"They'll beat us to the stars. Let them. We don't have to be first. A
planet of our own will do." Doubt and hope struggled for Docchi's face
and Jeriann couldn't say which won. "Explore the Centauri system," he
said.
"Both of them?"
"The nearest one first. After that we'll see."
A bright star slid to the center of the scanner. It flickered and
then grew brighter, blazing out as they visually approached it. They
were within a few million miles as the solar prominences lashed out
blindingly. Jeriann could feel the heat. For the first time in weeks
she was warm. "Cut the focus," called Docchi. "You'll burn out the
scanner."
The sun softened and dimmed but remained where it was as the strength
of the field was reduced. Jordan awaited instructions.
"Now that I'm sure we can reach it, we'll get the asteroid back to
normal. Later we'll resume exploration," said Docchi. He started toward
the command unit to make alterations and then saw that, though Jordan
was following him, Jeriann wasn't. "Can't you stay?" he asked.