The tall, broad shouldered officer wearing the magnificent black and gold uniform of the Solar Guard spoke into a small microphone and waited for an acknowledgment. It came almost immediately".Cadet Corbett ready for testing", a voice crackled thinly over the loud speaker".Very well. Proceed". Seated in front of the scanner screen on the control deck of the rocket cruiser Polaris, Captain Steve Strong replaced the microphone in its slot and watched a bulky figure in a space suit step out of the air lock and drift away from the side of the ship.
