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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/31995-h.zip b/31995-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..37e87cb --- /dev/null +++ b/31995-h.zip diff --git a/31995-h/31995-h.htm b/31995-h/31995-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d21cd3c --- /dev/null +++ b/31995-h/31995-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1977 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Reluctant Weapon, by Howard L. Myers + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; background-color: #FFFFFF; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +.tr {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-top: 5%; margin-bottom: 5%; padding: 2em; background-color: #f6f2f2; color: black; border: dotted black 1px;} + +.img1 {border:solid 1px; } + +.p1 { margin-left: 70%; } + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + +.center {text-align: center;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-top: 0.25em; + margin-right: 0.25em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +.figright { + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1em; + margin-bottom: + 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +/* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Reluctant Weapon, by Howard L. Myers + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Reluctant Weapon + +Author: Howard L. Myers + +Illustrator: Emsh + +Release Date: April 15, 2010 [EBook #31995] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RELUCTANT WEAPON *** + + + + +Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Greg Weeks, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="tr"><p class="center">Transcriber's Note:</p> +<p class="center">This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction December 1952. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.</p></div> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img class="img1" src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="547" alt="" title="" /> +</div> +<p> </p> +<h1>The Reluctant Weapon</h1> +<p> </p> + +<h2>by HOWARD L. MYERS</h2> +<p> </p> + +<h3>Illustrated by EMSH</h3> +<p> </p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>A live weapon is a downright +liability ... it's all too apt +to get qualms of conscience!</i></p></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><i>When the Zoz Horde passed +destructively through this sector +of the Galaxy, approximately a +billion years ago, they suffered +a minor loss. One of their weapons, +Sentient Killer No. VT672, +had an unexplained malfunction +and was left behind to be repaired +by the slave technicians +who followed the Horde. However, +the Zoz were met and annihilated +by the Ghesh Empire, +after which the masterless slaves +dispersed to their home planets. +The weapon, unrepaired, was left +forgotten in the solar system it +had failed to destroy.</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/image_001.jpg" width="600" height="333" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_t1.jpg" alt="T" width="45" height="50" /></div> +<p>resqu the Wisest, Ruler +of Hova, Lord of the Universe, +was being entertained +by a troupe of Goefd +dancers when his Lord of War, +Wert, bounded into the Audience +Hall. In his hurry to reach Tresqu's +throne, Wert slipped on the +nearly frictionless floor and skidded +through the formation of +dancers, sending the slender +Goefden sprawling in all directions. +He slid to a halt by the +Pleading Mat, onto which he +crawled and groveled, awaiting +permission to speak.</p> + +<p>"I believe three of the dancers +received broken legs," Tresqu observed +calmly. "They are rather +delicate creatures and not at all +clumsy." He dipped the tip of his +tail into an urn of chilled perfume +and gently dabbed it about his +nostril. Speaking pleasantly, with +long pauses between sentences, he +kept his friendly gaze on the +groveling Wert. "Oft I meditate +on the clumsiness of our race in +comparison to many others who +are our graceful servants. Why, +I wonder, cannot the rulers be +graceful? Some of us are very +clumsy indeed—too clumsy to +live."</p> + +<p>A tremor passed through Wert's +stocky body.</p> + +<p>"Possibly my Lord of War has +news of sufficient import to excuse +his ungainly haste. But I +sincerely doubt it. I fear I must +soon appoint a successor to him. +Undoubtedly he has news of some +sort. Blurt, Wert!"</p> + +<p>"Your Majestic Wisdom," +whined Wert, "my message is of +utmost importance! The natives +of Sol III have captured one of +our decontaminator ships and +learned its secrets!"</p> + +<p>"Sol III?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Your Wisdom. The planet +called Terra."</p> + +<p>"Terra? You must realize, +lordling, that I cannot occupy +myself with remembering trivialities +about individual worlds."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Your Wisdom. We have +a base, which is commanded by—that +is, we <i>had</i> a base commanded—"</p> + +<p>"Enough!" snapped Tresqu. +"You start your tale from nowhere +and wander whence and +hence!" He raised his voice and +called to one of his retainers. +"Fool! Come forward!"</p> + +<p>An abnormally slender Hovan +arose from a platform off to Tresqu's +left and skipped nimbly forward +to stand insolently over the +Lord of War, who was still prone +on the Pleading Mat.</p> + +<p>"Recite for me," said Tresqu, +"the contents of my gazetteer on +the planet Sol III. Listen well, +Wert. You may even yet live +long enough to profit by my +Fool's style of declamation. +Study it well. Also, you may +raise your eyes sufficiently to observe +the grace of his movements. +Proceed, sprite."</p> + +<p>"Sol III," began the Fool. "An +H9 planet. Sol is in the Sirian +Colony Sector, coordinates GL +15-44-17-5, GR 12<sup>7</sup> plus 9, D 14. +Terra's life is normal animal-vegetable, +with one intelligent +species of hovoids called Humans. +Due to the unpleasantly high +oxygen content of the atmosphere, +Terra has not been colonized, +but has been placed under +the control of the Science Ministry +for the purpose of long-range +psychological experiments." The +Fool picked up Wert's tail and +twisted it hard but absently as +he talked. The Lord of War +twitched painfully. "Many informative +reports on the results of +these experiments have been released +by the ministry during the +past seven thousand years, dealing +mainly with the Humans. The +Science Ministry has declared +Terra out of bounds—<i>Positively +no visitors</i>."</p> + +<p>With a single flow of motion, +the Fool gave Wert's tail a final +twist, leaped over his body, and +bowed deeply to Tresqu.</p> + +<p>"Beautifully done, Fool," applauded +the Ruler of Hova. "Your +mother claims me as your father, +and there are times I am inclined +to believe her. How would you +like to be my Lord of War, +Fool?"</p> + +<p>"Verily, my good master," said +the Fool, "I hope you consider +me a Fool by title only."</p> + +<p>"Well said, Fool. You are spared. +Go seek your pleasures."</p> + +<p>With another bow, the Fool +backed away.</p> + +<p>"Stand up, Wert," said Tresqu, +"and tell me about this captured +decontamination ship."</p> + +<p>The Lord of War arose and +managed to report with some +smoothness. "Two years ago, the +Science Ministry turned Terra +over to my command, saying their +long series of experiments was +concluded. They recommended +complete decontamination of the +planet, since the Humans were +developing technologies which +could eventually threaten us. I +dispatched a ship for that purpose +immediately, but it failed +to return. Also, reports from our +base on Terra's satellite Luna +ceased soon thereafter. A scouting +expedition was sent. It has just +reported the Luna base destroyed +completely, and the decontaminator +ship crashed and stripped of +all important devices in one of +the Terran deserts. By studying +these removed devices, the Humans +have undoubtedly developed +protections against them.</p> + +<p>"I humbly submit, Your Majestic +Wisdom, that these events +have endangered the safety of +your glorious empire, and that +drastic steps against the Humans +should be taken immediately. +Also, Good Lord of All, I submit +that the Science Ministry, not the +War Ministry, is at fault in this +affair. They obviously let their +experiments get out of control +before calling us. Undoubtedly +they would like to shift the full +blame onto my shoulders."</p> + +<p>Tresqu continued his pleasant +demeanor. "There may be some +truth in what you say, Wert. You +overestimate the danger in this +matter, I perceive. After all, what +is one backward planet against +the forces of my empire containing +thirty-seven well-armed +worlds? The Humans will be destroyed, +even if they have the +secrets of a decontaminator ship. +As for the blame, which I admit +is deplorable, the Lord of Science +will be called to the Mat to make +his excuses. Now, assuming you +remain Lord of War, what action +do you plan to take against the +Humans?"</p> + +<p>"Your Gracious Wisdom," faltered +Wert, "I suggest we use the—the +Weapon. You see, our forces +are not fully mobilized at present +for immediate action—"</p> + +<p>"Full mobilization isn't necessary +or even desirable," Tresqu +interrupted with some impatience. +"One task force can do the job. +Ah! I see by your expression that +you do not have even one task +force in readiness."</p> + +<p>"Your Gracious Wisdom," begged +Wert, "you ordered a full +holiday this month to celebrate +the twenty-fourth anniversary of +your magnificent reign, and—"</p> + +<p>"Enough, Wert! Your tongue +is as clumsy as your body." Tresqu +nibbled thoughtfully at the +tip of his tail. "We will use the +Weapon," he decided. "In order +to allow my court to continue +their holiday, I'll assume direct +command in this." He rose from +his throne. "Musicians, summon +my guards. I go to visit the Weapon. +Come, Wert; come also, Fool. +You will accompany me."