Alien Dust by E. C. Tubb

Author:E. C. Tubb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Worlds
Published: 1953-01-22T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

Ventor drummed thick fingers on the edge of his desk, and frowned irritably. "Why didn't you report sick before?"

Sam stood tiredly before the desk. "I intended to, sir. I didn't think it was important."

"I see. You realize of course what is wrong with you."

"Not exactly, sir. Is it serious?"

Ventor nodded slowly. "You could call it that. We used to get a lot of it, that is why all out-workers wear masks. A condition of the lungs caused by certain erosive effects of the dust. You must have been careless."

Sam nodded, thinking of all the times he had walked to the edge of the settlement, watching the magic of sundown, the swift blossoming of the stars against a curtain of deepest black. He shuffled his feet miserably.

Ventor sighed. "Fortunately we seem to have caught it in time. You will return to Earth on the next rocket. With careful hospitalization you will arrest the condition. That is all." He began studying papers on the desk before him.

Sam cleared his throat. "Excuse me, sir."

Ventor looked up irritably. "Well? What is it?"

"I have been talking to people here, sir. They say that this condition will debar me from ever leaving Earth. It that true, sir?"

Ventor frowned. "I don't understand you."

"If I leave Mars, will I be able to return?" Sam stepped forward earnestly. "I'm not worried about my punishment, I'll serve my time out on Earth if I have to, but tell me—will I be able to return?"

Ventor leaned back in his chair, and surveyed Sam carefully. "I think I know what you're afraid of," he sneered. "I can set your mind at rest. With your lung condition you will never be allowed to leave Earth again. Acceleration shock would kill you. There is no risk, of course, in leaving Mars."

"Then I don't want to leave."

"What?"

"You heard what I said," Sam cried desperately. "I want to stay here. I don't want to go back to Earth."

"I see!" Ventor nodded slowly. "Why?"

"You should understand how I feel. Of all men, you should know best. May I stay?"

Something flickered deep in Ventor's eyes. He bit his lip. "You realize what it means?" he asked quietly. "Your condition will grow worse, until a time will arrive when you cannot leave. It means spending the rest of your life here. You are still young, life has much to offer. A home—a wife-comfort and soft living. Do you realize what you stand to lose?"

Sam nodded. "I realize too, sir, what I stand to gain. May I stay?"

"If you wish." Ventor busied himself with his papers. "But think it over for a while first. You will be safe until the second rocket from now. If at any time you wish to change your mind, do so. Don't feel that I shall deride you if you do. Remember—you are deciding the destiny of your whole life." He stood up. "Return to the pile, I'll arrange for the emergency tractor to take you—the batteries should be good for one more trip.

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