last project did. But first, we must look much more closely at the present colonies, and find out why they are as they are. We must redefine our concepts of possible and impossible, in this area. We must ask questions that have not been asked before.”
“It isn’t my field,” said the biologist.
“Of course not,” said the UN man hastily. “I’m not trying to redefine your job, at this late stage. The role which you have to play will be the same role that Kilner played...except for one thing.”
“What you’re trying to tell me is that I won’t be in charge. You’re demoting me.”
“It’s not a matter of demotion, Alex. You will be in charge of your own side of the mission. But there will be another side. You must see how necessary it is. In view of Kilner’s reports we simply can’t restrict the scope of the Daedalus missions to biology...to rat-catching, if you’ll forgive the use of the vulgar term. You’ll be the sole authority in your own field, and your status will remain the same. The only difference is that your lab staff will be cut to two. The man in charge of the sociological study will take over the diplomatic functions which Kilner handled so badly. His name is Nathan Parrick—he’s a historian and a social anthropologist.”
“But if we’re jointly in charge,” objected Alexander, “who makes the ultimate decisions? Divided authority can lead to problems.”
“Authority would be divided in any case,” Pietrasante pointed out. “In all matters pertaining to the conduct of the ship itself the captain is the final authority. You and Nathan will be engaged in tasks which are somewhat different in nature, but your interests should be very similar. There should be no difficulties in coming to an agreement over any question which concerns you both. If any deadlock does arise, Captain Rolving will arbitrate.”
Alexander stared out of the window for a moment or two, turning the matter over in his mind.
“Who are the staff I have left?” he asked finally.
“Conrad Silvian—he was with Kilner and his experience should be invaluable. We couldn’t even consider leaving him out. The other berth went to Linda Beck. Did you meet her?”
Alexander nodded.
“I’m sure they’ll be adequate to any task which you have to face.”
“I’m sure they will,” said the biologist. “Qualitatively speaking. But why only two? If there are two crew members and Parrick, that leaves one berth unaccounted for, doesn’t it? Or does Parrick have an assistant?”
“In a manner of speaking,” said Pietrasante. “The seventh member of the expedition will, in fact, be under his authority. But she is not exactly an assistant. Her name is Mariel Valory. She’s a talent.”
“What kind of talent?”
“It’s what they call in common parlance ‘the gift of tongues.’ She is extraordinarily adept with languages. She is, of course, very young, and the idea of giving her a place on the expedition was opposed by some members of our team. I myself was doubtful of the wisdom of including her. But in view of the questions raised by Kilner’s reports it seemed most important that we should provide the second expedition with better information-collecting facilities. We want to provide as broad a base to the areas of intellectual inquiry as possible. It is obvious that Kilner completely failed to open up any constructive areas of communication with the colonists which he contacted. He arrived to find them hostile, and despite the help he gave them he never overcame that hostility. We hope that Mariel will help to offset this difficulty.
“In addition, there is another compelling reason. You are scheduled to recontact six colonies. Two of these colonies were established on worlds where the reports of the survey teams suggested that there were already intelligent life-forms. Although these species had no discernible culture or civilization, it was suggested that they had language and a certain degree of social organization. The framework within which the survey teams operated did not permit further investigation of these lines of inquiry, but the colonists dispatched to these worlds were instructed to make all possible attempts to open channels of communication with these life-forms. On these two worlds, if nowhere else, Mariel’s talent may prove to be of crucial importance.”
“How old is she?” asked Alexander.
“Fourteen. I know that it’s very young, Alex, but she’s advanced for her age in the intellectual sense. And fourteen is not only above the age of consent but above the age of majority in a great many countries. Talents burn out, Alex and if we want to use them we have to use them young.”
After a pause, Alexander said, “You’re certainly hitting me with everything at once, aren’t you? I’ve been in on this project for months, and this is the first I’ve heard of any of this. Oh, I know that I joined when plans were still in a very fluid state, and that my ideas don’t count for much in the planning because I’m only the poor bastard that has to go out there, and not one of the UN execs with a career in politics to think about...but, Nico, this is the eleventh hour! Only now do you show me Kilner’s reports. Only now do you tell me my staff’s been cut, that I’m now only joint leader of the expedition with your pet diplomat, and that there’s a child on the strength as well. Do you think that’s fair? Suppose I were to turn around now and tell you that if this is the way things are going to be you can count me out?”
“You won’t do that,” said Pietrasante.
“No,” said the other. “I won’t. You know damn well I won’t. But you’re sure as hell trespassing on my good nature.”
“Nathan Parrick is a good man,” said the UN man. “And he’s not a pet diplomat. He is a diplomat...but he’s also a brilliant social scientist. You have a good deal in common. And a lot of the work he’ll take off your shoulders is work you wouldn’t want to be bothered with in any case. You’re a scientist, not a politician. You don’t want to get bogged down in petty disputes with the colonists, in negotiations and recriminations. You want to get on with your job. If only Kilner had been allowed to get on with his job instead of being involved in constant hassles with the people he was trying to help...This is all for the best, Alex. I’m sorry we couldn’t tell you sooner, but you don’t realize the amount of backstage argument that has gone into this. The UN is run by committees—the whole world is run by committees—and nothing ever gets done or decided until the eleventh hour. You know the way things are.”
“Oh sure,” said Alexander wearily. “I know exactly how things are. It’s a wonder the whole damn world doesn’t grind to a halt.”
“It has,” said Pietrasante. “That’s part of the problem. Perhaps the most desperate part of all.”
Outside the car, night was gathering. Very slowly, darkness consumed the daylight. But the stars never came out, for the sky never lost the ruddy glow that was the reflection of the lights of sprawling civilization. Over the cities, the air was always hazy. Only the moon occasionally shone through.
There were no horizons in the sky, but from the city streets there was no glimpse of infinity either.
CHAPTER ONE
The air in the hall was heavy with heat and odor. At first, it had been a welcome change from the cool, sterile air aboard the ship, but it didn’t take long before I began to feel slightly sick. I wasn’t acclimatized, and I hadn’t drunk enough...or maybe I’d drunk too much.
I kept looking for an opportunity to get outside and take
