Out of the Silence (Sci-Fi Classic). Erle Cox

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СКАЧАТЬ 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 the taunt, Andax turned to Davos. "You mean?"

      Davos nodded his head. "The High Council is in session. You and Earani are bound to be summoned almost at once. Your partner in the spheres, Mardon, has already been notified. His speed ship is due almost at any moment."

      Davos, his arm still about Marnia's shoulders, walked with her towards Earani's table where they stood whispering together; Earani turned away gazing through the window at the distant sphere. Andax looked from one to the other with an expression between boredom and amusement.

      Then with a gesture of impatience he barked at Davos. "Perhaps, Davos, you can spare me a moment from the contemplation of the delights of an impending violent death with Marnia to supply me with some official information."

      The three broke into laughter.

      "One thing I admire in your breed," said Earani, "is its unfailing tact and consideration for the feelings of others."

      Davos bowed to him ironically. "Surely there is no information that a Davos can give an Andax?"

      "Spare my humility," snapped Andax. "Perhaps you can tell me if the allocation of the spheres has been decided."

      Davos waved his hand in the direction of the sphere in the window. "Yes, Earani goes to number one, you take number two, and Mardon will have number three."

      "Hump!" Andax turned to Earani. "This means that we will be sealed up almost immediately. The council will take no risks now that the time is so short." Then to Davos, "Have you heard anything?"

      Davos paused before replying and looked speculatively at Earani.

      She understood his hesitation. "Don't worry about my feelings, Davos," she smiled. "I am very interested and not very anxious."

      "Well," replied Davos, "number one will be sealed tomorrow at midday. You go north tomorrow night, and Mardon leaves for number three this evening."

      "Not losing any time now, are they?" commented Andax. Then abruptly to Davos. "What is the estimate of you and your committee of geniuses. Have you finished wrangling and guessing yet?"

      Davos shrugged his shoulders. "The only wrangling in the committee was done by that delightful brother of yours, Andax. I sometimes feel convinced that his manners are worse than yours."

      Andax snorted–"I'm not asking for fulsome flattery, but for information."

      "Well, since you ask so nicely," replied Davos, "the committee is of the opinion after weighing every factor, that at least twenty seven million years must elapse before the planet is fit for intelligent human civilisation again."

      Andax smiled across to the window. "It seems, Earani, that we are about to enjoy quite a long rest."

      "Yes," said the girl quietly, "but if we come through it will be worth it."

      "Yes," Andax murmured. "If!" For the moment he shed his arrogance. "Scientifically, mathematically and theoretically, the plan is perfect."

      "Well," broke in Marnia, "I don't envy either of you even if it does succeed."

      "The only flaw is that the spheres may not stand the strain of the final smash," put in Davos.

      "Stars in heaven," Andax exclaimed, his grey eyes flashing enthusiasm. "It is worth a thousand times the risk. Think of the glory of having a new world to play with, and to mould how we wish."

      Davos laughed as he replied. "Anyway we have one advantage you two will not enjoy. It will be a unique experience to witness the final smash."

      "A pity to miss it," Andax agreed grudgingly. "But we cannot have both."

      From the window Earani spoke. "A flying courier has just landed at the door. The summons, I expect."

      A moment later a courier in tight-fitting flying kit entered. He included the four in a general salute. "By command СКАЧАТЬ