TheDrownedWorld
By
J.G.Ballard
2
3
4
"Inacompletelysaneworld,madnessistheonlyfreedom!"
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-Contents1-OntheBeachattheRitz
2-TheComingoftheIguanas
3-TowardsaNewPsychology
4-TheCausewaysoftheSun
5-DescentintoDeepTime
6-TheDrownedArk
7-CarnivalofAlligators
8-TheManwiththeWhiteSmile
9-ThePoolofThanatos
10-SurpriseParty
11-"TheBalladofMistahBones"
12-TheFeastofSkulls
13-TooSoon,TooLate
14-GrandSlam
15-TheParadisesoftheSun
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1-OntheBeachattheRitz
Soonitwouldbetoohot.Lookingoutfromthehotelbalconyshortlyafter
eighto'clock,Keranswatchedthesunrisebehindthedensegrovesofgiant
gymnospermscrowdingovertheroofsoftheabandoneddepartmentstores
fourhundredyardsawayontheeastsideofthelagoon.Eventhroughthe
massiveolive-greenfrondstherelentlesspowerofthesunwasplainly
tangible.Thebluntrefractedraysdrummedagainsthisbarechestand
shoulders,drawingoutthefirstsweat,andheputonapairofheavy
sunglassestoprotecthiseyes.Thesolardiscwasnolongerawell-defined
sphere,butawideexpandingellipsethatfannedoutacrosstheeastern
horizonlikeacolossalfire-ball,itsreflectionturningthedeadleadensurface
ofthelagoonintoabrilliantcoppershield.Bynoon,lessthanfourhours
away,thewaterwouldseemtoburn.
UsuallyKeranswokeatfive,andreachedthebiologicaltestingstationin
timetodoatleastfourorfivehours'workbeforetheheatbecame
intolerable,butthismorninghefoundhimselfreluctanttoleavethecool,aircurtainedhavenofthehotelsuite.Hehadspentacoupleofhoursover
breakfastalone,andthencompletedasixpageentryinhisdiary,deliberately
delayinghisdepartureuntilColonelRiggspassedthehotelinhispatrolboat,
knowingthatbythenitwouldbetoolatetogotothestation.TheColonel
wasalwayseagerforanhourofconversation,particularlywhensustainedbya
fewroundsofaperitif,anditwouldbeatleasteleven-thirtybeforeheleft,his
thoughtssolelyuponlunchatthebase.
Forsomereason,however,Riggshadbeendelayed.Presumablyhewas
carryingoutalongersweepthanusualoftheadjacentlagoons,orperhaps
waswaitingforKeranstoarriveatthetestingstation.ForamomentKerans
wonderedwhethertotrytoreachhimontheradiotransmitterinstalledbythe
signalsunitinthelounge,buttheconsolewasburiedunderapileofbooks,
itsbatteryflat.Thecorporalinchargeoftheradiostationatthebasehad
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protestedtoRiggswhenhischeerfulmorninground-upofoldpopsongsand
localnews-anattackbytwoiguanasonthehelicopterthepreviousnight,the
latesttemperatureandhumidityreadings-hadbeencutoffabruptlyhalf-way
throughthefirstinstallment.ButRiggsrecognisedKerans'unconscious
attempttoseverhislinkswiththebase-thecarefulhaphazardnessofthe
pyramidofbookshidingthesetcontrastedtooobviouslywithKerans'
otherwisemeticulousneatness-andtolerantlyacceptedhisneedtoisolate
himself.
Leaningonthebalconyrail,theslackwatertenstoreysbelowreflectinghis
thinangularshouldersandgauntprofile,Keranswatchedoneofthecountless
thermalstormsripthroughadumpofhugehorse-tailsliningthecreekwhich
ledoutofthelagoon.Trappedbythesurroundingbuildingsandtheinversion
layersahundredfeetabovethewater,pocketsofairwouldheatrapidly,then
explodeupwardslikeescapingballoons,leavingbehindthemasudden
detonatingvacuum.Forafewsecondsthesteamcloudshangingoverthe
creekdispersed,andaviciousminiaturetornadolashedacrossthe6o-feethighplants,topplingthemlikematchsticks.Then,asabruptly,thestorm
vanishedandthegreatcolumnartrunkssubsidedamongoneanotherinthe
waterlikesluggishalligators.
Rationalising,Keranstoldhimselfthathehadbeenwisetoremaininthe
hotel-thestormswereeruptingmoreandmorefrequentlyasthetemperature
rose-butheknewthathisrealmotivewashisacceptancethatlittlenow
remainedtobedone.Thebiologicalmappinghadbecomeapointlessgame,
thenewflorafollowingexactlytheemergentlinesanticipatedtwentyyears
earlier,andhewassurethatno-oneatCampByrdinNorthernGreenland
botheredtofilehisreports,letalonereadthem.
Infact,oldDr.Bodkin,Kerans'assistantatthestation,hadslylyprepared
whatpurportedtobeaneyewitnessdescriptionbyoneofColonelRiggs'
sergeantsofalargesail-backedlizardwithagiganticdorsalfinwhichhad
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beenseencruisingacrossoneofthelagoons,inallrespectsindistinguishable
fromthePelycosaur,anearlyPennsylvanianreptile.Hadthereportbeen
takenatitsfacevalue-heraldingthemomentousreturnoftheageofthegreat
reptiles-anarmyofecologistswouldhavedescendedonthemimmediately,
backedbyatacticalatomicweaponsunitandorderstoproceedsouthata
steadytwentyknots.Butapartfromtheroutineacknowledgementsignal
nothinghadbeenheard.PerhapsthespecialistsatCampByrdweretootired
eventolaugh.
AttheendofthemonthColonelRiggsandhissmallholdingunitwould
completetheirsurveyofthecity(haditoncebeenBerlin,ParisorLondon?
Keransaskedhimselfandsetoffnorthward,towingthetestingstationwith
them.Keransfounditdifficulttobelievethathewouldeverleavethe
penthousesuitewherehehadlivedforthepastsixmonths.TheRitz's
reputation,hegladlyagreed,wasrichlydeserved-thebathroom,forexample,
withitsblackmarblebasinsandgold-platedtapsandmirrors,waslikethe
side-chapelofacathedral.Inacuriouswayitsatisfiedhimtothinkthathe
wasthelastguestwhowouldstayatthehotel,identifyingwhatherealised
wasaconcludingphaseofhisownlife-thenorthwardodysseythroughthe
drownedcitiesinthesouth,soontoendwiththeirreturntoCampByrdand
itsbracingdisciplines-andthisfarewellsunsetofthehotel'slongsplendid
history.
HehadcommandeeredtheRitzthedayaftertheirarrival,eagerto
exchangehiscrampedcabinamongthelaboratorybenchesatthetesting
stationforthehuge,high-ceilingedstate-roomsofthedesertedhotel.Already
heacceptedthelavishbrocadedfurnitureandthebronzeartnouveaustatuary
inthecorridornichesasanaturalbackgroundtohisexistence,savouringthe
subtleatmosphereofmelancholythatsurroundedtheselastvestigesofalevel
ofcivilisationnowvirtuallyvanishedforever.Toomanyoftheotherbuildings
aroundthelagoonhadlongsinceslippedandslidawaybelowthesilt,
revealingtheirgimcrackorigins,andtheRitznowstoodinsplendidisolation
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onthewestshore,eventherichbluemouldssproutingfromthecarpetsin
thedarkcorridorsaddingtoits19thcenturydignity.
ThesuitehadoriginallybeendesignedforaMilanesefinancier,andwas
lavishlyfurnishedandengineered.Theheatcurtainswerestillperfectlysealed,
althoughthefirstsixstoreysofthehotelwerebelowwaterlevelandtheload
wallswerebeginningtocrack,andthe250-ampair-conditioningunithad
workedwithoutahalt.Althoughithadbeenunoccupiedfortenyearslittle
dusthadcollectedoverthemantelpiecesandgiltend-tables,andthetriptych
ofphotographicportraitsonthecrocodile-skindesk-financier,financierand
sleekwell-fedfamily,financierandevensleekerfifty-storeyofficeblockrevealedscarcelyablemish.LuckilyforKeranshispredecessorhadleftina
hurry,andthecupboardsandwardrobeswerepackedwithtreasure,ivoryhandledsquashracketsandhandprinteddressinggowns,thecocktailbar
stockedwithanamplesupplyofwhatwerenowvintagewhiskeysand
brandies.
AgiantAnophelesmosquito,thesizeofadragon-fly,spatthroughtheair
pasthisface,thendiveddowntowardsthefloatingjettywhereKerans'
catamaranwasmoored.Thesunwasstillhiddenbehindthevegetationonthe
easternsideofthelagoon,butthemountingheatwasbringingthehuge
viciousinsectsoutoftheirlairsalloverthemoss-coveredsurfaceofthehotel.
Keranswasreluctanttoleavethebalconyandretreatbehindthewiremesh
enclosure.Intheearlymorninglightastrangemournfulbeautyhungoverthe
lagoon;thesombergreen-blackfrondsofthegymnosperms,intrudersfrom
theTriassicpast,andthehalf-submergedwhite-facedbuildingsofthe20th
centurystillreflectedtogetherinthedarkmirrorofthewater,thetwo
interlockingworldsapparentlysuspendedatsomejunctionintime,the
illusionmomentarilybrokenwhenagiantwaterspiderclefttheoilysurfacea
hundredyardsaway.
Inthedistance,somewherebeyondthedrownedbulkofalargeGothic
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buildinghalfamiletothesouth,adieselenginecoughedandsurged.Kerans
leftthebalcony,closingthewiredoorbehindhim,andwentintothe
bathroomtoshave.Waterhadlongceasedtoflowthroughthetaps,but
Keransmaintainedareservoirintheplungebath,carefullypurifiedina
home-madestillontheroofandpipedinthroughthewindow.
Althoughhewasonlyforty,Kerans'beardhadbeenturnedwhitebythe
radio-fluorineinthewater,buthisbleachedcrew-cuthairanddeepambertan
madehimappearatleasttenyearsyounger.Achroniclackofappetite,and
thenewmalarias,hadshrunkthedryleatheryskinunderhischeekbones,
emphasisingtheasceticcastofhisface.Asheshavedheexaminedhis
featurescritically,feelingthenarrowingplaneswithhisfingers,kneadingthe
alteredmusculaturewhichwasslowlytransformingitscontoursandrevealing
apersonalitythathadremainedlatentduringhispreviousadultlife.Despite
hisintrospectivemanner,henowseemedmorerelaxedandequablethanhe
couldremember,hiscoolblueeyessurveyinghimselfwithironicdetachment.
Theslightlyself-consciousabsorptioninhisownworld,withitsprivaterituals
andobservances,hadpassed.IfhekepthimselfalooffromRiggsandhismen
thiswassimplyamatterofconvenienceratherthanofmisanthropy.
Onthewayouthepickedamonographedcreamsilkshirtfromthestack
leftinthewardrobebythefinancier,andslippedintoapairofneatlypressed
slackswithaZurichlabel.Sealingthedoubledoorsbehindhim-thesuitewas
effectivelyaglassboxinsidetheouterbrickwalls-hemadehiswaydownthe
staircase.
HereachedthelandingstageasColonelRiggs'cutter,aconvertedlanding
craft,pulledinagainstthecatamaran.Riggsstoodinthebows,atrimdapper
figure,onebootedfootupontheramp,surveyingthewindingcreeksand
hangingjungleslikeanold-timeAfricanexplorer.
"Goodmorning,Robert,"hegreetedKerans,jumpingdownontothe
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swayingplatformoffifty-gallondrumslashedinsideawoodenframe."Glad
you'restillhere.I'vegotajobonmyhandsyoucanhelpmewith.Canyou
takethedayofffromthestation?"
Keranshelpedhimontotheconcretebalconythathadoncejuttedfroma
seventh-floorsuite."Ofcourse,Colonel.Asamatteroffact,Ihavealready."
TechnicallyRiggshadoverallauthorityforthetestingstationandKerans
shouldhaveaskedhispermission,buttherelationshipbetweenthetwomen
waswithoutceremony.Theyhadworkedtogetherforoverthreeyears,asthe
testingstationanditsmilitaryescortmovedslowlynorthwardthroughthe
Europeanlagoons,andRiggswascontenttoletKeransandBodkingeton
withtheirworkintheirownfashion,sufficientlybusyhimselfwiththejobsof
mappingtheshiftingkeysandharboursandevacuatingthelastinhabitants.In
thelattertaskheoftenneededKerans'help,formostofthepeoplestillliving
oninthesinkingcitieswereeitherpsychopathsorsufferingfrommalnutrition
andradiationsickness.
Inadditiontorunningthetestingstation,Keransservedastheunit's
medicalofficer.Manyofthepeopletheycameacrossrequiredimmediate
hospitalisationbeforebeingflownoutinthehelicoptertooneofthelarge
tank-landingcraftferryingrefugeesuptoCampByrd.Injuredmilitary
personnelmaroonedonanofficeblockinadesertedswamp,dyingrecluses
unabletoseparatetheirownidentitiesfromthecitieswheretheyhadspent
theirlives,disheartenedfreebooterswhohadstayedbehindtodiveforloot-all
theseRiggsgood-humouredlybutfirmlyhelpedbacktosafety,Keransready
athiselbowtoadministerananalgesicortranquilliser.Despitehisbrisk
militaryfront,KeransfoundtheColonelintelligentandsympathetic,andwith
aconcealedreserveofdrollhumour.Sometimeshewonderedwhethertotest
thisbytellingtheColonelaboutBodkin'sPelycosaur,butonthewhole
decidedagainstit.
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Thesergeantconcernedinthehoax,adourconscientiousScotsmancalled
Macready,hadclimbedupontothewirecagethatenclosedthedeckofthe
cutterandwascarefullysweepingawaytheheavyfrondsandvinesstrewn
acrossit.Noneofthethreeothermentriedtohelphim;undertheirheavy
tanstheirfaceslookedpinchedanddrawn,andtheysatinertlyinarow
againstabulkhead.Thecontinuousheatandthemassivedailydosesof
antibioticsdrainedallenergyfromthem.
Asthesunroseoverthelagoon,drivingcloudsofsteamintothegreat
goldenpall,Keransfelttheterriblestenchofthewater-line,thesweet
compactedsmellsofdeadvegetationandrottinganimalcarcases.Hugeflies
spunby,bouncingoffthewirecageofthecutter,andgiantbatsracedacross
theheatingwatertowardstheireyriesintheruinedbuildings.Beautifuland
serenefromhisbalconyafewminutesearlier,Keransrealisedthatthelagoon
wasnothingmorethanagarbage-filledswamp.
"Let'sgoupontothedeck,"hesuggestedtoRiggs,loweringhisvoiceso
thattheotherswouldnothear."I'llbuyyouadrink."
"Goodman.I'mgladtoseeyou'vereallycaughtontothegrandmanner."
RiggsshoutedatMacready:"Sergeant,I'mgoinguptoseeifIcangetthe
Doctor'sdistillationunittowork."HewinkedatKeransasMacready
acknowledgedthiswithaskepticalnod,butthesubterfugewasharmless.
Mostofthemencarriedhip-flasks,andoncetheysecuredthesergeant's
grudgingapprovaltheywouldbringthemoutandsettledownplacidlyuntil
theColonelreturned.
Keransclimbedoverthewindow-sillintothebedroomoverlookingthe
jetty.'What'syourproblem,Colonel?"
"It'snotmyproblem.Ifanything,infact,it'syours."
Theytrudgedupthestaircase,Riggsslappingwithhisbatonatthevines
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entwinedaroundtherail."Haven'tyougottheelevatorworkingyet?Ialways
thoughtthisplacewasover-rated."However,besmiledappreciativelywhen
theysteppedintotheclearivorycoolairofthepenthouse,andsatdown
thankfullyinoneofthegilt-leggedLouisXVarmchairs."Well,thisisvery
gracious.Youknow,Robert,Ithinkyouhaveanaturaltalentfor
beachcombing.Imaymoveinherewithyou.Anyvacancies?"
Keransshookhishead,pressingatabinthewallandwaitingasthecocktail
bardisgorgeditselffromafakebookcase."TrytheHilton.Theserviceis
better."
Thereplywasjocular,butmuchashelikedRiggshepreferredtoseeas
littleofhimaspossible.Atpresenttheywereseparatedbytheintervening
lagoons,andtheconstantclatterofthegalleyandarmouryatthebasewere
safelymuffledbythejungle.Althoughhehadknowneachofthetwentymen
intheunitforatleastacoupleofyears,withtheexceptionofRiggsand
SergeantMacready,andafewtersegruntsandquestionsinthesickbay,he
hadspokentononeofthemforsixmonths.EvenhiscontactswithBodkin
hekepttoaminimum.Bymutualconsentthetwobiologistshaddispensed
withtheusualpleasantriesandsmall-talkthathadsustainedthemforthefirst
twoyearsduringtheirsessionsofcataloguingandslidepreparationatthe
laboratory.
Thisgrowingisolationandself-containment,exhibitedbytheother
membersoftheunitandfromwhichonlythebuoyantRiggsseemedimmune,
remindedKeransoftheslackeningmetabolismandbiologicalwithdrawalof
allanimalformsabouttoundergoamajormetamorphosis.Sometimeshe
wonderedwhatzoneoftransithehimselfwasentering,surethathisown
withdrawalwassymptomaticnotofadormantschizophrenia,but0facareful
preparationforaradicallynewenvironment,withitsowninternallandscape
andlogic,whereoldcategoriesofthoughtwouldmerelybeanencumbrance.
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HehandedalargeScotchtoRiggs,thentookhisownovertothedesk,
self-consciouslyremovedsomeofthebooksstackedovertheradioconsole.
"Evertrylisteningtothatthing?"Riggsasked,playfullyintroducingahint
ofreproofintohisvoice.
"Never,"Keranssaid."Isthereanypoint?Weknowallthenewsforthe
nextthreemillionyears."
"Youdon't.Really,youshouldswitchitonjustnowandthen.Hearall
sortsofinterestingthings."Heputhisdrinkdownandsatforward."For
example,thismorningyouwouldhaveheardthatexactlythreedaysfrom
nowwe'repackingupandleavingforgood."HenoddedwhenKeranslooked
aroundinsurprise."CamethroughlastnightfromByrd.Apparentlythewater
levelisstillrising,alltheworkwe'vedonehasbeenatotalwaste-asI've
alwaysmaintained,incidentally.TheAmericanandRussianunitsarebeing
recalledaswell.TemperaturesattheEquatorareuptoonehundredand
eightydegreesnow,goingupsteadily,andtherainbeltsarecontinuousas
highasthe20thparallel.There'smoresilttoo-"
Hebrokeoff,watchingKeransspeculatively.'What'sthematter?Aren't
yourelievedtobegoing?"
"Ofcourse,"Keranssaidautomatically.Hewasholdinganemptyglass,
andwalkedacrosstheroom,intendingtoputitonthebar,insteadfound
himselfabsent-mindedlytouchingtheclockoverthemantelpiece.Heseemed
tobesearchingtheroomforsomething."Threedays,yousaid?"
"Whatdoyouwant-threemillion?"Riggsgrinnedbroadly."Robert,Ithink
yousecretlywanttostaybehind."
Keransreachedthebarandfilledhisglass,collectinghimself.Hehadonly
managedtosurvivethemonotonyandboredomofthepreviousyearby
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deliberatelysuspendinghimselfoutsidethenormalworldoftimeandspace,
andtheabruptreturntoearthhadmomentarilydisconcertedhim.Inaddition,
heknew,therewereothermotivesandresponsibilities.
"Don'tbeabsurd,"herepliedeasily."Isimplyhadn'trealisedthatwemight
withdrawatsuchshortnotice.NaturallyI'mgladtobegoing.ThoughIadmit
Ihaveenjoyedbeinghere."Hegesturedatthesuitearoundthem."Perhapsit
appealstomyfindesiecletemperament.UpatCampByrdI'llbelivingin
halfamesstin.ThenearestI'llevergettothissortofthingwillbe'Bouncing
withBeethoven'onthelocalradioshow."
Riggsroaredatthisdisplayofdisgruntledhumour,thenstoodup,
buttoninghistunic."Robert,you'reastrangeone."
Keransfinishedhisdrinkabruptly."Look,Colonel,Idon'tthinkI'llbeable
tohelpyouthismorningafterall.Somethingratherurgenthascomeup."He
noticedRiggsnoddingslowly."Oh,Isee.Thatwasyourproblem.My
problem."
"Right.Isawherlastnight,andagainthismorningafterthenewscame
through.You'llhavetoconvinceher,Robert.Atpresentsherefusespointblanktogo.Shedoesn'trealisethatthistimeistheend,thatthere'llbeno
moreholdingunits.Shemaybeabletohangonforanothersixmonths,but
nextMarch,whentherainbeltsreachhere,wewon'tevenbeabletogeta
helicopterin.Anyway,bythenno-onewillcare.Itoldherthatandshejust
walkedaway."
Keranssmiledbleakly,visualisingthefamiliarswirlofhipandhaughty
stride."Beatricecanbedifficultsometimes,"hetemporised,hopingthatshe
hadn'toffendedRiggs.Itwouldprobablytakemorethanthreedaystochange
hermindandhewantedtobesurethattheColonelwouldstillbewaiting.
"She'sacomplexperson,livesonmanylevels.Untiltheyallsynchroniseshe
canbehaveasifshe'sinsane."
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Theyleftthesuite,Keranssealingtheair-locksandsettingthethermostat
alarmssothattheairwouldbeapleasanteightydegreesintwohours'time.
Theymadetheirwaydowntothelandingstage,Riggspausingoccasionallyto
savourthecoolgildedairinoneofthepublicdrawingroomsoverlookingthe
lagoon,hissingatthesnakeswhichglidedsoftlyamongthedamp,funguscoveredsettees.TheysteppedintothecutterandMacreadyslammedthedoor
ofthecagebehindthem.
Fiveminuteslater,thecatamaranglidingandswirlingbehindthecutter,
theysetofffromthehotelacrossthelagoon.Goldenwavesglimmeredup
intotheboilingair,theringofmassiveplantsaroundthemseemingtodance
intheheatgradientslikeavoodoojungle.
Riggspeeredsomberlythroughthecage."ThankGodforthatsignalfrom
Byrd.Weshouldhavegotoutyearsago.Allthisdetailedmappingof
harboursforuseinsomehypotheticalfutureisabsurd.Evenifthesolarflares
subsideitwillbetenyearsbeforethere'sanyseriousattempttore-occupy
thesecities.Bythenmostofthebiggerbuildingswillhavebeensmothered
underthesilt.It'lltakeacoupleofdivisionstoclearthejungleawayfromthis
lagoonalone.Bodkinwastellingmethismorningthatalreadysomeofthe
canopies-ofnon-lignifiedplants,markyou-areovertwohundredfeethigh.
Thewholeplaceisnothingbutaconfoundedzoo."