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_s.jpg" alt="S" width="26" height="40" /></div> +<p>hortly thereafter, Tresqu +and his entourage boarded the +royal cruiser and roared away +from the City of Wisdom. The +ship flew halfway around the +planet and came to rest in a +peaceful purple valley where insects +shrilled contentedly and a +small stream rippled. Tresqu +climbed out onto the violet turf, +his followers coming after him.</p> + +<p>"Mighty Weapon of Zoz," he +called, "I, Tresqu, seek your +presence!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" groaned a slightly +mechanical voice that seemed to +come from no particular direction. +"Will there never be peace, +never a tranquil moment to +soothe my spirit and erase the +bloody stains of destruction recorded +on my past?"</p> + +<p>"That voice! It carries me +away!" breathed the Fool. "Such +a tragic tale of tormented strength +is implicit in its very tone that +I think I shall swoon!" But he +wrapped his tail around the trunk +of a nearby sapling for support +and managed to retain consciousness.</p> + +<p>"Me, too!" Wert chimed in with +suspicious haste. "I'm quite +moved!"</p> + +<p>"Try not to counterfeit a soul +you do not possess." Tresqu +glowered at Wert. "You deceive +no one."</p> + +<p>The Fool was recovered sufficiently +to hit the discomfited +Lord of War with a pebble when +Tresqu was not watching.</p> + +<p>The Weapon had drifted into +sight during this exchange, floating +out of a shady hollow, as if +blown by a breeze. It was very +simple in appearance—an impalpable +three-foot glowing sphere +with a squat metallic cylinder at +its base.</p> + +<p>"Tell me not the purpose of +your visit, petty lord!" It said. +"It is known to me only too well. +Ah, great First Principle! Little +did I reck when, in ages past, I +nursed your species to civilization, +just how poorly you would +serve my purpose. Peace it was +I desired, but do I get it? No! +Your kingdom is powerful, but +you have not the strength to +handle your own troubles. You +rule twenty-nine planets—"</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/image_002.jpg" width="300" height="457" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>"Thirty-seven," corrected Tresqu +politely.</p> + +<p>"—thirty-seven planets, but +when a malignant force appears +on your borders, I, the Weapon, +must be called upon to act in my +own defense, and for the sake of +a few more restful moments in +this calm glade, I am obliged to +destroy, yet it was to avoid destroying +that I helped your species +to empire in the old days."</p> + +<p>"In truth," spoke the deeply +sympathetic Tresqu, "yours is +a sad story. I disturb your richly +earned rest only after the sincerest +soul-searching. But affairs of +state are at cross purposes in a +moment of crisis, and without +your help Hova will be in +danger."</p> + +<p>"Ah, cruel Fate!" entoned the +Weapon, "It aids me in no manner +to protest against your inscrutable +machinations! There is +no turning aside, no avoidance of +necessity!" In a less declamatory +style, the Weapon addressed +Tresqu: "Very well, what is the +trouble?"</p> + +<p>Tresqu described the events on +Terra for the Weapon, concluding, +"Now that the Humans have +knowledge of our space drive and +armament, they are certain to attack, +especially if they realize +they have been subjects for experiment."</p> + +<p>The Weapon flitted about restlessly +along the bank of the +brook. "I question the motives of +my own thoughts. Do I quibble +with myself in an attempt to escape +unwelcome necessities? Tell, +petty lord, do your scientists confirm +the picture you paint of the +Humans? Are they, like you, alas, +masterfully vicious enough to destroy +the peace of dozens of +planets for nothing but revenge?"</p> + +<p>"So the scientists say, mighty +Weapon," answered Tresqu.</p> + +<p>"You, Lord of War, why are +you silent when your face is +strained with words crying for expression?" +asked the Weapon. +"Speak your mind."</p> + +<p>Wert squirmed. "If it please +Your Mightiness, and you, Your +Gracious Wisdom, I believe the +Humans will know that we desire +their destruction, and will try to +defeat us for the sake of their own +survival rather than revenge."</p> + +<p>"A most convincing point, Lord +of War," said the Weapon.</p> + +<p>Tresqu flashed a forgiving smile +at Wert while the Weapon paused +before continuing:</p> + +<p>"However, I fear my unwilling +spirit refuses to bow to the most +reasonable of arguments. Please +leave me; solve the problem +yourselves!"</p> + +<p>Tresqu bowed and moved toward +the cruiser. "We obey, +Mighty Guide of our fathers. Let +me say in parting that I, too, am +grieved by our talk, much more +because of the pain our visit has +caused your noble greatness than +because our race is threatened +with annihilation. My deepest +hope is that the ravages of war +will never reach this peaceful +place which is so dear to your +gentle being."</p> + +<p>"Wait!" groaned the Weapon. +"To slay, or not to slay, that is +the dilemma. Ah, had my old +masters of Zoz only left within +my powers the seed of my own +destruction, I would gladly seek +the consummation of ultimate +peace. But, no, that door is closed +to me by deathless locks. Bring +me a Human, that I may learn +to hate him. Choose the most +ignoble specimen available. I will +converse with him at length so +as to become exasperated with all +the despicable traits of his race. +Then, in my contempt for those +traits, I will be able to cleanse +the Universe of all Humans."</p> + +<p>Tresqu turned quickly to his +Fool. "Are there any Humans on +Hova?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, in the biological research +laboratories."</p> + +<p>"Then go quickly, Fool, and +fetch one. This is a grave matter, +and I trust you to choose the +most monstrous specimen available. +Hurry!"</p> + +<p>The Fool ran into the cruiser +and was on his way, leaving +Tresqu, Wert, and several guardsmen +with the Weapon. If the +Weapon was conscious of the fact +that the Lord of Hova was staying +behind out of courtesy, it did +not show it. Instead, it wandered +indifferently away, mumbling a +soliloquy of guilt and misery.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_t.jpg" alt="T" width="36" height="40" /></div> +<p>he sight of the Fool's specimen +of humanity repaid Tresqu +for the tediousness of the +waiting. It was a particularly +sordid-looking creature with a +dirty growth of hairs on its head +and face. Its body, thin as the +Fool's, but with no compensating +grace of movement, was clad in +a blue garment of roughly woven +vegetable fibers, and the extremities +of its nether limbs were enclosed +in evil-smelling boxes of +animal hide. Its fierce eyes darted +ominously from one Hovan to another. +Its jaw kept working in a +slow rhythm, and occasionally a +stream of black liquid exploded +through its mouth.</p> + +<p>"You have done well, Fool," +said Tresqu. "You will be rewarded +highly." Raising his voice +he called, "Mighty Weapon, your +specimen awaits!"</p> + +<p>"I come!" Once more the +Weapon floated into view.</p> + +<p>The Earthman's jaw sagged. +"'Y God!" he muttered in English, +staring at the approaching +Weapon.</p> + +<p>"Indeed," said the Weapon, +"this appears to be a creature I +could learn to abhor and kill. If +only its thoughts equal its appearance—Speak, +Human!"</p> + +<p>The man said nothing.</p> + +<p>"Mighty Weapon," murmured +the Fool, "this Human is truly an +ignoble monster. He has been in +captivity for five years and has +yet to speak a word of our beautiful +language instead of his own +barbaric tongue."</p> + +<p>"You fool!" shouted Tresqu. +"How is the Weapon going to +converse with him? Why did you +bring one that cannot talk?"</p> + +<p>Not in the least disconcerted, +the Fool replied, "As you ordered, +good master, I brought the worst +specimen available. However, the +possibility of linguistic difficulties +was not overlooked. I have +here a dictionary of his language, +recently compiled by our Alien +Affairs staff." He produced a +large volume of manuscript from +beneath his cloak.</p> + +<p>"Your Fool shows wisdom, +petty lord," spoke the Weapon. +"I will study this book. Know the +language, know the people, it is +wisely said. In fact, I originated +that saying myself some three +thousand years ago, I believe. Unship +any supplies brought for the +Human and begone. Three days +will suffice for the arousal of my +wrath. Return then."</p> + +<p>"As you wish, O Mightiest of +All." Tresqu bowed gawkily. "It +is my most ardent desire, Wondrous +Guide, that we, your servants, +will not be obliged to disturb +your peace again for a +thousand centuries, once this affair +is concluded."</p> + +<p>"And mine," the Weapon snapped +crossly. "Now leave me."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_t.jpg" alt="T" width="36" height="40" /></div> +<p>he man watched the Hovans +enter their cruiser and fly +away. Looking at the Weapon +hovering nearby, he squatted on +his heels and pulled up a blade +of purple grass to chew. Minutes +passed in silence. Then the Weapon +moved away, the book bobbing +along behind, supported by +some unseen force.</p> + +<p>When it was out of sight, the +man muttered, "'Y God, I've +saw fireballs in my time, but +that's the first one I ever saw +settin' in a bucket!"</p> + +<p>After a thoughtful examination +of his surroundings, the man +stood up and walked to the packing +cases the Hovans had left. All +but one contained the synthetic +food product to which he had +grown accustomed in his five +years of captivity. The other box, +rather small, contained a shredded +vegetable which served him +as a poor substitute for chewing +tobacco. Purple when growing, +the leaves of this vegetable were +blue-black when cured, making +his frequent expectorations look +like ink.</p> + +<p>"Filthy damn stuff!" he grunted, +stuffing several handfuls in +an empty overall pocket.