galaxy APRIL • 1962 • 50c • K MAGAZINE

BIG BABY by Jack Sharkey A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING by lack Williamson !

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galaxy FOOTNOTES UP FRONT MAGAZINE

APRIL, 1962 • VOL. 20 NO. 4

CONTENTS A Galaxy in Coma Berenices. NOVELLAS Our own Galaxy, seen edge-on, ULES VERNE, Txdio got a the device in his novel. This looks just like this. Earth lies A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 8 J going-over at outside the central bulge, in the hands is a most appetizing fable for by Jack Williamson the spiral arms, seen here as of Theodore L. Thomas in science -fiction readers like a line. BIG BABY 92 these pages a few months ago, ourselves to enjoy; your editor is not by Jack Sharkey ROBERT M. GUINN without friends. If you has heard it broadcast at least Publisher doubt it, you should FOUNDING FATHER 140 see our twice in speeches at science- mail. by J. F. Bone FREDERIK POHL fiction conventions. But it's Managing Editor Thomas's article was a not true, sad to say. Verne NOVELETTE thoughtful second look at not only didn't describe the STAR-CROSSED LOVER 58 WILLY LEY Twenty Thousand Leagues Un- periscope by William W. Stuart Science Editor "accurately" — his der the Sea from the vantage Nautilus didn't have any per- SHORT STORIES SAM RUVIDICH point of what we have since iscope at all'. THE TAIL-TIED KINGS 51 Art Director its writing learned about un- This struck us as so aston- by Avram Davidson derwater facts of life. GALAXY MAGAZINE Is published The ishing that we went down to THE LONG, SILVERY DAY 88 bi-monthly by Galaxy Publishing article was entitled Corporation. Main offices; 421 The Wa- the library and reread the old by Magnus Ludens 14, Hudson Street. New York tery Wonders of Captain classic to N. Y. 50C per copy. Subscrip- see with our own GOURMET 128 tion: (6 copies) $2.50 per year Nemo, and it pointed out that eyes. True enough. In the United States, Canada, The clos- by Allen Kim Lang Mexico, South and Central many of the "astonishingly est Verne came to it America and U. S. Possessions. was a MOONDOG 188 Elsewhere $3.50. Second-class detailed predictions" Verne "glazed enclosure" — evident- postage paid at New York, N. Y. by Arthur C. Clarke and Holyoke, Mass. Copyright. made in this first of subma- ly a sort of retractable Galaxy Pub- pilot- New York 1962, by rine SCIENCE FEATURE lishing Corporation, Robert M. stories — just ain't so. house — which is a horse of a Guinn, President. All rights, in- For FOR YOUR INFORMATION 77 cluding translations reserved. instance, there's the quite different breed. All material submitted must be hoary by Willy Ley accompanied by self-addressed old fabrication about Still, nobody can deny that The pub- stamped envelopes. how the first DEPARTMENTS lisher assumes no responsibility man who actually Verne's crystal ball gave a for unsolicited material. All built a submarine FOOTNOTES UP FRONT 5 stories printed In this magazine periscope very good picture on at least are fiction, and any similarity was refused a by the Editor between characters and actual patent because some of its channels. As Sam- persons is coincidental. Verne had already FORECAST 194 "invented" uel A. Peeples (himself a Printed in the U. S. A. By The Guinn Co., Inc. N. Y. Cover by GAUGHAN, illustrating BIG BABY Title Reg. U. S. Pat. Off.

Next issue (June) on Sale April 12th .

E appreciate hearing suaded to boycott to do any writer of considerable attain- a full description of W from all of you, you good; Galaxy is too good a ments — as those who watch their accuracy. know. Galaxy doesn't run a magazine, and I'm afraid that the credits of their favorite 12. Underwater speedom- letter column, but that doesn't backsliding would be rife." television shows know well) eter. mean that your letters aren't Dear reader, we appreciate writes us, in Verne's novel 13. Electric stove for read — and much appreciated. the compliments and weigh "there is depicted the practi- cooking. They furnish the only day-by- your request. If there is any cal use of the following items 14. Electric water heater. day guide we have to help us such large group of readers (none of which existed as a 15. Streamlined ship hull make the magazine what you who want a letter column, we'd functioning practicality at the to reduce friction. like best. If it's humanlypos- be pleased to hear from them. time the story was written):" 16. Electric floodlights. sible, we'll usually try to do But you have to excuse us for 1. An operating subma- 17. Neon lights (electricity what you want . . . that's what doubting they exist. rine. through glass tubes we're in business for'. You point out that other 2. Electric lights with filled with gas for even We have at least one read- science-fiction magazines controlled degrees of white light.) er who we don't seem to have have letter columns, which is light. 18. Pneumatic underwater convinced of that. A young true enough; but it hasn't ever 3. Electric diving motors. rifle. lady from the state of Wash- been Galaxy's policy to be just 4. Electric hoists. 19. Auto-loading rifle. ington writes that she wants us like all other science-fiction 5. Electric elevators (the 20. Airlock, complete to to publish a letter column; magazines . Galaxy' s policy is conning tower rose and electrical piunps. what's more, she writes, "I very simple. We try to put out lowered.) 21. Electric fence — to am beginning to get angry; the best science-fiction maga- 6. Double-hulled steel shock trespassers. either publish the letter col- zine we possibly can. vessel for strength and umn (which is what we want) Does that mean we should safety against damage. We're grateful to Sam or kindly admit that it is your print letters in every issue? 7. The manufacture of Peeples for the list — even if, magazine and you don't give a Our best guess at this moment food and other articles maybe, one or two of the items hollow hoot what your readers is no. In a postscript to your from seaweed, etc. aren't entirely beyond argu- want . . . There is a compara- letter you add: "Bet most of 8. Luminescent lighting ment. (The Japanese partic- tively recent word in the Eng- your letters are on this sub- (panels in ceiling.) ularly were gettingNemo-like lish language that fits this ject. Embarrassing, what?" 9. Artificial manufacture food from the sea long before situation: Boycott. This is a We're afraid you lose that of air (which Captain 1866. An "operating subma- group action, but just in case bet; of all the letters Galaxy Nemo felt unneces- rine" existed as early as the you didn't ^ow there is a received on the last three or sary.) War of the American Revolu- group that just might be pre- four issues, at least, there 10. Electric centrifugal tion, and again in the Civil pared to take this action . . was exactly one letter asking pumps. War.) However ... it's doubtful if for a letter column. Yours. Electric clocks (un- But we still say that per- 11. enough readers could be per- just isn't there'. -THE EDITOR known in 1866 ) even to iscope By JACK WILLIAMSON Illustrated by FINLAY

ft seemed that half the Galaxy was

interested in Earth. The criminals

sought to loot it; the better eiass A merely wanted it destroyed by tire! PLANET

oung man wanted, to The jump wasn’t easy. travel sixty light-years and His own face was the first great Y judge the life or death of a barrier. He was a scrawny, red- dozen worlds. Must have one freckled runt, in a world where hundred years experience in the such needless ugliness was shock- quarantine service, and psionic ing. His half-conditioned parents classification five or better. Pay had refused to meddle with na- — well, an enterprising deputy ture. Then, before he himself was warden with planets to sell could old enough to arrange his own set his own price. aesthetic surgery, he had come to The memo from the district enjoy a cruel satisfaction in the office was not quite so bald, but pain he could inflict upon the those were the terms in which beautiful beings around him, with, Wain Scarlet summed up the sit- "the bulge of his low forehead and uation for his own benefit. He had the jut of his rodent teeth and the spent a tedious century at the defiant stare of his yellow eyes. regional headquarters on Dene- The other barriers he had bola IV, waiting for just such an built upon that one, within his opening. He jumped at it. own mind. A habit of suspicion.

8 GALAXY A pattern of unprovoked aggres- “Wain, here’s a case that ought best to hide them from the rest you look over the memo? I’ll have sion and unnecessary flight. Al- to interest you.” The warden of the world. to check with the record section, though he had used the time- tossed a little packet of docu- “You’ll see a notice from the but I believe you’re in line for contracting neutrionic ships of the ments into the action basket on signal service,” the warden ex- the assignment if you want it.” service to put a dozen different his desk. “A savage planet out the plained. “They wanj to use Sol for worlds behind him forever, he had far side of nowhere, about to the first unit of their new intergal- SCARLET miu-mured a few po- not escaped his gnawing need to .reach a contact crisis. The natives actic blinker. They’re asking us to lite words of praise for his strike and run again. are playing with rockets and evacuate all human beings from rivals in the office, but he knew This time he was going to strike atomic theory. Our watchers re- its vicinity, before they begin what the records section would harder, and run farther. port that they will soon discover transmission.” say. Once, sixty years before, an- His goal was the galactic fron- us. That means the end of our “Must they use Sol?” Scarlet other beautiful and innocent tier, the fast-expanding bubble of rights and duties imder the Cov- peered up at Thomwall, privately young warden had gone stm-div- new planetary systems claimed enants of Non-Contact. If the na- wondering how the demolition of ing, tmsting Scarlet with the and conquered. Out there, a thou- tives really qualify, we’ll have to a solar system might be turned records. Since then the records sand Or ten thousand light-years usher them into civilization.” into personal profit. “Aren’t there said what Scarlet wanted them to. beyond the utmost outposts of “I won’t hold my breath till desert suns enough?” He fumbled quickly through the service, all men were human. they do.” Scarlet made a painful “Sol is a desert sun.” The beau- the documents, trying to cover the Perhaps, with the price of planets effort to reflect Thomwall’s open tiful man smiled serenely. “Even sudden flare of triumph in his yel- to spend, he could buy one last smile. “I’ve seen contact crises be- after five thousand years under low eyes. escape from eveiything he feared. fore. The new races usually need our sujjervision, the native anthro- “You’ll have three possible de- If his plans seemed somewhat several generations of supervised poids have failed to qualify for cisions,” Thomwall went on. “You large for a common clerk in re- psionic training before we can cer- galactic citizenship. Their pro- may decide that the inhabited gional personnel, they had been tify human status.” gress reports arouse doubts that planet needs a few more centuries growing for a hundred years, “Sol III will be no exception.” they ever will.” to mature its native culture, under while he patiently endured all the The lovely youngster nodded, un- “Yet they’re alive.” our care. If so, you may act within incessant psionic indoctrination in aware of Scarlet’s veiled aversion. “Any star you point at has half the limits of the Covenants to de- the glorious traditions and the “You’ll find all the old arguments a dozen planets with life of some lay the contact and extend the lofty obligations of the service, for extending the quarantine and sort. The signal people have made quarantine.” and carefully concealed his rank- for lifting it today—advanced by a scientific survey of the stars Scarlet nodded, without much ling resentment of all the hand- fussy old zoo-keepers and by pi- available for their initial project. interest. Such a decision might some men around him. rates who want an open planet to They need eight thousand stars please the cautious old heads in When chance struck, he was loot and by social workers who of the right spectral type, located the service, but it offered no profit ready. need a new world to save. But here at the Center. Sol is first on to him. this case gives us a novel compli- their list.” “On the other hand, you may instrument of luck was cation.” “There will be protests.” Scarlet find that the natives are ready for Warden Thomwall, an inno- Scarlet looked hastily down at squinted shrewdly. “Even from admission ito civilization,” the cent dark youth whom he secretly the documents, trying to hide the old hands in the service.” warden said. “In that case, you despised for his dark beauty and flicker of illicit hope in his tawny “I knew the case would interest may open the planet to traffic his frank friendship and his well- eyes. Cunning enough to know his you.” Thomwall glowed with ex- with the stars imder any supervi- conditioned intelligence. own mental handicaps, he did his ecutive assurance. “Why don’t sion you see fit to impose.”

10 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 11 ”

Scarlet brightened, breath and captured control of scenting dangerously inept with the psi- years, knowing that you can’t money. Every contact crisis himself. “Yes, sir?” onic diving gear. But a nervous come back.” wants to see you.” brought outsiders swarming from “The director compulsion drove him on. “Just “That’s our destiny.” The mag- reassured him. all the worlds around, drawn by a A luminous smile bought an outfit from a friend nificent man paused to study the get the break I himdred motives to welcome the “You’re going to who got transferred. He’s been records Scarlet had altered, so of. time, too!” new race into the dangerous free- SF>oke About diving into sunspots, looking for closely that he shuddered. “A bad doms of galactic civilization. Sure- the famous living lights. He had situation, out there on Sol III. his knees were trembling ly somebody would pay what he Y’ET a theory they’re intelligent— Frankly, Scarlet, I was hesitant to face the wanted! when he walked in to “Perhaps they are.” The direc- send a man of your incomplete perfec- “Or, finally, you may decide director, whose muscular tor’s nod froze his apologetic grin. conditioning. Especially one with- film of that the anthropoids will never tion gleamed through a “I don’t know how any complex of out field experience. But we’ve too qualify,” Thorhwall finished. “If steely dust. He wanted to sit ions and electromagnetic energy many planets to watch, and too so, you may overrule the protests down, but the sleek metallic god can support intelligence, but I’ve few dedicated men.” against the blinker project and kept him standing half a minute, brought back some queer psio- eyes order the evacuation of every probing him with keen gray graphs from my own dives.” SCARLET gulped and decided light-year glinted with the passionless galactic citizen within a which “Anyhow, I’ll be selling my ^ not to trust his voice. He sat psionic con- of Sol.” authority of perfect gear.” Alarmed, Scarlet retreated sweating, trying not to think of considering ditioning. couldn’t help cring- Scarlet frowned, He as hastily as if the director had the rivals who should have ranked that. The signal service was un- ing. suddenly become a hissing solar above him. bribes. But there “Nervous, Scarlet?” likely to offer fireball. “I wasn’t quite prepared “I’m a little surprised that a clever nodded, grinning stiffly were many ways that He for such a mission. But the service we’ve kept you here so long.” The toward the free- through his secret misery. man might take comes first.” director gave him a quicksilver living frontiers. The first flash of “Not that I blame you.” With a “We’re living for the worlds we smile. “But this situation is apt to intergalactic beacon might be cool steel smile, the giant allowed the watch.” The steel man intoned call for all you’ve learned in these sit. “After all your years the signal of his fortune. His him to that old slogan so solemnly that hundred years.” tawny eyes flared again. in this easy berth, you must dread Scarlet felt an imcomfortable Scarlet scanned the little stack being uprooted.” “I thought you would be inter- prickling at the back of his neck. of psionic dispatches that he greater fear was that he ested,” the warden said. “Let me His “We left our own worlds behind pushed across the desk, trying to speak to the director.” might appear too eager. once and for all when we took the absorb them as swiftly as if he after that assurance, the “I have been very happy here, Even service oath.” really rated five. Thomwall’s orders a long time sir,” he agreed, in a voice which actual seemed “I’m not looking back, sir.” His briefing helped him decide upon regretful. “I hate coming. Scarlet sat for three days he tried to make palms-were clammy from a sud- a troubled frown. grimly pretending to work, fight- to leave my marriage group, and den fear that he had overdone his “This last report from Sol III is ing a cold fear that his tampering I’ve a number of hobbies that I appearance of reluctance, but his already fifty years old.” His con- with the records had been dis- don’t like to interrupt.” eyes were on the new worlds cern grew swiftly genuine. “I’ll be covered. at last Thomwall The metal god nodded sympa- When ahead. “Though I suppose I’ve at least that long getting there by came up and clapped him on the thetically. been here a little too long. I had the regular routes. What can I back, he gasped with terror in “Sun-diving, for one.” Actually, almost forgotten how it feels to expect to find?” he detested the sport because his spite of himself. board a neutrionic flyer to skip “Your problem. Warden.” The —” caught a quick imperfect integration had left him “Uh He down across a dozen or a hundred director was already turning,

12 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 13 courier grinned maliciously. “Bet- “They may be troublesome.” reaching for another stack of dis- He even asked Glade to come ter take along a durable woman Slowly tightening muscles ac- patches. “The finite speed of our with him. She was the sultry if and a good library, if you’re wait- cented the ugliness of Scarlet’s communications is all that makes somewhat shallow blonde who ing for those quarrelsome apes to pinched and chinless face, imtil your mission necessary. In a con- had always insisted that she was his phe- civilize themselves.” the better-integrated man looked tact crisis, we must have a respon- simply fascinated with was “Huh?” Scarlet downed his uncomfortably away. “But I’ll sible man on the spot.” nomenal ugliness, but now he chose to drink uncomfortably. “Aren’t they civilize them,” he muttered defi- “Trust me, sir.” Scarlet spoke not surprised when she near contact?” antly. “If they are human at all!” with a pious gratitude for that remain with her more handsome ameni- “Not that I heard about.” Perhaps they were not, he re- finite limite upon the velocity of husbands and the civilized “They were firing military flected silently. Perhaps he would every sort of signal, even upon the ties of the station. rockets a hundred years ago.” he have to approve the blinker proj- flash of the intergalactic blinker. protested hopefully. “They’ll be ect, after all. But, before he de- By the time any report of his de- he flyer caught the neutrionic getting into space.” cided to let the supernova flash, cision could come back here, he T streams, the vast winds of in- “But not for any peaceful pur- he intended to be well paid for would be so far beyond Sol that visible neutrinos that burst from pose. They were groping toward his decision. His first concern was no possible pursuit could ever the novas and blow through the fusion bombs, when we picked up the source of his payment. overtake him. “I’ll be on guard.” galaxies at almost the speed of those dispatches. They’ll soon be “You’ll need to be,” the steel light. Velocity foreshortened time. blowing the crust off their grubby II man admonished him. “A contact A long quarter-century on the little planet. Even if they do crisis draws all sorts of people. planets ahead and behind was blunder into our outpost, it TTE was alert for the scent of Some pure as light. Some more only a few weeks for Scarlet. doesn’t mean that thes^’re fit for money when the flyer savage than the savages we He was still elated with the civilized society. touched at Proxima Station. He guard.” wine of one more triumphant “Time for another?” got off to sniff for it, and caught He boarded the supply ship escap>e from all the perfection he Scarlet blinked at his time ring. only the odor of trouble. The next morning, carrying most of hated, when the flyer touched at “Thanks, but my ship will be restless anthropoids had fired his material possessions in one Procyon Station. lifting.” rockets into space, but the radia- small bag. The true rewards of the In the spaceport bar, he bought He hurried back aboard, frown- tion zones had slowed their efforts service were the joys of service a drink for a service courier from for ing gloomily. to reach the satellite of Earth. itself. So they said. Certainly he the Regulus region and asked After a few worried weeks of Wandering unhappily back to had received very little besides. news of Earth. ship .time, he watched Sirius flare the flyer, he foimd a girl at the He was glad enough to aban- “Light’s so damned slow,” he out ahead like a natural nova. lock ahead of him. A deck officer don what he had to leave behind, grumbled, disguising the casual The news of Sol III was twenty had blocked her way. She was the too-risky sun-diving and the boast about his mission. “A con- years fresher, but still distressing. protesting in some liquid-toned dabbling in psionic art and the tact crisis comes up on a world “Larger tribes are fighting big- tongue he had never heard be- aimless multiculture with which like Earth, and it’s out of hand ger wars with better weapons.” fore, so vehemently that he he had tried to kill the idle years. before you can get there to do The post communications officer snapped on his psionic translator. He couldn’t help feeling a secret anything about it. What about grinned sardonically. “If they do “ unconditioned blunder!” relief even at the separation from Earth?” — make contact, thes^l probably at- The sense of her ringing words his marriage group, although he The courier looked blank. tack us with fusion bombs. We’re came suddenly through. “You can tried to make a convincing display “Sol III,” Scarlet said.. the ones who need protection!” see that my passage was cleared of regret. “Oh, we touched there.” The

A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 15 14 GALAXY ” ” ”

through your own transportation freighters.” A sob shattered her will need all the help they can get. his very deformity appealed to office.” well-conditioned confidence. “Not We’re taking Coral Fell and all the same generosity that had of “You may come.” The officer till the quarantine is raised. Nor her cargo. In my own suite, if brought her to aid the natives nodded grudgingly. “But not your another supply ship for three necessary.” Earth. rubbish.” whole years— “Yes, sir.” The officer had be- “So the whole future of these Scarlet heard the indignant “Too bad.” He shrugged un- come somewhat purple, but he planets is yours to decide?” Her catch of her breath, as the officer sympathetically. “But we’re lift- nodded stiffly. “I’ll arrange the warm admiration overwhelmed gestured stubbornly at a moun- ing off.” space, sir.” his remaining defenses. “Isn’t that tain of packing cases stacked be- “Wait!” Her desperate voice “Thank you. Warden!” Her kiss an awfully important decision to side the ramp. In response to his fell, but the translator still caught took his breath, before he had be left to just one man?” glance, their blank labels flashed her words. “I’ve funds of my own. time to reflect that she must have He caught his breath to assure with words that he could read as Maybe we can reach some private come from a world of more casual her that he had been long trained if in his native tongue: understanding.” conventions than his own. “How for his task, and his fitness care- CONTENTS: PSIONIC CON- “I’m the wrong man to bribe!” can I ever repay you?” fully tested. But when he remem- DITIONING EQUIPMENT The officer recoiled in indignation. “I wish no pay.” Uncomfort- bered how he had secretly insured of CONSIGNOR: BRIAR- “I can see to it that you aren’t ably, he disengaged himself. In his own selection, a wave STONE MISSION allowed off any ship at Sol Sta- his judiciary position, he could shame submerged him. CUSTODIAN: CORAL FELL tion!” hardly ask outright for the bribe Fortunately, their food was be- DESTINATION: SOL III the deck officer had refused. Deal- ing served. There were dishes he The labels faded as his eyes ^HE turned, and Scarlet shrank ing with her was going to require had never seen before, and by the that went back to Coral Fell. from her angry loveliness. a delicate tact. “But—uh—shall time she had informed him multicultured bioforms “It isn’t rubbish and it isn’t Her long hair shone with blue we meet aboard for dinner?” these were mine,” she was warmly informing psionic moons, and her mouth was She met him for dinner, won- from Proxima II, he had begun to the officer. “It belongs to the a quivering golden slash across drous in a gown of woven psionic recover from his unexpected con- people of Sol III. They’re near a her exquisite lean face. With tears filaments that reflected all his fusion. contact crisis. The moment the burning in her violet eyes, she thoughts and moods in their flow volunteer quarantine is raised, they’ll need stalked toward him blindly. of patterned color, and always iWnPHE service is a help. I’m going out there to open ‘Warden Scarlet!” The deck amplified his responses to her organization,” he muttered a psionic training center, to help officer moved to meet him with an beauty. She was far more, he soon awkwardly. “Though of course we them make the difficult jump to unexpected graciousness. “So discovered, than merely a dedi- do have official status. Our trouble civilization. All this is just the you’re already seen the sights of cated missionary. is that so few people ever volun- barest essential equipment for our Proxima— He cringed from her shimmer- teer to leave their own times and first clinic— “You’re a service executive?” ing perfection, with his old uneasy planets, to go voyaging down and ages, “No matter if it’s a captive liv- Suddenly she saw him—but defiance, but she was somehow through strange worlds ing light, this is not a common car- somehow not his ugliness. Her neither fascinated nor repelled giving their lives to guard ignor- rier,” the officer snapped. “Our smile illuminated him. “Could you by his total ugliness. She ant savages. We never have men limited cargo space is already help me?” simply failed to notice. Perhaps, enough. But we do what we can.” filled with supplies for Sol Sta- “Perhaps I can.” He turned he thought, she had lived on some “We are volunteers, ourselves.” tion. Wait for a freighter.” briskly to the officer. “When the frontier where aesthetic surgery She nodded sympathetically. “I “But there won’t be any fre- quarantine is lifted, the natives was not the fashion. Or perhaps joined the mission because of my

16 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 17 ” father. A galactic buccaneer, my of her gown made a veil of rosy groimds for granting galactic citi- dared to make, as red Proxima died. mother used to call him. He flame in which their reflected zenship, the planet will be incin- dimmed behind and wanted, she might owned a great fleet of neutrionic pleasures in each other flowed erated.” The bribe he all her innocence flyers. He used to operate out to- into a mingled radiance. He never pay. But from using ward the Edge, looting new thought for an instant that he had Ill failed to restrain her psionics to press upon worlds of everything portable, us- made his point. the arts of kind of bribe, which ing his profits to build more flyers “To your new future!” She glowing gown faded pale him another herself. She seemed to and loot more worlds. All legal clinked her glass against his. “I with shock, when he told her included rodent enough, but Mother taught me think you’re wise to resign, be- about the blinker project. mind neither the jut of his teeth nor the squint of his yellow not to like it. When I inherited his cause I’ve never agreed with the “Wain, how can you consider nor even his own sadly fortune, I came back to these for- quarantine philosophy. It seems that?” Her widened eyes were eyes conditioning. gotten worlds at the Center, to almost criminal to let a world like black. “The murder of a world? botched to Sol, she talked return what he had taken.” Earth stumble in the dark for five Murder multiplied three billion All the way magnificent plans for Inwardly elated at this news thousand years, when psionic times!” of her Earth. The equipment he had of all she had to give away. Scar- training could civilize it in two or “The extinction of the native rescued would barely fit out the let began cautiously trying to con- three generations.” culture may appear deplorable,” psionic training center. But vey the idea that he would be re- “To your mission on Earth!” he told her. “But it won’t be mur- first she funds to purchase more. ceptive. He admitted over the He drained the wine, trying not der, really. Not unless the natives had staff would be pitifully inade- wine that he had long ago lost the to think of all the young civiliza- are granted human status.” Her at first, even if he decided youthful illusions that led him to tions that had been destroyed by “But they are people, Wain!” quate her mission, but the volunteer. premature contact. “If I can lift Her face glowed again, with a to join natives they trained would soon “I can remember when the feel- the quarantine.” pleading urgency. “One social spent be scattering out to open new cen- ing of it made me tingle all over,” That was as plain as he dared worker from our mission ters in every jungle village. he told her. “Skipping down the to be, but still she failed to under- months there, bundled up in their end of the flight, they centuries, watching over all the stand. His own dismay quenched horrid fiber clothing, disguised as At the sitting together in the ocular retarded worlds as they clamber all the burning glory of her gown, a medical student. He examined were the airless satellite up out of the jungle. The trouble leaving her nearly nude beneath hundreds of them. Physically, dome when are.” eclipsed the driving glare of Sol. is, they take too long. They stum- the dead gray filaments, as she they’re as fully human as we still burned in the black ble too often, and fall back too leaned to kiss his glass again with “Human status depends on Earth space ahead: a thin, green-veined far. We’ve been guarding Earth her own. mental attainments,” he reminded crescent, one horn tipped with a for five thousand years.” “To our new Earth!” she her craftily. “Or, to be more ac- dazzle of ice. Watching, Coral He tingled again, in her admir- breathed. “Let’s make it that! curate, it depends in this particu- breath with a tiny ing glow. You’ll find yourself again, in the lar case upon my own considered caught her delight. “Frankly, Coral, I have decided exciting work of civilizing the judicial decree.” gasp of pure “So beautiful!” she breathed. to leave the service as soon as I planet. You and I, together— Even then, she didn’t under- “So wonderful and new! Every can afford it. I’m sick of the disci- Panic shook him. stand. To her well-conditioned opportunity I’ve come so far to pline, the long monotony, all the “Wait for my decision!” he mut- innocence, a deputy warden stood sacrifices. I want a decent living tered desperately. “You’re forget- far above any possibility of cor- find!” but his eyes and a permanent family.” ting that Sol III has not yet quali- ruption. Her pure illusions were Scarlet nodded, an ultimate As she smiled, the psionic fibers fied for civilization. Unless I find immune to the boldest hints he hardly left her. With

19 18 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING ” —

swayed, settling upon the satel- missionary zeal, she had rinsed been. He wanted no more of their dark veil across his mind. He lite. They turned together to look her hair with a psionic wash that hop)eless yearnings and inevitable couldn’t tell her, but he was get- for Sol Station. Here it was night. came to flaming life with h’er joy, defeats. ting back his balance. She had his eyes adjusted to the cold and powdered her body with a “Stay!” She leaned toward him, swayed him dangerously, but he As starlight, apprehension touched dust that caught and amplified all bathed in a sudden glow of devo- would surely find other lovely him. his feelings of desire in a glitter of tion. “We’ll be married the day women glad enough to overlook diamond points. you leave the service. My own his ugliness after he was rich. He ¥ TPON the dead plain, a few “Say you’ll stay. Wain!” She conditioning will help complete had already squandered far too hummocks of naked caught his hand. “In a couple of yours. And you will find our work much of his short life for the hol- ^ small stood clustered around a hundred years, we’ll have civiliza- worth everything. A thousand low rewards of the service; he stone black peak. Far away, a tion blooming here!” years on Earth won’t be too long, didn’t intend to give up the rest cruel curving wall of ragged rock closed “But I’m not— uh—completely now that we’re in love.” of his youth for her. Surely, some- conditioned,” he reminded her In spite of himself, he almost body else would pay him to raise them in. saw nothing else. uncomfortably. “In that time, I’d took her in his arms. the quarantine. He — all magnificent!” she be getting into— uh—middle Less than half conditioned, he “Darling ” Alarm caught her “It’s feel whispered, before her first delight age.” Watching her hair turn dull had little immunity to her psionic voice. “Don’t ever think I clouded with bewilderment. with his own discomfort, he mut- lure. Yearning to kiss the cold above you!” was is the station?” tered bleakly, “I’m getting out green blaze of her mouth, he “Of course I don’t.” He stared “But where camouflaged.” He pointed. where life is worth living, as soon shivered with despair. He thought into the dark, afraid to look at her. “Still I’ve “Those rock hummocks are as my duty here is done.” everything was lost. “But we’re landing now. painted membranes, if you know “But, Wain!” The psionic dust But darkness fell across the I’ve just recalled my duty.” — look, inflated to hide the turned cold and blue upon her, dome. He looked out to see the “I don’t see how to neutrionic flyers on the field. The reflecting her distress. “I can’t just black-toothed rim of the moon ris- “I am a deputy warden.” He installations are in that abandon the mission. And you ing to gnaw the jeweled Earth was deliberately gruff. “I have main future of peak, and imderneath. See!” know that our work here will take away, as the flyer fell to land. come here to decide the nodded toward a glint of a good two or three hundred Grateful for the interruption, he a planet. The rules and traditions He metal in a dummy crater- years.” squirmed desperately away. of the service do not allow me to moving hidden airlock opened. “Your work,” he said unhap- “What’s wrong. Wain?” become intimate with anyone who let. A Belted spacemen rose into view, pily- Her wounded voice tore at him, has a special interest in my deci- riding the arms of a multiple but he refused to look back at her sion.” hoisting billowing mem- TTOWEVER magical it might psionic charms. He stood watch- “Is that all?” She laughed crane, silly dear! You branes. seem to those without it, psi- ing the crescent Earth until its breathlessly. “You “What are they doing?” onic training required toil and last glitter was gone. don’t know how much you need “Rigging a screen to hide us,” time. To become fully effective, “Tell me, dear,” she begged re-conditioning. But I do respect he told her. ‘We’ll be getting off the pre-conditioning had to begin him. ‘Whatever’s wrong, I want your principles. I’ll stop pestering as soon as it’s inflated.” at the instant of conception, so to help you. But your late con- you until Earth has been admit- She said she had to go below to guided by pre-conditioned par- ditioning disturbs your reactions. ted to civilization.” finish packing, and then lingered ents. The first generations were You’re hard for me to under- He gave her an uneasy glance, dome, watching him so always awkward half-things, lost stand.” and fovmd her only normally al- in the sharply that he stiffened. Al- between worlds, as he himself had He felt grimly thankful for that luring. The flyer lurched and

20 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 21 ”

f “But “Is he, though?” though he understood that ad- but he refused to speak it. He nodded contemptuously. vanced conditioning included a answered each austere formality even if they ever lived to discover Unhappily, Scarlet introduced psionic taboo against uninvited mental in kind, until Newbolt had com- us, they aren’t fit for civilization. them. Her powder shone prying, he couldn’t help an un- pleted the ritual. Their culture is sick with a path- like galactic dust, reflecting her easy resentment of her psionic “Your accommodations are ological militarism.” delight and Newbolt’s manly superiority. ready, sir. Down in Tunnel Seven. “I’ll give due weight to your pleasure. When she asked to go hearing, “Go ahead,” he snapped. “I’ll I hope you find them adequate, opinion,” Scarlet jabbed. “When with them fo the New- bolt agreed without waiting for meet you down at the lock.” because I believe you’re going to I come to judge their fitness.” “You’re worried. Wain.” Her be here for some time.” Newbolt remained undevas- Scarlet’s permission. warm concern assured him that “The crisis?” He couldn’t stop tated. A crude mechanical elevator she had not been picking any the question now. “Have the na- ‘We have been assembling evi- dropped them from the lock guilty secrets from his mind. tives arrived?” dence for Your Equity’s consider- tower into the moon, so fast that “Why?” “Not yet, sir.” ation. When your flyer was Scarlet, not yet used to the light “That camouflage.” He ges- “Why not?” He tried to gulp his sighted, I ordered all human be- gravitation, had to snatch at a tured at the hummocks clumped panic down. “They were reported ings in the solar system to gather hand rail to keep his feet on the below the mountain. “It’s too entering a contact crisis a hun- for your inquiry.” floor. good. The station is still con- dred years ago. I expected to “Thank you.” A mile below, Newbolt escorted cealed. I see no native rockets. I’m find their rockets here.” “My own recommendation will them briskly through a long gal- afraid we’re here too soon.” be that you approve the signal lery that was a museum of the When he walked down the "O EVULSION from his ugliness project,” Newbolt added. “I’m guarded planet. Crystal cases ramp from the lock, a few minutes and contempt for his judg- convinced that our long vigil here stood filled with stone axes, rust- later, into the cavernous tent that ment was thinly veiled behind has been a waste of time. The eaten blades and primitive robot had been rigged to hide the flyer, the smug satisfaction of Newbolt’s natives have been growing more missiles. the station commandant was wait- thin-lipped smile. numerous and more destructive, “Our newest exhibit.” Newbolt ing to greet him with the formali- “I’m afraid you’ll discover that but hardly more human.” paused at a niche where a sleek ties due his rank and mission. my predecessor was badly mis- “I’ll ask for your advice when aluminum rocket hung against Commander Newbolt was a taken when he prepared for such I require it,” Scarlet told him. star-dusted emptiness above the lean blond giant, who enhanced an early crisis here. I urged him “Please have my luggage taken to ice-gemmed splendor of the cres- his virile presence with a liberal at the time not to send for you.” my quarters. Arrange for the hear- cent planet, “The first space ship use of psionic cosmetics. Scarlet Scarlet glared up at the tower- ing to begin without delay.” from Earth.” heard the sharp intake of Coral’s ing commander, bracing himself “Yes, Your Equity.” “How’d you get it here?” breath when she first saw the for trouble. He could already see “Wain!” Coral Fell came float- “We followed it out from Earth. shining mantle of magnified mas- that Newbolt was stupid enough ing toward them in a pink glow of The natives were trying for the culinity that revealed his muscu- to take a very dangerous attitude admiration, her wide eyes fixed moon, but they ran into a burst lar beauty, and hated him in- toward bribery. on Newbolt. “I want to meet the of solar radiation too hot for their stantly. “How’s that?” he rapped. commander.” shielding. After they were dead, Had Earth made contact? ‘Weren’t the natives about to “I don’t think you’ll like him,” we salvaged their equipment.” Scarlet was asking that urgent reach this satellite.” Scarlet warned her. “He is advis- He chuckled. “If they had known— question, with every anxious “They have jjrashed their clum- ing me to approve the blinker how closely we were watching glance at everything around him. sy litle rockets here.” Newbolt project.” ‘’‘You let them die?” Scarlet

22 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 23 ” ”

pologist. — interrupted. “Out here in space?” have come swarming in, howling justice of man. His voice was as He found on Mars “Please, Miss “You know the Covenants.” for leave to loot the planet.” He ugly as his knobby angularity, Fell!” Newbolt intercepted her. Newbolt shrugged, not very re- chuckled. “The signal project slurred and harsh and high. “You’re here as a spectfully. “They had failed to serves them properly!” “A routine affair,” he rasped, guest. You can’t interrupt the make contact. Consequently, we Scarlet made no answer. Robed and paused again to savor the proceedings.” “Never mind. Commander.” couldn’t interfere.” in his blue official light, he pain of the beautiful men. “We’ll smiled to welcome a pos- mounted to his bench and waited dispense with formality, to get at Scarlet sible bribe. “I won’t be bound by IV sternly for Newbolt to silence the the facts. I’ll summarize the briefs. red tape. I intend to explore chapiber. His feral eyes narrow The natives of Sol III are re- any every source of evidence.” IGHTY-SEVEN galactic citi- with his most judicial scowl, he ported near contact crisis. Social Newbolt muttered and sat zens had responded to his studied the three hostile factions. workers are waiting to usher them down. call. Most of them were attached Newbolt was marching toward into civilization. Their qualifica- Scarlet waited, watching Coral to the quarantine service, but the neatly seated contingent from tions for human status have been and her discovery. The anthropol- others had sought these wilder- the quarantine station. Coral challenged, however, and the sig- ogist, with his shuffling gait and ness worlds for ends as varied as shimmered beside him, clad in nal service has filed notice of in- his trembling hands and his dry their interstellar culture. A trio golden dust and the cascade of tention to appropriate Sol for use yellow skin drawn tight over fine of prospectors had been sifting psionic fire falling from her waist. as an intergalactic beacon.” Look- old bones, looked a good five hun- through the asteroids. A primitive Scarlet tightened his bony jaws, ing sourly for Coral, he found her dred years overdue for euthan- artist had been recording an epic turning painfully away from her now at the back of the room, asia. The dull blue dust of his fantasy of a wrecked flyer down magnified allure. glowing over a stooped little scholarly robe reflected nothing on a rocky moon of Saturn, sur- The hermit, his detached head stranger. “A few individuals have — of Coral’s bright excitement. rounded by the “phantom lights” blind and cadaverous in its crystal seen fit to protest “Listen, Wain!” she was bub- of space legend. A mystic on Pluto cell, had wheeled himself to join “Certainly we protest!” She bling. “Mark has found evidence had interrupted a hundred years the three lean young men in the started toward the bench, towing proof you can’t ignore! Now of solitary contemplation, to at- plain space dress of the signal the stranger. “Because Sol is not a — you will have to lift the quaran- tend the hearing. An archeologist service. Scarlet frowned disap- barren star. Earth has three bil- tine at once. And you will disap- had abandoned a dig on Mars. provingly at their contented pov- lion native inhabitants, whose prove the blinker project.” Half a dozen outside agents had erty, and looked for the beasts of human rights must be protected.” listen.” Scarlet frowned hastily discarded their disguises prey. “Human?” He let his voice “I’ll doubtfully. “To any actual evi- as inhabitants of Earth. The straggling group down at grate unpleasantly. “I understand dence.” Waiting under the old stone his left included the bearded that all human beings on these dome of the little auditorium, artist and the spaceworn prospec- threatened planets were ordered DO have evidence.” The old these legally human beings- had tors, among half a dozen others. to assemble here. I don’t count scholar spoke slowly but sorted themselves into three con- They looked like feeble beasts. three billion.” high voice. tending factions. He saw no evidence of the wealth “Of course they can’t obey psi- clearly, in a child’s have been watch- “Beasts of prey!” Newbolt gave he wanted. onic orders, because they don’t “Your Equity, I planet at intervals for two the nearest group a snarl of con- know psionics! But now I know ing this the thousand years. It is my great ex- tempt. “Rumors of the crisis have TTUNCHED and ugly on the they’re human.” She hauled him. “This periment.” been spreading out through space bench, he droned the official wispy stranger toward experiment?” for a century now. These wolves formula which invoked the olden is Mark Whitherly, the anthro- “What sort of

24 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 25 ”

“A study in cultural collision.” onists- ever landed anywhere on here noted the odd fact that all “Your Equity, I submit that every to have planet within two The dull dust brightened now Earth.” life on Earth appears hundred light- years has been claimed as the ori- with an eagerness that made the Scarlet looked inquiringly at sprung from a single family tree,” cradle of mankind. On none old man seem oddly boyish. “You the worn old man. Whitherly’s high voice resumed. ginal All evi- of them, unfortunately, has any hear a lot of theories about what “I can’t do that,” Whitherly “Now I know why. my reliable evidence survived. The happens when our galactic civili- said. dence supports the obvious ex- migration has left these zation impinges upon primitive “Then how can you claim hu- planation that this world is where wave of Center worlds too far behind. The societies. You hear that the primi- man status for these filthy anthro- human life evolved.” ever civilized have tives are usually benefited, and poids?” Smugly confident, the Swaying unsteadily, he paused few that were for twenty thou- you hear that they are usually tall signalman turned to Scarlet. for breath. been abandoned destroyed. I have been waiting for “Your Equity, since Whitherly ad- “Tell them!” Flickering with a sand years.” galactic history,” Scar- this crisis, preparing to settle that mits that he has discovered no purple urgency. Coral caught his “I know question scientifically. Now that evidence of biological relation- sticklike arm. “Tell them what let reminded him frostily. “I am to the evi- the moment has come— ship, which is the first essential you found on Mars.” competent rule upon “Has it come?” qualification for human status, I “In the last few centuries,” he dence.” “It has!” A single comic lock of move that this inquiry be closed labored slowly on, “I have ex- “You will act promptly?” Old yellow hair waved above old with a formal order approving our tended my search to the desert Whitherly peered up anxiously. Whitherly’s bobbing head. "I signal project.” planets. On Mars I found a buried “You can see that my own time is have been watching the natives “Wain, wait!” Blue alarm shiv- human site, dating from more running out. My younger associ- fumble closer to contact. They ered around Coral. “You haven’t than twenty thousand years ago. ates scattered when they heard have observed our psionic moni- heard about Mark’s great discov- My excavations reveal that primi- of the blinker project. If there is chance to ob- tors—which they call dirigible tive neutrionic flyers landed at any long delay, my dishes. They have written books Scarlet looked impatiently the site. Some of them remained serve the crisis will be lost.” about us. Their rockets have back at the lean old man, noting there, abandoned. But some of “Your own misfortunes are ir- reached this satellite. All they sourly that he looked too poor to them went on, after they had relevant.” Coral’s lack is your formal recognition of pay for the least satellite of these been refitted to cross interstellar “But, Wain! Why wait?” their human status.” worlds he wished to save. distances.” urgency washed her with rain- “Your Equity, I object!” The “Penwright jumped to a false The blue dust glowed around bow opalescence. “Since the na- signal officer was alertly on his conclusion.” Whitherly nodded him. tives are our proven kinsmen, and feet, tanned and handsome even feebly toward the signal officer. “I ‘The first neutrionic ships!” he since they are already landing though he wore no cosmetics, al- do have proof that the natives of whispered thinly. ‘They had their rockets on the moon, can’t most insolent. “I must inform you Earth are our human kin. If no brought primitive men from you end the quarantine now?” that our corps did not select suns colonists ever landed here, that is Earth to Mars. They carried our Sadly, Scarlet shook his head. at random for the intergalactic simply because the movement ancestors out to claim the galaxy.” Whitherly’s sociological research, beacon. We traced the records of was in the other direction.” Unsteadily defiant, Whitherly like her own educational program early migration, and chose a sec- blinked at Penwright. “You can’t and Penwright’s signal project, tor which was evidently bypassed. A PUZZLED hush whispered be allowed to murder our mother seemed inconsistent with bribery. If Whitherly is a real authority, I through the chamber. world!” Their noble claims might make a challenge him to show you one “Listen, Wain!” Coral breathed. ‘That is loaded language.” useful cover for him when he shard of evidence that human col- “The first civilized observers Penwright chuckled tolerantly. came to pronounce his decision,

