- Ed Nichols: I don't know, Major. I'm getting a better reading now, and he says the pain isn't so bad.
- Maj. Douglas McKinnon: He';s been awake?
- Ed Nichols: Yeah, talkin' his head off. Well... you know what I mean.
- Col. Alex Barham: All that time and money invested to put me on Mars. Instead, it all goes into a 6-foot hole!
- Col. Alex Barham: Problems, Major? That's only for mortals. Would you like to discuss yours? I could help, you know. Why don't you tell me all about it? It's really nothing to be ashamed of. Just start talking. It'll make you feel much better.
- [for a moment, Maj. McKinnon begins to sob, then buries his face in his hands]
- Maj. Douglas McKinnon: [recovering] You, uh... reversed the situation very neatly.
- Gen. Daniel Pettit: Man or machine - you can't have it both ways.
- Dr. Leo Hausner: I disagree, General.
- [epilogue]
- Control Voice: Progress goes on. One experiment fails, but even out of failure valuable lessons are learned. A way will be found someday, somehow. It always is.
- Control Voice: With the world growing more crowded, the great powers strive to conquer other planets. The race is on. The interplanetary sea has already been charted. The first caravel of space is being constructed. Who will get there first? Who will be the new Columbus?