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Do You Laugh Your Greatest Powers Away? THOSE STRANGE INNER URGES

You have heard the phrase, "Laugh, clown, laugh.” Well, that fits me perfectly. I’d fret, worry and try to reason my way out of difficulties— all to no avail; then I’d have a hunch, a something within that would tell me to do a certain thing. I’d laugh it off was; but how could I use it, how with a shrug. I knew too much, I could I make it work for me daily? thought, to heed. these impres- That was my problem. I wanted sions. Well, it’s different now to learn to direct this inner voice, I’ve learned to use this inner power master it if I could. Finally, I wrote and I no longer make the mis- to the Rosicrucians, a world-wide takes I did, because I do the right fraternity of progressive men and thing at the right time. women, who offered to send me, obligation, a free book This FREE BOOK Will Prove without entitled The Mastery What Your Mind Can Do( of Life. That book opened a new world

Here is how I got started right. to me. I advise you to write today

I had heard about hypnosis reveal- and ask for your copy. It willprove ing past lives. I began to think to you what your mind can demon- there must be some inner intelli- strate. Don’t go through life gence with which we were born. laughing your mental powers

In fact, I often heard it said there away. Simply write: Scribe J.F.W.

(Not a Religious Organization) (AMORC) The ROSICRUCIANS San Jose, California, U. S. A. ALL STORIES NEW • NO REPRINTS galaxy MAGAZINE

AUGUST, 1962 • VOL. 20 NO. 6

CONTENTS M-33 in Triangulum. Is this a younger galaxy than our own? It COMPLETE SHORT NOVEL has many bright, blue-white stars —too hot to live long, and thus THE DRAGON MASTERS recently formed. The spiral shape by Jack Vance seems just to be taking form. NOVELETTE ONE RACE SHOW 164 ROBERT M. GUINN by John Jakes Publisher SHORT STORIES FREDERIK POHL HANDYMAN 98 Editor by Frank Banta WILLY LEY A MATTER OF PROTOCOL 115 Science Editor by Jack Sharkey SAM RUVIDICH THREE PORTRAITS AND A PRAYER 129 Art Director by Frederik Pohl

GALAXY MAGAZINE is published ALWAYS A QURONO 142 bi-monthly by Galaxy Publishing by Jim Harmon Corporation. Main offices: 421 Hudson Street, New York 14, N. Y. 500 per copy. Subscrip- ARTICLES tion: (6 copies) $2.50 per year in the United States, Canada, THE LUCK OF MAGNITUDES 155 Mexico, South and Central America and U. S. Possessions. by George 0. Smith Elsewhere $3.50. Second-class postage paid at New York, N. Y. SCIENCE DEPARTMENT and Holyoke, Mass. Copyright, New York 1962, by Galaxy Pub- FOR YOUR INFORMATION 101 lishing Corporation, Robert M. Guinn, President. All rights, in- by Willy Ley cluding translations reserved. All material submitted must be FEATURES accompanied by self-addressed stamped envelopes. The pub- EDITOR’S PAGE 5 lisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Ail stories printed In this magazine FORECAST 97 are fiction, and any similarity between characters and actual GALAXY’S FIVE STAR SHELF 190 persons is coincidental.

by Floyd C. Gale Printed In the U. S. A. By The Guinn Co., Inc. N. Y. Cover by GAUGHAN illustrating The Dragon Masters Title Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Next issue (October) on sale August 9th WHICH WAY IS PROGRESS?

TV/fOST of the great debates of As a starter, let’s say the pro- -L” our time contain built-in longation of the average life span. hypotheses which seldom get Certainly we have done a great questioned — because most peo- deal there. Probably it has been ple engaging in the debates don’t tripled in historic time, and if know they are there. One com- you define progress in terms of mon one has to do with “progress.” longevity we are home free be- We assume that “progress” is fore the argument really gets another word for “change” — started. But — “progress” im- that is, willy-nilly, the human plies a goal. What’s the goal here, race is on its way up, and every- immortality? Obviously there is thing that is different is better. no great merit in that if it is un- There isn’t any doubt that accompanied by other far-reach- there has been progress in the ing changes. Never mind how history of mankind. We are a much you would like to live for- long way from the Sumerians, in ever; do you want the human so many things that it is almost race to stop evolving because impossible to count them. Every- there is no room for new gener- one would agree to that. ations? Or — the only alternative But what are we all agreeing in the long run — do you want to? What, specifically, are the the population so to increase that things that have shown improve- we all starve? (Or to succumb to ment? population-pressure psychoses, as

WHICH WAY IS PROGRESS? 5 recent animal experiments sug- sumption. Here we find surprises. gest may happen?) The world average diet, except “Progress” in this case, then, for the rich nations, is hardly one indicates a change in a direction calorie higher per capita than it which ultimately changes its sign was five thousand years ago; that and becomes “regression.” Since is to say, it is at the minimum we can’t locate the point at which level that will make survival and the change occurs, let’s see if we reproduction possible. The pro- can find an -easier measure of our duction of food per acre of land accomplishments. has shown improvement where Shall we speak of progress in fertilizers and irrigation have providing material comforts for been applied — that’s a plus — the average man? That’s an easy but has actually shown decrease

concession too . . . provided we where agricultural machinery has know what we mean by “material taken over hand-tilling of the soil. comforts.” The early cultures did That’s a minus, and a big one. not give every man a TV set, It is true that we now produce that’s sure; they didn’t have them more food per man-hour ex- to give. Nor did they provide pended in farming; but man-hours automobiles, for the same reason. are always available, we create But let’s not pretend that all of more of them every time a child the gadgets and contraptions we is born; and the arable land of

carry on our fiscal backs are pure the Earth is a remorselessly fixed joy! The average man’s budget of quantity. major machines and appliances Energy consumption, then? totals maybe fifty items, from hi- The world average is about 2500 fi sets to typewriters, and of the kilowatt hours per year. This is fifty perhaps ten are in some way far greater than during the Mid- or another broken and another dle Ages, say. But it is far less two or three never worked exactly than that of interglacial man, right even when he got them from 50,000 years ago, who burned up the store. As all suburbanites twice that much each year! know, there is no “convenience” (Wastefully, it is true. Most of it quite so inconvenient as a fully was in the form of great watch- automated household when a fires to keep animals away. But storm or other difficulty cuts off Wastefulness is not a sin peculiar the power supply. to primitive man, as we drivers We might, if we wished, meas- of automobiles which convert ure “progress” in terms of diet or something under 5% of the orig- food production or energy con- inal heat energy of the petroleum

6 GALAXY into mechanical motion should been systematically rooted out admit.) and it was impossible to heat the Indeed, we can hardly rely tiny houses to a point where sick- even on the arrow of evolution ness could be avoided. to point always “up.” We pride Orwell questioned one of the ourselves on our great brains, our men whose'families lived in these delicately featured faces and “beastly” homes: other marks that distinguish us from the apes — but Boskop man I asked him when the had a larger brain and a far more housing shortage first be- “human” face; and the last Bos- came acute in his district; kopoid died a hundred centuries he answered, “When we ago. were told about it,” mean-

ing that till recently people’s TTAVING said this much, we standards were so low that must not pretend to have they took almost any degree said the final word. There has of overcrowding for granted. been progress, and we all know it. But let’s be sure we know what “When we were told about it.” “progress” we mean — and, more Man can reconcile himself to al- important, let’s think about what most anything. He will seek a we want “progress” in the future better life if he can — but only to be like. Without such thought if he can see the direction in humanity becomes a race of fa- which improvement lies. natics. (Under the definition of It is in helping us to find these “fanatic” that goes: “One who re- directions that science-fiction sto- doubles his efforts once he has ries may serve a useful purpose. lost sight of his goal.”) We need to look somewhat far- George Orwell made a pene- ther ahead than our grandfathers trating and relevant observation did. The pace of events is very in his book, The Road to Wigan quick now. Pier. The time was the 1930s; he If we want “progress” to lead had been traveling in the ugly us in a direction we will like, we industrial towns of northern need to know what the possible England, visiting working-class directions are. homes where a dozen families For that we need a perspective, might use the same communal an opportunity to look at our-

outside lavatory; where eight per- selves from outside . . . sons slept in one room, five in a And for that we need science- bed; where every green thing had fiction stories! the EDITOR

WHICH WAY IS PROGRESS? 7 StarfirealLs

MmMever Me old. race of Man was growing not ready to die not / But it was to kill first! while it had foes

By GAUGHAN By JACK VANCE Illustrated

9 THE DRAGON MASTERS \l V* patterned in angles, squares and I circles of maroon, brown and black covered the floor. HTHE apartments of Joaz Ban- In the middle of the study beck, carved deep from the stood a naked man. heart of a limestone crag, con- His only covering was the long, sisted of five principal chambers, fine, brown hair which flowed on five different levels. At the down his back, the golden tore top were the reliquarium and a which clasped his neck. His fea- formal council chamber: the first tures were sharp and angular, his a room of somber magnificence body thin. He appeared to be lis- housing the various archives, tening, or perhaps meditating. trophies and mementos of the Occasionally he glanced at a yel- Banbecks; the second a long nar- low marble globe on a nearby row hall, with dark wainscoting shelf, whereupon his lips would chest-high and a white plaster move, as if he were committing to vault above, extending the entire memory some phrase or sequence width of the crag, so that bal- of ideas. conies overlooked Banbeck Vale At the far end of the study a at one end and Kergan’s Way at heavy door eased open. the other. A flower-faced young woman Below were Joaz Banbeck’s peered through, her expression private quarters: a parlor and mischievous, arch. At the sight of bed-chamber, then next his study the naked man, she clapped her and finally, at the bottom, a work- hands to her mouth, stifling a room where Joaz permitted none gasp. The naked man turned — but himself. but the heavy door had already Entry to the apartments was swung shut. through the study, a large L- For a moment he stood deep in shaped room with an elaborate frowning reflection, then slowly groined ceiling, from which de- went to the wall on the inside pended four garnet-encrusted leg of the L. He swung out a chandeliers. These were now section of the bookcase and dark. Into the room came only a passed through the opening. Be- watery gray light from four hind him the bookcase thudded honed-glass plates on which, in shut. Descending a spiral stair- the manner of a camera obscura, case he came out into a chamber were focused views across Ban- rough-hewn from the rock: Joaz beck Vale. The walls were pan- Banbeck’s private work-room. A eled with lignified reed. A rug bench supported tools, metal

10 GALAXY shapes and fragments, a bank of way nor the other. “I do not see electromotive cells, oddments of him now.” He climbed the stair- circuitry: the current objects of case, peered into the sleeping par- Joaz Banbeck’s curiosity. lor. “Empty. The doors above are The naked man glanced at the bolted.” He peered owlishly at bench. He picked up one of the Phade. “And I sat at my post in devices and inspected it with the entry.” something like condescension, “You sat sleeping. Even when though his gaze was as clear and I came past you snored!” wondering as that of a child. “You are mistaken; I did but Muffled voices from the study cough.” penetrated to the work-room. The “With your eyes closed, your naked man raised his head to head lolling back?” listen, then stooped under the Rife shrugged once more. bench. He lifted a block of stone, “Asleep or awake, it is all the slipped through the gap into a same. Admitting that the creature dark void. Replacing the stone, gained access, how did he leave? he took up a luminous wand, and I was wakeful after you sum- set off down a narrow tunnel, moned me, as you must agree.” which presently dipped to join a “Then remain on guard, while natural cavern. At irregular in- I find Joaz Banbeck.” Phade ran tervals luminous tubes exuded a down the passage which presently wan light, barely enough to pierce joined Bird Walk, so called for the murk. the series of fabulous birds of The naked man jogged forward lapis, gold, cinnabar, malachite swiftly, the silken hair flowing and marcasite inlaid into the mar- like a nimbus behind him. ble. Through an arcade of green and gray jade in spiral columns T>ACK in the study the min- she passed out into Kergan’s strel-maiden Phade and an Way, a natural defile which elderly seneschal were at odds. formed the main thoroughfare of “Indeed I saw him!” Phade in- Banbeck Village. Reaching the sisted. “With these two eyes of portal, she summoned a pair of mine, one of the sacerdotes, lads from the fields. “Run to the standing thus and so, as I have brooder, find Joaz Banbeck! described.” She tugged angrily at Hasten, bring him here; I must his elbow. “Do you think me be- speak with him.” reft of my wits, or hysterical?” The boys ran off toward a low Rife the seneschal shrugged, cylinder of black brick a mile to committing himself neither one the north.

THE DRAGON MASTERS 11 Phade waited. With the sun stare? Uneasily she watched his Skene at its nooning, the air was approach. Coming to Banbeck warm. The fields of vetch, belle- Vale only a month before, she garde and spharganum gave off still felt unsure of her status. Her a pleasant odor. Phade went to preceptors had trained her dili- lean against a fence. Now she be- gently in the barren little valley gan to wonder about the urgency to the south where she had been of her news, even its basic reality. born, but the disparity between “No!” she told herself fiercely. “I teaching and practical reality at saw! I saw!” times bewildered her. She had At either side tall white cliffs learned that all men obeyed a rose to Banbeck Verge, with small and identical group of be- mountains and crags beyond, and, haviors. Joaz Banbeck, however, spanning all, the dark sky flecked observed no such limits, and with feathers of cirrus. Skene Phade found him completely un- glittered dazzling bright, a minus- predictable. She knew him to be cule flake of brilliance. a relatively young man, though Phade sighed, half-convinced his appearance provided no guide of her own mistake. Once more, to his age. He had a pale aus- less vehemently, she reassured tere face in which gray eyes shone herself. Never before had she like crystals, a long thin mouth seen a sacerdote; why should she which suggested flexibility, yet imagine one now? never curved far from a straight The boys, reaching the brooder, line. He moved languidly; his had disappeared into the dust of voice carried no vehemence; he the exercise pens. Scales gleamed made no pretense of skill with and winked; grooms, dragon-mas- either saber or pistol; he seemed ters, armorers in black leather deliberately to shun any gesture moved about their work. which might win the admiration After a moment Joaz Banbeck or affection of his subjects. Yet came into view. he had both. Phade originally had thought TTE mounted a tall thin-legged him cold, but presently changed

Spider, urged it to the full her mind. He was, so she decided, extent of its head-jerking lope, a man bored and lonely, with a pounded down the track toward quiet humor which at times Banbeck Village. Phade’s uncer- seemed rather grim. But he tainty grew. Might Joaz become treated her without discourtesy, exasperated, would he dismiss and Phade, testing him with all her news with an unbelieving her hundred and one coquetries,

12 GALAXY not infrequently thought to de- Rife once more dozed at his tect a spark of response. desk. Joaz signaled Phade back Joaz Banbeck dismounted and, going quietly forward, thrust from the Spider, ordered it back aside the door to his study. He to its quarters. Phade came dif- glanced here and there, nostrils fidently forward, and Joaz twitching. turned her a quizzical look. The room was empty. “What requires so urgent a sum- He climbed the stairs, investi- mons? Have you remembered gated the sleeping-parlor, re- the nineteenth location?” turned to the study. Unless magic Phade flushed in confusion. were indeed involved, the sacer- Artlessly she had described the dote had provided himself a sec- painstaking rigors of her training; ret entrance. With this thought in Joaz now referred to an item in mind, he swung back the book- one of the classifications which case door, descended to the had slipped her mind. workshop and again tested the Phade spoke rapidly, excited air for the sour-sweet odor of once more. “I opened the door the sacerdotes. A trace? Possibly. into your study, softly, gently. Joaz examined the room inch And what did I see? A sacerdote, by inch, peering from every angle. naked in his hair! He did not At last, along the wall below the hear me. I shut the door, I ran bench, he discovered a barely per- to fetch Rife. When we returned ceptible crack, marking out an — the chamber was empty!” oblong. Joaz’s eyebrows contracted a Joaz nodded with dour satis- trifle; he looked up the valley. faction. He rose to his feet and “Odd.” After a moment he asked, returned to his study. He con- “You are sure that he saw noth- sidered his shelves: what was here ing of you?” to interest a sacerdote? Books, “No. I think not. Yet, when I folios, pamphlets? Had they even returned with stupid old Rife he mastered the art of reading? had disappeared! Is it true that When next I meet a sacerdote I they know magic?” must inquire, thought Joaz vague- “As to that, I cannot say,” re- ly; at least he will tell me the plied Joaz. truth. On second thought, he knew the question to be ludi- ^T'HEY returned up Kergan’s crous; the sacerdotes, for all their Way, traversed tunnels and nakedness, were by no means bar- rock-walled corridors, finally barians, and in fact had provided came to the entry chamber. him his four vision-panes — a

THE DRAGON MASTERS 13 technical engineering feat of no A pounding at the door: old small skill. Rife’s irreverent fist. Joaz opened He inspected the yellowed to him. marble globe which he considered “Joaz Banbeck, a notice from his most valued possession: a Ervis Carcolo of Happy Valley. representation of mythical Eden. He wishes to confer with you, and

Apparently it had not been dis- at this moment awaits your re- turbed. Another shelf displayed sponse on Banbeck Verge.” models of the Banbeck dragons: “Very well,” said Joaz. “I will the rust-red Termagant; the confer with Ervis Carcolo.” Long-horned Murderer and its “Here? Or on Banbeck Verge?” cousin the Striding Murderer; the “On the Verge, in half an hour.” Blue Horror; the Fiend, low to the ground, immensely strong, tail II tipped with a steel barbell; the ponderous Jugger, skullcap pol- f'T'EN miles from Banbeck Vale, ished and white as an egg. A little -*• across a wind-scoured wilder- apart stood the progenitor of the ness of ridges, crags, spines of entire group: a pearl-pallid crea- stone, amazing crevasses, barren ture upright on two legs, with two fells and fields of tumbled bould- versatile central members, a pair ers, lay Happy Valley. As wide of multi-articulated brachs at the as Banbeck Vale but only half neck. as long and half as deep, its bed Beautifully detailed though of wind-deposited soil was only these models might be, why half as thick and correspondingly should they pique the curiosity less productive. of a sacerdote? No reason what- The Chief Councillor of Hap- ever, when most of the originals py Valley was Ervis Carcolo, a could be studied daily without thick-bodied short legged man hindrance. with a vehement face, a heavy What of the workshop, then? mouth, a disposition by turns Joaz rubbed his long pale chin. jocose and wrathful. Unlike Joaz He had no illusions about the Banbeck, Carcolo enjoyed noth- value of his work. It was idle ing more than his visits to the tinkering and no more. Joaz put dragon barracks, where he treated aside conjecture. Most likely the dragon-masters, grooms and drag- sacerdote had come upon no ons alike to a spate of bawled specific mission, the visit perhaps invective. being part of a continued inspec- Ervis Carcolo was an energetic tion. But why? man, intent upon restoring Hap-

14 GALAXY py Valley to the ascendancy it sallied forth behind their precise- had enjoyed some twelve genera- ly trained warriors: several pla- tions before. During those harsh toons of Heavy Troops, a squad times, before the advent of the of Weaponeers — these hardly dragons, men fought their own distinguishable from the men of battles. The men of Happy Valley Aerlith — and a squad of Track- had been notably daring, deft and ers: these emphatically different. ruthless. Banbeck Vale, the Great The sunset storm broke over the Northern Rift, Clewhaven, Sadro Vale, rendering the flyers from Valley, Phosphor Gulch: all ac- the ship useless, which allowed knowledged the authority of the Kergan Banbeck to perform the Carcolos. amazing feat which made his Then down from space came name a legend on Aerlith. Rather a ship of the Basics, or grephs, as than joining the terrified flight they were known at that time. of his people to the High Jambles, The ship killed or took prisoner he assembled sixty warriors and the entire population of Clew- shamed them to courage with haven. It attempted as much in jeers and taunts. the Great Northern Rift, but only It was a suicidal venture — partially succeeded; then bom- fitting the circumstances. barded the remaining settlements Leaping from ambush they with explosive pellets. hacked to pieces one platoon of When the survivors crept back the Heavy Troops, routed the to their devastated valleys, the others, and captured the twenty- dominance of Happy Valley was three Basics almost before they a fiction. A generation later, dur- realized that anything was amiss. ing the Age of Wet Iron, even the The Weaponeers stood back, fiction collapsed. In a climactic frantic with frustration, unable to battle Goss Carcolo was captured use their weapons for fear of by Kergan Banbeck and forced destroying their masters. The to emasculate himself with his Heavy Troopers blundered for- own knife. ward to attack, halting only when Five years of peace elapsed, Kergen Banbeck performed an and then the Basics returned. unmistakable pantomime to After depopulating Sadro Valley, make it clear that the Basics the great black ship landed in would be the first to die. Banbeck Vale, but the inhabitants Confused, the Heavy Troopers had taken warning and had fled drew back. Kergan Banbeck, his into the mountains. Toward night- men and the twenty-three cap- fall twenty-three of the Basics tives escaped into the darkness.

THE DRAGON MASTERS 15 nPHE long Aerlith night passed. chaotic shadows and lights, The dawn storm swept out of splintered rock and fallen crags, the east, thundered overhead, re- boulders heaped on boulders. It treated majestically into the was the traditional refuge of west; Skene rose like a blazing hunted men. atom. Halting in front of the Jam- Three men emerged from the bles, the Weaponeer called out Basic ship; a Weaponeer and a for Kergan Banbeck, asking him pair of Trackers. They climbed to parley. the cliffs to Banbeck Verge, while Kergan Banbeck came forth. above flitted a small Basic flyer, There ensued the strangest col- no more than a buoyant platform, loquy in the history of Aerlith. diving and veering in the wind The Weaponeer spoke the lan- like a poorly balanced kite. The guage of men with difficulty, his three men trudged south toward lips, tongue and glottal passages the High Jambles, a region of more adapted to the language of the Basics. “You are restraining twenty- three of our Revered. It is neces- sary that you usher them forth, in all humility.” He spoke soberly, with an air of gentle melancholy, neither asserting, commanding nor urging. As his linguistic habits had been shaped to Basic pat- terns, so had his mental processes. Kergan Banbeck, a tall spare man with varnished black eye- brows, black hair shaped and var- nished into a crest of five tall spikes, gave a bark of humorless laughter. “What of the Aerlith folk killed, what of the folk seized aboard your ship?” The Weaponeer bent forward earnestly, himself an impressive man with a noble aquiline head. He was hairless except for small rolls of wispy yellow fleece. His skin shone as if burnished. His

16 GALAXY ears, where he differed most “I demand that you release the noticeably from the unadapted folk of Aerlith from your ship,” men of Aerlith, were small, fragile said Kergan Banbeck in a flat flaps. He wore a simple garment voice. of dark blue and white, carried no The Weaponeer smilingly weapons save a small multi-pur- shook his head, bent his best ef- pose ejector. With complete poise forts to the task of making him- and quiet reasonableness he re- self intelligible. “These persons sponded to Kergan Banbeck’s are not under discussion. Their question: “The Aerlith folk who —” he paused, seeking words — have been killed are dead. Those “their destiny is . . . parceled, aboard the ship will be merged quantum-type, ordained. Estab- into the under-stratum, where lished. Nothing can be said more.” the infusion of fresh blood is of value.” T^ERGAN Banbeck’s smile be- Kergan Banbeck inspected the came a cynical grimace. He Weaponeer with contemptuous stood aloof and silent while the deliberation. In some respects, Weaponeer croaked on. The thought Kergan Banbeck, this sacerdote came slowly forward, modified and carefully inbred a few steps at a time. “You will man resembled the sacerdotes of understand,” said the Weaponeer, his own planet, notably in the “that a pattern for events exists. clear fair skin, the strongly mod- It is the function of such as my- eled features, the long legs and self to shape events so that they arms. will fit the pattern.” He bent, with Perhaps telepathy was at work, a graceful sweep of arm, and or perhaps a trace of the char- seized a small jagged pebble. acteristic sour-sweet odor had “Just as I can grind this bit of been carried to him: turning his rock to fit a round aperture.” head he noticed a sacerdote Kergan Banbeck reached for- standing among the rocks not ward, took the pebble, tossed it fifty feet way — a man naked high over the tumbled boulders. except for his golden tore and “That bit of rock you shall never long brown hair blowing behind shape to fit a round hole.” him like a pennant. By the an- The Weaponeer shook his head cient etiquette, Kergan Banbeck in mild deprecation. “There is looked through him, pretended always more rock.” that he had no existence. The “And there are always more Weaponeer after a swift glance holes,” declared Kergan Banbeck. did likewise. “To business then,” said the

THE DRAGON MASTERS 17 ”

Weaponeer. “I propose to shape he were not only savage, but mad. this situation to its correct ar- Overhead hovered the flyer; rangement.” the Weaponeer looked up “What do you offer in ex- and seemed to derive encourage- change for the twenty-three ment from the sight. Turning grephs?” back to Kergan Banbeck with a The Weaponeer gave his firm fresh attitude, he spoke as shoulder an uneasy shake. The if the previous interchange had ideas of this man were as wild, never occurred. “I have come to barbaric and arbitrary as the instruct you that the twenty- varnished spikes of his hair-dress. three Revered must be instantly “If you desire I will give you released.” instruction and advice, so that — Kergan Banbeck repeated his Kergan Banbeck made a sud- own demands. “You must furnish den sharp gesture. “I make three me a space-ship, you must raid conditions.” The sacerdote now no more, you must release the stood only ten feet away, face captives. Do you agree, yes or blind, gaze vague. “First,” said no?”

Kergan Banbeck, “a guarantee The ' Weaponeer seemed con- against future attacks upon the fused. “This is a peculiar situa- men of Aerlith. Five grephs must tion — indefinite, unquantizable.” always remain in our custody as “Can you not understand me?” hostages. Second — further to barked Kergan Banbeck in ex- secure the perpetual validity of asperation. He glanced at the the guarantee — you must de- sacerdote, an act of questionable liver me a space-ship, equipped, decorum, then performed in man- energized and armed. And you ner completely unconventional: must instruct me in its use.” “Sacerdote, how can I deal with The Weaponeer threw back his this blockhead? He does not seem head and made a series of bleat- to hear me.” ing sounds through his nose. “Third,” continued Kergan rpHE sacerdote moved a step Banbeck, “you must release all nearer, his face as bland and the men and women presently blank as before. Living by a doc- aboard your ship.” trine which proscribed active or The Weaponeer blinked, spoke intentional interference in the af- rapid hoarse words of amazement fairs of other men, he could make to the Trackers. They stirred, un- to any question only a specific easy and impatient, watching and limited answer. “He hears Kergan Banbeck sidelong as if you, but there is no meeting of

18 GALAXY ideas between you. His thought units. Irregularity, absurdity — structure is derived from that of these are like — half of a man, his masters. It is incommensur- with half of a brain, half of a able with yours. As to how you heart, half of all his vital organs. must deal with him, I cannot say.” Neither are allowed to exist. That Kergan Banbeck looked back you hold twenty-three Revered as to the Weaponeer. “Have you captives is such an absurdity: an heard what I asked of you? Did outrage to the rational flow of the you understand my conditions universe.” for the release of the grephs?” Kergan Banbeck threw up his “I heard you distinctly,” re- hands, turned once more to the plied the Weaponeer. “Your sacerdote. “How can I halt his words have no meaning, they are nonsense? How can I make him absurdities, paradoxes. Listen to see reason?” me carefully. It is ordained, com- The sacerdote reflected. “He plete, a quantum of destiny, that speaks not nonsense, but rather a you deliver to us the Revered. It language you fail to understand.

is irregular, it is not ordainment You can make him understand that you should have a ship, or your language by erasing all that your other demands be met.” knowledge and training from his Kergan Banbeck’s face became mind, and replacing it with pat- red. He half-turned toward his terns of your own.” men but, restraining his anger, Kergan Banbeck fought back spoke slowly and with careful an unsettling sense of frustration clarity. “I have something you and unreality. In order to elicit want. You have something I want. exact answers from a sacerdote, Let us trade.” an exact question was required; For twenty seconds the two indeed it was remarkable that men stared eye to eye. Then the this sacerdote stayed to be ques- Weaponeer drew a deep breath. tioned. Thinking carefuly, he “I will explain in your words, so asked, “How do you suggest that that you will comprehend. Cer- I deal with this man?” tainties — no, not certainties: “Release the twenty-three definites . . . Definites exist. These grephs.” The sacerdote touched are units of certainty, quanta of the twin knobs at the front of his necessity and order. Existence is golden tore: a ritual gesture in- the steady succession of these dicating that, no matter how re- units, one after the other. The luctantly, he had performed an activity of the universe can be act which conceivably might al- expressed by reference to these ter the course of the future. Again

THE DRAGON MASTERS 19 ”

he tapped his tore and intoned, The Weaponeer and the two “Release the grephs; he will then Trackers, croaking and mutter- depart.” ing, turned, retreated from the Kergan Banbeck cried out in Jambles to Banbeck Verge, de- unrestrained anger. “Who then do scended into the valley. Over you serve? Man or greph? Let us them the flyer fluttered like a have the truth! Speak!” falling leaf. “By my faith, by my creed, by Watching from their retreat the truth of my tand, I serve no among the crags, the men of Ban- one but myself.” The sacerdote beck Vale presently witnessed a turned his face toward the great remarkable scene. Half an hour crag of Mount Gethron and after the Weaponeer had returned moved slowly off. The wind blew to the ship, he came leaping forth his long fine hair to the side. once again: dancing, cavorting. Others followed him — Weapon- 17'ERGAN Banbeck watched eers, Trackers, Heavy Troopers -*-*• him go, then with cold de- and eight more grephs — all cisiveness turned back to the jerking, jumping, running back Weaponeer. “Your discussion of and forth in distracted steps. The certainties and absurdities is in- ports of the ship flashed lights of teresting. I feel that you have various colors, and there came confused the two. Here is certain- a slow rising sound of tortured ty from my viewpoint: I will not machinery. release the twenty-three grephs “They have gone mad!” mut- unless you meet my terms. If you tered Kergan Banbeck. He hesi- attack us further, I will cut them tated an instant, then gave an in half, to illustrate and realize order. “Assemble every man! We your figure of speech, and perhaps attack while they are helpless!” convince you that absurdities are Down from the High Jambles possible. I say no more.” rushed the men of Banbeck Vale. The Weaponeer shook his head As they descended the cliffs, a slowly, pityingly. “Listen, I will few of the captured men and explain. Certain conditions are women from Sadro Valley came unthinkable. They are unquan- timidly forth from the ship, and tized, un-destined — meeting no restraint fled to free- “Go,” thundered Kergan Ban- dom across Banbeck Vale. Others beck. “Otherwise you will join followed — and now the Ban- your twenty-three revered grephs, beck warriors reached the valley and I will teach you how real the floor. unthinkable can become!” Beside the ship the insanity

20 GALAXY had quieted. The out-worlders with the capabilities of the op- huddled quietly beside the hull. posing Carcolos and Banbecks. There came a sudden mind-shat- Golden Banbeck, Joaz’s grand- tering explosion: a blankness of father, was forced to release Hap- yellow and white fire. The ship py Valley from clientship when disintegrated. A great crater Uttern Carcolo, an accomplished marred the valley floor; fragments dragon-breeder, produced the of metal began to fall among the first Fiends. Golden Banbeck, in attacking Banbeck warrior's. his turn, developed the Juggers, Kergan Banbeck stared at the but allowed an uneasy truce to scene of destruction. continue. Slowly, his shoulders sagging, Further years passed. Ilden he summoned his people and led Banbeck, the son of Golden, a them back to their ruined valley. frail ineffectual man, was killed At the rear, marching single-file, in a fall from a mutinous Spider. tied together with ropes, came the With Joaz yet an ailing child, twenty-three grephs, dull eyed, Grode Carcolo decided to try his pliant, already remote from their chances against Banbeck Vale. previous existence. He failed to reckon with old The texture of Destiny was in- Handel Banbeck, grand-uncle to evitable. The present circum- Joaz and Chief Dragon-master. stances could not apply to twen- The Happy Valley forces were ty-three of the Revered. The routed on Starbreak Fell. Grode mechanism must therefore adjust Carcolo was killed and young to insure the halcyon progression Ervis gored by a Murderer. For of events. The twenty-three, various reasons, including Hen- hence, were something other than del’s age and Joaz’s youth, the the Revered: a different order of Banbeck army failed to press to creature entirely. a decisive advantage. Ervis Car- If this were true, what were colo, though exhausted by loss of they? Asking each other the blood and pain, withdrew in some question in sad, croaking under- degree of order, and for further tones, they marched down the years a suspicious truce held be- cliff into Banbeck Vale. tween the neighboring valleys. Joaz matured into a saturnine Ill young man who, if he excited no enthusiastic affection from his A CROSS the long Aerlith years people, at least aroused no violent the fortunes of Happy Val- dislike. He and Ervis Carcolo ley and Banbeck Vale fluctuated were united in a mutual con-

THE DRAGON MASTERS 21 of minstrel, child-buyer, psychia- trist and chiropractor, reported Carcolo’s obloquies to Joaz, who shrugged. “Ervis Carcolo should breed himself to one of his own Juggers,” said Joaz. “He would thereby produce an impregnable creature with the Jugger’s armor and his own unflinching stupid- ity.” The remark in due course re- turned to Ervis Carcolo, and by coincidence touched him in a par- ticularly sore spot. Secretly he had been attempting an innova- tion at his brooders: a dragon al- most as massive as the Jugger, with the savage intelligence and agility of the Blue Horror. But Ervis Carcolo worked with an intuitive and over-optimistic ap- proach, ignoring the advice of Bast Givven, his Chief Dragon- master. tempt. At the mention of Joaz’s The eggs hatched; a dozen study, with its books, scrolls, spratlings survived. Ervis Carco- models and plans, its complicated lo nurtured them with alternate viewing-system across Banbeck doses of tenderness and objur-

Vale (the optics furnished, it gation. Eventually the dragons was rumored, by the sacerdotes), matured. Carcolo would throw up his Carcolo’s hoped-for combina- hands in disgust. “Learning? Pah! tion of fury and impregnability What avails all this rolling in was realized in four sluggish, ir-

bygone vomit? Where does it ritable creatures, with bloated lead? He should have been born torsos, spindly legs, insatiable ap-

a sacerdote. He is the same sort petites. (“As if one can breed a

of sour-mouthed cloud-minded dragon by commanding it: ‘Ex- weakling!” ist!’ ” sneered Bast Givven to his An itinerant named Dae Al- helpers, and advised them: “Be vonso, who combined the trades wary of the beasts; they are com-

22 GALAXY petent only at luring you within Enormous quantities of produce reach of their brachs.”) went to feed dragons. The folk of Happy Valley, under-nour- HE time, effort, facilities and ished, sickly, miserable, shared T provender wasted upon the none of Carcolo’s aspirations, and useless hybrid had weakened their lack of enthusiasm infuri- Carcolo’s army. Of the fecund ated him. Termagants he had no lack. In any event, when the itiner- There was a sufficiency of Long- ant Dae Alvonso repeated Joaz horned Murderers and Striding Banbeck’s recommendation that Murderers; but the heavier and Ervis Carcolo breed himself to a more specialized types, especially Jugger, Carcolo seethed with Juggers, were far from adequate choler. “Bah! What does Joaz to his plans. Banbeck know about dragon- The memory of Happy Valley’s breeding? I doubt if he under- ancient glory haunted his dreams. stands his own dragon-talk.” He First he would subdue Banbeck referred to the means by which Vale; and often he planned the orders and instructions were ceremony whereby he would re- transmitted to the dragons: a duce Joaz Banbeck to the office secret jargon distinctive to every of apprentice barracks-boy. army. To learn an opponent’s Ervis Carcolo’s ambitions were dragon-talk was the prime goal of complicated by a set of basic every Dragon-master, for he difficulties. Happy Valley’s popu- thereby gained a degree of con- lation had doubled but, rather trol over his enemies’ forces. “I than extending the city by am a practical man, worth two of breaching new pinnacles or driv- him,” Carcolo went on. “Can he ing tunnels, Carcolo constructed design, nurture, rear and teach three new dragon brooders, a dragons? Can he impose disci- dozen barracks and an enormous pline, teach ferocity? No. He training compound. The folk of leaves all this to his Dragon- the valley could choose either to masters, while he lolls on a couch cram the fetid existing tunnels or eating sweetmeats, campaigning build ramshackle dwellings along only against the patience of his the base of the cliff. Brooders, bar- minstrel-maidens. They say that racks, training compound and by astrological divination he pre- huts encroached on Happy Val- dicts the return of the Basics, that ley’s already inadequate fields. he walks with his neck cocked, Water was diverted from the watching the sky. Is such a man pond to maintain the brooders. deserving of power and a pros-

THE DRAGON MASTERS 23 ”

perous life? I say no! Is Ervis um,’ said Joaz. ‘It depicts all the Carcolo of Happy Valley such a nearby stars, and their positions man? I say yes, and this I will at any—time I choose to specify. demonstrate!” Now ’ here he pointed — ‘see this white dot? This is our sun. 1T|AE Alvonso judiciously held See this red star? In the old al- up his hand. “Not so fast. He manacs it is named Coralyne. It is more alert than you think. His swings near us at irregular inter- dragons are in prime condition; vals, for such is the flow of stars he visits them often. And as for in this cluster. These intervals the Basics — have always coincided with the “Do not speak to me of Basics,” attacks of the Basics.’ Here I ex- stormed Carcolo. “I am no child pressed astonishment; Joaz as- to be frightened by bugbears!” sured me regarding the matter. Again Dae Alvonso held up his ‘The history of men on Aerlith hand. “Listen. I am serious, and records six attacks by the Basics, you can profit by my news. Joaz or grephs as they were originally Banbeck took me into his private known. Apparently as Coralyne ” study — swings through space the Basics “The famous study, indeed!” scour nearby worlds for hidden “From a cabinet he brought out dens of humanity. The last of a ball of crystal mounted on a these was long ago during the black box.” time of Kergan Banbeck, with the “Aha!” jeered Carcolo. “A results you know about. At that crystal ball!” time Coralyne passed close in the Dae Alvonso went on placidly, heavens. For the first time since

ignoring the interruption. “I ex- then, Coralyne is once more close

amined this globe, and indeed it at hand.’ This,” Alvonso told Car- seemed to hold all of space. colo, “is what Joaz Banbeck told Within it floated stars and me, and this is what I saw.” planets, all the bodies of the Carcolo was impressed in spite cluster. ‘Look well,’ said Joaz of himself. “Do you mean to tell Banbeck, ‘you will never see the me,” demanded Carcolo, “that like of this anywhere. It was built within this globe swim all the by the olden men and brought to stars of space?” Aerlith when our people first ar- “As to that, I cannot vouch,” rived.’ replied Dae Alvonso. “The globe “ ‘Indeed,’ I said. ‘And what is is set in a black box, and I suspect this object?’ that an inner mechanism projects “ ‘It is a celestial armamentari- images or perhaps luminous spots

24 GALAXY ”

which simulate the stars. Either danger. If the Basics return to way it is a marvelous device, one Aerlith, as well they may, Happy which I would be proud to own. Valley is absolutely vulnerable precious I offered Joaz several and will be ruined. Where can objects in exchange. But he would his people hide? They will be have none of them.” herded into the black ship and Carcolo curled his lip in dis- transported to a cold new planet. gust. “You and your stolen If Carcolo is not completely children. Have you no shame?” heartless he will drive new tun- “No more than my customers,” nels, prepare hidden avenues.

’ ” said Dae Alvonso stoutly. “As I Otherwise — recall, I have dealt profitably “Otherwise what?” demanded with you on several occasions.” Carcolo. Ervis Carcolo turned away, “Otherwise there will be no pretended to watch a pair of more Happy Valley, and no more Termagants exercising with Ervis Carcolo.’ ” wooden scimitars. The two men “Bah,” said Carcolo in a sub- stood by a stone fence, behind dued voice. “The young jacka- which scores of dragons practiced napes barks in shrill tones.” evolutions, dueled with spears “Perhaps he extends an honest and swords, strengthened their warning. His further words — but muscles. Scales flashed. Dust I fear to offend Your Dignity.” rose up under splayed stamping “Continue! Speak!” feet. The acrid odor of dragon- “These are his words — but no. sweat permeated the air. I dare not repeat them. Essential- Carcolo muttered. “He is ly he considers your efforts to crafty, that Joaz. He knew you create an army ludicrous. He con- would report to me in detail.” trasts your intelligence unfavor- ably to his own. He predicts — AE Alvonso nodded. “Pre- “Enough!” roared Ervis Carco- D cisely. His words were—but lo, waving his fists. “He is a subtle perhaps I should be discreet.” He adversary, but why do you lend glanced slyly toward Carcolo yourself to his tricks?” from under shaggy white eye- Dae Alvonso shook his frosty brows. old head. “I merely repeat, with “Speak,” said Ervis Carcolo reluctance, that which you de- gruffly. mand to hear. Now then, since “Very well. Mind you, I quote you have wrung me dry, do me Joaz Banbeck. ‘Tell blundering some profit. Will you buy drugs, old Carcolo that he is in great elixirs, wambles or potions? I

THE DRAGON MASTERS 25 have here a salve of eternal youth curtain. In the barracks men which I stole from the Demie moved with vigilance, for now the Sacerdote’s personal coffer. In dragons became unpredictable: my train are both boy and girl by turns watchful, torpid, quarrel- children, obsequious and hand- some. With the passing of the some, at a fair price. I will listen rain, evening became night, and to your woes, cure your lisp, guar- a cool quiet breeze drifted antee a placidity of disposition. through the valleys. The dark Or perhaps you would buy drag- sky began to burn and dazzle on eggs?” with the stars of the cluster. One “I need none of those,” grunted of the most effulgent twinkled Carcolo. “Especially dragon’s red, green, white, red, green. eggs which hatch to lizards. As Ervis Carcolo studied this star for children, Happy Valley thoughtfully. One idea led to an- seethes with them. Bring me a other, and presently to a course dozen sound Juggers and you of action which seemed to- dis- may depart with a hundred solve the entire tangle of uncer- children of your choice.” tainties and dissatisfactions which Dae Alvonso shook his head marred his life. sadly and lurched away. Carcolo Carcolo twisted his mouth into slumped against the fence, staring a sour grimace. He must make across the dragon pens. overtures to that popinjay Joaz The sun hung low over the Banbeck. But, if this were un- crags of Mount Despoire. Even- avoidable so be it! ing was close at hand. Hence, the following morning, This was the most pleasant shortly after Phade the minstrel- time of the Aerlith day, when the maiden discovered the sacerdote winds ceased, leaving a vast vel- in Joaz’s study, a messenger ap- vet quiet. Skene’s blaze softened peared in the Vale, inviting Joaz to a smoky yellow, with a bronze Banbeck up to Banbeck Verge aureole. The clouds of the ap- for a conference with Ervis Car- proaching evening storm gath- colo. ered, rose, fell, shifted, swirled; glowing and changing in every IV tone of gold, orange-brown, gold- brown and dusty violet. t'RVIS Carcolo waited on Ban- Skene sank; the golds and beck Verge with Chief oranges became oak-brown and Dragon-master Bast Givven and purple. Lightning threaded the a pair of young fuglemen. Behind, clouds, and the rain fell in a black in a row, stood their mounts: four

26 GALAXY glistening Spiders, brachs folded, rather tactlessly commented upon legs splayed at exactly identical the evident prosperity of Ban- angles. beck Vale. Ervis Carcolo listened These were Carcolo’s newest glumly a moment or two, then breed. He was immoderately ‘ turned a haughty stare toward proud of them. The barbs sur- the offender. rounding the horny visages were “Notice the dam,” said the clasped with cinnabar cabochons; fugleman. “We waste half our a round target enameled black water in seepage.” and studded with a central spike “True,” said the other. “The covered each chest. The men rock facing is a good idea. I won- wore the traditional black leather der why we don’t do something breeches, with short maroon similar.” cloaks and black leather helmets, Carcolo started to speak, but

with long flaps slanting back thought better of it. With a across the ears and down to the growling sound in his throat, he shoulders. turned away. Bast Givven made The four men waited, patient a sign; the fuglemen hastily fell or restless as their natures dic- silent. tated, surveying the well-tended A few moments later Givven length of Banbeck Vale. To the announced: “Joaz Banbeck has south stretched fields of various set forth.” food-stuffs: vetch, bellegarde, Carcolo peered down toward moss-cake, a loquat grove. Direct- Kergan’s Way. “Where is his ly opposite, near the mouth of company? Does he choose to ride Clybourne Crevasse, the shape of alone?”

the crater created by the explo- “So it seems.” sion of the Basic ship could still A few minutes later Joaz Ban- be seen. North lay more fields, beck appeared on Banbeck Verge then the dragon compounds, con- riding a Spider caparisoned in sisting of black-brick barracks, gray and red velvet. Joaz wore a a brooder, an exercise field. Be- loose lounge cloak of soft brown yond lay Banbeck Jambles — an cloth over a gray shirt and gray area of wasteland, where ages trousers, with a long-billed hat of previously a section of the cliff blue velvet. He held up his hand had fallen, creating a wilderness in casual greeting. of tumbled rock, similar to the Brusquely Ervis Carcolo re- High Jambles under Mount Geth- turned the salute, and with a jerk ron, but smaller in compass. of his head sent Givven and the One of the young fuglemen fuglemen off out of ear-shot.