26 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 27 g»^g^_?a

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on danger from an enemy space base but that would have to wait until metics to amplify his powerful nantly, he turned his back not on the moon. This rocket is he had found a purchaser for animal vitality. Coral and the trader. “Though the mine. reply to that report.” His grin Earth. Beckoning Newbolt to the through any fault of He I relieved grew frightening. “Unfortunately “No.” He frowned severely at bench. Scarlet whispered, ‘Who is arrived here before Rivers, per- for Newbolt’s policies, their Coral. “Not yet.” he?” Commander and was begin imdercover planned impact point coincides “Not for a thousand years, my “Nobody with any right to mitted to an of the planet. with the location of this station.” dear.” Newbolt’s smile beamed waste our time.” The commander commercial survey believe. “He’s lying!” Newbolt turned through rosy sparks of virile con- gave the stranger one contemptu- A glaring indiscretion, I to respect pale before his vicious ugliness. fidence. “Never, in my own ous glance. “Another of these I don’t trust such men “He’s attempting to influence opinion. If the blinker project is beasts of prey waiting for the the Covenants.” him.” Your Equity.” not approved, we shall have long quarantine to end—and alarmed “Let me talk to ’’ wonderful news!” “Wait and see.” The scarred centuries here to while away— now because the blinker project is ‘Wain, this is elation. remained aS cheerfully mon- “Wrong, Newbolt!” That loud about to vaporize the planet he Haloed with glowing man trader toward the strous as a black stone god rotting hail boomed from the back of came to devour.” Coral led the is a native in some jungle temple. “But I the dome, and Scarlet swung to Scarlet nodded silently, fascin- bench. “Dirk says there this very spot!” must inform you that the savages see a big stranger stalking in. “I’m ated by the barbaric blaze of rocket coming to Newbolt ques- have armed their space ship with just up from Earth, with news priceless natural diamonds at the “Commander that information.” what they classify as fifty-mega- about the crisis.” He paused, star- stranger’s dark throat and on his tions information is in- ton fusion missiles.” ing boldly up at Scarlet. “Your gigantic hands. “His own Flintledge turned a Newbolt’s bright attire flick- Equity, I have come to inform “An insterstellar pirate, who complete.” grin upon the startled ered. you that the natives are about to calls himself a trader.” Although hideous “This new rocket was moment. Your Equity.” He make a contact that can’t be ig- the man was coming near, New- commander. “A secret military installa- bent over his wrist communicator. nored. They’ll be here in exactly bolt refused to lower his .scornful built at a which his quarantine agents “Let me check my monitors.” twenty hours!” voice. “Dirk Flintledge. A loud- tion failed to penetrate. It was Scarlet waited, watching the mouthed nuisance, but I’ll soon had left the planet. weighing his wealth, xmtil V dispose of him!” laimched before I trader, is already halfway to the Newbolt spoke stiffly through a ‘Wait! If he has news about the It moon. Its arrival will present you haze of angry blue. “Our monitors CARLET stood smiling down crisis— with a full-blown contact crisis.” have detected an object moving S at the stranger, captured “He’s lying.” The commander out from Sol III. Its emanations by an unrepaired ugliness more glared at Flintledge, who had Tj^LINTLEDGE licked his naked indicate both nuclear devices and violent than his own. Long- been intercepted by Coral Fell, living bodies. Its trajectory will chinned and broken-nosed, the her makeup all aglow with pink lips. see, some of the savage bring it toward this side of the man was bald as a boulder, admiration. “My agents have in- “You tribes are fighting what they call satellite.” burned dark as weathered cop>- filtrated the native centers of a cool war, which is forcing the “Toward contact!” Eager per, splotched with livid scars space research. They report no development of space weapons. sparks swirled aroimd Coral. where wounds must have been new flight attempts since the loss spies have been feeding “This is the crisis!” sewed up by savage surgeons. of the rocket we salvaged.” Native disturbing reports “A false contact!” Newbolt Sheer muscular bulk made him “But this man has been on Sol each faction about the progress of the others. glared at the trader. “These look grotesquely short. Almost HIP” tribe was told that it was in natives had failed to find their nude, he required no psionic cos- “Unfortunately, yes.” Indig- One

PLUNDERING 31 30 GALAXY A PLANET FOR ” ”

plicity; he was used to nothing own way through the radiation “But, Your Equity— con, the lives of three billion per- Yfet the thought of lonely zones. They must have received Stem on the bench. Scarlet sons or the fate of Earth. better. centuries here, waiting for this illicit information—including our silenced Newbolt. He sat scowling “Is Flintledge wealthy?” Scarlet its way to- own location here.” The blue dust judicially, wondering how to ne- asked. world to fumble own real contact, enough to glittered frostily. “Your Equity, I gotiate with Flintledge without “I suppose he has been.” New- ward a was shiver. accuse Dirk Flintledge of a exciting dangerous suspicions. bolt shrugged disapprovingly. make him welcome criminal violation of the Cove- Tension was breathing under the “Made a fortune cheating savages, The signalmen were of it as to broil the planet unless Flint- nants.” dome. Glowing with a delicious I suppose, and lost most — to save it. “Now, sir.” Flintledge remained violet alarm. Coral wanted to they picked up enough psionics to ledge would pay the first undismayed. “Why should you know how the station could be match his tricks. When he learned Too cautious to make time with suspect me?” protected from the savage attack that Sol in was getting ripe, he overture. Scarlet killed his and depilation. He delib- “Because you want to force a —unless he recognized the con- mortgaged his ship for the capital bath spun a new official robe. crisis,” Newbolt rapped. “Be- tact and lifted the quarantine. to pluck it. I learned that from erately over his cause you have been down on the the competent young man who Still waiting, he hesitated psionic planet, among the builders of this A BRUPTLY he recessed the has followed him from the Bank own meager stock of pKJwders, and decided rocket. Because I have received inquiry, announcing that he of Vega to collect the loan. The scents and more that he needed the reports of your illegal methods in wanted time to consider his ruling money is due in just ten years. once powerful lure of wealth. previous collisions with the quar- on the incident. He ordered New- He’d need that time to dig it out more Disappointed when Flintledge antine service.” bolt to monitor the savage rocket, of the natives, even if you lifted did not call, he went dully up to “Such circumstances are not but not to interfere with its flight the quarantine today. If' you ap- eat alone. Mark Whitherly way- proof— Ignoring the startled murmur in prove the blinker project, he’ll outside the dining “I’ll find proof.” Newbolt blazed the chamber, he asked Newbolt have no time to look for another laid him he ate, the shriv- balefully. “Your Equity, I intend about the trader’s background. plum. He’ll be erased.” lounge. While to convict and punish this crimi- “He’s unconditioned.” Newbolt “I see.” Scarlet scowled to hide eled little anthropologist tried to brief him on the native culture, nal.” dropped his eyes from Scarlet’s his elation. “Now please show me to find out how soon he “He hasn’t much time to as- own unconditioned ugliness, and to my quarters.” and tried lift the quarantine. semble his evidence.” Flintledge hurried on. “Unconditioned and He stopped outside the barrier meant to smirked insolently at Scarlet desperate. You see, he has made to ask Coral to join him for din- deponds.” paused, “The natives will be here in an unwise gamble on an early end ner. Responsive colors lit her psi- ii^T^HAT He a even though he could see twenty hours, with missiles that of the quarantine. Now he is onic snares, but she already had he can’t ignore. If he decides to about to lose eveiything.” dinner date with Penwright. that the aged man was too high- bribery. “I intercept them in space, that act Watching from their small cell When he turned hopefully to look minded to think of the itself will be contact.” of silence. Scarlet saw Coral talk- for Flintledge, the trader had al- may be compelled to approve “I’ll rule on what is contact.” ing to Whitherly, whose aged ready gone. Disappointed, he let signal project.” can’t!” Whitherly’s yelp Scarlet tried to match the savage admiration seemed still warm Newbolt take him down to his “You ugliness of Flintledge with the enough to light her psionic lures. quarters. held a satisfying anguish. “You harshness of his own slurred and Flintledge and the signal officer The bare little cell, two miles can’t let these rash young fools and all its strident voice. “I’ll decide whether were both waiting for her, as if below the lock tower, was ade- bum the mother world this man has violated the Cove- her green-lipped smile mattered quate enough. The service cher- people—just to generate one flash nants.” more than the intergalactic bea- ished a tradition of austere sim- of light!”

32 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 33 .

“I’m aware of my duty in this but Whitherly had been condi- Newbolt would disapprove, he But it came to life as he looked, situation.” Scarlet drew himself tioned above any crude display of knew, but then his whole object reflecting all his own images of up stiffly, concealing an inward physical violence. Muttering was to escape the disapproval of woman’s loveliness, refined and grin. “Ill yield to no improper something about the mother such people forever. transfigured through the percep- pressures.” world, he shuffled unsteadily “My call must be brief,” he tions of the artist who had fash- “I’m not tryng to bribe you.” away. added. “I’m resuming the hearing ioned its psionic matrix. Suddenly Whitherly flushed and trembled Left alone. Scarlet sat finger- in two hours.” it was Coral Fell, but younger and with an agitation that alarmed ing the blank disk of his wrist He put on a space belt in the more tender than the actual Coral, Scarlet for his heart. “But I must transceiver, anxious to call Flint- lock tower, and hurried out to the not quite so firm about the mouth, remind you that your own superi- ledge, but yet afraid. He gasped flyer. He found Flintledge be- smiling adoringly. Its stark ors have approved my plan to when the crystal lit with the neath the air lock, waving his beauty stabbed through him, observe this contact crisis.” trader’s image under his fingers, arms and blustering at the men leaving a haunting ache of im- “What sort of monster are a bald and hideous doll. who had come with camouflage quenchable desire. you?” Certain now that the old “I suppose I shouldn’t inter- screens to turn the ship into a “Like it?” scholar would never offer him rupt your delberations.” The lunar peak. Flintledge’s question startled money, Scarlet let indignation black beads of eyes glittered sar- “That fool Newbolt thinks we him. He tore his attention from into his voice. ‘Would you risk donically. ‘What with Penwright can hide here,” he growled. “I the figurine, flushing self-con- destroying these people with a so anxious to light his blinker, and know better. I don’t intend for sciously, before he could remind premature contact, simply for the Coral Fell so eager to enlighten those attacking savages to catch himself that its resjxjnse to his opportunity to observe it?” the native anthropoids, and old me sitting—unless Your Equity mind had been a private thing. “Certainly.” Whitherly gasped Whitherly dying to observe his can reassure me.” Even though he might suspect for his breath. “But I’m no mon- contact crisis, your decision is al- Scarlet followed him through that Coral’s charms had begun to ster. I’m simply a scientist, trained ready difficult enough.” the lock. The rich immensity of color its reaction to the trader, to exclude all emotional consider- “I am pleased that you called,” the interstellar vessel had taken too, they had not met to quarrel ations from the field of research. I Scarlet answered carefully. “I his breath at first, but now it be- over her. refuse to price truth in terms of have been considering your own gan whetting a resolution to ask “Look around.” Flintledge anything material. Even if you interest in the outcome of the for more than he had dared. squinted at him frightfully. “Any- can’t understand that kind of crisis.” thing you want, just let me idealism, perhaps you can under- “If you care to come aboard for VI know.” stand in practical terms that what a drink,” Flintledge suggested He certainly wanted a great we learn from the sacrifice of this smoothly, “we might consider it TN the wanton luxury of the deal more than a psionic figurine. world can help us save a thousand together—^unless you fear that trader’s stateroom, a dancing Looking appraisingly around the others.” contact with me might tarnish figurine caught his dazzled eye. magnificent stateroom, he found “I understand you,” Scarlet your equity.” Poised upon the gem-stone inlay two pictures that arrested him. said. “But the Covenants apply.” “Uh, thanks.” Scarlet could not that topped a dark block of pol- Stereos, in twin crystal plaques, “You—” help stiffening against the trader’s ished wood, the tiny nude was they were also psionic. His re- Breathing unevenly, the old familiarity, but he managed to featureless at first, an anonymous flected thoughts brushed them man contained whatever reckless put down his righteous resent- symbol of all feminine enchant- with life and meaning, instantly. words he had almost uttered. ment. “I should like very much to ment, cut with an exquisite econ- Two men . . Scarlet crouched apprehensively. come.” omy from some limpid crystal. They made him shiver. One

34 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 35 conditioned than he him- was winning, one hideous. One better survivors may even be useful ^OOLLY, Scarlet scanned his lean and young, a dashing self was. was around our new installations, after designs for enormous instal- his brown face. bottle had come from Sol smile on hard The The Coral has tamed them with a lations to harvest the guarded older, puffy, with sly savages called it whiskey, other was III. The pinch of psionics.” wealth of Earth. Dams to divert cunning peering evilly through a and there was nothing like it any- “They are—^uh—my responsi- the excess oceans into export pallor of fear. Yet somehow they where. As the trader declaimed bility.”- Scarlet scowled sternly. tanks. Mills to devour, continents. twins. its rare aroma. Scarlet saw were about “You must convince me that this A heat-exchanging neutrionic net, Both of them were he. glass shaking in his scarred, the contact is the culmination of their to cool the deeper crust for the Shrinking in confusion, he fist. it too fast, enormous Gulping unaided progress toward civiliza- processing machines. Compres- turned to find the trader watching strangled. he tion.” sing stations, for the surplus at- with an insolent amusement Wonderful stuff!” “Won— “I was waiting for that one.” mosphere. Ports for the trading him. at his eyes. which angered Wheezing, he wiped Flintledge laughed too heartily fleets that would drain the plun- what are they?” wonderful planet. I had “Uh— “From a again. “You knew that I’d infil- der into space. should apologize.” our friends “Perhaps I discovered that, before trated that tribal group, and “Competent engineering.” Scar- trader’s chuckle was not apol- signal service got here The from the you’re acute enough to infer that let nodded casually. “You ought ogetic. “Psionic mirrors, you might their incinerator. Wonderful with I’d guided them toward this con- to make some money.” call them. They are matrixed to has never been wealth, that tact.” “I expect to.” His hoarse voice self wish to show reflect the you touched!” “So you admit that you have quivered with a tension that he one don’t. the world, and the you Scarlet sipped the burning forced a premature contact?” could not completely contain. “In I like to watch friends react.” waiting impatiently for my liquid, “On the contrary.” The trader’s fact, I must. I have a large in- Scarlet managed, with some reach the monetary their game to unnatural merriment subsided; he vestment, in my flyer and my effort, not to inquire how Flint- Flintledge coughed and moves. sat blinking at Scarlet with bold trade cargo and my terraforming ledge saw himself. recovered his voice, but his loud black eyes. “But even if I should, machinery, which I must protect.” ' “I like—^like your reaction.” enthusiasm had a hollow ring. my own testimony would be irrel- “I see.” Scarlet turned cheerful- The trader bellowed with coarse continents rich enough “Whole evant. As Your Equity is certainly ly to a new survey of that wealthy laughter. “But sit down.” He to mill!” His restless eyes stabbed aware, this contact is what you room. “I suppose that any long struggled to contain his amuse- at Scarlet, blades thrust through say it is.” delay would be expensive to need that ment. “I see that you his jovial mask. “Oceans to ex- Scarlet merely nodded, watch- you.” drink.” port! can scrape the planet a We ing him. “It would kill me!” His harsh miles deep!” hundred Dull beads of sweat had come and sudden violence was startling, sat, while a psionic robot studied of the old l^HEY “I have some out on his unperfected face, be- but then he grinned bleakly at the strange bottle surveys.” Scarlet nodded cau- came with a traying his incomplete integra- way Scarlet cringed. “I was talk- glasses of ice on a tray. tiously. “I’m sure the natural re- and two tion. His battered fists clenched ing to Coral,” he added. “She tells the trader’s are still untouched. We’ve Silently responsive to sources and trembled. He reached sud- me that you spoke of leaving the distil- don’t they be- wishes, it poured a fuming been on guard. But denly for another whiskey. service.” ice. Scarlet sat natives?” lation over the long to the “Here, Your Equity!” Hastily “A foolish dream of my youth.” Recov- lot.” Flintledge back to taste it cautiously. “A miserable draining the drink, he opened a Wistfully grave. Scarlet shook his surge of im- shrugged. “Too backward to make ering now from file of bright psionic films. “I want his head. “An old dream of a new conditioned resentment, he began any trouble. can soon dispose We to show you my plans to develop life, out among the new stars of that Flintledge was no of their nuclear weapons. The to observe the planet.” the galactic frontier. If I had the

36 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 37 ” ” ” ” ”

to let me approve the me your banker.” He nodded means for a new start there, I’d gulped another whiskey. His afford curtly at the dancing figurine. quit the service today.” great, dark hands spread into blinker.” down!” Flintledge yelped. “By the way, I’m keeping her.” “Good.” The trader’s flinty grin grasping talons, reached out sav- “Sit have another drink, over a “Fll leave the others, too.” began to soften. “I see that we can agely, and slowly sank. “Let’s reasonable arrangement!” Flintledge glanced sardonically at do business. With your service “You’re an unconditioned have just concluded a the two crystal plaques where background, you’re just the man fool!” he breathed at last. “Why ‘We reasonable arrangement,” Scarlet Scarlet had seen his public and I need to handle my affairs with should I pay you such a price?” “I am going back to recon- his private selves. “You will be these anthropoids. If you’ll sign “If I had been better condi- said. the inquiry now. For the needing them!” a contract with me for just a hun- tioned, I’d have nothing for sale,” vene appearances, I shall have Silently, avoiding those dis- dred years— Scarlet reminded him. “As things sake of skim through the evidence, but turbing mirrors. Scarlet turned to “I won’t,” Scarlet said. “I’ve al- stand, I have nine planets on the to be forced to rule on the go. ready thrown too many centuries block, one of them half-terra- I shall before that savage ship “I’ll prepare the documents.” away, pampering savages.” formed and inhabited. I am offer- crisis arrives.” Flintledge followed him anxiously “What else do you want?” ing you a bargain.” — “Listen, Your Equity!” Flint- toward the air lock. “I trust Your “I—uh—” Scarlet checked “If I refuse ledge was weeping. “Listen to Equity to anticipate whatever dif- himself, to peer imeasily at the “I’ll approve the blinker proj- reason!” ficulties may be created for us by strange luxury around him. His ect.” Scarlet laughed as unpleas- “If you want a favorable rul- Newbolt and old Whitherly and throat felt dry. His temples antly as possible. “You can look Scarlet interrupted him, the signal crew— throbbed. For a moment he for another world to loot—if your ing,” “send your banker to the hearing. Clothed in the cold blue purity wished that he had been more Vegan bankers care to give you Let him bring formal legal con- of his judicial light. Scarlet spun securely integrated—but then, of tim^” veyances to the ship, half the a sound barrier to shut out the course, his psionic maladjustment trade goods and half the terra- trader’s whining voice. He was was his secret strength. 64'Y'OUR Equity is a hard forming gear. He can pass the drunk with elation, too drunk to “We have privacy.” Flintledge trader!” Flintledge grinned, documents up to me as a final fret with petty detail. winked appallingly. “Neither of briefly revealing a pained admira- packet of evidence.” The frontier stars were in his us is likely to violate it.” He ges- tion. “As two misfits, striving to “You have thought of every- grasp. tured for the robot. “Have another heal our psionic scars with money, thing!” VII drink, and tell me what you we ought to strike a reasonable “I hope!” A pale smile showed want.” bargain. But you know I can’t give Scarlet’s rodent teeth. “I believe '’''HE hearing dome was crowded Weakly, Scarlet waved the up this flyer.” we understand each other. My again, the contending groups robot away. “With planets to sell, you can ruling in your favor will not be- as breathlessly tense as if they “I want the flyer.” He gasped buy a better one.” come final until I have actual pos- had never been conditioned. Even for his breath, blinking at his own “You’re unintegrated!” The session of the flyer and my share the signal officer wore a restless audacity. “The flyer and half your trader’s voice lifted vehemently. of the cargo, with time for a start look. Coral flashed Scarlet a cargo.” “You don’t realize all the schem- toward the stars.” green, uneasy smile. Newbolt rose “If that is meant to be a ing, the waiting, the daring, the “If Your is absolutely ominously to report that his moni- joke—” borrowing, the begging pretty Equity unconditioned— tors were still tracking the savage “That’s my price.” men— “That’s our bargain.” Scarlet attacker, which was no more than The trader’s dark face turned “But I do realize.” Scarlet rose. let his voice grate painfully. “Send halfway to the moon. yellow. Wheezing alarmingly, he “That’s how I know that you can’t

A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 39 38 GALAXY Concealing his elation, Scarlet another accidental contact. A resumed the inquiry with a re- royal yacht from Altair II had quest for additional relevant evi- been wrecked in space. One pas- dence. senger had found his way to Newbolt quickly offered a psi- Earth. Alone among the savages, onic tap>e recording the conse- he had learned to like them. quences of a casual illicit contact When a rescue expedition reached between a disguised quarantine him, he refused to leave his native officer and an unsuspecting native friends. named Lenin. Scanning the tape “A touching display of senti- in his most severe judicial man- mental primitivism!” Penwright ner, Scarlet found his wandering scoffed. “But the outcome is not thoughts drawn imexpectedly surprising when you consider the back from the freedom of the dubiously human status of Altair frontier stars. In the uncondi- II—which itself very narrowly es- tioned native, he somehow saw caped our signal project.” himself. Lazily insolent, he brought an- “Your Equity,” Newbolt urged other exhibit to the bench. him, “this record shows the un- “Here, Your Equity, is evidence readiness of these savages for any that contact with these verminous kind of contact with civilization. animals is full of unpredictable A native boy talks briefly with a dangers—not only to them, but civilized outsider. Neither intends also to us!” any harm. But the native picks The tape recorded the fate of up ideas more dangerous than a big-nosed peddler from the atomic theory to his fellow sav- frontier worlds, who came to ages!” Earth to satisfy an unconditioned “I’ll weigh the evidence.” Scar- thirst for whiskey, and died there let paused to scowl. “Are there of something called a cold. other exhibits?” “These sub-human worlds here “Your Equity, please!” Coral at the Center face us with mys- fluttered brightly to the bench, teries greater than the flying bringing a tape from the frail lights, and enemies deadlier than ivory hands of old Mark Whith- we have met on the frontier erly. “There have been other con- planets.” The signalman radiated tacts, with less harmful results. his cool, complacent beauty. Here is the record of a case which “Your Equity must consider that proves that the natives are as the first flash of our beacon will highly civilized as you are.” sterilize all the malignant mutant Scarlet scanned the report of micro-organisms that have been

40 GALAXY — breeding here for thirty thousand rapped abruptly. “Clear the cham- grin, and turned smoothly to the Sound boomed into the dome, years.” ber.” bench. “If Your Equity feel that amplified through Newbolt’s wrist “ni consider ever rthing.” ‘Wait, Wain!” Coral snatched 3 we still have time for such enter- instrument. For a moment it was Whitherly’s tape and rippled to- tainments, I have another exhibit utterly strange; then Scarlet dis- turned his carefully this before CCARLET ward the bench. “Scan to submit.” tinguished a savage voice beneath impatient frown upon old you decide.” Bright excitement Scarlet glanced again at the the metallic distortion of the Mark Whitherly, who was wildly cascaded from the psionic moons empty doorway. crude transmission system. In waving another p>sionic tape. Hid- in her hair. “It’s more than proof “Very well,” he muttered. another moment, the psionic ing his own growing concern that these people are human. It is translator had given meaning to about Flintledge, he watched proof that they are our own ances- he tape reported the case of a the roaring syllables. Coral gliding to help the old man tral race. It’s the clue that led T native who had been illegally “United States Aerospace Force toward the bench. Mark to the side of that prehis- removed from Earth for exhibi- Rocket Ship Four One, Major A sudden stir among the wor- toric space port on Mars. Please tion in a galactic zoo. Inade- Tom Scoggins in command, call- ried quarantine people huddled at take time to scan it!” quately adjusted, even by savage ing unidentified base on lunar the door gave him a moment of Ignoring the signals of con- standards, he had violently de- equator.” hope that the trader or his banker tempt and alarm that were flick- stroyed the expensive reconstruc- Scarlet heard a tremor in the had arrived at last, but the man ering between the cool signal offi- tion of his primitive habitat in voice and a breath quickly drawn; who entered was only Newbolt, cer and the boiling commander. which he had been displayed. he caught a vivid sensation of bringing a curt report that the Scarlet took the tape from Coral. Scarlet followed him to his fate the frightened but determined savage rocket was drawing near It told of an old explorer who with a reluctant and imcomfort- savage in the rocket, fl3ung his the moon. had gone down among the unsus- able "fascination, as if the uncon- crude craft toward a world un- “We have your decision now.” pecting natives to search their ditioned anthropoid had also been known to him, crouching desper- The commander’s muscular history for the first decisive spark himself. ately over his battery of weapons, shoulders lifted majestically, as if of human civilization. Fighting a ‘Well?” Pbnwright leered at preparing to face hostility as vio- tossing off his tattered respect for skeptical quarantine inspector no Coral. “Are you sure you can lent as his own. Even though the Scarlet. “For our own safety. Your better conditioned than Scarlet make civilized men out of such savage was completely imcondi- Equity, we must either recognize himself, the explorer had pierced untamable animals?” tioned. Scarlet felt a thrill of un- this contact and welcome our visi- the lost past far enough to glimpse “That one was sick,” she pro- expected admiration. tors into universal civilization the birth of the human mind, the tested. “He was not typical.” “Identify yourselves!” The or else deny their human status invention of the scientific method, “But what about this one?” strained voice rang again through and allow the blinker projest to and the laimching of the first Newbolt looked suddenly up from the crackle of static. “Establish proceed.” neutrionic flyer. his wrist transceiver, glowering at your friendly intentions at once. “I’ll decide,” Scarlet rasped. “That was—us!” Coral whis- the bench. “Your Equity, my Otherwise we shall be forced to “When I have weighed all the evi- pered, when he looked up from monitors have just intercepted an take action to insure the safety dence.” the tape. “This is our home planet; electromagnetic signal from the of the United States!” He looked again for Flintledge, the people on that flyer were our savage rocket, beamed directly at and decided that the trader was forefathers. You can’t let any- this station. The sender appears 64 Vj^AIN, that’s our contact!” waiting to drive a harder bargain body murder our mother race!” as violent as that captive animal.” Coral’s voice lilted joy- Fell!” Penwright in another private meeting. ‘Tlease, Miss “Please translate the message.” ously. “You can tell that Major her a bronze “The inquiry is recessed,” he reproved with hard “I shall. Your Equity.” Tom Scoggins is desperately

42 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 43 ”

rI uh I have weighed the tion of Newbolt that they were “I and Penwright, afraid, but this message proves satisfied himself — — demanded—^the neu- evidence.’’ and paused again to relish what that he is human. How can we what he had half of its Grinning at the splendid people he meant to do to them. “How- wait?” trionic flyer and a fair and terraform- waiting, he let his rodent teeth ever, I am equally convinced that “We— uh— we can’t.” Dis- load of trade goods widened his yellow eyes. they are human beings.” turbed by a wave of unexpected ing machinery, legally conveyed jut. He was glad of his bent little body He let his voice drag and grate. emotion in himself, Scarlet turned to him. He unconditioned the bulge of his low forehead “Aware of my sworn duty un- uncertainly to Newbolt. “I— uh “What kind of and your deci- the red freckles splotched der the Covenants, I therefore — I’m forced to instruct you to aberration can delay and contemptu- along his receeding jaw. Proud of disapprove the signal project. I reply— sion now?” Newbolt’s him his unconditioned ugliness, he order Commander Newbolt and “Your Equity!” ous indignation reached all them wait. his successors to continue the The shout drew his eyes to the faintly. “May I remind Your let have uh given due con- quarantine of Earth until its doorway. The dapper young Ve- Equity that our anthropoid at- “I — — sideration to all the claims which native culture is declared ready gan banker came bursting into the tacker is already arming his have been presented here.” He let for contact.” dome, waving a sheaf of psionic fusion missiles?” his slow voice rasp and whine He stopped again to enjoy the documents. Sight of them turned “I—I’m aware of the facts.” gasp- offensively. “I have reviewed the sputtering deflation of the signal Scarlet giddy. Here was his long Scarlet rose unsteadily, important Covenants of Non-Contact, and officer. dream realized. Here was his es- ing for his breath. The in his hands. all the body of galactic law and “Pursuant to that directive, I cape forever from all the wounds facts were those custom relating to contact crises. order Newbolt to intercept the and sneers that he had suffered Even though his decision sacri- it would I am ready uh to rule.” savage Tom Scoggins without from the beautiful people, escape ficed one worn-out world, — — colonize Snarling hideously, he let them needless injury to him or his from their false sympathy and enable him to claim and ones when he wait again. crew. I suggest that they be en- their shallow pretense that he a hundred new frontier. For “I rule that no contact exists!” listed in the quarantine service, could ever be one of them. Here reached the galactic but also as undercover agents acting to was glorious revenge for his un- his own profit, perhaps; of ^ORAL gasped indignantly. Old prevent any future expeditions conditioned ugliness. He shut his for the expanding community ^ Whitherly swayed and fell. from Earth into space.” eyes for an instant, trying to re- human civilization. that mat- The banker bellowed. Newbolt “Why, Wain? Why?” Coral cover his mask of judicial sever- Such facts were all others kept buzzing in- and the signal officer shouted stared up at him, the blue flame ity. tered. But than their startled approval. The up- pale and cold and flickering furi- “Your Equity!” The banker’s sanely in his mind. Louder earnest roar drowned his voice. ously around her. ‘Why have you urgent voice seemed far away. Newbolt’s angry shout the Lenin In the breathless hush that fol- done this?” “Captain Flintledge wishes me to voice of the young savage deci- lowed that surprised outburst, he He merely sriiiled at her with present these new exhibits in evi- echoed from the tape. The shipwrecked prince let them wait again. He picked his offensive teeth, imtil she hissed dence. We are confident that they sion of the than the moons his pointed noise, deliberately and ran from the dome. Newbolt will persuade you to recognize the flamed brighter breathless savoring their pain. and the banker stalked after her. contact, disapprove the blinker in Coral’s hair. The Scog- “The evidence convinces me The signal officer turned to fol- project and open Earth to galactic desperation of Major Tom his that this native culture could not low, but swimg back. commerce.” gins was somehow suddenly abruptly survive an uncontrolled contact.” “Your Equity?” His cold voice Hands trembling. Scarlet ac- own. silence Ignoring the baleful rage of the was ominous and slow. “May I cepted the documents. Though Stiffly, he gestured for banker, he studied the smug ela- ask why?” his eyes were blurring, he quickly in the chambers.

A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 45 44 GALAXY — —

“You have no right to ask.” “Why is he here?” Whitherly ignored his own hoarse Although the savage blaze hid the in your Scarlet paused to survey the signs “There’s something demand. “With your imcondi- constellations, he thought it must Penwright chuckled dis- of strain that marred his bronze past.” tioned blindness, you have killed be in the direction of Denebola. “Some tampering with mask of calm perfection. “I don’t creetly. jny great chance to observe a It must be dis- mind telling you, however, that I official records. Somebody contact crisis. You have killed me. An artificial nova! a covered that you were inade- for euthanasia.” jolted him. since he came here prepared to make I am asking That Even conditioned for your mis- different decision. You yourself quately “I’ll approve it gladly,” Scarlet knew Penwright, the demolition regional director helped to change my first inten- sion here. The snarled. “But what became of of a star seemed incredible inso- replace you.” tion, with the evidence you of- sent Thomwall to Coral Fell?” lence. But he caught his breath fered about the people of Earth. “You will find her with Flint- and hurried on. staring blank- Even the stories of their imper- CARLET stood ledge,” Whitherly whispered Which star had the signalmen fections helped to persuade me S ly, speechless, with all his through the frosty dust. “If you chosen to bum for the first inter- that they are as human as I am. new resolutions shattering into find her at all!” galactic flash? You seem surprised by my ruling. panic. Following too close to the Feeling as cold and futile as the Perhaps I am, too. Surprised limiting velocity of light, his past- dying scientist. Scarlet mshed VIII and pleased!” had overtaken him. His gesture of from the dome to the surface Penwright was no longer listen- help toward the people of Earth level. When he burst out of the He found the Vegan banker vm- ing. His wrist screen had flashed. had cost him everything. lock tower in a space belt, Sol happily surveying a gray crater old school He scanned it, whispering. When “Thomwall is an was already rising over the bleak of deflated camouflage fabric glowed at last he looked up again at Scar- friend of mine.” Penwright moonscape. around the empty pad where the pleasure. “Once let, his bronze mask was beauti- with reminiscent But how could it be Sol? neutrionic flyer had stood. Shiver- sun- ful again. I saved his life, when we were Bewilderment froze him. ing with a sense of chill desola- “Your Ekiuity,” he murmured diving after the flying lights and That blinding point of hot blue tion, he whispered hoarsely: in gently, “I have another surprise he had got himself trapped one light was too small for Sol, rising “Coral? Have you seen her?” think I for you. I believe it means that of their magnetic nests. I too far north and three days early. “Gone with Flintledge.” The your astonishing verdict will soon can tmst him to approve the Perhaps it was another star! banker waved stiffly at the blaz- be reversed by a higher authority, blinker project.” But he had no time for riddles ing sky. “Gone out where you in favor of our signal project.” “Perhaps he will,” Scarlet now. Setting the belt to filter out yourself were planning to go.” “Careful!” Scarlet rapped. rasped. “When he arrives!” its burning glare, he ran on to Scarlet recovered his breath his ju- “You’ll find yourself in con- Still robed defiantly in search for his neutrionic flyer. and buried his dreams. He offered tempt.” dicial light, he abandoned the Perhaps, he supposed, Newbolt mechanically at last to surrender to Mark “I am in contempt.” Penwright bench and darted down had been panicked into an un- the documents that had made white nodded serenely. “I can be candid Whitherly, who sat like a duly violent interception of the him legal owner of the flyer. in about that, because we have just and silent mummy wrapped rocket from Earth. Perhaps Tom “Worthless waste tape!” The received a message from a pas- rhill gray dust, alive only in his Scoggins’s fusion missiles had banker laughed. “Riding the neu- senger on another incoming serv- bright and bitter eyes. been detonated. But then, if that trionic wind from that new nova, Scarlet ice flyer. He’s an old associate of “Where is Coral?” were true, the fire in space should the flyer will come close enough yours, from the quarantine office shouted. “Where did she go?” have been fading. to the speed of light. Flintledge on Denebola IV. Remember War- “Do you know what you have Instead, it was visibly growing. and Coral can’t be overtaken. den Thomwall?” done?” The fading wisp of He had to turn his filters up again. They can choose their own worlds

46 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 47 right decision, before people to civilize, out on the galactic “Here’s your man, sir.” He make the of Earth along toward him here.” tmly human frontier—wherever it is when nodded contemptuously toward we sent status. That will be a difficult they overtake it.” Scarlet. “I attempted to arrest Scarlet blinked his yellow eyes. and lonely task, which “I can’t understand it.” Scarlet him. But he has the face to claim “But if— if you know what I you can hope to accomplish only stood scowling with a puzzled in- judicial immunity.” have done, aren’t you going to by making the best use of subor- dignation. “What had Coral in “Hello, Wain!” Thornwall break me?” dinates who are no better condi- common with that monster?” looked older, his dark beauty “Don’t be an utterly uncondi- tioned than you are.” “Enough.” The banker grinned. oddly dulled, as if the long light- tioned fool!” Thornwall clapped Newbolt had moved apart, “They were both searching for years had somehow overtaken him warmly on the back. “I re- muttering with Penwright. more primitive creatures to ex- him. Yet his worn smile seemed fused to accept that bet. We’re ‘We won’t take this!” he ploit, each in his own way. They strangely benign. He walked past few of us perfect. And those few shouted suddenly. “The blinker found each other. But I believe Newbolt, in order to grasp Scar- are seldom successful in the serv- project must be accelerated now, to integrate Your Equity has more urgent let’s hand. ice, because they share too little this natural nova into problems now.” A raw edge of “Forgive my bringing up your with the people we guard. Wain, our intergalactic signal. The con- malice cut through the Vegan’s past sins.” Oddly, he was grin- I’m going to recommend you for demnation of the planets of Sol was supported well-conditioned courtesy. “Al- ning. “When I sent the message, promotion.” by adequate evi- dence, which though I am in no position to I understood from Newbolt that Scarlet gulped and tried to Scarlet chose to ig- press any charges against you, I you were about to make a more wet his quivering lips. nore. The signal service is going to was pleased to learn that Com- serious sort of blunder. Fortun- “But he ought to be cashiered!” appeal to your regional head- quarters mander Newbolt has ordered ately, your ruling on the crisis Newbolt stormed. “I can prove on Denebola IV!” your arrest.” here was a magnificent vindica- that he accepted a bribe. His de- Thornwall’s worn smile to checked “I’m immune from arrest,” tion.” cision extend the quarantine him. ignored comp>etent no longer Scarlet muttered desperately. “So “What’s all this?” Newbolt fol- evidence that “We have any head- is quarters long as I wear my light of office.” lowed from the lock, glaring furi- Earth not human. I will advise on Denebola IV.” He the signal service nodded soberly “You won’t wear it long,” the ously. ‘Warden Thornwall, aren’t to appeal!” toward that ter- banker promised unpleasantly. you going to nullify the decisions “Your advice will carry little rible new luminary blazing over the ‘Warden Thornwall will soon be of this criminal?” weight,” Thornwall softly inter- blue moonscape. “Because that nova is landing, with all the unfortunate “On the contrary.” A stem mpted him. “Because you have Denebola.” facts you thought you had buried smile flickered through the been relieved of your duties here. “Denebola—a nova?” on Denebola IV.” shadow on Thornwall’s face. You are being reassigned to the “But not a natural nova.” signal “Commander, I am afraid that service—which is now CTILL clinging grimly to the you have forgotten one of the facing an extraordinary emer- T^EWBOLT gasped and stared gency.” ’ at Penwright. ^ pale halo of his authority. first traditions of the service. We — Scarlet was waiting with Newbolt allow our people to learn from Ignoring Newbolt’s indignant “It can’t ” Violently, the sig- and Penwright and the banker their mistakes. Although Scarlet roar, Thornwall turned briskly nal officer shook his head. “It back to Scarlet. can’t be artificial! when the arriving quarantine flyer was not aware of it, his uncondi- Sol was to be came down out of the savage glare tioned behavior back on Denebola “Wain, you are replacing New- the first. Denebola is no part of bolt as of the nova. Newbolt marched IV was observed and reported at commander of the station our signal project.” here. quickly to meet Thornwall at the the time. The regional director For the next few centuries, “Not of yours,” Thornwall said. you will lock. offered me a bet that he would be shepherding the “But there is another.”

48 GALAXY A PLANET FOR PLUNDERING 49 — ?” electronic beings “Whose— “Because these Not all aliens come from distant “Interpreting the signal will be have apparently selected the suns stars. These are all around us part of your duty now.” Thorn- for their signal project with no had wall smiled bleakly. “I had my more regard for us than you —and our very homes are theirs! of Earth. I first hint of the thing years ago, for the anthropoids Illustrated by DICK FRANCIS will be the AVRAM DAVIDSON when I was sun-diving in Dene- doubt that Denebola By bola, investigating the radiations last of their synthetic supernovas of the energy complexes that we —unless you can persuade them culture.” used to call the flying lights. On to grant us status in their detected neu- “How— how can we hope to several occasions, I The trionic components in their emis- do that?” sions. “It’s your crisis now.” “Since, I have been gathering Scarlet turned slowly away con- the reports of other expeditions from Penwright’s hoarse glanced into the Tall- divers sternation. He Tied into other stars. Several have detected focused neutrionic burning sky, wondering which beams, of the same type that you direction Coral and the trader had meant to use to ignite your own taken. supernovas. A mass flight of the Then his mind came quickly Kings prob- lights from the surface of Dene- back to the more important long would have to return bola, which I observed not lem. He E brought Them water, have heard. Frost.” Keeper suspect Major Tom Scoggins to Earth before I left, led me to one by one. grunted, did not move. “Colder, galactic civilization is with a warning for the natives that our “The water is sweet, less food, less water. We have another tell them that the radiation from just reaching contact with One-Eye,” said a Mother. “Very heard, but for Us always food, al- to all more highly advanced the nova would force a halt .” culture . sweet.” ways water, water, food, food . plans for the exploration of than we can easily imagine.” their “Many bring Us water,” a They went on. Keeper did not at Pen- space. Thomwall chuckled second Mother said, “but the move. pale amazement. Then to shepherd its people wright’s — water you bring is sweet.” “Come closer,” said the Father, imagine that your through the years of growth—un- “I should “Because his breath is sweet,” softly. “I will tell you of a good will have to be til Earth could rejoin its proud, blinker project said a third Mother. thing, while Keeper sleeps.” The of children! abandoned now.” The flicker prodigal The One-Eye paused, about to Father’s voice was deep and rich. faded from his voice. JACK WILLIAMSON amusement — leave. “I would tell you of a good “Come to my mouth. A secret thing,” a Father said, “which none thing. One-Eye.” others know, only We. I may tell “I may not come. Father,” said him, softly, in his ear, may I not?” the One-Eye, imcertainly. “Only In his comer. Keeper stirred. A to bring water.” Mother and a Father raised their “You may come,” said a voices. “It is colder now,” They Mother. Her voice was like milk, said. “Outside: frost. A white thing her voice was good. “Your breath on the ground, and burns. We is sweet. Come, listen. Come.”

