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January-February 1973
WORLDS OF Vol. 21. No.9
SCIENCE Issue 164
ALL NEW
FICTION STORIES
Arnold E. Abramson, Publisher Lester del Rey. Feature Editor

EjlerJakobsson, Editor Theodore Sturgeon. Contributing Editor
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NOVELLA
DEATH AND DESIGNATION
AMONG THE ASADI, Michael Bishop. . . . . . . . . . 4"
NOVELETTE
, THE NEVER GIRL, Michael G. Coney. . . . . . . . . . . . 82
SERIAL (Part II)
THE WIZARD OF ANHARITTE, Colin Kapp · . 109
SHORT STORIES
-CONSTRUCTION SHACK, Clifford D. Simak .. · . 69
t-~··GHOSTS, Robert F~ Young . ... 168
FEATURES
READING ROOM, Lester del Rey . 162
SF CALENDAR . ·. 175
Cover by David A. Hardy

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NOVELLA
These aliens followed a blind god.

Could they endure a stranger's vision"1
~
DEATH AND DESIGNATION/
AMONG THE ASADI
MICHAEL BISHOP
4
5
Being sundry notes for an abor- dergraduate career..-and even on
tive ethnography of the Asadi that last night in base camp on the
of BoskVeld, fourth planet of hostile world of BoskVeld, a planet
the Denebolan system~ as circling the star Denebola, his book
compiled from the journals sang in my head like the forbidd~n
(both private and professional), lyrics of the pygmies' molimo, like
official reports, private cor- the poignant melodies of Bos~
respondence, and tapes ofEgan Veld's moons.
Chaney, cultural xenologist, by A sentimental exercise.
his friend and associate, What good my reading would do
Thomas Benedict. me among the inhabitants of the
Synesthesia Wild, I had no jdea.
Probably none. But I was going out
Preliminaries: reverie and departure there and on the evening before my
From the private journals of departure, the day befor~ my sub-
Egan Chaney: There are no more mersion, I lost myself in the forests
pygmies. Intellectual pygmies of another time-knowing that fpr
perhaps, but no more of those the next several months I would be
small, alert, sway-backed black the waking and wakeful prisoner of
people of necessarily amenable dis- the hominoids who were my sub-
position who lived in the dead-and- jects. We had killed off all the
gone Ituri rain forests-~ people, primitive peoples of Earth., but on
by the way, whom.I do not wish to paradoxical BoskVeld I still had a
sentimentalize (though perhaps 'I job. And when. Benedict turned the
may). Pygmies no longer exist- copter under- those three antique-
they have been dead for centuries. gold moons and flew it back to base
But on the evening before the camp like a crepitating \dragonfly, I
evening when Benedict dropped me knew that I had to pursue that job.
into the singing fronds of the The j~ngle, however, was bleak-
Synesthesi~ Wild under three bitter and strange-and nightmarishly
moons they lived again for me. I real; and all I could think was
spent that last evening in base camp There are no mor~ pygmies, there'
rereading Turnbull's The Forest are no more pygmIes, there are no
People. Dreaming, I .lived with the
people of the Ituri. I .underwent MethOds: a dialogue
nkumbi, the ordeal of circumcision. From the ·professional.. notebooks
I dashed beneath the belly of an of Egan ChQn~y: I was not the first
elephant and jabbed that monstrous Earthman to go among the Asadi,
creature's flesh with my spear. Fi- but I was the fIrst to live with them
nally I took part in the festival of for an extended period of time. The
the molimo with the ancient and first of us to encounter the Asadi
clever BaMbuti. All in aU, J sup- was Oliver Bow Aurm Frasier, the
pose, my reading was a' sentimental man who gave these hominoids
exercise. Turnbull's book had been their nam/e-perh~ps on analogy
the first and most vivid ethnog- with the word Ashanti, the name of
raphy I had encountered in my un- an African people who still exist,
6 IF
but more likely from the old Arabic Denebola has grown fat and cop-
word asDd meaning lion. pery on the eastern horizon.
Oliver Bow· Aurm Frasier had BENEDICT: And you want to be
reported that the Asadi of Bosk- dropped at night?
Veld had no speech~as we under,;. -CHANEY: Yes, to give the noise of
stood this concept, but that at one your copter a chance to fade and be
time they had possessed a "written forgotten and to afford me the. op-
language." He used both these portunity of walking into the Asadi
words loosely, I'm sure, and the clearing with the first morning ar-
anomaly of writing without speech rivals. Just as if I belonged there.
was one that I hoped to throw some . BENEDICT: .Oh, indeed-yes.
light on. In addition, Fra~ier had You'll be very .inconspicuous,
said that an intrepid ethnographer Chaney. You'll be accepted im-
might hope to gain acceptance mediately-even though the Asadi
among the Asadi by a singularly go about naked, have eyes that look
unorthodox stratagel1'.. I will like the murky glass in the bottoms
describe this stratagem by setting of old bottles and boast great
down here an imaginary con- natural collars of silver or tawny
versation that I could have had with fur. Oh, indeed-yes.
Benedict (but didn't). , 'CHANEY: Well, Frasier called the
BENEDICT: Listen, Chaney [I, by stratagem that I ~ope to employ
the way, am Egan Chaney],· what Hacceptance through social invisi-
do you plan on doing after I drop bility." The principle is again a
you all by your lonesome into the simple one. I must feign'the role of
Synesthesia Wild? You aren't an Asadi pariah. This tactic gains.
thinking of using the standard an- me a kind of acceptance because
thropological \ploy, are you? You Asadi mores demand that the
know, marching right into - the pariah's presence be totally
Asadi hamlet and exclaiming, HI ignored. He is outcast not in a
am the Great White God of whom physical sense, but in a psycho-
your legends foretell." logical one. Consequently my-
_ CHANEY: Not exactly. As a mat- presence in the clearing will be a
ter of fact, I'm not going into the negative one, an admission I'll
Asadi clearing until morning. readily make-but in some ways
BENEDICT: Then why the hell do I this negative existence will permit
have to copter you into the Wild in me more latitude df movement and
the middle of the goddamn night? observation than if I were an Asadi
CHANEY: To humor a lovable ec- in good standing.
centric. No, No, Benedict, don't re- BENEDICT: Complicated, Chaney,
vile me. The matter is fairly simple. very complicated. It leaves me with
Frasier said that the Asadi com- two -burning questions. How does
munity clearing is absolutely vacant one go about achieving pariahhood
during the night-not a soul re- and what happens to the anthropol-
mains there between dusk and ogist's crucial role as a gatherer of
sunrise. The community members ~ folk material-songs, cosmologies,
.return to the clearing only when ritual incantations? I mean, won't
DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 7

your "invisibility" deprive you of them during a period of strange
your cherished one-lo-one rela- inactivity and had to content
tionships with those Asadi himself with studying the 'artifacts
members who might be most of an older ·Asadi culture, the re-
informative? mains of a huge winged pagoda in
CHANEY: I'll take your last the Synesthesia Wild. Too, I've
question first. Frasier told us that heard that Frasier didn't really
the Asadi don't ·communicate have the kind of patience that's
through speech. That in itself pretty essential for field work.
well limits me to observation. No BENEDJCT: Just a: minute. Back up
need to' worry about songs or in- a little. Couldn't one of the Asadi
cantations. Their cosmologies I'll be shorn of his mane accidentally1
have to infer from what I see. As He'd be an outcast through no· fault
for their methods of interpersonal of his own, wouldn't he? An arti-\
communication-even should I dis- ficial pariah? . .
cover what these are, I may not be CHAN~Y: It's not very likely.
physically equipped to use them. Frasier reported that ;the Asadi
The Asadi aren't human, Ben.--:. have no nat~ral enemies-that, in
BENEDICT: I'm aware. Fre- fact, the Synesthesia Wild seems to
quently, listening to you, I begin be almost completely devoid of any
to think speechlessness might be a life beyond the Asadi them~elves.
genetically desirable condition. All In any case, the loss of one's collar
right. Enough. What about at- through whatever means is
taining to pariahhood? considered grounds for punishment.
CHANEY: We still don't know very That's the only offense that Frasier
much' about whi~h offenses warrant pretty well confirmed. What the
this extreme punishment. However, others are, as I said, we really don't
we do know how the Asadi distin- know.
guish the outcast from the other BENEDICT: If the jungles are de-
members of the community. void of other life-save inedible bo-
BENEDICT:' How? tanicals-Chaney, what do the
CHA·NEY: They shave the of- poor Asadi live on?
fender's collar of fur. Since all CHANEY: We don't know that
Asadi possess these manes, either.
regardless of sex or age, this BENEDICT: Well, listen, Chaney-
method of distinguishing the pariah wh~t do you plan to live on? I
'is universal and certain. mean, even Malinowski con-
BENEDICT: Then you're already a descended to eat now and again.
pariah? At least, that's what I hear.
CHANEY: I hope so. I just have to CHANEY: That's where you come
remember to shave every day. in, Ben. I'm going to carry in suffi-
Frasier believed that his hair- cient rations to see me through a
lessness-he was nearly bald-was week. But each',week for the next
what allowed him to make those several months you'll have to ·make
few discoveries about the Asadi we a food and supply drop in the place
now ·possess. But he arrived among where you first set me down. I've
8 IF
already picked the spot-I know its End of simulated dialogue on
distance and direction from the initial methods. I suppose .1 have
Asadi clearing. It'll be expensive, made Benedict out to be a much
but the people in base camp-Eisen more inquisitive fellow than he ac-
in particular-have agreed that my tually is. All those well-informed
work is necessary. You won't be questions! In truth, Ben is taciturn
forced to defend the drops. · and sly at once. But when you read
BENEDICT: But why so often? the notes for this ethnography, Ben,
Why once a week? , _ remember that I let you get in one
CHANEY: That's Eisen's idea, not or two unanswered hits at me. Can
mine'. Since I told him I was going. friendship go deeper? As a man
to refuse any sort of contact at all whose life's work involves ac-
during my stay with the Asadi- cepting it multitude of perspectives,
any contact with you people, that I believe I have played you fair,
is-he decided that the weekly drop Ben. __
would be the best way to make Forgive me my trespass.
certain, occasionally, that I'm still
alive. Contact and assimilation
BENEDICT: A weapon, Chaney? I From the private Journals of
CHANEY: No, no' weapons. Egan 'Chaney: Thinking There are
Besides food I~ll take in nothing but no more pygmies there are no more
my notebooks,. a recorder, sOJ.1le pygmies there are no .. " I lay down
reading material and maybe a little beneath a tree that resembled an
something to get me over the oQtsized rubber plant and ,I slept. I
inevitable periods of depression. slept._ without drea~ing-or else I
BENEDICT: ~ radio? In case you had grotesque nightmares that,
need immediate help? \ . upon waking, I suppressed. A wrist
CHANEY: No. I may get ill once or alarm woke me;' The light from
twice, but I'll always have the flares Denebola had begun to coppercoat
.if thin.gs get really bad. Placenol the edges of the leaves in the
and bourbon, too. Nevertheless, I Synesthesia Wild. Still, dawn had
insist on complete separation from not quite ·come. ,The world was
any of the affairs of base camp until silent. I refused to let the Wild dis-
my stay among the Asadi is over. tort my senses. I did not wish Ito cut
BENEDICT: Why a-re you doing: myself on the crimsons. and the
this? I don't mean why did Eisen yellows and the orchid·' blues.
decide we ought to study the Asadi Neither did I have --any desire to
so minutely. I mean, why are you, taste the first slight tr.eacherous
Egan Chan~y, committing yourself breeze nor to hear the dawn
to this ritual sojourn among an detonate behind my retinas.
alien people? There are one or two Therefore I shook, myself awake'
others at base camp who might and began walking. Beyond the
have gone if they had had the brutal need of having to maintain
chance. my direction I paid no attention to
CHANEY: Because. Ben: there are my surroundings. The--' clearing
no more pygmies . .. where the Asadi would soon con-

gregate compelled me toward it. another, came back to me, sought
That fateful place drew me on. confirmation of my essential
Everything else slipped out of my whatness. I could do nothing but
consciousness-blazing sky, moist wait. I waited. My temples pulsed.
earth, singing fronds. Would the Denebola shot poniards of light
Asadi acCept me among them-on through the trees. Hovering,' then
external signs alone--r-as they nega- moving away, averting their murky
tively accept their outcasts? Upon eyes the Asadi-individual by indi-
this hope I had founded nearly six vidual, I noticed-made their de-
months of future activity-not a cision and that first indispensable
whit of my master strategy had I victory was in my grasp:
based on the genuine substance of I was ignored!
this condition. Ex~ernality vs.
substance. It was too late to reverse Xenology: in-the-fteld report
either my aims or the direction 'of Fro"" the. professional tapes of the
my footsteps. Let the doubt die. library of the Third Denebolan
Pattern the sound of your footfalls Expedition: I have been .here two
after the pattern of falling feet- weeks. Last night I picked up the
those falling feet that converge with second of Benedict's food drops. It
-- you upon the clearing where the fo- is fortunate that they come on time,
liage parts and the naked Asadi that they arrive on the precise'coor-
assemble like a convention' of dinates where Benedict first set me
unabashed mutes. I so patterned down. The Asadi do not eat as we
the sounds of my footfalls. d<l -and the Synesthesia Wild pro-
Glimpsed through .rents in the fret- vides me with foodstuffs neither in
work of leaves, an Asadi's flashing the way of edible vegetation nor in
arm. Seen as a shadow among that of small game animals. I can-
other shadows on the ground, the not tolerate the plants. As the bio-
forward-moving image of an chemists in base camp predicted,
Asadi's maned head. The Wild they induce almost immediate
trembled with morning movement. vomiting or their furry bitterness
1 was surrounded by unseen and dissuades me from. swallowing
half-seen communicants, all of us them. There are no animals. The
converging. And then the foliage jungle is alive, but with' writhing
parted and we were together on the fronds and wifh the heat, the steam,
,open jungle floor - the Asadi the" infrasonic vibrancy of continual
clearing, the holy ground perhaps, photosynthesis. Rainwater I can
the unadorned territory /' of drink. Thank God for that, even
gregariousness and communion, though I boil it before truly
the focal point of Asadi life~ The considering it potable.
awesome odor of this life-so much . I ha,ve reached a few purely
milling tife-assailed me. No mat- speculative conclusions about the
ter. I adjusted. Great gray-fleshed Asadi. .
creatures, their heads' heavy "{itb With them nothing is certain,
violent drapings of. . fur, milled nothing is fixed. Their behavior,
about me, turned about one though it l!1ust necessarily have a
10 IF
deep-seated social function, does different from ours, eat wood and
not make sense to me. At this stage, also digest it. How?
I keep telling myself, that's to be Again -I have to speculate. I am
expected. You must persist, you hindered by my lack of detailed
must refuse to be discouraged. knowledge about anything other
Therefore, I extrapolated from my than human beings. Nevertheless,
own condition to theirs. I asked hunkering here on the edge of the
myself, Ilyou can't subsist on what Asadi clearing as the dusk grows
Bosk Veld gives you-how do the more and more ominous, hunkering
Asadi? My observations in this area here and talking into·a microphone
(and for fear of Benedict's kindly (Testing one-two-three, testing,
p
ridicule I hesitate to put it this way) testing), I will offer all you hyper-
have borne fruit, have given me the critical and exacting people in the
intellectual nourishment to combat hard sciences an analogy. A ridicu-
despair. Nothing else on- BoskVeld lous analogy perhaps. If you don't
has offered me consolation. like it I'll undoubtedly defer to your
In answer to the question, What judgment and back off. But just as
do the Asadi eat? 1 can say, quite primitive shamans must attempt to
without fear of contradiction, explain the world in their own
Everything that I do not. They ap- terms, I, Egan Chaney, isolated
pear to be herbivorous. In fact, they from my fellows, must conjure up
go beyond the unsurprising explanations of my own. Here is
consumption of plants: they eat one: I believe that the Asadi digest
wood. Yes, wood. I have seen them wood in the same manner as
strip bark from the rubber trees and Earthly termites-that is, through
ingest it without qualm. I have the aid of bacteria in their
watched them eat pieces of the very intestines, protozoa that break
heart of young saplings, wood of down the cellulose. A symbiosis,
what we would consider a pro- Eisen would say. And let that be a
hibitive" hardness-even for ctea- lesson to us all. It's time that people
tures equipped to process it learned to get along with one
internally. _ another. Bacteria, and Chinamen,
Three days ago I boiled down legumes and pygmies...
several pieces of bark, the sort of This is later. Tonight I have to
bark that I had seen many of the talk, even if it's only to a
young As·adi consume. I boiled it microphone. With the coming of
until the pieces were limply pliable. darkness the Asadi have disap-
I managed to chew the bark for peared again into the jungle and
several semi-profitable minutes I'm alone.
and, finally, tb swallow it. For the first three nights that I
Checking my stool nearly a day was here I, too, returned to the
later ·1 found that this meal had Wild when Denebola .set. I returned
gone. right through me. What, after to the' plac~ where Benedict drop-
all, does bark consist of? Cellulose. ped me, curled up beneath the
Indigestible cellulose. And yet the overhanging palm leaves, slept
Asadi, who possess teeth not much through the night and then joined
DEATH .AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 11

the dawn's inevitable pilgrimage removed from that of any other
back to this clearing. Now I remain member of his species. (This
here through the night. I sleep Qn practice, by the way, runs counter
the clearing's edge, just deep to my experience with every other
enough into the foliage to find social group that I've ever studied.)
shelter. I go back into the jungle On the fourth and fifth nights,
only to retrieve my food drops. then, I was humiliatingly out-
Although the Asadi disapprove of distanced by the objects of my pur-
my behavior, I am an outcast and suit. Nor can I suppose that I'd
they can do nothing to discipline me have any greater success with dif-
away from my unacceptable ferent specimens, since I purposely
conduct without violating their own chose to follow an aged and de-
injunction against acknowledging a crepit-seeming Asadi on the first
pariah's existence. As they depart evening and a small prepubescent
each evening a few of the older' creature on the second." Both tan
Asadi, those with streaks of white with convincing strength, flashed
in their mangy collars, halt momen- into the trees-as if still arboreal by
tarily beside me and breathe with nature-and then flickered from
exaggerated heaviness. They don't my vision.
look at me because that's taboo. All three moons are up, burnt-
But I, in turn, don't look at them- gold and unreal, I'm netted in by
I ignore them as if they were the shadows and my gJ;owing
pariahs. As a result I've been able loneliness. Field conditions, to be
to dispense altogether with. those frank, have never before been quite
senseless and wearying treks in' and so austere for me and I've begun to
.out of· the clearing that ·so ex- wonder if the Asadi were ever in-
hausted me at first. telligent creatures. Maybe I'm
My behavioral studies during·the studying'a variety of Denebolan ba-
day, however, go on unabated. boon. Oliver Bow Aurm Frasier,
To absolve myself of what may though, reported that the Asadi
seem a lack of thoroughness I once had both a written "language"
ought to mention, I suppose, that and a distinctive system of archi-
on my fourth and fifth 'nights here 1 tecture. He didn't bother to tell us
attempted to follow two different how he reached these conclusions-
Asadi specimens into the jungle in but the Synesthesia Wild, I'm
order to determine where they certain, contains many secrets.
slept, how they slept and what occu- Later I'll be more venturesome. But
pied their waking time away from for the present I've got to try to
the clearing. ·1 was unsuccessful in understand those Asadi who are
these attempts. alive today. They're the key to their
When evening comes the Asadi own past. .
disperse. This dispersal is complete. One or two things-final ones-
No two individuals remain before I attempt to sleep.
together, not even the young with First, the eyes of the Asadi. These
their parents. Each Asadi finds a are somewhat as Benedict briefly
place of his own, a place utterly described them in the imaginary
12 IF
dialogue that I composed a week
ago today. That is, like the bottom~
of thick-glassed bottles. Except that
I've noted that the eye really
consists of two parts-a thin ORCHIDS FROM OUR READERS
transparent covering, which is ap-
parently hard, like plastic, and the "OAW Books ha published some of
the best SF I have ...n."
membranous organ of sight that
this covering protects. It's as if each "I greatly enjoy your books...."
Asadi were born wearing a built-in
pair of safety glasses. Frasier's im- "I think, so far. that No.3. The Proba-
pression of their eyes as murky is bility Man, is the best one in the series.
one not wholly supported by Please continue...
,continued observation. What he
saw as umurkiness" probably "I enjoy your books immensely.
resulted from the fact that the eyes Thanks."
of the Asadi, behind the, other lens
"Keep going. Mr. Woliheim. I think you
or cap, are constantly changing may have a hit on your hands."
colors. Sometimes the rapidity with
which a sienna ,replaces an indigo- ..... well-designed and attractive. I
and then a green the sienna, and so admire the variety of both author and
on-makes it difficult for a mere artist. end hope you can keep both
human being to see any particular going:'
color at all-maybe this is the ex-
planation for Frasier's designation " ... your books and your company are
of their eyes as Umurky." I don~t greatl ... keep up the fantastic workl
Lots of luck in the future."
know. I am certain, though, that
this chameleonic quality of the
Asadi's eyes has social significance.
And a second thing~ Despite the
•
complete absence of a discernible FOR JANUARY, we a,. doing our
social order among the Asadi I may very best:
today have witnessed an event of
A TALENT FOR THE INVISIBLE. by,
the first importance to my unsuc- Ron Goulart. Ron certainly has the
cessful, so far, efforts to chart their talent.
group relatioriships. Maybe.
Maybe not. Previously, no real THE LION GAME. by James H.
order at all existed. Dispersal at Schmitz. And Schmitz is 8 lion It it.
night, then congregation in the
morning-if you choose to call that THE BOOK OF FRANK HERBERT
order. But nothing else. Random Need we say more?
milling about during the day, with
PLANET PROBABILITY. By Briln N.
no set times fO,r eating, sex, or their Batl. For the reader who liked THE
habitual bloodless feuds; random PROBABILITY MAN bestl
plunges into the jungle at night.
Upon Denebola's setting no
DEATH AND DE·SIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 13

creature ever heads in the same di- shoulder and manipulated its tiny
rection twice. hands compulsively, tugging at the
What's a humble Earthman to old man's mane, opening and
make of all this? A society held closing them on empty air, then
together by institutionalized anti- tugging again at its protector's griz-
socialness? What happened. today zled collar.
leads me irrevo~ably away from 80th the old man and his beast-
that possibility. like/manlike familiar had a furious
Maybe. unreality. They existed at a
This afternoon an aged Asadi spiritual as well as a physical
whom I had never seen before distance and I noted that the rest of
stumbled into the' clearing. His the Asadi-those who surrounded
mane was grizzled, his face and ignored me on the edge of the
wizened, his hands shriveled, his "communion" ground-behaved
gray body bleached to a filthy not as if ~hey feared these sudden
cream. But so agile was he in the visitors but rather as if they felt a
Synesthesia Wild that no one de- loathsome kinship with them. This
tected his presence until his'incon-' is difficult to express. Bear with me,
gruously clumsy eotry into the Eisen.
clearing. Then everyone fled from Maybe another analogy will help.
him. Unconcerned, he sat down in Let me say that the Asadi
tire center of the Asadi gathering behaved toward their visitors as a
place and folded his long naked fastidious son might .behave toward
legs. By this time all of his kinsmen a father who has contracted veneral
were in the jungle staring back at disease. Ambivalence is all in such
him from the edge' of the clearing. cases. Shame and respect, distance
Only at sunset had I ever before and intimacy, love and loathing.
seen the Asadi desert the clearing But the episode concluded
en masse. Hence my certainty that abruptly when the old man rose
what happened today is of prime from the ground, oblivious to the
importance to my mission here. slow swelling and sedate flapping of
But I haven't yet exhausted the his huri (that's a portmanteau word
strangeness of this old. man's visit. for fury and harpy that I've just
You see, Moses, he came accom- coined) and stalked back into the
panied. And not by another Asadi. Wild, scattering a number of Asadi
He came with a small purplish- in his wake.
black creature perched on his Then everything went back to
shoulder. It resembled a raven, a normal. The clearing filled again
bat and a deformed homunculus all and the ceaseless and senseless
at once. But whereas the old man milling about resumed.
had great round eyes that changed God, it's amazing how lonely
color extremely slowly, if at all, the loneliness can be when the sky
creature on his shoulder had not contains three jagged, nuggetlike
ev~n a pair of empty sockets-it moons and the human being inside
was blind. It lacked any organs of you has involuntarily abdicated to
sight. It sat on the aged Asadi's the essence of that which should
14 IF
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command only your outward life. Hey ha and hey nonny, I'm going
That's a mouthful, isn't it? What I to ·bed. I may not touch my good
mean is that there's a small struggle old Yamag-a mike for a week.
going on between Egan Chaney, the Dear God, look at those moons!
cultural xenologist, and Egan.
Chaney, the quintessential man. No The Asadi clearing: a clarifICation
doubt it's the result more of envi- From the professional journals of
ronmental pressure than of my Egan Chaney: My gr~atest colle-
genetic heritage. giate failing was an inability to or-
That's a little anthropological ganize. I am pursued by that
aJ}usion, Benedict. Don't worry specter even "today. Consequently, a.
about it. You aren't supposed to digression of sorts. In looking over
understand it. these quirkish notes for my formal
But enough. Today's atypical oc- .ethnography, I 'realize that I may
currence has sharpened my appetite have given the student the com-
for ob.servation-it has temporarily pletely false idea that the Asadi
calmed my internal struggle. I'm clearing is a small area of ground,
ready to stay here a year if need be, say, fifteen by fifteen, measuring in
even. though the original plan was meters. Not so. As well as I am
only for six months-because a self able to' "determine there are ap-
divided against its stand .cannot. proximately a thousand Asadi indi-
state. No, it can't. At least, not viduals on hand daily-this figure
without fear of contr·adiction. includes mature adults, the young
DEATH AND "DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 15

and those intermediate betweenage exercise is from Yeats, dear Ben.
and youth. Of course, during all my The substance of the dialogue,
time in the Synesthesia Wild I've however, has almost nothing to do
neyer been completely sure that the with the poem of the same name.
same individuals return to the I wrote this imaginary exchange
clearing each morning. It may be in one of my notebooks while
that some sort of monumental shift waiting out a particularly long
takes place ,in the jungle, one group night on the edge of the Asadi
of Asadi replacing another each clearing (just off the imaginary
day. But I doubt it. The Wild en- thirty-yard-line on the south end of
compasses a finite area, after all, the field, western sideline) and I
and I have learned to recognize a intend for ·no one to 'read it, Ben,
few of the more distinctive Asadi but you. Its lack of objectivity and
(more, on this point later, gentle the conclusions drawn by the par-
reader). A thousand still seems ticipants make it unsuitable for any
about right to me: a thousand gray- sort of appearance in the formal
fleshed creatures strolling, halting, ethnography that I ha~e yet to
bending at the waist and glaring at write.·
one another, eating, participating in But you, Ben, will understand
random sex .acts, grappling like that a scientist is also a man and
wrestlers, obeying no time scheme, may perhaps forgive me. Since even
sequence, or apprehensible ra- futbol fanatics of Century X~· re.;.
tional~. Such activity requires a lit- quired announcers to describe the
tle space. Therefore the reader may action or bino~ulars through wbich
not cheerfully assume that 'the to see it, I herewith provide a pro-
Asadi communion ground is a five- gram. You can't tell the players
by-eight 'mud flat between a Bosk- without a program. The numbers
Veld cyptess and a 'malodorous on the backs of the players'
sump hole. Not at all. Their com- metaphysical jerseys are Self and
munion ground has both size and Soul.
symmetry and the Asadi maintain
it discrete from the encroaching PROGRAM
jungle by their' unremitting daily ·Self = The Cultural Xenologist
activity. I will not quote you dimen- Soul = The Quintessential Man
,
sions, however. I will say only tha~
the clearing has the rectangular Manger(s): Egan Chaney
shape, the characteristic slope -and
the practical roominess of a SELF: This is my eighteenth night
twentieth-century football field. in the Synesthesia Wild.
Pure coincidence, I'm sure. As-
troturf and lime-rendered en'dzones
• Even though we lived only 'a building
are conspicuously absent. away from each other in base camp, Chaney
"mailed" me this letter and I received it in
A dialogue of self and soul my postal box for probeship dispatches. We,
From the private correspondence never discussed the "letter" contents.
of Egan Chaney: The title of this Thomas Benedict.
16 IF
SOUL: I've been here forever. But
let that go. What have you learned?
SELF: Most of my observations
lead me to state emphatically that
the Asadi are not fit subjects for
anthropological study. They
manifest no purposeful social
activity. They do not use tools.
They have less social organization
than did most of the ·extinct Earthly
primates.. Only the visit, four da~s
ago, of the old u man" and· hIS-
frightening companion indicates
even a remote possibility that I am
dealing with intelligence. How can I
continue?
SOUL: You will continue out of
comtempt for the revulsion that
daily grows in you. Because the
Asadi are, in fact, intelligent-just
as Oliver Bow Aurm Frasier said
they were.
SELF: But how do I know that,
damn it, how do I know what you
insist is true? Blind acceptance of
Frasier's word?
SOUL: There are signs, Dr.
Chaney. The eyes, for instance. But
even if there weren't any signs
you'd know tltat the Asadi are as A NEW •••ED OF.ANI
intelligent in their own way as you
or I. Wouldn't you, Egan?
IlARnN
SELF: I admit it. Their elusive in- CAIDIN'S
telligence haunts me.
SOUL: No, now you've misstated -
the facts. You've twisted- things
around horribly.
SELF: How? What do you mean?
lID: ~I..-....~
IN THE EXPLOSIVE
TRADInON OF
~OUL: You are not the one who is THE ANDR\IIDA STRAIN
haunted, Egan Chaney, for you're THE TERMINAL MAN
too rational a creature to be the NOW IN PAPIER8ACK FROM
prey- of poltergeist. I am' the WARNEll PAPERBACK LlllRAilY
haunted one, the bedeviled one, the .1.U • (8 '1.2.
one ridden by every insidious spirit
of dou.bt and revulsion.
SELF: Revulsion? You've used

that word twice. Why do you insist protect~ me from the rain much
upon it? What does it mean? better than did the porous roof of
SOUL: That I hate the Asadi. I the forest. I've been here twenty-
despise' their every culturally sig- two days. My flesh has mildewed.
nificant-or insignificani-act. Beneath this mildewed flesh my
They curdle my. essence with their muscles crawl like the evil snakes
very alienness. And because affect that BoskVeld doesn't possess. I
me so you, too, Dr. Chaney, hate am saturated with Denebola's
them-for you are simply the. civi- garish light. I am Gulliver among
lized veneer on my primordial the Yahoos and even my own fa-
responses to the world. You are miliar voice speaking into this fa-
haunted not by the Asadi, friend, miliar little recorder doesn't
but by me. comfort me.
SELF: While you in turn are This, however, isn't what you
haunted by them? Is that how you want to hear.
view it? You want facts. You want my
SOUL: That's how it is. But al- conclusions about the behavior of
though you're aware of my hatred the Asadi. You want evidence that
for the Asadi, you pretend that that we're studying a life form with at
portion of my hatred which seeps least a fundamental degree of the
into you is only a kind of ability to ratiocinate. The Asadi
professional resentment. Y/ou have this ability, I swear it. I know
believe that you resent the Asadi it. But ~n my first week or two here
for destroying your objectivity, my knowledge stemmed almost
your scientific detachment. In truth entirely frQm a hunch, a conviction
this detachment does not exist. You with no empirical basis.
feel the same powerful revulsion for But slowly· the evidence for in-
their alienness that works in me like telligence has begun to accumulate.
a disease, th~. same abiding and Okay. Let me, then, deliver
deep-seated hatred. I haunt you. myself of an in-the-field report as
SELF: With hatred for the Asadi? an objective scientist and forget the
SOUL: Yes. Admit it, Egan. hunches of my mortal self. Some-
Admit that even as a scientist you body in grad school used to say
hate them. that, I'm sure. At any rate, the rest
SELF: No. No, damn you, I won't. of this tape will deal with the daily
-Because we killed the pygmies, life of the Asadi.
everyone of them. How can I say, I . A day in the life of. A typical day
hate the Asadi, I hate the Asadi. .. in the life of.
when we killed every pygmy? Even Except that I'm going to cap my
though, my God, I do. reporting of mundane occurrences
with the account- of an extraordi-
Daily life: in-the-field report nary event that took place just this
From the professional tapes of afternoon. Like Thoreau, I'm going I
the library of the Third Denebolan to compress time to suit my own ar-
Expedition: Once again it's tistic/ scientific purposes. So hang
evening. I've a lean-to now. It on"gang.
18 IF
At dawn the Asadi.return to their other words, patterns exist. And the
football field. For approximately minds that control these chemical
twelve hours they mill about' in the changes carinot be primitive ones.
clearing doing whatever' they care Nor can I believe that the changes
to do. Sexual activity and quirkish in eye color result from involuntary
staring matches are the only sorts reflex. The alterations are willed.
of behavior that can in any way .be They're infinitely complicated.
called "social"-unless you believe Old Oliver Bow Aurm was right.
milling about in a crowd qualifies. I The Asadi have a "language."
'call their daylight way of life Indif- Still, for all the good it does me
ferent Togetherness. they might as well have n9ne. I
But when the Asadi engage in cQntinue to go through each day as
coitus, their indifference dissolves if I were an· amateur naturalist
and gives way to a' brutal charting the activities of the in-
hostility-both partners ~have as habitants of my antfarrn -rather
if they desire to kill the other and than a cultural xenologist at-
-frequently this is nearly the result. ternpting to find 'an ally against the
(I haven't yet witnessed the birth of monumental wilderness of space.
,an Asadi, in case you're wondering. One day is agonizingly like another.
May~ the beari'!J o~ yo~ng occurs And I can't blame my pariahhood,
only In the Synesthesia Wlld, the fe- for the only things even a well-
male self-exiled and _unattended. I adjusted Asadi may participate in
can't yet say for certain.) As forthe are sex and staring. It doesn't pain
staring matches, th-ey're of brief du-
ration and involve fierce gesticu-
lation and mane-shaking. In thest\
head-to-head confrontations the Startling evidence
eyes change color with astonishing thai modem science
rapidity, flashing through the entire
visible spectrum-and maybe be- confirms the reality
yond-in a matter of seconds. of telepathy,
I'm now prepared to say that
these instantaneous changes of eye clairvoyance,
color are the J\sadi equivalent of precognition, and
speech. I'm sure that you, Eisen, psychokinesis
would have ventured this theory
much sooner than I have, had you THIlROOTS 011
been here-but I'm uneasy about COINCIDBICI!
the biological aspects of any An excursion Into
cultural study and must go slow. Parapsychology
Three weeks of observation have fi- by·ARTHUR KOD11.IR
nally convinced me that the ad- 15.15, now at ~r
booUtore
versaries in these staring matches
control the internal chemical
changes that trigger the changes in
'::=Mtfi
the succeeding hues of their eyes. In

me overmuch to be outcast from alone a disturbing one. Disturbing
participation in these. To some and depressing. After all, I've been
extent, I'm not much more of a eating alone for over three weeks
pariah than any of these creatures. now, and I long to sit down in the
We're all outcast from life's feast, communal mess with Benedict and
so to speak, with no bridge clubs, Eisen, Morrell and Jonathan, and
Saturday-night dances or home- everyon~ else at base camp. My
study groups to enliven our lives. training in strange folk ways and
Unlike every other society I've alien cultural patterns hasn't
ever seen or read about, the Asadi weaned me away from this longing.
don't even have any meaningful As a result, I've watched with
communal gatherings, any festivals interest, and a complete lack of
of solidarity, any unique rituals of comprehension, the Asadi sitting
group consciousness. They don't apart from their fellows and pri-
even have families. The individual vately feeding-sucking on roots,
is the basic unit of their "society." chewing up leaves, and, as I
What they have done, in fact,. is to reported a week ago, actually
institutionalize the processes of consuming the bark and heartwood
alienation. Their dispersal at dusk of the trees. But doing so alone,
simply translates into physical apart, as a seemingly necessary
distance the incohesiveness by exercise in isolation.
which they live during the day. And Today this changed.
have we not learned over long At the beginning of the hour be-
centuries that such alienation is fore the fall of dusk, the old man
soul-destroying? How do the Asadi staggered into the clearing under
continue to live as a people? For the burden of something damnably
that matter, why do they do so? heavily. I was aware of the commo-
But enough questions. As I men· tion at once. Like last time, every
tioned earlier, something out of the one of the Asadi fled from the floor
ordinary happened today. It hap- of the assembly ground to the edge
pened this afternoon. (It's still hap- of the jungle. I observed from· my
pening, I guess.) And ~lthough this lean-to. My heart, dear Ben,
occurrence poses more questions thrumped like a toad in a jar. I had
than it answers, it has rescued me wondered if the enigmatic old boy
from the vitiating sameness of would ever return and now he was
Asadi daily life. As before, this back. The huri on his ,shoulder
strange event involves the old man scarcely moved-it appeared
who appeared in the clearing over a· bloated and insentient, a rubber
week ago. Him and with him, of doll without a trace of life. During
course, the blind reptilian creature the whole of the old man's visit it
perched on his shoulder like a remained in this virtually comatose
curse-the hurL state, upright but unmoving.
Until today I'd never seen two The aged Asadi (whom I've
Asadi eat together. As an begun to regard as some sort of
Earthman from a we~~n back- aloof and mysterious chieftain)
ground, I find the practice of eating paused in the center of the clearing,
20 IF
looked about him and then strug- upon the carcass and all about the
gled to remove the burden from his fringes of the ~learing the females"
back. It was slung over his sho~lder and the young made tentative
blades by means of two narrow movements out of the shadows. I
straps. had to leave my lean-to to see what
Straps, Eisen: S-T-R-A-P-S. was going on. And ultimately I
Can you understand how I felt? couldn't see anything but bodies
Nor did the nature of the burden it- and manes and animated discord.
self cause my wonder to fade. For, Before most of the Asadi were
you see, "what the old man was aware, Denebola had set.
lowering to the ground was the rich, Awareness grew, beginning with
brownish-red carcass of an animal. the females and the young on the
The meat glistened with the falling edges of the clearing and then
light of Denebola and its own burning inward like a grass fire.
internal vibrancy. The meat had The first individuals to become
been dressed, Eisen, it had been aware flashed into the Wild. Others
preapred and the old man was followed. Eventually, in.a matter of
bringing it to the clearing as an of- only seconds, even the strongest
fering to his people. males raised their bloody s~outs to
He set the carcass on the dusty the sky and scented their predic-
assembly floor and withdrew the ament. Then they bounded toward
straps from the incisions in the the trees, disappearing in in-
meat. Then he stood back five or numerable directions-like the
six steps. Slowly a few of the adult ~ying light itself.
males began to stalk back into. the But here is the strange part. The
clearing. They approached the old old man didn't follow his people
man's offering with diffident steps, back into the Synesthesia Wild.
like thieves in darkened rooms. I He's sitting out there in the
noticed' that their eyes were fu- clearing right now.
riously changing colors-they were When all the Asadi had fled he
speaking to one another with the found the precise spot where he had
urgency of'a hundred electric kalei- placed his" offering, hunkered down,
doscopes. lowered his buttocks, crossed his
All but the old man who had legs, and assumed sole ownership of
brought the offering. I could see that sacred piece of stained ground.
him standing away from the meat I can see hiJ;ll out there now, damn
and his eyes-like unpainted china it. The moons of BoskVeld throw
saucers-were the color of dull his shadow in three different direc-
clay. tions and the huri on his shoulder
His -eyes didn't alter even when has begun to move a little, rustling
several of the Asadi males fell upon its wings and nodding its blind
the m"eat and began ripping away head.
beautifully veined hunks, silently This is the first night since I came
pushing and elbowing and clawing here that I haven't been alone and
at one another. Then more and -I don't like it. No, indeed,
more of the Asadi males descended fellows, I don't like it at all.

PersOaal in,oI,ement: The Bachelor They sat on the stained ground.
From the private notebooks of When twilight came on that second
Egan Chaney: My meetings of The day they departed with all the rest.
Bachelor, as I called him almost I' despaired. How many days.
from the begioning, represented an would I have· to suffer through be~
unprecedented breakthrough. It fore something else unusual oc-
came on my 29th day in the field- cured? Would I spend the next five
although, actually I had noticed months watching the Asadi engage
him for the first time three days in brutal sex and senseless staring
prior to his resolute approach and matches?
shy touching of my face. That But on my 26th day, on the edge
touch, which I permitted solely out of the clearing in the Synesthesia
of respect for Mother SClence, Wild, I saw The Bachelor. As far as
frightened me more than anything I know I saw him for the first time.
else that had happened to me in the Certainly, if I had eyer seen him be.-
Wild. As far removed from a threat fore I had paid no attention. This
as a woman's kiss, that touch anomalous event again broke the
frightened me more than the first tedium for me-even though I
appearance of the old chieftain, didn't then fully understand what
more than the nightmare shape of was happening. I knew only that
the huri, more even than the chaos the endless shuffiing back and forth
of rending and eating that followed of the Asadi had given way momen-
the old man's gift of the flame- tarily to .an instant of almost pure
bright carcass. I had been alone for communion.
weeks. Now, without much The Bachelor was a completely
preamble, one of the Asadi had unprepossessing specimen.
chosen to acknowledge my presence I judged )lim to be three or four
by touching me. Touching me! years beyond Asadi adolescence.
I must back up a bit. I must back Gray-fleshed and gaunt, he had a·
up to the night that the Asadi patc~y silver-blue mane of so little
chieftain, against all custom, stayed length that the others surely
-in the clearing. My first realization considered him a virtual outcast. In
that he intended to stay was' fact, in all the time I knew'him he
another moment of minor terror, never once took part in either coitus
I'll confess, but the implications of or the ritualized staring of the full-
his remaining overrode my fear. maned Asadi. When I first felt his
Wakeful and attentive, I sat up to eyes upon me The Bachelor was on
study his every movement and to my imaginary twenty-yard line,
record anything that might con- looking toward my lean-to from a
ceivably be construed as significant. pocket of his ceaselessly moving
The old man didn't move. The brethren. He had chosen me to
huri grew restive as the night stare at. The fact that he' did not
progressed, but it didn't leave the receive a cuffing for violating th~
old man's shoulder. The pair of one heretofore inviolable Asadi
them stayed in the clearing all that taboo confirmed for me the negligi-
night .and all the following day. bility of his tribal status. It was he
22 IF
and I who were brethren, not he the result of diseased or paralyzed
and the creature.s whom he geneti- vocal cords. Instead I decided that
cally resembled. The Bachelor was stupid. I'm -still
But in one extremely salient par- not entirely certain that this initial
ticular he didn't resemble the vast judgment was not cor~ect.
majority of Asadi. His eyes; his "Come on over here," I said
hard, emotion-veiling eyes. These again. "It doesn't bother me that
were exactly like the old you're mentally deficient."
chieftain's-translucent but empty, The Bachelor continued to stare.
enameled but colorless.. fired in the He didn't approach. The distance
oven of his mother's womb but brit- between us measured almost- thirty
tle like sun-baked clay. Never did meters and occasionally a roving
The Bachelor's eyes flash through Asadi would intervene, its body
the rainbow spectrum as did th~ blocking our vision.
prismatic eyes of his comrades. -"Even if you had a thumbnail for
They remained clayey and cold, a a brain," I mumbled, "you
shade 'or two lighter than his flesh. wouldn't be at a terrible disad-
And it was with these eyes, on my vantage among this crew, old boy. I
26th day in the field, that The haven't seen anyone but the old
Bachelor took my measur.e. The chieftain even attempt to lest theit:
noonday heat held us in a shim- intelligence. And untested in-
mering mirage, our gazes locked. telligence, like a cloistered virtue,
"Well," I shouted, "don't just isn't worth a-" I used an ancient
stand there making faces. Come and revered obscenity. The singing
over here where we can talk." fronds of the Synesthesia Wild did
My voice had no effect on the not censure me for so saying. Some
teeming Asadi-it had no effect on forty-odd light-years and' a half-
The Bachelor. His posture un- dozen or so centuries had invested
changed, he regarded me with no the word with a mystic respecta-
more--;-and no less-interest than bility and I was too tired to be. more
before. Of course, he could not profane. '
"talk" with me. My human eyes The Bachelor didn't respond to
don't even have the virtuosity of my inaudible cynicism. He stared at
traffic lights-and since The me for the rest of the afternoon. I
Bachelor's never changed color, he tried to occupy myself with note-
couldn't even communicate with his tak.ing, then with a lunch of some of
own kind. the rations Benedict had dropped
He was, for "all intents and pur- and finally with cursory observa-
poses, a mute. tions of· other Asadi. Anything to
But when I called out to him, I avoid that implacable gaze. It was'
believed that his dead eyes indi- almost a relief when dusk fell. But
cated a complete lack of in- that evening my excitement grew
telligence. It did not then occur to and I realized that something
me that they might be the extern411 monumental had happened-I had
sign of.a physical handicap, just as been acknowledged.
dumbness in human beings may be The next day The Bachelor paid

me little heed. He wandered The sun burned the morning
forlornly in and out of the slow aim- away and at last I found The
less files of his aimless kindred, a Bachelor.
lanky gray clown unheeded by Undoubtedly he had had" me in
everyone but me. I was disap- his sight all that morning-but,
po"inted that The Bachelor did not m·oving with circumspection among
demonstrate the same interest in his fellows, he had not permitted
me that he had shown the day be- me to see him. I had fretted over his
fore. apparent absence.
On the 28th day he resumed his Then Denebola was directly"
shameless staring and ·1 was overhead and The Bachelor
gratified. He followed a procedure threaded his way through a
different from his stationary dissolving clump.- of bodies and
strategy of the first day-he moved stopped' not -fiv~ yards from me,
tirelessly about the I clearing, atremble with his own daring. I,
weaving in and out of the clusters of too, trembled. I feared that at any"
Asadi, but always staying close . moment The Bachelor would fall
enough to the western sideline to be upon and devour me-instead he
able to see me. His eyes remained steeled himself to the task he had
as dead as the insides of two oyster set and began his approach. I stood
shells. my ground. The gray head, the
I felt better the foilowing, patchy silver-blue mane, the twin
morning, the morning of the 29th carapaces of his. eyes-all moved
day-something was happening. toward me. Then the long gray arm
The light from glowering Denebola rose toward my face and the
seemed softer, the tropic .heat less humanoid hand touched the
debilitating. I left my lean-to and depression under my botton lip,
went out on the assembly ground. touched the most recent of my
Bathed in the pastel emptiness of shaving cuts, touched me without
dawn, I stood there as the Asadi clumsiness or malice.
came flying through the tendrils And I winced.
and fronds of the Synesthesia Wild
to begin another day of Indifferent A running chronology: weeks pass
Togetherness. Their bodies broke Day 29: After achieving this
through the "green veils on the unusual one-to-one contact with the
clearing's .edge like a thousand Asadi native (hereafter referred to
swimmers diving into a spring and as The Bachelor) I did my best to
soon I was surrounded. Surrounded find some method of meaningful
but ignored. Great ugly heads with communication. " Nothing worked.
silver or blue or clay-white or tawny Not words, of course. Not hand
manes bobbed around me, graceless signals. Not signs "in the dirt. Not
and unsynchronized. And above us even awkward charades. Never-
the sky of BoskVeld stretched out theless" The Bachelor could
into the attenuated vastness of a not be dissuaded from following .me
universe infinitely less caring than about. once when I left the clearing
even those dancing heads. for lunch he very nearly followed
24 IF
me into my lean-to. I was almost terns, is itself the one significant
surprised when, at the fall of dusk, and on-going ritual of their species.
he left with the others-he had been Formerly I had been looking for
so doggedly faithful all afternoon. several minor rituals to help me ex-
Despite this desertion I'm excited plain their society-it may. be that
about my work again. Tomorrow they are the ritual. As the poet
seems a hundred years off and I asked, uHow tell the ·dancer from
can't believe that I ever thought the dance?" But having formulated
seriously about scrapping the first this. new and brilliant hypothesis
painful returns from my presence about the Asadi I'm still left with
here. the question: What is the signifi-
cance of the ritual that the Asadi
Day 35: Nothing. Nothing at all. themselves .are? An existential
The Bachelor continues to follow query, of course. Maybe my illness
,me around, never any more than has made me think this way.
eight or nine paces away-his devo- Maybe I'm going melodramatically
tion is such that I can't urinate insane.
without his standing guard at my. The Bachelor Slits cross-legged in
back. He must think that he's found the dripping, stealJ1-silvered foliage
an ally against the indifference. of about five yards from my lean-to.
the others, but what his listless de- His mane clings to. his -skull and
votion gains for either of us, I can't shoulders like so many tufts of mat-
say. All I know is that l've begun to ted, cottony mold. Thought he's
tire of his attentions, just as he been dogging my footsteps for
seems to have tired of the eleven days now, I haven't been
monotonous routine that he will able to induce him to enter this
not, for anything, abandon... Life ramshackle shelter. He always sits
in the clearing goes on as always. outside and stares at me from be-
The others ignore us. neath· an umbrella of shining
fronds-even when it's raining. As
Day 40: I am ill. The medicine it is now. His reluctance to come
"Benedict dropped me during an under. a manufactured roof may be
earlier bout with diarrhea is almost significant. If only I could make the
gone. It's raining. As I write this, same sort of breakthrough with two
I'm lying on my pallet in my lean-ro or three others that I've made with
C!!l~ ~~t~hing the Asa!ii slog b~~j( The Bachelor.
and forth across the floor of their
assembly ground. The odor of their Day 46: A tinge of my illness re-
morose gray dampness assaults me mains. ,So does The Bachelor. The
lika a poison, intensifies my nausea. two have begun to get mixed up in
In and out the Asadi go, in and out my mind... Nothing else to report.
and back and forth ... In and out, in and out. Daybreak
I have formulated the interesting and sunset,' sunset and daybreak.
notion that their entire way of life, The Great Shuffie goes on.
in which I have had to· struggle to
see' even one or two significant pat- Day 50: After the Asadi fled into
DEATH AN~D DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 25

the jungle last night, I trudged A typed note on the supply
toward the supply pickup point bundle: "Look, Chaney, you don't
where aenedict leaves my rations of have to insist on 100% nonassocia-
food and medicine each week. The tion with us. You've been gone al-
doses of Placenol that I've been most two months. A conversation
giving myself lately, shooting up or two with genuine hoo-man beans
the stuff like a skidrow junkie won't destroy your - precious
(figuratively speaking, of course), ethnography. Let us drop you a
have gotten bigger and bigger-but radio. You' can use it in the
Eisen, at the outset of this farcical .evenings. I f you want it, send up a
expedition, assured me that- P-nol flare tomorrow night before all
in any quantity is absolutely nonad- three moons have risen and I'll
dictive. What amazes me beyond copter it out to the drop point the
this sufficiently amazing attribute next day. So, how about it, Egan?
of the drug, however, is the fact that Your Friend, Beneficent Ben."
Benedict has been dropping more But of course I don't want a radio.
and more of it each week, providing Part of this business is the suf-
me wit~ a supply almost exactly fering. I knew that before I came
commensurate with my increasing out here. I won't quit until things
consumption. have at last begun to make a little
Or do I use more because they sense.
drop more?
No, of course not. Everything Day 57 (Pre-dawn): I haven't
goes into a computer at base camp. been asleep all night. Yesterday
A program they ran weeks ago eyening, just six or seven hours ago,
probably predicted this completely I went into the jungle to retrieve
predicatable upsurge in my "emo- Benedict's eighth supply drop.
tional" dependency on P-nol. At Another typed note on the bundle:
any rate I'm feeling better. I've "Chaney, you're a pig-headed
begun to function again. ninny. You don't even know how to
While I trudged, a haunting conjug~.te your own firs~ name. It
uneasiness seeped into me fr9m the should have been Ego Instead of"
fluid shadows of the rubber tr.ees. I Egan. I hope you've learned how t9
heard noises. The noises persisted talk Asadi. If you ha~en't I'm
all the way to the drop point-faint, certain that you'll have gone mad
unidentifiable, frightening. Let me by now and ~tarted preaching-
record this quickly: I believe that neopentecostal sermons to the
The Bachelor lurked somewhere trees. What a picture. Send up a
beyond the wide leaves and trailing flare if you want anything. Ben." I
vines where· those noises originated. wouldn't 've thought Ben quite so
Once, in fact, I think I saw his dull sa_rdonically literate.
eyes reflect a little of the sheen of On the way back to the clearing I
the evening's first moon. But he heard noises again. The Synesthesia
never completely revealed himself Wild echoed with the plunging
to me-if, indeed, he was there at grayness of an indistinct form. I am
all. certain (I think) that it was The
·26 IF
Bachelor spying on me, retreating lofty wings of this s"lldden artifact,
clumsily before my pursuit. Yes, then turned, plunged back into the
even with a backpack of new, sup- jungle and raced wildly away, my
plies weighting me down I de- backpack thumping.
termined to follow -these noises, Where was I going? Back to the
these supicious tickings of leaf and assembly ground. Which way to
twig.. And although I never over- run? I didn't have to answer this
took my prey, I was able to keep question. Blindly I moved in the di-
up! It had to be The Bachelor, that rection of the suspicious tickings of
half-seen grayness fleeing before leaf and twig that had resumed
me-none of his fellows would have shortly after I fled the pa--goda. 'The
permitted me so ~uch as a glimpse Bachelor again? I don't know. I saw
of the disturbed .foliage in the wake nothing. But in two hours' time I
of their disappearance. I went had regained the safety of my lean-
deeper and deeper into·· the Wild, lo. . . Now I'm waiting for the
away from the assembly ground. dawn, for the tidal influx of Asadi.
Splotches of moonlight fled across I'm exhilarated and i haven't
the jungle with us. even touched my new supply of Pla-
When, panting, I broke into an cenol.
opening among the trees I all at
once realized that the noises Day 57 (Evening): They're gone
drawing me on had ceased. I was again. But I've witnessed something
alone. Lost, maybe. But filling the important and unsettling. The
cleari,ng, rising against the sky like Bachelor did not arrive this
an Oriental pagoda, there loomed morning with the others. At least he
over me the broad and impervious didn't take up his customary
mass of something built, something position, eight or nine paces behind
made. me. That sort of peripatetic vigi-
The resonances of Time dwarfed .l.ance does not go unnoticed and
me. Thunde,rstruck, I felt panic this morning I missed it. Totally
climbing up the membranous lad- ignored, I wandered through the
der in my throat. My own startled Asadi, looking for The Bachelor.
gasp startled me again.. .It's hard He was nowhete among them.
to accept the fact that I've seen Could he have injuredr himself in
what I've seen. But that pagoda, our midnight chase through 'the
temple, whatever, is actuQ/ly out Wild?
there! Old Oliver Bow Aunn By noon I was both exhausted
studies the ruins of one of these and puzzled-exhausted by my
structures-he learned only that the search and my lack of sleep, puz-
Asadi may have once had a civiliza- zled by The Bachelor's apparent de- ,
tion of·some consequence. From feetion. I came to my lean-to and
this intact pagoda, however, I'll un- lay down. In a little while I had
doubtedly learn things that will fallen asleep, though not soundly.
eclipse even Frasier's discoveries. Tickings of leaf and twig made my
But God knows when ['11 get out eyelids flicker. I dreamed that a
there again. . . I stared up at t~ gray shape came and squatted on

the edge of the clearing about five came out of the crowd on the
yards from where I lay. Like a mute eastern perimeter of the field-she
familiar, the shape watched over gave the stones to the males. With
me..... them the males scraped away the
Kyur-AAAAACCCCC K! last sad mangy tufts. of The
Groans and thrashings about. Bachelor's silver-blue collar. Just as
Thrashings and hackings. The un- they were about to finish, he gave a
derbrush beside my lean-to perfunctory kick that momentarily
crackled beneath the invasion of dislodged one of his tormentors,
several heavy feet. Bludgeoned out then acquiesced in his shame and
of my dream by these sounds, I sat lay on his back staring at Denebola.
up and attempted to reorient myself The entire operation had taken only,
to the world. I saw The Bachelor. I about ten minutes. The three males
saw three of the larger and more sauntered off from their victim-
agile males bear him to the ground and the satisfied spectators, aware
and pinion. him there. They ap- that the barbering was over,
peared to be cooperating in the task strolled liesurely and with all their
of subduing him! former randomness back into the
I watched their actions intently. clearing. Now, of course, they
What they did next confirmed my ignored The Bachelor with a
spur-of-the-moment evaluation. frigidity they had once reserved for
Cooperation it was indeed. The me.
three males, who ignored me with I stood in the center of the
all the contemptuo~.s. elan of clearing waiting for The Bachelor
aristocrats, picked up The Bachelor to get to his feet, the two. of us a
and bore him to the center of the blurred focal point on the slowly
clearing. I followed this party onto revolving wheel of the Asadi Dance
the ~ssembly floor. A~ they had of Indifference. But for a long time
done during the old cheiftain's two he didn't move. His narrow head,
unexpected visits, the Asadi completely shorn, scarred by their
crowded to the sidelines-but they barbering stones (the first tools I
did not disap~ar into the jungle. had seen any of them but the
They remained on the field, buf- chieftain employ), looked un':
feting one another like the "rabid naturally fragile.
spectators at one of those near- I leaned down and offered him
legendary "bowl" games. I was the my hand. A passing Asadi jostled
only individual other than the four me. Accidentally, I think. The
struggling males out in the center of Bachelor rolled to his stomach,
the assembly floor. I looked down rolled again to avoid being stepped
at The Bachelor. His eyes came on, curled into the foetal position-
very close to changing colors, going then unexpectedly sprang out of the
from their usual clay-white to a dust and dodged through a broken
th'in, thin yellow. But I couldn't in- file of his uncaring kinsmen. Did he
terfere.. wish to attain the edge of the Wild?
They shaved his mane. A female Intervening bodies blocked my view
carrying two flat, beveled stones of him, but I suppose he disap-
28 IF
pear~d into "the trees and kept on goda. With a little perserverence it
running. shouldn't be exceedingly difficult to
All extremely interesting, of find, especially since I plan to go
course. What does it signify? My during the day. Unusual things hap-
hypothesis this evening is that the pen so rarely in the Asadi clearing
Asadi have punished The Bachelor that I can afford to be gone from it
for leading me last night, whether for a little while. One day's absence
he did so inadvertently or on pur- should not leave any irreparable
pose, to the ancient pagoda in the gaps in my ethnography. If the
Synesthesi~ Wild. His late arri~al expedition goes well that absence
in the clearing may have been an .In- may provide some heady insights
genuous attempt to forestall this into the ritual of Asadi life.
punishment. I can't think of any I ~ish only that The Bachelor
.other reasons why the Asadi should would return.
have moved to make him even more
of an outcast than he already was. Day 63: Since today was the day
All this ambivalence mystifies of Benedict's ninth scheduled drop I
me. It also convinces me that I decided to make my expedition into
can't permit the monotony of nine- the Wild early this morning. I
tenths of their Udaily life" to would ·be Ukilling two birds," as
becloud my eyes to. the underlying Ben himself might well put it. First:
meaning of it all. Patience, dear I would search for the lost pagoda.
God, is nine-tenths of cultural xe- Second: if I failed to find it I would
nology. And the punishment of salvage some part of the day by
weariness (since I'm discussing picking up my new supplies.
punishments, cruel and otherwise) Therefore, before dawn, off I went.
run"s concurrently with the xe.. The directional instincts of
nologist's term of patience. Con- human beings must have died
sequently and/or hence, I'm going milliennia ago-I got lost. The
to bed~ Wild stirred with an inhuman and
gothic calm that tattered the thin
Day 61: The Bachelor has not fabric of my resourcefulness.
returned. Knowing that he's now Late in the afternoon Benedict's
officially a pariah, he chooses to be' helicopter saved me. It made a
one on his ~own terms. During his series of stuttering circles over the
absence I've been thinking about roof of the jungle-t:lt 'one point I
two things: 1) If the Asadi did. in looked up and saw its undercar-
fact punish The Bachelor because riage hanging so close to the tree
he led me to the pagoda, then they tops that a spy monkey might have
realize full well that I am not been able to leap aboard. I followed
simply a maneless outcast. They the noise of the helicopter to our
know that I'm genetically different, drop point. From there I had no
a creature from elsewhere, and they trouble getting back to the clearing.
consciously wish me to remain ig- Today, then, marks the first day
norant of their past. 2) I would like since I've been in the Wild that I've
to make an expedition to the pa- not seen a single member of the

Asadi. I miss The Bachelor as I pendence in his relations with me.
would miss a prodigal child. I await He continues to follow me about,
each dawn with newly rekindled ex- but less conspicuously and with oc-
pectations. But the entire night lies casional side trips that remove him
before me and the only way to get altogether from my sight. He no
through it is to sleep. longer hunkers beside my lean-to at.
all. A made dwelling-place may put
Day 68: Even though I could not him uncomfortably in mind of the-
justify an excursion on the basis of pagoda to which he led me and for
another drop (the next one is still whose discovery to an outsider he
two days away), I went looking for was publicly humiliated. I find this
the pagoda again. The last four new arrangement a felicitous one,
days have peen informational however. A little privacy' is good for
zeroes. I had to get away from the the soul.
clearing, had to take some kind of
positive action, no matter how Day 85: The note on yesterday's
foolish that action might seem. And supply bundle: "Send up a flare
it was passing foolish-I got lost tomorrow night if you wish to re-
again, terrifyingly so. Green I main in the Wild. Eisen is seriously
creepers coiled about me-the sky considering hauling you out of
disappeared. And this time I knew there. Only a flare will save you.
that Benedict's helicopter would The flare will mean,' 'I'm learning
not fly overhead-not unless I things. Don't remove me from my
could wait another two days for it. work.' No flare will mean either
How~·then, dear diary, did our hero that your st~y has stopped being
get home? Once again, the suspi- profitable or that you've reached
cious tickings of leaf and twig~ I your limit. My personal suggestion,
simply followed them. Now I'm Egan, is that you do nothing, just
back in my lean-to again, confident sit tight and wait for us. Okay?
that The Bachelor is still o~t there Your friend, Ben." I've just sent up
and steadfast in my decision to two goddamn flare~. Day 85 will go
make no more expeditions until I down in cultural-xenological his-
have help. tory as Egan Chaney's personal
Fourth of July.
Day 71: The Bachelor is back!
Day 98,· I~m holding my own
Day 72: Yesterday I could record again. Thirty days ago I made my
nothing but the simple fact of the second excursion into the Wild to
Bachelor's appearance in the find the elusive pagoda. I've
clearing. This evening I'll note only survived almost an entire month
three or four concomitant facts. 'without venturing away from the
The Bachelor still has very little assembly ground.
mane to speak of and the Asadi Most of my time in the clearing
treat him as a total outcast. These has been devoted to noting indi-
last two days he has demonstrated a vidual differences among the Asadi
considerable degree of inde- natives. Since their behavior for the
30 IF
most part manifests a bewildering Today was another drop day. I
uniformity I've necessarily turned didn't go out to retrieve my parcels.
to the observation of their physical Too weary, too bloodless. But I've
characteristics. Even in this area, sworn off Placenol and the at-
however, most differences are more tendant psychological lift has made
apparent than real-I've found few my physical weakness bearable. My
useful discriminators. Size has parcels will be out there tomorrow.
some importance. Tonight I'm going to read Ode-
The ability of the eyes to flash gaard's official report on the Sham-
through the spectrum is another biers of Misery. And then sleep.
discriminator of sorts. But the only Sleep sleep sleep.
Asadi who don't possess this ability
in a complete degree are the old Day 106: Eisen Zwei, the old
chieftain and The Bachelor. chieftain, came back today! In
Nevertheless, I can now recog- thumbing through this notebook. I
nize on sight several Asadi other find that I first saw him enter the
than these prominent two. I've tried clearing exactly ninety days ago.
to give descriptive names to these Has a pattern begun to emerge? If
recognizable individuals. The so, I can't interpret its periodicity. I
smallest adult male in the clearing I don't even know, come to think of
call Turn bull, because his stature it, what sort of life span the Asadi
puts me in mind of Colin Turnbull's have. It might .be that a man would
account of the pygmies of the Ituri. have to stay out here centuries in
A nervous fellow with active hands order to unravel a mere sleeve of
I call Benjy, after Benedict. The old the garment of their existence. God
chieftain continues to exert a forbid.
powerful influence on my thinking. This visit of Eisen Zwei-to
His' name I derived by simple return to the issue at hand-
analogy. Him I call Eisen Zwei. proceeded in a manner identical to
The Bachelor now seems intent that of his first one. He came into
on retaining his anonymity-his the clearing with the huri on his
mane has grown very little since the shoulder, 'sat down, remained
shaving~ I would almost swear that perhaps an hour, then stalked back
he plucks it at night in the Wild, into the Wild. The Asadi, of course.
keeping it short on purpose. Who is fled from him-motivated, per-
to say? These last few days he's haps, more by loathing than fear.
avoided even me; that is, after he How long will I have to wait until
ascertains my \whereabouts in the ole E.Z. returns?
morning and then again in the
evening, as if this simple knowledge Day 110: The behavior of the
suffices to maintain him secure all Asadi-all of the Asadi-has un-
day and then through the un- dergone a very subtle alteration,
certainty of night on BoskVeld. The one I can~t account for. Nothing in
bloom, I suppose, has gone off our my previous association with them
romance. Good. We're both more gives me a basis for evaluating its
comfortable. import. Even after 110 days in the

field I'm a slave to purely human occur infrequently, -with a lone
concepts of ~ausality-behavior Asadi darting nervously out of his :,
changes for certain reasons; not own group, down one of ,these un-, 1
from mere whim. But out here marked c'auseways and into the"
reasons elude me in the same 'way "enemy" camp. Why do they avo'id·"j·
that the Asadi pagoda, about which the center of the clearing? The only ;~
I now only dream, once eluded me. reason my Earthman's mind can "
Let me state what I have ob- settle on is that the clearing's center .~
served. For the last two days every marks that area of fearsome
member of this insane species has ground where an offender has been
taken great pains to avoid stepping -humiliated, blood~ spilled and flesh
into a rather large area in the center consumed. But all these things hap-
of the clearing.' As a result the pened a good- while ago. Why this
Asadi ·have crowded themselves fastidiousness now? Why this sepa-
into .two arbitrary groups at op- ration?
posite ends of the field. These The Bachelor has reacted to it all
"teams" do not comport by climbing, into tile branches of a
themselves in exactly the same way thick-boled tree not ten meters
I
as did the formerly continuous from my lean-to. From dawn to

group. Individuals on both sides of sunset he sits high above his ins-
the silently agreed-upon -No Man's crutable kinsm~n, watching,
'Land exude an air of heightened sleeping, maybe attempting to
nervousness. They crane their heads assess the general mood. At times
about, clutch their arms across he looks in my direction to see what
their chests, sway, suffer near- I make of these new developments.
epileptic paroxysms as they weave I don't make much of them.
in and out, in and out, among their
fellows. Watching them I some- Day 112: It continues, this
times believe that they writhe to the strange bipartite waltz. The dancers
music of an eerie flute played deep have grown even more frantic in.
in the recesses of the jungle. their movements. Anxiety pulses in
Sometimes staring matches will the air like electricity. The Bachelor
take place between individuals on climbs higher into his tree, strug-
'opposite sides of th-e imaginary gling to the topmost branches
chasm. Eyes change color, bodies where his hold is precarious-he'
bend and limbs flail. But neither wedges himself in place. In the last
participant puts a foot inside the three days I can't recall having seen
crucial ring of separation, which is any of the dancers eat-none have
about thirty yards long and al- engaged in sex. Even their staring
most-but not quite-the entire contests have virtually ceased,
width of the clearing. Not quite, though those that do occur are
mind you, because there's a narrow". fierce and protracted. The
.strip of ground on each sideline nonexistent flute that plays in my
through which the two "teams" head has grown stingingly shrill and
may exchange members, one I cannot guess what the end of this
member at a time. These exchanges madness must be. '
32 IF
Day 114: Events culminated meat. The huri's blind hea'd did not
today in a series of bizarre develop- move, but even from where I stood
ments that pose me a conundrum of .I could see its tiny fingers tippling
the first order. What will happen with slow but well-orchestrated
tomorrow? I can't imagine any sort malice. Then this hypnotic rippling
of follow-up to what I raptly ceased and the huri sat there
watched today. looking bloated and dead, a
It began early. Eisen Zwei came plaything for the children of sca-
into the clearing an hour after the brous witches.
arrival of the Asadi. As on his Without a farewell of any sort
second visit, he bore on his back the Eisen Zwei turned and stalked back
dressed-out carcass of an animal. into the Synesthesia Wild. Where
His huri, though once again upright he left the clearing, foliage cl~ttered
on the old man's shoulder, looked from the efforts of several Asadi to
like the work of a rather inept get out of his way.
taxidermist-lopsided, awkwardly Silence fell again.
posed and inanimate. The people in And now no one left the security
the clearing deserted their. two of the assembly -ground's edge to
identically restive groups, fleeing to challenge the huri's ownership of
the jungle around the assembly this new and sorely tempting
ground. I could not help thinking, caicass-despite the fact that I had
How strange, how ironic, that the not seen any of the Asadi take food
force that momentarily reunifies in almost five days. -
the Asadi is a shared loathing. Denebola, fat and mocking,
The Bachelor, half-hidden by crossed a small arc of the sky and
great lacquered leaves and unsteady made haloes dance in a hundred
in the fragile upper branches, inaccessible grottos of the Wild.
leaned out over the clearing's edge An hour passed, and Eisen Zwei
'and gazed down from his empty returned! He had simply left the
clay-white eyes. I clutched the bole huri to guard his first offering. Yes,
of his' tree, surrounded now by the fir~t. For the old chieftain had come
curious, loathing-filled Asadi who back with still another carcass
had crowded into the jungle. They slung across his bony shoulders,
ignored me. Unaware of him, they another dressed-out and flesh-
ignored The Bachelor, too-but 'strapped carcass. He set. it down
together we all watched the beside the other. The huri animated
spectacle proceeding in the Center itself just long enough to shift its
Ring. weight and straddle the two con-
Eisen Zwei lowered the. burden tiguous pjeces of meat. Then the old
from his back. He undid the straps Asadi departed again, just as be-
that had ·held the meat in place. But fore.
now, instead of stepping away ~nd In an hour he returned with a
permitting a few of the braver third piece of meat-but this time
males to advance, he took the near- he entered the clearing from the
unconscious huri from his shoulder west, about twenty yards up from
and set it upon the bleeding lump of my lean-to. I realized that he had

first entered from the east, then carcass he still bore on his back.
from the south. A pattern is Outlined in the dust were two dis-
developing, I thought. Now he'll tinct drag marks, inward-looping
depart once more and reenter from circles that delineated the
the north. After all, even the most chieftain's progress from the
primitive peoples on Earth had as- original resting place of the meat.
cribed mystical characteristics to The coil in the dust of the northern
the four points of the compass and I half of the field was single; that in
was excited by the prospect of my the- southern, double. The Asadi
being able to draw a meaningful ten·sed.
analogy. Eisen Zwei stepped away from
Of course, Eisen Zwei saw fit to the second offering. Deep in his
shatter my hopes by remaining on throat he made a noise that
the assembly floor--:'he did not sounded' like a human being,. a
leave again at all. (In fact, as on my grown. man, trying to fight down a
22nd night in the Wild, he still has sob. This sound, I suppose I should
not left. Under a triangle of copper- add, is the first and so far the only
green moons the old chieftain and example of voiced communi-
his huri squat on the bleak, blood- cation~iscounting involuntary
dampened ground waiting for groans' and a few guttural, growl-
Denebola's first spiderwebbings of like mumblings-that I've 'heard
light.) He made one complete cir- among the Asadi. The huri
cuit around the clearing instead, responded to Eisen Zwei's plaintive
walking counterclockwise from his "sobs"-undoubtedly a signal-by
point of entrance. The huri did not hopping, practically falling, off the
move. . object of its guardianship and then
This done, Eisen Zwei rejoined scrabbling miserably through the
his noxious familiar at midfield. dust toward its master. Its rubbery
Here the second stage' of this new wings dipped, twisted, folded' upon
and puzzling ritual began. Without themselves. (I've almost decided
taking the third carcass from his that· the huri is incapable of flight,
back, E.Z. bent and picked up the that its wings represent an ana-
huri and put it in its accustomed tomical holdover from an earlier
place on his shoulder. Kneeling, he stage of its evolution.) When both
tied straps. through the two pieces Eisen 'Zwei and his wretched huri
of meat over which the huri had had reached their sacred patch of
lcept watch. Next he began to drag ground at midfield the old Asadi
these marbled chunks of brown and picked up the beast and let it close
red slowly through the dirt. He its tiny hands over his discolored
dragged the first into the southern mane.
half of the clearing and set the huri
down once more -as his guardian. The two of them held everyone's
This procedure he duplicated in the attention.
northern half of the clearing, except Then the wizened old chieftain
that here he himself stood guard extended his arms, tilted back his
over the second offering. The final head and, staring directly at the
34 IF
suo, made a shuddering inhalation And, believe it or not, I've only just
of such piteous depth that I thought now realized this. Does it mean
either his lungs would burst or his anything? Sure. (But what?) All
heart break. The clearing echoed eyes upon him, silence steaming out
with his·sob. of the very earth, Eisen Zwei made
At once the Asadi poured out of preparations for the third and final
their hiding places onto the act of today's unanticipated, unex-
assembl~ ground-not simply the pectedly baroque ritual.
adult m·ales, but individuals of He lower~ the burden from his
every sex and age. Even now, back, sat down beside it and-in
however, in the middle of this full view of his benumbed
lunging riot, the population of the tribesman-ate. 'The creature on
.clearing divided into two groups, his shoulder leaned into his mane
each one scrimmaging furiously, in- and I thought that the old chief
tramurally, in' its own cramped plot might feed the huri, give it some-
of earth. Teeth flashed, manes thing for its contribution to the
tossed, bodies crumpled, eyes pin- festivities. He gave it nothing. Inert
wheeled with inarticulate color. The but clinging, the huri did not
hunger of the Asadi, like mid-Au- protes~ this oversight.
gust thunder, made low. sad music An hour passed. Then two. Then
over the Wild. three.
In this hunger neither The By this time I had long since
Bachelor nor I shared. We merely retired to the shade of my lean-to,
watched, he from aloft, I from the emerging at fairly frequent inter-
trembling shadows. vals to check the goings-on in the
It did not take long for the Asadi, clearing. By the second hour the
slashing at one another and some- Asadi had begun to move about
o
times half-maiming themselves, to within their separate territories. By

devour the two carcasses. Perhaps the third hour these territories had
five minutes. Like piranhas, I merged so that I could no longer
thought, quick, voracious, brutal. distinguish the two, distinct
And then Eisen Zwei inhaled his "teams" of previous days. The pat-
grief-shot moan and the confusion tern of the Daily Life of my first
ceased. Every lean gray snout l09 days -in the clearing had
turned toward him. The dying went reasserted itself-except that now
off to die alone, if any were in fact - the Asadi moved with incredible
at the point of death. I s'aw no one sluggishness. suspiciously regarding
depart, but neither did I see anyone their chieftain and refusing to en-
prostrate in the dirt-as unlikely as croach upon a rather large un-
it may sound. (Death, like birth, the marked circle c9ntaining him.
Asadi must choose to experience in I decided- that the ritual was
the intimate privacy of the jungle about to conclude. Out among the
and the night-in my months here Asadi, trying to feel ,through my
~'ve not seen 'a single tribesman die pores the prevailing mood, I no-
In the clearing. Illness, accident and ticed that The Bachelor had come
age apparently have no sting here. down out of· his tree. But I didn't

see him in the clearing. All I saw reporter, Egan Chaney, right out
was old E.Z., isolated by a here where the action is, thoroughly
revolving barricade of legs, chewing prepared to give you the latest and
with an expression of stupid pen- most comprehensive coverage of
siveness. The huri flappe4 once or each new development in the
twice as the afternoon p/ogressed, clearing. Unfortunately, Eisen, I
but the old chieftain still did not still do more waiting around than
feed it. adrenelin-powered summaries of-
Finally, sunset. the on-going news. It's four days
The Asadi fled, dispersing as they since your counterpart, Eisen Zwei,
always have-but Eisen Zwei, no stirred things up with his disorderly
doubt as surfeited as a python that three-course banquet.
has just unhinged its lower jaw to Since then, nothing.
admit a fawn, slumped in his place As a consequence, I'm now going
and did not move. to switch hats, doffing my cor-
Now three alien moons dance in respondent's chapeau in favor _of
the sky and I'm left with· one the dignified visor of a senior news
question, the one question that I'm editor. I'm walking. I'm walking
frightened to ask, so stark and self- among the Asadi. They fail to see
evident is its answer: From what me even though I'm just as solid,
sort ofcreature did the old chiefob- just as real, as they are. Even the
tai" and dress out h~ ritual of- ones I've given names to r~fuse to
ferings? Once before I didn't ask grant me the fact of my existence.
this question at all-I couldn't ask I've just walked by Werner. The
it. But now, huddled beneath the configuration of ·his features gives
most insubstantial of roofs, I am him a g~ntle look, like that of a
unable to fend off the terrible rami- Quaker wearing a parka. His
fications of the Asadi way of death. seeming gentleness leads me to the
topic of this commentary-how
Speculations on cannibaUsm: an could a creature of Werner's mien
extemporaneous essay and disposition actually eat the
From the unedited in-the-field flesh of one of his own kind? God
tapes of Egan Chaney: It's a beau- help me if these aliens are sentient,
tiful Bay. Just listen. Let me hold my good base-camp huggers, be-
the microphone out for you-hear cause. I'm walking among canni-
that? Nothing but a thousand pairs ·bals!
of feet (minus six or eight feet, I They encircle me. They ensorcel
suppose) slogging back and fo'rth me. They fill me with a sudden
through a quarter inch of hot dust. dread, an awe such as the awe of
Nothing but that and the soulful _, one's parents that consumes the
respiration of the Asadi and- child who has just learned the secret
somewhere beyond these scarcely of his own conception and birth.
tangible sounds-the stillness of all Exactly thus, my dread of the
BoskVeld.. A beautiful day, just Asadi, my awe of their intimate
beautiful. lives...
And here I am, your roving Turnbull is missing. Do you re-
36 IF
member him? I ~amed him was an editorial, not a news report.
·Turnbull because he was small, like You've got to expect shallow pro-
the pygmies the first Turnbull fundities in these things. Shallow
wrote about. Now I can't find him. profundities and forthright cir-
Since the ritual of Day 114, I've cumlocutions. Okay? I don't want
been through this clearing a to disappoint anyone.
hundred times-from sideline to As a result (if I may continue)
sideline, from' endzone to cannibals are the most inwardly
endzone-searching for him with warring schizophrenics in all of
all the devotion of a father. Little Nature. The dichotomy between
Turnbull, squat and sly, is nowhere the two self-contained personalities
among these indifferent, uncouth shines as clean and coppery as
beings. I'd have found him by now, Denebola at dawn. The pattern of
I know I would. He was my pygmy, indifferent association during the
my little pygmy, and now these day and compulsive scattering at
aloof bastards-these Asadi of night-as they flee from
greater height than Turnbull themselves-lends further cre-
himself possessed-have eaten him! dence, I think, to my interpretation
Eaten him as though he were a of theiI dichotomy of soul. Aft~r
creature of inferior status~a zero all, who is more deluded than the
in a chain of zeroes as long as the cannibal? His every attempt to
diameter of time! May God damn achieve unity with his kind results
them! in a heightened alienation from
himself.
(A lengthy pause during So it is with the Asadi. So it is
which only the shuffling of the with-
Asadi can be heard. ) Damn it, I agree! I'm talking
sense and rubbish 'at the same time.
-I think my shout unsettled -But it's hot out here, and they ig-
some of them. A few of them nore me. They go by, they go by,
flinched. But they don't look at me, revolving about me like so many
these cannibals, because a cannibal motorized pasteboard cut-outs. . .
may not go too far toward acknow- And Turnbull's not among them,
ledging the existence of another of he doesn't revolve anymore, he's
his kind, so uncert~in is his opinion been butchered and consumed.
of himself. A cannibal is always Butchered and consumed, do you
afraid that he'll ascribe more im- hear? With the same indifference
portance to himself than' he de- that we used to poison the Ituri and
~erves, In doing so, .he discovers- rout out the people who lived there.
In a moment of hideous reve- Turnbull's dead, base-camp hug-
lation-where his next meal is gers, and There are no more
coming .from. He always knows pygmies there are no more pygmies
Where it's coming from and he'·s there are no
therefore nearly always afraid.
Yes, yes, I was philosophical, but
The Ritual of Death And Desig-
I told you a moment ago that this
nation
From the final draft of the one
complete section of Egan Chaney's the in-sucking noises were replaced
otherwise unfinished ethnography: by a sp~tic rumbling. As I broke
into the clearing I saw the old man
PART ONE-DEATH. On Day 120 the bent over at the waist, his arms
old chieftain, whom I called Eisen above his head, heaving and again
Zwei, took ill. Because it had heaving until it seemed that he
been several days since he had would soon be vomiting into the
gorged himself during the "feast," dust the very lining of his bowels. I
I then supposed that his sickness turned away, abashed by the sight,
was not related to his earlier but since the Asadi stared on, fas-
internperance. I am still or this cinated, I turned back around to
mind. For five days he had e.aten observe their culture in action. It
nothing, although the rest of the was at that moment, if at no other,
Asadi refused to observe his fast that I earned the Oliver Bow Aurm
and began eating whatever herbs, Frasier Memorial Fillet, which the
roots, flowers, bark and heartwood Academy has since bestowed upon
they could find-just as they had me.*·*
done before their' ritual feast. They The chieft~in's huri flew up from
ignored the old chief and ·the old his shoulder and flapped in the
~hiers huri, much in the way they somnolent air like a small wind-
ignored The Bachelor and me.·· collapsed umbrella. I had never
Eisen Zwei's sickness altered the seen it fly before-I was sl:lrprised
pattern., altered it more violently that it was capable of flight. lts un-
than had his several appearances in gainly flapping excited the already
the clearing. On the afternoon of well-aroused population of the
the first .day of his illne~3 he assembly ground, and together we
abruptly rose from his reserved watched the huri rise above tree
center plot and made the horribly level, circle back over the· clearing,
glottal, in-sucking noises that he and dip threateningly toward the
had used to summon his people to bra&ches of the trees on the
the meat six days before·. clearing's ·western edge. The old
I came running from my lean-to. chief. and his vehement, body-
The Asadi moved away from the wracking convulsions seemed for-
old chieftain, stopped their shuf- gotten. Every pair of color-stalled"
fling and shambling and stared eyes followed the uncertain aerial
from great platterlike eyes, the progress of the hurL It plummeted,
lenses of which had stalled on a noisily flapping, toward that
single color. This delicate stasis pr~cariously forked perch where
reigned for only a moment. Then
.....
·~·This sentence did not appear in the
··Several explanatory footnotes were pro- published fragment. Egan Chaney has never
vided with the published fragment. I wrote received this award, though I believe he de-
the introduction to the fragment, and the served it. According to Academy President
footnotes that foUow this one are all from Isaac Wells, he is not now, nor has he ever
my hand. Thomas Benedict. been, under consideration for the award.
38 IF
/
The Bachelor sometimes se- newest ritual was over, all over.
questered himself. I should mention, however, that
But The Bachelor was not there. I The Bachelor, appeared in the
did not know where he was. mourning throng to select and de-
The huri crashed downward part with some memento .of Eisen
through the branches, caught itself Zwei's illness, just as the others
up, struggled flapping out of the had. He came last, took only a
jungle and returned with blind de- palm-sized morsel and retreated to
votion to the air space over its the clearing's edge. Here he
master. I thought that at last it was climbed into the tree above which
going to feed, that its sole diet the huri had flown its nearly disas-
might well consist of Eisen Zwei's trous mission only minutes before.
vomitings. I expected the starved Until sunset The Bachelor re-
creature to fall upon these-but it mained here, observing and
did not. Somehow it kept itself waiting-as I, as a cultural xe-
aloft, fla'pping-flapping-waiting nologist, must always do.
for the old man to finish. On Days" 121, 122 and 123 Eisen
And when the old chief had com- Zwei continued in his illness and
pletely emptied himself and fallen the Asadi paid him scant attention,
exhausted to his knees, it was not their chief ministrations consisting
the huri that waded into the vile of bringing him water twice a day
pool of vomit but the old man's a..nd refraining from stepping on
shameless compatriots. . ~im. The huri sat by the old
Now I did not even think of chieftain's tlead. It shifted from one
returning to my lean-to. My foot to the other and waited-
curiosity overcame my revulsion smugly, I thought-for its master
and I watched the Asadi carry away to die. It never ate.
. the half-digested mass as if each At night the Asadi deserted their
semi-solid piece were an invaluable dying leader without a glance,
relic. There was no fighting, no el- without a twinge of doubt, and I
bowing, no eye-searing abuse. Each was afraid that he would die while
individual simply picked out his they were gone. Several times,
relic, took it a short distance into looking out at his inert silhouette,
the jungle and d~posited it in some moonlight dripping through th~
bidden place for safe-keeping. fronds, I thought he had died, and a
All during this solemn recessional mild panic assailed me. Did I have
the huri quickened the air with 'its a responsibility to the corpse? Only
heavy wings and an anonymous the responsibility, I decided, to let it
Asadi supported Eisen Zwei by ten- lie and· observe the reactions of the
derly clutching the old chiefs Asadi when they came back. at
mane. When everyone had taken dawn.
away a chunk of regurgitated flesh But the old chief did not die
the chieftain's attendant laid him during any of these nights and on
down out of the sphere of hallowed Day 124 another change occurred.
spew, and the huri descended to Eisen Zwei sat up and stared at
squat by its master's head. This Denebola as it crossed the sky-but

he stared at the angry sun through as Eisen Zwei was stretched fu11-
the spread fingers of both his hands, length on his pallet.
hands he crooked into claws and Each of the groups maintained a
tore impotently through the blur of semblance of its former integrity,
light that Denebola must have but aimless shambling replaced
seemed to him. The huri did not chieftain-watching as the primary
move. As ~lways, it sat smug and activity within each group. Dene- ./
blindly knowing. But the Asadi no- bola, finally free of the old man's
ticed the change in their leader and gaze, fell toward the horizon.
reacted to it. As if his writhing I walked unimpeded through the
dissatisfaction with the sun. were a clearing and bent down over the
clue, they divided into two groups dying chieftain, careful to avoid the
again and fonned attentive semi- huri that watched me from its un-
circles to the north and south of canny, socketle~s face. I shrugged
Eisen Zwei. They watched his off the creature's literally blank
challenge to the sun, his wrestling stare and looked into the genuine
with its livid corona, his tearing at eyes of its master.
its indistinct streamers of gas with I experienced a shock, a physical
gnarled hands. jolt. . \
At noon the old chief rose to his The old man's eyes were burned
feet. He stretched out his arms. out, blackened ·holes in a humanoid
Sobbing, he clawed at the sky, sud- mask. It now made little difference
denly gave up and sank back to his that even before his staring. match
knees. with the sun his eyes had not
Without any sort of visible possessed the Asadi. ability to run
prompting a' pair of Asadi from through the spectrum-for now,
each group went to his aid. They burned out, blackened, they were
lifted him from the ground. Others utterly dead, two char-smoked
on the clearing's edge selected lenses waiting for the old man's
large, lacquered fronds from the body to catch up with their life-
rubber trees and passed these over lessness.
the heads of their comrades to the And then the diffused red light
place where their leader had that signaled sunset in this forested
collapsed. The men supporting region of BoskVeld was pouring . '
Eisen Zwei took these fronds, ar- through the Wild.
r.anged them into a regal pallet and . The clearing emptied.
then placed the fragile body on the Alone with Eisen Zwei and his
bed they had made. huri, I knew that it would be during
For only the second time that I this night that the old man died. I
could. remember the Asadi had tried to find some intimation of life
cooperated to bring about a desired in his blackened eyes, saw none and
end. (The other occasion, of course, withdrew to the cover of the Wild
had been, the shaving. of The and the security of my lean-to. I did
Bachelor's mane.) But, like ancient not sleep. But my worst premoni-
papyrus exposed to the air, their tions betrayed me and in the
cooperation disintegrated as soon morning I looked out to see Eisen
40 IF
Zwei sitting cross-legged on his capturable ray. Or so it seemed.
pallet, the huri once again perched The day was an impressionist
on his shoulder. - painting rendered in flat pastels and
And then the tenuous yellow light d~ll primaries-a paradox.
that marked sunrise and reju- . Then the heads in which the in-
venation on BoskVeld filtered digo eyes so intriguingly reposed
through the jungle. began to rock from side to side, the
The Asadi returned, filled the chin of each Asadi inscribing a
clearing with their lank bodies and small figure eight in the air. The
once again took up their positions heads moved in unison. This went
to the north and the south of the on for an hour or more as the old
dying chieftain. chieftain, as blind as his com-
Day 125 had begun. panion, sat cross-legged on his
And, finally, the ritual that I had pallet, nodding, nodding in the
decided the Asadi were resolved it- monumental morning stillness.
self into a lesser ritual in which they Then, as if they had inscribed
merely participated-the grandest, figure eight's for the requisite Pe-
strangest, and most highly ordered riod, the Asadi broke out of their
ceremony in their culture. I call the separate groups and formed several
events of pay 125, taken as a cumu- concentric rings around the old
lative whole, the Ritual of Death man. They did, so to the same
and Designation. I believe that we lugubrious rhythm. that they had es-
will never fully understand the nar- tablished with their chins; they
rowly "political" life of the Asadi dragged their long bodies into
until we can interpret, with place. The members of each ring
precision, every aspect of, this continued to sway. The inaudible
ritual. Somewhere in the context flute which I had once believed to
of the events of Day 125 lies the be in the Wild had now certainly
meaning of it all. And how terrible been exchanged for an inaudible
to be confronted with an elusive bassoon. Ponderously, the Asadi
truth! swayed. Ponderously, their great
The color of the eyes of every manes undulated with a slow and
Asadi in the clearing (The beautifully orchestrated grief. And
Bachelor's excepted) declined into a The Bachelor (all by himself, just
deep and melancholy indigo. And beyond the outermost ring) swayed
stalled there. The effect of solemn also in cadence with the others.
uniformity struck me as soon as I . Now I was the sole outcast
stepped onto the assembly floor- among this people, for I alone ob-
even though I had intended to look served and did not participate.
first at Eisen Zwei and not at his The rhythmic swaying lasted
mourners. Profound indigo and through the remaining hours of the
absolute ~ silence. So .d~eply forenoon and on toward the ap-
absorbent were the eyes of the proach of evening.
Asadi that Denebola, rising, could I retir~d to my lean-to, but
c~t no glare, could throw out not a thought better of just si~ting there
single dancing, shimmering, un- and climbed the tree in which The
DEATH AND DESIGNATlON AMONGTHE ASADI 41

Bachelor often perched. I forgot stopped swaying, they looked on
about everything but the weird with eyes that gradually fell away
ceremony in the clearing. I did not from indigo toward a paler blue.
~at. I did not desert my station. Eisen Zwei drew a deep breath and
Neither did I worry about my sepa- shook the belligerent huri back and
ration from the members of the forth, up and down, like a bar-
Third Denebolan Expedition in tender mixing a exotic drink. ~
base camp-it was for this But the huri flapped out of his
moment, I instinctively understood, grasp and rose to tree level. I feared
that I had refused any but the most that it would dive upon me in my
essential contacts with other human borrowed perch, but it skirted the
beings. Leaning out over the inside' perimeter of the clearing-
clearing I gave myself up com- dipping, banking, silently cawing..
pletely t'i the hypnotic movements Itsimaginary screams replaced the
of the shaggy-headed players that a distant but just as imaginary
generous universe had permitted bassoon in my consciousness.
me to study. No, thank merciful Meanwhile Eisen Zwei, finding his
God, Egan Chaney had not been hands empty, relaxed and dropped
born too late. back onto his pallet. His body fell
I nodded but I did not sleep. across it sideways, and his burned-
Suddenly Eisen Zwei gave a final out eyes fixed themselves-coinci-
sob, maniacal and heartrending, dentally, I'm sure-on me.
and grabbed the beast that clung The Asadi chieftain was dead. He
with evil tenacity to his mane. He died just at sunset.
seized it with both palsied hands. I' waited for his people to flee into
(This was near the end of the day- the Wild, to leave his brittle corpse
I could feel the last dull rays of in the clearing for' an Earthman's
Denebola caressing my back, astonished scrutiny. They did not
covering me like a threadbare flee. Even though the lethal twilight·
blanket, unevenly warm.) Eisen was guthering about them, they'
Zwei exerted himself to what stayed. The attr~ction of the old
seemed his last reserve of strength one's death outweighed their fear of
and, strangling the huri~ lurched out exposing themselves in an open
of the dust to his feet. The huri flap- place to the mysteries of darkness.
ped, twisted, freed one wing and In my arboreal lookout I realized
flapped harder. The old chief that I had witnessed two things I
squeezed his hands together and at- had never before seen among the
tempted to grind the life out of the Asadi: Death and a universal
creature. He was not successful. failure to repair. What would the
The huri beat the air with its wings, night bring? The, featureless, . un-
beat the chieftain about the face predictable night?
and finally used its tiny hands to
scour fine crimson wounds in Eisen PART TWO: DESIGNATION The
Zwei's withered cheeks and buckled Ritual of Death and Designation
forehead. had passed into its second major
During this struggle the Asadi stage before I truly comprehended
42 IF
that stages existed. I ignored my Almost too late I realized that
hunger. I put away the thought of the Asadi would be out of the f
sleep. clearing and beyond my reach

As I did so the Asadi converged unless I got out of The Bachelor's
upon the old man's corpse and tree. Nearly falling, I scrambled
those of smallest size were permit- down. The twilight glittered with
ted to crowd into the center of the the dust of the departing coJumns,
clearing and lift the dead chieftain and the foliage through which the
above their. heads. The young, the mourners marched gave off a soft
deformed, the weak, and the conge- gauzy glow, .as-if viewed through a
nitally slight of stature formed a photographer's filter. I ran. I found
double column beneath the old that I could keep up with very little
man's outstretched b~dy and. began effort, so cadenced and funereal
moving with him toward _ the was the step of their procession. I
northern endzone. slowed to a walk behind it. -
Arranged in this fashion, they Trudging in the wake of the
forced a startling revelation upon mourners, incorrigibly hangdog in
me-these were the Asadi whose his pariahhood, was The Bachelor.
manes were a similar color and As the huge gray procession snaked
texture, a stringy detergent-scum into the Synesthesia Wild, I noted
beige. But they bore the corpse of that the circumstances of this
Eisen Zwei with uncomplaining ac- march had reversed our roles-now
quiescence. The larger, sleeker I was following him. Three or four
specimens of Asadi (those with steps behind it all, Egan Chaney-
luxuriant silver, silver-blue, or the consummate outsider ri-
golden manes) formed single diculously hoping to learn the door-
columns on each side of their opening arcana of a group that had
lackluster counterparts and excluded him.
together these two units, like water And all the while the twilight glit-
inside a moving pipe,. flowed tered, thickened, reverberated with
toward the north- the footfalls and leaf nudgings of a
-the one direction that Eisen thousand single-minded communi-
Zwei had not entered from on the cants.
day he brought those three dressed- Before we had g\ot completely out
out, provocative carcasses into the of the clearing, I looked around for
clearing. the hurL I saw it flying above that
I recalled that driver ants in part of the procession where its
Africa had used just this sort of master was being borne forward on
tubular alignment when they the shoulders of the smaller Asadi.
wished to move great distances as a Avoiding branches, the huri turned
group, the workers inside the an inadvertent caftwheel in the air,
column, t.he warriors without. And righted itself and landed on Eisen
nothing on that immense dark Zwei's bony cllest. Here, conspic-
continent was more feared than uous above the heads of its
driver ants on the march-with, of master's people, it did a little"
course, the exception of man. preening dance. It looked like an

oil-coated rooster wooing a hen. out of the way. I climbed a tree ·on
Then the column snaked to the the edge of the clearing that fronted
left. The Wild closed off my view of the pagoda. From this vantage
the marchers and darkness began point I watched the proceedings in
drifting in like black confetti. relative safety.
I dogged The Bachelor's foot- Gray forms moved in the deep
steps and waited for a new reve- shadow that the Asadi temple cast.
lation. Suddenly two violently green
How long we trudged through the flames burned in the iron flambeaus
singing fronds, the perfumed on either side of the top step of the
creepers, the blades of blue air, I immense tier of stone steps that led
don't know. Nor will I attempt to to the temple's ornate doorway.
estimate. The two torchlighters-formerly
There in the clearing, rising the moving gray forms-eame back
against the sky like an oriental pa- down the steps. Never before had I
goda, loomed the broad and imper- seen the Asadi make use of fire-
vious mass of something built, this sophisticated use both of flam-
something made. By now all three beaus and a starting agent that I
moon.s were up and the solid black could not even guess at destroyed a
bulk of this structure was spot- multitude of my previous conclu-
lighted in the antique-gold claret sions about them. Meanwhile the
that the three moons together shed. four columns of Asadi had ranged
Even before those of us at the end themselves in parallel files before
of the procession were out of the the stairway of the ancient pagoda
jungle, we could see the lofty, and six beige-maned menials bdre
gemlike wings of this sudden arti- the corpse of Eisen Zwei, n9w an
fact-and I may not have been the uncanny apple-green in the torch-
only one whose first inclination was light, up the broad stone steps to
to flee, to plunge back into the the- stone catafalque before the
nightmare forest. door. Here they set the corpse d9wn
- As we approached, members of and lined up behind it, staring
both the inner and the outer out over thei~ waiting kinsmen,
columns began to sway from side to facing the cruel ambivalence of the
side, marching and swaying at Wild, three on each side of the old
once. The Bachelor's head, in fact, man. I was not accustomed to such
moved in wide arcs and his whole spectacle, such tawdry grandeur,
marchin~ body trembled as if from and I began to think that perhaps
the paroxysms of ague. If he had Placenol did flow in my veins-Pla-
been punished for leading me to this cenol or something more sinister.
place, perhaps he trembled now The moons ·cried out with their
from fear. On the other hand, if the silent mouths. The flambeaus ut-
Asadi wished this temple kept in- tered quick screamings of unsteady
violate, wouldn't they somehow light.
punish me once they discovered my But the ritual did not conclude.
presence? The night drew on-the _moons
I did have the good sense to get rolled and the four files of Asadi
44 IF
tribesmen shuffied in their places. An anarchy. A riot of unharnessed
They pulled at their manes. They irrationality. How could.a vacuum
looked up at the leaf-fringed sky. of "leadership" exist in such an ar-
They looked down at their feet. bitrary melange of unrelated parts?
Some stretched out their hands and Only the pagoda had solidity; only
fought with the tumbling moons the pagoda did not move.
just as Eisen Zwei had wrestled Then, looking up, I saw the old
with Denebola, the sun. But none man's huri floating high above this
left the, clearing, though I felt many disorder, floating. rather than
would have liked to. flailing, a gyrfalcon rather than a
Instead, wrestling with their own pelican. It rode the prismatic, pre-
fears, they waited. The pagoda and dawn breezes with uncommon
the corpse of their chieftain com- grace and skied off so effortlessly
manded them-while I, wedged like that in a moment it had dwindled to
a spike into my tree, was com- a scrap of light, picking up some
manded by their awesome patience. predawn reflection, far beyond the
Then the last of the'three moons fell temple's central spire.
into the farthest jungle of Bosk- Watching it, I grew dizzy.
Veld. The two iron torches guttered Then .the huri folded its wings be-
like spent candles. The Bachelor hind it and plummeted down, diz-
fidgeted. zyingly down, through the roseate
Two vacuums existed. One, the sky. I almost fell. My feet slipped
vacuum in nature between the end through the fork that had supported
of night and the 'beginning of day. me and I was left dangling, arms
The other, the vacuum in the pe- above my head, over one edge of
culiar hierarchy of the Asadi tribal the pagoda's front yard. Th.e
structure, the vacuum that Eisen anxiety-torn communicants were
Zwei had so oddly filled-until his too caught up in their panic to
struggle with the sun and his sub- notice me.
sequent death. Night and death. Meanwhile the huri rocketed'
Two vacuums in search of com- earthward.
pensatory substance. It dived-into the helpless crowd of
Up .in the air, clinging to two Asadi and skimmed along their
willowy tree branches, I made cur- heads and shoulders with its cruel,
sory mental notes in regard to this serrated wings. Dipping in and out,
undoubtedly significant parallel- the huri once again flapped like a
ism. When would dawn break? torn window shade-all its
How would the Asadi designate ephemeral grace was gone, turned
their dead chieftain's successor? to crass exhibitionism (I don't
A commotion in the clearing· know what else to call it) and un-
interrupted these transcendent wieldy flutterings. But the creature
speculations. Looking down, 1 saw did what it sought to do, for in that
that the four neat files of Asadi had predawn dimness 1 could see that it
dissolved into a single disorganized had scarred the faces of several of
mass of milling bodies-as on their the Asadi.
original assembly ground. A chaos. .Nevertheless, a few of the
DEATH ANP DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 45

tribesmen tried to capture the clearing. In front of me were the
huri-while, more reasonably, backs of twenty or thirty Asadi. I
others ducked out of its way, fell to could not see The Bachelor at all,
the ground, clutched their knees, though I could still hear the
crawled between the scrambling churning ofthe huri's wings and the
legs, or threw up their arms to ward newly modulated breathing of the
it off. The huri did not discriminate. tribesmen. Then a figure; insanely
It scarred all of those who got in the rampant, flailing its arms,
way of its bladed wings, whether disrupted the smooth surface of the
they attempted to catch it or to flee. crowd and darted through a quickly
And the eyes of the harassed Asadi closing gap of bodies to my right. I
flashed through their individual knew that The Bachelor had
spectrums. The heat from so many regained his feet and was trying to
changes made the clearing phos- fight off the huri. The two of them
phorescent with shed energy. thrashed their way up the tier of
I caught sight of The Bachelor steps in front of. the temple and
and saw that his eyes had not soon were on the paving beside' the
changed. They were still mute, de- ~atafalque where Eisen Zwei still
void of all intellect or passion. He rested.
stood .apart from his panicked Now I could see as well as
comrades and observed, neither anyone, and there on that sacred,
grappling for nor fleeing from the high place The Bachelor capitu-
huri. As for the noxious beast, it lated to the inevitable.·
flew up, flew down, peformed wob- He went down on his knees,
bly banking movements, and lowered his head, and ceased to
slashed with its terrible pinions at resist. The huri, sensing its victory,
everything living. ~inally it shot up made an air-pummeling circuit over
through the shadow of the pagoda, the body of the dead chieftain. It
wildly flapping, then pitched over sawed devilishly at the faces of the
and dived upon The Bachelor. It corpse-bearers and rippled like dry
flew into his face. It drove him to brown paper. Then it settled on The
the ground and battered him with Bachelor's head. Beating its wings
countless malicious thrashings. for balance, it faced the onlooking
To the last individual the Asadi multitude of Asadi-and me-with
quieted, queued up randomly and blind triumph.
watched this unpredictable de- No one moved, no one breathed,
nouement, the penultimate act in no one acknowledgeclthe dawn as it
their. day-long ritual. It took me a revealed the caustic verdigris
moment to understand. Then I coating the pagoda like an evil
realized: frost-like the rime on the forehead
The Bachelor was the designee, of antiquity.
the chosen one, the chieftain elect. Slowly, after a moment twice as
Somehow it seemed an inevitable ponderous as the pagoda's an-
choice. tiquity, The Bachelor rose to his
, My arms achin~, I dropped from feet. He was draped in his own
the tree onto the floor of the resignation and the invisible garb of
46 IF
an isolation even more pronounced began advancing upon me, hostility
than- that he had suffered as an evident in the rapid blurring of
outcast. c910rs that took place in their eyes.
He was the designee, the chosen Behind me, the Synesthesia Wild. I
one, the chieftain elect. turned to escape into its vegetation.
The huri dropped from The Another small group of Asadi had
Bachelor's head to his shoulder and insinuated themselves into the path
entwined its tiny fingers in/the tufts of -my intended escape-they
of his butchered mane. There it blocked my way.
clung, once again inanimate and Among this group I recognized
scabrous. ' the individual whom I had given the
Now the Ritual of Death and name Benjy. 'Cognizant of nothing
Designation was nearly over and but a vague paternal feeling toward
two of the corpse-bearers on that him, I sought to offer him my hand.
highest tier moved to complete it. His own nervous hand shot out and
They touched the head 'and the feet cuffed me on the ear. I fell. Dirt in
of Eisen Zwei with the tips of the my mouth, gray, faces descending
two great flambeaus, and instantly toward me, I understood that I
the old man's body raged with ought -to be terrified. But I spat out
green fire. The raging flame leaped the dirt-the faces and manes
up the face of the temple as if to retreated as quickly as they had
abet the verdigris in its patient ef- come and my incipient terror
forts to eat the building away. The evaporated like alcohol in a shallow
Bachelor stood almost in the very dish.
blast of this conflagration and I Overhead, a familiar flapping.
feared that he, too, would be I looked up and saw the huri as it
consumed. But he was not. Nor was returned to The Bachelor's
the huri. The fire died, Eisen Zwei outstretched arm. He had released
had utterly disappeared and the the creature upon his fellows in
corpse-bearers came back down the order to save me. This simple
steps and joined the anonymity of action, however, illustrates the
their revitalized people. mind-boggling complexity of the
The Ritual of Death and Desig- relationship between the Asadi
nation had ended. chieftain and his huri. Which of
For the porposes of this ethnog- them rules? Which submits to com-
raphy I will minimize the signfi- mand? I
cance of what then occurred and At that moment I didn't very
report it as briefly as I am able. much care. Denebola had risen and
Several of the Asadi turned and the Asadi had dispersed into the
saw me in the pagoda's clearing. Wild leaving me dwarfed and
They actually looked at me. After humble in the presence of their
having beelJ ignored for over six crumbling pagoda and the reluctant
months I did not know how to react chieftain who stared down from its
to the signal honor of abrupt visi- uppermost tier. Although he re-
bleness. Out of monumental sur- mained aloof, before the day was
prise I returned their stares. They out The Bachelor had led me back

to the original assembly ground- Upon· his return to the original,;
for I would have never found it on assembly ground of the Asadi after,
my own. the Ritual of Death and Desig-.;
The admittedly banal lesson that nation, Chaney stayed two more
I learned from this experience, weeks in the Synesthesia Wild. On
members of the Academy, is that Days 126 and 133 I made supply
even for a cultural xenologist- drops., but, just as Chaney had
perhaps especially for a cultural xe- requested, did not fly over the
nologist-it pays to make friends. clearing in the vain hope ofspotting
him and thereby determining the
Thomas Benedict speaking: a state of his health. It was enough,
brief interpolative note he told me, to verify his robustness
I have put this paper togethe,. out from the fact that each week when I
ofa simple seme ofduty. As one of coptered in his supplies I could note
the few people Egan Chaney that not a scrap of paper from the'
permitted to get close to him, I am previous shipment littered the drop
perhaps the only man who could point. The argument that he was
have undertaken this task. The not the only creature in the Wild
section you have just read- The capable of hauling away the goods
Ritual of Death and Designation~ intended for him impressed Chaney
Chaney wrote in our base-camp in- not at all '
firmary while recuperating from ex- "[ might as well be," he wrote on
posure and a general inability to one of his infrequent notes left in a
reorient himself to the society, of canister at the drop point. "The
human beings-: In one of our con- Asadi have all the initiative of ma-
versations he compared himself to laria victims. More horrible than
Gulliver after his return fro,m the this, friend Ben, is the face-slapping
land of the Houyhnhnms. At any truth that there is no one else in the
rate, ~. beyond Death and Desig- Wild-no one else at all!"
nation Chaney never wrote I am now the sole owner of the
anything'about the Asadifor publi- personal effects of Egan Chaney;
cation, although immediately after these include both his private and
his release from the infirmary I p'ofessional journals, a number of
believe he intended to begin a book unfded "official" reports, a series
about them. of in-the-field tapes and a small bit
As I've already said, then, I un- ofcorrespondence (alluded to in an
dertook this compilation of dis- early footnote). Those records con-
parate notes out of a sense ofduty, cerning the Asadi that I don't own
a two-fold duty.· the first to Egan myself, I have access to as a result
Chaney, who was my friend-the of my assocjation with the Third
second to the vast numbers of Denebolan 'Expedition. 1 tell you
concerned humanity who wish to this ollly because I know for an in-
understand our neighbors on other controvertjb/~ fact- that d~ring his
worlds in order better to under- \ last fourteen days in the Wild,
stand themselves. Chaney's failure either Chaney t!id·nol make a single
need not be our own. entry in a~y· of /tis journals or
48 IF
notebooks or he so completely ef- mute on this subject. In all of his
faced these dubious entries from writings and conversations in those
our material realm that they may as last three months among us he
well never have existed. never mentioned or even alluded to
We have only one complete the sordid adventure ofhis final two
report ofany kind in regard to these nights. I present here a transcript,
last two weeks. It is a tape, a re- somewhat. edited, of the tape in
markable tape, and I believe that question. This final virtuoso section
Chaney would have destroyed it, of our colloboration,· our patch-
too, had we not taken his recorder work ethnography that I call. ..
from him the instant we picked him
ourofthe jungle.
I have listened to this tape many Chaney~s monologue: two nights
times-in its. entirety, I should add, in The Synesthesia Wild "'
since doing so is a feat which few Hello all! What day is it? A day
other men would have the patience like any other day, except YOU
for. Once I attempted to discuss the ARE HERE! Here with me, that
tape with Chaney (this was several is. I'm leading you on an expedi-
days after his release from the· in- tion ... But forgive my initial lie-
firmary, when I believed that he it isn't a day like any other day at
could handle the terror of the ex- all. How often do I lead you on
perience with a degree of ob- expeditions?
jectivity), but he protested that I It's Day 138, I think, and
had imagined the contents. He said yesterday The Bachelor returned to
that he had never recorded the least the clearing-the first time he's
word in the tape's running jlccount been back since the day the huri
of The Bachelor's "-metamor- anointed him, so to speak, with the
phosis?" he asked.· "Is that the fecal salve of chieftainship. I'd al-
word you used?" most given him up. But he carrie
I promptly played the tape for back into the clearing yesterday
him. He listened to (en minutes of afternoon, the huri on his shoulder,
it, then got up and shut it off. His and squatted in the center of the
face had gone unaccountably lean assembly ground just as old Eisen
and bewildered. His hands Zwei 'used to do.' The reaction
trembled. among his Asadi brethren was
uOh, that," he said, not l(Joking identical to the one they' always
at me. "That was all a joke. I made reserved for E.Z. Everybody OUT
it up because there was nothing bet- of the clearing! Everybody OUT! It
ter to do." was old times again, gang, except
uThe sound-effects, too?" I asked that now the actor holding down
incredulously. center stage was a pers.onal friend
Not looking at me, he nodded- of mine-who, by the by, had saved
even thor.gh the circumstance ofhis my life several times. Yes, sir.
pickup belied 'this clumsy expla- After the heat, the boredom, and
nation, exploded it, infa~t, into un- eight or a hun'dred sticky rain-
tenable s~rapnel. Chaney remained falls-my lean-to leaking like a

colander-I couldn't have been see, I don't know where we're going
more gratified. or how long we'll be there. But in
Following the pattern old E.Z. The Bachelor I trust. Up to a point,
established on one of his visits, The at least. My cleverness, though,
Bachelor spent the entire afternoon doesn't consist solely of hauling
in the clearing, all of last night and along some supplies. The backpack
maybe- an· hour or so this morning. also houses my recorder, Morrell's
Then he got up to leave. miniaturized affair, the one that has
I've been following him evet a tape capacity of 240 hours, or, as
since. By the sun it's about noon. Benedict would phrase it, ten solid
Yes, The Bachelor permits me to days of Chaney's uninterrupted bhi-
follow him. Moreover, it's easy. As thering.
you. can tell I'm not even breathing I've rigged it so that my voice will
hard. I'm recording as we walk. If trigger the recording mechanism
this were a terrestrial wood, you whenever I speak' and so that the
could hear birdsong and the chit- absence of my voice for a ten-
terings of insects. As it is, you'll minute period automatically shuts
have to content yourselves with the it off. That's to conserve recording
sounds of my footfalls and the rus.. time-not that I plan on talking for
tlings of leaf and twig... Here's a ten straight days-and to keep ·me
little rustle for you now. from fiddling with buttons when
there might be other things to do.
(The sound of a branch or Of course, I can always go manual
leaf snapping back. General if I have to, countermanding the ex-
background noises ofwind and, clusive lock on my own voice, but
far less audibly, distant running so far none of the Asadi have been
water.) particularly voluble. Only Eisen
Zwei. And his voice would not be
The Bachelor is several yards ahead apt to woo the ladies. Ergo, I'm
of me but you may not be able to once again your reporter in the
hear him-he walks like a stealthy field, your objective observer, your
animal. Pad pad pad. Like that, unbiased eyes.
only softer. J don't care to be -any I've been thinking. Yes, I have,
closer than I am because the huri's too. And what I wouldn't give for a
riding The Bachelor's shoulder, copy of one of the ancient works
clinging to his mane. It is not a win- that no one reads any more- The
some creature, base campers-no, Brothers Karamazov. Surely The
indeed it's not. Since it hasn't any Bachelor is none other than the
eyes you can't tell whether it's Asadi equivalent of Pavel Smerd-
sleeping-or awake and plotting a yakov, the illigitimate son who
thousand villainies. destroys himself out of his in-
That's why I'm happy back here. nate inability to reconcile the spir-
Let me impress you with my itual and the intellectual in his na-
cleverness. (A heavy thump.) That's ture. Such passionate despondency!
my backpack. I've brought provi- He cannot C$cape, nor accept,
sions for three or four days. You the dictum that the individual
50 IF
is responsible for the sins of it's preternaturally cold in here-
all...•••• maybe the. cold has something to do
with it-cold and dead, like no
1 CHANEY (whispering): It's quiet building ever erected in a tropical
in here, as still as the void. And rain forest. No, damn it, even my
though you probably can't believe whispers ech9.
it, I've held my peace for an entire It's nearly dark outside. At least
afternoon. Maybe I said, "Damn!" it was nearly dark twenty minutes
two or three times after scraping ago when we came in through the
my shin or tripping over a partially heavy doors that the Asadi-two
exposed root-but that's all. In weeks past-didn't even open. Now'
here I scarcely feel that it's kosher the moons must be up. Maybe a lit-
to talk, to raise my voice even to tle moonlight falls through the
this hoarse whisper. dome overhead . . . No, no,
Chaney-the light' in here comeS
(Chaney clears his throat. from those three massive globes ilL
There is an echo, a hollow the metal ring suspended several
sound which fades.) feet below the dome. The
Bachelor's climbing toward that
We-the three of us-are inside huge ring, the stairway rises toward
the pagoda, in front of which The it, it looks like a spartan chandelier,
Bachelor became the designated the globes like white-glowing dead-
uleader" of his people. I feel free to flesh lamps ... Listen. Listen to the
talk only because he and the huri light fall .. I~
have gone up a narrow iron
stairway inside this pyramidal (There is no soundfor several
structure . toward the ceiling- minutes, perha~s a slight am-
toward the small open dome from plification of Chaney's breath-
which the exterior spire rises. I can ing. Then his voice descends
see them from here. The stairway conspiratorially. )
spirals up and The Bachelor climbs
it. The huri-no kidding, I'm not Eisen, Eisen, another paradox for
kidding at all-flies up through the you physics majors. I think-I
center of the spiral, staying even don't know, mind you, but I think
with The Bachelor's head-; but I that both the chill and the lu-
can't~absolutely can't-hear its minosity in here originate-ema-
wings flapping. nate, so to speak-from those
. In this place, that's strange. But globes up·there. It's just a feeling I
have. Winter sunlight. The texture
····There follows a totally irrelevant
of the luminosity in here reminds
analysis of the ways in which The Bachelor me of the glow around probeship
resembles the '" naracter of Smerdyakov in ALERT and EVACUATE- signs, a
Dostoyevski's novel. To spare the reader deadly sort of lambel)ce. Just listen.
I've deleted it. I believe that the passage Hear that livid glow, that livid hell-
which follows was recorded approximately sheen? All right, let's move to
six hours later. where we can see.
DEATH AND DESIGNATION'"AMONG THE ASADI 51

(Silence. Rhythmic breath- glass platfor1J1 beneath the chan-
ing. Footfalls echoing hol- delier ring about an hour ago.
lowly offpolished stone.) He's been standing up there like a
Pan-:Olympic diver ever since,
except that he's looking-as far
I'm looking straight up the well as I can tell-at the braided gold
of the stairway. (An echo: Way way plumbline that hangs slightly above
.way way . .. ) C'mon, Egan, keep it him from the temple's dome. He
down, keep it down . . . better, can't qui!e reach it from the plat-
much better. I can see the huri form he's on. Would he like to? I
flapping up there noiselessly-The don't know ... no, he can't reach it.
Bachelor's legs ascending the Not without a trapeze, daringly,
spiral. The staircase seems to ter- could he reach that gilded pen-
minate in a glass platform off to dulum. And then, what for?
one side and just a little below the As the channel announcers on the
suspende4 ring of the "chandelier." telecom operas would say, "Let's
The Bachelor is ascending to this leave Billy Bachelor high atop the
platform-there's nowhere else he Callisto Medcenter, lamenting the
can go. I'm looking up through the lost Lenore, and follow E. G. Chan-
axis of the dome, right up through wick as he goes spelunking through
the chandelier ring. the mysterious satellite's caverns of
Outside, above the dome, is a steel in his .ongoing, bi-weekly
spire pointing up at BoskVeld's endeavor to unravel the Secret of
sky. Inside the dome, depending the Universe."
from its apex, there's a sort of
plumbline-of what looks like (Unsuccessfully stifled snick-
braided gold-that drops down the ers. Resultant echoes. Foot-
central shaft of the pagoda to a falls.)
point ... just about a foot above the
suspended ring. A foot, I think. I'll be your tour guide, base
Can't tell for certain. Been in the campers. Follow me. This pagoda
jungle so long my depth per- seems to be a museum. Or a mauso-
ception's shot-just as the Ituri leum perhaps. At any rate, a
pygmies used to have trouble monument to a dead culture. The
adjusting vision to open savannah. walls around three sides of the bot-
I apologize for the complicated tom of this place are, lined with tall
description of the upper recesses of spindly cabinets, display cases of a
this temple, Qut the arra~gement. is wildly improbable design. Each one
intricate and that's where The consists of fan-shaped shelves that
Bachelor's going. I can make sense fold out from a central axis and
neither of the architecture nor of his lock into place on different levels
intentions ... And my neck's get- from one another. (Chaney blows.)
ting sore, tilted back ... Dust. Dust on everything. But not
2 CHANEY (conversationally, but particularly thick. On the shelves-
still In something of a whisper): ~e the shelves have the fragile warmth
again. The Bachelor re.ached the of mother-of-pearl-are specimens
52 1F
of implements and art work. a match behind it. The rows of
(A click, like stone on stone. these wafers-eassettes, cigarette
Chaney's breathing.) I'm holding a cases, match boxes-whatever you
statue about a foot-and-a-half high. want to call them-begin at about
It represents an Asadi male, full- waist level and go up two or three
maned and virile. But the statue de- feet higher than I can reach. Asadi
picts him with a kind of cape height, I suppose.
around his shoulders and a cruel (Five or six minutes, during
pair of fangs such as the Asadi- which only Chaney's breathing can
those of today, at any rate-don't be heard.) Interesting. I think I've
possess. (Repetition of previous figured this out, Eisen, I want you
sound, followed by a metallic ping.) to pay· attention. I've just un-
Here's an iron knife, with a wooden fastened the carved wingnut from
h~ndle carved so that the top re- the end of one of these narrow silver
sembles some animal's skull. rods and removed the first of
Everything else in the cabinet looks several tiny cassettes hanging from
like a weapon or a heavy tool, the it. Wafer was a serendipitous word
statue's definitely an anomaly here. choice, these little boxes are as thin
I'm going across the chamber- as two or three transistor ternplates
to the wall without any cabinets on welded together. The faces of the
it. (Footfalls. Echoes.) The Flying things are about two inches square.
Asadi Brothers are still up there, I counted fifty of' them 'hanging
more rigid than the statue I just from this one six-inch rod and there
picked up. I'm passing·directly be- are probably three thousand rods
neath them now, directly beneath on this wall. That's about 150,000
the dome, the iron ring, the energy cassettes altogether and this section
globes. the weighted golden cord of the pagoda, more than likely, is
that falls from the dome ... Dizzy just a display area.
... the dimness and the distance up But I want to describe the on.e
there make me dizzy. I've got in my hand. I want to tell
Don't look at them, then, you how it works and maybe-if I
Chaney. Just keep moving- can restrain myself-let you draw
moving toward the opposite wall. your own conclusions. In the center
Through an opening in the lower of this wafer-which does seem to
portion of the helical stairway. be made of some kind of plastic, by
Toward the horn-colored wall on the way-there's an inset circle of
which there are no cabinets, gang, glass with a diameter of less than
just rows upon rows of-damn this half an inch. A bulb or an eye, call
light, this hollowness . . .let me get it. Beneath this eye is a rectangular
closer-of what look like tiny tab, flush with the surface of the
plastic wafers . . .rows of wafers cassette. Above the .bulb, directly.
hung from a ~ouple thousand silver under the hole through which the
rods protruding for about five or six wall rod passes,' is a band con-
inches at right angles from the wall. taining a series of different-colored
The wall's just one big elegant peg- dots, some of the dots touching
board glowing like a fingernail with each other, some not. The spacing
OEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 53

of them probably has signifi- thing to put their screwdrivers to.
cance-or so I'd guess. (A chuckle.) (Musingly) Look at that wall.
And here's how this little cracker Can you imagine the information
box works ...oh, Eisen, don't you on hand here? The level of tech-
wish you were here instead of me? I nology necessary to devise a storage
do, too., I really do . . . It's pur- and retrieval system for a "lan-
posely simple, I think. All you do is guage" that consists of complicated
hold your thumb over the right half spectra patterns? By the way, what
of the tab at the bottom of the do you suppose I was "reading1"
cassette. Then the fireworks begin. I'd guess that the band of colored .
(A pleased laugh; subsequent echo.) dots above the eye is the description
Right now the eye in the center of of the contents. The title, so to
the wafer is flashing through an in- speak. Maybe I was scanning For-
decipherable program of colors. nications and Deflowerings by the
Reds, violets, greens. Greens, sap- Marquis de Asadi. (A chuck/e.) I
phires, pinks. All premeditatedly noticed that my hands had begun to
interlaced with pauses~pregnant sweat while .. the program was run-
pauses, no doubt ... In this dimness ning.
my hands are alternately lit and (Sober again) No, the eyebook-
shadowed by the changing colors. let's call them eyebooks-was the
Beautiful, beautiful. That's just it, first one on that particular. rod.
in fact. The entire system probably Maybe it's their War and Peace,
sacrifices a degree of practicality on their Brothers Karamazov, their
the altar of beauty. Origin of the Species, their Golden
There-I've shut it off. All you Bough. And what the hell have they
do is cover the left half of the con- done with it? Stuck it in a
trol rectangle with your thumb. It crumbling godforsaken temple in
may be possible to reverse the pro- the middle of the Synesthesia Wild
gram-replay it back to a desired and .forgotten about it! What
point, so to speak-but I haven't colossal waste-what colossal ar-
stumbled on the method yet. At rogance!
least I don't think I have. It's . (Shouting) WHERE THE HELL
impossible for me to remember the DO YOU GET OFF DE-
sequences of colors-though it STROYING THE ACCUMU-
probably wasn't a bit difficult for LATED KNOWLEDGE OF
the Asadi who composed, manufac- MILLENNIA? LElTING IT SIT
tured and used these things, UNUSED AND ROTTING!
however long ago that may have
been. (A cacophony of echoes, a
(A thumping noise.) I'm painful ringing.)
pocketing five of these cassettes,
putting them in my backpack. For (A whisper, scarcely audible.)
the greater glory of science. To set That's right, you two, you Bungling
the shirttails of old \ Oliver Bow Brothers aerialists, pretend I don't
Aurm's ~host aflame with envy. So exist. Pretend you can't hear me.
Eisen and Morrell will have some- Ignore the millennia. Ignore your
54 olf·
ancestors whispering to you from mane has thickened considerably,
their deaths. (Venomously) And especially along" his jaws and under
damn you both to hell! his throat, and the new fur cushions
the steadily constricting braid. So
3 CHANEY (in a lifeless monotone): now he's just hanging there. The
I think I slept for a while. I went to dangling man.
sleep under the rows and rows of (Listlessly) A pretty damn
eyebooks. Maybe for an hour. Not interesting development, I suppose.
any more than that. I can tell time At least the huri acts like it's
with the bottoms of my feet-by interesting. The huri's watching "all
the warmth of the depression in the this with either excitement or
backpack where I put my head. agitation, beating its wings spo-
A noise woke me, a ringing of radically and sk ittering to stay atop
iron. Now I'm on the helical the globe it's perched on. (A bump.
stairway high above the museum Unintelligible mumbling.) See if
floor. I'm in a curve of the stairway you can hear it. I'll hold the
a little below and opposite the glass microphone out for you. (Silence,
platform where The Bachelor was vaguely static-filled.) That's it, the
standing. He isn't there anymore. A huri's claws scrabbling on the
moment ago he chinned himself up globe-the sound of The Bachelor's
to the cold ring of the chandelier, feet turning north, north-east, east,
gained his feet and balanced on the south-east, south, south-south
ring, then reached out and grabbed west ...
the plumbline that drops doWn (After almost ten minutes of
from the dome. near-silence) A while ago I saw that
The huri? The huri squats on the The Bachelor had begun to drool. A
globe, in the triangle of globes, thin thread of something milky
pointing toward the front of the glistened on his bottom lip as he
temple-he got off The Bachelor's turned, his feet revolving first to the
shoulder a good while ago. r:ight and then back to the left. I
After grabbing the gold braid saw his mouth working-almost
The Bachelor fashioned a noose like an insect's mouth. The strand
and slipped his neck into it. Then he of drool got longer, it didn't 'drop
swung himself out over the floor so away into the abyss of the stairwell,
that his feet-right now, at this very it kept growing and growing,
moment-are hanging a little below lengthening like a somehow milky
the ring of the chandelier. I'm extension of the gold" plum bline.
watching him hang there, his .feet Now the strand has fallen down
turning, inscribing an invisible "the center of the helix so that it's a
circle inside the larger circle of the little below the place where I'm sit-
globe-set fixture. ting. I can see that it's not a liquid
But he/isn't dead. No, he's not a at all, not any sort of spittle or
bit dead. The noose is canted so vomit. It's a fiber, something spun
that it catches him under the throat from The Bachelor's gut and paid
in the plush of his mane. lil the two out through his mouth. (l!nawed)
weeks since his designation his Beautiful and grotesque at once-

and I'll bet you think I'm drunk or the huri's hanging up there like a
drugged. Making silk out of a bat and still wrapping its master in
souse's fears, so to speak. But I've gut-extruded cable. And the damn
imbibed no· bourbon, laddies, thing's blind, mind you, blind as-a
played with no Placenol-and I dr~nken xenologist. Good boy ~
wish you were sitting on this Chaney.
cramped iron stairway watching I don't know how long it'll take,
this disgusting show, this ritual but in a while The Bachelor will be
unraveling of The Bachelor's in- encased-completely encased, it
nards. Gut-strands. Beautiful and seems-in a murky chrysalis~ The
grotesque gut-strands. huri looks as if it would like to
(Unemotionally) God, but my finish and tie off the job as soon as
patience has been tried ... it can. It's already binding in the
Asadi's hands, pulling thread
(Several more minutes pass. around his thighs, clawing up his
A faint flapping commences, long body inch by inch like a freak-
continues for a while, then ish circus performer. Then The
.ceases.) Bachelor will be nothing but a lop-
sided pupa hanging from a gold
cord inside the loft of his ancestors'
The Bachelor's been paying out rickety barn-I guess. .
silk as if he were made of it. The
"single strand I told you about a (Chaney prunts. Shuffling
while ago, well, it damn near sounds; perhaps the shifting of
reached the floor. Then he started a burden.)
work ing with his hands, reeling it
back in and making his body turn I guess. Don't ask me. I won't
faster in the canted noose. He's watch any more of this foolishness.
wrapping himself in the stuff, like I'm dizzy. I'm fed up with this
an Egyptian king who's decided to nonsense. If I can make it down
be a mummy before he dies. Mean: these steps in this hell-glow I'm
while he makes more and' more going to lie down beside the wall of
·cloudy fhread. eyebooks and go tb sleep. Directly
Guess who's gotten into the act, to sleep.
gang? Right again. The huri flew
off its globe when The Bachelor (Footfalb on the iron steps.
began reeling in his gut strand and Unintelligible mumbling.)
caught up a section of the strand in
its claws. Then, with both its claws Interlude: early afternoon of Day
and hands, flapping in higgledy-zig- 139*****
gledy circles, it covered The CHANEY (speaking conversa-
Bachelor's feet, his .ankles, and his tionally): Hello. I'm talking to
shins. After that it settled on the old Benedict alone now. Ben? Ben,
boy's wrapped feet. Now, its wings you're supposed to make a drop
outspread, its claws probably tomorrow. Your twentieth. .Can
hooked into The Bachelor's flesh, you believe that? I can't either. It
56 iF
doesn't seem like more than ten or Today the pagoda's dead. That's
twelve years tha~ I've been out here. all there is to it: the pagoda's· dead.
Twenty drops. Well, I may not pick And I have the feeling that it won't
up this latest one. Not for a while, come alive again until Denebola
anyway. God knows when The has set and darkness· sits on Bosk-
Bachelor will want to lead me out Veld iike the shadow, the crumpled
of here and back to the clearing. At shado,w, of the huri's wings.
the moment he's occupied. Let me But The Bachelor-the cocoon-
tell you how. you want to know what happened
First, let me tell you what's going to hi~. To it. Again, I don't know
on. I'm standing here by one of the exactly. During the night the
dusty display cases. All its shelves plumbline from which he fashioned
are folded up against the central the noose-the line from which he
axis, like the petals of a flower at then hung out over the pagoda's
night. But it's early afternoon, floor while the huri wrapped him in
Ben-dull light is seeping through the false silk of his own bowels-
the dome. Even so, every c~binet in that golden line, I tell you, has
the place is shut up like a new rose. lengthened and dropped through
Everyone of them. It happened, I the ring of the chandelier so that it's
guess, while I was sleeping. The now only a few feet from the floor.
globes overhead, the three globes in It descended, I suppose, of its own
the chandelier up there-their fires accord. (A chuckle.) I'd estimate
have gone out of them,. they're as that between the floor and the bot-
dead and as mutely mottled as tom of The Bachelor's chrysalis
dinosaur eggs. I don't know exactly there's now only enough space to
when that happened, either. One wedge a small stool. A very' small
other thing-the eyebooks don't footstool ...and now the ungainly
work today.. I've fiddled with pupa hungs in the daylight gloom of
twenty or thirty of them, holding this chamber and turns slowly,
my thumb over the rectangular tab slowly, first to the right, then to the
beneath the eye-but nothing, not left, like the gone-awry pendulum
even two colors in a row, not so in a grandfather clock. That's it,
much as a glirrimer. Ben, brawny Big Ben, this whole
building's just an outsized time-
piece. You can hear Bosk Veld
••••• From the end of the previous section ticking in its orbit-Listen ...
to the beginning of this one Chaney engaged As for the huri, it crouches on the
in a great deal of "irrelevant blathering.'~ I uppermost node of the pupa-the
have deleted it. Altogether, about twelve or point at which the braid breaks
fourteen hours of real time passed, time
dUfing which Chaney also slept and ate. In
through-and rides The Bachelor's
this "Interludeu I have taken the liberty of mummified head as it used to ride
borrowing small s.ections from the deleted his shoulder. Each time the wrap-
passages in order to provide a continuity ped body turns this way I feel that
which would not otherwise exist. For sim- the huri's staring at me, taking my
plicity's sake, these insertions are· not measure. If I had a pistol, rd shoot
marked. the. damn thing-I swear I would.
DEATH "AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 57

Even if it meant that the concussion been eaten away, a milk-blue film
would split the seams of this temple remains. It clings to his features
and send it crashing down on my like a thin hood. It's moist and
ears-every fragile cabinet shat- trem bly and through it. I can see the
tering, every eyebook bursting death mask of his face.
open. So help me, I would-which Ben, Ben, you can't expect me to
is probably why I didn't bring a stay here and watch this. Tell the
pistol, a hand-laser or a light-can- others not to expect that of me. The
non out here in the first place. But bitch-goddess of xenology has
now the little beastie is clawing ner- worked me over too many times al-
vously at the silken membrane, un- ready and I'm ,nauseated with
hinging its wings and shaking their fatigue. With disgust. It's worse
outstretched tips a little-I think, than last night. There's an odor in
gang, we're -going to get some the temple, a smell like excrement
action. Give me a few minutes, just and rot and the discharges of the
a few ... glands-I don't know what ...
(Later) Action, indeed. The huri's
moving in its own catch-as-catch-
can fashion down the swaying l A retching sound. Then a
cocoon that houses The Bachelor. rapid succession of footfalls,
As it moves it peels back pieces of suggestive ofrunlling.)
the membrane, snips them off with
its feet, transfers the pieces to its 4 CHANEY (his voice thin but
greedy hands and eats them. That's genial): We're in the Wild again.
right, eats them. I had been Out in the open. Out among the
wondering what the little bugger singing leaves, the dancing moons,
subsisted on and this apparently is the glittering winds, the humidity is
the answer-it feeds on the husk of horrible. It makes my nose run.
the Asadi chieftain's metamor- But- after spending one sorenecked
phosis, it feeds on the rind of its night in the refrigerated vault of
master's involuntary change. That's that Asadi warehouse-and one
phrasing it a little philosophically, I stomach-turning day in it when it
suppose, but I can't help thinking changed from a warehouse into a
that the huri's eating The charnel house-well, the humidity's
Bachelor's former self. It's crab- a welcome relief. Yes, indeed. Let
walking in a spiral down the my nose fun as it may, where it
cocoon-a spiral that mirrors the may-even though I don't know
great corkscrew of the pagoda's where the hell the face it's running
staircase-and it furiously gobbles on is running to. Actually, we're
up the membrane that it has snip- not running at all. We're moving
ped away. Quite leisurely, t"e Bachelor and me
Tne beast is at the hollow of The and the huri-in no hurry at all.
Bachelor-'s chest and I can see my (Clinically) I feel pretty well now.
old friend's head. I mean that I can The horror of this afternoon has
see the outline of his head-because evaporated. I don't know why it
even though the silken covering has. made me ill. It wasn't that bad,
58 rF
really, I should have stayed and until the sun had set, thinking all.
watched everything.. That's what I the while that I would go back up
came out her-e for. But when the the steps when the darkness was
smell in there got so bad-my complete. I knew that my two
system's been under a strain. I had charming friends couldn't get out·
to get out of there. any other .way, that I wouldn't be
I bolted for the pagoda's en- stranded there alone. At least I
trance, pushed the heavy doors hadn't seen any other doors while I
aside, ran down the tier of steps. was inside. The ancient Asadi ap-
The sunlight increased my parently didn't see any need to
nausea-but I. couldn't go back in- leave themselves a multitude of
side, Ben, so I'm not entirely outs. The end they've come to sup-
certain what the final circum- ports that hypothesis. But before I
stances of The Bachelor's removal could steel myself to reentering the
from the cocoon were. Like a little pagoda-just as the twilight had
boy waiting for the library to open, begun to lose its gloss-The
I sat on the bottom step of the pa- Bachelor appeared on the highest
goda and, held my head in my step.
hands. I was ill. Really ill. It wasn't And came down the steps.
just an emotional thing. But now I And walked right by me. He
feel better and the night-the stars didn't look at me. The huri,
twinkling up there like chipped clinging to his mane, had the co-
ice-seems like my friend. matose appearance that I re-
(Wistfully) I wish I could navi- member it's possessing when Eisen
gate, by those stars-but I can·'t. Zwei came into the Asadi clearing
Their patterns are still unfam iliar for the second time. Now I know
to me . Maybe we·re going back to why it looked so bloated and inca-
the clearing. Maybe I'll be able to pable of movement-it had just in-
pick up tomorrow's drop after all. I gested the old man's pupa, if Eis~n
know I feel well enough now to try. Zwei could have so encased
. The Bachelor is striding ahead of himself. So help me, I sttll haven't
me; the huri's on his shoulder. I figured. this out. I may never figure
know- it out. Anyhow, I noticed only two
small changes in The Bachelor as
(The sound of wind and he stalked past me into the jungle.
leaves corroborates Chaney's First, his mane is now a full-grown
testimony that they are out of collar of fur-still a little damp
doors, out o/the temple.) from the filmy blue substance that
lined the chrysalis. And second, a
-I know, you're wondering what thin cloak of this film stretches
he looks like, what his disposition between The Bachelor's naked
is~ what his metamorphosis accom- shoulderblades and falls in folds to
plished for him. Well, gang, I'm not the small of his back. Probably, it
sure. You see, he looks about the just hasn't dropped away yet.
same. As I said, I didn't go back And that's it. His eyes are still as
into the museum. I waited outside mute, as white, as uncommuni-

cative as they had ever been. 5 CHANEY (whispering): There's
We're in a tunnel, sort of. We've something in the trees ahead of us.
been walking, slipping beneath the A crouched, dark shape. The
vines, about thirty or forty Bachelor just turned on me-he
minutes. A while ago we came upon wouldn't let me approach with him.
a kind of footpath, a beaten trail If I don't stay fairly close, I'll be
that permits us to walk upright- lost out here. Damn you, you
just as if we were in a recreation hulking boonie, I won't let you
park. The only such trail I've seen leave me. We're off the trail. We've
in the Synesthesia Wild, ever. The been off it a good while and the
Bachelor's moving down it easily trees, the vines, the twisted roots-
and once again I'm having no diffi- everything looks the same; one spot
culty keeping up. is like ahother. I'm disobeying the
But I'm lost. bastard. I'm staying close eno~gh
to keep him in sight every second..
(A_considerable pause during He's out there in a ragged hallway
which the sounds of the Wild of leaves moving toward the thing
assert themselves: wind in the tree. I know that it's there be-
through the leaves, distant cause he knows that it's there. It's
water, the soft shushing offeet like a tumor in the branches, a
in the dirt. ) lump to which the moonlight gives
a suspicious fuzziness. You should
(Pensively) All the time I've see the way he's approaching that
spent in the Asadi clearing, all that thing. He's spread his arms out
time watching them amble around wide and is taking one long step at a
and wear down their heels to no time, one long easy step. Like an
purpose-it seems like Centuries adagio S.S. man. The membrane
ago. No kidding, Ben, Eisen. That between his shoulder blades has
time in the clearing just doesn't. opened out, too, so that it makes a
exist right now. Lost as I am, I feel fan-shaped drapery acro~s his back.
like I could follow The Bachelor Shadows shift across it, shadows
down this narrow trail forever. and moonlight . . . What ,a weird
But his metamorphosis~or lack boonie. You should see him. He's a
of it-bothers me. I've been kind of moving, blown.up version
thinking about it. My considered, , of the drunken huri clinging to his
but not necessarily ,considerate, mane. We're closer now. That thing
opinion is that the old chieftain is up there, w·hatever it is, it's either
exactly what he used to be. Ana- dead or inanimate or· hypnotized-
tomically speaking, that is. Maybe hypnotized, I think. I'm sure that
the very brief time he spent it's one of the Asadi. A gray shape.
hibernating in that homemade Ordinarily, you don't get this close
sleeping bag of his altered him psy- at night, you 'just don't. The
chologically rather than physically. Bachelor's hypnotized it with his
slow-motion goose step, the filmy
(Ten minutes of wind, water, rippling of the mem brane across his
and shush-shushingfeet.]' ,back and arms-maybe even with
60 IF
his empty eyes . . .now we're just . . . .He can't believe the deed.
waiting, waiting. I'm as close as I I've done, Ben. He can't believe
can get without jeopardiz~ng the I've freed him from that scabby lit-
purity of this confrontation. I can tle battlecock. There's blood on the
see eyes up there. Asadi eyes, grass. Dark sweet blood. Too
stalled on a sickly pink. (Aloud, sweet, Ben. I've go to get up ...
over a sudden thrashing.) The ·damn (Chaney moans. A rustling of
thing's just jumped out of the clothes-then his strained voice)
branches! It's one of the Asadi all Okay. Fine. A little bark to lean
right, a lithe gray female. The against here, a tree with spiny shin-
Bachelor's wrenching her backward gles. (A stumping sound.) Good,
to the ground, the huri's fallen good-I refused to let myself get
sidelong away from him, fluttering, disoriented, Ben. We came
fluttering in the thicket under the marching-slogging, more like-
tree! right through that opening there,
that portal of ferns and violet
(A heavy bump; continued blossoms... oh, hell, you can't see
thrashing. ) where I'm pointing, can you? You
wouldn't see, probably, even if you
(Chaney's voice skyrockets to an were here. But we slogged to this
uncontrolled falsetto) I KNEW IT, place from that direction I'm
I KNEW WHAT YOU WERE! pointing and I kept my head about
DEAR LORD, I WON'T me all the way. My head, by the
PERMIT IT IN FRONT OF ME! way, aches because he bashed me
I WON'T PERMIT YOUR EVIL down-he,. elbowed me in the eye.
TO FLOURISH! (Scuffling. Th~n, They always elbow, the Asadi-
weakly) Leave me alone, leave me . they think elbows were given to
them' to jab in other people's ribs
Violent noises; then a hum of and faces, even The Bachelor. He
static and low breathing.) knocked me down, bloodied me,
damn him, when I tried to stop him
6 CHANEY (panting): My head from slaughtering this poor woman
aches-I've been ill again. But it's here, the one that lies here
sweet here; I'm kneeling in grass butchered in the grass. He knocked
under the trees by the edge of the me down and I couldn't stop him.
pagoda's clearing ... I've been ill Then he whirled her up over his
again, yes, but I've done heroic shoulder, grabbed the huri out of
things. I'm doing a damn heroic the bushes by its feet. Took off
thing right now. You can hear me, through the jungle, the Wild ringing
can't you? I'm talking out loud ... like a thousand wind chimes be-
OUT LOUD, DAMN IT! And cause of my head, my aching eye.
he's not about to stop me-he's just To keep from getting lost, I had to
going to sit there opposite me with follow him. Dear God. I had to
his long legs folded and take it ... hobble along after 'that crazy crew...
Aren't you, boonie? Aren't you? Then when w~ reached this little
That's right, that's a good boonie patch of grass among the trees-the

pagoda's right over there-he threw legged lady, he set the huri down
the dead woman on the ground and atop her carcass-I had to do
disemboweled her. I saw him doing something then. I pulled myself up.
it as I came up through the jungle But the huri was sitting there on her
after 'him. . . you see, I got here butchered body, staring at me
three or four minutes after he did. I blindly. Old boonie-boy had put it
collapsed, I collapsed and watched. there to guard her corpse, just the
I held my bad eye and squinted way Eisen Zwei bad done in the
through the other . . . in ten or _clearing the day he carried in three
twelve minutes I'd forgotten what it slaughtered kinsmen as a feast of-
all meant, and the woman didn't fering. The huri meant I wasn't sup-
look like an Asadf any more. Now posed to move, I was supposed to
the grass is littered with her-and be a good cannibal and wait until
The Bachelor didn't even have to' dinner had b~en _properly served.
strike -me to keep me from in- I'm not an Asadi-I'll be damned if
terfering. But, Ben, I couldn't help I'm an Asadi and I didn't-no, by
that; it was all owing to my head God, I didn't-pay any heed to The
and my fatigue-I wasn't thinking Batchie-boy's stupid sentinel. I
straight. I didn't realize he was killed it. I ran up and kicked the
butchering the creature. As· soon huri with my boot. It fluttered
as I could I remedied the situation. backward and I was upon it with
And that's why I'm still a little sick. the heel of my boot, grinding its
But my head's clear now; it aches filthy little no-face into the grass.
but it's clear. And the boonie isn't Its body split open. Pus spilled out
about to strike me again. Are you, like putty from a plastic tube,
boonie? All he can do is sit and stinking to the skies-that's what
stare at me. I've intimidated the made me sick, the sight and the
hell out of him. He thought I was stink of the huri's insides. I
some kind of maneless Asadi stumbled away, fell to my knees...
vermin and he can't reconcile The Bachelor couldn't move.
himself to this new image of me. Killing the huri had given me a hold
Poor mute bastard. My heroic deed over him, a power. He just sat, like
kicked him right in' his psycho- he''s sitting now, and watched me.
logical solar plexus. The smell of the grass revived me,
(Alrraost pompously) As the convinced me of my own heroism,
moons are my witness, I killed the my own crimson-bloody heroism-
hurL I killed the huri! No, no, the and that's when I knew I had, to tell
boonie can't believe it either but I you about it, when I started talking
swear by holy heaven it's true. through my sickness and the too-
Just look at him, look at him sweet smell of the grass.
making slow figure eights with his (Mockingly) Are you awed,
chin. God, but I've boggled him! boonie? Is that your trouble? Could
He thought me just another Asadi, I walk right over there and kick
a low Asadi dog-and when he had your face in if I tried? Yes, oh, yes,
finished carving· up that pitifully I could. Damn"it, Ben, I'm in con-
helpless woman, that sweet long- trol, I'm on top!
62 IF
(Laughter, prolonged equilateral triangle here in this nest
laughter; then virtual silence.) of grass. It's like-well, it's like the
arrangement of the globes in the
Power's· an evanescent thing, chandelier ring inside the pagoda ...
Ben. (Musingly) Hejusi stood up,
The Bachelor did, uncoiled and But I'm not going back in there,
faced me like an enemy. I thought I boonie-I'M NOT GOING
was dead, I really did. I know that's BACK IN THERE! DO YOU
a turnabout-you don't have to re- UNDERSTAND THATI I'M
quire consistency of me when I'm NOTGOING...
ill. But he only stared at me for a
minute, then turned and walked 7 CHANEY (bewildered): Where
across the open clearing toward the is it? Eisen, you said we could see it
temple. He's climbing the steps from this hemisphere-you said it
right now, very slowly, a gray shape was visible. But I'm standing here,
like the gray shape he killed. Every standing out here in front of the
moon is up. The three of them rip- Asadi's hulking temple where there
ple his shadow down the tier of aren't any branches to block my
steps behind him. I'm not going view and, damn you, Eisen, I don't
into that place again, gang, he see it. I don't see it! Just those
needn't wait for me-and he' isn't blinding moons dancing up and
waiting. Fine. Excellent. I'll stay down and a sky full of sparkling
here in'· the grass, under the VInes cobwebs. Where's Sol? Where's our
and fire blossoms, until it's own sun? Eisen, you said we could
morning. Let him go, let him go... see it with the unaided eye, I'm sure
But, damn him, he can't leave me in you said that-but I don't see it!
this gut-strewn glade! It reeks; the It's lost out there in a cobwebbing
grass is black' with gore. And of stars-lost! .
here-just look at this. What the (Suddenly resolute) I'm going
hell is it? You've got to get down back into the temple. Yes, by God,
(groaning) to see it: a little pocket of I am. The Bachelor doesn't care if I
globular tripe here on the edge of stay out here and rot with the poor
the grass, just where the moonlight butchered lady he's abandoned.
falls. Three of them nestled in the He's abandoned ,me, too. Twenty
grass, three palpitant little globes- minutes I'\le been -out here alone,
I think they're ova, Qen, all of them twenty minutes staring at the dark
about the'size of my thumbnails. grass, the dark sweet grass. He
Much bigger than a human being's wants me to die from its cloying
minute reproductive cel1~. But ova reek; that's what he's after. I killed
nevertheless. Ovaries. That's my his hurL A man who kills a huri
guess. They glisten and seem alive, isn't one to put up with a passive
glowing as they do... The Bacheior death, though. He forgot that. If I
placed them here while. he was have to die, Ben, it'll be heroically,
butchering the poor lady. He was not the way he wants. I've taken too
careful not to crush them-he laid much to sit cross-legged under the
them out ~o that they'd form an trees and wait fOT either my own

death or the corrupt hunger that going to stand here a minute. The
would keep me alive. I won't eat his cabinets give off their own faint
offering, that poor butchered lady, light, a very warm faint light, and
and I won't stay out here either! I'll be able to see a good deal better
There's a beautiful golden cord in if I just stand here and let my pupils
the pagoda, a beautiful golden cord. adjust. It's the same cabinet I
That should do it. If the boonie's described for you last night! Or one
still too shaken up from his loss, his just like it, I guess. The statue, the
stinking bereavement, to lead me knife, the implements and
back. to the clearing-the Asadi weapons-nothing is different. (A
--- clearing-that plumbline ought to scraping sound, somewhat glassy.)
serve. I've worked ~ith my hands; I Well, wait a minute. Here's a dif-
can fashion a noose as well as any ference. The bottom petals of this
dumpling-hearted boonie. And then cabinet have been broken off, torn
carry it ~hrough where he couldn't. away. I'm standing iii the shards.
Just come along,. gang, and see if I And I'm not the vandal, Ben-the
can't. shards were already here. 1 just
stepped on them, that's all. The lit-
(The shush-shushing of feet tle bump I gave the cabinet couldn't
in .the dirt, Chaney's have done this-someone had to
shortwindedness as he climbs work energetically at these shelves
the temple's steps, the inward- to break them away. The Bachelor,
groaning utterance of a heavy maybe? The Bachelor's the only
door..) one in here 'besides me. Did he want
an axe to stalk me with? Did he
(From this point on, Chaney's need one of his ancestors' orna-
each word has the brief after-echo, mental knives before he felt
the telltale hollowness imparted by competent to take on the pink-
the empty volume of a- large fleshed Asadi outcast who killed his
building's interior )* ••••• It's cold. poor rubber rooster? Poor, poor
You wouldn't believe how cold it is rubber rooster-IS THAT IT,
in here, Ben. Cold and dark. No BOONIE? YOU AFRAID OF
I
light is filtering down through the ME NOW? (Crashing echoes.

dome and the chandelier-the Chaney's voice becomes huskily
chandelier's,out! My eyes aren't ac- confidential) I think that's it, Ben~ I
customed.. .(A bump.) Here's a think that's why the globe lamps
cabinet. I've scraped my elbow. The are out, why this place is so dark,
shelves are down and I scraped my why this cabinet is broken. The
elbow on one of the shelves. I'm boonie wants to kill me-he's
stalking me in the dark. Well, that's
••••••Just one of the many apparently un-
fine, too. That's more heroic than
simulable conditions that convinces me of the cord, an excellent -death-I'll
the authenticity of the tapes. How much of even grapple with him. a little.
what Chaney reports is hallucination rather Beowulf and Grendel. It shouldn't
than reality. however, I'm not prepared to take 'very long. The lady he killed
conjecture. felt almost nothin~-I'~ sure of
64 IF
that. OVER HERE, BOONIE! (The jabbing sounds P!lnc-
YOU KNOW WHERE I AM! tuate Chaney's headlong nar-
COME ON, THEN! COME ON! rative-apparently, . another
I WON'T MOVE! piece of the globe's covering
falls to the floor and shatters.)
(A confusion of echoes,
dissonant and reverberating. Why the hell doesn't he duck out
Complete silence but for of there? Is he trapped in that field?
Chaney's chronic shortwind- I can see he's too damn busy to be
edness. This continues for four worried about me, to want to kill
or five tense minutes. Then a me. All right. That's fine. I'll cheer
forceful crack followed by a him on, I'll give him moral sup-
tremendously amplified shat- port-HIT IT A LICK, BOONIE!
tering sound-like t:l box full of All the cabinets are open. All the
china breaking. Chaney gives a shelves are down. I can see them
startled cry. ) now. The pagoda's alive again. All
it took was the dark and a little vio-
lence.
(Whispering) My dear God-the The foremost globe has split wide
pagoda's flooded with light now- open-he's knocked the crown off
flooded with light from the three it. And listen, Ben, listen. Some-
globes in the great iron fixture that thing is moving inside it, inside the
yesterday hung just beneath the intact bottom half. The ring is
dome. It"s different now-the iron canting to one side and it's dimJ!ler
ring is floating about five feet from in here. Suddenly dimmer. If he
the floor. The Bachelor is ins'ide the keeps banging away at those globes
ring, stabbing at one of the globes this whole 'place will be drained of
with a long-handled pick. He's al- light-the shelves will fold back up
ready chipped away a big mottled and lock into position forever. Can
piece of its covering. The piece you he~~ the ~crabblirig in t~e
shattered on the floor. You beard'it broken globe? Can you hear it,
shatter. (Aloud) And aD three Ben? Do you already know what it
globes are pulsing with energy, is? I can see it and hear it both. In
angry energy. They~re filling the this dimness there's a flic~ering in
temple with electricity-a deadly that shell, a flickering like the
chill-their own anger. I'm sure hissing tatters of a black flame ...
they've generated the field that Sweet Jesus, Ben, it's a huri scrab-
keeps the iron ring afloat, the ring bling about in there, a black-black,
hovering like a circular prison blind-blind huri! It's clawing at the
around The Bachelor's shoulders. shell and pulling itself upright even
The plumbline whips back and as the ring dips toward the floor.
fourth as h~ jabs-it has damn near
entangled him. And he's caught in- (A fluttering which is dis-
side the ring~aught there and he tinctly audible over both
keeps jabbing at the foremost globe ChQlley's voice and the tapping
with his pick. of The Bachelor's·pick.)

It's in the air-a clumsy beast a them stain the sky! Look at them
little larger than the one I killed. smoke! Look at them burn away
And there's a smell in here just like the reek of Asadi self-delusion!
the smell when I ground out the No, by God, we don't destroy
guts of the other hurL" Damn it! The every race we run across. Maybe
Asadi are idiots! The Bachelor is the pygmies, maybe we did it to the
stabbing at another globe-he pygmies-but the Asadi, bless 'em,
wants to let another one out. He they're doing it to themselves-
wants to let all three of them out so they've been doing it to themselves
that we'll be plunged in darkness for eons. And, God, look at that
and flapping wings and maybe even clean phosphorescent sky! I only
the dome will fall in on us. wish I knew which direction Sol
. To himself he can do that-to was in-I'd like to see it. I'd like to
me, no sir! I'm getting out of here, see it like a shard of ice glittering in
Ben, I'm going to go tumbling the center of those flaming
down the steps while there's still cobwebs.
light to tumble by. Wh'at a mad-
house, what a sacred madhouse.
Old Oliver Bow Aurm should kiss ThoDlas Benedict spea~ing: last
the 'nearest maggot for saving him things
from this-figurative maggot, that We saw the flares and picked up
is. BoskVeld crawls with figurative Chaney. Moses "Eisen was with me
maggots-and I'm coming home. in' the copter. We had come out
I'm coming home to you. To you, extremely early on the, morning of
my kinsmen ... Day 140 in order to complete
Chaney's customary supply drop
and then to circle the Asadi clearing
(Footfalls, a heavy wooden with the thought of making a
groaning, and then the naked-eye sighting of the cultural
unechoing silence of the night xenologist. Captain Eisen ordered
as Chaney emerges into the this course of action when it be-
Wild.) came apparent that Chaney was not
. . going to" communicate with us of
his own accord. The captain wished
8 CHANEY (exhilarated): God, look to appraise himself of Chaney's
at them go off! I'm unloading my condition, perhaps by landing and
backpack. I'm lobbing them talking with ,the man. He wanted
toward old Sol, wherever the him to return to base camp. If it
debbil he at. Another Independence had not been for these unusual cir-
Day! My second one. (Four or five cumstances, Chaney's flares might
successive whooshing sounds.) I'm have gone off for no audience but
coming home, I'm coming home. the empty sky.
To you, Ben. To Eisen, Morrell and As it was, we saw only the last
Jonathan. You won't be able to say two or three flares that he set off
I don't do things with a flare. Or and had to reverse the direction of
flares. (Laughter.) God, look at our copter to make the rendezvous.
66 IF
By the time we reached him Chaney exist. And they had to come from
was no longer the exhilarated ad- somewhere.
venturer that the last section of his The eyebooks are a complete
monologue paints him-he was a puzzle. They look exaclly as
tired and sick man who did not Chaney describes them in the tape,
seem to recognize us when we set but none of them work. The cas-
down and who came aboard the settes are seamless plastic, and the
copter bleary-eyed and unshaven, only really efficient way we've been
his arms draped across our shou[- able to get inside one is to break the
ders. By removing his backpack we bulb, the glass eyelet, and probe
came into possession of the through the opening with old-
recorder he had used for the last fashioned watch tools. If the
two days and the "eyebooks" he "books" were indeed/programed as
had supposedly picked up in the Chaney reports in his tape, we've
Asadi temple. And that night I found nothing inside the cassettes
went back to the Asadi clearing on ~hich these programs could
alone in order to retrieve the re- have been inscribed and no energy
mainder.ofhis personal effects. source to power such a rapid
Back at base camp, however, we presentation of spectra patterns.
committed Chaney at once to the Morrell has suggested that the pro-
care of - Ddctors Williams and grams exist in the molecular struc-
Tsyuki and saw to it that he had a ture of the plastic casings
private room in the infirmary. themselves, but there is no ready
During this time, as -/ mentioned way to confirm this. The eyebooks
earlier, he wrote The Ritual of remain an enigma.
Death and Designation. He As for Chaney, he apparently
claimed, in more than one of our recovered. He would not discuss the
conversations, that we had picked tape that / once-only once-con-
him up not more than four or five fronted him with, but he did talk
hundred yards from the pagoda he about putting together a book-
describes. He made this claim even length account ofhis findings. " The
though we were unable on several Asadi have to be described,"
trips over this area to discover a Chaney once told me. "They have
clearing large enough to accom- to be described in detail. It's
modate such a structure. Not once essential that we get every culture
in all of our talks, however, did he we find out here down on paper,
ever claim that he had been inside down on tape, down on holographic
the pagoda. Only in the confIScated storage cubes. The pen is mightier
tape does one encounter this bizarre than the sword and paper is
notion; you have just read the more durable than flesh.'; But
edited transcript ofthe tape and can Chaney didn't do his book. Three
decide for yourself how much months he stayed with us, copying
credence. to give its various reports. his notes, working in the base-camp
One thing is certain-the "eye- library, joining us only every sixth
books" that Chaney brought out of or seventh meal in the general mess.
the Synesthesia Wild with him do He kept to himself, as isolated
DEATH AND.DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 67

among us as he had been in the nevertheless. ") The note expressed
Asadi clearing. A nd he did a lot of a peculiar sort ofoptimism, I think,
thinking, a lot of somber, melan- and if you don't see this slender af-
choly,fatalistic thinking. firmative thread when you first
He did something else that few of read through the note, go back and
us paid much attention to. He grew read the damn thing again. Because
a beard and refused to have his hair even if Chaney did commit suicide
cut. Later we understood why. he died for something he believed
One morning we could not find in.
Egan Chaney anywhere in base
camp. (Jy evening he still had not I'm going back to the Asadi
returned. Eisen sent me to Chaney's clearing, Ben. But don't come
hut and told me to spend the night after me-I won't let you bring
there. He told me to go through me back. I've reached a perfect
Chaney's belongings and to see if I accommodation with myself.
could determine his whereabouts Probably I'll die. Without the
either from an explicit note or a supply drops I'm sure I will.
random scrawl. "1 don't think he'll But I belong among the Asadi,
be back," the captain said-and the not as an outcast and not as a
captain was right. He was wrong chieftain-but as one of the
about the note, though. I found milling throng. I belong there
nothing but battered notebooks in even though that throng is
his book-littered cubicle. And stupid, even though it persists
though I read through all of these in its self-developed immunity
that night, I found no farewell note. to instruction. I'm one of them.
It was not until I checked my Like The Bachelor, I'm a
mail box the next day that I found great slow moth. A tiger-moth.
what Eisen had told me to look for. And the flame I choose to
I checked the box merely out of pursue and die in is the same
habit-I knew there had been no flame that slowly consumes
probeship deliveries. Perhaps I was everyone of the Asadi.
looking for a memo from one ofthe
base campers. And I found the (lote Good health to you,
from Chaney. The only comfort it Egan
gave me was' the comfort of A note from Moses Eisen: Be-
knowing that my friend had not de- cause of Egan Chaney's defection
cided to commit suicide and that he to the Synesthesia Wild and
had successfully fought off a subtle Thomas Benedict's lucid compi-
but steadily encroaching madness. lation of Chaney's notes, the Aca-
demy of Cultural Xenologists be-
(Eisen read this last sentence in stowed upon Benedict rather than
rough draft and took exception to Chaney the Oliver Bow Aurm
it: Now you're dead wrong, Ben.
If Frasier Memorial Fillet. Though
Chaney not only succumbed to his we do not forget the dead, we bury
madness but he committed suicide them. It is for the living that honors
as well-a slow suicide, but suicide were made. •
68 IF
It was the day of Creation-just another
of those day when everything goes wrong...
CONSTRUCTION I NfirstTHAT same year when men

walked on Mars the probe
". SHACK was. launched from the moon for

Pluto. Five years later the first pic-
tures were transm itted as the or-
biting probe trained its cameras on
'CLIFFORD D. SIMAK the planet's surface. The trans-
mission quality was poor; but even
SQ, certain features of the pho-
tographs were productive of great
69
anguish as old theories fell to rate, had been based on the
shards and were replaced by puz- measurement of those eccentricities
zlement, questions with no hint of and it must be admitted now that
answers. The pictures seemed to something else must account for
say that the planet had a smooth, them. '
almost polished surface, without a Beyond that, Pluto was most
single geographic feature to break strange-a smooth planet, fea-
the smoothness of it. Except that at tureless except for the evenly
certain places, equidistant from one spaced dots. The smoothness cer-
'another along the equator, were tainly could not. be explained by .a
tiny dots- that would have been non-turbulent atmosphere, for
taken for transmission noise if they surely Pluto had to be too small and
had not appeared consistently. Too, cold to hold an atmosphere'. A sur-
the dots still persisted when some of face of ice, men wondered, the
the noise was eliminated. So it frozeri remnants of a one-time, mo-
seemed they must be sm;dl geogra- mentary atmosphere? But for a
phic features or shadows cast by number of reasons that didn't seem
geographic features, although at right, either. Metal, perhaps, but if
Pluto's distance from the sun the planet were of s'olid metal the
shadows would be suspect. The density should be far greater.
other data did nothing to lessen the The men on Earth consoled
anguish. The planet was smaller themselves. In five more years the
than supposed, less than a thousand probe would come back to Earth,
miles in diameter, and its den~ity carrying with it the films that it had
worked out to 3.5 grams per cubic tal:erl' an9 from them, the actual
centimeter rather than the un- films and not the tow-quality t,ran-
realisti~ figure of 60 grams, pre- missions, perhaps .much that was
viously supposed. hazy now might become under~
This meant several things. It standable. The probe swung in its
meant that somewhere out there, ·'measured orbits and sent back
"perhaps something more than seven more pictures, although they were
billion miles from the sun, a tenth little help, for the quality still was
planet of the solar-system swung in poor. Then it fired the automatic
orbit, for no planet the size and sequence that would head it back to
mass of Pluto could explain the ec- Earth" and its beeping signals from
centricities In the orbits of Uranus far out in space said it was headed
and Neptune. The calculation of home on a true and steady course.
Pluto's mass, now proved inaccu- Something happened. The
70 IF
beeping stopped and there was a Now that life had been found on
silence. Moon base waited. It might another world, now that it was ap-
start up again. The silence might parent that another planet at one
indicate only a momentary time had-held seas and rivers and an
malfunction and the signals might atmosphere that had been an ap-
start again. But they never did. proximation of Earth's own at-
Somewhere, some three billion mosphere, now that we knew we no
miles from the sun, some mishap longer were alone in the universe,
had befallen the homing probe. It the public interest and support of
was never heard again-it was lost space travel revived. Scientists.
forever. remembering (never having, in fact,
There was no sense in sending out forgotten, for it had gnawed
another probe until a day when steadily at tl)eir minds) the puz-
technical advances could assure zlement of the Pluto probe, began
better pictures. The technical ad- to plan a manned Pluto expedition,
vances would have to be signifi- as there was still no sen-se. in
cant-s'mall refinements would do sending an instrumented probe.
little good.
The second and third manned HEN .the day came to lift
'expeditions went to Mars·-and came
home again, bringing back, among
W from the Moon Base, I was a
member of the expedition. I went
many other things, evidenc,e that along as a geologist-the last I
primitive forms of life existed theJe, thing a Pluto expedition needed.

which settled once for all the qld, There were three' of us and any
dark suspicion that life might be an psychologist will tell you that three
aberration to be found only on the is a number that is most unfortu-
Earth. For with life on two planets nate. Two gang up on one or ignore
in the same solar system there one and there is always competition
could no longer be any doubt that to be one of the gang of two. No
life was a common factor in the one wants to stand alone with the
universe. The fourth expedition other tW9 against him. But it didn't
went out, landed and did not come work that way with U$. We got
back a~ain and now there was on along all right, although there were
Mars a piece of ground that was. times when it was rough going. The
forever Earth. 'The fifth expedition five years that the probe took to ar-
was sent out even' while the Earth rive at Pluto was cut by more than
still paid tribute to those four men half, not only because of improved
who had died so far from home. rocket capability, but because a
CONSTRUCTION SHACK 71
manned craft could pile on velocity about what we saw. Not that there
that couldn't be programed-or at was much to see. The planet resem-
least safely programed-into a bled nothing quite as much as a
probe. But a bit more than two billiard ball. It was smooth. There
years is a long time to be cooped up were no mountains, no valleys, no
in a tin can rocketing along in emp- craters-nothing marred, the
tiness. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad smoothness of the surface. The dots
if you had some sense of speed, of were there, of course. We could
really getting somewhere-but you make out seven groups of them, all
haven't. You just hang there in positioned along the equatorial
space. belt. And in close up they were not
The' three of us? Well, I am simply dots. They were structures
Howard Hunt and the other two of some kind.
were Orson Gates, a chemist, and We landed finally, near a group
Tyler Hampton, an engineer. of them. The landing was a little
As I say, we got along fine. We harder than we had figured it would
played chess tournaments-yeah, be. The planetary surface was
three men in a tournament and it hard-there was no give to it. But
was' all. right because none of us we stayed right-side up and we
knew chess. If we had been any didn't break a thing.
good I suppose we would have been
at one another's throats. We DEOPLE at .times ask me to
dreamed up dirty ditties and were £describe Pluto and it's a hard
so pleased with our accomplish- thing to put into words. You can
ments that we'd spend hours say that it is smooth and that it's
singing them and none of us could dark-it's dark even in broad day-
sing. We did a lot of other futile light. The sun, at that distance, is
things-by now you should be get- not much more than a slightly
ting the idea. There were some brighter sta.r. You don't have day-
rather serious scientific experi- light on Pluto-you have starlight
ments and observations we were and it doesn't make much dif-
supposed to make, but all of us ference whether you're facing the
figured that our first and b~ggest sun or 'Jot. The ,planet is airless, of
job was to manage to stay sane. course, and waterless and cold. But
When we neared Pluto we drop- cold, as far as human sensation is
ped the fooling around and spent concerned, is a rel:ative thing. Once
much time peering through the the temperature gets down to a
scope, arguing and speculating hundred Kelvin it doesn't much
72 IF
matter how much colder it be- you feel it. You don't belong to
comes. Especially when you're anything- any more. "You'''re in the
wearing life support. Without a suit back ,alley, and the bright and
containing life support you'd last happy streets are so far away that
only a few seconds, if that long, on you know you'll never-find them.
a .place like Pluto. I've never It isn't homesickness that you
figured out whic~ would. kill you feel. It's more like never having had
first-cold' or internal pressure. a home. Of never having belonged
WQuid you freeze-or explode. be- anywhere. You get over it, of
fore you froze.? course-or come to live with it.
So Pluto is dark, airless, cold and So we came down out of the ship
smooth. Those are the externals after we had landed and stood upon
only. You stand there and look at the surf~ce. The first~. thing that
the sun and realize 'how far away struck us-other than the sense of
you are. You know you are lostness th~t at once grabbed all of
standing ~t the edge of the sol~r us-was that the horizon was too
~ystem, that just o~t there, a little near, much nearer than on the
way beyond, you'd be clear outside Moon. We felt at once that we
the system. Which d~sn't really stood on a small world. We noticed
have to be true, of course. You that horizon's nearneSS even before'
know about the tenth planet. Even we noticed the buildings .that the
if it's the~ry, it's supposed to be Qut probe had photogra.phed as dots
there. You know about the millions and that we had d~opped down to
of circling comets· that technically investigate. Perhaps bUildings is
are a part of the. solar system, al- not the right word-structures
though they're so far out no one probably would be better. Buildings
ever thinks of them. You could say are enclosures and these 'were not
to yourself this really is not the enclosures. They were domes
edge-the hypothetical tenth -planet someone had set out to build 'and
and ,the comets still are out there. hadn't had time to finish. The basic
But -this - is intellectualization; underlying fram"ework had' been
you're .telling yourself som~thing erected and then the work had stop-
that your mind says may be true, ped. Riblite arcs curved up from
but your gut denies. For hundr~ds the surface" and met overhead.
of years Pluto h~)Jeen the last out- Struts and braces held the frames
post and this, by God, is Pluto and solid, but that was as far as the
you're farther away from home construction had gone. There were
than man ... ~ ever been before and three of them, one larger than the
other two. The frames were not "We knew it was smooth," said
quite as simple as 1 may have made Orson. "The pictures showed that.
them seem. Tied into the ribs and Coming in, we could see it for our-
struts and braces were a number of selves."
other structural units that seemed "This smooth?" Tyler asked.
to have no purpose and make no "This even?" He turned to me. "It
sense at all. isn't geologically possible. Would
We tried to make sense out .of you say it" is?"
them and out of the scooped-out "I would think not," I'said. "If
hollows that had been gouged out there had been ~ny upheaval at all
of the planetary surface within the this floor would 'be- rugged. There
confines of each construct-they can't have been . any erosion-
had no floors and seemed fastened anything to level it down. Microme-
to the surface of the planet. The teorite impacts, maybe, but not too
hollows were circular, some six feet· "many of them. We're too far out for
across and three feet deep, and to meteorites of any size. Anti while
me .they looked like nothing quite micrometeorites might pit the sur-
as' much as indentations made in a face there would be no levelin'g
container of ice cream by a" scoop. process."
Ahout this time Tyler began to
have some thoughts about the sur- YLER let himself down on his
face. Tyler is an engineer and
should have. had his thoughts im-
T knees rather awkwardly. He
brushed a hand across the surface.
mediately-and so should the rest The seeing was not too good, but
of us-but the first hour or so out- you could see that there was dust, a
"' side the ship had been considerably thin layer of dust, a powdering.
confusing. We had worn o~r s~its in "Shine a light down here," said
training, of course, and had done Tyler.
some walking around in them, but Orson aimed his light at the spot.
Pluto seemed to have even less Some of the gray ,dust still clung
gravity than had been calculated where Tyler had wiped his hand,
and we- had had to get used to it be- but there were streaks where the
fore we could be reasonably com- darker: surface showed through.
fortable. Nor had anything else "Space dust," said Tyler.
been exactly as we had anticipated. Orson said, "There should be
"This surface," Tyler said to me. damn little of it."
"There is something wr.ong with "True," said Tyler. ... But over
it." four billion years or more, it would"
74 IF
accumulate. It couldn't be erosion Tyler gave up. He lifted out the
dust, could it?" bit and snubbed off the motor.
"Nothing to cause erosion," I "Enough for analysis?" he asked.
said. "This must be as close to a "Should be," said Orson. He
dead planet as you ever get. Not took the bit from Tyler and handed
enough gravity to hold any of the him a small specimen bag. Tyler
gases-if there ever were gases. At laid the open mouth of the bag on
one time there must have been, but the surface and brushed the frag-
they've all gone-they went early. ments into it.
No atmosphere, no water. I ~oubt "Now we'll know," he said.
there ever was any accumulation. A "Now we will know something."
molecule wouldn't hang around for A couple of hours later, back in
long." the ship, we knew.
"But space dust would?" "I have it," 9rson said, "but I
"Maybe. Some sort of electro- don't believe it."
static attraction, maybe." "Metal?" asked Tyler.
Tyler scrubbed the little patch of "Sure, metal. But not the kind
surface again with his gloved hand, you have in mind". It's steeL"
removing more of the dust, with "Steel?" I said, horrified. "It
more of the darker surface showing can't be. Steel's no natural metal.
through. It's tnanufactured."
"Have we got a drill?" he asked. "Iron," said Orson. "Nickel.
"A specimen drill." Molybdenum, vanadium, chro-
"I have one in my kit," said mium. That works out to steeL I
Orson. He took it out and handed it don't know as much about steel as I
to Tyler. Tyler positioned the bit should. But it's steel-a good steel.
against the surface, pressed the but- Corrosion resistant, tough, strong. "
ton. In the light of the torch you "Maybe just the platform for the
could see t~e bit spino ing. Tyler put structures~" I said. "Maybe a pad
more weight on the drill. of steel to support them. We took
"It's ~arder than a bitch," he the specimen close to one of them.';
said. "Let's find out," said Tyler.
The bit began to bite. A small We opened up the garage and ran
pile of fragments built up around down· the ramp and got out the
the hole. The surface was hard, no buggy. Before we left we turned off
doubt of that. The bit didn't go too the television camera. B-y this time
deep and the pile of fragments was Moon Base would have seen all
small. they needed to see and if they
wanted more they could ask for it. said. "There's no one but us. Mars
We had given ·them a report on has life, of cour~e, but primitive
everything we had found-all ex- life. It got a start there and hung on
cept the steel surface and the three and that was all. Venus is too hot.
of us agreed that until we· knew Mercury is too close to the sun. The
more about that we would not say big gas planets? Maybe, but not the
anything. It ,would be a while in any kind of life that would build a thing
case until we got an answer from like this. It had to be something
them. The time lag to Earth was from outside."
about sixty hours each way. "How about the fifth planet?"
We went out te~ miles and took a suggested Orson.
boring sample and came back, "There probably never was a fifth
following the thin tracks the buggy pla~et," I said. "The material for it
made in the dust, taking samples may have been there, but the planet
every mile. We got. the answer that never formed. By all the rules of ce-
I think all of us expected . we would lestial mechanics there should have
get, but couldn't bring ourselves to been a planet between Mars and
talk about. The samples' all were Jupiter, but something went
steel. haywi,re."
It didn't seem possible, of course, "The tenth planet, then," said
and it took us a while to digest the Orson.
fact, but finally we admitted that on "No one is really positive there is
the basis of best evidence Pluto was a tenth,'-' said Tyler.
no planet, but a fabricated metal "Yeah, you're right," said Orson.
ball, small-planet size. But God- "Even If there were it would be a
awful big for anyone to build. poor bet for life, let alone in-
Anyone? telligence."
"So that leaves us with out-
siders," said Tyler.
T HAT was the question that

now haunted us. Who had built
it? Perhaps more important-why
"And a long time ago," said
Orson.
"Why do you say that?"
had they built it? For some purpose, "The dust. There isn't much dust
surely, but why, once that purpose in the universe."
had been fulfilled (if, in fact, it had "And no one knows what it is.
been fulfilled) had Pluto been left There is the dirty ice theory."
out here at the solar system's rim? "I see what you're getting. at. But
"No one from the system," Tyler it needn't be ice. Nor graphite nor
76 IF
any of the other things that have wondering all the while if there was
been-" something we had missed. But there
'.'You mean it's that stuff out didn't seem to be.
there." Now comes the funny part of it. I
"It could be. What do you think, don't know why we did it-out of
Howard?" sheer desperation, maybe. But
"I can't be sure," I said, "The faili.ng to find any clues, we got
only thing I know is that it couldn't down on our hands and knees,
be erosive." dusting at the surface with our
Before we went to sleep we tried hands. What we hoped to find, I
to fix up a report to beam back to don't know. It was slow going and
Moon Base, but anything we put it was a dirty business, with the. dust
together sounded t.oo silly and un- tending to stick to us.
believable. So w~ gave up. We'd "If we'd only brought some
have to tell them some time, but we brooms along," said Orson.
could wait. But we had no brooms.· Who in
When we awoke we had a bite to his right mind would have thought
eat, then got into oUf suits and wet:tt we would want to sweep a planet?
out to look over the structures.
They still didn't make much sense, O THERE we were. We had
especially all the crazy contraptions
that were fastened on the ribs and
S what appeared to be a manufac-
tured planet and we had some.
struts and braces. Nor did the stupid structures for which we
scooped-out hollows. c~uld deduce not a single reason.
"If they were only up on legs," We had come a long ways and we
said O~son, "they could be used as had been expected to make some
chairs." tremendous discovery once we
"But not very comfortable," ~aid landed. We had made a discovery,
Tyler. all right, but it didn't mean a thing.
"If you tilted .them a bit," said We finally gave up with the
Orson. But that didn't figure either. sweeping business and stood there,
They would still be uncomfortable. ~cuffing our feet and wondering'
I wondered why he thought of them what to do next when Tyler sud-
as chai.rs. They didn't look like any denly let out a yell and pointed at a
chairs to me. place on the surface where his boots
We pottered around a lot, not had kicked away the dust.
getting anywhere. We looked the We all bent to look at what he
structures over inch by inch, had found. We saw three holes in
CONSTRUCTION SHACK.. 77
the surface, each an inch or so it out. The hairline described a
across and some three inches deep, circle and the three holes were set
placed in a triangle and close inside and to one edge of it. The
together. Tyler got down on his circle was three feet or so in dia-
hands and knees and shone his light meter.
down into the holes, each one of "Either of you guys good at
them in turn. picking locks?" asked Tyler.
Finally he stood up. "I don't Neither of us were.
know," he said. "They could maybe "It's got to be a hatch of some
be a lock of some sort. Like a com- sort," Orson said. "This metal ball
bination. There are little notches on we're standing on has to be a
the sides, down at the bottom of hollow ball. If it weren't its mass
them. If you moved those notches would be greater than it is."
just right something might hap- "And no one," I said, "would be
pen." insane enough to build a solid ball.
"Might blow ourselves up, It would take too much metal and
maybe," said Orson. "Do it wrong too much energy to move."
and bang!" "You're sure that it was moved?"
"I don't think so," said Tyler. "I asked Orson.
don't think it's anything like that. I "It had to be," I told him. "It
don't say it's a lock, either. But I wasn't built in this system. No on~
don't think it's a bomb. Why here could have built it."
should they boobytrap a thing like Tyler had pulled a screwdriver
this?" out of his toolkit and was poking
"You can't tell what they might into the hole with it.
have done," I said. UWe don't "\\'ait a minute," said Orson. "I
know what kind of things they were just thought of something."
or why they were here." He nudged Tyler to one side,
Tyler didn't answer. He got down reached down and inserted three
again and began carefully dusting fingers into the holes and pulled.
the surface, shining his light on it The circular section rose smoothly
while he dusted. We didn't have on its hinges.
anything else to do, so helped him. Wedged into the area beneath the
It was Orson who found it this door were objects that looked like
time-a hairline crack you had to the rolls of paper you buy to wrap
hold your face down close to the up Christmas presents. Bigger than
surface to see. Having found it, we rolls of paper, though. Six inches or
did some more dusting and worried so across.
78 IF
I got hold of one of them and that were stiff from the cold and we
first one was not easy to grip, for spread them f
out on our lone table
they were packed in tightly. But I and weighed them down to hold
managed with much puffing and them flat.
grunting to pull it out. It was heavy On the first sheet were diagrams
and a good four feet in length. of some sort, drawings and what
Once we got one out. -the other might have been specifications writ-
rolls were easier to Ii f1. We pulled ten into the diagrams and alon.g the
out three'more and headed for the margins. The specifications, of
ship. ' , course, meant nothing to us (al-
But before we left I held the though later some were p~zzled out
remaining rolls over to one side, to and mathematicians and chemists
keep the~ from tilting, while Orson were able to figure out some of the
shone his light down into the hole. formulas and equations).
We had half expected to find a "Blueprints,'" said Tyler. "This
screen or something under the rolls, whole business was an engineering
with the hole extending on down job."
into a cavity that might have been "If that's t~e case,'" said Orson,
·used as living quarte.rs or a work- "those strange things fastened to
room. But the hole ended in ma- the structural. frames could be
chined metal. 'We could see the mounts to hold engineering instru-
grooves left by the drill or die that ments."
had bored the hole. That hole had "Could be," said Tyler.
just one purpose, to store the rolls "Maybe the instruments are
we had found inside it. stored in some other holes like the
one where we found the blue-
prints," I suggested.
ACK in the ship we had to wait "I don't think so," said Tyler.
B a while for the rolls to pick up "They would have taken the instru-
some heat before we could handle ments with them when they left."
them. Even so we had to wear "Why didn't they take the 'blue-
gloves when we began to unroll prints, too?"
them. Now, seeing them in good "The instruments would have
light, we realized that they were been worthwhile to take. They
made up of. many sheets rol~ed up could be used on another job. But
together. The sheets seemed to be the blueprints couldn't. And there
made of some sort of extremely may have been many sets of prints
thin metal or tough plastic. They and spec sheets. These we have may
be only one of many sets of dupli- "That means there is no Pluto
cates. There ~,ould have been a set shown," said Orson.
of master prints and those they "Of course not." said Tyler.
might have taken with them when" "Pluto never was a planet."
they left." "Then this means there once ac-
"What I don't understand," I tually w~s a planet between Mars,.
said, "is what they could have been an~ Jupiter," said Orson.
building out here. What kind of "Not necessarily," Tyler told
construction? And why here? I sup- him. '''It may only mean there was
pose we could think of Pluto as a supposed to be."
massive construction shack, but "What do you mean?"
why exactly here? With all the "They bungled the job," said
galaxy to pick' from, why this par- Tyler. "They did a sloppy piece of
ticular spot?" engineering.."
"You ask too n'lany questions ,all "You're insane!" I shouted at
at once," Orson told me. him.
"Let's look," said Tyler. "Maybe "Your blind spot is ~owing,
we'll find out." Howard. According to what we
He peeled the first· sheet off the think, perhaps it is insane. Ac-
top and let.it drop to the floor. It cording to the theories our physi-
snapped back to the rolled-up cists have wo(ked out. There is a
position. . cloud of dust and gas and the cloud
The second sheet told us nothing, contracts to form a protostar. Our
nor did the third or fourth. Then scientists have invoked a pretty set
came the fifth sheet. of physical laws to calculate what
"Now, here is something," said happens. Physical laws that were
TyleJ;. automatic-since no one would be
We leaned close to look. mad enough to postulate a gang of
"It's the soiar system," Orson cosmic engineers who went about
said. the· universe building solar sys-
i counted rapidly. "Nine tems."
planets." "But the tenth planet," persisted
"Where's the tenth?" asked Orson. "There . has to be a tenth
.
Orson. "There should be a tenth." planet. A big, massiv~-"

"Something's wrong/' said "They messed up the projected
Tyler. "I don't know what it is." fifth planet," - Tyler said. "God
I spotted it. "There's -a planet knows what else. they messed up.
between Mars and J~,piter." Venus, maybe. Venus shouldn't be
80 IF
the kind of planet it is. It should be "It wouldn't if it were Mars or
another Earth, perhaps a slightly Venus. And how sure are you of
warmer Earth, but not the hellhole Earth?" .
it is~ And Mars. They loused that "Not sure at all," I said.
up, too. Life s~arted there, but it He jerked away the sheet to re-
never had a chance. It hung,on and veal another one.
that was all. And Jupiter, Jupiter is We puzzled ov.er it.
a monstrosity-" "Atmospheric profile," I guessed
"You thihk the only reason for a half-heartedly.
planet's existence is its cap'ability of "These are just general specs,"
supporting life?" said Tyler. "The details will be in
"I don't know, of course. But it some of the other rolls. We have a
should be .in the specs. Three lot of them out there."
planets that could have been life- I tried to envision it. A construc-
bearing and of these only one was tion shack set down in a cloud of
successful." dust and ~as. Engineers who may
"Then," said Orson, "there could have worked for millennia to put
be a tenth planet. One that wasn't together star and planets, to key
even planned." into them certain factors that still
Tyler wrapped his fist against the would be at work, billions of years
sheet. "With a gang of clowns like later. -
this anything could happen." Tyler said they had bungled and
He jerked away the sheet and perhaps they had. But 'maybe not
tossed it to the floor. with Venus. Maybe Venus had been
"There!" he cried. "Look here." built to different specifications.
We crowded in and looked. Maybe it had been designed to be
It was a cross section, . . o r ap- the way it was. Perhaps, a billion
peared to be a cross section, of a years from now, when humanity
planet. might well be gone from Earth, a
"A central core," said Tyler. "An new life and a new intelligence
atmosphere-" would rise on Venus.
"Earth?" Maybe not with Venus, maybe
"Could~. Could be Mars or with none of the others, either. We
Venus." could not pretend to know.
The sheet was covered with what Tyler was still going through the
could have been spec notations. sheets.
"It doesn't look quite right," ,I "Look here," he was yelling.
protested. "Look he(e-the bun~lers-" '.
Though her life was unacknowledged,
it remained hers to savel
THE
NEVER
GIRL
MICHAEL G. CONEY
~'Y-',
S HE walked quietly through the

deserted dawn streets 0 f
Axminster and the black mutated
As she passed the gaunt face of
the Creche she saw the figure of a
nurse in one of the windows, sil-
Alsatian padded with equal silence houetted against the lighted room.
at her heels. Despite the early Sep- She envied the nurse-envied her
tember chill she was warm,' too job, her freedom from fear, her se-
warm in her light coat, and was curity-the nurse, she thought, is
prespiring nervously as she hurried one of the Establishment and
close to the concrete walls. She therefore safe.
paused at each corner, glancing to She walked on.
left and right, then running sound- Later she paused at the spacious
lessly across the exposed areas, the entrance to a large building that
Alsatian following with slow towered to the crimson-streaked
bounds. She looked about fifteen gray sky and, without much hope,
years old-it was hardly possible tried the wide glass doors. They
that she was that age, but she might were, of course, locked. Above
have been a hundred and thirty- them a large sign read: TRANSFER
four or a hundred and seventy... CENTER. A smaller sign below
82 IF
exhorted her to TAKE A FRIEND hinged window open. She swung
arid at this she directed a nervous her legs over the edge and sat for a .
smile, one shift from terror. She moment flashing her torch around
moved away and, a few yards up the interior. Satisfied, she dropped
the street, slipped down a narrow through, landing lightly on her feet,
passage, dark and featureless ex- and played the beam around the
cept for the dim outline of a small large, room in which she found
window in the tall walls. She herself.
regarded this for a moment, "Who's there?" The question was
gauging the height. harsh and metallic. "Is that you,
HWait, here," she whispered. The Man Ewell? Come and talk to me
dog sat back on it haunches, tongue for a moment, will you? I'm.bQred.
lolling. These lazy bastards have all gone
She jumped, caught the sill, hung comatose."
for a moment one-handed as she The girl did not reply. Holding,
pushed at the glass. She felt it yield her breath, she pointed the torch at
and pulled herself up, rocked for- the source of the voice. The op-
ward on her wrists and butted the posite wall was completely taken up
THE NEVER GIRL 83 ~

by a stack of boxes, each a cube of back to the window. She turned,
about one foot, enameled black and played the torch over the boxes
with a grille in the side facing her. once more, then snapped out the
There must have been a thousand of light and climbed to the sill.
them and she knew that behind the She dropped lightly to the ground
~all of boxes were another thou- outside-the Alsatian approached
sand-and another and another... eagerly to lick her hand.
The voice was issuing from the Trembling, she brushed the hair
right-hand side of the stack. Queru- from her face. Her hand came away
lous', it spoke again. "Are you wet with tears.
there? Are you there?"
Another voice replied amid a TINTON JAMES looked up as
communal rasping as the other .L the tall android entered the
boxes roused themselves. Transfer Center. The sound of traf-
"There's nobody there. Be quiet, fic outside died, as the door swung
will you? I was almost asleep. God, shut. .
I had almost made it for the first " 'Morning, Man Ewell."
time. Then you had to start "Good 'morning, James.'~ Phillip
shouting." Ewell paused at the reception desk.
HI tell you I heard somebody. I "Where's the secretary?"
can hear him now. Breathing." . "Late as' u.sual. I'm standing in
"Imagination. When you've been for a moment until she arrives."
in a box as long as I have you'll The android sighed. "I'll get
learn to distinguish. It's difficult at Johnson to have a word with her.
first, I'll grant you." This was How many cases have I got this
another box, down toward the left- morning?"
hand bottom corner of the "Ten-sir." The polite address
stack-the voice was more sympa- stuck in James' gullet-he detested
thetic. having an android as a superior.
"Sorry-" The first s~aker still Not that Ewell wasn't good at his
sounded doubtful, but became job. James conceded that-in the few
silent. The various mutterings days since the new Transfer Sur-
ceased and the room was quiet geon arrived at Axminster Center
again. he had already proved his worth.
The girl tiptoed across it to a Every operatjon had been com-
large card index set in the wall. pletely successful. But Ewell would
She quickly ran her finger down the not confine his sphere of actvity to
exposed edges of the cards, paused the operating theater. The man had
and ex'tracted one. SHe read the a habit of popping up like a genie
punched information carefully, at une¥xpected moments-James
then pocketed the card and moved would find him at his shoulder as he
84 IF
lolled unsuspecting in his chair, She sniffed, brushed past him and
reading the paper. The android sat down at the desk, exposing a
seemed to be everywhere, reor- length of thigh. Linton James hung
ganizing, criticizing, issuing direc- around, eyeing her covertly,
. -tives. He was a worker. He had al- weighing his chances. She' was
ready looked in at the Creche this eighteen physical years old, two
morning, James guessed. Such de- years younger than himself. Her
votion to his patients was odd. last Transfer had been a fortunate
" All reincorporations?" Ewell one-she had a delectable figure
was asking. and face. But she had ambitions.
"Eight reincorps, two direct She was studying for a Preferred
Transfers. A few disincorps, too." Trade and considered herself above
Ewell bit his lip thoughtfully. him. I
James's repor~ accounted for all He sighed and turned away, in-
available hosts of the right age in tending to go· to his small office at
the Creche. If an emergency turned the end of the corridor, when his at-
up Ewell might have "to use an an- tention was caught by the entrance
droid baby. He turned away and door's swinging open again.· A
made for the corridor. young girl came in hesitantly, a car-
ULet me know when the sec gets rier dog at her heels. She stood in
here, will you?" he called over his the center of the entrance hall,
shoulder, and Linton James made a- looking about uncertainly, saw
face at the broad, retreating back. James watching and approached
As soon as the surgeon was out of him with a nervous smil~. He ran a
sight, the glass entrance door sWung- hand over his hair ·and smiled back.
open and the receptionist entered, "May I help you?" he asked. Be-
looking -flust~red. She hu~ied hind him the receptionist sniffed
across to the desk·. again.
UIs Man Ewelilrere yet?" The girl looked scared. She was
James eyed .her appreciatively be- about fifteen physical years old.
fore answering. In her baste she had Her eyes were large, blue anQ
gained an attractive flush, and she strangely innocent. As he looked at
was looking.up at him anxiously, in her he felt a pulse begin to beat
sharp contrast to her normal so- thickly in his throat. She wore a
phisticated disinterest. He savored light coat, open- at the front to af-
the moment. ford a glimpse of delicious young
"He's here," he replied at last. breasts maturing beneath a tight
"Ittl put in a good word for you if dress.
you li~e.''''· .Staring at him like a terrifte4
The girl was not at all fooled by leveret she asked; 'lIs this the
this. Transfer center?"
THE NEVER GIRL 85

"Itis," replied J ames, still leaned against the wall together, he
smiling. listening sympathetically while his
"This is where I can contract to mind assessed the possibilities. But
take Friends?" he had miscalculated and the
"That's right." She could read, 'woman had begun to scream when
couldn't she? Obv~ously she· was a he made his rough, uncontrolled
stranger in these parts. He won- advances. So he had .run and lived
dered if she wanted to be shown in terror for two days, watching the
around the town. indicator boards every minute in
"Oh, good. I want to take two fear that his name would appear as
Friends, please." She withdrew a a wanted man. No doubt the
slip of paper from the pocket of her woman had reported the inci-
coat and James had the undefinable dent-herself bitter, she had
notion that she was somehow acting .wanted to take someone with her to
a part. He glanced at the recep- the Euthanasia Room.
tionist, who seemed intent on But the police had been unable to
reading something, head bent. track him down. The night had
"Right," said James briskly. "I bee~ dark. They had not exchanged
can deal with that for you.- Just fill indentities-her description had
in this form and I'll bring you a been incomplete. And, possibly, the
couple of Friends from the police had not had much sympathy
Habitation Room." He took a for her. So he had gotten away with
sheet of paper from the stack on the it. He had been more careful since.
·counter and placed it before her. He The girl was regarding him with
handed her a pen, standing close. dismay, her face close to his.
Her head was level with his I "Can't 1 choose my own Friends?"
shoulder. His hip brushed against she queried.
her. ije had a powerful urge to put "You have someone specific you
.his arm around her. wish to take?"
"Yes." She consulted the slip she
had brought. "A-21867-AX and A-
H E HAD been in trouble before.

Two physical lives ago, at the
age· of twenty, he had given way to
24536-AX, please."
"Anything to oblige." He
dragged his eyes away fr~m hers.
his desires in' the public park one "Just rdl in this form," he
night. By the dark walls of the an- instructed. "I'll go and get the
cient Minster he had come across a Friends." He took the slip of paper
lone woman, a criminal convicted from her, contriving to touch her
on a theft charge and with only one hand lightly at the same time, then
year to go before Total Death. She made his way to the Habitation
had confided this to him as they Room. This was situated at the ex-
86 ·IF
treme end of the corridor-it was a Conversationalist was frequently
vast rectangular chamber, some- subjected to such heckling. James
thing like a library filled by parallel grinned, leaning against the door
stacks of Friends. jamb.
The Conversationalist sat among "Except for the Act you'd have
the boxes, trying to interest the been dead this last hundred and
Friends in history. James paused in fifty years." pointed out the Con-
the doorway. versationalist. He leaned forward
"The Compulsory Transfer Act to confirm this. "A-28976-AX," he
was passed in the year 2056,"· the read from the metal plate above the
man was saying, "with the dual ob- Friend's grille. "So you had your
ject of reducing the runaway first Transfer about 2085. You've
birthrate and prevent~ng the probably had four physical bodies
wastage' of active, valuable minds by now, a total of one hundered and
through death. This law might sixty years active life. And just a
fairly be said to have changed the total of twenty years Friendship in
face of civilization." a box at various times. That's not
"I'lt say," rasped one of the bad. We can't help the Waiting
Friends. "If not for that law I'd List, you know. And Axminster is
have a physical body now-instead lucky. In some cities the list is over
of being in this damned box!" The ten years long."
• The Act of 2056 guaranteed virtually necessary for "essential personnel." such as
everyone then alive immortality. It specified government officials and civil servants, to
that on his/her fiftie~h birthday every person -spend any time in a Friendship box-at age
of Earth had to attend a Transfer Center, 40 they were transferred into a host body.
where his/her brain was removed and placed By 2159 old heads were firmly in the sad-
into the craniu.h of a six-month-old child. dle and the world was solidly in the grip of
The person then went through anothet:. child- the System. Almost no one remembered
hood to maturity' and the process was what a young person was. Androids were
repeated at his or her fiftieth birthday-ad developed to serve as host bodies. Hand-
;njinituffh..- So successful was the Act at some, healthy and intelligent, grown from
curbing the human birthrate that by 2066 it the best genetic material available, they were
became necessary to introduce what were nevertheless discriminated against because
euphemistically called Friendship boxes of certain skin discolorations and most
-metal containers filled with nutrient people continued to prefer waiting periods in
fluid in which a brain was placed pending Friendship boxes.
availability of a host body. In order to make The human birthrate, however. continued
the wait .more pleasant the boxes were equip- to drop-and Friends in boxes wielded
ped with audio pickups and vocal chords. By votes. The Total Death Act-which
the year 2128. it was decided to decrease the prescribed termination of all persons con:-
active population (while birthrate had de- victed of any offense from overtime parking
clined, the number of people had not) by re- up-was passed in 2176 to shorten Friend-
ducing the age for Compulsory Transfer to ship box waiting period for others.
40. Simultaneously came about the Pre.. The events in this story took place in the
ferred Tr~de. concept, which made it un.. year 2256.
THE NEVER GIRL 87

"Thanks," said someone sar- An abashed muttering came from
castically. "That makes me feel the boxes.
good. I've only got eighteen months "You see what I mean?" the
to do in this box." Conversationaiist asked trium-
Linton James coughed. "Excuse phantly. "If you wouldn't take a
me," he said. "I've come to collect Friend when you could-why
a couple of Friends." He read the should anyone take you?"
numbers out to the Conversa- Several boxes began to speak at
tionalist. The man nodded and once-loudly. James left the room.
James began to examine the boxes, He didn't envy the Conversation-'
which were in approximate nu- alist his job. For several hours
merical order, while the history each day the man talked to the
lesson continued. Soon he found the boxes, ·'-.reasoning with them,
two he wanted. "I've got them," he teaching them, listening to their
said. He took them down and complaints...
checked the numbers off with the
Conversationalist. TINTON JAMES quickly forgot
Harsh outcries rose from several L the Habitation Room as he
Friends as they heard the numbers. reached the entrance hall. The girl
"Wait a moment!" someone was bending over, her back to him,
yelled. "Those two only came in patting the carrier dog on the head
yesterday. How come they've found and talking to it-carrier dogs were
Companions 'already? What about extremely intelligent and able to
me? I've been in this room for three comprehend simple human speech.
years!" ~ James could see the girl's thighs
"I can't help that." James ad- below the short skirt almost to her
dressed the box at the foot of the buttocks. He paused for a moment,
stack. "Contracting for Friends by involuntarily touching his tongue to
active persons is entirely voluntary. his lips, then walked across to her.
A girl came in just now and asked "'Your Friends." he said, placing
for these two Friends. They're the two boxes on the floor.
probably acquaintances of hers. If "Oh, thank you." She handed
she's good enough to contract to him the form and he glanced at it
look after a Friend she can have briefly, checking her name with
anyone she· likes." . that on the Code Card she offered.
The Conversationalist spoke up. You had to be careful over that sort
"One thing I'd like to ask you of thing. People had been known to
people,~' he said. "During your last put false name and' number on a
physical life-how many of you form, thereby. gaining possession of
took the responsibility of a Friend without revealing their
contracting to look after a Friend?" true identities. The claimant would
88 IF
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then disappear, resuming his or her "Thank you very much," she
correct identity in the city. The said, "but I'd rather-" She seized
Friend, possibly an old enemy of one of the boxes and the carrier dog
the impostor, might also disappear took the other' in his powerful jaws.
for a while-in many cases to reap- With another brief, terrified glance
pear later on a garbage dump, at him she turned and almost ran
smashed and Totally Dead. for the door, the dog trotting be-
But this girl was genuine enough. hind her. James watched the two,
Mary Atkinson. He smiled at her watched the door after they had
reassuringly-she still seemed gone. You didn't get many girls like
nervous. that. Usually women were hard, ex-
UThey're all .yours," he said. perienced, inaccessible.
"Can I help you out w.ith them?" UMy God." The cynic~l voice of
uI've brought the dog." the receptionist startled him out of
uNo trouble." The pulse was his reverie. UI thought you were
beating again-his palms were going to lay her on the spot. You'd
moist. He glanced at the address' on better watch yourself, young Linton
the form. "Cliff Cottage, Brans- James. You're frustrated. You
combe. That's well out in the ought to grow up."
country. Tell you what-" he was He w~eeled furiously, hating her
speaking fast, eagerly-UI'll run amused look, her thighs, the im-
you there in my car. No trouble." possible longings she created in ~is
He held her gaze-desire fluttered mind and body. Then he recovered,
at the pit of his stomach. eyeing her appraisingly. His stan..
"It's quite all right." She was dards had changed. She represented
looking scared again. "I'll take the inferior goods, shop-soiled. He
bus. Thank you very much, sir-" stared at her contemptuously and,
Sir. The eyes were intensely blue. to his surprise, she dropped her
James felt powerful, virile, mas- eyes.
terful. A corner of his mind "She was very pretty," she
returned to the woman' in the park. murmured, "Physically a bit
He had shown her. He had stifled young-mentally, too I thought.
her screaming with the palm of his Just the type for you, really, Linton.
hand. But he had. never wanted I should look her up some time."
anyone as much as he wanted this Amazed and not knowing quite
girl. What was it about her? 'She what to say-he felt again inex-
seemed .virginal. An oddity. Almost perienced and unable to cope with
an alien concept. Something one the world around him-Linton
read about. .. J ames returned to his office to
uNo trouble," he repeated, his dream of the young girl with the
mouth dry. "The car's outside." blue eyes.,
THE NEVER GIRL 89

IVE minutes later he was still demonstrably in a Friendship box,
F staring at the form in his hand.
Once again he read it, turned it
as witness the num ber?
It was some time before Linton
over, "read the other side. He was James thought to check the
unable to understand what he saw. Habitation Room. He entered
The only certainty was that the girl quietly and made for the index
had committed an offense. For racks. These contained the Code
some unknown reason she, in re- Cards handed in by people under-
moving the two Friends, had laid going physical euthanasia before
herself open to cri~inal proceed- their minds were placed in Friend-
ings and imprisonment-and con- ship boxes; the cards provided a
sequently, when the date of her cross-check with the boxes in the
next Transfer came up in some Habitation Room. He' flipped
twenty-five years, Total Death. through the cards, ignoring the
The front of the form bore her cries of query from the stacked
name and address, which he had boxes were bored again. The Con-
checked with her Code Card, and versationalist was taking a break.
her number-which he had not Some of the cards had the folded
checked. There had not seemed to forms clipped to them, indicating
be any need. that the Friends they represented
A-24536-AX MARY ATKINS~N, had been contracted for and
CLIFF COTTAGE, BRANSCOMBE. removed from the room.
The usual declaration and her Soon he found what he was
signature followed: M. Atkinson. looking for. He pulled out a card.
On the reverse of the form ap- A-21867-AX EDGAR GREEN-
peared the numbers of the two WOOD, CLIFF COTTAGE, BRANS-
Friends she had taken with her. COMBE.
A-21867-AX That took care of "one of the
A-24536-AX Friends~ He searched further, but
The same number appeared on soon gave up, convinced. There was
both sides of the form. It was im- no card for Friend number A-
possible. He had checked her name, 24536-AX. There couldn't be, be-
which agreed with her personal cause that was the one the girl had
Code Card. So the number to go shown him.
with her name must have been cor- She must previously have suc-
rect. Yet he had also checked the ceeded in removing it from the
numbers on the boxes with the back Habitation Room and had used it
of the form filled in by her. How as identity to claim the Friends.
could a person be in two places at Why?
once? First, physically before him He thought about it for a while,
and signing, a form-and secondly, sitting in his office. He kept
90 IF
returning to the same conclusion. allowed her attention to dwell on
The only reason the girl would them the tears would fall. In her
use t6"at Code Card as identity was misery she f~iled to notice the
that she had no identity of her own. figure of Linton James, clad in a
She didn't exist. Legally she was a shapeless raincoat, tag on to the
nonentity. end of the queue.
And Linton J ames thought he At last the hoverbus pulled up
knew why. with a whistle of expended air. She
Substantial rewards existed for- ,picked up one of the Friends-the
turning in a criminal and a dog took the other-and both
nonen!ity had to-by definition- ·climbed on board. Mary inserted
be a criminal. He folded the form her Code Card into the ticket
and. tucked it into his pocket. mechanism.
He would turn the girl in. The bus at this time was practi-
He thought of her blue eyes, her cally empty. She chose a seat in the
unspoiled youthful air of innocence. rear, setting the boxes on the floor
Yes, he would turn her in. at her feet and calling the dog in
But first. .. close. He looked up at her from
moist eyes, then settled . under the
AT -THIS time of morning the seat. The bus started. <...
L1. bus service from the city to A woman sat on the adjacent pair
the. ..outlaying districts was in- of seats, entrenched among
frequent and Mary Atkinson stood packages, glanced at her, then
for some time at the bus stop, the leaned across.
dog and the two black bqxes at her "Hello, there. Isn't it Woman
feet. From time to time people hur- Mary Atkinson?"
rying along- the pavement to their Mary looked up, startled.
various duties about the city would "Oh-Woman Biggs. Why, hello.
step close to the boxes and the dog's Hello. You're leaving town early
upper lip would curl back and he this morning."
would move closer, crouching over "I just had to pick up a few
the Friends. After a ·while a short things." She looked at the floor
queue had built up-a few people beside Mary. "Hi there, dog.
glanced curiously at the ,young girl What's that you've got? Friends?"
standing at the stop, lost in thought, She regarded Mary curiously.
the dog and boxes at her feet. "'Yes."
Mary was, in fact, trying hard "Oh." the woman hesitated.
not to cry and by this unusual exhi- "Who are they? Anyone I know?"
bition of emotion draw attention to Mary was silent.
herself. She hardly dared to look at "Well-now let me see." The
the boxes-she knew that if she wom'an stared at the .boxes, her
THE NEVER GIRL 91

expression intent and amused like euthanasia yesterday. I collected
one taking part in a guessing them this morning."
game.,uLet me see. You're from "Oh. Very public-spirited of you,
Branscombe. I don't know many I'm sure." Woman Biggs regarded
people that far out of town. You Mary with that special look of re-
keep pretty much to yourselves. spectful di~like reserved for do-
But-wait a minute-a month ago gooders. "I hope you realiZe· what
I saw you in Sidford with two you're taking on. Friends can be
people. They must have been in difficult-always complaining. I
their late thirties- Why, you're know." Suddenly she chuckled,
crying, Mary. What's the matter?" looking almost human. "I've been a
Mary sniffed into her hand- bastard myself,. during various
kerchief. Friendship. periods. It's the inac-
Woman Biggs stared at her with tivity that gets you. Ah, well. I'm
interest. "I haven't seen anyone cry thirty-four physical. I've got a clean
for years. It's nice to know people record, so it's me for the box myself
have_ emotions left. I don't think in six years' 'time. Comes to all of
I've cried since I was eighty-nine us. Mustn't grumble. May my next
mental-that was when Bob' Se- body 'be beautiful." With this
combe got Total Death on a driving cascade of platitudes she relapsed
charge. Do you remember Bob Se- into silence, pulled out a portovee'
combe?" and stared at it avidly.
Mary-shook her head dum»ly. Relieved, Mary turned away and
"I thought everyone knew Bob looked out through the window.
Secombe. I hope I knew him better The concrete suburbs had given
than most, though. Funny you way to more open, agricultural
never knew him." land-here and there huge ma- ,
Mary made a supreme effort. She chinery stalked the fields like ste-
didn't want to .talk about Qob Se- gasauri. She spoke quietly to the
combe. She gave her cheeks a final Friends. "Are you both-all right?','
mopping and indicated the boxes. "Fine,'" the answer came back.
"These people looked after me The dog started beneath her feet
during my last childhood,." she said and whined softly.
unsteadily. "They w~re very kind to "Jason recognizes you," she mur-
me. One feels so helpless during mured. Somehow this seemed im-
childhood. It seemed the- least I portant.
could do was to take them as She sat in silence then. The
Friends: The Waiting List for countryside gradually became more
bodies is several' years now.' hilly, with occasional outcrops of
They-" She nearly broke down trees' on land too rough and stony
again. "They went for physical for economical fanning. Twenty
92 IF
minutes later the hoverbus hissed to "We're here," she informed the
a halt at a small village, a huddle of boxes, rather shakily.
domes and rectangles between steep uFine," one of the boxes said.
hillsides. Mary disembarked. With "We're very grateful to you, Mary.
Jason trotting behind she made her You were under no obligation to
way across the small forecourt and 1>ring us here.·"
climbed into her car, lifting the· "What? After all you've done for
Friends carefully to the back seat. me these past years? It was the least
The dog jumped in beside her, the I could do. I couldn't leave you in
door closed and she moved off, that place."
turning south down the narrow lane The other box spoke, a woman's
signposted BRANSCOMBE. voice. "But the risk you took,
Standing in the shadow of the Mary. We didn't want you to do
bus, Linton James watched the re- that. You could have left us. I
ceding hovercar in some an- couldn't believe it when the· man
noyance. He hadn't bargained for said you'd come to fetch us-"
Mary's having her own trans- The male box said in a reproving
portation. He had no alternative tone, "It wasn't what we" had ar-
but to follow on foot. ranged. You may have called at-
tention to yourself. If I recall cor-
M ARY drove slowly through rectly, my girl, the arrangement

Branscombe, a ghost village was that you would get into the
of ancient stone cottages, relics of Center and take the Code Card so
the days before pollution had that you could use it yourself until
diminished the fishing and tourist we came up for placing in bodies
industries. The village, once again. The authorities would think
thriving, now had a population of the card had gotten lost somewhere
some thirty dropouts from urban and would issue a duplicate. Then
life who lived by marketing vege- we would all have cards."
tables ·'and fruits unsuited for mass "That's all right," said Mary. "I
production on the huge state farms. can keep you here for as long as I
Broken windows gaped /at the like. When I ta}{e you back to the
hovercar as it climbed the steep hill Transfer Cent.er the same thing will
to the clifftop. The rough road de- apply. They'll find they're a card
teriorated to a track. short and will issue another. I don't
Five minutes later Mary pulled see any problem."
up outside a cottage some fifty "But the risk-" murmured the
yards from the edge of the cliff. She female Friend helplessly.
and Jason carried the Friends inside "Oh, be quiet, Mum," said
and placed them on the floor. She Mary. She got up and began to
sat down with a sigh of relief. prepare herself some coffee while
THE NEVER GIRL 93

the two Friends chattered to each them got out of the car, unloaded
other. their baggage and, under the
amused gaze of the villagers,
E DGAR GREENWOOD and

Mary Atkinson had sought
refuge in /Branscombe from the
marched back into the cottage.
It seemed that there was no
problem about their jobs-the local
concrete falsity ofAxminster .some employment office took the view
sixteen years earlier. Both were that it was their own business if
then twenty-four physical years old they wanted to rough 'it in Brans-
and considered themselves in love, combe. This was a relief-some-
a pleasant fantasy in which most how, due to the extreme regimenta-
people indulged appro~imately tion of labor in Axminster, they
once every physical lifetime. It did had gotten the idea that there was
no harm-indeed it ·was of positive something illegal about dropping
benefit, this periodic heightening of out in this manner-but apparently
the emotions. It provided most it was not so. There was unemploy-
people with something to look for- ment in the city-someone else
ward to during their late thirties. A would be glad to take their places.
new childhood,. a new adolescence There was just one small snag:
with the added benefit of ex- it was suspected, though never
perience, a new love affair at the overtly', stated, that preference on
height of the Qew body's powers. the Waiting List for bodies was
The prospect also made the waiting given to Friends who had held
period in the Friendship boxes regular jobs in their las~ physical
more bearable. lives. But Edger and Mary were
A mutual acquaintance had told twer:ty-four and Transfer was
them of Branscombe and the sixteen years away.
deserted cottages, and they arrived Life was pleasant in Branscombe.
one autumn morning for a short The neighbors were helpful and
honeymoon. At first they stayed in Edgar soon established an adequate
the village itself and got to know income from a smallholding on the
the few hard-working inhabitants. hillside. The" weeks went by and
The day they were due to return to each day he and Mary discovered to
their jobs in the city they loaded the their recurring delight that they
hovercar with their baggage and were still in love. Soon Mary be-
climbed in. Edgar had even pressed came pregnant.
the starter when he turned for a last They moved out of the village to
look at the sea. Mary had been Cliff Cottage, a half-mile away"
looking in the same di- and in the follo~ing October Mary
rection-now, suddenly, she turned bore a daughter. She was a wonder-
to face him. Without a word both of fully pretty baby, Edgar and Mary
94 IF
thought. They had been living at of Branscombe. Naturally, as'the
Branscombe for a year by now and first. real child many of the residents
Axminster seemed far away-as had seen for well over a century, she
did the laws of the land. received the best of attention.
For days they avoided the subject Then-when she was fifteen years
of the Transfer Center and their old-her parents became due for
legal obligations concerning the physical euthanasia. Their Code
baby. It seemed ,to them diaboli- Cards had to be surrendered and
cally wrong for this child to be Mary lost her identity again. It was
taken to the Center-there to be likely that her parents wQuld have
implanted with someone else's to remain in Friendship Boxes for
adult mind. Unfortunately the law several years, during which period
stated that it was a crime for them Mary might at 'any time be called
not to relinquish the baby. upon to prove her identity.
There was never a definite time So the scheme of stealing back
when Edgar and Mary admitted to the Code Card was born. It would
themselves that they intended to probably have worked, too, if Mary
break the law. But the days went by had not, out of sympathy to her
and the baby grew and somehow parents, contracted to look after
they never got around to reporting them for a while.
the birth to the authorities.
Eventually Edgar took the villagers "YOU'RE quite sure nobody
into his confidence-there' was no suspected anything, dear?"
way this could be avoided-and, asked Friend Mary .Atkinson
not entirely to this 'surprise, they Senior.
were sympathetic. The matter was "I'm sure they didn't," Mary re-
discussed at an informal meeting, plied. During the past hour she had',
out of which came a surprising sug- answered the same question at least
gestion. six times.
If the child became known as "What about that man I heard
Mary Atkinson-if it took its talking?" her father asked. UI
mother's name-there woul~ be no didn't like the sound of his voice.
reason why it shouldn't move about He was trying to-make out with
freely, using the mother's COde you, you know." Edgar Greenwood
Card as a means of identification was concerned. In his present
when required. The same card helpless state he doubted her ability
would serve for both people. to cope with the pack of lustful
~o the ,child grew up as Mary males his imagination saw sniffing
Atkinson, looked after by Edgar around her.
Greenwood and Mary Atkinson "I didn't like him," Mary
Senior-and, indirectly, the village. reassured him.
THE NEVER GIRL 95

Edgar was silent, torturing garding the two boxes on the floor,
himself. Mary was growing up and felt the sadness well up in her again.
he had not thought of this soon She put down her cup. "I think I'd
enough. He had brought a totally better get along to the smallholding
innocent child into a world of men, and make sure things are all right,"
anyone of whom had had at least she remarked. uJason can stay here
one hundred and sixty years' ex- with you." She stood up.
perience. Edgar said, "Make sure Jefrs
Mary poured herself a cup of cof- knocking the bottom leaves off the
fee and sat down again, eyeing the sprouts. They grow firmer that
Friends thoughtfully. The resilience way. And those leeks should need
of youth had abated her initial sor- earthing up again."
row and now she must consider the Mary stepped out into the au-
implications of the present situa- tumn sunshine, closing the door be-
tion. Money was fortunately no hind her. She stood for a moment
problem. The villagers had offered on the rough track to the village,
their assistance toward. keeping the looking out to sea. The sky was
smallholding in shape for the next cloudless and the sea's ultramarine
few years. In addition., her father dashed with silver-a tanker crept
had built up substantial savings. along the horizon. She could hear
"What are you doing, dear?" the muted rumble of the waves at
asked her mother. the cliff base and walked across the
"I'm drinking a cup of coffee." short springy grass, looked down at
"Oh? I hope you haven't made it the rocks ahundred feet below. The
too, strong, dear. Coffee's not good water was deep there, the rocks jag-
for a girl of your age." ged, and the waves lapped and slob-
bered in and out of the clefts. Mary
shuddered involuntarily and won-
DGAR GREENWOOD broke dered why the scene always sug-
E in. "What I wouldn't give for a gested' suicide to her. What was her
scotch right now." fascination with the rocks washed
Mary Atkinson Senior made a by the sea far below? Why didn't
sound very much like the clicking of they call to her mind fishing,
a tongue. "Edgar! Not at this hour bathing or climbing-or even
of the morning. Oh-" She broke murder? Why always, always sui-
off as the needlessness of her cide?
remark struck her. "It always takes Shivering the thought from her
a day or two to get used to the mind she turned and walked along
Friendship bo.x," she said in a small the cliff path toward the village.
voice. After a while the ground began to
Mary, sipping he~ coffee and re- fall away and the cottage"s were in
96 'IF
sight, gray and peaceful in the sun. the creeps in the weirdest way-and
She walked over to the I couldn't think why. It was some-
smallholding, a series of neat rec- thing to do with sex, I suppose."
tangles of cultivation on the Jeff regarded her, the intent adult
hillside. A slight figure was there, appraisal. incongruous on his
bent double, weeding. childish face.. She was flushed from
"Hello, Jeff," she called. her walk in the sun and· the dress
clung to her figure~ He found
himself wishing he were a few
J EFF WATERS .looked up and,
seeing Mary, grinned. He was physical years older. "Oh, God," he
eleven physical years old and, like said quietly, as the implications of
everyone in the village, believed in her innocence struck him again.
working to the best of his capa- She' was probably the only gjrl in
bilities regardless of his physical the country who had never... "Be
age. The community was too small careful, Mary," he said earnestly.
for passengers and it was accepted "You're growing up into a very
that people going through a child- pretty woman."
hood undertook light work. "I can take care of myself," she
"Hello, Mary. Can 1. assume assured him. She laughed at his
everything went all right? I saw the expression. ··Muni and Dad have
car go past a while back." told me the facts of life."
"Oh, yes. No difficulty. I even "I dare say, bu~- Oh, well, I
brought Mum and Dad back as suppose it's safe enough here in the
Friends.." village. There are a lot of queer
"You what?" Astonishment characters in Axminster, though."
changed Jeffs grin. "Well, I'm Mary found his concern amusing.
damned. You've got a hell of a "Don't worry, Jeff. You all treat
nerve, Mary. That's the advantage me as though I were ~ child. It does
of being truly young, I reckon. me gQod, though. I was feeling ter-
When you get to be my age and rible a minute ago. It seemed
have had a few Transfers life seems everything was weighing me down,
more valuable with each body. You with Mum and Dad in boxes. Sud-
become so cautious that in the end denly I--had responsibilities-I've
it's a wonder you ever do anything got to look after the two people
at all." He sighed. "It must be who had been looking after me all
great to be young." my life. I found myself wondering if
"It's· not all good." Mary smiled. I was up to it. But talking to you
"Every single person I meet is more and hearing all this nonsense about
experienced than I in every way. the sex maniacs in Axminister
There was a man at the Transfer again~why, it's quite like old
Center this morning who -gave me times. Can't you villagers realize
THE NEVER GIRL 97

that Axminster folk are just like ~6I might do that. And thanks for
yourselves?" your help, Jeff. I'd better get back.
UMaybe so, but we've known you I'll tell Dad everything's in good
since you were a baby, Mary. No- hands."
body in the 'village would lay a" uFine."
finger on you." Jeff smiled. "Not Jeff watched her as she climbed
that I don't find you attractive, back up the hillside. He sighed,
myself." feeling inexplicably sad.
UWhy, you dirty young man!
Speaking of dirt, Dad asked me to
remind you about earthing up the ·MARY herself was more
leeks." cheerful as she took the road
UAll done." Jeff waved a hand at back to the cottage. With neighbors
the neat ridges. like Jeff Waters she would not need
Mary glanced at him suspi- to worry. Apart- from companion-
ciously, bent down and brushed ship, the needs of Friends were few.
away soil. Tips of strong, grasslike Also, she herself could move about
leaves showed. "Oh, good. A bit with greater freedom now that she
deep, aren't they? Will they come didn't have to share a Code Card
through again?" with her mother. This meant that
"Of couE,se," he replied patiently. she could, if she wanted, get ajob in
"I always reckoned Edgar didn't Axminster. She decided that she
put his leeks in deep enough." ought to discuss this with her
UMy Dad's the best gardener in parents.
Branscombe-" Mary broke off "Hello there!"Wait a moment."
miserably at the thought of the im- The shout came from behind her.
mobile black box back at the cot- She turned and saw a figure hur-
tage. rying up the slope from the village.
"Never mind, honey. I'ye done She paused, expecting one of the
the brussels sprouts as well. I ex- neighbors. As the man drew closer,
pect he asked about those." however, she "became puzzled and
"Thanks." turned away, quickel)ing her pace.
"And the potatoes-and every- He was a stranger and strangers
thing else. You don't have to worry were suspect in these parts. All t90
about a thing. Just take ~ easy frequently they proved to be state
and look after your parents. investigators poking about, trying
Friends get frustrated and to catch the community harboring
crotchety after a" while. I tell you some illegality.
what. Bring them down to my place The man drew level and put a
tonight. The conversation will do , hand on her arm, restraining her.
them good." He smiled. "Hello, Mary. Don't
98 IF
you remember me? Linton James, I know you quite well. Funny, how
from the Center." it sometimes happens like that. It
She remembered him now. It was was lucky for me I happened to be
he all right, hot and flushed with in the Center when you came in."
haste. She fought down panic. "I thought you said it was your
"Of course I remember you," she day off."
replied. "What are you doing here? "Well, you know how it is. I've
Did I forget to sign the form?" A got a pretty good position there.
dread sat heavily in her The boss-that's Man Phillip
stomach-she tried not to show it. Ewell-practically eats out of my
"Oh, the form," he said lightly. hand. So I just said to him, Ewell, I
"Never mind that. No. It's my day said, I'm taking the day off. Enjoy
off-and seeing your address re- yourself, Man James, he said. We
minded me I hadn't been here for have a good relationship, Ewell and
years. I thought I'd take the bus out I. He's an android, but that doesn't
and see what the old .place looked worry me. He's only been in
like. I came here once-oh, three Axminster for. a short while, so he
physical lives ago. A long time. has to depend on me a lot."
How long have you lived here, "I must be getting on. Nice
Mary?" meeting you again, Man James."
~~ All of this physical life." Mary tried to detach herself. She
"How are the Friends? Settling in had a suspicion that James was
all right?" slightly insane.
"Fine." She tried to move on, but "Don't go. Not yet. Let's sit
his grip on her arm tightened. His down for a moment."
'smile had become fixed and intent Mary found herself forced to the
as he regarded her. She looked ground. James sat beside her, still
toward the village desperately, but gripping her arm,' his feet dangling
the houses were hidden by the crest. over the cliff edge. The waves below
"Good," he said. "It's very kind boomed dully.
of you to take two Friends like this. "I don't often get the chance to
Helps us out a lot at the Center. I talk to a nice girl like you," he re-
suppose you knew them in their sumed. "Woman Adams, she's the
previous life?" receptionist at the Center, she never
"They were two of the villagers. speaks to me nicely. She thinks
They looked after me during my she's better than me because she's
last childhood." putting in for promotion to a
"Not .enough people think of Preferred Trade next year. She's a
being, grateful. You're a nice girl, bitch. She's repulsive, physically,
Mary. I hope you don't mind my. but she fancies her chances-"
calling you Mary-I feel as ,though Mary was terrified. The sea was ~
THE NEVER GIRL 99

long way below and her back was then slid upward. She pushed him
aching from holding herself bolt. up-
away vjolently.
right, rigidly a~ay from James who "Leave me alone," she protested.
"Let me go!"
was now sliding his arm around her. .
Why didn't someone come? She His breath was coming fast-his
didn't know what to do. If she tried
face had a curiously sullen look. He
to get away from this madman he pushed her down and lay half
would push her over the edge, as across her, talking fast. "Oh, come
like as not. on, Mary, come on now, I love
uWhat's more, I think there's you-make love to me Mary.
something going on between 'her There's nothing to be afraid of-"
and Ewell-that's why she won't He broke off suddenly as ,she
have anything to do with me. She's
slapped him across the face with
having an affair with that android.
her free hand. He gripped her wrist,
She thinks she's too good for me."
winced as her knee drove into his
James' grip around Mary's shoul- stomach, pinned her to the ground
ders had relaxed and his expression
while she twisted frantically.
was inward-he was reliving some "Like that, is it?" His eyes stared
past humiliation. "But why shouldinto hers' with an amalgam of hate
I worry? I get plenty of girls. Funny
and lust. "I thought so. You think
thing-I've always been able to get
you're too good for me, like all the
others. And that's not all. You've
on well with them. Girls seem to go
for me. Do you find me attractive,
never had it before, yoy little bitch.
Mary?" . 1 know. I know that stunt you
He twisted her around until his
pulled with the card. You're a
face was inches from hers and shenonentity. You've got no card of
could smell his acrid breath. Sheyour own. I could turn you in." His
didn't reply. She was trembling hand. was fumbling under her skirt.
"l will turn you in, unless you lie
violently and a tear crept down her
cheek. still."
~'Because I find you attractive, His other hand was cupped over
Mary. I find you very attractive. her mouth. The terror in her eyes
Don't cry-it spoils your lovely lent him confidence and strength.
face." His g~e traveled down. He felt supreme, all-powerful.
"You've got nice legs. Did anyone Mary looked past. his face at the
ever tell you your legs are nice, blue sky. Little puffs of white cloud
Mary?" hovered above her and she could
hear, beyond the fast urgent
breathing, the dim roar of the sea at
ARY flinched as his hand the cliff base. Was this happening
M , gripped h~r knee, squeezed, to her-so near her own house and
100 IF
almost within view of the village? in his voice. "I did her a good turn,
The .coarse, short grass was/ rough you might say. She's had her ex-
against the backs of her legs. Her perience of adulthood-just in time.
knees were forced apart and she Because she hasn't got much more
tried to scream as the agony time, has she? She's a nonentity.
entered her, but something hot and I've got proof. I'm going to take'
stifling was covering her mouth. her to the Center now. Total Death.
Still, she's learned what life is all
about."
III "You swine." The box spoke
helplessly. "You lousy, rotten
AFTERWARD he dragged her to swine."
.n. her feet. She stood unsteadily. "Not very original," commented
"Now we go to your house," he J ames. He walked over to the box
said stonily. Keeping hold of her and kicked it heavily. "You'd bet-
arm, he began to propel her along ter watch your language, Friend.
the cliff path. "It's along here, isn't Come to terms with yourself. You
it? You've got a car there." He felt realize that concealing a birth is
dull and vindictive-the sight of th~ punishable by Total Deatb1 You're
girl~ bent and sniveling, irritated already in the box. There'll be a
him. "For God's sake, stop trial, of course, but the evidence is
crying!" all against you. Which means that
At the cottage he opened the door you'll never have a body again.
and pushed her inside. "Clean your- After they find you guilty they'll
self up," he commanded. -"We're just wipe -you out. Obliterate you.
taking a ride." He glanced at the And your wife-I suppose that's
two black boxeS. "Hello, Friends," what you 'Call her. Both of you.
he said' contemptuously. "l'~e just Oh, boy." He chuckled insanely,
been enjoying your daughter's com- feeling quite exalted. He, Linton
pany. She is your daughter, right?" James, was totally in command of
In the corner of the room the car- the situation.
rier dog. growled softly. "You don't "How old are you, exactly?"
scare me, Fido. You're programed asked Edgar.
to obey and never to attack. Sit, "What's it to you?" queried
you st~pid bastard." The dog sat. James suspic.iously.
J ames sniggered. "I just wondered. I wondered
"What-what did he do to you, what sort of lousy series of lives
Mary?" Edgar's voice spoke. could bring a man to your situation.
Mary ran into the bathroom. I'd guess you were one of the last
"She's grown- up all of a sudden," children and in all your lives others
Ja~es explained, cold amusement hav~ been superior to you. I ought
THE NEVER GIRL 101

to feel sorry for you, I suppnse." He laughed, seized Mary by the
"Thanks a lot. Very kind of you, arm and took her to the car.
I'm sure. And hasn't your wife got
anything to say? Is the other Mary AN PHILLIP' EWELL
Atkinson struck dumb? How about
a bit of motherly sympathy for-poor
M looked up as they entered.
"Yes, James?" He regarded Mary
downtrodden Man Linton James?" with surprise.
The other box spoke at last. Linton J ames smirked. uOne
uThere's nothing I can say." Mary nonentity," he said, pushing Mary.
Atkinson Senior sounded infinitely forward. "Together with evidence."
weary. "Except-why? What have He reached into his pocket. "One
you got against us all?" Friendship contract incorrectly
"Nothing personal. It's just a filled 'out, one Code Card fraudu-
question of cash. I get prize money lently being used by said
for this." nonentity."
"We've got money." '~Oh?" Ewell took the proffered
"Thanks, no. I also get the items, glancing at J ames with some
chance of being promoted to a distaste. "Why didn't you go to the
Preferred Trade. You know what police?"
that means? No Friendship period ' "Thought I'd see you first, you
for me. Immediate Transfer to being in ·charge of the Center.
another body at age forty. That's There's more evidence at Brans-
worth more cash than you've got." combe. Two Friends-with carrier
He walked to the bathroom and dog u'sed in said fraud."
jerked open the door. "Hey, Go- "For God's sake, stop talking
diva.," he said, grinning. uGet some like a policeman, James. Let's get
clothes on. We're going. Your folks this straight. Tell me the story in
have just failed to buy me off." sensible language. What's it all
Eventually Mary emerged in a about?"
clean dress. Ignoring James, she Somewhat abashed, James ex-
addressed the boxes. UBye, Mum," plained, describing the visit of
she said quietly. "Bye, Dad. Mary to contract for the Friends".
I'm-I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I He laid emphasis on her
should never have tried to get you nervousness. He related his dis-
out of the Center." covery of the duplication of names
"You c~n cut out the tender fare- and of. the missing card in the
wells," James said. He addressed Habitation Room. The chase to
the boxes. "We'll be coming back. Branscombe. The confrontation
You constitute evidence, right with the parents. The confession.
where you are in your own house. I "Mary Atkinson." Ewell read the
want the police to see you here." name thoughtfully.
102 IF
"So we've got one card children were allowed to progress
representing both this girl here and to adulthood in the falhily at-
a Friend at present in a cottage at mosphere of their parents' homes.
Branscombe, both of whom have Other humans generally opted tor
-committed criminal acts punishable Friendship rather than accept
by- Total Death," explained James Transfer to an android body.
unctuously. uTo say nothing of Phillip Ewell had once watched
another Friend at Branscombe who with undying delight his daughter's
is guilty of concealing a birth. Here progress from childhood to
is his card from the Habitation womanhood and had thanked God
Room." that he was an android. The child's
"Yes, yes," said Ewell im- mother, a human woman named
. patiently. He looked at Mary. The Alice Lander, with whom he had
whole affair disgusted him-he had an affair many years ago, had
wished James had gone to the been a Placement Officer and had
police in the first place. He, Ewell, placed the tiny child in a creche for
was a surgeon, not a tribunal. The future use as a host body, though
girl looked scared stiff, which she had not been legally obliged to
wasn't surprising. He felt sorry for give up the child, technically an
her-after all, it wasn't her fault android. A woman in. her position,
that her birth had been concealed. she had told him, could hardly
Still, his duty in the matter was bring up a half-breed child. He had
clear. 61'00 you agree with what traced the infant, tak~n it home
Man James has said, Woman and, with the"assistance of a female
Atkinson?" companion, brought it/up.
Mary nodded dumbly. Thus he was able to rationalize
"Oh." He tapped his fingers his sympathy as he looked at Mary.
thoughtfully on the desk. James So it was tough on the kid and she
was right, of course. You could tell reminded him of his daughter. But
at a glance that this girl was im- Mary was a human," a nonentity,
mature. She reminded him of a and her parents were criminals. He
daughter he once had. had no alternative. He stood,
Phillip Ewell was an android and picking up the evidence. Thumbing
therefore in unus~al ways the button on his visiphone, he
privileged, not by law, but by cir- spoke briefly to police head-
cumstances. The birthrate had quarters, requesting their"presence
fallen, as' had been expected, at Branscombe.
following the enactment of the "We'll take your car, if we may,"
Transfer laws. Android births, he said to Mary.
however, had in recent years risen, She nodded and muttered some-
with the result that many android thing.
THE NEVER GIRL 103·

"What's that, child? Speak up." You thought the police might take
Mary looked straight at all the credit. You wanted to be
him-there was decision in her blue sure· I understood how clever.. .you'd
eyes. "This man-" she indicated been in making your miserable lit-
James-"raped me. I-I wouldn't tle arrest. Right? Well, I under-
say anything now, but-my p.arents stand. And I tell you this: as long as
know.. I couldn't stand going all I'm the surgeon in charge of
through it again-with them there. Axminster Transfer Center you'll
But they'll tell you-if you don't be- get n9 recommendation from me.
lieve me. He bragged about it to This whole thing stinks. My job is
them." performing Transfer operations,
Ewell sat down abruptly, staring fiot running around the country
at James. after so-called criminals." He
~f. Is she telling the truth?" looked at Mary helplessly. "'I'm
James shuffled his feet, then afraid there's nothing much·' I can
regarded Ewell defiantly. "She's do for you, my dear. The law is
telling the tr~th," he said. "Okay, I clear enough."
raped her. She led me on, though. I "'But I want you as a witness,
was following her to find out where Man Ewell," insisted James stub-
she lived and she said hello bornly. .
and-made me want her. You "Right. Let's get over to Brans-
know how they do." He winked combe, then. And I want you to
knowingly. "Anyway, I don't see understand, James-I have not the
that it matters. She's a nonentity. slightest sympathy with your ac-
You can't commit a crime against a tions. I'll witness because the law
nonentity. If she preferred a charge, compels me to, as senior of the
it wouldn't even reach the courts." Center. But I won't say oo·e word
. Ewell looked at him for a long that might cause your prize money
time. At last ·he said quietly, to be increased."
"James, you are a lucky, dirty little Somewhat shaken, James
bastard." stepped aside as Ewell politely took
""There's no cause to go speaking Mary's arm and conducted her
to me like that, Man Ewell!" from the room.
"There's every cause-and you
know it. I know why you invo1ved DHILLIP EWELL was· es-
me in this thing instead of going Csentially kind-hearted. He fre-
straight to the police. It wasn't only quently came across instances of
because you i wanted_ me as a hardship where he felt the law
witness. It was because you wanted. might resonably be relaxed. The
my recommendation -wh~n ,ou ap- case of Mary Atkinson was one
ply to be"upgraded as Preferred. such. Through no fault of her own
104 IF
the girl could not be allowed to selfish, bringing you up the way
exist. they did? I mean, they must have
The" parents were a different known you'd be found out in the
proposition, he felt. They had com- end-and they as well."
mitted their crime fifteen years ago "And we'd all get Total Death?"
for purely selfish reasons and She looked at' him candidly-he
without thought of the problems it was amazed at her composure.
would present their daughter as she "That's the luck of the game. They
grew older. At best she could have went into it with their eyes open.
looked forward to a perilous life in They wanted a child of their own
hiding, knowing that detection and they had one. As for me, what
would mean Total Death for her difference does it make? If they had
.mother as well as herself. He had reported me in the proper manner
very little sympathy for the I'd have been taken from them as a
parents-if they had simply wanted baby. At six months my head would
her to survive they could have tried have been opened and someone
placing her with androids. He had else's grown-up brain would have
heard of instances.. been put in there." She made a
"What are your parents like, face. "I'd never have known what
Mary?" he asked curiously as the it's like to' be me, would I?"
hovercar sped out of the city, She took his hand and stared into
Linton James at the wheel. his eyes. "What does it feel like,
She had been sitting hunched in a Man Phillip Ewell, to be walking
corner, gazing dully through the about in someone else's body?
window. She brightened at his You're a Transfer Surgeon. I'll bet
question. "They're nice," she said. you've done so many operations
"They both worked very hard, like you never even think of it any more.
all the dropouts at Branscombe, but Tell me this. Have you ever won-
they still had plenty of time for me dered what the child-the one
and for enjoying themselves. These who's body you're wearing-would
last few years I've been helping have grown up like?"
tQ~m on the smallholding. They've Ewell jerked his hand-away as a
been wonderful to me all my life. thrill of pure horror ran down his
Still, I suppose all real parents are spine.
like that-were like that, I mean." In front, James twisted around,
"You don't think-" He hesi- the car on automatic. "She's dan~.
tated, not wishing to upset her, but gerous, Man Ewell. She's 'up to all
wanting nevertheless to know. The the tricks like the rest of the
psychology of concealed births dropouts. They've got no respect
interested him. "You don't think for the law, so they tr.y to put their
that perhaps they were a little bit own twisted reason in its place. Do
THE NEVER GIRL 105

you know, recently a lot of them deal with all the formalities."
have been opting for Total Death James was staring into the corner
when the time of their Transfer of the room. There was a moment's
comes around? That's probably silence.
why her parents weren't too wor- "Well?"
ried about breaking the law. They James whispered, "Something's
have no thought for humanity as a gone wrong. Oh, Christ-"
whole and the drain on total brain- "What the hell's the matter with
power people like them cause when you?"
they opt to die." · James swung round. "There's
Ewell recovered-he wasn't only one box there, Man Ewell.
going to let James get away with There's only one box. I left two of
that. "I'm afraid I believe in the them. Her parents. I swear both her
right of any individual to' die if he parents were here when I left." He
wants to," he sa.id firmly. "If you was almost crying,
want to get along with me you'd "Pull yourself together. Here, let
bett~r believe the same. There must me have a look." Ewell walked
be some freedom, for God's sake." about the room, peering under the
"Thank you, Man Ewell," said table, the chairs. There was no sign
Mary. of the other Friend.
Linton James turned on Mary.
OME time later they drew up "Where's it gone, you little bas-
S outside the cottage. Ewell
climbed from the car reluctantly-
tard? What sort of trick have you
pulled?"
he had no stomach for the painful Mary was silent. There was a
interview to follow. At least, he quiet dread in her eyes.
thought, the police hadn't yet James seized the remaining box
arrived. James led the way and he and put it on the table. "Where's
followed, holding Mary's arm the other one?" he shouted. "What
lightly, half-hoping she would make have you done with your-" Who
a run for it~ The area was remote the" hell are you anyway?" He bent
and she had friends around. forward, peering at the number.
After the early afternoon sunlight "I'm Edgar Greenwood," stated
the interior of the cottage was dark. the box quietly.
Ewell blinked, saw a table and a "Where's your damned wife?"
few chairs, sat Mary down and "She's not here." the box
turned to James. sounded infinitely sad. "
·He sighed. "Let's get on with it. "I can see that!" shouted James,
The police will be here in a minute. pounding the Friend with his fist.
I'll just hear the confessions and "Where's she gone?"
then go, if you don't mind. You can "Gone? Let'-s just say that she's
106 IF
exercised one of the few right comprehending. Then he sprang
rem aining to her." " forward with a yell. Ewell thrust
Mary was crying softly. From a him away roughly. He stumbled,
distance came the faint wail of the fell to his knees. and watched help-
police siren. lessly as the flame consumed the
"What the hell are you trying to last comer of the paper. Ewell
say?" James was beside himself. He ground the ashes under his foot.
yelled into, the Friend's micro- "You've burned the form she
phone; "Are you telling me --she's filled in before," whispered James.
killed herself'? Because I won't take "You've destroyed the evidence.
that. She couldn't have moved. Oh, What the hell are you playing at?"
my God. The dog. Where is he?" Ewell reached in his pocket and
"Ewell walked to the door and took out a Code Card. He handed it
looked into the sunshine. He to Mary. "'Here you are, my dear.
thought for a moment, his features You now have an identity."
grave. The police siren was He turned back to .James, who
nearer--he could see a dark spot had climbed to his feet and was
moving rapidly along the cliff path. watching Ewell wide-eyed. "You
He turned and entered the cottage, see, James, sometimes things can
placing an arm around Mary, who work themselves out without, shall
was sobbing uncontrollably. we say, bureaucratic intervention.
"Oh, James," he said. We "have one girl and we have one
Linton James looked at him, his Friend. We have one Code Card
eyes wild. "What?" here and one Code Card in the
"You're all overwrought." E~ell Transfer Center. It seems there was
handed him a cigarette, took one once an irregular document, but
himself, struck a match. this has ceased to exist, so why
James puffed away gratefully.
"Thanks. I'm sorry, Man Ewell. I
got carried away, what with those
crooks cheating me out 'of a third of ATTENTION:
my prize money- What are you All Magazine Retailers
doing?"
The match still flared in Ewell's U PD Publishing Corp. hu 8 ret.iI
display progr8m for GALAXY and IF
fingers. He touched it to the edge of magazines aV8ileble to 811 retailt.....
a piece of paper and watched with Full det8i1. on procedures and re-
quirements for proper display of
interest as, it curled and blackened GALAXY and IF and also the .ub-
and flames .crept around the edge. mission of .emi-annu.1 . . . . affi-
"A drama,tic moment, James," davits can be obt.ined by writing
Select Magazines Inc., 229 Park Ave.
he murmured. South. New York. N.Y. 10003
For an instant James stared un-
THE NEVER GIRL 107

