"The Defenders" is one of several Philip K. Dick stories to be expanded into a novel. The story was first published in the January 1953 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction. No weapon has ever been frightful enough to put a stop to war -- perhaps because we never before had any that thought for themselves "They pasted Moscow again last night." Taylor nodded his head in approval. "Gave it a real pounding. One of those R-H bombs. It's about time." He sighed, drawing in the full comfort of the kitchen, the presence of his plump, attractive wife, the breakfast dishes and coffee. This was relaxation. And the war news was good, good and satisfying. He could feel a justifiable glow at the news, a sense of pride and personal accomplishment. After all, he was an integral part of the war program, not just another factory worker lugging a cart of scrap, but a technician, one of those who designed and planned the nerve-trunk of the war.