 What is the main conflict at the start?
[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. "Is Pinov," came the reply. "Help?" " Nyet ," said Major Winship, exhausting his Russian. "Count down. When—boom?" "Is Pinov," came the reply. "When?" "Boom—boom!" said Pinov. Major Winship cut out the circuit. "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. A small infinity seemed to pass very slowly. "Let's all go in," said the fourth American, Capt. Lawler. "I'll try again," Major Winship said and switched to the emergency channel. "Base Gagarin? Base Gagarin?" "Is Pinov. "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.
 The Americans are unable to tell when the scheduled explosion is going off.
 The American astronauts can't get in contact with anyone who speaks English.  Winship's reefer stops working properly.  The Americans are unable to tell when the scheduled explosion is going off.  The harsh sunlight is making the astronauts perspire.