And, of course, he assumed we all knew that lidar was light radar, which physicists on the earth were just learning how to use. It's a method of amplifying light through a special tube of artificial rubies. The light excites the chromium in the rubies and causes the atoms to give off a red glow. The resulting red beam can be focused to pencil thinness and sent vast distances. Scientists believe that some of the nearer stars—meaning stars within the range of ten light years distant from the sun—can be explored by lidar.
We had unpacked most of the gear from the two ships and had assembled the Mars-cars by noon the next day.
"Ludson," said Spartan, "take Drake over to the No. three ship and bring back all the supplies you can carry. The rest of us will make our living quarters habitable."
"Yes, sir," said Axel. He turned to me. "Come on, Bill. Let's get started."
"If you see signs of life," Spartan said, "shoot first."
"But, sir," Axel protested, "wouldn't it be best for us not to do anything unless we're attacked?"
"We must show them that we're more powerful than they are. The best way to defend is to attack," said Spartan.
"They might be better equipped to shoot than we are, sir," said Axel.
"Ludson, whatever gave you the idea that we're inferior to Martians? This is a dying, decadent world. We are young, strong and in our prime—in terms of our planet. Just because the Martians have intelligence, doesn't mean they are superior."
"But—"