This was it. Its slim bright shape was Earth's last hope. What matter the sweat, the blood and the tears that had gone into each rivet, every plate? What matter the eyes blurred and dulled with plans, blueprints? What matter the cost. This was it. It was done. They stood there—the riveters, the welders; the draughtsmen, the engineers; the mathematicians, the technicians—and there glowed in their eyes a living flame. This was the ship of hope. Its rockets flickered into blue flames. Their soft pu