Hetookoffhispeakedcapandrubbedhisforehead,thenshoutedacross
themountingroarofthetwooutboarddiesels:"IfBeatricestaysheremuch
longershewillbeinsane.Bytheway,thatremindsmeofanotherreasonwhy
we'vegottogetout."HeglancedacrossatthetalllonelyfigureofSergeant
Macreadyatthetiller,staringfixedlyatthebreakingwater,andatthepinched
hauntedfacesoftheothermen."Tellme,Doctor,howdoyousleepthese
days?"
Puzzled,KeransturnedtolookattheColonel,wonderingwhetherthe
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questionobliquelyreferredtohisrelationshipwithBeatriceDahl.Riggs
watchedhimwithhisbrightintelligenteyes,batonflexedbetweenhisneat
hands."Verysoundly,"herepliedcarefully."Neverbetter.Whydoyouask?"
ButRiggsmerelynoddedandbegantoshoutinstructionsatMacready.
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2-TheComingoftheIguanas
Screechinglikeadispossessedbanshee,alargehammer-nosedbatsoared
straightoutofoneofthenarrowinletsoffthecreekandswervedstraight
towardthecutter.Itssonarconfusedbythelabyrinthofgiantwebsspun
acrosstheinletbythecoloniesofwolfspiders,itmissedthewirehoodabove
Kerans'headbyonlyafewfeet,andthensailedawayalongthelineof
submergedofficeblocks,glidinginandoutofthehugesail-likefrondsofthe
ferntreessproutingfromtheirroofs.Suddenly,asitpassedoneofthe
projectingcornices,amotionlessstone-headedcreaturesnappedoutand
pluckedthebatfromtheair.TherewasabriefpiercingsquawkandKerans
caughtaglimpseofthecrushedwingsclampedinthelizard'sjaws.Thenthe
reptileshrankbackinvisiblyamongthefoliage.
Allthewaydownthecreek,perchedinthewindowsoftheofficeblocks
anddepartmentstores,theiguanaswatchedthemgopast,theirhardfrozen
headsjerkingstiffly.Theylaunchedthemselvesintothewakeofthecutter,
snappingattheinsectsdislodgedfromtheair-weedandrottinglogs,then
swamthroughthewindowsandclamberedupthestaircasestotheirformer
vantagepoints,piledthreedeepacrosseachother.Withoutthereptiles,the
lagoonsandthecreeksofofficeblockshalf-submergedintheimmenseheat
wouldhavehadastrangedream-likebeauty,buttheiguanasandbasilisks
broughtthefantasydowntoearth.Astheirseatsintheone-timeboardrooms
indicated,thereptileshadtakenoverthecity.Onceagaintheywerethe
dominantformoflife.
Lookingupattheancientimpassivefaces,Keranscouldunderstandthe
curiousfeartheyroused,rekindlingarchaicmemoriesoftheterrifyingjungles
ofthePaleocene,whenthereptileshadgonedownbeforetheemergent
mammals,andsensetheimplacablehatredonezoologicalclassfeelstowards
anotherthatusurpsit.
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Attheendofthecreektheyenteredthenextlagoon,awidecircleofdark
greenwateralmosthalfamileindiameter.Alaneofredplasticbuoysmarked
achanneltowardsanopeningonthefarside.Thecutterhadadraughtof
littlemorethanafoot,andastheymovedalongthroughtheflatwater,the
sunslantingdownbehindthemopeningupthesubmergeddepths,theycould
seetheclearoutlinesoffive-andsix-storeybuildingsloominglikegiant
ghosts,hereandthereamoss-coveredroofbreakingthesurfaceastheswell
rolledpastit.
Sixtyfeetbelowthecutterastraightgreypromenadestretchedaway
betweenthebuildings,theremainsofsomeformerthoroughfare,therusting
humpedshellsofcarsstillstandingbythecurb.Manyofthelagoonsinthe
centreofthecityweresurroundedbyanintactringofbuildings,and
consequentlylittlesilthadenteredthem.Freeofvegetation,apartfromafew
driftingclumpsofSargassoweed,thestreetsandshopshadbeenpreserved
almostintact,likeareflectioninalakethathassomehowlostitsoriginal.
Thebulkofthecityhadlongsincevanished,andonlythesteel-supported
buildingsofthecentralcommercialandfinancialareashadsurvivedthe
encroachingfloodwaters.Thebrickhousesandsingle-storeyfactoriesofthe
suburbshaddisappearedcompletelybelowthedriftingtidesofsilt.Where
thesebrokesurfacegiantforestsrearedupintotheburningdull-greensky,
smotheringtheformerwheatfieldsoftemperateEuropeandNorthAmerica.
ImpenetrableMattoGrossossometimesthreehundredfeethigh,theywerea
nightmareworldofcompetingorganicformsreturningrapidlytotheir
Paleozoicpast,andtheonlyavenuesoftransitfortheUnitedNationsmilitary
unitswerethroughthelagoonsystemsthathadsuperimposedthemselveson
theformercities.Buteventhesewerenowbeingcloggedwithsiltandthen
submerged.
Keranscouldremembertheunendingsuccessionofgreentwilightsthat
hadsettledbehindthemasheandRiggsmovedslowlynorthwardacross
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Europe,leavingonecityafteranother,themiasmicvegetationswampingthe
narrowcanalsandcrowdingfromrooftoptorooftop.
Nowtheyweretoabandonyetanothercity.Despitethemassive
constructionofthemaincommercialbuildings,itconsistedoflittlemorethan
threeprincipallagoons,surroundedbyanexusofsmalllakesfiftyyardsin
diameterandanetworkofnarrowcreeksandinletswhichwoundoff,roughly
followingtheoriginalstreet-planofthecity,intotheoutlyingjungle.Hereand
theretheyvanishedaltogetherorexpandedintothesteamingsheetsofopen
waterthatweretheresiduesoftheformeroceans.Inturnthesegavewayto
thearchipelagoesthatcoalescedtoformthesolidjunglesofthesouthern
massif.
ThemilitarybasesetupbyRiggsandhisplatoon,whichharbouredthe
biologicaltestingstation,wasinthemostsoutherlyofthethreelagoons,
shelteredbyanumberofthetallestbuildingsofthecity,thirty-storeyblocks
inwhathadoncebeenthedown-townfinancialsector.
Astheycrossedthelagoontheyellow-stripeddrumofthefloatingbasewas
onitssun-wardside,almostobscuredinthereflectedlight,therotatingblades
ofthehelicopteronitsroofthrowingbrilliantlancesacrossthesmallerwhitepaintedhullofthebiologicaltestingwateratthem.Twohundredyardsdown
shorewasthesmallerwhite-pointedhullofthebiologicaltestingstation,
mooredagainstabroadhump-backedbuildingwhichhadformerlybeena
concerthall.
Keransgazedupattherectangularcliffs,enoughofthewindowsintactto
remindhimoftheillustrationsofsun-dazzledpromenadesatNice,Rioand
MiamihehadreadaboutasachildintheencyclopaediasatCampByrd.
Curiously,though,despitethepotentmagicofthelagoonworldsandthe
drownedcities,hehadneverfeltanyinterestintheircontents,andnever
botheredtoidentifywhichofthecitieshewasstationedin.
21
Dr.Bodkin,twenty-fiveyearshissenior,hadactuallylivedinseveralof
them,bothinEuropeandAmerica,andspentmostofhissparetimepunting
aroundtheremoterwater-ways,searchingoutformerlibrariesandmuseums.
Notthattheycontainedanythingotherthanhismemories.
PerhapsitwasthisabsenceofpersonalmemoriesthatmadeKerans
indifferenttothespectacleofthesesinkingcivilisations.Hehadbeenborn
andbroughtupentirelywithinwhathadoncebeenknownastheArctic
Circle-nowasub-tropicalzonewithanannualmeantemperatureofeightyfivedegrees-andhadcomesouthwardonlyonjoiningoneoftheecological
surveysinhisearly30's.Thevastswampsandjungleshadbeenafabulous
laboratory,thesubmergedcitieslittlemorethanelaboratepedestals.
ApartfromafewoldermensuchasBodkintherewasno-onewho
rememberedlivinginthem-andevenduringBodkin'schildhoodthecitieshad
beenbeleagueredcitadels,hemmedinbyenormousdykesanddisintegrated
bypanicanddespair,reluctantVenicestotheirmarriagewiththesea.Their
charmandbeautylaypreciselyintheiremptiness,inthestrangejunctionof
twoextremesofnature,likeadiscardedcrownovergrownbywildorchids.
Thesuccessionofgiganticgeophysicalupheavalswhichhadtransformed
theEarth'sclimatehadmadetheirfirstimpactsomesixtyorseventyyears
earlier.Aseriesofviolentandprolongedsolarstormslastingseveralyears
causedbyasuddeninstabilityintheSunhadenlargedtheVanAllenbeltsand
diminishedtheEarth'sgravitationalholdupontheouterlayersofthe
ionosphere.Asthesevanishedintospace,depletingtheEarth'sbarrieragainst
thefullimpactofsolarradiation,temperaturesbegantoclimbsteadily,the
heatedatmosphereexpandingoutwardsintotheionospherewherethecycle
wascompleted.
Allovertheworld,meantemperaturesrosebyafewdegreeseachyear.The
majorityoftropicalareasrapidlybecameuninhabitable,entirepopulations
22
migratingnorthorsouthfromtemperaturesofahundredandthirtyanda
hundredandfortydegrees.Once-temperateareasbecametropical,Europe
andNorthAmericaswelteringundercontinuousheatwaves,temperatures
rarelyfallingbelowahundreddegrees.UnderthedirectionoftheUnited
Nations,thecolonisationbeganoftheAntarcticplateauandofthenorthern
bordersoftheCanadianandRussiancontinents.
Overthisinitialperiodoftwentyyearsagradualadjustmentoflifetook
placetomeetthealteredclimate.Aslackeningoftheprevioustempowas
inevitable,andtherewaslittlespareenergyavailabletocutbackthe
encroachingjunglesoftheequatorialregion.Notonlywasthegrowthofall
plantformsaccelerated,butthehigherlevelsofradioactivityincreasedthe
rateatwhichmutationsoccurred.Thefirstfreakbotanicalformsappeared,
recallingthegianttree-fernsoftheCarboniferousperiod,andtherewasa
drasticupsurgeofalllowerplantandanimalforms.
Thearrivalofthesedistantforbearswasoverlayedbythesecondmajor
geophysicalupheaval.Thecontinuedheatingoftheatmospherehadbegunto
meltthepolarice-caps.Theentrainedice-seasoftheAntarcticplateaubroke
anddissolved,tensofthousandsofglaciersaroundtheArcticCircle,from
GreenlandandNorthernEurope,RussiaandNorthAmerica,poured
themselvesintothesea,millionsofacresofpermafrostliquefiedintogigantic
rivers.
Hereagaintheriseofglobalwaterlevelswouldhavebeenlittlemorethan
afewfeet,butthehugedischargingchannelscarriedwiththembillionsof
tonsoftop-soil.Massivedeltasformedattheirmouths,extendingthe
continentalcoastlinesanddamminguptheoceans.Theireffectivespread
shrankfromtwo-thirdsoftheworld'sareatoonlyslightlymorethanhalf.
Drivingthesubmergedsiltbeforethem,thenewseascompletelyaltered
theshapeandcontoursofthecontinents.TheMediterraneancontractedinto
23
asystemofinlandlakes,theBritishIsleswaslinkedagainwithnorthern
France.TheMiddleWestoftheUnitedStates,filledbytheMississippiasit
drainedtheRockyMountains,becameanenormousgulfopeningintothe
HudsonBay,whiletheCaribbeanSeawastransformedintoadesertofsilt
andsaltflats.Europebecameasystemofgiantlagoons,centeredonthe
principallow-lyingcities,inundatedbythesiltcarriedsouthwardsbythe
expandingrivers.
Duringthenextthirtyyearsthepole-wardmigrationofpopulations
continued.Afewfortifiedcitiesdefiedtherisingwaterlevelsandthe
encroachingjungles,buildingelaboratesea-wallsaroundtheirperimeters,but
onebyonethesewerebreached.OnlywithintheformerArcticandAntarctic
Circleswaslifetolerable.TheobliqueincidenceoftheSun'sraysprovideda
shieldagainstthemorepowerfulradiation.Citiesonhighergroundin
mountainousareasnearertheEquatorhadbeenabandoneddespitetheir
coolertemperaturesbecauseofthediminishedatmosphericprotection.
ItwasthislastfactorwhichprovideditsownsolutiontotheproblemofresettlingthemigrantpopulationsofthenewEarth.Thesteadydeclinein
mammalianfertility,andthegrowingascendancyofamphibianandreptile
formsbestadaptedtoanaquaticlifeinthelagoonsandswamps,invertedthe
ecologicalbalances,andbythetimeofKerans'birthatCampByrd,acityof
tenthousandinNorthernGreenland,itwasestimatedthatfewerthanfive
millionpeoplewerestilllivingonthepolarcaps.
Thebirthofachildhadbecomeacomparativerarity,andonlyone
marriageintenyieldedanyoffspring.AsKeranssometimesreminded
himself,thegenealogicaltreeofmankindwassystematicallypruningitself,
apparentlymovingbackwardsintime,andapointmightultimatelybereached
whereasecondAdamandEvefoundthemselvesaloneinanewEden.
Riggsnoticedhimsmilingtohimselfatthisconceit."What'samusingyou,
24
Robert?Anotherofyourobscurejokes?Don'ttrytoexplainittome."
"Iwasjustcastingmyselfinanewrole."Keranslookedoutovertheramp
attheofficeblocksslidingpasttwentyfeetaway,thewashfromthecutter
splashingthroughtheopenwindowsalongthewater-line.Thesharptangof
wetlimecontrastedfreshlywiththeover-sweetodoursofthevegetation.
Macreadyhadtakenthemintotheshadowofthebuildingsanditwas
pleasantlycoolbehindthebreakingspray.
Acrossthelagoonhecouldseetheportlybare-chestedfigureofDr.
Bodkinonthestarboardbridgeofthetestingstation,thePaisley
cummerbundaroundhiswaistandthegreencelluloidshadeshieldinghiseyes
makinghimlooklikeariverboatgambleronhismorningoff.Hewas
pluckingtheorange-sizedberriesfromthefernsoverhangingthestationand
tossingthemupatthechitteringmarmosetsdanglingfromthebranches
abovehishead,eggingthemonwithplayfulshoutsandwhistles.Fiftyfeet
away,onaprojectingcornice,atrioofiguanaswatchedwithstony
disapproval,whippingtheirtailsslowlyfromsidetosideinagestureof
impatience.
Macreadyswungthetiller,andtheypivotedinafanofsprayintotheleeof
atallwhite-facedbuildingwhichliftedafulltwentystoreysoutofthewater.
Theroofofanadjacentsmallerblockservedasajetty,nexttowhichwas
mooredarustywhite-hulledpowercruiser.Therakedperspexwindowsof
thedrivingcabinwerecrackedandstained,andtheexhaustventsleakeda
scalyoilontothewater.
AsthecutterjockeyedinbehindthepowercruiserunderMacready'sexpert
hand,theyclamberedovertothewiredoor,jumpeddownontothejettyand
crossedanarrowmetalgangwaythatledintotheapartmentblock.Thewalls
ofthecorridorwereslickwithmoisture,hugepatchesofmouldfeedingon
theplaster,buttheelevatorwasstillworking,poweredbyanemergency
25
diesel.Theyroseslowlytowardstheroof,andsteppedoutontotheupper
leveloftheduplex,thenwalkeddownaservicecorridortotheouterdeck.
Directlybelowthemwasthelowerlevel,asmallswimmingpoolwitha
coveredpatio,brightdeckchairsdrawnupintheshadebythedivingboard.
Yellowvenetianblindsmaskedthewindowsaroundthreesidesofthepool,
butthroughthevanestheycouldseethecoolshadowsintheinteriorlounge,
theglintofcut-glassandsilverontheoccasionaltables.Inthedimlightunder
thestripedblueawningattherearofthepatiowasalongchromiumcounter,
asinvitingasanair-conditionedbarseenfromadustystreet,glassesand
decantersreflectedinadiamond-panedmirror.Everythinginthisprivate
havenseemedcleananddiscreet,thousandsofmilesawayfromthefly-blown
vegetationandtepidjunglewatertwentystoreysbelow.
Beyondthefarendofthepool,screenedbyanornamentalbalcony,wasa
wideopenviewofthelagoon,thecityemergingfromtheencroachingjungle,
flatsheetsofsilverwaterexpandingtowardsthegreenbluralongthe
southernhorizon.Massivesiltbanksliftedtheirbacksthroughthesurface,a
lightyellowfuralongtheirspinesmarkingtheemergenceofthefirstgiant
bamboogroves.
Thehelicopterrosefromitsplatformontheroofofthebaseandarced
upwardsintotheairtowardsthem,thepilotswingingthetailashechanged
direction,thenroaredoverhead,twomenintheopenhatchwaysearchingthe
rooftopswithbinoculars.
BeatriceDahllaybackononeofthedeckchairs,herlongoiledbody
gleamingintheshadowslikeasleepingpython.Thepink-tippedfingersof
onehandrestedlightlyonanice-filledglassonatablebesideher,whilethe
otherhandturnedslowlythroughthepagesofamagazine.Wideblue-black
sunglasseshidhersmoothsleekface,butKeransnotedtheslightlysullen
poutofherfirmlowerlip.PresumablyRiggshadannoyedher,forcingherto
26
acceptthelogicofhisargument.
TheColonelpausedattherail,lookingdownatthebeautifulsupplebody
withungrudgingapproval.Noticinghim,Beatricepulledoffhersunglasses,
thentightenedthelooseback-strapsofherbikiniunderherarms.Hereyes
glintedquietly.
"Allright,youtwo,getonwithit.I'mnotastripshow."
Riggschuckledandtrotteddownthewhitemetalstairway,Keransathis
heels,wonderinghowhewasgoingtopersuadeBeatricetoleaveherprivate
sanctuary.
"MydearMissDahl,youshouldbeflatteredthatIkeepcomingtosee
you,"Riggstoldher,liftingbacktheawningandsittingdownononeofthe
chairs."Besides,asthemilitarygovernorofthisarea-"herehewinked
playfullyatKerans"-Ihavecertainresponsibilitiestowardsyou.Andvice
versa."
Beatriceregardedhimbrieflywithajaundicedeyeandreachedouttoturn
upthevolumeoftheradiogrambehindher."OhGod…"Shemutteredsome
further,lesspoliteimprecationunderherbreathandlookedupatKerans.
"Andwhataboutyou,Robert?Whatbringsyououtsoearlyintheday?"
Keransshrugged,smilingatheramiably."Imissedyou."
"Goodboy.Ithoughtperhapsthatthegauleiterherehadbeentryingto
frightenyouwithhishorrorstories."
"Well,hehas,asamatteroffact."Keranstookthemagazinepropped
againstBeatrice'skneeandleafedthroughitidly.Itwasaforty-year-oldissue
ofParisVogue,fromitsicypagesevidentlykeptsomewhereincoldstorage.
Hedroppeditonthegreen-tiledfloor."Bea,itlooksasifwe'llallhaveto
27
leavehereinacoupleofdays'time.TheColonelandhismenarepullingout
forgood.Wecan'tverywellstayonafterhe'sgone."
"We?"sherepeateddryly."Ididn'tknowtherewasanychanceofyour
stayingbehind?"
KeransglancedinvoluntarilyatRiggs,whowaswatchinghimsteadily.
"Thereisn't,"hesaidfirmly."YouknowwhatImean.There'llbealottodo
inthenextforty-eighthours,trynottocomplicatethingsbymakingalast
emotionalstand."
BeforethegirlcouldcutbackatKerans,Riggsaddedsmoothly:"The
temperatureisstillgoingup,MissDahl,youwon'tfinditeasytostandone
hundredandthirtydegreeswhenthefuelforyourgeneratorrunsout.Thebig
Equatorialrainbeltsaremovingnorthward,andthey'llbehereinacoupleof
months.Whentheyleave,andthecloudcovergoes,thewaterinthatpool-"
heindicatedthetankofsteaming,insect-strewnfluid"-willdamnnearlyboil.
WhatwiththeTypeXAnopheles,skincancersandtheiguanasshriekingall
nightdownbelow,you'llgetpreciouslittlesleep."Closinghiseyes,headded
pensively:"Thatis,assumingthatyoustillwantany."
Atthislastremarkthegirl'smouthfrettedslightly.Keransrealisedthatthe
quietambiguityinRiggs'voicewhenheaskedhowthebiologistslepthadnot
beendirectedathisrelationshipwithBeatrice.
TheColonelwenton:"Inaddition,someofthehumanscavengersdriven
northwardoutoftheMediterraneanlagoonswon'tbetooeasytodealwith."
Beatricetossedherlongblackhairoveroneshoulder."I'llkeepthedoor
locked,Colonel."
Irritated,Keranssnapped:"ForGod'ssake,Beatrice,whatareyoutryingto
prove?Theseself-destructiveimpulsesmaybeamusingtoplaywithnow,but
28
whenwe'vegonetheywon'tbesofunny.TheColonel'sonlytryingtohelp
you-hedoesn'treallygiveahootwhetheryoustaybehindornot."
Riggsletoutabrieflaugh.'Well,Iwouldn'tsaythat.Butifthethoughtof
mypersonalconcernworriesyousomuch,MissDahl,youcanjustputit
downtomyover-developedsenseofduty."
"That'sinteresting,Colonel,"Beatricecommentedsarcastically."I'vealways
understoodthatourdutywastostayonhereaslongaspossibleandmake
everysacrificenecessarytothatend.Oratleast-"herethefamiliargleamof
sharphumourcrossedhereyes"-thatwasthereasonmygrandfatherwas
givenwhenthegovernmentconfiscatedmostofhisproperty."Shenoticed
Riggspeeringoverhisshoulderatthebar."What'sthematter,Colonel?
Lookingforyourpunkahwallah?I'mnotgoingtogetyouadrink,ifthat's
whatyou'reafter.Ithinkyoumenonlycomeupheretobooze."
Riggsstoodup."Allright,MissDahl.Igivein.I'llseeyoulater,Doctor."
HesalutedBeatricewithasmile."SometimetomorrowI'llsendthecutter
overtocollectyourgear,MissDahl."
WhenRiggshadgoneKeranslaybackinhischair,watchingthehelicopter
circleovertheadjacentlagoon.Nowandthenitdivedalongthewater'sedge,
thedown-draughtfromitsrotorbladesbeatingthroughtheflappingfronds
oftheferntrees,drivingtheiguanasacrosstherooftops.Beatricebroughta
drinkfromthebarandsatdownonthechairathisfeet.
"Iwishyouwouldn'tanalysemeinfrontofthatman,Robert."Shehanded
himthedrinkandthenleanedagainsthisknees,restingherchinononewrist.
Usuallyshelookedsleekandwell-fed,butherexpressiontodayseemedtired
andwistful.
"I'msorry,"Keransapologised."PerhapsIwasreallyanalysingmyself.
