Transcriber's note:
This etext was produced from Imagination Stories of Science and FantasyJune 1953. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S.copyright on this publication was renewed.
THE STAR LORD
By Boyd Ellanby
To some passengers a maiden voyage was a pleasure cruise; to othersit meant a hope for new life. Only the Captain knew of its danger!
The Star Lord waited, poised for her maiden voyage. The giganticsilvery spindle, still cradled in its scaffoldings, towered upwardsagainst the artificial sky of Satellite Y.
The passengers were beginning to come on board before Captain JosiahEvans had finished checking the reports of his responsible officers. Theship was ready for space, now, and there was nothing more he could dountil takeoff. With long, deliberate steps he walked to his cabin,closed the door, and in the privacy he had come to regard as thegreatest luxury life had to offer him, he sank into his chair andreached for the post-bag which had been delivered by the morning'srocket ferry from earth.
There were no personal letters for him. He rarely received any and neverreally expected any, for his career had always been more important to[Pg 8]him than personal ties. Shoving aside the official documents, he pickedup the small brown parcel, slit the pliofilm covering with his pocketknife, and inspected the red leather cover with its simple title: Ley'sRockets and Space Ships. At the bottom of the cover was a date: May 1,2421, Volume 456. In the nearly five hundred years since the publicationof Volume one, which listed all the earth's rocket ships on half of onepage, the annual edition of this book, regularly edited and brought upto date, had become the spaceman's bible.
Captain Evans was annoyed to find that his hands were shaking as heleafed through the pages, and he paused a few seconds, trying to controlhis excitement. His black hair had begun to turn gray above his ears,and there were a few white hairs in his bushy eyebrows. But a healthypink glowed under the skin of his well-fleshed cheeks, and the jut ofhis chin showed the confidence of one used to receiving immediate,unquestioning obedience. When his long fingers had stopped theirtrembling, he found the entry he had been looking for, and a triumphantsmile lighted his heavy features as he settled deeper in his chair andread the first paragraph.
"Star Lord: newest model in space-ships of the famed Star Line. VitalStatistics: Construction begun February 2418, on Satellite Y.Christened, October, 2420. Maiden voyage to Almazin III scheduledspring, 2421."
He looked up at the diagram of the ship which hung on the wall at hisright, then glanced at the zodiometer on his desk. May 3, late spring.
"Powered by twenty-four total conversion Piles. Passenger capacity1250. Crew and maintenance 250. Six life boats, capacity 1500. Captain.Josiah Evans."
His throat swelling, he was almost choked with pride as he read thefinal Statistic. This, he thou