51 50 GALAXY THE TAIL-TIED KINGS ” —

Another Father said, “You will shrank back, and turned and . pool. side is not for you. Return . . Not head and splashed into the be cold, alone. Come among Us slunk away. Behind him he heard that way! That way is a death They filled their mouths and her milk-voice say, OTd be warm.” The One-Eye the Mother in started thing. Mark it well. This way. Go. down. When he had emp)- moved his head from side to side, “It was a stupid One-Eye, And be quick—there may be tied the last drop in his mouth he and he muttered. Father.” dogs.” whispered, “Mother, I would hear “And now,” the Father said. “There is food here and you There was some times a new the secret thing.” will eat,” the other Father said. The One-Eye heard their mating one to instruct, blood wet in the She stiffened. Then she The One-Eye moved a few steps, as he went socket, at the place of water, to clutched at him. The other then hesitated. drink his fill and then fill his Fathers and Mothers ceased and mate with me,” said ometimes he had tried to “Come mouth and go to the Fathers and speaking and moving. At the is S run away, but- 'eversrwhere the milk-voiced Mother. “It my Mothers, not to swallow a drop, entrance ^e Keeper sat up. time. Come.” there were others who stopped to learn the long way and the ‘What is it?” he called. There was perceived that it him. “It is a One-Eye, and too far The One-Eye turnings, down and down in the alarm in his voice, and it quav- time and he away. Go to your place, One-Eye. was indeed her darkness, past the Keeper, mouth ered. darted forward, but the Keeper Go to your duty, bring water for to mouth to the Fathers and “A strange sound,” said a Mothers and Fathers, take blocked his way. the Mothers. Again and again. Father. “Keeper, listen!” Then food to the Keeper, go back, “Go, bring water for Them to Their “Why are They bound?” a new “Slaves?” he whispered. was huge. go back, One-Eye, go back,” they drink,” said Keeper. He one asked. The Keeper moved his head for now,” a cried, surrounding him, driving “He has water Us “Why are we half-blinded? It is from side to side. The Fathers plaintively. “Stupid him from the way he would go. Mother said, The Race which orders. It is The and Mothers were all quite still. thirsty. do “I will not be a One-Eye any Keeper. We are Why Race which collects the food that “I hear nothing,” Keeper said, un- longer,” he protested. you stop him?” other One-Eyes bring to Keeper, certainly. Father said, “He has water They jeered and mocked. A and he stores it and feeds Them.” “Keeper, you are old, your then? in his mouth which he has brought “Will you grow another eye, ‘Why?” senses are dulled,” the deep- back; it is The Race which for Us. Step aside and let him Back, They paused, water dripping voiced Father said. ‘We say there is ugly, stupid orders you!” And they had nipped pass. Oh, it an from above into the pool. Why? is a strange noise! There is dan- him and forced him back. Keeper!” To eat and drink must be or else ger! Go and see—go now!” Once, he had said, “I will see “I have water in my mouth death. But why does The Race The Keeper became agitated. which I have brought for Them,” the goldshining!” order Fathers and Mothers to be “I may not leave,” he protested. aside and There was an old one who said, the One-Eye said. “Step bound so that they cannot find “It is The Race which orders me into “Return, then, One-Eye and I will —” He stopped, as they burst their own food and water? “I am to stay here— the goldshining on the jeers and titters. show you only a stupid One-Eye. But I Fathers and Mothers together one lifted a The Keeper was not even way.” And the old think the Fathers and Mothers cried out at him. “The Race! The angry. “There was nothing in round thing and it glittered gold. and would tell me . . . There was men- Race! We are The Race! Go your mouth but a lie. Now, go.” He cried out with surprise and tion of a' secret thing . . . The find out the danger to Us!” per- pleasure. Too late, the One-Eye Keeper would not let me listen “The One-Eye—^where is the it would be ceived his mistake. “I may sleep,” Then, “I thought after that ...” One-Eye? I will send him!” But bigger,” he said. he muttered. “That is a big Keeper, and his they cried that the One-Eye had or you will “Sleep, then. But go.” Keeper “Return, One-Eye, teeth are sharp!” left (as, indeed, one of them had), killed,” the old one said. “Out- bared his teeth. The One-Eye be Water fell in gouts from over- and so, finally, gibbering and mut-

52 GALAXY THE TAIL-TIED KINGS 53 — ” ” ”

good thing, yes. It is wise.” All heads were raised. tering, he lumbered up the pas- They answered, “Mother, it is is a Fathers cried sageway. so.” The Mothers and A Father’s deep voice was shrill at this. “It is not good!” They with fear. “That is smoke!” As soon as he had left, the milk- The One-Eye asked, “Is this, out It is Father said, voiced Mother began to caress then, the secret? A Father told declared. “It is not wise! not But another “The and stroke the One-Eye, saying me that the secret was a good right! To bind Us together when Race will see that no harm comes and unknowing Us.” the others all re- that he'Was clever and good, that thing, and this is a bad thing.” We were young to And well, yes. to assurance. moved his breath was sweet, that Be silent. They told him, and was But keep Us peated his They is not well. We, too, to and fro, in Their odd, circum- “There is no time for that. listen. bound now Mother,” she was interrupted. In her milk-rich voice the would walk freely about! We scribed way, a few paces to each the goldshining and the side, and around, and over each “Tell him the secret. Quick! Mother went on, “But We are not would see not to stay bound in the other, and back. They were wait- Quick!” bom of the same litter. We are slaves, here!” ing. “Before you were made a One- not sib, not even near kin. From dimness “One-Eye!” They cried. “You It seemed to the One-Eye that Eye and were set apart to serve time to time there is a choosing set apart to serve Us— the smoke grew thicker. And a Us, with whom did you first made of the strongest and clever- were “Yes,” he muttered. “I will Mother said, “While wait, let mate?” she asked. est of many litters. And out of We water.” Us listen for Keeper and for the “With the sisters in my own these further selections. And then bring But this was not what They steps of those The Race will send litter, of course.” a final choosing—eight, perhaps, of him. “One-Eye,” They to rescue Us. Meanwhile, you, “Of course .... for they were or ten, or twelve. With two, or at wanted “good, handsome, One-Eye, try the knots. Test the nearest. And after that, with the most, three males to be Fathers, whispered, clever, yoimg, sweet-breathed knots, see if you can set Us free.” mother of your own litter. Your and the rest females. And these, Set free! Unloose the “What is this talk of ‘try’ and sire was perhaps an older brother. the chosen of the best of the One-Eye. Us knots! We cannot reach them, you ‘test’ and ‘see’?” a Father then After that you would have mated young, are taken to a place very — .” can reach them demanded. “He has only to act with daughters, with aunts . . far from the outside, very safe dare not!” and it is done! Have not dis- “Of course.” from danger, and a Keeper set to He protested. “I We Their voices rose angrily. “You cussed this amongst Ourselves, al- The Mother asked if he did not guard them, and One-Eyes set It is Race which or- ways, always? Are We not know that this incessant inbreed- apart to bring them food and must! The .” ders! We would rule and We will agreed?” ing could eventually weaken The Water . . Race. A Father continued the story. rule and you will rule with Us!” A second Mother said, “It is so. "... with Us!” In his ear, The One-Eye has freedom, full “I did not know.” “It is of Ourselves that We are mate voice. shivered. freedom of movement, while We She lifted her head, listened. talking. They bound Us together, a Mother’s He Again, they spoke in whispers, have not; he can reach the knots “The stupid Keeper is not return- tied Us tightly with many knots, hissing. “See, One-Eye, you must and We can not. Come, One-Eye. ing yet. Good ... It is so, One-Eye. tail to tail together, so that it was death while set free. Blindness, deafness, deformation, impossible to mn away. We had know where there are Act. And you Us set out which will listen, and when are aborting, madness, still-births. All no need to face danger above, no places and food We We will not need to wait these occur from time to time in need to forage. We had only to must not be eaten. Bring such free, We food here, set it down. will longer for Keeper and the others. every litter. And when flaw mates eat, to drink, to grow strong—and We not she with flaw and no new blood you see that we are far larger know. We will see that Keeper Why do they come?” it, he returns. Then, concluded, querulous and uncer- enters the line. The Race weak- than you—and to mate. All this eats when then— tain. ens. Is it not so. Fathers and as The Race has ordered.” One-Eye, cried to to untie Mothers?” “I see ... I did not know. This Suddenly, silence. And they him

54 GALAXY THE TAIL-TIED KINGS 55 — ”

set free, and great will — Them, Them others save Us, The Race He said, “Yes, Mother. Our tory? If so, they were deceived. things would be his with Them; And none would listen to the numbers will not end.” It had only been a skirmish. and, “If not,” shrilled, They “We Mother. With his single eye he scanned The slaves were slaves still; the will kill you!” “Mother, I am afraid,” the One- —^the World of the tail-tied ones were kings. i Outside Upper They pushed him off and Eye said. “The smoke is thicker.” who thought themselves “Come, Mother,” he said. And, ; slaves begin. ordered him to The smell “Go, then, save yourself,” she masters, who, with trap and ter- slowly and painfully, and with of the smoke was strong. said. absolute certainty, he and his rier and ferret and poison and new Presently he said, “I can do “I will not leave without you.” smoke, warred incessantly against mate set out to take possession of nothing. The knots are too tight.” “I? I am part of the whole. Go. The Race. Did they think that the world. “We will kill you!” they clam- Save yourself.” even this great slaughter was vic- — AVRAM DAVIDSON ored. “It is not so! We are agreed But still he would not, and it is not!” And again and again he again he crept *up to her. tried, but could do nothing. They came at last to the end “Listen, Mothers and Fathers,” of the passage. They could not the milk-voiced one said. “There count the full number of the dead. is not time. No one comes. The The smoke was gone now. The Race has abandoned Us. There Mother clung to him with her fore must be danger to them; rather limbs. Her hind limbs dragged. than risk, they will let Us die and She was weak, weak from the un- then they will make another accustomed labor of walking, choosing for new Mothers and weak from the trail of thick, red Fathers.” blood she left behind from the Silence. They listened, strained, wound which set her free. snuffed the heavy air. “Is this outside?” she asked.

Then, screaming, terrified, the “I think so. Yes, it must be. See! others leaped up, fell back, tum- Overhead—the goldshining! The bling over each other. A Mother’s rest I do not know,” the One-Eye voice—soft, warm, rich, sweet answered. spoke. “There is one thing alone. “So that is the goldshining. I Since the knots will not loose, have heard—Yes, and the rest, they must be severed. One-Eye! I have heard, too. Those are the Your teeth. Quickly! Now!” houses of the slaves and there are The others crouched and the fields the slaves tend, and cringed, panting. The One-Eye from which they make the food sank his teeth into the living knot, which they store up for Us. Come, and, instantly a Father screamed help me, for I must go slowly; and and lunged forward, cried stop. we will find a place for Us. We “That is pain!” he whimpered. will mate, for We are now The “I have not felt pain before, I can- Race.” Her voice was like milk. not bear it. Keeper will come, the “And our numbers will not end.”

56 GALAXY THE TAIL-TIED KINGS 57 too. you, Madam?” I had to cross the There was a demand there, I Traffic being what “I — uh — that is, would you street anyway. I figured I’d feel a little care to cross with me. Madam?” it was, star- O HELP me, I’m not really her for company. It I asked her. safer with a fiend, a monstrous mur- She took arm. There was was silly, of course, to think that my a derer or a Bluebeard. I am old lady on my arm would moment’s lull in the wake of a S a poor not, truly, even a mad scientist screaming prowl car. I muttered ever inhibit the Grand Avenue crossed bucking for billing to top Frank- a traffic but I tried it. a word of prayer and we were off enstein’s. My knowledge of sci- Good job I did, too. the curb. The old hag was sur- ence ends with the Sunday mag- prisingly quick. It looked as It was an early fall afternoon, section azine of the paper. As for rush hour. I had though we were going to make it. lover a bit before the bodies of all those women knocked off work early. It was too Then, three-quarters across, I the front pages claim I butchered heel in nice a day for work and besides came down with a rubber and buried somewhat carelessly oil slick just as roaring, the managing editor had fired me an a out by the garage, all that is just again. I had nothing better to grinding cement-mixer truck was — well, just an illusion of sorts. coming down on me like an ava- doj so I thought I’d wander over Equally illusory, I am hoping, lanche. feet up. I gave to Maxim’s for a drink or two. My went is reservation my for a sure seat, Then, on the corner, I found the the old witch a shove clear and next performance, in the electric She was a old lady. shut my eyes for fear the coming chair which now seems so. certain She was a pretty sad-looking sight of smeared blood and guts wonderful wife — after the merest formality of a old lady. Matter of fact she was — my own — would make me sweet, trial. — just standing there, not even sick. Actually I am, or was, nothing the worst-looking old pretty, loving trying — — but a very normal, average — lady I ever saw. She looked, to A ND then, instead of a prone, upper middle average, that is — but she put it kindly, like a three-day cringing heap on the pave- sort of guy. I have a always been that had made it the hard ment sweating out the ten-to-one would keep littering up corpse friendly, sociable, kindly, lovable way after a century of poor odds against all those wheels to the house a fault. So how did lovable, health. First I thought, hell, I’ll missing me, I was airborne. Cable- kindly old I happen to get into and lifted me. with her old, give the old bag of misery a strong arms caught such a bloody mess? boost, shove her under a bus or We were racing down field, elu- used-up bodies! I simply helped a little old something. It would be the de- sive, unstoppable, all the way — lady cross the street. That’s all. cent, kindly thing to do. touchdown. All right, I admit I was old for I spoke, tentatively. She half- So there we were, safe on the Boy Scout work. But the poor turned and looked up at me from sidewalk. Traffic on the freeway, By WILLIAM W. STUART old bat did look mighty confused her witch’s crouch. The eyes in gaping at us, was chaos as the Illustrated by RITTER and baffled, standing there on the the beak-nosed, ravaged ruin of frail, doddering little old lady put corner of York and Grand Ave- a face were big, luminous, a glow- me down. Me, I was never any nue, looking vaguely around. ing green. They clearly belonged extra large size. But still, a touch So, “What the hell,” I said to elsewhere and there was a under six feet, maybe a little too myself; and, to her, “Can I help lost, appealing look in them. friendly with beer and rich des-

58 GALAXY STAR-CROSSED LOVER 59 drink; serts — say, 210 pounds — I have seemed mannerly to say no to fix ® wondered if there And it did make an impression. had considered myself a little big to the look of appeal in her eyes. flight still be any tea knocking It came through in a rush of for convenient carrying about. “All right.” around; thought better of that meanings, too loud somehow, al- This was something new in We went on over to the park- and mixed two drinks. Then I most overpowering. little old ladies. ing lot and I drove her to the turned back toward her. I looked toward the point of I stared down at her. She very comfortable home out in “Now,” I said, “tell me.” origin. That’s what it was, as near wasn’t even breathing hard. In Oakdale that Uncle John and “Well,” announced that ravaged as anything, a tiny pinpoint of fact I couldn’t tell if she was Aunt Belle turned over to me wreck of an old woman, “the fact intense, green-gold light. It was breathing at all. “Madam,” I when they rolled off to see the is that I am from another world.” too intense; I had to turn my eyes said, “my sincere thanks and ad- world from their house trailer a “Oh, hell,” I said, “how did you away. My head started to ache. miration. I wonder now. If you’re year and a half back. Of course come in? By saucer or by I felt and knew that, whatever not late for practice with the they dropped anchor in Peters- broom?” It was a mean remark, I species this might be, my visitor Bears or something, perhaps we burg and haven’t budged since, suppose. Not kindly. Even so, the was a female of it. She was, at could go someplace and talk?” but I guess it gives them the way she took it seemed all out the moment, horribly overbear- proportion. I couldn’t guess what, but there footloose feeling they were look- of The old bat’s face ing. She was communicating ef- was for sure some sort of a story ing for. And I have the house, suddenly went slack. She fectively, enthusiastically, but un- here. If I could get something hot which is quite a pleasant little slumped over sideways on the clearly and it wasn’t easy. Not on for the Sunday magazine, I’d have place. sofa, those big, green eyes open, me, anyway. My mind was my job back. I think Aunt Belle figured giv- staring, empty. There was no swamped with a mass of con- The old crone looked up at me ing me the house would offset my need to go check for a pulse or cepts, jabber and ideas, like all with those oddly out of place, own dubious attributes so that heartbeat. She was plainly, re- the women’s clubs of the world compelling eyes of hers. “You will some nice girl might just possibly voltingly dead. talking at once. listen to me? You will help?” marry and make something of me. “Ugh!” I said and tossed off I groaned and staggered back “Madam, help you don’t need. But I kept a picture on my one of the two drinks I was hold- against the bar. “All right,” I But listen, yes. This is my great bureau of Uncle John, standing ing. It seemed the thing to do. yelled, “all right, I believe you. talent. I will be happy to listen by the sink in his apron, and was You come from another world. to you.” still holding out. 6irio not be alarmed,” said You are an amazing, wonderful I thought a quiet booth and a Well, the old bat didn’t clue an apparent voice. “I am girl and I am proud to entertain couple of cold ones in Maxim’s me in on anything on the drive really perfectly all right. I have you. But please — go back to would be nice. No. She wondered out there in my car. We chatted simply left that poor vehicle I being an old woman, or some- in a different, quavering old along the way, mostly her asking was using. I had thought, wrongly thing I can handle.” it seems, voice, if greater privacy might the questions, me answering. She now that communication The ravaged old crone’s eyes not be better. “What I have to was just a visitor to the town, she with you chemically powered life glowed again. She blinked and tell you, young man, may be dif- said. She wanted to find out all forms might be easier if I too sat up. “Please don’t shout so. I ficult for you to grasp. It may about it — with ten thousand were concealed within one such can hear you,” she remarked be necessary to show you some nonsensical questions. structure.” primly. things.” I parked in the drive and we The voice actually wasn’t so I drained the other drink and “Uh.” She wasn’t the type of went in. While she settled down much a voice as a voice impres- put both glasses back on the bar. sion. doll I favored taking home for on the sofa I went to the bar, my It came from a point in the “Ugh. Uh, that’s better. But who air above ?” a sociable evening but it wouldn’t addition to the, home furnishings. the body on the sofa. — where — what —

60 GALAXY STAR-CROSSED LOVER 61 think a and shaped patterns of energy. “Please do stop and of official sanction. willing to listen or the absence one seemed minute,” the old witch told me. I don’t get it. She said it • com- They worked cautiously, in se- accept me logically. They only elec- pared to our literature, music and “If you will simply use that yelled I or cret. Specially selected represent- that was an A-bomb tro-chemical mental equipment painting and I take her work for r with certain exceptional a short circuit or lightning, or I atives it. “Only,” as she later explained of yours, you will find that I else simply pretended they didn’t > kinds and degrees of sensitivity have already given you the a touch wistfully, “terribly, ter- ^ere made ready. Necessary en- see me at all. So I took this body, answers to those questions about ribly decadent in the present I supplies for distant space making only a few small internal * ergy who and what I am and where I era.” travel were carefully hoarded. repairs and improvements. But come from.” Chances of anything coming of then, until you came along, no was their problem. “Nonsense.” But then it came here one would stop long enough to were considered slim but . . . T social structure and I it to me that she had. I just hadn’t Their listen to me.” I there was the horrible old hag taken time to sort any of it out. individuals alike seemed, at last, sitting on my sofa, looking hope- “Hum. Where’d you get it?” I tried sorting. Much of it re- to be losing all vitality. The birth fully up at me out of great, “I picked it up at one of your fuzzy, I suppose because rate dropped. Culture declined. mained youthfully glowing green eyes. places for them to die. What you some aspects were so far outside They had, fairly recently by their I I Anyway, that’s the way the call the cold room at the County the range of anything known to standards, discovered the possi- r thing shaped up in my mind. And Hospital. There was, I admit, me. She was, the way I got it, a bility of freeing themselves from it seemed plenty hard to believe. some confusion.” life based on something ap- their sun and travelling through form “Must I come out and show That I could believe. energy. She space. But, while they found proximating atomic you again?” “You are not nearly as differ- a star out some- planets with chemical life forms came from dwarf “No,” I said quickly. “Oh, no, ent from us in mental processes quite place it, like us not uncommon in space, place, I couldn’t please don’t. I’m convinced.” and customs as I should have think. Sure, the they had found no form compar- out Orion way I “Or will be,” she remarked thought. Such an intriguing life beyond me able to their own. Outside con- entire concept was cryptically. “Good. This now form, with such amusing compli- yet, tacts, they had thought, might and completely alien. And proves that at least one level of cations. Just strange enough to lot it was stimulate and revitalize their so- oddly, in a of ways communication between us is be exciting. Come over here and week. This was a ciety. But, of course, where there like old home ( possible. This is promising. It sit by me.” is life there is politics. They had kind of life totally different from could mark the beginning of a She beckoned coyly, like a flirta- develop- developed many and bitter dif- ours in all structure and relationship which may be most tious girl, and winked one youth- their kind of ferences of opinion regarding the ment; and yet stimulating for both life forms.” fully glowing eye at me. The relationship to their feasibility or value of any attempt thought, their Well, it was startling at least, effect, in that ruin of a face, was social organiza- to communicate with chemical world and their I would have to admit that. appalling. I stayed where I was. familiar. life forms. There was a party for, tion, seemed weirdly “Speaking of forms,” I said, “You “Oh,” she said in a hurt tone, a party against and several fa- I They had work, recreation, social sure picked an ugly one there. “you don’t like me? And you voring agonizing reappraisal of I organization. They reproduced an Why?” seemed so attractively receptive polarity business the position whatever it might by some sort of “Oh? But I am only now begin- at first. How can we communicate still don’t; turn out to be. Nothing was done. I didn’t get then and ning to understand your stand- completely on your plane if you cer- that, in due course, had but it required mating and it And ards of attraction. I took this are to be so aloof?” She stopped brought lone lady visitor. tainly seemed a fair approxima- me my structure—” she pwinted one and seemed to concentrate a The “communication” party de- tion of sex. gnarled, knotty hand at herself moment. I felt as if something forms cided take action in spite of They had arts based on to — “because in my own form no gave my thoughts a brisk stir-

62 GALAXY STAR-CROSSED LOVER 63 ” ”

Roma, in a long his- table as she favored me with ring with a long swizzle stick. long-legged new stripper-exotic witch. The dating back to prohibition what I would estimate as one of “Damn it,” I snapped, “quit dancer downtown at the Roma. tory has seen all kinds and con- history’s lewdest winks. I noted that, you hear me? You’ve got to “That,” I told her, not without days, r But I don’t doubt we a mutter of contempt from sur- stop messing around in my mind. a touch of wistful regret, “is a jjitions. one of the damnedest look- rounding tables. “Shall I go It’s an outrageous invasion of— live body. You cannot take live ^ere couples on record. ahead? Perhaps you’d better “All right, all right,” she said. bodies. And stop reading my ing — “This — uh — this is my close your eyes,” she said, “I “I won’t do it again, I promise. mind.” Grandma,” I told the few, nastily “No, not here!” I grabbed her Unless — well, never mind.” A “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.” acquaintances I couldn’t arm and dragged her to her feet. t5T3ically feminine-type promise. She kept saying that; and doing grinning on our way into the joint. Neighbor tables gave us their full “But now I see that it is simply it just the same. “I shall not have duck “Grandma is just up on a little attention and the muttering took this body that offends you. Ex- to take the original body. I can visit from Lower Dogpatch. Ex- on an ominous tone. “Come on. cept for this, you are quite ready simply duplicate it.” us, would you? Grandma For pity’s sake, let’s get on to love me.” “How could you do that?” cuse needs a double shot quick.” home.” I wasn’t exactly con- That was putting it a little “It should not be difficult. The That seemed unarguable. We vinced this proposition was going strongly. I had to admit though, elements in the structure are finally settled at a small table to work out; but a crowded night- that she was a pretty interesting common enough here and in the swinging doors to the club was no place for her to try proposition. readily modified forms. The body off by kitchen and sat there through one it. “It is odd to attach such im- organization is complex, true, and floor show. “All right,” said, my “Graverobber!” was one of the portance to form. A chemical life not particularly efficient in many witch, as Venus closed the indignant remarks that caught characteristic, I suppose. I do respects. However, the patterns old set with her final frenzy in the my ear as I dragged the harridan note that your own structure has can be readily traced and dupli- blue spotlight, “I have the pat- out. She giggled. The female, its — well. There is no reason for cated. It is a simple question of tern. There are a number of dif- species immaterial, seems to have this present form of mine being the application of energy to ferences there from the picture a sense of humor ranging from a problem between us. I shall chemical matter. So now you in your mind. The age, the chem- the Pollyanna-like to the grave- simply change it.” must take me to observe this body icals applied.” yard ghoulish — missing nearly “Oh?” Like changing a dress, which has such attraction for Venus went off to vigorous ap- every point between. she made it sound. It wasn’t quite you.” club She was quiet and thoughtful that easy. plause. The lights came up and the M.C. stumbled out to on the ride back home. So was I, “You must make it clear to II favor us with his version of The pondering the doubtful status of me what sort of body you prefer. Gent’s Room Joe Miller. I con- my reputation around town and Oh, I see. That tall, widely curved rpHAT, as it turned out, was sidered. The more beautiful- my sanity. one with the red hair. Yes, I the toughest part. I did what looking the doll, I suppose, the see the image . . . my . . . and so I could, trying to fix the horrible greater the probable degree of TN THE house, she was brisk lightly clad. Very well. I will old witch up in an outfit from one illusion. “Where you find discrep- and businesslike. She got have this body for you.” of Aunt Belle’s old trunks and a me ancies,” I told my old witch, “be to help her stack of She was reading my mind few rather elementary cosmetics. a bunch guided by my imagination. canned goods and junk from the again, the back corner section The end result was that, instead Right?” refrigerator on the kitchen table where I was keeping a few bright- of looking like a plain old witch, “All rightie,” she remarked — ly descriptive memos on Venus she seemed a scandalously de- “Just for convenience.” She

i brightly, patting hand on the remarked domestically, de Lite, that luscious, languorous. praved, probably drunken old my “It would

64 GALAXY STAR-CROSSED LOVER 65 ” *

V

say, there was ' saved your fuel and power for about a second, • i 1 have ,v) ^ ir*i that if I had made the change at the an intense, flaring glare 4 i.-j . other place. I must draw heavily shone reddish through my closed on the power that runs into this lids. Then it was dark. house. I must, you understand, “All righty,” said a sweet-soft conserve my own supply.” voice, ending in a little, half- “Perfectly all right. Be my breathless giggle. “Now you can guest.” The whole thing had a look.” sort of dream quality to it by I looked. then. You know how it is in Trouble was, it was still dark. dreams sometimes? The action No lights. All I could see by and story lines are fantastic. You "the faint light of a half moon fil- know the whole thing must be tering in the kitchen window was nonsense. You could, by an effort a dim figure standing by the of will, wake up and end it. And table. yet you go along with the thing Fact was, I found later, a sud- just to see how the foolishness den power surge on the main line will turn out. That is the way I outside the house blew a trans- felt then. former and blacked out the whole “Oh yes, one more detail,” said blinking suburb. my witch. “What about the eyes? I snapped out my lighter and indeed! I found nothing about the color flicked it on. Well now, of the eyes in your largely imag- There, half shy, half not so shy inary mental picture of the cheap and wearing the same negligible floozy in that second-rate costume as in her final number saloon.” at the Roma, was Venus, con- Already she was not only structed just exactly the way she speaking the language but think- should have been. ing the thoughts like a native fe- “The way I built me,” she said, male. The eyes. Hmm. I guess my and giggled, “to your very ex- mental film strips of Venus had plicit order. So now what are you kind of skipped past facial close- going to — ups. “Why don’t you just keep I wouldn’t say that I am the same eyes you have now?” I notably more impetuous than the suggested. next man. That was just an im- “Good,” she said. “They are my petuous situation. I let the light- own design. Here goes. Close your er go and grabbed her. “Ah,” I eyes; there may be some glare.” remember her saying softly, “now I closed my eyes. For a mo- we can truly begin to communi- ment there was nothing. Then, cate.”

66 GALAXY "

the evening V there are times when a man has The next day applied I can say with every reason- where it had dropped w we for use terms like that to com- our license. able assurance that we did so before. to Three days later we l municate with the female — “you were married most effectively. Alien she was, “Look, hon, what about this?” — so far as I know, going to vanish all of a an interstellar but she was also a lovely girl, my She shrugged quite charmingly, aren’t first. The job or dimensions sudden and leave me now, are money problem, as it own dream girl. Or girls. What in spite of the tentlike turned out, you? Ugh!” That was a heavy was no problem. man of any imagination at all is of Aunt Belle’s nightgown. “What Her first thought shovel and thick clay. “What are was the direct, female a totally monogamous dreamer? about it?” approach to our plans?” the problem. Ansrway, she was unarguably ‘Well, why didn’t you use the She could simply instead “Sil-ly. I understand your cus- make it out lovely, loving, uniquely adapt- — uh — material there, of old newspapers tom now. We are going to be whenever we able, generally sweet. And if, of all the groceries?” needed some, as she married, of course. Then we shall once her frequently unfathom- Another shrug. “I wanted some- had the body. She made some to see. There is no hurry. I have, show me. able mind was made up, she had thing fresh.” by your standards, plenty of time. “Well now,” the determination of seven dedi- She had a point. I couldn’t I told her, “it does she I must assimilate and learn to seem the simplest cated devils — well, she was fe- argue. I never could, when way, I admit. understand you and your fasci- But the male and probably no worse than turned those big green eyes of government is pretty “Yeah,” nating life-form. We shall live jealous of its ability to some billion local girls. My little hers on me, full power. print going together and be man and wife. money. It likes atom-powered space girl had a I said. “Only what are we to think that no- As I have said, your species and body else can more built-in compensating to do with it?” do the job just lot j with mine may derive much benefit right.” factors. “What do your kind do from this intermingling.” I was afraid this might be one But that’s as it developed. old bodies here?” That, if I understood her cor- of her stubborn points That night, naturally, was largely “Mostly we bury them.” but it rectly, sounded fine to me. It wasn’t. devoted to communication. Luck- “All right then.” Government restrictions, the unassailable feminine was best proposal I’d had yet. bureaucracy and red tape were ily, having been fired, I didn’t That was surely it it. And would have been things she had no trouble need to worry about getting up logic. All right. So I’d bury under- eerie light poor hospitality to a lonely little standing. “It is the same to go to work. That night, by the way girl some light-years away from of the waning moon, I went at back home with power and en- pick and home for me to have refused. ergy rations,” she told me. long about eleven or so the it with Uncle John’s “You witch’s “This is terribly sudden,” I told have no idea the A next morning she bounced shovel and buried the old difficulty we her. “Uf! Aunt Belle’s rose That ought to be enough had in building up the capital out of bed, bright, beautiful and body next to of a hole for as garage. My bright, wizened up a supply necessary for my trip lively. I dragged on down to the bushes by the little old body as that . . yes, lounged . here. So I suppose we must find kitchen with her to see if we new-incarnation girl darling, I will marry you. Who’s another way. Don’t together a breakfast around and chatted sociably. you already could put going quite a to earn us a living?” have some of this money? from whatever staples she hadn’t Everything still had Or dreamlike quality; the corpse was couldn’t you manage to borrow found it necessary to incorporate touch. But Ill some?” into new construction. By the a final, nightmare beginning to won- I had $37.62 in my checking kitchen table I stumbled over the even so, I was things T CLIMBED out of the hole account, but the house was in most ravaged, deadest looking der a bit about things; such and kissed her specifically, where went and, in time, my name. I borrowed five grand. corpse I ever hope to see. It was, as, we we did manage to get the old I invested. I was probably the of course, the unlamented body from there. — well, hell, woman buried. most successful’ investor since old of the original witch, lying just “Star-doll-baby

STAR-CROSSED LOVER 69 68 GALAXY ”

admit that, as a strictly temperishly about out there. height, Titian shade hair, King Midas developed his touch. have to I ing not idle fancy, she did cross my mind When there was a sudden flash spectacular but cute, very com- If I sank a buck in land, oil would I lights blinked and if once or twice. and the out, the panionable, very lovable, beauti- turn up within the week, I “Hah!” tall, statuesque, idea hit me. I was scared. What if fully built, built to last. She was it turned out to be a geologically my snorted had gone back, left me? I inexplicable tiny pocket the next beautiful red-haired wife she some builder, my wife, and she were to the kitchen. week — that would be after I had at me one evening after we dashed Just did a lot of fine construction work sitting listen- through the swinging door, I trip- unloaded. Stocks, commodities, it back home. She was for me. the very over a body and fell into the made no difference. The money ing to hi-fi, some of ped One_ night, back along about music that she called kitchen table. Had she —? Then the third week of our marriage, rolled in. We had the touch. Paid long-hair I fascinating de- heard a charming, slightly ac- got to feeling our taxes, too, but she had a way “the second most I lousy — sniffles, was cented little giggle. with tax loopholes that gave the velopment of ydur kind.” I headache, no appetite. dozing a bit. I didn’t bother with my lighter. It district collector a nervous break- just sitting, maybe was no dramatic plague; full-force, reached out, caught her, down. “So!” She gave it I pulled just a tsqjical, nasty case of flu.

sit there i sweet little dark-haired baby We traveled, but we kept the wifely indignation. “You my I used to get them every fall and and all me and kissed her. “Honey- old house. We always came back and you smile on me — to winter. I mixed myself a couple the time you are thinking of this doll, believe me — I do love you. of hot lemon and’s, and explained to it for sentimental reasons. We I singing bullfighter No matter who you are, I love spent a lot of time in libraries, cheap, female, it to my (tall, red headed) wife. museums. We went to shows and you have seen two times. You you!” “Oh, yes,” she said. “I see.” mind!” I meant every word of it, too. concerts. An3rthing that was go- have two times me in your I had an idea she took another a she was talking with 1 That was brand of accomoda- quick prowl ing, we went to ,it. She had a Already through my mind tion you will never contagious interest that she com- just the accent that chick had get from any but I felt too sick to complain.

, local girl. municated to — not to say forced used. “I’m going to bed,” I told her. I look here,” I protested, went. on — me; and if some of the “Now prowling next night operas and symphonies we “you promised not to go ^HE I had to dig a Oddly enough, instead of put- caught seemed to my elemental through my mind. A man is en- new grave out by the garage ting in a restless night, I slept musical taste to run a little long titled to a little privacy!” — a bigger one this time, for a like a log. When I woke up the ' think so of this big, beautiful, and loud, I had my conipensa- “How can you long-legged, red- next morning, I felt great. In fact, don’t — sob haired body. thing. as tions. And a lot more than most; other woman? You Funny Con- I burst into a spontaneous our adjustments were not all one- —“love me any more!” trary to general belief, none of and very tuneful chorus of Body trsdng this ever sided. Women! That’s the way seemed to do ans^hing and Soul in the shower, it came ^ Example: We made a tour of to argue with them goes. You are for the roses by the garage. They to me that I had never in my

. had done poorly Europe. Now, I always was a fine, always on the defensive. ever since Aunt life felt so well. When I looked now, Star-hon-baby,” I Belle left and they kept on doing in the mirror to shave, it loving husband to her. Complete- “Aw j seemed just a pass- poorly. Well, ly faithful. But — well, there was said, “honestly, it was no matter. Six to me I was even looking better. — months later it a dark-haired, laughing, button- ing thought. I only ” i was the little Later that day I was up on the sort of thought brimette’s turn go cute little chick who sang Span- “I know what to and we went roof putting up a TV aerial. I got up back to red hair. ish songs in English with an Ital- it was! Very well.” She When I say my hadn’t ever bothered with TV, kitchen. wife all ian accent in a little place on the and stalked off to the was women to me, I but she wanted to learn all about to, Riviera. I didn’t make a pass. I I didn’t get what she was up mean it. even that. I put up the aerial. didn’t even speak to her. But I not even when I heard her bang- The last model was medium Then I fell off the roof. I dropped

70 GAL AXY STAR-CROSSED LOVER 71 ”

nervous sys- “Darling, we — are going to blinding-bright pinpoints of light. left deny. My re-wired twelve feet, landing on my parents.” modified muscular struc- become “What? Who?” shoulder on hard-packed tem and arm and work “What?” I was awake then. “Father,” they said, “we are and dusted ture were as pleasant to lawn. Then I got up going to have a baby? were efficient. I was “We’re your children.” damage. I was all with as they myself off. No Why, that’s great. Wonderful! Do They were certainly not my a new man. right. every woman al- you think he’ll take after me?” idea of it. she said to me from Of course, “Clumsy,” I thought it over, it seemed “No. Oh, no! Star-baby, wants to make a finer speci- As where porch. ways the marries. something of a problem. What are you?” there men of whatever slob she “No,” I said. “Damn it, the luck to get the would heredity be? In fact, “Here. We were she. Now she shingle up there. Only I had the was this loose could it be? how to do the job how plus you has become us. She has right out from under one who knew It slipped “Never mind, darling,” she said divided and now we are two, the you might properly — from the inside out, me and — anyway, quietly sadly, like to think, than by simply peck, peck, — I children of you and she.” little sympathetic. rather at least be a as I look back on it “That’s “Nonsense. Quit the double talk pecking away at the outside. wonder I didn’t break my It’s a as a woman’s work, you know. Just and give it to me straight!” It was all as near perfect In fact, I can’t understand arm. leave the details to me.” Double talk it was. But if it was marriage can be. I have no. com- why I didn’t.” and very few I kissed her. We were very lov- nonsense, it was an unhappy sort broke because of the plaints now — “Nothing ing and tender. I went to sleep, of nonsense I couldn’t get around. even then. She had built me to improvements I made in you last was and dreamed all night long that I Coming slightly out of shock, last a couple of centuries. I night.” was Siamese twins in a fratricidal I tried arguing and nowhere. ready and willing to string along got “What?” finish fight over my model wife. I never won any arguments from her all the way. “Darling,” she said, “I made a with never does work out their mother either. I was con- improvements. Of course, But it few IV vinced in spite of myself that this does it? you were very attractive, lover. that way, happened to us, as it was the simple, brutal truth. It charming. But structur- What Perfectly end T woke up by daylight to a hor- was the way of reproduction of im- does to most, was that at the ally, really, you were a most preg- rible, icy, lost and separated her form of life. My alien wife of the third year she got perfect mechanism. So now that very ordinary female feeling, as though part of me had had divided, to become two half- have made a study of these nant. A I ordi- really died. I reached out my alien offspring. trait, you may say, and not bodies your people use, I . . . hand for reassurance — and I I felt lousy. I didn’t want narily surprising. No. Except that two rebuilt you.” was no ordinary female. yelled. bright, pin-point kids. I wanted “Oh? Oh! Now, look here! Who she bed one night — That sweet, soft-curved body my wife. “But look, why couldn’t you could?” We were in in hell said — in the bed next to me was cold one of you — out last night as it turned out me. and dead. “Why, father!” I got it in a tone the time, seem pretty when she told T did, at “Please! don’t be frightened. of shocked horror. “Such thing “Darling,” she said, and kissed a I officious. I was sore. damned tell It’s all right. Really, it’s all right.” would be positively incestuous. me. “I have something to I had to admit that the However, That was a voice that wasn’t a No. We must go now. This is made worked out you.” changes she voice again, as back in the be- what mother-we here for I was sort of sleepy. came — strong, light metal- “Haw?” rather well. A hoping ginning. It was familiar and at to mix and to re-vitalize her-our make much “I’ve been hoping and lic alloy seems to the same time happen, but I wasn t sure new. It wasn't all people by the addition of a fresh, than can be rnade of it would better bones right! I looked up, over the bed. new stream of life force.” General immunity to it could.” calcium. There were not one but tiny. “You flat- “Ha? Whatsat?” two mean me?” It was disease was desirable, I couldn’t GALAXY STAR-CROSSED LOVER 73 72 ”

was I to tering to think my stock would Nothing but me. What “Celebrating something, Mac?” talk. They locked me up. Cell invigorate the population of a do? inquired cop number one, while block bookies quoted there was only one pos- 50-1, no sun, but it was no cure for the Well, Schmerler Mrs. and the other takers, I would make the death thing to do, and I did it. loneliness in which I was lost. sible glared suspiciously about. cell. The way I felt, I didn’t care. going back across space I got drunk. I hung one on. It “You are “No,” I said, too miserable to The the newspapers went wild. — and leave me here alone?” was a beauty. Sometime in ^“Not think. celebrating, mourn- Things had been slow since the of the following night I "Yes, father. We must leave at course Just lost ing. my wife, and kids, election. All my old pals from onee.” held a tearful wake' out by the too.” my working days on the paper “Oh, now, wait just one radiat- garage and I buried my wife’s “He never had any children!” were making a buck with special little minute! You say I’m last body. That, I recognize, was ing said Mrs. Schmerler. “Only “Even then — should there was something your father. Well, I forbid thoughtless. I could and women. And a great deal too frighteningly different about him” patience. “Now, father, have called doctors and under- Weary many of the cheap tarts. What feature no stories. please.” takers to tell me there was poor, his dear Aunt Belle, as The next day, as my hangover “But — will you come back life left in the body, and then let saintly a woman as ever lived, faded and I got to thinking in a things sometime?” them do the digging for me say'. would . . Why don’t you over, my outlook changed. more formal, costly manner. But, It was “Certainly. With the success ask him what he w^s digging for no time for me to give up. I her-our mission, we hope the for one thing, I was drunk. For of — digging and yowling Star dust would get a lawyer. sort of factions back home will imite in another, I guess I’d just out there — by his garage last I walked over to rattle gotten into the habit of doing my cell a policy of further interchange. night? And not the first time, door for a bit. “Hey! Hey there, and others of our family will it the other way. neither!” We guard. Come here a minute, huh?” hope. It could come. Soon, we The sudden realization of what He came. next day ,y “So? Is our Blue- even prove possible to find a way TV/TUCH too early the could be turned up out there by beard softening up? Want to to our own — like about 2:30 in the of converting you the garage — and how that would make a statement?” form, so that later you may re- afternoon — the doorbell rang. I look to the unsympathetic and “Uh-uh. Not me. I just want with us.” was totally despondent, nursing turn non-credulous eyes of the law — to ask a question. Those hangover bodies, “But look—” my sorrow and a fat hit me. I opened and closed my are they going to autopsy them?” of But that was it. few more with a cold beer and some A mouth three or four times like “Not yet. Today.” “Goodby, father,” they my Star-baby’s more heavily words and, an unwell goldfish. Nothing came “Well, look—” said, putting a reasonable amount long-hair, hi-fi selections. out except a miasma of alcohol. I had a little trouble persuad- a while. of regret into it — even though I I let the bell ring for Mrs. Schmerler gaped at me with ing him, but I got him to take know damned well they were it- Then I let somebody pound on delighted shock, indignation and down all the data I could that got re- ching to get going. “And do take the door for a bit. But horror. It was the great moment member on the first one, the old care yourself.” to be hard on my headache so I her of of life. hag. There would be records on They were gone. I was alone. went to the door. The cops stepped in — not her at the County Hospital. big, lush and lovely wife; no There was Mrs. Schmerler, No aggressively, more big-brotherly They’d never make any charge door, who used to be a button-cute little brunette wife; from next — and took a good, firm grip on worse than bod3^-snatching stick companionable, real biddy-buddy of my Aunt no gay, lively, my arm. on that one. loving Titian-haired wife. No wife Belle’s. There were a couple of I , won’t go into the rest of all The others? I chuckled. I was her, too. at all. hard-eyed cops with that. They got a squad and they imagining the medical officers’ all pushed right on in. , I had never been so alone. They dug. They took me in. I wouldn’t expressions when they ran in|p

