THE ANSWER BY GEORGE O. SMITH Illustrated by Orban [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Astounding Science-Fiction, February 1947. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] Robert Hohmann smiled superciliously at the man before him. "You have nerve," he said. It might have been a compliment excepting that the tone of the words was definitely sarcastic. "You have the colossal effrontery to come here before me and tell me what I can do and what I cannot do." Greg Hammond said, quietly, "Shall I repeat it? You are not to attempt the construction of the plutonium producing uranium pile." "Or else--what?" sneered Hohmann. "The United Nations makes no threats," said Greg. "We are not a military organization. We are the voice of the people--including yours, Hohmann. We merely set forth that which the people desire, and remind them of it. If someone--you in this case--goes against the will of the people, it will be for the people to decide his fate." "You do not understand," said Hohmann, "nor can I possibly penetrate your illogic reasoning. The person is secondary to the State. Therefore it is for the State to--" "The State is the result of the people," returned the United Nations representative. "Were it not for the people, there could be no State." "Were it not for the State," thundered Hohmann in a ringing voice, "people could not exist in the luxury they have. Man would still be pitted against man and brother against brother. The State combines them into an insoluble unit." "The United Nations combines all States into an insoluble unit," replied Hammond. "Which believes itself capable of telling me what I can and cannot do!" "You, as dictator, find little trouble in telling your subjects just how and what to do. You back up your demands with threats of death." Hohmann smiled contentedly. "So, my bright young friend, you must admit that your United Nations organization is no different than Robert Hohmann, dictator. I issue orders which may conflict with the desires of some of my people. You issue orders which occasionally conflict with some of the desires of your States. Mine in this case." "We issue orders only when the desires of a State are directed against the common cause," said Hammond. "A common cause decided by people other than those who will benefit from my act," snapped Hohmann. "This gets us nowhere," said Hammond with an air of finality. "You are, therefore, directed to cease in your plan to construct the plutonium producing uranium pile."