E. E. Doc Smith - Lensman 1 - Triplanetary

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TRIPLANETARY
E. E. Doc Smith
First serialized in “ASTOUNDING,” Sep ‘37 - Feb ‘38;
First book, Fantasy Press hardbound, 1950
CONTENTS
BOOK ONE.3
CHAPTER 1 - ARISIA AND EDDORE.4
CHAPTER 2 - THE FALL Of ATLANTIS.10
CHAPTER 3 - THE FALL OF ROME.24
BOOK TWO..34
CHAPTER 4 – 1918.35
CHAPTER 5 – 1941.43
CHAPTER 6 - 19-?.56
BOOK THREE.64
CHAPTER 7 - PIRATES OF SPACE.65
CHAPTER 8 - IN ROGERS PLANETOID..76
CHAPTER 9 - FLEET AGAINST PLANETOID..87
CHAPTER 10 - WITHIN THE RED VEIL.94
CHAPTER 11 - NEVIAN STRIFE.105
CHAPTER 12 - WORM, SUBMARINE, AND FREEDOM...116
CHAPTER 13 - THE HILL.120
CHAPTER 14 - THE SUPER-SHIP IS LAUNCHED..128
CHAPTER 15 – SPECIMENS.135
CHAPTER 16 - SUPER-SHIP IN ACTION..138
CHAPTER 17 - ROGER CARRIES ON..147
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CHAPTER 18 - THE SPECIMENS ESCAPE.159
CHAPTER 19 - GIANTS MEET..170
BOOK ONE
DAWN
CHAPTER 1 - ARISIA AND EDDORE
Two thousand million or so years ago two galaxies were colliding; or, rather; were passing through each
other. A couple of hundreds of millions of years either way do not matter, since at least that much time
was required for the inter-passage. At about that same time-within the same plus or minus ten percent
margin of error, it is believed practically all of the suns of both those galaxies became possessed of
planets.
There is much evidence to support the belief that it was not merely a coincidence that so many planets
came into being at about the same time as the galactic inter- passage. Another school of thought holds
that it was pure coincidence; that all suns have planets as naturally and as inevitably as cats have kittens.
Be that as it may, Arisian records are clear upon the point that before the two galaxies began to
coalesce, there were never more than three solar systems present in either; and usually only one. Thus,
when the sun of the planet upon which their race originated grew old and cool, the Arisians were hard put
to it to preserve their culture, since they had to work against time in solving the engineering problems
associated with moving a planet from an older to a younger sun.
Since nothing material was destroyed when the Eddorians were forced into the next plane of existence,
their historical records also have become available. Those records-folios and tapes and playable discs of
platinum alloy, resistant indefinitely even to Eddore’s noxious atmosphere agree with those of the Arisians
upon this point.
Immediately before the Coalescence began there was one, and only one, planetary solar system in the
Second Galaxy; and, until the advent of Eddore, the Second Galaxy was entirely devoid of intelligent life.
Thus for millions upon untold millions of years the two races, each the sole intelligent life of a galaxy,
perhaps of an entire space-time continuum, remained completely in ignorance of each other. Both were
already ancient at the time of the Coalescence. The only other respect in which the two were similar,
however, was in the possession of minds of power.
Since Arisia was Earth-like in composition, atmosphere, and climate, the Arisians were at that time
distinctly humanoid. The Eddorians were not. Eddore was and is large and dense; its liquid a poisonous,
sludgy syrup; its atmosphere a foul and corrosive fog.
Eddore was and is unique; so different from any other world of either galaxy that its very existence was
inexplicable until its own records revealed the fact that it did not originate in normal space-time at all, but
came to our universe from some aliens and horribly different other.
As differed the planets, so differed the peoples. The Arisians went through the usual stages of savagery
and barbarism on they way to Civilization. The Age of Stone.
