"Going to make it an official request, hey?"
"Right. From the Station, it'll go out in print, and their answer will be on the 'type, too, since business etiquette requires it. They'll get the implication if they're on the losing end. That'll make 'em try something slick. If they're honest, they'll tell all."
"That'll do it all right," said Walt. "They're too shaky to buck us any more. And if they are trying anything, it'll show."
The rest of the trip was without incident. They put in at Canalopsis and found Keg Johnson with an official 'gram waiting for them. Don Channing ripped it open and read:
Interplanetary Communications
Attention Dr. Channing:
No project for energy-beam capable of removing meteors under way at Terran Electric, or at any of the subsidiary companies. Ideas suggested along these lines have been disproven by your abortive attempt of a year ago, and will not be considered unless theory is substantiated in every way by practical evidence.
If you are interested, we will delve into the subject from all angles. Please advise.
Terran Electric Co.
Board of Legal Operations
Mark Kingman, LLD.
Channing smiled wryly at Keg Johnson and told him of their trouble.