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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..7ba40db --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #63707 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63707) diff --git a/old/63707-h.zip b/old/63707-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 676372a..0000000 --- a/old/63707-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/63707-h/63707-h.htm b/old/63707-h/63707-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 0a64170..0000000 --- a/old/63707-h/63707-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1274 +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 Primus Curse, by Bill Wesley. - </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;} - -/* 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; -} - -.blockquot { - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Primus Curse, by Bill Wesley - -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 Primus Curse - -Author: Bill Wesley - -Release Date: November 10, 2020 [EBook #63707] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRIMUS CURSE *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>THE PRIMUS CURSE</h1> - -<h2>By BILL WESLEY</h2> - -<p><i>That the psychology boys had been right again,<br /> -annoyed the veteran captain. He'd felt like a<br /> -mechanical man all the time. Never would have<br /> -believed he could send men to their death like<br /> -that. And the ship! He might have lost everything!</i></p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Planet Stories May 1954.<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>"Well, Skipper, we'll be in Mercury's com zone in ten hours, plus or -minus a half."</p> - -<p>Captain Evan Grimes eyed his chief engineer sternly. "How'd you know I -wouldn't have the recorder turned on, Manson? That could have cost you -a week's pay."</p> - -<p>"Sorry, sir," Bill Manson saluted, still smiling.</p> - -<p>"I don't mean the salutation, you bonehead. It's been five years since -the Service banned the name Mercury for Primus, and I've heard it used -at least three times on this trip."</p> - -<p>"I'll make out a voluntary on it."</p> - -<p>"Forget it. I don't like those spying recorders any more than you -do, but I don't like to see a man throwing his money away either. -Especially when he's on a job where he'll probably earn every dollar of -it."</p> - -<p>Manson pulled a fade-away chair from its wall socket and pressed the -green button.</p> - -<p>He waited two seconds for the cushion to inflate, then relaxed in it. -"So you really think it's going to be rough," he said casually.</p> - -<p>Grimes swung his chair ninety degrees and studied the planet, Primus, -looming ever larger on the television screen. There were small breaks -in the cloud formations, but it was still too early to glimpse any of -the compact little cities.</p> - -<p>"We aren't the first group to tackle this mystery, you know, and we'd -be hard put to prove we were the best, from what I've read of the -reports."</p> - -<p>The engineer scratched his carefully trimmed beard and didn't appear at -all worried. "If you'd like to know how I feel about it," he grinned, -"my wedding date's already set for next June."</p> - -<p>The captain had to smile. "I attribute your optimism to your -inexperience," he said. "Even assuming that we escape with our necks, -what makes you think we'll have it cleared up before June? I've got a -reputation for doing things the cautious way, you know."</p> - -<p>Manson shrugged. "I've heard of that code they drum into you at Space -Academy. Your ship is your life. Every speck of meteoric dust that -sticks to its hide is your responsibility. And right along with the -ship comes the crew. Each member a ten million dollar investment—not -one hair of his head to be risked unnecessarily."</p> - -<p>"You're a little inaccurate in the phraseology, but go on. What are you -driving at?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing special. That's all fine and dandy for escorting bug-hunters -around Mars, but this is a combat mission. First one in a hundred -years. Not a man in the Service has ever been on a combat mission. I'd -give plenty to hear what's on the tape this time."</p> - -<p>"What makes you think there is a tape?"</p> - -<p>Manson pushed the red button on the chair and let it slide out from -under him, deflating itself with a swoosh. "There's always a tape. This -one should be a lulu. I won't be surprised to see you storm out of here -in about nine hours with blood in your eye and X pistols hanging on -both hips."</p> - -<p>"And I won't be surprised to see you flying out of here head first in -about two seconds," Grimes shouted. "I'll accept your maximum estimate -of ten and a half hours. That'll be soon enough to establish contact. -Now get out."</p> - -<p>Manson paused in the doorway. "It's just one forty and three," he said. -"Shall I write in the journal that the engineer was commended for the -fast trip?"</p> - -<p>"We aren't in yet. All I said was get out."</p> - -<p>The engineer scurried through the door, leaving behind a more pleased -commander than he had been given reason to suspect.</p> - -<p>One hundred and forty days to Primus! The boy had a right to gloat, -Grimes thought. If it wasn't a top secret mission the trip would go -into the record book.</p> - -<p>He slid his desk into its wall socket and opened a camouflaged -compartment alongside it by playing a complex tattoo with his fingers -on the unmarked surface. He drew out a reel of plastic tape and a -sealed envelope, then pushed the door gently, listening for the faint -sound of the tumblers falling into place, locking it. He switched off -the main light, leaving only a pale blue ceiling glow, and retired to -his sleeping quarters.</p> - -<p>No hurry on the tape—he was glad of that. Shouldn't take more than -ten minutes. Plenty of time for a shower and a movie. Then the service -could have his subconscious. At least they spared him those long-winded -tapes he had heard about. A restless man sometimes had to take a -sleeping pill to give the tape time to play itself out. Grimes had been -around too long to let it bother him that much, but he always felt a -certain resentment when they handed him one of their psychological -gimmicks.</p> - -<p>What the devil could be on this one? The orders were the clearest -he had ever received. Drastic, all right, but no room for -misinterpretation. Here he was Number Three Commander in the service, -and they didn't trust him to come in out of the rain. Maybe Manson was -trying to drop a hint. Didn't think he was capable of leading a combat -mission. Maybe the whole crew was uneasy.</p> - -<p>A hard smile forced itself across his face. They'd know in the next -fifteen or twenty hours who their leader was.</p> - -<p>It was just one-forty and six when Grimes switched off his microfilm -projector and returned the movie canister to his library.</p> - -<p>Okay, big shots, one of your little toy soldiers is ready for the psych -treatment, he thought sourly as he dropped the plastic tape onto the -player and positioned the governor electrodes over his bed. I'd like to -have the guy by the throat who invented this gadget, he muttered.</p> - -<p>The tape only played when the electrodes picked up radiation from -the brain telling that the subject was asleep; then the information -became a part of his subconscious only. If he awoke, the player simply -stopped until he went back to sleep. The results were frequently -amazing. Blundering old space veterans had been converted overnight -into smooth diplomats for negotiating with the sensitive Venusians. -Timid souls had been fired up to brave the risks of delicate landings -on tiny asteroids. And now it was his turn. What kind of pep talk did -the psychology brain trust think he needed? Afraid he'd make a fool of -himself in front of his crew?</p> - -<p>He switched on the player savagely and set the volume level to suit -a light sleeper; then he slit open the envelope and read the few -imprinted lines.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>"CAPTAIN GRIMES, SPACESHIP VULCAN, EN ROUTE PRIMUS. REVIEW OF ORDERS. -ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS WITH PRIMUS CITIES NEPHELE, ESTIVAL. -DETERMINE CAUSE OF DEATHS OF PREVIOUS EXPLORERS. INVESTIGATE -EXHAUSTIVELY, RUTHLESSLY. COMPLETE EXPLANATION ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE. -YOUR SUCCESS MAY FORESTALL EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. UNITED NATIONS SERVICE -HEADQUARTERS, PARIS."</p></div> - -<p>He pushed the cold-blooded message through a discard slot and turned -down the bed clothes. He hopped between the sheets and took a deep -breath. Modern science was wonderful, he mused, but it hadn't yet found -a substitute for a pair of clean sheets.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Exactly seven hours later Captain Grimes stepped into the pilot's room -and nodded seriously at the men gathered about the radio receiver. -Aside from the operator there was Dr. Keith Johnson, the chief medical -officer; Kai-Ling, the soft spoken pilot; and Engineer Bill Manson.