Mark continued bringing Joe up to date. “The Captain’s got a team replacing the huge airlock on the surface of the asteroid, and the temporary power supply packets are being reloaded on the ships. We’re in complete control of the asteroid now.” “Where’s Madera?” “He finally got a full sleep, then went back into the complex. He can’t wait to find out how it all works. He’s hoping that Richard will put him in charge of the exploration team.” Joe scooped a large helping of potatoes into his mouth, then talked around it to ask, “Well, when do we leave?” “I’m excited about this place, and would like to explore a bit myself,” said Zip, “but more than anything, I’d like to go home. We can leave any time we want to.” “I’d like to see Mr. Madera one more time before we go, and then take off for home.” * * * * * A day later, the _Star Ranger_ was well on its way to Amundsen City. The Starmen were relaxed, seated comfortably at a small table in the lounge, with the ship on automatic pilot. The strains of Bach’s _Little Fugue_ filled the ship. Joe asked, “Is that the disk Montezuma Vly gave us?” “No,” said Mark. “That was destroyed when Lather melted the _Vigilant Warrior_. This is just part of our standard library. Beautiful piece. But I sure wish we hadn’t lost that disk Montezuma gave us. What a tragedy!” “Yes, well, Vly did say that we could visit him again. Maybe he’ll give us another.” “I’d like to see him again, but not for a while. I don’t want to leave home for a long time!” At the end of their journey, the _Star Ranger_ touched down gently on the tarmac at Amundsen Base, near the south pole of the Moon on the edge of the largest city in the Earth-Moon system--Amundsen City, with over eight million inhabitants. The Starmen debarked from their ship, crossed the field and entered the airlock that led into the receiving area. Through the second door, they could see an enormous crowd. “Man! This place is jammed!” said Joe. “I’ve never seen so many people here!” As air filled the airlock, the Starmen removed their helmets and tucked them under their arms. Moments later they entered the public terminal. A roar went up from hundreds of voices. “What’s this?” yelled Mark to Zip and Joe. He could barely make himself heard above the clamor. “Look!” cried out Zip. “Our families!” With a big smile on his face, he pointed to the front of the crowd. There were the boys’ parents--Allen and Elizabeth Foster with Zip’s eight-year old sister, Kathy; Keith and Barbara Seaton; and Charlie and Laura Taylor. All were smiling hugely. “Wow!” exclaimed Mark. “All these people are here for _us_!” Although the crowd was being kept behind a light barrier of stanchions and ribbons, as soon as the Starmen came through the airlock, Zip’s sister Kathy ducked under the ribbon and ran toward them.