More On Directorate Astronautics

For reference, see Sibylla.

The image shows HR 6806, the sun of Sibylla.

We learn the name of the narrator, Nick Simic, on p. 74.

The Colonial Fleet accelerates at one gee to reach near light speed in a year. However, the Bering, an exploratory ship, carries less mass and is crewed by professionals who take gravanol, then accelerate at ten gees and reach near light speed in five or six weeks.

After returning to Earth from Sibylla, the Bering departs again to explore the promising but ecologically peculiar third planet of Delta Eridani. However, Simic, who meanwhile is in line for a command of his own, remains behind as a consultant on Sibylla.

In "Home," the Directorate had established not extra-solar colonies but mere scientific bases and was terminating them all for economic reasons whereas, in "The Alien Enemy," it is exploring and colonizing like mad for political reasons. Policies change, of course.