Cycle of Fire

XV. ASTRONOMY; LOGIC

DAR LANG AHN heard the biological report with only his usual interest, since such phrases as fluorinated hydrocarbons and silicones still meant very little to him. He did react, however, to Commander Burke’s announcement, and the reaction was not a mild one.

Devastating though his emotion was it did not become vocal, for Nils Kruger started talking first. Dar listened to precisely the points about fair play, honesty, and decency that had been discussed by Burke and Richter, but did not fully understand the terms used. In any case he did not pay full attention; he was trying to decide on his own line of action.

Argument would presumably be useless. The men would have formed their opinions on what they had learned of him and his people. He could not quite see why Abyormen constituted a danger to the galaxy, but had come to hold the opinions of the human scientists in high respect. In spite of this he found that his natural sense of duty was urging him to go against Burke’s decision — to argue, lie, or commit violence to get what he considered vital information back to his own people. A third impulse was furnished by his natural curiosity; had it not been for duty, he would have liked nothing better than traveling to Earth with his friends — if he could still call them that — and seeing some of the worlds Kruger and the astronomers had described to him. He might have started to speak, bringing his dilemma out in the open, but Kruger never gave him a chance. The boy was forgetting all the discipline that cadet training had drilled into him and coming perilously close to using personal abuse on the commander. The full significance of this escaped Dar, of course, since he had only the vaguest knowledge of Kruger’s background, but he did understand clearly that the boy wanted to let him go back to his people.

It seemed unlikely that Kruger would win his argument with the commander; Dar did have some idea of the relative ranks involved. Could he slip out while the argument was going on and steal one of the landing boats? He had watched carefully more than once while they were being flown; could he handle one himself? With his memory there was no question of his pushing the wrong button after he had once seen the right one pushed. However, his lifetime of fiying preserved him from what would almost certainly have been a fatal error. He realized that there was much more to handling any sort of space ship than he could possibly have learned by observation alone in a couple of dozen rides.

Could he stow away? Unlikely. These men, whatever else they might be, could not be called stupid. Once the commander had ordered that Dar Lang Ahn was not to return to Abyormen, steps would most certainly be taken to enforce the decision.

Could Kruger steal a boat and fly him down? Undoubtedly he could, since he could certainly fly the machines, but Dar was hampered in deciding the answer to this question by his ignorance of the weight of authority among human beings. There was no way to tell whether the boy would. He recognized this lack, and filed the idea for future checking when he could see Kruger alone.

Could he —

His reverie was interrupted at this point by the raised voice of Commander Burke.

“Mr. Kruger! I called this meeting for intelligent discussion, not tear-jerking or personal abuse. Unless you have a meaningful argument to present, you will be silent. I understand your feelings, I share them, and I have weighed the moral issues involved at least as carefully as you have. Do me the favor to remember that I have a number of responsibilities which you do not as yet share and which you quite evidently have not considered. I did not ask for a vote or an expression of opinion from anyone. I stated a conclusion I have reached, to wit, that Dar Lang Ahn’s race — or races, I suppose I should say — will constitute a danger to mankind if they leave their native planet. I firmly believe that the government will share that opinion. However, if you or anyone else has information which might require the modification of it, by all means speak up.”

Kruger was silent, realizing suddenly just how far he had gone and feeling gratitude to the officer for the relative mildness of the rebuke. Unfortunately he had nothing to say which could possibly be construed as information.

The silence was interrupted by another of Dar’s friends, an astronomer named Murchison.

“I’m afraid that there is another point to be considered,” he said slowly, “and I’m fairly sure it will not only cause the government to reach a different conclusion from yours, Commander, but will have them doing their level best to get both Abyormenite races educated as soon as possible.”

“Let’s have it!” the commander replied instantly.

“The main fact is that if we leave these people on this planet, it will amount to an act of genocide. This planet is a poor home for us and at the moment a necessary home for its inhabitants, but before too long it’s not going to be any sort of home for anyone.”

“How long? And why not?”

“Because this is not a stable system. Abyormen seems to have been formed in a more or less normal manner as a planet of the red dwarf sun the local natives call Theer, but at that time Alcyone was nowhere in the neighborhood. For one thing the light pressure of Alcyone is such that a planet could not have formed in its neighborhood.”

