"Come on over to the project any time. He'd like to meet you."
"I'll do it, first time I can get away from those doggone trucks. Seems like they break down every hour."
At that moment John Gordon came out of the project building. Rick, who was facing the door, pretended surprise. "Aren't you Dr. Gordon," he called.
The scientist turned and hesitated. "Yes. You're ... let's see ... you were at Spindrift for a while. I'm afraid I don't remember your names."
Rick introduced himself and Scotty, for the benefit of a few men who were passing by, en route to the mess hall.
"Ah, yes. I remember now. Going to eat? So am I. Come along and tell me where you're working now. Obviously you're employed on the base, but on what projects?"
They chatted idly as they walked slowly toward the mess hall. Then, when no one was in earshot, Rick said swiftly, "I was at the warehouse when the mark of the Earthman was found. Any developments we should know about?"
Gordon answered softly, "Yes. Inventory showed nearly a quarter of a million in transistors missing. Also, no one had called for transistors in nearly three weeks."
"Isn't that unusual?" Scotty asked.
"Not particularly. Each project has its own stock-room. Since we're a new base, the projects have been working from an initial supply."