Harlan Ellison Paingod & Other Delusions

Archiwum

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

the SpaceCom head continued, we have included in this ship s complement a
Mindee and a Blaster.
Their sole job is to watch and protect you, Mr. Gunnderson. To make
certain you are kept in the proper, patriotic state of mind. They have
been instructed to read you from this moment on, and should you not be willing
to carry out your assignment...well, I m certain you are familiar with a
Blaster s capabilities.
Gunnderson stared at the blank-faced telepath sitting across from him
on the other bunk. The man was obviously listening to every thought in
Gunnderson s head. A strange, nervous expression was on the Mindee s face.
His gaze turned to the Blaster who accompanied him, then back to Gunnderson.
The pyrotic swiveled a glance at the Blaster, then swiveled away as quickly.
Blasters were men meant to do one job, one job only; a Blaster became the type
of man he had to be, to be successful doing that job. They all looked the
same, and now Gunnderson found the look almost terrifying. He had not thought
he could be terrified, any more.
That is your assignment, Gunnderson, and if you have any hesitation, remember
our enemy is not human.
They may look like you, but mentally they are extraterrestrials as unlike you
as you are unlike a slug. And remember there s a war on. You will be saving
the lives of many Earthmen by performing this task.
This is your chance to become respected, Gunnderson.
A hero, respected, and for the first time, he paused, as though not wishing
to say what was next, for the first time-worthy of your world.
The rasp-rasp-rasp of the speak-tip filled the stateroom. Gunnderson said
nothing. He could hear the phrase whirling, whirling in his head: There s a
war on, There s a war on, THERE S A WAR ON! He stood up and slowly
walked to the door.
Sorry, Mr. Gunnderson, the Mindee said emphatically, we can t allow you to
leave this room.
He sat down and lifted the battered mouth organ from where it had fallen. He
fingered it for a while, then put it to his lips. He blew, but made no sound.
And he didn t leave.
They thought he was asleep. The Mindee-a cadaverously thin man with hair
grayed at the temples and slicked back in strips on top, with a gasping speech
and a nervous movement of hand to ear-spoke to the Blaster.
He doesn t seem to be thinking, John!
The Blaster s smooth, hard features moved vaguely, and a quirking frown split
his inkline mouth. Can he do it?
The Mindee rose, ran a hand quickly through the straight, slicked hair.
Can he do it? No, he shouldn t be able to do it, but he s doing it! I can t
figure it out...it s eerie. Either I ve lost it, or he s got something new.
Trauma-barrier?
That s what they told me before I left, that he seemed to be
blocked off. But they thought it was only temporary, and that once he
was away from the Bureau buildings he d clear up.
But he hasn t cleared up.
The Blaster looked concerned. Maybe it s you.
I didn t get a Master s rating for nothing, John, and I tell you there isn t
a trauma-barrier I can t at least get something through. If only a snatch of
gabble. But here there s nothing-nothing!
Maybe it s you, the Blaster repeated, still concerned.
Page 95
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Damn it! It s not me! I can read you, can t I-your right foot hurts from new
boots, you wish you could have the bunk to lie down on, you...Oh, hell, I can
read you, and I can read the Captain up front, and I can read the pitmen in
the hold, but I
can t read him!
It s like hitting a sheet of glass in his head. There should be a reflection
if not penetration, but he seems to be opaqued. I didn t want to say anything
when he was awake, of course.
Do you think I should twit him a little-wake him up and warn him we re on to
his game?
The Mindee raised a hand to stop the very thought of the Blaster. Great
Gods, no! He gestured wildly.
This Gunnderson s invaluable. If they found out we d done anything
unauthorized to him, we d both be tanked. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

zanotowane.pl

doc.pisz.pl

pdf.pisz.pl

himalia.xlx.pl