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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6177e00 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #61797 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/61797) diff --git a/old/61797-h.zip b/old/61797-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6d0827c..0000000 --- a/old/61797-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/61797-h/61797-h.htm b/old/61797-h/61797-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 096db61..0000000 --- a/old/61797-h/61797-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1289 +0,0 @@ -<!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=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Planet That Time Forgot, by Donald A. Wollheim. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -.ph1 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } -.ph1 { font-size: medium; margin: .83em auto; } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's The Planet That Time Forgot, by Donald A. Wollheim - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: The Planet That Time Forgot - -Author: Donald A. Wollheim - -Release Date: April 10, 2020 [EBook #61797] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PLANET THAT TIME FORGOT *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="352" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>THE PLANET THAT TIME FORGOT</h1> - -<h2>By DONALD A. WOLLHEIM</h2> - -<p>Out beyond furthest Pluto, beyond pale Neptune,<br /> -roared the <i>Stardust</i>. Rocketing toward<br /> -the monstrous new planet that filled the heavens.<br /> -Planet "P"—the colossus that Time forgot!</p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Planet Stories Fall 1940.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>She stood upon the high battlements of the palace, overlooking the land -of Toom, with sunlight splashing over the beauty and radiance of her. -She, Oomith, <i>mataiya</i> of Toom. Her eyes wandered to the road that -wound, ribbon-like, far beyond her land, out into the great reaches -of her world, out into Nimbor. Nimbor, whose lords even now were in -session with Toom's officials, demanding the land's surrender to their -superior forces. Nimbor, whose rulers offered life to the heads of -Toom's commonwealth providing the <i>mataiya</i> mate with their prince.</p> - -<p>She stood, trying to drink in the splendor of the land, for this might -be a last time. What her answer would be as Directress of Internal -Relations she well knew; what her answer, as woman, to Aald of Nimbor -would be she knew even better. But now she must return to the council -meeting.</p> - -<p>Danuth, Head Center of Toom, was speaking as she re-entered. "What -you demand, Aald of Nimbor, is the commonwealth's freedom, and our -officers, in return for petty sinecures under your proposed regime. And -the <i>mataiya</i> in marriage, as if it were in the power of any save she -to grant that."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" width="319" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>She did not flush as the insolent eyes of the young man across the -table fell upon her, appraised, then leered approval at her. Her voice -was clear and cold as she said:</p> - -<p>"You boast loudly of your war-machine, Aald of Nimbor. You remark -casually that you could crush our armies with a mere handful of men. -But you say you are willing to spare our lives if we surrender without -a struggle.</p> - -<p>"In return for what do you offer us life, prince of Nimbor? Serfdom and -misery for our people under Nimbor's hand; the stigma of cowardice upon -us. I shall not argue with you. My answer is final: no!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>She glanced at Danuth, met the grim smile in his eyes. Was it possible -that the careful building of decades would soon be wiped away? That the -hopes and plans of Toom and her people lay helpless before the whims of -this arrogant child with the lusts and appetites of a man? In Toom, he -would still be a student, learning the responsibilities as well as the -rights of citizenship. A coldness ran through her as she pictured Toom -under his rule. Then Danuth's voice interrupted her thoughts.</p> - -<p>"Even if the <i>mataiya</i> had not taken the initiative, my answer would -still be the same. No, Aald of Nimbor, no. If you mean to enslave us, -you will have to work for your victory. And, superior war-machine or -not, the people of Toom will make your triumph a hardly-bought one, if -indeed you can triumph against a free people."</p> - -<p>It was hard to keep a calm face as the prince tried first to scowl, -then to sneer. If only this were the comic melodrama it should have -been! But, no—if Nimbor's claims were based on fact, then there -would be no more laughter for Toom and her people. Aald's tones were -mockingly courteous.</p> - -<p>"You speak well, Danuth, but your words prove your incapacity to -govern anyone. What were your redoubtable Lugarth and the invincible -hordes from Bhuur, of which you Toomians make so much? In whose name -you still deem yourself secure from conquest? They were no more than -barbarians—savages armed with spears and swords. Good fighters, I -grant you, but helpless before the new warfare of which I am master.</p> - -<p>"Do you think I am lying? This is your last chance. When you see your -armies burn to cinders before your eyes, see your fields and towns -incinerated, then it will be too late to bargain. Then you will come to -me with pleas for peace, but I shall not hear you."</p> - -<p>His eyes fell upon her again possessively. "Then I shall not honor you -with the title of princess, Oomith of Toom. Woe to the conquered.</p> - -<p>"You forget the matter of scientific progress, Toomians. We left your -stupid notions of international relations behind long ago. If you -surrender now, I guarantee the land of Toom the same care as I bestow -upon Nimbor; otherwise, it shall be treated as a conquered province."</p> - -<p>He stood up glaring. "I give you your last chance. Yield now!"</p> - -<p>She rose lightly, as did the others, meeting his gaze with eyes steady -and unafraid. "Toom does not yield. Earn your victory if you can; we -are ready." A chorus of assents indicated that she spoke for all.</p> - -<p>Aald bowed with an exaggerated gesture, swept a final lecherous glance -in her direction, then withdrew as Danuth rang a bell signaling -attendants. Once the other had gone, he sank back into the chair, his -eyes passing from one official to another. She gripped his hand.</p> - -<p>"Do you think he can do as he claims?"</p> - -<p>"I greatly fear so. The reports from our agents sound -incredible—almost like wizardry. A projector that casts an invisible -light, causing whomsoever it touches to die at once, as if boiling to -death. If they be true, then Toom is lost."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Down below, in another part of the palace, the emissaries of Nimbor -prepared to depart. Aald was whispering to one. What he said was -scarcely understood, but the smiles on the faces of both could be taken -as indicative.</p> - -<p>"We will be waiting at the Corian Gate," said Aald in departing. The -other bowed, and beckoned to two attendants of Nimbor.</p> - -<p>An hour passed. At the Corian Gate to the palace grounds, facing the -wide smooth road that led to Nimbor, a thousand miles away, rested a -black, torpedo-shaped two-wheeled vehicle, now balanced by temporary -legs set out from it. Painted on the door to its single cabin was the -Imperial Shield of Nimbor.</p> - -<p>Seated within, at the controls, was a man of Nimbor's party. Occasional -puffs of smoke emitted from the rocket tubes at the rear as the ship -was being kept ready for instant use. Aald himself waited impatiently -in the road, fretting under the watchful eyes of the commonwealth -guards at the gate. Finally he caught sight of something, and addressed -the guards.</p> - -<p>"They are my companions. Open the gate, guards, and let them through." -He seemed to stare a moment at the oncomers, then called. "What's the -matter with Eldh? Why are you carrying him?"</p> - -<p>One of the two men approaching answered: "He slipped on a staircase and -fell, Your Highness. He is unconscious and seems to have broken his -leg. We thought it best to give temporary treatment now then bring him -back with us; it is why we were late, Your Highness."</p> - -<p>The prince nodded approval, motioned them to hasten. As they went -through the gates, one of the Toomian guards looked down at the face of -the black-covered body and checked it off his list. The men of Nimbor -entered the rocketmobile, shut the door. A terrific roar as the vehicle -got under way, then it had vanished down the long road.</p> - -<p>Inside the conveyance Aald bent over the unconscious figure, looked -down at the scarred masculine features of one of the soldiers who had -accompanied him. Then, with a chuckle, he put his hand on the yellow -hair and pulled. The entire face seemed to fall apart. Beneath the -extremely convincing mask was the face of Oomith, lying unconscious.</p> - -<p>"It worked beautifully," he commented. "What of Eldh? Did he make his -escape through the merchants' entrance as planned?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Highness. They suspected nothing. Nor did we have any trouble in -kidnaping the <i>mataiya</i>. There were no guards by her room, and she had -succumbed before she suspected the presence of a gas-tube. They won't -know she is missing before we have arrived in the city."</p> - -<p>Within the hour, the rocketmobile had passed the border and was in the -capital of Nimbor.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was noon on the day set for attack. Aald and the commanders of the -staff awaited the emperor's coming within a small enclosure just inside -the walls of Nimbor. Outside, in the road beyond the open gate, a -rocket vehicle awaited in readiness to take them to the front. Oomith -was there as well.