74 GALAXY STAR-CROSSED LOVER 75 those stainless-steel bones, plastic could be murder. I wouldn’t be circulatory system, metallic wir- surprised to see me get sent to ing and Ae assorted other little the loony bin. I won’t much mind innovations that my wife — my that. I have nothing to do but late wife — had installed in her wait anyway. body-building exercises. That And, in the fourth place, which would give them something to is what I am waiting for, there think about. are my children — hers and mine. So — that’s my story; all of it They are coming back. Soon, I “Tell up to now. I’m still here in my hope. Not alone, I hope. the last cool little cell, and I am damned them back there,” was lonesome. But I am not scared. I thing I said before they left, “tell the figure I have about four different them I want a girl just like kinds of insurance. girl that married your dear old dad.” thing for a N the first place, the way I am I admit it’s a poor his kids to I built now, with all the improve- man to have to send but at ments in structure and durability do his courting for him — exceptional she put into me, I doubt they least mine are pretty could electrocute me. I’d probably children. Much better informed should bring just short the equipment out. A than most, too. They They’ve got thing like that would make me me back a new bride. quite a scientific curiosity, no to. doubt; but not, at least, a dead Somehow I kind of have a feel- BY WILLY LEY maybe one. ing now that a blonde — The Shape of Shells to Come. Second, there are my invest- a tall, willowy, statuesquely ments and the way the money has stacked type — might be nice for know. QINCE I am convinced that my piled up. You know and I know a while. After that, I don’t The readers have the normal perfectly well that they just don’t I’ll have to think it over. to be reader’s habits, I am quite sure ever send a million bucks plus waiting is what is going you have all looked at the photo- to any electric chair. tough. graph on the following page be- Besides, third place, while I Kids aren’t really undepend- fore you started reading. To begin have no doubt I can be convicted able today. Are they? with, the other gentleman is Mr. of something, I don’t see how it —WILUAM W. STUART Earl Buchanan, Deputy Chief of the Armor-Defeat Ammunition Unit, at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. And the device we are holding is the prototype of a new anti-tank shell; 111 call it Projectile P, with the “P” stand-

76 GALAXY FOR YOUR INFORMATION 77 might say that ^NE the prob- ton (5 per cent water or less) and lem began in 1887. it was easy to explode, but by At that time chemists almost the same token it was unreliable. anywhere were, if the term can As for Nobel’s dynamite it was be used in this case, knee-deep in safe, but nobody, Nobel himself high-explosives research. Only a included, had yet succeeded in useful few high explosives were inventing a really reliable igniting known: guncotton, discovered ac- cap for it. Moreover most experts cidentally by Christian Friedrich felt — correctly, it must be Schonbein in 1845, and dynamite, added — that dynamite was fine discovered equally accidentally for construction and mining pur- Alfred by Nobel in 1866. Of poses but was not suited for mili- course nitroglycerin was known tary applications. since it is the basis of dynamite. Military engineers and ord- But nitroglycerin was so untrust- nance men hoped for an explosive worthy that several countries had which could not only be handled passed laws simply forbidding its safely but could even be mis- manufacture. treated with impunity — but As for guncotton, military engi- which would explode with great neers distinguished two kinds. power if the prop>er fuze was ap- One contained more than twelve plied to it. (To avoid receiving per cent of water and was there- letters about that “misspelled” fore referred to as “wet’^ Earl H. Buchanan (left) and Willy Ley guncot- word I wish to point out that, dur- Fis® 1. — U. S. Army photograph ton. It was perfectly safe to ing World War II, the Chief of handle but very hard to explode. Ordnance laid down a rule: fuzes the little item is not, repeat not, The other kind ing for Picatinny. When intro- of guncotton was used in ammunition of any kind nose cone. logically known duced into active service it will as “dry” guncot- are spelled with a “z”, while a P is, as has been probably get a different name, Projectile mentioned, an anti-tank weapon, but for the moment Projectile P meant to be fired by other tanks. will do. The very fact that it is to be car- The first point I have to make, ried by another tank produces a after stating that I got to see it number of problems. It mustn t as a result of a kind invitation by much. More important- Major General W. K. Ghormley weigh too it must not take up too much to pay a visit to the Arsenal, is ly, of space. And it must be capable that this is the complete projec- punching a hole through another tile. I trust that it wasn’t loaded, skin, no matter how tough but otherwise nothing is missing, tank’s how thick that skin might except for one little item which and be. Fig. 2. Nose of grenade M9A1 (U.S.) with I’ll mention later. But the missing shaped charge. GALAXY FOR YOUR 78 INFORMATION 79 metal plate to see what would “fuse” is something you replace the Nothing had. after you had a short circuit.) happen. he reasoned that he One of the researchers was an But then distance American, Professor Charles E. did not deal with a short It was Munroe. The aspect of his work away from the metal only. of two things; a which interests us here had to do a combination between plate and with the damage which is in- short airspace explosive under the indented flicted on steel plate by a nearby high this short airspace explosion. His tests were con- letters; but high explosive ducted on an old bank safe with was surrounded by metal. various kinds of explosive sub- fitting against the his idea he took a small stances, standard as well as ex- To test of dynamite, perimental. Fairly small samples bundle of sticks the stick in the center back of the explosives were attached pulled an inch, then tied the safe and then exploded. for about Fig. 3. Prototype of new to the anti-tank shell, fin-stabilized and with shaped and placed it charge. One of the samples was a disk bundle tightly the steel plate. The explo- of compressed guncotton, with against the magazine Popular Science Thereafter Germans talked about and the year sion promptly punched a hole in- the letters U. S. N. Monthly. the “Neumann safe. Effekt.” In the on its face, indi- to the “burglarprooP Other 1884 indented researchers repeated the meantime a German and The same quantity of dyna- explosives cating year of manufacture experiment in various forms, manufacturer, exploded against the steel in the WASAG (the ownership. mite, found it correct and began speak- letters stand for Westphalisch- air, had hardly even dented After this disk had been ex- open ing about the “Munroe effect”. Anhaltische SprengstoS Aktienge- Professor Munroe in- it. They all ploded, agreed that the Munroe sellschait or Westphalian-Anhal- the steel plate for dam- effect consisted in spected focusing an ex- tian Explosives, Inc.), the date of the experiment had taken age. It was negligible, just as he F plosion. The gases develop)ed by out several patents for such to his intense I had been 1957 instead of 1887, the had expected; but high explosive around the shaped charges. Munroe’s journal They were used surprise he now saw the letters Professor cavity ran into each other and, so to replace the rock drill in ore date 1884 in- would have been stamped to speak, U. S. N. and the compromised on a con- mines. The shaped had SECRET immediately. Since this charges dented in the steel. Nobody centrated blast in a specific direc- punched de- deep and narrow holes anything like that and was 1887, Professor Munroe tion. ever seen into the rock, happened in an then dynamite there was no explanation. scribed what had In Germany one researcher. sticks were inserted into these Munroe wondered article in Scribner’s Magazine Dr. Egon Professor Neumann, spent a good holes for blasting. (March issue of 1888), wrote a whether the fact that the “bot- deal of time investigating the Pro- This went on all through the indented letter had technical article about it for tom” of each Munroe effect and developed ar- first World War . . . and nobody from the fessor Silliman’s American Jour- been a short distance rangements and shapes which ever conceived (’Wave-like effects the idea that have anything to do nal oi Science produced it metal could best. He reported on something that punches produced by the detonation of holes with it. At first glance this did not his work in 1914 in a German through armor plate might have a guncotton,” vol. 36, 1888) and, seem likely; Munroe himself had scientific journal under the title rewrote military application! charges Vi inch, Vz inch at a later date (1900) “New types of exploded hollow bodies After the first popular form for World War a much one inch away from this article in made of explosive and as substances”. Russian, M. Kukharevsky, began GALAXY 80 FOR YOUR INFORMATION 81 was easy to follow its flight .all the muzzle. Since a few figures a spike so that the shap>ed charge to look at the Munroe-Neumann tube to this point I’ll quote would explode before it had been journal the way from launching are needed at effect and wrote (in the shaped charges were those for the German infantry squashed flat by the impact. It the Red Army) target. Then Technology of shock used in slightly larger rockets rifle, model 1898, which ’may then turned out that the about “Researches concerning the (airborne), in grenades and, I safely be considered to be public wave caused by the spike acted of whether there is a question of believe, in mortar shells. None property. When this rifle was very nearly like the nose cone of possibility of increasing the effect these types of ammunition spins fired with its normal cartridge, another projectile. It did not of high explosives by the method you visualize the ac- the bullet left the muzzle with a spread out fast enough, so that it • accumulation wave.” in flight. If of the care- tion of the Munroe effect velocity of 2900 feet per second. still hit the body of the projectile. But in spite of all the learned would little collar to fully you’ll realize that it When the same rifle was fired But by adding a treatises in German and in Rus- be diluted by a spinning projec- with the same cartridge but with the spike this problem could be sian the Munroe effect was finally the bullet removed, the combus- solved. used for military purposes in the tile. But bazooka-type rockets and tion gases left the muzzle with a That’s the reason why Projec- country of its discovery. The first do not have much velocity of nearly 7000 feet per tile P does not have the normal a shaped charge rifle grenades weapon to carry not range. Moreover, they are second. The point is that they still ogive in front. was the famous bazooka of World lack both in this, even if they had pro- Since the front end could be learned in very accurate. They did War II. It had been range and in accuracy because of pelled the bullet — which means shortened, the tail end could be the meantime — I don’t know that they are not very that the bullet, immediately after shortened too; the fins are closer and by whom that the the fact when far itself one ex- fast. They are much slower by leaving the muzzle, fovmd to the body than would punch of a shaped charge was than an artillery projectile. in a strong “wind” of hot combus- pect. Fine, but now the armor- noticeably increased if the very tion gases which were faster than punching projectile has to be fired of the high explosive was cavity Projeo against its is in his is what led up to the bullet and blew from the gun which mounted lined with thin metal. Wartime stern. the tank turret. That gun has a T tile P. research also established that not could fire a shaped For a sj)herical bullet this rifled barrel and should not be metal was equally effective If you every an elon- for its charge from a long—barreled high doesn’t matter much. For made unusable normal as a liner. Lead and aluminum would gated bullet it does. And for a ammunition. steel velocity artillery piece you liners did not add much. A range fin-stabilized bullet it could cause Well, sometimes a problem can a zinc get the velocity and with it liner did and, surprisingly, What and accuracy. But you also get trouble. (Needless to say, the be solved by putting the cart liner was quite effective. Could one fire a shell with- condition of the hot powder gases before the horse. Normal ammu- used in the bazooka was spin. was yes, the rear holds true nition has driving bands which out causing it to spin? Well, blowing from steel; what is in use how simply flight for firearm of any size or con- are forced into the groves be- it must be stabilized in any naturally, classified. The rea- but is, Bombardment rockets struction.) Normally a designer tween the lands of the gun barrel why such a metal liner in- somehow. son rear himself with a long and spin the shell. Projec- under- are stabilized by fins at their would help which creases the force is easy to ends and so are mortar shells. nose cone and fins on a rather tile P has a rotating band, a band stand. The explosion tears the not a fin-stabilized artil- long spike. But a shorter projec- which is forced into the rifling, into tiny particles which are Why liner not even seal. here lery projectile? tile has advantages too, making a gastight But added to the blast and probably There are some problems, one counting the problem of storage only the band rotates. The projec- act somewhat like an abrasive. is the fact that any pro- space. tile is left alone,, to be stabilized The bazooka which carried the of which very curious situa- In the case of Projectile P, the in flight by its tail fins. charges into battle jectile is in a first shaped front cartridge, tion immediately after leaving fuze had to stick out in on The whole roughly was a rocket, a rather slow one. It GALAXY FOR YOUR INFORMATIPN 83 82 7

an oppor- THE FIRST 35 ASTEROIDS three feet in length, hardly looks and he never missed long life to different from an artillery car- timity during his Visual found that tridge of about the same size. check back on it. He Magnitude when is in Aristo- Compared to a cartridge for an the oldest mention No. Name Year and Date Discoverer closest to earth where one anti-aircraft gun the shell looks tle’s works, “in a place Ceres 1 Piazzi looked for it,” 1 1801, Jan. 7.4 very short. And, of course, the would never have animals. 2 Pallas 1802, Mar. 28 Olbers 8.0 nose cone seems to be missing. namely in the book on Juno 1804, Sept. 1 Harding 8.7 Aristotle says that stars can be 3 4 Vesta 1807, Mar. 29 Olbers 6.5 ANY QUESTIONS? seen in daylight from dark “cis- Astraea 1845, Dec. 8 Hencke 9.9 terns” and Humboldt explained 5 “cisterns” are subter- 6 Hebe 1847, July 1 Hencke 8.5 My father, who was bom and that these fresh water 7 Iris 1847, Aug. 13 Hind 8.4 grew up in Hamburg used to tell ranean caves with 8 Flora 1847, Oct. 18 Hind 8.9 to see stars springs. In order to provide some me that it is possible Metis shaft was dug from 9 1848, Apr. 26 Graham 8.9 in full daylight, provided that you illumination a to the sur- 10 Hygeia 1849, Apr. 12 de Gasparis 9.5 look up through a tall opening the roof of the cistern 11 Parthenope 1850, May 11 de Gasparis 9.3 such as a mine shaft or tall fac- face. Humboldt then 12 Victoria 1850, Sept. 13 Hind 9.7 tory chimney. I have recently Alexander von that he, in 13 Egeria 1850, Nov. 2 Hind 9.7 been able to test his story but the reminded his readers been the 14 Irene 1851, May 19 de Gasparis 9.7 result was negative. Could this be his young days, had Eunomia 1851, Gasparis in a German 15 July 29 de 8.6 due to the fact that Hamburg is supervisor of mining 16 Psyche 1852, Mar. 1 de Gasparis 9.6 about 10° farther North than duchy, having therefore many 17 Thetis 1852, Apr. 17 Luther 10.1 Chicago? opportunities to test the story. 18 Melpomene 1852, June 24 Hind 9.3 Karl Wechselmann But he had never succeeded. The philosopher” Hor- 19 Fortuna 1852, Aug. 22 Hind 9.8 Chicago 56, 111. Swiss “natural 20 Massalia 1852, Sept. 19 de Gasparis 9.2 ace Benedict de Saussure re- 21 Lutetia 1852, Nov. 15 Goldschmidt his guides at the 10.1 this is due to the fact that ported that No, Kalliope 1852, Nov. 16 Hind swore they could see 22 9.8 this legend is rather wide-spread Montblanc from the 23 Thalia 1852, Dec. 15 Hind 10.5 but not in the United stars when looking up in Germany 24 Themis 1853, Apr. 5 de Gasparis nearly vertical moun- 10.8 States. I have recently re-read bottom of a pointed out 25 Phocaea 1853, Apr. 7 Chacornac 10.5 the third volume of Baron Alex- tain side. Humboldt 26 Proserpina 1853, May 5 Luther 10.5 Humboldt’s Kosmos — that de Saussure himself did not ander von 27 Euterpe 1853, Nov. 8 Hind that two other Swiss, 9.7 for an entirely different reason, of see stars and 28 Bellona 1854, Mar. 1 Luther 10.1 that the the brothers Hermann and course — and found 29 Amphitrite also did 1854, Mar. 1 Marth 9.0 famous traveler had been an- Adolph Schlagintweit, he 30 Urania 1854, July 22 Hind 9.9 noyed by the same story. Being not succeed and that, finally, the 31 Euphrosine 1854, Sept. 2 Ferguson 11.0 Humboldt, he had traced the himself had spent years in America 32 Pomona 1854, Oct. 26 Goldschmidt 10.6 of the idea. high mountains of South whole history 33 Polyhymnia 1854, Oct. 28 Chacornac never succeeded, even 11.8 He had heard it when a boy and had and 34 Circe (Kirkeia) 1855, Apr. 16 Chacornac 11.5 tried it and though he could see Jupiter and had, naturally, 35 Leukothea 1855, Apr. 19 Luther the sun was in the 12.2 failed. This failure annoyed him Venus when GALAXY FOR YOUR INFORMATION 85 84 Well, I can oblige you with a photosynthesis. They can convert simple molecules sky. Humboldt was a most meth- without needing list of the first 35 asteroids, which chemical compounds into odical man. simple sunlight, but they do need oxygen. of the is sure to include most so-called then Sir John Herschel, in complicated organic As a rule one does not consider But of the largest of them. (Some compounds, provided liquid oxygen a “vegetable matter” since his Outlines of Astronomy would in the orbit of Trojan asteroids, water is present and there is sun- it is a chemical element. in write: “We have ourselves heard But quite large but are celebrated Optician, Jupiter, are light as an energy source. The by- the ecology of a whole planet it it stated by a were not in this list because they product of photosynthesis is free the earliest circumstance is practical to remember that free that aster- discovered quite late.) No life forms which drew his attention to as- oxygen. The which do oxygen would not exist if the reaches visual magnitude was the regular appear- oid ever not live on vegetable matter but plants did not keep making it; tronomy, to which is usually considered not need sunlight either utilize production ance, at a certain hour, for several 6, do without a steady of be the smallest magnitude visible process called chemosynthesis. successive days, of a considerable a more oxygen, the oxygen that naked eye. I may add here the shaft of a chim- to the They are a special group of bac- happens to be in a planetary star, through astronomer that the well known teria which have names like nitro- atmosphere would quickly be ney.” Humboldt quickly struck up Bobrovnikoff once told me friendships with pro- Dr. gen bacteria, methane bacteria, used up by oxidizing whatever ephemeral people, that he found many and sulphur bacteria. They can oxidized. fessional chimney-sweeps, who all can be students, I presume, him that they had never among his build up complex molecules from — WILLY LEY assured magni- chimneys which could see stars of seen stars through their But to tude 7 imder fine conditions. in daytime. But it seemed normal eyesight, or eyesight them that the stars seen through for by glasses, Each year the World Science Fiction Convention awards trophies to the seemed to be corrected to normal a chimney at night best science fiction of the year in several categories. As a service to readers and under normal conditions you enlarged. would like to nominate their favorites for this honor, we publish the asteroid with- who nothing to can’t hope to see an In short, there is following ballot. This is for nomination only. A later vote on the five highest possible out the aid of a telescope. the story. It is, of course, in each category will determine the award winners. or Venus happen to that Jupiter about In a newspaper article 1962 HUGO AWARDS NOMINATION BLANK be in the piece of sky visible it of other planets was 20th World Science Fiction Convention • P.O. 4864 • Chicago Illinois. Please enter my slanting mineshaft. But life forms Box 80, through a nominations In the following categories. I feel this is the best science fiction published during there are life these mentioned that 1961 and should be considered for recognition at the Annual Hugo Awards Banquet on September 2. if they are visible under forms which do not feed on or- conditions they would also be 1. Novel like animals and ganic substances 2. Short Fiction visible from the top of this shaft, sunlight, like plants. know where to look do not need 3. Dramatic Presentation provided you them, Can you tell me more about 4. Professional Artist for them. if they really exist? 5. Professional Magazine Dave McGuire 6. Amateur Magazine have been trying to find a I Jersey but my Rutherford, New To become a valid nomination, this blank must be signed with name and, address and postmarked list of the larger asteroids by midnight April 20. Only Convention members will receive a voting ballot, distributed June 5 with the 4th Issue of the Progress Report; a $2.00 membership fee, payable to George W. Price, librarian has not been able local but one Treasurer, will Insure your vote and enter your subscription for the Progress Reports. question: Yes, they do exist, to help me. One other that they do depend on Name asteroid ever become a could say does any not Address plant life even though they do naked-eye object? City matter. Plants, re- Zone State (Mrs.) Diana Fields eat vegetable I already hold convention membership # member, use a process called Trenton, New Jersey CHICON III • Pick-Congress Hotel • Chicago • August 31 — September 3

GALAXY FOR YOUR INFORMATION 87 86 you've had them — Peter Stone put on his hat and When he boarded his bus, It was one of those days — perhaps a for * sistarted the station. Every maintenance man was just hang- everything went right! when third step he inhaled and told ing a sign over the gagged fare himself: “It isn’t that bad.” Peter box: bad a good job, a good wife, and commuting was wearing him Due to Tax Readjustment, down to a twitch. Sooty teeth- Urban Transportation Free. rattling train, Penn Station’s steaming caverns, a soggy lurch- The driver, liberate^ from ing bus, lunch down in sun-seared, change-making and police duties, exhaust-ventilated streets and smiled a greeting at him. No the ride home ... as the hated crush in the bus, perhaps because maroon dot of his train app>eared, there seemed so many about. The a convulsion of revulsion shook silver one coming towards him him. had a big green and white sign: “I wish it weren’t that bad!” DOWN FIFTH TO 33rd. WEST he thought with every fiber. And ON 33rd TO SEVENTH. PENN Powers-of-pearl, suffused with the STATION LAST STOP. It was glow of challenge, laughed. the first readable bus sign he Peter Stone, fighting at the remembered seeing. newsstand, noted with annoyance Whenever the light turned red, I THE that a crew of maintenance men he found, squads of maintenance swarmed about the train. “Broke men darted about the stopped down again," he thought bitterly. cars and trucks, slapping silver LONG Halfway his cylinders over down car two men each exhaust pipe. ran a vacuum cleaner over the He could hear snatches of explan- I SILVERY tired plush. Keeping pace behind ations: “City ordinance,” “Free them, two others aimed wide- service.” As soon as a cylinder was mouth silver hoses upwards, in place, smoke and noise stopped DAY spreading thick sheets of foam on coming out of the exhaust. the ceiling. It wasn’t xmtil Peter Stone unfolded his newspaper Vjf^TIEN his hat sailed gaily to- By MAGNUS LUDENS that he noticed how quiet had wards the hook. Peter spread with that foam. Next, his Stone realized that, incredibly, he ears registered with surprise wasn’t 44¥ ETS go slumming,” said pride asked indulgently. “Phone the tired. Work flowed through purr of freshly-oiled machinery, his fingers, his secretary smiled, -Li Powers-of-pearl. “Let’s give book?” fun. But no and his eyes the sight of a tree, his boss looked in once and whis- an earthman his wish for a day. “Intensity’s more so bored put- for once without its double win- tled. At noon only the thought of We haven’t played that game in more nomads, I got connoisseur features on syn- dow screen of hair-oil and dried paraffined carton coffee restrained ages.” ting grime droplets. him from staying in. “How do we pick him?” Fire- thetic camels!” GALAXY THE LONG, SILVERY DAY 89 88 )

of the bright platform covered in STATEMENT REQUIRED BY THE “Coming right up, Seventeen!” spanned the four sides in- a ACT OF AUGUST 24, 1912, AS Airy and elegant, with springy non-skid green plastic. said the new silver grille next to tersection. AMENDED BY THE ACTS OF faint echoes of Library style, the One wall of his train was made the elevator button. Cheered, he MARCH 3, 1933, JULY 2, 1946 AND provided the per- of clear plastic sliding doors. clove the mindless rush down- quadruple arch Up JUNE 11, 1960 (74 STAT. 208) touch for the square. Inside, there were deep pile car- SHOWING THE OWNERSHIP, MAN- stairs and pushed inside a lunch- fect finishing composed of three pets, reclining chairs, low blue AGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION OF eonette where maintenance men Each side was moving platforms overheads and movable reading were finishing the removal of escalators and GALAXY MAGAZINE, published Bi- directions, with a set of lights. As the doors slid softly Monthly at New York, N. Y., for October 1, every second stool and the re- in both 1961. with stairs and a promenade. shut, Peter Stone remembered as 1. The names and addresses of the pub- upholstery of the remainder lisher, editor, managing editor, and business - foot, on the sil- usual the letter he’d forgotten to are: foam cushions. A smiling waitress Timidly, he set managers Publisher Robert M. Guinn, 421 Hudson St., New York 14, N. Y.; wafted up, mail for his wife; but this time he Man- brought him a menu and a pencil. ver filigree. He was aging editor Fred Pohl; Business manager None. across and down. Beneath him could see a stamp machine and OppHDsite each item was a small 2. The owner is: (If owned by a corpora- top ex- flowed a brilliant river of quiet mail box at the end of the car. tion, its name and address must be stated and circle, and a line at the also immediately thereunder the names and he took the trip When he got up he saw that there addresses of stockholders owning or holding plained: THIS IS YOUR MEN- cars. Fascinated, 1 percent or more of total amount of stock. on the promen- were also milk, coffee, soda, fruit, UCHECK. PLEASE MARK back, then stood If not owned by a corporation, the names and watching the pattern, breath- cigarette, aspirin and newspaper addresses of the individual owners must be WANTED ITEMS, DROP ade given. If owned by a partnership or other un- incorporated firm, its name address, ing in incredulous lungfuls of vending machines, and three tele- and as MENUCHECK IN SLOT. well as that of each individual member, must phone booths. be given.) fast, Peter clean air. Served incredibly Galaxy Publishing Corporation, 421 Hudson fled on newly The train glided to a hushed St., New York N. Stone ate in blissful peace. On his The afternoon 14, Y., Robert M. Guinn more he put on halt three minutes after a speaker (sole stockholder), 421 Hudson St., New way out he saw that the cashier’s silent feet. Once York 14, N. Y. 3. The known bondholder, mortgagees, three his hat to face the ride home. at his elbow had murmured the cage had been replaced with and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more hoppers for name of his station. Before his of total amount of bonds, silver cabinets with mortgages, or other securities are: (// ther^ sil- wife’s goggling eyes, Peter Stone are none, so state IS small, air-conditioned . Menuchecks and money, recessed None. bonded down the steps and ran turnstile H ver bus reached Penn Sta- 4. Paragraphs 2 and 3 include, in cases cups for change and a where the stockholder or security holder ap- earlier than to their car. She remembered that each. When he walked through he tion ten minutes pears upon the books of the company as Peter Stone was evening the rest of her life. trustee or in any other fiduciary relation, the found that he still had forty usual. By now name of the person or corporation for whom Powers-of-pearl let the silver such trustee is acting; also the statements in his lunch hour left. not overly surprised to see silver minutes of the two paragraphs show the affiant’s full evaporate, and with it Forty minutes! He could walk moving ways disappearing into the mem- knowledge and belief as to the circumstances and conditions under which stockholders and maw, nor, once in- ory of it. “The best game yet,” she security holders who to a bookshop, or the park . . . the Station’s do not appear upon the books of the company breezes that blew smiled, leaning in happy exhaus- as trustees, hold stock walk, through exhaust fumes and side, to feel and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona fide airconditioner silently from silver gadgets like tion against Firepride’s shoulder. owner. the belches of 5. The average number of copies of each the “You were magnificent,” issue of this publication sold waste? But silver mesh covered jet engines. He also accepted or distributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid sub- in the laughed Fire-pride. “One step the noissome vents. A cautious waiting passengers dancing scribers during the 12 months preceding the date shown above was: (This information is —^the piped music ahead of an entire city!” Powers- sniff assured him it worked. great lobby required by the act of June 11, 1960 to be long been excellent. of-pearl blushed radiantly. included in all statements regardless of fre- He decided to walk to the there had quency of issue.) 91,000. newsstands for a foreign A low, pleasant voice an- No trace of their game re- Library ROBERT M. GUINN, Publisher in diamond-cut mained. But for some obscure rea- magazine. As he reached 42nd nounced his train Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of October, syllables that floated from silver- son, Peter Stone decided that one 1961. and Fifth an army of workmen Jacques N. Glick, Notary Public, State of day he New York, No. 03-14571CK). (^alified in Bronx putting the last touches on a dollar speakers spangling the would run for Mayor. were County. Cert, filed in New York County. to structure of dull silver that walls. Silver escalators swept — MAGNUS LUDENS (Commission expires March 30, 1963)

THE LONG, SILVERY 91 90 GALAXY DAY The baby was lonesome, helpless

and afraid. It wasn't his fault he was seven hundred feet tall!

r By JACK SHARKEY Illustrated by GAUGHAN

he dancing green blip “Care to see it again, sir?” asked “is where erratic course the scanner beam first traced an the technician. His fingers hov- caught the pulse of the upon the glossy gray creature.” ered over the dials, his body T pattern in Jerry nodded, his eyes riveted screen, the jagged-line an attitude of impending motion. to that zigzag phosphor pattern repeated over and over, its out- Jerry Norcriss tilted his head upon the screen. He noted the line going from dim to sharply in a brief, authoritative nod. The soaring peaks and plunging brightness to dim again val- emerald technician started the machine technician cut leys with something like dismay. before fading. The again. With a soft humming, the “It’s a powerful one,” he mar- the switch. There was a sustained gray circular screen began to within the veled. It was one of his rare whir of reorganization pulse once more with that dancing comments. Space Zoologists as the data-cards were machine line of brightness. rarely spoke at all, to any but refiled. “Now, here, sir,” said the tech. their own kind, and even then GALAXY 92 BIG BABY 93 ” were typically terse of speech. ache. Jerry realized suddenly that “Yes, sir,” said the tech, with blank on that animal’s expected

The tech, almost as impressed he was badly scared . . . strained cordiality. “Will that be check-pattern. The animal was by this — for Jerry — long all, sir?” the brown bear, of north central speech as he had been by the the tech said suddenly, “Yes,” said Jerry. Then, as the America. And only after agon- first warning from Naval Space ^ “I was under the impression tech started out of the compart- izing hours of theorizing and Corps Headquarters on Earth, that the roborocket scanners ment, “No, wait. Tell Ollie Gibbs worrying did someone come up could only nod grimly. His own couldn’t miss a life-pulse on a in the Ward Room to bring up a with the answer to the dilemma: eyes were as intent upon the planet. I mean, making a com- pot of coffee. Black.” It had been a long, hard winter. screen as Jerry’s. plete circuit of the planet every The man nodded, and went out The bears were in extended hi- “Here — ” the line was glowing ninety minutes, for a period of six the door, dogging it after him. bernation. Somehow, the fleeting listened the booted flicker of their life-pulses its brightest now — “here’s where months . . . It’s impossible for Jerry to subdued the creature passed directly be- them to miss an uncatalogued feet clanking on their magnetic had never managed to correspond neath the scanner-beam. That’s life-form.” soles up the passageway of the with the inquisitive sweep of the the full strength of its life-pulse.” “I know it is,” said Jerry spaceship, and sighed. scanner-beams from the blackness The line lost clarity and strength, Norcriss, pushing blunt fingers The situation, in Jerry’s ex- of space overhead. And so, they’d faded. “And here’s where it was through his shock of prematurely perience, was fantastic. Only been left off, as though they did lost again, sir.” white hair. “Save for two prece- twice, in the history of Space not even exist. “Time of focus?” snapped dents, I cannot conceive of any Zoology, had there been over- A lot of sweat was dabbed from sights the Jerry, trying to keep his voice way in which this pulse could on part of the scanners. relieved foreheads in the Corps calm. have been overlooked.” One, almost comically, had been when a secondary roborocket, Earth, scanners “Nearly a full minute,” said the “Two precedents, sir?” said the on when the were sent into a short one-week orbit, first being tested. tech, still blinking at the screen. tech, intrigued both by the un- The chunky had picked up the animals’ pulses roborocket its angles It was now devoid of impulse, suspected fallibility of the scan- — and with ease as soon as springtime barren once more. “That means ner and by this unusual loquacity bulges and tapering pickup-heads was upon the land. The odds unsuitable for flight in any me- against that whatever the thing is, it’s big, from the zoologist. their being thus missed dium but airless space fantastic, sir. Damned big, to stay at maxi- Jerry removed his gaze from — had were astronomically swept giddily about mum pulse that long.” the screen and regarded the the planet, unlikely. But it had happened, the sensitive pickup-heads record- “I know very well what it young man standing beside it. He despite the odds against it, and ing and filing microtape the means!” Jerry grated. “The thing’s made as if to reply, then thought on the Corps was forcibly reminded patterns of the life-pulses of all so — better of it. Any out-going on his that in a universe of planets, there The tech smiled bleakly. part was an effort. A big effort. sentient life below. And when the is infinite room for even the un- tape had been translated onto “ — incredible, sir?” And a danger. Only another Space the likely to occur. IBM cards, and the cards Jerry’s nod was thoughtful. Zoologist would understand the run The only other oversight had through the translation chambers, been years later, just- “The only word for it. Ensign.” danger of speech, of letting loose, when a to get their incomprehensible His inner eye kept repeating for of relaxing for a moment that settling colony had been half-de- sine-patterns him that impossible green pat- terrible vigil over one’s personal changed into read- stroyed by a herd of immense able English, it was found that tern he’d seen. The strong, flat psychic barricades. beasts similar to the buffalo of there was an animal missing. muscles of his shoulders and neck “Skip it,” he said abruptly. The Earth, but viciously carnivorous. Six months circling knotted into what could easily young ensign’s smile tightened of the There had been no indication, in planet had still left the index the become a villainous tension-head- to obedience at the words. six-month, scanning period, BIG BABY 94 GALAXY 95 ^ that such a species even existed A ND yet, here he was, descend- He grunted an answer, and the at this unheard-of request, but he on the planet, the third planet of ing through the black ship’s mess boy came in, his face perched obediently in a chair, al- Syrinx Gamma, the sun of a vacuum of space toward an al- rigid in an expression of polite most poised for flight on the edge newly discovered system beyond ready-colonized planet, the second decorum as he set the steaming of the seat. To have a chat with the Coalsack. planet of Sirius, a planet sup- pot and drab plastic cup down a Space Zoologist was without The reason was maddeningly posedly already scanned, cata- on the swing-out table at Jerry’s precedent in Ollie’s experience. simple. The herds were migratory. logued, and long-since ready for elbow. Jerry carefully poured himself Their migrations had corre- inhabitation. And now, after the Jerry sensed the man’s eyes a cup of coffee, took a sip and sponded in scope around the colonials had been there for flickering onto him each time the settled back comfortably in his oceanless planet with the sweep nearly five years, something was mess boy felt the zoologist wasn’t chair. “What’s on your mind, of the scanner-beam in such a way starting to wipe them out. Some looking his way. He finally turned Ollie?” that the roborocket was scanning unsuspected alien thing was and caught the youth in mid- “Like I said, sir, just plain nosi- either where the herd had just present on the planet, a thing stare. ness. I — I can’t get over you been or where it had not yet ar- lofted roborocket that a hastily ‘What is it, Ollie?” said Jerry, Learners, sir, that’s all. I always rived. Again, the fan- odds were had located in a matter of hours, not unkindly. “You’ll burst if you wonder what gets you into the tastic against the occurrence. Yet, and yet missed in its original don’t talk. had Go ahead, spit it out.” business. Why you stay in it so again, it had happened. Other six-month orbital check, before Ollie flashed a brief grin, a daz- long, why you die so quick if you than these two events, though, the settlers came. zle of white teeth that was all the quit the Corps, or — Well, like there had been no further error impossible. Incredible. It was brighter in his bronze face. “If that, sir.” on the part of scanners for nearly yet, again, it had happened And I’m bursting with anything, sir, “Just general curiosity about a decade. was happening and had to — — it’s just plain nosiness.” my raison d’etre, huh?” said Precautions had been taken be stopped. Jerry. He wasn’t trying to floor against recurrence. frantic appeal had been A ERRY glanced from Ollie to the mess boy with a four-dollar Roborockets were now sent to beamed to Earth through sub- J the wall clock — spaceship word; even the lowliest crewman scan a planet only at a time when space, an appeal for a Space Zoo- clocks were always set at Eastern on a spaceship had been chosen there would be an overlap of sea- logist to find the alien. Learn its Standard Earth Time — and for brainpower, long before brawn sonal climes, so that the beam weaknesses, and recommend its sighed. He was cutting it terribly came into consideration at all. would inspect the surface through- mode of destruction. close this time. Suddenly, he “That’s about it, sir.” Ollie out both the mild and the rig- “Some day,” Jerry mused, wait- wanted very much to have some- nodded. “I mean, I watch you, sir, orous weathers, thus obviating a ing impatiently for Ollie Gibbs one to talk to. It didn’t matter, all when you come out on these trips. repeat of the brown bear incident. with the coffee, “I’ll come upon at once, that he’d be exposing You get all keyed up and worried And the sweep of the beam had an invincible alien. What recom- himself to danger by relaxing his and sick-looking, and I keep won- been extended, so that no animal mendation then!” He could just mental grip on himself. If the dering, ‘Why does he do it? Why with migratory movement at imagine himself telling a second- ship were not landed and his job doesn’t he get out of it if it affects speeds less than that of a super- generation village of hardshell begun within two hours he’d be him like that?”’ sonic plane could have avoided settlers that they’d best just pack no worse off speaking than if he’d Jerry stared ruefully being at the duly detected and cata- up and get out . . . kept still. wall before him, and didn’t logued. That, they thought, should meet Jerry’s ruminations were in- “Sit down, Ollie,” he said ab- the mess boy’s eyes as he replied. prevent any more such incidents. terrupted by the soft tap on the ruptly. “Every man gets keyed up and All that Jerry knew. door that meant Ollie had arrived. The mess boy’s eyebrows rose scared when he has an important 96 GALAXY BIG BABY 97 ” undertaking at hand. It’s just else,” he said. “Unless you’d like jy. Space nerves or something of habit of electrical allergy. awhile?” When worry, plain and simple. The me to stick around I guess.” the sort, subjected to even a mild electric considered the offer, thought of failure keeps' me all Jerry then “Sure, sir.” current, it avoided the consequent tightened up.” shook his head. “No . . . I’d better The mess boy turned and con- shakeup of its electronic juxtapo- Jerry paused, awaiting a re- not, Ollie.” The barest ghost of down tinued the passageway. sition by simply vanishing from sponse. When none was forth- humof glowed a moment on the shut the door Jerry slowly, then normal space until the power was his gaze slowly zoologist’s face. “You’re too coming, he turned sat down in his chair once more. turned off. The nice part about its to meet that of the mess boy, damned easy to talk to.” stared and at the clock, and sip>- disappearance from grinned, — an astro- hoping he was doing it casually “Yes, sir,” Ollie then ped the hot coffee, and fought the naut’s point of view — was that an3rthing like sus- went out and closed the door enough to allay cold needle-pricks of fear in every the crystal took not only itself, picion in the other man. But the after him. muscle and joint of his body. . . but objects within a certain radius smile he met was, affectionately, Jerry sat in the chair a second along with it. It turned out that the smile of a man who hasn’t longer, then jumped up and II a crystal of Praesodynimium the been fooled. pulled the door open again. Ollie, moderate size of a sixteen-inch “That’s not it, sir,” said Ollie. a few steps down the passageway, rpHE colony on the second softball would curious surprise. warp a ninety-foot “I know it’s not. Because you’re turned about in planet of Sirius existed spaceship into hyperspace with- keyed up the wrong way. You’re “Sir?” solely due to one of those vicious out even breathing hard. Of keyed up with worry that you “Tell Captain — ” Jerry began, circles of progress. Just as iron is course, it would warp anything won’t have a job to do. Your big then realized his voice was nearly needed to make the steel to build else within a fifty-foot radius, too; upset’s a lot like a — Well, like a ragged shout, and lowered it. the tools and equipment neces- so it was only turned on after the a junky waiting for his next ‘Would you please tell the cap- sary to mine the raw iron ore, so ship had ascended beyond planet- fix ... If you’ll pardon the expres- tain to speed things up if he can, this colony was needed to mine ary atmosphere, lest a large scoop sion, sir.” Ollie?” the precious mineral that made of landing-field, not to Ollie hesitated. “The vec- mention a such colonies possible in the first ” few members of the ground crew, 6iT will not pardon it!” Jerry tor — he started, then stiffened place. be carried away with the ship. militarily and replied, “Yes, sir. bawled, then gripped the The mineral was called Praeso- In her eagerness to investigate once, sir.” arms of his chair and shook his At dynimium, a polysyllabic mouth- the now-attainable stars. Earth head in instant apology as the “No,” Jerry groaned, closing his ful which meant simply that it had soon exhausted eyes and hanging onto the metal her sources other man’s face went slack with was an unstable crystalline iso- of the mineral. Worse, the crystal, edge of the doorframe. “Forget it. surprise. “No, Ollie, no. I take tope of sodium that broke down being unstable, had a half-life follow in. of that back. I asked you to sit He’s got a course to He eventually into ordinary sodium only twenty-five years. That there, told you to let me know can’t get there any faster.” (hence “prae-”:before; “sod-”:so- meant that a ship using Ollie, knowing this already, it had a what was on your mind. I can’t dium), which was possessed of full-range radial margin of about very well blow up just because just stood there'. extreme kinetic potentials five years before the crystal you followed my lead.” “Just go have a cup of coffee,” (“dyn-”:power), and was first ceased warping the ship-inclusive “Everyone blows up, now and Jerry added, lamely. “And about extracted from — sodium com- area. then, sir,” Ollie said. what I said pounds by a Canadian scientist Until some way was discovered Jerry nodded glumly. “You know I wouldn’t say any- -imium” instead ( of the more to get into hyperspace without Ollie “I’ll be the thing about it, sir,” Ollie said. got up. in ward American “-inum” or even “-um”). using Praesodynimium and its “I know,” Jerry admitted. “Sor- — room, sir, if you need anything This crystal had the happy actual function was as much a 98 G ALAXY BIG BABY 99 roborocket from the cellar of the filed in U.S. mystery to scientists as an auto- cies Naval Space were luxury compared to those spacefield warehouse and storage Alien-Contact mobile’s cause-and-effect is to a Corps Library, a setups. If the six-month orbit of depot. They sent the rocket into collection of the vast alien multi- lot of drivers; very few people the roborocket found the planet an orbit matching planetary ro- gathered by can describe the esoteric relation- tude Space Zoolo- safe for humans, well and good; of the tation. In effect it simply hovered gists in the methodical coloniza- ships between the turning Jerry did not have to go. But if over the mines while it scanned and exploration ignition key and the turning of tion of the a new life-form were spotted — the area for uncatalogued alien universe. It was found to the rear wheels — the mineral be not one that did not correspond in life. only unknown was worth ten times its weight in anywhere in the life-pulse to any known species And when they brought the thus-far-explored cosmos, uranium 235. but — then it was Jerry’s job to land rocket down and checked the totally unlike any life-pulse Sirius II had been found to be pre- on the planet and Learn the a microtape against the file of viously encountered. as rife with the mineral as beast, to determine its probable planet, they calories. known species on the Earth decided the only candy store is with way to menace, if any, to man. found that no such beast had ever get any satisfaction Hence the colony. would be by The tech was referring to the been catalogued. Its life-pulse the unorthodox For so long as the ore held out method of send- fact that Jerry’s usual base of gave a reading of point-nine-nine- ing in a Space Zoologist the planet would be regarded to Con- operations was out on the sward nine. tact the alien, though with fond respect and esteem by this would beside the tailfin of the rocket, Since lifepulses are catalogued be the first time in the history any and all persons who had in- of the only power-source on a non- on a decimal scale based on the Contact that this had ever vestments, relatives or even just been colonized planet. There, in his numeral one (with Man rated at done on an already-settled planet. interest in the Space Age and its Contact helmet, relaxed upon his point-oh-five-oh), the colonial ad- And so the badly frightened contingent programs. padded couch, he would let his ministration staff immediately colony lingered behind bolted mind be sent right into that of the closed considerable ordered the mines officially doors, and peered through locked O it was with alien, to Learn it from the inside and off-limits. This brought no windows at the sky S trepidation that Earth re- — awaiting out. Here, though, on a settled results on Sirius II which had not the arrival of Jerry Norcriss, and ceived the news that the mines world, his accommodations were been already achieved, but the praying he’d locate the alien and Sirius were no longer being pleasantly out of the ordinary. on feel declaration made the miners tell them how it might be worked. Oh, yes, there was still dealt He was in the solarium of the a little less guilty over their dere- with . . . ore — enough to keep the planet town’s research laboratory-hospi- liction of duty. profitable for another century. tal. He gazed up through quartz to An SOS was swiftly sent egging your pardon, sir,” The trouble was the miners. They panes at soothing blue skies, in Earth, explaining the situation in grinned the tech, weren’t coming out of the mines doing air-conditioned comfort spoiled detail and requesting instructions. some last-minute fiddling with anymore. And no one who went the only by a fugitive scent of disin- Earth sent word to hang on, machine, “but you never inside to look for them was ever had it fectant lingering in the building. keep calm and leave the mines so good.” Jerry dabbed seen again, either. at the Some half-dozen curious mem- closed until an investigation could cold sweat-film on his Naturally, mining slacked off. forehead bers of the building’s staff were be made — all of which the col- and upper lip, and nodded The men refused to set foot in gathered in the room. None of ony was trying to do anyway. silently. the mines until somebody found them had ever seen a man go into duplicate of the microtape In all his previous Contacts, out what had happened to their A Contact before. In vain the tech with done before had been transmitted along any colonization was had assured them, predecessors. before Jerr3r’s the SOS. Earth had checked the even attempted, things were So the officials of the colony a bit arrival, that there was nothing to against every known spe- more rustic. His present environs resurrected a scanner-beam and pattern be seen. Jerry would lie on the GALAXY BIG BABY 100 101 . couch and adjust the helmet upon his stomach, lay there in his hel- for the tech to would met and waited , his head, and then the tech adjusting the machine. throw a switch. And for forty finish scanner-beam, sent toward minutes there would be nothing A supine the suspected locale from the to see except Jerry’s silent had instantly retrig- body. solarium, that same green blip in Later, of course, the inforina- gered mind response, as jagged and powerful tion transmitted by Jerry’s the Jerry would soon be through the helmet pickups to as before. the center of the machine would be translated into sent right into read response-area, and his mind im- English. Then they could all That in the brain of the alien. about the new animal. bedded will you?” Jerry would be the interesting part, for “Hurry it up, over to the tech, trying not them; not this senseless staring called white-haired to shout. at the young man, so far “Ready, sir,” the other man at thirty-plus, who would, merely said abruptly. “Are you all set?” as they’d be able to tell, forty- “All set. Ensign,” Jerry replied, doze off for an uneventful his eyes to the clear minute nap. then shut blue sky and the stares of the For Jerry, however, things his mind relax for would be anything but dull for curious and let brief shock of transport . . . those forty minutes. the lightning, silent, Once the process was begun, A flare of white and cold in his mind — and there was no way known even to Norcriss was in Contact . . the discoverer of the Contact Jerry principle to extend or reduce the of the nurses, crisp and time-period. When Jerry’s mind NE white starched had traveled to that of the alien, O efficient in hesitant step to- he would remain there for the full cotton, took a the figure on the couch, time. Anything that happened to ward to the tech without the alien in that period would also then spoke him, intensely. “What happen to Jerry. Including death. looking at his chances? It’s so important If the alien somehow perished are with Jerry “aboard,” as it were, that he succeed!” brush her off with a the group in the solarium would About to reply, the tech wait in vain for him ever to bestir noncommittal gaze from the control himself and rise from the couch turned his meet, turning to face again. panel to pair of the deepest blue Jerry, fighting the waves of him, a seen, and a smooth- nausea that burned in the pit of eyes he’d ever

