diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-05 19:06:31 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-05 19:06:31 -0800 |
| commit | b8f06e9a0c3e8324c24c5c0a079456c359298263 (patch) | |
| tree | 3fcffd4a03fd38f595889a6ad957fb424dcaa7eb | |
| parent | 0d3c1477d758c0cf81ed796800257881022d8681 (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51868-h.zip | bin | 393874 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51868-h/51868-h.htm | 2961 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51868-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 103085 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51868-h/images/illus1.jpg | bin | 97163 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51868-h/images/illus2.jpg | bin | 77947 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51868-h/images/illus3.jpg | bin | 65513 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51868.txt | 2822 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51868.zip | bin | 48922 -> 0 bytes |
11 files changed, 17 insertions, 5783 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..493a166 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #51868 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51868) diff --git a/old/51868-h.zip b/old/51868-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ee9fec6..0000000 --- a/old/51868-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/51868-h/51868-h.htm b/old/51868-h/51868-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 808e1cf..0000000 --- a/old/51868-h/51868-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2961 +0,0 @@ -<!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=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Troublemakers, by George O. Smith. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -.ph1, .ph2, .ph3, .ph4 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; } -.ph1 { font-size: xx-large; margin: .67em auto; } -.ph2 { font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; } -.ph3 { font-size: large; margin: .83em auto; } -.ph4 { font-size: medium; margin: 1.12em auto; } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Troublemakers, by George O. Smith - -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/license - - -Title: The Troublemakers - -Author: George O. Smith - -Release Date: April 26, 2016 [EBook #51868] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TROUBLEMAKERS *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="403" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> -<h1>THE TROUBLEMAKERS</h1> - -<p>By GEORGE O. SMITH</p> - -<p>Illustrated by DICK FRANCIS</p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Galaxy Magazine April 1960.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph3"><i>What did Genetics and Hansen's Folly have<br /> -in common? Why, everything ... Genetics<br /> -was statistical and Hansen's Folly impossible!</i></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">I</p> - -<p>The living room reflected wealth, position, good taste. In size it was -a full ten feet by fourteen, with nearly an eight-foot ceiling. Light -was furnished by glow panels precisely balanced in color to produce -light's most flattering tint for the woman who sat in a delicate chair -of authentic, golden-veined blackwood.</p> - -<p>The chair itself must have cost a fortune to ship from Tau Ceti Five. -It was an ostentation in the eyes of the visitor, who viewed it as -evidence of a self-indulgent attitude that would certainly make his job -more difficult.</p> - -<p>The air in the room was fresh and very faintly aromatic, pleasing. It -came draftlessly refreshed at a temperature of seventy-six degrees and -a relative humidity of fifty per cent and permitted the entry of no -more than one foreign particle (dust) per cubic foot.</p> - -<p>The coffee table was another ostentation, but for a different reason -than the imported chair of blackwood. The coffee table was of -mahogany—terrestrial mahogany—and therefore either antique, heirloom, -or both, and in any combination of cases it was priceless. It gave -the visitor some dark pleasure to sit before it with his comparison -microscope parked on the polished mahogany surface, with the ease of -one who always parked his tools on tables and stands made of treasure -woods.</p> - -<p>There were four persons. Paul Hanford swirled brandy in a snifter -with a series of nervous gestures. Mrs. Hanford sat in the blackwood -chair unhappily, despite the flattering glow of the wall-panels. Their -daughter, Gloria, sat in such a way as to distract the visitor by -presenting a target that his eyes could not avoid. Try as he would, his -gaze kept straying to the slender, exposed bare ankle and the delicate, -high-arched foot visible beneath the hem of the girl's dress.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Norman Ross, GSch, was the visitor, and he subvocalized his tenth -self-indictment as he tore his gaze away from Gloria Hanford's ankle to -look into Paul Hanford's face. Ross was the Scholar of Genetics for the -local division of the Department of Domestic Tranquility and he should -have known all about such things, but he obviously did not.</p> - -<p>He said, "You can hardly blame yourselves, you know," although he did -not really believe it.</p> - -<p>"But what have we done wrong?" asked Mrs. Hanford in a plaintive voice.</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross shook his head and caught his gaze in mid-stray before it -returned all the way to that alluring ankle. "Genetics, my dear Mrs. -Hanford, is a statistical science, not a precise science." He waved -vaguely at the comparison microscope. "There are your backgrounds for -seven generations. No one—and I repeat, <i>no one</i>—could have foreseen -the issue of a headstrong, difficult offspring from the mating of -characteristics such as these. I checked most carefully, most minutely, -just to be certain that some obscure but important conflict had not -been overlooked by the signing doctor. Doctors, however, do make -mistakes."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus1.jpg" width="575" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Gloria Hanford dandled her calf provocatively and caused the hem of her -skirt to rise another half-inch. The scholar's eyes swung, clung, and -were jerked away again.</p> - -<p>"What's wrong with me, Scholar Ross?" she asked in a throaty voice.</p> - -<p>"You are headstrong, self-willed, wild, and—" his voice failed because -he wanted to lash out at her for her brazen and deliberate display of -her bare ankle; he struggled to find a drawing-room word for her that -would not wholly offend the hapless parents and ultimately came up -with—"meretricious."</p> - -<p>Gloria said, "I'm all that just because I enjoy a little fun?"</p> - -<p>"You may call it fun to scare people to death by flying your aircar -below roof level along the city streets, but the Department of Air -Traffic says that it is both dangerous and illegal."</p> - -<p>"Pooh!"</p> - -<p>Paul Hanford said, "Gloria, it isn't that you don't know better."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Hanford said, "Paul, how have we failed as parents?"</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross shook his head. "You haven't failed. You can't help it if -your daughter is a throwback—"</p> - -<p>"Throwback!" exclaimed Gloria.</p> - -<p>"—to an earlier, more violent age when uncontrolled groups of -headstrong youths formed gangs of New York and conducted open warfare -upon one another for the control of Tammany Hall. Those wild days were -the result of unregistered, unrestricted, and uncontrolled matings. -Since no attempt was made to prevent the unfit from mating with the -unfit, there were many generations of wild ones—troublemakers. It is -not surprising that, with such a human heritage, an occasional wild one -is born today."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The scholar took another surreptitious (he hoped) glance at the bare -ankle and said, "No, you are not directly to blame. We know you -wouldn't spawn a troublemaker willfully and maliciously. It's just -an unfortunate accident. You must not despair over the past—but you -<i>must</i> spend your efforts to calm the troubled future."</p> - -<p>"What should we do, Scholar Ross?" asked Paul Hanford.</p> - -<p>"I have to speak bluntly. Perhaps you'd prefer the ladies to leave."</p> - -<p>"I'll not go," said Mrs. Hanford firmly, and Gloria added, "I'm not -going to let you talk about me behind my back!"</p> - -<p>"Very well. As Scholar of Genetics, I am head of the local Division -of Domestic Tranquility. I would prefer to keep my district calm and -peaceful, without the attention of the punitive authorities, and I'm -sure you'd all prefer this, too."</p> - -<p>"Absolutely!" said Paul Hanford.</p> - -<p>"Now, then," said Scholar Ross, "for the immediate problem, we'll -prescribe fifty milligrams of dociline, one tablet to be taken each -night before retiring. This will place our young lady's frame of mind -in a receptive mood to suggestions of gentler pursuits. As soon as -possible, Mr. Hanford, subscribe to <i>Music To Live By</i> and have them -pipe in Program G-252 every evening, starting shortly after dinnertime -and signing off shortly after breakfast. Your daughter's dinnertime and -breakfast I mean, and the outlet should be in her bedroom. It is not -mandatory that she heed the program material all the time, but it must -be available to set her moods. Finally, upon awakening, a twenty-five -milligram tablet of nitrolabe will lower the patient's capacity for -anticipating excitement during the day."</p> - -<p>He paused for a moment thoughtfully, and added as if it were an -aside, "I'd not go so far as to suggest that you—her parents—make a -conscious effort to avoid listening to periods of Program G-252, but -I'd definitely warn you not to fall into the habit of listening to it."</p> - -<p>He eyed the ceiling thoughtfully, then consulted his notebook. "Come -to think of it, I'll also give you a prescription for Program X-870 -which you can use or not as you desire. Have this one piped into your -bedroom, Mrs. Hanford, and try to strike a somewhat reasonable balance. -Say no greater imbalance than about two of one to one of the other -and if you, Mr. Hanford, spend any time listening to your daughter's -program material, you should also counteract its effect by listening to -an equal time of the program prescribed for Mrs. Hanford."</p> - -<p>He turned back to Gloria and shook his head.</p> - -<p>She smiled archly at him and asked, "Now what's wrong?"</p> - -<p>"You," he told her bluntly. "If this delinquency weren't a mental -disorder, I'd prescribe a ten milligram dose of micrograine to be taken -at the first quickening of the pulse prior to excitement. I don't -suppose you really regret your wildness, though, do you, Miss Hanford?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>She shook her head. "No, and I don't really enjoy the whole program -you've laid out for me."</p> - -<p>"I'd hardly expect anybody to approve of a program that is calculated -to change their entire personality and character," said Scholar Ross. -"But a bit of common logic will convince you that it is the better -thing. Miss Hanford, you've simply <i>got</i> to conform."</p> - -<p>"Why?" she demanded.</p> - -<p>"We live in a free world, Miss Hanford, but it is a freedom diluted by -our responsibility to our fellow-man. The density of population here on -Earth is too high to permit rowdy behavior. Laws are not passed simply -to curtail a man's freedom. They are passed to protect the innocent -bystander—who is minding his own business—from the unruly, headstrong -character who doesn't see anything wrong in disposing of empty beer -bottles by dropping them out of his apartment window, and justifying -his behavior by pointing out that it is a hundred-yard walk down the -corridor to the trash chute. When we live so close together that no one -can raise his voice in anger without disturbing his neighbor, then we -have the right to pass laws against such a display of temper. It works -both ways, Miss Hanford. By requiring people to behave themselves, we -ultimately arrive at a social culture in which no one conducts himself -in such a way as to anger his neighbor into violence. Have I made -myself clear?"</p> - -<p>"In other words," said Gloria, "if it's fun, hurry up and pass a law -against it!"</p> - -<p>"Well, hardly that—" the scholar began.</p> - -<p>"Tell me," she interrupted. "How long am I going to be on this -pill-and-lullaby diet?"</p> - -<p>"It may be for a long time. In severe cases, it is for the rest of the -patient's life. On the other hand, we have quite a bit of evidence -that your urge to excitement may dwindle with maturity. Oh, we do not -propose to make a pariah out of you. Marriage and motherhood have -settling effects, too."</p> - -<p>"My baby—!" cried Mrs. Hanford.</p> - -<p>"Your baby," commented Paul Hanford in a very dry voice, "is a college -graduate, twenty years old."</p> - -<p>"Nobody's asked my opinion," complained Gloria, swinging her leg and -hiking the hem of her skirt another half-inch above the slender ankle.</p> - -<p>"Nobody will. However, Miss Hanford, I shall place your card in the -'eligible' file and have your characteristics checked. I'm sure that -we can find a man who will be acceptable to you—and also to the -department of Domestic Tranquility."</p> - -<p>"Humph!"</p> - -<p>"Sneer if you will, Miss Hanford. But marriage and motherhood have -taken the 'hell' out of a lot of hell-raisers in the past."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">II</p> - -<p>Junior Spaceman Howard Reed entered the commandant's office eagerly and -briskly. His salute was snappy as he announced himself.</p> - -<p>Commander Breckenridge looked up at the young spaceman without -expression, nodded curtly, and then looked down at the pile of papers -neatly stacked in the center of his desk. Without saying a word, the -commander fingered down through the pile until he came to a thin sheaf -of papers stapled together. This file he withdrew, placed atop the -stack, and then he proceeded to read every word of every page as if he -were refreshing his memory about some minor incident that had become -important only because of the upper-level annoyance it had caused.</p> - -<p>When he finished, he looked up and said coldly, "I presume you know why -you're here, Mr. Reed?"</p> - -<p>"I can guess, sir—because of my technical suggestion."</p> - -<p>"You are correct."</p> - -<p>"And it's been accepted?" cried the junior spaceman eagerly.</p> - -<p>"It has not!" snapped the superior officer. "In fact—"</p> - -<p>"But, sir, I don't understand—"</p> - -<p>"Silence!" said Commander Breckenridge. Almost automatically, his right -hand slipped the top drawer open to expose the vial of tri-colored -capsules. His hand stopped short of them, dangling into the drawer -from the wrist resting on the edge. He looked down at the pills and -seemed to be debating whether it would be better to conduct this -painful interview as gentlemen should, or to let his righteous anger -show.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Reed," he said heavily, "your aptitudes and qualifications -were reviewed most carefully by the Bureau of Personnel, and their -considered judgment caused your replacement here, in the Bureau of -Operations. You were <i>not</i>—and I repeat, <i>not</i>—placed in the Bureau -of Research. Is this clear?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. But—"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Reed, I cannot object to the provisions in the Regulations whereby -encouragement is given both the officers and men to proffer suggestions -for the betterment of the Service. However, a shoe-maker should stick -to his last. The benefit of this program becomes a detriment when any -officer or man tries to invade other departments. This works both ways, -Mr. Reed. There is not an officer in the whole Bureau of Research who -can tell me a single thing about organizing my Bureau of Operations. -Conversely, I would be completely stunned if any Operations officer -were to come up with something that hasn't been known to the Bureau of -Research for years."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. I see your point, sir. But if the Bureau of Research has -known about my suggestion for years, why isn't it being used?"</p> - -<p>"Because, Mr. Reed, it will not work!"</p> - -<p>"But, sir, it's <i>got</i> to work!"</p> - -<p>"And you feel so firmly convinced of this that you had the temerity to -bypass my office?"</p> - -<p>"Sir, you yourself make a point of professing to know absolutely -nothing about scientific matters."</p> - -<p>"All right, we'll table this angle for a few minutes. Just what makes -this notion of yours so important, Mr. Reed?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Sir," said Reed, "the maximum range for our most efficient spacecraft -is only a bit over seventeen light-years to the point of no return. My -suggestion deals with a means of extending that range a hundred times. -Perhaps more. If it were my decision, sir, anything that even hinted at -extending the cruising range would receive a maximum-urgency priority."</p> - -<p>"In other words, you feel that anything we can do to extend our -operations is the most important thing in the whole Space Service?"</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, perhaps not <i>the</i> most important, but—"</p> - -<p>"Your modesty is gratifying. I presume this modesty would prevent you -from accepting any more than the Letter of Commendation from the Office -of the Secretary?"</p> - -<p>"I don't understand, sir."</p> - -<p>"You don't? Mr. Reed, was your desire to improve the efficiency of -Operations a simple desire to improve the Service—or did you hope that -this brilliant suggestion would, perhaps, provide you with a better -assignment?"</p> - -<p>"I still do not understand."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you don't? Mr. Reed, why did you join the Space Service in the -first place?"</p> - -<p>"Because, sir, I hoped that I could be instrumental in helping mankind -to spread across the Galaxy."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Reed, have you sand in your shoes?"</p> - -<p>"Sir?"</p> - -<p>The commander sighed. "You hoped to go along on the voyage, didn't you?"</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, I did have a hope that I'd become a real spaceman."</p> - -<p>"And you're disappointed?"</p> - -<p>Howard Reed's face was wistful, torn between a desire to confide in his -commanding officer and the fear of saying what he knew to be a sharp -criticism of the Space Service.</p> - -<p>Then Reed realized that he was in a bad pinch anyway, and so he said, -"Sir, I'm commissioned as a junior spaceman, but in three years I've -only made one short test flight—and only to Luna! I am competent to -pilot—or at least that's what the flight simulators say in my checkout -tests. I'm a junior spaceman—yet every time I apply for active space -duty, I'm refused! Three years I've spent in the Service, sir, solving -theoretical and hypothetical problems in space operations. But aside -from one test flight to the Moon, I have yet to set a foot inside of a -spacecraft, let alone stand on the soil of another world!"</p> - -<p>"You must learn patience, Mr. Reed."</p> - -<p>"<i>Patience</i>, sir? Look, sir, I took this sedentary duty until I'd had -it up to here, and then I began to pry into the question of why we have -a Space Force, complete with spacecraft, and still do so little space -traveling. I found out. We're limited to a maximum range of seventeen -light-years to the point of no return. Even a trip to Eden, Tau Ceti, -our nearest colony, is eleven-point-eight light-years, and that takes -prodigious power."</p> - -<p>"Granted," said the commander.</p> - -<p>"But now, sir, if we could increase our range by one hundred times, -this does not necessarily mean that we must actually power the -spacecraft for that point of no return. It also means that we could -charge the ship with one one-hundredth of its former banks for the -short trip to Eden, Tau Ceti—which would leave a <i>fantastic</i> amount -of storage and cargo and passenger space. Sir, we could start real -commerce!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Commander Breckenridge gave no reaction.</p> - -<p>"And you hoped to be among them."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir! As a kid, I read about mankind's first exploration of space -two hundred years ago, sir. Of course, I couldn't hope to set foot on a -new planet, since every possible planet within the seventeen-light-year -range has been looked over. But I wanted to see space myself, sir—and -I did hope that I might extend Man's frontier beyond our rather small -limit."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I can understand the impatience of youth," said Commander -Breckenridge. "For that, I can forgive you. But for trying to do the -other man's job, I cannot."</p> - -<p>"Sir, you're as much as saying that no one can have a good technical -idea but the technical people at the Bureau of Research."</p> - -<p>In answer, the commander flipped over several pages of the file. He -said: "Mister Reed, this is what resulted in your abortive attempt to -gain a scientific ear instead of forwarding your suggestion through the -standard channels. I'm going to quote some pertinent parts of a letter -from Commander Briggs, head of the Bureau of Research. Listen:</p> - -<p>"—young genius has rediscovered the line of mathematical argument -known here at Research as 'Hansen's Folly' because it was first -exploited by young Spaceman Hansen about a hundred and fifty years -ago. Hansen's Folly is probably to be expected of a young, ambitious -young officer with stars in his eyes. I'd be inclined to congratulate -him—if it weren't for the fact that Hansen's Folly turns up with such -regularity that we here at Research hold a regular pool against its -next rediscovery. You'll be happy to know that you, your young genius, -and your department have 'won' for me the great honor (?) of buying -dinner for the crew at the Officers Club on Saturday next.</p> - -<p>"Don't be too hard on young Reed; the rediscovery of Hansen's Folly -takes a rather bright mind. However, Breck, I <i>will</i> congratulate your -bright young man if he can—without any further clue—go back over his -own mathematics and locate the flaw. I'll—"</p> - -<p>"There's more of this, but it isn't germane," said Breckenridge -quietly. "This is enough."</p> - -<p>"Enough, sir?" repeated Reed blankly.</p> - -<p>"Enough to let you know what goes on. Now, Mr. Reed, you've committed -nothing but a brash act of bad taste in bypassing the standard -channels. Such an indiscretion demands some form of punishment, but -if I were to attempt to outline punishment officially, it would be -unfortunately easy for some legal eagle to point out that your behavior -was, to the best of your knowledge, intended for the betterment of -the Service. And furthermore that I was wreaking vengeance upon your -hapless soul for having made my name the brunt of jokes at the Officers -Club."</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry, sir."</p> - -<p>"Being sorry is not enough, Mr. Reed. But I have a plan that will -gratify everybody concerned. You want to become an active spaceman? -Very well, your next tour of duty will be at the Space Force Station -on the planet Eden, Tau Ceti. It will terminate when you have finally -succeeded in locating the flaw in Hansen's Folly and can show the error -to the satisfaction of Commander Briggs. Have I made myself clear, Mr. -Reed?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir, and thank you, sir. You're really doing me a favor, sir."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Reed, despite the age-old platitude, it is wise to look the gift -horse in the mouth, at least before saying thanks."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">III</p> - -<p>Scholar Norman Ross smiled at his host's statement. "Yes, indeed, Mr. -Harrison! Arranging these things so that we can maintain the Norm is -often a delicate and arduous task. There are restrictions, and there -are many variables involved, the most sensitive of which are the -feelings of the people involved."</p> - -<p>"Your job must call for the ultimate in diplomacy," said Mrs. Harrison.</p> - -<p>To his host's wife, Scholar Ross nodded. "Yet," he said as an -afterthought, "of even greater value is a high regard for the perfect -truth. This includes the self-discipline of admitting it when one has -been wrong, and being able to state precisely how, where, why, and, -most important, to what degree."</p> - -<p>"I don't understand," said his hostess.</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Harrison, let's consider Bertram."</p> - -<p>She cast a glance at her son. In an earlier age, he would have been -called "indolent." During dinner, Bertram had employed the correct -fork, plied his knife properly, conversed with his partners on both -sides—yet she knew something was wrong.</p> - -<p>"Bertram," she said, "haven't you been forgetting your pills?"</p> - -<p>"Sorry, Mother," replied the young man tonelessly.</p> - -<p>Bertram arose and left, and Scholar Ross said, "This is what I mean, -Mrs. Harrison. Genetics is not a precise science; it is statistical. We -can consider highly favorable the mating of two well-balanced people, -and we can predict that this union will produce well-balanced children. -Unfortunately we cannot guarantee the desired results. Hence we have -anomalies such as Bertram, whose problem is simply a lack of drive. Now -this is no fault of yours, Mrs. Harrison, nor of yours, Mr. Harrison. -It may be the fault of Genetics, but if it is our 'fault,' then the -fault lies in the lack of total knowledge; but not in the misuse, or -lack of use, of what knowledge we do already have."</p> - -<p>"I see what you mean, Scholar Ross."</p> - -<p>"You'll also see the opposite when the Hanfords arrive. Here we have -parents as stable as you two. You'll pardon me if I say that if all -four of your characteristic cards were dropped at once and I had been -expected to render a considered opinion as to their most favorable -mating combination, I could render no preference, so equal are you. -However, your union has produced Bertram. Conversely, their mating has -produced a girl who is wild, headstrong, willful."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Bertram returned, seated himself quietly, and when Scholar Ross stopped -talking, Bertram said apologetically, "I took a double dose, Mother."</p> - -<p>"Is that all right?" she asked Scholar Ross.</p> - -<p>"Probably won't do any harm," he said.</p> - -<p>Mr. Harrison cleared his throat. "I'm not sure that I approve of -Bertram marrying a headstrong girl, Scholar Ross."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Harrison said, "William, you know it's best."</p> - -<p>"For Bertram?"</p> - -<p>"Now here," said Scholar Ross, "we must cease considering the -welfare of the individual alone and start thinking of him as a part -of an integrated society. No man is an island, Mr. Harrison. In a -less advanced culture, Bertram would have been permitted to meet -contemporary personalities. Perhaps might have met someone who—as he -does—lacks drive and initiative, and the result would have been a -family of dull children. Had he been unlucky enough to marry a woman -with drive and ambition, their children might have been normal, but the -entire home life would have been an emotional battlefield. And that—"</p> - -<p>"Isn't that what you're about to achieve?" asked Mr. Harrison.</p> - -<p>"Not at all. We shall achieve the normal, happy children who will -undoubtedly grow into fine, stable adults. To gain this end, of -course, their home life must be happy and tranquil. We'll prescribe -for them—allowing for the emotional change that results from marriage -and—"</p> - -<p>The doorbell interrupted the scholar's explanation. "Allow me," he -said, rising and heading for the apartment door. The Harrisons followed -him at a slight distance. It was the Hanfords.