diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-25 01:51:34 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-25 01:51:34 -0800 |
| commit | f3a76727e2587256f2d5b3524892bf5efc0d75e7 (patch) | |
| tree | 8433d830e2f3c63bb87e1ac176e2be0ff8f9e40d | |
| parent | 2d106cbe3f6a3d4f1e71142bad38be7313e09d59 (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69212-0.txt | 728 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69212-0.zip | bin | 14423 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69212-h.zip | bin | 1883853 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69212-h/69212-h.htm | 895 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69212-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 1755272 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/69212-h/images/illus.jpg | bin | 114842 -> 0 bytes |
9 files changed, 17 insertions, 1623 deletions
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..13f7d3f --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69212 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69212) diff --git a/old/69212-0.txt b/old/69212-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e97777c..0000000 --- a/old/69212-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,728 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Grounded, by William Sambrot - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Grounded - -Author: William Sambrot - -Illustrator: Alex Schomburg - -Release Date: October 23, 2022 [eBook #69212] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GROUNDED *** - - - - - - GROUNDED - - By William Sambrot - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Startling Stories Fall 1954. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -Lieutenant Colonel Martin sat back in his hard desk chair and looked -out through the tinted window to where the slim, dartlike jets waited, -poised on the sun-washed runways. A red and blue jet swooped down out -of the brilliant, cloudless sky and shot along the runway, wheeled and -rolled back toward the parking strip. It was the courier ship from -Washington. - -The colonel frowned, his sunburned face breaking into sharp, diagonal -lines. The courier plane was used only in cases requiring utmost -secrecy. And always, it brought trouble. Today, it brought trouble for -Martin. - -He waited, tapping a lean finger on the desk, his eyes distant but not -seeing the harsh ridge of up-flung barren mountains, looming clear and -incredibly near despite the fact they were sixty miles away--sixty -miles of alkali wasteland where only gila monsters moved, scuttling -from rock to rock to escape the brazen sun. - -Beyond those mountains was Project Breakaway, the Air Force's top -secret attempt to fling a dart up high enough and fast enough to -break free of earth's clutching gravity. It was Colonel Martin's job -to command one group of jets that guarded the approaches to Project -Breakaway. It had been a dull job--routine, boring--up until yesterday -morning. - -It was twenty-eight hours ago, to be exact, that Colonel Martin, -Captains Morelli, Sayers and Ryan had sighted and chased the fantastic -platelike object that zoomed, wobbled and ducked in circles about -them even though, with all coal poured on, they were hitting close to -eight-hundred miles an hour. - -Morelli, Sayers and Ryan had never come back from that chase. At -eight-hundred miles an hour, with visibility limited only by the -farthermost rim of the horizon, under a glaring desert sun, all -three had plowed simultaneously into a sun-drenched ridge, a mere -nine thousand feet above sea-level--a ridge, it appeared, they'd -deliberately headed for and smashed into. How? Why had all three made -the same error of judgment? Why had they dropped from thirty-thousand -feet to nine thousand in a steep, zooming dive, flying formation, and -not once mentioned it over their radio? - -Why indeed? These were all questions asked Colonel Martin by suspicious -security agents, Air Force Intelligence three-star generals, and, by -direct TV hookup, the Air Secretary himself. - -But the sixty-four dollar question they asked was: why hadn't Colonel -Martin smashed into that ridge too? Good question. Unfortunately, his -answer was so bad, it called for the services of a trained alienist. -They'd flown one in. He'd listened and asked for time. He was getting -it. - -Martin swung and watched the occupants of the red and blue jet swing -down and stride quickly across the hot concrete. - -He recognized one of the approaching men as Under-Secretary of -Air, Saunders. The other was General Brereton, on the staff of G2. -Regardless of whether or not they considered him insane, they felt that -something had happened--something important enough to rate two next in -rank to the top commanders. - - * * * * * - -They came in unescorted. He stood at attention until the burly general -waved a hand rather irritably, putting