Kendell Foster Crossen

“ If there had been any doubt that J. Barnaby Cruikshank was up to something, his appearance would have removed it. Normally, any interference with the slumber of the president of Greater Solarian would have resulted in an explosion of temper like a major planet-quake. Instead, however, he was staring out of the screen with the benign expression of an indulgent uncle.
"My dear boy," he said sweetly, "what are you talking about?"
"You know damn well what I'm talking about," Manning snapped. "This Fanya Sera. What did you do to her?"
"I am a happily married man," J. Barnaby said solemnly. ”

“ The garden was the biggest surprise of all. For a moment after stepping into it he could have sworn he was on the Achernarian planet. It was filled with the flowering shrubs and trees native to Achernar and the air was heavy with the scent of the blossoms. Above, it extended for the full twelve storeys. At the very top there was a transparent container in which there was a small nuclear machine creating subatomic energy. ”

“ Kevan asked.
"It was the law of the land—and still is," said Alviss. "If the sun shines on any of the Little People while in Asgard, they turn to stone. Thor had tricked me. I would be there still if Hreidmar and Sindri hadn't come to rescue me. As soon as they carried me back to Midgard, the spell was gone and I was myself again. But Thrud was lost to me forever."
"Why didn't you go back some night and get her?" asked Kevan. Being a practical man, he added, "Or why didn't she run away and join you?"
"You're excessively stupid, even for a mortal," snapped the dwarf. ”

“ She hesitated, then faced him with a funny little smile. "It's a kind of inequality of sexes," she said. "It's only the women of Alioth who are not allowed to leave the planet."
"All the men travel about in the galaxy?"
"Well—all the single men." She stood up and stretched seductively, her breasts straining against the wisp of silk. "But when an Aliothan man marries he never leaves his wife."
"That I can understand," Manning said fervently. "I can appreciate Aliothan men not wanting the competition they'd have if the rest of the universe knew about you. ”

“ As they left the Acruxian, Xelia Zon joined another group of Regulusians, while Manning and Velmar walked on and sat down beneath one of the umbrella-like shrubs.
"You shouldn't have been so hard on Dtilla," Velmar said. "He's really a fascinating creature and terribly brilliant and talented."
"I don't doubt it," Manning said. "Why are you defending him? Are you his girl friend?"
"Goodness, no," Velmar Shonda said, laughing. "I admire creatures like Dtilla and I confess I find his mind very stimulating. But that's all. ”

“ Kevan had tried several times to get Thor's attention to bring up the matter of his challenge, but found it almost impossible to make himself heard above the roar of voices in the banquet hall. But the matter was finally settled for him by Odin, whose curiosity could no longer stand the strain.
"Quiet," shouted the chief of the gods, leaping to his feet. He struck the table a mighty blow with his hand, causing the mead cups to jump and spill. "Silence!" He waited until the shouting and talking died down. "The mortal who is our guest would like to challenge my son, Thor, on three riddles." ”

“ Manning said bluntly. His forehead was wrinkled with thought. "If I take out an insurance policy for a hundred thousand credits or more, and if I agree to give half of it to this undertaker fellow, then you'll kill my wife. Is that it?"
The Algolian threw up his tentacles in horror. "My dear fellow," he exclaimed, "must you talk like a character on a visiscreen thriller? Rather let us put it this way: You have a marital problem. Your wife's present attitude and actions are an obstacle to your complete happiness. I am an individual who is deeply concerned about the happiness of everyone. ”

“ Kevan asked, bewildered. "Your Uncle Loki seemed happy that it was Ragnarok."
"He would be," the girl said bitterly. "Don't you understand, Kevan, Ragnarok is the end of the world."
"Oh, pshaw," scoffed Kevan. "People are always predicting the end of the world whenever there's a little argument."
"But I'm not people," Thrud said. "I'm the daughter of Thor, the granddaughter of Odin, and I tell you that Ragnarok means the complete destruction of the universe. Only Lif and Lifthrasir will be left to start a new world. ”

“ Xelia Zon grinned. "I'm afraid you're still thinking in terms of Terran culture. These buildings are all of fifteen or twenty storeys and we have many that are still larger. You see, here, the street floor is the top one. Everything is built toward the core of our planet instead of skyward as you build."
"I'm beginning to get it," Manning said. "Everything works just the opposite as with us." He grinned. "Tell me, is it true what they say about Regulusian women—" He broke off as he realized Xelia Zon wasn't getting it. ”

“ He looked around and saw all the battling gods stiff and unmoving as though suddenly frozen in action.
Kevan touched his knee to Sleipnir's neck and the gray horse headed for the group. Kevan held the bucket in front of him. Slowly, some of the figures came to life, began to move backward ahead of him. Fenris the Wolf slavered and snarled and Jormungandr's hissing was like the sound of a tornado, but they moved steadily before him. Garm growled threateningly; curses spilled from the lips of the black and white Hel, but they too gave ground. ”

“ The Vegan patrolman drew a large-barrelled gun from his holster and fired. Velmar Shonda threshed around inside a force-net that held her prisoner.
"Boy," exclaimed the young patrolman, "am I glad I saw that!"
"Saw what?" Manning asked.
"I was on patrol just above this planet," the Vegan explained, "and I was watching the visicast from here when she ran out and attacked you. I blasted down and got here as fast as I could, but I don't mind admitting I was scared she'd get away."
"Attacked me?" Manning said. "I'm afraid you've made a mistake, officer. All she did was kiss me." ”

“ But as he stared at the sensuous curves of her body, there was probably nothing which interested Manning less than her eating habits.
"That reminds me," he said. "Where have you been all my life? I've been around, but I don't think I ever saw an Aliothan before."
She had seated herself at the built-in vanity table and was combing her hair. It gleamed in the light like gold threads. "Probably not," she said. "Very few of us have ever been off our planet. ”

“ Now, a gnome, or a dwarf, if you prefer—he's been called both—named Alviss is one of the finest gneiss-makers in the world. Recently, he had just finished what he considered his masterpiece, a gneiss composed of some fifteen different minerals, and all of fifty feet long, when directly over the spot where it was located an atom bomb test was held. You can imagine the results. The gneiss was cracked beyond repair. Alviss, with certain provocation you must admit, is angry. In fact, he grows angrier every minute and I understand that he is on the verge of declaring open war against all mortals. ”

“ The advantages which evolution had granted the Achernarians had been accompanied by certain disadvantages. One had been a weakening of their many-faceted eyes, so that the Ambassador, like most of those from his planet, wore glasses. What had been gained in intelligence had been lost in physical strength; in spite of this, they were among the most ferocious of Federation citizens, the Achernarian soldiers wearing atomic-powered armor which made them almost invincible. ”

“ You know the old gag about an irresistible force and an immovable object? Well, I've set it in motion. Mickey can't be seduced and Fanya can't be killed—but I'm betting on Mickey. That boy's got guts—even if they are where his brains ought to be."
J. Barnaby laughed with him. "That's my boy," he said. "Come on home. You'll feel better when you get here. I've just hired a new secretary."
Manning Draco's face lit up with interest.
"Unlike Mickey Hatchet, I like dames," he said. "But I got to admit I drew the line at this Fanya. I can't stand a dame who eats in bed." ”