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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/32032-h.zip b/32032-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f03b623 --- /dev/null +++ b/32032-h.zip diff --git a/32032-h/32032-h.htm b/32032-h/32032-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6985b39 --- /dev/null +++ b/32032-h/32032-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4556 @@ +<!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=utf-8" /> + + <title>Second Variety, by Philip K. Dick.</title> + <style type="text/css"> + body { + font-family: Georgia,serif; + margin-left: 15%; + margin-right: 15%; + } + + p { text-align: justify; + margin: 0em; + text-indent:1em; + } + + h1 { + text-align: center; + font-weight: normal; + margin-top:2em; + font-family:sans-serif; + } + + div.illo {text-align:center; + margin:2em auto; + text-indent:0em;} + + img { border:none;display:block;margin:2em auto;} + .illo a.img_link {font-family:sans-serif;font-size:.7em;display:block;text-align:right;margin-right:-15%;} + + #transcriber_note {margin: 2em 10%; + padding: 1em 1em; + border:thin gray solid; + background-color:#eee; + color:#000; + text-align:left; + } + + #synopsis { + margin: 2em 10%; + text-align:justify; + font-family:sans-serif; + text-indent:0em; + } + + #author { + text-align: center; + font-size:125%; + padding:1em; + text-indent:0em; + font-family:sans-serif; + } + + #illustrator { + text-align: center; + font-size:100%; + padding:1em; + text-indent:0em; + font-family:sans-serif; + } + + .pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 1%; + right: 87%; + font-size: 10px; + text-align: left; + color: gray; + background-color: inherit; + font-weight: normal; + font-style: normal; + font-variant: normal; + letter-spacing: normal; + text-indent: 0em; + } + +/* a[title].pagenum:after { + content: attr(title); + }*/ + + /*Uncomment previous section to show page numbers*/ + + hr.thoughtbreak {display:none;} + + .post_thoughtbreak { + margin-top:2em; + } + + /* framing decoration */ + #the_beginning { border-top:thin gray solid; margin:2em 0em;} + #the_end { border-bottom:thin gray solid; margin:2em 0em;} + + /* no underlines in links */ + + a:link { text-decoration: none; } + a:visited { text-decoration: none; } + + a:hover { + color: red; + background: inherit; + } + </style> +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Second Variety, by Philip Kindred Dick + +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: Second Variety + +Author: Philip Kindred Dick + +Illustrator: Alex Ebel + +Release Date: April 17, 2010 [EBook #32032] +[Last updated: May 4, 2011] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SECOND VARIETY *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Barbara Tozier and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + <div id="transcriber_note"> + This etext was produced from <cite>Space Science Fiction</cite> May 1953. + Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. + copyright on this publication was renewed. + </div> + <div id="the_beginning"> </div> + <div id="cover" class="illo"> + <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="600" height="882" alt="Magazine Cover: A flaming man holds the Earth in his arms." /> + </div> + <div id="illo1" class="illo"><a class="pagenum" id="page102" title="102"> </a> + <img src="images/illo1-sm.jpg" width="600" height="423" alt="A man dangles the head of a 'boy' which has wires coming out of its neck." /> + <a href="images/illo1-left.jpg" class="img_link">Left side image</a> + <a href="images/illo1-right.jpg" class="img_link">Right side image</a> + </div> + <h1><a class="pagenum" id="page103" title="103"> </a>SECOND VARIETY</h1> + + <p id="author">BY PHILIP K. DICK</p> + + <p id="illustrator">ILLUSTRATED BY EBEL</p> + + <p id="synopsis">The claws were bad enough in the first + place—nasty, crawling little death-robots. + But when they began to imitate + their creators, it was time for the + human race to make peace—if it could!</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page104" title="104"> </a>The Russian soldier made his + way nervously up the ragged + side of the hill, holding his gun + ready. He glanced around him, + licking his dry lips, his face set. + From time to time he reached + up a gloved hand and wiped + perspiration from his neck, pushing + down his coat collar.</p> + + <p>Eric turned to Corporal Leone. + “Want him? Or can I have him?” + He adjusted the view sight so the + Russian’s features squarely filled + the glass, the lines cutting across + his hard, somber features.</p> + + <p>Leone considered. The Russian + was close, moving rapidly, almost + running. “Don’t fire. Wait.” + Leone tensed. “I don’t think + we’re needed.”</p> + + <p>The Russian increased his + pace, kicking ash and piles of + debris out of his way. He reached + the top of the hill and stopped, + panting, staring around him. The + sky was overcast, drifting clouds + of gray particles. Bare trunks of + trees jutted up occasionally; the + ground was level and bare, + rubble-strewn, with the ruins of + buildings standing out here and + there like yellowing skulls.</p> + + <p>The Russian was uneasy. He + knew something was wrong. He + started down the hill. Now he + was only a few paces from the + bunker. Eric was getting fidgety. + He played with his pistol, glancing + at Leone.</p> + + <p>“Don’t worry,” Leone said. + “He won’t get here. They’ll take + care of him.”</p> + + <p>“Are you sure? He’s got damn + far.”</p> + + <p>“They hang around close to the + bunker. He’s getting into the + bad part. Get set!”</p> + + <p>The Russian began to hurry, + sliding down the hill, his boots + sinking into the heaps of gray + ash, trying to keep his gun up. + He stopped for a moment, lifting + his fieldglasses to his face.</p> + + <p>“He’s looking right at us,” + Eric said.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">The Russian came on. They + could see his eyes, like two blue + stones. His mouth was open a + little. He needed a shave; his + chin was stubbled. On one bony + cheek was a square of tape, + showing blue at the edge. A fungoid + spot. His coat was muddy + and torn. One glove was missing. + As he ran his belt counter + bounced up and down against + him.</p> + + <p>Leone touched Eric’s arm. + “Here one comes.”</p> + + <p>Across the ground something + small and metallic came, flashing + in the dull sunlight of mid-day. A + metal sphere. It raced up the + hill after the Russian, its treads + flying. It was small, one of the + baby ones. Its claws were out, + two razor projections spinning + in a blur of white steel. The + Russian heard it. He turned instantly, + <a class="pagenum" id="page105" title="105"> </a>firing. The sphere dissolved + into particles. But already + a second had emerged and was + following the first. The Russian + fired again.</p> + + <p>A third sphere leaped up the + Russian’s leg, clicking and whirring. + It jumped to the shoulder. + The spinning blades disappeared + into the Russian’s throat.</p> + + <p>Eric relaxed. “Well, that’s + that. God, those damn things give + me the creeps. Sometimes I think + we were better off before.”</p> + + <p>“If we hadn’t invented them, + they would have.” Leone lit a + cigarette shakily. “I wonder why + a Russian would come all this + way alone. I didn’t see anyone + covering him.”</p> + + <p>Lt. Scott came slipping up the + tunnel, into the bunker. “What + happened? Something entered + the screen.”</p> + + <p>“An Ivan.”</p> + + <p>“Just one?”</p> + + <p>Eric brought the view screen + around. Scott peered into it. + Now there were numerous metal + spheres crawling over the prostrate + body, dull metal globes + clicking and whirring, sawing up + the Russian into small parts to + be carried away.</p> + + <p>“What a lot of claws,” Scott + murmured.</p> + + <p>“They come like flies. Not + much game for them any more.”</p> + + <p>Scott pushed the sight away, + disgusted. “Like flies. I wonder + why he was out there. They + know we have claws all around.”</p> + + <p>A larger robot had joined the + smaller spheres. It was directing + operations, a long blunt tube + with projecting eyepieces. There + was not much left of the soldier. + What remained was being + brought down the hillside by the + host of claws.</p> + + <p>“Sir,” Leone said. “If it’s all + right, I’d like to go out there + and take a look at him.”</p> + + <p>“Why?”</p> + + <p>“Maybe he came with something.”</p> + + <p>Scott considered. He shrugged. + “All right. But be careful.”</p> + + <p>“I have my tab.” Leone patted + the metal band at his wrist. “I’ll + be out of bounds.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">He picked up his rifle and stepped + carefully up to the mouth of + the bunker, making his way between + blocks of concrete and steel + prongs, twisted and bent. The air + was cold at the top. He crossed + over the ground toward the remains + of the soldier, striding + across the soft ash. A wind blew + around him, swirling gray particles + up in his face. He squinted + and pushed on.</p> + + <p>The claws retreated as he came + close, some of them stiffening + into immobility. He touched his + tab. The Ivan would have given + something for that! Short hard + radiation emitted from the tab + <a class="pagenum" id="page106" title="106"> </a>neutralized the claws, put them + out of commission. Even the big + robot with its two waving eyestalks + retreated respectfully as + he approached.</p> + + <p>He bent down over the remains + of the soldier. The gloved hand + was closed tightly. There was + something in it. Leone pried the + fingers apart. A sealed container, + aluminum. Still shiny.</p> + + <p>He put it in his pocket and + made his way back to the bunker. + Behind him the claws came back + to life, moving into operation + again. The procession resumed, + metal spheres moving through + the gray ash with their loads. + He could hear their treads scrabbling + against the ground. He + shuddered.</p> + + <p>Scott watched intently as he + brought the shiny tube out of his + pocket. “He had that?”</p> + + <p>“In his hand.” Leone unscrewed + the top. “Maybe you + should look at it, sir.”</p> + + <p>Scott took it. He emptied the + contents out in the palm of his + hand. A small piece of silk paper, + carefully folded. He sat down by + the light and unfolded it.</p> + + <p>“What’s it say, sir?” Eric said. + Several officers came up the tunnel. + Major Hendricks appeared.</p> + + <p>“Major,” Scott said. “Look at + this.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks read the slip. “This + just come?”</p> + + <p>“A single runner. Just now.”</p> + + <p>“Where is he?” Hendricks + asked sharply.</p> + + <p>“The claws got him.”</p> + + <p>Major Hendricks grunted. + “Here.” He passed it to his companions. + “I think this is what + we’ve been waiting for. They + certainly took their time about + it.”</p> + + <p>“So they want to talk terms,” + Scott said. “Are we going along + with them?”</p> + + <p>“That’s not for us to decide.” + Hendricks sat down. “Where’s + the communications officer? I + want the Moon Base.”</p> + + <p>Leone pondered as the communications + officer raised the + outside antenna cautiously, scanning + the sky above the bunker + for any sign of a watching Russian ship.</p> + + <p>“Sir,” Scott said to Hendricks. + “It’s sure strange they suddenly + came around. We’ve been using + the claws for almost a year. Now + all of a sudden they start to + fold.”</p> + + <p>“Maybe claws have been getting + down in their bunkers.”</p> + + <p>“One of the big ones, the kind + with stalks, got into an Ivan + bunker last week,” Eric said. “It + got a whole platoon of them before + they got their lid shut.”</p> + + <p>“How do you know?”</p> + + <p>“A buddy told me. The thing + came back with—with remains.”</p> + + <p>“Moon Base, sir,” the communications + officer said.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page107" title="107"> </a>On the screen the face of the + lunar monitor appeared. His + crisp uniform contrasted to the + uniforms in the bunker. And he + was clean shaven. “Moon Base.”</p> + + <p>“This is forward command + L-Whistle. On Terra. Let me + have General Thompson.”</p> + + <p>The monitor faded. Presently + General Thompson’s heavy features + came into focus. “What is + it, Major?”</p> + + <p>“Our claws got a single Russian + runner with a message. We + don’t know whether to act on it—there + have been tricks like this + in the past.”</p> + + <p>“What’s the message?”</p> + + <p>“The Russians want us to send + a single officer on policy level + over to their lines. For a conference. + They don’t state the nature + of the conference. They say that + matters of—” He consulted the + slip. “—Matters of grave urgency + make it advisable that discussion + be opened between a + representative of the UN forces + and themselves.”</p> + + <p>He held the message up to the + screen for the general to scan. + Thompson’s eyes moved.</p> + + <p>“What should we do?” Hendricks + said.</p> + + <p>“Send a man out.”</p> + + <p>“You don’t think it’s a trap?”</p> + + <p>“It might be. But the location + they give for their forward command + is correct. It’s worth a + try, at any rate.”</p> + + <p>“I’ll send an officer out. And + report the results to you as soon + as he returns.”</p> + + <p>“All right, Major.” Thompson + broke the connection. The screen + died. Up above, the antenna came + slowly down.</p> + + <p>Hendricks rolled up the paper, + deep in thought.</p> + + <p>“I’ll go,” Leone said.</p> + + <p>“They want somebody at + policy level.” Hendricks rubbed + his jaw. “Policy level. I haven’t + been outside in months. Maybe + I could use a little air.”</p> + + <p>“Don’t you think it’s risky?”</p> + + <p>Hendricks lifted the view sight + and gazed into it. The remains + of the Russian were gone. Only + a single claw was in sight. It + was folding itself back, disappearing + into the ash, like a crab. + Like some hideous metal crab….</p> + + <p>“That’s the only thing that + bothers me.” Hendricks rubbed + his wrist. “I know I’m safe as + long as I have this on me. But + there’s something about them. I + hate the damn things. I wish + we’d never invented them. + There’s something wrong with + them. Relentless little—”</p> + + <p>“If we hadn’t invented them, + the Ivans would have.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks pushed the sight + back. “Anyhow, it seems to be + winning the war. I guess that’s + good.”</p> + + <p>“Sounds like you’re getting + the same jitters as the Ivans.” + <a class="pagenum" id="page108" title="108"> </a>Hendricks examined his wrist + watch. “I guess I had better get + started, if I want to be there + before dark.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">He took a deep breath and + then stepped out onto the gray, + rubbled ground. After a minute + he lit a cigarette and stood gazing + around him. The landscape + was dead. Nothing stirred. He + could see for miles, endless ash + and slag, ruins of buildings. A + few trees without leaves or + branches, only the trunks. Above + him the eternal rolling clouds of + gray, drifting between Terra and + the sun.</p> + + <p>Major Hendricks went on. Off + to the right something scuttled, + something round and metallic. A + claw, going lickety-split after + something. Probably after a + small animal, a rat. They got + rats, too. As a sort of sideline.</p> + + <p>He came to the top of the little + hill and lifted his fieldglasses. + The Russian lines were a few + miles ahead of him. They had a + forward command post there. + The runner had come from it.</p> + + <p>A squat robot with undulating + arms passed by him, its arms + weaving inquiringly. The robot + went on its way, disappearing + under some debris. Hendricks + watched it go. He had never seen + that type before. There were + getting to be more and more + types he had never seen, new + varieties and sizes coming up + from the underground factories.</p> + + <p>Hendricks put out his cigarette + and hurried on. It was interesting, + the use of artificial + forms in warfare. How had they + got started? Necessity. The Soviet + Union had gained great + initial success, usual with the + side that got the war going. Most + of North America had been + blasted off the map. Retaliation + was quick in coming, of course. + The sky was full of circling disc-bombers + long before the war began; + they had been up there for + years. The discs began sailing + down all over Russia within + hours after Washington got it.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">But that hadn’t helped Washington.</p> + + <p>The American bloc governments + moved to the Moon Base + the first year. There was not + much else to do. Europe was + gone; a slag heap with dark + weeds growing from the ashes + and bones. Most of North America + was useless; nothing could be + planted, no one could live. A few + million people kept going up in + Canada and down in South + America. But during the second + year Soviet parachutists began + to drop, a few at first, then more + and more. They wore the first + really effective anti-radiation + equipment; what was left of + American production moved to + <a class="pagenum" id="page109" title="109"> </a>the moon along with the governments.</p> + + <p>All but the troops. The remaining + troops stayed behind as + best they could, a few thousand + here, a platoon there. No one + knew exactly where they were; + they stayed where they could, + moving around at night, hiding + in ruins, in sewers, cellars, with + the rats and snakes. It looked as + if the Soviet Union had the war + almost won. Except for a handful + of projectiles fired off from + the moon daily, there was almost + no weapon in use against them. + They came and went as they + pleased. The war, for all practical + purposes, was over. Nothing + effective opposed them.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">And then the first claws appeared. + And overnight the complexion + of the war changed.</p> + + <p>The claws were awkward, at + first. Slow. The Ivans knocked + them off almost as fast as they + crawled out of their underground + tunnels. But then they got better, + faster and more cunning. Factories, + all on Terra, turned them + out. Factories a long way under + ground, behind the Soviet lines, + factories that had once made + atomic projectiles, now almost + forgotten.</p> + + <p>The claws got faster, and they + got bigger. New types appeared, + some with feelers, some that flew. + There were a few jumping kinds.</p> + + <p>The best technicians on the moon + were working on designs, making + them more and more intricate, + more flexible. They became uncanny; + the Ivans were having a + lot of trouble with them. Some + of the little claws were learning + to hide themselves, burrowing + down into the ash, lying in wait.</p> + + <p>And then they started getting + into the Russian bunkers, slipping + down when the lids were raised + for air and a look around. One + claw inside a bunker, a churning + sphere of blades and metal—that + was enough. And when one + got in others followed. With a + weapon like that the war couldn’t + go on much longer.</p> + + <p>Maybe it was already over.</p> + + <p>Maybe he was going to hear + the news. Maybe the Politburo + had decided to throw in the + sponge. Too bad it had taken so + long. Six years. A long time for + war like that, the way they had + waged it. The automatic retaliation + discs, spinning down all over + Russia, hundreds of thousands of + them. Bacteria crystals. The Soviet + guided missiles, whistling + through the air. The chain + bombs. And now this, the robots, + the claws—</p> + + <p>The claws weren’t like other + weapons. They were <em>alive</em>, from + any practical standpoint, whether + the Governments wanted to admit + it or not. They were not + machines. They were living + <a class="pagenum" id="page110" title="110"> </a>things, spinning, creeping, shaking + themselves up suddenly from + the gray ash and darting toward + a man, climbing up him, rushing + for his throat. And that was + what they had been designed to + do. Their job.</p> + + <p>They did their job well. Especially + lately, with the new designs + coming up. Now they + repaired themselves. They were + on their own. Radiation tabs protected + the UN troops, but if a + man lost his tab he was fair + game for the claws, no matter + what his uniform. Down below + the surface automatic machinery + stamped them out. Human beings + stayed a long way off. It was too + risky; nobody wanted to be + around them. They were left to + themselves. And they seemed to + be doing all right. The new designs + were faster, more complex. + More efficient.</p> + + <p>Apparently they had won the + war.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Major Hendricks lit a second + cigarette. The landscape depressed + him. Nothing but ash and + ruins. He seemed to be alone, + the only living thing in the whole + world. To the right the ruins of + a town rose up, a few walls and + heaps of debris. He tossed the + dead match away, increasing his + pace. Suddenly he stopped, jerking + up his gun, his body tense. + For a minute it looked like—</p> + + <p>From behind the shell of a + ruined building a figure came, + walking slowly toward him, walking + hesitantly.</p> + + <p>Hendricks blinked. “Stop!”</p> + + <p>The boy stopped. Hendricks + lowered his gun. The boy stood + silently, looking at him. He was + small, not very old. Perhaps + eight. But it was hard to tell. + Most of the kids who remained + were stunted. He wore a faded + blue sweater, ragged with dirt, + and short pants. His hair was + long and matted. Brown hair. It + hung over his face and around + his ears. He held something in + his arms.</p> + + <p>“What’s that you have?” Hendricks + said sharply.</p> + + <p>The boy held it out. It was a + toy, a bear. A teddy bear. The + boy’s eyes were large, but without + expression.</p> + + <p>Hendricks relaxed. “I don’t + want it. Keep it.”</p> + + <p>The boy hugged the bear + again.</p> + + <p>“Where do you live?” Hendricks + said.</p> + + <p>“In there.”</p> + + <p>“The ruins?”</p> + + <p>“Yes.”</p> + + <p>“Underground?”</p> + + <p>“Yes.”</p> + + <p>“How many are there?”</p> + + <p>“How—how many?”</p> + + <p>“How many of you. How big’s + your settlement?”</p> + + <p>The boy did not answer.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page111" title="111"> </a>Hendricks frowned. “You’re + not all by yourself, are you?”</p> + + <p>The boy nodded.</p> + + <p>“How do you stay alive?”</p> + + <p>“There’s food.”</p> + + <p>“What kind of food?”</p> + + <p>“Different.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks studied him. “How + old are you?”</p> + + <p>“Thirteen.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">It wasn’t possible. Or was it? + The boy was thin, stunted. And + probably sterile. Radiation exposure, + years straight. No + wonder he was so small. His arms + and legs were like pipecleaners, + knobby, and thin. Hendricks + touched the boy’s arm. His skin + was dry and rough; radiation + skin. He bent down, looking into + the boy’s face. There was no + expression. Big eyes, big and + dark.</p> + + <p>“Are you blind?” Hendricks + said.</p> + + <p>“No. I can see some.”</p> + + <p>“How do you get away from + the claws?”</p> + + <p>“The claws?”</p> + + <p>“The round things. That run + and burrow.”</p> + + <p>“I don’t understand.”</p> + + <p>Maybe there weren’t any claws + around. A lot of areas were free. + They collected mostly around + bunkers, where there were + people. The claws had been designed + to sense warmth, warmth + of living things.</p> + + <p>“You’re lucky.” Hendricks + straightened up. “Well? Which + way are you going? Back—back + there?”</p> + + <p>“Can I come with you?”</p> + + <p>“With <em>me</em>?” Hendricks folded + his arms. “I’m going a long way. + Miles. I have to hurry.” He + looked at his watch. “I have to + get there by nightfall.”</p> + + <p>“I want to come.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks fumbled in his pack. + “It isn’t worth it. Here.” He + tossed down the food cans he had + with him. “You take these and + go back. Okay?”</p> + + <p>The boy said nothing.</p> + + <p>“I’ll be coming back this way. + In a day or so. If you’re around + here when I come back you can + come along with me. All right?”</p> + + <p>“I want to go with you now.”</p> + + <p>“It’s a long walk.”</p> + + <p>“I can walk.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks shifted uneasily. It + made too good a target, two + people walking along. And the + boy would slow him down. But + he might not come back this + way. And if the boy were really + all alone—</p> + + <p>“Okay. Come along.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">The boy fell in beside him. + Hendricks strode along. The boy + walked silently, clutching his + teddy bear.