away, once you’ve talked it over with Powell.”
“I will.”
“That’s the most important thing we’ve got to worry about, Doc. We’ve got
to have unity, and one plan, from coast to coast. I look forward to a day
when there will be an American assigned, by name, to each and every one of
them. Then at a set time-zzzt!” He drew a thumb across his throat.
McCracken nodded. “Could be. It will be. How long do you think it will take
us?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think about ‘how long’. Two years, five years, ten
years — maybe a century. That’s not the point. The only question is whether
or not there are any guts left in America.” He glanced out where the fifth
person to leave was awaiting a signal from Carter, who in turn was awaiting
a signal from Art, hidden out where he could watch for the helicopter.
“Those people will stick.”
“I’m sure of that.”
Presently Morgan added, “There’s one thing this has taught me: You can’t
enslave a free man. Only person can do that to a man is himself. No, sir —
you can’t enslave a free man. The most you can do is kill him.”
“That’s a fact, Ed.”
“It is. Got a cigarette, Doc?”
“It won’t do you any good, Ed.”
“It won’t do me any harm, either — now, will it?”
“Well, not much” McCracken unregretfully gave him his last and watched him
smoke it.
Later, Morgan said, Dad’s ready for you, Captain. So long.”
“So long. Don’t forget. Half a pill at a time. Drink all the water you
want, but don’t take your blankets off, no matter how hot you get.”
“Half a pill it is. Good luck.”
“I’ll have Ted check on you tomorrow.”
Morgan shook his head. “That’s too soon. Not for a couple of days at
least.”
McCracken smiled. “I’ll decide that, Ed. You just keep yourself wrapped up.
Good luck.” He withdrew to where Carter waited for him. “You go ahead, Dad.
I’ll bring up the rear. Signal Art to start.”
Carter hesitated. “Tell me straight, Doc. What kind of shape is he in?”
McCracken studied Carter’s face, then said in a low voice, “I give him
about two hours.”
“I’ll stay behind with him.”
“No, Dad, you’ll carry out your orders.” Seeing the distress in the old
man’s eyes, he added, “Don’t you Worry about Morgan. A free man can take
care of himself. Now get moving.”
“Yes, sir.”
Blowups Happen
“PUT DOWN that wrench!”
The man addressed turned slowly around and faced the speaker. His
expression was hidden by a grotesque helmet, part of a heavy, leaden armor
which shielded his entire body, but the tone of voice in which he answered
showed nervous exasperation.
“What the hell’s eating you, Doc?” He made no move to replace the tool in
question.
They faced each other like two helmeted, arrayed fencers, watching for an
opening. The first speaker’s voice came from behind his mask a shade higher
in key and more peremptory in tone. “You heard me, Harper. Put down that
wrench at once, and come away from that ‘trigger.’ Erickson!”
A third armored figure came around the shield which separated the uranium
bomb proper from the control room in which the first two stood. “Whatcha
want, Doc?”
“Harper is relieved from watch. You take over as engineer-of-the-watch.
Send for the stand-by engineer.”
“Very well.” His voice and manner were phlegmatic, as he accepted the
situation without comment. The atomic engineer, whom he had just relieved,
glanced from one to the other, then carefully replaced the wrench in its
rack.
“Just as you say, Dr. Silard — but send for your relief too. I shall demand
an immediate hearing!” Harper swept indignantly out, his lead-sheathed
boots clumping on the floor plates.
Dr. Silard waited unhappily for the ensuing twenty minutes until his own
relief arrived. Perhaps he had been hasty. Maybe he was wrong in thinking
that Harper had at last broken under the strain of tending the most
dangerous machine in the world — an atomic power plant. But if he had made
a mistake, it had to be on the safe side — slips must not happen in this