rmal eggs over to Hetty who whipped
up a fast and enormous breakfast. While Peterson and Johnny were
eating, a writing team of AEC public information men who had arrived
during the night, were polishing a formal press release to be given to
the waiting reporters at eight. The phones had been manned throughout
the night. Peterson's bleary-eyed aide came into the kitchen and
slumped into a chair at the table.

"Get yourself a cup of coffee, boy," Hetty ordered, "while I fix you
something to eat. How you like your eggs?"

"Over easy, Mrs. Thompson and thanks," he said wearily. "I think I've
got everything lined up, doctor. The eggs are all packed, ready to go
in your car and the car will be ready in about ten minutes. They're
still setting up down range but they should be all in order by the time
you get there.

"The bio men and the others should be assembled in the main briefing
room at range headquarters. I've ordered a double guard around the
barn, to be maintained until the animal boys have finished their
on-the-ground tests. And they're padding a device van to take Sally to
the labs when they're ready.

"And ... oh yeah, I almost forgot ... the commissioner called about ten
minutes ago and said to tell you that the Russians are going to make a
formal protest to the U.N. this morning. They say we're trying to wipe
out the People's Republic by contaminating their milk."

The sound of scuffling in the yard and loud yells of protest came
through the back porch window. The door swung open and a spluttering
and irate Barney was thrust into the room, still in the clutches of a
pair of armed security policemen.

"Get your hands offn me," Barney roared as he struggled and squirmed
impotently in their grip. "Doc, tell these pistol-packing bellhops to
turn me loose."

"We caught him trying to get into the barn, sir," one of the officers
told Peterson.

"Of course I was going into the barn," the indignant ranch hand
screamed. "Where'd you think I would go to milk a cow?"

Peterson smiled. "It's all right, Fred. It's my fault. I should have
told you Mr. Hatfield has free access."

The security men released Barney. He shook himself and glared at them.

"I'm terribly, sorry, Barney," Dr. Peterson said. "I forgot that you
would be going down to milk the cows and I'm glad you reminded me. Do
me a favor and milk Sally first, will you? I want to take that milk, or
whatever it is, with us when we leave in a few minutes."