mally to
COLONY WIPED OUT.

That there was no proof of loss or destruction bothered no one in
journalism. If it did turn out this way, they'd have been on top of the
news; and if it didn't, well, who remembers yesterday's headlines in the
press of today's new hate and panic.

The public, with an established addiction to ever increasing daily doses
of sensationalism, and deprived of its shots through this dry spell,
snapped out of its apathy to greet this new thrill with vociferous calls
to editors, wires to congressmen, telegrams to the Administration.

What are we doing about this colony that has been wiped out? Where is
our space battle fleet? Who is going to be punished?

It was an overnight sensation, and on this morning following the news
leak there could even be seen some secretaries to the writers for top
commentators and columnists in the crowded press room.

Naturally these stood in little groups apart and associated only with
each other to maintain the literary tradition of proper insulation from
the realities of what was going on in the rest of the world. Obviously
no first-rate writer could have afforded to appear in person not only
because of damage to his stature lest it be noted he was doing his own
spadework; but, more important, first-hand observation might limit his
capacity for rationalizing the situation into the mold demanded by the
bias of his commentator or columnist. It was always difficult to
maintain author integrity when the facts did not support the
sensationalism required by the employers, and best not to put oneself in
such a position.

Now two of these secretaries could be seen over in a corner of the press
room exchanging their views, probing one another for information. No
one thought it curious they weren't trying to get the information from
source for everyone in journalism understands the importance lies in
what the competition is going to say, not in what happened.

"How long has it been since the first message came through, or didn't?"

"Fourteen hours, about."

"We could have had a rescue fleet out there by now."

"To rescue 'em from what?"

"Whatever's wrong."

"I understand an assistant attorney general is checking into it."

"So Gunderson's still gunning for the E's, eh?"

"Has he ever let up since he became attorney general? Gripes his soul he
can't arrest them for not doing what he wants, or for doing what he
doesn't want."

"How'd they ever get immune, anyh