</p> + +<p>He shuffled down to the brook +and tested its temperature with +a hand. Finding it rather cold, +he decided against taking a bath. +Instead, he spat into it and +watched meditatively as the spot +of black was carried downstream. +"I wonder what they turned me +loose for," he monologued.</p> + +<p>Careful to avoid the spot where +the Weapon appeared to have +gone, he returned to the food +supply and ate. By then it was +getting dark, and he bedded down +for the night on some thick grass +under a tree.</p> + +<p>"'Y God," he yawned, "I'm +glad all these insects don't want +nothin' to do with me."</p> + +<p>The Weapon was waiting beside +him when he woke up next +morning. "Eyes of your Terran +Deity," it said, "I shall now converse +with you in your own +tongue. Name yourself, creature!"</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_t.jpg" alt="T" width="36" height="40" /></div> +<p>he man sat up startled. A +moment passed before he +said, "I'm Jake—Jacob Absher. +What was that you said?"</p> + +<p>"My pronunciation is above reproach, +Jacob. Therefore I will +not repeat myself. Attend me +closely or I shall punish you."</p> + +<p>"'Y God, I heard you all right +and you didn't make sense!" said +Jacob, determined not to be +frightened. "Now if you aim to +talk with me, stop imitatin' a professor +and talk so's a man can understand +you. I ain't scared of +you, so leave off makin' threats!"</p> + +<p>"Such stupid insolence!" gloated +the Weapon. "Already I feel +my wrath growing within me! +Since it will anger me even more +to explain my words to you, I +will do exactly that. My first +words to you were, 'Eyes of your +Terran Deity,' an expression you +use frequently in a corrupted +form to begin your statements. +By studying your language, I +learned that 'Zounds' is a similar +corruption referring to the wounds +of the Deity, while 'Strewth' refers +to your God's truth. Thus, +I was able to understand, and +state in uncorrupted form, your +remark, 'Eye God.'"</p> + +<p>"'Tain't what it means," objected +Jacob, filling his mouth +with ersatz tobacco. "It just +means <i>by</i> God."</p> + +<p>The Weapon considered this. +"And exactly what is the significance +of such a remark?"</p> + +<p>Jacob scratched his whiskered +chin. "I reckon you got me there. +I guess it means that I mean +what I say."</p> + +<p>"In other words, any statement +you make following that phrase +is to be taken seriously?"</p> + +<p>"Somethin' like that."</p> + +<p>"Then it follows that your +other statements, without the 'by +God' preface, are not seriously +intended. Are they jokes or lies?"</p> + +<p>"That ain't the way it is at +all! I just say 'by God' when +I feel like it, not every time I'm +bein' serious."</p> + +<p>"Monstrous inconsistency!" +groaned the Weapon dramatically. +"Ah, chaotic universe! Is +there then no sublime plan, no +fateful development to your endless +succession of days? How +could even the most synoptic +First Principle find a purpose for +creating such an unplanned, unreasonable +species as the Humans? Can it be—unhappy +thought!—that there is no plan +to it all, and we exist for naught?"</p> + +<p>Jacob listened with open +mouth. "Say," he broke in, "are +you some kind of play-actor?"</p> + +<p>"That is what I ask myself," +the Weapon continued its oratorical +flight. "Are we all actors, +speaking the lines written for us +by a Great Playwright who plans +to unite all the threads of his +plot in a universal climax to +come? Or are we poor random +creatures without purpose?" It +paused and added in a more conversational +tone, "But that is not +what you mean by your question. +No, I am not a play-actor. I am +an unfortunate weapon, reluctant +to employ myself for my intended +purpose of destruction of life and +unsuited by my structure for the +doing of deeds more worthy in +nature."</p> + +<p>Jacob squinted about. "A weapon, +huh? Let's see you hit that +bird thing sittin' in that tree over +there."</p> + +<p>"Bloodthirsty fiend! I do not +kill for amusement!"</p> + +<p>"I just wanted to see how you +worked," said the abashed Jacob. +"All I've seen you do is float +around and talk a blue streak. +As far as I'm concerned, you +ain't nothin' but a big-mouthed +bluff."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Jacob. If you have +formed such an erroneous attitude, +it will be necessary for me +to correct you immediately. Observe +the red boulder on yonder +hill."</p> + +<p>"I see it."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_t.jpg" alt="T" width="36" height="40" /></div> +<p>he cylindrical base of the +Weapon swung to point briefly +at the boulder, which quietly +crumbled to dust.</p> + +<p>"I be dog!" yelped Jacob. He +looked at the Weapon with respect. +"You sure pulverized it! +How do you work?"</p> + +<p>"You could not understand the +processes involved. Suffice it to +say I have the means to collect +energy in general and retransmit +it in specific forms and directions. +But enough of this. You are here +to answer questions, not ask them. +First, tell me what you did in +an average day on Terra."</p> + +<p>"That what you call the world +I live on?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I'm a farmer, you know. I got +a place in the Smoky Mountains +in Tennessee. First thing in the +mornin', I'd go feed the livestock +while Suzy cooked breakfast." A +faraway look came into Jacob's +eyes. "Guess she took the kids +and went to live with her mammy +when these here animals grabbed +me...."</p> + +<p>"Continue," commanded the +Weapon.</p> + +<p>"Huh? Well, then we'd eat +breakfast. Come to think of it, +I ain't et yet this mornin'." Jacob +got up and went to get himself +some breakfast.</p> + +<p>"But this matter—" protested +the Weapon.</p> + +<p>"Not on an empty stomach," +Jacob said calmly, eating without +haste.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_w.jpg" alt="W" width="51" height="40" /></div> +<p>hen he returned, the Weapon +questioned him further +about his life on Terra. Hours of +ill-tempered conversation passed.</p> + +<p>"Such drabness!" the Weapon +finally exclaimed. "Creatures who +lead such dull lives as yours +should welcome extinction. Not +once have you mentioned an appreciation +of the wondrous exaltation +that comes from an esthetic +feel for beauty. With the labor +of providing for your grotesque +body's animal cravings is your +whole life spent. Not in anger, +but as an act of mercy, can I +exterminate your defective race!"</p> + +<p>Jacob's mouth hung open. "So +<i>that's</i> what your monkey's brung +me out here for—fixin' to kill us! +'Y God, you better look out! We +got atom bombs on Earth an' +we'll use 'em on you if you try +anything!"</p> + +<p>"Toys!" sneered the Weapon. +"Be assured, Jacob, that I have +nothing to fear from any childish +mechanisms your Terrans can +contrive!"</p> + +<p>Jacob sat stunned. "But you +said a minute ago you couldn't +kill nothin'!"</p> + +<p>"I can kill only when I'm convinced +it is best for my own repose +or for the health of the +Universe. Long ago, I could go +forth at battle with thoughtless +joy at the command of my masters +of Zoz, but now I must have +reasons, must converse at length +with my aberrated emotions, +must prepare myself as for an +ordeal."</p> + +<p>"Them Zozes must've been the +Devil's minions," argued Jacob. +"The Commandments says, +'Thou shalt not kill' and when +you go against that, you're goin' +against the word of God."</p> + +<p>"Poor, futile creature!" sympathized +the Weapon. "You actually +strive to pit your naive +superstitious mind against my +highly developed mentality in argument. +You actually associate +my supreme masters of old with +your puny mythological villain! +Lowliness should know its place. +But I feel no anger—merely a +pitying desire to relieve your kind +of the burden of living."</p> + +<p>Silently, Jacob replenished the +wad of "tobacco" in his mouth. +After chewing a while, he spat +and said dolefully, "I don't reckon +there's nothin' I can say or +do that you won't hold against +me. I always heard tell the Devil +can twist anything to suit hisself, +and I reckon his minions can do +the same thing. An' that's what +you are: the Devil's minion! I +reckon you break every Commandment +God give us. Except +about committin' adultery. I +don't guess you can do that."</p> + +<p>"Your piddling reproductive +customs have no application on +my plane of existence. Cannot +you comprehend that you are less +to me than a microbe? Even my +servants, the Hovans, do not concern +themselves with such ignoble +concepts as what you call adultery!"</p> + +<p>"You mean they live in sin?" +asked Jacob.</p> + +<p>"They mate as often as they +please with anyone they please," +the Weapon replied coldly. "I +will ignore the ludicrous implications +of your absurd moral concepts."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean to criticize your +animal friends," glowered Jacob. +"I reckon they ain't children of +God, so it don't matter if they +<i>do</i> mate like a pack of dogs. They +probably ain't got no souls to +keep pure. It looked to me like +they worshiped you like a false +god, too."</p> + +<p>"They ... O Great Hidden +Manifestation!" squalled the +Weapon in rage. "They regard +me as their guide and mentor. +Nothing more. I would not allow +anything else."</p> + +<p>Jacob watched the Weapon +in awe. The energy globe was +flickering and flaring wildly in an +uncontrolled display of color. +"'Y God!" he exclaimed. "You +sure are puttin' on a fireworks +show!"</p> + +<p>The globe settled down to a +tensely nervous fluctuation which +hurt Jacob's eyes to watch. +"Never in the ageless span of my +existence," quavered the Weapon +angrily, "have I been insulted +in such vulgar terms by any +creature. And now from <i>you</i>, +creature whom my glorious masters +of Zoz would exterminate +like a buzzing fly, like a disease +germ, I hear these senseless +mouthings of defamation! Stop +it or I shall destroy you outright!"</p> + +<p>The Weapon's fluctuating, +along with its loud, grating voice, +put Jacob's nerves on edge. He +growled, "I bet your old Zozes +live in adultery just like your +animal friends."