“How long?”
“Should be done by dark.”
“It is dark, Frank,” Canidy said.
Nola nodded. “Should be done.”
Canidy shook his head.
I’m not going to miss these intellectual exchanges one bit.
He then took a sheet of flash paper and wrote:
* * *
TOP SECRET
OPERATIONAL IMMEDIATE
05APR43 2115
FOR NEPTUNE
FROM MERCURY STATION
BEGIN QUOTE
JUPITER HEADED HOME ALONE 06APR 1ST SURFACE.
END QUOTE
TOP SECRET
* * *
He handed the paper to Fuller and said, “Get on the air to Mars—”
“You mean Neptune?”
“L’Herminier is Mars, god of war.”
“Got it,” Fuller said softly.
He was quiet a moment, then added: “Why?”
“Why Mars?”
Fuller shook his head.
“Why am I leaving?” Canidy said.
Fuller nodded.
“We did it, Tubes. We found what we were supposed to. It’s all I need for now and you’re going to radio me the rest. You and the follow-up teams. You’re still up to it, right?”
Fuller pursed his lips. He tried to keep a straight face, but his expression showed he had his reservations.
Canidy put a hand on each of his shoulders and looked him in the eyes.