Other messages poured in-ships' movements, technical orders, personnel changes, the accumulated minutiae of a large military organization-and a detailed resume of the news of four planets from the time they had lost contact to the present.
Oscar found that Captain Yancey did not breathe on his neck in his duties as communications chief-but by then it did not surprise him. Oscar simply was the com chief and had almost forgotten that he had ever been anything else.
He felt, however, that he was really confirmed in his office the day a message came in top cipher, the first not in "clear." He was forced to ask the Captain for the top-cipher machine, kept in the Captain's safe. It was turned over to him without comment.
Oscar was bug-eyed when he took the translated message to Yancey. It read: TRIPLEX-CAN YOU INVESTIGATE TROUBLE EQUATORIAL REGION VENUS-OPERATIONS.
Yancey glanced at it. "Tell the Executive Officer I want to see him, please. And don't discuss this."
"Aye aye, sir."
Thurlow came in somewhat mystified. "What's up, Captain?" Yancey handed him the flimsy. The lieutenant read it and whistled.
"Can you see any way to comply?"
"You know how much reaction potential we have, Captain. We could manage a circular orbit. We can't land."
"That's the way I see it. I suppose well have to refuse-dammit, I'd rather take a whipping than send in a negate. Why did they pick on us? There must be half a dozen other ships better located."