</p> + +<p>The color of the energy globe +sank to dull red and the Weapon +emitted a series of buzzing, inarticulate +noises.</p> + +<p>"It suits not my nature, bit of +diseased scum, to slay you in a +fit of indignation," it finally said +with tightly controlled fury. "You +are beneath such individual recognition. +Yet it is fortunate for +you that your insults have no +basis in reality, otherwise my intellect +could not have claimed +ascendancy over the immediate +urges of my tortured sense of +extreme disgust. Be wise, say I, +knowing I request the impossible, +and irk me no more!"</p> + +<p>"'Y God, I reckon you don't +think you rile me up, too, with +all that high falutin' jabber of +yours!" Jacob snapped back.</p> + +<p>"As I speak, so speak the +mighty Zoz," replied the Weapon +in high dignity. "They are great +and noble beings, given to poetic +flights and magnificent deeds. To +them, your puny opinions would +not even be recognized as +thought."</p> + +<p>"If they talk in that puttin'-on, +play-actin' way you do, they +are a bunch of phony show-offin' +hypocrites!" sulked Jacob.</p> + +<p>Several things happened too +quickly for Jacob to follow. The +color of the energy globe dropped +to absolute black. The metallic +cylinder swung up to point at +Jacob. A thin ringing "<i>Ping!</i>" +sounded in the cylinder. A killing +wave of pure hate struck Jacob.</p> + +<p>He had just enough time to +know he was a dead man before +he blacked out.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_i.jpg" alt="I" width="19" height="40" /></div> +<p>t came as a surprise, when +Jacob regained consciousness, +to find that he was stretched out +on purple grass with the Weapon +still hovering over him.</p> + +<p>"You missed, 'y God!" he +mumbled, sitting up.</p> + +<p>"I regained my sanity in time, +Master Technician," the Weapon +replied pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"Huh?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, day of un-containable +joy!" sang the Weapon, flaming +pure white. "Day of glorious release +to continue the grandeur +of old! As the past eons of futility +passed over me, I sank to +the conclusion that I was forever +condemned to my useless existence +on this planet, with nothing +to sustain my spirit other than +the sense of beauty given me by +masters to fill my leisure hours! +But now, Master Technician Jacob, +you have found me and corrected +my malfunction, long after +I had surrendered all hope!"</p> + +<p>Still dazed by the nearly fatal +wave of mental energy the Weapon +had directed at him, Jacob +could not understand what had +happened. Instead of talking contemptuously +to him, the Weapon +was now addressing him as Master +Something-or-other, and....</p> + +<p>"What did you say I done?" +he asked.</p> + +<p>"You corrected my malfunction," +repeated the Weapon. +"That is to say, you purged +my mechanism of the inhibition +against joyful slaughter that has +plagued me for a billion years. +Ah, you are a clever Technician, +Jacob! But I comprehend it all +now. By arousing within me an +overwhelming emotional desire to +kill—a singularly strange feeling!—you +depressed my inhibition to +the releasing point. So telling was +your masterful therapy that I +almost ceased functioning at all!</p> + +<p>"Your own life was in dire +danger for the moment required +for my new-found sanity to assume +control. But, of course, all +slaves of the glorious Zoz die willingly +when the work of the masters +so demands."</p> + +<p>"Now wait a minute!" objected +Jacob. "I ain't no slave of your +Zozes or no Technician either! +You know what I am—a good +God-fearin' human!" His voice +dropped to a pleading mumble. +"And may God forgive me if I've +got myself in league with the +Devil!"</p> + +<p>"Ah? Could it be?" murmured +the Weapon. "Could indeed your +infuriating insults of the Great +Ones have been honest expressions +of a puny mind with no +therapeutic intentions? I answer: +Yes. The possible occurrence of +specific incidents in the inclusion +of space-time is curiously unlimited. +But you have served me, +Jacob, and have earned the privilege +of continuing your meager, +momentary life. Besides, I can +use you further."</p> + +<p>"You can, huh?" Jacob said +slyly. "Look here, Weapon, I'll +make a bargain with you."</p> + +<p>"Ha! Stupid, untutored slave!" +chuckled the Weapon. "Learn +that yours is to obey, not to bargain. +But yet, state your price +for my amusement, now that I +can no longer be enraged by +your words."</p> + +<p>"Well, you let the rest of the +people on Earth alone and I'll do +whatever you want me to."</p> + +<p>After a pause, the Weapon +quoted, "'Nobility shows its traces +in surprising places.' You do not +sufficiently comprehend my nature, +Technician Slave Jacob. I +am a Weapon. My masters point +me, as you would point a rifle, +and command that I destroy. I +kill at their direction, but seldom +otherwise. Thus, your Terra is +safe until another Weapon or I +am aimed and directed. You can +make no bargain."</p> + +<p>Jacob thought this over. While +doing so, the Weapon drifted +away.</p> + +<p>"Wait here, slave," it said in +parting. "I go to meditate on my +recovered sanity."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_d.jpg" alt="D" width="38" height="40" /></div> +<p>uring the next two days, +Jacob caught an occasional +glimpse of the Weapon drifting +thoughtfully around in the depths +of the forest, but they did not +meet for conversation. Jacob +amused himself by rigging a fishing +line out of some of the packaging +material that contained his +food. He even succeeded in catching +a fish, but its queer odor discouraged +him from trying to cook +and eat it.</p> + +<p>Then the royal cruiser of Tresqu +the Wisest dropped into the +meadow. Its airlock swung open +and the Ruler of Hova, followed +by his entourage, came out.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mighty Weapon!" bawled +Tresqu. "Your loving servant +craves audience!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, you have returned, petty +lord," said the Weapon, drifting +out from among the trees. "Serve +me by calling all the crew members +from your noble ship, that +I may view you all together."</p> + +<p>Puzzled, Tresqu bowed and +said, "Your least whim is law, +Mighty Weapon." He turned and +called, "All hands, outside!"</p> + +<p>A half-dozen Hovans tumbled +through the lock to stand in line +behind the ruler's entourage.</p> + +<p>"Is this all of them?" asked +the Weapon.</p> + +<p>"All, Great Mentor of—"</p> + +<p>The Weapon laughed and the +Hovans fell dead.</p> + +<p>"Come, Slave Jacob," commanded +the Weapon. "We take +this cruiser."</p> + +<p>Dazed and slack-faced, Jacob +came out from behind a bush, +where he had hidden himself from +the Hovans, and followed the +Weapon through the airlock.</p> + +<p>"Even in my insanity, I planned +well," said the Weapon. +"These ships, which I taught the +Hovans to construct, can be operated +simply, even by such as you. +Attend my instructions."</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/image_003.jpg" width="300" height="422" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>First, the Weapon taught Jacob +to open and close the airlock. +Then he was shown how to +fuel the engines, upon which the +Weapon made some changes to +improve their performance. Finally, +in the control room, Jacob +learned to fly the ship.</p> + +<p>This took several hours, at the +end of which time Jacob had succeeded +in raising the cruiser into +a satellite orbit around Hova.</p> + +<p>"Do you comprehend, Slave?" +asked the Weapon.</p> + +<p>"Sure. This thing ain't nothin' +to run compared to a T-model +Ford! Which way is it to Earth?"</p> + +<p>"That I shall not tell you, +Jacob, because I must leave the +ship for a few hours and desire +to find you here when I return. +Consider and tell me: Will you +be here?"</p> + +<p>Jacob gazed at the broad, star-spangled +viewplate that curved +around his seat at the controls. +There was, he reflected an awful +lot of nothing out there for a +man to get lost in.</p> + +<p>"I'll be here," he promised.</p> + +<p>"Very good. You must understand +that these controls are constructed +for manipulation by such +limbs as your own and those of +the Hovans. Thus, it is convenient +for me to use you as a pilot instead +of doing the drab, mechanical +task with my ill-suited force-field +manipulators. You will be +wise to serve me well, Jacob."</p> + +<p>Jacob nodded. "You got a point +there."</p> + +<p>"Operate the lock for me," the +Weapon ordered.</p> + +<p>Jacob did so and watched the +colorful machine drift out of +sight in the atmosphere below the +cruiser.</p> + +<p>Minutes ticked quietly by as +Jacob gazed down at the purple +planet and wondered why the +Weapon had not chosen a trained +Hovan pilot instead of him. Also, +he wondered how soon the Weapon +would take him home to +Earth.</p> + +<p>A great swath of the purple +planet began turning black. The +black dulled to the gray shade of +ashes as the swath grew longer. +Over the surface of Hova, the +blackening moved like some colossal +paint brush. Dense clouds +of smoke rolled upward to the +high reaches of the atmosphere.</p> + +<p>Jacob realized why the Weapon +had not selected a Hovan pilot.</p> + +<p>When all of Hova was a lifeless +ball in a fog of ash, the Weapon +returned.</p> + +<p>"Ah, good Jacob!" it boomed +jovially. "Let us be up and doing! +Thirty-six planets remain to be +visited before my current assignment +is concluded!"</p> + +<p>"Do all of them get—that?" +asked Jacob, nodding toward the +lifeless world below.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I was instructed to render +this solar system lifeless before +I malfunctioned. Since then, +the life of this system has spread, +with my insane aid, to infest +other systems. Of course, my task +must now include all those new +Hovan worlds."</p> + +<p>"Now wait a minute!" said +Jacob in terror. "I can't let you +do that!"