The Best Of Isaac Asimov

ISAAC ASIMOV Copyright 1973

Contents
Introduction Marooned Off Vesta Nightfall C Chute !he Martian "ay !he #eep !he $un !hey %ad !he &ast 'uestion !he #ead (ast !he #ying Night Anni)ersary !he *illiard *all Mirror I+age Introduction
I +ust ad+it the title of this ,oo- gi)es +e pause. "ho says the enclosed stories are +y /,est01 #o I1 #oes the editor1 Or so+e critic1 So+e reader1 A general )ote a+ong the entire population of the 2orld1 And 2hoe)er says it can it ,e so1 Can the 2ord /,est0 +ean anything at all3 e4cept to so+e particular person in so+e particular +ood1 (erhaps not so if 2e allo2 the 2ord to stand as an a,solute3 you3 or you3 or perhaps you3 +ay ,e appalled at o+issions or inclusions or3 ne)er ha)ing read +e ,efore3 +ay e)en ,e i+pelled to cry out3 /5ood hea)ens3 are those his best? So I0ll ,e honest 2ith all of you. "hat is included here in this ,oo- are a do6en stories chosen in such a 2ay as to span a third of a century of 2riting3 2ith t2o early sa+ples3 t2o late sa+ples3 and eight fro+ the gold decade 7for +e8 of the $ifties. !hose presented are as nearly representati)e as is consistent 2ith the careful selection of good stories 7i.e. those the editor and I li-e83 and as nearly the ,est of +y stories as is consistent 2ith +a-ing the+ representati)e. I suppose 2e ought really call the ,oo-3 /!he (retty 5ood and (retty 9epresentati)e Stories of Isaac Asi+o)03 ,ut 2ho 2ould then ,uy it1 So /,est0 it is. As to the indi)idual stories 718 /Marooned Off Vesta0 2as the )ery first story I e)er pu,lished3 so its inclusion is )irtually a necessity. It 2asn0t the first I e)er 2rote 2ith the hope of pu,lication. Actually3 it 2as the third. !he first 2as ne)er sold and no longer e4ists: the second 2as sold a couple of years after it 2as 2ritten3 ,ut is not )ery good. $ar ,e it fro+ +e to cra)e indulgence3 ,ut I thin- it is i+portant to understand that at the ti+e I 2rote and sold the story 7in 193;8 I 2as eighteen years old and had spent all the years I could re+e+,er in a city slu+. My )ision of strong ad)enturers ,ra)ely facing danger in distant )astnesses 2as <ust that )isionary. 7=8 /Nightfall03 2ritten t2o and a half years later3 2as the thirty second story I had 2ritten 72hat else did I ha)e to do in those days e4cept 2or- in +y father0s candy store and study for +y college degrees8 and perhaps the fourteenth story pu,lished. >et 2ithin less than three years of the start of +y career it turned out that I had 2ritten the ,est of Asi+o).

At least3 /Nightfall0 has ,een fre?uently reprinted3 is co++only referred to as a /classic03 and 2hen so+e +aga6ine3 or fan organi6ation3 conducts a )ote on short stories3 it fre?uently ends up on the top of the list not only of +y stories ,ut of any,ody0s. One of its ad)antages is that it has a uni?ue plot. !here 2as nothing rese+,ling it e)er pu,lished ,efore 7as far as I -no28 and of course3 it is no2 so 2ell -no2n that nothing li-e it can ,e pu,lished again. It0s nice to ha)e one story li-e that3 any2ay. >et I 2as only t2enty one 2hen I 2rote it and 2as still feeling +y 2ay. It isn0t my fa)orite. &ater on3 I0ll tell you 2hat +y fa)orite is and you can then <udge for yourself. 738 /C Chute0 co+es after a ten year hiatus3 as far as the stories included in this ,oo- are concerned. I hadn0t ?uit 2riting of course3 don0t thin- that. !o ,e sure3 I had slo2ed do2n a ,it3 2hat 2ith the 2ar and the ti+e consu+ing effort to2ard the doctorate3 ,ut the real reason for the gap is that I spent +ost of the $orties 2riting the stories collected in +y ,oo-s I, Robot and The Foundation Trilogy. It see+ed inad)isa,le to a+putate portions of either for this collection. /C Chute0 co+es near the ,eginning of +y /+ature0 period 7or 2hate)er you 2ant to call it8. I had +y (h.#.: I 2as an Assistant (rofessor of *ioche+istry at *oston @ni)ersity School of Medicine: I had pu,lished +y first three ,oo-s3 and I 2as full of self confidence. "hat0s +ore I had ,ro-en a2ay fro+ e4clusi)e dependence on Astounding Science Fiction. Ne2 +aga6ines had arisen to challenge its leadership3 nota,ly Galaxy, and also Fantasy and Science Fiction. /C Chute0 appeared in Galaxy. So did the ne4t t2o stories in the collection. 7A8 /!he Martian "ay0 represents +y reaction to the McCarthy era3 a ti+e3 in the early fifties3 2hen A+ericans see+ed to a,andon their o2n history and ,eco+e3 in so+e cases3 2itch hunters: in so+e cases3 )icti+s: and in +ost cases3 co2ards. 7*ra)e +en re+ained3 fortunately3 2hich is 2hy 2e pulled out of it.8 /!he Martian "ay03 2ritten and pu,lished at the height of the McCarthy era3 2as +y o2n personal state+ent of position. I felt )ery ,ra)e at the ti+e and 2as disappointed that no one e)er as +uch as fro2ned at +e in conse?uence. I +ust ha)e ,een too su,tle or too uni+portant. A second point a,out the story is that I +anaged to foresee so+ething accurately3 Science fiction 2riters are often assu+ed to ,e -een eyed peerers into the future 2ho see things others don0t. Actually3 fe2 2riters ha)e +uch of a record in this respect and +ine3 at ,est3 can only ,e said to attain the a,ys+ally lo2 a)erage. Bust the sa+e3 in /!he Martian "ay03 I descri,ed the euphoric effects of the space2al- fifteen years ,efore anyone had space 2al-ed and then3 2hen they did3 euphoria is apparently 2hat they e4perienced. 7C8 /!he #eep0 is the sleeper of the collection. D)ery once in a 2hile I 2rote a story 2hich3 though good in +y opinion 7and I don0t li-e all +y stories83 see+s to stir up no reaction. !his is one of the+. (erhaps it0s ,ecause I deli,erately chose to descri,e a society in 2hich +other lo)e 2as a cri+e and the 2orld 2asn0t ready for that 7E8 /!he $un !hey %ad0 is pro,a,ly the ,iggest surprise of +y literary career. A personal friend as-ed +e to 2rite a little science fiction story for a syndicated ,oys and girls ne2spaper page he edited and I agreed for friendship0s sa-e. I e4pected it 2ould appear in a fe2 ne2spapers for one day and 2ould then disappear fore)er. %o2e)er3 Fantasy and Science Fiction pic-ed it up and3 to +y surprise3 the reprint re?uests ,egan to co+e in. It has ,een reprinted at least thirty ti+es3 and there has ,een no ti+e in perhaps fifteen years 7including right no28 2hen ne2 reprints ha)en0t ,een pending. "hy1 I don0t -no2 2hy. If I had the critic0s +entality 72hich I e+phatically don0t8 I 2ould sit do2n and try to analy6e +y stories3 2or- out the factors that +a-e so+e +ore successful than others3 culti)ate those factors3 and si+ply e4plode 2ith e4cellence. *ut the de)il 2ith that. I 2on0t ,uy success at the price of self consciousness. I don0t ha)e the te+pera+ent for it. f11 2rite as I please. and let the critics do the analy6ing. 7>esterday3 so+eone said to +e that a critic 2as li-e a eunuch in a hare+. %e could o,ser)e3 study3 and analy6e ,ut he couldn0t do it hi+self.8 778 /!he &ast 'uestion0 is +y personal fa)orite3 the one story I +ade sure 2ould not ,e o+itted fro+ this collection. "hy is it +y fa)orite1 $or one thing I got the idea all at once and didn0t ha)e to fiddle 2ith it: and I 2rote it in 2hiteheat and scarcely had to change a 2ord. !his sort of thing endears any story to any 2riter. !hen3 too3 it has had the strangest effect on +y readers. $re?uently so+eone 2rites to as- +e if I can 2rite the+ the na+e of a story3 2hich they think I +ay ha)e 2ritten3 and tell the+ 2here to find it. !hey don0t re+e+,er the title ,ut 2hen they descri,e the story it is in)aria,ly /!he &ast 'uestion0. !his has reached the point 2here I recently recei)ed a long distance phone call fro+ a desperate +an 2ho ,egan3 /#r. Asi+o)3 there0s a story I thinyou 2rote3 2hose title I can0t re+e+,er 0 at 2hich point I interrupted to tell hi+ it 2as /!he &ast 'uestion0 and 2hen I descri,ed the plot it pro)ed to ,e indeed the story he 2as after. I left hi+ con)inced I could read +inds at a distance of a thousand +iles. No other story I ha)e 2ritten has anything li-e this effect on +y readers producing at once an unsha-ea,le +e+ory of the plot and an unsha-ea,le forgettery of the title and e)en author. I thin- it +ay ,e that the story fills

the+ so frighteningly full3 that they can retain none of the side issues. 7;8 /!he #ead (ast0 2as 2ritten after I had ,een teaching for se)en years. I 2as as saturated as could ,e 2ith the 2orld of scientific research. Naturally3 anyone 2ho 2rites is going to re)eal the 2orld in 2hich he is i++ersed3 2hether he 2ants to or desperately 2ants not to. I0)e ne)er tried to a)oid letting +y personal ,ac-ground creep into +y stories3 ,ut I +ust ad+it it has rarely crept in ?uite as thic-ly as it did in this one. As an e4a+ple of ho2 +y stories 2or- out3 consider this I had +y protagonist interested in Carthage ,ecause I +yself a+ a great ad+irer of %anni,al and ha)e ne)er ?uite gotten o)er the *attle of Fa+a. I introduced Carthage3 idly3 2ithout any intention of 2ea)ing it into the plot. *ut it got 2o)en in <ust the sa+e. !hat happens to +e o)er and o)er. So+e 2riters 2or- out the stories in +eticulous detail ,efore starting3 and stic- to the outline. (. 5. "odehouse does it3 I understand3 and I 2orship his ,oo-s. *ut <ust the sa+e I don0t. I 2or- out +y ending3 decide on a ,eginning and then proceed3 letting e)erything in ,et2een 2or- itself out as I co+e to it. 798 /!he #ying Night0 is an e4a+ple of a +ystery as 2ell as a science fiction story3 I ha)e ,een a +ystery reader as long as I ha)e ,een a science fiction reader and3 on the 2hole3 I thin- I en<oy +ysteries +ore. I0+ not sure 2hy that is. (erhaps it 2as that after I ,eca+e an esta,lished science fiction 2riter I 2as no longer a,le to rela4 2ith science fiction stories. I read e)ery story -eenly a2are that it +ight ,e 2orse than +ine3 in 2hich case I had no patience 2ith it3 or that it +ight ,e ,etter3 in 2hich case I felt +isera,le. Mysteries3 especially the intellectual pu66le )ariety 7ah3 good old %ercule (oirot83 offered +e no such stu+,ling ,loc-s. Sooner or later3 then3 I 2as ,ound to try +y hand at science fiction +ysteries and /!he #ying Night0 is one of these. 71G83 Anni)ersary0 2as 2ritten to fulfill a re?uest that I 2rite a story for the March3 19C93 issue of Ama ing Stories as a 2ay of cele,rating the t2entieth anni)ersary of the March3 19393 issue3 2hich had contained +y first pu,lished story3 /Marooned Off Vesta03 So 7ine)ita,ly8 I 2rote a story dealing 2ith the characters of /Marooned Off Vesta0 t2enty years later. !he +aga6ine then ran ,oth stories together3 and I 2as sure so+eone 2ould send +e a letter saying that +y 2riting 2as ,etter in the first story3 ,ut no one did. 7(erhaps a reader of this ,oo- 2ill decide it 2ould ,e hu+orous to do so3 ,ut if so3 please restrain yourself.8 7118 /!he *illiard *all0 co+es3 in this collection3 after an eight year hiatus and is an e4a+ple of +y /late0 style. 7!hat is3 if there is such a thing. So+e critics say that it is a fla2 in +y literary nature that I ha)en0t gro2n: that +y late stories ha)e the sa+e style and aura of +y early stories. May,e you0ll thin- so3 too3 and scorn +e in conse?uence ,ut then3 I0)e already told you 2hat so+e people thin- of critics.8 !he reason for the hiatus is that in 19C; I ?uit the acade+ic life to ,eco+e a full ti+e 2riter. I at once proceeded to 2rite e)erything under the sun 7straight science3 straight +ystery3 children0s ,oo-s3 histories3 literary annotations3 ety+ology3 hu+or3 etc.3 etc.8 exce!t science fiction. I ne)er entirely a,andoned it3 of course 2itness /!he *illiard *all0. 71=8 /Mirror I+age0 is a particularly recent science fiction short story I0)e 2ritten for the +aga6ines and3 unli-e the first ele)en stories3 has not yet had ti+e to ,e reprinted. One of the reasons for 2riting it 2as to appease those readers 2ho 2ere fore)er as-ing +e for se?uels: for one +ore ,oo- in)ol)ing characters 2ho ha)e appeared in pre)ious ,oo-s. One of the +ost fre?uent re?uests 2as that I 2rite a third no)el to succeed The "a#es o$ Steel and The %aked Sun, ,oth of 2hich dealt 2ith the ad)entures of the detecti)e3 Dli<ah *aley3 and his ro,ot assistant3 9. #aneel Oli)a2. @na,le to find the ti+e to do so3 I 2rote a short story a,out the+ 0Mirror I+age0. Alas3 all I got as a result 2ere a spate of letters saying3 /!han-s3 ,ut 2e +ean a no#el. Any2ay3 there you are. !urn the page and you can ,egin a representati)e3 and possi,ly a +ore or less /,est03 11C3GGG 2ords or so out of the roughly =3GGG3GGG 2ords of science fiction I ha)e 2ritten so far. I hope it a+uses you. And if it doesn0t3 re+e+,er that I ha)e also 2ritten a,out 73CGG3GGG 2ords of non science fiction3 and you are at least spared any of that. ISAAC ASIMOV

Marooned Off Vesta

H"ill you please stop 2al-ing up and do2n li-e that1I said "arren Moore fro+ the couch. HIt 2on0t do any of us

any good. !hin- of our ,lessings: 2e0re airtight3 aren0t 2e1I Mar- *randon 2hirled and ground his teeth at hi+. HI0+ glad you feel happy a,out that3I he spat out )iciously. HOf course3 you don0t -no2 that our air supply 2ill last only three days.I %e resu+ed his interrupted stride 2ith a defiant air. Moore ya2ned and stretched3 assu+ed a +ore co+forta,le position3 and replied. HD4pending all that energy 2ill only use it up faster. "hy don0t you ta-e a hint fro+ Mi-e here1 %e0s ta-ing it easy.I HMi-eI 2as Michael Shea3 late a +e+,er of the cre2 of the Sil#er &ueen. %is short3 s?uat ,ody 2as resting on the only chair in the roo+ and /his feet 2ere on the only ta,le. %e loo-ed up as his na+e 2as +entioned3 his +outh 2idening in a t2isted grin. H>ou0)e got to e4pect things li-e this to happen so+eti+es3I he said. H*uc-ing the asteroids is ris-y ,usiness. "e should0)e ta-en the hop. It ta-es longer3 ,ut it0s the only safe 2ay. *ut no3 the captain 2anted to +a-e the schedule: he 'ould go throughI Mi-e spat disgustedly Iand here 2e are.I H"hat0s the /hop01I as-ed *randon. HOh3 I ta-e it that friend Mi-e +eans that 2e. should ha)e a)oided the asteroid ,elt ,y plotting a course outside the plane of the ecliptic3I ans2ered Moore. H!hat0s it3 isn0t it3 Mi-e1I Mi-e hesitated and then replied cautiously3 H>eah I guess that0s it.I Moore s+iled ,landly and continued3 H"ell3 I 2ouldn0t ,la+e Captain Crane too +uch. !he repulsion screen +ust ha)e failed fi)e +inutes ,efore that chun- of granite ,arged into us. !hat0s not his fault3 though of course 2e ought to ha)e steered clear instead of relying on the screen.I %e shoo- his head +editati)ely. H!he Sil#er &ueen <ust 2ent to pieces. It0s really +iraculously luc-y that this part of the ship re+ained intact3 and 2hat0s +ore3 airtight.I H>ou0)e got a funny idea of luc-3 "arren3I said *randon. HAl2ays ha)e3 for as long as I0)e -no2n you. %ere 2e are in a tenth part of a spaceship3 co+prising only three 'hole roo+s3 2ith air for three days3 and no prospect of ,eing ali)e after that3 and you ha)e the infernal gall to prate a,out luc-.I HCo+pared to the others 2ho died instantly 2hen the asteroid struc-3 yes3I 2as Moore0s ans2er. H>ou thin- so3 eh1 "ell3 let +e tell you that instant death isn0t so ,ad co+pared 2ith 2hat 2e0re going to ha)e to go through. Suffocation is a da+ned unpleasant 2ay of dying.I H"e +ay find a 2ay out3I Moore suggested hopefully. H"hy not face factsJI *randon0s face 2as flushed and his )oice tre+,led. H"e0re done3 I tell youJ !hroughJI Mi-e glanced fro+ one to the other dou,tfully and then coughed to attract their attention. H"ell3 gents3 seeing that 2e0re all in the sa+e fi43 I guess there0s no use hogging things.I %e dre2 a s+all ,ottle out of his poc-et that 2as filled 2ith a greenish li?uid. H5rade A Ba,ra this is. I ain0t too proud to share and share ali-e.I *randon e4hi,ited the first signs of pleasure for o)er a day. HMartian Ba,ra 2ater. "hy didn0t you say so ,efore1I *ut as he reached for it3 a fir+ hand cla+ped do2n upon his 2rist. %e loo-ed up into the cal+ ,lue eyes of "arren Moore. H#on0t ,e a fool3I said Moore3 Hthere isn0t enough to -eep us drun- for three days. "hat do you 2ant to do1 5o on a tear no2 and then die cold so,er1 &et0s sa)e this for the last si4 hours 2hen the air gets stuffy and ,reathing hurts then 2e0ll finish the ,ottle a+ong us and ne)er kno' 2hen the end co+es3 or care.( *randon0s hand fell a2ay reluctantly. H#a+n it3 "arren3 you0d ,leed ice if you 2ere cut. %o2 can you thin- straight at a ti+e li-e this1I %e +otioned to Mi-e and the ,ottle 2as once +ore sto2ed a2ay. *randon 2al-ed to the porthole and ga6ed out. Moore approached and placed a -indly ar+ o)er the shoulders of the younger +an. H"hy ta-e it so hard3 +an1I he as-ed. H>ou can0t last at this rate. Inside of t2enty four hours you0ll ,e a +ad+an if you -eep this up.I !here 2as no ans2er. *randon stared ,itterly at the glo,e that filled al+ost the entire porthole3 so Moore continued3 H"atching Vesta 2on0t do you any good either.I Mi-e Shea lu+,ered up to the porthole. H"e0d ,e safe if 2e 2ere only do2n there on Vesta. !here0re people there. %o2 far a2ay are 2e1I HNot +ore than three or four hundred +iles <udging fro+ its apparent si6e3I ans2ered Moore. H>ou +ust re+e+,er that it is only t2o hundred +iles in dia+eter.I H!hree hundred +iles fro+ sal)ation30K +ur+ured *randon3 Hand 2e +ight as 2ell ,e a +illion. If there 2ere only a 2ay to get oursel)es out of the or,it this rotten frag+ent adopted. >ou -no23 +anage to gi)e oursel)es a push so as to start falling. !here0d ,e no danger of crashing if 2e did3 ,ecause that +idget hasn0t got enough gra)ity to crush a crea+ puff.I HIt has enough to -eep us in the or,it3 H retorted *randon. HIt +ust ha)e pic-ed us up 2hile 2e 2ere lying

unconscious after the crash. "ish it had co+e closer: 2e +ight ha)e ,een a,le to land on it.I H$unny place3 Vesta3I o,ser)ed Mi-e Shea. HI 2as do2n there t2o three ti+es. "hat a du+pJ It0s all co)ered 2ith so+e stuff li-e sno23 only it ain0t sno2. I forget 2hat they call it.I H$ro6en car,on dio4ide1I pro+pted Moore. H>eah3 dry ice3 that car,on stuff3 that0s it. !hey say that0s 2hat +a-es Vesta so shiny.I HOf courseJ !hat 2ould gi)e it a high al,edo.I Mi-e coc-ed a suspicious eye at Moore and decided to let it pass. HIt0s hard to see anything do2n there on account of the sno23 ,ut if you loo- closeI he pointed Iyou can see a sort of gray s+udge. I thin- that0s *ennett0s do+e. !hat0s 2here they -eep the o,ser)atory. And there is Calorn0s do+e up there. !hat0s a fuel station3 that is. !here0s plenty +ore3 too3 only I don0t see the+.I %e hesitated and then turned to Moore. H&isten3 ,oss3 I0)e ,een thin-ing. "ouldn0t they ,e loo-ing for us as soon as they hear a,out the crash1 And 2ouldn0t 2e ,e easy to find fro+ Vesta3 seeing 2e0re so closer0 Moore shoo- his head3 HNo3 Mi-e3 they 2on0t ,e loo-ing for us. No one0s going to find out a,out the crash until the Sil#er &ueen fails to turn up on schedule. >ou see3 2hen the asteroid hit3 2e didn0t ha)e ti+e to send out an SOSI he sighed Iand they 2on0t find us do2n there at Vesta3 either. "e0re so s+all that e)en at our distance they couldn0t see us unless they -ne2 2hat they 2ere loo-ing for3 and e4actly 2here to loo-.I H%++.I Mi-e0s forehead 2as corrugated in deep thought. H!hen 2e0)e got to get to Vesta ,efore three days are up.I H>ou0)e got the gist of the +atter3 Mi-e. No23 if 2e only -ne2 ho2 to go a,out it3 eh1I *randon suddenly e4ploded3 H"ill you t2o stop this infernal chitter chatter and do so+ething1 $or 5od0s sa-e3 do so+ething.I Moore shrugged his shoulders and 2ithout ans2er returned to the couch. %e lounged at ease3 apparently carefree3 ,ut there 2as the tiniest crease ,et2een his eyes 2hich ,espo-e concentration. !here 2as no dou,t a,out it: they 'ere in a ,ad spot. %e re)ie2ed the e)ents of the preceding day for perhaps the t2entieth ti+e. After the asteroid had struc-3 tearing the ship apart3 he0d gone out li-e a light: for ho2 long he didn0t -no23 his o2n 2atch ,eing ,ro-en and no other ti+epiece a)aila,le. "hen he ca+e to3 he found hi+self3 along 2ith Mar*randon3 2ho shared his roo+3 and Mi-e Shea3 a +e+,er of the cre23 sole occupants of all that 2as left of the Sil#er &ueen. !his re+nant 2as no2 careening in an or,it a,out Vesta. At present things 2ere fairly co+forta,le. !here 2as a food supply that 2ould last a 2ee-. &i-e2ise there 2as a regional 5ra)itator under the roo+ that -ept the+ at nor+al 2eight and 2ould continue to do so for an indefinite ti+e3 certainly for longer than the air 2ould last. !he lighting syste+ 2as less satisfactory ,ut had held on so far. !here 2as no dou,t3 ho2e)er3 2here the <o-er in the pac- lay. !hree days0 airJ Not that there 2eren0t other disheartening features. !here 2as no heating syste+ though it 2ould ta-e a long ti+e for the ship to radiate enough heat into the )acuu+ of space to render the+ too unco+forta,le. $ar +ore i+portant 2as the fact that their part of the ship had neither a +eans of co++unication nor a propulsi)e +echanis+. Moore sighed. One fuel <et in 2or-ing order 2ould fi4 e)erything3 for one ,last in the right direction 2ould send the+ safely to Vesta. !he crease ,et2een his eyes deepened. "hat 2as to ,e done1 !hey had ,ut one spacesuit a+ong the+3 one heat ray3 and one detonator. !hat 2as the su+ total of space appliances after a thorough search of the accessi,le parts of the ship. A pretty hopeless +ess3 that. Moore shrugged3 rose3 and dre2 hi+self a glass of 2ater. %e s2allo2ed it +echanically3 still deep in thought3 2hen an idea struc- hi+. %e glanced curiously at the e+pty cup in his hand. HSay3 Mi-e3I he said3 H2hat -ind of 2ater supply ha)e 2e1 $unny that I ne)er thought of that ,efore.I Mi-e0s eyes opened to their fullest e4tent in an e4pression of ludicrous surprise. H#idn0t you -no23 ,oss1I HLno2 'hat?( as-ed Moore i+patiently. H"e0)e got all the 2ater there 2as.I %e 2a)ed his hand in an all inclusi)e gesture. %e paused3 ,ut as Moore0s e4pression sho2ed nothing ,ut total +ystification3 he ela,orated3 H#on0t you see1 "e0)e got the +ain tan-3 the place 2here all the 2ater for the 2hole ship 2as stored.I %e pointed to one of the 2alls. H#o you +ean to say that there0s a tan- full of 2ater ad<oining us1I Mi-e nodded )igorously3 H>ep0 Cu,ic )at a hundred feet each 2ay. And she0s three ?uarters full.I Moore 2as astonished. HSe)en hundred and fifty thousand cu,ic feet of 2ater.I !hen suddenlyM H"hy hasn0t it run out through the ,ro-en pipes1I HIt only has one +ain outlet3 2hich runs do2n the corridor <ust outside this roo+. I 2as fi4ing that +ain 2hen the asteroid hit and had to shut it off. After I ca+e to I opened the pipe leading to our faucet3 ,ut that0s the only outlet open no2.I

HOh.I Moore had a curious feeling 2ay do2n deep inside. An idea had half for+ed in his ,rain3 ,ut for the life of hi+ he could not drag it into the light of day. %e -ne2 only that there 2as so+ething in 2hat he had <ust heard that had so+e i+portant +eaning ,ut he <ust could not place his finger on it. *randon3 +ean2hile3 had ,een listening to Shea in silence3 and no2 he e+itted a short3 hu+orless laugh. H$ate see+s to ,e ha)ing its fill of fun 2ith us3 I see. $irst3 it puts us 2ithin ar+0s reach of a place of safety and then sees to it that 2e ha)e no 2ay of getting there. H!hen she pro)ides us 2ith a 2ee-0s food3 three days0 air3 and a years su!!ly o$ 'ater. A year0s supply3 do you hear +e1 Dnough 2ater to drin- and to gargle and to 2ash and to ta-e ,aths in and and to do anything else 2e 2ant. "ater da+n the 2aterJI HOh3 ta-e a less serious )ie23 Mar-3I said Moore in an atte+pt to ,rea- the younger +an0s +elancholy. H(retend 2e0re a satellite of Vesta 2hich 2e are. "e ha)e our o2n period of re)olution and of rotation. "e ha)e an e?uator and an a4is. Our /north pole0 is located so+e2here to2ard the top of the porthole3 pointing to2ard Vesta3 and our /south0 stic-s out a2ay fro+ Vesta through the 2ater tan- so+e2here. "ell3 as a satellite3 2e ha)e an at+osphere3 and no23 you see3 2e ha)e a ne2ly disco)ered ocean. HAnd seriously3 2e0re not so ,adly off. $or the three days our at+osphere 2ill last3 2e can eat dou,le rations and drin- oursel)es soggy. %ell3 2e ha)e 2ater enough to thro2 a2ay I !he idea 2hich had ,een half for+ed ,efore suddenly sprang to +aturity and 2as nailed. !he careless gesture 2ith 2hich he had acco+panied the last re+ar- 2as fro6en in +id air. %is +outh closed 2ith a snap and his head ca+e up 2ith a <er-. *ut *randon3 i++ersed in his o2n thoughts3 noticed nothing of Moore0s strange actions. H"hy don0t you co+plete the analogy to a satellite3I he sneered3 Hor do you3 as a (rofessional Opti+ist3 ignore any and all disagreea,le facts1 If I 2ere you3 I0d continue this 2ay.I %ere he i+itated Moore0s )oiceM H!he satellite is at present ha,ita,le and inha,ited ,ut3 due to the approaching depletion of its at+osphere in three days3 is e4pected to ,eco+e a dead 2orld. H"ell3 2hy don0t you ans2er1 "hy do you persist in +a-ing a <o-e out of this1 Can0t you see))*hats the matter?( !he last 2as a surprised e4cla+ation and certainly Moore0s actions did +erit surprise. %e had risen suddenly and3 after gi)ing hi+self a s+art rap on the forehead3 re+ained stiff and silent3 staring into the far distance 2ith gradually narro2ing eyelids. *randon and Mi-e Shea 2atched hi+ in speechless astonish+ent. Suddenly Moore ,urst out3 H%al I0)e got it. "hy didn0t I thin- of it ,efore1I %is e4cla+ation degenerated into the unintelligi,le. Mi-e dre2 out the Ba,ra ,ottle 2ith a significant loo-3 ,ut Moore 2a)ed it a2ay i+patiently. "hereupon *randon3 2ithout any 2arning3 lashed out 2ith his right3 catching the surprised Moore flush on the <a2 and toppling hi+. Moore groaned and ru,,ed his chin. So+e2hat indignant3 he as-ed3 H"hat 2as the reason for that1I HStand up and I0ll do it again3I shouted *randon3 HI can0t stand it any+ore. I0+ sic- and tired of ,eing preached at3 and ha)ing to listen to your (ollyanna tal-. +oure the one that0s going daffy.I H#affy3 nothingJ Bust a little o)ere4cited3 that0s all. &isten3 for 5od0s sa-e. I thin- I -no2 a 2ay I *randon glared at hi+ ,alefully. HOh3 you do3 do you1 9aise our hopes 2ith so+e silly sche+e and then find it doesn0t 2or-. I 2on0t ta-e it3 do you hear1 I0ll find a real use for the 2ater dro2n you and sa)e so+e of the air ,esides.I Moore lost his te+per. H&isten3 Mar-3 you0re out of this. I0+ going through alone. I don0t need your help and I don0t 2ant it If you0re that sure of dying and that afraid3 2hy not ha)e the agony o)er1 "e0)e got one heat ray and one detonator3 ,oth relia,le 2eapons. !a-e your choice and -ill yourself. Shea and I 2on0t interfere.I *randon0s lips curled in a last 2ea- gesture of defiance and then suddenly he capitulated3 co+pletely and a,<ectly. HAll right3 "arren3 I0+ 2ith you. I I guess I didn0t ?uite -no2 2hat I 2as doing. I don0t feel 2ell3 "arren. I I I HA23 that0s all right3 ,oy.I Moore 2as genuinely sorry for hi+. H!a-e it easy. I -no2 ho2 you feel. It0s got +e too. *ut you +ustn0t gi)e in to it. $ight it3 or you0ll go star-3 ra)ing +ad. No2 you <ust try and get so+e sleep and lea)e e)erything to +e. !hings 2ill turn out right yet.I *randon3 pressing a hand to an aching forehead3 stu+,led to the couch and tu+,led do2n. Silent so,s shoo- his fra+e 2hile Moore and Shea re+ained in e+,arrassed silence near,y. At last Moore nudged Mi-e. HCo+e on3I he 2hispered3 Hlet0s get ,usy. "e0re going places. Airloc- fi)e is at the end of the corridor3 isn0t it1I Shea nodded and Moore continued3 HIs it airtight1I H"ell3I said Shea after so+e thought3 Hthe inner door is3 of course3 ,ut I0 don0t -no2 anything a,out the outer one. $or all I -no2 it +ay ,e a sie)e. >ou see3 2hen I tested the 2all for airtightness3 I didn0t dare open the

inner door3 ,ecause if there 2as anything 2rong 2ith the outer one ,looeyJI !he acco+panying gesture 2as )ery e4pressi)e. H!hen it0s up to us to find out a,out that outer door right no2. I0)e got to get outside so+e 2ay and 2e0ll <ust ha)e to ta-e chances. "here0s the spacesuit1I %e gra,,ed the lone suit fro+ its place in the cup,oard3 thre2 it o)er his shoulder and led the 2ay into the long corridor that ran do2n the side of the roo+. %e passed closed doors ,ehind 2hose airtight ,arriers 2ere 2hat once had ,een passenger ?uarters ,ut 2hich 2ere no2 +erely ca)ities3 open to space. At the end of the corridor 2as the tight fitting door of Airloc- C. Moore stopped and sur)eyed it appraisingly. H&oo-s all right3I he o,ser)ed3 H,ut of course you can0t tell 2hat0s outside. 5od3 I hope it0ll 2or-.I %e fro2ned. HOf course 2e could use the entire corridor as an airloc-3 2ith the door to our roo+ as the inner door and this as the outer door3 ,ut that 2ould +ean the loss of half our air supply. "e can0t afford that yet.I %e turned to Shea. H All right3 no2. !he indicator sho2s that the loc- 2as last used for entrance3 so it should ,e full of air. Open the door the tiniest crac-3 and if there0s a hissing noise3 shut it ?uic-.I H%ere goes3I and the le)er +o)ed one notch. !he +echanis+ had ,een se)erely sha-en up during the shocof the crash and its for+er noiseless 2or-ings had gi)en 2ay to a harsh3 rasping sound3 ,ut it 2as still in co++ission. A thin ,lac- line appeared on the left hand side of the loc-3 +ar-ing 2here the door had slid a fraction of an inch on the runners. !here 2as no hissJ Moore0s loo- of an4iety faded so+e2hat. %e too- a s+all paste,oard fro+ his poc-et and held it against the crac-. If air 2ere lea-ing3 that card should ha)e held there3 pushed ,y the escaping gas. It fell to the floor. Mi-e Shea stuc- a forefinger in his +outh and then put it against the crac-. H!han- the &ord3I he ,reathed3 Hnot a sign of a draft.I H5ood3 good. Open it 2ider. 5o ahead.I Another notch and the crac- opened farther. And still no draft. Slo2ly3 e)er so slo2ly3 notch ,y notch3 it crea-ed its 2ay 2ider and 2ider. !he t2o +en held their ,reaths3 afraid that 2hile not actually punctured3 the outer door +ight ha)e ,een so 2ea-ened as to gi)e 2ay any +o+ent. *ut it heldJ Moore 2as <u,ilant as he 2or+ed into the spacesuit. H!hings are going fine so far3 Mi-e3I he said. H>ou sit do2n right here and 2ait for +e. I don0t -no2 ho2 long I0ll ta-e3 ,ut I0ll ,e ,ac-. "here0s the heat ray1 %a)e you got it1I Shea held out the ray and as-ed3 H*ut 2hat are you going to do1 I0d sort of li-e to -no2.I Moore paused as he 2as a,out to ,uc-le on the hel+et. H#id you hear +e say inside that 2e had 2ater enough to thro2a2ay1 "ell3 I0)e ,een thin-ing it o)er and that0s not such a ,ad idea. I0+ going to thro2 it a2ay.I "ith no other e4planation3 he stepped into the loc-3 lea)ing ,ehind hi+ a )ery pu66led Mi-e Shea. It 2as 2ith a pounding heart that Moore 2aited for the outer door to open. %is plan 2as an e4traordinarily si+ple one3 ,ut it +ight not ,e easy to carry out. !here 2as a sound of crea-ing gears and scraping ratchets. Air sighed a2ay to nothingness. !he door ,efore hi+ slid open a fe2 inches and stuc-. Moore0s heart san- as for a +o+ent he thought it 2ould not open at all3 ,ut after a fe2 preli+inary <er-s and rattles the ,arrier slid the rest of the 2ay. %e clic-ed on the +agnetic grapple and )ery cautiously put a foot out into space. Clu+sily he groped his 2ay out to the side of the ship. %e had ne)er ,een outside a ship in open space ,efore and a )ast dread o)ertoo- hi+ as he clung there3 flyli-e3 to his precarious perch. $or a +o+ent di66iness o)erca+e hi+. %e closed his eyes and for fi)e +inutes hung there3 clutching the s+ooth sides of 2hat had once ,een the Sil#er &ueen. !he +agnetic grapple held hi+ fir+ and 2hen he opened his eyes once +ore he found his self confidence in a +easure returned. %e ga6ed a,out hi+. $or the first ti+e since the crash he sa2 the stars instead of the )ision of Vesta 2hich their porthole afforded. Dagerly he searched the s-ies for the little ,lue 2hite spec- that 2as Darth. It had often a+used hi+ that Darth should al2ays ,e the first o,<ect sought ,y space tra)elers 2hen starga6ing3 ,ut the hu+or of the situation did not stri-e hi+ no2. %o2e)er3 his search 2as in )ain. $ro+ 2here he lay3 Darth 2as in)isi,le. It3 as 2ell as the Sun3 +ust ,e hidden ,ehind Vesta. Still3 there 2as +uch else that he could not help ,ut note. Bupiter 2as off to the left3 a ,rilliant glo,e the si6e of a s+all pea to the na-ed eye. Moore o,ser)ed t2o of its attendant satellites. Saturn 2as )isi,le too3 as a ,rilliant planet of so+e negati)e +agnitude3 ri)aling Venus as seen fro+ Darth. Moore had e4pected that a goodly nu+,er of asteroids 2ould ,e )isi,le +arooned as they 2ere in the asteroid ,elt ,ut space see+ed surprisingly e+pty. Once he thought he could see a hurtling ,ody pass 2ithin a fe2

+iles3 ,ut so fast had the i+pression co+e and gone that he could not s2ear that it 2as not fancy. And then3 of course3 there 2as Vesta. Al+ost directly ,elo2 hi+ it loo+ed li-e a ,alloon filling a ?uarter of the s-y. It floated steadily3 sno2y 2hite3 and Moore ga6ed at it 2ith earnest longing. A good hard -ic- against the side of the ship3 he thought3 +ight start hi+ falling to2ard Vesta. %e might land safely and get help for the others. *ut the chance 2as too great that he 2ould +erely ta-e on a ne2 or,it a,out Vesta. No3 it 2ould ha)e to ,e ,etter than that. !his re+inded hi+ that he had no ti+e to lose. %e scanned the side of the ship3 loo-ing for the 2ater tan-3 ,ut all he could see 2as a <ungle of <utting 2alls3 <agged3 cru+,ling3 and pointed. %e hesitated. D)idently the only thing to do 2as to +a-e for the lighted porthole to their roo+ and proceed to the tan- fro+ there: Carefully he dragged hi+self along the 2all of the ship. Not fi)e yards fro+ the loc- the s+oothness stopped a,ruptly. !here 2as a ya2ning ca)ity 2hich Moore recogni6ed as ha)ing once ,een the roo+ ad<oining the corridor at the far end. %e shuddered. Suppose he 2ere to co+e across a ,loated dead ,ody in one of those roo+s. %e had -no2n +ost of the passengers3 +any of the+ personally. *ut he o)erca+e his s?uea+ishness and forced hi+self to continue his precarious <ourney to2ard its goal. And here he encountered his first practical difficulty. !he roo+ itself 2as +ade of non ferrous +aterial in +any parts. !he +agnetic grapple 2as intended for use only on outer hulls and 2as useless throughout +uch of the ship0s interior. Moore had forgotten this 2hen suddenly he found hi+self floating do2n an incline3 his grapple out of use. %e grasped and clutched at a near,y pro<ection. Slo2ly he pulled hi+self ,ac- to safety.. %e lay for a +o+ent3 al+ost ,reathless. !heoretically he should ,e 2eightless out here in space Vesta0s influence ,eing negligi,le ,ut the regional 5ra)itator under his roo+ 2as 2or-ing. "ithout the ,alance of the other 5ra)itators3 it tended to place hi+ under )aria,le and suddenly shifting stresses as he -ept changing his position. $or his +agnetic grapple to let go suddenly +ight +ean ,eing <er-ed a2ay fro+ the ship altogether. And then 2hat1 D)idently this 2as going to ,e e)en +ore difficult than he had thought. %e inched for2ard in a cra2l3 testing each spot to see if the grapple 2ould hold. So+eti+es he had to +a-e long3 circuitous <ourneys to gain a fe2 feet0s head2ay and at other ti+es he 2as forced to scra+,le and slip across s+all patches of non ferrous +aterial. And al2ays there 2as that tiring pull of the 5ra)itator3 continually changing directions as he progressed3 setting hori6ontal floors and )ertical 2alls at ?ueer and al+ost hapha6ard angles. Carefully he in)estigated all o,<ects that he ca+e across. *ut it 2as a ,arren search. &oose articles3 chairs3 ta,les had ,een <er-ed a2ay at the first shoc-3 pro,a,ly3 and no2 2ere independent ,odies of the Solar Syste+. %e did +anage3 ho2e)er3 to pic- up a s+all field glass and fountain pen. !hese he placed in his poc-et. !hey 2ere )alueless under present conditions3 ,ut so+eho2 they see+ed to +a-e +ore real this +aca,re trip across the sides of a dead ship. $or fifteen +inutes3 t2enty3 half an hour3 he la,ored slo2ly to2ard 2here he thought the porthole should ,e. S2eat poured do2n into his eyes and rendered his hair a +atted +ass. %is +uscles 2ere ,eginning to ache under the unaccusto+ed strain. %is +ind3 already strained ,y the ordeal of the pre)ious day3 2as ,eginning to 2a)er3 to play hi+ tric-s. !he cra2l ,egan to see+ eternal3 so+ething that had al2ays e4isted and 2ould e4ist fore)er. !he o,<ect of the <ourney3 that for 2hich he 2as stri)ing3 see+ed uni+portant: he only -ne2 that it 2as necessary to +o)e. !he ti+e3 one hour ,ac-3 2hen he had ,een 2ith *randon and Shea3 see+ed ha6y and loK in the far past. !hat +ore nor+al ti+e3 t2o days0 age3 2holly forgotten. Only the <agged 2alls ,efore hi+3 only the )ital necessity of getting at so+e uncertain destination e4isted in his spinning ,rain. 5rasping3 straining3 pulling. $eeling for the iron alloy. @p and into gaping holes that 2ere roo+s and then out again. $eel and pull feel and pull and a light. Moore stopped. %ad he not ,een glued to the 2all he 2ould ha)e fallen. So+eho2 that light see+ed to clear things. It 2as the porthole: not the +any dar-3 staring ones he had passed3 ,ut ali)e and alight. *ehind it 2as *randon. A deep ,reath and he felt ,etter3 his +ind cleared. And no2 his 2ay lay plain ,efore hi+. !o2ard that spar- of life he crept. Nearer3 and nearer: and nearer until he could touch it. %e 2as thereJ %is eyes dran- in the fa+iliar roo+. 5od -no2s that it hadn0t any happy associations in his +ind3 ,ut it 2as so+ething real3 so+ething al+ost natural. *randon slept on the couch. %is face 2as 2orn and lined ,ut a s+ile passed o)er it no2 and then. Moore raised his fist to -noc-. %e felt the urgent desire to tal- 2ith so+eone3 if only ,y sign language3 yet at the last instant he refrained. (erhaps the -id 2as drea+ing of ho+e. %e 2as young and sensiti)e and had suffered +uch. &et hi+ sleep. !i+e enough to 2a-e hi+ 2hen and if his idea had ,een carried through. %e located the 2all 2ithin the roo+ ,ehind 2hich lay the 2ater tan- and then tried to spot it fro+ the outside. No2 it 2as not difficult: its rear 2all stood out pro+inently. Moore +ar)eled3 for it see+ed a +iracle that it

had escaped puncture. (erhaps the $ates had not ,een so ironic after all. (assage to it 2as easy though it 2as on the other side of the frag+ent. "hat 2as once a corridor led al+ost directly to it. Once 2hen the Sil#er &ueen had ,een 2hole3 that corridor had ,een le)el and hori6ontal3 ,ut no23 under the un,alanced pull of the regional 5ra)itator3 it see+ed +ore of a steep incline than anything else. And yet it +ade the path si+ple. Since it 2as of unifor+ ,eryl steel3 Moore found no trou,le holding on as he 2or+ed up the t2enty odd feet to the 2ater supply. And no2 the crisis the last stage had ,een reached. %e felt that he ought to rest first3 ,ut his e4cite+ent gre2 rapidly in intensity. It 2as either no2 or ,ust. %e pulled hi+self out to the ,otto+ center of the tan-. !here3 resting on the s+all ledge for+ed ,y the floor of the corridor that had once e4tended on that side of the tan-3 he ,egan operations. HIt0s a pity that the +ain pipe is pointing in the 2rong direction3I he +uttered. HIt 2ould ha)e sa)ed +e a lot of trou,le had it ,een right. As it is...I %e sighed and ,ent to his 2or-. !he heat ray 2as ad<usted to +a4i+u+ concentration and the in)isi,le e+anations focused at a spot perhaps a foot a,o)e the floor of the tan-. 5radually the effect of the e4citatory ,ea+ upon the +olecules of the 2all ,eca+e noticea,le. A spot the si6e of a di+e ,egan shining faintly at the point of focus of the ray gun. It 2a)ered uncertainly3 no2 di++ing3 no2 ,rightening3 as Moore stro)e to steady his tired ar+. %e propped it on the ledge and achie)ed ,etter results as the tiny circle of radiation ,rightened. Slo2ly the color ascended the spectru+. !he dar-3 angry red that had first appeared lightened to a cherry color. As the heat continued pouring in3 the ,rightness see+ed to ripple out in 2idening areas3 li-e a target +ade of successi)ely deepening tints of red. !he 2all for a distance of so+e feet fro+ the focal point 2as ,eco+ing unco+forta,ly hot e)en though it did not glo2 and Moore found it necessary to refrain fro+ touching it 2ith the +etal of his suit. Moore cursed steadily3 for the ledge itself 2as also gro2ing hot. It see+ed that only i+precations could soothe hi+. And as the +elting 2all ,egan to radiate heat in its o2n right3 the chief o,<ect of his +aledictions 2ere the spacesuit +anufacturers. "hy didn0t they ,uild a suit that could -eep heat out as 2ell as -eep it in? *ut 2hat *randon called (rofessional Opti+is+ crept up. "ith the salt tang of perspiration in his +outh3 he -ept consoling hi+self3 HIt could ,e 2orse3 I suppose. At least3 the t2o inches of 2all here don0t present too +uch of a ,arrier. Suppose the tan- had ,een ,uilt flush against the outer hull. "he2J I+agine trying to +elt through a foot of this.I %e gritted his teeth and -ept on. !he spot of ,rightness 2as no2 flic-ering into the orange yello2 and Moore -ne2 that the +elting point of the ,eryl steel alloy 2ould soon ,e reached. %e found hi+self forced to 2atch the spot only at 2idely spaced inter)als and then only for fleeting +o+ents. D)idently it 2ould ha)e to ,e done ?uic-ly if it 2ere to ,e done at all. !he heat ray had not ,een fully loaded in the first place3 and3 pouring out energy at +a4i+u+ as it had ,een doing for al+ost ten +inutes no23 +ust ,e approaching e4haustion. >et the 2all 2as <ust ,arely passing the plastic stage. In a fe)er of i+patience3 Moore <a++ed the +u66le of the gun directly at the center of the spot3 dra2ing it ,ac- speedily. A deep depression for+ed in the soft +etal3 ,ut a puncture had not ,een for+ed. %o2e)er3 Moore 2as satisfied. %e 2as al+ost there no2. %ad there ,een air ,et2een hi+self and the 2all3 he 2ould undou,tedly ha)e heard the gurgling and the hissing of the stea+ing 2ater 2ithin. !he pressure 2as ,uilding up. %o2 long 2ould the 2ea-ened 2all endure1 !hen so suddenly that Moore did not reali6e it for a fe2 +o+ents3 he 2as through. A tiny fissure for+ed at the ,otto+ of that little pit +ade ,y the ray gun and in less ti+e than it ta-es to i+agine3 the churning 2ater 2ithin had its 2ay. !he soft3 li?uid +etal at that spot puffed out3 stic-ing out raggedly around a pea si6ed hole. And fro+ that hole there ca+e a hissing and a roaring. A cloud of stea+ e+erged and en)eloped Moore. !hrough the +ist he could see the stea+ condense al+ost i++ediately to ice droplets and sa2 these icy pellets shrin- rapidly into nothingness. $or fifteen +inutes he 2atched the stea+ shoot out. !hen he ,eca+e a2are of gentle pressure pushing hi+ a2ay fro+ the ship. A sa)age <oy 2elled up 2ithin hi+ as he reali6ed that this 2as the effect of acceleration on the ship0s part. %is o2n inertia 2as holding hi+ ,ac-. !hat +eant his 2or- had ,een finished and successfully. !hat strea+ of 2ater 2as su,stituting for the roc-et ,last. %e started ,ac-. If the horrors and dangers of the <ourney to the tan- had ,een great3 those of the 2ay ,ac- should ha)e ,een greater. %e 2as infinitely +ore tired3 his aching eyes 2ere all ,ut ,lind3 and added to the cra6y pull of the 5ra)itator 2as the force induced ,y the )arying acceleration of the ship. *ut 2hate)er his la,ors to return3 they did not ,other

hi+. In later ti+e3 he ne)er e)en re+e+,ered the heart,rea-ing trip. %o2 he +anaged to negotiate the distance in safety he did not -no2. Most of the ti+e he 2as lost in a ha6e of happiness3 scarcely reali6ing the actualities of the situation. %is +ind 2as filled 2ith one thought only to get ,ac- ?uic-ly3 to tell the happy ne2s of their escape. Suddenly he found hi+self ,efore the airloc-. %e hardly grasped the fact that it 'as the airloc-. %e al+ost did not understand 2hy he pressed the signal ,utton. So+e instinct told hi+ it 2as the thing to do. Mi-e Shea 2as 2aiting. !here 2as a crea- and a ru+,le and the outer door started opening3 caught3 and stopped at the sa+e place as ,efore3 ,ut once again it +anaged to slide the rest of the 2ay. It closed ,ehind Moore3 then the inner door opened and he stu+,led into Shea0s ar+s. As in a drea+ he felt hi+self half pulled3 half carried do2n the corridor to the roo+. %is suit 2as ripped off. A hot3 ,urning li?uid stung his throat. Moore gagged3 s2allo2ed3 and felt ,etter. Shea poc-eted the Ba,ra ,ottle once +ore. !he ,lurred3 shifting i+ages of *randon and Shea ,efore hi+ steadied and ,eca+e solid. Moore 2iped the perspiration fro+ his face 2ith a tre+,ling hand and essayed a 2ea- s+ile. H"ait3I protested *randon3 Hdon0t say anything. >ou loo- half dead. 9est3 2ill youJI *ut Moore shoo- his head. In a hoarse3 crac-ed )oice he narrated as 2ell as he could the e)ents of the past t2o hours. !he tale 2as incoherent3 scarcely intelligi,le ,ut +ar)elously i+pressi)e. !he t2o listeners scarcely ,reathed during the recital. H>ou +ean3I sta++ered *randon3 Hthat the 2ater spout is pushing us to2ard Vesta3 li-e a roc-et e4haust1I HD4actly sa+e thing as roc-et e4haust3I panted Moore. H Action and reaction. Is located on side opposite Vesta hence pushing us to2ard Vesta.I Shea 2as dancing ,efore the porthole. H%e0s right3 *randon3 +e ,oy. >ou can +a-e out *ennett0s do+e as clear as day. "e0re getting there3 2e0re getting there.I Moore felt hi+self reco)ering. H"e0re approaching in spiral path on account of original or,it. "e0ll land in fi)e or si4 hours pro,a,ly. !he 2ater 2ill last for ?uite a long 2hile and the pressure is still great3 since the 2ater issues as stea+.I HStea+ at the lo2 te+perature of space1I *randon 2as surprised. HStea+ at the lo2 pressure of spaceJI corrected Moore. H!he ,oiling point of 2ater falls 2ith the pressure. It is )ery lo2 indeed in a )acuu+. D)en ice has a )apor pressure sufficient to su,li+e.I %e s+iled. H As a +atter of fact3 it free6es and ,oils at the sa+e ti+e. I 2atched it.I A short pause3 then3 H"ell3 ho2 do you feel no23 *randon1 Much ,etter3 eh1I *randon reddened and his face fell. %e groped )ainly for 2ords for a fe2 +o+ents. $inally he said in a half 2hisper3 H>ou -no23 I +ust ha)e acted li-e a da+n fool and a co2ard at first. I I guess I don0t deser)e all this after going to pieces and letting the ,urden of our escape rest on your shoulders. HI 2ish you0d ,eat +e up3 or so+ething3 for punching you ,efore. It0d +a-e +e feel ,etter. I +ean it.I And he really did see+ to +ean it. Moore ga)e hi+ an affectionate push. H$orget it. >ou0ll ne)er -no2 ho2 near I ca+e to ,rea-ing do2n +yself.I %e raised his )oice in order to dro2n out any further apologies on *randon0s part3 H%ey3 Mi-e3 stop staring out of that porthole and ,ring o)er that Ba,ra ,ottle.I Mi-e o,eyed 2ith alacrity3 ,ringing 2ith hi+ three (le4atron units to ,e used as +a-eshift cups. Moore filled each precisely to the ,ri+. %e 2as going to ,e drun- 2ith a )engeance. H5entle+en3I he said sole+nly3 Ha toast.I !he three raised the +ugs in unison3 H5entle+en3 I gi)e you the year0s supply of good old %=O 'e used to ha#e,

Nightfall
I$ the stars should a!!ear one night in a thousand years, ho' 'ould men belie#e and adore, and !reser#e $or many generations the remembrance o$ the city o$ God?( DMD9SON Aton 773 director of Saro @ni)ersity3 thrust out a ,elligerent lo2er lip and glared at the young ne2spaper+an in a hot fury. !here+on 7E= too- that fury in his stride. In his earlier days3 2hen his no2 2idely syndicated colu+n 2as

only a +ad idea in a cu, reporter0s +ind3 he had speciali6ed in /i+possi,le0 inter)ie2s. It had cost hi+ ,ruises3 ,lac- eyes3 and ,ro-en ,ones: ,ut it had gi)en hi+ an a+ple supply of coolness and self confidence. So he lo2ered the outthrust hand that had ,een so pointedly ignored and cal+ly 2aited for the aged director to get o)er the 2orst. Astrono+ers 2ere ?ueer duc-s3 any2ay3 and if Aton0s actions of the last t2o +onths +eant anything: this sa+e Aton 2as the ?ueer duc-iest of the lot. Aton 77 found his )oice3 and though it tre+,led 2ith restrained e+otion3 the careful3 so+e2hat pedantic phraseology3 for 2hich the fa+ous astrono+er 2as noted3 did not a,andon hi+. HSir3I he said3 Hyou display an infernal gall in co+ing to +e 2ith that i+pudent proposition of yours.I !he hus-y telephotographer of the O,ser)atory3 *eenay =C3 thrust a tongue0s tip across dry lips and interposed ner)ously3 HNo23 sir3 after all H !he director turned to hi+ and lifted a 2hite eye,ro2. H#o not interfere3 *eenay. I 2ill credit you 2ith good intentions in ,ringing this +an here: ,ut I 2ill tolerate no insu,ordination no2.I !here+on decided it 2as ti+e to ta-e a part. H#irector Aton3 if you0ll let +e finish 2hat I started saying3 I thin- H HI don0t ,elie)e3 young +an3I retorted Aton3 Hthat anything you could say no2 2ould count +uch as co+pared 2ith your daily colu+ns of these last t2o +onths. >ou ha)e led a )ast ne2spaper ca+paign against the efforts of +yself and +y colleagues to organi6e the 2orld against the +enace 2hich it is no2 too late to a)ert. >ou ha)e done your ,est 2ith your highly personal attac-s to +a-e the staff of this O,ser)atory o,<ects of ridicule.I !he director lifted a copy of the Saro City "hronicle fro+ the ta,le and shoo- it at !here+on furiously. HD)en a person of your 2ell -no2n i+pudence should ha)e hesitated ,efore co+ing to +e 2ith a re?uest that he ,e allo2ed to co)er today0s e)ents for his paper. Of all ne2s+en3 youJI Aton dashed the ne2spaper to the floor3 strode to the 2indo23 and clasped his ar+s ,ehind his ,ac-. H>ou +ay lea)e3I he snapped o)er his shoulder. %e stared +oodily out at the s-yline 2here 5a++a3 the ,rightest of the planet0s si4 suns3 2as setting. It had already faded and yello2ed into the hori6on +ists3 and Aton -ne2 he 2ould ne)er see it again as a sane +an. %e 2hirled. HNo3 2ait3 co+e hereJI %e gestured pere+ptorily. I0ll gi)e you your story.I !he ne2s+an had +ade no +otion to lea)e3 and no2 he approached the old +an slo2ly. Aton gestured out2ard. HOf the si4 suns3 only *eta is left in the s-y. #o you see it1I !he ?uestion 2as rather unnecessary. *eta 2as al+ost at 6enith3 its ruddy light flooding the landscape to an unusual orange as the ,rilliant rays of setting 5a++a died. *eta 2as at aphelion. It 2as s+all: s+aller than !here+on had e)er seen it ,efore3 and for the +o+ent it 2as undisputed ruler of &agash0s s-y. &agash0s o2n sun. Alpha3 the one a,out 2hich it re)ol)ed3 2as at the antipodes3 as 2ere the t2o distant co+panion pairs. !he red d2arf *eta Alpha0s i++ediate co+panion 2as alone3 gri+ly alone. Aton0s upturned face flushed redly in the sunlight. HIn <ust under four hours3I he said3 Hci)ili6ation3 as 2e -no2 it3 co+es to an end. It 2ill do so ,ecause3 as you see. *eta is the only sun in the s-y.I %e s+iled gri+ly. H(rint thatJ !here0ll ,e no one to read it.I H*ut if it turns out that four hours pass and another four and nothing happens1I as-ed !here+on softly. H#on0t let that 2orry you. Dnough 2ill happen.I H5rantedJ And still it nothing happens1I $or a second ti+e3 *eenay =C spo-e. HSir3 I thin- you ought to listen to hi+.I !here+on said3 H(ut it to a )ote3 #irector Aton.I !here 2as a stir a+ong the re+aining fi)e +e+,ers of the O,ser)atory staff3 2ho till no2 had +aintained an attitude of 2ary neutrality. H!hat3I stated Aton flatly3 His not necessary.I %e dre2 out his poc-et 2atch. HSince your good friend3 *eenay3 insists so urgently3 I 2ill gi)e you fi)e +inutes. !al- a2ay.I H5oodJ No23 <ust 2hat difference 2ould it +a-e if you allo2ed +e to ta-e do2n an eye2itness account of 2hat0s to co+e1 If your prediction co+es true3 +y presence 2on0t hurt: for in that case +y colu+n 2ould ne)er ,e 2ritten. On the other hand3 if nothing co+es of it3 you 2ill <ust ha)e to e4pect ridicule or 2orse. It 2ould ,e 2ise to lea)e that ridicule to friendly hands.I Aton snorted. H#o you +ean yours 2hen you spea- of friendly hands1I HCertainlyJI !here+on sat do2n and crossed his legs. HMy colu+ns +ay ha)e ,een a little rough3 ,ut I ga)e you people the ,enefit of the dou,t e)ery ti+e. After all3 this is not the century to preach H!he end of the 2orld is at handI to &agash. >ou ha)e to understand that people don0t ,elie)e the -ook o$ Re#elations any+ore3 and it annoys the+ to ha)e scientists turn a,out face and tell us the Cultists are right after all H HNo such thing3 young +an3I interrupted Aton. H"hile a great deal of our data has ,een supplied us ,y the Cult3 our results contain none of the Cult0s +ysticis+. $acts are facts3 and the Cult0s so called +ythology has certain

facts ,ehind it. "e0)e e4posed the+ and ripped a2ay their +ystery. I assure you that the Cult hates us no2 2orse than you do.I HI don0t hate you. I0+ <ust trying to tell you that the pu,lic is in an ugly hu+or. !hey0re angry.I Aton t2isted his +outh in derision. H&et the+ ,e angry.I H>es3 ,ut 2hat a,out to+orro21I H!here0ll ,e no to+orro2JI H*ut if there is. Say that there is <ust to see 2hat happens. !hat anger +ight ta-e shape into so+ething serious. After all3 you -no23 ,usiness has ta-en a nosedi)e these last t2o +onths. In)estors don0t really ,elie)e the 2orld is co+ing to an end3 ,ut <ust the sa+e they0re ,eing cagy 2ith their +oney until it0s all o)er. Bohnny (u,lic doesn0t ,elie)e you3 either3 ,ut the ne2 spring furniture +ight <ust as 2ell 2ait a fe2 +onths <ust to +a-e sure. H>ou see the point. Bust as soon as this is all o)er3 the ,usiness interests 2ill ,e after your hide. !hey0ll say that if crac-pots ,egging your pardon can upset the country0s prosperity any ti+e they 2ant3 si+ply ,y +a-ing so+e coc-eyed prediction it0s up to the planet to pre)ent the+. !he spar-s 2ill fly3 sir.I !he director regarded the colu+nist sternly. HAnd <ust 2hat 2ere you proposing to do to help the situation1I H"ellI !here+on grinned HI 2as proposing to ta-e charge of the pu,licity. I can handle things so that only the ridiculous side 2ill sho2. It 2ould ,e hard to stand3 I ad+it3 ,ecause I0d ha)e to +a-e you all out to ,e a ,unch of gi,,ering idiots3 ,ut if I can get people laughing at you3 they +ight forget to ,e angry. In return for that3 all +y pu,lisher as-s is an e4clusi)e story.I *eenay nodded and ,urst out3 HSir3 the rest of us thin- he0s right. !hese last t2o +onths 2e0)e considered e)erything ,ut the +illion to one chance that there is an error so+e2here in our theory or in our calculations. "e ought to ta-e care of that3 too.I !here 2as a +ur+ur of agree+ent fro+ the +en grouped a,out the ta,le3 and Aton0s e4pression ,eca+e that of one 2ho found his +outh full of so+ething ,itter and couldn0t get rid of it. H>ou +ay stay if you 2ish3 then. >ou 2ill -indly refrain3 ho2e)er3 fro+ ha+pering us in our duties in any 2ay. >ou 2ill also re+e+,er that I a+ in charge of all acti)ities here3 and in spite of your opinions as e4pressed in your colu+ns3 I 2ill e4pect full cooperation and full respect H %is hands 2ere ,ehind his ,ac-3 and his 2rin-led face thrust for2ard deter+inedly as he spo-e. %e +ight ha)e continued indefinitely ,ut for the intrusion of a ne2 )oice. H%ello3 hello3 helloJI It ca+e in a high tenor3 and the plu+p chee-s of the ne2co+er e4panded in a pleased s+ile. H"hat0s this +orgue li-e at+osphere a,out here1 No one0s losing his ner)e3 I hope.I Aton started in consternation and said pee)ishly3 HNo2 2hat the de)il are you doing here3 Sheerin1 I thought you 2ere going to stay ,ehind in the %ideout.I Sheerin laughed and dropped his stu,,y figure into a chair. H%ideout ,e ,lo2edJ !he place ,ored +e. I 2anted to ,e here3 2here things are getting hot. #on0t you suppose I ha)e +y share of curiosity1 I 2ant to see these Stars the Cultists are fore)er spea-ing a,out.I %e ru,,ed his hands and added in a so,erer tone. HIt0s free6ing outside. !he 2ind0s enough to hang icicles on your nose. *eta doesn0t see+ to gi)e any heat at all3 at the distance it is.I !he 2hite haired director ground his teeth in sudden e4asperation. H"hy do you go out of your 2ay to do cra6y things3 Sheerin1 "hat -ind of good are you around here1I H"hat -ind of good a+ I around there1I Sheerin spread his pal+s in co+ical resignation. HA psychologist isn0t 2orth his salt in the %ideout. !hey need +en of action and strong3 healthy 2o+en that can ,reed children. Me1 I0+ a hundred pounds too hea)y for a +an of action3 and I 2ouldn0t ,e a success at ,reeding children. So 2hy ,other the+ 2ith an e4tra +outh to feed1 I feel ,etter o)er here.I !here+on spo-e ,ris-ly. HBust 2hat is the %ideout3 sir1I Sheerin see+ed to see the colu+nist for the first ti+e. %e fro2ned and ,le2 his a+ple chee-s out. HAnd <ust 2ho in &agash are you3 redhead1I Aton co+pressed his lips and then +uttered sullenly3 H!hat0s !here+on 7E=3 the ne2spaper fello2. I suppose you0)e heard of hi+.I !he colu+nist offered his hand. HAnd3 of course3 you0re Sheerin CG1 of Saro @ni)ersity. I0)e heard of you.I !hen he repeated3 H"hat is this %ideout3 sir1I H"ell3I said Sheerin3 H2e ha)e +anaged to con)ince a fe2 people of the )alidity of our prophecy of er doo+3 to ,e spectacular a,out it3 and those fe2 ha)e ta-en proper +easures. !hey consist +ainly of the i++ediate +e+,ers of the fa+ilies of the O,ser)atory staff3 certain of the faculty of Saro @ni)ersity3 and a fe2 outsiders. Altogether3 they nu+,er a,out three hundred3 ,ut three ?uarters are 2o+en and children.I HI seeJ !hey0re supposed to hide 2here the #ar-ness and the er Stars can0t get at the+3 and then hold

out 2hen the rest of the 2orld goes poof.I HIf they can. It 2on0t ,e easy. "ith all of +an-ind insane3 2ith the great cities going up in fla+es en)iron+ent 2ill not ,e conduci)e to sur)i)al. *ut they ha)e food3 2ater3 shelter3 and 2eapons H H!hey0)e got +ore3I said Aton. H!hey0)e got all our records3 e4cept for "hat 2e 2ill collect today. !hose records 2ill +ean e)erything to the ne4t cycle3 and thats 2hat +ust sur)i)e. !he rest can go hang.I !here+on uttered a long3 lo2 2histle and sat ,rooding for se)eral +inutes. !he +en a,out the ta,le had ,rought out a +ulti chess ,oard and started a si4 +e+,er ga+e. Mo)es 2ere +ade rapidly and in silence. All eyes ,ent in furious concentration on the ,oard. !here+on 2atched the+ intently and then rose and approached Aton3 2ho sat apart in 2hispered con)ersation 2ith Sheerin. H&isten3I he said3 let0s go so+e2here 2here 2e 2on0t ,other the rest of the fello2s. I 2ant to as- so+e ?uestions.I !he aged astrono+er fro2ned sourly at hi+3 ,ut Sheerin chirped up3 HCertainly. It 2ill do +e good to tal-. It al2ays does. Aton 2as telling +e a,out your ideas concerning 2orld reaction to a failure of the prediction and I agree 2ith you. I read your colu+n pretty regularly3 ,y the 2ay3 and as a general thing I li-e your )ie2s.I H(lease3 Sheerin3I gro2led Aton. HDh1 Oh3 all right. "e0ll go into the ne4t roo+. It has softer chairs3 any2ay.I !here 2ere softer chairs in the ne4t roo+. !here 2ere also thic- red curtains on the 2indo2s and a +aroon carpet on the floor. "ith the ,ric-y light of *eta pouring in3 the general effect 2as one of dried ,lood. !here+on shuddered. HSay3 I0d gi)e ten credits for a decent dose of 2hite light for <ust a second. I 2ish 5a++a or #elta 2ere in the s-y.I H"hat are your ?uestions1I as-ed Aton. H(lease re+e+,er that our ti+e is li+ited. In a little o)er an hour and a ?uarter 2e0re going upstairs3 and after that there 2ill ,e no ti+e for tal-.I H"ell3 here it is.I !here+on leaned ,ac- and folded his hands on his chest. H>ou people see+ so all fired serious a,out this that I0+ ,eginning to ,elie)e you. "ould you +ind e4plaining 2hat it0s all a,out1I Aton e4ploded3 H#o you +ean to sit there and tell +e that you0)e ,een ,o+,arding us 2ith ridicule 2ithout e)en finding out 2hat 2e0)e ,een trying to say1I !he colu+nist grinned sheepishly. HIt0s not that ,ad3 sir. I0)e got the general idea. >ou say there is going to ,e a 2orld 2ide #ar-ness in a fe2 hours and that all +an-ind 2ill go )iolently insane. "hat I 2ant no2 is the science ,ehind it.I HNo3 you don0t. No3 you don0t3I ,ro-e in Sheerin. HIf you as- Aton for that supposing hi+ to ,e in the +ood to ans2er at all he0ll trot out pages of figures and )olu+es of graphs. >ou 2on0t +a-e head or tail of it. No2 if you 2ere to as- +e3 I could gi)e you the lay+an0s standpoint.I HAll right: I as- you.I H!hen first I0d li-e a drin-.I %e ru,,ed his hands and loo-ed at Aton. H"ater1I grunted Aton. H#on0t ,e sillyJI H#on0t you ,e silly. No alcohol today. It 2ould ,e too easy to get +y +en drun-. I can0t afford to te+pt the+.I !he psychologist gru+,led 2ordlessly. %e turned to !here+on3 i+paled hi+ 2ith his sharp eyes3 and ,egan. H>ou reali6e3 of course3 that the history of ci)ili6ation on &agash displays a cyclic character ,ut I +ean cyclic.( HI -no23I replied !here+on cautiously3 Hthat that is the current archaeological theory. %as it ,een accepted as a fact1I HBust a,out. In this last century it0s ,een generally agreed upon. !his cyclic character is or rather3 2as one of the great +ysteries. "e0)e located series of ci)ili6ations3 nine of the+ definitely3 and indications of others as 2ell3 all of 2hich ha)e reached heights co+para,le to our o2n3 and all of 2hich3 2ithout e4ception3 2ere destroyed ,y fire at the )ery height of their culture. HAnd no one could tell 2hy. All centers of culture 2ere thoroughly gutted ,y fire3 2ith nothing left ,ehind to gi)e a hint as to the cause.I !here+on 2as follo2ing closely. H"asn0t there a Stone Age3 too1I H(ro,a,ly3 ,ut as yet practically nothing is -no2n of it3 e4cept that +en of that age 2ere little +ore than rather intelligent apes. "e can forget a,out that.I HI see. 5o onJI !here ha)e ,een e4planations of these recurrent catastrophes3 all of a +ore or less fantastic nature. So+e say that there are periodic rains of fire: so+e that &agash passes through a sun e)ery so often: so+e e)en 2ilder

things. *ut there is one theory3 ?uite different fro+ all of these3 that has ,een handed do2n o)er a period of centuries.I HI -no2. >ou +ean this +yth of the HStarsI that the Cultists ha)e in their -ook o$ Re#elations.( HD4actly3I re<oined Sheerin 2ith satisfaction. H!he Cultists said that e)ery t2o thousand and fifty years &agash entered a huge ca)e3 so that all the suns disappeared3 and there ca+e total darkness all o#er the 'orldJ And then3 they say3 things called Stars appeared3 2hich ro,,ed +en of their souls and left the+ unreasoning ,rutes3 so that they destroyed the ci)ili6ation they the+sel)es had ,uilt up. Of course they +i4 all this up 2ith a lot of religio +ystic notions3 ,ut that0s the central idea.I !here 2as a short pause in 2hich Sheerin dre2 a long ,reath. HAnd no2 2e co+e to the !heory of @ni)ersal 5ra)itation.I %e pronounced the phrase so that the capital letters sounded and at that point Aton turned fro+ the 2indo23 snorted loudly3 and stal-ed out of the roo+. !he t2o stared after hi+3 and !here+on said3 H"hat0s 2rong1I HNothing in particular3I replied Sheerin. H!2o of the +en 2ere due se)eral hours ago and ha)en0t sho2n up yet. %e0s terrifically short handed3 of course3 ,ecause all ,ut the really essential +en ha)e gone to the %ideout.I H>ou don0t thin- the t2o deserted3 do you1I H"ho1 $aro and >i+ot1 Of course not. Still3 if they0re not ,ac- 2ithin the hour3 things 2ould ,e a little stic-y.I %e got to his feet suddenly3 and his eyes t2in-led. HAny2ay3 as long as Aton is gone H !iptoeing to the nearest 2indo23 he s?uatted3 and fro+ the lo2 2indo2 ,o4 ,eneath 2ithdre2 a ,ottle of red li?uid that gurgled suggesti)ely 2hen he shoo- it. HI thought Aton didn0t -no2 a,out this3I he re+ar-ed as he trotted ,ac- to the ta,le. H%ereJ "e0)e only got one glass so3 as the guest3 you can ha)e it. I0ll -eep the ,ottle.I And he filled the tiny cup 2ith <udicious care. !here+on rose to protest3 ,ut Sheerin eyed hi+ sternly. H9espect your elders3 young +an.I !he ne2s+an seated hi+self 2ith a loo- of anguish on his face. H5o ahead3 then3 you old )illain.I !he psychologist0s Ada+0s apple 2o,,led as the ,ottle upended3 and then3 2ith a satisfied grunt and a s+ac- of the lips3 he ,egan again. H*ut 2hat do you -no2 a,out gra)itation1I HNothing3 e4cept that it is a )ery recent de)elop+ent3 not too 2ell esta,lished3 and that the +ath is so hard that only t2el)e +en in &agash are supposed to understand it.I HTcha. NonsenseJ *aloneyJ I can gi)e you all the essential +ath in a sentence. !he &a2 of @ni)ersal 5ra)itation states that there e4ists a cohesi)e force a+ong all ,odies of the uni)erse3 such that the a+ount of this force ,et2een any t2o gi)en ,odies is proportional to the product of their +asses di)ided ,y the s?uare of the distance ,et2een the+.I HIs that all1I H!hat0s enoughJ It too- four hundred years to de)elop it.I H"hy that long1 It sounded si+ple enough3 the 2ay you said it.I H*ecause great la2s are not di)ined ,y flashes of inspiration3 2hate)er you +ay thin-. It usually ta-es the co+,ined 2or- of a 2orld full of scientists o)er a period of centuries. After 5eno)i A1 disco)ered that &agash rotated a,out the sun Alpha rather than )ice )ersa and that 2as four hundred years ago astrono+ers ha)e ,een 2or-ing. !he co+ple4 +otions of the si4 suns 2ere recorded and analy6ed and un2o)en. !heory after theory 2as ad)anced and chec-ed and counterchec-ed and +odified and a,andoned and re)i)ed and con)erted to so+ething else. It 2as a de)il of a <o,.I !here+on nodded thoughtfully and held out his glass for +ore li?uor. Sheerin grudgingly allo2ed a fe2 ru,y drops to lea)e the ,ottle. HIt 2as t2enty years ago3I he continued after re+oistening his o2n throat3 Hthat it 2as finally de+onstrated that the &a2 of @ni)ersal 5ra)itation accounted e4actly for the or,ital +otions of the si4 suns. It 2as a great triu+ph.I Sheerin stood up and 2al-ed to the 2indo23 still clutching his ,ottle. HAnd no2 2e0re getting to the point. In the last decade3 the +otions of &agash a,out Alpha 2ere co+puted according to gra)ity3 and if did not account $or the orbit obser#ed/ not e)en 2hen all pertur,ations due to the other suns 2ere included. Dither the la2 2as in)alid3 or there 2as another3 as yet un-no2n3 factor in)ol)ed.I !here+on <oined Sheerin at the 2indo2 and ga6ed out past the 2ooded slopes to 2here the spires of Saro City glea+ed ,loodily on the hori6on. !he ne2s+an felt the tension of uncertainty gro2 2ithin hi+ as he cast a short glance at *eta. It glo2ered redly at 6enith3 d2arfed and e)il. H5o ahead3 sir3I he said softly. Sheerin replied3 HAstrono+ers stu+,led a,out for year3 each proposed theory +ore untena,le than the one ,efore until Aton had the inspiration of calling in the Cult. !he head of the Cult3 Sor C3 had access to certain data

that si+plified the pro,le+ considera,ly. Aton set to 2or- on a ne2 trac-. H"hat if there 2ere another nonlu+inous planetary ,ody such as &agash1 If there 2ere3 you -no23 it 2ould shine only ,y reflected light3 and if it 2ere co+posed of ,luish roc-3 as &agash itself largely is3 then3 in the redness of the s-y3 the eternal ,la6e of the suns 2ould +a-e it in)isi,le dro2n it out co+pletely.I !here+on 2histled. H"hat a scre2y ideaJI H>ou thin- thats scre2y1 &isten to thisM Suppose this ,ody rotated a,out &agash at such a distance and in such an or,it and had such a +ass that its attention 2ould e4actly account for the de)iations of &agash0s or,it fro+ theory do you -no2 2hat 2ould happen1I !he colu+nist shoo- his head. H"ell3 so+eti+es this ,ody 2ould get in the 2ay of a sun.I And Sheerin e+ptied 2hat re+ained in the ,ottle at a draft. HAnd it does3 I suppose3I said !here+on flatly. H>esJ *ut only one sun lies in its plane of re)olution.I %e <er-ed a thu+, at the shrun-en sun a,o)e. H*etaJ And it has ,een sho2n that the eclipse 2ill occur only 2hen the arrange+ent of the suns is such that *eta is alone in its he+isphere and at +a4i+u+ distance3 at 2hich ti+e the +oon is in)aria,ly at +ini+u+ distance. !he eclipse that results3 2ith the +oon se)en ti+es the apparent dia+eter of *eta3 co)ers all of &agash and lasts 2ell o)er half a day3 so that no spot on the planet escapes the effects. That ecli!se comes once e#ery t'o thousand and $orty)nine years.( !here+on0s face 2as dra2n into an e4pressionless +as-. HAnd that0s +y story1I !he psychologist nodded. H!hat0s all of it. $irst the eclipse 2hich 2ill start in three ?uarters of an hour then uni)ersal #ar-ness and3 +ay,e3 these +ysterious Stars then +adness3 and end of the cycle.I %e ,rooded. H"e had t2o +onths0 lee2ay 2e at the O,ser)atory and that 2asn0t enough ti+e to persuade &agash of the danger. !2o centuries +ight not ha)e ,een enough. *ut our records are at the %ideout3 and today 2e photograph the eclipse. !he ne4t cycle 2ill start o$$ 2ith the truth3 and 2hen the next eclipse co+es3 +an-ind 2ill at last ,e ready for it. Co+e to thin- of it3 that0s part of your story too.I A thin 2ind ruffled the curtains at the 2indo2 as !here+on opened it and leaned out. It played coldly 2ith his hair as he stared at the cri+son sunlight on his hand. !hen he turned in sudden re,ellion. H"hat is there in #ar-ness to dri)e me +ad1I Sheerin s+iled to hi+self as he spun the e+pty li?uor ,ottle 2ith a,stracted +otions of his hand. H%a)e you e)er e4perienced #ar-ness3 young +an1I !he ne2s+an leaned against the 2all and considered. HNo. Can0t say I ha)e. *ut I -no2 2hat it is. Bust uh H %e +ade )ague +otions 2ith his fingers and then ,rightened. HBust no light. &i-e in ca)es.I 3 H%a)e you e)er ,een in a ca)e1I HIn a ca#eJ Of course notJI HI thought not. I tried last 2ee- <ust to see ,ut I got out in a hurry. I 2ent in until the +outh of the ca)e 2as <ust )isi,le as a ,lur of light3 2ith ,lac- e)ery2here else. I ne)er thought a person +y 2eight could run that fast.I !here+on0s lip curled. H"ell3 if it co+es to that3 I guess I 2ouldn0t ha)e run if I had ,een there.I !he psychologist studied the young +an 2ith an annoyed fro2n. HMy3 don0t you tal- ,igJ I dare you to dra2 the curtain.I !here+on loo-ed his surprise and said3 H"hat for1 If 2e had four or fi)e suns out there3 2e +ight 2ant to cut the light do2n a ,it for co+fort3 ,ut no2 2e ha)en0t enough light as it is.I H!hat0s the point. Bust dra2 the curtain: then co+e here and sit do2n.I HAll right.I !here+on reached for the tasseled string and <er-ed. !he red curtain slid across the 2ide 2indo23 the ,rass rings hissing their 2ay along the cross,ar3 and a dus- red shado2 cla+ped do2n on the roo+. !here+on0s footsteps sounded hollo2ly in the silence as he +ade his 2ay to the ta,le3 and then they stopped half2ay. HI can0t see you3 sir3I he 2hispered. H$eel your 2ay3I ordered Sheerin in a strained )oice. H*ut I can0t see you3 sir.I !he ne2s+an 2as ,reathing harshly. HI can0t see anything.I H"hat did you e4pect1I ca+e the gri+ reply. HCo+e here and sit do2nJI !he footsteps sounded again3 2a)eringly3 approaching slo2ly. !here 2as the sound of so+eone fu+,ling 2ith a chair. !here+on0s )oice ca+e thinly3 H%ere I a+. I feel . . . ul! . . . all right.I H>ou li-e it3 do you1I HN no. It0s pretty a2ful. !he 2alls see+ to ,e H %e paused. H!hey see+ to ,e closing in on +e. I -eep 2anting to push the+ a2ay. *ut I0+ not going madJ In fact3 the feeling isn0t as ,ad as it 2as.I HAll right. #ra2 the curtain ,ac- again.I

!here 2ere cautious footsteps through the dar-3 the rustle of !here+on0s ,ody against the curtain as he felt for the tassel3 and then the triu+phant roo)osh of the curtain slithering ,ac-. 9ed light flooded the roo+3 and 2ith a cry of <oy !here+on loo-ed up at the sun. Sheerin 2iped the +oistness off his forehead 2ith the ,ac- of a hand and said sha-ily3 HAnd that 2as <ust a dar- roo+.I HIt can ,e stood3I said !here+on lightly. H>es3 a dar- roo+ can. *ut 2ere you at the Bonglor Centennial D4position t2o years ago1I HNo3 it so happens I ne)er got around to it. Si4 thousand +iles 2as <ust a ,it too +uch to tra)el3 e)en for the e4position.I H"ell3 I 2as there. >ou re+e+,er hearing a,out the H!unnel of MysteryI that ,ro-e all records in the a+use+ent area for the first +onth or so3 any2ay1I H>es. "asn0t there so+e fuss a,out it1I HVery little. It 2as hushed up. >ou see3 that !unnel of Mystery 2as <ust a +ile long tunnel 2ith no lights. >ou got into a little open car and <olted along through #ar-ness for fifteen +inutes. It 2as )ery popular 2hile it lasted.I H(opular1I HCertainly. !here0s a fascination in ,eing frightened 'hen its !art o$ a game. A ,a,y is ,orn 2ith three instincti)e fearsM of loud noises3 of falling3 and of the a,sence of light. !hat0s 2hy it0s considered so funny to <u+p at so+eone and shout H*ooJI !hat0s 2hy it0s such fun to ride a roller coaster. And that0s 2hy that !unnel of Mystery started cleaning up. (eople ca+e out of that #ar-ness sha-ing3 ,reathless3 half dead 2ith fear3 ,ut they -ept on paying to get in.I H"ait a 2hile3 I re+e+,er no2. So+e people ca+e out dead3 didn0t they1 !here 2ere ru+ors of that after it shut do2n.I !he psychologist snorted. H*ahJ !2o or three died. !hat 2as nothingJ !hey paid off the fa+ilies of the dead ones and argued the Bonglor City Council into forgetting it. After all3 they said3 if people 2ith 2ea- hearts 2ant to go through the tunnel3 it 2as at their o2n ris- and ,esides3 it 2ouldn0t happen again. So they put a doctor in the front office and had e)ery custo+er go through a physical e4a+ination ,efore getting into the car. !hat actually boosted tic-et sales.I H"ell3 then1I H*ut you see3 there 2as so+ething else. (eople so+eti+es ca+e out in perfect order3 e4cept that they refused to go into ,uildings any ,uildings: including palaces3 +ansions3 apart+ent houses3 tene+ents3 cottages3 huts3 shac-s3 lean tos3 and tents.I !here+on loo-ed shoc-ed. H>ou +ean they refused to co+e in out of the open1 "here0d they sleep1I HIn the open.I H!hey should ha)e $orced the+ inside.I HOh3 they did3 they did. "hereupon these people 2ent into )iolent hysterics and did their ,est to ,at their ,rains out against the nearest 2all. Once you got the+ inside3 you couldn0t -eep the+ there 2ithout a strait <ac-et or a hea)y dose of tran?uili6er.I H!hey +ust ha)e ,een cra6y.I H"hich is e4actly 2hat they 2ere. One person out of e)ery ten 2ho 2ent into that tunnel ca+e out that 2ay. !hey called in the psychologists3 and 2e did the only thing possi,le. "e closed do2n the e4hi,it.I %e spread his hands. H"hat 2as the +atter 2ith these people1I as-ed !here+on finally. HDssentially the sa+e thing that 2as the +atter 2ith you 2hen you thought the 2alls of the roo+ 2ere crushing in on you in the dar-. !here is a psychological ter+ for +an-ind0s instincti)e fear of the a,sence of light. "e call it Hclaustropho,iaI3 ,ecause the lac- of light is al2ays tied up 2ith enclosed places3 so that fear of one is fear of the other. >ou see1I HAnd those people of the tunnel1I H!hose people of the tunnel consisted of those unfortunates 2hose +entality did not ?uite possess the resiliency to o)erco+e the claustropho,ia that o)ertoo- the+ in the #ar-ness. $ifteen +inutes 2ithout light is a long ti+e: you only had t2o or three +inutes3 and I ,elie)e you 2ere fairly upset. H!he people of the tunnel had 2hat is called a Hclaustropho,ic fi4ationI. !heir latent fear of #ar-ness and enclosed places had crystali6ed and ,eco+e acti)e3 and3 as far as 2e can tell3 per+anent. !hat0s 2hat fifteen +inutes in the dar- 2ill do.I !here 2as a long silence3 and !here+on0s forehead 2rin-led slo2ly into a fro2n. HI don0t ,elie)e it0s that ,ad.I

