Page 69 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga

Settling the Strike on the Plateau

“No, no,” said Kaga hastily. “I meant some way to save situation
for everyone concerned, you as well as the Oolyakooans.”
“How?”
“Well, let me think. Do you have a topographical map of this area,
showing the elevation and location of the quarry, the Elders’ nests,
and this plateau we’re on?”
“Sure,” said Lugo, and got up quickly, glad to have something
concrete to do. He opened a cabinet and began looking through the
shelves.
“I also want a geological profile of the plateau,” called out Captain
Kaga.
“Got them,” said Lugo, and returned to the desk with two large
stereoid projections. Kaga studied them carefully for several minutes.
“Where is the base now?” he asked, and Lugo pointed it out.
“Where was it before?” Again Lugo indicated a position.
Another minute passed.
Then Kaga said, “Did you get a seismological clearance for this
new location?”
“Why, yes, I suppose so. That’s routine, based on the same data
you’ve got in front of you.”
“Well, it looks like they made a mistake,” said Kaga, grinning.
“There’s a steep fault line running up the plateau, ending just on the
far side of the base.”
“Where?” said Lugo, peering at the plastic sheets. “I don’t see
anything like that.”
“Oh, it’s very easy to miss,” replied Kaga. “In fact, it’s not even on
this chart.”
“Then how do you know— oh, you’re just pulling my leg.”
“Not at all. I’m quite serious. Tomorrow, when you lift off in the
Copernicus, the rocket blast will trigger a massive landslide. The PKU
base will wind up down here—” he indicated a spot on the map, “—
and you will not have any problems to report at all.”
“But, but, what about you? I know the building can take a lot of
abuse, but a person can’t go a hundred meters down the side of a cliff
without getting hurt. And how can you be so certain that this is going
to happen?”
“Oh, don’t worry about these-little details,” said Captain Kaga
nonchalantly. “The less you know, the better. I will be standing safely
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