</p> + + <p>“What’s your name?” Hendricks + said, after a time.</p> + + <p>“David Edward Derring.”</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page112" title="112"> </a>“David? What—what happened + to your mother and + father?”</p> + + <p>“They died.”</p> + + <p>“How?”</p> + + <p>“In the blast.”</p> + + <p>“How long ago?”</p> + + <p>“Six years.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks slowed down. + “You’ve been alone six years?”</p> + + <p>“No. There were other people + for awhile. They went away.”</p> + + <p>“And you’ve been alone + since?”</p> + + <p>“Yes.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks glanced down. The + boy was strange, saying very + little. Withdrawn. But that was + the way they were, the children + who had survived. Quiet. Stoic. + A strange kind of fatalism gripped + them. Nothing came as a + surprise. They accepted anything + that came along. There was no + longer any <em>normal</em>, any natural + course of things, moral or physical, + for them to expect. Custom, + habit, all the determining forces + of learning were gone; only brute + experience remained.</p> + + <p>“Am I walking too fast?” + Hendricks said.</p> + + <p>“No.”</p> + + <p>“How did you happen to see + me?”</p> + + <p>“I was waiting.”</p> + + <p>“Waiting?” Hendricks was + puzzled. “What were you waiting + for?”</p> + + <p>“To catch things.”</p> + + <p>“What kind of things?”</p> + + <p>“Things to eat.”</p> + + <p>“Oh.” Hendricks set his lips + grimly. A thirteen year old boy, + living on rats and gophers and + half-rotten canned food. Down in + a hole under the ruins of a town. + With radiation pools and claws, + and Russian dive-mines up above, + coasting around in the sky.</p> + + <p>“Where are we going?” David + asked.</p> + + <p>“To the Russian lines.”</p> + + <p>“Russian?”</p> + + <p>“The enemy. The people who + started the war. They dropped + the first radiation bombs. They + began all this.”</p> + + <p>The boy nodded. His face + showed no expression.</p> + + <p>“I’m an American,” Hendricks + said.</p> + + <p>There was no comment. On + they went, the two of them, + Hendricks walking a little ahead, + David trailing behind him, hugging + his dirty teddy bear against + his chest.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">About four in the afternoon + they stopped to eat. Hendricks + built a fire in a hollow between + some slabs of concrete. He + cleared the weeds away and + heaped up bits of wood. The + Russians’ lines were not very far + ahead. Around him was what had + once been a long valley, acres of + fruit trees and grapes. Nothing + remained now but a few bleak + <a class="pagenum" id="page113" title="113"> </a>stumps and the mountains that + stretched across the horizon at + the far end. And the clouds of + rolling ash that blew and drifted + with the wind, settling over the + weeds and remains of buildings, + walls here and there, once in + awhile what had been a road.</p> + + <p>Hendricks made coffee and + heated up some boiled mutton + and bread. “Here.” He handed + bread and mutton to David. + David squatted by the edge of + the fire, his knees knobby and + white. He examined the food and + then passed it back, shaking his + head.</p> + + <p>“No.”</p> + + <p>“No? Don’t you want any?”</p> + + <p>“No.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks shrugged. Maybe + the boy was a mutant, used to + special food. It didn’t matter. + When he was hungry he would + find something to eat. The boy + was strange. But there were + many strange changes coming + over the world. Life was not the + same, anymore. It would never + be the same again. The human + race was going to have to realize + that.</p> + + <p>“Suit yourself,” Hendricks + said. He ate the bread and mutton + by himself, washing it down + with coffee. He ate slowly, finding + the food hard to digest. + When he was done he got to his + feet and stamped the fire out.</p> + + <p>David rose slowly, watching + him with his young-old eyes.</p> + + <p>“We’re going,” Hendricks said.</p> + + <p>“All right.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks walked along, his + gun in his arms. They were + close; he was tense, ready for + anything. The Russians should + be expecting a runner, an answer + to their own runner, but they + were tricky. There was always + the possibility of a slipup. He + scanned the landscape around + him. Nothing but slag and ash, + a few hills, charred trees. Concrete + walls. But someplace ahead + was the first bunker of the Russian + lines, the forward command. + Underground, buried deep, with + only a periscope showing, a few + gun muzzles. Maybe an antenna.</p> + + <p>“Will we be there soon?” + David asked.</p> + + <p>“Yes. Getting tired?”</p> + + <p>“No.”</p> + + <p>“Why, then?”</p> + + <p>David did not answer. He + plodded carefully along behind, + picking his way over the ash. His + legs and shoes were gray with + dust. His pinched face was + streaked, lines of gray ash in + riverlets down the pale white + of his skin. There was no color to + his face. Typical of the new children, + growing up in cellars and + sewers and underground + shelters.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Hendricks slowed down. He + lifted his fieldglasses and studied + <a class="pagenum" id="page114" title="114"> </a>the ground ahead of him. Were + they there, someplace, waiting + for him? Watching him, the way + his men had watched the Russian + runner? A chill went up his + back. Maybe they were getting + their guns ready, preparing to + fire, the way his men had prepared, + made ready to kill.</p> + + <p>Hendricks stopped, wiping + perspiration from his face. + “Damn.” It made him uneasy. + But he should be expected. The + situation was different.</p> + + <p>He strode over the ash, holding + his gun tightly with both + hands. Behind him came David. + Hendricks peered around, tight-lipped. + Any second it might happen. + A burst of white light, a + blast, carefully aimed from inside + a deep concrete bunker.</p> + + <p>He raised his arm and waved + it around in a circle.</p> + + <p>Nothing moved. To the right a + long ridge ran, topped with dead + tree trunks. A few wild vines had + grown up around the trees, remains + of arbors. And the eternal + dark weeds. Hendricks studied + the ridge. Was anything up + there? Perfect place for a lookout. + He approached the ridge + warily, David coming silently behind. + If it were his command he’d + have a sentry up there, watching + for troops trying to infiltrate + into the command area. Of + course, if it were his command + there would be the claws around + the area for full protection.</p> + + <p>He stopped, feet apart, hands + on his hips.</p> + + <p>“Are we there?” David said.</p> + + <p>“Almost.”</p> + + <p>“Why have we stopped?”</p> + + <p>“I don’t want to take any + chances.” Hendricks advanced + slowly. Now the ridge lay directly + beside him, along his right. + Overlooking him. His uneasy + feeling increased. If an Ivan + were up there he wouldn’t have + a chance. He waved his arm + again. They should be expecting + someone in the UN uniform, in + response to the note capsule. Unless + the whole thing was a trap.</p> + + <p>“Keep up with me.” He turned + toward David. “Don’t drop behind.”</p> + + <p>“With you?”</p> + + <p>“Up beside me! We’re close. + We can’t take any chances. Come + on.”</p> + + <p>“I’ll be all right.” David remained + behind him, in the rear, a + few paces away, still clutching + his teddy bear.</p> + + <p>“Have it your way.” Hendricks + raised his glasses again, + suddenly tense. For a moment—had + something moved? He scanned + the ridge carefully. Everything + was silent. Dead. No life up + there, only tree trunks and ash. + Maybe a few rats. The big black + rats that had survived the claws. + Mutants—built their own shelters + out of saliva and ash. Some + <a class="pagenum" id="page115" title="115"> </a>kind of plaster. Adaptation. He + started forward again.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">A tall figure came out on the + ridge above him, cloak flapping. + Gray-green. A Russian. Behind + him a second soldier appeared, + another Russian. Both lifted + their guns, aiming.</p> + + <p>Hendricks froze. He opened + his mouth. The soldiers were + kneeling, sighting down the side + of the slope. A third figure had + joined them on the ridge top, a + smaller figure in gray-green. A + woman. She stood behind the + other two.</p> + + <p>Hendricks found his voice. + “Stop!” He waved up at them + frantically. “I’m—”</p> + + <p>The two Russians fired. Behind + Hendricks there was a faint + <em>pop</em>. Waves of heat lapped + against him, throwing him to the + ground. Ash tore at his face, + grinding into his eyes and nose. + Choking, he pulled himself to his + knees. It was all a trap. He was + finished. He had come to be + killed, like a steer. The soldiers + and the woman were coming + down the side of the ridge toward + him, sliding down through + the soft ash. Hendricks was + numb. His head throbbed. Awkwardly, + he got his rifle up and + took aim. It weighed a thousand + tons; he could hardly hold it. His + nose and cheeks stung. The air + was full of the blast smell, a + bitter acrid stench.</p> + + <p>“Don’t fire,” the first Russian + said, in heavily accented English.</p> + + <p>The three of them came up to + him, surrounding him. “Put + down your rifle, Yank,” the other + said.</p> + + <p>Hendricks was dazed. Everything + had happened so fast. He + had been caught. And they had + blasted the boy. He turned his + head. David was gone. What remained + of him was strewn across + the ground.</p> + + <p>The three Russians studied + him curiously. Hendricks sat, + wiping blood from his nose, + picking out bits of ash. He shook + his head, trying to clear it. “Why + did you do it?” he murmured + thickly. “The boy.”</p> + + <p>“Why?” One of the soldiers + helped him roughly to his feet. + He turned Hendricks around. + “Look.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks closed his eyes.</p> + + <p>“Look!” The two Russians + pulled him forward. “See. Hurry + up. There isn’t much time to + spare, Yank!”</p> + + <p>Hendricks looked. And gasped.</p> + + <p>“See now? Now do you understand?”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">From the remains of David + a metal wheel rolled. Relays, + glinting metal. Parts, wiring. + One of the Russians kicked at + the heap of remains. Parts popped + out, rolling away, wheels and + <a class="pagenum" id="page116" title="116"> </a>springs and rods. A plastic section + fell in, half charred. Hendricks + bent shakily down. The + front of the head had come off. + He could make out the intricate + brain, wires and relays, tiny + tubes and switches, thousands of + minute studs—</p> + + <p>“A robot,” the soldier holding + his arm said. “We watched it + tagging you.”</p> + + <p>“Tagging me?”</p> + + <p>“That’s their way. They tag + along with you. Into the bunker. + That’s how they get in.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks blinked, dazed. + “But—”</p> + + <p>“Come on.” They led him toward + the ridge. “We can’t stay + here. It isn’t safe. There must be + hundreds of them all around + here.”</p> + + <p>The three of them pulled him + up the side of the ridge, sliding + and slipping on the ash. The + woman reached the top and stood + waiting for them.</p> + + <p>“The forward command,” Hendricks + muttered. “I came to negotiate + with the Soviet—”</p> + + <p>“There is no more forward + command. <em>They</em> got in. We’ll explain.” + They reached the top of + the ridge. “We’re all that’s left. + The three of us. The rest were + down in the bunker.”</p> + + <p>“This way. Down this way.” + The woman unscrewed a lid, a + gray manhole cover set in the + ground. “Get in.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks lowered himself. + The two soldiers and the woman + came behind him, following him + down the ladder. The woman + closed the lid after them, bolting + it tightly into place.</p> + + <p>“Good thing we saw you,” one + of the two soldiers grunted. “It + had tagged you about as far as + it was going to.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">“Give me one of your cigarettes,” + the woman said. “I + haven’t had an American cigarette + for weeks.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks pushed the pack to + her. She took a cigarette and + passed the pack to the two soldiers. + In the corner of the small + room the lamp gleamed fitfully. + The room was low-ceilinged, + cramped. The four of them sat + around a small wood table. A few + dirty dishes were stacked to one + side. Behind a ragged curtain a + second room was partly visible. + Hendricks saw the corner of a + cot, some blankets, clothes hung + on a hook.</p> + + <p>“We were here,” the soldier + beside him said. He took off his + helmet, pushing his blond hair + back. “I’m Corporal Rudi Maxer. + Polish. Impressed in the Soviet + Army two years ago.” He held + out his hand.</p> + + <p>Hendricks hesitated and then + shook. “Major Joseph Hendricks.”</p> + + <p>“Klaus Epstein.” The other + <a class="pagenum" id="page117" title="117"> </a>soldier shook with him, a small + dark man with thinning hair. + Epstein plucked nervously at his + ear. “Austrian. Impressed God + knows when. I don’t remember. + The three of us were here, Rudi + and I, with Tasso.” He indicated + the woman. “That’s how we + escaped. All the rest were down + in the bunker.”</p> + + <p>“And—and <em>they</em> got in?”</p> + + <p>Epstein lit a cigarette. “First + just one of them. The kind that + tagged you. Then it let others + in.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks became alert. “The + <em>kind</em>? Are there more than one + kind?”</p> + + <p>“The little boy. David. David + holding his teddy bear. That’s + Variety Three. The most effective.”</p> + + <p>“What are the other types?”</p> + + <p>Epstein reached into his coat. + “Here.” He tossed a packet of + photographs onto the table, tied + with a string. “Look for yourself.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks untied the string.</p> + + <p>“You see,” Rudi Maxer said, + “that was why we wanted to talk + terms. The Russians, I mean. + We found out about a week ago. + Found out that your claws were + beginning to make up new designs + on their own. New types + of their own. Better types. + Down in your underground factories + behind our lines. You let + them stamp themselves, repair + themselves. Made them more and + more intricate. It’s your fault + this happened.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Hendricks examined the + photos. They had been snapped + hurriedly; they were blurred + and indistinct. The first few + showed—David. David walking + along a road, by himself. David + and another David. Three + Davids. All exactly alike. Each + with a ragged teddy bear.</p> + + <p>All pathetic.</p> + + <p>“Look at the others,” Tasso + said.</p> + + <p>The next pictures, taken at a + great distance, showed a towering + wounded soldier sitting by + the side of a path, his arm in a + sling, the stump of one leg extended, + a crude crutch on his + lap. Then two wounded soldiers, + both the same, standing side by + side.</p> + + <p>“That’s Variety One. The + Wounded Soldier.” Klaus reached + out and took the pictures. + “You see, the claws were designed + to get to human beings. + To find them. Each kind was better + than the last. They got + farther, closer, past most of our + defenses, into our lines. But as + long as they were merely + <em>machines</em>, metal spheres with + claws and horns, feelers, they + could be picked off like any other + object. They could be detected as + lethal robots as soon as they + <a class="pagenum" id="page118" title="118"> </a>were seen. Once we caught sight + of them—”</p> + + <p>“Variety One subverted our + whole north wing,” Rudi said. + “It was a long time before anyone + caught on. Then it was too + late. They came in, wounded soldiers, + knocking and begging to + be let in. So we let them in. And + as soon as they were in they took + over. We were watching out for + machines….”</p> + + <p>“At that time it was thought + there was only the one type,” + Klaus Epstein said. “No one + suspected there were other types. + The pictures were flashed to us. + When the runner was sent to + you, we knew of just one type. + Variety One. The big Wounded + Soldier. We thought that was + all.”</p> + + <p>“Your line fell to—”</p> + + <p>“To Variety Three. David and + his bear. That worked even better.” + Klaus smiled bitterly. + “Soldiers are suckers for children. + We brought them in and + tried to feed them. We found out + the hard way what they were + after. At least, those who were + in the bunker.”</p> + + <p>“The three of us were lucky,” + Rudi said. “Klaus and I were—were + visiting Tasso when it happened. + This is her place.” He + waved a big hand around. “This + little cellar. We finished and + climbed the ladder to start back. + From the ridge we saw. There + they were, all around the bunker. + Fighting was still going on. + David and his bear. Hundreds of + them. Klaus took the pictures.”</p> + + <p>Klaus tied up the photographs + again.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">“And it’s going on all along + your line?” Hendricks said.</p> + + <p>“Yes.”</p> + + <p>“How about <em>our</em> lines?” Without + thinking, he touched the tab + on his arm. “Can they—”</p> + + <p>“They’re not bothered by your + radiation tabs. It makes no difference + to them, Russian, American, + Pole, German. It’s all the + same. They’re doing what they + were designed to do. Carrying + out the original idea. They track + down life, wherever they find it.”</p> + + <p>“They go by warmth,” Klaus + said. “That was the way you + constructed them from the very + start. Of course, those you designed + were kept back by the + radiation tabs you wear. Now + they’ve got around that. These + new varieties are lead-lined.”</p> + + <p>“What’s the other variety?” + Hendricks asked. “The David + type, the Wounded Soldier—what’s + the other?”</p> + + <p>“We don’t know.” Klaus pointed + up at the wall. On the wall + were two metal plates, ragged at + the edges. Hendricks got up and + studied them. They were bent + and dented.</p> + + <p>“The one on the left came off + <a class="pagenum" id="page119" title="119"> </a>a Wounded Soldier,” Rudi said. + “We got one of them. It was going + along toward our old bunker. + We got it from the ridge, the + same way we got the David tagging + you.”</p> + + <p>The plate was stamped: I-V. + Hendricks touched the other + plate. “And this came from the + David type?”</p> + + <p>“Yes.” The plate was stamped: + III-V.</p> + + <p>Klaus took a look at them, + leaning over Hendricks’ broad + shoulder. “You can see what + we’re up against. There’s another + type. Maybe it was abandoned. + Maybe it didn’t work. But + there must be a Second Variety. + There’s One and Three.”</p> + + <p>“You were lucky,” Rudi said. + “The David tagged you all the + way here and never touched you. + Probably thought you’d get it + into a bunker, somewhere.”</p> + + <p>“One gets in and it’s all over,” + Klaus said. “They move fast. One + lets all the rest inside. They’re + inflexible. Machines with one + purpose. They were built for only + one thing.” He rubbed sweat + from his lip. “We saw.”</p> + + <p>They were silent.</p> + + <p>“Let me have another cigarette, + Yank,” Tasso said. “They + are good. I almost forgot how + they were.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">It was night. The sky was + black. No stars were visible + through the rolling clouds of + ash. Klaus lifted the lid cautiously + so that Hendricks could + look out.</p> + + <p>Rudi pointed into the darkness. + “Over that way are the + bunkers. Where we used to be. + Not over half a mile from us. It + was just chance Klaus and I + were not there when it happened. + Weakness. Saved by our + lusts.”</p> + + <p>“All the rest must be dead,” + Klaus said in a low voice. “It + came quickly. This morning the + Politburo reached their decision. + They notified us—forward command. + Our runner was sent out + at once. We saw him start toward + the direction of your lines. + We covered him until he was out + of sight.”</p> + + <p>“Alex Radrivsky. We both + knew him. He disappeared about + six o’clock. The sun had just + come up. About noon Klaus and + I had an hour relief. We crept + off, away from the bunkers. No + one was watching. We came + here. There used to be a town + here, a few houses, a street. This + cellar was part of a big farmhouse. + We knew Tasso would be + here, hiding down in her little + place. We had come here before. + Others from the bunkers came + here. Today happened to be our + turn.”</p> + + <p>“So we were saved,” Klaus + said. “Chance. It might have + <a class="pagenum" id="page120" title="120"> </a>been others. We—we finished, + and then we came up to the surface + and started back along the + ridge. That was when we saw + them, the Davids. We understood + right away. We had seen + the photos of the First Variety, + the Wounded Soldier. Our Commissar + distributed them to us + with an explanation. If we had + gone another step they would + have seen us. As it was we had + to blast two Davids before we + got back. There were hundreds + of them, all around. Like ants. + We took pictures and slipped + back here, bolting the lid tight.”</p> + + <p>“They’re not so much when + you catch them alone. We moved + faster than they did. But they’re + inexorable. Not like living + things. They came right at us. + And we blasted them.”</p> + + <p>Major Hendricks rested + against the edge of the lid, adjusting + his eyes to the darkness. + “Is it safe to have the lid up at + all?”</p> + + <p>“If we’re careful. How else + can you operate your transmitter?”</p> + + <p>Hendricks lifted the small belt + transmitter slowly. He pressed it + against his ear. The metal was + cold and damp. He blew against + the mike, raising up the short + antenna. A faint hum sounded + in his ear. “That’s true, I suppose.”</p> + + <p>But he still hesitated.</p> + + <p>“We’ll pull you under if anything + happens,” Klaus said.</p> + + <p>“Thanks.” Hendricks waited a + moment, resting the transmitter + against his shoulder. “Interesting, + isn’t it?”</p> + + <p>“What?”</p> + + <p>“This, the new types. The new + varieties of claws. We’re completely + at their mercy, aren’t + we? By now they’ve probably + gotten into the UN lines, too. + It makes me wonder if we’re not + seeing the beginning of a new + species. <em>The</em> new species. Evolution. + The race to come after + man.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Rudi grunted. “There is no + race after man.”</p> + + <p>“No? Why not? Maybe we’re + seeing it now, the end of human + beings, the beginning of the new + society.”</p> + + <p>“They’re not a race. They’re + mechanical killers. You made + them to destroy. That’s all they + can do. They’re machines with a + job.”</p> + + <p>“So it seems now. But how + about later on? After the war is + over. Maybe, when there aren’t + any humans to destroy, their + real potentialities will begin to + show.”</p> + + <p>“You talk as if they were + alive!”</p> + + <p>“Aren’t they?”</p> + + <p>There was silence. “They’re + machines,” Rudi said. “They + <a class="pagenum" id="page121" title="121"> </a>look like people, but they’re machines.”</p> + + <p>“Use your transmitter, Major,” + Klaus said. “We can’t stay + up here forever.”</p> + + <p>Holding the transmitter tightly + Hendricks called the code of + the command bunker. He waited, + listening. No response. Only + silence. He checked the leads + carefully. Everything was in + place.</p> + + <p>“Scott!” he said into the mike. + “Can you hear me?”</p> + + <p>Silence. He raised the gain up + full and tried again. Only static.</p> + + <p>“I don’t get anything. They + may hear me but they may not + want to answer.”</p> + + <p>“Tell them it’s an emergency.”</p> + + <p>“They’ll think I’m being + forced to call. Under your direction.” + He tried again, outlining + briefly what he had learned. But + still the phone was silent, except + for the faint static.</p> + + <p>“Radiation pools kill most + transmission,” Klaus said, after + awhile. “Maybe that’s it.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks shut the transmitter + up. “No use. No answer. + Radiation pools? Maybe. Or they + hear me, but won’t answer. + Frankly, that’s what I would do, + if a runner tried to call from the + Soviet lines. They have no reason + to believe such a story. They may + hear everything I say—”</p> + + <p>“Or maybe it’s too late.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks nodded.</p> + + <p>“We better get the lid down,” + Rudi said nervously. “We don’t + want to take unnecessary + chances.