THE DRAGON MASTERS 27 /"''ARCOLO said gruffly, “You made an effort to soften his' voice. ^ sent me a message by old “If your theory is accurate — Alvonso.” and I pass no immediate judg- Joaz nodded. “I trust he ren- ment — then perhaps I would dered my remarks accurately?” be wise to take similar measures. Carcolo grinned wolfishly. “At But I think in different terms. I times he felt obliged to para- prefer attack to passive defense.” phrase.” “Admirable,” said Joaz Ban- “Tactful old Dae Alvonso.” beck. “Important deeds are done “I am given to understand,” by men such as you.” said Carcolo, “that you consider Carcolo became a trifle pink in me rash, ineffectual, callous to the the face. “This is neither here nor best interests of Happy Valley. there,” he said. “I have come to Alvonso admitted that you used propose a joint project. It is en- the word ‘blunderer’ in reference tirely novel, but carefully thought to me.” out. I have considered various Joaz smiled politely. “Senti- aspects of this matter for several ments of this sort are best trans- years.” mitted through intermediaries.” “I attend you with great in- Carcolo made a great show of terest,” said Joaz. dignified forbearance. “Apparent- Carcolo blew out his cheeks. ly you feel that another Basic “You know the legends as well as

attack is imminent.” I, perhaps better. Our people “Just so,” agreed Joaz, “if my came to Aerlith as exiles during theory, which puts their home by the War of the Ten Stars. The the star Coralyne, is correct. In Nightmare Coalition apparently which case, as I pointed out to had defeated the Old Rule, but Alvonso, Happy Valley is serious- how the war ended—” he threw ly vulnerable.” up his hands — “who can say?” “And why not Banbeck Vale “There is a significant indica- as well?” barked Carcolo. tion,” said Joaz. “The Basics re- Joaz stared at him in surprise. visit Aerlith and ravage us at their “Is it not obvious? I have taken pleasure. We have seen no men precautions. My people are visiting except those who serve housed in tunnels, rather than the Basics.” huts. We have several escape “Men?” Carcolo demanded routes, should this prove neces- scornfully. “I call them some- sary, both to the High Jambles thing else. Nevertheless, this is and to Banbeck Jambles.” no more than a deduction, and “Very interesting.” Carcolo we are ignorant as to the course

28 GALAXY of history. Perhaps Basics rule small a compass for men such the cluster; perhaps they plague as ourselves. We deserve larger us only because we are weak and scope.” weaponless. Perhaps we are the Joaz agreed. “I wish it were last men. Perhaps the Old Rule possible to ignore the practical is resurgent. And never forget difficulties involved.” that many years have elapsed “I am able to suggest a method since the Basics last appeared on to counter these difficulties,” as- Aerlith.” serted Carcolo. “Many years have elapsed “In that case,” said Joaz, “pow- since Aerlith and Coralyne were er, glory and wealth are as good in such convenient apposition.” as ours.” Carcolo glanced at him sharp- /^ARCOLO made an impatient ly, slapped his breeches with the ^ gesture. “A supposition, gold-beaded tassel to his scab- which may or may not be rele- bard. “Reflect,” he said. “The sac- vant. Let me explain the basic erdotes inhabited Aerlith before axiom of my proposal. It is sim- us. How long no one can say. It ple enough. I feel that Banbeck is a mystery. In fact, what do we Vale and Happy Valley are too know of the sacerdotes? Next to

THE DRAGON MASTERS 29 ”

nothing. They trade their metal termination and persistence. and glass for our food. They live They answered all my questions in deep caverns. Their creed is with gravity and calm reflection, disassociation, reverie, detach- but told me nothing.” He shook ment, whatever one may wish to his head in vexation. “Therefore, call it — totally incomprehen- I suggest that we apply coercion.” sible to one such as myself.” He “You are a brave man.” challenged Joaz with a look; Joaz Carcolo shook his head mod- merely fingered his long chin. estly. “I would dare no direct “They put themselves forward as measures. But they must eat. If simple metaphysical cultists. Ac- Banbeck Vale and Happy Valley tually they are a very mysterious cooperate, we can apply the very people. Has anyone yet seen a cogent persuasion of hunger. Pre- sacerdote woman? What of the sently their words may be more blue lights? What of the lightning to the point.” towers, what of the sacerdote Joaz considered a moment or magic? What of weird comings two. Ervis Carcolo twitched his and going by night, what of scabbard tassel. “Your plan,” said strange shapes moving across the Joaz at last, “is not a frivolous sky, perhaps to other planets?” one, and is ingenious — at least “The tales exist, certainly,” at first glance. What sort of in- said Joaz. “As to the degree of formation do you hope to secure? credence to be placed in them— In short, what are your ultimate “Now we reach the meat of my aims?” proposal!” declared Ervis Car- colo. “The creed of the sacerdotes /"’ARCOLO sidled close, prod- apparently forbids shame or re- ded Joaz with his forefinger. gard for consequence. Hence, “We know nothing of the outer they are forced to answer any worlds. We are marooned on this question put to them. Neverthe- miserable planet of stone and less, creed or no creed, they com- wind while life passes us by. You pletely befog any information an assume that Basics rule the clus- assiduous man is able to wheedle ter. But suppose you are wrong? from them.” Suppose the Old Rule has re- Joaz inspected him curiously. turned? Think of the rich cities, “Evidently you have made the the gay resorts, the palaces, the attempt.” pleasure-islands! Look up into the Ervis Carcolo nodded. “Why night sky. Ponder the bounties should I deny it? I have ques- which might be ours! You ask tioned three sacerdotes with de- how can we implement these de-

30 GALAXY ”

sires? I respond, the process may “In the first place, Coralyne be so simple that the sacerdotes shines bright in the sky. This is will reveal it without reluctance.” our first concern. Should Coral- “You mean — yne pass and the Basics not at- “Communication with the tack — then is the time to pursue worlds of men! Deliverance from this matter. Again — and perhaps this lonely little world at the edge more to the point — I doubt that of the universe!” we can starve the sacerdotes into Joaz Banbeck nodded dubi- submission. In fact, I consider it ously. “A fine vision. But the evi- impossible.” dence suggests a situation far dif- Carcolo blinked. “In what ferent, namely the destruction of wise?” man and the Human Empire.” “They walk naked through Carcolo held out his hands in sleet and storm; do you think gesture of open-minded tolerance. they fear hunger? And there is “Perhaps you are right. But why wild lichen to be gathered. How should we not make inquiries of could we forbid this? You might the sacerdotes? Concretely I pro- dare some sort of coercion, but

pose as follows: that you and I not I. The tales told of the sacer- agree to the mutual cause I have dotes may be superstition — or outlined. Next, we request an they may be understatement.” audience with the Demie Sacer- Ervis Carcolo heaved a deep dote. We put our questions. If he disgusted sigh. “Joaz Banbeck, I responds freely, well and good. took you for a man of decision. If he evades, then we act to- But you merely pick flaws.” gether. No more food to the sac- “These are not flaws. They are erdotes until they tell us plainly major errors which would lead to what we want to hear.” disaster.” “Other valleys exist,” said “Well, then. Do you have any Joaz thoughtfully. suggestions of your own?” Carcolo made a brisk gesture. “We can deter any such trade by OAZ fingered his chin. “If Cor- persuasion or by the power of our J alyne recedes and we are still dragons.” on Aerlith — rather than in the “The essence of your idea ap- hold of the Basic ship — then let peals to me,” said Joaz. “But I us plan to plunder the secrets of fear that all is not so simple.” the sacerdotes. In the meantime Carcolo rapped his thigh I strongly recommend that you smartly with the tassel. “And prepare Happy Valley against a why not?” new raid. You are over-extended,

THE DRAGON MASTERS 31 with your new brooders and bar- I suggest that your folk take ref- racks. Let them rest, while you uge in Happy Valley, while the dig yourself secure tunnels!” Happy Valley army joins with Ervis Carcolo stared straight yours to cover their retreat. And across Banbeck Vale. “I am not likewise, should they attack Hap- a man to defend. I attack!” py Valley, my people will take “You will attack heat-beams temporary refuge with you in and ion-rays with your dragons?” Banbeck Vale.” Ervis Carcolo turned his gaze Joaz laughed in sheer amuse- back to Joaz Banbeck. “Can I con- ment. “Ervis Carcolo, what sort sider us allies in the plan I have of lunatic do you take me for? proposed?” Return to your valley, put aside “In its broadest principles, cer- your foolish grandiosities, dig tainly. However I don’t care to yourself protection. And fast! cooperate in starving or otherwise Coralyne is bright!” coercing the sacerdotes. It might Carcolo stood stiffly. “Do I be dangerous, as well as futile.” understand they you reject my For an instant Carcolo could offer of alliance?” not control his detestation of Joaz “Not at all. But I cannot un- Banbeck. His lip curled, his hands dertake to protect you and your clenched. “Danger? Pah! What people if you will not help your- danger from a handful of naked selves. Meet my requirements, pacifists?” satisfy me that you are a fit ally “We do not know that they are — then we shall speak further of pacifists. We do know that they alliance.” are men.” Ervis Carcolo whirled on his Carcolo once more became heel, signaled to Bast Givven and brightly cordial. “Perhaps you the two young fuglemen. With are right. But essentially at least no further word or glance he we are allies.” mounted his splendid Spider, “To a degree.” goaded him into a sudden leaping “Good. I suggest that in the run across the Verge and up the case of the attack you fear, we slope toward Starbreak Fell. His act together, with a common men followed, somewhat less strategy.” precipitously. Joaz nodded distantly. “This Joaz watched them go, shaking might be effective.” his head in sad wonder. Then, “Let us coordinate our plans. mounting his own Spider, he re- Let us assume that the Basics turned down the trail to the floor drop down into Banbeck Vale. of Banbeck Vale.

32 GALAXY hence their predominance in Car- V colo’s army. This was a situation not to the liking of Bast Givven, HE long Aerlith day, equiva- Chief Dragon-master, a spare T lent to six of the old Diurnal wiry man with a flat crooked- Units, passed. nosed face, eyes black and blank In Happy Valley there was as drops of ink on a plate. Habit- grim activity, a sense of purpose ually terse and tight-lipped, he and impending decision. The waxed almost eloquent in oppo- dragons exercised in tighter for- sition to the attack upon Ban- mation. The fuglemen and cor- beck Vale. “Look you, Ervis Car- nets called orders with harsher colo. We are able to deploy a voices. In the armory bullets were horde of Termagants, with suf- cast, powder was mixed, swords ficient Striding Murderers and were ground and honed. Long-horned Murderers. But Ervis Carcolo drove himself Blue Horrors, Fiends and Juggers with dramatic bravado, wearing — no! We are lost if they trap out Spider after Spider as he sent us on the fells!” his dragons through various evo- “I do not plan to fight on the lutions. In the case of the Happy fells,” said Carcolo. “I will force Valley forces, these were for the battle upon Joaz Banbeck. His most part Termagants — small Juggers and Fiends are useless active dragons with rust-red on the cliffs. And in the matter scales, narrow darting heads, of Blue Horrors we are almost chisel-sharp fangs. Their brachs his equal.” were strong and well-developed. “You overlook a single diffi- They used lance, cutlass or mace culty,” said Bast Givven. with equal skill. A man pitted “And what is this?” against a Termagant stood no “The improbability that Joaz chance, for the scales warded off Banbeck plans to permit all this. bullets as well as any blow the I allow him greater intelligence man might have strength enough than that.” to deal. On the other hand a sin- “Show me evidence!” charged gle slash of fang, the rip of a Carcolo. “What I know of him scythe-like claw, meant death to suggests vacillation and stupidity! the man. So we will strike — hard!” Car- The Termagants were fecund colo smacked fist into palm. and hardy and throve even under “Thus we will finish the haughty the conditions which existed in Banbecks!” the Happy Valley brooders; Bast Givven turned to go. Car-

THE DRAGON MASTERS 33 ScRjdiNc; cnuRDeReR

colo wrathfully called him back. neck about to look Carcolo in “You show no enthusiasm for the face. Carcolo cried, “Hust, this campaign!” hust! Forward at speed, smartly “I know what our army can now! Show these louts what snap do and what it cannot do,” said and spirit mean!” The Spider Givven bluntly. “If Joaz Banbeck jumped ahead with such vehe- is the man you think he is, we mence that Carcolo tumbled over might scceed. If he has even the backward, landing on his neck, sagacity of a pair of grooms I where he lay groaning. listened to ten minutes ago, we Grooms came running and as- face disaster.” sisted him to a bench where he In a voice thick with rage, Car- sat cursing in a steady low voice. colo said, “Return to your Fiends A surgeon examined, pressed, and Juggers. I want them quick prodded, recommended that Car- as Termagants.” colo take to his couch and ad- Bast Givven went his way. ministered a sedative potion. Carcolo jumped on a nearby Spider, kicked it with his heels. /^ARCOLO was carried to his The creature sprang forward, ^ apartments beneath the west halted sharply, twisted its long wall of Happy Valley and placed

34 GALAXY I

under the care of his wives. He Coralyne vibrated poisonous slept for twenty hours. When he colors — red, green, white — by awoke the day was half gone. far the brightest star of the He wished to arise, but found cluster. Carcolo refused to look himself too stiff to move and, up at the star, but its radiance groaning, lay back. Presently he struck through the corners of his called for Bast Givven, who ap- eyes whenever he walked on the peared and listened without com- valley floor. ment to Carcolo’s adjurations. Dawn approached. Carcolo Evening arrived. The dragons planned to march at the earliest returned to the barracks. There moment the dragons were man- was nothing to do now but wait ageable. A flickering to the east for daybreak. told of the oncoming dawn storm, During the long night Carcolo still invisible across the horizon. underwent a variety of treat- With great caution the dragons ments: massage, hot baths, in- were mustered from their bar- fusions and poultices. He exer- racks and ordered into a march- cised with diligence, and as the ing column. There were almost night reached its end he declared three hundred Termagants; himself fit. Overhead the star eighty-five Striding Murderers,

iRNeb muRbeRCR

THE DRAGON MASTERS 35 as many Long-horned Murderers; self by sheer force of will. “Lift a hundred Blue Horrors; fifty-two me,” he whispered huskily. “Tie squat, immensely powerful me into the saddle. We must Fiends, their tails tipped with march.” This being manifestly im- spiked steel balls; eighteen Jug- possible, no one made a move, gers. They growled and muttered Carcolo raged, finally called evilly among themselves, watch- hoarsely for Blast Givven. “Pro- ing an opportunity to kick each ceed; we cannot stop now. You other or to snip a leg from an must lead the troops.” unwary groom. Darkness stimu- lated their latent hatred for hu- i^IVVEN nodded glumly. This manity — though they had been ^ was an honor for which he taught nothing of their past, nor had no stomach. the circumstances by which they “You know the battle-plan,” had become enslaved. wheezed Carcolo. “Circle north The dawn lightning blazed, of the Fang, cross the Skanse with outlining the vertical steeples and all speed, swing north around astonishing peaks of the Malheur Blue Crevasse, then south along Mountains. Overhead passed the Banbeck Verge. There Joaz Ban- storm, with wailing gusts of wind beck may be expected to discover and thrashing banks of rain, mov- you. You must deploy so that ing on toward Banbeck Vale. The when he brings up his juggers east glowed with a gray-green pal- you can topple them back with lor, and Carcolo gave the signal Fiends. Avoid committing our to march. Juggers. Harry him with Terma- Still stiff and sore he hobbled gants; reserve the Murderers to to his Spider, mounted, ordered strike wherever he reaches the the creature into a special and edge. Do you understand me?” dramatic curvet. Carcolo had mis- “As you explain it, victory is calculated. Malice of the night certain,” muttered Bast Givven. still gripped the mind of the “And so it is, unless you blund- dragon. It ended its curvet with a er grievously. Ah, my back! I lash of the neck which once again can’t move. While the great battle dashed Carcolo to the ground, rages I must sit by the brooder where he lay half-mad with pain and watch eggs hatch! Now go! and frustration. Strike hard for Happy Valley!” He tried to rise; collapsed; Givven gave an order. The tried again; fainted. troops set forth. Five minutes he lay uncon- Termagants darted into the scious, then seemed to rouse him- lead, followed by silken Striding

36 GALAXY Murderers and the heavier Long- silver and gold . . . And yet, to horned Murderers, their fantastic what end? If events went as chest-spike tipped with steel. Be- planned, there was his great hind came the ponderous Juggers, dream in prospect. And then, grunting, gurgling, teeth clashing what consequence a few paltry together with the vibration of decorations in the tunnels of Hap- their steps. Flanking the Juggers py Valley? marched the Fiends, carrying Groaning, he allowed himself heavy cutlasses, flourishing their to be laid on his couch and en- terminal steel balls as a scorpion tertained himself picturing the carries his sting. Then at the progress of his troops. By now rear came the Blue Horrors, who they should be working down were both massive and quick, from Dangle Ridge, circling the good climbers, no less intelligent mile-high Fang. than the Termagants. To the He tentatively stretched his flanks rode a hundred men: arms, worked his legs. His mus- dragon-masters, knights, fugle- cles protested. Pain shot back and men and cornets. They were forth along his body — but it armed with swords, pistols and seemed as if the injuries were

large-bore blunderbusses. less than before . . . By now the Carcolo watched from a army would be mounting the stretcher till the last of his forces ramparts which rimmed that wide had passed from view, then com- area of upland fell known as the

manded himself carried back to Skanse . . . The surgeon brought the portal which led into the Carcolo a potion. He drank and Happy Valley caves. slept, to awake with a start. What Never before had the caves was the time? His troops might seemed so dingy and shallow. well have joined battle! Sourly he eyed the straggle of He ordered himself carried to huts along the cliff, built of rock, the outer portal; then, still dis- slabs of resin-impregnated lichen, satisfied, commanded his servants canes bound with tar. With the to transport him across the valley Banbeck campaign at an end, he to the new dragon brooder, the would set about cutting new walkway of which commanded a chambers and halls into the cliff. view up and down the valley. De- The splendid decorations of Ban- spite the protests of his wives, beck Village were well-known. here he was conveyed, and made Happy Valley would be even as comfortable as bruises and more magnificent. The halls sprains permitted. would glow with opal and nacre, He settled himself for an in-

THE DRAGON MASTERS 37 determinate wait. But news was croaking, glaring, bugling. First not long in coming. came a group of Termagants, darting ugly heads from side to rjOWN the North Trail came side; then a pair of Blue Horrors, a cornet on a foam-bearded brachs twisting and clasping al- Spider. Carcolo sent a groom to most like human arms; then a intercept him and, heedless of Jugger, massive, toad-like, legs aches and pains, raised himself splayed out in weariness. Even

from his couch. The cornet threw as it neared the barracks it himself off his mount, staggered toppled, fell with a thud and lay up the ramp, sagged exhausted still, legs and talons jutting into against the rail. the air. “Ambush!” he panted. “Bloody Down from the North Trail disaster!” rode Bast Givven, dust-stained “Ambush?” groaned Carcolo in and haggard. He dismounted a hollow voice. “Where?” from his drooping Spider, “As we mounted the Skanse mounted the ramp. With a Ramparts. They waited till our wrenching effort, Carcolo once Termagants and Murderers were more raised himself on the couch. over, then charged with Horrors, Givven reported in a voice so Fiends and Juggers. They cut us even and light as to seem care- apart, drove us back, then rolled less, but even the insensitive Car- boulders on our Juggers! Our colo was not deceived. He asked army is broken!” in puzzlement: “Exactly where Carcolo sank back on the did the ambush occur?” couch, lay staring at the sky. “We mounted the Ramparts by “How many are lost?” way of Chloris Ravine. Where the “I do not know. Givven called Skanse falls off into the ravine a the retreat. We withdrew in the porphyry outcrop juts up and best style possible.” over. Here they awaited us.” Carcolo lay as if comatose. The Carcolo hissed through his cornet flung himself down on a teeth. “Amazing.” bench. Bast Givven gave the faintest A column of dust appeared tp of nods. the north, which presently dis- Carcolo said, “Assume that solved and separated to reveal a Joaz Banbeck set forth during number of Happy Valley dragons. the dawn-storm, an hour earlier All were wounded. They than I would think possible. As- marched, hopped, limped, sume that he forced his troops dragged themselves at random, at a run. How could he reach the

38 GALAXY Skanse Ramparts before us even Murderers had suffered greatly. •)» sor A large number had been torn “By my reckoning,” said Giv- apart in the first onslaught. Many ven, “ambush was no threat until others had been toppled down the we had crossed the Skanse. I had Ramparts to strew their armored planned to patrol Barchback, all husks through the detritus. Of the the way down Blue Fell and hundred men, twelve had been across Blue Crevasse.” killed by bullets, another fourteen Carcolo gave somber agree- by dragon attack. A score more ment. “How then did Joaz Ban- were wounded in various degree. beck bring his troops to the Ram- Carcolo lay back, his eyes parts so soon?” closed and his mouth working Givven turned, looked up the feebly. valley, where wounded dragons “The terrain alone saved us,” and men still straggled down the said Givven. “Joaz Banbeck re- North Trail. “I have no idea.” fused to commit his troops to the “A drug?” puzzled Carcolo. “A ravine. If there were any tactical potion to pacify the dragons? error on either side, it was his. Could he have made bivouac on He brought an insufficiency of the Skanse the whole night long?” Termagants and Blue Horrors.” “The last is possible,” admitted “Small comfort,” growled Car- Givven grudgingly. “Under Barch colo. “Where is the balance of Spike are empty caves. If he the army?” quartered his troops here during “We have good position on the night, then he had only to Dangle Ridge. We have seen none march across the Skanse to way- of Banbeck’s scouts, either man lay us.” or Termagant. He may conceiv- Carcolo grunted. “Perhaps we ably believe we have retreated to have underestimated Joaz Ban- the valley. In any event his main beck.” He sank back on his couch forces were still collected on the with a groan. “Well, then, what Skanse.” are our losses?” Carcolo, by an enormous effort, raised himself to his feet. 'HE reckoning made dreary across the walk- 1 1 He tottered news. Of the already inade- way to look down into the dis- quate squad of Juggers, only six pensary. Five Fiends crouched in remained. From a force of fifty- vats of balsam, muttering and two Fiends, forty survived and of sighing. A Blue Horror hung in a these five were sorely wounded. sling, whining as surgeons cut Termagants, Blue Horrors and broken fragments of armor from

THE DRAGON MASTERS 39 its gray flesh. As Carcolo watched, VI one of the Fiends raised itself high on its anterior legs, foam /^UT into the cliff south of the gushing from its gills. It cried out ^ crag which housed Joaz’s in a peculiar, poignant tone and apartments was a large chamber fell back dead into the vat of known as Kergan’s Hall. The pro- balsam. portions of the room, the simplic- Carcolo turned back to Givven. ity and lack of ornament, the “This is what you must do. Joaz massive antique furniture con- Banbeck surely has sent forth tributed to the sense of lingering patrols. Retire along Dangle personality, as well as an odor Ridge. Then, taking all conceal- unique to the room. This odor ment from the patrols, swing up exhaled from naked stone walls, into one of the Despoire Cols. the petrified moss parquetry, old Tourmaline Col will serve. This wood — a rough ripe redolence is my reasoning. Banbeck will as- which Joaz had always disliked, sume that you are retiring to together with every other aspect Happy Valley, so he will hurry of the room. The dimensions south behind the Fang, to attack seemed arrogant in their extent. as you come down off Dangle The lack of ornament impressed Ridge. As he passes below Tour- him as rude, if not brutal. One

malone Col, you have the ad- day it occurred to Joaz that he vantage. You may well destroy disliked not the room but Kergan Joaz Banbeck there with all his Banbeck himself, together with troops.” the entire system of overblown Bast Givven shook his head de- legends which surrounded him. cisively. “What if his patrols lo- The room nevertheless in cate us in spite of our precau- many respects was pleasant. tions? He need only follow our Three tall groined windows over- tracks to bottle us into Tourma- looked the vale. The casements line Col, with no escape except were set with small square panes over Mount Despoire or out on of green-blue glass in muntins of Starbreak Fell. And if we venture black ironwood. The ceiling like- out on Starbreak Fell his Juggers wise was paneled in wood, and will destroy us in minutes.” here a certain amount of the Ervis Carcolo sagged back typical Banbeck intricacy had down upon the couch. “Bring the been permitted. There were mock troops back to Happy Valley. We pilaster capitals with gargoyle will regroup and await another heads, a frieze carved with con- occasion.” ventionalized fern-fronds. The

40 GALAXY f

furniture consisted of three edge, perched on her rich brown pieces: two tall carved chairs and curls, and from the top of this a massive table, all polished dark hat soared a red plume. wood, all of enormous antiquity. Joaz feigned unconsciousness Joaz had found a use for the of her presence. She came up be- room. The table supported a care- hind him to tickle his neck with fully detailed relief map of the the fur of her neck-piece. Joaz district, on a scale of three inches pretended stolid indifference. to the mile. At the center was Phade^ not at all deceived, put on Banbeck Vale, on the right hand a face of woeful concern. “Must Happy Valley, separated by a we all be slain? How goes the turmoil of crags and chasms, war?”

cliffs, spikes, walls and five ti- “For Banbeck Vale the war tanic peaks: Mount Gethron to goes well. For poor Ervis Carcolo the south, Mount Despoire in the and Happy Valley the war goes center, Barch Spike, the Fang and ill indeed.” Mount Halcyon to the north. “You plan his destruction,” At the front of Mount Gethron Phade intoned in a voice of lay the High Jambles, then Star- hushed accusation. “You will kill break Fell extended to Mount him! Poor Ervis Carcolo!”

» Despoire and Barch Spike. Be- “He deserves no better.” yond Mount Despoire, between “But what will befall Happy. the Skanse Ramparts and Barch- Valley?” back, the Skanse reached all the Joaz Banbeck shrugged idly. way to the tormented basalt ra- “Changes for the better.” vines and bluffs at the foot of “Will you seek to rule?” Mount Halcyon. “Not I.” As Joaz stood studying the “Think!” whispered Phade. map, into the room came Phade. “Joaz Banbeck, Tyrant of Ban- She was mischievously quiet. But beck Vale, Happy Valley, Phos- Joaz sensed her nearness by the phor Gulch, Glore, the Tarn, scent of incense, in the smoke Clewhaven and the Great North- of which she had steeped herself ern Rift.” before seeking out Joaz. She wore “Not I,” said Joaz. “Perhaps a traditional holiday costume of you would rule in my stead?” Banbeck maidens: a tight-fitting “Oh! Indeed! What changes sheath of dragon intestine, with there would be! I’d dress the muffs of brown fur at neck, el- sacerdotes in red and yellow rib- bows and knees. A tall cylindrical bons. I’d order them to sing and hat, notched around the upper dance and drink May wine. The

THE DRAGON MASTERS 41 ” ”

dragons I’d send south to Arcady, all flee to the Jambles. Perhaps except for a few gentle Terma- we shall all fight.” gants to nursemaid the children. “I will fight beside you,” de- And no more of these furious bat- clared Phade, striking a brave at- tles. I’d burn the armor and break titude. “We will attack the great the swords; I’d — Basic space-ship, braving the heat-rays, fending off the power- 641%/fY dear little flutterbug,” bolts. We will storm to the very said Joaz with a laugh. portal. We will pull the nose of “What a swift reign you’d have the first marauder who shows indeed!” himself!” ‘Why swift? Why not forever? “At one point your otherwise If men had no means to fight — sage strategy falls short,” said “And when the Basics came Joaz. “How does one find the down — you’d throw garlands nose of a Basic?” around their necks?” “In that case,” said Phade, “we “Pah. They shall never be shall seize their —” She turned seen again. What do they gain by her head at a sound in the hall. molesting a few remote valleys?” Joaz strode across the room, flung “Who knows what they gain? back the door. Old Rife the porter We are free men. Perhaps the sidled forward. “You told me to last free men in the universe. call when the bottle either over- Who knows? And will they be turned or broke. Well, it’s done back? Coralyne is bright in the both.” sky!” Joaz pushed past Rife, ran Phade became suddenly in- down the corridor. “What means terested in the relief map. “And this?” demanded Phade. “Rife, your current war — dread- what have you said to disturb ful. Will you attack, will you him?” defend?” Rife shook his head fretfully. “This depends on Ervis Car- “I am as perplexed at you. A bot- colo,” said Joaz. “I need only wait tle is pointed out to me. Watch till he exposes himself.” Looking this bottle day and night’ — so down at the map he added I am commanded. And also, thoughtfully, “He is clever When the bottle breaks or tips, enough to do me damage, unless call me at once.’ I tell myself that I move with care.” here in all truth is a sinecure. And “And what if the Basics come I wonder, does Joaz consider me while you bicker with Carcolo?” so senile that I will rest content Joaz smiled. “Perhaps we shall with a make-work task such as

42 GALAXY watching a bottle? I am old, my He turned, glanced briefly at jaws tremble, but I am not wit- Joaz, then started for the exit

less. To my surprise the bottle into the studio. breaks! The explanation admit- Phade sucked in her breath tedly is simple. It fell to the floor. and backed away. Nevertheless, without knowledge The sacerdote came out into of what it all means, I obey orders the studio, started for the door. and notify Joaz Banbeck.” “Just a moment,” said Joaz. “I Phade had been squirming im- wish to speak to you.” patiently. “Where then is this bot- The sacerdote paused, turned tle?” his head in mild inquiry. He was “In the studio of Joaz Ban- a young man, his face bland, beck.” blank, almost beautiful. Fine Phade ran off as swiftly as the transparent skin stretched over tight sheath about her thighs per- his pale bones. His eyes — wide, mitted: through a transverse tun- blue, innocent — seemed to stare nel, across Kergan’s Way by a without focus. He was delicate of covered bridge, then up at a slant frame and sparsely fleshed. His toward Joaz’s apartments. hands were thin, with fingers Down the long hall ran Phade, trembling in some kind of ner- through the anteroom where a vous imbalance. Down his back, bottle lay shattered on the floor, almost to his waist, hung the into the studio, where she halted mane of long light-brown hair. in astonishment. No one was to Joaz seated himself with osten- be seen. She noticed a section of tatious deliberation, never taking shelving which stood at an angle. his eyes from the sacerdote. Pres- Quietly, timorously, she stole ently he spoke in a voice pitched across the room, peered down at an ominous level. “I find your into the workshop. conduct far from ingratiating.” This was a declaration requiring rpHE scene was an odd one. no response, and the sacerdote *- Joaz stood negligently, smil- made none. ing a cool smile, as across the “Please sit,” said Joaz. He in- room a naked sacerdote gravely dicated a bench. “You have a sought to shift a barrier which great deal of explaining to do.” had sprung down across an area Was it Phade’s imagination? Or of the wall. But the gate was cun- did a spark of something like ningly locked in place, and the wild amusement flicker and die sacerdote’s efforts were to no almost instantaneously in the avail. sacerdote’s eyes? But again he

THE DRAGON MASTERS 43 made no response. Joaz, adapting ready for a long discussion. Let to the peculiar rules by which me ask you then: did you have communication with the sacer- impulses which you can explain dotes must be conducted, asked, to me, which persuaded or im- “Do you care to sit?” pelled you to come to my studio?” “It is immaterial,” said the “Yes.”- sacerdote. “Since I am standing “How many of these impulses now, I will stand.” did you recognize?” Joaz rose to his feet and per- “I don’t know.” formed an act without precedent. “More than one?” He pushed the bench behind the “Perhaps.” sacerdote, rapped the back of the “Less than ten?” knobby knees, thrust the sacer- “I don’t know.” dote firmly down upon the bench. “Hmm . . . Why ar.e you un- “Since you are sitting now,” said certain?” Joaz, “you might as well sit.” “I am not uncertain.” With gentle dignity the sacer- “Then why can’t you specify dote regained his feet. “I shall the number as I requested?” stand.” “There is no such number.” Joaz shrugged. “As you wish. I “I see ... You mean, possibly, intend to ask you some questions. that there are several elements of I hope that you will cooperate a single motive which directed and answer with precision.” your brain to signal your muscles The sacerdote blinked owlish- in order that they might carry ly- you here?” “Will you do so?” “Possibly.” “Certainly. I prefer, however, Joaz’s thin lips twisted in a to return the way I came.” faint smile of triumph. “Can you Joaz ignored the remark. describe an element of the even- “First,” he asked, “why do you tual motive?” come to my study?” “Yes.” The sacerdote spoke carefully, “Do so, then.” in the voice of one talking to a child. “Your language is vague. I r ''HERE was an imperative, | am confused and must not re- against which the sacerdote spond, since I am vowed to give was proof. Any form of coercion only truth to anyone who re- known to Joaz — fire, sword, quires it.” thirst, mutilation — these to a Joaz settled himself in his sacerdote were no more than in- chair. “There is no hurry. I am conveniences; he ignored them as

44 GALAXY ”

not exist. personal is if they did His “What it?” inner world was the single world “I am interested in antiques. I

0 f reality. Either acting upon or came to your study to admire reacting against the affairs of the your relics of the old worlds.” Utter Men demeaned him. Ab- “Indeed?” Joaz raised his eye- solute passivity and absolute can- brows. “I am lucky to possess dor were his necessary courses of such fascinating treasures. Which action. Understanding something of my antiques interests you par- of this, Joaz rephrased his com- ticularly?” mand: “Can you think of an ele- “Your books. Your maps. Your ment of the motive which im- great globe of the Arch-world.” pelled you to come here?” “The Arch-world? Eden?” “Yes.” “This is one of its names.” “What is it?” Joaz pursed his lips. “So you “A desire to wander about.” come here to study my antiques. “Can you think of another?” Well then, what other elements “Yes.” to this motive exist?” “What is it?” The sacerdote hesitated an in- “A desire to exercise myself by stant. “It was suggested to me walking.” that I come here.”

“I see . . . Incidentally, are you “By whom?” trying to evade answering my “By the Demie.” question?” “Why did he so suggest?” “I answer such questions as you “I am uncertain.” put to me. So long as I do so, so “Can you conjecture?” long as I open my mind to all who “Yes.” seek knowledge — for this is our “What are these conjectures?” creed — there can be no question The sacerdote made a small of evasion.” bland gesture with the fingers of “So you say. However, you one hand. “The Demie might wish have not provided me an answer to become an Utter Man, and so that I find satisfactory.” seeks to learn the principles of The sacerdote’s reply to the your existence. Or the Demie comment was an almost imper- might wish to change the trade ceptible widening of the pupils. articles. The Demie might be fas- “Very well then,” said Joaz cinated by my descriptions of Banbeck. “Can you think of an- your antiques. Or the Demie other element to this complex might be curious regarding the motive we have been discussing?” focus of your vision-panels. Or— “Yes.” “Enough. Which of these con-

THE DRAGON MASTERS 45 jectures, and of other conjectures “How many times have you you have not yet divulged, do visited my study?” you consider most probable?” “Seven times.” “None.” “Why were you chosen special- ly to come?” OAZ raised his eyebrows once “The synod has approved my J more. “How do you justify tand. I may well be the next this?” Demie.” “Since any desired number of Joaz spoke over his shoulder to conjectures can be formed, the Phade. “Brew tea.” He turned denominator of any probability- back to the sacerdote. “What is ratio is variable and the entire a tand?” concept becomes arithmetically The sacerdote took a deep meaningless.” breath. “My tand is the represen- Joaz grinned wearily. “Of the tation of my soul.” conjectures which to this mo- “Hmm. What does it look ment have occurred to you, like?” which do you regard as the most The sacerdote’s expression was likely?” unfathomable. “It cannot be de- “I suspect that the Demie scribed.”

might think it desirable that I “Do I have one?” come here to stand.” “No.” “What do you achieve by Joaz shrugged. “Then you can standing?” read my thoughts.” “Nothing.” Silence. “Then the Demie does not send “Can you read my thoughts?” you here to stand.” “Not well.” To Joaz’s assertion, the sacer- “Why should you wish to read dote made no comment. my thoughts?” Joaz framed a question with “We are alive in the universe great care. “What do you believe together. Since we are not per- that the Demie hopes you will mitted to act, we are obliged to achieve by coming here to stand?” know.” “I believe that he wishes me to Joaz smiled skeptically. “How learn how Utter Men think.” does knowledge help you, if you “And you learn how I think by will not act upon it?” coming here?” “Events follow the Rationale, “I am learning a great deal.” as water drains into a hollow and “How does it help you?” forms a pool.”

“I don’t know.” “Bah!” said Joaz, in sudden ir-

46 GALAXY station. “Your doctrine commits compass as to seem a shudder. you to non-interference in our Joaz made a gesture signifying affairs, nevertheless you allow it was all the same to him. your ‘Rationale’ to creat condi- “Should you desire sustenance tions by which events are influ- or drink,” he said, “please let it be enced. Is this correct?” known. I enjoy our conversation “I am not sure. We are a pas- so inordinately that I fear I may sive people.” prolong it to the limits of your “Still, your Demie must have patience. Surely you would pre- had a plan in mind when he sent fer to sit?” you here. Is this not correct?” “No.” “I cannot say.” “As you wish. Well, then, back Joaz veered to a new line of to our discussion. This cavern you questioning. “Where does the mentioned: is it inhabited by tunnel behind my workshop sacerdotes?” lead?” “I fail to understand your “Into a cavern.” question.” “Do sacerdotes use the cav- HADE set a silver pot before ern?” P Joaz. He poured and sipped “Yes.” reflectively. Of contests there Eventually, fragment by frag- were numberless varieties. He ment, Joaz extracted the infor- and the sacerdote were engaged mation that the cavern connected in a hide-and-seek game of words with a series of chambers, in and ideas. The sacerdote was which the sacerdotes smelted schooled in patience and supple metal, boiled glass, ate, slept, per- evasions, to counter which Joaz formed their rituals. At one time could bring pride and determina- there had been an opening into tion. The sacerdote was handi- Banbeck Vale, but long ago this capped by an innate necessity to had been blocked. Why? There speak truth. Joaz, on the other were wars throughout the cluster; hand, must grope like a man bands of defeated men were tak- blindfolded, unacquainted with ing refuge upon Aerlith, settling the goal he sought, ignorant of the in rifts and valleys. The sacer- prize to be won. Very well, dotes preferred a detached exist- thought Joaz, let us continue. We ence and had shut their caverns shall see whose nerves fray first. away from sight. Where was this He offered tea to the sacerdote, opening? The sacerdote seemed who refused with a shake of the vague. To the north end of the head so quick and of such small valley. Behind Banbeck Jambles?

THE DRAGON MASTERS 47 Possibly. But trading between Joaz curled his lip. “Suppose men and sacerdotes was con- the Basics invaded your cave and ducted at a cave entrance below dragged you off to the Coralyne Mount Gethron. Why? A matter planet. Then what?” of usage, declared the sacerdote. In addition this location was more rT, HE sacerdote almost seemed readily accessible to Happy Val- to laugh. “The question can- ley and Phosphor Gulch. How not be answered.” many sacerdotes lived in these “Would you resist the Basics caves? Uncertainty. Some might if they made the attempt?” have died, others might have been “I cannot answer your ques- born. Approximately how many tion.” this morning? Perhaps five hun- Joaz laughed. “But the answer dred. is not no?” At this juncture the sacerdote The sacerdote assented. was swaying and Joaz was hoarse. “Do you have weapons, then?” “Back to your motive — or the The sacerdote’s mild blue eyes elements of your motives — for seemed to droop. Secrecy? Fa- coming to my studio. Are they tigue? Joaz repeated the question. connected in any manner with the “Yes,” said the sacerdote. His star Coralyne, and a possible new knees sagged, but he snapped coming of the Basics, or the them tight. grephs, as they were formerly “What kind of weapons?” called?” “Numberless varieties. Projec- Again the sacerdote seemed to tiles, such as rocks. Piercing weap- hesitate. Then: “Yes.” ons, such as broken sticks. Cutting “Will the sacerdotes help us and slashing weapons, such as against the Basics, should they cooking utensils.” His voice be- come?” gan to fade as if he were moving “No.” This answer was terse away. “Poisons: arsenic, sulfur, and definite. triventidum, acid, black-spore. “But I assume that the sacer- Burning weapons, such as torches dotes wish the Basics driven off?” and lenses to focus the sunlight. No answer. Weapons to suffocate: ropes, Joaz rephrased his words. “Do nooses, slings and cords. Cisterns, the sacerdotes wish the Basics .” to drown the enemy . . repelled from Aerlith?” “Sit down. Rest,” Joaz urged “The Rationale bids us stand him. “Your inventory interests aloof from affairs of men and me, but its total effect seems in- non-men alike.” adequate. Have you other weap-

48 GALAXY ons which might decisively repel tered Joaz, “until I verged upon Basics should they attack the secrets.” your Presently he jumped to his The question, by design or feet, went to the entry hall, sent chance, was never answered. The Rife to fetch a barber. An hour sacerdote sank to his knees, slow- later the corpse, stripped of hair, fell ly, as if praying. He forward lay on a wooden pallet covered by on his face, then sprawled to the a sheet, and Joaz held in his side. Joaz sprang forward, yanked hands a rude wig fashioned from up the drooping head by its hair. the long hair. The eyes, half-open, revealed a The barber departed. Servants hideous white expanse. “Speak!” carried away the corpse. Joaz croaked Joaz. “Answer my last stood alone in his studio, tense question! Do you have weapons and light-headed. He removed his .— or a weapon — to repel a garments, to stand naked as the Basic attack?” sacerdote. Gingerly he drew the The pallid lips moved. “I don’t wig across his scalp and examined know.” himself in a mirror. To a casual Joaz frowned, peered into the eye, where the difference? Some- waxen face, drew back in bewil- thing was lacking: the tore. Joaz

derment. “The man is dead,” he fitted it about his neck. Once whispered. more he examined his reflection, with dubious satisfaction. VII He entered the workshop, hes- itated, disengaged the trap, cau- pHADE looked up from drows- tiously pulled away the stone ing on a couch, face pink, slab. On hands and knees he hair tossed. “You have killed peered into the tunnel and, since

him!” she cried in a voice of it was dark, held forward a glass hushed horror. vial of luminescent algae. In the “No. He has died — or caused faint light the tunnel seemed himself to die.” empty. Phade staggered blinking Irrevocably putting down his across the room, sidled close to fears, Joaz clambered through the Joaz, who pushed her absently opening. The tunnel was narrow away. Phade scowled, shrugged and low. Joaz moved forward ten- and then, as Joaz paid her no tatively, nerves thrilling with heed, marched from the room. wariness. He stopped often to j Joaz sat back, staring at the listen, but heard nothing but the limp body. “He did not tire,” mut- whisper of his own pulse.

