He sought the general.
"Bert, what about the bulkhead door?" he asked. "Are we going to open it?"
"Not immediately," General Hill replied. "The occupants will, if alive, probably come out in their own way and time. If we try to break in prematurely we may bring on their deaths."
His face grew somber. "It's a problem. The ship drifted down as if with a dead man's hand at the helm. It didn't come at that speed from origin. Someone or something cut its speed when it hit our atmosphere. Had it come in fast the hull would have heated, and the occupants would have been roasted alive.
"Let's not force the issue. If alive they'll come out eventually. Meanwhile we're learning."
But can we wait? Winthrop thought. Are we sensible in waiting?
IV
Night. Benton Allan beckoned Winthrop to his side.
"You're familiar with Einstein's math, George. What do you think of this?"