To The Stars

Lee bent and picked up a box that had been out of sight beside the door, and brought it in with him. Jan busied himself with boiling water from the kitchen tap, hotting the pot, then adding tea leaves to brew. He waited for Lee to talk first. Lee was a quiet man with a mind like one of his own printed circuits. Thought was processed back and forth, emerging only after a measured period of time, complete and final.

“You are from Earth,” he finally said.

“I think that is a pretty well known fact. Milk?”

“Thank you. On Earth, I understand, there are many levels of society, not just a single population as we have here?”

“You might say that. It’s a varied society; you’ve seen a lot of it on the programs from Earth. People have different jobs, live in different countries. Lots of variety.”

Lee’s forehead had a fine beading of sweat; he was disturbed, uncomfortable. Jan shook his head wearily and wondered just where this was all leading.

“Are there criminals, too?” Lee asked, and Jan was suddenly very much awake.

Careful, Jan thought, be very careful. Don’t say too much; don’t commit yourself.

“There probably must be some. There are police after all. Why do you ask?”

“Have you ever known criminals, or people who have broken the law?”

Jan could not stay quiet. He was too tired, his nerves rubbed too raw.

“Are you a narkman? Is that your job here?” His voice flat and cold. Lee raised his eyebrows but his expression did not change.

“Me? No, of course not. Why should I send reports to off-world police about things that happen on Halvmork?”

You’ve given yourself away there, my boy, Jan thought. When he spoke again he was as cool as the other.

“If you’re not a narkman, how do you know what the term means? It’s an earthy slang term that is not in good repute. It mocks authority. I’ve never seen it on a 3V tape or read it in a book approved for use on this world.”

Lee was uncomfortable now, wringing his hands together slowly, his tea forgotten. He spoke reluctantly, yet when he did it all came out in a rush.

“You could tell, of course, you know about these things. You know what Earth, other places are like. I have long wanted to talk to you about it but thought it would be an affront. You have never talked, yourself, you must have good reasons. That is why I am here tonight. Hear me out, please, do not tell me to leave yet. I mean no insult. But — your presence here — the fact you have stayed all these years means, perhaps, you cannot leave. Yet I know you are an honest man, one of good will. I do not think you are a narkman. It is a thing you would not do. If you are not that, then you are no criminal, no, but, you… well, perhaps…”

His voice trailed away; these things were no easier to talk about here than they were back on Earth.

“You mean that even if I am not a criminal I must be on this planet for some reason?” Lee nodded rapidly. “Is there any reason why I should talk to you about it? It is really none of your business.”

“I know,” Lee said desperately. “I should not ask you, I am sorry. But it is very important to me…”

“Important to me, too. I could get into trouble talking to you — get you into difficulties, too. Don’t let anything I tell you go any further

“I won’t — I promise!”

“Then, yes, I was in trouble with the authorities. I was sent here as punishment of a kind. And I can live here as you see me as long as I don’t make any waves. Such as telling you things like this.”

“I don’t mean to ask — but I must. I had to know. There is something I must tell you. I am taking a chance, but I feel that the odds are right. I must tell you or give up everything — and that is something that I could not bear.” Lee straightened up and lifted his face as though waiting for a blow. “I have broken the law.”

“Well, good for you. You are probably the only one on this primitive planet with the nerve to do it.”

Lee gaped. “This does not bother you?”

“Not in the slightest. If anything, I admire you for it. What have you done that bothers you so?”

Lee lifted the flap of his jacket pocket and took out something small and black, and passed it to Jan. It was thin and rectangular and had a row of tiny studs along one edge. “Press the second one,” he said. Jan did, and quiet music poured out.

“I made it myself, my own design, but with parts from supply. Not enough for anyone to ever notice. Instead of tape I use a digital memory store on a molecular level, that is why it can be so small. It will record music, books, anything, with perhaps a thousand hours easily accessible.”

“This is very good, but not what I would call a criminal act. Since the first man worked on the first machine, I imagine mechanics have been using bits and pieces for their own ends. The amount of materials you have used will neither be heeded nor missed, and I do admire your design. I don’t think you can call this breaking the law.”