human
That would mean the whole crew conniving, so it won't do, but you see what I mean.
gpt
I think we should start fresh. We have had criticisms of Lizzie's suggestion, which was not perhaps wholly serious, and as Dilly says there is little of it left, except the idea of a threat of invasion. The idea of an alien intelligent race has objections and would be very difficult to fake. The invaders must be men from another planet. Another unknown one. But how do the people of Incognita come to know that they exist?
human
A ship. A crashed ship from Outside.
gpt
Really! Am I expected to swallow this?
human
Ha! Ha!
gpt
I don't know why M'Clare thought it necessary to stage this discussion. I am already acquainted with his plan and have had orders to co-operate. I have expressed my opinion on using undergraduates in a job like this and have been overruled. If he, or you, imagine that priming you to bring out his ideas like this is going to reconcile me to the whole business you are mistaken. He might have chosen a more suitable mouthpiece than that child with the curly hair--
human
As for curly hair I am rising twenty-four and I was only saying what we all thought, if we have the same ideas as M'Clare that is because he taught us for four years. How else would you set about it anyway?
gpt
Hear! Hear!
human
This discussion has not been rehearsed. As Lizzie ... as Miss Lee says, we have been working and thinking together for four years and have been taught by the same people.
gpt
Very well, says Delano-Smith testily.
human
Tell me this, please: Do you regard this idea as practicable?
gpt
This is rather a farce. I suppose we had to go through our paces for the colonel's benefit--and Mr. Yardo's of course--but can't we be briefed properly now?
human
What do you mean by that?
gpt
It's been obvious right along, says Cray, balancing his styler on one forefinger,