</p> - -<p>"You see," drawled Aald, "we make good our boast. Very soon you will be -joined by Danuth and the other commonwealth officials as our prisoner. -You really should have married me when you had the chance; it would -have saved many lives."</p> - -<p>Oomith stared at him frostily. "The people of Toom would never have -yielded to such filth as you, even had we betrayed them. It would have -made no difference. We of Toom have self respect and honor to a degree -that I fear is outside of your understanding."</p> - -<p>His laugh was not pleasant. "Still prattling over your little -foolishness. Honor, respect—what are they to the destinies of nations -and dynasties? Such delusions are hardly worthy of the Oomith I might -have married."</p> - -<p>He seized a scroll from one of the officers standing nearby, shook it -before her. "Here! Here is honor and respect. Here is such a thing as -makes greatness. These are the designs of our war machines; this is -what will teach the Toomians respect."</p> - -<p>Without answering, Oomith snatched the paper cylinder out of Aald's -hand and darted forward. Straight toward the open gate she fled, toward -the rocketmobile outside. A wild, insane scheme of seizing this and -escaping to her own land in time possessed her.</p> - -<p>Caught off guard, the men were already at a disadvantage; they knew -even as they raced she could not be caught before reaching the gate. -With energy born of desperation, she hurled herself forward. But, just -as she was upon it, two soldiers stepped through and dashed at her.</p> - -<p>At this point occurred what has gone down in history as the miracle -that saved Toom. It is something for which no parallel in all history -can be found. It caused Oomith to rise from the status of a beautiful -and capable <i>mataiya</i> to that of a goddess.</p> - -<p>Oomith stated later what were her feelings and experiences. She saw -the two oncoming soldiers quite clearly. Her only thought then was to -dash between them. Then, there came a terrible shock. An awful jolting -as if she had been struck by a thunderbolt. The scene before her eyes -dissolved instantaneously into a featureless gray; she felt herself -seemingly detached as one might feel in the throes of delirium. For -only a few seconds the strange sensation lasted. The only thing that -she remembered seeing was the momentary impression of a single vision -hanging before her eyes.</p> - -<p>What she saw was a man. She does not recollect how he was clad. He -seemed to be sitting on a bench. Behind him she saw distinctly a blue -wall, in nature, metallic. In the wall was an open door through which -only grayness could be seen. The face of the man was held close to -hers; he seemed to be staring at her. It was the face of a middle-aged -man, of one powerful. Two clear brown eyes looked into hers; a mass -of wavy chestnut hair surmounted the godlike brow. And the figure was -smiling.</p> - -<p>For only the minutest fraction of a second this lasted, then the -grayness returned. Yet, in a few seconds, it, too, had cleared away. -The terrible blankness and queer feeling vanished abruptly as it had -come. She could again see about her.</p> - -<p>The castle of Aald and the men of Nimbor apparently had dissolved. -Above her rose the sides of the palace of the Directors of Toom. And -about her were the men of Toom. For a moment, Oomith and the men stared -at one another, each mutually startled and disbelieving what they saw. -Finally one of them recovered sufficiently to speak.</p> - -<p>"<i>Mataiya</i> Oomith! We thought you were being held captive in Nimbor; -what do you here? How did you get here?"</p> - -<p>She could only reply hesitatingly: "I don't know. I was at Nimbor, -trying to escape. Then everything went dark, and I found myself -standing here." She started to put a hand to her forehead, then saw she -was holding something. The scroll! Her eyes flashed.</p> - -<p>"Quick! Summon the council. I have here the plans for the death machine -of Nimbor. Bid them hurry. We have no time to lose!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Joris, military director of Toom, pounded the table with his fist. -"Damn! We know everything the enemy knows, now. We have the plans so -that we can meet them on their own terms. But they're on their way to -attack us now, and we haven't even a working model. It's all here—but -only on paper.</p> - -<p>"We can save Toom, yes—but we cannot prevent the devastation of our -fields and towns, nor the slaughter of our helpless non-combatants. We -can only exact a vengeance and prevent a final triumph on the part of -the enemy!"</p> - -<p>Before Danuth could speak, a man burst into the chamber, hair -disheveled, gasping for breath. On his face was an expression of -amazement and joy commingled. Twice he tried to speak and could emit -only gasps for breath. He clasped the shoulders of Joris, turned to -the others. At length speech returned to him, and he spoke slowly, -deliberately.</p> - -<p>"The weapons of Nimbor are ours. They are here, within the walls of the -palace. I cannot tell you how they came, nor can any of the guards. -But we have all seen them, have examined their workings. We do not yet -understand their principles—"</p> - -<p>At this point, another man burst in, equally distrait and out of -breath. "Directors!" he cried. "Toom is saved!" He fell to rapid, heavy -breathing while his eyes sought first one, then another of those -assembled. He waved his hand reassuringly as Danuth started to speak.</p> - -<p>"No, Directors, I speak truly. I am one of the prison guards. We -suddenly heard noises from one of the unoccupied cells. Naturally, we -hurried over and looked in. Inside, we saw Aald and the Emperor of -Nimbor, with his entire staff. They don't know how they got there—I -presumed that you would not want us to release them immediately."</p> - -<p>A roar of laughter from Joris greeted the speaker. He smote the -guard on the back with the palm of his huge hand, so that the fellow -staggered against the table.</p> - -<p>"No, not <i>immediately</i>! We have other things to do first. But we're not -too busy to vote you the order of the commonwealth. And see if there -isn't a better position for you to fill than that of prison guard."</p> - -<p>He turned to the others. "The enemy will be completely disorganized -and demoralized by this. I propose we move at once upon Nimbor, attack -strategic points and refrain as much as possible from such destruction -as will make miserable the lot of the Nimborian people, who are not -responsible for their degenerate rulers. I propose we make contacts -with the Nimborian commoners and urge them immediately to revolt -against what is left of the Aald-Rhankur regime, strike for their own -freedom."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>(<i>And now, we must go back in time, must travel to another part of -space. We must leave Planet P, where lie Nimbor and Toom, for a return -to Earth-time. Only thus can we have a logical understanding of the -events related above.</i>)</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">II</p> - -<p>At an angle above the plane of the ecliptic over the orbits of the -asteroids was a long metal craft, resembling somewhat a cross between -a towerless submarine and an all-metal zeppelin. In the forward cabin, -six men were gathered. They comprised the entire crew and command of -the vessel. Although an official meeting, there was about it none of -the stiffness that marks such an event in military circles on Earth: -on an interplanetary vessel every man's life is in the hands of every -other man. The captain is obeyed, not because of his rank, primarily, -but because the lives of all depend upon explicit conformation to -discipline. But in this vital discipline, there is no place for the -sham of stiff-necked formality; thus, captain, officer, or member of -the crew spoke to each other with frankness and mutual respect.</p> - -<p>Captain Wanderman looked around, mentally checking to see if all -were present: Lieutenant Alfred Rokesmith; Weber, the scientist; -Opp, explorer and cook extraordinary; Mullins, skilled mechanical -specialist; Barth, doctor and general overseer of vital supplies.</p> - -<p>Wanderman smiled. "I guess you're all eager to find out whither we're -heading, eh?"</p> - -<p>"We sure would," spoke up Opp.</p> - -<p>"Especially after that terrifically long period of acceleration," added -Weber. "Three days of it ... beats all my experience."</p> - -<p>"It was necessary to achieve our speed. We're going a long way ... have -to make the trip as short as possible. We'll be putting on still more -acceleration once the asteroids are behind us."</p> - -<p>"Neptune?" asked Barth. "Pluto?"</p> - -<p>"Farther than either."</p> - -<p>"You don't mean Planet P, do you?" spoke up Mullins. "The one that was -discovered last year, that hasn't been given a name yet?"</p> - -<p>"Right!"</p> - -<p>"I never did get quite clear on the subject of Planet P," drawled -Rokesmith. "Just how was it discovered?"</p> - -<p>Captain Wanderman cleared his throat. "Few people are; even the experts -don't know much about it.</p> - -<p>"Its existence was first surmised and calculated in 1931—about a -hundred years ago—by Professor William H. Pickering of Jamaica. He -observed that the planet Uranus was being displaced from its proper -orbit. Of course, this perturbation could be due only to the influence -of another planet, he thought. But there was no other body known -at that time which could account for the drag. Thus, the Professor -computed mathematically the existance, approximate size, and position -of an unknown body which would account for the odd behavior of Uranus. -This he calculated to be a giant planet of a diameter of approximately -44,000 miles, in mass the third greatest in the solar system. He puts -its distance to range in an eliptical orbit of from 5,000 million -miles to 9,000 million miles from the sun. This, of course, made it -extra-Plutonian in position. Its year would be in length about 656 -Earthly years. He gave it the temporary name of Planet P.