him at ease, then he sank down -again into his hard seat. Now it would start all over again. The -questions, the careful scrutinizing of the plates he'd taken, the hard -narrowed eyes, the disbelief-- - -"In your own words, again," the general was saying, "Will you repeat -to Mr. Saunders what you told me over the TV hookup last night?" The -general leaned forward and fumbled with the pile of color photographs -on his desk. "Are these--the shots you took?" - -Colonel Martin nodded wearily, sighed, looked briefly out the window -and said in a soft even voice, "Captains Morelli, Ryan and Sayers and -I took off at 0800--" - -"Who gave permission for the flight?" Saunders cut in crisply. "Is it -routine for your people to fly formations around here without some -special alert?" - -Martin stiffened slightly. "No sir. It was an unauthorized flight. My -idea." He moistened his lips. "We are on twenty-four hours alert, of -course--" - -"A fat lot of good that would do if every group leader took off when he -felt like it," the general sputtered, impaling Martin with eyes like -blue icicles. - -"We are allowed twelve hours a month flight time," Martin said. "I will -admit I didn't file a plan or report my intention to take the group -up--but that, sirs, is important in view of what happened." He leaned -forward. "I believe--I'm certain, sirs, that we caught--_them_--off -guard." He chewed his lips at the sudden veiled look in Saunders' eyes. -It was plain they considered him mentally unhinged. - -They waited, saying nothing, their faces as chill and immobile as -marble. Martin spread his big, raw-knuckled hands. - -"We took off. I flew lead, as usual," Martin began. "We were up to -about twenty thousand and climbing when I ordered an attack pattern. We -were doing about six hundred ground speed when Ryan, I believe it was, -suddenly shouted over the radio, that something had just made a pass -at him. We all saw it at once, after that, a round platelike object, -about thirty inches in diameter, maybe ten inches thick and the color -of buffed aluminum. It moved sort of jerkily, wobbling back and forth -and occasionally dancing up and down--almost as though it were attached -to a string or something." - -The two listeners exchanged glances. It was obvious what they were -thinking, but Martin went doggedly on. - -"I ordered the men to break formation but to remain at thirty thousand -and keep it in sight. I put my ship on auto-pilot--I carry a camera -and I wanted to get some shots. I did, about twelve color pix, aiming -directly at the thing. I couldn't possibly have missed." - - * * * * * - -General Brereton snorted and handed the developed prints to Saunders. -Saunders examined each one, his brows lifting higher and higher. -Finally he handed the pictures to the general and turned to Martin. - -"Those pictures are utterly blank," he said quietly. "They show nothing -but blue sky and a distant horizon. How do you account for that?" - -"I can only say," Martin replied, "that the camera doesn't lie. I've -taken too many shots with that camera not to know that it's in top -condition. It couldn't--and didn't lie. _There was no flying disc in -front of us._" - -"No!" The general frowned and sat up with a jerk. "First you tell us -this story of an object darting and weaving about your formation--an -object four men see and give chase. An object that led three good -pilots to their death--and now you say there was no object!" - -"It's the only explanation I can give for the way in which Morelli, -Ryan and Sayers hit that peak," Martin said patiently. "As I say, my -ship was on auto-pilot. I was shooting away--and at all times, _that -disc was directly in front of me_." He stopped and looked at the two to -see if they caught the significance of what he'd just told them. They -hadn't. - -"Don't you understand--the others kept up a running commentary, each -saying that the disc was directly in front of him--and all the time, -unknown to me--they were in a steep dive and simultaneously, they hit -that peak at nine-thousand feet." - -There was another long silence, broken only by muffled sounds from the -field outside--the chugging of fuel trucks, shouts of mechanics, the -occasional crackling hum as a jet was fired up. - -"Then it is your contention," Saunders said, "That each of you was -suffering from a hallucination--a mirage, in fact. A mirage which took -the form of a flying disc and which caused three trained pilots to fail -to notice that they were losing altitude and heading directly into a -mountain peak. Is that what you're trying to say?" - -"It was not a mirage," Martin said. "It was a deliberately implanted -impression." - -"Explain yourself," the general said hoarsely. He exchanged a swift -glance with Saunders. - -"The disc suddenly wasn't there--after the others had hit, I imagine. I -don't know for sure--but suddenly, the thing just sort of--turned off. -It wasn't there. I