</p> - -<p>There was the full round robin of introductions and small talk: "You -had no trouble?" "No, the intercity beacon was running clear—" "Lovely -apartment, Mrs. Harrison." "Mrs. Hanford, here in Philadelphia we feel -that we're almost in the suburbs." "Got a treat for you, Hanford—been -saving a bottle of natural bourbon!" "That'll be a treat, all right!" -"This is a real event. Scholar Ross." "You know, Mrs. Hanford, the -vidphone hardly does you justice!" "Why, thank you!"</p> - -<p>"Miss Hanford, may I present Bertram Harrison?" "How do you do?" "I do -as I please. What's your excuse?" "Huh?" "<i>Now, Gloria!</i>" "Bertram, -show Gloria the flower room. Go on, now!"</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross watched the young couple walk through a French door to an -outside terrace. He turned to Harrison and said, "Everything set?"</p> - -<p>Harrison nodded. "Had a little trouble with the Music people till I -used your priority. They said they'd have Program R-147 piped into the -flower room. Frankly, I think R-215 is better."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Scholar Ross laughed gently. "Probably happy association."</p> - -<p>"Wife and I still have it piped in for our anniversary," Mr. Harrison -admitted.</p> - -<p>"Good for you! But R-215 is for normal, happily well-balanced young -people who'd probably fall in love without it. R-147 is sure-fire for -emotional opposites."</p> - -<p>"Well, we finally got the program piped in, so what do we do now?"</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross smiled quietly. "We wait. We get acquainted, because there -is a very high probability that you two families will be united through -the marriage of your children. Then I shall enter a new file in the -Genetics Bureau of the Department of Domestic Tranquility. We shall -watch through the years as your grandchildren grow, and make periodic -checks, and thereby advance mankind's knowledge of genetics."</p> - -<p>"Doesn't this sort of master-minding ever give you a God complex?" -asked Mr. Hanford.</p> - -<p>"Not at all. Were I God, I'm sure I could arrange things a lot better."</p> - -<p>"In what way?"</p> - -<p>"By Man's own laws, we are prevented from doing active genetic research -on the human race. We apply what happens to mice and fruit flies -to the human family tree. We've known for centuries how to breed -blue-eyed or brown-eyed people, or, if we wanted, we could make the -race predominantly fat or thin, tall or short. However, our main aim is -not the ultimate purity of any physical characteristic. Our goal is to -produce a stable, happy people by eliminating the lethargic personality -below and the excitable types above."</p> - -<p>The scholar thought for a moment, and then, remembering Bertram's error -in forgetting to take his go-pills, said, "But we are blocked by law. -I can prescribe medication and therapy, but I have no power to force -the patient to take the treatment. This is a most difficult problem, -believe me."</p> - -<p>"In what way?" asked Mrs. Harrison with some interest.</p> - -<p>"The lethargic types are very apt to forget, or to dismiss the -medication or the therapy as too much trouble. The overactive type -is more likely to be water skiing on Lake Superior than sitting and -listening to the tranquilizing strains of prescribed music, and the -medication dumped down the drain instead of taken."</p> - -<p>"You do have your problems, don't you?" said Mrs. Hanford -sympathetically.</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes. But our greatest problem is the overactive young female. -Young males can be siphoned off in one way or another—work to be done -that, unfortunately, females, can't also do." Scholar Ross smiled at -Mr. and Mrs. Harrison. "So we actually are grateful for the lethargic -types. They provide us with a fine sobering influence upon the—"</p> - -<p>The scholar was interrupted by a wordless cry from beyond the French -windows.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The Harrisons, the Hanfords, and Scholar Ross leaped to their feet and -started for the terrace. They did not get all the way to the French -doors, for Gloria Hanford came stamping in. Her eyes were bright, and -she was dusting one palm with the other.</p> - -<p>"What—?"</p> - -<p>Gloria snapped, "Someone been feeding that oaf red meat?"</p> - -<p>"But what <i>happened</i>?" asked Mr. Harrison.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I could stand the big dummy acting as if he'd never been alone -with a girl before in all his life. But to <i>ask</i> me for a kiss!"</p> - -<p>"Is that what caused the eruption?" said Scholar Ross.</p> - -<p>"When he <i>asked</i> me for a kiss, I told him that I was saving my kisses -for a <i>man</i>!"</p> - -<p>"And then?"</p> - -<p>"Then he decided that I meant a man big enough to wrestle." Gloria -laughed and then looked thoughtful.</p> - -<p>"What's so funny—and not so funny now?"</p> - -<p>"I just realized that <i>I like men</i>!"</p> - -<p>"But Bertram?"</p> - -<p>"Darned if it isn't the first time I've ever resented being pawed," -said Gloria in a matter-of-fact tone, as if it were her hair-do rather -than her virtue that was the subject of discussion. "So I grabbed -a hand, hung the arm over my shoulder with the inside upward, and -hip-tossed the big oaf over the railing into that silly little fish -pond."</p> - -<p>"Gloria!" exploded her mother.</p> - -<p>"Poor Bertram!" exclaimed his mother.</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross sighed. "These things often go awry at first. Bertram -shouldn't have taken a double dose of his medication. And I'd guess -that Gloria hasn't been meticulous about hers, either. Now—"</p> - -<p>He was interrupted by the arrival of Bertram Harrison, who looked as if -he'd just waded home across a mud flat at low tide. He stepped toward -Gloria purposefully; the girl crouched in a judo position and said, -"Want some more? Come and get it!"</p> - -<p>"Now wait a moment," said Scholar Ross. "Gloria, where did you ever -learn such brutal, belligerent tactics?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Gloria faced him, but kept one eye on Bertram. "Out of a book—where -else in this calm old world?"</p> - -<p>The scholar said, "You see, Miss Hanford, the results of your -outrageous behavior? You've committed an act of physical violence. -You've—"</p> - -<p>The girl gave one sharp bark of laughter. "Who started it with whose -caveman technique?"</p> - -<p>"I think," said Scholar Ross to the four parents, "that this meeting -should be resumed at a later date. Bertram must <i>not</i> overdose himself -in a misguided effort to make up for omitted medication. Gloria must -<i>not</i> avoid hers—and, Mrs. Hanford, you'll not only have to watch -closely to see that she does take her pills; you'll also have to make -sure that Gloria doesn't counteract them by surreptitiously acquiring -some agitators to neutralize the tranquilizers."</p> - -<p>"And suppose I call the whole thing off?" demanded Gloria. "Suppose I -don't agree to share bed and board with this souped-up sardine?"</p> - -<p>The room grew quieter until the background sounds were gone and from -the patio came the faint, sweet strains of romantic music: Program -R-147.</p> - -<p>Finally Scholar Ross said, "Miss Hanford, we cannot force you to do -anything, but we can make your life extremely uncomfortable if you -do not comply with what we believe to be best for society. You will -find—if you care to look it up—that there is a drastic shortage of -eligible young women on the planet Eden, Tau Ceti."</p> - -<p>"You mean—migrate—to the <i>colony</i>?"</p> - -<p>"I mean just that."</p> - -<p>Gloria Hanford's face went white. She understood that if Scholar Ross -decreed Eden, Tau Ceti, for her, then she would end up on Eden, Tau -Ceti, and it made no difference whether by force, coercion, or gentle -persuasion.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Hanford took a step forward and opened her mouth to speak. But -before she could protest, her husband put out a hand and stopped her. -His act was an admission that not money, position, nor logic would -overrule such a decision.</p> - -<p>"Eden, Tau Ceti," breathed Gloria. She turned and faced Bertram -Harrison. "Junior," she said in a dry, strained voice, "if you'll wear -mittens and handcuffs, let's go back in the garden and get acquainted."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus2.jpg" width="353" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Her father exhaled a full breath.</p> - -<p>Mr. Harrison tapped him on the shoulder. "How about a sample of that -bottle of natural bourbon?" he suggested.</p> - -<p>"Not," Mrs. Hanford said shakily, "without me!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">IV</p> - -<p>Man's first sally across the gulf of interstellar space had been more -fruitful than his first fumbling exploration of the Solar System by a -score of one to nothing. Of all the celestial real estate that orbits -around old Sol, only the Earth will support life—at least as we know -it. Survival elsewhere depends upon taking enough of Earth environment -along to last of the trip. From the scientific standpoint, the first -exploration of space was a brilliant operation, but before finding a -place to accept the teeming millions of Earth's exploding population, -the patient nearly died. For it was a quarter of a century until -Murray, Langdon, and Hanover cracked the Einstein barrier.</p> - -<p>By careful design, and then by counting the last gram and striking a -mathematically adjusted balance between power bank and crew space, the -range of a spacecraft was found to be slightly more than seventeen -light-years to the point of no return.</p> - -<p>Within seventeen light-years of Sol, there are forty-one other stars.</p> - -<p>Of these forty-one stars, three are triple-sun systems, and twelve are -doubles, which eliminates fifteen of them. Of the remaining twenty-six -single stars, one is the blinding-blue giant Altair, two are white -dwarf stars, and nineteen of them are the faint red dwarf stars of -Spectral Class M, and that eliminates all but four of the original -forty-one. Of this remaining four, Epsilon Eridani, Epsilon Indi, and -Groombridge 1618 fall into the orange Spectral Class K, which is not -too far away from Sol's Spectral Class G. But K is only close; it is -no bull's eye when the combination of all the factors must add up to -produce a planetary environment that will support human life.</p> - -<p>And so, having eliminated forty out of the forty-one stars in Sol's -neighborhood, only Tau Ceti remains. Tau Ceti is also a Spectral -Class G star and therefore Tau Ceti was voted the star most likely to -succeed, long before Man had the foggiest notion of how to cross the -light-years, long before instruments sensitive enough to ascertain that -Tau Ceti possessed a planetary system were developed.</p> - -<p>Tau Ceti's planetary system can be used as an example of the brilliance -of logic and reasoning. The second planet in the family of Tau Ceti is -the planet Eden.</p> - -<p>Eden supports life.</p> - -<p>Or perhaps it is more proper to say that Eden's environment permits -life to support itself. Voltaire, through the mouths of his characters -Candide and Pangloss, had a lot to say about Earth being the best of -all possible worlds, both pro and con. He had never been to Eden. Eden -was christened by the rules of real estate that dictate that a housing -development situated on a tree-bald plain in central Kansas shall be -called "Sylvan Heights."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">V</p> - -<p>Junior Spaceman Howard Reed went through a brief period of excitement -and then settled down to boredom. The excitement came from his first -experience in space travel, and the thrill of standing on soil almost -twelve light-years from home base. This thrill faded as soon as he -discovered that the people on Eden, Tau Ceti, were far too busy to be -bothered with the reactions of a junior spaceman.</p> - -<p>If his duties had been demanding, Reed might have gone on for some time -without becoming bored. But as a junior officer in the Space Service, -Reed had no roots, no property, no basic interests on Eden.</p> - -<p>The Space Service had been born out of interservice rivalry during a -tense period of international competition. There had been a strong -upsurge during the early years of the initial interstellar exploration. -The leaders of the Space Service were quite willing to featherbed -themselves into permanent positions of high authority. They discovered -the best method lay in exploiting every method of scaring the public -with the bogey of meeting some warlike culture "Out There." Then the -years passed with neither sight nor evidence of any other form of life -but Man and the creatures he carried with him. The Space Service found -itself with little to do.</p> - -<p>It did not stop the clamor for money, men and materiel. But the job of -the Space Service was not hunting space pirates. The only place where -the power banks of a spacecraft could be restored was in the hands -of the Space Service itself, and it was an installation vast enough -to tax the wealth and ingenuity of a whole continent to create. The -job was not fighting interstellar wars with fierce, super-intelligent -interstellar aliens with a taste for human flesh—not, at least, until -human and alien met.</p> - -<p>So, in a desultory manner, the Space Service maintained a perimeter -of lookout and detection stations that could have been completely -automated ... if it hadn't been that there were more Space Service -Personnel than the Service could find work for.</p> - -<p>The whole situation gave Junior Spaceman Howard Reed a lot of time to -think.</p> - -<p>The culture of Eden, Tau Ceti, completed the process.</p> - -<p>Eden used old-fashioned telephones because its people were too -widespread across the face of the planet to make the use of the -vidphone practical. Radio broadcasting was maintained by the government -as a public service information agency. It had to be. There were not -commercial enterprises enough to support radio broadcasting on a -profit-making basis. For there simply were not enough people. And if -simple radio broadcasting could not be supported, there was not yet -room for even the old flat-faced television, much less trivideo.</p> - -<p>Theirs was a culture in a mixed state. They had the know-how for a -highly technical, closely-integrated urban civilization, but lacked the -hardware necessary to construct it. They were an aircar people, but -they used horses. Horses can be raised. Aircars have to be fabricated. -It would not have been prohibitive to trans-ship the basic tools and -dies for aircar assembly from Earth, Sol, to Eden, Tau Ceti. But it -would have been economic suicide to attempt to keep the voracious maw -of an automated assembly plant satiated with raw material shipped from -home base. And then, one week's run would have saturated the Tau Ceti -market. They were a people who played their own musical instruments -because they were faced with the very odd economic fact that the -first phonograph record from the die costs five thousand dollars. -Nobody makes a dime until fifty thousand of its brothers are sold. The -population to buy fifty thousand did not exist.</p> - -<p>In simple fact, Eden, Tau Ceti, was far from a flourishing colony. -It was a classic example of the simple economic truth that a fully -integrated mechanistic society can not be supported by a sparsely -populated region.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Ambition has many origins. The urge to return home became a drive. The -result was Junior Spaceman Howard Reed's complete preoccupation with -the mathematics known as Hansen's Folly.</p> - -<p>As the months went by he exhausted his original knowledge. He took to -the library, to the local schools, and to self-study to improve his -grasp. He approached the basic mathematics of the space drive from -several different angles, even going back to the old original Einstein -Equations and learning their fault in the hope that this study might -point the way.</p> - -<p>Then, as the months began to grow into the close of his first year, -Reed took advantage of the casually informal operation at the Space -Service Base. He began to experiment with hardware on the theory that -he would have a better grasp of the problem if he tried some empirical -work as well as the academic approach.</p> - -<p>Junior Spaceman Howard Reed had been on Eden, Tau Ceti, for eighteen -terrestrial months before his superior officer, making a tour of -inspection, opened the office reserved for him at the Administration -Building. On the eighth day of his visit, Commander Breckenridge -summoned the junior spaceman to his office. He asked, "Mr. Reed, have -you been successful in solving the flaw in Hansen's Folly?"</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, not exactly."</p> - -<p>"Have you improved your grasp of the facts of life?"</p> - -<p>"Sir? I don't quite understand."</p> - -<p>"You don't? Well, perhaps you need some help. For instance, Mr. Reed, -can you give me an estimate of the useful land area of Eden, Tau Ceti?"</p> - -<p>"Sir, the total land area is about fifty million square miles. Perhaps -about half of that is useful, or could be."</p> - -<p>"Ah. You said 'could be'. Why, Mr. Reed?"</p> - -<p>"Let's put it this way, sir. Whether a given acreage is useful often -depends upon how badly it is needed. For instance, a plot of wooded -land might well be ignored for centuries by a sparsely populated -agrarian culture who had a lot of open plain to cultivate. At a later -date, an increasing pressure of population might make it expedient and -sensible to clear vast areas of tree stumps, boulders and all sorts of -hazards."</p> - -<p>"And here on Eden?"</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, at the present time the population of Eden is about a -hundred thousand. Fertile plains are growing wild with weeds because -the land isn't needed yet. That is—er—"</p> - -<p>"That is what?"</p> - -<p>"Maybe I shouldn't have said 'wild with weeds' sir. After all, they -have been encouraged. I'm told that the atmosphere smelled a lot -stronger when Man first arrived."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The commander sniffed and said, "It's pretty strong right now."</p> - -<p>"You don't notice it after a couple of months," said Reed.</p> - -<p>"I don't propose to be here that long," said the commander curtly. -"Let's get back to your grasp of the overall picture." Commander -Breckenridge leaned back in his chair and said, "No doubt you were -exposed to Early North American History. You will recall that there was -a strong pioneering drive in the human race that went on almost from -the date of the discovery of North America until the opening phases -of the so-called 'Industrial Revolution'—that is, beginning of the -electro-mechanical era. Am I not correct?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"Now, young man, what has become of this strong pioneering drive? How -did it ooze out of the human race? Where did it go, and why? Why are -six billion people living in crowded conditions on Earth, while here -upon Eden, Tau Ceti, a mere hundred thousand people occupy—by your -estimate—some twenty million square miles? Why haven't the crowded -millions of Earth clamored for all this extra space?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps because space travel is so expensive."</p> - -<p>"Only in terms of cash. To be sure, it might take practically -everything that a man has to buy passage. I now ask you to estimate -how many men and their families sacrificed everything they had, packed -a few treasured possessions into a Conestoga wagon and headed for the -West."</p> - -<p>"I have no way of knowing, sir."</p> - -<p>"No, of course not. Let me tell you what happened. In that glorious -phase of Early North America, men, women, and even their children -toiled from sunrise to sunset to scratch out their living. From the -dawn of history, luxury and leisure belonged to the landed baron. -Since wealth went with acreage, any man who could stake out a claim -to acreage could also claim wealth. It was a matter of finding the -unclaimed acreage first."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The commander leaned forward to press his point. "Then came the -industrial revolution and the age of automation. Industrial slavery -ended in a clank of gears. Your little man no longer starved to death -nor toiled twelve hours a day. The finest automobile that the wealthy -man could buy was only three or four times as expensive as the car -driven by the average workman. Therefore the idea of staking out arable -land as a means to wealth became less and less desirable. Automation -hit the farm. The landed baron changed into the elected presiding -officer over a stock-secured corporation.</p> - -<p>"Today," said the commander, "the man who leaves his home to migrate -is not abandoning squalor and sorrow in the hope of finding something -better. He's leaving luxury, culture, and leisure. For what? For the -privilege of scrabbling for a bare existence. Now, Mr. Reed, are you -beginning to understand?"</p> - -<p>"I think so, sir."</p> - -<p>"Good. Then you'll begin to revise your opinion as to the importance of -extending the cruising range of our spacecraft."</p> - -<p>Reed blinked, "Sir?"</p> - -<p>"Be sensible, young man. A colony is a waste of effort unless it -becomes more than self-sufficient. Until Eden, Tau Ceti, has become -populated to the point where Eden can support her own highly technical -culture, it is an economically unsound proposition." The commander -glared at the young spaceman. "Must I be blunt? Every effort must -be spent in raising the culture-level of Eden, Tau Ceti. That means -increasing the population, Mr. Reed, until the numbers are high enough -to pay for industrialization. Once the cities of Eden, Tau Ceti, -offer the culture opportunity of the cities of Earth, then we'll -have migration on a social level instead of the malcontents, rugged -individualists, and petty lawbreakers who've been given the alternative -of migration instead of incarceration.</p> - -<p>"Now, Mr. Reed, do you see what I'm driving at? It would be far wiser -of you to spend your time enhancing the aspect of Eden, Tau Ceti, than -trying to figure out ways and means of getting to more distant stars -and locating other distant planets—to which the human race wouldn't -migrate."</p> - -<p>"But sir—"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Reed, I recognize in you the admirable spirit of adventure. But -we must remember that this same spirit that once drove men to land -on Earth's moon in a multi-stage chemical rocket was not enough to -establish a tax-paying colony there. Now, about this project of yours. -You say that you have not yet located the flaw in Hansen's Folly?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir, but—"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Reed, you realize that you'll stay here on Eden until you do?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir, but—"</p> - -<p>"And the longer it takes you, the more ridicule will be directed at -you, at me, and the Bureau of Operations?"</p> - -<p>"But, sir—"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Reed, I'll also point out that there will be no promotion until -your assignment is complete."</p> - -<p>"I'm aware of that sir, but—"</p> - -<p>"But what, Mr. Reed?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Reed said, "Sir, may I speak without annoying you?"</p> - -<p>"If you've something to say, go ahead. I can hardly promise not to be -annoyed before I hear what the subject is."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, sir. In trying to solve Hansen's Folly I engaged in some -physical experiment and measurement because I couldn't find any flaw in -the mathematical argument on the abstract scale. As you know, sir, one -of the ways to find out why something won't work is to try it. It isn't -often the easiest or the simplest, but it is often the only way."</p> - -<p>"So go on. What happened?"</p> - -<p>"Sir, my hardware works. So far as I can see, sir, there is no flaw! I -was right!"</p> - -<p>"Commander Briggs of Research—"</p> - -<p>"Sir, there must be some mistake."</p> - -<p>"Silence! I'm not through! Commander Briggs seems to know more about -my personnel than I do."</p> - -<p>"Sir?"</p> - -<p>"First, he offered to bet me a dinner at the Officer's Club that you -wouldn't locate the flaw in Hansen's Folly by the time I made this -tour of inspection. Knowing that you'd probably have no other ambition -than to leave Eden, Tau Ceti, I snapped at this wager like a starving -dog latching onto a piece of steak. I have lost, it would appear, -which is only one dinner. But, Mr. Reed, when I accepted this wager, -Commander Briggs compounded it by offering to bet me a dinner for the -whole Bureau of Research that after not finding the flaw by means of -the academic analysis, you'd resort to experiment in hardware. Knowing -full well that you'd not have the temerity to divert Service Material -for your own tinkering, I accepted that wager also. Then to top it off, -Briggs added a bet of champagne and corsages for the officers' wives -that you'd complete your hardware and still not locate the flaw, and -that when I arrived you'd be firmly convinced that you'd proved your -point in theory and practice and that therefore you were right and the -rest of the known universe was wrong."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The commander took a deep breath under which he swore gently but -feelingly. Then he went on: "And so, Mr. Reed, I am going to be 'Guest -of Dishonor' at the Officers' Club. I will, according to custom, be -served the plate of baked synthetic beans whilst my contemporary -officers and their wives partake of a gourmet's banquet of natural -foods."</p> - -<p>"Sir, I'm sorry."</p> - -<p>"Being sorry is hardly enough!" The commander pawed through his -attache case until he came to a file-folder which he looked through -meticulously for several minutes as if justifying a carefully -considered opinion. Finally he made a lightly pencilled note on the -margin of one page and said, "Lalande 25372!"</p> - -<p>Junior Spaceman Howard Reed gasped and blurted, "Flatbush, sir?"</p> - -<p>Commander Breckenridge nodded curtly. "You will man the perimeter -alien-spacecraft detection station and the astrogation beacon distance -and direction equipment located on Flatbush, Lalande 25372. And you -will stay there until you have Hansen's Folly completely solved. Do you -understand?"</p> - -<p>Junior Spaceman Howard Reed nodded unhappily.</p> - -<p>Lalande 25372 was close to the maximum range, the seventeen-light-year -point of no return. Any enjoyment in knowing that he would have to be -commissioned one of the finer, more efficient little spacecraft in -order to get there in the first place was completely wiped out in the -knowledge that once there, it would have to stand inert awaiting his -return, because there would be no power to spare on side trips. One did -not, with subatomic power, carry a spare can of fuel for emergency.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">VI</p> - -<p>Mrs. Hanford opened the door and saw Scholar Ross. She smiled -uncertainly at him as she invited him in. In the Hanford living room, -in the presence of Mr. Hanford, the scholar of genetics looked around -cautiously and questingly. Hanford said, "Gloria is not here. She's -out."</p> - -<p>"Then I may speak openly."</p> - -<p>"Of course. Is there some trouble—again?"</p> - -<p>"Frankly, I'm not certain," said the scholar of genetics slowly. "I'd -like more information if you'd be so good as to help."</p> - -<p>"Of course we'll help!" exclaimed Mrs. Hanford. "What's bothering you?"</p> - -<p>"How is your daughter getting on with Bertram Harrison?"</p> - -<p>"Why, I'd guess they're getting along about as well as any other young -pre-marriage couple. That's what the engagement period is for, isn't -it? I mean, it's been that way historically."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you're right," nodded Scholar Ross. "Did they rent the usual -pre-marriage apartment?"