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The Ages of Bronze, of Iron, of Steel, and of Electricity. Indeed, it is probable that it is because the
Arisians went through these various stages that all subsequent Civilizations have done so, since the spores
which burgeoned into life upon the cooling surfaces, of all the planets of the commingling galaxies were
Arisian, not Eddorian, in origin. Eddorian spores, while undoubtedly present, must have been so alien that
they could not develop in any one of the environments, widely variant although they are, existing naturally
or coming naturally into being in. normal space and time.
The Arisians - especially after atomic energy freed them from physical labor- devoted themselves more
and ever more intensively to the exploration of the limitless possibilities of the mind.
Even before the Coalescence, then, the Arisians had need neither of space- ships nor of telescopes. By
power of mind alone they watched the lenticular aggregation of stars which was much later to be known
to Tellurian astronomers as Lundmark’s Nebula approach their own galaxy. They observed attentively
and minutely and with high elation the occurrence. of mathematical impossibility; for the chance of two
galaxies ever meeting in direct, central, equatorial-plane impact and of passing completely through each
other is an infinitesimal of such a high order as to be, even mathematically, practically indistinguishable
from zero.
They observed the birth of numberless planets, recording minutely in their perfect memories every detail
of everything that happened; in the hope that, as ages passed, either they or their decedents would be
able to develop a symbology and a methodology capable of explaining the then inexplicable
phenomenon. Carefree, busy, absorbedly intent, the Arisian mentalities roamed throughout space-until
one of them struck an Eddorian mind.
* * *
While any Eddorian-could, if it chose, assume the form of a man, they were in no sense man-like. Nor,
since the term implies a softness and a lack of organization, can they be described as being amoeboid.
They were both versatile and variant. Each Eddorian changed, not only its shape, but also its texture, in
accordance with the requirements of the moment. Each produced extruded members whenever and
wherever it needed them; members uniquely appropriate to the task then in work. If hardness was
indicated, the members were hard; if softness, they were soft. Small or large, rigid or -flexible; joined or
tentacular - all one. Filaments or cables; fingers or feet; needles or mauls - equally simple. One thought
and the body fitted the job.
They were asexual: sexless to a degree unapproached by any form of Tellurian life higher than the yeasts.
They were not merely hermaphroditic, nor androgynous, nor parthenogenetic. They were completely
without sex. They were also, to all intents and purposes and except for death by violence, immortal. For
each Eddorian, as its mind approached the stagnation of saturation after a lifetime of millions of years,
simply divided into two new-old beings. New in capacity and in zest; old in ability and in, power, since
each of the two “children” possessed in toto the knowledge and the memories of their one “parent”.
And if it is difficult to describe in words the physical aspects of the Eddorians, it is virtually impossible to
write or to draw, in any symbology of Civilization, a true picture of an Eddorian’s - any Eddorian’s mind.
They were intolerant, domineering, rapacious, insatiable, cold, callous, and brutal. They were keen,
capable, persevering, analytical, and efficient. They had no trace of any of the softer emotions or
sensibilities possessed by races adherent to Civilization. No Eddorian ever had anything even remotely
resembling a sense of humor.
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While not essentially bloodthirsty-that is, not loving bloodshed for its own sweet sake-they were no
more averse to blood-letting than they were in favor of it. Any amount of killing which would or which
might advance an Eddorian toward his goal was commendable; useless slaughter was frowned upon, not
because it was slaughter, but because it was useless and hence inefficient.
And, instead of the multiplicity of goals sought by the various entities of any race of Civilization, each and
every Eddorian had only one. The same one: power. Power! P- O-W-E-R!!
Since Eddore was peopled originally by various races, perhaps as similar to each other as are the
various human races of Earth, it is understandable that the early history of the planet while it was still in its
own space, that is, was one of continuous and ages-long war. And, since war always was and probably
always will be linked solidly to technological advancement, the race now known simply as “The
Eddorians” became technologists supreme. All other races disappeared. So did all other forms of life,
however lowly, which interfered in any way with the Masters of the Planet.
Then, all racial opposition liquidated and overmastering lust as unquenched as ever, the surviving
Eddorians fought among themselves: “push-button” wars employing engines of destruction against which
the only possible defense was a fantastic thickness of planetary bed-rock.
