"Well, what do you suppose came over him?" Burger gasped. "I suspect that God has finally found a stone he couldn't lift," Maxwell murmured. * * * * * Whiteford kneaded his knuckles and stared morosely out the window. From time to time his hand strayed to the intercom and then he'd snap it back. He'd been sitting that way for two hours. For two hours the gigantic cogs of Personnel Incorporated had been stopped by a grain of sand. Or at least, so it seemed. Suddenly his hand lashed out and he flipped the intercom switch. "Would you please come here a minute, Miss Hancock?" "Y-yes, Mr. Whiteford?" "Do you think you could run Personnel Incorporated while I'm away?" "Well--I don't--I hardly think I'm capable...." "You're not," Whiteford said drily. "But you're more capable than anyone else that's here. You'll assume my duties until I return." He paused at the door. "In case anyone asks, I'll be gone for a month." * * * * * Burger wrung his hands nervously. "Only a half hour until take-off time, Mr. Whiteford. I think we've thought of everything. You realize that your position on the rocket, actually, is only the safety factor of the rocket itself. And, of course, an observer is preferable. First hand accounts of human reactions on board the rocket will be invaluable. You've been drilled for two weeks in your duties on board, the listing of meter readings in the log book, a careful diary of your own physiological reactions, etc. And naturally, what to do in case of an emergency. Of course, the chances are several million to one of anything actually going wrong with the rocket. "Oh yes, the pictures of the first rocket flight. The film actually doesn't show much but it might be of interest." Whiteford followed him to the small projection room. "The camera was tracked by radar," Burger exclaimed. "We can follow the rocket all the way. I'll speed up the action a little." The pin-point of light on the screen leaped ahead and in a few moments the pock-marked face of the moon came into view. Burger slowed the action down to normal. The tiny tad-pole of light swam closer to the moon. Suddenly it swerved and in a moment there was a tiny burst of light on one of the craters and the screen went blank. "The crash, eh?" Burger nodded. "You can still back out, you know. You can up until the moment you step inside the rocket." "Don't be silly!" Whiteford snorted. They went out to the landing field. "Incidentally, Mr. Whiteford, you'll find a small cabinet on board with various books, puzzles, and what-not for your leisure hours. They've been scientifically selected for your type of personality." Burger smiled faintly. "In fact, you'll discover that the pilot has been provided for very well, considering weight limitations and all. Practically every possible occurrence has been provided for. I'm sure you'll experience no difficulty on the flight."