"These microtapes are placed before the photoelectric analyzing eyes of the digital panels. From there, the problems or questions are carried by electron beam tubes directly into the Machine for solving. The Machine's answer comes back through the electron beam tubes and is recorded on answer tapes. Audio tapes are recorded and broadcast from the tower. Also the broadcast is received in every Martian city and is conveyed to Venus and Earth by ethero-magnum. You remember all this?"
"Some of it," said Cadmus, frowning. "Go on."
"The Machine's doom is in that microtape I've given you, Cadmus. It contains a highly complex problem which Johlan has worked out during all these years of isolation on our asteroid. You have only to get inside that question submission chamber in the council tower. Get that tape in front of those analyzing eyes. That's all. Get the problem on that tape into the brain of the Machine."
He looked at her steadily. "And then--is that the end of the plan?"
Her hand trembled. "There's you and I, after that."
"I remember that, Zaleel. If I succeed, it's you and me together, in a new System of progress and change and hope. If I fail--"
"If we fail, Cadmus, there'll be nothing for you and me. Nothing for anyone, ever again."
He got to his feet quickly. "Zaleel, what's your part in it? Why are you dancing here?"
Red flushed her face. "I knew that one of Consar's scouts would find me during the worship. One has already found me. They'll be here to pick me up before dawn."
He gripped her shoulders, hard. His face worked with unvoiced emotion.
"I've got to do it, Cadmus. My father died in one of Consar's Lunarian mines. He died--horribly. I'll settle with Consar myself. I have an explosive lithium capsule which...." It would be easier to do it than to talk about it.
She finished. "Everything will be dead then that threatens our System. The Machine, Consar, the Guards--they'll die when the Machine goes. The council tower will be the next center of governmental operations, no matter who handles it. The people have grown accustomed to receiving all their commands from the Tower."
"I'll see you then," said Cadmus. "If we succeed." He went quickly out into the Street of Shadows.