Astounding Stories, August 1937 by Dell Magazine Authors

Author:Dell Magazine Authors [Authors, Dell Magazine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Magazine, 2012
Publisher: Dell
Published: 2010-07-03T04:00:00+00:00

SPACE BLISTER

by John D. Clark, Ph.D.

WE used to think that we knew what space was like. Space—that intangible nothing in which matter floats, and whose very existence is caused by the matter within it. And we thought that we knew what the properties of space were. But we know better now. At least we know that we do not know, and that is the first and most important step in all knowledge. On September 15, 2157, Carter and Poggenpohl—Jimmy and Mike, respectively, the head of the astrophysics department of the Mt. McKinley Observatory and his chief assistant, were spending an afternoon in the observatory laboratory, pretending to work, but in reality loafing with the finesse that comes only from long practice. They had license to loaf, and considerable excuse. Not many months before they had been out in space, driving the menace of the minus planet away from the earth, and their vacation had not yet officially ended. But the lure of the laboratories had been too strong, and they had mutually surprised each other by simultaneously appearing at the observatory airport, each one forced to admit that he had been bored with his vacation and that he preferred to loaf with the tools of his trade around him. Right now Jimmy was setting up integrals on his huge mechanical integraph and then knocking them down again, while Mike was busily engaged in drawing imaginary and highly improbable animals all over his desk blotter. They had prowled around the buildings, and had found all the other men busily at work, so efficiently that their assistance had been rejected with scorn and bad language. Mike squinted one baby-blue eye at a particularly outrageous animal which he had just created. “Jimmy,” he said, “this is driving me nuts! If something doesn’t happen pretty soon I’m going out and start a war on my own, just for the excitement!” Jimmy punched a key on the integraph and pressed the starting button. The machine clicked and whirred and informed him that the integral of ex was also ex. He unfolded his lanky length, yawned with vigor at the mathematical platitude. “I doubt, Mike, that that would be a solution to the problem that is preying on your alleged mind. You would probably land in jail in about thirty micro seconds, and some of my best friends have informed me that nothing is more boring than life in durance vile. What do you expect? Do you want to save the world twice a day?” “Couldn’t be as bored in jail as I am now. I—— Damn that communicator!” It was buzzing and blinking frantically, as his companion leaned over and pressed the answering button. The view plate lighted up, showing a pallid face surmounted by a shock of bushy, black hair. “Hello! Carter speaking.” The instrument spoke. “Hello, Dr. Carter. I’m glad I caught you! I’m Dr. Quintana of the University of Mexico City. I’m up at Wiseman, two or three hundred kilometers northeast of you.

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