hreat of contagion or epidemic.
It is not a disease we are dealing with but a bodily reaction to impure
atmosphere. We are safe so long as we retain the breathing gear, and
probably without it for short periods, though we will not take that
chance."

"And if the survivors are mad and beyond healing, as you suggest? What
do we do then?"

"That is the purpose of this expedition---to determine."

"Do the others know?" The Czech made a gesture with his head and left
shoulder, taking in the other shuttle but implying all the remaining
Coalition forces.

"They know what their equipment has told them, and will be briefed by
the rest of us as soon as we know ourselves. Lieutenant Brunner, if
you are unwell perhaps you should remain behind."

"His wife may be down there, you idiot."

... "I am sorry, Brunner, I did not know. Please don't think me
cruel. It is not the first time such a thing has happened, and we may
have a very difficult decision to make. Democratic German
representation will also be needed---"

"Why didn't the domes protect them?" he said in a savage whisper.

"I believe they were meant to. Apparently they were breached. That is
all I can say now. Please outfit yourselves accordingly and come to
the first landing vessel when you are ready."

*

The two landing craft emerged from the whiteness of the Soviet vessel
into the blackness of Space, then shortly again into the curved
daylight of the desolate planet, reflecting back in a brown haze of
impure atmosphere its yellow sun.

The domes drew nearer---six humps of clearish white spread unevenly
across the flat desert floor, standing up from it like supported
blisters of the planet itself.

But the blisters had been pierced. Fissure-holes and cracks, some
larger, some smaller, were spread across them. The land too, upon
closer inspection, was pocked with craters, and littered with ugly
shapes of pocked and polished iron.

"Meteors," muttered a voice. Brunner turned to see Second Lieutenant
Shellenback seated behind him, head hunched and eyes close, chewing
mournfully at his hands, remembered vaguely that he was not the only
German to have come looking for family. The faces of the Czech flyers
were grave as well. Yes---he was not alone in his plight. Yet there
was little comfort in the fact.

"Why weren't the domes protected?" came an angry voice. But even as
his mind registered the sound, Brunner saw the huge black tower th