CRADLE OF SATURN BY JAMES P. HOGAN

“Secure the approaches to the launch complexes at least. The APs aren’t moving aircraft.”

“What APs? Do you think we’ve been expecting an invasion? They’re on the other side of the base, getting everyone out onto Highway One.”

“Colonel.” Colby Greene was visibly exasperated, managing only with difficulty to refrain from shouting in the middle of the control tower floor. “As an officer of the armed services of this country, may I remind you that you took an oath of loyalty to—”

“A week from now there isn’t going to be any country,” Lacey said. “You know that. I know that. And the only reason we’re not getting open murder and rape on the streets right now is because most people haven’t realized it yet. My first loyalty is to the people I’ve worked with on this base. It’s a family thing now. I never took any oath that talked about protecting aliens from some other planet who didn’t think our system here was good enough for them.” Lacey paused to check an indicator screen above the floor showing the current departures, where the data had just been updated. “Besides, if what you’re telling me is correct, I’d be doing them a favor by not interfering. That way, they’ll be on their way home.” From the conversation earlier, it was plain that Lacey had no particular fondness for Kronians. In a way reminiscent of the ancient practice of venting wrath upon bringers of bad news, it had almost seemed that through some devious process deep in his mind he held them responsible for Athena’s having happened at all.

Keene and Colby looked at each other helplessly. Then Charlie Hu raised his hands in a placatory gesture. “Look . . .” he pleaded. “This isn’t going to help. We’re all under stress here. Let’s recognize it. Maybe the problem doesn’t need to be addressed out here at all. The important thing is what happens inside the launch complex. If we can get the right people in there alerted, they might be able to close off access to the shuttles before Voler’s people get here. . . . They know what the options are in there better than any of us do. I’ve got some names right here of people I believe are reliable. One or two have to be in there somewhere, right on the other side of the security fence. All we have to do is call. Colonel Lacey has gotten us in this far. That’s as much as we might need. Let me make some calls, and let him get on with his job.”

“How can they deny access to the shuttles?” Colby demanded. “Voler and his people still have the hostages.”

Charlie shook his head. “I don’t know. . . . If it becomes obvious that they’re not going anywhere, they might throw it in. Whoever they’ve got helping on the inside might turn around if they realize they’re on their own. Anything that complicates the issue opens up more chances for their plan to go wrong. What else do you want in the kind of time we’ve got? They could land out there at any minute.”

“I can deploy my men to cover the access gate from the landing area,” Lieutenant Penalski offered. “In these conditions, we could have them in prepared positions right up there on the edge of the runway—even after daybreak. It’s just a question of knowing where the plane will head after it lands. Maybe the tower could cooperate by directing it to us.”

Keene looked at him: young, eager, as if it was going to affect his record for a promotion next year. Seven Marines against a planeload of Air Force FAST specialists. The spirit of Balaclava was not quite dead yet. It seemed to affect Lacey too. He stared at the Marine, then at Charlie Hu silently pleading for reason, Colby fighting back his anger, and finally at Keene. “I might be able to rustle together a few APs to help,” he said gruffly, and strode away to a desk by the far wall to pick up a phone.

* * ** * *

They stood watching anxiously behind Charlie as he tapped in the first code at a console in a corner of the control tower observation floor. Penalski had left to collect his Marines and scout the ground while waiting for the Air Police reinforcements to show up.

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