"That's why we wanted you here. It figures to be an enemy from another planet."
"That doesn't make sense." Case swivelled around to face Cranly. "You and I know our system as well as anyone alive. Cut out the guessing and give me the facts."
"All right. Enough people saw the thing from Jersey so that we know what happened. They say there was a rumble like thunder. Out of a clear sky, mind you. Then—get this—the sky seemed to open! There was a blast of light. That's all. New York was gone."
"Atom blast?"
"Hardly. No mushroom cloud. Accident? No, and you'll learn why I'm so sure shortly."
Case Damon had met some of these men before. A few others he recognized from their pictures. The Supreme Council. They were plenty worried. Strogoff was chewing his mustache; Vargas drummed nervously with thick fingers. Cunningham and Osborn were pacing the floor.
"Thank heaven for one thing," Osborn said. Vargas looked up at him quickly, his dark eyes slits in his swarthy face.
"For what?" Vargas asked bitterly.
"That there has been no panic. Urban evacuations are proceeding quietly."