</p> - -<p>"Oh yes. They were quite the conventional young lovers, Scholar Ross."</p> - -<p>The man from the Department of Domestic Tranquility smiled. "And you, -of course, were the conventional parents of the affianced bride?"</p> - -<p>"Of course. We were so pleased that we could hardly wait for Twelfth -Night."</p> - -<p>"And during that visit, were the appointments of the apartment proper?"</p> - -<p>"Why, Scholar Ross!"</p> - -<p>"No, no, Mrs. Hanford, you misunderstand. I implied no moral question. -I really meant to ask if you knew whether Gloria and Bertram each and -separately were properly continuing their therapy."</p> - -<p>Mr. Hanford grunted. "As parents of the affianced bride," he said, -"we're paying for it!"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Hanford blushed. "I—er—snooped," she said.</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross looked at Mrs. Hanford with an expression that indicated -that snooping was an entirely acceptable form of social behavior. "And -what did you find?"</p> - -<p>"Everything entirely right." Then she looked doubtful and bit her lower -lip. "Scholar Ross, I'm no authority in these matters. In Gloria's -bathroom were the same-<i>looking</i> kind of bottles and pills that we got -when you prescribed, and when I turned on the speaker in her bedroom -it sounded like the same kind of music as I'd heard in her bedroom when -she was living at home. It—frankly—depressed me."</p> - -<p>"And Bertram's?"</p> - -<p>"I know less of his medication. But I did listen to his music outlet. -It removed the feeling of depression I'd gotten from Gloria's program -material."</p> - -<p>"That's quite right. It sounds reasonable."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>She blushed again and looked at her husband. "Only one thing," she said -very slowly.</p> - -<p>"What's that?"</p> - -<p>"I—er, hardly know how to put it. You see, when Gerald and I were -affianced, neither one of us were undergoing any kind of corrective -therapy and so I don't know how these things work out."</p> - -<p>"What are you driving at?"</p> - -<p>"Why, Scholar Ross, with neither of us undergoing corrective therapy, -it didn't matter which one of the bedrooms we used."</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross considered for a moment and then nodded. "Of course," he -said with an air of complete finality. "That's it!"</p> - -<p>"What's it?" asked Mr. Hanford.</p> - -<p>"The situation becomes a simple matter of reduction to the law of -most-active reaction. Look," he said, "we have one personality that -requires an environment of stimulation to bring him up to normal, and -another personality that requires a tranquil atmosphere to normal. -Place them both in the tranquilizing environment and he is driven -deeper into his lethargy, probably to the point of complete physical -and intellectual torpor. Place them both in the stimulating atmosphere -and he becomes normal while she goes into transports of sensuous -excitement. This explains it!"</p> - -<p>"Explains what?" demanded Mr. Hanford.</p> - -<p>"Her recent behavior. Or rather escapade."</p> - -<p>None of them heard the gentle snick of the lock in the front door.</p> - -<p>"Escapade?" exclaimed Mrs. Hanford.</p> - -<p>"We didn't know that she was in any trouble," said Mr. Hanford.</p> - -<p>"That's just the point," said Scholar Ross. "Your daughter has the -infuriating habit of indulging in outrageous behavior under the name of -brilliant intellectual accomplishment."</p> - -<p>Gloria Hanford said, "Why, thank you, sir!"</p> - -<p>She dropped the scholar a deep curtsey, displaying several inches of -slender ankle.</p> - -<p>"Gloria!" demanded her mother. "What have you been up to?"</p> - -<p>Gloria Hanford smiled at her mother in an elfin, yet superior manner. -"I am the affianced bride of Bertram Harrison," she said softly. -"Therefore my behavior, whether good, bad, or indifferent, is no -longer the problem of my parents."</p> - -<p>Her father said, "Gloria, I happen to be big enough in both the -physical and intellectual departments to overrule both you and your -husband-to-be. So you'll answer your mother."</p> - -<p>"Why," said Gloria quietly, "I've done nothing wrong."</p> - -<p>Mr. Hanford said to Scholar Ross: "What's your side of this?"</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross said, "Last week the Westchester Young People's Club gave -a costume ball. The young ladies were to attend this affair adorned in -the authentic fashion of some period in the past, and a prize was to be -awarded to the most novel, yet completely authentic costume."</p> - -<p>"And," said Gloria with a smile, "I won!"</p> - -<p>"Your daughter won because she has a talent for performing the most -shocking deeds under a cloak of intellectual achievement."</p> - -<p>"Do go on, Scholar Ross. What did Gloria do?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The scholar smiled wryly. "Style and fashion ceased to be logical when -clothing was designed for sly provocation rather than as a protection -against a harsh environment," he said. "We live in a mixed-up social -world. We encourage communal swimming and sun bathing in the nude—and -yet after five o'clock it is considered shocking to display more than -the bare face and hands.</p> - -<p>"So in order to combine the maximum shock-effect with the cloak of -utter authenticity, Miss Hanford researched the styles and fashions -until she located a brief period of a few scant months late in the -Twentieth Century. Her costume consisted of a many-fold voluminous -skirt of semi-transparent material that draped in graceful folds -from waist to mid-calf. She was completely nude above the waist! To -prove her point, she offered fashion stereos of the period from style -magazines."</p> - -<p>Gloria chuckled. "I might have researched back to the Old Testament," -she said.</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross shook his head. "As I say, her shocking behavior could not -be criticized. She could justify it according to the rules."</p> - -<p>Mr. Hanford shook his head and asked, "Gloria, what did Bertram think -of all this?"</p> - -<p>"Bertram carried the style stereos," said Gloria. "There wasn't any -pocket in my costume."</p> - -<p>Abruptly, Scholar Ross said, "Miss Hanford, how are you and Bertram -getting along?"</p> - -<p>"As well as could be expected."</p> - -<p>"Meaning what?"</p> - -<p>"Meaning that each of us lives our own life. Berty likes his sedentary, -torpid existence. In fact, he'd like to be more of a vegetable than -he is. It started with his taking my pills and that was all right, I -guess. But when he started sleeping in my bedroom so that he could -estivate under the tranquilizing music program you prescribed for me, -that was too much!"</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross looked unprecedentedly astonished. "So?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean 'so'? What would any red blooded woman do? I moved -out and into his bedroom, naturally."</p> - -<p>"And then started taking his medication?" asked Scholar Ross curtly.</p> - -<p>"Natch!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, my God!" exploded Scholar Ross. He eyed Gloria intently. "How do -you manage to get Bertram awake far enough to attend things like your -costume ball?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Well," she said with a smile, "I am really strong enough to sling -a hundred and eighty-five pounds of loosely-stuffed sausage over my -shoulder in a fireman's carry and tote the inert mass back to its own -bedroom so that its own music will rouse it enough to reach for its -bedside bottles of medication. Nature then takes its course until the -awakening. Then he goes along with my desires—because he knows that if -he doesn't, I won't let him dive back into his complete inertia. It's -very simple. Of course, it isn't much fun."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Scholar Ross said, "Gloria, do you intend to continue this sort of -self-centered, artificial life after you and Bertram are married?"</p> - -<p>"I've given the future very little thought."</p> - -<p>"You always have," said Scholar Ross unhappily. "That's been a lot of -your trouble."</p> - -<p>"So what am I supposed to do? Do you really expect me to marry that -vegetable? I've got a life to lead too, you know. It may suit your -overall program of genetics to breed a batch of normal children, but -the same Book of Laws grants me the right to seek my own level of -happiness."</p> - -<p>"Granted—"</p> - -<p>"Well, scholar, I can tell you that my idea of happiness is not a -husband who comes into my bedroom walking like a somnambulist just -barely able to cross the room before collapsing like a loosely-packed -sandbag."</p> - -<p>"What you need," said Scholar Ross firmly, "is a man who is strong -enough to tell you what you're going to do."</p> - -<p>"And where are you going to find one?"</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross turned from Gloria to her parents. "Obviously," he said -regretfully, "this proposed marriage between your daughter and Bertram -Harrison is not going to culminate in a happy union."</p> - -<p>"Did you expect it to?" asked Gloria.</p> - -<p>"I had hopes. I can only propose a course of action. Were you willing -to embark upon your prescribed program of corrective therapy, and -so become a normally active and emotionally stable woman, then the -marriage might work out very well indeed."</p> - -<p>"It's all my fault, of course?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Of course. The decision was yours to make."</p> - -<p>"And how about that lump of lard you've foisted off on me?"</p> - -<p>"Bertram Harrison's willing retreat into total lethargy is, of course, -his own decision. But it, too, is only another aspect of the usual -case. The strong-willed personality makes its own way. The weak one -follows."</p> - -<p>"I see," sneered Gloria. "It's all my fault!"</p> - -<p>"Of course it is," snapped Scholar Ross. "Were you willing to correct -yourself, you'd also have been willing to correct Bertram since yours -is the stronger personality."</p> - -<p>"So what's the next move? Do I get to try another dolt?"</p> - -<p>"Hardly. You'd do the same with any of them."</p> - -<p>"So what is it? Am I going to be exported to Eden, Tau Ceti as an -incorrigible?"</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross was silent.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mr. Hanford said, "Certainly there must be another way?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Hanford said, "Must I lose my daughter?"</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross said regretfully, "There is another way, of course, but -either way is essentially a loss of your daughter, Mrs. Hanford."</p> - -<p>Mr. Hanford said, "And what is this other course, Scholar Ross?"</p> - -<p>"It's called re-orientation."</p> - -<p>"Brain-washing!" exclaimed Gloria.</p> - -<p>"That's a harsh, colloquial term."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Hanford said, "How does this re-orientation work?"</p> - -<p>Coldly, as if he were discussing the repair of some inanimate engine, -Scholar Ross said, "It starts with corrective surgery on the pituitary -and thyroid glands. Next comes some very complicated neuro-cerebral -surgery, somewhat resembling the crude, primitive process once called -'Prefrontal Lobotomy'. Nowadays it produces the desired effect without -all of the deleterious side-effects. Then, once the patient is -completely disoriented, the process of re-education takes place. The -patient is extremely docile and highly impressionable. All decisions -carry the same weight—"</p> - -<p>"How do you mean that?" asked Mr. Hanford.</p> - -<p>"Why, the decision to use blue or black ink in your fountain pen -becomes as important as the decision of whether to cling or jump from a -damaged aircar."</p> - -<p>"Oh. And then?"</p> - -<p>"Why, since the patient is docile and impressionable, we can mold the -patient's appreciation of people, places, and events into conformity. -Events of the former life are not erased, but they are viewed as if the -patient had seen a trivideo drama instead of having been that person. -The entire list of friends and acquaintances is changed because the -patient's personality is so different that the former friends no longer -have anything in common with the patient. It will be," said Scholar -Ross, "exactly as if your daughter left you, never to return, and then -next year you are introduced to a strange woman who bears a complete -resemblance to your daughter. To whom," he added, "you eventually -become emotionally attached because of your daughter's memory."</p> - -<p>"It sounds pretty drastic."</p> - -<p>"I shall not fool you. It is drastic, indeed."</p> - -<p>"I don't like it," Gloria snapped.</p> - -<p>"Yes," pleaded Mrs. Hanford. "What is the alternative?"</p> - -<p>"Eden, Tau Ceti. I'll arrange transportation under the migration act, -and she'll be permitted two hundred pounds of gross." Scholar Ross -smiled thinly. "You can diet a few pounds off and thus increase the -net weight of your allowable possessions," he said. "But, on the other -hand, if you diet down to rail-skinny no one will take a chance on you."</p> - -<p>Gloria demanded belligerently, "What am I, a raffle prize?"</p> - -<p>"Why, that's no better than white slavery!" cried her mother.</p> - -<p>"Oh, come now!" said Scholar Ross. "Miss Hanford will receive a -home and a hard-working husband on a fine new world with unlimited -opportunities."</p> - -<p>Gloria Hanford snorted. "The term, 'unlimited opportunity' is just the -optimist's way of describing a situation that the pessimist would call, -'lack of modern conveniences.'"</p> - -<p>"Well, Miss Hanford, you have your choice. One of three. Corrective -therapy and marriage with Bertram Harrison; total re-orientation; or -migration to Eden, Tau Ceti. I'll not ask for your decision now. Give -me your answer within thirty days."</p> - -<p>"You can't force me!"</p> - -<p>"No. I can't. All I can do is to point out your three avenues of future -travel—and then point out that I do have the means of making your -life so very inconvenient that you'll have no recourse but to make -your choice from among the three desirable possibilities. Desirable, I -must admit, means that which is most favorable to the furtherance of -domestic tranquility!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">VII</p> - -<p>Lalande 25372 is a Spectral Class M star, a faint red dwarf not visible -to the naked eye from Earth, Sol. Lalande 25372 lies fifteen point -nine light years from Sol, about fifteen degrees north of the celestial -equator and not quite opposite the vernal equinox. It has planets, -but this does not make Lalande 25372 unique. Like most of the planets -found in space, neither mad dogs nor Englishmen would have anything to -do with them—willingly. They are suitable only for the hapless wight -whose erring foot has unhappily landed on the tender official toe.</p> - -<p>The planet Flatbush, Lalande 25372, received its name from an obscure -medieval reference to a form of punishment known as "Walking a beat in -Flatbush," if we are to believe MacClelland's authoritative volume <i>The -Origin of Place Names</i>.</p> - -<p>Observed through the multipane window of the Station, Flatbush, Lalande -25372, was a pleasant enough planet, provided one could ignore the fact -that there was not a sign nor trace of vegetation from the Installation -Building to the horizon. A couple of hundred yards from the building -there was a pleasant looking lake. The lake was indeed water, but -it contained dissolved substances that would have poisoned a boojum -snark. The warm wind of Flatbush rippled the surface of the lake, but -no square yard of sail would be hoisted until someone first built a -gas mask that would filter out the colorless gases that turned silver -black. Fluffy clouds floated across the sky, but they rained down a -mess that etched stainless steel.</p> - -<p>Out There, near the perimeter of Man's five-parsec range of operations, -subelectromagnetic detector beams scoured the sky. Taking the most -pessimistic standpoint—the least possible combinations of Nature's -infinite variety of environment—Nature's own profligacy with -life-forms still demanded that somewhere, Out There, another race was -plying the spaceways.</p> - -<p>Someday this hypothetical race was certain to touch wings with mankind.</p> - -<p>When that took place it was the duty of the Bureau of Operations to -detect them, to intercept them, and to warn the men of Earth, Sol, -that Mankind was no longer alone. The fact that the subelectromagnetic -detecting beams had been sweeping space for a couple of hundred years -without detecting anything had no bearing on the future. The beams must -be maintained so long as a human man remained alive in space.</p> - -<p>In addition to the detector beams, the outlying planets carried -astrogation beacons. They were subelectromagnetic lighthouses, so -to speak, that rang across space with known direction and ranging -telemetered signals. Someday, Man hoped to fill the space lanes with -spacecraft and the planets with interstellar commerce.</p> - -<p>Someday there might be another <i>Marie Celeste</i> plying its course with -its crew inexplicably missing. But if this ever happened, it was not -going to happen without the Space Service knowing precisely how many -and which spacecraft were operating through that volume of space -before, during, and after D-for-Disaster Day and M-for-Mysterious -Minute.</p> - -<p>The equipment, of course, was automated to modern perfection, with -multi-lateral channels that would take over in case of component -failure. Its factor of reliability was well above six or seven nines -of perfection. But to admit that this perfection was adequate would -have deprived the Space Service of a convenient minor penal detail to -take care of brash junior officers. Manning such a station provided the -junior officer with a wealth of time to contemplate his sins, and to -mend his evil ways.</p> - -<p>In the case of Junior Spaceman Howard Reed, this process consisted of -locating the flaw that prevented Hansen's Folly from being Hansen's -Analysis.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Now, from the time of Alexander Selkirk, romantic history has been -dotted with accounts of men who have been cast away with nothing more -than their hands and their brains. And with these, they have succeeded -in raising their caveman environment up to the level of modern -technical conveniences.</p> - -<p>Like them—having been unable to locate the flaw in Hansen's Folly by -the theoretical approach during his tour of duty on Earth, Sol, and -having similarly failed to locate the error in experimental hardware -during his tour of duty on Eden, Tau Ceti—Junior Spaceman Howard -Reed began to experiment on the spacecraft that stood parked on its -launching pad two hundred feet from the Installation. There was -plenty of equipment to work with. The Space Service did not stock its -perimeter stations in a slipshod manner.</p> - -<p>Furthermore, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed had plenty of time.</p> - -<p>The account of his life and adventures is hardly worth telling. He had -no distractions. He worked. The months passed one after the other.</p> - -<p>Flatbush, Lalande 25372 was so far out that there was no provision -made for a regular tour of inspection. Nobody bothered to drop in on -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed. Gabbling on the official communication -channels was strictly forbidden, so the young junior officer was -denied even contact by voice. No one had come up with an economically -sound means of producing entertainment programs from Earth, Sol, on -the subelectromagnetic beams and so he—like his fellows in the other -perimeter stations—received neither news nor music from home.</p> - -<p>He could terminate this tour of duty only by solving the riddle of -Hansen's Folly, and then notifying his superiors on the official -communications channels—or by tucking a note in the once-each-year -supply drone that came laden with enough of Earth's environment to keep -the young expatriate alive for another year.</p> - -<p>The set-up was wholly conducive to work. There was time and there was -equipment; his orders were to remain there until he had studied his way -through the problem.</p> - -<p>With nothing else to do, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed was deep in -his investigation ... when the drone spacecraft came down along the -subelectromagnetic beacon and made its landing a dozen yards away.</p> - -<p>The drone was standard spacecraft size, an unmanned hull laden with the -necessities of life that would support him for a year.</p> - -<p>It was the first one that he had ever seen. This was the first time -that Junior Spaceman Howard Reed had had to face the problem of Supply. -Packed in that droneship was enough earth environment to last a man -a year. The perishables and expendables, as well as replacement for -the lost fractions of the recyclables, were all there. They were -dehydrated and deep frozen after all waste had been removed, then -compressed into cubes of identical size for the most favorable packing -fraction. Even so, it was a prodigious amount of stuff. Supply would -have been impossible on a once-per-year basis, if the foul water of -Flatbush, Lalande 25372, hadn't been distillable with ease.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The junior spaceman eyed the droneship with a sudden burst of pride -in his fellow man's accomplishment. Given a pre-programmed flight -along telemetered beacons originating at either terminus, the running -equipment within the drone would bulk much less than the same mass and -size as a human and his needs. Until flight-decisions were necessary, -the hardware pilot was as good as the human pilot—and far less subject -to headache, tantrum, disappointment at not getting the Saturday night -pass and resentment over being passed by at promotion time.</p> - -<p>Then his pride gave way to sudden, prolonged thought.</p> - -<p>The range of a spacecraft is computed from point of takeoff to point of -no return. There was no way of restoring the powerbanks of a spacecraft -except on Earth, Sol.</p> - -<p>Now, of course, it is entirely possible to take off and just keep going -until the powerbanks are depleted.</p> - -<p>That will cover twice the stated range to the point of no return. -Ships have gone out and off and away and have never been heard of -again. It is possible that one or more of these have succeeded in -locating an Earth-like planet beyond the point of no return, but the -Earthmen at home will never know about it until the range is extended. -The possibility of such a planet favoring human life and ultimately -harboring a culture of technical competence enough to create and -maintain the power restoring equipment is extremely remote.</p> - -<p>For spacecraft that carry women are few and far between.</p> - -<p>And it takes more than one man's lifetime to make use of the know-how.</p> - -<p>Junior Spaceman Howard Reed knew that away back in the Twentieth -Century, the average engineer could make a guess, count on his fingers, -and come up with a pretty shrewd estimate of the horsepower per cubic -inch that could be stored by the various ways and means available to -the age.</p> - -<p>Removing the human pilot and his needs did give the droneship quite a -bit more space for cargo and power. But, as he looked at the droneship -standing there, it became plain to Junior Spaceman Howard Reed that -there was not room in that size of hull for both the necessary -powerbanks and the full year's store of supplies for one man.</p> - -<p>Whereupon Junior Spaceman Howard Reed dropped his tools. He donned his -space suit and crossed the intervening space to the droneship.</p> - -<p>He began to examine the ship's running gear with a critical and -suspicious eye.</p> - -<p>He was examining hardware that was familiar to him. It took him no -more than two hours to determine beyond a shadow of a doubt that -the droneship's drive was built along the theories and mathematical -analysis that he had been told simply did not work!</p> - -<p>Someone had reduced Hansen's Folly to practice!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He paused again. Hansen's Folly had been called a failure about two -hundred years ago, but what did that really mean? He considered his -history.</p> - -<p>In 1724, Stephen Gray and Granville Wheeler made the proud announcement -that they had succeeded in transmitting an electrical phenomenon along -a wire for a distance of 682 feet. Two hundred years later the entire -Earth was girdled with telegraph, telephone and cable wires and linked -with the invisible bonds of radio waves.</p> - -<p>In about 1904 the Wright Brothers made their first powered airplane -flight. Forty years later men were flying in airplanes that carried a -wingspread greater than the distance of the Wright's first flight.</p> - -<p>Einstein's Barrier was accepted scientific dogma for a hundred years; -but he, Howard Reed, was now standing in a spacecraft that had crossed -the gulf between the stars at a speed that not only exceeded the -velocity of propagated light—but exceeded this speed by a few hundred -orders of magnitude.</p> - -<p>So? So maybe they were right. Maybe Hansen's Folly was a failure.</p> - -<p>But the running gear in this droneship was designed to the analysis -produced by Junior Spaceman Howard Reed, and it worked. Furthermore, -he had only the scornful word of Commander Briggs of the Bureau of -Research that his arguments had been parallel to those of the hapless -Hansen.</p> - -<p>It would hardly be the first time in the history of the human race that -some bureaucrat got fat on the work of his underlings who not only -received no credit for their work, but were often hushed, hidden, or -otherwise prevented from proving their right to the fame and fortune.</p> - -<p>Angrily, Howard Reed stood up and cursed. They were not going to -smother him in a peg-whittling job on a single-man post sixteen light -years from home base, denied of all but official communications.</p> - -<p>He was going to find out about this very strange business!</p> - -<p>Junior Spaceman Howard Reed did not even bother going back to the -Station. Its Outside detectors had been sweeping deep space for a -couple of hundred years without detecting anything; its astrobeacons -were employed once each year when the droneship arrived. Furthermore, -both equipments were automatic, on the trips, set up to bypass the -one-man crew of the Station by transmitting the information on the -regular Channels. So, there in the droneship, the junior spaceman -merely disconnected the pre-programmed autopilot, clamped his hands -around the manual gear, and took off for far-off Earth, Sol.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">VIII</p> - -<p>Gloria Hanford opened her apartment door, made a double take when she -saw the living room lights were on, toted up the list of unexpected -guests, and assessed the situation in one brief moment. She stopped -short on one high heel, pivoted, and said to her escort, "Not tonight, -Joseph!"</p> - -<p>"But—"</p> - -<p>"I've guests," she said, placing a hand flat on her escort's chest.</p> - -<p>"But—"</p> - -<p>"My guests mean trouble," she finished, shoving. Her escort -disappeared—walking backward and still trying to protest.</p> - -<p>Gloria closed the living room door with a gesture of finality, then -turned to lean back against it. She faced her unexpected guests with an -air of exasperated patience, as if by her silence she was inviting them -to hurl the first bolt and by her attitude confident that she could -turn it aside with ease.</p> - -<p>She did not have long to wait.</p> - -<p>They all started to talk at once. The resulting babble was -unintelligible and the sound of the others' voices made each one of -them stop without finishing. Silence fell again, and in the calm, -Scholar Ross spoke up:</p> - -<p>"Under the circumstances, Miss Hanford, I think we have the right to -ask that you explain your actions."</p> - -<p>Mr. Harrison grunted. "I say this is a waste of time. Let's get along -with it."