloom. Richard was
an attentive host, carefully seeing to his guests' needs. "A little
more water, John?" he asked, offering the crystal decanter. "Could you
please pass the biscuits, Robert? Thank you. Good, aren't they?"
"Yes, Rick, they are, especially for biscuits made on the Moon,"
responded the head of NME. "Your chef is highly skilled."
Beowulf Denn couldn't take it any more. "You seem awfully lighthearted
about everything, Richard," he said in a tone that verged almost on
disrespect. Richard smiled but said nothing.
When the lunch things had been cleared away, Richard spoke.
"Thank you for coming, gentlemen. I apologize for not sharing your
distress.
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