THE DRAGON MASTERS 49 After perhaps a hundred yards stepped out into the starless the tunnel broke out into a night. natural cavern. Joaz stopped and The ceiling reached beyond the stood indecisively straining his flicker of the myriad lamps, fires ears through the gloom. Lumi- and glowing vials. Ahead and to nescent vials fixed to the walls at the left smelters and forges were irregular intervals provided a in operation; then a twist in the measure of light, enough to de- cavern wall obscured something lineate the direction of the cav- of the view. Joaz glimpsed a ern. It seemed to be north, par- tiered, tubular construction which allel to the length of the valley. seemed to be some sort of work- Joaz set forth once again, halting shop, for a large number of sac- to listen every few yards. erdotes were occupied at com- To the best of his knowledge plicated tasks. To the right was the sacerdotes were a mild un- a stack of bales, a row of bins con- aggressive folk, but they were taining goods of unknown nature. also intensely secretive. How Joaz for the first time saw sac- would they respond to the pres- erdote women: neither the ence of an interloper? Joaz could nymphs nor the half-human not be sure, and proceeded with witches of popular legend. Like great caution. the men they seemed pallid and The cavern rose, fell, widened, frail, with sharply defined fea- narrowed. Joaz presently came tures; like the man they moved upon evidences of use: small cub- with care and deliberation; like

icles, hollowed into the walls, lit the men they wore only their by candelabra holding tall vials waist-long hair. There was little of luminous stuff. In two of the conversation and no laughter. cubicles Joaz came upon sacer- Rather there was an atmosphere dotes, the first asleep on a reed of not unhappy placidity and con- rug, the second sitting crosslegged, centration. The cavern exuded a gazing fixedly at a contrivance of sense of time, use and custom. twisted metal rods. They gave The stone floor was polished by Joaz no attention; he continued endless padding of bare feet. The with a more confident step. exhalations of many generations had stained the walls. rpHE cave sloped downward, No one heeded Joaz. widened like a cornucopia He moved slowly forward, and suddenly broke into a cavern keeping to the shadows, and so enormous that Joaz thought paused under the stack of bales. for a startled instant that he had To the right the cavern dwindled

50 GALAXY by irregular proportions into a watching carefully. There, he had vast horizontal funnel, receding, not gone wrong. There it opened twisting, telescoping, losing all to his right, a fissure almost dear

reality in the dim light. and familiar. He plunged into it, Joaz searched the entire sweep walked with long loping strides, of vast cavern. Where would be like a man under water, holding the armory, with the weapons his luminous tube ahead. whose existence the sacerdote, by An apparition rose before him, the very act of dying, had prom- a tall white shape. ised him? Joaz turned his at- Joaz stood rigid. The gaunt tention once more to the left, figure bore down upon him. Joaz straining to see detail in the odd pressed against the wall. The tiered workshop which rose fifty figure stalked forward, and sud- feet from the stone floor. A denly shrank to human scale. It strange edifice, thought Joaz, was the young sacerdote whom craning his neck; one whose na- Joaz had shorn and left for dead. ture he could not entirely com- He confronted Joaz, mild blue prehend. But every aspect of the eyes bright with reproach and great cavern — so close beside contempt. “Give me my tore.” Banbeck Vale, and so remote — was strange and marvelous. VjfTITH numb fingers Joaz Weapons? They might be any- ** removed the golden col- where. Certainly he dared seek no lar. The sacerdote took it, but further for them. made no move to clasp it upon There was nothing more he himself. He looked at the hair could learn without risk of dis- which weighed heavy upon Joaz’s covery. He turned back the way scalp. With a foolish grimace Joaz he had come: up the dim passage, doffed the disheveled wig, prof- past the occasional side cubicles, fered it. The sacerdote sprang where the two sacerdotes re- back as if Joaz had become a mained as he had found them cave-goblin. Sidling past, as far before: the one asleep, the other from Joaz as the wall of the pas- intent on the contrivance of sage allowed, he paced swiftly off twisted metal. He plodded on down the tunnel. Joaz dropped and on. the wig to the floor, stared down Had he come so far? Where at the unkempt pile of hair. He was the fissure which led to his turned and looked after the sacer- own apartments? Had he passed dote, a pallid figure which soon it by, must he search? Panic rose became one with the murk. Slow- in his throat, but he continued, ly Joaz continued up the tunnel.

THE DRAGON MASTERS 51 There. An oblong blank of gas flickered above melting met- light, the opening to his work- al. shop. He crawled through, back Joaz moved beyond to a small to the real world. Savagely, with chamber cut into the stone. Here all his strength, he thrust the slab sat an old man, thin as a pole, back in the hole and slammed his waist-long mane of hair snow- down the gate which originally white. The man examined Joaz had trapped the sacerdote. with fathomless blue eyes, and Joaz’s garments lay where he spoke, but his voice was muffled, had tossed them. Wrapping him- inaudible. He spoke again; the self in a cloak, he went to the words rang loud in Joaz’s mind. outer door and looked forth into the anteroom, where Rife sat doz- 44T BRING you here to caution ing. Joaz snapped his fingers. you, lest you do us harm, “Fetch masons, with mortar, and with no profit to yourself. steel and stone.” The weapon you seek is both Joaz bathed with diligence, non-existent and beyond your rubbing himself time after time imagination. Put it outside your with emulsion, rinsing and re- ambition.” rinsing himself. Emerging from By great effort Joaz managed the bath he took the waiting to stammer, “The young sacer- masons into his workshop and dote made no denial. This weap- ordered the sealing of the hole. on must exist!” Then he took himself to his “Only with the narrow limits couch. Sipping a cup of wine, he of special interpretation. The lad let his mind rove and wander . . . can speak no more than the lit- Recollection became reverie. eral truth, nor can he act with Reverie became dream. Joaz once other than grace. How can you again traversed the tunnel, on wonder why we hold ourselves feet light as thistledown, down apart? You Utter folk find purity the long cavern, and the sacer- incomprehensible; you thought dotes in their cubicles now raised to advantage yourself, but their heads to look after him. At achieved nothing but an exercise last he stood in the entrance to in rat-like stealth. Lest you try the great underground void, and again with greater boldness I once more looked right and left must abase myself to set matters in awe. Now he drifted across correct. I assure you, this so- the floor, past sacerdotes laboring called weapon is absolutely be- earnestly over fires and anvils. yond your control.” Sparks rose from retorts, blue First shame, then indignation

52 GALAXY came over Joaz. He cried out, us share our secrets, let each help “You do not understand my ur- the other. Examine my archives gencies! Why should I act dif- at your leisure, and then allow ferently? Coralyne is close; the me to study this existent but Basics are at hand. Are you not non-existent weapon. I swear it men? Why will you not help us shall be used, only against the defend the planet?” Basics, for the protection of both The Demie shook his head, of us.” and the white hair rippled with The Demie’s eyes sparkled. hypnotic slowness. “I quote you “No.” the Rationale; passivity, com- “Why not?” argued Joaz. plete and absolute. This implies “Surely you wish us no harm?” solitude, sanctity, quiescence, “We are detached and passion- peace. Can you imagine the an- less. We await your extinction. guish I risk in speaking to you? You are the Utter men, the last

I intervene, I interfere, at vast of humanity. And when you are pain of the spirit. Let there be an gone, your dark thoughts and

end to it. We have made free grim plots will be gone. Murder with your studio, doing you no and pain and malice will be harm, offering you no indignity. gone.” You have paid a visit to our hall, “I cannot believe this,” said demeaning a noble young man Joaz. “There may be no men in in the process. Let us be quits! the cluster, but what of the uni- Let there be no further spying on verse? The Old Rule reached far! either side. Do you agree?” Sooner or later men will return Joaz heard his voice respond, to Aerlith.” quite without his conscious The Demie’s voice became prompting. It sounded more na- plangent. “Do you think we sal and shrill than he liked. “You speak only from faith? Do you offer this agreement now when doubt our knowledge?” you have learned your fill of my “The universe is large. The secrets, but I know none of Old Rule reached far.” yours.” “The last men dwell on Aer- The Demie’s face seemed to lith,” said the Demie. “The Utter recede and quiver. Joaz read con- men and the Sacerdotes. You tempt, and in his sleep he tossed shall pass; we will carry forth and twitched. He made an effort the Rationale like a banner of to speak in a voice of calm rea- glory, through all the worlds of son: “Come, we are men together. the sky.” Why should we be at odds? Let “And how will you transport

THE DRAGON MASTERS 53

yourselves on this mission?” Joaz Joaz spoke in fury. “Your faith, asked cunningly. “Can you fly to your Rationale — whatever you the stars as naked as you walk call it — misleads you. I make the fells?” you this threat: if you fail to help “There will be a means. Time us, you will suffer as we suffer.” are passive. are in- is long.” “We We “For your purposes, Time different.” needs to be long. Even on the “What of your children? The Coralyne planets there are men. Basics make no difference be- Enslaved, reshaped in body and tween us. They will herd you to mind, but men. What of them? their pens as readily as they do

It seems that you are wrong, us. Why should we fight to pro- that you are guided by faith in- tect you?” deed.” The Demie’s face faded, be- came splotched with transparent HE Demie fell silent. His mist. His eyes glowed like rotten T face seemed to stiffen. meat. “We need no protection,” “Are these not facts?” asked he howled. “We are secure.” Joaz. “How do you reconcile “You will suffer our fate,” them with your faith?” cried Joaz, “I promise you this!” The Demie said mildly, “Facts The Demie collapsed suddenly can never be reconciled with into a small dry husk, like a dead faith. By our faith, these men, if mosquito. With incredible speed, they exist, will also pass. Time is Joaz fled back through the caves, long. O the worlds of brightness: the tunnels, up through his work- they await us!” room, his studio, into his bed “It is clear,” said Joaz, “that chamber where now he jerked you ally yourselves with the upright, eyes starting, throat dis- Basics and hope for our destruc- tended, mouth dry. tion. This can only change our The door opened; Rife’s head attitudes toward you. I fear that appeared. “Did you call, sir?” Ervis Carcolo was right and I Joaz raised himself on his wrong.” elbows and looked around the “We remain passive,” said the room. “No. I did not call.” Demie. His face wavered, seemed Rife withdrew. Joaz settled to swim with mottled colors. back on the couch, lay staring at “Without emotion, we will stand the ceiling. witness to the passing of the Ut- He had dreamed a most pecu- ter men, neither helping nor hin- liar dream. Dream? A synthesis dering.” of his own imaginings? Or, in all

THE DRAGON MASTERS 55 verity, a confrontation and ex- most unwelcome at the present change between two minds? Im- time. There would be no toler- possible to decide, and perhaps ance when Carcolo was finally irrelevant. The event carried its brought to account. own conviction. A light step behind him, the Joaz swung his legs over the pressure of fur, the touch of gay side of the couch and blinked at hands, the scent of incense. Joaz’s the floor. Dream or colloquy, it tensions melted. was all the same. He rose to his If there were no such creatures

feet, donned sandals and a robe as minstrel-maidens, it would be of yellow fur, limped morosely necessary to invent them. up to the Council Room and stepped out on a sunny balcony. r|EEP under Banbeck Scarp,

The day was two-thirds over. in a cubicle lit by a twelve- Shadows hung dense along the vial candelabra, a naked white- western cliffs. Right and left haired man sat quietly. On a stretched Banbeck Vale. Never pedestal at the level of his eyes had it seemed more prosperous or rested his tand, an intricate con- more fruitful, and never before struction of gold rods and silver unreal: as if he were a stranger to wire, woven and bent seemingly the planet. He looked north along at random. The fortuitousness of the great bulwark of stone which the design, however, was only ap- rose sheer to Banbeck Verge. parent. Each curve symbolized This too was unreal, a facade be- an aspect of Final Sentience. The hind which lived the sacerdotes. shadow cast upon the wall repre- He gauged the rock face, super- sented the Rationale, ever-shift- imposing a mental projection of ing, always the same. The object the great cavern. The cliff toward was sacred to the sacerdotes, and the north end of the vale must served as a source of revelation. be scarcely more than a shell! There was never an end to the Joaz turned his attention to study of the tand. New intuitions the exercise field, where Juggers were continually derived from were thudding briskly through some heretofore-overlooked re- defensive evolutions. How lationship of angle and curve. strange was the quality of life, The nomenclature was elaborate: which had produced Basic and each part, juncture, sweep and Jugger, sacerdote and himself. He twist had its name; each aspect thought of Ervis Carcolo, and of the relationships between the wrestled with sudden exaspera- various parts was likewise cate- tion. Carcolo was a distraction gorized. Such was the cult of the

56 GALAXY tand: abstruse, exacting, without from the true Rationale? Do we compromise. At his puberty rites study our tands with blinded

the young sacerdote might study eyes? . . . How to know, oh how the original tand for as long as to know! All is relative ease and he chose. Then each must con- facility in orthodoxy, yet how can struct a duplicate tand, relying it be denied that good is in itself upon memory alone. Then oc- undeniable? Absolutes are the curred the most significant event most uncertain of all formula- of his lifetime: the viewing of his tions, while the uncertainties are elders. tand by a synod of the most real . . . In awesome stillness, for hours at a time they would ponder his Twenty miles over the moun- creation, weigh the infinitesimal tains, in the long pale light of variations of proportion, radius, the Aerlith afternoon, Ervis Car- sweep and angle. So they would colo planned his own plans. “By infer the initiate’s quality, judge daring, by striking hard, by cut- his personal attributes, determine ting deep can I defeat him! In his understanding of Final Sen- resolve, courage and endurance, tience, the Rationale and the I am more than his equal. Not Basis. again will he trick me, to slaugh- Occasionally the testimony of ter my dragons and kill my men! the tand revealed a character so Oh, Joaz Banbeck, how I will pay tainted as to be reckoned intol- you for your deceit!” He raised erable. The vile tand would be his arms in wrath. “Oh Joaz Ban- cast into a furnace, the molten beck, you whey-faced sheep!” metal consigned to a latrine, the Carcolo smote the air with his unlucky initiate expelled to the fist. “I will crush you like a clod face of the planet, to live on his of dry moss!” own terms. He frowned and rubbed his The naked white-haired Demie, round red chin. But how? Where? contemplating his own beautiful He had every advantage! Car- tand, sighed, moved restlessly. colo pondered his possible strate- He had been visited by an influ- gems. “He will expect me to ence so ardent, so passionate, so strike. So much is certain. Doubt- simultaneously cruel and tender, less he will again wait in am- that his mind was oppressed. Un- bush. So I will patrol every inch, bidden, into his mind, came a but this too he will expect and dark seep of doubt. so be wary lest I thunder upon Can it be, he asked himself, him from above. Will he hide be- that we have insensibly wandered hind Despoire, or along North-

THE DRAGON MASTERS 57 guard, to catch me as I cross the Mount Gethron. Carcolo waved Skanse? If so, I must approach forward his army; the way lay by another route — through clear across Starbreak Fell. Maudlin Pass and under Mount Down from Maudlin Pass surged Gethron? Then, if he is tardy in the Happy Valley army: first the his march I will meet him on Long-horned Murderers, steel- Banbeck Verge. And if he is spiked and crested with steel early, I stalk him through the prongs; then the rolling red .” peaks and chasms . . seethe of the Termagants, dart- ing their heads as they ran; and, VIII behind, the balance of the forces. Starbreak Fell spread wide be- WW7"ITH the cold rain of dawn fore them, a rolling slope strewn pelting down upon them, with flinty meteoric fragments with the trail illuminated only by which glinted like flowers on the lightning-glare, Ervis Carcolo, his gray-green moss. To all sides dragons and his men set forth. rose majestic peaks, snow blaz- When the first sparkle of sun- ing white in the clear morning light struck Mount Despoire, light: Mount Gethron, Mount they had already traversed Despoire, Barch Spike and, far to Maudlin Pass. the south, Clew Taw. So far, so good, exulted Ervis The scouts converged from left Carcolo. He stood high in his and right. They brought identical stirrups to scan Starbreak Fell. reports: no sign of Joaz Banbeck No sign of the Banbeck forces. or his troops. Carcolo began to He waited, scanning the far edge toy with a new possibility. Per- of Northguard Ridge, black haps Joaz Banbeck had not against the sky. A minute deigned to take the field. The passed. Two minutes. The men idea enraged him and filled him beat their hands together, the with a great joy: if so, Joaz dragons rumbled and muttered would pay dearly for his neglect. fretfully. Halfway across Starbreak Fell Impatience began to prickle they came upon a pen occupied along Carcolo’s ribs. He fidgeted by two hundred of Joaz Ban- and cursed. Could not the sim- beck’s spratling Fiends. Two old plest of plans be carried through men and a boy tended the pen, without mistake? But now the and watched the Happy Valley flicker of a heliograph from horde advance with manifest Barch Spike, and another to the terror. southeast from the slopes of But Carcolo rode past leaving

58 GALAXY ”

pen unmolested. If he won north and south and to the rear. tj,e the day, it would become part of Carcolo observed him peevish- his spoils. If he lost, the spratling ly from the corner of his eye and Fiends could do him no harm. presently called out, “Ho, ho, The old men and the boy stood then! What’s amiss?” on the roof of their turf hut, “Perhaps much. Perhaps noth- watching Carcolo and his troops ing,” said Bast Givven, searching pass: the men in black uniforms the landscape. and black peaked caps with back- Carcolo blew out his mus- slanting ear-flaps; the dragons taches. Givven went on, in the bounding, crawling, loping, plod- cool voice which so completely ding, according to their kind, irritated Carcolo. “Joaz Banbeck scales glinting: the dull red and seems to be tricking us as before.” maroon of Termagants; the “Why do you say this?” poisonous shine of the Blue Hor- “Judge for yourself. Would he rors; the black-green Fiends; the allow us advantage without gray and brown Juggers and claiming a miser’s price?” Murderers. Ervis Carcolo rode “Nonsense!” muttered Carcolo. on the right flank, Bast Givven “The sluggard is fat with his last rode to the rear. And now Car- victory.” But he rubbed his chin colo hastened the pace, haunted and peered uneasily down into by the anxiety that Joaz Ban- Banbeck Vale. From here it beck might bring his Fiends and seemed curiously quiet. There Juggers up Banbeck Scarp be- was a strange inactivity in the fore he arrived to thrust him fields and barracks. A chill began back — assuming that Joaz Ban- to grip Carcolo’s heart — then he beck had been caught napping. cried out. “Look at the brooder: But Carcolo reached Banbeck there are the Banbeck dragons!” Verge without challenge. Givven squinted down into the He shouted out in triumph, vale, glanced sidewise at Carcolo. waved his cap high. “Joaz Ban- “Three Termagants, in egg.” He beck the sluggard! Let him try straightened, abandoned all now the ascent of Banbeck interest in the vale and scruti- Scarp!” And Ervis Carcolo sur- nized the peaks and ridges to the veyed Banbeck Vale with the north and east. “Assume that Joaz eye of a conqueror. Banbeck set out before dawn, came up to the Verge, by the T>AST Givven seemed to share Slickenslides, crossed Blue Fell none of Carcolo’s triumph, in strength — and kept an uneasy watch to “What of Blue Crevasse?”

THE DRAGON MASTERS 59 “He avoids Blue Crevasse to The main body of Carcolo’s the north, comes over Barchback, troops, excited at the sight of re- steals across the Skanse and treating foes, could not be re-

around Barch Spike . . strained. They veered off from Carcolo studied Northguard Barch Spike, plunged down upon Ridge with new and startled Starbreak Fell. The Striding awareness. A quiver of move- Murderers overtook the Banbeck ment, the glint of scales? Termagants, climbed up their “Retreat!” roared Carcolo. backs, toppled them over squeal- “Make for Barch Spike! They’re ing and kicking, then knifed open behind us!” the exposed pink bellies. Startled, his army broke ranks, Banbeck’s Long-horned Mur- fled across Banbeck Verge, up derers came circling, struck from into the harsh spurs of Barch the flank into Carcolo’s Striding Spike. Joaz, his strategy discov- Murderers, goring with steel- ered, launched squads of Mur- tipped horns, impaling on lances. derers to intercept the Happy Somehow they overlooked Valley army, to engage and de- Carcolo’s Blue Horrors who lay and, if possible, deny them sprang down upon them. With the broken slopes of Barch axes and maces they laid the Spike. Murderers low, performing the Carcolo calculated swiftly. His rather grisly entertainment of own Murderers he considered his clambering on a subdued Mur- finest troops, and held them in derer, seizing the horn, stripping great pride. Purposely now he de- back horn, skin and scales, from layed, hoping to engage the Ban- head to tail. So Joaz Banbeck beck skirmishers, quickly destroy lost thirty Termagants and per- them and still gain the protection haps two dozen Murderers. Nev- of the Barch declivities. ertheless, the attack served its The Banbeck Murderers, how- purpose, allowing him to bring ever, refused to close, and scram- his knights, Fiends and Juggers bled for height up Barch Spike. down from Northguard before Carcolo sent forward his Terma- Carcolo could gain the heights gants and Blue Horrors. of Barch Spike. With a horrid snarling the two Carcolo retreated in a slant- lines met. The Banbeck Terma- wise line up the pocked slopes, gants rushed up, to be met by and meanwhile sent six men Carcolo’s Striding Murderers and across the fell to the pen where forced into humping pounding the spratling Fiends milled in flight. fear at the battle. The men broke

60 GALAXY the gates, struck down the two colo’s tactics achieved results out old men, herded the young Fiends of proportion to his numbers. His across the fell toward the Ban- Fiends burrowed ever deeper beck troops. The hysterical sprat- into the crazed and almost help- lings obeyed their instincts. They less Banbeck Juggers, while the clasped themselves to the neck Carcolo Murderers and Blue of whatever dragon they first en- Horrors held back the Banbeck countered, which thereupon be- Fiends. Joaz Banbeck himself, came sorely hampered, for its assailed by Termagants, escaped own instincts prevented it from with his life only by fleeing detaching the spratling by force. around behind the battle, where he picked up the support of a fT'HIS ruse, a brilliant improvi- squad of Blue Horrors. In a fury sation, created enormous he blew a withdrawal signal, and disorder among the Banbeck his army backed off down the troops. Ervis Carcolo now slopes, leaving the ground littered charged with all his power di- with struggling and kicking rectly into the Banbeck center. bodies. Two squads of Termagants Carcolo, throwing aside all re- fanned out to harass the men. His straint, rose in his saddle and Murderers — the only category signaled to commit his own Jug- in which he outnumbered Joaz gers, which so far he had treas- Banbeck — were sent to engage ured like his own children. Fiends, while Carcolo’s own Shrilling, hiccuping, they lum- Fiends, pampered, strong, glisten- bered down into the seethe, tear- ing with oily strength, snaked in ing away great mouthfuls of toward the Juggers. Under the flesh to right and left, ripping great brown hulks they darted, apart lesser dragons with their lashing the fifty-pound steel ball brachs, treading on Termagants, at the tip of their tails against seizing Blue Horrors and Mur- the inner side of the Jugger’s legs. derers, flinging them wailing and A roaring melee ensued. Bat- clawing through the air. Six Ban- tle-lines were uncertain. Both beck knights sought to stem the men and dragons were crushed, charge, firing their muskets point- torn apart, hacked to bits. The blank into the demoniac faces; air sang with bullets, whistled they went down and were seen with Steel, reverberated to trum- no more. peting, whistles, shouts, screams Down on Starbreak Fell tum- and bellows. bled the battle. The nucleus of The reckless abandon of Car- the fighting became less concen-

THE DRAGON MASTERS 61 trated, the Happy Valley advan- saddle, watched their progress. tage dissipated. Carcolo hesita- Suddenly from either side the ted, a long heady instant. Striding Murderers were on him. He and his troops alike were Four of his knights and six afire; the intoxication of unex- young cornets, screaming alarm, pected success tingled in their dashed back to protect him; there brains — but here on Starbreak was clanging of steel on steel and Fell, could they counter the odds steel on scale. The Murderers posed by the greater Banbeck fought with sword and mace. The forces? Caution dictated that knights, their muskets useless, Carcolo withdraw up Barch countered with cutlasses, one by Spike, to make the most of his one going under. limited victory. Already a strong Rearing on hind legs the Mur- platoon of Fiends had grouped derer corporal hacked down at and were maneuvering to charge Joaz, who desperately fended off his meager force of Juggers. Bast the blow. The Murderer raised Givven approached, clearly ex- sword and mace together — and pecting the word to retreat. But from fifty yards a musket pellet Carcolo still waited, reveling in smashed into its ear. Crazy with

the havoc being wrought by his pain, it dropped its weapons, fell paltry six Juggers. forward upon Joaz, writhing and Bast Givven’s saturnine face kicking. Banbeck Blue Horrors was stern. “Withdraw, withdraw! came to attack; the Murderers It’s annihilation when their flanks darted back and forth over the bear in on us!” thrashing corporal, stabbing Carcolo seized his elboe. down at Joaz, kicking at him, “Look! See where those Fiends finally fleeing the Blue Horrors. gather, see where Joaz Banbeck Ervis Carcolo groaned in dis- rides! As soon as they charge, appointment. By a half-second send six Striding Murderers from only had he fallen short of vic- either side; close in on him, kill tory. Joaz Banbeck, bruised, him!” mauled, perhaps wounded, had Givven opened his mouth to escaped with his life. protest, looked where Carcolo Over the crest of the hill came pointed, rode to obey the orders. a rider: an unarmed youth whip- ping a staggering Spider. Bast TTERE came the Banbeck Givven pointed him out to Car- Fiends, moving with stealthy colo. “A messenger from the Val- certainty toward the Happy Val- ley, in urgency.” ley Juggers. Joaz, raising in his The lad careened down the fell

62 GALAXY toward Carcolo, shouting ahead, ing silently into Carcolo’s face. but his message was lost in the Carcolo spoke once more. “We din of battle. At last he drew must call truce. This battle is close. “The Basics, the Basics!” waste! With all our forces let us Carcolo slumped like a half- march to Happy Valley and at- empty bladder. “Where?” tack the monsters before they de- “A great black ship, half the stroy all of us! Ah, think what we valley wide. I was up on the could have achieved with the heath, I managed to escape.” He weapons of the sacerdotes!” pointed, whimpered. Joaz stood silent. Another ten “Speak, boy!” husked Carcolo. seconds passed. Carcolo cried “What do they do?” angrily, “Come now, what do you “I did not see; I ran to you.” say?” Carcolo gazed across the bat- In a hoarse voice Joaz spoke, tle-field; the Banbeck Fiends “I say no truce. You rejected my had almost reached his Juggers, warning. You- thought to loot who were backing slowly, with Banbeck Vale. I will show you heads lowered, fangs fully ex- no mercy.” tended. Carcolo gaped, his mouth a red Carcolo threw up his hands in hole under the sweep of his mus- ” despair. He ordered Givven, taches. “But the Basics — “Blow a retreat, break clear!” “Return to your troops. You Waving a white kerchief he as well as the Basics are my rode around the battle to where enemy. Why should I choose be- Joaz Banbeck still lay on the tween you? Prepare to fight for ground, the quivering Murderer your life; I give you no truce.” only just now being lifted from Carcolo drew back face as pale his legs. Joaz stared up, his face as Joaz’s own. “Never shall you white as Carcolo’s kerchief. At rest! Even though you win this the sight of Carcolo his eyes battle here on Starbreak Fell, yet grew wide and dark, his mouth you shall never know victory. I became still. will persecute you until you cry. Carcolo blurted, “The Basics for relief.” have come once more; they have Banbeck motioned to his dropped into Happy Valley, they knights. “Whip this dog back to are destroying my people.” his own.” Carcolo backed his Spider OAZ Banbeck, assisted by his from the threatening flails, J knights, gained his feet. He turned, loped away. stood swaying, arms limp, look- The tide of battle had turned.

THE DRAGON MASTERS 63

The Banbeck Fiends now had Skanse. Joaz turned back to Ban- broken past his Blue Horrors. beck Vale. The news of the Basic One of his Juggers was gone; an- raid had spread to all ears. The other, facing three sidling Fiends, men rode sober and quiet, look- snapped its great jaws, waved its ing behind and overhead. Even monstrous sword. The Fiends the dragons seemed infected, and flicked and feinted with their muttered restlessly among them- steel balls, scuttled forward. The selves. Jugger chopped, shattered its As they crossed Blue Fell the sword on the rock-hard armor of almost omnipresent wind died. the Fiends; they were under- The stillness added to the op- | neath, slamming their steel balls pression. into the monstrous legs. It tried Termagants, like the men, be- to hop clear, toppled majestical- gan to watch the sky. Joaz won- ly. The Fiends slit its belly, and dered, could they know, how l how now Carcolo had only five Jug- could they sense the Basics? He gers left. himself searched the sky, and as “Back!” he cried. “Disengage!” his army passed down over the l Up Barch Spike toiled his scarp he thought to see high over troops, the battle-front a roaring Mount Gethron, a flitting little seethe of scales, armor, flickering black rectangle, which presently metal. Luckily for Carcolo his disappeared behind a crag. rear was to the high ground, and j I after ten terrible minutes he was IX

l| able to establish an orderly re- treat. T^RVIS Carcolo and the rem- Two more Juggers had fallen. nants of his army raced pell- The three remaining scrambled mell down from the Skanse, ’ free. Seizing boulders, they through the wilderness of ravines hurled them down into the at- and gulches at the base of Mount tackers, who, after a series of { Despoire, out on the barrens to i sallies and lunges, were well con- the west of Happy Valley. All tent to break clear. In any event pretense of military precision had Joaz, after hearing Carcolo’s been abandoned. news, was of no disposition to Carcolo led the way, his Spider spend further troops. sobbing with fatigue. Behind in Carcolo, waving his sword in disarray pounded first Murderers desperate defiance, led his troops and Blue Horrors, with Termag- back around Barch Spike, pres- ants hurrying along behind. Then ently down across the dreary the Fiends, racing low to the

66 GALAXY i ground, steel balls grinding on Peculiarly, no matter how rocks, sending up sparks. Far in many persons entered, the booth the rear lumbered the Juggers never seemed to fill. and their attendants. Carcolo rubbed his forehead Down to the verge of Happy with trembling fingers, turned his Valley plunged the army and eyes to the ground. When once pulled up short, stamping and more he looked up, Bast Givven squealing. Carcolo jumped from stood beside him, and together his Spider, ran to the brink, stood they stared down into the valley. looking down into the valley. From behind came a cry of He had expected to see the alarm. Starting around, Carcolo ship, yet the actuality of the saw a black rectangular flyer thing was so immediate and in- sliding silently down from above tense as to shock him. It was a Mount Gethron. tapered cylinder, glossy and Waving his arms Carcolo ran black, resting in a field of le- for the rocks, bellowing orders to gumes not far from ramshackle take cover. Dragons and men Happy Town. Polished metal scuttled up the gulch. Overhead disks at either end shimmered slid the flyer. A hatch opened, and glistened with fleeting films releasing a load of explosive pel- of color. There were three en- lets. They struck with a great trance ports — forward, central rattling volley, and up into the and aft — and from the central air flew pebbles, rock splinters, port a ramp had been extended fragments of bone, scales, skin to the ground. and flesh. All who failed to reach The Basics had worked with cover were shredded. ferocious efficiency. From the The Termagants fared rela- town straggled a line of people, tively well. The Fiends, though herded by Heavy Troopers. Ap- battered and scraped, had all sur- proaching the ship they passed vived. Two of the Juggers had through an inspection apparatus been blinded, and could fight no controlled by a pair of Basics. A more till they had grown new series of instruments and the eyes eyes. of the Basics appraised each man, The flyer slid back once more. woman and child, classified them Several of the men fired their by some system not instantly ob- muskets — an act of apparently vious, whereupon the captives futile defiance, but the flyer was were either hustled up the ramp struck and damaged. It twisted, into the ship or prodded into a veered, soared up in a roaring nearby booth. curve, swooped over its back,

THE DRAGON MASTERS 67 plunged toward the mountain- lowed Carcolo. “We might have side, crashed in a brilliant orange swept down the Crotch and come gush of fire. Carcolo shouted in upon them with all force! A hun- maniac glee, jumped up and dred warriors and four hundred down, ran to the verge of the dragons — are these to be de- cliff, shook his fist at the ship spised?” below. He quickly quieted, to Bast Givven judged further stand glum and shivering. argument to be pointless. He Then, turning to the ragged pointed. “They now examine our cluster of men and dragons who brooders.” once more had crept down from Carcolo turned to look, gave the gulch. Carcolo cried hoarsely, a wild laugh. “They are aston- “What do you say? Shall we ished! They are awed! And well fight? Shall we charge down have they a right to be.” upon them?” Givven agreed. “I imagine the sight of a Fiend or a Blue Hor- HERE was silence. ror — not to mention a Jugger Bast Givven replied in a — gives them pause for reflec- colorless voice, “We are help- tion.” less. We can accomplish nothing. Down in the valley the grim Why commit suicide?” business had ended. The Heavy Carcolo turned away, heart too Troopers marched back into the full for words. Givven spoke the ship. A pair of enormous men obvious truth. They would either twelve feet high came forth, lifted be killed or dragged aboard the the booth, carried it up the ramp ship; and then, on a world too into the ship. Carcolo and his strange for imagining, be put to men watched with protruding uses too dismal to be borne. eyes. “Giants!” Carcolo clenched his fists and Bast Givven chuckled dryly. looked westward with bitter “The Basics stare at our Juggers, hatred. “Joaz Banbeck, you we ponder their Giants.” brought me to this! When I might The Basics presently returned yet have fought for my people to the ship. The ramp was drawn you detained me!” up, the ports closed. From a tur- “The Basics were here al- ret in the bow came a shaft of ready,” said Givven with unwel- energy, touching each of the come rationality. “We could have three brooders in succession, and done nothing since we had noth- each exploded with great erup- ing to do with.” tion of black bricks. “We could have fought!” bel- Carcolo moaned softly under

68 GALAXY his breath, but said nothing. to either side, the blazing sun The ship trembled, floated. hung halfway up the black sky. Carcolo bellowed an order; men Behind, the Skanse Ramparts; and dragons rushed for cover. ahead, Barchback, Barch Spike Flattened behind boulders they and Northguard Ridge. watched the black cylinder rise Oblivious to the fatigue of his

from the valley, drift to the west. Spider, Carcolo whipped it on. “They make for Banbeck Vale,” Gray-green moss pounded back said Bast Givven. from its wild feet, the narrow Carcolo laughed, a cackle of head hung low, foam trailed from mirthless glee. Bast Givven its gill-vents. Carcolo cared noth- looked at him sidelong. Had Er- ing. His mind was empty of all vis Carcolo become addled? He but hate — for the Basics, for turned away. A matter of no Joaz Banbeck, for Aerlith, for great moment. man, for human history. Carcolo came to a sudden re- Approaching Northguard the solve. He stalked to one of the Spider staggered and fell. It lay Spiders, mounted, swung around moaning, neck outstretched, legs to face his men. “I ride to Ban- trailing back. Carcolo dismounted beck Vale. Joaz Banbeck has in disgust. He looked back down done his best to despoil me; I the long rolling slope of the shall do my best against him. I Skanse to see how many of his give no orders: come or stay as troops had followed him. A man you wish. Only remember! Joaz riding a Spider at a modest lope Banbeck would not allow us to turned out to be Bast Givven, fight the Basics!” who presently came up beside He rode off. The men stared him and inspected the fallen into the plundered valley, turned Spider. “Loosen the surcingle. He to look after Carcolo. The black will recover the sooner.” Carcolo ship was just now slipping over glared, thinking to hear a new Mount Despoire. There was note in Giwen’s voice. Neverthe- nothing for them in the valley. less he bent over the foundered Grumbling and muttering, they dragon and slipped loose the summoned the bone-tired drag- broad bronze buckle. Givven dis- ons and set off up the dreary mounted, stretched his arms, mountainside. massaged his thin legs. He pointed. “The Basic ship de- T^RVIS Carcolo rode his Spider scends into Banbeck Vale.” at a plunging run across the Carcolo nodded grimly. “I Skanse. Tremendous crags soared would be an audience to the land-

THE DRAGON MASTERS 69 ing.” He kicked the Spider. ship had moved no faster. It had “Come, get up, have you not only started to settle into the rested enough? Do you wish me vale, the disks at bow and stern to walk?” swirling with furious colors. The Spider whimpered its fa- Carcolo grunted bitterly. tigue, but nevertheless struggled “Trust Joaz Banbeck to scratch to its feet. Carcolo started to his own itch. Not a soul in sight! mount, but Bast Givven laid a re- He’s taken to his tunnels, drag- straining hand on his shoulder. ons and all.” Pursing his mouth Carcolo looked back in outrage: he rendered a mincing parody of “ here was impertinence! Givven Joaz’s voice: ‘Ervis Carcolo, my said calmly, “Tighten the surcin- dear friend, there is but one an- gle, otherwise you will fall on swer to attack: dig tunnels!’ And the rocks and once more break I replied to him, ‘Am I a sacer- your bones.” dote to live underground? Bur- Uttering a spiteful phrase un- row and delve, Joaz Banbeck, do der his breath, Carcolo clasped as you will. I am but an old-time the buckle back into position. man; I go under the cliffs only ” The Spider cried out in despair. when I must.’ Paying no heed, Carcolo Givven gave the faintest of mounted, and the Spider moved shrugs. off with trembling steps. Carcolo went on, “Tunnels or Barch Spike rose ahead like the not, they’ll winkle him out. If prow of a white ship, dividing need be they’ll blast open the en- Northguard Ridge from Barch- tire valley. They’ve no lack of back. Carcolo paused to consider tricks.” the landscape, tugging his mus- Givven grinned sardonically. taches. “Joaz Banbeck knows a trick or two—as we know to our sorrow.” pIWEN was tactfully silent. “Let him capture two dozen Carcolo looked back down Basics today,” snapped Carcolo. the Skanse to the listless straggle “Then I’ll concede him a clever of his army, then set off to the man.” He stalked away to the left. very brink of the cliff, standing Passing close under Mount in full view of the Basic ship. Gethron, skirting the High Jam- Givven watched without expres- bles, they descended an ancient sion. water-course to Banbeck Verge. Carcolo pointed. “Aha! Look Though perforce they had come there!” without great speed, the Basic “Not I,” said Givven. “I re-

70 GALAXY spect the Basic weapons too of such a project, under certain greatly.” circumstances, might well de- “Pah!” spat Carcolo. Neverthe- serve consideration. Three less he moved a trifle back from months passed. The scheme re- the brink. “There are dragons in ceded to the back of Joaz Ban- Kergan’s Way. For all Joaz Ban- beck’s mind. Then the sacerdote beck’s talk of tunnels.” He gazed in the trading-cave inquired if north along the valley a moment Joaz still planned to install the or two, then threw up his hands viewing system. If so he might in frustration. “Joaz Banbeck will take immediate delivery of the not come up here to me. There optics.

is nothing I can do. Unless I Joaz agreed to the barter price, walk down into the village, seek returned to Banbeck Vale with him out and strike him down, he four heavy crates. He ordered the will escape me.” necessary tunnels driven, in- “Unless the Basics captured stalled the lenses, and found that the two of you and confined you with the study darkened he could in the same pen,” said Givven. command all quarters of Banbeck “Bah!” muttered Carcolo, and Vale. moved off to one side. Now, with the Basic ship dark- ening the sky, Joaz Banbeck X stood in his study, watching the descent of the great black hulk. HPHE vision-plates which al- At the back of the chamber lowed Joaz Banbeck to ob- maroon portieres parted. Clutch- serve the length and breadth of ing the cloth with taut fingers Banbeck Vale for the first time stood the minstrel-maiden Phade. were being put to practical use. Her face was pale, her eyes He had evolved the scheme bright as opals. In a husky voice while playing with a set of old she called, “The ship of death. lenses, and dismissed it as quick- It has come to gather souls!” ly. Then one day, while trading Joaz turned her a stony glance with the sacerdotes in the cavern and turned back to the honed- under Mount Gethron, he had glass screen. “The ship is clearly proposed that they design and visible.” supply the optics for such a sys- Phade ran forward, clasped tem. Joaz’s arm, swung around to look The blind old sacerdote who into his face. “Let us try to es- conducted the trading gave an cape into the High Jambles. ambiguous reply. The possibility Don’t let them take us so soon!”