Riggs'ultimatumcameasabitofasurprise;Iwasn'texpectingtoleaveso
29
soon."
"Youaregoingtoleavethen?"
Keranspaused.Theautomaticplayerintheradiogramswitchedfrom
Beethoven'sPastoraltotheSeventh,ToscaninigivingwaytoBrunoWalter.
Allday,withoutabreak,itplayedthroughthecycleofninesymphonies.He
searchedforananswer,thechangeofmood,tothesomberopeningmotifof
theSeventh,overlayinghisindecision.
"IsupposeIwantto,butIhaven'tyetfoundanadequatereason.Satisfying
one'semotionalneedsisn'tenough.There'sgottobeamorevalidmotive.
Perhapsthesesunkenlagoonssimplyremindmeofthedrownedworldofmy
uterinechildhood-ifso,thebestthingistoleavestraightaway.Everything
Riggssaysistrue.There'slittlehopeofstandinguptotherainstormsandthe
malaria."
Heplacedhishandonherforehead,feelinghertemperaturelikeachild.
"WhatdidRiggsmeanwhenhesaidyouwouldn'tsleepwell?Thatwasthe
secondtimethismorninghementionedit."
Beatricelookedawayforamoment."Oh,nothing.I'vejusthadoneortwo
peculiarnightmaresrecently.Alotofpeoplegetthem…Forgetit.Tellme,
Robert,seriously-ifIdecidetostayonhere,wouldyou?Youcouldsharethis
apartment."
Keransgrinned."Tryingtotemptme,Bea?Whataquestion.Remember,
notonlyareyouthemostbeautifulwomanhere,butyou'retheonlywoman.
Nothingismoreessentialthanabasisforcomparison.Adamhadnoaesthetic
sense,orhewouldhaverealisedthatEvewasaprettyhaphazardpieceof
work."
"Youarebeingfranktoday."Beatricestoodupandwentovertotheedge
30
ofthepool.Shesweptherhairbackoffherforeheadwithbothhands,her
longsupplebodygleamingagainstthesunlight."Butisthereasmuchurgency
asRiggsclaims?We'vegotthecruiser."
"It'sawreck.Thefirstseriousstormwillsplititopenlikearustycan.
Nearingnoon,theheatontheterracehadbecomeuncomfortableandthey
leftthepatioandwentindoors.Doublevenetianblindsfilteredathinsunlight
intothelowwidelounge,andtherefrigeratedairwascoolandsoothing.
Beatricestretchedoutonalongpale-blueelephant-hidesofa,onehand
playingwiththefleecypileofthecarpet.Theapartmenthadbeenoneofher
grandfather'spiedaterres,andBeatrice'shomesinceherparents'death
shortlyafterherbirth.Shehadbeenbroughtupunderthesupervisionofthe
grandfather,whohadbeenalonely,eccentrictycoon(thesourcesofhis
wealthKeranshadneverestablished;whenheaskedBeatrice,shortlyafterhe
andRiggsstumbleduponherpenthouseeyrie,sherepliedsuccinctly:"Let's
sayhewasinmoney")andagreatpatronoftheartsinhisearlierdays.His
tastesleanedparticularlytowardstheexperimentalandbizarre,andKerans
oftenwonderedhowfarhispersonalityanditsstrangeinternalperspectives
hadbeencarriedforwardintohisgranddaughter.Overthemantelpiecewasa
hugepaintingbytheearly20thcenturysurrealistDelvaux,inwhichashenfacedwomendancednakedtothewaistwithdandifiedskeletonsintuxedos
againstaspectralbonelikelandscape.OnanotherwalloneofMaxErnst's
self-devouringphantasmagoricjunglesscreamedsilentlytoitself,likethe
sumpofsomeinsaneunconscious.
ForafewmomentsKeransstaredquietlyatthedimyellowannulusof
Ernst'ssungloweringthroughtheexoticvegetation,acuriousfeelingof
memoryandrecognitionsignalingthroughhisbrain.Farmorepotentthan
theBeethoven,theimageofthearchaicsunburnedagainsthismind,
illuminatingthefleetingshadowsthatdartedfitfullythroughitsprofoundest
deeps.
31
"Beatrice."
Shelookedupathimashewalkedacrosstoher,alightfrowncrossingher
eyes."What'sthematter,Robert?"
Keranshesitated,suddenlyawarethat,howeverbriefandimperceptible,a
momentofsignificanttimehadelapsed,carryinghimforwardwithitspassage
intoazoneofcommitmentfromwhichhewouldnotbeabletowithdraw.
"YourealisethatifweletRiggsgowithoutuswedon'tmerelyleavehere
later.Westay."
32
3-TowardsaNewPsychology
Berthingthecatamaranagainstthelandingstage,Keransshippedthe
outboardandthenmadehiswayupthegangwayintothebase.Ashelet
himselfthroughthescreenhatchhelookedbackoverhisshoulderacrossthe
lagoon,andcaughtabriefglimpsethroughtheheatwavesofBeatrice
standingatherbalconyrail.Whenhewaved,however,shecharacteristically
turnedawaywithoutresponding.
"Oneofhermoodydays,Doctor?"SergeantMacreadysteppedfromthe
guardcubicle,atraceofhumourrelaxinghisbeak-likeface."She'sastrange
one,allright."
Keransshrugged."Thesetoughbachelorgirls,youknow,Sergeant.If
you'renotcarefultheyfrightenthewitsoutofyou.I'vebeentryingto
persuadehertopackupandcomewithus.WithalittleluckIthinkshewill."
Macreadypeeredshrewdlyatthedistantroofoftheapartmenthouse."I'm
gladtohearyousayso,Doctor,"heventurednoncommittally,butKerans
wasunabletodecideifhisskepticismwasdirectedatBeatriceorhimself.
Whetherornottheyfinallystayedbehind,Keranshadresolvedtomaintain
thepretensethattheywereleaving-everyspareminuteofthenextthreedays
wouldbeneededtoconsolidatetheirsuppliesandstealwhateverextra
equipmenttheyrequiredfromthebasestores.Keranshadstillnotmadeup
hismind-onceawayfromBeatricehisindecisionreturned(ruefullyhe
wonderedifshewasdeliberatelytryingtoconfusehim,Pandorawithher
killingmouthandwitch'sboxofdesiresandfrustrations,unpredictably
openingandshuttingthelid)-butratherthanstumbleaboutinastateof
tortureduncertainty,whichRiggsandBodkinwouldsoondiagnose,he
decidedtopostponeafinalreckoninguntilthelastmomentpossible.Muchas
heloathedthebase,heknewthatthesightofitactuallysailingoffwouldact
33
asawonderfulcatalystforemotionsoffearandpanic,andanymoreabstract
motivesforstayingbehindwouldsoonbeabandoned.Ayearearlier,hehad
beenaccidentallymaroonedonasmallkeywhiletakinganunscheduled
geomagneticreading,thedeparturesirenmuffledbyhisheadphonesashe
crouchedoverhisinstrumentsinanoldbasementbunker.Whenheemerged
tenminuteslaterandfoundthebasesixhundredyardsawayacrossa
wideningintervalofflatwaterhehadfeltlikeachildpartedforeverfromits
mother,barelymanagedtocontrolhispanicintimetofireawarningshell
fromhisflarepistol.
"Dr.Bodkinaskedmetocallyouassoonasyouarrived,sir.Lieutenant
Hardmanhasn'tbeentoohappythismorning."
Keransnodded,glancingupanddowntheemptydeck.Hehadtakenlunch
withBeatrice,knowingthatthebasewasdesertedintheafternoons.Halfthe
crewwereawaywitheitherRiggsorthehelicopter,therestasleepintheir
bunks,andhehadhopedtocarryoutaprivatetourofthestoresand
armoury.Nowunluckily,Macready,theColonel'sever-alertwatch-dog,was
hangingaboutathisheels,readytoescorthimupthecompanionwaytothe
sick-bayonB-Deck.
KeransstudiouslyexaminedapairofAnophelesmosquitoeswhichbad
slippedthroughthewirehatchbehindhim."They'restillgettingin,"he
pointedouttoMacready.'What'shappenedtothedoublescreeningyouwere
supposedtobeputtingup?"
Swattingatthemosquitoeswithhisforagecap,Macreadylookedaround
uncertainly.Asecondarylayerofscreeningaroundthewiremeshenclosing
thebasehadlongbeenoneofColonelRiggs'petprojects.Attimeshewould
tellMacreadytodetailasquadtocarryoutthework,butasthisinvolved
sittingonawoodentrestleintheopensunlightinthecentreofacloudof
mosquitoesonlyafewtokensectionsaroundRiggs'cabinhadbeen
34
completed.Nowthattheyweremovingnorthwardtheutilityoftheproject
hadfaded,butMacready'sPresbyterianconscience,onceroused,refusedto
lethimrest.
"I'llgetthemenontoitthisevening,Doctor,"heassuredKerans,pullinga
ball-penandnote-bookfromhishippocket.
"Nohurry,Sergeant,butifyou'venothingbettertodo,Iknowthe
Colonel'sverykeen."Keranslefthimsquintingalongthemetallouvresand
walkedoffalongthedeck.Assoonashewasoutofsighthesteppedthrough
thefirstdoorway.
C-Deck,thelowestofthethreedeckscomprisingthebase,containedthe
crew'squartersandgalley.Twoorthreemenlayaboutamongtheirtropical
gearinthecabins,buttherecreationroomwasempty,aradioplayingtoitself
bythetable-tennistournamentboardinthecorner.Keranspaused,listening
tothestridentrhythmsoftheguitarmusic,overlayedbythedistantblareof
thehelicoptercirclingoverthenextlagoon,thenmadehiswaydownthe
centralstair-wellwhichledtothearmouryandworkshopshousedinthe
pontoon.
Three-quartersofthehullwasoccupiedbythe2,000hp.dieselswhich
poweredthetwinscrews,andbytheoilandaviationfueltanks,andthe
workshopshadbeentemporarilytransferredduringthefinalaerialsweepsto
twovacantofficesonA-Deck,besidetheofficers'quarters,sothatthe
mechanicscouldservicethehelicopterwiththemaximumspeed.
ThearmourywasclosedwhenKeransentered,asinglelightburninginthe
tech,corporal'sglass-walledbooth.Keransgazedaroundtheheavywooden
benchesandcabinetslinedwithcarbinesandsubmachine-guns.Steelrods
throughthetriggerguardslockedtheweaponsintotheircases,andheidly
touchedtheheavystocks,doubtingwhetherhecouldhandleanyofthe
weaponsevenifhestoleone.InadraweratthetestingstationwasaColt.45
35
andfiftyroundsissuedtohimthreeyearsearlier.Onceayearhemadean
officialreturnontheammunitiondischarged-inhiscasenone-andexchanged
theunusedshellsforafreshissue,buthehadnevertriedtofirethepistol.
Onhiswayouthescannedthedarkgreenammunitionboxesstacked
aroundthewallbelowthecabinets,allofthemdoublepadlocked.Hewas
passingtheboothwhenthelightthroughthedoorilluminatedthedusty
labelsonarowofmetalcartonsbelowoneoftheworkbenches.
'Hy-Dyne.'OnanimpulseKeransstopped,pushedhisfingersthroughthe
wirecageandbrushedthedustoffalabel,tracingtheformulawithhis
fingers.'Cyclotrime-thylenetrinitramine:Gasdischargespeed-8,000
metres/second.'
Speculatingonthepossibleusesoftheexplosive-itwouldbeabrillianttour
deforcetosinkoneoftheofficebuildingsintotheexitcreekafterRiggshad
left,blockinganyattempttoreturn-heleanedhiselbowsonthebench,
playingabsent-mindedlywitha4-inch-diameterbrasscompassthathadbeen
leftforrepair.Thecalibratedannuluswaslooseandhadbeenrotatedafull
180degrees,thepointemphasisedwithachalkedcross.
Stillthinkingabouttheexplosive,andthepossibilityofstealingdetonators
andfuse-wire,Keransrubbedawaythebluntchalkmarksandthenliftedthe
compassandweigheditinhishand.Leavingthearmoury,hebegantoclimb
thestairway,uncagingthecompassandlettingthepointerdanceandfloat.A
sailorwalkedpastalongC-Deck,andKeransquicklyslippedthecompassinto
hisjacketpocket.
Suddenly,ashevisualisedhimselfthrowinghisweightontothehandlesof
aplungerboxandcatapultingRiggs,thebaseandthetestingstationintothe
nextlagoon,hestoppedandsteadiedhimselfagainsttherail.Smilingruefully
attheabsurdityofthefantasy,hewonderedwhyhehadindulgedit.
36
Thenhenoticedtheheavycylinderofthecompassdraggingathisjacket.
Foramomenthepeereddownatitthoughtfully.
"Watchout,Kerans,"hemurmuredtohimself."You'relivingontwo
levels."
Fiveminuteslater,whenheenteredthesick-bayonB-Deck,hefound
moreurgentproblemsfacinghim.
Threemenwerebeingtreatedforheatulcersinthedispensary,butthe
maintwelve-bedwardwasempty.Keransnoddedtothecorporalissuing
penicillinband-aidsandwalkedthroughtothesmallsinglewardonthe
starboardsideofthedeck.
Thedoorwasclosed,butasheturnedthehandlehecouldheartherestless
heavingmotionofthecot,followedbyafractiousmutteringfromthepatient
andDr.Bodkin'sequablebutfirmreply.Forafewmomentsthelatter
continuedtospeakinalowevenmonologue,punctuatedbyafewshrugging
protestsandconcludedbyanintervaloftiredsilence.
LieutenantHardman,theseniorpilotofthehelicopter(nowbeingflown
byhisco-pilot,SergeantDaley)wastheonlyothercommissionedmemberof
thesurveyunit,anduntilthelastthreemonthshadservedasRiggs'deputy
andchiefexecutiveofficer.Aburly,intelligentbutsomewhatphlegmaticman
ofabout30,hehadquietlykepthimselfapartfromtheothermembersofthe
unitsomethingofanamateurnaturalist,hemadehisowndescriptivenotesof
thechangingfloraandfauna,employingataxonomicsystemofhisown
devising.Inoneofhisfewunguardedmomentshehadshownthenotebooks
toKerans,thenabruptlywithdrawnintohimselfwhenKeranstactfully
pointedoutthattheclassificationswereconfused.
ForthefirsttwoyearsHardmanhadbeentheperfectbufferbetweenRiggs
andKerans.TherestofthecrewtooktheircuefromtheLieutenant,andthis
37
hadtheadvantage,fromKerans'pointofview,thatthegroupnever
developedthatsenseofhappycohesionamoreextravertsecond-in-command
mighthaveinstilled,andwhichwouldhavesoonmadelifeunbearable.The
loosefragmentaryrelationshipsaboardthebase,whereareplacementwas
acceptedasafullypaidupmemberofthecrewwithinfiveminutesandnoonecaredwhetherhehadbeentheretwodaysortwoyears,waslargelya
reflectionofHardman'stemperament.Whenheorganisedabasketballmatch
oraregattaoutonthelagoontherewasnoself-consciousboisterousness,but
alaconicindifferencetowhetheranyonetookpartornot.
Recently,however,themoresomberelementsinHardman'spersonality
hadbeguntopredominate.TwomonthsearlierhecomplainedtoKeransof
intermittentinsomnia-often,fromBeatriceDahl'sapartment,Keranswould
watchhimlongaftermidnightstandinginthemoonlightbesidethehelicopter
ontheroofofthebase,lookingoutacrossthesilentlagoon-andthentook
advantageofanattackofmalariatoexcusehimselffromflyingduty.
Confinedtohiscabinforuptoaweekonend,hesteadilyretreatedintohis
privateworld,goingthroughhisoldnote-booksandrunninghisfingers,likea
blindmanreadingBraille,acrosstheglassdisplaycaseswiththeirfew
mountedbutterfliesandgiantmoths.
Themalaisehadnotbeendifficulttodiagnose.Keransrecognisedthesame
symptomshehadseeninhimself,anacceleratedentryIntohisown'zoneof
transit',andlefttheLieutenantalone,askingBodkintocallinperiodically.
Curiously,however,BodkinhadtakenamoreseriousviewofHardman's
illness.
Pushingbackthedoor,Keranssteppedquietlyintothedarkenedroom,
pausinginthecornerbytheventilatorshaftasBodkinraisedamonitoryhand
towardshim.Theblindsoverthewindowsweredrawn,andtoKerans'
surprisetheair-conditioningunithadbeenswitchedoff.Theairpumpedin
38
throughtheventilatorwasnevermorethantwentydegreesbelowtheambient
temperatureofthelagoon,andtheair-conditionernormallykepttheroomat
aneven70degrees.ButBodkinhadnotonlyswitchedthisoffbutpluggeda
smallelectricfireintotheshaversocketoverthehandbasinmirror.Kerans
rememberedhimbuildingthefireinthelaboratoryatthetestingstation,
fittingadentedparaboloidmirroraroundthesinglefilament.Littlemorethan
acoupleofwattsinstrength,thefireseemedtoemitanimmenseheat,
blazingoutintothesmallroomlikeafurnacemouth,andwithinafew
secondsKeransfeltthesweatgatheringaroundhisneck.Bodkin,sittingon
themetalbedsidechairwithhisbacktothefire,wasstillwearinghiswhite
cottonjacket,stainedbytwowidepatchesofsweatthattouchedbetweenhis
shoulderblades,andinthedimredlightKeranscouldseethemoisture
beadingoffhisheadlikedropsofwhite-hotlead.
Hardmanlayslumpedbackononeelbow,hisbroadchestandshoulders
fillingthebackrest,bighandsholdingtheleadsofapairofheadphones
claspedtohisears.Hisnarrow,large-jawedfacewaspointedtowardsKerans,
buthiseyeswerefixedontheelectricfire.Projectedbytheparabolicbowl,a
circulardiscofintenseredlightthreefeetindiametercoveredthewallofthe
cabin,Hardman'sheadatitscentre,likeanenormousglowinghalo.
Afaintscratchingnoisecamefromaportablerecordplayeronthefloorat
Bodkin'sfeet,asinglethree-inchdiscspinningonitsturntable.Generated
mechanicallybythepick-uphead,thealmostimperceptiblesoundsofadeep
slowdrummingreachedKerans,lostastherecordendedandBodkin
switchedofftheplayer.Quicklyhejottedsomethingdownonadesk-pad,
thenturnedofftheelectricfireandputonthebedsidelamp.
Shakinghisheadslowly,Hardmanpulledofftheheadphonesandhanded
themtoBodkin.
"Thisisawasteoftime,Doctor.Theserecordsareinsane,youcanputany
39
interpretationyoulikeonthem."Hesettledhisheavylimbsuncomfortablyin
thenarrowcot.Despitetheheat,therewaslittlesweatonhisfaceandbare
chest,andhewatchedthefadingembersoftheelectricfireasifreluctantto
seethemvanish.
Bodkinstoodupandputtherecordplayeronhischair,wrappingthe
headphonesaroundthecase."Perhapsthat'sthepoint,Lieutenant-asortof
auralRorshach.Ithinkthelastrecordwasthemostevocative,don'tyou
agree?"
Hardmanshruggedwithstudiedvagueness,evidentlyreluctanttocooperate
withBodkinandconcedeeventhesmallestpoint.ButdespitethisKeransfelt
thathehadbeengladtotakepartintheexperiment,usingitforhisown
purposes.
"Maybe,"Hardmansaidgrudgingly."ButI'mafraiditdidn'tsuggesta
concreteimage."
Bodkinsmiled,awareofHardman'sresistancebutpreparedforthe
momenttogiveintohim."Don'tapologise,Lieutenant;believeme,thatwas
ourmostvaluablesessionsofar."HewavedtoKerans."Comein,Robert,
I'msorryit'ssowarm-LieutenantHardmanandIhavebeenconductinga
smallexperimenttogether.I'lltellyouaboutitwhenwegobacktothe
station.Now-"hepointedtoacontraptiononthebedsidetablewhich
appearedtobetwoalarmclocksclippedbacktoback,crudemetalextensions
fromthehandsinterlockinglikethelegsoftwograpplingspiders"-keepthis
thingrunningaslongasyoucan,itshouldn'tbetoodifficult,allyouhaveto
doisre-setbothalarmsaftereachtwelve-hourcycle.They'llwakeyouonce
everytenminutes,justenoughtimeforyoutogetsufficientrestbeforeyou
slideoffthepre-consciousshelfintodeepsleep.Withluckthere'llbenomore
dreams."
Hardmansmiledskeptically,glancingupbrieflyatKerans."Ithinkyou're
40
beingover-optimistic,Doctor.WhatyoureallymeanisthatIwon'tbeaware
ofthem."Hepickedupawell-thumbedgreenfile,hisbotanicaldiary,and
begantoturnthepagesmechanically."SometimesIthinkIhavethedreams
continuously,everyminuteoftheday.Perhapswealldo."
Histonewasrelaxedandunhurried,despitethefatiguewhichhaddrained
theskinaroundhiseyesandmouth,makinghislongJawseemevenmore
lantern-like.Keransrealisedthatthemalaise,whateveritssource,hadbarely
touchedthecentralcoreoftheman'sego.TheelementoftoughselfsufficiencyinHardmanwasasstrongasever,ifanythingstronger,likeasteel
bladespringingagainstafencingpostandrevealingitssinews.
Bodkindabbedathisfacewithayellowsilkhandkerchief,watching
Hardmanthoughtfully.Hisgrimycottonjacketandhaphazardattire,coupled
withhispuffy,quinine-tintedskin,misleadinglymadehimlooklikeaseedy
quack,maskingasharpandunrestingintelligence."Perhapsyou'reright,
Lieutenant.Infact,somepeopleusedtomaintainthatconsciousnessis
nothingmorethanaspecialcategoryofthecytoplasmiccoma,thatthe
capacitiesofthecentralnervoussystemareasfullydevelopedandextended
bythedream,lifeastheyareduringwhatwecallthewakingstate.Butwe
havetoadoptanempiricalapproach,trywhateverremedywecan.Don'tyou
agree,Kerans?"
Keransnodded.Thetemperatureinthecabinhadbeguntofall,andhefelt
himselfbreathingmorefreely."Achangeofclimatewillprobablyhelpas
well."Therewasadullclatteroutsideasoneofthemetalscowsbeinghauled
upinitsdavitsclangedagainstthehull.Headded:"Theatmosphereinthese
lagoonsisprettyenervating.ThreedaysfromnowwhenweleaveIthinkwe'll
allshowamarkedimprovement."
HeassumedthatHardmanhadbeentoldoftheirimminentdeparture,but
theLieutenantlookedupathimsharply,loweringhisnote-bookBodkin
41
begantoclearhisthroatnoisilyandabruptlystartedtalkingaboutthedanger
ofdraughtsfromtheventilator.ForafewsecondsKeransandHardman
watchedeachothersteadily,andthentheLieutenantnoddedbrieflyto
himselfandresumedhisreading,carefullynotingthetimefromthebedside
clocks.