102 GALAXY would return to his body skinned serious face beneath a his mind “I’m sorry. I was telescoping tions. “You could both renege on The brain-center gets short-cropped tangle of bright by itself. events. You see, with Dad miss- your contracts.” triggered sort of like a muscle re- hair. The eyes were ing, I postponed the ceremony, “And go back to Earth to- yellow paralyzed in- acts to a blow. It gets troubled. His manner softened naturally, till I could learn what gether?” Jana shook her head. “I for a certain time. Forty minutes. happened. stantly. had Jim — that’s Jim couldn’t do that, for Jim’s sake. Beyond that limit, or short of it, Trying not to show the sudden Herrick, my fiance — was won- He’s spent his life at mining, and no Contact or breaking of Con- he felt, he pointed with derfully understanding about it. this is the kind of mining he warmth .” tact is possible . . offhand authority at the tall He’s a miner, too. On the night- knows best: Praesodynimium. with His voice trailed off as he real- metal machine, its face alive shift, thank God. But if Lieuten- And there just is no more on were ab- in- ized her responsive nods Norcriss leaping lights and quivering ant doesn’t succeed — Earth.” stracted and vague, her thoughts if he can’t find a way to destroy “He could get something else,” dicator needles. awk- elsewhere. “Look,” he said beast, “This’ll tell the story, one way this whatever it is — we said Bob. but Space wardly, “I’m no psyche-man, get married, or the other,” he said. “A can’t ever.” “I know. But he might not be maybe it’d help if you talked Zoologist’s chances are always Bob shook his head slowly. happy. After a while, he might and about it.” “You can’t? I don’t fifty-fifty. He either succeeds follow.” blame me for it. Or I’d blame my- he faint smile touched her “You’re returns in perfect health, or A in the Space Corps,” self. Either way, things just realize it aU. mouth. “I didn’t said. fails and doesn’t return at she “Maybe you don’t know wouldn’t be the same. I — I sup- showed.” But whatever data he picks up in about interstellar colonies. It pose you think I’m foolish, feeling grinned and shrugged. Contact will be punched onto the He costs plenty to send people to the so strongly about him?” name’s Jana,” she said. microtape. It may help us deal “My stars. The investors want some Bob said softly, “Honey, any Corby.” She was trying to with the menace. Or it may not. “Jana kind of guarantees for their guy would cut his arm off to get some of the natural tension She looked surprised. “Then ease money. So we’re all signed to a a girl like you. Myself included.” I’d between strangers. ten-year contract. this is simply a recorder? If we fail to Embarrassed, she looked once the tech. sent “Bob Ryder,” said fulfill the terms thought it was the thing that we’re sent back more toward the silent figure up- .” waited for her to . . He stood and to Earth his mind out to the mine area on the next ship going on the couch. “You’re very kind.” make the next move. She faltered on the last few that way.” “Not kind,” said the tech. “My father — ” she said, and words, and looked more con- “Well — I know you’re still ‘Wistful.” the first time, some of the ten- cerned than ever. for within the limit,” said Bob, “but Behind them, a myriad banks sion behind her eyes flowed over The tech was tempted to ask how does this upset your mar- of lights and switches flickered father was to stay into her voice. “My riage plans?” her about it, but decided shifted with electric monotony, one of the miners. He was on the on the neutral ground of simple ‘We go where we’re sent,” she slowly recording the details, down morning shift. The day the men mechanics for a while. “No, his said simply. “If this colony fails, to the most minute sensory didn’t come home was the day mind sends itself. That is, the we’ll be sent to a new planet. It awareness, of the Contact be- before my wedding.” helmet triggers a certain brain- may not be the same one. I’ll be tween Jerry Norcriss and the don’t under- a scan- Bob frowned. “I sent where they center; his mind follows need nurses, Jim alien . . . ner-beam directed toward the stand.” where they need miners.” Ill alien and he Contacts. After that, Bob felt funny, talking against the moisture off, HE blinked at the colonial this machine could be turned program, but the ^ 'HERE was at first the feeling S that had come to her eyes, weary I so far as maintaining Contact despair in the girl’s eyes of warm sunlight on his flesh, flashed him a sad little smile. goes. After a forty-minute interim. and outweighed economic considera- then a pimgent scent of crushed GALAXY 104 BIG BABY 105 foliage, green and heady very between himself and the trickle. would be spotted even from the Warm, wet, soft-boned toothless strong and familiar. A wiry network of metal glittered nearby town. gums. Whatever the alien looked As his mind took hold, a whis- there, the wires in pairs, and the But so such sight had been re- like — it was still only a baby. per of wind hummed into his con- pairs disappearing into small ported. Therefore, the lids were Which meant — sciousness and a shimmering square punctures against a wall opaque only from the inside. Quickly Jerry looked at the golden brightness began to grow of banked soil. Which was ridiculous. Yet it was sky again. Not a cloud had upon his closed eyelids. Abruptly, Then Jerry gasped. His mind happening. moved. Their rotund fleeciness unity of sensation was achieved. had apprehended the implications Jerry’s thoughts were interrup- might have been carven there. Jerry Norcriss “was” in a sunlit of his vista so suddenly that he ted by a giddy realization. He, in He gave himself a mental kick. part of the woods near the mines, was staggered. this alien body, was not standing. Hadn’t one of his first alien feeling the alien’s perceptions as All the facts sprang into proper He was seated cross-legged on awarenesses been the sound of though they were his own. perspective. The twigs were ac- the ground. That meant a height wind? And yet the grass lay still. He crinkled his eyes against tually tall trees, the tumble of of not five hundred feet, but The trees stood silent. And the the glare, then slowly opened velvet a wide stretch of grassy nearer seven hundred. clouds, so nearly over his head them. sward, the trickle was a rushing that he could have touched one, As he blinked his eyes to focus blue river, and the tiny wire-net- ^AUTIOUSLY, he extended a hung quietly against a perfectly the golden glare, he spotted a work in the grayish area was the hand toward one of the tiny calm sky. strange little cluster of tiny sticks, tracks for the mine-cars, leading mine-cars. He had a little diffi- It was not the wind he had with miniature leaves sprouting down into the planet through culty directing a hand and arm heard. It was air. Just molecules greenly on thread-like branches. those tiny square adits. he could not see; but, by feeling of air, as they shifted and flew Halfway between his face and Jerry had unconsciously been along the earth, he got hold of the about at incredible speeds. this fragile copse slithered a bril- receiving sensations in terms of dull gray object and tried to lift The alien-baby’s time-sense liant blue line, ribbon-thin, his host’s size. A quick calculation it. It came up with featherweight was occluded, as that of any through a serpentine gouge along showed him that his head must ease. Earth-baby, by shortness of life. the earth. On the far side of this be easily five hundred feet in the Then, halfway to his eyes, it It was the paradox of relative trickle lay a rich tumble of soft air. began to glow, to smoke, to grow lifetime. green velvet, ending at a group Cautiously, he glanced for the terribly hot. And as Jerry re- A lifetime. Old Peters had said, of more of those twig-copses. first time toward the body of his leased it with a reflex of pain, it training the eager young men who Puzzled, Jerry turned his gaze host, to see what sort of creature biust into white flame and hit the were to become graduate Space skyward. Within the warm blue he was in Contact with. ground as a shapeless gobbet of Zoologists, is a lifetime. He’d canopy overhead he saw clouds There was nothing whatever to molten slag. Jerry’s hand came to written it on the blackboard so any he’d be seen. his mouth automatically. He they might understand he was . . . but clouds unlike ever seen for size. None of them Yet when he closed his eyelids sucked and licked at the sore sur- not speaking in circles. could have been more than a once again, golden opacity re- faces of his finger and thumb, “A lifetime,” he’d said, “is the foot in diameter. They hung turned. He reopened them trying to drain some of the hurt time one spends from birth until against the sky like cotton-cov- thoughtfully. The alien, appar- out of them. any present moment. A lifetime ered basketballs. ently, could cut off its vision. Yet Then he froze. is the actual count of moments He returned his gaze ground- the eyes of a creature so high After a heartbeat, he felt care- of existence from birth. When a ward, and for the first time saw must be many feet in diameter. fully about the interior of his baby has been born for an hour, the scuffed grayish area of earth And, at this height, twin opacities mouth with a forefinger. Gums. its lifetime is sixty minutes. And

106 GALAXY BIG BABY 107 The whole situation, Jerry RRY decided to chance loos- to the baby, that sixty minutes is nal forty minutes. For all prac- with grim humor, was ing control over the alien a lifetime.” ical purposes, Jerry was stuck in mused roborocket let its own instincts come He’d written the two words on one frame of a movie screwy. The six-month mind, to creature fore. the board, and would point from trapped for who-knows-how-long could not have missed a to the intense life-pulse, There was' the possibility that one to the other as he spoke, so till the next frame came by. with such an not be it knew where its folks were, and the class could understand the “That’s why the car melted!” but it had. Contact could intelligent mind, would try moving in that direc- distinction visually, and not have he realized. “The movement of achieved with an Invisibility — tion. Or it might cry for its to rely on his inflection to tell the car toward me, in my hand, but it had been. species of un- mother, and she’d hurry back. If which term he’d used. must have been infinitely shorter except for certain was sup- there were invisible giants, the “A lifetime,” he’d continued, than the few seconds it seemed derwaters creatures — for a liv- sooner the colony was informed “is subjective; a lifetime is objec- to take. I tried to make the mine posed- to be impossible it was. the better. tive. The first deals in one’s per- car move more than five hundred ing organism. Yet here impossibles . . . As Jerry’s control of his host sonal sense of time passed. The feet, in an actual time less than Three separate grew tenuous, he could feel the second is simply readings from a a thousandth of a second!” all accomplished. himself, baby’s mind taking over once clock. When a man turns ninety, Jerry wasn’t overly concerned “Still,” said Jerry to puzzle. The again. Feeble pulsations reached he is usually surprised to find how about the duration itself. He’d “that’s not the main shifts of him nothing like solid thought, short a life he’s seemed to have been in subjectively-slow crea- vanishing of those two — me. They but mere urgencies about com- had. His ninety years seem hardly tures before. If things got too bor- miners is still beyond have simply fort, food and affection. longer to him than a single day ing, he could always doze off; that could, of course, invisible waited, in the back- seemed when he was a baby. usually served to pass the time. walked head-on into this Jerry can a ground of the unformed mind, for “It is a lucky thing that we can- Even a baby’s time-sense jumps leviathan. But how fast would they all something to happen. Then, sud- not penetrate the mind of an in- long gaps when it sleeps. man walk? And this kid denly, there was a shifting, telligent creature. If any of us The thing that puzzled him have done it? Now, if to pick one of them something like a metal earth- got into the mind of a baby, we’d was this: If the rhine car had happened — shudder at quake. A cold hard light of soon start going out of our minds burnt up from moving too far too up ” Jerry gave a of what had hap- awareness focused on him, where with the maddening length of a fast, why hadn’t the baby’s hand the thought car. thought he was safely hidden day’s time, seen from a baby’s and arm been scorched by the pened to that metal mine he’d baffled, “a man in the background. viewpoint. Remember, when you motion? The heat of the car had “Still,” he sighed, bursts into flame is no more “Who are you?” asked the are in Contact with an alien mind, affected it, so that let out inborn who fun to hold than a hot mine car. awareness. for that immutable forty minutes heat-resistance. . . three deaths It is not in so many words, of your sensation of elapsed time His hands once again went to After maybe two or outside, the kid would’ve course. A mind speaks to another will be subject to that of your his face. He felt not only the at the not to touch them.” mind in incredibly swift short- host. To a baby, forty minutes is features — familiar features, learned even eerier hand. The actual thought-impulse forever.” eerily like a human babsr’s — Then he had an this creature were a that came to Jerry was a thick but the skull-size. When he’d fin- thought. If did its mother and wave of curiosity, its stress laid A ND here Jerry Norcriss was, ished, he no longer had reason to baby — where upon identity. in a baby’s mind. doubt that the baby was of an father lurk? thought of two more in- “I am a Learner,” Jerry’s No wonder no tree had rippled, intelligent- species. Too much The giants at large on the thought replied. It was a self-suf- no cloud had blown. The baby- cranial allotment to think any visible was unbearable. ficient response, since Jerry’s senses were geared to a near-eter- differently. planet

109 .108 GALAXY BIG BABY misled. You are a helpless pawn had heard about, such as the “Sunbathing?” thought the concept of all that a Learner was of a singularly wicked scheme. imminent peril of dying if the alien. was incorporated in the thought. lie.” host died while we were in Con- Jerry’s mind swiftly for alien. “You The victim of a opened “I see,” said the antagonism tact. Another danger was implied, the alien’s inspection his full have memories of your TERRY’S recollection flashed to one which we could only learn of storehouse of information on the which are now gone from conversation with Ollie by actually becoming Learners, subject. In an instant, the alien Explain.” J his intent. one which once menace. I Gibbs, to the things he had and — we had apprehended the fate that lay in “I came to find a wanted to tell the other man but learned of it — would be impos- wait for the careless Space Zoo- found a helpless child.” thought- was unable to put into words. All sible to escape. logist — “I see,” came the cold, borne alone “With a little thought along the is how I the heaviness he had ful reply. “Yes, that these many years was apparent proper lines, we might almost 44^URE IS warm in here,” said sensed it.” guessed it. For around? to this mind he enhosted. The have every action, ^Bob, running a finger around “Is your mother there is alien mind knew. Knew! an equal and opposite re- inside his sweat-dampened uni- Jerry. “Or father?” asked action. see,” it said again, though One of Newton’s laws, ap- form collar. “Dead,” said the awareness. I “I was unaware of expressing plied in an area he did not even “You have to be careful,” said am alone.” Jerry conscious thought. “It is clear suspect existed. Jana, indicating the quartz panes the thought, the intense any At “Oh, were kindred to me now. You have suffered we a brave, adven- that formed the ceiling and three thought of loneliness, a mind. much — will suffer much. No turous lot, all of us. We would be walls of the solarium. “The quartz spark flared in Jerry’s own for you, is there?” Learners; no alien mind but we passes ultraviolet, unlike glass. alien caught at the spark, hope The enter There was warmth in the words could it, and actually be- You can pick up a severe burn if recognized it. are warmth, friendship and com- come the alien for the period of you sit out here too long without “Strange,” it said. “You, too, — passionate understanding. Sud- Contact. Thrills, danger and some sort of protection for your is a different alone- alone. But it hairsbreadth denly, to this mind of an alien in escapes would be skin.” ness.” . baby’s ours. Ultimate adventurers, they whirling its incongruous, invisible The tech nodded. “The insid- Jerry’s thoughts were called us. And all along, so easily body, Jerry found himself blurt- we were ious thing about sunburn is that in confusion. To be read he had never told fools.” you only turn a little pink baby was incredible to him. ing the things as long by a alien any man. Things which no The refrained from com- as you’re out in the sunlight. It’s Yet the situation was without to Zoologist had ever dis- ment, although Jerry could feel when you’ve gone indoors, or the precedent. Perhaps a baby’s mind Space cussed even with another member its mind waiting, listening, assimi- sun has set, or you put your was brighter than science gave no of that hapless clan. lating. clothes back on that the red-hot credit. Since a mind needed “They never told us,” he said “Contact had a drawback. A bum begins to show up on your or manual skills, the mind words basic one learn to the alien. “I don’t hold any which we might have flesh.” of a baby might be open to guessed, if rancor because of it; they dared we hadn’t been going “It’s the light-pressure,” said the thousand things necessary for be- around with stars not tell us, lest we refuse to in our eyes and Jana. “As long as there’s an influx adult survival. Maybe as a man one with them. They were a delightful feeling of superiority of ultraviolet, the flesh continues learned to use his body, he forgot come were over the men fair, though. Long before we who ^rould never to absorb it without showing in proportion how to use his mind. long before we’d know the interior on any minds much reaction. But as soon as you “How can you know my alone- indoctrinated, been allowed to attempt our first but their own. In Contact, just as get away from the rays — the ness?” asked Jerry. there in simbathing, there is It Contact, we were told that a delayed bums show up ... I wonder how “I see it, there in your mind. been were dangers. Not the dangers we reaction, a kickback.” Norcriss is making out. is plain to me. You have GALAXY BIG BABY no 111 IV our confreres have ever made. They came, shot me full of mor- his body can break, burn, dissolve T phine Perhaps ‘listen’ is a weak word. and stuck me into a helmet or even evaporate.’” for twenty-four hours straight, to “Poor mean, then,” said the For all practical purposes, we are Jerry,” said the alien long as the tape cram my reactive agonies back mind, soothingly. A tingle ^ alien to Jerry, “that all the in Contact, so formed this was beneath an overload of vicarious slowly in Jerry’s mind, experiences you undergo in Con- runs. I thought room a a growing adjunct to my educa- Contacts. It worked pretty well. warmth, a vibration of utter af- tact are held back under the sur- wonderful nothing more. I went The pain was' gone when I fection. He was being consoled, face of your mind, waiting there tion, but a lot at first. It was even awakened. But my nerves weren’t being loved by the alien. It knew until you let up on the incoming there thing the same afterward. I used to look his troubles. It understood Contact experiences?” more fun than the real be- the cause there was no danger of forward to Contacts because I en- sorrow of his life. It wanted only ‘That’s it,” said Jerry, miser- perishing. Tapes of zoologists who joyed them. Now I look forward to keep him close, to tell him ably. “In some of my Contacts, not while in Contact are never to them because I dread what will to be afraid, to make him happy, I’ve undergone pretty painful died happen if I don’t Chamber.” have another comfortable, safe . . . Safe, experiences. I’ve had an eye used in the and waited, listening one in time.” secure, and — twisted out, an arm eaten and The mind “In time?” The glare of silent lightning digested, been poisoned, nearly patiently. one week — ” Jerry’s mind leaped through Jerry’s conscious- strangled — you name a near- “So a' mental twinge akin to a 44T FIND that I must get to a ness, jerking him back from the death; I’ve been through it.” gave Contact — real or vicarious unnervingly delightful “And your reaction?” thought physical shudder — “one week I torpor decided not to go to — at least once in forty-eight he’d been letting overcome the mind. got bored. I his Chamber. hours. I’Ve been trapped by my thoughts. “Nil,” said Jerry, ruefully. the Comprehensive I out on a few dates, instead. job. I’m doomed to do this job or Something hard “When I awakened from a Con- went bumped Tennis, the movies, like that. And die horribly. Some men, desperate against his forehead. He realized tact, my memory of my experi- day, I woke in the for escape from this treadmill, that he’d just sat ences was strictly a mental one. on the third up on the couch, heart trying to have quit the Corps, tried to bat- knocking the Like something I’d read in a morning with a helmet from his ribs, tle this kickback-effect. None of head with the shock book. There was no emotional pound its way through my of the break- bedsheets dripping with them have made it. They were ing Contact. reaction whatsoever. My heart with my cold .perspiration, and lancing found, all of them, in various “Sir!” said the tech, beat its normal amount, my pausing states of agony. Dead, only to snap off excreted normal perspira- agony in my eye, my hand broken, the circuit switch glands .” knotted into a fist of pain, lungs burnt, tom . . before dashing to his side. tion, my muscles were relaxed. “What .” the . “Psychosomatic pressures?” hell happened? Not a trace of shock or any other burning for air . I never saw reaction,” said the asked the mind. you break Contact like after effect.” “Delayed that! Did “Yes. Their minds, overborne you see the alien? “And later?” the mind asked mind. Can it be de- was it. by their emotions, self-hypnotized stroyed?” gently. “Yes,” said Jerry. “That them into re-undergoing “Back on Earth,” said Jerry, I recognized the pains right away, their ex- Jerry groaned, tried to speak, per- periences. And their bodies, then fell “the Space Zoologists have a having been through them back onto the thick pad- month duped by their minds, reacted. ding, unconscious. thing we call the Comprehension sonally in Contact only a horrible On a normal man, a hypnotically “What’s Chamber. It’s a room filled with before them. I had a the matter with him?” suggested burn can couches and helmets, in which we inkling of what was occurring. I raise an actual cried Jana, sensing the fright in Corps blister. On a man who’s opened the can listen — through replayed called the medics at Space tech’s attitude. passed out. his mind to the Contact-power — microtapes — to all the Contacts Headquarters before I “I don’t know,” he whispered. BIG BABY 112 GALAXY 113 “I’ve this of objective time never seen him act way yourself. . . Well, I can’t order you pillows, staring at the other man knowledge the before. Whatever’s out there, it’s to forget what you’ve read there.” as if he’d suddenly gone berserk. through watching the sun,

unlike anything we’ve ever en- “I won’t talk about it, “I trees, the clouds. None of them sir, if “That can’t be,” he said slowly. subjective hour countered before! Here, you get that’s what you mean,” said the was in a long-life host. The clouds moved during my some of your medics up here to tech. “It’s not such a hard secret weren’t even moving. That baby in the host-alien. So no time — see to him. I’m going to process to keep. All the crewman on the was living many subjective days or very little time; barely a few this damned tape and see what’s ship know there’s something in the forty-minute period.” minutes — could have passed enhosted, do you what!” pretty awful about yotir job. I “Begging your pardon, sir,” said while I was Her face pale, Jana hurried just happen to know what. All I’d the tech, “but you must be mis- see?” off to do his bidding. The tech get for spilling the inside dope taken. You were gone the full “Lieutenant Norcriss,” said sorry to in- began to reset the machine so that would be, ‘Oh, is that what it is!’ forty.” Jana, abruptly. “I’m the coded information on the tape Hardly worth it.” “That’s impossible,” said Jerry. terrupt, but did you say clouds?” might be translated into legible “That’s hardly a noble reason Jana, who’d been standing back “Yes,” said Jerry, puzzled by words. to keep a secret,” Jerry mur- from the two men, stepped for- her intensity. “Why?” in And Jerry Norcriss lay on the mured, looking narrow-eyed at ward cautiously, apprehensive at “There hasn’t been a cloud couch, sobbing and groaning like the tech. butting into something that was the sky today,” she said awk- a man on the rack, although his The man grinned, then shrug- not really her affair. wardly. “I mean — Well, look for mind was blanked by merciful un- ged. “Makes my life easy, too. “Excuse me. Lieutenant Nor- yourself!”

consciousness. Now when you flare up at me. I’ll criss,” she said softly, “but Bob’s Jerry turned his gaze upward the know why, and skip it.” right. You were gone as long as through the quartz ceiling of A baby?” choked the tech. “Thanks a hell of a lot,” Jerry he says.” solarium. The sky, a fich tur- “That thing out there is a muttered. “You don’t understand, either quoise, was smooth and unbroken baby?” The tech laughed aloud. of you!” Jerry snapped. “My time- save for the glaring gold orb of “Does the tajje ever lie?” sighed “But,” the zoologist added so- awareness in a host is subject to the sun, Sirius. He sat up then, Jerry, relaxing against the plump berly, “we did learn one surprising the host’s time-awareness. So far looking out through the likewise white pillows Jana had arranged lesson today. The forty-minute as this host was concerned, a day transparent walls. As far as he under his back and shoulders. Contact period can be broken, was a confoundedly long period. could see, over storetops, cottage glades, “Well, no,” faltered the tech. under certain stresses.” But I could tell the elapsed time roofs, and distant green “But a baby! Five hundred feet The smile left the tech’s face, by watching the clouds, the height the sky was that same unbroken high — and invisible — and able and he looked earnestly puzzled. of the sun. They didn’t move, blue. .” that’s crazy!” he said, to carry on an intelligent conver- “I don’t follow you, sir. There was either of them, visibly . . “But ” sation?” nothing on the tape about — “How’s that again, sir? asked siiiking back against the pillows. “Which reminds me,” said “Tape?” said Jerry. “You saw the tech. “How long did you seem “It couldn’t have been like that Jerry, sternly. “I am going to ask how quickly I came out, didn’t to spend?” all the time I was in Contact. you to edit both the tape and that you? What’s that got to do with “Possibly an hour.” Could it?” typewritten translation of that the tape?” ‘Well, then.” The tech shrug- Jana and Bob exchanged an conversation. It’s just as well too “Sir,” the tech said hesitantly, ged. uncomfortable look. many people don’t get the inside “you were under the helmet for “But this had nothing to do ‘Well, sir,” the tech said, “we story on my job, and its rather the full forty.” with the host’s subjective sense weren’t exactly watching the sky, rugged drawback. And as for Jerry flopped back upon the of time, Ensign. It was my own if you know what I mean. But it

114 GALAXY BIG BABY 115 . ” ” was clear when you went into “None,” Jerry admitted, not “It’s the picture, sir,” Bob said, after a minute. “This is a picture Contact. And it’s clear now.” turning his head. “It’s pretty recognizing the bafflement on his of me.” His voice trailed off, uncer- damned difficult to find a solution superior’s face for what it was. “I “But sir, it can’t be,” said the tainly, but Jerry gave a slow to a problem until you’re sure finally had the bright idea of turn- tech. thoughtful nod. “You’re right. what the problem is.” ing the problem over to the brain, “You’re wrong,” said Jerry, let- ting the paper drop to the floor. Ensign. It is, and it was. The like- “Well,” said the tech, “we aboard the ship. It followed the all lihood of its clouding up for forty played the radar all over the area specifications from the tape by “It can be, because it is. And minutes, and then clearing again where the tape said the thing was drawing the picture in periods.” at once I think I know why.” swung , is so ridiculous I can’t even con- located. We got nothing. Maybe “In what periods?” Jerry mum- Without warning, Jerry ” still awake. his legs over the side of the couch sider it . . And yet, I saw — the kid’s mother came back.” bled, trying to come Jerry stopped speaking, and “Just a second — ” said Jerry. “Not time-periods, sir. Pimctu- and jumped to his feet. shook his head. Then he waved “Ensign, could you rig the ma- ation. Then, when it had the thing “Listen,” he said urgently, a hand at the tech, abstractedly. chine to give us, not a written done, on a ten-by-fourteen-inch “there’s no time to lose. Get the “Get me some coffee. Ensign. I transcript of that alien’s descrip- sheet of feed-paper from its roller, hospital staff together, fast, and psyche- have to think, hard.” tion, but a drawing of it?” I had the ship’s photographer bring me back their best “Jeepers, sir!” choked the tech, take a snapshot and reduce it in man. I need a hs^pnotist.” ?” blurted, ^jf/TIEN nightfall had cloaked taken aback. “I don’t know. I’d size, so it looks at least as good “A h-hyp— the tech then gave an obedient ” the planet in dark purple have to talk with the engineers.” as the average newspaper half- confused, nod and hurried out, shaking his folds, Jerry was still gazing in- “It should be possible. Hell, it’s tone job.” all the to the switch- tently at nothingness, racking his got to be. When I was enhosted, Jerry nodded, absorbing the in- head way brain for an answer. Bob, mean- my mind transmitted back every •formation even as his eyes crept board. time, had checked the card bit of info on that body. A man over the image in his hands. why. Doctor. against the ship’s files on dealing who only knew mechanical draw- “Looks strangely familiar,” he ttlVrEVER mind with alien menaces, and had ing could sketch that shape, sim- said, studying it closely. ’ Can you do it? That’s all found — much as both he and ply by following the measurement “If you’ll pardon what soimds I care to knew,” Jerry’s voice Jerry had suspected — that there specifications as my mind re- like a gag, sir,” began the tech, “I crackled, his eyes flashing with was no recommendation avail- corded them. Go on. Ensign, get think that the picture — in fact, authority. — so,” able. The menace was new. It with it. One way or the other, I we all think “Y-Yes, I think quavered would have to be approached want a look at what we’re dealing “Yes?” said Jerry, looking at the other man. “If you can be strictly ad libidum. Whatever with.” the man. hypnotized, I mean.” method served to rid the planet It was nearly midnight when “Well, the consensus among the “All Space Zoologists have the of the menace would then, not Bob shook Jerry gently awake crew was that this baby here looks brainpower necessary to be per- before, be incorporated into the and handed him a small glossy a hell of a lot like you, sir.” fect subjects,” Jerry snapped. electronic memory of the brain on rectangle of paper. Jerry sat where he was, his eyes “Quickly, now, Doctor. I’ve the ship, to serve future colonies Jerry, blinking his eyes against on Bob’s face, for a long moment, wasted one Contact already.” who might meet a similar alien the sudden onslaught of light in as fingers of ice took hold of his “Very well, sir,” said the man. lie now, and make species. the room as the tech threw the spine. Then, with unreasoning ap- “If you’ll back,— “Any ideas, sir?” asked the wall switch, stared blearily at the prehension, he turned his gaze your mind blank tech, after a long silence from his paper for a moment, blank and back upon the near-photographic “I know, I know! Get on with superior. disoriented. likeness he held. “Ensign,” he said. it, will you!”

116 GALAXY BIG BABY 117 ” ” ”

to the Bob and Jana stood back in the “All right?” he called — if you weren’t with me and the fear, nothing at all. I’m not going walking ner- shadows beside the towering met- tech, as Jana, now others.” to htirt you. You find no menace on tiptoe, though there’d “Yes, Bob,” she said, in a faint in me. Do you?” al control board, listening in vously injunction against noise, shadow of her normal voice. “Be “No. silence as the hypnotist put Jerry been no No menace. No danger. side and took his careful.” I’m safe, under, deeper and deeper, until hurried to Bob’s I’m secure, I’m warm Bob grinned with more confi- and loved ...” his mind was readily suggestible. arm. said, keeping dence Then he made the statements “Ready, sir,” Bob than he felt, turned and “Relax,” said the alien. “Relax, steady. hurried from the room. and let. me have full Jerry had told him to make, and his voice control again. the stopwatch?” Jana moved slowly across the can sleep if with a snap of his fingers brought “You’ve set You you do. You can floor to the couch where Jerry rest. I’ll take care of the zoologist out of hypnosis. warned Jerry. you, thrust the same “You heard. Ensign?” asked “I depress the starter Norcriss lay in unnatural slumber, in that.” turn on the machine,” and stood staring down at his “Yes. Sleep. Rest. Jerry. “Did he do exactly as I instant I No more strange, young-old face, and her running, hiding, fearing .” tbld him to?” said Bob. . . said then,” said Jerry. eyes were bright with quiet won- Norcriss, the gray “Sir!” protested the doctor. “All right, Jerry rat-mind

right hand threw a der . . . in the invisible body of “I mean no offense,” said Jerry. Bob’s another

rat much like himself . . . “But if your words left my mind switch. as it snapped home, his too free, too human somehow, the Even V had jabbed down upon “Come on with that flashlight, alien would sense it. And a ruse left thumb button. The long this, what’s this?” it!” Bob raged, leading like this one might not work on the stopwatch ;4TI^AT’S damn the began clicking ** other three crewmen through a second attempt, once the alien red sweephand rasped Jerry’s mind. the about had been apprised of our intent.” with relentless eagerness “Where have I gotten to, now?” woods. Two of them carried rifles, “It’s all right,” said soothing one had a flamethrower, and “He did, sir,” said Bob. “Word the dial. a Bob Jerry stiffened, voice. “You’re with himself carried one of the for word, as you told it to him.” On the couch me, now.” new “Good,” Jerry said. “Thank you. then relaxed. “Oh? Oh?” Jerry’s mind said, bazookas with a potent short- with him,” Doctor. And good night.” “You’d better stay snickering. “And who might you range atomic warhead. Ollie, the “The ma- be?” man with the light, hurried to «Uh — yes,” said the man, Bob cautioned Jana. up automatic. If I’m not It dark as he looked him with a quick apology. finally realizing he was being per- chine’s on was out care of emptorily dismissed after coming back on time, it’ll take through the alien eyes, but a “Okay, okay,” Bob said. “But quick patting of his across I’ve got to see this dial — Ah, all the way across the town from itself.” paw time?” she gasped. his face reassured that his yes. This is the way, all right. his warm bed in the black morn- “Back on him be. Bob. If what sharp white incisors, on. Ollie, keep that beam ing hours. “Good night to you, “But you can’t muzzle and Come » about the timing — stiff gray whiskers were intact and so it spills on the tracking-cone Sir. he said Bob shut his eyes and gripped healthy. dial as well as on the earth. We thumb and e fumbled his way out the his forehead between “How can I be you?” asked don’t dare risk losing our way. “Yes, of course. I’m being Jerry. “If I’m a gray rat and There are only seven minutes left H door, and Jana, after a glance fingers. idiot. This maneuver is some- you’re a gray rat, what am I doing until Contact is broken.” at Bob, shut it after him. Bob an But — he withdrew here?” “Yes, sir. I’ll keep it right on stood beside the control board, thing new. his face and smiled “You’ve come to spy on me, I there,” Ollie said. “But about the waiting as Jerry once more ad- his hand from girl — “you stay with him know,” said the soothing voice. lieutenant — are you sure he justed the helmet upon his head at the feel better — safer “But see? You have nothing to won’t — and lay back on the couch. anyhow. I’d

GALAXY BIG BABY 119 118 ”

the stopwatch is must flee this place? Quickly, or “That’s what “Four . . . three . . . two . . . one intelligent mental conversation/ just as Con- we are done for!” for. We must strike . it, . . Get quick!” with me, during my first contact. sooner, “Run — Flee — Jerry said tact is being broken. Any ” Jerry, still within the mind and It could sense my questions, then dully, within the alien mind. ‘Yes. and we kill Lieutenant "Norcriss watching with the same horrified probe my mind for the answers I from men . . . the eternal with the alien. Any later, and the Run fascination as his host, saw the wanted most to hear — and play men. Run, hide, -a alien kills us. The same -way it enemy, dark puff of flame within the flame- them back to me. For my forty corner, under a bush, behind did the others who came upon it.” a tube of the weapon, then saw the minutes of contact, it told me only .” tree . . “But what does it do? What insane red flower blossoming with what I wanted to know, like a persisted. felt his own mind joining does it look like?” Ollie He its smoking yellow tendrils toward selective echo. It needed no un- the prelimi- “Damn it, there’s no time to that of the alien in his face — derstanding of my questions, nor light tension that comes before talk now! Just keep that nary And the silent white lightning of the answers it plucked from my

. . the glaring steady, and hurry!” flight . Then beam flared — mind. It had one instinct: self- arc-torch full in his The men plunged onward of the was And he sat up on the couch, preservation. It could sense my through the woods, the white cir- eyes, and the hypnotic illusion, at back in the solarium. question, select an uncontrover- trigger of his psyche, was cle of light from the arc-torch this, the sial answer from my mind and leaves and shattered. And Jerry once again splashing the cold ANA hurried over to him. feed it back to me, without really colorless grass with sickly, knew himself to be a man. damp, “Did it work? Did it work, understanding how it warded me illumination. in the body of a rat — stark A man sir?” she cried. “Is Bob — off as a menace to it, any more the animal which Jerry Norcriss Jerry patted her hand. “Bob’s than a dog understands why low- would only release loathed most of all creatures! 46TF YOU all right. He was on time. Just on ering its ears and hanging its head screamed the alien. ^your hold,” the alien was say- “Run!” time.” as it whines can fend off the wrath don’t you —!” Its com- ing. Then its mind-voice stopped. “Why “i still don’t understand, sir,” of its master. It works; that’s all realized the Jerry, too, had seen the danc- mands ceased as it said the nurse, sinking onto the the creature cares about.” ?” ing white freckles that spattered difference within the mind that couch beside him without waiting “But how did you know — invaded its body. “You the boles and branches of the had for an invitation. “I don’t under- Jana asked. again!” it cried, trying wildly to nearby trees. The darkness of the stand any of this!” “I didn’t,” Jerry replied. “It the placid plump image woods was rent by streamers of reassume For an instant, Jerry resented fooled me completely. Until the of that unseen baby once more. ruler-straight light beams. They this familiarity, then felt slightly Ensign — Bob told me that my too late,” said Jerry, began to radiate like luminous “You’re overstuffed, and slipped an arm full forty minutes in Contact had his as wheel-spokes through the tangled fighting its will with own paternally across her slim shoul- elapsed, despite my knowledge broke the un- leaves of the woods. the crewmen from ders. that the sun and clouds had re- into the clearing, and “Men!” cried the alien mind. derbrush “I’ll explain,” he said. “It’ll pass mained motionless during my the tech, pointing straight at him, “Men are coming here. Men, our the time till he gets back.” Contact. That threw me. I’ll ad- with enemies!” yelled a caution to the man Jana nodded. mit, for quite a while. It just of the flame thrower. The man Jerry, still in partial control “The alien,” Jerry said softly, didn’t make sense.” the terrible gaping the invisible rat-body, fought the bringing, up “was a mimic. A perfect mimic. Jana’s eyes widened as she sud- of that weapon halted, flight-impulse that began to stir mouth It was, while non-intelligent, of an denly understood. “And then you the beneath the unseen skin. waiting, as the tech stared at abnormally well developed mind realized that you had seen the in his hand. “Run!” shrieked the alien mind. stopwatch in one function: telepathy. That’s sun and clouds motionless be- fool, see that “Five seconds!” cried the tech. “You can’t you we how it could carry on apparently cause that was what you expected

120 GALAXY BIG BABY 121 to experience when enhosted in a great amount of experience: my had to be able to fight it, to hold said, then turned back into the baby!” self.” it in place for that last moment room. “Jana, I don’t think you’d “That’s it,” Jerry nodded. “It “And the invisibility?” before it was destroyed. Which is better stick around for this. It’s made an error with the baby, “I have no recollection, even why I chose a gray rat, an animal not very pretty.” though. It was able to duplicate now, of my body when I was a I cannot bear the sight of. When The girl hesitated, then flashed it in almost every respect except baby. I may have stared at my the light struck my eyes and I him a smile and shook her head. two: Size and appearance.” toes, played with my fingers, but became myself again, I caught “I’ll stay. It can’t look as ugly as “Why?” asked Jana. “And why they just never registered on my the alien unawares. Then, before a bad case of peritonitis on the appear as a baby at all?” consciousness as being part of it could change to a baby, and surgeon’s table. If I can take that myself. So the thing was stuck start lulling me back into cama- without upchucking, I can take iiT’M COMING to that,” said when it came to reproducing me raderie, it was too late. Bob had anything.” Jerry. “The size was off be- visually, since it depended upon given the order to fire. And here Bob shrugged. “Suit yourself, cause the first thing I saw when my own memory for details. But I am.” honey. Just remember you got I blinked open eyes was a it was able to supply the way I’d my fair warning.” He leaned back out distant copse of trees, which I felt as a baby. Every baby has an ¥TURRYING footsteps sounded the door. “Okay. Bring it in.” took to be an upright pile of leafy acute awareness of its own skin; in the corridor. The door The crewmen, looking a little twigs. Since my mind possessed it will cry if any particle of its burst open and Bob rushed in, his ill, came slowly into the room, information regarding the rela- flesh is bothered in the slightest. face anxious and creased with bearing a bloated, scorched ob- tive size of babies and twigs, the So the alien fed the ‘feel’ of my worry until he saw Jerry sitting ject on a stretcher thejr’d con- alien immediately made sure baby-body back to me, if not the my on the couch, alive and well. trived from two long poles and mind saw other things in the same view. Which is why the electronic “Whoosh!” The tech expelled a their jackets. They set it onto the perspective. By the time it real- brain on the ship was able to mingled chuckle and sigh as he tiled floor before the zoologist, ized it had made an error, it was duplicate the detail into an almost sank into a chair opposite the zo- then stepped away, all of them too late to normalize the baby’s p>erfect replica of my babyhood ologist. “Well, sir, I can’t tell you wiping their hands hard against dimensions; that would have likeness.” how glad I am to see you. I their trousers in ludicrous unison, given its fakery away.” Jana nodded, as she finally un- couldn’t be sure you’d gotten out though their grip on the poles had “But why did the thing choose derstood the meaning of that of that thing alive until I got back not brought them into actual con- a baby?” strange illusion. “And this time? here. Glad you made it, sir. Damn tact with the alien’s corpse. “Because that was the thing’s That post-hypnotic suggestion glad!” “There it is, sir,” said Ollie protection! It had a powerful hyp- you had the doctor give you, I “That ‘thing’ you mentioned,” Gibbs. “And you are very wel- notic power, one that worked on mean: that you’d think you were said Jerry. “What did it actually come to it.” its victims minds directly through a gray rat until such time as the look like?” Jana, to her credit, had not up- its telepathic interference with light of the arc-torch caught you Bob jerked his head toward the chucked, but she went a shade .” sensory perception. It always ap- directly in the eyes . . corridor. “The other guys are paler, and her mouth grew tight. peared as the thing the victim “Duplicity, Jana. It had to be bringing it along. I kind of Jerry studied the burnt husk, would be least likely to harm. In that way. The alien was very sure thought you’d want a peep at it.” from its sharp-fanged mouth — case, a baby. But it made a of its powers. If I returned, and my As more footfalls were heard easily eighteen inches from side slight error there, too. I’m a it were a baby again, I couldn’t from the corridor. Bob bounced to to side — to its stubby centipedal bachelor, Jana. There’s only one attack it or thwart its ends. And his feet again, and stepped to the cilia under the grossly swollen baby with whom I ever had any such an attack was necessary. I door. “Hold it a minute, guys,” he body.

