Ivar Jorgensen

“ There were desert-worn women, sun blackened children, leather-faced men.
The two Security men had been silent. Now Frank Brooks spoke suddenly. "If you're thinking about Quislings or traitors, Tom, it just doesn't make sense. These people aren't intelligent enough. An invader would go where—"
"I'm not thinking about that. Let's eat."
They went into the restaurant and were served by a fat woman who waddled back and forth from the kitchen, wedging herself through the doorway each time. The food was acceptable, exactly what could be expected in a place like this. ”

“ The President hid his shock well. "If killing me will—"
"Annihilate life on the planet. You see, Mr. President, there comes a time when each inhabited planet must join the Council—when it reaches a point at which its existence affects the great family of planets. If at that time, its state of affairs and development are negative, its population is eradicated for the greater good."
"May I ask two questions?" The President said.
"You may."
"Thank you. First, why do you contact only me with this news? I am the titular head of only one nation on this planet. There are many others." ”

“ Let's take a walk around the whole town—look at it from all angles."
They walked. They climbed into the jeep and rode the slopes and the arroyos. No one paid any attention to them. No one bothered them. They spent the day and returned to town and ate again in the bleak little restaurant. The same woman pushed endlessly through the too-narrow doorway. When they went to their room the lamp cast such an unsatisfactory light that they put it out and went to bed.
This arrangement satisfied Frank Brooks completely. ”

“ Connections clicked into place across half a world and the Russian operator's voice came through warm and cordial. "Of course, Mr. President. The Premier's wire is always open to you. I'll ring him."
The phone was lifted instantly. "Mr. President! How nice of you to call!" ”

“ The why and the wherefore of it is not known at this time. We are only sure of one thing: The comet will swing away into space. Rumor has it that the size of the invading body was what threw our scientists off. But whether the earlier announcement was sincere or merely a cruel joke will not be known immediately. The main thing is to be thankful that an error existed—whatever its cause—"
Frank straightened his shoulders, turned and started briskly up the street.
The President of the United States put a call through to the Russian Premier. He awaited expectantly with the phone in his hand. ”

“ President, lies in the spiritual. Every race on every inhabited planet is given the intelligence and desire to evolve upward spiritually but they do not always succeed. A time limit is set on this so that the inhabitants of each planet arrive finally at an evolutionary crisis."
The President thought of nuclear fission, the atom bomb, mankind's incredible progress over the last two hundred years. "And you have come to aid us in spiritual development?" ”

“ In fact, the discovery turns the tide in our favor. Obviously they came down some years ago and did away with the residents of Mesa Flat when there was possibly only a handful of people in the village. These they recreated in the form of androids through a process we are not familiar with and then began adding to the population by feeding in more androids. Maybe there were more than just a few natives in the beginning because our spot check caught four authentic backgrounds."
"But if they can create human beings—" Frank Brooks said. ”

“ When conditions are right, life inevitably comes into existence upon a planet. The entities involved are always pretty much as you and I, physically, because conditions produce a ruling race of our structure or do not produce life at all. ”

“ Below, under bright moonlight, lay the snow-covered approaches to Ranier and her sister peaks. A view of overpowering majesty such as few men had ever seen. One of the reasons, the President thought, why some men join the air force. ”

“ Tom Brazier signed. Frank Brooks looked about, trying to find something wrong. Failing in this he tried to conjure up the uneasy feeling that something might be wrong. He failed again. He said, "How long have you been running this place, Pop?"
"Nigh onto ten years now. And the name's Frank Sibley, son. Never did get me a wife so o'course I ain't nobody's pop."
Frank Brooks grinned but as there was no rancor in the oldster's tone he didn't apologize.
"How is the food in the restaurant?" Tom Brazier asked.
"Fair to middlin'. Frijoles and beans. Ain't nobody can spoil frijoles and beans." ”

“ The President said nothing and Rex went on. "As Director of this sector, it is my job to check the development on its various planets and make progress reports to the Council."
"And this Council is located—?"
"Many light years from here—at the hub of the known universe, but that is not important."
"I thought perhaps we—or our representatives might someday—"
"Appear before it? I'm afraid not. I fear you are treading the path of those who once inhabited your neighbor planet, Mars."
"Then life does exist—or did—on Mars?" ”

“ Certain facts had come to light and had been discussed in high-level conference and they added up to good reason for panic. Creatures from outer space were hovering over the planet. They were hostile and they wanted to take Earth over. ”

“ Fortunately, the aliens, while advanced and of superior intelligence, had physical characteristics that set them apart. They could not put down and lose themselves among the planet's population. Also, they did not appear able to overwhelm with superior weapons. Still, they were vicious, crafty, and their coming could mean the end of Terran freedom.
Brooks rolled the jeep past a tilted sign reading, 'Mesa Flats—Pop. ”

“ When the Press Secretary stopped talking, he sat looking at the President with question marks in his eyes. He had no idea what the latter would say or do. The possible extremes were in his mind. The President might smile and say, "You've done a good job, Jim." Or he might reach for the phone and say, "Please send in two strong men and a straight jacket."
The President did neither. He spoke very quietly. "I think I'd better go to Mount Ranier. Tell them I'm ready."
The Press Secretary picked up the phone, dialed a number. When the party at the other end answered, he said, "The President agrees. ”

“ The Second considered. "When the body is discovered—what will it reveal? Nothing definite. No chain of logic could point to us."
The Commander frowned. "But success depends so completely upon secrecy. If the experiment is successful—"
"It will be, sir."
"I hope so. Hold your course for home...."
The body of Mack Styles was found at two o'clock that afternoon. By Tom Brazier and Frank Brooks, in a secluded spot on the Arizona desert. After he hadn't reported in they had gone out in a jeep to check up. ”

“ He said, "One more thing—why was I not contacted directly in this matter?"
This embarrassed the young man. "Wherever we go, sir, we attempt to conform to customs and manner existing in that place. We understood that to reach The President of the United States, one always proceeds through channels."
The President smiled. The humming sound ceased. The young man arose, forestalling further questions.
"This way, if you will be so kind."
The President and the Press Secretary followed the young man from the room into a low corridor. ”

“ A man, he told himself, is entitled to a few blessed years as his own master; a time when he ceases to be a slave of duty. Why just think! To grab the clubs and shoot eighteen without having to make "arrangements"! ”

“ He awaits your contact."
He put down the phone and they sat looking at each other, waiting. There was nothing else to do, now. The President's eyes were vague as though he were looking through space and time. He said, "We've come a long way in a very short time, Jim. It's worth pondering."
"A long way, Mr. President."
"In a scant fifty years, we've gone practically straight up in matters of science, invention—" The thought broke off as his mind went to some of the things his Press Secretary had told him. ”