Specialist Joseph Chessman stood stolidly before a viewing screen.
Theoretically he was on watch. Actually his eyes were unseeing, there
was nothing to see. The star pattern changed so slowly as to be all but
permanent.
Not that every other task on board was not similar. One man could have
taken the _Pedagogue_ from the Solar System to Rigel, just as easily as
its sixteen-hand crew was doing. Automation at its ultimate, not even
the steward department had tasks adequately to fill the hours.
He had got beyond the point of yawning, his mind was a blank during
these hours of duty. He was a stolid, bear of a man, short and massive
of build.
A voice behind him said, "Second watch reporting. Request permission to
take over the bridge."
Chessman turned and it took a brief moment for the blankness in his eyes
to fade into life. "Hello Kennedy, you on already? Seems like I just got
here." He muttered in self-contradiction, "Or that I've been here a
month."