WE, YOUR SPACE FRIENDS, HAVE BEEN ON A LONG JOURNEY
BEYOND THE SOLAR SYSTEM TO PLACES NOT DISCOVERED BY US
BEFORE. WE ARE PRESENTING ONE OF OUR SOUVENIRS TO YOU AT
YOUR OUTPOST IN SPACE. IT WILL ARRIVE IN TWENTY HOURS.
128 COSMIC ASTRONAUTS
“How wonderful!” Sandy hugged her father excitedly. “Dad, may we all go up to the space station to see the present?”
Mr. Swift’s face became grave. “Honey, I hate to say no, but it wouldn’t be wise to take you.”
Sandy tried to hide her disappointment. “I guess you must have a good reason.”
“A very good reason, my dear. Since we know nothing about life outside our own planet, any object from outer space might be contaminated with foreign organisms. By that, I mean microscopic organisms, invisible to the eye, but possibly deadly to some or all forms of earth life.”
Mr. Swift smiled reassuringly as he met his wife’s eyes. “Now you mustn’t worry, Mary. Tom and I and everyone else at the space station can wear protective clothing. But I think you and Sandy should avoid any unnecessary risk of exposure.”
Bud was eager to accompany the Swifts, whatever the risk. Chow Winkler, when he learned of the expected mysterious space gift, begged to be taken along. Since both were veteran astronauts, Mr. Swift agreed.
Twenty hours from noon meant that the object would arrive the following morning at eight. The group therefore decided to take off that very evening for the space station. They embarked by cargo rocket from Fearing Island and arrived at the outpost shortly before midnight.
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