Finally, unable either to kill or to enslave each other, the comparatively few survivors made a peace of
sorts. Since their own space was practically barren of planetary systems, they would move their planet
from space to space until they found one which so teemed with planets that each living Eddorian could
become the sole Master of an ever increasing number of worlds. This was a program very much
worthwhile, promising as it did an outlet for even the recognizedly insatiable Eddorian craving for power.
Therefore the Eddorians, for the first time in their prodigiously long history of fanatical non-cooperation,
decided to pool their resources of mind and of material and to work as a group.
Union of a sort was accomplished eventually; neither peaceably nor without highly lethal friction. They
knew that a democracy, by its very nature, was inefficient; hence a democratic form of government was
not even considered. An efficient government must of necessity be dictatorial. Nor were they all exactly
alike or of exactly equal ability; perfect identity of any two such complex structures was in fact
impossible, and any difference, however slight, was ample justification for stratification in such a society
as theirs.
Thus one of them, fractionally more powerful and more ruthless than the rest, became the
All-Highest-His Ultimate Supremacy-and a group of about a dozen others, only infinitesimally weaker,
became his Council; a cabinet which was later to become known as the Innermost Circle. The tally of this
cabinet varied somewhat from age to age; increasing by one when a member divided, decreasing by one
when a jealous fellow or an envious underling managed to perpetrate a successful assassination.
And thus, at long last, the Eddorians began really to work together. There resulted, among other things,
the hyper-spatial tube and the fully inertialess drive - the drive which was, millions of years later, to be
given to Civilization by an Arisian operating under the name of Bergenholm. Another result, which
occurred shortly after the galactic interpassage had begun, was the eruption into normal space of the
planet Eddore.
“I must now decide whether to make this space our permanent headquarters or to search farther,” the
All-Highest radiated harshly to his Council. “On the one hand, it will take some time for even those
planets which have already formed to cool. Still more will be required far life to develop sufficiently to
form a part of the empire which we have planned or to occupy our abilities to any great degree. On the
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other, we have already spent millions of years in surveying hundreds of millions of continua, without
having found anywhere such a profusion of planets as will, in all probability, soon fill both of these
galaxies. There may also be certain advantages inherent in the fact that these planets are not yet
populated. As life develops, we can mold it as we please.
Krongenes, what are your findings in regard to the planetary possibilities of other spaces?”
The term “Krongenes” was not, in the accepted sense, a name. Or, rather, it was more than a name. It
was a key thought, in mental shorthand - a condensation and abbreviation of the life-pattern or ego of
that particular Eddorian.
“Not at all promising, Your Supremacy,” Krongenes replied promptly. “No space within reach of my
instruments has more than a small fraction of the inhabitable worlds which will presently exist in this one.”
“Very well. Have any of you others any valid objections to the establishment of our empire here in this
space? If so, give me your thought now.”
No objecting thoughts appeared, since none of the monsters then knew anything of Arisia or of the
Arisians. Indeed, even if they had known, it is highly improbable , that any objection would have been
raised. First, because no Eddorian, from the All-Highest down, could conceive or would under any
circumstances admit that any race, anywhere, had ever approached or ever would approach the
Eddorians in any quality whatever; and second, because, as is routine in all dictatorships, disagreement
with the All-Highest did not operate to lengthen the span of life.
“Very well. We will now confer as to . . . but hold! That thought is not one of ours!
Who are you, stranger, to dare to intrude thus upon a conference of the Innermost Circle?”
“I am Enphilistor, a younger student, of the planet Arisia.” This name; too, was a symbol. Nor was the
young Arisian yet a Watchman, as he and so many of his fellows were so soon to become, for before
Eddore’s arrival Arisia had no need of Watchmen.
“I am not intruding, as you know. I have not touched any one of your minds; have not read any one of
your thoughts. I have been waiting for you to notice my presence, so that we could become acquainted
with each other. A surprising development, truly-we have thought for many cycles of time that we were
the only highly advanced life in this universe . . .”
“Be silent, worm, in the presence of the Masters. Land your ship and surrender, and your planet will be
allowed to serve us. Refuse, or even hesitate, and every individual of your race shall die.”