looked around and saw the pillar of smoke far off to -my left and rear but no following ships. I swung around and tried to -contact my men. No result. I went over the spot where the fires were -and recognized them immediately as--the remains. I contacted the base. -While I was hanging around up there, I had a lot of time to think. I -realized then what I've already told you--that each of the men thought -the disc was directly before him. Each followed it--to his death. I -wasn't operating manually--my auto-pilot--" he smiled strangely--"isn't -susceptible to--hypnotic suggestions--so it flew a straight course--at -thirty-thousand." - -"You believe that you--and the others--were hypnotized into thinking -you were seeing a flying disc. Is that it?" the general said dryly. - -"I believe that we caught someone--some _thing_--off guard when we -took off on an unannounced flight," Martin said with firm conviction, -ignoring the sudden reaction they showed. "I'm sure we were heading in -a direction where some secret lay--without sufficient advance warning -for whatever holds that secret to cover up. I'm positive we were -hypnotized--lured away just like a mother quail pulls the broken wing -stunt to get a dog away from her nest." - -"Doesn't that explanation strike you as unbalanced, to say the least," -Saunders said slowly. "What person could possibly have such powers--or -devices, to hypnotize four men flying thirty-thousand feet above the -earth at eight-hundred miles an hour?" - -"No power on earth," Martin said softly. "The Panamint Indians won't go -near those mountains." He gestured to the tinted window and beyond, to -where the great range of jagged mountains gleamed luridly orange and -purple under the slanting rays of the desert sun. "They have positive -beliefs--not legends--about beings from other worlds who dig in the -hills for shining metals.... Who have great ships that fly. Beings -who can make a man who comes too near die of thirst even though he -carries water at his belt. Beings who can control the minds of men." He -hesitated. "That's why they named those mountains--the Superstitions." - -"I'm afraid you'll have to find a better explanation than that," the -general said stiffly. - -"You have the written reports of the radio men on duty," Martin -said. "They all heard Ryan, Morelli and Sayers talking. They back -up every word I've said. You asked my opinion and I've told you. -Someone--something, didn't want us snooping around when they weren't -prepared for it--and they simply drew us away by means of delusion or -mind control of some kind." - -"We've photographed every inch of this entire corner of the state," the -general said. "You have stated that the camera doesn't lie. We have -observed nothing unusual in any of the many excellent photographs made -of the area you flew over yesterday." - - * * * * * - -Martin smiled briefly. "You observed nothing because they were ready -for you. It wouldn't be much of a job for them to camouflage, if -they're prepared in advance. I imagine they intercept every message in -and out of here." - -"You make it sound very plausible," the general said sourly. "But we're -looking for something besides words." - -Martin rose and his lean figure towered over them. "I held this out -because I wanted you both to understand what line of reasoning made -me go back. I sound insane because, of course, what I've said isn't -pleasant for human minds to accept." - -He brought out a large composite, constructed of carefully -joined-together aerial photographs pasted on a board. "Yesterday, after -I saw the smashed ships, and while I waited for the base to confirm, I -went back over the route I'd taken while following the will-o-the-wisp -disc--on auto-pilot. This time, I shot downwards--at the earth." He -slid the composite around so that it faced the two men. They came -erect, eyes glittering, staring down at it. - -"I didn't mention this over the TV hookup last night, or to any of the -interrogators for reasons already given. I wanted to make certain only -the highest echelon would see this." He handed the general a powerful -magnifying glass. "Those ships must be a good thousand feet long, don't -you think?" He laughed softly, a thin, triumphant sound that filled the -room. "Who'd think that spiders--like those--could make such machines." - -Saunders and the general stared grimly at the fantastic shapes and -objects that were frozen in sharp clarity on the magnified photos. -Great round-domed buildings, connected with long, dully-gleaming -walks. And here and there tall needle-pointed ships rested on broad -concrete-like bases, their slender snouts pointed up towards the blue -sky, while about their bases swarmed creatures that were squat and -broad and many-limbed. - -The two men looked at him, then turned once again to their scrutiny of -the composite, their faces impassive, unchanging. Martin opened the -desk drawer and piled