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blocks of glass； on a mercial scale； then we have here the means to dispose of them safety。 Consequently； the need to acquire the remaining part of this valley is paramount。 Britain's Hazardous Materials Group has been searching for such a place； a last resting place for Britain's high…active nuclear waste； for a long time now。 I cannot over…emphasise the urgency。 It is incredible that the very place has been discovered in such close proximity to our latest reprocessing plant。
'Granite； Coyle； is the answer。 We shall bury this waste in the granite of this very valley； at least a thousand feet below ground level； to ensure that no changes in the Earth's crust will disturb it。 A last resting place； and with no danger to mankind。 That is why we cannot allow anyone to stand in our way。'
Coyle drew deeply on the last half inch of his cigarette； leaned over； and stubbed out the butt in Dyne's ashtray。
'Very convincing；' he murmured； 'but it does not nullify the dangers involved before this waste is actually mitted to its grave。'
'The risks are minimal。'
'Like sitting permanently on top of a few hundred atom bombs； trying to lead a normal life； and all the time hoping that we won't be blown to kingdom…e。'
'Again you are resorting to sensationalism。'
'I'm being practical。'
'It is not practical to imperil the country's economy； particularly in these times。 Another thing； Nature's fuel supplies will run out one day。 You don't think North Sea oil will last forever； do you？'
'One mistake here； and it'll all be lost in one mighty whoosh。 You can't get away from the fact that this could be the biggest nuclear blow…up in history。 And that's when history es to a stop。'
'In theory； but not in practice。' A fresh edge of annoyance was creeping into Winston Dyne's tone。 The schoolmaster having his facts queried by a raw pupil。
'And there's something else。' Coyle exhaled cigarette smoke slowly。 'Suppose a foreign power got in here； terrorists even。 They could hold the whole world to ransom。'
'Not a chance。'
'A barbed…wire fence and a few armed police 。 。 。 '
'I can assure you that there is greater defence in…depth than you've ever dreamed of。 Security here is top priority。'
'I'd appreciate a tour of your domain； just to satisfy 。。。'
'I'm afraid that is quite out of the question；' the Head of Oxide Reprocessing replied abruptly。 'Our defences are not open to inspection 。 。 。 '
'And so the public are asked to resort to blind faith。' Coyle's eyes narrowed。 'I am supposed to report the facts of this interview； but when I add that I was refused permission to view the security arrangements； the inference is that they are frail…a sop to satisfy the fears of those who 。 。 。 '
'And you instigated these fears。' Dyne pointed a forefinger accusingly at the newspaperman。 'And you resorted to ridiculous legend to accelerate the terror。'
'Did I？' Coyle's eyebrows were raised。 'Let me point out a few facts for your benefit。 Thirty thousand people marched on a nuclear power station near Hamburg to protest about a waste recycling process。 Fifty people were injured in the riot which resulted。 In Sweden； Japan and West Germany； similar plans are being met with protest。 So we agree to do all their dirty washing for them！'
'And yet；' Dyne spoke with a note of triumph； ka meeting in Trafalgar Square； organised by someone like yourself； attracted a mere one hundred and fifty people。 From that one can only draw the conclusion that the British people are happy for us to strengthen our economy with the aid of plutonium。 The go…ahead for the new Oxide fuels is worth five hundred million pounds to this country。 We cannot allow it to be sabotaged by cranks like yourself！'
'It is a deal with the devil。' Coyle rose to his feet。 'In America； the Nuclear Regulator mission is attempting to determine the full implications of nuclear reprocessing。 Until new guidelines have been laid down； no nuclear reprocessing in the USA will be allowed to operate on a mercial basis。 They no longer regard reprocessing as inevitable； and preventing proliferation of nuclear material must take precedence over economic benefits。 The President has called for a worldwide standstill on the building of reprocessing plants until international controls are worked out。 Yet Britain； apparently； is blatantly ignoring this。 All countries with reprocessing facilities will automatically bee atomic powers。 Just think of the implications。 Every new reprocessing plant is a potential trigger for a nuclear war！'
'And just what do you intend to do about it； Mr Coyle？' Dyne's features hardened。
'I shall emphasise the dangers of 〃Holocaust〃 even more strongly in my paper；' Coyle snapped。 'I shall continue to warn people of this town； and hope that the other media will support me。 I'm already organising a petition。 Any large technological development of a hazardous potential should be under the control of an international authority。 I shall press the Secretary for the Environment to hasten a full…scale public enquiry。'
'You have an inflated opinion of yourself； Mr Coyle；' Winston Dyne sneered。 'You're attempting to prove that one man is mightier than the system。 You are fighting a lost cause； and your foolishness will be apparent in a very short time。 It is clear that this interview has been a waste of both my time and yours。 As for this newspaper of yours 。 。 。 well； I advise you to tread carefully。 The freedom of the press is not quite what it was a decade ago。 Good day to you； Mr Coyle。'
Coyle turned away abruptly； and saw that the door was already opening in anticipation of his exit； the armed policeman motioning him back down the maze of featureless corridors。
Chapter 4
'Well？' Anne looked up from her typewriter as Bob Coyle strode into the office； allowing the outer reception door to slam noisily behind him。 He nodded to her； but there was no hint of a smile on his rugged features。
The clock on the far wall showed the time as 2。45 p。m。 He had been gone five hours。
'Well； at least we know where we stand now'…he flung his briefcase angrily into the corner…'both with this lunatic town council and these other ruthless bastards。 Get me a couple of calls through； will you； please。 Firstly to the Secretary for the Environment； or as high up as you can get there。 Secondly； I want a word with the Radiological Protection Board。 Again； as far up the ladder as is possible。'
She consulted some telephone directories； and began dialling。 He went through to his private office to take the calls。
It was ten minutes before Bob Coyle reappeared in the general office。 His expression had not softened。 If anything； he was more tight…lipped than ever。
Anne looked up； but did not speak。
'The Energy Department were rather abrupt； to say the least；' he said。 'They pointed out that they were well aware of all the aspects relating to the 〃harvest process〃； as they officially term