As at Mars, Roger Stone left her circum Ceres, not at a station or satellite — there was none — but in orbit. Hazel, the Captain, and Meade went down by shuttle to Ceres City, Meade to see the sights. Roger to arrange the disposal of their high grade and core material and for a cargo of refined metal to take back to Luna, Hazel to take care of business or pleasure of her own. Doctor Stone chose not to go — on Lowell’s account; the shuttle was no more than an over-sized scooter with bumper landing gear.
The twins were still under hatches, not allowed to go.
Meade assured them, on return, that they had not missed anything. ‘It’s just like Luna City, only little and crowded and no fun.’
Their father added, ‘She’s telling the truth, boys, so don’t take it too hard. You’ll be seeing Luna itself next stop anyway.
‘Oh, we weren’t kicking!’ Castor said stiffly.
‘Not a bit,’ insisted Pollux. ‘We’re willing to wait for Luna.’
Roger Stone grinned, ‘You’re not fooling anyone. But we will be shaping orbit home in a couple of weeks. In a way I’m sorry. All in all, it’s been two good years.’
Meade said suddenly, ‘Did you say “home” Daddy? It seems to me we are home. We’re going back to Luna, but we’re taking home with us.’
‘Eh? Yes, I suppose you’re right; the good old Rolling Stone is home, looked at that way. She’s taken us through a lot.’ He patted a bulkhead affectionately. ‘Right, Mother?’
Hazel had been unusually silent. Now she looked at her son and said, ‘Oh, sure, sure. Of course.’
Dr Stone said, ‘What did you do downside, Mother Hazel?’
‘Me? Oh, not much. Swapped lies with a couple of old-timers. And sent off that slough episodes. By the way, Roger, better start thinking about story lines.’
‘Eh? What was that, Mother?’
‘That’s my last. I’m giving the show back to you.’
‘Well, all right — but why?’
‘Uh, I’m not going to find it so convenient now.’ She seemed embarrassed. ‘You see — well, would any of you mind very much if I checked out now?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The Helen of Troy is shaping for the Trojans and the Wellington is matching there for single-H and a passenger. Me. I’m going on out to Titan.’
Before they could object she went on, ‘Now don’t look at me that way. I’ve always wanted to see the Rings, close up — close enough to file my nails on ’em. They must be the gaudiest sight in the System. I got to thinking right seriously about it when the air was getting a little stuffy back — well, back you-know-when. I said to myself; Hazel, you aren’t getting any younger; you catch the next chance that comes your way. I missed one once, Roger, when you were three. A good chance, but they wouldn’t take a child and well, never mind. So now I’m going.’
She paused, then snapped, ‘Don’t look so much like a funeral! You don’t need me now. What I mean is, Lowell is bigger now and not such a problem.’
‘I’ll always need you, Mother Hazel,’ her daughter-in-law said quietly.
‘Thanks. But not true. I’ve taught Meade all the astrogation I know, She could get a job with Four-Planets tomorrow if they weren’t so stuffy about hiring female pilots. The twins — well, they’ve soaked up all the meanness I can pass on to them; they’ll put up a good fight, whatever comes up. And you, Son, I finished with you when you were in short pants. You’ve been bringing me up ever since.’
‘Mother!’
‘Yes, Son?’
‘What’s your real reason? Why do you want to go?’
‘Why? Why does anybody want to go anywhere? Why did the bear go round the mountain? To see what he could see! I’ve never seen the Rings. That’s reason enough to go anywhere. The race has been doing it for all time. The dull ones stay home — and the bright ones stir around and try to see what trouble they can dig up. It’s the human pattern. It doesn’t need a reason, any more than a flat cat needs a reason to buzz. Why anything?’