A call bell tinkled on the bridge control console. The red light above the speaker grid began blinking. Stetson shot an angry glance at it. “Yeah, Hal?”
“O.K., Stet. Orders just came through. We use Plan C. ComGO says to brief the field man, and jet out of here.”
“Did you ask them about using another field man?”
Orne looked up attentively.
The speaker said: “Yes. They said we have to use Orne because of the records on the Delphinus.”
“Well then, will they give us more time to brief him?”
“Negative. It’s crash priority. ComGO expects to blast the planet anyway.”
Stetson glared at the grid. “Those fat-headed, lard-bottomed, pig-brained ... POLITICIANS!” He took two deep breaths, subsided. “O.K. Tell them we’ll comply.”
“One more thing, Stet.”
“What now?”