"What do you say, Dr. Bryant?"
"There is only one thing to say. Gary is right; completely right. We have seen the pictures, checked and rechecked our calculations a hundred times. There is no doubt but that the time approaches, and it all too soon, when Earth's sun and its entire swarm of tributary planets will exceed the critical dwindling point and flame into sudden oblivion."
"And—and knowing these things, the Council wouldn't give you a ship, Gary?"
"They just laughed at me. Said the whole theory was ridiculous."
"Lord!" said Captain Hugh Warren, "What fools we mortals be! Of course, Gary, I can see their point ... to a certain extent. It does sound mad, your idea of visiting three only half-friendly planets and asking each of them to open-handedly donate its most cherished military secret. But it's the only way...."
His hands came from his pockets in a swift, decisive motion.
"Yes, it's the only way. How soon can you be ready to leave?"
"How—soon?"
"There's no time for fiddle-faddle. If we're going to do anything, we've got to do it now before anything leaks, or anyone can get suspicious."
"We?" echoed Dr. Bryant bleakly.