Kinsman said nothing.
Still smiling, the old man lifted a frail hand. "I know what you're thinking. In a couple of years I'll be six feet under."
"No . . ."
"Don't try to kid me, son. I can read your face like a blueprint. Von Braun never made it into space at all. Neither did Clarke or Sagan. At least I've been in orbit."
"We'll get you to the Moon, don't worry." 213
"I don't have a worry in the world. I know they'll never let me ride the shuttle in the shape I'm in now. If I can build my strength back up, then fine. If not, I'll die here . . . probably in this room,"
Kinsman had nothing to say.
Durban went on, "But I'll still be with you on the Moon. I've left instructions in my will that I want to be buried there. At Moonbase. And I've got enough money stashed away to pay for it, too, by damn!"
"You're a stubborn Lunik." Kinsman smiled.
"Damned right, sonny. One thing I learned early in this game. It takes more than talent, more than brains, more than connections, even. Takes stubbornness. Look at von Braun. Not the world's most brilliant engineer, but a hard-driving man who knew what he wanted and went after it, hell or high water. By God, World War Two was an opportunity, as far as he was concerned! The Cold War, the Space Race, he turned them all to his advantage. Other people sneered at him, called him a Nazi, an opportunist, an amoral monster. But he never wavered from his goal. He wanted the Moon and he went out and got it. We all got it, thanks to him."
Not all of us. Kinsman answered silently.
"You go get Moonbase started," Durban said. "Don't let them sidetrack you."
"We're trying."
"Going to the new space station, eh? Rubbing shoulders with the politicians and their sycophants. Good. But don't let them stop there. Keep driving for the Moon."
"Yessir."
Durban lifted his head slightly from the pillow. "I'll watch the ceremonies on TV. At least I can turn them off when they get too boring."
Kinsman laughed. The old man was still as feisty as ever.
"All right, son, you run along now. No fun watching an old man trying to stay alive." Durban winked at him. "Besides, I'm due for a bath . . . got a cute young nurse who thinks I'm too feeble to do her any harm."
Getting up from the bedside chair. Kinsman said, "I'll come back when I return from the ceremonies."
"Fine. I'll be waiting right here. I'm not going anyplace."