“Worm? Masters? Land my ship?” The young Arisian’s thought was pure curiosity, with no tinge of fear,
dismay, or awe. “Surrender? Serve you? I seem to be receiving your thought without ambiguity, but your
meaning is entirely . . .”
“Address me as ‘Your Supremacy’,” the All-Highest directed, coldly. “Land now or die now - this is
your last warning.”
“Your Supremacy? Certainly, if that is the customary form. But as to landing - and warning - and dying -
surely you do not think that I am present in the flesh? And can it be possible that you are actually so
aberrant as to believe that you can kill me - or even the youngest Arisian infant? What a peculiar - what
an extraordinary-psychology!”
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“Die, then, worm, if you must have it so!” the All-Highest snarled, and launched a mental bolt whose
energies were calculated to slay any living thing.
Enphilistor, however, parried the vicious attack without apparent effort. His manner did not change. He
did not strike back.
The Eddorian then drove in with an analyzing probe, only to be surprised again - the Arisian’s thought
could not be traced! And Enphilistor, while warding off the raging Eddorian, directed a quiet thought as
though he were addressing someone close by his side “Come in, please, one or more of the Elders: There
is a situation here which I am not qualified to handle.”
“We, the Elders of Arisia in fusion, are here.” A grave, deeply resonant pseudo- voice filled the
Eddorians’ minds; each perceived in three-dimensional fidelity an aged, white bearded human face. “You
of Eddore have been expected. The course of action which we must take has been determined long
since. You will forget this incident completely. For cycles upon cycles of time to come no Eddorian shall
know that we Arisians exist.”
Even before the thought was issued the fused Elders had gone quietly and smoothly to work. The
Eddorians forgot utterly the incident which had just happened.
Not one of them retained in his conscious mind any inkling that Eddore did not, possess the only
intelligent life in space.
* * *
And upon distant Arisia a full meeting of minds was held.
“But why didn’t you simply kill them?” Enphilistor asked. “Such action would be distasteful in the
extreme, of course - almost impossible - but even I can perceive. . . “
He paused, overcome by his thought.
“That which you perceive, youth, is but a very small fraction of the whole. We did not attempt to slay
them because we could not have done so. Not because of squeamishness, as you intimate, but from
sheer inability. The Eddorian tenacity of life is a thing far beyond your present understanding; to have
attempted to kill them would have rendered it impossible to make them forget us. We must have time . . .
cycles and cycles of time.” The fusion broke off, pondered for minutes, then addressed the group as a
whole: “We, the Elder Thinkers, have not shared fully with you our visualization of the Cosmic All,
because until the Eddorians actually appeared there was always the possibility that our findings might
have been in error. Now, however, there is no doubt.
The Civilization which has been pictured as developing peacefully upon all the teeming planets of two
galaxies will not now of itself come into being. We of Arisia should be able to bring it eventually to full
fruition, but the task will be long and difficult.
“The Eddorians’ minds are of tremendous latent power. Were they to know of us now, it is practically
certain that they would be able to develop powers and mechanisms by the use of which they would
negate our every effort - they would hurl us out of this, our native space and time. We must have time . . .
given time, we shall succeed. There shall be Lenses . . . and entities of Civilization worthy in every
respect to wear them. But we of Arisia alone will never be able to conquer the Eddorians. Indeed, while
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this is not yet certain, the probability is exceedingly great that despite our utmost efforts at self-
development our descendants will have to breed, from some people to evolve upon a planet not yet in
existence, an entirely new race a race tremendously more capable than ours - to succeed us as
Guardians of Civilization.”
Centuries passed. Millennia, Cosmic and geologic ages. Planets cooled to solidity and stability. Life
formed and grew and developed. And as life evolved it was subjected to, and strongly if subtly affected
by, the diametrically opposed forces of Arisia and Eddore.
