The next morning two other men, unidentified, were brought to MacKinnon by the surgeon. They listened to his full story and questioned him in detail. He was transferred to corps area headquarters that afternoon by ambulance. There he was questioned again. He was regaining his strength rapidly, but he was growing quite tired of the whole rigmarole, and wanted assurance that his warning was being taken seriously. The latest of his interrogators reassured him. ‘Compose yourself,’ he told Dave, ‘you are to see the commanding officer this afternoon.’
The corps area commander, a nice little chap with a quick, birdlike manner and a most unmilitary appearance, listened gravely while MacKinnon recited his story for what seemed to him the fiftieth time. He nodded agreement when David finished. ‘Rest assured, David MacKinnon, that all necessary steps are being taken.’
‘But how about their weapon?’
‘That is taken care of-and as for the Barrier, it may not be as easy to break as our neighbors think. But your efforts are appreciated. May I do you some service?’
‘Well, no-not for myself, but there are two of my friends in there — ‘He asked that something be done to rescue Magee, and that Persephone be enabled to come out, if she wished.
‘I know of that girl,’ the general remarked. ‘We will get in touch with her. If at any time she wishes to become a citizen, it can be arranged. As for Magee, that is another matter — ‘He touched the stud of his desk visiphone. ‘Send Captain Randall in.’
A neat, trim figure in the uniform of a captain of the United States Army entered with a light step. MacKinnon glanced at him with casual, polite interest, then his expression went to pieces. ‘Fader!’ he yelled.
Their mutual greeting was hardly sufficiently decorous for the private office of a commanding general, but the general did not seem to mind. When they had calmed down, MacKinnon had to ask the question uppermost in his mind. ‘But see here, Fader, all this doesn’t make sense — ‘He paused, staring, then pointed a finger accusingly, ‘I know! You’re in the secret service!’
The Fader grinned cheerfully. ‘Did you think,’ he observed, ‘that the United States Army would leave a plague spot like that unwatched?’
The general cleared his throat. ‘What do you plan to do now, David MacKinnon?’
‘Eh! Me? Why, I don’t have any plans — ‘He thought for a moment, then turned to his friend. ‘Do you know, Fader, I believe I’ll turn in for psychological treatment after all. You’re on the Outside — ‘
‘I don’t believe that will be necessary,’ interrupted the general gently.
‘No? Why not, sir?’
‘You have cured yourself. You may not be aware of it, but four psychotechnicians have interviewed you. Their reports agree. I am authorized to tell you that your status as a free citizen has been restored, if you wish it.’
The general and Captain ‘the Fader’ Randall managed tactfully between them to terminate the interview. Randall walked back to the infirmary with his friend. Dave wanted a thousand questions answered at once. ‘But Fader,’ he demanded, ‘you must have gotten out before I did.’
‘A day or two.’
‘Then my job was unnecessary!’
‘I wouldn’t say that,’ Randall contradicted. ‘I might not have gotten through. As a matter of fact, they had all the details even before I reported. There are others-Anyhow,’ he continued, to change the subject, ‘now that you are here, what will you do?’
‘Me? It’s too soon to say…It won’t be classical literature, that’s a cinch. If I wasn’t such a dummy in maths, I might still try for interplanetary.’
‘Well, we can talk about it tonight,’ suggested Fader, glancing at his chrono. ‘I’ve got to run along, but I’ll stop by later, and we’ll go over to the mess for dinner.’
He was out the door with speed reminiscent of the thieves’ kitchen. Dave watched him, then said suddenly, ‘Hey! Fader! Why couldn’t I get into the secret ser — ,
But the Fader was gone-he must ask himself.