“I’ll get them to Venus somehow—that part is comparatively easy—but I need people to run them once they’re in orbit. A special kind of people. Men and women who could live on the edge of space, Vic, right up there on the edge of space … “
Stirling glanced at Melissa—her eyes were luminous with tears, shining like twin planets—and the whole weight of the Compression lifted off him.
“About this job of press officer,” he said slowly. “Where would my office be?”
“Take your pick,” Third replied. “I’ve got eighteen lies, and you can have first choice of orbit, too. I should warn you, though, that this is a long-term project. There’ll be no colonization of the planet in our lifetimes. You’d be getting your mail forwarded to Venus for the rest of your lives.”
“What do you think, Melissa?” Stirling touched her fingers with his. “Venus.” She looked at him without speaking, and he knew what she was thinking.
I always think a good address is so important, don’t you?