The Eternal WallGallun, Raymond Z. (Raymond Zinke)
Science
The Eternal Wall
Gallun, Raymond Z. (Raymond Zinke)
Science fiction; Short stories
Loy Chuk was a scientist. In common with all real scientists, regardless
of the species from which they spring, he loved the subjects of his
researches. He wanted this ancient man to live and to be happy. Or this
creature would be of scant value for study.
So Loy considered carefully what Ned Vince had suggested. Time-travel.
Almost a legend. An assault upon an intangible wall that had baffled far
keener wits than Loy's. But he was bent, now, on the well-being of this
anachronism he had so miraculously resurrected--this human, this
Kaalleee....
Loy jabbed buttons on the black box. "Yes, Ned Vince," said the sonic
apparatus. "Time-travel. Perhaps that is the only thing to do--to send
you back to your own period of history. For I see that you will never be
yourself, here. It will be hard to accomplish, but we'll try. Now I
shall put you under an anesthetic...."
Ned felt better immediately, for there was real hope now, where there
had been none before. Maybe he'd be back in his home-town of Harwich
again. Maybe he'd see the old machine-shop, there. And the trees
greening out in Spring. Maybe he'd be seeing Betty Moore in Hurley,
soon.... Ned relaxed, as a tiny hypo-needle bit into his arm....
As soon as Ned Vince passed into unconsciousness, Loy Chuk went to work
once more, using that pair of brain-helmets again, exploring carefully
the man's mind. After hours of research, he proceeded to prepare his
plans. The government of Kar-Rah was a scientific oligarchy, of which
Loy was a prime member. It would be easy to get the help he needed.
A horde of small, grey-furred beings and their machines, toiled for many
days.
* * * * *
Ned Vince's mind swam gradually out of the blur that had enveloped it.
He was wandering aimlessly about in a familiar room. The girders of the
roof above were of red-painted steel. His tool-benches were there,
greasy and littered with metal filings, just as they had always been. He
had a tractor to repair, and a seed-drill. Outside of the machine-shop,
the old, familiar yellow sun was shining. Across the street was the
small brown house, where he lived.
With a sudden startlement, he saw Betty Moore in the doorway. She wore a
blue dress, and a mischievous smile curved her lips. As though she had
succeeded in creeping up on him, for a surprise.
"Why, Ned," she chuckled. "You look as though you've been dreaming, and
just woke up!"
He grimaced ruefully as she approached. With a kind of fierce gratitude,
he took her in his arms. Yes, she was just like always.
"I guess I _was_ dreaming, Betty," he whispered, feeling that mighty
sense of relief. "I must have fallen asleep at the bench, here, and had
a nightmare. I thought I had an accident at Pit Bend--and that a lot of
worse things happened.... But it wasn't true ..."
Ned Vince's mind, over which there was still an elusive fog that he did
not try to shake off, accepted apparent facts simply.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account