human
By the blessed rings of Saturn! roared Connel.
gpt
Not again.
human
Put down that gun,
gpt
What's the meaning of this?
human
Major, he said calmly,
gpt
Well, what about it?
human
Sir, said Astro, unruffled by Barret's screaming protest,
gpt
What! exclaimed Connel, turning to look at Barret.
human
What is the meaning of this, Barret?
gpt
Why, that knuckle-headed baboon! yelled Barret.
human
Sure, I made a transspace call to Venusport--to the Venusian Atomic By-Products Corporation.
gpt
What was the call about?
human
Why--I--
gpt
Come on, man! shouted Connel.
human
Out with it.
gpt
I called about getting a new timer for the projectile fuel-injection system, snapped Barret.
human
The timer is too slow for our needs. I wanted to adjust it myself, but the projectile is so compact, I can't get at it without taking a chance of getting doused by the fuel.
gpt
What about that remark about finding an opening?
human
What's going on here? called Professor Hemmingwell as he bustled up to the group.
gpt
Why aren't these men working? Dave, why aren't you up there--?
human
Just a minute, Professor! Connel barked, and turned back to Barret.
gpt
Go ahead, Barret.
human
They can't make a new timer until I find a way of installing it without taking apart the whole projectile, said Barret, adding sarcastically,
gpt
All right, barked Connel.
human
That's enough. He turned to the assembled workers.
gpt
Get back to work, all of you.
human
Good work, you dumb Venusian, he snorted.
gpt
But so help me, if you had burned this man, I, personally, would've buried you on a prison rock. The major then turned to Barret.
human
As for you--
gpt
Yes?
human
You make one more call like that over a public teleceiver, Connel roared,
gpt
Now, Major, said Hemmingwell testily,
human
I don't think you should speak to Dave that way. After all, he's a very valuable man in this project.
gpt
How valuable would he be if this cadet had gone ahead and blasted him?
human
It's just another example of how these stupid boys have obstructed my work here, replied Hemmingwell angrily.
gpt
I can't see why they have to interfere this way. And they always pick on poor Dave.
human
Yes, snarled Barret.
gpt
I'm getting pretty tired of being a clay pigeon for a bunch of brats. He turned to Astro.
human
You'll have a head full of socket wrench if you mess with me again.
gpt
You'll get a receipt, Barret, growled Astro.
human
Paid in full.
gpt
All right, break it up, growled Connel.
human
Back to your post, Astro. And you get back to work, Barret, and remember what I said about using that public teleceiver.