overpowering feeling that came over him. Weightlessness he had
experienced for brief periods during training, but nothing could match
the heady impression of continuous freedom from gravity.

Earth passing overhead was also to be expected from the simple laws of
celestial mechanics but his feeling as he watched it now was
inexpressible. It occurred to him that perhaps this was indeed why he
was here, because he could appreciate such experiences best. He had been
told the stars would be bright, unblinking, and an infinitude in extent,
but could mere descriptions or photographs convey the true seeing?

On his twenty-first orbit he completed his overseeing the entire surface
of the planet in daylight. He had seen more of Earth than anyone able to
tell about it, but only he had the true feeling of it. The continents
were clearly visible, as were the oceans and both polar ice caps. The
shapes were familiar but in only a remote way. A vague indistinctness
borne of distance served to modify the outlines and he alone was seeing
and understanding. On the dark side of the planet large cities were
marked by indistinct light areas which paled to insignificance compared
to the stars and his sun.

He speculated about the others who had only briefly experienced these
sights. Undoubtedly they weren't as capable of fully grasping or
appreciating any of these things as he was. It was quite clear that no
one else but he could encompass the towering feeling of power and
importance generated by being alone in the Universe.

At the end of the twenty-fifth orbit he disabled the radio control of
the retro-rockets and sat back with satisfaction to await the next
circuit of his Earth around Him.

THE END

Transcriber's Note:

This etext was produced from _Astounding Science Fiction_ May 1960.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S.
copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and
typographical errors have been corrected without note.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Egocentric Orbit, by John Cory

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