CHAPTER 2 - THE FALL Of ATLANTIS
1. EDDORE “Members of the innermost circle, wherever you are and whatever you may be
doing, tune in!” the All-Highest broadcast. “Analysis of the data furnished by the survey just completed
shows that in general the Great Plan is progressing satisfactorily. There seem to be only four planets
which our delegates have not been or may not be able to control properly: Sol III, Rigel IV, Velantia III,
and Palain VII. All four, you will observe, are in the other galaxy. No trouble whatever has developed in
our own.
“Of these four, the first requires drastic and immediate personal attention. Its people, in the brief interval
since our previous general survey, have developed nuclear energy and have fallen into a cultural pattern
which does not conform in any respect to the basic principles laid down by us long since. Our deputies
there, thinking erroneously that they could handle matters without reporting fully to or calling for help
upon the next higher operating echelon, must be disciplined sharply. Failure, from whatever cause, can
not be tolerated.
“Gharlane, as Master Number Two, you will assume control of Sol III immediately. This Circle now
authorizes and instructs you to take whatever steps may prove necessary to restore order upon that
planet. Examine carefully this data concerning the other three worlds which may very shortly become
troublesome. Is it your thought that one or more others of this Circle should be assigned to work with
you, to be sure that these untoward developments are suppressed?”
“It is not, Your Supremacy,” that worthy decided, after a time of study. “Since the peoples in question
are as yet of low intelligence; since one form of flesh at a time is all that will have to be energized; and
since the techniques will be essentially similar; I can handle all four more efficiently alone than with the
help or cooperation of others. If I read this data correctly, there will be need of only the most elementary
precaution in the employment of mental force, since of the four races, only the Velantians have even a
rudimentary knowledge of its uses. Right?”
“We so read the data.” Surprisingly enough, the Innermost Circle agreed unanimously.
“Go, then. When finished, report in full.”
“I go, All-Highest. I shall render a complete and conclusive report.”
2. ARISIA “We, the Elder Thinkers in fusion, are spreading in public view, for study and full
discussion, a visualization of the relationships existing and to exist between Civilization and its
irreconcilable and implacable foe. Several - of our younger members, particularly Eukonidor, who has
just attained Watchmanship, have requested instruction in this matter. Being as yet immature, their
visualizations do not show clearly why Nedanillor, Kriedigan, Drounli, and Brolenteen, either singly or in
fusion, have in the past performed certain acts and have not performed certain others; or that the future
actions of those Moulders of Civilization will be similarly constrained.
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“This visualization, while more complex, more complete, and more detailed than the one set up by our
forefathers at the time of the Coalescence, agrees with it in every essential. The five basics remain
unchanged. First: the Eddorians can be overcome only by mental force. Second: the magnitude of the
required force is such that its only possible generator is such an organization as the Galactic Patrol
toward which we have been and are working. Third: since no Arisian or any fusion of Arisians will ever
be able to spear-head that force, it was and is necessary to develop a race of mentality sufficient to
perform that task. Fourth: this new race, having been instrumental: in removing the menace of Eddore,
will as a matter of course displace the Arisians as Guardians of Civilization. Fifth: the Eddorians must not
become informed of us until such a time as it will be physically, mathematically impossible for them to
construct any effective counter-devices.”
“A cheerless outlook; truly,” came a somber thought.
“Not so, daughter. A little reflection will show you that your present thinking is loose and turbid. When
that time comes, every Arisian will be ready for the change. We know the way. We do not know to what
that way leads; but the Arisian purpose in this phase of existence - this space-time: continuum - will have
been fulfilled and we will go eagerly and joyfully on to the next. Are there any more questions?”.
There were none.
“Study this material, then, each of you, with exceeding care. It may be that some one of you, even a
child, Will perceive some facet of the truth which we have missed or have not examined fully; some fact
or implication which may be made to operate to shorten the time of conflict or to lessen the number of
budding Civilizations whose destruction seems to us at present to be sheerly unavoidable.”
Hours passed. Days. No criticisms or suggestions were-offered.
“We take it, then; that this visualization is the fullest and most accurate one possible for the massed
intellect of Arisia to construct from the information available at the moment. The Moulders therefore, after
describing briefly what they have already done, will inform us as to what they deem it necessary to do in
the near future.”
