doesn’t seem about to do, another half million or million years will see the red sun, together with Abyormen, dropping into it.”
“That’s a long time.”
“It’s an indefinite time, and long before it expires Abyormen will be uninhabitable for even the ‘hot’ form of life. It’s our business to get these races off the planet or at least help them get themselves off; otherwise we’re guilty of criminal negligence.”
“But if Alcyone’s light pressure kept the matter which should have formed planets away from it, how can there be enough in the vicinity to create the friction you say?”
“The effect of light pressure on a particle, compared to that of gravity, is a function of the size and density of the particle. I assure you that we have made plenty of measurements throughout this volume of space and I’m not just guessing at what will happen. The only thing I’m seriously doubtful about is whether Theer itself will pick up enough matter so that its own increasing luminosity will sterilize this planet before the final fall occurs. I can’t say which will happen first, but one of them will most certainly happen.”
“But where could we take these people? I doubt that there’s a planet in the galaxy duplicating this seasonal situation.”
“I’d be willing to bet that there are thousands. I admit we haven’t found them yet, but there’s a lot of galaxy still unexplored. Even if there aren’t any they could learn to live in ships — might even get along better that way, with numerous members of both races alive at once. I can see a ship with one portion hot and one cold, with people living in both parts and moving from one to the other when their lives reach the appropriate stage. That situation will certainly be better for the Abyormenites than settling on any Earth-type planet would be — and I’m sure the government will see it the same way. We’ll be back here setting up technical schools before you’re an admiral, Commander — setting them up for the both races. I don’t care what the present crop of ‘hot’ Teachers may think; a bit of astronomy will change their minds.”
“If you can teach any astronomy to a race that sees by means of sound waves,” Burke pointed out drily. “However, that’s a quibble. I agree with you.” Kruger’s face showed his relief; no face could have shown what Dar felt. “Dar Lang Ahn may continue learning from our scientists as long as he sees fit, and return to his own people with his information as soon as he wishes. In a way I am taking a slight chance in permitting this, but I have no serious doubt as to the official decision. Young fellow,” he turned abruptly to Kruger, “this is an excellent example of the risk of reaching a decision on the basis of insufficient evidence. Just don’t let it impress you too much. You never will get
“No, sir,” replied Kruger.
“Very well. Dar, I will not apologize for my previously announced policy. However, I will give you any assistance you may need while you are still with us, provided it lies within my power.”
“Thank you, Commander. My Teachers will appreciate your action.”
“Isn’t it pretty nearly time for your refuge to be sealed?”
“One more year. I should return as soon as you will allow, however, since there is much for me to report.”
“We will take you down as soon as possible. Mr. Kruger, I assume you will want to go with him. I will handle the flier; anyone else whose duties permit may come along, up to the capacity of the boat. We will stay down until the shelter is sealed, so anyone who wants to observe that operation can plan on a three-week stay away from the
“Dar Lang Ahn, do you suppose your Teachers could find a use for a radio which does not operate on the same sort of wave as those of your fiery friends — one on which you could talk to us without their knowledge, if you wished?” Kruger restrained a grin with difficulty; the old coot was human, in spite of his devotion to duty.
“Such a device would quite possibly be of use, Commander. We would appreciate it very much.”
“All right, we’ll see that a few of them are aboard the boat. Meeting adjourned.”
The approach to the landing platform at the Ice Ramparts was rather different this time. The space flier, supported and guided by fields similar to those which hurled the
The approach of the boat was noted, and a group of natives gestured toward one side of the platform, where gliders were being pulled aside to make a cleared space.
The instant the air lock of the little ship opened Dar and Kruger were outside, both burdened with the radio equipment Burke had donated. The native led the way into the tunnels and they started the long, long walk to the main body of the refuge located so far under the ice cap. Kruger no longer wondered at the reason for the location; he was still somewhat surprised that these people had been able to build it.
The whole place seemed far more active than it had been before, with scores and even hundred of the little natives scurrying about on their mysterious errands.
“There must be a lot of library work to be done,” Kruger remarked as he gestured at one of these groups.
“The books should all have come in long ago,” Dar replied. “The problem now is food. Normally, there is enough on hand many years before the time comes, but no chances are taken. We keep bringing it in until the last possible moment.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Get together any Teachers who can devote their time to me and start reporting. There should be a number available, as they know that I am coming with knowledge.”
“I expect that reporting will keep you pretty busy from now on.”
“Yes, Nils. I suppose you would like to see this place once more as it is prepared for the time of dying, but I will not be free to act as your guide. No doubt some one will be found who can help you, though.”
Kruger stopped and laid a hand on the little native’s shoulder.
“You’ll not let the doors close without seeing me again, will you?” he asked. “I don’t want to interfere with the work that has to be done, but I don’t want to see the last of you — at least, for a good many of my years — this soon.”
Both eyes swerved up and took in Kruger’s anxious face for a moment.
“I will see you again before the Ramparts are sealed. I promise it,” said Dar Lang Ahn. They resumed the journey, the boy satisfied.
Dar’s prediction that a committee would be awaiting him proved correct. It was composed, the boy noticed, of beings of his own stature — the new Teachers. One of the giants he had met before, however, offered to act as his guide, and under the tall being’s leadership Kruger saw the now completely organized libraries, the food-storage bins in the upper levels only a few feet from the overlying ice, and great beds in the warmer lower levels where plants similar to terrestrial fungi grew.
At length, he was led upward to the landing platform, where activity continued undiminished. Gliders lunged into the sky, bound for the distant cities and, if there was time after they arrived, another load of food. Others landed, in the relatively small space left for that purpose; busy ground crews were constantly dragging gliders either to one side of the platform or into the cavern to make room for the newcomers.
“Aren’t I taking up a lot of your time?” Kruger asked when they reached the surface. “This seems to be the busiest time of life for your people.”
“There is nothing more for me to do,” was the answer. “My successor has taken over.”
“But don’t you stay in the Ramparts this time?”
“No. My life is done. A few of us will stay to make sure that the seals are properly in place, but that is not one of my tasks. As soon as I can be of no more use to you I will leave.”
“But I thought they had dismantled all the gliders capable of carrying you.”
“They have. I will leave on foot. We do not return to the cities.”
“You mean…” Kruger stopped; he knew that Dar had told his people very little over the radio, and was not
