Heinlein, Robert A – Expanded Universe

possibly Russia. Figured on that alone it might take several times four years for

another country to make a bomb. But that’s not the whole picture; it’s not even the

important part. There was a report the War Department put out, the Smyth

Report-you’ve heard of it?-which gives anyone who can read everything but the final

answers. With that report, with competent people, uranium ore, and a good deal less

money than it cost us, a nation ought to be able to develop a bomb in a good deal

less time than it took us.”

Hughes shook his head. “I don’t expect you to explain, Doctor; I just want

to know your answer. How long?”

“I was just explaining that the answer had to be indefinite. I make it not

less than two and not more than four years.”

The bartender whistled softly. “Two years. Two years to get away and start a

new life.”

“No, no, no! Mr. Hughes,” Mansfield objected, “Not two years from now-two

years from the time the first bomb was dropped.”

Hughes’ face showed a struggle to comprehend. “But, gentlemen,” he

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protested, “it’s been more than two years since the first bomb was dropped.”

“That’s right.”

“Don’t blow your top, Paddy,” Warner cautioned him. “The bomb isn’t

everything. It might be ten years before anybody develops the sort of robot carrier

that can go over the north pole or the ocean and seek out a particular city with an

atom bomb. In the meantime we don’t have too much to fear from an ordinary airplane

attack.”

Mansfield looked annoyed. “You started this, Dick. Why try to hand out

soothing syrup now? With a country as wide open as this one you don’t need anything

as fancy as guided missiles to pull a Pearl Harbor on

it. The bombs would be assembled secretly and set off by remote control. Why, there

might be a tramp steamer lying out there in the East River right now- Warner let his

shoulders slump. “You’re right, of

course.

Hughes threw down his bar towel. “You’re telling me that New York is as

likely to be blown up right now as at any other time.”

Mansfield nodded. “That’s the size of it,” he said soberly.

Hughes looked from one to the other. The cat jumped down and commenced

rubbing up against his ankle, purring. He pushed it away with his foot. “It’s not

true! I know it’s not true!”

“Why not?”

“Because! If it was true would you be sitting here, drinking quietly? You’ve

been having a bit of fun with me, pulling my leg. Oh, I can’t pick the flaw in your

argument, but you don’t believe it yourselves.”

“I wish I didn’t believe it,” said Mansfield. “Oh, we believe it, Paddy,”

Warner told him. “To tell you the truth, I’m planning to get out. I’ve got letters

out to half a dozen cow colleges; I’m just waiting until my contract expires. As for

Doc Mansfield, he can’t leave. This is where his lab is located.”

Hughes considered this, then shook his head. “No, it won’t wash. No man in

his right mind will hang on to a job when it means sitting on the hot squat, waiting

for the Warden to throw the switch. You’re pulling my leg.”

Mansfield acted as if Hughes had not spoken. “Anyhow,” he said to Warner,

“the political factors might delay the blow off indefinitely.”

Warner shook his head angrily. “Now who’s handing out soothing syrup? The

political factors speed up the event, not delay it. If a country intends to defeat

us someday, it’s imperative that she do it as quickly as possible, before we catch

wind of her plans and strike

first. Or before we work out a real counter weapon-if that’s possible.”

Mansfield looked tired, as if he had been tired for a long time. “Oh, you’re

right. I was just whistling to keep my courage up. But we won’t develop a counter

weapon, not a real one. The only possible defense against atomic explosion is not to

be there when it goes off.” He turned to the barman. “Let’s have another round,

Paddy.”

“Make mine a Manhattan,” added Warner.