Authentic Science Fiction, No. 23 — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

86 THE SINGING SPHERES records and archives. He knows little of outside matters—” . “Very well,” I said, determinedly. “If you won’t tell them, I will!” To give him credit, he threw in his hand on our side. “The story might gain time,” he said, reflectively. “Once a seed of doubt is sown—” Seeds of doubt were sown all right. Not only doubt, but a lot of other assorted reactions. Sighs and gasps of astonish- ment mingled with guffaws of ridicule, outcries against blas- phemy and whispers of hope. Even the counsellors were plainly baffled. Some suspected Fuzzy-bubble of sheer, down- right lying to save his skin; others, remembering him as an upright character, became strengthened in their opposition to the present ruler and saw an opportunity to depose him. Most vigorous denunciation, of course, came from Mak- kub himself. “Time shall not be wasted with this farrago!” he screeched. “I call all men to witness this traitor who allies with the three monsters against his own people. He is not worthy of his race—a renegade and coward, deserving of death. He lies merely in order to confuse honest men and turn them against their rightful governors—” I stepped forward and pushed out the Mattus rod. “We, too, have seen the young prince.” Putting forth all the em- phasis and concentration I could exert, the sweat started run- ning down my face again, but I wanted the council to hear. “Although Makkub has murdered other successors, we have this one safely hidden!” The dreadful whisper whined and swelled. “Killed? The other princes have been killed?” There was revelation in the council’s reaction. The news obviously came as a shock to most, including Zakkar. Pak- kan didn’t turn a hair, so to speak, but continued to glow spitefully green, whereupon I guessed that he and some of his guards had most likely carried out the order. Makkub quivered with rage and quite obviously regretted his idle boasting to us in the condemned cell. He saw how counsellors recoiled in loathing upon their semi-circle of perches and decided to bluster the matter through. “Let none be misled by this scurrilous slander! Heed not THE SINGING SPHERES 87 the words of these creatures, for they wish only to save their strange lives and spread more mischief among the peaceful people of Kardoon. Their distorted minds blame us for the fate that is upon them—yet we are entirely innocent in the matter. It is not we, but the holy Machine of Revelation which has decreed they shall never see their own world again. And who shall say that the Wise Ones’ wonderful engine depicts matters that are untrue?” : He paused, hoping we’d fall into the trap. It was the old, sickening manceuvre of deliberately inflaming mob passions to by-pass unpleasant truths. He wanted us to refer dis- respectfully to the Machine—and he’d got us fixed very nicely. But I didn’t intend to let him get away with it. “O Mak- kub, we in turn defy you to produce the red spheres who are intended by the Wise Ones to rule over Kardoon in succession to you! Bring them to the Great Halls, that all men may know your innocence!” “Tf the princes are dead,” declared Makkub, coming back at us smartly, “it is you and your friends who have killed them by infamous magic. Perhaps that is why your own deaths are decreed—” It was only to be expected that the assembly believed their own leader in preference to a weird little group of three “monsters” and a purplish-hued renegade. Shrill screams of outrage whined loudly over the inter-com, setting our teeth on © edge. “How’s it going, Pop?” asked Tubby. “Can’t you guess?” His face fell. “Not too good, eh?” “Makkub’s made ’em believe we massacred the red spheres—”’ “Stuttering Sirius!” said Hartnell. He gave an exclama- tion of disgust. “I might have known you and Fuzzy-bubble would muck things up!” “If he does anything to little Pinky,” I said, between set teeth, “TI1—TPU crawl right back out of that damned grave and—” JOOKS,cCom Conic @