human
Some pretty important work going on in there, said one of the men.
gpt
But how come they wouldn't let you go in?
human
I haven't been cleared by security, replied Tom.
gpt
It's top secret.
human
Secret, said a man who had just joined the group. Tom had noticed him before, climbing out of one of the huge jet trucks parked near the gate.
gpt
Why, there ain't nothing secret about what's going on in there,
human
Why do you say that?
gpt
Why, we all know about it, Cadet, said one of the first men Tom had spoken to.
human
They're building receivers for cargo projectiles.
gpt
But how did you know?
human
Why, it's the only thing we've been talking about down at the garage and at Sloppy Sam's, the jet-truckers hangout, replied the trucker.
gpt
If this thing works, surface transportation will be finished.
human
That's right, asserted another worker.
gpt
The whole industry will be wiped out overnight. Nobody will have anything trucked any more. Cargo'll be loaded into a projectile and shot off into space to a passing freighter. Then the freighter carries it to its destination and shoots it back down to a receiver.
human
But how could you know all this? asked Tom.
gpt
It is one of the Solar Guard's most closely guarded secrets.
human
It's all over Mars, declared the truck driver with a derisive laugh.
gpt
Why, everybody knows it.