The other straightened, said nothing.
"Major, Taylor was taking a shot in the dark. We're a fantastically slim hope—but we're the only one he's got!"
"And I think that right now you are a greater enemy to Earth than all her Invaders!"
"'Liberty or death,' Major, that's what Taylor was saying to us when he knowingly put his signature to a fluke error!"
"Oh for God's sake Colonel, come off it! It sounds just jim-dandy but you haven't even got a plan! Infinity to zero, those are your odds! And if I thought you were seriously considering not going in. I'd—"
"Yes, Major, you'd what?"
The door opened. It was Grady. There was a communication folder in his hand.
Silently, Steele took the folder. There was an expectant look on Zukow's flushed face as his superior read the brief message. Then Steele looked up.
"No," he said. "It's not a Notification of Error and Correction. Simply a follow-up directive ordering all recalled craft to navigate the final ten thousand miles of their Earth-approaches in intervals of not less than twenty minutes each. Seems the Invaders have their entire headquarters and supply set-up in a mother-ship circling Earth—and they aren't taking any chances."
"Under these conditions, then—"