Astounding Science Fiction (British edition) — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

50 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION “And,” Chang added, “if they haven’t been around here, they will be, now that the nibblies are.” “I’m sure they can differentiate between me and food,’’ smiled Mel- kote. “Probably,” Chang conceded. “But they might think we’re competing with them for nibbly-on-the-hoof, and they might just decide we annoy them. I think it’s safe, though. Leave the air lock open while you’re outside, and the ladder down. Work only on that side, so the nibblies can still be undisturbed on the other side, if that’s what they want. O.K.? O.K., Hilda?” “Sure,” she grunted. “That should be satisfactory to everyone,” smiled Melkote, getting up. “Peace,” he said, grinning, and left. “Tm sorry,” said Hilda to Chang. *““Mountains out of molehills! Frank’s been giving me such a pain in the neck _ I can’t think straight.” “Frank?” Chang wondered whether to mention what Balch had said about him, but decided not to. “Yes, yes, all this feeding samples to the viruses, purifying, irradiating, making notes—It’s good work! He’s a good worker! But you know what he wants to do after the colonists start arriving here? Develop new biosyn- theses using the new microorganisms we find here. And you know where he wants to do it? Back on Procyon II. That’s all he’s thinking about.” She glared, waiting for Chang’s reaction; but Chang was so stunned at the idea that anyone was already planning to leave Four that she couldn’t answer. She was asking her- self consciously for the first time what Balch was planning. “It’s a good idea,’ Hilda went on, “but look—We’re opening up a new planet! Frank just has no perspective on this whole expedition!” “Neither does Tim Balch,” Chang said, to her own surprise. The tone of Hilda’s voice changed completely. “‘He doesn’t? In what— You like him pretty well, right?” *““That’s obvious.” *““Maybe. He has the wrong ap- proach to the expedition? In what way?” “It’s all a game to him,” she burst out. “But Chang, that’s not true.” “Well, I guess that’s not quite what I meant. I don’t know why I said that. Hilda, excuse me, but I had such a terrific idea while I was making out my report that I think we ought to go to work on it right away.” Hilda stared, then laughed loudly. “Steady down, steady down, Chang Kwei-T’ao! One thing at a time!” “No, really, Hilda, I’ve been think- ing about it all the time we’ve been talking, and I’m more certain of it than ever. Don’t look at me that way, Hilda, you’re being arch.” They both laughed. Hilda said, “Your idea is something you want me to work with you on?” “Oh, yes, it’s—” “I’m listening.” “All right. The nibbly’s head con- tains an organ which seems as if it must have a specifically electrical function.” “Or so we guess. Go ahead.” “The nibbly’s most active sense or- gan, aside from his eyes, is the tip of his snout. At least he investigates with it most obviously.” ‘““Doesn’t investigate his food with it, just the walls.” “Yes,” said Chang firmly, “the metal walls; and the live electric con- tacts especially.” “Right,”’ Hilda broke in. “I’ve been thinking that you might try this next: see if electricity is conducted when you make the contact on any other part of the head beside the nose.” conniiclooolks.conn