Cars, too, flashed by. They grew from a glint of sunlight, growing rapidly closer, and then they were gone. Specks in the rearview mirror.
He was not alone for long, however. The beeping of the radar detector, which Neil had been too distracted to notice, was replaced by the sound of a siren.
Checking in the mirror, he saw the car gaining on him. Even with the pedal to the floor, it was no use. The police car flashed its lights, and he pulled over.
"Mister Pearson," The officer said in a cool Southern voice. Another voice sounded over the automobile "radio", "I know you said no interruptions, but this is important."
The Policeman frowned as Pearson refused to roll down his window. Ignoring him, Pearson stared at the dash of the ancient conveyance known as a "car".
"Okay computer, what is it?"
"You've been called to a meeting of the World Space Consortium. I'm afraid something's happened on Neolyte Station."
"My God. Do you know what it is?"
"No sir. Those were the Chief Executive's exact words."
"He called? Computer, end simulation."
The green fields were gone, replaced by Neil's familiar office, overlooking New York's crowded, polluted downtown area. He tapped the security code into the desk mounted console, and closed his eyes.
When he opened them, although in a physical sense he was still seated in the office, Neil found himself in a huge marble chamber- existing only inside the computer he had connected to, using the tiny SID chip implanted in his brain.
Walking to the round table at the room's centre, Neil took a quick glance at those already seated. All of Neolyte's principal staff were here. Chiefs of Engineering, Medical and Security; and the Commander himself. Their pained expressions matched that of the Chief Executive, seated opposite him.
"Glad you could join us, Pearson. I'm sure you'll understand the importance of this situation, once the meeting is over."
He swung his hand, and they were drifting through the blackness of the ether. Growing steadily closer and more distinct, the wild oddly shaped modules hanging freely in space that was Neolyte Station otherwise known as Station 3.
One small section was highlighted in red. Neil felt his stomach clench, even before he noticed the RADIATION warning superimposed on it.