"What's this about caves?" demanded the General, a scowl on his heavy-jowled face.
Dr. Stone turned from the eager Don to explain politely. "We have a team digging in ancient ruins in Mexico, General. They've uncovered perfectly sealed caves and tunnels that we at first thought were Incan. However, it has since been found that they are lined with an alloy which has proven impervious to any type radiation. That, plus the fact that printed records are now being upturned, points to a superior science."
"Were any weapons or machines uncovered?" the military man asked, avidly.
"None. Our men are carefully sifting a history, however, after finding several mysterious references to a death ray against which no defense existed." The doctor turned to Don again and asked, "Are the protoplasm tanks all right?"
"Yes sir. Several of the roboes are watching now. Sometimes I think that they know as much about it as I do."
The general swelled up and opened tight-pressed lips but his companion held up a hand, smiling at Dr. Stone. The latter cleared his throat, frowning as he said, "You may be more right than you think, Donald."
Donald looked quickly, seeing that his superior was not joking. "I don't understand, sir; what do you mean?"
"How long would it take completely to destroy the tanks?"
Dumbfounded, Don blurted, "Destroy the tanks after the months of culture, Dr. Stone! Why, why...."
The civilian came to his feet quickly and came to the bewildered and indignant Don, saying kindly, "I know how you feel, son. However, the future of the peoples of the world may be at stake."