"Where is Major Elbertson?" "In sick bay, sir. He got a big radiation dose--" The captain flipped the intercom key. "Calling Major Elbertson in sick bay. Report to the bridge on the double, no matter what your condition. This is the captain speaking." The intercom came alive at far end. "This is Dr. Green, Captain Andersen. Major Elbertson is unconscious. He cannot report for duty. He was extremely ill from exposure to radiation and we have administered sulph-hydral, antispasmodic, and sedative." Nails Andersen turned to the project crew. "Which of you are Security officers?" Three men stepped forward. "Are all the project members here?" "No, sir," said one. "Eight of our men are in sick bay." "Very well," said the captain. "Now hear this, all of you. There is a saboteur--maybe more than one, we do not know--among you. There is no time to find out which of you it is. However, he has managed to leave Project Hot Rod operational while unattended. You are to turn it off, and to prevent the saboteur from stopping you. Do you understand?" A voice in back--a rather high voice--spoke up. "Of course it's operational," it said. "We left it operational." "You ... WHAT?" "We left it operational. It's under Earth control. The control center at Thule is in charge, sir." "Who are you?" the captain asked. "Hot Rod communications officer, sir. I turned it over last thing before we shut down. Under the instructions of Dr. Koblensky. That's the shutdown procedure." "Where's Dr. Koblensky?" "Out. Out like a light," said another voice. "He got a good dose. Of radiation. The medics put him out." "Who's senior officer here?" "I'm Dr. Johnston." It was a man in front. Rather small, pedantic-looking. "I'm Dr. Koblensky's ... well, assistant." The word came hard as though the fact of an assistantship were at the least distasteful. "Who's senior in Security?" "I, sir. Chauvenseer." "Very well. Dr. Johnston and Chauvens ... sor? ... are in charge. Now shut down that ruby hellmaker as fast as it can be done." "But, captain," Dr. Johnston spoke, "we can't turn it off. We haven't the authority. We haven't the Security key. And the radiation won't let up for hours." "I have just given you the authority. As for the radiation, that's a hazard you'll have to take. What's this about a Security key?" The captain's voice was not gentle. "Major Elbertson has the key. He has the only key. Without it, the station cannot be removed from Earth control. Earth _is_ in control. They can turn it off, captain." Dr. Johnston's voice took on as firm a tone of authority as that of the captain. "Chau ... Chau ... You!" barked the captain. "Get that key!" He waited until the Security officer had disappeared through the door, then turned to the scientist. * * * * *