Syzygy by Michael G. Coney

Author:Michael G. Coney [Coney, Michael G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Publisher: Orion Publishing Group
Published: 2015-12-30T21:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

We stuck it out for another hour. Jane and I tried in turn to make some sense of our communications with the Mind; even Horsley and Pendlebury had a try at getting through, without success. An atmosphere of deep gloom descended over us, and Arthur, for one, was becoming quick-tempered. It was decided to break off for the day before the Mind had us at each others’ throats. In our current mood of frustration it was becoming dangerous to continue. The Mind was alert, the telepathic Relay Effect strong. I know that I, for one, would have enjoyed knocking some sense into Arthur; his blind persistence was infuriating.

What was more, I gathered from the thoughts flying around that he was blaming me for our lack of success. Because I considered that he was not working on the right lines. he seemed to think that I was not really trying. And all the time the cynical lines on Pendlebury’s face were deepening. I don’t think he believed we were getting through at all; he kept glancing at his damned black box and a rictus of scepticism would twist his mouth; he was getting no readings whatever.…

Eventually we packed up, with the agreement that we would try again in the morning. I left the team at the bridge and Jane and I walked up to the Station. I had a few things to deal with. Despite the present emergency there were various projects under way which could not be suspended. Also, I wanted to collect a few bottles from the Social Club.

At the house Mrs. Earnshaw and Miss Cotter were drinking tea, of all things. They had brought a supply with them, guessing correctly that I would have none in stock. Personally, I detest the stuff, which is only produced in small quantities on Arcadia. I imagined that Mrs. Earnshaw’s brand would have been expensively imported from Earth.

On seeing our arms full of bottles she brightened. She almost smiled. “Would you care for a cup of tea?” she asked. She is Arcadian born but affects an accent similar to that used by certain Earth immigrants. Miss Cotter sprang to her feet and began to hover over the tea equipment.

“No, thanks,” I said hastily. “I think Jane and I will take something stronger. We’ve had a rough time of it, this last few hours.”

She snorted. “Tea is refreshing,” she informed me. “It stimulates without dulling the senses. However, if you insist…” She watched as we poured ourselves scotch. “I’ll have a little of that in my tea, if you please,” she commanded.

Something nudged the back of my mind, an elusive thought which I chased for a moment before giving up—something to do with the Social Club.…

Mrs. Earnshaw sipped her laced tea with a grimace. “As I was saying to Miss Cotter,” she said, “it seems that the whole of Arcadia has gone mad. Patrols on the roads. Barriers, with troops behind them. They stopped me at rifle point yesterday. At rifle point!” I

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