122 GALAXY BIG BABY 123 “Damn thing’s all bloat, slime getting eaten alive by one of and mouth,” said the tech, sud- these.” denly shuddering. “I wonder if its “You sure their presence won’t victims felt those jaws rending trigger the thing’s mimetic pow- them open, or if it kept their er?” asked Bob, uneasily. minds fooled through to the end?” “Not if you give full power to “I don’t think we’ll ever know the scanner-beam,” Jerry replied. that. Ensign,” said Jerry. “Unless “It’ll muffle their life-pulse radia- you feel like going out there and tions under the brunt of the arti- playing victim to one of this ficial one.” thing’s confreres?” “Good enough, sir,” said Bob.

“No thanks, sir,” said Bob, so “I’ll rig it right away.” swiftly that Jana laughed. ‘Td Jerry shook his head. “No need. rather fall out an airlock in hyper- You could use some rest, I’m sure. space.” The morning’ll be soon enough. Meantime, you can see this young here’s what we do to lady home. The rest of you,” he ” get rid of this thing, said to the hovering crewmen,

then,” said Jerry. “Since it as- “are dismissed, too.” sumes a form that’s the least The men, eager to be away likely to be harmed by whatever from the thing, saluted smartly presence stimulates its mimetic and hurried out of the solarium,

senses, we’ll have to trick it. Be- buzzing with wordy relief. fore this thing decomposes too far, Jana paused a moment, staring rig it up with an electrical charge, at the creature whose strange and stimulate its nerve-centers powers had destroyed her father. artificially. That ought to give you Then she turned to Bob.

an accurate microtape of its life- “I think I’ll go to Jim’s place,” pulse. Then hook the tape to a she said. “I want him to know.” scanner-beam, and send the life- She moved her gaze to Jerry. “I pulse into the mine-area. When owe you a lot,” she said. “We all the fellows of this creature react owe you a lot” to it, they’ll assume the safest pos- Embarrassed by the warmth of sible form: their own.” her praise, Jerry could only mum- “I get you, sir!” said Bob. “Then ble something diffident and look all the miners have to do is see it the other way. He was taken quite for what it is, and shoot it.” by surprise by the pressure of cool Jerry nodded. “It’ll mean all moist lips against the side of his miners will have to go armed for face. awhile. But that’s better than When he looked back at the

BIG BABY 125 pair, Bob and Jana were on their ing toward the landing field and stopped him with an exclamation. tected the beam, since a scanner way out the door. his shipboard bunk, a hurrying “What about that melting mine picks up mental pulses, and it in- Only when he heard the eleva- figure from the end of the block car I read about on the transla- stantly assumed the life-pulse of robo- tor doors at the end of the corri- caught up with him and began to tion sheets? Was that for real, or a creature it assumed no dor close behind them did he pace his stride, panting slightly. wasn’t it?” rocket would worry about.” move to the still-warm corpse of “Talk about happy,” said Bob, Jerry shook his head. “Part of “What? What life-pulse, sir? his onetime adversary, with a glumly. ‘When Jana told her boy the general mimetic illusion, like What kind of life?” look of deepest compassion on friend the news, they went into the motionless clouds and un- “Atomic life. Ensign,” said his face. such a clinch I didn’t even stick moving trees. It let me see what Jerry. “That bright green blip you “Well,” he said gently, “you’ve around to be introduced. Seemed I expected to see. In reality, I was and I studied So assiduously was lost. The planet goes back to the a nice enough guy, I guess. Hope just in the woods near the mine the life-pulse of an atom-powered invaders. Once again. Earth has she’ll be happy with him.” area, where you came upon the creature. It was another ro- successfully obliterated the op- Jerry recognized the gloomi- creature to destroy it.” Jerry borocket.” stared after him, position.” ness of the tech’s mood, and its started slowly moving away once And as Bob He reached out a hand and cause, so didn’t say anything. more. stupefied, Jerry Norcriss made his touched the hulking thing on the After a moment. Bob seemed to A few steps further, and Bob way across the landing field floor. “Good-by,” he said. “And recover himself a little. halted again. “One final point, toward a well-earned bed — and I’m sorry.” “Sir,” he said, “there’s one thing sir. That life-pulsing reading of oblivion. — JACK SHARKEY Jerry Norcriss wasn’t thinking still bugs me about this alien.” point-nine-nine-nine. If the thing’s about the deadliness of the thing, “Oh?” said Jerry, halting. pulsation was that powerful, I nor of the deaths of the hapless “What’s that. Ensign?” should think it would’ve been a miners, nor of the billions of dol- “How’d the initial roborocket lot harder to knock off than it MORE COMPLETE lars he’d saved the investors hold- miss the thing and its kind when was.” SETS FOR SALE ing Praesodynimium stock. He it circled the planet before coloni- “You’re right,” said Jerry. “It — would have been. But its life-pulse 1. 28 bound volumes excerpts, novels, was thinking of a voice that zation began?” novelettes, short stories. Taken from even unintelligently, even in the “That’s a moot question,” said wasn’t nearly that high.” Popular, Argosy, All-Story, Munsey, — Air Aces, etc., — many covers in- course of deception — had said, Jerry. “But my conjecture is that “But the scanner-beam ” Bob cluded. Dated 1890’s to 1950’s; many impossible to obtain in any form. $25 protested. the colony sent ‘Toor Jerry. Rest . . . Relax. the scanner always caught it “When per volume. As one unit, cpmplete set $600.00 .” that roborocket, after those You’re safe . . . Secure . . when it was assuming some other up 2. Complete Science Wonder, Air Won- “You really had me going for form. Since its victims were miners vanished, it reported an der, Wonder Stories, Thrilling Won-— a while, baby,” he said, then always indigenous to this planet, unknown life-pulse of point-nine- der — June 1929 to Winter 1955 includes 3 bound volumes, good to blinked at the sudden sharp sting the things familiar to them were nine-nine. If that wasn’t the al- fine condition. $350.00 in his eyes, and hurried from the also of this planet, and the scan- ien’s life-pulse, what the devil was 3. Complete set Famous Fantastic Mys- teries and Fantastic Novels — 1939 to room. ner-beam couldn’t detect any life- it?” 1951 — fine condition, $150.00 Jerry patted Bob on the shoul- pulses which were dissimilar to Many other complete sets. Send your want list. Prices F.O.B. Brooklyn, N. Y. /^UTSIDE, the sun was glowing already-known species.” der. “You’re forgetting the mimic- pink against the black eastern “I’ll be damned,” said Bob. “It’s ry. The roborocket they sent up JAYS CORNER 6401 24th Avenue Brooklyn A, simple when caught the alien off-guard, in its sky, and the air was cool and almost childishly New York shape, not imitating fresh in his nostrils. As he crossed you explain it.” Then, as Jerry own some the street from the hospital, head- went to start off again. Bob other life-form’s pulsations. It de-

126 GALAXY BIG BABY 127 of a more sophisticated age only the seas for the skies, a decline

3S garnish for our groimdside set in. 1 gin-and-tonic. And today we The first amenity of groundside are called Slimeheads, existence to be abandoned was I honoring in our title the Chlorella decent food. The earliest men and Scenedesmus algae that, by into the vacuum swallowed pro- filling up the spaces within, open tein squeezings from aluminum the road to the larger Space with- tubes, and were glad enough to out. drop back to the groundsman’s Should any groimdsman dis- diet of steak and fried potatoes. pute the importance of belly- furniture in history — whether ^T ONG before I was a boy in it be exterminating whales, or Med School, itching to look introducing syphilis to the Fiji at black sky through a view- Islanders, or settling the Austra- port, galley science had fulfilled lian littoral with cross-coves the disgusting exordium of from Middlesex and Hampshire Isaiah 36:12, to feed the Slime- —he is referred to the hundred- heads for breakfast today what and-first chapter of Moby Dick, was day-before-yesterday’s table- a book spooled in the amusentent scraps and jakes-water. tanks of all but the smallest The Ship’s Cook, the man who GOURMET spacers. I trust, however, that no accomplishes the daily miracle of Marsman will undertake to re- turning offal into eatables, is in view this inventory of refresh- many ways the most vital man This was the endless problem of all spaceship cooks: He had ment more than a week from aboard a spacer. He can make tomorrow on what they had eaten todayl to feed the men groundfall. A catalogue of sides morale or foment a mutiny. His of beef and heads of Leyden power is paramount. Slimeheads By ALLEN KIM LANG cheese and ankers of good remember the H. M. S. Aiax^ Geneva would prove heavy read- fiasco, for example, in which a NABLE to get out to the faring can be read from a com- ing for a man condemned to galleyman leveled his Chlorella ballgame and a long way missary list. salt-sea snack on the Chlorella-spawn of tanks with heavy water from the off from the girls, men on In the days when U sailors were charting islands and cis-Martian space. ship’s shielding. Four officers and ships think about, talk about, the The Pequotfs crew ate wormy twenty-one Other Ranks were bitch about their food. It’s true spearing seals, for example, themselves biscuit and salt beef. Nimitz’s rescued from the Ajax in deep that Woman remains a topic of fo’c’s’le hands called men won their war on canned space, half dead from deuterium thoughtful study, but discussion Lobscousers, celebrating the pork and beans. The Triton made poisoning. We think of the Benjo can never replace practice in an liquid hash then prominent in her underwater periplus of Earth Maru incident, too, caused by a art Food, on the other hand, is the marine menu. The Limey the anti- with a galley stocked with frozen Ship’s Cook who allowed his a challenge shipmen face three sailor got the name of his pizza and concentrated apple- algaeal staff-of-life to become times a day, so central to their scorbutic citrus squeezed into juice. But then, when sailors left contaminated with a fast-grow- thoughts that a history of sea- diet- a fruit known to us mariners

GOURMET 129 128 GALAXY ing Saccharomycodes yeast. The engineering. It’s the Cook’s of meat-and-p>otatoes re- that never Drill Instructor for their boot Japanese vessel staggered to her sponsibility to see that each quite wore out. man Our air and water camp. His heart was a chip of pad at Piano West after a twenty- aboard gets each day no less T were equally immortal. than Each helium ice, his voice dripped week drunk: the alien yeast had five pounds of water, two pounds molecule of oxygen would be con- sarcastic acid. The planet Earth got into the stomach of every of oxygen, and versant with one-and-a-half the alveoli of every was hardly large enough to ac- man aboard, where it fermented pounds of dry food. This aboard isn’t man by the end of our commodate a wart as annoying as each subsequent bite he ate to a just a paragraph from the Spacer trip. Every drop of water would Willy Winkelmann. Cheek-by- superior grade of sake. And for a Union Contract. It’s a have statement been intimate with the jowl every day in a nacelle the third footnote to the ancient ob- of the least fuel a man glomeruli of can run each kidney on the size of a Pullman car, our Cap- servation, “God sends food, and on. ship before we grounded in. tain quickly established himself the Devil sends cooks,” Marsmen Twelve tons of water, oxygen, Groundling politicians are right as a major social hemorrhoid. will recall what happened aboard and food would hav£ filled the enough when they say that we The Captain’s particular patsy my ship the Charles Partlow cargo compartments to spacers bursting, are a breed apart. We’re was, of course, young Bailey the Sale. and left a small ship like the the one race of men who can’t Cook. It was Winkelmann who The Sale blasted off from C. P. Sale no reason to afford the reach luxury of squeamish- saw humerous possibilities in the Brady Station in the middle of for Mars. allowing ness. By a colony entry, “Bailey, Robert,” on Ship’s August, due in at Piano West of Chlorella algae to work over Articles. He at once renamed our in special early May. In no hurry, our used air, water and other ^ ‘'HOUGH I’m signed aboard as imfortunate I shipmate “Belly- we were taking the low-energy effluvia, though, three tons of Ship’s Surgeon, I seldom lift Robber.” It was Winkelmann route to Mars, a pathway about metabolites see would us through a knife in space. My employment who discussed haut cuisine and as long in time as the from to human Brady Station Piano West is more in the nature of TS-card- the properties of the nobler period of gestation. Our cargo back. and Recycling was the puncher extraordinary. My duties wines while we munched our consisted mostly of Tien-Shen answer. molecule of The car- are to serve as wailing-wall, algaeburgers and sipped coffee fir seedlings and some tons of an bohydrate, fat, protein or mineral morale officer, guardian of the that tasted of utility water. And arctic grass-seed these to be that didn’t feed the — crew fed medicinal whiskey and frustrator it was Captain Willy Winkel- planted in the maria to squeeze the algae. And the algae fed us. of mutual murder. Generally the mann who never referred to the out the native blue bugberry All waste was used to fertilize man aboard who’d serve as the ship’s head by any other name vines. We had aboard the Reg- our liquid fields. Even the stubble most popular murder-victim is than The Kitchen Cabinet. istry minimum of six men and from our 2,680 shaves and the the Cook. This trip, the-man-you- Bailey tried to feed us by three officers. Ship’s Surgeon was clippings from our 666 haircuts love-to-hate was our Captain. groundside standards. He hid the myself, Paul Vilanova. Our Cap- en route and back would be fed If the Cook hadn’t problems taste of synthetic methionine — tain was Willy Winkelmann, the into the Chlorella tanks. Human enough with the chemical and an essential amino acid not hardest man in space and very hair is rich in essential amino psychic duties of his office, synthesized by Chlorella — by likely the fattest. Ship’s Cook acids. Winkelmarm supplied the want. seasoning our algaeal repasts was Robert Bailey. The algae — dried by the Captain Willy Winkelmann was with pinches of oregano and Cooking aboard a spacer is a Cook, bleached with methyl the sort of man who, if he had to thyme. He tinted the pale-green job combining the more frustrat- alcohol to kill the smell and go into space at all, had best do dollops of pressed Chlorella pink, ing tensions of biochemistry, make the residue more digestible, so alone. If the Prussians had a textured the mass to the con- applied mycology, high-speed disguised and seasoned in a hun- Marine Corps, Winkelmann sistency of hamburger and toasted farming, dietetics and sewage dred ways — served hs a sort would have done splendidly as the slabs to a delicate brown in

130 GALAXY GOURMET 131 nine heads like a forlorn attempt to make mock- you set a table second to none.” crisp, three-di- “Only good food,’* Winkel- mensional meat. For dessert, he served a Bailey took a handful of jigsaw puzzles. The mann mumbled through his fudge compounded from the dex- dried Chlorella from a bin and piece de resistance was again a mouthful of disguised algae. He trose-paste of the carbohydrate fingered it. It was green, smelled “hamburger steak;” but this time tapped his head with a finger. recycler. The crew thanked him. of swamp, and looked appetizing the algaeal mass that made it up “This — the brain that guides The Captain did not. “Belly- as a bedsore. “This is what I have was buried in a rich, meaty gravy the ship — carmot be coaxed to Robber,” he said, his tone icy as to work with,” he said. He tossed that was only faintly green. The work on hog-slop. You under- winter wind off the North Sea, the stuff back into its bin. “In essence-of-steak used in these stand me, Belly-Robber?” “you had best cycle this mess Ohio, which is my home country, Chlorella cutlets had been Bailey, his hands fisted at his through the tanks again. There in the presence of ladies, we’d sprinkled with a lavish hand. sides, nodded. “Yes, sir. But I is a pun in my home country: call such garbage Horse-Leav- Garlic was richly in evidence. really don’t know what I can do Mensch ist was er isst. It means, ings.” “It’s so tender,” the radioman to please you.” you are what you eat. I think “You’ll never make Winkel- joked, “that I can hardly be- “You are a spacer and a Ship’s you are impertinent to suggest I mann happy,” I said. “Even the lieve it’s really steak.” Cook, not a suburban Hausfrau should become this Schweinerei simultaneous death of all other Bailey stared across the dining- with the vapors,” Winkelmann you are feeding me.” Captain human beings could hardly make cubby toward Winkelmann, si- said. “I do not expect from you Winkelmann blotted his chin him smile. Keep up the good lently imploring the Captain’s hysterics, tantrums or weeping. with his napkin, heaved his bulk work, though, and you’ll keep our ratification of his masterpiece. Only — can you understand this, up from the table, and climbed Captain fat.” The big man’s pink cheeks bulged so simple? — food that will keep up the ladder from the dining- Bailey nodded from his one- and jumped with his chewing. He my belly content and my brain cubby. man cloud of gloom. I got a swallowed. “Belly-Robber,” Win- alive.” bottle of rye from Medical Stores kelmann said, “I had almost “Yes, sir,” Bailey said, his face 441^0C, do you like Winkel- and offered him a therapeutic rather you served me this pond- a picture of that offense the ®-'mann?” the Cook asked draught. The Cook waved my scum raw than have it all British term Dumb Insolence. me. gift aside. “Not now. Doc,” he mucked-up with synthetic onions Winkelmann got up and “Not much,” I said. “I suspect said. “I’m thinking about to- and cycler-salt.” climbed the ladder to the pilot- that the finest gift our Captain morrow’s menu.” cubicle. I followed him. “Cap- can give his mother is to be The product of Bailey’s cere- seem able enough to tain,” I said, “you’re driving absent from her on Mother’s brations was on the mess table at choke down Bailey’s chow. Bailey too hard. You’re asking Day. But we’ve got to live with noon the next day. We were each Captain,” I said. I gazed at Win- him to make bricks without him. He’s a good man at driving served an individual head of kelmann’s form, bulbous from a straw.” a ship.” lettuce, dressed with something lifetime of surfeit feeding. Winkelmann regarded me with “I wish he’d leave off driving very like vinegar and oil, spiced “Yes, I eat it,” the Captain his pale-blue stare. “You think. this Cook,” Bailey said. “The fat with tiny leaves of burnet. How said, taking and talking through Doctor, that my cruelty to the swine!” Bailey had constructed those another bite. “But I eat only as a Belly-Robber is the biliousness “His plumpness is an unwitting synthetic lettuces I can only man in the desert will eat worms of a middle-aged man?” tribute to your cooking, Bailey,” guess: the hours spent preparing and grasshoppers, to stay alive.” “Frankly, I can’t understand I said. “He eats well. We all do. a green Chlorella paste, rolling “Sir, what in heaven’s name your attitude at all,” I said. I’ve dined aboard a lot of spacers and drying and shaping each arti- do you expect from me?” Bailey “You accuse me of driving a in my time, and I’ll testify that ficial leaf, the fitting together of pleaded. man to make bricks without

132 GALAXY GOURMET 133 Winkelmann’s orders. straw,” Winkelmann said. “Very by “Con- Home Economics student. That playing-cards, knitting-wool, whis- compliments to the well, Doctor. It is my belief that vey my Chef, will be all, Bailey.” key or what have you to help please,” the Captain would The if the Pharaoh’s taskmaster had crew and my fellow-of- him while away the hours be- the instruct one of the crew, “and ficers were had my firmness of purpose, amused by Winkel- tween the planets. Bailey, I knew ask him to step down here Children of Israel would have a mann’s riding of Bailey; they for a fact, had used up his weight- moment.” And the Cook made bricks with stubble. Neces- would were in addition gratified that allowance in bringing aboard a cheerlessly appear in the dining- the battle sity, Doctor, is the mother of between their Cap- case ^of spices: marjoram and cubby, to have his culinary genius tain and their invention. I am Bailey’s neces- Cook served to mint, costmary, file powder, basil acidly called in question again. feed sity. My unkindnesses make him them so well. Most spacers and allspice, and a dozen others. myself do not doubt uncomfortable, I doubt that not. I that embark on an outward voyage Captain Winkelmann was not was the finest Cook ever But I am forcing him to ex- Bailey somewhat plump, having .eaten a reader, and had brought no into Hohmann orbit. His periment, to improvise, to widen to go enough on their last few days books. Cards interested him not every meal established a higher aground the horizons of his ingenuity. He to smuggle several hun- at all, as card-playing implies a in brilliant galley- dred will learn somehow to bring good benchmark calories of fat and many sociability alien to his nature. He manship. We were served, for memories of food from Chlorella tanks.” good food aboard never drank aboard ship. I had instance, an ersatz hot turkey with “You’re driving him too hard. them. This trip, none of supposed that he’d exercised his cheese-sauce the Sir,” I said. “He’ll crack.” supreme. The was men had lost weight during option of returning his personal- believable, the Chlorella the first “Bailey will have some fifty almost four months in space. effects weight allowance to the was white and thousand dollars’ salary waiting turkey-flesh Winkelmann, indeed, seemed to owners for the consideration of when we ground at Brady Sta- tender. Bailey served with this have gained. His uniform was one hundred dollars a kilogram. and delicious taut tion,” Captain Winkelmann said. delicacy a grainy over his plump backside, and To collect the maximum allow- “So much money buys many dis- “cornbread,” and had extracted he puffed a bit up the ladders. I ance, spacers have been known butter- comforts. That will be all. Doc- from his algae a lipid was considering suggesting to our to come aboard their ship mother- tor Vilanova.” substitute that soaked into the Captain that he curtail his diet naked. .” “bread” with a genuinely for reasons “Crew morale on the ship . . hot of health, a bit of But this was not the case with “Splendid, Bailey,” advice I began. dairy smell. that would have stood WinkelmannT His personal-effects “That will be all. Doctor Vila- I said. unique in the annals of space baggage, an unlabeled cardboard are not amused,” said medicine, nova,” Captain Winkelmann re- “We when Winkelmann box, appeared under the table at peated. Captain Winkelmann, accepting produced his supreme insult to noon mess some hundred days a second helping of the pseudo- our Cook. out from Piano West. Winkel- improving, % T>AILEY grew more silent as turkey. “You are mann rested his feet on the mys- but only arithme- ^we threaded our way along Belly-Robber, rACH man aboard a spacer is terious box as he sat to eat. were so the elliptical path to Mars. Each tically. Your first efforts allowed ten kilograms of per- “What disgusting form does require a geometric meal he prepared was a fresh hideous as to sonal effects besides his uniforms, the ship’s garbage appear in to- excel- attempt to propitiate the appetite progression of improving these being considered Ship’s day, Belly-Robber?” he asked to mere of our splenetic Captain. Each lence to raise them Furnishing. As his rank and re- the Cook. are half- such offering was condemned by edibility. By the time we sponsibility merit, the Captain is Bailey frowned, but kept his you that heartless man. Bailey began way ’round the Sun, I trust allowed double this ration. He temper, an asceticism in which by with to try avoiding the Captain at will have learned to cook may thus bring aboard with him now he’d had much practice. of freshman mealtimes, but was frustrated the competence a some forty-five pounds of books. “I’ve been working on the. pro-

134 GALAXY GOURMET 135 blem of steak, Sir,” he said. “I lent medium-rare, the odor was Please keep a bottle on the ''table As are you, Belly-Robber,” he think I’ve whipped the taste; the rich smell of fresh-broiled for all my future meals, Belly- added. what was left was to get the tex- beef. Winkelmann bit down, Robber.” steak-like. under- too .” ture Do you chewed, swallowed. “No bad, “But, Sir . . Bailey began. "DAILEY and I climbed from stand, Sir?” Belly-Robber,” he said, nodding. “You must realize, Belly-Rob- the mess compartment to- “I understand,” Winkelmann Bailey grinned and bobbed his ber, that a dyspeptic Captain is a gether. I steered him to my growled. “You intend that your head, his hands folded before him threat to the welfare of his ship. quarters, where the medical sup- latest niess should feel like steak in an ecstasy of pleasure. A kind Were I to continue eating your plies were stored. He sat on my to the mouth, and not like baby- word from the Captain bettered surrealistic slops for another hun- bunk and exploded into weep- food. Right?” the ruffles-and-flourishes of a dred days, without the small ing, banging his fists against the “Yes, Sir,” Bailey said. “Well, more reasonable man. “But it consolation of this sauce I had metal bulkhead. “You’ll have

I squeezed the steak-substrate — still needs something . . . some- the foresight to bring with me, that drink now,” I said. Chlorella, of course, with all sorts thing,” Winkelmann went on, I’d likely be in no condition to “No, dammit!” he shouted. of special seasonings — through slicing off another portion of the jet us safely down to the Piano “Orders,” I said. I poured us a sieve, and blanched the strands tasty Chlorella. “Aha! I have it!” West pad. Do you understand, each some fifty cc’s of rye. “This in hot algaeal oil. Then I chopped “Yes, Sir?” Bailey asked. Belly-Robber?” he demanded. is therapy, Bailey,” I told him. those strands to bits and rolled “This, Belly-Robber!” Winkel- “I understand that you’re an He poured the fiery stuff down them out. Voila! I had something mann reached beneath the mess- ungrateful, impossible, square- his throat like water and silently .” very close in texture to the table and ripped open his card- headed, slave-driving . . held out his glass for a second. muscle-fibers of genuine meat.” board carton. He brought out a “Watch your noun,” Winkel- I provided it. “Remarkable, Bailey,” I said. bottle and unscrewed the cap. mann cautioned the Cook. “Your After a few minutes Bailey’s “It rather throws me off my “Ketchup,” he said, splattering adjectives are insubordinate; your sobbing ceased. “Sorry, Doc,” he appetite to hear how you muddle the red juice over Bailey’s mas- noun might prove mutinous.” said. about with our food,” the Cap- terpiece. “The scarlet burial- “Captain, you’ve gone too far,” “You’ve taken more pressure tain said, his jowls settling into shroud for the failures of Cooks.” I said. Bailey, his fists knotted, than most men would,” I said. an expression of distaste. “It’s Lifting a hunk of the “steak,” was scarlet, his chest heaving with “Nothing to be ashamed of.” quite all right to eat lobster, for streaming ketchup, to his mouth, emotion. “He’s crazy. What sane man example, but I never cared to see Winkelmann chewed. “Just the “Doctor, I must point out to would expect me to dip Wiener boiled before and the ugly , beast my thing,” he smiled. you that it ill behooves the Ship’s schnitzel and sauerkraut eyes. Detail spoils the meal.” “Damn you!” Bailey shouted. Surgeon to side with the Cook Backhahndl nach suddeutscher Bailey lifted the cover off the Winkelmann’s smile flicked off, against the Captain,” Winkel- Art out of an algae tank? I’ve got electric warming-pan at the cen- and his blue eyes pierced the mann said. nothing but microscopic weeds to ter of the table and tenderly Cook. “Sir, Bailey has tried hard to cook for him! Worn-out molecules “. lifted a small “steak” onto each . . Sir,” Bailed added. please you,” I said. “The other reclaimed from the head; pack- of our plates. “Try it,” he urged “That’s better,” Winkelmann officers and the men have been aged amino acid additives. And the Captain. said, and took another bite. He more than satisfied with his he expects meals that would take said meditatively, “Used with work.” the blue ribbon at the annual ^APTAIN Winkelmann sliced caution, and only by myself, I “That only suggests atrophy of banquet of the Friends of Escof- ^ off a corner of his algaeal believe I have sufficient ketchup their tastebuds,” Winkelmann fier!” steak. The color was an excel- here to see me through to Mars. said. “Doctor, you are excused. “Yours is an ancient plaint,

136 GALAXY GOURMET 137 Bailey,” I said. “You’ve worked to withstand the Captain’s 1 “Then he’s beat, the Captain man, Bailey; but he did know your fingers to the bone, slaving fiercest assaults of irony. Our food at his game,” I said. how to coax maximum perform- over a hot stove, and you’re not would likely be bad the rest of f “The Dutchman won’t want to ance out of his Ship’s Cook.” appreciated. But you’re not mar- this trip, but that was a price mess ketchup on these steaks,” Bailey stood up. “Do you like I I willing for ried to Winkelmann, remember. was to pay seeing I the crewman said. Captain Winkelmann, Doctor?” A year from now you’ll be home destroyed the Willy Winkelmann I sat, imfolded my napkin, and he asked. in Ohio, fifty grand richer, set to theory of forcing a Cook to make looked with hope to the electric I thought about his question a stat;jt that restaurant of yours and bricks without straw. The Cap- warming-pan at the center of the moment. Winkelmann was good forget about our fat Flying Dutch- tain had pushed too hard. He’d table. Bailey served the three of at his job. He persuaded his men man.” need that ketchup for the meals ' us with the small “steaks.” Each by foul means, true; but it was all “I hate him,” Bailey said with to come, I thought. contained about a pound of dried for the good of the ship and his the simplicity of true emotion. Noon mess was nearly as awful Chlorella, I judged, teasing mine crew. “Do I like Captain Winkel-

He reached for the bottle. I let as breakfast had been. The coffee I with my fork. But they were mann?” I asked, spearing another him have it. Sometimes alcohol tasted of salt, and went largely ' drenched in a gravy rich as the piece of my artificial steak. “Bai- can be an apt confederate of vis undrunk. The men in the mess stuff grandma used to make in ley, I’m afraid I’ll have to admit medicatrix naturae, the healing compartment were vehement in her black iron skillet, peppery that I do.” power of nature. Half an hour their protests, blaming the Caj>- and seasoned with courageous Bailey smiled and lifted a later I strapped Bailey into his tain, in his absence, for the de- bits of garlic. I cut a bit from my second steak from the warming-

bunk to sleep it off. That cline in culinary standards. Bailey steak and chewed it. Too tender, pan onto my plate. “Then have therapeutic drunk seemed to be seemed not to care. He served of course; there are limits to art. another piece,” he said. just what he’d needed. the algaeburgers with half a mind, But the pond-scum taste was — ALLE\ KIM LANG For morning mess the next day and hurried back into his galley gone. Bailey appeared in the j we had a broth remarkable in oblivious of the taunts of his galley door. I gestured for him to

horribleness, a pottage or boiled crewmates. join me. “You’ve done it, Bailey,” Chlorella vulgaris that looked I said. “Every Slimehead in orbit and tasted like the vomit of some ^ 'HERE being only three seats I will thank you for this. This is bottom-feeding sea-beast. Bailey, in the Safe’s mess compart- actually good." red-eyed and a-tremble, made no ment, we ate our meals in three “Thanks, Doc,” Bailey said. apology, and stared at Winkel- shifts. That evening, going down I smiled and took another bite.

mann as though daring him to the ladder to supper, my nose “You may not realize it, Bailey; comment. The Captain lifted a was met with a spine-tingling bar- but this is a victory for the Cap- spoonful of the disgusting stuff to becue tang, a smell to make a tain, too. He drove you to this his lips, smacked and said, “Belly- man think of gray charcoal glow- triumph; you couldn’t have done Robber, you’re improving a little ing in a picnic brazier, of cicadas it without him.” at last.” chirping and green grass under- “You mean he was just whip- Bailey nodded and smiled. foot, of the pop and hiss of canned ping me on, trying to make me do “Thank you. Sir,” he said. beer being church-keyed. “He’s better?” Bailey asked. I smiled, too. Bailey had con- done it. Doc!” one of the first- “He was driving you to do the quered himself. His psychic shift diners said. “It actually impossible,” I said; “and you did

defenses were now strong enough tastes of food!” it. Our Captain may be a hard 138 GALAXY A GOURMET 139 creatures were huge, hairy, surly — and males were always chasing the females. But what else could you expect of mammals?

By J. F. BONE

Illustrated by RITTER

I incapable of constructing those so hard to start looking. Or did to not making planetfall here at artifacts we saw on our way you have to set us down in this all.” "E need data,” I said down.” isolated spot?” “Oh,” Ven said in a small as I manipulated “Or of building electone com- I glared at her and she flushed voice, vocalizing as she always the scanner and munications or even airboats,” I a delicate lavender. “Do you does when she is embarrassed. “W think I landed here because I Like most females, surveyed our little domain of added. she finds it wanted to?” rocks and vegetation. “The ani- “I expect that there is only one I asked with some difficult to project normally when and bitterness, inflating my cheek she is under mate life we have collected so far way to get what we want — emotional stress. looking for it,” Ven pouches to better express Afraid or angry she is of a low order.” that’s to go my can blow a antennae disgust. “There were less than hole in “There is nothing here with said as she smoothed her subspace; but embar- two vards of useful fuel intelligence,” Ven agreed, gestur- with a primary digit. “I also ex- left on rassed, her projections are so faint “that the reels when I cut the drives. ing at the specimens in front of pect,” she added acidly, that I have to strain my antennae other There isn’t enough to take us us. “Although they’re obviously there might have been to receive them. across this valley. related to our race, they’re quite places from which it wouldn’t be We came close Her aura turned a shamefaced

140 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 141 nacreous lavender. I couldn t stay to wait until dark before start- Males, I reflected gloomily, pride. Who would have thought angry with her. She was lovely, ing out. There may be danger. ‘ weren’t what they were in the that I, a male, could lift a mature and I was proud to be her mate. After all, this is an alien world, old days. Too much emphasis on female into a ship’s airlock The Eugenics Council had made and Authority knows what’s out mind, and not enough on body, even against normal gravity? I an unusually good match when there.” had made us a sex of physical chuckled shakily. Strange things they brought us together. The Her antennae dropped, her weaklings. happen to a body when its owner months we had spent aboard ship aura dimmed to gray and her I wondered bitterly if a brain is stressed and its suprarenals are on our sabbatical had produced integument turned a greenish was as worthwhile as the Council stimulated. no serious p>ersonality conflicts. black. “It doesn’t sound pleas- insisted. She looked up at me. “Thank We fitted well, and I was more ant,” she said. The next few hours were you,” she said simply. But there happy than any Thalassan had a miserable. I worried about Ven, was more behind the words than right to be. npHE sun dipped below the hori- imagining a number of unpleas- the bare bones of customary grat- “We shall have to try other -*• zon with an indecently gaudy ant things which might have hap- itude. measures,” I said. “Although display of color. After the last pened to her. I dragged myself there aren’t very many natives shades of violet had faded, I into the control room and fiddled T helped her into the refresher hereabouts, we had better start opened the airlock and watched with the scanners, trying the infra and as she restored her tired looking for them rather than wait Ven, a darker blot in the dark- and ultra bands as well as the body I pelted her with numerous for them to look for us.” I felt ness of the night, slip away into normal visible spectrum in the questions. disappointed. I was certain that the shadows. hopes of seeing something. And “Did you succeed?” I asked. we made enough disturbance She went unarmed. I wanted just as I was beginning to feel “Better than I expected.” coming down for them to be here her to take a blaster, but she the twinges of genuine fear, I “Did you find a native?” in droves, which was why I had refused, saying that she had never heard Ven. “Two of them.” The cubicle the robots camouflage the ship to fired one, wouldn’t know what to Her projection was faint. “Help glowed a pale green as her look like the surrounding rocks. do with one — and that its me, Eu! Help me!” strength came back. There could be such a thing as weight would hold her back. I I stumbled to the entrance port, “Where?” too much attention. didn’t like it. But I was unable dragging a blaster with me. “Two vursts from here—down “They could have mistaken us to go with her, and it was better “Where are you?” I projected. I the hill. They’re camped near a for a meteor,” Ven said. that she did as she wished at this couldn’t see her, but I could road. They have a big ground “Probably,” I agreed. “But it time. sense her presence. car with them.” would have saved a great deal I sat for a while in the entrance “Here, Eu. Just below you. “Did you see them?” of trouble if one of them had port watching the slow wheel of Help me. I can’t make it any “Yes.” come to us.” I sighed. “Oh well,” the stars across the heavens, and farther!” “What did they look like.”

I added, “it was only a hope, at for a moment I wished that I were Somehow I managed it. I don’t The radiance in the cubicle best.” a female with the rugged phy- know from where the strength flicked out. “They’re horrible!” “I could explore,” Ven offered. sique to withstand this gravity. came, but I was on the ground Ven said. “Monstrous! Four or “I was about to suggest that,” As it was, the beauty of the night lifting her, pushing her onto the five times our size! I never saw I said. “After all, the atmosphere was lost on me. I breathed un- flat surface of the airlock — anything so hideous!” is breathable although somewhat comfortably as the pressure clambering up — dragging her “Did they see you?” rich in oxygen, and the gravity crushed my body and made in and closing the lock behind “No, I don’t think so. They is not too severe. It would be best every joint and muscle ache. us. I looked down at her with weren’t looking in my direction

142 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 143 think they “Of course. I wasn’t lost at she went on stubbornly, “but I at first. And I don’t equipment she was carrying. I any time. If I hadn’t panicked. can’t handle them alone. can sense, because I was fright- You wished that we had enough power I’d have been back a whole lot simply have to come.” ened and they didn’t respond to to energize an air sled — but we begin- sooner.” “But Ven — I’m a physical my projection.” She was had none to spare. The robots “Can you go now?” cipher. This gravity ning to recover. flattens me. had used up most of our scanty I won’t make it.” “You couldn’t have been too power metal reserves in camou- HE shivered with distaste. “I “You will,” she said. frightened,” I said. “I didn’t hear “I’ll help flaging the ship and the adaptor S can,” she said, “but I don’t you. But this job needs you — and you can reach farther a male had taken the rest. This was going want to.” mind.” than two vursts.” to be a miserable trip. It was nonsense. We can’t let It was “Mostly I was repelled,” Ven “That’s deliberate flattery, I going to be painful, uncomfort- revulsion stop us. suppose. admitted. a little physical But there was an ele- able and perhaps even dangerous. pretty ment of “Why?” After all, there are some truth in it. Ven obviously It was. things to be seen in this couldn’t do it, “I don’t know. They smelled grim and obviously she We went across rocks, through universe.” thought I could. I couldn’t bad, but it was more than that. help sharp-twigged brush — across the nothing like this! I tell feeling pride in There was something about them “But her need for me. saw-edged grass of the meadow you, Eu, they’re horrible! That’s I liked the feeling. For, that made my antennae lie flat after all, below us, over more rocks, and only word that can describe we hadn’t been against my ears. Anyway — I the mated so long down-hill along a faint double that there was did a foolish thing.” The cubicle them.” too great an trail that never seemed to end. stat projector —” I amount of turned a pale embarrassed lav- “Take a familiarity in our rela- I was nearly dead with weariness began. tionship. The Eugenics ender. Council when Ven’s aura flicked off and “Aren’t you coming?” she had taken care of that very effec-. “What did you do?” I de- the dark closed in. My proprio- asked. tively when we announced manded. our ceptors were screaming as I sank vursts on this planet? plans for our “I ran away,” Ven said. “And “Two sabbatical. to the ground and panted the What do you think I am?” “All right — I’ll go,” I re- I made a lot of noise.” rich air of this world in and out face hardened. “I don’t peated. “All right — all right,” I said Her of my aching chest. said coldly, “but I do With a quick impatiently. “Go ahead and tell know,” she light movement “They’re just ahead,” Ven know this — if you don’t come, she touched my antennae the rest of it.” with whispered. “Around that next go.” her primary digits. “By the time I stopped run- I won’t The shock ran group of rocks. Be careful.” groaned. From her aura I through me clear ning I was down at the bottom of I to my pads. We moved forward cautiously. tell she meant every word. “You’re good,” she said the hill,” Ven said. “I was dead could — and “There was a fire,” Ven whis- angered me, too, because the way she said it tired — and with all that rock It was an acco- pered. Thalassan females usually don’t lade. to climb to get back to the ship. “There isn’t now,” I said. “I a male. “Remember,” I said I didn’t really think I’d make it.” defy can’t sense any heat.” The night you’re not the only “But you did,” I said proudly. icily, “that II air blew a rank odor to my Thalassa.” “You’re a real Thalassan — pure female on nostrils. My spines stiffened! I not on Thalassa,” she t^fT^HIS way,” green.” “We’re Ven said, emit- knew what Ven meant when she was a curious ting The cubicle slowly brightened said. Her aura a faint yellow aura said that these natives repelled shot through with that again. leaden color, lighted the area around her. her. I had smelled that scent flares and blotches. “Follow “Can you find them again?” I sullen red me.” She staggered a before — the scent of our an- right to force you,” little asked. “I have no under the weight of the cestral enemies! So these were GALAXY 144 FOUNDING FATHER 145 the natives, the dominant life on I aimed it and fired a full in- serted the probes, driving them “We’re going to get them out this planet! I gagged, my tongue tensity blast at the nearest lumpy through the heavy bone and into of there,” I said, “and take them thick in my throat. figure. It jerked and flopped in- the brain beneath. I clipped on back to the ship. I didn’t come “You see?” Ven asked. side its coverings, and the second the short antennae and stepped all this way for nothing.” I drew I nodded. “It’s pretty bad,” I form sat up with horrid speed! back. “Turn the control to low,” one of the controls toward me, said. I said. “Place the clips on your fastened the clips to my antennae, “It reminds me of a zoo,” Ven A roar of soimd came from it antennae. Now think of rising.” advanced the gain and thought answered softly. as the air was filled with its The bulk beside me stirred and into it. There was a stir of move- I nodded. It did and it was fetid odor. In panic I triggered a Ven gave a squeak of terror. “It’s ment inside and a huge form came thoroughly unpleasant. blast at the menacing figure, and all right,” I assured her. “Turn stumbling out. It stood there clad

I strained my perception to its it, too, flopped and laid still. the control back to zero. This in loose cloth coverings, reeking limits, pushing it through the I ran my tongue over the roof one’s secure.” with halogen. I looked up at the gelid darkness, searching until I of my dry mouth and called to I went to the second and dark bulk and shivered. found the natives. “They’re Ven. “They’re quiet now. Come treated it like the first, and felt a “That smell!” Ven said. asleep,” I said. in and see what we’ve got.” justifiable pride as it reacted. Not

