 By the end of the passage. what can we understand about the opening scene?
His dream was perfect; the Citadel was complete, every minutest detail provided for—on paper. The ship would be filled with the sounds of busy men and women, wresting secrets from the reluctant ether. The order was made public early this morning by R. Stein, Secretary of the Council, who said in part: "The reason for this ... order must be apparent to all civilized peoples. "The peoples of the world, then, know what they are, and know that we face the most momentous struggle in our history. They have treated us precisely as we, in less enlightened days, might have treated a newly-discovered race of lower animals. It was a street scene in the Science City of Manhattan, flooded by the warm spring sunshine.
 Despite being logical, Robert feels emotional about killing Peter.  He is at odds with himself.
 Without Peter, the ship won't be functional anymore.  Despite being logical, Robert feels emotional about killing Peter.  He is at odds with himself.  Robert kills Peter without any thought behind it.  Robert's cold logic has won him over completely.