A Thousand Ages

by D. E. Ellis

  “How about Wormald giving a few talks on the Tube System, while Thursfield is sorting out our crew.”

  “He could give a few general lectures to pass away the time, until it’s his turn to drum a few facts into the ones that pass the test. Actually, as the Klaatans have always believed, the Tube is most unlikely to require maintenance for many generations yet. By that time, they should have advanced far enough, scientifically, to invent their own tube systems. So a little matter like maintenance of this one won’t trouble them.”

  “I don’t see how we can hope to train a crew in a few months, when they have no scientific knowledge whatsoever. We’re both talking as though it were a matter of small importance.”

  “You know as well as I do how small a crew it takes to handle the Unisphere. You and Wormald could almost do it between you. There are so many things it will not be necessary to teach them for the moment, such as radio communication, positions of man-made satellites to avoid when navigating, and how the computator works—as long as they can use it. There are many things that applied to apparatus only of use in our own time. And some complications can be left till later. So most of them will be coming along for the ride only, anyway.”

  “I see what you mean. After all, we never had anyone who cold have replaced Rikky on the original voyage. Of course, you or MacCallum could have had a shot at repairing any breakdowns. But we probably owe the lack of any such trouble to Rikky’s unceasing care and love of his machinery. Anyway, no doubt he can impart a little of his knowledge as we go along. And, if each of the other seven of the crew specialises in a small task, it will relieve the burden on us.”

  “They won’t be able to pick up navigation overnight. But, considering your efforts on our maiden voyage, I doubt if the calculations of a little journey like the one to Mars, will interrupt your duties as captain for long enough to be a nuisance. I think our chief task now will be to train them to space flight. Teach them what to expect, how to use a space-suit, how all the equipment on the ship works … Don’t forget that devices we take for granted are unknown in this new age—electricity, for example. and the ship contains many things in advance of what was generally in use when we left Earth. I twill be interesting to see how they react, when they see the ship for the first time.”

  “As long as it doesn’t put them off altogether!”

  “Not the bunch tat get past the final screening. Don’t forget they’re the types who’ve been trying to change the old order of things for several years now. I don’t think they’ll back out, just because things are rather more advanced than they expected. They’ll be adaptable types, and take it all in their stride. Anyway, let’s contact Thursfield and see what he has to say about his part in all this.”

  Two weeks later, six hundred and fifty eight young men received invitations to attend a course of intensive study in Physical Science. Using the same methods by which Thane had assimilated the tribal dialect, it was hoped to stuff them fairly full of knowledge within a month. Thursfield had chosen physics as being the most likely branch to show any aptitude for engineering. He could not hope, even in a very general way, to teach much in such a wide field in that time; all the same, it should be possible to weed out the most suitable to carry on, by the results of a test which he would set them.

  One thing that worried him was the difficulty of conducting such a test with absolute fairness, in view of the students’ powers of telepathy. He supposed that it would be possible for he, himself, to give away the answers, by broadcasting unintentionally.

  Anu Rama reassured him on this point.

  “No mental conversation is allowed between students taking an examination. I suppose your people appointed an invigilator to see that there was no talking; in the same way, our invigilators guard against exchange of thoughts, as well as speech. WE use people who have a high degree of perception, such as those normally employed in our communications system. Actually, there is some control, there are always a few who would be inclined to chatter and discuss the paper, and careless ones who think aloud.”

  “That is what I am afraid of myself. Is it possible for them to pick up the answers from me?”

  “Not unless you are in the examination room with them. I suggest you absent yourself entirely from the building while the examinations are proceeding. Then there will not be the slightest chances of anyone picking you up. The average Klaatan cannot receive a message unless it is broadcast direct to him, from anyone more than a few yards away. Unless any of our super telepaths have entered for this course, which I very much doubt, it is no problem.”

  “You do not sound very complementary when you doubt that any super telepath will apply. How will you know if they do?”

  “Every Klaatan has his capabilities in that direction recorded as soon as they have developed. Exceptional talent is soon noted, and put to good use. I was not meaning to belittle you efforts when I said I doubted if any would apply. The reason is that your course will attract those dissatisfied with their present way of life, who in their idle moments feel they are wasted, there being so many vital and interesting jobs open to them. They are not necessarily any more intelligent than anyone else—so you need not feel their lack of interest reflects upon your course.”

  “Thank you for those kind words. It has just occurred to me the services of a super telepath might be very useful. Could they send through space, I wonder? It might be possible for the Unisphere to maintain contact with us like that, at least for a time.”

  “You may be right. While they may not be interested in mechanics, it sounds like a challenge quite a few could not resist. If you really want one in your crew, I’ll approach some and see how they react.”

