The launching site itself had been an impressive sight. The huge rockets, much in appearance like the famed V2 of World War II, but on a much larger scale, were cradled in their launching platforms like some huge monsters about to be unleashed into the unsuspecting heavens. They had listened as Mathieson explained the various number of instruments that were being included in the first rocket, to record its hurtling trip through the atmosphere to the outermost layers of the Earth's surface. And they had been told of the other, and to the gathered newspapermen, the most interesting part, the inclusion of a cat in the rocket, in a large oxygen-fed chamber, to study the effects of the cosmic rays on a living creature. Then back to the central building. Back to wait. And the tension began to mount. For the shadows were lengthening, the sun sinking behind the horizon to the west. The moment was now close at hand. * * * * * A stocky figure detached itself from the shadows beside the huge bulk of the laboratory building and slowly edged out into the dusk. It paused momentarily, to survey the scene. Sharp eyes scanned the looming rockets and their launching platforms, watchful, alert. They finally settled upon the armed guard who walked a measured distance back and forth in front of the rockets. Then the figure moved forward again, cautiously, purposefully. The distance from the giant rockets shortened gradually, and then the guard, turning to retrace his steps, saw the approaching figure. There was a snapping sound as a rifle was brought into position, and a rapping command barked out. "Halt! Who goes there?" The shadowy figure halted abruptly a short distance away from the guard. And a voice answered. "Dr. Blair Gaddon." The guard's rifle snapped into present arms and then back to the soldier's right shoulder. "Oh, it's you, sir. Is there anything wrong? The launching is set for fifteen minutes from now, isn't it?" Gaddon walked slowly up to the soldier and the guard could then see his face in the thickening shadows. "That's right," Gaddon replied. "I'm making a last minute inspection." The guard nodded. "Dr. Mathieson and the newspapermen will be along any minute, sir?" Gaddon moved closer to the soldier, and then suddenly his hand came out of his coat pocket and there was a gun in it. "Drop your rifle, soldier. Quick!" The guard stared at the scientist in shocked astonishment. "What is this, sir? A gag?" Gaddon motioned with his gun. "It is no gag! Do as I say--or must I shoot?" * * * * * There was an ominous note in Gaddon's voice. And a strained quality to it that told the guard the man meant what he said. Very slowly the soldier removed the rifle from his shoulder and dropped it to the ground. Gaddon motioned with his gun. "Now step back! Move!"