H>ou +ean you don0t 2ant to ,elie)e3I snapped Sheerin. H>ou0re afraid to ,elie)e. &oo- out the 2indo2JI !here+on did so3 and the psychologist continued 2ithout pausing. HI+agine #ar-ness e)ery2here. No light3 as far as you can see. !he houses3 the trees3 the fields3 the earth3 the s-y ,lac-J And Stars thro2n in3 for all I -no2 2hate)er they are. Can you concei)e it1I H>es3 I can3I declared !here+on truculently. And Sheerin sla++ed his fist do2n upon the ta,le in sudden passion. H>ou lieJ >ou can0t concei)e that. >our ,rain 2asn0t ,uilt for the conception any +ore than it 2as ,uilt for the conception of infinity or of eternity. >ou can only tal- a,out it. A fraction of the reality upsets you3 and 2hen the real thing co+es3 your ,rain is going to ,e presented 2ith the pheno+enon outside its li+its of co+prehension. >ou 2ill go +ad3 co+pletely and per+anentlyJ !here is no ?uestion of itJI %e added sadly3 HAnd another couple of +illennia of painful struggle co+es to nothing. !o+orro2 there 2on0t ,e a city standing unhar+ed in all &agash.I !here+on reco)ered part of his +ental e?uili,riu+. H!hat doesn0t follo2. I still don0t see that I can go loony <ust ,ecause there isn0t a sun in the s-y ,ut e)en if I did3 and e)eryone else did3 ho2 does that har+ the cities1 Are 2e going to ,lo2 the+ do2n1I *ut Sheerin 2as angry3 too. HIf you 2ere in #ar-ness3 2hat 2ould you 2ant +ore than anything else: 2hat 2ould it ,e that e)ery instinct 2ould call for1 &ight3 da+n you3 lightJI H"ell1I HAnd ho2 2ould you get light1I HI don0t -no23I said !here+on flatly. H"hat0s the only 2ay to get light3 short of a sun1I H%o2 should I -no21I !hey 2ere standing face to face and nose to nose. Sheerin said3 H>ou ,urn so+ething3 +ister. D)er see a forest fire1 D)er go ca+ping and coo- a ste2 o)er a 2ood fire1 %eat isn0t the only thing ,urning 2ood gi)es off3 you -no2. It gi)es off light3 and people -no2 that. And 2hen it0s dar- they 2ant light3 and they0re going to get it.I HSo they ,urn 2ood1I HSo they ,urn 2hate)er they can get. !hey0)e got to ha)e light. !hey0)e got to ,urn so+ething3 and 2ood isn0t handy so they0ll ,urn 2hate)er is nearest. !hey0ll ha)e their light and e)ery center of ha,itation goes up in fla+esJI Dyes held each other as though the 2hole +atter 2ere a personal affair of respecti)e 2ill po2ers3 and then !here+on ,ro-e a2ay 2ordlessly. %is ,reathing 2as harsh and ragged3 and he scarcely noted the sudden hu,,u, that ca+e fro+ the ad<oining roo+ ,ehind the closed door. Sheerin spo-e3 and it 2as 2ith an effort that he +ade it sound +atter of fact. HI thin- I heard >i+ot0s )oice. %e and $aro are pro,a,ly ,ac-. &et0s go in and see 2hat -ept the+.I HMight as 2ellJI +uttered !here+on. %e dre2 a long ,reath and see+ed to sha-e hi+self. !he tension 2as ,ro-en. !he roo+ 2as in an uproar3 2ith +e+,ers of the staff clustering a,out t2o young +en 2ho 2ere re+o)ing outer gar+ents e)en as they parried the +iscellany of ?uestions ,eing thro2n at the+. Aton ,ustled through the cro2d and faced the ne2co+ers angrily. H#o you reali6e that it0s less than half an hour ,efore deadline1 "here ha)e you t2o ,een1I $aro =A seated hi+self and ru,,ed his hands. %is chee-s 2ere red 2ith the outdoor chill. H>i+ot and I ha)e <ust finished carrying through a little cra6y e4peri+ent of our o2n. "e0)e ,een trying to see if 2e couldn0t construct an arrange+ent ,y 2hich 2e could si+ulate the appearance of #ar-ness and Stars so as to get an ad)ance notion as to ho2 it loo-ed.I !here 2as a confused +ur+ur fro+ the listeners3 and a sudden loo- of interest entered Aton0s eyes. H!here 2asn0t anything said of this ,efore. %o2 did you go a,out it1I H"ell3I said $aro3 Hthe idea ca+e to >i+ot and +yself long ago3 and 2e0)e ,een 2or-ing it out in our spare ti+e. >i+ot -ne2 of a lo2 one story house do2n in the city 2ith a do+ed roof it had once ,een used as a +useu+3 I thin-. Any2ay3 2e ,ought it H H"here did you get the +oney1I interrupted Aton pere+ptorily. HOur ,an- accounts3I grunted >i+ot 7G. HIt cost t2o thousand credits.I !hen3 defensi)ely3 H"ell3 2hat of it1 !o+orro23 t2o thousand credits 2ill ,e t2o thousand pieces of paper. !hat0s all.I HSure.I agreed $aro. H"e ,ought the place and rigged it up 2ith ,lac- )el)et fro+ top to ,otto+ so as to get as perfect a #ar-ness as possi,le. !hen 2e punched tiny holes in the ceiling and through the roof and co)ered

the+ 2ith little +etal caps3 all of 2hich could ,e sho)ed aside si+ultaneously at the close of a s2itch. At least 2e didn0t do that part oursel)es: 2e got a carpenter and an electrician and so+e others +oney didn0t count. !he point 2as that 2e could get the light to shine through those holes in the roof3 so that 2e could get a starli-e effect.I Not a ,reath 2as dra2n during the pause that follo2ed. Aton said stiffly3 H>ou had no right to +a-e a pri)ate H $aro see+ed a,ashed. HI -no23 sir ,ut fran-ly3 >i+ot and I thought the e4peri+ent 2as a little dangerous. If the effect really 2or-ed3 2e half e4pected to go +ad fro+ 2hat Sheerin says a,out all this3 2e thought that 2ould ,e rather li-ely. "e 2anted to ta-e the ris- oursel)es. Of course if 2e found 2e could retain sanity3 it occurred to us that 2e +ight de)elop i++unity to the real thing3 and then e4pose the rest of you the sa+e 2ay. *ut things didn0t 2or- out at all H H"hy3 2hat happened1I It 2as >i+ot 2ho ans2ered. H"e shut oursel)es in and allo2ed our eyes to get accusto+ed to the dar-. It0s an e4tre+ely creepy feeling ,ecause the total #ar-ness +a-es you feel as if the 2alls and ceiling are crushing in on you. *ut 2e got o)er that and pulled the s2itch. !he caps fell a2ay and the roof glittered all o)er 2ith little dots of light H H"ell1I H"ell nothing. !hat 2as the 2hac-y part of it. Nothing happened. It 2as <ust a roof 2ith holes in it3 and that0s <ust 2hat it loo-ed li-e. "e tried it o)er and o)er again that0s 2hat -ept us so late ,ut there <ust isn0t any effect at all.I !here follo2ed a shoc-ed silence3 and all eyes turned to Sheerin3 2ho sat +otionless3 +outh open. !here+on 2as the first to spea-. H>ou -no2 2hat this does to this 2hole theory you0)e ,uilt up3 Sheerin3 don0t you1I %e 2as grinning 2ith relief. *ut Sheerin raised his hand. HNo2 2ait a 2hile. Bust let +e thin- this through.I And then he snapped his fingers3 and 2hen he lifted his head there 2as neither surprise nor uncertainty in his eyes. HOf course H %e ne)er finished. $ro+ so+e2here up a,o)e there sounded a sharp clang3 and *eenay3 starting to his feet3 dashed up the stairs 2ith a /"hat the de)ilJI !he rest follo2ed after. !hings happened ?uic-ly. Once up in the do+e3 *eenay cast one horrified glance at the shattered photographic plates and at the +an ,ending o)er the+: and then hurled hi+self fiercely at the intruder3 getting a death grip on his throat. !here 2as a 2ild threshing3 and as others of the staff <oined in3 the stranger 2as s2allo2ed up and s+othered under the 2eight of half a do6en angry +en. Aton ca+e up last3 ,reathing hea)ily. H&et hi+ upJI !here 2as a reluctant unscra+,ling and the stranger3 panting harshly3 2ith his clothes torn and his forehead ,ruised3 2as hauled to his feet. %e had a short yello2 ,eard curled ela,orately in the style affected ,y the Cultists. *eenay shifted his hold to a collar grip and shoo- the +an sa)agely. HAll right3 rat3 2hat0s the idea1 !hese plates H HI 2asn0t after them3I retorted the Cultist coldly. H!hat 2as an accident.I *eenay follo2ed his glo2ering stare and snarled3 HI see. >ou 2ere after the ca+eras the+sel)es. !he accident 2ith the plates 2as a stro-e of luc- for you3 then. If you had touched Snapping *ertha or any of the others3 you 2ould ha)e died ,y slo2 torture. As it is H %e dre2 his fist ,ac-. Aton gra,,ed his slee)e. HStop thatJ &et hi+ goJI !he young technician 2a)ered3 and his ar+ dropped reluctantly. Aton pushed hi+ aside and confronted the Cultist. H>ou0re &ati+er3 aren0t you1I !he Cultist ,o2ed stiffly and indicated the sy+,ol upon his hip. I a+ &ati+er =C3 ad<utant of the third class to his serenity3 Sor C.I HAndI Aton0s 2hite eye,ro2s lifted Hyou 2ere 2ith his serenity 2hen he )isited +e last 2ee-3 2eren0t you1I &ati+er ,o2ed a second ti+e. HNo23 then3 2hat do you 2ant1I HNothing that you 2ould gi)e +e of your o2n free 2ill.I HSor C sent you3 I suppose or is this your o2n idea1I HI 2on0t ans2er that ?uestion.I H"ill there ,e any further )isitors1I HI 2on0t ans2er that3 either.I Aton glanced at his ti+epiece and sco2led. HNo23 +an3 2hat is it your +aster 2ants of +e1 I ha)e fulfilled +y end of the ,argain.I

&ati+er s+iled faintly3 ,ut said nothing. HI as-ed hi+3I continued Aton angrily3 Hfor data only the Cult could supply3 and it 2as gi)en to +e. $or that3 than- you. In return I pro+ised to pro)e the essential truth of the creed of the Cult.I H!here 2as no need to pro)e that3I ca+e the proud retort. It stands pro)en ,y the -ook o$ Re#elations.I H$or the handful that constitute the Cult3 yes. #on0t pretend to +ista-e +y +eaning. I offered to present scientific ,ac-ing for your ,eliefs. And I didJI !he Cultist0s eyes narro2ed ,itterly. H>es3 you did 2ith a fo40s su,tlety3 for your pretended e4planation ,ac-ed our ,eliefs3 and at the sa+e ti+e re+o)ed all necessity for the+. >ou +ade of the #ar-ness and of the Stars a natural pheno+enon and re+o)ed all its real significance. !hat 2as ,lasphe+y.I HIf so3 the fault isn0t +ine. !he facts e4ist. "hat can I do ,ut state the+1I H>our HfactsI are a fraud and a delusion.I Aton sta+ped angrily. H%o2 do you -no21I And the ans2er ca+e 2ith the certainty of a,solute faith. HI -no2JI !he director purpled and *eenay 2hispered urgently. Aton 2a)ed hi+ silent. HAnd 2hat does Sor C 2ant us to do1 %e still thin-s. I suppose3 that in trying to 2arn the 2orld to ta-e +easures against the +enace of +adness3 2e are placing innu+era,le souls in <eopardy. "e aren0t succeeding3 if that +eans anything to hi+.I H!he atte+pt itself has done har+ enough3 and your )icious effort to gain infor+ation ,y +eans of your de)ilish instru+ents +ust ,e stopped. "e o,ey the 2ill of the Stars3 and I only regret that +y clu+siness pre)ented +e fro+ 2rec-ing your infernal de)ices.I HIt 2ouldn0t ha)e done you too +uch good3I returned Aton. HAll our data3 e4cept for the direct e)idence 2e intend collecting right no23 is already safely cached and 2ell ,eyond possi,ility of har+.I %e s+iled gri+ly. H*ut that does not affect your present status as an atte+pted ,urglar and cri+inal.I %e turned to the +en ,ehind hi+. HSo+eone call the police at Saro City.I !here 2as a cry of distaste fro+ Sheerin. H#a+n it3 Aton3 2hat0s 2rong 2ith you1 !here0s no ti+e for that. %ereI he hustled his 2ay for2ard Hlet +e handle this.I Aton stared do2n his nose at the psychologist. H!his is not the ti+e for your +on-eyshines3 Sheerin. "ill you please let +e handle this +y o2n 2ay1 9ight no2 you are a co+plete outsider here3 and don0t forget it.I Sheerin0s +outh t2isted elo?uently. HNo2 2hy should 2e go to the i+possi,le trou,le of calling the police 2ith *eta0s eclipse a +atter of +inutes fro+ no2 2hen this young +an here is perfectly 2illing to pledge his 2ord of honor to re+ain and cause no trou,le 2hatsoe)er1I !he Cultist ans2ered pro+ptly3 HI 2ill do no such thing. >ou0re free to do 2hat you 2ant3 ,ut it0s only fair to 2arn you that <ust as soon as I get +y chance I0+ going to finish 2hat I ca+e out here to do. If it0s +y 2ord of honor you0re relying on3 you0d ,etter call the police.I Sheerin s+iled in a friendly fashion. H>ou0re a deter+ined cuss3 aren0t you1 "ell3 I0ll e4plain so+ething. #o you see that young +an at the 2indo21 %e0s a strong3 hus-y fello23 ?uite handy 2ith his fists3 and he0s an outsider ,esides. Once the eclipse starts there 2ill ,e nothing for hi+ to do e4cept -eep an eye on you. *esides hi+3 there 2ill ,e +yself a little too stout for acti)e fisticuffs3 ,ut still a,le to help.I H"ell3 2hat of it1I de+anded &ati+er fro6enly. H&isten and I0ll tell you3I 2as the reply. HBust as soon as the eclipse starts3 2e0re going to ta-e you3 !here+on and I3 and deposit you in a little closet 2ith one door3 to 2hich is attached one giant loc- and no 2indo2s. >ou 2ill re+ain there for the duration.I HAnd after2ard3I ,reathed &ati+er fiercely3 Hthere0ll ,e no one to let +e out. I -no2 as 2ell as you do 2hat the co+ing of the Stars +eans I -no2 it far ,etter than you. "ith all your +inds gone3 you are not li-ely to free +e. Suffocation or slo2 star)ation3 is it1 A,out 2hat I +ight ha)e e4pected fro+ a group of scientists. *ut I don0t gi)e +y 2ord. It0s a +atter of principle3 and I 2on0t discuss it further.I Aton see+ed pertur,ed. %is faded eyes 2ere trou,led. H9eally3 Sheerin3 loc-ing hi+ H H(leaseJI Sheerin +otioned hi+ i+patiently to silence. HI don0t thin- for a +o+ent things 2ill go that far. &ati+er has <ust tried a cle)er little ,luff3 ,ut I0+ not a psychologist <ust ,ecause I li-e the sound of the 2ord.I %e grinned at the Cultist. HCo+e no23 you don0t really thin- I0+ trying anything as crude as slo2 star)ation. My dear &ati+er3 if I loc- you in the closet3 you are not going to see the #ar-ness3 and you are not going to see the Stars. It does not ta-e +uch -no2ledge of the funda+ental creed of the Cult to reali6e that for you to ,e hidden fro+ the Stars 2hen they appear +eans the loss of your i++ortal soul. No23 I ,elie)e you to ,e an honora,le +an. I0ll accept your 2ord of honor to +a-e no further effort to disrupt proceedings3 if you0ll offer it.I A )ein thro,,ed in &ati+er0s te+ple3 and he see+ed to shrin- 2ithin hi+self as he said thic-ly3 H>ou ha)e itJI And then he added 2ith s2ift fury. H*ut it is +y consolation that you 2ill all ,e da+ned for your deeds of

today.I %e turned on his heel and stal-ed to the high three legged stool ,y the door. Sheerin nodded to the colu+nist. H!a-e a seat ne4t to hi+3 !here+on <ust as a for+ality. %ey3 !here+onJI *ut the ne2spaper+an didn0t +o)e. %e had gone pale to the lips. H&oo- at thatJI !he finger he pointed to2ard the s-y shoo-3 and his )oice 2as dry and crac-ed. !here 2as one si+ultaneous gasp as e)ery eye follo2ed the pointing finger and3 for one ,reathless +o+ent3 stared fro6enly. -eta 'as chi!!ed on one side. !he tiny ,it of encroaching ,lac-ness 2as perhaps the 2idth of a fingernail3 ,ut to the staring 2atchers it +agnified itself into the crac- of doo+. Only for a +o+ent they 2atched3 and after that there 2as a shrie-ing confusion that 2as e)en shorter of duration and 2hich ga)e 2ay to an orderly scurry of acti)ity each +an at his prescri,ed <o,. At the crucial +o+ent there 2as no ti+e for e+otion. !he +en 2ere +erely scientists 2ith 2or- to do. D)en Aton had +elted a2ay. Sheerin said prosaically. H$irst contact +ust ha)e ,een +ade fifteen +inutes ago. A little early3 ,ut pretty good considering the uncertainties in)ol)ed in the calculation.I %e loo-ed a,out hi+ and then tiptoed to !here+on3 2ho still re+ained staring out the 2indo23 and dragged hi+ a2ay gently. HAton is furious3I he 2hispered3 Hso stay a2ay. %e +issed first contact on account of this fuss 2ith &ati+er3 and if you get in his 2ay he0ll ha)e you thro2n out the 2indo2.I !here+on nodded shortly and sat do2n. Sheerin stared in surprise at hi+. H!he de)il3 +an3I he e4clai+ed3 Hyou0re sha-ing.I HDh1I !here+on lic-ed dry lips and then tried to s+ile. HI don0t feel )ery 2ell3 and that0s a fact.I !he psychologist0s eyes hardened. H>ou0re not losing your ner)e1I HNoJI cried !here+on in a flash of indignation. H5i)e +e a chance3 2ill you1 I ha)en0t really ,elie)ed this rig+arole not 2ay do2n ,eneath3 any2ay till <ust this +inute. 5i)e +e a chance to get used to the idea. >ou0)e ,een preparing yourself for t2o +onths or +ore.I H>ou0re right3 at that3I replied Sheerin thoughtfully. H&istenJ %a)e you got a fa+ily parents3 2ife3 children1I !here+on shoo- his head. H>ou +ean the %ideout3 I suppose. No3 you don0t ha)e to 2orry a,out that. I ha)e a sister3 ,ut she0s t2o thousand +iles a2ay. I don0t e)en -no2 her e4act address.I H"ell3 then3 2hat a,out yourself1 >ou0)e got ti+e to get there3 and they0re one short any2ay3 since I left. After all3 you0re not needed here3 and you0d +a-e a darned fine addition H !here+on loo-ed at the other 2earily. H>ou thin- I0+ scared stiff3 don0t you1 "ell3 get this3 +ister. I0+ a ne2spaper+an and I0)e ,een assigned to co)er a story. I intend co)ering it.I !here 2as a faint s+ile on the psychologist0s face. HI see. (rofessional honor3 is that it1I H>ou +ight call it that. *ut3 +an. I0d gi)e +y right ar+ for another ,ottle of that soc-eroo <uice e)en half the si6e of the one you ,ogged. If e)er a fello2 needed a drin-3 I do.I %e ,ro-e off. Sheerin 2as nudging hi+ )iolently. H#o you hear that1 &istenJI !here+on follo2ed the +otion of the other0s chin and stared at the Cultist3 2ho3 o,li)ious to all a,out hi+3 faced the 2indo23 a loo- of 2ild elation on his face3 droning to hi+self the 2hile in singsong fashion. H"hat0s he saying1I 2hispered the colu+nist. H%e0s ?uoting -ook o$ Re#elations, fifth chapter3I replied Sheerin. !hen3 urgently3 HLeep ?uiet and listen3 I tell you.I !he Cultist0s )oice had risen in a sudden increase of fer)orM / HAnd it ca+e to pass that in those days the Sun3 *eta3 held lone )igil in the s-y for e)er longer periods asthe re)olutions passed: until such ti+e as for full half a re)olution3 it alone3 shrun-en and cold3 shone do2n upon &agash. H /And +en did asse+,le in the pu,lic s?uares and in the high2ays3 there to de,ate and to +ar)el at the sight3 for a strange depression had sei6ed the+. !heir +inds 2ere trou,led and their speech confused3 for the souls of +en a2aited the co+ing of the Stars. H /And in the city of !rigon3 at high noon3 Vendret = ca+e forth and said unto the +en of !rigon3 H&o3 ye sinnersJ !hough ye scorn the 2ays of righteousness3 yet 2ill the ti+e of rec-oning co+e. D)en no2 the Ca)e approaches to s2allo2 &agash: yea3 and all it contains.I H /And e)en as he spo-e the lip of the Ca)e of #ar-ness passed the edge of *eta so that to all &agash it 2as hidden fro+ sight. &oud 2ere the cries of +en as it )anished3 and great the fear of soul that fell upon the+. H /It ca+e to pass that the #ar-ness of the Ca)e fell upon &agash3 and there 2as no light on all the surface of &agash. Men 2ere e)en as ,linded3 nor could one +an see his neigh,or3 though he felt his ,reath upon his face.

H /And in this ,lac-ness there appeared the Stars3 in countless nu+,ers3 and to the strains of +usic of such ,eauty that the )ery lea)es of the trees cried out in 2onder. H /And in that +o+ent the souls of +en departed fro+ the+3 and their a,andoned ,odies ,eca+e e)en as ,easts: yea3 e)en as ,rutes of the 2ild: so that through the ,lac-ened streets of the cities of &agash they pro2led 2ith 2ild cries. H /$ro+ the Stars there then reached do2n the %ea)enly $la+e3 and 2here it touched3 the cities of &agash fla+ed to utter destruction3 so that of +an and of the 2or-s of +an nought re+ained. H /D)en then / / !here 2as a su,tle change in &ati+er0s tone. %is eyes had not shifted3 ,ut so+eho2 he had ,eco+e a2are of the a,sor,ed attention of the other t2o. Dasily3 2ithout pausing for ,reath3 the ti+,re of his )oice shifted and the sylla,les ,eca+e +ore li?uid. !here+on3 caught ,y surprise3 stared. !he 2ords see+ed on the ,order of fa+iliarity. !here 2as an elusi)e shift in the accent3 a tiny change in the )o2el stress: nothing +ore yet &ati+er had ,eco+e thoroughly unintelligi,le. Sheerin s+iled slyly. H%e shifted to so+e old cycle tongue3 pro,a,ly their traditional second cycle. !hat 2as the language in 2hich the -ook o$ Re#elations 2as originally 2ritten3 you -no2.I HIt doesn0t +atter: I0)e heard enough.I !here+on sho)ed his chair ,ac- and ,rushed his hair ,ac- 2ith hands that no longer shoo-. HI feel +uch ,etter no2.I H>ou do1I Sheerin see+ed +ildly surprised. HI0ll say I do. I had a ,ad case of <itters <ust a 2hile ,ac-. &istening to you and your gra)itation and seeing that eclipse start al+ost finished +e. *ut thisI he <er-ed a conte+ptuous thu+, at the yello2 ,earded Cultist Hthis is the sort of thing +y nurse used to tell +e. I0)e ,een laughing at that sort of thing all +y life. I0+ not going to let it scare +e no'.( %e dre2 a deep ,reath and said 2ith a hectic gaiety3 H*ut if I e4pect to -eep on the good side of +yself. I0+ going to turn +y chair a2ay fro+ the 2indo2.I Sheerin said3 H>es3 ,ut you0d ,etter tal- lo2er. Aton <ust lifted his head out of that ,o4 he0s got it stuc- into and ga)e you a loo- that should ha)e -illed you.I !here+on +ade a +outh. HI forgot a,out the old fello2.I "ith ela,orate care he turned the chair fro+ the 2indo23 cast one distasteful loo- o)er his shoulder3 and said3 HIt has occurred to +e that there +ust ,e considera,le i++unity against this Star +adness.I !he psychologist did not ans2er i++ediately. *eta 2as past its 6enith no23 and the s?uare of ,loody sunlight that outlined the 2indo2 upon the floor had lifted into Sheerin0s lap. %e stared at its dus-y color thoughtfully and then ,ent and s?uinted into the sun itself. !he chip in its side had gro2n to a ,lac- encroach+ent that co)ered a third of *eta. %e shuddered3 and 2hen he straightened once +ore his florid chee-s did not contain ?uite as +uch color as they had had pre)iously. "ith a s+ile that 2as al+ost apologetic3 he re)ersed his chair also. H!here are pro,a,ly t2o +illion people in Saro City that are all trying to <oin the Cult at once in one gigantic re)i)al.I !hen3 ironically. H!he Cult is in for an hour of une4a+pled prosperity. I trust they0ll +a-e the +ost of it. No23 2hat 2as it you said1I HBust this. %o2 did the Cultists +anage to -eep the -ook o$ Re#elations going fro+ cycle to cycle3 and ho2 on &agash did it get 2ritten in the first place1 !here +ust ha)e ,een so+e sort of i++unity3 for if e)eryone had gone +ad3 2ho 2ould ,e left to 2rite the ,oo-1I Sheerin stared at his ?uestioner ruefully. H"ell3 no23 young +an3 there isn0t any eye2itness ans2er to that3 ,ut 2e0)e got a fe2 da+ned good notions as to 2hat happened. >ou see3 there are three -inds of people 2ho +ight re+ain relati)ely unaffected. $irst3 the )ery fe2 2ho don0t see the Stars at allM the seriously retarded or those 2ho drin- the+sel)es into a stupor at the ,eginning of the eclipse and re+ain so to the end. "e lea)e the+ out ,ecause they aren0t really 2itnesses. H!hen there are children ,elo2 si43 to 2ho+ the 2orld as a 2hole is too ne2 and strange for the+ to ,e too frightened at Stars and #ar-ness. !hey 2ould ,e <ust another ite+ in an already surprising 2orld. >ou see that3 don0t you1I !he other nodded dou,tfully. HI suppose so.I H&astly3 there are those 2hose +inds are too coarsely grained to ,e entirely toppled. !he )ery insensiti)e 2ould ,e scarcely affected oh3 such people as so+e of our older3 2or- ,ro-en peasants. "ell3 the children 2ould ha)e fugiti)e +e+ories3 and that3 co+,ined 2ith the confused3 incoherent ,a,,lings of the half +ad +orons3 for+ed the ,asis for the -ook o$ Re#elations. HNaturally3 the ,oo- 2as ,ased3 in the first place3 on the testi+ony of those least ?ualified to ser)e as historians: that is3 children and +orons: and 2as pro,a,ly edited and re edited through the cycles.I

H#o you suppose3I ,ro-e in !here+on3 Hthat they carried the ,oo- through the cycles the 2ay 2e0re planning on handing on the secret of gra)itation1I Sheerin shrugged. H(erhaps3 ,ut their e4act +ethod is uni+portant. !hey do it3 so+eho2. !he point I 2as getting at 2as that the ,oo- can0t help ,ut ,e a +ass of distortion3 e)en if it is ,ased on fact. $or instance3 do you re+e+,er the e4peri+ent 2ith the holes in the roof that $aro and >i+ot tried the one that didn0t 2or-1I H>es.I H>ou -no2 2hy it didn0t 2 H %e stopped and rose in alar+3 for Aton 2as approaching3 his face a t2isted +as- of consternation. H*hats ha!!ened?( Aton dre2 hi+ aside and Sheerin could feel the fingers on his el,o2 t2itching. HNot so loudJI Aton0s )oice 2as lo2 and tortured. HI0)e <ust gotten 2ord fro+ the %ideout on the pri)ate line.I Sheerin ,ro-e in an4iously. H!hey are in trou,le1I HNot they.( Aton stressed the pronoun significantly. H!hey sealed the+sel)es off <ust a 2hile ago3 and they0re going to stay ,uried till day after to+orro2. !hey0re safe. *ut the city. Sheerin it0s a sha+,les. >ou ha)e no idea H %e 2as ha)ing difficulty in spea-ing. H"ell1I snapped Sheerin i+patiently. H"hat of it1 It 2ill get 2orse. "hat are you sha-ing a,out1I !hen3 suspiciously3 H%o2 do you feel1I Aton0s eyes spar-ed angrily at the insinuation3 and then faded to an4iety once +ore. H>ou don0t understand. !he Cultists are acti)e. !hey0re rousing the people to stor+ the O,ser)atory pro+ising the+ i++ediate entrance into grace3 pro+ising the+ sal)ation3 pro+ising the+ anything. "hat are 2e to do3 Sheerin1I Sheerin0s head ,ent3 and he stared in long a,straction at his toes. %e tapped his chin 2ith one -nuc-le3 then loo-ed up and said crisply3 H#o1 "hat is there to do1 Nothing at all. #o the +en -no2 of this1I HNo3 of course notJI H5oodJ Leep it that 2ay. %o2 long till totality1I HNot ?uite an hour.I H!here0s nothing to do ,ut ga+,le. It 2ill ta-e ti+e to organi6e any really for+ida,le +o,3 and it 2ill ta-e +ore ti+e to get the+ out here. "e0re a good fi)e +iles fro+ the city H %e glared out the 2indo23 do2n the slopes to 2here the far+ed patches ga)e 2ay to clu+ps of 2hite houses in the su,ur,s: do2n to 2here the +etropolis itself 2as a ,lur on the hori6on a +ist in the 2aning ,la6e of *eta. %e repeated 2ithout turning. HIt 2ill ta-e ti+e. Leep on 2or-ing and pray that totality co+es first.I *eta 2as cut in half3 the line of di)ision pushing a slight conca)ity into the still ,right portion of the Sun. It 2as li-e a gigantic eyelid shutting slant2ise o)er the light of a 2orld. !he faint clatter of the roo+ in 2hich he stood faded into o,li)ion3 and he sensed only the thic- silence of the fields outside. !he )ery insects see+ed frightened +ute. And things 2ere di+. %e <u+ped at the )oice in his ear. !here+on said. HIs so+ething 2rong1I HDh1 Dr no. 5et ,ac- to the chair. "e0re in the 2ay.I !hey slipped ,ac- to their co+er3 ,ut the psychologist did not spea- for a ti+e. %e lifted a finger and loosened his collar. %e t2isted his nec- ,ac- and forth ,ut found no relief. %e loo-ed up suddenly. HAre you ha)ing any difficulty in ,reathing1I !he ne2spaper+an opened his eyes 2ide and dre2 t2o or three long ,reaths. HNo. "hy1I HI loo-ed out the 2indo2 too long3 I suppose. !he di+ness got +e. #ifficulty in ,reathing is one of the first sy+pto+s of a claustropho,ic attac-. H !here+on dre2 another long ,reath. H"ell3 it hasn0t got +e yet. Say3 here0s another of the fello2s.I *eenay had interposed his ,ul- ,et2een the light and the pair in the corner3 and Sheerin s?uinted up at hi+ an4iously. H%ello3 *eenay.I !he astrono+er shifted his 2eight to the other foot and s+iled fee,ly. H>ou 2on0t +ind if I sit do2n a2hile and <oin in the tal-1 My ca+eras are set3 and there0s nothing to do till totality.I %e paused and eyed the Cultist3 2ho fifteen +inutes earlier had dra2n a s+all3 s-in ,ound ,oo- fro+ his slee)e and had ,een poring intently o)er it e)er since. H!hat rat hasn0t ,een +a-ing trou,le3 has he1I Sheerin shoo- his head. %is shoulders 2ere thro2n ,ac- and he fro2ned his concentration as he forced hi+self to ,reathe regularly. %e said3 H%a)e you had any trou,le ,reathing3 *eenay1I *eenay sniffed the air in his turn. HIt doesn0t see+ stuffy to +e.I HA touch of claustropho,ia3I e4plained Sheerin apologetically. HOhhhJ It 2or-ed itself differently 2ith +e. I get the i+pression that +y eyes are going ,ac- on +e. !hings

see+ to ,lur and 2ell3 nothing is clear. And it0s cold3 too.I HOh3 it0s cold3 all right. !hat0s no illusion.I !here+on gri+aced. HMy toes feel as if I0)e ,een shipping the+ cross country in a refrigerating car.I H"hat 2e need3I put in Sheerin3 His to -eep our +inds ,usy 2ith e4traneous affairs. I 2as telling you a 2hile ago3 !here+on3 2hy $aro0s e4peri+ents 2ith the holes in the roof ca+e to nothing.I H>ou 2ere <ust ,eginning3I replied !here+on. %e encircled a -nee 2ith ,oth ar+s and nu66led his chin against it. H"ell3 as I started to say3 they 2ere +isled ,y ta-ing the -ook o$ Re#elations literally. !here pro,a,ly 2asn0t any sense in attaching any physical significance to the Stars. It +ight ,e3 you -no23 that in the presence of total #ar-ness3 the +ind finds it a,solutely necessary to create light. !his illusion of light +ight ,e all the Stars there really are.I HIn other 2ords3I interposed !here+on3 Hyou +ean the Stars arc the results of the +adness and not one of the causes. !hen3 2hat good 2ill *eenay0s photographs ,e1I H!o pro)e that it is an illusion3 +ay,e: or to pro)e the opposite: for all I -no2. !hen again H *ut *eenay had dra2n his chair closer3 and there 2as an e4pression of sudden enthusias+ on his face. HSay3 I0+ glad you t2o got onto this su,<ect.I %is eyes narro2ed and he lifted one finger. HI0)e ,een thin-ing a,out these Stars and I0)e got a really cute notion. Of course it0s strictly ocean foa+3 and I0+ not trying to ad)ance it seriously3 ,ut I thin- it0s interesting. #o you 2ant to hear it1I %e see+ed half reluctant3 ,ut Sheerin leaned ,ac- and said3 H5o aheadJ I0+ listening.I H"ell3 then3 supposing there 2ere other suns in the uni)erse.I %e ,ro-e off a little ,ashfully. HI +ean suns that are so far a2ay that they0re too di+ to see. It sounds as if I0)e ,een reading so+e of that fantastic fiction3 I suppose.I HNot necessarily. Still3 isn0t that possi,ility eli+inated ,y the fact that3 according to the &a2 of 5ra)itation3 they 2ould +a-e the+sel)es e)ident ,y their attracti)e forces1I HNot if they 2ere far enough off3I re<oined *eenay3 Hreally far off +ay,e as +uch as four light years3 or e)en +ore. "e0d ne)er ,e a,le to detect pertur,ations then3 ,ecause they0d ,e too s+all. Say that there 2ere a lot of suns that far off: a do6en or t2o3 +ay,e.I !here+on 2histled +elodiously. H"hat an idea for a good Sunday supple+ent article. !2o do6en suns in a uni)erse eight light years across. "o2J !hat 2ould shrin- our 2orld into insignificance. !he readers 2ould eat it up.I HOnly an idea3I said *eenay 2ith a grin3 H,ut you see the point. #uring an eclipse3 these do6en suns 2ould ,eco+e )isi,le ,ecause there0d ,e no real sunlight to dro2n the+ out. Since they0re so far off3 they0d appear s+all3 li-e so +any little +ar,les. Of course the Cultists tal- of +illions of Stars3 ,ut that0s pro,a,ly e4aggeration. !here <ust isn0t any place in the uni)erse you could put a +illion suns unless they touch one another.I Sheerin had listened 2ith gradually increasing interest. H>ou0)e hit so+ething there3 *eenay. And e4aggeration is <ust e4actly 2hat 2ould happen. Our +inds3 as you pro,a,ly -no23 can0t grasp directly any nu+,er higher than fi)e: a,o)e that there is only the concept of H+anyI. A do6en 2ould ,eco+e a +illion <ust li-e that. A da+n good ideaJI HAnd I0)e got another cute little notion3I *eenay said. H%a)e you e)er thought 2hat a si+ple pro,le+ gra)itation 2ould ,e if only you had a sufficiently si+ple syste+1 Supposing you had a uni)erse in 2hich there 2as a planet 2ith only one sun. !he planet 2ould tra)el in a perfect ellipse and the e4act nature of the gra)itational force 2ould ,e so e)ident it could ,e accepted as an a4io+. Astrono+ers on such a 2orld 2ould start off 2ith gra)ity pro,a,ly ,efore they e)en in)ented the telescope. Na-ed eye o,ser)ation 2ould ,e enough.I H*ut 2ould such a syste+ ,e dyna+ically sta,le1I ?uestioned Sheerin dou,tfully. HSureJ !hey call it the Hone and oneI case. It0s ,een 2or-ed out +athe+atically3 ,ut it0s the philosophical i+plications that interest +e.I HIt0s nice to thin- a,out3I ad+itted Sheerin3 Has a pretty a,straction li-e a perfect gas3 or a,solute 6ero.I HOf course3I continued *eenay3 Hthere0s the catch that life 2ould ,e i+possi,le on such a planet. It 2ouldn0t get enough heat and light3 and if it rotated there 2ould ,e total #ar-ness half of each day. >ou couldn0t e4pect life 2hich is funda+entally dependent upon light to de)elop under those conditions. *esides H Sheerin0s chair 2ent o)er ,ac-2ard as he sprang to his feet in a rude interruption. HAton0s ,rought out the lights.I *eenay said3 H%uh3I turned to stare3 and then grinned half2ay around his head in open relief. !here 2ere half a do6en foot long3 inch thic- rods cradled in Aton0s ar+s. %e glared o)er the+ at the asse+,led staff +e+,ers. H5et ,ac- to 2or-3 all of you. Sheerin3 co+e here and help +eJI

Sheerin trotted to the older +an0s side and3 one ,y one3 in utter silence3 the t2o ad<usted the rods in +a-eshift +etal holders suspended fro+ the 2alls. "ith the air of one carrying through the +ost sacred ite+ of a religious ritual3 Sheerin scraped a large3 clu+sy +atch into spluttering life and passed it to Aton3 2ho carried the fla+e to the upper end of one of the rods. It hesitated there a2hile3 playing futilely a,out the tip3 until a sudden3 crac-ling flare cast Aton0s lined face into yello2 highlights. %e 2ithdre2 the +atch and a spontaneous cheer rattled the 2indo2. !he rod 2as topped ,y si4 inches of 2a)ering fla+eJ Methodically3 the other rods 2ere lighted3 until si4 independent fires turned the rear of the roo+ yello2. !he light 2as di+3 di++er e)en than the tenuous sunlight. !he fla+es reeled cra6ily3 gi)ing ,irth to drun-en3 s2aying shado2s. !he torches s+o-ed de)ilishly and s+elled li-e a ,ad day in the -itchen. *ut they e+itted yello2 light. !here 2as so+ething a,out yello2 light3 after four hours of so+,er3 di++ing *eta. D)en &ati+er had lifted his eyes fro+ his ,oo- and stared in 2onder. Sheerin 2ar+ed his hands at the nearest3 regardless of the soot that gathered upon the+ in a fine3 gray po2der3 and +uttered ecstatically to hi+self. H*eautifulJ *eautifulJ I ne)er reali6ed ,efore 2hat a 2onderful color yello2 is.I *ut !here+on regarded the torches suspiciously. %e 2rin-led his nose at the rancid odor and said3 H"hat are those things1I H"ood3I said Sheerin shortly. HOh3 no3 they0re not. !hey aren0t ,urning. !he top inch is charred and the fla+e <ust -eeps shooting up out of nothing.I H!hat0s the ,eauty of it. !his is a really efficient artificial light +echanis+. "e +ade a fe2 hundred of the+3 ,ut +ost 2ent to the %ideout3 of course. >ou seeI he turned and 2iped his ,lac-ened hands upon his hand-erchief Hyou ta-e the pithy core of coarse 2ater reeds3 dry the+ thoroughly3 and soa- the+ in ani+al grease. !hen you set fire to it and the grease ,urns3 little ,y little. !hese torches 2ill ,urn for al+ost half an hour 2ithout stopping. Ingenious3 isn0t it1 It 2as de)eloped ,y one of our o2n young +en at Saro @ni)ersity.I After the +o+entary sensation3 the do+e had ?uieted. &ati+er had carried his chair directly ,eneath a torch and continued reading3 lips +o)ing in the +onotonous recital of in)ocations to the Stars. *eenay had drifted a2ay to his ca+eras once +ore3 and !here+on sei6ed the opportunity to add to his notes on the article he 2as going to 2rite for the Saro City "hronicle the ne4t day a procedure he had ,een follo2ing for the last t2o hours in a perfectly +ethodical3 perfectly conscientious and3 as he 2as 2ell a2are3 perfectly +eaningless fashion. *ut3 as the glea+ of a+use+ent in Sheerin0s eyes indicated3 careful note ta-ing occupied his +ind 2ith so+ething other than the fact that the s-y 2as gradually turning a horri,le deep purple red3 as if it 2ere one gigantic3 freshly peeled ,eet: and so it fulfilled its purpose. !he air gre23 so+eho23 denser. #us-3 li-e a palpa,le entity3 entered the roo+3 and the dancing circle of yello2 light a,out the torches etched itself into e)er sharper distinction against the gathering grayness ,eyond. !here 2as the odor of s+o-e and the presence of little chuc-ling sounds that the torches +ade as they ,urned: the soft pad of one of the +en circling the ta,le at 2hich he 2or-ed3 on hesitant tiptoes: the occasional indra2n ,reath of so+eone trying to retain co+posure in a 2orld that 2as retreating into the shado2. It 2as !here+on 2ho first heard the e4traneous noise. It 2as a )ague3 unorgani6ed im!ression of sound that 2ould ha)e gone unnoticed ,ut for the dead silence that pre)ailed 2ithin the do+e. !he ne2s+an sat upright and replaced his note,oo-. %e held his ,reath and listened: then3 2ith considera,le reluctance3 threaded his 2ay ,et2een the solarscope and one of *eenay0s ca+eras and stood ,efore the 2indo2. !he silence ripped to frag+ents at his startled shoutM /Sheerin.( "or- stoppedJ !he psychologist 2as at his side in a +o+ent. Aton <oined hi+. D)en >i+ot 7G3 high in his little lean ,ac- seat at the eyepiece of the gigantic solarscope3 paused and loo-ed do2n2ard. Outside3 *eta 2as a +ere s+oldering splinter3 ta-ing one last desperate loo- at &agash. !he eastern hori6on3 in the direction of the city3 2as lost in #ar-ness3 and the road fro+ Saro to the O,ser)atory 2as a dull red line ,ordered on ,oth sides ,y 2ooded tracts3 the trees of 2hich had so+eho2 lost indi)iduality and +erged into a continuous shado2y +ass. *ut it 2as the high2ay itself that held attention3 for along it there surged another3 and infinitely +enacing3 shado2y +ass. Aton cried in a crac-ed )oice3 H!he +ad+en fro+ the cityJ !hey0)e co+eJI H%o2 long to totality1I de+anded Sheerin. H$ifteen +inutes3 ,ut . . . ,ut they0ll ,e here in fi)e.I

HNe)er +ind3 -eep the +en 2or-ing. "e0ll hold the+ off. !his place is ,uilt li-e a fortress. Aton3 -eep an eye on our young Cultist <ust for luc-. !here+on3 co+e 2ith +e.I Sheerin 2as out the door3 and !here+on 2as at his heels. !he stairs stretched ,elo2 the+ in tight3 circular s2eeps a,out the central shaft3 fading into a dan- and dreary grayness. !he first +o+entu+ of their rush had carried the+ fifty feet do2n3 so that the di+3 flic-ering yello2 fro+ the open door of the do+e had disappeared and ,oth a,o)e and ,elo2 the sa+e dus-y shado2 crushed in upon the+. Sheerin paused3 and his pudgy hand clutched at his chest. %is eyes ,ulged and his )oice 2as a dry cough. HI can0t . . . ,reathe . . . 5o do2n . . . yourself. Close all doors H !here+on too- a fe2 do2n2ard steps3 then turned. H"aitJ Can you hold out a +inute1I %e 2as panting hi+self. !he air passed in and out his lungs li-e so +uch +olasses3 and there 2as a little ger+ of screeching panic in his +ind at the thought of +a-ing his 2ay into the +ysterious #ar-ness ,elo2 ,y hi+self. !here+on3 after all3 2as afraid of the dar-J HStay here3I he said. I0ll ,e ,ac- in a second.I %e dashed up2ard t2o steps at a ti+e3 heart pounding not altogether fro+ the e4ertion tu+,led into the do+e and snatched a torch fro+ its holder. It 2as foul s+elling3 and the s+o-e s+arted his eyes al+ost ,lind3 ,ut he clutched that torch as if he 2anted to -iss it for <oy3 and its fla+e strea+ed ,ac-2ard as he hurtled do2n the stairs again. Sheerin opened his eyes and +oaned as !here+on ,ent o)er hi+. !here+on shoo- hi+ roughly. HAll right3 get a hold on yourself. "e0)e got light.I %e held the torch at tiptoe height and3 propping the tottering psychologist ,y an el,o23 +ade his 2ay do2n2ard in the +iddle of the protecting circle of illu+ination. !he offices on the ground floor still possessed 2hat light there 2as3 and !here+on felt the horror a,out hi+ rela4. H%ere3I he said ,rus?uely3 and passed the torch to Sheerin. H>ou can hear them outside.I And they could. &ittle scraps of hoarse3 2ordless shouts. *ut Sheerin 2as right: the O,ser)atory 2as ,uilt li-e a fortress. Drected in the last century3 2hen the neo 5a)ottian style of architecture 2as at its ugly height3 it had ,een designed for sta,ility and dura,ility rather than for ,eauty. !he 2indo2s 2ere protected ,y the grill2or- of inch thic- iron ,ars sun- deep into the concrete sills. !he 2alls 2ere solid +asonry that an earth?ua-e couldn0t ha)e touched3 and the +ain door 2as a huge oa-en sla, rein forced 2ith iron. !here+on shot the ,olts and they slid shut 2ith a dull clang. At the other end of the corridor3 Sheerin cursed 2ea-ly. %e pointed to the loc- of the ,ac- door 2hich had ,een neatly <i++ied into uselessness. H!hat +ust ,e ho2 &ati+er got in3I he said. H"ell3 don0t stand there3I cried !here+on i+patiently. H%elp drag up the furniture and -eep that torch out of +y eyes. !he s+o-e0s -illing +e.I %e sla++ed the hea)y ta,le up against the door as he spo-e3 and in t2o +inutes had ,uilt a ,arricade 2hich +ade up for 2hat it lac-ed in ,eauty and sy++etry ,y the sheer inertia of its +assi)eness. So+e2here3 di+ly3 far off3 they could hear the ,attering of na-ed fists upon the door: and the screa+s and yells fro+ outside had a sort of half reality. !hat +o, had set off fro+ Saro City 2ith only t2o things in +indM the attain+ent of Cultist sal)ation ,y the destruction of the O,ser)atory3 and a +addening fear that all ,ut paraly6ed the+. !here 2as no ti+e to thin- of ground cars3 or of 2eapons3 or of leadership3 or e)en of organi6ation. !hey +ade for the O,ser)atory on foot and assaulted it 2ith ,are hands. And no2 that they 2ere there3 the last flash of *eta3 the last ru,y red drop of fla+e3 flic-ered fee,ly o)er a hu+anity that had left only star-3 uni)ersal fearJ !here+on groaned3 H&et0s get ,ac- to the do+eJI In the do+e3 only >i+ot3 at the solarscope3 had -ept his place. !he rest 2ere clustered a,out the ca+eras3 and *eenay 2as gi)ing his instructions in a hoarse3 strained )oice. H5et it straight3 all of you. I0+ snapping *eta <ust ,efore totality and changing the plate. !hat 2ill lea)e one of you to each ca+era. >ou all -no2 a,out . . . a,out ti+es of e4posure H !here 2as a ,reathless +ur+ur of agree+ent. *eenay passed a hand o)er his eyes. HAre the torches still ,urning1 Ne)er +ind3 I see the+JI %e 2as leaning hard against the ,ac- of a chair. HNo2 re+e+,er3 don0t. . . don0t try to loo- for good shots. #on0t 2aste ti+e

trying to get t t2o stars at a ti+e in the scope field. One is enough. And . . . and if you feel yourself going3 get a'ay $rom the camera.( At the door3 Sheerin 2hispered to !here+on3 H!a-e +e to Aton. I don0t see hi+.I !he ne2s+an did not ans2er i++ediately. !he )ague for+s of the astrono+ers 2a)ered and ,lurred3 and the torches o)erhead had ,eco+e only yello2 splotches. HIt0s dar-3I he 2hi+pered. Sheerin held out his hand. HAton.I %e stu+,led for2ard. HAtonJI !here+on stepped after and sei6ed his ar+. H"ait3 I0ll ta-e you.I So+eho2 he +ade his 2ay across the roo+. %e closed his eyes against the #ar-ness and his +ind against the chaos 2ithin it. No one heard the+ or paid attention to the+. Sheerin stu+,led against the 2all. HAtonJI !he psychologist felt sha-ing hands touching hi+3 then 2ithdra2ing3 a )oice +uttering3 HIs that you3 Sheerin1I HAtonJI %e stro)e to ,reathe nor+ally. H#on0t 2orry a,out the +o,. !he place 2ill hold the+ off.I &ati+er3 the Cultist3 rose to his feet3 and his face t2isted in desperation. %is 2ord 2as pledged3 and to ,rea- it 2ould +ean placing his soul in +ortal peril. >et that 2ord had ,een forced fro+ hi+ and had not ,een gi)en freely. !he Stars 2ould co+e soonJ %e could not stand ,y and allo2 And yet his 2ord 2as pledged. *eenay0s face 2as di+ly flushed as it loo-ed up2ard at *eta0s last ray3 and &ati+er3 seeing hi+ ,end o)er his ca+era3 +ade his decision. %is nails cut the flesh of his pal+s as he tensed hi+self. %e staggered cra6ily as he started his rush. !here 2as nothing ,efore hi+ ,ut shado2s: the )ery floor ,eneath his feet lac-ed su,stance. And then so+eone 2as upon hi+ and he 2ent do2n 2ith clutching fingers at his throat. %e dou,led his -nee and dro)e it hard into his assailant. H&et +e up or I0ll -ill you.I !here+on cried out sharply and +uttered through a ,linding ha6e of pain. H>ou dou,le crossing ratJI !he ne2s+an see+ed conscious of e)erything at once. %e heard *eenay croa-3 HI0)e got it. At your ca+eras3 +enJI and then there 2as the strange a2areness that the last thread of sunlight had thinned out and snapped. Si+ultaneously he heard one last cho-ing gasp fro+ *eenay3 and a ?ueer little cry fro+ Sheerin3 a hysterical giggle that cut off in a rasp and a sudden silence3 a strange3 deadly silence fro+ outside. And &ati+er had gone li+p in his loosening grasp. !here+on peered into the Cultist0s eyes and sa2 the ,lan-ness of the+3 staring up2ard3 +irroring the fee,le yello2 of the torches. %e sa2 the ,u,,le of froth upon &ati+er0s lips and heard the lo2 ani+al 2hi+per in &ati+er0s throat. "ith the slo2 fascination of fear3 he lifted hi+self on one ar+ and turned his eyes to2ard the ,lood curdling ,lac-ness of the 2indo2. !hrough it shone the StarsJ Not Darth0s fee,le thirty si4 hundred Stars )isi,le to the eye: &agash 2as in the center of a giant cluster. !hirty thousand +ighty suns shone do2n in a soul searing splendor that 2as +ore frighteningly cold in its a2ful indifference than the ,itter 2ind that shi)ered across the cold3 horri,ly ,lea- 2orld. !here+on staggered to his feet3 his throat3 constricting hi+ to ,reathlessness3 all the +uscles of his ,ody 2rithing in an intensity of terror and sheer fear ,eyond ,earing. %e 2as going +ad and -ne2 it3 and so+e2here deep inside a ,it of sanity 2as screa+ing3 struggling to fight off the hopeless flood of ,lac- terror. It 2as )ery horri,le to go +ad and -no2 that you 2ere going +ad to -no2 that in a little +inute you 2ould ,e here physically and yet all the real essence 2ould ,e dead and dro2ned in the ,lac- +adness. $or this 2as the #ar- the #ar- and the Cold and the #oo+. !he ,right 2alls of the uni)erse 2ere shattered and their a2ful ,lac- frag+ents 2ere falling do2n to crush and s?uee6e and o,literate hi+. %e <ostled so+eone cra2ling on hands and -nees3 ,ut stu+,led so+eho2 o)er hi+. %ands groping at his tortured throat3 he li+ped to2ard the fla+e of the torches that filled all his +ad )ision. H&ightJI he screa+ed. Aton3 so+e2here3 2as crying3 2hi+pering horri,ly li-e a terri,ly frightened child. HStars all the Stars 2e didn0t -no2 at all. "e didn0t -no2 anything. "e thought si4 stars in a uni)erse is so+ething the Stars didn0t notice is #ar-ness fore)er and e)er and e)er and the 2alls are ,rea-ing in and 2e didn0t -no2 2e couldn0t -no2 and anything H So+eone cla2ed at the torch3 and it fell and snuffed out. In the instant3 the a2ful splendor of the indifferent Stars leaped nearer to the+. On the hori6on outside the 2indo23 in the direction of Saro City3 a cri+son glo2 ,egan gro2ing3 strengthening in ,rightness3 that 2as not the glo2 of a sun. !he long night had co+e again.

C-Chute
D)en fro+ the ca,in into 2hich he and the other passengers had ,een herded3 Colonel Anthony "indha+ could still catch the essence of the ,attle0s progress. $or a 2hile3 there 2as silence3 no <olting3 2hich +eant the spaceships 2ere fighting at astrono+ical distance in a duel of energy ,lasts and po2erful force field defenses. %e -ne2 that could ha)e only one end. !heir Darth ship 2as only an ar+ed +erchant+an and his gli+pse of the Lloro ene+y <ust ,efore he had ,een cleared off dec- ,y the cre2 2as sufficient to sho2 it to ,e a light cruiser. And in less than half an hour3 there ca+e those hard little shoc-s he 2as 2aiting for. !he passengers s2ayed ,ac- and forth as the ship pitched and )eered3 as though it 2ere an ocean liner in a stor+. *ut space 2as cal+ and silent as e)er. It 2as their pilot sending desperate ,ursts of stea+ through the stea+ tu,es3 so that ,y reaction the ship 2ould ,e sent rolling and tu+,ling. It could only +ean that the ine)ita,le had occurred. !he Darth ship0s screens had ,een drained and it no longer dared 2ithstand a direct hit. Colonel "indha+ tried to steady hi+self 2ith his alu+inu+ cane. %e 2as thin-ing that he 2as an old +an: that he had spent his life in the +ilitia and had ne)er seen a ,attle: that no23 2ith a ,attle going on around hi+3 he 2as old and fat and la+e and had no +en under his co++and. !hey 2ould ,e ,oarding soon3 those Lloro +onsters. It 2as their 2ay of fighting. !hey 2ould ,e handicapped ,y spacesuits and their casualties 2ould ,e high3 ,ut they 2anted the Darth ship. "indha+ considered the passengers. $or a +o+ent3 he thought3 if they 2ere ar+ed and I could lead the+ %e a,andoned the thought. (orter 2as in an o,)ious state of fun- and the young ,oy3 &e,lanc3 2as hardly ,etter. !he (olyor-etes ,rothers dash it3 he couldn0t tell the+ apart huddled in a corner spea-ing only to one another. Mullen 2as a different +atter. %e sat perfectly erect3 2ith no signs of fear or any other e+otion in his face. *ut the +an 2as <ust a,out fi)e feet tall and had undou,tedly ne)er held a gun of any sort in his hands in all his life. %e could do nothing. And there 2as Stuart3 2ith his fro6en half s+ile and the high pitched sarcas+ 2hich saturated all he said. "indha+ loo-ed sidelong at Stuart no2 as Stuart sat there3 pushing his dead 2hite hands through his sandy hair. "ith those artificial hands he 2as useless3 any2ay. "indha+ felt the shuddering )i,ration of ship to ship contact: and in fi)e +inutes3 there 2as the noise of the fight through the corridors. One of the (olyor-etes ,rothers screa+ed and dashed for the door. !he other called3 HAristidesJ "aitJI and hurried after. It happened so ?uic-ly. Aristides 2as out the door and into the corridor3 running in ,rainless panic. A car,oni6er glo2ed ,riefly and there 2as ne)er e)en a screa+. "indha+3 fro+ the door2ay3 turned in horror at the ,lac-ened stu+p of 2hat 2as left. Strange a lifeti+e in unifor+ and he had ne)er ,efore seen a +an -illed in )iolence. It too- the co+,ined force of the rest to carry the other ,rother ,ac- struggling into the roo+. !he noise of ,attle su,sided. Stuart said3 H!hat0s it. !hey0ll put a pri6e cre2 of t2o a,oard and ta-e us to one of their ho+e planets. "e0re prisoners of 2ar3 naturally.I HOnly t2o of the Lloros 2ill stay a,oard1I as-ed "indha+3 astonished. Stuart said3 HIt is their custo+. "hy do you as-3 Colonel1 !hin-ing of leading a gallant raid to reta-e the ship1I "indha+ flushed. HSi+ply a point of infor+ation3 dash it.I *ut the dignity and tone of authority he tried to assu+e failed hi+3 he -ne2. %e 2as si+ply an old +an 2ith a li+p. And Stuart 2as pro,a,ly right. %e had li)ed a+ong the Lloros and -ne2 their 2ays. Bohn Stuart had clai+ed fro+ the ,eginning that the Lloros 2ere gentle+en. !2enty four hours of i+prison+ent had passed3 and no2 he repeated the state+ent as he fle4ed the fingers of his hands and 2atched the crin-les co+e and go in the soft artiplas+. %e en<oyed the unpleasant reaction it aroused in the others. (eople 2ere +ade to ,e punctured: 2indy ,ladders3 all of the+. And they had hands of the sa+e stuff as their ,odies. !here 2as Anthony "indha+3 in particular. Colonel "indha+3 he called hi+self3 and Stuart 2as 2illing to ,elie)e it. A retired colonel 2ho had pro,a,ly drilled a ho+e guard +ilitia on a )illage green3 forty years ago3 2ith such lac- of distinction that he 2as not called ,ac- to ser)ice in any capacity3 e)en during the e+ergency of Darth0s first interstellar 2ar.

H#ashed unpleasant thing to ,e saying a,out the ene+y3 Stuart. #on0t -no2 that I li-e your attitude.I "indha+ see+ed to push the 2ords through his clipped +ustache. %is head had ,een sha)en3 too3 in i+itation of the current +ilitary style3 ,ut no2 a gray stu,,le 2as ,eginning to sho2 a,out a centered ,ald patch. %is fla,,y chee-s dragged do2n2ard. !hat and the fine red lines on his thic- nose ga)e hi+ a so+e2hat undone appearance3 as though he had ,een 2a-ened too suddenly and too early in the +orning. Stuart said3 HNonsense. Bust re)erse the present situation. Suppose an Darth 2arship had ta-en a Lloro liner. "hat do you thin- 2ould ha)e happened to any Lloro ci)ilians a,oard1I HI0+ sure the Darth fleet 2ould o,ser)e all the interstellar rules of 2ar3I "indha+ said stiffly. HD4cept that there aren0t any. If 2e landed a pri6e cre2 on one of their ships3 do you thin- 2e0d ta-e the trou,le to +aintain a chlorine at+osphere for the ,enefit of the sur)i)ors: allo2 the+ to -eep their non contra,and possessions: gi)e the+ the use of the +ost co+forta,le stateroo+3 etcetera3 etcetera3 etcetera1I *en (orter said3 HOh3 shut up3 for 5od0s sa-e. If I hear your etcetera3 etcetera once again3 I0ll go nuts.I Stuart said3 HSorryJI %e 2asn0t. (orter 2as scarcely responsi,le. %is thin face and ,ea-y nose glistened 2ith perspiration3 and he -ept ,iting the inside of his chee- until he suddenly 2inced. %e put his tongue against the sore spot3 2hich +ade hi+ loo- e)en +ore clo2nish. Stuart 2as gro2ing 2eary of ,aiting the+. "indha+ 2as too fla,,y a target and (orter could do nothing ,ut 2rithe. !he rest 2ere silent. #e+etrios (olyor-etes 2as off in a 2orld of silent internal grief for the +o+ent. %e had not slept the night ,efore3 +ost pro,a,ly. At least3 2hene)er Stuart 2o-e to change his position he hi+self had ,een rather restless there had ,een (oryor-etes0 thic- +u+,le fro+ the ne4t cot. It said +any things3 ,ut the +oan to 2hich it returned o)er and o)er again 2as3 HOh3 +y ,rotherJI %e sat du+,ly on his cot no23 his red eyes rolling at the other prisoners out of his ,road s2arthy3 unsha)en face. As Stuart 2atched3 his face san- into calloused pal+s so that only his +op of crisp and curly ,lac- hair could ,e seen. %e roc-ed gently3 ,ut no2 that they 2ere all a2a-e3 he +ade no sound. Claude &e,lanc 2as trying )ery unsuccessfully3 to read a letter. %e 2as the youngest of the si43 scarcely out of college3 returning to Darth to get +arried. Stuart had found hi+ that +orning 2eeping ?uietly3 his pin- and 2hite face flushed and ,lotched as though it 2ere a heart,ro-en child0s. %e 2as )ery fair3 2ith al+ost a girl0s ,eauty a,out his large ,lue eyes and full lips. Stuart 2ondered 2hat -ind of girl it 2as 2ho had pro+ised to ,e his 2ife. %e had seen her picture. "ho on the ship had not1 She had the characterless prettiness that +a-es all pictures of fiancNes indistinguisha,le. It see+ed to Stuart that if he 2ere a girl3 ho2e)er3 he 2ould 2ant so+eone a little +ore pronouncedly +asculine. !hat left only 9andolph Mullen. Stuart fran-ly did not ha)e the least idea 2hat to +a-e of hi+. %e 2as the only one of the si4 that had ,een on the Arcturian 2orlds for any length of ti+e. Stuart3 hi+self3 for instance3 had ,een there only long enough to gi)e a series of lectures on astronautical engineering at the pro)incial engineering institute. Colonel "indha+ had ,een on a Coo-0s tour: (orter 2as trying to ,uy concentrated alien )egeta,les for his canneries on Darth: and the (olyor-etes ,rothers had atte+pted to esta,lish the+sel)es in Arcturus as truc- far+ers and3 after t2o gro2ing seasons3 ga)e it up3 had so+eho2 unloaded at a profit3 and 2ere returning to Darth. 9andolph Mullen3 ho2e)er3 had ,een in the Arcturian syste+ for se)enteen years. %o2 did )oyagers disco)er so +uch a,out one another so ?uic-ly1 As far as Stuart -ne23 the little +an had scarcely spo-en a,oard ship. %e 2as unfailingly polite3 al2ays stepped to one side to allo2 another to pass3 ,ut his entire )oca,ulary appeared to consist only of H!han- youI and H(ardon +e.I >et the 2ord had gone around that this 2as his first trip to Darth in se)enteen years. %e 2as a little +an3 )ery precise3 al+ost irritatingly so. @pon a2a-ing that +orning3 he had +ade his cot neatly3 sha)ed3 ,athed and dressed. !he ha,it of years see+ed not in the least distur,ed ,y the fact that he 2as a prisoner of the Lloros no2. %e 2as uno,trusi)e a,out it3 it had to ,e ad+itted3 and ga)e no i+pression of disappro)ing of the sloppiness of the others. %e si+ply sat there3 al+ost apologetic3 trussed in his o)er conser)ati)e clothing3 and hands loosely clasped in his lap. !he thin line of hair on his upper lip3 far fro+ adding character to his face3 a,surdly increased its pri+ness. %e loo-ed li-e so+eone0s idea of a caricature of a ,oo--eeper. And the ?ueer thing a,out it all3 Stuart thought3 2as that that 2as e4actly 2hat he 2as. %e had noticed it on the registry 9andolph $luellen Mullen: occupation3 ,oo--eeper: e+ployers3 (ri+e (aper *o4 Co.: =7 !o,ias A)enue3 Ne2 "arsa23 Arcturus II. HMr. Stuart1I Stuart loo-ed up. It 2as &e,lanc3 his lo2er lip tre+,ling slightly. Stuart tried to re+e+,er ho2 one 2ent a,out ,eing gentle. %e said3 H"hat is it3 &e,lanc1I H!ell +e3 2hen 2ill they let us go1I H%o2 should I -no21I

HD)eryone says you li)ed on a Lloro planet3 and <ust no2 you said they 2ere gentle+en.I H"ell3 yes. *ut e)en gentle+en fight 2ars in order to 2in. (ro,a,ly3 2e0ll ,e interned for the duration.I H*ut that could ,e yearsJ Margaret is 2aiting. She0ll thin- I0+ deadJI HI suppose they0ll allo2 +essages to ,e sent through once 2e0re on their planet.I (orter0s hoarse )oice sounded in agitation. H&oo- here3 if you -no2 so +uch a,out these de)ils3 2hat 2ill they do to us 2hile 2e0re interned1 "hat 2ill they feed us1 "here 2ill they get o4ygen for us1 !hey0ll -ill us3 I tell you.I And as an afterthought3 HI0)e got a 2ife 2aiting for +e3 too3I he added. *ut Stuart had heard hi+ spea-ing of his 2ife in the days ,efore the attac-. %e 2asn0t i+pressed. (orter0s nail ,itten fingers 2ere pulling and pluc-ing at Stuart0s slee)e. Stuart dre2 a2ay in sharp re)ulsion. %e couldn0t stand those ugly hands. It angered hi+ to desperation that such +onstrosities should ,e real 2hile his o2n 2hite and perfectly shaped hands 2ere only +oc-ing i+itations gro2n out of an alien late4. %e said3 H!hey 2on0t -ill us. If they 2ere going to3 they 2ould ha)e done it ,efore no2. &oo-3 2e capture Lloros too3 you -no23 and it0s <ust a +atter of co++on sense to treat your prisoners decently if you 2ant the other side to ,e decent to your +en. !hey0ll do their ,est. !he food +ay not ,e )ery good3 ,ut they0re ,etter che+ists than 2e are. It0s 2hat they0re ,est at. !hey0ll -no2 e4actly 2hat food factors 2e0ll need and ho2 +any calories. "e0ll li)e. !hey0ll see to that.I "indha+ ru+,led3 H>ou sound +ore and +ore li-e a ,lasted greenie sy+pathi6er3 Stuart. It turns +y sto+ach to hear an Darth+an spea- 2ell of the green fellas the 2ay you0)e ,een doing. *urn it3 +an3 2here0s your loyalty1I HMy loyalty0s 2here it ,elongs. "ith honesty and decency3 regardless of the shape of the ,eing it appears in.I Stuart held up his hands. HSee these1 Lloros +ade the+. I li)ed on one of their planets for si4 +onths. My hands 2ere +angled in the conditioning +achinery of +y o2n ?uarters. I thought the o4ygen supply they ga)e +e 2as a little poor it 2asn0t3 ,y the 2ay and I tried +a-ing the ad<ust+ents on +y o2n. It 2as +y fault. >ou should ne)er trust yourself 2ith the +achines of another culture. *y the ti+e so+eone a+ong the Lloros could put on an at+osphere suit and get to +e3 it 2as too late to sa)e +y hands. H!hey gre2 these artiplas+ things for +e and operated. >ou -no2 2hat that +eant1 It +eant designing e?uip+ent and nutrient solutions that 2ould 2or- in o4ygen at+osphere. It +eant that their surgeons had to perfor+ a delicate operation 2hile dressed in at+osphere suits. And no2 I0)e got hands again.I %e laughed harshly3 and clenched the+ into 2ea- fists. H%ands I "indha+ said3 HAnd you0d sell your loyalty to Darth for that1I HSell +y loyalty1 >ou0re +ad. $or years3 I hated the Lloros for this. I 2as a +aster pilot on the !rans 5alactic Spacelines ,efore it happened. No21 #es- <o,. Or an occasional lecture. It too- +e a long ti+e to pin the fault on +yself and to reali6e that the only role played ,y the Lloros 2as a decent one. !hey ha)e their code of ethics3 and it0s as good as ours. If it 2eren0t for the stupidity of so+e of their people and3 ,y 5od3 of so+e of ours 2e 2ouldn0t ,e at 2ar. And after it0s o)er I (olyor-etes 2as on his feet. %is thic- fingers cur)ed in2ard ,efore hi+ and his dar- eyes glittered. HI don0t li-e 2hat you say3 +ister.I H"hy don0t you1I H*ecause you tal- too nice a,out these da+ned green ,astards. !he Lloros 2ere good to you3 eh1 "ell3 they 2eren0t good to +y ,rother. !hey -illed hi+. I thin- +ay,e I -ill you3 you da+ned greenie spy.I And he charged. Stuart ,arely had ti+e to raise his ar+s to +eet the infuriated far+er. %e gasped out3 H"hat the hell I as he caught one 2rist and hea)ed a shoulder to ,loc- the other 2hich groped to2ard his throat. %is artiplas+ hand ga)e 2ay. (olyor-etes 2renched free 2ith scarcely an effort. "indha+ 2as ,ello2ing incoherently3 and &e,lanc 2as calling out in his reedy )oice3 HStop itJ Stop itJI *ut it 2as little Mul-n 2ho thre2 his ar+s a,out the far+er0s nec- fro+ ,ehind and pulled 2ith all his +ight. %e 2as not )ery effecti)e: (olyor-etes see+ed scarcely a2are of the little +an0s 2eight upon his ,ac-. Mullen0s feet left the floor so that he tossed helplessly to right and left. *ut he held his grip and it ha+pered (olyor-etes sufficiently to allo2 Stuart to ,rea- free long enough to grasp "indha+0s alu+inu+ cane. %e said3 HStay a2ay3 (olyor-etes.I %e 2as gasping for ,reath and fearful of another rush. !he hollo2 alu+inu+ cylinder 2as scarcely hea)y enough to acco+plish +uch3 ,ut it 2as ,etter than ha)ing only his 2ea- hands to defend hi+self 2ith. Mullen had loosed his hold and 2as no2 circling cautiously3 his ,reathing roughened and his <ac-et in disarray. (olyor-etes3 for a +o+ent3 did not +o)e. %e stood there3 his shaggy head ,ent lo2. !hen he said3 HIt is no use. I +ust -ill Lloros. Bust 2atch your tongue3 Stuart. If it -eeps on rattling too +uch3 you0re lia,le to get hurt.

9eally hurt3 I +ean.I Stuart passed a forear+ o)er his forehead and thrust the cane ,ac- at "indha+3 2ho sei6ed it 2ith his left hand3 2hile +opping his ,ald pate )igorously 2ith a hand-erchief in his right. "indha+ said3 H5entle+en3 2e +ust a)oid this. It lo2ers our prestige. "e +ust re+e+,er the co++on ene+y. "e are Darth+en and 2e +ust act 2hat 2e are the ruling race of the 5ala4y. "e dare not de+ean oursel)es ,efore the lesser ,reeds.I H>es3 Colonel3I said Stuart3 2earily. H5i)e us the rest of the speech to+orro2.I %e turned to Mullen3 HI 2ant to say than-s.I %e 2as unco+forta,le a,out it3 ,ut he had to. !he little accountant had surprised hi+ co+pletely. *ut Mullen said3 in a dry )oice that scarcely raised a,o)e a 2hisper3 H#on0t than- +e3 Mr. Stuart. It 2as the logical thing to do. If 2e are to ,e interned3 2e 2ould need you as an interpreter3 perhaps3 one 2ho 2ould understand the Lloros.I Stuart stiffened. It 2as3 he thought3 too +uch of the ,oo--eeper type of reasoning3 too logical3 too dry of <uice. (resent ris- and ulti+ate ad)antage. !he assets and de,its ,alanced neatly. %e 2ould ha)e li-ed Mullen to leap to his defense out of 2ell3 out of 2hat1 Out of pure3 unselfish decency1 Stuart laughed silently at hi+self. %e 2as ,eginning to e4pect idealis+ of hu+an ,eings3 rather than good3 straight for2ard3 self centered +oti)ation. (olyor-etes 2as nu+,. %is sorro2 and rage 2ere li-e acid inside hi+3 ,ut they had no 2ords to get out. If he 2ere Stuart3 ,ig +outh3 2hite hands Stuart3 he could tal- and tal- and +ay,e feel ,etter. Instead3 he had to sit there 2ith half of hi+ dead: 2ith no ,rother3 no Aristides It had happened so ?uic-ly. If he could only go ,ac- and ha)e one second +ore 2arning3 so that he +ight snatch Aristides3 hold hi+3 sa)e hi+. *ut +ostly he hated the Lloros. !2o +onths ago3 he had hardly e)er heard of the+3 and no2 he hated the+ so hard3 he 2ould ,e glad to die if he could -ill a fe2. %e said3 2ithout loo-ing up3 H"hat happened to start this 2ar3 eh1I %e 2as afraid Stuart0s )oice 2ould ans2er. %e hated Stuart0s )oice. *ut it 2as "indha+3 the ,ald one. "indha+ said3 H!he i++ediate cause3 sir3 2as a dispute o)er +ining concessions in the "yandotte syste+. !he Lloros had poached on Darth property.I H9oo+ for ,oth3 ColonelJI (olyor-etes loo-ed up at that3 snarling. Stuart could not ,e -ept ?uiet for long. %e 2as spea-ing again: the cripple hand3 2iseguy3 Lloros lo)er. Stuart 2as saying3 HIs that anything to fight o)er3 Colonel1 "e can0t use one another0s 2orlds. !heir chlorine planets are useless to us and our o4ygen ones are useless to the+. Chlorine is deadly to us and o4ygen is deadly to the+. !here0s no 2ay 2e could +aintain per+anent hostility. Our races <ust don0t coincide. Is there reason to fight then ,ecause ,oth races 2ant to dig iron out of the sa+e airless planetoids 2hen there are +illions li-e the+ in the 5ala4y1I "indha+ said3 H!here is the ?uestion of planetary honor I H(lanetary fertili6er. %o2 can it e4cuse a ridiculous 2ar li-e this one1 It can only ,e fought on outposts. It has to co+e do2n to a series of holding actions and e)entually ,e settled ,y negotiations that +ight <ust as easily ha)e ,een 2or-ed out in the first place. Neither 2e nor the Lloros 2ill gain a thing.I 5rudgingly3 (olyor-etes found that he agreed 2ith Stuart. "hat did he and Aristides care 2here Darth or the Lloros got their iron1 "as that so+ething for Aristides to die o)er1 !he little 2arning ,u66er sounded. (olyor-etes0 head shot up and he rose slo2ly3 his lips dra2ing ,ac-. Only one thing could ,e at the door. %e 2aited3 ar+s tense3 fists ,alled. Stuart 2as edging to2ard hi+. (olyor-etes sa2 that and laughed to hi+self. &et the Lloro co+e in3 and Stuart3 along 2ith all the rest3 could not stop hi+. "ait3 Aristides3 2ait <ust a +o+ent3 and a fraction of re)enge 2ill ,e paid ,ac-. !he door opened and a figure entered3 co+pletely s2athed in a shapeless3 ,illo2ing tra)esty of a spacesuit. An odd3 unnatural3 ,ut not entirely unpleasant )oice ,egan3 HIt is 2ith so+e +isgi)ings3 Darth+en3 that +y co+panion and +yself I It ended a,ruptly as (olyor-etes3 2ith a roar3 charged once again. !here 2as no science in the lunge. It 2as sheer ,ull +o+entu+. #ar- head lo23 ,urly ar+s spread out 2ith the hair tufted fingers in cho-ing position3 he clu+ped on. Stuart 2as 2hirled to one side ,efore he had a chance to inter)ene3 and 2as spun tu+,ling across a cot. !he Lloro +ight ha)e3 2ithout undue e4ertion3 straight ar+ed (olyor-etes to a halt3 or stepped aside3

allo2ing the 2hirl2ind to pass. %e did neither. "ith a rapid +o)e+ent3 a hand 2eapon 2as up and a gentle pin-ish line of radiance connected it 2ith the plunging Darth+an. (olyor-etes stu+,led and crashed do2n3 his ,ody +aintaining its last cur)ed position3 one foot raised3 as though a lightning paralysis had ta-en place. It toppled to one side and he lay there3 eyes all ali)e and 2ild 2ith rage. !he Lloro said3 H%e is not per+anently hurt.I %e see+ed not to resent the offered )iolence. !hen he ,egan again3 HIt is 2ith so+e +isgi)ing3 Darth+en3 that +y co+panion and +yself 2ere +ade a2are of a certain co++otion in this roo+. Are you in any need 2hich 2e can satisfy1I Stuart 2as angrily nursing his -nee 2hich he had scraped in colliding 2ith the cot. %e said3 HNo3 than- you3 Lloro.I HNo23 loo- here3I puffed "indha+3 Hthis is a dashed outrage. "e de+and that our release ,e arranged.I !he Lloro0s tiny3 insectli-e head turned in the fat old +an0s direction. %e 2as not a pleasant sight to anyone unused to hi+. %e 2as a,out the height of an Darth+an3 ,ut the top of hi+ consisted of a thin stal- of a nec- 2ith a head that 2as the +erest s2elling. It consisted of a ,lunt triangular pro,oscis in front and t2o ,ulging eyes on either side. !hat 2as all. !here 2as no ,rain pan and no ,rain. "hat corresponded to the ,rain in a Lloro 2as located in 2hat 2ould ,e an Darthly a,do+en3 lea)ing the head as a +ere sensory organ. !he Lloro0s spacesuit follo2ed the outlines of the head +ore or less faithfully3 the t2o eyes ,eing e4posed ,y t2o clear se+icircles of glass3 2hich loo-ed faintly green ,ecause of the chlorine at+osphere inside. One of the eyes 2as no2 coc-ed s?uarely at "indha+3 2ho ?ui)ered unco+forta,ly under the glance3 ,ut insisted3 H>ou ha)e no right to hold us prisoner. "e are nonco+,atants.I !he Lloro0s )oice3 sounding thoroughly artificial3 ca+e fro+ a s+all attach+ent of chro+iu+ +esh on 2hat ser)ed as its chest. !he )oice ,o4 2as +anipulated ,y co+pressed air under the control of one or t2o of the +any delicate3 for-ed tendrils that radiated fro+ t2o circles a,out its upper ,ody and 2ere3 +ercifully enough3 hidden ,y the suit. !he )oice said3 HAre you serious3 Darth+an1 Surely you ha)e heard of 2ar and rules of 2ar and prisoners of 2ar.I It loo-ed a,out3 shifting eyes 2ith ?uic- <er-s of its head3 staring at a particular o,<ect first 2ith one3 then 2ith another. It 2as Stuart0s understanding that each eye transferred a separate +essage to the a,do+inal ,rain3 2hich had to coordinate the t2o to o,tain full infor+ation. "indha+ had nothing to say. No one had. !he Lloro3 its four +ain li+,s3 roughly ar+s and legs in pairs3 had a )aguely hu+an appearance under the +as-ing of the suit3 if you loo-ed no higher than its chest3 ,ut there 2as no 2ay of telling 2hat it felt. !hey 2atched it turn and lea)e. (orter coughed and said in a strangled )oice3 H5od3 s+ell that chlorine. If they don0t do so+ething3 2e0ll all die of rotted lungs.I Stuart said3 HShut up. !here isn0t enough chlorine in the air to +a-e a +os?uito snee6e3 and 2hat there is 2ill ,e s2ept out in t2o +inutes. *esides3 a little chlorine is good for you. It +ay -ill your cold )irus.I "indha+ coughed and said3 HStuart3 I feel that you +ight ha)e said so+ething to your Lloro friend a,out releasing us. >ou are scarcely as ,old in their presence3 dash it3 as you are once they are gone.I H>ou heard 2hat the creature said3 Colonel. "e0re prisoners of 2ar3 and prisoner e4changes are negotiated ,y diplo+ats. "e0ll <ust ha)e to 2ait.I &e,lanc3 2ho had turned pasty 2hite at the entrance of the Lloro3 rose and hurried into the pri)y. !here 2as the sound of retching. An unco+forta,le silence fell 2hile Stuart tried to thin- of so+ething to say to co)er the unpleasant sound. Mullen filled in. %e had ru++aged through a little ,o4 he had ta-en fro+ under his pillo2. %e said3 H(erhaps Mr. &e,lanc had ,etter ta-e a sedati)e ,efore retiring. I ha)e a fe2. I0d ,e glad to gi)e hi+ one.I %e e4plained his generosity i++ediately3 HOther2ise he +ay -eep the rest of us a2a-e3 you see.I HVery logical3I said Stuart3 dryly. H>ou0d ,etter sa)e one for Sir &auncelot here: sa)e half a do6en.I %e 2al-ed to 2here (olyor-etes still spra2led and -nelt at his side. HCo+forta,le3 ,a,y1I "indha+ said3 H#euced poor taste spea-ing li-e that3 Stuart.I H"ell3 if you0re so concerned a,out hi+3 2hy don0t you and (orter hoist hi+ onto his cot1I %e helped the+ do so. (olyor-etes0 ar+s 2ere tre+,ling erratically no2. $ro+ 2hat Stuart -ne2 of the Lloro0s ner)e 2eapons3 the +an should ,e in an agony of pins and needles a,out no2. Stuart said3 HAnd don0t ,e too gentle 2ith hi+3 either. !he da+ned fool +ight ha)e gotten us all -illed. And for 2hat1I %e pushed (olyor-etes0 stiff carcass to one side and sat at the edge of the cot. %e said3 HCan you hear +e3 (olyor-etes1I

(olyor-etes0 eyes glea+ed. An ar+ lifted a,orti)ely and fell ,ac-. HO-ay then3 listen. #on0t try anything li-e that again. !he ne4t ti+e it +ay ,e the finish for all of us. If you had ,een a Lloro and he had ,een an Darth+an3 2e0d ,e dead no2. So <ust get one thing through your s-ull. "e0re sorry a,out your ,rother and it0s a rotten sha+e3 ,ut it 2as his o2n fault.I (olyor-etes tried to hea)e and Stuart pushed hi+ ,ac-. HNo3 you -eep on listening3I he said. HMay,e this is the only ti+e I0ll get to tal- to you 2hen you ha)e to listen. >our ,rother had no right lea)ing passenger0s ?uarters. !here 2as no place for hi+ to go. %e <ust got in the 2ay of our o2n +en. "e don0t e)en -no2 for certain that it 2as a Lloro gun that -illed hi+. It +ight ha)e ,een one of our o2n.I HOh3 I say3 Stuart3I o,<ected "indha+. Stuart 2hirled at hi+. H#o you ha)e proof it 2asn0t1 #id you see the shot1 Could you tell fro+ 2hat 2as left of the ,ody 2hether it 2as Lloro energy or Darth energy1I (olyor-etes found his )oice3 dri)ing his un2illing tongue into a fu66y )er,al snarl. H#a+ned stin-ing greenie ,astard.I HMe1I said Stuart. HI -no2 2hat0s going on in your +ind3 (olyor-etes. >ou thin- that1 2hen the paralysis 2ears off3 you0ll ease your feelings ,y sla++ing +e around. "ell3 if you do3 it 2ill pro,a,ly ,e curtains for all of us.I %e rose3 put his ,ac- against the 2all. $or the +o+ent3 he 2as fighting all of the+. HNone of you -no2 the Lloros the 2ay I do. !he physical differences you see are not i+portant. !he differences in their te+pera+ent are. !hey don0t understand our )ie2s on se43 for instance. !o the+3 it0s <ust a ,iological refle4 li-e ,reathing. !hey attach no i+portance to it. *ut they do attach i+portance to social groupings. 9e+e+,er3 their e)olutionary ancestors had lots in co++on 2ith our insects. !hey al2ays assu+e that any group of Darth+en they find together +a-es up a social unit. H!hat +eans <ust a,out e)erything to the+. I don0t understand e4actly 2hat it +eans. No Darth+an can. *ut the result is that they ne)er ,rea- up a group3 <ust as 2e don0t separate a +other and her children if 2e can help it. One of the reasons they +ay ,e treating us 2ith -id glo)es right no2 is that they i+agine 2e0re all ,ro-en up o)er the fact that they -illed one of us3 and they feel guilt a,out it. H*ut this is 2hat you0ll ha)e to re+e+,er. "e0re going to ,e interned together and -ept together for duration. I don0t li-e the thought. I 2ouldn0t ha)e pic-ed any of you for co internees and I0+ pretty sure none of you 2ould ha)e pic-ed +e. *ut there it is. !he Lloros could ne)er understand that our ,eing together on the ship is only accidental. H!hat +eans 2e0)e got to get along so+eho2. !hat0s not <ust goodie goodie tal- a,out ,irds in their little nest agreeing. "hat do you thin- 2ould ha)e happened if the Lloros had co+e in earlier and found (olyor-etes and +yself trying to -ill each other1 >ou don0t -no21 "ell3 2hat do you suppose you 2ould thin- of a +other you caught trying to -ill her children1 H!hat0s it3 then. !hey 2ould ha)e -illed e)ery one of us as a ,unch of Lloro type per)erts and +onsters. 5ot that1 %o2 a,out you3 (olyor-etes1 %a)e you got it1 So let0s call na+es if 2e ha)e to3 ,ut let0s -eep our hands to oursel)es. And no23 if none of you +ind3 I0ll +assage +y hands ,ac- into shape these synthetic hands that I got fro+ the Lloros and that one of +y o2n -ind tried to +angle again.I $or Claude &e,lanc3 the 2orst 2as o)er. %e had ,een sic- enough: sic- 2ith +any things: ,ut sic- +ost of all o)er ha)ing e)er left Darth. It had ,een a great thing to go to college off Darth. It had ,een an ad)enture and had ta-en hi+ a2ay fro+ his +other. So+eho23 he had ,een snea-ingly glad to +a-e that escape after the first +onth of frightened ad<ust+ent. And then on the su++er holidays3 he had ,een no longer Claude3 the shy spo-en scholar3 ,ut &e,lanc3 space tra)eler. %e had s2aggered the fact for all it 2as 2orth. It +ade hi+ feel such a +an to tal- of stars and Bu+ps and the custo+s and en)iron+ents of other 2orlds: it had gi)en hi+ cor-age 2ith Margaret. She had lo)ed hi+ for the dangers he had undergone D4cept that this had ,een the first one3 really3 and he had not done so 2ell. %e -ne2 it and 2as asha+ed and 2ished he 2ere li-e Stuart. %e used the e4cuse of +ealti+e to approach. %e said3 HMr. Stuart.I Stuart loo-ed up and said shortly3 H%o2 do you feel1I &e,lanc felt hi+self ,lush. %e ,lushed easily and the effort not to ,lush only +ade it 2orse. %e said3 HMuch ,etter3 than- you. "e are eating. I thought I0d ,ring you your ration3I Stuart too- the offered can3 It 2as standard space ration: thoroughly synthetic3 concentrated3 nourishing and3 so+eho23 unsatisfying. It heated auto+atically 2hen the can 2as opened3 ,ut could ,e eaten cold3 if necessary. !hough a co+,ined for- spoon utensil 2as enclosed3 the ration 2as of a consistency that +ade the use of fingers

practical and not particularly +essy. Stuart said3 H#id you hear +y little speech1I H>es3 sir. I 2ant you to -no2 you can count on +e.I H"ell3 good. No2 go and eat.I HMay I eat here1I HSuit yourself.I $or a +o+ent3 they ate in silence3 and then &e,lanc ,urst out3 H>ou are so sure of yourself3 Mr. StuartJ It +ust ,e )ery 2onderful to ,e li-e thatJI HSure of +yself1 !han-s3 ,ut there0s your self assured one.I &e,lanc follo2ed the direction of the nod in surprise. HMr. Mullen1 !hat little +an1 Oh3 noJI H>ou don0t thin- he0s self assured1I &e,lanc shoo- his head. %e loo-ed at Stuart intently to see if he could detect hu+or in his e4pression. H!hat one is <ust cold. %e has no e+otion in hi+. %e0s li-e a little +achine. I find hi+ repulsi)e. >ou0re different3 Mr. Stuart. >ou ha)e it all inside3 ,ut you control it. I 2ould li-e to ,e li-e that.I And as though attracted ,y the +agnetis+ of the +ention3 e)en though unheard3 of his na+e3 Mullen <oined the+. %is can of ration 2as ,arely touched. It 2as still stea+ing gently as he s?uatted opposite the+. %is )oice had its usual ?uality of furti)ely rustling under,rush. H%o2 long3 Mr. Stuart3 do you thin- the trip 2ill ta-e1I HCan0t say3 Mullen. !hey0ll undou,tedly ,e a)oiding the usual trade routes and they0ll ,e +a-ing +ore Bu+ps through hyper space than usual to thro2 off possi,le pursuit. I 2ouldn0t ,e surprised if it too- as long as a 2ee-. "hy do you as-1 I presu+e you ha)e a )ery practical and logical reason1I H"hy3 yes. Certainly.I %e see+ed ?uite shell,ac-ed to sarcas+. %e said3 HIt occurred to +e that it +ight ,e 2ise to ration the rations3 so to spea-.I H"e0)e got enough food and 2ater for a +onth. I chec-ed on that first thing.I HI see. In that case3 I 2ill finish the can.I %e did3 using the all purpose utensil daintily and patting a hand-erchief against his unstained lips fro+ ti+e to ti+e. (olyor-etes struggled to his feet so+e t2o hours later. %e s2ayed a ,it3 loo-ing li-e the Spirit of %ango)er. %e did not try to co+e closer to Stuart3 ,ut spo-e fro+ 2here he stood. %e said3 H>ou stin-ing greenie spy3 you 2atch yourself.I H>ou heard 2hat I said ,efore3 (olyor-etes.I HI heard. *ut I also heard 2hat you said a,out Aristides. I 2on0t ,other 2ith you3 ,ecause you0re a ,ag of nothing ,ut noisy air. *ut 2ait3 so+eday you0ll ,lo2 your air in one face too +any and it 2ill ,e let out of you.I HI0ll 2ait3I said Stuart. "indha+ ho,,led o)er3 leaning hea)ily on his cane. HNo23 no23I he called 2ith a 2hee6ing <o)iality that o)er-id his s2eating an4iety so thinly as to e+phasi6e it. H"e0re all Darth+en3 dash it. 5ot to re+e+,er that: -eep it as a glo2ing light of inspiration. Ne)er let do2n ,efore the ,lasted Lloros. "e0)e got to forget pri)ate feuds and re+e+,er only that 2e are Darth+en united against alien ,lighters.I Stuart0s co++ent 2as unprinta,le. (orter 2as right ,ehind "indha+. %e had ,een in a close conference 2ith the sha)en headed colonel for an hour3 and no2 he said 2ith indignation3 HIt doesn0t help to ,e a 2iseguy3 Stuart. >ou listen to the colonel. "e0)e ,een doing so+e hard thin-ing a,out the situation.I %e had 2ashed so+e of the grease off his face3 2et his hair and slic-ed it ,ac-. It did not re+o)e the little tic on his right chee- <ust at the point 2here his lips ended3 or +a-e his hangnail hands +ore attracti)e in appearance. HAll right3 Colonel3I said Stuart. H"hat0s on your +ind1I "indha+ said3 HI0d prefer to ha)e all the +en together.I HO-ay3 call the+.I &e,lanc hurried o)er: Mullen approached 2ith greater deli,eration. Stuart said3 H>ou 2ant that fello21I %e <er-ed his head at (olyor-etes. H"hy3 yes. Mr. (olyor-etes3 +ay 2e ha)e you3 old fella1I HAh3 lea)e +e alone.I H5o ahead3I said Stuart3 Hlea)e hi+ alone. I don0t 2ant hi+.I HNo3 no3I said "indha+. H!his is a +atter for all Darth+en. Mr. (olyor-etes3 2e +ust ha)e you.I (olyor-etes rolled off one side of his cot. HI0+ close enough3 I can hear you.I "indha+ said to Stuart3 H"ould they the Lloros3 I +ean ha)e this roo+ 2ired1I HNo3I said Stuart. H"hy should they1I

