Wendell Merrick, electronics engineer, who supervised the wiring of Marship III and was sensitive to the click of every relay in the almost fully automatic craft.
These were with him, which fundamentally meant they were willing to continue on course if he so decided. The others had succumbed to fear, and they recognized no authority nor purpose: their choice was a reactionary Earthward course.
"Dammitohell, Hiller, we want an answer!" The commander's silence had edged Bleck better than words. "The issue can't be plainer. Let's get this indecision over with and give the orders to circle back! Or do you want us to end up as dead as the first two Mars attempts!"
"Again, Bleck, I haven't decided," said Commander Hiller coolly. "I'm going to take more photographs with the Newtonian. What comes out of that will affect any decision I have to make. But since we're so concerned with decisions, Bleck, have you decided what you'll do if I should order us through?"
The commander's unexpected and pointed directness left Bleck blinking long enough for Eastburn to cut in before any heated rejoinder by the young nuclear engineer. Eastburn, because of his prominence and experience, held the respect of most of the men.
"When I volunteered for this jaunt, I also agreed to follow the commander's orders," Eastburn said firmly. "He may be wrong, but I could just as well be wrong in thinking he is. We're after unity of action, so at least something gets done in some direction."
Hiller smiled inwardly at that choice gem of rationality because the crew's emotional perception made of it no more than a granule of gravel. They would have to be appealed to emotionally; under the pressure, they understood nothing else. The stir of resentment evoked by Eastburn's words was dying down.
Bleck had started to say something, but Hiller's voice drowned him easily with its overpowering bass.
"Then, let's put it this way. Suppose I decide to hold course and you—ah, let's say—'persuade' me to circle back. When we all testify at the hearing, I hope you don't expect me to protect you. I'll tell them exactly what was behind the mutiny, your yellow vertebrae, and what would that do to your reputations?" Hiller had to shout the last words, because Bleck was screaming interruptions.