"Go ahead, Ski," somebody said.
"I ... I do not know whether those people who rule my country are capable of destroying this ... this marvelous thing. I do not know whether they would want to destroy it...." He took off his glasses and polished them fiercely. "But if you would allow me.... If it could be arranged ... I should like to stay...."
Walter Stanton, touched, cleared his throat. He spoke quietly.
"And if it were turned into a weapon against your country?"
Petrovski looked as if he were about to cry. "If my country tries to destroy this wonderful thing of science.... Then it is no more my country.... And I would still like to stay...."
"Yes," said Stanton, a little embarrassed. "Well, we'll see...."
Mel Cramer leaned back suddenly in his seat. "Could a beat-up old light colonel have a few words, seeing as how this project is slipping rapidly from your league into mine?"
Walter Stanton gazed at him quizzically. "Of course, Mel. Go ahead."
"You guys are all full of bull." Cramer leaned forward, counting on his fingers. "In the first place, you wouldn't have a chance if they've got a missile that can get here. In the second place, you wouldn't do any good if you did stay. In the third place, if they tell you to get out, you'll get out. Period. Is that clear?"
Walter Stanton felt his blood rise. "Just a second. The Air Force advises us; the UN tells us. Let's keep that straight."