HAre you sure1I HOf course I0+ sure. !hey didn0t -no2 2hat happened 2hen (olyor-etes <u+ped +e. !hey <ust heard the thu+ping 2hen it started rattling the ship.I HMay,e they 2ere trying to gi)e us the i+pression the roo+ 2asn0t 2ired.I H&isten3 Colonel3 I0)e ne)er -no2n a Lloro to tell a deli,erate lie I (olyor-etes interrupted cal+ly3 H!hat lu+p of noise <ust lo)es the Lloros.I "indha+ said hastily3 H&et0s not ,egin that. &oo-3 Stuart3 (orter and I ha)e ,een discussing +atters and 2e ha)e decided that you -no2 the Lloros 2ell enough to thin- of so+e 2ay of getting us ,ac- to Darth.I HIt happens that you0re 2rong. I can0t thin- of any 2ay.I HMay,e there is so+e 2ay 2e can ta-e the ship ,ac- fro+ the ,lasted green fellas3I suggested "indha+. HSo+e 2ea-ness they +ay ha)e. #ash it3 you -no2 2hat I +ean.I H!ell +e3 Colonel3 2hat are you after1 >our o2n s-in or Darth0s 2elfare1I HI resent that ?uestion. I0ll ha)e you -no2 that 2hile I0+ as careful of +y o2n life as anyone has a right to ,e3 I0+ thin-ing of Darth pri+arily. And I thin- that0s true of all of us.I H#a+n right3I said (orter3 instantly. &e,lanc loo-ed an4ious3 (olyor-etes resentful: and Mullen had no e4pression at all. H5ood3I said Stuart. HOf course3 I don0t thin- 2e can ta-e the ship. !hey0re ar+ed and 2e aren0t. *ut there0s this. >ou -no2 2hy the Lloros too- this ship intact. It0s ,ecause they need ships. !hey +ay ,e ,etter che+ists than Darth+en are3 ,ut Darth+en are ,etter astronautical engineers. "e ha)e ,igger3 ,etter and +ore ships. In fact3 if our cre2 had had a proper respect for +ilitary a4io+s in the first place3 they 2ould ha)e ,lo2n the ship up as soon as it loo-ed as though the Lloros 2ere going to ,oard.I &e,lanc loo-ed horrified. HAnd -ill the passengers1I H"hy not1 >ou heard 2hat the good colonel said. D)ery one of us puts his o2n lousy little life after Darth0s interests. "hat good are 2e to Darth ali)e right no21 None at all. "hat har+ 2ill this ship do in Lloro hands1 A hell of a lot3 pro,a,ly.I HBust 2hy3I as-ed Mullen3 Hdid our +en refuse to ,lo2 up the ship1 !hey +ust ha)e had a reason.I H!hey did. It0s the fir+est tradition of Darth0s +ilitary +en that there +ust ne)er ,e an unfa)ora,le ratio of casualties. If 2e had ,lo2n oursel)es up3 t2enty fighting +en and se)en ci)ilians of Darth 2ould ,e dead as co+pared 2ith an ene+y casualty total of 6ero. So 2hat happens1 "e let the+ ,oard3 -ill t2enty eight I0+ sure 2e -illed at least that +any and let the+ ha)e the ship.I H!al-3 tal-3 tal-3I <eered (olyor-etes. H!here0s a +oral to this3I said Stuart. H"e can0t ta-e the ship a2ay fro+ the Lloros. "e +ight ,e a,le to rush the+3 though3 and -eep the+ ,usy long enough to allo2 one of us enough ti+e to short the engines.I H"hat1I yelled (orter3 and "indha+ shushed hi+ in fright. HShort the engines3I Stuart repeated. H!hat 2ould destroy the ship3 of course3 2hich is 2hat 2e 2ant to do3 isn0t it1I &e,lanc0s lips 2ere 2hite. HI don0t thin- that 2ould 2or-.I H"e can0t ,e sure till 2e try. *ut 2hat ha)e 2e to lose ,y trying1I HOur li)es3 da+n itJI cried (orter. H>ou insane +aniac3 you0re cra6yJI HIf I0+ a +aniac3I said Stuart3 Hand insane to ,oot3 then naturally I0+ cra6y. *ut <ust re+e+,er that if 2e lose our li)es3 2hich is o)er2hel+ingly pro,a,le3 2e lose nothing of )alue to Darth: 2hereas if 2e destroy the ship3 as 2e <ust ,arely +ight3 2e do Darth a lot of good. "hat patriot 2ould hesitate1 "ho here 2ould put hi+self ahead of his 2orld1I %e loo-ed a,out in the silence. HSurely not you3 Colonel "indha+.I "indha+ coughed tre+endously. HMy dear +an3 that is not the ?uestion. !here +ust ,e a 2ay to sa)e the ship for Darth 2ithout losing our li)es3 eh1I HAll right. >ou na+e it.I H&et0s all thin- a,out it. No2 there are only t2o of the Lloros a,oard ship. If one of us could snea- up on the+ and I H%o21 !he rest of the ship0s all filled 2ith chlorine. "e0d ha)e to 2ear a spacesuit. 5ra)ity in their part of the ship is hopped up to Lloro le)el3 so 2hoe)er is patsy in the deal 2ould ,e clu+ping around3 +etal on +etal3 slo2 and hea)y. Oh3 he could snea- up on the+3 sure li-e a s-un- trying to snea- do2n2ind.I H!hen 2e0ll drop it all3I (orter0s )oice shoo-. H&isten3 "indha+3 there0s not going to ,e any destroying the ship. My life +eans plenty to +e and if any of you try anything li-e that3 I0ll call the Lloros. I +ean it.I H"ell3I said Stuart3 Hthere0s hero nu+,er one.I &e,lanc said3 HI 2ant to go ,ac- to Darth3 ,ut I I Mullen interrupted3 HI don0t thin- our chances of destroying the ship are good enough unless I

H%eroes nu+,er t2o and three. "hat a,out you3 (olyor-etes3 >ou 2ould ha)e the chance of -illing t2o Lloros.I HI 2ant to -ill the+ 2ith +y ,are hands3I gro2led the far+er3 his hea)y fists 2rithing. HOn their planet3 I 2ill -ill do6ens.I H!hat0s a nice safe pro+ise for no2. "hat a,out you3 Colonel1 #on0t you 2ant to +arch to death and glory 2ith +e1I H>our attitude is )ery cynical and un,eco+ing3 Stuart. It0s o,)ious that if the rest are un2illing3 then your plan 2ill fall through.I H@nless I do it +yself3 huh1I H>ou 2on0t3 do you hear1I said (orter3 instantly. H#a+n right I 2on0t3I agreed Stuart. HI don0t clai+ to ,e a hero. I0+ <ust an a)erage patriot3 perfectly 2illing to head for any planet they ta-e +e to and sit out the 2ar.I Mullen said3 thoughtfully3 HOf course3 there is a 2ay 2e could surprise the Lloros.I !he state+ent 2ould ha)e dropped flat e4cept for (olyor-etes. %e pointed a ,lac- nailed3 stu,,y forefinger and laughed harshly. HMr. *oo--eeperJI he said. HMr. *oo--eeper is a ,ig shot tal-er li-e this da+ned greenie spy3 Stuart. All right3 Mr. *oo--eeper3 go ahead. >ou +a-e ,ig speeches also. &et the 2ords roll li-e an e+pty ,arrel.I %e turned to Stuart and repeated )eno+ously3 HD+pty ,arrelJ Cripple hand e+pty ,arrel. No good for anything ,ut tal-.I Mullen0s soft )oice could +a-e no head2ay until (olyor-etes 2as through3 ,ut then he said3 spea-ing directly to Stuart3 H"e +ight ,e a,le to reach the+ fro+ outside. !his roo+ has a C chute I0+ sure.I H"hat0s a C chute1I as-ed &e,lanc. H"ell I ,egan Mullen3 and then stopped3 at a loss. Stuart said3 +oc-ingly3 HIt0s a euphe+is+3 +y ,oy. Its full na+e is /casualty chute.0 It doesn0t get tal-ed a,out3 ,ut the +ain roo+s on any ship 2ould ha)e the+. !hey0re <ust little airloc-s do2n 2hich you slide a corpse. *urial at space. Al2ays lots of senti+ent and ,o2ed heads3 2ith the captain +a-ing a rolling speech of the type (olyor-etes here 2ouldn0t li-e.I &e,lanc0s face t2isted. H@se that to lea)e the ship1I H"hy not1 Superstitious1 5o on3 Mullen.I !he little +an had 2aited patiently. %e said3 HOnce outside3 one could re enter the ship ,y the stea+ tu,es. It can ,e done 2ith luc-. And then you 2ould ,e an une4pected )isitor in the control roo+.I Stuart stared at hi+ curiously. H%o2 do you figure this out1 "hat do you -no2 a,out stea+ tu,es1I Mullen coughed. H>ou +ean ,ecause I0+ in the paper ,o4 ,usiness1 "ell I %e gre2 pin-3 2aited a +o+ent3 then +ade a ne2 start in a colorless3 une+otional )oice. HMy co+pany3 2hich +anufactures fancy paper ,o4es and no)elty containers3 +ade a line of spaceship candy ,o4es for the <u)enile trade so+e years ago. It 2as designed so that if a string 2ere pulled3 s+all pressure containers 2ere punctured and <ets of co+pressed air shot out through the +oc- stea+ tu,es3 sailing the ,o4 across the roo+ and scattering candy as it 2ent. !he sales theory 2as that the youngsters 2ould find it e4citing to play 2ith the ship and fun to scra+,le for the candy. HActually3 it 2as a co+plete failure. !he ship 2ould ,rea- dishes and so+eti+es hit another child in the eye. "orse still3 the children 2ould not only scra+,le for the candy ,ut 2ould fight o)er it. It 2as al+ost our 2orst failure. "e lost thousands. HStill3 2hile the ,o4es 2ere ,eing designed3 the entire office 2as e4tre+ely interested. It 2as li-e a ga+e3 )ery ,ad for efficiency and office +orale. $or a 2hile3 2e all ,eca+e stea+ tu,e e4perts. I read ?uite a fe2 ,oo-s on ship construction. On +y o2n ti+e3 ho2e)er3 not the co+pany0s.I Stuart 2as intrigued. %e said3 H>ou -no2 it0s a )ideo sort of idea3 ,ut it +ight 2or- if 2e had a hero to spare. %a)e 2e1I H"hat a,out you1I de+anded (orter3 indignantly. H>ou go around sneering at us 2ith your cheap 2isecrac-s. I don0t notice you )olunteering for anything.I H!hat0s ,ecause I0+ no hero3 (orter. I ad+it it. My o,<ect is to stay ali)e3 and shinnying do2n stea+ tu,es is no 2ay to go a,out staying ali)e. *ut the rest of you are no,le patriots. !he colonel says so. "hat a,out you3 Colonel1 >ou0re the senior hero here.I "indha+ said3 HIf I 2ere younger3 ,last it3 and if you had your hands3 I 2ould ta-e pleasure3 sir3 in trouncing you soundly.I HI0)e no dou,t of it3 ,ut that0s no ans2er.I H>ou -no2 )ery 2ell that at +y ti+e of life and 2ith +y leg I he ,rought the flat of his hand do2n upon his stiff -nee HI a+ in no position to do anything of the sort3 ho2e)er +uch I should 2ish to.I HAh3 yes3I said Stuart3 Hand I3 +yself3 a+ crippled in the hands3 as (olyor-etes tells +e. !hat sa)es us. And

2hat unfortunate defor+ities do the rest of us ha)e1I H&isten3I cried (orter3 HI 2ant to -no2 2hat this is all a,out. %o2 can anyone go do2n the stea+ tu,es1 "hat if the Lloros use the+ 2hile one of us is inside1I H"hy3 (orter3 that0s part of the sporting chance. It0s 2here the e4cite+ent co+es in.I H*ut he0d ,e ,oiled in the shell li-e a lo,ster.I HA pretty i+age3 ,ut inaccurate. !he stea+ 2ouldn0t ,e on for +ore than a )ery short ti+e3 +ay,e a second or t2o3 and the suit insulation 2ould hold that long. *esides3 the <et co+es scooting out at se)eral hundred +iles a +inute3 so that you 2ould ,e ,lo2n clear of the ship ,efore the stea+ could e)en 2ar+ you. In fact3 you0d ,e ,lo2n ?uite a fe2 +iles out into space3 and after that you 2ould ,e ?uite safe fro+ the Lloros. Of course3 you couldn0t get ,ac- to the ship.I (orter 2as s2eating freely. H>ou don0t scare +e for one +inute3 Stuart.I HI don0t1 !hen you0re offering to go1 Are you sure you0)e thought out 2hat ,eing stranded in space +eans1 >ou0re all alone3 you -no2: really all alone. !he stea+ <et 2ill pro,a,ly lea)e you turning or tu+,ling pretty rapidly. >ou 2on0t feel that. >ou0ll see+ to ,e +otionless. *ut all the stars 2ill ,e going around and around so that they0re <ust strea-s in the s-y. !hey 2on0t e)er stop. !hey 2on0t e)en slo2 up. !hen your heater 2ill go off3 your o4ygen 2ill gi)e out3 and you 2ill die )ery slo2ly. >ou0ll ha)e lots of ti+e to thin-. Or3 if you are in a hurry3 you could open your suit. !hat 2ouldn0t ,e pleasant3 either. I0)e seen faces of +en 2ho had a torn suit happen to the+ accidentally3 and it0s pretty a2ful. *ut it 2ould ,e ?uic-er. !hen I (orter turned and 2al-ed unsteadily a2ay. Stuart said3 lightly3 HAnother failure. One act of herois+ still ready to ,e -noc-ed do2n to the highest ,idder 2ith nothing offered yet.I (olyor-etes spo-e up and his harsh )oice roughed the 2ords. H>ou -eep on tal-ing3 Mr. *ig Mouth. >ou <ust -eep ,anging that e+pty ,arrel. (retty soon3 2e0ll -ic- your teeth in. !here0s one ,oy I thin- 2ould ,e 2illing to do it no23 eh3 Mr. (orter1I (orter0s loo- at Stuart confir+ed the truth of (olyor-etes0 re+ar-s3 ,ut he said nothing. Stuart said3 H!hen 2hat a,out you3 (olyor-etes1 >ou0re the ,arehand +an 2ith guts. "ant +e to help you into a suit1I O HI0ll as- you 2hen I 2ant help.I 1 H"hat a,out you3 &e,lanc1I !he young +an shran- a2ay. HNot e)en to get ,ac- to Margaret1I *ut &e,lanc could only sha-e his head. HMullen1I H"ell I0ll try.I H>ou0ll 2hat1I HI said3 yes3 I0ll try. After all3 it0s +y idea.I Stuart loo-ed stunned. H>ou0re serious1 %o2 co+e1I Mullen0s pri+ +outh pursed. H*ecause no one else 2ill.I H*ut that0s no reason. Dspecially for you.I Mullen shrugged. !here 2as a thu+p of a cane ,ehind Stuart. "indha+ ,rushed past. %e said3 H#o you really intend to go3 Mullen1I H>es3 Colonel.I HIn that case3 dash it3 let +e sha-e your hand. I li-e you. >ou0re an an Darth+an3 ,y hea)en. #o this3 and 2in or die3 I0ll ,ear 2itness for you.I Mullen 2ithdre2 his hand a2-2ardly fro+ the deep and )i,rating grasp of the other. And Stuart <ust stood there. %e 2as in a )ery unusual position. %e 2as3 in fact3 in the particular position of all positions in 2hich he +ost rarely found hi+self. %e had nothing to say. !he ?uality of tension had changed. !he gloo+ and frustration had lifted a ,it3 and the e4cite+ent of conspiracy had replaced it. D)en (olyor-etes 2as fingering the spacesuits and co++enting ,riefly and hoarsely on 2hich he considered prefera,le. Mullen 2as ha)ing a certain a+ount of trou,le. !he suit hung rather li+ply upon hi+ e)en though the ad<usta,le <oints had ,een tightened nearly to +ini+u+. %e stood there no2 2ith only the hel+et to ,e scre2ed on. %e 2iggled his nec-. Stuart 2as holding the hel+et 2ith an effort. It 2as hea)y3 and his artiplas+ic hands did not grip it 2ell. %e said3 H*etter scratch your nose if it itches. It0s your last chance for a 2hile.I %e didn0t add3 HMay,e fore)er3I ,ut he thought it.

Mullen said3 tonelessly3 HI thin- perhaps I had ,etter ha)e a spare o4ygen cylinder.I H5ood enough.I H"ith a reducing )al)e.I Stuart nodded. HI see 2hat you0re thin-ing of. If you do get ,lo2n clear of the ship3 you could try to ,lo2 yourself ,ac- ,y using the cylinder as an action reaction +otor.I !hey cla+ped on the headpiece and ,uc-led the spare cylinder to Mullen0s 2aist. (olyor-etes and &e,lanc lifted hi+ up to the ya2ning opening of the C tu,e. It 2as o+inously dar- inside3 the +etal lining of the interior ha)ing ,een painted a +ournful ,lac-. Stuart thought he could detect a +usty odor a,out it3 ,ut that3 he -ne23 2as only i+agination. %e stopped the proceedings 2hen Mullen 2as half 2ithin the tu,e. %e tapped upon the little +an0s faceplate. HCan you hear +e1I "ithin3 there 2as a nod. HAir co+ing through all right1 No last +inute trou,les1I Mullen lifted his ar+ored ar+ in a gesture of reassurance. H!hen re+e+,er3 don0t use the suit radio out there. !he Lloros +ight pic- up the signals.I 9eluctantly3 he stepped a2ay. (olyor-etes0 ,ra2ny hands lo2ered Mullen until they could hear the thu+ping sound +ade ,y the steel shod feet against the outer )al)e. !he inner )al)e then s2ung shut 2ith a dreadful finality3 its ,e)eled silicone gas-et +a-ing a slight soughing noise as it crushed hard. !hey cla+ped it into place. Stuart stood at the toggle s2itch that controlled the outer )al)e. %e thre2 it and the gauge that +ar-ed the air pressure 2ithin the tu,e fell to 6ero. A little pinpoint of red light 2arned that the outer )al)e 2as open. !hen the light disappeared3 the )al)e closed3 and the gauge cli+,ed slo2ly to fifteen pounds again. !hey opened the inner )al)e again and found the tu,e e+pty. (olyor-etes spo-e first. %e said3 H!he little son of a gun. %e 2entJI %e loo-ed 2onderingly at the others. HA little fello2 2ith guts li-e that.I Stuart said3 H&oo-3 2e0d ,etter get ready in here. !here0s <ust a chance that the Lloros +ay ha)e detected the )al)es opening and closing. If so3 they0ll ,e here to in)estigate and 2e0ll ha)e to co)er up.I H%o21I as-ed "indha+. H!hey 2on0t see Mullen any2here around. "e0ll say he0s in the head. !he Lloros -no2 that it0s one of the peculiar characteristics of Darth+en that they resent intrusion on their pri)acy in la)atories3 and they0ll +a-e no effort to chec-. If 2e can hold the+ off I H"hat if they 2ait3 or if they chec- the spacesuits1I as-ed (orter. Stuart shrugged. H&et0s hope they don0t. And listen3 (olyor-etes3 don0t +a-e any fuss 2hen they co+e in.I (olyor-etes grunted3 H"ith that little guy out there1 "hat do you thin- I a+1I %e stared at Stuart 2ithout ani+osity3 then scratched his curly hair )igorously. H>ou -no23 I laughed at hi+. I thought he 2as an old 2o+an. It +a-es +e asha+ed.I Stuart cleared his throat. %e said3 H&oo-3 I0)e ,een saying so+e things that +ay,e 2eren0t too funny after all3 no2 that I co+e to thin- of it. I0d li-e to say I0+ sorry if I ha)e.I %e turned a2ay +orosely and 2al-ed to2ard his cot. %e heard the steps ,ehind hi+3 felt the touch on his slee)e. %e turned: it 2as &e,lanc. !he youngster said softly3 HI -eep thin-ing that Mr. Mullen is an old +an.I H"ell3 he0s not a -id. %e0s a,out forty fi)e or fifty3 I thin-.I &e,lanc said3 H#o you thin-3 Mr. Stuart3 that P should ha)e gone3 instead1 I0+ the youngest here. I don0t li-e the thought of ha)ing let an old +an go in +y place. It +a-es +e feel li-e the de)il.I HI -no2. If he dies3 it 2ill ,e too ,ad.I H*ut he )olunteered. "e didn0t +a-e hi+3 did 2e1I H#on0t try to dodge responsi,ility3 &e,lanc. It 2on0t +a-e you feel ,etter. !here isn0t one of us 2ithout a stronger +oti)e to run the ris- than he had.I And Stuart sat there silently3 thin-ing. Mullen felt the o,struction ,eneath his feet yield and the 2alls a,out hi+ slip a2ay ?uic-ly3 too ?uic-ly. %e -ne2 it 2as the puff of air escaping3 carrying hi+ 2ith it3 and he dug ar+s and legs frantically against the 2all to ,ra-e hi+self. Corpses 2ere supposed to ,e flung 2ell clear of the ship3 ,ut he 2as no corpse for the +o+ent. %is feet s2ung free and threshed. %e heard the clun- of one +agnetic ,oot against the hull <ust as the rest of his ,ody puffed out li-e a tight cor- under air pressure. %e teetered dangerously at the lip of the hole in the ship he had changed orientation suddenly and 2as loo-ing do2n on it then too- a step ,ac-2ard as its lid ca+e do2n of itself and fitted s+oothly against the hull. A feeling of unreality o)er2hel+ed hi+. Surely3 it 2asn0t he standing on the outer surface of a ship. Not

9andolph $. Mullen. So fe2 hu+an ,eings could e)er say they had3 e)en those 2ho tra)eled in space constantly. %e 2as only gradually a2are that he 2as in pain. (opping out of that hole 2ith one foot cla+ped to the hull had nearly ,ent hi+ in t2o. %e tried +o)ing3 cautiously3 and found his +otions to ,e erratic and al+ost i+possi,le to control. %e thought nothing 2as ,ro-en3 though the +uscles of his left side 2ere ,adly 2renched. And then he ca+e to hi+self and noticed that the 2rist lights of his suit 2ere on. It 2as ,y their light that he had stared into the ,lac-ness of the C chute. %e stirred 2ith the ner)ous thought that fro+ 2ithin3 the Lloros +ight see the t2in spots of +o)ing light <ust outside the hull. %e flic-ed the s2itch upon the suit0s +idsection. Mullen had ne)er i+agined that3 standing on a ship3 he 2ould fail to see its hull. *ut it 2as dar-3 as dar,elo2 as a,o)e. !here 2ere the stars3 hard and ,right little non di+ensional dots. Nothing +ore. Nothing +ore any2here. @nder his feet3 not e)en the stars not e)en his feet. %e ,ent ,ac- to loo- at the stars. %is head s2a+. !hey 2ere +o)ing slo2ly. Or3 rather3 they 2ere standing still and the ship 2as rotating3 ,ut he could not tell his eyes that. !hey +o)ed. %is eyes follo2ed do2n and ,ehind the ship. Ne2 stars up and a,o)e fro+ the other side. A ,lac- hori6on. !he ship e4isted only as a region 2here there 2ere no stars. No stars1 "hy3 there 2as one al+ost at his feet. %e nearly reached for it: then he reali6ed that it 2as only a glittering reflection in the +irroring +etal. !hey 2ere +o)ing thousands of +iles an hour. !he stars 2ere. !he ship 2as. %e 2as. *ut it +eant nothing. !o his senses3 there 2as only silence and dar-ness and that slo2 2heeling of the stars. %is eyes follo2ed the 2heeling And his head in its hel+et hit the ship0s hull 2ith a soft ,ell li-e ring. %e felt a,out in panic 2ith his thic-3 insensiti)e3 spun silicate glo)es. %is feet 2ere still fir+ly +agneti6ed to the hull3 that 2as true3 ,ut the rest of his ,ody ,ent ,ac-2ard at the -nees in a right angle. !here 2as no gra)ity outside the ship. If he ,ent ,ac-3 there 2as nothing to pull the upper part of his ,ody do2n and tell his <oints they 2ere ,ending. %is ,ody stayed as he put it. %e pressed 2ildly against the hull and his torso shot up2ard and refused to stop 2hen upright. %e fell for2ard. %e tried +ore slo2ly3 ,alancing 2ith ,oth hands against the hull3 until he s?uatted e)enly. !hen up2ard. Very slo2ly. Straight up. Ar+s out to ,alance. %e 2as straight no23 a2are of his nausea and lightheadedness. %e loo-ed a,out. My 5od3 2here 2ere the stea+ tu,es1 %e couldn0t see the+. !hey 2ere ,lac- on ,lac-3 nothing on nothing. 'uic-ly3 he turned on the 2rist lights. In space3 there 2ere no ,ea+s3 only elliptical3 sharply defined spots of ,lue steel3 2in-ing light ,ac- at hi+. "here they struc- a ri)et3 a shado2 2as cast3 -nife sharp and as ,lac- as space3 the lighted region illu+inated a,ruptly and 2ithout diffusion. %e +o)ed his ar+s3 his ,ody s2aying gently in the opposite direction: action and reaction. !he )ision of a stea+ tu,e 2ith its s+ooth cylindrical sides sprang at hi+. %e tried to +o)e to2ard it. %is foot held fir+ly to the hull. %e pulled and it slogged up2ard3 straining against ?uic-sand that eased ?uic-ly. !hree inches up and it had al+ost suc-ed free: si4 inches up and he thought it 2ould fly a2ay. %e ad)anced it and let it do2n3 felt it enter the ?uic-sand. "hen the sole 2as 2ithin t2o inches of the hull3 it snapped do2n: out of control3 hitting the hull ringingly. %is spacesuit carried the )i,rations3 a+plifying the+ in his ears. %e stopped in a,solute terror. !he dehydrators that dried the at+osphere 2ithin his suit could not handle the sudden gush of perspiration that drenched his forehead and ar+pits. %e 2aited3 then tried lifting his foot again a ,are inch3 holding it there ,y +ain force and +o)ing it hori6ontally. %ori6ontal +otion in)ol)ed no effort at all: it 2as +otion perpendicular to the lines of +agnetic force. *ut he had to -eep the foot fro+ snapping do2n as he did so3 and then lo2er it slo2ly. %e puffed 2ith the effort. Dach step 2as agony. !he tendons of his -nees 2ere crac-ing3 and there 2ere -ni)es in his side. Mullen stopped to let the perspiration dry. It 2ouldn0t do to stea+ up the inside of his faceplate. %e flashed his 2rist lights3 and the stea+ cylinder 2as right ahead. !he ship had four of the+3 at ninety degree inter)als3 thrusting out at an angle fro+ the +idgirdle. !hey 2ere the Hfine ad<ust+entI of the ship0s course. !he coarse ad<ust+ent 2as the po2erful thrusters ,ac- and front 2hich fi4ed final )elocity ,y their accelerati)e and the decelerati)e force3 and the hyperato+ics that too- care of the space s2allo2ing Bu+ps. *ut occasionally the direction of flight had to ,e ad<usted slightly and then the stea+ cylinders too- o)er.

Singly3 they could dri)e the ship up3 do2n3 right3 left. *y t2os3 in appropriate ratios of thrust3 the ship could ,e turned in any desired direction. !he de)ice had ,een uni+pro)ed in centuries3 ,eing too si+ple to i+pro)e. !he ato+ic pile heated the 2ater content of a closed container into stea+3 dri)ing it3 in less than a second3 up to te+peratures 2here it 2ould ha)e ,ro-en do2n into a +i4ture of hydrogen and o4ygen3 and then into a +i4ture of electrons and ions. (erhaps the ,rea-do2n actually too- place. No one e)er ,othered testing: it 2or-ed3 so there 2as no need to. At the critical point3 a needle )al)e ga)e 2ay and the stea+ thrust +adly out in a short ,ut incredi,le ,last. And the ship3 ine)ita,ly and +a<estically3 +o)ed in the opposite direction3 )eering a,out its o2n center of gra)ity. "hen the degrees of turn 2ere sufficient3 an e?ual and opposite ,last 2ould ta-e place and the turning 2ould ,e canceled. !he ship 2ould ,e +o)ing at its original )elocity3 ,ut in a ne2 direction. Mullen had dragged hi+self out to the lip of the stea+ cylinder. %e had a picture of hi+self a s+all specteetering at the e4tre+e end of a structure thrusting out of an o)oid that 2as tearing through space at ten thousand +iles an hour. *ut there 2as no air strea+ to 2hip hi+ off the hull3 and his +agnetic soles held hi+ +ore fir+ly than he li-ed. "ith lights on3 he ,ent do2n to peer into the tu,e and the ship dropped do2n precipitously as his orientation changed. %e reached out to steady hi+self3 ,ut he 2as not falling. !here 2as no up or do2n in space e4cept for 2hat his confused +ind chose to consider up or do2n. !he cylinder 2as <ust large enough to hold a +an3 so that it +ight ,e entered for repair purposes. %is light caught the rungs al+ost directly opposite his position at the lip. %e puffed a sigh of relief 2ith 2hat ,reath he could +uster. So+e ships didn0t ha)e ladders. %e +ade his 2ay to it3 the ship appearing to slip and t2ist ,eneath hi+ as he +o)ed. %e lifted an ar+ o)er the lip of the tu,e3 feeling for the rung3 loosened each foot3 and dre2 hi+self 2ithin. !he -not in his sto+ach that had ,een there fro+ the first 2as a con)ulsed agony no2. If they should choose to +anipulate the ship3 if the stea+ should 2histle out no2 %e 2ould ne)er hear it: ne)er -no2 it. One instant he 2ould ,e holding a rung3 feeling slo2ly for the ne4t 2ith a groping ar+. !he ne4t +o+ent he 2ould ,e alone in space3 the ship a dar-3 dar- nothingness lost fore)er a+ong the stars. !here 2ould ,e3 perhaps3 a ,rief glory of s2irling ice crystals drifting 2ith hi+3 shining in his 2rist lights and slo2ly approaching and rotating a,out hi+3 attracted ,y his +ass li-e infinitesi+al planets to an a,surdly tiny Sun. %e 2as tric-ling s2eat again3 and no2 he 2as also conscious of thirst. %e put it out of his +ind. !here 2ould ,e no drin-ing until he 2as out of his suit if e)er. @p a rung: up another: and another. %o2 +any 2ere there1 %is hand slipped and he stared in dis,elief at the glitter that sho2ed under his light. Ice1 "hy not1 !he stea+3 incredi,ly hot as it 2as3 2ould stri-e +etal that 2as at nearly a,solute 6ero. In the fe2 split seconds of thrust3 there 2ould not ,e ti+e for the +etal to 2ar+ a,o)e the free6ing point of 2ater. A sheet of ice 2ould condense that 2ould su,li+e slo2ly into the )acuu+. It 2as the speed of all that happened that pre)ented the fusion of the tu,es and of the original 2ater container itself. %is groping hand reached the end. Again the 2rist lights. %e stared 2ith cra2ling horror at the stea+ no66le3 half an inch in dia+eter. It loo-ed dead3 har+less. *ut it al2ays 2ould3 right up to the +icro second ,efore Around it 2as the outer stea+ loc-. It pi)oted on a central hu, that 2as springed on the portion to2ard space3 scre2ed on the part to2ard the ship. !he springs allo2ed it to gi)e under the first 2ild thrust of stea+ pressure ,efore the ship0s +ighty inertia could ,e o)erco+e. !he stea+ 2as ,led into the inner cha+,er3 ,rea-ing the force of the thrust3 lea)ing the total energy unchanged3 ,ut spreading it o)er ti+e so that the hull itself 2as in that +uch less danger of ,eing sta)ed in. Mullen ,raced hi+self fir+ly against a rung and pressed against the outer loc- so that it ga)e a little. It 2as stiff3 ,ut it didn0t ha)e to gi)e +uch3 <ust enough to catch on the scre2. %e felt it catch. %e strained against it and turned it3 feeling his ,ody t2ist in the opposite direction. It held tight3 the scre2 ta-ing up the strain as he carefully ad<usted the s+all control s2itch that allo2ed the springs to fall free. %o2 2ell he re+e+,ered the ,oo-s he had readJ %e 2as in the interloc- space no23 2hich 2as large enough to hold a +an co+forta,ly3 again for con)enience in repairs. %e could no longer ,e ,lo2n a2ay fro+ the ship. If the stea+ ,last 2ere turned on no23 it 2ould +erely dri)e hi+ against the inner loc- hard enough to crush hi+ to a pulp. A ?uic- death he 2ould ne)er feel3 at least. Slo2ly3 he unhoo-ed his spare o4ygen cylinder. !here 2as only an inner loc- ,et2een hi+self and the

control roo+ no2. !his loc- opened out2ard into space so that the stea+ ,last could only close it tighter3 rather than ,lo2 it open. And it fitted tightly and s+oothly. !here 2as a,solutely no 2ay to open it fro+ 2ithout. %e lifted hi+self a,o)e the loc-3 forcing his ,ent ,ac- against the inner surface of the interloc- area. It +ade ,reathing difficult. !he spare o4ygen cylinder dangled at a ?ueer angle. %e held its +etal +esh hose and straightened it3 forcing it against the inner loc- so that )i,ration thudded. Again again It 2ould ha)e to attract the attention of the Lloros. !hey 2ould ha)e to in)estigate. %e 2ould ha)e no 2ay of telling 2hen they 2ere a,out to do so. Ordinarily3 they 2ould first let air into the interloc- to force the outer loc- shut. *ut no2 the outer loc- 2as on the central scre23 2ell a2ay fro+ its ri+. Air 2ould suc- a,out it ineffectually3 dragging out into space. Mullen -ept on thu+ping. "ould the Lloros loo- at the air gauge3 note that it scarcely lifted fro+ 6ero3 or 2ould they ta-e its proper 2or-ing for granted1 (orter said3 H%e0s ,een gone an hour and a half.I HI -no23I said Stuart. !hey 2ere all restless3 <u+py3 ,ut the tension a+ong the+sel)es had disappeared. It 2as as though all the threads of e+otion e4tended to the hull of the ship. (orter 2as ,othered. %is philosophy of life had al2ays ,een si+ple ta-e care of yourself ,ecause no one 2ill ta-e care of you for you. It upset hi+ to see it sha-en. %e said3 H#o you suppose they0)e caught hi+1I HIf they had3 2e0d hear a,out it3I replied Stuart3 ,riefly. (orter felt3 2ith a +isera,le t2inge3 that there 2as little interest on the part of the others in spea-ing to hi+. %e could understand it: he had not e4actly earned their respect. $or the +o+ent3 a torrent of self e4cuse poured through his +ind. !he others had ,een frightened3 too. A +an had a right to ,e afraid. No one li-es to die. At least3 he hadn0t ,ro-en li-e Aristides (olyor-etes. %e hadn0t 2ept li-e &e,lanc. %e *ut there 2as Mullen3 out there on the hull. H&isten3I he cried3 H2hy did he do it1I !hey turned to loo- at hi+3 not understanding3 ,ut (orter didn0t care. It ,othered hi+ to the point 2here it had to co+e out. HI 2ant to -no2 2hy Mullen is ris-ing his life.I H!he +an3I said "indha+3 His a patriot I HNo3 none of thatJI (orter 2as al+ost hysterical. H!hat little fello2 has no e+otions at all. %e <ust has reasons and I 2ant to -no2 2hat those reasons are3 ,ecause I %e didn0t finish the sentence. Could he say that if those reasons applied to a little +iddle aged ,oo--eeper3 they +ight apply e)en +ore forci,ly to hi+self1 (olyor-etes said3 H%e0s one ,ra)e da+n little fello2.I (orter got to his feet. H&isten3I3 he said3 Hhe +ay ,e stuc- out there. "hate)er he0s doing3 he +ay not ,e a,le to finish it alone. I I )olunteer to go out after hi+.I %e 2as sha-ing as he said it and he 2aited in fear for the sarcastic lash of Stuart0s tongue. Stuart 2as staring at hi+3 pro,a,ly 2ith surprise3 ,ut (orter dared not +eet his eyes to +a-e certain. Stuart said3 +ildly3 H&et0s gi)e hi+ another half hour.I (orter loo-ed up3 startled. !here 2as no sneer on Stuart0s face. It 2as e)en friendly. !hey all loo-ed friendly. %e said3 HAnd then I HAnd then all those 2ho do )olunteer 2ill dra2 stra2s or so+ething e?ually de+ocratic. "ho )olunteers3 ,esides (orter1I !hey all raised their hands: Stuart did3 too. *ut (orter 2as happy. %e had )olunteered first. %e 2as an4ious for the half hour to pass. It caught Mullen ,y surprise. !he outer loc- fle2 open and the long3 thin3 sna-eli-e3 al+ost headless necof a Lloro suc-ed out3 una,le to fight the ,last of escaping air. Mullen0s cylinder fle2 a2ay3 al+ost tore free. After one 2ild +o+ent of fro6en panic3 he fought for it3 dragging it a,o)e the airstrea+3 2aiting as long as he dared to let the first fury die do2n as the air of the control roo+ thinned out3 then ,ringing it do2n 2ith force. It caught the sine2y nec- s?uarely3 crushing it. Mullen3 curled a,o)e the loc-3 al+ost entirely protected fro+ the strea+3 raised the cylinder again and plunging it do2n again stri-ing the head3 +ashing the staring eyes to li?uid ruin. In the near )acuu+3 green ,lood 2as pu+ping out of 2hat 2as left of the nec-. Mullen dared not )o+it3 ,ut he 2anted to. "ith eyes a)erted3 he ,ac-ed a2ay3 caught the outer loc- 2ith one hand and i+parted a 2hirl. $or se)eral seconds3 it +aintained that 2hirl. At the end of the scre23 the springs engaged auto+atically and pulled it shut.

"hat 2as left of the at+osphere tightened it and the la,oring pu+ps could no2 ,egin to fill the control roo+ once again. Mullen cra2led o)er the +angled Lloro and into the roo+. It 2as e+pty. %e had ,arely ti+e to notice that 2hen he found hi+self on his -nees. %e rose 2ith difficulty. !he transition fro+ non gra)ity to gra)ity had ta-en hi+ entirely ,y surprise. It 2as Llorian gra)ity3 too3 2hich +eant that 2ith this suit3 he carried a fifty percent o)erload for his s+all fra+e. At least3 though3 his hea)y +etal clogs no longer clung so e4asperatingly to the +etal underneath. "ithin the ship3 floors and 2all 2ere of cor- co)ered alu+inu+ alloy. %e circled slo2ly. !he nec-less Lloro had collapsed and lay 2ith only an occasional t2itch to sho2 it had once ,een a li)ing organis+. %e stepped o)er it3 distastefully3 and dre2 the stea+ tu,e loc- shut. !he roo+ had a depressing ,ilious cast and the lights shone yello2 green. It 2as the Lloro at+osphere3 of course. Mullen felt a t2inge of surprise and reluctant ad+iration. !he Lloros o,)iously had so+e 2ay of treating +aterials so that they 2ere i+per)ious to the o4idi6ing effect of chlorine. D)en the +ap of Darth on the 2all3 printed on glossy plastic ,ac-ed paper3 see+ed fresh and untouched. %e approached3 dra2n ,y the fa+iliar outlines of the continents !here 2as a flash of +otion caught in the corner of his eyes. As ?uic-ly as he could in his hea)y suit3 he turned3 then screa+ed. !he Lloro he had thought dead 2as rising to its feet. Its nec- hung li+p3 an oo6ing +ass of tissue +ash3 ,ut its ar+s reached out ,lindly3 and the tentacles a,out its chest )i,rated rapidly li-e innu+era,le sna-es0 tongues. It 2as ,lind3 of course. !he destruction of its nec- stal- had depri)ed it of all sensory e?uip+ent3 and partial asphy4iation had disorgani6ed it. *ut the ,rain re+ained 2hole and safe in the a,do+en. It still li)ed. Mullen ,ac-ed a2ay. %e circled3 trying clu+sily and unsuccessfully to tiptoe3 though he -ne2 that 2hat 2as left of the Lloro 2as also deaf. It ,lundered on its 2ay3 struc- a 2all3 felt to the ,ase and ,egan sidling along it. Mullen cast a,out desperately for a 2eapon3 found nothing. !here 2as the Lloro0s holster3 ,ut he dared not reach for it. "hy hadn0t he snatched it at the )ery first1 $oolJ !he door to the control roo+ opened. It +ade al+ost no noise. Mullen turned3 ?ui)ering. !he other Lloro entered3 unhar+ed3 entire. It stood in the door2ay for a +o+ent3 chest tendrils stiff and un+o)ing: its nec- stal- stretched for2ard: its horri,le eyes flic-ering first at hi+ and then at its nearly dead co+rade. And then its hand +o)ed ?uic-ly to its side. Mullen3 2ithout a2areness3 +o)ed as ?uic-ly in pure refle4. %e stretched out the hose of the spare o4ygen cylinder3 2hich3 since entering the control roo+3 he had replaced in its suit cla+p3 and crac-ed the )al)e. %e didn0t ,other reducing the pressure. %e let it gush out unchec-ed so that he nearly staggered under the ,ac-2ard push. %e could see the o4ygen strea+. It 2as a pale puff3 ,illo2ing out a+id the chlorine green. It caught the Lloro 2ith one hand on the 2eapon0s holster. !he Lloro thre2 its hands up. !he little ,ea- on its head nodule opened alar+ingly ,ut noiselessly. It staggered and fell3 2rithed for a +o+ent3 then lay still. Mullen approached and played the o4ygen strea+ upon its ,ody as though he 2ere e4tinguishing a fire. And then he raised his hea)y foot and ,rought it do2n upon the center of the nec- stal- and crushed it on the floor. %e turned to the first. It 2as spra2led3 rigid. !he 2hole roo+ 2as pale 2ith o4ygen3 enough to -ill 2hole legions of Lloros3 and his cylinder 2as e+pty. Mullen stepped o)er the dead Lloro3 out of the control roo+ and along the +ain corridor to2ard the prisoners0 roo+. 9eaction had set in. %e 2as 2hi+pering in ,lind3 incoherent fright. Stuart 2as tired. $alse hands and all3 he 2as at the controls of a ship once again. !2o light cruisers of Darth 2ere on the 2ay. $or ,etter than t2enty four hours he had handled the controls )irtually alone. %e had discarded the chlorinating e?uip+ent3 rerigged the old at+ospherics3 located the ship0s position in space3 tried to plot a course3 and sent out carefully guarded signals 2hich had 2or-ed. So 2hen the door of the control roo+ opened3 he 2as a little annoyed. %e 2as too tired to play con)ersational hand,all. !hen he turned3 and it 2as Mullen stepping inside. Stuart said3 H$or 5od0s sa-e3 get ,ac- into ,ed3 MullenJI Mullen said3 HI0+ tired of sleeping3 e)en though I ne)er thought I 2ould ,e a 2hile ago.I H%o2 do you feel1I HI0+ stiff all o)er. Dspecially +y side.I %e gri+aced and stared in)oluntarily around. H#on0t loo- for the Lloros3I Stuart said. H"e du+ped the poor de)ils.I %e shoo- his head. HI 2as sorry for

the+. !o the+sel)es3 they0re the hu+an ,eings3 you -no23 and 2e0re the aliens. Not that I0d rather they0d -illed you3 you understand.I HI understand.I Stuart turned a sidelong glance upon the little +an 2ho sat loo-ing at the +ap of Darth and 2ent on3 HI o2e you a particular and personal apology3 Mullen. I didn0t thin- +uch of you.I HIt 2as your pri)ilege3I said Mullen in his dry )oice3 !here 2as no feeling in it. HNo3 it 2asn0t. It is no one0s pri)ilege to despise another. It is only a hard 2on right after long e4perience.I H%a)e you ,een thin-ing a,out this1I H>es3 all day. May,e I can0t e4plain. It0s these hands.I %e held the+ up ,efore hi+3 spread out. HIt 2as hard -no2ing that other people had hands of their o2n. I had to hate the+ for it. I al2ays had to do +y ,est to in)estigate and ,elittle their +oti)es3 point up their deficiencies3 e4pose their stupidities. I had to do anything that 2ould pro)e to +yself that they 2eren0t 2orth en)ying.I Mullen +o)ed restlessly. H!his e4planation is not necessary.I HIt is. It isJI Stuart felt his thoughts intently3 strained to put the+ into 2ords. H$or years I0)e a,andoned hope of finding any decency in hu+an ,eings. !hen you cli+,ed into the C chute.I H>ou had ,etter understand3I said Mullen3 Hthat I 2as +oti)ated ,y practical and selfish considerations. I 2ill not ha)e you present +e to +yself as a hero.I HI 2asn0t intending to. I -no2 that you 2ould do nothing 2ithout a reason. It 2as 2hat your action did to the rest of us. It turned a collection of phonies and fools into decent people. And not ,y +agic either. !hey 2ere decent all along. It 2as <ust that they needed so+ething to li)e up to and you supplied it. And I0+ one of the+. I0ll ha)e to li)e up to you3 too. $or the rest of +y life3 pro,a,ly.I Mullen turned a2ay unco+forta,ly. %is hand straightened his slee)es3 2hich 2ere not in the least t2isted. %is finger rested on the +ap. %e said3 HI 2as ,orn in 9ich+ond3 Virginia3 you -no2. %ere it is. I0ll ,e going there first. "here 2ere you ,orn1I H!oronto3I said Stuart. H!hat0s right here. Not )ery far apart on the +ap3 is it1I Stuart said3 H"ould you tell +e so+ething1I HIf I can.I HBust 2hy did you go out there1I Mullen0s precise +outh pursed. %e said3 dryly3 H"ouldn0t +y rather prosaic reason ruin the inspirational effect1I HCall it intellectual curiosity. Dach of the rest of us had such o,)ious +oti)es. (orter 2as scared to death of ,eing interned: &e,lanc 2anted to get ,ac- to his s2eetheart: (olyor-etes 2anted to -ill Lloros: and "indha+ 2as a patriot according to his lights. As for +e3 I thought of +yself as a no,le idealist3 I0+ afraid. >et in none of us 2as the +oti)ation strong enough to get us into a spacesuit and out the C chute. !hen 2hat +ade you do it3 you3 of all people1I H"hy the phrase3 /of all people01I H#on0t ,e offended3 ,ut you see+ de)oid of all e+otion.I H#o I1I Mullen0s )oice did not change. It re+ained precise and soft3 yet so+eho2 a tightness had entered it. H!hat0s only training3 Mr. Stuart3 and self discipline: not nature. A s+all +an can ha)e no respecta,le e+otions. Is there anything +ore ridiculous than a +an li-e +yself in a state of rage1 I0+ fi)e feet and one half inch tall3 and one hundred and t2o pounds in 2eight3 if you care for e4act figures. I insist on the half inch and the t2o pounds. HCan I ,e dignified1 (roud1 #ra2 +yself to +y full height 2ithout inducing laughter1 "here can I +eet a 2o+an 2ho 2ill not dis+iss +e instantly 2ith a giggle1 Naturally3 I0)e had to learn to dispense 2ith e4ternal display of e+otion. H>ou tal- a,out defor+ities. No one 2ould notice your hands or -no2 they 2ere different3 if you 2eren0t so eager to tell people all a,out it the instant you +eet the+. #o you thin- that the eight inches of height I do not ha)e can ,e hidden1 !hat it is not the first and3 in +ost cases3 the only thing a,out +e that a person 2ill notice1I Stuart 2as asha+ed. %e had in)aded a pri)acy he ought not ha)e. %e said3 HI0+ sorry.I H"hy1I HI should not ha)e forced you to spea- of this. I should ha)e seen for +yself that you that you I H!hat I 2hat1 !ried to pro)e +yself1 !ried to sho2 that 2hile I +ight ,e s+all in ,ody3 I held 2ithin it a giant0s heart1I HI 2ould not ha)e put it +oc-ingly.I H"hy not1 It0s a foolish idea3 and nothing li-e it is the reason I did 2hat I did. "hat 2ould I ha)e

acco+plished if that0s 2hat 2as in +y +ind1 "ill they ta-e +e to Darth no2 and put +e up ,efore the tele)ision ca+eras pitching the+ lo23 of course3 to catch +y face3 or standing +e on a chair and pin +edals on +e1I H!hey are ?uite li-ely to do e4actly that.I HAnd 2hat good 2ould it do +e1 !hey 2ould say3 /5ee3 and he0s such a little guy.0 And after2ard3 2hat1 Shall I tell each +an I +eet3 />ou -no23 I0+ the fello2 they decorated for incredi,le )alor last +onth10 %o2 +any +edals3 Mr. Stuart3 do you suppose it 2ould ta-e to put eight inches and si4ty pounds on +e1I Stuart said3 H(ut that 2ay3 I see your point.I Mullen 2as spea-ing a trifle +ore ?uic-ly no2: a controlled heat had entered his 2ords3 2ar+ing the+ to <ust a tepid roo+ te+perature. H!here 2ere days 2hen I thought I 2ould sho2 the+3 the +ysterious /the+0 that includes all the 2orld. I 2as going to lea)e Darth and car)e out 2orlds for +yself. I 2ould ,e a ne2 and e)en s+aller Napoleon. So I left Darth and 2ent to Arcturus. And 2hat could I do on Arcturus that I could not ha)e done on Darth1 Nothing. I ,alance ,oo-s. So I a+ past the )anity3 Mr. Stuart3 of trying to stand on tiptoe.I H!hen 2hy did you do it1I HI left Darth 2hen I 2as t2enty eight and ca+e to the Arcturian Syste+. I0)e ,een there e)er since. !his trip 2as to ,e +y first )acation3 +y first )isit ,ac- to Darth in all that ti+e. I 2as going to stay on Darth for si4 +onths. !he Lloros instead captured us and 2ould ha)e -ept us interned indefinitely. *ut I couldn0t I couldn0t let the+ stop +e fro+ tra)eling to Darth. No +atter 2hat the ris-3 I had to pre)ent their interference. It 2asn0t lo)e of 2o+an3 or fear3 or hate3 or idealis+ of any sort. It 2as stronger than any of those.I %e stopped3 and stretched out a hand as though to caress the +ap on the 2all. HMr. Stuart3I Mullen as-ed ?uietly3 Hha)en0t you e)er ,een ho+esic-1I

The Martian Way

$ro+ the door2ay of the short corridor ,et2een the only t2o3 roo+s in the tra)el head of the spaceship3 Mario Dste,an 9io6 2atched sourly as !ed &ong ad<usted the )ideo dials painsta-ingly. &ong tried a touch cloc-2ise3 then a touch counter. !he picture 2as lousy. 9io6 -ne2 it 2ould stay lousy. !hey 2ere too far fro+ Darth and at a ,ad position facing the Sun. *ut then &ong 2ould not ,e e4pected to -no2 that. 9io6 re+ained standing in the door2ay for an additional +o+ent3 head ,ent to clear the upper lintel3 ,ody turned half side2ise to fit the narro2 opening. !hen he <er-ed into the galley li-e a cor- popping out of a ,ottle. H"hat are you after1I he as-ed. HI thought I0d get %ilder3I said &ong. 9io6 propped his ru+p on the corner of a ta,le shelf. %e lifted a conical can of +il- fro+ the co+panion shelf <ust a,o)e his head. Its point popped under pressure. %e s2irled it gently as he 2aited for it to 2ar+. H"hat for1I he said. %e upended the cone and suc-ed noisily. H!hought I0d listen.I HI thin- it0s a 2aste of po2er.I &ong loo-ed up3 fro2ning. HIt0s custo+ary to allo2 free use of personal )ideo sets.I H"ithin reason3I retorted 9io6. !heir eyes +et challengingly. 9io6 had the rangy ,ody3 the gaunt3 chee- sun-en face that 2as al+ost the hall+ar- of the Martian Sca)enger3 those Spacers 2ho patiently haunted the space routes ,et2een Darth and Mars (crte ,lue eyes 2ere set -eenly in the ,ro2n3 lined face 2hich3 in turn3 stood dar-ly out against the 2hite surrounding syntho fur that lined the upturned collar of his leathtic space <ac-et. &ong 2as altogether paler and softer. %e ,ore so+e of the +ar-s of the 5rounder3 although no second generation Martian could ,e a 5rounder in the sense that Darth+en 2ere. %is o2n collar 2as thro2n ,ac- and his dar- ,ro2n hair freely e4posed. H"hat do you call 2ithin reason1I de+anded &ong. 9io60s thin lips gre2 thinner. %e said3 HConsidering that 2e0re not e)en going to +a-e e4penses this trip3 the 2ay it loo-s3 any po2er drain at all is outside reason.I &ong said3 HIf 2e0re losing +oney3 hadn0t you ,etter get ,ac- to your post1 It0s your 2atch.I 9io6 grunted and ran a thu+, and forefinger o)er the stu,,le on his chin. %e got up and trudged to the door3 his soft3 hea)y ,oots +uting the sound of his steps. %e paused to loo- at the ther+ostat3 then turned 2ith a flare of fury. HI thought it 2as ,ot. "here do you thin- you are1I

&ong said3 H$orty degrees isn0t e4cessi)e.I H$or you it isn0t3 +ay,e. *ut this is space3 not a heated office at the iron +ines.I 9io6 s2ung the ther+ostat control do2n to +ini+u+ 2ith a ?uic- thu+, +o)e+ent. HSun0s 2ar+ enough.I H!he galley isn0t on Sunside.I HIt0ll percolate through3 da+n it.I 9io6 stepped through the door and &ong stared after hi+ for a long +o+ent3 then turned ,ac- to the )ideo. %e did not turn up the ther+ostat. !he picture 2as still flic-ering ,adly3 ,ut it 2ould ha)e to do. &ong folded a chair do2n out of the 2all. %e leaned for2ard 2aiting through the for+al announce+ent3 the +o+entary pause ,efore the slo2 dissolution of the curtain3 the spotlight pic-ing out the 2ell -no2n ,earded figure 2hich gre2 as it 2as ,rought for2ard until it filled the screen. !he )oice3 i+pressi)e e)en through the flutings and croa-ings induced ,y the electron stor+s of t2enty +illions of +iles3 ,eganM H$riendsJ My fello2 citi6ens of Darth...I = 9io60s eye caught the flash of the radio signal as he stepped into the pilot roo+. $or one +o+ent3 the pal+s of his hands gre2 cla++y 2hen it see+ed to hi+ that it 2as a radar pip: ,ut that 2as only his guilt spea-ing. %e should not ha)e left the pilot roo+ 2hile on duty theoretically3 though all Sca)engers did it. Still3 it 2as the standard night+are3 this ,usiness of a stri-e turning up during <ust those fi)e +inutes 2hen one -noc-ed off for a ?uiccoffee ,ecause it see+ed certain that space 2as clear. And the night+are had ,een -no2n to happen3 too. 9io6 thre2 in the +ulti scanner. It 2as a 2aste of po2er3 ,ut 2hile he 2as thin-ing a,out it3 he +ight as 2ell +a-e sure. Space 2as clear e4cept for the far distant echoes fro+ the neigh,oring ships on the sca)enging line. %e hoo-ed up the radio circuit3 and the ,lond3 long nosed head of 9ichard S2enson3 copilot of the ne4t ship on the Mars 2ard side3 filled it. H%ey3 Mario3I said S2enson. H%i. "hat0s ne21I !here 2as a second and a fraction of pause ,et2een that and S2enson0s ne4t co++ent3 since the speed of electro+agnetic radiation is not infinite. H"hat a day I0)e had.( HSo+ething happened1I 9io6 as-ed. HI had a stri-e.I H"ell3 good.I HSure3 if I0d roped it in3I said S2enson +orosely. H"hat happened1I H#a+n it3 I headed in the 2rong direction.I 9io6 -ne2 ,etter than to laugh. %e said3 H%o2 did you do that1I HIt 2asn0t +y fault. !he trou,le 2as the shell 2as +o)ing 2ay out of the ecliptic. Can you i+agine the stupidity of a pilot that can0t 2or- the release +aneu)er decently1 %o2 2as I to -no21 I got the distance of the shell and let it go at that. I <ust assu+ed its or,it 2as in the usual tra<ectory fa+ily. "ouldn0t you1 I started along 2hat I thought 2as a good line of intersection and it 2as fi)e +inutes ,efore I noticed the distance 2as still going up. !he pips 2ere ta-ing their s2eet ti+e returning. So then I too- the angular pro<ections of the thing3 and it 2as too late to catch up 2ith it.I HAny of the other ,oys getting it1I HNo. It0s 2ay out of the ecliptic and0ll -eep on going fore)er. !hat0s not 2hat ,others +e so +uch. It 2as only an inner shell. *ut I hate to tell you ho2 +any tons of propulsion I 2asted getting up speed and then getting ,ac- to station. >ou should ha)e heard Canute.I Canute 2as 9ichard S2enson0s ,rother and partner. HMad3 huh1I said 9io6. HMad1 &i-e to ha)e -illed +eJ *ut then 2e0)e ,een out fi)e +onths no2 and it0s getting -ind of stic-y. >ou -no2.I HI -no2.I H%o2 are you doing3 Mario1I 9io6 +ade a spitting gesture. H A,out that +uch this trip. !2o shells in the last t2o 2ee-s and I had to chase each one for si4 hours.I

H*ig ones1I HAre you -idding1 I could ha)e scaled the+ do2n to (ho,os ,y hand. !his is the 2orst trip I0)e e)er had.I H%o2 +uch longer are you staying1I H$or +y part3 2e can ?uit to+orro2. "e0)e only ,een out t2o +onths and it0s got so I0+ che2ing &ong out all the ti+e.I !here 2as a pause o)er and a,o)e the electro+agnetic lag. S2enson said3 H"hat0s he li-e3 any2ay1 &ong3 I +ean.I 9io6 loo-ed o)er his shoulder. %e could hear the soft3 crac-ly +utter of the )ideo in the galley. HI can0t +a-e hi+ out. %e says to +e a,out a 2ee- after the start of the trip3 /Mario3 2hy are you a Sca)enger10 I <ust loo- at hi+ and say3 /!o +a-e a li)ing. "hy do you suppose10 I +ean3 2hat the hell -ind of a ?uestion is that1 "hy is anyone a Sca)enger1 HAny2ay3 he says3 /!hat0s not it3 Mario.0 0es telling me, you see. %e says3 />ou0re a Sca)enger ,ecause this is part of the Martian 2ay./ H S2enson said3 HAnd 2hat did he +ean ,y that1I 9io6 shrugged. HI ne)er as-ed hi+. 9ight no2 he0s sitting in there listening to the ultra +icro2a)e fro+ Darth. %e0s listening to so+e 5rounder called %ilder.I H%ilder1 A 5rounder politician3 an Asse+,ly+an or so+ething3 isn0t he1I H!hat0s right. At least3 I thin- that0s right. &ong is al2ays doing things li-e that. %e ,rought a,out fifteen pounds of ,oo-s 2ith hi+3 all a,out Darth. Bust plain dead 2eight3 you -no2.I H"ell3 he0s your partner. And tal-ing a,out partners3 I thin- I0ll get ,ac- on the <o,. If I +iss another stri-e3 there0ll ,e +urder around here.I %e 2as gone and 9io6 leaned ,ac-. %e 2atched the e)en green line that 2as the pulse scanner. %e tried the +ultiscanner a +o+ent. Space 2as still clear. %e felt a little ,etter. A ,ad spell is al2ays 2orse if the Sca)engers all a,out you are pulling in shell after shell: if the shells go spiraling do2n to the (ho,os scrap forges 2ith e)eryone0s ,rand 2elded on e4cept your o2n. !hen3 too3 he had +anaged to 2or- off so+e of his resent+ent to2ard &ong. It 2as a +ista-e tea+ing up 2ith &ong. It 2as al2ays a +ista-e to tea+ up 2ith a tenderfoot. !hey thought 2hat you 2anted 2as con)ersation3 especially &ong3 2ith his eternal theories a,out Mars and its great ne2 role in hu+an progress. !hat 2as the 2ay he said it %u+an (rogressM the Martian "ay: the Ne2 Creati)e Minority. And all the ti+e 2hat 9io6 2anted 2asn0t tal-3 ,ut a stri-e3 a fe2 shells to call their o2n. At that3 he hadn0t any choice3 really. &ong 2as pretty 2ell -no2n do2n on Mars and +ade good pay as a +ining engineer. %e 2as a friend of Co++issioner San-o) and he0d ,een out on one or t2o short sca)enging +issions ,efore. >ou can0t turn a fello2 do2n flat ,efore a tryout3 e)en though it did loo- funny. "hy should a +ining engineer 2ith a co+forta,le <o, and good +oney 2ant to +uc- around in space1 9io6 ne)er as-ed &ong that ?uestion. Sca)enger partners are forced too close together to +a-e curiosity desira,le3 or /so+eti+es e)en safe. *ut &ong tal-ed so +uch that he ans2ered the ?uestion. HI had to co+e out here3 Mario3I he said. H!he future of Mars isn0t in the +ines: it0s in space.I 9io6 2ondered ho2 it 2ould it ,e to try a trip alone. D)eryone said it 2as i+possi,le. D)en discounting lost opportunities 2hen one +an had to go off 2atch to sleep or attend to other things3 it 2as 2ell -no2n that one +an alone in space 2ould ,eco+e intolera,ly depressed in a relati)ely short 2hile. !a-ing a partner along +ade a si4 +onth trip possi,le. A regular cre2 2ould ,e ,etter3 ,ut no Sca)enger could +a-e +oney on a ship large enough to carry one. !he capital it 2ould ta-e in propulsion aloneJ D)en t2o didn0t find it e4actly fun in space. @sually you had to change partners each trip and you could stay out longer 2ith so+e than 2ith others. &oo- at 9ichard and Canute S2enson. !hey tea+ed up e)ery fi)e or si4 trips ,ecause they 2ere ,rothers. And yet 2hene)er they did3 it 2as a case of constantly +ounting tension and antagonis+ after the first 2ee-. Oh 2ell. Space 2as clear. 9io6 2ould feel a little ,etter if he 2ent ,ac- in the galley and s+oothed do2n so+e of the ,ic-ering 2ith &ong. %e +ight as 2ell sho2 he 2as an old space hand 2ho too- the irritations of space as they ca+e. %e stood up3 2al-ed the three steps necessary to reach the short3 narro2 corridor that tied together the t2o roo+s of the spaceship. 3 Once again 9io6 stood in the door2ay for a +o+ent3 2atching. &ong 2as intent on the flic-ering screen. 9io6 said gruffly3 HI0+ sho)ing up the ther+ostat. It0s all right 2e can spare the po2er.I

&ong nodded. HIf you li-e.I 9io6 too- a hesitant step for2ard. Space 2as clear3 so to hell 2ith sitting and loo-ing at a ,lan-3 green3 pipless line. %e said3 H"hat0s the 5rounder ,een tal-ing a,out1I H%istory of space tra)el +ostly. Old stuff3 ,ut he0s doing it 2ell. %e0s gi)ing the 2hole 2or-s color cartoons3 tric- photography3 stills fro+ old fil+s3 e)erything.I As if to illustrate &ong0s re+ar-s3 the ,earded figure faded out of )ie23 and a cross sectional )ie2 of a spaceship flitted onto the screen. %ilder0s )oice continued3 pointing out features of interest that appeared in sche+atic color. !he co++unications syste+ of the ship outlined itself in red as he tal-ed a,out it3 the storeroo+s3 the proton +icropile dri)e3 the cy,ernetic circuits... !hen %ilder 2as ,ac- on the screen. H*ut this is only the tra)el head of the ship. "hat +o)es it1 "hat gets it off the Darth1I D)eryone -ne2 2hat +o)ed a spaceship3 ,ut %ilder0s )oice 2as li-e a drug. %e +ade spaceship propulsion sound li-e the secret of the ages3 li-e an ulti+ate re)elation. D)en 9io6 felt a slight tingling of suspense3 though he had spent the greater part of his life a,oard ship. %ilder 2ent on. HScientists call it different na+es. !hey call it the &a2 of Action and 9eaction. So+eti+es they call it Ne2ton0s !hird &a2. So+eti+es they call it Conser)ation of Mo+entu+. *ut 2e don0t ha)e to call it any na+e. "e can <ust use our co++on sense. "hen 2e s2i+3 2e push 2ater ,ac-2ard and +o)e for2ard oursel)es. "hen 2e 2al-3 2e push ,ac- against the ground and +o)e for2ard. "hen 2e fly a gyro fli))er3 2e push air ,ac-2ard and +o)e for2ard. HNothing can +o)e for2ard unless so+ething else +o)es ,ac-2ard. It0s the old principle of />ou can0K get so+ething for nothing.3 HNo2 i+agine a spaceship that 2eighs a hundred thousand tons lifting off Darth. !o do that3 so+ething else +ust ,e +o)ed do2n2ard. Since a spaceship is e4tre+ely hea)y3 a great deal of +aterial +ust ,e +o)ed do2n2ard. So +uch +aterial3 in fact3 that there is no place to -eep it all a,oard ship. A special co+part+ent +ust ,e ,uilt ,ehind the ship to hold it.I Again %ilder faded out and the ship returned. It shran- and a truncated cone appeared ,ehind it. In ,right yello23 2ords appeared 2ithin itM MA!D9IA& !O *D !%9O"N A"A>. H*ut no23I said %ilder3 Hthe total 2eight of the ship is +uch greater. >ou need still +ore propulsion and still +ore.I !he ship shran- enor+ously to add on another larger shell and still another i++ense one. !he ship proper3 the tra)el head3 2as a little dot on the screen3 a glo2ing red dot. 9io6 said3 H%ell3 this is -indergarten stuff.I HNot to the people he0s spea-ing to3 Mario3I replied &ong. HDarth isn0t Mars. !here +ust ,e ,illions of Darth people 2ho0)e ne)er e)en seen a spaceship: don0t -no2 the first thing a,out it.I %ilder 2as saying3 H"hen the +aterial inside the ,iggest shell is used up3 the shell is detached. It0s thro2n a2ay3 too.I !he outer+ost shell ca+e loose3 2o,,led a,out the screen. H!hen the second one goes3I said %ilder3 Hand then3 if the trip is a long one3 the last is e<ected.I !he ship 2as <ust a red dot no23 2ith three shells shifting and +o)ing3 lost in space. %ilder said3 H!hese shells represent a hundred thousand tons of tungsten3 +agnesiu+3 alu+inu+3 and steel. !hey are gone fore)er fro+ Darth. Mars is ringed ,y Sca)engers3 2aiting along the routes of space tra)el3 2aiting for the cast off shells3 netting and ,randing the+3 sa)ing the+ for Mars. Not one cent of pay+ent reaches Darth for the+. !hey are sal)age. !hey ,elong to the ship that finds the+.I 9io6 said3 H"e ris- our in)est+ent and our li)es. If 2e don0t pic- the+ up3 no one gets the+. "hat loss is that to Darth1I H&oo-3I said &ong3 Hhe0s ,een tal-ing a,out nothing ,ut the drain that Mars3 Venus3 and the Moon put on Darth. !his is <ust another ite+ of loss.I H!hey0ll get their return. "e0re +ining +ore iron e)ery year.I HAnd +ost of it goes right ,ac- into Mars. If you can ,elie)e his figures3 Darth has in)ested t2o hundred ,illion dollars in Mars and recei)ed ,ac- a,out fi)e ,illion dollars0 2orth of iron. It0s put fi)e hundred ,illion dollars into the Moon and gotten ,ac- a little o)er t2enty fi)e ,illion dollars of +agnesiu+3 titaniu+3 and assorted light +etals. It0s put fifty ,illion dollars into Venus and gotten ,ac- nothing. And that0s 2hat the ta4payers of Darth are really interested ta4 +oney out3 nothing in.I !he screen 2as filled3 as he spo-e3 2ith diagra+s of the Sca)engers on the route to Mars: little3 grinning caricatures of ships3 reaching3 out 2iry3 tenuous ar+s that groped for the tu+,ling3 e+pty shells3 sei6ing and sna-ing the+ in3 ,randing the+ MA9S (9O(D9!> in glo2ing letters3 then scaling the+ do2n to (ho,os.

!hen it 2as %ilder again. H!hey tell us e)entually they 2ill return it all to us. D)entuallyJ Once they are a going concernJ "e don0t -no2 2hen that 2ill ,e. A century fro+ no21 A thousand years1 A +illion1 /D)entually.0 &et0s ta-e the+ at their 2ord. So+eday they 2ill gi)e us ,ac- all our +etals. So+eday they 2ill gro2 their o2n food3 use their o2n po2er3 li)e their o2n li)es. H*ut one thing they can ne)er return. Not in a hundred +illion years. *ater. HMars has only a tric-le of 2ater ,ecause it is too s+all. Venus has no 2ater at all ,ecause it is too hot. !he Moon has none ,ecause it is too hot and too s+all. So Darth +ust supply not only drin-ing 2ater and 2ashing 2ater for the Spacers3 2ater to run their industries3 2ater for the hydroponic factories they clai+ to ,e setting up ,ut e)en 2ater to thro2a2ay ,y the +illions of tons. H"hat is the propulsi)e force that spaceships use1 "hat is it they thro2 out ,ehind so that they can accelerate for2ard1 Once it 2as the gases generated fro+ e4plosi)es. !hat 2as )ery e4pensi)e. !hen the proton +icropile 2as in)ented a cheap po2er source that could heat up any li?uid until it 2as a gas under tre+endous pressure. "hat is the cheapest and +ost plentiful li?uid a)aila,le1 "hy3 2ater3 of course. HDach spaceship lea)es Darth carrying nearly a +illion tons not pounds3 tons of 2ater3 for the sole purpose of dri)ing it into space so that it +ay speed up or slo2 do2n. HOur ancestors ,urned the oil of Darth +adly and 2illfully. !hey destroyed its coal rec-lessly. "e despise and conde+n the+ for that3 ,ut at least they had this they thought that 2hen the need arose3 su,stitutes 2ould ,e found. And they 2ere right. "e ha)e our plan-ton far+s and our proton +icropiles. H*ut there is no su,stitute for 2ater. NoneJ !here ne)er can ,e. And 2hen our descendants )ie2 the desert 2e 2ill ha)e +ade of Darth3 2hat e4cuse 2ill they find for us1 "hen the droughts co+e and gro2 I &ong leaned for2ard and turned off the set. %e said3 H!hat ,others +e. !he da+n fool is deli,erately 2hat0s the +atter1I 9io6 had risen uneasily to his feet. HI ought to ,e 2atching the pips.I H!he hell 2ith the pips.I &ong got up li-e2ise3 follo2ed 9io6 through the narro2 corridor3 and stood <ust inside the pilot roo+. HIf %ilder carries this through3 if he0s got the guts to +a-e a real issue out of it 'o'.( %e had seen it too. !he pip 2as a Class A3 racing after the outgoing signal li-e a greyhound after a +echanical ra,,it. 9io6 2as ,a,,ling3 HSpace 2as clear3 I tell you3 clear. $or Mars0 sa-e3 !ed3 don0t <ust free6e on +e. See if you can spot it )isually.I 9io6 2as 2or-ing speedily and 2ith an efficiency that 2as the result of nearly t2enty years of sca)enging. %e had the distance in t2o +inutes. !hen3 re+e+,ering S2enson0s e4perience3 he +easured the angle of declination and the radial )elocity as 2ell. %e yelled at &ong3 HOnce point se)en si4 radians. >ou can0t +iss it3 +an.I &ong held his ,reath as he ad<usted the )ernier. HIt0s only half a radian off the Sun3 It0ll only ,e crescent lit.I %e increased +agnification as rapidly as he dared3 2atching for the one HstarI that changed position and gre2 to ha)e a for+3 re)ealing itself to ,e no star. HI0+ starting3 any2ay3I said 9io6. H"e can0t 2ait.I HI0)e got it. I0)e got it.I Magnification 2as still too s+all to gi)e it a definite shape3 ,ut the dot &ong 2atched 2as ,rightening and di++ing rhyth+ically as the shell rotated and caught sunlight on cross sections of different si6es. H%old on.I !he first of +any fine spurts of stea+ s?uirted out of the proper )ents3 lea)ing long trails of +icro crystals of ice glea+ing +istily in the pale ,ea+s of the distant Sun. !hey thinned out for a hundred +iles or +ore. One spurt3 then another3 then another3 as the Sca)enger ship +o)ed out of its sta,le tra<ectory and too- up a course tangential to that of the shell. HIt0s +o)ing li-e a co+et at perihelionJI yelled 9io6. H!hose da+ned 5rounder pilots -noc- the shells off that 2ay on purpose. I0d li-e to I %e s2ore his anger in a frustrated fren6y as he -ic-ed stea+ ,ac-2ard and ,ac-2ard rec-lessly3 till the hydraulic cushioning of his chair had sloughed ,ac- a full foot and &ong had found hi+self all ,ut una,le to +aintain his grip on the guard rail. H%a)e a heart3I he ,egged. *ut 9io6 had his eye on the pips. HIf you can0t ta-e it3 +an3 stay on MarsJI !he stea+ spurts continued to ,oo+ distantly. !he radio ca+e to life. &ong +anaged to lean for2ard through 2hat see+ed li-e +olasses and closed contact. It 2as S2enson3 eyes glaring.

S2enson yelled: H"here the hell are you guys going1 >ou /ll ,e in +y sector in ten seconds.I 9io6 said3 HI0+ chasing a shell. H HIn my sector1I HIt started in +ine and you0re not in position to get it. Shut off that radio3 !ed.I !he ship thundered through space3 a thunder that could ,e heard only 2ithin the hull. And then 9io6 cut the engines in stages large enough to +a-e &ong flail for2ard. !he sudden silence 2as +ore ear shattering than the noise that had preceded it. 9io6 said3 HAll right. &et +e ha)e the 0scope.I !hey ,oth 2atched. !he shell 2as a definite truncated cone no23 tu+,ling 2ith slo2 sole+nity as it passed along a+ong the stars. HIt0s a Class A shell3 all right3I said 9io6 2ith satisfaction. A giant a+ong shells3 he thought. It 2ould put the+ into the ,lac-. &ong said3 H"e0)e got another pip on the scanner. I thin- it0s S2enson ta-ing after us.I 9io6 scarcely ga)e it a glance3 H%e 2on0t catch us.I !he shell gre2 larger still3 filling the )isiplate. 9io60s hands 2ere on the harpoon le)er. %e 2aited3 ad<usted the angle +icroscopically t2ice3 played out the length allot+ent. !hen he yan-ed3 tripping the release. $or a +o+ent3 nothing happened. !hen a +etal +esh ca,le sna-ed out onto the )isiplate3 +o)ing to2ard the shell li-e a stri-ing co,ra. It +ade contact3 ,ut it did not hold. If it had3 it 2ould ha)e snapped instantly li-e a co,2e, strand. !he shell 2as turning 2ith a rotational +o+entu+ a+ounting to thousands of tons. "hat the ca,le did do 2as to set up a po2erful +agnetic field that acted as a ,ra-e on the shell. Another ca,le and another lashed out. 9io6 sent the+ out in an al+ost heedless e4penditure of energy. HI0ll get this oneJ *y Mars3 I0ll get this oneJI "ith so+e t2o do6en ca,les stretching ,et2een ship and shell3 he desisted. !he shell0s rotational energy3 con)erted ,y ,rea-ing into heat3 had raised its te+perature to a point 2here its radiation could ,e pic-ed up ,y the ship0s +eters. &ong said3 H#o you 2ant +e to put our ,rand on1I HSuits +e. *ut you don0t ha)e to if you don0t 2ant to. It0s +y 2atch.I HI don0t +ind.I &ong cla+,ered into his suit and 2ent out the loc-. It 2as the surest sign of his ne2ness to the ga+e that he could count the nu+,er of ti+es he had ,een out in space in a suit. !his 2as the fifth ti+e. %e 2ent out along the nearest ca,le3 hand o)er hand3 feeling the )i,ration of the +esh against the +etal of his +itten. %e ,urned their serial nu+,er in the s+ooth +etal of the shell. !here 2as nothing to o4idi6e the steel in the e+ptiness of space. It si+ply +elted and )apori6ed3 condensing so+e feet a2ay fro+ the energy ,ea+3 turning the surface it touched into gray3 po2dery dullness. &ong s2ung ,ac- to2ard the ship. Inside again3 he too- off his hel+et3 2hite and thic- 2ith frost that collected as soon as he had entered. !he first thing he heard 2as S2enson0s )oice co+ing o)er the radio in this al+ost unrecogni6a,le rage: H...straight to the Co++issioner. #a+n it3 there are rules to this ga+eJI 9io6 sat ,ac-3 un,othered. H&oo-3 it hit +y sector. I 2as late spotting it and I chased it into yours. >ou couldn0t ha)e gotten it 2ith Mars for a ,ac-stop. !hat0s all there is to it you ,ac-3 &ong1I %e cut contact. !he signal ,utton raged at hi+3 ,ut he paid no attention. H%e0s going to the Co++issioner1I &ong as-ed. HNot a chance. %e <ust goes on li-e that ,ecause it ,rea-s the +onotony. %e doesn0t +ean anything ,y it. %e -no2s it0s our shell. And ho2 do you li-e that hun- of stuff3 !ed1I H(retty good.I H(retty good1 It0s terrificJ %old on. I0+ setting it s2inging.H !he side <ets spat stea+ and the ship started a slo2 rotation a,out the shell. !he shell follo2ed it. In thirty +inutes3 they 2ere a gigantic ,olo spinning in e+ptiness. &ong chec-ed the 1!hemeris for the position of #ei+os. At a precisely calculated +o+ent3 the ca,les released their +agnetic field and the shell 2ent strea-ing off tangentially in a tra<ectory that 2ould3 in a day or so3 ,ring it 2ithin pronging distance of the shell stores on the Martian satellite. 9io6 2atched it go. %e felt good. %e turned to &ong. H!his is one fine day for us.I H"hat a,out %ilder0s speech1I as-ed &ong.

H"hat1 "ho1 Oh3 that. &isten3 if I had to 2orry a,out e)ery thing so+e da+ned 5rounder said3 I0d ne)er get any sleep. $orget it.I HI don0t thin- 2e should forget it.I H>ou0re nuts. #on0t ,other +e a,out it3 2ill you1 5et so+e sleep instead.I A !ed &ong found the ,readth and height of the city0s +ain thoroughfare e4hilarating. It had ,een t2o +onths since the Co++issioner had declared a +oratoriu+ on sca)enging and had pulled all ships out of space3 ,ut this feeling of a stretched out )ista had not stopped thrilling &ong. D)en the thought that the +oratoriu+ 2as called pending a decision on the part of Darth to enforce its ne2 insistence on 2ater econo+y3 ,y deciding upon a ration li+it for sca)enging3 did not cast hi+ entirely do2n. !he roof of the a)enue 2as painted a lu+inous light ,lue3 perhaps as an old fashioned i+itation of Darth0s s-y. !ed 2asn0t sure. !he 2alls 2ere lit 2ith the store 2indo2s that pierced it. Off in the distance3 o)er the hu+ of traffic and the sloughing noise of people0s feet passing hi+3 he could hear the inter+ittent ,lasting as ne2 channels 2ere ,eing ,ored into Mars0 crust. All his life he re+e+,ered such ,lastings. !he ground he 2al-ed on had ,een part of solid3 un,ro-en roc- 2hen he 2as ,orn. !he city 2as gro2ing and 2ould -eep on gro2ing if Darth 2ould only let it. %e turned off at a cross street3 narro2er3 not ?uite as ,rilliantly lit3 shop 2indo2s gi)ing 2ay to apart+ent houses3 each 2ith its ro2 of lights along the front facade. Shoppers and traffic ga)e 2ay to slo2er paced indi)iduals and to s?ualling youngsters 2ho had as yet e)aded the +aternal su++ons to the e)ening +eal. At the last +inute3 &ong re+e+,ered the social a+enities and stopped off at a corner 2ater store. %e passed o)er his canteen. H$ill /er up.I !he plu+p store-eeper unscre2ed the cap3 coc-ed an eye into the opening. %e shoo- it a little and let it gurgle. HNot +uch left3I he said cheerfully. HNo3I agreed &ong. !he store-eeper tric-led 2ater in3 holding the nec- of the canteen close to the hose tip to a)oid spillage. !he )olu+e gauge 2hirred. %e scre2ed the cap ,ac- on. &ong passed o)er the coins and too- his canteen. It clan-ed against his hip no2 2ith a pleasing hea)iness. It 2ould ne)er do to )isit a fa+ily 2ithout a full canteen. A+ong the ,oys3 it didn0t +atter. Not as +uch3 any2ay. %e entered the hall2ay of No. =73 cli+,ed a short flight of stairs3 and paused 2ith his thu+, on the signal. !he sound of )oices could ,e heard ?uite plainly. One 2as a 2o+an0s )oice3 so+e2hat shrill. HIt0s all right for you to ha)e your Sca)enger friends here3 isn0t it1 I0+ supposed to ,e than-ful you +anage to get ho+e t2o +onths a year. Oh3 it0s ?uite enough that you spend a day or t2o 2ith +e. After that3 it0s the Sca)engers again. HI0)e ,een ho+e for a long ti+e no23I said a +ale )oice3 Hand this is ,usiness. $or Mars0 sa-e3 let up3 #ora. !hey0ll ,e here soon.I &ong decided to 2ait a +o+ent ,efore signaling. It +ight gi)e the+ a chance to hit a +ore neutral topic. H"hat do I care if they co+e1I retorted #ora. H&et the+ hear +e. And I0d <ust as soon the Co++issioner -ept the +oratoriu+ on per+anently. >ou hear +e1I HAnd 2hat 2ould 2e li)e on1I ca+e the +ale )oice hotly. H>ou tell +e that.I HI0ll tell you. >ou can +a-e a decent3 honora,le li)ing right here on Mars3 <ust li-e e)ery,ody else. I0+ the only one in this apart+ent house that0s a Sca)enger 2ido2. !hat0s 2hat I a+ a 2ido2. I0+ 2orse than a 2ido23 ,ecause if I 2ere a 2ido23 I0d at least ha)e a chance to +arry so+eone else 2hat did you say1I HNothing. Nothing at all.I HOh3 I -no2 2hat you said. No2 listen here3 #ic- S2enson I HI only said3I cried S2enson3 Hthat no2 I -no2 2hy Sca)engers usually don0t +arry.I H>ou shouldn0t ha)e either. I0+ tired of ha)ing e)ery person in the neigh,orhood pity +e and s+ir- and as- 2hen you0re co+ing ho+e. Other people can ,e +ining engineers and ad+inistrators and e)en tunnel ,orers. At least tunnel ,orers0 2i)es ha)e a decent ho+e life and their children don0t gro2 up li-e )aga,onds. (eter +ight as 2ell not ha)e a father I A thin ,oy soprano )oice +ade its 2ay through the door. It 2as so+e2hat +ore distant3 as though it 2ere in another roo+. H%ey3 Mo+3 2hat0s a )aga,ond1I #ora0s )oice rose a notch. H(eterJ >ou -eep your +ind on your ho+e2or-.I S2enson said in a lo2 )oice3 HIt0s not right to tal- this 2ay in front of the -id. "hat -ind of notions 2ill he get a,out +e1I

HStay ho+e then and teach hi+ ,etter notions.I (eter0s )oice called out again. H%ey3 Mo+3 I0+ going to ,e a Sca)enger 2hen I gro2 up.I $ootsteps sounded rapidly. !here 2as a +o+entary hiatus in the sounds3 then a piercing3 HMo+J %ey3 Mo+J &eggo +y earJ "hat did I do1I and a snuffling silence. &ong sei6ed the chance. %e 2or-ed the signal )igorously. S2enson opened the door3 ,rushing do2n his hair 2ith ,oth hands. H%ello3 !ed3I he said in a su,dued )oice. !hen loudly3 H!ed0s here3 #ora. "here0s Mario3 !ed1I &ong said3 H%e0ll ,e here in a 2hile.I #ora ca+e ,ustling out of the ne4t roo+3 a s+all3 dar- 2o+an 2ith a pinched nose3 and hair3 <ust ,eginning to sho2 touches of gray3 co+,ed off the forehead. H%ello3 !ed. %a)e you eaten1I H'uite 2ell3 than-s. I ha)en0t interrupted you3 ha)e I1I HNot at all. "e finished ages ago. "ould you li-e so+e coffee1I HI thin- so.I !ed unslung his canteen and offered it. HOh3 goodness3 that0s all right. "e0)e plenty of 2ater.I HI insist.I H"ell then I *ac- into the -itchen she 2ent. !hrough the s2inging door3 &ong caught a gli+pse of dishes sitting in Secoterg3 the H2aterless cleaner that soa-s up and a,sor,s grease and dirt in a t2in-ling. One ounce of 2ater 2ill rinse eight s?uare feet of dish surface clean as clean. *uy Secoterg. Secoterg <ust cleans it right3 +a-es your dishes shiny ,right3 does a2ay 2ith 2ater 2aste I !he tune started 2hining through his +ind and &ong crushed it 2ith speech. %e said3 H%o20s (ete1I H$ine3 fine. !he -id0s in the fourth grade no2. >ou -no2 I don0t get to see hi+ +uch. "ell sir3 2hen I ca+e ,ac- last ti+e3 he loo-ed at +e and said...I It 2ent on for a 2hile and 2asn0t too ,ad as ,right sayings of ,right children as told ,y dull parents go. !he door signal ,urped and Mario 9io6 ca+e in3 fro2ning and red. S2enson stepped to hi+ ?uic-ly. H&isten3 don0t say anything a,out shell snaring. #ora still re+e+,ers the ti+e you fingered a Class A shell out of +y territory and she0s in one of her +oods no2.I H"ho the hell 2ants to tal- a,out shells1I 9io6 slung off a fur lined <ac-et3 thre2 it o)er the ,ac- of the chair and sat do2n. #ora ca+e through the s2inging door3 )ie2ed the ne2co+er 2ith a synthetic s+ile3 and said3 H%ello3 Mario. Coffee for you3 too1I. H>eah3I he said3 reaching auto+atically for his canteen. HBust use so+e +ore of +y 2ater3 #ora3I said &ong ?uic-ly. H%e0ll o2e it to +e.I H>eah3I said 9io6. H"hat0s 2rong3 Mario1I as-ed &ong. 9io6 said hea)ily3 H5o on. Say you told +e so. A year ago 2hen %ilder +ade that speech3 you told +e so. Say it.I &ong shrugged. 9io6 said3 H!hey0)e set up the ?uota. $ifteen +inutes ago the ne2s ca+e out.I H"ell1I H$ifty thousand tons of 2ater per trip.I H"hat1I yelled S2enson3 ,urning. H>ou can0t get off Mars 2ith fifty thousandJI H!hat0s the figure. It0s a deli,erate piece of gutting. No +ore sca)enging.I #ora ca+e out 2ith the coffee and set it do2n all around. H"hat0s all this a,out no +ore sca)enging1I She sat do2n )ery fir+ly and S2enson loo-ed helpless. HIt see+s3I said &ong3 Hthat they0re rationing us at fifty thousand tons and that +eans 2e can0t +a-e any +ore trips.I H"ell3 2hat of it1I #ora sipped her coffee and s+iled gaily. HIf you 2ant +y opinion3 it0s a good thing. It0s ti+e all you Sca)engers found yoursel)es a nice3 steady <o, here on Mars. I +ean it. It0s no life to ,e running all o)er space I H(lease3 #ora3I said S2enson. 9io6 ca+e close to a snort. #ora raised her eye,ro2s. HI0+ <ust gi)ing +y opinions.I &ong said3 H(lease feel free to do so. *ut I 2ould li-e to say so+ething. $ifty thousand is <ust a detail. "e -no2 that Darth or at least %ilder0s party 2ants to +a-e political capital out of a ca+paign for 2ater econo+y3 so 2e0re in a ,ad hole. "e0)e got to get 2ater so+eho2 or they0ll shut us do2n altogether3 right1I

