"You can get the Intelligence people to follow it up, General," said the State Department man. "I should think it's gotten to be too big for the Army."
"Yes," said the Chief rather wearily, "we can follow it up. We'll have to do something about those other four cities. And suppose we do find out about them, just as we found out about Atomsk. But will it bring peace? I want peace, gentlemen. War has outgrown mankind."
The Director of Intelligence spoke, "It doesn't do us any good to realize that unless all the other nations realize it, too. We have to stay ready for war. It's not we who are making it—"
The Chief of Staff brushed the discussion aside with a wave of his hand. "This doesn't bear on the immediate question. I'm afraid that will be all, gentlemen."
They rose.
But, contrary to protocol, one of the civilian engineers spoke directly to the Chief of Staff: "General, have we gotten anywhere? Forgive me for asking, but I'd really trust your judgment. I know I have no business asking—"
The Chief waved the apology aside. "I don't mind telling you my guess. I think it's pushed war several years further away. Now they know they haven't got something which they thought they had. A surprise. The surprise is gone. It makes them feel weaker. And, I hope, friendlier. That's up to the diplomats now. This report has postponed war. It can't build peace. Peace is everybody's job."
The other military people frowned at the engineer, but the man spoke up again; the Chief of Staff was still smiling.
"And the spy, sir?"
The Chief turned to Coppersmith. "You've promoted him?"