“I know. But we’ve spent six times the amount we originally estimated. And the end’s not even in sight. I haven’t made up my mind, but I’ve been wondering lately. Perhaps we should abandon this line of research entirely. It may be the wisest course.” Taft stared at him, aghast. “You must be out of your mind. What would we do with this plant? Close it down?” “We don’t have to. We can lease research facilities to other companies. We can tackle short-range projects that _will_ pay off.” Taft got up and paced the floor. “You’re in favor of abandoning the perfect rocket motor?” “I didn’t say that. I merely said that I was thinking about it. Of course an alternative would be to reduce the scale of our efforts. Cut it back to a few men--something that we can afford.” “I don’t know,” said Taft in agitation. “Frescura isn’t going to like this.” “That’s another matter I wanted to discuss with you,” said Talbot. “Frescura is a valuable man--too brilliant to be wasted on a project that has no chance of success. We should assign him to something more worthy of his talent.” Taft sat down. “You are actually saying that we should forget about going to the stars.” “Not exactly. I think the idea should be placed in the proper perspective. Later developments may enable us to resurrect it.” Talbot was somewhat bewildered. Taft’s reaction had surprised him--although he couldn’t have said quite what it was that he had expected. “Don’t you see what it means?” said Taft, his face lighting up. “If we develop the motor in our own shops it will be _ours_. We won’t have to license it to others. Every bit of interstellar trade will be carried in our ships. Ours alone. _Monopoly_.” “Monopoly is nice,” said Talbot. “Bankruptcy isn’t. That’s what we face unless we cut down.” “TRANSPORTATION is years away from bankruptcy,” said Taft sharply. * * * * * It was a shock to hear even that admission. Talbot’s own knowledge of the company’s financial position was fair. But Taft was in a better position to know the facts and if he said, even privately, that ruin was years away it could be assumed that he had grave doubts about the stability of the corporation. The startling fact stood revealed in all its naked ugliness. The largest company in the solar system was none too secure. And it was the reckless expenditures that Soleri was directing that had led them to the brink of disaster. At least he had uncovered one motive. Someone with a knowledge of the truth was out to wreck TRANSPORTATION. Before he could collect his thoughts there was an unexpected interruption. The door opened and Frescura came in, his face dark with anger. “As long as this is a stockholders’ meeting I thought I’d make it a quorum,” he said.