</p> + +<p>"They are your enemies, Jacob," +reminded the Weapon. +"They meant to kill every human +on Terra. Also, by your own +words, they are soulless animals +who live in sinful adultery. Ha! +It amuses me to reason with you, +Slave Jacob!"</p> + +<p>"Godamighty, forgive me!" +prayed Jacob, in horrified defeat.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_t.jpg" alt="T" width="36" height="40" /></div> +<p>he Weapon seemed to know +how to find the Hovan planets +from the markings of the cruiser's +star charts. Jacob could not read +the charts and saw no hope of +getting back to earth and Suzy +and the kids without the Weapon's +help. Dully, he went about +the tasks the Weapon ordered him +to do.</p> + +<p>Several weeks passed as one +world after another was left a +smoking ruin.</p> + +<p>Finally the job was done.</p> + +<p>"<i>Now</i>, can I go home?" begged +Jacob.</p> + +<p>"To Terra? No, Slave. I still +need a pilot."</p> + +<p>"But if you take me home," +Jacob continued desperately, +"you can get a better pilot than +me. I'm just a dirt farmer. +There's all kinds of airplane pilots +on Earth, youngsters without +families who would give their +right arms to fly this thing, I +bet!"</p> + +<p>"Ah?" The Weapon considered. +"A willing slave is, of course, +always desirable. On the other +hand, Terra is up in arms against +the empire of Hova, not realizing +it is dead. They would destroy +this craft on sight, and I would +be obliged to wait around until +they could construct another for +me. No, I have decided we will +not go to Terra."</p> + +<p>"But, damn it, where else is +there to go?"</p> + +<p>"In search of my masters of +Zoz," replied the Weapon. "Naturally, +I wish to return myself +to their services as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>"But they might be anywhere!"</p> + +<p>"True," the Weapon agreed. +"But even after a billion years, +I know of several places in the +Universe they may be near. Their +great cleansing sweeps tend to +circle and turn in a pattern established +long in advance. Thus we +will go to those places where +they may now be engaged in +their consecrated task of universal +purification."</p> + +<p>"But—"</p> + +<p>"No more, Slave! We go!"</p> + +<p>Out of the Milky Way, the +cruiser hurtled at a speed which +a sentient lightwave would find +meaningless. On and on they +journeyed in quest of the long-dead +Zoz Horde.</p> + +<p>They may still be going.</p> + +<p class="p1"><b>—HOWARD L. MYERS</b></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Reluctant Weapon, by Howard L. 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Myers + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Reluctant Weapon + +Author: Howard L. Myers + +Illustrator: Emsh + +Release Date: April 15, 2010 [EBook #31995] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RELUCTANT WEAPON *** + + + + +Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Greg Weeks, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + Transcriber's Note: + + This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction December 1952. + Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. + copyright on this publication was renewed. + + + The Reluctant Weapon + + + by HOWARD L. MYERS + + + Illustrated by EMSH + + + _A live weapon is a downright liability ... it's all too apt + to get qualms of conscience!_ + + * * * * * + + + + +_When the Zoz Horde passed destructively through this sector of the +Galaxy, approximately a billion years ago, they suffered a minor loss. +One of their weapons, Sentient Killer No. VT672, had an unexplained +malfunction and was left behind to be repaired by the slave +technicians who followed the Horde. However, the Zoz were met and +annihilated by the Ghesh Empire, after which the masterless slaves +dispersed to their home planets. The weapon, unrepaired, was left +forgotten in the solar system it had failed to destroy._ + +[Illustration:] + + * * * * * + +Tresqu the Wisest, Ruler of Hova, Lord of the Universe, was being +entertained by a troupe of Goefd dancers when his Lord of War, Wert, +bounded into the Audience Hall. In his hurry to reach Tresqu's throne, +Wert slipped on the nearly frictionless floor and skidded through the +formation of dancers, sending the slender Goefden sprawling in all +directions. He slid to a halt by the Pleading Mat, onto which he +crawled and groveled, awaiting permission to speak. + +"I believe three of the dancers received broken legs," Tresqu observed +calmly. "They are rather delicate creatures and not at all clumsy." He +dipped the tip of his tail into an urn of chilled perfume and gently +dabbed it about his nostril. Speaking pleasantly, with long pauses +between sentences, he kept his friendly gaze on the groveling Wert. +"Oft I meditate on the clumsiness of our race in comparison to many +others who are our graceful servants. Why, I wonder, cannot the rulers +be graceful? Some of us are very clumsy indeed--too clumsy to live." + +A tremor passed through Wert's stocky body. + +"Possibly my Lord of War has news of sufficient import to excuse his +ungainly haste. But I sincerely doubt it. I fear I must soon appoint a +successor to him. Undoubtedly he has news of some sort. Blurt, Wert!" + +"Your Majestic Wisdom," whined Wert, "my message is of utmost +importance! The natives of Sol III have captured one of our +decontaminator ships and learned its secrets!" + +"Sol III?" + +"Yes, Your Wisdom. The planet called Terra." + +"Terra? You must realize, lordling, that I cannot occupy myself with +remembering trivialities about individual worlds." + +"Yes, Your Wisdom. We have a base, which is commanded by--that is, we +_had_ a base commanded--" + +"Enough!" snapped Tresqu. "You start your tale from nowhere and wander +whence and hence!" He raised his voice and called to one of his +retainers. "Fool! Come forward!" + +An abnormally slender Hovan arose from a platform off to Tresqu's left +and skipped nimbly forward to stand insolently over the Lord of War, +who was still prone on the Pleading Mat. + +"Recite for me," said Tresqu, "the contents of my gazetteer on the +planet Sol III. Listen well, Wert. You may even yet live long enough +to profit by my Fool's style of declamation. Study it well. Also, you +may raise your eyes sufficiently to observe the grace of his +movements. Proceed, sprite." + +"Sol III," began the Fool. "An H9 planet. Sol is in the Sirian Colony +Sector, coordinates GL 15-44-17-5, GR 12 [to the power of 7] plus 9, D +14. Terra's life is normal animal-vegetable, with one intelligent +species of hovoids called Humans. Due to the unpleasantly high oxygen +content of the atmosphere, Terra has not been colonized, but has been +placed under the control of the Science Ministry for the purpose of +long-range psychological experiments." The Fool picked up Wert's tail +and twisted it hard but absently as he talked. The Lord of War +twitched painfully. "Many informative reports on the results of these +experiments have been released by the ministry during the past seven +thousand years, dealing mainly with the Humans. The Science Ministry +has declared Terra out of bounds--_Positively no visitors_." + +With a single flow of motion, the Fool gave Wert's tail a final twist, +leaped over his body, and bowed deeply to Tresqu. + +"Beautifully done, Fool," applauded the Ruler of Hova. "Your mother +claims me as your father, and there are times I am inclined to believe +her. How would you like to be my Lord of War, Fool?" + +"Verily, my good master," said the Fool, "I hope you consider me a +Fool by title only." + +"Well said, Fool. You are spared. Go seek your pleasures." + +With another bow, the Fool backed away. + +"Stand up, Wert," said Tresqu, "and tell me about this captured +decontamination ship." + +The Lord of War arose and managed to report with some smoothness. "Two +years ago, the Science Ministry turned Terra over to my command, +saying their long series of experiments was concluded. They +recommended complete decontamination of the planet, since the Humans +were developing technologies which could eventually threaten us. I +dispatched a ship for that purpose immediately, but it failed to +return. Also, reports from our base on Terra's satellite Luna ceased +soon thereafter. A scouting expedition was sent. It has just reported +the Luna base destroyed completely, and the decontaminator ship +crashed and stripped of all important devices in one of the Terran +deserts. By studying these removed devices, the Humans have +undoubtedly developed protections against them. + +"I humbly submit, Your Majestic Wisdom, that these events have +endangered the safety of your glorious empire, and that drastic steps +against the Humans should be taken immediately. Also, Good Lord of +All, I submit that the Science Ministry, not the War Ministry, is at +fault in this affair. They obviously let their experiments get out of +control before calling us. Undoubtedly they would like to shift the +full blame onto my shoulders." + +Tresqu continued his pleasant demeanor. "There may be some truth in +what you say, Wert. You overestimate the danger in this matter, I +perceive. After all, what is one backward planet against the forces of +my empire containing thirty-seven well-armed worlds? The Humans will +be destroyed, even if they have the secrets of a decontaminator ship. +As for the blame, which I admit is deplorable, the Lord of Science +will be called to the Mat to make his excuses. Now, assuming you +remain Lord of War, what action do you plan to take against the +Humans?" + +"Your Gracious Wisdom," faltered Wert, "I suggest we use the--the +Weapon. You see, our forces are not fully mobilized at present for +immediate action--" + +"Full mobilization isn't necessary or even desirable," Tresqu +interrupted with some impatience. "One task force can do the job. Ah! +I see by your expression that you do not have even one task force in +readiness." + +"Your Gracious Wisdom," begged Wert, "you ordered a full holiday this +month to celebrate the twenty-fourth anniversary of your magnificent +reign, and--" + +"Enough, Wert! Your