l parts of
the Alliance moved in to focus on the capsule as it was lowered into a
deep, concrete-lined pit.

The three members of the _Polaris_ unit, standing to one side of the
platform, joined in the cheers as their skipper shook hands with the
delegates and waved again and again at the roaring crowd.

"That was some speech, Tom," commented Roger. "I wonder who wrote it for
him?"

"He wrote it himself, Roger," replied Tom.

"Ah, go on," scoffed Roger.

"Sure he did," said Astro indignantly. "He sweated over it for nearly a
week."

"Here he comes," said Tom. The three cadets watched Captain Strong,
resplendent in his dress gold-and-black uniform, fight his way off the
platform, shaking hands with congratulating strangers along the way.

"Congratulations, Captain Strong," said Tom with a smile.

"That was swell!" Roger and Astro chorused their agreement.

"Thanks, boys," gasped Strong. "But let me tell you, I never want to do
that again. I was never so scared in my life!"

"Just making a speech?" asked Roger. "After all the lectures you've
given at Space Academy?"

"They weren't before teleceiver and stereo cameras." Strong laughed. "Do
you realize this ceremony is being seen on Mars, Earth, and all the
colonized moons, clear out to Titan."

"Wow!" breathed Astro. "That would make me tongue-tied!"

"Huh! All that to stick a metal box into the ground," snorted Roger.

"It's not the capsule, Roger," said Tom. "It's what's inside the
capsule."

"Right, Tom," said Strong. "Inside that capsule scientists have packed
the whole history of man's march through the stars. They've included
scientific formulas, medical, cultural, and industrial facts. Everything
we know. Even some things that are known by only a handful of the most
trusted men in the universe!" Strong stopped suddenly and laughed.
"There I go, making another speech! Come on. Let's get out of here," he
cried.

"Do we start showing people through the _Polaris_ now, sir?" asked
Astro.

"In the morning, Astro," replied Strong. "Tonight there's a big Solar
Alliance banquet. You three are invited, too."

"Er--" stammered Roger, "you mean--a banquet--with--uh--?"

Strong laughed. "More speeches? I'm afraid so, Manning. Of course
there'll be plenty of food."

"Well, it's not that we're against speeches," ventured Astro.

"Not yours anyway, sir," added Tom hastily. "But what we mean, sir, is
that--"

Strong held up his hand. "I understand perfe