Murdock bobbed his head. "It's up to you, Chet. It's your job."
Kinsman looked at the Colonel. Thanks. Thank you all. To Marcot he said, "Very well. I'll handle McGrath. But I want something in return."
Murdock looked shocked. Officers don't make deals; they carry out orders. But Marcot grinned wolfishly, the way a politician does when he's trading favors and expects to come out ahead.
"You want something?" he asked Kinsman.
"Yessir. The original motivation for this program was to make certain that we go ahead with Moonbase. That base will need a commanding officer. 1 want to be that man."
"But that'd be a colonel's slot!" Murdock blurted.
"Then I'll need a promotion to light colonel to go with it," Kinsman answered evenly.
Marcot glanced at Murdock, then said, "First we've got to get the Congress to approve the funds. Then, when we know there's going to be a Moonbase, naturally we'll want someone who's thoroughly familiar with the program and its implications to command the base."
Colt nodded. Murdock still looked bewildered.
Without a smile, without even daring to admit to himself that this was happening, that he was forcing it to happen, Kinsman said, "Thank you. I appreciate it,"
Raising a tobacco-stained finger, Marcot emphasized, "But first we've got to get the Congress to vote the funds."
"I know," said Kinsman.
"Very well. We understand each other." Marcot glanced at his wristwatch. "I'm going to be late for a reception. Japanese embassy. Their military attache has been pumping 248 me about our ABM satellites."
They walked out into the corridor, Marcot headed off toward his domain; Colonel Murdock, Colt, and Kinsman took the stairs that led up to their lesser offices.
As they climbed the steps, Colt burst out, "You did it, man! You finally did it! Terrific!"
"We've all been working on this," Kinsman said.
"Naw, I don't mean that. You stood up to 'em and told 'em what you wanted. Commander of Moonbase. And he took it! Man, you got the power now."
They reached the landing and pushed through the scuffed gray metal doors into the corridor as Kinsman said, "I just want him to know that I want to be on the Moon, not down here."
"You talked yourself into a damned quick promotion," Murdock snapped.
"But, Colonel," Colt said quickly, "don't you see? If they move Chet up to light colonel they're gonna hafta give you a general's star."