half a dozen thin negatives near the general's -elbow. - -"Here are the negatives," he said. "You can see--they're genuine," he -said. - -"Genuine," Martin echoed. "And they grounded me because they thought I -was insane!" He flashed a white grin. "But I won't be grounded after -this--and neither will the rest of us, because not a hundred miles -away, sirs, is the answer to everything--everything we've ever wanted -to know. Project Breakaway?" He laughed aloud again. "Kindergarten -stuff to them!" - -"Perhaps they're not interested in teaching--kindergarten," Saunders -said slowly. He gave Martin a piercing glance. "A most remarkable job, -Colonel. Lucid thinking. You're to be congratulated." - -"Thank you," Martin said. "I'm glad it convinced you." - -"So much so," the general said, "That we'll have to leave with it -immediately." He stuffed the negatives and composite into a briefcase. -They shook hands, exchanged a few more congratulatory words, then -stepped out the door. Beyond them, he saw the alienist, Major Elliston, -at the end of the hall. They shut the door quietly and Martin stared at -it, a faint crease between his eyes. He licked his lips, swallowed once -or twice and drew a deep, shaky breath. - - * * * * * - -The door opened and the major came in. He looked curiously about the -room. "Had the radio on?" he asked. "An awful lot of conversation in -here, it seemed." - -Martin sank into the chair, looking over at the sparkling pitcher of -cool water on the sidetable. "Funny you should ask that," he said -vaguely. "Didn't you recognize--" - -"Better get ready for the big brass," the major interrupted. "And for -God's sake, if you insist on that story about being hypnotized, at -least make it a little more plausible than the one you told me--" He -stopped and looked out the window. "Here they come now." - -Martin whirled and stared out the green-tinted window overlooking the -runway. A red and blue jet streaked along, wheels down, hit, bounced -and braked to a stop. It wheeled about, flashing under the late sun, -and rolled up to the parking strip. - -"Another courier ship!" Martin murmured. "But, I don't--" - -"Another--" the major looked curiously at him. "What do you mean, -'another courier ship'? That's the only one today--and one's too many, -if you ask me." - -Dry tongue scraping over dry lips, Martin stared at him, then back to -the familiar red and blue jet. He swung and looked down the line of -parked jets, straining to see the other red and blue which had landed -over an hour ago. There was no red and blue jet there. - -"Here they come now," the major muttered. "Holy cow! Saunders, -Under-Secretary to the old man, no less. And General Brereton--G2." He -turned to Martin. "Better give it to them straight--" He broke off, -seeing Martin's burning eyes in his drawn gray face, hearing the sudden -strange rattling breath as he pawed weakly through the empty desk -drawer. - -"Negatives. Composite," Martin croaked. "Gone. _They_ took them, and I -never guessed!" His hands trailed limply and he fell across the desk, -bounced and rolled onto the floor. - -With a single bound the major was at his side. - -"Good God! It's unbelievable!" he gasped. - -He stared in horror at the dry lips, the swollen black tongue. In the -space of seconds the hard young man was a limp scarecrow whose lips -cracked and moved in a dry-as-dust whisper. The major bent his ear -close to the withered mouth, listening. - -"Water." The words were faint in his ear. "For heaven's sake--water." - -The major reached up and lifted the big pitcher of cool water off the -sidetable. "Here, colonel, drink. Here's all the water you could want." - -But already, it was too late. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GROUNDED *** - -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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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 will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website 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. diff --git a/old/69212-0.zip b/old/69212-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 88c0aef..0000000 --- a/old/69212-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/69212-h.zip b/old/69212-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index cad1c9f..0000000 --- a/old/69212-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/69212-h/69212-h.htm b/old/69212-h/69212-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 6e1b489..0000000 --- a/old/69212-h/69212-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,895 +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 Grounded, by William Sambrot. - </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; -} - - - </style> - </head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Grounded, by William Sambrot</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Grounded</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: William Sambrot</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Alex Schomburg</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: October 23, 2022 [eBook #69212]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net.