 What prompted the general to take Phil off of the mission?
Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction December 1955. Phil Conover pulled the zipper of his flight suit up the front of his long, thin body and came into the living room. Yes, I'm sure you did," she said, finishing the ritual; but her voice broke, and she turned her head away. If anything could go wrong, they wouldn't be sending me; you know that. "Mary, you know I can't back out now. Nothing would ever be right with me again if I didn't go. "Phil, if you go, I won't be here when you get back—if you get back. No matter how much I love you, I just couldn't take that, Phil.
 Phil was too torn about his disagreement with his wife to be in the right headspace.
 Phil was too torn about his disagreement with his wife to be in the right headspace.  Phil had expressed concerns about the safety of the mission compared to the unmanned missions.  Phil's hands were shaking, so he could not safely operate the controls.  Phil was too nervous and was not thinking straight.