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Harrison added, "Yes indeed, Scholar Ross. If you'll call the -authorities, we'll sign the complaint."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Hanford snapped, "I resent the implication that my daughter is -wholly and solely in the wrong."</p> - -<p>Mr. Hanford said, "In my opinion, Bertram Harrison isn't bright enough -to come in out of the rain, let alone being smart enough to know what's -good for him. Now—"</p> - -<p>Mr. Harrison growled, "We come calling this evening and find our son -deep under the influence of tranquilizers and the catalytic action of -the mood music prescribed for this philandering young hussy—"</p> - -<p>"I'm no philanderer!" cried Gloria. "I'm not married to your cold lump -of lard!"</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross spread out his hands in a gesture of supplication, as if -he were pleading with the gods for a return to sanity. "Stop it!" he -cried. "Stop it!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He turned to Mrs. Hanford with a shake of the head. "I am sorry. -Your resentment of the fact that this affair is your daughter's -responsibility is not going to change it."</p> - -<p>"But he's—"</p> - -<p>"Please, Mrs. Hanford. This engagement is not a matter of the personal -choice of the participants. It gravely concerns Society. Now, insofar -as the Department of Domestic Tranquility is concerned, it is the -excitable, headstrong, unruly, willful personality that is dangerous -to social stability. The calm and placid ones do not commit acts of -violence. Indeed, Mrs. Hanford, were it not for the quiet, phlegmatic -personality like Bertram Harrison, we in genetics would have a hard -time finding a useful niche for belligerents such as your daughter -Gloria."</p> - -<p>Gloria Hanford said something under her breath. Scholar Ross eyed her -suspiciously and demanded that she repeat.</p> - -<p>"Cliche Sixteen," she retorted. "It pertains to the problem of leading -horses to water."</p> - -<p>He nodded. "Yes. The horse is laudably exercising as much free will -as his equine position permits him. The same platitude can also be -employed to point out that blind stubbornness may prevent him from -doing something that is really a good idea even if someone else did -think of it first."</p> - -<p>"I say enough of this nonsense!" snapped Mr. Harrison. "Let's get this -debate over with!"</p> - -<p>"Now, just a moment," said Scholar Ross. "You have no legal standing. -Miss Hanford is Bertram Harrison's affianced wife. Under law, any -difficulties between them are strictly a civic matter. Bluntly, sir, -only the party being damaged can sign a complaint, and after making a -complaint it is up to the complaining party to prove that he is being -damaged at the will of the accused."</p> - -<p>"Scholar Ross, you and your Department of Domestic Tranquility may know -how you hope to maintain a calm and stable social structure, but you -don't know much about the law," said Mr. Harrison slowly and carefully. -"One only need go back to the early days of common law to find a rather -terse discussion of the proposition of maintaining an attractive -nuisance. The owner of the attractive nuisance has a responsibility to -the gullible citizens who are attracted."</p> - -<p>"Meaning?"</p> - -<p>"Meaning," said Mr. Harrison, "that Miss Hanford in this pre-marriage -apartment did maintain a series of attractive nuisances. Tranquilizer -pills. Soothing mood music. A person of calm tendencies would find them -most attractive. It was therefore her responsibility to protect the -other party. Now—when Bertram has been properly treated and is able -to testify—I think we'll find that Miss Hanford not only failed to -protect Bertram, but indeed encouraged him to help himself to her pills -and sleep in her bedroom under the soothing influence of the mood music -prescribed for her."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mr. Hanford snapped, "If this attractive nuisance is as you say, -Harrison, why can't we charge that Bertram did little to protect Gloria -from his own therapy?"</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross raised a hand. "Permit me," he said, "to reiterate that -it is the hypertonic, overactive personalities that create social -troubles. A Bertram Harrison lulled into a semi-cataleptic state by the -wiles of a Gloria Hanford would hardly be expected to rise in a sudden -burst of strength."</p> - -<p>"So no matter what I do, I'm wrong?" the girl asked.</p> - -<p>"Not at all," said Scholar Ross. "It is your direct -responsibilty—your <i>duty</i>—to do everything you can to establish a -firm and stable family unit here with Bertram Harrison—"</p> - -<p>"Sorry, Scholar Ross," said Mr. Harrison icily. "You haven't really -heard me. Your notion that this affair is a civil argument between an -affianced couple is not true. You imply that no laws have been broken. -You are wrong. I am willing to sign a complaint right now that Miss -Gloria Hanford deliberately induced my son to indulge in her therapy. -It was her means of lulling him into a state of mind that would permit -her to go gallivanting off on a date with another man."</p> - -<p>"I am not married to Berty yet!" snapped Gloria. "Dating's still my -right!"</p> - -<p>"Oh," snarled Mr. Harrison angrily, "shut up or I'll sign a complaint -that you administered medical treatment without a license! Insofar as -the Harrison family is concerned, this engagement shall be terminated -unfavorably. Come!" he said to his wife. She rose to follow.</p> - -<p>Gloria stepped aside, but paused to ask, "Aren't you going to take -Bertie with you?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Hanford said coldly, "He's already been taken to the hospital for -treatment to bring him out of the trance you got him into. And so, Miss -Hanford, will you please step aside and let me pass?"</p> - -<p>And Mr. Harrison's parting shot was, "I shall sign my complaints in -the morning—or if he is able, we'll make it thoroughly legal and have -Bertram sign them."</p> - -<p>He closed the door firmly.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Hanford wailed, "Now what shall we do?"</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross shook his head. "With this poor record, this -non-cooperation," he said slowly, "it will be well nigh impossible -to arrange another union, furthermore, if Harrison carries out his -threat—"</p> - -<p>Gloria said quickly, "If he wants to, he can talk Bertie into anything. -Anything. Such as signing the most frightful complaints and being -convinced of their absolute truth and justice."</p> - -<p>Mr. Hanford said, "If that's true, he could also be talked back out of -them."</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross shook his head again. "That presupposes that you could -arrange access to Bertram that couldn't be overcome by another -talking-to by his parents. It won't work. The young man is a mental -weathervane."</p> - -<p>"So where do we stand?"</p> - -<p>"As I say, we might as well prepare for the worst. If the case of -Gloria Hanford ever comes under the scrutiny of the Law, she will be -declared either a delinquent or an incorrigible, depending upon whether -her escapades are ruled misdemeanors or felonies." Scholar Ross turned -to Gloria Hanford. "I warned you. Now, where we of the Department of -Domestic Tranquility have no power to force you into a proper course -of action, you'll find that the Law most certainly has. Miss Hanford, -the Law will decide just how dangerous you are to the civic peace. Upon -that decision, the law will further decide what action it must take to -protect that civic peace from you."</p> - -<p>He paused. A silence followed his statements. He waited a few moments -to let his words sink in. Then he walked to the door and said:</p> - -<p>"As of now, the future of Miss Gloria Hanford is out of my hands."</p> - -<p>Mr. Hanford said, "Scholar Ross, how bad is this likely to be?"</p> - -<p>"A lot will depend upon how swiftly Bertram Harrison responds to the -restorative treatment. With some luck and a brilliant attorney on your -side the matter might not reach a major catastrophe. Tomorrow may tell."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">IX</p> - -<p>Junior Spaceman Howard Reed said plaintively, "But this is the Bureau -of Justice. According to the Regulations you are supposed to listen to -me, at least."</p> - -<p>The space officer behind the desk wore the three wide stripes of the -commander's rank, topped by the fasces that symbolized the law. He was -Commander Hughes, chief of the Space Service Bureau of Justice. He -smiled at the junior spaceman but shook his head. "You would place us -in a most difficult position were we to heed your plea without having -the matter referred to us through official channels."</p> - -<p>With some exasperation, Reed said, "Look, sir, I've been subject to a -severe injustice. Why can't I at least tell my problem to someone?"</p> - -<p>"That would be cutting across channels. It simply is not done."</p> - -<p>"Commander Hughes," said the junior spaceman earnestly, "you're not -serving justice. You're obstructing it!"</p> - -<p>"Now see here, young man—"</p> - -<p>"Commander Hughes, you're insisting that I request my superior officer -to forward through official channels a complaint against him. First, -sir, I point out that he would refuse my request unless he were -absolutely certain that my case against him was ridiculously weak. -Second, I'm certain that the request would bring quick retaliation."</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes shook his head. "The Regulation provides that any -reasonable request be forwarded. And the Regulation further provides -that there shall be no punitive action."</p> - -<p>Reed snorted. "Fine. And if I do find myself punished, must I next -forward my request for investigation through the same officer?"</p> - -<p>"That is a serious charge, young man."</p> - -<p>"I can substantiate it! Look, sir, quite a long time ago I made some -scientific studies, and—"</p> - -<p>"You're an Operations officer, Mr. Reed?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but—"</p> - -<p>"Then you're not trained in science?"</p> - -<p>"Let's not go on that rat-race right now," said the junior spaceman -testily. "I've heard it before. That's why I'm here!"</p> - -<p>"Very well."</p> - -<p>Junior Spaceman Howard Reed took a deep breath and plunged into his -long explanation. At the end, Commander Hughes nodded, his face in a -non-committal mask.</p> - -<p>"One moment now," he said. He turned to the working desk behind him -and spoke into a telephone. It had neither visual plate nor amplified -output; only the user could know what was being communicated, and with -whom.</p> - -<p>"Now we'll see," said the commander as he hung up the telephone.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>With the awkwardness of a stopped trivideo drama they stood and sat -there motionless and silently as the minutes dragged past. Ultimately -there was a gentle alarm ring from one of the desk drawers. Commander -Hughes opened it to extract a couple of yards of stereofac paper.</p> - -<p>"Your service record," explained the commander, picking up a reading -prism and starting at the top. "Just another moment."</p> - -<p>Another half dozen minutes went past.</p> - -<p>"'Junior Spaceman Howard Reed,'" the commander read quietly at last, -"'has an exemplary record.' That is Commander Breckenridge's opinion, -if we are to believe what we read in this record. Oh, perhaps, he -thought, a bit headstrong and mildly argumentative, factors which he -considered balanced by a faculty for deep concentration."</p> - -<p>"And how about my being transferred to Eden, Tau Ceti? And then to -Flatbush, Lalande 25372?" Reed demanded.</p> - -<p>"'Reasons for transfer,'" read Commander Hughes from the record. -"'Junior Spaceman Howard Reed is ambitious and overactive. In the -considered opinion of Commander Breckenridge, he will make a fine -superior officer once his duty-experience has the proper breadth.'" -The commander looked up and waved a hand at the length of stereofac. -The fasces wrought in gold above the stripes glittered in the light. -"Were it not for the Regulations against permitting a junior officer to -inspect his own service record," said Commander Hughes with a smile, -"I'd let you see for yourself that nowhere on this record is there a -single word that corroborates your suggestion. Your tour of duty on -Flatbush, Lalande 25372, and your earlier transfer to Eden, Tau Ceti, -were merely the standard tour of duty, granted to satisfactory junior -officers as a means of properly broadening their experience."</p> - -<p>"In other words," snapped Reed angrily, "the fact that I have crossed -space in a craft powered by a technical suggestion made by me some -years ago does not prove a thing."</p> - -<p>"Can you prove that you made any such technical suggestion?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Call Commander Briggs of the Bureau of Research. Call Commander -Breckenridge of the Bureau of Operations. Demand that they state under -oath, whether I did or did not make such suggestions. I was told my -ideas were worthless."</p> - -<p>"In other words, the Bureau of Research says it wouldn't work?"</p> - -<p>"But look, sir! I drove a spacecraft all the way from—"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The Bureau of Justice officer held up a hand.</p> - -<p>"Look," said the junior spaceman angrily, "all I want is justice!"</p> - -<p>"And justice you'll get!" retorted Commander Hughes. "First, Mr. Reed, -let me ask how you obtained permission to leave your post on Flatbush, -Lalande 25372, so that you could come to the headquarters in person to -state your plea? Or was this trip authorized?"</p> - -<p>"Well, sir—the detector and beacon stations are completely automated -and—"</p> - -<p>"In blunt terms you are absent without leave?"</p> - -<p>"Well, sir—"</p> - -<p>"Junior Spaceman Howard Reed, you will consider yourself under personal -arrest. We have no alternative but to place you in the custody of the -Space Security Police. Remain as you were!"</p> - -<p>Like the fabled case of the drowning man, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed -reviewed his past in a single flash before his eyes. In the second -blink, he covered his present. It wasn't to his liking.</p> - -<p>Having covered his past and discarded his present, he next inspected -his most probable future and came to the almost immediate conclusion -that there wasn't very much in it for him. He had never heard -Napoleon's statement that God was on the side with the heaviest -artillery, but, in his own way, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed came to -a parallel conclusion. Justice was on the side of the heaviest rank. -Bitterly, he reflected that the reward for a technical suggestion of -great merit was that they wouldn't make any trouble for him—so long as -he didn't try to claim credit for it.</p> - -<p>He came back to his dangerous present quickly. Commander Hughes was -talking briskly into his secret telephone.</p> - -<p>With a quick gesture, the junior spaceman leaned forward over the -desk and snatched the instrument out of the senior officer's hands. -He hauled in on the connecting cord until it came taut, and then he -yanked, ripping the cord from its terminals. Brusquely, he dropped the -telephone instrument into the commander's waste basket.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus3.jpg" width="600" height="265" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Then as bells began to ring and corridor horns began to sound, Junior -Spaceman Howard Reed left the administration building of the Bureau of -Justice on a dead run. Out in the street the wail of a siren began to -climb from its throaty basso to its ear-splitting ululation.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">X</p> - -<p>Gloria Hanford awoke, as she always did, with full awareness, like -the transition of a small animal from slumber to flight. It was not -a languid hand that reached for the telephone that had awakened her -but an alert one. It flipped the accept button up and the vidphone -eye button down in a single twisting gesture of thumb and forefinger. -It was not modesty that caused the turn-down of the vidphone eye. It -was vanity. Gloria Hanford deemed unbrushed teeth, uncombed hair, and -unwashed face both unacceptable and unattractive.</p> - -<p>"Gloria Hanford here. Go ahead."</p> - -<p>"Scholar Ross calling. Miss Hanford, you should know so that you can -be prepared. Bertram Harrison has not yet responded to corrective -therapy."</p> - -<p>"Not—yet—responded," she repeated slowly. "Just how bad is this, -Scholar Ross?"</p> - -<p>"It is quite grave. It's possible there may be cerebral deterioration."</p> - -<p>"You mean Bertram might even go from bad to worse?"</p> - -<p>"Miss Hanford, will you cease treating this as if it were a comedy? You -may be defending yourself against charges of criminal negligence. It -might even get to the charge of homicide before it's done."</p> - -<p>"Homicide? But he isn't dead!"</p> - -<p>"Fifth degree homicide," said Scholar Ross, "comprises the process -of causing by any means the loss of impairment of personality or -intellect. In layman's terms, <i>brain-washing</i>."</p> - -<p>"So?"</p> - -<p>"So if I were you I'd dress and be ready for the authorities. -Harrison forced a special session of court last night and had Bertram -declared as invalid-incommunicado. Since your engagement was formally -dissolved, this places Bertram's well-being under the discretion of his -next-of-kin blood relations. Father Harrison is prepared to prosecute -to the fullest extent. He's even petitioned for the right to take -action against the Department of Domestic Tranquility for what he calls -'incompetent meddling.' So you see, it looks bad."</p> - -<p>"Maybe there ought to be some thoughtful laws passed to protect we -active ones from the dolts and dullards," said Gloria. "Okay, Scholar -Ross, I'll take steps!"</p> - -<p>In a flurry of expert motion, Gloria Hanford dressed, packed, and left.</p> - -<p>The authorities who came for her hadn't had enough experience in -dealing with the hypertonic, overactive, fast-thinking, anti-social -type. They expected to find a slightly fuzzy-minded, still -half-aslumber girl, unable to grasp both an idea and a dressing gown at -the same time. They would not have equated their notion with the trim, -alert, neatly and completely dressed young lady they passed on the -stairs if it hadn't been for the standard, legal locks on all apartment -doors. A tiny flag filled a small aperture only when the full bolt was -cast home by a flip of the inside key.</p> - -<p>Its absence meant that no one was inside.</p> - -<p>The chief of the group forced his mental image through a mental -photomontage that started with the original picture of the -half-awakened young woman tossing a tousle of hair back out of -one eye, passed through a much-abridged version of the process -of female dressing, and concluded with the trim and striking -number they'd passed on the stairway. Add important item: As an -accessory, whistle-bait was also carrying an overnight bag in one -formal-for-travelling, white-gloved hand.</p> - -<p>Nudged, his memory was good.</p> - -<p>He hauled his handset out while his men were still making dead certain -that the little flag on the lock meant precisely what it said. By the -time they were convinced that the apartment was truly empty and the -lock bolted from the outside, he had unabashedly reported his failure, -and was concluding a very excellent description of the fugitive Gloria -Hanford.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">XI</p> - -<p>The average citizen, faced with an impressive uniform, falls into one -of two very widely divided camps. One of these camps contains those of -us who are impressed by the visible, exalted rank of the wearer.</p> - -<p>So, by the simple process of snapping, "Official business!" at the -driver of a skycab and simultaneously tossing the driver his official -I. D. card in its ornate leather folder, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed -succeeded in commandeering a skycab.</p> - -<p>He took off, leaving the driver in a razzle-dazzle dream of collecting -mileage from the Space Service whilst he spent the time comfortably -relaxing in a pub. Protected from public gaze by the camouflaging -skycab, the junior spaceman proceeded to cruise up the middle level of -Ancient Fifth Avenue, driving a full eighteen inches below the legal -altitude set for cruising skycabs.</p> - -<p>He turned on his pocket set to listen to the details of the search that -was being organized for him.</p> - -<p>Above him, all around him, even in the subways below him, the vast and -efficient organization of the Military Space Service was converging. -This organization had the will and the manpower to scour this city of -twenty million people almost literally soul by soul if the need be, to -locate a young officer in the uniform of a Junior Spaceman. He might -be driving a Military Vehicle, but more likely would be found in one -of the many public vehicles or public carriers that the city offered -for civilian transportation. There was also the high possibility that -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed might be located afoot on the static -sidewalk or on one of the tramways.</p> - -<p>And so, mentally clocking each time-point and making a careful note -of the check-points, the junior spaceman built up a mental map of the -city and its danger points. Until the laws of simple logic failed to -operate, he was going to be exactly where they weren't.</p> - -<p>He was, in the driver's seat of a skycab, precisely as invisible as -The Purloined Letter. But now, if he were to drive his skycab away from -the cruising level, he needed one more accessory. He had time. So long -as the Military was looking for a Military man in Military surroundings -and in a Military manner, he was as safe from detection as if he really -owned the skycab he'd commandeered.</p> - -<p>The civilian police were closer to success.</p> - -<p>Called by the chief of the arresting party who'd arrived at Gloria -Hanford's apartment too late by minutes, the minions of Law and Order -converged in their civilian efficiency. Logistically, it was a simple -matter of hare and hounds. The hare couldn't win. Only one question was -important: Which of the hounds would?</p> - -<p>Afoot and by jetcopter that englobed the area, they closed in. By the -application of stored memory and studied information they erected -invisible barriers at every exposed point along the most probable trail -of their quarry, from the street outside of her apartment door to the -garage stall in Monticello. Then, as a final clincher, they installed -three men in Gloria Hanford's airscooter itself.</p> - -<p>By virtue of the unexpected movement one can elude the cops for a time. -Gloria, on the street before her apartment building, almost went into -despair when she saw that there was no skycab within hailing distance. -She almost took it as a personal affront.</p> - -<p>But this was hardly the time to stamp her sandals on the hard pavement -or to write letters to the Commissioner of Public Carriers.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>She turned and disappeared into the tramway entrance heading North -along Waterfront Avenue. Her coin had hardly hit the bottom of its -slot when the mobile police converged to land on the spot she'd just -vacated. The foremost of them saw her trim figure disappearing into the -distance, eclipsed by the myriads of innocent souls whose only desire -was to make use of the same Northbound Tramway.</p> - -<p>The pursuit began to reshape its surface of detection from englobement -to a cylinder, the axis of which lay congruent with the Northbound -Tramway.</p> - -<p>Again, she held the advantage of knowing her own decision whereas -her pursuit had to divine her plans by analysis of her actions and -making use of extrapolation. Gloria Hanford abruptly stepped off the -Tramway at Fifty-third, walked briskly three long blocks to LaGuardia's -Sixth, found herself facing a group of burly policemen, and stopped -long enough to think. One of the cops shoved a galton whistle between -his teeth and blew a supersonic blast that registered on every cop's -detector within a quarter mile. Audibly a siren wailed. Inaudibly and -invisibly the drawstring web of civic forces began to close in.</p> - -<p>Once more Gloria stepped into the kiosk of a tramway, the Crosstown. -She rode one more block to Ancient Fifth and stepped off. With a wave -of her hand, and then the most startling process to be found in a -woman, Gloria Hanford poked two fingers in her mouth and let go with a -shrill, piercing whistle that made every skycab driver within a half -mile come to the point of 'customer's alert!'</p> - -<p>She made her point.</p> - -<p>The one accessory that Junior Spaceman Howard Reed needed was a -passenger, preferably a female passenger that could be identified as -a female for a hundred yards through a high fog driven by a blinding -gale. Old, beautiful, young or ugly didn't matter, so long as it was -unmistakably woman. The Military wouldn't stop a skycab with a female -passenger.</p> - -<p>He needed his passenger because, until he could pull the taxi-meter -flag—having filled the compartment with a customer—he was constrained -by law to cruise. Cruising would get him nowhere; what he needed was -the flag-down ticket of admission to the upper traffic levels.</p> - -<p>The whistle shrilled at him; he looked; and then with his spaceman's -skill, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed made a mad reverse spiral landing -that nosed out a half dozen other cursing drivers. He hit ground zero -at velocity zero on target zero and flipped open the skycab door so -close that Gloria Hanford did not have to take a middle ground step to -gain entry.</p> - -<p>He took off with a rush that tossed his passenger into the deep seat -and slammed the compartment door without human effort. Then he went -into a cruel climbing turn that wore away twenty thousand flight miles -of the engine bearings. He leveled off a thousand feet above Ancient -Fifth Avenue's top-most fast traffic level, and set his homing and -warning beacon to zero on the spaceport.</p> - -<p>It did not bother him that his passenger hadn't taken the time to -supply him with the destination she desired. After all, Junior Spaceman -Howard Reed was not really a skycab driver. He didn't care.</p> - -<p>Gloria Hanford rebounded from the soft cushions of the skycab -compartment and struggled her way into a position that gave her a good -look out of the broad rear window. Her driver's mad upward spiral made -her dizzy, but from the higher levels it was definitely obvious that -there was considerable concentration of movement down there below. Men -and ground cars as well as jetcopters were closing down upon the spot -they'd just left.</p> - -<p>It did not bother Gloria Hanford that her driver hadn't waited to -inquire as to her destination. She was just happy that he hadn't. Her -destination consisted of swift flight along any vector in a solid -sphere; hers was a reverse destination properly identified by the word -"elsewhere."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Behind them the city erupted with a criss-crossing of radio-directed -searchbeams, catching and identifying skycar after skycar. Up from -the city's traffic levels came jetcopters and squad hoppers and some -raid-gun carriers; personnel boats; even a sprinkling of mobile -communications bases. To one side and almost behind them a flight of -star shells burst in a fire-fall of gorgeous color. To their other side -a stream of warning tracer streaked.</p> - -<p>Howard poured on the coal.</p> - -<p>Gloria made no protest; it was a most satisfactory agreement.</p> - -<p>They buzzed across the Jersey Flats. He brought the skycab down on a -flat slant landing that arrowed directly in and touched ground and -skidded to a stop with all landing-gear brakes locked. They slid to -within a few yards of the spacecraft.</p> - -<p>Only then did the junior spaceman pause to speak to his passenger: -"Sorry, but I'm in a jam. So long!"