Page:Fantastic Universe (1956-10; vol. 8, no. 3).djvu/81

Rh "A bleak philosophy," Graut said.

Dr. Walstab corrected: "A quite erroneous philosophy."

"Short of proof, either way," Peters smiled, "a matter of opinion."

He turned to the fourth man. "Jaguers, you were with me in that crash on the dark star belt last fall. We came out by a miracle. As a Class A. Spectrology Expert—in fact, so good that Professor Graut had you seconded to operate the screenings here on E.S.P." Seven—did you, in those moments of expected dissolution, touch anything—anything at all—outside the envelope of normal existence?"

"Can't I say I did, sir," Jaguers said. His round but keen face wore a slight bewilderment. "All I did was to wonder how long my pressurizer would hold out, and what they'd be having for supper in the mess I'd be missing that night."

"Well, there you are," The Ace Commander said triumphantly.

"One man's reactions," Graut said.

Dr. Walstab was frowning.

"You know, Graut, it's rather peculiar. I never noticed it before. E.S.P. Seven."

The Ace Commander stared at him.

"What's wrong with it?"

Graut, aware of the doctor's sudden concentration, spoke for him. "Nothing at all. As a matter of fact, I noticed it for myself as soon as you spoke. E.S.P. Earth Space Platform. But the initials also stand for Extra Sensory Perception, Dr. Walstab's particular study."

"Coincidence, of course."

"Doubtless," Dr. Walstab said, coming out of his abstraction. "It touched a trigger in my mind somewhere, all the same. Well, no matter."

Professor Graut said evenly: "On the contrary. You're new here, Walstab, and I know you've been wondering just how you fit in a practical setup like Platform Seven. I'm not sure myself, but for a long time I've been considering the chances of a mental link-up with the work here. Screen searching, space exploration we need something to go with them, something that might be able to tune in with the Infinite itself. I express myself awkwardly, since I'm Still groping. But I think you know what I'd be at. So I got you along "

"I see," Walstab said thoughtfully. "You think E.S.P.—my E.S.P. can touch more deeply than even the cosmic rays?"

"Because, impinging from without our cosmic pattern, instead of from within, as I have said, they are not subject to three dimensional restrictions. Exactly. I'm afraid you don't look very sympathetic, Jaguers?"

"Not in my line of country, sir. I believe in things I can see, hear and touch. Results I mean, of course, proved results. I don't see how it's possible to prove telepathy."