diff options
Diffstat (limited to '22346-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 22346-h/22346-h.htm | 1643 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 22346-h/images/img01.png | bin | 0 -> 103187 bytes |
2 files changed, 1643 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/22346-h/22346-h.htm b/22346-h/22346-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bfe7e92 --- /dev/null +++ b/22346-h/22346-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1643 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Exile, by Horace Brown Fyfe + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +/* text-indent: .75em; */ + } + p.tb {margin-top: 2.5em;} + + h1 { margin-top: 80px; + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + + body{margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + } + + em, cite { font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + visibility: hidden; + display: none; + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + div.blockquot p { + text-indent: 0em; + } + + div { margin-top: 1.25em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: 2.5em; + } + + + .center { + text-align: center; + text-indent: 0em; + } + + .figcenter {margin: auto; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;} + + p.tnote { + text-align: center; + border: 1px dashed #808080; + background-color: #eee; + padding: 0.5em; + width: 24em; + margin: 60px auto 60px auto; + text-indent: 0em; + } + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Exile, by Horace Brown Fyfe + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Exile + +Author: Horace Brown Fyfe + +Release Date: August 16, 2007 [EBook #22346] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EXILE *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Alexander Bauer and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> +<h1>EXILE</h1> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: 175%;">BY H. B. FYFE</p> + +<p class="center" style="font-size: 125%;">ILLUSTRATED BY EMSH</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Dome of Eyes made it almost impossible for +Terrans to reach the world of Tepokt. For those +who did land there, there was no returning—only +the bitterness of respect—and justice!</p></div> + +<p>The Tepoktan student, whose +blue robe in George Kinton's +opinion clashed with the dull +purple of his scales, twiddled a +three-clawed hand for attention. +Kinton nodded to him from his +place on the dais before the +group.</p> + +<p>"Then you can give us no precise +count of the stars in the +galaxy, George?"</p> + +<p>Kinton smiled wrily, and ran +a wrinkled hand through his +graying hair. In the clicking Tepoktan +speech, his name came +out more like "Chortch."</p> + +<p>Questions like this had been +put to him often during the ten +years since his rocket had +hurtled through the meteorite +belt and down to the surface of +Tepokt, leaving him the only survivor. +Barred off as they were +from venturing into space, the +highly civilized Tepoktans constantly +displayed the curiosity of +dreamers in matters related to +the universe. Because of the veil +of meteorites and satellite fragments +whirling about their +planet, their astronomers had acquired +torturous skills but only +scraps of real knowledge.</p> + +<p>"As I believe I mentioned in +some of my recorded lectures," +Kinton answered in their language, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +"the number is actually +as vast as it seems to those of +you peering through the Dome +of Eyes. The scientists of my +race have not yet encountered +any beings capable of estimating +the total."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:417px;"> +<img src="images/img01.png" width="417" height="600" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p>He leaned back and scanned +the faces of his interviewers, +faces that would have been oddly +humanoid were it not for the +elongated snouts and pointed, +sharp-toothed jaws. The average +Tepoktan was slightly under +Kinton's height of five-feet-ten, +with a long, supple trunk. Under +the robes their scholars affected, +the shortness of their two bowed +legs was not obvious; but the +sight of the short, thick arms +carried high before their chests +still left Kinton with a feeling +of misproportion.</p> + +<p>He should be used to it after +ten years, he thought, but even +the reds or purples of the scales +or the big teeth seemed more +natural.</p> + +<p>"I sympathize with your curiosity," +he added. "It is a marvel +that your scientists have +managed to measure the distances +of so many stars."</p> + +<p>He could tell that they were +pleased by his admiration, and +wondered yet again why any +little show of approval by him +was so eagerly received. Even +though he was the first stellar +visitor in their recorded history, +Kinton remained conscious of the +fact that in many fields he was +unable to offer the Tepoktans any +new ideas. In one or two ways, +he believed, no Terran could +teach their experts anything.</p> + +<p>"Then will you tell us, George, +more about the problems of your +first space explorers?" came another +question.</p> + +<p class="tb">Before Kinton had formed his +answer, the golden curtains at +the rear of the austerely simple +chamber parted. Klaft, the Tepoktan +serving the current year +as Kinton's chief aide, hurried +toward the dais. The twenty-odd +members of the group fell silent +on their polished stone benches, +turning their pointed visages to +follow Klaft's progress.</p> + +<p>The aide reached Kinton and +bent to hiss and cluck into the +latter's ear in what he presumably +considered an undertone. +The Terran laboriously spelled +out the message inscribed on the +limp, satiny paper held before his +eyes. Then he rose and took one +step toward the waiting group.</p> + +<p>"I regret I shall have to conclude +this discussion," he announced. +"I am informed that +another ship from space has +reached the surface of Tepokt. +My presence is requested in case +the crew are of my own planet."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>Klaft excitedly skipped down +to lead the way up the aisle, but +Kinton hesitated. Those in the +audience were scholars or officials +to whom attendance at one +of Kinton's limited number of +personal lectures was awarded as +an honor.</p> + +<p>They would hardly learn anything +from him directly that was +not available in recordings made +over the course of years. The +Tepoktan scientists, historians, +and philosophers had respectfully +but eagerly gathered every +crumb of information Kinton +knowingly had to offer—and +some he thought he had forgotten. +Still ... he sensed the disappointment +at his announcement.</p> + +<p>"I shall arrange for you to +await my return here in town," +Kinton said, and there were murmurs +of pleasure.</p> + +<p>Later, aboard the jet helicopter +that was basically like +those Kinton remembered using +on Terra twenty light years +away, he shook his head at +Klaft's respectful protest.</p> + +<p>"But George! It was enough +that they were present when you +received the news. They can talk +about that the rest of their lives! +You must not waste your +strength on these people who +come out of curiosity."</p> + +<p>Kinton smiled at his aide's +earnest concern. Then he turned +to look out the window as he recalled +the shadow that underlay +such remonstrances. He estimated +that he was about forty-eight +now, as nearly as he could tell +from the somewhat longer revolutions +of Tepokt. The time +would come when he would age +and die. Whose wishes would +then prevail?</p> + +<p>Maybe he was wrong, he +thought. Maybe he shouldn't +stand in the way of their biologists +and surgeons. But he'd +rather be buried, even if that +left them with only what he +could tell them about the human +body.</p> + +<p class="tb">To help himself forget the +rather preoccupied manner in +which some of the Tepoktan scientists +occasionally eyed him, he +peered down at the big dam of +the hydro-electric project being +completed to Kinton's design. +Power from this would soon +light the town built to house the +staff of scientists, students, and +workers assigned to the institute +organized about the person +of Kinton.</p> + +<p>Now, there was an example of +their willingness to repay him +for whatever help he had been, +he reflected. They hadn't needed +that for themselves.</p> + +<p>In some ways, compared to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +those of Terra, the industries of +Tepokt were underdeveloped. In +the first place, the population +was smaller and had different +standards of luxury. In the second, +a certain lack of drive resulted +from the inability to +break out into interplanetary +space. Kinton had been inexplicably +lucky to have reached the +surface even in a battered hulk. +The shell of meteorites was at +least a hundred miles thick and +constantly shifting.</p> + +<p>"We do not know if they have +always been meteorites," the +Tepoktans had told Kinton, "or +whether part of them come from +a destroyed satellite; but our observers +have proved mathematically +that no direct path through +them may be predicted more than +a very short while in advance."</p> + +<p>Kinton turned away from the +window as he caught the glint +of Tepokt's sun upon the hull of +the spaceship they had also built +for him. Perhaps ... would it +be fair to encourage the newcomer +to attempt the barrier?</p> + +<p>For ten years, Kinton had +failed to work up any strong desire +to try it. The Tepoktans +called the ever-shifting lights +the Dome of Eyes, after a myth +in which each tiny satellite +bright enough to be visible was +supposed to watch over a single +individual on the surface. Like +their brothers on Terra, the native +astronomers could trace +their science back to a form of +astrology; and Kinton often told +them jokingly that he felt no +urge to risk a physical encounter +with his own personal Eye.</p> + +<p class="tb">The helicopter started to descend, +and Kinton remembered +that the city named in his message +was only about twenty miles +from his home. The brief twilight +of Tepokt was passing by +the time he set foot on the landing +field, and he paused to look +up.</p> + +<p>The brighter stars visible from +this part of the planet twinkled +back at him, and he knew that +each was being scrutinized by +some amateur or professional +astronomer. Before an hour had +elapsed, most of them would be +obscured by the tiny moonlets, +some of which could already be +seen. These could easily be mistaken +for stars or the other five +planets of the system, but in a +short while the tinier ones in +groups would cause a celestial +haze resembling a miniature +Milky Way.</p> + +<p>Klaft, who had descended first, +leaving the pilot to bring up the +rear, noticed Kinton's pause.</p> + +<p>"Glory glitters till it is known +for a curse," he remarked, quoting +a Tepoktan proverb often applied +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +by the disgruntled scientists +to the Dome of Eyes.</p> + +<p>Kinton observed, however, +that his aide also stared upward +for a long moment. The Tepoktans +loved speculating about the +unsolvable. They had even founded +clubs to argue whether two +satellites had been destroyed or +only one.</p> + +<p>Half a dozen officials hastened +up to escort the party to the +vehicle awaiting Kinton. Klaft +succeeded in quieting the lesser +members of the delegation so +that Kinton was able to learn a +few facts about the new arrival. +The crash had been several hundred +miles away, but someone +had thought of the hospital in +this city which was known to +have a doctor rating as an expert +in human physiology. The survivor—only +one occupant of the +wreck, alive or dead, had +been discovered—had accordingly +been flown here.</p> + +<p>With a clanging of bells, the +little convoy of ground cars +drew up in front of the hospital. +A way was made through the +chittering crowd around the +entrance. Within a few minutes, +Kinton found himself looking +down at a pallet upon which lay +another Terran.</p> + +<p>A man! he thought, then +curled a lip wrily at the sudden, +unexpected pang of disappointment. +Well, he hadn't realized +until then what he was really +hoping for!</p> + +<p class="tb">The spaceman had been +cleaned up and bandaged by the +native medicos. Kinton saw that +his left thigh was probably +broken. Other dressings suggested +cracked ribs and lacerations +on the head and shoulders. The +man was dark-haired but pale of +skin, with a jutting chin and a +nose that had been flattened in +some earlier mishap. The flaring +set of his ears somehow emphasized +an overall leanness. Even in +sleep, his mouth was thin and +hard.</p> + +<p>"Thrown across the controls +after his belt broke loose?" Kinton +guessed.</p> + +<p>"I bow to your wisdom, +George," said the plump Tepoktan +doctor who appeared to be +in charge.</p> + +<p>Kinton could not remember +him, but everyone on the planet +addressed the Terran by the +sound they fondly thought to be +his first name.</p> + +<p>"This is Doctor Chuxolkhee," +murmured Klaft.</p> + +<p>Kinton made the accepted gesture +of greeting with one hand +and said, "You seem to have +treated him very expertly."</p> + +<p>Chuxolkhee ruffled the scales +around his neck with pleasure.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>"I have studied Terran physiology," +he admitted complacently. +"From your records and +drawings, of course, George, for +I have not yet had the good fortune +to visit you."</p> + +<p>"We must arrange a visit +soon," said Kinton. "Klaft +will—"</p> + +<p>He broke off at the sound from +the patient.</p> + +<p>"A Terran!" mumbled the injured +man.</p> + +<p>He shook his head dazedly, +tried to sit up, and subsided with +a groan.</p> + +<p><i>Why, he looked scared when +he saw me</i>, thought Kinton.</p> + +<p>"You're all right now," he said +soothingly. "It's all over and +you're in good hands. I gather +there were no other survivors of +the crash?"</p> + +<p>The man stared curiously. Kinton +realized that his own language +sputtered clumsily from +his lips after ten years. He tried +again.</p> + +<p>"My name is George Kinton. +I don't blame you if I'm hard to +understand. You see, I've been +here ten years without ever having +another Terran to speak to."</p> + +<p>The spaceman considered that +for a few breaths, then seemed +to relax.</p> + +<p>"Al Birken," he introduced +himself laconically. "Ten years?"</p> + +<p>"A little over," confirmed Kinton. +"It's extremely unusual that +anything gets through to the +surface, let alone a spaceship. +What happened to you?"</p> + +<p class="tb">Birken's stare was suspicious.</p> + +<p>"Then you ain't heard about +the new colonies? Naw—you +musta come here when all the +planets were open."</p> + +<p>"We had a small settlement on +the second planet," Kinton told +him. "You mean there are new +Terran colonies?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah. Jet-hoppers spreadin' +all over the other five. None of +the land-hungry poops figured a +way to set down here, though, or +they'd be creepin' around this +planet too."</p> + +<p>"How did you happen to do +it? Run out of fuel?"</p> + +<p>The other eyed him for a few +seconds before dropping his +gaze. Kinton was struck with +sudden doubt. The outposts of +civilization were followed by less +desirable developments as a general +rule—prisons, for instance. +He resolved to be wary of the +visitor.</p> + +<p>"Ya might say I was explorin'," +Birken replied at last. +"That's why I come alone. +Didn't want nobody else hurt if +I didn't make it. Say, how bad +am I banged up?"</p> + +<p>Kinton realized guiltily that +the man should be resting. He +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +had lost track of the moments +he had wasted in talk while the +others with him stood attentively +about.</p> + +<p>He questioned the doctor briefly +and relayed the information +that Birken's leg was broken but +that the other injuries were not +serious.</p> + +<p>"They'll fix you up," he assured +the spaceman. "They're +quite good at it, even if the sight +of one does make you think a +little of an iguana. Rest up, now; +and I'll come back again when +you're feeling better."</p> + +<p>For the next three weeks, Kinton +flew back and forth from his +own town nearly every day. He +felt that he should not neglect +the few meetings which were the +only way he could repay the Tepoktans +for all they did for him. +On the other hand, the chance +to see and talk with one of his +own kind drew him like a magnet +to the hospital.</p> + +<p>The doctors operated upon +Birken's leg, inserting a metal +rod inside the bone by a method +they had known before Kinton +described it. The new arrival expected +to be able to walk, with +care, almost any day; although +the pin would have to be removed +after the bone had healed. Meanwhile, +Birken seemed eager to +learn all Kinton could tell him +about the planet, Tepokt.</p> + +<p>About himself, he was remarkably +reticent. Kinton worried +about this.</p> + +<p>"I think we should not expect +too much of this Terran," he +warned Klaft uneasily. "You, +too, have citizens who do not always +obey, your laws, who sometimes +... that is—"</p> + +<p>"Who are born to die under +the axe, as we say," interrupted +Klaft, as if to ease the concern +plain on Kinton's face. "In other +words, criminals. You suspect +this Albirken is such a one, +George?"</p> + +<p>"It is not impossible," admitted +Kinton unhappily. "He will +tell me little about himself. It +may be that he was caught in +Tepokt's gravity while fleeing +from justice."</p> + +<p>To himself, he wished he had +not told Birken about the spaceship. +He didn't think the man +exactly believed his explanation +of why there was no use taking +off in it.</p> + +<p class="tb">Yet he continued to spend as +much time as he could visiting +the other man. Then, as his helicopter +landed at the city airport +one gray dawn, the news reached +him.</p> + +<p>"The other Terran has gone," +Klaft reported, turning from the +breathless messenger as Kinton +followed him from the machine.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>"Gone? Where did they take +him?"</p> + +<p>Klaft looked uneasy, embarrassed. +Kinton repeated his question, +wondering about the group +of armed police on hand.</p> + +<p>"In the night," Klaft hissed +and clucked, "when none would +think to watch him, they tell me +... and quite rightly, I think—"</p> + +<p>"Get on with it, Klaft! +Please!"</p> + +<p>"In the night, then, Albirken +left the chamber in which he lay. +He can walk some now, you +know, because of Dr. Chuxolkhee's +metal pin. He—he stole a +ground car and is gone."</p> + +<p>"He did?" Kinton had an +empty feeling in the pit of his +stomach. "Is it known where he +went? I mean ... he has been +curious to see some of Tepokt. +Perhaps—"</p> + +<p>He stopped, his own words +braying in his ears. Klaft was +clicking two claws together, a +sign of emphatic disagreement.</p> + +<p>"Albirken," he said, "was soon +followed by three police constables +in another vehicle. They +found him heading in the direction +of our town."</p> + +<p>"Why did he say he was traveling +that way?" asked Kinton, +thinking to himself of the spaceship! +Was the man crazy?</p> + +<p>"He did not say," answered +Klaft expressionlessly. "Taking +them by surprise, he killed two +of the constables and injured +the third before fleeing with one +of their spears."</p> + +<p>"<i>What?</i>"</p> + +<p>Kinton felt his eyes bulging +with dismay.</p> + +<p>"Yes, for they carried only the +short spears of their authority, +not expecting to need fire weapons."</p> + +<p class="tb">Kinton looked from him to the +messenger, noticing for the first +time that the latter was an under-officer +of police. He shook his +head distractedly. It appeared +that his suspicions concerning +Birken had been only too accurate.</p> + +<p>Why was it one like him who +got through? he asked himself +in silent anguish. After ten +years. The Tepoktans had been +thinking well of Terrans, but +now—</p> + +<p>He did not worry about his +own position. That was well +enough established, whether or +not he could again hold up his +head before the purple-scaled +people who had been so generous +to him.</p> + +<p>Even if they had been aroused +to a rage by the killing, Kinton +told himself, he would not have +been concerned about himself. He +had reached a fairly ripe age for +a spaceman. In fact, he had already +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +enjoyed a decade of borrowed +time.</p> + +<p>But they were more civilized +than that wanton murderer, he +realized.</p> + +<p>He straightened up, forcing +back his early-morning weariness.</p> + +<p>"We must get into the air +immediately," he told Klaft. +"Perhaps we may see him before +he reaches—"</p> + +<p>He broke off at the word +"spaceship" but he noticed a reserved +expression on Klaft's +pointed face. His aide had probably +reached a conclusion similar +to his own.</p> + +<p>They climbed back into the +cabin and Klaft gave brisk orders +to the lean young pilot. A +moment later, Kinton saw the +ground outside drop away.</p> + +<p>Only upon turning around did +he realize that two armed Tepoktans +had materialized in time to +follow Klaft inside.</p> + +<p>One was a constable but the +other he recognized for an officer +of some rank. Both wore slung +across their chests weapons resembling +long-barreled pistols +with large, oddly indented butts +to fit Tepoktan claws. The constable, +in addition, carried a +contraption with a quadruple +tube for launching tiny rockets +no thicker than Kinton's thumb. +These, he knew, were loaded +with an explosive worthy of respect +on any planet he had heard +of.</p> + +<p>To protect him, he wondered. +Or to get Birken?</p> + +<p>The pilot headed the craft +back toward Kinton's town in +the brightening sky of early day. +Long before the buildings of +Kinton's institute came into +view, they received a radio message +about Birken.</p> + +<p>"He has been seen on the road +passing the dam," Klaft reported +soberly after having been called +to the pilot's compartment. "He +stopped to demand fuel from +some maintenance workers, but +they had been warned and fled."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't they have seized +him?" demanded Kinton, his tone +sharp with the worry he endeavored +to control. "He has that +spear, I suppose; but he is only +one and injured."</p> + +<p>Klaft hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Well, couldn't they?"</p> + +<p>The aide looked away, out one +of the windows at some sun-dyed +clouds ranging from pink +to orange. He grimaced and +clicked his showy teeth uncomfortably.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they thought you +might be offended, George," he +answered at last.</p> + +<p>Kinton settled back in the seat +especially padded to fit the contours +of his Terran body, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +stared silently at the partition +behind the pilot.</p> + +<p>In other words, he thought, he +was responsible for Birken, who +was a Terran, one of his own +kind. Maybe they really didn't +want to risk hurting his feelings, +but that was only part of it. +They were leaving it up to him +to handle what they considered +his private affair.</p> + +<p>He wondered what to do. He +had no actual faith in the idea +that Birken was delirious, or acting +under any influence but that +of a criminally self-centered nature.</p> + +<p>"I <i>shouldn't</i> have told him +about the ship!" Kinton muttered, +gnawing the knuckle of +his left thumb. "He's on the run, +all right. Probably scared the +colonial authorities will trail him +right down through the Dome of +Eyes. Wonder what he did?"</p> + +<p>He caught himself and looked +around to see if he had been overheard. +Klaft and the police officers +peered from their respective +windows, in calculated withdrawal. +Kinton, disturbed, tried +to remember whether he had +spoken in Terran or Tepoktan.</p> + +<p>Would Birken listen if he tried +reasoning, he asked himself. +Maybe if he showed the man how +they had proved the unpredictability +of openings through the +shifting Dome of Eyes—</p> + +<p>An exclamation from the constable +drew his attention. He +rose, and room was made for him +at the opposite window.</p> + +<p class="tb">In the distance, beyond the +town landing field they were now +approaching, Kinton saw a halted +ground car. Across the plain +which was colored a yellowish +tan by a short, grass-like growth, +a lone figure plodded toward the +upthrust bulk of the spaceship +that had never flown.</p> + +<p>"Never mind landing at the +town!" snapped Kinton. "Go directly +out to the ship!"</p> + +<p>Klaft relayed the command to +the pilot. The helicopter swept +in a descending curve across the +plain toward the gleaming hull.</p> + +<p>As they passed the man below, +Birken looked up. He continued +to limp along at a brisk +pace with the aid of what looked +like a short spear.</p> + +<p>"Go down!" Kinton ordered.</p> + +<p>The pilot landed about a hundred +yards from the spaceship. +By the time his passengers had +alighted, however, Birken had +drawn level with them, about +fifty feet away.</p> + +<p>"Birken!" shouted Kinton. +"Where do you think you're going?"</p> + +<p>Seeing that no one ran after +him, Birken slowed his pace, but +kept walking toward the ship. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +He watched them over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Sorry, Kinton," he shouted +with no noticeable tone of regret. +"I figure I better travel on for +my health."</p> + +<p>"It's not so damn healthy up +there!" called Kinton. "I told +you how there's no clear path—"</p> + +<p>"Yeah, yeah, you told me. That +don't mean I gotta believe it."</p> + +<p>"Wait! Don't you think they +tried sending unmanned rockets +up? Every one was struck and +exploded."</p> + +<p>Birken showed no more change +of expression than if the other +had commented on the weather.</p> + +<p>Kinton had stepped forward +six or eight paces, irritated despite +his anxiety at the way Birken +persisted in drifting before +him.</p> + +<p>Kinton couldn't just grab him—bad +leg or not, he could probably +break the older man in two.</p> + +<p>He glanced back at the Tepoktans +beside the helicopter, Klaft, +the pilot, the officer, the constable +with the rocket weapon.</p> + +<p>They stood quietly, looking +back at him.</p> + +<p>The call for help that had risen +to his lips died there.</p> + +<p>"Not <i>their</i> party," he muttered. +He turned again to Birken, +who still retreated toward the +ship. "But he'll only get himself +killed <i>and</i> destroy the ship! Or +if some miracle gets him +through, that's worse! He's +nothing to turn loose on a civilized +colony again."</p> + +<p class="tb">A twinge of shame tugged +down the corners of his mouth +as he realized that keeping Birken +here would also expose a +highly cultured people to an unscrupulous +criminal who had already +committed murder the very +first time he had been crossed.</p> + +<p>"Birken!" he shouted. "For +the last time! Do you want me +to send them to drag you back +here?"</p> + +<p>Birken stopped at that. He regarded +the motionless Tepoktans +with a derisive sneer.</p> + +<p>"They don't look too eager to +me," he taunted.</p> + +<p>Kinton growled a Tepoktan expression +the meaning of which +he had deduced after hearing it +used by the dam workers.</p> + +<p>He whirled to run toward the +helicopter. Hardly had he taken +two steps, however, when he saw +startled changes in the carefully +blank looks of his escort. The +constable half raised his heavy +weapon, and Klaft sprang forward +with a hissing cry.</p> + +<p>By the time Kinton's aging +muscles obeyed his impulse to +sidestep, the spear had already +hurtled past. It had missed him +by an error of over six feet.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>He felt his face flushing with +sudden anger. Birken was running +as best he could toward the +spaceship, and had covered nearly +half the distance.</p> + +<p>Kinton ran at the Tepoktans, +brushing aside the concerned +Klaft. He snatched the heavy +weapon from the surprised constable.</p> + +<p>He turned and raised it to his +chest. Because of the shortness +of Tepoktan arms, the launcher +was constructed so that the butt +rested against the chest with the +sighting loops before the eyes. +The little rocket tubes were +above head height, to prevent the +handler's catching the blast.</p> + +<p>The circles of the sights +weaved and danced about the +running figure. Kinton realized +to his surprise that the effort of +seizing the weapon had him panting. +Or was it the fright at having +a spear thrown at him? He +decided that Birken had not come +close enough for that, and wondered +if he was afraid of his +own impending action.</p> + +<p>It wasn't fair, he complained +to himself. The poor slob only +had a spear, and a man couldn't +blame him for wanting to get +back to his own sort. He was +limping ... hurt ... how could +they expect him to realize—?</p> + +<p>Then, abruptly, his lips tightened +to a thin line. The sights +steadied on Birken as the latter +approached the foot of the ladder +leading to the entrance port +of the spaceship.</p> + +<p>Kinton pressed the firing stud.</p> + +<p>Across the hundred-yard space +streaked four flaring little projectiles. +Kinton, without exactly +seeing each, was aware of the +general lines of flight diverging +gradually to bracket the figure +of Birken.</p> + +<p>One struck the ground beside +the man just as he set one foot +on the bottom rung of the ladder, +and skittered away past one fin +of the ship before exploding. +Two others burst against the +hull, scattering metal fragments, +and another puffed on the upright +of the ladder just above +Birken's head.</p> + +<p class="tb">The spaceman was blown back +from the ladder. He balanced on +his heels for a moment with outstretched +fingers reaching toward +the grips from which they +had been torn. Then he crumpled +into a limp huddle on the yellowing +turf.</p> + +<p>Kinton sighed.</p> + +<p>The constable took the weapon +from him, reloaded deftly, and +proffered it again. When the +Terran did not reach for it, the +officer held out a clawed hand to +receive it. He gestured silently, +and the constable trotted across +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +the intervening ground to bend +over Birken.</p> + +<p>"He is dead," said Klaft when +the constable straightened up +with a curt wave.</p> + +<p>"Will ... will you have someone +see to him, please?" Kinton +requested, turning toward the +helicopter.</p> + +<p>"Yes, George," said Klaft. +"George...?"</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"It would be very instructive—that +is, I believe Dr. Chuxolkhee +would like to—"</p> + +<p>"All right!" yielded Kinton, +surprised at the harshness of his +own voice. "Just tell him not to +bring around any sketches of the +various organs for a few +months!"</p> + +<p>He climbed into the helicopter +and slumped into his seat. Presently, +he was aware of Klaft edging +into the seat across the aisle. +He looked up.</p> + +<p>"The police will stay until cars +from town arrive. They are coming +now," said his aide.</p> + +<p class="tb">Kinton stared at his hands, +wondering at the fact that they +were not shaking. He felt dejected, +empty, not like a man who +had just been at a high pitch of +excitement.</p> + +<p>"Why did you not let him go, +George?"</p> + +<p>"What? Why ... why ... he +would have destroyed the ship +you worked so hard to build. +There is no safe path through +the Dome of Eyes."</p> + +<p>"No predictable path," Klaft +corrected. "But what then? We +would have built you another +ship, George, for it was you who +showed us how."</p> + +<p>Kinton flexed his fingers +slowly.</p> + +<p>"He was just no good. You +know the murder he did here; +we can only guess what he did +among my own ... among Terrans. +Should he have a chance to +go back and commit more +crimes?"</p> + +<p>"I understand, George, the +logic of it," said Klaft. "I meant +... it is not my place to say this +... but you seem unhappy."</p> + +<p>"Possibly," grunted Kinton +wrily.</p> + +<p>"We, too, have criminals," said +the aide, as gently as was possible +in his clicking language. +"We do not think it necessary +to grieve for the pain they bring +upon themselves."</p> + +<p>"No, I suppose not," sighed +Kinton. "I ... it's just—"</p> + +<p>He looked up at the pointed +visage, at the strange eyes regarding +him sympathetically +from beneath the sloping, purple-scaled +forehead.</p> + +<p>"It's just that now I'm lonely +... again," he said.</p> + + + +<p class="tnote"><strong>Transcriber's Note:</strong><br/> +This e-text was produced from <cite>Space Science Fiction</cite> February +1953. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the +U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Exile, by Horace Brown Fyfe + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EXILE *** + +***** This file should be named 22346-h.htm or 22346-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/3/4/22346/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Alexander Bauer and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/22346-h/images/img01.png b/22346-h/images/img01.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b791221 --- /dev/null +++ b/22346-h/images/img01.png |