“We have observed, and at times have guided, the evolution of intelligent life upon many planets,” the
fusion began. “We have, to the best of our ability, directed the energies of these entities into the channels
of Civilization; we have adhered consistently to the policy of steering as many different races as possible
toward the intellectual level necessary for the effective use of the Lens, without which the proposed
Galactic Patrol cannot come into being.
“For many cycles of time we have been working as individuals with the four strongest races, from one of
which will be developed the people who will one day replace us as Guardians of Civilization. Blood lines
have been established. We have encouraged matings which concentrate traits of strength and dissipate
those of weakness. While no very great departure from the norm, either physically or mentally, will take
place until after the penultimates have been allowed to meet and to mate, a definite general improvement
of each race has been unavoidable.
“”Thus the Eddorians have already interested themselves in our budding Civilization upon the planet
Tellus, and it is inevitable that they will very shortly interfere with our work upon the other three. These
four young Civilizations must be allowed to fall. It is to warn every Arisian against well meant but
inconsidered action that this conference was called. We ourselves will operate through forms of flesh of
no higher intelligence than, and indistinguishable from, the natives of the planets affected. No traceable
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connection will exist between those forms and us. No other Arisians will operate within extreme range of
any one of those four planets; they will from now on be given the same status as has been so long
accorded Eddore itself. The Eddorians must not learn of us until after it is too late for them to act
effectively upon that knowledge.
Any chance bit of information obtained by any Eddorian must be obliterated at once. It is to guard
against and to negate such accidental disclosures that our Watchmen have been trained.”
“But if all of our Civilizations go down . . .” Eukonidor began to protest.
“Study will show you, youth, that the general level of mind, and hence of strength, is rising,” the fused
Elders interrupted. “The trend is ever upward; each peak and valley being higher than its predecessor.
When the indicated level has been reached - the level at which the efficient use of the Lens will become
possible we will not only allow ourselves to become known to them; we will engage them at every
point.”
“One factor remains obscure.” A Thinker broke the ensuing silence. “In this visualization I do not
perceive anything to preclude the possibility that the Eddorians may at any time visualize us. Granted that
the Elders of long ago did not merely visualize the Eddorians, but perceived them in timespace surveys;
that they and subsequent Elders were able to maintain the status quo; and that the Eddorian way of
thought is essentially mechanistic, rather than philosophic, in nature. There is still a possibility that the
enemy may be able to deduce us by processes of logic alone. This thought is particularly disturbing to me
at the present time because a rigid statistical analysis of the occurrences upon those four planets shows
that they cannot possibly have been due to chance. With such an analysis as a starting point, a mind of
even moderate ability could visualize us practically in toto. I assume, however, that this possibility has
been taken into consideration, and suggest that the membership be informed.”
“The point is well taken. The possibility exists. While the probability is very great that such an analysis
will not be made until after we have declared ourselves, it is not a certainty. Immediately upon deducing
our existence, however, the Eddorians would begin to build against us, upon the four planets and
elsewhere. Since there is only one effective counter-structure possible, and since we Elders have long
been alert to detect the first indications of that particular activity, we know that the situation remains
unchanged. If it changes, we will call at once another full meeting of minds. Are there any other matters of
moment? . . . If not, this conference will dissolve.”
3. ATLANTIS Ariponides, recently elected Faros of Atlantis for his third five-year term, stood
at a window of his office atop the towering Farostery. His hands were clasped loosely behind his back.
He did not really see the tremendous expanse of quiet ocean, nor the bustling harbor, nor the metropolis
spread out so magnificently and so busily beneath him. He stood there, motionless, until a subtle vibration
warned him that visitors were approaching his door.
“Come in, gentlemen . . . Please be seated.” He sat down at one end of a table molded of transparent
plastic. “Psychologist Talmonides, Statesman Cleto, Minister Philamon, Minister Marxes and Officer
Artomenes, I have asked you to come here personally because I have every reason to believe that the
shielding of this room is proof against eavesdroppers; a thing which can no longer be said of our
supposedly private television channels. We must discuss, and if possible come to some decision
concerning, the state in which our nation now finds itself.