</p> - -<p>He leaped out of the skycab, raced along the ground, went up the -ladder on a dead run, flipped into the spacelock, snapped the "Close" -switch as he passed the inner portal—and then, without waiting for -any pre-flight checkout, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed resigned from the -Space Force by slamming his controls into an emergency and unauthorized -flight program that took him up and out of Earth's atmosphere in barely -more than nothing flat.</p> - -<p>When he was free and clear, he relaxed in his pilot's seat, swiveled it -around ... and boggled, bug-eyed, at his passenger.</p> - -<p>Gloria Hanford, still trim and shipshape in her white sharkskin -suit, still carrying the overnight bag in her formal-for-travelling, -white-gloved hand, sat in the spare seat.</p> - -<p>She said: "I'm sorry about this, too, but it so happens that I'm also -in a jam. Where do we go from here, Spaceman?"</p> - -<p>He eyed her. "Where do you want to go?"</p> - -<p>Gloria chuckled in a throaty voice. "Away," she said.</p> - -<p>"Can you cook?" he demanded abruptly.</p> - -<p>"Yes—why?"</p> - -<p>"Then go rustle up some grub from the galley," he directed. "I'll have -to keep an eye on this crate until we're free and clear. We can decide -what to do next after we have time to think."</p> - -<p>She looked at him strangely. Her own attitude puzzled her. It was the -first time she'd been given an order that she hadn't resented, but -then of course his direction made very good sense.</p> - -<p>He looked upon her as she rose—and he found her fair.</p> - -<p>She was. Gloria Hanford was an extremely attractive dish in her own -right. Amplified a few millionfold by the spaceman's enforced isolation -on Eden, Tau Ceti, and later upon Flatbush, Lalande 25372, she was a -dream. Either locale would have the result of making Medusa the Gorgon -look like Miss Universe of All Time, but Gloria Hanford didn't need any -handicaps.</p> - -<p>By some strange chemistry of non-material radiation that required no -catalyst, there was no question between them.</p> - -<p>Oh, they had a lot to find out about one another, but they had plenty -of time for that.</p> - -<p>That and other things....</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph4">XII</p> - -<p>In the Officers' Club on Earth, someone said, "What's the latest -report?"</p> - -<p>Commander Breckenridge of Operations said, "Last detected by the -station at Last Gasp, Ross 780, and going like hell wouldn't have them."</p> - -<p>Commander Hughes of the Bureau of Justice said, "They're going at it -rather early, aren't they?"</p> - -<p>Scholar Ross of the Department of Domestic Tranquility waved at his -comparison microscope and its data cards. "It would be hard to find -two people better suited to one another." He looked at his watch and -smiled. "I'd say that by now they've both forgotten completely that -they were ever strangers."</p> - -<p>Commander Briggs of the Bureau of Research refilled the glasses with -the finest nonsynthetic vintage champagne that the cellar of the -Officers' Club could provide. He held his glass high and said, "I toast -the bride and groom and the ultimate colonization of the Galaxy—by -subterfuge!"</p> - -<p>But Scholar Ross pulled the hand down. With a shake of his head, he -held his own glass high. "Sorry, Briggs. But this time we toast the -reactionaries, the die-hards and the rule-ridden old guard who have to -work like the very devil to pair off a deserving young couple, and then -force them into finding a home of their own—on some other planet.</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen. To the Troublemakers!</p> - -<p>"<i>Ourselves!</i>"</p> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Troublemakers, by George O. Smith - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TROUBLEMAKERS *** - -***** This file should be named 51868-h.htm or 51868-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/8/6/51868/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -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/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/51868-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/51868-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index cd33976..0000000 --- a/old/51868-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/51868-h/images/illus1.jpg b/old/51868-h/images/illus1.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3478dc6..0000000 --- a/old/51868-h/images/illus1.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/51868-h/images/illus2.jpg b/old/51868-h/images/illus2.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 2845386..0000000 --- a/old/51868-h/images/illus2.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/51868-h/images/illus3.jpg b/old/51868-h/images/illus3.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 9c50237..0000000 --- a/old/51868-h/images/illus3.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/51868.txt b/old/51868.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f588fd5..0000000 --- a/old/51868.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2822 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Troublemakers, by George O. Smith - -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/license - - -Title: The Troublemakers - -Author: George O. Smith - -Release Date: April 26, 2016 [EBook #51868] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TROUBLEMAKERS *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - THE TROUBLEMAKERS - - By GEORGE O. SMITH - - Illustrated by DICK FRANCIS - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Galaxy Magazine April 1960. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - - - - What did Genetics and Hansen's Folly have - in common? Why, everything ... Genetics - was statistical and Hansen's Folly impossible! - - -I - -The living room reflected wealth, position, good taste. In size it was -a full ten feet by fourteen, with nearly an eight-foot ceiling. Light -was furnished by glow panels precisely balanced in color to produce -light's most flattering tint for the woman who sat in a delicate chair -of authentic, golden-veined blackwood. - -The chair itself must have cost a fortune to ship from Tau Ceti Five. -It was an ostentation in the eyes of the visitor, who viewed it as -evidence of a self-indulgent attitude that would certainly make his job -more difficult. - -The air in the room was fresh and very faintly aromatic, pleasing. It -came draftlessly refreshed at a temperature of seventy-six degrees and -a relative humidity of fifty per cent and permitted the entry of no -more than one foreign particle (dust) per cubic foot. - -The coffee table was another ostentation, but for a different reason -than the imported chair of blackwood. The coffee table was of -mahogany--terrestrial mahogany--and therefore either antique, heirloom, -or both, and in any combination of cases it was priceless. It gave -the visitor some dark pleasure to sit before it with his comparison -microscope parked on the polished mahogany surface, with the ease of -one who always parked his tools on tables and stands made of treasure -woods. - -There were four persons. Paul Hanford swirled brandy in a snifter -with a series of nervous gestures. Mrs. Hanford sat in the blackwood -chair unhappily, despite the flattering glow of the wall-panels. Their -daughter, Gloria, sat in such a way as to distract the visitor by -presenting a target that his eyes could not avoid. Try as he would, his -gaze kept straying to the slender, exposed bare ankle and the delicate, -high-arched foot visible beneath the hem of the girl's dress. - - * * * * * - -Norman Ross, GSch, was the visitor, and he subvocalized his tenth -self-indictment as he tore his gaze away from Gloria Hanford's ankle to -look into Paul Hanford's face. Ross was the Scholar of Genetics for the -local division of the Department of Domestic Tranquility and he should -have known all about such things, but he obviously did not. - -He said, "You can hardly blame yourselves, you know," although he did -not really believe it. - -"But what have we done wrong?" asked Mrs. Hanford in a plaintive voice. - -Scholar Ross shook his head and caught his gaze in mid-stray before it -returned all the way to that alluring ankle. "Genetics, my dear Mrs. -Hanford, is a statistical science, not a precise science." He waved -vaguely at the comparison microscope. "There are your backgrounds for -seven generations. No one--and I repeat, _no one_--could have foreseen -the issue of a headstrong, difficult offspring from the mating of -characteristics such as these. I checked most carefully, most minutely, -just to be certain that some obscure but important conflict had not -been overlooked by the signing doctor. Doctors, however, do make -mistakes." - -Gloria Hanford dandled her calf provocatively and caused the hem of her -skirt to rise another half-inch. The scholar's eyes swung, clung, and -were jerked away again. - -"What's wrong with me, Scholar Ross?" she asked in a throaty voice. - -"You are headstrong, self-willed, wild, and--" his voice failed because -he wanted to lash out at her for her brazen and deliberate display of -her bare ankle; he struggled to find a drawing-room word for her that -would not wholly offend the hapless parents and ultimately came up -with--"meretricious." - -Gloria said, "I'm all that just because I enjoy a little fun?" - -"You may call it fun to scare people to death by flying your aircar -below roof level along the city streets, but the Department of Air -Traffic says that it is both dangerous and illegal." - -"Pooh!" - -Paul Hanford said, "Gloria, it isn't that you don't know better." - -Mrs. Hanford said, "Paul, how have we failed as parents?" - -Scholar Ross shook his head. "You haven't failed. You can't help it if -your daughter is a throwback--" - -"Throwback!" exclaimed Gloria. - -"--to an earlier, more violent age when uncontrolled groups of -headstrong youths formed gangs of New York and conducted open warfare -upon one another for the control of Tammany Hall. Those wild days were -the result of unregistered, unrestricted, and uncontrolled matings. -Since no attempt was made to prevent the unfit from mating with the -unfit, there were many generations of wild ones--troublemakers. It is -not surprising that, with such a human heritage, an occasional wild one -is born today." - - * * * * * - -The scholar took another surreptitious (he hoped) glance at the bare -ankle and said, "No, you are not directly to blame. We know you -wouldn't spawn a troublemaker willfully and maliciously. It's just -an unfortunate accident. You must not despair over the past--but you -_must_ spend your efforts to calm the troubled future." - -"What should we do, Scholar Ross?" asked Paul Hanford. - -"I have to speak bluntly. Perhaps you'd prefer the ladies to leave." - -"I'll not go," said Mrs. Hanford firmly, and Gloria added, "I'm not -going to let you talk about me behind my back!" - -"Very well. As Scholar of Genetics, I am head of the local Division -of Domestic Tranquility. I would prefer to keep my district calm and -peaceful, without the attention of the punitive authorities, and I'm -sure you'd all prefer this, too." - -"Absolutely!" said Paul Hanford. - -"Now, then," said Scholar Ross, "for the immediate problem, we'll -prescribe fifty milligrams of dociline, one tablet to be taken each -night before retiring. This will place our young lady's frame of mind -in a receptive mood to suggestions of gentler pursuits. As soon as -possible, Mr. Hanford, subscribe to _Music To Live By_ and have them -pipe in Program G-252 every evening, starting shortly after dinnertime -and signing off shortly after breakfast. Your daughter's dinnertime and -breakfast I mean, and the outlet should be in her bedroom. It is not -mandatory that she heed the program material all the time, but it must -be available to set her moods. Finally, upon awakening, a twenty-five -milligram tablet of nitrolabe will lower the patient's capacity for -anticipating excitement during the day." - -He paused for a moment thoughtfully, and added as if it were an -aside, "I'd not go so far as to suggest that you--her parents--make a -conscious effort to avoid listening to periods of Program G-252, but -I'd definitely warn you not to fall into the habit of listening to it." - -He eyed the ceiling thoughtfully, then consulted his notebook. "Come -to think of it, I'll also give you a prescription for Program X-870 -which you can use or not as you desire. Have this one piped into your -bedroom, Mrs. Hanford, and try to strike a somewhat reasonable balance. -Say no greater imbalance than about two of one to one of the other -and if you, Mr. Hanford, spend any time listening to your daughter's -program material, you should also counteract its effect by listening to -an equal time of the program prescribed for Mrs. Hanford." - -He turned back to Gloria and shook his head. - -She smiled archly at him and asked, "Now what's wrong?" - -"You," he told her bluntly. "If this delinquency weren't a mental -disorder, I'd prescribe a ten milligram dose of micrograine to be taken -at the first quickening of the pulse prior to excitement. I don't -suppose you really regret your wildness, though, do you, Miss Hanford?" - - * * * * * - -She shook her head. "No, and I don't really enjoy the whole program -you've laid out for me." - -"I'd hardly expect anybody to approve of a program that is calculated -to change their entire personality and character," said Scholar Ross. -"But a bit of common logic will convince you that it is the better -thing. Miss Hanford, you've simply _got_ to conform." - -"Why?" she demanded. - -"We live in a free world, Miss Hanford, but it is a freedom diluted by -our responsibility to our fellow-man. The density of population here on -Earth is too high to permit rowdy behavior. Laws are not passed simply -to curtail a man's freedom. They are passed to protect the innocent -bystander--who is minding his own business--from the unruly, headstrong -character who doesn't see anything wrong in disposing of empty beer -bottles by dropping them out of his apartment window, and justifying -his behavior by pointing out that it is a hundred-yard walk down the -corridor to the trash chute. When we live so close together that no one -can raise his voice in anger without disturbing his neighbor, then we -have the right to pass laws against such a display of temper. It works -both ways, Miss Hanford. By requiring people to behave themselves, we -ultimately arrive at a social culture in which no one conducts himself -in such a way as to anger his neighbor into violence. Have I made -myself clear?" - -"In other words," said Gloria, "if it's fun, hurry up and pass a law -against it!" - -"Well, hardly that--" the scholar began. - -"Tell me," she interrupted. "How long am I going to be on this -pill-and-lullaby diet?" - -"It may be for a long time. In severe cases, it is for the rest of the -patient's life. On the other hand, we have quite a bit of evidence -that your urge to excitement may dwindle with maturity. Oh, we do not -propose to make a pariah out of you. Marriage and motherhood have -settling effects, too." - -"My baby--!" cried Mrs. Hanford. - -"Your baby," commented Paul Hanford in a very dry voice, "is a college -graduate, twenty years old." - -"Nobody's asked my opinion," complained Gloria, swinging her leg and -hiking the hem of her skirt another half-inch above the slender ankle. - -"Nobody will. However, Miss Hanford, I shall place your card in the -'eligible' file and have your characteristics checked. I'm sure that -we can find a man who will be acceptable to you--and also to the -department of Domestic Tranquility." - -"Humph!" - -"Sneer if you will, Miss Hanford. But marriage and motherhood have -taken the 'hell' out of a lot of hell-raisers in the past." - - -II - -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed entered the commandant's office eagerly and -briskly. His salute was snappy as he announced himself. - -Commander Breckenridge looked up at the young spaceman without -expression, nodded curtly, and then looked down at the pile of papers -neatly stacked in the center of his desk. Without saying a word, the -commander fingered down through the pile until he came to a thin sheaf -of papers stapled together. This file he withdrew, placed atop the -stack, and then he proceeded to read every word of every page as if he -were refreshing his memory about some minor incident that had become -important only because of the upper-level annoyance it had caused. - -When he finished, he looked up and said coldly, "I presume you know why -you're here, Mr. Reed?" - -"I can guess, sir--because of my technical suggestion." - -"You are correct." - -"And it's been accepted?" cried the junior spaceman eagerly. - -"It has not!" snapped the superior officer. "In fact--" - -"But, sir, I don't understand--" - -"Silence!" said Commander Breckenridge. Almost automatically, his right -hand slipped the top drawer open to expose the vial of tri-colored -capsules. His hand stopped short of them, dangling into the drawer -from the wrist resting on the edge. He looked down at the pills and -seemed to be debating whether it would be better to conduct this -painful interview as gentlemen should, or to let his righteous anger -show. - -"Mr. Reed," he said heavily, "your aptitudes and qualifications -were reviewed most carefully by the Bureau of Personnel, and their -considered judgment caused your replacement here, in the Bureau of -Operations. You were _not_--and I repeat, _not_--placed in the Bureau -of Research. Is this clear?" - -"Yes, sir. But--" - -"Mr. Reed, I cannot object to the provisions in the Regulations whereby -encouragement is given both the officers and men to proffer suggestions -for the betterment of the Service. However, a shoe-maker should stick -to his last. The benefit of this program becomes a detriment when any -officer or man tries to invade other departments. This works both ways, -Mr. Reed. There is not an officer in the whole Bureau of Research who -can tell me a single thing about organizing my Bureau of Operations. -Conversely, I would be completely stunned if any Operations officer -were to come up with something that hasn't been known to the Bureau of -Research for years." - -"Yes, sir. I see your point, sir. But if the Bureau of Research has -known about my suggestion for years, why isn't it being used?" - -"Because, Mr. Reed, it will not work!" - -"But, sir, it's _got_ to work!" - -"And you feel so firmly convinced of this that you had the temerity to -bypass my office?" - -"Sir, you yourself make a point of professing to know absolutely -nothing about scientific matters." - -"All right, we'll table this angle for a few minutes. Just what makes -this notion of yours so important, Mr. Reed?" - - * * * * * - -"Sir," said Reed, "the maximum range for our most efficient spacecraft -is only a bit over seventeen light-years to the point of no return. My -suggestion deals with a means of extending that range a hundred times. -Perhaps more. If it were my decision, sir, anything that even hinted at -extending the cruising range would receive a maximum-urgency priority." - -"In other words, you feel that anything we can do to extend our -operations is the most important thing in the whole Space Service?" - -"Well, sir, perhaps not _the_ most important, but--" - -"Your modesty is gratifying. I presume this modesty would prevent you -from accepting any more than the Letter of Commendation from the Office -of the Secretary?" - -"I don't understand, sir." - -"You don't? Mr. Reed, was your desire to improve the efficiency of -Operations a simple desire to improve the Service--or did you hope that -this brilliant suggestion would, perhaps, provide you with a better -assignment?" - -"I still do not understand." - -"Oh, you don't? Mr. Reed, why did you join the Space Service in the -first place?" - -"Because, sir, I hoped that I could be instrumental in helping mankind -to spread across the Galaxy." - -"Mr. Reed, have you sand in your shoes?" - -"Sir?" - -The commander sighed. "You hoped to go along on the voyage, didn't you?" - -"Well, sir, I did have a hope that I'd become a real spaceman." - -"And you're disappointed?" - -Howard Reed's face was wistful, torn between a desire to confide in his -commanding officer and the fear of saying what he knew to be a sharp -criticism of the Space Service. - -Then Reed realized that he was in a bad pinch anyway, and so he said, -"Sir, I'm commissioned as a junior spaceman, but in three years I've -only made one short test flight--and only to Luna! I am competent to -pilot--or at least that's what the flight simulators say in my checkout -tests. I'm a junior spaceman--yet every time I apply for active space -duty, I'm refused! Three years I've spent in the Service, sir, solving -theoretical and hypothetical problems in space operations. But aside -from one test flight to the Moon, I have yet to set a foot inside of a -spacecraft, let alone stand on the soil of another world!" - -"You must learn patience, Mr. Reed." - -"_Patience_, sir? Look, sir, I took this sedentary duty until I'd had -it up to here, and then I began to pry into the question of why we have -a Space Force, complete with spacecraft, and still do so little space -traveling. I found out. We're limited to a maximum range of seventeen -light-years to the point of no return. Even a trip to Eden, Tau Ceti, -our nearest colony, is eleven-point-eight light-years, and that takes -prodigious power." - -"Granted," said the commander. - -"But now, sir, if we could increase our range by one hundred times, -this does not necessarily mean that we must actually power the -spacecraft for that point of no return. It also means that we could -charge the ship with one one-hundredth of its former banks for the -short trip to Eden, Tau Ceti--which would leave a _fantastic_ amount -of storage and cargo and passenger space. Sir, we could start real -commerce!" - - * * * * * - -Commander Breckenridge gave no reaction. - -"And you hoped to be among them." - -"Yes, sir! As a kid, I read about mankind's first exploration of space -two hundred years ago, sir. Of course, I couldn't hope to set foot on a -new planet, since every possible planet within the seventeen-light-year -range has been looked over. But I wanted to see space myself, sir--and -I did hope that I might extend Man's frontier beyond our rather small -limit." - -"Yes, I can understand the impatience of youth," said Commander -Breckenridge. "For that, I can forgive you. But for trying to do the -other man's job, I cannot." - -"Sir, you're as much as saying that no one can have a good technical -idea but the technical people at the Bureau of Research." - -In answer, the commander flipped over several pages of the file. He -said: "Mister Reed, this is what resulted in your abortive attempt to -gain a scientific ear instead of forwarding your suggestion through the -standard channels. I'm going to quote some pertinent parts of a letter -from Commander Briggs, head of the Bureau of Research. Listen: - -"--young genius has rediscovered the line of mathematical argument -known here at Research as 'Hansen's Folly' because it was first -exploited by young Spaceman Hansen about a hundred and fifty years -ago. Hansen's Folly is probably to be expected of a young, ambitious -young officer with stars in his eyes. I'd be inclined to congratulate -him--if it weren't for the fact that Hansen's Folly turns up with such -regularity that we here at Research hold a regular pool against its -next rediscovery. You'll be happy to know that you, your young genius, -and your department have 'won' for me the great honor (?) of buying -dinner for the crew at the Officers Club on Saturday next. - -"Don't be too hard on young Reed; the rediscovery of Hansen's Folly -takes a rather bright mind. However, Breck, I _will_ congratulate your -bright young man if he can--without any further clue--go back over his -own mathematics and locate the flaw. I'll--" - -"There's more of this, but it isn't germane," said Breckenridge -quietly. "This is enough." - -"Enough, sir?" repeated Reed blankly. - -"Enough to let you know what goes on. Now, Mr. Reed, you've committed -nothing but a brash act of bad taste in bypassing the standard -channels. Such an indiscretion demands some form of punishment, but -if I were to attempt to outline punishment officially, it would be -unfortunately easy for some legal eagle to point out that your behavior -was, to the best of your knowledge, intended for the betterment of -the Service. And furthermore that I was wreaking vengeance upon your -hapless soul for having made my name the brunt of jokes at the Officers -Club." - -"I'm sorry, sir." - -"Being sorry is not enough, Mr. Reed. But I have a plan that will -gratify everybody concerned. You want to become an active spaceman? -Very well, your next tour of duty will be at the Space Force Station -on the planet Eden, Tau Ceti. It will terminate when you have finally -succeeded in locating the flaw in Hansen's Folly and can show the error -to the satisfaction of Commander Briggs. Have I made myself clear, Mr. -Reed?" - -"Yes, sir, and thank you, sir. You're really doing me a favor, sir." - -"Mr. Reed, despite the age-old platitude, it is wise to look the gift -horse in the mouth, at least before saying thanks." - - -III - -Scholar Norman Ross smiled at his host's statement. "Yes, indeed, Mr. -Harrison! Arranging these things so that we can maintain the Norm is -often a delicate and arduous task. There are restrictions, and there -are many variables involved, the most sensitive of which are the -feelings of the people involved." - -"Your job must call for the ultimate in diplomacy," said Mrs. Harrison. - -To his host's wife, Scholar Ross nodded. "Yet," he said as an -afterthought, "of even greater value is a high regard for the perfect -truth. This includes the self-discipline of admitting it when one has -been wrong, and being able to state precisely how, where, why, and, -most important, to what degree." - -"I don't understand," said his hostess. - -"Mrs. Harrison, let's consider Bertram." - -She cast a glance at her son. In an earlier age, he would have been -called "indolent." During dinner, Bertram had employed the correct -fork, plied his knife properly, conversed with his partners on both -sides--yet she knew something was wrong. - -"Bertram," she said, "haven't you been forgetting your pills?" - -"Sorry, Mother," replied the young man tonelessly. - -Bertram arose and left, and Scholar Ross said, "This is what I mean, -Mrs. Harrison. Genetics is not a precise science; it is statistical. We -can consider highly favorable the mating of two well-balanced people, -and we can predict that this union will produce well-balanced children. -Unfortunately we cannot guarantee the desired results. Hence we have -anomalies such as Bertram, whose problem is simply a lack of drive. Now -this is no fault of yours, Mrs. Harrison, nor of yours, Mr. Harrison. -It may be the fault of Genetics, but if it is our 'fault,' then the -fault lies in the lack of total knowledge; but not in the misuse, or -lack of use, of what knowledge we do already have." - -"I see what you mean, Scholar Ross." - -"You'll also see the opposite when the Hanfords arrive. Here we have -parents as stable as you two. You'll pardon me if I say that if all -four of your characteristic cards were dropped at once and I had been -expected to render a considered opinion as to their most favorable -mating combination, I could render no preference, so equal are you. -However, your union has produced Bertram. Conversely, their mating has -produced a girl who is wild, headstrong, willful." - - * * * * * - -Bertram returned, seated himself quietly, and when Scholar Ross stopped -talking, Bertram said apologetically, "I took a double dose, Mother." - -"Is that all right?" she asked Scholar Ross. - -"Probably won't do any harm," he said. - -Mr. Harrison cleared his throat. "I'm not sure that I approve of -Bertram marrying a headstrong girl, Scholar Ross." - -Mrs. Harrison said, "William, you know it's best." - -"For Bertram?" - -"Now here," said Scholar Ross, "we must cease considering the -welfare of the individual alone and start thinking of him as a part -of an integrated society. No man is an island, Mr. Harrison. In a -less advanced culture, Bertram would have been permitted to meet -contemporary personalities. Perhaps might have met someone who--as he -does--lacks drive and initiative, and the result would have been a -family of dull children. Had he been unlucky enough to marry a woman -with drive and ambition, their children might have been normal, but the -entire home life would have been an emotional battlefield. And that--" - -"Isn't that what you're about to achieve?" asked Mr. Harrison. - -"Not at all. We shall achieve the normal, happy children who will -undoubtedly grow into fine, stable adults. To gain this end, of -course, their home life must be happy and tranquil. We'll prescribe -for them--allowing for the emotional change that results from marriage -and--" - -The doorbell interrupted the scholar's explanation. "Allow me," he -said, rising and heading for the apartment door. The Harrisons followed -him at a slight distance. It was the Hanfords. - -There was the full round robin of introductions and small talk: "You -had no trouble?" "No, the intercity beacon was running clear--" "Lovely -apartment, Mrs. Harrison." "Mrs. Hanford, here in Philadelphia we feel -that we're almost in the suburbs." "Got a treat for you, Hanford--been -saving a bottle of natural bourbon!" "That'll be a treat, all right!" -"This is a real event. Scholar Ross." "You know, Mrs. Hanford, the -vidphone hardly does you justice!" "Why, thank you!" - -"Miss Hanford, may I present Bertram Harrison?" "How do you do?" "I do -as I please. What's your excuse?" "Huh?" "_Now, Gloria!