Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 47: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

92 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION “Oh, yes,” said Lanko. “Met your old pal, Musa. He’s doing right well for himself.” | Banasel swung around. “Haven’t seen him since we joined the Corps. What’s he doing?” “Trading.” Lanko opened a locker, glancing critically at the clothing within. “He set up shop with the load of goods we gave him long ago, and did some pretty shrewd merchandising. Now, he’s planning a trip over the Eastern Sea. He hinted at a rumor of a civilization out past Norlar.” “Nothing out there for several thousand kilos,’’ growled Banasel, ‘“‘except for a few little islands.” He jerked a thumb toward the workbench. “I can’t show you right now, because the scanner’s down for cleaning, but there isn’t even an island for the first couple thousand K’s. Currents are all wrong, too. No one could cross without navigational equipment.” “I know,” Lanko assured him. “We haven’t checked over that way for a long time, but I still remember. I didn’t put it exactly that way, of course, but I did ask Musa how he planned to get over the Eastern. And, I got an answer.’’ He paused as he gathered up the garments he had discarded. “It seems there’s a new priesthood at Norlar, who’ve got something,” he continued. “It’s all wrapped up in religious symbology, and they don’t let any details get out, but they are guiding ships out to sea, and they’re bringing them back again, loaded with goods that never originated in the Galankar, or in any place accessible to the Galankar.”” He hung up the last article of clothing and turned, a sheathed sword in his hand. ‘Musa sold me this,’’ he said, extending the hilt toward Banasel. “I never saw anything like it on this planet. Did you?” Banasel accepted the weapon, drawing it from its scabbard. He examined the handwork on the hilt, then snapped a fingernail against the blade. As he listened to the musical ping, the technician looked at the weapon with more interest. Gently, he flexed it, watching for signs of strain. Lanko grinned at him. | “Go ahead,” he invited, “get rough with it. That’s a sword you’re holding, Chum, not one of those bronze skull busters.” | Banasel extended the sword, whipping it violently. The blade bent, then straightened, and bent again, as it slashed through the air. “Well,” he murmured. “Something new.” He put the sword on the workbench and took an instrument from a cabinet. For a few minutes, he busied himself taking readings and tapping out data on his computer. He sat back, looking at the sword curiously. At last, he glanced at the computer, then put the test instrument he had been using back in the cabinet, taking another to replace it. After taking more readings, he looked at the computer, then shook his head, turning to Lanko. “This,” he said slowly, “‘is excellent steel. Of course, it could be an accidental alloy, but I wouldn’t think anyone on this planet could have developed the technology to get it just so.” He held the sword away from him, looking at it closely. ““Assuming an accidental alloy, an accident in getting precisely the right degree of heat before quenching, and someone who ground and polished with such care as to leave the temper undisturbed, THE PLAYERS 93 while getting this finish— Oh, it’s possible, all right. But ’tain’t likely. Musa told you this came from overseas?” “To the best of his knowledge. He got it from a trader who claimed to have been on a voyage across the Eastern Sea.” Banasel leaned back, clasping his hands behind his head. “You must have had quite a talk with Musa. Did he remember you?” Lanko shook his head. “Don’t be foolish,” he grunted. ““You and I were blotted out of his memory, remember? So are quite a few of the things that happened around Atakar, way back when. He’s got a complete past, of course, but we’re not part of it, ‘No, he had a booth in the Karth market. I came through, just looking things over, and recognized him. So, I picked an acquaintance. Beat him down to about half the asking price for this sword, still leaving him a whop- ping profit. He went to dinner with me, still bewailing the rooking I’d given him. Told you, he’s a trader. We had quite a talk, certainly. But we were Strangers.” ‘““Yeah.”” Banasel looked off into space. “Seems funny. You and I were born on this planet. We were brought up here, and a lot of people once knew us. But they’ve all forgotten, and we don’t belong any more. I’m beginning to see what they mean by ‘the lonely life of a guardsman.’ ” He was silent for a time, then looked at his companion. ‘Do you think these priests at Norlar might be in our line of business?”’ “Could be,’ nodded Lanko. ““There’s a lot of seafaring out of Konassa, and there are several other busy seaports we know of. But no one in any of them ever heard of navigation out of sight of land, let alone trying it. There’s nothing but pilotage, and even that’s pretty sketchy. And, there’s this thing.”” He crossed to the workbench, picked up the sword, and stroked its blade. 3 “Normally,” he mused, “technical knowledge gets around. Part of it’s developed here, part there. Then someone comes along and puts it together. And someone else adds to it. And so on. “Then, there are other times, when there’s an abnormal source, or where - there are unusual conditions, and knowledge is very closely guarded. This might be one of those cases, and those priests might be fronting for someone very much in our line of business.’ He broke off. “Any maedli hot?” “Sure.” Banasel picked a pot from the heater and poured two cups. “Think we should set up a base near Norlar and have a look?” ‘Probably be a good idea.” Lanko accepted a cup, took a sip, and shook his head violently. “Ouch! I said hot, not boiling.” He blew on the cup and set it aside to steam itself cool. ‘These mountains were an excellent base,’ he continued, ‘‘but this area seems to be developing perfectly. There’s no outside interference, all traces of former interference have been eliminated, and there’s very little excuse for us to hang around.” He picked up the cup ab cautiousl t | ® | iY sampling — << 1COMm =) its contents. “And it’s about time reo ¥ 4 @ ayoy rest of the planet.” |