  “It is really up to Bruce and Thane to decide the actual composition of the crew, after I have done the initial weeding. I’ll see what they think.”

  Chapter 20

  Bruce looked curiously at the crew presented by the final selection. All were in perfect physical health. Their slender figures concealed a greater than average strength. That, and the ability to communicate with their minds, where about all they had in common.

  They had come from different backgrounds. Griff Rama was the son of a Councillor. Then there was Roe Shamerlan, who seemed withdrawn and barely conscious of his surroundings. It had been most difficult to impress even the simplest points of space-drill upon him. As one of the leading communicators of Klaata, his thoughts were more often roaming around outside his body, while his mind remained perfectly receptive to incoming messages. It was said he could receive and send, messages anywhere on Earth; but, as no Klaatan had ever ventured further than the old continent of Europe, he had not yet been able to fully test his powers.

  A few of those not chosen for the crew were rather upset at his inclusion. They reasoned that he had not the slightest interest in scientific progress, and was depriving someone else of his place. There was some justification for this attitude, since Roe Shamerlan would never have thought of joining the crew if Anu Rama and James Thursfield had not pointed out what a wonderful opportunity it would be to assess the full scope of thought-communication.

  Bose Dinsdale, son of a blacksmith, and somewhat stockier than his fellows, voiced some of his forebodings to Angeson Burr—whose artistic parents had been amazed to learn of their son’s rebellistic attitude to the Klaatan way of life.

  “While I respect the man in every way, it’s going to be something of a liability to have him along. If his talent doesn’t work, he’ll be absolutely useless. It will be like looking after a great big baby.

  “If it does work, hundreds of those unfortunate, disappointed chaps in the crowd over there will be able to get some of our experiences second-hand. Don’t begrudge them that,” replied Angeson.

  “And, if he fails, he risks madness, shut in close contact with only we ordinary fellows for company. These super operators like to work at long distances. It takes courage to deliberately risk cutting contact. Either Shamerlan doesn’t realise what
he’s letting himself in for, or he’s a hero.” The quiet voice came from the meek looking former clerk, who had previously worked in one of the government departments.

  Jon Megan was truly happy at last, having burst out from the restriction of his tedious occupation. There were no rules now in Klaata to keep a man strictly chained to his job; but a relic of the days during the rebuilding of civilisation, when manpower could not be wasted, had survived. This was the direction of young people into employment for which the Council, or its representatives, thought them most suited. Convincing reasons had to be produced if a change was desired.

  Jon had no aptitude for farming. He was not madly keen on any of the usual occupations, so had let his discontent remain at the back of his mind. He comforted himself by pursuing his hobby of science as far as, and a little beyond, the limitations imposed by the Council. One of the Group’s earliest members, he did not intend to let this chance slip by.

  The object of their concern was not as unaware of it as they supposed. Roe Shamerlan’s withdrawn look come from his constant mental alertness for distant messages; but he was capable of recording and transmitting impressions, without even appearing to notice his surroundings. Into the minds of thousands, who although they were unable to attend, were sufficiently interested to pick up the broadcast, came a picture of the Unisphere. It was the largest chunk of metal they had ever seen. The shape was different from anything they had ever imagines.

  As his turn came to enter the hatch, his audience saw the air lock, with his eyes, felt the sensation of imprisonment with him as it shut, his relief when the inner hatch opened and he found his way to the main cabin—where he sat down with the others to await the two remaining members of the crew.

  Although he had been on board the space-ship many times during his training, this time it was different. The next time he would step through those doors on to solid ground, it would be Mars, not Earth, that supported him. Mars not being at its nearest to Earth, the journey would take nearly two weeks. To explore Mars thoroughly for traces of civilisation, and make a full report of the fate of all the small communities established there, would take several months.

  The pair who finally entered the main cabin looked very irresponsible. They were of a type Bruce would rather not have had amongst his crew; but, since the purpose of the trip had been to eliminate restless elements for the time being, as much as to provide a genuine interest for the those interested in science, it had been impossible to refuse to include them—particularly so as their test papers had shown them to be very promising scientists.

  Thane had laughed at Bruce’s objections. Bruce must be getting old if he saw recklessness as such an undesirable quality.

  “I can think of quite a few scrapes your own recklessness led us into in the old days. Now look at you—captain of a space-ship.”

  “That’s another result of being reckless—it’s supposed to be a punishment as much as anything. It certainly will be, with those two on board.”

  “Well, with your experience, you should be able to think two moves ahead of them. How about nicknaming them the ‘Heavenly Twins’.”