THE DRAGON MASTERS 71 “No one deters you,” said Joaz the tongue; over and over again, indifferently. “Escape in any di- eyes staring with hypnotic inten- rection you choose.” sity into emptiness. Phade stared at him blankly, Joaz ignored the gesticulations, then turned her head and until Phade, her face screwed up watched the screen. The great into a fantastic mask, began to black ship sank with sinister de- sigh and whimper. Then he liberation, the disks at bow and swung the flaps of his jacket stern now shimmering mother-of- into her face. “Give over your pearl. Phade looked back to Joaz, folly!” licked her lips. “Are you not Phade collapsed moaning to afraid?” the floor. Joaz’s lips twitched in Joaz smiled thinly. “What annoyance. Impatiently he good to run? Their Trackers are hoisted her erect. “Look you, swifter than Murderers, more these Basics are neither ghouls vicious than Termagants. They nor angels of death. They are no can smell you a mile away, take more than pallid Termagants, the you from the very center of the basic stock of our dragons. So Jambles.” now, give over your idiocy, or

Phade shivered with super- I’ll have Rife take you away.” stitious horror. She whispered, “Why do you not make ready? “Let them take me dead, then. You watch and do nothing.” I can’t go with them alive.” “There is nothing more that I Joaz suddenly cursed. “Look can do.” where they land! In our best field Phade drew a deep shuddering of bellegarde!” sigh, stared dully at the screen. “What is the difference? “Will you fight them?” “ ‘Difference’? Must we stop “Naturally.” eating because they pay their “How can you hope to counter visit?” such miraculous power?” “We will do what we can. They T)HADE looked at him in a have not yet met our dragons.” daze, beyond comprehen- The ship came to rest in a sion. She sank slowly to her purple and green vine-field across knees and began to perform the the valley, near the mouth of ritual gestures of the Theurgic Clybourne Crevasse. The port cult. Hands palm down to either slid back and a ramp rolled forth. side, slowly up till the back of “Look,” said Joaz, “there you see the hand touched the ears, and them.” the simultaneous protrusion of Phade stared at the queer pale

72 GALAXY shapes who had come tentatively Heavy Troopers rolled a three- out on the ramp. “They seem wheeled mechanism down the strange and twisted, like silver ramp, directed its complex snout puzzles for children.” toward the village. “They are the Basics. From “Never before have they pre- their eggs came our dragons. pared so carefully,” muttered They have done as well with Joaz. “Here come the Trackers.” men: look, here are their Heavy He counted. “Only two dozen? Troops.” Perhaps they are hard to breed. Down the ramp, four abreast, Generations pass slowly with in exact cadence, marched the men; dragons lay a clutch of eggs

Heavy Troops, to halt fifty yards every year . . in front of the ship. There were three squads of twenty: short r I ''HE Trackers moved to the squat men with massive shoul- side and stood in a loose rest- ders, thick necks and stern, down- less group: gaunt creatures seven drawn faces. They wore armor feet tall, with bulging black eyes, fashioned from overlapping beaked noses, small undershot

scales of black and blue metal, mouths pursed as if for kissing. a wide belt slung with pistol and From narrow shoulders long sword. Black epaulets, extending arms dangled and swung like past their shoulders, supported a ropes. As they waited they flexed short ceremonial flap of black their knees, staring sharply up cloth ranging down their backs. and down the valley, in constant Their helmets bore a crest of restless motion. After them came sharp spikes. Their knee-high a group of Weaponeers — un- boots were armed with kick- modified men wearing loose knives. cloth smocks and cloth hats of A number of Basics now rode green and yellow. They brought forth. Their mounts were crea- with them two more three- tures only remotely resembling wheeled contrivances which they men. They ran on hands and feet, at once began to adjust and test. backs high off the ground. Their The entire group became still heads were long and hairless, and tense. with quivering loose lips. The The Heavy Troopers stepped Basics controlled them with neg- forward with a stumping, heavy- ligent touches of a quirt, and legged gait, hands ready at pis- once on the ground set them can- tols and swords. “Here they tering smartly through the belle- come,” said Joaz. Phade made a garde. Meanwhile a team of quiet desperate sound, knelt and

THE DRAGON MASTERS 73 once more began to perform Explosions sounded. Puffs of Theurgic gesticulations. Joaz in smoke appeared from nooks and disgust ordered her from the vantages through the crags. Bul- study. He went to a panel lets spat into the ground beside equipped with a bank of six di- the Trooper. Several caromed off rect-wire communications, the his armor. construction of which he had per- At once heat-beams from the sonally supervised. He spoke in- ship stabbed against the cliff to three of the telephones, assur- walls. In his -study Joaz Ban- ing himself that his defenses were beck smiled. The smoke puffs alert, then returned the honed were decoys. The actual shots glass screens. came from other areas. The Across the field of bellegarde Trooper, dodging and jerking, came the Heavy Troopers, faces avoided a rain of bullets and ran heavy, hard, marked with down- under the portal, above which veering creases. Upon either two men waited. Affected by the flank the Weaponeers trundled flux, they tottered, stiffened, but their three-wheeled mechanisms, nevertheless dropped a great but the Trackers waited beside stone which struck the Trooper the ship. About a dozen Basics where the neck joined his rode behind the Heavy Troopers, shoulders and hurled him to the carrying bulbous weapons on ground. their backs. He thrashed his arms and legs A hundred yards from the por- up and down, rolled over and tal into Kergan’s Way, beyond over. Then, bouncing to his feet, the range of the Banbeck mus- he raced back into the valley, kets, the invaders halted. A soaring and bounding, finally to Heavy Trooper ran to one of the stumble, plunge headlong to the Weaponeers’ carts, thrust his ground and lay kicking and quiv- shoulders under a harness and ering. !; stood erect. He now carried a The Basic army watched with gray machine, from which ex- no apparent concern or interest. tended a pair of black globes. The Trooper scuttled toward the T ''HERE was a moment of in- | village like an enormous rat, activity. Then from the while from the black globes ship came an invisible field of streamed a flux, intended to in- vibration, traveling across the terfere with the neural currents face of the cliff. of the Banbeck defenders, and Where the focus struck, puffs so immobilize them. of dust arose and loose rock be-

74 GALAXY came dislodged. A man, lying on in counter-attacking against a a ledge, sprang to his feet, danc- feint they expose themselves to ing and twisting, plunged two a new gas bomb. hundred feet to his death. Pass- But the Heavy Troopers ing across one of Joaz Banbeck’s stormed into Kergan’s Way — spy-holes, the vibration was in Joaz’s mind an act of con- carried into the study where it temptuous recklessness. He gave set up a nerve-grinding howl. The a curt order. vibration passed along the cliff. Out from passages and areas Joaz rubbed his aching head. swarmed his dragons: Blue Hor- Meanwhile the Weaponeers rors, Fiends, Termagants. discharged one of their instru- The squat Troopers stared ments. First there came a with sagging jaws. Here were un- muffled explosion, then through expected antagonists! Kergan’s the air curved a wobbling gray Way resounded with their calls sphere. Inaccurately aimed, it and orders. First they fell back, struck the cliff and burst in a then, with the courage of desper- great gush of yellow-white gas. ation, fought furiously. Up and The mechanism exploded once down Kergan’s Way raged the more, and this time lobbed the battle. bomb accurately into Kergan’s Certain relationships quickly Way — which was now deserted. became evident In the narrow The bomb produced no effect. defile neither the Trooper pistols In his study Joaz waited grim- nor the steel-weighted tails of the ly. To now the Basics had taken Fiends could be used effectively. only tentative, almost playful, Cutlasses were useless against steps. More serious efforts would dragon-scale, but the pincers of surely follow. the Blue Horrors, the Termagant Wind dispersed the gas; the daggers, the axes, swords, fangs situation remained as before. The and claws of the Fiends, did casualties so far had been one bloody work against the Heavy Heavy Trooper and one Ban- Troopers. A single Trooper and beck rifleman. a single Termagant were approx- From the ship now came a imately a match; though the stab of red flame, harsh, decisive. Trooper, gripping the dragon The rock at the portal shattered. with massive arms, tearing away Slivers sang and spun; the Heavy its brachs, breaking back its neck, Troopers jogged forward. won more often than the Terma- Joaz spoke into his telephone, gant. But if two or three Terma- bidding his captains caution, lest gants confronted a single Troop-

THE DRAGON MASTERS 75 er, he was doomed. As soon as he new tunnels. Joaz watched for a committed himself to one, an- moment or two to satisfy himself other would crush his legs, blind that the confusion held no panic, him or hack open his throat. then joined his warriors in the So the Troopers fell back to tunnel leading north. the valley floor, leaving twenty In some past era an entire of their fellows dead in Kergan’s section of the cliff at the head of Way. The Banbeck men once the valley had sloughed off. more opened fire, but once more creating a jungle of piled rock with minor effect. and boulders: the Banbeck Jam- bles. Here, through a fissure, the OAZ watched from his study, new tunnel opened; and here J wondering as to the next Joaz went with his warriors. Be- Basic tactic. Enlightenment was hind them, down the valley, not long in coming. The Heavy sounded the rumble of explosions Troopers regrouped and stood as the black ship began to demol- panting, while the Basics rode ish Banbeck Village. back and forth receiving informa- Joaz, peering around a boul- tion, admonishing, advising, chid- der, watched in a fury, as great ing. slabs of rock began to scale away From the black ship came a from the cliff. gush of energy, to strike the cliff Then he stared in astonish- above Kergan’s Way. The study ment, for to the Basic troops had rocked with the concussion. come an extraordinary reinforce- Joaz backed away from the ment: eight Giants twice an or- vision-plates. What if a ray dinary man’s stature — barrel- struck one of his collecting chested monsters, gnarled of arm lenses? Might not the energy be and legs, with pale eyes, shocks guided and reflected directly of tawny hair. They wore brown toward him? and red armor with black epau- He departed his study as it lettes, and carried swords, maces shook to a new explosion. and blast-cannon slung over He ran through a passage, de- their backs. scended a staircase, emerged into Joaz considered. The presence one of the central galleries, to of the Giants gave him no reason find apparent confusion. White- to alter his central strategy, faced women and children, retir- which in any event was vague ing deeper into the mountain, and intuitive. He must be pre- pushed past dragons and men in pared to suffer losses, and could battle-gear entering one of the only hope to inflict greater losses

76 GALAXY Basic on mount; on the Basics. But what did they quick-step. The Weaponeers fol- care for the lives of their troops? lowed with their three-wheeled Less than he cared for his drag- mechanisms, and ponderously at ons. And if they destroyed Ban- the rear came the eight Giants. beck Village, ruined the Vale, Across the fields of bellegarde how could he do corresponding and vetch, over vines, hedges, damage to them? beds of berries and stands of oil- He looked over his shoulder at pod tramped the raiders, destroy- the tall white cliffs, wondering ing with a certain morose satis- how closely he had estimated the faction. position of the sacerdote’s hall. The Basics prudently halted And now he must act; the time before the Banbeck Jambles, had come. while the Trackers ran ahead like He signaled to a small boy, one dogs, clambering over the first of his own sons, who took a deep boulders, rearing high to test the himself blindly ft breath, hurled air for odor, peering, listening, away from the shelter of the pointing, twittering doubtfully to rocks, ran helter-skelter out to each other. The Heavy Troopers the valley floor. A moment later moved in carefully, and their his mother ran forth to snatch near presence spurred on the him up and dash back into the Trackers. Jambles. Abandoning caution, they “Done well,” Joaz commended bounded into the heart of the them. “Done well indeed.” Cau- Jambles, emitting squeals of hor- tiously he again looked forth rified consternation when a dozen through the rocks. The Basics Blue Horrors dropped among were gazing intently in his di- them. They clawed out heat-guns, rection. in their excitement burning friend and foe alike. With silken I, R a long moment, while Joaz ferocity the Blue Horrors ripped tingled with suspense, it them apart. Screaming for aid, seemed that they had ignored his kicking, flailing, thrashing, those ploy. They conferred, came to a who were able fled as precipit- decision, flicked the leathery but- ously as they had come. tocks of their mounts with their Only twelve from the original quirts. The creatures pranced twenty-four regained the valley sidewise, then loped north up the floor; and even as they did so, valley. The Trackers fell in be- even as they cried out in relief at hind, then came the Heavy winning free from death, a squad Troopers moving at a humping of Long-homed Murderers burst

78 GALAXY out upon them, and these surviv- Choosing a gap between a pair of ing Trackers were knocked down, ten-foot boulders, he resolutely gored, hacked. entered the rock-maze. The Heavy Troopers charged A Banbeck knight escorted forward with hoarse calls of rage, him to Joaz. Here, by chance, aiming pistols, swinging swords; were also half a dozen Terma- but the Murderers retreated to gants. The Weaponeer paused the shelter of the boulders. uncertainly, made a mental read- Within the Jambles the Ban- justment, approached the Ter- beck men had appropriated the magants. Bowing respectfully he heat-guns dropped by the Track- started to speak. The Termag- ers. Warily coming forward, they ants listened without interest, tried to burn the Basics. But, un- and presently one of the knights familiar with the weapons, the directed him to Joaz. men neglected either to focus or “Dragons do not rule men on condense the flame. The Basics Aerlith,” said Joaz dryly. “What were no more than mildly singed. is your message?” Hastily they whipped their The Weaponeer looked dubi- mounts back out of range. The ously toward the Termagants, Heavy Troopers, halting not a then somberly back to Joaz. hundred feet in front of the Jam- “You are authorized to act for bles, sent in a volley of explosive the entire warren?” He spoke pellets, which killed two of the slowly in a dry bland voice, se- Banbeck knights aijd forced the lecting his words with conscien- others back. tious care. Joaz repeated shortly, “What XI is your message?” “I bring an integration from AT A discreet distance the my masters.” “ Basics appraised the situa- ‘Integration’? I do not under- tion. The Weaponeers came up stand you.” and, while awaiting instructions, “An integration of the instan- conferred in low tones with the taneous vectors of destiny. An mounts. interpretation of the future. They One of these Weaponeers was wish the sense conveyed to you now summoned and given orders. in the following terms: ‘Do not He divested himself of all his waste lives, both ours and your weapons and holding his empty own. You are valuable to us hands in the air marched forward and will be given treatment in to the edge of the Jambles. accordance with this value.

THE DRAGON MASTERS 79 ” ”

Surrender to the Rule. Cease the to be expunged. Would you not wasteful destruction of enter- prefer to serve the Rule?” prise. “Would you not prefer to be Joaz frowned. “Destruction of a free man?” ‘enterprise’?” The Weaponeer’s face showed “The reference is to the con- mild bewilderment. “You do not tent of your genes. The message understand me. If you choose— is at its end. I advise you to “Listen carefully,” said Joaz. accede. Why waste your blood, “You and your fellows can be why destroy yourselves? Come your own masters, live among forth now with me. All will be other men.” for the best.” The Weaponeer frowned. Joaz gave a brittle laugh. “You “Who would wish to be a wild are a slave. How can you judge savage? To whom would we look what is best for us?” for law, control, direction, order?” The Weaponeer blinked. “What choice is there for you? OAZ threw up his hands in dis- All residual pockets of disorgan- J gust, but made one last at- ized life are to be expunged. The tempt. “I will provide all these; I way of facility is best.” He in- will undertake such a responsibil- clined his head respectfully ity. Go back, kill all the Basics — toward the Termagants. “If you the Revered Ones, as you call doubt me, consult your own them. These are my first orders.” Revered Ones. They will advise “Kill them?” The Weaponeer’s you.” voice was soft with horror.

“There are no Revered Ones “Kill them.” Joaz spoke as if here,” said Joaz. “The dragons to a child. “Then we men will fight with us and for us; they possess the ship. We will go to are our fellow-warriors. But I find the worlds where men are have an alternate proposal. Why powerful — do not you and your fellows join “There are no such worlds.” us? Throw off your slavery, be- “Ah, but there must be! At one come free men! We will take the time men roamed every star in ship and go searching for the old the sky.” worlds of men.” “No longer.” The Weaponeer exhibited only “What of Eden?” “ polite interest. ‘Worlds of men’? “I know nothing of it.” There are none of them. A few Joaz threw up his hands. “Will residuals such as yourself remain you join us?” in the desolate regions. All are “What would be the meaning

80 GALAXY of such an act?” said the Weapon- the Heavy Troopers entered the eer gently. “Come then. Lay Jambles, necessarily breaking down your arms, submit to the formation. Twenty feet they ad- Rule.” He glanced doubtfully vanced, fifty feet, a hundred feet. toward the Termagants. “Your Emboldened, the vengeful Track- own Revered Ones will receive ers sprang forward over the rocks fitting treatment. Have no fear . . . and up surged the Termag- on this account.” ants. “You fool! These ‘Revered Screaming and cursing the Ones’ are slaves, just as you are Trackers scrambled back, pur- a slave to the Basics! We breed sued by the dragons. The Heavy them to serve us, just as you are Troopers recoiled, then swung bred! Have at least the grace to up their weapons, fired. Two Ter- recognize your own degradation!” magants were struck under the The Weaponeer blinked. “You lower armpits, their most vulner- speak in terms I do not com- able spot. Floundering, they pletely understand. You will not tumbled down among the rocks. surrender then?” Others, maddened, jumped “No. We will kill all of you, if squarely down upon the Troop- our strength holds out.” ers. There was roaring, squealing, The Weaponeer bowed, turned, cries of shock and pain. The departed through the rocks. Joaz Giants lumbered up, and grin- followed, peered out over the val- ning vastly plucked away the ley floor. Termagants, wrenched off their The Weaponeer made his re- heads, flung them high over the port to the Basics, who listened rocks. Those Termagants who with characteristic detachment. were able scuttled back, leaving They gave an order, and the half a dozen Heavy Troopers Heavy Troopers, spreading out wounded, two with their throats in a skirmish line, moved slowly torn open. in toward the rocks. Behind lumbered the Giants, A GAIN the Heavy Troopers blasters slung forward at the moved forward, with the ready, and about twenty Track- Trackers reconnoitering above, ers, survivors of the first foray. but more warily. The Trackers The Heavy Troopers reached the froze, yelled a warning. The rocks, peered in. The Trackers Heavy Troopers stopped short, clambered above, searching for calling to each other, swinging ambushes, and finding none, their guns nervously. Overhead signaled back. With great caution the Trackers scrambled back,

THE DRAGON MASTERS 81 and through the rocks, over the passed, with no sound but whim- rocks, came dozens of Fiends and pering and moaning from Blue Horrors. wounded dragons and men. A The Heavy Troopers, grimac- sense of imminence weighted the ing dourly, fired their pistols; and air, and here came the Juggers, the air reeked with the stench of looming through the passages. burning scale, exploded viscera. For a brief period Giants and The dragons surged in upon the Juggers looked each other face men, and now began a terrible to face. Then Giants groped for battle among the rocks, with the their blast-projectors, while Blue pistols, the maces, even the Horrors sprang down once more, swords useless for lack of room. grappling the Giant arms. The The Giants lumbered forward Juggers stumped quickly for- and in turn were attacked by ward. Dragon-brachs grappled Fiends. Astonished, the idiotic Giant arms; bludgeons and grins faded from their faces; they maces swung, dragon armor and hopped awkwardly back from man armor crushed and ground the steel-weighted tails, but apart. Man and dragon tumbled among the rocks the Fiends were over and over, ignoring pain, also at a disadvantage, their steel shock, mutilation. balls clattering and jarring away The struggle became quiet. from rock more often than flesh. Sobbing and wheezing replaced The Giants, recovering, dis- the roars, and presently eight charged their chest-projectors in- Juggers, superior in mass and to the melee. Fiends were torn natural armament, staggered a- apart as well as Blue Horrors and way from eight destroyed Giants. Heavy Troopers, the Giants The Troopers meanwhile had making no distinction. drawn together, standing back to Over the rocks came another back in clots. Step by step, burn- wave of dragons: Blue Horrors. ing with heat-beams the scream- They slid down on the heads of ing Horrors, Termagants and the Giants, clawing, stabbing, Fiends who lunged after them, tearing. In a frenzy the Giants they retreated toward the valley tore at the creatures, flung them floor, and finally won free of the to the ground, stamped on them, rocks. The pursuing Fiends, anx- and the Heavy Troopers burnt ious to fight in the open, sprang them with their pistols. into their midst, while from the From nowhere, for no reason, flanks came Long-horned Mur- there came a lull. derers and Striding Murderers. Ten seconds, fifteen seconds In a spirit of reckless jubilation,

82 GALAXY a dozen men riding Spiders, The Banbeck forces gained the carrying blast-cannon taken from Jambles with seconds only to the fallen Giants, charged the spare. From the black ship came Basics and Weaponeers, who a volley of explosive pellets, to waited beside the rather casual shatter the rocks at the spot emplacement of three-wheeled where they had disappeared. weapons. The Basics, without shame, jerked their man-mounts /"'kN A wind-polished cape of around and fled toward the black " rock above Banbeck Vale ship. Ervis Carcolo and Bast Givven The Weaponeers swiveled had watched the battle. their mechanisms, aimed, dis- The rocks hid the greater part charged bursts of energy. One of the fighting. The cries and man fell, two men, three men — clangor rose faint and tinny, like then the others were among the insect noise. There would be the Weaponeers, who were soon glint of dragon scale, glimpses of hacked to pieces . . . including the running men, the shadow and persuasive individual who had flicker of movement, but not un- served as envoy. til the mangled forces of the Several of the men, whooping Basics staggered forth did the and hooting, set out in chase of outcome of the battle reveal it- the Basics. But the human self. Carcolo shook his head in mounts, springing along like mon- sour bewilderment. “The crafty strous rabbits, carried the Basics devil, Joaz Banbeck! He’s turned as fast as the Spiders carried the them back. He’s slaughtered their men. best!” From the Jambles came a horn “It would appear,” said Bast signal. The mounted men halted, Givven, “that dragons armed wheeled back; the entire Ban- with fangs, swords and steel balls beck force turned and retreated are more effective than men with full speed into the Jambles. guns and heat-beams — at least The Troopers stumbled a few in close quarters.” defiant steps in pursuit, then Carcolo grunted. “I might have halted in sheer fatigue. done as well myself, under like Of the original three squads, circumstances.” He turned Bast not enough men to make up a Givven a waspish glance. single squad survived. The eight “Do you not agree?” Giants had perished, all Weapon- “Certainly. Beyond question.” eers and almost the entire group “Of course,” Carcolo went on, of Trackers. “I had not the advantage of pre-

THE DRAGON MASTERS 83 paration. The Basics surprised forces and follow. We meet at the me, but Joaz Banbeck labored head of Clybourne Crevasse, on under no such handicap.” He the west edge of the Vale!” looked back down into Banbeck Vale, where the Basic ship was XII bombarding the Jambles, shat- tering rocks into splinters. “Do STAMPING his feet, mutter- they plan to blast the Jambles ^ ing nervous curses, Ervis out of the valley? In which case, Carcolo waited at the head of of course, Joaz Banbeck would Clybourne Crevasse. have no further refuge. Their Unlucky chance after chance strategy is clear. And as I sus- paraded before his imagination. pected: reserve forces!” The Basics might surrender to Another thirty Troopers had the difficulties of Banbeck Vale marched down the ramp to stand and depart. Joaz Banbeck might immobile in the trampled field attack across the open fields to before the ship. save Banbeck Village from de- Carcolo pounded his fist into struction and so destroy himself. his palm. “Bast Givven, listen Bast Givven might be unable to now, listen carefully! For it is in control the disheartened men our power to do a great deed, to and mutinous dragons of Happy reserve our fortunes! Notice Valley. Any of these situations Clybourne Crevasse, how it might occur; any would expunge opens into the Vale, directly be- Carcolo’s dreams of glory and behind the Basic ship.” leave him a broken man. “Your ambition will yet cost Back and forth he paced the us our lives.” scarred granite. Every few sec- Carcolo laughed. “Come, Giv- onds he peered down into Ban- ven, how many times does a man beck Vale. Every few seconds he die? What better way to lose a turned to scan the bleak skylines life than in the pursuit of glory?” for the dark shapes of his drag- Bast Givven turned, surveyed ons, the taller silhouettes of his the meager remnants of the Hap- men. py Valley army. “We could win Beside the Basic ship waited a glory by trouncing a dozen sac- scanty two squads of Heavy erdotes. Flinging ourselves upon Troopers: those who had sur- a Basic ship is hardly needful.” vived the original attack and the “Nevertheless,” said Ervis Car- reserves. They squatted in silent colo, “that is how it must be. I groups, watching the leisurely ride ahead, you marshal the destruction of Banbeck Village.

84 GALAXY Fragment by fragment, the bawled Carcolo. “You ask me, spires, towers and cliffs which how shall we achieve these had housed the Banbeck folk glories? I answer, follow where I cracked off, slumped down into lead! Fight where I fight! What an ever-growing mound of rub- is death to us, with our valley ble. An even heavier barrage despoiled?” poured against the Jambles. Again he inspected his troops, Boulders broke like eggs. Rock once more finding only listless- splinters drifted down the valley. ness and apathy. Carcolo stifled A half hour passed. Ervis Car- the roar of frustration which rose colo seated himself glumly on a into his throat, and turned away. rock. “Advance!” he called gruffly over A jingle, the pad of feet: Car- his shoulder. Mounting his droop- colo bounded to his feet. Wind- ing Spider, he set off down Cly- ing across the skyline came the boume Crevasse. sorry remnants of his forces, the men dispirited, the Termagants T^HE Basic ship pounded the surly and petulant, a mere hand- Jambles and Banbeck Vil- ful each of Fiends, Blue Horrors lage with equal vehemence. From and Murderers. a vantage on the west rim of the Carcolo’s shoulders sagged. valley Joaz Banbeck watched the What could be accomplished blasting of corridor after familiar with a force so futile as this? He corridor. Apartments and halls took a deep breath. Show a brave hewn earnestly from the rock, front! Never say die! He assumed carved, tooled, polished across his bluffest mien. Stepping for- the generations — all opened, de- ward, he cried out, “Men, drag- stroyed, pulverized. Now the tar- ons! Today we have known de- get became that spire which con- feat, but the day is not over. The tained Joaz Banbeck’s private time of redemption is at hand; apartments, with his study, his • we shall revenge ourselves on workroom, the Banbeck reliquari- both the Basics and Joaz Ban- um. beck!” Joaz clenched and unclenched He searched the faces of his his fists, furious at his own help- men, hoping for enthusiasm. lessness. The goal of the Basics They looked back at him without was clear. They intended to de- interest. The dragons, their un- stroy Banbeck Vale, to extermi- derstanding less complete, nate as completely as possible snorted softly, hissed and whis- the men of Aerlith — and what pered. “Men and dragons!” could prevent them?

THE DRAGON MASTERS 85

Joaz studied the Jambles. The dozen Blue Horrors, ten Fiends, old talus had been splintered all the riders. We climb to Ban- away almost to the sheer face of beck Verge. We descend Cly- the cliff. Where was the opening bourne Crevasse. We attack the into the Great Hall of the sacer- ship!” dotes? His far-fetched hypotheses The dragon-master departed. were diminishing to futility. Joaz gave himself to gloomy con- Another hour would see the templation. If the Basics in- utter devastation of Banbeck tended to draw him into a trap, Village. they were about to succeed. Joaz tried to control a sicken- The dragon-master returned. ing sense of frustration. How to “The force is assembled.” stop the destruction? He forced “We ride.” himself to calculate. Clearly, an Up the ravine surged men and attack across the valley floor was dragons, emerging upon Banbeck equivalent to suicide. But behind Verge. Swinging south, they came the black ship opened a ravine to the head of Clybourne Cre- to that in which Joaz vasse. i similar stood concealed: Clybourne Cre- A knight at the head of the i vasse. The ship’s entry gaped column suddenly signaled a halt. wide, Heavy Troopers squatted When Joaz approached he listlessly to the side. Joaz shook pointed out marks on the floor his head with a sour grimace. In- of the crevasse. “Dragons and conceivable that the Basics could men have passed here recently.” neglect so obvious a threat. Joaz studied the tracks. “Head- Still—in their arrogance might ing down the crevasse.” they not overlook the possibility “Yes.” of so insolent an act? Joaz dispatched a party of Indecision tugged Joaz for- scouts who presently came gal- ward and backward. And now a loping wildly back. “Ervis Car- barrage of explosive pellets split colo, with men and dragons, is open the spire which housed his attacking the ship!” apartments. The reliquarium, Joaz wheeled his Spider and the ancient trove of the Ban- plunged headlong down the dim beck’s, was about to be destroyed passage, followed by his army. gesture, . . . Joaz made a blind jumped to his feet, called the /"kUTCRIES and screams of closest of his dragon-masters. battle reached their ears as “Assemble the Murderers, they approached the mouth of ' three squads of Termagants, two the crevasse. Bursting out on the

THE DRAGON MASTERS 87 valley floor Joaz came upon a Behind him his men waited, mut- scene of desperate carnage, with tering under their breath. dragon and Heavy Trooper hack- Joaz asked himself, “Am I as ing, stabbing, burning, blasting. brave as Ervis Carcolo? What is Where was Ervis Carcolo?? Joaz bravery, in any case? I am com- recklessly rode to look into the pletely afraid: I dare not enter, entry port. It hung wide! Ervis I dare not stay outside.” He put Carcolo then had forced his way aside all caution and rushed for- into the ship! ward, followed by his men and a A trap? Or had he effectuated horde of scuttling Termagants. Joaz’s own plan of seizing the Even as Joaz entered the ship ship? What of the Heavy Troop- he knew Ervis Carcolo had not ers? Would the Basics sacrifice succeeded. Above him the guns forty warriors to capture a hand- still sang and hissed. Joaz’s apart- ful of men? Unreasonable — but ments splintered apart. Another now the Heavy Troopers were tremendous volley struck into the holding their own. They had Jambles, laying bare the naked formed a phalanx, they now con- stone of cliff, and what was centrated the energy of their hitherto hidden: the edge of a weapons on those dragons who tall opening. yet opposed them. A trap? If so, Joaz, inside the ship, found it was sprung — unless Ervis himself in an ante-chamber. The Carcolo already had captured inner port was closed. He sidled the ship. Joaz rose in his saddle, forward, peered through a rec- signaled his company. “Attack!” tangular pane into what seemed The Heavy Troopers were a lobby or staging chamber. Er- doomed. Striding Murderers vis Carcolo and his knights hewed from above, Long-horned crouched against the far wall, Murderers thrust from below, casually guarded by about twen- Blue Horrors pinched, clipped, ty Weaponeers. A group of dismembered. The battle was Basics rested in an alcove to the done, but Joaz, with men and side, relaxed, quiet, their attitude Termagants, had already charged one of contemplation. up the ramp. From within came Carcolo and his men were not the hum and throb of power, and completely subdued. As Joaz also human sounds — cries and watched Carcolo lunged furious- shouts of fury. ly forward. A purple crackle of The sheer ponderous bulk energy punished him, hurled him struck at Joaz. He stopped short, back against the wall. peered uncertainly into the ship. From the alcove one of the

88 GALAXY Basics, staring across the inner their brachs, whistled, fluted. The chamber, took note of Joaz Ban- Termagants scuttled forward, beck. He flicked out with his sprang into the alcove. brach, touched a rod. An alarm There was a horrid tumbling whistle sounded, the outer port and croaking. Joaz, sickened at slid shut. A trap? An emergency some elementary level, was process? The result was the forced tp look away. The struggle same. Joaz motioned to four men, was soon over. heavily burdened. They came There was silence in the al- forward, kneeled, placed on the cove. Joaz turned to examine Er- deck four of the blast cannon vis Carcolo, who stared back, which the Giants had carried into rendered inarticulate by anger, the Jambles. humiliation, pain and fright. Joaz swung his arm. Cannon belched; metal creaked, melted; TT'INALLY finding his voice acrid odors permeated the room. Carcolo made an awkward The hole was still too small. gesture of menace and fury. “Be “Again!” The cannon flamed; the off with you,” he croaked. “I claim inner port vanished. this ship. Unless you would lie Into the gap sprang Weapon- in your own blood, leave me to eers, firing their energy guns. my conquest!” Purple fire cut into the Banbeck Joaz snorted contemptuously, ranks. Men curled, twisted, turned his back on Carcolo, who wilted, fell with clenched fingers sucked in his breath, and with and contorted faces. Before the a whispered curse, lurched for- cannon could respond, red-scaled ward. Bast Givven seized him, shapes scuttled forward: Terma- drew him back. Carcolo strug- gants. Hissing and wailing, they gled. Givven talked earnestly into swarmed over the Weaponeers, his ear, and Carcolo at last re- on into the staging chamber. In laxed, half-weeping. front of the alcove occupied by Joaz meanwhile examined the the Basics they stopped short, as chamber. The walls were blank,

if in astonishment. The men gray; the deck was covered with crowding after fell silent. Even resilient black foam. There was Carcolo watched in fascination. no obvious illumination, but Basic stock confronted its de- light was everywhere, exuding rivative, each seeing in the other from the walls. The air chilled its caricature. The Termagants the skin, and smelled unpleasant- crept forward with sinister de- ly acrid: an odor which Joaz had liberation. The Basics waved not previously noticed. He

THE DRAGON MASTERS 89 coughed. His ear-drums rang. Stumbling, lurching, the rem- A frightening suspicion be- nants of the two armies fled un- came certainty. On heavy legs der the brow of the great black he lunged for the port, beckoning ship. Behind them Heavy Troop- to his troops. “Outside, they poi- ers swung smartly forward, but son us!” He stumbled out on the without haste. ramp, gulped fresh air. His men Rounding the ship, Joaz and Termagants followed, and stopped short. In the mouth of then in a stumbling rush came Clybourne Crevasse waited a Ervis Carcolo and his men. Un- fourth squad of Heavy Troopers, der the hulk of the great ship the with another Weaponeer and his group stood gasping, tottering on weapon. limp legs, eyes dim and swim- ming. OAZ looked to right and left, Above them, oblivious or care- J up and down the valley. less of their presence, the ship’s Which way to run, where to turn? guns sent forth another barrage. The Jambles? They were non- The spire housing Joaz’s apart- existent. Motion, slow and pon- ments tottered, collapsed. The derous in the opening previously Jambles were no more than a concealed by tumbled rock heap of rock splinters drifting in- caught his attention. A dark ob- to a high arched opening. Inside ject moved forth. A shutter drew the opening Joaz glimpsed a dark back, a bright disk glittered. Al- shape, a glint, a shine, a structure most instantly a pencil of milky — then he was distracted by an blue radiance lanced at, into, ominous sound at his back. From through the end-disk of the Basic a port at the other end of the ship. ship, a new force of Heavy Troop- Within, tortured machinery ers had alighted. Three new whined, simultaneously up and squads of twenty men each, ac- down the scale, to inaudibility at companied by a dozen Weapon- either end. The luster of the end- eers with four of the rolling pro- disks vanished. They became jectors. gray, dull; the whisper of power Joaz sagged back in dismay. and life previously pervading the He glanced along his troops. ship gave way to dead quiet. The They were in no condition either ship itself was dead, and its mass, to attack or defend. A single al- suddenly unsupported, crushed ternative remained: flight. “Make groaning into the ground. for Clybourne Crevasse,” he The Heavy Troopers gazed called thickly. up in consternation at the hulk

90 GALAXY which had brought them to Aer- the Weaponeer’s gun came a lith. Joaz, taking advantage of splash of orange and green flame. their indecision, called, “Retreat! Seconds later the mouth of the North — up the valley!” sacerdote’s cavern erupted. The Heavy Troopers doggedly Rocks, bodies, fragments of followed. The Weaponeers how- metal, glass, rubber arched ever cried out an order to halt. through the air. They emplaced their weapons, The sound of the explosion re- brought them to bear on the verberated through the valley. cavern behind the Jambles. With- And the dark object in the cav- in the opening naked shapes ern was destroyed, was no more moved with frantic haste. There than tatters and shreds of metal. was slow shifting of massive ma- Joaz took three deep breaths, chinery, a change of lights and throwing off the effects of the shadows, and the milky blue narcotic gas by sheer power of shaft of radiance struck forth will. He signaled to his Murder- once more. It flicked down. ers. “Charge! Kill!” Weaponeers, weapons, two- The Murderers loped forward. thirds of the Heavy Troopers The Heavy Troopers threw vanished like moths in a furnace. themselves flat, aimed their The surviving Heavy Troopers weapons, but soon died. In the halted, retreated uncertainly mouth of Clybourne Crevasse the toward the ship. final squad of Troopers charged In the mouth of Clybourne wildly forth, to be instantly at- Crevasse waited the remaining tacked by Termagants and Blue squad of Heavy Troopers. The Horrors who had sidled along the single Weaponeer crouched over face of the cliff. The Weaponeer his three-wheeled mechanism. was gored by a Murderer. There With fateful care he made his was no further resistance in the adjustments. Within the dark valley, arid the ship lay open to opening the naked sacerdotes attack. worked furiously, thrusting, Joaz led the way back up the wedging, the strain of their ramp, through the entry into the sinews and hearts and minds now dim staging-chamber. The communicating itself to every blast-cannon captured from the man in the valley. The shaft of Giants lay where his men had milky-blue light sprang forth, dropped them. but too soon: it melted the rock Three portals led from the a hundred yards south of Cly- chamber, and these were swiftly bourne Crevasse, and now from burned down. The first revealed

THE DRAGON MASTERS 91 a spiral ramp. The second, a long folk, who sat in a group apart empty hall lined with tiers of from the surviving warriors. bunks. The third, a similar hall Ervis Carcolo alone seemed in which the bunks were occu- restless. For a space he stood with pied. Pale faces peered from the his back to Joaz, slapping his tiers, pallid hands flickered. Up thigh with his scabbard tassel. He and down the central corridor contemplated the sky where marched squat matrons in gray Skene, a dazzling atom, hung gowns. Ervis Carcolo rushed for- close over the western cliffs, then ward, buffeting the matrons to turned, studied the shattered gap the deck, peering into the bunks. at the north of the valley, filled “Outside,” he bellowed. “You are with the twisted remains of the rescued, you are saved. Outside sacerdotes’ construction. He gave quickly, while there is opportu- his thigh a final slap, looked nity.” toward Joaz Banbeck, turned to But there was only meager re- stalk through the huddle of Hap- sistance to overcome from a half- py Valley folk, making brusque dozen Weaponeers and Trackers, motions of no particular signifi- none whatever from twenty Me- cance, pausing here and there to chanics — these, short thin men harangue or cajole, apparently with sharp features and dark attempting to instill spirit and hair — and none from the six- purpose into his defeated people. teen remaining Basics. In this purpose he was unsuc- All were marched off the ship cessful. Presently he swung as prisoners. sharply about and marched across the field to where Joaz Banbeck XIII lay outstretched. Carcolo stared down. “Well, UIET filled the valley floor, then,” he said bluffly. “The battle Q the silence of exhaustion. is over, the ship is won.” Men and dragons sprawled in Joaz raised himself up on one the trampled fields. The captives elbow. “True.” stood in a dejected huddle be- “Let us have no misunder- side the ship. Occasionally an iso- standing on one point,” said Car- lated sound came to emphasize colo. “Ship and contents are mine. the silence: the creak of cooling An ancient rule defines the metal within the ship, the fall of rights of him who is first to at- a loose rock from the shattered tack. On this rule I base my cliffs; an occasional murmur claim.” from the liberated Happy Valley Joaz looked up in surprise, and

92 GALAXY ” seemed almost amused. “By a “The Demie approaches. Why rule even more ancient, I have do you not put your question to already assumed possession.” him?” “I dispute this assertion,” said “I will do so,” said Carcolo with Carcolo hotly. “Who — dignity. Joaz held up his hand wearily. But the Demie, followed by “Silence, Carcolo! You are alive four younger sacerdotes and now only because I am sick of walking with the air of a man in blood and violence. Do not test a dream, passed without speak- my patience!” ing. Carcolo turned away, twitch- ing his scabbard tassel with re- OAZ rose to his knees and strained fury. He looked up the J watched after him. The De- valley, turned back to Joaz. mie apparently planned to mount “Here come the sacerdotes, who the ramp and enter the ship. in fact demolished the ship. I Joaz jumped to his feet, followed, remind you of my proposal, by barred the way to the ramp. which we might have prevented Politely he asked, ‘What do this destruction and slaughter.” you seek, Demie?” Joaz smiled. “You made your “I seek to board the ship.” proposal only two days ago. Fur- “To what end? I ask, of course, ther, the sacerdotes possess no from sheer curiosity.” weapons.” The Demie inspected him a Carcolo stared as if Joaz had moment without reply. His face taken leave of his wits. “Then was haggard and tight. His eyes how did they destroy the ship?” gleamed like frost-stars. Finally Joaz shrugged. “I can only he replied, in a voice hoarse with make conjectures.” emotion. “I wish to determine if Carcolo asked sarcastically, the ship can be repaired.” “And what direction do these con- Joaz considered a moment, jectures lead?” then spoke in a gentle rational “I wonder if they had con- voice. “The information can be structed the frame of a space- of little interest to you. Would ship. I wonder if they turned the the sacerdotes place themselves propulsion beam against the so completely under my com- Basic ship.” mand?” Carcolo pursed his mouth du- “We obey no one.” biously. “Why should the sacer- “In that case, I can hardly take dotes build themselves a space- you with me when I leave.” ship?” The Demie swung around, and THE BEST IN PAPERBOUND for a moment seemed as if he SCIENCE FICTION BOOKS would walk away. His eyes fell Your favorite authors and their on the shattered opening at the greatest stories! Satisfaction guaran- end of the vale, and he turned teed5— or money back within ten days. 6— back. He spoke, not in the measured 12— voice of a sacerdote, but in a 13— TAKE YOUR PICK burst of grief and fury. “This is 15—THE WORLD BELOW, S. Fowler Wright 16— 17—THE ALIEN, Raymond F. Jones your doing! You preen yourself, 18—9—FOUR-SIDED TRIANGLE, W. F. Temple 19—HOUSE OF MANY WORLDS, Sam Merwln you count yourself resourceful SEEDS OF LIFE, John Taine

I t PEB B LE IN TH E S KY, I saac As i mov and clever. You forced us to act, THREE GO BACK, J. Leslie Mitchell THE WARRIORS OF DAY, James Blish and thereby violate ourselves and WELL OF THE WORLDS, Lewis Padgett our dedication!” 30—CITY AT WORLD’S END, Edmond Hamilton 31—JACK OF EAGLES, James Blish 32— - Joaz nodded, with a faint grim 33—M—DLAG K GALAXY, Mwroy Lei noXw 21—34—THE HUMANOIDS, Jack Williamson smile. “I knew the opening must 23—35—MURBER IN SPACE, David V. Reed 36— lie the I . behind won- 37—9 4 LES T DAR KNES S FA LL, L , S da Camp Jambles. 2638—- TNG LAS T S PACESH IP M u rra Leine to r 39— , y dered if you might be building a 40—26—CHESSBOARD PLANET, Lewis Padgett 41—27 TARN ISMD UTOPIA, Mal oPim J ameson space-ship; I hoped that you 42—DOUBLE JEOPARDY, Fletcher Pratt 43— 44—SHAMBLEAU, C. L. Moore might protect yourselves against 45—ABRRESS: CENTAURI, F. L. Wallace 46—MISSION OF GRAVITY, Hal Clement the Basics, and so serve my pur- TWICE IN TIME, Manly Wade Wellman FOREVER MACHINE, Clifton & Riley poses. I admit your charges. I 000 JOHN, W. Olaf Stapledon used you and your construction THE DEVIATES, Raymond F. Jones TROUBLED STAR, George 0. Smith as a weapon, to save myself and PAGAN PASSION, Garrett A Harris VIRGIN PLANET, Poul Anderson my people. Did I do wrong?” FLESH, Philip Jose Farmer SEX WAR, Sam Merwln “Right or wrong — who can A WOMAN A DAY, Philip J. Farmer THE MATING CRY, A. E. Van Vogt weigh? You wasted our effort THE MALE RESPONSE, Brian W. Aldiss across more than eight hundred SIN IN SPACE, Cyril M. Judd Aerlith years! You destroyed I more than you can ever replace.” I Galaxy Publishing Corporation 421 Hudson Street, New York 14, N. Y. “I destroyed nothing, Demie. |

Send me the following GALAXY NOVELS: The Basics destroyed your ship. If you had cooperated with us in the defense of Banbeck Vale this disaster would have never

I enclose remittance at 6 FOR $2.00 or 35c occurred. You choose neutrality. each. You thought yourselves immune Name from our grief and pain. As you Address see, such is not the case.” City Zone State “And meanwhile our labor of eight hundred and twelve years

94 GALAXY goes to naught,” the Demie said. did you learn to build a space- Joaz asked with feigned in- ship? From your own efforts? Or nocence, “Why did you need a from the work of men before you, space-ship? Where do you plan men of the old times?” to travel?” “We are the ultimate men,” said the Demie. “We know all f 'HE Demie’s eyes burst with that | men have ever thought, flames as intense as those of spoken or devised. We are the Skene. “When the race of men is last and the first. And when the gone, then we go abroad. We under-folk are gone, we shall re- move across the galaxy. We re- new the cosmos as innocent and populate the terrible old worlds, fresh as rain.” and the new universal history “But men have never gone and starts from that day, with the will never go,” said Joaz. “A set- past wiped clean as if it never back, yes. But is not the universe existed. If the grephs destroy wide? Somewhere are the worlds

you, what is it to us? We await of men. With the help of the only the death of the last man Basics and their Mechanics, I in the universe.” will repair the ship and go forth “Do you not consider your- to find these worlds.” selves men?” “You will seek in vain,” said “We are as you know us — the Demie. above-men.” “These worlds do not exist?” At Joaz’s shoulder someone “The Human Empire is dis- laughed coarsely. Joaz turned his solved. Men exist only in feeble head to see Ervis Carcolo. “ ‘Over- groups.” men’?” mocked Carcolo. “Poor “What of Eden, old Eden?” naked waifs of the caves! What “A myth, no more.” can you display to prove your “My marble globe, what of superiority?” that?” The Demie’s mouth drooped, “A toy. An imaginative fabri- the lines of his face deepened. cation.” “We have our tands. We have “How can you be sure?” asked our knowledge. We have our Joaz, troubled in spite of himself. strength.” “Have I not said that we know Carcolo turned away with an- all of history? We can look into other coarse laugh. Joaz said in our tands and see deep into the a subdued voice, “I feel more pity past, until the recollections are for you than you ever felt for us.” dim and misty, and never do we Carcolo returned. “And where remember planet Eden.”

THE DRAGON MASTERS 95 Joaz shook his head stubborn- lowed by the four younger sacer- ly. “There must be an original dotes, who had all the time stood world from which men came. Call gravely to the side.

it Earth or Tempe or Eden; Joaz called after him. “And if somewhere it exists.” the Basics come again? Will you The Demie started to speak, fight with us? Or against us?” then in a rare show of irresolution The Demie made no response, held his tongue. Joaz said, “Per- but walked to the north, the long haps you are right. Perhaps we white hair swinging down his thin are the last men. But I shall go shoulder-blades. forth to look.” Joaz watched him a moment, “I shall come with you,” said gazed up and down the ruined Ervis Carcolo. valley, shook his head in wonder “You will be fortunate to find and puzzlement, turned back to yourself alive tomorrow,” said study the great black ship. Joaz. Carcolo drew himself up. “Do CKENE touched the western not dismiss my claim to the ship ^ cliffs. There was an instant so carelessly!” dimming of light, a sudden chill. Joaz struggled for words, but Carcolo approached him. “To- could find none. What to do with night I shall hold my folk here in the unruly Carcolo? He could not Banbeck Vale, and send them find in himself enough harshness home on the morrow. Meanwhile, to do what he knew should be I suggest that you board the ship done. He temporized, turned his with me and make a preliminary back on Carcolo. survey.” “Now you know my plans,” he Joaz took a deep breath. Why told the Demie. “If you do not could it not come easier for him?

interfere with me, I shall not in- Carcolo had twice sought his life, terfere with you." and, had positions been reversed, The Demie moved slowly would have shown him no mercy. back. “Go then. We are a passive He forced himself to act. His race. We despise ourselves for duty to himself, to his people, to our activity of today. Perhaps it his ultimate goal, was clear.

was our greatest mistake . . . But He called to those of his go, seek your forgotten world. knights who carried the captured You will only perish somewhere heat-guns. They approached. among the stars. We will wait, as Joaz said, “Take Carcolo into 1 already we have waited.” He Clybourne Crevasse. Execute him turned and walked away, fol- at once.”

