They refused to recognize that there was a problem. Pressed too hard, they got angry, the neurotic anger of someone whose basic attitudes are being attacked. Nor was there such a thing as forcing them. Their
method of transportation nullified all the old techniques of persuasion by threat and violence. That left cunning.
Which brought him back to his first thought: He had no real plans. He wrote:
* * *
Your excellency: I should like to sleep over this matter. Clane.
* * *
He sealed it, dismissed the messenger, and went to bed. At first he couldn't sleep. He kept tossing and turning, and once in a long while he dozed, only to jerk awake with a start. His conscience burdened him. Unless he could think of something, the trip was a failure. He was up against the stone wall of one fact. Neither Marden nor his compatriots could even begin to understand what was wanted. That was especially baffling because, from all indications, they could read minds.
He slept finally. In the morning, he dictated a note to Czinczar:
* * *
Your excellency: My idea is that we should exchange views and information before we meet to discuss future plans. Clane.
* * *
The answer to that was:
* * *
Dear Lord Clane:
I have the feeling that you are evading this discussion because you have no plans. However, since the long journey has now been made, let us by all means consider the possibilities. Will you please name for me the actual information which you think we have obtained?
Czinczar.
* * *
Dear Czinczar:
The chlorodel is the "national" flower, because it gives off a gas which makes the air unbreathable to the Riss.
The reference to knocking on a little box in the center ofthe table when they were not hungry probably dates back to the radioactivity period after the great war. The little box was a detector, and many a time they must have gone hungry because the instrument indicated the food was radioactive.
The annual visit to the caverns derives from the same period.
They give the Riss their surplus food without remembering that that must have started as a form of tribute to a conqueror. In this connection, I would say that only certain foods would be usable by the Riss because of their somewhat different chemical make-up.
Clane
* * *
Your excellency:
Do you seriously claim that the chlorodel can create an unbreathable atmosphere for the Riss? Then we have our answer. We need look no further. Let us hurry back to the solar system, and plant this Gower until its perfume is diluted in every molecule ofthe air of every habitable planet or moon.
Czinczar.
* * *
Clane sighed when he read that. The problem of the barbarian leader, pragmatist extraordinary, remained as difficult of solution as all the other riddles.
* * *
He ate breakfast while he considered his reply. He took the ship down near the atmosphere of the planet, and spent nearly an hour looking for the Riss battleship, without success. By the time he was satisfied that it was not in the vicinity of Marden's village, another note had arrived from Czinczar.
* * *
Dear Lord Clane:
Your failure to reply to my last letter indicates that you do not accept the implications of your discovery about the chlorodel. Let us meet at once and discuss this entire problem.
Czinczar.
* * *
Clane wrote:
* * *
Dear Czinczar:
I am sorry to see you jumping at a solution which can have no meaning in the larger sense. The Riss-human struggle will not be resolved by the use of a defensive gas. If the Riss ever believed that a campaign was under way to poison the atmospheres of planets against them, they would take counter-measures. They could use radioactive poisons on a planetary scale, or some other gas development as inimical to man as the chlorodel seems to be to the Riss.
The fact that long ago the Outland-Inland Twins defended themselves in that way is not conclusive. The Riss could accept isolated activity This would be especially true during the confusion that existed toward the end of the Riss-human war. By the time they discovered what the people ofthe Twins had done, the limited character ofthe action would be evident. The Riss would accordingly be in an exploratory frame of mind. Even as it was, they must have made threats so terrible that a tribute agreement was made.
I repeat, this is not a final answer. Far from it. In my earnest opinion, it would be the signal for an attempt to destroy the solar system.
Clane.
* * *
Dear Lord Clane:
I am astounded by your purely intellectual approach to these matters. We defend our planets by any and every means at our disposal. Let us meet immediately to discuss the only course now open to us: to return to Earth with a shipload of chlorodel plants for replanting.
Czinczar.
* * *
Dear Lord Clane:
I have received no answer to my communication delivered three hours ago. Please let me hear from you.
Czinczar.
* * *
Dear Lord Clane:
I am amazed that you have failed to reply to my last two notes. I realize of course that you have no answer, because what can our next move possibly be except return to Earth? The alternative would be to continue our blind search through space for another planet inhabited by human beings. Am I right in believing that the star map which brought us to Outland does not show any other stars as having habitable planets?
Czinczar.
* * *
Dear Lord Clane:
This situation is now becoming ridiculous. Your failure to reply to my notes is a reflection on our relationship. If you do not answer this letter, I shall refuse to have any further communication with you.
Czinczar.
* * *
Lord Clane did not see that note or the previous ones until some time later. He was paying another visit to Marden.
* * *
The interview began unsatisfactorily. The place was bad. Marden was busy picking fruit when Clane stopped under the tree where he was working. He looked down, and he was visibly impatient with the "fool" who had been bothering him for so long now.
