But these were unfamiliar stars.

Keith felt adrenaline pumping. New sectors of space were being opened at a great rate, as new exits became valid choices on the shortcut network. Clearly, this was a shortcut that had only just come on-line, making more narrow the acceptable angles of approach to reach Tau Ceti.

No need to panic, thought Keith. He could get to his intended destination easily enough. He'd just have to reenter the shortcut on a slightly different path, making sure he didn't vary at all from the mathematical center of the cone of acceptable angles for Grand Central Station.

Still — another new sector. That made five in the last year. God, he thought, it was too bad they'd had to cannibalize half of Starplex's planned sister ship for parts; they could use another exploration mothership immediately if things kept on like this.

Keith checked his flight recorder, making sure he'd be able to return to this place. The instruments seemed to be operating perfectly. His first instinct was to explore, discovering whatever this new sector had to offer, but a travel pod was designed only for quick journeys through shortcuts.

Besides, Keith had a meeting to get to and — he glanced at his watch implant — onlyforty-five minutes before it would begin. He looked down at his control panel and keyed in instructions for another pass through the shortcut network.

He then checked the settings that had brought him here — and frowned.

Why, he had come through at precisely the right angle for Tau Ceti.

He'd never heard of a shortcut transfer going wrong before, but…