H"ell3 sure3I said S2enson. H*ut the ?uestion is ho23 right1I HIf it0s only getting 2ater3I said 9io6 in a sudden gush of 2ords3 Hthere0s only one thing to do and you -no2 it. If the 5rounders 2on0t gi)e us 2ater3 2e0ll ta-e it. !he 2ater doesn0t ,elong to the+ <ust ,ecause their fathers and grandfathers 2ere too da+ned sic- yello2 e)er to lea)e their fat planet. "ater ,elongs to people 2here)er they are. "e0re people and the 2ater0s ours3 too. "e ha)e a right to it.I H%o2 do you propose ta-ing it1I as-ed &ong. HDasyJ !hey0)e got oceans of 2ater on Darth. !hey can0t post a guard o)er e)ery s?uare +ile. "e can sindo2n on the night side of the planet any ti+e 2e 2ant3 fill our shells3 then get a2ay. %o2 can they stop us1I HIn half a do6en 2ays3 Mario. %o2 do you spot shells in space up to distances of a hundred thousand +iles1 One thin +etal shell in all that space. %o21 *y radar. #o you thin- there0s no radar on Darth1 #o you thinthat if Darth e)er gets the notion 2e0re engaged in 2aterlegging3 it 2on0t ,e si+ple for the+ to set up a radar net2or- to spot ships co+ing in fro+ space1I #ora ,ro-e in indignantly. HI0ll tell you one thing3 Mario 9io6. My hus,and isn0t going to ,e part of any raid to get 2ater to -eep up his sca)enging 2ith.I HIt isn0t <ust sca)enging3I said Mario. HNe4t they0ll ,e cutting do2n on e)erything else. "e0)e got to stop the+ no2.I H*ut 2e don0t need their 2ater3 any2ay3I said #ora. H"e0re not the Moon or Venus. "e pipe enough 2ater do2n fro+ the polar caps for all 2e need. "e ha)e a 2ater tap right in this apart+ent. !here0s one in e)ery apart+ent on this ,loc-.I &ong said3 H%o+e use is the s+allest part of it. !he +ines use 2ater. And 2hat do 2e do a,out the hydroponic tan-s1I H!hat0s right3I said S2enson. H"hat a,out the hydroponic tan-s3 #ora1 !hey0)e got to ha)e 2ater and it0s a,out ti+e 2e arranged to gro2 our o2n fresh food instead of ha)ing to li)e on the condensed crud they ship us fro+ Darth.I H&isten to hi+3I said #ora scornfully. H"hat do you -no2 a,out fresh food1 >ou0)e ne)er eaten any.I HI0)e eaten +ore than you thin-. #o you re+e+,er those carrots I pic-ed up once1I H"ell3 2hat 2as so 2onderful a,out the+1 If you as- +e3 good ,a-ed proto+eal is +uch ,etter. And healthier3 too. It <ust see+s to ,e the fashion no2 to ,e tal-ing fresh )egeta,les ,ecause they0re increasing ta4es for these hydroponics. *esides3 all this 2ill ,lo2 o)er.I &ong said3 HI don0t thin- so. Not ,y itself3 any2ay. %ilder 2ill pro,a,ly ,e the ne4t Coordinator3 and then things +ay really get ,ad. If they cut do2n on food ship+ents3 too I H"ell3 then3I shouted 9io63 H2hat do 2e do1 I still say ta-e itJ !a-e the 2aterJI HAnd I say 2e can0t do that3 Mario. #on0t you see that 2hat you /re suggesting is the Darth 2ay3 the 5rounder 2ay1 >ou0re trying to hold on to the u+,ilical cord that ties Mars to Darth. Can0t you get a2ay fro+ that1 Can0t you see the Martian 2ay1I HNo3 I can0t. Suppose you tell +e.I HI 2ill3 if you0ll listen. "hen 2e thin- a,out the Solar Syste+3 2hat do 2e thin- a,out1 Mercury3 Venus3 Darth3 Moon3 Mars3 (ho,os3 and #ei+os. !here you are se)en ,odies3 that0s all. *ut that doesn0t represent one percent of the Solar Syste+. "e Martians are right at the edge of the other ninety nine percent. Out there3 farther fro+ the Sun3 there0s un,elie)a,le a+ounts of 2aterJI !he others stared. S2enson said uncertainly3 H>ou +ean the layers of ice on Bupiter and Saturn1I HNot that specifically3 ,ut it is 2ater3 you0ll ad+it. A thousand +ile thic- layer of 2ater is a lot of 2ater.I H*ut it0s all co)ered up 2ith layers of a++onia or or so+ething3 isn0t it?( as-ed S2enson. H*esides3 2e can0t land on the +a<or planets.I HI -no2 that3I said &ong3 H,ut I ha)en0t said that 2as the ans2er. !he +a<or planets aren0t the only o,<ects out there. "hat a,out the asteroids and the satellites1 Vesta is a t2o hundred +ile dia+eter asteroid that0s hardly +ore than a chun- of ice. One of the +oons of Saturn is +ostly ice. %o2 a,out that1I 9io6 said3 H%a)en0t you e)er ,een in space3 !ed1I H>ou -no2 I ha)e. "hy do you as-1I HSure3 I -no2 you ha)e3 ,ut you still tal- li-e a 5rounder. %a)e you thought of the distances in)ol)ed1 !he a)erage asteroid is a hundred t2enty +illion +iles fro+ Mars at the closest. !hat0s t2ice the Venus Mars hop and you -no2 that hardly any liners do e)en that in one <u+p. !hey usually stop off at Darth or the Moon. After all3 ho2 long do you e4pect anyone to stay in space3 +an1I HI don0t -no2. "hat0s your li+it1I H>ou -no2 the li+it. >ou don0t ha)e to as- +e. It0s si4 +onths. !hat0s hand,oo- data. After si4 +onths3 if

you0re still in space3 you0re psychotherapy +eat. 9ight3 #ic-1I S2enson nodded. HAnd that0s <ust the asteroids3I 9io6 2ent on. H$ro+ Mars to Bupiter is three hundred thirty +illion +iles3 and to Saturn it0s se)en hundred +illion. %o2 can anyone handle that -ind of distance1 Suppose you hit standard )elocity or3 to +a-e it e)en3 say you get up to a good t2o hundred -ilo+iles an hour. It 2ould ta-e you let0s see3 allo2ing ti+e for acceleration and deceleration a,out si4 or se)en +onths to get to Bupiter and nearly a year to get to Saturn. Of course3 you could hi-e the speed to a +illion +iles an hour3 theoretically3 ,ut 2here 2ould you get the 2ater to do that1I H5ee3I said a s+all )oice attached to a s+utty nose and round eyes3 HSaturnJI #ora 2hirled in her chair. H(eter3 +arch right ,ac- into your roo+JI HA23 Ma.I H#on0t /A2 Ma0 +e.I She ,egan to get out of the chair3 and (eter scuttled a2ay. S2enson said3 HSay3 #ora3 2hy don0t you -eep hi+ co+pany for a 2hile1 It0s hard to -eep his +ind on ho+e2or- if 2e0re all out here tal-ing.I #ora sniffed o,stinately and stayed put3 HI0ll sit right here until I find out 2hat !ed &ong is thin-ing of. I tell you right no2 I don0t li-e the sound of it.I S2enson said ner)ously3 H"ell3 ne)er +ind Bupiter and Saturn. I0+ sure !ed isn0t figuring on that. *ut 2hat a,out Vesta1 "e could +a-e it in ten or t2el)e 2ee-s there and the sa+e ,ac-. And t2o hundred +iles in dia+eter. !hat0s four +illion cu,ic +iles of iceJI HSo 2hat1I said 9io6. H"hat do 2e do on Vesta1 'uarry the ice1 Set up +ining +achinery1 Say3 do you -no2 ho2 long that 2ould ta-e1I &ong said3 HI0+ tal-ing a,out Saturn3 not Vesta.I 9io6 addressed an unseen audience. HI tell hi+ se)en hundred +illion +iles and he -eeps on tal-ing.I HAll right3I said &ong3 Hsuppose you tell +e ho2 you -no2 2e can only stay in spaQ:Me si4 +onths3 Mario1I HIt0s co++on -no2ledge3 da+n it.I H*ecause it0s in the 0andbook o$ S!ace Flight. It0s data co+piled ,y Darth scientists fro+ e4perience 2ith Darth pilots and space+en. >ou0re still thin-ing 5rounder style. >ou 2on0t thin- the Martian 2ay.I HA Martian +ay ,e a Martian3 ,ut he0s still a +an.I H*ut ho2 can you ,e so ,lind1 %o2 +any ti+es ha)e you fello2s ,een out for o)er si4 +onths 2ithout a ,rea-1I 9io6 said3 H!hat0s different.I H*ecause you0re Martians1 *ecause you0re professional Sca)engers1I HNo. *ecause 2e0re not on a flight. "e can put ,ac- for Mars any ti+e 2e 2ant to.I H*ut you dont 2ant to. !hat0s +y point. Darth+en ha)e tre+endous ships 2ith li,raries of fil+s3 2ith a cre2 of fifteen plus passengers. Still3 they can only stay out si4 +onths +a4i+u+. Martian Sca)engers ha)e a t2o roo+ ship 2ith only one partner. *ut 2e can stic- it out +ore than si4 +onths.I #ora said3 HI suppose you 2ant to stay in a ship for a year and go to Saturn.I H"hy not3 #ora1I said &ong. H"e can do it. #on0t you see 2e can1 Darth+en can0t. !hey0)e got a real 2orld. !hey0)e got open s-y and fresh food3 all the air and 2ater they 2ant. 5etting into a ship is a terri,le change for the+. More than si4 +onths is too +uch for the+ for that )ery reason. Martians are ,een li)ing on a ship our entire li)es. H!hat0s all Mars is a ship. It0s <ust a ,ig ship forty fi)e hundred +iles across 2ith one tiny roo+ in it occupied ,y fifty thousand people. It0s closed in li-e a ship. "e ,reathe pac-aged air and drin- pac-aged 2ater3 2hich 2e repurify o)er and o)er. "e eat the sa+e food rations 2e eat a,oard ship. "hen 2e get into a ship3 it0s the sa+e thing 2e0)e -no2n all our li)es. "e can stand it for a lot +ore than a year if 2e ha)e to.I #ora said3 H#ic-3 too1I H"e all can.I H"ell3 #ic- can0t. It0s all )ery 2ell for you3 !ed &ong3 and this shell stealer here3 this Mario3 to tal- a,out <aunting off for a year. >ou0re not +arried. #ic- is. %e has a 2ife and he has a child and that0s enough for hi+. %e can <ust get a regular <o, right here on Mars. "hy3 +y goodness3 suppose you go to Saturn and find there0s no 2ater there. %o20ll you get ,ac-1 D)en if you had 2ater left3 you0d ,e out of food. It0s the +ost ridiculous thing I e)er heard of.I HNo. No2 listen3I said &ong tightly. HI0)e thought this thing out. I0)e tal-ed to Co++issioner San-o) and he0ll help. *ut 2e0)e got to ha)e ships and +en. I can0t get the+. !he +en 2on0t listen to +e. I0+ green. >ou t2o are -no2n and respected. >ou0re )eterans. If you ,ac- +e3 e)en if you don0t go yoursel)es3 if you0ll <ust help +e

sell this thing to the rest3 get )olunteers I H$irst3I said 9io6 gru+pily3 Hyou0ll ha)e to do a lot +ore e4plaining. Once 2e get to Saturn3 2here0s the 2ater1I H!hat0s the ,eauty of it3I said &ong. H!hat0s 2hy it0s got to ,e Saturn. !he 2ater there is <ust floating around in space for the ta-ing.I C "hen %a+ish San-o) had co+e to Mars3 there 2as no such thing as a nati)e Martian. No2 there 2ere t2o hundred odd ,a,ies 2hose grandfathers had ,een ,orn on Mars nati)e in the third generation. "hen he had co+e as a ,oy in his teens3 Mars had ,een scarcely +ore than a huddle of grounded spaceships connected ,y sealed underground tunnels. !hrough the years3 he had seen ,uildings gro2 and ,urro2 2idely3 thrusting ,lunt snouts up into the thin3 un,reatha,le at+osphere. %e had seen huge storage depots spring up into 2hich spaceships and their loads could ,e s2allo2ed 2hole. %e had seen the +ines gro2 fro+ nothing to a huge gouge in the Martian crust3 2hile the population of Mars gre2 fro+ fifty to fifty thousand. It +ade hi+ feel old3 these long +e+ories they and the e)en di++er +e+ories induced ,y the presence of this Darth+an ,efore hi+. %is )isitor ,rought up those long forgotten scraps of thought a,out a soft 2ar+ 2orld that 2as as -ind and gentle to +an-ind as the +other0s 2o+,. !he Darth+an see+ed fresh fro+ that 2o+,. Not )ery tall3 not )ery lean: in fact3 distinctly plu+p. #arhair 2ith a neat little 2a)e in it3 a neat little +ustache3 and neatly scru,,ed s-in. %is clothing 2as right in style and as fresh and neatly turned as plaste- could ,e. San-o)0s o2n clothes 2ere of Martian +anufacture3 ser)icea,le and clean3 ,ut +any years ,ehind the ti+es. %is face 2as craggy and lined3 his hair 2as pure 2hite3 and his Ada+0s apple 2o,,led 2hen he tal-ed. !he Darth+an 2as Myron #ig,y3 +e+,er of Darth0s 5eneral Asse+,ly. San-o) 2as Martian Co++issioner. San-o) said3 H!his all hits us hard3 Asse+,ly+an.I HIt0s hit +ost of us hard3 too3 Co++issioner.I H@h huh. Can0t honestly say then that I can +a-e it out. Of course3 you understand3 I don0t +a-e out that I can understand Darth 2ays3 for all that I 2as ,orn there. Mars is a hard place to li)e3 Asse+,ly+an3 and you ha)e to understand that. It ta-es a lot of shipping space <ust to ,ring us food3 2ater3 and ra2 +aterials so 2e can li)e. !here0s not +uch roo+ left for ,oo-s and ne2s fil+s. D)en )ideo progra+s can0t reach Mars3 e4cept for a,out a +onth 2hen Darth is in con<unction3 and e)en then no,ody has +uch ti+e to listen. HMy office gets a 2ee-ly su++ary fil+ fro+ (lanetary (ress. 5enerally3 I don0t ha)e ti+e to pay attention to it. May,e you0d call us pro)incial3 and you0d ,e right. "hen so+ething li-e this happens3 all 2e can do is -ind of helplessly loo- at each other.I #ig,y said slo2ly3 H>ou can0t +ean that your people on Mars ha)en0t heard of %ilder0s anti "aster ca+paign.I HNo3 can0t e4actly say that. !here0s a young Sca)enger3 son of a good friend of +ine 2ho died in spaceI San-o) scratched the side of his nec- dou,tfully I2ho +a-es a ho,,y out of reading up on Darth history and things li-e that. %e catches )ideo ,roadcasts 2hen he0s out in space and he listened to this +an %ilder. Near as I can +a-e out that 2as the first tal- %ilder +ade a,out "asters. H!he young fello2 ca+e to +e 2ith that. Naturally3 I didn0t ta-e hi+ )ery serious. I -ept an eye on the (lanetary (ress fil+s for a 2hile after that3 ,ut there 2asn0t +uch +ention of %ilder and 2hat there 2as +ade hi+ out to loo- pretty funny.I H>es3 Co++issioner3I said #ig,y3 Hit all see+ed ?uite a <o-e 2hen it started.I San-o) stretched out a pair of long legs to one side of his des- and crossed the+ at the an-les. HSee+s to +e it0s still pretty +uch of a <o-e. "hat0s his argu+ent1 "e0re using up 2ater. %as he tried loo-ing at so+e figures1 I got the+ all here. %ad the+ ,rought to +e 2hen this co++ittee arri)ed. HSee+s that Darth has four hundred +illion cu,ic +iles of 2ater in its oceans and each cu,ic +ile 2eighs four and a half ,illion tons. !hat0s a lot of 2ater. No2 2e use so+e of that heap in space flight. Most of the thrust is inside Darth0s gra)itational field3 and that +eans the 2ater thro2n out finds its 2ay ,ac- to the oceans. %ilder doesn0t figure that in. "hen he says a +illion tons of 2ater is used up per flight3 he0s a liar. It0s less than a hundred thousand tons. HSuppose3 no23 2e ha)e fifty thousand flights a year. "e don0t3 of course: not e)en fifteen hundred. *ut let0s say there are fifty thousand. I figure there0s going to ,e considera,le e4pansion as ti+e goes on. "ith fifty thousand flights3 one cu,ic +ile of 2ater 2ould ,e lost to space each year. !hat +eans that in a +illion years3 Darth

2ould lose one 2uarter o$ one !ercent of its total 2ater supplyJI #ig,y spread his hands3 pal+s up2ard3 and let the+ drop. HCo++issioner3 Interplanetary Alloys has used figures li-e that in their ca+paign against %ilder3 ,ut you can0t fight a tre+endous3 e+otion filled dri)e 2ith cold +athe+atics. !his +an %ilder has in)ented a na+e3 /"asters.0 Slo2ly he has ,uilt this na+e up into a gigantic conspiracy: a gang of ,rutal3 profit see-ing 2retches raping Darth for their o2n i++ediate ,enefit. H%e has accused the go)ern+ent of ,eing riddled 2ith the+3 the Asse+,ly of ,eing do+inated ,y the+3 the press of ,eing o2ned ,y the+. None of this3 unfortunately3 see+s ridiculous to the a)erage +an. %e -no2s all too 2ell 2hat selfish +en can do to Darth0s resources. %e -no2s 2hat happened to Darth0s oil during the !i+e of !rou,les3 for instance3 and the 2ay topsoil 2as ruined. H"hen a far+er e4periences a drought3 he doesn0t care that the a+ount of 2ater lost in space flight isn0t a droplet in a fog as far as Darth0s o)erall 2ater supply is concerned. %ilder has gi)en hi+ so+ething to ,la+e and that0s the strongest possi,le consolation for disaster. %e isn0t going to gi)e that up for a diet of figures.I San-o) said3 H!hat0s 2here I get pu66led. May,e it0s ,ecause I don0t -no2 ho2 things 2or- on Darth3 ,ut it see+s to +e that there aren0t <ust droughty far+ers there. As near as I could +a-e out fro+ the ne2s su++aries3 these %ilder people are a +inority. "hy is it Darth goes along 2ith a fe2 far+ers and so+e crac-pots that3 egg the+ on1I H*ecause3 Co++issioner3 there are such things as 2orried hu+an ,eings. !he steel industry sees that an era of space flight 2ill stress increasingly the light3 nonferrous alloys. !he )arious +iners0 unions 2orry a,out e4traterrestrial co+petition. Any Darth+an 2ho can0t get alu+inu+ to ,uild a prefa, is certain that it is ,ecause the alu+inu+ is going to Mars. I -no2 a professor of archaeology 2ho0s an anti "aster ,ecause he can0t get a go)ern+ent grant to co)er his e4ca)ations. %e0s con)inced that all go)ern+ent +oney is going into roc-etry research and space +edicine and he resents it.I San-o) said3 H!hat doesn0t sound li-e Darth people are +uch different fro+ us here on Mars. *ut 2hat a,out the 5eneral Asse+,ly1 "hy do they ha)e to go along 2ith %ilder1I #ig,y s+iled sourly. H(olitics isn0t pleasant to e4plain. %ilder introduced this ,ill to set up a co++ittee to in)estigate 2aste in space flight. May,e three fourths or +ore of the 5eneral Asse+,ly 2as against such an in)estigation as an intolera,le and useless e4tension of ,ureaucracy 2hich it is. *ut then ho2 could any legislator ,e against a +ere in)estigation of 2aste1 It 2ould sound as though he had so+ething to fear or to conceal. It 2ould sound as though he 2ere hi+self profiting fro+ 2aste. %ilder is not in the least afraid of +a-ing such accusations3 and 2hether true or not3 they 2ould ,e a po2erful factor 2ith the )oters in the ne4t election. !he ,ill passed. HAnd then there ca+e the ?uestion of appointing the +e+,ers of the co++ittee. !hose 2ho 2ere against %ilder shied a2ay fro+ +e+,ership3 2hich 2ould ha)e +eant decisions that 2ould ,e continually e+,arrassing. 9e+aining on the side lines 2ould +a-e that one that +uch less a target for %ilder. !he result is that I a+ the only +e+,er of the co++ittee 2ho is outspo-enly anti %ilder and it +ay cost +e reelection.I San-o) said3 HI0d ,e sorry to hear that3 Asse+,ly+an. It loo-s as though Mars didn0t ha)e as +any friends as 2e thought 2e had. "e 2ouldn0t li-e to lose one. *ut if %ilder 2ins out3 2hat0s he after3 any2ay1I HI should thin-3I said #ig,y3 Hthat that is o,)ious. %e 2ants to ,e the ne4t 5lo,al Coordinator.I H!hin- he0ll +a-e it1I HIf nothing happens to stop hi+3 he 2ill.I HAnd then 2hat1 "ill he drop this "aster ca+paign then1I HI can0t say. I don0t -no2 if he0s laid his plans past the Co ordinacy. Still3 if you 2ant +y guess3 he couldn0t a,andon the ca+paign and +aintain his popularity. It0s gotten out of hand.I San-o) scratched the side of his nec-. HAll right. In that case3 I0ll as- you for so+e ad)ice. "hat can 2e fol-s on Mars do1 >ou -no2 Darth. >ou -no2 the situation. "e don0t. !ell us 2hat to do.I #ig,y rose and stepped to the 2indo2. %e loo-ed out upon the lo2 do+es of other ,uildings: red3 roc-y3 co+pletely desolate plain in ,et2een: a purple s-y and a shrun-en sun. %e said3 2ithout turning3 H#o you people really li-e it on Mars1I San-o) s+iled. HMost of us don0t e4actly -no2 any other 2orld3 Asse+,ly+an. See+s to +e Darth 2ould ,e so+ething ?ueer and unco+forta,le to the+.I H*ut 2ouldn0t Martians get used to it1 Darth isn0t hard to ta-e after this. "ouldn0t your people learn to en<oy the pri)ilege of ,reathing air under an open s-y1 >ou once li)ed on Darth. >ou re+e+,er 2hat it 2as li-e.I HI sort of re+e+,er. Still3 it doesn0t see+ to ,e easy to e4plain. Darth is <ust there. It fits people and people fit it. (eople ta-e Darth the 2ay they find it. Mars is different. It0s sort of ra2 and doesn0t fit people. (eople got to +a-e so+ething out of it. !hey got to build a 2orld3 and not ta-e 2hat they find. Mars isn0t +uch yet3 ,ut 2e0re ,uilding3 and 2hen 2e0re finished3 2e0re going to ha)e <ust 2hat 2e li-e. It0s sort of a great feeling to -no2 you0re ,uilding a 2orld. Darth 2ould ,e -ind of une4citing after that.I

!he Asse+,ly+an said3 HSurely the ordinary Martian isn0t such a philosopher that he0s content to li)e this terri,ly hard life for the. sa-e of a future that +ust ,e hundreds of generations a2ay.I HNo o3 not <ust li-e that.I San-o) put his right an-le on his left -nee and cradled it as he spo-e. H&i-e I said3 Martians are a lot li-e Darth+en3 2hich +eans they0re sort of hu+an ,eings3 and hu+an ,eings don0t go in for philosophy +uch. Bust the sa+e3 there0s so+ething to li)ing in a gro2ing 2orld3 2hether you thin- a,out it +uch or not. HMy father used to send +e letters 2hen I first ca+e to Mars. %e 2as an accountant and he <ust sort of stayed an accountant. Darth 2asn0t +uch different 2hen he died fro+ 2hat it 2as 2hen he 2as ,orn. %e didn0t see anything happen. D)ery day 2as li-e e)ery other day3 and li)ing 2as <ust a 2ay of passing ti+e until he died3 HOn Mars3 it0s different. D)ery day there0s so+ething ne2 the city0s ,igger3 the )entilation syste+ gets another -ic-3 the 2ater lines fro+ the poles get slic-ed up. 9ight no23 2e0re planning to set up a ne2s fil+ association of our o2n. "e0re going to call it Mars (ress. If you ha)en0t li)ed 2hen things are gro2ing all a,out you3 you0ll ne)er understand ho2 2onderful it feels. HNo3 Asse+,ly+an3 Mars is hard and tough and Darth is a lot +ore co+forta,le3 ,ut see+s to +e if you ta-e our ,oys to Darth3 they0ll ,e unhappy. !hey pro,a,ly 2ouldn0t ,e a,le to figure out 2hy3 +ost of the+3 ,ut they0d feel lost: lost and useless. See+s to +e lots of the+ 2ould ne)er +a-e the ad<ust+ent.I #ig,y turned a2ay fro+ the 2indo2 and the s+ooth3 pin- s-in of his forehead 2as creased into a fro2n. HIn that case3 Co++issioner3 I a+ sorry for you. $or all of you.I H"hy1I H*ecause I don0t thin- there0s anything your people on Mars can do. Or the people on the Moon or Venus. It 2on0t happen no2: +ay,e it 2on0t happen for a year or t2o3 or e)en for fi)e years. *ut pretty soon you0ll all ha)e to co+e ,ac- to Darth3 unless I San-o)0s 2hite eye,ro2s ,ent lo2 o)er his eyes. H"ell1I H@nless you can find another source of 2ater ,esides the planet Darth.I San-o) shoo- his head. H#on0t see+ li-ely3 does it1I HNot )ery.I HAnd e4cept for that3 see+s to you there0s no chance1I HNone at all.I #ig,y said that and left3 and San-o) stared for a long ti+e at nothing ,efore he punched a co+,ination of the local co++uniline. After a 2hile3 !ed &ong loo-ed out at hi+. San-o) said3 H>ou 2ere right3 son. !here0s nothing they can do. D)en the ones that +ean 2ell see no 2ay out. %o2 did you -no21I HCo++issioner3I said &ong3 H2hen you0)e read all you can a,out the !i+e of !rou,les3 particularly a,out the t2entieth century3 nothing political can co+e as a real surprise.I H"ell3 +ay,e. Any2ay3 son3 Asse+,ly+an #ig,y is sorry for us3 ?uite a piece sorry3 you +ight say3 ,ut that0s all. %e says 2e0ll ha)e to lea)e Mars or else get 2ater so+e2here else. Only he thin-s that 2e can0t get 2ater so+e2here else.I H>ou -no2 2e can3 don0t you3 Co++issioner1I HI -no2 2e might, son. It0s a terri,le ris-.I HIf I find enough )olunteers3 the ris- is our ,usiness. H H%o2 is it going1I HNot ,ad. So+e of the ,oys are on +y side right no2. I tal-ed Mario 9io6 into it3 for instance3 and you -no2 he0s one of the ,est.I H!hat0s <ust it the )olunteers 2ill ,e the ,est +en 2e ha)e. I hate to allo2 it.I HIf 2e get ,ac-3 it 2ill ,e 2orth it.I HIfJ It0s a ,ig 2ord3 son.I HAnd a ,ig thing 2e0re trying to do.I H"ell3 I ga)e +y 2ord that if there 2as no help on Darth3 I0ll see that the (ho,os 2ater hole lets you ha)e all the 2ater you0ll need. 5ood luc-.I E %alf a +illion +iles a,o)e Saturn3 Mario 9io6 2as cradled on nothing and sleep 2as delicious. %e ca+e out of it slo2ly and for a 2hile3 alone in his suit3 he counted the stars and traced lines fro+ one to another. At first3 as the 2ee-s fle2 past3 it 2as sca)enging all o)er again3 e4cept for the gna2ing feeling that e)ery

+inute +eant an additional nu+,er of thousands of +iles a2ay fro+ all hu+anity. !hat +ade it 2orse. !hey had ai+ed high to pass out of the ecliptic 2hile +o)ing through the Asteroid *elt. !hat had used up 2ater and had pro,a,ly ,een unnecessary. Although tens of thousands of 2orldlets loo- as thic- as )er+in in t2o di+ensional pro<ection upon a photographic plate3 they are ne)ertheless scattered so thinly through the ?uadrillions of cu,ic +iles that +a-e up their conglo+erate or,it that only the +ost ridiculous of coincidences 2ould ha)e ,rought a,out a collision. Still3 they passed o)er the *elt and so+eone calculated the chances of collision 2ith a frag+ent of +atter large enough to do da+age. !he )alue 2as so lo23 so i+possi,ly lo23 that it 2as perhaps ine)ita,le that the notion of the Hspace floatI should occur to so+eone. !he days 2ere long and +any3 space 2as e+pty3 only one +an 2as needed at the controls at anyone ti+e. !he thought 2as a natural. $irst3 it 2as a particularly daring one 2ho )entured out for fifteen +inutes or so. !hen another 2ho tried half an hour. D)entually3 ,efore the asteroids 2ere entirely ,ehind3 each ship regularly had its off 2atch +e+,er suspended in space at the end of a ca,le. It 2as easy enough. !he ca,le3 one of those intended for operations at the conclusion of their <ourney3 2as +agnetically attached at ,oth ends3 one to the space suit to start 2ith. !hen you cla+,ered out the loc- onto the ship0s hull and attached the other end there. >ou paused a2hile3 clinging to the +etal s-in ,y the electro+agnets in your ,oots. !hen you neutrali6ed those and +ade the slightest +uscular effort. Slo2ly3 e)er so slo2ly3 you lifted fro+ the ship and e)en +ore slo2ly the ship0s larger +ass +o)ed an e?ui)alently shorter distance do2n2ard. >ou floated incredi,ly3 2eightlessly3 in solid3 spec-led ,lac-. "hen the ship had +o)ed far enough a2ay fro+ you3 your gauntleted hand3 2hich -ept touch upon the ca,le3 tightened its grip slightly. !oo tightly3 and you 2ould ,egin +o)ing ,ac- to2ard the ship and it to2ard you. Bust tightly enough3 and friction 2ould halt you. *ecause your +otion 2as e?ui)alent to that of the ship3 it see+ed as +otionless ,elo2 you as though it had ,een painted against an i+possi,le ,ac-ground 2hile the ca,le ,et2een you hung in coils that had no reason to straighten out. It 2as a half ship to your eye. One half 2as lit ,y the light of the fee,le Sun3 2hich 2as still too ,right to loo- at directly 2ithout the hea)y protection of the polari6ed space suit )isor. !he other half 2as ,lac- on ,lac-3 in)isi,le. Space closed in and it 2as li-e sleep. >our suit 2as 2ar+3 it rene2ed its air auto+atically3 it had food and drin- in special containers fro+ 2hich it could ,e suc-ed 2ith a +ini+al +otion of the head3 it too- care of 2astes appropriately. Most of all3 +ore than anything else3 there 2as the delightful euphoria of 2eightlessness. >ou ne)er felt so 2ell in your life. !he days stopped ,eing too long3 they 2eren0t long enough3 and there 2eren0t enough of the+. !hey had passed Bupiter0s or,it at a spot so+e thirty degrees fro+ its then position. $or +onths3 it 2as the ,rightest o,<ect in the s-y3 al2ays e4cepting the glo2ing 2hite pea that 2as the Sun. At its ,rightest3 so+e of the Sca)engers insisted they could +a-e out Bupiter as a tiny sphere3 one side s?uashed out of true ,y the night shado2. !hen o)er a period of additional +onths it faded3 2hile another dot of light gre2 until it 2as ,righter than Bupiter. It 2as Saturn3 first as a dot of ,rilliance3 then as an o)al3 glo2ing splotch. 7H"hy o)al1I so+eone as-ed3 and after a 2hile3 so+eone else said3 Hthe rings3 of course3I and it 2as o,)ious.8 D)eryone space floated at all possi,le ti+es to2ard the end3 2atching Saturn incessantly. 7H%ey3 you <er-3 co+e on ,ac- in3 da+n it. >ou0re on duty.I H"ho0s on duty1 I0)e got fifteen +inutes +ore ,y +y 2atch.H H>ou set your 2atch ,ac-. *esides3 I ga)e you t2enty +inutes yesterday.I H>ou 2ouldn0t gi)e t2o +inutes to your grand+other.I HCo+e on in3 da+n it3 or I0+ co+ing out any2ay.H HAll right3 I0+ co+ing. %oly ho2lers3 2hat a rac-et o)er a lousy +inute.I *ut no ?uarrel could possi,ly ,e serious3 not in space. It felt too good. 8 Saturn gre2 until at last it ri)aled and then surpassed the Sun. !he rings3 set at a ,road angle to their tra<ectory of approach3 s2ept grandly a,out the planet3 only a s+all portion ,eing eclipsed. !hen3 as they approached3 the span of the rings gre2 still 2ider3 yet narro2er as the angle of approach constantly decreased. !he larger +oons sho2ed up in the surrounding s-y li-e serene fireflies. Mario 9io6 2as glad he 2as a2a-e so that he could 2atch again. Saturn filled half the s-y3 strea-ed 2ith orange3 the night shado2 cutting it fu66ily nearly one ?uarter of the 2ay in fro+ the right. !2o round little dots in the ,rightness 2ere shado2s of t2o of the +oons. !o the left and ,ehind hi+ 7he could loo- o)er his left shoulder to see3 and as he did so3 the rest of his ,ody inched slightly to the right to conser)e angular +o+entu+8 2as the 2hite dia+ond of the Sun. Most of all he li-ed to 2atch the rings. At the left3 they e+erged fro+ ,ehind Saturn3 a tight3 ,right triple

,and of orange light. At the right3 their ,eginnings 2ere hidden in the night shado23 ,ut sho2ed up closer and ,roader. !hey 2idened as they ca+e3 li-e the flare of a horn3 gro2ing ha6ier as they approached3 until3 2hile the eye follo2ed the+3 they see+ed to fill the s-y and lose the+sel)es. $ro+ the position of the Sca)enger fleet <ust inside the outer ri+ of the outer+ost ring3 the rings ,ro-e up and assu+ed their true identity as a pheno+enal cluster of solid frag+ents rather than the tight3 solid ,and of light they see+ed. *elo2 hi+3 or rather in the direction his feet pointed3 so+e t2enty +iles a2ay3 2as one of the ring frag+ents. It loo-ed li-e a large3 irregular splotch3 +arring the sy++etry of space3 three ?uarters in ,rightness and the night shado2 cutting it li-e a -nife. Other frag+ents 2ere farther off3 spar-ling li-e star dust3 di++er and thic-er3 until3 as you follo2ed the+ do2n3 they ,eca+e rings once +ore. !he frag+ents 2ere +otionless3 ,ut that 2as only ,ecause the ships had ta-en up an or,it a,out Saturn e?ui)alent to that of the outer edge of the rings. !he day ,efore3 9io6 reflected3 he had ,een on that nearest frag+ent3 2or-ing along 2ith +ore than a score of others to +old it into the desired shape. !o+orro2 he 2ould ,e at it again. !oday today he 2as space floating. HMario1I !he )oice that ,ro-e upon his earphones 2as ?uestioning. Mo+entarily 9io6 2as flooded 2ith annoyance. #a+n it3 he 2asn0t in the +ood for co+pany. HSpea-ing3I he said. HI thought I had your ship spotted. %o2 are you1I H$ine. !hat you3 !ed1I H!hat0s right3I said &ong. HAnything 2rong on the frag+ent1I HNothing. I0+ out here floating. H H>ou1I HIt gets +e3 too3 occasionally. *eautiful3 isn0t it1I HNice3I agreed 9io6. H>ou -no23 I0)e read Darth ,oo-s I H5rounder ,oo-s3 you +ean.I 9io6 ya2ned and found it difficult under the circu+stances to use the e4pression 2ith the proper a+ount of resent+ent. H and so+eti+es I read descriptions of people lying on grass3I continued &ong. H>ou -no23 that green stuff li-e thin3 long pieces of paper they ha)e all o)er the ground do2n there3 and they loo- up at the ,lue s-y 2ith clouds in it. #id you e)er see any fil+s of that1I HSure. It didn0t attract +e. It loo-ed cold.I HI suppose it isn0t3 though. After all3 Darth is ?uite close to the Sun3 and they say their at+osphere is thicenough to hold the heat. I +ust ad+it that personally I 2ould hate to ,e caught under open s-y 2ith nothing on ,ut clothes. Still3 I i+agine they li-e it.I H5rounders are nutsJI H!hey tal- a,out the trees3 ,ig ,ro2n stal-s3 and the 2inds3 air +o)e+ents3 you -no2.I H>ou +ean drafts. !hey can -eep that3 too.I HIt doesn0t +atter. !he point is they descri,e it ,eautifully3 al+ost passionately. Many ti+es I0)e 2ondered3 /"hat0s it really li-e1 "ill I e)er feel it or is this so+ething only Darth+en can possi,ly feel10 I0)e felt so often that I 2as +issing so+ething )ital. No2 I -no2 2hat it +ust ,e li-e. It0s this. Co+plete peace in the +iddle of a ,eauty drenched uni)erse.I 9io6 said3 H!hey 2ouldn0t li-e it. !he 5rounders3 I +ean. !hey0re so used to their o2n lousy little 2orld they 2ouldn0t appreciate 2hat it0s li-e to float and loo- do2n on Saturn.I %e flipped his ,ody slightly and ,egan s2aying ,ac- and forth a,out his center of +ass3 slo2ly3 soothingly. &ong said3 H>es3 I thin- so too. !hey0re sla)es to their planet. D)en if they co+e to Mars3 it 2ill only ,e their children that are free. !here0ll ,e starships so+eday: great3 huge things that can carry thousands of people and +aintain their self contained e?uili,riu+ for decades3 +ay,e centuries. Man-ind 2ill spread through the 2hole 5ala4y. *ut people 2ill ha)e to li)e their li)es out on ship,oard until ne2 +ethods of interstellar tra)el are de)eloped3 so it 2ill ,e Martians3 not planet,ound Darth+en3 2ho 2ill coloni6e the @ni)erse. !hat0s Ine)ita,le. It0s got to ,e. It0s the Martian 2ay.I *ut 9io6 +ade no ans2er. %e had dropped off to sleep again3 roc-ing and s2aying gently3 half a +illion +iles a,o)e Saturn.

7 !he 2or- shift of the ring frag+ent 2as the tail of the coin. !he 2eightlessness3 peace3 and pri)acy of the space float ga)e place to so+ething that had neither peace nor pri)acy3 D)en the 2eightlessness3 2hich continued3 ,eca+e +ore a purgatory than a paradise under the ne2 conditions.. !ry to +anipulate an ordinary nonporta,le heat pro<ector. It could ,e lifted despite the fact that it 2as si4 feet high and 2ide and al+ost solid +etal3 since it 2eighed only a fraction of an ounce. *ut its inertia 2as e4actly 2hat it had al2ays ,een3 2hich +eant that if it 2asn0t +o)ed into position )ery slo2ly3 it 2ould <ust -eep going3 ta-ing you 2ith it. !hen you 2ould ha)e to hi-e the pseudo gra) field of your suit and co+e do2n 2ith a <ar. Lerals-i had hi-ed the field a little too high and he ca+e do2n a little too roughly3 2ith the pro<ector co+ing do2n 2ith hi+ at a dangerous angle. %is crushed an-le had ,een the first casualty of the e4pedition. 9io6 2as s2earing fluently and nearly continuously. %e continued to ha)e the i+pulse to drag the ,ac- of his hand across his forehead in order to 2ipe a2ay the accu+ulating s2eat. !he fe2 ti+es that he had succu+,ed to the i+pulse3 +etal had +et silicone 2ith a clash that rang loudly inside his suit3 ,ut ser)ed no useful purpose. !he desiccators 2ithin the suit 2ere suc-ing at +a4i+u+ and3 of course3 reco)ering the 2ater and restoring ion e4changed li?uid3 containing a careful proportion of salt3 into the appropriate receptacle. 9io6 yelled3 H#a+n it3 #ic-3 2ait till I gi)e the 2ord3 2ill you1I And S2enson0s )oice rang in his ears3 H"ell3 ho2 long a+ I supposed to sit here1I H!ill I say3I replied 9io6. %e strengthened pseudo gra) and lifted the pro<ector a ,it. %e released pseudo gra)3 insuring that the pro<ector 2ould stay in place for +inutes e)en if he 2ithdre2 support altogether. %e -ic-ed the ca,le out of the 2ay 7it stretched ,eyond the close Hhori6onI to a po2er source that 2as out of sight8 and touched the release. !he +aterial of 2hich the frag+ent 2as co+posed ,u,,led and )anished under its touch. A section of the lip of the tre+endous ca)ity he had already car)ed into its su,stance +elted a2ay and a roughness in its contour had disappeared. H!ry it no23I called 9io6. S2enson 2as in the ship that 2as ho)ering nearly o)er 9io60s head. S2enson called3 H All clear1I HI told you to go ahead.I It 2as a fee,le flic-er of stea+ that issued fro+ one of the ship0s for2ard )ents. !he ship drifted do2n to2ard the ring frag+ent. Another flic-er ad<usted a tendency to drift side2ise. It ca+e do2n straight. A third flic-er to the rear slo2ed it to a feather rate. 9io6 2atched tensely. HLeep Hher co+ing. >ou0ll +a-e it. >ou0ll +a-e it.I !he rear of the ship entered the hole3 nearly filling it. !he ,ellying 2alls ca+e closer and closer to its ri+. !here 2as a grinding )i,ration as the ship0s +otion halted. It 2as S2enson0s turn to curse. HIt doesn0t fit3I he said. 9io6 thre2 the pro<ector ground2ard in a passion and 2ent flailing up into space. !he pro<ector -ic-ed up a 2hite crystalline dust all a,out it3 and 2hen 9io6 ca+e do2n under pseudo gra)3 he did the sa+e. %e said3 H>ou 2ent in on the ,ias3 you du+, 5rounder.I HI hit it le)el3 you dirt eating far+er.I *ac-2ard pointing side <ets of the ship 2ere ,lasting +ore strongly than ,efore3 and 9io6 hopped to get out of the 2ay. !he ship scraped up fro+ the pit3 then shot into space half a +ile ,efore for2ard <ets could ,ring it to a halt. S2enson said tensely3 H"e0ll spring half a do6en plates if 2e do this once again. 5et it right3 2ill you1I HI0ll get it right. #on0t 2orry a,out it. Bust you co+e in right.I 9io6 <u+ped up2ard and allo2ed hi+self to cli+, three hundred yards to get an o)erall loo- at the ca)ity. !he gouge +ar-s of the ship 2ere plain enough. !hey 2ere concentrated at one point half2ay do2n the pit. %e 2ould get that. It ,egan to +elt out2ard under the ,la6e of the pro<ector. %alf an hour later the ship snuggled neatly into its ca)ity3 and S2enson3 2earing his space suit3 e+erged to <oin 9io6. S2enson said3 HIf you 2ant to step in and cli+, out of the suit3 I0ll ta-e care of the icing.I HIt0s all right3I said 9io6. HI0d <ust as soon sit here and 2atch Saturn.I %e sat do2n at the lip of the pit. !here 2as a si4 foot gap ,et2een it and the ship. In so+e places a,out the circle3 it 2as t2o feet: in a fe2 places3 e)en +erely a +atter of inches. >ou couldn0t e4pect a ,etter fit out of hand2or-. !he final ad<ust+ent 2ould ,e +ade ,y stea+ing ice gently and letting it free6e into the ca)ity ,et2een the lip and the ship.

Saturn +o)ed )isi,ly across the s-y3 its )ast ,ul- inching ,elo2 the hori6on.I 9io6 said3 H%o2 +any ships are left to put in place1I S2enson said3 H&ast I heard3 it 2as ele)en. "e0re in no23 so that +eans only ten. Se)en of the ones that are placed are iced in. !2o or three are dis+antled.I H"e0re co+ing along fine.I H!here0s plenty to do yet. #on0t forget the +ain <ets at the other end. And the ca,les and the po2er lines. So+eti+es I 2onder if 2e0ll +a-e it. On the 2ay out3 it didn0t ,other +e so +uch3 ,ut <ust no2 I 2as sitting at the controls and I 2as saying3 /"e 2on0t +a-e it. "e0ll sit out here and star)e and die 2ith nothing ,ut Saturn o)er us.0 It +a-es +e feel I %e didn0t e4plain ho2 it +ade hi+ feel. %e <ust sat there. 9io6 said3 H>ou thin- too da+n +uch.I HIt0s different 2ith you3I said S2enson. HI -eep thin-ing of (ete and #ora.I H"hat for1 She said you could go3 didn0t she1 !he Co++issioner ga)e her that tal- on patriotis+ and ho2 you0d ,e a hero and set for life once you got ,ac-3 and she said you could go. >ou didn0t snea- out the 2ay Ada+s did.I HAda+s is different. !hat 2ife of his should ha)e ,een shot 2hen she 2as ,orn. So+e 2o+en can +a-e hell for a guy3 can0t they1 She didn0t 2ant hi+ to go ,ut she0d pro,a,ly rather he didn0t co+e ,ac- if she can get his settle+ent pay.I H"hat0s your -ic-3 then1 #ora 2ants you ,ac-3 doesn0t she1I S2enson sighed. HI ne)er treated her right.I H>ou turned o)er your pay3 it see+s to +e. I 2ouldn0t do that for any 2o+an. Money for )alue recei)ed3 not a cent +ore.I HMoney isn0t it. I get to thin-ing out here. A 2o+an li-es co+pany. A -id needs his father. "hat a+ I doing 2ay out here1I H5etting set to go ho+e.I HAh h3 you don0t understand.I ; !ed &ong 2andered o)er the ridged surface of the ring frag+ent 2ith his spirits as icy as the ground he 2al-ed on. It had all see+ed perfectly logical ,ac- on Mars3 ,ut that 2as Mars. %e had 2or-ed it out carefully in his +ind in perfectly reasona,le steps. %e could still re+e+,er e4actly ho2 it 2ent.. It didn0t ta-e a ton of 2ater to +o)e a ton of ship. It 2as not +ass e?uals +ass3 ,ut +ass ti+eJJ )elocity e?uals +ass ti+es )elocity. It didn0t +atter3 in other 2ords3 2hether you shot out a ton of 2ater at a +ile a second or a hundred pounds of 2ater. at t2enty +iles a second. >ou got the sa+e final )elocity out of the ship. !hat +eant the <et no66les had to ,e +ade narro2er and the stea+ hotter. *ut then dra2,ac-s appeared. !he narro2er the no66le3 the +ore energy 2as lost in friction and tur,ulence. !he hotter the stea+3 the +ore refractory the no66le had to ,e and the shorter its life. !he li+it in that direction 2as ?uic-ly reached. !hen3 since a gi)en 2eight of 2ater could +o)e considera,ly +ore than its o2n 2eight under the narro2 no66le conditions3 it paid to ,e ,ig. !he ,igger the 2ater storage space3 the larger the si6e of the actual tra)el head3 e)en in proportion. So they started to +a-e liners hea)ier and ,igger. *ut then the larger the shell3 the hea)ier the ,racings3 the +ore difficult the 2eldings3 the +ore e4acting the engineering re?uire+ents. At the +o+ent3 the li+it in that direction had ,een reached also. And then he had put his finger on 2hat had see+ed to hi+ to ,e the ,asic fla2 the original uns2er)a,le conception that the fuel had to ,e placed inside the ship: the +etal had to ,e ,uilt to encircle a +illion tons of 2ater. "hy1 "ater did not ha)e to ,e 2ater. It could ,e ice3 and ice could ,e shaped. %oles could ,e +elted into it. !ra)elheads and <ets could ,e fitted into it. Ca,les could hold tra)elheads and <ets stiffly together under the influence of +agnetic field force grips. &ong felt the tre+,ling of the ground he 2al-ed on. %e 2as at the head of the frag+ent. A do6en ships 2ere ,lasting in and out of sheaths car)ed in its su,stance3 and the frag+ent shuddered under the continuing i+pact. !he ice didn0t ha)e to ,e ?uarried. It e4isted in proper chun-s in the rings of Saturn. !hat0s all the rings 2ere pieces of nearly pure ice3 circling Saturn. So spectroscopy stated and so it had turned out to ,e. %e 2as standing on one such piece no23 o)er t2o +iles long3 nearly one +ile thic-. It 2as al+ost half a ,illion tons of 2ater3 all in one piece3 and he 2as standing on it. *ut no2 he 2as face to face 2ith the realities of life. %e had ne)er told the +en <ust ho2 ?uic-ly he had

e4pected to set up the frag+ent as a ship3 ,ut in his heart3 he had i+agined it 2ould ,e t2o days. It 2as a 2ee- no2 and he didn0t dare to esti+ate the re+aining ti+e. %e no longer e)en had any confidence that the tas- 2as a possi,le one. "ould they ,e a,le to control <ets 2ith enough delicacy through leads slung across t2o +iles of ice to +anipulate out of Saturn0s dragging gra)ity1 #rin-ing 2ater 2as lo23 though they could al2ays distill +ore out of the ice. Still3 the food stores 2ere not in a good 2ay either. %e paused3 loo-ed up into the s-y3 eyes straining. *as the o,<ect gro2ing larger1 %e ought to +easure its distance. Actually3 he lac-ed the spirit to add that trou,le to the others. %is +ind slid ,ac- to greater i++ediacies. Morale3 at least3 2as high. !he +en see+ed to en<oy ,eing out Saturn 2ay. !hey 2ere the first hu+ans to penetrate this far3 the first to pass the asteroids3 the first to see Bupiter li-e a glo2ing pe,,le to the na-ed eye3 the first to see Saturn li-e that. %e didn0t thin- fifty practical3 case hardened3 shell snatching Sca)engers 2ould ta-e ti+e to feel that sort of e+otion. *ut they did. And they 2ere proud. !2o +en and a half ,uried ship slid up the +o)ing hori6on as he 2al-ed. %e called crisply3 H%ello3 thereJI 9io6 ans2ered3 H!hat you3 !ed1I H>ou ,et. Is that #ic- 2ith you1I HSure. Co+e on3 sit do2n. "e 2ere <ust getting ready to ice in and 2e 2ere loo-ing for an e4cuse to delay.I HI0+ not3I said S2enson pro+ptly. H"hen 2ill 2e ,e lea)ing3 !ed1I HAs soon as 2e get through. !hat0s no ans2er3 is it1I S2enson said dispiritedly3 HI suppose there isn0t any other ans2er.I &ong loo-ed up3 staring at the irregular ,right splotch in the s-y. 9io6 follo2ed his glance. H"hat0s the +atter1I $or a +o+ent3 &ong did not reply. !he s-y 2as ,lac- other2ise and the ring frag+ents 2ere an orange dust against it. Saturn 2as +ore than three fourths ,elo2 the hori6on and the rings 2ere going 2ith it. %alf a +ile a2ay a ship ,ounded past the icy ri+ of the planetoid into the s-y3 2as orange lit ,y Saturn light3 and san- do2n again. !he ground tre+,led gently. 9io6 said3 HSo+ething ,othering you a,out the Shado21I !hey called it that. It 2as the nearest frag+ent of the rings3 ?uite close considering that they 2ere at the outer ri+ of the rings3 2here the pieces spread the+sel)es relati)ely thin. It 2as perhaps t2enty +iles off3 a <agged +ountain3 its shape clearly )isi,le. H%o2 does it loo- to you1I as-ed &ong. 9io6 shrugged. HO-ay3 I guess. I don0t see anything 2rong.I H#oesn0t it see+ to ,e getting larger1I H"hy should it1I H"ell3 doesn0t it1I &ong insisted. 9io6 and S2enson stared at it thoughtfully. HIt does loo- ,igger3I said S2enson. H>ou0re <ust putting the notion into our +inds3I 9io6 argued. HIf it 2ere getting ,igger3 it 2ould ,e co+ing closer.I H"hat0s i+possi,le a,out that1I H!hese things are sta,le or,its.I H!hey 2ere 2hen 2e ca+e here3I said &ong. H!here3 did you feel that1I !he ground had tre+,led again. &ong said3 H"e0)e ,een ,lasting this thing for a 2ee- no2. $irst3 t2enty fi)e ships landed on it3 2hich changed its +o+entu+ right there. Not +uch3 of course. !hen 2e0)e ,een +elting parts of it a2ay and our ships ha)e ,een ,lasting in and out of it all at one end3 too. In a 2ee-3 2e +ay ha)e changed its or,it <ust a ,it. !he t2o frag+ents3 this one and the Shado23 +ight ,e con)erging.I HIt0s got plenty of roo+ to +iss us in.I 9io6 2atched it thoughtfully. H*esides3 if 2e can0t e)en tell for sure that it0s getting ,igger3 ho2 ?uic-ly can it ,e +o)ing1 9elati)e to us3 I +ean.I HIt doesn0t ha)e to ,e +o)ing ?uic-ly. Its +o+entu+ is as large as ours3 so that3 ho2e)er gently it hits3 2e0ll ,e nudged co+pletely out of our or,it3 +ay,e in to2ard Saturn3 2here 2e don0t 2ant to go. As a +atter of fact3 ice has a )ery lo2 tensile strength3 so that ,oth planetoids +ight ,rea- up into gra)el.I S2enson rose to his feet. H#a+n it3 if I can tell you a shell is +o)ing a thousand +iles a2ay3 I can tell 2hat a +ountain is doing t2enty +iles a2ay.I %e turned to2ard the ship.

&ong didn0t stop hi+. 9io6 said3 H!here0s a ner)ous guy.I !he neigh,oring planetoid rose to 6enith3 passed o)erhead3 ,egan sin-ing. !2enty +inutes later3 the hori6on opposite that portion ,ehind 2hich Saturn had disappeared ,urst into orange fla+e as its ,ul- ,egan lifting again. 9io6 called into his radio3 H%ey3 #ic-3 are you dead in there1I HI0+ chec-ing3I ca+e the +uffled response. HIs it +o)ing1I as-ed &ong. H>es.I H!o2ard us1I !here 2as a pause. S2enson0s )oice 2as a sic- one. HOn the nose3 !ed. Intersection of or,its 2ill ta-e place in three days.I H>ou0re cra6yJI yelled 9io6. HI chec-ed four ti+es3I said S2enson. &ong thought ,lan-ly3 "hat do 2e do no21 9 So+e of the +en 2ere ha)ing trou,le 2ith the ca,les. !hey had to ,e laid precisely: their geo+etry had to ,e )ery nearly perfect for the +agnetic field to attain +a4i+u+ strength. In space3 or e)en in air3 it 2ouldn0t ha)e +attered. !he ca,les 2ould ha)e lined up auto+atically once the <uice 2ent on. %ere it 2as different. A gouge had to ,e plo2ed along the planetoid0s surface and into it the ca,le had to ,e laid. If it 2ere not lined up 2ithin a fe2 +inutes of arc of the calculated direction3 a tor?ue 2ould ,e applied to the entire planetoid3 2ith conse?uent loss of energy3 none of 2hich could ,e spared. !he gouges then had to ,e redri)en3 the ca,les shifted and iced into the ne2 positions. !he +en plodded 2earily through the routine. And then the 2ord reached the+M HAll hands to the <etsJI Sca)engers could not ,e said to ,e the type that too- -indly to discipline. It 2as a gru+,ling3 gro2ling3 +uttering group that set a,out disasse+,ling the <ets of the ships that yet re+ained intact3 carrying the+ to the tail end of the planetoid3 gru,,ing the+ into position3 and stringing the leads along the surface. It 2as al+ost t2enty four hours ,efore one of the+ loo-ed into the s-y and said3 H%oly <eepersJI follo2ed ,y so+ething less printa,le. %is neigh,or loo-ed and said3 HI0ll ,e da+nedJI Once they noticed3 all did. It ,eca+e the +ost astonishing fact in the @ni)erse. H&oo- at the Shado2JI It 2as spreading across the s-y li-e an infected 2ound. Men loo-ed at it3 found it had dou,led its si6e3 2ondered 2hy they hadn0t noticed that sooner. "or- ca+e to a )irtual halt. !hey ,esieged !ed &ong. %e said3 H"e can0t lea)e. "e don0t ha)e the fuel to see us ,ac- to Mars and 2e don0t ha)e the e?uip+ent to capture another planetoid. So 2e0)e got to stay. No2 the Shado2 is creeping in on us ,ecause our ,lasting has thro2n us out of or,it. "e0)e got to change that ,y continuing the ,lasting. Since 2e can0t ,last the front end any +ore 2ithout endangering the ship 2e0re ,uilding3 let0s try another 2ay.I !hey 2ent ,ac- to 2or- on the <ets 2ith a furious energy that recei)ed i+petus e)ery half hour 2hen the Shado2 rose again o)er the hori6on3 ,igger and +ore +enacing than ,efore. &ong had no assurance that it 2ould 2or-. D)en if the <ets 2ould respond to the distant controls3 e)en if the supply of 2ater3 2hich depended upon a storage cha+,er opening directly into the icy ,ody of the planetoid3 2ith ,uilt in heat pro<ectors stea+ing the propulsi)e fluid directly into the dri)ing cells3 2ere ade?uate3 there 2as still no certainty that the ,ody of the planetoid 2ithout a +agnetic ca,le sheathing 2ould hold together under the enor+ously disrupti)e stresses. H9eadyJI ca+e the signal in &ong0s recei)er. &ong called3 H9eadyJI and depressed the contact. !he )i,ration gre2 a,out hi+. !he star field in the )isiplate tre+,led. In the rear)ie23 there 2as a distant glea+ing spu+e of s2iftly +o)ing ice crystals. HIt0s ,lo2ingJI 2as the cry. It -ept on ,lo2ing. &ong dared not stop. $or si4 hours3 it ,le23 hissing3 ,u,,ling3 stea+ing into space: the ,ody of the planetoid con)erted to )apor and hurled a2ay.

!he Shado2 ca+e closer until +en did nothing ,ut stare at the +ountain in the s-y3 surpassing Saturn itself in spectacularity. Its e)ery groo)e and )alley 2as a plain scar upon its face. *ut 2hen it passed through the planetoid0s or,it3 it crossed +ore than half a +ile ,ehind its then position. !he stea+ <et ceased. &ong ,ent in his seat and co)ered his eyes. %e hadn0t eaten in t2o days. %e could eat no23 though. Not another planetoid 2as close enough to interrupt the+3 e)en if it ,egan an approach that )ery +o+ent. *ac- on the planetoid0s surface3 S2enson said3 H All the ti+e I 2atched that da+ned roc- co+ing do2n3 I -ept saying to +yself3 /!his can0t happen. "e can0t let it happen.0I H%ell3I said 9io63 H2e 2ere all ner)ous. #id you see Bi+ #a)is1 %e 2as green. I 2as a little <u+py +yself.I H!hat0s not it. It 2asn0t <ust dying3 you -no2. I 2as thin-ing I -no2 it0s funny3 ,ut I can0t help it I 2as thin-ing that #ora 2arned +e I0d get +yself -illed3 she0ll ne)er let +e hear the last of it. Isn0t that a cru++y sort of attitude at a ti+e li-e that1I H&isten3I said 9io63 Hyou 2anted to get +arried3 so you got +arried. "hy co+e to +e 2ith your trou,les1I 1G !he flotilla3 2elded into a single unit3 2as returning o)er its +ighty course fro+ Saturn to Mars. Dach day it flashed o)er a length of space it had ta-en nine days out2ard. !ed &ong had put the entire cre2 on e+ergency. "ith t2enty fi)e ships e+,edded in the planetoid ta-en out of Saturn0s rings and una,le to +o)e or +aneu)er independently3 the coordination of their po2er sources into unified ,lasts 2as a tic-lish pro,le+. !he <arring that too- place on the first day of tra)el nearly shoo- the+ out fro+ under their hair. !hat3 at least3 s+oothed itself out as the )elocity raced up2ard under the steady thrust fro+ ,ehind. !hey passed the one hundred thousand +ile an hour +ar- late on the second day3 and cli+,ed steadily to2ard the +illion +ile +ar- and ,eyond. &ong0s ship3 2hich for+ed the needle point of the fro6en fleet3 2as the only one 2hich possessed a fi)e 2ay )ie2 of space. It 2as an unco+forta,le position under the circu+stances. &ong found hi+self 2atching tensely3 i+agining so+eho2 that the stars 2ould slo2ly ,egin to slip ,ac-2ard3 to 2hi66 past the+3 under the influence of the +ulti ship0s tre+endous rate of tra)el. !hey didn0t3 of course. !hey re+ained nailed to the ,lac- ,ac-drop3 their distance scorning 2ith patient i++o,ility any speed +ere +an could achie)e. !he +en co+plained ,itterly after the first fe2 days. It 2as not only that they 2ere depri)ed of the space float. !hey 2ere ,urdened ,y +uch +ore than the ordinary pseudo gra)ity field of the ships3 ,y the effects of the fierce acceleration under 2hich they 2ere li)ing. &ong hi+self 2as 2eary to death of the relentless pressure against hydraulic cushions. !hey too- to shutting off the <et thrusts one hour out of e)ery four and &ong fretted. It had ,een <ust o)er a year that he had last seen Mars shrin-ing in an o,ser)ation 2indo2 fro+ this ship3 2hich had then ,een an independent entity. "hat had happened since then1 "as the colony still there1 In so+ething li-e a gro2ing panic3 &ong sent out radio pulses to2ard Mars daily3 2ith the co+,ined po2er of t2enty fi)e ships ,ehind it. !here 2as no ans2er. %e e4pected none. Mars and Saturn 2ere on opposite sides of the Sun no23 and until he +ounted high enough a,o)e the ecliptic to get the Sun 2ell ,eyond the line connecting hi+self and Mars3 solar interference 2ould pre)ent any signal fro+ getting through. %igh a,o)e the outer ri+ of the Asteroid *elt3 they reached +a4i+u+ )elocity. "ith short spurts of po2er fro+ first one side <et3 then another3 the huge )essel re)ersed itself. !he co+posite <et in the rear ,egan its +ighty roaring once again3 ,ut no2 the result 2as deceleration. !hey passed a hundred +illion +iles o)er the Sun3 cur)ing do2n to intersect the or,it of Mars. A 2ee- out of Mars3 ans2ering signals 2ere heard for the first ti+e3 frag+entary3 ether torn3 and inco+prehensi,le3 ,ut they 2ere co+ing fro+ Mars. Darth and Venus 2ere at angles sufficiently different to lea)e no dou,t of that. &ong rela4ed. !here 2ere still hu+ans on Mars3 at any rate. !2o days out of Mars3 the signal 2as strong and clear and San-o) 2as at the other end. San-o) said3 H%ello3 son. It0s three in the +orning here. See+s li-e people ha)e no consideration for an old +an. #ragged +e right out of ,ed.I HI0+ sorry3 sir.I

H#on0t ,e. !hey 2ere follo2ing orders. I0+ afraid to as-3 son. Anyone hurt1 May,e dead1I HNo deaths3 sir. Not one.I HAnd and the 2ater1 Any left1I &ong said 2ith an effort at nonchalance3 HDnough.I HIn that case3 get ho+e as fast as you can. #on0t ta-e any chances3 of course.I H!here0s trou,le3 then.I H$air to +iddling. "hen 2ill you co+e do2n1I H!2o days. Can you hold out that long1I HI0ll hold out.I $orty hours later Mars had gro2n to a ruddy orange ,all that filled the ports and they 2ere in the final planet landing spiral. HSlo2ly3I &ong said to hi+self3 Hslo2ly.I @nder these conditions3 e)en the thin at+osphere of Mars could do dreadful da+age if they +o)ed through it too ?uic-ly. Since they ca+e in fro+ 2ell a,o)e the ecliptic3 their spiral passed fro+ north to south. A polar cap shot 2hitely ,elo2 the+3 then the +uch s+aller one of the su++er he+isphere3 the large one again3 the s+all one3 at longer and longer inter)als. !he planet approached closer3 the landscape ,egan to sho2 features. H(repare for landingJI called &ong. 11 San-o) did his ,est to loo- placid3 2hich 2as difficult considering ho2 closely the ,oys had sha)ed their return. *ut it had 2or-ed out 2ell enough. @ntil a fe2 days ,efore3 he had no sure -no2ledge that they had sur)i)ed. It see+ed +ore li-ely ine)ita,le3 al+ost that they 2ere nothing ,ut fro6en corpses so+e2here in the trac-less stretches fro+ Mars to Saturn3 ne2 planetoids that had once ,een ali)e. !he Co++ittee had ,een dic-ering 2ith hi+ for 2ee-s ,efore the ne2s had co+e. !hey had insisted on his signature to the paper for the sa-e of appearances. It 2ould loo- li-e an agree+ent3 )oluntarily and +utually arri)ed at. *ut San-o) -ne2 2ell that3 gi)en co+plete o,stinacy on his part3 they 2ould act unilaterally and ,e da+ned 2ith appearances. It see+ed fairly certain that %ilder0s election 2as secure no2 and they 2ould ta-e the chance of arousing a reaction of sy+pathy for Mars. So he dragged out the negotiations3 dangling ,efore the+ al2ays the possi,ility of surrender. And then he heard fro+ &ong and concluded the deal ?uic-ly. !he papers had lain ,efore hi+ and he had +ade a last state+ent for the ,enefit of the reporters 2ho 2ere present. %e said3 H!otal i+ports of 2ater fro+ Darth are t2enty +illion tons a year. !his is declining as 2e de)elop our o2n piping syste+. If I sign this paper agreeing to an e+,argo3 our industry 2ill ,e paraly6ed3 any possi,ilities of e4pansion 2ill halt. It loo-s to +e as if that can0t ,e 2hat0s in Darth0s +ind3 can it1I !heir eyes +et his and held only a hard glitter. Asse+,ly+an #ig,y had already ,een replaced and they 2ere unani+ous against hi+. !he Co++ittee Chair+an i+patiently pointed out3 H>ou ha)e said all this ,efore.I HI -no23 ,ut right no2 I0+ -ind of getting ready to sign and I 2ant it clear in +y head. Is Darth set and deter+ined to ,ring us to an end here1I HOf course not. Darth is interested in conser)ing its irreplacea,le 2ater supply3 nothing else.I H>ou ha)e one and a half ?uintillion tons of 2ater on Darth.I !he Co++ittee Chair+an said3 H"e cannot spare 2ater.I And San-o) had signed. !hat had ,een the final note he 2anted. Darth had one and a half ?uintillion tons of 2ater and could spare none of it. No23 a day and a half later3 the Co++ittee and the reporters 2aited in the spaceport do+e. !hrough thic-3 cur)ing 2indo2s3 they could see the ,are and e+pty grounds of Mars Spaceport. !he Co++ittee Chair+an as-ed 2ith annoyance3 H%o2 +uch longer do 2e ha)e to 2ait1 And3 if you don0t +ind3 2hat are 2e 2aiting for1I San-o) said3 HSo+e of our ,oys ha)e ,een out in space3 out past the asteroids.I !he Co++ittee Chair+an re+o)ed a pair of spectacles and cleaned the+ 2ith a sno2y 2hite hand-erchief. H And they0re returning1I H!hey are.I

!he Chair+an shrugged3 lifted his eye,ro2s in the direction of the reporters. In the s+aller roo+ ad<oining3 a -not of 2o+en and children clustered a,out another 2indo2. San-o) stepped ,ac- a ,it to cast a glance to2ard the+. %e 2ould +uch rather ha)e ,een 2ith the+3 ,een part of their e4cite+ent and tension. %e3 li-e the+3 had 2aited o)er a year no2. %e3 li-e the+3 had thought3 o)er and o)er again3 that the +en +ust ,e dead. H>ou see that1I said San-o)3 pointing. H%eyJI cried a reporter. HIt0s a shipJI A confused shouting ca+e fro+ the ad<oining roo+. It 2asn0t a ship so +uch as a ,right dot o,scured ,y a drifting 2hite cloud. !he cloud gre2 larger and ,egan to ha)e for+. It 2as a dou,le strea- against the s-y3 the lo2er ends ,illo2ing out and up2ard again. As it dropped still closer3 the ,right dot at the upper end too- on a crudely cylindrical for+. It 2as rough and craggy3 ,ut 2here the sunlight hit3 ,rilliant highlights ,ounced ,ac-. !he cylinder dropped to2ard the ground 2ith the ponderous slo2ness characteristic of space )essels. It hung suspended on those ,lasting <ets and settled do2n upon the recoil of tons of +atter hurling do2n2ard li-e a tired +an dropping into his easy chair. And as it did so3 a silence fell upon all 2ithin the do+e. !he 2o+en and children in one roo+3 the politicians and reporters in the other re+ained fro6en3 heads craned incredulously up2ard. !he cylinder0s landing flanges3 e4tending far ,elo2 the t2o rear <ets3 touched ground and san- into the pe,,ly +orass. And then the ship 2as +otionless and the <et action ceased. *ut the silence continued in the do+e. It continued for a long ti+e. Men ca+e cla+,ering do2n the sides of the i++ense )essel3 inching do2n3 do2n the t2o +ile tre- to the ground3 2ith spi-es on their shoes and ice a4es in their hands. !hey 2ere gnats against the ,linding surface. One of the reporters croa-ed3 H"hat is it1I H!hat3I said San-o) cal+ly3 Hhappens to ,e a chun- of +atter that spent its ti+e scooting around Saturn as part of its rings. Our ,oys fitted it out 2ith tra)el head and <ets and ferried it ho+e. It <ust turns out the frag+ents in Saturn0s rings are +ade up out of ice.I %e spo-e into a continuing deathli-e silence. H!hat thing that loo-s li-e a spaceship is <ust a +ountain of hard 2ater. If it 2ere standing li-e that on Darth3 it 2ould ,e +elting into a puddle and +ay,e it 2ould ,rea- under its o2n 2eight. Mars is colder and has less gra)ity3 so there0s no such danger. HOf course3 once 2e get this thing really organi6ed3 2e can ha)e 2ater stations on the +oons of Saturn and Bupiter and on the asteroids. "e can scale in chun-s of Saturn0s rings and pic- the+ up and send the+ on at the )arious stations. Our Sca)engers are good at that sort of thing. H"e0ll ha)e all the 2ater 2e need. !hat one chun- you see is <ust under a cu,ic +ile or a,out 2hat Darth 2ould send us in t2o hundred years. !he ,oys used ?uite a ,it of it co+ing ,ac- fro+ Saturn. !hey +ade it in fi)e 2ee-s3 they tell +e3 and used up a,out a hundred +illion tons. *ut3 &ord3 that didn0t +a-e any dent at all in that +ountain. Are you getting all this3 ,oys1I %e turned to the reporters. !here 2as no dou,t they 2ere getting it. %e said3 H!hen get this3 too. Darth is 2orried a,out its 2ater supply. It only has one and a half ?uintillion tons. It can0t spare us a single ton out of it. "rite do2n that 2e fol-s on Mars are 2orried a,out Darth and don0t 2ant anything to happen to Darth people. "rite do2n that 2e0ll sell 2ater to Darth. "rite do2n that 2e0ll let the+ ha)e +illion ton lots for a reasona,le fee. "rite do2n that in ten years3 2e figure 2e can sell it in cu,ic +ile lots. "rite do2n that Darth can ?uit 2orrying ,ecause Mars can sell it all the 2ater it needs and 2ants.I !he Co++ittee Chair+an 2as past hearing. %e 2as feeling the future rushing in. #i+ly he could see the reporters grinning as they 2rote furiously. Grinning. %e could hear the grin ,eco+e laughter on Darth as Mars turned the ta,les so neatly on the anti "asters. %e could hear the laughter thunder fro+ e)ery continent 2hen 2ord of the fiasco spread. And he could see the a,yss3 deep and ,lac- as space3 into 2hich 2ould drop fore)er the political hopes of Bohn %ilder and of e)ery opponent of space flight left on Darth his o2n included3 of course. In the ad<oining roo+3 #ora S2enson screa+ed 2ith <oy3 and (eter3 gro2n t2o inches3 <u+ped up and do2n3 calling3 H#addyJ #addyJI 9ichard S2enson had <ust stepped off the e4tre+ity of the flange and3 face sho2ing clearly through the clear silicone of the headpiece3 +arched to2ard the do+e. H#id you e)er see a guy loo- so happy1I as-ed !ed &ong. HMay,e there0s so+ething in this +arriage ,usiness.I HAh3 you0)e <ust ,een out in space too long3I 9io6 said.

The Dee
In the end3 any particular planet +ust die. It +ay ,e a ?uic- death as its sun e4plodes. It +ay ,e a slo2 death3 as its sun sin-s into decay and its oceans loc- in ice. In the latter case3 at least3 intelligent life has a chance of sur)i)al. !he direction of sur)i)al +ay ,e out2ard into space3 to a planet closer to the cooling sun or to a planet of another sun altogether. !his particular a)enue is closed if the planet is unfortunate enough to ,e the only significant ,ody rotating a,out its pri+ary and if3 at the ti+e3 no other star is 2ithin half a thousand light years. !he direction of sur)i)al +ay ,e in2ard3 into the crust of the planet. !his is al2ays a)aila,le. A ne2 ho+e can ,e ,uilt underground and the heat of the planet0s core can ,e tapped for energy. !housands of years +ay ,e necessary for the tas-3 ,ut a dying sun cools slo2ly. *ut planetary 2ar+th dies3 too3 2ith ti+e. *urro2s +ust ,e dug deeper and deeper until the planet is dead through and through. !he ti+e 2as co+ing. On the surface of the planet3 2isps of neon ,le2 listlessly3 ,arely a,le to stir the pools of o4ygen that collected in the lo2lands. Occasionally3 during the long day3 the crusted sun 2ould flare ,riefly into a dull red glo2 and the o4ygen pools 2ould ,u,,le a little. #uring the long. night3 a ,lue 2hite o4ygen frost for+ed o)er the pools and on the ,are roc-3 a neon de2 for+ed. Dight hundred +iles ,elo2 the surface3 a last ,u,,le of 2ar+th and life e4isted. = "enda0s relationship to 9oi 2as as close as one could i+agine3 closer ,y far than it 2as decent for her to -no2. She had ,een allo2ed to enter the o)ariu+ only once in her life and it had ,een +ade ?uite clear to her that it 'as to ,e only that once. !he 9aceologist had said3 H>ou don0t ?uite +eet the standards3 "enda3 ,ut you are fertile and 2e0ll try you once. It +ay 2or- out.I She 2anted it to 2or- out. She 2anted it desperately. 'uite early in her life she had -no2n that she 2as deficient in intelligence3 that she 2ould ne)er ,e +ore than a Manual. It e+,arrassed her that she should fail the 9ace and she longed for e)en a single chance to help create another ,eing. It ,eca+e an o,session. She secreted her egg in an angle of the structure and then returned to 2atch. !he Hrando+ingI process that +o)ed the eggs gently a,out during +echanical inse+ination 7to insure e)en gene distri,ution8 did not3 ,y so+e good fortune3 do +ore than +a-e her o2n 2edged in egg 2o,,le a ,it. @no,trusi)ely she +aintained her 2atch during the period of +aturation3 o,ser)ed the little one 2ho e+erged fro+ the particular egg that 2as hers3 noted his physical +ar-ings3 2atched hi+ gro2. %e 2as a healthy youngster and the 9aceologist appro)ed of hi+. She had said once3 )ery casually3 H&oo- at that one3 the one sitting there. Is he sic-1I H"hich one1I !he 9aceologist 2as startled. Visi,ly sic- infants at this stage 2ould ,e a strong reflection upon his o2n co+petence. H>ou +ean 9oi1I Nonsense. I 2ish all our young 2ere li-e that one.I At first3 she 2as only pleased 2ith herself3 then frightened3 finally horrified. She found herself haunting the youngster3 ta-ing an interest in his schooling3 2atching hi+ at play. She 2as happy 2hen he 2as near3 dull and unhappy other2ise. She had ne)er heard of such a thing3 and she 2as asha+ed. She should ha)e )isited the Mentalist3 ,ut she -ne2 ,etter. She 2as not so dull as not to -no2 that this 2as not a +ild a,erration to ,e cured at the t2itch of a ,rain cell. It 2as a truly psychotic +anifestation. She 2as certain of that. !hey 2ould confine her if they found out. !hey 2ould euthanase her3 perhaps3 as a useless drain on the strictly li+ited energy a)aila,le to the race. !hey +ight e)en euthanase the0 offspring of her egg if they found out 2ho it 2as. She fought the a,nor+ality through the years and3 to a +easure3 succeeded. !hen she first heard the ne2s that 9oi had ,een chosen for the long trip and 2as filled 2ith aching +isery. She follo2ed hi+ to one of the e+pty corridors of the ca)ern3 so+e +iles fro+ the city center. The cityJ !here 2as only one. !his particular ca)ern had ,een closed do2n 2ithin "enda0s o2n +e+ory. !he Dlders had paced its length3

considered its population and the energy necessary to -eep it po2ered3 then decided to dar-en it. !he population3 not +any to ,e sure3 had ,een +o)ed closer to2ard the center and the ?uota for the ne4t session at the o)ariu+ had ,een cut. "enda found 9oi0s con)ersational le)el of thin-ing shallo23 as though +ost of his +ind had dra2n in2ard conte+plati)ely. Are you afraid1 she thought at hi+. *ecause I co+e out here to thin-1 %e hesitated a little3 then said3 H>es3 I a+. It0s the 9ace0s last chance. If I fail I Are you afraid for yourself1 %e loo-ed at her in astonish+ent and "enda0s thought strea+ fluttered 2ith sha+e at her indecency. She said3 HI 2ish I 2ere going instead.I 9oi said3 H#o you thin- you can do a ,etter <o,1I HOh3 no. *ut if I 2ere to fail and and ne)er co+e ,ac-3 it 2ould ,e a s+aller loss to the 9ace.I H!he loss is all the sa+e3I he said stolidly3 H2hether it0s you or I. !he loss is 9acial e4istence.I 9acial e4istence at the +o+ent 2as in the ,ac-ground of "enda0s +ind3 if any2here. She sighed. H!he trip is such a long one.I H%o2 long1I he as-ed 2ith a s+ile. H#o you -no21I She hesitated. She dared not appear stupid to hi+. She said pri+ly3 H!he co++on tal- is that it is to the $irst &e)el.I "hen "enda had ,een little and the heated corridors had e4tended further out of the city3 she had 2andered out3 e4ploring as youngsters 2ill. One day3 a long distance out3 2here the chill in the air nipped at her3 she ca+e to a hall that slanted up2ard ,ut 2as ,loc-ed al+ost instantly ,y a tre+endous plug3 2edged tightly fro+ top to ,otto+ and side to side. On the other side and up2ard3 she had learned a long ti+e later3 lay the Se)enty ninth &e)el: a,o)e that the Se)enty eighth and so on. H"e0re going past the $irst &e)el3 "enda.I H*ut there0s nothing past the $irst &e)el.I H>ou0re right. Nothing. All the solid +atter of the planet co+es to an end.I H*ut ho2 can there ,e anything that0s nothing1 >ou +ean air1I HNo3 I +ean nothing. Vacuu+. >ou -no2 2hat )acuu+ is3 don0t your0 H>es. *ut )acuu+s ha)e to ,e pu+ped and -ept airtight.I H!hat0s good for Maintenance. Still3 past the $irst &e)el is <ust an indefinite a+ount of )acuu+ stretching e)ery2here.I "enda thought a2hile. She said3 H%as anyone e)er ,een there1I HOf course not. *ut 2e ha)e the records.I HMay,e the records are 2rong.I H!hey can0t ,e. #o you -no2 ho2 +uch space I0+ going to cross1I "enda0s thought strea+ indicated an o)er2hel+ing negati)e. 9oi said3 H>ou -no2 the speed of light3 I suppose.I HOf course3I she replied readily. It 2as a uni)ersal constant. Infants -ne2 it. HOne thousand nine hundred and fifty four ti+es the length of the ca)ern and ,ac- in one second.I H9ight3I said 9oi3 H,ut if light 2ere to tra)el along the distance I0+ to cross3 it 2ould ta-e it ten years.I "enda said3 H>ou0re +a-ing fun of +e. >ou0re trying to frighten +e.I H"hy should it frighten you1I %e rose. I*ut I0)e ,een +oping here long enough I $or a +o+ent3 one of his si4 grasping li+,s rested lightly in one of hers3 2ith an o,<ecti)e3 i+passi)e friendship. An irrational i+pulse urged "enda to sei6e it tightly3 pre)ent hi+ fro+ lea)ing. She panic-ed for a +o+ent in fear that he +ight pro,e her +ind past the con)ersational le)el3 that he +ight sic-en and ne)er face her again3 that he +ight e)en report her for treat+ent. !hen she rela4ed. 9oi 2as nor+al3 not sic- li-e herself. %e 2ould ne)er drea+ of penetrating a friend0s +ind any deeper than the con)ersational le)el3 2hate)er the pro)ocation. %e 2as )ery handso+e in her eyes as he 2al-ed a2ay. %is grasping li+,s 2ere straight and strong3 his prehensile3 +anipulati)e )i,rissae 2ere nu+erous and delicate and his optic patches 2ere +ore ,eautifully opalescent than any she had e)er seen. 3

&aura settled do2n in her seat. %o2 soft and co+forta,le they +ade the+. %o2 pleasing and unfrightening airplanes 2ere on the inside3 ho2 different fro+ the hard3 sil)ery3 inhu+an luster of the outside. !he ,assinet 2as on the seat ,eside her. She peeped in past the ,lan-et and the tiny3 ruffled cap. "alter 2as sleeping. %is face 2as the ,lan-3 round softness of infancy and his eyelids 2ere t2o fringed half +oons pulled do2n o)er his eyes. A tuft of light ,ro2n hair straggled across his forehead3 and 2ith infinite delicacy3 &aura dre2 it ,ac,eneath his cap. It 2ould soon ,e "alter0s feeding ti+e and she hoped he 2as still too young to ,e upset ,y the strangeness of his surroundings. !he ste2ardess 2as ,eing )ery -ind. She e)en -ept his ,ottles in a little lMefrigerator. I+agine3 a refrigerator on ,oard an airplane. !he people. in the seat across the aisle had ,een 2atching her in that peculiar 2ay that +eant they 2ould lo)e to tal- to her if only they could thin- of an e4cuse. !he +o+ent ca+e 2hen she lifted "alter out of his ,assinet and placed hi+3 a little lu+p of pin- flesh encased in a 2hite cocoon of cotton3 upon her lap. A ,a,y is al2ays legiti+ate as an opening for con)ersation ,et2een strangers. !he lady across the 2ay said 7her 2ords 2ere predicta,le83 H"hat a lo#ely child. %o2 old is he3 +y dear1I &aura said3 through the pins in her +outh 7she had spread a ,lan-et across her -nees and 2as changing "alter83 H%e0ll ,e four +onths old ne4t 2ee-.I "alter0s eyes 2ere open and he si+pered across at the 2o+an3 opening his +outh in a 2et3 gu++y grin. 7%e al2ays en<oyed ,eing changed.8 H&oo- at hi+ s+ile3 5eorge3I said the lady. %er hus,and s+iled ,ac- and t2iddled fat fingers. H5oo3I he said. "alter laughed in a high pitched3 hiccupy 2ay. H"hat0s his na+e3 dear1I said the 2o+an. H%e0s "alter Michael3I &aura said3 then added3 HAfter his father.I !he floodgates 2ere ?uite do2n. &aura learned that the couple 2ere 5eorge and Dleanor Dllis3 that they 2ere on )acation3 that they had three children3 t2o girls and one ,oy3 all gro2n up. *oth girls had +arried and one had t2o children of her o2n. &aura listened 2ith a pleased e4pression on her thin face. "alter 7senior3 that is8 had al2ays said that it 2as ,ecause she 2as such a good listener that he had first gro2n interested in her. "alter 2as getting restless. &aura freed his ar+s in order to let so+e of his feelings e)aporate in +uscular effort. H"ould you 2ar+ the ,ottle3 please1I she as-ed the ste2ardess. @nder strict ,ut friendly ?uestioning3 &aura e4plained the nu+,er of feedings "alter 2as currently en<oying3 the e4act nature of his for+ula3 and 2hether he suffered fro+ diaper rash. HI hope his little sto+ach isn0t upset today3I she 2orried. HI +ean the plane +otion3 you -no2.I HOh3 &ord3I said Mrs. Dllis3 Hhe0s too young to ,e ,othered ,y that. *esides3 these large planes are 2onderful. @nless I loo- out the 2indo23 I 2ouldn0t ,elie)e 2e 2ere in the air. #on0t you feel that 2ay3 5eorge1I *ut Mr. Dllis3 a ,lunt3 straightfor2ard +an3 said3 HI0+ surprised you ta-e a ,a,y that age on a plane.I Mrs. Dllis turned to fro2n at hi+. &aura held "alter o)er her shoulder and patted his ,ac- gently. !he ,eginnings of a soft 2ail died do2n as his little fingers found the+sel)es in his +other0s s+ooth3 ,lond hair and ,egan gru,,ing into the loose ,un that lay at the ,ac- of her nec-. She said3 HI0+ ta-ing hi+ to his father. "alter0s ne)er seen his son3 yet.I Mr. Dllis loo-ed perple4ed and ,egan a co++ent3 ,ut Mrs. Dllis put in ?uic-ly3 H>our hus,and is in the ser)ice3 I suppose1I H>es3 he is.I 7Mr. Dllis opened his +outh in a soundless HOhI and su,sided.8 &aura 2ent on3 H%e0s stationed <ust outside of #a)ao and he0s going to ,e +eeting +e at Nichols $ield.I *efore the ste2ardess returned 2ith the ,ottle3 they had disco)ered that her hus,and 2as a +aster sergeant 2ith the 'uarter+aster Corps3 that he had ,een in the Ar+y for four years3 that they had ,een +arried for t2o3 that he 2as a,out to ,e discharged3 and that they 2ould spend a long honey+oon there ,efore returning to San $rancisco. !hen she had the ,ottle. She cradled "alter in the croo- of her left ar+ and put the ,ottle to his face. It slid right past his lips and his gu+s sei6ed upon the nipple. &ittle ,u,,les ,egan to 2or- up2ard through the +il-3 2hile his hands ,atted ineffecti)ely at the 2ar+ glass and his ,lue eyes stared fi4edly at her.

