The control room became a beehive of excitement. These men were accustomed to success in the face of overwhelming pessimism. Yet this was almost the ultimate. They were part of a team that had projected an earthbound object into space. Now it was coming home. "Operation Boomerang" was nearing fulfilment. The long hours of sweat and worry were beginning to pay off. The cork was ready to burst out of their bottled up emotions. Sergeant Meyers' face was beaming. He was exuberant with excitement. "I guess that calls for a drink." He took Wade by the arm. "I've been saving a quart of homemade corn for just this occasion." Suddenly Meyers stopped. His tan face became a gray mask. "... pardon me, Colonel ... sir!" He came to rigid attention. Wade laughed heavily. "I think one drink would be in perfect order, sergeant. Where do you hide this liquid cob?" Meyers' face became bright again. He almost tripped as he tried to salute, about-face, and run at the same time. He was going out the door when he called back over his shoulder. "In the water closet on one of the thrones in the latrine ... Sir." * * * * * It was Wade Boeman who ruined Allen Ackerson's exit. He had the staff car pick up the pilot as soon as the hull of the _Starfrost_ cooled. The official car had sped back over the barren sand, through the waiting throng of newsmen, straight to the small office located in the control building, without a stop. To say that it peeved Ackerson would be putting it mildly. His face was still burning with anger after twenty minutes of interrogation. Wade knew it was only the presence of the Defense Secretary keeping him in line. For that reason he tried to keep each question brief and simple. Ackerson was dying to get outside that door and receive some of the acclaim that he was being denied. "You say you had a chance to look at the test rocket we fired?" Wade asked. "Yes sir. It was resting in a red crater, fairly well beat up. It must have come down hard. In fact it looked like it may have struck a wobble at the last minute. Of course the terrain is pretty rough up there and it could have toppled after it hit. I'm sure the camera shots I took will tell us much more." Wade felt a sudden twitch in his shoulder. "You said the crater was red." "Yes, sir. A bright red. I thought it was strange. It was as if something spilled out of the ship when she hit." Wade and the Secretary exchanged glances. "It was a marking dye so you could pick up the location of the ship," Wade said too quickly. Allen twisted his head as the sound of many voices pierced the quiet room. Someone cheered loudly. Allen shifted his large frame. "How was she lying?" Wade asked. Allen brought his attention back to the two men. It was obvious, he was becoming annoyed. "Down tail-first. The nose section looked intact. That's what makes me believe she took on a wobble at the last second. The nose should have been buried out of sight."