He said: "The Riss ship waited for about an hour. Then it moved on. I see this pleases you."
It did indeed. Clane said steadily: "After our trouble with the Riss, we have no desire to meet them. In our opinion they would attack us on sight."
Marden kept on picking fruit. "We have had no trouble with the Riss, ever."
Clane said: "Why should you? You give them everything you own."
Marden had evidently been doing some thinking about the previous conversation on that. He said coldly: "We do not keep from others what we do not need ourselves." He spoke tartly.
Clane said serenely: "So long as you keep down your population, learn nothing of science, and pay tribute, you will be left alone. All this, provided the chlorodel does not wither away. At that point, the Riss would land, and you would learn what their friendship was worth."
It was a dangerous comment. He made it because it was time such thoughts were circulated among these people. Nevertheless, Clane quickly changed the subject.
"Why didn't you tell us you could read minds?" he asked.
"You didn't ask," said Marden. "Besides—"
"Besides what?"
"It doesn't work well with you. You people don't think clearly."
"You mean, we think differently?"
Marden dismissed that. "There's only one way to think," he said impatiently. "I find that it's easier to use spoken language with you, and search your minds for the right word when I might otherwise be at a loss. All those who have dealt with you feel the same way." He seemed to think that settled the matter.
Clane said: "You don't really speak our language? You learn it by getting some of our thoughts
as we speak?"
"Yes."
Clane nodded. Many things were becoming much clearer. Here was a human colony that had carried on to new heights of scientific development long after the connection between Earth and Outland was broken. The reasons for their subsequent decadence were probably intricate: Disruption of commerce with other man-inhabited planets. Destruction of tens of thousands of their own factories. Irreplaceable gaps in the ranks of their technicians. The deadly pressure of Riss threats. Inexorably, that combination had added up to the present static state.
Clane said: "Does the reading of minds have any relation to your method of transportation?"
Marden sounded surprised. "Why, of course. You learn them at the same time, though it takes longer."
He climbed down from the tree, carrying his pail. "All this time while you've been talking, there's been a question in the back of your mind. It's your main reason for this visit. I can't quite make it out, but if you
will ask it, I'll answer as best I can, and then I can go to lunch."
Clane took out his star map. "Have you ever seen one of these?"
Marden smiled. "At night, I look up into the sky, and there it is."
"Apart from that?"
"I have seen occasional thoughts about such maps in the minds of the Riss."
Clane held the map up for him. "Here is your sun," he said. He pointed. Then brought his finger down. "And here is ours. Can you use the knowledge in my mind about such things to orient yourself to this map, and point out to me which is the nearest Riss sun?"
There was a long silence. Marden studied the map. "It's hard," he sighed. "But I think it's this one."
Clane marked it with trembling fingers, then said huskily, "Marden, be as sure as you can. If you're wrong, and we go there, we will have wasted half a year or more. Millions of people may die."
"It's either this one or this one," said Marden. He pointed at a star about an inch from the other one.
Clane shook his head. "That one's a hundred light-years, and this one about twenty."
"Then it's the close one. I have no impression of the distance being very great."
"Thank you," said Clane. "I'm sorry to have been such a nuisance."
Marden shrugged.
"Good-by," said Clane.
He turned and headed back to the liftboat.
17
Back on the ship, he read Czinczar's letters with an unhappy sense of more trouble to come. He ate lunch, and then, bracing himself, invited the angry barbarian for a conference.
He included an apology in his letter. He explained where he had been, though not his purpose in visiting Marden.
That account he saved until Czinczar and he were alone together. When he had finished, the great man sat for a long time saying not a word. He seemed unutterably nonplussed. At last, he said in a mild tone: "You have no faith in the chlorodel plant?"
Clane said: "I see it as a weapon of last resort. We mustn't use it till we are sure we understand all the possible repercussions."
Czinczar sighed. "Your action in producing the chlorodel as a weapon had decided me that his journey was worthwhile after all. Now you yourself devaluate it, and suggest that we extend our trip to take in the planets of another star."
He brought up one hand, as if he would use it somehow to make his protest more effective. He seemed to realize the futility of that, for he spoke again.
"I confess it baffles me. What can you possibly hope to gain by going to a Riss planet?"
Clane said earnestly: "If Marden is right, it would take us three months. Actually, the Riss star is almost, though not quite, as near to Earth as this one." He paused. He was anxious to have moral support for the journey. He went on, "I honestly believe it is our duty to investigate the potentialities of taking counteraction against man's deadly enemy. This war will not be won on the defensive."
He saw that Czinczar was looking straight at him. The barbarian said: "If Marden is right—that's a damning phrase." He shook his head in visible despair. "I give up. Anybody who will order a ship as big and important as this one to make a trip on the strength of Marden's memory of what he saw in the mind of a Riss—"
He broke off. "Surely, there must be maps aboard the Solar Star.
