The desert's rainy season had arrived after all. A torrential downpour had snapped all the vegetation around the cave entrance, and a faint mist of moisture rose from below it, lending the otherwise unremarkable scenery outside a touch of ethereal beauty.
But the people in the cave had no mind to admire it. Stark was working beside a lathe, and the small cave was now crammed with all manner of industrial equipment.
Three locals carried a new machine inside. Stark frowned, looking somewhat displeased at the mud their rain boots had tracked in.
Doctor Schiller, who had been following behind them, stepped forward and folded up his umbrella. He said a few words in the local language, and the burly men went outside to find some leaves and wipe their shoes.
They muttered a few dissatisfied remarks, but still carried the equipment to its designated spot. Stark brought over a large box, handed it to the leader, and said, "This is a missile guidance interference device. You can bury it near the bases where you keep important supplies. There's a certain chance it'll cause missiles to veer off course."
Schiller translated Stark's words. The locals replied rapidly, and Schiller looked at Stark and asked, "Does this thing emit radiation?"
"Everything emits radiation." Stark headed back, apparently already accustomed to explaining such simple questions. "If they mean nuclear radiation, then I can guarantee it doesn't."
"They want to install it in the village, because their wives and children are there. They don't want to be bombed, so they want to know whether it will affect pregnant women."
Stark paused for a moment, but he still said, "If you're really worried, I can make you a protective casing. Put the thing inside it, and it'll be fine."
After the locals left with