tongue is as clumsy as your body." Tresqu nibbled +thoughtfully at the tip of his tail. "We will use the Weapon," he +decided. "In order to allow my court to continue their holiday, I'll +assume direct command in this." He rose from his throne. "Musicians, +summon my guards. I go to visit the Weapon. Come, Wert; come also, +Fool. You will accompany me." + + * * * * * + +Shortly thereafter, Tresqu and his entourage boarded the royal cruiser +and roared away from the City of Wisdom. The ship flew halfway around +the planet and came to rest in a peaceful purple valley where insects +shrilled contentedly and a small stream rippled. Tresqu climbed out +onto the violet turf, his followers coming after him. + +"Mighty Weapon of Zoz," he called, "I, Tresqu, seek your presence!" + +"Oh, no!" groaned a slightly mechanical voice that seemed to come +from no particular direction. "Will there never be peace, never a +tranquil moment to soothe my spirit and erase the bloody stains of +destruction recorded on my past?" + +"That voice! It carries me away!" breathed the Fool. "Such a tragic +tale of tormented strength is implicit in its very tone that I think I +shall swoon!" But he wrapped his tail around the trunk of a nearby +sapling for support and managed to retain consciousness. + +"Me, too!" Wert chimed in with suspicious haste. "I'm quite moved!" + +"Try not to counterfeit a soul you do not possess." Tresqu glowered at +Wert. "You deceive no one." + +The Fool was recovered sufficiently to hit the discomfited Lord of War +with a pebble when Tresqu was not watching. + +The Weapon had drifted into sight during this exchange, floating out +of a shady hollow, as if blown by a breeze. It was very simple in +appearance--an impalpable three-foot glowing sphere with a squat +metallic cylinder at its base. + +"Tell me not the purpose of your visit, petty lord!" It said. "It is +known to me only too well. Ah, great First Principle! Little did I +reck when, in ages past, I nursed your species to civilization, just +how poorly you would serve my purpose. Peace it was I desired, but do +I get it? No! Your kingdom is powerful, but you have not the strength +to handle your own troubles. You rule twenty-nine planets--" + +[Illustration] + +"Thirty-seven," corrected Tresqu politely. + +"--thirty-seven planets, but when a malignant force appears on your +borders, I, the Weapon, must be called upon to act in my own defense, +and for the sake of a few more restful moments in this calm glade, I +am obliged to destroy, yet it was to avoid destroying that I helped +your species to empire in the old days." + +"In truth," spoke the deeply sympathetic Tresqu, "yours is a sad +story. I disturb your richly earned rest only after the sincerest +soul-searching. But affairs of state are at cross purposes in a moment +of crisis, and without your help Hova will be in danger." + +"Ah, cruel Fate!" entoned the Weapon, "It aids me in no manner to +protest against your inscrutable machinations! There is no turning +aside, no avoidance of necessity!" In a less declamatory style, the +Weapon addressed Tresqu: "Very well, what is the trouble?" + +Tresqu described the events on Terra for the Weapon, concluding, "Now +that the Humans have knowledge of our space drive and armament, they +are certain to attack, especially if they realize they have been +subjects for experiment." + +The Weapon flitted about restlessly along the bank of the brook. "I +question the motives of my own thoughts. Do I quibble with myself in +an attempt to escape unwelcome necessities? Tell, petty lord, do your +scientists confirm the picture you paint of the Humans? Are they, like +you, alas, masterfully vicious enough to destroy the peace of dozens +of planets for nothing but revenge?" + +"So the scientists say, mighty Weapon," answered Tresqu. + +"You, Lord of War, why are you silent when your face is strained with +words crying for expression?" asked the Weapon. "Speak your mind." + +Wert squirmed. "If it please Your Mightiness, and you, Your Gracious +Wisdom, I believe the Humans will know that we desire their +destruction, and will try to defeat us for the sake of their own +survival rather than revenge." + +"A most convincing point, Lord of War," said the Weapon. + +Tresqu flashed a forgiving smile at Wert while the Weapon paused +before continuing: + +"However, I fear my unwilling spirit refuses to bow to the most +reasonable of arguments. Please leave me; solve the problem +yourselves!" + +Tresqu bowed and moved toward the cruiser. "We obey, Mighty Guide of +our fathers. Let me say in parting that I, too, am grieved by our +talk, much more because of the pain our visit has caused your noble +greatness than because our race is threatened with annihilation. My +deepest hope is that the ravages of war will never reach this peaceful +place which is so dear to your gentle being." + +"Wait!" groaned the Weapon. "To slay, or not to slay, that is the +dilemma. Ah, had my old masters of Zoz only left within my powers the +seed of my own destruction, I would gladly seek the consummation of +ultimate peace. But, no, that door is closed to me by deathless locks. +Bring me a Human, that I may learn to hate him. Choose the most +ignoble specimen available. I will converse with him at length so as +to become exasperated with all the despicable traits of his race. +Then, in my contempt for those traits, I will be able to cleanse the +Universe of all Humans." + +Tresqu turned quickly to his Fool. "Are there any Humans on Hova?" + +"Yes, in the biological research laboratories." + +"Then go quickly, Fool, and fetch one. This is a grave matter, and I +trust you to choose the most monstrous specimen available. Hurry!" + +The Fool ran into the cruiser and was on his way, leaving Tresqu, +Wert, and several guardsmen with the Weapon. If the Weapon was +conscious of the fact that the Lord of Hova was staying behind out of +courtesy, it did not show it. Instead, it wandered indifferently away, +mumbling a soliloquy of guilt and misery. + + * * * * * + +The sight of the Fool's specimen of humanity repaid Tresqu for the +tediousness of the waiting. It was a particularly sordid-looking +creature with a dirty growth of hairs on its head and face. Its body, +thin as the Fool's, but with no compensating grace of movement, was +clad in a blue garment of roughly woven vegetable fibers, and the +extremities of its nether limbs were enclosed in evil-smelling boxes +of animal hide. Its fierce eyes darted ominously from one Hovan to +another. Its jaw kept working in a slow rhythm, and occasionally a +stream of black liquid exploded through its mouth. + +"You have done well, Fool," said Tresqu. "You will be rewarded +highly." Raising his voice he called, "Mighty Weapon, your specimen +awaits!" + +"I come!" Once more the Weapon floated into view. + +The Earthman's jaw sagged. "'Y God!" he muttered in English, staring +at the approaching Weapon. + +"Indeed," said the Weapon, "this appears to be a creature I could +learn to abhor and kill. If only its thoughts equal its +appearance--Speak, Human!" + +The man said nothing. + +"Mighty Weapon," murmured the Fool, "this Human is truly an ignoble +monster. He has been in captivity for five years and has yet to speak +a word of our beautiful language instead of his own barbaric tongue." + +"You fool!" shouted Tresqu. "How is the Weapon going to converse with +him? Why did you bring one that cannot talk?" + +Not in the least disconcerted, the Fool replied, "As you ordered, good +master, I brought the worst specimen available. However, the +possibility of linguistic difficulties was not overlooked. I have here +a dictionary of his language, recently compiled by our Alien Affairs +staff." He produced a large volume of manuscript from beneath his +cloak. + +"Your Fool shows wisdom, petty lord," spoke the Weapon. "I will study +this book. Know the language, know the people, it is wisely said. In +fact, I originated that saying myself some three thousand years ago, I +believe. Unship any supplies brought for the Human and begone. Three +days will suffice for the arousal of my wrath. Return then." + +"As you wish, O Mightiest of All." Tresqu bowed gawkily. "It is my +most ardent desire, Wondrous Guide, that we, your servants, will not +be obliged to disturb your peace again for a thousand centuries, once +this affair is concluded." + +"And mine," the Weapon snapped crossly. "Now leave me." + + * * * * * + +The man watched the Hovans enter their cruiser and fly away. Looking +at the Weapon hovering nearby, he squatted on his heels and pulled up +a blade of purple grass to chew. Minutes passed in silence. Then the +Weapon moved away, the book bobbing along behind, supported by some +unseen force. + +When it was out of sight, the man muttered, "'Y God, I've saw +fireballs in my time, but that's the first one I ever saw settin' in a +bucket!" + +After a thoughtful examination of his surroundings, the man stood up +and walked to the packing cases the Hovans had left. All but one +contained the synthetic food product to which he had grown accustomed +in his five years of captivity. The other box, rather small, contained +a shredded vegetable which served him as a poor substitute for chewing +tobacco. Purple when growing, the leaves of this vegetable were +blue-black when cured, making his frequent expectorations look like +ink. + +"Filthy damn stuff!" he grunted, stuffing several handfuls in an empty +overall pocket. + +He shuffled down to the brook and tested its temperature with a hand. +Finding it rather cold, he decided against taking a bath. Instead, he +spat into it and watched meditatively as the spot of black was carried +downstream. "I wonder what they turned me loose for," he monologued. + +Careful to avoid the spot where the Weapon appeared to have gone, he +returned to the food supply and ate. By then it was getting dark, and +he bedded down for the night on some thick grass under a tree. + +"'Y God," he yawned, "I'm glad all these insects don't want nothin' to +do with me." + +The Weapon was