ins why you get these physical changes, because that
process of reflection gives a different ray than was observed in the
ordinary shielded jet."

Gene nodded, asked: "Can I look at the jet assembly?"

"Ain't no way to look at it! It's sealed up to hold in the expanding
gases from that exploded steam. Looking in this periscope is what
changed my eyes. Only other place the unshielded emanations could escape
is from the jet chamber. Only way they can get back into the ship is by
reflection from some ionized layer around the ship. If I could talk to
some of those big-brained birds that developed this drive, I'd sure have
things to say."

Gene was convinced the old man knew what he was talking about. "Why
don't you try to put your information where it'll do some good? How
about the Captain?"

"He's coocoo." The old man slapped the cover back on the periscope,
tottered back to his perch on the platform. "He sure has changed the
last two years. Won't listen to reason."

Gene squatted on the steps, just beneath the old engineer's chair. The
old man seemed glad to have someone to talk to.

"It's got us trapped. And it's so well covered up from the people. Old
spacers are changed physically, changed mentally. They know they can't
go back to normal life, because it's gone too far. They'd be freaks. No
woman would want a monstrosity around. Besides, it don't stop, even
after you leave the ships. God knows what we'll look like in the end."

Gene shivered. "But you're all grown men! A fight with no chance of
winning is better than this! Why do you take it?"

"Because the mind changes along with the body. It goes dead in some
ways, gets more active in others. The personality shifts inside, until
you're not sure of yourself, and can't make decisions any more. That's
why nobody does anything. Something about those rays destroys the will.
Nobody leaves the ships."

"I will!" Gene said confidently. "When the time comes, I'll go. All Hell
can't stop me."

The old man yawned. "Hope you do, son. Hope you do. I'm going to take me
a nap." He propped his feet up on the platform rail and in seconds was
snoring.

Gene clenched his fists, growing despair in his thoughts.

"Tain't no worse than dying in a war," muttered the old man in his
sleep.

* * * * *

The days went by and Gene learned. He understood why these men didn't
actively resent the deal they were getting. No wonder the secrecy was so