Deathworld

  IX.

  Real as they had been, the training chambers had not prepared him forthe surface of Pyrrus. There was the basic similarity of course. Thefeel of the poison grass underfoot and the erratic flight of a stingwingin the last instant before Grif blasted it. But these were scarcelynoticeable in the crash of the elements around him.

  A heavy rain was falling, more like a sheet of water than individualdrops. Gusts of wind tore at it, hurling the deluge into his face. Hewiped his eyes clear and could barely make out the conical forms of twovolcanoes on the horizon, vomiting out clouds of smoke and flame. Thereflection of this inferno was a sullen redness on the clouds that racedby in banks above them.

  There was a rattle on his hard hat and something bounced off to splashto the ground. He bent over and picked up a hailstone as thick as histhumb. A sudden flurry of hail hammered painfully at his back and neck,he straightened hurriedly.

  As quickly as it started the storm was over. The sun burned down,melting the hailstones and sending curls of steam up from the wetstreet. Jason sweated inside his armored clothing. Yet before they hadgone a block it was raining again and he shook with chill.

  Grif trudged steadily along, indifferent to the weather or the volcanoesthat rumbled on the horizon and shook the ground beneath their feet.Jason tried to ignore his discomfort and match the boy's pace.

  The walk was a depressing one. The heavy, squat buildings loomed graylythrough the rain, more than half of them in ruins. They walked on apedestrian way in the middle of the street. The occasional armoredtrucks went by on both sides of them. The midstreet sidewalk puzzledJason until Grif blasted something that hurtled out of a ruined buildingtowards them. The central location gave them some chance to see what wascoming. Suddenly Jason was very tired.

  "Grif, this city of yours is sure down at the heels. I hope the otherones are in better shape."

  "I don't know what you mean talking about heels. But there are no othercities. Some mining camps that can't be located inside the perimeter.But no other cities."

  This surprised Jason. He had always visualized the planet with more thanone city. There were a _lot_ of things he didn't know about Pyrrus, herealized suddenly. All of his efforts since landing had been taken upwith the survival studies. There were a number of questions he wanted toask. But ask them of somebody other than his grouchy eight-year-oldbodyguard. There was one person who would be best equipped to tell himwhat he wanted to know.

  "Do you know Kerk?" he asked the boy. "Apparently he's your ambassadorto a lot of places, but his last name--"

  "Sure, everybody knows Kerk. But he's busy, you shouldn't see him."

  Jason shook a finger at him. "Minder of my body you may be. But minderof my soul you are not. What do you say I call the shots and you goalong to shoot the monsters? O.K.?"

  * * * * *

  They took shelter from a sudden storm of fist-sized hailstones. Then,with ill grace, Grif led the way to one of the larger, centralbuildings. There were more people here and some of them even glanced atJason for a minute, before turning back to their business. Jason draggedhimself up two flights of stairs before they reached a door markedCO-ORDINATION AND SUPPLY.

  "Kerk in here?" Jason asked.

  "Sure," the boy told him. "He's in charge."

  "Fine. Now you get a nice cold drink, or your lunch, or something, andmeet me back here in a couple of hours. I imagine Kerk can do as good ajob of looking after me as you can."

  The boy stood doubtfully for a few seconds, then turned away. Jasonwiped off some more sweat and pushed through the door.

  There were a handful of people in the office beyond. None of them lookedup at Jason or asked his business. Everything has a purpose on Pyrrus.If he came there--he must have had a good reason. No one would everthink to ask him what he wanted. Jason, used to the petty officialdom ofa thousand worlds, waited for a few moments before he understood. Therewas only one other door. He shuffled over and opened it.

  Kerk looked up from a desk strewed about with papers and ledgers. "I waswondering when you would show up," he said.

  "A lot sooner if you hadn't prevented it," Jason told him as he droppedwearily into a chair. "It finally dawned on me that I could spend therest of my life in your blood-thirsty nursery school if I didn't dosomething about it. So here I am."

  "Ready to return to the 'civilized' worlds, now that you've seen enoughof Pyrrus?"

  "I am not," Jason said. "And I'm getting very tired of everyone tellingme to leave. I'm beginning to think that you and the rest of the Pyrransare trying to hide something."

  Kerk smiled at the thought. "What could we have to hide? I doubt if anyplanet has as simple and one-directional an existence as ours."

  "If that's true, then you certainly wouldn't mind answering a few directquestions about Pyrrus?"