_" "Bertram, -show Gloria the flower room. Go on, now!" - -Scholar Ross watched the young couple walk through a French door to an -outside terrace. He turned to Harrison and said, "Everything set?" - -Harrison nodded. "Had a little trouble with the Music people till I -used your priority. They said they'd have Program R-147 piped into the -flower room. Frankly, I think R-215 is better." - - * * * * * - -Scholar Ross laughed gently. "Probably happy association." - -"Wife and I still have it piped in for our anniversary," Mr. Harrison -admitted. - -"Good for you! But R-215 is for normal, happily well-balanced young -people who'd probably fall in love without it. R-147 is sure-fire for -emotional opposites." - -"Well, we finally got the program piped in, so what do we do now?" - -Scholar Ross smiled quietly. "We wait. We get acquainted, because there -is a very high probability that you two families will be united through -the marriage of your children. Then I shall enter a new file in the -Genetics Bureau of the Department of Domestic Tranquility. We shall -watch through the years as your grandchildren grow, and make periodic -checks, and thereby advance mankind's knowledge of genetics." - -"Doesn't this sort of master-minding ever give you a God complex?" -asked Mr. Hanford. - -"Not at all. Were I God, I'm sure I could arrange things a lot better." - -"In what way?" - -"By Man's own laws, we are prevented from doing active genetic research -on the human race. We apply what happens to mice and fruit flies -to the human family tree. We've known for centuries how to breed -blue-eyed or brown-eyed people, or, if we wanted, we could make the -race predominantly fat or thin, tall or short. However, our main aim is -not the ultimate purity of any physical characteristic. Our goal is to -produce a stable, happy people by eliminating the lethargic personality -below and the excitable types above." - -The scholar thought for a moment, and then, remembering Bertram's error -in forgetting to take his go-pills, said, "But we are blocked by law. -I can prescribe medication and therapy, but I have no power to force -the patient to take the treatment. This is a most difficult problem, -believe me." - -"In what way?" asked Mrs. Harrison with some interest. - -"The lethargic types are very apt to forget, or to dismiss the -medication or the therapy as too much trouble. The overactive type -is more likely to be water skiing on Lake Superior than sitting and -listening to the tranquilizing strains of prescribed music, and the -medication dumped down the drain instead of taken." - -"You do have your problems, don't you?" said Mrs. Hanford -sympathetically. - -"Ah, yes. But our greatest problem is the overactive young female. -Young males can be siphoned off in one way or another--work to be done -that, unfortunately, females, can't also do." Scholar Ross smiled at -Mr. and Mrs. Harrison. "So we actually are grateful for the lethargic -types. They provide us with a fine sobering influence upon the--" - -The scholar was interrupted by a wordless cry from beyond the French -windows. - - * * * * * - -The Harrisons, the Hanfords, and Scholar Ross leaped to their feet and -started for the terrace. They did not get all the way to the French -doors, for Gloria Hanford came stamping in. Her eyes were bright, and -she was dusting one palm with the other. - -"What--?" - -Gloria snapped, "Someone been feeding that oaf red meat?" - -"But what _happened_?" asked Mr. Harrison. - -"Oh, I could stand the big dummy acting as if he'd never been alone -with a girl before in all his life. But to _ask_ me for a kiss!" - -"Is that what caused the eruption?" said Scholar Ross. - -"When he _asked_ me for a kiss, I told him that I was saving my kisses -for a _man_!" - -"And then?" - -"Then he decided that I meant a man big enough to wrestle." Gloria -laughed and then looked thoughtful. - -"What's so funny--and not so funny now?" - -"I just realized that _I like men_!" - -"But Bertram?" - -"Darned if it isn't the first time I've ever resented being pawed," -said Gloria in a matter-of-fact tone, as if it were her hair-do rather -than her virtue that was the subject of discussion. "So I grabbed -a hand, hung the arm over my shoulder with the inside upward, and -hip-tossed the big oaf over the railing into that silly little fish -pond." - -"Gloria!" exploded her mother. - -"Poor Bertram!" exclaimed his mother. - -Scholar Ross sighed. "These things often go awry at first. Bertram -shouldn't have taken a double dose of his medication. And I'd guess -that Gloria hasn't been meticulous about hers, either. Now--" - -He was interrupted by the arrival of Bertram Harrison, who looked as if -he'd just waded home across a mud flat at low tide. He stepped toward -Gloria purposefully; the girl crouched in a judo position and said, -"Want some more? Come and get it!" - -"Now wait a moment," said Scholar Ross. "Gloria, where did you ever -learn such brutal, belligerent tactics?" - - * * * * * - -Gloria faced him, but kept one eye on Bertram. "Out of a book--where -else in this calm old world?" - -The scholar said, "You see, Miss Hanford, the results of your -outrageous behavior? You've committed an act of physical violence. -You've--" - -The girl gave one sharp bark of laughter. "Who started it with whose -caveman technique?" - -"I think," said Scholar Ross to the four parents, "that this meeting -should be resumed at a later date. Bertram must _not_ overdose himself -in a misguided effort to make up for omitted medication. Gloria must -_not_ avoid hers--and, Mrs. Hanford, you'll not only have to watch -closely to see that she does take her pills; you'll also have to make -sure that Gloria doesn't counteract them by surreptitiously acquiring -some agitators to neutralize the tranquilizers." - -"And suppose I call the whole thing off?" demanded Gloria. "Suppose I -don't agree to share bed and board with this souped-up sardine?" - -The room grew quieter until the background sounds were gone and from -the patio came the faint, sweet strains of romantic music: Program -R-147. - -Finally Scholar Ross said, "Miss Hanford, we cannot force you to do -anything, but we can make your life extremely uncomfortable if you -do not comply with what we believe to be best for society. You will -find--if you care to look it up--that there is a drastic shortage of -eligible young women on the planet Eden, Tau Ceti." - -"You mean--migrate--to the _colony_?" - -"I mean just that." - -Gloria Hanford's face went white. She understood that if Scholar Ross -decreed Eden, Tau Ceti, for her, then she would end up on Eden, Tau -Ceti, and it made no difference whether by force, coercion, or gentle -persuasion. - -Mrs. Hanford took a step forward and opened her mouth to speak. But -before she could protest, her husband put out a hand and stopped her. -His act was an admission that not money, position, nor logic would -overrule such a decision. - -"Eden, Tau Ceti," breathed Gloria. She turned and faced Bertram -Harrison. "Junior," she said in a dry, strained voice, "if you'll wear -mittens and handcuffs, let's go back in the garden and get acquainted." - -Her father exhaled a full breath. - -Mr. Harrison tapped him on the shoulder. "How about a sample of that -bottle of natural bourbon?" he suggested. - -"Not," Mrs. Hanford said shakily, "without me!" - - -IV - -Man's first sally across the gulf of interstellar space had been more -fruitful than his first fumbling exploration of the Solar System by a -score of one to nothing. Of all the celestial real estate that orbits -around old Sol, only the Earth will support life--at least as we know -it. Survival elsewhere depends upon taking enough of Earth environment -along to last of the trip. From the scientific standpoint, the first -exploration of space was a brilliant operation, but before finding a -place to accept the teeming millions of Earth's exploding population, -the patient nearly died. For it was a quarter of a century until -Murray, Langdon, and Hanover cracked the Einstein barrier. - -By careful design, and then by counting the last gram and striking a -mathematically adjusted balance between power bank and crew space, the -range of a spacecraft was found to be slightly more than seventeen -light-years to the point of no return. - -Within seventeen light-years of Sol, there are forty-one other stars. - -Of these forty-one stars, three are triple-sun systems, and twelve are -doubles, which eliminates fifteen of them. Of the remaining twenty-six -single stars, one is the blinding-blue giant Altair, two are white -dwarf stars, and nineteen of them are the faint red dwarf stars of -Spectral Class M, and that eliminates all but four of the original -forty-one. Of this remaining four, Epsilon Eridani, Epsilon Indi, and -Groombridge 1618 fall into the orange Spectral Class K, which is not -too far away from Sol's Spectral Class G. But K is only close; it is -no bull's eye when the combination of all the factors must add up to -produce a planetary environment that will support human life. - -And so, having eliminated forty out of the forty-one stars in Sol's -neighborhood, only Tau Ceti remains. Tau Ceti is also a Spectral -Class G star and therefore Tau Ceti was voted the star most likely to -succeed, long before Man had the foggiest notion of how to cross the -light-years, long before instruments sensitive enough to ascertain that -Tau Ceti possessed a planetary system were developed. - -Tau Ceti's planetary system can be used as an example of the brilliance -of logic and reasoning. The second planet in the family of Tau Ceti is -the planet Eden. - -Eden supports life. - -Or perhaps it is more proper to say that Eden's environment permits -life to support itself. Voltaire, through the mouths of his characters -Candide and Pangloss, had a lot to say about Earth being the best of -all possible worlds, both pro and con. He had never been to Eden. Eden -was christened by the rules of real estate that dictate that a housing -development situated on a tree-bald plain in central Kansas shall be -called "Sylvan Heights." - - -V - -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed went through a brief period of excitement -and then settled down to boredom. The excitement came from his first -experience in space travel, and the thrill of standing on soil almost -twelve light-years from home base. This thrill faded as soon as he -discovered that the people on Eden, Tau Ceti, were far too busy to be -bothered with the reactions of a junior spaceman. - -If his duties had been demanding, Reed might have gone on for some time -without becoming bored. But as a junior officer in the Space Service, -Reed had no roots, no property, no basic interests on Eden. - -The Space Service had been born out of interservice rivalry during a -tense period of international competition. There had been a strong -upsurge during the early years of the initial interstellar exploration. -The leaders of the Space Service were quite willing to featherbed -themselves into permanent positions of high authority. They discovered -the best method lay in exploiting every method of scaring the public -with the bogey of meeting some warlike culture "Out There." Then the -years passed with neither sight nor evidence of any other form of life -but Man and the creatures he carried with him. The Space Service found -itself with little to do. - -It did not stop the clamor for money, men and materiel. But the job of -the Space Service was not hunting space pirates. The only place where -the power banks of a spacecraft could be restored was in the hands -of the Space Service itself, and it was an installation vast enough -to tax the wealth and ingenuity of a whole continent to create. The -job was not fighting interstellar wars with fierce, super-intelligent -interstellar aliens with a taste for human flesh--not, at least, until -human and alien met. - -So, in a desultory manner, the Space Service maintained a perimeter -of lookout and detection stations that could have been completely -automated ... if it hadn't been that there were more Space Service -Personnel than the Service could find work for. - -The whole situation gave Junior Spaceman Howard Reed a lot of time to -think. - -The culture of Eden, Tau Ceti, completed the process. - -Eden used old-fashioned telephones because its people were too -widespread across the face of the planet to make the use of the -vidphone practical. Radio broadcasting was maintained by the government -as a public service information agency. It had to be. There were not -commercial enterprises enough to support radio broadcasting on a -profit-making basis. For there simply were not enough people. And if -simple radio broadcasting could not be supported, there was not yet -room for even the old flat-faced television, much less trivideo. - -Theirs was a culture in a mixed state. They had the know-how for a -highly technical, closely-integrated urban civilization, but lacked the -hardware necessary to construct it. They were an aircar people, but -they used horses. Horses can be raised. Aircars have to be fabricated. -It would not have been prohibitive to trans-ship the basic tools and -dies for aircar assembly from Earth, Sol, to Eden, Tau Ceti. But it -would have been economic suicide to attempt to keep the voracious maw -of an automated assembly plant satiated with raw material shipped from -home base. And then, one week's run would have saturated the Tau Ceti -market. They were a people who played their own musical instruments -because they were faced with the very odd economic fact that the -first phonograph record from the die costs five thousand dollars. -Nobody makes a dime until fifty thousand of its brothers are sold. The -population to buy fifty thousand did not exist. - -In simple fact, Eden, Tau Ceti, was far from a flourishing colony. -It was a classic example of the simple economic truth that a fully -integrated mechanistic society can not be supported by a sparsely -populated region. - - * * * * * - -Ambition has many origins. The urge to return home became a drive. The -result was Junior Spaceman Howard Reed's complete preoccupation with -the mathematics known as Hansen's Folly. - -As the months went by he exhausted his original knowledge. He took to -the library, to the local schools, and to self-study to improve his -grasp. He approached the basic mathematics of the space drive from -several different angles, even going back to the old original Einstein -Equations and learning their fault in the hope that this study might -point the way. - -Then, as the months began to grow into the close of his first year, -Reed took advantage of the casually informal operation at the Space -Service Base. He began to experiment with hardware on the theory that -he would have a better grasp of the problem if he tried some empirical -work as well as the academic approach. - -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed had been on Eden, Tau Ceti, for eighteen -terrestrial months before his superior officer, making a tour of -inspection, opened the office reserved for him at the Administration -Building. On the eighth day of his visit, Commander Breckenridge -summoned the junior spaceman to his office. He asked, "Mr. Reed, have -you been successful in solving the flaw in Hansen's Folly?" - -"Well, sir, not exactly." - -"Have you improved your grasp of the facts of life?" - -"Sir? I don't quite understand." - -"You don't? Well, perhaps you need some help. For instance, Mr. Reed, -can you give me an estimate of the useful land area of Eden, Tau Ceti?" - -"Sir, the total land area is about fifty million square miles. Perhaps -about half of that is useful, or could be." - -"Ah. You said 'could be'. Why, Mr. Reed?" - -"Let's put it this way, sir. Whether a given acreage is useful often -depends upon how badly it is needed. For instance, a plot of wooded -land might well be ignored for centuries by a sparsely populated -agrarian culture who had a lot of open plain to cultivate. At a later -date, an increasing pressure of population might make it expedient and -sensible to clear vast areas of tree stumps, boulders and all sorts of -hazards." - -"And here on Eden?" - -"Well, sir, at the present time the population of Eden is about a -hundred thousand. Fertile plains are growing wild with weeds because -the land isn't needed yet. That is--er--" - -"That is what?" - -"Maybe I shouldn't have said 'wild with weeds' sir. After all, they -have been encouraged. I'm told that the atmosphere smelled a lot -stronger when Man first arrived." - - * * * * * - -The commander sniffed and said, "It's pretty strong right now." - -"You don't notice it after a couple of months," said Reed. - -"I don't propose to be here that long," said the commander curtly. -"Let's get back to your grasp of the overall picture." Commander -Breckenridge leaned back in his chair and said, "No doubt you were -exposed to Early North American History. You will recall that there was -a strong pioneering drive in the human race that went on almost from -the date of the discovery of North America until the opening phases -of the so-called 'Industrial Revolution'--that is, beginning of the -electro-mechanical era. Am I not correct?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Now, young man, what has become of this strong pioneering drive? How -did it ooze out of the human race? Where did it go, and why? Why are -six billion people living in crowded conditions on Earth, while here -upon Eden, Tau Ceti, a mere hundred thousand people occupy--by your -estimate--some twenty million square miles? Why haven't the crowded -millions of Earth clamored for all this extra space?" - -"Perhaps because space travel is so expensive." - -"Only in terms of cash. To be sure, it might take practically -everything that a man has to buy passage. I now ask you to estimate -how many men and their families sacrificed everything they had, packed -a few treasured possessions into a Conestoga wagon and headed for the -West." - -"I have no way of knowing, sir." - -"No, of course not. Let me tell you what happened. In that glorious -phase of Early North America, men, women, and even their children -toiled from sunrise to sunset to scratch out their living. From the -dawn of history, luxury and leisure belonged to the landed baron. -Since wealth went with acreage, any man who could stake out a claim -to acreage could also claim wealth. It was a matter of finding the -unclaimed acreage first." - - * * * * * - -The commander leaned forward to press his point. "Then came the -industrial revolution and the age of automation. Industrial slavery -ended in a clank of gears. Your little man no longer starved to death -nor toiled twelve hours a day. The finest automobile that the wealthy -man could buy was only three or four times as expensive as the car -driven by the average workman. Therefore the idea of staking out arable -land as a means to wealth became less and less desirable. Automation -hit the farm. The landed baron changed into the elected presiding -officer over a stock-secured corporation. - -"Today," said the commander, "the man who leaves his home to migrate -is not abandoning squalor and sorrow in the hope of finding something -better. He's leaving luxury, culture, and leisure. For what? For the -privilege of scrabbling for a bare existence. Now, Mr. Reed, are you -beginning to understand?" - -"I think so, sir." - -"Good. Then you'll begin to revise your opinion as to the importance of -extending the cruising range of our spacecraft." - -Reed blinked, "Sir?" - -"Be sensible, young man. A colony is a waste of effort unless it -becomes more than self-sufficient. Until Eden, Tau Ceti, has become -populated to the point where Eden can support her own highly technical -culture, it is an economically unsound proposition." The commander -glared at the young spaceman. "Must I be blunt? Every effort must -be spent in raising the culture-level of Eden, Tau Ceti. That means -increasing the population, Mr. Reed, until the numbers are high enough -to pay for industrialization. Once the cities of Eden, Tau Ceti, -offer the culture opportunity of the cities of Earth, then we'll -have migration on a social level instead of the malcontents, rugged -individualists, and petty lawbreakers who've been given the alternative -of migration instead of incarceration. - -"Now, Mr. Reed, do you see what I'm driving at? It would be far wiser -of you to spend your time enhancing the aspect of Eden, Tau Ceti, than -trying to figure out ways and means of getting to more distant stars -and locating other distant planets--to which the human race wouldn't -migrate." - -"But sir--" - -"Mr. Reed, I recognize in you the admirable spirit of adventure. But -we must remember that this same spirit that once drove men to land -on Earth's moon in a multi-stage chemical rocket was not enough to -establish a tax-paying colony there. Now, about this project of yours. -You say that you have not yet located the flaw in Hansen's Folly?" - -"No, sir, but--" - -"Mr. Reed, you realize that you'll stay here on Eden until you do?" - -"Yes, sir, but--" - -"And the longer it takes you, the more ridicule will be directed at -you, at me, and the Bureau of Operations?" - -"But, sir--" - -"Mr. Reed, I'll also point out that there will be no promotion until -your assignment is complete." - -"I'm aware of that sir, but--" - -"But what, Mr. Reed?" - - * * * * * - -Reed said, "Sir, may I speak without annoying you?" - -"If you've something to say, go ahead. I can hardly promise not to be -annoyed before I hear what the subject is." - -"Thank you, sir. In trying to solve Hansen's Folly I engaged in some -physical experiment and measurement because I couldn't find any flaw in -the mathematical argument on the abstract scale. As you know, sir, one -of the ways to find out why something won't work is to try it. It isn't -often the easiest or the simplest, but it is often the only way." - -"So go on. What happened?" - -"Sir, my hardware works. So far as I can see, sir, there is no flaw! I -was right!" - -"Commander Briggs of Research--" - -"Sir, there must be some mistake." - -"Silence! I'm not through! Commander Briggs seems to know more about -my personnel than I do." - -"Sir?" - -"First, he offered to bet me a dinner at the Officer's Club that you -wouldn't locate the flaw in Hansen's Folly by the time I made this -tour of inspection. Knowing that you'd probably have no other ambition -than to leave Eden, Tau Ceti, I snapped at this wager like a starving -dog latching onto a piece of steak. I have lost, it would appear, -which is only one dinner. But, Mr. Reed, when I accepted this wager, -Commander Briggs compounded it by offering to bet me a dinner for the -whole Bureau of Research that after not finding the flaw by means of -the academic analysis, you'd resort to experiment in hardware. Knowing -full well that you'd not have the temerity to divert Service Material -for your own tinkering, I accepted that wager also. Then to top it off, -Briggs added a bet of champagne and corsages for the officers' wives -that you'd complete your hardware and still not locate the flaw, and -that when I arrived you'd be firmly convinced that you'd proved your -point in theory and practice and that therefore you were right and the -rest of the known universe was wrong." - - * * * * * - -The commander took a deep breath under which he swore gently but -feelingly. Then he went on: "And so, Mr. Reed, I am going to be 'Guest -of Dishonor' at the Officers' Club. I will, according to custom, be -served the plate of baked synthetic beans whilst my contemporary -officers and their wives partake of a gourmet's banquet of natural -foods." - -"Sir, I'm sorry." - -"Being sorry is hardly enough!" The commander pawed through his -attache case until he came to a file-folder which he looked through -meticulously for several minutes as if justifying a carefully -considered opinion. Finally he made a lightly pencilled note on the -margin of one page and said, "Lalande 25372!" - -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed gasped and blurted, "Flatbush, sir?" - -Commander Breckenridge nodded curtly. "You will man the perimeter -alien-spacecraft detection station and the astrogation beacon distance -and direction equipment located on Flatbush, Lalande 25372. And you -will stay there until you have Hansen's Folly completely solved. Do you -understand?" - -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed nodded unhappily. - -Lalande 25372 was close to the maximum range, the seventeen-light-year -point of no return. Any enjoyment in knowing that he would have to be -commissioned one of the finer, more efficient little spacecraft in -order to get there in the first place was completely wiped out in the -knowledge that once there, it would have to stand inert awaiting his -return, because there would be no power to spare on side trips. One did -not, with subatomic power, carry a spare can of fuel for emergency. - - -VI - -Mrs. Hanford opened the door and saw Scholar Ross. She smiled -uncertainly at him as she invited him in. In the Hanford living room, -in the presence of Mr. Hanford, the scholar of genetics looked around -cautiously and questingly. Hanford said, "Gloria is not here. She's -out." - -"Then I may speak openly." - -"Of course. Is there some trouble--again?" - -"Frankly, I'm not certain," said the scholar of genetics slowly. "I'd -like more information if you'd be so good as to help." - -"Of course we'll help!" exclaimed Mrs. Hanford. "What's bothering you?" - -"How is your daughter getting on with Bertram Harrison?" - -"Why, I'd guess they're getting along about as well as any other young -pre-marriage couple. That's what the engagement period is for, isn't -it? I mean, it's been that way historically." - -"Yes, you're right," nodded Scholar Ross. "Did they rent the usual -pre-marriage apartment?" - -"Oh yes. They were quite the conventional young lovers, Scholar Ross." - -The man from the Department of Domestic Tranquility smiled. "And you, -of course, were the conventional parents of the affianced bride?" - -"Of course. We were so pleased that we could hardly wait for Twelfth -Night." - -"And during that visit, were the appointments of the apartment proper?" - -"Why, Scholar Ross!" - -"No, no, Mrs. Hanford, you misunderstand. I implied no moral question. -I really meant to ask if you knew whether Gloria and Bertram each and -separately were properly continuing their therapy." - -Mr. Hanford grunted. "As parents of the affianced bride," he said, -"we're paying for it!" - -Mrs. Hanford blushed. "I--er--snooped," she said. - -Scholar Ross looked at Mrs. Hanford with an expression that indicated -that snooping was an entirely