"But.. ."
Hatch silenced the State Department with a baleful glance. Then he turned back to Kinsman. "This is a test, Captain. The Russians are testing our ability to react. They are testing our will to react. We have got to show them that we can detect, inspect, and verify that satellite's nature and mission."
"We ought to blow it out of the sky," snapped one of the colonets.
"And if it's a peaceful research station?" asked the civilian, with some steel in his voice, "If there are cosmonauts aboard? What if we kil! Russian nationals?"
"Serve 'em right," somebody muttered.
"And then the Soviets will feel justified in launching a nuclear attack." The civilian shook his head. "No. I agree with General Hatch, This is a test of our abilities and our will. We must prove to the Soviets that we can inspect their satellites and see for ourselves whether or not they contain weaponry."
Colonel Borgeson said calmly, "If they've gone to the trouble of launching this massive vehicle, then military logic dictates that it's a weapon carrier. There's no point to placing a dummy in orbit, just to bother us,"
"No matter whether it's a weapon or not, the satellite could be rigged with booby traps to prevent us from inspect- ing it."
Thanks a lot, Kinsman said to himself.
Hatch focused his gunmetal eyes on Kinsman. "Captain, I want to impress one thought on you. The Air Force has been working for more than ten years to achieve the capability of placing a military officer in space on an instant's notice, despite the opposition of NASA and other parts of the government."
He never so much as flicked a glance in the civilian's direction as he continued, "This incident proves the absolute necessity for such a capability. Your flight will be the first practical demonstration of all that we've battled to achieve 110 over the past decade. You can see, then, the importance of your mission."
"Yessir."
"This is strictly a volunteer mission. Exactly because it is so important to the future of the Air Force, I don't want you to try it unless you are absolutely certain about it."
"I understand, sir. I'm your man."
Hatch's weathered face unfolded into a grim smile. "Well spoken, Captain. Good luck."
The General rose and everyone scrambled to their feet and snapped to attention, even the civilian. As the others filed out of the briefing room, Murdock drew Kinsman aside.
"You had your chance to beg off."
"And the General would've drawn a big red circle around my name. My days in the Air Force would be numbered,"
"That's not the way he—"
"Relax, Colonel," Kinsman said. "I wouldn't miss this for the world. A chance to play cops and robbers in orbit."