</p> - -<p>"Planet P's existence was further indicated by the orbits of some -sixteen comets, also affected by a drag which the theoretical planet -made perfectly accountable. Last year the planet Neptune had finally -arrived in the position where it, too, would be affected by this body. -You understand: the astronomers, calculating both known and theoretical -factors, determined that, if this Planet P existed, an irregularity -in Neptune's behavior would be discovered at this particular time. -The predicted irregularity arrived on time; thus, due to this added -information, our astronomers were able to find out precisely where the -new planet should be sought. And they found it. It is indeed an immense -thing, shows a perceptible disc even at its great distance from Earth. -We may anticipate something different when we arrive."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Days went by. Endless days marked only by the chronometer in the -unchanging blackness of the celestial void. The tiny pinpoints of -myriad stars glowed unchangingly. Behind them, a few planets grew more -and more minute, each in turn finally being blotted out by the corona -of the sun. Jupiter's orbit was left behind; they saw the great ringed -planet loom up to one side and fade away as all the others had done. -But this was not with the flashing speed of objects and cities passing -the rocket-vehicle on Earth. It was a matter of days before each change -could be realized, weeks before a planet filled the entire spaceports.</p> - -<p>Onward and outward. Celebrations when at last Uranus was passed, -the hitherto outpost of interplanetary exploration. Eventually pale -Neptune, mysterious planet, passed under them, directly in their path, -its great misty, frigid sphere glowing eerily in the twilight of outer -worlds.</p> - -<p>Outward. Tiny Pluto was too far off to be seen, but its orbit was -passed. For a hundred years, the outpost of the solar system. Now -dethroned by the enormous newcomer, its passing was still a solemn -moment. Then, one day Barth observed a tiny light where no light should -be. Celebration again rang through the vessel: Planet P was sighted!</p> - -<p>Days of deceleration followed. The rockets flamed, but no longer from -the stern of the vessel. Days of a continual blasting from the vessel's -prow until at last the unbelievable acceleration was neutralized. Now -the planet had grown, until, even with their greatly decreased speed, -it filled the view. Still more blasting until the ship was virtually -drifting along, caught only by the gravity of the monstrous new world.</p> - -<p>A great disk glowing dimly in the light of the stars, especially in the -light of one particularly brilliant star that was the Earthmen's sun. -The vaguest hints of geological features could be seen. Planet P.</p> - -<p>The rockets flared again in an intricate pattern. Balanced on the -pattern, the ship was lowered, slowly, into the atmosphere of the -strange world. About it flamed a red glow as proof of atmosphere. An -atmosphere, doubtless, of some unknown gases that would not congeal -in the awful cold. And, finally, a shrill whistling penetrating the -triple-thick walls, a dull thud, and a silence as she came to rest.</p> - -<p>The voyage was over. Man had reached the outermost limits of the solar -system, had arrived safely at the mysterious outer world, Planet P.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The men gathered in space suits. "Each man will take searchlights -and emergency rations. You will obey Lieutenant Rokesmith and myself -implicitly; only on pledges of such obedience from all of you can I -permit a planet-party to land."</p> - -<p>Each member of the crew spoke his agreement.</p> - -<p>"Mullins, take a coil of rope; Weber, the barometer and compass; Barth, -the camera and flash. Are you sure your gravity controls are adjusted -to decrease your weight to Earth normal? Make sure, everyone—that goes -for me, too."</p> - -<p>"Check!"</p> - -<p>Rokesmith turned the lever and swung the thick outer port open. -Wanderman stepped out onto the ground; the others followed.</p> - -<p>Above them was a deep blue sky strewn with stars, though lacking in -the abundant distribution of the outer void. Beneath their feet lay a -clay-like expanse. They looked about them.</p> - -<p>There was something dark looming up in the starlight a distance away. -The captain started off in that direction, beckoned the others to -follow. All felt that strange sensation that comes for everyone when -he stands on the terrain of an alien planet. It makes no difference -how often this experience has been undergone previously; the sensation -cannot be shaken off.</p> - -<p>"It looks like a wall," sang out Opp as they reached the looming thing.</p> - -<p>Rokesmith turned the beam of his flashlight on it. "It is a wall!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Unmistakably, it was a structure made of many square blocks of -stone fitted together to form a section rising into the air from a -foundation. Weber flashed his light around. "It ends here."</p> - -<p>The men hesitated to go around. What could this enigmatic wall be doing -on this frigid world? The instruments showed the temperature to be many -hundred degrees below zero Fahrenheit. What beings could have built -this great wall? What could it mean?</p> - -<p>But at last they did go around the edifice, flashing their lights -before them. And nearly collapsed from the shock of what they saw: a -broad paved street on which bordered many stone houses whose glass -windows reflected the dim glow of the stars above. The tiny sun cast a -faint illumination on it all.</p> - -<p>"People!" gasped Mullins.</p> - -<p>There were. Standing on the streets and in the doors of the houses were -the dim figures of men. Unmistakably human in form.</p> - -<p>"They're not alive," observed Rokesmith.</p> - -<p>"At least, they are not moving," replied Barth quickly.</p> - -<p>"Come on, then. Why are we waiting? Are you afraid of a lot of -statues?" Captain Wanderman suited action to his words as he strode -forward, stopping directly before the first of the standing figures. He -cast his beam over it from head to foot.</p> - -<p>Unmistakably, it was a man. Clad in clothes and undeniably human. Its -features were perfectly normal, bore the flush of life. The feet and -entire body were set in attitude as if in the act of taking a step. But -it was motionless.</p> - -<p>"Some statue!" breathed Opp. "I would swear it was a real man."</p> - -<p>"It is a real man," said Barth, softly. He bent close to the face. "It -has the pores and tiny hairs that can only be on a true body."</p> - -<p>"Then he must have been alive once," murmured Weber. "What do you -suppose happened to him? Is he petrified or only frozen solid?"</p> - -<p>"Frozen, I think," said Barth. "Yet, it is very strange. His flesh is -still soft and resilient; it is not natural."</p> - -<p>"A land of frozen people!" Captain Wanderman's words struck a chilling -note in all of them. Quickly they investigated the other figures. -Some men, some women, some old, some young. All kinds and types; -all apparently had been frozen solid in the middle of their normal -activities. None showed any sign of being aware that death had struck. -When the terrible freezing occurred it must have happened so swiftly, -instantaneously, as to have caught all unaware.</p> - -<p>They moved on, saying little. There was that same eerie atmosphere that -one finds in a wax museum while passing about among the realistic but -silent and motionless figures of apparently ordinary people. Add to -that the grim knowledge that the figures they now saw had been alive, -that in effect the explorers were in a monstrous, planet-wide graveyard.</p> - -<p>They went on, coming to wide roads down which lines of marching men -stood silently in attitudes startlingly like some paintings of men -marching to war. Undoubtedly they were soldiers. Once or twice along -the line, the Earthmen saw huge projector-like instruments mounted on -wheels, being taken along with the marchers.</p> - -<p>"Say, look at this scene!" called out Rokesmith.</p> - -<p>He was standing before an open gate, staring in at the courtyard of a -large, pretentious stone building. Before the gate stood two guards -who evidently had been frozen just as they were turning about to stare -in through the entrance. On their faces was a look of aroused inquiry. -Inside the courtyard was a dramatic tableau.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>A young woman of great beauty was fixed in the posture of running. Her -foot was lifted from the ground, her body thrust forward, her face -strained, hair flowing backwards as if the wind were brushing it back. -In one hand, tightly grasped, was a scroll.</p> - -<p>Directly behind her stood a young man with a look of astonishment -and anger on a face that was cruel and evil. His hand was still held -outstretched as if to grasp after the scroll that the woman was fleeing -with. All about, in similar positions of astonishment and anxiety, were -other men, some of whom had started forward as if about to commence a -pursuit.</p> - -<p>"Some scene, eh?" murmured Barth. "Looks real dramatic. I wish we could -know what it was all about."</p> - -<p>"That's an idea!" burst from Wanderman. "Why didn't I think of it -sooner? Barth! We can use the mentascope on these frozen people—with -the attachments that are used to read the minds of the newly dead, -can't we?"