"All this nonsense about the Thakura Ripples! But then, of course you're a sensible man or we wouldn't have hired you, and I'm sure you agree with me that the _Star Lord_ can deal with anything that hyperspace has to offer." Jasperson adjusted the set of his jacket over his plump stomach while he waited for an answer, and Captain Evans stared at him. "Is that why you're wearing a pistol?" he said dryly. "To help the ship fight her battles?" "This?" His face reddened as he patted his bulging pockets. "Oh, it's just a habit. I don't like being without protection; I always wear a gun in one pocket and my recorder in the other." "You'll scarcely be in any danger on the ship, Burl. Better leave it in your cabin." "All right. But about the Ripples--you aren't going to take them seriously, are you?" "I wish you'd be a little more frank, Mr. Chairman. Has the Star Line suddenly lost confidence in me?" "No, no, nothing of the sort! We've every confidence in you, of course. But I've been hearing rumors, hints that we may have to make a slow crossing, and I've been wondering. But then, I'm sure that a man of your intelligence doesn't take the Ripples any more seriously than I do." "I don't know what gossip you have been hearing," said the Captain, hesitantly. "'Ripples' is probably a very inaccurate and inadequate name for the phenomenon. Thakura might equally well have called them rapids, falls, bumps, spaces, holes, or discontinuities." "Then why did he choose to call them Ripples?" "Probably because he didn't know exactly what they are. The whole problem is a very complicated one." "Complicated nonsense, I call it. Well, we won't quarrel, my dear Josiah, but don't let them hold us back. Remember, we're out to break all records!" * * * * * Under the artificial sky, crowds of people streamed into the administration building of Satellite Y. The jumping-off place for all rockets and ships going to and from the stars, Y-port was a world of its own, dedicated to only one purpose, the launching and berthing of ships. It was a quiet and orderly place as a rule, and its small permanent colony of workmen and officials lived a spartan existence except for their yearly vacations on Earth. But today it seemed as if half the earth's people, friends and relatives of the passengers, had chosen to make the port a holiday spot of their own, to help celebrate the launching of the _Star Lord_ on her maiden voyage. The rocket ferry between Y-port and Earth had had to triple its number of runs in the past week, and this morning's rocket had brought in the last of the passengers for Almazin III.