Angrywithhimself,Keranswentovertothewindow,hisbackturnedto
theothers.HerealisedthathehadtoldHardmandeliberately,unconsciously
hopingtoelicitpreciselythisresponse,andknowingfullwellwhyBodkinhad
withheldthenews.WithouttheshadowofadoubthehadwarnedHardman,
tellinghimthatwhatevertaskshehadtocarryout,whateverinternal
perspectivestobringtoacommonfocus,thisshouldbecompletedwithin3
days.
Keranslookeddownirritablyatthealarmdeviceonthetable,resentinghis
diminishingcontroloverhisownmotives.Firstthemeaninglesstheftofthe
compass,andnowthisactofgratuitoussabotage.Howevervariedhisfaults,
inthepasthehadalwaysbelievedthemtoberedressedbyoneoutstanding
virtue-acompleteandobjectiveawarenessofthemotivesbehindhisactions.
Ifhewassometimespronetounduedelaysthiswasaresult,notof
irresolution,butofareluctancetoactatallwherecompleteselfawarenesswas
impossible-hisaffairwithBeatriceDahl,tiltedbysomanyconflicting
passions,fromdaytodaywalkedanarrowtightropeofathousandrestraints
andcautions.
Inabelatedattempttore-asserthimself,hesaidtoHardman:"Don'tforget
theclock,Lieutenant.IfIwereyouI'dsetthealarmsothatitrings
continuously."
Leavingthesick-bay,theymadetheirwaydowntothejettyandclimbed
intoKerans'catamaran.Tootiredtostartthemotor,Keransslowlypulled
themalongtheoverheadhawzerstretchedbetweenthebaseandthetesting
42
station.Bodkinsatinthebows,therecordplayerheldbetweenhiskneeslike
abriefcase,blinkinginthebrightsunlightthatspangledthebrokensurfaceof
thesluggishgreenwater.Hisplumpface,toppedbyanuntidygreythatch,
seemedpreoccupiedandwistful,scanningthesurroundingringofhalfsubmergedbuildingslikeawearyship'schandlerbeingrowedarounda
harbourforthe-veryfirsttime.Astheynearedthetestingstationthe
helicopterroaredinoverheadandalighted,itsimpacttiltingthebaseand
dippingthehawzerintothewater,thentauteningitandcascadingabrief
showeracrosstheirshoulders.Bodkincursedunderhisbreath,buttheywere
drywithinafewseconds.Althoughitwaswellaftero'clock,thesunfilledthe
sky,turningitintoanenormousblow-torchandforcingthemtolowertheir
eyestothewater-line.Nowandthen,intheglasscurtainwallingofthe
surroundingbuildings,theywouldseecountlessreflectionsofthesunmove
acrossthesurfaceinhugesheetsoffire,liketheblazingfacettedeyesof
giganticinsects.
Atwo-storeydrumsomefiftyfeetindiameter,thetestingstationhada
deadweightoftwentytons.Thelowerdeckcontainedthelaboratory,the
upperthetwobiologists'quartersandthechartroomandoffices.Asmall
bridgetraversedtheroof,andhousedthetemperatureandhumidityregisters,
rainfallgaugeandradiationcounters.Clumpsofdriedair-weedandredkelp
wereencrustedacrossthebitumenedplatesofthepontoon,shriveledand
burntbythesunbeforetheycouldreachtherailingaroundthelaboratory,
whileadenserefuse-filledmassofsargassumandspirogyracushionedtheir
impactastheyreachedthenarrowjetty,oozingandsubsidinglikean
immensesoggyraft.
Theyenteredthecooldarknessofthelaboratoryandsatdownattheir
desksbelowthesemi-circleoffadingprogramscheduleswhichreachedtothe
ceilingbehindthedais,lookingdownovertheclutterofbenchesandfume
cupboardslikeadustymural.Theschedulesontheleft,datingfromtheirfirst
yearofwork,werepackedwithdetailedentriesandminutelylabeledarrow
43
sprays,butthoseontherightthinnedoutprogressively,untilafewpenciled
scrawlsingiantlonghandloopssealedoffallbutoneortwooftheecological
corridors.Manyofthecardboardscreenshadsprungofftheirdrawingpins,
andhungforwardsintotheairlikethepeelinghull-platesofaderelictship,
mooredagainstitsterminalpierandcoveredwithgnomicandmeaningless
graffiti.
Idlytracingalargecompassdialwithhisfingerinthedustonthedesk-top,
KeranswaitedforBodkintoprovidesomeexplanationforhiscurious
experimentswithHardman.ButBodkinsettledhimselfcomfortablybehind
themuddleofbox-filesandcataloguetraysonhisdesk,thenopenedthe
recordplayerandremovedthediscfromthetable,spinningitreflectively
betweenhishands.
Keransbegan:"I'msorryIletslipthatwewereleavinginthreedays'time.
Ihadn'trealisedyou'dkeptthatfromHardman."
Bodkinshrugged,dismissingthisasoflittleimportance."It'sacomplex
situation,Robert.HavinggoneafewstepstowardsunravelingitIdidn'twant
tointroduceanotherslipknot."
"Butwhynottellhim?"Keranspressed,hopingobliquelytoabsolve
himselfofhisslightfeelingofguilt."Surelytheprospectofleavingmightwell
jolthimoutofhislethargy?"
BodkinloweredhisglassestotheendofhisnoseandregardedKerans
quizzically."Itdoesn'tseemtohavehadthateffectonyou,Robert.Unless
I'mverymuchmistakenyoulookratherun-jolted.WhyshouldHardman's
reactionsbeanydifferent?"
Keranssmiled."Touché,Alan.Idon'twanttointerfere,havingmoreor
lessdroppedHardmanintoyourlap,butwhatexactlyareyouandheplaying
aboutwith-theelectricheaterandalarmclocks?"
44
Bodkinslidthegramophonerecordintoarackofminiaturediscstheshelf
behindhim.HelookedupatKeransandforafewmomentswatchedhim
withthemildbutpenetratinggazewithwhichhehadobservedHardman,and
Keransrealisedthattheirrelationship,untilnowthatofcolleaguesconfiding
completelyineachother,hadbecomeclosertothatofobserverandsubject.
AfterapauseBodkinglancedawayattheprogramcharts,andKerans
chuckledinvoluntarily.Tohimselfhesaid:Damntheoldboy,he'sgotmeup
therenowwiththealgaeandnautiloids,nexthe'llbeplayinghisrecordsat
me.
Bodkinstoodupandpointedtothethreerowsoflaboratorybenches,
crowdedwithvivariaandspecimenjars,pagesfromnotebookspinnedtothe
fumehoodsabovethem.
"Tellme,Robert,ifyouhadtosumupthelastthreeyears'workinasingle
conclusion,howwouldyousetaboutit?"
Keranshesitated,thengesturedoff-handedly."Itwouldn'tbetoodifficult."
HesawthatBodkinexpectedaseriousanswer,andcomposedhisthoughts.
'Well,onecouldsimplysaythatinresponsetotherisesintemperature,
humidityandradiationlevelsthefloraandfaunaofthisplanetarebeginning
toassumeonceagaintheformstheydisplayedthelasttimesuchconditions
werepresent-roughlyspeaking,theTriassic."
"Correct."Bodkinstrolledoffamongthebenches."Duringthelastthree
years,Robert,youandIhaveexaminedsomethinglikefivethousandspecies
intheanimalkingdom,seenliterallytensofthousandsofnewplantvarieties.
Everywherethesamepatternhasunfolded,countlessmutationscompletely
transformingtheorganismstoadaptthemforsurvivalinthenew
environment.Everywherethere'sbeenthesameavalanchebackwardsintothe
past-somuchsothatthefewcomplexorganismswhichhavemanagedto
retainafootholdunchangedontheslopelookdistinctlyanomalous-ahandful
45
ofamphibians,thebirds,andMan.It'sacuriousthingthatalthoughwe've
carefullycataloguedthebackwardjourneysofsomanyplantsandanimals,
we'veignoredthemostimportantcreatureonthisplanet."
Keranslaughed."I'llwillinglytakeasmallbowthere,Alan.Butwhatare
yousuggesting-thatHomosapiensisabouttotransformhimselfintoCroMagnonandJavaMan,andultimatelyintoSinanthropus?Unlikely,surely.
Wouldn'tthatmerelybeLamarkisminreverse?"
"Agreed.I'mnotsuggestingthat."Bodkinleanedagainstoneofthe
benches,feedingahandfulofpeanutstoasmallmarmosetcagedina
convertedfumecupboard."Thoughobviouslyaftertwoorthreehundred
millionyearsHomosapiensmightwelldieoutandourlittlecousinhere
becomethehighestformoflifeontheplanet.However,abiologicalprocess
isn'tcompletelyreversible."Hepulledthesilkhandkerchiefoutofhispocket
andflickeditatthemarmoset,whichflinchedawaytremulously."Ifwereturn
tothejunglewe'lldressfordinner."
Hewentovertoawindowandgazedoutthroughthemeshscreen,the
overhangofthedeckaboveshuttingoutallbutanarrowbandoftheintense
sunlight.Steepedinthevastheat,thelagoonlaymotionlessly,pailsofsteam
humpedoverthewaterlikeelephantinespectres.
"ButI'mreallythinkingofsomethingelse.Isitonlytheexternal'landscape
whichisaltering?Howoftenrecentlymostofushavehadthefeelingofdéjà
vu,ofhavingseenallthisbefore,infactofrememberingtheseswampsand
lagoonsalltoowell.Howeverselectivetheconsciousmindmaybe,most
biologicalmemoriesareunpleasantones,echoesofdangerandterror.
Nothingenduresforsolongasfear.Everywhereinnatureoneseesevidence
ofinnatereleasingmechanismsliterallymillionsofyearsold,whichhavelain
dormantthroughthousandsofgenerationsbutretainedtheirpower
undiminished.Thefield-rat'sinheritedimageofthehawk'ssilhouetteisthe
46
classicexample-evenapapersilhouettedrawnacrossacagesendsitrushing
franticallyforcover.Andhowelsecanyouexplaintheuniversalbut
completelygroundlessloathingofthespider,onlyonespeciesofwhichhas
everbeenknowntosting?Ortheequallysurprising-inviewoftheir
comparativerarity-hatredofsnakesandreptiles?Simplybecauseweallcarry
withinusasubmergedmemoryofthetimewhenthegiantspiderswerelethal,
andwhenthereptilesweretheplanet'sdominantlifeform."
Feelingthebrasscompasswhichweigheddownhispocket,Keranssaid:
"Soyou'refrightenedthattheincreasedtemperatureandradiationarealerting
similarIRM'sinourownminds?"
"Notinourminds,Robert.ThesearetheoldestmemoriesonEarth,the
time-codescarriedineverychromosomeandgene.Everystepwe'vetakenin
ourevolutionisamilestoneinscribedwithorganicmemories-fromthe
enzymescontrollingthecarbondioxidecycletotheorganisationofthe
brachialplexusandthenervepathwaysofthePyramidcellsinthemid-brain,
eachisarecordofathousanddecisionstakeninthefaceofasuddenphysicochemicalcrisis.Justaspsychoanalysisreconstructstheoriginaltraumatic
situationinordertoreleasetherepressedmaterial,sowearenowbeing
plungedbackintothearchaeopsychicpast,uncoveringtheancienttaboosand
drivesthathavebeendormantforepochs.Thebriefspanofanindividuallife
ismisleading.Eachoneofusisasoldastheentirebiologicalkingdom,and
ourbloodstreamsaretributariesofthegreatseaofitstotalmemory.The
uterineodysseyofthegrowingfetusrecapitulatestheentireevolutionarypast,
anditscentralnervoussystemiscodedtimescale,eachnexusofneuronsand
eachspinallevelmarkingasymbolicstation,aunitofneuronictime.
"ThefurtherdowntheCNSyoumove,fromthehind-brainthroughthe
medullaintothespinalcord,thefurtheryoudescendbackintotheneuronic
past.Forexample,thejunctionbetweenthethoracicandlumbarvertebrae,
betweenT-12andL-1,isthegreatzoneoftransitbetweenthegill-breathing
47
fishandtheairbreathingamphibianswiththeirrespiratoryrib-cages,thevery
junctionwherewestandnowontheshoresofthislagoon,betweenthe
PaleozoicandTriassicEras."
Bodkinmovedbacktohisdesk,andranhishandovertherackofrecords.
ListeningdistantlytoBodkin'squiet,unhurriedvoice,Keranstoyedwiththe
notionthattherowofparallelblackdiscswasamodelofaneurophonic
spinalcolumn.Herememberedthefaintdrummingemittedbytherecord
playerinHardman'scabin,anditsstrangeundertones.Perhapstheconceit
wasclosertothetruththanheimagined?
Bodkinwenton:"Ifyoulike,youcouldcallthisthePsychologyofTotal
Equivalents-let'ssay'Neuronics'forshort-anddismissitasmetabiological
fantasy.However,Iamconvincedthataswemovebackthroughgeophysical
timesowere-entertheamnioniccorridorandmovebackthroughspinaland
archaeopsychictime,recollectinginourunconsciousmindsthelandscapesof
eachepoch,eachwithadistinctgeologicalterrain,itsownuniquefloraand
fauna,asrecognisabletoanyoneelseastheywouldbetoatravelerina
Wellsiantimemachine.Exceptthatthisisnoscenicrailway,butatotalreorientationofthepersonality.Ifwelettheseburiedphantomsmasterusas
theyre-appearwe'llbesweptbackhelplesslyintheflood-tidelikepiecesof
flotsam."Hepickedoneoftherecordsfromtherack,thenpusheditaway
withagestureofuncertainty.'ThisafternoonImayhavebeentakingarisk
withHardman,usingtheheatertosimulatethesunandraisethetemperature
wellintothe120's,butitwasworthachance.Forthepreviousthreeweeks
hisdreamswerealmostdrivinghimoutofhismind,butduringthelastfew
dayshe'sbeenmuchlessdisturbed,almostasifhewereacceptingthedreams
andallowinghimselftobecarriedbackwithoutretaininganyconscious
control.ForhisownsakeIwanttokeephimawakeaslongaspossible-the
alarmclocksmaydoit."
"Ifherememberstokeepthemset,"Keranscommentedquietly.
48
OutsideinthelagoonthesoundsofRiggs'cutterdronedpast.Stretching
hislegs,Keranswalkedovertothewindow,andwatchedthelandingcraft
swinginadiminishingarcaroundthebase.WhileitberthedbythejettyRiggs
heldaninformalconferencewithMacreadyacrossthegangway.Severaltimes
hepointedtothetestingstationwithhisbaton,andKeransassumedthatthey
werepreparingtotowthestationovertothebase.Butforsomereasonthe
imminentdeparturelefthimunmoved.Bodkin'sspeculations,however
nebulous,andhisnewpsychologyofNeuronics,offeredamorevalid
explanationforthemetamorphosistakingplaceinhismindthananyother.
ThetacitassumptionmadebytheUNdirectorate-thatwithinthenew
perimetersdescribedbytheArcticandAntarcticCircleslifewouldcontinue
muchasbefore,withthesamesocialanddomesticrelationships,byandlarge
thesameambitionsandsatisfactions-wasobviouslyfallacious,asthe
mountingflood-waterandtemperaturewouldshowwhentheyreachedthe
so-calledpolarredoubts.Amoreimportanttaskthanmappingtheharbours
andlagoonsoftheexternallandscapewastocharttheghostlydeltasand
luminousbeachesofthesubmergedneuroniccontinents.
"Alan,"heaskedoverhisshoulder,stillwatchingRiggsstampingabouton
thelandingjetty,"whydon'tyoudraftareporttoByrd,Ithinkyoushouldlet
themknow.There'salwaysachanceof-"
ButBodkinhadgone.Keranslistenedtohisfeetdumpslowlyupthe
stairwayanddisappearintohiscabin,thefatiguedtreadofamantoooldand
tooexperiencedtocarewhetherornothiswarningswereheeded.
Keranswentbacktohisdeskandsatdown.Fromhisjacketpockethe
withdrewthecompassandplaceditinfrontofhim,cradlingitbetweenhis
hands.Aroundhimthemutedsoundsofthelaboratoryformedalow
backgroundtohismind,thefurryputteringofthemarmoset,thetickofa
recordingspoolsomewhere,thegratingofarevolvingrigestimatinga
creeper'sphototropism.
49
IdlyKeransexaminedthecompass,swingingthebearinggentlyinitsairbathandthenaligningthepointerandscale.Hetriedtodecidewhyhehad
takenitfromthearmoury.Normallyitwasinstalledinoneofthemotor
launches,anditsdisappearancewouldsoonbereported,probablyinvolve
himinthepettyhumiliationofadmittingitstheft.
Cagingthecompass,heswungitaroundtowardshimself,withoutrealising
itsankintoamomentaryreverieinwhichhisentireconsciousnessbecame
focusedontheserpentineterminaltouchedbythepointer,ontheconfused,
uncertainbutcuriouslypotentimagesummedupbytheconcept'South',with
allitsdormantmagicandmesmericpower,diffusingoutwardsfromthebrass
bowlheldinhishandsliketheheadyvapoursofsomespectralgrail.
50
4-TheCausewaysoftheSun
Thenextday,forreasonsKeranswastounderstandfullyonlymuchlater,
LieutenantHardmandisappeared.
Afteranightofdeep,dreamlesssleepKeransroseearlyandhad
breakfastedbyseveno'clock.Hethenspentanhouronthebalcony,sitting
backinoneofthebeachchairsinapairofwhitelatexshorts,thesunlight
expandingacrossthedarkwaterbathinghisleanebonybody.Overheadthe
skywasvividandmarbled,theblackbowlofthelagoon,bycontrast,
infinitelydeepandmotionless,likeanimmensewellofamber.Thetreecoveredbuildingsemergingfromitsrimseemedmillionsofyearsold,thrown
upoutoftheEarth'smagmabysomevastnaturalcataclysm,embalmedinthe
giganticintervalsoftimethathadelapsedduringtheirsubsidence.
Pausingbythedesktorunhisfingersoverthebrasscompassgleamingin
thedarknessofthesuite,Keranswentintothebedroomandchangedintohis
khakidrilluniform,aminimalconcessiontoRiggs'preparationsfordeparture.
TheItaliansportswearwasnowhardlyderigeur,anditwouldonlyrousethe
Colonel'ssuspicionsifhewereseensaunteringaboutinapastel-coloured
ensemblewithaRitzhallmark
Althoughheacceptedthepossibilitythathewouldremainbehind,Kerans
foundhimselfreluctanttotakeanysystematicprecautions.Apartfromhis
fuelandfoodsupplies,forwhichhehadbeendependentduringtheprevious
sixmonthsonColonelRiggs'largesse,hehadalsoneededanendless
successionofminorsparesandreplacements,fromanewwatchfacetoa
completerewiringofthelightingsysteminthesuite.Oncethebaseandits
workshophadlefthewouldsoonfindhimselfsaddledwithanaccumulating
seriesofpettyannoyances,andwithnoaccommodatingtechnicalsergeantto
removethem.
51
Fortheconvenienceofthestoresstaff,andtosavehimselfunnecessary
journeystoandfromthebase,Keranshadstockpiledamonth'sforward
suppliesofcannedfoodinthesuite.Mostofthisconsistedofcondensedmilk
andluncheonmeat,virtuallyinedibleunlesssupplementedbythedelicacies
storedawayinBeatrice'sdeepfreeze.Itwasthiscapaciouslocker,withits
reservesofpatedufoisgroisandfiletmignon,whichKeranscounteduponto
keepthemgoing,butatthemosttherewasabarethreemonths'stock.After
thattheywouldhavetoliveofftheland,switchtheirmenutowoodsoupand
steakiguana.
Fuelraisedmoreseriousproblems.Thereservetanksofdieseloilatthe
Ritzheldlittlemorethan500gallons,sufficienttooperatethecoolingsystem
foratmostacoupleofmonths.Byclosingdownthebedroomanddressing
roomandmovingintothelounge,andbyraisingtheambienttemperatureto
ninetydegrees,hewouldwithluckdoubleitslife,butoncethesupplieswere
exhaustedthechancesofsupplementingthemwerenegligible.Everyreserve
tankandcacheintheguttedbuildingsaroundthelagoonshadlongsincebeen
siphoneddrybythewavesofrefugeesmovingnorthwardduringthepast
thirtyyearsintheirpowerboatsandcabincruisers.Thetankonthe
catamaranoutboardmotorcarriedthreegallons,enoughforthirtymiles,ora
returntripadayforamonthbetweentheRitzandBeatrice'slagoon.
Forsomereason,however,thisinvertedCrusoeism-thedeliberate
marooningofhimselfwithouttheassistanceofagear-ladencarrackwrecked
onaconvenientreef-raisedfewanxietiesinKerans'mind.Ashelethimself
outofthesuiteheleftthethermostatatitsusualeightydegreesetting,despite
thefuelthegeneratorwouldwaste,reluctanttomakeevenanominal
concessiontothehazardsfacinghimafterRiggs'departure.Atfirsthe
assumedthatthisreflectedashrewdunconsciousassessmentthathisgood
sensewouldprevail,butashestartedtheoutboardanddrovethecatamaran
throughthecooloilyswellstowardsthecreekintothenextlagoonherealised
thatthisindifferencemarkedthespecialnatureofthedecisiontoremain
52
behind.TousethesymboliclanguageofBodkin'sschema,hewouldthenbe
abandoningtheconventionalestimatesoftimeinrelationtohisownphysical
needsandenteringtheworldoftotal,neuronictime,wherethemassive
intervalsofthegeologicaltime-scalecalibratedhisexistence.Hereamillion
yearswastheshortestworkingunit,andproblemsoffoodandclothing
becameasirrelevantastheywouldhavebeentoaBuddhistcontemplative
lotus-squattingbeforeanemptyrice-bowlundertheprotectivecanopyofthe
million-headedcobraofeternity.
Enteringthethirdlagoon,anoarraisedtofendofftheten-foot-longblades
ofagianthorse-taildippingitsleavesintothemouthofthecreek,henoticed
withoutemotionthatapartyofmenunderSergeantMacreadyhadhoisted
theanchorsofthetestingstationandweretowingitslowlytowardsthebase.
Asthegapbetweenthetwoclosed,likecurtainsdrawingtogetherafterthe
endofaplay,Keransstoodinthesternofthecatamaranunderthedripping
umbrellaofleaves,awatcherinthewingswhosecontributiontothedrama,
howeversmall,hadnowcompletelyended.
Inordernottoattractattentionbyrestartingtheengine,hepushedoutinto
thesunlight,thegiantleavessinkingtotheirhiltsinthegreenjellyofthe
water,andpaddledslowlyaroundtheperimeterofthelagoontoBeatrice's
apartmentblock.Intermittentlytheroarofthehelicopterdinnedacrossthe
waterasitcarriedoutitstarmaccheck,andtheswellsfromthetestingstation
drummedagainsttheprowsofthecatamarananddroveonthroughtheopen
windowsonhisright,slappingaroundtheinternalwalls.Beatrice'spower
cruisercreakedpainfullyatitsmoorings.Theengineroomhadfloodedand
thesternwasawashundertheweightofthetwobigChryslerengines.Sooner
orlateroneofthethermalstormswouldcatchthecraftandanchoritforever
fiftyfeetdowninoneofthesubmergedstreets.