&aura s?uee6ed little "alter e)er so slightly and thought ho23 2ith all the petty difficulties and annoyances that 2ere in)ol)ed3 it yet re+ained such a 2onderful thing to ha)e a little ,a,y all one0s o2n. A !heory3 thought 5an3 al2ays theory. !he fol- of the surface3 a +illion or +ore years ago3 could see the @ni)erse3 could sense it directly. No23 2ith eight hundred +iles of roc- a,o)e their heads3 the 9ace could only +a-e deductions fro+ the tre+,ling needles of their instru+ents: It 2as only theory that ,rain cells3 in addition to their ordinary electric potentials3 radiated another sort of energy altogether. Dnergy that 2as not electro+agnetic and hence not conde+ned to the creeping pace of light. Dnergy that 2as associated only 2ith the highest functions of the ,rain and hence characteristic only of intelligent3 reasoning creatures. It 2as only a <ogging needle that detected such an energy field lea-ing into their ca)ern3 and other needles that pinpointed the origin of the field in such and such a direction ten light years distant. At least one star +ust ha)e +o)ed ?uite close in the ti+e since the surface fol- had placed the nearest at fi)e hundred light years. Or 2as theory 2rong1 HAre you afraid1I 5an ,urst into the con)ersational le)el of thought 2ithout 2arning and i+pinged sharply on the hu++ing surface of 9oi0s +ind. 9oi said3 HIt0s a great responsi,ility.I 5an thought3 34thers spea- of responsi,ility.I $or generations3 %ead !ech after %ead !ech had ,een 2or-ing on the 9esoni6er and the 9ecei)ing Station and it 2as in his ti+e that the final step had to ,e ta-en. "hat did others -no2 of responsi,ility. %e said3 IIt is. "e tal- a,out 9acial e4tinction gli,ly enough3 ,ut 2e al2ays assu+e it 2ill co+e so+eday ,ut not no23 not in our ti+e. *ut it 2ill3 do you understand1 It 2ill. "hat 2e are to do today 2ill consu+e t2o thirds of our total energy supply. !here 2ill not ,e enough left to try again. !here 2ill not ,e enough for this generation to li)e out its life. *ut that 2ill not +atter if you follo2 orders. "e ha)e thought of e)erything. "e ha)e spent generations thin-ing of e)erything:I HI 2ill do 2hat I a+ told3I said 9oi. H>our thought field 2ill ,e +eshed against those co+ing fro+ space. All thought fields are characteristic of the indi)idual3 and ordinarily the pro,a,ility of any duplication is )ery lo2. *ut the fields fro+ space nu+,er ,illions ,y our ,est esti+ate. >our field is )ery li-ely to ,e li-e one of theirs3 and in that case3 a resonance 2ill ,e set up as long as our 9esoni6er is in operation. #o you -no2 the principles in)ol)ed1I H>es3 sir.I H!hen you -no2 that during resonance3 your +ind 2ill ,e on (lanet R in the ,rain of the creature 2ith a thought field identical to yours. !hat is not the energy consu+ing process. In resonance 2ith your +ind3 2e 2ill also place the +ass of the 9ecei)ing Station. !he +ethod of transferring +ass in that +anner 2as the last phase of the pro,le+ to ,e sol)ed3 and it 2ill ta-e all the energy the 9ace 2ould ordinarily use in a hundred years.I 5an pic-ed up the ,lac- cu,e that 2as the 9ecei)ing Station and loo-ed at it so+,erly. !hree generations ,efore it had ,een thought i+possi,le to +anufacture one 2ith all the re?uired properties in a space less than t2enty cu,ic yards. !hey had it no2: it 2as the si6e of his fist. 5an said3 H!he thought field of intelligent ,rain cells can only follo2 certain 2ell defined patterns. All li)ing creatures3 on 2hate)er planet they de)elop3 +ust possess a protein ,ase and an o4ygen 2ater che+istry. If their 2orld is li)a,le for the+3 it is li)a,le for us.I !heory3 thought 5an on a deeper le)el3 al2ays theory. %e 2ent on3 H!his does not +ean that the ,ody you find yourself in3 its +ind and its e+otions3 +ay not ,e co+pletely alien. So 2e ha)e arranged for three +ethods of acti)ating the 9ecei)ing Station. If you are strong li+,ed3 you need only e4ert fi)e hundred pounds of pressure on any face of the cu,e. If you are delicate li+,ed3 you need only press a -no,3 2hich you can reach through this single opening in the cu,e. If you are no li+,ed3 if your host ,ody is paraly6ed or in any other 2ay helpless3 you Can acti)ate the Station ,y +ental energy alone. Once the Station is acti)ated3 2e 2ill ha)e t2o points of reference3 not one3 and the 9ace can ,e transferred to (lanet R ,y ordinary teleportation.I H!hat3I said 9oi3 H2ill +ean 2e 2ill use electro+agnetic energy.I H And so1I HIt 2ill ta-e us ten years to transfer.I H"e 2ill not ,e a2are of duration.I HI reali6e that3 sir3 ,ut it 2ill +ean the Station 2ill re+ain on (lanet R for ten years. "hat if it is destroyed

in the +eanti+e1I H"e ha)e thought of that3 too. "e ha)e thought of e)erything. Once the Station is acti)ated3 it 2ill generate a para+ass field. It 2ill +o)e in the direction of gra)itational attraction3 sliding through ordinary +atter3 until such ti+e as a continuous +ediu+ of relati)ely high density e4erts sufficient friction to stop it. It 2ill ta-e t2enty feet of roc- to do that. Anything of lo2er density 2on0t affect it. It 2ill re+ain t2enty feet underground for ten years3 at 2hich ti+e a counterfield 2ill ,ring it to the surface. !hen one ,y one3 the 9ace 2ill appear.I HIn that case3 2hy not +a-e the acti)ation of the Station auto+atic1 It has so +any auto+atic attri,utes already I H>ou ha)en0t thought it through3 9oi. "e ha)e. Not all spots on the surface of (lanet R +ay ,e suita,le. If the inha,itants are po2erful and ad)anced3 you +ay ha)e to find an uno,trusi)e place for the Station. It 2on0t do for us to appear in a city s?uare. And you 2ill ha)e to ,e certain that the i++ediate en)iron+ent is not dangerous in other 2ays.I H"hat other 2ays3 sir1I HI don0t -no2. !he ancient records of the surface record +any things 2e no longer understand. !hey don0t e4plain ,ecause they too- those ite+s for granted3 ,ut 2e ha)e ,een a2ay fro+ the surface for al+ost a hundred thousand generations and 2e are pu66led. Our !echs aren0t e)en in agree+ent on the physical nature of stars: and that is so+ething the records +ention and discuss fre?uently. *ut 2hat are /stor+s30 /earth?ua-es30 /)olcanoes30 /tornadoes30 /sleet30 /landslides30 /floods30 /lightning30 and so on1 !hese are all ter+s 2hich refer to surface pheno+ena that are dangerous3 ,ut 2e don0t -no2 2hat they are3 "e don0t -no2 ho2 to guard against the+. !hrough your host0s +ind3 you +ay ,e a,le to learn 2hat is needful and ta-e appropriate action.I H%o2 +uch ti+e 2ill I ha)e3 sir1I H!he 9esoni6er cannot ,e -ept in continuous operation for longer than t2el)e hours. I 2ould prefer that you co+plete your <o, in t2o. >ou 2ill return here auto+atically as soon as the Station is acti)ated. Are you ready1I HI0+ ready3I said 9oi. 5an led the 2ay to the clouded glass ca,inet. 9oi too- his seat3 arranged his li+,s in the appropriate depressions. %is )i,rissae dipped in +ercury for good contact. 9oi said3 H"hat if I find +yself in a ,ody on the point of death1I 5an said as he ad<usted the controls3 H!he thought field is distorted 2hen a person is near death. No nor+al thought field such as yours 2ould ,e in resonance.I 9oi said3 H And if it is on the point of accidental death1I 5an said3 H"e ha)e thought of that3 too. "e can0t guard against it3 ,ut the chances of death follo2ing so ?uic-ly that you ha)e no ti+e to acti)ate the Station +entally are esti+ated as less than one in t2enty trillion3 unless the +ysterious surface dangers are +ore deadly than 2e e4pect....>ou ha)e one +inute.I $or so+e strange reason3 9oi0s last thought ,efore translation 2as of "enda. C &aura a2o-e 2ith a sudden start. "hat happened1 She felt as though she had ,een <a,,ed 2ith a pin. !he afternoon sun 2as shining in her face and its da66le +ade her ,lin-. She lo2ered the shade and si+ultaneously ,ent to loo- at "alter. She 2as a little surprised to find his eyes open. !his 2asn0t one of his 2a-ing periods. She loo-ed at her 2rist 2atch. No3 it 2asn0t. And it 2as a good hour ,efore feeding ti+e3 too. She follo2ed the de+and feeding syste+ or the Hif you 2ant it holler and you0ll get itI routine3 ,ut ordinarily "alter follo2ed the cloc- ?uite conscientiously. She 2rin-led her nose at hi+. H%ungry3 duc-ier0 "alter did not respond at all and &aura 2as disappointed. She 2ould ha)e li-ed to ha)e hi+ s+ile. Actually3 she 2anted hi+ to laugh and thro2 his pudgy ar+s a,out her nec- and nu66le her and say3 HMo++ie3I ,ut she -ne2 he couldn0t do any of that. *ut he could s+ile. She put a light finger to his chin and tapped it a ,it. H5oo goo goo goo.I %e al2ays s+iled 2hen you did that. *ut he only ,lin-ed at her. She said3 HI hope he isn0t sic-.I She loo-ed at Mrs. Dllis in distress. Mrs. Dllis put do2n a +aga6ine. K0Is anything 2rong3 +y dear1I HI don0t -no2. "alter <ust lies there.I H(oor little thing. %e0s tired3 pro,a,ly.I HShouldn0t he ,e sleeping3 then1I H%e0s in strange surroundings. %e0s pro,a,ly 2ondering 2hat it0s all a,out.I

She rose3 stepped across the aisle3 and leaned across &aura to ,ring her o2n face close to "alter0s. H>ou0re 2ondering 2hat0s going on3 you tiny little snoo-u+s. >es3 you are. >ou0re saying3 H"here0s +y nice little cri, and all +y nice little funnies on the 2all paper1I !hen she +ade little s?uea-ing sounds at hi+. "alter turned his eyes a2ay fro+ his +other and 2atched Mrs. Dllis so+,erly. Mrs. Dllis straightened suddenly and loo-ed pained. She put a hand to her head for a +o+ent and +ur+ured3 H5oodnessJ !he ?ueerest pain.I H#o you thin- he0s hungry1I as-ed &aura. H&ord3I said Mrs. Dllis3 the trou,le in her face fading3 Hthey let you -no2 2hen they0re hungry soon enough. !here0s nothing 2rong 2ith hi+. I0)e had three children3 +y dear. I -no2.I HI thin- I0ll as- the ste2ardess to 2ar+ up another ,ottle.I H"ell3 if it 2ill +a-e you feel ,etter...I !he ste2ardess ,rought the ,ottle and &aura lifted "alter out of his ,assinet. She said3 H>ou ha)e your ,ottle and then I0ll change you and then I She ad<usted his head in the croo- of her el,o23 leaned o)er to pec- hi+ ?uic-ly on the chee-3 then cradled hi+ close to her ,ody as she ,rought the ,ottle to his lips "alter screa+edJ %is +outh ya2ned open3 his ar+s pushed ,efore hi+ 2ith his fingers spread 2ide3 his 2hole ,ody as stiff and hard as though in tetany3 and he screa+ed. It rang through the 2hole co+part+ent. &aura screa+ed too. She dropped the ,ottle and it s+ashed 2hitely. Mrs. Dllis <u+ped up. %alf a do6en others did. Mr. Dllis snapped out of a light do6e. H"hat0s the +atter1I as-ed Mrs. Dllis ,lan-ly. HI don0t -no2. I don0t -no2.I &aura 2as sha-ing "alter frantically3 putting hi+ o)er her shoulder3 patting his ,ac-. H*a,y3 ,a,y3 don0t cry. *a,y3 2hat0s the +atter1 *a,y I !he ste2ardess 2as dashing do2n the aisle. %er foot ca+e 2ithin an inch of the cu,e that sat ,eneath &aura0s seat. "alter 2as threshing a,out furiously no23 yelling 2ith calliope intensity. E 9oi0s +ind flooded 2ith shoc-. One +o+ent he had ,een strapped in his chair in contact 2ith the clear +ind of 5an: the ne4t 7there 2as no consciousness of separation in ti+e8 he 2as i++ersed in a +edley of strange3 ,ar,aric3 and ,ro-en thought. %e closed his +ind co+pletely. It had ,een open 2ide to increase the effecti)eness of resonance3 and the first touch of the alien had ,een Not painful no. #i66ying3 nauseating1 No3 not that3 either. !here 2as no 2ord. %e gathered resilience in the ?uiet nothingness of +ind closure and considered his position. %e felt the s+all touch of the 9ecei)ing Station3 2ith 2hich he 2as in +ental liaison. !hat had co+e 2ith hi+. 5oodJ %e ignored his host for the +o+ent. %e +ight need hi+ for drastic operations later3 so it 2ould ,e 2ise to raise no suspicions for the +o+ent. %e e4plored. %e entered a +ind at rando+ and too- stoc- first to the sense i+pressions that per+eated it. !he creature 2as sensiti)e to parts of the electro+agnetic spectru+ and to )i,rations of the air3 and3 of course3 to ,odily contact. It possessed locali6ed che+ical senses !hat 2as a,out all. %e loo-ed again in astonish+ent. Not only 2as there no direct +ass sense3 no electro potential sense3 none of the really refined interpreters of the @ni)erse3 ,ut there 2as no +ental contact 2hate)er. !he creature0s +ind 2as co+pletely isolated. !hen ho2 did they co++unicate1 %e loo-ed further. !hey had a co+plicated code of controlled air )i,rations. "ere they intelligent1 %ad he chosen a +ai+ed +ind1 No3 they 2ere all li-e that. %e filtered the group of surrounding +inds through his +ental tendrils3 searching for a !ech3 or 2hate)er passed for such a+ong these crippled se+i intelligences. %e found a +ind 2hich thought of itself as a controller of )ehicles. A piece of infor+ation flooded 9oi. %e 2as on an air ,orne )ehicle. !hen e)en 2ithout +ental contact3 they 2ould ,uild a rudi+entary +echanical ci)ili6ation. Or 2ere they ani+al tools of real intelligences else2here on the planet1 No... !heir +inds said no. %e plu+,ed the !ech. "hat a,out the i++ediate en)iron+ent1 "ere the ,ug,ears of the ancients to ,e feared1 It 2as a +atter of interpretation. #angers in the en)iron+ent e4isted. Mo)e+ents of air. Changes of

te+perature. "ater falling in the air3 either as li?uid or solid. Dlectrical discharges. !here 2ere code )i,rations of each pheno+enon ,ut that +eant nothing. !he connection of any of these 2ith the na+es gi)en to pheno+ena ,y the ancestral surface fol- 2as a +atter of con<ecture. No +atter. "as there danger no21 "as there danger here1 "as there any cause for fear or uneasiness1 NoJ !he !ech0s +ind said no. !hat 2as enough. %e returned to his host +ind and rested a +o+ent3 then cautiously e4panded... %othing. %is host +ind 2as ,lan-. At +ost3 there 2as a )ague sense of 2ar+th3 and a dull flic-er of undirected response to ,asic sti+uli. "as his host dying after all1 Aphasic1 #ecere,rate1 %e +o)ed ?uic-ly to the +ind nearest3 dredging it for infor+ation a,out his host and finding it. %is host 2as an infant of species. An infant1 A normal infant1 And so unde)eloped1 %e allo2ed his +ind to sin- into and coalesce for a +o+ent 2ith 2hat e4isted in his host. %e searched for the +otor areas of the ,rain and found the+ 2ith difficulty. A cautious sti+ulus 2as follo2ed ,y an erratic +otion of his host0s e4tre+ities. %e atte+pted finer control and failed. %e felt anger. %ad they thought of e)erything after all1 %ad they thought of intelligences 2ithout +ental contact1 %ad they thought of young creatures as co+pletely unde)eloped as though they 2ere still in the egg1 It +eant3 of course3 that he could not3 in the person of his host3 acti)ate the 9ecei)ing Station. !he +uscles and +ind 2ere far too 2ea-3 far too uncontrolled for any of the three +ethods outlined ,y 5an. %e thought intensely. %e could scarcely e4pect to influence +uch +ass through the i+perfect focusing of his host0s +aterial ,rain cells3 ,ut 2hat a,out an indirect influence through an adult0s ,rain1 #irect physical influence 2ould ,e +inute: it 2ould a+ount to the ,rea-do2n of the appropriate +olecules of adenosine triphosphate and acetylcholine. !hereafter the creature 2ould act on its o2n. %e hesitated to try this3 afraid of failure3 then cursed hi+self for a co2ard. %e entered the closest +ind once +ore. It 2as a fe+ale of the species and it 2as in the state of te+porary inhi,ition he had noticed in others. It didn0t surprise hi+. Minds as rudi+entary as these 2ould need periodic respites. %e considered the +ind ,efore hi+ no23 fingering +entally the areas that +ight respond to sti+ulation. %e chose one3 sta,,ed at it3 and the conscious areas flooded 2ith life al+ost si+ultaneously. Sense i+pressions poured in and the le)el of thought rose steeply. 5oodJ *ut not good enough. !hat 2as a +ere prod3 a pinch. It 2as no order for specific action. %e stirred unco+forta,ly as e+otion cascaded o)er hi+. It ca+e fro+ the +ind he had <ust sti+ulated and 2as directed3 of course3 at his host and not at hi+. Ne)ertheless3 its pri+iti)e crudities annoyed hi+ and he closed his +ind against the unpleasant 2ar+th of her unco)ered feelings. A second +ind centered a,out his host3 and had he ,een +aterial or had he controlled a satisfactory host3 he 2ould ha)e struc- out in )e4ation. 5reat ca)erns3 2eren0t they going to allo2 hi+ to concentrate on his serious ,usiness1 %e thrust sharply at the second +ind3 acti)ating centers of disco+fort3 and it +o)ed a2ay. %e 2as pleased. !hat had ,een +ore than a si+ple3 undefined sti+ulation3 and it had 2or-ed nicely. %e had cleared the +ental at+osphere. %e returned to the !ech 2ho controlled the )ehicle. %e 2ould -no2 the details concerning the surface o)er 2hich they 2ere passing. "ater1 %e sorted the data ?uic-ly. "aterJ And +ore 2aterJ *y the e)erlasting &e)els3 the 2ord HoceanI +ade sense. !he old3 traditional 2ord Hocean.I "ho 2ould drea+ that so +uch 2ater could e4ist. *ut then3 if this 2as Hocean3I then the traditional 2ord HislandI had an o,)ious significance. %e thrust his 2hole +ind into the ?uest for geographical infor+ation. !he HoceanI 2as spec-led 2ith dots of land ,ut he needed e4act %e 2as interrupted ,y a short sta, of surprise as his host +o)ed through space and 2as held against the neigh,oring fe+ale0s ,ody. 9oi0s +ind3 engaged as it 2as3 lay open and unguarded. In full intensity3 the fe+ale0s e+otions piled in upon hi+. 9oi 2inced. In an atte+pt to re+o)e the distracting ani+al passions3 he cla+ped do2n upon the host0s ,rain cells3 through 2hich the ra2ness 2as funneling.

%e did that too ?uic-ly3 too energetically. %is host0s +ind flooded 2ith a diffuse pain3 and instantly al+ost e)ery +ind he could reach reacted to the air )i,rations that resulted. In )e4ation3 he tried to ,lan-et the pain and succeeded only in sti+ulating it further. !hrough the clinging +ental +ist of his host0s pain. he ri+ed the !echs0 +inds3 stri)ing to pre)ent contact fro+ slipping out of focus. %is +ind 2ent icy. !he ,est chance 2as al+ost no2J %e had perhaps t2enty +inutes. !here 2ould ,e other chances after2ard3 ,ut not as good. >et he dared not atte+pt to direct the actions of another 2hile his host0s +ind 2as in such co+plete disorgani6ation. %e retired3 2ithdre2 into +ind closure3 +aintaining only the +ost tenuous connection 2ith his host0s spinal cells3 and 2aited. Minutes passed3 and little ,y little he returned to fuller liaison. %e had fi)e +inutes left. %e chose a su,<ect. 7 !he ste2ardess said3 HI thin- he0s ,eginning to feel a little ,etter3 poor little thing.I H%e ne)er acted li-e this ,efore3I insisted &aura tearfully. HNe)er.I H%e <ust had a little colic3 I guess3I said the ste2ardess. HMay,e he0s ,undled up too +uch3I suggested Mrs. Dllis. HMay,e3I said the ste2ardess. HIt0s ?uite 2ar+.I She un2rapped the ,lan-et and lifted the nightgo2n to e4pose a hea)ing a,do+en3 pin- and ,ul,ous. "alter 2as still 2hi+pering. She ste2ardess said3 IShall I change hi+ for you1 %e0s ?uite 2et.I H"ould you please1I Most of the #earer passengers had returned to their seats. !he +ore distant ceased craning their nec-s. Mr. Dllis re+ained in the aisle 2ith his 2ife. %e said3 HSay3 loo-.I &aura and the ste2ardess 2ere too ,usy to pay hi+ attention and Mrs. Dllis ignored hi+ out of sheer custo+. Mr. Dllis 2as used to that. %is re+ar- 2as purely rhetorical3 any2ay. %e ,ent do2n and tugged at the ,o4 ,eneath the seat. Mrs. Dllis loo-ed do2n i+patiently. She said3 I5oodness3 5eorge3 don0t ,e dragging at other people0s luggage li-e that. Sit do2n. >ou0re in the 2ay.I Mr. Dllis straightened in confusion. &aura3 2ith eyes still red and 2eepy3 said3 IIt isn0t +ine. I didn0t e)en -no2 it 2as under the seat.I !he ste2ardess3 loo-ing up fro+ the 2hining ,a,y3 said3 H"hat is it1I Mr. Dllis shrugged. HIt0s a ,o4.I %is 2ife said3 H"ell3 2hat do you 2ant 2ith it3 for hea)en0s sa-e1I Mr. Dllis groped for a reason. "hat did he 2ant 2ith it1 %e +u+,led3 II 2as <ust curious.I !he ste2ardess said3 H!hereJ !he little ,oy is all nice and dry3 and I0ll ,et in t2o +inutes he0ll <ust ,e as happy as anything. %++1 "on0t you3 little funny face1I *ut little funny face 2as still so,,ing. %e turned his head a2ay sharply as a ,ottle 2as once +ore produced. !he ste2ardess said3 H&et +e 2ar+ it a ,it.I She too- it and 2ent ,ac- do2n the aisle. Mr. Dllis ca+e to a decision. $ir+ly he lifted the ,o4 and ,alanced it on the ar+ of his seat. %e ignored his 2ife0s fro2n. %e said3 II0+ not doing it any har+. I0+ <ust loo-ing. "hat0s it +ade of3 any2ay1I %e rapped it 2ith his -nuc-les. None of the other passengers see+ed interested. !hey paid no attention to either Mr. Dllis or the ,o4. It 2as as though so+ething had s2itched off that particular line of interest a+ong the+. D)en Mrs. Dllis3 in con)ersation 2ith &aura3 -ept her ,ac- to hi+. Mr. Dllis tipped the ,o4 up and found the opening. %e kne' it had to ha)e an opening. It 2as large enough for hi+ to insert a finger3 though there 2as no reason3 of course3 2hy he should 2ant to put a finger into a strange ,o4. Carefully he reached in. !here 2as a ,lac- -no,3 2hich he longed to touch. %e pressed it. !he ,o4 shuddered and 2as suddenly out of his ,ands and passed through the ar+ of the chair. %e caught a gli+pse of it +o)ing through the floor3 and then there 2as un,ro-en flooring and nothing +ore. Slo2ly he spread out his hands and stared at his pal+s. !hen3 dropping to his -nees3 he felt the floor.

!he ste2ardess3 returning 2ith the ,ottle3 said politely3 H%a)e you lost so+ething3 sir1I Mrs. Dllis3 loo-ing do2n3 said3 H5eorgeJI Mr. Dllis hea)ed hi+self up2ard. %e 2as flushed and flustered. %e said3 H!he ,o4 It slipped out and 2ent do2n I !he ste2ardess said3 H"hat ,o43 sir1I &aura said3 HMay I ha)e the ,ottle3 +iss1 %e0s stopped crying.I HCertainly. %ere it is.I "alter opened his +outh eagerly3 accepting the nipple. Air ,u,,les +o)ed up2ard through the +il- and there 2ere little s2allo2ing sounds. &aura loo-ed up radiantly. H%e see+s fine no2. !han- you3 Ste2ardess. !han- you3 Mrs. Dllis. $or a 2hile there3 it al+ost see+ed as though he 2eren0t +y little ,oy.I H%e0ll ,e all right3I said Mrs. Dllis. HMay,e it 2as <ust a ,it of airsic-ness. Sit do2n3 5eorge.I !he ste2ardess said3 HBust call +e if you need +e.I H!han- you3I said &aura. Mr. Dllis said3 H!he ,o4 I and stopped. "hat ,o41 %e didn0t re+e+,er any ,o4. *ut one +ind a,oard plane could follo2 the ,lac- cu,e as it dropped in a para,ola uni+peded ,y 2ind or air resistance3 passing through the +olecules of gas that lay in its 2ay. *elo2 it3 the atoll 2as a tiny ,ull0s eye in a huge target. Once3 during a ti+e of 2ar3 it had ,oasted an air strip and ,arrac-s. !he ,arrac-s had collapsed3 the air strip 2as a )anishing ragged line3 and the atoll 2as e+pty. !he cu,e struc- the feathery foliage of a pal+ and not a frond 2as distur,ed. It passed through the trunand do2n to the coral. It san- into the planet itself 2ithout the s+allest fog of dust -ic-ed up to tell of its entrance. !2enty feet ,elo2 the surface of the soil3 the cu,e passed into stasis and re+ained +otionless3 +ingled inti+ately 2ith the ato+s of the roc-3 yet re+aining distinct. !hat 2as all. It 2as night3 then day. It rained3 the 2ind ,le23 and the (acific 2a)es ,ro-e 2hitely on the 2hite coral. Nothing had happened. Nothing 2ould happen for ten years. ; H"e ha)e ,roadcast the ne2s3I said 5an3 Hthat you ha)e succeeded. I thin- you ought to rest no2.I 9oi said3 H9est1 No21 "hen I0+ ,ac- 2ith co+plete +inds1 !han- you3 ,ut no. !he en<oy+ent is too -een.I H#id it ,other you so +uch1 Intelligence 2ithout +ental contact1I H>es3I said 9oi shortly. 5an tactfully refrained fro+ atte+pting to follo2 the line of retreating thought. Instead3 he said3 H And the surface1I 9oi said3 HDntirely horri,le. "hat the ancients called /Sun0 is an un,eara,le patS.h of ,rilliance o)erhead. It is apparently a source of light and )aries periodically: /day0 and /night30 in other 2ords. !here is also unpredicta,le )ariation.I H /Clouds0 perhaps3I said 5an. H"hy /clouds01I H>ou -no2 the traditional phraseM /Clouds hid the Sun.0 H H>ou thin- so1 >es3 it could ,e.I H"ell3 go on.I H&et0s see. /Ocean0 and /island0 I0)e e4plained. /Stor+0 in)ol)es 2etness in the air3 falling in drops. /"ind0 is a +o)e+ent of air on a huge scale. /!hunder0 is either a spontaneous3 static discharge in the air or a great spontaneous noise. /Sleet0 is falling ice. H 5an said3 H!hat0s a curious one. "here 2ould ice fall fro+1 %o21 "hy1I HI ha)en0t the slightest idea. It0s all )ery )aria,le. It 2ill stor+ at one ti+e and not at another. !here are apparently regions on the surface 2here it is al2ays cold3 others 2here it is al2ays hot3 still others 2here it is ,oth at different ti+es.I HAstonishing. %o2 +uch of this do you suppose is +isinterpretation of alien +inds1I HNone. I0+ sure of that. It 2as all ?uite plain. I had sufficient ti+e to plu+, their ?ueer +inds. !oo +uch ti+e.I Again his thoughts drifted ,ac- into pri)acy. 5an said3 H!his is 2ell. I0)e ,een afraid all along of our tendency to ro+antici6e the so called 5olden Age

of our surface ancestors. I felt that there 2ould ,e a strong i+pulse a+ong our group in fa)or of a ne2 surface life.I HNo3I said 9oi )ehe+ently. HO,)iously no. I dou,t if the hardiest a+ong us 2ould consider e)en a day of life in an en)iron+ent such as you descri,e3 2ith its stor+s3 days3 nights3 its indecent and unpredicta,le )ariations in en)iron+ent.I 5an0s thoughts 2ere contented ones. H!o+orro2 2e ,egin the process of transfer. Once on the island An uninha,ited one3 you say.I HDntirely uninha,ited. It 2as the only one of that type the )essel passed o)er. !he !ech0s infor+ation 2as detailed.I H5ood. "e 2ill ,egin operations. It 2ill ta-e generations3 9oi3 ,ut in the end3 2e 2ill ,e in the #eep of a ne23 2ar+ 2orld3 in pleasant ca)erns 2here the controlled en)iron+ent 2ill ,e conduci)e to the gro2th of e)ery culture and refine+ent.I H And3I added 9oi3 Hno contact 2hate)er 2ith the surface creatures.I 5an said3 H"hy that1 (ri+iti)e though they are3 they could ,e of help to us once 2e esta,lish our ,ase. A race that can ,uild aircraft +ust ha)e so+e a,ilities.I HIt isn0t that. !hey0re a ,elligerent lot3 sir. !hey 2ould attac- 2ith ani+al ferocity at all occasions and I 5an interrupted. HI a+ distur,ed at the psychopenu+,ra that surrounds your references to the aliens. !here0s so+ething you are concealing.I 9oi said3 HI thought at first 2e could +a-e use of the+. If they 2ouldn0t allo2 us to ,e friends3 at least3 2e could control the+. I +ade one of the+ close contact inside the cu,e and that 2as difficult. Very difficult. !heir +inds are ,asically different.I HIn 2hat 2ay1I HIf I could descri,e it3 the difference 2ouldn0t ,e ,asic. *ut I can gi)e you an e4a+ple. I 2as in the +ind of an infant. !hey don0t ha)e +aturation cha+,ers. !he infants are in the charge of indi)iduals. !he creature 2ho 2as in charge of +y host I H>es.I HShe 7it 2as a fe+ale8 felt a special tie to the young one. !here 2as a sense of o2nership3 of a relationship that e4cluded the re+ainder of their society. I see+ed to detect3 di+ly3 so+ething of the e+otion that ,inds a +an to an associate or friend3 ,ut it 2as far +ore intense and unrestrained.I H"ell3I said 5an3 H2ithout +ental contact3 they pro,a,ly ha)e no real conception of society and su,relationships +ay ,uild up. Or 2as this one pathological1I HNo3 no. It0s uni)ersal. !he fe+ale in charge 2as the infant0s +other.I HI+possi,le. Its o2n +other1I HOf necessity. !he infant had passed the first part of its e4istence inside its +other. (hysically inside. !he creature0s eggs re+ain 2ithin the ,ody. !hey are inse+inated 2ithin the ,ody. !hey gro2 2ithin the ,ody and e+erge ali)e.I H5reat ca)erns3I 5an said 2ea-ly. #istaste 2as strong 2ithin hi+. HDach creature 2ould -no2 the identity of its o2n child. Dach child 2ould ha)e a particular father I HAnd he 2ould ,e -no2n3 too. My host 2as ,eing ta-en fi)e thousand +iles3 as nearly as I could <udge the distance3 to ,e seen ,y its father.I H@n,elie)a,leJI H#o you need +ore to see that there can ne)er ,e any +eeting of +inds1 !he difference is so funda+ental3 so innate.I !he yello2ness of regret tinged and roughened 5an0s thought train. %e said3 HIt 2ould ,e too ,ad. I had thought I H"hat3 sir1I HI had thought that for the first ti+e there 2ould ,e t2o intelligences helping one another. I had thought that together 2e +ight progress +ore ?uic-ly than either could alone. D)en if they 2ere pri+iti)e technologically3 as they are3 technology isn0t e)erything. I had thought 2e +ight still ,e a,le to learn of the+.I H&earn 2hat1I as-ed 9oi ,rutally. H!o -no2 our parents and +a-e friends of our children1I 5an said3 INo. No3 you0re ?uite right. !he ,arrier ,et2een us +ust re+ain fore)er co+plete. !hey 2ill ha)e the surface and 2e the #eep3 and so it 2ill ,e.I Outside the la,oratories 9oi +et "enda. %er thoughts 2ere concentrated pleasure. HI0+ glad you0re ,ac-.I 9oi0s thoughts 2ere pleasura,le too. It 2as )ery restful to +a-e clean +ental contact 2ith a friend.

The !un They "ad

Margie e)en 2rote a,out it that night in her diary. On the page headed May 173 =1C73 she 2rote3 H!oday !o++y found a real ,oo-JI It 2as a )ery old ,oo-. Margie0s grandfather once said that 2hen he 2as a little ,oy his grandfather told hi+ that there 2as a ti+e 2hen all stories 2ere printed on paper. !hey turned the pages3 2hich 2ere yello2 and crin-ly3 and it 2as a2fully funny to read 2ords that stood still instead of +o)ing the 2ay they 2ere supposed to on a screen3 you -no2. And then3 2hen they turned ,ac- to the page ,efore3 it had the sa+e 2ords on it that it had had 2hen they read it the first ti+e. H5ee3I said !o++y3 H2hat a 2aste. "hen you0re through 2ith the ,oo-3 you <ust thro2 it a2ay3 I guess. Our tele)ision screen +ust ha)e had a +illion ,oo-s on it and it0s good for plenty +ore. 1 2ouldn0t thro2 it a2ay.I HSa+e 2ith +ine3I said Margie. She 2as ele)en and hadn0t seen as +any tele,oo-s as !o++y had. %e 2as thirteen. She said3 H"here did you find it1I HIn +y house.I %e pointed 2ithout loo-ing3 ,ecause he 2as ,usy reading. HIn the attic.I H"hat0s it a,out1I HSchool.I Margie 2as scornful. HSchool1 "hat0s there to 2rite a,out school1 I hate school.I Margie al2ays hated school3 ,ut no2 she hated it +ore than e)er. !he +echanical teacher had ,een gi)ing her test after test in geography and she had ,een doing 2orse and 2orse until her +other had sha-en her head sorro2fully and sent for the County Inspector. %e 2as a round little +an 2ith a red face and a 2hole ,o4 of tools 2ith dials and 2ires. %e s+iled at Margie and ga)e her an apple3 then too- the teacher apart. Margie had hoped he 2ouldn0t -no2 ho2 to put it together again3 ,ut he -ne2 ho2 all right3 and3 after an hour or so3 there it 2as again3 large and ,lac- and ugly3 2ith a ,ig screen on 2hich all the lessons 2ere sho2n and the ?uestions 2ere as-ed. !hat 2asn0t so ,ad. !he part Margie hated +ost 2as the slot 2here she had to put ho+e2or- and test papers. She al2ays had to 2rite the+ out in a punch code they +ade her lea+ 2hen she 2as si4 years old3 and the +echanical teacher calculated the +ar- in no ti+e. !he Inspector had s+iled after he 2as finished and patted Margie0s head. %e said to her +other3 HIt0s not the little girl0s fault3 Mrs. Bones. I thin- the geography sector 2as geared a little too ?uic-. !hose things happen so+eti+es. I0)e slo2ed it up to an a)erage ten year le)el. Actually3 the o)er all pattern of her progress is ?uite satisfactory.I And he patted Margie0s head again. Margie 2as disappointed. She had ,een hoping they 2ould ta-e the teacher a2ay altogether. !hey had once ta-en !o++y0s teacher a2ay for nearly a +onth ,ecause the history sector had ,lan-ed out co+pletely. So she said to !o++y3 H"hy 2ould anyone 2rite a,out school1I !o++y loo-ed at her 2ith )ery superior eyes. H*ecause it0s not our -ind of school3 stupid. !his is the old -ind of school that they had hundreds and hundreds of years ago.I %e added loftily3 pronouncing the 2ord carefully3 HCenturies ago.I Margie 2as hurt. H"ell3 I don0t -no2 2hat -ind of school they had all that ti+e ago.I She read the ,ooo)er his shoulder for a 2hile3 then said3 HAny2ay3 they had a teacher.I HSure they had a teacher3 ,ut it 2asn0t a regular teacher. It 2as a +an.I HA +an1 %o2 could a +an ,e a teacher1I H"ell3 he <ust told the ,oys and girls things and ga)e the+ ho+e2or- and as-ed the+ ?uestions.I HA +an isn0t s+art enough.I HSure he is. My father -no2s as +uch as +y teacher.I H%e can0t. A +an can0t -no2 as +uch as a teacher.I H%e -no2s al+ost as +uch3 I ,etcha.I Margie 2asn0t prepared to dispute that. She said3 HI 2ouldn0t 2ant a strange +an in +y house to teach +e.I !o++y screa+ed 2ith laughter. H>ou don0t -no2 +uch3 Margie. !he teachers didn0t li)e in the house. !hey had a special ,uilding and all the -ids 2ent there.I HAnd all the -ids learned the sa+e thing1I HSure3 if they 2ere the sa+e age.I H*ut +y +other says a teacher has to ,e ad<usted to fit the +ind of each ,oy and girl it teaches and that each -id has to ,e taught differently.I HBust the sa+e they didn0t do it that 2ay then. If you don0t li-e it3 you don0t ha)e to read the ,oo-.I

HI didn0t say I didn0t li-e it3I Margie said ?uic-ly. She 2anted to read a,out those funny schools. !hey 2eren0t e)en half finished 2hen Margie0s +other called3 HMargieJ SchoolJI Margie loo-ed up. HNot yet3 Ma++a.I HNo2JI said Mrs. Bones. HAnd it0s pro,a,ly ti+e for !o++y3 too.I Margie said to !o++y3 HCan I read the ,oo- so+e +ore 2ith you after school1I HMay,e3I he said nonchalantly. %e 2al-ed a2ay 2histling3 the dusty old ,oo- tuc-ed ,eneath his ar+. Margie 2ent into the schoolroo+. It 2as right ne4t to her ,edroo+3 and the +echanical teacher 2as on and 2aiting for her. It 2as al2ays on at the sa+e ti+e e)ery day e4cept Saturday and Sunday3 ,ecause her +other said little girls learned ,etter if they learned at regular hours. !he screen 2as lit up3 and it saidM H!oday0s arith+etic lesson is on the addition of proper fractions. (lease insert yesterday0s ho+e2or- in the proper slot.I Margie did so 2ith a sigh. She 2as thin-ing a,out the old schools they had 2hen her grandfather0s grandfather 2as a little ,oy. All the -ids fro+ the 2hole neigh,orhood ca+e3 laughing and shouting in the schoolyard3 sitting together in the schoolroo+3 going ho+e together at the end of the day. !hey learned the sa+e things3 so they could help one another on the ho+e2or- and tal- a,out it. And the teachers 2ere people. . . . !he +echanical teacher 2as flashing on the screenM H"hen 2e add the fractions 1P= and lPA I Margie 2as thin-ing a,out ho2 the -ids +ust ha)e lo)ed it in the old days. She 2as thin-ing a,out the fun they had.

The #ast $uestion

!he last ?uestion 2as as-ed for the first ti+e3 half in <est3 on May =13 =GE13 at a ti+e 2hen hu+anity first stepped into the light. !he ?uestion ca+e a,out as a result of a fi)e dollar ,et o)er high,alls3 and it happened this 2ayM Ale4ander Adell and *ertra+ &upo) 2ere t2o of the faithful attendants of Multi)ac. As 2ell as any hu+an ,eings could3 they -ne2 2hat lay ,ehind the cold3 clic-ing3 flashing face +iles and +iles of face of that giant co+puter. !hey had at least a )ague notion of the general plan of relays and circuits that had long since gro2n past the point 2here any single hu+an could possi,ly ha)e a fir+ grasp of the 2hole. Multi)ac 2as self ad<usting and self correcting. It had to ,e3 for nothing hu+an could ad<ust and correct it ?uic-ly enough or e)en ade?uately enough. So Adell and &upo) attended the +onstrous giant only lightly and superficially3 yet as 2ell as any +en could. !hey fed it data3 ad<usted ?uestions to its needs and translated the ans2ers that 2ere issued. Certainly they3 and all others li-e the+3 2ere fully entitled to share in the glory that 2as Multi)ac0s. $or decades3 Multi)ac had helped design the ships and plot the tra<ectories that ena,led +an to reach the Moon3 Mars3 and Venus3 ,ut past that3 Darth0s poor resources could not support the ships. !oo +uch energy 2as needed for the long trips. Darth e4ploited its coal and uraniu+ 2ith increasing efficiency3 ,ut there 2as only so +uch of ,oth. *ut slo2ly Multi)ac learned enough to ans2er deeper ?uestions +ore funda+entally3 and on May 1A3 =GE13 2hat had ,een theory3 ,eca+e fact. !he energy of the sun 2as stored3 con)erted3 and utili6ed directly on a planet 2ide scale. All Darth turned off its ,urning coal3 its fissioning uraniu+3 and flipped the s2itch that connected all of it to a s+all station3 one +ile in dia+eter3 circling the Darth at half the distance of the Moon. All Darth ran ,y in)isi,le ,ea+s of sunpo2er. Se)en days had not sufficed to di+ the glory of it and Adell and &upo) finally +anaged to escape fro+ the pu,lic function3 and to +eet in ?uiet 2here no one 2ould thin- of loo-ing for the+3 in the deserted underground cha+,ers3 2here portions of the +ighty ,uried ,ody of Multi)ac sho2ed. @nattended3 idling3 sorting data 2ith contented la6y clic-ings3 Multi)ac3 too3 had earned its )acation and the ,oys appreciated that. !hey had no intention3 originally3 of distur,ing it. !hey had ,rought a ,ottle 2ith the+3 and their only concern at the +o+ent 2as to rela4 in the co+pany of each other and the ,ottle. HIt0s a+a6ing 2hen you thin- of it3I said Adell. %is ,road face had lines of 2eariness in it3 and he stirred his drin- slo2ly 2ith a glass rod3 2atching the cu,es of ice slur clu+sily a,out. HAll the energy 2e can possi,ly e)er use for free. Dnough energy3 if 2e 2anted to dra2 on it3 to +elt all Darth into a ,ig drop of i+pure li?uid iron3 and still ne)er +iss the energy so used. All the energy 2e could e)er use3 fore)er and fore)er and fore)er.I &upo) coc-ed his head side2ays. %e had a tric- of doing that 2hen he 2anted to ,e contrary3 and he

2anted to ,e contrary no23 partly ,ecause he had had to carry the ice and glass2are. HNot fore)er3I he said. HOh3 hell3 <ust a,out fore)er. !ill the sun runs do2n3 *ert.I H!hat0s not fore)er.I HAll right3 then. *illions and ,illions of years. !2enty ,illion3 +ay,e. Are you satisfied1I &upo) put his fingers through his thinning hair as though to reassure hi+self that so+e 2as still left and sipped gently at his o2n drin-. H!2enty ,illion years isn0t fore)er.I H"ell3 it 2ill last our ti+e3 2on0t it1I HSo 2ould the coal and uraniu+.I HAll right3 ,ut no2 2e can hoo- up each indi)idual spaceship to the Solar Station3 and it can go to (luto and ,ac- a +illion ti+es 2ithout e)er 2orrying a,out fuel. >ou can0t do that on coal and uraniu+. As- Multi)ac3 if you don0t ,elie)e +e.I HI don0t ha)e to as- Multi)ac. I -no2 that.I H!hen stop running do2n 2hat Multi)ac0s done for us3I said Adell3 ,la6ing up. HIt did all right.I H"ho says it didn0t1 "hat I say is that a sun 2on0t last fore)er. !hat0s all I0+ saying. "e0re safe for t2enty ,illion years3 ,ut then 2hat1I &upo) pointed a slightly sha-y finger at the other. HAnd don0t say 2e0ll s2itch to another sun.I !here 2as silence for a 2hile. Adell put his glass to his lips only occasionally3 and &upo)0s eyes slo2ly closed. !hey rested. !hen &upo)0s eyes snapped open. H>ou0re thin-ing 2e0ll s2itch to another sun 2hen ours is done3 aren0t you1I HI0+ not thin-ing.I HSure you are. >ou0re 2ea- on logic3 that0s the trou,le 2ith you. >ou0re li-e the guy in the story 2ho 2as caught in a sudden sho2er and 2ho ran to a gro)e of trees and got under one. %e 2asn0t 2orried3 you see3 ,ecause he figured 2hen one tree got 2et through3 he 2ould <ust get under another one.I HI get it3I said Adell. H#on0t shout. "hen the sun is done3 the other stars 2ill ,e gone3 too.I H#arn right they 2ill3I +uttered &upo). HIt all had a ,eginning in the original cos+ic e4plosion3 2hate)er that 2as3 and it0ll all ha)e an end 2hen all the stars run do2n. So+e run do2n faster than others. %ell3 the giants 2on0t last a hundred +illion years. !he sun 2ill last t2enty ,illion years and +ay,e the d2arfs 2ill last a hundred ,illion for all the good they are. *ut <ust gi)e us a trillion years and e)erything 2ill ,e dar-. Dntropy has to increase to +a4i+u+3 that0s all.I HI -no2 all a,out entropy3I said Adell3 standing on his dignity. H!he hell you do.I HI -no2 as +uch as you do.I H!hen you -no2 e)erything0s got to run do2n so+eday.I HA@ right. "ho says they 2on0t1I H>ou did3 you poor sap. >ou said 2e had all the energy 2e needed3 fore)er. >ou said /fore)er.0 H It 2as Adell0s turn to ,e contrary. HMay,e 2e can ,uild things up again so+eday3I he said. HNe)er.I H"hy not1 So+eday.I HNe)er.I HAs- Multi)ac.I H+ou as- Multi)ac. I dare you. $i)e dollars says it can0t ,e done.I Adell 2as <ust drun- enough to try3 <ust so,er enough to ,e a,le to phrase the necessary sy+,ols and operations into a ?uestion 2hich3 in 2ords3 +ight ha)e corresponded to thisM "ill +an-ind one day 2ithout the net e4penditure of energy ,e a,le to restore the sun to its full youthfulness e)en after it had died of old age1 Or +ay,e it could ,e put +ore si+ply li-e thisM %o2 can the net a+ount of entropy of the uni)erse ,e +assi)ely decreased1 Multi)ac fell dead and silent. !he slo2 flashing of lights ceased3 the distant sounds of clic-ing relays ended. !hen3 <ust as the frightened technicians felt they could hold their ,reath no longer3 there 2as a sudden springing to life of the teletype attached to that portion of Multi)ac. $i)e 2ords 2ere printedM INS@$$ICIDN! #A!A $O9 MDANIN5$@& ANS"D9. HNot yet3I 2hispered &upo). !hey left hurriedly. *y ne4t +orning3 the t2o3 plagued 2ith thro,,ing head and cottony +outh3 had forgotten the incident. Berrodd3 Berrodine3 and Berrodette I and II 2atched the starry picture in the )isiplate change as the passage

through hyperspace 2as co+pleted in its non ti+e lapse. At once3 the e)en po2dering of stars ga)e 2ay to the pre do+inance of a single ,right +ar,le dis-3 centered. H!hat0s R =33I said Berrodd confidently. %is thin hands cla+ped tightly ,ehind his ,ac- and the -nuc-les 2hitened. !he little Berrodettes3 ,oth girls3 had e4perienced the hyperspace passage for the first ti+e in their li)es and 2ere self conscious o)er the +o+entary sensation of inside outness. !hey ,uried their giggles and chased one an other 2ildly a,out their +other3 screa+ing3 H"e0)e reached R =3 2e0)e reached R =3 2e0)e I H'uiet3 children3I said Berrodine sharply. HAre you sure3 Berrodd1I H"hat is there to ,e ,ut sure1I as-ed Berrodd3 glancing up at the ,ulge of featureless +etal <ust under the ceiling. It ran the length of the roo+3 disappearing through the 2all at either end. It 2as as long as the ship. Berrodd scarcely -ne2 a thing a,out the thic- rod of +etal e4cept that it 2as called a Micro)ac3 that one as-ed it ?uestions if one 2ished: that if one did not it still had its tas- of guiding the ship to a preordered destination: of feeding on energies fro+ the )arious Su, galactic (o2er Stations: of co+puting the e?uations for the hyperspatial <u+ps. Berrodd and his fa+ily had only to 2ait and li)e in the co+forta,le residence ?uarters of the ship. So+eone had once told Berrodd that the HacI at the end of HMicro)acI stood for Hanalog co+puterI in ancient Dnglish3 ,ut he 2as on the edge of forgetting e)en that. Berrodine0s eyes 2ere +oist as she 2atched the )isiplate. HI can0t help it. I feel funny a,out lea)ing Darth.I H"hy3 for (ete0s sa-e1I de+anded Berrodd. H"e had nothing there. "e0ll ha)e e)erything on R =3. >ou 2on0t ,e alone. >ou 2on0t ,e a pioneer. !here are o)er a +illion people on the planet already. 5ood &ord3 our great grandchildren 2ill ,e loo-ing for ne2 2orlds ,ecause R =3 2ill ,e o)ercro2ded.I !hen3 after a reflecti)e pause3 HI tell you3 it0s a luc-y thing the co+puters 2or-ed out interstellar tra)el the 2ay the race is gro2ing.I HI -no23 I -no23I said Berrodine +isera,ly. Berrodette I said pro+ptly3 HOur Micro)ac is the ,est Micro)ac in the 2orld.I HI thin- so3 too3I said Berrodd3 tousling her hair. It 'as a nice feeling to ha)e a Micro)ac of your o2n and Berrodd 2as glad he 2as part of his generation and no other. In his father0s youth3 the only co+puters had ,een tre+endous +achines ta-ing up a hundred s?uare +iles of land. !here 2as only one to a planet. (lanetary ACs they 2ere called. !hey had ,een gro2ing in si6e steadily for a thousand years and then3 all at once3 ca+e refine+ent. In place of transistors had co+e +olecular )al)es so that e)en the largest (lanetary AC could ,e put into a space only half the )olu+e of a spaceship. Berrodd felt uplifted3 as he al2ays did 2hen he thought that his o2n personal Micro)ac 2as +any ti+es +ore co+plicated than the ancient and pri+iti)e Multi)ac that had first ta+ed the Sun3 and al+ost as co+plicated as Darth0s (lanetary AC 7the largest8 that had first sol)ed the pro,le+ of hyperspatial tra)el and had +ade trips to the stars possi,le. HSo +any stars3 so +any planets3I sighed Berrodine3 ,usy 2ith her o2n thoughts. HI suppose fa+ilies 2ill ,e going out to ne2 planets fore)er3 the 2ay 2e are no2.I HNot fore)er3I said Berrodd3 2ith a s+ile. HIt 2ill all stop so+eday3 ,ut not for ,illions of years. Many ,illions. D)en the stars run do2n3 you -no2. Dntropy +ust increase.I H"hat0s entropy3 daddy1I shrilled Berrodette II. HDntropy3 little s2eet3 is <ust a 2ord 2hich +eans the a+ount of running do2n of the uni)erse. D)erything runs do2n3 you -no23 li-e your little 2al-ie tal-ie ro,ot3 re+e+,er1I HCan0t you <ust put in a ne2 po2er unit3 li-e 2ith +y ro,ot1I H!he stars are the po2er units3 dear. Once they0re gone3 there are no +ore po2er units.I Berrodette I at once set up a ho2l. H#on0t let the+3 daddy. #on0t let the stars run do2n.I HNo2 loo- 2hat you0)e done3I 2hispered Berrodine3 e4asperated. H%o2 2as I to -no2 it 2ould frighten the+1I Berrodd 2hispered ,ac-. HAs- the Micro)ac3I 2ailed Berrodette I. HAs- hi+ ho2 to turn the stars on again.I H5o ahead3I said Berrodine. HIt 2ill ?uiet the+ do2n.I 7Berrodette II 2as ,eginning to cry3 also.8 Berrodd shrugged. HNo23 no23 honeys. I0ll as- Micro)ac. #on0t 2orry3 he0ll tell us.I %e as-ed the Micro)ac3 adding ?uic-ly3 H(rint the ans2er.I Berrodd cupped the strip of thin cellufil+ and said cheerfully3 HSee no23 the Micro)ac says it 2ill ta-e care of e)erything 2hen the ti+e co+es so don0t 2orry.I Berrodine said3 HAnd no23 children3 it0s ti+e for ,ed. "e0ll ,e in our ne2 ho+e soon.I Berrodd read the 2ords on the cellufil+ again ,efore destroying itM INS@$$ICIDN! #A!A $O9 A MDANIN5$@& ANS"D9. %e shrugged and loo-ed at the )isiplate. R =3 2as <ust ahead.

VB =3R of &a+eth stared into the ,lac- depths of the three di+ensional3 s+all scale +ap of the 5ala4y and said3 HAre 2e ridiculous3 I 2onder3 in ,eing so concerned a,out the +atter1I M' 17B of Nicron shoo- his head. HI thin- not. >ou -no2 the 5ala4y 2ill ,e filled in fi)e years at the present rate of e4pansion.I *oth see+ed in their early t2enties3 ,oth 2ere tall and perfectly for+ed. HStill3I said VB =3R3 HI hesitate to su,+it a pessi+istic report to the 5alactic Council.I HI 2ouldn0t consider any other -ind of report. Stir the+ up a ,it. "e0)e got to stir the+ up.I VB =3R sighed. HSpace is infinite. A hundred ,illion 5ala4ies are there for the ta-ing. More.I HA hundred ,illion is not infinite and it0s getting less infinite all the ti+e. ConsiderJ !2enty thousand years ago3 +an-ind first sol)ed the pro,le+ of utili6ing stellar energy3 and a fe2 centuries later3 interstellar tra)el ,eca+e possi,le. It too- +an-ind a +illion years to fill one s+all 2orld and then only fifteen thousand years to fill the rest of the 5ala4y. No2 the population dou,les e)ery ten years I VB =3R interrupted. H"e can than- i++ortality for that.I HVery 2ell. I++ortality e4ists and 2e ha)e to ta-e it into account. I ad+it it has its sea+y side3 this i++ortality. !he 5alactic AC has sol)ed +any pro,le+s for us3 ,ut in sol)ing the pro,le+ of pre)enting old age and death3 it has undone all its other solutions.I H>et you 2ouldn0t 2ant to a,andon life3 I suppose.I HNot at all3I snapped M' 17B3 softening it at once to3 HNot yet. I0+ ,y no +eans old enough. %o2 old are you1I H!2o hundred t2enty three. And you1I HI0+ still under t2o hundred. *ut to get ,ac- to +y point. (opulation dou,les e)ery ten years. Once this 5ala4y is filled3 2e0ll ha)e filled another in ten years. Another ten years and 2e0ll ha)e filled t2o +ore. Another decade3 four +ore. In a hundred years3 2e0ll ha)e filled a thousand 5ala4ies. In a thousand years3 a +illion 5ala4ies. In ten thousand years3 the entire -no2n @ni)erse. !hen 2hat1I VB =3R said3 HAs a side issue3 there0s a pro,le+ of transportation. I 2onder ho2 +any sunpo2er units it 2ill ta-e to +o)e 5ala4ies of indi)iduals fro+ one 5ala4y to the ne4t.I HA )ery good point. Already3 +an-ind consu+es t2o sunpo2er units per year.I HMost of it0s 2asted. After all3 our o2n 5ala4y alone pours out a thousand sunpo2er units a year and 2e only use t2o of those.I H5ranted3 ,ut e)en 2ith a hundred per cent efficiency3 2e only sta)e off the end. Our energy re?uire+ents are going up in a geo+etric progression e)en faster than our population. "e0ll run out of energy e)en sooner than 2e run out of 5ala4ies. A good point. A )ery good point.I H"e0ll <ust ha)e to ,uild ne2 stars out of interstellar gas.I HOr out of dissipated heat1I as-ed M' 17B3 sarcastically. H!here +ay ,e so+e 2ay to re)erse entropy. "e ought to as- the 5alactic AC.I VB =3R 2as not really serious3 ,ut M' 17B pulled out his AC contact fro+ his poc-et and placed it on the ta,le ,efore hi+. HI0)e half a +ind to3I he said. HIt0s so+ething the hu+an race 2ill ha)e to face so+eday.I %e stared so+,erly at his s+all AC contact. It 2as only t2o inches cu,ed and nothing in itself3 ,ut it 2as connected through hyperspace 2ith the great 5alactic AC that ser)ed all +an-ind. %yperspace considered3 it 2as an integral part of the 5alactic AC. M' 17B paused to 2onder if so+eday in his i++ortal life he 2ould get to see the 5alactic AC. It 2as on a little 2orld of its o2n3 a spider 2e,,ing of force ,ea+s holding the +atter 2ithin 2hich surges of su, +esons toothe place of the old clu+sy +olecular )al)es. >et despite its su, etheric 2or-ings3 the 5alactic AC 2as -no2n to ,e a full thousand feet across. M' 17B as-ed suddenly of his AC contact3 HCan entropy e)er ,e re)ersed1I VB =3R loo-ed startled and said at once3 HOh3 say3 I didn0t really +ean to ha)e you as- that3I H"hy not1I H"e ,oth -no2 entropy can0t ,e re)ersed. >ou can0t turn s+o-e and ash ,ac- into a tree.I H#o you ha)e trees on your 2orld1I as-ed M' 17B. !he sound of the 5alactic AC startled the+ into silence. Its )oice ca+e thin and ,eautiful out of the s+all AC contact on the des-. It saidM !%D9D IS INS@$$ICIDN! #A!A $O9 A MDANIN5$@& ANS"D9. VB =3R said3 HSeeJI !he t2o +en thereupon returned to the ?uestion of the report they 2ere to +a-e to the 5alactic Council.

Fee (ri+e0s +ind spanned the ne2 5ala4y 2ith a faint interest in the countless t2ists of stars that po2dered it. %e had ne)er seen this one ,efore. "ould he e)er see the+ all1 So +any of the+3 each 2ith its load of hu+anity. *ut a load that 2as al+ost a dead 2eight. More and +ore3 the real essence of +en 2as to ,e found out here3 in space. Minds3 not ,odiesJ !he i++ortal ,odies re+ained ,ac- on the planets3 in suspension o)er the eons. So+eti+es they roused for +aterial acti)ity ,ut that 2as gro2ing rarer. $e2 ne2 indi)iduals 2ere co+ing into e4istence to <oin the incredi,ly +ighty throng3 ,ut 2hat +atter1 !here 2as little roo+ in the @ni)erse for ne2 indi)iduals. Fee (ri+e 2as roused out of his re)erie upon co+ing across the 2ispy tendrils of another +ind. HI a+ Fee (ri+e3I said Fee (ri+e. HAnd you1I HI a+ #ee Su, "un. >our 5ala4y1I H"e call it only the 5ala4y. And you1I H"e call ours the sa+e. All +en call their 5ala4y their 5ala4y and nothing +ore. "hy not1I H!rue. Since all 5ala4ies are the sa+e.I HNot all 5ala4ies. On one particular 5ala4y the race of +an +ust ha)e originated. !hat +a-es it different.I Fee (ri+e said3 HOn 2hich one1I HI cannot say. !he @ni)ersal AC 2ould -no2.I HShall 2e as- hi+1 I a+ suddenly curious.I Fee (ri+e0s perceptions ,roadened until the 5ala4ies the+sel)es shran- and ,eca+e a ne23 +ore diffuse po2dering on a +uch larger ,ac-ground. So +any hundreds of ,illions of the+3 all 2ith their i++ortal ,eings3 all carrying their load of intelligences 2ith +inds that drifted freely through space. And yet one of the+ 2as uni?ue a+ong the+ all in ,eing the original 5ala4y. One of the+ had3 in its )ague and distant past3 a period 2hen it 2as the only 5ala4y populated ,y +an. Fee (ri+e 2as consu+ed 2ith curiosity to see this 5ala4y and he called outM H@ni)ersal ACJ On 2hich 5ala4y did +an-ind originate1I !he @ni)ersal AC heard3 for on e)ery 2orld and throughout space3 it had its receptors ready3 and each receptor lead through hyperspace to so+e un-no2n point 2here the @ni)ersal AC -ept itself aloof. Fee (ri+e -ne2 of only one +an 2hose thoughts had penetrated 2ithin sensing distance of @ni)ersal AC3 and he reported only a shining glo,e3 t2o feet across3 difficult to see. H*ut ho2 can that ,e all of @ni)ersal AC1I Fee (ri+e had as-ed. HMost of it3I had ,een the ans2er3 His in hyperspace. In 2hat for+ it is there I cannot i+agine.I Nor could anyone3 for the day had long since passed3 Fee (ri+e -ne23 2hen any +an had any part of the +a-ing of a @ni)ersal AC. Dach @ni)ersal AC designed and constructed its successor. Dach3 during its e4istence of a +illion years or +ore accu+ulated the necessary data to ,uild a ,etter and +ore intricate3 +ore capa,le successor in 2hich its o2n store of data and indi)iduality 2ould ,e su,+erged. !he @ni)ersal AC interrupted Fee (ri+e0s 2andering thoughts3 not 2ith3 2ords3 ,ut 2ith guidance. Fee (ri+e0s +entality 2as guided into the di+ sea of 5ala4ies and one in particular enlarged into stars. A thought ca+e3 infinitely distant3 ,ut infinitely clear. H!%IS IS !%D O9I5INA& 5A&AR> O$ MAN.I *ut it 2as the sa+e after all3 the sa+e as any other3 and Fee (ri+e stifled his disappoint+ent. #ee Su, "un3 2hose +ind had acco+panied the other3 said suddenly3 HAnd is one of these stars the original star of Man1I !he @ni)ersal AC said3 HMAN0S O9I5INA& S!A9 %AS 5OND NOVA. I! IS A "%I!D #"A9$.I H#id the +en upon it die1I as-ed Fee (ri+e3 startled and 2ithout thin-ing. !he @ni)ersal AC said3 HA ND" "O9&#3 AS IN S@C% CASDS3 "AS CONS!9@C!D# $O9 !%DI9 (%>SICA& *O#IDS IN !IMD.I H>es3 of course3I said Fee (ri+e3 ,ut a sense of loss o)er2hel+ed hi+ e)en so. %is +ind released its hold on the original 5ala4y of Man3 let it spring ,ac- and lose itself a+ong the ,lurred pin points. %e ne)er 2anted to see it again. #ee Su, "un said3 H"hat is 2rong1I H!he stars are dying. !he original star is dead.I H!hey +ust all die. "hy not1I H*ut 2hen all energy is gone3 our ,odies 2ill finally die3 and you and I 2ith the+.I HIt 2ill ta-e ,illions of years.I HI do not 2ish it to happen e)en after ,illions of years. @ni)ersal ACJ %o2 +ay stars ,e -ept fro+ dying1I #ee Su, "un said in a+use+ent3 H>ou0re as-ing ho2 entropy +ight ,e re)ersed in direction.I And the @ni)ersal AC ans2eredM H!%D9D IS AS >D! INS@$$ICIDN! #A!A $O9 A MDANIN5$@& ANS"D9.I Fee (ri+e0s thoughts fled ,ac- to his o2n 5ala4y. %e ga)e no further thought to #ee Su, "un3 2hose

,ody +ight ,e 2aiting on a 5ala4y a trillion light years a2ay3 or on the star ne4t to Fee (ri+e0s o2n. It didn0t +atter. @nhappily3 Fee (ri+e ,egan collecting interstellar hydrogen out of 2hich to ,uild a s+all star of his o2n. If the stars +ust so+eday die3 at least so+e could yet ,e ,uilt. Man considered 2ith hi+self3 for in a 2ay3 Man3 +entally3 2as one. %e consisted of a trillion3 trillion3 trillion ageless ,odies3 each in its place3 each resting ?uiet and incorrupti,le3 each cared for ,y perfect auto+atons3 e?ually incorrupti,le3 2hile the +inds of all the ,odies freely +elted one into the other3 indistinguisha,le. Man said3 H!he @ni)erse is dying.I Man loo-ed a,out at the di++ing 5ala4ies. !he giant stars3 spendthrifts3 2ere gone long ago3 ,ac- in the di++est of the di+ far past. Al+ost all stars 2ere 2hite d2arfs3 fading to the end. Ne2 stars had ,een ,uilt of the dust ,et2een the stars3 so+e ,y natural processes3 so+e ,y Man hi+self3 and those 2ere going3 too. "hite d2arfs +ight yet ,e crashed together and of the +ighty forces so released3 ne2 stars ,uilt3 ,ut only one star for e)ery thousand 2hite d2arfs destroyed3 and those 2ould co+e to an end3 too. Man said3 HCarefully hus,anded3 as directed ,y the Cos+ic AC3 the energy that is e)en yet left in all the @ni)erse 2ill last for ,illions of years.I H*ut e)en so3I said Man3 He)entually it 2ill all co+e to an end. %o2e)er it +ay ,e hus,anded3 ho2e)er stretched out3 the energy once e4pended is gone and cannot ,e restored. Dntropy +ust increase fore)er to the +a4i +u+.I Man said3 HCan entropy not ,e re)ersed1 &et us as- the Cos+ic AC.I !he Cos+ic AC surrounded the+ ,ut not in space. Not a frag+ent of it 2as in space. It 2as in hyperspace and +ade of so+ething that 2as neither +atter nor energy. !he ?uestion of its si6e and nature no longer had +ean ing in any ter+s that Man could co+prehend. HCos+ic AC3I said Man3 Hho2 +ay entropy ,e re)ersed1I !he Cos+ic AC said3 H!%D9D IS AS >D! INS@$$ICIDN! #A!A $O9 A MDANIN5$@& ANS"D9.I Man said3 HCollect additional data.I !he Cos+ic AC said3 HI "I&& #O SO. I %AVD *DDN #OIN5 SO $O9 A %@N#9D# *I&&ION >DA9S. M> (9D#DCDSSO9S AN# I %AVD *DDN ASLD# !%IS '@DS!ION MAN> !IMDS. A&& !%D #A!A I %AVD 9DMAINS INS@$$ICIDN!.I H"ill there co+e a ti+e3I said Man3 H2hen data 2ill ,e sufficient or is the pro,le+ insolu,le in all concei)a,le circu+stances1I !he Cos+ic AC said3 HNO (9O*&DM IS INSO&@*&D IN A&& CONCDIVA*&D CI9C@MS!ANCDS.I Man said3 H"hen 2ill you ha)e enough data to ans2er the ?uestion1I !he Cos+ic AC said3 H!%D9D IS AS >D! INS@$$ICIDN! #A!A $O9 A MDANIN5$@& ANS"D9.I H"ill you -eep 2or-ing on it1I as-ed Man. !he Cos+ic AC said3 HI "I&&.I Man said3 H"e shall 2ait.I !he stars and 5ala4ies died and snuffed out3 and space gre2 ,lac- after ten trillion years of running do2n. One ,y one Man fused 2ith AC3 each physical ,ody losing its +ental identity in a +anner that 2as so+eho2 not a loss ,ut a gain. Man0s last +ind paused ,efore fusion3 loo-ing o)er a space that included nothing ,ut the dregs of one last dar- star and nothing ,esides ,ut incredi,ly thin +atter3 agitated rando+ly ,y the tag ends of heat 2earing out3 asy+ptotically3 to the a,solute 6ero. Man said3 HAC3 is this the end1 Can this chaos not ,e re)ersed into the @ni)erse once +ore1 Can that not ,e done1I AC said3 H!%D9D IS AS >D! INS@$$ICIDN! #A!A $O9 A MDANIN5$@& ANS"D9.I Man0s last +ind fused and only AC e4isted and that in hyperspace. Matter and energy had ended and 2ith it space and ti+e. D)en AC e4isted only for the sa-e of the one last ?uestion that it had ne)er ans2ered fro+ the ti+e a half drun-en co+puter ten trillion years ,efore had as-ed the ?uestion of a co+puter that 2as to AC far less than 2as a +an to Man. All other ?uestions had ,een ans2ered3 and until this last ?uestion 2as ans2ered also3 AC +ight not release his consciousness. All collected data had co+e to a final end. Nothing 2as left to ,e collected. *ut all collected data had yet to ,e co+pletely correlated and put together in all possi,le relationships.

A ti+eless inter)al 2as spent in doing that. And it ca+e to pass that AC learned ho2 to re)erse the direction of entropy. *ut there 2as no2 no +an to 2ho+ AC +ight gi)e the ans2er of the last ?uestion. No +atter. !he ans2er ,y de+onstration 2ould ta-e care of that3 too. $or another ti+eless inter)al3 AC thought ho2 ,est to do this. Carefully3 AC organi6ed the progra+. !he consciousness of AC enco+passed all of 2hat had once ,een a @ni)erse and ,rooded o)er 2hat 2as no2 Chaos. Step ,y step3 it +ust ,e done. And AC said3 H&D! !%D9D *D &I5%!JI And there 2as light

The Dead %ast

Arnold (otterley3 (h.#.3 2as a (rofessor of Ancient %istory. !hat3 in itself3 2as not dangerous. "hat changed the 2orld ,eyond all drea+s 2as the fact that he loo-ed li-e a (rofessor of Ancient %istory. !haddeus Ara+an3 #epart+ent %ead of the #i)ision of Chronoscopy3 +ight ha)e ta-en proper action if #r. (otterley had ,een o2ner .of a large3 s?uare chin3 flashing eyes3 a?uiline nose and ,road shoulders. As it 2as3 !haddeus Ara+an found hi+self staring o)er his des- at a +ild +annered indi)idual3 2hose faded ,lue eyes loo-ed at hi+ 2istfully fro+ either side of a lo2 ,ridged ,utton nose: 2hose s+all3 neatly dressed figure see+ed sta+ped H+il- and 2aterI fro+ thinning ,ro2n hair to the neatly ,rushed shoes that co+pleted a conser)ati)e +iddle class costu+e. Ara+an said pleasantly3 HAnd no2 2hat can I do for you3 #r. (otterley1I #r. (otterley said in a soft )oice that 2ent 2ell 2ith the rest of hi+3 HMr. Ara+an3 I ca+e to you ,ecause you0re top +an in chronoscopy.I Ara+an s+iled. HNot e4actly. A,o)e +e is the "orld Co++issioner of 9esearch and a,o)e hi+ is the Secretary 5eneral of the @nited Nations. And a,o)e ,oth of the+3 of course3 are the so)ereign peoples of Darth.I #r. (otterley shoo- his head. H!hey0re not interested in chronoscopy. I0)e co+e to you3 sir3 ,ecause for t2o years I ha)e ,een trying to o,tain per+ission to do so+e ti+e )ie2ing chronoscopy3 that is in connection 2ith +y researches on ancient Carthage. I can0t o,tain such per+ission. My research grants are all proper. !here is no irregularity in any of +y intellectual endea)ors and yet I HI0+ sure there is no ?uestion of irregularity3I said Ara+an soothingly. %e flipped the thin reproduction sheets in the folder to 2hich (otterley0s na+e had ,een attached. !hey had ,een produced ,y Multi)ac3 2hose )ast analogical +ind -ept all the depart+ent records. "hen this 2as o)er3 the sheets could ,e destroyed3 then reproduced on de+and in a +atter of +inutes. And 2hile Ara+an turned the pages3 #r. (otterley0s )oice continued in a soft +onotone. !he historian 2as saying3 HI +ust e4plain that +y pro,le+ is ?uite an i+portant one. Carthage 2as ancient co++ercialis+ ,rought to its 6enith. (re 9o+an Carthage 2as the nearest ancient analogue to pre ato+ic A+erica3 at least insofar as its attach+ent to trade3 co++erce and ,usiness in general 2as concerned. !hey 2ere the +ost daring sea+en and e4plorers ,efore the Vi-ings: +uch ,etter at it than the o)errated 5ree-s. H!o -no2 Carthage 2ould ,e )ery re2arding3 yet the only -no2ledge 2e ha)e of it is deri)ed fro+ the 2ritings of its ,itter ene+ies3 the 5ree-s and 9o+ans. Carthage itself ne)er 2rote in its o2n defense or3 if it did3 the ,oo-s did not sur)i)e. As a result3 the Carthaginians ha)e ,een one of the fa)orite sets of )illains of history and perhaps un<ustly so. !i+e )ie2ing +ay set the record straight.I %e said +uch +ore. Ara+an said3 still turning the reproduction sheets ,efore hi+3 H>ou +ust reali6e3 #r. (otterley3 that chronoscopy3 or ti+e )ie2ing3 if you prefer3 is a difficult process.I #r. (otterley3 2ho had ,een interrupted3 fro2ned and said3 HI a+ as-ing for only certain selected )ie2s at ti+es and places I 2ould indicate.I Ara+an sighed. HD)en a fe2 )ie2s3 e)en one ... It is an un,elie)a,ly delicate art. !here is the ?uestion of focus3 getting the proper scene in )ie2 and holding it. !here is the synchroni6ation of sound3 2hich calls for co+ pletely independent circuits.I HSurely +y pro,le+ is i+portant enough to <ustify considera,le effort.I H>es3 sir. @ndou,tedly3I said Ara+an at once. !o deny the i+portance of so+eone0s research pro,le+ 2ould ,e unforgi)a,ly ,ad +anners. H*ut you +ust understand ho2 long dra2n out e)en the si+plest )ie2 is. And there is a long 2aiting line for the chronoscope and an e)en longer 2aiting line for the use of Multi)ac 2hich guides

us in our use of the controls.I (otterley stirred unhappily. H*ut can nothing ,e done1 $or t2o years I HA +atter of priority3 sir. I0+ sorry. . . . Cigarette1I !he historian started ,ac- at the suggestion3 eyes suddenly 2idening as he stared at the pac- thrust out to2ard hi+. Ara+an loo-ed surprised3 2ithdre2 the pac-3 +ade a +otion as though to ta-e a cigarette for hi+self and thought ,etter of it. (otterley dre2 a sigh of unfeigned relief as the pac- 2as put out of sight. %e said3 HIs there any 2ay of re)ie2ing +atters3 putting +e as far for2ard as possi,le. I don0t -no2 ho2 to e4plain I Ara+an s+iled. So+e had offered +oney under si+ilar circu+stances 2hich3 of course3 had gotten the+ no2here3 either. %e said3 H!he decisions on priority are co+puter processed. I could in no 2ay alter those decisions ar,itrarily.I (otterley rose stiffly to his feet. %e stood fi)e and a half feet tall. H!hen3 good day3 sir.I H5ood day3 #r. (otterley. And +y sincerest regrets.I %e offered his hand and (otterley touched it ,riefly. !he historian left3 and a touch of the ,u66er ,rought Ara+an0s secretary into the roo+. %e handed her the folder. H!hese3I he said3 H+ay ,e disposed of.I Alone again3 he s+iled ,itterly. Another ite+ in his ?uarter century0s ser)ice to the hu+an race. Ser)ice through negation. At least this fello2 had ,een easy to dispose of. So+eti+es acade+ic pressure had to ,e applied and e)en 2ithdra2al of grants. $i)e +inutes later3 he had forgotten #r. (otterley. Nor3 thin-ing ,ac- on it later3 could he re+e+,er feeling any pre+onition of danger. #uring the first year of his frustration3 Arnold (otterley had e4perienced only that frustration. #uring the second year3 though3 his frustration ga)e ,irth to an idea that first frightened and then fascinated hi+. !2o things stopped hi+ fro+ trying to translate the idea into action3 and neither ,arrier 2as the undou,ted fact that his notion 2as a grossly unethical one. !he first 2as +erely the continuing hope that the go)ern+ent 2ould finally gi)e its per+ission and +a-e it unnecessary for hi+ to do anything +ore. !hat hope had perished finally in the inter)ie2 2ith Ara+an <ust co+pleted. !he second ,arrier had ,een not a hope at all ,ut a dreary reali6ation of his o2n incapacity. %e 2as not a physicist and he -ne2 no physicists fro+ 2ho+ he +ight o,tain help. !he #epart+ent of (hysics at the uni)ersity consisted of +en 2ell stoc-ed 2ith grants and 2ell i++ersed in specialty. At ,est3 they 2ould not listen to hi+. At 2orst3 they 2ould report hi+ for intellectual anarchy and e)en his ,asic Carthaginian grant +ight easily ,e 2ithdra2n. !hat he could not ris-. And yet chronoscopy 2as the only 2ay to carry on his 2or-. "ithout it3 he 2ould ,e no 2orse off if his grant 2ere lost. !he first hint that the second ,arrier +ight ,e o)erco+e had co+e a 2ee- earlier than his inter)ie2 2ith Ara+an3 and it had gone unrecogni6ed at the ti+e. It had ,een at one of the faculty teas. (otterley attended these sessions unfailingly ,ecause he concei)ed attendance to ,e a duty3 and he too- his duties seriously. Once there3 ho2e)er3 he concei)ed it to ,e no responsi,ility of his to +a-e light con)ersation or ne2 friends. %e sipped a,ste+iously at a drin- or t2o3 e4changed a polite 2ord 2ith the dean or such depart+ent heads as happened to ,e present3 ,esto2ed a narro2 s+ile on others and finally left early. Ordinarily3 he 2ould ha)e paid no attention3 at that +ost recent tea3 to a young +an standing ?uietly3 e)en diffidently3 in one corner. %e 2ould ne)er ha)e drea+ed of spea-ing to hi+. >et a tangle of circu+stance persuaded hi+ this once to ,eha)e in a 2ay contrary to his nature. !hat +orning at ,rea-fast3 Mrs. (otterley had announced so+,erly that once again she had drea+ed of &aurel: ,ut this ti+e a &aurel gro2n up3 yet retaining the three year old face that sta+ped her as their child. (otterley had let her tal-. !here had ,een a ti+e 2hen he fought her too fre?uent preoccupation 2ith the past and death. &aurel 2ould not co+e ,ac- to the+3 either through drea+s or through tal-. >et if it appeased Caroline (otterley let her drea+ and tal-. *ut 2hen (otterley 2ent to school that +orning3 he found hi+self for once affected ,y Caroline0s inanities. &aurel gro2n upJ She had died nearly t2enty years ago: their only child3 then and e)er. In all that ti+e3 2hen he thought of her3 it 2as as a three year old. No2 he thoughtM *ut if she 2ere ali)e no23 she 2ouldn0t ,e three3 she0d ,e nearly t2enty three.

%elplessly3 he found hi+self trying to thin- of &aurel as gro2ing progressi)ely older: as finally ,eco+ing t2enty three. %e did not ?uite succeed. >et he tried. &aurel using +a-e up. &aurel going out 2ith ,oys. &aurel getting +arriedJ So it 2as that 2hen he sa2 the young +an ho)ering at the outs-irts of the coldly circulating group of faculty +en3 it occurred to hi+ ?ui4otically that3 for all he -ne23 a youngster <ust such as this +ight ha)e +arried &aurel. !hat youngster hi+self3 perhaps. . . . &aurel +ight ha)e +et hi+3 here at the uni)ersity3 or so+e e)ening 2hen he +ight ,e in)ited to dinner at the (otterleys0. !hey +ight gro2 interested in one another. &aurel 2ould surely ha)e ,een pretty and this youngster loo-ed 2ell. %e 2as dar- in coloring3 2ith a lean intent face and an easy carriage. !he tenuous daydrea+ snapped3 yet (otterley found hi+self staring foolishly at the young +an3 not as a strange face ,ut as a possi,le son in la2 in the +ight ha)e ,een. %e found hi+self threading his 2ay to2ard the +an. It 2as al+ost a for+ of autohypnotis+. %e put out his hand. HI a+ Arnold (otterley of the %istory #epart+ent. >ou0re ne2 here3 I thin-1I !he youngster loo-ed faintly astonished and fu+,led 2ith his drin-3 shifting it to his left hand in order to sha-e 2ith his right. HBonas $oster is +y na+e3 sir. I0+ a ne2 instructor in physics. I0+ <ust starting this se+ester.I (otterley nodded. HI 2ish you a happy stay here and great success.I !hat 2as the end of it3 then. (otterley had co+e uneasily to his senses3 found hi+self e+,arrassed and +o)ed off. %e stared ,ac- o)er his shoulder once3 ,ut the illusion of relationship had gone. 9eality 2as ?uite real once +ore and he 2as angry 2ith hi+self for ha)ing fallen prey to his 2ife0s foolish tal- a,out &aurel. *ut a 2ee- later3 e)en 2hile Ara+an 2as tal-ing3 the thought of that young +an had co+e ,ac- to hi+. An instructor in physics. A ne2 instructor. %ad he ,een deaf at the ti+e1 "as there a short circuit ,et2een ear and ,rain1 Or 2as it an auto+atic self censorship ,ecause of the i+pending inter)ie2 2ith the %ead of Chronoscopy1 *ut the inter)ie2 failed3 and it 2as the thought of the young +an 2ith 2ho+ he had e4changed t2o sentences that pre)ented (otterley fro+ ela,orating his pleas for consideration. %e 2as al+ost an4ious to get a2ay. And in the autogiro e4press ,ac- to the uni)ersity3 he could al+ost 2ish he 2ere superstitious. %e could then console hi+self 2ith the thought that the casual +eaningless +eeting had really ,een directed ,y a -no2ing and purposeful $ate. Bonas $oster 2as not ne2 to acade+ic life. !he long and ric-ety struggle for the doctorate 2ould +a-e anyone a )eteran. Additional 2or- as a postdoctorate teaching fello2 acted as a ,ooster shot. *ut no2 he 2as Instructor Bonas $oster. (rofessorial dignity lay ahead. And he no2 found hi+self in a ne2 sort of relationship to2ard other professors. $or one thing3 they 2ould ,e )oting on future pro+otions. $or another3 he 2as in no position to tell so early in the ga+e 2hich particular +e+,er of the faculty +ight or +ight not ha)e the ear of the dean or e)en of the uni)ersity president. %e did not fancy hi+self as a ca+pus politician and 2as sure he 2ould +a-e a poor one3 yet there 2as no point in -ic-ing his o2n rear into ,listers <ust to pro)e that to hi+self. So $oster listened to this +ild +annered historian 2ho3 in so+e )ague 2ay3 see+ed ne)ertheless to radiate tension3 and did not shut hi+ up a,ruptly and toss hi+ out. Certainly that 2as his first i+pulse. %e re+e+,ered (otterley 2ell enough. (otterley had approached hi+ at that tea 72hich had ,een a gri66ly affair8. !he fello2 had spo-en t2o sentences to hi+ stiffly3 so+eho2 glassy eyed3 had then co+e to hi+self 2ith a )isi,le start and hurried off. It had a+used $oster at the ti+e3 ,ut no2 . . . (otterley +ight ha)e ,een deli,erately trying to +a-e his ac?uaintance3 or3 rather3 to i+press his o2n personality on $oster as that of a ?ueer sort of duc-3 eccentric ,ut har+less. %e +ight no2 ,e pro,ing $oster0s )ie2s3 searching for unsettling opinions. Surely3 they ought to ha)e done so ,efore granting hi+ his appoint+ent. Still . . . (otterley +ight ,e serious3 +ight honestly not reali6e 2hat he 2as doing. Or he +ight reali6e ?uite 2ell 2hat he 2as doing: he +ight ,e nothing +ore or less than a dangerous rascal. $oster +u+,led3 H"ell3 no2 I to gain ti+e3 and fished out a pac-age of cigarettes3 intending to offer one to (otterley and to light it and one for hi+self )ery slo2ly. *ut (otterley said at once3 H(lease3 #r. $oster. No cigarettes.I $oster loo-ed startled. HI0+ sorry3 sir.I HNo. !he regrets are +ine. I cannot stand the odor. An idiosyncrasy. I0+ sorry.I %e 2as positi)ely pale. $oster put a2ay the cigarettes. $oster3 feeling the a,sence of the cigarette3 too- the easy 2ay out. HI0+ flattered that you as- +y ad)ice and all that3 #r. (otterley3 ,ut I0+ not a neutrinics +an. I can0t )ery 2ell do anything professional in that direction.

D)en stating an opinion 2ould ,e out of line3 and3 fran-ly3 I0d prefer that you didn0t go into any particulars.I !he historian0s pri+ face set hard. H"hat do you +ean3 you0re not a neutrinics +an1 >ou0re not anything yet. >ou ha)en0t recei)ed any grant3 ha)e you1I H!his is only +y first se+ester.I HI -no2 that. I i+agine you ha)en0t e)en applied for any grant yet.I $oster half s+iled. In three +onths at the uni)ersity3 he had not succeeded in putting his initial re?uests for research grants into good enough shape to pass on to a professional science 2riter3 let alone to the 9esearch Co++ission. 7%is #epart+ent %ead3 fortunately3 too- it ?uite 2ell. H!a-e your ti+e no23 $oster3I he said3 Hand get your thoughts 2ell organi6ed. Ma-e sure you -no2 your path and 2here it 2ill lead3 for3 once you recei)e a grant3 your speciali6ation 2ill ,e for+ally recogni6ed and3 for ,etter or for 2orse3 it 2ill ,e yours for the rest of your career.I !he ad)ice 2as trite enough3 ,ut triteness has often the +erit of truth3 and $oster recogni6ed that.8 $oster said3 H*y education and inclination3 #r. (otterley3 I0+ a hyperoptics +an 2ith a gra)ities +inor. It0s ho2 I descri,ed +yself in applying for this position. It +ay not ,e +y official speciali6ation yet3 ,ut it0s going to ,e. It can0t ,e anything else. As for neutrinics3 I ne)er e)en studied the su,<ect.I H"hy not1I de+anded (otterley at once. $oster stared. It 2as the -ind of rude curiosity a,out another +an0s professional status that 2as al2ays irritating. %e said3 2ith the edge of his o2n politeness <ust a trifle ,lunted3 HA course in neutrinics 2asn0t gi)en at +y uni)ersity.I H5ood &ord3 2here did you go1I HM.I.!.3I said $oster ?uietly. HAnd they don0t teach neutrinics1I HNo3 they don0t.I $oster felt hi+self flush and 2as +o)ed to a defense. HIt0s a highly speciali6ed su,<ect 2ith no great )alue. Chronoscopy3 perhaps3 has so+e )alue3 ,ut it is the only practical application and that0s a dead end.I !he historian stared at hi+ earnestly. H!ell +e this. #o you -no2 2here I can find a neutrinics +an1I HNo3 I don0t3I said $oster ,luntly. H"ell3 then3 do you -no2 a school 2hich teaches neutrinics1I HNo3 I don0t.I (otterley s+iled tightly and 2ithout hu+or. $oster resented that s+ile3 found he detected insult in it and gre2 sufficiently annoyed to say3 HI 2ould li-e to point out3 sir3 that you0re stepping out of line.I H"hat1I HI0+ saying that3 as a historian3 your interest in any sort of physics3 your professional interest3 is I %e paused3 una,le to ,ring hi+self ?uite to say the 2ord. H@nethical1I H!hat0s the 2ord3 #r. (otterley.I HMy researches ha)e dri)en +e to it3I said (otterley in an intense 2hisper. H!he 9esearch Co++ission is the place to go. If they per+it I HI ha)e gone to the+ and ha)e recei)ed no satisfaction.I H!hen o,)iously you +ust a,andon this.I $oster -ne2 he 2as sounding stuffily )irtuous3 ,ut he 2asn0t going to let this +an lure hi+ into an e4pression of intellectual anarchy. It 2as too early in his career to ta-e stupid ris-s. Apparently3 though3 the re+ar- had its effect on (otterley. "ithout any 2arning3 the +an e4ploded into a rapid fire )er,al stor+ of irresponsi,ility. Scholars3 he said3 could ,e free only if they could freely follo2 their o2n free s2inging curiosity. 9esearch3 he said3 forced into a predesigned pattern ,y the po2ers that held the purse strings ,eca+e sla)ish and had to stagnate. No +an3 he said3 had the right to dictate the intellectual interests of another. $oster listened to all of it 2ith dis,elief. None of it 2as strange to hi+. %e had heard college ,oys tal- so in order to shoc- their professors and he had once or t2ice a+used hi+self in that fashion3 too. Anyone 2ho studied the history of science -ne2 that +any +en had once thought so. >et it see+ed strange to $oster3 al+ost against nature3 that a +odern +an of science could ad)ance such nonsense. No one 2ould ad)ocate running a factory ,y allo2ing each indi)idual 2or-er to do 2hate)er pleased hi+ at the +o+ent3 or of running a ship according to the casual and conflicting notions of each indi)idual cre2+an. It 2ould ,e ta-en for granted that so+e sort of centrali6ed super)isory agency +ust e4ist in each case. "hy should direction and order ,enefit a factory and a ship ,ut not scientific research1

(eople +ight say that the hu+an +ind 2as so+eho2 ?ualitati)ely different fro+ a ship or factory ,ut the history of intellectual endea)or pro)ed the opposite. "hen science 2as young and the intricacies of all or +ost of the -no2n 2as 2ithin the grasp of an indi)idual +ind3 there 2as no need for direction3 perhaps. *lind 2andering o)er the uncharted tracts of ignorance could lead to 2onderful finds ,y accident. *ut as -no2ledge gre23 +ore and +ore data had to ,e a,sor,ed ,efore 2orth2hile <ourneys into ignorance could ,e organi6ed. Men had to speciali6e. !he researcher needed the resources of a li,rary he hi+self could not gather3 then of instru+ents he hi+self could not afford. More and +ore3 the indi)idual researcher ga)e 2ay to the research tea+ and the research institution. !he funds necessary for research gre2 greater as tools gre2 +ore nu+erous. "hat college 2as so s+all today as not to re?uire at least one nuclear +icro reactor and at least one three stage co+puter1 Centuries ,efore3 pri)ate indi)iduals could no longer su,sidi6e research. *y 19AG3 only the go)ern+ent3 large industries and large uni)ersities or research institutions could properly su,sidi6e ,asic research. *y 19EG3 e)en the largest uni)ersities depended entirely upon go)ern+ent grants3 2hile research institutions could not e4ist 2ithout ta4 concessions and pu,lic su,scriptions. *y =GGG3 the industrial co+,ines had ,eco+e a ,ranch of the 2orld go)ern+ent and3 thereafter3 the financing of research and therefore its direction naturally ,eca+e centrali6ed under a depart+ent of the go)ern+ent. It all 2or-ed itself out naturally and 2ell. D)ery ,ranch of science 2as fitted neatly to the needs of the pu,lic3 and the )arious ,ranches of science 2ere co ordinated decently. !he +aterial ad)ance of the last half century 2as argu+ent enough for the fact that science 2as not falling into stagnation. $oster tried to say a )ery little of this and 2as 2a)ed aside i+patiently ,y (otterley 2ho said3 H>ou are parroting official propaganda. >ou0re sitting in the +iddle of an e4a+ple that0s s?uarely against the official )ie2. Can you ,elie)e that1I H$ran-ly3 no.I H"ell3 2hy do you say ti+e )ie2ing is a dead end1 "hy is neutrinics uni+portant1 >ou say it is. >ou say it categorically. >et you0)e ne)er studied it. >ou clai+ co+plete ignorance of the su,<ect. It0s not e)en gi)en in your school I HIsn0t the +ere fact that it isn0t gi)en proof enough1I HOh3 I see. It0s not gi)en ,ecause it0s uni+portant. And it0s uni+portant ,ecause it0s not gi)en. Are you satisfied 2ith that reasoning1I $oster felt a gro2ing confusion. HIt0s in the ,oo-s.I H!hat0s all. !he ,oo-s say neutrinics is uni+portant. >our professors tell you so ,ecause they read it in the ,oo-s. !he ,oo-s say so ,ecause professors 2rite the+. "ho says it fro+ personal e4perience and -no2ledge1 "ho does research in it1 #o you -no2 of anyone1I $oster said3 HI don0t see that 2e0re getting any2here3 #r. (otterley. I ha)e 2or- to do I HOne +inute. I <ust 2ant you to try this on. See ho2 it sounds to you. I say the go)ern+ent is acti)ely suppressing ,asic research in neutrinics and chronoscopy. !hey0re suppressing application of chronoscopy.I HOh3 no.I H"hy not1 !hey could do it. !here0s your centrally directed research. If they refuse grants for research in any portion of science3 that portion dies. !hey0)e -illed neutrinics. !hey can do it and ha)e done it.I H*ut 2hy1I HI don0t -no2 2hy. I 2ant you to find out. I0d do it +yself if I -ne2 enough. I ca+e to you ,ecause you0re a young fello2 2ith a ,rand ne2 education. %a)e your intellectual arteries hardened already1 Is there no curiosity in you1 #on0t you 2ant to -no21 #on0t you 2ant ans2ers1I !he historian 2as peering intently into $oster0s face. !heir noses 2ere only inches apart3 and $oster 2as so lost that he did not thin- to dra2 ,ac-. %e should3 ,y rights3 ha)e ordered (otterley out. If necessary3 he should ha)e thro2n (otterley out. It 2as not respect for age and position that stopped hi+. It 2as certainly not that (otterley0s argu+ents had con)inced hi+. 9ather3 it 2as a s+all point of college pride. "hy didn0t M.I.!. gi)e a course in neutrinics1 $or that +atter3 no2 that he ca+e to thin- of it3 he dou,ted that there 2as a single ,oo- on neutrinics in the li,rary. %e could ne)er recall ha)ing seen one. %e stopped to thin- a,out that. And that 2as ruin. Caroline (otterley had once ,een an attracti)e 2o+an. !here 2ere occasions3 such as dinners or uni)ersity functions3 2hen3 ,y considera,le effort3 re+nants of the attraction could ,e sal)aged. On ordinary occasions3 she sagged. It 2as the 2ord she applied to herself in +o+ents of self a,horrence.

