The Masters of Science Fiction - Erle Cox Edition. Erle Cox

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СКАЧАТЬ "If anyone deserves the ray it is the man or woman who put a poet in charge of a general call station. Besides, since we will all be dead in 43 days I see no object in official executions."

      "Still," Andax persisted, "the council's order said all work must go forward as usual."

      There was a touch of hauteur in her voice as she replied. "I exercise my official right of discretion. Anyone but one of your breed would know that one of Bardon's poems is worth the 43 days of life left to the planet."

      There was a contemptuous "Humph!" from the fish table.

      Earani laughed and imitated the "Humph!" perfectly. "If it comes to dereliction of duty, Andax, how is it that I find you in my department and not in your own?"

      "Those audible indications of disruption. Your department is insulated–mine is not."

      Earani left her table and walked quietly to the window where she sat looking over the landscape. "If I used my authority of the ray, does it occur to you, that you too, have made yourself liable to its application?"

      "As always, you are right," Andax answered without looking around. "Don't allow my feelings to violate your strict sense of duty."

      "Get back to your fish, Andax," she retorted. "You and it make a fine cold blooded pair."

      The grating voice came back. "I hold a theory that all of the ills that have beset humanity arise from a feminine influence that distracted the Creator when He was making the Universe."

      "Judging by what women have suffered from men ever since, I should not be surprised if you were right."

      "My fish has one charm, at any rate, that is denied your suffering sex."

      "Flatterer!" she laughed, "Don't be shy and spoil the compliment by leaving it incomplete."

      "The fish, dear lady, has the virtue of being inarticulate."

      Earant looked at the bent figure and said slowly and with conviction. "Somewhere in the world, my dear Andax, there must be a woman who does not realise the happiness she enjoys through your being a bachelor. You can see our world end with the comforting thought that you have made at least one woman happy."

      "Stars in heaven! How can a man work?" He stood up and walked over to her. Earani gazed out over the landscape disregarding his approach.

      Andax towered over her. "Listen Earani," he spoke abruptly and emphatically. "There are 43 days left. More than time for the operation and recovery."

      Without turning her head, Earani uttered a decisive "No."

      As she spoke Marnia entered the laboratory, without speaking to the others she seated herself at Earani's table and read through the notes that Earani had made.

      Andax took up the tale. "But the whole thing is so simple. It could be done tonight."

      She turned and looked up at him defiantly. "When you first asked me two years ago to allow you to graft one lobe of your precious brother's brain onto mine, I refused, I have refused twenty times since. Do you imagine with but 43 days left I would submit to such an infliction. I don't wish to end life with a mind like yours or your brother's."

      "You women!" he sniffed impatiently, "can't you see that what before was merely an experiment is now an imperative necessity."

      "I can see no imperative necessity to gratify your wish to convert me into a feminine semi-Andax," she said derisively.

      "Can't you realise that you will be chosen to occupy the third sphere?" he demanded.

      "I?" Earani stood abruptly, facing him with amazement.

      "Yes! You!" he retorted impatiently. "Since one of the three must be a woman, the Council is left with no option."

      "But," she exclaimed. "The selectors recommended Marnia to the High Council."

      Andax shrugged his shoulders. "True! but the fool is in love. Do you imagine the council will allow one of the three to carry a sentimental complication into the new world?"

      "But Marnia–" began Earani.

      Marnia rose from the table, and walking towards them interrupted– "What about Marnia?"

      Earani took her hand–"Andax says that you are not to be one of the three."

      The girl smiled and said gently. "He is right, Earani. I could not bear to stay behind and leave Davos. I petitioned the Council. It is not officially announced, but I know they have agreed. Do you mind very much?"

      "But I have heard nothing," protested Earani.

      "I have only just heard myself," explained Marnia. "I came to warn you, but Andax has forestalled me. How he knew, I don't know. The decision was made less than an hour ago."

      There was a thin smile on Andax's lips as he said, "I knew nothing officially. But the fact was obvious."

      "Pure Andaxian speculative philosophy," laughed Marnia.

      "Well," sneered Andax, "seeing that you and Davos have done everything but announce your insensate infatuation by a general call, the deduction did not impose a great strain on my pure Andaxian speculative philosophy."

      "But why me?" asked Earani helplessly.

      "Because," Andax threw his arms wide, "the Creator and the Council in its wisdom only know why, they have insisted on choosing a woman to be one of the three."

      "To clip your wings in the bright new world if there ever be one," taunted Marnia.

      "But there are others!" exclaimed Earani. "There must be others!"

      There was a scarcely veiled sneer in the voice of Andax. "A becoming modesty Earani. However, since you have done biology, geophysics, law, engineering and domestic science, you will do as well as another. Besides the selectors placed your name second on the list–drew them by lot I suppose."

      Marnia put her arm fondly round Earani's waist. "What a delightful companion he will be for you in the new world," she laughed merrily.

      "You poor, gland-ridden automaton," his thin smile took the sting from the words. Then he turned abruptly to Earani. "Well what about the operation now?"

      "Now less than ever," she answered in a tone that closed the discussion. As she spoke she resumed her seat on the window ledge.

      There was blistering contempt in Andax's voice. "A woman and a fool, a useful fool I admit, but never anything else than a woman."

      He turned and walked towards her table, as he did so Davos entered.

      Marnia uttered a joyful "Davos!" and ran to meet him. "You have heard? I am reprieved."

      "Yes, I know, I know." Davos put his arm across her shoulder. "We go together." Then turning to Andax he went on. "I would not settle down to work, Andax, you and your fish will be parted almost immediately."

      Earani who had been watching them from the window, broke in. "What dreadful partings this calamity will cause. You had better kiss it, Andax."

      Disregarding СКАЧАТЬ