"But Alan. Five billion people...."
"I'm going down there," Alan said. "I've got to find out all the details."
"Alan, they'll kill you! They think it's your ultimatum, your cobalt bomb."
"If anyone can stop Keifer, I can. The Federation is loyal to me."
"They won't listen to you. They won't let you talk. They'll kill you."
"My father died for what he believed," Alan said. "So did your father. As long as there's a chance, I've got to go down there. Keifer's ultimatum is set for tomorrow night."
Impulsively, Laura took his hands and squeezed them. "I won't let you throw your life away. I can't lose you now, Alan. I can't. I...."
Alan tilted her chin with his hand and looked into her eyes. Her lips were trembling. She was going to cry, he thought. "Darling," he said, "you've got to listen. I love you. I ... I think I was falling in love with you on the Mars liner, before all this started to happen. I never had a chance to tell you. I'm telling you now."
"Then you can't...."