Whenhesteppedoutoftheelevatorthepatioaroundtheswimmingpool
wasdeserted,thepreviousevening'sglassesstillonthetraybetweenthe
53
recliningchairs.Alreadythesunlightwasbeginningtofillthepool,
illuminatingtheyellowsea-horsesandbluetridentsthatpatterneditsfloor.A
fewbatshungintheshadowsbelowthegutteroverBeatrice'sbedroom
window,buttheyflewoffasKeranssatdown,likevampiricspiritsfleeingthe
risingday.
ThroughtheblindsKeranscaughtaglimpseofBeatricemovingabout
quietly,andfiveminuteslatershewalkedintothelounge,ablacktowelina
singletwistaroundhermidriff.Shewaspartlyhiddeninthedimlightatthe
farendoftheroom,andseemedtiredandwithdrawn,greetinghimwitha
half-heartedwave.Leaningoneelbowagainstthebar,shemadeadrinkfor
herself,staredblanklyatoneoftheDelvauxandreturnedtoherbedroom.
WhenshefailedtoreappearKeranswentinsearchofher.Ashepushed
backtheglassdoorsthehotairtrappedinsidetheloungehithisfacelike
fumesventedfromacrowdedgalley.Severaltimeswithinthepastmonththe
generatorhadfailedtorespondimmediatelytothethermostat,andthe
temperaturewaswellintothenineties,probablyresponsibleforBeatrice's
lethargyandennui.
ShewassittingonthebedwhenKeransentered,thetumblerofwhiskey
restingonhersmoothknees.ThethickhotairintheroomremindedKerans
ofHardman'scabinduringtheexperimentBodkinhadconductedonthe
pilot.Hewenttothethermostatonthebedsidetableandjerkedthetabdown
fromseventytosixtydegrees.
"It'sbrokendownagain,"Beatricetoldhimmatter-of-factly."Theengine
keptstopping."
Keranstriedtotaketheglassfromherhandsbutshesteereditawayfrom
him."Leavemealone,Robert,"shesaidinatiredvoice."IknowI'maloose,
drunkenwomanbutIspentlastnightintheMartianjunglesandIdon'twant
tobelectured."
54
Keransscrutinisedherclosely,smilingtohimselfinamixtureofaffection
anddespair."I'llseeifIcanrepairthemotor.Thisbedroomsmellsasif
you'vehadanentirepenalbattalionbilletedwithyou.Takeashower,Bea,and
trytopullyourselftogether.Riggsisleavingtomorrow,we'llneedourwits
aboutus.Whatarethesenightmaresyou'rehaving?"
Beatriceshrugged."Jungledreams,Robert,"shemurmuredambiguously.
"I'mlearningmyABC'sagain.Lastnightwasthedeltajungles."Shegavehim
ableaksmile,thenaddedwithatouchofmalicioushumour:"Don'tlookso
stern,you'llbedreamingthemtoo,soon."
"Ihopenot."Keranswatcheddistastefullyassheraisedtheglasstoher
lips."Andpourthatdrinkaway.ScotchbreakfastsmaybeanoldHighland
custombutthey'remurderontheliver."
Beatricewavedhimaway."Iknow.Alcoholkillsslowly,butI'minno
hurry.Goaway,Robert."
Keransgaveupandturnedonhisheel.Hetookthestairwayfromthe
kitchenintothestore-roombelow,foundatorchandthetool-set,andbegan
toworkonthegenerator.
Halfanhourlater,whenheemergedontothepatio,Beatricehad
apparentlyrecoveredcompletelyfromhertorporandwasintentlypainting
hernailswithabottleofbluevarnish.
"Hello,Robert,areyouinabettermoodnow?"
Keranssatdownonthetiledfloor,wipingthelasttracesofgreaseoffhis
hands.Crisplyhepunchedthefirmswellofhercalf,thenfendedawaythe
revengingheelathishead."I'vecuredthegenerator,withluckyouwon'thave
anymoretrouble.It'sratheramusing,thetimingdeviceonthetwo-stroke
55
startingenginehadgonewrong,itwasactuallyrunningbackwards."
Hewasabouttoexplaintheironyofthejokeatfulllengthwhenaloudhailerblaredfromthelagoonbelow.Thesoundsofsuddenexcitedactivity
hadsprungupfromthebase;engineswhinedandaccelerated,davitsshrilled
asthetworeservemotorlauncheswereloweredintothewater,therewasa
medleyofvoicesshoutingandfeetracingdowngangways.
Keransroseandhurriedaroundthepooltotherail."Don'ttellmethey're
leavingtoday-?Riggsiscleverenoughtotrythatinthehopeofcatchingus
unprepared."
Beatriceathisside,thetowelclaspedtoherbreasts,theylookeddownat
thebase.Everymemberoftheunitappearedtohavebeenmobilised,andthe
cutterandthetwolaunchessurgedandjockeyedaroundthelandingjetty.The
droopingrotorsofthehelicopterwerecirclingslowly,RiggsandMacready
abouttoembark.Theothermenwerelineduponthejetty,waitingtheirturn
toclimbintothethreecraft.EvenBodkinhadbeenrousedfromhisbunk,
andwasstandingbare-chestedonthebridgeofthetestingstation,shouting
upatRiggs.
SuddenlyMacreadynoticedKeransatthebalconyrail.Hespoketothe
Colonel,whopickedupanelectricmegaphoneandwalkedforwardsacross
theroof.
"KER-ANS!!DOC-TORKER-ANS!!"
Giantfragmentsoftheamplifiedphrasesboomedamongtherooftops,
echoingoffthealuminiumin-fallssetintothesheetsofwindows.Kerans
cuppedhisears,tryingtodistinguishwhattheColonelwasshouting,butthe
soundswerelostinthemountingroarofthehelicopter.ThenRiggsand
Macreadyclimbedintothecabin,andthepilotbegantosemaphoreatKerans
throughthecockpitwindscreen.
56
Keranstranslatedthemorsesignals,thenturnedquicklyfromtherailand
begantocarrythedeckchairsintothelounge.
"They'regoingtopickmeuphere,"hetoldBeatriceasthehelicopterrose
fromitspedestalandlifteddiagonallyacrossthelagoon."You'dbetterget
dressedoroutofsight.Theslip-streamwillstripyourtowelawayliketissue
paper.Riggshasgotenoughtocontendwithnow."
Beatricehelpedhimfurltheawning,andsteppedintotheloungeasthe
flickeringshadowofthehelicopterfilledthepatio,thedowndraughtfanning
acrosstheirshoulders.
"Butwhat'shappened,Robert?WhyisRiggssoexcited?"
Keransshieldedhisheadfromtheengineroarandstaredoutacrossthe
green-ringedlagoonsstretchingtowardsthehorizon,asuddenspasmof
anxietytwistingonecornerofhismouth.
"He'snotexcited,justworriedstiff.Everythingisbeginningtocollapse
aroundhim.LieutenantHardmanhasdisappeared!"
Likeanimmenseputrescentsore,thejunglelayexposedbelowtheopen
hatchwayofthehelicopter.Giantgrovesofgymnospermsstretchedindense
clumpsalongtherooftopsofthesubmergedbuildings,smotheringthewhite
rectangularoutlines.Hereandthereanoldconcretewatertowerprotruded
fromthemorass,ortheremainsofamakeshiftjettystillfloatedbesidethe
hulkofacollapsingofficeblock,overgrownwithfeatheryacaciasand
floweringtamarisks.Narrowcreeks,thecanopiesoverheadturningtheminto
green-littunnels,woundawayfromthelargerlagoons,eventuallyjoiningthe
sixhundred-yard-widechannelswhichbroadenedoutwardsacrosstheformer
suburbsofthecity.Everywherethesiltencroached,shoringitselfinhuge
banksagainstarailwayviaductorcrescentofoffices,oozingthrougha
submergedarcadelikethefetidcontentsofsomelatter-dayCloacaMaxima.
57
Manyofthesmallerlakeswerenowfilledbythesilt,yellowdiscsoffungus
coveredsludgefromwhichaprofusetangleofcompetingplantforms
emerged,walledgardensinaninsaneEden.
Clampedsecurelytothecabinhandrailbythenylonharnessaroundhis
waistandshoulders,Keransgazeddownattheunfoldinglandscape,following
thewater-waysunwindingfromthethreecentrallagoons.Fivehundredfeet
belowtheshadowofthehelicopterracedacrossthemottledgreensurfaceof
thewater,andhefocusedhisattentionontheareaimmediatelyaroundit.An
immenseprofusionofanimallifefilledthecreeksandcanals:water-snakes
coiledthemselvesamongthecrushedpalisadesofthewater-loggedbamboo
groves,coloniesofbatseruptedoutofthegreentunnelslikecloudsof
explodingsoot,iguanassatmotionlesslyontheshadedcorniceslikestone
sphinxes.Often,asifdisturbedbythenoiseofthehelicopter,ahumanform
seemedtodartandhideamongthewater-linewindows,thenrevealeditselfto
beacrocodilesnappingatawater-fowl,oroneendofasubsidinglog
dislodgedfromthebuffetedtree-ferns.
Twentymilesawaythehorizonwasstillobscuredbytheearlymorning
mists,hugepallsofgoldenvapourthathungfromtheskylikediaphanous
curtains,buttheairoverthecitywasclearandvivid,theexhaustvapourof
thehelicoptersparklingasitrecededinalongundulatingsignature.Asthey
movedawayfromthecentrallagoonsintheiroutwardspiralsweepKerans
leanedagainstthehatchwayandwatchedtheglisteningdisplay,abandoning
hissearchofthejunglebelow.
ThechancesofseeingHardmanfromtheairwereinfinitesimal.Unlesshe
hadtakenrefugeinabuildingnearthebasehewouldhavebeenforcedto
travelalongthewater-ways,wherehehadthemaximumpossibleprotection
fromaerialobservationundertheoverhangingferntrees.
InthestarboardhatchwayRiggsandMacreadycontinuedtheirvigil,
58
passingapairofbinocularstoandfro.Withouthispeakedcap,histhinsandy
hairblownforwardsoverhisface,Riggslookedlikeaferocioussparrow,his
littlejawjuttingfiercelyattheopenair.
HenoticedKeransgazingupattheskyandshouted:"Seenhimyet,
Doctor?Don'tdawdlenow,thesecretofasuccessfulsweepisonehundred
percentcover,onehundredpercentconcentration."
Acceptingtherebuke,Keransscannedthetiltingdiscofthejungleagain,
thetalltowersofthecentrallagoonpivotingaroundthehatchway.Hardman's
disappearancehadbeendiscoveredbyasick-bayorderlyat8o'clockthat
morning,buthisbedwascoldandhehadalmostcertainlylefttheprevious
evening,probablysoonafterthefinalward-rollat9-30.Noneofthesmaller
scowshitchedtothejettyrailhadgone,butHardmancouldeasilyhavelashed
togetheracoupleoftheemptyfueldrumsstoredinapilebytheC-Deckhold
andloweredthemnoiselesslyintothewater.Howevercrude,suchacraft
wouldpaddlesmoothlyandcarryhimtenmilesawaybyday-break,
somewhereontheperimeterofasearchareaofsomeseventy-fivesquare
miles,everyacreofwhichwashoneycombedbyderelictbuildings.
UnabletoseeBodkinbeforebeingwinchedaboardthehelicopter,Kerans
couldonlyspeculateaboutHardman'smotivesforleavingthebase,and
whetherthesewerepartofagranderdesignmaturingslowlyinthe
Lieutenant'smindormerelyasuddenmeaninglessreactiontothenewsthat
theywereleavingthelagoonsforthenorth.Kerans'initialexcitementhad
evaporated,andhefeltacurioussenseofrelief,asifoneoftheopposing
linesofforcethatencircledhimhadbeenremovedbyHardman's
disappearanceandthetensionandimpotencecontainedinthesystem
suddenlyreleased.Ifanything,however,thetaskofremainingbehindwould
nowbeevenmoredifficult.
Unshacklinghisharness,Riggsstoodupwithagestureofexasperationand
59
handedthebinocularstooneofthetwosoldierssquattingontheflooratthe
rearofthecabin.
"Opensearchesareawasteoftimeoverthistypeofterrain,"heshoutedat
Kerans.'We'llgodownsomewhereandhaveacarefullookatthemap,you
canhaveashotatreadingHardman'spsychology."
Theywereabouttenmilesnorth-westofthecentrallagoons,thetowers
almostobscuredinthemistsalongthehorizon.Fivemilesaway,directly
betweenthemandthebase,wasoneofthetwomotorlaunches,cruising
downanopenchannel,itswhitewakefadingacrosstheglasssheetofthe
water.Blockedbytheurbanconcentrationtothesouth,lesssilthad
penetratedintothearea,andthevegetationwaslighter,moreexpansesof
unbrokenwaterbetweentheprincipallinesofbuildings.Altogetherthezone
belowthemwasemptyanduncongested,andKeransfeltconvinced,though
fornorationalreason,thatHardmanwouldnotbefoundinthenorth-west
sector.
Riggsclimbedupintothecockpitandamomentlaterthespeedand
inclinationofthehelicopteraltered.Theybegantomakeashallowdive,
swingingdowntowithinahundredfeetofthewater,glidedinandoutofthe
widecanalslookingforaconvenientrooftoponwhichtoperch.Finallythey
pickedoutthehumpedbackofahalf-submergedcinemaandletdownslowly
ontothesquarefirmroofoftheneo-assyrianportico.
Forafewminutestheysteadiedtheirlegs,gazingoutovertheexpansesof
bluewater.Theneareststructurewasanisolateddepartmentstoretwo
hundredyardsaway,andtheopenvistasremindedKeransofHerodotus'
descriptionofthelandscapeinEgyptatfloodtime,withitsrampartcitieslike
theislandsoftheAegeanSea.
Riggsopenedhismapwalletandspreadthepolytheneprintacrossthe
cabinfloor.Restinghiselbowsontheedgeofthehatchway,heputhisfinger
60
ontheirpresentlandingstage.
"Well,Sergeant,"hetoldDaley,"weseemtobehalf-waybacktoByrd.
Apartfromwearingouttheenginewehaven'tachievedmuch."
Daleynodded,hissmallseriousfacehiddeninsidethefiber-glasshelmet.
"Sir,Ithinkouronlychanceistocarryoutlow-levelinspectionsoverafew
selectedruns.There'sjustahopewemightseesomething-araftoranoil
patch."
"Agreed.Buttheproblemis-"hereRiggsdrummedonthemapwithhis
baton"-where?Hardmanisveryprobablynomorethantwoorthreemiles
fromthebase.What'syourguess,Doctor?"
Keransshrugged."Idon'treallyknowwhatHardman'smotivesare,
Colonel.Latterlyhe'dbeeninBodkin'scharge.Itmaybe…"
Hisvoicebegantotrailoff,andDaleycutinwithanothersuggestion,
distractingRiggs'attention.ForthenextfiveminutestheColonel,Daleyand
MacreadyarguedaboutpossibleroutesHardmanhadtaken,markingonlythe
widerwater-waysasifHardmanwerenavigatingapocketbattleship.Kerans
lookedaroundatthewatereddyingslowlypastthecinema.Afewbranches
anddumpsofweeddriftedalongonthenorthwardcurrent,thebright
sunlightmaskingthemoltenmirrorofthesurface.Thewaterdrummed
againsttheporticobeneathhisfeet,beatingslowlyagainsthismind,and
settingupawideningcircleofinterferencepatternsasifcrossingitatan
oppositedirectiontoitsowncourseofflow.Hewatchedasuccessionof
waveletslappingattheslopingroof,wishingthathecouldleavetheColonel
andwalkstraightdownintothewater,dissolvehimselfandtheever-present
phantomswhichattendedhimlikesentinelbirdsinthecoolbowerofits
magicalcalm,intheluminous,dragon-green,serpent-hauntedsea.
SuddenlyherealisedwithoutanyshadowofdoubtwhereHardmanwasto
61
befound.
HewaitedforDaleytofinish."…IknewLieutenantHardman,sir,flew
nearlyfivethousandhourswithhim,he'sobviouslyhadabrain-storm.He
wantedtogetbacktoByrd,musthavedecidedhecouldn'twaitanylonger,
noteventwodays.He'llhaveheadednorth,berestingsomewherealongthese
openchannelsoutofthecity."
Riggsnoddeddoubtfully,apparentlyunconvincedbutpreparedtoaccept
theSergeant'sadviceindefaultofanyother.
"Well,youmayberight.Isupposeit'sworthtrying.Whatdoyouthink,
Kerans?"
Keransshookhishead."Colonel,it'sacompletewasteoftimesearching
theareasnorthofthecity.Hardmanwouldn'thavecomeuphere,it'stoo
openandisolated.Idon'tknowwhetherhe'sonfootorpaddlingaraft,but
hecertainlyisn'tgoingnorth-ByrdisthelastplaceonEarthhewantsto
returnto.There'sonlyonedirectioninwhichHardmanisheading-south."
Keranspointedtothenexusofchannelswhichflowedintothecentral
lagoons,tributariesofasinglehugewater-waythreemilessouthofthecity,its
passageindentedanddivertedbythegiantsiltbanks."Hardmanwillbe
somewherealongthere.Itprobablytookhimallnighttoreachthemain
channel,andIshouldguessthathe'srestinginoneofthesmallinletsbefore
hemovesontonight."
HebrokeoffandRiggsstaredhardatthemap,peakedcappulleddown
overhiseyesinagestureofconcentration.
"Butwhysouth?"Daleyprotested."Onceheleavesthechannelthere's
nothingbutsolidjungleandopensea.Thetemperatureisgoingupallthe
time-he'llfry."
62
RiggslookedupatKerans."SergeantDaleyhasapoint,Doctor.Why
shouldHardmanchoosetotravelsouth?"
Lookingoutacrossthewateragain,Keransrepliedinaflatvoice:"Colonel,
thereisn'tanyotherdirection."
Riggshesitated,thenglancedatMacready,whohadsteppedbackfromthe
groupandwasstandingbesideKerans,histallstoopedfiguresilhouettedlike
agauntcrowagainstthewater.AlmostimperceptiblyhenoddedtoRiggs,
answeringtheunspokenquestion.EvenDaleyputafootuponthecockpit
entrystep,acceptingthelogicofKerans'argumentandtheshared
understandingofHardman'smotivesonceKeranshadmadethemexplicit.
Threeminuteslaterthehelicopterwasspeedingoffatfullmanifold
pressuretowardsthelagoonsinthesouth.
AsKeranshadprophesied,theyfoundHardmanamongthesiltflats.
Descendingtothreehundredfeetabovethewater,theybegantorakeup
anddownthedistalfive-milelengthofthemainchannel.Thehugebanksof
siltliftedabovethesurfacelikethebacksofyellowspermwhales.Wherever
thehydrodynamiccontoursofthechannelgavethesiltbanksanydegreeof
permanence,thesurroundingjunglespilledfromtherooftopsandrooted
itselfinthedamploam,mattingthewholemorassintoanimmovable
structure.FromthehatchwayKeransscrutinisedthenarrowbeachesunder
theouteredgeoftheferntrees,watchingforthetell-talesignsofa
camouflagedraftormake-shifthut.
Aftertwentyminutes,however,andadozencarefulsweepsofthechannel,
Riggsturnedfromthehatchwaywitharuefulshakeofhishead.
"You'reprobablyright,Robert,butit'sahopelessjob.Hardman'snofool,
ifhewantstohidefromuswe'llneverfindhim.Evenifhewereleaningout
63
ofawindowandwaving,tentoonewewouldn'tseehim."
Keransmurmuredinreply,watchingthesurfacebelow.Eachofthe
trackingrunswasaboutahundredyardstothestarboardofthepreviousone,
andforthelastthreerunshehadbeenwatchingthesemi-circularcrescentof
whatappearedtobealargeapartmentblockstandingintheanglebetween
thechannelandthesouthernbankofasmallcreekwhichranoffintothe
surroundingjungle.Theuppereightorninestoreysoftheblockstoodabove
thewater,enclosingalowmoundofmuddy-brownsilt.Thesurfacestreamed
withwaterdrainingawayfromacollectionofshallowpoolscoveringit.Two
hoursearlierthebankhadbeenasheetofwetmud,butbyteno'clock,asthe
helicopterflewover,themudwasbeginningtodryandgrowfirm.To
Kerans,shieldinghiseyesfromthereflectedsunlight,itssmoothsurface
appearedtobescoredbytwofaintparallellines,aboutsixfeetapart,thatled
acrosstothejuttingroofofanalmostsubmergedbalcony.Astheyswept
overheadhetriedtoseeundertheconcreteslab,butitsmouthwaschoked
withrefuseandrottinglogs.
HetouchedRiggs'armandpointedtothetracks,soimmersedintracing
theirwindingprogresstothebalconythathealmostfailedtonoticethe
equallydistinctpatternofimprintsemerginginthedryingsurfacebetweenthe
lines,spacedsomefourfeetapart,unmistakablythefootstepsofatall
powerfulmanhaulingaheavyload.
Asthenoiseofthehelicopter'senginefadedoutontheroofabovethem,
RiggsandMacreadybentdownandinspectedthecrudecatamaranhidden
behindascreenofbocageunderthebalcony.Fashionedfromtwodroptanks
lashedtoeitherendofametalbed-frame,itstwingreyhullswerestill
streakedwithsilt.ClumpsofmudfromHardman'sfeetcrossedtheroom
openingontothebalconyanddisappearedthroughthesuiteintotheadjacent
corridor.
64
"Thisisitwithoutadoubt-agree,Sergeant?"Riggsasked,steppingoutinto
thesunlighttolookupatthecrescentofapartmentblocks.Achainof
autonomousunits,theywerelinkedbyshortcausewaysbetweentheelevator
wellsattheendofeachbuilding.Mostofthewindowswerebroken,the
creamfacingtilescoveredbyhugepatchesoffungus,andthewholecomplex
lookedlikeanover-ripecamembertcheese.
Macreadykneltdownbyoneofthehulls,cleaningawaythesilt,thentraced
outthecodenumberpaintedacrossthebow."UNAF22-H-549-that'sus,sir.
Thedroptankswerebeingclearedoutyesterday,we'dstoredthemonCDeck.Hemusthavetakenasparebedfromthesick-bayafterward-roll."
"Good."Rubbinghishandstogetherwithpleasure,Riggssteppedoverto
Kerans,smilingjauntily,hisself-confidenceandgoodhumourfullyrestored.
"Excellent,Robert.Superbdiagnosticskill,youwerequiteright,ofcourse."
HepeeredshrewdlyatKerans,asifspeculatingontherealsourcesofthis
remarkableinsight,invisiblymarkinghimoff."Cheerup,Hardmanwillbe
gratefultoyouwhenwetakehimback."