96 GALAXY 1 Protesting, bellowing, Carcolo walked around to stand under .was dragged off. Joaz turned the spire which had housed his away with a heavy heart, and apartments, and by some strange sought Bast Givven. “I take you freak of chance came upon a for a sensible man.” rounded fragment of yellow mar- “I regard myself so.” ble. “I set you in charge of Happy Weighing this in his palm he Valley. Take your folk home, be- looked up into the sky where fore darkness falls.” Coralyne already twinkled red, Bast Givven silently went to and tried to bring order to his his people. They stirred, and mind. presently departed Banbeck The Banbeck folk had Vale. emerged from the deep tunnels. Joaz crossed the valley floor Phade the minstrel-maiden came to the tumble of rubble which to find him. “What a terrible choked Kergan’s Way. He day,” she murmured. “What aw- choked with fury as he looked ful events. What a great victory.” upon the destruction, and for a Joaz tossed the bit of yellow moment almost wavered in his marble back into the rubble. “I resolve. Might it not be fit to fly feel much the same way. And the black ship to Coralyne and .where it all ends, no one knows take revenge on the Basics? He 'less than I!” — JACK VANCE

FORECAST

In October Galaxy we begin a two-part serial called Plague of

Pyfhons — the by-line is Frederik Pohl — and add to it at least a pair of first-class novelettes: The Ballad of Lost C'Mell, by Cordwainer Smith, and Who Dares a Bulbur Eat? by Gordon R. Dickson. We say "at least a pair;"

actually, Theodore Sturgeon is hard at work on the final draft of one

that we plan to rush into print if we get it in time — and that one is going

to be worth reading! — but it remains to be seen if it'll be in the next issue or later. Anyway, there'll be shorts, a particularly interesting Willy Ley column,

etc. Don't miss the October Galaxy; it's a good one!

THE DRAGON MASTERS 97 HANDBy FRANK BANTA

AMES Ypsilanti swung at the a nice, cozy fire in the hall that door with the steak cuber. Or would keep him warm for a long J was it the cube steaker? No time ... if he was stingy with his matter. The door was a good, fuel. hardwood door and resisted his The carpenter came by. The onslaught well. But time was on carpenter was always coming by, his side. except when you wanted him, Jim He had the energy and the realized. The carpenter was a time, he knew, and sooner or later mighty, mighty busy fellow. “the door would be kindling. The carpenter stopped short It was the door to his room. It when he saw Jim demolishing the was evident to him that he did door. In fact he came to a grind- not need the door to his room ing halt. and that he did need heat. In fact “Jim, why didn’t you tell me!” he had better get some heat “Carpenter, how was I to know pretty soon — although he was where you were? Who can ever keeping warm enough for the find you?” present by beating on the door. “I know Jim. Jim, you work So he would beat this door to so hard!” kindling, and then he would build “Yes!” he said, pounding.

98 GALAXY “Take this hatchet, Jim. A The carpenter arrived with a hatchet is what you demolish new hardwood door. Whistling doors with! Good-by.” The car- cheerily, he began to install it penter departed. where the other one had just been James Ypsilanti swung on the hatcheted away. door with his newly acquired “Carpenter, that door won’t be hatchet. Soon he was ready for staying there long. I’m almost out his fire. He struck a match, and of fuel.” in no time had the pile of var- “I hope you don’t expect me to nished kindling blazing smokily be surprised, Jim, if this door in the hall. He held his hands doesn’t last very long. The previ- over the blaze. ous twenty-two doors at this lo- “Ah, good, good. Good.” He cation, Jim, did not last very long closed his eyes. “What could be either.” Still whistling to himself, better than this?” Then he opened he installed the last of the hinge them again regretfully. “It’s din- screws. ner time. I’d better fix it while “Why don’t you just give me I have my fire going.” He hurried the doors, instead of causing your- to the kitchen and chose a can self all this work?” demanded of eggs-bacon-and-pancakes from James Ypsilanti. “ the massive stores. ‘Inmates will not be issued materials,’ Jim. I’ve quoted that i^WPENING the large can, he section of the rules to you many ” hall fire. times, heated it over his Jim.” Then he dumped the contents on “But couldn’t you just lean the his tin plate and ate. door up against the door jamb “Murder,” he thought somber- and leave it?” argued the inmate. ly. “That’s what I’m in for. “You go to a ridiculous amount of Practically murder with consent. trouble.” She said she couldn’t live without “It is not ridiculous, Jim. I am me. Margie begged me to kill her, a carpenter, Jim. Good-by.” you might as well say. Good old After lunch, James Ypsilanti Margie; a good kid, but I killed crawled into his escape tunnel.

her. And now . . . Well, that’s He liked to go in there every life!” He speared a pancake. day and daydream. The tunnel “Damn, but it’s cold!” He threw ended abortively at the wall of an armload of wood on the fire the prison, for the prison wall ex-

and it blazed up. “Sure wish these tended down into solid bed rock carpenters had feelings. My lord, for a meter, and it was fabricated they got no feelings at all!” of one-meter thick compressed

HAN DYMAN 99 A

steel. It was the nearest thing to of the institution,’ ” quoted the an exit that the prison had. carpenter. “Need I say more, Officials had always come and Jim?” gone through the massive, englob- “Okay,” said James Ypsilanti, ing wall by matter transmitters. resuming his destructive work on “Smarties couldn’t find me the new door. “Scram, stupid.” though, when I was in my escape The carpenter departed. tunnel.” he chortled, as he “That dope,” Jim said between stretched out in the cave under blows, “is even foggier in the head the concrete. “They can walk than my lousy lawyer was, and through walls, but they couldn’t that’s going some.” find me.” Then his tone became “Jim,” said the carpenter, re- baleful. “The smarties’ll never turning and sounding very find me.” pleased with himself, “look here at what I have found, Jim.” A S JAMES Ypsilanti chopped James Ypsilanti turned to look on the door next day, the car- at what the carpenter held in his penter stood cheerily watching. hand. It was a carpenter’s square “Carpenter, why don’t you fix sheathed in plastic. the damn heating plant? Then I “Found enough of them to last wouldn’t have to be chopping up me a lifetime, Jim,” said the your doors all the time to keep carpenter complacently. “I’ll warm.” never have to buy any.” “I am a carpenter, Jim, not a “No, you won’t,” agreed James heat-plant fixer, as you well know Ypsilanti bitterly. “Can’t you get from our previous negotiations on it into your head that you and I the subject.” are the only ones left on Earth? “What will you do, carpenter, After the war the rest left. They when I have used up all your couldn’t find us when they evacu- doors?” the convict jibed. ated this atomic-explosion ‘Why, Jim, we will have to wrecked planet, because we were send out for some more,” the in this escape-proof jug. So they carpenter answered condescend- went away and left us!” ingly. “I know, Jim.” “Still, I wish you would let me Ypsilanti studied the mobile work on that he^t plant,” urged features of the carpenter, search- Ypsilanti. “I might fix it.” ing intently for a sign. “ ‘Inmates will not be per- But the carpenter robot mitted to disassemble or other- strolled away, whistling. wise interfere with the machinery — FRANK BANT

100 GALAXY By WILLY LEY ROTATING LUMINOUS WHEELS IN THE SEA

U SCIENCE,” I have told stu- ^ dents and lecture audiences on numerous occasions, “is a self- correcting process. It never stands

still, mainly because new material is constantly being added.” This column is just one more illustration for this statement. When I reported on Commander Bodler’s encounter with a gigan- tic luminous, rotating “pinwheel” in the waters of the Gulf of Oman I had only vaguely heard of such a phenomenon before. (If you

FOR YOUR INFORMATION 101 ,

keep a file of Galaxy, please re- Dr. Kalle’s report are identical read his report in the December with the ones I reported in 1960 issue.) A reader then called Galaxy. In the tabulation later in my attention to a chapter in one this column I have added the of Charles Fort’s books and I was cases from the U. S. Naval Insti- able to quote half a dozen more tute Proceedings and from Fort’s

cases ( Galaxy June 1961.) book. While I was still brooding about the phenomenon I received an r ''HE total number of observa- | airmail letter from Arthur C. tions quoted by Dr. Kalle is Clarke telling me that, according seventy, but not all of them are to a British scientific journal, a about rotating luminous wheels. German publication contained a In going through all the reports whole collection of such cases. of highly unusual phosphorence Since these enormous, rotating, in the sea that he could find he luminous wheels are such a established several categories. At breathtakingly unusual phenome- first these categories were merely non — even sober logbook entries to aid in sorting out, and were abound in terms like “weird,” based on the described appear- “most awe inspiring,” “an effect ance of the phenomenon. Later, of great eerieness,” unheimlich he found a very interesting and (German for fear-inspiring) and probably significant corollary. angstwekkende indruk (Dutch His first section, comprising six for fear-inspiring) — the source reports, he labelled “general and for what is to follow should be superficial descriptions,” a some- stated first. The journal in ques- what harsh term, for some of tion is the Deutsche Hydrograph- them are impressive indeed. Be- ische Zeitschrift, vol. XIII, No. 2 sides I would have put three of (April 1960), published in Ham- these reports into the second burg by the German Hydrograph- section, which in Dr. Kalle’s ic Institute. Incidentally, about article consists of 23 reports. three quarters of this article is in These reports are all alike in English. The author is Professor that they describe what looks al- Dr. Kurt Kalle. Dr. Kalle’s most like an explosion. “Balls of sources, in turn, are mainly The light” suddenly appear at the Marine Observer, published by ocean’s surface, spreading out Her Britannic Majesty’s Station- with utmost rapidity to cover an ery Office, and some logbooks of area of a hundred square yards German and Dutch vessels. or more. Here are a few examples None of the cases quoted in of these reports:

102 GALAXY View of three revolving phenomena from board of the S. S. Arracan. Observed December 19, 1927, northern part of the Andaman Sea.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION 103 The cargo ship Stephan was, Just below the surface they ex- on September 30, 1923, at 46' panded to a diameter of about northern latitude and 15’ western half a yard. When reaching the longitude, which is in the Atlantic surface these spheres expanded Ocean to the west of the Bay of and flattened. It looked as if they Biscay. The sea phosphoresced were bursting. The area occupied and “occasionally an extra brilli- by such a phantom body was el- ant patch would seem to bubble lipsoid in shape, with a major up from the bottom of the sea, axis from 10 to 20 feet and a burst into vivid light and spread minor axis of 6 to 10 feet. The rapidly over the surface before larger ones of them retained their gradually fading away.” intense silvery-greenish luminosi- The captain of the S.S. Omar ty with a shivering motion until had a very similar story to tell. we lost sight of them.” The loca- His ship was at 7' 50’ N., 76' 18’ tion of the Preussen was also in E., which is in the Indian Ocean the Indian Ocean, but to the west to the South of Ceylon; the date of that of the Omar, the precise was October 14, 1923. “These position being 9‘ N., 63' East. patches of light, whilst expand- A little more than a year later, ing, became very brilliant and on October 31, 1926, S. S. Somer- after about two minutes died setshire, being in the same general away. They commenced with a area as the Omar and the Preus- diameter of about one foot and sen (7' 30’ N, 74' 30’ E.) saw expanded to at least 30 yards.” the same thing. P. H. Potter, the Two years later, on August 23, second officer, described it as 1925, the officer of the watch “balls of brilliant light seemed to (not named) of the German pas- shoot from the depth, burst on senger liner Preussen produced nearing the surface, irradiate and the following description: “From cover an area, seemingly of a right next to the ship and up to couple of hundred square yards.” the limit of vision luminous balls rose from the lower strata of the ]Y/|OST of the reports of “ex- ocean. Their distances from each ploding” balls of light come other varied from 12 to 100 feet. from the Indian Ocean, being The time interval between ap- strung out roughly along the 10th pearances varied between 20 and parallel of northern latitude from 30 seconds. The balls seemed to the African east coast to Ceylon’s rise with a speed of about half west coast. a yard per second and had an Before I mention the interest- estimated diameter of 8 inches. ing fact discovered by Dr. Kalle

104 GALAXY this kind, the obvious first step is to take a map of the world and enter the various observations ac- cording to their geographical lo- cations. Naturally Dr. Kalle did this. He found that all the reports, except three, came from the Indi- an Ocean. Of the three which were not from the Indian Ocean two were from the Atlantic. One of them was that of the Stephan quoted above; the other one came from the John Holt, February 19, 1957, from the vicinity of the Cape Verde Islands, also in the Atlantic. The third came from the S. S. Tasmania (May 21, 1933), which was at sea to the

Talma. Observed December 28, 1929, west of the North Island of New northern part of the Andaman Sea. Zealand. After Dr. Kalle had drawn his map he naturally en- tered the depth of the ocean at

I have to explain briefly the other the places of the observation. The categories established by him. surprise came then. His category (C) consists of re- The average depth of the ports — eleven of them — which ocean for all cases of “exploding” describe waves of light, apparent- light balls was over 10,000 feet. ly parallel and not curved, which The least was about 1700 feet move rapidly across the surface while one could not be judged of the sea. Category (D) com- properly. The location was just prises seven reports about waves where the continental shelf slopes of light which have a motion as into the abyss. Since the ship’s

if they were rotating around a position was not given within, say, common center, the center, how- 200 yards, the depth of water ever, being not visible to the ob- under the keel could have been server who reported it. The final anything from 700 to 3500 feet. category, twenty-four reports, But the average depth for the deals with rotating wheels which waves of light, whether seemingly have a clearly visible center. parallel or rotating was less than When dealing with reports of 300 feet, again with two excep-

FOR YOUR INFORMATION 105 tions due to the nearness of the officer of the S.S. City of Khios on edge of the continental shelf. July 23, 1954. The ship was at The only definite exception as 24" 19’ N., 66" 20’ E„ in the north- regards the freshly established ernmost part of the Arabian Sea, rule of shallow water for parallel with a depth of water of about or rotating light beams was the 200 feet. “Shafts of pale white S. S. Somersetshire on August 13, light were observed moving 1925. The position was 12" 38’ N., swiftly NE-SW. They appeared 55" 28’ E, which is not very far to be just above the surface of from the east coast of Africa. As the sea and parallel with each a matter of fact I do not consider other. They were passing the ship the report made by P. Hawkins, at the rate of about one per sec- the second officer, very typical ond. They appeared to stretch as for the parallel light waves, since far as the eye could see on each he wrote: “A white line seemed to side of the vessel and did not at be coming toward the ship at a any time appear to curve. After tremendous speed from the east- about 15 minutes the phenome- ward, which had the appearance non disappeared.” of breakers. Very shortly after, While the experience of the the whole sea was quite white, S. S. Somersetshire must have with now and again circular and been awe-inspiring, the case does streaky black patches, and the not necessarily belong into this whole surroundings were bril- collection. If it be discarded as liantly lightened up.” But Haw- being “something else,” whatever kins added a very interesting that may be, there is no exception comment: “During this time to the rule found by Dr. Kalle (9:20 P.M. till 10:40 P.M.) the that the exploding balls are a atmospheric conditions were ex- deep-water phenomenon, while traordinary. No sound was heard, the light beams appear only over not even the wind nor the break- the continental shelf. He himself ing of the sea. No swell was vis- wrote that “this result reinforces ible; and the vessel, which had the supposition that the distinc- previously been rolling heavily, tion into ‘exploding’ and ‘rotating’ had practically no movement on types, which was based on the her. In fact, one could almost differences in appearance and be- have been in dock.” havior, is essentially correct.”

This fact is not very helpful A FAR more typical report on in explaining either one of these the parallel waves was de- phenomena. But in a field where livered by D. Brown, the second observations (or at any event re-

106 GALAXY ^ . 1

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Courtesy: Professor Kalle’s map sketch of seventy observed phenomena. Each sighting German Hydrographic Institute is indicated by a -f- sign. The letter indicates the type of phenomenon. Roman numerals indicate month of the year followed by the year seen, YOUR (all sightings on this map are after 1900.) Key to letters: A, unusual but

non-specific phosphorescence; B, "exploding” light balls; C, apparently paral-

lel light waves; D, rotating phenomenon, center invisible to observer; E, FOR rotating phenomenon, center visible to observer. '

ports) have become reasonably interesting aspect is that it was frequent only during the last observed from shore. The obser- three decades, any definite fact is ver, a German by the name of A. welcome. It may become impor- Stiirken, said that he was stand- tant at a later date when more is ing on board a ship which had known. made fast on a pier near Bender After quoting one more case Abbas. The geographical position of parallel light beams, because of the pier is given as 26" N., 57" it contains an interesting guess, E. we can go on -to the rotating “The southern horizon was a beams. That case was reported luminous ribbon which looked by Captain Bradley of the S. S. precisely as if there were a heavy Aristo. It was seen in July, 1938 surf out there. The intensely (no date given) and the position bright luminescence approached of the vessel was 23" 56’ N., 66 us rapidly, shooting sharply de- 53’ E., quite close to the position fined light rays to the West in of the City of Khios. “The beams,” rapid succession, looking like the Captain Bradley wrote, “traveled beam from the searchlight of a in the reverse direction of the warship. Then the whole lumi-

wind, sea and swell . . . The nous flood — always below the rapidly moving beams of lumi- water’s surface—approached our nosity may have been caused by ship. Wide waves of fire, 200 to minute phosphorescent organisms 300 yards long, came in endless turning in a certain direction. Not succession and passed under our that they moved rapidly from keel for a period of about three place to place, but that they re- minutes. Then the picture mained practically stationary changed suddenly. To the left of and only altered position to ex- us, about 550 yards away, a gi- pose their luminous sides. What- gantic fiery wheel formed itself ever the cause, the phenomenon with spokes that reached as far was most awe-inspiring. No won- as one could see. The whole der that the mariners of old were wheel whirled around for two or so prone to superstition and re- three minutes: Then all of the turned to their native shores full luminescence moved away, as of weird and wonderful tales of fast as it had arrived. For a mo- the sea.” ment it was visible near the The oldest report of rotating horizon and then the appari- beams quoted by Dr. Kalle is tion was over.” (The word used dated May 23, 1906 and comes by Stiirken which I translated as from the Gulf of Oman. The most “apparition” is Spuk, normally

108 GALAXY used for alleged supernatural focus around which they rotated, phenomena, like seeing a ghost increasing in brilliancy and ve- or witnessing Walpurgis Night.) locity of rotation until 2:05 A.M. The phosphorescent points and 1Y/JOST reports deal with the patches previously described were phenomenon when it is, if noticed to increase in brilliancy this phrase is applicable here, in as the illuminated beams swept full bloom. Most of the time the over them and to decrease in ship runs into a rotating wheel, intensity during the passage of or sees it some distance away. the successive dark spaces, and But the crew of the S.S. Aeneas this phenomenon was quite saw it develop. The date was De- noticeable even when the light cember 3, 1926; the place 5” 48’ waves, toward the end of the dis- N., 98" 9’ E., in the Strait of Mal- play, became quite faint. At 2:15 acca, between Sumatra and the A.M. the light waves were no Malay Peninsula. The report was longer visible, and at 2:30 A.M. written by J. M. Anderson, who the last traces of phosphorescence was second officer of the ship. were observed.” The phenomenon began at 30 The crew of the S. S. Arracan, minutes after midnight: on December 19, 1927, being in “Commencing with but a few the same general area ( 14° 23’ N., isolated points and patches of 96’ 3’ E.) also watched the devel- sparkling and pulsating light, the opment of a rather short-lived display developed until the sur- phenomenon. At 2 A.M. the ves- face of the sea from horizon to sel passed “through small clusters horizon had the appearance of of phosphorescent light.” Very being lit up from below, by soon after, “these clusters of light thousands of beams of light which expanded into bars and com- independently flashed and were menced to revolve in an anti- eclipsed with great regularity, at clockwise direction, and appeared intervals of about one second. to pass the bridge, from where This phosphorescence increased they were observed, at the rate of in brilliancy until 1:45 A.M. Two one every half second. This distinct systems of light waves or phenomenon was in the form of phosphorescent wheels were ob- a Catherine wheel, the hub of served, one to port and one to which could be observed plainly starboard. These light waves about two hundred yards to the were observed to be traveling westward of the ship’s course. At clockwise over the surface of the 2:05 A.M. the phosphorescent sea, appearing to issue from a light failed, and then became

FOR YOUR INFORMATION 109 brighter, and on this occasion the of the sight — quite naturally, spokes or beams of light revolved since for each observer it was the in the opposite direction, i. e. first time that he saw it. One ex- clockwise. At 2:15 A.M. this ception to that rule is the experi- phenomenon disappeared. On ence of Captain R. W. White and each occasion the hub of the his second officer, C. Jackman, Catherine wheel was clearly vis- who saw it three times, on Sep- ible to the westward of the ship.” tember 9, October 5 and Decem- Quite close to the position of ber 29, 1932. The location for all the S. S. Arracan, namely at 14” three observations was the Anda- 15’ N, 96" 41’ E., and almost pre- man Sea and Second Officer cisely two years later, namely on Jackman, on the third occasion, December 28, 1929, the S.S. merely entered: “Experienced Talma also observed a rotating the same phenomenon, duration wheel. The “spokes” were curved 26 minutes.” Well, one can also (see Fig. 2) and about 30 feet get used even to being under wide when they hit the ship. The artillery bombardment, as many “spokes” followed each other at soldiers can testify. intervals of half a second. The Geographically the phenome- hub of the wheel, which could not non of the rotating lights clearly be seen very clearly, seemed to centers around two areas. The be about five miles from the ship. first one is the Gulf of Aden, the The duration of the whole was Persian Gulf and the Gulf of 15 minutes. This report has an Oman, plus the coastline to the interesting postscript: “It was East of the Gulf of Oman to later reported from the engine about Bombay. The other area room that at this time the revo- is the sea around the Malay Pe- lutions [of the engine] dropped ninsula, the Andaman Sea, the considerably and the main en- Strait of Malacca and the Bor- gines were straining. As this neo Sea. straining of the engines appeared For simplicity’s sake I referred to me to point to the possibility to these two areas as the Western of a marine volcanic disturbance and the Eastern Phenomenon I considered it advisable to send and, trying to see whether the out a wireless warning.” seasons (admittedly not too no- ticeable in these tropical seas) TT would serve little purpose to had anything to do with the fre- •*- quote more reports. They all quency of occurrence, I tabulated read more or less alike and all all reports as to their dates. (See stress the weird impressiveness table.)

110 GALAXY TABLE OF SEASONAL FREQUENCY OF OBSERVATIONS

WESTERN EASTERN PHENOMENON PHENOMENON

Number of Observations:

JANUARY first half — — second half 1 —

FEBRUARY first half second half — 2

MARCH first half 1 second half 2 —

APRIL first half 2 • second half 2 2

MAY first half 3 second half 1 2

JUNE first half 1 second half 2 1

JULY first half 2 — second half 2 1

AUGUST first half 1 1 second half — —

SEPTEMBER first half 1 2 second half 1 —

OCTOBER first half 1 second half — 2

NOVEMBER first half 2 4 second half 1 1

DECEMBER first half 1 second half — 3

FOR YOUR INFORMATION 111 It can be seen that the Western that might be hiding in French

Phenomenon shows a rather faint and Portuguese publications. I clustering for the period from late expect the latter especially to March to the end of July, while yield much material because the the Eastern Phenomenon shows sea route from Portugal to Goa a somewhat more pronounced went through the waters which clustering for the period from are prone to produce the phe- October through December. But, nomenon. since neither clustering is very After the reports which were pronounced, it might be argued classified because of wartime, and that the apparent concentration the French and Portuguese re- during the last three months of ports, have been added to the the year for the Eastern Phe- material the seasonal statistics nomenon is caused by the simple may look different. fact that the number of reports is not large enough to be meaning- OW for an attempt to explain ful. Dr. Kalle has a total of only N all this. five reports for the years from Before I give Dr. Kalle’s ex- 1906 to 1914. Then there is a planation I have to quote a sen- complete absence of reports for tence he wrote in the introduc- the years 1915 to 1919, caused, tory paragraph of his paper: “A no doubt, by the first World War. definitive explanation of this There is the same absence of re- natural phenomenon, which ports for the years from 1939 to occurs at night and at sea in a 1949, caused by the second surprising manner, tempting World War and its aftermath. No observers to think of cosmic or doubt quite a number of reports supernatural causes, does not yet from those years do exist but, exist.” The tentative explanation since they formed part of other- which is then advanced by Dr. wise classified material, were Kalle is based on the known fact never published. -And so far the that luminescent marine organ- collection is somewhat limited isms do not luminesce all the also to nationality. Reports from time. If they did, we would have British vessels seem to be known phosphorescence all the time. But more or less completely, thanks when the sea does phosphoresce to The Marine Observer, and it can clearly be seen that the some reports from Dutch vessels organisms respond to physical have appeared in the Dutch ma- stimuli. No captain of a sailing rine publication De Zee. Nobody, vessel ever produced as bright a so far, has gone over the material wake as do the propellers of a

112 GALAXY steamer or motor ship. And if you Premier (Nov. 30, 1951; location: stand in shallow water when southern portion of the Persian there is phosphorescence you can Gulf): “The ship’s radar appara- produce an extra bright flash by tus had been switched on with a the simple expedient of striking view to checking her position, the surface with your outstretched when, in the same instant this hand. gear became operative, most The small organisms — they brilliant boomerang-shaped arcs are not actually microscopic, as of phosphorescent light appeared one can read in many places, in the sea, gyrating in a clock- since the most common one wise direction to starboard and measures about a millimeter in anticlockwise to port, but all diameter — definitely respond sweeping inward toward the to the shock wave produced by ship.” the blow on the surface. Now since the luminescence That they also seem to respond can be excited by a stimulus it is, to something we don’t even feel as Captain Bradley of the Aristo is shown by the report of the pointed out, not necessary that ship’s master of the M. S. British the organisms themselves move rapidly. A rapidly moving stimu- lus would produce the same ap- EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS pearance. Professor Kalle thinks REPRINTS NEW that shock waves provide this 1. MONSTER MEN Due in May. New illustra- the shock waves them- tions. $2.75. stimulus,

2. MOON MEN Due in May. New illustrations. selves being caused by submarine $2.75. earthquakes. 3. A FIGHTING MAN OF MARS Due in May. $2.75. The rotating wheels, accord- a. More titles in the works. ing to the same theory, might be 4. THREE NOVELS IN ONE PAPERBACK: Thuvia caused by the interference of Maid of Mars; Chessmen of Mars; Master Mind of Mars. Ready now! $1.75. shock waves from two different sources, of which the second EXTRA SPECIAL COLLECTION might be a reflection of the first. Dr. Kalle places some emphasis 5. Complete run of ASTOUNDINGS, 1930 through 1961, 31 full years. Good to very good on this thought. condition. ONE SET ONLY. Price $600.00. The validity of the whole ex- Many other complete sets, special collec- planation depends on a rapid tions, etc. Send your want list. All prices F.O.B. Brooklyn, N. Y. “lights on, lights off” of the organ- JAYS CORNER isms involved. If they, once stim-

6401 24th Ave. Brooklyn 4, N. Y. ulated, continue to luminesce for a few minutes, one would only

FOR YOUR INFORMATION 113 get a generally luminous sea STATEMENT REQUIRED BY THE from seismic shock waves but no ACT OF AUGUST 24, 1912, AS AMENDED BY THE definite figures. So the next point ACTS OF MARCH 3, 1933, JULY 2, 1946 AND of the investigation lies in the JUNE 11, 1960 (74 STAT. 208) field of marine biology. First it SHOWING THE OWNERSHIP, MAN- has to be established just what AGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION OF organism, or organisms account GALAXY MAGAZINE, published Bi-

Monthly at New York, N. Y.. for October 1 for most of the phosphorescence 1961. 1. The names and addresses of the in the areas involved. Then it has pub- lisher, editor, managing editor, and business to be established whether they managers are: Publisher Robert M. Guinn 421 Hudson St., New York 14, N. Y.; Editor respond to shock waves, which Frederik Pohl. 421 Hudson St., New York 14, N. Y.; Managing Editor, None; Business offhand seems likely but may re- manager. None. quire the presence of another con- 2. The owner is: (If owned by a corpora- tion, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder dition. Finally it has to be estab- the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding lished whether they “switch off” 1 percent or more of total amount of stodk. If not owned by a corporation, the names and again quickly, so that the lumi- addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a partnership or other un- nescence lasts only for the dura- incorporated firm, its name and address, as tion of being hit well as that of each individual member, must with the shock- be given.) wave. (A small time lag of half Galaxy Publishing Corporation, 421 Hudson St., New York 14, N. Y., Robert M. Guinn a second or so would be accept- (sole stockholder), 421 Hudson St., New York 14, N. Y. able.) Once the answer to all 3. The known bondholder, mortgages, and other security holders owning or holding three of these questions has been 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, found to yes, a mortgages, or other securities are: (// there be mathematical are none, so state.) analysis of the agreement or dis- None. 4. Paragraphs 2 and 3 include, in cases agreement between observations where the stockholder or security holder ap- pears upon the books of the company as and velocities of shockwaves un- trustee or in any other fiduciary relation, the name of the person or corporation for whom der water could be undertaken. such trustee is acting: also the statements in the two paragraphs show the affiant’s full I have one more question in knowledge and belief as to the circumstances my mind: Has there ever been a and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the naval battle at night in one of books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity other than that these areas? And did the shell of a bona fied owner. 5. The average number of copies of each splashes cause light waves, wheels issue of this publication sold or distributed, through the mails or otherwise, to paid sub- and counter-wheels? scribers during the 12 months preceding the date above was: information is If so, shouldn’t it be possible shown (This required by the act of June 11, 1960 to be to produce a rotating wheel by included in all statements regardless of fre- quency of issue.) 92,000. means of underwater explosions ROBERT M. GUINN, Publisher . . . so that it does not come as a Sworn to and subscribed before me this surprise but can be set off when 21st day of September, 1961. Jacques N. Glick, Notary Public, State of everything is ready for its study? New York, No. 03-1457100. Qualified in Bronx — WILLY LEY County. Cert, filed in New York County. (Commission expires March 30, 1963)

114 GALAXY First Contact was always dangerous — but usually only to the man involved! A MATTER OF PROTOCOL

By JACK SHARKEY Illustrated by SCHELLING

" ^ROM space, the planet Vir- about the upthrust branches like B-^ idian resembled a great underfed anacondas. B green moss-covered tennis Into the center of this triangle ball. When the spaceship had the ship was lowered on sputter- arrowed even closer to the lush ing blue pillars of crackling en- jungle that was the surface of the ergy, to come to rest on the soft 7000-mile sphere, there was still loamy earth. no visible break in the green cloak A bare instant after setdown, of the planet Even when they crewmen exploded from the air- dipped almost below their margin lock and dashed into the jungle of safety—spaceships were poorly shadows with high-pressure tanks built for extended flight within of gushing spume. Their job was the atmosphere—it took nearly a to coat, cool and throttle the hun- complete circuit of the planet be- gry fires trickling in bright orange fore a triangle of emptiness was fingers through the heat-black- spotted. It was in the midst of ened grasses. Higher in the trees, the tangled canopy of treetops, a few vines smoldered fitfully themselves interwoven inextric- where the fires had brushed them, ably with coarse-leaved ropy then hissed into smoky wet ash vines that sprawled and coiled as their own glutinous sap smoth-

A MATTER OF PROTOCOL 115 ered the urgent embers. But the ery there, and placed a spool of

fire was going out. microtape on a spindle inside it. “Under control, sir,” reported a He shut the panel and thumbed returning crewman. the button that started an im- Lieutenant Jerry Norcriss pulse radiating from the tape into emerged into the green gloaming the jungle. that cloaked the base of the ship The impulse had been detected with a net of harlequin diamonds. and taped by a roborocket which Jerry nodded abstractedly as had circled the planet for months other crewmen laid a lightweight before their arrival. It was one form-fitting couch alongside the of the two Viridian species whose tailfins near the airlock. On this types were as yet uncatalogued by couch Jerry reclined. Remaining the Space Corps, in its vast files crew members turned their fire- of alien life. Jerry’s job, as a fighting gear over to companions Space Zoologist, was to complete and stood guard in a rough semi- those files, planet by planet circle with loaded rifles, their throughout the spreading wave of backs to the figure on the couch, slowly colonized universe. facing the jungle and whatever Bob made sure the tape was predatory dangers it might hold. functioning. Then he clicked the Ensign Bob Ryder, the techni- switch that would stimulate the cian who had the much softer job Contact center in Jerry’s brain of simply controlling and coor- and release his mind into that of dinating any information relayed the taped alien for an immutable by Jerry, leaned out through the forty minutes. open circle in the hull. Outside the ship, recumbent in “All set, sir,” said the tech. the warm green-gold shadows, Jerry nodded and settled a heav- Jerry’s consciousness was dwarfed ily wired helmet onto his head, for an instant by a white light- while Bob made a hookup be- ning-flash of energy. And then his tween the helmet and the power body went limp as his mind outlet that was concealed under sprang with thought-speed into a flap of metal on the tailfin. Contact . . . Helmet secured, Jerry lay back upon the couch and closed his ERRY opened his eyes to a eyes. “Any time you’re ready, J dizzying view of the dull Ensign.” brown jungle floor. He blinked a Bob hurried back inside, found moment, then looked toward his the panel he sought among the feet. He saw two sets of thin jumble of high-poWered machin- knobby Vs, extending forward

116 GALAXY and partly around the tiny limb no-hop grasshopper,” he mused to he stood upon, their chitinous sur- himself, vainly trying to turn his face shiny with the wetness of the head on his neck. “Head, thorax jungle air. and abdomen all one piece.” Slowly working his jaws, he He tried flexing what would be, heard the extremely gentle “click” in a man, the region of the shoul- as they came together. The endo- derblades. He was rewarded by skeleton must exist all over his the appearance of long, narrow host’s body. wings—two sets of them, like a After making certain it would dragonfly’s—from beneath two not disturb his balance on the flaps of chitin on his back. limb, he attempted bringing what- He tried an experimental flap- ever on the alien passed for hands ping. The pair of wings—white before his face. and stiff like starched tissue Sometimes aliens had no paper, not veinous as in Earth- hands, nor any comparable or- insects—dissolved in a buzzing ganisms. Then Jerry would have blur of motion. The limb fell to soft-pedal the mental nagging away from under his tiny V- of being “amputated,” an unavoid- shaped feet. And then he was up able carryover from his subcon- above the blinding green blanket scious “wrong-feeling” about arm- of jungle treetops, his shadow lessness. pacing his forward movement But this time the effort moved along the close-packed quilt of up multi-jointed limbs, spindly as wide leaves below. a cat’s whiskers, terminating in a “I’d better be careful,” thought perpetually coiling soft prehensile Jerry. “There may be avian life tip. He tried feeling along his tor- here that considers my species the so to determine its size and shape. piece de resistance of the pteroid But the wormlike tips were tac- set ...” tilely insensitive. Slowing his rapid wingbeat, he Hoping to deduce his shape let himself drop down toward the from his shadow, he inched side- nearest mattress-sized leaf. He ways along the limb on those in- folded his out-thrust feet in mid- adequate-looking two-pronged air and dropped the last few feet toward a blob of yellow sun- inches to a cushiony rest. light nearer the trunk. The silhouette on the branch A SLIGHT shimmer of dizzi- showed him a stubby cigar- •**- ness gripped his mind. shaped torso. Perhaps the “skull” of this crea- “I seem to be a semi-tentacled ture was ill-equipped to ward off

A MATTER OF PROTOCOL 117 the hot rays of the tropic sunlight. creature down near the inner part Lest his brain be fried in its own of the branch, he wondered how casing, Jerry scuttled along the much more time he would be in velvet top of the leaf, and ducked Contact. Subjectively he’d quickly beneath its nearest over- seemed to be enhosted for about lapping companion. The wave of ten minutes. But one of the draw- vertigo passed quickly, there in backs of Contact was the subju- the deep shadow. Under the can- gation of personal time-sense to opy of leaves Jerry crawled back that of the host. Depending on the to a limb near the top of the tree. species he enhosted, the forty- A few feet from where he stood, minute Contact period could be something moved. an eternity, or the blink of an

Jerry turned that way. Another eye . . . creature of the same species was balancing lightly on a green limb IVTOTHING further seemed to ” of wire-thickness, its gaze fixed be occurring. Jerry reluc- steadily toward the jungle floor- tantly withdrew some of his con- ing, as Jerry’s own had been on trol from the insect-mind to see entering the alien body. what would happen.

Watching out for predators? Immediately it inched forward Or for victims? until it was in the same position He could, he knew, pull his con- it had been in when Jerry made sciousness back enough to let the Contact: V-shaped feet forward creature’s own consciousness car- and slightly around the narrow ry it through its daily cycle of eat- branch, eyes fixed upon the ing, avoiding destruction, and the brownish jungle floor, body mo- manifold businesses of being an tionless with folded wings. For ambient creature. But he decided awhile, Jerry tried “listening” to to keep control. It would be easier .its mind, but received no read- to figure out his host’s ecological able thoughts. Only a sense of status in the planet’s natural life- imminence ... Of patience ... Of balance by observing the other waiting . . . one for awhile. It didn’t take long for Jerry to Jerry always felt more com- grow bored with this near-mind- fortable when he was in full con- less outlook. He reassumed full trol. You never knew when an control. Guiding the fragile feet alien might stupidly stumble into carefully along the branch, he a fatality that any intelligent made his way to his fellow watch- mind could easily have avoided. er, and tried out the creature’s Idly, as he watched his fellow communication system. His mind

118 GALAXY Bstrove to activate something on the twists, juts and thrusts of the order of a larynx; the insect’s branch and vine beneath the sun- nervous system received this im- blocking leaves. pulse, changed in inter-species And all at once he realized he translation, as a broad request for was staring at another of his kind. getting a message to its fellow. Its So still had its dull green-brown body responded by lifting the body been that he’d taken it for a multi-jointed “arms” forward. It ripple of bark along a branch. clapped the hard inner surfaces of Carefully, -he looked further on. the “wrists” together so fast that Beyond the small still figure he

they blurred into invisibility as soon located another like it, and the wings had done. then another. Within a short A thin, ratchetty sound came space of time, he had found three

, forth from that hardshell contact. dozen of the insects sitting silent- The other insect looked up in ly around him in a spherical area annoyance, then returned its gaze barely ten feet in diameter. to the ground again. Aural conversation thus obvi- /"|DDLY disconcerted, he once ated, Jerry tried for physical at- more spread his stiff white tention-getting. He reached out a wings and fluttered away through vermiform forelimb-tip and the treetops, careful to avoid tugged urgently at the other in- coming out in direct sunlight this sect’s nearest hind leg. An angry time. movement gave out the unmis- He flew until a resurgence of takeable pantomimic message: giddiness told him he was over- “For pete’s sake, get off my back! straining the creature’s stamina. I’m busyl” The other insect He dropped onto a limb and spread its thin double wings and looked about once more. Within went buzzing off a few trees away, a very short time, he had spotted then settled on a limb there and dozens more of the grasshopper- took up its earthward vigil once things. All were the same, sitting more. in camouflaged silence, steadily “Well, they’re not gregarious, eyeing the ground. that’s for sure,” said Jerry to him- “Damn,” thought Jerry. “They self. “I wish I knew what the hell don’t seem interested in eating, we were waiting for!” mating or fighting. All they want He decided he was sick of to do is sit—sit and wait. But ground-watching, and turned his what are they waiting for?” attention to his immediate vicin- There was, of course, the possi- ity. His gaze wandered along all bility that he’d caught them in an

A MATTER OF PROTOCOL 119 . — —

off-period. If the species were noc- Far below, a shadow detached turnal, then he wouldn’t get any itself slowly from the deeper action from them till after sunset. shadows of the trees, and a form gloomily, That, he realized meant began to emerge into the wan ffl. a re-Contact later on. One way or tered sunlight. It

another, he would have to deter- An all-encompassing lance of mine the functions, capabilities silent white lightning. Contact if and menace— any— of the was over . . . species with regard to the influx of colonists, who would come to Jerry sat up on the couch,

Viridian only if his report pro- angry. He pulled the helmet off nounced it safe. his head as Bob Ryder leaned out

Once again, he let the insect’s the airlock once more. “How’d it mind take over. Again that over- go, sir?” powering feeling of imminence . . “Lousy. I’ll have to re-establish.

