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She didn't understand the physics of the modified defense screen that allowed it to exist in spite of Antarctica's climate, but the politics Davis had mentioned were clear enough. The Solar Federation's capital had been in Ceres, but when Nannstein's discovery of hyperdrive had triggered the necessary change from Federation to Empire, that had been abandoned.

Joan Dale held the distinction of being the first woman ever admitted into the Solar Guard, in a capacity other than administrative work. Her experiments in atomic fissionables was the subject of a recent scientific symposium held on Mars. Over fifty of the leading scientists of the Solar Alliance had gathered to study her latest theory on hyperdrive, and had unanimously declared her ideas valid.

That was practically a snail's pace, compared with hyperdrive. The time for the test had come. He spoke briefly with his friends and assistants in the control tower; then he checked his figures through one last time and requested blastoff clearance. A moment later the count-down began, and he began setting up for departure.

"I don't know, Tom, but he sure has some speed in that black ship of his." "Ganymede!" Tom repeated in bewilderment. It was beyond belief. The Polaris, using hyperdrive, could scarcely have made the flight any faster. Tom felt his heart sinking. The hope that Kit Barnard could catch the black Space Knight was faint now. "Shall I call Ganymede again and see if they have anything new?"

Think of the changes it would mean in Starman society! No more no more permanent separations if someone decides to leave his ship for a while." Alan understood what his father meant. Suddenly he saw the reason for Captain Donnell's abrupt growth of interest in the development of a hyperdrive. It's Steve that's on his mind, Alan thought.

There was nothing extraordinary about our family; only in my case were replacements somewhat above the world average. I am proud to say that I was among the first thousand who made the pioneer voyage on hyperdrive to the star group beyond Centaurus.

"I've heard a great deal about hyperdrive," he said quickly, changing the subject. "I would appreciate it if you could describe the basis of this new feature in space travel so that I may have at least a surface familiarity with its operation and application." Astro gulped and looked at Tom. "Might as well get used to that kind of chatter, Astro," said Tom, smiling.

If I ever find what I'm looking for, it's going to mean the end of Starman life as you know it. Travel between planets will be instantaneous. There there won't be this business of making jumps and getting separated from everyone you used to know." "You're right. I've just begun thinking seriously about this business of hyperdrive. There wouldn't be any Contraction effect.

Both were abandoned years ago." "Both will be reopened before long, I daresay. We'd better make the limits of your sovereignty the orbit of the outer planet of this system. You may have your own normal-space ships, but the Empire will control all hyperdrive craft, and all nuclear weapons. I take it you are the sole government on this planet? Then no other will be permitted to compete with you."

"But there's been steady research on a hyperdrive, hasn't there? Ever since Cavour, I thought." "On and off. But they don't take it very seriously and they don't get anywhere with it. If they'd really put some men to work they'd find it and then there wouldn't be any more Enclaves or any Fitzgerald Contraction, and we starmen could live normal lives."