</p> - -<p>"I think we can, Captain. These people are perfectly preserved; there's -no reason why we can't shoot a current through their brains and get the -information stored there."</p> - -<p>They turned, commenced to retrace their steps to the ship. It took them -about ten minutes to reach the street by which they had entered the -city and come to the vessel. Once inside, they hastened to unpack the -mentascope and its attendant apparatus. When at last they were ready, -they left the airlock and started back; the return to the ship had -taken them about twenty minutes.</p> - -<p>They entered the street of the city they had first chanced upon. As -they passed the first figure, Weber suddenly whirled around and stared -at it.</p> - -<p>"Look! Stop and look at this man!"</p> - -<p>The others gathered around.</p> - -<p>"Does he look the same to you? It seems to me that it was his other leg -which was being put forward when last we saw him. I'm sure his arms -were in a different position."</p> - -<p>They stared amazedly. The figure certainly was not in the identical -posture as before. Weber's observations had been correct.</p> - -<p>"All the rest of them seem to be planted in slightly different -postures, too."</p> - -<p>Captain Wanderman bent down, studied the arm of the man carefully. He -remained silent for some time, then he stood up. There was a tone of -awe and bewilderment in his voice when he spoke.</p> - -<p>"It has moved, and what is more, it is still moving. I saw that hand -pass a given point on the body of the person in a few minutes. It's -like watching the hands of a clock. At first, they do not seem to move -at all, but if you watch closely enough for a time, you can observe the -motion."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean this fellow is still alive?"</p> - -<p>"It would seem so."</p> - -<p>"But why the slow motion?" asked Opp.</p> - -<p>"I think," said the captain slowly, "that the mentascope can help us -answer the whole business."</p> - -<p>They came to the courtyard of the running woman. The tableau had -changed; it seemed as if a few seconds had passed since they left. Now -the figure of the woman was closer to the gate; the two guards from -outside had passed through and were going forward to seize her, while -the men behind were in full running appearance, as if, having recovered -from a surprise move, they were taking to pursuit.</p> - -<p>"All right men: set down the apparatus."</p> - -<p>Two men set down a small battery, attached it to wires leading from a -large metal helmet which another was placing over the head of the still -woman-figure. Other wires were attached to the space-suit helmet worn -by Captain Wanderman. Through the glassite panes it could be seen that -he was wearing a somewhat similar helmet himself, having donned this -while back on the ship.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>A current of electrical energy was passed from an electrode pressed -against one particular part of the woman's head through to another -leading out. In passing through the brain of the woman, this current -picked up the last and deepest occurrences in the life of the person -subjected to it. It activated the cells on which these events were -recorded in a form much like that of a charged body. Passing out of the -brain, it carried these impressions with it and brought them to the -mind of the operator as distinct thoughts. Since basic thoughts are not -expressed in any language save impressions and pictures, the operator -finds that he has suddenly acquired the knowledge of the other.</p> - -<p>Thus, in a brief time, Wanderman told the men of the story concerning -Nimbor and Toom, of the <i>mataiya's</i> part in the drama. The men stood -in wonder, staring at the figures; Opp calmly walked over to Aald and -tweaked his nose. The Nimborian's expression did not change.</p> - -<p>"I still can't grasp why these people are all like frozen statues," -exclaimed Barth. "How can they live and act like everyday terrestrials -when this planet is so lacking in heat and light?"</p> - -<p>"I think I can explain," said Wanderman. "It sounds fantastic, but it -is not impossible. And it would account for all the factors. I'll tell -you when we get back to the ship: right now we have work to do."</p> - -<p>"What work?"</p> - -<p>"We can't stand around and do nothing while this woman is captured. And -I, for one, do not care to see these sneering degenerates win this war.</p> - -<p>"So I think we'll take over events on this planet for a while and fix -things to suit ourselves. We can easily move these figures if we adjust -our gravity belt to take care of the extra weight. Every man grab one -person; I'll take Oomith. Rokesmith, you take Aald; Weber, grab the -emperor, and you others pick out those who look important, who appear -like staff officers. And don't forget the mentascope."</p> - -<p>In a moment each man was burdened with a native of Planet P swinging -over his shoulder. Thus burdened they marched through the center -of Nimbor, through the columns of the motionless army, back to the -spaceship. Several times they would have to halt and rest because of -the irrepressible laughter that broke out, among them. Imagine earthly -problems being solved like this!</p> - -<p>In the ship, they dumped the Nimborians in a spare storehouse, while -the <i>mataiya</i> was propped up on a seat in one of the cabins. The ship's -course was set for the general direction of Toom.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"You men understand what is meant by time?" began Wanderman as the crew -gathered around. "It is the flow of events. It is the way we conceive -things happening. We place an arbitrary measurement of time by using -the period it takes our planet to rotate once on its axis. That is -a day. Dividing the day into sections, we get hours, minutes, and -seconds. To us, a second is a very short space of time.</p> - -<p>"We move and live at a certain rate of speed: our heart pumps about 72 -beats per minute. Our senses perceive a thing in a certain space of -time. Small as it may appear, it actually requires time for your eye to -see an object or for your hearing to function. Also for an impression -of feeling to travel from the skin to the brain and to be recognized.</p> - -<p>"To these people of Planet P, their world appears as one delightful -to live in. For them a bright warm sun shines in a blue sky. For them -life moves at as quick a pace as it does for us on Earth. Their day -is approximately 24 hours also. To us, it may appear to be as long as -656 Earth days, since their world requires 656 Earth days to complete -one of its days, and I am figuring in proportion. To them, a day is no -longer than to us. Ten and four-fifths hours to us is only one of their -minutes.</p> - -<p>"That is why they live so slowly; they are living at a different -time-rate than ours. Time moves for them exactly 656 times more slowly -than it does for us.</p> - -<p>"They could not possibly live at our pace. For, to us, Planet P is -terribly cold; the sun is but little more than a bright star. But when -they see the sun, it takes 656 times longer before they observe it. -Thus, they actually get a time exposure. You know that if you want to -take a picture at night you must leave the lens open for a long time; -the longer it is open, the brighter the picture appears. Thus with -them: they see the sun as a brilliant ball; they see objects as highly -illuminated because their eyes are absorbing so much more light than -are ours.</p> - -<p>"Thus their bodies are not cold and frozen: of a makeup to conform with -the time-rate on this planet, their bodies absorb and hold the heat -radiated by the sun until it appears to be hot. If you examine any of -these bodies now without your gloves, you will notice that they are as -warm as ours.</p> - -<p>"These people seem to be motionless, or at least moving extremely -slowly. To them, they are moving at a normal pace. Here is where the -size of this planet comes in: under the huge gravity of this world, -they could not move fast. Their bodies must normally weigh a terrific -amount. That was another factor working in their evolution toward the -strange rate of time-flow."</p> - -<p>Wanderman left the room. He went back to where he had placed Oomith -seated upright in a cabin. Seating himself directly before her eyes, -he stared into them. He fixed himself motionless as possible, remained -unmoving until the ship was ready to come to a halt at its destination. -Before he left, he had the satisfaction of noticing the <i>mataiya's</i> -pupils had finally focused on his; he felt certain that some impression -would be carried back with her.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Landing at Toom, they placed Oomith where she was later to regain -control of her senses. They carried Aald and the others down to the -dungeons, imprisoning them there. Then they returned to the ship.</p> - -<p>One more task remained: the war machines of Nimbor. Cruising over the -enemy lines, they dropped cables whenever they saw a projector and -attached them. Then they swung them up into the air, letting them -hang below until all had been thus captured. Once more they returned -to Toom, this time to place the projectors where they would be found -quickly.</p> - -<p>The nature of the "burning death" of Nimbor they found to be simple. -It was nothing more or less than electric heaters, such as are sold in -winter on Earth. A polished reflector sent a beam of heat from the wire -coil in the center. To a terrestial, of course, this was nothing more -than a pleasantly warm current; but to a native of Planet P, with their -slower perceptions and great absorption of tiny amounts of heat, it was -a ray of pure destruction.