 What was Hank's mission?
There he sat between the mayor and a nervous young coed chosen as homecoming queen, and looked out at the police and fire department bands, the National Guard, the boy scouts and girl scouts, the Elks and Masons. The head of the American Legion and the chief of police, who had escorted him on this trip from the square, didn't ask to go in with him. Carlisle had said his position was analogous to Columbus', to Vasco De Gama's, to Preshoff's when the Russian returned from the Moon—but more so. Once he could communicate this, the strangeness would disappear and the First One would again become good old Hank.
 Hank's mission was to pilot an experimental continent-to-continent flight.
 Hank's mission was to touch down on Mars in preparation for a future colony.  Hank's mission was to experience death and be brought back to life.  Hank's mission was to build a colony on the moon.  Hank's mission was to pilot an experimental continent-to-continent flight.