Alan Dean Foster - Interlopers by Interlopers

Author:Interlopers [Interlopers]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

"I guess the safest people in the world would be professional comedians." Before opening the door, Cody armed the in-house alarm system. His visitor watched with interest.

"On the contrary, there are many such who suffer from the attentions of Those Who Abide. Professional comedians are among the most unhappy, morose, melancholy inhabitants of the planet. Where do you think professional humor comes from, anyway? From a lifetime of fighting off the effects of Interlopers. Funny is painful, my young friend."

'Then there are other ways to kill them. You indicated as much."

Oelefse patted his jacket. Was that a bulge where an inside pocket might be? "No, it is not a gun." He grinned at the archaeologist. "The Interlopers are patterns of oth-erworldliness. Generating and projecting the right electromagnetic field can play havoc with such patterns. It depends on the Interloper. The atrix is not a panacea, but long years of development have gone into its manufacture." He wagged a finger at Cody. "Solid-state physics, advanced chip masking technology, even the development of smaller and smaller batteries have made such devices possible. Those Who Abide fear them, and their improvement. Is it any wonder they strive to thrust the world into another crisis, whether through disease or politics? For example, you cannot imagine how many important people are presently afflicted in India and Pakistan."

"How can you prevent adverse events from taking place halfway around the world?"

"The Society has operatives everywhere. Sometimes we are successful, such as in Peru and Ecuador. Sometimes we are too late, as in the Congo. We fight on because we must. Mankind has come too far, reached too lofty a height, to collapse under the weight of another great plague or war. Science abets our work, but knowledge is our armor."

Cody hesitated with one hand on the door handle. "If you have a device that can kill Those Who Abide, why not mass-manufacture it, hand thousands of them out to a Society-inspired army, and kill every last Interloper?"

"It is not so easy, my friend. The atrix and its companion devices are not easy to use. Teaching others how to calibrate one takes time. And they are not always effective." His expression darkened. "There is some concern that the Interlopers may have the power of rapid mutation that is found in insects and smaller creatures: the ability to evolve defenses against new forms of attack, as has happened over the years with malaria and other diseases. Employ the atrix too much and too often, for example, and the risk is run of rendering Those Who Abide immune to its effects. We must move carefully.

"For now, our principal concerns are further research, preserving civilization—and helping your wife." A broad smile creased his face. "They say that the last shall be first. Excuse me."

Stepping in front of Cody, the old man took the handle and opened the door very slightly. As he stood peering out, Cody wondered at his caution.

"If you're looking for Interlopers, I check the neighborhood every morning. Except

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