ll as by the thrust of her own
rotation..... We have eighty-six hours at the most."

He re-lighted the room, and for a time there was silence. Then as the
shock wore off, the questions began to come. He answered them with
growing impatience.

"I don't know how it is possible, vice-minister, but it is..... The
Soviets confirm our theories..... Where would they get the money and
technology? Where do you think? No we cannot be sure. But if it
isn't the German States then I don't know anything. No, the
Commonwealth won't help us; why should they? The Soviets are powerless
to intervene."

"But if the Commonwealth knew what the Cantons were doing---"

"They would applaud it. They are in the midst of a right wing
resurgence themselves. And the propaganda sent out against us has been
most convincing."

"They say we kill our babies," came a grim voice near the front.

"We let the seriously handicapped and terminal disorder cases die of
their own affliction. It is an act of mercy." A doctor.

"I know that as well as you," said Dobrynin. "But to them we kill our
babies, just as we are atheists who believe in nothing, because we
discourage religious extremes. That is all meaningless now. They will
think what they will. We have no time to change their minds."

"We are overlooking the obvious," said a general, standing. "What
about military action, an attack on the base? Our forces beat them
back from Khrushchev well enough."

This time another answered, Ambassador Salnikov, who had just entered.

"You beat them back because you knew they were coming weeks in advance,
and because they did not send their full strength against you. Indeed,
it could only have been a diversion, meant to give you false
confidence. Do not think you will find the station lightly guarded,
General Kopek. THEY (there was something peculiar in the way he said
the word) play this game to win."

"What does an ambassador know of war?" retorted Kopek angrily.

"Much more than I care to. Put away your guns and your anger, general.
They will not help you here." The old man sat down with a snort.

There was a long, defeated silence. Finally one man, a co-worker and
friend, raised his hand.

"Yes, Lebedev."

"What can we do to fight this thing?"

Dobrynin felt the small spark inside him that he knew to be hope.

"Well I am glad someone asked. We are not beaten yet. Stein, you are
chief scientist here. What flaws do yo