“What’s that?” “Ugh!” Ven snorted as she en- many men could implant neuro- 66 V|^I£ can help it a bit,” I ** “Suspension of consciousness. tered the tent at my heels. “It probes correctly on the first at- replied and turned to the Something like estivation.” stinks!” tempt. “All right, Ven. You can control. With its massive fore- “Oh. Then we can approach “They’re not the sweetest life go out now. Take the controls limbs the brute ripped the cloth safely?” form in the universe,” I said as with you. I’ll see what I can do from its body as it moved down- “If we are quiet,” I replied. I prodded the huge mound be- to get these brutes out of their wind. I made it stand and took “Sleep is broken easily and side me, looking for reflexes that coverings.” the other control. consciousness returns quickly.” would indicate returning con- The tent opening swayed as “Let me do it,” Ven said. “You The trail deepened beyond sciousness. Ven passed through and I bent can’t handle both of them in your the rocks — two rutted tracks “What are they?” Ven asked. over the nearest form. The cover- condition.” about three vards apart. We “Mammals,” I said. ing was a heavy sack closed with “All right,” I said, “but be moved forward cautiously, our “No wonder I thought of a a slide fastener much like the careful.” senses keyed to their highest zoo,” Ven said. “But they’re so ones we used. I pulled and it “I will. Now what do I do?” pitch. The night was oppressively big!” opened, sending a flood of rank “Advance the intensity knob still and every movement rasped “Not on all planets,” I said. scent into the fetid air. I coughed, and think what you want it to loudly. My breath came fast and “Obviously,” Ven commented. my eyes smarting, and found the do.” shallow. My heart pounded and '‘Well — what’s next? Let’s get fastener of the other sack. Retch- There was a flurry of move- my musk glands were actively this done. I’m suffocating!” ing with nausea I staggered out ment inside the tent, the thrash- secreting as I parted the opening “Hand me the probe kit,” I of the tent. ing of a huge body, and the sec- to their cloth shelter, and sensed said. Ven sprang forward, caught me ond mammal burst through the the dim forms within. I selected two of the longest as I was about to fall, and low- opening and staggered clumsily “Stat,” I projected and Ven probes and made my way up to ered me gently to the ground. to a stop. handed me the weapon. It was the head of the nearest monster. “What are we going to do?” “Reduce the intensity,” I said. almost more than I could manage I scanned its braincase until I Ven asked as I lay panting at her “You’re projecting too strong a in my weakened condition, but found the area I wanted and in- feet. stimulus. Now uncover it and

146 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 147 ”

send it over with the other one “Let’s see what happens.” to cool off. They’re more bear- Ven squeaked as the monster able when they’re cold. They lifted me in the air and set me exude the scent from their skin across its neck. I crossed my pads glands to compensate for tem- and hung on. The ground seemed perature.” terribly far away. “I know,” Ven said. “I studied “How is it up there?” Ven biology.” She did as I instructed asked. and then dropped beside me. We “A little unstable,” I said, “but relaxed, gathering our strength I’ll manage. Shall we go?” for the climb ahead. But I didn’t We moved up the trail to the recover rapidly. I could move, but rocky abutment and turned up the exertion made me dizzy. The the hill. The brute beneath me excitement was over and reaction climbed strongly and easily. had set in. “I’ll never make it,” “Wait a minute,” Ven said as I said dully. she turned the corner behind “I can help,” Ven said — “a me, “you’re going too fast.” little.” “Why don’t you ride?” I called jT/ c-/ “It won’t be enough. You don’t down to her. “This one moves have the strength to carry me.” easily enough. It’s much better I looked at the huge bodies of than walking.” the mammals gleaming pallidly “I think I will,” Ven replied. in the darkness, and suddenly I had an idea. The Slaads on Valga is all right,” Ven said domesticated mammals. They *- as we moved side by side were quadrupedal, true enough, up the hill.—“The fibrils on top but they were still mammals. of its head Why couldn’t I ride one of these “Hair,” I corrected. as they did? Those great masses “The hair of this one is longer of muscle should carry me easily. than yours. I can hold on nicely.” “I think I have a solution,” I The big bodies of the natives said. moved smoothly and powerfully, “What?” their giant strides eating up the “I’ll have one of them carry distance we had so painfully cov- me.” ered some time before. Presently “You can’t!” we came out onto the lower edge “Why not? They’re controlled. of the meadow below our ship. And they’re the only way I’ll be Ven looked at me, her aura able to get back to the ship.” glowing pink with excitement. I picked up the nearest controller. “I’ll race you to the ship,” she

148 GALAXY drew up beside me. “Hai The physical differences were hasn’t a vestige cried, snd dashed off with a burst Yen of scales.” she exclaimed. “What a carried to such lengths that it was “Neither does of speed. Yee!” yours except at hard to believe that they were the tip of Somehow I couldn’t resist the sensation!” your tail,” I said tartly. it?” I asked. members of the same species. “Don’t get challenge in her voice. I advanced “You liked the idea that they’re Liked it? I loved it! a primitive the control knob and thought “Liked it? life form. Actually * 'HEY weren’t exactly ugly, yet they are a later strongly. The brute jumped as Didn’t you?” I evolutionary type *- “I think so,” I said truthfully. there was something disturb- than we! If our ancestors not though it had been whipped and had across the meadow ing about them. Perhaps it developed leaped into a plunging nm. I “I’m going was intelligence enough to said as she turned the rank halogen odor realize their peril clung desperately for a moment again,” Yen of their we would be around. skin glands that still extinct and and then relaxed as I caught the her mammal were secret- — something like said. “We have use for ing despite the coolness of the air. them would rule rhythm of the driving strides. My “No,” I Thalassa to- have no knowl- Or perhaps it was merely that day.” heart pounded, but not with 'fear. these two and we of much they can stand. they were intelligent mammals. Yen shivered, “How horrible! I had never known such exhilara- edge how sense damaging them.” It was as though Authority had, I don’t like thinking about it.” tion! Machines were pale com- There’s no I frowned as I noticed the bloody in a moment of cosmic humor, “Don’t,” I advised. pared to it. The mammal could on the legs and body drawn oversized caricatures of “What are we going to run like a frightened skent — and scratches do of her mammal. Thalassans and endowed them with them?” Yen asked. it was faster than Yen’s! noted the direction of my with life. I felt a subtle insult in “I was going to analyze them I caught her halfway up the Yen tough as their meadow, and pulled away, exult- gaze. “They’re not as presence. I suppose it show- and construct a proxy, but they’re she said with sudden ed in my aura because Yen came far too big to duplicate with ing in the powerful muscles mov- I thought,” our “But they’re not too quickly to my side. limited resources. I suppose ing underneath me. I charged up contrition. the damaged, are they?” “I told you they were disturb- only thing we can do is to insert to the grove of trees that con- badly I said. ing,” she said as we looked up at control circuits and use them as cealed our camouflaged ship, and “No.” mammal to set their monstrous forms towering they are.” brought the mammal to a halt. It I ordered the was breaking over us. “Won’t that be painful?” was 'panting, trembling, drenched me down. Dawn see better what we “I’m glad they’re not uncon- “Only psychically. with stinking sweat, but I didn’t and I could Physically captured. They were a male trolled,” I answered, shivering a they shouldn’t suffer a bit. The mind. I was part of it. There was had female. On the whole, ex- little as I looked at them. “I brain, you know, feels no pain. It a certain amount of feedback in and a for their mammalian an- suppose it’s just species antipa- merely interprets stimuli from a bipolar control circuit and I cept conformed to domi- thy, but they make me uncom- elsewhere.” could feel the heat of its body, cestry, they criteria, being erect, fortable.” “In mammals too?” the beat of the great heart, the nant-race with “Mammals were bipedal, predatory types exterminated I shrugged. “I suppose so. Be- . rise and fall of the broad chest, vision. Their upper on Thalassa long ago, weren’t sides, what difference the pulse of the blood vessels in binocular does it were evolved into they?” make? Once we’re through the thick neck. It was magnifi- extremities with organs similar to “Yes,” I said. “They ate our them we can destroy them if cent! I laughed. I had never be- manipulative primary digits. eggs.” they’re too badly damaged.” fore felt the ecstasy of physical our outstanding differ- Yen walked forward and ran “That seems unfair.” strength! The most the extreme sex dimor- her primary digits over the fe- “It’s not a question of fairness. I turned and looked back, still ence was which was obviously ap- male’s legs. “They’re quite well It’s survival. If they don’t per- tasting the pleasure of the great phism, brightening light. evolved,” she said. “The skin form body connected to my mind. parent in the properly, we shall have to GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 150 151 ”

dispose of them or they’ll be back necessary organic extensions of And they’re going to get it.” Yen already had one of the hel- here with a whole herd. Of course, our instruments. “Yes, Eu.” Her projection was mets on. I picked up the other if they operate under control, “That should do it,” I mur- submissive. and flicked the switch to “on.” It we’ll turn them loose when we’re mured as I disconnected the leads “But don’t worry,” I added was the male’s — and he was through with them. I doubt that I had jury-rigged into the ana- kindly. “You can monitor them. talking. The words were gibber- their technology is advanced lyzer. “They’re clean as a Far- I installed two extra circuits, one ish, but the thoughts behind them enough to recognize a bio-circuit del’s tooth.” I was tired, but I to the hypothalamus and the were easy to read. if they saw one. And if it is, they had the pleasant feeling of ac- other to the tactile centers. You I was part of an entity called will have learned nothing new.” complishment that comes from will be able to feel every sen- Donald G. Carlton, a male mam- “But why can’t we keep them working with organic matter. sation they experience. It will be mal of the human species. He — take them back to Thalassa? Possibly if I were not so inter- just like having an extra body.” was a “writer” and was mated to They’d make an unusual contribu- ested in History, I’d have become “Can I try it now?” she asked the female, who was called Edith tion to the Central Zoo.” a medic. I do have a certain talent eagerly as she came into the con- and who worked in “motion pic- “I’m afraid not,” I said. “I along that line. trol room. tures.” They lived in a place doubt if they’d survive space. The At any rate, we now had a “Go ahead,” I said. “Put on a called Holl3Twood, in a family only part of the ship large enough pair of proxies. With only nor- helmet and use the double con- unit structure faintly similar to to hold them would be the cargo mal fortune they would be com- trol. Take them back to their a children’s creche. Custom on storage compartment, and that’s pletely undetectable. camp and then neutralize the this world dictated that the fe- not shielded. A hyperjump would “Is it all done?” Ven asked as controller. As for me, I’m going male take one name of her mate, kill them. You wouldn’t want she looked over my shoulder. to the refresher. I need it.” which indicated that the sex was even them to die that way, would “Yes,” I said. “But leave the even more subservient than fe- you?” probes in place until we test Ill male Thalassans. The male’s Her aura turned gray. “No, I them.” I dragged my weary body body ached, but not as badly as suppose not.” once again into the control room T awoke from partial estivation I would have expected. And, as I “There isn’t a chance,” I said, and tried the headgear and cir- with Yen’s projection vibrating exp>ected, there was no sensitivity seizing her thought before it was cuits. They functioned absolutely my antennae. “Eu! Come quickly! in the brain. uttered. “It would take ten of our perfectly. They’re awake!” “Hey! Edith!” Donald said. lifetimes to reach our nearest out- “What do we do now?” Yen’s I groaned. What did she ex- “Get up!” post on normal spacedrive. Forget projection came to me. pect? But it might be interesting “Leave me alone, Don. I’m it.” “Remove the probes and send to see how they behaved. And if miserable,” a lighter voice an- “But^” them back to their camp. There’s they panicked, someone should swered from the lumpy sack be- “Come along,” I said, “I’ll need no sense in leaving them here.” be there to assume control. side him. “I had the most awful your help to modify these brutes.” “But Eu— I checked the chronometer. I dream.” “No,” I said. “They are not had rested for eight satts which “It must be the mountain air,” A CTUALLY it wasn’t a hard toys. They’re tools. They’re to should be enough. I felt as well he replied. “I did too.” ^job. Their brains were well do a job for us. Now stop acting as could be expected, so with only “Whatever made me think this developed and nicely compart- like a child. When they bring a few choice Low-Thalassic ex- would be fun!” Edith said. “You mentalized. With our probes and us metal you can play games with pletives to help me I managed to and your meteor-hunting!” The instruments it was a simple them — but not now. They’re clamber out of the tank and sack heaved and twisted and her enough matter to implant the stressed, tired, and need rest. stagger into the control room. head appeared at one end. “I

152 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 153 — ” ”

worked over she said in a brittle voice, didn’t feel like I’ve been “Just what did you do to you think it’s a dream?” wear pajamas when with a baseball bat. Oh! My you you went them?” I asked. “I never did,” he replied to bed last night?” legs!” She glowed guiltily. “I didn’t mildly. “I’ve never dreamed in said. “Yes.” “You’re not alone,” he know it would take their hair my life. I was just breaking it “Well, you’re not wearing “I guess it’s the hard ground and them off,” she said. “I was worried to you easy. It was real enough now.” An expression of horror these strait-jackets they laugh- about their scratches, and the in- — even the blank spaces. I neither ingly call sleeping bags.” crossed her face. “And am sects were biting them. So I made wonder -— “About that dream,” Edith I,” she added in a small voice. them rub on some of our skin con- “You wonder what?” said. “It was horrible. There was ditioner.” “What their reason was for could feel the shock in Donald’s this little green and yellow thing T I raised my digits toward the capturing us and then letting us *- that looked like a cross between brain as he looked down at sky. “There is an Authority that go. It doesn’t make sense. They a lizard and a human being. It himself. “That’s not all I’m not looks over fools and Thalassan wouldn’t grab us just for fun. was sitting on my shoulders and wearing,” he said dully. “I’m females,” I said. “What made They’re obviously intelligent, and I was naked — carrying it around, shaved!” you so sure our conditioner would probably thought we would be doing what it wanted me to do! There was a brief flurry inside work on them? It might have useful to them. But they turned I wanted to throw it off and the other sleeping bag. “So am been poisonous.” us loose. So we couldn’t be useful stamp on it but I couldn’t. I just I!” Edith’s voice was a whisper “I tried it on the male first,” except maybe for amusement — ran and ran and all the time of fright. “That was no dream! I Ven said. but that doesn’t jell. No. They’ve that little monster sat with its remember this. The lizard gave “Genius,” I breathed with icy done something to us. They’ve legs around my neck, hooting like me something that I rubbed all sarcasm, “sheer genius!” let us go for a reason.” an owl. Now, wasn’t that some- over myself — and my hair came “Well,” she said, “it worked!” thing?” off. I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t The eternal pragmatist had 660TOP analyzing!” Edith said. Donald was very quiet. “You help myself.” Her hands went to applied her sole criterion. “And ^ “Why don’t you just get know,” he said slowly, “essen- her head and she sighed, “Well, what’s more they looked and scared, like I am!” same dream I that’s all there. For a moment I tially that was the — smelled lots better after they “I am,” he said, “but I like to had.” thought used it.” figure things out. If I know what People skin is different,” Donald “But that can’t be! “My I shrugged, gave it up and frightens me, it doesn’t bother me don’t have the same nightmares.” interrupted thoughtfully as he turned my attention back to the so much.” “We did.” inspected himself. “It feels mammals. “Do that while we’re on the “Then maybe — maybe it thicker. And I don’t feel cold, Edith had emerged from her way home. Get your clothes on wasn’t a nightmare!” although I’ll bet it’s nearly freez- sack and was standing before the and let’s get out of here! Right “Nonsense. We’re here. We’re ing outside.” male. away!” all right. But I think perhaps “Don! Don’t you understand? “Do I look like a nightmare?” “We have to pack.” - real!” Edith we’d better get out of here That dream was she demanded. “Oh, leave it! Let’s get out oh, Keerist! I’m one solid bruise.” said. “No. More like a skinned while we can!” He twisted around until he found “Of course it was, — unless rabbit — ouch! What did you do “I don’t think we’re in any the fastenings and op>ened the this is a dream. We could be that for?” He rubbed his face danger,” he said. bag. With a groan he stood up. having a nightmare about a night- where she struck him with her “Well — I don’t want to stay Edith looked at him, her eyes mare . . digits. here a minute longer!” wide with sudden terror. “Don,” I looked at Ven. “There!” Edith said. “Now do “All right. We’ll go. But we’ll

154 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 155 races, these creatures could be “What is this material you pack first. Look at it logically. kidnapped by extraterrestrials.” trouble if they ever reached space. want?” They had us cold. We didn’t “Martians?” I wondered for a moment if “A metal. Atomic number 50, escape. We were let go. So why, “Not necessarily,” he said. Authority had known this when a white metal used as an alloy if they didn’t want us then, should “But if I remember my night- It brought me here. There must component of primitive metallic they want us now?” mare correctly, they aren’t be some design that ! should cultures,” I said. “It shouldn’t be “Unless they can get us any human — and they are obviously land here when this race was still too hard to get.” I didn’t realize time they want us.” smart. So they aren’t of this earth. capable of being frustrated. how hard it was to describe what “You have a point there, but We don’t have intelligent reptiles For the sake of civilization I I wanted. I wasn’t getting if that’s the case, they can get here. And with their ability to would have to learn more about through, and it bothered me. us anyway. So let’s pack.” control our actions, I’d say that these mammals. Much more. But The culture barrier was almost “You can pack if you want to. they were from a considerably since the male had deduced so as bad as though we couldn’t I’m leaving!” Edith pulled the higher culture than ours. They’ve much, there was only one logical contact mind to mind. opening to the tent and slipped done things to us — but I don’t course of action. I adjusted the “I think you mean tin,” he out. think they did them just for fun. filters ort my helmet to allow the said. I grasped the concept and “Edith!” Donald cried. “Wait!” They want us to do some- passage of surface thoughts, it seemed right. I touched Ven. “Stop her,” I thing.” twisted the dials on the con- “Bring me some and I will run said. “What?” troller until the meters balanced tests,” I said. Edith’s voice came from out- “I don’t know. Right now I’d and projected gently. “And what do I get in re- side. “Don!” she called in a tight guess they want us to pack our “Donald — listen to me,” I turn?” voice. “Don! Help me! I can’# things. Let’s do it and get out move!" of here. This place smells like the said.. He stiffened. “I thought you T thought quickly. If he wanted “Try coming back here and reptile house in the zoo!” would be somewhere around,” he to bargain perhaps we could see what happens,” Donald said said. “Who are you?” reach an agreement. It’s always slowly. T was amazed. The native’s “My name is Eu Kor, and I am better to have a cooperative Edith’s head appeared in the -*• analysis was as logical as my a native of Thalassa.” proxy. They don’t cause nearly entrance. “I’m back,” she said own would have been under “Where’s that?” the trouble in management. And in a small voice. similar circumstances. There was “A good many spatial units I had other things to do than '“I thought you would be. Now nothing wrong with his mind or from here — a good many of monitor natives. There was a let’s pack and perhaps they’l^ with his courage. That big brain- your light years,” I amended. “I great deal of repair work to be let us go. It’s obvious that we case held a smoothly functioning mean you no harm, but I need done on the ship before she would can’t run away.” mind and a cold courage I could your cooperation. My spaceship fly again. The subspace radio “But why? What’s happened almost envy. In a similar fix I is crippled. Our fuel has dete- power bank had to be rebuilt to us?" wasn’t sure that I could be so riorated. We need more and I and the circuits should be “If I told you, you’d think I’m calm. want you to get it for us. We checked. crazy.” My respect for him mounted. captured you because we need “I can give you knowledge “Tell me anyway. It can’t be If there were others like him on your help. Being a native you that you wouldn’t have for dec- any worse than this.” this world, his race could be a would not make a ripple in this ades — maybe centuries,” I ^T think,” Donald said slowly potential danger spot for the society. And we would create said. “And I can adjust your as he began to roll up his whole Galaxy. And, with the whirlpools.” bodies for a longer and happier sleeping bag, “that we were natural antipathy between our

FOUNDING FATHER 157 156 GALAXY that I could read his surface “It isn’t bad. And I don’t think still neatly and the blood flowed. life.” I shot a glance at Ven thoughts. I’ll ever have to shave again. As doing!” In fact, “Don! What are you immersed in her helmet. “Just remember,” I said, “I I remember I put that stuff on adjustments Edith screamed and then stif- I have made a few can control you completely, if my face. Anyway, we now have fened as Ven took control. already.” necessary, and pick your brain a couple of fairy godmothers thought “Observe,” I said as I released “So I noticed,” Donald for data whether you wish it or who ride around in spaceships they’re control. dryly. “Although whether not. And forget those ideas of in- instead of pumpkin coaches.” “Why, you —” Donald began an improvement or not I couldn t forming your authorities about us. “You’re mixing your stories,” — and then continued in a tone say. But did you have to go to Except with your mate you can- Edith said. “Cinderella travelled of wonder. “Why — the cut’s all this trouble?” not communicate to anyone about in the pumpkin coach, not her discount closing! There’s no more blood “Think of us — and us. There’s a basic block in your fairy godmother. And besides, it’s It’s gone!” the fact that you carried us be- — irrever- not funny. We’re more like those improve- brain that will result in weak for “It’s just one of the cause our bodies are too sible mental damage if you try.” poor souls in the Middle Ages I said said. “Did ments I mentioned,” your heavy world.” I This last was not quite the who were possessed by devils — smugly. “You also had a patch of you like us?” es- incubuses, I think they called lung ''truth. But I hoped that by repelled scar tissue on your left and “No,” he said. “You tablishing fear I would prevent them.” do not sight, more infected kidneys. You me. I disliked you on talk. “Now find us samples of the “It makes no difference what have them now. Had you not met than I can say.” metal I want.” I withdrew and you call them,” Donald said in- I us you would have been dead “The emotion is mutual,” went back to scanning. differently. “Whatever they are, But within five of your years.” said. “Yet I can endure you. “What was going on there?” we’ve got them and they’re not you with your glandular outlook Edith said. “You were talking to going to leave until they’re damn I could feel it. of destroying e was shaken. could only think empty air. And why did you cut good and ready. Incidentally, H“I do have Bright’s disease,” us.” yourself?” yoiirs is a female, so she’s proba- treated he said thoughtfully. “That is true. But you “It was one of our reptilian bly a succubus. Now don’t start “You had it,” I corrected. us like animals.” friends,” Don said. “Like I screaming. You’ll probably be said “All right,” he said suddenly, “You are animals,” I thought, they’re right with us — paralyzed if you do.” “I’ll bargain with you. You’ve logically. every way. He’s a weird sort. “I won’t scream,” Edith said a good turn and it de- are masters of this world. done me dully. “I’m too numb to scream.” “We ; Wants to trade health and knowl- author- serves a payment. I’ll help you We recognize no higher edge for tin.” not get your metal.” He grinned rue- \ ity. We are free people — “Tin?” IV are treated fully. “I guess I couldn’t do slaves. And unless we “Yeah. At least I think it’s tin. will get no anything else.” as free agents you description of the metal fits. "V^E had surprisingly little \ His this way,” us.” “It makes it easier cooperation from They use it instead of rocket ” trouble with the two natives as I I said. I smiled to myself. I was “I can force you to do juice.” once they realized we could con- telling him the truth, but not all wish,” I said. “But that knife — your arm?” trol them if we wished. Of the of it. Nor did I trust him. There “Prove it!” “Look. No cut — no blood. two, Edith was the worst. She Donald was fear and hatred in his lower I took over. And while That’s one of the things they did refused to cooperate and had to horror centers, and a formless feeling in watched with helpless to us. We’ve got puncture-proof be forced into the simplest ac- knife his upjjer levels that he could his hand picked up a skin.” tions. arm. outsmart any damn lizard that and drew it across his “Is that good?” “We’re going to have trouble didn’t realize The keen edge split the tissues ever lived. He GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 159 158 i with that one,” I observed as Ven and emotions point there. But it you are trying to 4 NOTHER day and she can Ven had a looked at with faint exaspera- me make into a useful proxy.” go back,” Ven said. “I can isn’t a good policy to get emotion- tion in her yellow eyes. races. “She is a problem,” Ven ad- finish her training at long range. ally involved with alien “Oh, I don’t think so,” she said. mitted, and “but if I had her here Now that I have the channels However, the deed was done, “Not really. This is a normal fe- I “That can be arranged,” I said. established, I don’t think she’ll as long as Ven was happy male reaction. It’s a phase. Like “I’ll give care. I only hoped that she you two weeks. And if be any further trouble.” didn’t the way I felt when the Eugenics that attached to doesn’t work you let me I took the helmet and scan- wouldn’t become too Council selected me to be your perform a prefrontal block.” ned Edith. “Hmm,” I said. “Do the creature. mate.” “That isn’t very long.” you know what you’ve done? Donald I was much more coop- “Did you feel like that?” I “That’s all we can afford, I told You’ve built yourself into an erative and much tougher. He asked with surprise. her. Authority image.” had realized from the start that “Of course. I wanted to make “All right, I can try. In a month “I know,” Ven said smugly. there was no profit in objecting my own choice.” I know I demands. But, unlike could do it.” “She is essentially a dependent to my “But you never told me.” for Donald protested violently type. Her mate was her decision Edith, he gave me no handle “There was no need. I came life to when I told him what we plan- maker. That’s why I had to get leverage. He arranged his around to the Council’s view be- fact of ned for Edith, but when I gave her alone. It wasn’t too hard once include the unpleasant my fore I met you. And Edith will him that was that. the alternative, he reluc- I knew where to look. As a girl, existence, and come around to mine. Don’t tantly agreed. her mother made the decisions Where Ven achieved a form of worry. I know how to handle anything He passed a story that Edith for her. As a woman, Donald has mastery, I never received this.” would be visiting than acquiescence. There friends, and done it. And when I faced her more And she did. I could brought her to the ship. with situations where she had to were levels in Donald I helped a little by altering a At once Ven went systemat- decide and where the decisions not touch. At first it irked me, few reflex arcs and basic attitudes, ically to work to reduce the were invariably wrong, she trans- but then I realized that I was but Ven wouldn’t allow me to mammal to an acquiescent state ferred the decision-making power the greater gainer. For Donald modify the higher centers. de- that would permit control. Since to me.” was a constant challenge, a “There’s no need to make her an outward sleep is unknown to our race but I looked at her sharply. “I had light to the mind, a mindless idiot,” Ven said. inward “You necessary for mammals, the task no idea that you intended to collaborator and an didn’t do that to Donald.” all of breaking down the female’s make a pet out of her,” I said. enemy. Our relationship had “Yes, but Donald controls his truce. resistance was simplified by “Otherwise I wouldn’t have per- the elements of an armed emotions. He doesn’t like that if I me any physical exhaustion. Ven also mitted this.” And I often thought better than Edith likes you, but crushing ad- found that the mammal’s sleep- “Well, it’s too late now. And did not have the he doesn’t work himself into an control, our contest ing time could be used to besides, it was the only way I vantage of emotional homogenate every time even. strengthen the new reflex chan- could do it in the time you might have been more I make a suggestion. Donald’s We argue nels built during her waking pe- allotted. But don’t worry. She’ll Although in time it out like rational intelligences. to a riods. The results were amazing, be as good a tool as your pre- hatred became modified Often I can use his experience even to me, and I’m fairly well cious Donald — maybe even a grim sort of tolerance, and his and viewpoint. And when I that can’t trained in neuromanipulation. better one — because she’ll do repulsion into something agree, he will cooperate rather Halfway through the second things to please me and not closely resembled admiration, he than operate under control. He’s week the mammal’s surrender merely because they’re expe- never lost the basic species an- not like that bundle of us. And glands was complete. dient.” tipathy which separated 160 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 161 in that regard our feelings were have been engulfed in that mael- through Edith. I’ve seen only the learning. If they can’t even coop- mutual. The ancient Thalassan Strom.” technical excellence of their en- erate with their own species, how proverb that familiarity breeds I nodded. “It was more luck tertainment industry, and the in Authority’s name could they friendship simply didn’t apply. than design,” I said, “but I am enormous waste which goes into ever get along with the dissimilar We held a mutual respect for each happy that we are no closer. This the making of one of their pro- races of this island other, universe?” and in a fashion we coop- world is not for us. It is too ductions.” “They couldn’t. We would have erated, but I never could pierce strange, too alien with its uncon- “We must have a synthesis,” to quarantine them.” the armor of resentment that trolled emotionalism and fright- I said, “and pool our observa- “So isn’t it better to save the shielded him. I tried, but finally I ening energy.” tions.” expense and let them quarantine gave up. There would never be “It reminds me of a malignant Ven nodded. themselves?” friendship between us. We. were neoplasm,” Ven said, “growing “I’m not at all happy about “I suppose so.” Ven’s aura was too different — uncontrolled, destroying the body this place,” I continued. “It makes a dull gray and mine matched And too alike. from which it draws sustenance. me uncomfortable.” the gloom of hers. It is hard to Have you ever seen such a seeth- “Could we modify it?” Ven stand aloof and watch a race I’N the days that followed the ing flux of people — such asked. condemn itself to death. first contact, I proceeded ac- growth -— such appalling waste I shook my head. “It would cording to approved methods of and carelessness?” take an entire task force to do Vj^E fed our observations into investigating alien civilizations. I shook my head. “The only that. Reeducation of this culture the analyzer, together with At my request, Donald went to parallel that comes to mind is would have to begin at birth all extraneous data we could lay the local book repository and we Sennor.” after appropriate culling. We our digits on via our proxies — went through a number of works “But that’s a dead world — would have to start from the not to prove our conclusions but on law, government, social struc- killed by a suicidal race that beginning. I fear that the council to determine the means by ture, and finance. I felt that I achieved technology before it had would never authorize such an which we could obtain the power should have some knowledge of attained culture.” action on behalf of mammals. metal with the least possible re- this mammalian culture before “Which is precisely the situa- are . . We altruistic * but not percussions in this society. We attempting to refuel the ship. tion we have here. Or have you that altruistic.” both realized it would be fatal to There was no sense in calling observed their social inequities “Then they will destroy them- expose ourselves. The mamma- attention to myself any more and history? Periodically these selves?” lian technology was sufficiently than necessary. If I could obtain mammals erupt in merciless riots “I fear so. This culture has a advanced for them to duplicate what I wanted and leave quietly, and slaughters over things that poor prognosis. But it is perhaps the essential portions of our ship, I would be perfectly happy. This cotild be settled by reason. And better so. Or would you like to and chaos could result if they world was of interest — but it oddly enough, these ‘wars’ as see them roaming through the secured a road to the stars. Gen- was too disturbing to contem- humans call them have the effect Galaxy?” erations of effort would be re- plate for an extended period of of stimulating technology. This is Ven shuddered. “Not as they quired to confine them again to time. a race that apparently loves death are now. Not these fierce, com- their homeworld. “You were right, Eu Kor,” Ven and battle. A barbaric horde of bative stupid brutes. Individuals Thinking in this manner said to me as we scanned the cultural morons, with a civilized perhaps, but not the race. They caused me to take certain pre- pattern of the mammals’ culture. technology geared to mutual would have to learn the rules of cautions with the drive mechan- “If you had picked any place destruction.” civilization first.” ism that would ensure no trace less isolated than this, we might “Frankly, I’ve been scanning “Yet they show no sign of of our craft remaining if I pro- 162 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 163 L between the characters; third, ing jected a certain impulse at a given agent. He seems to have other and told him the major points ^ brutality; and fourth murder- of strength. Ven, of course, was ap- ideas.” — the whole story ... as the ous assault.” palled at my action, although she “I have recently read some of computer had synthesized it out Sin, realized its grim necessity. your fiction,” I said, “and have “Hmm. sex, sadism and of seven excellent novels of the And in the meantime we noticed that it has certain basics slaughter,” Donald commented. period and a four-volume set of ( I worked with our proxies, I at- that could easily be applied to an “You know, you might have Renaissance history. is something there.” Donald was enthralled. tempting to establish some means analyzer. There no reason why j “You’re of quietly obtaining the metal we could not cooperate and prod- “I have prepared an outline right,” he said. “It will sell. It’s j we needed, and Ven doing nothing uce a work that would yield a and a synopsis of such a book,” lousy literature, but it’s got ap- ! I so far as I could determine that great deal of money.” said. “It is a historical novel. peal. With this story and my would further our mission. At Donald laughed. “Now I’ve It should sell. Most historical writing we can out-Spillane

that, Edith was in no position to heard everything!” he said. “You 1 novels do.” Mickey.” He was more enthusi- obtain metal, and Ven was too mean to tell me you could write “You’ve done what?” Donald astic than I had ever seen him

1 gasped. young and inexperienced in con- a book humans would buy?” Then he laughed. “Of all appear before. tact work to attempt a mission “No, you would write the book. the insufferable egoists I’ve ever “Who is Spillane?” I asked. of such delicacy. Since Edith I would merely furnish the idea, seen!” Donald looked at me as though “Listen,” I amused her, I was content to the research data, the plot, and said, ordering him he thought I was crazy and shook leave them both to their own the general story outline. In your to silence while I outlined the his head. “I can get to work on devices while I worked -with popular fiction,” I continued, opening chapter. it as soon as I get home,” Donald “I can’t Donald to speed our departure. “there are four basic elements stop you,” Donald said. said. “And if I keep at it, it’ll be “In this society,” I said to and a plot that can be varied “But why should this happen to ready for mailing in a couple of Isn’t it Donald, “it seems that one can about twenty-five ways. There is me? bad enough to be weeks. I’ll get it off to my agent accomplish anything with this small need for philosophy and * bossed around by you lizards and we’ll see. I hate to admit it, medium of exchange you call little need for abstract thought. without having to be forced to but I think you’re right about the money.” In fact, there is no need at all for ghost-write your amateur literary yarn. It should sell like hotcakes.” “That’s close to a fundamental anything but glandular excitation. efforts?” “That is fine. It should provide truth,” Donald replied. All that is really necessary is “It is laid in the period of your us with the medium of exchange, “And you are not too well plenty of action, enough under- history called the Renaissance,” which is necessary in this so- I supplied with it?” I asked. standing of the locale and events continued, “and deals with a ciety.” young of “It’s “Those four ingots I brought to avoid anachronism — and the ; man a noble but im- not necessary,” Donald poverished house rose to grinned. “It’s you last week put a vicious dent basics.” ; who essential.” power by cleverness, amorality in our savings account.” j “Isn’t your trade as an author V|7TIAT are these basics?” and skill with the sword.” V ** profitable?” Donald said. “As a writer “I suppose the girl is the daughter of “Only in spurts. It’s a feast- I’d like to know them.” the local duke.” T^ONALD’S prediction was a “No,” I said, famine existence. But it’s the only “There are four,” I ticked “she is the favor- *^a good one. The book sold — ite wife one I care to lead.” them off on my digits. “First, of a Saracen corsair.” and sold well. Despite the out- “But popular fiction makes violation of the ethical or moral “Well, that’s a switch,” Donald right plagiarism of ideas -and said. “Tell money — and you can write.” code of your race; second, ade- me more.” source material it was hailed as “I wish you’d tell that to my quate amounts of cohabitation So I did. I outlined the open- a new novel — one that stimu-

164 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 165 lated thought with its realistic visit me voluntarily, and the sight riodic it has never been useful she’s home. I can’t see what fun approach to the life of the times. of Edith’s little car parked under to attract either males or females. she gets out of running around And we prospered amazingly. the trees below the ship infuriated “I can see your point,” I said. these hills stripped to the skin the advance money, I him even more. It took the con- With “Yen’s ideas along that line carrying your mate on her shoul- on troller to make him keep his had Donald buy the land would be zero.” ders.” which the ship was resting, to- distance as he stood in front of “Not quite,” Donald said “I wouldn’t know,” I said. with the valley and rim- the airlock and hated me. gether angrily. “She likes moccasins. “Certainly you never seem to secured our “Damn you!” he swore. “You rock. Having thus Apparently they make feet look enjoy performing that service can’t do this to me! Edith’s my landing site I felt a bit more com- more like your pads.” for me.” even wife and I don’t like this rela- fortable. The comfort was “Well?” “I don’t even like the thought Donald’s sug- tionship between her and that — greater when, at “But that’s it! Edith’s idea of of it. I’m not an animal, that dinosaur! It isn’t healthy.” gestion, a fence was placed around what a well-dressed housewife after all.” electronic tell- “It’s out of rhy hands,” I said. the property and should wear is — moccasins! She “But you are,” I said. “So am I. re- “Edith is Yen’s responsibility.” tales were installed. The damn near caused a riot the other The only difference is that I am “It’s not only that,” he raged. mainder of the royalties were day when our TV repairman a superior animal and you, being supplies. “Ever since you lizards butted used to purchase tin and called to fix the set. We’ll be inferior, conform to my wishes. prosperity and into our lives Edith looks at me But despite our lucky if we’re not forced to move It is a law of nature that the like I was a stranger.” His face the regular supply of tin that because of that little incident!” superior type will inevitably rule. twisted. “I’ll admit she has her came to me as a result of my “I’ll speak to Ven,” I said. The inferior either conforms or cer- reasons. But that gives her no call adventure in fiction, and the “And if that doesn’t work. I’ll dies. And you have no desire to ask Yen’s advice rather than tainty that Ven and I would be to insert a block against such a die.” mine. When I told her I wanted leaving, Donald was not happy. thing happening again. I don’t He shook his head. “But I can her to come with me, the first As a successful new author he want special attention called to still object,” he said. thing she said was that she’d ask had to travel to meetings in you. That sort of thing will stop “At that?” I asked pointing Ven. She doesn’t do one damn various cities. He had to speak at right now.” across the meadow with a pri- thing without that cold-blooded public gatherings. He had to meet “Thanks,” Donald said. “But mary digit. little monster’s consent! She even with publishers eager to receive I should be the one to stop it.” Edith was running, her long asks advice on what clothes she rights to his next book. And Edith “Face it,” I replied, “you yellow hair floating free behind should wear!” He laughed did not go with him. aren’t. Not now. But you will be her. Ven, high on her shoulders harshly. “The blind asking advice Ven was adamant on this point. once we’re gone.” in a seat the two of them had from the blind!” “It’s bad enough that she is “Which can’t be too soon to contrived, waved gaily at us as working on this motion picture,” suit me,” he said. “I spend every they came up. Edith was flushed couldn’t help chuckling. Ven, she said, “but I’m not going to T spare moment collecting tin for and laughing. Her eyes sparkled Thalassans, had never have her traveling all over the like all you. Edie doesn’t. She wants Ven and her smooth bronze body in her life except face of this planet. She’s the only worn anything to stay.” gleamed in the sunlight. She low- belt. Clothing has never amusement I have since we must a utility “They seem to be happy with ered Ven to the ground, slipped of our culture. stay cooped up in this place. I’m been a feature each other. Edith comes up here the harness off her smooth shoul- on Thalas- not going to let her go.” Since it isn’t necessary regularly.” ders and stood behind my mate, never developed, and Donald was upset about it He sa, it was “I know,” he said bitterly. breathing deeply but not at all impulses are pe- was so angry that he came to since our sex “She’s here more often than distressed.