</p> - -<p>"We're still dark, sir," the radio operator explained. "Just listening -to land transmissions."</p> - -<p>Grimes noted the red light in the center of the ceiling, indicating -that the service recorder was operating.</p> - -<p>"What's the time to go?" he asked Manson.</p> - -<p>"Half hour, sir," the engineer said, glancing at the radar scope for -verification.</p> - -<p>"Cruise between Nephele and Estival at a hundred thousand," Grimes told -the pilot.</p> - -<p>The man was still wearing part of his traditional garments and part -of his service uniform. Grimes made signs at him, at the same time -pointing to the red light. The pilot grinned broadly and began to shed -the Oriental half of his garb on the spot.</p> - -<p>"All right, Johnny," Grimes addressed the radio operator. "I want to -talk with the Mayor of Estival and I don't want to be by-passed by any -army or air force official or anybody else."</p> - -<p>The boy's fingers flew over his controls and in a matter of seconds -he had the Estival Telephone Exchange. The first operator spoke no -Terranian languages at all. The second one could only speak French and -German. Then the chief operator took over and filled the room with the -peculiar sing song quality of a Priman speaking English.</p> - -<p>Grimes reminded himself that the Primans had done a miraculous job in -learning any Terranian tongues at all, considering the terrific strain -under which the teaching had taken place. They had been taught from the -air by Dr. Allen Russell, after the first Terranian exploration had -ended in a hundred per cent fatalities. Then the famous doctor himself -had landed and had never made it back to his ship. That had set off the -clamor at home for direct action against the dark skinned people of -Primus. Mobs had actually stormed the UN building in Paris demanding -blood.</p> - -<p>Grimes aroused himself with a contemptuous shrug. Blood! The imbeciles! -Most of them didn't know enough about Primans to know if they even had -any blood; yet they were sure it was a case of wholesale murder. The -Primans didn't want anybody to get their precious uranium ore—that was -the popular belief. And he had to risk the lives of the best space crew -ever assembled to satisfy their impatience or the UN would be forced -into a full scale attack.</p> - -<p>"Here's the Mayor of Estival, sir," the radio operator said.</p> - -<p>Grimes took a handset. "Captain Grimes ... Spaceship Vulcan ... Mister."</p> - -<p>He waited for the acknowledgement. The mayor's voice was high pitched -and unsteady, but his command of English was more than satisfactory.</p> - -<p>"Mister of Estival," he said. "Greetings, Captain Grimes. Will you -land?"</p> - -<p>"We ... will ... not ... land ... at ... once. Our ... mission ... -may ... be ... the ... last ... peaceful ... one ... to ... visit ... -Primus ... if ... the ... mystery ... of ... the ... Terranians' ... -deaths ... is ... not ... solved."</p> - -<p>"I understand you very well, Captain. You may speak more readily with -me. What can I do to help you?"</p> - -<p>Grimes relaxed and winked encouragingly at the doctor and Manson, then -turned his attention back to the radio.</p> - -<p>"We want a complete explanation of the cause of death of all Terranians -who have landed on Primus. Have you performed autopsies on any of the -bodies?"</p> - -<p>"We are not equipped to operate as you are, Captain. We have almost no -medical science on Primus. We are doing what we can but so far we have -discovered nothing."</p> - -<p>"My orders are to exploit every possibility. After us will come only a -task force, Mayor of Estival."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The mayor's voice carried a certain anxiety in spite of its sing-song -quality. "Of course we will try to defend ourselves, but it would be -hopeless. Our civilization is much further advanced than yours in many -ways, but we have none of your weapons of war. We wouldn't even know -how to take care of our wounded."</p> - -<p>"My service knows that, Mister. But we can't reason with a mob, and -that's what we have against us at home. I have expert medical personnel -with me and a completely equipped laboratory. We intend to experiment -extensively, both on your people and on our own. I am authorized to -demand your full cooperation."</p> - -<p>"Cooperation is freely offered, Captain, but coercion is unknown on -Primus. I cannot make personal bargains for the citizens of Estival."</p> - -<p>"You won't need to. We'll make our own bargains, and at the end of an -X gun if necessary. What have you done since the last expedition was -here?"</p> - -<p>"We have given the lie detector test to every Priman over the age of -twenty—that is approximately five of your years—and no one has any -knowledge of the Terranians' deaths. There is nothing toxic on Primus. -We have not had a disease or an infection within the memory of any of -our people. We don't know what else to do."</p> - -<p>"All right, I believe you, but that won't slow us down a bit. Now -listen to our plan. We are going to land one man at a time and have -him report back to the ship at short intervals. Under no circumstances -must any Priman come near this man or pay any attention to him. Is that -clear?"</p> - -<p>"That is clear, Captain; but I cannot accept your proposals in the form -of ultimata. The people of Primus...."</p> - -<p>Captain Grimes' voice hardened. "You'll do exactly as I tell you or -there won't be an Estival much longer. Is that understood?"</p> - -<p>The reply was slow in coming. "I understand, Captain. I will have the -information broadcast immediately. I suggest you give me at least one -of your hours."</p> - -<p>"Make it two. Thanks for your cooperation, Mister. Good-bye."</p> - -<p>Grimes tossed the handset to the radio operator. "Send a recording of -that conversation to the Mayor of Nephele," he said.</p> - -<p>The boy nodded and began calling the Nephele exchange. Grimes turned to -Dr. Johnson.</p> - -<p>"I want a man for a dangerous job that will require mental alertness at -all times. Who would you recommend?"</p> - -<p>Manson spoke up before the doctor could make up his mind. "Myself, -sir," he said.</p> - -<p>Grimes dismissed the engineer without even looking at him. "Need you -here, Manson. How about Fuqua?" he asked the doctor.</p> - -<p>"I would suggest Lerner, your assistant astro-navigator. He's the -healthiest specimen aboard and genuinely courageous, I'm quite -certain."</p> - -<p>"Call Lerner on the inter-com, Johnny," Grimes told the radio operator. -Then to Bill Manson he said, "Get a Mars kit ready for him, and then -have one TV camera equipped with a long boy. I want to be able to watch -every step Lerner takes, just as if I were alongside him."</p> - -<p>He then strode rapidly to the pilot's desk and called Kai-Ling to a -window.</p> - -<p>Somewhere in the back of his brain something was worrying him. All -along he had pictured himself leading a half dozen of his crew in a -sort of battle formation from one sector of the city to the next, alert -to catch a Priman sniper or uncover a booby-trap. Now here he was -making plans to send one man out alone—probably to certain death. What -did he expect to gain from that? Was he softening under pressure? Or -was he really applying reason, as he tried to convince himself?</p> - -<p>"I want you to hover ten feet above that end of the airstrip," he told -the pilot, pointing. "We'll drop Lerner from that height. But don't go -down until I tell you."</p> - -<p>When he returned to the doctor's side, the two of them were temporarily -alone. Grimes sat down heavily and leaned toward the doctor.</p> - -<p>"This is a ticklish situation, Doc. I've got a wonderful bunch of kids -on this ship, but not many mature, level heads. I'm not sure they'll -see eye to eye with my tactics."</p> - -<p>Dr. Johnson studied him for a moment. "That's always important with -you, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>Grimes half evaded the older man's eyes. "It always has been in the -past, but something's different this time. I think that damn tape must -have done something to me. The only thing I seem to think about now -is results. To be frank, Doc, I'm a lot more worried about how we're -going to get to the bottom of this business than I am about how many -men we'll lose in the process. And that doesn't sound like the Grimes I -used to be at all."</p> - -<p>"You've never had a job like this one. You don't know yet how you'll -react to the developments."</p> - -<p>Grimes snorted. "Don't worry, I'll react effectively all right. The -psychology boys took care of that."</p> - -<p>"Navigator Lerner, sir."</p> - -<p>Grimes returned the salute and looked the boy over quickly. Not more -than twenty-three, tall, not the least muscular; and not the least -worried, if the eyes told anything.</p> - -<p>"This is big stuff, Lerner," Grimes said seriously. "That's why I -didn't ask for a volunteer. I have to have the best man, whether he's -eager or not. You'll take a radio and a direct-view explosive pistol. -You'll start toward the city from where we drop you and do nothing but -observe until you receive an order from me. If anything happens to your -radio reception you'll return to the ship immediately. Any questions so -far?