</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GROUNDED ***</div> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>GROUNDED</h1> - -<h2>By William Sambrot</h2> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Startling Stories Fall 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" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Lieutenant Colonel Martin sat back in his hard desk chair and looked -out through the tinted window to where the slim, dartlike jets waited, -poised on the sun-washed runways. A red and blue jet swooped down out -of the brilliant, cloudless sky and shot along the runway, wheeled and -rolled back toward the parking strip. It was the courier ship from -Washington.</p> - -<p>The colonel frowned, his sunburned face breaking into sharp, diagonal -lines. The courier plane was used only in cases requiring utmost -secrecy. And always, it brought trouble. Today, it brought trouble for -Martin.</p> - -<p>He waited, tapping a lean finger on the desk, his eyes distant but not -seeing the harsh ridge of up-flung barren mountains, looming clear and -incredibly near despite the fact they were sixty miles away—sixty -miles of alkali wasteland where only gila monsters moved, scuttling -from rock to rock to escape the brazen sun.</p> - -<p>Beyond those mountains was Project Breakaway, the Air Force's top -secret attempt to fling a dart up high enough and fast enough to -break free of earth's clutching gravity. It was Colonel Martin's job -to command one group of jets that guarded the approaches to Project -Breakaway. It had been a dull job—routine, boring—up until yesterday -morning.</p> - -<p>It was twenty-eight hours ago, to be exact, that Colonel Martin, -Captains Morelli, Sayers and Ryan had sighted and chased the fantastic -platelike object that zoomed, wobbled and ducked in circles about -them even though, with all coal poured on, they were hitting close to -eight-hundred miles an hour.</p> - -<p>Morelli, Sayers and Ryan had never come back from that chase. At -eight-hundred miles an hour, with visibility limited only by the -farthermost rim of the horizon, under a glaring desert sun, all -three had plowed simultaneously into a sun-drenched ridge, a mere -nine thousand feet above sea-level—a ridge, it appeared, they'd -deliberately headed for and smashed into. How? Why had all three made -the same error of judgment? Why had they dropped from thirty-thousand -feet to nine thousand in a steep, zooming dive, flying formation, and -not once mentioned it over their radio?</p> - -<p>Why indeed? These were all questions asked Colonel Martin by suspicious -security agents, Air Force Intelligence three-star generals, and, by -direct TV hookup, the Air Secretary himself.</p> - -<p>But the sixty-four dollar question they asked was: why hadn't Colonel -Martin smashed into that ridge too? Good question. Unfortunately, his -answer was so bad, it called for the services of a trained alienist. -They'd flown one in. He'd listened and asked for time. He was getting -it.</p> - -<p>Martin swung and watched the occupants of the red and blue jet swing -down and stride quickly across the hot concrete.</p> - -<p>He recognized one of the approaching men as Under-Secretary of -Air, Saunders. The other was General Brereton, on the staff of G2. -Regardless of whether or not they considered him insane, they felt that -something had happened—something important enough to rate two next in -rank to the top commanders.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>They came in unescorted. He stood at attention until the burly general -waved a hand rather irritably, putting him at ease, then he sank down -again into his hard seat. Now it would start all over again. The -questions, the careful scrutinizing of the plates he'd taken, the hard -narrowed eyes, the disbelief—</p> - -<p>"In your own words, again," the general was saying, "Will you repeat -to Mr. Saunders what you told me over the TV hookup last night?" The -general leaned forward and fumbled with the pile of color photographs -on his desk. "Are these—the shots you took?"</p> - -<p>Colonel Martin nodded wearily, sighed, looked briefly out the window -and said in a soft even voice, "Captains Morelli, Ryan and Sayers and -I took off at 0800—"</p> - -<p>"Who gave permission for the flight?" Saunders cut in crisply. "Is it -routine for your people to fly formations around here without some -special alert?"</p> - -<p>Martin stiffened slightly. "No sir. It was an unauthorized flight. My -idea." He moistened his lips. "We are on twenty-four hours alert, of -course—"</p> - -<p>"A fat lot of good that would do if every group leader took off when he -felt like it," the general sputtered, impaling Martin with eyes like -blue icicles.