"We have to do much better than that. Our consumption of facilities on this project is so great that we have to _know_, within a negligible margin of error, that when these groups are visited in eight or fifty years from now we will find a community of cooperative, progressive human beings. We cannot be satisfied with less!" "I'm afraid the majority of sentiment in the Commission is not in agreement with you," said Mr. Merton. "To oppose General Winthrop's trained crews with selected cutthroats and traitors may have historical precedent, but it scarcely seems the optimum procedure in this case! "We are willing to be shown proof of your thesis, Dr. Ashby, but we have certain realities of which we are sure. If we can do no better, we shall take the best available to us at the time the ships are ready. If you cannot supply us with proven crews and colonists by then we shall be forced to accept General Winthrop's recommendations and choose personnel whose reactions are at least known and predictable to a high degree. I'm sorry, but surely you can understand our position in this matter." For a long time Ashby was silent, looking from one to the other of the faces about the table. Then he spoke in a low voice, as if having reached the extremity of his resources. "Yes--the reactions of Winthrop's men are indeed known. I suggest that you come with me and I will show you what those reactions are." He stood up and the others followed with inquiring expressions on their faces. Winthrop made a short, jerky motion of his head, as if he detected a hidden sting in Ashby's words. "What do you mean by that?" he demanded. "You don't suppose that our examinations would neglect the men on whom you have spent so much time and effort in training?" The General flushed with rage. "If you've tampered with any of my men--! You had no right--!" The other Commission members were smiling in faint amusement at the General's discomfiture. "I should think it would be to your advantage to check the results of your training," said Mr. Merton. "There is only one possible check!" exclaimed General Winthrop. "Put these men on a base for a period of eight years and at a distance of forty seven light years from home and see what they will do. That is the only way you can check on them." "And if you know anything about our methods of testing, you will understand that this, in effect, is what we have done. Your best man is about to be released from the test pit. He can't have more than an hour to go." "Who have you got in your guinea pig pen?" the General demanded. "If you've ruined him--" "Captain Louis Carnahan," said Ashby. "Shall we go down, gentlemen?" * * * * *