diations, but remained silently
by the door. Calder knew his master well enough to read the signs of
rejection, and still greater determination, on his face. Frank could
only stare at the man he both admired and feared, wondering.

At length the Secretary stirred.

"Your incinerator, Michael." Calder handed him the tiny device, and
Hayes vaporized the President's message. He rose.

"General Frank. Schedule a meeting of the Staff in ConRoom 16 for 2200
hours. I'll address all subcommanders by visual at 0600 tomorrow.
Request your communications officer to remain in his quarters until I
send for him. The attack will go on as scheduled."

Hayes, his thought rebuked, was now going on instinct. And his
instincts always told him to attack. The three dispersed, and the
First Communications crew, with the exception of Janson, returned to
their posts.

There are perhaps three basic ways that the human mind reacts when its
perception of reality, colored by hopes and dreams, is suddenly,
forcibly confronted. The first is the way adopted by those who
acknowledge their own humanity. This is to take a step back, question
perspective, yield to some more profound influence, or simply admit
that there may be some aspect of the situation not immediately
understood. In short, it is the realization that life, for good or
ill, is not going to change for them, and that their dreams and
ambitions must be based on reality, or they simply cannot last.

The second reaction, just as common, may be viewed as the first step
toward irrational thinking. Those who fall into this category, rather
than relinquishing the illusion in question, cling the more fiercely to
it, stubbornly blocking out all contradictory input, and, if necessary,
delving into a world of pure fantasy.

The third reaction, by far the most dangerous, is centered around a
belief that the more one's goals and ambitions are resisted, the truer
and more indisputable the path taken, since clearly they are being
resisted by evil. The Devil, and those who serve him, are to blame.
Therefore the harder the subsequent struggle, the more righteous the
cause. Such is the road taken by the political or religious fanatic.

Hayes, in his more rational moods, fell into the second category. When
directly challenged, as he was now, he fell into the third.

The man remained seated in his quarters, brooding. All his thought had
been bent so strongly, all his efforts