"You could in a pinch. Only one section of the stations are at Earth gee."
"Yeah, but the ninety-dayers would be better for orbital duty. Not us soft, decrepit medical cases."
Colt frowned.
"What's wrong, Frank? I thought you'd be delighted that I'm taking Murdock's hysterics so seriously."
"How come I wasn't notified? I'm the deputy command- er and I—"
"The emergency procedures program hasn't been up- dated since you arrived, I guess. You found out anyway, didn't you?"
"Because I bumped into Pat Kelly in the fuckin' corridor and he looked scared as shit!"
"So you didn't find out through official channels," Kins- man said. "But you did get the word."
"What are you pulling, Chet?"
"When I pull something," Kinsman responded, "you'll be the first to know. I'll even go through regular channels."
Colt jumped to his feet. Still unaccustomed to lunar gravity, he knocked the chair over backward. "Goddammit, Chet, you're gonna get your ass killed! I know you're up to something crazy, and I know it's not Murdock's orders. Now take some advice from a friend, man, and—"
"Frank!" Kinsman cut in. "I don't want advice. 1 know what I have to do."
"Don't do it, Chet! I'm asking you. Don't do it, whatever crazy scheme you're cookin'. You're gonna force me to kill you."
"There won't be any killing, Frank."
"I don't know what the hell's going through your head," Colt's voice was trembling, almost breaking, "but don't put 408 me on the spot. I don't want to have to choose between your life and mine."
"You won't have to choose," Kinsman said, trying to keep his voice calm despite the tightness gripping his chest.
"If you try to hand this base over to the Russians ..."
"Don't be silly!"
"Or do anything against the United States . . . Chet, I'll have to stop you. I'll have to!"
"You'll have to try, I guess. If and when the time comes."
