The steam from the drink danced in the cool air of the hangar. As Tuck entered, he caught the cold gaze of his fellow astronaut. Dark eyes glowered at him from an even darker brow. He stood as tall as Tucker, but his shoulders were several inches wider, his arms thicker, and his temper thinner. The African-American gazed at Tuck for only a moment, then returned his attention to the sleek exterior form of the Legacy. Legacy hung in its launch position, suspended from the belly of Condor, its own underside hovering four feet above the concrete floor. The launch platform was better than twice the size of Legacy, and its bulk took up most of the hangar. To Tuck, Condor looked like a mother bird carrying one of its young for its first flight. Legacy could not take off without the help of Condor, which would carry it along the runway and high into the air. On its return, Legacy would extend its own landing gear and make its homecoming to Earth all on its own. The sleek, powerful-looking aircraft still impressed him.