He was irritated. It couldn’t Didn’t have time to Learn it suffi- just be looking forward to night- ciently.” A slight expression of fall! There were too many things disappointment on the tech’s face tied in with the imminence feel- made him add, “Don’t tell me you ing: the necessity for quiet, for have the other tape in place al- motionlessness, for careful watch- ready?” ing. “Sorry,” Bob said. “You usually

The more he thought on it, the do a complete Learning in one more had the distinct intuition Contact.”— that it would sit and stare at the “Oh ” Jerry shrugged and soft, mulch-covered jungle floor, reached for the helmet again. be it bright daylight or blackest “Never mind, I’ll take on the gloom, waiting, and waiting, and second alien long as it’s, already waiting . . . set up. I may just have hit the Then, suddenly, the slight feel first one in an off-period. The de- of imminence became almost un- lay in re-Contact may be just bearable apprehension. what I need to catch it in action.” The change in intensity was Settling the helmet snugly on due to a soft, cautious shuffling his head once more, he leaned sound from down in the green- back onto the couch and waited. gold twilight Something was He heard the tech’s feet clanking coming through the jungle. Some- along the metal plates inside the thing that moved on careful feet ship, then the soft clang of an • along the springy, moist brown opening door in the power room, surface below the trees. and

120 GALAXY Whiteness, writhing electric and nothing else? And what was whiteness and cold silence. And the waiting for? he was in Contact. Then he felt the urge within the creature, the urge to scurry arkness, and musky up that ladder into the light. But D warmth. there was, simultaneously, a coun- Then a slot of light appeared, ter-urge in the thing, telling it to

a thin fuzzy line of yellow striped please wait a little longer . . . with spiky green. Jerry had time, Jerry recognized the urge by in the brief flicker, to observe quick anthropomorphosis. It was thick bearlike forelimbs holding the goofy urge. The crazy urge. up a squarish trapdoor fastened Like one gets on the brinks of with cross-twigs for support. Then awesome heights, or on subway the powerful forepaws let the platforms as the train roars in: door drop back into place, and it The impulsive urge to self-de- was dark again. struction, so swiftly frightening

He hadn’t liked those forepaws. and so swiftly suppressed . . . Though thick as and pawed like Yet, it had lifted and dropped a bear’s, they were devoid of that lid too briefly to have seen hair. They had skin thin as a anything outside. Could it be lis- caterpillar’s, a mottled pink with tening for something? Carefully, sick-looking areas of deathly he relinquished his control of the white. beast, fraction by fraction, to see Skin like that would be a push- what it would do. over to actinic rays for any long It rose on tiptoe at once, and exposure. Probably the thing again lifted that earthen door. lived underground here, almost It squinted at the profusion of permanently. His eyes had de- green-yellow sunlight that stung tected a rude assortment of thick its eyes. Then it rose on powerful wooden limbs curving in and out hind limbs and clambered just at regular intervals in the vertical high enough on that “ladder” to wall of soil that was the end of see over the grassy rim of the this tunnel, just below the trap- trapdoor-hole. Jerry then heard door. Tree roots. But formed, by the soft shuffling sound that had some odd natural quirk, into a re-alerted it, and saw the source. utile ladder. Out on the matted brown But why had the thing peered jungle flooring, beneath the tow- out, then dropped the door to ering trees, another of the bear- wait? Did every species on this things was moving forward from planet hang around expectantly an open turf-door, emitting low,

A MATTER OF PROTOCOL 121

whimpering snorts as it inched mingled with the effluvium of the along through the dappling yellow gourd itself. The odor was both sunlight. noisome and compelling, power-

Obviously it was following that ful as a bushel of rotting roses. It manic-destruction impulse that he sickened as it lured, teased the just felt and managed to suppress. nostrils as it cloyed within the It must have been almost a hun- lungs. dred degrees out there. And the To this dangling obscenity the damned thing was shivering. bear-thing moved. Its eyes were no longer afraid, but glazed and TTERE and there, Jerry noticed dulled by the strength of that suddenly, other half-opened musky lure. Its movements were trapdoors were framing other fluid and trancelike. bear-things’ heads. The air was It arose on sturdy hind limbs taut with electric tension, the ten- and struck at the gourd with a sion of a slow trigger-squeeze that gentle paw, sending it jouncing to moves millimeter by millimeter one side on its long green vine. As toward the instant explosion . . . it bobbed back, the creature The soft shuffling sounds of the struck it off in the opposite direc- animal’s movement jogged Jerry’s tion with a sharper blow. memory then, and he knew it for Jerry watched in fascination. the sound he had heard when en- The gourd swung faster; the hosted in the grasshopper-thing. mottled pink-white alien creature Was a bear-thing what they’d swayed and wove its forelimbs been waiting in the trees so and thick body in a ritual dance silently for? And what would be matching the tempo of the arcing the culmination of that vigil? gourd. Then the bear-thing he was in Then Jerry noted that the vine Contact with hitched itself up was unlike earth-vines which another root-rung. Jerry saw the parasitically employ treetops as thing toward which the quaking their unwilling trellises. It is a creature was headed, in a limp extension of the tip of a tree hunched crawl, its whimpers more branch itself. So were all the anguished by the moment. other vines in that green matting Pendant in the green gloaming, overhead. about four feet above the spongy brown jungle floor, hung a thick A RIPPING sound yanked his yellow-gray gourd at the tip of a gaze back to the dazed crea- long vine. Its sides glittered stick- ture and the gourd again. ily with condensed moisture that A ragged tear had riven the

A MATTER OF PROTOCOL 123 — I

side of the gourd. Tiny coils of thing itself was no longer recog- green were dribbling out in nizable, its flesh a myriad egg-like batches, like watchsprings spilled white lumps. It swayed in agony from a paper bag. They struck for a moment, then toppled. with a bounce and wriggle on the Instantly the other creatures resilient brown mulch. And then, his host with them—were racing as they straightened themselves, forward to the site of the encoun- Jerry knew them for what they ter. Jerry felt his host’s long gum- were: Miniature versions of the my tongue flick out and snare one grasshopper-things, shaped pre- —just one—of the dead adult in- cisely like the adults, but only a sects. It was ingested whole by a third as large. deft backflip of tongue to gullet. The bear-thing’s movements As his host turned tail and scur- had gone from graceful fluidity to ried for the tunnel once more, frenzy now. A loud whistle of Jerry swiftly took control again, fright escaped it as the last of the and halted it to observe any fur- twitching green things flopped ther developments. from its vegetable coccoon, whirred white wings to dry them "t' ACH of the other things, after and flew off. a one-insect gulp, was just And the lumbering creature vanishing back underground. The had reason for its fright. turf-tops were dropping neatly in- The instant the last coil of to almost undetectable place hid- wiggly green life was a vanishing ing the tunnels. The sunlight blur in the green shadows, a cloud nipped at his pale flesh, but Jerry of darker green descended upon held off from a return to the un- the pink form of the beast from derground sanctuary, still watch- the trees. ing that lump-covered corpse on

The grasshopper-things were the earth. Then . . . waiting no longer. Thousands The vine, its burden gone, be- swarmed on the writhing form, gan to drip a thick ichor from its until the bear-thing was a lumpy ragged end upon the dead animal

green parody of itself. beneath it. As quickly as the cloud had And as the ichor touched upon plunged and clustered, it fell a white lump, the lump would away. The earth was teeming swell, wriggle, and change color. with the flip-flopping forms of dy- Jerry watched with awe as the ing insects, white wings going color became a mottled pink, and dark brown and curling like cello- the surface of the lumps cracked phane in open flame. The bear- and shriveled away, and tiny

124 GALAXY forms plopped out onto the And the trees, under the on- ground: miniature bear-things, slaught of another bear-thing on a tiny throats emitting eager dangling pod, would produce new mouse-squeaks of hunger. insects, then drip its ichor to fer- They rushed upon the body in tilize the eggs in the newly dead

which they’d been so violently in- bear-thing . . . cubated and swiftly, systematic- Jerry found his mind tangling

ally devoured it, blood, bone and as he attempted a better pinpoint- sinew. ing of the plant-animal-insect re- And when not even a memory lationship. A dead adult insect, of the dead beast was left upon plus a trip through a bear-thing’s the soil, the tiny pink-white alimentary canal, produced a tree. things began to burrow downward A tree-pod, with the swatting into the ground. Soon there was stimulus of a bear-thing’s paws, nothing left in the area but a gave birth to new insects. And in- dried fragment of vine, a few sect eggs in animal flesh, stimu- loose mounds of soil and a vast lated by the tree-ichor, gestated silence. swiftly into young animals . . . “I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!” said That meant, simply, that insect

Jerry . . . forgetting in his excite- plus bear equals tree, tree plus ment that this phrase was nearly bear equals insect, and insect plus a concise parody of the Space tree equals bear. With three sys- Zoologists’ final oath of duty, and tems, each relied on the non-inclu- kiddingly used as such by the sive member for the breeding- older members of the group. ground. Insect-plus-ichor produced The whole damned planet was small animals in the animal flesh. symbiotic! After witnessing those Dead-insect-plus-bear produced alien life-death rites, it didn’t take tree in the tree-flesh (if one con- him long to figure out the screw- sidered dead tree leaves and bark ball connections between the spe- and such as the makeup of the cies. Insects, once born of vine- soil.) Bear-swats-plus-tree pro- gourds and fully grown, then duced insects . . . “Damn,” said propagated their species by a Jerry to himself, “but not in the strange means: laying bear-eggs insect-flesh. The thing won’t .” in a bear-thing and dying. And round off . . dying, eaten by the surviving He tried again, thinking hard. bears, they turned to seeds which In effect, the trees were parents —left in the tunnels by the bear- to the insects, insects parents to things as droppings— in turn took the bears, and bears parents to root and became trees. the trees . . . Though in another

A MATTER OF PROTOCOL 125 sense, bear-flesh gave birth to new Bob decided that Jerry—run- bears, digested insects gave birth ning pretty true to form for a (through the tree-medium) to Space Zoologist—wasn’t in a par- new insects, and trees (through ticularly talkative mood, so he the insect-medium) gave birth to had to satisfy himself with wait- new trees . . . ing for the transcription of the Jerry’s head spun pleasantly as Contact to get the details. he tried vainly to solve the confu- Later that day, an hour after sion. Men of science, he realized, takeoff, with Viridian already would spend decades trying to vanished behind them as the figure out which species were re- great ship plowed through hyper- sponsible for which. It made the space toward Earth and home, ancient chicken-or-egg question Bob finished reading the report. beneath consideration. And a lot Then he went down the passage- of diehard evolutionists were go- way to the ward room for coffee. ing to be bedded down with Jerry was seated there already. severe migraines when his report Bob, quickly filling a mug from went into circulation . . . the polished percolator, slid into A dazzle of silent lightning, and a seat across the table from his Contact was over. superior and asked the question that had been bugging him since 66TJEADY with that first tape seeing the report. again,” Bob Ryder said as “Sir— on that second Contact. Jerry removed the Contact hel- Has it occurred to you that you’d met and brushed his snow-white relinquished control to the host hair back from his tanned, youth.- before you saw that other crea- ful face. “Or do you want a ture move out and start swatting breather first?” the gourd-thing?” Jerry shook his head. “I won’t “You mean was I taking a need to re-Contact that other spe- chance on being destroyed in the cies, Ensign. I got its life-relation host if the creature I was Contact- ships from the second Contact.” ing gave in to the urge to do the “Really, sir?” said Bob. “That’s swatting?” pretty unusual, isn’t it?” “Yes, sir,” said Bob. “I mean, I “The whole damned planet’s know you can take control any unusual,” said Jerry, rising from time, if things get dangerous. But his supine position and stretching wasn’t that cutting it kind of luxuriously in the warm jungle thin?” air. “You’ll see what I mean when Jerry shook his head and sip- you process the second tape.” ped his coffee. “Wrong urge, En-

126 GALAXY ” ”

sign. You’ll note I recognized it egg-hatching rate and growth rate, as the goofy urge, the impulse to those trees must mature in growth die followed instantly by a vio- in about a month. And we man- lent surge of self-preservation. It aged to shrivel a half dozen vines wasn’t the death-wish at all. My- with our rocket fires when we self and the creatures who re- landed, and probably that many ” mained safely at the tunnel- again when we blasted off ... mouths had a milder form of what “We dropped CO2 bombs after was affecting the creature that did we cleared the trees,” offered the start swatting the gourd.” tech, uneasily. “The fire was out “Then what was the difference, in seconds.” sir? Why did that one particular “That wouldn’t help an al- creature get the full self-destruc- ready-shriveled vine, though, now tion urge and no other?” would it!” sighed Jerry. “And if Jerry wrinkled his face in my hunch about protocol is cor- thought. “I wish I didn’t suspect rect— the answer to that, Ensign. The “The life-cycle would inter- only thing I hope it isn’t is the rupt?” gasped the tech. thing I have the strongest inkling “We’ll see,” said Jerry. “It’ll it is: Rotation. Something in their take us a month to get back, and biology has set them up in a cer- there’ll be another six months be- tain order for destruction. And fore the first wave of engineers is that rite I saw performed was so sent to begin the homesteads and un-animal, so formalized— industry sites We’ll see. Ensign.” Bob’s eyes widened as he caught the inference. “You think TT took two months for the engi- they have an inbuilt protocol? neers to go out and return. That if one particular creature They hadn’t landed. A few or- missed its cue, somehow, the bits about the planet had shown designated subsequent creature them nothing but a vast dead ball would simply wait forever, never of dust and rotted vegetation, jumping its turn?” totally unfit for human habitation. “That’s what I mean,” nodded They brought back photographs Jerry. “I hope I’m wrong.” taken of the dead planet that no “But the right creature made longer deserved the name it had it,” said Bob, blinking. “We can’t rated in life. have upset the ecology, can we?” But Jerry Norcriss, Space Zool- “Things develop fast on Viridi- ogist, made it a special point to an,” mused Jerry. “If I figure the avoid looking at any of them. time-relationship between their — JACK SHARKEY

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Doctors hear everyone's secrets. WW7TIEN Dr. Rhine Cooperstock ” was put under my care I Sometimes they're not pleasant — was enlarged with pride. Dr. the worst be their own! and may Cooperstock was a hero to me. I don’t mean a George Washington, By FREDERIK POHL all virtue and no fire, I mean he was a dragon killer. He had carried human knowledge far into the tiny spaces of an atomic THREE nucleus. He was a very great man. And I was his doctor and he was dying. PORTRAITS Dr. Cooperstock was dying in the finest suite in the Morgan Pavilion and with all the best AND doctors. (I am not modest.) We couldn’t keep him alive for more than a matter of months, and we A couldn’t cure him at all. But we could make him comfortable. If round-the-clock nurses and color PRAYER television constitute comfort. I don’t ask you to understand technical medical terms. He was an old man, his blood vessels de- teriorating, and clots formed, impeding the circulation. One day a clot would form in heart, brain or lungs and he would die. If it was in the lung it would be pain- ful and slow. In the heart, painful and fast. In the brain most pain- ful of all, but so fast that it would be a mercy. Meanwhile we fed him heparin and sometimes coumarol and attempted by massages and heat

THREE PORTRAITS AND A PRAYER 129 and diet to stave off the end. Pavilion; I know, because i Although, in fact, he was all but counted them after he left. That dead anyway, so little freedom of would have been enough for sui- movement we allowed him. cide, if they had not been aspirin. “Martin, the leg hurts. You’d I suppose he would have stopped better leave a pill,” he would say there, perhaps beginning to take to me once or twice a week, and a few, now and then, both to keep I would hesitate. “I don’t know me from getting suspicious and if I can make it to the bathroom for the relief of the real pain he tonight, Martin,” he would say, his must have felt. But he did leave. tone cheerfully resigned. Then he Nan Halloran came and got him. would call for the bedpan while She invaded the Pavilion like I was there, or mention casually a queen. Expensive, celebrated that some invisible wrinkle in the hospital, we were used to the sheet caused him pain and stand famous; but this was Nan Hallor- by bravely while the bed was re- an, blue-eyed, black-haired, a face made, and say at last, self-de- like a lovely child and a voice like precating, “I think I will need that the sway of hips. She was a most pill, Martin.” So I would allow remarkable woman. I called her myself to be persuaded and let a queen, but she was not that, she him have a red-and-white capsule was a goddess, virgin and fertile. and in the morning it would be I speak subjectively, of course, gone. I never told him that they for in medical fact she was surely contained only aspirin and he not one and may not have been never admitted to me that he did either. She breezed into the room, not take the pills at all but was wrinkling her nose. “Coopie,” she

laboriously building up a hoard said, “What is that awful smell? against the day when the pain Will you do me a favor, dear? I would be really serious and he need it very much.” would take them all at once. You would not think that a Dr. Cooperstock knew the leth- man like Dr. Cooperstock would al dose as well as I did. As he have much to do with a television knew the names of all his veins star; but he knew her; years be- and arteries and the chemistry of fore, when he was still teaching his disease. A man like Rhine sometimes, she had somehow Cooperstock, even at seventy, can wandered into his class. “Hello, learn enough medicine for that in Nan,” he said, looking quite as- a week. * tonished and pleased. “I’ll do any- He acquired eleven of the little thing I can for you, of course. capsules in one month at the That smell,” he apologized, touch-

130 GALAXY ing the leg with its bright spots ulations. Death. Lack of proper of color and degenerated tissues, engineering! Did you ever think “is me.” of any of those things? And “Poor Coopie.” She looked they’re only a beginning.” around at me and smiled. Al- “If you’re going to make objec- though I am fat and not attractive tions we’ll be here all day, darling. and know in my heart that, what- As far as security is concerned,” ever long-term wonders I may she said, “this is for the peaceful work with the brilliance of my use of atomic power, isn’t it? I mind and the cleverness of my promise you that Wayne has speech, no woman will ever lust enough friends in the Senate that for me on sight, I tingled. I looked there will be no problem. And the away. She said sweetly, “It’s about engineering’s all right, because that fusion power thing, Coopie. Wayne has all those people al- You know Wayne Donner, of ready, of course. This isn’t any course? He and I are good little Manhattan Project, honey. friends. He has these utility com- Wayne spends money.” pany interests, and he wants to Dr. Cooperstock shook his head convert them to fusion power, and and, although he was smiling, he I told him you were the only man was interested, too. “What about who could help him.” death, Nan?” he said gently. Dr. Cooperstock began to “Oh, I know, Coopie. It’s ter- laugh, and laughed until he was rible. But you can’t lick this choking and gagging. I laughed thing. So won’t you do it for me? too, although I think that in all Wayne only needs you for a few the world Dr. Cooperstock and I weeks and he already talked to must be two of the very few men some doctors. They said it would who would laugh at the name of be all right.” Wayne Donner. “Nan,” he said “Miss Halloran,” I said. I admit when he could, “you’re amazing.. I was furious. “Dr. Cooperstock is It’s utterly impossible, I’m afraid.” my patient. As long as that is so, I will decide what is or is not all CHE sat on the edge of his bed right.” ^ with a rustle of petticoats. She She looked at me again, sweetly had lovely legs. “Oh, did that hurt and attentively. you? But I didn’t even touch your I have now and had then no leg, dear. Would you please get doubt at all; I was absolutely up and come now, because the right in my position. Yet I felt as driver’s waiting?” though I had committed the act “Nan!” he cried. “Security reg- of a clumsy fool. She was clean

THREE PORTRAITS AND APRAYER 131 and lovely, her neck so slim that was so, that she probably had a the dress she wore seemed too cab waiting and a cab would not large for her, like an adorable do to transport a man as sick as

child’s. She was no child , I knew Dr. Cooperstock. But she had that she had had a hundred been more sure of herself than lovers because everyone knows that. The driver who was waiting that, even doctors who are fat and was at the wheel of a private a little ugly and take it all out in ambulance. intelligence. Yet she possessed an innocence I could not withstand. A TIME cover, I wanted to take her sweetly by attributed to Artzybasheff, the hand and shelter her, and with mosaic of dollar signs. walk with her beside a brook and then that night crush her and T DID not again hear of Dr. caress her again and again with Cooperstock for five weeks. such violence and snorting pas- Then I was telephoned to come sion that she would Awaken and and get him, for he was ready to then, with growing abandon, Re- return to the Pavilion to die. It spond. I did know it was all fool- was Wayne Donner himself who ishness. I did. But when she called me. mentioned the names of five or six I agreed to come to one of doctors on Donner’s payroll who Donner’s New York offices to would care for Dr. Cooperstock meet him, for in truth I was curi- and suggested like a child that ous. I knew all about him, of with them in charge it would course — rather, I knew as much really be all right, I agreed. I even as he wished anyone to know. I apologized. Truth to tell, they have seen enough of the world’s were excellent men, those doctors. household names in the Pavilion But if she had named six chiro- to know what their public rela- practors and an unfrocked abor- tions men can do. The facts that tionist I still would have shrugged were on record about Wayne and shuffled and stammered, “Oh, Donner were that he was very well, I suppose, Miss Halloran, rich. He had gone from a lucky yes, it will be all right.” strike in oil and the twenty-seven So we called the nurses in and and a half per cent depletion al- very carefully dressed the old lowance to aluminum. And thence man and wheeled him out into the to electric power. He was almost hall. I said something else that the wealthiest man in the world, was foolish in the elevator. I said, and I know his secret. because I had assumed that it He could afford anything, any-

132 GALAXY thing at all, because he had in gilt in his waiting room. I won- schooled himself to purchase only dered how many of his visitors bargains. For example, I knew understood the message. For that that he was Nan Halloran’s lover matter I wondered how many

and, although I do not know her needed it. price, I know that it was what he When I was admitted, Dr. was willing to pay. Otherwise he Cooperstock was on a relaxing would have given her that thin, couch. “Hello, Martin,” he said bright smile that meant the parley over the little drone of its motor. was over, there would be no con- “This is Wayne Donner. Dr. tract signed that day, and gone on Finneman. Dr. Grace.” to another incredible beauty more I shook hands with the doctors modest in her bargaining. Donner first, pettishly enough but I felt allowed himself to want only what obliged to show where I stood, he could get. I think he was the and then with Donner. He .was only terrible man I have ever very courteous. He had discov- seen. And he had nearly been ered what bargains could be President of the United States! bought with that coin too. He Except that Governor Hewlett of said, “Dr. Finneman here has a Ohio spoke so honestly and so good deal of respect for you, Doc- truthfully about him in the pri- tor. I’m sure you’re well placed at maries that not all of Donner’s the Pavilion. But if you ever con- newspapers could get him the sider leaving I’d like to talk to vote; what was terrible was not you.” that he then destroyed Hewlett, I thanked him and refused. I but that Hewlett was not de- was flattered, though. I thought stroyed for revenge. Donner of how his fusion-power nonsense hated too deeply to be satisfied might have killed Dr. Cooperstock with revenge, I think; he was too before he was ready to die, and contemptuous of his enemies to I thought of him with Nan Hallor- trouble to crush them. He would an, sweat on that perfect face. And not give them that satisfaction. I am not impressed by money. Hewlett was blotted out only in- Yet I was flattered that he cidentally. Because Donner’s would take the trouble and time, papers had built the campaign and God knows how much an against him to such a pitch that hour of his time was worth, to it was actually selling papers, and himself offer me a job. I was flat- thus it was profitable to go on to tered even though I knew that the ruin the man. When I saw Donner courtesy was for his benefit, not he had Hewlett’s picture framed mine. He wanted the best he

THREE PORTRAITS AND APRAYER 133 chose to afford — in the way of a sides,” he said strongly, “you doctor, in my case, but the best know I’ve always opposed this of anything else too. If he hired a fetish of security. Think of Oppen- gardener he would want the man heimer, not allowed to read his to be a very good gardener. Aware own papers! Think of the waste, as he was of the dignities assumed the same work done in a dozen by a professional man, he had different places, because in Irku- budgeted the time to give me a tsk they aren’t allowed to know personal invitation instead of let- what’s going on in Denver and in ting his housekeeper or general Omaha somebody forgot to tell manager attend to it. It was only them.” another installment of expense he “Think of Wayne Donner with chose to afford and yet I was glad all the power in the world,” I said. to get out of there. I was almost He said, “I guess Nan hit you afraid I would reconsider and say harder than I thought, to make yes, and I hated that man very you so mad.” much. Although I watched the papers I did not see anything about con- TV7HEN we got Dr. Cooperstock verting Donner’s power stations ” back and bedded and to fusion energy. In fact, I didn’t checked over I examined the rec- see much of Donner’s name at all, ords Dr. Finneman had sent. He which caused me to wonder. Nor- had furnished complete tests and mally he would have been spotted a politely guarded prognosis, and in the Stork or cruising off Bimini of course he was right; Cooper- or in some other way photo- stock was sinking, but not fast; he graphed and written about a was good for another month or couple of times a week. His pub- two with luck. I told him as much, licity men must have been labor- snappishly. “Don’t be angry with ing extra hard. me, Martin,” he said, “you’d have Nan Halloran came to see Dr. done the same thing for Nan if Cooperstock but I did not join she asked you.” them. I spent my time with him “Probably, but I’m not dying.” when there was no one else, after “Don’t be vulgar, Martin.” my evening rounds. Sometimes “I’m not a nuclear physicist, we played cards but more often I either.” listened to him talk. The physics “It’s only to make a few dollars of the atomic nucleus was poetry for the man, Martin. Heavens. when he talked of it. He told me What difference can another bil- about Gamow’s primordial atom lion or two make to Donner? Be- from which all the stars and dust

134 GALAXY clouds had exploded. He ex- would not be for long. Any night plained Fred Hoyle to me, and I expected the call from his nurses, Heisenberg. But he was tiring and we would not be able to save early now. him again. Behind the drawer of his night Then I was called to my office. table, in a used cigarette package I was lecturing to fourth-year men thumbtacked to the wood, his when the annunciator spoke my store of red-and-white capsules name; and when I got to my of- was growing again. They were fice Governor Hewlett was there. still aspirin. But I think I would “I need to see Dr. Cooper- not have denied him the real stock,” he said. “I’m afraid it may thing if he had known the decep- excite him. The resident thought tion and asked. We took off two you should be present.” toes in March and it was only a I said, “I suppose you know miracle that we saved the leg. that any shock may kill him. I

hope it’s important.” By Gilbert Stuart. “It is important. Yes.” The His late period. Governor limped ahead of me to Size 9’ x 5’; heroic. the elevator, his bald head gleam- ing, smiling at the nurses with his IN THE beginning of May bad teeth and his wonderful eyes. newspaper stories again began Dr. Cooperstock was a hero to to appear about Donner, but I me. Governor Hewlett was some- could not understand them. The thing less, perhaps a saint or a stories were datelined Washing- martyr. He was what St. George ton. Donner was reported in top- would have been if in the battle level conferences, deeply classi- he had been killed as well as the fied. There were no leaks, no one dragon; Hewlett had spent himself knew what the talks were about. against Donner in the campaign But the presidential press secre- and now he lingered on to serve tary was irritable with the re- out his punishment for his daring, porters who asked questions, and the weasels always chipping away the cabinet members were either at him, a constant witness before visibly worried or visibly under commissions and committees with orders to keep their mouths shut. slanders thick in the air, a subject And worried. I showed one or two for jokes and political cartoons. A of the stories to Dr. Cooperstock, few senators and others of his own but he was too tired to guess at party still listened to him, but implications. they could not save him from the He was hanging on, but it committees.

THREE PORTRAITS AND A PRAYER 135 The Governor did not waste work more easily. “At least, J words. “Dr. Cooperstock, what don’t think I did. It was only a have you done? What is Wayne commercial matter. You see Donner up to?” Governor, I have never believed Cooperstock had been dozing. in over-classification. Knowledge Elaborately he sat up. “I don’t should be free. The basic ” ” see, sir, that it is — theory — “Will you answer me, please? “Donner doesn’t intend to I’m afraid this is quite serious. make it free, Dr. Cooperstock, he The Secretary of Defense, who plans to keep it for himself. was with me in the House fifteen Please tell me what you know.” years ago, told me something I did not suspect. Do you know that 46TW7ELL, it’s fusion power,” he may be asked to resign and " Cooperstock said. that Wayne Donner may get his “The hydrogen bomb?” job?” “Oh, for God’s sake, Governor! Dr. Cooperstock said angrily, It is fusion of hydrogen, yes, but “That’s nonsense. Donner’s just a not in any sense a bomb. The self- businesman now. Anyway, what supporting reaction takes place ” conceivable difference can — in a magnetic bottle. It will not

“It makes a difference, Dr. explode, even if the bottle fails;

Cooperstock, because the rest of you would have to coax it to make the cabinet is to be changed it blow up. Only heat comes out, around at the same time. Every with which Donner is going to post of importance is to go to a drive steam generators, perfectly man of Donner’s. You recall that normal. I assure you there is no he wanted to be President. Per- danger of accident.” haps this time he does not want “I was not thinking of an acci- to bother with a vote. What dent,” said the Governor after a weapon have you given him to moment. make him so strong, Dr. Cooper- “Well — In that event — I stock?” mean, it is true,” said Cooperstock “Weapon? Weapon?” Cooper- with some difficulty, “that, yes, as stock stopped and began to gasp, the reactor is set up, it would be lying back on his pillow, but he possible to remove the safeguards. thrust me away when I came to This is only the pilot model. The him. “I didn’t give him any weap- thing could be done.” on,” he said thoughtfully, after “By remote control, as I under- staring at the Governor’s face for stand,” said Hewlett wearily. a moment, forcing his lungs to “And in that event each of Don-

136 GALAXY ner’s power stations would be- “Surely the government can come a hydrogen bomb. Did you handle — ” know that he has twenty-four of “Doctor,” he said, “I apologize them under construction, all over for troubling you with my reflec- the nation?’ tions, I’ve not much chance to Cooperstock said indignantly. talk them out with anyone, but I “He could not possibly have assure you I have thought of twenty-four installations com- everything the government can pleted in this time. I can hardly do. Donner has eight oil senators believe he has even one! In the in his pocket, you know. They New York plant on the river we would be delighted to filibuster designed only the fusion chamber any legislation. For more direct itself. The hardware involved in action, I’m afraid we can’t get generating power will take what we need without a greater months.” risk than I can lightly contem- “But I don’t think he bothered plate. Donner has threatened to with the hardware for generating blow up every city of over eight power, you see,” said the Gov- hundred thousand, you see. I now ernor. find that this threat is not empty. Dr. Cooperstock began to gasp Thank you, Doctor,” he said, again. The Governor sat watching getting up. “I hope I haven’t dis- him for a moment, his face sag- tressed your patient as much as ging with a painful fatigue, and he has distressed me.” then he roused himself and said He limped to the door, shook at last, “Well, you shouldn’t have hands and was gone. done this, Dr. Cooperstock, but Half an hour later it was time God bless you, you’re a great man. for my rounds. I had spent the We all owe you a debt. Only we’ll time sitting, doing nothing, almost have to do something about this not even thinking. now.” But I managed to go around, In my office the Governor took and then Dr. Cooperstock’s nurse me aside. “I am sorry to have dis- signaled me. He had asked her to turbed your patient. But it was phone Nan Halloran for him, and important, as you see.” should she do it? There was a “Donner is a terrible man.” message: “I have something else “Yes, I think that describes for Wayne.” him. Well. It’s all up to us now,” said the Governor, looking very ¥ FOUND that puzzling but, as gray. “I confess I don’t know what you will understand, I was in we can do.” an emotionally numb state; it was

THREE PORTRAITS AND APRAYER 137 difficult to guess at what it meant. a man like other men, Martin I told the nurse she could trans- And really he’s not so young, even mit the message. But when Nan with all the treatments. What Halloran arrived, an hour or two would you give him, with all his later, I waited in the hall outside treatments? Twenty more years Dr. Cooperstock’s room until she tops?” came out. “A dictatorship even for twenty “Why, Doctor,” she said, look- minutes is an evil thing, Miss ing very lovely. Halloran,” I said, wondering if j I took her by the arm. It was had always sounded so complete- the first time I had touched that ly pompous. flesh, we had not even shaken “Oh, but bad words don’t make hands before; I took her to my bad things. Sakes! Think what office. She seemed eager to go they could call me, dear! Donner’s along with me. She asked no only throwing his weight around, questions. and doesn’t everyone? As much In the office, the door closed, I weight as he has?” was extremely conscious of being “Treason — ” I began, but she alone in a room with her. She hardly let me get even the one knew that, of course. She took a word out. cigarette out of her purse, sat “No bad words, Martin. You’d down and crossed her legs. Gal- be astonished if you knew what lant, I stumbled to my desk and wonderful things Wayne wants to found a match to light her ciga- do. It takes a man like him to rette. take care of some problems. He’ll “You’ve been worrying Coopie,” get rid of slums, juvenile delin- .” she said reproachfully. “You and quents, gangsters . . that Hewlett. Can’t he stay out of “Some problems are better not a simple business matter?” solved. Hitler solved the Jewish She surprised me; it was such question in Europe.” a foolish thing to say and she was She said sweetly, “I respect not foolish. I told her very briefly you, Martin. So does Wayne. You what Hewlett had said. No one have no idea how much he and had told me to be silent. She Dr. Cooperstock think of you, and touched my hand, laughing. so do I, so please don’t do any- “Would it make so very much thing impulsive.” difference . . . Martin? (May I?) She walked out the room and Donner’s not a monster.” left it very empty. “I don’t know that.” I felt turgid, drained and a little She said impishly, “I do. He’s bit stupid. I had never wanted

138 GALAXY .

anything as much as I had wanted I went from my office to the her. operating room and I was shaking It was several minutes before as I scrubbed in. I began to wonder why she had It was a splenectomy, but the taken the trouble to entice me in woman was grossly fat, with a a pointless conversation. I knew mild myocarditis that required that Nan Halloran was her own external circulation. It took all of bank account, spent as thriftily my attention, for which I was as Donner’s billions. I wondered grateful. We were five hours in what it was that I had had that the room, but it was successful she was willing to. purchase with and it was not until I was smoking the small change of a few words a cigarette in the little O.R. and a glimpse of her knees and lounge that I began to shake. the scent of her perfume. Twenty-four nuclear bombs in Before I had quite come to twenty-four cities. And of course puzzle the question through, one of them, the one that we knew while I was still regretting I had was ready to go off, was in the had no higher-priced commodity city I was in. I remembered the for her, my phone rang. It was power plant, off in the Hudson Dr. Cooperstock’s nurse, hysteri- River under the bridge, yellow cal. brick and green glass. It was not Nan Halloran’s conversation more than a mile away. had not been pointless. While we And yet I was alive. The city were talking two ambulance at- was not destroyed. There had tendants had come to assist Dr. been no awful blast of heat and Cooperstock into a wheelchair, concussion. and he was gone. I walked into the recovery room to look at the splenectomy. To Whom She was all right, but the nurse all things concern stared at me, so I went back to my office, realizing that I was r\N THE fourth of May Dr. crying. Cooperstock defected and in And Nan Halloran was there the morning of the fifth Governor waiting for me, looking like a Hewlett telephoned me. “He’s not drunken doll. back?” he said, and I said he She pulled herself together as wasn’t, and Hewlett, pausing only I came in. Her lipstick was a second, said, “Well. We can’t smeared, and she shook. “You wait any longer. The Army is win, Martin,” she said, with a moving in.” little laugh. “Who would have

THREE PORTRAITS AND APRAYER 139 thought old Coopie was such a the reaction, of course. It only lion? He gave me something for took a few days; but Donner no you.” longer had days. “I told Wayne,” I poured her a drink. “What said Nan Halloran gravely, drain- happened?” ing her glass, “I told him he “Oh,” said she. She drank the should wait until he had all the whiskey, politely enough, but bombs ready, but he’s — he was showing she needed it. “Coopie — he’s still, but I think not for came to Wayne and made a deal. long, hard-headed. I have to go Politics, he said, is out of my line, now, my plump friend, and I do but you owe me something, I’ve thank you for the drink. I believe helped you, I’ll help you more, they’re going to arrest me.” She only you must promise that re- got up and picked up her white search will be free and well en- gloves, and at the door she paused dowed. He had it very carefully and said, “Did I tell you? I’ve got worked out, the man is a genius.” so many things on my mind. She giggled and held out her Coopie’s dead. He wouldn’t let glass. “Funny. Of course he’s a Wayne’s doctors touch him.” genius. So Wayne took the hook and said it was a deal, what was r I ''HEY did arrest her, of course. Coopie going to do for him next? A But by and by, everything And Coopie offered to show him calming down, they let her go how to convert the power plant to again. She’s even starring in the a different kind of bomb. Neu- movies again, you can see her trons, he said.” So Dr. Cooper- whenever you like. I’ve never stock had taken the billionaire gone. down into the guarded room and, The letter in the envelope was explaining how it was possible to from Dr. Cooperstock and it said: change the type of nuclear re- action from a simple hot explo- I’ve pulled their sion to a cold, killing flood of rays fuses, Martin, for you and the Governor, and if that would leave the city un- it kills me, as you should know it harmed, if dead, he had diverted must, please don’t think that I the hydrogen fuel supply, starved mind dying. Or that I am afraid the reaction and shut off the mag- to live, either. This is not suicide. netic field that contained it. Though I confess that I cannot And then he had told Donner choose between the fear of living all deals were off. in this world and the fear of what

There was nothing hard about may lie beyond it. rebuilding the field and restarting The leg is very bad. You would

140 GALAXY not even let me wear elastic socks, A galaxy twenty billion years old and for the past hour I have been has given me courage. If there was crawling around the inside of no monobloc there can have been

Donner’s stainless-steel plumbing. no God Who made it. I live in the It was really a job for a younger hope of the glorious steady state! man, but I couldn’t find one in It was weak and wicked of me time. to give Donner a gun to point at So I suppose these are my last the world, therefore, and I expect words, and I wish I could make it is fair if I die taking it back; but them meaningful. I expect there it is not to save the world that I do

is a meaning to this. Science, as it but to save my own soul in the one of my predecessors once galaxies yet to be born. For if the said — Teller, was it? — has be- steady state is true there is no end come simpler and more beautiful. to time. And infinity is not

And surely it has become more bounded, in any way. Everything wonderful and strange. If gravity must happen in infinity. Every- itself grows old and thin, so that thing must happen ... an infinity the straggling galaxies themselves of times. weaken as they clutch each other, So Martin, in those times to

it seems somehow a much lesser come, when these atoms that com- thing that we too should grow pose us come together again, un-

feeble. Yet I do hate it. I am able der what cis-Andromedan star I

to bear it at all, indeed, only cannot imagine, we will meet —

through a Hope which I never if there is infinity it is sure — and dared confess even to you, Martin, I can hope. In that day may we before this. be put together more cleanly, When I was young I went to Martin. And may we meet again, church and dreaded dying for the all of us, in shapes of pleasing fear of hellfire. When I was older strength and health, members of

I dreaded nothing; and when I a race that is, I pray, a little wiser was older still I began to dread and more kind. again. The hours, my friends, in which I held imaginary conversa- That was the letter from Dr. tions with the God I denied — Rhine Cooperstock. I folded it proving to Him, Martin, that He away. I called my secretary on did not exist — were endless. And the intercom to tell her that his then, past Jehovah and prophets, suite would now be free for an- I found another God, harsher, other patient; and I went out into more awful and more remote. I the spring day, to the great black could not pray to Him, Creator headlines with Donner’s name of the Big Bang, He Who Came over all the papers and to life Before the Monobloc. But I could the fear Him. that Cooperstock had given back Now I am not afraid of Him. to US all. — KREDERIK POHL,

THREE PORTRAITS AND A PRAYER 141 You too can be a Qurono. All you need do is geoplanct. All you need know is when to stop!

By JIM HARMON Illustrated by RITTER

ARNHART sauntered ing. If he showed fear and grab- right into the middle bed a blaster from the locker he B of them. He covertly could probably control them, watched the crew close in around but he was devastingly aware that him and he never twitched an a captain must never show fear. eyelash. Officers must never pan- “Captain Barnhart,” Simmons, ic, he reminded himself, and man- the mate, drawled politely, “do ipulated the morning sighting on you still plan on making the jump the nearest sun through the Fitz- at 900 thirty?” gerald lens. It was exactly The captain removed his eye- 900:25:30, Galactic Time. glasses and polished the lenses. He jotted the reading in, satis- “Simmons,” he said in comfort- fied. The warm breath tickling ing, confiding tones, “you are well the back of his neck was unnerv- aware that regulations clearly

142 GALAXY state that a spaceship that phases around painted blue when every- in on a star in major trans-spot body was civilly wearing clothes activity is required to re-phase and all. Obviously York was in- within twenty-four hours to avoid capable of thinking for himself being caught in turbulence.” and was willing to do anything “Yes, sir,” Simmons said. “But, Simmons commanded him to do. as I have stated before, it is my It became transparent to Barn- belief that regulation means that hart that they were going to mu- a ship should phase to avoid the tiny to avoid following their duty possibility of being caught in an as clearly outlined in regulations. energy storm. We landed right in Judging from York’s twitching the middle of one. As you are knuckles, they were going to re- aware, sir, if we phase now there sist by strangling him. is an excellent chance we will Barnhart wondered if this was warp right into the sun!” the time to show fear and unlock Barnhart shook his lean, bronze a weapon to defend himself. head wearily. “Simmons, the Ad- York clamped onto him before miralty has gone through this he could decide on the proper thousands of times. Obviously interpretation of the regulations they know our danger is greater and just as his mind settled on by staying where we are. Why, the irresolvable question: If a Ignatz 6Y out there may nova! captain must never show fear, We’ll have to take our chances.” why was he given the key to a “No, sir.” Simmons thrust his hand weapons locker to use when pale, blue-veined jaw at him, his in fear of his life? light eyes Nordicly cold below a blond cropping. “The storm spots ¥> ARNHART gazed around the are dying down. We aren’t phas- purple clearing with clouded ing yet.” eyes. He trembled in near trau- Barnhart drew himself up and matic shook. It was almost too looked down at the mate. Behind much to bear. Simmons, York moved closer. Regulations clearly stated that The captain was suddenly aware no officer was to be marooned on of York’s low forehead and mus- a .9 Earth-type planet at fourteen- cular, free-swinging arms. It was forty Galactic Time, early even- probably sheer bias, but he had ing local. frequently entertained the idea Or (he brushed at his fore- that Englishmen were closer to head) he was damned certain our apelike ancestor than most they at least strongly implied it. people . . . the way they ran But fear was such a foreign ele-

ALWAYS A QURONO 143 ment to his daily routine he dis- coffee and the native chronoped;

carded it. each afternoon while Barnhart The scene took him back to laid down for a nap and the other his boyhood. xenogutted; and of course before He sorted out the survival retiring while Barnhart brushed supplies, lifting even the portable his teeth and the alien did his nuclear generator effortlessly un- regular stint of geoplancting. der the .67 gravity, and remem- The captain sat about arrang- bered how he used to go camping ing living quarters on the planet. regularly every month when he The crew of the Quincey had pro- was a Boy Scout. He had been a vided him with every necessity bookish child, too obsessed with except communications gear. Still reading, they told him. So he had he was confident he would find put himself on a regular schedule a way back and see that Simmons for play. Still, it never seemed to and the rest got the punishment make people like him much clearly called for in Regulation better. After he established his C-79, Clause II. routine he didn’t try to change This driving need to have the it — he probably couldn’t make regulation obeyed was as close as things better and he certainly he could get to anger. couldn’t stand them any worse. His lot was a rough and primi- Barnhart paused in his labors tive one, but he sat down to doing and stripped off his soaked uni- the best with things that he could. form shirt, deciding to break out Using the nuclear reactor, he his fatigues. As the wet sleeve synthesized a crude seven-room turned wrong side out he noticed cottage. He employed an unortho- his wristwatch showed fifteen dox three-story architecture. This hundred hours. gave him a kind of observation As usual he fetched his tooth- tower from which he could watch brush from the personals kit and to see if the natives started to get started to scrub his teeth. restless. Traditionally, this would his first This was when he saw be a bad sign. qurono in the act of geoplancting. Humming to himself, he was It a deeply disturbing exper- idly adding some rococo work ience. around the front door when thir- teen-hundred-thirty came up and DARNHART and the lank, he stopped for his nap. At the slick-bodied alien ignored edge of the now somewhat larger each other every morning while clearing the alien was xenogutting the marooned captain had his in the indigo shadows of a droop-

144 GALAXY ing bush-tree. Since he hadn’t square, so he supposed the houses furnished the house yet, Barnhart were 33.3+ feet tall. stretched out on the grass. Sud- At the end of the single packed, denly he sat upright and shot a violet-earthed street facing up glance at the alien. Could this sort the road was a large sign of some of thing be regarded as restless unidentifiable metal bearing the activity? legend in standard Galactic: He was safe so long as the aliens maintained their regular THIS IS A VILLAGE OF routine but if they started to de- QURONOS viate from it he was in trouble. He tossed around on the velvet Barnhart received the informa- blades for some minutes. tion unenthusiastically. He had He got to his feet. never before encountered the The nap would have to be by- term. The sign might as well have passed. As much as he resented told him the place was a town of the intrusion on his regular rou- jabberwockies. tine he would have to find some The single scarlet sun with its other natives. He had to know if corona of spectrum frost was all the aliens on the planet drawing low on the forest-covered xenogutted each afternoon as he horizon. Barnhart, dry of mouth was having his nap. and sore of foot, had not encoun- The though crossed his mind tered yet a single one of the hun- that he might not wake up some dred inhabitants. He had missed afternoon if his presence was his nap and his dinner, and now causing the aliens to deviate (he ran his tongue over his thick- dangerously from their norm. feeling teeth) he was about to miss his nightly brushing of his rT, HE most unnerving thing teeth. He had taken only a mini- about the village was that mum survival kit with him — there were exactly ten houses and which did not include a smaller precisely one hundred inhabit- personals kit. ants. Each house was 33.3+ feet His wristwatch, still on good, on a side. The surfaces were hand- reliable ship’s time, recorded hewn planking or flat-sided logs. nearly fifteen hundred hours There were four openings: each straight up. His body chemistry opposing two were alternately was still operating on the Cap- one foot and an alarming ten feet tain’s Shift, whereby he spent part high. Barnhart couldn’t see the of the time with both the day and roof. The buildings appeared night shifts. It was nearly time

ALWAYS A QURONO 145 for him to go to bed. Fortunately Barnhart was not used to being it was almost night on the planet. ignored. He was searching out his port- It was certainly not a part of able force field projector from his normal routine. Often in his some loose coins and keys when life he had been scorned and the one hundred quronos came ridiculed. Later, when he earned out of their houses and began a captaincy in the exploration geoplancting. service, the men around him had to at least make a show of respect Fifth Day Marooned and paying attention to him. Be- The Journal of ing ignored was a new experience Captain T. P. Barnhart, Late of for him. While it was a strange the U.C.S. Quincey thing to say of an explorer, Barn-

It becomes apparent that 1 hart didn’t particularly like new may never leave alive this planet experiences ... or rather he only whose name and co-ordinates liked the same kind of new ex- have been kept from me. By rea- periences. son, justice and regulations, the He kicked the wine-colored soil men who put me here must pay in red-faced impotence the first (see formal attached warrant few dozen times quronos went against First Mate O. D. Sim- silently the mons and the remainder of my past him on way to crew). For this reason and in gather fruit from the forest, or

the interest of science I am be- hew logs to keep the buildings in

ginning this journal, to which 1 repairs (which seemed to be a hope to continue contributing constant occupation.) time time, barring sud- from to However, when the twenty-fifth den death. alien shouldered past him the At this writing 1 am in a vil- morning after he first discovered lage of ten houses identified as the village, Barnhart caught him a settlement of quronos. These tall, hairless humanoids have by the shoulder, swung him half performed an intricate series of around and slugged him off his indescribable actions since I feet with a stabbing right cross. first encountered them. My The alien shook his head fog- problem, as is apparent, is to gily a few times and slowly decide whether these actions climbed to his feet. constitute their normal daily Barnhart bit at his under lip. routine or whether 1 have insti- That hadn’t been a wise thing to gated this series of actions. all. If the latter is the case: where do at He should know that

will it all end? unorthodox moves like that led 1700: Fifth day only to certain disaster. He fum-

146 GALAXY bled for his force-field projector, the quronos repairing one of the and with a flush of adrenalin dis- village houses. The native lum- ber seems to be ill-suited to con- covered he had lost it. struction purposes. Several Now, he thought, the alien will times I have noticed logs tear- signal the rest of them. And they, ing themselves free and crawling all one hundred of them (now back into the virgin forest. Due include the one I first does that to the instability of their build- saw in the clearing or not?) they ing materials the aliens are con- will converge on me and — stantly having to repair their The qurono marched off into houses. the forest. In watching the two quronos Everyone was still ignoring at work I observed something Barnhart. highly significant. The humanoids worked smoothly as a team, splitting TJARNHART munched on a and planing down the reluctant listlessly steak sandwich and logs with double-bladed axes. watched the aliens through the Then, putting the lumber in faint haze of the force field. place, they fastened it down He had found the projector with triangular wooden pegs. half stamped into the earth and They pounded these pegs home awkwardly with the flat side of he was testing it. But even a test the axes. was foolish. None of them was The axes are crude and ob- close enough to him to harm him viously indigenous to the cul- with so much as a communicable ture. disease. He might as well quit I view this with considerable roughing it and get back to the alarm. cottage. Obviously any culture that

In the last few days he had had can produce an axe is capable of time to think. He took up his inventing the hammer. journal. The quronos are not using their hammers in front of me. Eighth Day I am producing a change in their routine. I can only suppose that these Where will it actions of the aliens represent end? What are they saving their some kind of religious ritual. hammers for? Again I am presented with the 800: problem of whether these rituals Eighth Day are a part of their normal, daily life, or are they a special series Barnhart had written that just instigated by my presence? before dawn, but as usual the Yesterday I observed two of aliens had continued to ignore

148 GALAXY ' I

him. For all he knew the ritual transmitting a beauty and con- might go on for years — before fusion only a trio of physical sci- they used their hammers. Or entists could solve. whatever they were planning. But there was only one thing It was drawing near time for to do. his nap, but he felt completely Barnhart let down his force wide awake even inside the safety field and went out. of the force field. His throat hurt The human body wasn’t well- and the backs of his legs ached adapted for it but Barnhart did with the waiting, the waiting for his best to join the quronos in the natives to come out and begin xenogutting. xenogutting. Instantly the cry welled up. He wiped his hands together “Master.” and forced a smile. Why should Barnhart stood up and faced he worry what the natives did? the aliens, deeply disturbed. He was completely safe. He could live out his life in im- TTE was even more disturbed mutable security. when, later, he wrote again But this wasn’t his world. No in his journal:

part of it was his . . . or at least only the part he had brought with Ninth day

him. Sanity lay in holding to what “Qurono,” I have learned was left of his own world. But san- from the Leader, is a term refer- ring to a particular type of sub- ity didn’t always mean survival. human android. The synthetic What if he could make the process used in manufacturing quronos’ world his own? these men does not allow them Barnhart wiped at the tiny to develop beyond a certain stings against his face and his point — a built-in safety factor fingertips came away moist with of their creators, I can only sup- beads of perspiration. pose. Thus they were given the The aliens began marching out concept of the axe and have re- , of the houses, in twos from the tained it, but they were able ten-foot doors, singly from the only to devise the idea of using foot-square openings of every the axe to hammer things with and are not capable of thinking other facing wall. of a special hammering tool. It wasn’t his world of fire- With almost complete lack of works-streaked Ohio summers creative ability they are bound hills, this and bold green planet to the same routine, to which cowled with nun-like secrecy, they adhere with an almost re- looking acrid, tasting violet and ligious fanaticism.