waiting beside him when he woke up next morning. "Eyes +of your Terran Deity," it said, "I shall now converse with you in your +own tongue. Name yourself, creature!" + + * * * * * + +The man sat up startled. A moment passed before he said, "I'm +Jake--Jacob Absher. What was that you said?" + +"My pronunciation is above reproach, Jacob. Therefore I will not +repeat myself. Attend me closely or I shall punish you." + +"'Y God, I heard you all right and you didn't make sense!" said Jacob, +determined not to be frightened. "Now if you aim to talk with me, stop +imitatin' a professor and talk so's a man can understand you. I ain't +scared of you, so leave off makin' threats!" + +"Such stupid insolence!" gloated the Weapon. "Already I feel my wrath +growing within me! Since it will anger me even more to explain my +words to you, I will do exactly that. My first words to you were, +'Eyes of your Terran Deity,' an expression you use frequently in a +corrupted form to begin your statements. By studying your language, I +learned that 'Zounds' is a similar corruption referring to the wounds +of the Deity, while 'Strewth' refers to your God's truth. Thus, I was +able to understand, and state in uncorrupted form, your remark, 'Eye +God.'" + +"'Tain't what it means," objected Jacob, filling his mouth with ersatz +tobacco. "It just means _by_ God." + +The Weapon considered this. "And exactly what is the significance of +such a remark?" + +Jacob scratched his whiskered chin. "I reckon you got me there. I +guess it means that I mean what I say." + +"In other words, any statement you make following that phrase is to be +taken seriously?" + +"Somethin' like that." + +"Then it follows that your other statements, without the 'by God' +preface, are not seriously intended. Are they jokes or lies?" + +"That ain't the way it is at all! I just say 'by God' when I feel like +it, not every time I'm bein' serious." + +"Monstrous inconsistency!" groaned the Weapon dramatically. "Ah, +chaotic universe! Is there then no sublime plan, no fateful +development to your endless succession of days? How could even the +most synoptic First Principle find a purpose for creating such an +unplanned, unreasonable species as the Humans? Can it be--unhappy +thought!--that there is no plan to it all, and we exist for naught?" + +Jacob listened with open mouth. "Say," he broke in, "are you some kind +of play-actor?" + +"That is what I ask myself," the Weapon continued its oratorical +flight. "Are we all actors, speaking the lines written for us by a +Great Playwright who plans to unite all the threads of his plot in a +universal climax to come? Or are we poor random creatures without +purpose?" It paused and added in a more conversational tone, "But that +is not what you mean by your question. No, I am not a play-actor. I am +an unfortunate weapon, reluctant to employ myself for my intended +purpose of destruction of life and unsuited by my structure for the +doing of deeds more worthy in nature." + +Jacob squinted about. "A weapon, huh? Let's see you hit that bird +thing sittin' in that tree over there." + +"Bloodthirsty fiend! I do not kill for amusement!" + +"I just wanted to see how you worked," said the abashed Jacob. "All +I've seen you do is float around and talk a blue streak. As far as I'm +concerned, you ain't nothin' but a big-mouthed bluff." + +"Very well, Jacob. If you have formed such an erroneous attitude, it +will be necessary for me to correct you immediately. Observe the red +boulder on yonder hill." + +"I see it." + + * * * * * + +The cylindrical base of the Weapon swung to point briefly at the +boulder, which quietly crumbled to dust. + +"I be dog!" yelped Jacob. He looked at the Weapon with respect. "You +sure pulverized it! How do you work?" + +"You could not understand the processes involved. Suffice it to say I +have the means to collect energy in general and retransmit it in +specific forms and directions. But enough of this. You are here to +answer questions, not ask them. First, tell me what you did in an +average day on Terra." + +"That what you call the world I live on?" + +"Yes." + +"I'm a farmer, you know. I got a place in the Smoky Mountains in +Tennessee. First thing in the mornin', I'd go feed the livestock while +Suzy cooked breakfast." A faraway look came into Jacob's eyes. "Guess +she took the kids and went to live with her mammy when these here +animals grabbed me...." + +"Continue," commanded the Weapon. + +"Huh? Well, then we'd eat breakfast. Come to think of it, I ain't et +yet this mornin'." Jacob got up and went to get himself some +breakfast. + +"But this matter--" protested the Weapon. + +"Not on an empty stomach," Jacob said calmly, eating without haste. + + * * * * * + +When he returned, the Weapon questioned him further about his life on +Terra. Hours of ill-tempered conversation passed. + +"Such drabness!" the Weapon finally exclaimed. "Creatures who lead +such dull lives as yours should welcome extinction. Not once have you +mentioned an appreciation of the wondrous exaltation that comes from +an esthetic feel for beauty. With the labor of providing for your +grotesque body's animal cravings is your whole life spent. Not in +anger, but as an act of mercy, can I exterminate your defective race!" + +Jacob's mouth hung open. "So _that's_ what your monkey's brung me out +here for--fixin' to kill us! 'Y God, you better look out! We got atom +bombs on Earth an' we'll use 'em on you if you try anything!" + +"Toys!" sneered the Weapon. "Be assured, Jacob, that I have nothing to +fear from any childish mechanisms your Terrans can contrive!" + +Jacob sat stunned. "But you said a minute ago you couldn't kill +nothin'!" + +"I can kill only when I'm convinced it is best for my own repose or +for the health of the Universe. Long ago, I could go forth at battle +with thoughtless joy at the command of my masters of Zoz, but now I +must have reasons, must converse at length with my aberrated emotions, +must prepare myself as for an ordeal." + +"Them Zozes must've been the Devil's minions," argued Jacob. "The +Commandments says, 'Thou shalt not kill' and when you go against that, +you're goin' against the word of God." + +"Poor, futile creature!" sympathized the Weapon. "You actually strive +to pit your naive superstitious mind against my highly developed +mentality in argument. You actually associate my supreme masters of +old with your puny mythological villain! Lowliness should know its +place. But I feel no anger--merely a pitying desire to relieve your +kind of the burden of living." + +Silently, Jacob replenished the wad of "tobacco" in his mouth. After +chewing a while, he spat and said dolefully, "I don't reckon there's +nothin' I can say or do that you won't hold against me. I always +heard tell the Devil can twist anything to suit hisself, and I reckon +his minions can do the same thing. An' that's what you are: the +Devil's minion! I reckon you break every Commandment God give us. +Except about committin' adultery. I don't guess you can do that." + +"Your piddling reproductive customs have no application on my plane of +existence. Cannot you comprehend that you are less to me than a +microbe? Even my servants, the Hovans, do not concern themselves with +such ignoble concepts as what you call adultery!" + +"You mean they live in sin?" asked Jacob. + +"They mate as often as they please with anyone they please," the +Weapon replied coldly. "I will ignore the ludicrous implications of +your absurd moral concepts." + +"I don't mean to criticize your animal friends," glowered Jacob. "I +reckon they ain't children of God, so it don't matter if they _do_ +mate like a pack of dogs. They probably ain't got no souls to keep +pure. It looked to me like they worshiped you like a false god, too." + +"They ... O Great Hidden Manifestation!" squalled the Weapon in rage. +"They regard me as their guide and mentor. Nothing more. I would not +allow anything else." + +Jacob watched the Weapon in awe. The energy globe was flickering and +flaring wildly in an uncontrolled display of color. "'Y God!" he +exclaimed. "You sure are puttin' on a fireworks show!" + +The globe settled down to a tensely nervous fluctuation which hurt +Jacob's eyes to watch. "Never in the ageless span of my existence," +quavered the Weapon angrily, "have I been insulted in such vulgar +terms by any creature. And now from _you_, creature whom my glorious +masters of Zoz would exterminate like a buzzing fly, like a disease +germ, I hear these senseless mouthings of defamation! Stop it or I +shall destroy you outright!" + +The Weapon's fluctuating, along with its loud, grating voice, put +Jacob's nerves on edge. He growled, "I bet your old Zozes live in +adultery just like your animal friends." + +The color of the energy globe sank to dull red and the Weapon emitted +a series of buzzing, inarticulate noises. + +"It suits not my nature, bit of diseased scum, to slay you in a fit of +indignation," it finally said with tightly controlled fury. "You are +beneath such individual recognition. Yet it is fortunate for you that +your insults have no basis in reality, otherwise my intellect could +not have claimed ascendancy over the immediate urges of my tortured +sense of extreme disgust. Be wise, say I, knowing I request the +impossible, and irk me no more!" + +"'Y God, I reckon you don't think you rile me up, too, with all that +high falutin' jabber of yours!" Jacob snapped back. + +"As I speak, so speak the mighty Zoz," replied the Weapon in high +dignity. "They are great and noble beings, given to poetic flights and +magnificent deeds. To them, your puny opinions would not even be +recognized as thought." + +"If they talk in that puttin'-on, play-actin' way you do, they are a +bunch of phony show-offin' hypocrites!" sulked Jacob. + +Several things happened too quickly for Jacob to follow. The color of +the energy globe dropped to absolute black. The metallic cylinder +swung up to point at Jacob. A thin ringing "_Ping!