human
I see, said Joe slowly.
gpt
We can handle just six more bombs from Earth.
human
Six in the next month, agreed Brent wrily.
gpt
It'll be that long before we get more. Somebody sent up four bombs today. Suppose they send eight next time? Or simply one a day for a week?
human
The seventh bomb shot at us knocks us out! We're sitting ducks here too!
gpt
Yes. The Platform can't be defended against an indefinite number of bombs from Earth. Of course the United States could go to war because we've been shot at. But would that do us any good? We'd be shot down in the war.
human
And Sanford's cracked up because he knows he's going to be killed?
gpt
Oh, no! He's a good scientist! But he's always had a brilliant mind. Poor devil, he's never failed at anything in all his life until now! Now he _has_ failed. He's going to be killed, and he can't think of any way to stop it. His brains are the only things he's ever believed in, and now they're no good. He can't accept the idea that he's stupid, so he has to believe that everything else is. It's a necessity for him. Haven't you known people who had to think everybody else was stupid to keep from knowing that they were themselves?
human
Sanford, said Brent earnestly,
gpt
I'm the crew psychologist. That's why I speak so firmly. In five minutes we're due to come out of the Earth's shadow into sunshine again. I'd suggest that you come to watch. It's good to look at.