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">They climbed slowly back + down the tunnel. Klaus bolted + the lid carefully into place. They + descended into the kitchen. The + air was heavy and close around + them.</p> + + <p>“Could they work that fast?” + Hendricks said. “I left the bunker + this noon. Ten hours ago. + How could they move so quickly?”</p> + + <p>“It doesn’t take them long. + Not after the first one gets in. + It goes wild. You know what the + little claws can do. Even <em>one</em> of + these is beyond belief. Razors, + each finger. Maniacal.”</p> + + <p>“All right.” Hendricks moved + away impatiently. He stood with + his back to them.</p> + + <p>“What’s the matter?” Rudi + said.</p> + + <p>“The Moon Base. God, if + they’ve gotten there—”</p> + + <p>“The Moon Base?”</p> + + <p>Hendricks turned around. + “They couldn’t have got to the + Moon Base. How would they get + there? It isn’t possible. I can’t + believe it.”</p> + + <p>“What is this Moon Base? + We’ve heard rumors, but nothing + definite. What is the actual situation? + You seem concerned.”</p> + + <p>“We’re supplied from the + <a class="pagenum" id="page122" title="122"> </a>moon. The governments are + there, under the lunar surface. + All our people and industries. + That’s what keeps us going. If + they should find some way of getting + off Terra, onto the moon—”</p> + + <p>“It only takes one of them. + Once the first one gets in it admits + the others. Hundreds of + them, all alike. You should have + seen them. Identical. Like ants.”</p> + + <p>“Perfect socialism,” Tasso + said. “The ideal of the communist + state. All citizens interchangeable.”</p> + + <p>Klaus grunted angrily. “That’s + enough. Well? What next?”</p> + + <p>Hendricks paced back and + forth, around the small room. + The air was full of smells of + food and perspiration. The + others watched him. Presently + Tasso pushed through the curtain, + into the other room. “I’m + going to take a nap.”</p> + + <p>The curtain closed behind her. + Rudi and Klaus sat down at the + table, still watching Hendricks.</p> + + <p>“It’s up to you,” Klaus said. “We + don’t know your situation.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks nodded.</p> + + <p>“It’s a problem.” Rudi drank + some coffee, filling his cup from + a rusty pot. “We’re safe here for + awhile, but we can’t stay here + forever. Not enough food or supplies.”</p> + + <p>“But if we go outside—”</p> + + <p>“If we go outside they’ll get + us. Or probably they’ll get us. + We couldn’t go very far. How + far is your command bunker, Major?”</p> + + <p>“Three or four miles.”</p> + + <p>“We might make it. The four + of us. Four of us could watch all + sides. They couldn’t slip up behind + us and start tagging us. We + have three rifles, three blast + rifles. Tasso can have my pistol.” + Rudi tapped his belt. “In the Soviet + army we didn’t have shoes + always, but we had guns. With + all four of us armed one of us + might get to your command + bunker. Preferably you, Major.”</p> + + <p>“What if they’re already + there?” Klaus said.</p> + + <p>Rudi shrugged. “Well, then we + come back here.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Hendricks stopped pacing. + “What do you think the chances + are they’re already in the American + lines?”</p> + + <p>“Hard to say. Fairly good. + They’re organized. They know + exactly what they’re doing. Once + they start they go like a horde + of locusts. They have to keep + moving, and fast. It’s secrecy + and speed they depend on. Surprise. + They push their way in + before anyone has any idea.”</p> + + <p>“I see,” Hendricks murmured.</p> + + <p>From the other room Tasso + stirred. “Major?”</p> + + <p>Hendricks pushed the curtain + back. “What?”</p> + + <div id="illo2" class="illo"> + <a href="images/illo2.jpg"><img src="images/illo2-sm.jpg" width="373" height="551" alt="A womanly body, but it has a robotic head, hand and arm showing." /></a> + </div> + + <p>Tasso looked up at him lazily + <!-- <a class="pagenum" id="page123" title="123"> </a> original location of illo2--> + <a class="pagenum" id="page124" title="124"> </a>from the cot. “Have you any + more American cigarettes left?”</p> + + <p>Hendricks went into the room + and sat down across from her, + on a wood stool. He felt in his + pockets. “No. All gone.”</p> + + <p>“Too bad.”</p> + + <p>“What nationality are you?” + Hendricks asked after awhile.</p> + + <p>“Russian.”</p> + + <p>“How did you get here?”</p> + + <p>“Here?”</p> + + <p>“This used to be France. This + was part of Normandy. Did you + come with the Soviet army?”</p> + + <p>“Why?”</p> + + <p>“Just curious.” He studied her. + She had taken off her coat, tossing + it over the end of the cot. + She was young, about twenty. + Slim. Her long hair stretched + out over the pillow. She was + staring at him silently, her eyes + dark and large.</p> + + <p>“What’s on your mind?” Tasso + said.</p> + + <p>“Nothing. How old are you?”</p> + + <p>“Eighteen.” She continued to + watch him, unblinking, her arms + behind her head. She had on + Russian army pants and shirt. + Gray-green. Thick leather belt + with counter and cartridges. + Medicine kit.</p> + + <p>“You’re in the Soviet army?”</p> + + <p>“No.”</p> + + <p>“Where did you get the uniform?”</p> + + <p>She shrugged. “It was given + to me,” she told him.</p> + + <p>“How—how old were you + when you came here?”</p> + + <p>“Sixteen.”</p> + + <p>“That young?”</p> + + <p>Her eyes narrowed. “What do + you mean?”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Hendricks rubbed his jaw. + “Your life would have been a lot + different if there had been no + war. Sixteen. You came here at + sixteen. To live this way.”</p> + + <p>“I had to survive.”</p> + + <p>“I’m not moralizing.”</p> + + <p>“Your life would have been + different, too,” Tasso murmured. + She reached down and unfastened + one of her boots. She + kicked the boot off, onto the floor. + “Major, do you want to go in the + other room? I’m sleepy.”</p> + + <p>“It’s going to be a problem, the + four of us here. It’s going to be + hard to live in these quarters. + Are there just the two rooms?”</p> + + <p>“Yes.”</p> + + <p>“How big was the cellar originally? + Was it larger than this? + Are there other rooms filled up + with debris? We might be able + to open one of them.”</p> + + <p>“Perhaps. I really don’t know.” + Tasso loosened her belt. She + made herself comfortable on the + cot, unbuttoning her shirt. + “You’re sure you have no more + cigarettes?”</p> + + <p>“I had only the one pack.”</p> + + <p>“Too bad. Maybe if we get + back to your bunker we can find + <a class="pagenum" id="page125" title="125"> </a>some.” The other boot fell. Tasso + reached up for the light cord. + “Good night.”</p> + + <p>“You’re going to sleep?”</p> + + <p>“That’s right.”</p> + + <p>The room plunged into darkness. + Hendricks got up and + made his way past the curtain, + into the kitchen.</p> + + <p>And stopped, rigid.</p> + + <p>Rudi stood against the wall, + his face white and gleaming. His + mouth opened and closed but no + sounds came. Klaus stood in + front of him, the muzzle of his + pistol in Rudi’s stomach. Neither + of them moved. Klaus, his hand + tight around his gun, his features + set. Rudi, pale and silent, + spread-eagled against the wall.</p> + + <p>“What—” Hendricks muttered, + but Klaus cut him off.</p> + + <p>“Be quiet, Major. Come over + here. Your gun. Get out your + gun.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks drew his pistol. + “What is it?”</p> + + <p>“Cover him.” Klaus motioned + him forward. “Beside me. + Hurry!”</p> + + <p>Rudi moved a little, lowering + his arms. He turned to Hendricks, + licking his lips. The + whites of his eyes shone wildly. + Sweat dripped from his forehead, + down his cheeks. He fixed + his gaze on Hendricks. “Major, + he’s gone insane. Stop him.” + Rudi’s voice was thin and hoarse, + almost inaudible.</p> + + <p>“What’s going on?” Hendricks + demanded.</p> + + <p>Without lowering his pistol + Klaus answered. “Major, remember + our discussion? The Three + Varieties? We knew about One + and Three. But we didn’t know + about Two. At least, we didn’t + know before.” Klaus’ fingers + tightened around the gun butt. + “We didn’t know before, but we + know now.”</p> + + <p>He pressed the trigger. A + burst of white heat rolled out of + the gun, licking around Rudi.</p> + + <p>“Major, this is the Second + Variety.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Tasso swept the curtain aside. + “Klaus! What did you do?”</p> + + <p>Klaus turned from the charred + form, gradually sinking down the + wall onto the floor. “The Second + Variety, Tasso. Now we know. + We have all three types identified. + The danger is less. I—”</p> + + <p>Tasso stared past him at the + remains of Rudi, at the blackened, + smouldering fragments + and bits of cloth. “You killed + him.”</p> + + <p>“Him? <em>It</em>, you mean. I was + watching. I had a feeling, but I + wasn’t sure. At least, I wasn’t + sure before. But this evening I + was certain.” Klaus rubbed his + pistol butt nervously. “We’re + lucky. Don’t you understand? + Another hour and it might—”</p> + + <p>“You were <em>certain</em>?” Tasso + <a class="pagenum" id="page126" title="126"> </a>pushed past him and bent down, + over the steaming remains on + the floor. Her face became hard. + “Major, see for yourself. Bones. + Flesh.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks bent down beside + her. The remains were human remains. + Seared flesh, charred + bone fragments, part of a skull. + Ligaments, viscera, blood. Blood + forming a pool against the wall.</p> + + <p>“No wheels,” Tasso said calmly. + She straightened up. “No + wheels, no parts, no relays. Not + a claw. Not the Second Variety.” + She folded her arms. “You’re going + to have to be able to explain + this.”</p> + + <p>Klaus sat down at the table, + all the color drained suddenly + from his face. He put his head + in his hands and rocked back and + forth.</p> + + <p>“Snap out of it.” Tasso’s fingers + closed over his shoulder. + “Why did you do it? Why did + you kill him?”</p> + + <p>“He was frightened,” Hendricks + said. “All this, the whole + thing, building up around us.”</p> + + <p>“Maybe.”</p> + + <p>“What, then? What do you + think?”</p> + + <p>“I think he may have had a + reason for killing Rudi. A good + reason.”</p> + + <p>“What reason?”</p> + + <p>“Maybe Rudi learned something.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks studied her bleak + face. “About what?” he asked.</p> + + <p>“About him. About Klaus.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Klaus looked up quickly. “You + can see what she’s trying to say. + She thinks I’m the Second Variety. + Don’t you see, Major? Now + she wants you to believe I killed + him on purpose. That I’m—”</p> + + <p>“Why did you kill him, then?” + Tasso said.</p> + + <p>“I told you.” Klaus shook his + head wearily. “I thought he was + a claw. I thought I knew.”</p> + + <p>“Why?”</p> + + <p>“I had been watching him. I + was suspicious.”</p> + + <p>“Why?”</p> + + <p>“I thought I had seen something. + Heard something. I + thought I—” He stopped.</p> + + <p>“Go on.”</p> + + <p>“We were sitting at the table. + Playing cards. You two were in + the other room. It was silent. I + thought I heard him—<em>whirr</em>.”</p> + + <p>There was silence.</p> + + <p>“Do you believe that?” Tasso + said to Hendricks.</p> + + <p>“Yes. I believe what he says.”</p> + + <p>“I don’t. I think he killed Rudi + for a good purpose.” Tasso + touched the rifle, resting in the + corner of the room. “Major—”</p> + + <p>“No.” Hendricks shook his + head. “Let’s stop it right now. + One is enough. We’re afraid, the + way he was. If we kill him we’ll + be doing what he did to Rudi.”</p> + + <p>Klaus looked gratefully up at + <a class="pagenum" id="page127" title="127"> </a>him. “Thanks. I was afraid. You + understand, don’t you? Now + she’s afraid, the way I was. She + wants to kill me.”</p> + + <p>“No more killing.” Hendricks + moved toward the end of the ladder. + “I’m going above and try + the transmitter once more. If I + can’t get them we’re moving back + toward my lines tomorrow morning.”</p> + + <p>Klaus rose quickly. “I’ll come + up with you and give you a + hand.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">The night air was cold. The + earth was cooling off. Klaus + took a deep breath, filling his + lungs. He and Hendricks stepped + onto the ground, out of the tunnel. + Klaus planted his feet wide + apart, the rifle up, watching and + listening. Hendricks crouched by + the tunnel mouth, tuning the + small transmitter.</p> + + <p>“Any luck?” Klaus asked + presently.</p> + + <p>“Not yet.”</p> + + <p>“Keep trying. Tell them what + happened.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks kept trying. Without + success. Finally he lowered + the antenna. “It’s useless. They + can’t hear me. Or they hear me + and won’t answer. Or—”</p> + + <p>“Or they don’t exist.”</p> + + <p>“I’ll try once more.” Hendricks + raised the antenna. “Scott, can + you hear me? Come in!”</p> + + <p>He listened. There was only + static. Then, still very faintly—</p> + + <p>“This is Scott.”</p> + + <p>His fingers tightened. “Scott! + Is it you?”</p> + + <p>“This is Scott.”</p> + + <p>Klaus squatted down. “Is it + your command?”</p> + + <p>“Scott, listen. Do you understand? + About them, the claws. + Did you get my message? Did + you hear me?”</p> + + <p>“Yes.” Faintly. Almost inaudible. + He could hardly make + out the word.</p> + + <p>“You got my message? Is + everything all right at the bunker? + None of them have got in?”</p> + + <p>“Everything is all right.”</p> + + <p>“Have they tried to get in?”</p> + + <p>The voice was weaker.</p> + + <p>“No.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks turned to Klaus. + “They’re all right.”</p> + + <p>“Have they been attacked?”</p> + + <p>“No.” Hendricks pressed the + phone tighter to his ear. “Scott, + I can hardly hear you. Have you + notified the Moon Base? Do they + know? Are they alerted?”</p> + + <p>No answer.</p> + + <p>“Scott! Can you hear me?”</p> + + <p>Silence.</p> + + <p>Hendricks relaxed, sagging. + “Faded out. Must be radiation + pools.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Hendricks and Klaus looked at + each other. Neither of them said + anything. After a time Klaus + said, “Did it sound like any of + <a class="pagenum" id="page128" title="128"> </a>your men? Could you identify + the voice?”</p> + + <p>“It was too faint.”</p> + + <p>“You couldn’t be certain?”</p> + + <p>“No.”</p> + + <p>“Then it could have been—”</p> + + <p>“I don’t know. Now I’m not + sure. Let’s go back down and get + the lid closed.”</p> + + <p>They climbed back down the + ladder slowly, into the warm cellar. + Klaus bolted the lid behind + them. Tasso waited for them, her + face expressionless.</p> + + <p>“Any luck?” she asked.</p> + + <p>Neither of them answered. + “Well?” Klaus said at last. + “What do you think, Major? Was + it your officer, or was it one of + <em>them</em>?”</p> + + <p>“I don’t know.”</p> + + <p>“Then we’re just where we + were before.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks stared down at the + floor, his jaw set. “We’ll have to + go. To be sure.”</p> + + <p>“Anyhow, we have food here + for only a few weeks. We’d have + to go up after that, in any case.”</p> + + <p>“Apparently so.”</p> + + <p>“What’s wrong?” Tasso demanded. + “Did you get across to + your bunker? What’s the matter?”</p> + + <p>“It may have been one of my + men,” Hendricks said slowly. “Or + it may have been one of <em>them</em>. + But we’ll never know standing + here.” He examined his watch. + “Let’s turn in and get some + sleep. We want to be up early + tomorrow.”</p> + + <p>“Early?”</p> + + <p>“Our best chance to get + through the claws should be + early in the morning,” Hendricks + said.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">The morning was crisp and + clear. Major Hendricks studied + the countryside through his fieldglasses.</p> + + <p>“See anything?” Klaus said.</p> + + <p>“No.”</p> + + <p>“Can you make out our bunkers?”</p> + + <p>“Which way?”</p> + + <p>“Here.” Klaus took the glasses + and adjusted them. “I know + where to look.” He looked a long + time, silently.</p> + + <p>Tasso came to the top of the + tunnel and stepped up onto the + ground. “Anything?”</p> + + <p>“No.” Klaus passed the glasses + back to Hendricks. “They’re out + of sight. Come on. Let’s not stay + here.”</p> + + <p>The three of them made their + way down the side of the ridge, + sliding in the soft ash. Across a + flat rock a lizard scuttled. They + stopped instantly, rigid.</p> + + <p>“What was it?” Klaus muttered.</p> + + <p>“A lizard.”</p> + + <p>The lizard ran on, hurrying + through the ash. It was exactly + the same color as the ash.</p> + + <p>“Perfect adaptation,” Klaus + <a class="pagenum" id="page129" title="129"> </a>said. “Proves we were right. + Lysenko, I mean.”</p> + + <p>They reached the bottom of + the ridge and stopped, standing + close together, looking around + them.</p> + + <p>“Let’s go.” Hendricks started + off. “It’s a good long trip, on + foot.”</p> + + <p>Klaus fell in beside him. Tasso + walked behind, her pistol held + alertly. “Major, I’ve been meaning + to ask you something,” Klaus + said. “How did you run across + the David? The one that was + tagging you.”</p> + + <p>“I met it along the way. In + some ruins.”</p> + + <p>“What did it say?”</p> + + <p>“Not much. It said it was + alone. By itself.”</p> + + <p>“You couldn’t tell it was a + machine? It talked like a living + person? You never suspected?”</p> + + <p>“It didn’t say much. I noticed + nothing unusual.</p> + + <p>“It’s strange, machines so + much like people that you can be + fooled. Almost alive. I wonder + where it’ll end.”</p> + + <p>“They’re doing what you + Yanks designed them to do,” + Tasso said. “You designed them + to hunt out life and destroy. Human + life. Wherever they find it.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Hendricks was watching Klaus + intently. “Why did you ask me? + What’s on your mind?”</p> + + <p>“Nothing,” Klaus answered.</p> + + <p>“Klaus thinks you’re the Second + Variety,” Tasso said calmly, + from behind them. “Now he’s + got his eye on you.”</p> + + <p>Klaus flushed. “Why not? We + sent a runner to the Yank lines + and he comes back. Maybe he + thought he’d find some good + game here.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks laughed harshly. “I + came from the UN bunkers. + There were human beings all + around me.”</p> + + <p>“Maybe you saw an opportunity + to get into the Soviet + lines. Maybe you saw your + chance. Maybe you—”</p> + + <p>“The Soviet lines had already + been taken over. Your lines had + been invaded before I left my + command bunker. Don’t forget + that.”</p> + + <p>Tasso came up beside him. + “That proves nothing at all, + Major.”</p> + + <p>“Why not?”</p> + + <p>“There appears to be little + communication between the varieties. + Each is made in a different + factory. They don’t seem to + work together. You might have + started for the Soviet lines without + knowing anything about the + work of the other varieties. Or + even what the other varieties + were like.”</p> + + <p>“How do you know so much + about the claws?” Hendricks + said.</p> + + <p>“I’ve seen them. I’ve observed + <a class="pagenum" id="page130" title="130"> </a>them. I observed them take over + the Soviet bunkers.”</p> + + <p>“You know quite a lot,” Klaus + said. “Actually, you saw very + little. Strange that you should + have been such an acute observer.”</p> + + <p>Tasso laughed. “Do you suspect + me, now?”</p> + + <p>“Forget it,” Hendricks said. + They walked on in silence.</p> + + <p>“Are we going the whole way + on foot?” Tasso said, after + awhile. “I’m not used to walking.” + She gazed around at the + plain of ash, stretching out on + all sides of them, as far as they + could see. “How dreary.”</p> + + <p>“It’s like this all the way,” + Klaus said.</p> + + <p>“In a way I wish you had been + in your bunker when the attack + came.”</p> + + <p>“Somebody else would have + been with you, if not me,” Klaus + muttered.</p> + + <p>Tasso laughed, putting her + hands in her pockets. “I suppose + so.”</p> + + <p>They walked on, keeping their + eyes on the vast plain of silent + ash around them.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">The sun was setting. Hendricks + made his way forward + slowly, waving Tasso and Klaus + back. Klaus squatted down, resting + his gun butt against the + ground.</p> + + <p>Tasso found a concrete slab + and sat down with a sigh. “It’s + good to rest.”</p> + + <p>“Be quiet,” Klaus said sharply.</p> + + <p>Hendricks pushed up to the + top of the rise ahead of them. + The same rise the Russian runner + had come up, the day before. + Hendricks dropped down, + stretching himself out, peering + through his glasses at what lay + beyond.</p> + + <p>Nothing was visible. Only ash + and occasional trees. But there, + not more than fifty yards ahead, + was the entrance of the forward + command bunker. The bunker + from which he had come. Hendricks + watched silently. No motion. + No sign of life. Nothing + stirred.</p> + + <p>Klaus slithered up beside him. + “Where is it?”</p> + + <p>“Down there.” Hendricks passed + him the glasses. Clouds of ash + rolled across the evening sky. + The world was darkening. They + had a couple of hours of light + left, at the most. Probably not + that much.</p> + + <p>“I don’t see anything,” Klaus + said.</p> + + <p>“That tree there. The stump. + By the pile of bricks. The entrance + is to the right of the + bricks.”</p> + + <p>“I’ll have to take your word + for it.”</p> + + <p>“You and Tasso cover me from + here. You’ll be able to sight all + the way to the bunker entrance.”</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page131" title="131"> </a>“You’re going down alone?”</p> + + <p>“With my wrist tab I’ll be + safe. The ground around the + bunker is a living field of claws. + They collect down in the ash. + Like crabs. Without tabs you + wouldn’t have a chance.”</p> + + <p>“Maybe you’re right.”</p> + + <p>“I’ll walk slowly all the way. + As soon as I know for certain—”</p> + + <p>“If they’re down inside the + bunker you won’t be able to get + back up here. They go fast. You + don’t realize.”</p> + + <p>“What do you suggest?”</p> + + <p>Klaus considered. “I don’t + know. Get them to come up to the + surface. So you can see.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks brought his transmitter + from his belt, raising the + antenna. “Let’s get started.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Klaus signalled to Tasso. She + crawled expertly up the side of + the rise to where they were + sitting.</p> + + <p>“He’s going down alone,” + Klaus said. “We’ll cover him + from here. As soon as you see + him start back, fire past him at + once. They come quick.”</p> + + <p>“You’re not very optimistic,” + Tasso said.</p> + + <p>“No, I’m not.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks opened the breech + of his gun, checking it carefully. + “Maybe things are all right.”</p> + + <p>“You didn’t see them. Hundreds + of them. All the same. + Pouring out like ants.”</p> + + <p>“I should be able to find out + without going down all the way.” + Hendricks locked his gun, gripping + it in one hand, the transmitter + in the other. “Well, wish + me luck.”</p> + + <p>Klaus put out his hand. “Don’t + go down until you’re sure. Talk + to them from up here. Make them + show themselves.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Hendricks stood up. He stepped + down the side of the rise.</p> + + <p>A moment later he was walking + slowly toward the pile of + bricks and debris beside the dead + tree stump. Toward the entrance + of the forward command bunker.</p> + + <p>Nothing stirred. He raised the + transmitter, clicking it on. + “Scott? Can you hear me?”</p> + + <p>Silence.</p> + + <p>“Scott! This is Hendricks. Can + you hear me? I’m standing outside + the bunker. You should be + able to see me in the view sight.”</p> + + <p>He listened, the transmitter + gripped tightly. No sound. Only + static. He walked forward. A + claw burrowed out of the ash + and raced toward him. It halted + a few feet away and then slunk + off. A second claw appeared, one + of the big ones with feelers. It + moved toward him, studied him + intently, and then fell in behind + him, dogging respectfully after + him, a few paces away. A moment + later a second big claw + joined it. Silently, the claws + <a class="pagenum" id="page132" title="132"> </a>trailed him, as he walked slowly + toward the bunker.</p> + + <p>Hendricks stopped, and behind + him, the claws came to a halt. He + was close, now. Almost to the + bunker steps.