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir."</p> - -<p>Grimes studied the confident features almost enviously. "Keep your eyes -and ears open and report anything that interests you immediately. We'll -follow you on TV and try to anticipate your needs." He had to bite his -lip to continue the instructions. "Be sure to let us know instantly if -you feel any of the usual symptoms."</p> - -<p>Lerner's eyes remained steady as he nodded.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later he dropped lightly to the surface of the planet and -waited for his first instructions.</p> - -<p>"Stay on the hard surface of the airstrip," Grimes ordered. "Don't kick -up any dust as you walk. Don't touch anything with your exposed skin."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The navigator started toward the buildings at the far end of the -airstrip. He wore a light linen suit that looked more like an -eighteenth century houri's costume than anything an inter-planetary -explorer might wear. It was belted around the waist and again at the -ankles, and thin enough to reveal the athletic supporter which was -his only undergarment. He carried the receiver-transmitter over one -shoulder and held the X pistol, with its brightly focussed target -scope, ready in his hand. He had slid some "Uneasy" pills from a Mars -kit under the strap of his wristwatch. They were a great help in -combating nausea during the first few hours on the light planet. The -UN labs were working on a special kit for use on Primus, but in the -meantime the Mars kit seemed to be a satisfactory substitute. The -reduced gravitational pull of the smaller planets worked strange tricks -on a man's insides and most explorers resorted freely to the pills, -which they had nicknamed "Uneasy."</p> - -<p>"There's a vegetable growth of some kind in the cracks along the -airstrip here," Lerner's voice came steadily over the loud speaker.</p> - -<p>"Don't touch it with your bare skin," Grimes said quickly. "They -probably haven't used the airstrip since the last expedition from -Terra. Is there any odor rising from it?"</p> - -<p>He watched the young navigator dip into a semi-crouch. "Nothing that I -can detect, sir."</p> - -<p>"All right, go on. Go inside the UN building and see if it's empty. If -there's anybody there, come out immediately. Keep talking all the time -you're inside. I want a word picture of everything you see."</p> - -<p>As Lerner approached the buildings about a half mile away, Grimes -switched from a direct view to the television screen that maintained a -life-size close-up. He felt a momentary urge to organize a small force -and lead it up to the navigator's position. What kept him back? That -was the way he had planned it before the tape had gone to work on him. -What were Manson and the others thinking now?</p> - -<p>"The photo-electric cell is still operating the door," Lerner said. "I -don't see anybody around."</p> - -<p>The television camera still showed the front of the building. There was -no window through which it could scan the inside.</p> - -<p>"Look around carefully and don't move until you're sure of yourself," -Grimes ordered. "According to the reports, you should be in a lobby -surrounded by glass-walled offices. Is that the picture?"</p> - -<p>"That is correct, sir. I don't see any signs of anybody. Wait...." The -voice stopped for a minute. Captain Grimes leaned forward tensely. Then -Lerner began to speak again, hesitantly.</p> - -<p>"I see ... I see a costume hanging ... hanging in one of the offices. -There might be somebody there ... probably just wearing shorts or -something. I don't feel so good...."</p> - -<p>"Get out of there quick," Grimes shouted.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," came the reply, weakly. "There is someone here. He sees me -but I don't think he ... I don't know if he's coming down. Yes, I guess -he is. He's only wearing shorts. He's ... what did you say, Captain?"</p> - -<p>"I said get out of there. Get out of there at once, Lerner."</p> - -<p>"I can't make you out, sir. My head hurts. I'm coming out. I feel sick -at my stomach. I...."</p> - -<p>The voice trailed off and after a moment Lerner stumbled into the field -of the TV camera and stood unsteadily before the big UN building. Then -his scream of pain came vibrating from the speaker.</p> - -<p>"Captain Grimes! Larsen! Somebody, stop it. For God's sake, shoot!"</p> - -<p>He pointed his pistol excitedly in all directions, firing wildly -with the high-explosive bullets. Grimes turned from the TV screen to -the window, grabbing a pair of binoculars. All he could see was the -staggering figure of the navigator, stabbing the space around him with -his pistol and screaming over the radio.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Stop it, Lerner. Stop that firing and screaming. There's nothing -bothering you. Get back here immediately. On the double."</p> - -<p>Even as he shouted the futile orders, Grimes saw the boy slump to the -ground writhing and clutching at his insides. In five seconds it was -all over. The brutal telescopic lens of the TV camera showed the blood -spilling from his open mouth—there was no other motion.</p> - -<p>Then the camera picked up the figure of the Priman as he popped into -view from inside the building. There was a moment of shocked silence -inside the spaceship.</p> - -<p>Then three things happened at once.</p> - -<p>Somebody snarled, "Get that rat!" There was a flash from a high-powered -rifle and the resultant explosion of the bullet against the front of -the UN building, too high to do any damage. There was the leap of the -startled Priman backward through the door.</p> - -<p>Grimes jumped to the communication panel and grabbed a handset. "Stop -that firing. Fall in for inspection of firearms immediately. Lieutenant -Ramsey, conduct the inspection. Place the man who fired that round in -confinement. Lieutenant Fuqua, position your gunners and give orders -to fire only at my command."</p> - -<p>He threw the handset back in its place and then grabbed it again -immediately. "Start scanning the area with the TV camera. Get off that -body. There's nothing new there."</p> - -<p>"The mayor's on again," the radio operator broke in.</p> - -<p>Grimes switched handsets and growled his greeting.</p> - -<p>"Captain Grimes," the undulating voice said excitedly. "I have just -received a call from the airfield. It seems that one of our citizens -was fired upon. We cannot allow that kind of...."</p> - -<p>"You'll allow anything that you can't help. One of my men is dead. I -can't allow that either, but what can I do about it?" He caught the -anxious expression on Dr. Johnson's face and calmed down somewhat. "I'm -sorry, Mister, about the firing. The man is being punished. What did -your citizen report? Did he do anything?"</p> - -<p>"He did nothing. The Terranian entered the building without first -reporting to the sanitation chambers. We will resist this sort of thing -to our utmost, Captain."</p> - -<p>"All right, you've said that before. I've got nothing against you, -Mister—at least, nothing that I can prove, but if I don't get to the -bottom of this trouble you'll soon find yourself putting up the most -futile resistance in solar history. Now listen to me. Get everybody out -of the UN building. What we're looking for must be right there. That -may not be the only place, but it'll do for a starter."</p> - -<p>"I will have the building vacated, Captain. Will you please observe the -sanitation procedure? We must not have any germ diseases transmitted on -Primus."</p> - -<p>"If we pollute you we'll cure you. Quit worrying about it. Do as I tell -you."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>There was no reply. The transmission went dead. Grimes watched the TV -screen which again showed the UN building. After a while three Primans -scurried through the door and ran toward the city, not even glancing at -the crumpled figure of the navigator.</p> - -<p>Grimes turned to Dr. Johnson, about to suggest that he name another man -for the outside job when he noticed Bill Manson calmly adjusting the -receiver-transmitter over his shoulder. He had already selected several -items from the Mars kit spread out on the floor, and had slipped them -into a plastic case strapped above one knee.</p> - -<p>"All right, Manson; you win," Grimes said gratefully. "But take it -easy. There's no hurry. Examine everything inside that lobby before -you take two steps away from the door. Better yet, stay outside for a -while. He might have picked up some poison before he went in."</p> - -<p>"I'll do my best, Captain. Don't worry, I'll be back. Remember, I'm the -boy who's getting married next June."</p> - -<p>The captain said nothing. He felt he was hitting a new low now—sending -Manson out. Still it was the only sensible thing to do.</p> - -<p>What good would it do for him to be out there convulsing on the ground? -Who could take over and run the ship any better if he did sacrifice -himself?