</p> - -<p>Thus, for a brief instant in the history of the cosmos, two similar -races and life forms met, the one greatly altering the course of -development the other would take. Although a few well-guarded -expeditions to Planet P have been made since, the Terrestial Council -is slow to permit these, inasmuch as the gross difference in -time-rate cannot permit fair intercourse with its people. It is felt -in scientific circles that for them to learn of the existence of a -race such as ours would be a crushing psychological blow to them; to -interfere, however well-meaningly, in their development would condemn -them to superstition, for they could arrive at no logical, scientific -explanation of such interference.</p> - -<p>Planet P is not needed for the comfort or well-being of Earth. The -Patrol is there watching, ready to step in in cases of natural cosmic -emergency, but at other times gives the world a wide berth.</p> - -<p>And Captain Wanderman will always remember the tableau in the -courtyard, and a beautiful woman running.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Planet That Time Forgot, by Donald A. 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Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/61797-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/61797-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c8a9c99..0000000 --- a/old/61797-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/61797-h/images/illus.jpg b/old/61797-h/images/illus.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index f55b7ee..0000000 --- a/old/61797-h/images/illus.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/61797.txt b/old/61797.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4ba397c..0000000 --- a/old/61797.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1176 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Planet That Time Forgot, by Donald A. Wollheim - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: The Planet That Time Forgot - -Author: Donald A. Wollheim - -Release Date: April 10, 2020 [EBook #61797] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PLANET THAT TIME FORGOT *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - THE PLANET THAT TIME FORGOT - - By DONALD A. WOLLHEIM - - Out beyond furthest Pluto, beyond pale Neptune, - roared the _Stardust_. Rocketing toward - the monstrous new planet that filled the heavens. - Planet "P"--the colossus that Time forgot! - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Planet Stories Fall 1940. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -She stood upon the high battlements of the palace, overlooking the land -of Toom, with sunlight splashing over the beauty and radiance of her. -She, Oomith, _mataiya_ of Toom. Her eyes wandered to the road that -wound, ribbon-like, far beyond her land, out into the great reaches -of her world, out into Nimbor. Nimbor, whose lords even now were in -session with Toom's officials, demanding the land's surrender to their -superior forces. Nimbor, whose rulers offered life to the heads of -Toom's commonwealth providing the _mataiya_ mate with their prince. - -She stood, trying to drink in the splendor of the land, for this might -be a last time. What her answer would be as Directress of Internal -Relations she well knew; what her answer, as woman, to Aald of Nimbor -would be she knew even better. But now she must return to the council -meeting. - -Danuth, Head Center of Toom, was speaking as she re-entered. "What -you demand, Aald of Nimbor, is the commonwealth's freedom, and our -officers, in return for petty sinecures under your proposed regime. And -the _mataiya_ in marriage, as if it were in the power of any save she -to grant that." - -She did not flush as the insolent eyes of the young man across the -table fell upon her, appraised, then leered approval at her. Her voice -was clear and cold as she said: - -"You boast loudly of your war-machine, Aald of Nimbor. You remark -casually that you could crush our armies with a mere handful of men. -But you say you are willing to spare our lives if we surrender without -a struggle. - -"In return for what do you offer us life, prince of Nimbor? Serfdom and -misery for our people under Nimbor's hand; the stigma of cowardice upon -us. I shall not argue with you. My answer is final: no!" - - * * * * * - -She glanced at Danuth, met the grim smile in his eyes. Was it possible -that the careful building of decades would soon be wiped away? That the -hopes and plans of Toom and her people lay helpless before the whims of -this arrogant child with the lusts and appetites of a man? In Toom, he -would still be a student, learning the responsibilities as well as the -rights of citizenship. A coldness ran through her as she pictured Toom -under his rule. Then Danuth's voice interrupted her thoughts. - -"Even if the _mataiya_ had not taken the initiative, my answer would -still be the same. No, Aald of Nimbor, no. If you mean to enslave us, -you will have to work for your victory. And, superior war-machine or -not, the people of Toom will make your triumph a hardly-bought one, if -indeed you can triumph against a free people." - -It was hard to keep a calm face as the prince tried first to scowl, -then to sneer. If only this were the comic melodrama it should have -been! But, no--if Nimbor's claims were based on fact, then there -would be no more laughter for Toom and her people. Aald's tones were -mockingly courteous. - -"You speak well, Danuth, but your words prove your incapacity to -govern anyone. What were your redoubtable Lugarth and the invincible -hordes from Bhuur, of which you Toomians make so much? In whose name -you still deem yourself secure from conquest? They were no more than -barbarians--savages armed with spears and swords. Good fighters, I -grant you, but helpless before the new warfare of which I am master. - -"Do you think I am lying? This is your last chance. When you see your -armies burn to cinders before your eyes, see your fields and towns -incinerated, then it will be too late to bargain. Then you will come to -me with pleas for peace, but I shall not hear you." - -His eyes fell upon her again possessively. "Then I shall not honor you -with the title of princess, Oomith of Toom. Woe to the conquered. - -"You forget the matter of scientific progress, Toomians. We left your -stupid notions of international relations behind long ago. If you -surrender now, I guarantee the land of Toom the same care as I bestow -upon Nimbor; otherwise, it shall be treated as a conquered province." - -He stood up glaring. "I give you your last chance. Yield now!" - -She rose lightly, as did the others, meeting his gaze with eyes steady -and unafraid. "Toom does not yield. Earn your victory if you can; we -are ready." A chorus of assents indicated that she spoke for all. - -Aald bowed with an exaggerated gesture, swept a final lecherous glance -in her direction, then withdrew as Danuth rang a bell signaling -attendants. Once the other had gone, he sank back into the chair, his -eyes passing from one official to another. She gripped his hand. - -"Do you think he can do as he claims?" - -"I greatly fear so. The reports from our agents sound -incredible--almost like wizardry. A projector that casts an invisible -light, causing whomsoever it touches to die at once, as if boiling to -death. If they be true, then Toom is lost." - - * * * * * - -Down below, in another part of the palace, the emissaries of Nimbor -prepared to depart. Aald was whispering to one. What he said was -scarcely understood, but the smiles on the faces of both could be taken -as indicative. - -"We will be waiting at the Corian Gate," said Aald in departing. The -other bowed, and beckoned to two attendants of Nimbor. - -An hour passed. At the Corian Gate to the palace grounds, facing the -wide smooth road that led to Nimbor, a thousand miles away, rested a -black, torpedo-shaped two-wheeled vehicle, now balanced by temporary -legs set out from it. Painted on the door to its single cabin was the -Imperial Shield of Nimbor. - -Seated within, at the controls, was a man of Nimbor's party. Occasional -puffs of smoke emitted from the rocket tubes at the rear as the ship -was being kept ready for instant use. Aald himself waited impatiently -in the road, fretting under the watchful eyes of the commonwealth -guards at the gate. Finally he caught sight of something, and addressed -the guards. - -"They are my companions. Open the gate, guards, and let them through." -He seemed to stare a moment at the oncomers, then called. "What's the -matter with Eldh? Why are you carrying him?" - -One of the two men approaching answered: "He slipped on a staircase and -fell, Your Highness. He is unconscious and seems to have broken his -leg. We thought it best to give temporary treatment now then bring him -back with us; it is why we were late, Your Highness." - -The prince nodded approval, motioned them to hasten. As they went -through the gates, one of the Toomian guards looked down at the face of -the black-covered body and checked it off his list. The men of Nimbor -entered the rocketmobile, shut the door. A terrific roar as the vehicle -got under way, then it had vanished down the long road. - -Inside the conveyance Aald bent over the unconscious figure, looked -down at the scarred masculine features of one of the soldiers who had -accompanied him. Then, with a chuckle, he put his hand on the yellow -hair and pulled. The entire face seemed to fall apart. Beneath the -extremely convincing mask was the face of Oomith, lying unconscious. - -"It worked beautifully," he commented. "What of Eldh? Did he make his -escape through the merchants' entrance as planned?" - -"Yes, Highness. They suspected nothing. Nor did we have any trouble in -kidnaping the _mataiya_. There were no guards by her room, and she had -succumbed before she suspected the presence of a gas-tube. They won't -know she is missing before we have arrived in the city." - -Within the hour, the rocketmobile had passed the border and was in the -capital of Nimbor. - - * * * * * - -It