166 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 167 ”

Donald!” she said. “We since he isn’t home much any only been working on it a thou- understandable legal code, and ^^had a wonderful climb — more, it’s the only place where I sand years. These things take eliminate the unfit. In three gen- myself.” clear up to the top of the ridge! can relax and be She time.” erations you’d be Class VI all And coming down was almost brushed the drops of water from “I imagine. Well, are you going over your planet.” like flying! I’ll tell you all about her body and shook out her damp to do anything about Edith?” “It sounds good. What’s the it in a minute, right after I take hair. “It’s wonderful up here — “No,” I said. “It would only catch.” a dip in the p>ool. Ven doesn’t so quiet and peaceful — and make things worse. The relation- “The catch,” I said, “is that so nice.” like it when I sweat.” She turned Yen’s ship has gone too far. Ven has you wouldn’t like it. You mam- and ran down to the little p>ool My mate’s aura glowed a become an Authority-image.” mals are erratic, emotional and in the meadow. pleased pink as I turned an em- “You could break it.” uncontrolled. You do not reason It “See what I mean!” Donald barrassed lavender. was almost “But I won’t. I’m fond of Ven.” well, and you have no race dis- gritted. criminal, I thought, what Ven “You’re a damned little ty- cipline.” “She seems happy. She’s not had done to the girl. Donald rant,” Donald said. “You like to “What’s that?” hurt. And Yen’s little weight might be my servant, but I had see a human squirm.” “The capability of sacrificing doesn’t seem to bother her. What never attempted to condition him units for the benefit of the whole. are you complaining about?” into liking it. As much as possible 66jD E thankful that I’m the Eugenics control, culling the un- Donald growled something un- we operated as equals, rather worst tyrant you’ll see,” I fit.” intelligible, turned on his heel than in this sickening relation- answered sharply. “You could “You’re talking about human and walked away. ship which Ven had imposed really learn about them if the beings!” Donald exploded. I let him go. There was no upon Edith. To avoid showing Slaads knew you existed. They’re “And what makes a human sense in making him angrier than my displeasure I went up to the more advanced than you. And, being different from any other he was. After a moment the snarl control room, donned my helmet unlike us, they’re warlike and animal?” I asked. “Would you of his car’s engine rose to a and went into rapport with predatory. They breed mammals hesitate to dispose of an animal crescendo then faded away into Donald. for food. However, I’ll put up a that was unfit to breed?” the distance. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I hadn’t marker on your moon before I He sighed. “No,” he said. “But A few minutes later Edith realized the true situation. The leave. They respect Thalassa and that’s not the same.” came back to the ship. “Why did best thing for both of us is for won’t preempt our claims.” “What’s the difference? And Don leave?” she asked. Ven and me to leave as quickly “You mean you’re going to realize, it’s done for your better- “Perhaps he had something to as possible.” lay claim to Earth?” ment.” do,” Ven said. “How quick is that?” he shot “Only technically. We’ll exer- “Just a bunch of murderous She pouted. “He’s always so back angrily. cise it only if the Governing little altruists,” Donald sneered. busy nowadays,” she said sul- “Four thousand pounds more,” Council decides it will be to our “Out of the kindness of your kily. “He isn’t nice like he used I said. advantage.” cold-blooded hearts — drink to be. Do you think he’s tired of ‘Whew! That can must “What would you do if you “That’s the trouble with you me?” tin.” took over?” Don asked curiously. lower orders,” I interrupted. “No, I don’t think so. He just “It takes a great deal to leave “Clean things up,” I said. “You get emotional. Your obser- hyper- doesn’t like you spending so a planet,” I said. “And “Stop wars, stabilize the popula- vations have no basis in logic. much time up here,” I said. space demands a great deal more. tion, increase production and Actually, the Galaxy wouldn’t inertialess “But it’s fun — and Ven likes Once we develop an distribution, give you an effec- even quiver if the lot of you dis- easier. we’ve it,” she said. “I like it too. And drive it will be But tive central government and an appeared tomorrow. Yet you

168 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 169 fenses, our robots and our very abruptly think the universe rotates about greater success than the first if when Ven came into the your heads.” the advance notices were any lives were diie to the working drive room and disturbed my “I didn’t—” criterion. Edith was at a studio arrangements I had established. work. Her aura blazed a rich “Don’t interrupt,” I snapped. party celebrating the completion The only useful thing Edith violet. “You — your race — your whole of the picture in which she was had done in the past month was “Eu,” she said. “Come up to pitiful little civilization is ready working. And Ven was bored. to help me change the tube liners the control room. Something’s mentally and almost ready tech- For awhile she sat in on in the steering jets. Her size and wrong!” nologically to commit suicide. If Donald’s conference in a city strength had made the job easy “What,” I asked. we came and saved you, you called New York, but that — and it was normally a hard “It’s Edith. I can’t do a thing would owe us eternal gratitude, proved to be uninteresting. I was one, since the robots didn’t have with her.” but I doubt if we’d get it.” busy with a faulty fuel feed in the flexibility or balance that “You’re not supposed to. She’s “You wouldn’t,” Donald as- the drive chamber. The sun was Edith, with her dancer’s body, working now.” sured me. “There wouldn’t be hot, and the day was promising possessed. The job had taken “She is not! Her studio has a human alive who wouldn’t hate to be extremely warm even two days. It would have taken finished the picture and they’re you.” though it was not yet noon. It better than a week if I had to having a party.” “I realize that — and that is was one of those days when use robots. “That’s nice. I hope you’re one of the reasons I should re- nothing happens, and I was The mammals, I thought, letting her have a good time.” port your world imfavorably to grateful for it. I had had enough would be of distinct value as “I told her to. But I never the council. We could hardly take of emotional tangles to last me members of spaceport mainten- imagined what they’d be doing!” on an altruism mission like this for some time. It was almost ance crews. Their combination of Ven’s voice was anguished. unless we felt that our work soothing to work with the robots immense strength and high intel- “Well, what are they doing?” would be appreciated. It would on insensate machinery rather ligence would be useful to our “Ingesting ethanol to excess!” be better to let you kill your- than supervise a pair of highly society. I made a note of it and “Ethanol!” I gasped. “Oh no!” selves.” charged mammals and a hardly added it to the data I was as- I hadn’t realized that normal “Altruism!” less unstable mate. sembling for the Council. It was mammals consumed excess “In a sense. At least your race The association with these en- foolish, perhaps, but I couldn’t amounts of the stuff, although would be the greater gainers. All tities hadn’t done Ven a great help feeling an interest in these there were references to it in we’d get would be your excess deal of good. In fact, I could creatures. the literature. I thought that was population.” notice a deterioration of her I looked across the little valley merely literary exaggeration. After “And what would you want character that bothered me. She that was our domain. It was an all, we had been here scarcely them for — slaves?” no longer looked at me with idyllic life we were leading. Un- half a year, and we hadn’t really “Authority, no!” I said, shocked respect. Indeed, her yellow eyes hurried — peaceful — the sort of learned too much about the de- in spite of myself. “We’d merely at times held a pitying amuse- life I thoroughly enjoyed. It tails of mammalian society. process them for food.” ment that I should be so weak as would have been perfect if it Donald’s kidneys had forced him He was silent after that. to argue with Donald. I didn’t wasn’t for the insane and danger- to lead a quiet life, and the pass- bother to point out that the three ous world on which it was being ing of Edith from his control to r^ONALD was away again, at tons of power metal had vir- lived. Ven’s had caused no remarkable a publisher’s meeting. Our tually all been brought aboard Of course it was too good to alterations in her doings. new book laid in Restoration through Donald’s efforts, and last. Idylls invariably are. The I should have paid more atten- England was going to be an even that our conveniences, our de- peace of ours was shattered tion to their customs. But I had

170 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 171 ”

been too busy. I swore as I face said. “You’re loaded. Why reached for my control helmet. does a nice chick like you hafta I’d have to stop this before it be loaded? Whyncha get outa became serious. Donald would be here? I gotta nice place over in of no help to me. He was several Santa Monica where— thousand vursts away, and even The face disappeared. under the best circumstances “Hey! Alice! Golly, I almos’ couldn’t be expected back for a din’t reckanize you. Howya day. doin?” I didn’t bother to call him, but “Better than you, Edith. instead adjusted the controls to You’re drunk. And from the Edith’s setting. looks of you, you’re going to be sick if you don’t get some fresh VI air.” “Gotta go spit in the eye of my

A horde of gaily dressed mam- li’l lizard,” Edith said. “Y’wanna mals surrounded me, their come with me? I got Don’s car. faces and bodies oddly fuzzy and We c’n get outa here an’ get some distorted. Edith’s voice was fresh air — an’ I c’n tell that li’l equally fuzzy. There was some- lizard what I think of her.” thing wrong with her centers. I “What are you talking about?” tapped the helmet and checked “You wanna see my li’l lizard. the controller just in case it was She’s got yella eyes, and a li’l on our end, but they were func- tail, and she turns all kindsa tioning perfectly. There was colors, and she lives in a rock nothing wrong — merely the fact with a door in it, an she makes that ethanol was disturbing the me do things I dowanna do. It biocircuits I had implanted in her ain’t so bad though. Mosta the brain. I swore a few choice ex- time I like it. Not alia time pletives of Low Thalassan and though. That’s why I wanna spit tried to get through by increasing in her eye. She c’n tell me all the power. It did no good. she wants — but she’s gotta “I c’n still feel that li’l lizard leave me’n Don alone. I love that in m’ head,” Edith announced. guy.” Edith started sobbing — “Gimme another drink. I wanna why, I couldn’t understand. wash her out. Darn li’l lizard “She’s maudlin,” I said to Ven. makes me do things I dowanna “No one’s going to believe a do. It wants me to quit, but I thing she is saying. But this wanna get drunk.” should be a warning to us. We’ll “Take it easy,” a fuzzy male have to put in a block against

FOUNDING FATHER 173 testing engine groaning up the it this time. Now are you satis- drinking ethanol. I didn’t realize “I won’t! I’m going to teach trail to that girl a lesson she won’t forget the lower meadow as I fied? how badly it can affect the biocir- hurry! I’ve listened to my- hurried aftef Ven. As I reached “No,” Ven said. “Not half.” cuits.” I handed the helmet back in a insulted for two hours the airlock, the gray body of Her voice was tight with anger. to Ven. “You can watch this mess self being — and she’s still going strong. Donald’s station wagon poked its She looked down at Edith. if you want to. I’m going to our here I’ll show nose around the trees below our “Come here!” she said. quarters.” When she gets up eye she’ll spit in!” ship. “Dowanna,” Edith replied un- I slipped out of the control her whose Ven stood rigidly in the airlock, certainly. “You’ve made Don chair and walked across the room. was raging. I’d never seen waiting, her lips tight and her leave me. I don’t like you.” -But I was stronger now, more ac- l^EN ’ before. eyes narrow. She took a firmer habit was stronger than alcohol customed to the gravity, and it her so emotional Her grip on the stat as the car stopped and under the furious lash of didn’t bother me unless I had to aura swelled and ebbed in ruddy and the giggling, half-sober Yen’s voice she came unsteadily stand for long periods of time. I shades as her breath came and humans tumbled out. I was in a forward. turned in the doorway to look at went in short gasps. quandary. I didn’t want Ven to “Do you understand me, you Ven. She had the helmet on again “And how do you propose to shoot, but I couldn’t close the little sarf!” Ven snapped icily. “I and her aura was a crackling red. do that?” I asked. raged. “I’ll airlock with her inside it. So I said come here!" She took the I shook my head. Edith was du'e “I’ll stat her!” Ven stood, hesitating while the group control box from her waist and for a bad time when the effects stat every one of them!” of gaily dressed mammals came viciously twisted the intensity of that hydrocarbon wore off. I blinked. “I wouldn’t do that,” toward us through the trees, their dial to maximum. At this range I had hardly fallen into light I said mildly. “What can we do high voices loud in the stillness. its force was irresistible, even estivation when Yen’s projection with them? The two we have are “Gotta find that li’l lizard an with alcohol-deadened synapses. crashed through my antennae. bad enough. And if you stat them, tell her to stop meddling with my Edith shuddered and moved to- “Eu! Get up! Come here we’ll have to kill or condition , life,” Edith’s voice came to my ward us, her hands clumsily tear- quickly!” them. We couldn’t let them go ears. ing at the fabric that covered her. With a groan I came slowly home with a story like the one Ven stiffened beside me as the “I’m cornin’! You don’ hafta back to full facility and ran to they’d tell.” group broke out of the trees in shout. I ain’t deaf. I ain’t done the control room. Yen’s face was “I don’t care,” Ven said. “You front of the ship. nothin’!” She sat down beside filled with panic. can do what you like about the “Why, Edie, it’s beautiful!” a the airlock and struggled “They’re coming up here,” she rest of them, but thaf Edith is out of voice said. “It’s a fairy glen! No her clothing, ripping the thin said. “A whole earful of them!” going to learn a lesson.” She was wonder “Who?” being emotional and quite un- you’d never tell us where fabric under the last of Yen’s you got that suntan! And that big anger until she was completely “Edith’s drunken friends! willing to listen to reason — and rock — it’s just like you said — naked. Then she stood up and Somehow she’s collected six of she was larger and stronger than •And — uh!” The voice never reached her hands toward Ven. them and they’re driving up here I. Despite my protests, she jerked finished as Ven pressed the trig- “You’re not going to try to ride to spit in my eye!” a stat projector from the rack ger. her while she’s in that condition?” Despite myself, I laughed. Ven and strode toward the open air- I looked down at the six I said. looked so outraged I couldn’t lock. exclaimed. crumpled mammalian bodies and “This is my affair,” Ven help it. “Thalassa!” she the lone standing figure that replied grimly. “I’m going to get “We can close the airlock,” I “They’re coming through the looked stupidly up at us. this settled.” said, “and they can’t tell us from gate! They’ll be here in a minute.” “Well,” I said. “You’ve done I shrugged. a rock.” I could hear the roar of a pro-

FOUNDING FATHER 175 174 GALAXY Yen and I won’t do here was no sense reasoning “Yes, — “I’ve humored you,” I said. surprise and consternation didn’t won’t.” T with her while she was in that it again. Honest I “I’ve let you act like a lower arouse any suspicion. “You’d better not,” Yen said mood. And if she wanted to kill order. Now I want to see you “Ethanol, eh?” he said specula- suppose we have herself that was her concern. I grimly. “Now I behave like a civilized being. For tively. do.” watched her drop onto Edith’s some work to unless you do, I shall have to It was easy to follow the trend certainly have,” I said. shoulders, wind one hand vi- “You take steps. I’m tired of this child- of his thoughts. “Don’t get any wasn’t for your temper ciously into the mammal’s long “If it ishness.” ideas,” I warned in my best TY have this mess on blonde hair and guide the gross we wouldn’t “I’ll be all right now,” Yen villain manner. “I have Edith up hands. Now get moving! body into a shambling walk to- our replied. “We’ve come to an un- here with me. If you want to see carry these girls to ward the meadow. Edith swayed Have Edith derstanding.” She gestured at her again, you’d better stay gestured at the prone dangerously, but somehow she the ship.” I Edith with her primary digit and sober.” you, get inside and managed to stay on her feet as bodies. “And the big mammal shivered. I “I wouldn’t think of crossing control equipment they disappeared into the trees. bring out the wondered what Yen had done to you,” he assured me insincerely. connect the leads to the com- I walked over to the six bodies, and her. Edith was thoroughly “I’m too close to being rid of I was angry, too. Under gave each of them a light stat to puter.” cowed — actually afraid of little you.” of my superior will, make sure they would remain the force Yen, who was less than one fifth “Well — what do we do?” I females scurried to obey. quiet and sat down beside the the two her size. In a way, I felt an odd asked. “You’re the expert on this disgusted with you. Yen,” nearest one to think. “I’m sort of pride in my mate that insane society of yours.” angrily. “Just because your Yen’s anger had left me a size- I said she should achieve mastery over “You’ve done it,” he said. “I to a party, you don’t able problem. What on earth pet went such an intelligent and potentially don’t think it was smart of you, to act childish. Did you ex- could I do with six human fe- have dangerous brute. I knew perfectly but under the circumstances, I she’d behave like a Thalas- males? I needed them like I pect well that I’d never dare attempt can’t see how you could have needed a broken digit. Time san?” such dominance over Donald un- done anything else. I warned you Yen said. passed and the sun rose toward “I trusted her,” less I was prepared to rob him about Yen and Edith,” he added “It just goes to show that you the zenith, and finally I came to a of the mentality that made him — rather gloatingly, I thought. trust an animal too far,” I decision. Since we had them on can’t useful. But I consoled myself with “Now you’re in for it.” His voice get moving. Bring the our hands, we might as well make said. “Now the thought that this female was was almost gay. have a lot of use of them. Killing would be too probes first. We peculiarly susceptible to domina- “How?” before evening.” dangerous. work to do tion. “Six women vanishing all at And presently Edith came “We’d better get that car out once is going to cause a stir even was finished sooner than I through the trees, a sick, tired, T of sight,” Yen said. She nodded in Los Angeles,” he said. I sun was still in sober Edith whose face was dirty expected. The to Edith. The human obediently “After an ethanol party?” I to the edge of and tear streaked, carrying a the sky, but close trotted off in the direction of the asked curiously. “Six dancers out mammalian grim Yen whose aura smoldered a the hills. The row of car. A few moments later the of a production that used a hun- peacefully be- reddish brown. bodies slumbered sound of the motor rose and fell dred? Your city will never miss Yen looked “What did you do to her?” I side the airlock. as she concealed it in the trees. them.” speculatively. asked. down at them As soon as I could, I con- “But their families will.” have one, “None of your business,” Yen “No,” I said. “You tacted Donald and told him what Families! I hadn’t thought of snapped. “She’s all right now. and that’s enough.” had happened. Fortunately he that. Mammals had strong family Aren’t you, Edith?” “But,” Yen said. was alone, so his exclamation of ties — probably due to their

176 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 177 re- “Good. I need you. And bring projection at Ven to stay out of method of reproduction. We out causing comment. Of the Thalassans, coming as we did remaining four, one had a room- Edith. We have a problem that this. difficult to will require her talents.” “Well — if I had to do it, I’d from eggs, had none of this. The mate and would be alone; “She’ll to cooperate.” send Alice and Grace home. I state inculiators and the creches extract; another was living be happy Ven’s projection was cheerfully wouldn’t do anything to Alice ex- were our only contact with still another was mated and had block from talking about parenthood. We had no families. an offspring, but she was not confident. cept her a legal “You did her no permanent this place and what happened. “Hmm,” I said. “I hadn’t thought living with her mate — damage, I hope.” Grace I’d put under full control, of that.” action having separated her much bit. In fact, never have her pick up her baby, go “Well, you’d better start. I as it separates incompatible “Not a you’d offspring, how- know she’s been disciplined.” home and pack to leave. As soon hope it gives you a headache.” Thalassans. The “Well, get here, both of you. as .,she’s ready to go, bring her “You get nastier every time I ever, was living with her when in un- have work to do.” out here.” talk with you,” I complained. she wasn’t working, a not We Edith had trouble squeezing “The infant, too?” “I have my reasons,” he said usual situation on this world, but com- into the control room and, despite “Of course. A baby’s no bitterly. “Now, if you’re through one which could have some returned her skin conditioning, the place bother.” with me, little master, I think I’d plications unless she was quickly filled with her scent. But This, I thought, was something like to get some sleep. In the to it very shortly. meantime you’d better get them The last was living with her Ven and I were old hands now of an understatement. in- and took it in stride. She grasped “And what of the others?” I back to their homes before they’re parents and was seriously male. the instantly. only asked. • missed.” volved emotionally with a problem “The officially one might be any trouble is “Velma has a nosey room- “I can’t,” I confessed. “The She was planning to be who al- Alice. Her family and her boy mate. Have her start a fight and controller isn’t big enough to mated in the near future, fiction friend can be difficult. The others leave angry. She hasn’t much handle eight of you — not as though it would be legal won’t need effort, except it any individuals.” rather than fact since she was much baggage, and won’t be Donald chuckled grimly. already nurturing a living embryo for Grace. She’d better be re- trouble for her to collect it. As soon as I “That’s your worry. Remember, of some three weeks develop- turned to her baby as for the other three, think Joan’s possible.” being kept. can’t afford a unless you find out which of ment. I debated whether to re- She “How soon?” I asked. single apartment on her salary. them will be missed and act ac- move it, a simple enough manipu- it. It “The isn’t living with are always cordingly, you’re going to be very lation, but decided against baby Loleta and Marian observe a her,” Edith added, “not while out, sometimes for days. Their much in the public eye.” would be interesting to mammalian reproduction. But to she’s working, but she sees it landlady won’t think a thing of

regularly. Every day or two, it. return, she’ll just didn’t feel too happy as I cut remove her from her family and T If they never unofficial mate was a task believe.” pack their things and rent the I off, but Donald had given me her difficult. I needed I sighed. That solved the big- room to someone else. I know an idea. that might be gest problem. that old witch. I’d just keep those One by one I checked the new help. for Ven, “We had better start at once,” three here and not worry about proxies. Of the six, two were I projected a call so she Ven said. them. Nobody’s going to make living together. They had the phrasing it imperatively about its any fuss about three chorines dis- casual emotional involvement could have no doubt was quick T ignored her and looked inquir- appearing. Later on you can with males so characteristic of urgency. Her answer ingly at Edith. “What would make them write letters enclosing this species, but they could re- and clear. said. you do?” I asked, flashing a cold money to send their clothes to main here for several days with- “I’m coming,” she

179 178 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER ” another city. Then they can be VII had them lined up in a row to world needs is someone who can picked up and stored. That greet Donald as he came up the run it.” should give us a year before t^HE next week kept us busy hill toward the ship. “That’s obvious,” I said. “Until anyone gets suspicious enough to following Edith’s instructions. “The place looks like a nudist your society catches up with look for them.” I didn’t see how they would colony,” Donald grumbled. “You your technology you will be in “Edith,” I said, “you’re a apply to Alice, but Edith knew haven’t improved it any.” He constant danger. You mammals genius.” her species better than I. Alice’s eyed the file of mammals troop- will have to learn to discipline “I got you into this mess,” silence and the prying inquisitive- ing down to the truck to unload your emotions.” Edith said. “So, perhaps I’d bet- ness of her parents and her boy- the tin ingots. “I have another His face twisted. “I’ve had a ter get you out.” friend worked like magic. Alice ton lined up for delivery as soon good practical course in that,” he “But your fellow mamrhals— finally became angry and after a as you get this processed,” he said. “Now I’m getting post- “You haven’t hurt me — not stormy scene left the house, said. graduate training.” He gestured much, anyway,” Edith said. “So swearing never to return. Edith “Good,” I replied. “We’ll leave at the women coming up the hill I don’t suppose you’ll hurt them. picked her up as she walked as soon as it’s aboard. I don’t carrying the silver tin ingots. And, besides, I don’t want Ven away; Ven turned on the control like the looks of your recent ac- “Just how long do you think I mad at me like she was this and turned the threat to fact. tions.” can endure something like this?” afternoon. Anyway — you’ll be Later I took a leaf from Edith’s “Mine?” I shook my head. “Like what?” I asked. gone soon.” book and sent Alice to San Fran- “Oh, you mean the world situa- “Do I have to draw you a “I think I shall regret leaving,” cisco, where I had her write a tion.” I nodded. “You shouldn’t diagram?” he asked. “Ever since I said honestly. “There is a great pair of bitter letters to her parents worry about it. You should have you lizards came into my life I deal about you mammals I am and her extralegal mate. After seen it this time last year.” haven’t been able to touch a beginning to suspect I do not that I felt more secure. I shrugged. I would never woman. Not even Edith — and know.” The others worked out exactly really understand these creatures. she’s my wife. Just how much “You aren’t kidding,” she said as Edith predicted. No trouble at Their brains functioned differ- of this do you think I can take?” with faint bitterness so similar to all. By the time Donald returned ently. “You frighten me with Donald’s that my antennae from the East with a ton of tin your wild displays of emotion. I exclaimed with quivered. “But it’s been quite an ingots in a small truck our train- Someday one of you is going to '^dawning comprehension. “I

experience. I’ll tell my kids when ing schedule was well set up. The start something and your world think I see.” I have them — but they’re not robots and I had managed to is going to go up in fire.” The situation would have been going to believe me.” build a multiplex controller “I don’t think so,” he said. “I amusing if it wasn’t so stupid. I “I hope you have those chil- similar to those we used on have some ideas about that. With was surprised that I hadn’t real- dren — and raise them to Thalassa on the state farms, but the money from your stories and ized it before. There was, I knew, maturity,” I said. much smaller. It could handle the with what you have taught me, a certain amount of feedback in The tone of my voice caused proxies en masse or as individuals. I think there will be some a bipolar control circuit. Obvi- her to look at me with sudden While far less sensitive than the changes.” There was a peculiar ously enough of Ven’s condition- fear on her face. But at the one in the ship, it was effective expression in his eyes that I ing, and mine, had seeped through sight of my impassive features it enough for our rather elementary couldn’t identify. It made me to affect Donald and Edith’s nor- died away. “You scared me for a purposes. vaguely uneasy. “I’ve been doing mal relationships. Manimals were moment,” she said. Edith, who was running the a lot of thinking since you met far more preoccupied with sex “Did I? I didn’t mean to.” group under Ven’s supervision. up with Edie and me. What this than we were. Their books, maga-

180 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 181 zines, television and motion pic- Ven nor I would have thought to to kill you for this! It’s the ulti- or training. But I had given him tures reeked of it. It was present ask. And the mammals with their mate insult.” what he lacked. The knowledge in almost every piece of advertis- peculiar customs and habits “You’re not going to do any- I had impressed upon his mind ing, and four of our six new would never have told us unless thing,” I said calmly. His voice would give him a tremendous proxies were living histories of it. — as had happened — the pres- dissolved into obscenity. For a advantage over his fellow mam- Yet Donald and Edith, because of sure became too great. moment I felt sorry for him until mals, and his tendencies toward our feedback, had been kept as What our mammals needed I remembered the basic truth domestic tyranny would expand continent as novitiates for the was a good dose of Va Krul’s that none of us are free — and to include others. His glandular priesthood of Authority! basic therapy. If Edith were the most intelligent, naturally, are attitude would pervert his knowl- “I’m a perfectly normal male,” fertilized as a result of it, so the least free of all. They are edge to the detriment of human- Donald said. “Just what do you much the better. It would keep bound by their commitments, kind. He could become a thing think you’ve been doing to me? her attention where it more prop- their duties, their responsibili- so dangerous that it could destroy I can’t drink. I can’t make love. erly belonged. The thought ties, and by their intelligence it- this precariously balanced world. I can’t do anything except collect would never have occurred to self. If a superior intelligence oc- tin for you lizards. Just why do me in my present state. Since I casionally exhibits petty lapses T went into the ship and set up you think I hate you? Now you was content, I had erroneously — which amuse him or relieve a world matrix on the com- surround me with a whole assumed that everything was in his boredom — it is not the place puter, using all the data I had damned untouchable harern! Are harmony. of the less endowed to construe accumulated, secured the an- you trying to drive me insane?” “You might as well go home,” it as a sign of equality. swer, and then inserted Donald’s I laughed, and Donald recog- I said. “Take Edith with you. Some — like Ven and me — potential into the matrix. I then nize the sound for what it was. We won’t need you for several have known their place from ordered a probability extrapola- “Oh, damn you!” he said bit- days.” birth. Others, like Edith and tion for both matrices, equating terly. “How would you like to “Why?” Alice, learn easily with a mini- the solutions with survival. be married for eight months and “You’ll find things a little dif- mum amount of pain. Some like The answers confirmed my for six of them be unable to ferent. I’ll make a few adjust- Grace learn hard; and some — thoughts. With the matrix as it touch your wife? Just why do you ments on the controller.” like Donald — do not learn at stood, the twenty year survival think Edith tried to get drunk? I all. prediction was 65 per cent, which could kill you cheerfully for what my surprise Don didn’t ap- Donald was the eternal rebel, wasn’t too bad since few ad- you’ve done to us!” pear happy at all. “Does that complying because he must, yet vanced-technology worlds have “Oh!” I said. There was a mean what I think it does?” he seething with resentment because better than an 85 per cent sur- world of understanding opening demanded. “Do you think I’ll get he did. He was the personifica- vival probability. But with in front of me. Of course, it any satisfaction out of being con- tion of drive without innate con- Donald in the matrix, the sur- would do no good to tell him trolled even there?’’' trol, ambition without humility, vival prediction was zero! that Ven and I had remained in “I don’t know about the intelligence without wisdom. As I knew what I must do. I could enforced continence for five pleasure,” I. said coldly, “but I he had been, he was not quite not leave him behind as I had years. It was just the Eugenics do know that it will improve your enqugh. At best he would have planned. Nor could I inflict the council working through us — attitude.” been a minor author and a petty senseless cruelty of brainblotting. entirely involuntarily. What was Donald raged at me, his brain domestic tyrant. He would never He would have to be mercifully bothering Donald and Edith was white with anger. “So help me have been a threat simply be- destroyed. so absurdly simple that neither God, Eu Kor, someday I’m going cause he didn’t have the ability Although I was fond of Donald,

182 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 183 ” ” ”

and his death would leave me “Splendidly. Another week her if you wish, but tell her with opposite magnetic charge! sick for weeks, it would not be should see the end of the train- nothing.” The last thing I remember was right to let my creation live and ing. Edith was a good experience “Very well,” she said. I being enveloped in the flaring condemn the mammal race to for rtie in handling these. I’m not smiled as she disappeared. Ven golden glow of Ven’s aura. death. I could not exterminate a making the mistakes I did. I’m was going to miss her pet once we finding and removing race Authority had created. The the blocks had left. It was obvious. T came to my senses in our living of the one called guilt syndrome would be shatter- them. One them, “Eu! Quick!” Ven’s projection quarters. I was stunned — ex- than ing. Of course, if they killed each Grace, should be even better crackled in my brain. “They’re hausted — limp and gasping. qther that was not my concern. Edith.” fighting! Edith’s being hurt, and “Thalassa!” I said weakly, I asked with But until we left I would give “As a mount?” I can’t touch them! They’ve set “we’ve really done it now!” him all the freedom he could use. faint humor. “Or as a working up a block!” Ven smiled a pale blue radiance Outside of the minimum of con- proxy?” I ran for the control room, at me. “You have become strong, said promptly. trol, he would be free to do and “Both,” Ven slapped the helmet on my head, living on this heavy world,” she “She’s stronger and more intelli- act as he pleased. I didn’t owe reached for the controls — and said. “I like it.” gent. Yet even so I think I shall it to him, yet it was not his fault stopped, laughing. “But — but!” I sputtered. always like Edith best.” that he had come into my hands. “Stop them!” Ven screamed. “It was so — it can’t — it And when I returned to Thalassa Her aura blazed a brilliant white couldn’t— 66/^NE’S first dependent is al- I would tell the Council what I and her projection nearly “But it did,” Ven said softly. had done and ask for justice. Per- '^ways one’s fondest memo- knocked me down. She reached “And I’m glad it did.” haps we could save this world ry,” I replied sententiously, for the control switch, but I “I don’t mean that. What I from itself even as we had saved “But you’ll forget them all when slapped her hand away. mean to say was that it was others. The question of gratitude we’re back on Thalassa.” “Quiet!” I snapped. “They’re so— would be immaterial. “I won’t,” Ven said. “I’ll never not fighting, you little fool! Turn “Unexpected?” With a firm hand to set them forget Edith.” on your audio and listen and stop “No! So utterly—” on the track, the mammals might “Never is a long time,” I said acting silly!” “Satisfying?” she asked. learn the values of intelligence gently. “I shall even forget the Ven did as^ I told her and her “Stop interrupting! It was all and cooperation before it was too pain of killing Donald some day.” aura changed to a fiery pink. of that and more. But what I late. They might understand the “Then you’ve decided to elimi- “Oh!” she said in a small voice, want to say is that we’ve violated realities of existence rather than nate him?” Ven said. “but they never— the prime restriction for space fall victim to their glandular fan- I nodded. “It’s necessary,” I I must have made some mis- travellers. How could we do it?” cies. They might. But if they did, said. “This world wouldn’t be take in revising the controllers — “You’re forgetting that for one thing would be certain — safe with him alive.” or feedback was stronger than I some time we have been liv- they would learn it the hard way. “Poor Edith. She’s fond of the suspected — for the Va Krul syn- ing upon this emotion-charged Donald was proof of that. brute,” Ven said. She moved to- drome came back along our world,” Ven said. “The steady I went to our living quarters, ward the doorway. lines of contact with explosive erosion was more than our con- and presently Ven joined me. “Where are you going?” I force! Desperately I reached for ditioning could take. The feed- “They’re all in for the night, Eu,” asked. the switch — but my hand froze back was merely the last in a she said. “I want to talk to Edith. Per- in midair as an intolerable wave whole series of disruptive stimuli. “That’s good. How are they haps I can prepare her.” of emotion drove Ven and me It was the trigger, but our de- coming along?” “No. Don’t,” I said. “Contact together like two pieces of iron fenses had been weakened long

184 GALAXY F O U N D I N T A T H E R 185 before. Not that I’m sorry,” she a sense of brotherhood that tinence-conditioning for couples computation of this world’s fu- added quickly. “For weeks I’ve transcended differences in race in space. What was more, I knew ture is correct Some of them been wondering what sort of a and culture. We were down to that where Ven stayed, I would would still survive if this planet mate you’d be when this trip was basics, on the oldest meeting stay. commits suicide. And if the pre- over. I’m not unhappy with the ground of life. “Remember the fourth planet diction is wrong, we would have preview.” She smiled at me and He was wondering idly what of this system?” Ven asked. done no harm. If they reach the whole of our living quarters the outcome of this might be — “Yes. Ideal gravity, adequate space, they’ll merely find that was filled with a bright tender conscious of me, but careless. It oxygen, but too cold.” they’ve already arrived when blue. jolted me. He might be uncertain, “And with no intelligent life,” they reach the fourth planet.” “The natives,” I said worriedly. but I knew Ven was from good Ven added. “That’s an advantage “Which might be something of “We were in contact with them.” family stock, and “good” to a — and can we beat the cold. It a surprise to their explorers,” I Ven’s aura darkened. “I had Thalassan meant something en- wouldn’t be too hard to build said with a chuckle. “All right. forgotten them,” she said. “I hope tirely different than it commonly domes. We have plenty of power We’ll play it your way.” that the feedback wasn’t intensi- did to the natives of this planet! metal, and a matricizer. We could I was pretty sure how Donald fied and returned to them. I’d I disengaged hurriedly and hatch our clutch there. With the would take this. He was going to better look.” She started for the shook Ven out of her rapport mammals to help us, we should be ftirious, but after all one control room and I followed more with Edith. “We’ve no time to be able to make a comfortable doesn’t make a pet of a wolf and slowly. lose,” I said. “We must leave at enough life for the forty years then turn it loose. It’s too hard “There’s no damage,” she said once! You know what’s going to it’ll take to bring our offspring to on the livestock. But I didn’t from beneath the helmet. “Edith happen!” maturity. We should be able to think he’d be too unhappy. He’d feels just as I do.” “I know,” Ven said. “I feel do this easily, and still get home be the principal human on Mars; I took my helmet and coded the changes already.” before we’re strangers.” and after we left he’d be ruler Don’s pattern on the selector. “That’s just in your mind,” I **Hmm,” I said. “It’s possible. of a world. And in the meantime Peculiar, I thought with vague snapped. And we can use this world for a he could be a domestic tyrant. wonder. Most peculiar. For the “We’re not going home,” she supply base. But would you care It was fortunate, I thought with first time Donald and I were in said. There was a note of prophe- to live on that cold barren a smile, that mammals were true rapport. His mind was slow, cy in her voice. “We’ll never planet?” essentially polygamous. Donald lazy, sluggish — even his ambi- make it.” “There are worse places,” she would make some nasty com- tion was sated for the moment. “We can’t stay here!” said matter-of-factly. “And we’d ments about being a herd sire — Could it be, I wondered, that we “I know.” be close to everything we’d need.” but I didn’t think his comments are going to could find agreement through our “Then what we It did have possibilities. And would be too sincere. After all, emotions? Was it frustration that do?” the mammals could be adapted. it’s not every man that has a drove him? Whatever the block They were a more advanced evo- chance to become a founding had been it was gone now. This V|^E couldn’t stay here. But we lutionary form than we, but father. was a true empathic meeting — couldn’t go home either. The lower on the adaptive scale — I was still smiling as I turned something far more satisfying trip would take weeks, and hy- nonspecialized — more so than the dials on the controller and than our previous conflict. perspace is fatal to a gravid any other intelligent race I had flipped the switch. Founding I relaxed in it, feeling the slow Thalassan female. That was encountered. father — the title was as much langorous questings of his mind something we learned long ago, Ven said, “We would actually mine as his! even as he felt mine. There was and the principal reason for con- be doing their race a favor, if the —J. F. BONE 186 GALAXY FOUNDING FATHER 187 The first Laika visited space and died. The second Laika comfort I could from the unfor- liberately and otherwise. My cleaning and repair bills soared. reversed that order — to save a man's life! gotten past. I could never be sure of finding 1^0 one ever discovered Laika’s an unravaged pair of socks or an origin, though the Observa- unchewed copy of the Astrophyai- tory staff made a few inquiries cal Journal. But eventually Laika Ob- and I inserted several advertise- was both house-trained and ments in the Pasadena news- servatory-trained; she must have al- papers. I found her, a lost and been the only dog ever to be 200-inch dome. lonely ball of fluff, huddled by the lowed inside the MOON lie there quietly in the roadside one summer evening She would while was up when I was driving up to Palomar. shadows for hours, I Though I have never liked dogs, in the cage making adjustments, hear or indeed any animals, it was im- quite content if she could my possible to leave this helpless voice from time to time. The astronomers became equal- DOG little creature to the mercy of the other passing cars. With some qualms, ly fond of her (it was old Dr. suggested her wishing that I had - a pair of Anderson who DICK FRANCIS beginning she By ARTHUR C. CLARKE IHustrofed by gloves, I picked her up and name) but from the no dumped her in the baggage com- was my dog. She would obey else. Not that she would al- HEN I heard Laika’s myself angrily. “Stop being a fool partment. I was not going to haz- one frantic barking, my first — open your eyes! You won’t see ard the upholstery of my new ’92 ways obey me. animal, reaction was one of an- anything except the glow of the Vik, and felt that she could do She was a beautiful about Alsatian. It was that Wnoyance. I turned over in my wall-paint.” little damage there. In this, I was 95% that led to bunk and murmured sleepily That was right, of course. The not altogether correct. missing 5%, I imagine, abandoned. (I still feel “Shut up, you silly bitch.” That tiny cabin was empty, the door When I had parked the car at her being when I think of dreamy interlude lasted only a tightly closed. I was alone with the Monastery — the astrono- a surge of anger never know the fraction of a second. Then con- my memories, overwhelmed by mers’ residential quarters, where it, but as I shall jumping to false sciousness returned — and with the transcendental sadness that I’d be living for the next week — facts I may be bright conclusions.) Apart from two it, fear. Fear of loneliness, and often comes when some I inspected my find without much over the eyes, most fear of madness. dream fades into drab reality. enthusiasm. I had intended to dark patches her body was a smoky gray. For a moment I dared not oj)en The sense of loss was so desolat- hand the puppy over to the jani- of coat was soft as silk. When my eyes. I was afraid of what I ing that I longed to return to tor. But then it whimpered and Her ears were pricked up, she might see. Reason told me that no sleep. op>ened its eyes. There was such her incredibly intelligent and dog had ever set foot up>on this It was well that I failed to do an expression of helpless trust in looked Sometimes I would be dis- world, that Laika was separated so, for at that moment sleep them that — well, I kept it. alert. types or stellar from me by a quarter of a million would have been death. But I did Sometimes I regretted that de- cussing spectral with colleagues, and miles of space — and, far more not know this for another five sec- cision. But never for long. evolution my be hard to believe that irrevocably, by five years of time. onds, and during that eternity I I had no idea how much trouble it would understanding us. “You’ve been dreaming,” I told was back on Earth, seeking what a growing dog could cause, de- she was not

189 188 GALAXY MOONDOG Even now, I cannot understand I was awakened by an hysteri- why she bdcame so attached to cal, high-pitched barking from me, for I have made very few Laika which I had heard only friends among human beings. Yet once before — when she had first when I returned to the Observa- seen a cow, and did not know

tory after an absence, she would what on earth to make of it. Curs- go almost frantic with delight, ing, I threw off the sheets and boimcing round on her hindlegs stumbled out into the darkness of and putting her paws on my the unfamiliar house. My main shoulders — which she could thought was to silence Laika be- reach quite easily — all the while fore she roused my hosts — as- uttering small squeaks of joy suming that this was not already which seemed highly inappropri- far too late. If there had been an ate from so large a dog. I hated intruder, he would certainly have to leave her for more than a few taken flight by now. Indeed, I days at a time. I could not take rather hoped that he had. her with me on overseas trips, but For a moment I stood beside she accompanied me on most of the switch at the top of the stairs, my shorter journeys. wondering whether to throw it. She was with me when I drove Then I growled, “Shut up, Laika!” north to attend that ill-fated sem- and irritably flooded the place inar at Berkeley. with light. She was scratching frantically ^HE had been very good com- at the door, pausing from time to ^ pany on the long drive. time to give that hysterical yelp. We were staying with univer- “If you want out,” I said angrily, sity acquaintances on Telegraph “there’s no need for all that fuss.” Hill; they had been polite about I went down and shot the bolt.

it, but obviously did not look for- She took off into the night like a ward to having a monster in the rocket. house. However, I assured them It was very calm and still, with that Laika never gave the slight- a waning moon struggling to est trouble. Rather reluctantly, pierce the San Francisco fog. I they let her sleep in the living stood in the luminous haze, look- room. “You needn’t worry about ing out across the water to the burglars tonight,” I said. lights of the city, waiting for “We don’t have any in Berke- Laika to come back so that I ley,” they answered, rather coldly. could chastise her suitably. I was In the middle of the night it still waiting when, for the secpnd seemed that they were wrong. time in the Twentieth Century,

190 GALAXY the San Andreas Fault woke from stars and Laika filled all my cost a fortune to carry them there Earth’s orbit. Even so, the Van its sleep. needs. We used to go for long and to keep them alive. Providing Allen belts were still so active Oddly enough, I was not fright- walks together over the moun- Laika with her usual two pounds that we had to make our exit ened — at first. tains; it was the happiest time I of meat a day would take several through the North Polar Gap. I can remember that two have ever known. times my quite comfortable sal- It was a miserable flight. Apart thoughts passed through my There was only one flaw. I ary. from the usual trouble with mind, in the moment before I knew, though Laika could not, The choice was simple and weightlessness, we were all groggy realized the danger. Surely, I told how soon it must end. straightforward. I could stay on with anti-radiation drugs. The myself, the geophysicists could We had been planning the Earth and abandon my career. Or ship was already over Farside be- decade. have given us some warning. And move for more than a As ^ I could go to the Moon and aban- fore I took much interest in the then I found myself thinking, far back as the 1960’s, it was real- don Laika. proceedings, so I missed the sight with great surprise, “I’d no idea ized that Earth was no place for After all, she was only a dog. of Earth dropping below the hori- that earthquakes make so much an astronomical observatory. In a dozen years, she would be zon. Nor was I really sorry. I noisel” Even the small pilot instruments dead, while I should be reaching wanted no reminders, and in- It was about then that I knew on the Moon had far out-per- the peak of my profession. No tended to think only of the future. that this was no ordinary quake. formed all the telescopes peering sane man would have hesitated Yet I could not shake off that What happened afterward I through the murk and haze of the over the matter. Yet I did hesi- feeling of guilt; I had deserted would prefer to forget. The Red terrestrial atmosphere. The story tate, and if by now you do not someone who loved and trusted Cross did not take me off until of Mount Wilson, Palomar, imderstand why, no further words me, and was no better than those quite late the next morning, be- Greenwich and the other great of mine can help. who had abandoned Laika when cause I refused to leave Laika. names was coming to an end. In the end, I let matters go by she was a puppy, beside the dusty As I looked at the shattered They would still be used for train- default. Up to the very week I road to Palomar. house containing the bodies of my ing purposes, but the research was due to leave, I had still made The news that she was dead friends, I knew that I owed my frontier must move out into space. no plans for Laika. When Dr. reached me a month later. life to her; but the helicopter I had to move with it. Indeed, Anderson volunteered to look There was no reason that any- pilots could not be expected to I had already been offered the after her, I accepted numbly, one knew; the Andersons had imderstand that, and I cannot post of Deputy Director, Farside with scarcely a word of thanks. done their best, and were very blame them for thinking that I Observatory. In a few months, I The old physicist and his wife upset. She had just lost interest in was crazy, like so many of the could hope to solve problems I had always been fond of her, and living, it seemed. For a while, I others they had foimd wandering had been working on for years. I am afraid that they considered think I did the same; but work is among the fires and the debris. Beyond the atmosphere, I would me indifferent and heartless. The a wonderful anodsme, and my be like a blind man who had sud- truth was just the opposite. program was just getting under A FTER that, I do not suppose denly been given sight. We went for one more walk way. we were ever apart for more It was utterly impossible, of together over the hills; then I Though I never forgot Laika, in than a few hours. I have been course, to take Laika with me. delivered her silently to the An- a little while the memory ceased told — and I can well believe it The only animals on the Moon dersons, and did not see her again. to hurt. — that I became less and less in- were those needed for experi- Then why had it come back to terested in human company, with- mental purposes. It might be an- ^AKE-OFF was delayed almost haunt me, five years later, on the out being actively unsocial or mis- other generation before pets were twenty-four hours until a far side of the Moon? I was anthropic. Between them, the allowed, and even then it would major flare-storm had cleared the searching my mind for the reason.

192 GALAXY MOONDOG 193 when the metal building around ness, when my never-sleeping sub- me quivered as if under the im- conscious detected the first faint pact of a heavy blow. vibrations from within the Moon. I reacted without thinking. I The human mind has strange was already closing the helmet of and labyrinthine ways of going DON’T CLIP my emergency suit when the about its business. It knew the foundations slipped and the wall signal that would most swiftly tore open with a short-lived rouse me to the knowledge of scream of escaping air. Because danger. There is nothing more to I had automatically pressed the it than that; though in a sense one THE COUPON- General Alarm button we lost could say that Laika woke me on - if you want to keep your copy of Galaxy intact for permanent possession!* only two men, despite the fact both occasions, there is no mys- Why mutilate a good thing? But, by the same token ... if you’re devotee that the tremor the worst ever tery it, — about no miraculous enough to want to keep your copies in mint condition, you ought to subscribe. recorded Farside all on —cracked warning across the gulf that You really ought to. For one thing, you get your copies earlier. For another, you're three of the Observatory’s pres- neither man nor dog can ever sure you'll get them! Sometimes newsstands run out — the mail never does. sure-domes. bridge. (And you can just put your name and address on a plain sheet of paper and mail it to It is hardly necessary for me to Of that I am sure, if I am sure us, at the address below. We’ll know what you mean... say that I do not believe in the of anything. provided you enclose your check!) supernatural. Everything that Yet sometimes I wake now, in In the past few years Galaxy has published the finest happened has a perfectly rational the silence of the Moon, and wish stories by the finest writers in the field - Bester, Heinlein, Pohl, explanation, obvious to any man that the dream could have lasted Asimov, Sturgeon, Leiber and nearly everyone else. with the slightest knowledge of a few seconds longer—so that I In the next few it psychology. In the Second San could have looked just once more years will go right on, with stories that are just as good ... or better. Francisco earthquake, Laika was into those luminous brown eyes, not the only dog to sense ap- brimming with an unselfish, unde- Don’t miss any issue of Galaxy. You can make sure you won’t. Just subcribe proaching disaster. such Many manding love I have found no- today. cases were reported. And on Far- where else on this world, or on *(lf, on the other hand, your habit is to read them side, my own memories must have any other. once and go on to something new - please - feel free to use the given me that heightened aware- — ARTHUR C. CLARKE coupon! It’s for your convenience, not ours.)

m GALAXY Pub!is!iing FORECAST Corp., 421 Hudson Street, New York 14, N. Y. (50c additional ^ Enter my subscription for the New Giant 196-page Galaxy

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