Part Three: Beta Pac: Chapters 19 and 20 Summary

By the March 29th, electronic systems are freezing and failing. The lights in the ship go out, and they huddle in Alpha. The Ashley Tee is due in thirteen days. The black dish they passed through gets harder to see as they travel further away from it. The computer tells them that in 10,000 BC, it would have been pointed directly at the Lesser Magellanic Cloud, which is the closest extragalactic object. The pumps give out four days earlier than is required for their survival and they switch to Alpha's power. Maggie comments that four people could last until the Ashley Tee arrives, but not five. There are a total of forty days of air to divide between them. Frank suggests they try to contact the Monument Makers for help. They broadcast a simple...