The radio said, “Special news bulletin!  Special news bulletin!  The Pentagon announces that for the first time there has been practically complete success in duplicating the terror beam used by the space invaders at Boulder Lake!  Working around the clock, teams of foreign and American scientists have built a projector of what is an entirely new type of electronic radiation which produces every one of the physiological effects of the alien terror beam!  It is low-power, so far, and has not produced complete paralysis in experimental animals.  Volunteers have submitted themselves to it, however, and report that it produces the sensations experienced by members of the military cordon around Boulder Lake.  A crash program for the development of the projector is already under way.  At the same time a crash program to develop a counter to it is already showing promising results.  The authorities are entirely confident that a complete defense against the no longer mysterious weapon will be found.  There is no longer any reason to fear that earth will be unable to defend itself against the invaders now present on earth, or any reinforcements they may receive!”

The newscast stopped and a commercial called the attention of listeners to the virtues of an anti-allergy pill.  Jill watched Lockley’s face.  He did not relax.

The broadcast resumed.  With this full and certain hope of a defense against the invasion weapon, said the announcer, it remained important not to destroy the alien ship if it could be captured for study.  The use of atom bombs was, therefore, again postponed.  But they would be used if necessary.  Meanwhile, against such an emergency, the areas of evacuation would be enlarged.  People would be removed from additional territory so if bombs were used there would be no humans near to be harmed.

Another commercial.  Lockley turned off the radio.

“What do you think?” asked Jill.

“I wish they hadn’t made that broadcast,” said Lockley.  “If there were only monsters involved and they didn’t understand English, it would be all right.  But with humans helping them, it sets a deadline.  If we’re going to counter their weapon, they have to use it before we finish the job.”

After a moment he said bitterly, “There was a time, right after the last big war, when we had the bomb and nobody else did.  There couldn’t be a cold war then!  There were years when we could destroy others and they couldn’t have fought back.  Now somebody else is in that position.  They can destroy us and we can’t do a thing.  It’ll be that way for a week, or maybe two, or even three.  It’ll be strange if they don’t take advantage of their opportunity.”

Jill tried to eat the food Lockley had laid out.  She couldn’t.  She began to cry quietly.  Lockley swore at himself for telling her the worst, which it was always his instinct to see.  He said urgently, “Hold it!  That’s the worst that could happen.  But it’s not the most likely!”