Rockets in Ursa Major by Fred Hoyle, Geoffrey Hoyle

ago.'
    `That's right. Well, what I want to know is, what you'd all do if we hadn't won?'
    `Ah, well if 'hey come, then I'll carry on as usual,' said the florid-faced man.
    `Just carry on!' Alcyone said in amazement.
    `That'll be right, young lady,' said another man.
    `But don't you realize what is going to happen?' she said.
    `No, you tell us.'
    `Well, when this hidden enemy strikes you'll all be killed.'
    `That may be so, but 'em will 'ave to be cleverer than us.'
    `Yes,' said the landlord. 'The other nations of the world may not do much, but we'll certainly go down fighting.' `But you'll still die,' Alcyone said.
    `Maybe, but not without taking some of them with us.' `Does that give you some idea of what you're dealing with?' I said, finishing my drink.
    `But I don't really understand the thinking behind their attitude.'
    `Here in England, I think it is a tradition rather than a logical approach. Many, many years ago we had two classic wars here in Europe, after which England became more and more financially embarrassed as time went on. The politicians tried first to join up with the Americans, and then with Europe to get us out of our difficulties.
    Then a bright politician realized that Britain might be in financial trouble, but we were still producing ideas, good ideas in technology. So instead of giving these ideas away as had happened in the past, because of lack of development money, the government pumped vast sums of money into technology.'
    Did it help?'
    `Oh, yes. The British settled down as they had done during the two big wars and, while the rest of the world slowed down in technological advancement, we went ahead. Slowly the other countries started spending their money, not on technological ideas but on buying ours.'
    'I see that you are very proud of this.'
    `Of course, that is why there's always the possibility that we might find some way of frightening the Yela off,' I said with a certain amount of pomp.
    `You are saying that the rest of the world may now be looking to England for an answer?'
    `Possibly.'
    But what about the space ships?' Alcyone asked. `You mean, yours?'
    `Yes.'
    `Well, I should think they'll build one from your blueprints. Not to escape from a burning Earth, but to help fight off any outside invasion.'
    But don't you realize there's nothing you can do?' Alcyone said crossly.
    `There must be something. You shouldn't always think of defeat. We might be able to do something.'
    But you're not the first to fight their threat! Do you think ten thousand planets allowed themselves to be destroyed without attempting to fight?'
    `Alcyone, let's not argue, it isn't getting us anywhere. If there's no chance of defeating this danger, then we'll humbly accept your knowledge, but first give us time to think,' I said, beginning to feel irritated at the barrage.
    `You haven't time to think,' Alcyone said angrily.
    I took hold of her hand and we made our way out of the pub. She was quiet as we walked back to the helicopter. It was sad that she wanted to go home, but I was growing angry, so it was probably just as well.
    Dick,' she said, as we reached the helicopter. 'I'm sorry to be cross with you, but my instinct of survival is maybe stronger than yours, and if you're not going to come with us, regardless of what other Earth people think, then I must leave you.'
    `Alcyone, what are you trying to say?' I said, taking hold of her by the shoulders, so that she had to look into my face.
    'We wanted you to come with us.'
    `I don't understand. Why me? There are men of far greater stature and intellectual caliber.'
    `No, it is not as complicated as that. Betelgeuse thinks that you are of value to me.'
    `To you!' I exclaimed. 'But you've hardly seen me.'
    `I like you though, and I wanted to save you.'
    `I'm very flattered, but how can you be sure that I'm not a mean pig?' I said, looking at her. She was very pretty.
    Alcyone laughed. 'I don't know, but I still think it worth getting to know you.'
    I didn't know what