She had gro2n plu+per 2ith the years3 ,ut the flaccidity a,out her 2as not a +atter of fat entirely. It 2as as though her +uscles had gi)en up and gro2n li+p so that she shuffled 2hen she 2al-ed3 2hile her eyes gre2 ,aggy and her chee-s <o2ly. D)en her graying hair see+ed tired rather than +erely stringy. Its straightness see+ed to ,e the result of a supine surrender to gra)ity3 nothing else. Caroline (otterley loo-ed at herself in the +irror and ad+itted this 2as one of her ,ad days. She -ne2 the reason3 too. It had ,een the drea+ of &aurel. !he strange one3 2ith &aurel gro2n up. She had ,een 2retched e)er since. Still3 she 2as sony she had +entioned it to Arnold. %e didn0t say anything: he ne)er did any +ore: ,ut it 2as ,ad for hi+. %e 2as particularly 2ithdra2n for days after2ard. It +ight ha)e ,een that he 2as getting ready for that i+portant conference 2ith the ,ig go)ern+ent official 7he -ept saying he e4pected no success83 ,ut it +ight also ha)e ,een her drea+. It 2as ,etter in the old days 2hen he 2ould cry sharply at her3 H&et the dead past go3 CarolineJ !al- 2on0t ,ring her ,ac-3 and drea+s 2on0t either.I It had ,een ,ad for ,oth of the+. %orri,ly ,ad. She had ,een a2ay fro+ ho+e and had li)ed in guilt e)er since. If she had stayed at ho+e3 if she had not gone on an unnecessary shopping e4pedition3 there 2ould ha)e ,een t2o of the+ a)aila,le. One 2ould ha)e succeeded in sa)ing &aurel. (oor Arnold had not +anaged. %ea)en -ne2 he tried. %e had nearly died hi+self. %e had co+e out of the ,urning house3 staggering in agony3 ,listered3 cho-ing3 half ,linded3 2ith the dead &aurel in his ar+s. !he night+are of that li)ed on3 ne)er lifting entirely. Arnold slo2ly gre2 a shell a,out hi+self after2ard. %e culti)ated a lo2 )oiced +ildness through 2hich nothing ,ro-e3 no lightning struc-. %e gre2 puritanical and e)en a,andoned his +inor )ices3 his cigarettes3 his penchant for an occasional profane e4cla+ation. %e o,tained his grant for the preparation of a ne2 history of Carthage and su,ordinated e)erything to that. She tried to help hi+. She hunted up his references3 typed his notes and +icrofil+ed the+. !hen that ended suddenly. She ran fro+ the des- suddenly one e)ening3 reaching the ,athroo+ in ,are ti+e and retching a,o+ina,ly. %er hus,and follo2ed her in confusion and concern. HCaroline3 2hat0s 2rong1I It too- a drop of ,randy to ,ring her around. She said3 HIs it true1 "hat they did1I H"ho did1I H!he Carthaginians.I %e stared at her and she got it out ,y indirection. She couldn0t say it right out. !he Carthaginians3 it see+ed3 2orshiped Moloch3 in the for+ of a hollo23 ,ra6en idol 2ith a furnace in its ,elly. At ti+es of national crisis3 the priests and the people gathered3 and infants3 after the proper cere+onies and in)ocations3 2ere de4trously hurled3 ali)e3 into the fla+es. !hey 2ere gi)en s2eet+eats <ust ,efore the crucial +o+ent3 in order that the efficacy of the sacrifice not ,e ruined ,y displeasing cries of panic. !he dru+s rolled <ust after the +o+ent3 to dro2n out the fe2 seconds of infant shrie-ing. !he parents 2ere present3 presu+a,ly gratified3 for the sacrifice 2as pleasing to the gods. . . . Arnold (otterley fro2ned dar-ly. Vicious lies3 he told her3 on the part of Carthage0s ene+ies. %e should ha)e 2arned her. After all3 such propagandistic lies 2ere not unco++on. According to the 5ree-s3 the ancient %e,re2s 2orshiped an ass0s head in their %oly of %olies. According to the 9o+ans3 the pri+iti)e Christians 2ere haters of all +en 2ho sacrificed pagan children in the cataco+,s. H!hen they didn0t do it1I as-ed Caroline. HI0+ sure they didn0t. !he pri+iti)e (hoenicians +ay ha)e. %u+an sacrifice is co++onplace in pri+iti)e cultures. *ut Carthage in her great days 2as not a pri+iti)e culture. %u+an sacrifice often gi)es 2ay to sy+,olic actions such as circu+cision. !he 5ree-s and 9o+ans +ight ha)e +ista-en so+e Carthaginian sy+,olis+ for the original full rite3 either out of ignorance or out of +alice.I HAre you sure1I HI can0t ,e sure yet3 Caroline3 ,ut 2hen I0)e got enough e)idence3 I0ll apply for per+ission to use chronoscopy3 2hich 2ill settle the +atter once and for all.I HChronoscopy1I H!i+e )ie2ing. "e can focus on ancient Carthage at so+e ti+e of crisis3 the landing of Scipio Africanus in =G= ,.c.3 for instance3 and see 2ith our o2n eyes e4actly 2hat happens. And you0ll see3 I0ll ,e right.I %e patted her and s+iled encouragingly3 ,ut she drea+ed of &aurel e)ery night for t2o 2ee-s thereafter and she ne)er helped hi+ 2ith his Carthage pro<ect again. Nor did he e)er as- her to. *ut no2 she 2as ,racing herself for his co+ing. %e had called her after arri)ing ,ac- in to2n3 told her he

had seen the go)ern+ent +an and that it had gone as e4pected. !hat +eant failure3 and yet the little telltale sign of depression had ,een a,sent fro+ his )oice and his features had appeared ?uite co+posed in the tele)ie2. %e had another errand to ta-e care of3 he said3 ,efore co+ing ho+e. It +eant he 2ould ,e late3 ,ut that didn0t +atter. Neither one of the+ 2as particular a,out eating hours or cared 2hen pac-ages 2ere ta-en out of the free6er or e)en 2hich pac-ages or 2hen the self2ar+ing +echanis+ 2as acti)ated. "hen he did arri)e3 he surprised her. !here 2as nothing unto2ard a,out hi+ in any o,)ious 2ay. %e -issed her dutifully and s+iled3 too- off his hat and as-ed if all had ,een 2ell 2hile he 2as gone. It 2as all al+ost perfectly nor+al. Al+ost. She had learned to detect s+all things3 though3 and his pace in all this 2as a trifle hurried. Dnough to sho2 her accusto+ed eye that he 2as under tension. She said3 H%as so+ething happened1I %e said3 H"e0re going to ha)e a dinner guest night after ne4t3 Caroline. >ou don0t +ind1I H"ell3 no. Is it anyone I -no21I HNo. A young instructor. A ne2co+er. I0)e spo-en to hi+.I %e suddenly 2hirled to2ard her and sei6ed her ar+s at the el,o23 held the+ a +o+ent3 then dropped the+ in confusion as though disconcerted at ha)ing sho2n e+otion. %e said3 HI al+ost didn0t get through to hi+. I+agine that. !erri,le3 terri,le3 the 2ay 2e ha)e all ,ent to the yo-e: the affection 2e ha)e for the harness a,out us.I Mrs. (otterley 2asn0t sure she understood3 ,ut for a year she had ,een 2atching hi+ gro2 ?uietly +ore re,ellious: little ,y little +ore daring in his criticis+ of the go)ern+ent. She said3 H>ou ha)en0t spo-en foolishly to hi+3 ha)e you1I H"hat do you +ean3 foolishly1 %e0ll ,e doing so+e neutrinics for +e.I HNeutrinicsI 2as trisylla,ic nonsense to Mrs. (otterley3 ,ut she -ne2 it had nothing to do 2ith history. She said faintly3 HArnold3 I don0t li-e you to do that. >ou0ll lose your position. It0s I HIt0s intellectual anarchy3 +y dear3I he said. H!hat0s the phrase you 2ant. Very 2ell. I a+ an anarchist. If the go)ern+ent 2ill not allo2 +e to push +y researches3 I 2ill push the+ on +y o2n. And 2hen I sho2 the 2ay3 others 2ill follo2. . . . And if they don0t3 it +a-es no difference. It0s Carthage that counts and hu+an -no2ledge3 not you and I.I H*ut you don0t -no2 this young +an. "hat if he is an agent for the Co++ission of 9esearch.I HNot li-ely and I0ll ta-e that chance.I %e +ade a fist of his right hand and ru,,ed it gently against the pal+ of his left. H%e0s on +y side no2. I0+ sure of it. %e can0t help ,ut ,e. I can recogni6e intellectual curiosity 2hen I see it in a +an0s eyes and face and attitude3 and it0s a fatal disease for a ta+e scientist. D)en today it ta-es ti+e to ,eat it out of a +an and the young ones are )ulnera,le. . . . Oh3 2hy stop at anything1 "hy not ,uild our o2n chronoscope and tell the go)ern+ent to go to I %e stopped a,ruptly3 shoo- his head and turned a2ay. HI hope e)erything 2ill ,e all right3I said Mrs. (otterley3 feeling helplessly certain that e)erything 2ould not ,e3 and frightened3 in ad)ance3 for her hus,and0s professorial status and the security of their old age. It 2as she alone3 of the+ all3 2ho had a )iolent presenti+ent of trou,le. 'uite the 2rong trou,le3 of course. Bonas $oster 2as nearly half an hour late in arri)ing at the (otterleys0 off ca+pus house. @p to that )ery e)ening3 he had not ?uite decided he 2ould go. !hen3 at the last +o+ent3 he found he could not ,ring hi+self to co++it the social enor+ity of ,rea-ing a dinner appoint+ent an hour ,efore the appointed ti+e. !hat3 and the nagging of curiosity. !he dinner itself passed inter+ina,ly. $oster ate 2ithout appetite. Mrs. (otterley sat in distant a,sent +indedness3 e+erging out of it only once to as- if he 2ere +arried and to +a-e a deprecating sound at the ne2s that he 2as not. #r. (otterley hi+self as-ed neutrally after his professional history and nodded his head pri+ly. It 2as as staid3 stodgy ,oring3 actually as anything could ,e. $oster thoughtM %e see+s so har+less. $oster had spent the last t2o days reading up on #r. (otterley. Very casually3 of course3 al+ost snea-ily. %e 2asn0t particularly an4ious to ,e seen in the Social Science &i,rary. !o ,e sure3 history 2as one of those ,orderline affairs and historical 2or-s 2ere fre?uently read for a+use+ent or edification ,y the general pu,lic. Still3 a physicist 2asn0t ?uite the Hgeneral pu,lic.I &et $oster ta-e to reading histories and he 2ould ,e considered ?ueer3 sure as relati)ity3 and after a 2hile the %ead of the #epart+ent 2ould 2onder if his ne2 instructor 2ere really Hthe +an for the <o,.I So he had ,een cautious. %e sat in the +ore secluded alco)es and -ept his head ,ent 2hen he slipped in and out at odd hours.

#r. (otterley3 it turned out3 had 2ritten three ,oo-s and so+e do6en articles on the ancient Mediterranean 2orlds3 and the later articles 7all in H%istorical 9e)ie2sI8 had all dealt 2ith pre 9o+an Carthage fro+ a sy+pathetic )ie2point. !hat3 at least3 chec-ed 2ith (otterley0s story and had soothed $oster0s suspicions so+e2hat. . . . And yet $oster felt that it 2ould ha)e ,een +uch 2iser3 +uch safer3 to ha)e scotched the +atter at the ,eginning. A scientist shouldn0t ,e too curious3 he thought in ,itter dissatisfaction 2ith hi+self. It0s a dangerous trait. After dinner3 he 2as ushered into (otterley0s study and he 2as ,rought up sharply at the threshold. !he 2alls 2ere si+ply lined 2ith ,oo-s. Not +erely fil+s. !here 2ere fil+s3 of course3 ,ut these 2ere far outnu+,ered ,y the ,oo-s print on paper. %e 2ouldn0t ha)e thought so +any ,oo-s 2ould e4ist in usa,le condition. !hat ,othered $oster. "hy should anyone 2ant to -eep so +any ,oo-s at ho+e1 Surely all 2ere a)aila,le in the uni)ersity li,rary3 or3 at the )ery 2orst3 at the &i,rary of Congress3 if one 2ished to ta-e the +inor trou,le of chec-ing out a +icrofil+. !here 2as an ele+ent of secrecy in)ol)ed in a ho+e li,rary. It ,reathed of intellectual anarchy. !hat last thought3 oddly3 cal+ed $oster. %e 2ould rather (otterley ,e an authentic anarchist than a play acting agent pro)oca teur. And no2 the hours ,egan to pass ?uic-ly and astonishingly. H>ou see3I (otterley said3 in a clear3 unflurried )oice3 Hit 2as a +atter of finding3 if possi,le3 anyone 2ho had e)er used chronoscopy in his 2or-. Naturally3 1 couldn0t as- ,aldly3 since that 2ould ,e unauthori6ed research.I H>es3I said $oster dryly. %e 2as a little surprised such a s+all consideration 2ould stop the +an. HI used indirect +ethods I %e had. $oster 2as a+a6ed at the )olu+e of correspondence dealing 2ith s+all disputed points of ancient Mediterranean culture 2hich so+eho2 +anaged to elicit the casual re+ar- o)er and o)er againM HOf course3 ha)ing ne)er +ade use of chronoscopy I or3 H(ending appro)al of +y re?uest for chronoscopic data3 2hich appear unli-ely at the +o+ent I HNo2 these aren0t ,lind ?uestionings3I said (otterley. H!here0s a +onthly ,oo-let put out ,y the Institute for Chronoscopy in 2hich ite+s concerning the past as deter+ined ,y ti+e )ie2ing are printed. Bust one or t2o ite+s. H"hat i+pressed +e first 2as the tri)iality of +ost of the ite+s3 their insipidity. "hy should such researches get priority o)er +y 2or-1 So I 2rote to people 2ho 2ould ,e +ost li-ely to do research in the directions descri,ed in the ,oo-let. @nifor+ly3 as I ha)e sho2n you3 they did not +a-e use of the chronoscope. No2 let0s go o)er it point ,y point.I At last $oster3 his head s2i++ing 2ith (otterley0s +eticulously gathered details3 as-ed3 H*ut 2hy1I HI don0t -no2 2hy3I said (otterley3 H,ut I ha)e a theory. !he original in)ention of the chronoscope 2as ,y Ster,ins-i you see3 I -no2 that +uch and it 2as 2ell pu,lici6ed. *ut then the go)ern+ent too- o)er the instru +ent and decided to suppress further research in the +atter or any use of the +achine. *ut then3 people +ight ,e curious as to 2hy it 2asn0t ,eing used. Curiosity is such a )ice3 #r. $oster.I >es3 agreed the physicist to hi+self. HI+agine the effecti)eness3 then3I (otterley 2ent on3 Hof pretending that the chronoscope 2as ,eing used. It 2ould then ,e not a +ystery3 ,ut a co++onplace. It 2ould no longer ,e a fitting o,<ect for legiti+ate curiosity or an attracti)e one for illicit curiosity.I H>ou 2ere curious3I pointed out $oster. (otterley loo-ed a trifle restless. HIt 2as different in +y case3I he said angrily. HI ha)e so+ething that +ust ,e done3 and I 2ouldn0t su,+it to the ridiculous 2ay in 2hich they -ept putting +e off.I A ,it paranoid3 too3 thought $oster gloo+ily. >et he had ended up 2ith so+ething3 paranoid or not. $oster could no longer deny that so+ething peculiar 2as going on in the +atter of neutrinics. *ut 2hat 2as (otterley after1 !hat still ,othered $oster. If (otterley didn0t intend this as a test of $oster0s ethics3 2hat did he 2ant1 $oster put it to hi+self logically. If an intellectual anarchist 2ith a touch of paranoia 2anted to use a chronoscope and 2as con)inced that the po2ers that ,e 2ere deli,erately standing in his 2ay3 2hat 2ould he do1 Supposing it 2ere I3 he thought. "hat 2ould I do1 %e said slo2ly3 HMay,e the chronoscope doesn0t e4ist at all1I (otterley started. !here 2as al+ost a crac- in his general cal+ness. $or an instant3 $oster found hi+self catching a gli+pse of so+ething not at all cal+.

*ut the historian -ept his ,alance and said3 HOh3 no3 there +ust ,e a chronoscope.I H"hy1 %a)e you seen it1 %a)e I1 May,e that0s the e4planation of e)erything. May,e they0re not deli,erately holding out on a chronoscope they0)e got. May,e they ha)en0t got it in the first place.I H*ut Ster,ins-i li)ed. %e ,uilt a chronoscope. !hat +uch is a fact.I H!he ,oo-s say so3I said $oster coldly. HNo2 listen.I (otterley actually reached o)er and snatched at $oster0s <ac-et slee)e. HI need the chronoscope. I +ust ha)e it. #on0t tell +e it doesn0t e4ist. "hat 2e0re going to do is find out enough a,out neutrinics to ,e a,le to I (otterley dre2 hi+self up short. $oster dre2 his slee)e a2ay. %e needed no ending to that sentence. %e supplied it hi+self. %e said3 H*uild one of our o2n1I (otterley loo-ed sour as though he 2ould rather not ha)e said it point ,lan-. Ne)ertheless3 he said3 H"hy not1I H*ecause that0s out of the ?uestion3I said $oster. HIf 2hat I0)e read is correct3 then it too- Ster,ins-i t2enty years to ,uild his +achine and se)eral +illions in co+posite grants. #o you thin- you and I can duplicate that illegally1 Suppose 2e had the ti+e3 2hich 2e ha)en0t3 and suppose I could learn enough out of ,oo-s3 2hich I dou,t3 2here 2ould 2e get the +oney and e?uip+ent1 !he chronoscope is supposed to fill a fi)e story ,uilding3 for %ea)en0s sa-e.I H!hen you 2on0t help +e1I H"ell3 I0ll tell you 2hat. I ha)e one 2ay in 2hich I +ay ,e a,le to find out so+ething I H"hat is that1I as-ed (otterley at once. HNe)er +ind. !hat0s not i+portant. *ut I +ay ,e a,le to find out enough to tell you 2hether the go)ern+ent is deli,erately suppressing research ,y chronoscope. I +ay confir+ the e)idence you already ha)e or I +ay ,e a,le to pro)e that your e)idence is +isleading. I don0t -no2 2hat good it 2ill do you in either case3 ,ut it0s as far as I can go. It0s +y li+it.I (otterley 2atched the young +an go finally. %e 2as angry 2ith hi+self. "hy had he allo2ed hi+self to gro2 so careless as to per+it the fello2 to guess that he 2as thin-ing in ter+s of a chronoscope of his o2n. !hat 2as pre+ature. *ut then 2hy did the young fool ha)e to suppose that a chronoscope +ight not e4ist at all1 It had to e4ist. It had to. "hat 2as the use of saying it didn0t1 And 2hy couldn0t a second one ,e ,uilt1 Science had ad)anced in the fifty years since Ster,ins-i. All that 2as needed 2as -no2ledge. &et the youngster gather -no2ledge. &et hi+ thin- a s+all gathering 2ould ,e his li+it. %a)ing ta-en the path to anarchy3 there 2ould ,e no li+it. If the ,oy 2ere not dri)en on2ard ,y so+ething in hi+self3 the first steps 2ould ,e error enough to force the rest. (otterley 2as ?uite certain he 2ould not hesitate to use ,lac-+ail. (otterley 2a)ed a last good ,y and loo-ed up. It 2as ,eginning to rain. CertainlyJ *lac-+ail if necessary3 ,ut he 2ould not ,e stopped. $oster steered his car across the ,lea- outs-irts of to2n and scarcely noticed the rain. %e 2as a fool3 he told hi+self3 ,ut he couldn0t lea)e things as they 2ere. %e had to -no2. %e da+ned his strea- of undisciplined curiosity3 ,ut he had to -no2. *ut he 2ould go no further than @ncle 9alph. %e s2ore +ightily to hi+self that it 2ould stop there. In that 2ay3 there 2ould ,e no e)idence against hi+3 no real e)idence. @ncle 9alph 2ould ,e discreet. In a 2ay3 he 2as secretly asha+ed of @ncle 9alph. %e hadn0t +entioned hi+ to (otterley partly out of caution and partly ,ecause he did not 2ish to 2itness the lifted eye,ro23 the ine)ita,le half s+ile. (rofessional science 2riters3 ho2e)er useful3 2ere a little outside the pale3 fit only for patroni6ing conte+pt. !he fact that3 as a class3 they +ade +ore +oney than did research scientists only +ade +atters 2orse3 of course. Still3 there 2ere ti+es 2hen a science 2riter in the fa+ily could ,e a con)enience. Not ,eing really educated3 they did not ha)e to speciali6e. Conse?uently3 a good science 2riter -ne2 practically e)erything. . . . And @ncle 9alph 2as one of the ,est. 9alph Ni++o had no college degree and 2as rather proud of it. HA degree3I he once said to Bonas $oster3 2hen ,oth 2ere considera,ly younger3 His a first step do2n a ruinous high2ay. >ou don0t 2ant to 2aste it so you go on to graduate 2or- and doctoral research. >ou end up a thoroughgoing ignora+us on e)erything in the 2orld e4cept for one su,di)isional sli)er of nothing. HOn the other hand3 if you guard your +ind carefully and -eep it ,lan- of any clutter of infor+ation till +aturity is reached3 filling it only 2ith intelligence and training it only in clear thin-ing3 you then ha)e a po2erful instru+ent at your disposal and you can ,eco+e a science 2riter.I

Ni++o recei)ed his first assign+ent at the age of t2enty fi)e3 after he had co+pleted his apprenticeship and ,een out in the field for less than three +onths. It ca+e in the shape of a clotted +anuscript 2hose language 2ould i+part no gli++ering of understanding to any reader3 ho2e)er ?ualified3 2ithout careful study and so+e inspired guess2or-. Ni++o too- it apart and put it together again 7after fi)e long and e4asperating inter)ie2s 2ith the authors3 2ho 2ere ,iophysicists83 +a-ing the language taut and +eaningful and s+oothing the style to a pleasant gloss. H"hy not1I he 2ould say tolerantly to his nephe23 2ho countered his strictures on degrees ,y ,erating hi+ 2ith his readiness to hang on the fringes of science. H!he fringe is i+portant. >our scientists can0t 2rite. "hy should they ,e e4pected to1 !hey aren0t e4pected to ,e grand +asters at chess or )irtuosos at the )iolin3 so 2hy e4pect the+ to -no2 ho2 to put 2ords together1 "hy not lea)e that for specialists3 too1I H5ood &ord3 Bonas3 read your literature of a hundred years ago. #iscount the fact that the science is out of date and that so+e of the e4pressions are out of date. Bust try to read it and +a-e sense out of it. It0s <ust <a2 crac-ing3 a+ateurish. (ages are pu,lished uselessly: 2hole articles 2hich are either nonco+prehensi,le or ,oth.I H*ut you don0t get recognition3 @ncle 9alph3I protested young $oster3 2ho 2as getting ready to start his college career and 2as rather starry eyed a,out it. H>ou could ,e a terrific researcher.I HI get recognition3I said Ni++o. H#on0t thin- for a +inute I don0t. Sure3 a ,ioche+ist or a strato +eteorologist 2on0t gi)e +e the ti+e of day3 ,ut they pay +e 2ell enough. Bust find out 2hat happens 2hen so+e first class : che+ist finds the Co++ission has cut his year0s allo2ance for science 2riting. %e0ll fight harder for enough funds to afford +e3 or so+eone li-e +e3 3 than to get a recording ionograph.I %e grinned ,roadly and $oster grinned ,ac-. Actually3 he 2as proud of his paunchy3 round faced3 stu, fingered uncle3 2hose )anity +ade hi+ ,rush his fringe of hair futilely o)er the desert on his pate and +ade hi+ dress li-e an un+ade haystac- ,ecause such negligence 2as his trade+ar-. Asha+ed3 ,ut proud3 too. And no2 $oster entered his uncle0s cluttered apart+ent in no +ood at all for grinning. %e 2as nine years older no2 and so 2as @ncle 9alph. $or nine +ore years3 papers in e)ery ,ranch of science had co+e to hi+ for polishing and a little of each had crept into his capacious +ind. Ni++o 2as eating seedless grapes3 popping the+ into his +outh one at a ti+e. %e tossed a ,unch to $oster 2ho caught the+ ,y a hair3 then ,ent to retrie)e indi)idual grapes that had torn loose and fallen to the floor. H&et the+ ,e. #on0t ,other3I said Ni++o carelessly. HSo+eone co+es in here to clean once a 2ee-. "hat0s up1 %a)ing trou,le 2ith your grant application 2rite up1I HI ha)en0t really got into that yet.I H>ou ha)en0t1 5et a +o)e on3 ,oy. Are you 2aiting for +e to offer to do the final arrange+ent1I HI couldn0t afford you3 @ncle.I HA23 co+e on. It0s all in the fa+ily. 5rant +e all popular pu,lication rights and no cash need change hands.I $oster nodded. HIf you0re serious3 it0s a deal.I HIt0s a deal.I It 2as a ga+,le3 of course3 ,ut $oster -ne2 enough of Ni++o0s science 2riting to reali6e it could pay off. So+e dra+atic disco)ery of pu,lic interest on pri+iti)e +an or on a ne2 surgical techni?ue3 or on any ,ranch of spationautics could +ean a )ery cash attracting article in any of the +ass +edia of co++unication. It 2as Ni++o3 for instance3 2ho had 2ritten up3 for scientific consu+ption3 the series of papers ,y *ryce and co 2or-ers that elucidated the fine structure of t2o cancer )iruses3 for 2hich <o, he as-ed the picayune pay+ent of fifteen hundred dollars3 pro)ided popular pu,lication rights 2ere included. %e then 2rote up3 e4clusi)ely3 the sa+e 2or- in se+idra+atic for+ for use in tri+ensional )ideo for a t2enty thousand dollar ad)ance plus rental royalties that 2ere still co+ing in after fi)e years. $oster said ,luntly3 H"hat do you -no2 a,out neutrinics3 @ncle1I HNeutrinics1I Ni++o0s s+all eyes loo-ed surprised. HAre you 2or-ing in that1 I thought it 2as pseudo gra)itic optics.I HIt is p.g.o. I <ust happen to ,e as-ing a,out neutrinics.I H!hat0s a de)il of a thing to ,e doing. >ou0re stepping out of line. >ou -no2 that3 don0t you1I HI don0t e4pect you to call the Co++ission ,ecause I0+ a little curious a,out things.I HMay,e I should ,efore you get into trou,le. Curiosity is an occupational danger 2ith scientists. I0)e 2atched it 2or-. One of the+ 2ill ,e +o)ing ?uietly along on a pro,le+3 then curiosity leads hi+ up a strange cree-. Ne4t thing you -no2 they0)e done so little on their proper pro,le+3 they can0t <ustify for a pro<ect rene2al. I0)e seen +ore I HAll I 2ant to -no23I said $oster patiently3 His 2hat0s ,een passing through your hands lately on neutrinics.I

Ni++o leaned ,ac-3 che2ing at a grape thoughtfully. HNothing. Nothing e)er. I don0t recall e)er getting a paper on neutrinics.I H"hatJI $oster 2as openly astonished. H!hen 2ho does get the 2or-1I HNo2 that you as-3I said Ni++o3 HI don0t -no2. #on0t recall anyone tal-ing a,out it at the annual con)entions. I don0t thin- +uch 2or- is ,eing done there.I H"hy not1I H%ey3 there3 don0t ,ar-. I0+ not doing anything. My guess 2ould ,e I $oster 2as e4asperated. H#on0t you -no21I H%+p. I0ll tell you 2hat I -no2 a,out neutrinics. It concerns the applications of neutrino +o)e+ents and the forces in)ol)ed I HSure. Sure. Bust as electronics deals 2ith the applications of electron +o)e+ents and the forces in)ol)ed3 and pseudo gra)ities deals 2ith the applications of artificial gra)itational fields. I didn0t co+e to you for that. Is that all you -no21I HAnd3I said Ni++o 2ith e?uani+ity3 Hneutrinics is the ,asis of ti+e )ie2ing and that is all I -no2.I $oster slouched ,ac- in his chair and +assaged one lean chee- 2ith great intensity. %e felt angrily dissatisfied. "ithout for+ulating it e4plicitly in his o2n +ind3 he had felt sure3 so+eho23 that Ni++o 2ould co+e up 2ith so+e late reports3 ,ring up interesting facets of +odern neutrinics3 send hi+ ,ac- to (otterley a,le to say that the elderly historian 2as +ista-en3 that his data 2as +isleading3 his deductions +ista-en. !hen he could ha)e returned to his proper 2or-. *ut no2 . . . %e told hi+self angrilyM So they0re not doing +uch 2or- in the field. #oes that +a-e it deli,erate suppression1 "hat if neutrinics is a sterile discipline1 May,e it is. I don0t -no2. (otterley doesn0t. "hy 2aste the intellectual resources of hu+anity on nothing1 Or the 2or- +ight ,e secret for so+e legiti+ate reason. It +ight ,e ... !he trou,le 2as3 he had to -no2. %e couldn0t lea)e things as they 2ere no2. %e couldn0tJ %e said3 HIs there a te4t on neutrinics3 @ncle 9alph1 I +ean a clear and si+ple one. An ele+entary one.I Ni++o thought3 his plu+p chee-s puffing out 2ith a series of sighs. H>ou as- the da+nedest ?uestions. !he only one I e)er heard of 2as Ster,ins-i and so+e,ody. I0)e ne)er seen it3 ,ut I )ie2ed so+ething a,out it once. . . . Ster,ins-i and &aMarr3 that0s it.I HIs that the Ster,ins-i 2ho in)ented the chronoscope1I i HI thin- so. (ro)es the ,oo- ought to ,e good.I O HIs there a recent edition1 Ster,ins-i died thirty years ago.I Ni++o shrugged and said nothing. HCan you find out1I !hey sat in silence for a +o+ent3 2hile Ni++o shifted his ,ul- to the crea-ing tune of the chair he sat on. !hen the science 2riter said3 HAre you going to tell +e 2hat this is all a,out1I HI can0t. "ill you help +e any2ay3 @ncle 9alph1 "ill you get +e a copy of the te4t1I H"ell3 you0)e taught +e all I -no2 on pseudo gra)ities. I should ,e grateful. !ell you 2hat I0ll help you on one condition.I H"hich is1I !he older +an 2as suddenly )ery gra)e. H!hat you ,e careful3 Bonas. >ou0re o,)iously 2ay out of line 2hate)er you0re doing. #on0t ,lo2 up your career <ust ,ecause you0re curious a,out so+ething you ha)en0t ,een as signed to and 2hich is none of your ,usiness. @nderstand1I $oster nodded3 ,ut he hardly heard. %e 2as thin-ing furiously. A full 2ee- later3 9alph Ni++o eased his rotund figure into Bonas $oster0s on ca+pus t2o roo+ co+,ination and said3 in a hoarse 2hisper3 HI0)e got so+ething.I H"hat1I $oster 2as i++ediately eager. HA copy of Ster,ins-i and &aMarr.I %e produced it3 or rather a corner of it3 fro+ his a+ple topcoat. $oster al+ost auto+atically eyed door and 2indo2s to +a-e sure they 2ere closed and shaded respecti)ely3 then held out his hand. !he fil+ case 2as fla-ing 2ith age3 and 2hen he crac-ed it the fil+ 2as faded and gro2ing ,rittle. %e said sharply3 HIs this all1I H5ratitude3 +y ,oy3 gratitudeJI Ni++o sat do2n 2ith a grunt3 and reached into a poc-et for an apple. HOh3 I0+ grateful3 ,ut it0s so old.I HAnd luc-y to get it at that. 1 tried to get a fil+ run fro+ the Congressional &i,rary. No go. !he ,oo- 2as restricted.I H!hen ho2 did you get this1I HStole it.I %e 2as ,iting crunchingly around the core. HNe2 >or- (u,lic.I

H"hat1I HSi+ple enough. I had access to the stac-s3 naturally. So I stepped o)er a chained railing 2hen no one 2as around3 dug this up3 and 2al-ed out 2ith it. !hey0re )ery trusting out there. Mean2hile3 they 2on0t +iss it in years. . . . Only you0d ,etter not let anyone see it on you3 nephe2.I $oster stared at the fil+ as though it 2ere literally hot. Ni++o discarded the core and reached for a second apple. H$unny thing3 no2. !here0s nothing +ore recent in the 2hole field of neutrinics. Not a +onograph3 not a paper3 not a progress note. Nothing since the chrono scope.I H@h huh3I said $oster a,sently. $oster 2or-ed e)enings in the (otterley ho+e. %e could not trust his o2n on ca+pus roo+s for the purpose. !he e)ening 2or- gre2 +ore real to hi+ than his o2n grant applications. So+eti+es he 2orried a,out it ,ut then that stopped3 too. %is 2or- consisted3 at first3 si+ply in )ie2ing and re)ie2ing the te4t fil+. &ater it consisted in thin-ing 7so+eti+es 2hile a section of the ,oo- ran itself off through the poc-et pro<ector3 disregarded8. So+eti+es (otterley 2ould co+e do2n to 2atch3 to sit 2ith pri+3 eager eyes3 as though he e4pected thought processes to solidify and ,eco+e )isi,le in all their con)olutions. %e interfered in only t2o 2ays. %e did not allo2 $oster to s+o-e and so+eti+es he tal-ed. It 2asn0t con)ersation tal-3 ne)er that. 9ather it 2as a lo2 )oiced +onologue 2ith 2hich3 it see+ed3 he scarcely e4pected to co++and attention. It 2as +uch +ore as though he 2ere relie)ing a pressure 2ithin hi+self. CarthageJ Al2ays CarthageJ Carthage3 the Ne2 >or- of the ancient Mediterranean. Carthage3 co++ercial e+pire and ?ueen of the seas. Carthage3 all that Syracuse and Ale4andria pretended to ,e. Carthage3 +aligned ,y her ene+ies and inarticulate in her o2n defense. She had ,een defeated once ,y 9o+e and then dri)en out of Sicily and Sardinia3 ,ut ca+e ,ac- to +ore than recoup her losses ,y ne2 do+inions in Spain3 and raised up %anni,al to gi)e the 9o+ans si4teen years of terror. In the end3 she lost again a second ti+e3 reconciled herself to fate and ,uilt again 2ith ,ro-en tools a li+ping life in shrun-en territory3 succeeding so 2ell that <ealous 9o+e deli,erately forced a third 2ar. And then Carthage3 2ith nothing ,ut ,are hands and tenacity3 ,uilt 2eapons and forced 9o+e into a t2o year 2ar that ended only 2ith co+plete destruction of the city3 the inha,itants thro2ing the+sel)es into their fla+ing houses rather than surrender. HCould people fight so for a city and a 2ay of life as ,ad as the ancient 2riters painted it1 %anni,al 2as a ,etter general than any 9o+an and his soldiers 2ere a,solutely faithful to hi+. D)en his ,itterest ene+ies praised hi+. !here 2as a Carthaginian. It is fashiona,le to say that he 2as an atypical Carthaginian3 ,etter than the others3 a dia+ond placed in gar,age. *ut then 2hy 2as he so faithful to Carthage3 e)en to his death after years of e4ile1 !hey tal- of Moloch I $oster didn0t al2ays listen ,ut so+eti+es he couldn0t help hi+self and he shuddered and turned sic- at the ,loody tale of child sacrifice. *ut (otterley 2ent on earnestly3 HBust the sa+e3 it isn0t true. It0s a t2enty fi)e hundred year old canard started ,y the 5ree-s and 9o+ans. !hey had their o2n sla)es3 their crucifi4ions and torture3 their gladiatorial contests. !hey 2eren0t holy. !he Moloch story is 2hat later ages 2ould ha)e called 2ar propaganda3 the ,ig lie. I can pro)e it 2as a lie. I can pro)e it and3 ,y %ea)en3 I 2ill I 2ill I %e 2ould +u+,le that pro+ise o)er and o)er again in his earnestness. Mrs. (otterley )isited hi+ also3 ,ut less fre?uently3 usually on !uesdays and !hursdays 2hen #r. (otterley hi+self had an e)ening course to ta-e care of and 2as not present. She 2ould sit ?uietly3 scarcely tal-ing3 face slac- and doughy3 eyes ,lan-3 her 2hole attitude distant and 2ithdra2n. !he first ti+e3 $oster tried3 uneasily3 to suggest that she lea)e. She said tonelessly3 H#o I distur, you1I HNo3 of course not3I lied $oster restlessly. HIt0s <ust that that I %e couldn0t co+plete the sentence. She nodded3 as though accepting an in)itation to stay. !hen she opened a cloth ,ag she had ,rought 2ith her and too- out a ?uire of )itron sheets 2hich she proceeded to 2ea)e together ,y rapid3 delicate +o)e+ents of a pair of slender3 tetra faceted depolari6ers3 2hose ,attery fed 2ires +ade her loo- as though she 2ere holding a large spider. One e)ening3 she said softly3 HMy daughter3 &aurel3 is your age.I $oster started3 as +uch at the sudden une4pected sound of speech as at the 2ords. %e said3 HI didn0t -no2 you had a daughter3 Mrs. (otterley.I

HShe died. >ears ago.I !he )itron gre2 under the deft +anipulations into the une)en shape of so+e gar+ent $oster could not yet identify. !here 2as nothing left for hi+ to do ,ut +utter inanely3 HI0+ sorry.I Mrs. (otterley sighed. HI drea+ a,out her often.I She raised her ,lue3 distant eyes to hi+. $oster 2inced and loo-ed a2ay. Another e)ening she as-ed3 pulling at one of the )itron sheets to loosen its gentle clinging to her dress3 H"hat is ti+e )ie2ing any2ay1I !hat re+ar- ,ro-e into a particularly in)ol)ed chain of thought3 and $oster said snappishly3 H#r. (otterley can e4plain.I H%e0s tried to. Oh3 +y3 yes. *ut I thin- he0s a little i+patient 2ith +e. %e calls it chronoscopy +ost of the ti+e. #o you actually see things in the past3 li-e the tri+ensionals1 Or does it <ust +a-e little dot patterns li-e the co+puter you use1I $oster stared at his hand co+puter 2ith distaste. It 2or-ed 2ell enough3 ,ut e)ery operation had to ,e +anually controlled and the ans2ers 2ere o,tained in code. No2 if he could use the school co+puter . . . "ell3 2hy drea+3 he felt conspicuous enough3 as it 2as3 carrying a hand co+puter under his ar+ e)ery e)ening as he left his office. %e said3 HI0)e ne)er seen the chronoscope +yself3 ,ut I0+ under the i+pression that you actually see pictures and hear sound.I H>ou can hear people tal-3 too1I HI thin- so.I !hen3 half in desperation3 H&oo- here3 Mrs. (otterley3 this +ust ,e a2fully dull for you. I reali6e you don0t li-e to lea)e a guest all to hi+self3 ,ut really3 Mrs. (otterley3 you +ustn0t feel co+pelled I HI don0t feel co+pelled3I she said. HI0+ sitting here3 2aiting.I H"aiting1 $or 2hat1I She said co+posedly3 HI listened to you that first e)ening. !he ti+e you first spo-e to Arnold. I listened at the door.I %e said3 H>ou did1I HI -no2 I shouldn0t ha)e3 ,ut I 2as a2fully 2orried a,out Arnold. I had a notion he 2as going to do so+ething he oughtn0t and I 2anted to hear 2hat. And then 2hen I heard I She paused3 ,ending close o)er the )itron and peering at it. H%eard 2hat3 Mrs. (otterley1I H!hat you 2ouldn0t ,uild a chronoscope.I H"ell3 of course not.I HI thought +ay,e you +ight change your +ind.I $oster glared at her. H#o you +ean you0re co+ing do2n here hoping I0ll ,uild a chronoscope3 2aiting for +e to ,uild one1I I HI hope you do3 #r. $oster. Oh3 I hope you do.I It 2as as though3 all at once3 a fu66y )eil had fallen off her face3 lea)ing all her features clear and sharp3 putting color into her chee-s3 life into her eyes3 the )i,rations of so+ething approaching e4cite+ent into her )oice. H"ouldn0t it ,e 2onderful3I she 2hispered3 Hto ha)e one1 (eople of the past could li)e again. (haraohs and -ings and <ust people. I hope you ,uild one3 #r. $oster. I really hope I She cho-ed3 it see+ed3 on the intensity of her o2n 2ords and let the )itron sheets slip off her lap. She rose and ran up the ,ase+ent stairs3 2hile $oster0s eyes follo2ed her a2-2ardly fleeing ,ody 2ith astonish+ent and distress. It cut deeper into $oster0s nights and left hi+ sleepless and painfully stiff 2ith thought. It 2as al+ost a +ental indigestion. %is grant re?uests 2ent li+ping in3 finally3 to 9alph Ni++o. %e scarcely had any hope for the+. %e thought nu+,lyM !hey 2on0t ,e appro)ed. If they 2eren0t3 of course3 it 2ould create a scandal in the depart+ent and pro,a,ly +ean his appoint+ent at the uni)ersity 2ould not ,e rene2ed3 co+e the end of the acade+ic year. %e scarcely 2orried. It 2as the neutrino3 the neutrino3 only the neutrino. Its trail cur)ed and )eered sharply and led hi+ ,reathlessly along uncharted path2ays that e)en Ster,ins-i and &aMarr did not follo2. %e called Ni++o. H@ncle 9alph3 I need a fe2 things. I0+ calling fro+ off the ca+pus.I Ni++o0s face in the )ideo plate 2as <o)ial3 ,ut his )oice 2as sharp. %e said3 H"hat you need is a course in co++unication. I0+ ha)ing a hell of a ti+e pulling your application into one intelligi,le piece. If that0s 2hat you0re calling a,out I $oster shoo- his head i+patiently. H!hat0s not 2hat I0+ calling a,out. I need these.I %e scri,,led ?uic-ly on a piece of paper and held it up ,efore the recei)er.

Ni++o yiped. H%ey3 ho2 +any tric-s do you thin- I can 2angle1I H>ou can get the+3 @ncle. >ou -no2 you can.I Ni++o reread the list of ite+s 2ith silent +otions of his plu+p lips and loo-ed gra)e. H"hat happens 2hen you put those things together1I he as-ed. $oster shoo- his head. H>ou0ll ha)e e4clusi)e popular pu,lication rights to 2hate)er turns up3 the 2ay it0s al2ays ,een. *ut please don0t as- any ?uestions no2.I HI can0t do +iracles3 you -no2.I H#o this one. >ou0)e got to. >ou0re a science 2riter3 not a research +an. >ou don0t ha)e to account for anything. >ou0)e got friends and connections. !hey can loo- the other 2ay3 can0t they3 to get a ,rea- fro+ you ne4t pu,lication ti+e1I H>our faith3 nephe23 is touching. I0ll try.I Ni++o succeeded. !he +aterial and e?uip+ent 2ere ,rought o)er late one e)ening in a pri)ate touring car. Ni++o and $oster lugged it in 2ith the grunting of +en unused to +anual la,or. (otterley stood at the entrance of the ,ase+ent after Ni++o had left. %e as-ed softly3 H"hat0s this for1I $oster ,rushed the hair off his forehead and gently +assaged a sprained 2rist. %e said3 HI 2ant to conduct a fe2 si+ple e4peri+ents.I H9eally1I !he historian0s eyes glittered 2ith e4cite+ent. $oster felt e4ploited. %e felt as though he 2ere ,eing led along a dangerous high2ay ,y the pull of pinching fingers on his nose: as though he could see the ruin clearly that lay in 2ait at the end of the path3 yet 2al-ed eagerly and deter+inedly. "orst of all3 he felt the co+pelling grip on his nose to ,e his o2n. It 2as (otterley 2ho ,egan it3 (otterley 2ho stood there no23 gloating: ,ut the co+pulsion 2as his o2n. $oster said sourly3 HI0ll ,e 2anting pri)acy no23 (otterley. I can0t ha)e you and your 2ife running do2n here and annoying +e.I %e thoughtM If that offends hi+3 let hi+ -ic- +e out. &et hi+ put an end to this. In his heart3 though3 he did not thin- ,eing e)icted 2ould stop anything. *ut it did not co+e to that. (otterley 2as sho2ing no signs of offense. %is +ild ga6e 2as unchanged. %e said3 HOf course3 #r. $oster3 of course. All the pri)acy you 2ish.I $oster 2atched hi+ go. %e 2as left still +arching along the high2ay3 per)ersely glad of it and hating hi+self for ,eing glad. %e too- to sleeping o)er on a cot in (otterley0s ,ase+ent and spending his 2ee-ends there entirely. #uring that period3 preli+inary 2ord ca+e through that his grants 7as doctored ,y Ni++o8 had ,een appro)ed. !he #epart+ent %ead ,rought the 2ord and congratulated hi+. $oster stared ,ac- distantly and +u+,led3 H5ood. I0+ glad3I 2ith so little con)iction that the other fro2ned and turned a2ay 2ithout another 2ord. $oster ga)e the +atter no further thought. It 2as a +inor point3 2orth no notice. %e 2as planning so+ething that really counted3 a cli+actic test for that e)ening. One e)ening3 a second and third and then3 haggard and half ,eside hi+self 2ith e4cite+ent3 he called in (otterley. (otterley ca+e do2n the stairs and loo-ed a,out at the ho+e+ade gadgetry. %e said3 in his soft )oice3 H!he electric ,ills are ?uite high. I don0t +ind the e4pense3 ,ut the City +ay as- ?uestions. Can anything ,e done1I It 2as a 2ar+ e)ening3 ,ut (otterley 2ore a tight collar and a se+i<ac-et. $oster3 2ho 2as in his undershirt3 lifted ,leary eyes and said sha-ily3 HIt 2on0t ,e for +uch longer3 #r. (otterley. I0)e called you do2n to tell you so+ething. A chronoscope can ,e ,uilt. A s+all one3 of course3 ,ut it can ,e ,uilt.I (otterley sei6ed the railing. %is ,ody sagged. %e +anaged a 2hisper. HCan it ,e ,uilt here1I H%ere in the ,ase+ent3I said $oster 2earily. H5ood &ord. >ou said I HI -no2 2hat I said3I cried $oster i+patiently. HI said it couldn0t ,e done. I didn0t -no2 anything then. D)en Ster,ins-i didn0t -no2 anything.I (otterley shoo- his head. HAre you sure1 >ou0re not +ista-en3 #r. $oster1 I couldn0t endure it if I $oster said3 HI0+ not +ista-en. #a+n it3 sir3 if <ust theory had ,een enough3 2e could ha)e had a ti+e )ie2er o)er a hundred years ago3 2hen the neutrino 2as first postulated. !he trou,le 2as3 the original in)estigators considered it only a +ysterious particle 2ithout +ass or charge that could not ,e detected. It 2as <ust so+ething to e)en up the ,oo--eeping and sa)e the la2 of conser)ation of +ass energy.I %e 2asn0t sure (otterley -ne2 2hat he 2as tal-ing a,out. %e didn0t care. %e needed a ,reather. %e had to get so+e of this out of his clotting thoughts. . . . And he needed ,ac-ground for 2hat he 2ould ha)e to tell (otterley ne4t.

%e 2ent on. HIt 2as Ster,ins-i 2ho first disco)ered that the neutrino ,ro-e through the space ti+e cross sectional ,arrier3 that it tra)eled through ti+e as 2ell as through space. It 2as Ster,ins-i 2ho first de)ised a +ethod for stopping neutrinos. %e in)ented a neutrino recorder and learned ho2 to interpret the pattern of the neutrino strea+. Naturally3 the strea+ had ,een affected and deflected ,y all the +atter it had passed through in its passage through ti+e3 and the deflections could ,e analy6ed and con)erted into the i+ages of the +atter that had done the deflecting. !i+e )ie2ing 2as possi,le. D)en air )i,rations could ,e detected in this 2ay and con)erted into sound.I (otterley 2as definitely not listening. %e said3 H>es. >es. *ut 2hen can you ,uild a chronoscope1I $oster said urgently3 H&et +e finish. D)erything depends on the +ethod used to detect and analy6e the neutrino strea+. Ster,ins-i0s +ethod 2as difficult and rounda,out. It re?uired +ountains of energy. *ut I0)e studied pseudo gra)ities3 #r. (otterley3 the science of artificial gra)itational fields. I0)e speciali6ed in the ,eha)ior of light in such fields. It0s a ne2 science. Ster,ins-i -ne2 nothing of it. If he had3 he 2ould ha)e seen anyone 2ould ha)e a +uch ,etter and +ore efficient +ethod of detecting neutrinos using a pseudo gra)itic field. If I had -no2n +ore neutrinics to ,egin 2ith3 I 2ould ha)e seen it at once.I (otterley ,rightened a ,it. HI -ne2 it3I he said. HD)en if they stop research in neutrinics there is no 2ay the go)ern+ent can ,e sure that disco)eries in other seg+ents of science 2on0t reflect -no2ledge on neutrinics. So +uch for the )alue of centrali6ed direction of science. 1 thought this long ago3 #r. $oster3 ,efore you e)er ca+e to 2or- here.I HI congratulate you on that3I said $oster3 H,ut there0s one thing I HOh3 ne)er +ind all this. Ans2er +e. (lease. "hen can you ,uild a chronoscope1I HI0+ trying to tell you so+ething3 #r. (otterley. A chronoscope 2on0t do you any good.I 7!his is it3 $oster thought.8 Slo2ly3 (otterley descended the stairs. %e stood facing $oster. H"hat do you +ean1 "hy 2on0t it help +e1I H>ou 2on0t see Carthage. It0s 2hat I0)e got to tell you. It0s 2hat I0)e ,een leading up to. >ou can ne)er see Carthage.I (otterley shoo- his head slightly. HOh3 no3 you0re 2rong. If you ha)e the chronoscope3 <ust focus it properly I HNo3 #r. (otterley. It0s not a ?uestion of focus. !here are rando+ factors affecting the neutrino strea+3 as they affect all su,ato+ic particles. "hat 2e call the uncertainty principle. "hen the strea+ is recorded and inter preted3 the rando+ factor co+es out as fu66iness3 or /noise0 as the co++unications ,oys spea- of it. !he further ,ac- in ti+e you penetrate3 the +ore pronounced the fu66iness3 the greater the noise. After a 2hile3 the noise dro2ns out the picture. #o you understand1I HMore po2er3I said (otterley in a dead -ind of )oice. H!hat 2on0t help. "hen the noise ,lurs out detail3 +agnifying detail +agnifies the noise3 too. >ou can0t see anything in a sun ,urned fil+ ,y enlarging it3 can you1 5et this through your head3 no2. !he physical nature of the uni)erse sets li+its. !he rando+ ther+al +otions of air +olecules set li+its to ho2 2ea- a sound can ,e detected ,y any instru+ent. !he length of a light 2a)e or of an electron 2a)e sets li+its to the si6e of o,<ects that can ,e seen ,y any instru+ent. It 2or-s that 2ay in chronoscopy3 too. >ou can only ti+e )ie2 so far.I H%o2 far1 %o2 far1I $oster too- a deep ,reath. HA century and a ?uarter. !hat0s the +ost.I H*ut the +onthly ,ulletin the Co++ission puts out deals 2ith ancient history al+ost entirely.I !he historian laughed sha-ily. H>ou +ust ,e 2rong. !he go)ern+ent has data as far ,ac- as 3GGG ,.c.I H"hen did you s2itch to ,elie)ing the+1I de+anded $oster3 scornfully. H>ou ,egan this ,usiness ,y pro)ing they 2ere lying: that no historian had +ade use of the chronoscope. #on0t you see 2hy no21 No historian3 e4cept one interested in conte+porary history3 could. No chronoscope can possi,ly see ,ac- in ti+e further than 19=G under any conditions.I H>ou0re 2rong. >ou don0t -no2 e)erything3I said (otterley. H!he truth 2on0t ,end itself to your con)enience either. $ace it. !he go)ern+ent0s part in this is to perpetuate a hoa4.I H"hy1I HI don0t -no2 2hy.I (otterley0s snu,,y nose 2as t2itching. %is eyes 2ere ,ulging. %e pleaded3 HIt0s only theory3 #r. $oster. *uild a chronoscope. *uild one and try.I $oster caught (otterley0s shoulders in a sudden3 fierce grip. H#o you thin- I ha)en0t1 #o you thin- I 2ould tell you this ,efore I had chec-ed it e)ery 2ay I -ne21 I ha)e ,uilt one. It0s all around you. &oo-JI %e ran to the s2itches at the po2er leads. %e flic-ed the+ on3 one ,y one. %e turned a resistor3 ad<usted

other -no,s3 put out the cellar lights. H"ait. &et it 2ar+ up.I !here 2as a s+all glo2 near the center of one 2all. (otterley 2as gi,,ering incoherently3 ,ut $oster only cried again3 H&oo-JI !he light sharpened and ,rightened3 ,ro-e up into a light and dar- pattern. Men and 2o+enJ $u66y. $eatures ,lurred. Ar+s and legs +ere strea-s. An old fashioned ground car3 unclear ,ut recogni6a,le as one of the -ind that had once used gasoline po2ered internal co+,ustion engines3 sped ,y. $oster said3 HMid t2entieth century3 so+e2here. I can0t hoo- up an audio yet so this is soundless. D)entually3 2e can add sound. Any2ay3 +id t2entieth is al+ost as far ,ac- as you can go. *elie)e +e3 that0s the ,est focusing that can ,e done.I (otterley said3 H*uild a larger +achine3 a stronger one. I+pro)e your circuits.I H>ou can0t lic- the @ncertainty (rinciple3 +an3 any +ore than you can li)e on the sun. !here are physical li+its to 2hat can ,e done.I H>ou0re lying. I 2on0t ,elie)e you. I I A ne2 )oice sounded3 raised shrilly to +a-e itself heard. HArnoldJ #r. $osterJI !he young physicist turned at once. #r. (otterley fro6e for a long +o+ent3 then said3 2ithout turning3 H"hat is it3 Caroline1 &ea)e us.I HNoJI Mrs. (otterley descended the stairs. HI heard. I couldn0t help hearing. #o you ha)e a ti+e )ie2er here3 #r. $oster1 %ere in the ,ase+ent1I H>es3 I do3 Mrs. (otterley. A -ind of ti+e )ie2er. Not a good one. I can0t get sound yet and the picture is darned ,lurry3 ,ut it 2or-s.I Mrs. (otterley clasped her hands and held the+ tightly against her ,reast. H%o2 2onderful. %o2 2onderful.I HIt0s not at all 2onderful3I snapped (otterley. H!he young fool can0t reach further ,ac- than I HNo23 loo-3I ,egan $oster in e4asperation. . . . H(leaseJI cried Mrs. (otterley. H&isten to +e. Arnold3 don0t you see that as long as 2e can use it for t2enty years ,ac-3 2e can see &aurel once again1 "hat do 2e care a,out Carthage and ancient ti+es1 It0s &aurel 2e can see. She0ll ,e ali)e for us again. &ea)e the +achine here3 #r. $oster. Sho2 us ho2 to 2or- it.I $oster stared at her then at her hus,and. #r. (otterley0s face had gone 2hite. !hough his )oice stayed lo2 and e)en3 its cal+ness 2as so+eho2 gone. %e said3 H>ou0re a foolJI Caroline said 2ea-ly3 HArnoldJI H>ou0re a fool3 I say. "hat 2ill you see1 !he past. !he dead past. "ill &aurel do one thing she did not do1 "ill you see one thing you ha)en0t seen1 "ill you li)e three years o)er and o)er again3 2atching a ,a,y 2ho0ll ne)er gro2 up no +atter ho2 you 2atch1I %is )oice ca+e near to crac-ing3 ,ut held. %e stopped closer to her3 sei6ed her shoulder and shoo- her roughly. H#o you -no2 2hat 2ill happen to you if you do that1 !hey0ll co+e to ta-e you a2ay ,ecause you0ll go +ad. >es3 +ad. #o you 2ant +ental treat+ent1 #o you 2ant to ,e shut up3 to undergo the psychic pro,e1I Mrs. (otterley tore a2ay. !here 2as no trace of softness or )agueness a,out her. She had t2isted into a )irago. HI 2ant to see +y child3 Arnold. She0s in that +achine and I 2ant her.I HShe0s not in the +achine. An i+age is. Can0t you understand1 An i+ageJ So+ething that0s not realJI HI 2ant +y child. #o you hear +e1I She fle2 at hi+3 screa+ing3 fists ,eating. HI 2ant +y child.I !he historian retreated at the fury of the assault3 crying out. $oster +o)ed to step ,et2een3 2hen Mrs. (otterley dropped3 so,,ing 2ildly3 to the floor. (otterley turned3 eyes desperately see-ing. "ith a sudden hea)e3 he snatched at a &ando rod3 tearing it fro+ its support3 and 2hirling a2ay ,efore $oster3 nu+,ed ,y all that 2as ta-ing place3 could +o)e to stop hi+. HStand ,ac-JI gasped (otterley3 Hor I0ll -ill you. I s2ear it.I %e s2ung 2ith force3 and $oster <u+ped ,ac-. (otterley turned 2ith fury on e)ery part of the structure in the cellar3 and $oster3 after the first crash of glass3 2atched da6edly. (otterley spent his rage and then he 2as standing ?uietly a+id shards and splinters3 2ith a ,ro-en &ando rod in his hand. %e said to $oster in a 2hisper3 HNo2 get out of hereJ Ne)er co+e ,ac-J If any of this cost you anything3 send +e a ,ill and I0ll pay for it. I0ll pay dou,le.I $oster shrugged3 pic-ed up his shirt and +o)ed up the ,ase+ent stairs. %e could hear Mrs. (otterley so,,ing loudly3 and3 as he turned at the head of the stairs for a last loo-3 he sa2 #r. (otterley ,ending o)er her3 his face con)ulsed 2ith sorro2.

!2o days later3 2ith the school day dra2ing to a close3 and $oster loo-ing 2earily a,out to see if there 2ere any data on his ne2ly appro)ed pro<ects that he 2ished to ta-e ho+e3 #r. (otterley appeared once +ore. %e 2as standing at the open door of $oster0s office. !he historian 2as neatly dressed as e)er. %e lifted his hand in a gesture that 2as too )ague to ,e a greeting3 too a,orti)e to ,e a plea. $oster stared stonily. (otterley said3 HI 2aited till fi)e3 till you 2ere . . . May I co+e in1I $oster nodded. (otterley said3 HI suppose I ought to apologi6e for +y ,eha)ior. I 2as dreadfully disappointed: not ?uite +aster of +yself. Still3 it 2as ine4cusa,le.I HI accept your apology3I said $oster. HIs that all1I HMy 2ife called you3 I thin-.I H>es3 she has.I HShe has ,een ?uite hysterical. She told +e she had ,ut I couldn0t ,e ?uite sure I HCould you tell +e 2ould you ,e so -ind as to tell +e 2hat she 2anted1I HShe 2anted a chronoscope. She said she had so+e +oney of her o2n. She 2as 2illing to pay.I H#id you +a-e any co++it+ents1I HI said I 2asn0t in the +anufacturing ,usiness.I H5ood3I ,reathed (otterley3 his chest e4panding 2ith a sigh of relief. //(lease don0t ta-e any calls fro+ her. She0s not ?uite I H&oo-3 #r. (otterfey3I said $oster3 HI0+ not getting into any do+estic ?uarrels3 ,ut you0d ,etter ,e prepared for so+ething. Chronoscopes can ,e ,uilt ,y any,ody 5i)en a fe2 si+ple parts that can ,e ,ought through so+e etherics sales center3 it can ,e ,uilt in the ho+e 2or-shop. !he )ideo part3 any2ay.I H*ut no one else 2ill thin- of it ,eside you3 2ill they1 No one has.I HI don0t intend to -eep it secret.I H*ut you can0t pu,lish. It0s illegal research.I H!hat doesn0t +atter any +ore3 #r. (otterley. If I lose +y grants3 I lose the+. If the uni)ersity is displeased3 I0ll resign. It <ust doesn0t +atter.I H*ut you can0t do thatJI H!ill no23I said $oster3 Hyou didn0t +ind +y ris-ing loss of grants and position. "hy do you turn so tender a,out it no21 No2 let +e e4plain so+ething to you. "hen you first ca+e to +e3 I ,elie)ed in organi6ed and directed research: the situation as it e4isted3 in other 2ords. I considered you an intellectual anarchist3 #r. (otterley3 and dangerous. *ut3 for one reason or another3 I0)e ,een an anarchist +yself for +onths no2 and I ha)e achie)ed great things. H!hose things ha)e ,een achie)ed not ,ecause I a+ a ,rilliant scientist. Not at all. It 2as <ust that scientific research had ,een directed fro+ a,o)e and holes 2ere left that could ,e filled in ,y anyone 2ho loo-ed in the right direction. And anyone +ight ha)e if the go)ern+ent hadn0t acti)ely tried to pre)ent it. HNo2 understand +e. I still ,elie)e directed research can ,e useful. I0+ not in fa)or of a retreat to total anarchy. *ut there +ust ,e a +iddle ground. #irected research can retain fle4i,ility. A scientist +ust ,e allo2ed to follo2 his curiosity3 at least in his spare ti+e.I (otterley sat do2n. %e said ingratiatingly3 H&et0s discuss this3 $oster. I appreciate your idealis+. >ou0re young. >ou 2ant the +oon. *ut you can0t destroy yourself through fancy notions of 2hat research +ust consist of. I got you into this. I a+ responsi,le and I ,la+e +yself ,itterly. I 2as acting e+otionally. My interest in Carthage ,linded +e and I 2as a da+ned fool.I $oster ,ro-e in. H>ou +ean you0)e changed co+pletely in t2o days1 Carthage is nothing1 5o)ern+ent suppression of research is nothing1I HD)en a da+ned fool li-e +yself can learn3 $oster. My 2ife taught +e so+ething. I understand the reason for go)ern+ent suppression of neutrinics no2. I didn0t t2o days ago. And3 understanding3 I appro)e. >ou sa2 the 2ay +y 2ife reacted to the ne2s of a chronoscope in the ,ase+ent. I had en)isioned a chronoscope used for research purposes. All she could see 2as the personal pleasure of returning neurotically to a personal past3 a dead past. !he pure researcher3 $oster3 is in the +inority. (eople li-e +y 2ife 2ould out2eigh us. H$or the go)ern+ent to encourage chronoscopy 2ould ha)e +eant that e)eryone0s past 2ould ,e )isi,le. !he go)ern+ent officers 2ould ,e su,<ected to ,lac-+ail and i+proper pressure3 since 2ho on Darth has a past that is a,solutely clean1 Organi6ed go)ern+ent +ight ,eco+e i+possi,le.I $oster lic-ed his lips. HMay,e. May,e the go)ern+ent has so+e <ustification in its o2n eyes. Still3 there0s an i+portant principle in)ol)ed here. "ho -no2s 2hat other scientific ad)ances are ,eing sty+ied ,ecause

scientists are ,eing stifled into 2al-ing a narro2 path1 If the chronoscope ,eco+es the terror of a fe2 politicians3 it0s a price that +ust ,e paid. !he pu,lic +ust reali6e that science +ust ,e free and there is no +ore dra+atic 2ay of doing it than to pu,lish +y disco)ery3 one 2ay or another3 legally or illegally.I (otterley0s ,ro2 2as da+p 2ith perspiration3 ,ut his )oice re+ained e)en. HOh3 not <ust a fe2 politicians3 #r. $oster. #on0t thin- that. It 2ould ,e +y terror3 too. My 2ife 2ould spend her ti+e li)ing 2ith our dead daughter. She 2ould retreat further fro+ reality. She 2ould go +ad li)ing the sa+e scenes o)er and o)er. And not <ust +y terror. !here 2ould ,e others li-e her. Children searching for their dead parents or their o2n youth. "e0ll ha)e a 2hole 2orld li)ing in the past. Midsu++er +adness.I $oster said3 HMoral <udg+ents can0t stand in the 2ay. !here isn0t one ad)ance at any ti+e in history that +an-ind hasn0t had the ingenuity to per)ert. Man-ind +ust also ha)e the ingenuity to pre)ent. As for the chron oscope3 your del)ers into the dead past 2ill get tired soon enough. !hey0ll catch their lo)ed parents in so+e of the things their lo)ed parents did and they0ll lose their enthusias+ for it all. *ut all this is tri)ial. "ith +e3 it0s a +atter of i+portant principle.I (otterley said3 H%ang your principle. Can0t you understand +en and 2o+en as 2ell as principle1 #on0t you understand that +y 2ife 2ill li)e through the fire that -illed our ,a,y1 She 2on0t ,e a,le to help herself. I -no2 her. She0ll follo2 through each step3 trying to pre)ent it. She0ll li)e it o)er and o)er again3 hoping each ti+e that it 2on0t happen. %o2 +any ti+es do you 2ant to -ill &aurel1I A hus-iness had crept into his )oice. A thought crossed $oster0s +ind. H"hat are you really afraid she0ll find out3 #r. (otterley1 "hat happened the night of the fire1I !he historian0s hands 2ent up ?uic-ly to co)er his face and they shoo- 2ith his dry so,s. $oster turned a2ay and stared unco+forta,ly out the 2indo2. (otterley said after a 2hile3 HIt0s a long ti+e since I0)e had to thin- of it. Caroline 2as a2ay. I 2as ,a,y sitting. I 2ent into the ,a,y0s ,edroo+ +ide)ening to see if she had -ic-ed off the ,edclothes. I had +y cigarette 2ith +e ... I s+o-ed in those days. I +ust ha)e stu,,ed it out ,efore putting it in the ashtray on the chest of dra2ers. I 2as al2ays careful. !he ,a,y 2as all right. I returned to the li)ing roo+ and fell asleep ,efore the )ideo. I a2o-e3 cho-ing3 surrounded ,y fire. I don0t -no2 ho2 it started.I H*ut you thin- it +ay ha)e ,een the cigarette3 is that it1I said $oster. HA cigarette 2hich3 for once3 you forgot to stu, out1I HI don0t -no2. I tried to sa)e her3 ,ut she 2as dead in +y ar+s 2hen I got out.I H>ou ne)er told your 2ife a,out the cigarette3 I suppose.I (otterley shoo- his head. H*ut I0)e li)ed 2ith it.I HOnly no23 2ith a chronoscope3 she0ll find out. May,e it 2asn0t the cigarette. May,e you did stu, it out. Isn0t that possi,le1I !he scant tears had dried on (otterley0s face. !he redness had su,sided. %e said3 HI can0t ta-e the chance. . . . *ut it0s not <ust +yself3 $oster. !he past has its terrors for +ost people. #on0t loose those terrors on the hu+an race.I $oster paced the floor. So+eho23 this e4plained the reason for (otterley0s ra,id3 irrational desire to ,oost the Carthaginians3 deify the+3 +ost of all dispro)e the story of their fiery sacrifices to Moloch. *y freeing the+ of the guilt of infanticide ,y fire3 he sy+,olically freed hi+self of the sa+e guilt. So the sa+e fire that had dri)en hi+ on to causing the construction of a chronoscope 2as no2 dri)ing hi+ on to the destruction. $oster loo-ed sadly at the older +an. HI see your position3 #r. (otterley3 ,ut this goes a,o)e personal feelings. I0)e got to s+ash this throttling hold on the throat of science.I (otterley said3 sa)agely3 H>ou +ean you 2ant the fa+e and 2ealth that goes 2ith such a disco)ery.I HI don0t -no2 a,out the 2ealth3 ,ut that3 too3 I suppose. I0+ no +ore than hu+an.I H>ou 2on0t suppress your -no2ledge1I HNot under any circu+stances.I H"ell3 then I and the historian got to his feet and stood for a +o+ent3 glaring. $oster had an odd +o+ent of terror. !he +an 2as older than he3 s+aller3 fee,ler3 and he didn0t loo- ar+ed. Still . . . $oster said3 HIf you0re thin-ing of -illing +e or anything insane li-e that3 I0)e got the infor+ation in a safety deposit )ault 2here the proper people 2ill find it in case of +y disappearance or death.I (otterley said3 H#on0t ,e a fool3I and stal-ed out. $oster closed the door3 loc-ed it and sat do2n to thin-. %e felt silly. %e had no infor+ation in any safety deposit )ault3 of course. Such a +elodra+atic action 2ould not ha)e occurred to hi+ ordinarily. *ut no2 it had. $eeling e)en sillier3 he spent an hour 2riting out the e?uations of the application of pseudo gra)itic optics

to neutrinic recording3 and so+e diagra+s for the engineering details of construction. %e sealed it in an en)elope and scra2led 9alph Ni++o0s na+e o)er the outside. %e spent a rather restless night and the ne4t +orning3 on the 2ay to school3 dropped the en)elope off at the ,an-3 2ith appropriate instructions to an official3 2ho +ade hi+ sign a paper per+itting the ,o4 to ,e opened after his death. %e called Ni++o to tell hi+ of the e4istence of the en)elope3 refusing ?uerulously to say anything a,out its contents. %e had ne)er felt so ridiculously self conscious as at that +o+ent. !hat night and the ne4t3 $oster spent in only fitful sleep3 finding hi+self face to face 2ith the highly practical pro,le+ of the pu,lication of data unethically o,tained. !he (roceedings of the Society for (seudo 5ra)ities3 2hich 2as the <ournal 2ith 2hich he 2as ,est ac?uainted3 2ould certainly not touch any paper that did not include the +agic footnoteM H!he 2or- descri,ed in this paper 2as +ade possi,le ,y 5rant No. so and so fro+ the Co++ission of 9esearch of the @nited Nations.I Nor3 dou,ly so3 2ould the Bournal of (hysics. !here 2ere al2ays the +inor <ournals 2ho +ight o)erloo- the nature of the article for the sa-e of the sensation3 ,ut that 2ould re?uire a little financial negotiation on 2hich he hesitated to e+,ar-. It +ight3 on the 2hole3 ,e ,etter to pay the cost of pu,lishing a s+all pa+phlet for general distri,ution a+ong scholars. In that case3 he 2ould e)en ,e a,le to dispense 2ith the ser)ices of a science 2riter3 sacrificing polish for speed. %e 2ould ha)e to find a relia,le printer. @ncle 9alph +ight -no2 one. %e 2al-ed do2n the corridor to his office and 2ondered an4iously if perhaps he ought to 2aste no further ti+e3 gi)e hi+self no further chance to lapse into indecision and ta-e the ris- of calling 9alph fro+ his office phone. %e 2as so a,sor,ed in his o2n hea)y thoughts that he did not notice that his roo+ 2as occupied until he turned fro+ the clothes closet and approached his des-. #r. (otterley 2as there and a +an 2ho+ $oster did not recogni6e. $oster stared at the+. H"hat0s this1I (otterley said3 HI0+ sorry3 ,ut I had to stop you.I $oster continued staring. H"hat are you tal-ing a,out1I !he stranger said3 H&et +e introduce +yself.I %e had large teeth3 a little une)en3 and they sho2ed pro+inently 2hen he s+iled. HI a+ !haddeus Ara+an3 #epart+ent %ead of the #i)ision of Chronoscopy. I a+ here to see you concerning infor+ation ,rought to +e ,y (rofessor Arnold (otterley and confir+ed ,y our o2n sources I (otterley said ,reathlessly3 HI too- all the ,la+e3 #r. $oster. I e4plained that it 2as I 2ho persuaded you against your 2ill into unethical practices. I ha)e offered to accept full responsi,ility and punish+ent. I don0t 2ish you har+ed in any 2ay. It0s <ust that chronoscopy +ust not ,e per+ittedJI Ara+an nodded. H%e has ta-en the ,la+e as he says3 #r. $oster3 ,ut this thing is out of his hands no2.I $oster said3 HSo1 "hat are you going to do1 *lac-,all +e fro+ all consideration for research grants1I H!hat is in +y po2er3I said Ara+an. HOrder the uni)ersity to discharge +e1I H!hat3 too3 is in +y po2er.I HAll right3 go ahead. Consider it done. I0ll lea)e +y office no23 2ith you. I can send for +y ,oo-s later. If you insist3 I0ll lea)e +y ,oo-s. Is that all1I HNot ?uite3I said Ara+an. H>ou +ust engage to do no further research in chronoscopy3 to pu,lish none of your findings in chronoscopy and3 of course3 to ,uild no chronoscope. >ou 2ill re+ain under sur)eillance indefinitely to +a-e sure you -eep that pro+ise.I HSupposing I refuse to pro+ise1 "hat can you do1 #oing research out of +y field +ay ,e unethical3 ,ut it isn0t a cri+inal offense.I HIn the case of chronoscopy3 +y young friend3I said Ara+an patiently3 Hit is a cri+inal offense. If necessary3 you 2ill ,e put in <ail and -ept there.I H"hy1I shouted $oster. H"hat0s +agic a,out chronoscopy1I Ara+an said3 H!hat0s the 2ay it is. "e cannot allo2 further de)elop+ents in the field. My o2n <o, is3 pri+arily3 to +a-e sure of that3 and I intend to do +y <o,. @nfortunately3 I had no -no2ledge3 nor did anyone in the depart+ent3 that the optics of pseudo gra)ity fields had such i++ediate application to chronoscopy. Score one for general ignorance3 ,ut hencefor2ard research 2ill ,e steered properly in that respect3 too.I $oster said3 H!hat 2on0t help. So+ething else +ay apply that neither you nor I drea+ of. All science hangs together. It0s one piece. If you 2ant to stop one part3 you0)e got to stop it all.I HNo dou,t that is true3I said Ara+an3 Hin theory. On the practical side3 ho2e)er3 2e ha)e +anaged ?uite

2ell to hold chronoscopy do2n to the original Ster,ins-i le)el for fifty years. %a)ing caught you in ti+e3 #r. $oster3 2e hope to continue doing so indefinitely. And 2e 2ouldn0t ha)e co+e this close to disaster3 either3 if I had accepted #r. (otterley at so+ething +ore than face )alue.I %e turned to2ard the historian and lifted his eye,ro2s in a -ind of hu+orous self deprecation. HI0+ afraid3 sir3 that I dis+issed you as a history professor and no +ore on the occasion of our first inter)ie2. %ad I done +y <o, properly and chec-ed on you3 this 2ould not ha)e happened.I $oster said a,ruptly3 HIs anyone allo2ed to use the go)ern+ent chrono scope1I HNo one outside our di)ision under any prete4t. I say that since it is o,)ious to +e that you ha)e already guessed as +uch. I 2arn you3 though3 that any repetition of that fact 2ill ,e a cri+inal3 not an ethical3 offense.I HAnd your chronoscope doesn0t go ,ac- +ore than a hundred t2enty fi)e years or so3 does it1I HIt doesn0t.I H!hen your ,ulletin 2ith its stories of ti+e )ie2ing ancient ti+es is a hoa41I Ara+an said coolly3 H"ith the -no2ledge you no2 ha)e3 it is o,)ious you -no2 that for a certainty. %o2e)er3 I confir+ your re+ar-. !he +onthly ,ulletin is a hoa4.I HIn that case3I said $oster3 HI 2ill not pro+ise to suppress +y -no2ledge of chronoscopy. If you 2ish to arrest +e3 go ahead. My defense at the trial 2ill ,e enough to destroy the )icious card house of directed research and ,ring it tu+,ling do2n. #irecting research is one thing: suppressing it and depri)ing +an-ind of its ,enefits is ?uite another.I Ara+an said3 HOh3 let0s get so+ething straight3 #r. $oster. If you do not co operate3 you 2ill go to <ail directly. >ou 2ill not see a la2yer3 you 2ill not ,e charged3 you 2ill not ha)e a trial. >ou 2ill si+ply stay in <ail.I HOh3 no3I said $oster3 Hyou0re ,luffing. !his is not the t2entieth century3 you -no2.I !here 2as a stir outside the office3 the clatter of feet3 a high pitched shout that $oster 2as sure he recogni6ed. !he door crashed open3 the loc- splintering3 and three intert2ined figures stu+,led in. As they did so3 one of the +en raised a ,laster and ,rought its ,utt do2n hard on the s-ull of another. !here 2as a 2hoosh of e4piring air3 and the one 2hose head 2as struc- 2ent li+p. H@ncle 9alphJI cried $oster. Ara+an fro2ned. H(ut hi+ do2n in that chair3I he ordered3 Hand get so+e 2ater.I 9alph Ni++o3 ru,,ing his head 2ith a gingerly sort of disgust3 said3 H!here 2as no need to get rough3 Ara+an.I Ara+an said3 H!he guard should ha)e ,een rough sooner and -ept you out of here3 Ni++o. >ou0d ha)e ,een ,etter off.I H>ou -no2 each other1I as-ed $oster. HI0)e had dealings 2ith the +an3I said Ni++o3 still ru,,ing. HIf he0s here in your office3 nephe23 you0re in trou,le.I HAnd you3 too3I said Ara+an angrily. HI -no2 #r. $oster consulted you on neutrinics literature.I Ni++o corrugated his forehead3 then straightened it 2ith a 2ince as though the action had ,rought pain. HSo1I he said. H"hat else do you -no2 a,out +e1I H"e 2ill -no2 e)erything a,out you soon enough. Mean2hile3 that one ite+ is enough to i+plicate you. "hat are you doing here1I HMy dear #r. Ara+an3I said Ni++o3 so+e of his <auntiness restored3 Hday ,efore yesterday3 +y <ac-ass of a nephe2 called +e. %e had placed so+e +ysterious infor+ation I H#on0t tell hi+J #on0t say anythingJI cried $oster. Ara+an g-nced at hi+ coldly. H"e -no2 all a,out it3 #r. $oster. !he safety deposit ,o4 has ,een opened and its contents re+o)ed.I H*ut ho2 can you -no2 I $oster0s )oice died a2ay in a -ind of furious frustration. HAny2ay3I said Ni++o3 HI decided the net +ust ,e closing around hi+ and3 after I too- care of a fe2 ite+s3 I ca+e do2n to tell hi+ to get off this thing he0s doing. It0s not 2orth his career.I H#oes that +ean you -no2 2hat he0s doing1I as-ed Ara+an. H%e ne)er told +e3I said Ni++o3 H,ut I0+ a science 2riter 2ith a hell of a lot of e4perience. I -no2 2hich side of an ato+ is electronified. !he ,oy3 $oster3 speciali6es in pseudo gra)itic optics and coached +e on the stuff hi+self. %e got +e to get hi+ a te4t,oo- on neutrinics and I -ind of ship )ie2ed it +yself ,efore handing it o)er. I can put the t2o together. %e as-ed +e to get hi+ certain pieces of physical e?uip+ent3 and that 2as e)idence3 too. Stop +e if I0+ 2rong3 ,ut +y nephe2 has ,uilt a se+iporta,le3 lo2 po2er chronoscope. >es3 or yes1I H>es.I Ara+an reached thoughtfully for a cigarette and paid no attention to #r. (otterley 72atching silently3 as though all 2ere a drea+8 2ho shied a2ay3 gasping3 fro+ the 2hite cylinder. HAnother +ista-e for +e. I ought to resign. I should ha)e put ta,s on you3 too3 Ni++o3 instead of concentrating too hard on (otterley and

$oster. I didn0t ha)e +uch ti+e of course and you0)e ended up safely here3 ,ut that doesn0t e4cuse +e. >ou0re under arrest3 Ni++o.I H"hat for1I de+anded the science 2riter. H@nauthori6ed research.I HI 2asn0t doing any. I can0t3 not ,eing a registered scientist. And e)en if I did3 it0s not a cri+inal offense.I $oster said sa)agely3 HNo use3 @ncle 9alph. !his ,ureaucrat is +a-ing his o2n la2s.I H&i-e 2hat1I de+anded Ni++o. H&i-e life i+prison+ent 2ithout trial.I HNuts3I said Ni++o. H!his isn0t the t2entieth cen I HI tried that3I said $oster. HIt doesn0t ,other hi+.I H"ell3 nuts3I shouted Ni++o. H&oo- here3 Ara+an. My nephe2 and I ha)e relati)es 2ho ha)en0t lost touch 2ith us3 you -no2. !he professor has so+e also3 I i+agine. >ou can0t <ust +a-e us disappear. !here0ll ,e ?uestions and a scandal. !his isn0t the t2entieth century. So if you0re trying to scare us3 it isn0t 2or-ing.I !he cigarette snapped ,et2een Ara+an0s fingers and he tossed it a2ay )iolently. %e said3 H#a+n it3 I don0t -no2 2hat to do. It0s ne)er ,een li-e this ,efore. . . . &oo-J >ou three fools -no2 nothing of 2hat you0re trying to do. >ou understand nothing. "ill you listen to +e1I HOh3 2e0ll listen3I said Ni++o gri+ly. 7$oster sat silently3 eyes angry3 lips co+pressed. (otterley0s hands 2rithed li-e t2o intert2ined sna-es.8 Ara+an said3 H!he past to you is the dead past. If any of you ha)e discussed the +atter3 it0s dollars to nic-els you0)e used that phrase. !he dead past. If you -ne2 ho2 +any ti+es I0)e heard those three 2ords3 you0d cho-e on the+3 too. H"hen people thin- of the past3 they thin- of it as dead3 far a2ay and gone3 long ago. "e encourage the+ to thin- so. "hen 2e report ti+e )ie2ing3 2e al2ays tal- of )ie2s centuries in the past3 e)en though you gentle+en -no2 seeing +ore than a century or so is i+possi,le. (eople accept it. !he past +eans 5reece3 9o+e3 Carthage3 Dgypt3 the Stone Age. !he deader the ,etter. HNo2 you three -no2 a century or a little +ore is the li+it3 so 2hat does the past +ean to you1 >our youth. >our first girl. >our dead +other. !2enty years ago. !hirty years ago. $ifty years ago. !he deader the ,etter. . . . *ut 2hen does the past really ,egin1I %e paused in anger. !he others stared at hi+ and Ni++o stirred uneasily. H"ell3I said Ara+an3 H2hen did it ,egin1 A year ago1 $i)e +inutes ago1 One second ago1 Isn0t it o,)ious that the past ,egins an instant ago1 !he dead past is <ust another na+e for the li)ing present. "hat if you focus the chronoscope in the past of one hundredth of a second ago1 Aren0t you 2atching the present1 #oes it ,egin to sinin1I Ni++o said3 H#a+nation.I H#a+nation3I +i+ic-ed Ara+an. HAfter (otterley ca+e to +e 2ith his story night ,efore last3 ho2 do you suppose I chec-ed up on ,oth of you1 I did it 2ith the chronoscope3 spotting -ey +o+ents to the )ery instant of the present.I HAnd that0s ho2 you -ne2 a,out the safety deposit ,o41I said $oster. HAnd e)ery other i+portant fact. No2 2hat do you suppose 2ould happen if 2e let ne2s of a ho+e chronoscope get out1 (eople +ight start out ,y 2atching their youth3 their parents and so on3 ,ut it 2ouldn0t ,e long ,efore they0d catch on to the possi,ilities. !he house2ife 2ill forget her poor3 dead +other and ta-e to 2atching her neigh,or at ho+e and her hus,and at the office. !he ,usiness+an 2ill 2atch his co+petitor: the e+ployer his e+ ployee. H!here 2ill ,e no such thing as pri)acy. !he party line3 the prying eye ,ehind the curtain 2ill ,e nothing co+pared to it. !he )ideo stars 2ill ,e closely 2atched at all ti+es ,y e)eryone. D)ery +an his o2n peeping !o+ and there0ll ,e no getting a2ay fro+ the 2atcher. D)en dar-ness 2ill ,e no escape ,ecause chronoscopy can ,e ad<usted to the infrared and hu+an figures can ,e seen ,y their o2n ,ody heat. !he figures 2ill ,e fu66y3 of course3 and the surroundings 2ill ,e dar-3 ,ut that 2ill +a-e the titillation of it all the greater3 perhaps. . . . %+p3 the +en in charge of the +achine no2 e4peri+ent so+eti+es in spite of the regulations against it.I Ni++o see+ed sic-. H>ou can al2ays for,id pri)ate +anufacture I Ara+an turned on hi+ fiercely. H>ou can3 ,ut do you e4pect it to do good1 Can you legislate successfully against drin-ing3 s+o-ing3 adultery or gossiping o)er the ,ac- fence1 And this +i4ture of nosiness and prurience 2ill ha)e a 2orse grip on hu+anity than any of those. 5ood &ord3 in a thousand years of trying 2e ha)en0t e)en ,een a,le to 2ipe out the heroin traffic and you tal- a,out legislating against a de)ice for 2atching anyone you please at any ti+e you please that can ,e ,uilt in a ho+e 2or-shop.I $oster said suddenly3 HI 2on0t pu,lish.I

(otterley ,urst out3 half in so,s3 HNone of us 2ill tal-. I regret I Ni++o ,ro-e in. H>ou said you didn0t ta, +e on the chronoscope3 Ara+an.I HNo ti+e3I said Ara+an 2earily. H!hings don0t +o)e any faster on the chronoscope than in real life. >ou can0t speed it up li-e the fil+ in a ,oo- )ie2er. "e spent a full t2enty four hours trying to catch the i+portant +o+ents during the last si4 +onths of (otterley and $oster. !here 2as no ti+e for anything else and it 2as enough.I HIt 2asn0t3I said Ni++o. H"hat are you tal-ing a,out1I !here 2as a sudden infinite alar+ on Ara+an0s face. HI told you +y nephe23 Bonas3 had called +e to say he had put i+portant infor+ation in a safety deposit ,o4. %e acted as though he 2ere in trou,le. %e0s +y nephe2. I had to try to get hi+ off the spot. It too- a 2hile3 then I ca+e here to tell hi+ 2hat I had done. I told you 2hen I got here3 <ust after your +an con-ed +e that I had ta-en care of a fe2 ite+s.I H"hat1 $or %ea)en0s sa-e I HBust thisM I sent the details of the porta,le chronoscope off to half a do6en of +y regular pu,licity outlets.I Not a 2ord. Not a sound. Not a ,reath. !hey 2ere all past any de+onstration. H#on0t stare li-e that3I cried Ni++o. H#on0t you see +y point1 I had popular pu,lication rights. Bonas 2ill ad+it that. I -ne2 he couldn0t pu,lish scientifically in any legal 2ay. I 2as sure he 2as planning to pu,lish illegally and 2as preparing the safety deposit ,o4 for that reason3 i thought if I put through the details pre+aturely3 all the responsi,ility 2ould ,e +ine. %is career 2ould ,e sa)ed. And if 1 2ere depri)ed of +y science 2riting license as a result3 +y e4clusi)e possession of the chrono+etric data 2ould set +e up for life. Bonas 2ould ,e angry3 I e4pected that3 ,ut I could e4plain the +oti)e and 2e 2ould split the ta-e fifty fifty. . . #on0t stare at +e li-e that. %o2 did I -no2 I HNo,ody -ne2 anything3I said Ara+an ,itterly3 H,ut you all <ust too- it for granted that the go)ern+ent 2as stupidly ,ureaucratic3 )icious3 tyrannical3 gi)en to suppressing research for the hell of it. It ne)er occurred to any of you that 2e 2ere trying to protect +an-ind as ,est 2e could.I H#on0t sit there tal-ing3I 2ailed (otterley. H5et the na+es of the people 2ho 2ere told I H!oo late3I said Ni++o3 shrugging. H!hey0)e had ,etter than a day. !here0s ,een ti+e for the 2ord to spread. My outfits 2ill ha)e called any nu+,er of physicists to chec- +y data ,efore going on 2ith it and they0ll call one another to pass on the ne2s. Once scientists put neutrinics and pseudo gra)ities together3 ho+e chronoscopy ,eco+es o,)ious. *efore the 2ee- is out3 fi)e hundred people 2ill -no2 ho2 to ,uild a s+all chronoscope and ho2 2ill you catch the+ all1I %is plu+ chee-s sagged. HI suppose there0s no 2ay of putting the +ushroo+ cloud ,ac- into that nice3 shiny uraniu+ sphere.I Ara+an stood up. H"e0ll try3 (otterley3 ,ut I agree 2ith Ni++o. It0s too late. "hat -ind of a 2orld 2e0ll ha)e fro+ no2 on3 I don0t -no23 I can0t tell3 ,ut the 2orld 2e -no2 has ,een destroyed co+pletely. @ntil no23 e)ery custo+3 e)ery ha,it3 e)ery tiniest 2ay of life has al2ays ta-en a certain a+ount of pri)acy for granted3 ,ut that0s all gone no2.I %e saluted each of the three 2ith ela,orate for+ality. H>ou ha)e created a ne2 2orld a+ong the three of you. I congratulate you. %appy goldfish ,o2l to you3 to +e3 to e)eryone3 and +ay each of you fry in hell fore)er. Arrest rescinded.I

The Dying Night

5art 6 It 2as al+ost a class reunion3 and though it 2as +ar-ed ,y <oylessness3 there 2as no reason as yet to thin- it 2ould ,e +arred ,y tragedy. Dd2ard !alliaferro3 fresh fro+ the Moon and 2ithout his gra)ity legs yet3 +et the other t2o in Stanley Launas0s roo+. Launas rose to greet hi+ in a su,dued +anner. *attersley 9yger +erely sat and nodded. !alliaferro lo2ered his large ,ody carefully to the couch3 )ery a2are of its unusual 2eight. %e gri+aced a little3 his plu+p lips t2isting inside the ri+ of hair that surrounded his +outh on lip3 chin3 and chee-. !hey had seen one another earlier that day under +ore for+al conditions. No2 for the first ti+e they 2ere alone3 and !alliaferro said3 H!his is a -ind of occasion. "e0re +eeting for the first ti+e in ten years. $irst ti+e since graduation3 in fact.I 9yger0s nose t2itched. It had ,een ,ro-en shortly ,efore that sa+e graduation and he had recei)ed his degree in astrono+y 2ith a ,andage disfiguring his face. %e said gru+pily3 H Anyone ordered3 cha+pagne1 Or

so+ething1I !alliaferro said3 HCo+e onJ $irst ,ig interplanetary astrono+ical con)ention in history is no place for gloo+ing. And a+ong friends3 tooJI Launas said suddenly3 HIt0s Darth. It doesn0t feel right. I can0t get used to it.I %e shoo- his head ,ut his loo- of depression 2as not detacha,le. It re+ained. !alliaferro said3 HI -no2. I0+ so hea)y. It ta-es all the energy out of +e. At that3 you0re ,etter off than I a+3 Launas. Mercurian gra)ity is G.A nor+al. On the Moon3 it0s only G.1E.I %e interrupted 9yger0s ,eginning of a sound ,y saying3 H And on Ceres they use pseudo gra) fields ad<usted to G.;. >ou ha)e no pro,le+ at all3 9yger.I !he Cerian astrono+er loo-ed annoyed3 HIt0s the open air. 5oing outside 2ithout a suit gets +e.I H9ight3I agreed Launas3 Hand letting the sun ,eat do2n on you. Bust letting it.I !alliaferro found hi+self insensi,ly drifting ,ac- in ti+e. !hey had not changed +uch. Nor3 he thought3 had he hi+self. !hey 2ere all ten years older3 of course. 9yger had put on so+e 2eight and Launas0s thin face had gro2n a ,it leathery3 ,ut he 2ould ha)e recogni6ed either if he had +et hi+ 2ithout 2arning. %e said3 HI don0t thin- it0s Darth getting us. &et0s face it.I Launas loo-ed up sharply. %e 2as a little fello2 2ith ?uic-3 ner)ous +o)e+ents of his hands. %e ha,itually 2ore clothes that loo-ed a shade too large for hi+. %e said3 HVilliersJ I -no2. I thin- a,out hi+ so+eti+es.I !hen3 2ith an air of desperation3 HI got a letter fro+ hi+.I 9yger sat upright3 his oli)e co+ple4ion dar-ening further and said 2ith energy3 H>ou did1 "hen1I H A +onth ago.I 9yger turned to !alliaferro. H%o2 a,out you1I !alliaferro ,lin-ed placidly and nodded. 9yger said3 H%e0s gone cra6y. %e clai+s he0s disco)ered a practical +ethod of +ass transference through space. %e told you t2o also1 !hat0s it3 then. %e 2as al2ays a little ,ent. No2 he0s ,ro-en.I %e ru,,ed his nose fiercely and !alliaferro thought of the day Villiers had ,ro-en it. $or ten years3 Villiers had haunted the+ li-e the )ague shado2 of a guilt that 2asn0t really theirs. !hey had gone through their graduate 2or- together3 four pic-ed and dedicated +en ,eing trained for a profession that had reached ne2 heights in this age of interplanetary tra)el. !he O,ser)atories 2ere opening on the other 2orlds3 surrounded ,y )acuu+3 un,lurred ,y air. !here 2as the &unar O,ser)atory3 fro+ 2hich Darth and the inner planets could ,e studied: a silent 2orld in 2hose s-y the ho+e planet hung suspended. Mercury O,ser)atory3 closest to the sun3 perched at Mercury0s north pole3 2here the ter+inator +o)ed scarcely at all3 and the sun 2as fi4ed on the hori6on and could ,e studied in the +inutest detail. Ceres O,ser)atory3 ne2est3 +ost +odern3 2ith its range e4tending fro+ Bupiter to the outer+ost gala4ies. !here 2ere disad)antages3 of course. "ith interplanetary tra)el still difficult3 lea)es 2ould ,e fe23 anything li-e nor+al life )irtually i+possi,le3 ,ut this 2as a luc-y generation. Co+ing scientists 2ould find the fields of -no2ledge 2ell reaped and3 until the in)ention of an interstellar dri)e3 no ne2 hori6on as capacious as this one 2ould ,e opened. Dach of these luc-y four3 !alliaferro3 9yger3 Launas3 and Villiers3 2as to ,e in the position of a 5alileo3 2ho ,y o2ning the first real telescope3 could not point it any2here in the s-y 2ithout +a-ing a +a<or disco)ery. *ut then 9o+ero Villiers had fallen sic- and it 2as rheu+atic fe)er. "hose fault 2as that1 %is heart had ,een left lea-ing and li+ping. %e 2as the +ost ,rilliant of the four3 the +ost hopeful3 the +ost intense and he could not e)en finish his schooling and get his doctorate. "orse than that3 he could ne)er lea)e Darth: the acceleration of a spaceship0s ta-e off 2ould -ill hi+. !alliaferro 2as +ar-ed for the Moon3 9yger for Ceres3 Launas for Mercury. Only Villiers stayed ,ehind3 a life prisoner of Darth. !hey had tried telling their sy+pathy and Villiers had re<ected it 2ith so+ething approaching hate. %e had railed at the+ and cursed the+. "hen 9yger lost his te+per and lifted his fist3 Villiers had sprung at hi+3 screa+ing3 and had ,ro-en 9yger0s nose. O,)iously 9yger hadn0t forgotten that3 as he caressed his nose gingerly 2ith one finger. Launas0s forehead 2as an uncertain 2ash,oard of 2rin-les. H%e0s at the Con)ention3 you -no2. %e0s got a roo+ in the hotel AGC.I HI 2on0t see hi+3I said 9yger. H%e0s co+ing up here. %e said he 2anted to see us. I thought %e said nine. %e0ll ,e here any +inute.I HIn that case3I said 9yger3 Hif you don0t +ind3 I0+ lea)ing.I %e rose.