</p> + + <p>“Scott! Can you hear me? + I’m standing right above you. + Outside. On the surface. Are + you picking me up?”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">He waited, holding his gun + against his side, the transmitter + tightly to his ear. Time passed. + He strained to hear, but there + was only silence. Silence, and + faint static.</p> + + <p>Then, distantly, metallically—</p> + + <p>“This is Scott.”</p> + + <p>The voice was neutral. Cold. + He could not identify it. But the + earphone was minute.</p> + + <p>“Scott! Listen. I’m standing + right above you. I’m on the surface, + looking down into the bunker + entrance.”</p> + + <p>“Yes.”</p> + + <p>“Can you see me?”</p> + + <p>“Yes.”</p> + + <p>“Through the view sight? You + have the sight trained on me?”</p> + + <p>“Yes.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks pondered. A circle + of claws waited quietly around + him, gray-metal bodies on all + sides of him. “Is everything all + right in the bunker? Nothing + unusual has happened?”</p> + + <p>“Everything is all right.”</p> + + <p>“Will you come up to the surface? + I want to see you for a + moment.” Hendricks took a deep + breath. “Come up here with me. + I want to talk to you.”</p> + + <p>“Come down.”</p> + + <p>“I’m giving you an order.”</p> + + <p>Silence.</p> + + <p>“Are you coming?” Hendricks + listened. There was no response. + “I order you to come to the surface.”</p> + + <p>“Come down.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks set his jaw. “Let me + talk to Leone.”</p> + + <p>There was a long pause. He + listened to the static. Then a + voice came, hard, thin, metallic. + The same as the other. “This is + Leone.”</p> + + <p>“Hendricks. I’m on the surface. + At the bunker entrance. I + want one of you to come up + here.”</p> + + <p>“Come down.”</p> + + <p>“Why come down? I’m giving + you an order!”</p> + + <p>Silence. Hendricks lowered the + transmitter. He looked carefully + around him. The entrance was + just ahead. Almost at his feet. + He lowered the antenna and fastened + the transmitter to his belt. + Carefully, he gripped his gun + with both hands. He moved forward, + a step at a time. If they + could see him they knew he was + starting toward the entrance. He + closed his eyes a moment.</p> + + <p>Then he put his foot on the + first step that led downward.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page133" title="133"> </a>Two Davids came up at him, + their faces identical and expressionless. + He blasted them into + particles. More came rushing + silently up, a whole pack of + them. All exactly the same.</p> + + <p>Hendricks turned and raced + back, away from the bunker, + back toward the rise.</p> + + <p>At the top of the rise Tasso + and Klaus were firing down. The + small claws were already streaking + up toward them, shining + metal spheres going fast, racing + frantically through the ash. But + he had no time to think about + that. He knelt down, aiming at + the bunker entrance, gun against + his cheek. The Davids were + coming out in groups, clutching + their teddy bears, their thin + knobby legs pumping as they ran + up the steps to the surface. Hendricks + fired into the main body + of them. They burst apart, + wheels and springs flying in all + directions. He fired again + through the mist of particles.</p> + + <p>A giant lumbering figure rose + up in the bunker entrance, tall + and swaying. Hendricks paused, + amazed. A man, a soldier. With + one leg, supporting himself with + a crutch.</p> + + <p>“Major!” Tasso’s voice came. + More firing. The huge figure + moved forward, Davids swarming + around it. Hendricks broke + out of his freeze. The First + Variety. The Wounded Soldier.</p> + + <p>He aimed and fired. The soldier + burst into bits, parts and relays + flying. Now many Davids were + out on the flat ground, away from + the bunker. He fired again and + again, moving slowly back, half-crouching + and aiming.</p> + + <p>From the rise, Klaus fired + down. The side of the rise was + alive with claws making their + way up. Hendricks retreated toward + the rise, running and + crouching. Tasso had left Klaus + and was circling slowly to the + right, moving away from the + rise.</p> + + <p>A David slipped up toward + him, its small white face expressionless, + brown hair hanging + down in its eyes. It bent over + suddenly, opening its arms. Its + teddy bear hurtled down and + leaped across the ground, bounding + toward him. Hendricks fired. + The bear and the David both + dissolved. He grinned, blinking. + It was like a dream.</p> + + <p>“Up here!” Tasso’s voice. + Hendricks made his way toward + her. She was over by some columns + of concrete, walls of a + ruined building. She was firing + past him, with the hand pistol + Klaus had given her.</p> + + <p>“Thanks.” He joined her, + grasping for breath. She pulled + him back, behind the concrete, + fumbling at her belt.</p> + + <p>“Close your eyes!” She unfastened + a globe from her waist. + <a class="pagenum" id="page134" title="134"> </a>Rapidly, she unscrewed the cap, + locking it into place. “Close your + eyes and get down.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">She threw the bomb. It sailed + in an arc, an expert, rolling + and bouncing to the entrance of + the bunker. Two Wounded Soldiers + stood uncertainly by the + brick pile. More Davids poured + from behind them, out onto + the plain. One of the Wounded + Soldiers moved toward the bomb, + stooping awkwardly down to pick + it up.</p> + + <p>The bomb went off. The concussion + whirled Hendricks + around, throwing him on his + face. A hot wind rolled over him. + Dimly he saw Tasso standing + behind the columns, firing slowly + and methodically at the Davids + coming out of the raging clouds + of white fire.</p> + + <p>Back along the rise Klaus + struggled with a ring of claws + circling around him. He retreated, + blasting at them and + moving back, trying to break + through the ring.</p> + + <p>Hendricks struggled to his + feet. His head ached. He could + hardly see. Everything was licking + at him, raging and whirling. + His right arm would not move.</p> + + <p>Tasso pulled back toward him. + “Come on. Let’s go.”</p> + + <p>“Klaus—He’s still up there.”</p> + + <p>“Come on!” Tasso dragged + Hendricks back, away from the + columns. Hendricks shook his + head, trying to clear it. Tasso + led him rapidly away, her eyes + intense and bright, watching for + claws that had escaped the blast.</p> + + <p>One David came out of the + rolling clouds of flame. Tasso + blasted it. No more appeared.</p> + + <p>“But Klaus. What about him?” + Hendricks stopped, standing unsteadily. + “He—”</p> + + <p>“Come on!”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">They retreated, moving + farther and farther away from + the bunker. A few small claws + followed them for a little while + and then gave up, turning back + and going off.</p> + + <p>At last Tasso stopped. “We can + stop here and get our breaths.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks sat down on some + heaps of debris. He wiped his + neck, gasping. “We left Klaus + back there.”</p> + + <p>Tasso said nothing. She opened + her gun, sliding a fresh round of + blast cartridges into place.</p> + + <p>Hendricks stared at her, dazed. + “You left him back there on + purpose.”</p> + + <p>Tasso snapped the gun together. + She studied the heaps of + rubble around them, her face expressionless. + As if she were + watching for something.</p> + + <p>“What is it?” Hendricks demanded. + “What are you looking + for? Is something coming?” He + <a class="pagenum" id="page135" title="135"> </a>shook his head, trying to understand. + What was she doing? + What was she waiting for? He + could see nothing. Ash lay all + around them, ash and ruins. + Occasional stark tree trunks, + without leaves or branches. + “What—”</p> + + <p>Tasso cut him off. “Be still.” + Her eyes narrowed. Suddenly her + gun came up. Hendricks turned, + following her gaze.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Back the way they had come + a figure appeared. The figure + walked unsteadily toward them. + Its clothes were torn. It limped + as it made its way along, going + very slowly and carefully. Stopping + now and then, resting and + getting its strength. Once it almost + fell. It stood for a moment, + trying to steady itself. Then it + came on.</p> + + <p>Klaus.</p> + + <p>Hendricks stood up. “Klaus!” + He started toward him. “How + the hell did you—”</p> + + <p>Tasso fired. Hendricks swung + back. She fired again, the blast + passing him, a searing line of + heat. The beam caught Klaus in + the chest. He exploded, gears and + wheels flying. For a moment he + continued to walk. Then he swayed + back and forth. He crashed + to the ground, his arms flung out. + A few more wheels rolled away.</p> + + <p>Silence.</p> + + <p>Tasso turned to Hendricks. + “Now you understand why he + killed Rudi.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks sat down again + slowly. He shook his head. He + was numb. He could not think.</p> + + <p>“Do you see?” Tasso said. “Do + you understand?”</p> + + <p>Hendricks said nothing. + Everything was slipping away + from him, faster and faster. + Darkness, rolling and plucking at + him.</p> + + <p>He closed his eyes.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Hendricks opened his eyes + slowly. His body ached all over. + He tried to sit up but needles of + pain shot through his arm and + shoulder. He gasped.</p> + + <p>“Don’t try to get up,” Tasso + said. She bent down, putting + her cold hand against his forehead.</p> + + <p>It was night. A few stars + glinted above, shining through + the drifting clouds of ash. Hendricks + lay back, his teeth locked. + Tasso watched him impassively. + She had built a fire with some + wood and weeds. The fire licked + feebly, hissing at a metal cup + suspended over it. Everything + was silent. Unmoving darkness, + beyond the fire.</p> + + <p>“So he was the Second Variety,” + Hendricks murmured.</p> + + <p>“I had always thought so.”</p> + + <p>“Why didn’t you destroy him + <a class="pagenum" id="page136" title="136"> </a>sooner?” he wanted to know.</p> + + <p>“You held me back.” Tasso + crossed to the fire to look into + the metal cup. “Coffee. It’ll be + ready to drink in awhile.”</p> + + <p>She came back and sat down + beside him. Presently she opened + her pistol and began to disassemble + the firing mechanism, studying + it intently.</p> + + <p>“This is a beautiful gun,” + Tasso said, half-aloud. “The construction + is superb.”</p> + + <p>“What about them? The + claws.”</p> + + <p>“The concussion from the + bomb put most of them out of + action. They’re delicate. Highly + organized, I suppose.”</p> + + <p>“The Davids, too?”</p> + + <p>“Yes.”</p> + + <p>“How did you happen to have a + bomb like that?”</p> + + <p>Tasso shrugged. “We designed + it. You shouldn’t underestimate + our technology, Major. Without + such a bomb you and I would no + longer exist.”</p> + + <p>“Very useful.”</p> + + <p>Tasso stretched out her legs, + warming her feet in the heat of + the fire. “It surprised me that + you did not seem to understand, + after he killed Rudi. Why did + you think he—”</p> + + <p>“I told you. I thought he was + afraid.”</p> + + <p>“Really? You know, Major, for + a little while I suspected you. + Because you wouldn’t let me kill + him. I thought you might be protecting + him.” She laughed.</p> + + <p>“Are we safe here?” Hendricks + asked presently.</p> + + <p>“For awhile. Until they get + reinforcements from some other + area.” Tasso began to clean the + interior of the gun with a bit of + rag. She finished and pushed the + mechanism back into place. She + closed the gun, running her + finger along the barrel.</p> + + <p>“We were lucky,” Hendricks + murmured.</p> + + <p>“Yes. Very lucky.”</p> + + <p>“Thanks for pulling me away.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Tasso did not answer. She + glanced up at him, her eyes + bright in the fire light. Hendricks + examined his arm. He + could not move his fingers. His + whole side seemed numb. Down + inside him was a dull steady + ache.</p> + + <p>“How do you feel?” Tasso + asked.</p> + + <p>“My arm is damaged.”</p> + + <p>“Anything else?”</p> + + <p>“Internal injuries.”</p> + + <p>“You didn’t get down when the + bomb went off.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks said nothing. He + watched Tasso pour the coffee + from the cup into a flat metal + pan. She brought it over to him.</p> + + <p>“Thanks.” He struggled up + enough to drink. It was hard to + swallow. His insides turned over + and he pushed the pan away. + <a class="pagenum" id="page137" title="137"> </a>“That’s all I can drink now.”</p> + + <p>Tasso drank the rest. Time + passed. The clouds of ash moved + across the dark sky above them. + Hendricks rested, his mind + blank. After awhile he became + aware that Tasso was standing + over him, gazing down at him.</p> + + <p>“What is it?” he murmured.</p> + + <p>“Do you feel any better?”</p> + + <p>“Some.”</p> + + <p>“You know, Major, if I hadn’t + dragged you away they would + have got you. You would be + dead. Like Rudi.”</p> + + <p>“I know.”</p> + + <p>“Do you want to know why I + brought you out? I could have + left you. I could have left you + there.”</p> + + <p>“Why did you bring me out?”</p> + + <p>“Because we have to get away + from here.” Tasso stirred the + fire with a stick, peering calmly + down into it. “No human being + can live here. When their reinforcements + come we won’t have + a chance. I’ve pondered about it + while you were unconscious. We + have perhaps three hours before + they come.”</p> + + <p>“And you expect me to get us + away?”</p> + + <p>“That’s right. I expect you to + get us out of here.”</p> + + <p>“Why me?”</p> + + <p>“Because I don’t know any + way.” Her eyes shone at him in + the half-light, bright and steady. + “If you can’t get us out of here + they’ll kill us within three hours. + I see nothing else ahead. Well, + Major? What are you going to + do? I’ve been waiting all night. + While you were unconscious I sat + here, waiting and listening. It’s + almost dawn. The night is almost + over.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Hendricks considered. “It’s + curious,” he said at last.</p> + + <p>“Curious?”</p> + + <p>“That you should think I can + get us out of here. I wonder + what you think I can do.”</p> + + <p>“Can you get us to the Moon + Base?”</p> + + <p>“The Moon Base? How?”</p> + + <p>“There must be some way.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks shook his head. + “No. There’s no way that I know + of.”</p> + + <p>Tasso said nothing. For a moment + her steady gaze wavered. + She ducked her head, turning + abruptly away. She scrambled to + her feet. “More coffee?”</p> + + <p>“No.”</p> + + <p>“Suit yourself.” Tasso drank + silently. He could not see her + face. He lay back against the + ground, deep in thought, trying + to concentrate. It was hard to + think. His head still hurt. And + the numbing daze still hung over + him.</p> + + <p>“There might be one way,” he + said suddenly.</p> + + <p>“Oh?”</p> + + <p>“How soon is dawn?”</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page138" title="138"> </a>“Two hours. The sun will be + coming up shortly.”</p> + + <p>“There’s supposed to be a ship + near here. I’ve never seen it. But + I know it exists.”</p> + + <p>“What kind of a ship?” Her + voice was sharp.</p> + + <p>“A rocket cruiser.”</p> + + <p>“Will it take us off? To the + Moon Base?”</p> + + <p>“It’s supposed to. In case of + emergency.” He rubbed his forehead.</p> + + <p>“What’s wrong?”</p> + + <p>“My head. It’s hard to think. + I can hardly—hardly concentrate. + The bomb.”</p> + + <p>“Is the ship near here?” Tasso + slid over beside him, settling + down on her haunches. “How far + is it? Where is it?”</p> + + <p>“I’m trying to think.”</p> + + <p>Her fingers dug into his arm. + “Nearby?” Her voice was like + iron. “Where would it be? + Would they store it underground? + Hidden underground?”</p> + + <p>“Yes. In a storage locker.”</p> + + <p>“How do we find it? Is it + marked? Is there a code marker + to identify it?”</p> + + <p>Hendricks concentrated. “No. + No markings. No code symbol.”</p> + + <p>“What, then?”</p> + + <p>“A sign.”</p> + + <p>“What sort of sign?”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Hendricks did not answer. In + the flickering light his eyes were + glazed, two sightless orbs. + Tasso’s fingers dug into his arm.</p> + + <p>“What sort of sign? What is + it?”</p> + + <p>“I—I can’t think. Let me + rest.”</p> + + <p>“All right.” She let go and + stood up. Hendricks lay back + against the ground, his eyes + closed. Tasso walked away from + him, her hands in her pockets. + She kicked a rock out of her way + and stood staring up at the sky. + The night blackness was already + beginning to fade into gray. + Morning was coming.</p> + + <p>Tasso gripped her pistol and + walked around the fire in a circle, + back and forth. On the ground + Major Hendricks lay, his eyes + closed, unmoving. The grayness + rose in the sky, higher and + higher. The landscape became + visible, fields of ash stretching + out in all directions. Ash and + ruins of buildings, a wall here + and there, heaps of concrete, the + naked trunk of a tree.</p> + + <p>The air was cold and sharp. + Somewhere a long way off a bird + made a few bleak sounds.</p> + + <p>Hendricks stirred. He opened + his eyes. “Is it dawn? Already?”</p> + + <p>“Yes.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks sat up a little. “You + wanted to know something. You + were asking me.”</p> + + <p>“Do you remember now?”</p> + + <p>“Yes.”</p> + + <p>“What is it?” She tensed. + “What?” she repeated sharply.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page139" title="139"> </a>“A well. A ruined well. It’s in + a storage locker under a well.”</p> + + <p>“A well.” Tasso relaxed. + “Then we’ll find a well.” She + looked at her watch. “We have + about an hour, Major. Do you + think we can find it in an hour?”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">“Give me a hand up,” Hendricks + said.</p> + + <p>Tasso put her pistol away and + helped him to his feet. “This is + going to be difficult.”</p> + + <p>“Yes it is.” Hendricks set his + lips tightly. “I don’t think we’re + going to go very far.”</p> + + <p>They began to walk. The early + sun cast a little warmth down on + them. The land was flat and barren, + stretching out gray and lifeless + as far as they could see. A + few birds sailed silently, far + above them, circling slowly.</p> + + <p>“See anything?” Hendricks + said. “Any claws?”</p> + + <p>“No. Not yet.”</p> + + <p>They passed through some + ruins, upright concrete and + bricks. A cement foundation. + Rats scuttled away. Tasso + jumped back warily.</p> + + <p>“This used to be a town,” Hendricks + said. “A village. Provincial + village. This was all grape + country, once. Where we are + now.”</p> + + <p>They came onto a ruined + street, weeds and cracks criss-crossing + it. Over to the right a + stone chimney stuck up.</p> + + <p>“Be careful,” he warned her.</p> + + <p>A pit yawned, an open basement. + Ragged ends of pipes jutted + up, twisted and bent. They + passed part of a house, a bathtub + turned on its side. A broken + chair. A few spoons and bits of + china dishes. In the center of the + street the ground had sunk away. + The depression was filled with + weeds and debris and bones.</p> + + <p>“Over here,” Hendricks murmured.</p> + + <p>“This way?”</p> + + <p>“To the right.”</p> + + <p>They passed the remains of a + heavy duty tank. Hendricks’ belt + counter clicked ominously. The + tank had been radiation blasted. + A few feet from the tank a mummified + body lay sprawled out, + mouth open. Beyond the road + was a flat field. Stones and + weeds, and bits of broken glass.</p> + + <p>“There,” Hendricks said.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">A stone well jutted up, sagging + and broken. A few boards lay + across it. Most of the well had + sunk into rubble. Hendricks + walked unsteadily toward it, + Tasso beside him.</p> + + <p>“Are you certain about this?” + Tasso said. “This doesn’t look + like anything.”</p> + + <p>“I’m sure.” Hendricks sat + down at the edge of the well, his + teeth locked. His breath came + quickly. He wiped perspiration + from his face. “This was + <a class="pagenum" id="page140" title="140"> </a>arranged so the senior command + officer could get away. If anything + happened. If the bunker + fell.”</p> + + <p>“That was you?”</p> + + <p>“Yes.”</p> + + <p>“Where is the ship? Is it + here?”</p> + + <p>“We’re standing on it.” Hendricks + ran his hands over the + surface of the well stones. “The + eye-lock responds to me, not to + anybody else. It’s my ship. Or it + was supposed to be.”</p> + + <p>There was a sharp click. Presently + they heard a low grating + sound from below them.</p> + + <p>“Step back,” Hendricks said. + He and Tasso moved away from + the well.</p> + + <p>A section of the ground slid + back. A metal frame pushed + slowly up through the ash, shoving + bricks and weeds out of the + way. The action ceased, as the + ship nosed into view.</p> + + <p>“There it is,” Hendricks said.</p> + + <p>The ship was small. It rested + quietly, suspended in its mesh + frame, like a blunt needle. A rain + of ash sifted down into the dark + cavity from which the ship had + been raised. Hendricks made his + way over to it. He mounted the + mesh and unscrewed the hatch, + pulling it back. Inside the ship + the control banks and the pressure + seat were visible.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Tasso came and stood beside + him, gazing into the ship. “I’m + not accustomed to rocket piloting,” + she said, after awhile.</p> + + <p>Hendricks glanced at her. “I’ll + do the piloting.”</p> + + <p>“Will you? There’s only one + seat, Major. I can see it’s built + to carry only a single person.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks’ breathing changed. + He studied the interior of the + ship intently. Tasso was right. + There was only one seat. The + ship was built to carry only one + person. “I see,” he said slowly. + “And the one person is you.”</p> + + <p>She nodded.</p> + + <p>“Of course.”</p> + + <p>“Why?”</p> + + <p>“<em>You</em> can’t go. You might not + live through the trip. You’re injured. + You probably wouldn’t get + there.”</p> + + <p>“An interesting point. But you + see, I know where the Moon Base + is. And you don’t. You might fly + around for months and not find + it. It’s well hidden. Without + knowing what to look for—”</p> + + <p>“I’ll have to take my chances. + Maybe I won’t find it. Not by + myself. But I think you’ll give + me all the information I need. + Your life depends on it.”</p> + + <p>“How?”</p> + + <p>“If I find the Moon Base in + time, perhaps I can get them to + send a ship back to pick you up. + <em>If</em> I find the Base in time. If not, + then you haven’t a chance. I + imagine there are supplies on the + <a class="pagenum" id="page141" title="141"> </a>ship. They will last me long + enough—”</p> + + <p>Hendricks moved quickly. But + his injured arm betrayed him. + Tasso ducked, sliding lithely + aside. Her hand came up, lightning + fast. Hendricks saw the gun + butt coming. He tried to ward + off the blow, but she was too fast. + The metal butt struck against + the side of his head, just above + his ear. Numbing pain rushed + through him. Pain and rolling + clouds of blackness. He sank + down, sliding to the ground.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">Dimly, he was aware that + Tasso was standing over him, + kicking him with her toe.</p> + + <p>“Major! Wake up.”</p> + + <p>He opened his eyes, groaning.</p> + + <p>“Listen to me.” She bent down, + the gun pointed at his face. “I + have to hurry. There isn’t much + time left. The ship is ready to + go, but you must tell me the information + I need before I leave.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks shook his head, trying + to clear it.</p> + + <p>“Hurry up! Where is the + Moon Base? How do I find it? + What do I look for?”</p> + + <p>Hendricks said nothing.</p> + + <p>“Answer me!”</p> + + <p>“Sorry.”</p> + + <p>“Major, the ship is loaded + with provisions. I can coast for + weeks. I’ll find the Base eventually. + And in a half hour you’ll + be dead. Your only chance of + survival—” She broke off.</p> + + <p>Along the slope, by some + crumbling ruins, something + moved. Something in the ash. + Tasso turned quickly, aiming. + She fired. A puff of flame leaped. + Something scuttled away, rolling + across the ash. She fired again. + The claw burst apart, wheels flying.</p> + + <p>“See?” Tasso said. “A scout. + It won’t be long.”</p> + + <p>“You’ll bring them back here + to get me?”</p> + + <p>“Yes. As soon as possible.