Rocket to Limbo

The woman and one of the men who had met Lars at the gate had suddenly appeared at the door to their quarters. It was the first Lars had seen of them since he had arrived, but now he felt a much different kind of apprehension than he had then. At least, he thought, I’m rested and fresh now. They won’t catch me off guard.

They picked it up, and glanced gravely at each other. The woman shook her head. We are glad you are rested hut you must not fight us. There is much you must learn.

What must I learn? Lars shot at them.

We must teach you what the Masters taught us, of course. She shook her head again, cutting off the question rising to his lips. Come. We will work out here.

It was the strangest kind of lesson Lars had ever had in his life. They placed him before one of the gray viewscreens, but they did not activate it at first. Almost at once he felt their probing thought-fingers in his mind. First you must understand that there is no harm, no pain. We will not hurt you. It was the woman, who seemed to have taken charge, with the man merely observing.

Lars felt his muscles grow tense. What are you going to do?

There is nothing we can do but enter your mind and guide you. It is you who must do the work. She was gentle, but Lars could sense the unyielding firmness behind the gentleness.

What work? What do you want me to do?

The City-people looked at each other helplessly. Lars caught a drift of thought from the woman: He doesn’t understand. How can we—

There must be a way, somehow.

When the thoughts were not directed at him, Lars received only a drift; but when they addressed him directly he understood them faultlessly. He realized with a start that he was almost getting used to this silent communication. It was like conversing with a deaf-mute .boy he had known years before. The lad could read lips, but could not hear a sound. It had not taken Lars long to learn to speak to him soundlessly, forming his words carefully with his lips only. And now, similarly, he was forming his words in thoughts only.

The City-people had turned to him once again, and this time he felt a shock as they probed deeply, searching the farthest reaches of his mind. He had an eerie feeling, almost like nausea, for a moment; it was like the first downward lurch of an elevator, or the initial shock of free-fall in space, not exactly unpleasant, yet unsettling. But now, suddenly he noticed that the viewscreen was glowing faintly! The City-people glanced at each other excitedly, urging him on, but his mind rebelled. He felt himself jerk up like a tightly-reined horse.

No, no! It was the woman, urgent, appealing. Let yourself go.

He relaxed for a moment, felt himself breaking free of control again, but this time he was prepared and reined himself in sharply, fighting down the weird sensation.

No, no, please. You must help us, not fight us.

But I don’t like it. I cant let myself go. Lars felt the half-nausea again, and it seemed as though his whole body was drained of strength. I don’t like it.

But there is no harm.

I still don’t like it. Lars felt trapped, helpless against the power of these two minds. What are you trying to do? What is the purpose of this?

Amazement from the woman, as though he had suddenly slapped her face. To teach you, of course. We don’t want to frighten you.

Teach me what?

It was full circle again. The woman and man exchanged

grim glances. The same as with the other one. Blocking, fighting, trying his best to avoid—

It frightens him. This from the woman. Can it be that they don’t know?

They must know. They couldn’t help but know.

Once again Lars caught the impression of “the Masters” strong in the minds of the City-people. The impression of a very real entity, yet it took no recognizable shape in Lars’ mind. He groped, trying to catch the impression, but the woman shook her head. You are tired. That is enough for today. Tomorrow we will try again.