Z lensman, p.13
Z-Lensman, page 13
The Palainians were far more astute than Cloudd had given them credit for, but what really impressed him was the obvious fact that they thirsted to know everything they could, but that if they couldn't get the knowledge or understand the knowledge they found, they worried about it in an unemotional way. They did not upset themselves as human beings did, yet at the very same time they would claim to be worried. No wonder the prime tenet of the Palainians to ignore and be ignored seemed to be broken as much as it was followed.
Finally Nadreck said, "Thank you, fellow Patrolmen. You have admirably shown to our cadets how peculiar the human races are and why you are always confused. Or should I say, Chaplain Chon, sometimes confused and sometimes unclear?"
The window darkened and the vision of the Academy students, like objects in an unlit aquarium filled with indiscernable movement, faded from their sight. The two humans did not have long to wait for instructions.
"General, if you will take Lieutenant Cloudd and the cleric Gronitskog back to your room,"
Nadreck said, "you will have a wait of about an hour. Then we will board a Palainian-manned GP destroyer for a trip to Velantia. We have made an unprecedented revision and are at this moment graduating our class ahead of schedule. I personally am to congratulate the nineteen new Lensmen and present them with their Lenses, which arrived last week from Arisia. We are now counting the minutes rather than the hours until the predicted invasion begins."
"Very well, Nadreck," Chon said, leading the way back through the corridor in silence, although Cloudd was tempted to comment on the fact that the Tellurian Academy graduating class alone was five times larger.
Chon's quarters were almost identical with Cloudd's, but somewhat larger.
Cloudd sat down in a chair that looked much like plumbing pipes and canvas, while Chon stretched out on a piece much like a simple camping cot.
"My trip seems to have been a waste of time, General," Cloudd said. "I don't think I gave the students anything they really didn't know already."
"Well, as for myself," Chon said, this has been extremely valuable. I know much about our Togran companion and some fascinating details about his religion. And as for Nadreck, I have learned much more than he suspects about his personal life and motivations and those of his comrades."
"That's true," Cloudd said. "And I have learned a lot about you and about religion, sir. You make me realize I've no foundation--that I've been drifting. A year ago I was cocksure of myself, and now I seem to have lost it."
"I see that, Lieutenant," Chon said, lying on his back with his hands under his head as a pillow and his elbows out, staring at the flowing lights on the ceiling.
"Since you lost your independence by taking orders from the Patrol, you've found yourself in a bigger picture, and it's made you a worrier."
"So, it shows, does it?" Cloudd said. "I don't know what to do about it."
"Don't think you're alone, Benson," the general said. "I have a similar problem."
"You do? Why should you feel a lack of self-confidence?" "That's easy to explain," Chon said. "Like you, I was a doer. The Patrol has turned me into a bureaucrat. So, you see, we're both free spirits who have been caged. I feel I'm not accomplishing what I should be accomplishing-maybe because I'm not good enough, or maybe because I expect too much of. myself. We're both looking for something we don't seem to find, possibly because. we aren't sure what it is. The differences, however, are that you unwittingly are worrying about it, whereas I, for the time being, at least, accept my fate."
"But you're-you're a man of God. You should feel, well, satisfied with your work. At peace.
Not like me." "Do you forget, Benson, that I'm a Medonian? You recall how my kind fled the Second Galaxy to get away from the enslavement of the Boskonians?"
"How could anyone not have that etched in their memory?" Cloudd said. "To think how you folks, so much like Tellurians, actually turned your planet into a super spaceship with a super Bergenholm drive and shifted yourselves-world and all-out of the evil galaxy and into our good one. Your scientists deserve all the laurels and kudos they get."
' A titanic feat, no denying it-but emotionally overwhelming. Mentor chose me as one of the first Medonian Lensmen, and with such . an advantage, I rose quickly to be a Gray Lensman. Medonians tend to be independent that way, the result of their sense of planetary aloneness. That gave us our maturity and strength in our religion.
Accepting appointment as Chaplain General of the Galactic Patrol was a natural decision for me for Unattached status specialization. It's my Medonian upbringing that so quickly brought me the reputation of an outstanding theologian, whether or not I deserve such recognition."