Keransstoodontheedgeofthebalcony,theslopeofcakingsiltbelow
him.Helookedupatthesilentcurveofwindows,wonderingwhichofthe
thousandorsoroomswouldbeHardman'shidingplace."Ihopeyou'reright.
You'vestillgottocatchhim."
"Don'tworry,wewill."Riggsbegantoshoutupatthetwomenonthe
roof,helpingDaleylashdownthehelicopter.'Wilson,keepalook-outfrom
thesouth-westend;Caldwell,youworkyourwayacrosstothenorth.Keepan
eyeonbothsides,hemighttrytoswimforit."
Thetwomensalutedandmovedoff,theircarbinesheldattheirhips.
MacreadycradledaThompsonguninthecrookofhisarm,andasRiggs
unbuttonedtheflapofhisholsterKeranssaidquietly:"Colonel,we'renot
trackingdownawilddog."
65
Riggswavedthisaside."Relax,Robert,it'sjustthatIdon'twantmyleg
bittenoffbysomesleepingcroc.Thoughasamatterofinterest-"herehe
flashedKeransagleamingsmile"-Hardmanhasgota.45Coltwithhim."
LeavingKeranstodigestthis,hepickeduptheelectricmegaphone.
"HARDMAN!!THISISCOLONELRIGGS!!"HebellowedHardman's
nameatthesilentheat,thenwinkedatKeransandadded:"DR.KERANS
WANTSTOTALKTOYOU,LIEUTENANT!!"
Focusedbythecrescentofbuildings,thesoundsechoedawayacrossthe
swampsandcreeks,boomingdistantlyoverthegreatemptymudflats.Around
themeverythingglistenedintheimmenseheat,andthemenontheroof
frettednervouslyundertheirforagecaps.Athickcloacalstenchexudedfrom
thesiltflat,acoronaofamillioninsectspulsingandhumminghungrilyabove
it,andasuddenspasmofnauseaknottedKerans'gullet,foramoment
dizzyinghim.Pressingawristtightlytohisforehead,heleanedbackagainsta
pillar,listeningtotheechoesreverberatearoundhim.Fourhundredyards
awaytwowhite-facedclocktowersprotrudedthroughthevegetation,likethe
templespiresofsomelostjunglereligion,andthesoundsofhisname"Kerans…Kerans…Kerans"-reflectedoffthemseemedtoKeranstotoll
withanintensepremonitionofterroranddisaster,themeaningless
orientationoftheclockhandsidentifyinghim,morecompletelythananything
hehadpreviouslyexperienced,withalltheconfusedandminatoryspectres
thatcasttheirshadowsmoreandmoredarklythroughhismind,themyriadhandedmandalaofcosmictime.
Hisnamestillechoedfaintlyinhisearsastheybegantheirsearchofthe
building.Hetookuphispositionatthestairwellatthecentreofeachcorridor
whileFiggsandMacreadyinspectedtheapartments,keepingalook-outas
theyclimbedthefloors.Thebuildinghadbeengutted.Allthefloorboards
hadrottedorbeenrippedout,andtheymovedslowlyalongthetiledinlays,
66
steppingwarilyfromoneconcretetie-beamtoanother.Mostoftheplaster
hadslippedfromthewallsandlayingreyheapsalongtheskirtingboards.
Whereversunlightfilteredthrough,thebarelatheswereintertwinedwith
creeperandwire-moss,andtheoriginalfabricofthebuildingseemedsolely
supportedbytheprofusionofvegetationramifyingthrougheveryroomand
corridor.
Throughthecracksinthefloorsrosethestenchofthegreasywater
swirlingthroughthewindowsbelow.Disturbedforthefirsttimeinmany
years,thebatswhichhungfromthetiltingpicturerailsflewfranticallyforthe
windows,dispersingwithcriesofpaininthebrilliantsunlight.Lizards
scutteredanddartedthroughthefloorcracks,orskateddesperatelyaround
thedrybathsinthebathrooms.
Exacerbatedbytheheat,Riggs'impatiencemountedastheyclimbedthe
floorsandhadcoveredallbutthetoptwowithoutSuccess.
"Well,whereishe?"Riggsrestedagainstthestair-rail,gesturingforquiet,
andlistenedtothesilentbuilding,breathingtightlythroughhisteeth.'We'll
standeasyforfiveminutes,Sergeant.Now'sthetimeforcaution.He's
somewherearoundhere."
MacreadyslunghisThompsonoverhisshoulderandclimbedtothefan
lightonthenextlandingwhichletinathinbreeze.Keransleanedagainstthe
wall,thesweatpouringacrosshisbackandchest,templesthuddingfromthe
exertionofmountingthestairs.Itwas11-30,andthetemperatureoutsidewas
wellover120degrees.HelookeddownatRiggs'flushedpinkface,admiring
theColonel'sself-disciplineandsingle-mindedness.
"Don'tlooksocondescending,Robert.IknowI'msweatinglikeapig,but
Ihaven'thadasmuchrestasyoulately."
Thetwomenexchangedglances,eachawareoftheconflictofattitude
67
towardsHardman,andKerans,inanefforttoresolvetherivalrybetween
them,saidquietly:"You'llprobablycatchhimnow,ColoneL"
Searchingforsomewheretosit,bewalkedoffdownthecorridorand
pushedbackthedoorintothefirstapartment.
Asheunlatchedthedoortheframecollapsedweaklyintoalitterofwormeatendustandtimbers,andhesteppedacrossittothewidefrenchwindows
over-lookingthebalcony.Alittleairfunneledthrough,andKeransletitplay
overhisfaceandchest,surveyingthejunglebelow.Thepromontoryon
whichthecrescentofapartmenthousesstoodhadatonetimebeenasmall
hill,andanumberofthebuildingsvisiblebeneaththevegetationontheother
sideofthesiltflatwerestillabovetheflood-waters.Keransstaredatthetwo
clocktowersjuttinguplikewhiteobelisksabovethefernfronds.Theyellow
airofthenoonhighseemedtopressdownlikeagianttranslucent
counterpaneontheleafyspread,athousandmotesoflightspittinglike
diamondswheneveraboughmovedanddeflectedthesun'srays.The
obscuredoutlineofaclassicalporticoandcolonnadedfacadebelowthe
towerssuggestedthatthebuildingswereoncepartofsomesmallmunicipal
centre.Oneoftheclock-faceswaswithoutitshands;theother,by
coincidence,hadstoppedatalmostexactlytherighttime-11-35.Kerans
wonderedwhethertheclockwasinfactworking,tendedbysomemadrecluse
clingingtoalastmeaninglessregisterofsanity,thoughifthemechanismwere
stilloperableRiggsmightwellperformthatrole.Severaltimes,beforethey
abandonedoneofthedrownedcities,hehadwoundthetwo-tonmechanism
ofsomerustycathedralclockandtheyhadsailedofftoalastcarillonof
chimesacrossthewater.Fornightsafterwards,inhisdreams,Keranshad
seenRiggsdressedasWilliamTell,stridingaboutinahugeDalinian
landscape,plantingimmensedrippingsundialslikedaggersinthefusedsand.
Keransleanedagainstthewindow,waitingastheminutespassedandleft
behindtheclockfixedat11-35,overtakingitlikeavehicleinafasterlane.Or
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wasitnotstationary(guaranteedthoughitwouldbetotellthetimewith
complete,unquestionableaccuracytwiceaday-morethanmosttime-pieces)
butmerelysoslowthatitsmotionappearedtobeimperceptible?Theslower
aclock,theneareritapproximatedtotheinfinitelygradualandmajestic
progressionofcosmictime-infact,byreversingaclock'sdirectionand
runningitbackwardsonecoulddeviseatime-piecethatinasensewas
movingevenmoreslowlythantheuniverse,andconsequentlypartofaneven
greaterspatio-temporalsystem.
Kerans'amusementatthisconceitwasdistractedbyhisdiscoveryamong
theclutterofdebrisontheoppositebankofasmallcemeteryslopingdown
intothewater,itsleaningheadstonesadvancingtotheircrownslikeapartyof
bathers.Herememberedagainoneghastlycemeteryoverwhichtheyhad
moored,itsornateflorentinetombscrackedandsprung,corpsesfloatingout
intheirunravelingwinding-sheetsinagrimrehearsaloftheDayof
Judgement.
Avertinghiseyes,heturnedawayfromthewindow,withajoltrealisedthat
atallblack-beardedmanwasstandingmotionlesslyinadoorwaybehindhim.
Startled,Keransstareduncertainlyatthefigure,withaneffortreassembling
histhoughts.Thebigmanstoodinaslightlystoopedbutrelaxedpose,his
heavyarmslooselyathissides.Blackmudcakedacrosshiswristsand
forehead,andcloggedhisbootsandthefabricofhisdrilltrousers,fora
momentremindingKeransofoneoftheresurrectedcorpses.Hisbearded
chinwassunkbetweenhisbroadshoulders,theimpressionofconstraintand
fatigueheightenedbythemedicalorderly'sbluedenimjacketseveralsizestoo
smallwhichhewore,thecorporal'sstripepulledupovertheswellofhis
deltoidmuscle.Theexpressiononhisfacewasoneofhungryintensity,buthe
gazedatKeranswithsomberdetachment,hiseyeslikeheavilybankedfires,a
thinglowofinterestinthebiologisttheonlyoutwardshowoftheenergy
within.
69
Keranswaiteduntilhiseyesadjustedthemselvestothedarknessattherear
oftheroom,lookinginvoluntarilyatthebedroomdoorwaythroughwhich
thebeardedmanhadstepped.Hereachedoutonehandtohim,half-afraidof
breakingthespellbetweenthem,warninghimnottomove,andelicitedin
returnanexpressionofcuriouslyunderstandingsympathy,almostasiftheir
roleswerereversed.
"Hardman!"Keranswhispered.
Withagalvanicleap,HardmanflunghimselfatKerans,hisbigframe
blockingoffhalftheroom,feintedjustbeforetheycollidedandswervedpast,
beforeKeranscouldregainhisbalancehadjumpedoutontothebalconyand
climbedovertherail.
"Hardman!"AsoneofthemenontheroofshoutedthealarmKerans
reachedthebalcony.Hardmanswunghimselflikeanacrobatdownthedrainpipetotheparapetbelow.RiggsandMacreadydivedintotheroom.Holding
ontohishat,Riggspivotedoutovertherail,sworeasHardmandisappeared
intotheapartment.
"Goodman,Kerans,younearlyheldhim!"Togethertheyranbackintothe
corridorandraceddownthestairway,sawHardmanswingingaroundthe
banistersfourfloorsbelow,hurlinghimselffromonelandingtothenextina
singlestride.
Whentheyreachedthelowestfloortheywerethirtysecondsbehind
Hardman,andamedleyofexcitedshoutswerecomingfromtheroof.But
Riggspausedstock-stillonthebalcony.
"GoodGod,he'stryingtodraghisraftbackintothewater!"
Thirtyyardsaway,Hardmanwasdraggingthecatamaranacrossthecaking
massofsilt,thetow-ropeoverhisshoulders,jerkingitsbowsintotheairwith
70
demoniacenergy.
Riggsbuttonedtheflapofhisbolster,sadlyshakinghishead.Therewasa
fullfiftyyardstothewater'sedge,andHardmanwassinkinguptohisknees
inthedampersilt,obliviousofthemenontherooflookingdownathim.
Finallyhetossedawaythetow-ropeandseizedthebed-frameinbothhands,
begantowrenchitalonginslowpainfuljerks,thedenimjacketsplitdownhis
back.
Riggssteppedupontothebalcony,gesturingtoWilsonandCaldwellto
comedown."Poordevil,helooksallin.Doctor,youstayclose,youmaybe
abletopacifyhim."
CarefullytheydosedinonHardman.Thefivemen,Riggs,Macready,the
twosoldiersandKerans,advanceddowntheslopingcrust,shieldingtheir
eyesfromtheintensesunlight.Likeawoundedwater-buffalo,Hardman
continuedtowrestleinthemudtenyardsinfrontofthem.Keransmotioned
totheotherstostaystillandthenwalkedforwardswithWilson,ablondhairedyouthwhohadoncebeenHardman'sorderly.Wonderingwhattosay
toHardman,heclearedtheknotsofphlegmfromhisthroat.
Ontheroofbehindthemtherewasasuddenstaccatoroarofexhaust,
splittingthesilenceofthetableau.AfewstepsbehindWilson,Kerans
hesitated,sawRiggslookupinannoyanceatthehelicopter.Assumingthat
theirmissionwasnowover,Daleyhadstartedhisengine,andthebladeswere
swingingslowlythroughtheair.
Rousedfromhisattempttoreachthewater,Hardmanlookedaroundat
thegroupencirclinghim,releasedthecatamaranandcroucheddownbehind
it.Wilsonbegantowadeforwardprecariouslythroughthesoftsiltalongthe
water'sedge,thecarbineheldacrosshischest.Ashesankuptohiswaisthe
shoutedatKerans,hisvoicelostinthemountingroaroftheengine,exhaust
spittinginsharpcracksovertheirheads.SuddenlyWilsonswayed,andbefore
71
KeranscouldsteadyhimHardmanleanedacrossthecatamaran,thebig
Colt.45inhishand,andfiredatthem.Theflamefromthebarrelstabbed
throughthedazzlingair,andwithashortcryWilsonfellacrossthecarbine,
thenrolledbackclutchingabloodiedelbow,hisforagecapcuffedoffhis
headbythedischargewaveoftheexplosion.
AstheothermenbegantoretreatuptheslopeHardmanholsteredthe
revolverinhisbelt,turnedandranoffalongthewater'sedgetothebuildings
thatmergedintothejungleahundredyardsaway.
Pursuedbytheascendingroarofthehelicopter,theyracedafterHardman,
RiggsandKeranshelpingtheinjuredWilson,stumblinginandoutofthepotholesleftbythemenahead.Attheedgeofthesiltflatthejungleroseina
highgreencliff,tierupontierofferntreesandgiantclubmossflowering
fromtheterraces.Withouthesitating,Hardmanplungedintoanarrow
intervalbetweentwoancientcobbledwalls,anddisappeareddownthealleyway,MacreadyandCaldwelltwentyyardsbehindhim.
"Keepafterhim,Sergeant!"RiggsbellowedwhenMacreadypausedtowait
fortheColonel."We'venearlygothim,he'sbeginningtotire."ToKeranshe
confided:"God,whatashambles!"Hepointedhopelesslyatthehugefigure
ofHardmanpoundingawayinlongstrides."What'sdrivingthemanon?I've
adamngoodmindtolethimgoandgetonwithit."
Wilsonhadrecoveredsufficientlytowalkunaided,andKeranslefthimand
brokeintoarun."He'llbeallright,Colonel;I'lltrytotalktoHardman,there's
achanceImaybeabletoholdhim."
Fromthealley-waytheyemergedintoasmallsquare,whereagroupof
sedate19thcenturymunicipalbuildingslookeddownonanornatefountain.
Wildorchidsandmagnoliaentwinedthemselvesaroundthegreyionic
columnsoftheoldcourthouse,aminiaturesham-Parthenonwithaheavy
sculpturedportico,butotherwisethesquarehadsurvivedintacttheassaults
72
ofthepreviousfiftyyears,itsoriginalfloorstillwellabovethesurrounding
waterlevel.Nexttothecourthousewiththefacelessclocktower,wasa
secondcolonnadedbuilding,alibraryormuseum,itswhitepillarsgleamingin
thesunlightlikearowofhugebleachedbones.
Nearingnoon,thesunfilledthisantiqueforumwithaharshburninglight,
andHardmanstoppedandlookedbackuncertainlyatthemenfollowinghim,
thenstumbledupthestepsintothecourthouse.SignalingtoKeransand
Caldwell,Macreadybackedawayamongthestatuesinthesquareandtookup
hispositionbehindthebowlofthefountain.
"Doctor,it'stoodangerousnow!Hemaynotrecogniseyou.We'llwait
untiltheheatlifts,hecan'tmovefromthere.Doctor-"
Keransignoredhim.Headvancedslowlyacrossthecrackedflagstones,
bothforearmsupoverhiseyes,andplacedonefootinsecurelyonthefirst
step.SomewhereamongtheshadowshecouldhearHardman'sexhausted
breathing,pumpingthescaldingairintohislungs.
Shakingthesquarewithitsnoise,thehelicoptersoaredslowlyoverhead,
andRiggsandWilsonhurriedupthestepsintothemuseumentrance,
watchingasthetailrotorturnedthemachineinadiminishingspiral.Together
thenoiseandtheheatdrummedatKerans'brain,bludgeoninghimlikea
thousandclubs,cloudsofdustbillowingaroundhim.Abruptlythehelicopter
begantoloselift,withanagonisedaccelerationofitsengineslidoutoftheair
intothesquare,thenpickedupjustbeforeittouchedthegroundpucking
away,KeransshelteredwithMacreadybehindthefountain,whiletheaircraft
jerkedaboutovertheirheads.Asitrevolved,thetailrotorlashedintothe
porticoofthecourthouse,inanexplosionofsplinteredmarblethehelicopter
porpoisedandplungedheavilyontothecobbles,theshatteredtailpropeller
rotatingeccentrically.Cuttinghisengine,Daleysatbackathiscontrols,half
stunnedbytheimpactwiththegroundandtryinghelplesslytoremovehis
73
harness.
FrustratedatthissecondattempttocatchHardman,theycrouchedinthe
shadowsbelowtheporticoofthemuseum,waitingforthenoonhighto
subside.Asifilluminatedbyimmensesearchlights,avastwhiteglarelitthe
greystoneofthebuildingsaroundthesquare,likeanover-exposed
photograph,remindingKeransofthechalk-whitecolonnadesofanEgyptian
necropolis.Asthesunmountedtoitszeniththereflectedlightbeganto
glimmerupwardsfromthepavingstones.Periodically,whilehetended
Wilsonandsettledhimwithafewgrainsofmorphine,Keranscouldseethe
othermenastheykeptuptheirwatchforHardman,fanningthemselves
slowlywiththeirforagecaps.
Tenminuteslater,shortlyafternoon,helookedupatthesquare.
Completelyobscuredbythelightandglare,thebuildingsontheothersideof
thefountainwerenolongercontinuouslyvisible,loominginandoutofthe
airlikethearchitectureofaspectralcity.Inthecentreofthesquare,bythe
edgeofthefountain,atallsolitaryfigurewasstanding,thepulsingthermal
gradientseveryfewsecondsinvertingthenormalperspectivesandmagnifying
himfleetingly.Hardman'ssun-burntfaceandblackbeardwerenow
chalkwhite,hismud-stainedclothesglintingintheblindingsunlightlike
sheetsofgold.
Keranspulledhimselftohisknees,waitingforMacreadytoleapforwardat
him,buttheSergeant,withRiggsbesidehim,wasbuddiedagainstapillar,his
eyesstaringblanklyatthefloorinfrontofthem,asifasleeporentranced.
Steppingawayfromthefountain,Hardmanmovedslowlyacrossthe
square,inandoutoftheshiftingcurtainsoflight.Hepassedwithintwenty
feetofKerans,whoknelthiddenbehindthecolumn.OnehandonWilson's
shoulder,quietingtheman'slowgrumbling.Skirtingthehelicopter,Hardman
reachedthefarendofthecourthouseandthereleftthesquare,walking
74
steadilyupanarrowinclinetowardsthesiltbankswhichstretchedalongthe
shoreahundredyardsaway.
Acknowledginghisescape,theintensityofthesunlightdiminished
fractionally.
"ColonelRiggs!"
Macreadyplungeddownthesteps,shieldinghiseyesfromtheglare,and
pointedoffacrossthesiltflatwithhisThompson.Riggsfollowedhim,
hatless,histhinshoulderspinchedtogether,tiredanddispirited.
HeputarestraininghandonMacready'selbow."Lethimgo,Sergeant.
We'llnevercatchhimnow.Theredoesn'tseemtobemuchpoint,anyway."
Safetytwohundredyardsaway,Hardmanwasstillmovingstrongly,
undeterredbythefurnace-likeheat.Hereachedthefirstcrest,partlyhidden
inthehugepailsofsteamwhichhungoverthecentreofthesiltflat,fading
intothemlikeamandisappearingintoadeepmist.Theendlessbanksofthe
inlandseastretchedoutinfrontofhim,mergingattheiredgesintothe
incandescentskysothattoKeransheseemedtobewalkingacrossdunesof
whitehotashintotheverymouthofthesun.
Forthenexttwohourshesatquietlyinthemuseum,waitingforthecutter
toarrive,listeningtoRiggs'irritatedgrumblingandDaley'slameexcuses.
Drainedbytheheat,Keranstriedtosleep,buttheoccasionalcrackofa
carbinejoltedthroughhisbruisedbrainlikethekickofaleatherboot.
Attractedbythesoundsofthehelicopter,aschoolofiguanahadapproached,
andthereptileswerenowsidlingaroundtheedgesofthesquare,brayingat
themenonthestepsofthemuseum.Theirharshshriekingvoicesfilled
Keranswithadullfearthatpersistedevenafterthecutter'sarrivalandtheir
returnjourneytothebase.Sittinginthecomparativecoolnessunderthewire
hood,thegreenbanksofthechannelslidingpast,hecouldheartheirraucous
75
barks.
AtthebasehesettledWilsoninthesick-bay,thensoughtoutDr.Bodkin
anddescribedtheeventsofthemorning,referringinpassingtothevoicesof
theiguanas.Enigmatically,Bodkinonlynoddedtohimself,thenremarked:
"Bewarned,Robert,youmayhearthemagain."
AboutHardman'sescapehemadenocomment.
Kerans'catamaranwasstillmooredacrossthelagoon,sohedecidedto
spendthenightinhiscabinatthetestingstation.Therebepassedaquiet
afternoon,nursingalightfeverinhisbunk,thinkingofHardmanandhis
strangesouthwardodyssey,andofthesiltbanksglowinglikeluminousgold
inthemeridiansun,bothforbiddingandinviting,likethelostbutforever
beckoningandunattainableshoresoftheamnionicparadise.
76
5-DescentintoDeepTime
Laterthatnight,asKeranslayasleepinhisbunkatthetestingstation,the
darkwatersofthelagoonoutsidedriftingthroughthedrownedcity,thefirst
ofthedreamscametohim.Hehadlefthiscabinandwalkedoutontothe
deck,lookingdownovertherailattheblackluminousdiscofthelagoon.
Densepallsofopaquegasswirledacrosstheskyonlyafewhundredfeet
overhead,throughwhichhecouldjustdiscernthefaintglimmeringoutlineof
agiganticsun.Boomingdistantly,itsentdullglowspulsingacrossthelagoon,
momentarilylightingthelonglimestonecliffswhichhadtakentheplaceof
theringofwhite-facedbuildings.
