In a future where space travel is commonplace, a captain and his crew embark on a mission to inspect and anchor asteroids in the Belt, a region filled with valuable resources. The protagonist, Captain St. Simon, is tasked with setting anchors on a silicate asteroid to facilitate the extraction of oxygen and other materials essential for life in the Belt cities. The narrative unfolds as St. Simon navigates the challenges of low gravity and the peculiarities of asteroid operations, showcasing his expertise and the intricacies of space mechanics. As the story progresses, St. Simon interacts with his assistant, Jules, and reflects on the nature of their work, emphasizing the importance of precision and safety in a hazardous environment. The duo's banter reveals their camaraderie and the underlying tension of working in such a perilous field. The captain's meticulous approach to anchoring the asteroid highlights the dangers of carelessness in space, where even minor mistakes can lead to fatal consequences. Meanwhile, on Earth, Edway Tarnhorst, a representative of the People's Congress, investigates the rising industrial death rate among workers in the Belt. He is accompanied by Peter Danley, an Earth pilot with limited experience in space operations. Their journey to the Belt serves as a contrast to St. Simon's practical expertise, as they grapple with the bureaucratic and political implications of the workers' safety. Tarnhorst's inquiries lead him to question the practices of the Belt Companies, which prioritize profit over worker safety. He discovers that the training for anchor-setting is rigorous but ultimately flawed, as it fails to account for the inherent dangers of the job. Danley's observations during his training reveal a disconnect between the realities of space work and the perceptions held by those on Earth. As the narrative unfolds, Danley grapples with his identity and the nature of teamwork in the Belt. He realizes that the camaraderie among the workers stems from their shared experiences and individual competencies, contrasting sharply with the reliance on collective identity he experienced on Earth. This realization prompts him to reflect on the implications of mechanizing the anchor-setting process, which could undermine the very essence of the Belt's community. The climax of the story occurs when Danley submits a report to Tarnhorst, attributing the rising death rate to individual carelessness rather than systemic failures. This decision is rooted in his desire to protect the workers' way of life, even as it compromises the truth. The report's acceptance by Tarnhorst sets off a chain of events that could alter the balance of power between Earth and the Belt. In the end, St. Simon's journey back to space symbolizes a return to the freedom and challenges of life in the Belt, while Danley's internal conflict highlights the complexities of identity and responsibility in a rapidly changing society. The narrative concludes with a sense of hope and resilience, as the characters navigate the delicate interplay between individual agency and collective survival in the vastness of space.
By Randall Garrett · First published 1966 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure