A.E. Van Vogt - Short Stories Part 5

We would be acting childishly if we a.s.sumed that he has not already realized the possibilities of the situation."

"Eruis.h.i.+" Captain Gorsid's voice was imperative.

As swiftly as it had come, Enash's rage subsided. He stepped back. "Yes, commander."

"I think I know what you intended to say," said Captain Gorsid. "I a.s.sure you ,1 am in full accord, but I believe also that I, as the top Ganae official, should deliver the ultimatum."

He turned. His homy body towered above the man. "You have made the unforgivable threat. You have told us, in effect, that you will attempt to restrict the vaulting Ganae spirit."

"Not the spirit," said the man.

The commander ignored the interruption. "Accordingly, we have no alternative. We are a.s.suming that, given time to lo- cate the materials and develop the tools, you might be able to build a reconstructor. In our opinion it will be at least two years before you can complete it, even if you know how. It is an immensely intricate machine, not easily a.s.sembled by the lone survivor of a race that gave up its machines millennia before disaster struck.

"You did not have time to build a s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p. We won't give you time to build a reconstructor.

"Within a few minutes our s.h.i.+p will start dropping bombs.

It is possible you will be able to prevent explosions in your vi- cinity. We will start, accordingly, on the other side of the planet. If you stop us there, then we will a.s.sume we need help. In six months of travelling at top acceleration, we can reach a point where the nearest Ganae planet would hear our messages. They will send a fleet so vast that all your powers of resistance will be overcome. By dropping a hundred or a thousand bombs every minute, we will succeed in devastating every city so that not a grain of dust will remain of the skele- tons of your people.

"That is our plan. So it shall be. Now, do your worst to us who are at your mercy."

The man shook his head. "I shall do nothingnow!" he said. He paused, then thoughtfully, "Your reasoning is fairly accurate. Fairly. Naturally, I am not all powerful, but it seems to me you have forgotten one little point. I won't tell you what it is. And now," he said, "good day to you. Get back to your s.h.i.+p, and be on your way. I have much to do."

Enash had been standing quietly, aware of the fury build- ing up in him again. Now, with a hiss, he sprang forward, suckers outstretched. They were almost touching the smooth fleshwhen something s.n.a.t.c.hed at him.

He was back on the s.h.i.+p.

He had no. memory of movement, no sense of being dazed or harmed. He was aware of Veed and Yoal and Captain Goisid standing near him as astonished as he himself. Enash remained very still, thinking of what the man had said: "... Forgotten one little point." Forgotten? That meant they knew. What could it be? He was still pondering about it when Yoal said: "We can be reasonably certain our bombs alone will not work."

They didn't.

Forty light-years out from Earth, Enash was summoned to the council chambers. Yoal greeted him wanly. "The mon- ster is aboard."

The thunder of that poured through Enash, and with it came a sudden comprehension. "That was what he meant we had forgotten," he said finally, aloud and wonderingly. "That he can travel through s.p.a.ce at will within a limitwhat was the figure he once usedof ninety light-years."

He sighed. He was not surprised that the Ganae, who had to use s.h.i.+ps, would not have thought immediately of such a possibility. Slowly, he began to retreat from the reality. Now that the shock had come, he felt old and weary, a sense of his mind withdrawing again to its earlier state of aloofness. It required a few minutes to get the story. A physicist's a.s.sistant, on his way to the storeroom, had caught a glimpse of a man in a lower corridor. In such a heavily manned s.h.i.+p, the wonder was that the intruder had escaped earlier observa- tion. Enash had a thought.

"But after all we are not going all the way to one of our planets. How does he expect to make use of us to locate it if we only use the video" be stopped. That was it, of course. Directional video beams would have' to be used, and the man would travel in the right direction the instant contact was made.

Enash saw the decision in the eyes of his companions, the only possible decision under the circ.u.mstances. And yet, it seemed to him they were missing some vital point. He walked slowly to the great video plate at one end of the chamber. There was a picture on it, so sharp, so vivid, so majestic that the unaccustomed mind would have reeled as from a stunning blow. Even to him, who knew the scene, there came a constriction, a sense of unthinkable vastness. It was a video view of a section of the milky way. Four hundred mil- lion stars as seen through telescopes that could pick up the light of a red dwarf at thirty thousand light-years.

The video plate was twenty-five yards in diametera scene that had no parallel elsewhere in the plenum. Other galaxies simply did not have that many stars.

Only one in two hundred thousand of those gloving suns had planets.

That was the colossal fact that compelled them now to an irrevocable act. Wearily, Enash looked around him.

"The monster has been very clever," he said quietly. "If we go ahead, he goes with us, obtains a reconstructor, and re- ' turns by his method to his planet. If we use the directional beam, he flashes along it, obtains a reconstructor, and again reaches his planet first. In either event, by the time our fleets arrived back here, he would have revived enough of his kind to thwart any attack we could mount."

He shook his torso. The picture was accurate, he felt sure, but it still seemed incomplete. He said slowly, "We have one advantage now. Whatever decision we make, there is no lan- guage machine to enable him to learn what is it. We can carry out our plans without his knowing what they will be. He knows that neither he nor we can blow up the s.h.i.+p. That leaves us one real alternative."

It was Captain Gorsid who broke the silence that followed.

"Well, gentlemen, I see we know our minds. We will set the engines, blow up the controls, and take him with us."

They looked at each other, race pride in their eyes. Enash touched suckers with each in turn.

An hour later, when the heat was already considerable, Enash had the thought that sent him staggering to the com- municator, to call Shuri, the astronomer. "Shun," he yelled, "when the monster first awakenedremember Captain Gorsid had difficulty getting your subordinates to destroy the locators.

We never thought to ask them what the delay was. Ask them ... ask them"

There was a pause, then Shuri's voice came weakly over the roar of the static. "They. . . couldn't. . . get. . . into the...

room. The door was locked."

Enash sagged to the floor. They had missed more than one point, he realized. The man had awakened, realized the situa- tion; and, when he vanished, he had gone to the s.h.i.+p, and there discovered the secret of the locator and possibly the secret of the reconstructorif he didn't know it previously. By the time he reappeared, he already had from them what he wanted. All the rest must have been designed to lead them to this act of desperation.

In a few moments, now, he would be leaving the s.h.i.+p, secure in the knowledge that shortly no alien mind would know his planet existed. Knowing, too, that his race would live again, and this time never die.

Enash staggered to his feet, clawed at the roaring com- municator, and shouted his new understanding into it. There was no answer. It clattered with the static of uncontrollable and inconceivable energy. The heat was peeling his armoured hide as he struggled to the matter transmitter. It flashed at him with purple flame. Back to the communicator he ran shouting and screaming.

He was still whimpering into it a few minutes later when the mighty s.h.i.+p plunged into the heart of a blue-white sun.

A.E. Van Vogt.

THE BARBARIAN.

In his initial address to the Patronate, following his return from Venus, Tews said among other things, "It is difficult for us to realze, but Linn is now without formidable enemies anywhere. Our opponents on Mars and Venus having been decisively defeated by our forces in the past two decades, we are now in a unique historical position: the sole great power in the world of man. A period of unlimted peace and creative reconstruction seems inevitable."

He retrned to the palace with the cheers of the Patronate ringing in his ears, his mood one of thoughtful jubilation. His spies had already reported that the patrons gave him a great deal of the credit for the victory on Venus. After all, the war had dragged on for a long time before his arrival. And then, abruptly, almost overnight, it had ended. The conclusion was that his brilliant leaders.h.i.+p had made a decisive contribution. It required no astuteness for Tews to realize that, under such circ.u.mstances, he could generously bestow a triumph on Jerrin, and lose nothing by the other's honors.

Despite his own words to the Patronate, he found himself, as the peaceful weeks went by, progressively amazed at the reality of what he had said: no enemies. Nothing to fear. Even yet, it seemed hard to believe that the universe belonged to Linn; and that, as the Lord Adviser, he was now in his own sphere in a position of power over more subjects than any man had ever been. So it seemed to the dazzled Tews.

He would be a devoted leader, of course - he rea.s.sured himself hastily, disowning the momentary pride. He visualized great works that would reflect the glory of Linn and the golden age of Tews. The vision was so n.o.ble and inspiring that for long he merely toyed with hazy, magnificent plans and took no concrete action of any kind.

He was informed presently that Clane had returned from Venus. Shortly thereafter he received a message from the mutation.

His Excellency, Lord Adviser Tews My most honored uncle: I should like to visit you and describe to you the result of several conversations between my brother Jerrin and myself concerning potential dangers for the empire. They do not seem severe, but we are both concerned about the preponderance of slaves as aganst citizens on Earth, and we are unhappy about our lack of knowledge of the present situation among the peoples of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.

Since these are the only dangers in sight, the sooner we examine every aspect of the problem the more certain we can be that the destiny of Linn will be under the control of intelligent action and not governed in future by the necessary opportunism that has been for so many generations the main element of government.

Your obedient nephew, Clane The letter irritated Tews. It seemed meddlesome, It reminded him that his control of Linn and of the glorious future he envisaged for the empire was not complete, that in fact these nephews might urge compromises that would dim the beauty that only he, apparently, could see. Nevertheless, his reply was diplomatic: My dear Clane: It was a pleasure to hear from you, and as soon as I return from the mountans, I shall be happy to receive you and discuss all these matters in the most thoroughgoing fas.h.i.+on. I have instructed various departments to gather data so that when we do get together, we can talk on the basis of facts. Tews, Lord Adviser He actually issued the instructions and actually listened to a brief account from an official who was an "expert" concerning conditions on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. They were all inhabited by tribes in various stages of barbaric culture. Recent reports gleaned from questioning of primitives who came from there and from the Linnan traders who visited certain ports of entry indicated that the old game of intrigue and murder ainong tribal chieftains seeking ascendancy was still going on.

Relieved in spite of his previous conviction that the situation was exactly as it was now described, Tews departed on his mountain vacation with a retinue of three hundred courtiers and five hundred slaves. He was still there a month later when a second message arrived from Clane.

Most gracious Lord Adviser Tews: Your response to my message was a great relief to me. I wonder if I could further impose upon your good offices and have your department heads determine how many are still here and where they are presently concentrated. The reason for this inquiry is that I have discovered that several of my agents on Europa, the great moon of Jupiter, were suddenly executed about a year ago and that actually my own information from that territory is based upon reports, all of which are not less than two years old, and those are extremely vague. It seems that about five years ago a new leader began to unify Europa; and my agents' reports - when I now examine the data they furnished - grew less clear with each month after that. I suspect that I have been victimized by carefully prepared propaganda. If this be so, the fact that somebody was astute enough to seize my channels of information worries me.

These are only suspicions, of course but it would seem advisable to have your people make inquiries with the possibility in mind that our present information sources are unreliable.

Your faithful servant, and nephew, Clane The reference to the mutation's "agents" reminded Tews unpleasantly that he lived in a world of spies. I suppose, he thought wearily, propaganda is even now being circulated against me because I am on a vacation. People cannot possibly realize what great plans my engineers and I are making for the State on this so-called pleasure trip.

He wondered if, by releasing a series of public statements about the grandiose future, he might successfully head off criticism.

That irritation lasted for a day, and then he read Clane's letter again and decided that an unruffled and diplomatic approach was desirable.

He must ever be in a position to say that he invariably took the most thorough precaution against any eventuality.

He gave the necessary instructions, advised Clone that he had done so - and then began to consider seriously the situation that would exist when Jerrin returued from Venus six or eight months hence to receive his triumph. It no longer seemed quite the satisfactory prospect that it had been when he himself had first returned from Venus. These nephews of his tended to interfere in State affairs, and indeed both had the legal right to be advisers of the government. Each, according to law, had a Council vote in Linnan affairs, although neither could directly interfere with administration.

I suppose, Tews grudgingly acknowledged to himself, Clane is within his rights; but what was it mother once said: "It is an unwise man who always exercises his rights." He laughed, grimacing.

That night, just before he went to sleep, Tews had a flash of insight: I'in slipping back into suspicion - the same fears that disturbed me when I was on Venus. I'in being influenced by this d.a.m.nable palace atmosphere.

He felt personally incapable of base thoughts, and accepted their presence in others - he told himself - with the greatest reluctance, and then only because of the possible effect on the State.

His sense of duty - that was the real pressure on him, he felt convinced. It compelled him to be aware of, and actually to look for, scheming and plotting, even though he was revolted by any indications of intrigue.

The realization of his own fundamental integrity rea.s.sured Tews.

After all, he thought, I may occasonally be misled, but I cannot be wrong if I remain constantly on the alert for danger from all sources. And even a mutation with scientific knowledge and weapons is a matter about which I, as guardian of the State, must take cognizance.

He had already given considerable thought to the weapons he had seen Clane use on Venus. And during the days that followed he came to the conclusion that he must take action. He kept saying to himself how reluctant he was to do so, but finally he advised Clane: My dear nephew: Although you have evidently not felt free to ask for the protection to which your rank and the value of your work ent.i.tles you, I am sure you will be happy to hear that the State is prepared to undertake protection of the material that you have rescued from the pits of the G.o.ds and from other ancient sources.

The safest place for all this material is at your residence in Linn.

Accordingly, I am authorizing funds to transport to the city any such equipment that you have at your country estate. A guards unit will arrive at the estate within the week with adequate transport, and another guards unit is this day taking up guard duty at your town residence.

The captain of the guard, while of course responsible to me, will naturally grant you every facility for carrying on your work.

It is with pleasure, my dear Clane, that I extend to you this costly but earned protection.

At some time not too far in the future I should like to have the privilege of a personally conducted tour so that I may see for myself what treasures you have in your collection, with a view to finding further uses for them for the general welfare.

With cordial best wishes Tews, Lord Adviser At least, thought Tews, after he had dispatched the message and given the necessary orders to the military forces, that will for the present get the material all in one place. Later, a further more stringent control is always possible - not that it will ever be necessary, of course.

The wise leader simply planned for any contingency. Even the actions of his most dearly beloved relatives must be examined objectively.

He learned presently that Clane had offered no resistance and that the material had been transported to Linn without incident.

He was still at the mountain palace of the Linns when a third letter arrived from Clane. Though briefly stated, it was a major social doc.u.ment.

The preamble read: To our uncle, the Lord Adviser: It being the considered opinion of Lords Jertin and Clane Linn that a dangerous preponderance of slaves exists in Linn and that indeed the condition of slavery is wholly undesirable in a healthy State, it is herewith proposed that Lord Adviser Tews during his government lay down as a guiding rule for future generations the following principles: 1. All law-abiding human beings are ent.i.tled to the free control of their own persons.

2. Where free control does not now obtain, it shall be delivered to the individual on a rising scale, the first two steps of which shall become effective immediately.

3. The first step shall be that no slave shall in future be physically punished except by the order of a court.

4. The second step shall be that the slave's work day shall not in future exceed ten hours.

The other steps outlined a method of gradually freeing the slaves until after twenty years only incorrigibles would be 'not free,' and all of these would be controlled by the State itself under laws whereby each was dealt with "as an individual."

Tews read the doc.u.ment with amazement and amus.e.m.e.nt. He recalled another saying of his mother's: "Don't ever worry about the idealists.

"The mob will cut their throats at the proper moment."

His amus.e.m.e.nt faded rapidly. These boys are really interfering in the affairs of state in Linn itself, which is only remotely in their province.

As, the summer over, he made preparations to return to the city, Tews scowlingly considered the threat "to the State," which - it seemed to him - was building up with alarming speed.

On the second day after his return to Linn he received another letter from Clane. This one requested an audience to discuss "those matters relating to the defense of the empire, about which your deparments have been gathering information."

What infuriated Tews about the letter was that the mutation was not even giving him time to settle down after his return. True, the work of reestablishment did not involve him - but it was a matter of courtesy to the office he held. On that level, Tews decided in an icy rage, Clane's persistence bore all the earmarks of a deliberate insult.

He sent a curt note in reply, which stated simply: My dear Clane: I will advise you as soon as I am free of the more pressing problems of administration. Please await word from me.

Tews He slept that night, confident that he was at last taking a firm stand and that it was about time.

He awoke to news of disaster.

The only warning was a steely glinting of metal in the early-morning sky. The invaders swooped down on the city of Linn in three hundred s.p.a.ces.h.i.+ps. There must have been advance spying, for they landed in force at the gates that were heavily guarded and at the main troop barracks inside the city. From each s.h.i.+p debouched two hundred-odd men.

"Sixty thousand soldiers!" said Lord Adviser Tews after he had studied the reports. He issued instructions for the defense of the palace and sent a carrier pigeon to the three legions encamped outside the city, ordering two of them to attack when ready. And then he sat pale but composed, watching the spectacle from a window that overlooked the hazy vastness of Linn proper.

Everything was vague and unreal. Most of the invading s.h.i.+ps had disappeared behind large buildings. A few lay in the open, but they looked dead. It was hard to grasp that vicious fighting was going on in their vicinity. At nine o'clock, a messenger arrived from the Lady Lydia: DearSon: Have you any news? Who is attacking us? Is it a limited a.s.sault or an invasion of the empire. Have you contacted Clane?

L.

The first prisoner was brought in while Tews was scowling over the unpalatable suggestion that he seek the advice of his relative. The mutation was the last person he wanted to see. The prisoner, a bearded giant, proudly confessed that he was from Europa, one of the moons of Jupiter, and that he feared neither man nor G.o.d. The man's size and obvious physical prowess startled Tews. But his naive outlook on life was cheering.Subsequent prisoners had similar physical and mental characteristics. And so, long before noon, Tews had a fairly clear picture of the situation.

This was a barbarian invasion from Europa. It was obviously for loot only. But unless he acted swiftly, Linn would be divested in a few days of treasures garnered over the centuries. Bloodthrsty commands flowed from Tews' lips. Put all prisoners to the sword. Destroy their s.h.i.+ps, their weapons, their clothing. Leave not one vestige of their presence to pollute the eternal city.

The morning ran its slow course. Tews considered making an inspection of the city escorted by the palace cavalry. He abandoned the plan when he realized it would be impossible for commanders to send him reports if he were on the move. For the same reason he could not transfer his headquarters to a less clearly marked building. Just before noon, the relieving report arrived that two of three camp legions were attacking in force at the main gates.

The news steadied him. He began to think in terms of broader, more basic information about what had happened. He remembered unhappily that his departments probably had the information that - spurred by Clane - he had asked for months ago. Hastify, he called in several experts and sat somberly while each of the men in turn told what he had learned.

There was actually a great deal of data. Europa, the great moon of Jupiter, had been inhabited from legendary times by fiercely quarreling tribes. Its vast atmosphere was said to have been created artificially with the help of the atom G.o.ds by the scientists of the golden age. Like all the artificial atmosphere, it contained a high proportion of the gas, teneol, which admitted sunlight but did not allow much heat to escape into s.p.a.ce.

Starting about five years before, travelers had begun to bring out reports of a leader named Czinczar who was ruthlessly welding all the hating factions of the planet into one nation. For a while it was such a dangerous territory that traders landed only at specified ports of entry.

The information they received was that Czinczar's attempt at unfication had faifed. Contact grew even more vague after that; and it was clear to the listening Tews that the new leader had actually succeded in his conquests and that any word to the contrary was propaganda. The cunning Czinczar had seized outgoing communication sources and confused them while he consolidated his position among the barbarous forces of the planet.