rational."

"You ... WHAT?"

"We left it operational. It's under Earth control. The control center
at Thule is in charge, sir."

"Who are you?" the captain asked.

"Hot Rod communications officer, sir. I turned it over last thing
before we shut down. Under the instructions of Dr. Koblensky. That's
the shutdown procedure."

"Where's Dr. Koblensky?"

"Out. Out like a light," said another voice. "He got a good dose. Of
radiation. The medics put him out."

"Who's senior officer here?"

"I'm Dr. Johnston." It was a man in front. Rather small,
pedantic-looking. "I'm Dr. Koblensky's ... well, assistant." The word
came hard as though the fact of an assistantship were at the least
distasteful.

"Who's senior in Security?"

"I, sir. Chauvenseer."

"Very well. Dr. Johnston and Chauvens ... sor? ... are in charge. Now
shut down that ruby hellmaker as fast as it can be done."

"But, captain," Dr. Johnston spoke, "we can't turn it off. We haven't
the authority. We haven't the Security key. And the radiation won't
let up for hours."

"I have just given you the authority. As for the radiation, that's a
hazard you'll have to take. What's this about a Security key?" The
captain's voice was not gentle.

"Major Elbertson has the key. He has the only key. Without it, the
station cannot be removed from Earth control. Earth _is_ in control.
They can turn it off, captain." Dr. Johnston's voice took on as firm a
tone of authority as that of the captain.

"Chau ... Chau ... You!" barked the captain. "Get that key!" He waited
until the Security officer had disappeared through the door, then
turned to the scientist.

* * * * *

"Dr. Johnston, Earth is not in control. I do not know why, and there
is no way of finding out. Hot Rod is wild, and _that_," he pointed at
the enlarging red spot that centered the computer display, "is what
your ruby is doing to Earth.

"You will turn off the project, at gunpoint if necessary," he
continued in a grim voice. "If you turn it off volitionally, you will
be treated for radiation. If you refuse, you will not live to be
treated for anything. Do you understand? How many men do you need to
help you ... and I do mean _you_ ... with the job?" he asked.

[Illustration]

Dr. Johnston hesitated only fractionally, and Nails Andersen
mentally put him down on the plus side of the personnel for the
shortness of his com lag. Then he said, "The job will require only t