Chapter 9Thetunnel of air has a golden hue to it. It sparkles and gives offflashes of yellow against the darkness of space. Like mosttechnological wonders, it takes a while to complete its task. Thebrown sphere eased through space. The oval curve of gold slowlyedgedout from thePatton.It sliced through the blackness but, like the sphere, was in nohurry. The gold doorway moved at its own speed, as if testing thespace around it. Halfway to the sphere it paused. Instead of goldflashes, three red sparks flew into the darkness. Directed by acomputer on thePatton,the doorway waited. On rare occasions, it has retreated andreturnedto a ship. I didn’t want it retreating now, but it was imperviousto my orders. After eight agonizing minutes it inched forwardthengradually picked up speed. ThePattonstay