!alliaferro said3 HOh3 2ait a 2hile. "hat0s the har+ in seeing hi+1I H*ecause there0s no point. %e0s +ad.I HD)en so. &et0s not ,e petty a,out it. Are you afraid of hi+1I H AfraidJI 9yger loo-ed conte+ptuous. HNer)ous3 then. "hat is there to ,e so ner)ous a,out1I HI0+ not ner)ous3I said 9yger. HSure you are. "e all feel guilty a,out hi+3 and 2ithout real reason. Nothing that happened 2as our fault.I *ut he 2as spea-ing defensi)ely and he -ne2 it. And then3 at that point3 the door signal sounded3 all three <u+ped and turned to stare uneasily at the ,arrier that stood ,et2een the+sel)es and Villiers. !he door opened and 9o+ero Villiers 2al-ed in. !he others rose stiffly to greet hi+3 then re+ained standing in e+,arrass+ent3 2ithout one hand ,eing raised. %e stared the+ do2n sardonically. 0es changed3 thought !alliaferro. %e had. %e had shrun-en in al+ost e)ery di+ension. A gathering stoop +ade hi+ seen e)en shorter. !he s-in of his scalp glistened through thinning hair3 the s-in on the ,ac- of his hands 2as ridged croo-edly 2ith ,luish )eins. %e loo-ed ill. !here see+ed nothing to lin- hi+ to the +e+ory of the past e4cept for his tric- of shading his eyes 2ith one hand 2hen he stared intently and3 2hen he spo-e3 the e)en3 controlled ,aritone of his )oice. %e said3 HMy friendsJ My space trotting friendsJ "e0)e lost touch.I !alliaferro said3 H%ello3 Villiers.I Villiers eyed hi+. HAre you 2ell1I H"ell enough.I H And you t2o1I Launas +anaged a 2ea- s+ile and a +ur+ur. 9yger snapped3 HAll right3 Villiers. "hat0s up1I H9yger3 the angry +an3I said Villiers. H%o20s Ceres1I HIt 2as doing 2ell 2hen I left %o20s Darth1I H>ou can see for yourself3I ,ut Villiers tightened as he said that. %e 2ent on3 HI a+ hoping that the reason all three of you ha)e co+e to the Con)ention is to hear +y paper day after to+orro2.I H>our paper1 "hat paper1I as-ed !alliaferro. HI 2rote you all a,out it. My +ethod of +ass transference.I 9yger s+iled 2ith one corner of his +outh. H>es3 you did. >ou didn0t say anything a,out a paper3 though3 and I don0t recall that you0re listed as one of the spea-ers. I 2ould ha)e noticed it if you had ,een.I H>ou0re right. I0+ not listed. Nor ha)e I prepared an a,stract for pu,lication.I Villiers had flushed and !alliaferro said soothingly3 H!a-e it easy3 Villiers. >ou don0t loo- 2ell.I Villiers 2hirled on hi+3 lips contorted. HMy heart0s holding out3 than- you.I Launas said3 H&isten3 Villiers3 if you0re not listed or a,stracted I 3+ou listen. I0)e 2aited ten years. >ou ha)e the <o,s in space and I ha)e to teach school on Darth3 ,ut I0+ a ,etter +an than any of you or all of you.I H5ranted I ,egan !alliaferro. HAnd I don0t 2ant your condescension either. Mandel 2itnessed it. I suppose you0)e heard of Mandel. "ell3 he0s chair+an of the astronautics di)ision at the Con)ention and I de+onstrated +ass transference for hi+. It 2as a crude de)ice and it ,urnt out after one use ,ut Are you listening1I H"e0re listening3I said 9yger coldly3 Hfor 2hat that counts.I H%e0ll let +e tal- a,out it +y 2ay. >ou ,et he 2ill. No 2arning. No ad)ertise+ent. I0+ going to spring it at the+ li-e a ,o+,shell. "hen I gi)e the+ the funda+ental relationships in)ol)ed it 2ill ,rea- up the Con)ention. !hey0ll scatter to their ho+e la,s to chec- on +e and ,uild de)ices. And they0ll find it 2or-s. I +ade a li)e +ouse disappear at one spot in +y la, and appear in another. Mandel 2itnessed it.I %e stared at the+3 glaring first at one face3 then at another. %e said3 H>ou don0t ,elie)e +e3 do you1I 9yger said3 HIf you don0t 2ant ad)ertise+ent3 2hy do you tell us1I H>ou0re different. >ou0re +y friends3 +y class+ates. >ou 2ent out into space and left +e ,ehind.I H!hat 2asn0t a +atter of choice3I o,<ected Launas in a thin3 high )oice. Villiers ignored that. %e said3 HSo I 2ant you to -no2 no'. "hat 2ill 2or- for a +ouse 2ill 2or- for a hu+an. "hat 2ill +o)e so+ething ten feet across a la, 2ill +o)e it a +illion +iles across space. I0ll ,e on the Moon3 and on Mercury3 and on Ceres and any2here I 2ant to go. I0ll +atch e)ery one of you and +ore. And I0ll

ha)e done +ore for astrono+y <ust teaching school and thin-ing3 than all of you 2ith your o,ser)atories and telescopes and ca+eras and spaceships.I H"ell3I said !alliaferro3 HI0+ pleased. More po2er to you. May I see a copy of the paper1I HOh3 no.I Villiers0 hands clenched close to his chest as though he 2ere holding phanto+ sheets and shielding the+ fro+ o,ser)ation. H>ou 2ait li-e e)eryone else. !here0s only one copy and no one 2ill see it till I0+ ready. Not e)en Mandel.I HOne copy3I cried !alliaferro. HIf you +isplace it I HI 2on0t. And if I do3 it0s all in +y head.I HIf you I !alliaferro al+ost finished that sentence 2ith HdieI ,ut stopped hi+self. Instead3 he 2ent on after an al+ost i+percepti,le pause3 H ha)e any sense3 you0ll scan it at least. $or safety0s sa-e.I HNo3I said Villiers3 shortly. H>ou0ll hear +e day after to+orro2. >ou0ll see the hu+an hori6on e4panded at one Etro-e as it ne)er has ,een ,efore.I Again he stared intently at each face. H!en years3I he said. H5ood ,y.I H%e0s +ad3I said 9yger e4plosi)ely3 staring at the door as though Villiers 2ere still standing ,efore it. HIs he1I said !alliaferro thoughtfully. HI suppose he is3 in a 2ay. %e hates us for irrational reasons. And3 then3 not e)en to scan his paper as a precaution I !alliaferro fingered his o2n s+all scanner as he said that. It 2as <ust a neutrally colored3 undistinguished cylinder3 so+e2hat thic-er and so+e2hat shorter than an ordinary pencil. In recent years3 it had ,eco+e the hall+ar- of the scientist3 +uch as the stethoscope 2as that of the physician and the +icro co+puter that of the statistician. !he scanner 2as 2orn in a <ac-et poc-et3 or clipped to a slee)e3 or slipped ,ehind the ear3 or s2ung at the end of a string. !alliaferro so+eti+es3 in his +ore philosophical +o+ents3 2ondered ho2 it 2as in the days 2hen research +en had to +a-e la,orious notes of the literature or file a2ay fullsi6ed reprints. %o2 un2ieldyJ No2 it 2as only necessary to scan anything printed or 2ritten to ha)e a +icro negati)e 2hich could ,e de)eloped at leisure. !alliaferro had already recorded e)ery a,stract included in the progra+ ,oo-let of the Con)ention. !he other t2o3 he assu+ed 2ith full confidence3 had done li-e.. 2ise. !alliaferro said3 H@nder the circu+stances3 refusal to scan is +ad.I HSpaceJI said 9yger hotly. H!here is no paper. !here is no disco)ery. Scoring one on us 2ould ,e 2orth any lie to hi+.I H*ut then 2hat 2ill he do day after to+orro21I as-ed Launas. H%o2 do I -no21 %e0s a +ad+an.I !alliaferro still played 2ith his scanner and 2ondered idly if he ought to re+o)e and de)elop so+e of the s+all sli)ers of fil+ that lay stored a2ay in its )itals. %e decided against it. %e said3 H#on0t underesti+ate Villiers. %e0s a ,rain.I H!en years ago3 +ay,e3I said 9yger. HNo2 he0s a nut. I propose 2e forget hi+.I %e spo-e loudly3 as though to dri)e a2ay Villiers and all that concerned hi+ ,y the sheer force 2ith 2hich he discussed other things. %e tal-ed a,out Ceres and his 2or- the radio plotting of the Mil-y "ay 2ith ne2 radioscopes capa,le of the resolution of single stars. Launas listened and nodded3 then chi+ed in 2ith infor+ation concerning the radio e+issions of sunspots and his o2n paper3 in press3 on the association of proton stor+s 2ith the gigantic hydrogen flares on the sun0s surface. !alliaferro contri,uted little. &unar 2or- 2as ungla+orous in co+parison. !he latest infor+ation on long scale 2eather forecasting through direct o,ser)ation of terrestrial <et strea+s 2ould not co+pare 2ith radioscopes and proton stor+s. More than that3 his thoughts could not lea)e Villiers. Villiers 'as the ,rain. !hey all -ne2 it. D)en 9yger3 for all his ,luster3 +ust feel that if +ass transference 2ere at all possi,le then Villiers 2as a logical disco)erer. !he discussion of their o2n 2or- a+ounted to no +ore than an uneasy ad+ission that none of the+ had co+e to +uch. !alliaferro had follo2ed the literature and -ne2. %is o2n papers had ,een +inor. !he others had authored nothing of great i+portance. None of the+ face the fact had de)eloped into space sha-ers. !he colossal drea+s of school days had not co+e true and that 2as that. !hey 2ere co+petent routine 2or-+en. No less. @nfortunately3 no +ore. !hey -ne2 that. Villiers 2ould ha)e ,een +ore. !hey -ne2 that3 too. It 2as that -no2ledge3 as 2ell as guilt3 2hich -ept the+ antagonistic. !alliaferro felt uneasily that Villiers3 despite e)erything3 2as yet to be +ore. !he others +ust ,e thin-ing

so3 too3 and +ediocrity could gro2 ?uic-ly un,eara,le. !he +ass transference paper 2ould co+e to pass and Villiers 2ould ,e the great +an after all3 as he 2as al2ays fated to ,e apparently3 2hile his class+ates3 2ith all their ad)antages3 2ould ,e forgotten. !heir role 2ould ,e no +ore than to applaud fro+ the cro2d. %e felt his o2n en)y and chagrin and 2as asha+ed of it3 ,ut felt it none the less. Con)ersation died3 and Launas said3 his eyes turning a2ay3 H&isten3 2hy don0t 2e drop in on old Villiers1I !here 2as a false heartiness a,out it3 a co+pletely uncon)incing effort at casualness. %e added3 HNo use lea)ing ,ad feelings unnecessarily I !alliaferro thoughtM %e 2ants to +a-e sure a,out the +ass transference. %e0s hoping it is only a +ad+an0s night+are so he can sleep tonight. *ut he 2as curious hi+self3 so he +ade no o,<ection3 and e)en 9yger shrugged 2ith ill grace and said3 H%ell3 2hy not1I It 2as a little ,efore ele)en then. !alliaferro 2as a2a-ened ,y the insistent ringing of his door signal. %e hitched hi+self to one el,o2 in the dar-ness and felt distinctly outraged. !he soft glo2 of the ceiling indicator sho2ed it to ,e not ?uite four in the +orning. %e cried out3 H"ho is it1I !he ringing continued in short3 insistent spurts. 5ro2ling3 !alliaferro slipped into his ,athro,e. %e opened the door and ,lin-ed in the corridor light. %e recogni6ed the +an 2ho faced hi+ fro+ the tri+ensionals he had seen often enough. Ne)ertheless3 the +an said in an a,rupt 2hisper3 HMy na+e is %u,ert Mandel.I H>es3 sir3I said !alliaferro. Mandel 2as one of the Na+es in astrono+y3 pro+inent enough to ha)e an i+portant e4ecuti)e position 2ith the "orld Astrono+ical *ureau3 acti)e enough to ,e Chair+an of the Astronautics section here at the Con)ention. It suddenly struc- !alliaferro that it 2as Mandel for 2ho+ Villiers clai+ed to ha)e de+onstrated +ass transference. !he thought of Villiers 2as so+eho2 a so,ering one. Mandel said3 H>ou are #r. Dd2ard !alliaferro1I H>es3 sir.I H!hen dress and co+e 2ith +e. It is )ery i+portant. It concerns a +utual ac?uaintance.I H#r. Villiers1I Mandel0s eyes flic-ered a ,it. %is ,ro2s and lashes 2ere so fair as to gi)e those eyes a na-ed3 unfringed appearance. %is hair 2as sil-y thin3 his age a,out fifty. %e said3 H"hy Villiers1I H%e +entioned you last e)ening. I don0t -no2 any other +utual ac?uaintance.I Mandel nodded3 2aited for !alliaferro to finish slipping into his clothes3 then turned and led the 2ay. 9yger and Launas 2ere 2aiting in a roo+ one floor a,o)e !alliaferro0s. Launas0s eyes 2ere red and trou,led. 9yger 2as s+o-ing a cigarette 2ith i+patient puffs. !alliaferro said3 H"e0re all here. Another reunion.I It fell flat. %e too- a seat and the three stared at one another. 9yger shrugged. Mandel paced the floor3 hands deep in his poc-ets. %e said3 /HI apologi6e for any incon)enience3 gentle+en3 and I than- you for your co operation. I 2ould li-e +ore of it. Our friend3 9o+ero Villiers3 is dead. A,out an hour ago3 his ,ody 2as re+o)ed fro+ the hotel. !he +edical <udg+ent is heart failure.I !here 2as a stunned silence. 9yger0s cigarette ho)ered half2ay to his lips3 then san- slo2ly 2ithout co+pleting its <ourney. H(oor de)il3I said !alliaferro. H%orri,le3I 2hispered Launas hoarsely. H%e 2as I %is )oice played out. 9yger shoo- hi+self. H"ell3 he had a ,ad heart. !here0s nothing to ,e done.I HOne little thing3I corrected Mandel ?uietly. H9eco)ery.I H"hat does that +ean1I as-ed 9yger sharply. Mandel said3 H"hen did you three see hi+ last1I !alliaferro spo-e3 H&ast e)ening. It turned out to ,e a reunion. "e all +et for the first ti+e in ten years. It 2asn0t a pleasant +eeting3 I0+ sorry to say. Villiers felt he had cause for anger 2ith us3 and he 2as angry.I H!hat 2as 2hen1I H A,out nine3 the first ti+e.I H!he first ti+e1I H"e sa2 hi+ again later in the e)ening.I

Launas loo-ed trou,led. H%e had left angrily. "e couldn0t lea)e it at that. "e had to try. It 2asn0t as if 2e hadn0t all ,een friends at one ti+e. So 2e 2ent to his roo+ and I Mandel pounced on that. H>ou 2ere all in his roo+1I H>es3I said Launas3 surprised. HA,out 2hen1I HDle)en3 I thin-.I %e loo-ed at the others. !alliaferro nodded. HAnd ho2 long did you stay1I H!2o +inutes3I put in 9yger. H%e ordered us out as though 2e 2ere after his paper.I %e paused as though e4pecting Mandel to as- 2hat paper3 ,ut Mandel said nothing. %e 2ent on. HI thin- he -ept it under his pillo2. At least he lay across the pillo2 as he yelled at us to lea)e.I H%e +ay ha)e ,een dying then3I said Launas3 in a sic- 2hisper. HNot then3I said Mandel shortly. HSo you pro,a,ly all left fingerprints.I H(ro,a,ly3I said !alliaferro. %e 2as losing so+e of his auto+atic respect for Mandel and a sense of i+patience 2as returning. It 'as four in the +orning3 Mandel or no. %e said3 HNo2 2hat0s all this a,out1I H"ell3 gentle+en3I said Mandel3 Hthere0s +ore to Villiers0 death than the fact of death. Villiers0 paper3 the only copy of it as far as I -no23 2as stuffed into the cigarette flash disposal unit and only scraps of it 2ere left. I0)e ne)er seen or read the paper3 ,ut I -ne2 enough a,out the +atter to ,e 2illing to s2ear in court if necessary that the re+nants of unflashed paper in the disposal unit 2ere of the paper he 2as planning to gi)e at this Con)ention. >ou see+ dou,tful3 #r. 9yger.I 9yger s+iled sourly. H#ou,tful that he 2as going to gi)e it. If you 2ant +y opinion3 sir3 he 2as +ad. $or ten years he 2as a prisoner of Darth and he fantasied +ass transference as escape. It 2as all that -ept hi+ ali)e pro,a,ly. %e rigged up so+e sort of fraudulent de+onstration. I don0t say it 2as deli,erate fraud. %e 2as pro,a,ly +adly sincere3 and sincerely +ad. &ast e)ening 2as the cli+a4. %e ca+e to our roo+s he hated us for ha)ing escaped Darth and triu+phed o)er us. It 2as 2hat he had li)ed for for ten years. It +ay ha)e shoc-ed hi+ ,ac- to so+e for+ of sanity. %e -ne2 he couldn0t actually gi)e the paper: there 2as nothing to gi)e. So he ,urnt it and his heart ga)e out. It is too ,ad.I Mandel listened to the Cerian astrono+er3 2earing a loo- of sharp disappro)al. %e said3 HVery gli,3 #r. 9yger3 ,ut ?uite 2rong. I a+ not as easily fooled ,y fraudulent de+onstrations as you +ay ,elie)e. No2 according to the registration data3 2hich I ha)e ,een forced to chec- rather hastily3 you three 2ere his class+ates at college. Is that right1I !hey nodded. HAre there any other class+ates of yours present at the Con)ention1I HNo3I said Launas. H"e 2ere the only four ?ualifying for a doctorate in astrono+y that year. At least he 2ould ha)e ?ualified e4cept I H>es3 I understand3I said Mandel. H"ell3 then3 in that case one of you three )isited Villiers in his roo+ one last ti+e at +idnight.I !here 2as a short silence. !hen 9yger said coldly3 HNot I.I Launas3 eyes 2ide3 shoo- his head. !alliaferro said3 H"hat are you i+plying1I HOne of you ca+e to hi+ at +idnight and insisted on seeing his paper. I don0t -no2 the +oti)e. Concei)a,ly3 it 2as 2ith the deli,erate intention of forcing hi+ into heart failure. "hen Villiers collapsed3 the cri+inal3 if I +ay call hi+ so3 2as ready. %e snatched the paper 2hich. I +ight add3 pro,a,ly 'as -ept under his pillo2 and scanned it. !hen he destroyed the paper itself in the flash disposal3 ,ut he 2as in a hurry and destruction 2asn0t co+plete.I 9yger interrupted. H%o2 do you -no2 all this1 "ere you a 2itness1I H Al+ost3I said Mandel. HVilliers 2as not ?uite dead at the +o+ent of his first collapse. "hen the cri+inal left3 he +anaged to reach the phone and call +y roo+. %e cho-ed out a fe2 phrases3 enough to outline 2hat had occurred. @nfortunately I 2as not in +y roo+: a late conference -ept +e a2ay. %o2e)er3 +y recording attach+ent taped it. I al2ays play the recording tape ,ac- 2hene)er I return to +y roo+ or office. *ureaucratic ha,it. I called ,ac-. %e 2as dead.I H"ell3 then3I said 9yger3 H2ho did he say did it1I H%e didn0t. Or if he did3 it 2as unintelligi,le. *ut one 2ord rang out clearly. It 2as /class+ate.0 H !alliaferro detached his scanner fro+ its place in his inner <ac-et poc-et and held it out to2ard Mandel. 'uietly he said3 HIf you 2ould li-e to de)elop the fil+ in +y scanner3 you are 2elco+e to do so. >ou 2ill not find Villiers0 paper there.I At once3 Launas did the sa+e3 and 9yger3 2ith a sco2l3 <oined. Mandel too- all three scanners and said dryly3 H(resu+a,ly3 2hiche)er one of you has done this has already

disposed of the piece of e4posed fil+ 2ith the paper on it. %o2e)er I !alliaferro raised his eye,ro2s. H>ou +ay search +y person or +y roo+.I *ut 9yger 2as still sco2ling. HNo2 2ait a +inute3 2ait one ,loody +inute. Are you the police1I Mandel stared at hi+. H#o you 'ant the police1 #o you 2ant a scandal and a +urder charge1 #o you 2ant the Con)ention disrupted and the Syste+ press to +a-e a holiday out of astrono+y and astrono+ers1 Villiers0 death +ight 2ell ha)e ,een accidental. %e did ha)e a ,ad heart. "hiche)er one of you 2as there +ay 2ell ha)e acted on i+pulse. It +ay not ha)e ,een a pre+editated cri+e. If 2hoe)er it is 2ill return the negati)e3 2e can a)oid a great deal of trou,le.I HD)en for the cri+inal1I as-ed !alliaferro. Mandel shrugged. H!here +ay ,e trou,le for hi+. I 2ill not pro+ise i++unity. *ut 2hate)er the trou,le3 it 2on0t ,e pu,lic disgrace and life i+prison+ent3 as it +ight ,e if the police are called in.I Silence. Mandel said3 HIt is one of you three.I Silence. Mandel 2ent on3 HI thin- I can see the original reasoning of the guilty person. !he paper 2ould ,e destroyed. Only 2e four -ne2 of the +ass transference and only I had e)er seen a de+onstration. Moreo)er you had only his 2ord3 a +ad+an0s 2ord perhaps3 that I had seen it. "ith Villiers dead of heart failure and the paper gone3 it 2ould ,e easy to ,elie)e #r. 9yger0s theory that there 2as no +ass transference and ne)er had ,een. A year or t2o +ight pass and our cri+inal3 in possession of the +ass transference data3 could re)eal it little ,y little3 rig e4peri+ents3 pu,lish careful papers3 and end as the apparent disco)erer 2ith all that 2ould i+ply in ter+s of +oney and reno2n. D)en his o2n class+ates 2ould suspect nothing. At +ost they 2ould ,elie)e that the long past affair 2ith Villiers had inspired hi+ to ,egin in)estigations in the field. No +ore.I Mandel loo-ed sharply fro+ one face to another. H*ut none of that 2ill 2or- no2. Any of the three of you 2ho co+es through 2ith +ass transference is proclai+ing hi+self the cri+inal. I0)e seen the de+onstration: I -no2 it is legiti+ate: I -no2 that one of you possesses a record of the paper. !he infor+ation is therefore useless to you. 5i)e it up then.I Silence. Mandel 2al-ed to the door and turned again3 HI0d appreciate it if you 2ould stay here till I return. I 2on0t ,e long. I hope the guilty one 2ill use the inter)al to consider. If he0s afraid a confession 2ill lose hi+ his <o,3 let hi+ re+e+,er that a session 2ith police +ay lose hi+ his li,erty and cost hi+ the (sychic (ro,e.I %e hefted the three scanners3 loo-ed gri+ and so+e2hat in need of sleep. HI0ll de)elop these.I Launas tried to s+ile. H"hat if 2e +a-e a ,rea- for it 2hile you0re gone1I HOnly one of you has reason to try3I said Mandel. HI thin- I can rely on the t2o innocent ones to control the third3 if only out of self protection.I %e left. It 2as fi)e in the +orning. 9yger loo-ed at his 2atch indignantly. H A hell of a thing. I 2ant to sleep.I H"e can curl up here3I said !alliaferro philosophically. HIs anyone planning a confession1I Launas loo-ed a2ay and 9yger0s lip lifted. HI didn0t thin- so.I !alliaferro closed his eyes3 leaned his large head ,ac- against the chair and said in a tired )oice3 H*ac- on the Moon3 they0re in the slac- season. "e0)e got a t2o 2ee- night and then it0s ,usy3 ,usy. !hen there0s t2o 2ee-s of sun and there0s nothing ,ut calculations3 correlations and ,ull sessions. !hat0s the hard ti+e. I hate it. If there 2ere +ore 2o+en3 if I could arrange so+ething per+anent I In a 2hisper3 Launas tal-ed a,out the fact that it 2as still i+possi,le to get the entire Sun a,o)e the hori6on and in )ie2 of the telescope on Mercury. *ut 2ith another t2o +iles of trac- soon to ,e laid do2n for the O,ser)atory +o)e the 2hole thing3 you -no23 tre+endous forces in)ol)ed3 solar energy used directly it +ight ,e +anaged. It 'ould ,e +anaged. D)en 9yger consented to tal- of Ceres after listening to the lo2 +ur+ur of the other )oices. !here 2as the pro,le+ there of the t2o hour rotation period3 2hich +eant the stars 2hipped across the s-y at an angular )elocity t2el)e ti+es that in Darth0s s-y. A net of three light scopes3 three radio scopes3 three of e)erything3 caught the fields of study fro+ one another as they 2hirled past. HCould you use one of the poles1I as-ed Launas. H>ou0re thin-ing of Mercury and the Sun3I said 9yger i+patiently. HD)en at the poles3 the s-y 2ould still t2ist3 and half of it 2ould ,e fore)er hidden. No2 if Ceres sho2ed only one face to the Sun3 the 2ay Mercury does3 2e could ha)e a per+anent night s-y 2ith the stars rotating slo2ly once in three years. H !he s-y lightened and it da2ned slo2ly.

!alliaferro 2as half asleep3 ,ut he -ept hold of half consciousness fir+ly. %e 2ould not fall asleep and lea)e the others a2a-e. Dach of the three3 he thought3 2as 2ondering3 H"ho1 "ho1I e4cept the guilty one3 of course. !alliaferro0s eyes snapped open as Mandel entered again. !he s-y3 as seen fro+ the 2indo23 had gro2n ,lue. !alliaferro 2as glad the 2indo2 2as closed. !he hotel 2as air conditioned3 of course3 ,ut 2indo2s could ,e opened during the +ild season of the year ,y those Darth+en 2ho fancied the illusion of fresh air. !alliaferro3 2ith Moon )acuu+ on his +ind3 shuddered at the thought 2ith real disco+fort. Mandel said3 H%a)e any of you anything to say1I !hey loo-ed at hi+ steadily. 9yger shoo- his head. Mandel said3 HI ha)e de)eloped the fil+ in your scanners3 gentle+en3 and )ie2ed the results.I %e tossed scanners and de)eloped sli)ers of fil+ on to the ,ed. HNothingJ >ou0ll ha)e trou,le sorting out the fil+3 I0+ afraid. $or that I0+ sorry. And no2 there is still the ?uestion of the +issing fil+.I HIf any3I said 9yger3 and ya2ned prodigiously. Mandel said3 HI 2ould suggest 2e co+e do2n to Villiers0 roo+3 gentle+en.I Launas loo-ed startled. H"hy1I !alliaferro said3 HIs this psychology1 *ring the cri+inal to the scene of the cri+e and re+orse 2ill 2ring a confession fro+ hi+1I Mandel said3 H A less +elodra+atic reason is that I 2ould li-e to ha)e the t2o of you 2ho are innocent help +e find the +issing fil+ of Villiers0 paper.I H#o you thin- it0s there1I as-ed 9yger challengingly. H(ossi,ly. It0s a ,eginning. "e can then search each of your roo+s. !he sy+posiu+ on Astronautics doesn0t start till to+orro2 at 1G A.M. "e ha)e till then.I HAnd after that1I HIt +ay ha)e to ,e the police.I !hey stepped gingerly into Villiers0 roo+. 9yger 2as red3 Launas pale. !alliaferro tried to re+ain cal+. &ast night they had seen it under artificial lighting 2ith a sco2ling3 dishe)eled Villiers clutching his pillo23 staring the+ do2n3 ordering the+ a2ay. No2 there 2as the scentless odor of death a,out it. Mandel fiddled 2ith the 2indo2 polari6er to let +ore light in3 and ad<usted it too far3 so that the eastern Sun slipped in. Launas thre2 his ar+ up to shade his eyes and screa+ed3 H!he SunJI so that all the others fro6e. Launas0s face sho2ed a -ind of terror3 as though it 2ere his Mercurian sun that he had caught a ,linding gli+pse of. !alliaferro thought of his o2n reaction to the possi,ility of open air and his teeth gritted. !hey 2ere all ,ent croo-ed ,y their ten years a2ay fro+ Darth. Launas ran to the 2indo23 fu+,ling for the polari6er3 and then the ,reath ca+e out of hi+ in a huge gasp. Mandel stepped to his side. H"hat0s 2rong1I and the other t2o <oined the+. !he city lay stretched ,elo2 the+ and out2ard to the hori6on in ,ro-en stone and ,ric-3 ,athed in the rising sun3 2ith the shado2ed portions to2ard the+. !alliaferro cast it all a furti)e and uneasy glance. Launas3 his chest see+ingly contracted past the point 2here he could cry out3 stared at so+ething +uch closer. !here3 on the outer 2indo2 sill3 one corner secured in a trifling i+perfection3 a crac- in the ce+ent3 2as an inch long strip of +il-y gray fil+3 and on it 2ere the early rays of the rising sun. Mandel3 2ith an angry3 incoherent cry3 thre2 up the 2indo2 and snatched it a2ay. %e shielded it in one cupped hand3 staring out of hot and reddened eyes. %e said3 H"ait hereJI !here 2as nothing to say. "hen Mandel left3 they sat do2n and stared stupidly at one another. Mandel 2as ,ac- in t2enty +inutes. %e said ?uietly 7in a )oice that ga)e the i+pression3 so+eho23 that it 2as ?uiet only ,ecause its o2ner had passed far ,eyond the ra)ing stage83 H!he corner in the crac- 2asn0t o)ere4posed. I could +a-e out a fe2 2ords. It is Villiers0 paper. !he rest is ruined: nothing can ,e sal)aged. It0s gone.I H"hat ne4t1I said !alliaferro. Mandel shrugged 2earily. H9ight no23 I don0t care. Mass transference is gone until so+eone as ,rilliant as Villiers 2or-s it out again. I shall 2or- on it ,ut I ha)e no illusions as to +y o2n capacity. "ith it gone3 I suppose you three don0t +atter3 guilty or not. "hat0s the difference1I %is 2hole ,ody see+ed to ha)e loosened and sun- into despair.

*ut !alliaferro0s )oice gre2 hard. HNo23 hold on. In your eyes3 any of the three of us +ight ,e guilty. I3 for instance. >ou are a ,ig +an in the field and you 2ill ne)er ha)e a good 2ord to say for +e. !he general idea +ay arise that I a+ inco+petent or 2orse. I 2ill not ,e ruined ,y the shado2 of guilt. No2 let0s sol)e this thing.I HI a+ no detecti)e3I said Mandel 2earily. H!hen call in the police3 da+n it.I 9yger said3 H"ait a 2hile3 !al. Are you i+plying that I0+ guilty1I HI0+ saying that I0+ innocent.I Launas raised his )oice in fright. HIt 2ill +ean the (sychic (ro,e for each of us. !here +ay ,e +ental da+age I Mandel raised ,oth ar+s high in the air. H5entle+enJ 5entle+enJ (leaseJ !here is one thing 2e +ight do short of the police: and you are right3 #r. !alliaferro3 it 2ould ,e unfair to the innocent to lea)e this +atter here.I !hey turned to hi+ in )arious stages of hostility. 9yger said3 H"hat do you suggest1I HI ha)e a friend na+ed "endell @rth. >ou +ay ha)e heard of hi+3 or you +ay not3 ,ut perhaps I can arrange to see hi+ tonight.I H"hat if you can1I de+anded !alliaferro. H"here does that get us1I H%e0s an odd +an3I said Mandel hesitantly3 H)ery odd. And )ery ,rilliant in his 2ay. %e has helped the police ,efore this and he +ay ,e a,le to help us no2.I 5art = Dd2ard !alliaferro could not for,ear staring at the roo+ and its occupant 2ith the greatest astonish+ent. It and he see+ed to e4ist in isolation3 and to ,e part of no recogni6a,le 2orld. !he sounds of Darth 2ere a,sent in this 2ell padded3 2indo2less nest. !he light and air of Darth had ,een ,lan-ed out in artificial illu+ination and conditioning. It 2as a large roo+3 di+ and cluttered. !hey had pic-ed their 2ay across a littered floor to a couch fro+ 2hich ,oo- fil+s had ,een ,rus?uely cleared and du+ped to one side in a tangle. !he +an 2ho o2ned the roo+ had a large3 round face on a stu+py3 round ,ody. %e +o)ed ?uic-ly a,out on his short legs3 <er-ing his head as he spo-e until his thic- glasses all ,ut ,ounced off the thoroughly inconspicuous nu,,le that ser)ed as a nose. %is thic- lidded3 so+e2hat protu,erant eyes glea+ed in +yopic good nature at the+ all3 as he seated hi+self in his o2n chair des- co+,ination3 lit directly ,y the one ,right light in the roo+. HSo good of you to co+e3 gentle+en. (ray e4cuse the condition of +y roo+.I %e 2a)ed stu,,y fingers in a 2ide s2eeping gesture. HI a+ engaged in cataloguing the +any o,<ects of e4traterrological interest I ha)e accu+ulated. It is a tre+endous <o,. $or instance I %e dodged out of his seat and ,urro2ed in a heap of o,<ects ,eside the des- till he ca+e up 2ith a s+o-y gray o,<ect3 se+i translucent and roughly cylindrical. H!his3I he said3 His a Callistan o,<ect that +ay ,e a relic of intelligent nonhu+an entities. It is not decided. Not +ore than a do6en ha)e ,een disco)ered and this is the +ost perfect single speci+en I -no2 of.I %e tossed it to one side and !alliaferro <u+ped. !he plu+p +an stared in his direction and said3 HIt0s not ,rea-a,le.I %e sat do2n again3 clasped his pudgy fingers tightly o)er his a,do+en and let the+ pu+p slo2ly in and out as he ,reathed. H And no2 2hat can I do for your %u,ert Mandel had carried through the introductions and !alliaferro 2as considering deeply. Surely it 2as a +an na+ed "endell @rth 2ho had 2ritten a recent ,oo- entitled "om!arati#e 1#olutionary 5rocesses on *ater) 4xygen 5lanets, and surely this could not ,e the +an. %e said3 H Are you the author of "om!arati#e 1#olutionary 5rocesses, #r. @rth1I A ,eatific s+ile spread across @rth0s face3 H>ou0)e read it1I H"ell3 no3 I ha)en0t3 ,ut I @rth0s e4pression gre2 instantly censorious. H!hen you should. 9ight no2. %ere3 I ha)e a copy I %e ,ounced out of his chair again and Mandel cried at once3 HNo2 2ait3 @rth3 first things first. !his is serious.I %e )irtually forced @rth ,ac- into his chair and ,egan spea-ing rapidly as though to pre)ent any further side issues fro+ erupting. %e told the 2hole story 2ith ad+ira,le 2ord econo+y. @rth reddened slo2ly as he listened. %e sei6ed his glasses and sho)ed the+ higher up on his nose. HMass transferenceJI he cried. HI sa2 it 2ith +y o2n eyes3I said Mandel. HAnd you ne)er told +e.I

HI 2as s2orn to secrecy. !he +an 2as peculiar. I e4plained that.I @rth pounded the des-. H%o2 could you allo2 such a disco)ery to re+ain the property of an eccentric3 Mandel1 !he -no2ledge should ha)e ,een forced fro+ hi+ ,y (sychic (ro,e3 if necessary.I HIt 2ould ha)e -illed hi+3I protested Mandel. *ut @rth 2as roc-ing ,ac- and forth 2ith his hands clasped tightly to his chee-s. HMass transference. !he only 2ay a decent3 ci)ili6ed +an should tra)el. !he only possi,le 2ay. !he only concei)a,le 2ay. If I had -no2n it. If I could ha)e ,een there. *ut the hotel is nearly thirty +iles a2ay.I 9yger3 2ho listened 2ith an e4pression of annoyance on his face3 interposed3 HI understand there0s a flitter line direct to Con)ention %all. It could ha)e gotten you there in ten +inutes.I @rth stiffened and loo-ed at 9yger strangely. %is chee-s ,ulged. %e <u+ped to his feet and scurried out of the roo+. 9yger said3 H"hat the de)il1I Mandel +uttered3 H#a+n it. I should ha)e 2arned you.I HA,out 2hat1I H#r. @rth doesn0t tra)el on any sort of con)eyance. It0s a pho,ia. %e +o)es a,out only on foot.I Launas ,lin-ed a,out in the di+ness. H*ut he0s an e4traterrologist3 isn0t he1 An e4pert on life for+s of other planets1I !alliaferro had risen and no2 stood ,efore a 5alactic &ens on a pedestal. %e stared at the inner glea+ of the star syste+s. %e had ne)er seen a &ens so large or so ela,orate. Mandel said3 H%e0s an e4traterrologist3 yes3 ,ut he0s ne)er )isited any of the planets on 2hich he is e4pert and he ne)er 2ill. In thirty years3 I dou,t if he0s e)er ,een +ore than a +ile fro+ this roo+.I 9yger laughed. Mandel flushed angrily. H>ou +ay find it funny3 ,ut I0d appreciate your ,eing careful 2hat you say 2hen #r. @rth co+es ,ac-.I @rth sidled in a +o+ent later. HMy apologies3 gentle+en3I he said in a 2hisper. HAnd no2 let us approach our pro,le+. (erhaps one of you 2ishes to confess.I !alliaferro0s lips ?uir-ed sourly. !his plu+p3 self i+prisoned e4traterrologist 2as scarcely for+ida,le enough to force a confession fro+ anyone. $ortunately3 there 2ould ,e no need of his detecti)e talents3 if any3 after all. !alliaferro said3 H#r. @rth3 are you connected 2ith the police1I A certain s+ugness see+ed to suffuse @rth0s ruddy face. HI ha)e no official connection3 #r. !alliaferro3 ,ut +y unofficial relationships are )ery good indeed.I HIn that case3 I 2ill gi)e you so+e infor+ation 2hich you can carry to the police.I @rth dre2 in his a,do+en and hitched at his shirttail. It ca+e free3 and slo2ly he polished his glasses 2ith it. "hen he 2as ?uite through and had perched the+ precariously on his nose once +ore3 he said3 H And 2hat is that1I HI 2ill tell you 2ho 2as present 2hen Villiers died and 2ho scanned his paper.I H>ou ha)e sol)ed the +ystery1I HI0)e thought a,out it all day. I thin- I0)e sol)ed it.I !alliaferro rather en<oyed the sensation he 2as creating. H"ell3 then1I !alliaferro too- a deep ,reath. !his 2as not going to ,e easy to do3 though he had ,een planning it for hours. H!he guilty +an3I he said3 His o,)iously #r. %u,ert Mandel.I Mandel stared at !alliaferro in sudden3 hard ,reathing indignation. H&oo- here3 #octor3I he ,egan3 loudly3 Hif you ha)e any ,asis for such a ridiculous I @rth0s tenor )oice soared a,o)e the interruption. H&et hi+ tal-3 %u,ert3 let us hear hi+. >ou suspected hi+ and there is no la2 that for,ids hi+ to suspect you.I Mandel fell angrily silent. !alliaferro3 not allo2ing his )oice to falter3 said3 HIt is +ore than <ust suspicion3 #r. @rth. !he e)idence is perfectly plain. $our of us -ne2 a,out +ass transference3 ,ut only one of us3 #r. Mandel3 had actually seen a de+onstration. %e kne' it to ,e a fact. %e kne' a paper on the su,<ect e4isted. "e three -ne2 only that Villiers 2as +ore or less un,alanced. Oh3 2e +ight ha)e thought there 2as <ust a chance. "e )isited hi+ at ele)en3 I thin-3 <ust to chec- on that3 though none of us actually said so ,ut he <ust acted cra6ier than e)er. HChec- special -no2ledge and +oti)e then on #r. Mandel0s side. No23 #r. @rth3 picture so+ething else. "hoe)er it 2as 2ho confronted Villiers at +idnight3 sa2 hi+ collapse3 and scanned his paper 7let0s -eep hi+

anony+ous for a +o+ent8 +ust ha)e ,een terri,ly startled to see Villiers apparently co+e to life again and to hear hi+ tal-ing into the telephone. Our cri+inal3 in the panic of the +o+ent3 reali6ed one thingM he +ust get rid of the one piece of incri+inating +aterial e)idence. H%e had to get rid of the unde)eloped fil+ of the paper and he had to do it in such a 2ay that it 2ould ,e safe fro+ disco)ery so that he +ight pic- it up once +ore if he re+ained unsuspected. !he outer 2indo2 sill 2as ideal. 'uic-ly he thre2 up Villiers0 2indo23 placed the strip of fil+ outside3 and left. No23 e)en if Villiers sur)i)ed or if his telephoning ,rought results3 it 2ould ,e +erely Villiers0 2ord against his o2n and it 2ould ,e easy to sho2 that Villiers 2as un,alanced.I !alliaferro paused in so+ething li-e triu+ph. !his 2ould ,e irrefuta,le. "endell @rth ,lin-ed at hi+ and /2iggled the thu+,s of his clasped hands so that they slapped against his a+ple shirt front. %e said3 H And the significance of all that1I H!he significance is that the 2indo2 2as thro2n open and the fil+ placed in open air. No2 9yger has li)ed for ten years on Ceres3 Launas on Mercury3 Ion the Moon ,arring short lea)es and not +any of the+. "e co++ented to one another se)eral ti+es yesterday on the difficulty of gro2ing accli+ated to Darth. HOur 2or- 2orlds are each airless o,<ects. "e ne)er go out in the open 2ithout a suit. !o e4pose oursel)es to unenclosed space is unthin-a,le. None of us could ha)e opened the 2indo2 2ithout a se)ere inner struggle. #r. Mandel3 ho2e)er3 has li)ed on Darth e4clusi)ely. Opening a 2indo2 to hi+ is only a +atter of a ,it of +uscular e4ertion. %e could do it. "e couldn0t Drgo3 he did it.I !alliaferro sat ,ac- and s+iled a ,it. HSpace3 that0s itJI cried 9yger3 2ith enthusias+. H!hat0s not it at all3I roared Mandel3 half rising as though te+pted to thro2 hi+self at !alliaferro. HI deny the 2hole +isera,le fa,rication. "hat a,out the record I ha)e of Villiers0 phone call1 %e used the 2ord /class+ate.0 !he entire tape +a-es it o,)ious I H%e 2as a dying +an3I said !alliaferro. HMuch of 2hat he said you ad+itted 2as inco+prehensi,le. I asyou3 #r. Mandel3 2ithout ha)ing heard the tape3 if it isn0t true that Villiers0 )oice is distorted past recognition.I H"ell I said Mandel in confusion. HI0+ sure it is. !here is no reason to suppose3 then3 that you +ight not ha)e rigged up the tape in ad)ance3 co+plete 2ith the da+ning 2ord /class+ates.0 H Mandel said3 H5ood &ord3 ho2 2ould I -no2 there 2ere class+ates at the Con)ention1 %o2 2ould I -no2 they -ne2 a,out the +ass transference1I HVilliers +ight ha)e told you. I presu+e he did.I HNo23 loo-3I said Mandel3 Hyou three sa2 Villiers ali)e at ele)en. !he +edical e4a+iner3 seeing Villiers0 ,ody shortly after 3 A.M. declared he had ,een dead at least t2o hours. !hat 2as certain. !he ti+e of death3 therefore3 2as ,et2een 11 (.M. and 1 A.M. I 2as at a late conference last night. I can pro)e +y 2herea,outs3 +iles fro+ the hotel3 ,et2een 1GMGG and =MGG ,y a do6en 2itnesses no one of 2ho+ anyone can possi,ly ?uestion. Is that enough for you1I !alliaferro paused a +o+ent. !hen he 2ent on stu,,ornly3 HD)en so. Suppose you got ,ac- to the hotel ,y =M3G. >ou 2ent to Villiers0 roo+ to discuss his tal-. >ou found the door open3 or you had a duplicate -ey. Any2ay3 you found hi+ dead. >ou sei6ed the opportunity to scan the paper I HAnd if he 2ere already dead3 and couldn0t +a-e phone calls3 2hy should I hide the fil+1I H!o re+o)e suspicion. >ou +ay ha)e a second copy of the fil+ safe in your possession. $or that +atter3 2e ha)e only your o2n 2ord that the paper itself 2as destroyed.I HDnough. Dnough3I cried @rth. HIt is an interesting hypothesis3 #r. !alliaferro3 ,ut it falls to the ground of its o2n 2eight.I !alliaferro fro2ned. H!hat0s your opinion3 perhaps I HIt 2ould ,e anyone0s opinion. Anyone3 that is3 2ith the po2er of hu+an thought. #on0t you see that %u,ert Mandel did too +uch to ,e the cri+inal1I HNo3I said !alliaferro. "endell @rth s+iled ,enignly. HAs a scientist3 #r. !alliaferro3 you undou,tedly -no2 ,etter than to fall in lo)e 2ith your o2n theories to the e4clusion of facts and reasoning. #o +e the pleasure of ,eha)ing si+ilarly as a detecti)e. HConsider that if #r. Mandel had ,rought a,out the death of Villiers and fa-ed an ali,i3 or if he had found Villiers dead and ta-en ad)antage of that3 ho2 little he 2ould really ha)e had to doJ "hy scan the paper or e)en pretend that anyone had done so1 %e could si+ply ha)e ta-en the paper. "ho else -ne2 of its e4istence1 No,ody3 really. !here is no reason to thin- Villiers told anyone else a,out it. Villiers 2as pathologically secreti)e. !here 2ould ha)e ,een e)ery reason to thin- that he told no one.

HNo one -ne2 Villiers 2as gi)ing a tal-3 e4cept #r. Mandel. It 2asn0t announced. No a,stract 2as pu,lished. #r. Mandel could ha)e 2al-ed off 2ith the paper in perfect confidence. HD)en if he had disco)ered that Villiers had tal-ed to his class+ates a,out the +atter3 2hat of it1 "hat e)idence 2ould his class+ates ha)e e4cept the 2ord of one 2ho+ they are the+sel)es half 2illing to consider a +ad+an. H*y announcing instead that Villiers0 paper had ,een destroyed3 ,y declaring his death to ,e not entirely natural3 ,y searching for a scanned copy of the fil+ in short ,y e)erything #r. Mandel has done he has aroused a suspicion that only he could possi,ly ha)e aroused 2hen he need only ha)e re+ained ?uiet to ha)e co++itted a perfect cri+e. If he 2ere the cri+inal3 he 2ould ,e +ore stupid3 +ore colossally o,tuse than anyone I ha)e e)er -no2n. And #r. Mandel3 after all3 is none of that.I !alliaferro thought hard ,ut found nothing to say. 9yger said3 H!hen 2ho did do it1I HOne of you three. !hat0s o,)ious.I H*ut 2hich1I HOh3 that0s o,)ious3 too. I -ne2 2hich of you 2as guilty the +o+ent #r. Mandel had co+pleted his description of e)ents.I !alliaferro stared at the plu+p e4traterrologist 2ith distaste. !he ,luff did not frighten hi+3 ,ut it 2as affecting the other t2o. 9yger0s lips 2ere thrust out and Launas0s lo2er <a2 had rela4ed +oronically. !hey loo-ed li-e fish3 ,oth of the+. %e said3 H"hich one3 then1 !ell us.I @rth ,lin-ed. H$irst3 I 2ant to +a-e it perfectly plain that the i+portant thing is +ass transference. It can still ,e reco)ered.I Mandel3 sco2ling still3 said ?uerulously3 H"hat the de)il are you tal-ing a,out3 @rth1I H!he +an 2ho scanned the paper pro,a,ly loo-ed at 2hat he 2as scanning. I dou,t that he had the ti+e or presence of +ind to read it3 and if he did3 I dou,t if he could re+e+,er it consciously. %o2e)er3 there is the (sychic (ro,e. If he e)en glanced at the paper3 2hat i+pinged on his retina could ,e (ro,ed.I !here 2as an uneasy stir. @rth said at once3 HNo need to ,e afraid of the (ro,e. (roper handling is safe3 particularly if a +an offers hi+self )oluntarily. "hen da+age is done3 it is usually ,ecause of unnecessary resistance3 a -ind of +ental tearing3 you -no2. So if the guilty +an 2ill )oluntarily confess3 place hi+self in +y hands I !alliaferro laughed. !he sudden noise rang out sharply in the di+ ?uiet of the roo+. !he psychology 2as so transparent and artless. "endell @rth loo-ed al+ost ,e2ildered at the reaction and stared earnestly at !alliaferro o)er his glasses. %e said3 HI ha)e enough influence 2ith the police to -eep the (ro,ing entirely confidential.I 9yger said sa)agely3 HI didn0t do it.I Launas shoo- his head. !alliaferro disdained any ans2er. @rth sighed. H!hen I 2ill ha)e to point out the guilty +an. It 2ill ,e trau+atic. It 2ill +a-e things harder.I %e tightened the grip on his ,elly and his fingers t2itched. H#r. !alliaferro pointed out that the fil+ 2as hidden on the outer 2indo2 sill so that it +ight re+ain safe fro+ disco)ery and fro+ har+. I agree 2ith hi+.I H!han- you3I said !alliaferro dryly. H%o2e)er3 2hy should anyone thin- that an outer 2indo2 sill is a particularly safe hiding place1 !he police 2ould certainly loo- there. D)en in the a,sence of the police it 2as disco)ered. "ho 2ould tend to consider anything outside a ,uilding as particularly safe1 O,)iously3 so+e person 2ho has li)ed a long ti+e on an airless 2orld and has had it drilled into hi+ that no one goes outside an enclosed place 2ithout detailed precautions. H!o so+eone on the Moon3 for instance3 anything hidden outside a &unar #o+e 2ould ,e co+parati)ely safe. Men )enture out only rarely and then only on specific ,usiness. So he 2ould o)erco+e the hardship of opening a 2indo2 and e4posing hi+self to 2hat he 2ould su,consciously consider a )acuu+ for the sa-e of a safe hiding place. !he refle4 thought3 Outside an inha,ited structure is safe30 2ould do the tric-.I !alliaferro said ,et2een clenched teeth3 H"hy do you +ention the +oon3 #r. @rth1I @rth said ,landly3 HOnly as an e4a+ple. "hat I0)e said so far applies to all three of you. *ut no2 co+es the crucial point3 the +atter of the dying night.I !alliaferro fro2ned. H>ou +ean the night Villiers died1I HI +ean any night. See here3 e)en granted that an outer 2indo2 sill 2as a safe hiding place3 2hich of you 2ould ,e +ad enough to consider it a safe hiding place $or a !iece o$ unex!osed $ilm? Scanner fil+ isn0t )ery

sensiti)e3 to ,e sure3 and is +ade to ,e de)eloped under all sorts of hit and +iss conditions. #iffuse nightti+e illu+ination 2ouldn0t seriously affect it3 ,ut diffuse daylight 2ould ruin it in a fe2 +inutes3 and direct sunlight 2ould ruin it at once. D)eryone -no2s that.I Mandel said3 H5o ahead3 @rth. "hat is this leading to1I H>ou0re trying to rush +e3I said @rth3 2ith a +assi)e pout. HI 2ant you to see this clearly. !he cri+inal 2anted3 a,o)e all3 to -eep the fil+ safe. It 2as his only record of so+ething of supre+e )alue to hi+self and to the 2orld. "hy 2ould he put it 2here it 2ould ine)ita,ly ,e ruined ,y the +orning sun1 Only ,ecause he did not e4pect the +orning sun e)er to co+e. %e thought the night3 so to spea-3 2as i++ortal. H*ut nights arent i++ortal. On Darth3 they die and gi)e 2ay to dayti+e. D)en the si4 +onth polar night is a dying night e)entually. !he nights on Ceres last only t2o hours: the nights on the Moon last t2o 2ee-s. !hey are dying nights3 too3 and #r. !alliaferro and 9yger -no2 that day +ust al2ays co+e.I Launas 2as on his feet. H*ut 2ait I "endell @rth faced hi+ full. HNo longer any need to 2ait3 #r. Launas. Mercury is the only si6a,le o,<ect in the Solar Syste+ that turns only one face to the sun. D)en ta-ing li,ration into account3 fully three eighths of its surface is true dar- side and ne)er sees the sun. !he (olar O,ser)atory is at the ri+ of that dar- side. $or ten years3 you ha)e gro2n used to the fact that nights are i++ortal3 that a surface in dar-ness re+ains eternally in dar-ness3 and so you entrusted une4posed fil+ to Darth0s night3 forgetting in your e4cite+ent that night +ust die H Launas stu+,led for2ard. H"ait I @rth 2as ine4ora,le. HI a+ told that 2hen Mandel ad<usted the polari6er in Villiers0 roo+3 you screa+ed at the sunlight. "as that your ingrained fear of Mercurian sun3 or your sudden reali6ation of 2hat sunlight +eant to your plans1 >ou rushed for2ard. "as that to ad<ust the polari6er or to stare at the ruined fil+1I Launas fell to his -nees. HI didn0t +ean it. I 2anted to spea- to hi+3 only to spea- to hi+3 and he screa+ed and collapsed. I thought he 2as dead and the paper 2as under his pillo2 and it all <ust follo2ed. One thing led on to another and ,efore I -ne2 it3 I couldn0t get out of it any+ore. *ut I +eant none of it. I s2ear it.I !hey had for+ed a se+icircle a,out hi+ and "endell @rth stared at the +oaning Launas 2ith pity in his eyes. An a+,ulance had co+e and gone. !alliaferro finally ,rought hi+self to say stiffly to Mandel3 HI hope3 sir3 there 2ill ,e no hard feelings for anything said here.I And Mandel had ans2ered3 as stiffly3 HI thin- 2e had all ,etter forget as +uch as possi,le of 2hat has happened during the last t2enty four hours.I !hey 2ere standing in the door2ay3 ready to lea)e3 and "endell @rth duc-ed his s+iling head3 and said3 H!here0s the ?uestion of +y fee3 you -no2.I Mandel loo-ed startled. HNot +oney3I said @rth at once. H*ut 2hen the first +ass transference setup for hu+ans is esta,lished3 I 2ant a trip arranged for +e.I Mandel continued to loo- an4ious. HNo23 2ait. !rips through outer space are a long 2ay off.I @rth shoo- his head rapidly. HNot outer space. Not at all. I 2ould li-e to step across to &o2er $alls3 Ne2 %a+pshire.I H All right. *ut 2hy1I @rth loo-ed up. !o !alliaferro0s outright surprise3 the e4traterrologist0s face 2ore an e4pression co+pounded of shyness and eagerness. @rth said3 HI once ?uite a long ti+e ago -ne2 a girl there. It0s ,een +any years ,ut I so+eti+es 2onder I A$ter'ord So+e readers +ay reali6e that this story3 first pu,lished in 19CE3 has ,een o)erta-en ,y e)ents. In 19EC3 astrono+ers disco)ered that Mercury does not -eep one side al2ays to the Sun3 ,ut has a period of rotation of a,out fifty four days3 so that all parts of it are e4posed to sunlight at one ti+e or another. "ell3 2hat can I do e4cept say that I 2ish astrono+ers 2ould get things right to ,egin 2ith1 And I certainly refuse to change the story to suit their 2hi+s.

Anniversary
!he annual ritual 2as all set. It 2as the turn of Moore0s house this year3 of course3 and Mrs. Moore and the children had resignedly gone to her +other0s for the e)ening. "arren Moore sur)eyed the roo+ 2ith a faint s+ile. Only Mar- *randon0s enthusias+ -ept it going at the first3 ,ut he hi+self had co+e to li-e this +ild re+e+,rance. It ca+e 2ith age3 he supposed: t2enty additional years of it. %e had gro2n paunchy3 thin haired3 soft <o2led3 and 2orst of all senti+ental. So all the 2indo2s 2ere polari6ed into co+plete dar-ness and the drapes 2ere dra2n. Only occasional stipples of 2all 2ere illu+inated3 thus cele,rating the poor lighting and the terri,le isolation of that day of 2rec-age long ago. !here 2ere spaceship rations in stic-s and tu,es on the ta,le and3 of course3 in the center an unopened ,ottle of spar-ling green Ba,ra 2ater3 the potent ,re2 that only the che+ical acti)ity of Martian fungi could supply. Moore loo-ed at his 2atch. *randon 2ould ,e here soon: he 2as ne)er late for this occasion. !he only thing that distur,ed hi+ 2as the +e+ory of *randon0s )oice on the tu,eM I"arren3 I ha)e a surprise for you this ti+e. "ait and see. "ait and see.I *randon3 it al2ays see+ed to Moore3 aged little. !he younger +an had -ept his sli+ness3 and the intensity 2ith 2hich he greeted all in life3 to the )erge of his fortieth ,irthday. %e retained the a,ility to ,e in high e4cite+ent o)er the good and in deep despair o)er the ,ad. %is hair 2as going gray3 ,ut e4cept for that3 2hen *randon 2al-ed up and do2n3 tal-ing rapidly at the top of his )oice a,out anything at all3 Moore didn0t e)en ha)e to close his eyes to see the panic-ed youngster on the 2rec- of the Sil#er &ueen. !he door signal sounded and Moore -ic-ed the release 2ithout turning around. HCo+e3 Mar-.I It 2as a strange )oice that ans2ered3 though: softly3 tentati)ely3 HMr. Moore1I Moore turned ?uic-ly. *randon 2as there3 to ,e sure3 ,ut only in the ,ac-ground3 grinning 2ith e4cite+ent. So+eone else 2as standing ,efore hi+: short3 s?uat3 ?uite ,ald3 nut ,ro2n and 2ith the feel of space a,out hi+. Moore said 2onderingly3 HMi-e Shea))7ike Shea, ,y all space.I !hey pounded hands together3 laughing. *randon said3 H%e got in touch 2ith +e through the office. %e re+e+,ered I 2as 2ith Ato+ic (roducts I HIt0s ,een years,( said Moore. H&et0s see3 you 2ere on Darth t2el)e years ago I H%e0s ne)er ,een here on an anni)ersary3I said *randon. H%o2 a,out that1 %e0s retiring no2. 5etting out of space to a place he0s ,uying in Ari6ona. %e ca+e to say hello ,efore he left stopped off at the city <ust for that and I 2as sure he ca+e for the anni)ersary. /"hat anni)ersary10 says the old <er-.I Shea nodded3 grinning. H%e said you +ade a -ind of cele,ration out of it e)ery year.I. H>ou ,et3I said *randon enthusiastically3 Hand this 2ill ,e the first one 2ith all three of us here3 the first real anni)ersary. It0s t2enty years3 Mi-e: t2enty years since "arren scra+,led o)er 2hat 2as left of the 2rec- and ,rought us do2n to Vesta.I Shea loo-ed a,out. HSpace ration3 eh1 !hat0s old ho+e 2ee- to +e. And Ba,ra. Oh3 sure3 I re+e+,er...t2enty years. I ne)er gi)e it a thought and no23 all of a sudden3 its yesterday. 9e+e+,er 2hen 2e got ,ac- to Darth finally1I H#o IJI said *randon. H!he parades3 the speeches. "arren 2as the only real hero of the occasion and 2e -ept saying so3 and they -ept paying no attention. 9e+e+,er1I HOh3 2ell3I said Moore. H"e 2ere the first three +en e)er to sur)i)e a spaceship crash. "e 2ere unusual and anything unusual is 2orth a cele,ration. !hese things are irrational.I H%ey3I said Shea. Hany of you re+e+,er the songs they 2rote1 !hat +arching one1 />ou can sing of routes through Space and the 2eary +addened pace of the 0 H *randon <oined in 2ith his clear tenor and e)en Moore added his )oice to the chorus so that the last line 2as loud enough to sha-e the drapes. HOn the 'reck of the Sil#er 'ue e en3I they roared out3 and ended laughing 2ildly. *randon said3 H&et0s open the Ba,ra for the first little sip. !his one ,ottle has to last all of us all night.I Moore said3 HMar- insists on co+plete authenticity. I0+ surprised he doesn0t e4pect +e to cli+, out the 2indo2 and hu+an fly +y 2ay around the ,uilding.I H"ell3 no23 that0s an idea3I said *randon. H9e+e+,er the last toast 2e +ade1I Shea held his e+pty glass ,efore hi+ and intoned3 H /5entle+en3 I gi)e you the year0s supply of good old %=O 'e used to ha#e. !hree drun-en ,u+s 2hen 2e landed. "ell3 2e 2ere -ids. I 2as thirty and I thought I 2as old. And no23I his )oice 2as suddenly 2istful3 Hthey0)e retired +e.I

H#rin-JI said *randon. H!oday you0re thirty again3 and 2e re+e+,er the day on the Sil#er &ueen e)en if no one else does. #irty3 fic-le pu,lic.I Moore laughed. H"hat do you e4pect1 A national holiday e)ery year 2ith space ration and Ba,ra3 the ritual food and drin-1I H&isten3 2e0re still the only +en e)er to sur)i)e a spaceship crash and no2 loo- at us. "e0re in o,li)ion.I HIt0s pretty good o,li)ion. "e had a good ti+e to ,egin 2ith and the pu,licity ga)e us a healthy ,oost up the ladder. "e are doing 2ell3 Mar-. And so 2ould Mi-e Shea ,e if he hadn0t 2anted to return to space.I Shea grinned and shrugged his shoulder. H!hat0s 2here I li-e to ,e. I0+ not sorry3 either. "hat 2ith the insurance co+pensation I got3 I ha)e a nice piece of cash no2 to retire on.I *randon said re+iniscently3 H!he 2rec- set ,ac- !ransspace. Insurance a real pac-et Bust the sa+e3 there0s still so+ething +issing. >ou say 8Sil#er &ueen to anyone these days and he can only thin- of 'uentin3 if he can thin- of anyone.I H"ho1I said Shea. H'uentin. #r. %orace 'uentin3 %e 2as one of the nonsur)i)ors on the ship. >ou say to anyone3 H"hat a,out the three +en 2ho sur)i)ed1I and they0ll <ust stare at you. /%uh10 they0ll say.I Moore said cal+ly3 HCo+e3 Mar-3 face it. #r. 'uentin 2as one of the 2orld0s great scientists and 2e three are <ust three of the 2orld0s nothings.I H"e sur)i)ed. "e0re still the only +en on record to sur)i)e.I HSo1 &oo-3 Bohn %ester 2as on the ship3 and he 2as an i+portant scientist too. Not in 'uentin0s league3 ,ut i+portant. As a +atter of fact3 I 2as ne4t to hi+ at the last dinner ,efore the roc- hit us. "ell3 <ust ,ecause 'uentin died in the sa+e 2rec-3 %ester0s death 2as dro2ned out. No one e)er re+e+,ers %ester died on the Sil#er &ueen. !hey only re+e+,er 'uentin. "e +ay ,e forgotten too3 ,ut at least 2e0re ali)e.I HI tell you 2hat3I said *randon after a period of silence during 2hich Moore0s rationale had o,)iously failed to ta-e3 H2e0re +arooned again. !2enty years ago today3 2e 2ere +arooned off Vesta. !oday3 2e0re +arooned in o,li)ion. No2 here are the three of us ,ac- together again at last3 and 2hat happened ,efore can happen again. !2enty years ago3 "arren pulled us do2n to Vesta. No2 let0s sol)e this ne2 pro,le+.I H"ipe out the o,li)ion3 you +ean1I said Moore. HMa-e oursel)es fa+ous1I HSure. "hy not1 #o you -no2 of any ,etter 2ay of cele,rating a t2entieth anni)ersary1I HNo3 ,ut I0d ,e interested to -no2 2here you e4pect to start. I don0t thin- people re+e+,er the Sil#er &ueen at all3 e4cept for 'uentin3 so you0ll ha)e to thin- of so+e 2ay of ,ringing the 2rec- ,ac- to +ind. !hat0s <ust to ,egin 2ith.I Shea stirred uneasily and a thoughtful e4pression crossed his ,lunt countenance. HSo+e people re+e+,er the Sil#er &ueen. !he insurance co+pany does3 and you -no2 that0s a funny thing3 no2 that you ,ring up the +atter. I 2as on Vesta a,out ten ele)en years ago3 and I as-ed if the piece of 2rec- 2e ,rought do2n 2as still there and they said sure3 2ho 2ould cart it a2ay1 So I thought I0d ta-e a loo- at it and shot o)er ,y reaction +otor strapped to +y ,ac-. "ith Vestan gra)ity3 you -no23 a reaction +otor is all you need. Any2ay3 I didn0t get to see it e4cept fro+ a distance. It 2as circled off ,y force field.I *randon0s eye,ro2s 2ent s-y high. HOur Sil#er &ueen? $or 2hat reason1I HI 2ent ,ac- and as-ed ho2 co+e1 !hey didn0t tell +e and they said they didn0t -no2 I 2as going there. !hey said it ,elonged to the insurance co+pany.I Moore nodded. HSurely. !hey too- o)er 2hen they paid off. I signed a release3 gi)ing up +y sal)age rights 2hen I accepted the co+pensation chec-. >ou did too3 I0+ sure.I *randon said3 H*ut 2hy the force field1 "hy all the pri)acy1I HI don0t -no2.I H!he 2rec- isn0t 2orth anything e)en as scrap +etal. It 2ould cost too +uch to transport it.I Shea said3 H!hat0s right. $unny thing3 though: they 2ere ,ringing pieces ,ac- fro+ space. !here 2as a pile of it there. I could see it and it loo-ed li-e <ust <un-3 t2isted pieces of fra+e3 you -no2. I as-ed a,out it and they said ships 2ere al2ays landing and unloading +ore scrap3 and the insurance co+pany had a standard price for any piece of the Sil#er &ueen ,rought ,ac-3 so ships in the neigh,orhood of Vesta 2ere al2ays loo-ing. !hen3 on +y last )oyage in3 I 2ent to see the Sil#er &ueen again and that pile 2as a lot ,igger.I H>ou +ean they0re still loo-ing1I *randon0s eyes glittered. HI don0t -no2. May,e they0)e stopped. *ut the pile 2as ,igger than it 2as ten ele)en years ago so they 2ere still loo-ing then.I *randon leaned ,ac- in his chair and crossed his legs. H"ell3 no23 that0s )ery ?ueer. A hard headed insurance co+pany is spending all -inds of +oney3 s2eeping space near Vesta3 trying to find pieces of a t2enty year old 2rec-.I

HMay,e they0re trying to pro)e sa,otage3I said Moore. HAfter t2enty years1 !hey 2on0t get their +oney ,ac- e)en if they do. It0s a dead issue.I H!hey +ay ha)e ?uit loo-ing years ago.I *randon stood up 2ith decision. H&et0s as-. !here0s so+ething funny here and I0+ <ust Ba,rified enough and anni)ersaried enough to 2ant to find out.I HSure3I said Shea3 H,ut as- 2ho1I HAs- Multi)ac3I said *randon. Shea0s eyes opened 2ide. HMulti)acJ Say3 Mr. Moore3 do you ha)e a Multi)ac outlet here1I H>es.I HI0)e ne)er seen one3 and I0)e al2ays 2anted to.I HIt0s nothing to loo- at3 Mi-e. It loo-s <ust li-e a type2riter. #on0t confuse a Multi)ac outlet 2ith Multi)ac itself. I don0t -no2 anyone 2ho0s seen Multi)ac.I Moore s+iled at the thought. %e dou,ted if e)er in his life he 2ould +eet any of the handful of technicians 2ho spent +ost of their 2or-ing days in a hidden spot in the ,o2els of Darth tending a +ile long super co+puter that 2as the repository of all the facts -no2n to +an3 that guided +an0s econo+y3 directed his scientific research3 helped +a-e his political decisions3 and had +illions of circuits left o)er to ans2er indi)idual ?uestions that did not )iolate the ethics of pri)acy. *randon said as they +o)ed up the po2er ra+p to the second floor3 HI0)e ,een thin-ing of installing a Multi)ac3 Br.3 outlet for the -ids. %o+e2or- and things3 you -no2. And yet I don0t 2ant to +a-e it <ust a fancy and e4pensi)e crutch for the+. %o2 do you 2or- it3 "arren1I Moore said tersely. H!hey sho2 +e the ?uestions first. If I don0t pass the+3 Multi)ac does not see the+.I !he Multi)ac outlet 2as indeed a si+ple type2riter arrange+ent and little +ore. Moore set up the co ordinates that opened his portion of the planet 2ide net2or- of circuits and said3 HNo2 listen. $or the record3 I0+ against this and I0+ only going along ,ecause it0s the anni)ersary and ,ecause I0+ <ust <ac-ass enough to ,e curious. No2 ho2 ought I to phrase the ?uestion1I *randon said3 HBust as-M Are pieces of the 2rec- of the Sil#er &ueen still ,eing searched for in the neigh,orhood of Vesta ,y !rans space Insurance1 It only re?uires a si+ple yes or no.I Moore shrugged and tapped it out3 2hile Shea 2atched 2ith a2e. !he space+an said3 H%o2 does it ans2er1 #oes it tal-1I Moore laughed gently3 HOh3 no. I don0t spend that -ind of +oney. !his +odel <ust prints the ans2er on a slip of tape that co+es out that slot.I A short strip of tape did co+e out as he spo-e. Moore re+o)ed it and3 after a glance3 said3 H"ell3 Multi)ac says yes.I H%ahJI cried *randon. H!old you. No2 as- 2hy.I HNo2 that0s silly. A ?uestion li-e that 2ould o,)iously ,e against pri)acy. >ou0ll <ust get a yello2 state your reason.I HAs- and find out. !hey ha)en0t +ade the search for the pieces secret. May,e they0re not +a-ing the reason secret.I Moore shrugged. %e tapped outM "hy is !rans space Insurance conducting its Sil#er &ueen search pro<ect to 2hich reference 2as +ade in the pre)ious ?uestion1 A yello2 slip clic-ed out al+ost at onceM State +our Reason For Re2uiring The In$ormation Re2uested. HAll right3I said *randon una,ashed. H>ou tell it 2e0re the three sur)i)ors and ha)e a right to -no2. 5o ahead. !ell it.I Moore tapped that out in une+otional phrasing and another yello2 slip 2as pushed out at the+M +our Reason Is Insu$$icient. %o Ans'er "an -e Gi#en. *randon said3 HI don0t see they ha)e a right to -eep that secret.I H!hat0s up to Multi)ac3I said Moore. HIt <udges the reasons gi)en it and if it decides the ethics of pri)acy is against ans2ering3 that0s it. !he go)ern+ent itself couldn0t ,rea- those ethics 2ithout a court order3 and the courts don0t go against Multi)ac once in ten years. So 2hat are you going to do1I *randon <u+ped to his feet and ,egan the rapid 2al- up and do2n the roo+ that 2as so characteristic of hi+I All right3 then let0s figure it out for oursel)es. It0s so+ething i+portant to <ustify all their trou,le. "e0re agreed they0re not trying to find e)idence of sa,otage3 not after t2enty years. *ut !rans space +ust ,e loo-ing for something, so+ething so )alua,le that it0s 2orth loo-ing for all this ti+e. No2 2hat could ,e that )alua,le1I HMar-3 you0re a drea+er3I said Moore. *randon o,)iously didn0t hear hi+. HIt can0t ,e <e2els or +oney or securities. !here <ust couldn0t ,e enough to pay the+ ,ac- for 2hat the search has already cost the+. Not if the Sil#er &ueen 2ere pure gold. "hat

2ould ,e +ore )alua,le1I H>ou can0t <udge )alue3 Mar-3I said Moore. HA letter +ight ,e 2orth a hundredth of a cent as 2astepaper and yet +a-e a difference of a hundred +illion dollars to a corporation3 depending on 2hat0s in the letter.I *randon nodded his head )igorously. H9ight. #ocu+ents. Valua,le papers. No2 2ho 2ould ,e +ost li-ely to ha)e papers 2orth ,illions in his possession on that trip1I H%o2 could anyone possi,ly say1I H%o2 a,out #r. %orace 'uentin1 %o2 a,out that3 "arren1 %e0s the one people re+e+,er ,ecause he 2as so i+portant. "hat a,out the papers he +ight ha)e had 2ith hi+1 #etails of a ne2 disco)ery3 +ay,e. #a+n it3 if I had only seen hi+ on that trip3 he +ight ha)e told +e so+ething3 <ust in casual con)ersation3 you -no2. #id you e)er see hi+3 "arren1I HNot that I recall. Not to tal- to. So casual con)ersation 2ith +e is out too. Of course3 I +ight ha)e passed hi+ at so+e ti+e 2ithout -no2ing it.I HNo3 you 2ouldn0t ha)e3I said Shea3 suddenly thoughtful. HI thin- I re+e+,er so+ething. !here 2as one passenger 2ho ne)er left his ca,in. !he ste2ard 2as tal-ing a,out it. %e 2ouldn0t e)en co+e out for +eals.I HAnd that 2as 'uentin1I said *randon3 stopping his pacing and staring at the space+an eagerly. HIt +ight ha)e ,een3 Mr. *randon. It +ight ha)e ,een hi+. I don0t -no2 that anyone said it 2as. I don0t re+e+,er. *ut it +ust ha)e ,een a ,ig shot3 ,ecause on a spaceship you don0t fool around ,ringing +eals to a +an0s ca,in unless he is a ,ig shot.I HAnd 'uentin 2as the ,ig shot on the trip3I said *randon3 2ith satisfaction. HSo he had so+ething in his ca,in. So+ething )ery i+portant. So+ething he 2as concealing.I H%e +ight <ust ha)e ,een space sic-3I said Moore3 He4cept that I %e fro2ned and fell silent. H5o ahead3I said *randon urgently. H>ou re+e+,er so+ething too1I HMay,e. I told you I 2as sitting ne4t to #r. %ester at the last dinner. %e 2as saying so+ething a,out hoping to +eet #r. 'uentin on the trip and not ha)ing any luc-.I HSure3I cried *randon3 H,ecause 'uentin 2ouldn0t co+e out of his ca,in.I H%e didn0t say that. "e got to tal-ing a,out 'uentin3 though. No2 2hat 2as it he said1I Moore put his hands to his te+ples as though trying to s?uee6e out the +e+ory of t2enty years ago ,y +ain force. HI can0t gi)e you the e4act 2ords3 of course3 ,ut it 2as so+ething a,out 'uentin ,eing )ery theatrical or a sla)e of dra+a or so+ething li-e that3 and they 2ere heading out to so+e scientific conference on 5any+ede and 'uentin 2ouldn0t e)en announce the title of his paper.I HIt all fits.I *randon resu+ed his rapid pacing. H%e had a ne23 great disco)ery3 2hich he 2as -eeping a,solutely secret3 ,ecause he 2as going to spring it on the 5any+ede conference and get +a4i+u+ dra+a out of it. %e 2ouldn0t co+e out of his ca,in ,ecause he pro,a,ly thought %ester 2ould pu+p hi+ and %ester 2ould3 I0ll ,et. And then the ship hit the roc- and 'uentin 2as -illed. !rans space Insurance in)estigated3 got ru+ors of this ne2 disco)ery and figured that if they gained control of it they could +a-e ,ac- their losses and plenty +ore. So they too- o2nership of the ship and ha)e ,een hunting for. 'uentin0s papers a+ong the pieces e)er since.I Moore s+iled3 in a,solute affection for the other +an. HMar-3 that0s a ,eautiful story. !he 2hole e)ening is 2orth it3 <ust 2atching you +a-e so+ething out of nothing.I HOh3 yeah1 So+ething out of nothing1 &et0s as- Multi)ac again. I0ll pay the ,ill for it this +onth.I HIt0s all right. *e +y guest. If you don0t +ind3 though3 I0+ going to ,ring up the ,ottle of Ba,ra. I 2ant one +ore little shot to catch up 2ith you.I HMe3 too3I said Shea. *randon too- his seat at the type2riter. %is fingers tre+,led 2ith eagerness as he tapped outM "hat 2as the nature of #r. %orace 'uentin0s final in)estigations1 Moore had returned 2ith the ,ottle and glasses3 2hen the ans2er ca+e ,ac-3 on 2hite paper this ti+e. !he ans2er 2as long and the print 2as fine3 consisting for the +ost part of references to scientific papers in <ournals t2enty years old. Moore 2ent o)er it. HI0+ no physicist3 ,ut it loo-s to +e as though he 2as interested in optics.I *randon shoo- his head i+patiently. H*ut all that is pu,lished. "e 2ant so+ething he had not pu,lished yet.I H"e0ll ne)er find out anything a,out that.I H!he insurance co+pany did.I H!hat0s <ust your theory.I *randon 2as -neading his chin 2ith an unsteady hand. H&et +e as- Multi)ac one +ore ?uestion.I %e sat do2n again and tapped outM 5i)e +e the na+e and tu,e nu+,er of the sur)i)ing colleagues of #r. %orace 'uentin fro+ a+ong those associated 2ith hi+ at the @ni)ersity on 2hose faculty he ser)ed.

H%o2 do you -no2 he 2as on a @ni)ersity faculty1I as-ed Moore. HIf not3 Multi)ac 2ill tell us. H A slip popped out. It contained only one na+e. Moore said3 H Are you planning to call the +an1I HI sure a+3I said *randon. HOtis $it6si++ons3 2ith a #etroit tu,e nu+,er. "arren3 +ay I I H*e +y guest3 Mar-. It0s still part of the ga+e.I *randon set up the co+,ination on Moore0s tu,e -ey,oard. A 2o+an0s )oice ans2ered. *randon as-ed for #r. $it6si++ons and there 2as a short 2ait. !hen a thin )oice said3 H%ello.I It sounded old. *randon said3 H#r. $it6si++ons3 I0+ representing !ransspace Insurance in the +atter of the late #r. %orace 'uentin I H$or hea)en0s sa-e3 Mar-3I 2hispered Moore3 ,ut *randon held up a sharply restraining hand. !here 2as a pause so long that a tu,e ,rea-do2n ,egan to see+ possi,le and then the old )oice said3 H After all these years1 Again1I *randon snapped his fingers in an irrepressi,le gesture of triu+ph. *ut he said s+oothly3 al+ost gli,ly3 H"e0re still trying to find out3 #octor3 if you ha)e re+e+,ered further details a,out 2hat #r. 'uentin +ight ha)e had 2ith hi+ on that last trip that 2ould pertain to his last unpu,lished disco)ery.I H"ellI there 2as an i+patient clic-ing of the tongue II0)e told you3 I don0t -no2. I don0t 2ant to ,e ,othered 2ith this again. I don0t -no2 that there 2as anything. !he +an hinted3 ,ut he 2as al2ays hinting a,out so+e gadget or other.I H"hat gadget3 sir1I HI tell you I don0t -no2. %e used a na+e once and I told you a,out that. I don0t thin- it0s significant.I H"e don0t ha)e the na+e in our records3 sir.I H"ell3 you should ha)e. @h3 2hat 2as that na+e1 An opti-on3 that0s it.I H"ith a L1I HC or L. I don0t -no2 or care. No23 please3 I do not 2ish to ,e distur,ed again a,out this. 5ood ,ye.I %e 2as still +u+,ling ?uerulously 2hen the line 2ent dead. *randon 2as pleased. Moore said3 HMar-3 that 2as the stupidest thing you could ha)e done. Clai+ing a fraudulent identity on the tu,e is illegal. If he 2ants to +a-e trou,le for you I H"hy should he1 %e0s forgotten a,out it already. *ut don0t you see3 "arren1 !rans space has ,een as-ing hi+ a,out this. %e -ept saying he0d e4plained all this ,efore.I HAll right. *ut you0d assu+ed that +uch. "hat else do you -no21I H"e also -no23I said *randon3 Hthat 'uentin0s gadget 2as called an opti-on. H H$it6si++ons didn0t sound certain a,out that. And e)en so3 since 2e already -no2 he 2as speciali6ing in optics to2ard the end3 a na+e li-e opti-on does not push us any further for2ard.I H And !rans space Insurance is loo-ing either for the opti-on or for papers concerning it. May,e 'uentin -ept the details in his hat and <ust had a +odel of the instru+ent. After all3 Shea said they 2ere pic-ing up +etal o,<ects. 9ight1I H!here 2as a ,unch of +etal <un- in the pile3I agreed Shea. H!hey0d lea)e that in space if it 2ere papers they 2ere after. So that0s 2hat 2e 2ant3 an instru+ent that +ight ,e called an opti-on.I HD)en if all your theories 2ere correct3 Mar-3 and 2e0re loo-ing for an opti-on3 the search is a,solutely hopeless no23I said Moore flatly. HI dou,t that +ore than ten per cent of the de,ris 2ould re+ain in or,it a,out Vesta. Vesta0s escape )elocity is practically nothing. It 2as <ust a luc-y thrust in a luc-y direction and at a luc-y )elocity that put our section of the 2rec- in or,it. !he rest is gone3 scattered. all o)er the Solar Syste+ in any concei)a,le or,it a,out the Sun.I H!hey0)e ,een pic-ing up pieces3I said *randon. H>es3 the ten per cent that +anaged to +a-e a Vestan or,it out of it. !hat0s all.I *randon 2asn0t gi)ing up. %e said thoughtfully3 HSuppose it 'ere there and they hadn0t found it. Could so+eone ha)e ,eat the+ to it1I Mi-e Shea laughed. H"e 2ere right there3 ,ut 2e sure didn0t 2al- off 2ith anything ,ut our s-ins3 and glad to do that +uch. "ho else1I H!hat0s right3I agreed Moore3 Hand if anyone else pic-ed it up3 2hy are they -eeping it a secret1I HMay,e they don0t -no2 2hat it is.I H!hen ho2 do 2e go a,out I Moore ,ro-e off and turned to Shea3 H"hat did you say1I

Shea loo-ed ,lan-. H"ho3 +e1I HBust no23 a,out us ,eing there.I Moore0s eyes narro2ed. %e shoo- his head as though to clear it3 then 2hispered3 H5reat 5ala4yJI H"hat is it1I as-ed *randon tensely. H"hat0s the +atter3 "arren1I HI0+ not sure. >ou0re dri)ing +e +ad 2ith your theories: so +ad3 I0+ ,eginning to ta-e the+ seriously3 I thin-. >ou -no23 2e did ta-e so+e things out of the 2rec- 2ith us. I +ean ,esides our clothes and 2hat personal ,elongings 2e still had. Or aK least I did.I H"hat1I HIt 2as 2hen I 2as +a-ing +y 2ay across the outside of the 2rec-age space3 I see+ to ,e there no23 I see it so clearly I pic-ed up so+e ite+s and put the+ in the poc-et of +y spacesuit. I don0t -no2 2hy: I 2asn0t +yself3 really. I did it 2ithout thin-ing. And then3 2ell3 I held on to the+. Sou)enirs3 I suppose. I ,rought the+ ,ac- to Darth.I H"here are they1I HI don0t -no2. "e ha)en0t stayed in one place3 you -no2.I H>ou didn0t thro2 the+ out3 did you1I HNo3 ,ut things do get lost 2hen you +o)e.I HIf you didn0t thro2 the+ out3 they +ust ,e so+e2here in this house.I. HIf they didn0t get lost. I s2ear I don0t recall seeing the+ in fifteen years.I H"hat 2ere they1I "arren Moore said3 HOne 2as a fountain pen3 as I recall: a real anti?ue3 the -ind that used an in- spray cartridge. "hat gets +e3 though3 is that the other 2as a s+all field glass3 not +ore than a,out si4 inches long. >ou see 2hat I +ean1 A field glass1I HAn opti-on3I shouted *randon. HSureJI HIt0s <ust a coincidence3I said Moore3 trying to re+ain le)el headed. HBust a curious coincidence.I *ut *randon 2asn0t ha)ing it. HA coincidence3 nutsJ !ransspace couldn0t find the opti-on on the 2rec- and they couldn0t find it in space ,ecause you had it all along.I H>ou0re cra6y.I HCo+e on3 2e0)e got to find the thing no2.I Moore ,le2 out his ,reath. H"ell3 I0ll loo-3 if that0s 2hat you 2ant3 ,ut I dou,t that I0ll find it. O-ay3 let0s start 2ith the storage le)el. !hat0s the logical place.I Shea chuc-led. H!he logical place is usually the 2orst place to loo-.I *ut they all headed for the po2er ra+p once +ore and the additional flight up2ard. !he storage le)el had a +usty3 unused odor to it. Moore turned on the precipitron. HI don0t thin- 2e0)e precipitated the dust in t2o years. !hat sho2s you ho2 often I0+ up here. No23 let0s see if it0s any2here at all3 it 2ould ,e in 2ith the ,achelor collection. I +ean the <un- I0)e ,een hanging on to since ,achelor days. "e can start here.I Moore started leafing through the contents of plastic collapsi,les 2hile *randon -ept peering an4iously o)er his shoulder. Moore said3 H"hat do you -no21 My college year,oo-. I 2as a sonist in those days: a real ,ug on it. In fact3 I +anaged to get a )oice recording 2ith the picture of e)ery senior in this ,oo-.I %e tapped its co)er fondly. H>ou could s2ear there 2as nothing there ,ut the usual tri+ensional photos3 ,ut each one has an i+prisoned I %e gre2 a2are of *randon0s fro2n and said3 HO-ay3 I0ll -eep loo-ing.I %e ga)e up the collapsi,les and opened a trun- of hea)y3 old fashioned 2oodite. %e separated the contents of the )arious co+part+ents. *randon said3 H%ey3 is that it1I %e pointed to a s+all cylinder that rolled out on the floor 2ith a s+all clun-. Moore said3 HI don0t >esJ !hat0s the pen. !here it is. And here0s the field glass. Neither one 2or-s3 of course. !hey0re ,oth ,ro-en. At least3 I suppose the pen0s ,ro-en. So+ething0s loose and rattles in it. %ear1 I 2ouldn0t ha)e the slightest idea a,out ho2 to fill it so I can chec- 2hether it really 2or-s. !hey ha)en0t e)en +ade in- spray cartridges in years.I *randon held it under the light. HIt has initials on it.I HOh1 I don0t re+e+,er noticing any.I HIt0s pretty 2orn do2n. It loo-s li-e B.L.'.I H'. 1I H9ight3 and that0s an unusual letter 2ith 2hich to start a last na+e. !his pen +ight ha)e ,elonged to

'uentin. An heirloo+ he -ept for luc- or senti+ent. It +ight ha)e ,elonged to a great grandfather in the days 2hen they used pens li-e this: a great grandfather called Bason Lnight 'uentin or Budah Lent 'uentin or so+ething li-e that. "e can chec- the na+es of 'uentin0s ancestors through Multi)ac.I Moore nodded. HI thin- +ay,e 2e should. See3 you0)e got +e as cra6y as you are.I HAnd if this is so3 it pro)es you pic-ed it up in 'uentin0s roo+. So you pic-ed up the field glass there too.I HNo2 hold it. I don0t re+e+,er that I pic-ed the+ ,oth up in the sa+e place. I don0t re+e+,er the scrounging o)er the outside of the 2rec- that 2ell.I *randon turned the s+all field glass o)er and o)er under the light. HNo initials here.I H#id you e4pect any1I HI don0t see anything3 in fact3 e4cept this narro2 <oining +ar- here.I %e ran his thu+,nail into the fine groo)e that circled the glass near its thic-er end. %e tried to t2ist it unsuccessfully. HOne piece.I %e put it to his eye. H!his thing doesn0t 2or-.I HI told you it 2as ,ro-en. No lenses I Shea ,ro-e in. H>ou0)e got to e4pect a little da+age 2hen a spaceship hits a good si6ed +eteor and goes to pieces.I HSo e)en if this 2ere it3I said Moore3 pessi+istic again3 Hif this 2ere the opti-on3 it 2ould not do us any good.I %e too- the field glass fro+ *randon and felt along the e+pty ri+s. H>ou can0t e)en tell 2here the lenses ,elonged. !here0s no groo)e I can feel into 2hich they +ight ha)e ,een seated. It0s as if there ne)er))0ey.( %e e4ploded the sylla,le )iolently. H%ey 2hat1I said *randon. H!he na+eJ !he na+e of the thingJI HOpti-on3 you +ean1I HOpti-on3 I don0t +eanJ $it6si++ons3 on the tu,e3 called it an opti-on and 2e thought he said /an opti-on.0 H H"ell3 he did3I said *randon. HSure3I said Shea. HI heard hi+.I H>ou <ust thought you heard hi+. %e said /anopti-on.0 #on0t you get it1 Not /an opti-on30 t2o 2ords3 /anopti-on30 one 2ord.I HOh3I said *randon ,lan-ly. HAnd 2hat0s the difference1I H A hell of a difference. / An opti-on0 2ould +ean an instru+ent 2ith lenses3 ,ut /anopti-on30 one 2ord3 has the 5ree- prefi4 /an 0 2hich +eans /no.0 "ords of 5ree- deri)ation use it for /no.0 Anarchy +eans /no go)ern+ent30 ane+ia +eans /no ,lood30 anony+ous +eans /no na+e30 and anopti-on +eans I HNo lenses3I cried *randon. H9ightJ 'uentin +ust ha)e ,een 2or-ing on an optical de)ice 2ithout lenses and this +ay ,e it and it +ay not ,e ,ro-en.I Shea said3 H*ut you don0t see anything 2hen you loo- through it.I HIt +ust ,e set to neutral3I said Moore. H!here +ust ,e so+e 2ay of ad<usting it.I &i-e *randon3 he placed it in ,oth hands and tried to t2ist it a,out that circu+scri,ing groo)e. %e placed pressure on it3 grunting. H#on0t ,rea- it3I said *randon. HIt0s gi)ing. Dither it0s supposed to ,e stiff or else it0s corroded shut.I %e stopped3 loo-ed at the instru+ent i+patiently3 and put it to his eye again. %e 2hirled3 unpolari6ed a 2indo2 and loo-ed out at the lights of the city. HI0ll ,e du+ped in space3I he ,reathed. *randon said3 H"hat1 "hat1I Moore handed the instru+ent to *randon 2ordlessly. *randon put it to his eyes and cried out sharply3 HIt0s a telescope.I Shea said at once3 H&et +e see.I !hey spent nearly an hour 2ith it3 con)erting it into a telescope 2ith turns in one direction3 a +icroscope 2ith turns in the other. H%o2 does it 2or-1I *randon -ept as-ing. HI don0t -no23I Moore -ept saying. In the end he said3 HI0+ sure it in)ol)es concentrated force fields. "e are turning against considera,le field resistance. "ith larger instru+ents3 po2er ad<ust+ent 2ill ,e re?uired.I HIt0s a pretty cute tric-3I said Shea. HIt0s +ore than that3I said Moore. HI0ll ,et it represents a co+pletely ne2 turn in theoretical physics. It focuses light 2ithout lenses3 and it can ,e ad<usted to gather light o)er a 2ider and 2ider area 2ithout any change in

focal length. I0ll ,et 2e could duplicate the fi)e hundred inch Ceres telescope in one direction and an electron +icroscope in the other. "hat0s +ore3 I don0t see any chro+atic a,erration3 so it +ust ,end light of all 2a)elengths e?ually. May,e it ,ends radio 2a)es and ga++a rays also. May,e it distorts gra)ity3 if gra)ity is so+e -ind of radiation. May,e I H"orth +oney1I as-ed Shea3 ,rea-ing in dryly. HAll -inds if so+eone can figure out ho2 it 2or-s.I H!hen 2e don0t go to !rans space Insurance 2ith this. "e go to a la2yer first. #id 2e sign these things a2ay 2ith our sal)age rights or didn0t 2e1 >ou had the+ already in your possession ,efore signing the paper. $or that +atter3 is the paper any good if 2e didn0t -no2 2hat 2e 2ere signing any2ay1 May,e it +ight ,e considered fraud.I H As a +atter of fact3I said Moore3 H2ith so+ething li-e this3 I don0t -no2 if any pri)ate co+pany ought to o2n it. "e ought to chec- 2ith so+e go)ern+ent agency. If there0s +oney in it I *ut *randon 2as pounding ,oth fists on his -nees. H!o hell 2ith the +oney3 "arren. I +ean3 I0ll ta-e any +oney that co+es +y 2ay ,ut that0s not the i+portant thing. "e0re going to ,e fa+ous3 +an3 fa+ousJ I+agine the story. A fa,ulous treasure lost in space. A giant corporation co+,ing space for t2enty years to find it and all the ti+e 2e3 the forgotten ones3 ha)e it in our possession. !hen3 on the t2entieth anni)ersary of the original loss3 2e find it again. If this thing 2or-s3 if anoptics ,eco+e a great ne2 scientific techni?ue3 they0ll ne#er forget us.I Moore grinned3 then started laughing. H!hat0s right. >ou did it3 Mar-. >ou did <ust 2hat you set out to do. >ou0)e rescued us fro+ ,eing +arooned in o,li)ion.I H"e all did it3I said *randon. HMi-e Shea started us off 2ith the necessary ,asic infor+ation. I 2or-ed out the theory3 and you had the instru+ent.I HO-ay. It0s late3 and the 2ife 2ill ,e ,ac- soon3 so let0s get the ,all rolling right a2ay. Multi)ac 2ill tell us 2hich agency 2ould ,e appropriate and 2ho I HNo3 no3I said *randon. H9itual first. !he closing toast of the anni)ersary3 please3 and 2ith the appropriate change. "on0t you o,lige3 "arren1I %e passed o)er the still half full ,ottle of Ba,ra 2ater. Carefully3 Moore filled each s+all glass precisely to the ,ri+. H5entle+en3I he said sole+nly3 Ha toast.I !he three raised the glasses in unison. H5entle+en3 I gi)e you the Sil#er &ueen sou)enirs 'e used to ha#e.(

The Billiard Ball

Ba+es (riss I suppose I ought to say (rofessor Ba+es (riss3 though e)eryone is sure to -no2 2ho+ I +ean e)en 2ithout the title al2ays spo-e slo2ly. I -no2. I inter)ie2ed hi+ often enough. %e had the greatest +ind since Dinstein3 ,ut it didn0t 2or?uic-ly. %e ad+itted his slo2ness often. May,e it 2as because he had so great a +ind that it didn0t 2or- ?uic-ly. %e 2ould say so+ething in slo2 a,straction3 then he 2ould thin-3 and then he 2ould say so+ething +ore. D)en o)er tri)ial +atters3 his giant +ind 2ould ho)er uncertainly3 adding a touch here and then another there. *ould the Sun rise to+orro23 I can i+agine hi+ 2ondering. "hat do 2e +ean ,y HriseI1 Can 2e ,e certain that to+orro2 2ill co+e1 Is the ter+ HSunI co+pletely una+,iguous in this connection1 Add to this ha,it of speech a ,land countenance3 rather pale3 2ith no e4pression e4cept for a general looof uncertainty: gray hair3 rather thin3 neatly co+,ed: ,usiness suits of an in)aria,ly conser)ati)e cut: and you ha)e 2hat (rofessor Ba+es (riss 2as a retiring person3 co+pletely lac-ing in +agnetis+. !hat0s 2hy no,ody in the 2orld3 e4cept +yself3 could possi,ly suspect hi+ of ,eing a +urderer. And e)en I a+ not sure. After all3 he 'as slo2 thin-ing: he 2as al'ays slo2 thin-ing. Is it concei)a,le that at one crucial +o+ent he +anaged to thin- ?uic-ly and act at once1 It doesn0t +atter. D)en if he +urdered3 he got a2ay 2ith it. It is far too late no2 to try to re)erse +atters and I 2ouldn0t succeed in doing so e)en if I decided to let this ,e pu,lished. Dd2ard *loo+ 2as (riss0s class+ate in college3 and an associate3 through circu+stance3 for a generation after2ard. !hey 2ere e?ual in age and in their propensity for the ,achelor life3 ,ut opposites in e)erything else that +attered. *loo+ 2as a li)ing flash of light: colorful3 tall3 ,road3 loud3 ,rash3 and self confident. %e had a +ind that rese+,led a +eteor stri-e in the sudden and une4pected 2ay it could sei6e the essential. %e 2as no theroetician3 as (riss 2as: *loo+ had neither the patience for it3 nor the capacity to concentrate intense thought upon a single a,stract point. %e ad+itted that: he ,oasted of it.

