Page:Fantastic Universe (1956-10; vol. 8, no. 3).djvu/29

46 George. "Know cities and ways of men."

He was just an ordinary tourist at heart, George decided. With his mission accomplished, he wanted to get out and see the sights. And then it hit George like an inspiration just what sights to show him.

He spent a number of days giving the Ragalian a background of Earth's history, pointing up the epic rise of man from the caves to the seas and plains and valleys. He told how mankind has spread and conquered the Earth.

He took his guest to museums that showed tangible evidence of this conquest. He took him to the great power plants and manufacturing centers and showed him the vast cities that were spread out upon the surface of the Earth. He spent two months on a world tour—at company expense.

In London, he got a blistering communication from Hugh Wilkinson, wanting to know if he'd completely lost his mind. In Egypt, where they'd gone to see the pyramids, he got one informing him that he'd be taken into custody by agents of the local constabulary unless he returned at once. He and Sleth Forander took off immediately for India, where they lost themselves for a week.

In the end he refused all communications from Wilkinson and was aware that agents were on his trail. It was difficult eluding them with so conspicuous a figure as the Ragalian in tow, but somehow he managed. When he finally returned home, he observed, from the craft in which they were flying over the city, that sixteen finished hulls were lined up in the Wilkinson yard. The others would be coming out at a fast rate now, he knew. It

was time to take some action. Again, Sleth Eorander obligingly provided the cue. He hadn't yet reported to Hugh, and he and Sleth were seated in the latter's quarters, provided by the government for such as he. George was encased in a protective suit and Sleth was standing by the window looking out.

"Earth wonderful place," he said with a pensiveness that seemed to come through clearly over the translator. "Men great conquerors. Always move up, change world, space—other worlds. My people—we fail. Ten thousand generations same.

"All worlds we see, all creatures visit us—we like Earthmen best. We most like be Earthmen. Why we buy Earth ships."

George took a deep breath and felt the slightly stale air of his tanks filling his lungs. This was it. This was the time to blast. And if he misfired, Wilkinson Spacecraft was a dead duck.

"You can't make yourselves like Earthmen just by buying Earth ships," he said.

"Know that—" Sleth Forander said, turning from the window. There seemed to be a sense of wistful apology in his voice. "So many