  “If I get back alive, I’ll be a reformed character. Just think of the things they got up to during training. It gives me nightmares to think of the time Loray forgot to secure his lifeline when we sent them on deck during that second run. Then to see Tomson trying to rescue him with a hand propellor when he drifted a few feet away, is something I’ll never forget.”

  “Yes, I know. He’d forgotten to fasten his lifeline, too! He grabbed Loray as the jet swept him past. In a few moments, they were both drifting half a mile from the ship—because he’d pressed the trigger too hard in his eagerness to save his pal. Still, you’ve got to give him credit for keeping his head. Neither of them panicked, and they got back without assistance. You might also say it showed courage, as well as recklessness, considering it was only their second trip—their first time outside the ship with nothing between them and the stars.”

  “I’m the one who will need the courage,” Bruce had muttered.

  “Time to go,” Bruce said to his assembled crew. “You all know what to do. If anyone isn’t absolutely sure, or wishes to back out, now is the time to say so.”

  No one responded to his offer.

  “Take up your positions then.” Bruce proceeded to the controls, followed by his understudy, Jon Megan.

  Mury had accompanied her husband to the island to see them depart. Thane was proud of his new wife. The bewildered, imprisoned mind was now free. It was a confident, eager young woman who stood by his side. The nightmare of loneliness had ended; she was able to hear and talk as any other normal person.

  In spite of his own experiences in learning the dialect of a Gabbler tribe in a few days, under the intensive training methods of the Klaatans, he had not yet ceased to marvel at Mury’s extraordinary command of the Klaatan language in a brief period of five months.

  “Are you sure you want to stay behind?” asked Mury, noting the wistful expression on Thane’s face as the hatch closed behind the last member of the crew.

  “Quite sure,” he smiled. “It’s wonderful of you to offer to wait for me. But I would rather be separated from the Unisphere, than you. As soon as she’s gone, I’ll be so busy with our new farm—and giving occasional lectures on the benefits of science—that I shall not have any time for regrets.”

  “Not to mention the honour the Council did you today by asking you to become a member!”

  “I can’t think why, after all the undesirable characteristics my race was supposed to possess.”

  “I can. They know that their own young people, the one’s whose ideas are changing with the times, are still too immature to make good councillors. Yet they need someone to speak for them, someone who can understand their desires and view them with an experienced judgement. You may not be much older than they are, but your unusual career has given you the necessary experience. The Klaatan youngsters have been too pampered to produce any suitable representatives at this moment. But, in time, the programmes allowing more initiative should produce a few.”

  “There speaks an adoring wife. Actually, I don’t think you’re quite right about the youth of today. It’s not all immature. The majority of ordinary people, young or old, are quite content with their way of life—and wouldn’t dream of seeking nomination to the Council. They realise that the present Council is making a very good job of the government. The people I am to represent are the discontented ones, those whose very immaturity prevents them from coming to terms with life as it is. I’m their chance to blow off seam, and air their views—a sort of safety valve.”

  “You put it so modestly. You know quite well that their numbers are mounting rapidly. The Council have had to do something about it. At long last, they are also trying to help my father’s people. In a way, it helps the Klaatans, too, providing new outlets for the more adventurously inclined. There’s so much scope in so many different fields—such as the setting up of schools and hospitals, teaching them to farm economically, and even how to live peaceably together. Your friend is paving the way to the last suggestion.”

  “He’s doing a good job,” agreed Thane, remembering the last time they had met. Dunstable had paid them another flying visit a week before, to wish the crew of the Unisphere good luck. He had told Thane some of the things he had already mentioned to Jon Rubin. He was absolutely amazed at the change in Mury.

  Thane thought briefly of the others who had accompanied him on the long journey. It was remarkable to think that they had all settled to their new lives. Grant Courton had never ceased being a doctor. James Thursfield was pursuing subjects that had been his hobbies in busier days; he was happy to think he could end his life usefully. Bruce Kenton and Urik Wormald were about to continue in the only occupation that held any appeal for them—that of the exploration of the Universe.

  “We’ll be here to welcome them when they come home,” Thane said to Mury. It was comforting to
think there was still somewhere they all belonged. All, that is, except Kevin MacCallum. His work was finished, and all that remained of him was in their hearts and memories, and the spectacle of the Unisphere, as she prepared to leave on new explorations.

  “Everyone clear of the take-off area,” came the warning over the Unisphere’s loud-speaker system.

  The crowd beat an orderly retreat to the rocks that surrounded the island. Most of them had been amongst the original applicants to go on the voyage. The shore was packed with small boats of all descriptions, which had ferried them across from the mainland. They wished to be present at the great moment.

  Faces upturned, eyes aching, they watched until the Unisphere was just a gleam in the sky.

  The End

  ~~O~~