Ganymede (Satellite) -- Fiction; Memory -- Fiction; Science fiction; Scientists -- Fiction; Short stories; War stories
Total Recall
By LARRY STERNIG
Buried under layers of horror in the old
scientist's brain was the only thing that
could save the System--and Roger Kay
had exactly half an hour to dig it out!
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Planet Stories Fall 1946.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
The face of Brian Wargan, chief of the Solar Bureau of Investigation,
was gray with strain and fatigue. "This Corvo North business," he
said. "It's almost a myth by now, but it's our only chance. We might as
well face that."
His features and that of the younger man across the desk from him
might have formed a study in contrasts. Roger Kay was keen, alert.
There were signs of weariness about his eyes, but the firm set of his
jaw revealed a tendency to action rather than introspection.
"Then, sir," he urged, "let's take that chance. The department has
located him, I believe? I haven't seen the reports."
The S.B.I. chief nodded. "His laboratory is right here on Gany." He
indicated a spot on the global map of Ganymede, some distance from the
spaceport.
"That's the mining district," Kay observed.
"Yes. He's been doing some research for the Inter-Planetary Mining
Syndicate. We've assigned a special wave band and are in constant
communication. Here, I'll introduce you."
Wargan set the dials on the visi-communicator that occupied one corner
of his desk; then looked up at the screen on the wall. A blurred
rectangle of light flickered and then coalesced into sharpness--and
Roger Kay involuntarily drew a deep breath. The girl looking out from
the visi-screen was the most beautiful he'd ever seen.
"Is your father making progress, Miss North?" asked Wargan.
The girl in the screen shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Mr. Wargan.
He's in the lab now, working, and won't let me disturb him except to
bring in coffee and sandwiches. I've been trying to get him to sleep."
"This is Roger Kay, Miss North," said the S.B.I. chief. "One of my
assistants. I'm sending him out to your place to see if he can help."
Ann North frowned slightly. "We're doing everything we possibly can
already."
"I'm sure of that. But Mr. Kay is rather outstanding as a scientist
himself, Miss North. He'll be able to help--at least in some of the
detail work, to save time."
Roger Kay grinned. "He means, Miss North, that I can clean the test
tubes and solder the wires and let your father save his energy for the
brain-work."
His smile was infectious, and the scientist's daughter capitulated.
Wargan flicked the switch and threw the screen into blankness.
"I'll give you an order for the fastest helio we have," he said.
"You'll be there in three hours. And that means there will be a little
less than three days left!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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