</p> - -<p>"We are allowed twelve hours a month flight time," Martin said. "I will -admit I didn't file a plan or report my intention to take the group -up—but that, sirs, is important in view of what happened." He leaned -forward. "I believe—I'm certain, sirs, that we caught—<i>them</i>—off -guard." He chewed his lips at the sudden veiled look in Saunders' eyes. -It was plain they considered him mentally unhinged.</p> - -<p>They waited, saying nothing, their faces as chill and immobile as -marble. Martin spread his big, raw-knuckled hands.</p> - -<p>"We took off. I flew lead, as usual," Martin began. "We were up to -about twenty thousand and climbing when I ordered an attack pattern. We -were doing about six hundred ground speed when Ryan, I believe it was, -suddenly shouted over the radio, that something had just made a pass -at him. We all saw it at once, after that, a round platelike object, -about thirty inches in diameter, maybe ten inches thick and the color -of buffed aluminum. It moved sort of jerkily, wobbling back and forth -and occasionally dancing up and down—almost as though it were attached -to a string or something."</p> - -<p>The two listeners exchanged glances. It was obvious what they were -thinking, but Martin went doggedly on.</p> - -<p>"I ordered the men to break formation but to remain at thirty thousand -and keep it in sight. I put my ship on auto-pilot—I carry a camera -and I wanted to get some shots. I did, about twelve color pix, aiming -directly at the thing. I couldn't possibly have missed."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>General Brereton snorted and handed the developed prints to Saunders. -Saunders examined each one, his brows lifting higher and higher. -Finally he handed the pictures to the general and turned to Martin.</p> - -<p>"Those pictures are utterly blank," he said quietly. "They show nothing -but blue sky and a distant horizon. How do you account for that?"</p> - -<p>"I can only say," Martin replied, "that the camera doesn't lie. I've -taken too many shots with that camera not to know that it's in top -condition. It couldn't—and didn't lie. <i>There was no flying disc in -front of us.</i>"</p> - -<p>"No!" The general frowned and sat up with a jerk. "First you tell us -this story of an object darting and weaving about your formation—an -object four men see and give chase. An object that led three good -pilots to their death—and now you say there was no object!"</p> - -<p>"It's the only explanation I can give for the way in which Morelli, -Ryan and Sayers hit that peak," Martin said patiently. "As I say, my -ship was on auto-pilot. I was shooting away—and at all times, <i>that -disc was directly in front of me</i>." He stopped and looked at the two to -see if they caught the significance of what he'd just told them. They -hadn't.</p> - -<p>"Don't you understand—the others kept up a running commentary, each -saying that the disc was directly in front of him—and all the time, -unknown to me—they were in a steep dive and simultaneously, they hit -that peak at nine-thousand feet."</p> - -<p>There was another long silence, broken only by muffled sounds from the -field outside—the chugging of fuel trucks, shouts of mechanics, the -occasional crackling hum as a jet was fired up.</p> - -<p>"Then it is your contention," Saunders said, "That each of you was -suffering from a hallucination—a mirage, in fact. A mirage which took -the form of a flying disc and which caused three trained pilots to fail -to notice that they were losing altitude and heading directly into a -mountain peak. Is that what you're trying to say?"</p> - -<p>"It was not a mirage," Martin said. "It was a deliberately implanted -impression."</p> - -<p>"Explain yourself," the general said hoarsely. He exchanged a swift -glance with Saunders.</p> - -<p>"The disc suddenly wasn't there—after the others had hit, I imagine. I -don't know for sure—but suddenly, the thing just sort of—turned off. -It wasn't there. I looked around and saw the pillar of smoke far off to -my left and rear but no following ships. I swung around and tried to -contact my men. No result. I went over the spot where the fires were -and recognized them immediately as—the remains. I contacted the base. -While I was hanging around up there, I had a lot of time to think. I -realized then what I've already told you—that each of the men thought -the disc was directly before him. Each followed it—to his death. I -wasn't operating manually—my auto-pilot—" he smiled strangely—"isn't -susceptible to—hypnotic suggestions—so it flew a straight course—at -thirty-thousand."</p> - -<p>"You believe that you—and the others—were hypnotized into thinking -you were seeing a flying disc. Is that it?" the general said dryly.