 What happens after the blast?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, September 1962. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] General Finogenov notified Major Winship that the underground blast was scheduled for the following morning. Major Winship, after receiving the message, discussed precautions with the three other Americans. Next morning, before the sunlight exploded, the four of them donned their space suits and went and sat outside the dome, waiting. The sun rose with its bright, silent clap of radiance. Black pools of shadows lay in harsh contrast, their edges drawn with geometric precision. Major Winship attempted unsuccessfully to communicate with Base Gagarin. "Help?" " Nyet ," said Major Winship, exhausting his Russian. "Count down. When—boom?" "Is Pinov," came the reply. "Boom!" said Pinov happily. "When?" "Boom—boom!" said Pinov. Major Winship cut out the circuit. "They've got Pinov on emergency watch this morning," he explained to the other Americans. "He's done it deliberately," said Capt. Wilkins, the eldest of the four Americans. One by one they clicked on their cooling systems. Ultimately, Lt. Chandler said, "This is a little ridiculous. I'm going to switch over to their channel. "Ah, it's all Russian. In the airless void of the moon, the blast itself would be silent. A moth's wing of dust would, perhaps, rise and settle beyond the horizon: no more. Perspiration was trickling down his face. "I'll try again," Major Winship said and switched to the emergency channel. "Base Gagarin? Base Gagarin?" "Tell him, 'Help'," said Capt. Wilkins, "so he'll get somebody we can talk to." "I'll see them all in hell, first," Major Winship said. Five minutes later, the perspiration was rivers across his face.
 The dome is still standing but suffered a leak, making a new problem.
 The Russians are unconcerned, meaning their job went well.  The dome is severely damaged.  Static prevent the astronauts from contacting anybody anymore.  The dome is still standing but suffered a leak, making a new problem.