worry? All is technically in order." "Inside the house. She's a bit
James was silent, white-faced. upset right now, but she'll be all
"Oh, except for one matter," right. I'll bring her to see you when
Ewell went on. "Linton James, I she's feeling better."
regret I must have you charged with "Fine." The inspector murmured
the rape of Woman Mary into his throatmike, then addressed
Atkinson. If found guilty you will Ewell again. "I'm~ getting his name
of course receive a sentence of not put on the indicator boards, just in
less than eight years and also be case he gives us the slip for an hour
statutorily ineligible for future or two. Someone will spot him."
Transfers. I believe I can hear a He paused, looking toward the sea.
police car." "Nice place this. Bit remote,
Linton James stared at him, though." He climbed back into the
mumbled something unintelligible hovercar. "You'll appear as a
and ran from the room. They heard witness if necessary, Man Ewell?"
the back door slam. The police car "Of course."
wailed to a halt outside. The hovercar glided across the
Ewell touched Mary on the short grass and turned inland.
shoulder. "I'll be back in a Ewell watched it go, then walked to
minute," he said gently. He closed the cliffs edge where the carrier
the door behind him. Outside, the dog sat, gazing at the rocks below,
police were emerging from their ve- whining softly.
hicle. "You poor bastard," murmured
"Our man got away," Ewell in- Ewell. He remembered dogs as they-
formed them. "He just left through used to be, before the abolition of
the back door. Rape case. He's a pets on the grounds of economy.
vindictive little bastard-he told me The dog regarded him, thumped its
all sorts of yarns. You shouldn't tail on the short grass, then looked
have much trouble picking him down again at the rocks and the sea
up." a hundred feet below. "Trained to
"Oh." The inspector looked sur- obey, regardless. Well, you did the
prised. "Seeing it was you called us, right thing this time, old boy. Even
Man Ewell, I thought it would be if it hurt. You know, I misjudged
some Transfer case. You certainly your mistress? I thought she was a
get yourselves involved in some odd selfish woman, bringing up a kid in
crimes, you Transfer people. this world. I was wrong. Come on,
What's the man's name?" boy! Let's go and see how Mary
"Linton James. A colleague of is."
mine, unfortunately." Together the android and the car-
"So that's how you come into it. rier dog walked back to the cottage.
Where's the girl?"
•
108 IF
109
WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE murder-he must, however, return
ZINDER to auction. At the auction
VESTEVAAL, according to 'plan, seis
out to raise DION's bid for her to a
Civil· unrest threatens A nharitle city point where the lord of Magda would
on the planet Roget,just beginning the be broken financially. Instead, DION
leap from feudalism into sp~ce-age lets VESTEVAAL·buy her for the as-
technology. A giant Freetrade tronomical sum of"200 million million
spaceport links A nharitte to an inter- Solar dollars." Chagrined, YESTE-
planetary mercantile system centered VAAL signs the document attesting to
on Earth IInder tlte Freetrode Council. his ownership of ZINDER-but as
Council director MAGNO VESTE- soon as he and she have left the room
VAAL arrives on Roget to investigate, the document spontanously combusts.
is briefed by Freetrade agent TITO ZIN DER goes back on the block and
REN. Cause of the unrest is is auctioned to DION for a nominal
enlightened treatment of slaves by the sum-against no opposition.
wealthy IMAIZ, also known as DION-
DAIZAN, Lord of Magda, credited by
natives as having magic powers. IX
'TITO suspects the IMAIZ is a Ter-
ran-educated technological wizard and
jllegally a lord of Roget. He seems to I N THE laboratory aboard the
battle cruiser at the spaceport
be planning an end to feudalism, Dr. Alek Hardun had been forming
threatening Freetrade-fostered status
quo. To check, VESTEVAAL con- his own impressions of the Imaiz.
fronts ZINDER-DION-DAIZAN's "I'm afraid," he said to Ren,
lovely, highly educated showpiece "we're up against a pretty for-
slave. ZINDER easily bests VESTE- midable technician."
YAAL in the meeting. He then autho- "You have some answers, Alek?"
rizes REN to discredit, perhaps even
kill DION-DAIZAN. "Some. But they reveal a class of
REN enlists the services of a technology I had not expected to
powerful native secret Society of The find on a backward world like
Pointed Tails, under leadership of this."
CATUUL GRAS. REN.immediately Ren sat atop one of the labora-
discovers his warehouse has been
arsonized under auspices that suggest tory stools. "Don't worry about the
science and technology hitherto un- location. I'm already quite ~on
known on Roget. CATUUL Gll.AS vinced that the Imaiz is Terran and
retaliates, by bribing a prefecture is capable of anything including
registry clerk to destroy the record of outmanlpulating Magno Vestevaal
DION's legal ownership of ZINDER.
The crooked clerk is instantly and mys- himself. The incident with Zinder
teriously killed. No evidence links could have been funny if it hadn't
DIONDAIZAN to either arson or been so expensive."
110
Hardun's eyes twinkled momen- frozen blood projected by some
tarily. "I gather it was rather a I'\igh velocity instrument at a fairly
warm evening," he said. "But all short range. Such a projectile in the
things taken together, I'm not sur- throat would, of course, pass al-
prised. The way the register clerk most unnotic~d amid the blood
died was no less clever." and fragmentation caused by its im-
"Have you found how it was pact and very shortly it would melt
done?" in the warm blood of its victim. A
"Yes. We did a post-mortem ex- rather neat, self-obscuring murder..
amination, but nearly missed the weapon, I think."
point. We 'Yere looking for a prp- Ren nodded thoughtfully. "And
jectile of some 'Sort in the esoph- not one likely to be detectable by Di
agus. Of course we didn't find Irons and his primitive police
one-rather, we did find it but methods. What sort of weapon
fail~d to recognize it for what it could have been used to throw a
was." shaft of frozen blood with the
"Spare me the riddles," said Ren. necessary velocity?"
"I've been up half the night helping Alek Hardun pursed his lips.
the director to drown his sorro\Vs." "That's difficult to say. At first we
:uThe answer, my dear Tito, was· thought in terms of an air rifle, but
blood." y'our fellow, Catuul Gras, was
"I don't see-" positive that he and his friends
"Neither did we-at first. But heard no sound at all. I think now
trying to explore all possible that some form of crossbow is more
avenues we ran some blood likely. A good one can give you ve-
analyses to see if anything unusual locity and accuracy not much infe-
showed up. Something did. We rior to a rifle's. The only special re-
found two distinct blood groups-. quirement is that the bolt must be
One was the blood group ·of the maintained in a frozen condition
clerk. The second was undoubtedly until immediately before firing.
human blood but of a completely This presupposes somebody with a
different group. Working on· the Dewar flask and some experience in
second type of blood alone, we were producing and handling materials
able to determine that it had been at low temperatures. It all ties in
carefully processed and then frozen. neatly with your liquid-oxyge~ fire
"The rest is ~onjecture, but it's a at the warehouse. I would not have
reasonable supposition that what believed it if I hadn't seen the evi-
killed the clerk was a shaft of dence-but there must be a
THE WIZARD OF ANHARITTE III

competent cryogenics man at work others all used an old-fashioned
in Magda." wet-dip nib pen."
"I can't imagine our being able to Ren thought back carefully. "I
use your evidence to convince Oi think you're right."
Irons," said Ren. uHis world is "Well, the effect of a water-based
bounded by the four .ele- ink on the sheet is negligible. It
ments-earth, air, fire and water. I redistributes the oxidant, but
don't think the distinction between doesn't react with it. But the di-
cryogenics and necromancy is suffi- rector predictably signed with his
ciently obvious to make him move own pen-and that contained a
against Dion-daizan. Especially modern outworld organic-based
when Dion can set a sheet of paper ink. The organics were rapidly
afire at thirty paces without even oxidized and produced almost
moving." spontaneous combustion. The local
"But he didn't," said Hardun. heat thus liberated was sufficient to
uThe director set that afire touch the rest of the page off in a
himself." self-destructive mode. That bond
"Explain it to me." entry was definitely designed to
uIt's another example of the tech- have no future." .
nology I hadn't expected to find. Ren smiled ruefully. UI suppose
We've been working on the frag- you could say we've only ourselves
ments of the page you gave us~and to blame. We did the same thing to
it isn't paper at all. Somebody had Dion-daizan-but with only a
inserted a special page in that book. fraction of the subtlety. The devil
Certainly the sheet was a tibrous alone knows how much support
cellulose material, but it had been he's gained from the incident. I'd-
impregnated with some strong guess all Anharitte is laughing at us
oxidizing compound. Frankly, it ~his morning."
would have crumbled'to dust in a "I think," said Hardun, uyou're
few weeks anyway, assuming that taking completely the- wrong ap-
nobody had even touched it; But it proach. You're making a game of
was the ink in the director's pen this instead of trying for a fast, de-
that touched off the fast reaction." cisive strike. I know it's your war,
"But all the others wrote on it but the problem of Imaiz is also
·without effect," objected Ren. within my competence. I'd tackle
"True. But on Roget all the the whole affair quit~ differently." ,
available inks are water- "This morning I could use a few
based-and I'd be willing to bet the ideas. I don't promise to agree, but
112 IF
I'd like to hear your version of how ted.by Sonel Taw, the castellan-or
it should be done." governor-of the castle, he was im-
"Not how it should be done," mediately conscious of being in an
sa,id Hardun. "How it must be armed citadel and, more
done. I was thinking more on the surprisingly, one in which the men
lines of dusting the Castle Magda at arms not only carried primed
with carcinogens-or the careful muskets, but seemed fully prepared
application of" nerve gas. Perhaps to use them on the slightest
even the introduction of an ergot provocation.
derivative into their drinking The unchanged character of Di
water-" Guaard also extended to the slaves,
who in the main were ragged,
ASTLE DI GUAARD was wretched and nervously watchful,
C a daunting prospect. Con-
structed originally as the first
as though their lives depended on
the speed with which they
defense fortress overlooking the responded to a call for' service.
broad Aprillo river, it had seen Many of them bore the scars of bar-
much service against the Tyrene bar~us punishments-all wore the
pirates who ventured to pass under hangdog expression of whipped
its cannon to reach the internal wa- curs, which turned Ren's stomach
terways leading to the soft un- slightly. Nowhere else in Anharitte
derflesh of the city and the had he seen slaves reduced to this
provinces beyond. The pirates were condition. Rem"embering. the proud
gone now-their impetus having strengths of Zinder, he experienced
retreated into the more profitable a slight twinge of conscience that
enterprises of respectable trading his mission to Di Guaard was to
houses-but the guns and the grim, gain support for the destruction of
crenelated battlements of Castle Di the enlightened House of Magda.
Guaard remained unchanged as Castle Di Guaard was built on
though caught in some eddy of time the principle of a bailey within a
itself. bailey, the outer containing' slave
Matching its image as a fortress quarters, stores and work yards, the
was the preparedness of the soldiery inner housing the soldiery. Both
contained within' its gray stone con- were surrounded by the great walls
fines. Indeed, a full lookout and whose machicolated parapets and
guard were maintained on all walls mural flanking towers were
as though in anticipation of an im- designed to resist attack from any
minent attack. As Ren was admit- point of the compass. There was no
THE WIZARD OF ANHARITTE 113

moat, the castle being on two sides whose chambers Ren now entered
met by the sheer drop of the cliffs was undisputed lord of his own
overhanging the Aprillo delta. The castle and held life or death control
two great gates inland were amply over a consideraqle num her of sol-
overseen by formidable gatehouses, diers and slaves.. Even Sonel Taw,
each with outworks in the form of the castellan, went patently in fear
separate barbican towers. of his terrifying master and excused
Ren followed the castellan himself rapidly at the chamber
without comment-and the latter door.
seemed disinclined to enter con- As he crossed the floor alone Ren
versation. At one corner of the in- felt the full impact of the man.
ner bailey stood the mighty round- Delph Di Guaard was leaning over
tower of the great keep-the home a huge table, his back to the door.
of Delph Di Guaard himself-and His vast bulk suggested super-
it was here that Ren was led. The human strength and even from the
tower's broad, flat roof was said to rear Ren could sense the aura of
be the highest point in all the power of the 'man's tyrannic per-
provinces and formed an excellent sonality. He found himself almost
platform for observation and for afraid of the moment when the
the light chain-throwing 'cannon of creature would turn and face him.
which Di Guaard seemed inor- "Well?" Di Guaard's voice made
dinately fond. The whole at- the chamber reverberate. "What
mosphere was one of preparation news do you bring of the Tyrene?"
for a battle or a siege. Ren could "No news of the Tyrene, my
not help thinking that if the Imaiz' Lord. I come about other matters."
influence should ever bring to pass Ren controlled his voice with a con-
a revolution Castle Di Guaard fident, faultless presence. His
would probably be the last place to verbal bouts with Magno Vestevaal
fall to the insurgents. had been excellent training for this
occasion.
T HAT Di Guaard was mad was "Other matters?" Di Guaard

no news to Ren, but having shouted. "IIi time of war?" He
come from more civilized worlds he swung about and Ren looked un-
had forgotten that, without psy- flinchingly into the staring, ac-
chiatry and the overriding authority cusing eyes of the mad 19rd. The
of the state, madness has no checks. fellow's visage writhed constantly
Even more appalling was the with the underplay of some shaded
realization that the gross madman 'thoughts in which anger and
114 IF
comprehension chased each other Di Guaard's scowl changed to an
continuously -through the flesh. expression of intense consternation.
"Ah, an outworlder. That would uyou meaB-Jhe Tyrene came over-
explain y~ur naivete. You must be ~ land across T'Empte?" He
Agent Ren. My castellan mumbled consulted his charts again and then
something abou~ your coming. Well threw them furiously back on the
you've come to the right man. Have table. He rounded on Ren in a
the Tyrene sacked your warehouse, frightening blaze of anger.
slaughtered your servants or raped "Liar! What mischief are you
your daughters?" His, mouth al- selling, merchant? Dion-daizan
most drooled at the vision. keeps close watch on the inland
"None of those," said Ren. UMy waters. If any Tyrene were coming
news is more serious. It concerns that way he'd have been sure to let
the very exist.ence of Anharitte me know."
itself." "Listen to me." Ren let his voice
.. Di Guaard hit the table a heavy grow loud for the first time. "While
blow with his hand. HI knew it! I you watch for the Tyrene an even
told that fool Di Irons that one day grea.ter threat is growing right be-
the pirates would attack in force. neath your feet. Dion-daizan is edu-
You see here-" His thick fingers cating slave~. If enough. become
jabbed pointlessly at a torn chart on educated there will be a revolution
the table. HThat's the reason why so that will ruin us all more surely
many of their ships have congre- than any pirate raid. ,.,
gated to the north. We have con- "Really?" Di Guaard's face lit up
stant sightings of a hundred, two "with the malicious interest of a wolf
hundred ships-they sayan ar- about to tear apart a particularly
mada. And I, Di Guaard, am the succulent lamb. "And what makes
only one in the three hills who keeps an outworld merchant's lackey
his defenses/ready. The rest of them presume to tell the lords of An-
think me mad~ but now it's I who haritte what they should or should
am proven sane. Don't you agree not do with their slaves? Dion's
that unpreparedness in time of war more capable than most at con-
is mad?" trolling an uprising among his
UOf cours'e," said Ren, de- bondslaves. Dion's more than ca-
termined to remain undaunted. pable of controlling anything." As
UOut the danger I speak of comes he said this last phrase, Di
from within Anharitte, not from the Guaard's voice fell to an unex-
sea." pected wistfulness, as if even he ac-

knowledged the power of the Imaiz. Rogel. He continued his protests
U I didn't say he wasn't," said while the madman stalked him with
Ren, suddenly forced on to the de- a grim and ferocious amusement.
fensive. "My point was that his ac- Finally he realized that flight was
tivities are likely to cause an the --only sensible expedient.
uprising. " Gauging his distance carefully, he
The suggestion was wasted on Oi ran for the door and slammed it be-
Guaard, who was rounding the hind him. Something heavy and ce-
table with a maniacal expression of ramic shattered to pieces against
glee on his face. His gross hands the wood inside the room. From the
were shaping themselves to fit insane laughter that followed he de-
Ren's throat. duced that Di Gua~rd was unlikely
"Shall I tell you, merchant, to continue in pursuit, but for Ren
'the real purpose of your visit? the incident was a humiliating
You're an agent of the' Tyrene failure. He was not going to gain
trying to cause dissension and to from Oi Guaard the support he
divert my attention. You ~ant to needed.
get your ships up the Aprillo while I In an alcove at the head of the
turn my back to watch Thirdhill for stair Ren found Sonel Taw osten-
the rising of a few slaves. Well, sibly waiting to escort him out of
you've not succeeded. I've been the establishment.. Ren thought it
watching your wily tricks too long. more than probable that Taw had
I know you-and I know you're out been listening at Oi Guaard's door
there waiting for the chance to and had been surprised by the sud-
strike. Do you take me for a fool?'''' den emergence of the visitor. Since
the castellan would probably be
called upon to account for why he
DEN retreated uneasily before had allowed a Tyrene spy to enter
f t the big man's advance. He his master's presence, Ren did not
was not sure but the fellow's blame the man for seeking infor-
derangement might extend to his mation in order to prepare his lies
doing actual physical damage. And in advance. The life of a castellan in
Ren did not dare to draw his the service of Oi Guaard could cer-
blaster-eircumstances might force tainly be no sinecure.
him to use it. He could kill Oi This conjecture, ho~ever, was
Guaard in self-defense, but the po- not an idle thought. If Sonel Taw
litical repercussions would certainly took the trouble to keep himself
end the company"s tenure on fully informed of everything that
116 IF
took place in the castle he could think it wise for you or me to disbe-
probably be of more use to the lieve?"
company's cause than Di Guaard The castellan was purposely
himself. Ren decided to test the mocking his own words, hinting at
truth of this proposition. When the existence of a conspirac~a
they were safely out of the keep and development Ren had already de-
crossing the inner bailey he turned duced for himself. If Di Guaard
to Taw meaningfully. was mad enough to believe that the
"The Lord Di Guaard is plenti- Tyrene plunderers still functioned
fully supplied with information re- others could gainfully manufacture
garding the whereabouts and move- evidence in support of that belief.
ments of pirates. I find this odd, For some the incentive was ob-
since common consent has it that vious-a purse full of money. For
the pirates are no more." others, such as Sonel Taw and
The castellan looked past him members of the castle household,
carefully. support of the myth probably
"It could be," he said, "that com- meant the continuance of their
mon consent is wrong, Agent Ren. livelihood and possibly their lives.
Di Guaard has many spies. They But what had Dion-daizen to gain
report frequently and are rewarded from the charade?
with coin. It has been suggested "Do you know why I came to see
that many of the things they tell are Di Guaard today?"
more than the truth, since they are
well p~id for what they say. But ONEL TAW shrugged. His
there's another who tells much and
yet asks nothing in ret~rn."
S wizened old face wrinkled with
guile. "Anharitte is full of the news
"Specifically who?" asked Ren. that you and the Imaiz have joined
"Your friend the Imaiz." Taw in feud. It's reasonable to assume
was craftily watching the agent out that you came here looking for an
of the corners of his eyes. "He ally." ,
claims to keep watch over the in- '~A fair assumption." Ren looked
land waters and brings special at him searchingly. "But I didn't
reports regularly to Lord Di find one. At least not in Delph Di
Guaard. Di Guaard is always much Guaard. But now I ask myself
pleased to see him, and the wizard about you."
quiets his tantrums considerably. "To help you in a feud against the
With so much impressive support Imaiz?" Sonel Taw was obviously
for the existence of pirates, do you worried by the suggestion.

"Not actively, of course," Ren messenger be received claiming to
reassured him. "But I need infor- have been sent by me, it would seem
mation about Dion-daizan. I need reasonable that he might be be-
to know why he humors Di Guaard lieved. And if a friend might bless
and what he might gain from such a my savings so that they multiply I
curious association. I'd like to be should not, through humility, be
informed of when he visits Castle offended."
Di Guaard-at what hour he's "I'll bear that in mind," Ren
likely to return from such visits and said. uI'~ a believer in humility's
what routes he'll most probably achieving its just rewards. You
use. In short, I need to know know, talking with you has been an
anything about Oion-daizan that education. I'm sure my knowledge
might conceivably be turned to his of events in Castle Oi Guaard will
disadvantage. And if your ear is as improve."
well affixed to locks as it appears to They had passed from the inner
be you'll already know that the bailey to the outer during this con-
company has an excellent history of versation and were now entering
rewarding its friends for their t~me one of the two formidable
and vigilance." gatehouses that gave access to the
"I've often heard as much," said town. Upon Sonel Taw's approach
Sonel Taw. "And that's the type of the guard sprang meticulously into
friendship a man could learn to ap- action. Taw had merely to wAve his
preciate. But if someone made hand to initiate the rnising of the
this information available to portcullis. In the roof of the gate
you-would it be certain that .no tunnel were slits through which all
news of it ever got back to Oi kinds of me"tciless fire and bolts
Guaard?" could be discharged. Beyond it, the
"All information is treated in the gate of heavy wood' plated with iron
strictest confidence. Nothing can lay between the overseeing
ever be traced back to its sO,urce flanking-towers. Farther still the
through me. Nor do I keep records outward path was c~nfronted by the
of what moneys have been paid. Or outworks of a barbican tower.'
to whom." Ren made a mental note that no-
"Then I think you may have body could enter or leave without
gained another friend," said Taw. Sonel Taw's permission and the
"Not that I would hold any man of cooperation of the guards. By a
Di Guaard's household capable mental inversion he decided that
of subversion-but should a the walls· and gates, being im--
118 IF
pregnable to all save modern tech- ambition, Ren still had reservations
nological assault, not only formed a about the deliberate taking of life.
rare ~efense position-but would His worldliness had inured him to
also make a very secure prison. He the fact that some extremes of
had no immediate use for this infor- provocation could only be resolved
mation, but he stored it in his mind by bloodshed. In self-defense or fair
for future reference. There were fighting, losers were apt to have to
some advantages in being an out- pay the irrevocable penalty. This
worlder-it gave him a unique per- was a fact of life and Ren accepted
spective on installations tradi- it, but Hardun's projected subtle
tionally designed for specific local poisoning of dozensrif not hun-
purposes. Ren felt that his tenure in dreds-of people who would be
Anharitte, as elsewhere, was bound mainly unaware that they were the
to generate some new values and he subjects of an attack stuck in Ren~s
was determined to be the first not throat. This he ·regarded as an at-
only to recognize but also to apply rocity, a treatment suitable for the
these altered truths to the com- extermination of lice and vermin
pany's and his own advantage.' but not to be.confused with the hu-
mane waging of a battle.
x Alek Hardun had chided Ren for
expressing these sentiments.
A.S HE walked back past the way- "You're confusing the issues,
..n. ward, half-timbered houses of Tito," he had said. "You were born
the quaint alleys and streets, Ren's several centuries too late. We know
speculations were soon eclipsed by the ancients used to impose rules on
a more immediate concern. His warfare, presumably to prolong the
recent conversation with Alek enjoyment of the game. But the
Hardun had shaken him severely. brutal fact is that we're not
Hardun had been introduced as a here to. fight~we're here to. win.
professional trouble shooter. Ren I've offered you a dozen virtually
now felt that Hardun's real foolproof ways .of winning and
function was that of a professional you've rejected them all because of
trouble-maker. The equipment in some romantic notion that the
the space-going laboratory that was enemy deserves a chance.
the battle crusier was directed pri- "Do you think the bowmen stood
marily to one end-the sophisti- a chance when the cannon was in-
cated extermination of people. vented? Do you think the artillery
For all his merchant-acumen and stood a chance against the in-
THE WIZARD OF ANHARITTE

"
119
troduction of nuclear weapons? constructed histories to show those
Within the whole spectrum of de- who could most possibly be agents.
vices for furthering man's inhu- of the Imaiz. He scanned the list
manity to man, you have the te- anxiously, but the names meant
merity to stop at some arbitrary nothing to him. For Ca~uul Gras,
point and say: 'Death devices on the who knew everyone and everything
left are sporting and humane while in Anharitte, the situation would ~
those on the right aren't.' Such a different. Ren stuffed the list into'
stand is neither logical _nor in- his pocket and hastened to the
telligent. And if you can't bring Lodge of the Society of Pointeq
yourself to do the job you've started Tails.
to do I'm damned if I won't finish it
for you." AS USUAL, the senior scribe was
There had been more, a lot more. rl. expecting him. 'Ren specu-
Ren had become increasingly angry lated that there must be very few
and Hardun had become more movements of importance of which
professionally cruel and taunting. the Pointed Tails were unaware,
He had effectively dismantled such was the superlative nature of ~
Ren's plans to conduct a campaign their spy web in Anharitte. He laid
against the Imaiz and had'produced the list before Catuul, ~ho
alternative suggestions which Ren examined it carefully. For some
could only regard with horror. The unstated reason his enthusiasm was
effect of that conversation had lin- not apparent.
·gered a long time in Ren's mind "I'll have our slave masters inves-
and he was determined to compare tigate this without delay-but
the strength of his convictions with discreetly. No word of it must get
those of the director. Vestevaal, un- out unti~ we're sure. If the suspects
fortunately, had been. away for became suspicious it would be easy
~everal days, making a tour of com- for them to desert back to Magda."
pany trading installations, and Ren "I'll leave it to you," said Ren.
had been left with the question fes- "But it's still action only in a
tering in his mind. negative sense. It's a defensive
When Ren reached his office move. What I must have from you
chambers the director still had not is some scheme with a positive
returned. Ren' found instead that effect." .
his computer printout terminal had "And you'll have it, friend Tito. I
been busy. In it lay the precious list prom~sed you a scheme of feud and
of slaves caref\llly culled from re- harassment against Dion-daizan
120 IF
and this has now been prepared. To Ima;z soon a more ruthless faction
your outworld eyes it m~y seem a among the Freetraders will bring
little s~perficial-but believe me, in such pressures to bear that An-
terms of effectiveness in Anharitte haritte will never be the same place
its cuntulative value is equivalent to after."
a major disaster." ""I'm aware of the situation," said
"I'll accept that you know what Catuul gravely. "I've seen what the
you're doing. But time's becoming· coming of the spaceport has done to
critical, Catuul. I'm under pressure us unwittingly. Thus I've no doubt
to destroy the influence of the of what would be the outcome of
Ima;z and to do it fast. If your more deliberate manipulation.
scheme can't produce results Frankly, that's why we opted to
quickly we'll be forced into taking a work with you. You've an apprecia-
more direct line and attacking tion of what a separate identity
Dion-daizan himself." means both to an individual and to
"What sort of time-scale did you a culture. That's something rare in
have in mind?" an outworlder."
"I think a couple of weeks only. "You can thank the director. I
Hardun is already campaigning guess I caught my attitude from
with the freetrade Council for per- him."
mission to take a tougher line. I "Well, here's our proposal. Dion-
think I can stall them for a while, daizan maintains many large
but we mustn't miss any op- estates and farms in Magda
portunity to hit Dion hard." province. The 'value of the produce
"You're worried about some- is a major source of Magda's
thing, aren't you,. friend Tito?" The income."
scribe was suddenly questioning. "More than the spaceport
"Yes, I am. I've come to have a revenue?" Ren was learning some-
great deal of respeCt for your cul- thing new.
ture, Catuul. As a comp'any q1an I "Certainly muc.h more. But the
can't afford to risk losing access to point I wish to m)lke is that the
the spaceport, but outside of that Ima;z' success in his estate policy
proviso I believe you've a right to depends on close coordination of-
settle your problems in your own the various estates and markets. If
way and withput your society's be- we destroy that coordination, his
coming unduly contaminated by growing and marketing schemes
ou~world i·nterference. But I'm w~ll ~all apart. Prices will rise, set-
afraid that if you don't settle the ting popular sysmpathy against

him--and he will soon acquire huge "Time and money. I want to
stocks of surplus. He will also find bring in some of the provincial
himself with excess manpower and SOCieties, because the area to be
will be forced to start selling slaves covered is immense. Though we
on a massive scale. A disaster of shall start hurting the Imaiz im-
such consequence will smash his mediately, the effect won't be ap-
myth of omnipotence as nothing parent in the markets. for some
else will." weeks. Therefore you've got to hold
"How could . you bring this" off the Freetraders while we do it
about?" asked Ren. our way."
"Dion operates a schedule of run- "I don't have that much influence
ners who daily travel between the myself, but I'll try to make the di-
various marketing centers and rector see the sense of it. In the
estates. We could stop a high pro- meantime, muster your forces and
portion of these runners getting make a start. If we can get a good
through-and in some cases sub- scheme under way we'll have a sure
stitute false messages of our own." method of resisting those who want
Ren was enthusiastic. "When an to do it the rough way."
organization as large and as dis-
persed as that hits communications
trouble, things can come wildly " TESTEVAAL, on his re-
unstuck. How long would it take to Y turn, gravely heard out Ren's
show real effect?" problems.
"Many weeks, I'm afraid. But "I wasn't aware that Hardun was
the main harvests are nearly due. If here in any capacity other than a
Dion were left with those on his technical backup for you. I know
hands he'd be in real trouble both he has an aJlegiance to Renee, but
with his ~states and wjth the popu- this is our fight. You've every right
lations he normally supplies. Of to complain if he's contemplating
course, he'll send out armed pa- any actions other than those specifi-
trols ~o try and prevent our in- cally agreed to by. you. I respect
terference-but the clansmen were your judgment on this issue. \ Tito,
born to the game and Dion doesn't and I'm damned if I'm going to see
have anything like the army' he'd you pressured into making a mis-
need to stop us." t-ake."
"So all you really require to bring "I've seen his copy of the
the Imaiz to his knees is sufficient Freetrade security subcommittee
time?" directive giving· him power to act on
122 IF
Roget. And that battle cruiser of be that he'll actually do the job for
his is a fully equipped civil murder you-and at ~ fraction of the price.
w~pon. So I want a plain answer, Though I fear that even our friend
Director-am I in charge here or Alek may not find the project as
has Hardun the right of unilateral easy as he thinks."
action? Because I want no part of "Can you explain that to me?"
some of the ideas he's outlined to "I mean the Imaiz himself is
me." under no doubts about Hardun or
"You say you've seen his di- his infernal space machine."
rective? Can you recall who signed "How could you possibly know
it?" that?"
"Po'Cresado, as I remember." "My dear Ren, what do you
"Damn! I thought as much. The think Zinder and I talked about
merchant-world pressure lobby. while we were waiting to register
You can take it from me, Tito, that her bond? She gave me Dion's ulti-
his directive doesn't have the matum-either I remove Hardun
consent of the full council. Unfortu- and the battle cruiser or Dion-
nately the merchant worlds do pre- daizan will do the job himself. Until
dominate on the security subcom- now I've had reservations. But from
mittee. It looks as though the what you've just told me I can see
internal political battles of the the justificatio"n. I'll set out to have
council have become extended to Hardun and his ship removed-but
include affairs on Roget." don't feel surprised if somebody
"Are you going to let them 'get does the job for me."
away with it?" ~'I've told Catuul to go ahead
"Of course not. But it'll take a with his plan to cause disruption of
full council session to settle the Dion-daizan's estate-management
issue. I'm afraid I'll have to return p'olicies. That will at least give me a
there to get the matter.. straight. Do lever I can use to slow Hardun
you think you can contain things down. But it will be difficult to stop
until I get back?" him if he does want to try a decisive
"I'll try, but I've no jurisdiction strike of his own."
over Hardun in the face of that di- ~~Then play it carefully, Tito.
rective. And if he thinks you're out Take advantage of. his successes
to stop him, he's likely to move and don't become implicated in his
fast. " failures. That way you stay on top
"Then try pretending to work and the name of the company stays
with him for a while. It might just clean."

"You've just expressed a enough to learn that warnings from
philosophy," said Ren, "that an indigenous source were better
makes me appreciate why you have not disr~garded. Fortunately the
so much influence in the Freetrade night passed without incident and,
Council. You never lose, do you?" at the appointed hour the next day,
UI can't afford to lose," said Ren traveled to the most eastern
Magno Vestevaal seriously. "And point of Firsthill and presented
believe me, I've a few tricks up my himself at Castle Di Rode.
sleeve the rest of the council haven't The contrasts between this estab-
even thought of yet. If all goes well lishment and that of Di Guaard
at the council meeting, I'll probably made him realize what a fortune Di
go on to Terra before returning Guaard must spend on useless
here. I've been developing a few defense projects. Di Rode was a
thoughts of my own about how to prodigious spender, but his con-
deal with the Imaiz-and if I can siderable income from spaceport
get acceptance of my ideas on Terra revenues had not been wasted.
I can assure you that Alek Hardun Castle Di Rode was bathed in an at-
won't be rated as any serious sort of mosphere of opulence and splendor.
competition." Though the castle was slightly
smaller than that of Di Guaard, it
differed in none of its essential fea-
XI tures except that the walls and
mural towers of Di Rode displayed
F next part of his campaign to

OLLOWI1~G through on the none of the former's austerity of
outline. Here the masonry was fully
seek influence with the Anharitte overgrown with a magnificent
nobility. Ren had dispatched a wealth of copper-burnished creep-
message to Krist Di Rode ing vines, which garnished the old
requesting an audience the stone like an overlay of finely
following morning. The reply was wrought metal. Expenditure on the
favorable. Before he retired, guard was nominal, and mainly
however, Ren took advantage of slaves and serving-men in splendid
the caution offered by Di Irons-he costumes tended the gatehouses
posted a guard on his chambers lest and the trim gardens.
the Imaiz should feel inclined to Everywhere Ren sensed the hand
take the initiative. An attempted of a connoisseur of gracious living,
assassination did not seem likely, not the least extravagance being the
but Ren had been an. agent long maintenance of the gardens and the
124 IF
beautiful decoration of the halls. Di feeling was in part associated with
Rode was obviously an intellectual the increasing richness of the per-
and an artist, possessed of an un- fumes and incense with which the
erring sense of the overall unity of air was saturated, but this was only
his establishment as an aesthetic a factor and not the prime cause of
whole. The numerous slaves were his unease. A gradual analysis of
well tended a~d nourished and his feelings made him conscious of
probably chosen for their clean, the fact that the rooms through
straight limbs and physical fitness. which he passed were in a careful
In the whole castle he qiscerned not sequence of ascending extravagance
one slave whose baCt bore the and descending taste, and had al-
telltale scars of whip ·or wire. The ready ·attained a level where the
whole atmosphere was one of se- lavish..~sipation of resour~s made
renity and quietude. This, thought nonsense both of the functIon and
Ren, was the way money was in- the intrinsic value of the items in-
tended. to be spent. volved. This wa.s so extreme a con-
The keep of Castle Di Rode was trast with the exterior of the castle
built int9 the southeast extremity of and the earlier rooms, that the only
the inner bailey. It held a com- answer that suggested itself. to Ren
manding view over the Aprillo river wa~ that Di Rode, like Delph Di
and across the shipping lanes that Guaard, was beset by advancing
connected with the inland water- madness.
ways. The keep itself was no longer Ren's senses protested the
a simple structure. Later buildings wro!1gness they recorded. When he
along the walls of the inner bailey- reached the confines of the keep it-
had crept around the base of the self his feelings heightened to revul-
round-tower and risen to a height sion despite ·his efforts to contain
equal to the walls themselves. Thus them. Here was monumental waste
.the entrance to the keep was no with neither art nor comfort to
longer gained by crossing a sterile commend it. Even the occasional
courtyard, but rather through a de- alcoves were lit by candelabra
lightfully random series of halls, li- mounted on the heads and shoul-
braries, galleries, corridors and ders of undraped slaves wQo
sweeping staircases. stood with statuesque patience,
As Ren followed his young slave- performing a function no more im-
caste guide he found himself, unac- portant than could have been
countabley at first, becoming in- achieved by an iron pin driven into
creasingly discomforted. This "the wall.
THE WJZARD OF ANHARITTE 125

,..~~
~HIS final debasement of living . fronted by a pallid figu~f a man
.1. humanity caused Ren as acute in his early thirties,~.lth a face
a pain as he had experienced on which epitomized dissipation and
seeing the degraded labor force at overindulgence yet still possessed
Castle Di Guaard. Profitable ex- an undeniable strength. Ren had
ploitation of others was a human the feeling that this curious lord
weakness Ren could comprehend. had tried and become dissatisfied
To waste members of the species by with almost -every aesthetic and
forcing them to fill functions sensual experience known to man.
usually performed by inanimate ob- The physical <ftssolution was
jects was, in his view, irr-ational and manifest, but the evidence was that
completely indefensible. Fortu- the intellectual and aesthetic
nately he regained both his outward interest was yet unquenched. While
composure and his objectivity be- Di Rode's face held a searching
fore he turned the final corner to interest and unquestionable in-
come face-to-face with Krist Oi telligence, it was obvious that
Rode himself. unrestricted wealth, like absolute
He needed all his resources to power, had wrought a remarkable
contain his amazement. He had corrosion on its own~e eVJ • '.s
been shown into a bare cell, whose With a trader's acumen Ren had
stone walls were as stark and summarized this much of the man
undressed as had been the human before he began to speak, subtly
candelabra he had passed. A high, modifying his arguments in order to
square window without glazing stress aspects of Dion-daizan's ac-
looked out only to the .blankness of tivities that might have an effect on
an empty·' sky, and the shaped Di Rode. The latter listened to him
wooden bench on which the Lo·jed attentively, stopping him occa-
Di Rode reclined offered no sionally to-query some chain of fact
possible 'aspect of comfort. The that led to Ren's conclusions. Then
floor of stone flags was unrelieved he remained for a long period in
by carpet and the ceilings of arched contemplative thought.
'stone had neither ligh~ nor beauty. "To summarize, Agent Ren,
Di Rode himself was also a shock you've presented an excellent case
to Ren. He had imagined an older, predicting what Dion's policy. might
more sophisticated type of man, take away from me. But you've
perhaps one trying to ward off old mentioned nothing about the loss of
age by the frantic pursuit of new ex- what I receive from Dion while I re-
perience. Instead, he was con- main his friend."
126 iF
"We have access to the resources pieces when I've torn myself apart
of all the known universe," said and establishes new values to re-
Ren. "There's nothing that Dion place those I've lost. Do you have
can supply that we can't better. something better to offer as a re-
Nothing at all." placement for Dion's prowess with
"Does that include under- people?"
standing?" Di Rode was quietly "We have doctors-"
mocking. "Do you have access to "Doctors are for the sick," said
some cosmic source of that?" Di Rode cuttingly. "I'm not
The unexpectedness of the sick-just unusually privileged.
question fazed Ren momentarily. With Dion's aid I can probably
"I don't follow you." crowd the pleasures of a hundred
"Think about it. If you had an lifetimes into one. So you see, Ren,
unrestricted opportunity to indulge there's nothing you can offer me in
whatever whims you chose-how exchange. for my allegiance.
long would it take you to destroy Wizards don't come in tonnage
yourself?" lots."
"I don't know," admitted Ren. Ren was about to make a reply
"I'd at least have one hell of a fine when Di Rode got up from the
time finding out." bench and made as though to call a
"Spoken with all the compla- servant. The agent's gaze did not
cency of one who'll never have the follow the hedonistic lord, but re-
opportunity! But what 'does a man mained fixed in fascination on the
need when he's ta~ted everything, bench from which De Rode had
satiated· every appetite and yielded risen. He saw now for the first time
to every conceivable temptation?" that the entire surface was covered
Ren did not answer. The question with upward-pointing metal spines,
was beyond the scope of his like a bed of nails. In an agony of
imagination. realization his eyes traveled in-
Oi Rode continued. "He needs voluntarily to Di Rode's back.
understanding. He needs discipline. Krist Di Rode was watching his
He needs a father-figure w~o· can perplexity with some amusement.
pick up the mess he's become, With a swift movement he dropped
squeeze out the rot and put back the single drape that covered his
enough self-respect for the man to back and allowed Ren to examine
become a man again. That's what his flesh. There were slight indenta-
Dion supplies to me-psychological tions from· the pressure of the
rehabilitation. He picks up the barbs, but otherwise the skin was

undamaged. In contrast, however, followed him to safety behind
the open weave of the drape had closed doors before he would reveal
been severely cut. Ren looked again the nature of his concern.
to the sharp spines of the couch and "Something's gone wrong."
again back to Di Rode. By any Catuul's face was grave. "The list
normal reasoning, Di Rode's back of 'slaves you gave us-it was
should have been lacerated to an incorrect."
extremely serious extent. Instead, "What do you mean?"
the young lord' was lau.ghing and "We took the slaves whose names
the main discomfort was ReIYs. were on the list. It didn't seem
"Well, Agent Ren-do you still right, because' most of.. them were
think you can do better than Dion- well trusted and known to us. But
daizan?" even under pressure they· gave us
Ren shook his head, not trusting absolutely nothing. Most of them
himself to speak. He suspected, not claimed never to have been with the
for the first time, that he was [maize "
fighting a battle quite im possible "Surely that's no more than
for him to win. With Dion's in- you'd have expected them to say?"
fluence removed, Delph Di Guaard "True. But on further exami-
would go berserk and, Krist Di nation we found their-statem~nts to
Rode would destroy himself. With be correct. Dr. Hardun has given us I
such powerful nobility removed, the a list of our own' sympa-
social structure of the three hills, thizers~and none of Dion's men at
undermined as it was, would slowly all."
begin to disintegrate as surely as if "Ridiculous !"
the [mai~ were still pushing it. "It's all here." Catual Gras laid a
Dion-daizan had raised a social sheaf of papers on the table.
conscience and all the old forces of ",Check for yourself. No man on
tradition would be hard-pressed to that list has ever spent more than
put that evolving creature back to thirty-:six hours in Magda and most
bed. of them haven't been there at all."
Scowling, Ren ·reached for the
microwave communicator and
AS REN ~ame to the square of called the spaceport. Alek Hardun
.n the fruit market be could .see was a long time answering.
Catuul Gras waiting for him on the "Tito? What's eating you?"
steps of his office chambers. He "What in hell are you trying to
hastened over and the scribe do, Alek? That list of slaves you
128 .IF
sent was the diametric opposite of also on the select list of Pointed
what it was supposed to represent." Tails least probable suspects." . -
"Now don't run off the spool, "I see!" Hardun was serious.
Tito! You asked me to reconstruct "How many names appear on your
histories for a selected group of list, Tito?"
slaves and to notify you of those "Seventeen. You should know
who'd served bond with the Ima;z -you've transmitted it."
for a year or longer. That's exactly "N ot on your life. My list
what I've done." contained seventeen names, but I
"Correction. That's exactly what transmitted only sixteen of them."
yo~'ve not done:'" Catuul tells me "What?"
no slave on that list has spent "I said sixteen, Tito. All of whom
longer than two days in Magada." I can guarantee have been at
"Hold it! That wasn't an auto- Magda for at least three years and
matic computer printout you most much longer. If you've just
received. We verified that list be- received a list of seventeen names,
fore it went on transmission. there's only one conclusion-the
There's no possibility of an error if! list you're receiving is not the one
the data we sent you." I'm transmitting. Somebody else
"Yet I'm assured the list is one has access to your terminal line.
hundred per cent wrong. What the They're intercepting what I'm
hell's going on?" sending and substituting a list of
uLet's check first that you have their own."
the right list. Watch your computer "Damn!" Ren considered the
terminal and I'll give it to you enormity of the prospect. Most of
again." the company's business transac-
Ren watched as the computer tions were reported via his terminal
printout began to spit forth names. to the spaceport computers for
When it had finished, he compared processing and onward trans-
it with the papers Catuul had given mission via the FTL radio links.
to him. uHow's that?" asked The director's reports on the state
Hardun. of the feud with Dion-daizan went
"It agrees with the first set out over the same channel. The
exactly. There's not an error in the thought of unauthorized access to
pack." the terminal linkage madoe his blood
"Yet you insist they're 'Jot the run cold. With a chill creeping up
names you want?" his spine, he turned the instrument
"The names you've given me are off.

