A FINE FIX
BY R. C. NOLL
Generally speaking, humanbeings are fine buck-passers—butthere's one circumstanceunder which they refuse topass on responsibility. If theother fellow says "Your methodwon't solve the problem!"—thenthey get mad!
The leader climbed sharply in abank to the left, and the two othersfollowed close behind. Their jetstreams cut off at very near the sametime. Before their speed slowed tostalling, the rotors unfolded fromthe canopy hump and beat the airviciously, the steam wisping back inbrief fingers.
Under power again, they dippedplayfully in tightening circles towardthe plot-mottled earth. Thefields expanded beneath them, andthe leader brought up and hoveredover a farm road whose dust alreadystirred in the disturbed air.
They settled as one in the rollingdust clouds from which emerged acoveralled figure who had driven thebattered pickup truck to meet them.
"Y'sure got back in a rush," headdressed the major, who was justjumping from the plastiglas cabin.
The major nodded and put hisattention on seeing that the generaldescended safely. He then indicatedthe farmer.
"He's the one," the major said.
The general grunted socially.
Taking the opening, the farmersaid, "Out there in the wheat, general."His tone carried eager importance."My kid saw the lightcome down this morning feedin' thechickens. I felt the ground jump,too. Called the sheriff, first off."
"All right, you were a hero," saidthe general shortly. "Now, Grant,will you take me to it? I can't messaround here all day."
The party of six men, two ofthem technicians, waded into thefield from the road. The farmer remainedto watch, frowning.
When they had progressed wellinto the wheat, he shouted after themruefully, "And watch where you'resteppin', too!"
The group paused on the rim ofnewly gouged earth, clods and dirtthat had splashed from the centerof the crater. It was nearly four feetdeep. The man the major had lefton guard had uncovered more of theblackened object, which lay three-quartersexposed and showed awarped but cylindrical shape.
"Let's have a counter on it," thegeneral ordered.
A technician slid into the craterand swept the metal with his instrument.The needle swung far overand stuck.
To the other technician the generalsaid, "Get a chunk for verificationof the alloy." He kicked asmall avalanche of dirt down thecrater side and turned back to theroad, adding, "Although I don'tknow why the formality. Even acadet could see that's an atomjetreactor, beat up as it is."
The major absorbed the jibe withoutcomeback. An hour ago he hadinformed the general of his indecisionover the object's identity,though he had suspected it to bethe reactor.
"We may find more when we getit examined in the shop," the generalmused, swishing by the wheat."But at least we know they do comedown some place, and it wasn't flashfusion. On this one, anyway."
"What do you think about institutinga search of this vicinity forother parts, general?"
The officer growled negatively."Obviously, the reactor was the onlypart not vaporized in the fall—becauseof its construction."
"That's assuming the ship enteredthe atmosphere at operational velocityand not less than free fall," themajor qualified.
"How can anyone assume freefall? Way outside probability."
"Yes, sir, but there are degree