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks looked up at her. + He studied her intently. “You’re + telling the truth?” A strange + expression had come over his + face, an avid hunger. “You will + come back for me? You’ll get me + to the Moon Base?”</p> + + <p>“I’ll get you to the Moon Base. + But tell me where it is! There’s + only a little time left.”</p> + + <p>“All right.” Hendricks picked + up a piece of rock, pulling himself + to a sitting position. + “Watch.”</p> + + <p>Hendricks began to scratch in + the ash. Tasso stood by him, + watching the motion of the rock. + Hendricks was sketching a crude + lunar map.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">“This is the Appenine range. + Here is the Crater of Archimedes. + The Moon Base is beyond + the end of the Appenine, about + two hundred miles. I don’t know + <a class="pagenum" id="page142" title="142"> </a>exactly where. No one on Terra + knows. But when you’re over the + Appenine, signal with one red + flare and a green flare, followed + by two red flares in quick succession. + The Base monitor will record + your signal. The Base is + under the surface, of course. + They’ll guide you down with + magnetic grapples.”</p> + + <p>“And the controls? Can I + operate them?”</p> + + <p>“The controls are virtually + automatic. All you have to do is + give the right signal at the right + time.”</p> + + <p>“I will.”</p> + + <p>“The seat absorbs most of the + take-off shock. Air and temperature + are automatically controlled. + The ship will leave Terra and + pass out into free space. It’ll line + itself up with the moon, falling + into an orbit around it, about a + hundred miles above the surface. + The orbit will carry you over the + Base. When you’re in the region + of the Appenine, release the signal + rockets.”</p> + + <p>Tasso slid into the ship and + lowered herself into the pressure + seat. The arm locks folded automatically + around her. She fingered + the controls. “Too bad + you’re not going, Major. All this + put here for you, and you can’t + make the trip.”</p> + + <p>“Leave me the pistol.”</p> + + <p>Tasso pulled the pistol from + her belt. She held it in her hand, + weighing it thoughtfully. “Don’t + go too far from this location. + It’ll be hard to find you, as it is.”</p> + + <p>“No. I’ll stay here by the well.”</p> + + <p>Tasso gripped the take-off + switch, running her fingers over + the smooth metal. “A beautiful + ship, Major. Well built. I admire + your workmanship. You people + have always done good work. You + build fine things. Your work, + your creations, are your greatest + achievement.”</p> + + <p>“Give me the pistol,” Hendricks + said impatiently, holding + out his hand. He struggled to his + feet.</p> + + <p>“Good-bye, Major.” Tasso + tossed the pistol past Hendricks. + The pistol clattered against the + ground, bouncing and rolling + away. Hendricks hurried after it. + He bent down, snatching it up.</p> + + <p>The hatch of the ship clanged + shut. The bolts fell into place. + Hendricks made his way back. + The inner door was being sealed. + He raised the pistol unsteadily.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">There was a shattering roar. + The ship burst up from its metal + cage, fusing the mesh behind it. + Hendricks cringed, pulling back. + The ship shot up into the rolling + clouds of ash, disappearing into + the sky.</p> + + <p>Hendricks stood watching a + long time, until even the + streamer had dissipated. Nothing + stirred. The morning air was + <a class="pagenum" id="page143" title="143"> </a>chill and silent. He began to walk + aimlessly back the way they had + come. Better to keep moving + around. It would be a long time + before help came—if it came at + all.</p> + + <p>He searched his pockets until + he found a package of cigarettes. + He lit one grimly. They had all + wanted cigarettes from him. But + cigarettes were scarce.</p> + + <p>A lizard slithered by him, + through the ash. He halted, + rigid. The lizard disappeared. + Above, the sun rose higher in the + sky. Some flies landed on a flat + rock to one side of him. Hendricks + kicked at them with his + foot.</p> + + <p>It was getting hot. Sweat + trickled down his face, into his + collar. His mouth was dry.</p> + + <p>Presently he stopped walking + and sat down on some debris. He + unfastened his medicine kit and + swallowed a few narcotic capsules. + He looked around him. + Where was he?</p> + + <p>Something lay ahead. Stretched + out on the ground. Silent and + unmoving.</p> + + <p>Hendricks drew his gun quickly. + It looked like a man. Then he + remembered. It was the remains + of Klaus. The Second Variety. + Where Tasso had blasted him. + He could see wheels and relays + and metal parts, strewn around + on the ash. Glittering and + sparkling in the sunlight.</p> + + <p>Hendricks got to his feet and + walked over. He nudged the inert + form with his foot, turning + it over a little. He could see the + metal hull, the aluminum ribs + and struts. More wiring fell out. + Like viscera. Heaps of wiring, + switches and relays. Endless + motors and rods.</p> + + <p>He bent down. The brain cage + had been smashed by the fall. + The artificial brain was visible. + He gazed at it. A maze of circuits. + Miniature tubes. Wires as + fine as hair. He touched the + brain cage. It swung aside. The + type plate was visible. Hendricks + studied the plate.</p> + + <p>And blanched.</p> + + <p>IV—IV.</p> + + <p>For a long time he stared at + the plate. Fourth Variety. Not + the Second. They had been + wrong. There were more types. + Not just three. Many more, perhaps. + At least four. And Klaus + wasn’t the Second Variety.</p> + + <p>But if Klaus wasn’t the Second + Variety—</p> + + <p>Suddenly he tensed. Something + was coming, walking through + the ash beyond the hill. What + was it? He strained to see. Figures. + Figures coming slowly + along, making their way through + the ash.</p> + + <p>Coming toward him.</p> + + <p>Hendricks crouched quickly, + raising his gun. Sweat dripped + down into his eyes. He fought + <a class="pagenum" id="page144" title="144"> </a>down rising panic, as the figures + neared.</p> + + <p>The first was a David. The + David saw him and increased its + pace. The others hurried behind + it. A second David. A third. + Three Davids, all alike, coming + toward him silently, without expression, + their thin legs rising + and falling. Clutching their teddy + bears.</p> + + <p>He aimed and fired. The first + two Davids dissolved into particles. + The third came on. And the + figure behind it. Climbing silently + toward him across the gray + ash. A Wounded Soldier, towering + over the David. And—</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak">And behind the Wounded Soldier + came two Tassos, walking + side by side. Heavy belt, Russian + army pants, shirt, long hair. The + familiar figure, as he had seen + her only a little while before. + Sitting in the pressure seat of + the ship. Two slim, silent figures, + both identical.</p> + + <p>They were very near. The + David bent down suddenly, dropping + its teddy bear. The bear + raced across the ground. Automatically, + Hendricks’ fingers + tightened around the trigger. + The bear was gone, dissolved + into mist. The two Tasso Types + moved on, expressionless, walking + side by side, through the + gray ash.</p> + + <p>When they were almost to him, + Hendricks raised the pistol waist + high and fired.</p> + + <p>The two Tassos dissolved. But + already a new group was starting + up the rise, five or six + Tassos, all identical, a line of + them coming rapidly toward him.</p> + + <p>And he had given her the ship + and the signal code. Because of + him she was on her way to the + moon, to the Moon Base. He had + made it possible.</p> + + <p>He had been right about the + bomb, after all. It had been designed + with knowledge of the + other types, the David Type and + the Wounded Soldier Type. And + the Klaus Type. Not designed by + human beings. It had been designed + by one of the underground + factories, apart from all + human contact.</p> + + <p>The line of Tassos came up to + him. Hendricks braced himself, + watching them calmly. The familiar + face, the belt, the heavy + shirt, the bomb carefully in + place.</p> + + <p>The bomb—</p> + + <p>As the Tassos reached for him, + a last ironic thought drifted + through Hendricks’ mind. He + felt a little better, thinking about + it. The bomb. Made by the Second + Variety to destroy the other + varieties. Made for that end + alone.</p> + + <p>They were already beginning + to design weapons to use against + each other.</p> + + <div id="the_end"> </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Second Variety, by Philip Kindred Dick + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SECOND VARIETY *** + +***** This file should be named 32032-h.htm or 32032-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/0/3/32032/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Barbara Tozier 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: Second Variety + +Author: Philip Kindred Dick + +Illustrator: Alex Ebel + +Release Date: April 17, 2010 [EBook #32032] +[Last updated: May 4, 2011] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SECOND VARIETY *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Barbara Tozier and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + This etext was produced from Space Science Fiction May 1953. + Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. + copyright on this publication was renewed. + + + + +[Illustration] + + + + +SECOND VARIETY + + +BY PHILIP K. DICK + + +ILLUSTRATED BY EBEL + + The claws were bad enough in the first place--nasty, crawling + little death-robots. But when they began to imitate their + creators, it was time for the human race to make peace--if it + could! + + +The Russian soldier made his way nervously up the ragged side of the +hill, holding his gun ready. He glanced around him, licking his dry +lips, his face set. From time to time he reached up a gloved hand and +wiped perspiration from his neck, pushing down his coat collar. + +Eric turned to Corporal Leone. "Want him? Or can I have him?" He +adjusted the view sight so the Russian's features squarely filled the +glass, the lines cutting across his hard, somber features. + +Leone considered. The Russian was close, moving rapidly, almost +running. "Don't fire. Wait." Leone tensed. "I don't think we're +needed." + +The Russian increased his pace, kicking ash and piles of debris out of +his way. He reached the top of the hill and stopped, panting, staring +around him. The sky was overcast, drifting clouds of gray particles. +Bare trunks of trees jutted up occasionally; the ground was level and +bare, rubble-strewn, with the ruins of buildings standing out here and +there like yellowing skulls. + +The Russian was uneasy. He knew something was wrong. He started down +the hill. Now he was only a few paces from the bunker. Eric was +getting fidgety. He played with his pistol, glancing at Leone. + +"Don't worry," Leone said. "He won't get here. They'll take care of +him." + +"Are you sure? He's got damn far." + +"They hang around close to the bunker. He's getting into the bad part. +Get set!" + +The Russian began to hurry, sliding down the hill, his boots sinking +into the heaps of gray ash, trying to keep his gun up. He stopped for +a moment, lifting his fieldglasses to his face. + +"He's looking right at us," Eric said. + + * * * * * + +The Russian came on. They could see his eyes, like two blue stones. +His mouth was open a little. He needed a shave; his chin was stubbled. +On one bony cheek was a square of tape, showing blue at the edge. A +fungoid spot. His coat was muddy and torn. One glove was missing. As +he ran his belt counter bounced up and down against him. + +Leone touched Eric's arm. "Here one comes." + +Across the ground something small and metallic came, flashing in the +dull sunlight of mid-day. A metal sphere. It raced up the hill after +the Russian, its treads flying. It was small, one of the baby ones. +Its claws were out, two razor projections spinning in a blur of white +steel. The Russian heard it. He turned instantly, firing. The sphere +dissolved into particles. But already a second had emerged and was +following the first. The Russian fired again. + +A third sphere leaped up the Russian's leg, clicking and whirring. It +jumped to the shoulder. The spinning blades disappeared into the +Russian's throat. + +Eric relaxed. "Well, that's that. God, those damn things give me the +creeps. Sometimes I think we were better off before." + +"If we hadn't invented them, they would have." Leone lit a cigarette +shakily. "I wonder why a Russian would come all this way alone. I +didn't see anyone covering him." + +Lt. Scott came slipping up the tunnel, into the bunker. "What +happened? Something entered the screen." + +"An Ivan." + +"Just one?" + +Eric brought the view screen around. Scott peered into it. Now there +were numerous metal spheres crawling over the prostrate body, dull +metal globes clicking and whirring, sawing up the Russian into small +parts to be carried away. + +"What a lot of claws," Scott murmured. + +"They come like flies. Not much game for them any more." + +Scott pushed the sight away, disgusted. "Like flies. I wonder why he +was out there. They know we have claws all around." + +A larger robot had joined the smaller spheres. It was directing +operations, a long blunt tube with projecting eyepieces. There was not +much left of the soldier. What remained was being brought down the +hillside by the host of claws. + +"Sir," Leone said. "If it's all right, I'd like to go out there and +take a look at him." + +"Why?" + +"Maybe he came with something." + +Scott considered. He shrugged. "All right. But be careful." + +"I have my tab." Leone patted the metal band at his wrist. "I'll be +out of bounds." + + * * * * * + +He picked up his rifle and stepped carefully up to the mouth of the +bunker, making his way between blocks of concrete and steel prongs, +twisted and bent. The air was cold at the top. He crossed over the +ground toward the remains of the soldier, striding across the soft +ash. A wind blew around him, swirling gray particles up in his face. +He squinted and pushed on. + +The claws retreated as he came close, some of them stiffening into +immobility. He touched his tab. The Ivan would have given something +for that! Short hard radiation emitted from the tab neutralized the +claws, put them out of commission. Even the big robot with its two +waving eyestalks retreated respectfully as he approached. + +He bent down over the remains of the soldier. The gloved hand was +closed tightly. There was something in it. Leone pried the fingers +apart. A sealed container, aluminum. Still shiny. + +He put it in his pocket and made his way back to the bunker. Behind +him the claws came back to life, moving into operation again. The +procession resumed, metal spheres moving through the gray ash with +their loads. He could hear their treads scrabbling against the ground. +He shuddered. + +Scott watched intently as he brought the shiny tube out of his pocket. +"He had that?" + +"In his hand." Leone unscrewed the top. "Maybe you should look at it, +sir." + +Scott took it. He emptied the contents out in the palm of his hand. A +small piece of silk paper, carefully folded. He sat down by the light +and unfolded it. + +"What's it say, sir?" Eric said. Several officers came up the tunnel. +Major Hendricks appeared. + +"Major," Scott said. "Look at this." + +Hendricks read the slip. "This just come?" + +"A single runner. Just now." + +"Where is he?" Hendricks asked sharply. + +"The claws got him." + +Major Hendricks grunted. "Here." He passed it to his companions. "I +think this is what we've been waiting for. They certainly took their +time about it." + +"So they want to talk terms," Scott said. "Are we going along with +them?" + +"That's not for us to decide." Hendricks sat down. "Where's the +communications officer? I want the Moon Base." + +Leone pondered as the communications officer raised the outside +antenna cautiously, scanning the sky above the bunker for any sign of +a watching Russian ship. + +"Sir," Scott said to Hendricks. "It's sure strange they suddenly came +around. We've been using the claws for almost a year. Now all of a +sudden they start to fold." + +"Maybe claws have been getting down in their bunkers." + +"One of the big ones, the kind with stalks, got into an Ivan bunker +last week," Eric said. "It got a whole platoon of them before they got +their lid shut." + +"How do you know?" + +"A buddy told me. The thing came back with--with remains." + +"Moon Base, sir," the communications officer said. + +On the screen the face of the lunar monitor appeared. His crisp +uniform contrasted to the uniforms in the bunker. And he was clean +shaven. "Moon Base." + +"This is forward command L-Whistle. On Terra. Let me have General +Thompson." + +The monitor faded. Presently General Thompson's heavy features came +into focus. "What is it, Major?" + +"Our claws got a single Russian runner with a message. We don't know +whether to act on it--there have been tricks like this in the past." + +"What's the message?" + +"The Russians want us to send a single officer on policy level over to +their lines. For a conference. They don't state the nature of the +conference. They say that matters of--" He consulted the slip. +"--Matters of grave urgency make it advisable that discussion be +opened between a representative of the UN forces and themselves." + +He held the message up to the screen for the general to scan. +Thompson's eyes moved. + +"What should we do?" Hendricks said. + +"Send a man out." + +"You don't think it's a trap?" + +"It might be. But the location they give for their forward command is +correct. It's worth a try, at any rate." + +"I'll send an officer out. And report the results to you as soon as he +returns." + +"All right, Major." Thompson broke the connection. The screen died. Up +above, the antenna came slowly down. + +Hendricks rolled up the paper, deep in thought. + +"I'll go," Leone said. + +"They want somebody at policy level." Hendricks rubbed his jaw. +"Policy level. I haven't been outside in months. Maybe I could use a +little air." + +"Don't you think it's risky?" + +Hendricks lifted the view sight and gazed into it. The remains of the +Russian were gone. Only a single claw was in sight. It was folding +itself back, disappearing into the ash, like a crab. Like some hideous +metal crab.... + +"That's the only thing that bothers me." Hendricks rubbed his wrist. +"I know I'm safe as long as I have this on me. But there's something +about them. I hate the damn things. I wish we'd never invented them. +There's something wrong with them. Relentless little--" + +"If we hadn't invented them, the Ivans would have." + +Hendricks pushed the sight back. "Anyhow, it seems to be winning the +war. I guess that's good." + +"Sounds like you're getting the same jitters as the Ivans." Hendricks +examined his wrist watch. "I guess I had better get started, if I want +to be there before dark." + + * * * * * + +He took a deep breath and then stepped out onto the gray, rubbled +ground. After a minute he lit a cigarette and stood gazing around him. +The landscape was dead. Nothing stirred. He could see for miles, +endless ash and slag, ruins of buildings. A few trees without leaves +or branches, only the trunks. Above him the eternal rolling clouds of +gray, drifting between Terra and the sun. + +Major Hendricks went on. Off to the right something scuttled, +something round and metallic. A claw, going lickety-split after +something. Probably after a small animal, a rat. They got rats, too. +As a sort of sideline. + +He came to the top of the little hill and lifted his fieldglasses. The +Russian lines were a few miles ahead of him. They had a forward +command post there. The runner had come from it. + +A squat robot with undulating arms passed by him, its arms weaving +inquiringly. The robot went on its way, disappearing under some +debris. Hendricks watched it go. He had never seen that type before. +There were getting to be more and more types he had never seen, new +varieties and sizes coming up from the underground factories. + +Hendricks put out his cigarette and hurried on. It was interesting, +the use of artificial forms in warfare. How had they got started? +Necessity. The Soviet Union had gained great initial success, usual +with the side that got the war going. Most of North America had been +blasted off the map. Retaliation was quick in coming, of course. The +sky was full of circling disc-bombers long before the war began; they +had been up there for years. The discs began sailing down all over +Russia within hours after Washington got it. + + * * * * * + +But that hadn't helped Washington. + +The American bloc governments moved to the Moon Base the first year. +There was not much else to do. Europe was gone; a slag heap with dark +weeds growing from the ashes and bones. Most of North America was +useless; nothing could be planted, no one could live. A few million +people kept going up in Canada and down in South America. But during +the second year Soviet parachutists began to drop, a few at first, +then more and more. They wore the first really effective +anti-radiation equipment; what was left of American production moved +to the moon along with the governments. + +All but the troops. The remaining troops stayed behind as best they +could, a few thousand here, a platoon there. No one knew exactly where +they were; they stayed where they could, moving around at night, +hiding in ruins, in sewers, cellars, with the rats and snakes. It +looked as if the Soviet Union had the war almost won. Except for a +handful of projectiles fired off from the moon daily, there was almost +no weapon in use against them. They came and went as they pleased. The +war, for all practical purposes, was over. Nothing effective opposed +them. + + * * * * * + +And then the first claws appeared. And overnight the complexion of the +war changed. + +The claws were awkward, at first. Slow. The Ivans knocked them off +almost as fast as they crawled out of their underground tunnels. But +then they got better, faster and more cunning. Factories, all on +Terra, turned them out. Factories a long way under ground, behind the +Soviet lines, factories that had once made atomic projectiles, now +almost forgotten. + +The claws got faster, and they got bigger. New types appeared, some +with feelers, some that flew. There were a few jumping kinds. + +The best technicians on the moon were working on designs, making them +more and more intricate, more flexible. They became uncanny; the Ivans +were having a lot of trouble with them. Some of the little claws were +learning to hide themselves, burrowing down into the ash, lying in +wait. + +And then they started getting into the Russian bunkers, slipping down +when the lids were raised for air and a look around. One claw inside a +bunker, a churning sphere of blades and metal--that was enough. And +when one got in others followed. With a weapon like that the war +couldn't go on much longer. + +Maybe it was already over. + +Maybe he was going to hear the news. Maybe the Politburo had decided +to throw in the sponge. Too bad it had taken so long. Six years. A +long time for war like that, the way they had waged it. The automatic +retaliation discs, spinning down all over Russia, hundreds of +thousands of them. Bacteria crystals. The Soviet guided missiles, +whistling through the air. The chain bombs. And now this, the robots, +the claws-- + +The claws weren't like other weapons. They were _alive_, from any +practical standpoint, whether the Governments wanted to admit it or +not. They were not machines. They were living things, spinning, +creeping, shaking themselves up suddenly from the gray ash and darting +toward a man, climbing up him, rushing for his throat. And that was +what they had been designed to do. Their job. + +They did their job well. Especially lately, with the new designs +coming up. Now they repaired themselves. They were on their own. +Radiation tabs protected the UN troops, but if a man lost his tab he +was fair game for the claws, no matter what his uniform. Down below +the surface automatic machinery stamped them out. Human beings stayed +a long way off. It was too risky; nobody wanted to be around them. +They were left to themselves. And they seemed to be doing all right. +The new designs were faster, more complex. More efficient. + +Apparently they had won the war. + + * * * * * + +Major Hendricks lit a second cigarette. The landscape depressed him. +Nothing but ash and ruins. He seemed to be alone, the only living +thing in the whole world. To the right the ruins of a town rose up, a +few walls and heaps of debris. He