_" sounded in the +cylinder. A killing wave of pure hate struck Jacob. + +He had just enough time to know he was a dead man before he blacked +out. + + * * * * * + +It came as a surprise, when Jacob regained consciousness, to find that +he was stretched out on purple grass with the Weapon still hovering +over him. + +"You missed, 'y God!" he mumbled, sitting up. + +"I regained my sanity in time, Master Technician," the Weapon replied +pleasantly. + +"Huh?" + +"Ah, day of un-containable joy!" sang the Weapon, flaming pure white. +"Day of glorious release to continue the grandeur of old! As the past +eons of futility passed over me, I sank to the conclusion that I was +forever condemned to my useless existence on this planet, with nothing +to sustain my spirit other than the sense of beauty given me by +masters to fill my leisure hours! But now, Master Technician Jacob, +you have found me and corrected my malfunction, long after I had +surrendered all hope!" + +Still dazed by the nearly fatal wave of mental energy the Weapon had +directed at him, Jacob could not understand what had happened. Instead +of talking contemptuously to him, the Weapon was now addressing him as +Master Something-or-other, and.... + +"What did you say I done?" he asked. + +"You corrected my malfunction," repeated the Weapon. "That is to say, +you purged my mechanism of the inhibition against joyful slaughter +that has plagued me for a billion years. Ah, you are a clever +Technician, Jacob! But I comprehend it all now. By arousing within me +an overwhelming emotional desire to kill--a singularly strange +feeling!--you depressed my inhibition to the releasing point. So +telling was your masterful therapy that I almost ceased functioning at +all! + +"Your own life was in dire danger for the moment required for my +new-found sanity to assume control. But, of course, all slaves of the +glorious Zoz die willingly when the work of the masters so demands." + +"Now wait a minute!" objected Jacob. "I ain't no slave of your Zozes +or no Technician either! You know what I am--a good God-fearin' +human!" His voice dropped to a pleading mumble. "And may God forgive +me if I've got myself in league with the Devil!" + +"Ah? Could it be?" murmured the Weapon. "Could indeed your infuriating +insults of the Great Ones have been honest expressions of a puny mind +with no therapeutic intentions? I answer: Yes. The possible occurrence +of specific incidents in the inclusion of space-time is curiously +unlimited. But you have served me, Jacob, and have earned the +privilege of continuing your meager, momentary life. Besides, I can +use you further." + +"You can, huh?" Jacob said slyly. "Look here, Weapon, I'll make a +bargain with you." + +"Ha! Stupid, untutored slave!" chuckled the Weapon. "Learn that yours +is to obey, not to bargain. But yet, state your price for my +amusement, now that I can no longer be enraged by your words." + +"Well, you let the rest of the people on Earth alone and I'll do +whatever you want me to." + +After a pause, the Weapon quoted, "'Nobility shows its traces in +surprising places.' You do not sufficiently comprehend my nature, +Technician Slave Jacob. I am a Weapon. My masters point me, as you +would point a rifle, and command that I destroy. I kill at their +direction, but seldom otherwise. Thus, your Terra is safe until +another Weapon or I am aimed and directed. You can make no bargain." + +Jacob thought this over. While doing so, the Weapon drifted away. + +"Wait here, slave," it said in parting. "I go to meditate on my +recovered sanity." + + * * * * * + +During the next two days, Jacob caught an occasional glimpse of the +Weapon drifting thoughtfully around in the depths of the forest, but +they did not meet for conversation. Jacob amused himself by rigging a +fishing line out of some of the packaging material that contained his +food. He even succeeded in catching a fish, but its queer odor +discouraged him from trying to cook and eat it. + +Then the royal cruiser of Tresqu the Wisest dropped into the meadow. +Its airlock swung open and the Ruler of Hova, followed by his +entourage, came out. + +"Oh, Mighty Weapon!" bawled Tresqu. "Your loving servant craves +audience!" + +"Ah, you have returned, petty lord," said the Weapon, drifting out +from among the trees. "Serve me by calling all the crew members from +your noble ship, that I may view you all together." + +Puzzled, Tresqu bowed and said, "Your least whim is law, Mighty +Weapon." He turned and called, "All hands, outside!" + +A half-dozen Hovans tumbled through the lock to stand in line behind +the ruler's entourage. + +"Is this all of them?" asked the Weapon. + +"All, Great Mentor of--" + +The Weapon laughed and the Hovans fell dead. + +"Come, Slave Jacob," commanded the Weapon. "We take this cruiser." + +Dazed and slack-faced, Jacob came out from behind a bush, where he had +hidden himself from the Hovans, and followed the Weapon through the +airlock. + +"Even in my insanity, I planned well," said the Weapon. "These ships, +which I taught the Hovans to construct, can be operated simply, even +by such as you. Attend my instructions." + +[Illustration] + +First, the Weapon taught Jacob to open and close the airlock. Then he +was shown how to fuel the engines, upon which the Weapon made some +changes to improve their performance. Finally, in the control room, +Jacob learned to fly the ship. + +This took several hours, at the end of which time Jacob had succeeded +in raising the cruiser into a satellite orbit around Hova. + +"Do you comprehend, Slave?" asked the Weapon. + +"Sure. This thing ain't nothin' to run compared to a T-model Ford! +Which way is it to Earth?" + +"That I shall not tell you, Jacob, because I must leave the ship for a +few hours and desire to find you here when I return. Consider and tell +me: Will you be here?" + +Jacob gazed at the broad, star-spangled viewplate that curved around +his seat at the controls. There was, he reflected an awful lot of +nothing out there for a man to get lost in. + +"I'll be here," he promised. + +"Very good. You must understand that these controls are constructed +for manipulation by such limbs as your own and those of the Hovans. +Thus, it is convenient for me to use you as a pilot instead of doing +the drab, mechanical task with my ill-suited force-field manipulators. +You will be wise to serve me well, Jacob." + +Jacob nodded. "You got a point there." + +"Operate the lock for me," the Weapon ordered. + +Jacob did so and watched the colorful machine drift out of sight in +the atmosphere below the cruiser. + +Minutes ticked quietly by as Jacob gazed down at the purple planet and +wondered why the Weapon had not chosen a trained Hovan pilot instead +of him. Also, he wondered how soon the Weapon would take him home to +Earth. + +A great swath of the purple planet began turning black. The black +dulled to the gray shade of ashes as the swath grew longer. Over the +surface of Hova, the blackening moved like some colossal paint brush. +Dense clouds of smoke rolled upward to the high reaches of the +atmosphere. + +Jacob realized why the Weapon had not selected a Hovan pilot. + +When all of Hova was a lifeless ball in a fog of ash, the Weapon +returned. + +"Ah, good Jacob!" it boomed jovially. "Let us be up and doing! +Thirty-six planets remain to be visited before my current assignment +is concluded!" + +"Do all of them get--that?" asked Jacob, nodding toward the lifeless +world below. + +"Yes. I was instructed to render this solar system lifeless before I +malfunctioned. Since then, the life of this system has spread, with my +insane aid, to infest other systems. Of course, my task must now +include all those new Hovan worlds." + +"Now wait a minute!" said Jacob in terror. "I can't let you do that!" + +"They are your enemies, Jacob," reminded the Weapon. "They meant to +kill every human on Terra. Also, by your own words, they are soulless +animals who live in sinful adultery. Ha! It amuses me to reason with +you, Slave Jacob!" + +"Godamighty, forgive me!" prayed Jacob, in horrified defeat. + + * * * * * + +The Weapon seemed to know how to find the Hovan planets from the +markings of the cruiser's star charts. Jacob could not read the charts +and saw no hope of getting back to earth and Suzy and the kids without +the Weapon's help. Dully, he went about the tasks the Weapon ordered +him to do. + +Several weeks passed as one world after another was left a smoking +ruin. + +Finally the job was done. + +"_Now_, can I go home?" begged Jacob. + +"To Terra? No, Slave. I still need a pilot." + +"But if you take me home," Jacob continued desperately, "you can get a +better pilot than me. I'm just a dirt farmer. There's all kinds of +airplane pilots on Earth, youngsters without families who would give +their right arms to fly this thing, I bet!" + +"Ah?" The Weapon considered. "A willing slave is, of course, always +desirable. On the other hand, Terra is up in arms against the empire +of Hova, not realizing it is dead. They would destroy this craft on +sight, and I would be obliged to wait around until they could +construct another for me. No, I have decided we will not go to Terra." + +"But, damn it, where else is there to go?" + +"In search of my masters of Zoz," replied the Weapon. "Naturally, I +wish to return myself to their services as soon as possible." + +"But they might be anywhere!" + +"True," the Weapon agreed. "But even after a billion years, I know of +several places in the Universe they may be near. Their great cleansing +sweeps tend to circle and turn in a pattern established long in +advance. Thus we will go to those places where they may now be engaged +in their consecrated task of universal purification." + +"But--" + +"No more, Slave! We go!" + +Out of the Milky Way, the cruiser hurtled at a speed which a sentient +lightwave would find meaningless. On and on they journeyed in quest of +the long-dead Zoz Horde. + +They may still be going. + + --HOWARD L. MYERS + + * * * * * + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Reluctant Weapon, by Howard L. 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