"You deserve it, General," Cloudd said.
"I wasn't fishing for compliments," Chon said. He stroked his gray beard, his small, blue eyes pensively narrowed. I say this to make you understand that my life, like yours, has been regimented, not deliberately by the Patrol, but by the system, by the bureaucracy, a consequence of my being chief administrator. Like you, my responsibilities shackle me. I miss my independence. Like you, for a year now, since working with Worsel and Lalla Kallatra on spiritual matters, I've had the itch to do more than play diplomatic games."
"You do make me understand myself better, sir," Cloudd said, "but really I'm puzzled. Why tell me all this?"
"Well, simply this, Benson--I want action and you can get it for me."
"Me? How?" Cloudd was intrigued.
"I want to go to Togra personally and uncover the Eich-Eichwoor link there. I want a Second Stage Lensman to be involved in the project. And I want Kallatra to go with me because she's essential to sniff out and battle Eichwoor when we come across it. If you come, Nadreck will be interested and Kallatra will personally come."
"Why is that?" Cloudd asked quickly, now bewildered. "I can understand about Nadreck, but why should my going make her go?"
"She wants to work with you. This could be a great chance for her. She has Unattached status, so I can't order her to go, but I can entice her. If she goes, Worsel will be interested and will keep in touch with our progress, so two Second Stage Lensmen will be personally involved."
"She wants to work with me?" Cloudd found the idea hard to believe. "What makes you think that? Did she tell you? We've always seemed strained around each other--at least, I have."
"She didn't say so, but believe me, Benson, I can tell you two are a natural pair---she with her abnormal psychic powers and you with your natural compassion and sensitivity wrapped up in an aggressive, adventurous spirit. You come with me and I guarantee she'll come with us."
"But I can't just demand to go with you. As you say, I've got my commitments.
Nadreck feels I should be chasing the datadrones as the best lead we have to get a line on the invisible invasion fleet."
"You underestimate yourself, Benson. You're practically an Unattached Patrolman, something different. If you say this is what you want to do, you'll be allowed to do it, especially at my request. Even a Chaplain General, who often seems just a complicating annoyance in high headquarters, does get some attention."
"Well ... " Cloudd was half-convinced. "But my datadrone work comes first. .
."
"Precisely. There is a connection, I feel, between the drones and Eichwoor.
Coming with me will be a logical step for you. I can't yet prove the Eich and their psychic weapon, the original ghost called Eichwoor and its cohorts called Eichwooren, are involved, but I think I'm close to it. We have further chances to interrogate Gronitskog about this while we are making the trip to Velantia-and then with Worsel and Kallatra's help when we get there."
"You've convinced me, General Chon," Cloudd said. "Now tell me, do you know something about Gronitskog's knowledge of the Eich and Eichwoor that I don't know?"
"By virtue of my deductions, I probably do. The Eich are definitely the masters of Togra, controlling them through religious dogma, messages, and occasional miracles.
The planet was a big base for dismantled Boskonia and now for its Bosko-Spawn offspring, supplying the most fanatic intellectual and warrior leaders. It's one of the key worlds among the hundreds, maybe even thousands, locked together in the conspiracy. This archbishop can communicate with the Eich in two ways-through standard equipment and through ultra-etheric frequencies, which may involve Eichwoor. There have been revelations and prophecies concerning fighting angels and devils, which I have interpreted as space battles and conquests. The fall of the Galactic Patrol is envisioned. The Day of Deliverance is at Hand, Armageddon is Now, the Master has Come, and all sorts of other signs are there to tell me the conflict has begun. If we can tap into the Eich communications through Gronitskog or other Noyyonese or Tograns, we'll find that. victory for ourselves will not be in doubt. I have visions of their heavenly chariots, easily recognizable as spaceships, but I don't know where they are to come from or what planets are manufacturing them.
Tell me all you know about datadrone construction."
Cloudd was meticulously describing the three types of datadrones to Chon when he was interrupted. Chon held up his hand and said, "Nadreck wants a Velantian time-check.
Excuse me for a moment, please." "Certainly," Cloudd said.