tossed the dead match away, +increasing his pace. Suddenly he stopped, jerking up his gun, his body +tense. For a minute it looked like-- + +From behind the shell of a ruined building a figure came, walking +slowly toward him, walking hesitantly. + +Hendricks blinked. "Stop!" + +The boy stopped. Hendricks lowered his gun. The boy stood silently, +looking at him. He was small, not very old. Perhaps eight. But it was +hard to tell. Most of the kids who remained were stunted. He wore a +faded blue sweater, ragged with dirt, and short pants. His hair was +long and matted. Brown hair. It hung over his face and around his +ears. He held something in his arms. + +"What's that you have?" Hendricks said sharply. + +The boy held it out. It was a toy, a bear. A teddy bear. The boy's +eyes were large, but without expression. + +Hendricks relaxed. "I don't want it. Keep it." + +The boy hugged the bear again. + +"Where do you live?" Hendricks said. + +"In there." + +"The ruins?" + +"Yes." + +"Underground?" + +"Yes." + +"How many are there?" + +"How--how many?" + +"How many of you. How big's your settlement?" + +The boy did not answer. + +Hendricks frowned. "You're not all by yourself, are you?" + +The boy nodded. + +"How do you stay alive?" + +"There's food." + +"What kind of food?" + +"Different." + +Hendricks studied him. "How old are you?" + +"Thirteen." + + * * * * * + +It wasn't possible. Or was it? The boy was thin, stunted. And probably +sterile. Radiation exposure, years straight. No wonder he was so +small. His arms and legs were like pipecleaners, knobby, and thin. +Hendricks touched the boy's arm. His skin was dry and rough; radiation +skin. He bent down, looking into the boy's face. There was no +expression. Big eyes, big and dark. + +"Are you blind?" Hendricks said. + +"No. I can see some." + +"How do you get away from the claws?" + +"The claws?" + +"The round things. That run and burrow." + +"I don't understand." + +Maybe there weren't any claws around. A lot of areas were free. They +collected mostly around bunkers, where there were people. The claws +had been designed to sense warmth, warmth of living things. + +"You're lucky." Hendricks straightened up. "Well? Which way are you +going? Back--back there?" + +"Can I come with you?" + +"With _me_?" Hendricks folded his arms. "I'm going a long way. Miles. +I have to hurry." He looked at his watch. "I have to get there by +nightfall." + +"I want to come." + +Hendricks fumbled in his pack. "It isn't worth it. Here." He tossed +down the food cans he had with him. "You take these and go back. +Okay?" + +The boy said nothing. + +"I'll be coming back this way. In a day or so. If you're around here +when I come back you can come along with me. All right?" + +"I want to go with you now." + +"It's a long walk." + +"I can walk." + +Hendricks shifted uneasily. It made too good a target, two people +walking along. And the boy would slow him down. But he might not come +back this way. And if the boy were really all alone-- + +"Okay. Come along." + + * * * * * + +The boy fell in beside him. Hendricks strode along. The boy walked +silently, clutching his teddy bear. + +"What's your name?" Hendricks said, after a time. + +"David Edward Derring." + +"David? What--what happened to your mother and father?" + +"They died." + +"How?" + +"In the blast." + +"How long ago?" + +"Six years." + +Hendricks slowed down. "You've been alone six years?" + +"No. There were other people for awhile. They went away." + +"And you've been alone since?" + +"Yes." + +Hendricks glanced down. The boy was strange, saying very little. +Withdrawn. But that was the way they were, the children who had +survived. Quiet. Stoic. A strange kind of fatalism gripped them. +Nothing came as a surprise. They accepted anything that came along. +There was no longer any _normal_, any natural course of things, moral +or physical, for them to expect. Custom, habit, all the determining +forces of learning were gone; only brute experience remained. + +"Am I walking too fast?" Hendricks said. + +"No." + +"How did you happen to see me?" + +"I was waiting." + +"Waiting?" Hendricks was puzzled. "What were you waiting for?" + +"To catch things." + +"What kind of things?" + +"Things to eat." + +"Oh." Hendricks set his lips grimly. A thirteen year old boy, living +on rats and gophers and half-rotten canned food. Down in a hole under +the ruins of a town. With radiation pools and claws, and Russian +dive-mines up above, coasting around in the sky. + +"Where are we going?" David asked. + +"To the Russian lines." + +"Russian?" + +"The enemy. The people who started the war. They dropped the first +radiation bombs. They began all this." + +The boy nodded. His face showed no expression. + +"I'm an American," Hendricks said. + +There was no comment. On they went, the two of them, Hendricks walking +a little ahead, David trailing behind him, hugging his dirty teddy +bear against his chest. + + * * * * * + +About four in the afternoon they stopped to eat. Hendricks built a +fire in a hollow between some slabs of concrete. He cleared the weeds +away and heaped up bits of wood. The Russians' lines were not very far +ahead. Around him was what had once been a long valley, acres of fruit +trees and grapes. Nothing remained now but a few bleak stumps and the +mountains that stretched across the horizon at the far end. And the +clouds of rolling ash that blew and drifted with the wind, settling +over the weeds and remains of buildings, walls here and there, once in +awhile what had been a road. + +Hendricks made coffee and heated up some boiled mutton and bread. +"Here." He handed bread and mutton to David. David squatted by the +edge of the fire, his knees knobby and white. He examined the food and +then passed it back, shaking his head. + +"No." + +"No? Don't you want any?" + +"No." + +Hendricks shrugged. Maybe the boy was a mutant, used to special food. +It didn't matter. When he was hungry he would find something to eat. +The boy was strange. But there were many strange changes coming over +the world. Life was not the same, anymore. It would never be the same +again. The human race was going to have to realize that. + +"Suit yourself," Hendricks said. He ate the bread and mutton by +himself, washing it down with coffee. He ate slowly, finding the food +hard to digest. When he was done he got to his feet and stamped the +fire out. + +David rose slowly, watching him with his young-old eyes. + +"We're going," Hendricks said. + +"All right." + +Hendricks walked along, his gun in his arms. They were close; he was +tense, ready for anything. The Russians should be expecting a runner, +an answer to their own runner, but they were tricky. There was always +the possibility of a slipup. He scanned the landscape around him. +Nothing but slag and ash, a few hills, charred trees. Concrete walls. +But someplace ahead was the first bunker of the Russian lines, the +forward command. Underground, buried deep, with only a periscope +showing, a few gun muzzles. Maybe an antenna. + +"Will we be there soon?" David asked. + +"Yes. Getting tired?" + +"No." + +"Why, then?" + +David did not answer. He plodded carefully along behind, picking his +way over the ash. His legs and shoes were gray with dust. His pinched +face was streaked, lines of gray ash in riverlets down the pale white +of his skin. There was no color to his face. Typical of the new +children, growing up in cellars and sewers and underground shelters. + + * * * * * + +Hendricks slowed down. He lifted his fieldglasses and studied the +ground ahead of him. Were they there, someplace, waiting for him? +Watching him, the way his men had watched the Russian runner? A chill +went up his back. Maybe they were getting their guns ready, preparing +to fire, the way his men had prepared, made ready to kill. + +Hendricks stopped, wiping perspiration from his face. "Damn." It made +him uneasy. But he should be expected. The situation was different. + +He strode over the ash, holding his gun tightly with both hands. +Behind him came David. Hendricks peered around, tight-lipped. Any +second it might happen. A burst of white light, a blast, carefully +aimed from inside a deep concrete bunker. + +He raised his arm and waved it around in a circle. + +Nothing moved. To the right a long ridge ran, topped with dead tree +trunks. A few wild vines had grown up around the trees, remains of +arbors. And the eternal dark weeds. Hendricks studied the ridge. Was +anything up there? Perfect place for a lookout. He approached the +ridge warily, David coming silently behind. If it were his command +he'd have a sentry up there, watching for troops trying to infiltrate +into the command area. Of course, if it were his command there would +be the claws around the area for full protection. + +He stopped, feet apart, hands on his hips. + +"Are we there?" David said. + +"Almost." + +"Why have we stopped?" + +"I don't want to take any chances." Hendricks advanced slowly. Now the +ridge lay directly beside him, along his right. Overlooking him. His +uneasy feeling increased. If an Ivan were up there he wouldn't have a +chance. He waved his arm again. They should be expecting someone in +the UN uniform, in response to the note capsule. Unless the whole +thing was a trap. + +"Keep up with me." He turned toward David. "Don't drop behind." + +"With you?" + +"Up beside me! We're close. We can't take any chances. Come on." + +"I'll be all right." David remained behind him, in the rear, a few +paces away, still clutching his teddy bear. + +"Have it your way." Hendricks raised his glasses again, suddenly +tense. For a moment--had something moved? He scanned the ridge +carefully. Everything was silent. Dead. No life up there, only tree +trunks and ash. Maybe a few rats. The big black rats that had survived +the claws. Mutants--built their own shelters out of saliva and ash. +Some kind of plaster. Adaptation. He started forward again. + + * * * * * + +A tall figure came out on the ridge above him, cloak flapping. +Gray-green. A Russian. Behind him a second soldier appeared, another +Russian. Both lifted their guns, aiming. + +Hendricks froze. He opened his mouth. The soldiers were kneeling, +sighting down the side of the slope. A third figure had joined them on +the ridge top, a smaller figure in gray-green. A woman. She stood +behind the other two. + +Hendricks found his voice. "Stop!" He waved up at them frantically. +"I'm--" + +The two Russians fired. Behind Hendricks there was a faint _pop_. +Waves of heat lapped against him, throwing him to the ground. Ash tore +at his face, grinding into his eyes and nose. Choking, he pulled +himself to his knees. It was all a trap. He was finished. He had come +to be killed, like a steer. The soldiers and the woman were coming +down the side of the ridge toward him, sliding down through the soft +ash. Hendricks was numb. His head throbbed. Awkwardly, he got his +rifle up and took aim. It weighed a thousand tons; he could hardly +hold it. His nose and cheeks stung. The air was full of the blast +smell, a bitter acrid stench. + +"Don't fire," the first Russian said, in heavily accented English. + +The three of them came up to him, surrounding him. "Put down your +rifle, Yank," the other said. + +Hendricks was dazed. Everything had happened so fast. He had been +caught. And they had blasted the boy. He turned his head. David was +gone. What remained of him was strewn across the ground. + +The three Russians studied him curiously. Hendricks sat, wiping blood +from his nose, picking out bits of ash. He shook his head, trying to +clear it. "Why did you do it?" he murmured thickly. "The boy." + +"Why?" One of the soldiers helped him roughly to his feet. He turned +Hendricks around. "Look." + +Hendricks closed his eyes. + +"Look!" The two Russians pulled him forward. "See. Hurry up. There +isn't much time to spare, Yank!" + +Hendricks looked. And gasped. + +"See now? Now do you understand?" + + * * * * * + +From the remains of David a metal wheel rolled. Relays, glinting +metal. Parts, wiring. One of the Russians kicked at the heap of +remains. Parts popped out, rolling away, wheels and springs and rods. +A plastic section fell in, half charred. Hendricks bent shakily down. +The front of the head had come off. He could make out the intricate +brain, wires and relays, tiny tubes and switches, thousands of minute +studs-- + +"A robot," the soldier holding his arm said. "We watched it tagging +you." + +"Tagging me?" + +"That's their way. They tag along with you. Into the bunker. That's +how they get in." + +Hendricks blinked, dazed. "But--" + +"Come on." They led him toward the ridge. "We can't stay here. It +isn't safe. There must be hundreds of them all around here." + +The three of them pulled him up the side of the ridge, sliding and +slipping on the ash. The woman reached the top and stood waiting for +them. + +"The forward command," Hendricks muttered. "I came to negotiate with +the Soviet--" + +"There is no more forward command. _They_ got in. We'll explain." They +reached the top of the ridge. "We're all that's left. The three of us. +The rest were down in the bunker." + +"This way. Down this way." The woman unscrewed a lid, a gray manhole +cover set in the ground. "Get in." + +Hendricks lowered himself. The two soldiers and the woman came behind +him, following him down the ladder. The woman closed the lid after +them, bolting it tightly into place. + +"Good thing we saw you," one of the two soldiers grunted. "It had +tagged you about as far as it was going to." + + * * * * * + +"Give me one of your cigarettes," the woman said. "I haven't had an +American cigarette for weeks." + +Hendricks pushed the pack to her. She took a cigarette and passed the +pack to the two soldiers. In the corner of the small room the lamp +gleamed fitfully. The room was low-ceilinged, cramped. The four of +them sat around a small wood table. A few dirty dishes were stacked to +one side. Behind a ragged curtain a second room was partly visible. +Hendricks saw the corner of a cot, some blankets, clothes hung on a +hook. + +"We were here," the soldier beside him said. He took off his helmet, +pushing his blond hair back. "I'm Corporal Rudi Maxer. Polish. +Impressed in the Soviet Army two years ago." He held out his hand. + +Hendricks hesitated and then shook. "Major Joseph Hendricks." + +"Klaus Epstein." The other soldier shook with him, a small dark man +with thinning hair. Epstein plucked nervously at his ear. "Austrian. +Impressed God knows when. I don't remember. The three of us were here, +Rudi and I, with Tasso." He indicated the woman. "That's how we +escaped. All the rest were down in the bunker." + +"And--and _they_ got in?" + +Epstein lit a cigarette. "First just one of them. The kind that tagged +you. Then it let others in." + +Hendricks became alert. "The _kind_? Are there more than one kind?" + +"The little boy. David. David holding his teddy bear. That's Variety +Three. The most effective." + +"What are the other types?" + +Epstein reached into his coat. "Here." He tossed a packet of +photographs onto the table, tied with a string. "Look for yourself." + +Hendricks untied the string. + +"You see," Rudi Maxer said, "that was why we wanted to talk terms. The +Russians, I mean. We found out about a week ago. Found out that your +claws were beginning to make up new designs on their own. New types of +their own. Better types. Down in your underground factories behind our +lines. You let them stamp themselves, repair themselves. Made them +more and more intricate. It's your fault this happened." + + * * * * * + +Hendricks examined the photos. They had been snapped hurriedly; they +were blurred and indistinct. The first few showed--David. David +walking along a road, by himself. David and another David. Three +Davids. All exactly alike. Each with a ragged teddy bear. + +All pathetic. + +"Look at the others," Tasso said. + +The next pictures, taken at a great distance, showed a towering +wounded soldier sitting by the side of a path, his arm in a sling, the +stump of one leg extended, a crude crutch on his lap. Then two wounded +soldiers, both the same, standing side by side. + +"That's Variety One. The Wounded Soldier." Klaus reached out and took +the pictures. "You see, the claws were designed to get to human +beings. To find them. Each kind was better than the last. They got +farther, closer, past most of our defenses, into our lines. But as +long as they were merely _machines_, metal spheres with claws and +horns, feelers, they could be picked off like any other object. They +could be detected as lethal robots as soon as they were seen. Once we +caught sight of them--" + +"Variety One subverted our whole north wing," Rudi said. "It was a +long time before anyone caught on. Then it was too late. They came in, +wounded soldiers, knocking and begging to be let in. So we let them +in. And as soon as they were in they took over. We were watching out +for machines...." + +"At that time it was thought there was only the one type," Klaus +Epstein said. "No one suspected there were other types. The pictures +were flashed to us. When the runner was sent to you, we knew of just +one type. Variety One. The big Wounded Soldier. We thought that was +all." + +"Your line fell to--" + +"To Variety Three. David and his bear. That worked even better." Klaus +smiled bitterly. "Soldiers are suckers for children. We brought them +in and tried to feed them. We found out the hard way what they were +after. At least, those who were in the bunker." + +"The three of us were lucky," Rudi said. "Klaus and I were--were +visiting Tasso when it happened. This is her place." He waved a big +hand around. "This little cellar. We finished and climbed the ladder +to start back. From the ridge we saw. There they were, all around the +bunker. Fighting was still going on. David and his bear. Hundreds of +them. Klaus took the pictures." + +Klaus tied up the photographs again. + + * * * * * + +"And it's going on all along your line?" Hendricks said. + +"Yes." + +"How about _our_ lines?" Without thinking, he touched the tab on his +arm. "Can they--" + +"They're not bothered by your radiation tabs. It makes no difference +to them, Russian, American, Pole, German. It's all the same. They're +doing what they were designed to do. Carrying out the original idea. +They track down life, wherever they find it." + +"They go by warmth," Klaus said. "That was the way you constructed +them from the very start. Of course, those you designed were kept back +by the radiation tabs you wear. Now they've got around that. These new +varieties are lead-lined." + +"What's the other variety?" Hendricks asked. "The David type, the +Wounded Soldier--what's the other?" + +"We don't know." Klaus pointed up at the wall. On the wall were two +metal plates, ragged at the edges. Hendricks got up and studied them. +They were bent and dented. + +"The one on the left came off a Wounded Soldier," Rudi said. "We got +one of them. It was going along toward our old bunker. We got it from +the ridge, the same way we got the David tagging you." + +The plate was stamped: I-V. Hendricks touched the other plate. "And +this came from the David type?" + +"Yes." The plate was stamped: III-V. + +Klaus took a look at them, leaning over Hendricks' broad shoulder. +"You can see what we're up against. There's another type. Maybe it was +abandoned. Maybe it didn't work. But there must be a Second Variety. +There's One and Three." + +"You were lucky," Rudi said. "The David tagged you all the way here +and never touched you. Probably thought you'd get it into a bunker, +somewhere." + +"One gets in and it's all over," Klaus said. "They move fast. One lets +all the rest inside. They're inflexible. Machines with one purpose. +They were built for only one thing." He rubbed sweat from his lip. "We +saw." + +They were silent. + +"Let me have another cigarette, Yank," Tasso said. "They are good. I +almost forgot how they were." + + * * * * * + +It was night. The sky was black. No stars were visible through the +rolling clouds of ash. Klaus lifted the lid cautiously so that +Hendricks could look out. + +Rudi pointed into the darkness. "Over that way are the bunkers. Where +we used to be. Not over half a mile from us. It was just chance Klaus +and I were not there when it happened. Weakness. Saved by our lusts." + +"All the rest must be dead," Klaus said in a low voice. "It came +quickly. This morning the Politburo reached their decision. They +notified us--forward command. Our runner was sent out at once. We saw +him start toward the direction of your lines. We covered him until he +was out of sight." + +"Alex Radrivsky. We both knew him. He disappeared about six o'clock. +The sun had just come up. About noon Klaus and I had an hour relief. +We crept off, away from the bunkers. No one was watching. We came +here. There used to be a town here, a few houses, a street. This +cellar was part of a big farmhouse. We knew Tasso would be here, +hiding down in her little place. We had come here before. Others from +the bunkers came here. Today happened to be our turn." + +"So we were saved," Klaus said. "Chance. It might have been others. +We--we finished, and then we came up to the surface and started back +along the ridge. That was when we saw them, the Davids. We understood +right away. We had seen the photos of the First Variety, the Wounded +Soldier. Our Commissar distributed them to us with an explanation. If +we had gone another step they would have seen us. As it was we had to +blast two Davids before we got back. There were hundreds of them, all +around. Like ants. We took pictures and slipped back here, bolting the +lid tight." + +"They're not so much when you catch them alone. We moved faster than +they did. But they're inexorable. Not like living things. They came +right at us. And we blasted them." + +Major Hendricks rested against the edge of the lid, adjusting his eyes +to the darkness. "Is it safe to have the lid up at all?" + +"If we're careful. How else can you operate your transmitter?" + +Hendricks lifted the small belt transmitter slowly. He pressed it +against his ear. The metal was cold and damp. He blew against the +mike, raising up the short antenna. A faint hum sounded in his ear. +"That's true, I suppose." + +But he still hesitated. + +"We'll pull you under if anything happens," Klaus said. + +"Thanks." Hendricks waited a moment, resting the transmitter against +his shoulder. "Interesting, isn't it?" + +"What?" + +"This, the new types. The new varieties of claws. We're completely at +their mercy, aren't we? By now they've probably gotten into the UN +lines, too. It makes me wonder if we're not seeing the beginning of a +new species. _The_ new species. Evolution. The race to come after +man." + + * * * * * + +Rudi grunted. "There is no race after man." + +"No? Why not? Maybe we're seeing it now, the end of human beings, the +beginning of the new society." + +"They're not a race. They're mechanical killers. You made them to +destroy. That's all they can do. They're machines with a job." + +"So it seems now. But how about later on? After the war is over. +Maybe, when there aren't any humans to destroy, their real +potentialities will begin to show." + +"You talk as if they were alive!" + +"Aren't they?" + +There was silence. "They're machines," Rudi said. "They look like +people, but they're machines." + +"Use your transmitter, Major," Klaus said. "We can't stay up here +forever." + +Holding the transmitter tightly Hendricks called the code of the +command bunker. He waited, listening. No response. Only silence. He +checked the leads carefully. Everything was in place. + +"Scott!" he said into the mike. "Can you hear me?" + +Silence. He raised the gain up full and tried again. Only static. + +"I don't get anything. They may hear me but they may not want to +answer." + +"Tell them it's an emergency." + +"They'll think I'm being forced to call. Under your direction." He +tried again, outlining briefly what he had learned. But still the +phone was silent, except for the faint static. + +"Radiation pools kill most transmission," Klaus said, after awhile. +"Maybe that's it." + +Hendricks shut the transmitter up. "No use. No answer. Radiation +pools? Maybe. Or they hear me, but won't answer. Frankly, that's what +I would do, if a runner tried to call from the Soviet lines. They have +no reason to believe such a story. They may hear everything I say--" + +"Or maybe it's too late." + +Hendricks nodded. + +"We better get the lid down," Rudi said nervously. "We don't want to +take unnecessary chances." + + * * * * * + +They climbed slowly back down the tunnel. Klaus bolted the lid +carefully into place. They descended into the kitchen. The air was +heavy and close around them. + +"Could they work that fast?" Hendricks said. "I left the bunker this +noon. Ten hours