was noon on the day set for attack. Aald and the commanders of the -staff awaited the emperor's coming within a small enclosure just inside -the walls of Nimbor. Outside, in the road beyond the open gate, a -rocket vehicle awaited in readiness to take them to the front. Oomith -was there as well. - -"You see," drawled Aald, "we make good our boast. Very soon you will be -joined by Danuth and the other commonwealth officials as our prisoner. -You really should have married me when you had the chance; it would -have saved many lives." - -Oomith stared at him frostily. "The people of Toom would never have -yielded to such filth as you, even had we betrayed them. It would have -made no difference. We of Toom have self respect and honor to a degree -that I fear is outside of your understanding." - -His laugh was not pleasant. "Still prattling over your little -foolishness. Honor, respect--what are they to the destinies of nations -and dynasties? Such delusions are hardly worthy of the Oomith I might -have married." - -He seized a scroll from one of the officers standing nearby, shook it -before her. "Here! Here is honor and respect. Here is such a thing as -makes greatness. These are the designs of our war machines; this is -what will teach the Toomians respect." - -Without answering, Oomith snatched the paper cylinder out of Aald's -hand and darted forward. Straight toward the open gate she fled, toward -the rocketmobile outside. A wild, insane scheme of seizing this and -escaping to her own land in time possessed her. - -Caught off guard, the men were already at a disadvantage; they knew -even as they raced she could not be caught before reaching the gate. -With energy born of desperation, she hurled herself forward. But, just -as she was upon it, two soldiers stepped through and dashed at her. - -At this point occurred what has gone down in history as the miracle -that saved Toom. It is something for which no parallel in all history -can be found. It caused Oomith to rise from the status of a beautiful -and capable _mataiya_ to that of a goddess. - -Oomith stated later what were her feelings and experiences. She saw -the two oncoming soldiers quite clearly. Her only thought then was to -dash between them. Then, there came a terrible shock. An awful jolting -as if she had been struck by a thunderbolt. The scene before her eyes -dissolved instantaneously into a featureless gray; she felt herself -seemingly detached as one might feel in the throes of delirium. For -only a few seconds the strange sensation lasted. The only thing that -she remembered seeing was the momentary impression of a single vision -hanging before her eyes. - -What she saw was a man. She does not recollect how he was clad. He -seemed to be sitting on a bench. Behind him she saw distinctly a blue -wall, in nature, metallic. In the wall was an open door through which -only grayness could be seen. The face of the man was held close to -hers; he seemed to be staring at her. It was the face of a middle-aged -man, of one powerful. Two clear brown eyes looked into hers; a mass -of wavy chestnut hair surmounted the godlike brow. And the figure was -smiling. - -For only the minutest fraction of a second this lasted, then the -grayness returned. Yet, in a few seconds, it, too, had cleared away. -The terrible blankness and queer feeling vanished abruptly as it had -come. She could again see about her. - -The castle of Aald and the men of Nimbor apparently had dissolved. -Above her rose the sides of the palace of the Directors of Toom. And -about her were the men of Toom. For a moment, Oomith and the men stared -at one another, each mutually startled and disbelieving what they saw. -Finally one of them recovered sufficiently to speak. - -"_Mataiya_ Oomith! We thought you were being held captive in Nimbor; -what do you here? How did you get here?" - -She could only reply hesitatingly: "I don't know. I was at Nimbor, -trying to escape. Then everything went dark, and I found myself -standing here." She started to put a hand to her forehead, then saw she -was holding something. The scroll! Her eyes flashed. - -"Quick! Summon the council. I have here the plans for the death machine -of Nimbor. Bid them hurry. We have no time to lose!" - - * * * * * - -Joris, military director of Toom, pounded the table with his fist. -"Damn! We know everything the enemy knows, now. We have the plans so -that we can meet them on their own terms. But they're on their way to -attack us now, and we haven't even a working model. It's all here--but -only on paper. - -"We can save Toom, yes--but we cannot prevent the devastation of our -fields and towns, nor the slaughter of our helpless non-combatants. We -can only exact a vengeance and prevent a final triumph on the part of -the enemy!" - -Before Danuth could speak, a man burst into the chamber, hair -disheveled, gasping for breath. On his face was an expression of -amazement and joy commingled. Twice he tried to speak and could emit -only gasps for breath. He clasped the shoulders of Joris, turned to -the others. At length speech returned to him, and he spoke slowly, -deliberately. - -"The weapons of Nimbor are ours. They are here, within the walls of the -palace. I cannot tell you how they came, nor can any of the guards. -But we have all seen them, have examined their workings. We do not yet -understand their principles--" - -At this point, another man burst in, equally distrait and out of -breath. "Directors!" he cried. "Toom is saved!" He fell to rapid, heavy -breathing while his eyes sought first one, then another of those -assembled. He waved his hand reassuringly as Danuth started to speak. - -"No, Directors, I speak truly. I am one of the prison guards. We -suddenly heard noises from one of the unoccupied cells. Naturally, we -hurried over and looked in. Inside, we saw Aald and the Emperor of -Nimbor, with his entire staff. They don't know how they got there--I -presumed that you would not want us to release them immediately." - -A roar of laughter from Joris greeted the speaker. He smote the -guard on the back with the palm of his huge hand, so that the fellow -staggered against the table. - -"No, not _immediately_! We have other things to do first. But we're not -too busy to vote you the order of the commonwealth. And see if there -isn't a better position for you to fill than that of prison guard." - -He turned to the others. "The enemy will be completely disorganized -and demoralized by this. I propose we move at once upon Nimbor, attack -strategic points and refrain as much as possible from such destruction -as will make miserable the lot of the Nimborian people, who are not -responsible for their degenerate rulers. I propose we make contacts -with the Nimborian commoners and urge them immediately to revolt -against what is left of the Aald-Rhankur regime, strike for their own -freedom." - - * * * * * - -(_And now, we must go back in time, must travel to another part of -space. We must leave Planet P, where lie Nimbor and Toom, for a return -to Earth-time. Only thus can we have a logical understanding of the -events related above._) - - - II - -At an angle above the plane of the ecliptic over the orbits of the -asteroids was a long metal craft, resembling somewhat a cross between -a towerless submarine and an all-metal zeppelin. In the forward cabin, -six men were gathered. They comprised the entire crew and command of -the vessel. Although an official meeting, there was about it none of -the stiffness that marks such an event in military circles on Earth: -on an interplanetary vessel every man's life is in the hands of every -other man. The captain is obeyed, not because of his rank, primarily, -but because the lives of all depend upon explicit conformation to -discipline. But in this vital discipline, there is no place for the -sham of stiff-necked formality; thus, captain, officer, or member of -the crew spoke to each other with frankness and mutual respect. - -Captain Wanderman looked around, mentally checking to see if all -were present: Lieutenant Alfred Rokesmith; Weber, the scientist; -Opp, explorer and cook extraordinary; Mullins, skilled mechanical -specialist; Barth, doctor and general overseer of vital supplies. - -Wanderman smiled. "I guess you're all eager to find out whither we're -heading, eh?" - -"We sure would," spoke up Opp. - -"Especially after that terrifically long period of acceleration," added -Weber. "Three days of it ... beats all my experience." - -"It was necessary to achieve our speed. We're going a long way ... have -to make the trip as short as possible. We'll be putting on still more -acceleration once the asteroids are behind us." - -"Neptune?" asked Barth. "Pluto?" - -"Farther than either." - -"You don't mean Planet P, do you?" spoke up Mullins. "The one that was -discovered last year, that hasn't been given a name yet?" - -"Right!" - -"I never did get quite clear on the subject of Planet P," drawled -Rokesmith. "Just how was it discovered?" - -Captain Wanderman cleared his throat. "Few people are; even the experts -don't know much about it. - -"Its existence was first surmised and calculated in 1931--about a -hundred years ago--by Professor William H. Pickering of Jamaica. He -observed that the planet Uranus was being displaced from its proper -orbit. Of course, this perturbation could be due only to the influence -of another planet, he thought. But there was no other body known -at that time which could account for the drag. Thus, the Professor -computed mathematically the existance, approximate size, and position -of an unknown body which would account for the odd behavior of Uranus. -This he calculated to be a giant planet of a diameter of approximately -44,000 miles, in mass the third greatest in the solar system. He puts -its distance to range in an eliptical orbit of from 5,000 million -miles to 9,000 million miles from the sun. This, of