</p> - -<p>He snapped out of it and concentrated on watching the engineer's figure -retreating down the long Priman airstrip.</p> - -<p>Except for the insignificant fungus growing out of the cracks, there -was nothing of interest between the spaceship and the buildings and -Manson hardly paused until he was opposite Lerner's body.</p> - -<p>"Don't touch him," Grimes ordered. "We'll look at him later if -possible. And stand around for a while before you go any further. Is -there anything peculiar at all? Any small animal life? Any strange -smells?"</p> - -<p>"Just this stinking atmosphere. I don't see a thing, sir. There's no -doubt that Lerner's dead."</p> - -<p>Grimes watched the engineer stroll around aimlessly in front of the UN -building for a full twenty minutes and then finally gave him permission -to enter.</p> - -<p>"I'm propping the door open," Manson said. "There's nothing in the -lobby. Looks like there were tables and chairs here at one time, but -they've been taken out."</p> - -<p>The voice prattled on and Grimes tried to relax while listening, but he -found himself tensing with the beginning of each sentence.</p> - -<p>"I feel a little woozy," Manson said all of a sudden. "It's just the -light gravity, I know. I've been on Mars—it's the same sensation."</p> - -<p>"Nevertheless, get out of that building immediately," Grimes shouted.</p> - -<p>The engineer's figure appeared at once on the TV screen and Grimes -breathed a sigh of relief. Just the same he reassured himself with a -pair of binoculars that Manson was all right, as though he didn't trust -the electronic image.</p> - -<p>"How do you feel?" he asked anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Not so good. I never really got used to walking on Mars, and I was -there a dozen times or more. I never stopped taking the Uneasy pills, -though I got so I used to bite 'em in half and take ... just ... a ... -part...."</p> - -<p>"What's the matter with you?" Grimes yelled, though he could see -readily enough what was the matter. The boy was doubled over in pain. -His lips moved frantically in an effort to talk, but no sound came out. -He tried to straighten once but a new attack seized him and he half -fell to the ground. His screams of pain filled the spaceship until -Grimes could stand it no longer.</p> - -<p>"Get down there quick," he commanded the pilot. "And shut off that -speaker," he hollered at the radio operator.</p> - -<p>Now what was he doing? Risking the entire ship and crew. And for what? -To try to save one man? He knew better. That would have been his reason -in the old days—now he wasn't thinking of the man. He was thinking of -results. He had to know what was happening. One thing kept hammering -in his brain. His mission. He had a mission, and it was more important -than one man or a whole crew of men.</p> - -<p>The big ship moved silently and rapidly to the other end of the runway. -Grimes had the exit port open by the time they stopped beside the -twisting body of the engineer.</p> - -<p>He grabbed the medium sized figure under the armpits and pulled his -head and shoulders up inside the ship. Dr. Johnson gave a hand and they -soon had Manson laid out on the floor of the pilot's room. A hypodermic -appeared almost magically in the doctor's hand.</p> - -<p>"There's nothing left to do," he said to the excited captain.</p> - -<p>"Get away from him," Grimes shouted fiendishly, jumping forward and -pushing the doctor back. "He's got to talk. He's got to."</p> - -<p>"My God, Captain, he's dying with pain," a third voice broke in.</p> - -<p>Grimes looked up to see the angry face of Lieutenant Ramsey glaring at -him. Behind Ramsey, several other crew members stared unbelievingly -from their commander's face to the tortured body on the floor.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Grimes didn't know exactly what he was doing, but he did it effectively -just the same. He shot a right cross that caught Ramsey on the jaw and -knocked him senseless. Then he knelt beside his chief engineer.</p> - -<p>"Who did it, boy? What did it? You've got to tell me. Do you -understand—you've got to talk."</p> - -<p>Manson tried. When he opened his mouth Grimes could see the blood -gathering and it nearly made him sick. He thought his own insides would -burst with each convulsion of the younger man's body.</p> - -<p>"It was ... I think it was...."</p> - -<p>The voice trailed off in a new spasm that ended in a violent kicking of -his arms and legs as if he were fighting off an attacking animal. Then -he vomited hideously and slowly relaxed.</p> - -<p>Grimes looked at the doctor and beyond him could see the men still -glowering at him accusingly.</p> - -<p>"It's too late now," Dr. Johnson shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I guess we don't know any more than we did," Grimes said weakly. "Make -it easy for him if you can."</p> - -<p>He spun around and concentrated on the radar map with no real interest. -A crash of something fragile caused him to turn again toward the figure -on the floor. Bill Manson had knocked the needle from the doctor's hand -and was struggling to speak.</p> - -<p>Grimes leaped to his side instantly and cradled the boy's head in his -hands. "Speak up, Bill."</p> - -<p>"It was ... the pill. I'm sure it was the pill," Manson said. He shook -his head and the glaze partly left his eyes. "I only took half a pill, -like I used to on Mars; I couldn't help it.... I was getting sick. I -felt it almost at once, then it really hit me after about two minutes."</p> - -<p>"What pill? The Uneasy pill?" Grimes couldn't believe in so simple an -explanation. "They've been checked at home for years."</p> - -<p>"Must be a slip somewhere. They weren't designed for Primus. I'll bet -my life it was the pill."</p> - -<p>"Never mind betting your life any more now. You get some rest."</p> - -<p>He snapped to his feet. "Give him something," he told the doctor. "And -take care of him. We'll analyze those pills ourselves. There's going to -be hell to pay if he's right, and just this minute I'm betting that he -is."</p> - -<p>"Betting your life, Captain?"</p> - -<p>Grimes spun to find Lieutenant Ramsey rubbing his jaw and eyeing him -bitterly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Lieutenant, betting my life." He ran to a wall cabinet and jerked -out a Mars kit and suit. He tore open the kit and threw out the Uneasy -pills, then he hurriedly donned the suit. Maybe that was the answer -after all, he mused grimly. Something in the atmosphere reacted with -the pill. They had never been declared official for Primus. No time to -worry about that now however.</p> - -<p>He dropped to the surface of the planet and ran to the UN building. He -flung himself inside and ran wildly up and down the stair, shouting -like a vacation-crazed schoolboy. From the first building he went on to -the others, and then into the city, stopping to be sick when he felt -the urge and actually enjoying the pain.</p> - -<p>Hours later an exhausted Captain Grimes returned to his spaceship to be -greeted by an apologetic and happier crew.</p> - -<p>"The boy's going to be all right," Dr. Johnson told him. "He thinks he -owes his life to the fact that he only took half a pill, but I don't -know. I'd say it was just plain old guts."</p> - -<p>"How about the pills?"</p> - -<p>"No doubt about them, but I haven't pinned it down yet. We put a -pump on Manson and found some sodium chlorate in his stomach. That's -NaClO<sub>3</sub>, you know, and you could get it from ordinary table salt, -NaCl, and ozone, O<sub>3</sub>, if you could combine them. The Uneasy pill -has the NaCl all right, and there's plenty of ozone in the atmosphere -here—you've smelled it, of course. Smells like chlorine."</p> - -<p>Grimes nodded impatiently. "But you couldn't get enough sodium -chlorate to kill a man from one medium size pill, could you?"</p> - -<p>"No, you couldn't. It is poisonous, however. It's used as an -insecticide and as a weed-killer. But it's highly unstable and I don't -know how it could have been formed from such a stable substance as -sodium chloride. But we've never really had a chance to analyze this -atmosphere. I'll work on it on the way back. Whatever the catalyst -is, it must have allowed some other ozonides to form, and many of -them are highly explosive. A man could literally have been blown to -pieces from the inside. It must have been something that could produce -hallucinations too, judging from Lerner's actions."</p> - -<p>Grimes laughed bitterly, but with relief. "Man, do we owe the Primans -an apology! I better draft something quick; then we'll shove off."</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Ramsey was the only one who managed to speak.</p> - -<p>"I insist on making out a voluntary on my actions, sir. I don't know -what came over me."</p> - -<p>The captain pushed him aside. "There'll be no voluntarys passed across -my desk. I'm capable of reporting on conditions in my ship."</p> - -<p>He went on to his private quarters.</p> - -<p>Well, it was over, he thought wearily. The psychology boys had been -right again. He had felt like a mechanical man all the time. He never -would have believed he could send men out like that—and the ship! He -could have lost everything.