Beyond the Downwhen Terminus

           BrinsleyCooperentered.Excitementflushedhisthinfaceandmadeitalmostyouthful,despitetheheavyMallansohnmustachethatdrapeditsupperlip.

           (Harlancouldseehimthroughthewindow,hearhimclearlyovertheroom’sradio.Hethoughtbitterly:AMallansohnmustache!Ofcourse!)

           CooperstrodetowardTwissell."Theywouldn’tletmeintillnow,Computer."

           "Veryright,"saidTwissell."Theyhadtheirinstructions."

           "Now’sthetime,though?I’llbeheadingout?"

           "Almostthetime."

           "AndI’llbecomingback?I’llbeseeingEternityagain?"DespitethestraightnessCoopergavehisback,therewasanedgeofuncertaintyinhisvoice.

           (WithinthecontrolroomHarlanbroughthisclenchedhandsbitterlytothereinforcedglassofthewindow,longingtobreakthroughsomehow,toshout:"Stopit!Meetmyterms,orI’ll-"Whatwastheuse?)

           Cooperlookedabouttheroom,apparentlyunawarethatTwissellhadrefrainedfromansweringhisquestion.HisglancefellonHarlanatthecontrol-roomwindow.

           Hewavedhishandexcitedly."TechnicianHarlan!Comeonout.IwanttoshakeyourhandbeforeIgo."

           Twissellinterposed."Notnow,boy,notnow.He’satthecontrols."

           Coopersaid,"Oh?Youknow,hedoesn’tlookwell."

           Twissellsaid,"I’vebeentellinghimthetruenatureoftheproject.