ALWAYS A QURONO 149 Since last night I have been before. Or maybe quronos shrank treated as virtually a god. I have when left out in the night air. been given one of their build- “Let’s go someplace where we ings entirely for my own use. can sit down. And, incidentally, 1 find this turn of events ob- ” just call me ‘sir’ or ‘captain.’ solutely surprising. 1 intend to discuss this with the Leader to- “Yes, sir.” day. (Note to any ethnologist Barnhart nodded. He had been who may see these papers: Since expecting: Yes, Master, I will call all quronos are built to the you ‘captain.’ same standards none is superior But the alien didn’t move. He to another. But, recognizing the finally decided that the Leader need for one director, each of thought they could sit on the the one hundred has an alter- nate term as Leader.) ground where they were standing. 900: Ninth day Barnhart squatted. The Leader squatted. Despite the upsetting turn of Before they could speak a muf- events Barnhart decided he was fled explosion vibrated the ground more comfortable in his familiar and Barnhart caught a fleeting role of command. glimpse of an unstable chemical He glanced at his wristwatch rocket tearing jerkily into the and was surprised to note that he maroon sky. had overslept. The time for both “Celebration for my arrival?” breakfast and chronopting was Barnhart asked. past. He made himself ready and “Perhaps so. We are putting the left the building. un-needed ones in status.” The alien was waiting just out- He decided to let that ride for

side the door. He looked as if he the moment. hadn’t moved all night. Yet, “Tell me, why didn’t you rec- Barnhart thought, he seemed a ognize me before I joined you in trifle shorter. your — ritual, Leader?” “Are you the Leader?” Barn- The alien tilted his head. hart asked. “What was there to recognize? “I am the Leader. But you are We thought you were some new the Master.” variety of animal. Before you As an officer of a close-confines xenogutted how were we to know spaceship that sounded a little you were rational life?” stuffy even to Barnhart. The fel- Barnhart nodded. “But how did low still looked shorter. Maybe you so cleverly deduce that I was they had changed Leaders the your Master?” way he had been told the night “There are one hundred of us.

150 GALAXY You were the one hundred and catch his stride a half-step to let first. You had to be the Master the alien lead him. He wasn’t sure returned.” if it was a mark of respect not to The Master had been some get ahead of the Master or an at- friendly lifeform in the Federa- tempt to see if he knew where the tion, obviously. Otherwise the launching site was located. The qurono androids wouldn’t speak quronos were limited, but just Galactic. Barnhart nibbled on his how limited Barnhart was begin- under lip. ning to wonder. “I want to find out how much

, you still know after the Master r I 'HEY rounded the clump has been away so long,” the cap- of drooping lavender trees tain said. “Tell me, how do you and Barnhart saw the eight men communicate with the Master?” laying on the ground in the trans- “What for?” The Leader began parent casings. Not men, but to look at Barnhart oddly. quronos, he corrected himself; in “For anything. Where’s the sub- a molded clear membrane of some space radio?” sort. The direct approach produced “They are in status,” the Leader a rather ironic expression on the explained, answering the cap- qurono’s narrow face but no tain’s unasked question. answer. But if there was a radio “This is how you keep your on the planet Barnhart meant to population at one hundred,” find it. Spacemen forced to aban- Barnhart thought aloud, removing don their craft were required to his glasses to rest his eyes and to report to the nearest Federation get a better look at the bodies. base as quickly as possible. Be- Despite regulations he could still see better without his spectacles. sides, he meant to see that Sim- is you arranged it, mons and his Anglo stooge and all “It how the others paid for their mutiny. Master. But as you know we are But, he decided, perhaps he had now ninety and one.” better not press the matter at the The captain put his glasses moment. back on. “I’ll test you. Why are Another rocket punctuated the you now ninety and one?” moment of silence. “Naturally,” the Leader said “Take me to your launching emotionlessly, “you required a area,” Barnhart said. whole shelter unit to yourself. The android stood up and We had to dispose of the ten who walked. But he walked at Barn- previously had the unit.” hart’s side, forcing the captain to Barnhart swallowed. “Couldn’t

ALWAYS A QURONO 151 you think of anything less drastic? “And circle in the proper or- Next time just build a new unit.” bits,” the Leader agreed. “But master,” the alien pro- This time he saw the quronos

tested, “it takes a great deal of lifting a stiff form and taking it work to construct our units. Our to the crude rocket. It looked lumber escapes so badly no entirely too much like a human matter how often we beat it into body. Barnhart looked away. submission. Our work capacity is But at the edge of his peri- limited, as you are aware. Is it pheral vision he saw the quronos really desirable to overwork us halt and stand up their fellow in so much?” status. He glanced at his wrist. The captain was a little Fifteen hundred hours. The aliens shocked. this humorless, Was began geoplancting. methodical android really protest- Barnhart ran his tongue over ing a command from his Master? his teeth, noting that they needed “How do you suppose the ten you brushing. He came to himself with are putting in status feel about a start. it?” he managed. Of course. He had almost for- “They would doubtlessly prefer got. not to be overworked. Our fatigue Barnhart faced the others and channels can only stand so much.” joined them in geoplancting. But it wasn’t the work, Barn- A hideous cry built from one hart suddenly knew. It was the plateau of fury to another. idea that there could be eleven “He’s no better than us!” the houses, instead of ten. The con- Leader screamed. cept of only ninety quronos and a master must be only slightly Ninth day

less hideous to them. They I have made a serious mis- couldn’t really be so overjoyed to take.

see him. While it was necessary for me A third rocket jarred off, rising to conform to the quronos’ rit- unsteadily but surely in the low ual to get myself recognized, I gravity. It was a fairly primitive should not have continued to adhere to it. Apparently by device — evidently all they re- these creatures’ warped reason- tained from the original model ing I established myself as a supplied them by the Master. reasoning creature by first join- Barnhart looked at the figures ing them in their routine; but

on the ground. Only seven. when I continued to act in ac- “The ones in status go into the cord with them I proved myself rockets!” Barnhart gasped. no better than they are. As

152 GALA Master I am supposed to be finally nudged the latch and the superior and above their mun- hatch swung open. Barnhart was dane routine. exposed to naked fire-bright At the they are mill- moment blackness itself. ing belligerently outside my After a day or two he stopped force-field screen. As I look into worrying about that, as he had their stupid, imaginationless stopped fretting about breathing. faces 1 can only think that somewhere in the past they He grew accustomed to the were invented by some unortho- regular turn around the planet dox Terran scientist, probably every fourteen hours. For two out of English descent. They — of every three seconds he faced Wait. out into space and that was. al- The force field. It’s waver- ways changing. Yet, all poetry ing. It must have been damaged aside, the change was always the when it got tramped underfoot. same. They are going to get in to me. He didn’t have to worry about It — keeping on a schedule. He kept on Barnhart watched them pre- one automatically. pare the rocket that would blast And he didn’t like it. he retreating further him into an orbit circling the So kept

and further from it. . . planet. He could see and even hear the sound that vibrated (»(, E couldn’t leave him through the thin membrane in W which he was encased, but he W there!” could not move a nerve-end. What? Who? Barnhart thought Fortunately his eyes were focused along with at least seven other to on infinity, so he could see every- double-yous. He returned him- thing at least blurrily. self and found that he was stand- The Leader, who seemed to ing in the airlock of a spaceship, have grown a few inches, wasted faced by his first mate Simmons no time. He gave the orders and and his stooge York. the quronos lifted him into the “We couldn’t leave him there,” rocket. The hatch closed down on Simmons repeated with feeling. the indigo day and he was alone. “That would be the nastiest kind The blast of takeoff almost of murder. We might maroon him. deafened him but he didn’t feel But none of us are killers.” the jar — only because, he real- “It’s not the punishment we will ized, he could feel nothing. get for the mutiny,” York com- A few weeks later the centri- plained. “It’s having to go back to fugal force of the spinning rocket his old routine. That time-sched-

ALWAYS A QURONO 153 ule mind of his was derailing get back on schedule.” He looked mine. He was driving the whole to his wrist. “Fifteen hundred crew cockeyed. Even if he wasn’t hours.” going to kill us all by the rule “He doesn’t remember,” York book, I think we would have had said behind him. to maroon him just to get rid of “He remembers the same old him.” routine,” Simmons said. “Here we Simmons fingered a thin-bladed go again.” tool knife. “I wonder how he got Barnhart didn’t say anything. up there in that rocket and in this In the close confines of a space- transparent shroud? I’m sure he’s ship there was bound to be a cer- alive, but this is the most unor- tain degree of informality. thodox Susp-An I’ve ever seen. He stepped inside his cabin at Almost makes you believe in the end of the corridor and did destiny, the way we lost our co- what he always did at fifteen hun- ordinate settings and had to back- dred hours. track — and then found him out York and the first mate were there. (“I’ll bet he jimmied the deeply disturbed. calculator,” York grouched.) Barnhart looked out at them You know, York, it’s almost as if sharply. “Well, spacemen, I run a the world down there marooned taut ship here. I expect everyone him right back at us.” to hit the mark. Adhere to the The first mate inserted the line. Follow my example. Snap knife blade. The membrane with- to it!” ered and Barnhart lived. Simmons looked at York and “Now the arrest,” York mur- his shoulders sagged. They mured. couldn’t go through the whole “What are you muttering thing again, the marooning, the about, York?” Captain Barnhart rescue, then this. That routine demanded. “What are we stand- would drive them crazy. ing around here for? You can’t Even this was preferable. expect me to waste a whole after- They joined Barnhart in geo- noon on inspection. We have to plancting. —JIM HARMON

Going to the World SF Convention this year? The time is Labor Day

weekend; the place is Chicago. Theodore Sturgeon is Guest of Honor, and your favorite writers, editors, etc. will be there. Write Chicon, PO Box 4864, Chicago 80, Illinois for information.

154 GALAXY THE LUCK OF MAGNITUDES

By GEORGE O. SMITH

Earth's near neighbors in space are a most convenient size — for us. Otherwise, astronomy would be a far more difficult science!

rT''HE human being, we are told, that the size and distance rela- -* lies about halfway in the tionships between Earth, Moon, scale between the size of nuclear Sun and stars are just about right particles and the vastness of the to arouse the curiosity of the first great universe they comprise. glimmer of intelligence, and to This is a meaningless concept, place it on the long road toward because neither of these extremes knowledge. can be appreciated. They can Taking first things first, we only be expressed in figures that start with the proposition that require a special mathematical water-based hydrocarbon life is notation — because they are too by far the most likely to succeed. little on one end and too large on Let us thus take a couple of new the other for the kind of numbers looks at Mother Earth. we use in our daily lives. The spectral class of any sun But it can be argued that the will define the planetary temper- size of the Earth and its distance atures for any orbital distance we from the Sun are approximately may want to calculate. For the ideal for the development of life. Sun — i.e., Sol — a planet inside And once this point is estab- of the orbit of Venus will be too lished, it can be argued further hot to permit the formation of ice.

THE LUCK OF MAGNITUDES 155 And outside of the orbit of Mars thing that comes to mind is the

it will be too cold to permit the 2 Vi gravities increase. This is formation of water vapor. Since enough to provide Jupiter with a water-based hydrocarbon life de- dense, thick atmosphere that prob- pends upon an environment in ably reaches critical pressure high which the solid, liquid and vapor above the actual surface of the phases of hydrogen-oxide can planet itself. “Critical pressure” exist in equilibrium, the solar describes a gas so highly com- radiation alone places a minimum pressed that it behaves as a liquid. and maximum limit of planetary This leads to the speculation that distance for life to exist. The Jupiter might not have a true sur- Earth lies just about in the center face but rather a transition zone of Old Sol’s “life-belt.” As far as that passes from gas to liquid to distance is concerned, this is in- solid with no defined phases. Fur- deed the best of all possible ther evidence is the rotation of worlds. the planet. The equatorial zones Now about the size. We could rotate at a different speed than go smaller, but not by much. Mars the temperate zones, which rotate is about half the diameter of at a different speed than the polar Earth; since mass is a function of zones. the cube of the diameter, the mass But that is only first thought. of Mars is about one-eighth of the If we examine the picture more Earth. As a consequence, Mars carefully, we get a shock. To sup- hasn’t enough gravity to hang port life, Jupiter must be trans- onto a decent atmosphere, to say planted to an orbit within the nothing of hanging onto its water. life-belt. But if you do this Jupiter For, you see, the molecular weight will begin to evaporate. For Ju- of water is only 18, whereas the piter is one of the ice-giants. That weight of the oxygen molecule is is, Jupiter and the huge outer 32, nitrogen is 28, and carbon di- planets are strongly suspected of oxide is a whopping 44. Move being composed mostly of ice. Mars in to the orbit of the Earth, This speculation has good and the additional heat would foundation. The preponderance of boil away what little water Mars hydrogen and oxygen in the uni- has managed to retain. verse suggests that hydrogen-

oxide is a plentiful substance in- ^T'HE upper limit is more flexi- deed. The density of Jupiter is ble. If we consider an Earth slightly higher than that of water. the size of Jupiter we get into What could be better than to some interesting trouble. The first make a tremendous planet with

156 GALAXY the density of water out of the eight. The second diminishes the most plentiful stuff in the uni- gravity by the inverse square of verse? two, which is one-fourth. This Well, there’s always good old gives the double-Earth a surface

ammonia, NH 4 ; which, by the gravity of 2, which provides meat way, has the same molecular for two pertinent observations:

weight as good old H l.O. There First, that the surface gravity are few other plentiful substances of a planet is proportional to its with the same physical character- diameter and to its density. (A istics. fuller exposition of this statement,

Jupiter is ten times the diame- plus a table of its workings in our ter of Earth and would therefore Solar System, is appended.)

be a thousand times the mass if Second, the size limits for life the big fellow were composed of aren’t as wide as we’d have ex- rock and metal and other stuff pected. Mars, at one-half the di-

as the Earth is. Instead, Jupiter ameter of Earth, can’t hold a is just a big fellow with one thou- satisfactory atmosphere and even sand times the volume of Earth less water. The hypothetical dou- — which by some odd circum- ble-Earth is too close for comfort stance is just about the same pro- to the conditions that prevail portion as the water-making ele- upon Jupiter. One is therefore ments bear to the rest of the tempted to set the size limits be- periodic chart found in the uni- tween three-quarters and one and verse. one-half times the diameter of

Or maybe it isn’t really so odd. Earth. But since a real honest-to-good- ness rock-and-iron Jupiter would TTAVING been handed this di- have a surface gravity about 12 V2 vot of celestial real estate, of times that of the Earth, let’s take critical size and distance from its a look at something more reason- primary, it remains for curiosity able. and intelligence to appreciate it. Let’s add more earth to the First, the Earth and Moon are Earth until we’re living on some- unique in being more of a double thing which is built of the same planet that a planet and satellite stuff but two times the former system. From the Earth, the diameter. This double-Earth will Moon subtends about a half-de- have eight times the volume and gree diameter circle in the sky. mass, and the surface will be two Since its orbit is fairly eccentric times as far from the center. The as orbits go, the apparent diame- first fact increases the gravity by ter of the Moon varies between

THE LUCK OF MAGNITUDES 157 Surface Gravity as a Product of Diameter Times Density

Resolved: That the surface gravity of a planet is proportional to its diameter and its density.

Premise: This is a restricted way of applying Newton’s Laws in which a statement of the planet’s diameter defines at once the distance from surface to center and also the volume. By including the density, the planetary mass

emerges automatically since mass is a function of density times volume.

Argument 1 : Given two planets of equal density, one twice the diameter of the other, Planet A will have eight times the volume and hence eight times the mass of Planet B, and will exert eight times the attraction at a given distance. But the surface of Planet B is twice removed, the square

of which is four, and thus the attraction is diminished by one-fourth; hence the surface gravity of Planet A is twice the surface gravity of Planet B.

Conclusion 1: For equal densities, the surface gravity of a planet is directly proportional to its diameter.

Argument 2: Given two planets of equal diameter, one twice the density of the other, the first will have twice the surface gravity of the second since their volumes are equal, the distance to the surfaces are equal and their masses are proportional to their densities. Argument 3: If Planet A, above, with twice the diameter and hence twice the surface gravity of Planet B, is now increased in density by two-to-one, its surface gravity will also be increased by two-to-one according to Argu- ment 2, and its surface gravity wiil then be four times the surface gravity of Planet B.

Conclusion: That the surface gravity of a planet is directly proportional to its diameter and its density.

The following is a table of calculations made from figures in Willy Ley’s Conquest of Space in which the diameters have been rounded. The surface gravity was calculated by the conventional method of planetary radius versus mass. Columns 4, 5 and 6 are my calculations, made to 10-inch sliderule accuracy. Agreement in surface gravity between the two methods is as close as the other figures are known.

Planet Density Diameter Surface G Density Diameter Surface G

Mercury 2.86 3,100 0.27 0.518 0.393 0.203 Venus 4.86 7,700 0.85 0.879 0.976 0.856

Earth 5.52 7,900 1.000 1.000 1. 000 1.000

Mars 3.96 4,200 0.38 0.717 0.532 0.382 Jupiter 1.34 86,700 2.64 0.243 10.9 2.67 Saturn 0.71 71,500 1.17 0.129 9.6 1.24 Uranus 1.27 32,000 0.92 0.230 4.05 0.933 Neptune 1.58 31,000 1.12 0.286 3.93 1.12 Pluto 5.8 ? 6,500? 0.9 ? 1.05 ? 0.824? 0.865?

158 GALAXY slightly larger and slightly smaller place over several hours and is than the Sun. This provides the visible from the entire hemi- denizens of Tellus with the gor- sphere that faces the Moon at the geous spectacles of total and an- time. But, for a specific location, nular eclipses of Sol. A total eclipses of the Sun are rare —

! eclipse would not be possible with although hardly a year goes by a smaller Moon; no annular without at least one solar eclipse eclipse would occur with a larger visible from some spot, and some one. years have two. So the closest that Perhaps no celestial event has Thales could have come was to caused so much fear, awe, religion, predict the possibility that such fol-de-rol and scientific interest, an event could take place at or and few natural events have near such and such a date. awakened such an interest in re- No moonlet such as Deimos cording the date and time as the would create much stir. There solar eclipse. would be no great spectacle to Thales of Miletus is supposed fear, revere or study. Kings would to have stopped a war between not bother to hire Royal Astrono- the Lydians and the Medes by mers to predict the unimportant predicting a solar eclipse and at- event of a minuscule speck cross-

tributing it as a warning from un- ing the face of the Sun, and pleased gods. A couple of thou- scientists would have dismissed it sand years later The Connecticut as useless until recently when the Yankee saved his hide by the value of timing transits became same process of doing more pow- known. Now, the fact that the erful medicine than Merlin. Both king used these predictions to stories are—stories. Thales could threaten his enemies or to prove not have predicted time and place his wisdom, or to bamboozle his for a solar eclipse; he hadn’t people into thinking he had a di- enough knowledge. Of course, he rect contact with Jove, Wotan, undoubtedly knew the Babylon- Baal and Co., is not important. ian “Secret of the Saros” in which The side-benefit is. When the king the motion of the Moon and the appointed you to the post of pattern of lunar eclipses are re- Royal Astronomer, with a certain peated every seventeen years. chance of being relieved of office (Actually, every 225 lunations.) by the Lord High Executioner for Thales was also aware of what flubbing, you darned well studied made eclipses. He might have astronomy and learned how to been able to predict an eclipse of predict eclipses. the Moon, since this event takes Nor would a minute moonlet

THE LUCK OF MAGNITUDES 159 THE MOON

- « €) CTHE EARTH I AT M-l AT M-2 l / j'V A - €>,EARTH ab^

Figure 1: Aristarchus's measurements.

show phases, which is a feature facto a forecast of doom. One can that led to early conjecture that claim to see the crescent phase of the celestial bodies were spherical. Venus with the naked eye . . .

but it isn’t likely.) TT WAS Anaxagoras of Clazo- One thing is certain. The menae who demonstrated with Greeks had some very sharp-eyed a candle and a ball that the puz- observers. For a concrete example zling phases of the Moon could of observing something that lies be explained by suggesting that on the slender edge of non-visibil-

the Moon was spherical and il- ity, take the measurement of the luminated by the moving Sun. Earth-Sun-Moon relationship per- This demonstration caused con- formed by Aristarchus of Samos. jecture about the rest of the ce- Aristarchus argued that when the lestial bodies, mainly the five Sun and the Moon were at right naked-eye planets which tend to angles, the terminator line on the wax and wane and disappear. Moon would be curved as shown

Such phases or partial phases had in Figure 1, at M-l. Then when to wait for Hans Lippershey to the Moon had moved to where tell Galileo about the telescope, the terminator line is straight, although some of the sharp-eyed position M-2, then a right angle Greeks claimed to have seen cres- would exist between the Sun and cent phases in Venus. (This is un- the Earth with the Moon at the fortunately too much like report- corner. For a pair of long, skinny ing a vision or relating ex post triangles such as those shown, E,

160 GALAXY T

M-l, M-2 is similar to S, M-2, E; of detectability, another near-im-

that is, the triangles are the same possible measurement is made shape but different in size. Once feasible. this layout is measured by its The same Aristarchus of Samos angles alone, determing any of is given first credit for proposing the linear distances will reveal the heliocentric solar system. He the whole shooting match by the ran into two violent objections, application of some simple trig- neither of them religious. The first onometry. is the apparent absence of aber- Now comes the gimmick. The ration and the second is the ap- next time you have a chance to parent absence of parallax. Both, look at the Moon in either the said the other philosophers, must

first or last quarter, take a good be present if the Earth is in mo- look at the terminator. Watch it tion about the Sun. Let’s take closely for about ten minutes. Ob- them in order:

serve the change in the curvature Aberration is defined as a form of the terminator line in those ten of distortion in which things do minutes, for that is about what it not appear as they really are. For

takes for the Moon to move from example, it is raining gently with M-l, geocentric quadrature, to no wind so that the drops are M-2, lunacentric quadrature. This, coming straight down. Now if you by the way, represents a true don your sou’wester and go for movement of about five miles a drive in your chariot, you’ll ob- over the center of the face of the serve that the down-falling rain- Moon from curved terminator to drops are apparently coming at straight. Aristarchus flubbed, and a slant, and that the amount of so did Hipparchus, Posidonius slant depends upon how fast you and Ptolemy one after another. are going. Related to astronomy,

None of them believed in the vast- it would appear that the source is ness of the vast, so they all shaded forward of its true position; if we their figures low. Their error are in motion with respect to an wasn’t so great; but the important orthogonal flow, the cloud or the thing is that they did get figures star that emits the light must ap- for this split-hair experiment. pear to be displaced forward One can, in a conjecture of this along the line of our motion. kind, argue that a larger Moon, Thus, they argued, stars lying or more comparable distances, along the axis of this supposed might have made their work a lot orbit should describe circles, re- easier. But by placing this triang- volving once each year; stars ly- ulation on the very extreme limit ing along the plane of this sup-

THE LUCK OF MAGNITUDES 161 posed orbit would move back and system and it lasted about 2500 forth each year; and stars be- years, until' radar displaced it tween the axis and the plane during the late unpleasantness. should make ellipses with an ec- With parallax in mind, the pro- centricity proportional to the ponents of the geocentric theory angle between these extremes. scoffed at a mobile Earth.

When parallax is mentioned, rT, HE lack of aberration can be the star 61 Cygni comes to mind explained in any one of because it was the first to be three ways: 1) the speed of light measured. Um — the heliocentric is infinite; 2) the stars are so far parallax of 61 Cygni is listed at away that the aberration can’t be 0.293 seconds of arc. This isn’t detected; or 3) the Earth is ex- simply splitting hairs, friend. It’s actly where we always claimed, dividing hairs into umpteen hun- immobile and at the center of the dred equal slices. And that ain’t universe. So there! all. 61 Cygni has a proper motion. The truth, of course, is 2) and That is, it moves as all celestial considering the Greek ability to bodies move; 61 Cygni moves measure the speed of light, we across the sky at the rate of 5.22 might well toss 1) in as a total seconds of arc per year. loss. If it looks like a dog, smells So whither 61 Cygni? With a like a dog, barks like a dog and declination of about 40 degrees, acts like a dog — confound it, its aberration will make an ap- it is a dog. If you can’t see some- parent ellipse about twice as long thing it’s invisible, and if you as it is wide; its dimensions will can’t measure something it might be the Constant of Aberration, as well be infinite! 20.47 seconds. This ellipse will It turns out that the Constant flow across the sky doing 5.22 of Aberration is 20.47 seconds of seconds linear motion per year. arc. Divide the diameter of the The ellipse will be distorted by Moon into 1800 equal parts, draw heliocentric parallax of 0.293 a circle the size of one part and seconds. you’ll have the displacement that The only thing that keeps helio- the Greeks couldn’t observe. centric parallax from being com- We all know about parallax. pletely smothered is that we don’t Thales seems to have discovered measure it by sighting the star it in his studies in geometry; he and then reading the setting cir- used it to measure the distance cles on the telescope. It is done from shore to a ship at sea. This by comparison against the back- was the first optical range-finder ground of stars, all of which un-

162 GALAXY ;

dergo equal aberration, cancel- the diameter of the Earth as a

ling it. What remains is the proper baseline. For the Sun can’t be motion and parallax which com- compared in position against the bine to produce a wavy line 5.22 starry background like measur- seconds between peaks and 0.293 ing the parallax of a star. During seconds amplitude. total eclipse? Fine, but could you In passing, the nearest star, trust your figures, realizing that Alpha Centauri, has a parallax of the gravitational field of Old Sol only 0.760 seconds and a proper will diffract light rays just as A. motion of 3.68 seconds. Neither Einstein said it would? of these make a whale of a lot of Make the Earth bigger? That improvement over 61 Cygni. means a more dense atmosphere and greater diffraction. Since geo- "VTOU may argue in favor of a centric parallax requires measure- larger orbit, which would pro- ments made from the widest sep- vide a longer heliocentric base- aration, the geometry places the line. It would be colder, but if observed object low near the we’d evolved on an Earth-sized horizon whether it is sighted si- planet along the orbit of Mars multaneously by two stations a we’d have had enough air to hemisphere apart or by one sta- breathe and we’d have become tion with a twelve-hour wait be- accustomed to the chilly temper- tween sightings. Refraction gets ature. worse as the object approaches The distance from the Earth to the horizon. What is gained by the Sun is still a subject for argu- distance is lost by distortion. ment. The best estimates place Make the Earth larger by the ac- the error at plus or minus about ceptable physical limit and — 50,000 miles. Move Earth out again, what is gained by distance

farther and solar parallax dimin- is lost by distortion. ishes accordingly. Solar parallax City hall isn’t the only thing is so nearly a straight line that it that can’t be licked. becomes difficult to assay, using — GEORGE O. SMITH

s July isssue of IF — still on sale — contains a complete short novel by

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THE LUCK OF MAGNITUDES 163 HERE are mornings and deficit to other accounts. For ex- mornings. This was one of ample, the violent argument at Tthe latter. Rotten clear breakfast with his brother-in-law, ( through. Atwater Pope. Isaac Nels Rhinelander knew Ten minutes after it was over, very well the cause of the dark Rhinelander couldn’t even re- brown taste in his mouth the mo- member the topic. How cumulus ment he awoke. In characteristic clouds formed. The dimension of fashion he charged his happiness a gnat’s wing. Some other equally 164 HUGALAXY —

The paintings were outrageous and wild.

Rhinelander would have given everything

he owned to find the painter — and, a

little while later, to lose him again!

inane subject from the filler slugs crash helmet (He was flying his of the morning news sheet that vertiracer in a rally at noon.) To unreeled from the printer in the every argument Rhineland put breakfast atrium of Rhinelander’s forth, Watty replied in metaphor (actually his wife Iris’s ugh) and epigram and little rapier villa. thrusts of logic. Finally Rhine- Watty sat there, cool and edu- lander just screamed. Lost the cated and superior, adjusting the argument, of course. Watty chinstrap of his bumishfed steel chuckled, activated his sports-

ONE-RACE SHOW 165 model personnel jets and went that didn’t relieve the mounting flying out of the atrium the win- rottenness of the day. ner. As always. As the Limoubus whisked on That was enough to make toward the slender gleaming py- Rhinelander feel rotten through lons of the megalopolis eighty and through. But it wasn’t the miles ahead, Rhinelander once true cause of the rotten feeling. more felt the sting of the true Rhinelander found still other cause of his anger and frustration. events to blame. Such as: Hot stabs of jealousy, of virulent The unaccountable breakdown envy, shot through him. He re- of his Chrome De Luxe Executive fused to acknowledge them, wait- Limoubus, whose magnetic pilot ing, just waiting, for the next jumped the aerialway guidestrip mess. on the two hundred and sixty mile That mess was not long in com- trip from the suburbs into New ing. York, and crashed in an undigni- fied although harmless way into TT happened ten seconds after the thick foamex median. Other he walked through the elec- conveyances whizzed by. Their tronic doors of The Rhinelander occupants cheerfully smoked or Galleries, which occupied the en- read morning tickers, unable to tire first floor of The General stop. Rhinelander had to trudge Matter Building on Park Mall. in the hot sun to a call box. He In the lift-tube up from the gar- had to suffer the sneers of the age, Rhinelander had halfway mechanics who came, raised the composed himself. After all, he forward deck of the Limoubus by was about to enter his own per- means of magnetic cranes and sonal domain, as he did on the then took care of his difficulty. three working days of each week. Actually, it required only one He pulled his corpulent frame up mechanic to solve the trouble. He to its full height of five feet three. just reconnected a short spring His cheeks stopped flapping. His which held two motor rods to- protuberant blue eyes receded in- gether in a most untechnical way. to their sockets. Like an emperor Rhinelander stumped from one he breezed through the doors, foot to the other, beet red. He saw rubbing his plump little hands. that the mechanics were exchang- And stopped. ing sidelong glances of derision at Under the multicolored beams his expense while they totaled up which bathed the central display their bill. They let him go easily, pedestal in the gallery’s marble however: eighty-five dollars. But foyer, several of his employees,

166 GALAXY ”

including his assistant Phenley, minutes past nine, eight minutes were wringing their hands and past nine, fourteen minutes past gazing at a litter of striated cop- nine and twenty-eight min— per-shot stone on the floor. Phen- “Ah, God!” breathed Rhine- ley rushed forward. lander, slamming his hand on the “The workmen,” he gargled. stud that shut off the wretched “Teamsters. Hook slippage during voice. He swilled a tumbler of erection.” TrankwilSoda. It did no good Gazing at the wreckage of Jan whatever. van der Maarsch’s rendering of He buried his head on his arms The Culture of the Womb, Rhine- and tried to shut off his mind. lander shrieked, “Get out of my Impossible. Argument with Wat- sight, Phenley, before I kill you! ty, wrecked Limoubus, smashed Two hundred thousand I pay for sculpture—all paled. He was face that, and you let the boobs break to face with the actual cause of his it before we even get the critics frustration. in! Call the insurance people and stay away for two weeks or I TTE could not avoid getting in won’t answer for your safety!” touch with Kuprin. The eth-

“Oh, sir, I’m so terribly sorry, ics of the business demanded it. so terribly sorry,” Phenley kept If he didn’t there would be talk. saying. Then Phenley’s voice was Talk could hurt. silenced by another sound. One But perhaps the opening had of the gallery functionaries poked flopped. Even as he reached for at a last piece of the sculpture the hand microphone, he knew teetering on the pedestal. the opening had not flopped. He This piece, of course, crashed pressed the stud combination for to the floor just a second before Kuprin’s studio. A section of desk- Rhinelander stepped into his pri- top lifted. A screen swam and vate office. blurred. Presently a thin, wild- By now his cheeks were flap- haired man in a smock, his face ping and bulging again. His eyes smeared with daubs of ochre, ap- stuck out to amazing dimensions. peared. Groping for the spigot of the “Good morning, Nels. Seen the TrankwilSoda dispenser in the reviews?” bottom drawer of his desk, Rhine- “No, I have not. You know I lander heard the taped metallic wouldn’t concern myself with voice of his automatic secretary: such trash. Who is this Caul any- “Please call Mr. Kuprin. Mr. how? Who’s heard of him?” Kuprin communicated at two “The whole art world, by now,”

ONE-RACE SHOW 167 —

said Kuprin with a nasty little er’s gut. “The stuff’s really that smile. good, eh?” “Why are you badgering me? “Marvelous, marvelous.” Just because I shaved the price “I haven’t got time.” on that lousy gesso item you flim- “Don’t be petty, Nels. It’s a flammed me into buying in shame you couldn’t have snared August?” Caul.” “I merely thought you’d be in- “Caul, who the hell is Caul?” terested in the opening of the Rhinelander shouted. “Whoever Caul show!” Kuprin pulled some heard of him before?” gobs of paint off his nose. “You “Apparently Swallows did, one

really must see it, Nels.” way or another. I understand “Go to Swallows’s? I never go there are even lines around the to other galleries.” block. Can you imagine? Lines, “For this you must. The can- for an exhibit of paintings! Well

.” vases—well, have you ever . . Kuprin waved in a vague looked at hell?” way. “I suppose I might as well go , “Several good facsimilies,” said back to work, although I doubt Rhinelander, thinking of his wife there’ll be much market for my and Watty. stuff in the next few months. Not “They’re really remarkable. at the best galleries, certainly.

When the rest of us are polite, full Swallows doesn’t need me. I’ll of form and balance—” Kuprin show you what I’m doing, when swayed a little, weaving illusions it’s further along.”

with his paint-smeared hands Kuprin promptly switched off, “this man, whoever he is, wher- leaving Rhinelander to fume be- ever he is, has visions of night- fore the blank screen. He knew at mares. Ugly. Terrible. Horrid. No last that he could no longer dodge landscapes like his exist on earth the source of his feelings on this any more, with everything so rottenest of all rotten mornings. beautiful and aseptic. But some- For weeks the art world had where this Caul saw such scenes. buzzed with rumors of the new I’m a little sick.” From behind his show soon to open at Swallows’s. immense spectacles, Kuprin Rhinelander, not wanting to be- glanced sidewise at Rhinelander lieve, had tortured himself into through the screen. “Certainly believing. And it had all come this makes Swallows the pre-emi- true. But who was Joe Caul? nent gallery in the city, perhaps Who’d ever heard of Joe Caul? even in the world. Rhinelander sent for biographi- Jealousy wrenched Rhineland- cal tapes.

168 GALAXY No painter named Joe Caul gleaming in the sudden over- existed. whelming sun. Then Rhinelander sent for the Feeling spongy, Rhinelander morning reviews. would have hated Michelangelo

They made him foam. himself. So it was a strong reflec- Rhinelander, finally, sent for tion on Rhinelander’s character his Limoubus. He would, to tor- and Joe Caul’s brush technique ture himself further, have a look when he was overwhelmed in at Joe Caul’s hell. spite of the fact that the gallery attendant hadn’t even honored II his trade courtesy card, but had made him pay admission just like

T ET it be said in Rhinelander’s anybody else. favor that Joe Caul over- Rhinelander was not only over- whelmed him. whelmed, he was awed and fright- A thin drizzle was falling when ened too. Caul’s canvases brought Rhinelander reached the ivory the stink of animal fear, raw as a and platinum front of The Fred- piece of decomposing liver, into eric Swallows Gallery. Doubtless the refinement of Swallows’s main

the weather service felt it was hall. time for a little rain, but the rain Few spoke while viewing the made Rhinelander mad, especial- Caul works. Swallows had, by de- ly since he had to wait in a damp, sign, reduced the lighting so that shuffling line of customers that only the canvases themselves, stretched half way around the huge panels a uniform twenty by square. ten, stood out against ebony Most of the students in line had drapes. Knots of art-lovers hud- come with portable rain-deflect- dled together, soaked and struck ors. They were in a holiday mood, dumb, under each of the five buzzing with talk about the Caul works. Their faces held none of canvases which they would soon the joy or exhilaration some sen- be privileged to view. Rhineland- sitive souls show when gazing up- er felt his dignity violated by this on a new or revolutionary work. forced mingling with members of Instead, eyes gleamed wetly. the public. And then, just as his Mouths hung loose and even a section of the line reached the little moronically. great Swallows doors, the tower For in each of the five works, blowers came on and all the arti- signed in block .letters and black ficial rain clouds were swept oil, Joe Caul, and labelled crudely

away, leaving the streets gold and Pictur 1, Pictur 2, through Pictur

ONE-RACE SHOW 169 5, those who looked saw no quite understand, he was face to heightened reality or beauty. face with total truth.

They saw nothing they could Let it further be said in Rhine- measure by any customary yard- lander’s favor that he gazed at stick. They saw instead, a height- each of the pictures for at least ening of sickness. They saw in- twenty minutes without once feel- sanity made two-dimensional. ing envy. At last, however, busi- “Evil filth,” Rhinelander whis- ness concerns became too great. pered. But he couldn’t tear his He tottered out of the exhibit eyes away from Pictur 1 to gaze hall, looking back as though ex- at Pictur 2, the first was so power- pecting one of Caul’s creatures to ful. be roosting on his shoulder. Final- ly free of the grip of the paintings, \/dEWS of hell? Rhinelander he ended up in the office of Fred- ” knew the description was far eric Swallows, with Mr. Swallows too simple. Hell, as all the sophis- on page by his autosecretary. ticated spectators knew, was a Fortunately Swallow’s office fictitious place, like Amusement was along an outer wall. Sunlight Land on the West Coast. The poured in and helped dispel the writhing purple and green and obscene guilt which Rhinelander orange creatures, only dimly had been feeling. It took only a human, shrouded in pestilential moment for his regular nature to vapors and frozen like hideous assert itself. He started pawing Laocoons, had a peculiar realism through papers and memoranda that made Rhinelander think to on top of Swallows’ ornate desk, himself, This is ghastly; then, searching for a clue to the elusive This is beautiful; then This is Caul. totally, utterly real—whatever it His cheeks puffed suddenly. is. He’d found something. Under the spell of the canvases Caul, the slip said. Plus Geneva which seemed merely different Credit Depository. 43-1289-66. views of the same subject (what- One of those numbered bank ever that was, besides reality) accounts? Rhinelander wondered. Rhinelander found himself both He heard footfalls in the outer repelled and fascinated. Repelled corridor. Hastily he stuffed the by the labyrinthine weaving of slip back under a pile in its ori- shape and color, suggesting ever ginal place. He was lighting up a so many indecent images. Fasci- dollar Nirvanatella when Frede- nated by the sledgehammer reali- ric Swallows whisked in like corn zation that, although he didn’t husks rustling on a stalk.

170 GALAXY 66T HARDLY expected you, out the slip at which Rhinelander Nels,” Swallows said. His had been peeking. “Excuse me.” hair was white, his face still Since Swallows’s eyesight was whiter, his hands laced with blue so weak, he had to turn his back veins. He was ninety-six years to the window and hold the paper old, kept alive by nutrient cos- to the tip of his nose, in the sun’s metics and injections of hor- beam. At that moment a window- mones. Swallows dry-washed his washer’s platform slid into view hands briskly and pursed his lips. on the face of the building. The “You are not noted for your mag- washer was scribbing busily. He nanimity, old friend. One would had an immense fan beard of red have thought you would have and wore a hearing apparatus. stayed away.” Rhinelander tried to remember “From—from that?” Rhine- when, if ever, he had seen a win- lander waved outward. “Impos- dow-washer. When he was a sible. All I’ve heard about Joe child? Swallows forced the papers Caul is absolutely true. I congrat- against his eyes, then tittered. ulate you, Frederic.” “Ah, yes, this is the one. Excuse Swallows nodded. “You’re me, excuse me.” right, you’re right. Once, in my The window-washer’s platform youth, when I was taking drugs vanished upward out of sight. and painting in Tahiti, I saw one Rhinelander was no longer pay- or two visions something like ing attention, for his brains had those pictures. I was so appalled suddenly fastened on a remark I committed myself to a sanitari- the old man had made a minute um. When I was cured, I thought before. He watched Swallows about trying to recapture a little waggle one foot in the air, make a of what I’d seen. The prospect few quick passes with his left was so grisly that I remained hand, open the visual safe and drunk for three months. I’ve pop the slip inside. Casual, now, never had the impulse again.” Rhinelander thought. Very casual. Swallows began to bustle and He cleared his throat. pry among the papers on the “Frederic, did you say you desktop. “Yes, I’m flattered that don’t know this Caul personally?”

Caul, whoever he is, chose to send his paintings to me. He must have 66T DID, I did, old friend,” said picked my name from the gallery Swallows, meaning, old en- directory. That was a lucky emy. chance, eh, Nels?” From under “He selected your gallery at the litter of memoranda, he drew random?”

ONE-RACE SHOW 171 Swallows lifted 'a shoulder- a hundred letters from various blade. “I suppose so. How else to museums requesting chromostats explain the sudden arrival of five of one or all of the Caul canvases, massive crates one day last plus proofs of a critique I’ve just month? A day later came a note, written, and— oh.” Swallows with ten cents postage due. Ludi- blinked again, as though he had crously written. This Caul can just remembered a formality of barely spell. Witness ‘pictur’. In the profession. “How’s your busi- his illiterate hand he informed me ness?” that something made him want to “Very brisk,” Rhinelander said show his works, and if I deemed with a smile, hate boiling his guts. them of any value I should depo- “Too bad you couldn’t have sit funds in one of those secret gotten Caul. Pure chance, though. Swiss bank accounts, whose num- Well, good day.” ber he conveniently provided. “Yes, too bad,” Rhinelander The numbers were so miserably echoed. He shook the old man’s written I had to try seven ac- spidery hand and passed out of - - counts before hitting the correct the office thinking, 43 1289 66 . one. Some clever advisor has With a shudder he walked be- doubtless told this Caul, wherever neath Picturs 1 through 5 and and whoever he may be, about didn’t look up. He didn’t want to numbered accounts. His own be unnerved again. He was feel- hand—I had it analyzed—proves ing too rich, too hot-headed, too he’s something above an imbecile, sure and exhilarated. but only a little something. Very “Too bad,” he said again as he strange, very peculiar.” shoved his way through the “Have you heard from Caul crowds still waiting outside. At again?” Rhinelander asked. He the end of the building he paused, felt better now, almost wolfish as looked both ways, spat on the his mind repeated, to fix it firm, platinum gallery name-plate.

