The Gods Themselves

"In what way would their interests differ from ours? She has helped me without reservation."

Gottstein shifted position and moved his shoulders as though he were going through muscle-pulling exercises. He said, "Dr. Neville must know that a woman so close to himself is an Intuitionist. Wouldn't he use her? Why would she remain a tourist guide, if not to mask her abilities-for a purpose."

"I understand Dr. Neville frequently reasons in this fashion. I find it difficult to suspect unnecessary conspiracies."

"How do you know they are unnecessary… When my space-skipper was hovering over the Moon's surface just before the ball of radiation formed over your equipment, I was looking down at you. You were not at the Pionizer."

Denison thought back. "No, I wasn't I was looking at the stars; rather a tendency of mine on the surface."

"What was Miss Lindstrom doing?"

"I didn't see. She said she strengthened the magnetic field and the leak finally broke through."

"Is it customary for her to manipulate the equipment without you?"

"No. But I can understand the impulse."

"And would there have been some sort of an ejection?"

"I don't understand you."

"I'm not sure I understand myself. There was a dim sparkle in the Earthlight, as though something was flying through the air. I don't know what."

"I don't either," said Denison.

"You can't think of anything that might naturally have to do with the experiment that-"

"No."

'Then what was Miss Lindstrom doing?"

"I still don't know."

For a moment, the silence was heavy between them. Then the Commissioner said, "As I see it then, you will try to correct the leak-instability and will be thinking about the preparation of a paper. I will get matters into motion at the other end and on my shortly forthcoming visit to Earth will make arrangements to have the paper published and will alert the government."

It was a clear dismissal. Denison rose and the Commissioner said easily, "And think about Dr. Neville and Miss Lindstrom."

17

It was a heavier star of radiation, a fatter one, a brighter one. Denison could feel its warmth on his faceplate, and backed away. There was a distinct x-ray component in the radiation and though this shielding should take care of that there was no point in placing it under a strain.

"I guess we can't question it," he muttered. "The leak-point is stable."

"I'm sure of it," said Selene, flatly.

"Then let's turn it off and go back to the city."

They moved slowly and Denison felt oddly dispirited. There was no uncertainty any more; no excitement. From this point on, there was no chance of failure. The government was interested; more and more, it would be out of his own hands.

He said, "I suppose I can begin the paper now."

"I suppose so," said Selene, carefully.

"Have you talked to Barren again?"

"Yes, I have,"

"Any difference in his attitude?"

"None at all. He will not participate. Ben-"

"Yes?"

"I really don't think it's any use talking to him. He will not cooperate in any project with the Earth government"

"But you've explained the situation?"

"Completely."

"And he still won't."

"He's asked to see Gottstein, and the Commissioner agreed to an interview after he returns from his Earth visit Well have to wait till then. Maybe Gottstein can have some effect on him, but I doubt it."

Denison shrugged, a useless maneuver inside his space-suit. "I don't understand him."

"I do," said Selene, softly.

Denison did not respond directly. He shoved the Pionizer and its attendant apparatus into its rocky shelter and said, "Ready?"

"Ready."

They slipped into the surface entrance at Outlet P-4 in silence and Denison climbed down the entry ladder. Selene dropped past him, braking in quick holds at individual rungs. Denison had learned to do that, but he was dispirited and climbed down in a kind of rebellious refusal to accept acclimation.

They removed their suits in the staging areas, placed them in their lockers. Denison said, "Would you join me for lunch, Selene?"

Selene said uneasily, "You seem upset. Is something wrong?"

"Reaction, I think. Lunch?"

"Yes, of course."

They ate in Selene's quarters. She insisted, saying, "I want to talk to you and I can't do it properly in. the cafeteria."

And when Denison was chewing slowly at something that had a faint resemblance to peanut-flavored veal, she said, "Ben, you haven't said a word, and you've been like this for a week."

"No, I haven't," said Denison, frowning.

"Yes, you have." She looked into his eyes with concern. "I'm not sure how good my intuition is outside physics, but I suppose there's something you don't want to tell me."

Denison shrugged. "They're making a fuss about all this back on Earth. Gottstein has been pulling at strings as tough as cables in advance of his trip back. Dr. Lament is being lionized, and they want me to come back once the paper is written."

"Back to Earth?"

"Yes. It seems I'm a hero, too."

"You should be."