to think about at the moment, so he just concentrated on reaching his goal. As figured, he reached the first MLC almost immediately. As he flew near it, he was amazed to find how large and black it was, and cautiously approached it from the left hand side. He paused by the control panel, and as he touched one of the arms holding the missile launchers, a bright yellow beam of energy shot out from the upper dome of the machine, startling Mike with its short rapid burst that looked like laser fire. He ducked behind one of the projectiles holding onto it with one hand for support, and found he was out of range. It was then he noticed a strange clicking and whirring noise coming from the panel. Wishing to learn what was wrong, Mike closed his eyes and put his palm on the MLC, trying to telepathically get a clear mental picture of the insides of it. As he did this, he got the picture all right, and something he hadn't bargained for! Mike removed his hand from the machine, as if it had become blazing hot, and hovered just inches away from it, with an odd expression on his handsome face.
"Oh, my God!" he gasped. "It hasn't been a spirit sending me those messages for help and the sketches all along! It was the MLC itself! It's like it has its own personality....like it's alive! It's calling for help, and we haven't got much time left before she's ready to blow! I've got to tell the Doc....and fast!"
As Mike flew off, searching for the remaining devices, he was partially in shock from the discovery, but completed his job satisfactorily. It was then he sped back leaving his shield at The Institute. He changed his clothes when he reached the factory, then frantically hunted up Cooper.  "That is almost unbelievable, but definitely not out of the realm of possibility," the supervisor explained. "Computers have been known to develop personalities of their very own, though cases of this happening are exceptionally rare. But I suppose, with the combined energies of all the devices put together, they were able to send you that telepathic message for help. Some scientists have speculated whether certain computers' mechanisms such as robots can even develop their own souls. I agree that it's possible.Anyway....that settles it! We have to work faster somehow; really push it to the limit with our training. I hope you can take it son, and will forgive me someday for working you this way."
"Don't worry, Doc, I understand."
"Then, let's get back at it!" Dr. Cooper said, and with a pat on Mike's shoulder, returned to the control panel. Mike sighed forlornly, and followed.
The rest of the week went fantastically well, though Mike felt at times, he would lose all his energy and he would drop. Their timing in the disarming was as perfect as could be expected. Now all they needed to do was wait in suspense for the following Wednesday when the real disarmament would take place, then later when Mike would be flying off to the moon, at last.