human
I'm so glad you came! Will you want the Benson-light? I say, I've lost connection with the Earth. I had the Washington transmitter. Five minutes ago they sent me a flash of the Mars and Venus news. They both sent ships, out.
gpt
Both the Mars and Venus ships were destroyed and the enemy escaped!
human
Destroyed? I said.
gpt
How?
human
But why, in heaven's name, man, didn't you ring and tell us? Grantline demanded.
gpt
Destroyed--only that! Just destroyed.
human
I was afraid to leave my instruments, Waters said.
gpt
How could I tell? I might be able to renew connections with Washington any minute. Come on in. Do you want to try the Benson curve-light, Mr. Haljan?
human
Yes, I said.
gpt
I do. We entered the dim helio cubby.
human
See here, Waters, what about the projectile that ascended from Earth last night? Did the Washington observatory report what happened to it?
gpt
No, not a word. They lost it, evidently.