 What reason would the Russians have to drive the Americans off?
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. Major Winship attempted unsuccessfully to communicate with Base Gagarin. "Help?" " Nyet ," said Major Winship, exhausting his Russian. "When?" "Boom—boom!" said Pinov. "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. Ultimately, Lt. Chandler said, "This is a little ridiculous. "Ah, it's all Russian. A moth's wing of dust would, perhaps, rise and settle beyond the horizon: no more. "I'll try again," Major Winship said and switched to the emergency channel. "Base Gagarin? Base Gagarin?" "Is Pinov. His foot was lifted for the second step when the floor beneath him rose and fell gently, pitching him forward, off balance. Air currents whisked it away and plastered it against a riveted seam of the dome. It's on your right side, midway up. Major Winship said, "they should have made these things more flexible." The sheet began slowly to slide downward, then it fell away completely and lay limply on the floor.
 They want the sole ability to conduct research on the moon.
 The two stations are much too close to one another.  They want the sole ability to conduct research on the moon.  They know the Americans are ahead of them technology-wise.  They don't trust the Americans, the same way Winship distrusts them.