[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.However, atsome undetermined point in time the Eddorians took over, as is shown by the fact thatyou are all at a loss: it being scarcely necessary to point out to you that the Plooranscould neither transport your father to any location which you could not reach nor poseany problem, including his death, which you could not solve.It is thus certain that it wasone or more of the Eddorians who either killed Kinnison or sent him where he was sent.It is also certain that, after the easy fashion in which he escaped from the Ploorans afterthey had captured him and had him all but in their hands, the Eddorians did not care tohave the Ploorans come to grips with Kimball Kinnison; fearing, and rightly, that insteadof gaining information, they would lose everything.""Did they know I was in that tube?" Kathryn asked."Did they deduce us, or didthey think that dad was a superman?"'That is one of the many points which are obscure.But it made no difference,before or after the event, to them or to us, as you should perceive.""Of course.They knew that there was at least one third-level mind at work in thefield.They must have deduced that it was Arisian work.Whether it was dad himself orwhether it was coming to his aid at need would make no difference.They knew verywell that he was the keystone of Civilization, and that to do away with him would be theshrewdest move they could make.Therefore we still do not understand why they didn'tkill him outright and be done with it—if they didn't.""In exactness, neither do I.that point is the least clear of all.Nor is it at allcertain that he still lives.It is sheerest folly to assume that the Eddorians either thoughtor acted illogically, even occasionally.Therefore, if Kinnison is not dead, whatever wasdone was calculated to be even more final than death itself.This premise, if adopted,forces the conclusion that they considered the possibility of our knowing enough aboutthe next cycle of existence to be able to reach him there."Kit frowned."You still harp on the possibility of his death.Does not yourvisualization cover that?""Not since the Eddorians took control.I have not consciously emphasized theprobability of your father's death; I have merely considered it—in the case of twomutually exclusive events, neither of which can be shown to have happened, both mustbe studied with care.Assume for the moment that your mother's theory is the truth, thatyour father is still alive.In that case, what was done and how it was done are eminentlyclear.""Clear? Not to us!" the Five chorused."While they did not know at all exactly the power of our minds, they couldestablish limits beyond which neither they nor we could go.Being mechanically inclined,it is reasonable to assume that they had at their disposal sufficient energy to transportKinnison to some point well beyond those limits.They would have given control to adirector-by-chance, so that his ultimate destination would be unknown and unknowable.He would of course land safely.""How? How could they, possibly.?""In time that knowledge will be yours.Not now.Whether or not the hypothesisjust stated is true, the fact confronting us is that Kimball Kinnison is not now in anyregion which I am at present able to scan."Gloom descended palpably upon the Five."I am not saying or implying that the problem is insoluble.Since Eddorian mindswere involved, however, you already realize that its solution will require the evaluation ofmany millions of factors and will consume a not inconsiderable number of your years.""You mean lifetimes!" an impetuous young thought broke in."Why, long beforethat.""Contain yourself, daughter Constance," Mentor reproved, gently."I realize quitefully all the connotations and implications involved.I was about to say that it may provedesirable to assist your mother in the application of powers which may very welltranscend in some respects those of either Arisia or Eddore." He widened the band ofthought to include the Red Lensman and went on as though he were just emerging fromcontemplation:"Children, it appears that the solution of this problem by ordinary processes willrequire more time than can conveniently be spared.Moreover, it affords a priceless andperhaps a unique opportunity of increasing our store of knowledge.Be informed,however, that the probability is great that in this project you, Clarrissa, will lose yourlife.""Better not, mother.When Mentor says anything like that, it means suicide.Wedon't want to lose you, too." Kit pleaded, and the four girls added their pleas to his.Clarrissa knew that suicide was against the Code—but she also knew that, aslong as it wasn't quite suicide, Lensmen went in."Exactly how great?" she demanded, vibrantly."It isn't certain—it can't be!""No, daughter, it is not certain.""QX, then, I'm going in.Nothing can stop me.""Very well.Tighten your linkage, Clarrissa, with me.Yours will be the task ofsending your thought to your husband, wherever and whenever in total space and intotal time he may be.If it can be done, you can do it.You alone of all the entities inexistence can do it.I can neither help you nor guide you in your quest; but by virtue ofour relationship to him whom we are seeking, your oneness with him, you will requireneither help nor guidance.My part will be to follow you and to construct the means ofhis return; but the real labor is and must be yours alone.Take a moment, therefore, toprepare yourself against the effort, for it will not be small.Gather your resources,daughter; assemble all your forces and your every power."They watched Clarrissa, in her distant room, throw herself prone upon her bed.She closed her eyes, buried her nose in the counterpane, and gripped a side-railfiercely in each hand."Can't we help, too?" The Five implored, as one."I do not know." Mentor's thought was as passionless as the voice of Fate."Iknow of no force at your disposal which can affect in any way that which is to happen.Since I do not know the full measure of your powers, however, it would be well for youto accompany us, keeping yourselves alert to take instant advantage of any opportunityto be of aid.Are you ready, daughter Clarrissa?""I am ready," and the Red Lensman launched her thought
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
