The Robot Brains [with w_cat] | страница 38

"Good!" exclaimed the Prime Minister, rubbing his hands. "Now we can finish this business without Mr. Paul. The enemy has seized the Imperial Technical Institute, and they are all there now. And that is just what we want."

He looked at Christian.

"This plan has been ready for some time," he said to the captain, "but we had to wait for the right moment. A jet plane loaded with an atom bomb is standing not far from the Institute. We are now evacuating people from the area around the Institute. As soon as all the people are evacuated - we shall strike."

The radio-telephone brought reports every minute.

"Section E-one cleared. Transport moves along route North-East."

"Section A-ten cleared. Section E-three cleared. Section..."

Christian thought that perhaps the Brains would leave the Institute long before the end of the evacuation. The Prime Minister watched the map and every now and then looked at the clock on the wall

The radio-telephone continued bringing new reports.

"Section M-eleven cleared. Transport for the last section is ready."

Tension was growing in the operation room. It seemed that the time had stopped. Then -

"Final clearance," announced the radio-telephone. "Repeat final clearance."

The Prime Minister said: "Connect me with the airfield."

"Waiting, sir," said the operator and gave him the phone.

"Commodor Bateson?" said the Prime Minister into the phone. "This is the Prime Minister speaking. Begin the last phase of Operation Finish."

He sat down, smiling nervously.

"Well, gentlemen, we can only wait now. The flight will take seven minutes."

They were the longest seven minutes in Christian's life. Now, he hoped, was the end of the Brains.

The pilot's voice sounded on the radio: "Approaching target area."

A pause. Then -

"Bomb is thrown!"

The Prime Minister stood up. He was very excited. Second after second passed. Then the radio spoke again.

"It's the operator speaking. The bomb did not explode..."

The Prime Minister's face turned grey. It seemed that he was ready to burst into tears.

Christian left the operation room. He was very sad. Once again the Brains had shown that they were clever. People could do nothing against them. The only hope was Paul.

The Brain's answering attack came very soon.

In New York, the Security Council of the United Nations was in session. The conference hall was full of delegates. They were discussing the latest events. The Secretary-General stood up.