Chon quietly concentrated for several seconds, pressing his wrist with the Lens to his forehead. The movement was really not needed, any more than Cloudd needed to scratch his head in order to think. Cloudd studied him, as much impressed as ever with the routine by which a Lensman was able to be given such precise information. Cloudd heard nothing because Chon did not bother to connect him telepathically, but he knew how the system worked. At all times a central time bureau was operated by Lensmen with a twogalaxy-wide network. By his Lens, a Lensman could receive a time for any location, adjusted in any manner necessary. Without this essential service to the Patrol, operations would have been difficult in some circumstances and impossible in others.
"We leave for Velantia immediately," Chon said, rising, awakening Gronitskog from his slightly drugged sleep, and steering him out of the room.
The Palainian ship they boarded now was bigger, although not much faster, and its accommodations were much more comfortably standard Tellurian. As soon as they were aboard, they were given some unidentifiable but pleasant food, and by the time they were finished, Nadreck, whom they hadn't seen among the few Palainian Patrolmen they met on the way to their cabin, was in contact with them.
Nadreck had arranged for the interrogation of Gronitskog to take place in the wardroom, with himself and two Palainian assistants in attendance. For the first time, Cloudd was informed that the new Lensman, Yadsue, was in the party. In the center of the room a transparent cube had been formed by the retractable walls, a device to permit conferences with different aliens breathing different atmospheres.
With Cloudd on one side and Chon on the other, Gronitskog was seated in the cube, and the three Palainians were crowded up close to the almost invisible walls .
The interrogation began with verbal communication by Cloudd, then with Chon, followed by some gentle telepathic probing by Chon. Gronitskog was puzzled by the shifting images a few yards away from him, but the two Tellurians kept him busy enough that he did not really comprehend that what he was half seeing was a trio of monstrous aliens; Then Nadreck began his own gentle but insistent mind probing. The reaction was completely unexpected. Gronitskog screamed out words having reference to "devils,"
threw up his arms to hide his face, which was distorted with terror, and collapsed in a heap. Cloudd and Chon bent over him, straightening his body, loosening his clothes, and chaffing his hands and face.
"Nadreck says we must carry Gronitskog back to our room and lay him out on the bed,"
Chon said, motioning Cloudd to lift Gronitskog's feet. They wrestled the unconscious body through the angles of the corridors, constricted by the zone-of-force envelope thrown around them as their temporary, moving bubble of oxygenated air.
In response to Cloudd's. query, Chon explained, "Nadreck says his mind probe struck an implanted mental barrier. The reaction was _ like a posthypnotic suggestion-Nadreck's penetration was so deep and close to some kind of knowledge forbidden to the consciousness that it triggered a complete mental blockage within the Togran.
The Palainians were suddenly seen as Satanic figures. My own Lens tells me he'll recover, but he certainly needs rest."
When the limp body was on the bed, its muscles stiffened and the eyes opened.
Chon stared into them and told Cloudd, without turning his head, "He can't talk. He believes his voice -has been paralyzed. He wants us to leave the room so he can pray to his god."
"That cannot be," said Nadreck, strong enough through the walls to be caught by Cloudd: "You can't leave him alone. Nor can you give him back his real prayeramplifier icon-I consider it too dangerous. Who knows what he might summon. Let him pray in your presence. He needs to be propped up, revitalized with some spirit if we're going to continue our questioning. I'll monitor his prayers and inject some encouragement into whatever he expects to hear. Don't, tell me it's unethical, Chon; I'll be properly circumspect."
Gronitskog sat up and held his hands to his head.
At least let's lower our heads and our eyes, Cloudd," Chon said aloud. "This is undeniably a sacred moment for him."
Gronitskog took the fake icon of the double sphere from around -his neck and placed it on the floor. According to Chon, the substitution of the Palainian-made bauble had not been noticed. He hitched up his black robe, knelt, and prostrated himself so that his forehead rested on the hallowed symbol. Chon lowered his eyes, as Cloudd turned away to assemble his tapes and notes.
