* * * * *
The scene came to life with a blurp.
"--ready on the tension screens?"
"Ready, sir."
"Power checked?"
"Checked and ready, sir."
"Stand by, all. Time?"
"Two minutes to go."
"Good--" The graybeard in the center of the chamber paced with hands
clasped behind him, very much like a captain on his bridge. Clearly
through the sound mechanism came the thuds of his steps and the
background hum of waiting mechanism.