Reflectingtheseintermittentflares,thedeepbowlofthewatershoneina
diffusedopalescentblur,thedischargedlightofmyriadsofphosphorescing
animalcula,congregatingindenseshoalslikeasuccessionofsubmerged
haloes.Betweenthemthewaterwasthickwiththousandsofentwinedsnakes
andeels,writhingtogetherinfrantictanglesthattorethesurfaceofthe
lagoon.
Asthegreatsundrummednearer,almostfillingtheskyitself,thedense
vegetationalongthelimestonecliffswasflungbackabruptly,torevealthe
blackandstone-greyheadsofenormousTriassiclizards.Struttingforwardto
theedgeofthecliffs,theybegantoroartogetheratthesun,thenoise
graduallymountinguntilitbecameindistinguishablefromthevolcanic
poundingofthesolarflares.Beatingwithinhimlikehisownpulse,Kerans
feltthepowerfulmesmericpullofthebayingreptiles,andsteppedoutinto
thelake,whosewatersnowseemedanextensionofhisownbloodstream.As
thedullpoundingrose,hefeltthebarrierswhichdividedhisowncellsfrom
thesurroundingmediumdissolving,andheswamforwards,spreading
outwardsacrosstheblackthuddingwater…
Hewokeinthesuffocatingmetalboxofhiscabin,hisheadsplittinglikea
77
burstmarrow,tooexhaustedtoopenhiseyes.Evenashesatonthebed,
splashinghisfaceintheluke-warmwaterfromthejug,hecouldstillseethe
vastinflameddiscofthespectralsun,stillhearthetremendousdrummingof
itsbeat.Timingthem,herealisedthatthefrequencywasthatofhisown
heartbeats,butinsomeinsanewaythesoundsweremagnifiedsothatthey
remainedjustabovetheauditorythreshold,reverberatingdimlyoffthemetal
wallsandceilinglikethewhisperingmurmurofsomeblindpelagiccurrent
againstthehull-platesofasubmarine.
Thesoundsseemedtopursuehimasheopenedthecabindoorandmoved
downthecorridortothegalley.Itwasshortlyafter6a.m.andthetesting
stationstirredwithafainthollowedsilence,thefirstflaresofthefalsedawn
illuminatingthedustyreagentbenchesandthecratesstackedunderthefanlightsinthecorridor.SeveraltimesKeranspausedandtriedtoshrugoffthe
echoesthatpersistedinhisears,uneasilywonderingwhatwastherealidentity
ofhisnewpursuers.Hisunconsciouswasrapidlybecomingawell-stocked
pantheonoftutelaryphobiasandobsessions,homingontohisalreadyoverburdenedpsychelikelosttelepaths.Soonerorlaterthearchetypesthemselves
wouldbecomerestiveandstartfightingeachother,animaagainstpersona,
egoagainstid…
ThenherememberedthatBeatriceDahlhadseenthesamedreamand
pulledhimselftogether.Hewentoutontothedeckandlookedacrossthe
slackwaterofthelagoonatthedistantspireoftheapartmentblock,tryingto
decidewhethertoborrowoneofthescowsmooredtothejettyanddrive
overtoher.Havingnowexperiencedoneofthedreams,herealisedthe
courageandself-sufficiencyBeatricehaddisplayed,brushingofftheleast
showofsympathy.
AndyetKeransknewthatforsomereasonhehadbeenreluctanttogive
Beatriceanyrealsympathy,cuttinghisquestionsaboutthenightmaresas
shortaspossibleandneverofferinghertreatmentorsedative.Norhadhe
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triedtofollowupanyofBodkins'orRiggs'obliqueremarksaboutthedreams
andtheirdanger,almostasifhehadknownthathewouldsoonbesharing
them,andacceptedthemasaninevitableelementofhislife,liketheimageof
hisowndeatheachofthemcarriedwithhiminthesecretplacesofhisheart.
(Logicallyforwhathadamoregloomyprognosisthanlife?-everymorning
oneshouldsaytoone'sfriends:'Igrieveforyourirrevocabledeath',asto
anyonesufferingfromanincurabledisease,andwastheuniversalomissionof
thisminimalgestureofsympathythemodelfortheirreluctancetodiscussthe
dreams?)
BodkinwassittingatthetableinthegalleywhenKeransentered,placidly
drinkingcoffeebrewinginalargecrackedsauce-panonthestove.Hisshrewd
quickeyeswatchedKeransunobtrusivelyasheloweredhimselfintoachair
andmassagedhisforeheadslowlywithafebrilehand.
"Soyou'reoneofthedreamersnow,Robert.You'vebeheldthefata
morganaoftheterminallagoon.Youlooktired.Wasitadeepone?
Keransmanagedaruefullaugh."Areyoutryingtofrightenme,Alan?I
wouldn'tknowyet,butitfeltdeepenough.God,IwishIhadn'tspentlast
nighthere.TherearenonightmaresattheRitz."Hesippedpensivelyatthe
hotcoffee."Sothat'swhatRiggswastalkingabout.Howmanyofhismenare
seeingthesedreams?"
"Riggshimselfdoesn't,butatleasthalftheothers.AndBeatriceDahl,of
course.I'vebeenseeingthemforafullthreemonths.It'sbasicallythesame
recurrentdreaminallcases."Bodkinspokeinaslowunhurriedvoice,witha
softertonethanhisusualbluntdelivery,asifKeranshadnowbecomea
memberofaselectinnergroup."You'veheldoutforalongtime,Robert,it's
quiteatributetothestrengthofyourpreconsciousfilters.Wewereall
beginningtowonderwhenyou'darrive."HesmiledatKerans."Figuratively,
ofcourse.I'veneverdiscussedthedreamswithanyone.ExceptforHardman,
79
andthere,poorchap,thedreamswerehavinghim."Asanafterthoughthe
added:"Youspottedthesun-pulseequation?Hardman'sgramophonerecord
wasaplay-backofhisownpulse,amplifiedinthehopeofprecipitatingthe
crisisthenandthere.Don'tthinkIsenthimoutintothosejungles
deliberately."
Keransnoddedandgazedoutthroughthewindowattheroundedbulkof
thefloatingbasemooredalongside.HighuponthetopdeckSergeantDaley,
thehelicopterco-pilot,wasstandingmotionlessbytherail,staringacrossthe
coolearlymorningwater.Perhapshetoohadjustwokenfromthesame
corporatenightmare,wasfillinghiseyeswiththeolive-greenspectrumofthe
lagoonintheforlornexpectationoferasingtheburningimageoftheTriassic
sun.Keranslookeddownatthedarkshadowsbelowthetable,seeingagain
thefaintglimmerofthephosphorescingpools.Distantlyinhisearshecould
hearthesundrummingoverthesunkenwater.Asherecoveredfromhisfirst
fearsherealisedthattherewassomethingsoothingaboutitssounds,almost
reassuringandencouraginglikehisownheartbeats.Butthegiantreptileshad
beenterrifying.
Herememberedtheiguanasbrayingandlungingacrossthestepsofthe
museum.Justasthedistinctionbetweenthelatentandmanifestcontentsof
thedreamhadceasedtobevalid,sohadanydivisionbetweentherealandthe
super-realintheexternalworld.Phantomsslidimperceptiblyfromnightmare
torealityandbackagain,theterrestrialandpsychiclandscapeswerenow
indistinguishable,astheyhadbeenatHiroshimaandAuschwitz,Golgotha
andComorrah.
Skepticaloftheremedy,hesaidtoBodkin:"You'dbetterlendme
Hardman'salarmclock,Alan.Orbetterstill,remindmetotakea
phenobarbitonetonight."
"Don't,"Bodkinwarnedhimfirmly."Notunlessyouwanttheimpact
80
doubled.Yourresiduesofconsciouscontrolaretheonlythingholdingupthe
dam."Hebuttonedhiscottonjacketaroundhisshirtlesschest."Thatwasn'ta
truedream,Robert,butanancientorganicmemorymillionsofyearsold."
Hepointedtotheascendingrimofthesunthroughthegrovesof
gymnospenns."Theinnatereleasingmechanismslaiddowninyourcytoplasm
millionsofyearsagohavebeenawakened,theexpandingsunandtherising
temperaturearedrivingyoubackdownthespinallevelsintothedrowned
seassubmergedbeneaththelowestlayersofyourunconscious,intothe
entirelynewzoneoftheneuronicpsyche.Thisisthelumbartransfer,total
biopsychicrecall.Wereallyremembertheseswampsandlagoons.Afterafew
nightsyouwon'tbefrightenedofthedreams,despitetheirsuperficialhorror.
That'swhyRiggshasreceivedordersforustoleave."
"ThePelycosaur…?"Keransasked.
Bodkinnodded."Thejokewasonus.Thereasontheydidn'ttakethe
reportseriouslyatByrdwasthatourswasn'tthefirsttobereported."
Footstepssoundedupthecompanionwayandmovedbrisklyalongthe
metaldeckoutside.ColonelRiggspushedbackthedoubleswingdoors,
freshlyscrubbedandbreakfasted.
Hewavedhisbatonatthemamiably,eyeingthelitterofunwashedcups
andhistworecliningsubordinates.
"God,whatapighole!Morningtoyouboth.We'vegotabusydayahead
ofussolet'sgetourelbowsoffthetable.I'vefixedthedeparturetimefor
twelvehundredhourstomorrow,andthere'llbeafinalembarkationstand-by
attenhundred.Idon'twanttowasteanymorefuelthanIhaveto,sodump
everythingyoucanoverboard.Youallright,Robert?"
"Perfectly,"Keransrepliedflatly,sittingup.
81
"Gladtohearit.Youlookabitglassy.Right,then.Ifyouwanttoborrow
thecuttertoevacuatetheRitz…"
Keranslistenedtohimautomatically,watchingthesunasitrose
magnificentlybehindthegesticulatingoutlineoftheColonel.What
completelyseparatedthemnowwasthesinglefactthatRiggshadnotseen
thedream,notfeltitsimmensehallucinatorypower.Hewasstillobeying
reasonandlogic,buzzingaroundhisdiminished,unimportantworldwithhis
littleparcelsofinstructionslikeaworkerbeeabouttoreturntothehome
nest.AfterafewminutesheignoredtheColonelcompletelyandlistenedto
thedeepsubliminaldrumminginhisears,half-closedhiseyessothathe
couldseetheglimmeringsurfaceofthelakedappleacrossthedarkunderhang
ofthetable.
OppositehimBodkinappearedtobedoingthesame,hishandsfolded
overhisnavel.Duringhowmanyoftheirrecentconversationshadheinfact
beenmilesaway?
WhenRiggsleft,Keransfollowedhimtothedoor."Ofcourse,Colonel,
everythingwillbereadyingoodtime.Thankyouforcalling."
Asthecuttermovedoffacrossthelagoonhewentbacktohischair.Fora
fewminutesthetwomenstaredacrossthetableateachother,theinsects
outsidebouncingoffthewiremeshasthesunliftedintothesky.Atlast
Keransspoke.
"Alan,I'mnotsurewhetherIshallbeleaving."
Withoutreplying,Bodkintookouthiscigarettes.Helitonecarefully,then
satbacksmokingitcalmly."Doyouknowwhereweare?"heaskedaftera
pause."Thenameofthiscity?"WhenKeransshookhisheadhesaid:"Partof
itusedtobecalledLondon,notthatitmatters.Curiouslyenough,though,I
wasbornhereyesterdayIrowedovertotheoldUniversityquarter,amassof
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littlecreeks,actuallyfoundthelaboratorywheremyfatherusedtoteach.We
leftherewhenIwassix,butIcanjustrememberbeingtakentomeethimone
day.Afewhundredyardsawaytherewasaplanetarium,Isawaperformance
once-thatwasbeforetheybadtore-aligntheprojector.Thebigdomeisstill
there,abouttwentyfeetbelowwater.Itlookslikeanenormousshell,fucus
growingalloverit,straightoutof'TheWaterBabies'.Curiously,looking
downatthedomeseemedtobringmychildhoodmuchnearer.Totellthe
truthI'dmoreorlessforgottenit-atmyageallyouhavearethememoriesof
memories.Afterwelefthereourexistencebecamecompletelynomadic,and
inasensethiscityistheonlyhomeI'veeverknown-"Hebrokeoffabruptly,
hisfacesuddenlytired.
"Goon,"Keranssaidevenly.
83
6-TheDrownedArk
Thetwomenmovedquicklyalongthedeck,theirpaddedsolessoundless
onthemetalplates.Awhitemidnightskyhungacrossthedarksurfaceofthe
lagoon,afewstationaryclumpsofcumuluslikesleepinggalleons.Thelow
nightsoundsofthejungledriftedoverthewater;occasionallyamarmoset
gibberedortheiguanasshriekeddistantlyfromtheireyriesinthesubmerged
officeblocks.Myriadsofinsectsfesteredalongthewater-line,momentarily
disturbedastheswellsrolledinagainstthebase,slappingatthecantedsides
ofthepontoon.
OnebyoneKeransbegantocastofftherestraininglines,takingadvantage
oftheswellstolifttheloopsofftherustingbollards.Asthestationslowly
pivotedawayhelookedupanxiouslyatthedarkbulkofthebase.Gradually
thethreenearsidebladesofthehelicoptercameintoviewabovethetopdeck,
thentheslendertailrotor.Hepausedbeforereleasingthelastline,waitingfor
Bodkintogivetheall-clearfromthestarboardbridge.
Thetensiononthelinehaddoubled,andittookKeransseveralminutesto
workthemetalloopupthecurvinglipofthebollard,thesuccessiveswells
givinghimafewinchesofslackasthestationtilted,followedamomentlater
bythebase.AbovehimhecouldhearBodkinwhisperingimpatiently-they
hadswungrightaroundintothenarrowintervalofwaterbehindthemand
werenowfaceontothelagoon,thesinglelightinBeatrice'spenthouse
burningonitspylon.Thenheclearedthelipandloweredtheheavycableinto
theslackwaterthreefeetbelow,watchingitcleavebacktowardsthebase.
Freedofitsattendantburden,andwithitscentreofgravityraisedbythe
helicopteronitsroof,thehugedrumrolledoverafullfivedegreesfromthe
vertical,thengraduallyregaineditsbalance.Alightinoneofthecabinswent
on,thenflickedoffagainafterafewmoments.Keransseizedtheboathook
onthedeckbesidehimastheintervalofopenwaterwidened,firsttotwenty
84
yards,thentofifty.Alowcurrentmovedsteadilythroughthelagoons,and
wouldcarrythembackalongtheshoretotheirformermooring.
Holdingthestationofffromthebuildingstheyskirted,nowandthen
crushingthesoftferntreessproutingthroughthewindows,theysoon
coveredtwohundredyards,slowingasthecurrentdiminishedaroundthe
curve,andfinallylodgedinanarrowinletaboutahundredfeetsquareinsize.
Keransleanedovertherail,lookingdownthroughthedarkwateratthe
smallcinematheatretwentyfeetbelowthesurface,itsflatroofluckily
unclutteredbyelevator-headsorfireescapes.WavingtoBodkinonthedeck
above,hesteppedinthroughthelaboratoryandmadehiswaypastthe
specimentanksandsinkstothecompanionwayleadingdowntothefloat.
Onlyonestop-cockhadbeenbuiltintothebaseofthefloat,butashe
turnedthehandwheelapowerfuljetofcoldfoamingwatergusheduparound
hislegs.Bythetimehereturnedtothelowerdeck,tomakeafinalcheckof
thelaboratory,waterwasalreadyspillingankle-deepthroughthescuppers,
sluicingamongthesinksandbenches.Hequicklyreleasedthemarmosetfrom
itsfumecupboardandpushedthebushy-tailedmammalthroughoneofthe
windows.Thestationwentdownlikeanelevator,andhewadedwaistdeepto
thecompanionwayandclimbeduptothenextdeckwhereBodkinwas
exultantlywatchingthewindowsoftheadjacentofficeblocksriseintotheair.
Theysettledaboutthreefeetbelowdecklevel,onaflatkeelwitha
convenientaccesspointbythestarboardbridge.Dimlybelowtheycouldhear
trappedairbubblingfromtheretortsandglasswareinthelaboratory,anda
frothystainspreadacrossthewaterfromasubmergedwindowbyoneofthe
reagentbenches.
Keranswatchedtheindigobubblesfadeanddissolve,thinkingofthehuge
semi-circleofprogrammechartssinkingbelowthewaterasheleftthe
laboratory,aperfect,almostvaudevilliancommentonthebiophysical
85
mechanismstheysoughttodescribe,andwhichperhapssymbolisedthe
uncertaintiesthatlayaheadnowthatheandBodkinhadcommitted
themselvestoremainingbehind.Theywerenowenteringtheaquaincognita,
withonlyafewruleof-thumbprinciplestoguidethem.
FromthetypewriterinhiscabinKeranstookasheetofpaper,pinnedit
firmlytothedoorofthegalley.Bodkinappendedhissignaturetothe
message,andthetwomenwentoutontothedeckagainandloweredKerans'
catamaranintothewater.
Paddlingslowly,theoutboardshipped,theyglidedoffacrosstheblack
water,soondisappearingamongthedarkblueshadowsalongtheedgeofthe
lagoon.
Asthedown-draughtfromitsbladesfannedfuriouslyacrosstheswimming
pool,tearingatthestripedawningofthepatio,thehelicoptercircled
deafeninglyoverthepenthouse,plunginganddivingasitsearchedfora
landingpoint.Keranssmiledtohimselfashewatcheditthroughtheplastic
vanesovertheloungewindows,confidentthatthetotteringpileofkerosene
drumsheandBodkinhadpyramidedovertheroofwouldsafelydeterthe
pilot.Oneortwoofthedrumstoppleddownontothepatioandsplashed
intothepool,andthehelicopterveeredawayandthencameinmoreslowly,
hoveringsteadily.
Thepilot,SergeantDaley,swungthefuselagearoundsothatthehatch
doorfacedtheloungewindows,andthehatlessfigureofRiggsappearedin
thedoorway,twoofthesoldiersholdingontohimashebellowedintoan
electricmegaphone.
BeatriceDahlranacrosstoKeransfromherobservationpostatthefar
endofthelounge,cuppingherearsfromthedin.
"Robert,he'stryingtotalktous!"
86
Keransnodded,theColonel'svoicecompletelylostintheengineroar.
Riggsfinishedandthehelicopterleanedbackwardsandsoaredawayacross
thelagoon,takingthenoiseandvibrationwithit.
KeransputhisarmaroundBeatrice'sshoulders,thebareoiledskinsmooth
underhisfingers.'Well,Ithinkwehaveaprettygoodideawhathewas
saying."
Theywentoutontothepatio,wavinguptoBodkinwhohadappeared
fromtheelevator-houseandwasstraighteningthedrums.Belowthem,onthe
oppositesideofthelagoon,theupperdeckandbridgeofthescuttledtesting
stationprotrudedfromthewater,aflotsamofhundredsofpiecesofoldnotepapereddyingawayfromit.Standingbytherail,Keranspointedtotheyellow
hullofthebasemooredbytheRitzinthefurthestofthethreecentral
lagoons.
Afterafutileattempttore-floatthestation,Riggshadsetoffatnoonas
planned,sendingthecutterovertotheapartmenthousewhereheassumed
thetwobiologistswerehiding.Findingtheelevatoroutoforder,hismenhad
refusedthealternativeofatwenty-storeyclimbupthestairway-alreadyafew
iguanashadmadetheirhomesonthelowerlandings-soRiggshadfinallytried
toreachthemwiththehelicopter.Balkedthere,hewasnowcrashingtheRitz.
"ThankGodhe'sleft,"Beatricesaidfervently."Forsomereasonbereally
gotonmynerves."
"Youmadethatprettyplain.I'msurprisedhedidn'ttakeapotshotatyou."
"But,darling,hewasinsufferable.Allthatstiffupperlipstuffanddressing
fordinnerinthejungle-atotallackofadaptability."
"Riggswasallright,"Keransremarkedquietly."He'llprobablygetby."
NowthatRiggshadgonehewasawareofhowdependenthehadbeenonthe
87
Colonel'sbuoyancyandgoodhumour.Withouthimthemoraleoftheunit
wouldhavedisintegratedinaninstant.ItremainedtobeseenwhetherKerans
couldimbuehisownlittletriowiththesamedegreeofconfidenceandsense
ofpurpose.Certainlyitwasuptohimtobetheleader;Bodkinwastooold,
Beatricetooself-immersed.
Keransglancedatthethermo-alarmheworenexttohiswristwatch.Itwas
after3-30,butthetemperaturewasstillahundredandtendegrees,thesun
beatingagainsthisskinlikeafist.TheyjoinedBodkinandwentintothe
lounge.
Resumingtheactionconferenceinterruptedbythehelicopter,Keranssaid:
"You'vegotaboutathousandgallonsleftintherooftank,Bea,enoughfor
threemonths-orlet'ssaytwoaswecanexpectittogetalothotter-andI
recommendyoutoclosedowntherestoftheapartmentandmoveintohere.
You'reonthenorthsideofthepatiosotheelevator-housewillprotectyou
fromtheheavyrainswhentheycomeinonthesoutherlystorms.Tentoone
theshuttersandair-sealsalongthebedroomwallswillbebreached.What
aboutfood,Alan?Howlongwillthestocksinthedeepfreezelast?"
Bodkinpulledadistastefulface.'Well,asmostofthelambs'tonguesin
aspichavebeeneatentheynowconsistchieflyofbullybeef,soyoucouldsay
'indefinitely'.However,ifyou'reactuallyplanningtoeatthestuff-sixmonths.
ButI'dpreferiguana."
"Nodoubttheiguanawouldpreferus.Allrightthen,thatseemsprettyfair.
Alanwillbeoverinthestationuntilthelevelrises,andI'llbeholdingoutat
theRitz.Anythingelse?"
Beatricewanderedawayaroundthesofatowardsthebar."Yes,darling.
Shutup.You'rebeginningtosoundlikeRiggs.Themilitarymannerdoesn't
suityou."
88
Keransthrewheramocksaluteandstrolledovertolookatthepaintingby
Ernstatthefarendofthelounge,whileBodkingazeddownatthejungle
throughthewindow.Moreandmorethetwosceneswerecomingto
resembleeachother,andinturnthethirdnightscapeeachofthemcarried
withinhismind.Theyneverdiscussedtheirdreams,thecommonzoneof
twilightwheretheymovedatnightlikethephantomsintheDelvauxpainting.
Beatricehadsatdowninthesofawithherbacktohim,andshrewdly
Keransguessedthatthepresentunityofthegroupwouldnotbelong
maintained.Beatricewasright;themilitarymannerdidnotsuithim,his
personalitywastoopassiveandintroverted,tooself-centered.More
important,though,theywereenteringanewzone,wheretheusualobligations
andallegiancesceasedtooperate.Nowthattheyhadmadetheirdecisionthe
bondsbetweenthemhadalreadybeguntofade,anditwasnotsimplyfor
reasonsofconveniencethattheywouldliveapart.Muchasheneeded
BeatriceDahl,herpersonalityintrudedupontheabsolutefreedomhe
requiredforhimself.Byandlarge,eachofthemwouldhavetopursuehisor
herownpathwaythroughthetimejungles,marktheirownpointsofno
return.Althoughtheymightseeoneanotheroccasionally,aroundthelagoons
oratthetestingstation,theironlytruemeetinggroundwouldbeintheir
dreams.