“Each of us knows within himself exactly what he is. Of our own powers, we cannot surely know each
others’ inward selves. The tools and techniques of psychology, however, are potent and exact; and
Talmonides, after exhaustive and rigor- ous examination of each one of us, has certified that no taint of
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disloyalty exists among us.”
“Which certification is not worth a damn,” the burly Officer declared. “What assurance do we have that
Talmonides himself is not one of the ringleaders? Mind you, I have no reason to believe that he is not
completely loyal. In fact, since he has been one of my best friends for over twenty years, I believe
implicitly that he is. Nevertheless the plain fact is, Ariponides, that all the precautions you have taken, and
any you can take, are and will be useless insofar as definite knowledge is concerned. The real truth is and
will remain unknown.”
“You are right,” the Psychologist conceded. “And, such being the case, perhaps I should withdraw from
the meeting.”
“That wouldn’t help, either.” Artomenes shook his head. “Any competent plotter would be prepared for
this, as for any other contingency. One of us others would be the real operator.”
“And the fact that our Officer is the one who is splitting hairs so finely could be taken to indicate which
one of us the real operator could be,” Marxes pointed out, cuttingly.
“Gentlemen! Gentlemen!” Ariponides protested. “While absolute certainty is of course impossible to any
finite mind, you all know how Talmonides was tested; you know that in his case there is - no reasonable
doubt. Such chance as exists, however, must be taken, for if we do not trust each other fully in this
undertaking, failure is inevitable. With this word of warning I will get on with my report.
“This world-wide frenzy of unrest followed closely upon the controlled liberation of atomic energy and
may be - probably is - traceable to it. It is in no part due to imperialistic aims or acts on the part of
Atlantis. This fact cannot be stressed too strongly. We never have been and are not now interested in
Empire. It is true that the other nations began as Atlantean colonies, but no attempt was ever made to
hold any one of them in colonial status against the wish of its electorate. All nations were and are sister
states. We gain or lose together. Atlantis, the parent, was and is a clearing- house, a co-ordinator of
effort, but has never claimed or sought authority to rule; all decisions being based upon free debate and
free and secret ballot.
“But now! Parties and factions everywhere, even in old Atlantis. Every nation is torn by internal
dissensions and strife. Nor is this all. Uighar as a nation is insensately jealous of the Islands of the South,
who in turn are jealous of Maya. Maya of Bantu, Bantu of Ekopt, Ekopt of Norheim, and Norheim of
Uighar. A vicious circle, worsened by other jealousies and hatreds intercrossing everywhere. Each fears
that some other is about to try to seize control of the entire world; and there seems to be spreading
rapidly the utterly baseless belief that Atlantis itself is about to reduce all other nations of Earth to
vassalage.
“This is a bald statement of the present condition of the world as I see it. Since I can see no other course
possible , within the constituted framework of our democratic government, I recommend that we
continue our present activities, such as the international treaties and agreements upon which we are now
at work, intensifying our effort wherever possible. We will now hear from Statesman Cleto.”
“You have outlined the situation clearly enough, Faros. My thought, however, is that the principal cause
of the trouble is the coming into being of this multiplicity of political parties, particularly those composed
principally of crackpots and extremists.
The connection with atomic energy is clear: since the atomic bomb gives a small group of people the
power to destroy the world, they reason that it thereby confers upon them the authority to dictate to the
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
摘要：

TRIPLANETARYE.E.DocSmithFirstserializedin“ASTOUNDING,”Sep‘37-Feb‘38;Firstbook,FantasyPresshardbound,1950CONTENTSBOOKONE.3CHAPTER1-ARISIAANDEDDORE.4CHAPTER2-THEFALLOfATLANTIS.10CHAPTER3-THEFALLOFROME.24BOOKTWO..34CHAPTER4–1918.35CHAPTER5–1941.43CHAPTER6-19-?.56BOOKTHREE.64CHAPTER7-PIRATESOFSPACE.65CH...

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