ago. How could they move so quickly?" + +"It doesn't take them long. Not after the first one gets in. It goes +wild. You know what the little claws can do. Even _one_ of these is +beyond belief. Razors, each finger. Maniacal." + +"All right." Hendricks moved away impatiently. He stood with his back +to them. + +"What's the matter?" Rudi said. + +"The Moon Base. God, if they've gotten there--" + +"The Moon Base?" + +Hendricks turned around. "They couldn't have got to the Moon Base. How +would they get there? It isn't possible. I can't believe it." + +"What is this Moon Base? We've heard rumors, but nothing definite. +What is the actual situation? You seem concerned." + +"We're supplied from the moon. The governments are there, under the +lunar surface. All our people and industries. That's what keeps us +going. If they should find some way of getting off Terra, onto the +moon--" + +"It only takes one of them. Once the first one gets in it admits the +others. Hundreds of them, all alike. You should have seen them. +Identical. Like ants." + +"Perfect socialism," Tasso said. "The ideal of the communist state. +All citizens interchangeable." + +Klaus grunted angrily. "That's enough. Well? What next?" + +Hendricks paced back and forth, around the small room. The air was +full of smells of food and perspiration. The others watched him. +Presently Tasso pushed through the curtain, into the other room. "I'm +going to take a nap." + +The curtain closed behind her. Rudi and Klaus sat down at the table, +still watching Hendricks. + +"It's up to you," Klaus said. "We don't know your situation." + +Hendricks nodded. + +"It's a problem." Rudi drank some coffee, filling his cup from a rusty +pot. "We're safe here for awhile, but we can't stay here forever. Not +enough food or supplies." + +"But if we go outside--" + +"If we go outside they'll get us. Or probably they'll get us. We +couldn't go very far. How far is your command bunker, Major?" + +"Three or four miles." + +"We might make it. The four of us. Four of us could watch all sides. +They couldn't slip up behind us and start tagging us. We have three +rifles, three blast rifles. Tasso can have my pistol." Rudi tapped his +belt. "In the Soviet army we didn't have shoes always, but we had +guns. With all four of us armed one of us might get to your command +bunker. Preferably you, Major." + +"What if they're already there?" Klaus said. + +Rudi shrugged. "Well, then we come back here." + + * * * * * + +Hendricks stopped pacing. "What do you think the chances are they're +already in the American lines?" + +"Hard to say. Fairly good. They're organized. They know exactly what +they're doing. Once they start they go like a horde of locusts. They +have to keep moving, and fast. It's secrecy and speed they depend on. +Surprise. They push their way in before anyone has any idea." + +"I see," Hendricks murmured. + +From the other room Tasso stirred. "Major?" + +Hendricks pushed the curtain back. "What?" + +[Illustration] + +Tasso looked up at him lazily from the cot. "Have you any more +American cigarettes left?" + +Hendricks went into the room and sat down across from her, on a wood +stool. He felt in his pockets. "No. All gone." + +"Too bad." + +"What nationality are you?" Hendricks asked after awhile. + +"Russian." + +"How did you get here?" + +"Here?" + +"This used to be France. This was part of Normandy. Did you come with +the Soviet army?" + +"Why?" + +"Just curious." He studied her. She had taken off her coat, tossing it +over the end of the cot. She was young, about twenty. Slim. Her long +hair stretched out over the pillow. She was staring at him silently, +her eyes dark and large. + +"What's on your mind?" Tasso said. + +"Nothing. How old are you?" + +"Eighteen." She continued to watch him, unblinking, her arms behind +her head. She had on Russian army pants and shirt. Gray-green. Thick +leather belt with counter and cartridges. Medicine kit. + +"You're in the Soviet army?" + +"No." + +"Where did you get the uniform?" + +She shrugged. "It was given to me," she told him. + +"How--how old were you when you came here?" + +"Sixteen." + +"That young?" + +Her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" + + * * * * * + +Hendricks rubbed his jaw. "Your life would have been a lot different +if there had been no war. Sixteen. You came here at sixteen. To live +this way." + +"I had to survive." + +"I'm not moralizing." + +"Your life would have been different, too," Tasso murmured. She +reached down and unfastened one of her boots. She kicked the boot off, +onto the floor. "Major, do you want to go in the other room? I'm +sleepy." + +"It's going to be a problem, the four of us here. It's going to be +hard to live in these quarters. Are there just the two rooms?" + +"Yes." + +"How big was the cellar originally? Was it larger than this? Are there +other rooms filled up with debris? We might be able to open one of +them." + +"Perhaps. I really don't know." Tasso loosened her belt. She made +herself comfortable on the cot, unbuttoning her shirt. "You're sure +you have no more cigarettes?" + +"I had only the one pack." + +"Too bad. Maybe if we get back to your bunker we can find some." The +other boot fell. Tasso reached up for the light cord. "Good night." + +"You're going to sleep?" + +"That's right." + +The room plunged into darkness. Hendricks got up and made his way past +the curtain, into the kitchen. + +And stopped, rigid. + +Rudi stood against the wall, his face white and gleaming. His mouth +opened and closed but no sounds came. Klaus stood in front of him, the +muzzle of his pistol in Rudi's stomach. Neither of them moved. Klaus, +his hand tight around his gun, his features set. Rudi, pale and +silent, spread-eagled against the wall. + +"What--" Hendricks muttered, but Klaus cut him off. + +"Be quiet, Major. Come over here. Your gun. Get out your gun." + +Hendricks drew his pistol. "What is it?" + +"Cover him." Klaus motioned him forward. "Beside me. Hurry!" + +Rudi moved a little, lowering his arms. He turned to Hendricks, +licking his lips. The whites of his eyes shone wildly. Sweat dripped +from his forehead, down his cheeks. He fixed his gaze on Hendricks. +"Major, he's gone insane. Stop him." Rudi's voice was thin and hoarse, +almost inaudible. + +"What's going on?" Hendricks demanded. + +Without lowering his pistol Klaus answered. "Major, remember our +discussion? The Three Varieties? We knew about One and Three. But we +didn't know about Two. At least, we didn't know before." Klaus' +fingers tightened around the gun butt. "We didn't know before, but we +know now." + +He pressed the trigger. A burst of white heat rolled out of the gun, +licking around Rudi. + +"Major, this is the Second Variety." + + * * * * * + +Tasso swept the curtain aside. "Klaus! What did you do?" + +Klaus turned from the charred form, gradually sinking down the wall +onto the floor. "The Second Variety, Tasso. Now we know. We have all +three types identified. The danger is less. I--" + +Tasso stared past him at the remains of Rudi, at the blackened, +smouldering fragments and bits of cloth. "You killed him." + +"Him? _It_, you mean. I was watching. I had a feeling, but I wasn't +sure. At least, I wasn't sure before. But this evening I was certain." +Klaus rubbed his pistol butt nervously. "We're lucky. Don't you +understand? Another hour and it might--" + +"You were _certain_?" Tasso pushed past him and bent down, over the +steaming remains on the floor. Her face became hard. "Major, see for +yourself. Bones. Flesh." + +Hendricks bent down beside her. The remains were human remains. Seared +flesh, charred bone fragments, part of a skull. Ligaments, viscera, +blood. Blood forming a pool against the wall. + +"No wheels," Tasso said calmly. She straightened up. "No wheels, no +parts, no relays. Not a claw. Not the Second Variety." She folded her +arms. "You're going to have to be able to explain this." + +Klaus sat down at the table, all the color drained suddenly from his +face. He put his head in his hands and rocked back and forth. + +"Snap out of it." Tasso's fingers closed over his shoulder. "Why did +you do it? Why did you kill him?" + +"He was frightened," Hendricks said. "All this, the whole thing, +building up around us." + +"Maybe." + +"What, then? What do you think?" + +"I think he may have had a reason for killing Rudi. A good reason." + +"What reason?" + +"Maybe Rudi learned something." + +Hendricks studied her bleak face. "About what?" he asked. + +"About him. About Klaus." + + * * * * * + +Klaus looked up quickly. "You can see what she's trying to say. She +thinks I'm the Second Variety. Don't you see, Major? Now she wants you +to believe I killed him on purpose. That I'm--" + +"Why did you kill him, then?" Tasso said. + +"I told you." Klaus shook his head wearily. "I thought he was a claw. +I thought I knew." + +"Why?" + +"I had been watching him. I was suspicious." + +"Why?" + +"I thought I had seen something. Heard something. I thought I--" He +stopped. + +"Go on." + +"We were sitting at the table. Playing cards. You two were in the +other room. It was silent. I thought I heard him--_whirr_." + +There was silence. + +"Do you believe that?" Tasso said to Hendricks. + +"Yes. I believe what he says." + +"I don't. I think he killed Rudi for a good purpose." Tasso touched +the rifle, resting in the corner of the room. "Major--" + +"No." Hendricks shook his head. "Let's stop it right now. One is +enough. We're afraid, the way he was. If we kill him we'll be doing +what he did to Rudi." + +Klaus looked gratefully up at him. "Thanks. I was afraid. You +understand, don't you? Now she's afraid, the way I was. She wants to +kill me." + +"No more killing." Hendricks moved toward the end of the ladder. "I'm +going above and try the transmitter once more. If I can't get them +we're moving back toward my lines tomorrow morning." + +Klaus rose quickly. "I'll come up with you and give you a hand." + + * * * * * + +The night air was cold. The earth was cooling off. Klaus took a deep +breath, filling his lungs. He and Hendricks stepped onto the ground, +out of the tunnel. Klaus planted his feet wide apart, the rifle up, +watching and listening. Hendricks crouched by the tunnel mouth, tuning +the small transmitter. + +"Any luck?" Klaus asked presently. + +"Not yet." + +"Keep trying. Tell them what happened." + +Hendricks kept trying. Without success. Finally he lowered the +antenna. "It's useless. They can't hear me. Or they hear me and won't +answer. Or--" + +"Or they don't exist." + +"I'll try once more." Hendricks raised the antenna. "Scott, can you +hear me? Come in!" + +He listened. There was only static. Then, still very faintly-- + +"This is Scott." + +His fingers tightened. "Scott! Is it you?" + +"This is Scott." + +Klaus squatted down. "Is it your command?" + +"Scott, listen. Do you understand? About them, the claws. Did you get +my message? Did you hear me?" + +"Yes." Faintly. Almost inaudible. He could hardly make out the word. + +"You got my message? Is everything all right at the bunker? None of +them have got in?" + +"Everything is all right." + +"Have they tried to get in?" + +The voice was weaker. + +"No." + +Hendricks turned to Klaus. "They're all right." + +"Have they been attacked?" + +"No." Hendricks pressed the phone tighter to his ear. "Scott, I can +hardly hear you. Have you notified the Moon Base? Do they know? Are +they alerted?" + +No answer. + +"Scott! Can you hear me?" + +Silence. + +Hendricks relaxed, sagging. "Faded out. Must be radiation pools." + + * * * * * + +Hendricks and Klaus looked at each other. Neither of them said +anything. After a time Klaus said, "Did it sound like any of your men? +Could you identify the voice?" + +"It was too faint." + +"You couldn't be certain?" + +"No." + +"Then it could have been--" + +"I don't know. Now I'm not sure. Let's go back down and get the lid +closed." + +They climbed back down the ladder slowly, into the warm cellar. Klaus +bolted the lid behind them. Tasso waited for them, her face +expressionless. + +"Any luck?" she asked. + +Neither of them answered. "Well?" Klaus said at last. "What do you +think, Major? Was it your officer, or was it one of _them_?" + +"I don't know." + +"Then we're just where we were before." + +Hendricks stared down at the floor, his jaw set. "We'll have to go. To +be sure." + +"Anyhow, we have food here for only a few weeks. We'd have to go up +after that, in any case." + +"Apparently so." + +"What's wrong?" Tasso demanded. "Did you get across to your bunker? +What's the matter?" + +"It may have been one of my men," Hendricks said slowly. "Or it may +have been one of _them_. But we'll never know standing here." He +examined his watch. "Let's turn in and get some sleep. We want to be +up early tomorrow." + +"Early?" + +"Our best chance to get through the claws should be early in the +morning," Hendricks said. + + * * * * * + +The morning was crisp and clear. Major Hendricks studied the +countryside through his fieldglasses. + +"See anything?" Klaus said. + +"No." + +"Can you make out our bunkers?" + +"Which way?" + +"Here." Klaus took the glasses and adjusted them. "I know where to +look." He looked a long time, silently. + +Tasso came to the top of the tunnel and stepped up onto the ground. +"Anything?" + +"No." Klaus passed the glasses back to Hendricks. "They're out of +sight. Come on. Let's not stay here." + +The three of them made their way down the side of the ridge, sliding +in the soft ash. Across a flat rock a lizard scuttled. They stopped +instantly, rigid. + +"What was it?" Klaus muttered. + +"A lizard." + +The lizard ran on, hurrying through the ash. It was exactly the same +color as the ash. + +"Perfect adaptation," Klaus said. "Proves we were right. Lysenko, I +mean." + +They reached the bottom of the ridge and stopped, standing close +together, looking around them. + +"Let's go." Hendricks started off. "It's a good long trip, on foot." + +Klaus fell in beside him. Tasso walked behind, her pistol held +alertly. "Major, I've been meaning to ask you something," Klaus said. +"How did you run across the David? The one that was tagging you." + +"I met it along the way. In some ruins." + +"What did it say?" + +"Not much. It said it was alone. By itself." + +"You couldn't tell it was a machine? It talked like a living person? +You never suspected?" + +"It didn't say much. I noticed nothing unusual. + +"It's strange, machines so much like people that you can be fooled. +Almost alive. I wonder where it'll end." + +"They're doing what you Yanks designed them to do," Tasso said. "You +designed them to hunt out life and destroy. Human life. Wherever they +find it." + + * * * * * + +Hendricks was watching Klaus intently. "Why did you ask me? What's on +your mind?" + +"Nothing," Klaus answered. + +"Klaus thinks you're the Second Variety," Tasso said calmly, from +behind them. "Now he's got his eye on you." + +Klaus flushed. "Why not? We sent a runner to the Yank lines and he +comes back. Maybe he thought he'd find some good game here." + +Hendricks laughed harshly. "I came from the UN bunkers. There were +human beings all around me." + +"Maybe you saw an opportunity to get into the Soviet lines. Maybe you +saw your chance. Maybe you--" + +"The Soviet lines had already been taken over. Your lines had been +invaded before I left my command bunker. Don't forget that." + +Tasso came up beside him. "That proves nothing at all, Major." + +"Why not?" + +"There appears to be little communication between the varieties. Each +is made in a different factory. They don't seem to work together. You +might have started for the Soviet lines without knowing anything about +the work of the other varieties. Or even what the other varieties were +like." + +"How do you know so much about the claws?" Hendricks said. + +"I've seen them. I've observed them. I observed them take over the +Soviet bunkers." + +"You know quite a lot," Klaus said. "Actually, you saw very little. +Strange that you should have been such an acute observer." + +Tasso laughed. "Do you suspect me, now?" + +"Forget it," Hendricks said. They walked on in silence. + +"Are we going the whole way on foot?" Tasso said, after awhile. "I'm +not used to walking." She gazed around at the plain of ash, stretching +out on all sides of them, as far as they could see. "How dreary." + +"It's like this all the way," Klaus said. + +"In a way I wish you had been in your bunker when the attack came." + +"Somebody else would have been with you, if not me," Klaus muttered. + +Tasso laughed, putting her hands in her pockets. "I suppose so." + +They walked on, keeping their eyes on the vast plain of silent ash +around them. + + * * * * * + +The sun was setting. Hendricks made his way forward slowly, waving +Tasso and Klaus back. Klaus squatted down, resting his gun butt +against the ground. + +Tasso found a concrete slab and sat down with a sigh. "It's good to +rest." + +"Be quiet," Klaus said sharply. + +Hendricks pushed up to the top of the rise ahead of them. The same +rise the Russian runner had come up, the day before. Hendricks dropped +down, stretching himself out, peering through his glasses at what lay +beyond. + +Nothing was visible. Only ash and occasional trees. But there, not +more than fifty yards ahead, was the entrance of the forward command +bunker. The bunker from which he had come. Hendricks watched silently. +No motion. No sign of life. Nothing stirred. + +Klaus slithered up beside him. "Where is it?" + +"Down there." Hendricks passed him the glasses. Clouds of ash rolled +across the evening sky. The world was darkening. They had a couple of +hours of light left, at the most. Probably not that much. + +"I don't see anything," Klaus said. + +"That tree there. The stump. By the pile of bricks. The entrance is to +the right of the bricks." + +"I'll have to take your word for it." + +"You and Tasso cover me from here. You'll be able to sight all the way +to the bunker entrance." + +"You're going down alone?" + +"With my wrist tab I'll be safe. The ground around the bunker is a +living field of claws. They collect down in the ash. Like crabs. +Without tabs you wouldn't have a chance." + +"Maybe you're right." + +"I'll walk slowly all the way. As soon as I know for certain--" + +"If they're down inside the bunker you won't be able to get back up +here. They go fast. You don't realize." + +"What do you suggest?" + +Klaus considered. "I don't know. Get them to come up to the surface. +So you can see." + +Hendricks brought his transmitter from his belt, raising the antenna. +"Let's get started." + + * * * * * + +Klaus signalled to Tasso. She crawled expertly up the side of the rise +to where they were sitting. + +"He's going down alone," Klaus said. "We'll cover him from here. As +soon as you see him start back, fire past him at once. They come +quick." + +"You're not very optimistic," Tasso said. + +"No, I'm not." + +Hendricks opened the breech of his gun, checking it carefully. "Maybe +things are all right." + +"You didn't see them. Hundreds of them. All the same. Pouring out like +ants." + +"I should be able to find out without going down all the way." +Hendricks locked his gun, gripping it in one hand, the transmitter in +the other. "Well, wish me luck." + +Klaus put out his hand. "Don't go down until you're sure. Talk to them +from up here. Make them show themselves." + + * * * * * + +Hendricks stood up. He stepped down the side of the rise. + +A moment later he was walking slowly toward the pile of bricks and +debris beside the dead tree stump. Toward the entrance of the forward +command bunker. + +Nothing stirred. He raised the transmitter, clicking it on. "Scott? +Can you hear me?" + +Silence. + +"Scott! This is Hendricks. Can you hear me? I'm standing outside the +bunker. You should be able to see me in the view sight." + +He listened, the transmitter gripped tightly. No sound. Only static. +He walked forward. A claw burrowed out of the ash and raced toward +him. It halted a few feet away and then slunk off. A second claw +appeared, one of the big ones with feelers. It moved toward him, +studied him intently, and then fell in behind him, dogging +respectfully after him, a few paces away. A moment later a second big +claw joined it. Silently, the claws trailed him, as he walked slowly +toward the bunker. + +Hendricks stopped, and behind him, the claws came to a halt. He was +close, now. Almost to the bunker steps. + +"Scott! Can you hear me? I'm standing right above you. Outside. On the +surface. Are you picking me up?" + + * * * * * + +He waited, holding his gun against his side, the transmitter tightly +to his ear. Time passed. He strained to hear, but there was only +silence. Silence, and faint static. + +Then, distantly, metallically-- + +"This is Scott." + +The voice was neutral. Cold. He could not identify it. But the +earphone was minute. + +"Scott! Listen. I'm standing right above you. I'm on the surface, +looking down into the bunker entrance." + +"Yes." + +"Can you see me?" + +"Yes." + +"Through the view sight? You have the sight trained on me?" + +"Yes." + +Hendricks pondered. A circle of claws waited quietly around him, +gray-metal bodies on all sides of him. "Is everything all right in the +bunker? Nothing unusual has happened?" + +"Everything is all right." + +"Will you come up to the surface? I want to see you for a moment." +Hendricks took a deep breath. "Come up here with me. I want to talk to +you." + +"Come down." + +"I'm giving you an order." + +Silence. + +"Are you coming?" Hendricks listened. There was no response. "I order +you to come to the surface." + +"Come down." + +Hendricks set his jaw. "Let me talk to Leone." + +There was a long pause. He listened to the static. Then a voice came, +hard, thin, metallic. The same as the other. "This is Leone." + +"Hendricks. I'm on the surface. At the bunker entrance. I want one of +you to come up here." + +"Come down." + +"Why come down? I'm giving you an order!" + +Silence. Hendricks lowered the transmitter. He looked carefully around +him. The entrance was just ahead. Almost at his feet. He lowered the +antenna and fastened the transmitter to his belt. Carefully, he +gripped his gun with both hands. He moved forward, a step at a time. +If they could see him they knew he was starting toward the entrance. +He closed his eyes a moment. + +Then he put his foot on the first step that led downward. + +Two Davids came up at him, their faces identical and expressionless. +He blasted them into particles. More came rushing silently up, a whole +pack of them. All exactly the same. + +Hendricks turned and raced back, away from the bunker, back toward the +rise. + +At the top of the rise Tasso and Klaus were firing down. The small +claws were already streaking up toward them, shining metal spheres +going fast, racing frantically through the ash. But he had no time to +think about that. He knelt down, aiming at the bunker entrance, gun +against his cheek. The Davids were coming out in groups, clutching +their teddy bears, their thin knobby legs pumping as they ran up the +steps to the surface. Hendricks fired into the main body of them. They +burst apart, wheels and springs flying in all directions. He fired +again through the mist of particles. + +A giant lumbering figure rose up in the bunker entrance, tall and +swaying. Hendricks paused, amazed. A man, a soldier. With one leg, +supporting himself with a crutch. + +"Major!" Tasso's voice came. More firing. The huge figure moved +forward, Davids swarming around it. Hendricks broke out of his freeze. +The First Variety. The Wounded Soldier. + +He aimed and fired. The soldier burst into bits, parts and relays +flying. Now many Davids were out on the flat ground, away from the +bunker. He fired again and again, moving slowly back, half-crouching +and aiming. + +From the rise, Klaus fired down. The side of the rise was alive with +claws making their way up. Hendricks retreated toward the rise, +running and crouching. Tasso had left Klaus and was circling slowly to +the right, moving away from the rise. + +A David slipped up toward him, its small white face expressionless, +brown hair hanging down in its eyes. It bent over suddenly, opening +its arms. Its teddy bear hurtled down and leaped across the ground, +bounding toward him. Hendricks fired. The bear and the David both +dissolved. He grinned, blinking. It was like a dream. + +"Up here!" Tasso's voice. Hendricks made his way toward her. She was +over by some columns of concrete, walls of a ruined building. She was +firing past him, with the hand pistol Klaus had given her. + +"Thanks." He joined her, grasping for breath. She pulled him back, +behind the concrete, fumbling at her belt. + +"Close your eyes!" She unfastened a globe from her waist. Rapidly, she +unscrewed the cap, locking it into place. "Close your eyes and get +down." + + * * * * * + +She threw the bomb. It sailed in an arc, an expert, rolling and +bouncing to the entrance of the bunker. Two Wounded Soldiers stood +uncertainly by the brick pile. More Davids poured from behind them, +out onto the plain. One of the Wounded Soldiers moved toward the bomb, +stooping awkwardly down to pick it up. + +The bomb went off. The concussion whirled Hendricks around, throwing +him on his face. A hot wind rolled over him. Dimly he saw Tasso +standing behind the columns, firing slowly and methodically at the +Davids coming out of the raging clouds of white fire. + +Back along the rise Klaus struggled with a ring of claws circling +around him. He retreated, blasting at them and moving back, trying to +break through the ring. + +Hendricks struggled to his feet. His head ached. He could hardly see. +Everything was licking at him, raging and whirling. His right arm +would not move. + +Tasso pulled back toward him. "Come on. Let's go." + +"Klaus--He's still up there." + +"Come on!" Tasso dragged Hendricks back, away from the columns. +Hendricks shook his head, trying to clear it. Tasso led him rapidly +away, her eyes intense and bright, watching for claws that had escaped +the blast. + +One David came out of the rolling clouds of flame. Tasso blasted it. +No more appeared. + +"But Klaus. What about him?" Hendricks stopped, standing unsteadily. +"He--" + +"Come on!" + + * * * * * + +They retreated, moving farther and farther away from the bunker. A few +small claws followed them for a little while and then gave up, turning +back and going off. + +At last Tasso stopped. "We can stop here and get our breaths." + +Hendricks sat down on some heaps of debris. He wiped his neck, +gasping. "We left Klaus back there." + +Tasso said nothing. She opened her gun, sliding a fresh round of blast +cartridges into place. + +Hendricks stared at her, dazed. "You left him back there on purpose." + +Tasso snapped the gun together. She studied the heaps of rubble around +them, her face expressionless. As if she were watching for something. + +"What is it?" Hendricks demanded. "What are you looking for? Is +something coming?" He shook his head, trying to understand. What was +she doing? What was she waiting for? He could see nothing. Ash lay all +around them, ash and ruins. Occasional stark tree trunks, without +leaves or branches. "What--" + +Tasso cut him off. "Be still." Her eyes narrowed. Suddenly her gun +came up. Hendricks turned, following her gaze. + + * * * * * + +Back the way they had come a figure appeared. The figure walked +unsteadily toward them. Its clothes were torn. It limped as it made +its way along, going very slowly and carefully. Stopping now and then, +resting and getting its strength. Once it almost fell. It stood for a +moment, trying to steady itself. Then it came on. + +Klaus. + +Hendricks stood up. "Klaus!" He started toward him. "How the hell did +you--" + +Tasso fired. Hendricks swung back. She fired again, the blast passing +him, a searing line of heat. The beam caught Klaus in the chest. He +exploded, gears and wheels flying. For a moment he continued to walk. +Then he swayed back and forth. He crashed to the ground, his arms +flung out. A few more wheels rolled away. + +Silence. + +Tasso turned to Hendricks. "Now you understand why he killed Rudi." + +Hendricks sat down again slowly. He shook his head. He was numb. He +could not think. + +"Do you see?" Tasso said. "Do you understand?" + +Hendricks said nothing. Everything was slipping away from him, faster +and faster. Darkness, rolling and plucking at him. + +He closed his eyes. + + * * * * * + +Hendricks opened his eyes slowly. His body ached all over. He tried to +sit up but needles of pain shot through his arm and shoulder. He +gasped. + +"Don't try to get up," Tasso said. She bent down, putting her cold +hand against his forehead. + +It was night. A few stars glinted above, shining through the drifting +clouds of ash. Hendricks lay back, his teeth locked. Tasso watched him +impassively. She had built a fire with some wood and weeds. The fire +licked feebly, hissing at a metal cup suspended over it. Everything +was silent. Unmoving darkness, beyond the fire. + +"So he was the Second Variety," Hendricks murmured. + +"I had always thought so." + +"Why didn't you destroy him sooner?" he wanted to know. + +"You held me back." Tasso crossed to the fire to look into the metal +cup. "Coffee. It'll be ready to drink in awhile." + +She came back and sat down beside him. Presently she opened her pistol +and began to disassemble the firing mechanism, studying it intently. + +"This is a beautiful gun," Tasso said, half-aloud. "The construction +is superb." + +"What about them? The claws." + +"The concussion from the bomb put most of them out of action. They're +delicate. Highly organized, I suppose." + +"The Davids, too?" + +"Yes." + +"How did you happen to have a bomb like that?" + +Tasso shrugged. "We designed it. You shouldn't underestimate our +technology, Major. Without such a bomb you and I would no longer +exist." + +"Very useful." + +Tasso stretched out her legs, warming her feet in the heat of the +fire. "It surprised me that you did not seem to understand, after he +killed Rudi. Why did you think he--" + +"I told you. I thought he was afraid." + +"Really? You know, Major, for a little while I suspected you. Because +you wouldn't let me kill him. I thought you might be protecting him." +She laughed. + +"Are we safe here?" Hendricks asked presently. + +"For awhile. Until they get reinforcements from some other area." +Tasso began to clean the interior of the gun with a bit of rag. She +finished and pushed the mechanism back into place. She closed the gun, +running her finger along the barrel. + +"We were lucky," Hendricks murmured. + +"Yes. Very lucky." + +"Thanks for pulling me away." + + * * * * * + +Tasso did not answer. She glanced up at him, her eyes bright in the +fire light. Hendricks examined his arm. He could not move his fingers. +His whole side seemed numb. Down inside him was a dull steady ache. + +"How do you feel?" Tasso asked. + +"My arm is damaged." + +"Anything else?" + +"Internal injuries." + +"You didn't get down when the bomb went off." + +Hendricks said nothing. He watched Tasso pour the coffee from the cup +into a flat metal pan. She brought it over to him. + +"Thanks." He struggled up enough to drink. It was hard to swallow. His +insides turned over and he pushed the pan away. "That's all I can +drink now." + +Tasso drank the rest. Time passed. The clouds of ash moved across the +dark sky above them. Hendricks rested, his mind blank. After awhile he +became aware that Tasso was standing over him, gazing down at him. + +"What is it?" he murmured. + +"Do you feel any better?" + +"Some." + +"You know, Major, if I hadn't dragged you away they would have got +you. You would be dead. Like Rudi." + +"I know." + +"Do you want to know why I brought you out? I could have left you. I +could have left you there." + +"Why did you bring me out?" + +"Because we have to get away from here." Tasso stirred the fire with a +stick, peering calmly down into it. "No human being can live here. +When their reinforcements come we won't have a chance. I've pondered +about it while you were unconscious. We have perhaps three hours +before they come." + +"And you expect me to get us away?" + +"That's right. I expect you to get us out of here." + +"Why me?" + +"Because I don't know any way." Her eyes shone at him in the +half-light, bright and steady. "If you can't get us out of here +they'll kill us within three hours. I see nothing else ahead. Well, +Major? What are you going to do? I've been waiting all night. While +you were unconscious I sat here, waiting and listening. It's almost +dawn. The night is almost over." + + * * * * * + +Hendricks considered. "It's curious," he said at last. + +"Curious?" + +"That you should think I can get us out of here. I wonder what you +think I can do." + +"Can you get us to the Moon Base?" + +"The Moon Base? How?" + +"There must be some way." + +Hendricks shook his head. "No. There's no way that I know of." + +Tasso said nothing. For a moment her steady gaze wavered. She ducked +her head, turning abruptly away. She scrambled to her feet. "More +coffee?" + +"No." + +"Suit yourself." Tasso drank silently. He could not see her face. He +lay back against the ground, deep in thought, trying to concentrate. +It was hard to think. His head still hurt. And the numbing daze still +hung over him. + +"There might be one way," he said suddenly. + +"Oh?" + +"How soon is dawn?" + +"Two hours. The sun will be coming up shortly." + +"There's supposed to be a ship near here. I've never seen it. But I +know it exists." + +"What kind of a ship?" Her voice was sharp. + +"A rocket cruiser." + +"Will it take us off? To the Moon Base?" + +"It's supposed to. In case of emergency." He rubbed his forehead. + +"What's wrong?" + +"My head. It's hard to think. I can hardly--hardly concentrate. The +bomb." + +"Is the ship near here?" Tasso slid over beside him, settling down on +her haunches. "How far is it? Where is it?" + +"I'm trying to think." + +Her fingers dug into his arm. "Nearby?" Her voice was like iron. +"Where would it be? Would they store it underground? Hidden +underground?" + +"Yes. In a storage locker." + +"How do we find it? Is it marked? Is there a code marker to identify +it?" + +Hendricks concentrated. "No. No markings. No code symbol." + +"What, then?" + +"A sign." + +"What sort of sign?" + + * * * * * + +Hendricks did not answer. In the flickering light his eyes were +glazed, two sightless orbs. Tasso's fingers dug into his arm. + +"What sort of sign? What is it?" + +"I--I can't think. Let me rest." + +"All right." She let go and stood up. Hendricks lay back against the +ground, his eyes closed. Tasso walked away from him, her hands in her +pockets. She kicked a rock out of her way and stood staring up at the +sky. The night blackness was already beginning to fade into gray. +Morning was coming. + +Tasso gripped her pistol and walked around the fire in a circle, back +and forth. On the ground Major Hendricks lay, his eyes closed, +unmoving. The grayness rose in the sky, higher and higher. The +landscape became visible, fields of ash stretching out in all +directions. Ash and ruins of buildings, a wall here and there, heaps +of concrete, the naked trunk of a tree. + +The air was cold and sharp. Somewhere a long way off a bird made a few +bleak sounds. + +Hendricks stirred. He opened his eyes. "Is it dawn? Already?" + +"Yes." + +Hendricks sat up a little. "You wanted to know something. You were +asking me." + +"Do you remember now?" + +"Yes." + +"What is it?" She tensed. "What?" she repeated sharply. + +"A well. A ruined well. It's in a storage locker under a well." + +"A well." Tasso relaxed. "Then we'll find a well." She looked at her +watch. "We have about an hour, Major. Do you think we can find it in +an hour?" + + * * * * * + +"Give me a hand up," Hendricks said. + +Tasso put her pistol away and helped him to his feet. "This is going +to be difficult." + +"Yes it is." Hendricks set his lips tightly. "I don't think we're +going to go very far." + +They began to walk. The early sun cast a little warmth down on them. +The land was flat and barren, stretching out gray and lifeless as far +as they could see. A few birds sailed silently, far above them, +circling slowly. + +"See anything?" Hendricks said. "Any claws?" + +"No. Not yet." + +They passed through some ruins, upright concrete and bricks. A cement +foundation. Rats scuttled away. Tasso jumped back warily. + +"This used to be a town," Hendricks said. "A village. Provincial +village. This was all grape country, once. Where we are now." + +They came onto a ruined street, weeds and cracks criss-crossing it. +Over to the right a stone chimney stuck up. + +"Be careful," he warned her. + +A pit yawned, an open basement. Ragged ends of pipes jutted up, +twisted and bent. They passed part of a house, a bathtub turned on its +side. A broken chair. A few spoons and bits of china dishes. In the +center of the street the ground had sunk away. The depression was +filled with weeds and debris and bones. + +"Over here," Hendricks murmured. + +"This way?" + +"To the right." + +They passed the remains of a heavy duty tank. Hendricks' belt counter +clicked ominously. The tank had been radiation blasted. A few feet +from the tank a mummified body lay sprawled out, mouth open. Beyond +the road was a flat field. Stones and weeds, and bits of broken glass. + +"There," Hendricks said. + + * * * * * + +A stone well jutted up, sagging and broken. A few boards lay across +it. Most of the well had sunk into rubble. Hendricks walked unsteadily +toward it, Tasso beside him. + +"Are you certain about this?" Tasso said. "This doesn't look like +anything." + +"I'm sure." Hendricks sat down at the edge of the well, his teeth +locked. His breath came quickly. He wiped perspiration from his face. +"This was arranged so the senior command officer could get away. If +anything happened. If the bunker fell." + +"That was you?" + +"Yes." + +"Where is the ship? Is it here?" + +"We're standing on it." Hendricks ran his hands over the surface of +the well stones. "The eye-lock responds to me, not to anybody else. +It's my ship. Or it was supposed to be." + +There was a sharp click. Presently they heard a low grating sound from +below them. + +"Step back," Hendricks said. He and Tasso moved away from the well. + +A section of the ground slid back. A metal frame pushed slowly up +through the ash, shoving bricks and weeds out of the way. The action +ceased, as the ship nosed into view. + +"There it is," Hendricks said. + +The ship was small. It rested quietly, suspended in its mesh frame, +like a blunt needle. A rain of ash sifted down into the dark cavity +from which the ship had been raised. Hendricks made his way over to +it. He mounted the mesh and unscrewed the hatch, pulling it back. +Inside the ship the control banks and the pressure seat were visible. + + * * * * * + +Tasso came and stood beside him, gazing into the ship. "I'm not +accustomed to rocket piloting," she said, after awhile. + +Hendricks glanced at her. "I'll do the piloting." + +"Will you? There's only one seat, Major. I can see it's built to carry +only a single person." + +Hendricks' breathing changed. He studied the interior of the ship +intently. Tasso was right. There was only one seat. The ship was built +to carry only one person. "I see," he said slowly. "And the one person +is you." + +She nodded. + +"Of course." + +"Why?" + +"_You_ can't go. You might not live through the trip. You're injured. +You probably wouldn't get there." + +"An interesting point. But you see, I know where the Moon Base is. And +you don't. You might fly around for months and not find it. It's well +hidden. Without knowing what to look for--" + +"I'll have to take my chances. Maybe I won't find it. Not by myself. +But I think you'll give me all the information I need. Your life +depends on it." + +"How?" + +"If I find the Moon Base in time, perhaps I can get them to send a +ship back to pick you up. _If_ I find the Base in time. If not, then +you haven't a chance. I imagine there are supplies on the ship. They +will last me long enough--" + +Hendricks moved quickly. But his injured arm betrayed him. Tasso +ducked, sliding lithely aside. Her hand came up, lightning fast. +Hendricks saw the gun butt coming. He tried to ward off the blow, but +she was too fast. The metal butt struck against the side of his head, +just above his ear. Numbing pain rushed through him. Pain and rolling +clouds of blackness. He sank down, sliding to the ground. + + * * * * * + +Dimly, he was aware that Tasso was standing over him, kicking him with +her toe. + +"Major! Wake up." + +He opened his eyes, groaning. + +"Listen to me." She bent down, the gun pointed at his face. "I have to +hurry. There isn't much time left. The ship is ready to go, but you +must tell me the information I need before I leave." + +Hendricks shook his head, trying to clear it. + +"Hurry up! Where is the Moon Base? How do I find it? What do I look +for?" + +Hendricks said nothing. + +"Answer me!" + +"Sorry." + +"Major, the ship is loaded with provisions. I can coast for weeks. +I'll find the Base eventually. And in a half hour you'll be dead. Your +only chance of survival--" She broke off. + +Along the slope, by some crumbling ruins, something moved. Something +in the ash. Tasso turned quickly, aiming. She fired. A puff of flame +leaped. Something scuttled away, rolling across the ash. She fired +again. The claw burst apart, wheels flying. + +"See?" Tasso said. "A scout. It won't be long." + +"You'll bring them back here to get me?" + +"Yes. As soon as possible." + +Hendricks looked up at her. He studied her intently. "You're telling +the truth?" A strange expression had come over his face, an avid +hunger. "You will come back for me? You'll get me to the Moon Base?" + +"I'll get you to the Moon Base. But tell me where it is! There's only +a little time left." + +"All right." Hendricks picked up a piece of rock, pulling himself to a +sitting position. "Watch." + +Hendricks began to scratch in the ash. Tasso stood by him, watching +the motion of the rock. Hendricks was sketching a crude lunar map. + + * * * * * + +"This is the Appenine range. Here is the Crater of Archimedes. The +Moon Base is beyond the end of the Appenine, about two hundred miles. +I don't know exactly where. No one on Terra knows. But when you're +over the Appenine, signal with one red flare and a green flare, +followed by two red flares in quick succession. The Base monitor will +record your signal. The Base is under the surface, of course. They'll +guide you down with magnetic grapples." + +"And the controls? Can I operate them?" + +"The controls are virtually automatic. All you have to do is give the +right signal at the right time." + +"I will." + +"The seat absorbs most of the take-off shock. Air and temperature are +automatically controlled. The ship will leave Terra and pass out into +free space. It'll line itself up with the moon, falling into an orbit +around it, about a hundred miles above the surface. The orbit will +carry you over the Base. When you're in the region of the Appenine, +release the signal rockets." + +Tasso slid into the ship and lowered herself into the pressure seat. +The arm locks folded automatically around her. She fingered the +controls. "Too bad you're not going, Major. All this put here for you, +and you can't make the trip." + +"Leave me the pistol." + +Tasso pulled the pistol from her belt. She held it in her hand, +weighing it thoughtfully. "Don't go too far from this location. It'll +be hard to find you, as it is." + +"No. I'll stay here by the well." + +Tasso gripped the take-off switch, running her fingers over the smooth +metal. "A beautiful ship, Major. Well built. I admire your +workmanship. You people have always done good work. You build fine +things. Your work, your creations, are your greatest achievement." + +"Give me the pistol," Hendricks said impatiently, holding out his +hand. He struggled to his feet. + +"Good-bye, Major." Tasso tossed the pistol past Hendricks. The pistol +clattered against the ground, bouncing and rolling away. Hendricks +hurried after it. He bent down, snatching it up. + +The hatch of the ship clanged shut. The bolts fell into place. +Hendricks made his way back. The inner door was being sealed. He +raised the pistol unsteadily. + + * * * * * + +There was a shattering roar. The ship burst up from its metal cage, +fusing the mesh behind it. Hendricks cringed, pulling back. The ship +shot up into the rolling clouds of ash, disappearing into the sky. + +Hendricks stood watching a long time, until even the streamer had +dissipated. Nothing stirred. The morning air was chill and silent. He +began to walk aimlessly back the way they had come. Better to keep +moving around. It would be a long time before help came--if it came at +all. + +He searched his pockets until he found a package of cigarettes. He lit +one grimly. They had all wanted cigarettes from him. But cigarettes +were scarce. + +A lizard slithered by him, through the ash. He halted, rigid. The +lizard disappeared. Above, the sun rose higher in the sky. Some flies +landed on a flat rock to one side of him. Hendricks kicked at them +with his foot. + +It was getting hot. Sweat trickled down his face, into his collar. His +mouth was dry. + +Presently he stopped walking and sat down on some debris. He +unfastened his medicine kit and swallowed a few narcotic capsules. He +looked around him. Where was he? + +Something lay ahead. Stretched out on the ground. Silent and unmoving. + +Hendricks drew his gun quickly. It looked like a man. Then he +remembered. It was the remains of Klaus. The Second Variety. Where +Tasso had blasted him. He could see wheels and relays and metal parts, +strewn around on the ash. Glittering and sparkling in the sunlight. + +Hendricks got to his feet and walked over. He nudged the inert form +with his foot, turning it over a little. He could see the metal hull, +the aluminum ribs and struts. More wiring fell out. Like viscera. +Heaps of wiring, switches and relays. Endless motors and rods. + +He bent down. The brain cage had been smashed by the fall. The +artificial brain was visible. He gazed at it. A maze of circuits. +Miniature tubes. Wires as fine as hair. He touched the brain cage. It +swung aside. The type plate was visible. Hendricks studied the plate. + +And blanched. + +IV--IV. + +For a long time he stared at the plate. Fourth Variety. Not the +Second. They had been wrong. There were more types. Not just three. +Many more, perhaps. At least four. And Klaus wasn't the Second +Variety. + +But if Klaus wasn't the Second Variety-- + +Suddenly he tensed. Something was coming, walking through the ash +beyond the hill. What was it? He strained to see. Figures. Figures +coming slowly along, making their way through the ash. + +Coming toward him. + +Hendricks crouched quickly, raising his gun. Sweat dripped down into +his eyes. He fought down rising panic, as the figures neared. + +The first was a David. The David saw him and increased its pace. The +others hurried behind it. A second David. A third. Three Davids, all +alike, coming toward him silently, without expression, their thin legs +rising and falling. Clutching their teddy bears. + +He aimed and fired. The first two Davids dissolved into particles. The +third came on. And the figure behind it. Climbing silently toward him +across the gray ash. A Wounded Soldier, towering over the David. And-- + + * * * * * + +And behind the Wounded Soldier came two Tassos, walking side by side. +Heavy belt, Russian army pants, shirt, long hair. The familiar figure, +as he had seen her only a little while before. Sitting in the pressure +seat of the ship. Two slim, silent figures, both identical. + +They were very near. The David bent down suddenly, dropping its teddy +bear. The bear raced across the ground. Automatically, Hendricks' +fingers tightened around the trigger. The bear was gone, dissolved +into mist. The two Tasso Types moved on, expressionless, walking side +by side, through the gray ash. + +When they were almost to him, Hendricks raised the pistol waist high +and fired. + +The two Tassos dissolved. But already a new group was starting up the +rise, five or six Tassos, all identical, a line of them coming rapidly +toward him. + +And he had given her the ship and the signal code. Because of him she +was on her way to the moon, to the Moon Base. He had made it possible. + +He had been right about the bomb, after all. It had been designed with +knowledge of the other types, the David Type and the Wounded Soldier +Type. And the Klaus Type. Not designed by human beings. It had been +designed by one of the underground factories, apart from all human +contact. + +The line of Tassos came up to him. Hendricks braced himself, watching +them calmly. The familiar face, the belt, the heavy shirt, the bomb +carefully in place. + +The bomb-- + +As the Tassos reached for him, a last ironic thought drifted through +Hendricks' mind. He felt a little better, thinking about it. The bomb. +Made by the Second Variety to destroy the other varieties. Made for +that end alone. + +They were already beginning to design weapons to use against each +other. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Second Variety, by Philip Kindred Dick + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SECOND VARIETY *** + +***** This file should be named 32032.txt or 32032.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/0/3/32032/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Barbara Tozier 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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