psychohistory. 1

(where his father, in a legend of doubtful authenticity, was a tobacco grower in the hydroponic plants of the planet), 1

Travel through ordinary space could proceed at no rate more rapid than that of ordinary light 1

childishness comes almost as naturally to a man as to a child, 1

watching the hard brilliance of the stars, enjoying the incredible hazy swarm of a star cluster, like a giant conglomeration of fireflies caught in mid-motion and stilled forever. At one time there was the cold, blue-white smoke of a gaseous nebula within five light years of the ship, spreading over the window like distant milk, filling the room with an icy tinge, and disappearing out of sight two hours later, after another Jump. 1

2 1

There was the far-off hiss of the atmosphere cutting and sliding past the metal of the ship. There was the steady drone of the conditioners fighting the heat of friction, and the slower rumble of the engines enforcing deceleration. There was the human sound of men and women gathering in the debarkation rooms and the grind of the hoists lifting baggage, mail, and freight to the long axis of the ship, from which they would be later moved along to the unloading platform. 1

swung easily on yielding force-fields to accommodate its orientation to the changing direction of the gravitational forces. 1

tremendous. 1

A figure detached itself from anonymity and stopped at the desk, as Gaal left. The man at the desk looked up and nodded briefly. The figure nodded in return and followed the young immigrant. 1

The man to whom the sign referred did not look up. 1

“Follow the light. The ticket will keep glowing as long as you’re pointed in the right direction.” 1

arrive at their respective destinations. 1

The scene contracted further and began to slide backward. 1