ring and possibly developing and
colonizing those planets is ahead of us. The most important part of that
work is up to men like you, Lieutenant Harrison. You are attached to the
meteorology department with the job of doing the preliminary analysis
and exploration on the various planets whose raw materials are essential
to Earth. Never for a minute underestimate the importance of that work."

Ward cleared his throat. "I won't sir."

"Good. There are other branches of the service that might seem more
glamorous, but all of them are dependent on your research and findings.
Without meteorological survey the entire network of space stations we
have established would have been impossible. And the need today for
accurate and thorough research on atmospheric conditions in the Universe
is greater than ever before. Always keep that in mind."

"I will, sir," Ward answered.

"Good," the colonel said. He ran a heavy hand through his silver-dusted
hair and then picked up again the sheaf of papers from his desk.

"Your first assignment is to one of our established observation stations
on Mars," he said.

* * * * *

Ward kept his face woodenly expressionless; but it was hard to conceal
his disappointment. He wanted adventure and danger. He wanted to prove
his courage and loyalty on some perilous journey to an uncharted,
unexplored area, and there was little hope for such action on an
established base.

"The station to which you are being sent," the colonel went on, "was
established three years ago by the man who is still in command there, a
civilian by the name of Thomas Halliday. He is alone there, now. His
assistant died about six months ago. You will act as Halliday's
assistant in atmospheric experimentation and in the collection of
meteorologic data. Despite the fact that he is a civilian you will take
your orders from him. Is that much clear?"

"Yes," Ward said. He had to fight to keep the bitterness he was feeling
from showing in his voice. He had been prepared for anything, but this
was too much to accept cheerfully. Serving on a dull, one-man base,
under the domination of a civilian, who had probably been rejected by
the regular service for timidity or incompetence, was a bitter pill to
swallow. Ward found a real, though illogical, resentment welling in him.
And the object of this resentment was Thomas Halliday.

"Thomas Halliday," the colonel said, "is a very careful, painstaking
mete