"hat he did ha)e 2as an uncanny 2ay of seeing the application of a theory: of seeing the +anner in 2hich it could ,e put to use. In the cold +ar,le ,loc- of a,stract structure3 he could see3 2ithout apparent difficulty3 the intricate design of a +ar)elous de)ice. !he ,loc- 2ould fall apart at his touch and lea)e the de)ice. It is a 2ell -no2n story3 and not too ,adly e4aggerated3 that nothing *loo+ e)er ,uilt had failed to 2or-3 or to ,e patenta,le3 or to ,e profita,le. *y the ti+e he 2as forty fi)e3 he 2as one of the richest +en on Darth. And if *loo+ the !echnician 2ere adapted to one particular +atter +ore than anything else3 it 2as to the 2ay of thought of (riss the !heoretician. *loo+0s greatest gadgets 2ere ,uilt upon (riss0s greatest thoughts3 and as *loo+ gre2 2ealthy and fa+ous3 (riss gained pheno+enal respect a+ong his colleagues. Naturally it 2as to ,e e4pected that 2hen (riss ad)anced his !2o $ield !heory3 *loo+ 2ould set a,out at once to ,uild the first practical anti gra)ity de)ice. My <o, 2as to find hu+an interest in the !2o $ield !heory for the su,scri,ers to Tele)%e's 5ress, and you get that ,y trying to deal 2ith hu+an ,eings and not 2ith a,stract ideas. Since +y inter)ie2ee 2as (rofessor (riss3 that 2asn0t easy. Naturally3 I 2as going to as- a,out the possi,ilities of anti gra)ity3 2hich interested e)eryone: and not a,out the !2o $ield !heory3 2hich no one could understand HAnti gra)ity1I (riss co+pressed his pale lips and considered. HI0+ not entirely sure that it is possi,le3 or e)er 2ill ,e. I ha)en0t uh 2or-ed the +atter out to +y satisfaction. I don0t entirely see 2hether the !2o $ield e?uations 2ould ha)e a finite solution3 2hich they 2ould ha)e to ha)e3 of course3 if I And then he 2ent off into a ,ro2n study. I prodded hi+. H*loo+ says he thin-s such a de)ice can ,e ,uilt.I (riss nodded. H"ell3 yes3 ,ut I 2onder. Dd *loo+ has had an a+a6ing -nac- at seeing the uno,)ious in the past. %e has an unusual +ind. It0s certainly +ade hi+ rich enough.I "e 2ere sitting in (riss0s apart+ent. Ordinary +iddle class. I couldn0t help a ?uic- glance this 2ay and that. (riss 2as not 2ealthy. I don0t thin- he read +y +ind. %e sa2 +e loo-. And I thin- it 2as on his +ind. %e said3 H"ealth isn0t the usual re2ard for the pure scientist. Or e)en a particularly desira,le one.I May,e so3 at that3 I thought. (riss certainly had his o2n -ind of re2ard. %e 2as the third person in history to 2in t2o No,el (ri6es3 and the first to ha)e ,oth of the+ in the sciences and ,oth of then unshared. >ou can0t co+plain a,out that. And if he 2asn0t rich3 neither 2as he poor. *ut he didn0t sound li-e a contented +an. May,e it 2asn0t *loo+0s 2ealth alone that ir-ed (riss: +ay,e it 2as *loo+0s fa+e a+ong the people of Darth generally: +ay,e it 2as the fact that *loo+ 2as a cele,rity 2here)er he 2ent3 2hereas (riss3 outside scientific con)entions and faculty clu,s3 2as largely anony+ous. I can0t say ho2 +uch of all this 2as in +y eyes or in the 2ay I 2rin-led the creases in +y forehead3 ,ut (riss 2ent on to say3 H*ut 2e0re friends3 you -no2. "e play ,illiards once or t2ice a 2ee-. I ,eat hi+ regularly.I 7I ne)er pu,lished that state+ent. I chec-ed it 2ith *loo+3 2ho +ade a long counterstate+ent that ,egan H%e ,eats me at ,illiards. !hat <ac-ass I and gre2 increasingly personal thereafter. As a +atter of fact3 neither one 2as a no)ice at ,illiards. I 2atched the+ play once for a short 2hile3 after the state+ent and counterstate+ent3 and ,oth handled the cue 2ith professional aplo+,. "hat0s +ore3 ,oth played for ,lood3 and there 2as no friendship in the ga+e that I could see.8 I said3 H"ould you care to predict 2hether *loo+ 2ill +anage to ,uild an anti gra)ity de)ice1I H>ou +ean 2ould I co++it +yself to anything1 %++. "ell3 let0s consider3 young +an. Bust 2hat do 2e +ean ,y anti gra)ity1 Our conception of gra)ity is ,uilt around Dinstein0s 5eneral !heory of 9elati)ity3 2hich is no2 a century and a half old ,ut 2hich3 2ithin its li+its3 re+ains fir+. "e can picture it I I listened politely. I0d heard (riss on the su,<ect ,efore3 ,ut if I 2as to get anything out of hi+ 2hich 2asn0t certain I0d ha)e to let hi+ 2or- his 2ay through in his o2n 2ay. H"e can picture it3I he said3 H,y i+agining the @ni)erse to ,e a Oat3 thin3 superfle4i,le sheet of unteara,le ru,,er. If 2e picture +ass as ,eing associated 2ith 2eight3 as it is on the surface of the Darth3 then 2e 2ould e4pect a +ass3 resting upon the ru,,er sheet3 to +a-e an indentation. !he greater the +ass3 the deeper the indentation. HIn the actual @ni)erse3I he 2ent on3 Hall sorts of +asses e4ist3 and so our ru,,er sheet +ust ,e pictured as riddled 2ith indentations. Any o,<ect rolling along the sheet 2ould dip into and out of the indentations it passed3 )eering and changing direction as it did so. It is this )eer and change of direction that 2e interpret as de+onstrating the e4istence of a force of gra)ity. If the +o)ing o,<ect co+es close enough to the center of the indentation and is +o)ing slo2ly enough3 it gets trapped and 2hirls round and round that indentation. In the a,sence of friction3 it -eeps up that 2hirl fore)er. In other 2ords3 2hat Isaac Ne2ton interpreted as a force3 Al,ert Dinstein interpreted as geo+etrical distortion.I %e paused at this point. %e had ,een spea-ing fairly fre?uently for hi+ since he 2as saying so+ething he

had said often ,efore. *ut no2 he ,egan to pic- his 2ay. %e said3 HSo in trying to produce anti gra)ity3 2e are trying to alter the geo+etry of the @ni)erse. If 2e carry on our +etaphor3 2e are trying to straighten out the indented ru,,er sheet. "e could i+agine oursel)es getting under the indenting +ass and lifting it up2ard3 supporting it so as to pre)ent it fro+ +a-ing an indentation. If 2e +a-e the ru,,er sheet Oat in that 2ay3 then 2e create a @ni)erse or at least a portion of the @ni)erse in 2hich gra)ity doesn0t e4ist. A rolling ,ody 2ould pass the non indenting +ass 2ithout altering its direction of tra)el a ,it3 and 2e could interpret this as +eaning that the +ass 2as e4erting no gra)itational force. In order to acco+plish this feat3 ho2e)er3 2e need a +ass e?ui)alent to the indenting +ass. !o produce antigra)ity on Darth in this 2ay3 2e 2ould ha)e to +a-e sure of a +ass e?ual to that of Darth and poise it a,o)e our heads3 so to spea-.I I interrupted hi+. H*ut your !2o $ield !heory I HD4actly. 5eneral 9elati)ity does not e4plain ,oth the gra)itational field and the electro+agnetic field in a single set of e?uations. Dinstein spent half his life searching for that single set for a @nified $ield !heory and failed. All 2ho follo2ed Dinstein also failed. I3 ho2e)er3 ,egan 2ith the assu+ption that there 2ere t2o fields that could not ,e unified and follo2ed the conse?uences3 2hich I can e4plain3 in part3 in ter+s of the /ru,,er sheet0 +etaphor.I No2 2e ca+e to so+ething I 2asn0t sure I had e)er heard ,efore. H%o2 does that go1I I as-ed. HSuppose that3 instead of trying to lift the indenting +ass3 2e try to stiffen the sheet itself3 +a-e it less indenta,le. It 2ould contract3 at least o)er a s+all area3 and ,eco+e flatter. 5ra)ity 2ould 2ea-en3 and so 2ould +ass3 for the t2o are essentially the sa+e pheno+enon in ter+s of the indented @ni)erse. If 2e could +a-e the ru,,er sheet co+pletely flat3 ,oth gra)ity and +ass 2ould disappear altogether. H@nder the proper conditions3 the electro+agnetic field could ,e +ade to counter the gra)itational field3 and ser)e to stiffen the indented fa,ric of the @ni)erse. !he electro+agnetic field is tre+endously stronger than the gra)itational field3 so the for+er could ,e +ade to o)erco+e the latter.I I said uncertainly3 H*ut you say /under the proper conditions. / Can those proper conditions you spea- of ,e achie)ed3 (rofessor1I H!hat is 2hat I don0t -no23I said (riss thoughtfully and slo2ly. HIf the @ni)erse 2ere really a ru,,er sheet3 its stiffness 2ould ha)e to reach an infinite )alue ,efore it could ,e e4pected to re+ain co+pletely flat under an indenting +ass. If that is also so in the real @ni)erse3 then an infinitely intense electro+agnetic field 2ould ,e re?uired and that 2ould +ean anti gra)ity 2ould ,e i+possi,le.I H*ut *loo+ says I H>es3 I i+agine *loo+ thin-s a finite field 2ill do3 if it can ,e properly applied. Still3 ho2e)er ingenious he is3I and (riss s+iled narro2ly3 H2e needn0t ta-e hi+ to ,e infalli,le. %is grasp on theory is ?uite faulty. %e he ne)er earned his college degree3 did you -no2 that1I I 2as a,out to say that I -ne2 that. After all3 e)eryone did. *ut there 2as a touch of eagerness in (riss0s )oice as he said it and I loo-ed up in ti+e to catch ani+ation in his eye3 as though he 2ere delighted to spread that piece of ne2s. So I nodded +y head as if I 2ere filing it for future reference. H!hen you 2ould say3 (rofessor (riss3I I prodded again3 Hthat *loo+ is pro,a,ly 2rong and that anti gra)ity is i+possi,le1I And finally (riss nodded and said3 H!he gra)itational field can ,e 2ea-ened3 of course3 ,ut if ,y anti gra)ity 2e +ean a true 6ero gra)ity field no gra)ity at all o)er a significant )olu+e of space then I suspect anti gra)ity +ay turn out to ,e i+possi,le3 despite *loo+.I And I had3 after a fashion3 2hat I 2anted. I 2asn0t a,le to see *loo+ for nearly three +onths after that3 and 2hen I did see hi+ he 2as in an angry +ood. %e had gro2n angry at once3 of course3 2hen the ne2s first ,ro-e concerning (riss0s state+ent. %e let it ,e -no2n that (riss 2ould ,e in)ited to the e)entual display of the antigra)ity de)ice as soon as it 2as constructed3 and 2ould e)en ,e as-ed to participate in the de+onstration. So+e reporter not I3 unfortunately caught hi+ ,et2een appoint+ents and as-ed hi+ to ela,orate on that and he saidM HI0ll ha)e the de)ice e)entually: soon3 +ay,e. And you can ,e there3 and so can anyone else the press 2ould care to ha)e there. And (rofessor Ba+es (riss can ,e there. %e can represent !heoretical Science and after I ha)e de+onstrated antigra)ity3 he can ad<ust his theory to e4plain it. I0+ sure he 2ill -no2 ho2 to +a-e his ad<ust+ents in +asterly fashion and sho2 e4actly 2hy I couldn0t possi,ly ha)e failed. %e +ight do it no2 and sa)e ti+e3 ,ut I suppose he 2on0t.I It 2as all said )ery politely3 ,ut you could hear the snarl under the rapid flo2 of 2ords. >et he continued his occasional ga+e of ,illiards 2ith (riss and 2hen the t2o +et they ,eha)ed 2ith

co+plete propriety. One could tell the progress *loo+ 2as +a-ing ,y their respecti)e attitudes to the press. *loo+ gre2 curt and e)en snappish3 2hile (riss de)eloped an increasing good hu+or. "hen +y u+pteenth re?uest for an inter)ie2 2ith *loo+ 2as finally accepted3 I 2ondered if perhaps that +eant a ,rea- in *loo+0s ?uest. I had a little daydrea+ of hi+ announcing final success to me. It didn0t 2or- out that 2ay. %e +et +e in his office at *loo+ Dnterprises in upstate Ne2 >or-. It 2as a 2onderful setting3 2ell a2ay fro+ any populated area3 ela,orately landscaped3 and co)ering as +uch ground as a rather large industrial esta,lish+ent. Ddison at his height3 t2o centuries ago3 had ne)er ,een as pheno+enally successful as *loo+. *ut *loo+ 2as not in a good hu+or. %e ca+e striding in ten +inutes late and 2ent snarling past his secretary0s des- 2ith the ,arest nod in +y direction. %e 2as 2earing a la, coat3 un,uttoned. %e thre2 hi+self into his chair and said3 HI0+ sorry if I0)e -ept you 2aiting3 ,ut I didn0t ha)e as +uch ti+e as I had hoped.I *loo+ 2as a ,orn sho2+an and -ne2 ,etter than to antagoni6e the press3 ,ut I had the feeling he 2as ha)ing a great deal of difficulty at that +o+ent in adhering to this principle. I had the o,)ious guess. HI a+ gi)en to understand3 sir3 that your recent tests ha)e ,een unsuccessful.I H"ho told you that1I HI 2ould say it 2as general -no2ledge3 Mr. *loo+.I HNo3 it isn0t. #on0t say that3 young +an. !here is no general -no2ledge a,out 2hat goes on in +y la,oratories and 2or-shops. >ou0re stating the (rofessor0s opinions3 aren0t you1 (riss0s3 I +ean.I HNo I0+ I HOf course you are. Aren0t you the one to 2ho+ he +ade that state+ent that anti gra)ity is i+possi,le1I H%e didn0t +a-e the state+ent that flatly.I H%e ne)er says anything flatly3 ,ut it 2as flat enough for hi+3 and not as flat as I0ll ha)e his da+ned ru,,er sheet @ni)erse ,efore I0+ finished.I H!hen does that +ean you0re +a-ing progress3 Mr. *loo+1I H>ou -no2 I a+3I he said 2ith a snap. HOr you should -no2. "eren0t you at the de+onstration last 2ee-1I H>es3 I 2as.I I <udged *loo+ to ,e in trou,le or he 2ouldn0t ,e +entioning that de+onstration. It 2or-ed ,ut it 2as not a 2orld ,eater. *et2een the t2o poles of a +agnet a region of lessened gra)ity 2as produced. It 2as done )ery cle)erly. A Moss,auer Dffect *alance 2as used to pro,e the space ,et2een the poles. If you0)e ne)er seen an M D *alance in action3 it consists pri+arily of a tight +onochro+atic ,ea+ of ga++a rays shot do2n the lo2 gra)ity field. !he ga++a rays change 2a)elength slightly ,ut +easura,ly under the influence of the gra)itational field and if anything happens to alter the intensity of the field3 the 2a)elength change shifts correspondingly. It is an e4tre+ely delicate +ethod for pro,ing a gra)itational field and it 2or-ed li-e a char+. !here 2as no ?uestion ,ut that *loo+ had lo2ered gra)ity. !he trou,le 2as that it had ,een done ,efore ,y others. *loo+3 to ,e sure3 had +ade use of circuits that greatly increased the ease 2ith 2hich such an effect had ,een achie)ed his syste+ 2as typically ingenious and had ,een duly patented and he +aintained that it 2as ,y this +ethod that anti gra)ity 2ould ,eco+e not +erely a scientific curiosity ,ut a practical affair 2ith industrial applications. (erhaps. *ut it 2as an inco+plete <o, and he didn0t usually +a-e a fuss o)er inco+pleteness. %e 2ouldn0t ha)e done so this ti+e if he 2eren0t desperate to display something. I said3 HIt0s +y i+pression that 2hat you acco+plished at that preli+inary de+onstration 2as G.;= g and ,etter than that 2as achie)ed in *ra6il last spring.I H!hat so1 "ell3 calculate the energy input in *ra6il and here3 and then tell +e the difference in gra)ity decrease per -ilo2att hour. >ou0ll ,e surprised.I H*ut the point is3 can you reach 6ero g 6ero gra)ity1 !hat0s 2hat (rofessor (riss thin-s +ay ,e i+possi,le. D)eryone agrees that +erely lessening the intensity of the field is no great feat.I *loo+0s fist clenched. I had the feeling that a -ey e4peri+ent had gone 2rong that day and he 2as annoyed al+ost past endurance. *loo+ hated to ,e ,al-ed ,y the @ni)erse. %e said3 H!heoreticians +a-e +e sic-.I %e said it in a lo23 controlled )oice3 as though he 2ere finally tired of not saying it3 and he 2as going to spea- his +ind and ,e da+ned. H(riss has 2on t2o No,el (ri6es for sloshing around a fe2 e?uations3 ,ut 2hat has he done 2ith it1 NothingJ I ha#e done so+ething 2ith it and I0+ going to do +ore 2ith it3 2hether (riss li-es it or not. HI0+ the one people 2ill re+e+,er. I0+ the one 2ho gets the credit. %e can -eep his da+ned title and his pri6es and his -udos fro+ the scholars. &isten3 I0ll tell you 2hat gripes hi+. (lain old fashioned <ealousy. It -ills hi+ that I get 2hat I get for doing. %e 2ants it for thinking.

HI said to hi+ once 2e play ,illiards together3 you -no2 I It 2as at this point that I ?uoted (riss0s state+ent a,out ,illiards and got *loo+0s counterstate+ent. I ne)er pu,lished either. !hat 2as <ust tri)ia. H"e play ,illiards3I said *loo+3 2hen he had cooled do2n3 Hand I0)e 2on +y share of ga+es. "e -eep things friendly enough. "hat the hell college chu+s and all that though ho2 he got through3 I0ll ne)er -no2. %e +ade it in physics3 of course3 and in +ath3 ,ut he got a ,are pass out of pity3 I thin- in e)ery hu+anities course he e)er too-.I H>ou did not get your degree3 did you3 Mr. *loo+1I !hat 2as sheer +ischief on +y part. I 2as en<oying his eruption. HI ?uit to go into ,usiness3 da+n it. My acade+ic a)erage3 o)er the three years I attended3 2as a strong *. #on0t i+agine anything else3 you hear1 %ell3 ,y the ti+e (riss got his (h.#.3 I 2as 2or-ing on +y second +illion.I %e 2ent on3 clearly irritated3 H Any2ay3 2e 2ere playing ,illiards and I said to hi+3 /Bi+3 the a)erage +an 2ill ne)er understand 2hy you get the No,el (ri6e 2hen I0+ the one 2ho gets the results. "hy do you need t2o1 5i)e +e oneJ3 %e stood there3 chal-ing up his cue3 and then he said in his soft na+,y pa+,y 2ay3 />ou ha)e t2o ,illions3 Dd. 5i)e +e one.0 So you see3 he 2ants the +oney.I I said3 HI ta-e it you don0t +ind his getting the honor1I $or a +inute I thought he 2as going to order +e out3 ,ut he didn0t. %e laughed instead3 2a)ed his hand in front of hi+3 as though he 2ere erasing so+ething fro+ an in)isi,le ,lac-,oard in front of hi+. %e said3 HOh3 2ell3 forget it. All that is off the record. &isten3 do you 2ant a state+ent1 O-ay. !hings didn0t go right today and I ,le2 +y top a ,it3 ,ut it 2ill clear up. I thin- I -no2 2hat0s 2rong. And if I don0t3 I0+ going to -no2. H&oo-3 you can say that I say that 2e dont need infinite electro+agnetic intensity: 2e 'ill flatten out the ru,,er sheet: 2e 'ill ha)e 6ero gra)ity. And 2hen 2e get it3 I0ll ha)e the da+nedest de+onstration you e)er sa23 e4clusi)ely for the press and for (riss3 and you0ll ,e in)ited. And you can say it 2on0t ,e long. O-ay1I HO-ayJI I had ti+e after that to see each +an once or t2ice +ore. I e)en sa2 the+ together 2hen I 2as present at one of their ,illiard ga+es. As I said ,efore3 ,oth of the+ 2ere good. *ut the call to the de+onstration did not co+e as ?uic-ly as all that. It arri)ed si4 2ee-s less than a year after *loo+ ga)e +e his state+ent. And at that3 perhaps it 2as unfair to e4pect ?uic-er 2or-. I had a special engra)ed in)itation3 2ith the assurance of a coc-tail hour first. *loo+ ne)er did things ,y hal)es and he 2as planning to ha)e a pleased and satisfied group of reporters on hand. !here 2as an arrange+ent for tri+ensional !V3 too. *loo+ felt co+pletely confident3 o,)iously: confident enough to ,e 2illing to trust the de+onstration in e)ery li)ing roo+ on the planet. I called up (rofessor (riss3 to +a-e sure he 2as in)ited too. %e 2as. H#o you plan to attend3 sir1I !here 2as a pause and the professor0s face on the screen 2as a study in uncertain reluctance. H A de+onstration of this sort is +ost unsuita,le 2here a serious scientific +atter is in ?uestion. I do not li-e to encourage such things.I I 2as afraid he 2ould ,eg off3 and the dra+atics of the situation 2ould ,e greatly lessened if he 2ere not there. *ut then3 perhaps3 he decided he dared not play the chic-en ,efore the 2orld. "ith o,)ious distaste he said3 HOf course3 Dd *loo+ is not really a scientist and he +ust ha)e his day in the sun. I0ll ,e there.I H#o you thin- Mr. *loo+ can produce 6ero gra)ity3 sir1I H@h...Mr. *loo+ sent +e a copy of the design of his de)ice and...and I0+ not certain. (erhaps he can do it3 if...uh...he says he can do it. Of courseI he paused again for ?uite a long ti+e II thin- I 2ould li-e to see it.I So 2ould I3 and so 2ould +any others. !he staging 2as i+pecca,le. A 2hole floor of the +ain ,uilding at *loo+ Dnterprises the one on the hilltop 2as cleared. !here 2ere the pro+ised coc-tails and a splendid array of hors d0oeu)res3 soft +usic and lighting3 and a carefully dressed and thoroughly <o)ial Dd2ard *loo+ playing the perfect host3 2hile a nu+,er of polite and uno,trusi)e +enials fetched and carried. All 2as geniality and a+a6ing confidence. Ba+es (riss 2as late and I caught *loo+ 2atching the corners of the cro2d and ,eginning to gro2 a little gri+ a,out the edges. !hen (riss arri)ed3 dragging a )olu+e of colorlessness in 2ith hi+3 a dra,ness that 2as unaffected ,y the noise and the a,solute splendor 7no other 2ord 2orld descri,e it or else it 2as the t2o +artinis glo2ing inside +e8 that filled the roo+. *loo+ sa2 hi+ and his face 2as illu+inated at once. %e ,ounced across the floor3 sei6ed the s+aller +an0s hand and dragged hi+ to the ,ar.

HBi+J 5lad to see youJ "hat0ll you ha)e1 %ell3 +an3 I0d ha)e called it off if you hadn0t sho2ed. Can0t ha)e this thing 2ithout the star3 you -no2.I %e 2rung (riss0s hand. HIt0s your theory3 you -no2. "e poor +ortals can0t do a thing 2ithout you fe23 you da+ned $e' fe23 pointing the 2ay.I %e 2as ,eing e,ullient3 handing out the flattery3 ,ecause he could afford to do so no2. %e 2as fattening (riss for the -ill. (riss tried to refuse a drin-3 2ith so+e sort of +utter3 ,ut a glass 2as pressed into his hand and *loo+ raised his )oice to a ,ull roar. H5entle+enJ A +o+ent0s ?uiet3 please. !o (rofessor (riss3 the greatest +ind since Dinstein3 t2o ti+e No,el &aureate3 father of the !2o $ield !heory3 and inspirer of the de+onstration 2e are a,out to see e)en if he didn0t thin- it 2ould 2or-3 and had the guts to say so pu,licly.I !here 2as a distinct titter of laughter that ?uic-ly faded out and (riss loo-ed as gri+ as his face could +anage. H*ut no2 that (rofessor (riss is here3I said *loo+3 Hand 2e0)e had our toast3 let0s get on 2ith it. $ollo2 +e3 gentle+enJI !he de+onstration 2as in a +uch +ore ela,orate place than had housed the earlier one. !his ti+e it 2as on the top floor of the ,uilding. #ifferent +agnets 2ere in)ol)ed s+aller ones3 ,y hea)en ,ut as nearly as I could tell3 the sa+e M D *alance 2as in place. One thing 2as ne23 ho2e)er3 and it staggered e)ery,ody3 dra2ing +uch +ore attention than anything else in the roo+. It 2as a ,illiard ta,le3 resting under one pole of the +agnet. *eneath it 2as the co+panion pole. A round hole3 a,out a foot across3 2as sta+ped out of the )ery center of the ta,le and it 2as o,)ious that the 6ero gra)ity field3 if it 2as to ,e produced3 2ould ,e produced through that hole in the center of the ,illiard ta,le. It 2as as though the 2hole de+onstration had ,een designed3 surrealist fashion3 to point up the )ictory of *loo+ o)er (riss. !his 2as to ,e another )ersion of their e)erlasting ,illiards co+petition and *loo+ 2as going to 2in. I don0t -no2 if the other ne2s+en too- +atters in that fashion3 ,ut I thin- (riss did. I turned to loo- at hi+ and sa2 that he 2as still holding the drin- that had ,een forced into his hand. %e rarely dran-3 I -ne23 ,ut no2 he lifted the glass to his lips and e+ptied it in t2o s2allo2s. %e stared at that ,illiard ta,le and I needed no gift of DS( to reali6e that he too- it as a deli,erate snap of fingers under his nose. *loo+ led us to the t2enty seats that surrounded three sides of the ta,le3 lea)ing the fourth free as a 2or-ing area. (riss 2as carefully escorted to the seat co++anding the +ost con)enient )ie2. (riss glanced ?uic-ly at the tri+ensional ca+eras 2hich 2ere no2 2or-ing. I 2ondered if he 2ere thin-ing of lea)ing ,ut deciding that he couldn0t in the full glare of the eyes of the 2orld. Dssentially3 the de+onstration 2as si+ple: it 2as the production that counted. !here 2ere dials in plain )ie2 that +easured the energy e4penditure. !here 2ere others that transferred the M D *alance readings into a position and a si6e that 2ere )isi,le to all. D)erything 2as arranged for easy tri+ensional )ie2ing. *loo+ e4plained each step in a genial 2ay3 2ith one or t2o pauses in 2hich he turned to (riss for a confir+ation that had to co+e. %e didn0t do it often enough to +a-e it o,)ious3 ,ut <ust enough to turn (riss upon the spit of his o2n tor+ent. $ro+ 2here I sat I could loo- across the ta,le and see (riss on the other side. %e had the loo- of a +an in %ell. As 2e all -no23 *loo+ succeeded. !he M D *alance sho2ed the gra)itational intensity to ,e sin-ing steadily as the electro+agnetic field 2as intensified. !here 2ere cheers 2hen it dropped ,elo2 the G.C= g +ar-. A red line indicated that on the dial. H!he G.C= g +ar-3 as you -no23I said *loo+ confidently3 Hrepresents the pre)ious record lo2 in gra)itational intensity. "e are no2 lo2er than that at a cost in electricity that is less than ten percent 2hat it cost at the ti+e that +ar- 2as set. And 2e 2ill go lo2er still.I *loo+ I thin- deli,erately3 for the sa-e of the suspense slo2ed the drop to2ard the end3 letting the tri+ensional ca+eras s2itch ,ac- and forth ,et2een the gap in the ,illiard ta,le and the dial on 2hich the M D *alance reading 2as lo2ering. *loo+ said suddenly3 H5entle+en3 you 2ill find dar- goggles in the pouch on the side of each chair. (lease put the+ on no2. !he 6ero gra)ity field 2ill soon ,e esta,lished and it 2ill radiate a light rich in ultra)iolet.I %e put goggles on hi+self3 and there 2as a +o+entary rustle as others 2ent on too. I thin- no one ,reathed during the last +inute3 2hen the dial reading dropped to 6ero and held fast. And <ust as that happened a cylinder of light sprang into e4istence fro+ pole to pole through the hole in the ,illiard ta,le. !here 2as a ghost of t2enty sighs at that. So+eone called out3 HMr. *loo+3 2hat is the reason for the light1I

HIt0s characteristic of the 6ero gra)ity field3I said *loo+ s+oothly3 2hich 2as no ans2er3 of course. 9eporters 2ere standing up no23 cro2ding a,out the edge of the ta,le. *loo+ 2a)ed the+ ,ac-. H(lease3 gentle+en3 stand clearJI Only (riss re+ained sitting. %e see+ed lost in thought and I ha)e ,een certain e)er since that it 2as the goggles that o,scured the possi,le significance of e)erything that follo2ed. I didn0t see his eyes. I couldn0t. And that +eant neither I nor anyone else could e)en ,egin to +a-e a guess as to 2hat 2as going on ,ehind those eyes. "ell3 +ay,e 2e couldn0t ha)e +ade such a guess3 e)en if the goggles hadn0t ,een there3 ,ut 2ho can say1 *loo+ 2as raising his )oice again. H(leaseJ !he de+onstration is not yet o)er. So far3 2e0)e only repeated 2hat I ha)e done ,efore. I ha)e no2 produced a 6ero gra)ity field and I ha)e sho2n it can ,e done practically. *ut I 2ant to de+onstrate so+ething of 2hat such a field can do. "hat 2e are going to see ne4t 2ill ,e so+ething that has ne)er ,een seen3 not e)en ,y +yself. I ha)e not e4peri+ented in this direction3 +uch as I 2ould ha)e li-ed to3 ,ecause I ha)e felt that (rofessor (riss deser)ed the honor of I (riss loo-ed up sharply. H"hat 2hat I H(rofessor (riss3I said *loo+3 s+iling ,roadly3 HI 2ould li-e you to perfor+ the first e4peri+ent in)ol)ing the interaction of a solid o,<ect 2ith a 6ero gra)ity field. Notice that the field has ,een for+ed in the center of a ,illiard ta,le. !he 2orld -no2s your pheno+enal s-ill in ,illiards3 (rofessor3 a talent second only to your a+a6ing aptitude in theoretical physics. "on0t you send a ,illiard ,all into the 6ero gra)ity )olu+e1I Dagerly he 2as handing a ,all and cue to the professor. (riss3 his eyes hidden ,y the goggles3 stared at the+ and only )ery slo2ly3 )ery uncertainly3 reached out to ta-e the+. I 2onder 2hat his eyes 2ere sho2ing. I 2onder3 too3 ho2 +uch of the decision to ha)e (riss play ,illiards at the de+onstration 2as due to *loo+0s anger at (riss0s re+ar- a,out their periodic ga+e3 the re+ar- I had ?uoted. %ad I ,een3 in +y 2ay3 responsi,le for 2hat follo2ed1 HCo+e3 stand up3 (rofessor3I said *loo+3 Hand let +e ha)e your seat. !he sho2 is yours fro+ no2 on. 5o aheadJI *loo+ seated hi+self3 and still tal-ed3 in a )oice that gre2 +ore organli-e 2ith each +o+ent. HOnce (rofessor (riss sends the ,all into the )olu+e of 6ero gra)ity3 it 2ill no longer ,e affected ,y Darth0s gra)itational field. It 2ill re+ain truly +otionless 2hile the Darth rotates a,out its a4is and tra)els a,out the Sun. In this latitude3 and at this ti+e of day3 I ha)e calculated that the Darth3 in its +otions3 2ill sin- do2n2ard. "e 2ill +o)e 2ith it and the ,all 2ill stand still. !o us it 2ill see+ to rise up and a2ay fro+ the Darth0s surface. "atch.I (riss see+ed to stand in front of the ta,le in fro6en paralysis. "as it surprise1 Astonish+ent1 I don0t -no2. I0ll ne)er -no2. #id he +a-e a +o)e to interrupt *loo+0s little speech3 or 2as he <ust suffering fro+ an agoni6ed reluctance to play the igno+inious part into 2hich he 2as ,eing forced ,y his ad)ersary1 (riss turned to the ,illiard ta,le3 loo-ing first at it3 then ,ac- at *loo+. D)ery reporter 2as on his feet3 cro2ding as closely as possi,le in order to get a good )ie2. Only *loo+ hi+self re+ained seated3 s+iling and isolated. %e3 of course3 2as not 2atching the ta,le3 or the ,all3 or the 6ero gra)ity field. As nearly as I could tell through the goggles3 he 2as 2atching (riss. (erhaps he felt there 2as no 2ay out. Or perhaps "ith a sure stro-e of his cue3 he set the ,all into +otion. It 2as not going ?uic-ly3 and e)ery eye follo2ed it. It struc- the side of the ta,le and caro+ed. It 2as going e)en slo2er no2 as though (riss hi+self 2ere increasing the suspense and +a-ing *loo+0s triu+ph the +ore dra+atic. I had a perfect )ie23 for I 2as standing on the side of the ta,le opposite fro+ that 2here (riss 2as. I could see the ,all +o)ing to2ard the glitter of the 6ero gra)ity field and ,eyond it I could see those portions of the seated *loo+ 2hich 2ere not hidden ,y that glitter. !he ,all approached the 6ero gra)ity )olu+e3 see+ed to Hhang on the edge for a +o+ent3 and then 2as gone3 2ith a strea- of light3 the sound of a thunderclap3 and the sudden s+ell of ,urning cloth. "e yelled. "e all yelled. I0)e seen the scene on tele)ision since along 2ith the rest of the 2orld. I can see +yself in the fil+ during the fifteen second period of 2ild confusion3 ,ut I don0t really recogni6e +y face. $ifteen secondsJ And then 2e disco)ered *loo+. %e 2as still sitting in the chair3 his ar+s still folded3 ,ut there 2as a hole the si6e of a ,illiard ,all through forear+3 chest3 and ,ac-. !he ,etter part of his heart3 as it later turned out under autopsy3 had ,een neatly punched out. !hey turned off the de)ice. !hey called in the police. !hey dragged off (riss3 2ho 2as in a state of utter collapse. I 2asn0t +uch ,etter off3 to tell the truth3 and if any reporter then on the scene e)er tried to say he re+ained a cool o,ser)er of that scene3 then he0s a cool liar.

It 2as so+e +onths ,efore I got to see (riss again. %e had lost so+e 2eight ,ut see+ed 2ell other2ise. Indeed3 there 2as color in his chee-s and an air of decision a,out hi+. %e 2as ,etter dressed than I had e)er seen hi+ to ,e. %e said3 HI -no2 2hat happened no'. If I had had ti+e to thin-3 I 2ould ha)e -no2n then. *ut I a+ a slo2 thin-er3 and poor Dd *loo+ 2as so intent on running a great sho2 and doing it so 2ell that he carried +e along 2ith hi+. Naturally3 I0)e ,een trying to +a-e up for so+e of the da+age I un2ittingly caused.I H>ou can0t ,ring *loo+ ,ac- to life3I I said so,erly. HNo3 I can0t3I he said3 <ust as so,erly. H*ut there0s *loo+ Dnterprises to thin- of3 too. "hat happened at the de+onstration3 in full )ie2 of the 2orld3 2as the 2orst possi,le ad)ertise+ent for 6ero gra)ity3 and it0s i+portant that the story ,e +ade clear. !hat is 2hy I ha)e as-ed to see you.( H>es1I HIf I had ,een a ?uic-er thin-er3 I 2ould ha)e -no2n Dd 2as spea-ing the purest nonsense 2hen he said that the ,illiard ,all 2ould slo2ly rise in the 6ero gra)ity field. It couldnt ,e soJ If *loo+ hadn0t despised theory so3 if he hadn0t ,een so intent on ,eing proud of his o2n ignorance of theory3 he0d ha)e -no2n it hi+self. H!he Darth0s +otion3 after all3 isn0t the only +otion in)ol)ed3 young +an. !he Sun itself +o)es in a )ast or,it a,out the center of the Mil-y "ay 5ala4y. And the 5ala4y +o)es too3 in so+e not )ery clearly defined 2ay. If the ,illiard ,all 2ere su,<ected to 6ero gra)ity3 you +ight thin- of it as ,eing unaffected ,y any of those +otions and therefore of suddenly falling into a state of a,solute rest 2hen there is no such thing as a,solute rest.I (riss shoo- his head slo2ly. H!he trou,le 2ith Dd3 I thin-3 2as that he 2as thin-ing of the -ind of 6ero gra)ity one gets in a spaceship in free fall3 2hen people float in +id air. %e e4pected the ,all to float in +id air. %o2e)er3 in a spaceship3 6ero gra)ity is not the result of an a,sence of gra)itation3 ,ut +erely the result of t2o o,<ects3 a ship and a +an 2ithin the ship3 falling at the sa+e rate3 responding to gra)ity in precisely the sa+e 2ay3 so that each is +otionless 2ith respect to the other. HIn the 6ero gra)ity field produced ,y Dd3 there 2as a flattening of the ru,,er sheet @ni)erse3 2hich +eans an actual loss of +ass. D)erything in that field3 including +olecules of air caught 2ithin it3 and the ,illiard ,all I pushed into it3 2as co+pletely +assless as long as it re+ained 2ithin it. A co+pletely +assless o,<ect can +o)e in only one 2ay.I %e paused3 in)iting the ?uestion. I as-ed3 H"hat +otion 2ould that ,e1I HMotion at the speed of light. Any +assless o,<ect3 such as a neutron or a photon3 +ust tra)el at the speed of light as long as it e4ists. In fact3 light +o)es at that speed only ,ecause it is +ade up of photons. As soon as the ,illiard ,all entered the 6ero gra)ity field and lost its +ass3 it too assu+ed the speed of light at once and left.I I shoo- +y head. H*ut didn0t it regain its +ass as soon as it left the 6ero gra)ity )olu+e1I HIt certainly did3 and at once it ,egan to ,e affected ,y the gra)itational field and to slo2 up in response to the friction of the air and the top of the ,illiard ta,le. *ut i+agine ho2 +uch friction it 2ould ta-e to slo2 up an o,<ect the +ass of a ,illiard ,all going at the speed of light. It 2ent through the hundred +ile thic-ness of our at+osphere in a thousandth of a second and I dou,t that it 2as slo2ed +ore than a fe2 +iles a second in doing so3 a fe2 +iles out of 1;E3=;= of the+. On the 2ay3 it scorched the top of the ,illiard ta,le3 ,ro-e cleanly through the edge3 2ent through poor Dd and the 2indo2 too3 punching out neat circles ,ecause it had passed through ,efore the neigh,oring portions of so+ething3 e)en as ,rittle as glass had a chance to split a splinter. HIt is e4tre+ely fortunate 2e 2ere on the top floor of a ,uilding set in a countrified area. If 2e 2ere in the city3 it +ight ha)e passed through a nu+,er of ,uildings and -illed a nu+,er of people. *y no2 that ,illiard ,all is off in space3 far ,eyond the edge of the Solar Syste+ and it 2ill continue to tra)el so fore)er3 at nearly the speed of light3 until it happens to stri-e an o,<ect large enough to stop it. And then it 2ill gouge out a si6a,le crater.I I played 2ith the notion and 2as not sure I li-ed it. H%o2 is that possi,le1 !he ,illiard ,all entered the 6ero gra)ity )olu+e al+ost at a standstill. I sa2 it. And you say it left 2ith an incredi,le ?uantity of -inetic energy. "here did the energy co+e fro+1I (riss shrugged. HIt ca+e fro+ no2hereJ !he la2 of conser)ation of energy only holds under the conditions in 2hich general relati)ity is )alid: that is3 in an indented ru,,er sheet uni)erse. "here)er the indentation is flattened out3 general relati)ity no longer holds3 and energy can ,e created and destroyed freely. !hat accounts for the radiation along the cylindrical surface of the 6ero gra)ity )olu+e. !hat radiation3 you re+e+,er3 *loo+ did not e4plain3 and3 I fear3 could not e4plain. If he had only e4peri+ented further first: if he had only not ,een so foolishly an4ious to put on his sho2 I H"hat accounts for the radiation3 sir1I H!he +olecules of air inside the )olu+e. Dach3 assu+es the speed of light and co+es s+ashing out2ard. !hey0re only +olecules3 not ,illiard ,alls3 so they0re stopped3 ,ut the -inetic energy of their +otion is con)erted into energetic radiation. It0s continuous ,ecause ne2 +olecules are al2ays drifting in3 and attaining the speed of light

and s+ashing out.I H!hen energy is ,eing created continuously1I HD4actly. And that is 2hat 2e +ust +a-e clear to the pu,lic. Anti gra)ity is not pri+arily a de)ice to lift spaceships or to re)olutioni6e +echanical +o)e+ent. 9ather3 it is the source of an endless supply of free energy3 since part of the energy produced can ,e di)erted to +aintain the field that -eeps that portion of the @ni)erse flat. "hat Dd *loo+ in)ented3 2ithout -no2ing it3 2as not <ust anti gra)ity3 ,ut the first successful perpetual +otion +achine of the first class one that +anufactures energy out of nothing.I I said slo2ly3 HAnyone of us could ha)e ,een -illed ,y that ,illiard ,all3 is that right3 (rofessor1 It +ight ha)e co+e out in any direction.I (riss said3 H"ell3 +assless photons e+erge fro+ any light source at the speed of light in any direction: that0s 2hy a candle casts light in all directions. !he +assless air +olecules co+e out of the 6ero gra)ity )olu+e in all directions3 2hich is 2hy the entire cylinder radiates. *ut the ,illiard ,all 2as only one o,<ect. It could ha)e co+e out in any direction3 ,ut it had to co+e out in so+e one direction3 chosen at rando+3 and the chosen direction happened to ,e the one that caught Dd.I !hat 2as it. D)eryone -no2s the conse?uences. Man-ind had free energy and so 2e ha)e the 2orld 2e ha)e no2. (rofessor (riss 2as placed in charge of its de)elop+ent ,y the ,oard of *loo+ Dnterprises3 and in ti+e he 2as as rich and fa+ous as e)er Dd2ard *loo+ had ,een. And (riss still has t2o No,el (ri6es in addition. Only... I -eep thin-ing. (hotons s+ash out fro+ a light source in all directions ,ecause they are created at the +o+ent and there is no reason for the+ to +o)e in one direction +ore than in another. Air +olecules co+e out of a 6ero gra)ity field in all directions ,ecause they enter it in all directions. *ut 2hat a,out a single ,illiard ,all3 entering a 6ero gra)ity field fro+ one particular direction1 #oes it co+e out in the sa+e direction or in any direction1 I0)e in?uired delicately3 ,ut theoretical physicists don0t see+ to ,e sure3 and I can find no record that *loo+ Dnterprises3 2hich is the only organi6ation 2or-ing 2ith 6ero gra)ity fields3 has e)er e4peri+ented in the +atter. So+eone at the organi6ation once told +e that the uncertainty principle guarantees the rando+ e+ersion of an o,<ect entering in any direction. *ut then 2hy don0t they try the e4peri+ent1 Could it ,e3 then... Could it ,e that for once (riss0s +ind had ,een 2or-ing ?uic-ly1 Could it ,e that3 under the pressure of 2hat *loo+ 2as trying to do to hi+3 (riss had suddenly seen e)erything1 %e had ,een studying the radiation surrounding the 6ero gra)ity )olu+e. %e +ight ha)e reali6ed its cause and ,een certain of the speed of light +otion of anything entering the )olu+e. "hy3 then3 had he said nothing1 One thing is certain. %othing (riss 2ould do at the ,illiard ta,le could ,e accidental. %e 2as an e4pert and the ,illiard ,all did e4actly 2hat he 2anted it to. I 2as standing right there. I sa2 hi+ loo- at *loo+ and then at the ta,le as though he 2ere <udging angles. I 2atched hi+ hit that ,all. I 2atched it ,ounce off the side of the ta,le and +o)e into the 6ero gra)ity )olu+e3 heading in one particular direction. $or 2hen (riss sent that ,all to2ard the 6ero gra)ity )olu+e and the tri di fil+s ,ear +e out it 2as already ai+ed directly at *loo+0s heartJ Accident1 Coincidence1 ...Murder1

Mirror Image
The Three 9a's o$ Robotics 6. A robot may not in:ure a human being or, through inaction, allo' a human being to come to harm. ;. A robot must obey the orders gi#en it by human beings exce!t 'here such orders 'ould con$lict 'ith the First 9a'. <. A robot must !rotect its o'n existence as long as such !rotection does not con$lict 'ith the First or Second 9a'. &i<e *aley had <ust decided to relight his pipe3 2hen the door of his office opened 2ithout a preli+inary -noc-3 or announce+ent3 of any -ind. *aley loo-ed up in pronounced annoyance and then dropped his pipe. It said a

good deal for the state of his +ind that he left it lie 2here it had fallen. H9. #aneel Oli)a23I he said3 in a -ind of +ystified e4cite+ent. HBehoshaphatJ It is you3 isn0t it1I H>ou are ?uite right3 H said the tall3 ,ron6ed ne2co+er3 his e)en features ne)er flic-ing for a +o+ent out of their accusto+ed cal+. HI regret surprising you ,y entering 2ithout 2arning3 ,ut the situation is a delicate one and there +ust ,e as little in)ol)e+ent as possi,le on the part of the +en and ro,ots e)en in this place. I a+3 in any case3 pleased to see you again3 friend Dli<ah.I And the ro,ot held out his right hand in a gesture as thoroughly hu+an as 2as his appearance. It 2as *aley 2ho 2as so un+anned ,y his astonish+ent as to stare at the hand 2ith a +o+entary lac- of understanding. *ut then he sei6ed it in ,oth his3 feeling its 2ar+ fir+ness. H*ut #aneel3 'hy? >ou0re 2elco+e any ti+e3 ,ut "hat is this situation that is a delicate one1 Are 2e in trou,le again1 Darth3 I +ean1I HNo3 friend Dli<ah3 it does not concern Darth. !he situation to 2hich I refer as a delicate one is3 to out2ard appearances3 a s+all thing. A dispute ,et2een +athe+aticians3 nothing +ore. As 2e happened3 ?uite ,y accident3 to ,e 2ithin an easy Bu+p of Darth I H!his dispute too- place on a starship3 then1I H>es3 indeed. A s+all dispute3 yet to the hu+ans in)ol)ed astonishingly large.I *aley could not help ,ut s+ile. HI0+ not surprised you find hu+ans astonishing. !hey do not o,ey the !hree &a2s.I H!hat is3 indeed3 a shortco+ing3I said 9. #aneel3 5ra)ely3 Hand I thin- hu+ans the+sel)es are pu66led ,y hu+ans. It +ay ,e that you are less pu66led than are the +en of other 2orlds ,ecause so +any +ore hu+an ,eings li)e on Darth than on the Spacer 2orlds. If so3 and I ,elie)e it is so3 you could help us.I 9. #aneel paused +o+entarily and then said3 perhaps a shade too ?uic-ly3 HAnd yet there are rules of hu+an ,eha)ior 2hich I ha)e learned. It 2ould see+3 for instance3 that I a+ deficient in eti?uette3 ,y hu+an standards3 not to ha)e as-ed after your 2ife and child.I H!hey are doing 2ell. !he ,oy is in college and Bessie is in)ol)ed in local politics. !he a+enities are ta-en care of. No2 tell +e ho2 you co+e to ,e here.I HAs I said3 2e 2ere 2ithin an easy B u+p of Darth3I said 9. #aneel3 Hso I suggested to the captain that 2e consult you.I HAnd the captain agreed1I *aley had a sudden picture of the proud and autocratic captain of a Spacer starship consenting to +a-e a landing on Darth of all 2orlds and to consult an Darth+an of all people. HI ,elie)e3I said 9. #aneel3 Hthat he 2as in a position 2here he 2ould ha)e agreed to anything. In addition3 I praised you )ery highly: although3 to ,e sure3 I stated only the truth. $inally3 I agreed to conduct all negotiations so that none of the cre23 or passengers3 2ould need to enter any of the Darth+an cities.I HAnd tal- to any Darth+an3 yes. *ut 2hat has happened1I H!he passengers of the starship3 1ta "arina, included t2o +athe+aticians 2ho 2ere tra)eling to Aurora to attend an interstellar conference on neuro,iophysics. It is a,out these +athe+aticians3 Alfred *an %u+,oldt and 5ennao Sa,,at3 that the dispute centers. %a)e you perhaps3 friend Dli<ah3 heard of one3 or ,oth3 of the+1I HNeither one3I said *aley3 fir+ly. HI -no2 nothing a,out +athe+atics. &oo-3 #aneel3 surely you ha)en0t told anyone I0+ a +athe+atics ,uff or I HNot at all3 friend Dli<ah. I -no2 you are not. Nor does it +atter3 since the e4act nature of the +athe+atics in)ol)ed is in no 2ay rele)ant to the point at issue.I H"ell3 then3 go on.I HSince you do not -no2 either +an3 friend Dli<ah3 let +e tell you that #r. %u+,oldt is 2ell into his t2enty se)enth decade pardon +e3 friend Dli<ah1I HNothing. Nothing3I said *aley3 irrita,ly. %e had +erely +uttered to hi+self3 +ore or less incoherently3 in a natural reaction to the e4tended life spans of the Spacers. HAnd he0s still acti)e3 despite his age1 On Darth3 +athe+aticians after thirty or so.I #aneel said3 cal+ly: H#r. %u+,oldt is one of the top three +athe+aticians3 ,y long esta,lished repute3 in the gala4y. Certainly he is still acti)e. #r. Sa,,at3 on the other hand3 is ?uite young3 not yet fifty3 ,ut he has already esta,lished hi+self as the +ost re+ar-a,le ne2 talent in the +ost a,struse ,ranches of +athe+atics.I H!hey0re ,oth great3 then3I said *aley. %e re+e+,ered his pipe and pic-ed it up. %e decided there 2as no point in lighting it no2 and -noc-ed out the dottle. H"hat happened1 Is this a +urder case1 #id one of the+ apparently -ill the other1I HOf these t2o +en of great reputation3 one is trying to destroy that of the other. *y hu+an )alues3 I ,elie)e this +ay ,e regarded as 2orse than physical +urder.I HSo+eti+es3 I suppose. "hich one is trying to destroy the other1I

H"hy3 that3 friend Dli<ah3 is precisely the point at issue. "hich1I H5o on.I H#r. %u+,oldt tells the story clearly. Shortly ,efore he ,oarded the starship3 he had an insight into a possi,le +ethod for analy6ing neural path2ays fro+ changes in +icro2a)e a,sorption patterns of local cortical areas. !he insight 2as a purely +athe+atical techni?ue of e4traordinary su,tlety3 ,ut I cannot3 of course3 either understand or sensi,ly trans+it the details. !hese do not3 ho2e)er3 +atter. #r. %u+,oldt considered the +atter and 2as +ore con)inced each hour that he had so+ething re)olutionary on hand3 so+ething that 2ould d2arf all his pre)ious acco+plish+ents in +athe+atics. !hen he disco)ered that #r. Sa,,at 2as on ,oard.I HAh. And he tried it out on young Sa,,at1I HD4actly. !he t2o had +et at professional +eetings ,efore and -ne2 each other thoroughly ,y reputation. %u+,oldt 2ent into it 2ith Sa,,at in great detail. Sa,,at ,ac-ed %u+,oldt0s analysis co+pletely and 2as unstinting in his praise of the i+portance of the disco)ery and of the ingenuity of the disco)erer. %eartened and reassured ,y this3 %u+,oldt prepared a paper outlining3 in su++ary3 his 2or- and3 t2o days later3 prepared to ha)e it for2arded su,etherically to the co chair+en of the conference at Aurora3 in order that he +ight officially esta,lish his priority and arrange for possi,le discussion ,efore the sessions 2ere closed. !o his surprise3 he found that Sa,,at 2as ready 2ith a paper of his o2n3 essentially the sa+e as %u+,oldt0s3 and Sa,,at 2as also preparing to ha)e it su,etheri6ed to Aurora.I HI suppose %u+,oldt 2as furious.I H'uiteJI HAnd Sa,,at1 "hat 2as his story1I H(recisely the sa+e as %u+,oldt0s. "ord for 2ord.I H!hen <ust 2hat is the pro,le+1I HD4cept for the +irror i+age e4change of na+es. According to Sa,,at3 it 2as he 2ho had the insight3 and he 2ho consulted %u+,oldt: it 2as %u+,oldt 2ho agreed 2ith the analysis and praised it.I H!hen each one clai+s the idea is his and that the other stole it. It doesn0t sound li-e a pro,le+ to +e at all. In +atters of scholarship3 it 2ould see+ only necessary to produce the records of research3 dated and initialed. Budg+ent as to priority can ,e +ade fro+ that. D)en if one is falsified3 that +ight ,e disco)ered through internal inconsistencies.I HOrdinarily3 friend Dli<ah3 you 2ould ,e right3 ,ut this is +athe+atics3 and not in an e4peri+ental science. #r. %u+,oldt clai+s to ha)e 2or-ed out the essentials in his head. Nothing 2as put in 2riting until the paper itself 2as prepared. #r. Sa,,at3 of course3 says precisely the sa+e.I H"ell3 then3 ,e +ore drastic and get it o)er 2ith3 for sure. Su,<ect each one to a psychic pro,e and find out 2hich of the t2o is lying.I 9. #aneel shoo- his head slo2ly3 H$riend Dli<ah3 you do not understand these +en. !hey are ,oth of ranand scholarship3 $ello2s of the I+perial Acade+y. As such3 they cannot ,e su,<ected to trial of professional conduct e4cept ,y a <ury of their peers their professional peers unless they personally and )oluntarily 2ai)e that right.I H(ut it to the+3 then. !he guilty +an 2on0t 2ai)e the right ,ecause he can0t afford to face the psychic pro,e. !he innocent +an 2ill 2ai)e it at once. >ou 2on0t e)en ha)e to use the pro,e.I HIt does not 2or- that 2ay3 friend Dli<ah. !o 2ai)e the right in such a case to ,e in)estigated ,y lay+en is a serious and perhaps irreco)era,le ,lo2 to prestige. *oth +en steadfastly refuse to 2ai)e the right to special trial3 as a +atter of pride. !he ?uestion of guilt3 or innocence3 is ?uite su,sidiary.I HIn that case3 let it go for no2. (ut the +atter in cold storage until you get to Aurora. At the neuro,iophysical conference3 there 2ill ,e a huge supply of professional peers3 and then I H!hat 2ould +ean a tre+endous ,lo2 to science itself3 friend Dli<ah. *oth +en 2ould suffer for ha)ing ,een the instru+ent of scandal. D)en the innocent one 2ould ,e ,la+ed for ha)ing ,een party to a situation so distasteful. It 2ould ,e felt that it should ha)e ,een settled ?uietly out of court at all costs.I HAll right. I0+ not a Spacer3 ,ut I0ll try to i+agine that this attitude +a-es sense. "hat do the +en in ?uestion say1I H%u+,oldt agrees thoroughly. %e says that if Sa,,at 2ill ad+it theft of the idea and allo2 %u+,oldt to proceed 2ith trans+ission of the paper or at least its deli)ery at the conference3 he 2ill not press charges. Sa,,at0s +isdeed 2ill re+ain secret 2ith hi+: and3 of course3 2ith the captain3 2ho is the only other hu+an to ,e party to the dispute.I H*ut young Sa,,at 2ill not agree1I HOn the contrary3 he agreed 2ith #r. %u+,oldt to the last detail 2ith the re)ersal of na+es. Still the +irror i+age.I HSo they <ust sit there3 stale+ated1I

HDach3 I ,elie)e3 friend Dli<ah3 is 2aiting for the other to gi)e in and ad+it guilt.I H"ell3 then3 2ait.I H!he captain has decided this cannot ,e done. !here are t2o alternati)es to 2aiting3 you see. !he first is that ,oth 2ill re+ain stu,,orn so that 2hen the starship lands on Aurora3 the intellectual scandal 2ill ,rea-. !he captain3 2ho is responsi,le for <ustice on ,oard ship 2ill suffer disgrace for not ha)ing ,een a,le to settle the +atter ?uietly and that3 to hi+3 is ?uite insupporta,le.I HAnd the second alternati)e1I HIs that one3 or the other3 of the +athe+aticians 2ill indeed ad+it to 2rongdoing. *ut 2ill the one 2ho confesses do so out of actual guilt3 or out of a no,le desire to pre)ent the scandal1 "ould it ,e right to depri)e of credit one 2ho is sufficiently ethical to prefer to lose that credit than to see science as a 2hole suffer1 Or else3 the guilty party 2ill confess at the last +o+ent3 and in such a 2ay as to +a-e it appear he does so only for the sa-e of science3 thus escaping the disgrace of his deed and casting its shado2 upon the other. !he captain 2ill ,e the only +an to -no2 all this ,ut he does not 2ish to spend the rest of his life 2ondering 2hether he has ,een a party to a grotes?ue +iscarriage of <ustice.I *aley sighed. HA ga+e of intellectual chic-en. "ho0ll ,rea- first as Aurora co+es nearer and nearer1 Is that the 2hole story no23 #aneel1I HNot ?uite. !here are 2itnesses to the transaction.I HBehoshaphatJ "hy didn0t you say so at once. *hat 2itnesses1 H#r. %u+,oldt0s personal ser)ant I HA ro,ot3 I suppose.I H>es3 certainly. %e is called 9. (reston. !his ser)ant3 9. (reston3 2as present during the initial conference and he ,ears out #r. %u+,oldt in e)ery detail.I H>ou +ean he says that the idea 2as #r. %u+,oldt0s to ,egin 2ith: that #r. %u+,oldt detailed it to #r. Sa,,at: that #r. Sa,,at praised the idea3 and so on.I H>es3 in full detail.I HI see. #oes that settle the +atter or not1 (resu+a,ly not.I H>ou are ?uite right. It does not settle the +atter3 for there is a second 2itness. #r. Sa,,at also has a personal ser)ant3 9. Idda3 another ro,ot of3 as it happens3 the sa+e +odel as 9. (reston3 +ade3 I ,elie)e3 in the sa+e year in the sa+e factory. *oth ha)e ,een in ser)ice for an e?ual period of ti+e. HAn odd coincidence )ery odd.I HA fact3 I a+ afraid3 and it +a-es it difficult to arri)e at any <udg+ent ,ased on o,)ious differences ,et2een the t2o ser)ants.I H9. Idda3 then3 tells the sa+e story as 9. (reston1I H(recisely the sa+e story3 e4cept for the +irror i+age re)ersal of the na+es.I H9. Idda stated3 then3 that young Sa,,at3 the one not yet fiftyI &i<e *aley did not entirely -eep the sardonic note out of his )oice: he hi+self 2as not yet fifty and he felt far fro+ young Ihad the idea to ,egin 2ith: that he detailed it to #r. %u+,oldt3 2ho 2as loud in his praises3 and so on.I H>es3 friend Dli<ah.I HAnd one ro,ot is lying3 then.I HSo it 2ould see+.I HIt should ,e easy to tell 2hich. I i+agine e)en a superficial e4a+ination ,y a good ro,oticist I HA ro,oticist is not enough in this case3 friend Dli<ah. Only a ?ualified ro,opsychologist 2ould carry 2eight enough and e4perience enough to +a-e a decision in a case of this i+portance. !here is no one so ?ualified on ,oard ship. Such an e4a+ination can ,e perfor+ed only 2hen 2e reach Aurora I HAnd ,y then the crud hits the fan. "ell3 you0re here on Darth. "e can scare up a ro,opsychologist3 and surely anything that happens on Darth 2ill ne)er reach the ears of Aurora and there 2ill ,e no scandal.I HD4cept that neither #r. %u+,oldt3 nor #r. Sa,,at3 2ill allo2 his ser)ant to ,e in)estigated ,y a ro,opsychologist of Darth. !he Darth+an 2ould ha)e to I %e paused. &i<e *aley said stolidly3 H%e0d ha)e to touch the ro,ot.I H!hese are old ser)ants3 2ell thought of I HAnd not to ,e sullied ,y the touch of Darth+an. !hen 2hat do you 2ant +e to do3 da+n it1I %e paused3 gri+acing. HI0+ sorry3 9. #aneel3 ,ut I see no reason for your ha)ing in)ol)ed +e.I HI 2as on the ship on a +ission utterly irrele)ant to the pro,le+ at hand. !he captain turned to +e ,ecause he had to turn to so+eone. I see+ed hu+an enough to tal- to3 and ro,ot enough to ,e a safe recipient of confidences.

%e told +e the 2hole story and as-ed 2hat I 2ould do. I reali6ed the ne4t Bu+p could ta-e us as easily to Darth as to our target. I told the captain that3 although I 2as at as +uch a loss to resol)e the +irror i+age as he 2as3 there 2as on Darth one 2ho +ight help.I HBehoshaphatJI +uttered *aley under his ,reath. HConsider3 friend Dli<ah3 that if you succeed in sol)ing this pu66le3 it 2ould do your career good and Darth itself +ight ,enefit. !he +atter could not ,e pu,lici6ed3 of course3 ,ut the captain is a +an of so+e influence on his ho+e 2orld and he 2ould ,e grateful.I H>ou <ust put a greater strain on +e.I HI ha)e e)ery confidence3I said 9. #aneel3 stolidly3 Hthat you already ha)e so+e idea as to 2hat procedure ought to ,e follo2ed.I H#o you1 I suppose that the o,)ious procedure is to inter)ie2 the t2o +athe+aticians3 one of 2ho+ 2ould see+ to ,e a thief.I HI0+ afraid3 friend Dli<ah3 that neither one 2ill co+e into the city. Nor 2ould either one ,e 2illing to ha)e you co+e to the+.I HAnd there is no 2ay of forcing a Spacer to allo2 contact 2ith an Darth+an3 no +atter 2hat the e+ergency. >es3 I understand that3 #aneel ,ut I 2as thin-ing of an inter)ie2 ,y closed circuit tele)ision.I HNor that. !hey 2ill not su,+it to interrogation ,y an Darth+an.I H!hen 2hat do they 2ant of +e1 Could I spea- to the ro,ots1I H!hey 2ould not allo2 the ro,ots to co+e here3 either.I HBehoshaphat3 #aneel. >ou0)e co+e.I H!hat 2as +y o2n decision. I ha)e per+ission3 2hile on ,oard ship3 to +a-e decisions of that sort 2ithout )eto ,y any hu+an ,eing ,ut the captain hi+self and he 2as eager to esta,lish the contact. I3 ha)ing -no2n you3 decided that tele)ision contact 2as insufficient. I 2ished to sha-e your hand.I &i<e *aley softened. HI appreciate that3 #aneel3 ,ut I still honestly 2ish you could ha)e refrained fro+ thin-ing of +e at all in this case. Can I tal- to the ro,ots ,y tele)ision at least1I H!hat. I thin-3 can ,e arranged.I HSo+ething3 at least. !hat +eans I 2ould ,e doing the 2or- of a ro,opsychologist in a crude sort of 2ay.I H*ut you are a detecti)e3 friend Dli<ah3 not a ro,opsychologist.I H"ell3 let it pass. No2 ,efore I see the+3 let0s thin- a ,it. !ell +eM is it possi,le that ,oth ro,ots are telling the truth1 (erhaps the con)ersation ,et2een the t2o +athe+aticians 2as e?ui)ocal. (erhaps it 2as of such a nature that each ro,ot could honestly ,elie)e its o2n +aster 2as proprietor of the idea. Or perhaps one ro,ot heard only one portion of the discussion and the other another portion3 so that each could suppose its o2n +aster 2as proprietor of the idea.I H!hat is ?uite i+possi,le3 friend Dli<ah. *oth ro,ots repeat the con)ersation in identical fashion. And the t2o repetitions are funda+entally inconsistent.I H!hen it is a,solutely certain that one of the ro,ots is lying1I H>es.I H"ill I ,e a,le to see the transcript of all e)idence gi)en so far in the presence of the captain3 if I should 2ant to1I HI thought you 2ould as- that and I ha)e copies 2ith +e.I HAnother ,lessing. %a)e the ro,ots ,een cross e4a+ined at all3 and is that cross e4a+ination included in the transcript1I H!he ro,ots ha)e +erely repeated their tales. Cross e4a+ination 2ould ,e conducted only ,y ro,opsychologists.I HOr ,y +yself1I H>ou are a detecti)e3 friend Dli<ah3 not a I HAll right3 9. #aneel. I0ll try to get the Spacer psychology straight. A detecti)e can do it ,ecause he isn0t a ro,opsychologist. &et0s thin- further. Ordinarily a ro,ot 2ill not lie3 ,ut he 2ill do so if necessary to +aintain the !hree &a2s. %e +ight lie to protect3 in legiti+ate fashion3 his o2n e4istence in accordance 2ith the !hird &a2. %e is +ore apt to lie if that is necessary to follo2 a legiti+ate order gi)en hi+ ,y a hu+an ,eing in accordance 2ith the Second &a2. %e is +ost apt to lie if that is necessary to sa)e a hu+an life3 or to pre)ent har+ fro+ co+ing to a hu+an in accordance 2ith the $irst &a2.I H>es.I HAnd in this case3 each ro,ot 2ould ,e defending the professional reputation of his +aster3 and 2ould lie if it 2ere necessary to do so. @nder the circu+stances3 the professional reputation 2ould ,e nearly e?ui)alent to life and there +ight ,e a near $irst &a2 urgency to the lie.I

H>et ,y the lie3 each ser)ant 2ould ,e har+ing the professional reputation of the other0s +aster3 friend Dli<ah.I HSo it 2ould3 ,ut each ro,ot +ight ha)e a clearer conception of the )alue of its o2n +aster0s reputation and honestly <udge it to ,e greater than that of the other0s. !he lesser har+ 2ould ,e done ,y his lie3 he 2ould suppose3 than ,y the truth.I %a)ing said that3 &i<e *aley re+ained ?uiet for a +o+ent. !hen he said3 HA1l right3 then3 can you arrange to ha)e +e tal- to one of the ro,ots to 9. Idda first3 I thin-1I H#r. Sa,,at0s ro,ot1I H>es3I said *aley3 dryly3 Hthe young fello20s ro,ot.I HIt 2ill ta-e +e ,ut a fe2 +inutes3I said 9. #aneel. HI ha)e a +icro recei)er outfitted 2ith a pro<ector. I 2ill need +erely a ,lan- 2all and I thin- this one 2ill do if you 2ill allo2 +e to +o)e so+e of these fil+ ca,inets.I H5o ahead. "ill I ha)e to tal- into a +icrophone of so+e sort1I HNo3 you 2ill ,e a,le to tal- in an ordinary +anner. (lease pardon +e3 friend Dli<ah3 for a +o+ent of further delay. I 2ill ha)e to contact the ship and arrange for 9. Idda to ,e inter)ie2ed.I HIf that 2ill ta-e so+e ti+e3 #aneel3 ho2 a,out gi)ing +e the transcripted +aterial of the e)idence so far.I &i<e *aley lit his pipe 2hile 9. #aneel set up the e?uip+ent3 and leafed through the fli+sy sheets he had ,een handed. !he +inutes passed and 9. #aneel said3 HIf you are ready3 friend Dli<ah3 9. Idda is. Or 2ould you prefer a fe2 +ore +inutes 2ith the transcript1I HNo3I sighed *aley3 HI0+ not learning anything ne2. (ut hi+ on and arrange to ha)e the inter)ie2 recorded and transcri,ed.I 9. Idda3 unreal in t2o di+ensional pro<ection against the 2all3 2as ,asically +etallic in structure not at all the hu+anoid creature that 9. #aneel 2as. %is ,ody 2as tall ,ut ,loc-y3 and there 2as )ery little to distinguish hi+ fro+ the +any ro,ots *aley had seen3 e4cept for +inor structural details. *aley said3 H5reetings3 9. Idda.I H5reetings3 sir3I said 9. Idda3 in a +uted )oice that sounded surprisingly hu+anoid. H>ou are the personal ser)ant of 5ennao Sa,,at3 are you not1I HI a+ sir.I H$or ho2 long3 ,oy1I H$or t2enty t2o years3 sir.I HAnd your +aster0s reputation is )alua,le to you1I H>es3 sir.I H"ould you consider it of i+portance to protect that reputation1I H>es3 sir.I HAs i+portant to protect his reputation as his physical life1I HNo3 sir.I HAs i+portant to protect his reputation as the reputation of another.I 9. Idda hesitated. %e said3 HSuch cases +ust ,e decided on their indi)idual +erit3 sir. !here is no 2ay of esta,lishing a general rule.I *aley hesitated. !hese Spacer ro,ots spo-e +ore s+oothly and intellectually than Darth +odels did. %e 2as not at all sure he could outthin- one. %e said3 HIf you decided that the reputation of your +aster 2ere +ore i+portant than that of another3 say3 that of Alfred *arr %u+,oldt3 2ould you lie to protect your +aster0s reputation1I HI 2ould3 sir.I H#id you lie in your testi+ony concerning your +aster in his contro)ersy 2ith #r. %u+,oldt1I HNo3 sir.I H*ut if you 2ere lying3 you 2ould deny you 2ere lying in order to protect that lie3 2ouldn0t you1I H>es3 sir.I H"ell3 then3I said *aley3 Hlet0s consider this. >our +aster3 5ennao Sa,,at3 is a young +an of great reputation in +athe+atics3 ,ut he is a young +an. If3 in this contro)ersy 2ith #r. %u+,oldt3 he had succu+,ed to te+ptation and had acted unethically3 he 2ould suffer a certain eclipse of reputation3 ,ut he is young and 2ould ha)e a+ple ti+e to reco)er. %e 2ould ha)e +any intellectual triu+phs ahead of hi+ and +en 2ould e)entually looupon this plagiaristic atte+pt as the +ista-e of a hot ,looded youth3 deficient in <udg+ent. It 2ould ,e so+ething that 2ould ,e +ade up for in the future.

HIf3 on the other hand3 it 2ere #r. %u+,oldt 2ho succu+,ed to te+ptation3 the +atter 2ould ,e +uch +ore serious. %e is an old +an 2hose great deeds ha)e spread o)er centuries. %is reputation has ,een un,le+ished hitherto. All of that3 ho2e)er3 2ould ,e forgotten in the light of this one cri+e of his later years3 and he 2ould ha)e no opportunity to +a-e up for it in the co+parati)ely short ti+e re+aining to hi+. !here 2ould ,e little +ore that he could acco+plish. !here 2ould ,e so +any +ore years of 2or- ruined in %u+,oldt0s case than in that of your +aster and so +uch less opportunity to 2in ,ac- his position. >ou see3 don0t you3 that %u+,oldt faces the 2orse situation and deser)es the greater consideration1I !here 2as a long pause. !hen 9. Idda said3 2ith un+o)ed )oice3 HMy e)idence 2as a lie. It 2as #r. %u+,oldt 2hose 2or- it 2as3 and +y +aster has atte+pted3 2rongfully3 to appropriate the credit.I *aley said3 HVery 2ell3 ,oy. >ou are instructed to say nothing to anyone a,out this until gi)en per+ission ,y the captain of the ship. >ou are e4cused.I !he screen ,lan-ed out and *aley puffed at his pipe. H#o you suppose the captain heard that3 #aneel1I HI a+ sure of it. %e is the only 2itness3 e4cept for us.I H5ood. No2 for the other.I H*ut is there any point to that3 friend Dli<ah3 in )ie2 of 2hat 9. Idda has confessed1I HOf course there is. 9. Idda0s confession +eans nothing.I HNothing1I HNothing at all. I pointed out that #r. %u+,oldt0s position 2as the 2orse. Naturally3 if he 2ere lying to protect Sa,,at3 he 2ould s2itch to the truth as3 in fact3 he clai+ed to ha)e done. On the other hand3 if he 2ere telling the truth3 he 2ould s2itch to a lie to protect %u+,oldt. It0s still +irror i+age and 2e ha)en0t gained anything.I H*ut then 2hat 2ill 2e gain ,y ?uestioning 9. (reston1I HNothing3 if the +inor i+age 2ere perfect ,ut it is not. After all3 one of the ro,ots is telling the truth to ,egin 2ith3 and one is lying to ,egin 2ith3 and that is a point of asy++etry. &et +e see 9. (reston. And if the transcription of 9. Idda0s e4a+ination is done3 let +e ha)e it. !he pro<ector ca+e into use again. 9. (reston stared out of it: identical 2ith 9. Idda in e)ery respect3 e4cept for so+e tri)ial chest design. *aley said3 H5reetings3 9. (reston.I %e -ept the record of 9. Idda0s e4a+ination ,efore hi+ as he spo-e. H5reetings3 sir3I said 9. (reston. %is )oice 2as identical 2ith that of 9. Idda. H>ou are the personal ser)ant of Alfred *an %u+,oldt are you not1I HI a+3 sir.I H$or ho2 long3 ,oy1I H$or t2enty t2o years3 sir.I HAnd your +aster0s reputation is )alua,le to you1I H>es3 sir.I H"ould you consider it of i+portance to protect that reputation1I H>es3 sir.I HAs i+portant to protect his reputation as his physical life1I HNo3 sir.I HAs i+portant to protect his reputation as the reputation of another1I 9. (reston hesitated. %e said3 HSuch cases +ust ,e decided on their indi)idual +erit3 sir. !here is no 2ay of esta,lishing a general rule.I *aley said3 HIf you decided that the reputation of your +aster 2ere +ore i+portant than that of another3 say3 that of 5ennao Sa,,at3 2ould you lie to protect your +aster0s reputation1I HI 2ould3 sir.I H#id you lie in your testi+ony concerning your +aster in his contro)ersy 2ith #r. Sa,,at1I HNo3 sir.I H*ut if you 2ere lying3 you 2ould deny you 2ere lying3 in order to protect that lie3 2ouldn0t you1I H>es3 sir.I H"ell3 then3I said *aley3 Hlet0s consider this. >our +aster3 Alfred *arr %u+,oldt3 is an old +an of great reputation in +athe+atics3 ,ut he is an old +an. If3 in this contro)ersy 2ith #r. Sa,,at3 he had succu+,ed to te+ptation and had acted unethically3 he 2ould suffer a certain eclipse of reputation3 ,ut his great age and his centuries of acco+plish+ents 2ould stand against that and 2ould 2in out. Men 2ould loo- upon this plagiaristic atte+pt as the +ista-e of a perhaps sic- old +an3 no longer certain in <udg+ent. HIf3 on the other hand3 it 2ere #r. Sa,,at 2ho had succu+,ed to te+ptation3 the +atter 2ould ,e +uch +ore serious. %e is a young +an3 2ith a far less secure reputation. %e 2ould ordinarily ha)e centuries ahead of hi+

in 2hich he +ight accu+ulate -no2ledge and achie)e great things. !his 2ill ,e closed to hi+3 no23 o,scured ,y one +ista-e of his youth. %e has a +uch longer future to lose than your +aster has. >ou see3 don0t you3 that Sa,,at faces the 2orse situation and deser)es the greater consideration1I !here 2as a long pause. !hen 9. (reston said3 2ith un+o)ed )oice3 HMy e)idence 2as as I I At that point3 he ,ro-e off and said nothing +ore. *aley said3 H(lease continue3 9. (reston.I !here 2as no response. 9. #aneel said3 HI a+ afraid3 friend Dli<ah3 that 9. (reston is in stasis. %e is out of co++ission.I H"ell3 then3I said *aley3 H2e ha)e finally produced an asy++etry. $ro+ this3 2e can see 2ho the guilty person is.I HIn 2hat 2ay3 friend Dli<ah1I H!hin- it out. Suppose you 2ere a person 2ho had co++itted no cri+e and that your personal ro,ot 2ere a 2itness to that. !here 2ould ,e nothing you need do. >our ro,ot 2ould tell the truth and ,ear you out. If3 ho2e)er3 you 2ere a person 2ho had co++itted the cri+e3 you 2ould ha)e to depend on your ro,ot to lie. !hat 2ould ,e a so+e2hat ris-ier position3 for although the ro,ot 2ould lie3 if necessary3 the greater inclination 2ould ,e to tell the truth3 so that the lie 2ould ,e less fir+ than the truth 2ould ,e. !o pre)ent that3 the cri+e co++itting person 2ould )ery li-ely ha)e to order the ro,ot to lie. In this 2ay3 $irst &a2 2ould ,e strengthened ,y Second &a2: perhaps )ery su,stantially strengthened.I H!hat 2ould see+ reasona,le3I said 9. #aneel. HSuppose 2e ha)e one ro,ot of each type. One ro,ot 2ould s2itch fro+ truth3 unreinforced3 to the lie3 and could do so after so+e hesitation3 2ithout serious trou,le. !he other ro,ot 2ould s2itch fro+ the lie3 strongly rein$orced, to the truth3 ,ut could do so only at the ris- of ,urning out )arious positronic trac- 2ays in his ,rain and falling into stasis.I HAnd since 9. (reston 2ent into stasis I H9. (reston0s +aster3 #r. %u+,oldt3 is the +an guilty of plagiaris+. If you trans+it this to the captain and urge hi+ to face #r. %u+,oldt 2ith the +atter at once3 he +ay force a confession. If so3 I hope you 2ill tell +e i++ediately.I HI 2ill certainly do so. >ou 2ill e4cuse +e3 friend Dli<ah1 I +ust tal- to the captain pri)ately.I HCertainly. @se the conference roo+. It is shielded.I *aley could do no 2or- of any -ind in 9. #aneel0s a,sence. %e sat in uneasy silence. A great deal 2ould depend on the )alue of his analysis3 and he 2as acutely a2are of his lac- of e4pertise in ro,otics. 9. #aneel 2as ,ac- in half an hour )ery nearly the longest half hour of *aley0s life. !here 2as no use3 of course3 in trying to deter+ine 2hat had happened fro+ the e4pression of the hu+anoid0s i+passi)e face. *aley tried to -eep his face i+passi)e. H>es3 9. #aneel1I he as-ed. H(recisely as you said3 friend Dli<ah. #r. %u+,oldt has confessed. %e 2as counting3 he said3 on #r. Sa,,at gi)ing 2ay and allo2ing #r. %u+,oldt to ha)e this one last triu+ph. !he crisis is o)er and you 2ill find the captain grateful. %e has gi)en +e per+ission to tell you that he ad+ires your su,tlety greatly and I ,elie)e that I3 +yself3 2ill achie)e fa)or for ha)ing suggested you.I H5ood3I said *aley3 his -nees 2ea- and his forehead +oist no2 that his decision had pro)en correct3 H,ut Behoshaphat3 9. #aneel3 don0t put +e on the spot li-e that again3 2ill you1I HI 2ill try not to3 friend Dli<ah. All 2ill depend3 of course3 on the i+portance of a crisis3 on your nearness3 and on certain other factors. Mean2hile3 I ha)e a ?uestion I H>es1I H"as it not possi,le to suppose that passage fro+ a lie to the truth 2as easy3 2hile passage fro+ the truth to a lie 2as difficult1 And in that case3 2ould not the ro,ot in stasis ha)e ,een going fro+ a truth to a lie3 and since 9. (reston 2as in stasis3 +ight one not ha)e dra2n the conclusion that it 2as #r. %u+,oldt 2ho 2as innocent and #r. Sa,,at 2ho 2as guilty1I H>es3 9. #aneel. It 2as possi,le to argue that 2ay3 ,ut it 2as the other argu+ent that pro)ed right. %u+,oldt did confess3 didn0t he1I H%e did. *ut 2ith argu+ents possi,le in ,oth directions3 ho2 could you3 friend Dli<ah3 so ?uic-ly pic- the correct one1I $or a +o+ent3 *aley0s lips t2itched. !hen he rela4ed and they cur)ed into a s+ile. H*ecause3 9. #aneel3 I too- into account hu+an reactions3 not ro,otic ones. I -no2 +ore a,out hu+an ,eings than a,out ro,ots. In other 2ords3 I had an idea as to 2hich +athe+atician 2as guilty ,efore I e)er inter)ie2ed the ro,ots. Once I pro)o-ed an asy++etric response in the+3 I si+ply interpreted it in such a 2ay as to place the guilt on the one I already ,elie)ed

to ,e guilty. !he ro,otic response 2as dra+atic enough to ,rea- do2n the guilty +an: +y o2n analysis of hu+an ,eha)ior +ight not ha)e ,een sufficient to do so.I HI a+ curious to -no2 2hat your analysis of hu+an ,eha)ior 2as1I HBehoshaphat3 9. #aneel: thin-3 and you 2on0t ha)e to as-. !here is another point of asy++etry in this tale of +irror i+age ,esides the +atter of true and false. !here is the +atter of the age of the t2o +athe+aticians: one is ?uite old and one is ?uite young.I H>es3 of course3 ,ut 2hat then1I H"hy3 this. I can see a young +an3 flushed 2ith a sudden3 startling and re)olutionary idea3 consulting in the +atter an old +an 2ho+ he has3 fro+ his early student days3 thought of as a de+igod in the field. I can not see an old +an3 rich in honors and used to triu+phs3 co+ing up 2ith a sudden3 startling and re)olutionary idea3 consulting a +an centuries his <unior 2ho+ he is ,ound to thin- of as a young 2hippersnapper or 2hate)er ter+ a Spacer 2ould use. !hen3 too3 if a young +an had the chance3 2ould he try to steal the idea of a re)ered de+igod1 It 2ould ,e unthin-a,le. On the other hand3 an old +an3 conscious of declining po2ers3 +ight 2ell snatch at one last chance of fa+e and consider a ,a,y in the field to ha)e no rights he 2as ,ound to o,ser)e. In short3 it 2as not concei)a,le that Sa,,at steal %u+,oldt0s idea: and fro+ ,oth angles3 #r. %u+,oldt 2as guilty.I 9. #aneel considered that for a long ti+e. !hen he held out his hand. HI +ust lea)e no23 friend Dli<ah. It 2as good to see you. May 2e +eet again soon.I *aley gripped the ro,ot0s hand3 2ar+ly3 HIf you don0t +ind3 9. #aneel3I he said3 Hnot too soon.I