</p> - -<p>"I believe that we caught someone—some <i>thing</i>—off guard when we -took off on an unannounced flight," Martin said with firm conviction, -ignoring the sudden reaction they showed. "I'm sure we were heading in -a direction where some secret lay—without sufficient advance warning -for whatever holds that secret to cover up. I'm positive we were -hypnotized—lured away just like a mother quail pulls the broken wing -stunt to get a dog away from her nest."</p> - -<p>"Doesn't that explanation strike you as unbalanced, to say the least," -Saunders said slowly. "What person could possibly have such powers—or -devices, to hypnotize four men flying thirty-thousand feet above the -earth at eight-hundred miles an hour?"</p> - -<p>"No power on earth," Martin said softly. "The Panamint Indians won't go -near those mountains." He gestured to the tinted window and beyond, to -where the great range of jagged mountains gleamed luridly orange and -purple under the slanting rays of the desert sun. "They have positive -beliefs—not legends—about beings from other worlds who dig in the -hills for shining metals.... Who have great ships that fly. Beings -who can make a man who comes too near die of thirst even though he -carries water at his belt. Beings who can control the minds of men." He -hesitated. "That's why they named those mountains—the Superstitions."</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid you'll have to find a better explanation than that," the -general said stiffly.</p> - -<p>"You have the written reports of the radio men on duty," Martin -said. "They all heard Ryan, Morelli and Sayers talking. They back -up every word I've said. You asked my opinion and I've told you. -Someone—something, didn't want us snooping around when they weren't -prepared for it—and they simply drew us away by means of delusion or -mind control of some kind."</p> - -<p>"We've photographed every inch of this entire corner of the state," the -general said. "You have stated that the camera doesn't lie. We have -observed nothing unusual in any of the many excellent photographs made -of the area you flew over yesterday."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Martin smiled briefly. "You observed nothing because they were ready -for you. It wouldn't be much of a job for them to camouflage, if -they're prepared in advance. I imagine they intercept every message in -and out of here."</p> - -<p>"You make it sound very plausible," the general said sourly. "But we're -looking for something besides words."</p> - -<p>Martin rose and his lean figure towered over them. "I held this out -because I wanted you both to understand what line of reasoning made -me go back. I sound insane because, of course, what I've said isn't -pleasant for human minds to accept."</p> - -<p>He brought out a large composite, constructed of carefully -joined-together aerial photographs pasted on a board. "Yesterday, after -I saw the smashed ships, and while I waited for the base to confirm, I -went back over the route I'd taken while following the will-o-the-wisp -disc—on auto-pilot. This time, I shot downwards—at the earth." He -slid the composite around so that it faced the two men. They came -erect, eyes glittering, staring down at it.</p> - -<p>"I didn't mention this over the TV hookup last night, or to any of the -interrogators for reasons already given. I wanted to make certain only -the highest echelon would see this." He handed the general a powerful -magnifying glass. "Those ships must be a good thousand feet long, don't -you think?" He laughed softly, a thin, triumphant sound that filled the -room. "Who'd think that spiders—like those—could make such machines."</p> - -<p>Saunders and the general stared grimly at the fantastic shapes and -objects that were frozen in sharp clarity on the magnified photos. -Great round-domed buildings, connected with long, dully-gleaming -walks. And here and there tall needle-pointed ships rested on broad -concrete-like bases, their slender snouts pointed up towards the blue -sky, while about their bases swarmed creatures that were squat and -broad and many-limbed.</p> - -<p>The two men looked at him, then turned once again to their scrutiny of -the composite, their faces impassive, unchanging. Martin opened the -desk drawer and piled half a dozen thin negatives near the general's -elbow.</p> - -<p>"Here are the negatives," he said. "You can see—they're genuine," he -said.</p> - -<p>"Genuine," Martin echoed. "And they grounded me because they thought I -was insane!" He flashed a white grin. "But I won't be grounded after -this—and neither will the rest of us, because not a hundred miles -away, sirs, is the answer to everything—everything we've ever wanted -to know. Project Breakaway?" He laughed aloud again. "Kindergarten -stuff to them!"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps they're not interested in teaching—kindergarten," Saunders -said slowly. He gave Martin a piercing glance. "A most remarkable job, -Colonel. Lucid thinking. You're to be congratulated."