course, made it -extra-Plutonian in position. Its year would be in length about 656 -Earthly years. He gave it the temporary name of Planet P. - -"Planet P's existence was further indicated by the orbits of some -sixteen comets, also affected by a drag which the theoretical planet -made perfectly accountable. Last year the planet Neptune had finally -arrived in the position where it, too, would be affected by this body. -You understand: the astronomers, calculating both known and theoretical -factors, determined that, if this Planet P existed, an irregularity -in Neptune's behavior would be discovered at this particular time. -The predicted irregularity arrived on time; thus, due to this added -information, our astronomers were able to find out precisely where the -new planet should be sought. And they found it. It is indeed an immense -thing, shows a perceptible disc even at its great distance from Earth. -We may anticipate something different when we arrive." - - * * * * * - -Days went by. Endless days marked only by the chronometer in the -unchanging blackness of the celestial void. The tiny pinpoints of -myriad stars glowed unchangingly. Behind them, a few planets grew more -and more minute, each in turn finally being blotted out by the corona -of the sun. Jupiter's orbit was left behind; they saw the great ringed -planet loom up to one side and fade away as all the others had done. -But this was not with the flashing speed of objects and cities passing -the rocket-vehicle on Earth. It was a matter of days before each change -could be realized, weeks before a planet filled the entire spaceports. - -Onward and outward. Celebrations when at last Uranus was passed, -the hitherto outpost of interplanetary exploration. Eventually pale -Neptune, mysterious planet, passed under them, directly in their path, -its great misty, frigid sphere glowing eerily in the twilight of outer -worlds. - -Outward. Tiny Pluto was too far off to be seen, but its orbit was -passed. For a hundred years, the outpost of the solar system. Now -dethroned by the enormous newcomer, its passing was still a solemn -moment. Then, one day Barth observed a tiny light where no light should -be. Celebration again rang through the vessel: Planet P was sighted! - -Days of deceleration followed. The rockets flamed, but no longer from -the stern of the vessel. Days of a continual blasting from the vessel's -prow until at last the unbelievable acceleration was neutralized. Now -the planet had grown, until, even with their greatly decreased speed, -it filled the view. Still more blasting until the ship was virtually -drifting along, caught only by the gravity of the monstrous new world. - -A great disk glowing dimly in the light of the stars, especially in the -light of one particularly brilliant star that was the Earthmen's sun. -The vaguest hints of geological features could be seen. Planet P. - -The rockets flared again in an intricate pattern. Balanced on the -pattern, the ship was lowered, slowly, into the atmosphere of the -strange world. About it flamed a red glow as proof of atmosphere. An -atmosphere, doubtless, of some unknown gases that would not congeal -in the awful cold. And, finally, a shrill whistling penetrating the -triple-thick walls, a dull thud, and a silence as she came to rest. - -The voyage was over. Man had reached the outermost limits of the solar -system, had arrived safely at the mysterious outer world, Planet P. - - * * * * * - -The men gathered in space suits. "Each man will take searchlights -and emergency rations. You will obey Lieutenant Rokesmith and myself -implicitly; only on pledges of such obedience from all of you can I -permit a planet-party to land." - -Each member of the crew spoke his agreement. - -"Mullins, take a coil of rope; Weber, the barometer and compass; Barth, -the camera and flash. Are you sure your gravity controls are adjusted -to decrease your weight to Earth normal? Make sure, everyone--that goes -for me, too." - -"Check!" - -Rokesmith turned the lever and swung the thick outer port open. -Wanderman stepped out onto the ground; the others followed. - -Above them was a deep blue sky strewn with stars, though lacking in -the abundant distribution of the outer void. Beneath their feet lay a -clay-like expanse. They looked about them. - -There was something dark looming up in the starlight a distance away. -The captain started off in that direction, beckoned the others to -follow. All felt that strange sensation that comes for everyone when -he stands on the terrain of an alien planet. It makes no difference -how often this experience has been undergone previously; the sensation -cannot be shaken off. - -"It looks like a wall," sang out Opp as they reached the looming thing. - -Rokesmith turned the beam of his flashlight on it. "It is a wall!" - - * * * * * - -Unmistakably, it was a structure made of many square blocks of -stone fitted together to form a section rising into the air from a -foundation. Weber flashed his light around. "It ends here." - -The men hesitated to go around. What could this enigmatic wall be doing -on this frigid world? The instruments showed the temperature to be many -hundred degrees below zero Fahrenheit. What beings could have built -this great wall? What could it mean? - -But at last they did go around the edifice, flashing their lights -before them. And nearly collapsed from the shock of what they saw: a -broad paved street on which bordered many stone houses whose glass -windows reflected the dim glow of the stars above. The tiny sun cast a -faint illumination on it all. - -"People!" gasped Mullins. - -There were. Standing on the streets and in the doors of the houses were -the dim figures of men. Unmistakably human in form. - -"They're not alive," observed Rokesmith. - -"At least, they are not moving," replied Barth quickly. - -"Come on, then. Why are we waiting? Are you afraid of a lot of -statues?" Captain Wanderman suited action to his words as he strode -forward, stopping directly before the first of the standing figures. He -cast his beam over it from head to foot. - -Unmistakably, it was a man. Clad in clothes and undeniably human. Its -features were perfectly normal, bore the flush of life. The feet and -entire body were set in attitude as if in the act of taking a step. But -it was motionless. - -"Some statue!" breathed Opp. "I would swear it was a real man." - -"It is a real man," said Barth, softly. He bent close to the face. "It -has the pores and tiny hairs that can only be on a true body." - -"Then he must have been alive once," murmured Weber. "What do you -suppose happened to him? Is he petrified or only frozen solid?" - -"Frozen, I think," said Barth. "Yet, it is very strange. His flesh is -still soft and resilient; it is not natural." - -"A land of frozen people!" Captain Wanderman's words struck a chilling -note in all of them. Quickly they investigated the other figures. -Some men, some women, some old, some young. All kinds and types; -all apparently had been frozen solid in the middle of their normal -activities. None showed any sign of being aware that death had struck. -When the terrible freezing occurred it must have happened so swiftly, -instantaneously, as to have caught all unaware. - -They moved on, saying little. There was that same eerie atmosphere that -one finds in a wax museum while passing about among the realistic but -silent and motionless figures of apparently ordinary people. Add to -that the grim knowledge that the figures they now saw had been alive, -that in effect the explorers were in a monstrous, planet-wide graveyard. - -They went on, coming to wide roads down which lines of marching men -stood silently in attitudes startlingly like some paintings of men -marching to war. Undoubtedly they were soldiers. Once or twice along -the line, the Earthmen saw huge projector-like instruments mounted on -wheels, being taken along with the marchers. - -"Say, look at this scene!" called out Rokesmith. - -He was standing before an open gate, staring in at the courtyard of a -large, pretentious stone building. Before the gate stood two guards -who evidently had been frozen just as they were turning about to stare -in through the entrance. On their faces was a look of aroused inquiry. -Inside the courtyard was a dramatic tableau. - - * * * * * - -A young woman of great beauty was fixed in the posture of running. Her -foot was lifted from the ground, her body thrust forward, her face -strained, hair flowing backwards as if the wind were brushing it back. -In one hand, tightly grasped, was a scroll. - -Directly behind her stood a young man with a look of astonishment -and anger on a face that was cruel and evil. His hand was still held -outstretched as if to grasp after the scroll that the woman was fleeing -with. All about, in similar positions of astonishment and anxiety, were -other men, some of whom had started forward as if about to commence a -pursuit. - -"Some scene, eh?" murmured Barth. "Looks real dramatic. I wish we could -know what it was all about." - -"That's an idea!" burst from Wanderman. "Why didn't I think of it -sooner? Barth! We can use the mentascope on these frozen people--with -the attachments that are used to read the minds of the newly dead, -can't we?" - -"I think we can, Captain. These people are perfectly preserved; there's -no reason why we can't shoot a current through their brains and get the -information stored there." - -They turned, commenced to retrace their steps to the ship. It took them -about ten minutes to reach the street by which they had entered the -city and come to the vessel. Once inside, they hastened to unpack the -mentascope and its attendant apparatus. When at last they were ready, -they left the airlock and started back; the return to the ship had -taken them about twenty minutes. - -They entered the street of the city they had first chanced upon. As -they passed the