18:51:35
`` All set , sir , '' replied the enlisted spaceman . `` All right , give them their orbits and blast-off time . '' There was a slight pause , and then the gruff voice of the tower operator was heard over the loud-speakers and in the ships . `` All ships will blast off on orbit forty-one ... raise ship at 18:51:35 ... stand by ! '' There was a tense moment of silence while the seconds on the red hand of the astral chronometer slipped around the dial . Out on the field , the three ships were pointed toward the darkening afternoon skies . The first ship , nearest the tower , was Wild Bill Sticoon 's ship , the _ Space Lance _ , painted a gleaming white .