“I’ve heard that before, but didn’t see how you were going to keep that theory going, since the planet is here.”

“I didn’t for a while myself. However, there is geological evidence that what I say is true; the tremendous seasonal changes of this planet, due to the elliptical path of Theer about Alcyone, did not occur throughout the early portion of the world’s history, but only in the last few million years. One of two things happened; either Theer was captured by Alcyone fairly recently, or the giant star actually formed in the neighborhood of the dwarf. I incline to the latter view; we are inside a star cluster where the space is loaded — relatively speaking — with gas and dust. It is more than likely that Theer’s entrance into the cluster, if it was not originally a member of it, created enough turbulence to start a condensation in its neighborhood.”

“I can see how that: fits in with the geological time scale, but doesn’t it emphasize my point about the adaptability of these races?”

“In a way, yes, but I don’t believe that any organic structure could adapt to the fate in store for this system. Remember what I said — the space in this vicinity is full of gas and dust. Therefore, it is not a frictionless medium. That is why the alternate theory — that Alcyone captured the Theer system — is possible. The friction is continually shortening Theer’s orbit. More and more of each year is being spent in the hot zone, and less and less at a distance from the giant star which permits Dar’s people to live. Unless Alcyone drifts out of the Pleiades cluster, which it 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 all the data bearing on any question, and you’ll have to come up with an answer sometime — particularly if you are commanding any sort of space flier. You’ll have to learn to accept the risk of making a premature judgment. If it kills you some time, don’t let me hear you complain.”

“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 Alphard. The boat will depart in twenty hours, which should give anyone who wants to take apparatus plenty of time to get it aboard.

“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 Alphard through interstellar space with total indifference to the law of the speed of light, did not have the maneuvering limitations of the gliders. This was just as well, for the platform was crowded with the aircraft in a way that might have made a landing difficult even for Dar Lang Ahn. For the first time Kruger saw Teachers on the surface, sometimes directing activities and sometimes simply watching.

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 sure how much this being knew. The Teacher either knew or guessed what was in his mind, however.

“No, we do not return to the cities. It is not the custom; has not been for so long that I can no longer give you the precise details of the reason. However, it is better that we meet our ends where the heat is not very great — at least, not before our bodies are destroyed in other ways. When you no longer need me, I will — take a walk on the ice cap.”

Kruger found himself with nothing to say, except that he still felt the need of the Teacher’s company. At his invitation the being entered the flier and was met with great interest by the biologists who had come down. One of these spoke enough of the native language to render the boy’s presence unnecessary and he returned to the landing platform to watch for Dar. However, his little friend did not appear and the endless activity kept Nils’s attention until he found it necessary to sleep.

So the time passed. Gradually the number of gliders diminished, as the arrivals ceased and those already present headed for the other hemisphere. The sight of the casual way in which these beings started their last flights was depressing, not only to Kruger but to the other human beings watching.

“I guess it’s just the way you’re brought up,” one of the men remarked, “but if I knew I had a week to live I’d look a good deal soberer.”

“I think it’s more like three weeks,” said Kruger. “They seal this place a year in advance of the expected atmosphere change, just to play safe.”

“Don’t quibble.”

“I didn’t mean to. I got the impression from Dar, though, that he felt sorry for us — living from day to day without knowing when the end was to come. I suppose it’s just as hard for him to realize that we’re used to it, as it is for us to picture his attitude.”

“That’s true.” It was a new voice that made this answer, and Kruger turned to see Commander Burke standing in the air lock. “I should have liked to know your friend better, Mr. Kruger, but I don’t suppose we’d ever really know him — not even you.”

“Maybe not, sir, but I can’t help feeling that I do.”

“Good luck to you. Isn’t it nearly time for this sealing ceremony to take place?” Several more men were emerging from the little ship.

“I haven’t kept close track, sir, but I guess it must be, at that. Nearly all the gliders are gone, and — and I’ve seen a number of the big Teachers leaving the platform and starting around the mountain.” His voice shook a little as he mentioned this and the commander nodded gravely.

“Yes. The one who acted as your guide went the last time you were asleep.”

“What? I didn’t know that, sir.”

“I know you didn’t. It was by my advice that he went then. I thought it was better that way.” Something in the tone of the officer’s voice forbade further questioning.