  Kerk started to protest, then laughed. "Well done. I should know betterby now than to argue with you. What do you want to know?"

  Jason tried to find a comfortable position on the hard chair, then gaveup. "What's the population of your planet?" he asked.

  For a second Kerk hesitated, then said, "Roughly thirty thousand. Thatis not very much for a planet that has been settled this long, but thereason for that is obvious."

  "All right, population thirty thousand," Jason said. "Now how aboutsurface control of your planet. I was surprised to find out that thiscity within its protective wall--the perimeter--is the only one on theplanet. Let's not consider the mining camps, since they are obviouslyjust extensions of the city. Would you say then, that you people controlmore or less of the planet's surface than you did in the past?"

  * * * * *

  Kerk picked up a length of steel pipe from the desk, that he used as apaperweight, and toyed with it as he thought. The thick steel bent likerubber at his touch, as he concentrated on his answer.

  "That's hard to say offhand. There must be records of that sort ofthing, though I wouldn't know where to find them. It depends on so manyfactors--"

  "Let's forget that for now then," Jason said. "I have another questionthat's really more relevant. Wouldn't you say that the population ofPyrrus is declining steadily, year after year?"

  There was a sharp _twang_ as the steel snapped in Kerk's fingers, thepieces dropping to the floor. He stood, over Jason, his hands extendedtowards the smaller man, his face flushed and angry.

  "Don't ever say that," he roared. "Don't let me ever hear you say thatagain!"

  Jason sat as quietly as he could, talking slowly and picking out eachword with care. His life hung in the balance.

  "Don't get angry, Kerk. I meant no harm. I'm on your side, remember? Ican talk to you because you've seen much more of the universe than thePyrrans who have never left the planet. You are used to discussingthings. You know that words are just symbols. We can talk and know youdon't have to lose your temper over mere words--"

  Kerk slowly lowered his arms and stepped away. Then he turned and pouredhimself a glass of water from a bottle on the desk. He kept his backturned to Jason while he drank.

  Very little of the sweat that Jason wiped from his sopping face wascaused by the heat in the room.

  "I'm ... sorry I lost my temper," Kerk said, dropping heavily into hischair. "Doesn't usually happen. Been working hard lately, must have gotmy temper on edge." He made no mention of what Jason had said.

  "Happens to all of us," Jason told him. "I won't begin to describe thecondition my nerves were in when I hit this planet. I'm finally forcedto admit that everything you said about Pyrrus is true. It is the mostdeadly spot in the system. And only native-born Pyrrans could possiblysurvive here. I can manage to fumble along a bit after my training, butI know I would never stand a chance on my own. You probably know I havean eight-year-old as a bodyguard. Gives a good idea of my real statushere."

  Anger suppressed, Kerk was back in control of himself now. His eyesnarrowed in thought. "Surprises me to hear you say that. Never thought Iwould
hear you admit that anyone could be better than you at anything.Isn't that why you came here? To prove that you were as good as anynative-born Pyrran?"

  "Score one for your side," Jason admitted. "I didn't think it showedthat much. And I'm glad to see your mind isn't as muscle-bound as yourbody. Yes, I'll admit that was probably my main reason for coming, thatand curiosity."

  Kerk was following his own train of thoughts, and puzzled where theywere leading him. "You came here to prove that you were as good as anynative-born Pyrran. Yet now you admit that any eight-year-old canoutdraw you. That just doesn't stack up with what I know about you. Ifyou give with one hand, you must be taking back with the other. In whatway do you still feel your natural superiority?"

  Jason thought a long time before answering.

  "I'll tell you," he finally said. "But don't snap my neck for it. I'mgambling that your civilized mind can control your reflexes. Because Ihave to talk about things that are strictly taboo on Pyrrus.

  "In your people's eyes I'm a weakling because I come from off-world.Realize though, that this is also my strength. I can see things that arehidden from you by long association. You know, the old business of notbeing able to see the forest for the trees in the way." Kerk noddedagreement and Jason went on.

  "To continue the analogy further, I landed from an airship, and atfirst all I _could_ see was the forest. To me certain facts areobvious. I think that you people know them too, only you keep yourthoughts carefully repressed. They are hidden thoughts that arecompletely taboo. I am going to say one of them out loud now and hopeyou can control yourself well enough to not kill me."

  Kerk's great hands tightened on the arms of his chair, the only signthat he had heard. Jason talked quietly, as smoothly and easily as alancet probing into a brain.

