Dawn came with a thin wind, a chill wind bearing promise of early winter and carrying a fine dust of stinging sand. In the east a pink glow suffused the sky and a scud of thin cloud hid the dying light of the fading stars. The Moon had gone, falling below the horizon, and it was strange to see men glancing to where it had been, even though they knew that the ship would be aimed at a set of co-ordinates rather than a visual target.
Adams gathered them all in the control room for a final briefing.
The Colonel showed signs of strain, his eyes were bloodshot and his grizzled hair rumpled, matching his usually impeccable uniform. He glared at Curt, almost as if he would like to give the young man hell for slipping away from his surveillance, then, as he stared at the young man, shrugged and g
