"They're landing foray parties, Brian! How long will it take to get everyone out of here?"
I glanced at Mallory. He said, "Fifteen or twenty minutes, at least."
"And to get the Jefferson's motors started?"
"Another ten."
"Then," I snapped, "you'll need protection for a half hour. That's what we're here for. Bruce, Rudy, Raoul, split your squads. Send half below; have the others throw a cordon about the laboratory. If they're dropping infantry, they'll have to stop bombing. By the time they find us, the others will be below. Then we'll take to the cavern—"
"Very good, sir!" They sprang into action.
The women continued to file singly into the small dark-room, pass through the doorway into the tunnel. Maureen clutched my arm.
"Brian, you don't have to stay up here. You're too important. You're the leader. You've got to—"
"—to stay with my men!" I told her quietly. And I did what I had been wanting to do, but had never before dared. I took her, unresisting, into my arms; kissed her. Her lips were warm against mine. Then I pushed her toward the doorway. "Get down there. Don't worry about us. If we hold our fire it will take them a long time to locate us. Danny, where did Krassner go?"