  "Human beings are losing the war on Pyrrus. There is no chance they canwin. They could leave for another planet, but that wouldn't be victory.Yet, if they stay and continue this war, they only prolong aparticularly bloody form of racial suicide. With each generation thepopulation drops. Until eventually the planet will win."

  One arm of Kerk's plastic and steel chair tore loose under the crushinggrasp of his fingers. He didn't notice it. The rest of his body wasrock-still and his eyes fixed on Jason.

  Looking away from the fractured chair, Jason sought for the right words.

  "This is not a real war, but a disastrous treating of symptoms. Likecutting off cancerous fingers one by one. The only result can beultimate death. None of you seem to realize that. All you see are thetrees. It has never occurred to you that you could treat the _causes_ ofthis war and end it forever."

  Kerk dropped the arm of the chair clattering to the floor. He sat up,astonished. "What the devil do you mean? You sound like a grubber."

  Jason didn't ask what a grubber was--but he filed the name.

  "Call me a Pyrran by adoption. I want this planet to survive as much asyou do. I think this war can be ended by finding the _causes_--andchanging them, whatever they are."

  "You're talking nonsense," Kerk said. "This is just an alien world thatmust be battled. The causes are self-obvious facts of existence."

  "No, they're not," Jason insisted. "Consider for a second. When you areaway for any length of time from this planet, you must take a refreshercourse. To see how things have changed for the worse while you weregone. Well, that's a linear progression. If things get worse when youextend into the future, then they have to get better if you extend intothe past. It is also good theory--though I don't know if the facts willbear me out--to say that if you extend it far enough into the past youwill reach a time when mankind and Pyrrus were not at war with eachother."

  Kerk was beyond speech now, only capable of sitting and listening whileJason drove home the blows of inescapable logic.

  "There is evidence to support this theory. Even you will admit that I,if I am no match for Pyrran life, am surely well versed in it. And allPyrran flora and fauna I've seen have one thing in common. They're notfunctional. _None_ of their immense armory of weapons is used againsteach other. Their toxins don't seem to operate against Pyrran life. Theyare good only for dispensing death to Homo sapiens. And _that_ is aphysical impossibility. In the three hundred years that men have been onthis planet, the life forms couldn't have naturally adapted in thismanner."

  "But they _have_ done it!" Kerk bellowed.

  "You are so right," Jason told him calmly. "And if they have done itthere must be some agency at work. Operating how--I have no idea. Butsomething has caused the life on Pyrrus to declare war, and I'd like tofind out what that something is. What was the dominant life form herewhen your ancestors landed?"

  "I'm sure I wouldn't know," Kerk said. "You're not suggesting, are you,that there are sentient beings on Pyrrus other than those of humandescent? Creatures who are organizing the planet to battle us?"

  "I'm not suggesting it--you are. That means you're getting the idea. Ihave no idea what caused this change, but I would sure like to find out.Then see if it can be changed back. Nothing promised, of course. You'llagree, though, that it is worth investigating."

  * * * * *

  Fist smacking into his palm, his heavy footsteps shaking the building,Kerk paced back and forth the length of the room. He was at war withhimself. New ideas fought old beliefs. It was so sudden--and so hard notto believe.

  Without asking permission Jason helped himself to some chilled waterfrom the bottle, and sank back into the chair, exhausted. Somethingwhizzed in through the open window, tearing a hole in the protectivescreen. Kerk blasted it without changing stride, without even knowing hehad done it.

  The decision didn't take long. Geared to swift activity, the big Pyrranfound it impossible not to decide quickly. The pacing stopped and afinger stabbed at Jason.

  "I don't say you have convinced me, but I find it impossible to find aready answer to your arguments. So until I do, we will have to operateas if they are true. Now what do you plan to do, what _can_ you do?"

  Jason ticked the points off on his fingers. "One, I'll need a place tolive and work that is well protected. So instead of spending my energieson just remaining alive I can devote some study to this project. Two, Iwant someone to help me--and act as a bodyguard at the same time. Andsomeone, please, with a little more scope of interest than my presentwatchdog. I would suggest Meta for the job."

  "Meta?" Kerk was surprised. "She is a space pilot and defense-screenoperator, what good could she possibly be on a project like this?"

  "The most good possible. She has had experience on other worlds and canshift her point of view--at least a bit. And she must know as much aboutthis planet as any other educated adult and can answer any questions Iask." Jason smiled. "In addition to which she is an attractive girl,whose company I enjoy."

