John Carnell (ed) by New Writings in SF 02

Author:New Writings in SF 02 [02, New Writings in SF]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-08-28T13:03:36+00:00

were here for the very practical purpose of increasing their galaxy's knowledge of the control of energy. Theory could wait.

When they returned to their ship at the end of the third day they found Jelly and Belly there, the first time the self-contained creatures had returned since leaving. Fasail smiled when he saw them, and projected. Have you solved the puzzle, Meads? If not perhaps I can assist you.

It is not necessary, transmitted Jelly to both of them. There was gentle laughter in the psychic voice. / only regret that the answer should prove so useless to Nickno and our other friends here.

Nickno, who had not received Fasail's transmission,

stared at them sourly. We found a round building, many

lengths of this ship in diameter, Jelly transmitted to both

of them. Floating in its exact centre was a tiny energy

form, a miniature star, and on the walls of the building

other energy forms had been worked into what you call a

fresco. This creation tells the story of their species, from

birth till death___ or immortality, if you prefer.

"Do I understand that you three think you have the answer?" Nickno asked unbelievingly, staring at Fasail and the cryptic skins of the living globes.

"If you mean how to make an energy-form transmitter, the intent of our trip, no. If you want the answer to what happened to this great race, and will perhaps happen to us some day, I can give it to you."

"Please do," said Nickno icily, impressed despite himself. He sensed that the jellyfish and Fasail had reached identical conclusions. But before Fasail could speak the communications unit blared angrily; 'This is Chairman Seffinn, Chairman Seffinn. Attention all units. I am calling-the scheduled conference together early because of a betrayal in our midst. The team from Rigel has just lifted. I repeat, the team from Rigel has lifted and does not respond to my signals. Since we know their puny intellect to be incapable of mastering the problem this soon we must presume they have taken a complete transmitting unit aboard their ship

ioi

and are------ " At that moment there was a titanic explosion

far over the city, one so strong even the great towers shook slightly. For a brief moment the robot sun's artificial light was greatly augmented, and then the flaring brilliance faded and died away.

There was silence for a moment, and then Seffinn's voice, translated shakily by the communications unit, said, "Apparently our traitorous friends have met the fate they deserved. The conference is postponed until tomorrow. I will file a complete report on this affair tonight, and I hope this deters any other team who may have entertained similar thoughts."

Nickno glanced at Fasail, who had sat silently through the brief message. The plump man was frowning slightly. 'The utter fools," Nickno heard him mutter, more to himself than his Companions.

Their understanding was limited, came Jelly's voice in their minds. In their hands knowledge could have been very dangerous. It is best they died.

"Yes, but so useless," Fasail said aloud. "Nickno, I will

attempt to explain what we have found.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.