Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

MISSION OF GRAVITY ’“T don’t mean to make him angry, but afraid of us. “Barbarians’—he’ll eat that word if I have to cook it personally for him. It all depends on certain things: do the Flyers know how these gliders work, and will they tell us?” “They probably know, unless they’ve had better ones for so long they’ve forgotten—” “So much the better, for what I have in mind.” they'll tell. I think you know by now what I’m really hoping to get out of this trip; I want to learn everything I possibly can of the Flyers’ science. That’s why I want to get to that rocket of theirs. near the Center; Charles himself said that it contained much of the most advanced scientific equipment they have. When we have that, there won’t be a pirate afloat or ashore who'll be able to touch the Bree, and we’ll have paid our last port dues—we’ll be able to write our own menus from then on.” “‘T guessed as much.” “That’s why I wonder whether they'll tell what you want; they may suspect what I’m after.” “I think you’re too suspicious your- self. Have you ever asked for any of this scientific information you want to steal?” “Yes ; Charles always said it was too difficult to explain.” ‘““Maybe he was right; maybe he doesn’t know it himself. I want to ask one of his people about these gliders, anyway; 1 want to watch that Ree- jaaren grovel,” “Just what is this idea of yours, anyway?” Dondragmer told him, at length. The captain was dubious at first, but gradually grew more enthusiastic; and finally they went over to the radios together. . But I’m not sure whether . _— * >) Poe @ »® i! ¥ 103 XIII. FORTUNATELY, Reejaaren did not re- turn for a good many days. His people remained; four to six gliders were always drifting overhead, and several more squatted on the hilltops beside their catapults. The number of air- craft did not change noticeably, but the population of the hilltops increased day by day. Barlennan could not tell whether gliders were leaving and returning with more people, or whether _ some or all of the newcomers were arriving on foot. He did not particu- larly care, since he had matters of | more immediate importance to settle, No further attempt was being made to free the ship, since that would ob- viously be an error in diplomacy; but the crew was busy just the same. Barlennan and his mate were alter- nately at the radios and talking long and earnestly to the crew; the Earth- men above had entered into Dondrag- mer’s plan with enthusiasm and, Barlennan suspected, some little amusement. A few of the sailors were unable to pick up what was needed with sufficient speed, and had to be left. out of the main plan in one sense; but even they understood the situation and would, Barlennan was sure, be able to contribute to the desired effect. In the meantime, he put them to work re- . pairing the shattered masts, whose rigging had at least kept them with the ship. Some other physical work was also done during this time; such goods as Barlennan cared to trade from the material he had acquired crossing the isthmus were unloaded and displayed onshore. Ashehad said, they amounted to little, principally supplies of the “‘fir cones” and materials acquired from the rock-rollers. The captain did not care too much whether these were CoORnniclooolxS.conn