- - - 43 1289 66 . “Forty - three, twelve - eighty “No, but I certainly hope I nine, sixty-six, you old bastard. shall. If I never sell another can- I haven’t got him now. But I soon vas in my lifetime, Caul’s five pic- will have.” tures will make me comfortable. I might even say wealthy.” Swal- Ill lows ruffled a few more paper and chits. “I do appreciate your stop- A T the evening dinner Rhine- ping, Nels. Drop in again when- lander’s wife Iris had one of ever you wish. But I have at least her shrieking spells.

172 GALAXY ”

The meal began cordially you at least look at the clever enough. Artificial sunset filtered plans?” through the pergola that over- As if on signal, a young crea- looked the pool, where mechani- ture in pink drawers and a cos- cal swans floated in geometric metic suntan burst in at the per- patterns. Iris, Rhinelander and gola entrance. He began to unroll Watty reclined on their couches, sheafs of brownprints. The sight eating roast duckling with orange of Yoggemeyer, Iris’s personal sauce. decorator, infuriated Rhinelander Iris brought up the subject of a even more. party she was giving in a few “I refuse to look at them!” He weeks. She planned to turn the kicked over a platter of duckling. entire house and estate, including Yoggemeyer minced aside, nearly Rhinelander’s wing, into an ex- getting his lacquered toes slop- tinct Asian commune. Watty, ping up with orange sauce. wearing only shorts and several bandages from the race, sucked "1JF7ATTY chuckled, licking his on gobbets of duckling and ap- ’’ fingers. “Obstinate tonight, peared indifferent. Rhinelander aren’t we, Nels?” struggled up from his couch to “You keep out of this, play- protest the party. boy!” Rhinelander snarled. In the phony sunset light Iris “Dear Nels,” Watty said, prop- looked disgusting to Rhinelander. ping up on one elbow. “I should No longer a young woman, she in- to do that. But you make it im- sisted on dyeing her hair a dif- possible. A moment ago you said ferent shade each month. This you wouldn’t have ‘y°ur ’ house month it was pea-green. She wore redesigned to accommodate my tight scarlet trousers woven with sister’s desires, but you really platinum threads and a blouse don’t have much choice. Let’s not which revealed her large flabby have a scene, please. I had a hard bosom. Her nails were three day.” inches long. Rhinelander cared “Vertiracing?” Rhinelander for her only occasionally. To- sneered. “Pah. Playing games.” night was not one of the occasions. “Facing more reality that you “I won’t have my house tricked possibly could," Watty said. out to resemble some socialistic “Anyway,” Rhinelander said, experiment, Iris.” “we’ve gone this route before. The Iris clamped her sharp little house and estate are registered in teeth on her lower lip and tried my name, and therefore— to show patience. “Darling, can’t “Please,” Yoggemeyer cooed,

ONE-RACE SHOW 173 ”

“if you’d just glance at these cun- lander thought. Ah, things were ning plans— calming down. “Get the hell out of here!” Rhinelander threw half of the A T that moment Watty noisily duckling at the decorator. Yogge- sucked some meat from a meyer squealed, his head covered duckling leg. “You can’t face real- with ooze and raisins, and disap- ity, Nels. Really you can’t. Few peared sobbing behind the hedges. can. Care to debate?” This set Iris to flexing her And, unreasonably, Rhineland- claws. She paced back and forth, er exploded again: a raw edge on her never very “Yes, damn it, Watty. I’ll de- soothing voice: bate with you, you smug wastrel.” “Isaac Nels Rhinelander, we “You see?” Watty pointed with certainly have discussed the regis- the bone. “I, at least, know where tration before, and need I re- I’m going. Nowhere. Whereas you, mind you that it’s my money, and destined for the same goal, think my brother’s, which enables you you’re going somewhere. That is to live in such luxury? I’ll decor- precisely what I mean about real- ate, and I’ll decorate any way I ity. Take this morning. damned please!" “Two vertiracers collided at “There,” Watty chortled. “Now the rally. Bloody goo all over the can you confront reality or not, firing pad. A crowd gathered, bug- dear Nels?” eyed. Why? Because, Nels, no For a moment Rhinelander’s one could actually believe that eyes threatened to explode out of two human beings had been jel- his head. His cheeks worked like lied. The people stared at the re- bellows. He glared at the pair mains until they convinced them- with hate brimming inside him. selves of it. Then they went away.

He wanted to smash their heads. In an hour I’ll wager every one He wanted to kill. To shut them of them was certain again that he up. To kill. To kill. To kill— could never be jellied because But he managed to get control those two wretches weren’t jellied of his emotions. After all, he had either—it was all some sort of Caul to consider. And the num- dismal dream. The mind simply bered bank account. refuses to accept some things, and He lowered his sweating body invents all sorts of clever excuses back to the couch as Iris paced to for not doing so. Your mind, for the other side of the pergola, beat- example, refuses to accept two ing her fists against her thighs. basic facts. One, that you have Rather nonsensically, too, Rhine- flimsy artistic tastes. Two, that

174 GALAXY you have no real business instinct. If you wanted to see whether or

Therefore your gallery is, and al- not I’d fail.” ways will be, a monumental flop, Rhinelander’s eyes narrowed sustained by the funds that Iris now as he tried to gauge the effec- pours in.” tiveness of his goad, his dare. “And do I pour them in!” Iris “Would you like to gamble on shrieked. “Oh, my God, do I!” my ineptitude, Watty? If you “I could kill you,” Rhinelander would, unlock- the account. That’s said. “I could, Watty.” all I ask.” “Do you think that that sur- “It might be amusing to watch prises me?” you fail.” Rhinelander stormed to his “Take a chance, Watty?” feet, bent toward Watty. “What if Watty threw back his head and I admitted all you said? That so laughed. “Give me the number in far I’ve never amounted to any- the morning.” thing much? What if I said, all right, I know I exhibit second-rate A TIDE of relief swept over items but now I’m on to some- Rhinelander. “Thank you, thing of quality. Now I’m going to Watty,” he said as his mind ticked fight and scheme until I get my over a hundred cruel tortures he hands on it?” would enjoy inflicting on his “Something of quality?” Watty brother-in-law in return for this was skeptical. “What might that particular bit of groveling. Emo- be?” tions and luck had thrown Wat- “More paintings by Joe Caul.” ty’s help his way. Rhinelander felt Never before had Rhinelander a little stronger for having seen Watty show astonishment. chanced and won. “I’ve heard of the Caul things. But he was deeply ashamed, Are there more than five?” too, because his emotions had “There may be, if I can unlock been laid bare. a numbered bank account in Chewing on a piece of duckling Switzerland.” as the rheostats began to fade out “Impossible, Nels, old boy.” the sunsets, he heard Iris ap- “All right,” Rhinelander said proach, her heels ticking on the tightly. “I agree. See, I’m realistic. paving. His eyes were large, wet, But you have the right connec- carefully empty of emotion. tions, Watty. And enough money. “There will be a party, Nels,” You could unlock the personnel Iris said. “It’s my money.” dossier behind that account. If “There had better not be.” you wanted to do it badly enough. “There will be, there will be,

ON E - R A C E SHOW 175 the will be,” he whispered, almost at an inn among pine trees just like a prayer. outside Olde Manhattan Metrop- Rhinelander stuck his fingers olis National Forest. in the pneumatic tubes of the san- It was a process in which the itary unit next to his couch. briber (never called that, of Liquid jets and brushes cleaned course) made a polite request, off the duckling grease. He some- and the briber sent four or five how felt a thousand miles away dozen messages via the communi- from this witch with green hair. cations mirrors whizzing around “I don’t wish to talk about it Earth, then suggested certain dis- any more.” creet investments. But even as he promised him- After a short interval, which self that one day he would kill allowed the bribee to get answers Iris and Watty, he also realized and the briber to gather up a he would never have the cour- small sinking fund of several mil- age to do it. Small triumph only, lions, a yachting party was ar- he thought. Better than none, ranged in the ionosphere. Matters though. Watty think's I’ll fail. Re- were brought to fruition over iced ality? I can face it well enough. tonics on the infrared deck. Al- He’ll see. Still, the mixture of hate though the proceedings were and doubt assailed him. wholly dishonest from start to Iris went shrieking off to con- finish, at least they were genteel. sult Yoggemeyer, Watty to shoot It took Watty eight and a half a game of dimensional billiards. weeks to unlock the secret of 43- As the last of the festering light 1289-66. died behind the lattices Rhine- And in those fifty-nine days the lander lay panting on the couch, printing presses of the world ham- rationalizing himself into believ- mered out matte finish reproduc- ing that more Caul canvases tions of Picturs 1 through 5, in would be worth all this. twelve colors, on press runs up- wards of eighty million. TN the exalted orbits of leisure A news service ran a simulpix and finance in which Atwater of a Tibetan monk examining a Pope revolved, bribery was not print of Pictur 3 which had found bribery. its way into the crystal fastness on It was a cordial cocktail at a the back of a steel packass in the wheel lounge spinning in space summer supply caravan. Abori- five hundred miles above Cape gines (what few were left) and Fear. intelligent school boys (even It was an exploratory luncheon fewer) carried Joe Caul prints

176 GALAXY —

around with them, dreadfully fas- their products which went shoot- cinated. Earth crowned a new god ing, cased, to every land via un- of canvas, one whose work it derground pneumatic systems. could not quite understand. Industrial Jersey sprawled out Editorials and clerical procla- beneath a depressing blanket of mations decried the veiled horror smog and drizzle. Even the ran- of the new messiah of art. But not ger got lost twice in the empty a single voice denied the awful cement canyons before he something that was the truth of brought Rhinelander to Yummy- the pictures, pictures which pirate dinners Ltd. lithograph houses had to spew out The one clear, traceable name by the bale in order to keep up written by Joe Caul when he had with the demand. filled out the personnel dossier for No one seemed to know the Geneva Credit Depository six whereabouts of Joe Caul, at least months ago was the name Hubert publicly. This was due to the re- Elk. This appeared in a column markable circumstance that no headed Personal References. Be- one, apparently, wished to find side the name, Caul had scrawled: Joe Caul. If he were anything like lended me $ for paints. Other his works, the unspoken feeling vital sections Current Address, ran, best that he be left alone. Current Employer, Current Cable But in every six billion rational Code—Caul had left blank, shun- people there is bound to be at ning public attention. Well, now least one Isaac Nels Rhinelander. he had public attention, and He’d waited eight and a half Rhinelander had Hubert Elk, a weeks. He’d groveled before that. portly man who shut off one lever Now he was on the trail. marked Broasted Gooselet in Ar- tichokes Yummydinner and IV yanked another stencilled Toma- to Surprise Under Glass Yummy- rT'HE State of Industrial Jersey dinner. had an output amounting to Fidgety with impatience—Elk one tenth of the GNP, and a resi- refused to be hurried—Rhine- dent population of twenty-eight. lander watched the processes un- Rhinelander had to hire a low- derway along the two-mile floor paid ranger from the forestry of the food works, six stories be- service at Olde Central to lead low the small bubble of an office. him into the wilderness of tower- At one side of the vast cavern ing automated factories, all alike mammoth dump bins poured soya except for their name signs and pods into funnels which led to

ONE-RACE SHOW 177 hooded conveyors whose escape subject was a water spaniel, done valves squirted occasional puffs of with syrupy realism in garish red steam. On the opposite side tones of yellow and rust. Rhine- of the cavern, claw forks stacked lander recoiled from its wetter- bright cartons of Gooselet Yum- than-life tongue. mydinners onto skids which were “Oh, come now, Mr. Elk. Caul then blasted down distribution didn’t paint that.” tubes with small rocket charges. “He certainly did,” Elk said

When Elk switched from produc- testily. “I watched him do it. tion of one Yummydinner to an- After all, he worked for me, didn’t other the dump-bins continued to he? Plus eight or nine other fac- pour out soya pods but the pack- tories.” aged goods which emerged had “Not as an artist, surely?” become Tomato Surprises, plastic “Nope. Janitor. Swept out the glass bells included. office here.” Elk waved at the “About Joe Caul” Rhinelander clanking conveyors far below. dragged his gaze away from the “What else could he do in a place belches of red steam which re- like this?” minded him of Pictur 4. “You are “You seriously expect me to be- the Hubert Elk with whom Joe lieve Joe Caul painted works of Caul was once—ah—associated?” this sort?” “Right, that’s me.” Elk picked “If you don’t believe me, here’s his teeth. “Owner and sole opera- the signature. You have to look tor of Yummydinners. Caul used close. Down in the corner. ‘Joe ” to work for me.” He glanced at Caul.’ Rhinelander’s enameled card a- Aghast, Rhinelander saw that gain. “Art dealer, huh? I heard it was so. something about Caul and his pic- Elk turned smug. “Didn’t I tell tures. He used to paint around you? He painted dogs, mostly. here, too. Why?” When it wasn’t dogs, it was angels “As an art dealer, I wish to and martyrs. Caul wasn’t too develop—ah—greater public ap- bright, you understand. How preciation of his remarkable tal- could a man be, and be a regular ents. I wish to locate him. So that resident of this place? I haven’t I can purchase more of his pic- seen any of his pictures all the tures.” papers are talking about, except for one they ran in black and t'LK guffawed. From behind a white. Didn’t look like Joe Caul’s bank of instruments he stuff to me, at least not the Joe dragged a small canvas whose Caul I knew before the accident.”

178 GALAXY “Accident?” Rhinelander’s So he robbed one of those robo- cheeks quivered. “What sort of pushers always parked around the accident? When?” turnpike entrances, and got “Sub-reactor on the synthesizer hooked. That was two years ago.” belt vibrated its shield bolts loose. Caul had swept up here and was T^LK rose and peered at a pres- on his way over to Blumenthal sure gauge imbedded in a Better Ball Bearings to do the wall bank. “Hell, I was glad to see same. He got burned in the atom him leave Industrial Jersey. He shower. Of course we rushed him wasn’t the only one had insomnia. to the autodoctor to get the Soon as I brought him back from charge neutralized. Only trouble the autodoc I couldn’t get more was, I found out later the ma- than two hours a night myself. chine was due for overhaul that Toss, turn, thinking of my inlaws, next week. Some of its tapes were production problems, worry, a mite worn. Caul didn’t seem bad worry, worry. Must of felt respon- off after the accident, but he had sible for Caul’s trouble. Anyway, trouble sleeping nights. Slept like when he committed himself to try a top before. I was going to cash and shake the habit, I began to his compensation for him, send sleep sound, again. Shows you him to a clinic to check the work how the Goddamn spenders who the autodoc had done—hell of a run this country can make a man bother, but it’s these Goddamn feel guilty if he doesn’t wipe the bureaucratic laws we got—but by nose of any stumblebum who then Caul was committed.” sweeps up his shop. Caul’s prob- “Committed?” Rhinelander’s ably still in Thlex for all I know. eyes began to bulge. His nostrils Good riddance. After he was grew big as dimes. You don’t burned, I couldn’t even stand to mean to some sort of therapeutic look at him.” For a moment Elk’s farm?” eyes looked far beyond Rhine- “None other than Thlex,” said lander to something ghastly. Then Elk, with another smug nod. the mood passed. “Narcotics? Caul was on nar- “Excuse me now, mister. Time cotics?” (That would explain for the three o’clock changeover.” some of the visions. Some, but by Rhinelander attempted to no means all.) “How did you find thank Elk but the latter was oc- this out?” cupied with another lever labeled “Why, Caul told me. He had Grape Aphrodisia Gelatin Yum- dreams, he said. Couldn’t sleep, mydinner, With Extra Vine but he had dreams. Imagine that. Leaves Included. Rhinelander let

ONE-RACE SHOW 179 himself out of the office bubble. looked around the corner. The He ran down the automatic stairs red-bearded man had vanished to the exit where the ranger was into the rain and the empty con- waiting for him in the rain. crete distances. As they walked along the ran- ger said, “Find what you were HPHE only staff professional at after?” Thlex who had time to talk “I most certainly did.” In his with Rhinelander was a Second mind, Rhinelander saw himself Assistant Staff Recreationist delivering punches to Watty named Dr. T. T. Wu. And he Pope’s groin. “Let’s hurry. I must clearly demonstrated that he was catch a flight for Kentucky as none too happy about the assign- soon as possible. I—good heav- ment by reminding Rhinelander ens! Look at that!” two seconds after they met that On a corner between auto- Thlex received a minimum of ten mated factories a man with a thousand patients a week. Rhine-

huge red beard was selling news- lander could well believe it. sheets from a portable stand. Not At Central Administration in actually selling them. Merely Lexington City he had made a standing there holding an ear generous donation of some of trumpet to the right side of his Iris’s money. It had then taken head while the rain turned the him two hours by rotor to reach newssheets spongy. All at once Dr. Wu’s section, five counties the bearded man caught sight of away, because nearly three-quar- Rhinelander and the ranger. He ters of the state was occupied by scuttled out of sight around the the national narcotics hospital. corner of a factory, kicking over The gently rolling landscape, all his stand as he went. sunlit green hills and long grass, The ranger shook his head. swarmed with thousands of fig- “Crazy. Who reads papers out ures in white gowns wandering to here, I wonder?” and fro like extras in some epic “These aren’t even papers,” from Hollywood-on-the-Tiber. Rhinelander said, stooping to pick Dr. Wu’s irritation showed on up the top sheet. All the letters his young, lemon-colored face. He including the masthead were and Rhinelander had to walk two greeked. The reverse side of the miles before they found an unoc- page was blank. The bundle un- cupied bench, where they could derneath was compressed excel- chat. sior. Rhinelander felt a shiver of “I can give you only ten min- fright chase down his spine. He utes, please, Mr. Rhinelander,”

180 GALAXY ” — —

Wu said. “At ten I am directing hopeless. Besides, he caused six hundred of our inmates in a riots.” Shakespearian therapy.” Wu Rhinelander’s eyebrows shot pinched his upper nose. “Going up. “Riots?” badly, too. Our lumber mill was “Yes, riots. Among his village supposed to have delivered the mates. When Caul arrived they Birnam Wood costumes last began to complain of sleepless- Tuesday. All I get is excuses, ex- ness. As did Caul himself. Caul cuses, excuses. Let’s see.” was completely uncooperative. Wu dug into his smock for a Stayed up all night painting. Big, card. “Hmmm. Quite a substantial psychotic pictures. Three of them donation. I’m no public relations while he was here. One of our in- man, but I suppose I must co- mates looked at Caul’s work and operate.” went into a screaming fit. ‘I know Rhinelander said irritably, “I what that is!’ he screamed. Two had hoped the donation might nights later he murdered three facilitate— matrons and escaped over the “When we release a thousand Ohio. He drowned trying to swim patients a week only to get ten to a roadside fix stand on the thousand?” Wu’s little chestnut other side. eyes snapped in the Kentucky “The man had been partially sun. “God pity our staff if we cured, too,” Wu added snappish- ever have a depression, Mr. ly. “Well, I simply don’t have Rhinelander. Then we’ll really be time to stand for such regressive jammed. Now we have only the nonsense. So after the patients be- social cases. Those in the exurbs gan to riot—the first riot broke who try it for kicks and then—but out one night when Caul dis- time is wasting.” Another glance played his canvases after mess at the card. “Caul, was it? Ah, yes, I obtained an executive order. I Caul, Caul. Low status, I recall. crated his nightmarish work and No education, no money, no chil- shipped it, and Caul as well, to dren, no mistresses. No reason to the place we send all our incur- become addicted. Here three ables.” weeks. Had to release him.” “Cured?” Rhinelander was dis- TJHINELANDER batted away appointed. A confirmed addiction -*-* a bee which was buzzing might explain the haunting, evil and looping around his nose. His quality of the Picturs, but a recon- whole body erupted in perspira- structed addiction tion. His heart jackhammered un- Wu shook his head. “Totally der layers of fat. Dr. Wu fidgeted,

ONE-RACE SHOW 181 stared at his sandals, at the sky, Rhinelander. He tipped over his at his nails, at several inmates act- chair, flung off his white smock ing out their hostilities by playing and jackrabbited away over an- freeway drivers in a nearby glade. other hill. Rhinelander puffed af- Rhinelander thought: What luck! ter him, but got only as far as the A physician too idealistic by half, chair whose wheel revolved lazily too caught up and concerned with and caught the sun in chrome his charges to know, even now, glints. He was panting too hard what a find he once had in the to run further. person and the paintings of Joe Leaves stirred in the woods Caul. Carefully Rhinelander said: into which the figure had van- “To what place do you send ished. Rhinelander wished he your incurables, Dr. Wu?” were nearer an analytical lab that Wu stood up. “Denver. The could, for a fee, get hold of the Monastery of Positive Thinking. perspiration index left on the It’s for incipient and developed chair’s handgrips. Who was that insanity. Caul reached the latter damned spook with the red state shortly upon arrival. If beard? you’ll pardon me, I must check Some flunky Watty had hired up on Birnam Wood. Your dona- to check on the success or failure tion is appreciated, but it still of Rhinelander’s search? hardly makes a dent. Send me a Yes, that must be! Rhinelander new lumber-mill foreman in- mopped his face and pursed his stead.” Off he went into the dap- lips in a little smile. He could feel pled sunlight falling through the his blood pressure mounting as he magnolias. thought of Watty and Iris but he Starting up a hillside toward calmed himself by thinking: the rotor park, Rhinelander got a Denver. Denver. When he jolt. Stenciled against the sky, an shook a fist at the blue sky, it was attendant wheeled an empty pa- the fist of a victor. tient’s chair. The attendant had something resembling a jeweler’s V loupe screwed into his left eye. His reddish beard flapped in the T> HINELANDER’S sense of hot wind. victory was so complete he Rhinelander began to run. couldn’t resist sending Watty a “Wait, you! Wait just a moment! message before he took off from Stand still, I tell you.” Thlex. He reported his destina- But the bearded man was tion, reported that he had located younger and more agile than Joe Caul, reported that within a

182 GALAXY day he would most certainly have board was finished. Rhinelander Joe Caul signed to the exclusive sat on a marble bench in the management and representation piney mountain evening at the of The Rhinelander Galleries. See foot of a bronze statue of the how Watty liked that. great hospitaler himself, J. Walter As the sonicliner whined down Thorngate. The hands of the over Denver through a sundown figure were widespread in a ges- sky all gold and royal purple, ture of invitation to the figure of Rhinelander munched a Digest-o- an ailing consumer lying at his tab provided by the stewardesses feet. to help get rid of the sixteen Before he knew it Rhinelander courses of the flight meal. He re- was joined by a stately monk flected that soon he would prove with a crew cut and horn-rims. He once and for all that he was really introduced himself in a cheerful a clever and resourceful person. way as Brother Buzz, the Vice A short twelve miles by limou- President in Charge of Intraven- bus from Denver and he reached ous Equipment. the sprawling onion towers of the “Your inquiry isn’t precisely in Monastery of Positive Thinking. my bailiwick,” said Brother Buzz It was twilight. Motorized doves with a warm smile, “but since wheeled above the chapel. The we’re a team here, all involved in carillon rang out the strains of caring for the incurable and so Smiles. forth, I’m sure I can help put a As Rhinelander entered the little zing back in your swing.” gate he saw a platoon of the “Thank you, thank you,” brothers marching briskly Rhinelander replied. “I’d like to through a cloister. Barefoot, each talk with one of your patients. I wore impeccable flannel habila- believe his name is Caul.” ments. Each was whistling in an “Joe? A swell guy. But then optimistic way. Rhinelander had they’re all swell guys.” Brother heard about the order. Its breth- Buzz, however, could not suppress ren were mainly hopelessly insane a gentle frown. “Unfortunately advertising executives. Their he’s our unhappiest ward. Com- tranquility was achieved through plains constantly that the fellows the use of drugs. Nevertheless, on the team think pure white the entire scene had a refreshing thoughts. But of course we do." spiritual air which Rhinelander Brother Buzz laid his arm across enjoyed. Rhinelander’s shoulders. “We’ve A novice asked him to wait in zeroed in on the great truths, my the garden until Evening Plans- friend. When we send positive

ONE-RACE SHOW 183 —” thinking up the flagpole, every Rhinelander did not untold tne man on the team salutes. Actually slip until Brother Buzz had led you won’t be able to see Joe until him to the guest cell, and drawn after the morning meal. The pa- Rhinelander’s Gruel Yummydin- tients have retired for the night.” ner from the dumbwaiter. A beam “Oh. But he’s here, isn’t he?” of red sunlight came through the

“Of course.” bars of the cell and lit up the let- ters of the message like flame: TVTOW Rhinelander became very GLAD TO LOCATE YOU IN ^ ' careful. “Brother Buzz, may TIME TO REPORT PARTY I ask what may seem a question. GOING SPLENDIDLY. YOUR Do you and your brothers have PRIVATE POOL NOW PART any contact with the outside OF SPLENDID RICE PADDY. world? That is to say, I mean GOVERNOR STEMPLE HIM- specifically the world of art. You SELF APPEARING AS LEAD- see, I’m an art dealer.” ER OF COMMUNE! CHAM- “The world of art? No, we’re PAGNE DELICIOUS. JUST totally divorced from the world HAD TWO BEFORE WIRING. outside. We have no paintings WATTY RECEIVED YOUR here except for an original Rock- MESSAGE. SAYS HE RE- well in the narthex. However— FUSES TO BELIEVE UNTIL Brother Buzz shook his head THE SIXTH PICTUR IS “I’m sorry you have made the trip HUNG AT RHINELANDER^. for nothing, because that work is I’D BE WITH HIM, EXCEPT not for sale at any price.” HAVING TOO DELIRIOUS A Rhinelander suppressed a gig- TIME COMMUNIZING TO gle. “All I want is to talk to Caul, THINK ABOUT IT. IRIS. please.” “God damn,” Rhinelander said. “Then you shall.” Brother Buzz Then more vehemently, “Oh, God stood up and fished among the damn her.” The arrogant message folds of his robe. “I’ll show you triggered him like a bomb. He where you can sleep. I regret the raged and stamped up and down surroundings are modest, but our his cell with his mind a turmoil of order believes that existence humiliation and rage. should be one single, harmonious Redecorate his house, would ball of wax. In the meantime, you she? may be interested in this message. Against his wishes, would she?

Our supply rotor dropped it along Bitch! Flagrant, arrogant bitch. with our consignment of Gruel Her money, her money, her Yummydinners shortly after six.” money, he sneered to himself. Oh,

184 GALAXY yes—but not for long. Not when I Yet in that stage, foggy demons sign Caul tomorrow! flew around inside his head. “You,” the voice was whisper- TN a spasm of fury, Rhinelander ing. A wet, loose-lipped sound. kicked over the plastic wash “You, you.” stand with its metal bowl, towel, Rhinelander sat bolt upright. straight razor and bar of shaving He was bathed in cold sweat. soap. Then he stamped on the Through the cell window a bowl until he bent it totally out of shaft of icy moonlight fell on the shape. cell floor. Rhinelander tottered And Watty, he thought. Still toward the door. There was a hor- thinks I’ll fail. Still, still, still. rid crawling on his spine. His Rhinelander hurled the closed hand trembled as he reached for razor at the wall with a low the latchstring. When Rhine- scream of rage. Only the sound of lander opened the door and the carillon pealing out Happy shrank back, his visitor shambled Days Are Here Again over the inside. mountains prevented Rhineland- The visitor stood in the moon- er’s noise from upsetting the en- beam, spittle gleaming on his lips. tire monastery. At last, sobbing, Rhinelander’s legs turned to jelly. he sank down on his pallet and The visitor was a bent, flaccid blew out the single candle. man in his middle forties, pale But he could not sleep. with a face like suet. He stood He wanted to sleep. Something looking foolishly at Rhinelander. seemed to be sucking at his mind His big eyes seemed to have cav- as he lay in the cool dark. Pulling erns behind them. His feet, stick- and sucking and draining, until he ing out of shabby gray work trou- could hardly move. He felt limp, sers, were dirty, as if he were too exhausted. But his mind refused imbecilic to give himself good to accept this exhaustion. Instead, care. Then Rhinelander saw the it conjured up tortures and inde- fresh daubs of color on the toes, cencies and obscenities and cruel- on the trousers, on the tattered ties committed upon the persons shirt. Finally, he saw what the of Iris and Watty, tortures and in- man held, as the man brought it decencies and obscenities and cru- forward like a Mongoloid child elties of a magnitude which displaying a bauble. startled even Rhinelander’s own “Joe Caul,” Rhinelander said. soggy, hate-purpled self. At last, “Thankee,” said Joe Caul. “Ye snuffling and weeping, he fell into helped me paint again. Many a fitful light sleep. thanks.”

ONE-RACE SHOW 185

— — ”

And he showed the small can- All I can see is this here. Awful. vas. Take it!” Caul thrust the painting forward at Rhinelander. His voice T> HINELANDER covered his shrilled up a note. face and fell shrieking “Jesus, take it, mister. I don’ against the cold stone wall. want it, I can’t stand it. That’s “Turn it around, for Christ’s why I sended the big ones to a sake. It’s filthy.” name I seen in a directory book. Joe Caul blinked. “That’s The feller at Thlex, my friend, he queer. A man calling himself said I could get money. I filled out dirt.” some papers, he showed me how, “What do you no, don’t come except he was so high, I don’t any closer! What do you mean?” guess we did a very good job. “I painted what I seed in your Guess I got a bank somewhere. head tonight. I don’t see things in Don’t know where, though. the heads of them monks. They Money. I guess so, too. Except the got pure white heads. Drugs or feller unnerstood and swum all suthin’. What’s wrong with a fel- the way to Ohio and got killed ler paintin’ what he sees, huh?” hunting a new fix. He couldn’t “What do you mean, you saw stand it either.” that?” Rhinelander howled. Caul blinked innocently. “Why A LL at once Caul’s mind ran just like it always is, since the down like a broken clock. burn back when I was with Elk. I He stood, just stood. His arms can’t sleep no more. But when I dangled. His lower lip made a pla- close my eyes, I see. Finally I teau from which saliva dripped, figured out what I seen. It must evil and iridescent under the be inside heads. It must be,” Caul weird mountain moon. repeated in his pleading whine. “I see,” Rhinelander choked, “Don’t noplace in the world have talking half to himself. “The crawly sights like that. One of the burns—the incomplete treatment fellers at Thlex unnerstood. He —you look inside heads— unnerstood why I had to have A stupid, pleading smile drugs. Only way I know to get rid twitched Caul’s lips. of this.” Caul wagged the picture “You unnerstand. You a again. Rhinelander retched. friend?”

“Only way’s to paint it. Jesus “No, I’m not your friend. Christ, —” Caul was nearly weeping in no!” the steel-blue moonlight now “I can’t he’p what I see,” Caul

“wisht I could paint a dog again. mumbled. “I see it, I got to purge

ONE-RACE SHOW 187 ”

it out or I’d kill myself.” Caul tack upon the canvas. The razor looked down at his most recent gleamed cold as death and sliced work. “Thankee. I wanted to clean through Joe Caul’s jugular. paint again because some of what Caul screamed. He lurched into I seen was still inside my head, a corner of the cell, kneeling in but—I guess—it takes a dirty his own bubbling blood. Some- head to get it really stirred again. thing blue-white exploded from Wasn’t bad enough until you the corridor. Rhinelander grew come. Just bad, not bad enough.” conscious of a babble of voices he “A dirty head,” Rhinelander had heard for some time. Then a said, with a witless giggle. He louder voice exclaimed: could hardly speak. “You—that’s “Awright, awright, how was I to why—the Picturs—they look so know he’d kill him? I got the shot, familiar, but—dirty heads. you can go in now an’—quit shov- They’re—all of us?” ing, dammit! I’m a representative “Please,” said Caul, holding up of the press.” the painting. Rhinelander staggered to an- “Give me that thing,” Rhine- other corner, unable to look at lander screamed. He snatched the the twitching, bleeding thing he canvas from Caul’s hands, scrab- had killed. Through his blurred bled on the stone floor, opened eyesight swam the face of Brother the razor and began to slash, criss- Buzz. Then another face with a cross, with great outraged strokes. red fan beard. Monks were tussl- Slash, slash, slash. Anything to ing with the intruder, who had a eradicate the putrescent vision of camera and was shouting about his own mind which Joe Caul had being manhandled: somehow seen tonight, seen and “Sigma. Charley Sigma, Top- sucked out and transferred to vir- flite Press Service. Legit? Sure ulent, shadowy life on his little I’m legit! Been following this bird scrap of canvas. Slash, slash, slash. for days. Mystery of Joe Caul. Rhinelander struck back and Got a tip in Geneva about a forth like a demon. cracked numbered account. What “What you doin’, mister?” Caul a story. ‘The cesspool of the hu- caught Rhinelander by the shoul- man mind on canvas.’ Awright, der with one loose hand. “Hey, awright, quit shoving. I know my there! What— constitutional rights. Where’s the Unable to control himself, communication center in this Rhinelander spun around. His dump?” arm whipped back and forth in a Mine, Rhinelander thought continuation of the hysterical at- hideously. He had slashed the

188 GALAXY —

canvas but could not slash its the end of the press run? Poor image out of his thoughts. Purple, Hatlo only finished revising it whirling, obscene. Mine! three weeks ago to include Joe “A little tranquility, brothers,” Caul. And the reviews! What an said the voice of Brother Buzz about-face.” with conference-room authority. “Vile,” Iris breathed. “Those Rhinelander felt the blessed pictures.” Her sticky lips twisted needle pierce his arm to bring the with loathing. “They couldn’t blessed dark. come from any one of us.” “Oh, no?” Watty laughed again. VI He lifted his hand to indicate the moving chain of lights. “My dear, TJHINELANDER or Iris or they’re from all of us. Or were.” Watty seldom went to the “When is Swallows’s funeral?” observatory in the villa because Rhinelander asked. Swallows had none of them were interested in hung himselff astronomy. But the observatory “Tomorrow,” said Watty. sat upon the highest point of their “What fools we were,” Rhine- property, overlooking a distant lander said with another long highway, so tonight the three of shudder. them stood by the balustrade, “Amen,” Iris said. “For once we watching. Far off, lights by the agree, darling.” thousands burned in a crawling “Oh, no,” said Watty. “A week pattern along the highway. Rhine- ago we weren’t fools. We were lander turned his back, feeling sensitive men and women. To- chilly, although the evening tem- night we’ve become fools again. perature was over seventy. Incidentally, Nels. Although you He didn’t care to watch. Iris did find your friend Caul, I still had insisted, however, The consider that you failed to win psychomentalist who cleared our little challenge. Nels? Ah, Rhinelander of accidental homo- well.” slaughter at his hearing had also Rhinelander stood rigid, smil- insisted. ing a little now. The procession Watty, never at a loss, of lights had come to a halt. A red chuckled. smear leaked up on the horizon. “Did you see the sheets to- It grew redder and taller. Soon night, Nels old boy? Five hun- it revealed the fifty thousand who dred thousand copies of Professor had marched out of the city to Hatlo’s new edition of A Bioglos- burn the five Picturs of Joe Caul. sary of Great Artists destroyed at — JOHN JAKES

ONE-RACE SHOW 189 GALAXY'S 5 Star Shelf r ''HIS PAST autumn, the New of all these innovations on social, | York Times published a fine political and economic levels article by Isaac Asimov recapitu- presents a huge challenge to the lating the role of science fiction of author brave enough to attempt the recent past in the develop- a picture of future life in a world ment of our present technology. formed in the mold of new scien- The question that Asimov raised tific achievement. was, with so many of its basic Of course, to us this is noth- plot concepts translated into ing new. Such trailblazers as reality, where does SF go from Asimov’s own Caves of Steel, here? To an aficianado, the Pohl-Kornbluth’s Gravy Planet, answer is obvious. The sky is not Bester’s Demolished Man set a the limit. The tremendous break- pattern for exploring fantastic throughs in all branches of inves- environments from the viewpoint tigation are opening up fictional of day-to-day living. vistas that are positively stagger- However, another interesting ing in their potential. The impact point raised by Asimov:

190 GALAXY Just as we watched the science MIKE MARS, ASTRONAUT; fiction stories of our fathers be- MIKE MARS FLIES THE X-15; come matter-of-fact, so we can MIKE MARS AT CAPE CANAV- see our own favorite SF themes ERAL; MIKE MARS IN ORBIT, graduate into the realm of every- all by Donald A. Wollheim, day reality. The rocket is fast Doubleday & Co. Inc. following the path of the flying machine, the horseless carriage THESE BOOKS, which would and the submersible boat. The have qualified as adult SF fare sober space timetable issued by in subject matter if not in treat- NASA reads like a plot back- ment five years ago, are carefully ground of recent super-imagina- geared to reality. tive fiction: two-man orbital Wollheim’s intensive research flight, three-man flight, space- has lent an air of authenticity to ship construction in earth orbit, the stories that should impart orbital moon flight, moon land- considerable knowledge to young, ings. And all this projected only would-be astronauts — of both slightly more than a half decade sexes. into the future! One beneficial result of the Living proof of this is a new Russian lead in the space-race series of boys’ books by Donald has been the elimination of the A. Wollheim. swarthy, bearded foreigner as the Just a short span of years ago, engineer of plot conflict. Woll- the words “American Rocket So- heim has substituted a money- ciety” conjured up a picture in and power-hungry father and the public eye of a group of wild- publicity-hungry son as the vil- eyed, half loony visionaries, com- lainous team. Not much more pletely out of touch with reality, edible, perhaps, but slightly more living in a dream world of their credible. own. Now along comes this series, The individual titles are indi- replete with ideas, concepts and cative of content and each vol- themes which were utterly laugh- ume is complete, although there able then to Mr. Averageman and is a crude tie-in at the end of they read like, not today’s, but each. yesterday’s newspaper. Sic transit Rating: ***y2 yesterday’s science fiction. Mike Mars has already receded from Another example of fiction out- the future to the past, alongside moded by actuality is the follow- Tom Swift, The Rover Boys and ing item, penned in 1954 but just the long list of Verne heroes. now available here.

SHELF 191 THRESHOLD OF THE STARS SPACEMEN, GO HOME by Mil- by Paul Berna. Abelard-Schu- ton Lesser. Holt, Rinehart and man. Winston.

BERNA’S JUVENILE envis- LESSER’S latest juvenile is in ioned the French as winners of this category. And even though the space contest. He thus joins there is a continuing revolution the ranks of a host of other foggy in computer design and tech- crystal ball owners. niques, there is likewise little dan- The story action is viewed ger of any foreseeable parallel of through the eyes of a twelve-year- Lesser’s basic gimmick', a planet- old, son of a remote-control ex- size, self-operative computer of pert, cloistered along with a advanced design. thousand others in a secret base. A joint project of a Galactic Security is strict but youngsters confederation similar to the UN, bent on exploration can slip the Star Brain was built to settle mouselike through the tightest all disputes between worlds. To checkpoints. supply the background for the Berna’s concept of a burgeon- story, it has ruled against Earth ing space project is, to say the in a dispute with an alien race. least, naive, as are his estimates Without going into story detail, of costs. But this is easily for- suffice it to report that it is a given. Eight years of hindsight study of the contrast between the can make an Einstein of anyone. good and the bad inherent in The story, outdated though it human conduct and how such a is, is written with Gallic verve contrast might baffle alien in- and sparkles with a spirit of ad- telligences. venture and wonder. Young Rating * * * Vi readers will find the outlook of the French adult a refreshing Books for youngsters are contrast to that of the usual among the best gauges of techno- American. logical advancement. Dikty’s col-

Rating:**** lection, believe it or not, contains not a single story that was written Then there is the ageless story, for a juvenile audience. All, with- in which the author places the out exception, were written with action so far in the future that the highly informed adult reader there is little danger of scientific in mind. developments catching up with Such is the pace of our scien- the yarn for quite some time. tific progress.

192 GALAXY EVERY BOY’S BOOK OF enormous service by reissuing OUTER SPACE STORIES ed- three of Asimov’s most popular ited by T. E. Dikty. Frederick novels: The Currents of Space, Fell, Inc. The Stars Like Dust and Pebble in the Sky. All are big novels, DIKTY’S ANTHOLOGY is an with Galactic Empires as back- odd assemblage of real McCoy drops and inventions beyond im- and real McCorn. Of course, back agination as commonplaces yet in the ’30s, such as Manly Wade the emphasis is on little, ordinary Wellman’s Men Against the Stars people. read like pure heart rather than Rating: Don’t miss them. 99.44% hokum. However, most of the others are excellent. A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF Kornbluth’s That Share of THE SEA by Willard Bascom.

Glory, Correy’s . . . And a Star Doubleday & Co., Inc. to Steer Her By, Abernathy’s startling concept of The Canal THE ABOVE BOOK serves as Builders and Jameson’s Blind an admirable example of fact en- Man’s Buff are all typical of the croaching on fiction in our spe- unlimited horizon of SF. cialized field. I’d be a wealthy **** Rating: man if I had a dollar for every fictional hole in the Earth’s crust, Asimov himself is a master of from Verne’s and Burroughs’s to the timeless story. Of his dozen the shiveringly ingenious one be- or so novels, none is in any dan- ing drilled from below by Arthur ger of immediate obsolescence. C. Clarke. But, frankly, I don’t He is his own best example of recall any fictional excavations what an unfettered imagination of real depth beneath the ocean can create from trends or devel- floor. Quite a few books, from opments that are barely emerg- Coblentz’s Sunken World to the ing in our own time. None of his Pohl-Williamson juvenile sub- novels is more recent than half aquatic series, have envisioned a decade past, yet each is a limited penetration of the under- fresh-cut gem. sea crust but all have fallen short of the audacity of planning ex- TRIANGLE by Isaac Asimov. hibited by the “Mohole Project”. Doubleday & Co., Inc. (Mohorivicic Discontinuity, or “Moho” for short, -+ “Hole” = DOUBLEDAY HAS done the Mohole.) present crop of SF devotees an The project proposes to drill

SHELF 193 a midocean hole some 25,000 feet civilization’s field anthropologists down through solid rock to reach survive or die in primitive man- earth’s mantle. hood rituals: The Rainbow Gold, Won’t opening such a hole Jane Rice’s superbly comic back- create a volcano or cause earth- woods pot-o’-gold story and Ward quakes? Moore’s The Fellow Who Mar- Of course not, the author says, ried the Maxill Girl, a sensitive and proves his point. He also account of the plight of a dim- elaborates on drilling techniques witted (by his race’s standards) on land and water and offers such- alien, his green thumb and his a plethora of fascinating geologi- exile on Earth. cal information that even a casual Rating: ***** reader will soon find himself com- pletely absorbed in an enthralling THE STAINLESS STEEL RAT book. by Harry Harrison. Pyramid This is author Bascom’s own Books. do-it-yourself, since he is also Di- rector of the Mohole Project. He HARRISON’S SLICK story, as has managed to pour his own highly polished as his striking knowledge and enthusiasm in title, envisions a society in which such great measure into his book crime literally does not pay. Only that it qualifies unqualifiedly as the lone-wolf super-criminal can un-down-puttable. buck the superbly equipped and organized law-enforcement agen- THE BEST FROM FANTASY cies with success. And thereby AND SCIENCE FICTION, hangs his tale: set a thief to catch TENTH SERIES, edited by a thief. The top-secret Special Robert P. Mills. Doubleday & Corps does just that, since the Co., Inc. devious workings of the criminal mind differ from that of the con- EDITOR MILLS has turned out scientious cop. a collection from last year’s crop Harrison’s clever yarn explores of F&SF yarns that is as well a fascinating facet of the future, balanced as a circus aerialist. Al- crime detection and prevention, most all of the seventeen items and though pure entertainment, are topnotch, with the following underlines SF’s role in providing as tip toppers: Robert F. Young’s speculative thought about poten- Nikita Eisenhower Jones, a star- tial problems. struck Polynesian; Richard Mc- Rating: **** Kenna’s Mine Own Ways, super- — FLOYD C. GALE

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