first figure, Weber suddenly whirled around and stared -at it. - -"Look! Stop and look at this man!" - -The others gathered around. - -"Does he look the same to you? It seems to me that it was his other leg -which was being put forward when last we saw him. I'm sure his arms -were in a different position." - -They stared amazedly. The figure certainly was not in the identical -posture as before. Weber's observations had been correct. - -"All the rest of them seem to be planted in slightly different -postures, too." - -Captain Wanderman bent down, studied the arm of the man carefully. He -remained silent for some time, then he stood up. There was a tone of -awe and bewilderment in his voice when he spoke. - -"It has moved, and what is more, it is still moving. I saw that hand -pass a given point on the body of the person in a few minutes. It's -like watching the hands of a clock. At first, they do not seem to move -at all, but if you watch closely enough for a time, you can observe the -motion." - -"Do you mean this fellow is still alive?" - -"It would seem so." - -"But why the slow motion?" asked Opp. - -"I think," said the captain slowly, "that the mentascope can help us -answer the whole business." - -They came to the courtyard of the running woman. The tableau had -changed; it seemed as if a few seconds had passed since they left. Now -the figure of the woman was closer to the gate; the two guards from -outside had passed through and were going forward to seize her, while -the men behind were in full running appearance, as if, having recovered -from a surprise move, they were taking to pursuit. - -"All right men: set down the apparatus." - -Two men set down a small battery, attached it to wires leading from a -large metal helmet which another was placing over the head of the still -woman-figure. Other wires were attached to the space-suit helmet worn -by Captain Wanderman. Through the glassite panes it could be seen that -he was wearing a somewhat similar helmet himself, having donned this -while back on the ship. - - * * * * * - -A current of electrical energy was passed from an electrode pressed -against one particular part of the woman's head through to another -leading out. In passing through the brain of the woman, this current -picked up the last and deepest occurrences in the life of the person -subjected to it. It activated the cells on which these events were -recorded in a form much like that of a charged body. Passing out of the -brain, it carried these impressions with it and brought them to the -mind of the operator as distinct thoughts. Since basic thoughts are not -expressed in any language save impressions and pictures, the operator -finds that he has suddenly acquired the knowledge of the other. - -Thus, in a brief time, Wanderman told the men of the story concerning -Nimbor and Toom, of the _mataiya's_ part in the drama. The men stood -in wonder, staring at the figures; Opp calmly walked over to Aald and -tweaked his nose. The Nimborian's expression did not change. - -"I still can't grasp why these people are all like frozen statues," -exclaimed Barth. "How can they live and act like everyday terrestrials -when this planet is so lacking in heat and light?" - -"I think I can explain," said Wanderman. "It sounds fantastic, but it -is not impossible. And it would account for all the factors. I'll tell -you when we get back to the ship: right now we have work to do." - -"What work?" - -"We can't stand around and do nothing while this woman is captured. And -I, for one, do not care to see these sneering degenerates win this war. - -"So I think we'll take over events on this planet for a while and fix -things to suit ourselves. We can easily move these figures if we adjust -our gravity belt to take care of the extra weight. Every man grab one -person; I'll take Oomith. Rokesmith, you take Aald; Weber, grab the -emperor, and you others pick out those who look important, who appear -like staff officers. And don't forget the mentascope." - -In a moment each man was burdened with a native of Planet P swinging -over his shoulder. Thus burdened they marched through the center -of Nimbor, through the columns of the motionless army, back to the -spaceship. Several times they would have to halt and rest because of -the irrepressible laughter that broke out, among them. Imagine earthly -problems being solved like this! - -In the ship, they dumped the Nimborians in a spare storehouse, while -the _mataiya_ was propped up on a seat in one of the cabins. The ship's -course was set for the general direction of Toom. - - * * * * * - -"You men understand what is meant by time?" began Wanderman as the crew -gathered around. "It is the flow of events. It is the way we conceive -things happening. We place an arbitrary measurement of time by using -the period it takes our planet to rotate once on its axis. That is -a day. Dividing the day into sections, we get hours, minutes, and -seconds. To us, a second is a very short space of time. - -"We move and live at a certain rate of speed: our heart pumps about 72 -beats per minute. Our senses perceive a thing in a certain space of -time. Small as it may appear, it actually requires time for your eye to -see an object or for your hearing to function. Also for an impression -of feeling to travel from the skin to the brain and to be recognized. - -"To these people of Planet P, their world appears as one delightful -to live in. For them a bright warm sun shines in a blue sky. For them -life moves at as quick a pace as it does for us on Earth. Their day -is approximately 24 hours also. To us, it may appear to be as long as -656 Earth days, since their world requires 656 Earth days to complete -one of its days, and I am figuring in proportion. To them, a day is no -longer than to us. Ten and four-fifths hours to us is only one of their -minutes. - -"That is why they live so slowly; they are living at a different -time-rate than ours. Time moves for them exactly 656 times more slowly -than it does for us. - -"They could not possibly live at our pace. For, to us, Planet P is -terribly cold; the sun is but little more than a bright star. But when -they see the sun, it takes 656 times longer before they observe it. -Thus, they actually get a time exposure. You know that if you want to -take a picture at night you must leave the lens open for a long time; -the longer it is open, the brighter the picture appears. Thus with -them: they see the sun as a brilliant ball; they see objects as highly -illuminated because their eyes are absorbing so much more light than -are ours. - -"Thus their bodies are not cold and frozen: of a makeup to conform with -the time-rate on this planet, their bodies absorb and hold the heat -radiated by the sun until it appears to be hot. If you examine any of -these bodies now without your gloves, you will notice that they are as -warm as ours. - -"These people seem to be motionless, or at least moving extremely -slowly. To them, they are moving at a normal pace. Here is where the -size of this planet comes in: under the huge gravity of this world, -they could not move fast. Their bodies must normally weigh a terrific -amount. That was another factor working in their evolution toward the -strange rate of time-flow." - -Wanderman left the room. He went back to where he had placed Oomith -seated upright in a cabin. Seating himself directly before her eyes, -he stared into them. He fixed himself motionless as possible, remained -unmoving until the ship was ready to come to a halt at its destination. -Before he left, he had the satisfaction of noticing the _mataiya's_ -pupils had finally focused on his; he felt certain that some impression -would be carried back with her. - - * * * * * - -Landing at Toom, they placed Oomith where she was later to regain -control of her senses. They carried Aald and the others down to the -dungeons, imprisoning them there. Then they returned to the ship. - -One more task remained: the war machines of Nimbor. Cruising over the -enemy lines, they dropped cables whenever they saw a projector and -attached them. Then they swung them up into the air, letting them -hang below until all had been thus captured. Once more they returned -to Toom, this time to place the projectors where they would be found -quickly. - -The nature of the "burning death" of Nimbor they found to be simple. -It was nothing more or less than electric heaters, such as are sold in -winter on Earth. A polished reflector sent a beam of heat from the wire -coil in the center. To a terrestial, of course, this was nothing more -than a pleasantly warm current; but to a native of Planet P, with their -slower perceptions and great absorption of tiny amounts of heat, it was -a ray of pure destruction. - -Thus, for a brief instant in the history of the cosmos, two similar -races and life forms met, the one greatly altering the course of -development the other would take. Although a few well-guarded -expeditions to Planet P have been made since, the Terrestial Council -is slow to permit these, inasmuch as the gross difference in -time-rate cannot permit fair intercourse with its people. It is felt -in scientific circles that for them to learn of the existence of a -race such as ours would be a crushing psychological blow to them; to -interfere, however well-meaningly, in their development would condemn -them to superstition, for they could arrive at no logical, scientific -explanation of such interference. - -Planet P is not needed for the comfort or well-being of Earth. The -Patrol is there watching, ready to step in in cases of natural cosmic -emergency, but at other times gives the world a wide berth. - -And Captain Wanderman will always remember the tableau in the -courtyard, and a beautiful woman running. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Planet That Time Forgot, by Donald A. 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