"Can you spare me some INDING the actual position of
linesmen, Alek? My terminal is on
a wired circuit with the spaceport. I
F the line tap was difficult. Be-
cause Anharitte had no telephone
can only assume it's been tapped." and no electric services the cus-
"Not only tapped," said Hardun. tomary array of available poles was
"I'd suspect that it's being absent from the landscape. When
consistently monitored by an on- Ren had decided to bring his office
line computing complex compatible into the fruit market in Anharitte
with that at the spaceport. The proper he had found it neccessary
insertion of a substitute list at that to arrange for his wire link with the
juncture is no mean feat of tech- spaceport to be laid across private
nology. What the hell have they got land wherever he could purchase
up there at Magda?" the goodwill. The line now took a
"I wish I knew. All the signs now circuitous route across roofs,
are that they've a modern techno- un~er eaves, around gables and
logical workshop that can match dormer windows, and generally
anything we can produce. This has progressed in a most unorthodox
to put a new face on how· we ap- manner until it ran free of the town
proach t~e attack on the Imaiz and came to the western slopes of
-but I'll take the matter up with Firsthill. From there it ran across
you personally. I don't even trust the country on company-owned
this microwave voice link now." poles parallel to the Provincial
"That's wise," said Hardun. Route that sk irted the spaceport.
"But before I sign off I'll read you Despite the apparent opportunity
the list of names you should have for interference with the line in the
received." town itself it was, curiously enough,
He did so. Ren copied them faith- on one of t~e poles on the open
fully and handed the results to Ca- stretch of road that the tap was
tuul Gras. The scribe compared eventually found. The line had been
them with another list and shook split and both ends coupled into a
his head concemedly. neat black cable that ran unobtru-
, 44The names you've given me sively down the pole and disap-
match the list of slaves who've es- peared deep into the sandy soil of
caped in the last two days. We the provincial plain. Attempts to
presume they've gone to Magda, trace the path of the unauthorized
though the evidence isn't clear. It cable proved tiresome and ex-
,would seem the devil has recalled pensive and they were finally
his own." abandoned. Its general direction
130 IF
was, as Ren had known it would be, As a commercial blunder the
toward Magda. The depth and se- situation was without parallel. The
curity of its lodgment showed it to only mitigating factor for those in-
have been buried at about the same volved was that no one could rea-
time as Ren's own cable had been sonably have suspected that on a
installed. relatively undeveloped planet like
This latter fact alone made the Roget there existed either the
agent squirm. A great volume of equipment or the technology to
confidential company business had make this sophisticated form of es-
been fed into the line over the past pionage a fact. The strength of
few yeats. Had the Imaiz been Dion-daizan lay as much in what he
operating for a trade competitor concealed as in what he revealed.
the company could have suffered Wryly Ren wondered how many
extreme 19sses as the result of this other surprises the Imaiz still had
unanticipated leakage of infor- up his sleeve.
matio·n. There was no evidence that
the knowledge the Imaiz must have XII
gained had been used to the com-
pany's disadvantage-but it was a
late time·to realize that one's·com-
mercial future lay in the hands ,Of a
D ESPJTE his growing an-
tipathy for Alek Hardun, Ren
was now forced to visit the
sworn enemy. spaceport in order to continue the
Nor was Ren's temper improved company's business transactions.
by a further consideration. This was because he suspected he
From hi.s terminal, by means of could trust the security of neither
signature codes, he had access not the wire circuit nor the microwave
only to company computer data link. Although he tried to stay· out
banks at the spaceport, but also to of Hardun's way, it was inevitable
the spaceport's common computer that the latter would learn of his
banks. With the right sort of inter- coming and seek him out.
cept ~quipment the Imaiz, too, "'You wouldn't be trying to avoid
would have had similar access to. me, would you, Tito?"
the same data banks and, by I "Why should I?" Ren's answer
extrapolation there· would scarcely was couched in a .frame of ag-
seem to have been a commercial grieved innocence. "I've been very
transaction on Roget 'of which the b\.lsy, that's all."
master of Magda need have re- "I just wondered." Hardun was
maine<J unaware. probing. "I mean, we've not yet
THE WJZARD OF ANHAR.ITT£ 131

completed our little chat on ways of made. The Pointed Tails have
removing the lmaiz. And they tell produced a scheme for disrupting
me Director Vestevaal has made a Dion's holdings right through
hurried trip back to Freetrade Magda Province. I've b~en into it in
Central. I naturally wondered what detail and I don't see how they can
was brewing." fail. Given nine months we'll have
"I wouldn't know. The director the lmaiz begging for alms in the
mentioned something to me about streets."
visiting Terra, but I'm not exactly "Nine months!" The veneer of
in his confidence." geniality was stretched taut. "And
This was so patent a lie that Vestevaal settled for that? It
Hardun did not even pretend to be- shouldn't take nine days to settle a
lieveit. little issue like this. Somebody's
"Very well, Tito! If you want to going soft."
play it close to the chest that's your "That's your view, Alek. But you
affair. Rance Intelligence will give haven't studied the local conditions
me all the answers I need., so don't as I have. Believe me, we have to
let the director think he's acting too play this one very softly."
cleverly." "I accept that it's your' fight,
"I don't see how you'd know," Tito, but I'd like to make one strike
Ren said critically. "You're just to prove to you that I can do as
scarcely in his class." I say."
For a moment a spear of anger "Then make ..it, Alek. I don't
burned in Hardun's eyes. Then, seem to be able to stop you," said
with amazing composure, he turned Ren unexpectedly. "But I'm not
the expression of malice aside and supporting you and I don't wish to
overlaid it with a veneer of genial be implicated in any way. Further-
charm. more, if you make a hash of it and
"Look, Tito-I know we have the whole thing blows up into an in-
our differences on the way the job's terplanetary row I'll set up such a
to be done, but we're still here for a howl for your skin that even
common purpose. We mustn't Rance'll have to throw you to the
forget the lmaiz is a very clever wolves. As far as I'm concerned
enemy. Nothing could suit him bet- you're a Rance combat unit and
ter than to have us divided. Let's nothing to do with legitimate
not play into his hands. How's your Freetrade at all."
campaign going?" "I can see you've been doing
"Slowly, but I think we've got it your homework." Hardun's ac-
132 IF
knowledgment was a grudging ac- All day had been spent by
ceptance of the terms. uI'1l make Hardun's technicians in calculating
the, strike tonight and guarantee the course 'coordinates and care-
you undisputed access to Castle fully calibrating the equipment to
Magda in the morning. I'll even guarantee the pinpoint accuracy
have a squad of Rance commandos necessary to ensure that the deadly
standing by to do any mopping up black canister was delivered pre-
that may be required. It's about 'cisely inside the confines of the
time you tradesmen learned that castle and not dispersed across
jobs like. this were better left to Thirdhill and its township. The
professionals." position of the central point of the
castle had been determined with mi-
NDER cover of the early crometers by laser triangulation. A
U darkness Hardun moved his
murder contingent out to the plain.
radar lock from the battle cruiser
and a second one from a manpack
Because the whole episode was station on the northern slopes of
highly illegal in terms of Roget law, Secondhill gave the necessary
absolute secrecy was essential. For references for faultless radio
this reason the most o.pportune site, guidance of the missile from its mo-
that ,between the Via Arens and the bile launcher to the castle. All this
Space Canal, could not be used, for preparation had been leisurely and
fear of chance observation. The al- time-consuming. Speed was not im-
ternative site was situated on the portant, but it was absolutely vital
rising banks of the wilder country that the payload of sinister cargo
almost centrally between the Pro- fell cleanly inside the castle walls'.
vincial Route and the Old Coast The toxin had come from. a stock-
Road. Here there was almost no pile of horrifying weapons on
chance of observation during the Rance. Its rate of diffusion under
hours of darkness, though by day it all conditions of still and moving
would have lain under the scrutiny air were known with great
of the watchtowers and the great precision. The metering and
keep of Castle Di Guaard. The dispersion could 'be, controlled to
rocket's trajectory thus lay slightly a nicety to permit an almost exact
over the northwest corner of spread of effect before destructive
Firsthill, but such was the precision . oxidation by the atmosphere
of the apparatus that the chance of rendered it not only 'harmless but
a premature fallout on the town virtually undetectable. In a situa-
was negligible. tIon such as its release inside an

isolated citadel like Magda the well in evidence as he passed. Ren
great walls themselves would serve stopped and made a few purchases
somewhat to contain the dispersion, in order to establish his lo~ation at
so that little, if any, chance existed that time. The streets, as usual at
of its affecting anyone outside the that hour, were crowded with an
castle walls: Inside the walls its aimless, nonchalant throng, none of
potential was conservatively esti- whom seemed to appreciate any
mated at seven thousand per cent need for a clear and unobstructed
overkill. By morning the best bacte- highway. Mule carts, loaded to ri-
riologists in the universe, while they diculous heights with straw baskets,
might have their suspicions, would seemed eternally to be in his way
find it impossible to produce proof and it took Reo nearly an hour to
of the deliberate nature of the hit- negotiate the cushion-craft the two
and-run plague whose one and only kilometers from the Black Rock to
symptom was immediate death. the foot of the Trade Road. Ren
The dispersion warh(;ad was self- bore this ordeal with fortitude, not
destroying and would leave no in- daring to express his anxiety or his
criminating remains. crying need to be in a location
where more people would recognize
.REN himself had no stom~ch at
all ,for the project. Fortu-
him and be able to vouch for his
presence on that particular evening.
nately he had retained his resolve Fortunately the Trade Road was
and refused to take any part in the clearer and the craft was poled
venture. To protect the company's easily up the. slopes and out to the
name-in 'the event of any future broad brow of Firsthill.
investigation of the pending atroc- It was here that he first heard the
ity-he had felt it necessary that explosions. In reactive shock he at
he . should establish an in~e first thought that the rocket must
structible alibi by being seen in have misfired on its launcher. A
Anharitte at the time the act was second burst of noise, however,
committed. He therefore left the caused him to notice that the origin
spaceport in advance of the murder of the sounds was too far to the left
party and traveled the Via Arena to to be coming from the provincial
pick up a crew of stave-bearers for plains and was more probably
·his cushion-craft slightly before coming from the guns of Di
dusk. Guaard. Remembering the for-
The garish ligroin flares of the midable chain-throwi~g cannon
trading stalls around the arena were that Di Guaard maintained to cover
134 I IF
AVING parked the cushion-
the Aprillo Delta against the
mythical Tyrene, Ren was able to' H craft, Ren made his way to
ma'ke a guess that Hardun was in the Lodge of the Pointed Tails,
trouble. The vicious cannon atop wllere discreet information was
the castle keep were being rapidly usually available. The lodge was
deployed against something to the deserted save for a solitary
west-a fact he was able to confirm guardian, who appeared to think
when his position enabled him to the clan was already out on Ren's
see the flashes of the guns own business and was surprised
themselves. It did not take much that the agent had no knowledge of
further conjecture to appreciate the fact. He, too, had no certain
that the only target to be found on idea of why Di Guaard's guns were
the plains at this hour was Hardun firing, but promised to send a run-
and his rocket projector and the ner to contact the clan and to carry
deadly rocket with which he in- news back to Ren as fast as
tended to wipe out the human-not possible. Ren returned to hi~ office
to mention humane-population of and sat waiting for the information.
Castle Magda. It was fully an hour before
Ren reached his office chambers Catuul Gras came to the door.
in af state of agonized indecision "~We were looking for you earlier,
and suffering from an embarrassing Tito. Sonel Taw sent a messenger
lack of information. He was for you. When he couldn't find you
tempted to try to .contact Alek he had sense enough to come
Hardun via the microwave link, but looking for me."
there were. dangers that some .... 1 was delayed (It the spaceport,"
record of the conversation could said Ren. UWhat was the
implicate both himself and the .message?"
company. On the face of it, the ....That the Imaiz was expected in
chances of the mad Delph Di Castle Di Guaard tonight."
Guaard's guns being able to _seek .... He is?" This put a new aspect on
out a target on the dark plain ap- Hardun's venture with the rocket
peared negligible. However, the and Ren could not conceal his
hand of the Ima;z in Castle Di surprise. This. was o,ne point on
Guaard-and the awful coincidence which even Alek Hardun had
of the rocket launcher on the plains miscalculated.
under the speaking guns-threw up .... 1 laid plans for an immediate
pos~ibilities too haunting to be ambush," said Catuul Gras, Ubut
ignored. the lma;z slipped through."

"Dion's already there, then?" rocket launcher. More probably,~
"Yes. He must have come around Hardun would abandon the venttire.~
by the Provincial Route or the Old and retire to the security of the~
Coast Road. He came up Sidepath spaceport. However, if Hardun'
and was already in Castle Di continued his plan and launched the
Guaard before we got the news." bio-missile into Magda, then he'
"Was anyone with him?" would certainly fail to kill the one..
"Only Zinder and Barii, I think." man on Roget who could unearth
"Have you any idea what Di the truth behind the death of the·
Guaard's firing at?" garrison at Magda. The damage the
Catuul smiled. "I suspect the Imaiz could do with that truth both
Imaiz put him up to it. It's said on Roget and with the Galactic
Dion carries strange tales about the Federal Council could not only.see
Tyrene to Di Guaard. I'd wager the an end to the freeport but could
mad Delph is on top of his tower work against Freetrade right across
right now, firing at imaginary the galaxy.
pirates and believing himself to be The agent became aware that the
the saviour of Anharitte. Still, it's scribe was watching him curiously.
better that he fires across the "What's on your mind, Tito?"
plains. There's no one out there to "Nothing," Ren lied. "But so far
hurt. Safer than firing at the ship- our feud against the Imaiz has been
ping on the river." a continuirig series of failures. I
Ren felt cold and rather'sick. Be- can't afford more. We know the
cause of the atrocious nature of the Imaiz is in Castle Di Guaard and
weapon Hardun had taken out into that some time he's going to have to
the plain not even the Pointed Tails come out. I don't care what it costs,
had been made party to the secret. Catuul, or how many other
The presence on Roget of such a societies you need to reinforce your
potent outworld mass-murder own men, but I want the lmaiz
instrument was not something that ambushed-aJ!d I want him killed.
Ren cared to advertise-nor would I want you to make it a point of
the knowledge have helped his honor that he never returns to
liaison with the loyal but native Magda."
clan whose services he so frequently Catuufs intelligent eyes were
employed. His one consolation was probing gently, but he made no
that without radar and ranging comment on his conclusiOns.
instruments, the mad Oi Guaard "As you wish, Tito. I'll make all
was unlikely actually to hit the the necessary arrangements. We'll
136 IF
seal Castle Di Guaard like "a trap. him stop in startled shock. It was
No matter when Dion-daizan many seconds before he could bring
emerges there'll be good shafts and himself to lift the handset.
good steel waiting for him. If he "Tito?"
ever sees Magda again it'll be solely "Alek-what happened?"
due to his wizardry." "Happened?" Hardun's tone
Because there was nothing else he alone foreshadowed the tale of di-
could usefully do Ren went to bed saster. "Di Guaard's cannon hit the
and tried to sleep. In_this he was for launcher. The toxin dispersion
many hours- unsuccessful because c~nister went off prematureiy and
he had no idea at all what pattern of all six of the; crew were dead of the
news would greet him the next day. plague inside five minutes. There
The possibilitjes ranged from was nothing I could do to help
brilliant success to tragic failure, them."
with a range of complex permuta- "What about yourself?"
tions in between, many of wQich "I was lucky. I was following up
could involve him in being asked in the radio unit truck. Oi Guaard
some acutely embarrassing ques- wrapped one of his chain-shots
tions. Even the certainty of failure around the turret and I stopped to
would have allowed him to rest estimate the damage. By the time I
more easily, but he was currently got going again the launcher was on
immersed in a vacuum containing its side and the crew was trying to
no answers, from which he dared run. I reversed out fast and called
not emerge to ask questions lest he out the medical team from the
betr~y his own foreknowledge. His spaceport. They got there in twenty
surest method of defense was to minutes, but when they knew what
profess complete ignorance of the toxin we had in the canister they re-
events that took place tha~ night. fused to go in. It wouldn't have'
been much use anyway. Once that
INALLY, however, he must toxin's out there's no protection
F have slept for a while. He woke
again to the first gray of dawn,
against it and only time and ex-
posure can counter it."
feeling wretched and compelled by "So we've a broken rocket
curiosity to cohtact the spaceport launcher and six bodies out on the
by the ~icrowave radio link. As he plain in full view of Di Guaard's
dressed and dragged himself down- watchtowers when the light gets
stairs the call alarm of his trans- better. Damn! Di Irons will flay us
receiver gave a clatter that made fer this."
THE WIZARD OF ANHARITIE 137

"It's still pretty misty out here. I man-and fast-or we~ haven't a
think we're covered -until the sun hope of retaining Anharitte as a
comes over the hill. That gives us freeport. "
an hour yet to remove the mess. "I've got him bottled inside
I've emergency tenders standing by, Castle Di Guaard," said Reno
but we're trying to delay for as long "Catuul's mustering a whole army
as possible so that the toxin is fully and we'll keep them in position for-
broken down. We daren't risk as long as may be required. I don't
losing any more men. What in the myself think Dion will attempt to
name of Jupiter possessed Di come out. I think he'll sit there and
Guaard to open fire like that?" wait for us to go away."
"You don't know the hell of it," "Then this strikes me as an op-
said Ren. "Even if you'd succeeded portune time to try a recon-
you'd still have been in trouble. The naissance raid on Magda. I have
Imaiz wasn't at Magda. He was the commandos assembled, but I'll
with Di Guaard. I suspect he was be too busy on the plain to take the
directing operations, having first lead. Could you handle it for me,
explored the situation for himself. Tito?"
At a·guess, he had all your prepara- "I've no great objection to a re-
tions under observation-and you connaissance. And it might produce
drove straight into a trap." some useful information."
"That would .figure," said "Good. I'll have the men meet
Hardun sourly. "We were the vic- you at Magda Crossing in an hour's
tims of good espionage, perfect time."
tiqling and diabolical ranging ac- "I'll be there," said Ren and went
curacyo. I had the feeling that if the thol1ghtfully in search of breakfast.
chain shots hadn't stopped us they
would have been followed up by XIII
high explosives. As it was, the bom-
bardment stopped shortly after the
launcher got into trouble, as though T HERE was no doubt from
close quarters that Castle
they knew they had hit something Magda was the most formidable of.
vital. What are the chances of their all the fortresses on the three hills.
having an infrared ranging camera It was larger than the installation of
at Castle Di Guaard?" Di Guaard, yet planned with the
"Every chance-with the Imaiz same paranoiac approach-the
behind them. " supposition that all men's hands
"Tito, we've got to destroy this were against it. The outer walls of
138 IF
massive granite blocks were Castle Magda was situated on the
probably solid for twenty meters at highest point of Thirdhill, in a
the base and rose sheer out of the situation remote from the attendant
waters of an unwelcoming moat. township. It stood on a rocky pla-
Even the dark streaks in the granite teau, three- p'arts of the extremities
conspired to giv~ the place an air of of which gave way to nothing but
unassailable endurance. the slopes of a broken and inhos-
Whoever had planned and built pitable hill. Working beneath the
Magda had been a genius in his own cover of the slopes, the small and
right. There was not an inch of the wiry commandos were split into
wall that was not· overlooked by three groups, each with a local of-
some flanking tower, and all ficer.
possible angles of ,approach lay Ren alone, a known figure in
under a dozen points from which a the territory, felt· free to show
hidden defender might safely fire. It hims~lf openly. His presence on
was not even possible to tell if one Thirdhill could not be concealed
were being observed, so dark and during daylight and he took advan-
numerous were the potential tage of this fact to make the survey
defense positions. he needed to complete the assess-
Although they were ar"med, the ments of the high-level photo-
group of thirty-five Rance com- graphic data on Magda.
"mandos with Ren had strict instruc- The intention had been that,
tions to do no more than test the having completed his open evalua-
defenses. They could indulge in a tion of Magda's defense potential,
little provocation in order to test he would rejoin the commandos for
the viability of any attack a mock attack to see what sort of
hypothesis, but were" to take no response would be forthcoming
main offensive action unless from the garrison in the absence of
instructed to do so by Ren. The the lmaiz. However, as h~ ap-
agent had a secondary purpose in proached the main gatehouse he
leading an open move against was more than a little disturbed to
Magda-he hoped that news of it find the drawbridge down and the
would tempt" the Imaiz to try and great gates open and apparently un-
break out of Castle Di Guaard. He guarded. Intrigued by this
had sufficient faith in the Pointed phenomenon, he ventured closer,
Tails to think that Dion-daizan was the thought crossing his mind that
unlikely to make his homeward in the absence of the master the at-
journey alive. titude of the remaining garrison
THE WIZARD OF ANHARITTE / 139

seemed to be remarkably naive. some of Hardun's men with me. It
Or was it? If the Ima;z had left would be quite a joke if, tired of
Magda, knowing even a little of the waiting for the Ima;z to return, the
threat on the plains, he might have garrison came back to find me in
evacuated his whole garrison to residence·"1 .
safety. In which case Hardun's "Too risky," said Catuulgravely.
murder weapon would have been "It's not like the Ima;z to leave the
completely without success even if slightest thing to chance."
it had been fired. The idea seemed "He would scarcely have had
credible. If the Ima;z's strength re- time to make preparations once he
sided mainly in the super-training realized what was going on."
of his bondforce it would have been "And what was going'·on?"
an unthinkable risk for him to have Ren realized that he had said too
left them in the castle. much. The Pointed Tails had not
The chances were that the gar- been given the probable reason why
rison was now dispersed around the the Ima;z had found it so necessary
township of Magda, waiting for the to visit Di Guaard.
master to come and assure them it "We tricked him," said Ren ob-
was safe to return. Wary of a trap, scurely. "That was why he left
Ren returned to the commandos Magda. Risk it may be, but I'm
behind the ridge and used their going to try to get in there. I need to
radio to contact his own office. His know what sort of facilities he has
servant-took the call and dispatched in Magda-and if we can manage
a runner to contact Catuul Gras. to hold it I think our battle's over.
Instead of sending a message, A lord dispossessed of his own
Catuul himself came to answer. castle won't find much following in
"Did you find anything, Tito?" Anharitte."
" Yes. As near as I can tell, "Let me withdraw some Pointed
Magda's been evacuated. Not even Tails and try to locate the
a token guard is posted. Are you whereabouts of the garrison first."
perfectly sure the Ima;z is still bot- "No. We don't have the time.
tled up in Castle Di Guaard?" And we d.aren't give the Ima;z the
"Quite sure. Not even a rat could opportunity to escape from Di
have got out of there unnoticed. Guaard. You deal with the Ima;z
We've had every inch of the walls and I'll try my luck with Magda.
under observation since the Ima;z That way either or both of us has
went in. What had you in mind?" the chance to finish the fight for
"The occupation of Magda. I've good."
140 IF
R N explained his proposition to
the senior Rance commando.
He too had independently formed
Finally the whole force entered
the gateway, having assured itself
that the entry tunnel was safe. The
the opinion that Magda was unoc- last one to enter was the senior
cupied and nodded a ready accep- commando, who signaled to Ren
tance of Ren's idea. The l1}en un- that it was safe for him to follow.
der him were battle-trained Ren moved up quickly, feeling a
professionals, unused to' sitting sudden loneliness and isolation now
aside while a group of merchants that the others were no longer
and native warriors did the fighting visible. The whole affair had this
for them. Whether or not Magda far been conducted in silence, but
was defended, this was their chanc~ now he became extraordinarily
to demonstrate what could uniquely aware of just how absolute that
be done by perfectly trained and silence was. He quickened his pace
equipped soldiery. and had entered the long, dark tun-
Ren was warned to take no part nel of the entrance, expecting to
in the initial excursion. He saw the find some of the commandos
wisdom of this as the sm'all, wiry waiting for him and slightly
commandos went expertly into perturbed to find that they were
action, almost melting into the not. A nagging suspicion warned
background as they moved up him that it had alll~een far too easy.
toward the sinister to~ers of the He was still telling himself this
castle. Every m-ove, they made was when the great portcullis gates fell
one of marvelous precision, each at the ends of the tunnel, trapping
man knowing what area he had to him like a wild beast in a cage.
cover with his firepower and what For his commando companions
need not con"cern him until death who had passed on into the inner
took his neighbor. With the swift ward the end was swift. A high-level
and deceptiye mobility of lizards stun bomb burst above their heads.
they moved up the main ap- Blastwise its effect was negligible,
proaches. Some ventured ont'o the but its biological shock effect,
drawbridge, some crossed it, others caught and concentrated between
held carefUl reserve in the deadland the great walls of stone, was a dis-
beneath it. Each time they ad- aster. All thirty-five Ranch com-
vanced they left nothing to chance. mandoes stiffened like posts and
Had any resistance been offered it then crumpled to the ground. Those
would at any time have found only who had not been killed were se-
a minimum of targets exposed. verely concussed. Some of tho'se

who lived would be deaf for life. wondered when and what sort of at-
Others would have more or less tention would be paid to himself.
permanent damage to the -prain and He had his blaster under his tunic,
other organs as a result of the shat- but he was aware that to use it now
tering pressure and rarefaction of could result on(y in his being
the stun bomb shockwave. destroyed like an unwanted dog. He
Caught in his cage, R~n was dealt might be able to make better use of
agony. He held his hands over his its bargaining power in response to
screaming ears, thought the blow at a more personal approach by h,s
the pit of his stomach had been captors, but at this moment its
equally severe. Fortunately the nar- function could be only a catalyst in
row entrance to the tunnel and an untidy and ignoble form of sui-
probably the gates themselves had cide,.
protected him from all but a minor Finally what looked like a
part of the shock. He rolled up and medical team began directing the
writhed on the dusty floor,. careful removal of those who might
oblivious to anything outside possibly be saved. No one still paid
himself until some of the pain any attention to Ren and,
subsided. Then he climbed to his wondering if they even knew of his
feet again, shaking his head to try existence, be finally shouted to at-
and still the ripging in his ears and tract attention. Several of the slaves
dimly thinking of escape. A brief looked up and grinned in his di-
examination of the portcullis, rection. From this he deduced .that
however, told him that his freedom, his situation was known and that
if gained, was going to have to be his incarceration was deliberate.
given by his captors. He could not It was many hours later that the
arrange it for himself. "inner portcullis was raised, and he
emerged from" the dark recess of the
tunnel to ~ome blinking into the
T HROUGH the heavy fret of
the inner portcullis he could see
the occupants of Magda beginning
rays of the late-afternoon sun.
Neither a vicious guard nor a firing
to emerge. Some began the task of squad awaited him. Instead a·
sorting the dead commandos from figure, peacock proud in a wealth of
the living. Others examined the glorious fabrics, held out her hand
fabric ofthe building's walls for any in a" reserved mode of welcome.
~amage that might have resulted And this he found equally daunting.
from the blast. Ren looked "Welcome to Magda, Agent
miserably out up~n the scene aQd Ren."
142 IF
"Zinder-I-" diculous. We take an eye for a
"You thought I was with Dion in tooth and a life for an eye-and if
Castle Di Guaard. Isn't that what that seems immoral, remember that
you were going to say? To tell you the quarrel is not of our· choosing."
the truth, we came back late last Ren shrugged. "Then what do
night." you intend to do with me?"
"We? Dion-daizan too?" Ren felt She was slightly amused. "I think
impelled to ask the question, we'll give you some supper and set
though he did not know why he ex- you free again."
pected an answer. He found her "I can't object to the ar-
openness very disconcerting. rangement, but the logic of it es-
U And Barii." She was teasing capes me."
him quietly. "There was quite a "Does it? If you were we, whom
party on at Di Guaard last night. would you rather have as an
But we found it far too noisy. We enemy-yourself'or the Butcher of
left early." Turais?"
"'Damn!" Ren looked ruefully at "Butcher of Turais?"
the dust on his shoes. "I must have "So they didn't tell even you! I'm
at least three hundred men posted not surprised. Alias Alek Hardun.
to stop you from leaving Firsthill. He's a specialist in depopulating
You people win every damn trick in awkward places. The pogrom of
the book. Did you know that was a Turais was only one of his accomp-
crack Rance commando team you. lishments. It was no accident that
just destroyed? Competence is a he happened to have access to
tolerable sin, but omnipotence is a Rance toxin. And that's not a hun-
little out of fashion." dredth part of the mass-murder
Zinder turned her head to survey equipment he carries on that blood-
the scene of the recent carnage in wagon of his. Frankly we think that
the courtyard. you "and Director Vestevaal have
"Not omnipotence, Agent Ren. been deceived into accepting him so
Careful planning, good organiza- easily. And either you stop him or
tion, fast communications, a sense we'll be forced to stop him
of purpose and a modicum of luck. ourselves. If Hardun comes out on
The usual ingredients needed to top even Roget could become
make a success of any major un- another sparsely populated world."
dertaking. We offer injury to those "I can't accept that statement at
who try to injure us and ridicule for its face value," said Ren. "But I
those who try to make us look ri- know the director's worried about

him and is trying to take some XIV
action."
"Trying's not enough. We were
only able to stop Hardun below Di
Guaard last night because we knew
I T WAS midnight as Ren started
uncertainly back down the
twisted Roads of Thirdhill.
who he was and what he was ca- Zinder had taken his blaster,
pable of. But if he'd successfully but had returned his sword at
destroyed Magda-who could have the gate, so that he had no fe~rs
stopped him then? Can't you for his own protection. His uncer-
imagine the pattern? Here a lord tainty arose from the wealth of
goes crazy" and there another damaging information Dion-daizan
forgets to wake from his sleep. Mu- had given him concerning Alek
tant rust decimates the harvest and Hardun, the Butcher of Turais.
the seat of central government is Ren had come to Magda full of
stricken by history's worst ever the certainty that he was indeed
plague. Rance drafts in a thousand performing a necessary job. He
'disaster relief experts' and,. to now felt himself reduced to the
shore a crumbling economy, ap- status of a dupe and an unwitting
points a puppet government. Then accomplice of a trade-world cartel
it's all over save the persecution and whose methods were becoming jn-
the exploitation." famous throughout the univers~. It
"How much of this have you told made him wince to remember the
Vestevaal?" number of times he had mentally
"All of it and more. I think he applauded the news screen's an-
was convinced. But/ he has his own nouncements: Disaster teams from
job to do also-and this we under- Combien and Rance have been sent
stand. He's a big man, your di- to the planet to offer immediate
rector-but I wonder if he's big assistance . .. Once those teams ar-
enough to fight the combined rived, he knew now, the disasters
weight of the merchant worlds. multiplied and the need for
Only the Freetraders can contain assistance changed to one of
them, but they're divided and enforced dependen~e.
doubtful and prone to manipulation On the other side of the coin,
themselves. But come! Dion will ex- however, Hardun had warned Ren
plain this far better than I. Though that the lmaiz would seek to divide
I think you'd better let me have his opposition and thereby ensure a
your sword and your blaster before continuance of his own schemes.
you meet him." This possible aspect of Dion's
144 IF
expert lecture had not been lost on though transfixed by a blade.
Ren, though the documented evi- "Dion-daizan in Magda? But he
dence with which he had been can't be-"
presented was overwhelmingly in "He's there all right. So are
favor of the removal of Alek Zinder and Barii. I've just taken
Hardun from the scene. Ren sensed supper with the three of them." A
tha~ the Imaiz alone stood between sudden anger overtook him. "Are
Roget and the diabolical hands of they smaller than mice that they
Rance and her agents. With this in passed your watch at Di Guaard
mind, he was not at all sure that his and were waiting to trap me when I
own plans to damage the Imai~ arrived?"
were still justified. He reflected that In the dim light the scribe's
Vestevaal, having become con- expression was one of puzzlement
vinced of the truth of the situation, followed by a sudden relaxation.
had travelled immediately offworld "Then you'll admit now that
t9 carry the battle directly to the Dion's a wizard. It's not possible
powerful Freetrade Council. Of one for anything to have escaped from
thing Ren became certain-if he Di Guaard without our knowing.
were again to- have the strength of Not only did we have the castle and
his. own convictions Alek Hardun the exits under surveillance, but we
and his murder ship .~ust go. also had men on the routes and
Ahead of him, among the noises river crossings. If Dion reached
of the night, Ren heard ·a sound he Magda he must have flown like a
knew. To the uninitiated it was the bird."
call of a nightbird. Ren knew it for The instant absurdity of the sug-
the signal of the Pointed Tails. He gestion was soon overthrown by a
answered it inexpertly and in a few new line of speculation in Ren's
moments Gras was at his side. mind. "I wonder if you're right,
"What happened, Tito?" the Catuul. He couldn'Lhave flown like
scribe asked anxiously. "We had a bird, but he could have flown
word that things went wrong at nonetheless. In which direction was
Magda and that you were captive." the wind last night?""
"I was captive. But Dion-daizan "There was not much wind, but
decided to let me go again-I think the breeze persists from the
because he likes the sporting nature southwest from now until the heavy
of our opposition." Ren's sentence weather breaks. Does that give you
ended in heavy irony. an idea?"
Catuul Gras looked at him as "I have a suspicion. Dian

couldn't have used a conventional "Point taken, Catuul. But so far
aircraft because' you'd have heard the Imaiz has done nothing beyond
the noise of engines. But if he'd had the comprehension of the averagely
some sort of balloon available he educated outworlder. This makes it
could have used it in relative safety reasonably certain that he's not a
after nightfall. The natural wind- native of Roget, and various his-
drift would have carried them torical associations about his
toward Thirdhill or at least into schemes strengthen my belief that
Magda' province. And the river he's a Terran."
lights would have given them an in-
dication of when it was safe to
HE scribe was searching the
land."
"What's a balloon?" asked
Catuul.
T darkness behind them, loo.king
for something. Occasionally he
"A device that figures almost would answer the low-pitched
uniquely in ancient Terran history. trade-calls that floated through the
It's a bag of gas or hot air-which darkness. Finally he turned back to
is lighter than the air in which it Ren and spoke.
floats. A big balloon can carry ..a "Hardun's men who were with
basket containing several people. It you-weren't they released too?"
could have lifted the three of them "No. All thirty-five were either
out of Castle Di Guaard and if you killed or injured."
weren't looking for it you'd "I warned you it was dangerous."
never have seen it go. 'That way the The scribe's face was grim. "The
Imaiz could have escaped all your Imaiz never takes chances. And this
traps without resorting to wizardry. fetches a point which we must settle
It only needs the application of a between us, friend Tito. There was
few physical principles and a bit of nothing in our contract about your
technical know-how." carrying the fight using outworld
"Wizardry or technical know- soldiery. Nor about the use of long-
how, it's all the same to me," said range outworld weapons. If we
Catuul. "What you call wizardry were to place this fact before the
a~e the things that are done which Elders of the clans they would
are beyond the limits of what your relieve the Pointed Tails of any
education insists is possible. But the further obligations to you-nor
same applies to me. So the dif- would you obtain clan service
ference between our points of view elsewhere. The Elders would never
is one of degree, not kind." consent to a clan's being party to
146 1F
any outworld scheme of aggression. UWe may have our internal
I'm disappointed in you, Tito. l'd disputes in Anharitte, but armed
thought you understood us better." outworld interference transcends
Ren stopped walking and turned any normal act of feud. Were it not
to face the scribe squarely. so, even Roget could fall under
"I do understand you and I admit some outworld yoke. Think abo~t
I'm in error. But circumstances it, Tito. You'll see why it has to be
overtook me. Initially I was mis- so. And your part in this has been a
lead,as to the reasons Alek Hardun cardinal transgression."
came to Roget. He came under the "I can't deny it. It's been a sad
guise of an advisor, but now !lP- error both in judgment and in
pears to have independent policy. Hardun's equipment and his
operating status. By the time I was tactics have become an embar-
aware of this I found I had no rassment and were no part of my
power to stop him. The director has original intention. And I'm even
gone to the council to have the mat- more unhappy to have broken faith
ter set to rights." with your society."
"Yet it was you who took the sol- "But in the light of today's expe-
diers to Magda," objected Catuul. dition, how much reliance can we
"True. They were available and place on your word. Think carefully
the exercise was intended purely as before you answer~1 may yet have
a reconnaissance. But when I be- to speak for you to the Elders of the
lieved Magda to be abandoned I clans."
thought that by one decisive move I "The Elders must decide as they
might shorten the whole battle. will. And you, too, Catuul. You
That was a classic blunder that cost know me better than most and must
Doctor Hardun thirty-five men." decide for yourself. My rejection of
"I'd not have expected the price Alek Hardun is a personal inability
to be less." The scribe was critical. to support his views on the
"Had the lma;z not dealt with cheapness of human life. I can't say
them-there are two hundred otherwise even to save the
I clansmen from all over the spaceport or my job, which depends
provinces around us now who on it."
would have made sure the Rance "That's precisely what I wanted
men never left Thirdhill." to hear," said the scribe. "But I've
"What?" Ren was aghast. "Do been less than frank with you. The
you really feel so strongly about Elders have already discussed the
them?" matter in council. They gave two

decisions. The first is that all so- here. I know damn well you~ve sent
ciety services will be withdrawn no such thing."
from outworlders until Hardun and UYou used to see copies," cor-
his ship have been removed-" rected Ren. "The Freetrade
UAnd the second?" Council has already instructed the
UThat you were to be killed spaceport staff not to cooperate
unless I personally was satisfied with you and they're leaning
with your intention and your in- heavily on Rance to have you
tegrity." pulled out. I know of this because I
UAnd have you come to that de- held a personal conversation with
cision?" .Ren felt his sword hang the director at Freetrade Central.
heavy at his side. And you won't receive a recording
uOf course." Catuul's smile of that either. He confirmed
broadened in the dim light from the everything I'd learned about the
night sky. "Or you would have been Butcher of Turais."
dead within minutes of leaving "Turais? That old propaganda
Castle Magda. Come, friend Tito, line-" Hardun was vehement. "If
we have your cushion-craft waiting you'd believe that you'd believe
on the far side of the crossing." anything."
"I would believe anything about
" ALL thirty-five men?" you, Alek. That's why I complained
.4 Hardun's voice reached to the council. The urgency of your
the peak of incredulity. removal can't be overstressed.
"It wouldn't have mattered if They're to hold a debate on it. l
they had been a hundred," said imagine the result will be to apply
Ren. "The Imaiz is more than a some tough sanctions against
match for anything you can~ put up. Rance until they're forced to order
Frankly, your tactics have become you out. I do~'t imagine -that'll
a liability. I've sent a spacegram to make you. very popular with your
the Freetrade' Council expressing masters, either. So I'm advising
the opinion that if you're allowed to you now to get offworldbefore the
remain on Roget the spaceport storm really breaks."
facility will certainly be lost." UI'1l see you in hell first, Tito. I
uYou did what?" Hardun's new wouldn't dream of moving a
peak of disbelief was suddenly tem- centimeter unless I get specific
pered -by relief. "Now I know instructions from Rance Politico."
you're joking, Tito. I see copies of "Very confonnative. But I wasn't
every spacegram transmitted from asking you to go-I was warning
148 IF
you not to stay. Your departure is UI've been around, Alek. And
imminent. Either you decamp of wherever I've been I've looked in
your own volition or rpn the very depth as well as at the surface. It's
probable risk of being removed, not a perspective you'd understand,
perhaps violently., by someone like but it means I can back my
the Imaiz. And if that happens judgment against, yours with a
Rance will be spared much loss of reasonable chance of being right."
face-so I don't imagine they'll Ren turned on his heel and
grieve unduely." stalked out of the room. It was ob-
uThe risk is negligible. It's a vious that his attempt to persuade
complete certainty there's nothing Hardun to go vol,untarily had met
on Roget that can harm an armed with no sort of success. Ren's
battle cruiser at dock." \ knowledge of spaceport security
UI don't share your certainty. measures-and of the detection and
The societies have withdrawn all defense capabilities of a docked
services until you.r ship has been battle cruiser-did not incline him
removed. The Imaiz not only has to place much faith in ~he idea that
no opposition, but can probably ac- the Imaiz would have a greater suc-
quire substantial assistance if he recess by hi.s own methods. They
quires it. And I don't th.ink Oi Irons would probably have to wait until
is going to miss the point for very the pressure on Rance brought
long-in which case the planetary about an official recall. Ren shud-
government will also be involved. dered. In the meantime Hardun
So the opposition ranged against could act without restriction-and
you runs from Oion-daizan through if he accepted that his period of op-
the Freetrade Council up to portunity was limited, the next
possible intervention by the Ga-' twenty-four hours could be a very
lactic Federation. If you get off- crucial time in ~nharitte's history.
world now you might just about
save your own skin."
"'You're either a brave man or a
complete fool," said Hardun
savagely. uI've killed men before
I T MIGHT have been his
imagination affecting his in-
terpretation of the scene or it might
for offering a whole lot less have been some social reflection of
provocation.. Your outlook's so far the societies' decision,. but Ren had
adrift from the realities of galactic the distinct impression of unease in
life that you're really too pathetic the city as he r,eturned. Themarkets
to be true." were quiet, ~ost deserted. The
THE WIZARD OF ANHARITTE 149'

streets were far less crowded than mately the Galactic Federation it-
usual and his own office was self.
deserted and dead. His bond- Di Irons, then was the main
servants had been withdrawn by problem for the moment. Idly Ren
the Pointed Tails-whose legal speculated on the strategy for a suc-
property they were-and the nor- cessful pattern of bluff if the
mally busy household was at a prefect's sure nose for trouble
standstill. Ren was even forced into should lead him -ioo close to the
the extreme of doing his own shop- truth. The answers were not en-
ping when he wished to eat-and couraging. He therefore decided
the preparation of his solitary meal that this would be a prudent time to
was a process which caused him to visit some of the more distant of the
think seriously about his next company's trading installations. By
move. this ruse he co~ld probably delay a
He could not back down on his confrontation until the removal of
stand against Hardun, nor could he Alek Hardun was a -accomplished
reasonably do more than he had fact. Accordingly he packed in
done to secure the latter's de- preparation for an early start and
parture. There appeared to be no retired exhausted to his bed.
basis for any sort of pact with the
Imaiz that. would not be com- AN EXPLOSION-or rather a
promising later-and in any case, .n series of explosions-broke
Ren felt t~at he had nothing of hi~ savagely out of his sleep. He
interest to offer. The best mode of awoke in alarm as multiple flashes
release from the impasse would un- of light glared in window-patterned
doubtedly be the swift intervention squares of whiteness from the walls
by the Freetrade Council acting on of his room. The thunder followed
Rance. Ren could only hope that swiftly. Ren leaned back, prepared
the council would successfully act to listen to the storm-until it
before Di Irons began to examine slowly filtered into his con-
too closely the reasons behind the sciousness that there was no such
Pointed Tails' decision to withdraw thing as a storm on Roget.
their services. If the prefect were to In an instant of panic he flung
learn the truth about the rocket himself from his bed and put his
launcher on the plains he wo~ld head out of the window. The night
have no option but to start a chain sky was ringing as yet another great
of p·rotests that must involve the explosion from the direction of the
planetary government and ulti~ plains shredded the unwilling air.
150 ~F
Without pausing to dress Ren ran training would enable him to do lit-
downstairs to the microwave com- tle in the way of offering practical
municator. As he turned on the assistance, his intention on reaching
stair the largest explosion yet made the street door had been merely to
the building vibrate. Only the walk to the limits of Firsthill in
distance in the quality of the" sound order to gain a better view. As he
made him certain that the explosion descended the steps, however, two
was at the spaceport. The nature armed watchmen flung themselves
and effect of so violent a blast at hurriedly across his path.
that point of origin was something "Agent Ren, you're not permit-
he scarcely dared to consider. ted to leave."
Although he called both on the "What do you ·mean?"
service and emergency frequencies, "Prefect Di Irons' orders. You're
he could obtain no reply from the to be 'confined to your chambers
spaceport control. This silence was until he's free to deal with you."
unprecedented and suggested a "But why the hell? This is no
state of crisis so acute that even the doing of mine."
information backup for the Di- "That you must discuss with him.
saster Center was unobtainable. But you'd better ~ convincing.
This convincingly fitted the scale of Nights such as this were never
the catastrophe he had deduced known in Anharitte before you
from the intensity of the shock- made trouble with the Imaiz."
waves. It was credible that as much Ren allowed himself to be es-
as a quarter of the spaceport in- corted back into the chambers,
stallation had been destroyed. On where the watchmen maintained an
an undeveloped world like Roget, uncommunicativ~ guard. When the
where civil emergency services. were light of the morning was well ad-
virtually nonexistent, the entire vanced he heard other noises in the
work of disaster containment and house and soon guessed that his
rescue work would have to be han- bondservants had been. returned
dled by the spaceport's own person- and were picking up their duties as
nel. . though no interruption of service
Ren dressed hurriedly. He did not had occurred. Shortly his breakfast
even 'need light in his rooms. The tray was ·placed before him. His
sky, made" bright by the angry guards were completely ignored.
redness of a major spaceport fire, By such signs he knew that Alek
provided more than adequate Hardun had been wrong in his
illumination. Knowing that his certainty that no force on Roget

was capable of dealing with an and as warm as the bed Ren had
armed space cruiser at dock. It was vacated during the n'ight. Having
a fair bet that about a third of the mastered the art of staying on top
spaceport installation had gone of the moving animal, he next faced
with it. By some ingenious piece of the problem of control. He found
wizardry a way had been found himself assisted by the" fact that the
through all the alarms and defenses giant horse appeared to know
and the Imaiz had made good his exactly what was required of it in
promise. terms of destination and speed. It
obediently followed the messenger
AN HOUR after mid-day the and two' others through the streets
.n. unusual echo of horses hoofs of Firsthill, out on to the Trade
clattered to the door of his Road, down the slopes and on to
chambers. The sound was rare be- the Via Arena.
cause the great horses of Roget, The messenger rode hard,
fully as large as the ancient Terran without pausing for further expla-
dray-horses, were unpopular beasts nation. The fact that his escort rode
on the crowded roads of the city. mainly ahead of him led Ren to sus-
They had their place at the great pect that his presence was required
provincial estates, but for town for a cons~ructive purpose, rather
work they were used mainly by the than a punitive- one. They soon
civil powers as a symbol of au- came in sight of the spaceport, from
thority. A message f~om Di Irons which, even in daylight, the bright
required Ren to join the cavalcade fla~es from burning fuel tanks
to the spaceport. The reins of the showed crimson under the vast
great saddled and bridled beast columns of smoke.
were flung toward him with the Ren's initial surprise at being
instruction that he was to mount. conveyed in so unusual a manner
Ren's riding experience was little was soon dispelled -as he realized
and .the size of his steed was that carriage by the giant horses
daunting. He said as much, but his were certainly the fastest means
protests were dismissed. of transport available. Although
"Then here's your chance to cushion-craft were able to produce
learn, Agent. The prefect won't a better turn of speed on the open
wait." stretch of the Via Arena, the slower
Somehow he managed to mount. working of the craft in the city gave
He sat unhappily astride the great ample ·advantage to horses. His
beast whose back seemed as broad present journey was accomplished
152 IF
in well under half an hour. Bruised violence multipted by violence. It
and sore, Ren clung frantically to was ajob most thoroughly done.
the saddle horns of the mammoth "How did it happen?" asked Ren.
animal and only fell when he at- Di Irons put on a thunderous
tempted to dismount. scowl. "Pictor Don has a theory
that the ship was toppled by an
xv s.h.e. charge placed i.n the vicinity
of one_. of the ship's stabilizers. Her
D I IRONS, looking fiercer and

sterner than ever, waited for
Ren to pick himself out of the dust,
engines then exploded and that
touched off her magazine. Unfortu-
nately she was heavily overarmed
then strode away, _indicating that and some of the later explosions
the agent should follow. Ren took away a fair'proportion of the
followed ~ainfully, wondering if his spaceport bujl<Jings. I've no doubt
encounter with the horse had done we'll be receiving a detailed account
something irrevocable to his legs. of the damage from the spaceport
Their path ~ook them broadly Disaster Control center in due
across the spaceport, most of which course. That's why I wanted you
was obscured by wide trails of here. You're going to give me an in-
drifting smoke. The prefect stopped dependent view of how It was done,
when finally they neared the who did it-and why it was
number-five landing bowl where the necessary."
Rance battle cruiser had been. "Me? But I know nothing about
Ren caught his breath as the scale it. I was asleep at the time."
of the catastrophe became ap- "That's no .excuse," .said Di
parent. The tall ship had been Irons. "I'll wager you know a great
totally demolished and the parts deal about it. Pretense will save you
further shattered. 'Even the single nothing. Let's be in no doubt-as to
components seemed destroyed. where ,you stand. In the past
Only a very small part of the ship's twenty-five hou,rs I've uncovered
total mass was still evident. The sufficient facts about you and the
rest of it had presumably been va- activities with which you've been in-
porized or diSpersed over many volved to have you declared per-
thousands of meters of terrain. sona non grata on just about every
Even the nearly indestructible wolf- ~ivilized planet in the universe. Not
ramie of the landing- bowl was only that, but for default of various
heavily cratered as though from a laws on Roget under Space Con-
major war. The picture was one_ of ventions I could encourage our

government to make claim for "Hmm!" Di Irons nodded
damages that would not only thoughfully. uAnd I take it that
bankrupt yo.ur company but would somebody couldn't wait to see it go
cripple another half-dozen of their peacefully. Your friend the Imaiz,
Freetrade asso~iates. perhaps?"
"Having. warned you to follow "I've no evidence," said "Ren.
the advice of your society on how to UBut he knew it for what it was and
conduct a feud with the Imaiz, you its demolition has a characteristic
have no conceivable defense for you thoroughness. "
actions. So do you now volunteer to "That's agreed," said Di Irons,
answer my questions or do I have to looking around at the widespread
break both you and the company?" damage. uAnd in the circumstances
"What exactly do you want to I don't think we shall hear much
know?" asked Ren unhappily. from Rance about her loss, espe-
"This battle cruiser-it must cially if Director Vestevaal's al-
have carried enough armaments to ready protesting about it at
start a major war. Was it put here Freetrade Central. But more than
by the Freetrade Council?" the ship went here. A lot of highly
"No. It was donated by Rance, valuable ,spaceport installation
ostensibly as a technical backup went with it. When the Galactic
facility. l don't think the majority Spaceports commission learns of it
of the council was aware that it was the repercussions are going to be
anything else." grave. I'm going to be under
"So why did it possess a fully pressure to produce so,me good
equipped war potential?" anSWtrs. Frankly, I don't have the
UIt was one of Rance's so-called expertise in outworld technology to
'disaster ships'-though I've come produce those answers. But you do.
to suspect that their function is to And you've the' additional advan~
cause disasters not to alleviate tage of knowing both the Imaiz and
them." the pattern of life in Anharitte,
"Didn't you know of this when neither of which an outworld inves-
you asked for it?" tigator would know: Therefore I'm
"I didn't ask for it. It just ar- willing to strike a bargain with
rived. When 1 found out what sort you."
of equipment it carried 1 com- "What sort of bargain?"
plained to Director Vestevaal. He "We both suspect it was the
went immediately to Freetrade Imaiz who destroyed this ship. I
Central to demand its withdrawal." want to know how much evidence
154 IF
against the Imaiz could be gat~red computer constantly oversees all
by an outworld enquiry into the activity in the area and throws up
disaster." alarm signals for any potentially
'''Yo~ choose your words most dangerous or unusual event."
carefully, Prefect." "What other defenses have. you?"
Ufn this instance I've a good "Mainly the fences. The first and
reason to do so." second fences form a corridor
"""And what have I to gain from manned by - ~ patrol with guard
the exercise?" dogs. Then there's an electified
"Give me some good -answers, fence inside that and the inner one's
Ren, and I might forget to file any a barbed barrier. It would take a
charges against yourself or the very clever person indeed to get
company." through that lot."
"1'11 willingly try, though your "We happen to suspect a very
terms don't give me much option. clever person. What I'm trying toO
But I'll need iofonnation. How establish is~id he indeed get
cooperative can I expect to find the through or was the blast an acci-
spaceport staff?" dent? What about the gates?"
"They themselves are in default "Only two-both remotely con-
for permitting an armed warcraft to trolled and responding only to the
remain docked/ at their facility be- controllers direct orders. He bas to
yond the recognized refueling time. satisfy himself by computer verifi-
Therefore their caree~s are equ'ally cation. of ident cards and the vision
in my hands. I suspect you'll find link that the person asking for ad-
them very cooperative indeed." mission has the necessary authority
to enter."
nICTOR DON, the spaceport's "And did he give clearance to
Cemergency commander spread anyone at a time reasonably close
his hands resignedly.. to the blowup?"
"I can assure you, Tito, that out- i "No.There were no admissions
side s~botoge is quite out of the for at least four hours before the
question. Nobody could have got blowup occured."
through without detection. Because "Then it would have to be
of the permanent danger to person- through the fence. Has .the whole
nel around the landinOg bowls the perimeter been checked?"
whole area is monitored by radar. "Electrical checks have been car-
The radar overscan extends well be- ried out. N9thing was found.
yond the spacePort perimeter. The Physical examination of all the wire

