In the travel tube that picked them up from the launch pad, Koenig counted the cost. It had been an expensive reconnaissance. Moonbase Alpha could not afford too many abortive missions of the kind.
He said, ‘Nothing to log, Victor, except experience.’
‘I wouldn’t say that, John.’ Bergman held up a storage jar with a ventilated screw top.
‘What have you got here?’
‘If you recall, the briefing for the mission included a sampling survey for new strains for the hydroponic spread. These are from Cydon’s store. Intended to supply Phoenix. Very vigorous. It could turn out to be cheap at the price.’
Koenig thought of the enclave on the rock, which had endured through the millenia and had finally shrunk to one frail old man and his electronic shadow. It was a warning. Alpha could go the same way. He knew he had to redouble their efforts. They had to break out of their confining shell or they would get to like their chains and that would be the beginning of the end.
He had told the Megaronians that living was struggling. He gave himself another shot of ancient wisdom. Do not emotionalise over experience. Life is one thing after another. Look for the next challenge. Alpha was far from finished yet. The quest was still on.
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
PHOENIX OF MEGARON
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE