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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/29632-h.zip b/29632-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..50938df --- /dev/null +++ b/29632-h.zip diff --git a/29632-h/29632-h.htm b/29632-h/29632-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c9cccba --- /dev/null +++ b/29632-h/29632-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1268 @@ +<!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" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Competition, by James Causey + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + h1,h2 {text-align: left;} + h3 {text-align: center; margin-top: 2em;} + hr {width: 45%; margin: 2em auto; visibility: hidden;} + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .rgt,.figr {text-align: right;} + .figr {float: right; clear: right; margin: 1em 0 1em 1em; padding: 0; width: 376px;} + img {border: none;} + a:link,a:visited {text-decoration: none;} + p.cap:first-letter {float: left; margin-right: .05em; padding-top: .05em; font-size: 300%; line-height: .8em; width: auto;} + .dcap {text-transform: uppercase;} + .figt {float: left; clear: left; margin: 15px; padding: 0; width: 152px;} + .trn {border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; min-height: 230px;} + .trn p {margin: 15px;} + .bk1 {margin: 0 auto; width: 25em;} + .bk2 {margin: 2em 0 0 auto; width: 20em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Competition, by James Causey + +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: Competition + +Author: James Causey + +Illustrator: Stone + +Release Date: August 7, 2009 [EBook #29632] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMPETITION *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="bk1"><h1><big>COMPETITION</big></h1> + +<h2><small>By JAMES CAUSEY</small></h2> + +<div class="bk2"><p><i><big><b>They would learn what caused +the murderous disease—if it +was the last thing they did!</b></big></i></p></div></div> + +<h3>GRETA</h3> + +<p><i>January 18, Earth Time</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">I wish</span> Max would treat me +like a <i>woman</i>.</p> + +<p>An hour ago, at dinner, +John Armitage proposed a toast, +especially for my benefit. He +loves to play the gallant. Big man, +silver mane, very blue eyes, a +porcelain smile. The head of +WSC, the perfect example of the +politician-scientist.</p> + +<p>"To the colony," he announced, +raising his glass. "May Epsilon +love them and keep them. +May it only be transmittal trouble."</p> + +<p>"Amen," Max said.</p> + +<p>We drank. Taylor Bishop put +down his glass precisely. Bishop +is a gray little man with a diffident +voice that belies his reputation +as the best biochemist in +the system. "Has Farragut hinted +otherwise?" he asked mildly.</p> + +<p>Armitage frowned. "It would +be scarcely prudent for Senator +Farragut to alarm the populace +with disaster rumors."</p> + +<p>Bishop looked at him out of +his pale eyes. "Besides, it's an +election year."</p> + +<p>The silence was suddenly ugly.</p> + +<p>Then Armitage chuckled. "All +right," he said. "So the Senator +wants to be a national hero. The +fact still remains that Epsilon +had better be habitable or Pan-Asia +will scream we're hogging +it. They want war anyway. Within +a month—boom."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">For</span> a moment, I was afraid +he was going to make a speech +about Earth's suffocating billions, +the screaming tension of +the cold war, and the sacred necessity +of Our Mission. If he had, +I'd have gotten the weeping +shrieks. Some responsibilities are +too great to think about. But instead +he winked at me. For the +first time, I began to realize why +Armitage was the Director of the +Scientists' World Council.</p> + +<p>"Hypothesis, Greta," he said. +"Epsilon is probably a paradise. +Why should the test colony let +the rest of the world in on it? +They're being selfish."</p> + +<p>I giggled. We relaxed.</p> + +<p>After supper, Armitage played +chess with Bishop while I followed +Max into the control room.</p> + +<p>"Soon?" I said.</p> + +<p>"Planetfall in eighteen hours, +Doctor." He said it stiffly, busying +himself at the controls. Max +is a small dark man with angry +eyes and the saddest mouth I've +ever seen. He is also a fine pilot +and magnificent bacteriologist. I +wanted to slap him. I hate these +professional British types that +think a female biochemist is some +sort of freak.</p> + +<p>"Honestly," I said. "What do +you think?"</p> + +<p>"Disease," he said bitterly. +"For the first six months they +reported on schedule, remember? +A fine clean planet, no dominant +life-forms, perfect for immigration; +unique, one world in a billion. +Abruptly they stopped sending. +You figure it."</p> + +<p>I thought about it.</p> + +<p>"I read your thematic on Venusian +viruses," he said abruptly. +"Good show. You should be an +asset to us, Doctor."</p> + +<p>"Thanks!" I snapped. I was +so furious that I inadvertently +looked into the cabin viewplate.</p> + +<p>Bishop had warned me. It takes +years of deep-space time to enable +a person to stare at the +naked Universe without screaming.</p> + +<p>It got me. The crystal thunder +of the stars, that horrible hungry +blackness. I remember I was sort +of crying and fighting, then Max +had me by the shoulders, holding +me gently. He was murmuring +and stroking my hair. After a +time, I stopped whimpering.</p> + +<div class="figr"><img src="images/001.png" width="376" height="550" alt="" title="" /> +<b><small>Illustrated by STONE</small></b></div> + +<p>"Thanks," I whispered.</p> + +<p>"You'd better get some sleep, +Greta," he said.</p> + +<p>I turned in.</p> + +<p>I think I'm falling in love.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>January 19</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Today</span> we made planetfall. +It took Max a few hours to +home in on the test colony ship. +He finally found it, on the shore +of an inland sea that gleamed like +wrinkled blue satin. For a time +we cruised in widening spirals, +trying to detect some signs of +life. There was nothing.</p> + +<p>We finally landed. Max and +Armitage donned spacesuits and +went toward the colony ship. +They came back in a few hours, +very pale.</p> + +<p>"They're dead." Armitage's +voice cracked as he came out of +the airlock. "All of them."</p> + +<p>"Skeletons," Max said.</p> + +<p>"How?" Bishop said.</p> + +<p>Armitage's hands were shaking +as he poured a drink. "Looks like +civil war."</p> + +<p>"But there were a hundred of +them," I whispered. "They were +<i>dedicated</i>—"</p> + +<p>"I wonder," Bishop said +thoughtfully. "White and brown +and yellow. Russian and British +and French and German and +Chinese and Spanish. They were +chosen for technical background +rather than emotional stability."</p> + +<p>"Rot!" Armitage said like +drums beating. "It's some alien +bug, some toxin. We've got to +isolate it, find an antibody."</p> + +<p>He went to work.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>January 22</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">I'm</span> scared.</p> + +<p>It's taken three days to finalize +the atmospheric tests. Oxygen, +nitrogen, helium, with trace +gases. Those trace gases are +stinkers. Bishop discovered a new +inert gas, heavier than Xenon. +He's excited. I'm currently checking +stuff that looks like residual +organic, and am not too happy +about it. Still, this atmosphere +seems pure.</p> + +<p>Armitage is chafing.</p> + +<p>"It's in the flora," he insisted +today. "Something, perhaps, that +they ate." He stood with a strained +tautness, staring feverishly at +the chronometer. "Senator Farragut's +due to make contact soon. +What'll I tell him?"</p> + +<p>"That we're working on it," +Bishop said dryly. "That the +four best scientists in the Galaxy +are working toward the solution."</p> + +<p>"That's good," Armitage said +seriously. "But they'll worry. +You <i>are</i> making progress?"</p> + +<p>I wanted to wrap a pestle +around his neck.</p> + +<p>We were all in the control +room an hour later. Armitage +practically stood at attention +while Farragut's voice boomed +from the transmitter.</p> + +<p>It was very emetic. The Senator +said the entire hemisphere +was waiting for us to announce +the planet was safe for immigration. +He said the stars were a +challenge to Man. He spoke fearfully +of the Coming World Crisis. +Epsilon was Man's last chance +for survival. Armitage assured +him our progress was satisfactory, +that within a few days we +would have something tangible +to report. The Senator said we +were heroes.</p> + +<p>Finally it was over. Max yawned. +"Wonder how many voters +start field work at once."</p> + +<p>Armitage frowned. "It's not +funny, Cizon. Not funny at all. +Inasmuch as we've checked out +the atmosphere, I suggest we +start field work at once."</p> + +<p>Taylor blinked. "We're still +testing a few residual—"</p> + +<p>"I happen to be nominal leader +of this party." Armitage stood +very tall, very determined. "Obviously +the atmosphere is pure. +Let's make some progress!"</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>February 2</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">This</span> is progress?</p> + +<p>For the past ten days, we've +worked the clock around. Quantitative +analysis, soil, water, +flora, fauna, cellular, microscopic. +Nothing. Max has discovered a +few lethal alkaloids in some +greenish tree fungus, but I doubt +if the colony were indiscriminate +fungus eaters. Bishop has found +a few new unicellular types, but +nothing dangerous. There's one +tentacled thing that reminds me +of a frightened rotifer. Max +named it <i>Armitagium</i>. Armitage +is pleased.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the fate of the hundred +colonists will remain one of +those forever unsolved mysteries, +like the fate of the <i>Mary Celeste</i> +or the starship <i>Prometheus</i>.</p> + +<p>This planet's <i>clean</i>.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>February 4</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Today</span> Max and I went specimen-hunting.</p> + +<p>It must be autumn on Epsilon. +Everywhere the trees are a riot +of scarlet and ocher, the scrubby +bushes are shedding their leaves. +Once we came upon a field of +thistlelike plants with spiny seed-pods +that opened as we watched, +the purple spores drifting afield +in an eddy of tinted mist. Max +said it reminded him of Scotland. +He kissed me.</p> + +<p>On the way back to the ship +we saw two skeletons. Each had +its fingers tightly locked about +the other's throat.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>February 20</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">We</span> have, to date, analyzed +nine hundred types of plant +life for toxin content. Bishop has +tested innumerable spores and +bacteria. Our slide file is immense +and still growing. Max has +captured several insects. There +is one tiny yellow bush-spider +with a killing bite, but the species +seem to be rare. Bishop has isolated +a mold bacterium that +could cause a high fever, but its +propagation rate is far too low +to enable it to last long in the +bloodstream.</p> + +<p>The most dangerous animal +seems to be a two-foot-tall arthropod. +They're rare and peaceable. +Bishop vivisected one yesterday +and found nothing alarming.</p> + +<p>Last night I dreamed about the +first expedition. I dreamed they +all committed suicide because +Epsilon was too good for them.</p> + +<p>This is ridiculous!</p> + +<p>We're working in a sort of +quiet madness getting no closer +to the solution.</p> + +<p>Armitage talked to Senator +Farragut yesterday and hinted +darkly that the first ship's hydroponics +system went haywire and +that an improper carbohydrate +imbalance killed the colony. +Pretty thin. Farragut's getting +impatient. Bishop looks haggard. +Max looks grim.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>February 23</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Our</span> quantitative tests are +slowing down. We play a +rubber of bridge each night before +retiring. Last night I trumped +Max's ace and he snarled at +me. We had a fight. This morning +I found a bouquet of purple +spore-thistles at my cabin door. +Max is sweet.</p> + +<p>This afternoon, by mutual consent, +we all knocked off work and +played bridge. Bishop noticed the +thistle bouquet in a vase over the +chronometer. He objected.</p> + +<p>"They're harmless," Max said. +"Besides, they smell nice."</p> + +<p>I can hardly wait for tomorrow's +rubber. Our work is important, +but one does need relaxation.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>February 25</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Armitage</span> is cheating.</p> + +<p>Yesterday he failed to score +one of my overtricks. We argued +bitterly about it. Taylor, of +course, sided with him. Three +hands later, Armitage got the bid +in hearts. "One hundred and fifty +honors," he announced.</p> + +<p>"That's a lie," I said.</p> + +<p>"It was only a hundred," he +grinned. "But thank you, Greta. +Now I shan't try the queen finesse."</p> + +<p>No wonder they've won the +last three evenings! Max is furious +with them both.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>February 28</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">We</span> played all day. Max and I +kept losing. I always knew +Armitage was a pompous toad, +but I never realized he was <i>slimy</i>.</p> + +<p>This afternoon it was game all, +and Armitage overcalled my +diamond opener with three +spades. Bishop took him to four +and I doubled, counting on my +ace-king of hearts and diamonds.</p> + +<p>I led out my diamond ace and +Armitage trumped from his +hand. Bishop laid down his dummy. +He had clubs and spades +solid, with doubleton heart and +diamonds.</p> + +<p>"None?" Max asked Armitage +dangerously.</p> + +<p>Armitage tittered. I wanted to +scratch his eyes out. He drew +trump immediately and set up +clubs on board, dumping the +heart losers from his hand, and +finally sluffing—<i>two diamonds</i>.</p> + +<p>"Made seven," he said complacently, +"less two for the diamond +renege makes five, one +overtrick doubled. We were vulnerable, +so it's game and rubber."</p> + +<p>I gasped. "You reneged deliberately!"</p> + +<p>"Certainly. Doubleton in +hearts and diamonds in my hand. +If you get in, I'm down one. As +it was, I made an overtrick. The +only penalty for a renege is two +tricks. The rule book does not +differentiate between deliberate +and accidental reneges. Sorry."</p> + +<p>I stared at his florid throat, at +his jugular. I could feel my +mouth twitching.</p> + +<p>On the next hand I was dummy. +I excused myself and went +into the lab. I found a scalpel. I +came up quietly behind Armitage +and Bishop saw what I was going +to do and shouted and I was not +nearly fast enough. Armitage +ducked and Bishop tackled me.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, dear," Max said +thoughtfully, looking at the cards +scattered on the floor. "We would +have been set one trick. Club finesse +fails."</p> + +<p>"She's crazy!" Armitage's +mouth worked. "The strain's too +much for her!"</p> + +<p>I cried. I apologized hysterically. +After a while, I convinced +them I was all right. Max gave +me a sedative. We did not play +any more bridge. Over supper I +kept staring at Armitage's throat.</p> + +<p>After eating, I went for a long +walk. When I got back to the +ship, everyone was sleeping.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>March 1</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Bishop</span> found Armitage this +morning, in his cabin. He +came out, very pale, staring at +me.</p> + +<p>"You bitch," he said. "Ear to +ear. Now what'll I do for a partner?"</p> + +<p>"You can't prove it," I said.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to confine her to +quarters," Max said wearily. "I'll +tell Farragut."</p> + +<p>"And let him know the expedition +is failing?"</p> + +<p>Max sighed. "You're right. +We'll tell them Armitage had an +accident."</p> + +<p>I said seriously, "It was obviously +suicide. His mind snapped."</p> + +<p>"Oh, God," Max said.</p> + +<p>They buried Armitage this +afternoon. From my cabin, I +watched them dig the grave.</p> + +<p>Cheaters never prosper.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>March 2</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Max</span> talked with Senator Farragut +this morning. He said +Armitage had died a hero's death. +Farragut sounds worried. The +Pan-Asians have withdrawn their +embassy from Imperial Africa. +Tension is mounting on the home +front. Immigration <i>must</i> start +this week. Max was very reassuring. +"Just a few final tests, +Senator. We want to make sure."</p> + +<p>We puttered in our laboratories +all afternoon. Bishop seemed +bored. After dinner he suggested +three-handed bridge and Max +said he knew a better game, a +friendly game his grandmother +had taught him—hearts.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>March 5</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">It's</span> a plot!</p> + +<p>All day long Bishop and Max +have managed to give me the +queen of spades. It's deliberate, +of course. Three times I've tried +for the moon and Bishop has held +out one damned little heart at +the end. Once Max was slightly +ahead on points and Bishop demanded +to see the score. I +thought for a moment they would +come to blows, but Bishop apologized.</p> + +<p>"It's just that I hate to lose," +he said.</p> + +<p>"Quite," Max said.</p> + +<p>When we finally turned in, +Bishop was ahead on points.</p> + +<p>Too far ahead.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>March 6</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">I suppose</span> it's Bishop's laugh. +It has a peculiar horselike +stridency that makes me want to +tear out his throat. Twice today +I've broken down and cried when +he made a jackpot.</p> + +<p>I'm not going to cry any more.</p> + +<p>Supper was the usual, beef-yeast +and vita-ale. I remember +setting Bishop's plate in front of +him, and the way his pale eyes +gleamed between mouthfuls. +"Three thousand points ahead," +he gloated. "You'll never catch +me now. Never, never!"</p> + +<p>That was when he gripped his +throat and began writhing on the +floor.</p> + +<p>Max felt his pulse. He stared at +me.</p> + +<p>"Very nice," he said. "Quick. +Did you use a derivative of that +green fungus?"</p> + +<p>I said nothing. Max's nostrils +were white and pinched. "Must I +make an autopsy?"</p> + +<p>"Why bother?" I said. "It's +obviously heart failure."</p> + +<p>"Yes, why bother?" he said. +He looked tired. "Stay in your +cabin, Greta. I'll bring your +meals."</p> + +<p>"I don't trust you."</p> + +<p>His laughter had a touch of +madness.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>March 10</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Max</span> unlocked my cabin door +this morning. He looked +drawn. "Listen," he said. "I've +checked my respiration, pulse, +saliva, temperature. All normal."</p> + +<p>"So?"</p> + +<p>"Come here," he said. I followed +him into the lab. He indicated +a microscope. His eyes were +bright.</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"A drop of my blood," he said. +"Look."</p> + +<p>I squinted into the microscope. +I saw purple discs. Oddly, they +did not attack the red blood cells. +There was no fission, no mitosis. +The leucocytes, strangely enough, +let them alone.</p> + +<p>My hands were shaking as I +took a sterile slide and pricked +my finger. I put the slide under +the microscope. I adjusted the +lens and stared.</p> + +<p>Purple discs, swimming in my +bloodstream. Thriving. Minding +their own business.</p> + +<p>"Me, too," I said.</p> + +<p>"They're inert," Max said +hoarsely. "They don't affect metabolism, +cause fever, or interfere +with the body chemistry in +any way. Do they remind you of +anything?"</p> + +<p>I thought about it. Then I went +to the slide file that was marked +<i>flora—negative</i>.</p> + +<p>"Right," Max said. "The purple +thistle. Spores! The atmosphere +is clogged with them. +Greta, my sweet, we're infected."</p> + +<p>"I feel fine," I said.</p> + +<p>All day long we ran tests. Negative +tests. We seem to be disgustingly +healthy. "Symbiosis," +Max said finally. "Live and let +live. Apparently we're hosts."</p> + +<p>Only one thing disturbs me.</p> + +<p>Most symbiotes <i>do</i> something +for their host. Something to enhance +the host's survival potential.</p> + +<p>We played chess this evening. +I won. Max is furious. He's such +a poor sport.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>March 11</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Max</span> talked with Senator Farragut +this morning. He gave +Epsilon a clean bill of health and +the Senator thanked God. "The +first starship will leave tonight," +the Senator said. "Right on +schedule, with ten thousand colonists +aboard. You're world heroes!"</p> + +<p>Max and I played chess the +rest of the day. Max won consistently. +He utilizes a fianchetto +that is utterly impregnable. If he +wins tomorrow, I shall have to +kill him.</p> + +<hr /> + +<h3>MAX</h3> + +<p><i>March 13</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">It</span> was, of course, necessary for +me to destroy Armitage and +Bishop. They won far too often. +But I am sorry about Greta. Yet +I had to strangle her.</p> + +<p>If she hadn't started that infernal +queen's pawn opening it +would have been different. She +beat me six times running, and +on the last game I pulled a superb +orang-outang, but it was too +late. She saw mate in four and +gave me that serpent smirk I +know so well.</p> + +<p>How could I have ever been in +love with her?</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>March 14</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">Frightfully</span> boring to be +alone. I have a thought. +Chess. Right hand against left. +White and black. Jolly good.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>March 16</i></p> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">I haven't</span> much time.</p> + +<p>Left was black this morning +and I beat him, four out of five. +We're in the lab now. He's watching +me scribble this. His thumb +and forefinger are twitching in +fury. He looks like some great +white spider about to spring.</p> + +<p>He sees the scalpel, by the microscope. +Now his fingers are +inching toward it. Treacherous +beast. I'm stronger. If he tries +to amputate ...</p> + +<p class="rgt"><b>—JAMES CAUSEY</b></p> + +<div class="trn"><div class="figt"><a href="images/002-2.jpg"><img src="images/002-1.jpg" width="152" height="200" alt="" title="" /></a></div> + +<p><big><b>Transcriber's Note:</b></big></p> + +<p>This etext was produced from <i>Galaxy Science Fiction</i> May 1955. +Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. +copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and +typographical errors have been corrected without note.</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Competition, by James Causey + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMPETITION *** + +***** This file should be named 29632-h.htm or 29632-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/6/3/29632/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell 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. 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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: Competition + +Author: James Causey + +Illustrator: Stone + +Release Date: August 7, 2009 [EBook #29632] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMPETITION *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +COMPETITION + +By JAMES CAUSEY + + + _They would learn what caused + the murderous disease--if it + was the last thing they did!_ + + +GRETA + +_January 18, Earth Time_ + +I wish Max would treat me like a _woman_. + +An hour ago, at dinner, John Armitage proposed a toast, especially for +my benefit. He loves to play the gallant. Big man, silver mane, very +blue eyes, a porcelain smile. The head of WSC, the perfect example of +the politician-scientist. + +"To the colony," he announced, raising his glass. "May Epsilon love them +and keep them. May it only be transmittal trouble." + +"Amen," Max said. + +We drank. Taylor Bishop put down his glass precisely. Bishop is a gray +little man with a diffident voice that belies his reputation as the best +biochemist in the system. "Has Farragut hinted otherwise?" he asked +mildly. + +Armitage frowned. "It would be scarcely prudent for Senator Farragut to +alarm the populace with disaster rumors." + +Bishop looked at him out of his pale eyes. "Besides, it's an election +year." + +The silence was suddenly ugly. + +Then Armitage chuckled. "All right," he said. "So the Senator wants to +be a national hero. The fact still remains that Epsilon had better be +habitable or Pan-Asia will scream we're hogging it. They want war +anyway. Within a month--boom." + + * * * * * + +For a moment, I was afraid he was going to make a speech about Earth's +suffocating billions, the screaming tension of the cold war, and the +sacred necessity of Our Mission. If he had, I'd have gotten the weeping +shrieks. Some responsibilities are too great to think about. But instead +he winked at me. For the first time, I began to realize why Armitage was +the Director of the Scientists' World Council. + +"Hypothesis, Greta," he said. "Epsilon is probably a paradise. Why +should the test colony let the rest of the world in on it? They're being +selfish." + +I giggled. We relaxed. + +After supper, Armitage played chess with Bishop while I followed Max +into the control room. + +"Soon?" I said. + +"Planetfall in eighteen hours, Doctor." He said it stiffly, busying +himself at the controls. Max is a small dark man with angry eyes and the +saddest mouth I've ever seen. He is also a fine pilot and magnificent +bacteriologist. I wanted to slap him. I hate these professional British +types that think a female biochemist is some sort of freak. + +"Honestly," I said. "What do you think?" + +"Disease," he said bitterly. "For the first six months they reported on +schedule, remember? A fine clean planet, no dominant life-forms, perfect +for immigration; unique, one world in a billion. Abruptly they stopped +sending. You figure it." + +I thought about it. + +"I read your thematic on Venusian viruses," he said abruptly. "Good +show. You should be an asset to us, Doctor." + +"Thanks!" I snapped. I was so furious that I inadvertently looked into +the cabin viewplate. + +Bishop had warned me. It takes years of deep-space time to enable a +person to stare at the naked Universe without screaming. + +It got me. The crystal thunder of the stars, that horrible hungry +blackness. I remember I was sort of crying and fighting, then Max had me +by the shoulders, holding me gently. He was murmuring and stroking my +hair. After a time, I stopped whimpering. + +[Illustration: Illustrated by STONE] + +"Thanks," I whispered. + +"You'd better get some sleep, Greta," he said. + +I turned in. + +I think I'm falling in love. + + * * * * * + +_January 19_ + +Today we made planetfall. It took Max a few hours to home in on the test +colony ship. He finally found it, on the shore of an inland sea that +gleamed like wrinkled blue satin. For a time we cruised in widening +spirals, trying to detect some signs of life. There was nothing. + +We finally landed. Max and Armitage donned spacesuits and went toward +the colony ship. They came back in a few hours, very pale. + +"They're dead." Armitage's voice cracked as he came out of the airlock. +"All of them." + +"Skeletons," Max said. + +"How?" Bishop said. + +Armitage's hands were shaking as he poured a drink. "Looks like civil +war." + +"But there were a hundred of them," I whispered. "They were +_dedicated_--" + +"I wonder," Bishop said thoughtfully. "White and brown and yellow. +Russian and British and French and German and Chinese and Spanish. They +were chosen for technical background rather than emotional stability." + +"Rot!" Armitage said like drums beating. "It's some alien bug, some +toxin. We've got to isolate it, find an antibody." + +He went to work. + + * * * * * + +_January 22_ + +I'm scared. + +It's taken three days to finalize the atmospheric tests. Oxygen, +nitrogen, helium, with trace gases. Those trace gases are stinkers. +Bishop discovered a new inert gas, heavier than Xenon. He's excited. I'm +currently checking stuff that looks like residual organic, and am not +too happy about it. Still, this atmosphere seems pure. + +Armitage is chafing. + +"It's in the flora," he insisted today. "Something, perhaps, that they +ate." He stood with a strained tautness, staring feverishly at the +chronometer. "Senator Farragut's due to make contact soon. What'll I +tell him?" + +"That we're working on it," Bishop said dryly. "That the four best +scientists in the Galaxy are working toward the solution." + +"That's good," Armitage said seriously. "But they'll worry. You _are_ +making progress?" + +I wanted to wrap a pestle around his neck. + +We were all in the control room an hour later. Armitage practically +stood at attention while Farragut's voice boomed from the transmitter. + +It was very emetic. The Senator said the entire hemisphere was waiting +for us to announce the planet was safe for immigration. He said the +stars were a challenge to Man. He spoke fearfully of the Coming World +Crisis. Epsilon was Man's last chance for survival. Armitage assured him +our progress was satisfactory, that within a few days we would have +something tangible to report. The Senator said we were heroes. + +Finally it was over. Max yawned. "Wonder how many voters start field +work at once." + +Armitage frowned. "It's not funny, Cizon. Not funny at all. Inasmuch as +we've checked out the atmosphere, I suggest we start field work at +once." + +Taylor blinked. "We're still testing a few residual--" + +"I happen to be nominal leader of this party." Armitage stood very tall, +very determined. "Obviously the atmosphere is pure. Let's make some +progress!" + + * * * * * + +_February 2_ + +This is progress? + +For the past ten days, we've worked the clock around. Quantitative +analysis, soil, water, flora, fauna, cellular, microscopic. Nothing. Max +has discovered a few lethal alkaloids in some greenish tree fungus, but +I doubt if the colony were indiscriminate fungus eaters. Bishop has +found a few new unicellular types, but nothing dangerous. There's one +tentacled thing that reminds me of a frightened rotifer. Max named it +_Armitagium_. Armitage is pleased. + +Perhaps the fate of the hundred colonists will remain one of those +forever unsolved mysteries, like the fate of the _Mary Celeste_ or the +starship _Prometheus_. + +This planet's _clean_. + + * * * * * + +_February 4_ + +Today Max and I went specimen-hunting. + +It must be autumn on Epsilon. Everywhere the trees are a riot of scarlet +and ocher, the scrubby bushes are shedding their leaves. Once we came +upon a field of thistlelike plants with spiny seed-pods that opened as +we watched, the purple spores drifting afield in an eddy of tinted mist. +Max said it reminded him of Scotland. He kissed me. + +On the way back to the ship we saw two skeletons. Each had its fingers +tightly locked about the other's throat. + + * * * * * + +_February 20_ + +We have, to date, analyzed nine hundred types of plant life for toxin +content. Bishop has tested innumerable spores and bacteria. Our slide +file is immense and still growing. Max has captured several insects. +There is one tiny yellow bush-spider with a killing bite, but the +species seem to be rare. Bishop has isolated a mold bacterium that could +cause a high fever, but its propagation rate is far too low to enable it +to last long in the bloodstream. + +The most dangerous animal seems to be a two-foot-tall arthropod. They're +rare and peaceable. Bishop vivisected one yesterday and found nothing +alarming. + +Last night I dreamed about the first expedition. I dreamed they all +committed suicide because Epsilon was too good for them. + +This is ridiculous! + +We're working in a sort of quiet madness getting no closer to the +solution. + +Armitage talked to Senator Farragut yesterday and hinted darkly that the +first ship's hydroponics system went haywire and that an improper +carbohydrate imbalance killed the colony. Pretty thin. Farragut's +getting impatient. Bishop looks haggard. Max looks grim. + + * * * * * + +_February 23_ + +Our quantitative tests are slowing down. We play a rubber of bridge each +night before retiring. Last night I trumped Max's ace and he snarled at +me. We had a fight. This morning I found a bouquet of purple +spore-thistles at my cabin door. Max is sweet. + +This afternoon, by mutual consent, we all knocked off work and played +bridge. Bishop noticed the thistle bouquet in a vase over the +chronometer. He objected. + +"They're harmless," Max said. "Besides, they smell nice." + +I can hardly wait for tomorrow's rubber. Our work is important, but one +does need relaxation. + + * * * * * + +_February 25_ + +Armitage is cheating. + +Yesterday he failed to score one of my overtricks. We argued bitterly +about it. Taylor, of course, sided with him. Three hands later, Armitage +got the bid in hearts. "One hundred and fifty honors," he announced. + +"That's a lie," I said. + +"It was only a hundred," he grinned. "But thank you, Greta. Now I shan't +try the queen finesse." + +No wonder they've won the last three evenings! Max is furious with them +both. + + * * * * * + +_February 28_ + +We played all day. Max and I kept losing. I always knew Armitage was a +pompous toad, but I never realized he was _slimy_. + +This afternoon it was game all, and Armitage overcalled my diamond +opener with three spades. Bishop took him to four and I doubled, +counting on my ace-king of hearts and diamonds. + +I led out my diamond ace and Armitage trumped from his hand. Bishop laid +down his dummy. He had clubs and spades solid, with doubleton heart and +diamonds. + +"None?" Max asked Armitage dangerously. + +Armitage tittered. I wanted to scratch his eyes out. He drew trump +immediately and set up clubs on board, dumping the heart losers from his +hand, and finally sluffing--_two diamonds_. + +"Made seven," he said complacently, "less two for the diamond renege +makes five, one overtrick doubled. We were vulnerable, so it's game and +rubber." + +I gasped. "You reneged deliberately!" + +"Certainly. Doubleton in hearts and diamonds in my hand. If you get in, +I'm down one. As it was, I made an overtrick. The only penalty for a +renege is two tricks. The rule book does not differentiate between +deliberate and accidental reneges. Sorry." + +I stared at his florid throat, at his jugular. I could feel my mouth +twitching. + +On the next hand I was dummy. I excused myself and went into the lab. I +found a scalpel. I came up quietly behind Armitage and Bishop saw what I +was going to do and shouted and I was not nearly fast enough. Armitage +ducked and Bishop tackled me. + +"Thanks, dear," Max said thoughtfully, looking at the cards scattered on +the floor. "We would have been set one trick. Club finesse fails." + +"She's crazy!" Armitage's mouth worked. "The strain's too much for her!" + +I cried. I apologized hysterically. After a while, I convinced them I +was all right. Max gave me a sedative. We did not play any more bridge. +Over supper I kept staring at Armitage's throat. + +After eating, I went for a long walk. When I got back to the ship, +everyone was sleeping. + + * * * * * + +_March 1_ + +Bishop found Armitage this morning, in his cabin. He came out, very +pale, staring at me. + +"You bitch," he said. "Ear to ear. Now what'll I do for a partner?" + +"You can't prove it," I said. + +"We'll have to confine her to quarters," Max said wearily. "I'll tell +Farragut." + +"And let him know the expedition is failing?" + +Max sighed. "You're right. We'll tell them Armitage had an accident." + +I said seriously, "It was obviously suicide. His mind snapped." + +"Oh, God," Max said. + +They buried Armitage this afternoon. From my cabin, I watched them dig +the grave. + +Cheaters never prosper. + + * * * * * + +_March 2_ + +Max talked with Senator Farragut this morning. He said Armitage had died +a hero's death. Farragut sounds worried. The Pan-Asians have withdrawn +their embassy from Imperial Africa. Tension is mounting on the home +front. Immigration _must_ start this week. Max was very reassuring. +"Just a few final tests, Senator. We want to make sure." + +We puttered in our laboratories all afternoon. Bishop seemed bored. +After dinner he suggested three-handed bridge and Max said he knew a +better game, a friendly game his grandmother had taught him--hearts. + + * * * * * + +_March 5_ + +It's a plot! + +All day long Bishop and Max have managed to give me the queen of spades. +It's deliberate, of course. Three times I've tried for the moon and +Bishop has held out one damned little heart at the end. Once Max was +slightly ahead on points and Bishop demanded to see the score. I thought +for a moment they would come to blows, but Bishop apologized. + +"It's just that I hate to lose," he said. + +"Quite," Max said. + +When we finally turned in, Bishop was ahead on points. + +Too far ahead. + + * * * * * + +_March 6_ + +I suppose it's Bishop's laugh. It has a peculiar horselike stridency +that makes me want to tear out his throat. Twice today I've broken down +and cried when he made a jackpot. + +I'm not going to cry any more. + +Supper was the usual, beef-yeast and vita-ale. I remember setting +Bishop's plate in front of him, and the way his pale eyes gleamed +between mouthfuls. "Three thousand points ahead," he gloated. "You'll +never catch me now. Never, never!" + +That was when he gripped his throat and began writhing on the floor. + +Max felt his pulse. He stared at me. + +"Very nice," he said. "Quick. Did you use a derivative of that green +fungus?" + +I said nothing. Max's nostrils were white and pinched. "Must I make an +autopsy?" + +"Why bother?" I said. "It's obviously heart failure." + +"Yes, why bother?" he said. He looked tired. "Stay in your cabin, +Greta. I'll bring your meals." + +"I don't trust you." + +His laughter had a touch of madness. + + * * * * * + +_March 10_ + +Max unlocked my cabin door this morning. He looked drawn. "Listen," he +said. "I've checked my respiration, pulse, saliva, temperature. All +normal." + +"So?" + +"Come here," he said. I followed him into the lab. He indicated a +microscope. His eyes were bright. + +"Well?" + +"A drop of my blood," he said. "Look." + +I squinted into the microscope. I saw purple discs. Oddly, they did not +attack the red blood cells. There was no fission, no mitosis. The +leucocytes, strangely enough, let them alone. + +My hands were shaking as I took a sterile slide and pricked my finger. I +put the slide under the microscope. I adjusted the lens and stared. + +Purple discs, swimming in my bloodstream. Thriving. Minding their own +business. + +"Me, too," I said. + +"They're inert," Max said hoarsely. "They don't affect metabolism, cause +fever, or interfere with the body chemistry in any way. Do they remind +you of anything?" + +I thought about it. Then I went to the slide file that was marked +_flora--negative_. + +"Right," Max said. "The purple thistle. Spores! The atmosphere is +clogged with them. Greta, my sweet, we're infected." + +"I feel fine," I said. + +All day long we ran tests. Negative tests. We seem to be disgustingly +healthy. "Symbiosis," Max said finally. "Live and let live. Apparently +we're hosts." + +Only one thing disturbs me. + +Most symbiotes _do_ something for their host. Something to enhance the +host's survival potential. + +We played chess this evening. I won. Max is furious. He's such a poor +sport. + + * * * * * + +_March 11_ + +Max talked with Senator Farragut this morning. He gave Epsilon a clean +bill of health and the Senator thanked God. "The first starship will +leave tonight," the Senator said. "Right on schedule, with ten thousand +colonists aboard. You're world heroes!" + +Max and I played chess the rest of the day. Max won consistently. He +utilizes a fianchetto that is utterly impregnable. If he wins tomorrow, +I shall have to kill him. + + * * * * * + +MAX + +_March 13_ + +It was, of course, necessary for me to destroy Armitage and Bishop. They +won far too often. But I am sorry about Greta. Yet I had to strangle +her. + +If she hadn't started that infernal queen's pawn opening it would have +been different. She beat me six times running, and on the last game I +pulled a superb orang-outang, but it was too late. She saw mate in four +and gave me that serpent smirk I know so well. + +How could I have ever been in love with her? + + * * * * * + +_March 14_ + +Frightfully boring to be alone. I have a thought. Chess. Right hand +against left. White and black. Jolly good. + + * * * * * + +_March 16_ + +I haven't much time. + +Left was black this morning and I beat him, four out of five. We're in +the lab now. He's watching me scribble this. His thumb and forefinger +are twitching in fury. He looks like some great white spider about to +spring. + +He sees the scalpel, by the microscope. Now his fingers are inching +toward it. Treacherous beast. I'm stronger. If he tries to amputate ... + + --JAMES CAUSEY + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + This etext was produced from _Galaxy Science Fiction_ May 1955. + Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. + copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and + typographical errors have been corrected without note. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Competition, by James Causey + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMPETITION *** + +***** This file should be named 29632.txt or 29632.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/6/3/29632/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell 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. 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