Mel shrugged. "That isn't the point. The wheels know that in case of war you'd change orbits. If they thought it was worth while, they'd order you to. The UN could order you to. What they doubt is that if you moved your orbit in behind the Curtain you'd see enough to do any good."
"I don't care to argue that point. Right now, probably not. When the scope's completed and installed, we'll undoubtedly be able to spot concentrations and new industries. The main thing would be to stay with the station. But it's an academic question—"
"Is it an academic question whether they can blow us out of the sky?"
Walter Stanton shot him a glance. "That's your department. Can they?"
"Let's not kid ourselves. If they have a missile they can get up here, it'll track you. Manned or unmanned, regardless of what your orbit is or where you are."
"The theory is, Mel, that Ground Control Center will intercept."
"Walter!" Cramer's lip twisted sardonically. "I'm surprised! You didn't fall for that mullarkey, did you? How are they going to intercept anything with a head start?"
"Another part of the theory, Mel, is that you'll intercept if they don't. Intercept it and destroy it...."
"Destroy it...." For a sickening moment Walter Stanton thought he read fear in his friend's eye. Mel said quietly: "Destroy it and try to get to Sandia...." He stood up. "And suppose they have another missile? Who destroys that?"
"Even a guided missile would cost almost as much as our original core. Do you think they've built one, let alone two?"