acceptable form of social behavior. "And -what did you find?" - -"Everything entirely right." Then she looked doubtful and bit her lower -lip. "Scholar Ross, I'm no authority in these matters. In Gloria's -bathroom were the same-_looking_ kind of bottles and pills that we got -when you prescribed, and when I turned on the speaker in her bedroom -it sounded like the same kind of music as I'd heard in her bedroom when -she was living at home. It--frankly--depressed me." - -"And Bertram's?" - -"I know less of his medication. But I did listen to his music outlet. -It removed the feeling of depression I'd gotten from Gloria's program -material." - -"That's quite right. It sounds reasonable." - - * * * * * - -She blushed again and looked at her husband. "Only one thing," she said -very slowly. - -"What's that?" - -"I--er, hardly know how to put it. You see, when Gerald and I were -affianced, neither one of us were undergoing any kind of corrective -therapy and so I don't know how these things work out." - -"What are you driving at?" - -"Why, Scholar Ross, with neither of us undergoing corrective therapy, -it didn't matter which one of the bedrooms we used." - -Scholar Ross considered for a moment and then nodded. "Of course," he -said with an air of complete finality. "That's it!" - -"What's it?" asked Mr. Hanford. - -"The situation becomes a simple matter of reduction to the law of -most-active reaction. Look," he said, "we have one personality that -requires an environment of stimulation to bring him up to normal, and -another personality that requires a tranquil atmosphere to normal. -Place them both in the tranquilizing environment and he is driven -deeper into his lethargy, probably to the point of complete physical -and intellectual torpor. Place them both in the stimulating atmosphere -and he becomes normal while she goes into transports of sensuous -excitement. This explains it!" - -"Explains what?" demanded Mr. Hanford. - -"Her recent behavior. Or rather escapade." - -None of them heard the gentle snick of the lock in the front door. - -"Escapade?" exclaimed Mrs. Hanford. - -"We didn't know that she was in any trouble," said Mr. Hanford. - -"That's just the point," said Scholar Ross. "Your daughter has the -infuriating habit of indulging in outrageous behavior under the name of -brilliant intellectual accomplishment." - -Gloria Hanford said, "Why, thank you, sir!" - -She dropped the scholar a deep curtsey, displaying several inches of -slender ankle. - -"Gloria!" demanded her mother. "What have you been up to?" - -Gloria Hanford smiled at her mother in an elfin, yet superior manner. -"I am the affianced bride of Bertram Harrison," she said softly. -"Therefore my behavior, whether good, bad, or indifferent, is no -longer the problem of my parents." - -Her father said, "Gloria, I happen to be big enough in both the -physical and intellectual departments to overrule both you and your -husband-to-be. So you'll answer your mother." - -"Why," said Gloria quietly, "I've done nothing wrong." - -Mr. Hanford said to Scholar Ross: "What's your side of this?" - -Scholar Ross said, "Last week the Westchester Young People's Club gave -a costume ball. The young ladies were to attend this affair adorned in -the authentic fashion of some period in the past, and a prize was to be -awarded to the most novel, yet completely authentic costume." - -"And," said Gloria with a smile, "I won!" - -"Your daughter won because she has a talent for performing the most -shocking deeds under a cloak of intellectual achievement." - -"Do go on, Scholar Ross. What did Gloria do?" - - * * * * * - -The scholar smiled wryly. "Style and fashion ceased to be logical when -clothing was designed for sly provocation rather than as a protection -against a harsh environment," he said. "We live in a mixed-up social -world. We encourage communal swimming and sun bathing in the nude--and -yet after five o'clock it is considered shocking to display more than -the bare face and hands. - -"So in order to combine the maximum shock-effect with the cloak of -utter authenticity, Miss Hanford researched the styles and fashions -until she located a brief period of a few scant months late in the -Twentieth Century. Her costume consisted of a many-fold voluminous -skirt of semi-transparent material that draped in graceful folds -from waist to mid-calf. She was completely nude above the waist! To -prove her point, she offered fashion stereos of the period from style -magazines." - -Gloria chuckled. "I might have researched back to the Old Testament," -she said. - -Scholar Ross shook his head. "As I say, her shocking behavior could not -be criticized. She could justify it according to the rules." - -Mr. Hanford shook his head and asked, "Gloria, what did Bertram think -of all this?" - -"Bertram carried the style stereos," said Gloria. "There wasn't any -pocket in my costume." - -Abruptly, Scholar Ross said, "Miss Hanford, how are you and Bertram -getting along?" - -"As well as could be expected." - -"Meaning what?" - -"Meaning that each of us lives our own life. Berty likes his sedentary, -torpid existence. In fact, he'd like to be more of a vegetable than -he is. It started with his taking my pills and that was all right, I -guess. But when he started sleeping in my bedroom so that he could -estivate under the tranquilizing music program you prescribed for me, -that was too much!" - -Scholar Ross looked unprecedentedly astonished. "So?" he demanded. - -"What do you mean 'so'? What would any red blooded woman do? I moved -out and into his bedroom, naturally." - -"And then started taking his medication?" asked Scholar Ross curtly. - -"Natch!" - -"Oh, my God!" exploded Scholar Ross. He eyed Gloria intently. "How do -you manage to get Bertram awake far enough to attend things like your -costume ball?" he asked. - -"Well," she said with a smile, "I am really strong enough to sling -a hundred and eighty-five pounds of loosely-stuffed sausage over my -shoulder in a fireman's carry and tote the inert mass back to its own -bedroom so that its own music will rouse it enough to reach for its -bedside bottles of medication. Nature then takes its course until the -awakening. Then he goes along with my desires--because he knows that if -he doesn't, I won't let him dive back into his complete inertia. It's -very simple. Of course, it isn't much fun." - - * * * * * - -Scholar Ross said, "Gloria, do you intend to continue this sort of -self-centered, artificial life after you and Bertram are married?" - -"I've given the future very little thought." - -"You always have," said Scholar Ross unhappily. "That's been a lot of -your trouble." - -"So what am I supposed to do? Do you really expect me to marry that -vegetable? I've got a life to lead too, you know. It may suit your -overall program of genetics to breed a batch of normal children, but -the same Book of Laws grants me the right to seek my own level of -happiness." - -"Granted--" - -"Well, scholar, I can tell you that my idea of happiness is not a -husband who comes into my bedroom walking like a somnambulist just -barely able to cross the room before collapsing like a loosely-packed -sandbag." - -"What you need," said Scholar Ross firmly, "is a man who is strong -enough to tell you what you're going to do." - -"And where are you going to find one?" - -Scholar Ross turned from Gloria to her parents. "Obviously," he said -regretfully, "this proposed marriage between your daughter and Bertram -Harrison is not going to culminate in a happy union." - -"Did you expect it to?" asked Gloria. - -"I had hopes. I can only propose a course of action. Were you willing -to embark upon your prescribed program of corrective therapy, and -so become a normally active and emotionally stable woman, then the -marriage might work out very well indeed." - -"It's all my fault, of course?" - -"Yes. Of course. The decision was yours to make." - -"And how about that lump of lard you've foisted off on me?" - -"Bertram Harrison's willing retreat into total lethargy is, of course, -his own decision. But it, too, is only another aspect of the usual -case. The strong-willed personality makes its own way. The weak one -follows." - -"I see," sneered Gloria. "It's all my fault!" - -"Of course it is," snapped Scholar Ross. "Were you willing to correct -yourself, you'd also have been willing to correct Bertram since yours -is the stronger personality." - -"So what's the next move? Do I get to try another dolt?" - -"Hardly. You'd do the same with any of them." - -"So what is it? Am I going to be exported to Eden, Tau Ceti as an -incorrigible?" - -Scholar Ross was silent. - - * * * * * - -Mr. Hanford said, "Certainly there must be another way?" - -Mrs. Hanford said, "Must I lose my daughter?" - -Scholar Ross said regretfully, "There is another way, of course, but -either way is essentially a loss of your daughter, Mrs. Hanford." - -Mr. Hanford said, "And what is this other course, Scholar Ross?" - -"It's called re-orientation." - -"Brain-washing!" exclaimed Gloria. - -"That's a harsh, colloquial term." - -Mrs. Hanford said, "How does this re-orientation work?" - -Coldly, as if he were discussing the repair of some inanimate engine, -Scholar Ross said, "It starts with corrective surgery on the pituitary -and thyroid glands. Next comes some very complicated neuro-cerebral -surgery, somewhat resembling the crude, primitive process once called -'Prefrontal Lobotomy'. Nowadays it produces the desired effect without -all of the deleterious side-effects. Then, once the patient is -completely disoriented, the process of re-education takes place. The -patient is extremely docile and highly impressionable. All decisions -carry the same weight--" - -"How do you mean that?" asked Mr. Hanford. - -"Why, the decision to use blue or black ink in your fountain pen -becomes as important as the decision of whether to cling or jump from a -damaged aircar." - -"Oh. And then?" - -"Why, since the patient is docile and impressionable, we can mold the -patient's appreciation of people, places, and events into conformity. -Events of the former life are not erased, but they are viewed as if the -patient had seen a trivideo drama instead of having been that person. -The entire list of friends and acquaintances is changed because the -patient's personality is so different that the former friends no longer -have anything in common with the patient. It will be," said Scholar -Ross, "exactly as if your daughter left you, never to return, and then -next year you are introduced to a strange woman who bears a complete -resemblance to your daughter. To whom," he added, "you eventually -become emotionally attached because of your daughter's memory." - -"It sounds pretty drastic." - -"I shall not fool you. It is drastic, indeed." - -"I don't like it," Gloria snapped. - -"Yes," pleaded Mrs. Hanford. "What is the alternative?" - -"Eden, Tau Ceti. I'll arrange transportation under the migration act, -and she'll be permitted two hundred pounds of gross." Scholar Ross -smiled thinly. "You can diet a few pounds off and thus increase the -net weight of your allowable possessions," he said. "But, on the other -hand, if you diet down to rail-skinny no one will take a chance on you." - -Gloria demanded belligerently, "What am I, a raffle prize?" - -"Why, that's no better than white slavery!" cried her mother. - -"Oh, come now!" said Scholar Ross. "Miss Hanford will receive a -home and a hard-working husband on a fine new world with unlimited -opportunities." - -Gloria Hanford snorted. "The term, 'unlimited opportunity' is just the -optimist's way of describing a situation that the pessimist would call, -'lack of modern conveniences.'" - -"Well, Miss Hanford, you have your choice. One of three. Corrective -therapy and marriage with Bertram Harrison; total re-orientation; or -migration to Eden, Tau Ceti. I'll not ask for your decision now. Give -me your answer within thirty days." - -"You can't force me!" - -"No. I can't. All I can do is to point out your three avenues of future -travel--and then point out that I do have the means of making your -life so very inconvenient that you'll have no recourse but to make -your choice from among the three desirable possibilities. Desirable, I -must admit, means that which is most favorable to the furtherance of -domestic tranquility!" - - -VII - -Lalande 25372 is a Spectral Class M star, a faint red dwarf not visible -to the naked eye from Earth, Sol. Lalande 25372 lies fifteen point -nine light years from Sol, about fifteen degrees north of the celestial -equator and not quite opposite the vernal equinox. It has planets, -but this does not make Lalande 25372 unique. Like most of the planets -found in space, neither mad dogs nor Englishmen would have anything to -do with them--willingly. They are suitable only for the hapless wight -whose erring foot has unhappily landed on the tender official toe. - -The planet Flatbush, Lalande 25372, received its name from an obscure -medieval reference to a form of punishment known as "Walking a beat in -Flatbush," if we are to believe MacClelland's authoritative volume _The -Origin of Place Names_. - -Observed through the multipane window of the Station, Flatbush, Lalande -25372, was a pleasant enough planet, provided one could ignore the fact -that there was not a sign nor trace of vegetation from the Installation -Building to the horizon. A couple of hundred yards from the building -there was a pleasant looking lake. The lake was indeed water, but -it contained dissolved substances that would have poisoned a boojum -snark. The warm wind of Flatbush rippled the surface of the lake, but -no square yard of sail would be hoisted until someone first built a -gas mask that would filter out the colorless gases that turned silver -black. Fluffy clouds floated across the sky, but they rained down a -mess that etched stainless steel. - -Out There, near the perimeter of Man's five-parsec range of operations, -subelectromagnetic detector beams scoured the sky. Taking the most -pessimistic standpoint--the least possible combinations of Nature's -infinite variety of environment--Nature's own profligacy with -life-forms still demanded that somewhere, Out There, another race was -plying the spaceways. - -Someday this hypothetical race was certain to touch wings with mankind. - -When that took place it was the duty of the Bureau of Operations to -detect them, to intercept them, and to warn the men of Earth, Sol, -that Mankind was no longer alone. The fact that the subelectromagnetic -detecting beams had been sweeping space for a couple of hundred years -without detecting anything had no bearing on the future. The beams must -be maintained so long as a human man remained alive in space. - -In addition to the detector beams, the outlying planets carried -astrogation beacons. They were subelectromagnetic lighthouses, so -to speak, that rang across space with known direction and ranging -telemetered signals. Someday, Man hoped to fill the space lanes with -spacecraft and the planets with interstellar commerce. - -Someday there might be another _Marie Celeste_ plying its course with -its crew inexplicably missing. But if this ever happened, it was not -going to happen without the Space Service knowing precisely how many -and which spacecraft were operating through that volume of space -before, during, and after D-for-Disaster Day and M-for-Mysterious -Minute. - -The equipment, of course, was automated to modern perfection, with -multi-lateral channels that would take over in case of component -failure. Its factor of reliability was well above six or seven nines -of perfection. But to admit that this perfection was adequate would -have deprived the Space Service of a convenient minor penal detail to -take care of brash junior officers. Manning such a station provided the -junior officer with a wealth of time to contemplate his sins, and to -mend his evil ways. - -In the case of Junior Spaceman Howard Reed, this process consisted of -locating the flaw that prevented Hansen's Folly from being Hansen's -Analysis. - - * * * * * - -Now, from the time of Alexander Selkirk, romantic history has been -dotted with accounts of men who have been cast away with nothing more -than their hands and their brains. And with these, they have succeeded -in raising their caveman environment up to the level of modern -technical conveniences. - -Like them--having been unable to locate the flaw in Hansen's Folly by -the theoretical approach during his tour of duty on Earth, Sol, and -having similarly failed to locate the error in experimental hardware -during his tour of duty on Eden, Tau Ceti--Junior Spaceman Howard -Reed began to experiment on the spacecraft that stood parked on its -launching pad two hundred feet from the Installation. There was -plenty of equipment to work with. The Space Service did not stock its -perimeter stations in a slipshod manner. - -Furthermore, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed had plenty of time. - -The account of his life and adventures is hardly worth telling. He had -no distractions. He worked. The months passed one after the other. - -Flatbush, Lalande 25372 was so far out that there was no provision -made for a regular tour of inspection. Nobody bothered to drop in on -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed. Gabbling on the official communication -channels was strictly forbidden, so the young junior officer was -denied even contact by voice. No one had come up with an economically -sound means of producing entertainment programs from Earth, Sol, on -the subelectromagnetic beams and so he--like his fellows in the other -perimeter stations--received neither news nor music from home. - -He could terminate this tour of duty only by solving the riddle of -Hansen's Folly, and then notifying his superiors on the official -communications channels--or by tucking a note in the once-each-year -supply drone that came laden with enough of Earth's environment to keep -the young expatriate alive for another year. - -The set-up was wholly conducive to work. There was time and there was -equipment; his orders were to remain there until he had studied his way -through the problem. - -With nothing else to do, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed was deep in -his investigation ... when the drone spacecraft came down along the -subelectromagnetic beacon and made its landing a dozen yards away. - -The drone was standard spacecraft size, an unmanned hull laden with the -necessities of life that would support him for a year. - -It was the first one that he had ever seen. This was the first time -that Junior Spaceman Howard Reed had had to face the problem of Supply. -Packed in that droneship was enough earth environment to last a man -a year. The perishables and expendables, as well as replacement for -the lost fractions of the recyclables, were all there. They were -dehydrated and deep frozen after all waste had been removed, then -compressed into cubes of identical size for the most favorable packing -fraction. Even so, it was a prodigious amount of stuff. Supply would -have been impossible on a once-per-year basis, if the foul water of -Flatbush, Lalande 25372, hadn't been distillable with ease. - - * * * * * - -The junior spaceman eyed the droneship with a sudden burst of pride -in his fellow man's accomplishment. Given a pre-programmed flight -along telemetered beacons originating at either terminus, the running -equipment within the drone would bulk much less than the same mass and -size as a human and his needs. Until flight-decisions were necessary, -the hardware pilot was as good as the human pilot--and far less subject -to headache, tantrum, disappointment at not getting the Saturday night -pass and resentment over being passed by at promotion time. - -Then his pride gave way to sudden, prolonged thought. - -The range of a spacecraft is computed from point of takeoff to point of -no return. There was no way of restoring the powerbanks of a spacecraft -except on Earth, Sol. - -Now, of course, it is entirely possible to take off and just keep going -until the powerbanks are depleted. - -That will cover twice the stated range to the point of no return. -Ships have gone out and off and away and have never been heard of -again. It is possible that one or more of these have succeeded in -locating an Earth-like planet beyond the point of no return, but the -Earthmen at home will never know about it until the range is extended. -The possibility of such a planet favoring human life and ultimately -harboring a culture of technical competence enough to create and -maintain the power restoring equipment is extremely remote. - -For spacecraft that carry women are few and far between. - -And it takes more than one man's lifetime to make use of the know-how. - -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed knew that away back in the Twentieth -Century, the average engineer could make a guess, count on his fingers, -and come up with a pretty shrewd estimate of the horsepower per cubic -inch that could be stored by the various ways and means available to -the age. - -Removing the human pilot and his needs did give the droneship quite a -bit more space for cargo and power. But, as he looked at the droneship -standing there, it became plain to Junior Spaceman Howard Reed that -there was not room in that size of hull for both the necessary -powerbanks and the full year's store of supplies for one man. - -Whereupon Junior Spaceman Howard Reed dropped his tools. He donned his -space suit and crossed the intervening space to the droneship. - -He began to examine the ship's running gear with a critical and -suspicious eye. - -He was examining hardware that was familiar to him. It took him no -more than two hours to determine beyond a shadow of a doubt that -the droneship's drive was built along the theories and mathematical -analysis that he had been told simply did not work! - -Someone had reduced Hansen's Folly to practice! - - * * * * * - -He paused again. Hansen's Folly had been called a failure about two -hundred years ago, but what did that really mean? He considered his -history. - -In 1724, Stephen Gray and Granville Wheeler made the proud announcement -that they had succeeded in transmitting an electrical phenomenon along -a wire for a distance of 682 feet. Two hundred years later the entire -Earth was girdled with telegraph, telephone and cable wires and linked -with the invisible bonds of radio waves. - -In about 1904 the Wright Brothers made their first powered airplane -flight. Forty years later men were flying in airplanes that carried a -wingspread greater than the distance of the Wright's first flight. - -Einstein's Barrier was accepted scientific dogma for a hundred years; -but he, Howard Reed, was now standing in a spacecraft that had crossed -the gulf between the stars at a speed that not only exceeded the -velocity of propagated light--but exceeded this speed by a few hundred -orders of magnitude. - -So? So maybe they were right. Maybe Hansen's Folly was a failure. - -But the running gear in this droneship was designed to the analysis -produced by Junior Spaceman Howard Reed, and it worked. Furthermore, -he had only the scornful word of Commander Briggs of the Bureau of -Research that his arguments had been parallel to those of the hapless -Hansen. - -It would hardly be the first time in the history of the human race that -some bureaucrat got fat on the work of his underlings who not only -received no credit for their work, but were often hushed, hidden, or -otherwise prevented from proving their right to the fame and fortune. - -Angrily, Howard Reed stood up and cursed. They were not going to -smother him in a peg-whittling job on a single-man post sixteen light -years from home base, denied of all but official communications. - -He was going to find out about this very strange business! - -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed did not even bother going back to the -Station. Its Outside detectors had been sweeping deep space for a -couple of hundred years without detecting anything; its astrobeacons -were employed once each year when the droneship arrived. Furthermore, -both equipments were automatic, on the trips, set up to bypass the -one-man crew of the Station by transmitting the information on the -regular Channels. So, there in the droneship, the junior spaceman -merely disconnected the pre-programmed autopilot, clamped his hands -around the manual gear, and took off for far-off Earth, Sol. - - -VIII - -Gloria Hanford opened her apartment door, made a double take when she -saw the living room lights were on, toted up the list of unexpected -guests, and assessed the situation in one brief moment. She stopped -short on one high heel, pivoted, and said to her escort, "Not tonight, -Joseph!" - -"But--" - -"I've guests," she said, placing a hand flat on her escort's chest. - -"But--" - -"My guests mean trouble," she finished, shoving. Her escort -disappeared--walking backward and still trying to protest. - -Gloria closed the living room door with a gesture of finality, then -turned to lean back against it. She faced her unexpected guests with an -air of exasperated patience, as if by her silence she was inviting them -to hurl the first bolt and by her attitude confident that she could -turn it aside with ease. - -She did not have long to wait. - -They all started to talk at once. The resulting babble was -unintelligible and the sound of the others' voices made each one of -them stop without finishing. Silence fell again, and in the calm, -Scholar Ross spoke up: - -"Under the circumstances, Miss Hanford, I think we have the right to -ask that you explain your actions." - -Mr. Harrison grunted. "I say this is a waste of time. Let's get along -with it." - -Mrs. Harrison added, "Yes indeed, Scholar Ross. If you'll call the -authorities, we'll sign the complaint." - -Mrs. Hanford snapped, "I resent the implication that my daughter is -wholly and solely in the wrong." - -Mr. Hanford said, "In my opinion, Bertram Harrison isn't bright enough -to come in out of the rain, let alone being smart enough to know what's -good for him. Now--" - -Mr. Harrison growled, "We come calling this evening and find our son -deep under the influence of tranquilizers and the catalytic action of -the mood music prescribed for this philandering young hussy--" - -"I'm no philanderer!" cried Gloria. "I'm not married to your cold lump -of lard!" - -Scholar Ross spread out his hands in a gesture of supplication, as if -he were pleading with the gods for a return to sanity. "Stop it!" he -cried. "Stop it!" - - * * * * * - -He turned to Mrs. Hanford with a shake of the head. "I am sorry. -Your resentment of the fact that this affair is your daughter's -responsibility is not going to change it." - -"But he's--" - -"Please, Mrs. Hanford. This engagement is not a matter of the personal -choice of the participants. It gravely concerns Society. Now, insofar -as the Department of Domestic Tranquility is concerned, it is the -excitable, headstrong, unruly, willful personality that is dangerous -to social stability. The calm and placid ones do not commit acts of -violence. Indeed, Mrs. Hanford, were it not for the quiet, phlegmatic -personality like Bertram Harrison, we in genetics would have a hard -time finding a useful niche for belligerents such as your daughter -Gloria." - -Gloria Hanford said something under her breath. Scholar Ross eyed her -suspiciously and demanded that she repeat. - -"Cliche Sixteen," she retorted. "It pertains to the problem of leading -horses to water." - -He nodded. "Yes. The horse is laudably exercising as much free will -as his equine position permits him. The same platitude can also be -employed to point out that blind stubbornness may prevent him from -doing something that is really a good idea even if someone else did -think of it first." - -"I say enough of this nonsense!" snapped Mr. Harrison. "Let's get this -debate over with!" - -"Now, just a moment," said Scholar Ross. "You have no legal standing. -Miss Hanford is Bertram Harrison's affianced wife. Under law, any -difficulties between them are strictly a civic matter. Bluntly, sir, -only the party being damaged can sign a complaint, and after making a -complaint it is up to the complaining party to prove that he is being -damaged at the will of the accused." - -"Scholar Ross, you