The Star Line ought to abandon that silly custom of christening a new ship, thought Captain Evans. It was an archaic ceremony, utterly irrational, a foolish relic of a primitive world in which people had been so uncertain of their machines that they had had to depend on luck, and to beg good fortune of unpredictable gods. Taking up _Ley's Space Ships_ again, he began fondly to reread the page, when there was a knock at the door and a crewman entered. "Mr. Jasperson to see you, sir." The Captain stared, a tiny muscle in his cheek quivering. "You know I'm not to be disturbed until after takeoff, Stacey." "Yes, sir. But Mr. Jasperson insisted. He says he knows those rules don't apply to _him_." Evans closed the book, laid it on his desk, and stood up. He leaned forward and spoke softly. "Tell Mr. Jasperson--" "Tell him what, Josiah?" boomed a voice from the opening door. "You can tell me yourself now." Burl Jasperson was a portly little man with legs too short for his bulging body, and clothes that were too tight. His head was bald except for a fringe above the ears, and he might have been a comical figure but for the icy blue eyes that probed from under the dome of his forehead. "What have you got to tell me? You're quite right not to let the ragtag and bobtail bother you at a time like this, but I know your old friend Burl Jasperson is always welcome." With scarcely a pause, the Captain extended his hand. "How are you, Burl? Won't you come in? I hope the Purser has taken care of you properly?" "I'm comfortable enough, thanks, and I'm looking forward to the trip. It's odd, come to think of it, that though I've been Chairman of the board of directors, and have spent some thirty years managing a fleet of space liners, yet I've never before made a trip myself. I don't like crowds of people, for one thing, and then I've been busy." "What made you decide to go along on this one?" * * * * * Reaching across the table, Jasperson picked up the silver carafe and poured himself a glass of water. "Ah! Nothing like a drink of cold water! The fact is, I wanted to check up on things, make notes of possible improvements in the Star Line's service, and sample passenger reactions. Then too, I'll have the satisfaction of being present on the trip which will establish the Line's supremacy, once and for all. This crossing will make history. It means everything to us, Josiah. You know we're counting on you to break the record. We want to win back the Blue Ribbon, and we expect you to manage it for us." "I shall do my best." "That's the spirit I like to see. Full speed ahead!" "Certainly--consistent with safety." "Consistent with _reasonable_ safety, of course. I know you won't let yourself be taken in by all this nonsense about the imaginary dangers of hyperspace." "What do you mean?"