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computer system the ship can be helmed from anywhere.”
    Alex recognized familiar faces as he surveyed the room: Bob Walters, a crewmate he thought had died at Ra Patera, Tony Sciarra and Connie Tsu from the last mission. “Old faces,” he noted, smiling as he waved. “Who’s flying this tub?”
    “It’s a starship, Alex. And we’re not moving at the moment,” said Stubbs. “But Captain John Wysor will be pointing the needle when the time comes.”
    Alex was glad to see the Ganny pilot helming the ship, happy to see a smile that he could trust. The Captain came to greet them, trotting deftly past workers installing consoles. After saluting Stubbs and nodding politely to the rest, Wysor gave Alex a Ganny style bear hug. “Where’s y’r Mary, y’ ol’ pirate?”
    “We’ll be seeing her at Jupiter,” offered Stubbs. “Alex is bacheloring at the moment.”
    Wysor acknowledged the commander with a nod but no comment. “So,” he began. “On to th’ briefin’? This way, gents.”
    The Captain seemed at ease with the surroundings as he led them to the center of the room. He directed everyone to a group of empty work stations near his own. When they were all seated he returned to his own console, near the front of the group.
    A large black hemisphere lowered from the ceiling a few meters in front of the Captain. It reminded Alex of the bubble Johnny had installed aboard his shuttle before the exploration of Jupiter’s reef. It had been Johnny’s eyes and ears during the mission, providing a virtual environment driven by the sensor array. This bubble, however was much larger. When it locked into place, a few meters above the Captain’s head, the room darkened.
    He guessed that the Goddard’s mission probably had something to do with Jupiter’s reef, but he couldn’t imagine the connection. This was no short hop vessel. He’d been aboard its prototype, the first GeePulse ship. It, too, had jumped to Jupiter, but from Earth, not Mars.
    But when the large dome overhead suddenly lit up with a star chart, he was sure this was more than a planet hopping mission. He noticed a small reddish star at the center of the dome. Looking closely at it he could see two tiny planets orbiting it.
    Stubbs’ quiet voice broke the silence in the room. “Now that Captain Rose is here, I want to compliment him for his patience with me …” The commander chuckled as he looked at Alex. “I especially appreciate his volunteering for our mission. We’ll no doubt need his help, not to mention his piloting skills, which I assume are still intact.” Stubbs cleared his throat as he looked again at Alex. In the darkened room, his face was lit from below by his console, his grin almost demonic.
    Without commenting on the commander’s remarks, Alex pointed to the dome. “Is the Goddard going there? Are we going to another star system?”
    Stubbs’ grin remained fixed like a Cheshire cat, hovering over his console. “I assume that to be obvious.”
    Alex’s heart began to beat faster. “Then, with all due respect, what do you need me for? You have Wysor here.” He searched the faces around him, but no one looked back at him. The silence persisted a few seconds. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I interrupted.”
    “No problem,” said Stubbs. “You were getting ahead of me, Alex, but I understand. I apologize that mission confidentiality has prevented many of you from obtaining more details. To answer your questions, Alex: yes, that is a star system you’re seeing. Lalande 21185, to be exact. And, no, we certainly don’t expect you to pilot the Goddard . Captain Wysor and a few others will handle that.”
    Alex wasn’t satisfied with the answer, and Stubbs seemed to read it in his expression. “You and Mary Seventeen will be part of the mission – a very special part.”
    “Having to do with the reef?”
    “Oh, yes. Very much so.” Stubbs smiled at Alex. “Let me outline our mission.” He touched his console and the