A gasp went up from the great men assembled there. Erickson's colleagues nodded in helpless agreement.
"But how?" The question came from all sides. Famous engineers looked at each other questioningly.
"Gentlemen." This was a new voice, young and full of energy.
"Mr. Holden," responded the chairman.
"Professor Erickson was so kind as to confide in me several years ago, and since then I have been at work on this problem. I have solved it."
Eager interest shone on all faces. Jack Holden was known and liked by many of these men, despite his youth. His discovery of hexoxen, the chemical which turned solid matter into almost intangible vapor, had created quite a stir in scientific circles.
He now continued his address.
"If all the resources of Earth are made use of, it would be possible to produce hundreds of tons of hexoxen and sufficient amounts of the element Europium to act as a catalyst. That would be plenty to reduce the moon to a gaseous state. The clouds of gas could then be penetrated by anti-gravitational screens, which would cause the smaller pieces to drift off into space, where they will do no harm whatsoever."
Several distinguished engineers nodded their heads. One of them spoke.
"Mr. Secretary, the plan is entirely feasible. I move that Mr. Holden be given permission to make use of all the necessary resources to carry out his plan, and that he be placed in sole charge, assisted by an advisory board of which Professor Erickson shall be chairman."