"We volunteered to come to Mars," Val said irrelevantly.
"Ah--two young heroes," Ledman said acidly. "How sad. I could almost
feel sorry for you. Almost."
"Just what is it you're after?" I said, stalling, stalling.
"Atomics cost me my legs," he said. "You remember the Sadlerville
Blast?" he asked.
"Of course." And I did, too. I'd never forget it. No one would. How
could I forget that great accident--killing hundreds, injuring thousands
more, sterilizing forty miles of Mississippi land--when the Sadlerville
pile went up?
"I was there on business at the time," Ledman said. "I represented
Ledman Atomics. I was there to sign a new contract for my company. You
know who I am, now?"