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red ocean. Some of our most daring and inquisitive men have gone right into the sun, and have come out again. It is still hazardous and very much problematical, for the core of the sun is ultimate heat and force and no material can stand up under its horrendous radiation. As for our women, a mere handful have at the prospect of approaching the sun. “Only our finest crafts can make the dip and return, and only our peers have the kind of courage and skill required to do so. The critical moment inside the star is more than most people could bear. The closest I have been to it is at the orbit of Mercury.” - the bright spot the sun made on Andromeda’s ceiling. He felt within his every fiber that something Launie was trying to say involved him. Even the traffic in the air was at a minimum, as though all of Andromeda awaited in a suspense equal to his own. Adroitly, Launie continued to speak. “When Aleva came to our table and spoke with Saturn, she brought written data from Antares that all was in order for her trip. Saturn gave his approval. Yes, she has fully decided to go into the sun, but only if it means something to some branch of learning. We would have nothing to learn from her trip which would add to our records. It would not be an exploration for our 1 tows aad c » sake, but it would be for yours.” She paused, allowing the impact of her suggestion to sink into Adam’s consciousness. It was hardly necessary, for he had absorbed the idea as she spoke. He gave his answer deliberately. “T accept the offer, Launie, with my gratitude,” he simply replied. 7 “Oh, no, Adam,” she replied. “You have the haste of the reckless. Your decision while you are still with us would not be et om ‘ 11 valid. The nectar influences you, our environment molds your mind, Aleva is exciting to you. You have not long to live, so what would it matter? None of these reasons are valid with decide soberly, of sane mind, and You must us. 180 SON OF THE SUN dared it. It is the very source of ultimate heat, and even we blanch Adam seemed transfixed as he listened to Launie and looked at “You have the haste of the