Cloudd felt the wave of heat before he heard the bang and the hissing and crackling. The illumination in the room brightened with -a red flash. As Cloudd turned he caught a glimpse of the kneeling form of Gronitskog completely enveloped in fire. His robes were burning redly, but his head and hands were covered with flickering green flames. There was no outcry, no gasp, just the hissing of the green flames. Before they could make any move to stop the burning and save him, Gronitskog was utterly incinerated: A small pile of ashes smouldered on the floor.
"My fault, my fault!" Nadreck's humanlike groans came within the shocked Tellurian heads.
"I was stupid to let him reach out for the Eich. His faith was so strong-he was an archbishop for good reason, which I underestimated. I'm unworthy of your trust. Chon!
-Chon? Are you all right?"
Chon was on his knees, left arm across his face. When he lowered his hand, Cloudd, with horror, saw that the bottom part of the Chaplain General's face was black and the upper was mottled pink and red. Chon gingerly brushed his facial skin with fingertips. He looked at Cloudd and his eyes were clear.
"I've been badly scorched, Nadreck," Chon spoke to Cloudd and projected to Nadreck at the same time. He picked up with his left hand a tumbler of water sitting on the tiny table with the books and threw the water on his face. "It's not serious. My beard protected me and fortunately my eyes were closed. What's annoying is that I seem to have broken my right arm when I was knocked back and tripped over the chair." For, the first time, Cloudd noticed that Chon's right arm hung down loosely at his side. "When we sort this out, you can direct me to the sick bay or whatever you have aboard this modern ship."
"Your pain is my pain, Chon," Nadreck said. "It is my fault."
"Don't berate yourself, Nadreck ' Chon protested., "That prayer call should not have been strong enough to produce an answer. It was the fake icon that was responsible."
"I know, I know," Nadreck, said. "Too late, too late. He believed so implicitly in his ornament that he multiplied the strength of his own prayer as if he had really had his amplifier. This is the worst humiliation of my life. He got the message to self-destruct, and he immolated himself, fanatic enough to be a pyrophorist. I have allowed this 'valuable evidence, this key to the solution of our most serious problem to be destroyed. I, Nadreck, have allowed this to happen. Shame!"
"I pray for his soul, Nadreck. He was not all bad, and he would have become a worthy ally. If anyone is to be blamed, it should be me, for I know the power of faith. His god, as he saw it, answered him and gave him the strength to do this."
"Not his god, Chon," Nadreck said. "His false god. He called upon his masters, the Eich."
"And his prayers were heard. Did he ask to be destroyed?"
"No." "Then why.
?"
"He was a living link through whom I could burrow my way into the hidden places and the secrets of the Eich. He did not want death. He did not know he was marked to die if he revealed his true nature. Nor did . I. He was no telepath, yet he opened up the shield I had around him. Even I did not know how intimately close he was to his masters."
"So that is why the Eich destroyed him." "Unfortunately," Nadreck slowly and solemnly stated, in a manner suggesting that he was lecturing himself, "I must confess that it is far worse than just the Eich who came in answer to his prayers. It was as Kallatra suggests-Eichwoor and a thousand thousand like hima multiplicity of Eichwooren.
" I have suspected special trouble brewing on Togra and-planets like it. It was that suspicion that led me to take my Z-Academy training mission there. It is this new evidence from Gronitskog that caused me only hours ago. to dispatch the original cadet crew under Tweeda back to Togra on an Eich search. All except Yadsue, of course, who is with us.
They're all Lensmen now, 'and the only ones available for such a quick assignment. They may be young and inexperienced, but they'll be competent. They're the top of their class.
And we've got the additional advantage of having the apo-Eich, as well as the apo-Onlonian, as two of the scrutinizers. You must pray, Chon, that they find some weakness in the enemy security."
"I will, Nadreck."
"Eichwooren, they are our deadliest threat, thousands upon thousands times worse than that which Worsel and Kallatra faced last year. For the merest instant I have sensed them gathering on the edge of the other plane of existence, poised for their invasion. Lalla Kallatra's father, Deuce O'Sx, our guardian on the other side has been surrounded and overwhelmed. Civilization lies open to the assault upon our minds and the destruction of our spirits."
