around the
Earth from west to east, like Earth's natural moon, but because of its
speed it would rise in the west and set in the east six times in every
twenty-four hours.

Major Holt spoke suddenly. The austerity had gone out of his manner with
his energy. He said quietly: "You four--you gave me the worst scare I've
ever had in my life. But do you realize that that sabotage attempt with
the two truck-loads of explosive--do you realize that they'd have gotten
the Platform if it hadn't been for that crazy trick you four planned,
and the precautions we took because of it?"

Joe said depreciatingly: "It was just luck that they happened to pick
the same time, and that Haney was up there with those machine-gunners at
the right moment. It was good luck, but it was luck."

The Major said effortfully: "There are people called accident prones.
Accidents happen all around them, and nobody knows why. You
four--perhaps Joe especially--are not accident prones. You seem to be
something antithetic to accidents. I would hesitate to credit your
usefulness to your brains. Especially Joe's brains. I have known him too
long. But--ah--Washington does not look at it in exactly the same way."

Sally touched Joe warningly. But her face was very bright and proud. Joe
felt queer.

"Joe," said the Major tiredly, "was an alternate for membership in the
Platform's crew. But for penicillin, or something of the sort that made
a sick man get well quickly, Joe would be up there in the Platform's
orbit now. His--ah--record in the instruction he did take was
satisfactory. And--ah--all four of you were very useful in the last
stages of the building of the Platform. Again Joe especially.
His--ah--co-operation with higher authorities has produced--ah--very
favorable comments. So it is felt that he should have some recognition.
All of you, of course, but Joe especially. So----"

Joe felt himself going white.

"Joe," said the Major, "is to be offered an appointment as skipper of
a ferry rocket, carrying supplies and crew reliefs to the Platform.
His rocket will carry a crew of four, including himself.
His--ah--recommendations for membership in his crew will have
considerable weight."

There was a buzzing in Joe's ears. He wanted to cry and to dance, and
especially right then he would have liked very much to kiss Sally. It
would have been the only really appropriate way to express his emotions.

Mike said in a fierce, strained voice: "Joe! I can do