"You will start immediately. I'll keep in touch with you daily. You'll need facts and figures, of course. You'll get a list of industry heads, scientists, and military men. They'll all be meeting our Martians. They must have their lines to read, their every movements that will convince the Martians of our stupidity." "It's going to be some political football at the next election. You can't keep the politicians silent." "Oh yes, we can." "This will be more like a project than a play." "I'll have to take my leave now, Mr. Barnes." The Captain stood up. "I have many matters to attend to." "Of course. Good day, captain." * * * * * Jules Barnes worked on his play every waking hour. His eyes grew tired, his fingers grew stiff, his brain grew weary. The play was finished in twenty-five days. He handed it to Captain Shratt and went to sleep five minutes later. * * * * * Captain Shratt shrugged off all suggestion of getting a top Broadway director to handle the second assignment, that of directing the participants of the play. So Jules Barnes directed the military, the industry, the sciences, in their performances which would take place when the adversary would come face to face with the earth's genius. Barnes and Shratt went from government to government by jet, meeting the brains of each power, directing and coaching. "Finished," Captain Shratt said, leaning back in his seat as the jet took off for Washington. "What if it doesn't come off?" Barnes said. "Don't think about it." Barnes felt his stomach jump toward his back as the ship hummed its way towards the heavens. He still hadn't gotten used to the jets. When the plane leveled off, he said: "We could always capture the Martians, hold them as hostages." "Do you possibly think they hold as great a price on life as we do? Their philosophy is as different from ours as night and day." "You seem to know an awful lot about them." "Our men are listening in on every conversation that passes between their ship and Mars. We've learned a lot." "I'm beginning to think you're more advanced than you're letting on." "In many matters, Mr. Barnes you're still an outsider. Security, you must understand. Especially now. You've done the earth a great service but I'm still under orders. There are many things I can't let you in on. If you were a soldier, you'd readily understand. So a certain wall, not too high, though, must always remain between us." "I'm not a soldier, true, but I do understand." "You may be interested to know that the ship will be landing within the week." "Really? I guess I'd better stay out of the way." "Oh, you'll be on hand. In case something goes wrong and a new line must be written into the script fast. There must be no blunders. If there are then we must cover up. So you'll be close by, ready to write, ready to coach." "I wonder what they'll look like." "You'll be finding out soon enough."