  Kerk grunted. "I was wondering if you would get around to mentioningthat last reason. The others make sense though, so I'm not going toargue. I'll round up a replacement for her and have Meta sent here.There are plenty of sealed buildings you can use."

  After talking to one of the assistants from the outer office, Kerk madesome calls on the screen. The correct orders were quickly issued. Jasonwatched it all with interest.

  "Pardon me for asking," he finally said. "But are you the dictator ofthis planet? You just snap your fingers and they all jump."

  "I suppose it looks that way," Kerk admitted. "But that is just anillusion. No one is in complete charge on Pyrrus, neither is thereanything resembling a democratic system. After all, our total populationis about the size of an army division. Everyone does the job they arebest qualified for. Various activities are separated into departmentswith the most qualified person in charge. I run Co-ordination andSupply, which is about the loosest category. We fill in the gaps betweendepartments and handle procuring from off-planet."

  * * * * *

  Meta came in then and talked to Kerk. She completely ignored Jason'spresence. "I was relieved and sent here," she sai
d. "What is it? Changein flight schedule?"

  "You might call it that," Kerk said. "As of now you are dismissed fromall your old assignments and assigned to a new department: Investigationand Research. That tired-looking fellow there is your department head."

  "A sense of humor," Jason said. "The only native-born one on Pyrrus.Congratulations, there's hope for the planet yet."

  Meta glanced back and forth between them. "I don't understand. I can'tbelieve it. I mean a new department--why?"

  "I'm sorry," Kerk said. "I didn't mean to be cruel. I thought perhapsyou might feel more at ease. What I said was true. Jason has a way--ormay have a way--to be of immense value to Pyrrus. Will you help him?"

  Meta had her composure back. And a little anger. "Do I have to? Is thatan order? You know I have work to do. I'm sure you will realize it ismore important than something a person from _off-planet_ might imagine.He can't really understand--"

  "Yes. It's an order." The snap was back in Kerk's voice. Meta flushed atthe tone.

  "Perhaps I can explain," Jason broke in. "After all the whole thing ismy idea. But first I would like your co-operation. Will you take theclip out of your gun and give it to Kerk?"

  Meta looked frightened, but Kerk nodded in solemn agreement. "Just for afew minutes, Meta. I have my gun so you will be safe here. I think Iknow what Jason has in mind, and from personal experience I'm afraid heis right."

  Reluctantly Meta passed over the clip and cleared the charge in thegun's chamber. Only then did Jason explain.

  "I have a theory about life on Pyrrus, and I'm afraid I'll have toshatter some illusions when I explain. To begin with, the fact must beadmitted that your people are slowly losing the war here and willeventually be destroyed--"

  Before he was half through the sentence, Meta's gun was directed betweenhis eyes and she was wildly snapping the trigger. There was only hatredand revulsion in her expression. Kerk took her by the shoulders and sather in his chair, before anything worse happened. It took a while beforeshe could calm down enough to listen to Jason's words. It is not easy tohave the carefully built-up falsehoods of a lifetime shattered. Only thefact that she had seen something of other worlds enabled her to listenat all.

  The light of unreason was still in her eyes when he had finished,telling her the things he and Kerk had discussed. She sat tensely,pushed forward against Kerk's hands, as if they were the only thingsthat stopped her from leaping at Jason.

  "Maybe that is too much to assimilate at one sitting," Jason said. "Solet's put it in simpler terms. I believe we can find a reason for thisunrelenting hatred of humans. Perhaps we don't smell right. Maybe I'llfind an essence of crushed Pyrran bugs that will render us immune whenwe rub it in. I don't know yet. But whatever the results, we _must_ makethe investigation. Kerk agrees with me on that."

  Meta looked at Kerk and he nodded agreement. Her shoulders slumped insudden defeat. She whispered the words.

  "I ... can't say I agree, or even understand all that you said. But I'llhelp you. If Kerk thinks that it is the right thing."

  "I do," he said. "Now, do you want the clip back for your gun? Notplanning to take any more shots at Jason?"

  "That was foolish of me," she said coldly while she reloaded the gun. "Idon't need a gun. If I had to kill him, I could do it with my barehands."

  "I love you, too," Jason smiled at her. "Are you ready to go now?"

  "Of course." She brushed a fluffy curl of hair into place. "First we'llfind a place where you can stay. I'll take care of that. After that thework of the new department is up to you."