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," Martin said. "I'm glad it convinced you."</p> - -<p>"So much so," the general said, "That we'll have to leave with it -immediately." He stuffed the negatives and composite into a briefcase. -They shook hands, exchanged a few more congratulatory words, then -stepped out the door. Beyond them, he saw the alienist, Major Elliston, -at the end of the hall. They shut the door quietly and Martin stared at -it, a faint crease between his eyes. He licked his lips, swallowed once -or twice and drew a deep, shaky breath.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The door opened and the major came in. He looked curiously about the -room. "Had the radio on?" he asked. "An awful lot of conversation in -here, it seemed."</p> - -<p>Martin sank into the chair, looking over at the sparkling pitcher of -cool water on the sidetable. "Funny you should ask that," he said -vaguely. "Didn't you recognize—"</p> - -<p>"Better get ready for the big brass," the major interrupted. "And for -God's sake, if you insist on that story about being hypnotized, at -least make it a little more plausible than the one you told me—" He -stopped and looked out the window. "Here they come now."</p> - -<p>Martin whirled and stared out the green-tinted window overlooking the -runway. A red and blue jet streaked along, wheels down, hit, bounced -and braked to a stop. It wheeled about, flashing under the late sun, -and rolled up to the parking strip.</p> - -<p>"Another courier ship!" Martin murmured. "But, I don't—"</p> - -<p>"Another—" the major looked curiously at him. "What do you mean, -'another courier ship'? That's the only one today—and one's too many, -if you ask me."</p> - -<p>Dry tongue scraping over dry lips, Martin stared at him, then back to -the familiar red and blue jet. He swung and looked down the line of -parked jets, straining to see the other red and blue which had landed -over an hour ago. There was no red and blue jet there.</p> - -<p>"Here they come now," the major muttered. "Holy cow! Saunders, -Under-Secretary to the old man, no less. And General Brereton—G2." He -turned to Martin. "Better give it to them straight—" He broke off, -seeing Martin's burning eyes in his drawn gray face, hearing the sudden -strange rattling breath as he pawed weakly through the empty desk -drawer.</p> - -<p>"Negatives. Composite," Martin croaked. "Gone. <i>They</i> took them, and I -never guessed!" His hands trailed limply and he fell across the desk, -bounced and rolled onto the floor.</p> - -<p>With a single bound the major was at his side.</p> - -<p>"Good God! It's unbelievable!" he gasped.</p> - -<p>He stared in horror at the dry lips, the swollen black tongue. In the -space of seconds the hard young man was a limp scarecrow whose lips -cracked and moved in a dry-as-dust whisper. The major bent his ear -close to the withered mouth, listening.</p> - -<p>"Water." The words were faint in his ear. "For heaven's sake—water."</p> - -<p>The major reached up and lifted the big pitcher of cool water off the -sidetable. "Here, colonel, drink. Here's all the water you could want."</p> - -<p>But already, it was too late.</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GROUNDED ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. -</div> - -<div style='margin-top:1em; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE</div> -<div style='text-align:center;font-size:0.9em'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE</div> -<div style='text-align:center;font-size:0.9em'>PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when -you share it without charge with others. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: -</div> - -<blockquote> - <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> - 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you - are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws - of the country where you are located before using this eBook. - </div> -</blockquote> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format -other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain -Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -provided that: -</div> - -<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation.” - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ - works. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right -of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, -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. -</div> - -</div> -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/69212-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/69212-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8b32cc4..0000000 --- a/old/69212-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/69212-h/images/illus.jpg b/old/69212-h/images/illus.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 5395d05..0000000 --- a/old/69212-h/images/illus.jpg +++ /dev/null |
