"He's the one," the major said.
The general grunted socially.
Taking the opening, the farmer said, "Out there in the wheat, general." His tone carried eager importance. "My kid saw the light come down this morning feedin' the chickens. I felt the ground jump, too. Called the sheriff, first off."
"All right, you were a hero," said the general shortly. "Now, Grant, will you take me to it? I can't mess around here all day."
The party of six men, two of them technicians, waded into the field from the road. The farmer remained to watch, frowning.
When they had progressed well into the wheat, he shouted after them ruefully, "And watch where you're steppin', too!"
The group paused on the rim of newly gouged earth, clods and dirt that had splashed from the center of the crater. It was nearly four feet deep. The man the major had left on guard had uncovered more of the blackened object, which lay three-quarters exposed and showed a warped but cylindrical shape.
"Let's have a counter on it," the general ordered.
A technician slid into the crater and swept the metal with his instrument. The needle swung far over and stuck.
To the other technician the general said, "Get a chunk for verification of the alloy." He kicked a small avalanche of dirt down the crater side and turned back to the road, adding, "Although I don't know why the formality. Even a cadet could see that's an atomjet reactor, beat up as it is."