Man of Many MindsEvans, E. Everett (Edward Everett)
Science
Man of Many Minds
Evans, E. Everett (Edward Everett)
Extraterrestrial beings -- Fiction; Science fiction, American
"When you arrive, give these credentials to Peter Philander, the
superintendent. He will be your boss there. Just do as he says, don't
get nosey about what is going on, and you will do all right."
"Don't worry about my keeping my nose clean. I'm taking along a dozen
extra hankies."
His last doubts about leaving Simonides to go to the unknown planet were
now at rest. He was sure that there he would find the leads he so
desperately needed--and probably only there could he get them.
They picked up his luggage, then all got into a large, black ground-car,
and as it started the men lowered curtains over the windows. And while
Hanlon was wondering about that, one of them pinned his arms suddenly to
his side while another slapped a piece of adhesive across his eyes,
smoothing it tightly into place.
Hanlon gasped, but did not struggle.
"That's right, don't fight it," the leader's voice was almost kind. "We
just don't want you knowing where we are going ... yet."
* * * * *
The car travelled some miles, then stopped and they all got out. The men
helped Hanlon down, led him a few dozen steps, then helped him climb
into another machine. In a moment he realized they were now in an aircar
that had taken off, and he frowned. Assuming that Hooper had followed,
he'd be out of it now. He was on his own.
For several moments Hanlon tried in vain to read from the others' minds
where they were going. He had almost given up hope when he heard the
unmistakable panting of a small dog, and realized that one of the air
crew must have brought a pet.
Quickly his mind contacted that of the dog, and instantly was inside it,
looking out through the dog's eyes. He controlled its mind so that it
climbed up in the man's lap and, with its forepaws on the fellow's
shoulder, looked out of the aircar's window. No one seemed to find
anything peculiar in the dog's actions, its owner merely patting it as
it stood there, as Hanlon could feel through the dog's senses.
Now Hanlon could see they were nearing some mountains, and took
particular notice of everything that might be remembered as a landmark.
Soon they were settling down into a little hidden valley, where there
was a fairly large space-freighter.
They led him into this ship, and he lost the dog, so could not see just
where they were taking him. Finally he sensed they were in a small room,
and the adhesive was ripped from his face.
The leader and Panek stood in the small cabin with Hanlon.
"This is to be your cabin. Sorry for the precautions, but you can see
why, I am sure. But if you behave, and make a good record, you won't
have to ... uh ... worry about them any more. Take-off almost
immediately, so we have to leave. Safe flights, and I hope you make out
all right."
He looked fixedly at Hanlon for a long, long minute, and the young man,
returned his gaze as steadily.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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