A stocky figure detached itself from the shadows beside the huge bulk of the laboratory building and slowly edged out into the dusk.
It paused momentarily, to survey the scene. Sharp eyes scanned the looming rockets and their launching platforms, watchful, alert. They finally settled upon the armed guard who walked a measured distance back and forth in front of the rockets. Then the figure moved forward again, cautiously, purposefully.
The distance from the giant rockets shortened gradually, and then the guard, turning to retrace his steps, saw the approaching figure.
There was a snapping sound as a rifle was brought into position, and a rapping command barked out.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
The shadowy figure halted abruptly a short distance away from the guard. And a voice answered.
"Dr. Blair Gaddon."
The guard's rifle snapped into present arms and then back to the soldier's right shoulder.
"Oh, it's you, sir. Is there anything wrong? The launching is set for fifteen minutes from now, isn't it?"
Gaddon walked slowly up to the soldier and the guard could then see his face in the thickening shadows.