on the perimeter will take a little man to have walked across the
time." bowls without the computer's
"Then let me have the answers as classifying him as an object to be
soon as you can," said Ren". "If reported?"
somebody penetrated that fence I "It's possible, but I see the point
want to know how. Did your radar as rather academic. Nobody could
scan tell you nothing?"" damage a battle cruiser with less
"The watch computer signaled than about a hundred kilos of s.h.e.
nothing unusual." . explosive. I'd seriously doubt that
"How critical is the watch com- somebody broke the fence and car-
puter?" ried that weight across the bowls on
"Sufficient for normal pur- foot. Perhaps a trained man might
poses." do it-but I don't believe it hap-
"But does it discriminate pened. I think they'd have had to
between different types of radar use a vehicle-and if they'd done so
returns?" the computer would have spotted it
"Necessarily so. Frequently ani- and sounded the alarm."
mals from the plains stray near to "Nevertheless," said Ren, '''I'd
the outer fence and trigger a minor like to know if there was anything
alert. Also some birds and small on the radar scan below the com-
animals actually live out on the puter's indicating threshold. Do
bowls. The computer has been pro- you tape a record?"
gramed to reject the movement of "Of course." Pictor Don shrug-
small creatures anQ to respond ged his shoulders. "I'll have a re-
mainly to the approach of some- play set up in the operations room.
thing the size of a cushion-eraft or If you want my opinion-it's a
one of the tracked tenders." waste of time."
"Then how does it function for "What are ,you looking for,
personnel protection on the bowls?" Ren?" The stern. and thoughtful
"It's spectrum filtered to give prefect was shadowing Ren closely,
m~ximum response to metallic ob- listening to every syllable of his
jects while remaining relatively investigation. "I'd have thought
insensitive to organics and Don's evidence that there was no
nonmetals. Any crews working on penetration of the fence was pretty
the bowls will naturally be wearing conclusive."
thermo-reflective suits and these "Not conclusive enough. If it did
give a very good radar return." happen we need to know now, not
"So it is possible for an unsuited have it thrown up during some out-
156 IF
world inquiry. All defenders and all layout of such a battle cruiser."
defense syst~ms have blind spots. If uFrom which you conclude?"
someone has the wit and the ability uThat the operation was carried
to figure just where these blind out by a competent out-
spots are they form a positive ad- worlder-someone familiar with
vantage to the attacker. A bit of in- space constructions. And it would
genuity coupled with the right have taken time and careful
know-how should produce a measurement to place those
method of attack the defenders charges accurately. ~hoever did it
won't expect because they know it must have worked on the bowl
to be impossible. Our prime suspect under cover of darkness and had a
in this case is a recognized master pretty shrewd idea that he would
of impossible events and is also a n,ot be picked up by the radar
considerable technician. I can't see monitor. That's an assembly of
that do~s, a few wire fences and a knowledge and skills very difficult
radar scan need be any deterrent to to match. I think that Dion must be
the [maiz." a well-trained saboteur-in ad-
uThere's been some talk of rock- dition to his other talents."
ets," said Di Irons. "Couldn't Dion
I IRONS was 'not yet con-
have used one without having to
penetrate the fence?"
uHe may well have the capability
D vinced.
ulf I understand Pictor Don cor-
at Magda, but that wasn't the way rectly it would have taken at least a
it was done. A'S I see the evidence, hundred kilos of explosive just to
the ship was toppled, as you've al- topple the ship. If you're now
ready said, by an s.h.e. charge saying that further charges were
placed under a stabilizer. But that la.id-they must add up to a
couldn't in itself have initiated the considerable extra weight of explo-
entire chain of disasters -that sive. All this had to be moved
followed. Almost certainlv the ship through the fence and brought
was toppled upon a further line of across at least half a kilometer of
explosive charges, and the direction Janding bowls-without detection."
of the ship's fall~ was calculated to "I know very little about explo-
insure that those charges would do sives," said Ren. "But I'd doubt
the maximum damage. It was an that less than two hundred kilos of
exercise in fine mathematics, un- s.h.e. would 'have done the trick."
dertaken by someone who had a "And brought in without using a
very clear idea of the working vehicle? Do you suppose they used
TH'E WIZARD OF ANHARITTE 157

mules or magic?" The prefect was the freighter, already' well within
sarcastic. the wire, two images sped. across
"I don't know how it was done, the bowls toward the doomed ship.
but I'm willing to bet we'll find a The radar responses were ~eak,
few answers on the below-threshold well below the computer's preset
level of the radar records. " threshold. The moving forms gave
The radar overscan, untrimmed no clue as to their form or com-
by the computer, reflected position. Pictor Don ran marker
considerable movement of wildlife blips across the screen to measure
outside the perimeter fence. The the velocity of the moving points.
false alarms would have been con- He frowned at the resulting calcu-
tinual had not spectrum filtering lation.
been employed. In contrast, the ca- "Slightly up on fifteen kilometers
sUM movements of spaceport an hour," he said in puzzlement.
personnel and vehicles were easily "Men running perhaps, but cer-
distinguishable by the heightened tainly not men carrying two
radar responses to the various me- hundred kilos of deadweight."
tallic substances they carried. It "Perhaps horses?" asked Di
was at about this level of discrimi- Irons.
nation that t.~e computer operated. Don shook his head. UNot
Pictor Don replayed the scan at enough mass for horses."
its original speed for the two hours "Is there much metal present?"
prior to the blowup. He and Ren asked Ren.
concentrated fully on the unedited "Some, but its not very distinct.
replay screen, while Di Irons fretted More like a grid than a solid. Cer-
in the background, unable to tainly not enough mass to be a ve-
comprehend the screen's symbol- hicle. The computer wouldn't be
ism. All of the first hour of the re- able to distinguish between it and
play and half of the second passed the oxide glaze on the bowls
without producing any information themselves."
of obvious interest. Suddenly Ren "Then what the devil can have
gave a cry. carried them across the field at a
"Southeast corner-behind the speed like that?"
shadow of the freighter on pad "Did you ever think of
eight-something is moving on the wizardry?" Di Irons had the
bowls." faintest smile of mischief around
There was no doubt of the fact. his grizzled mouth.
Emerging from the r~dar shadow of "I don't care for wizardry," said
158 IF
Ren. uThere's a physical expla- radar tower, Ren examined the
nation for all this. Dion-daizan's no wire. There was little wonder the
more of a wizard than I am." break had not been detected before.
In less than three minutes the two Had he not had a suspicion of what
dots had moved from the perimeter to look fOf, he would not have
across the intervening half ki- found it for himself. The wires had
lometer to the foot of the been cut to a level sufficient to
threatened Rance ship. Their admit something not much larger
passage must have been effectively than a man. Every single strand had
silent-they apPeared to make no subsequently been neatly butt-
effort to avoid the lock-watch who welded to form a virtually invisible
would have. been aroused by the repair. Any competent technician
sound of an approaching vehicle. could have done it-given the right
"Were they invisible also?" asked equipment and the necessary time.
Di Irons. "But we had guard-dog patrols
When the dots stopped under the between the outer fences," objected
radar shadow of the ship the screen Pictor Don, when the fact was
picture became confused by the pointed out. .
sheer mass against which the "Who mans the patrols?" asked
returns were being measured. In Ren.
less' than a minute, however, the '''One of the socal societies-very
dots separated themselves and reliable."
streaked back toward the perimeter "Perhaps! But for most of the
fence, moving even faster than be- night there was a withdrawal of so-
fore. Soon they were lost behind the ciety services from all matter af-
shadow of the freighter on pad eight fecting outworlders. In effect, there
and the scene closed down to an ap- was a period when the Imaiz could
parent stillness as the time ap- move unopposed on whatever
proached the moment of blowup. course he chose. He might even
"Well, we still don't know what have been able to enlist society aid.
got in, but at least we know where." I'm reasonably certain that if he
said Ren. uLet's go and take a chose to cut these wires last night
closer look." the dogs would have' been con-
ventiently elsewhere."
~ THE southeast perimeter, '~But why should the Societies
V where the bulk of the freighter cooperate with him in this way."
on pad eight stood squarely Pictor Don ,was perplexed. .
between them and the damaged "Because," said Ren, "Dion's

probably the only force standing to the Spaceports Commission.
between Roget as it is-and They must ,be encourflged to take
eventual domination by Rance. I far greater care of ships when
know this. The societies know it operating on foreign soil. Otherwise
and I suspect my Lord Di Irons it might prove inconvenient to have
knows it also. I may be an out- a spaceport so near Anharitte."
'worlder, but I've heard enough U And we can positively rule out
about Rance's mailed fist in the outside intervention?"
universe to know that, given a free "I can think of no way in which a
choice, I would have been out there man or perhaps two men with
last night holding that wire open for neither beast nor vehicle could
Dion to enter." travel half a kilometer in three
Ren turned away from the wire minutes with at least two hundred
and wandered into the scrub edging kilos of dead weight. Such an idea
the surrounding plain. Shortly he smacks of wizardry."
came back and addressed Di Irons. "Which we all know doesn't
uWell, Prefect, I'm ready to exist," said Di Irons. "You know,
answer your questions." Tito, I've a feeling I've -misjudged
Di Irons compressed his mouth you. You've a depth of perception I
under his beard. The eyes that met would not have associated with
Ren's were full of comprehension, your mercenary profession. My
edged with a slight smile. report will follow .the lines of.your
"What about that radar record?" summary~and you and Pictor Don
asked the Prefect. can sign a testimony to its ac-
uWhat ra~ar record? It must curacy. You've proven to me that
have been destroyed in the there could have been no outside in-
blowup." tervention. But strictly off the
"And the wire?" record-and since y~u don't admit
"Could never have been Dian's a wizard~how do you
.disturbed. Technology on Roget imagine the thing could have been
obviously isn't far enough advanced done?"
to permit a gas-shielded electric -:Ren nodded and turned out to-
butt-wel~ to be made." wards the brush.
U And the blowup?" "Come over here. Do you see
"Who knows," said Ren. "Acci- those marks in the dust? What do
dents can always happen on an you suppose made those?"
overarmed man-of-war. I think the "That's very strange. I don't
point should be made most stro~gly think I've seen the like of them be-
160
fore. Do you suppose snakes-" CONTROL UNTIL DEMOCRATIC
"I imagine they're snake tracks," LIBERTY IS REESTABLISHED (:)
said Ren, tongue in cheek. "But MESSAGE ENDS <:)
they bear a strong resemblance to Get me an FTL communications
the tracks of a device I once saw link with Freetrade Central," said
used on Terra." Ren angrily when he had absorbed
Di Irons straightened as a society the shock. "I'll get the director to
runner approached. 'The man had blow this scheme apart right from
come around the perimeter from the tOJr-at Galactic Federation
the gate to hand him a· message Headquarters if necessary."
form. The fellow's exertions un~ "That may not be easy," said
derscored the urgency with which Pictor Don unhappily. "Our FTL
he had been dispatched. The link to anywhere is routed through
prefect scanned the paper anxiously the relay terminal on Rance."
and handed it to Pictor Don. Both "Damn!" Ren looked across the
men seemed tremendously upset. blasted spaceport where even now
"Trouble?" asked Ren. the smoke trails persisted over the
The form was passed to him. scene of devastation. The enormity
With mounting disbelief he read the 9f Rance's fabrication made his
mess~ge. head spin, but his beart was seized
TRANSGALACTIC NEWSFAX(:) with the cold clamp of fear.
RANCE SPOKESMEN HAVE If Alek Hardun's murder wagon
REVEALED THAT IN ORDER TO· had been regarded as a good will
CONTAIN WIDESPREAD CIVIL vessel Ren hated to think what
DISORDER ON ROGET ESP~ thirty openly operating disaster
CIALLY ANHARITTE THEY ships would bring. Despite his in-
ARE DISPATCHING THIRTY DIS- creasing respect for the resourceful
ASTER SHIPS IMMEDIATELY(:) Dion-daizan he knew that salvation
ANHARITTE SPACEPORT HAS this time depended on the rapid ac-
ALREADY BEEN ATTACKED BY quisition of an armed spacefleet.
RIOTERS AND A RANCE GOOD- Presumably not even the wizard of
WILL SHIP DESTROYED(:) Anharitte could produce that. Or
THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT IS NOW could he? At the moment Ren knew
REPORTED POWERLESS TO only from the trackmarks in the
COUNTER INSURRECTION (:) dust that the lmaiz.. possessed at
FIRST TASK OF RANCE DISASTER least two bicycles.
TEAMS WILL BE TO ESTABLISH
CIVIL ORDER AND TO REMAIN IN TO BE CONCLUDED

LESTER DEL REY
variation of a common idea.

W HEN a science-fiction writer
runs into the general type of
reader the first cliche put to him
But good books can be written
with an unprecedentedly. smooth
usually is: "Where do you get your execution of an old idea. An
crazy ideas?" This question seems Qutstanding book must, however,
to reflect a recognition of the im- provide at least a fresh treatment of
portance of ideas in the field. The a good idea and show good
answer I find most satisfactory, in- execution. Examples of such rare,
cidentally, is that I steal them- great books are" Ursula Le Guin's
which is at least partially true, since Left Hand of Darkness and Stur-
we all depend on each other to stir geon's More Than Human.
up our own thinking. 1 I've just had the chance to see
It's difficult to say which element what happens to one of my ideas
has the greater im port~nce in a when' it has been executed by three
story-the idea or its execution. other writers. The occasion is The
Neither can stand wholly by itself. Day The Sun Stood Still, edited by
Some of the early science fiction Robert Silverberg (Thomas
consisted of almost pure id.ea and Nelson, $5.95; also available
featured little in the wa¥ of shortly from the Science Fiction
execution. Today many of the Book Club for $1.49).
books I read seem high on Silverberg asked me to do a two-
.execution and low in ideas. Cer- page idea around which other
tainly few demonstrate more than a writers could develop long novel-
162
ettes. I decided to suggest that a of all values. In his post-miracle
future religious leader might per- world neither science nor religion
suade most of the world to pray seems to be viable.
together for a sign. The sign was Silverberg is equally concerned
vouchsafed: for a night and day with collapsing values. In his
(less I x 12- 4 sidereal day) the Earth Thomas the Proclaimer he deals
moved not around the sun, neither with the results for the prophet, the
did it rotate-no other changes man who called for the sign and
allowed. The question then was: was. answered. Thomas was a dis-
What kind of world might come reputable revivalist, egged on by
about if' faith were replaced by Kraft, his press agent and daemon.
certain knowledge? While the' world about reacts to the
Poul Anderson, Gordon R. shock, Thomas has to turn inward
Dickson and Robert Silverberg to see himself. And when he does he
were the writers assigned to handle finds that Kraft is still with him.
the question.. I was curious as to This is a bitter epic of a soul that
what such top authors had done can not accept knowledge any more
with it and began reading eagerly. than it earlier could wholly accept
Strangely, it seemed to me at first faith.
th~y did very little with the My own personal favorite is
question. They seized as their Dickson's Things Which Are
themes the Joshuan miracle itself Caesar's. In some ways Dickson
rather than the eventual world that threw away more of the original
might have resulted from it. And sketch than did either of the others.
nobody made any use· of the plant But in one essential I feel he looked
that God (or Whoever) seemed to deeper into it. He apparently de-
leave a clue of duodecimal nature. cided that, given both J.oshua and
Anderson's A Chapter of Reve- the 'current leader,. the phenomena
lation 'deals with a scientist and an described were periodic-the sign
ordinary little man who becomes was not merely given once, but
the leader to start people praying ,regularly. He chose to have the
together. He postulates a back- miracle before the current one ap-
ground of approaching nuclear war. pear about a thousand years ago.
The miracle of the sign halts this- Then he picked 'a man who h~d
but the aftermath for the two survived that previous miracle as
characters .is grim· 'and confusing. his major character.
To 'Anderson, apparently, the result Here the miracle is produced by a
of a Joshuan miracle is the collapse leader we do not meet. This doesn't
READING ROOM 163

matter. What matters is the second basis of excellent fiction. However,
chance given to his Ranald, the an- there does seem a tendency to let
cient Viking who has been a later the normal rules of tight plotting
Wandering Jew, in effect. Is this to loosen with such a theme and I'm
be his redemption? Well, that seems afraid Dickson's story shows that
to depend. tendency.
Dickson sets it all up in a sort of His basic idea is strong. Earth
Woodstock, where people have has become so polluted that men
come to wait for the sign instead of cannot survive outside its enclosed
to listen to rock groups. His cast of cities. Any man left outside is soon
characters is rich and well in- destroyed by a fungus growth in his
tegrated-the whole world is re- lungs. No remedy has been found
solved in a half-dozen characters for the disease. Sooner or later even
who assemble around Ranald's the cities will be nonviable. Man's
campfire. All at first seem more .only hope is to get to the stars. He
.interesting than the rather detached has no physical means to do so, but
Ranald-yet Dick'son's execution is has developed something called the
done surely and well, to leave us Pritcher Mass-that is, a projected
with Ranald as our Everyman. gathering of psychic energy that
I don't think it's a great book-in supposedly will be able to locate
fact, I don't think any book by and settle other worlds for man..
three writers against a similar back- kind. The few people on Earth with
ground can be great. For three men, provable psychic talents are sent to
working with an idea which did not work on the Pritcher Mass.
germinate for years in their own Sant is a reject from this pro-'
minds, to produce three great gram. But after an accident forces
stories would be asking for another him to move through the dreaded
sort of miracle. But I enjoyed the outside world he finds his, survival
boo~ immensely. . possible only by a desperate use of
paranormal power. He believes the
'U NHAPPILY I'm much less
impressed with Gordon R.
experience has strengthened his
psyche enough to enable him to
Dickson's execution of his own pass the test and be accepted. But
ideas in The Pritcher Mass (Dou- by now he has become enmeshed in
bleday, $4.95). This one deals with a dark plot between a Wit.~hcraft of
various aspects of psi powers. I underground psychics and a crime
don't believe in such powers, but I syndicate that is trying to take over
see no reason why they can't be the the Ptitcher Mass.
164 IF
So far so good. But from here on happy list of those written for chil-
things gradually go haywire. Sant dren that make even better reading
does get to the Mass, but finds for adults. The Farthest Shore
reason to doubt it can do what it is Atheneum $6.25) brings to a con-
designed for. Nonetheless he finds clusion the saga of Ged, the great
ways to use it to escape back to the magician of Earthsea.
outlands of Earth. In this one, a young man-
The narration's logic slips. Coin- Arren-comes to the island of the
cidence begins to enter rather wise magicians to warn that magic
strongly. The Pritcher Mass turns is failing in many parts of the
out to be perfect for solving prob- world. No one knows why, but the
lems it was not meant to solve. ancient spells no longer work and
Sant's hopeless situation is eased by the magicians are losing the
a discovery that the outlands. are no knowledge of the old speech that
problem to those with certain lucky gave them power. Ged sets out with
psi abilities. (Must psi always Arren and discovers that the
degenerate from the specific to the menace is all too real and that its
general and become a damned sphere of influence is rapidly
universal panacea?) growing.
At the end everything is sewed In a series of happy (for the
up-the witches and the cri~inals reader) adventures, Ged begins to
make their moves in steady and realize that a rash action of his own
predictable patterns. Routine during his youth ~as loosed a
action ,is stitched together-but at'- malign influence on the world of
the end I at least felt that the thread Earthsea. And to conquer it his
had caught somewhere and the people must go to Selidor, the is-
seams were all bunched together. land where the oldest dragons
The story begins marvelously, dwell-and perhaps even beyond to
but ultimately my feeling was n~t a a place from where men rarely
happy one. The execution was far return in their own living flesh.
below Dickson's usual high level. This is, of course, fantasy. But it
is fantasy with a logic of execution
RSULA K. LE GUIN'S han- that is usually found only in science
U; dling of her Earthsea novels
has been exemplary. The idea be-
fiction. Only the most hardened
fantasy hater should be ahle to
hind the series (now consisting of resist it. I highly recommend t~is
three novels) has proved so good novel, as I've recommended the two
that these books are among the previous ones. The Farthest Shore
READING ROOM 165

is rich in ideas, color and inven- basically a familiar one, but han-
tions-and excellently execut~. dled with some fresh insight. Men
live in a great city, the overlords at
AW Books began with an the top, the tech·nicians in the mid-
D idea, too---Donald A. Woll- dle and the workers on the unlovely
heim felt that he could begin his bottom levels. The scene is not
own publishing company and find Earth-the city has been built on
at least four novels each month to another planet. The first group to
publish. It was a rather large con- arrive built the level now used by
cept to come up with in a market al- workers. Next an invading group
ready well filled with other pub- took over and built the upper levels.
'lishers and established houses vying The interesting variant is that both
for writers. But judging by groups used a machine that could
Wollheim's latest batch of books in be programed to build a whole city
his first six months of operation the on order. This machine still exists
idea seems to be working. on the somewhat inhospitable
Of the last four books one is a re- planet, but is kept secret by a few
print from hard covers-Dinosaur who have survived outside the city.
Beach, by 'Keith Laumer. (The They cannot use it, since they can-
price forthis is 95¢, as is true for all not read the original instructions.
the DAW books so far). This is one In fact, the city-dwelling technician
of Laumer's wealthiest novels as far hero is the only man who can still
as ideas are concerned. It involves read the original language-and his
the fairly ancient idea of a future knowledge is an imperfect remnant
that is tampering with time to .of childhood.. The story involves the
change the viability of that future attempt of a group of rebels to use
by changing the past. But nothing is him to build a new city and free the
ever simple when Laumer tackles workers.
time. Mixed with action during the The book is free from most cli-
Jurassic Age are hints of different ches and has some nice touches. 1t
futures with different goals and ~he makes for pleasant reading.
control of some great robotic brain the third DAW release is The
that controls all the multiple ~tardroppers, by John ·Brunner, an
threads. It's good, fast-paced ad- expanded and much Unproved
venture without obvious or banal version of an oider story. Its idea is
themes. so well developed and has been
The second is The City Machine, given so much freshness that it isn't
by Louis Trimble. The idea here is fair to call it borrowed, though the
166 IF
plot opens with a th~eat caused by novel by H. G. Wells, done by a
communication with "other races" German writer and historian before
and becomes something else World War II-as detailed in a
equally familiar. But the transition foreword by Donald A. Wollheim.
is cleverly done and the move from The story opens by presenting
one to the other is surprising in con- some (almost certainly suprious)
cept, if not in its inevitable correspondence of the journalist in
development. the original novel with Wells
A security agent is sent to investi- through his secretary. Then it sets
gate a new invention, an apparently about continuing the adventures of
simple little gadget that produces the Time Traveler-this time as he
sounds most· listeners seem to sets out for the past..
understand-almost. It's popu- Friedelliets his story ~evolve into
larity had developed into a craze- a bunch of incidents that seem more
and there are signs that many users concerned with German mysticism
are becoming psychotic and that of the type common in some circles
the thing may be endangering world in the 'thirties. There's a touch of
stability. These perils are con- an improbable love story, a contact
firmed-even worse, it turns out with th~ future (he never does really
that some people who have been get fat into the past) in which two
"stardropping" suddenly disap- Egyptian priests discuss mind
pear. Perhaps this snark is -a power-and a final episode in
boojum! which all logic vanishes.
The book is not one of Brunner's Nobody seems to know whether
stronger literary efforts-it's one of Wells was aware of the original
the good adventure stoties he German publication of this book in
turned out in considerable number 1946. This is the first English
before his work became more ambi- version. I hope he did not know of
tious. But the ideas are sound and the German edition-it would have
the execution is smooth and mas- been a shame for him to have been
terful. I found it a good novel to so insulted.
read for fun. Still, bad as it is, the book had to
The fourth novel of the current be published since it existed-and I
DAW books is a failure, but an can't help admiring Wollheim's
interesting publishing coup, ~bility to ferret it out. Though'com-
nevertheless. The Return 0/ the pletely lacking in- ideas and badly
Time.Machine, by Egon Friedell, is executed, it has genuine value as ~
intended as a sequel to the classic cur~osity. •
READING ROOM 167

GHOSTS
Mankind's bigges~ secret-or, where
do baby storks <:ome from 7
ROBERT F. YOUNG
'VTHEN Professor Tom died

W he left Jenny and Jim the
house he had lived in, the old
movies he had loved to watch and
the workshop where he had tink-
ered away the final years of his
life.
Jenny and Jim buried him high
on the valley slope where the wood-
bine ran wild each spring and the
first wildflowers appeared-where
168
the warm rays of Arcturus struck now, not because he was gone, but
each springtime morning, heralding because they were man and wife. So
the new day. Jim said a few words they sat there on the sofa with their
over the grave and Jenny stood arms around each other, and every
beside him, trying to cry. She time Carole Lombard kissed James
couldn't. She had no tears. Stewart Jenny kissed Jim. And
"We give to you this man, God," whenever James Stewart kissed
Jim said, "to do with as you must. Carole Lombard Jim kissed Jenny.
We give him to you because you are Afterward they went outside to sit
his god. He was ours." on the steps and scan the skies. But
Together they shoveled earth although they scanned them all
over the crude wooden casket and night, they saw nothing but stars.
afterward Jenny placed a handful of At length morning arrived.
spring flowers on the grave. Then Lovely Arcturus rose above the
she and Jim walked down the slope green lip of the valley and songbirds
of the valley and across the fields to climbed air currents into the sky to
where the white prefabricated drink the nectar of the new day.
house stood, the aluminum work- Jenny said to Jim, "Maybe we're
shop just behind it. being in much too much of a
"Shall we watch a movie hurry-maybe it takes time."
tonight?" Jenny asked. "Or do you Jim answered, "Maybe it'll come
think it would be disrespectful?" tonight."
"I don't think it would be disre-
spectful," Jim answered. "I don't
think Professor Tom would mind." JIMgardener
had been Professor Tom's
and handyman, Jenny
The movie they decided upon was his cook and housekeeper. On
Made for Each Other, starring Earth, before his retirement,
Carole Lombard and James Professor Tom had been an
Stewart. They waited till after the engineer in the mechanized-menial
sun went down. Then Jim put the field and Jenny and Jim were al-
film in the projector, turned out the most as beautiful as the stars in the
lights. They sat down on the sofa to old movies. He had loved them
watch. They had watched the movie both, but it had been Jenny he had
many times with Professor Tom loved the most and sometimes tears
and had hugged and kissed like the he did not understand had come
actors did, but never when he was into his eyes when he looked at her.
looking. They had felt he might He had said on his deathbed, "I
disapprove. But it was all right never figured on things coming to
GHOSTS 169
this so soon. I preached humility all obey ... I now pronounce you man
my life, but all the while I was just and wife."
as arrogant as everybody else. I
never thought that death would TIFE went on much as it had be-
really step on my heels. But you L fore. Jim worked in Professor
two will be all right. The supply Tom's flower garden in daytime,
ship will be here within a year and keeping it free from weeds. There
I've left a note to the captain to was a kitchen garden, too, and Jim
take good care of you. He's an old cultivated it as faithfully as he had
friend of mine." before, although it would serve no
uWill you marry us?" Jenny has useful purpose now. He and Jenny
asked and Professor Tom had had already thrown out the fooo_
looked at her and blinked. ) that was moldering in the re-
UYou said," Jim pointed out, frigerator. They had turned off the
"that once you were a justice of the unit arid put away the dishes.
peace. That gives you the authority Every day Jenny cleaned the
to make us man and wife." house from front to back, dusting
uThat was long ago," said furniture and scrubbing floors. Ex-
Professor Tom, "but yes, I suppose cept for fixing meals for Professor
it does. However-" Tom her routine was unchanged.
uSurely," Jenny had interposed, Sometimes, while she was working,
"you wouldn't want us to live in sin. she would hum songs from the
We're madly in love and there's no movie she and Jim had watched the
telling how we'll carryon without night before. And sometimes in the
you here to chaperone us." middle of dusting the living room
A tear zigzagged down Professor she would drop the cloth and dance
Tom's sere cheek as he said, "Poor the way Ruby Keeler did in 42nd
child, what do you know about Street. 42nd Street was her favorite
making love-and what, good movie, but My Blue Heaven was
would the knowledge do you if you her favorite song.
h~d it? But if it will make you Sitting on the sofa in the light
happy-" reflected from the screen, the auto-
There was no bible in the house, matic projector whirring behind
but the professor had made do them, they would embrace and kiss
without it. He had spoken the beau- and Jim would say, "Did you have
tiful words they had heard so often a good day, darling?"
in the old moives. "In sickness and She would answer, "Yes, my
in health . . . Love, honor and sweet."
170 . IF
He would kiss her eyes and ears "-light-years removed," as he
and nose and she would kiss his had put it, ufrom the malicious
chin. They would hold each other as machinations of mankind."
tightly as they could, but nothing Sitting with Jenny and Jim in the
ever came of their ardor and the living room one night, watching
skies remained as empty as before. ·The Bells 0/ St. Mtuy;s, he had
"Perhaps tomorrow," Jenny said, uThat's the way it was in those
would say. days-only that wasn't, the way it
Jim would answer, "Yes, I'm really was at all."
sure tomorrow will be the Big "But how can something be true
Day." and yet not be true at all?\' Jenny
But the Big Day failed to dawn asked and he had laughed.
and Happiness continued to hide in "I can see, my dear, that despite
the hills, in the woodbine and the the perfection of your computerized
wildflowers-in the green bowers of thought processes-or even more
the trees. probably because of it-you're in-
capable of any non~Aristotelian
thinking. Many things can be both
nROFESSOR TOM had stored true and untrue. The worlds we
Cboth their memory banks with watch upon that magic screen, my
generous helpings of infomiation, dear, are distorted reflections of
but for the most part these had to reality inhabited by the ghosts of
do with electronics, mechanical people whose real selves were often
engineering, horticultur~ and hidden from their own eyes. A
cookery. It was to the old movies reality powdered and perfumed and
that they were indebted for their with its vitals eviscerated-a .reality
practical education. Most of the tailored for people who ha~'t out-
movies were products of the 1930's, grown their need to be told fairy
but there some from the 'twenties tales before they went to bed~"
and a handful from the 'forties and, Professor Tom sighed. "But I'll
'fifties. The professor had spent a take it any day. For all its pious hy-
great many years' and a great deal pocrisies-for all its omissions and
of money collecting them and its untrue truths-it's a thousand
naturally he had taken them with times better than the reality ~ lived
him when he had retired to in all my life and finally left behind.
Arcturus VI to live out his sunset I guess when men grow 'old they
years in solitude and peace in the like to hid~ in caves and watch
isolated valley he had bought reflections on the walls."
GHOSTS 171
In addition to the old movies, "Maybe it's like that song that
Professor Tom's collection com- Don Ameche ·sings to Sonja
prised dozens of animated Henie," Jenny said. "You know the
cartoons. Jenny and Jim found one I mean-that only one in a
them fascinating. Some featured million is lucky in love. Or maybe
animals drawn to look like men or what we're trying to do is harder
men drawn to look like animals. than we think."
Others featured animals that were "Maybe," Jim answered. "And
really meant to be ani.mals but that maybe it's because they do things
talked and sometimes "lived like between scenes that we don't know
human b~"ings. In one way the about."..
cartoons were more educational "Do things such as what?"
than the movies, for they threw "Like maybe they take off their
light on a certain mystery the clothes and kiss and hug that way."
movies were completely mum "Why would they take their
about. A mystery Professor Tom's clothes off? What difference would
books-most of which were de- their being naked make?"
voted to electronics and mechanical "I don't know," said Jim, "but it
engineering-did not even mention. wouldn't hurt to try."
In fact, if it hat1n't been for the
cartoons Jenny and Jim would
never have learned the Secret of
Life.
T HAT evening before they sat
down on the sofa they removed
their clothes. Professor Tom had
lost interest in sex even befor~ he
B UT apparently knowing the

Secret of Life was not enough.
The valley exchanged its green
retired and Jenny's body, although
differently shaped, wasn't a great
deal different from Jim's. The
dress for summer's golden gown. mov~e they watched abounded in
The warm days and nights began love scenes, but although they em-
parading past the prefabricated braced and kissed every time the
house. But although Jenny and Jim two main characters did, their ef-
sat each evening on. the sofa, aping forts went as unrewarded as before.
the actions of the shadows on the During one dawn, as they sat dis-
screen, their embraces and kisses consolately on their doorstep, Jim
went unrewarded. The dawn of said, "I think I know the reason,
each new day found· them sitting Jenny-I think I know why for us it
disappointed on their doorstep, as doesn't work. We're different-and
lonely as before. this world is different, too. We're
172 IF
going to have to make it happen. They had begun work in midsum-
We've got everything we need to mer. Fall was on hand when they
work with, thanks to Professor finished, and yellow and crimson
Tom, and he taught us practically patterns had begun to show upon
all he knew. Maybe he foresaw a the hills. Jim had built a lightweight
time like this." electric motor to provide the
They got busy right- away. Jim necessary power. He made two
made the blueprint first, after light but long-lasting batteries to
consulting several of Professor feed it. Together he and Jenny
Tom's books..Then he made all the climbed the valley slope.
parts. Jenny helped him with the "We'll give it all the height we
assembling. They worked day and can," he said. "That way it'll have a
night, taking time out only to watch maximum chance of getting to
the old movies and to kiss and em- wherever it has to go and of
brace like the stars. There was hope returning with its bundle."
in them now and they put more and He turned on the little motor and
more passion into their kisses. released the device into the air.
"I want it to be fa. boy," Jenny Slowly it rose into the sky. It cir-
said. cled· the valley once, as he had pro-
" Yes," Jim answered. "I want a gramed it to do, then sped off
son. " 'toward the south.
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (Act of August 12, 1970:

Section 3685, Title 39. United States Code). I. Title of publication: IF. 2. Date of filing: October I, 1972. 3. Fre-
quency of issue: bimonthly. 4. Location of known offices of publication: 235 East 45 Street New York. N.Y. 10017.5.
Location of the headquarters or general business offices of the publishers: 235 East 45 Street, New York, N.Y. 10017.
6. NameS' and addresses of the publisher, editor and managing editor. Publisher: Arnold E. Abramson, 235 East 45
Street, New York, N.Y. 10017. Editor: Ejler Jakobsson, 235 East 45 Street, New York, N.Y. 10017. Managing
Editor: Judy-Lynn Benjamin, 235 East 45 Street, New York, N.Y. 10017. Owner: UPO'-Publishing Corp., 235 East 45
Street, New York, N.Y. 10017, a subsidiary of Universal Publishing and Distributing Corporation, 235 East 45 Street,
New York, N.Y. 10017: Arnold E. Abramson. 235 East 45 Street, New York, N.Y. 10017: Robert J. Abramson, 235
East 45 Street, New York, N.Y. 10017: Peter J. Abramson, 235 East 45 Street, New York. N.Y. 10017: Allen & Com-
pany, 30 Broad Street, New York, N.Y. 10004; Clooney & Company, c/o Fiduciary Trust Company of N.Y., P.O.
Box 924, Wall Street Station, New York. N.Y. 10005: S. O. Lunt-& Company, 906 Marine Trust Building, Buffalo,
N.Y. 14203.8. Known bondholders, mortgagees and other security holders owning or holders or holding I percent or
more of total amount of bonds. mortgages or other securities: None. II. Extent and nature of circulation. A. Total no.
copies printed (net press run). Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 89,131. Single issue nearest to
filing date: 90.935. B. Paid Circulation. I. Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter sales. Average
.no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 39,442. Single issue nearest to filing date: 40.332. 2. Mail subscrip-
tions. Average no. copies each isslle during preceding 12 months: 8.083. Single issue nearest to filing dale: 12.500. C.
Total paid circulation: Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 47.~25. Single issue nearest to filing
date: 52,832. D. I. Free distribution by mail, carrier or other means. I. Samples, complimentary and other free copies.
Average no. copies each issue during the preceding 12 months: 4. Single issue nearest to filing date: 10.2. Copies dis-
tributed to news agents. but not sold Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 40,849. Single issue
nearest to filing dale: 37,368. E. Total distribution (sum ofC and D). Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12
months: 88,378. Single issue nearest to filing date: 90.210. F. Office use, leftover. unaccounted. spoiled after printing.
Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 753. Single issue nearest to filing date: 725. G. Total (sum of
E and F; should equal net press run shown in A). Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 89.131.
Single issue nearest to filing date 90.935. I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete.
Lawrence C. Murphy. Circulation Manager.
GHOSTS 173
Jenny said, UBut .suppose the nur- Tom all his life and he had known
sery doesn't lie in that direction." Tom's longdead wife. In Jenny's
~'Then-after it comes back we'll face he saw young Tom's beloved
recharge its batteries and send it bride-in Jim's, he saw young
to the west. And- after that, if Tom.
necessary, to the east and to the When he made them I-II bet he
north. The nursery has to be didn't even know. ..
somewhere." His first thought was to repair
"Later on, if it's successful, we'll them, to bring them back to life.
send it for others, won't we?" Jenny Then he found the mechanical stork
said. lying in the back yard. One of its
uOf course. But first we'll make canvas wings was broken, its tiny
love-otherwise it won't work." motor was burned out and its power
Hand in hand they walked down source had given up the ghost after
the slope and across the fields to the its fourth and final flight. He
house. guessed the truth.
He had his men search the valley
T HE captain of the supply ship

. found them in the living room
six months later. They were sitting
for Professor Tom's grave. After
they found it he had them carry
Jenny and Jim up the slope and
on the sofa, their bodies covered bury them beside it. It was· only fit-
with dust, their arms around each ting that they should sleep beside
other, their lips touching in a final their god.
kiss. Before them in the shadows an He .spoke a few words to his own:
empty screen hung ghostlike on the "All of us leave ghosts behind of
wall. Behind them stood the au- one kind or another. In away,
tomatic proje~tor they had. used to we're ghosts ourselves. We haunt
project their dreams. The length of ourselves our whole lives through
copper wire they had used to short because no matter how hard we try
themselves out was lying on the we can never fulfill our dreams.
floor at their feet. We're a lot like Jenny and Jim,
The captain went all through the which ~akes them human in away.
house. Professor Tom's note was Grant them peace."
lying- on the bedtable beside his When spring came back again,
empty bed. The captain read it. the woodbine reached down from
Then he returned to the living room the hills and covered the two new
and looked once more at the faces graves and wildflowers appeared to
of Jenny "and Jim. He had known welcome the springtime sun. •
174- IF
Apri/ 20-April 22, 1973. EQUI-
CON '73. At the International
Hotel, Los Angeles Airport. Guest-
of-Honor: Theodore Sturgeon.
Toastmaster-General: Randall Gar-
ret. Featuring appearances by
cast and crew members of Star
Trek, films from the famed TV
January 19-21, 1973. INFINITY series and displays of sets and
CON 73. At Commodore Hotel, costumes. Also: star-studded
New York. Guest-of-Honor: Keith banquet. Mem bership: $10.00 at-
Laumer. Speakers: Isaac Asimov, tending, $5.00 supporting. For in-
Donald Wollheim, Hans Stefan formation: Frances Tuning, P.O.
Santesson, and others. Member- Box 3781, Santa Barbara,
ship: $3.00 in advance, $4.50 at the California 93105.
door. For information: Ralph
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June 28-Ju/y 1, 1973.' D-CON '73.
• At the Sheraton-Dallas, Dallas,
Texas. Membership: $6.00 (to 4/ I),
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mation: Boskone X, NESFA, Box
G, MIT Branch Station~ August 31-September 3, 1973.
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139. TORCON 2-31st World Scienc~
Fiction Convention: At Royal
• York Hotel, Toronto, Canada.
Guest-of-Honor: Robert Bloch.
April 20-22,1973. LUNACO·N. At Fan Guest-of-Honor: William
the Statler-Hilton Hotel, New Rotsler. Toastmaster at Hugo
York City. Guest-of-Honor: Awards Banquet: Lester del Rey.
Harlan Ellison. Registration: $3.00 Membership: $7.00 attending and
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175
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books
1973
"
AGE OF MIRACLES-John Brunner
TOMORROW LIES IN AMBUSH-Bob Shaw
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LOOKING BACKWARD-Mack Reynolds
GENDER GENOCIDE-Edmund Cooper
ORBITSVILLE-Bob Shaw
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'It was the computers revenge. Ellison's wild tale and 22 in the publisher's edition); a,nd
In rage, in frenzy, he turned others are waiting for you in a Isaac Asimov's latest and per- ;
us into monstrosities, ilnprison- ·sensational collection, The haps best novel, The Gods
ing us deep inside his endless Hugo Winners, a new, 864- Themselves ($5.95 in publish-
banks. Now r am a great soft page, double volume of all the er's edition). A $27.35 value f(jr~.
jelly thing. , H.ugo short story winners from only 10¢ (to help cover ship-
I have no mouth. And I must 1955 to 1970. The anthology ping).
scream. can beyours as partof an equally Throughout the y~ar, our bul"7
Get 'the idea? Gripping, chil- sensational 3 books for 10¢ letin will keep you informed
ling science fjction offers some offer when you join the Science about superb new works for
-oftoday's most compelling read- Fiction Book Club. Choose any which you pay only $1.49 plus
ing. Harlan Ellison's "I Have No 3 books on this page including, shipping and handling. ", And
Mouth And I Must Scream" if you wish, the 3 m'Ost prized
packs such a wallop, it walked books of the year: The Hugo you need buy only four books'
off with a Hugo-science fic- Winners, Volumes I & II (a $15.45 in thecoming year. So join today.
tion's Oscar-for the best sci- value); Dune, the now classic Don't even send us the dime
ence fiction short story of the novel that won Frank Herbert a now. We'll bill you later. But mail
year. Hugoand Nebula award ($5.95 the coupon today.
SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB 34-S121

~ ::lt3=:~f:lrl0C with trial membership
Dept. CL-071 ,Garden City. N.Y. 11530
~~;~e~~~~I~'o& II.
6270. Dune by Frank 6023. The Gods
Herbert. Celebrated Themselves by'lsaac
~I~~~~ ~~c;fb~~:~gt~~an\jO~:~~em3~~~~~h~h~S~~eu~b~~~~ winner of Hugo and Asimov. The master1s Giant 2-in-l volume of
.. ~fefal~~iyG:~~fe~nfr~a~e ~~~~~~O:;~;~ t~~ ~:i~s
have written in the boxes below. Bill me Just lO¢ (to help 23 award-winning
cover shipping) for all 3. About every 4 weeks, send me the stories. 1955 to 1970.
club's bulletin, "Things to Come:' desc.rlbing itie 2 coming their private planet to for a fabulous trip to Asimov introduces
Selections and a variety of Alternate t>hoices If I wish to another, a barren the year 3000. Pub. each. Pub. ed. $15.45
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"tions or prefer ·an Alternate. or no book at all, I will notify ~~~~fSFc~~necr. ~i~tion 6577. The Sheep look ous Visions, Harlan
you by the date specified by returning the convenient form
always provided. "winners:' chosen by. ¥~eble1~~r~t~dU~~t~or Ellison, ed. Forty-six
pieces, short stories
. I need take only 4 Selections or Alternates during the Sci-Fi Writers of of Stand On Zanzibar
coming year. and may resign any time thereafter. Most books America. Ed, Robert presents a multi- & novels. Explicit
Silverberg. Pub. ed. media mind-bender scenes and language·
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. some. Pub. ed. $12.95
en~r~-~It~~d~~t~~:~:~:~g~ ~i~~i~eliShJ:~s.1 M~~b~~~~~~ ~~~ 0448. Mutant 59: The
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collapse of civiliza-
tion. Pub. ed. $6.95
be cancelled. lowe nothing. 1321. The 1972
Pedler and Gerry 7864. Nova 2 ed. by Annual World's Best
"---_J Davis. New bacteria
E~~~~~rt~e~e1:'Ut~~~
~~~ro~:r;~sqoU~1 ~o
Nova 1.14 sci-fi fa-
Science Fiction, ed.
by Donald A. Wollheim.
Volume IV contains 14
Mr. ed. $5.95 bles by great such as
Mrs.-----------------
Miss Please Print
6171. The Dancer AldiSSpFarmer, Silver- ~~~~:~~~a~l~r~~re
From Atlantis by Poul berg. ub. ed. $6.95 Spec: Ed.
Address _ Anderson.Fourpeople 6130." Time of
City----- _
~~~0:n3i~~~~~~s _ ~n~;~:r~.yB~f:~:~ ~~f~o~h:y~~~:c
are catapulted by a . novel of strange planet Asimov. 27 previously.
time machine bac;k to where human beings uncollected early
State --'--_ _ Zip _ 1400 B.C. Fascinating must despise stories by the most
mixture of history, themselves. 1971 famous name in
myth and Imagination. Nebula award winner. science fiction.
L _ _ _ .. _ _ _ .J Spec Ed . Spec. Ed. Pub. ed. $10.00
Book Club editions are sometimes reduced in size, but they are all full-length, hard·cover books you will be proud to add to your permanent library.
Members accepted in U.S.A. and Canada only. Canadian members will be serviced from Toronto. Offer slightly different in Canada. .

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SCIENCE FICTION • FEBRUARY 1973 • 7S¢

THE BEST FROM GALAXY

Introducing SPACE PROBE &

I GALAXY/IF READER SERVICE. P.O. Box 500. Farmingdale, N.Y. 11.735 I

SCIENCE Issue 164

Arnold E. Abramson, Publisher Lester del Rey. Feature Editor

Cover by David A. Hardy

For further information, contact your

These aliens followed a blind god.

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 7

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 9

DEATH .AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 11

DEATH AND DE·SIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 13

young readers by the finest living .(

writer 'of fantastic fiction "~

DEATH AND "DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 15

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 17

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 19

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 21

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 23

DEATH AN~D DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 25

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 27

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 29

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 31

as did the formerly continuous from my lean-to. From dawn to

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 33

times half-maiming themselves, to within their separate territories. By

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 35

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 39

DEATH AND DESIGNATlON AMONGTHE ASADI 41

sleep. clearing and beyond my reach

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 43

DEATH ANP DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 45

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 47

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 49

DEATH AND DESIGNATION'"AMONG THE ASADI 51

OEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 53

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 55

DEATH "AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 57

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 59

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 61

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 63

light is filtering down through the ME NOW? (Crashing echoes.

DEATH AND DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 65

DEATH AND.DESIGNATION AMONG THE ASADI 67

CONSTRUCTION I NfirstTHAT same year when men

". SHACK was. launched from the moon for

primitive forms of life existed theJe, thing a Pluto expedition needed.

T HAT was the question that

Orson. "There should be a tenth." planet. A big, massiv~-"

S HE walked quietly through the

THE NEVER GIRL 83 ~

THE NEVER GIRL 85

H E HAD been in trouble before.

THE NEVER GIRL 87

Think about it.