</p> - -<p>He glanced at the tape player still in position at his bedside. -Suddenly, on impulse, he dived at it and threw it open at the top. -He shorted out the governor circuits and then re-wound the tape to -the playing position. He had heard of commanders doing it before, and -vaguely he was aware that there was an order forbidding it, but he -replayed the tape anyway—this time to his conscious mind.</p> - -<p>There was some soft, dreamy music for a couple of minutes, then a -feminine voice whispered, "Sleep well, Captain Grimes. Sleep well." -That was all, except for some more music.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Primus Curse, by Bill Wesley - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRIMUS CURSE *** - -***** This file should be named 63707-h.htm or 63707-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/7/0/63707/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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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/63707-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/63707-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 703084f..0000000 --- a/old/63707-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/63707-h/images/illus.jpg b/old/63707-h/images/illus.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b8ea4a5..0000000 --- a/old/63707-h/images/illus.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/63707.txt b/old/63707.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 53a2163..0000000 --- a/old/63707.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1167 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Primus Curse, by Bill Wesley - -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 Primus Curse - -Author: Bill Wesley - -Release Date: November 10, 2020 [EBook #63707] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRIMUS CURSE *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - THE PRIMUS CURSE - - By BILL WESLEY - - _That the psychology boys had been right again, - annoyed the veteran captain. He'd felt like a - mechanical man all the time. Never would have - believed he could send men to their death like - that. And the ship! He might have lost everything!_ - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Planet Stories May 1954. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -"Well, Skipper, we'll be in Mercury's com zone in ten hours, plus or -minus a half." - -Captain Evan Grimes eyed his chief engineer sternly. "How'd you know I -wouldn't have the recorder turned on, Manson? That could have cost you -a week's pay." - -"Sorry, sir," Bill Manson saluted, still smiling. - -"I don't mean the salutation, you bonehead. It's been five years since -the Service banned the name Mercury for Primus, and I've heard it used -at least three times on this trip." - -"I'll make out a voluntary on it." - -"Forget it. I don't like those spying recorders any more than you -do, but I don't like to see a man throwing his money away either. -Especially when he's on a job where he'll probably earn every dollar of -it." - -Manson pulled a fade-away chair from its wall socket and pressed the -green button. - -He waited two seconds for the cushion to inflate, then relaxed in it. -"So you really think it's going to be rough," he said casually. - -Grimes swung his chair ninety degrees and studied the planet, Primus, -looming ever larger on the television screen. There were small breaks -in the cloud formations, but it was still too early to glimpse any of -the compact little cities. - -"We aren't the first group to tackle this mystery, you know, and we'd -be hard put to prove we were the best, from what I've read of the -reports." - -The engineer scratched his carefully trimmed beard and didn't appear at -all worried. "If you'd like to know how I feel about it," he grinned, -"my wedding date's already set for next June." - -The captain had to smile. "I attribute your optimism to your -inexperience," he said. "Even assuming that we escape with our necks, -what makes you think we'll have it cleared up before June? I've got a -reputation for doing things the cautious way, you know." - -Manson shrugged. "I've heard of that code they drum into you at Space -Academy. Your ship is your life. Every speck of meteoric dust that -sticks to its hide is your responsibility. And right along with the -ship comes the crew. Each member a ten million dollar investment--not -one hair of his head to be risked unnecessarily." - -"You're a little inaccurate in the phraseology, but go on. What are you -driving at?" - -"Nothing special. That's all fine and dandy for escorting bug-hunters -around Mars, but this is a combat mission. First one in a hundred -years. Not a man in the Service has ever been on a combat mission. I'd -give plenty to hear what's on the tape this time." - -"What makes you think there is a tape?" - -Manson pushed the red button on the chair and let it slide out from -under him, deflating itself with a swoosh. "There's always a tape. This -one should be a lulu. I won't be surprised to see you storm out of here -in about nine hours with blood in your eye and X pistols hanging on -both hips." - -"And I won't be surprised to see you flying out of here head first in -about two seconds," Grimes shouted. "I'll accept your maximum estimate -of ten and a half hours. That'll be soon enough to establish contact. -Now get out." - -Manson paused in the doorway. "It's just one forty and three," he said. -"Shall I write in the journal that the engineer was commended for the -fast trip?" - -"We aren't in yet. All I said was get out." - -The engineer scurried through the door, leaving behind a more pleased -commander than he had been given reason to suspect. - -One hundred and forty days to Primus! The boy had a right to gloat, -Grimes thought. If it wasn't a top secret mission the trip would go -into the record book. - -He slid his desk into its wall socket and opened a camouflaged -compartment alongside it by playing a complex tattoo with his fingers -on the unmarked surface. He drew out a reel of plastic tape and a -sealed envelope, then pushed the door gently, listening for the faint -sound of the tumblers falling into place, locking it. He switched off -the main light, leaving only a pale blue ceiling glow, and retired to -his sleeping quarters. - -No hurry on the tape--he was glad of that. Shouldn't take more than -ten minutes. Plenty of time for a shower and a movie. Then the service -could have his subconscious. At least they spared him those long-winded -tapes he had heard about. A restless man sometimes had to take a -sleeping pill to give the tape time to play itself out. Grimes had been -around too long to let it bother him that much, but he always felt a -certain resentment when they handed him one of their psychological -gimmicks. - -What the devil could be on this one? The orders were the clearest -he had ever received. Drastic, all right, but no room for -misinterpretation. Here he was Number Three Commander in the service, -and they didn't trust him to come in out of the rain. Maybe Manson was -trying to drop a hint. Didn't think he was capable of leading a combat -mission. Maybe the whole crew was uneasy. - -A hard smile forced itself across his face. They'd know in the next -fifteen or twenty hours who their leader was. - -It was just one-forty and six when Grimes switched off his microfilm -projector and returned the movie canister to his library. - -Okay, big shots, one of your little toy soldiers is ready for the psych -treatment, he thought sourly as he dropped the plastic tape onto the -player and positioned the governor electrodes over his bed. I'd like to -have the guy by the throat who invented this gadget, he muttered. - -The tape only played when the electrodes picked up radiation from -the brain telling that the subject was asleep; then the information -became a part of his subconscious only. If he awoke, the player simply -stopped until he went back to sleep. The results were frequently -amazing. Blundering old space veterans had been converted overnight -into smooth diplomats for negotiating with the sensitive Venusians. -Timid souls had been fired up to brave the risks of delicate landings -on tiny asteroids. And now it was his turn. What kind of pep talk did -the psychology brain trust think he needed? Afraid he'd make a fool of -himself in front of his crew? - -He switched on the player savagely and set the volume level to suit -a light sleeper; then he slit open the envelope and read the few -imprinted lines. - - "CAPTAIN GRIMES, SPACESHIP VULCAN, EN ROUTE PRIMUS. REVIEW OF - ORDERS. ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS WITH PRIMUS CITIES NEPHELE, - ESTIVAL. DETERMINE CAUSE OF DEATHS OF PREVIOUS EXPLORERS. - INVESTIGATE EXHAUSTIVELY, RUTHLESSLY. COMPLETE EXPLANATION - ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE. YOUR SUCCESS MAY FORESTALL EXPEDITIONARY - FORCE. UNITED NATIONS SERVICE HEADQUARTERS, PARIS." - -He pushed the cold-blooded message through a discard slot and turned -down the bed clothes. He hopped between the sheets and took a deep -breath. Modern science was wonderful, he mused, but it hadn't yet found -a substitute for a pair of clean sheets. - - * * * * * - -Exactly seven hours later Captain Grimes stepped into the pilot's room -and nodded seriously at the men gathered about the radio receiver. -Aside from the operator there was Dr. Keith Johnson, the chief medical -officer; Kai-Ling, the soft spoken pilot; and Engineer Bill Manson. - -"We're still dark, sir," the radio operator explained. "Just listening -to land transmissions." - -Grimes noted the red light in the center of the ceiling, indicating -that the service recorder was operating. - -"What's the time to go?" he asked Manson. - -"Half hour, sir," the engineer said, glancing at the radar scope for -verification. - -"Cruise between Nephele and Estival at a hundred thousand," Grimes told -the pilot. - -The man was still wearing part of his traditional garments and part -of his service uniform. Grimes made signs at him, at the same time -pointing to the red light. The pilot grinned broadly and began to shed -the Oriental half of his garb on the spot. - -"All right, Johnny," Grimes addressed the radio operator. "I want to -talk with the Mayor of Estival and I don't want to be by-passed by any -army or air force official or anybody else." - -The boy's fingers flew over his controls and in a matter of seconds -he had the Estival Telephone Exchange. The first operator spoke no -Terranian languages at all. The second one could only speak French and -German. Then the chief operator took over and filled the room with the -peculiar sing song quality of a Priman speaking English. - -Grimes reminded himself that the Primans had done a miraculous job in -learning any Terranian tongues at all, considering the terrific strain -under which the teaching had taken place. They had been taught from the -air by Dr. Allen Russell, after the first Terranian exploration had -ended in a hundred per cent fatalities. Then the famous doctor himself -had landed and had never made it back to his ship. That had set off the -clamor at home for direct action against the dark skinned people of -Primus. Mobs had actually stormed the UN building in Paris demanding -blood. - -Grimes aroused himself with a contemptuous shrug. Blood! The imbeciles! -Most of them didn't know enough about Primans to know if they even had -any blood; yet they were sure it was a case of wholesale murder. The -Primans didn't want anybody to get their precious uranium ore--that was -the popular belief. And he had to risk the lives of the best space crew -ever assembled to satisfy their impatience or the UN would be forced -into a full scale attack. - -"Here's the Mayor of Estival, sir," the radio operator said. - -Grimes took a handset. "Captain Grimes ... Spaceship Vulcan ... Mister." - -He waited for the acknowledgement. The mayor's voice was high pitched -and unsteady, but his command of English was more than satisfactory. - -"Mister of Estival," he said. "Greetings, Captain Grimes. Will you -land?" - -"We ... will ... not ... land ... at ... once. Our ... mission ... -may ... be ... the ... last ... peaceful ... one ... to ... visit ... -Primus ... if ... the ... mystery ... of ... the ... Terranians' ... -deaths ... is ... not ... solved." - -"I understand you very well, Captain. You may speak more readily with -me. What can I do to help you?" - -Grimes relaxed and winked encouragingly at the doctor and Manson, then -turned his attention back to the radio. - -"We want a complete explanation of the cause of death of all Terranians -who have landed on Primus. Have you performed autopsies on any of the -bodies?" - -"We are not equipped to operate as you are, Captain. We have almost no -medical science on Primus. We are doing what we can but so far we have -discovered nothing." - -"My orders are to exploit every possibility. After us will come only a -task force, Mayor of Estival." - - * * * * * - -The mayor's voice carried a certain anxiety in spite of its sing-song -quality. "Of course we will try to defend ourselves, but it would be -hopeless. Our civilization is much further advanced than yours in many -ways, but we have none of your weapons of war. We wouldn't even know -how to take care of our wounded." - -"My service knows that, Mister. But we can't reason with a mob, and -that's what we have against us at home. I have expert medical personnel -with me and a completely equipped laboratory. We intend to experiment -extensively, both on your people and on our own. I am authorized to -demand your full cooperation." - -"Cooperation is freely offered, Captain, but coercion is unknown on -Primus. I cannot make personal bargains for the citizens of Estival." - -"You won't need to. We'll make our own bargains, and at the end of an -X gun if necessary. What have you done since the last expedition was -here?" - -"We have given the lie detector test to every Priman over the age of -twenty--that is approximately five of your years--and no one has any -knowledge of the Terranians' deaths. There is nothing toxic on Primus. -We have not had a disease or an infection within the memory of any of -our people. We don't know what else to do." - -"All right, I believe you, but that won't slow us down a bit. Now -listen to our plan. We are going to land one man at a time and have -him report back to the ship at short intervals. Under no circumstances -must any Priman come near this man or pay any attention to him. Is that -clear?" - -"That is clear, Captain; but I cannot accept your proposals in the form -of ultimata. The people of Primus...." - -Captain Grimes' voice hardened. "You'll do exactly as I tell you or -there won't be an Estival much longer. Is that understood?" - -The reply was slow in coming. "I understand, Captain. I will have the -information broadcast immediately. I suggest you give me at least one -of your hours." - -"Make it two. Thanks for your cooperation, Mister. Good-bye." - -Grimes tossed the handset to the radio operator. "Send a recording of -that conversation to the Mayor of Nephele," he said. - -The boy nodded and began calling the Nephele exchange. Grimes turned to -Dr. Johnson. - -"I want a man for a dangerous job that will require mental alertness at -all times. Who would you recommend?" - -Manson spoke up before the doctor could make up his mind. "Myself, -sir," he said. - -Grimes dismissed the engineer without even looking at him. "Need you -here, Manson. How about Fuqua?" he asked the doctor. - -"I would suggest Lerner, your assistant astro-navigator. He's the -healthiest specimen aboard and genuinely courageous, I'm quite -certain." - -"Call Lerner on the inter-com, Johnny," Grimes told the radio operator. -Then to Bill Manson he said, "Get a Mars kit ready for him, and then -have one TV camera equipped with a long boy. I want to be able to watch -every step Lerner takes, just as if I were alongside him." - -He then strode rapidly to the pilot's desk and called Kai-Ling to a -window. - -Somewhere in the back of his brain something was worrying him. All -along he had pictured himself leading a half dozen of his crew in a -sort of battle formation from one sector of the city to the next, alert -to catch a Priman sniper or uncover a booby-trap. Now here he was -making plans to send one man out alone--probably to certain death. What -did he expect to gain from that? Was he softening under pressure? Or -was he really applying reason, as he tried to convince himself? - -"I want you to hover ten feet above that end of the airstrip," he told -the pilot, pointing. "We'll drop Lerner from that height. But don't go -down until I tell you." - -When he returned to the doctor's side, the two of them were temporarily -alone. Grimes sat down heavily and leaned toward the doctor. - -"This is a ticklish situation, Doc. I've got a wonderful bunch of kids -on this ship, but not many mature, level heads. I'm not sure they'll -see eye to eye with my tactics." - -Dr. Johnson studied him for a moment. "That's always important with -you, isn't it?" - -Grimes half evaded the older man's eyes. "It always has been in the -past, but something's different this time. I think that damn tape must -have done something to me. The only thing I seem to think about now -is results. To be frank, Doc, I'm a lot more worried about how we're -going to get to the bottom of this business than I am about how many -men we'll lose in the process. And that doesn't sound like the Grimes I -used to be at all." - -"You've never had a job like this one. You don't know yet how you'll -react to the developments." - -Grimes snorted. "Don't worry, I'll react effectively all right. The -psychology boys took care of that." - -"Navigator Lerner, sir." - -Grimes returned the salute and looked the boy over quickly. Not more -than twenty-three, tall, not the least muscular; and not the least -worried, if the eyes told anything. - -"This is big stuff, Lerner," Grimes said seriously. "That's why I -didn't ask for a volunteer. I have to have the best man, whether he's -eager or not. You'll take a radio and a direct-view explosive pistol. -You'll start toward the city from where we drop you and do nothing but -observe