and your Department of Domestic Tranquility may know -how you hope to maintain a calm and stable social structure, but you -don't know much about the law," said Mr. Harrison slowly and carefully. -"One only need go back to the early days of common law to find a rather -terse discussion of the proposition of maintaining an attractive -nuisance. The owner of the attractive nuisance has a responsibility to -the gullible citizens who are attracted." - -"Meaning?" - -"Meaning," said Mr. Harrison, "that Miss Hanford in this pre-marriage -apartment did maintain a series of attractive nuisances. Tranquilizer -pills. Soothing mood music. A person of calm tendencies would find them -most attractive. It was therefore her responsibility to protect the -other party. Now--when Bertram has been properly treated and is able -to testify--I think we'll find that Miss Hanford not only failed to -protect Bertram, but indeed encouraged him to help himself to her pills -and sleep in her bedroom under the soothing influence of the mood music -prescribed for her." - - * * * * * - -Mr. Hanford snapped, "If this attractive nuisance is as you say, -Harrison, why can't we charge that Bertram did little to protect Gloria -from his own therapy?" - -Scholar Ross raised a hand. "Permit me," he said, "to reiterate that -it is the hypertonic, overactive personalities that create social -troubles. A Bertram Harrison lulled into a semi-cataleptic state by the -wiles of a Gloria Hanford would hardly be expected to rise in a sudden -burst of strength." - -"So no matter what I do, I'm wrong?" the girl asked. - -"Not at all," said Scholar Ross. "It is your direct -responsibilty--your _duty_--to do everything you can to establish a -firm and stable family unit here with Bertram Harrison--" - -"Sorry, Scholar Ross," said Mr. Harrison icily. "You haven't really -heard me. Your notion that this affair is a civil argument between an -affianced couple is not true. You imply that no laws have been broken. -You are wrong. I am willing to sign a complaint right now that Miss -Gloria Hanford deliberately induced my son to indulge in her therapy. -It was her means of lulling him into a state of mind that would permit -her to go gallivanting off on a date with another man." - -"I am not married to Berty yet!" snapped Gloria. "Dating's still my -right!" - -"Oh," snarled Mr. Harrison angrily, "shut up or I'll sign a complaint -that you administered medical treatment without a license! Insofar as -the Harrison family is concerned, this engagement shall be terminated -unfavorably. Come!" he said to his wife. She rose to follow. - -Gloria stepped aside, but paused to ask, "Aren't you going to take -Bertie with you?" - -Mrs. Hanford said coldly, "He's already been taken to the hospital for -treatment to bring him out of the trance you got him into. And so, Miss -Hanford, will you please step aside and let me pass?" - -And Mr. Harrison's parting shot was, "I shall sign my complaints in -the morning--or if he is able, we'll make it thoroughly legal and have -Bertram sign them." - -He closed the door firmly. - -Mrs. Hanford wailed, "Now what shall we do?" - -Scholar Ross shook his head. "With this poor record, this -non-cooperation," he said slowly, "it will be well nigh impossible -to arrange another union, furthermore, if Harrison carries out his -threat--" - -Gloria said quickly, "If he wants to, he can talk Bertie into anything. -Anything. Such as signing the most frightful complaints and being -convinced of their absolute truth and justice." - -Mr. Hanford said, "If that's true, he could also be talked back out of -them." - -Scholar Ross shook his head again. "That presupposes that you could -arrange access to Bertram that couldn't be overcome by another -talking-to by his parents. It won't work. The young man is a mental -weathervane." - -"So where do we stand?" - -"As I say, we might as well prepare for the worst. If the case of -Gloria Hanford ever comes under the scrutiny of the Law, she will be -declared either a delinquent or an incorrigible, depending upon whether -her escapades are ruled misdemeanors or felonies." Scholar Ross turned -to Gloria Hanford. "I warned you. Now, where we of the Department of -Domestic Tranquility have no power to force you into a proper course -of action, you'll find that the Law most certainly has. Miss Hanford, -the Law will decide just how dangerous you are to the civic peace. Upon -that decision, the law will further decide what action it must take to -protect that civic peace from you." - -He paused. A silence followed his statements. He waited a few moments -to let his words sink in. Then he walked to the door and said: - -"As of now, the future of Miss Gloria Hanford is out of my hands." - -Mr. Hanford said, "Scholar Ross, how bad is this likely to be?" - -"A lot will depend upon how swiftly Bertram Harrison responds to the -restorative treatment. With some luck and a brilliant attorney on your -side the matter might not reach a major catastrophe. Tomorrow may tell." - - -IX - -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed said plaintively, "But this is the Bureau -of Justice. According to the Regulations you are supposed to listen to -me, at least." - -The space officer behind the desk wore the three wide stripes of the -commander's rank, topped by the fasces that symbolized the law. He was -Commander Hughes, chief of the Space Service Bureau of Justice. He -smiled at the junior spaceman but shook his head. "You would place us -in a most difficult position were we to heed your plea without having -the matter referred to us through official channels." - -With some exasperation, Reed said, "Look, sir, I've been subject to a -severe injustice. Why can't I at least tell my problem to someone?" - -"That would be cutting across channels. It simply is not done." - -"Commander Hughes," said the junior spaceman earnestly, "you're not -serving justice. You're obstructing it!" - -"Now see here, young man--" - -"Commander Hughes, you're insisting that I request my superior officer -to forward through official channels a complaint against him. First, -sir, I point out that he would refuse my request unless he were -absolutely certain that my case against him was ridiculously weak. -Second, I'm certain that the request would bring quick retaliation." - -Commander Hughes shook his head. "The Regulation provides that any -reasonable request be forwarded. And the Regulation further provides -that there shall be no punitive action." - -Reed snorted. "Fine. And if I do find myself punished, must I next -forward my request for investigation through the same officer?" - -"That is a serious charge, young man." - -"I can substantiate it! Look, sir, quite a long time ago I made some -scientific studies, and--" - -"You're an Operations officer, Mr. Reed?" - -"Yes, but--" - -"Then you're not trained in science?" - -"Let's not go on that rat-race right now," said the junior spaceman -testily. "I've heard it before. That's why I'm here!" - -"Very well." - -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed took a deep breath and plunged into his -long explanation. At the end, Commander Hughes nodded, his face in a -non-committal mask. - -"One moment now," he said. He turned to the working desk behind him -and spoke into a telephone. It had neither visual plate nor amplified -output; only the user could know what was being communicated, and with -whom. - -"Now we'll see," said the commander as he hung up the telephone. - - * * * * * - -With the awkwardness of a stopped trivideo drama they stood and sat -there motionless and silently as the minutes dragged past. Ultimately -there was a gentle alarm ring from one of the desk drawers. Commander -Hughes opened it to extract a couple of yards of stereofac paper. - -"Your service record," explained the commander, picking up a reading -prism and starting at the top. "Just another moment." - -Another half dozen minutes went past. - -"'Junior Spaceman Howard Reed,'" the commander read quietly at last, -"'has an exemplary record.' That is Commander Breckenridge's opinion, -if we are to believe what we read in this record. Oh, perhaps, he -thought, a bit headstrong and mildly argumentative, factors which he -considered balanced by a faculty for deep concentration." - -"And how about my being transferred to Eden, Tau Ceti? And then to -Flatbush, Lalande 25372?" Reed demanded. - -"'Reasons for transfer,'" read Commander Hughes from the record. -"'Junior Spaceman Howard Reed is ambitious and overactive. In the -considered opinion of Commander Breckenridge, he will make a fine -superior officer once his duty-experience has the proper breadth.'" -The commander looked up and waved a hand at the length of stereofac. -The fasces wrought in gold above the stripes glittered in the light. -"Were it not for the Regulations against permitting a junior officer to -inspect his own service record," said Commander Hughes with a smile, -"I'd let you see for yourself that nowhere on this record is there a -single word that corroborates your suggestion. Your tour of duty on -Flatbush, Lalande 25372, and your earlier transfer to Eden, Tau Ceti, -were merely the standard tour of duty, granted to satisfactory junior -officers as a means of properly broadening their experience." - -"In other words," snapped Reed angrily, "the fact that I have crossed -space in a craft powered by a technical suggestion made by me some -years ago does not prove a thing." - -"Can you prove that you made any such technical suggestion?" - -"Yes. Call Commander Briggs of the Bureau of Research. Call Commander -Breckenridge of the Bureau of Operations. Demand that they state under -oath, whether I did or did not make such suggestions. I was told my -ideas were worthless." - -"In other words, the Bureau of Research says it wouldn't work?" - -"But look, sir! I drove a spacecraft all the way from--" - - * * * * * - -The Bureau of Justice officer held up a hand. - -"Look," said the junior spaceman angrily, "all I want is justice!" - -"And justice you'll get!" retorted Commander Hughes. "First, Mr. Reed, -let me ask how you obtained permission to leave your post on Flatbush, -Lalande 25372, so that you could come to the headquarters in person to -state your plea? Or was this trip authorized?" - -"Well, sir--the detector and beacon stations are completely automated -and--" - -"In blunt terms you are absent without leave?" - -"Well, sir--" - -"Junior Spaceman Howard Reed, you will consider yourself under personal -arrest. We have no alternative but to place you in the custody of the -Space Security Police. Remain as you were!" - -Like the fabled case of the drowning man, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed -reviewed his past in a single flash before his eyes. In the second -blink, he covered his present. It wasn't to his liking. - -Having covered his past and discarded his present, he next inspected -his most probable future and came to the almost immediate conclusion -that there wasn't very much in it for him. He had never heard -Napoleon's statement that God was on the side with the heaviest -artillery, but, in his own way, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed came to -a parallel conclusion. Justice was on the side of the heaviest rank. -Bitterly, he reflected that the reward for a technical suggestion of -great merit was that they wouldn't make any trouble for him--so long as -he didn't try to claim credit for it. - -He came back to his dangerous present quickly. Commander Hughes was -talking briskly into his secret telephone. - -With a quick gesture, the junior spaceman leaned forward over the -desk and snatched the instrument out of the senior officer's hands. -He hauled in on the connecting cord until it came taut, and then he -yanked, ripping the cord from its terminals. Brusquely, he dropped the -telephone instrument into the commander's waste basket. - -Then as bells began to ring and corridor horns began to sound, Junior -Spaceman Howard Reed left the administration building of the Bureau of -Justice on a dead run. Out in the street the wail of a siren began to -climb from its throaty basso to its ear-splitting ululation. - - -X - -Gloria Hanford awoke, as she always did, with full awareness, like -the transition of a small animal from slumber to flight. It was not -a languid hand that reached for the telephone that had awakened her -but an alert one. It flipped the accept button up and the vidphone -eye button down in a single twisting gesture of thumb and forefinger. -It was not modesty that caused the turn-down of the vidphone eye. It -was vanity. Gloria Hanford deemed unbrushed teeth, uncombed hair, and -unwashed face both unacceptable and unattractive. - -"Gloria Hanford here. Go ahead." - -"Scholar Ross calling. Miss Hanford, you should know so that you can -be prepared. Bertram Harrison has not yet responded to corrective -therapy." - -"Not--yet--responded," she repeated slowly. "Just how bad is this, -Scholar Ross?" - -"It is quite grave. It's possible there may be cerebral deterioration." - -"You mean Bertram might even go from bad to worse?" - -"Miss Hanford, will you cease treating this as if it were a comedy? You -may be defending yourself against charges of criminal negligence. It -might even get to the charge of homicide before it's done." - -"Homicide? But he isn't dead!" - -"Fifth degree homicide," said Scholar Ross, "comprises the process -of causing by any means the loss of impairment of personality or -intellect. In layman's terms, _brain-washing_." - -"So?" - -"So if I were you I'd dress and be ready for the authorities. -Harrison forced a special session of court last night and had Bertram -declared as invalid-incommunicado. Since your engagement was formally -dissolved, this places Bertram's well-being under the discretion of his -next-of-kin blood relations. Father Harrison is prepared to prosecute -to the fullest extent. He's even petitioned for the right to take -action against the Department of Domestic Tranquility for what he calls -'incompetent meddling.' So you see, it looks bad." - -"Maybe there ought to be some thoughtful laws passed to protect we -active ones from the dolts and dullards," said Gloria. "Okay, Scholar -Ross, I'll take steps!" - -In a flurry of expert motion, Gloria Hanford dressed, packed, and left. - -The authorities who came for her hadn't had enough experience in -dealing with the hypertonic, overactive, fast-thinking, anti-social -type. They expected to find a slightly fuzzy-minded, still -half-aslumber girl, unable to grasp both an idea and a dressing gown at -the same time. They would not have equated their notion with the trim, -alert, neatly and completely dressed young lady they passed on the -stairs if it hadn't been for the standard, legal locks on all apartment -doors. A tiny flag filled a small aperture only when the full bolt was -cast home by a flip of the inside key. - -Its absence meant that no one was inside. - -The chief of the group forced his mental image through a mental -photomontage that started with the original picture of the -half-awakened young woman tossing a tousle of hair back out of -one eye, passed through a much-abridged version of the process -of female dressing, and concluded with the trim and striking -number they'd passed on the stairway. Add important item: As an -accessory, whistle-bait was also carrying an overnight bag in one -formal-for-travelling, white-gloved hand. - -Nudged, his memory was good. - -He hauled his handset out while his men were still making dead certain -that the little flag on the lock meant precisely what it said. By the -time they were convinced that the apartment was truly empty and the -lock bolted from the outside, he had unabashedly reported his failure, -and was concluding a very excellent description of the fugitive Gloria -Hanford. - - -XI - -The average citizen, faced with an impressive uniform, falls into one -of two very widely divided camps. One of these camps contains those of -us who are impressed by the visible, exalted rank of the wearer. - -So, by the simple process of snapping, "Official business!" at the -driver of a skycab and simultaneously tossing the driver his official -I. D. card in its ornate leather folder, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed -succeeded in commandeering a skycab. - -He took off, leaving the driver in a razzle-dazzle dream of collecting -mileage from the Space Service whilst he spent the time comfortably -relaxing in a pub. Protected from public gaze by the camouflaging -skycab, the junior spaceman proceeded to cruise up the middle level of -Ancient Fifth Avenue, driving a full eighteen inches below the legal -altitude set for cruising skycabs. - -He turned on his pocket set to listen to the details of the search that -was being organized for him. - -Above him, all around him, even in the subways below him, the vast and -efficient organization of the Military Space Service was converging. -This organization had the will and the manpower to scour this city of -twenty million people almost literally soul by soul if the need be, to -locate a young officer in the uniform of a Junior Spaceman. He might -be driving a Military Vehicle, but more likely would be found in one -of the many public vehicles or public carriers that the city offered -for civilian transportation. There was also the high possibility that -Junior Spaceman Howard Reed might be located afoot on the static -sidewalk or on one of the tramways. - -And so, mentally clocking each time-point and making a careful note -of the check-points, the junior spaceman built up a mental map of the -city and its danger points. Until the laws of simple logic failed to -operate, he was going to be exactly where they weren't. - -He was, in the driver's seat of a skycab, precisely as invisible as -The Purloined Letter. But now, if he were to drive his skycab away from -the cruising level, he needed one more accessory. He had time. So long -as the Military was looking for a Military man in Military surroundings -and in a Military manner, he was as safe from detection as if he really -owned the skycab he'd commandeered. - -The civilian police were closer to success. - -Called by the chief of the arresting party who'd arrived at Gloria -Hanford's apartment too late by minutes, the minions of Law and Order -converged in their civilian efficiency. Logistically, it was a simple -matter of hare and hounds. The hare couldn't win. Only one question was -important: Which of the hounds would? - -Afoot and by jetcopter that englobed the area, they closed in. By the -application of stored memory and studied information they erected -invisible barriers at every exposed point along the most probable trail -of their quarry, from the street outside of her apartment door to the -garage stall in Monticello. Then, as a final clincher, they installed -three men in Gloria Hanford's airscooter itself. - -By virtue of the unexpected movement one can elude the cops for a time. -Gloria, on the street before her apartment building, almost went into -despair when she saw that there was no skycab within hailing distance. -She almost took it as a personal affront. - -But this was hardly the time to stamp her sandals on the hard pavement -or to write letters to the Commissioner of Public Carriers. - - * * * * * - -She turned and disappeared into the tramway entrance heading North -along Waterfront Avenue. Her coin had hardly hit the bottom of its -slot when the mobile police converged to land on the spot she'd just -vacated. The foremost of them saw her trim figure disappearing into the -distance, eclipsed by the myriads of innocent souls whose only desire -was to make use of the same Northbound Tramway. - -The pursuit began to reshape its surface of detection from englobement -to a cylinder, the axis of which lay congruent with the Northbound -Tramway. - -Again, she held the advantage of knowing her own decision whereas -her pursuit had to divine her plans by analysis of her actions and -making use of extrapolation. Gloria Hanford abruptly stepped off the -Tramway at Fifty-third, walked briskly three long blocks to LaGuardia's -Sixth, found herself facing a group of burly policemen, and stopped -long enough to think. One of the cops shoved a galton whistle between -his teeth and blew a supersonic blast that registered on every cop's -detector within a quarter mile. Audibly a siren wailed. Inaudibly and -invisibly the drawstring web of civic forces began to close in. - -Once more Gloria stepped into the kiosk of a tramway, the Crosstown. -She rode one more block to Ancient Fifth and stepped off. With a wave -of her hand, and then the most startling process to be found in a -woman, Gloria Hanford poked two fingers in her mouth and let go with a -shrill, piercing whistle that made every skycab driver within a half -mile come to the point of 'customer's alert!' - -She made her point. - -The one accessory that Junior Spaceman Howard Reed needed was a -passenger, preferably a female passenger that could be identified as -a female for a hundred yards through a high fog driven by a blinding -gale. Old, beautiful, young or ugly didn't matter, so long as it was -unmistakably woman. The Military wouldn't stop a skycab with a female -passenger. - -He needed his passenger because, until he could pull the taxi-meter -flag--having filled the compartment with a customer--he was constrained -by law to cruise. Cruising would get him nowhere; what he needed was -the flag-down ticket of admission to the upper traffic levels. - -The whistle shrilled at him; he looked; and then with his spaceman's -skill, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed made a mad reverse spiral landing -that nosed out a half dozen other cursing drivers. He hit ground zero -at velocity zero on target zero and flipped open the skycab door so -close that Gloria Hanford did not have to take a middle ground step to -gain entry. - -He took off with a rush that tossed his passenger into the deep seat -and slammed the compartment door without human effort. Then he went -into a cruel climbing turn that wore away twenty thousand flight miles -of the engine bearings. He leveled off a thousand feet above Ancient -Fifth Avenue's top-most fast traffic level, and set his homing and -warning beacon to zero on the spaceport. - -It did not bother him that his passenger hadn't taken the time to -supply him with the destination she desired. After all, Junior Spaceman -Howard Reed was not really a skycab driver. He didn't care. - -Gloria Hanford rebounded from the soft cushions of the skycab -compartment and struggled her way into a position that gave her a good -look out of the broad rear window. Her driver's mad upward spiral made -her dizzy, but from the higher levels it was definitely obvious that -there was considerable concentration of movement down there below. Men -and ground cars as well as jetcopters were closing down upon the spot -they'd just left. - -It did not bother Gloria Hanford that her driver hadn't waited to -inquire as to her destination. She was just happy that he hadn't. Her -destination consisted of swift flight along any vector in a solid -sphere; hers was a reverse destination properly identified by the word -"elsewhere." - - * * * * * - -Behind them the city erupted with a criss-crossing of radio-directed -searchbeams, catching and identifying skycar after skycar. Up from -the city's traffic levels came jetcopters and squad hoppers and some -raid-gun carriers; personnel boats; even a sprinkling of mobile -communications bases. To one side and almost behind them a flight of -star shells burst in a fire-fall of gorgeous color. To their other side -a stream of warning tracer streaked. - -Howard poured on the coal. - -Gloria made no protest; it was a most satisfactory agreement. - -They buzzed across the Jersey Flats. He brought the skycab down on a -flat slant landing that arrowed directly in and touched ground and -skidded to a stop with all landing-gear brakes locked. They slid to -within a few yards of the spacecraft. - -Only then did the junior spaceman pause to speak to his passenger: -"Sorry, but I'm in a jam. So long!" - -He leaped out of the skycab, raced along the ground, went up the -ladder on a dead run, flipped into the spacelock, snapped the "Close" -switch as he passed the inner portal--and then, without waiting for -any pre-flight checkout, Junior Spaceman Howard Reed resigned from the -Space Force by slamming his controls into an emergency and unauthorized -flight program that took him up and out of Earth's atmosphere in barely -more than nothing flat. - -When he was free and clear, he relaxed in his pilot's seat, swiveled it -around ... and boggled, bug-eyed, at his passenger. - -Gloria Hanford, still trim and shipshape in her white sharkskin -suit, still carrying the overnight bag in her formal-for-travelling, -white-gloved hand, sat in the spare seat. - -She said: "I'm sorry about this, too, but it so happens that I'm also -in a jam. Where do we go from here, Spaceman?" - -He eyed her. "Where do you want to go?" - -Gloria chuckled in a throaty voice. "Away," she said. - -"Can you cook?" he demanded abruptly. - -"Yes--why?" - -"Then go rustle up some grub from the galley," he directed. "I'll have -to keep an eye on this crate until we're free and clear. We can decide -what to do next after we have time to think." - -She looked at him strangely. Her own attitude puzzled her. It was the -first time she'd been given an order that she hadn't resented, but -then of course his direction made very good sense. - -He looked upon her as she rose--and he found her fair. - -She was. Gloria Hanford was an extremely attractive dish in her own -right. Amplified a few millionfold by the spaceman's enforced isolation -on Eden, Tau Ceti, and later upon Flatbush, Lalande 25372, she was a -dream. Either locale would have the result of making Medusa the Gorgon -look like Miss Universe of All Time, but Gloria Hanford didn't need any -handicaps. - -By some strange chemistry of non-material radiation that required no -catalyst, there was no question between them. - -Oh, they had a lot to find out about one another, but they had plenty -of time for that. - -That and other things.... - - -XII - -In the Officers' Club on Earth, someone said, "What's the latest -report?" - -Commander Breckenridge of Operations said, "Last detected by the -station at Last Gasp, Ross 780, and going like hell wouldn't have them." - -Commander Hughes of the Bureau of Justice said, "They're going at it -rather early, aren't they?" - -Scholar Ross of the Department of Domestic Tranquility waved at his -comparison microscope and its data cards. "It would be hard to find -two people better suited to one another." He looked at his watch and -smiled. "I'd say that by now they've both forgotten completely that -they were ever strangers." - -Commander Briggs of the Bureau of Research refilled the glasses with -the finest nonsynthetic vintage champagne that the cellar of the -Officers' Club could provide. He held his glass high and said, "I toast -the bride and groom and the ultimate colonization of the Galaxy--by -subterfuge!" - -But Scholar Ross pulled the hand down. With a shake of his head, he -held his own glass high. "Sorry, Briggs. But this time we toast the -reactionaries, the die-hards and the rule-ridden old guard who have to -work like the very devil to pair off a deserving young couple, and then -force them into finding a home of their own--on some other planet. - -"Gentlemen. To the Troublemakers! - -"_Ourselves!_" - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Troublemakers, by George O. Smith - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TROUBLEMAKERS *** - -***** This file should be named 51868.txt or 51868.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/8/6/51868/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -http://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -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/license - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at http://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit http://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. -To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/51868.zip b/old/51868.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 349080b..0000000 --- a/old/51868.zip +++ /dev/null |