Several more of the giant Teachers appeared on the platform at this point and the men stopped their conversation to watch them. One approached the group by the air lock and spoke.

“We are about to check the sealing of the outer gates. These are located some distance down the tunnel, as we have found it desirable to let ice come into the upper caverns later in the hot season. Would you care to come with us, to watch the operation?”

“Wait a minute! Dar Lang Ahn promised he’d see me before the doors were closed! Where is he?”

“He is coming. If you come with us you should meet him in the tunnel. I see his glider is waiting.” The being turned without further remark and the men followed, Burke watching the dazed Kruger with something like pity showing on his face.

The doors were about three hundred yards down the tunnel and, true to the Teacher’s prediction, Dar Lang Ahn was waiting beside them.

“Hi, Nils!” he called as the boy came in sight. “Sorry I was so long. There was a lot to do, believe me!”

“Dar! You can’t have finished — but this Teacher said…”

“Sure I did. Had to. Come on up to the surface — I want to check my glider. Or would you rather watch them seal the door?”

“But they can’t seal it yet! You can’t possibly have told them all you learned from us! You’ve got to stay and be a Teacher for the next generation!” The little native was silent for a moment, then spoke in a softer voice.

“Come with me, Nils. Maybe I did something I shouldn’t have, but it’s done. I’ll try to explain to you.” He gestured along the tunnel and the boy obeyed silently, staring at his little friend. Dar started talking as they went; the commander looked after them, shaking his head.

“Nils, I couldn’t do it. I thought about the point you’ve just mentioned and when I first started to learn things from you I rather planned to do what you’ve just suggested. I didn’t like it, of course, but it seemed to be my duty. Then I stayed with you and your people and — kept learning. Astronomy, geology, biology, archaelogy, mathematics, and all the other specialties that the men of your group represent. There was just too much of it.”

“Too much for you to remember?” Kruger stopped, his surprise momentarily covering his grief.

“Not too much to remember, no, but too much to grasp properly. I could have stayed down below and dictated scores of books about everything I had seen you do or heard you say, but even though I understood a good deal of it my people wouldn’t. There was something else they needed more, and gradually I came to understand what it was.

“It’s method, Nils. It’s the very way you people go about solving problems — imagination and experiment together. That was the thing my people had to learn and the thing I had to show them. Their problems are different from yours, after all; they’ll have to solve them for themselves. Of course, the facts are important, too, but I didn’t give too many of those. Just scattered pieces of information here and there, so that they could check their answers once in a while.”

“Then — then it was my own fault you’re doing this! I deliberately exposed you to as many different fields of knowledge as I could, so there’d be no chance of your getting it all recorded before the time of dying!”

“No! It’s not your fault, if you can call it a fault at all. You showed, indirectly I admit, just what we need to know. I was looking for an excuse to avoid staying in the Ramparts; if you want to say you furnished it, all right — and thanks.” He paused; they had reached the platform and Dar began without preamble to make sure his glider was ready for launching.

“But — can’t you come with us, instead? You don’t have to go back to Kwarr and — and…” Kruger could not finish the sentence. Dar straightened from his task and looked at him narrowly. For a moment or two he seemed to struggle with some decision; then he shook his head in the negative gesture he had learned from Kruger.

“I’m afraid not. I think I see a little of how you feel, friend Nils, and in a way I am sorry to leave you behind, but — would you come with me?” He almost gave his equivalent of a smile as he asked this. Kruger was silent.

“Of course you wouldn’t — you couldn’t. You expect to live a long time yet, even though you don’t know how long.” He gripped one of Kruger’s hands with his small claw. “Nils, many of your years from now there will be quite a lot of my people who are part of me. I will be gone, but you may still be around. Maybe with what you and I have done for them some of those people will be scientists, and will have learned to get respect instead of contempt from the ‘hot’ ones, and to start something which may in time be a civilization like yours. I would like to think that you will be helping them.”

He vaulted into the seat of the glider and, without giving the boy time to say a word, tripped the catapult.

Kruger watched the little aircraft out of sight. It did not take long to vanish, for his eyes were not as clear as they should have been, but he was still facing the direction in which it had gone when he finally muttered, “I will be!” He turned away as the thud of a great door sounded from the tunnel.