until you receive an order from me. If anything happens to your -radio reception you'll return to the ship immediately. Any questions so -far?" - -"No, sir." - -Grimes studied the confident features almost enviously. "Keep your eyes -and ears open and report anything that interests you immediately. We'll -follow you on TV and try to anticipate your needs." He had to bite his -lip to continue the instructions. "Be sure to let us know instantly if -you feel any of the usual symptoms." - -Lerner's eyes remained steady as he nodded. - -A few minutes later he dropped lightly to the surface of the planet and -waited for his first instructions. - -"Stay on the hard surface of the airstrip," Grimes ordered. "Don't kick -up any dust as you walk. Don't touch anything with your exposed skin." - - * * * * * - -The navigator started toward the buildings at the far end of the -airstrip. He wore a light linen suit that looked more like an -eighteenth century houri's costume than anything an inter-planetary -explorer might wear. It was belted around the waist and again at the -ankles, and thin enough to reveal the athletic supporter which was -his only undergarment. He carried the receiver-transmitter over one -shoulder and held the X pistol, with its brightly focussed target -scope, ready in his hand. He had slid some "Uneasy" pills from a Mars -kit under the strap of his wristwatch. They were a great help in -combating nausea during the first few hours on the light planet. The -UN labs were working on a special kit for use on Primus, but in the -meantime the Mars kit seemed to be a satisfactory substitute. The -reduced gravitational pull of the smaller planets worked strange tricks -on a man's insides and most explorers resorted freely to the pills, -which they had nicknamed "Uneasy." - -"There's a vegetable growth of some kind in the cracks along the -airstrip here," Lerner's voice came steadily over the loud speaker. - -"Don't touch it with your bare skin," Grimes said quickly. "They -probably haven't used the airstrip since the last expedition from -Terra. Is there any odor rising from it?" - -He watched the young navigator dip into a semi-crouch. "Nothing that I -can detect, sir." - -"All right, go on. Go inside the UN building and see if it's empty. If -there's anybody there, come out immediately. Keep talking all the time -you're inside. I want a word picture of everything you see." - -As Lerner approached the buildings about a half mile away, Grimes -switched from a direct view to the television screen that maintained a -life-size close-up. He felt a momentary urge to organize a small force -and lead it up to the navigator's position. What kept him back? That -was the way he had planned it before the tape had gone to work on him. -What were Manson and the others thinking now? - -"The photo-electric cell is still operating the door," Lerner said. "I -don't see anybody around." - -The television camera still showed the front of the building. There was -no window through which it could scan the inside. - -"Look around carefully and don't move until you're sure of yourself," -Grimes ordered. "According to the reports, you should be in a lobby -surrounded by glass-walled offices. Is that the picture?" - -"That is correct, sir. I don't see any signs of anybody. Wait...." The -voice stopped for a minute. Captain Grimes leaned forward tensely. Then -Lerner began to speak again, hesitantly. - -"I see ... I see a costume hanging ... hanging in one of the offices. -There might be somebody there ... probably just wearing shorts or -something. I don't feel so good...." - -"Get out of there quick," Grimes shouted. - -"Yes, sir," came the reply, weakly. "There is someone here. He sees me -but I don't think he ... I don't know if he's coming down. Yes, I guess -he is. He's only wearing shorts. He's ... what did you say, Captain?" - -"I said get out of there. Get out of there at once, Lerner." - -"I can't make you out, sir. My head hurts. I'm coming out. I feel sick -at my stomach. I...." - -The voice trailed off and after a moment Lerner stumbled into the field -of the TV camera and stood unsteadily before the big UN building. Then -his scream of pain came vibrating from the speaker. - -"Captain Grimes! Larsen! Somebody, stop it. For God's sake, shoot!" - -He pointed his pistol excitedly in all directions, firing wildly -with the high-explosive bullets. Grimes turned from the TV screen to -the window, grabbing a pair of binoculars. All he could see was the -staggering figure of the navigator, stabbing the space around him with -his pistol and screaming over the radio. - -"Stop it, Lerner. Stop that firing and screaming. There's nothing -bothering you. Get back here immediately. On the double." - -Even as he shouted the futile orders, Grimes saw the boy slump to the -ground writhing and clutching at his insides. In five seconds it was -all over. The brutal telescopic lens of the TV camera showed the blood -spilling from his open mouth--there was no other motion. - -Then the camera picked up the figure of the Priman as he popped into -view from inside the building. There was a moment of shocked silence -inside the spaceship. - -Then three things happened at once. - -Somebody snarled, "Get that rat!" There was a flash from a high-powered -rifle and the resultant explosion of the bullet against the front of -the UN building, too high to do any damage. There was the leap of the -startled Priman backward through the door. - -Grimes jumped to the communication panel and grabbed a handset. "Stop -that firing. Fall in for inspection of firearms immediately. Lieutenant -Ramsey, conduct the inspection. Place the man who fired that round in -confinement. Lieutenant Fuqua, position your gunners and give orders -to fire only at my command." - -He threw the handset back in its place and then grabbed it again -immediately. "Start scanning the area with the TV camera. Get off that -body. There's nothing new there." - -"The mayor's on again," the radio operator broke in. - -Grimes switched handsets and growled his greeting. - -"Captain Grimes," the undulating voice said excitedly. "I have just -received a call from the airfield. It seems that one of our citizens -was fired upon. We cannot allow that kind of...." - -"You'll allow anything that you can't help. One of my men is dead. I -can't allow that either, but what can I do about it?" He caught the -anxious expression on Dr. Johnson's face and calmed down somewhat. "I'm -sorry, Mister, about the firing. The man is being punished. What did -your citizen report? Did he do anything?" - -"He did nothing. The Terranian entered the building without first -reporting to the sanitation chambers. We will resist this sort of thing -to our utmost, Captain." - -"All right, you've said that before. I've got nothing against you, -Mister--at least, nothing that I can prove, but if I don't get to the -bottom of this trouble you'll soon find yourself putting up the most -futile resistance in solar history. Now listen to me. Get everybody out -of the UN building. What we're looking for must be right there. That -may not be the only place, but it'll do for a starter." - -"I will have the building vacated, Captain. Will you please observe the -sanitation procedure? We must not have any germ diseases transmitted on -Primus." - -"If we pollute you we'll cure you. Quit worrying about it. Do as I tell -you." - - * * * * * - -There was no reply. The transmission went dead. Grimes watched the TV -screen which again showed the UN building. After a while three Primans -scurried through the door and ran toward the city, not even glancing at -the crumpled figure of the navigator. - -Grimes turned to Dr. Johnson, about to suggest that he name another man -for the outside job when he noticed Bill Manson calmly adjusting the -receiver-transmitter over his shoulder. He had already selected several -items from the Mars kit spread out on the floor, and had slipped them -into a plastic case strapped above one knee. - -"All right, Manson; you win," Grimes said gratefully. "But take it -easy. There's no hurry. Examine everything inside that lobby before -you take two steps away from the door. Better yet, stay outside for a -while. He might have picked up some poison before he went in." - -"I'll do my best, Captain. Don't worry, I'll be back. Remember, I'm the -boy who's getting married next June." - -The captain said nothing. He felt he was hitting a new low now--sending -Manson out. Still it was the only sensible thing to do. - -What good would it do for him to be out there convulsing on the ground? -Who could take over and run the ship any better if he did sacrifice -himself? - -He snapped out of it and concentrated on watching the engineer's figure -retreating down the long Priman airstrip. - -Except for the insignificant fungus growing out of the cracks, there -was nothing of interest between the spaceship and the buildings and -Manson hardly paused until he was opposite Lerner's body. - -"Don't touch him," Grimes ordered. "We'll look at him later if -possible. And stand around for a while before you go any further. Is -there anything peculiar at all? Any small animal life? Any strange -smells?" - -"Just this stinking atmosphere. I don't see a thing, sir. There's no -doubt that Lerner's dead." - -Grimes watched the engineer stroll around aimlessly in front of the UN -building for a full twenty minutes and then finally gave him permission -to enter. - -"I'm propping the door open," Manson said. "There's nothing in the -lobby. Looks like there were tables and chairs here at one time, but -they've been taken out." - -The voice prattled on and Grimes tried to relax while listening, but he -found himself tensing with the beginning of each sentence. - -"I feel a little woozy," Manson said all of a sudden. "It's just the -light gravity, I know. I've been on Mars--it's the same sensation." - -"Nevertheless, get out of that building immediately," Grimes shouted. - -The engineer's figure appeared at once on the TV screen and Grimes -breathed a sigh of relief. Just the same he reassured himself with a -pair of binoculars that Manson was all right, as though he didn't trust -the electronic image. - -"How do you feel?" he asked anxiously. - -"Not so good. I never really got used to walking on Mars, and I was -there a dozen times or more. I never stopped taking the Uneasy pills, -though I got so I used to bite 'em in half and take ... just ... a ... -part...." - -"What's the matter with you?" Grimes yelled, though he could see -readily enough what was the matter. The boy was doubled over in pain. -His lips moved frantically in an effort to talk, but no sound came out. -He tried to straighten once but a new attack seized him and he half -fell to the ground. His screams of pain filled the spaceship until -Grimes could stand it no longer. - -"Get down there quick," he commanded the pilot. "And shut off that -speaker," he hollered at the radio operator. - -Now what was he doing? Risking the entire ship and crew. And for what? -To try to save one man? He knew better. That would have been his reason -in the old days--now he wasn't thinking of the man. He was thinking of -results. He had to know what was happening. One thing kept hammering -in his brain. His mission. He had a mission, and it was more important -than one man or a whole crew of men. - -The big ship moved silently and rapidly to the other end of the runway. -Grimes had the exit port open by the time they stopped beside the -twisting body of the engineer. - -He grabbed the medium sized figure under the armpits and pulled his -head and shoulders up inside the ship. Dr. Johnson gave a hand and they -soon had Manson laid out on the floor of the pilot's room. A hypodermic -appeared almost magically in the doctor's hand. - -"There's nothing left to do," he said to the excited captain. - -"Get away from him," Grimes shouted fiendishly, jumping forward and -pushing the doctor back. "He's got to talk. He's got to." - -"My God, Captain, he's dying with pain," a third voice broke in. - -Grimes looked up to see the angry face of Lieutenant Ramsey glaring at -him. Behind Ramsey, several other crew members stared unbelievingly -from their commander's face to the tortured body on the floor. - - * * * * * - -Grimes didn't know exactly what he was doing, but he did it effectively -just the same. He shot a right cross that caught Ramsey on the jaw and -knocked him senseless. Then he knelt beside his chief engineer. - -"Who did it, boy? What did it? You've got to tell me. Do you -understand--you've got to talk." - -Manson tried. When he opened his mouth Grimes could see the blood -gathering and it nearly made him sick. He thought his own insides would -burst with each convulsion of the younger man's body. - -"It was ... I think it was...." - -The voice trailed off in a new spasm that ended in a violent kicking of -his arms and legs as if he were fighting off an attacking animal. Then -he vomited hideously and slowly relaxed. - -Grimes looked at the doctor and beyond him could see the men still -glowering at him accusingly. - -"It's too late now," Dr. Johnson shook his head. - -"I guess we don't know any more than we did," Grimes said weakly. "Make -it easy for him if you can." - -He spun around and concentrated on the radar map with no real interest. -A crash of something fragile caused him to turn again toward the figure -on the floor. Bill Manson had knocked the needle from the doctor's hand -and was struggling to speak. - -Grimes leaped to his side instantly and cradled the boy's head in his -hands. "Speak up, Bill." - -"It was ... the pill. I'm sure it was the pill," Manson said. He shook -his head and the glaze partly left his eyes. "I only took half a pill, -like I used to on Mars; I couldn't help it.... I was getting sick. I -felt it almost at once, then it really hit me after about two minutes." - -"What pill? The Uneasy pill?" Grimes couldn't believe in so simple an -explanation. "They've been checked at home for years." - -"Must be a slip somewhere. They weren't designed for Primus. I'll bet -my life it was the pill." - -"Never mind betting your life any more now. You get some rest." - -He snapped to his feet. "Give him something," he told the doctor. "And -take care of him. We'll analyze those pills ourselves. There's going to -be hell to pay if he's right, and just this minute I'm betting that he -is." - -"Betting your life, Captain?" - -Grimes spun to find Lieutenant Ramsey rubbing his jaw and eyeing him -bitterly. - -"Yes, Lieutenant, betting my life." He ran to a wall cabinet and jerked -out a Mars kit and suit. He tore open the kit and threw out the Uneasy -pills, then he hurriedly donned the suit. Maybe that was the answer -after all, he mused grimly. Something in the atmosphere reacted with -the pill. They had never been declared official for Primus. No time to -worry about that now however. - -He dropped to the surface of the planet and ran to the UN building. He -flung himself inside and ran wildly up and down the stair, shouting -like a vacation-crazed schoolboy. From the first building he went on to -the others, and then into the city, stopping to be sick when he felt -the urge and actually enjoying the pain. - -Hours later an exhausted Captain Grimes returned to his spaceship to be -greeted by an apologetic and happier crew. - -"The boy's going to be all right," Dr. Johnson told him. "He thinks he -owes his life to the fact that he only took half a pill, but I don't -know. I'd say it was just plain old guts." - -"How about the pills?" - -"No doubt about them, but I haven't pinned it down yet. We put a -pump on Manson and found some sodium chlorate in his stomach. That's -NaClO_{3}, you know, and you could get it from ordinary table salt, -NaCl, and ozone, O_{3}, if you could combine them. The Uneasy pill -has the NaCl all right, and there's plenty of ozone in the atmosphere -here--you've smelled it, of course. Smells like chlorine." - -Grimes nodded impatiently. "But you couldn't get enough sodium -chlorate to kill a man from one medium size pill, could you?" - -"No, you couldn't. It is poisonous, however. It's used as an -insecticide and as a weed-killer. But it's highly unstable and I don't -know how it could have been formed from such a stable substance as -sodium chloride. But we've never really had a chance to analyze this -atmosphere. I'll work on it on the way back. Whatever the catalyst -is, it must have allowed some other ozonides to form, and many of -them are highly explosive. A man could literally have been blown to -pieces from the inside. It must have been something that could produce -hallucinations too, judging from Lerner's actions." - -Grimes laughed bitterly, but with relief. "Man, do we owe the Primans -an apology! I better draft something quick; then we'll shove off." - -Lieutenant Ramsey was the only one who managed to speak. - -"I insist on making out a voluntary on my actions, sir. I don't know -what came over me." - -The captain pushed him aside. "There'll be no voluntarys passed across -my desk. I'm capable of reporting on conditions in my ship." - -He went on to his private quarters. - -Well, it was over, he thought wearily. The psychology boys had been -right again. He had felt like a mechanical man all the time. He never -would have believed he could send men out like that--and the ship! He -could have lost everything. - -He glanced at the tape player still in position at his bedside. -Suddenly, on impulse, he dived at it and threw it open at the top. -He shorted out the governor circuits and then re-wound the tape to -the playing position. He had heard of commanders doing it before, and -vaguely he was aware that there was an order forbidding it, but he -replayed the tape anyway--this time to his conscious mind. - -There was some soft, dreamy music for a couple of minutes, then a -feminine voice whispered, "Sleep well, Captain Grimes. Sleep well." -That was all, except for some more music. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Primus Curse, by Bill Wesley - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PRIMUS CURSE *** - -***** This file should be named 63707.txt or 63707.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/7/0/63707/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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