Clane hesitated. This was a sore point with him. He said carefully: "We had an unfortunate accident at the time we took over the ship. Everyone was in an exploring frame of mind, and one of the men wandered into the map room. Can you guess the rest?"
"They'd set energy traps for interlopers."
"He was killed, of course," Clane nodded drably. "It was a lesson for us all. I discovered that all the main control and mechanical departments were similarly mined. We used condemned slaves to do the dangerous work, promising them freedom if they were successful. Result: Only one other accident."
"What was that?" asked the ever-curious Czinczar.
"The interstellar television communicator," Clane replied. He broke off. "I regret as much as you do that we have to make our next move on the basis of Marden's memory."
He hesitated, then made his appeal. "Czinczar," he said slowly, "although I have apparently ignored your opinions on this journey, I do have a high respect for them. I sincerely believe you are being too narrowly practical. You are too bound to the solar system. I don't think you realize how much you think of it as a home that must be defended to the death. But never mind that. What I have to say to you is no longer based strictly on logic, or even on whether or not we are in agreement.
"I ask for your support because, first, I am the commander of this ship for better or worse; second, if we do come to a Riss planet I intend us to take enormous risks—and that will require your fullest cooperation; third, in spite of all your doubts, you yourself feel that the discovery of the chlorodel plant partially justifies the journey so far. I disagree with that, but at least it goes to show that there are secrets to be discovered out here."
He finished quietly: "That's all I have to say. What's your answer?"
Czinczar said: "In our correspondence, and in our present discussion, neither you nor I have referred to the Outlander method of transportation. What is your reason for not mentioning it? Don't you think it has any value?"
The very extent of the thoughts he had had on the subject held Clane momentarily silent. He said finally, "It would be a terrific advantage, but I can't see it as being decisive—as it now stands. Besides, we can't get it."
He explained the efforts he had made, and the impossibility of gaining the secret from the mercurial inhabitants. He finished:
"I do have a plan about it. My idea is that we leave behind young couples to whom children were born during the trip. Their instructions will be to try to have their youngsters trained by the Outlanders. That
will take nine years."
"I see." Czinczar frowned at the floor, finally stood up. "If there's any fighting to do when we get to the Riss planet, call on me. Is that what you mean by support?"
Clane smiled wanly, and also stood up. "I suppose so," he said. "I suppose so."
* * *
Lord Clane Linn walked slowly to the weapon control room after separating from Czinczar. For a long time, he sat in one of the giant chairs, idly manipulating a viewing instrument. Finally, he shook his head. The unpleasant fact was that Czinczar's doubts about accepting Marden's directions had convinced him. Such a trip still had to be made, but not on such a flimsy basis.
Unfortunately, the only other idea he had was so wild—and dangerous—he still hadn't mentioned it to anyone. Even Czinczar had not suggested an attack on the other Riss battleship.
* * *
Six hours went by. And then a message arrived from the barbarian leader.
* * *
Dear Lord Clane:
The ship is not accelerating. What's the matter? If we are going on this journey, we should be on our way.
Czinczar.
* * *
Clane bit his lips over the letter. He did no
t answer it immediately, but its arrival stiffened him to the need for a decision. At least, he thought, I could go down again, and see Marden.
It was already dark when he landed in the village. Marden opened the door with the reluctance of a man who knew in advance who his visitor was, and was not interested.
"I thought you were leaving," he said.
"I have a favor to ask," said Clane.
Marden peered through the slit of the door, polite from habit.
"We have to try to come to an agreement with the Riss," said Clane. "Do you think one of your people—of those who are allowed aboard the Riss ship—would be willing to help my emissaries meet the Riss?"
Marden laughed, as at a private joke: "Oh, yes, Guylan would."
"Guylan?"
"When he learned of the enmity between you and the Riss, he thought something should be done to bring you together." Marden's tone suggested that Guylan was a little simple about such things. He finished, "I'll talk to him about this in the morning."
Clane urged, "Why not now?" He had to fight his impatience. "All this is very serious, Marden. If our two ships should meet, there might be a big battle. It's not too late in the evening yet. Could you possibly
contact him for me immediately?"
He tried to hide his anxiety. There was just a chance that Marden would realize his real intentions. He was counting on their intricacy, and their mechanical aspects, to baffle the Outlander's suspicions. He saw that the man seemed doubtful.
"There's something about your purpose—" Marden began. He shook his head. "But then you people don't think straight, do you?" He seemed to be talking to himself. "This fear of yours," he said aloud thoughtfully. Once more he failed to finish a sentence. "Just a minute," he said.
He disappeared into the house. Not one, but several minutes went by. Then he came to the door with a tall, thin, mild-faced man.
"This is Guylan," he said. He added, "Good night." He closed the door.
* * *
The battle began in the hours of darkness before the dawn. In the weapon control room, Clane sat in a chair at the back of the room. From that vantage point he could see all the viewing plates.
The Wizard of Linn Page 12