89
7-CarnivalofAlligators
Splitbyanimmenseroar,theearlymorningsilenceoverthelagoon
shatteredabruptly,andatremendousblareofnoisebatteredpastthewindows
ofthehotelsuite.WithaneffortKeranspulledhisreluctantbodyfromhis
bedandstumbledacrossthebooksscatteredonthefloor.Hekickedbackthe
meshdoorontothebalconyintimetoseeahugewhite-hulledhydroplane
speedbyaroundthelagoon,itstwolongsteppedplanescleavingperfectslices
ofglitteringspray.Astheheavywashslappedagainstthewallofthehotel,
breakingupthecoloniesofwaterspidersanddisturbingthebatsnesting
amongtherottinglogs,hecaughtaglimpseofatall,broad-shoulderedmanin
thecockpit,wearingawhitehelmetandjerkin,standinguprightatthe
controls.
Hedrovethehydroplanewithaneasynonchalantswagger,acceleratingthe
twopowerfulpropellerturbinesmountedinfrontofhimasthecrafthitthe
broadswellsacrossthelagoon,sothatitplungedanddivedlikeapower-boat
wrestlingthroughgiantrollers,throwingupgalesofrainbowingspray.The
manrolledwiththesurgingmotionofthecraft,hislonglegssuppleand
relaxed,likeacharioteercompletelyincommandofaspiritedteam.
Hiddenbythecalamiteswhichnowspilledacrossthebalcony-theeffortof
cuttingthembackhadlongseemedpointless-Keranswatchedhim
unobserved.Asthecraftspedbyonitssecondcircuit,Keranshadaglimpse
ofarakishprofile,brighteyesandteeth,anexpressionofexhilarated
conquest.
Thesilverstudsofacartridgebeltflashedaroundhiswaist,andwhenhe
reachedthefarsideofthelagoontherewasaseriesofshortexplosions.
Signalshellsburstoverthewaterintoraggedredumbrellas,thefragments
spittingdownacrosstheshore.
90
Inafinallungeofenergy,itsenginesscreaming,thehydroplaneswerved
outofthelagoonandgunnedawaydownthecanaltothenextlagoon,its
washthrashingatthefoliage.Keransgrippedthebalconyrail,watchingthe
disturbedrestlesswaterofthelagoontryingtore-settleitself,thegiant
cryptogramsandscaletreesalongtheshoretossedandflurriedbythestill
surgingair.Athinpallofredvapourdriftedawaytothenorth,fadingwith
thediminishingsoundsofthehydroplane.Theviolentirruptionofnoiseand
energy,andthearrivalofthisstrangewhite-suitedfigure,momentarily
disconcertedKerans,jerkinghimroughlyfromhislassitudeandtorpor.
InthesixweekssinceRiggs'departurehehadlivedalmostaloneinhis
penthousesuiteatthehotel,immersinghimselfmoreandmoredeeplyinthe
silentworldofthesurroundingjungle.Thecontinuedincreasein
temperature-thethermo-alarmonthebalconynowregisteredanoonhighof
onehundredandthirtydegrees-andtheenervatinghumiditymadeitalmost
impossibletoleavethehotelafterteno'clockinthemorning;thelagoonsand
thejunglewerefilledwithfireuntilfouro'clock,bythenhewasusuallytoo
tiredtodoanythingbutreturntobed.
Alldayhesatbytheshutteredwindowsofthesuite,listeningfromthe
shadowstotheshiftingmovementofthemeshcage,asitexpandedand
contractedintheheat.Alreadymanyofthebuildingsaroundthelagoonhad
disappearedbeneaththeproliferatingvegetation;hugeclubmossesand
calamitesblottedoutthewhiterectangularfaces,shadingthelizardsintheir
windowlairs.
Beyondthelagoontheendlesstidesofsilthadbeguntoaccumulatein
enormousglitteringbanks,hereandthereover-toppingtheshoreline,likethe
immensetippingsofsomedistantgold-mine.Thelightdrummedagainsthis
brain,bathingthesubmergedlevelsbelowhisconsciousness,carryinghim
downwardsintowarmpelluciddepthswherethenominalrealitiesoftimeand
spaceceasedtoexist.Guidedbyhisdreams,hewasmovingbackwards
91
throughtheemergentpast,throughasuccessionofeverstrangerlandscapes,
centereduponthelagoon,eachofwhich,asBodkinhadsaid,seemedto
representoneofhisownspinallevels.Attimesthecircleofwaterwas
spectralandvibrant,atothersslackandmurky,theshoreapparentlyformed
ofshale,likethedullmetallicskinofareptile.Yetagainthesoftbeaches
wouldglowinvitinglywithaglossycarminesheen,theskywarmandlimpid,
theemptinessofthelongstretchesofsandtotalandabsolute,fillinghimwith
anexquisiteandtenderanguish.
Helongedforthisdescentthrougharchaeopsychictimetoreachits
conclusion,repressingtheknowledgethatwhenitdidtheexternalworld
aroundhimwouldhavebecomealienandunbearable.
Sometimesherestlesslymadeafewentriesinhisbotanicaldiaryaboutthe
newplantforms,andduringthefirstweekscalledseveraltimesonDr.
BodkinandBeatriceDahl.Butbothwereincreasinglypreoccupiedwiththeir
owndescentsthroughtotaltime.Bodkinbadbecomelostinhisprivate
reverie,puntingaimlesslyaroundthenarrowcreeksinsearchforthe
submergedworldofhischildhood.OnceKeranscameacrosshimrestingon
anoarinthesternofhissmallmetalscowandgazingvacantlyatthe
unyieldingbuildingsaroundhim.HehadstaredstraightthroughKerans,
failingtoacknowledgehiscall.
However,withBeatrice,despitetheirsuperficialestrangement,therewasan
intactunderlyingunion,atacitawarenessoftheirsymbolicroles.
Moresignalshellsburstoverthedistallagoon,containingthestationand
Beatrice'sapartmenthouse,andKeransshieldedhiseyesasthebrightfireballsstuddedthesky.Afewsecondslater,severalmilesawayamongthesilt
bankstothesouth,therewasaseriesofansweringbursts,faintpuffsthat
soondispersed.
Sothestrangerdrivingthehydroplanewasnotalone.Attheprospectof
92
thisimminentinvasionKeranspulledhimselftogether.Thedistance
separatingtheansweringsignalswaswideenoughtoindicatethattherewas
morethanonegroup,andthatthehydroplanewasmerelyascoutvehicle.
Sealingthemeshdoorbehindhim,hesteppedbackintothesuite,pulling
hisjacketoffthechair.Outofhabithewentintothebathroomandstoodin
frontofthemirror,absentlyfeelingtheweek-oldstubbleonhisface.Thehair
waswhiteaspearl,andwithhisebonytanandintrospectiveeyesgavehimthe
appearanceofarefinedbeachcomber.Abucket-fullofdingywaterhadleaked
infromthewreckedstillontheroof,andhescoopedsomeoutandsplashed
hisface,atokentoiletperformed,asfarashecouldsee,solelyoutofhabit.
Usingthemetal-tippedboathooktodriveawaytwosmalliguanasidlingon
thejetty,heslidthecatamaranintothewaterandcastoff,thelittleoutboard
carryinghimsteadilythroughthesluggishswells.Hugeclumpsofalgaestirred
belowthecraft,andstick-beetleandwaterspiderracedarounditsprows.It
wasafewminutesafterseveno'clock,andthetemperaturewasonlyeighty
degrees,comparativelycoolandpleasant,theairfreeoftheenormousclouds
ofmosquitowhichwouldlaterberousedfromtheirnestsbytheheat.
Ashenavigatedthehundred-yard-longcreekleadingintothesouthern
lagoon,moresignalrocketswereexplodingoverhead,andhecouldhearthe
hydroplanezoomingtoandfro,occasionallyglimpsethewhite-suitedfigure
atitscontrolsasitflashedpast.Keranscuttheoutboardattheentranceto
thelagoonandglidedquietlythroughtheoverhangingfernfronds,watching
forwatersnakesdisturbedfromthebranchesbythesurgingwash.
Twenty-fiveyardsalongtheshoreheberthedthecatamaranamongthe
horse-tailsgrowingontheshelvingroofofadepartmentstore,wadedupthe
slopingconcretetoafireescapeonthesideoftheadjacentbuilding.He
climbedthefivestoreystotheflatrooftopandlaydownbehindalow
pediment,glancingupatthenearbybulkofBeatrice'sapartmenthouse.
93
Thehydroplanewascirclingnoisilybyaninletonthefarsideofthe
lagoon,thedriverplungingitbackwardsandforwardslikeahorsemanreining
hissteed.Moreflaresweregoingup,someonlyaquarterofamileaway.As
hewatchedKeransnoticedalowbutmountingroar,aharshanimalsound
notunlikethatemittedbytheiguanas.Itdrewnearer,mingledwiththedrone
ofengines,followedbythenoiseofvegetationbeingtornandbuffeted.Sure
enough,alongthecoursefollowedbytheinlet,thehugeferntreesand
calamiteswereflungdownoneaftertheother,theirbrancheswavingasthey
felllikevanquishedstandards.Thewholejunglewasbeingtornapart.Droves
ofbatseruptedintotheairandscatteredfranticallyacrossthelagoon,their
screechingmaskedbytheacceleratingturbinesofthehydroplaneandthe
explodingstar-shells.
Abruptly,thewaterinthemouthoftheinletroseseveralfeetintotheair,
whatseemedtobeanenormouslog-jamcrusheddownit,tearingthe
vegetationaway,andburstoutintothelagoon.Aminiatureniagaraof
foamingwatercascadedoutwards,impelledbythepressureofthetidalbore
behindit,onwhichrodeseveralsquareblack-hulledcraftsimilartoColonel
Riggs'cutter,paintpeelingfromthegiantdragoneyesandteethslashed
acrosstheirbows.Mannedbyadozendusky-skinnedfiguresinwhiteshorts
andsinglets,thescowsjockeyedouttowardsthecentreofthelagoon,thelast
ofthestar-shellsstillgoingupfromtheirdecksinthegeneralmeleeand
excitement.
Half-deafenedbythenoise,Keransstareddownatthevastswarmoflong
brownformsswimmingpowerfullythroughtheseethingwater,theirmassive
tailslashingthefoam.Byfarthelargestalligatorshehadseen,manyofthem
overtwenty-fivefeetlong,theyjostledtogetherferociouslyastheyfought
theirwayintotheclearwater,churninginapackaroundthenowstationary
hydroplane.Thewhite-suitedmanwasstandingintheopenhatchway,hands
onhips,gazingexultantlyatthisreptilianbrood.Hewavedlazilyatthecrews
ofthethreescows,thengesturedinawidecircleatthelagoon,indicatingthat
94
theywouldanchorthere.
Ashisnegrolieutenantsre-startedtheirenginesanddriftedofftowardsthe
bank,hesurveyedthesurroundingbuildingswithacriticaleye,hisstrongface
raisedalmostjauntilytooneside.Thealligatorscongregatedlikehounds
aroundtheirmaster,thewheelingcriesofthedensecloudofsentinelbirds
overhead,nileploverandstonecurlew,piercingthemorningair.Moreand
moreofthealligatorsjoinedthepack,cruisingshouldertoshoulderina
clockwisespiral,untilatleasttwothousandwerepresent,amassivegroup
incarnationofreptilianevil.
Withashout,thepilotswungbacktohiscontrols,thetwothousand
snoutsliftinginrecognition.Thepropellerskickedintolifeandliftedthe
hydroplaneforwardacrossthewater.Itssharpplanesploughingstraight
acrossthehaplesscreaturesintheirpath,itdroveawaytowardsthe
communicatingcreekintothenextlagoon,thegreatmassofalligatorssurging
alongbehindit.Afewdetachedthemselvesandcruisedoffinpairsaround
thelagoon,ferretingamongthesubmergedwindowsanddrivingoffthe
iguanaswhohadcomeouttowatch.Othersglidedamongthebuildingsand
tookuptheirpositionsonthebarelycoveredrooftops.Behindthem,inthe
centreofthelagoon,thebeatenwaterchurneduneasily,occasionallythrowing
upthesnow-whitebellyofadeadalligatorcrushedbythehydroplane.
Astheadvancingarmadaheadedtowardsthecreekonhisleft,Kerans
scrambleddownthefireescapeandsplasheddowntheslopingrooftothe
catamaran.Beforehecouldreachittheheavywashsetupbythehydroplane
hadrockedthecraftadrift,anditfloatedoffintotheoncomingmass.Within
afewsecondsitwasengulfed,up-endedbythepressofalligatorsfightingto
getintothecreekandcuttopiecesintheirsnappingjaws.
AlargecaimanbringinguptherearspottedKeranswaist-deepamongthe
horse-tailsandveeredtowardshim,itseyessteadying.Itsroughscalyback
95
andthecrestalongitstailflexedpowerfullyasitsurgedthroughthewater.
QuicklyKeransretreateduptheslope,slippingoncetohisshoulders,reached
thefireescapeasthecaimanlumberedoutoftheshallowsonitsshort
hookedlegsandlungedathisleapingfeet.
Panting,Keransleanedontherail,lookingdownatthecoldunblinking
eyeswhichregardedhimdispassionately.
"You'reawell-trainedwatchdog,"hetolditungrudgingly.Heeasedaloose
brickfromthewallandlauncheditwithbothhandsattheknobontheend
ofthecaiman'ssnout,grinningasitbellowedandbackedoff,snapping
irritablyatthehorse-tailsandafewdriftingsparsofthecatamaran.
Afterhalfanhour,andafewminorduelswiththeretreatingiguanas,he
managedtocrosstheinterveningtwohundredyardsofshorelineandreach
Beatrice'sapartmenthouse.Shemethimashesteppedoutoftheelevator,
wide-eyedwithalarm.
"Robert,what'shappening?"Sheputherhandsonhisshouldersand
pressedherheadagainsthisdampshirt."Haveyouseenthealligators?There
arethousandsofthem!"
"Seenthem-Iwasdamnnearlyeatenbyoneonyourdoorstep."Kerans
releasedhimselfandhurriedovertothewindow,pushedbacktheplastic
vanes.Thehydroplanehadenteredthecentrallagoonandwascirclingitat
speed,theshoalofalligatorsfollowinginitswake,thoseatthetailbreaking
offtostationthemselvesatpointsaroundtheshore.Atleastthirtyorforty
hadremainedinthelagoonbelow,andwerecruisingaboutslowlyinsmall
patrols,occasionallyswervingonacarelessiguana.
"Thosedevilishthingsmustbetheirwatch-guards,"Keransdecided."Like
atametroupeoftarantulas.Nothingbetter,whenyoucometothinkofit."
96
Beatricestoodbesidehim,nervouslyfingeringthecollarofthejadesilk
shirtsheworeoverherblackswimsuit.Althoughtheapartmentwas
beginningtolookramshackleanduntidy,Beatricecontinuedtotendherown
appearancedevotedly.OnthefewoccasionswhenKeranscalledshewould
besittingonthepatioorbeforeamirrorinherbedroom,automatically
applyingendlesslayersofpatinalikeablindpainterforeverretouchinga
portraithecanbarelyrememberforfearthatotherwisehewillforgetit
completely.Herhairwasalwaysdressedimmaculately,themake-uponher
mouthandeyesexquisitelyapplied,butherwithdrawn,isolatedgazegaveher
thewaxen,glacébeautyofaninanimatemannequin.Atlast,however,shehad
beenroused.
"Butwhoarethey,Robert?Thatmaninthespeed-boatfrightensme.I
wishColonelRiggswashere."
"He'llbeathousandmilesawaybynow,ifhehasn'talreadyreachedByrd.
Don'tworry,Bea.Theymaylookapiraticalcrew,butthere'snothingwecan
givethem."
Alargethree-deckerpaddle-boat,paddlessetforeandaft,hadenteredthe
lagoon,andwasslowlymovingovertothethreescowsdrawnupafewyards
fromwhereRiggs'basehadbeenmoored.Itwasloadedwithgearandcargo,
deckscrammedwithlargebalesandcanvas-swathedmachinery,sothatthere
wasonlysixinchesoffreeboardamidships.
Keransguessedthatthiswasthegroup'sdepotship,andthattheywere
engaged,likemostoftheotherfreebootersstillwanderingthroughthe
Equatoriallagoonsandarchipelagoes,inpillagingthedrownedcities,
reclaimingtheheavyspecialisedmachinerysuchaselectricalpowergenerators
andswitchgearthathadbeenperforceabandonedbythegovernment.
Nominallysuchlootingwashighlypenalised,butinfacttheauthoritieswere
onlytooeagertoPayagenerouspriceforanysalvage.
97
"Look!"
BeatricegrippedKerans'elbow.Shepointeddownatthetestingstation,
wheretherumpled,shaggy-hairedfigureofDr.Bodkinstoodontheroof,
wavingslowlyatthemenonthebridgeofthepaddle-boat.Oneofthem,a
bare-chestednegroinwhiteslacksandawhitepeakedcap,begantoshout
backthroughahailer.
Keransshrugged."Alan'sright.We'veeverythingtogainbyshowing
ourselves.Ifwehelpthemthey'llsoonpushoffandleaveusalone."
Beatricehesitated,butKeranstookherarm.Thehydroplane,nowfreeof
itsentourage,wascrossingthecentrallagoononitsreturn,leapinglightly
throughthewateronabeautifulwakeoffoam.
"Comeon,ifwegetdowntothejettyintimehe'llprobablygiveusalift."
98
8-TheManwiththeWhiteSmile
Hishandsomesaturninefaceregardingthemwithamixtureofsuspicion
andamusedcontempt,Strangmanloungedbackunderthecoolawningthat
shadedthepoopdeckofthedepotship.Hehadchangedintoacrispwhite
suit,thesilk-likesurfaceofwhichreflectedthegiltplateofhishigh-backed
Renaissancethrone,presumablydredgedfromsomeVenetianorFlorentine
lagoon,andinvestedhisstrangepersonalitywithanalmostmagicalaura.
"Yourmotivesseemsocomplex,Doctor,"heremarkedtoKerans."But
perhapsyou'vegivenuphopeofunderstandingthemyourself.Weshalllabel
themthetotalbeachsyndromeandleaveitatthat.
Hesnappedhisfingersatthestewardstandingintheshadowsbehindhim
andselectedanolivefromthetrayofsmallchow.Beatrice,Keransand
Bodkinsatinasemi-circleonthelowcouches,alternatelychilledandroasted
astheerraticair-conditionerabovethemvarieditsperimeter.Outside,halfan
hourbeforenoon,thelagoonwasabowloffire,thescatteredlightalmost
maskingthetallapartmenthouseontheoppositebank.Thejunglewas
motionlessintheimmenseheat,thealligatorshidinginwhatevershadethey
couldfind.
NonethelessseveralofStrangman'smenweremessingaboutinoneofthe
scows,unloadingsomeheavydivingequipmentunderthedirectionofahuge
hunchbackednegroinapairofgreencottonshorts.Agiantgrotesqueparody
ofahumanbeing,nowandthenhetookoffhiseye-patchtobellowabuseat
them,andthemingledgruntsandcursesdriftedacrossthesteamingair.
"Buttellme,Doctor,"Strangmanpressed,apparentlydissatisfiedwith
Kerans'answers,"whendoyoufinallyproposetoleave?"
Keranshesitated,wonderingwhethertoinventadate.Afterwaitingan
99
hourforStrangmantochange,hehadofferedtheirgreetingstohimandtried
toexplainwhytheywerestillthere.However,Strangmanseemedunableto
taketheexplanationseriously,swingingabruptlyfromamusementattheir
naivetytosharpsuspicion.Keranswatchedhimcarefully,reluctanttomake
eventhesmallestfalsemove.Whateverhisrealidentity,Strangmanwasno
ordinaryfreebooter.Acuriousairofmenacepervadedthedepotship,its
crewandtheirmaster.Strangmaninparticular,withhiswhitesmilingface,its
cruellinessharpeninglikearrowswhenhegrinned,disturbedKerans.
"Wehaven'treallyconsideredthepossibility,"Keranssaid."Ithinkweall
hopetostayonindefinitely.Wehavesmallstocksofsupplies."
"Butmydearman,"Strangmanremonstrated,"thetemperaturewillsoon
beuptonearlytwohundreddegrees.Theentireplanetisrapidlyreturningto
theMesozoicPeriod."
"Precisely,"Dr.Bodkincutin,rousinghimselfforamomentfromhis
introspection."Andinsofaraswearepartoftheplanet,apieceofthemain,
wetooarereturning.Thisisourzoneoftransit,herewearere-assimilating
ourownbiologicalpasts.That'swhywehavechosentoremainhere.Thereis
noulteriormotive,Strangman."
"Ofcoursenot,Doctor,Icompletelyrespectyoursincerity."Shiftsof
moodseemedtocrossandre-crossStrangman'sface,makinghimlookin
turnirritable,amiable,boredandabstracted.Helistenedtoanair-line
pumpingfromthescow,thenasked:"Dr.Bodkin,didyouliveinLondonasa
child?Youmusthavemanysentimentalmemoriestorecapture,ofthegreat
palacesandmuseums."Headded:"Oraretheonlymemoriesyouhavepreuterineones?"
Keranslookedup,surprisedattheeasewithwhichStrangmanhad
masteredBodkin'sjargon.HenoticedthatStrangmanwasnotonlywatching
Bodkinshrewdly,butalsowaitingforanyreactionfromhimselfandBeatrice.
100
ButBodkingesturedvaguely."No,I'mafraidIremembernothing.The
immediatepastisofnointeresttome."
"Whatapity,"Strangmanrejoinedarchly."Thetroublewithyoupeopleis
thatyou'vebeenhereforthirtymillionyearsandyourperspectivesareall
wrong.Youmisssomuchofthetransitorybeautyoflife.I'mfascinatedby
theimmediatepast-thetreasuresoftheTriassiccompareprettyunfavourably
withthoseoftheclosingyearsoftheSecondMillennium."
HeleanedaroundononeelbowandsmiledatBeatrice,whosatwithher
handsdiscreetlycoveringherbareknees,likeamouseobservingaparticularly
finecat."Andwhataboutyou,MissDahl?Youlookalittlemelancholy.A
touchoftime-sickness,perhaps?Thechronoclasmicbends?"Hechuckled,
amusedbythissally,andBeatricesaidquietly:
"We'reusuallyrathertiredhere,Mr.Strangman.Bytheway,Idon'tlike
youralligators."
"Theywon'thurtyou."Strangmanleanedbackandsurveyedthetrio."It's
allverystrange."Overhisshoulderherappedashortcommandatthe
steward,thensatfrowningtohimself.Keransrealisedthattheskinofhisface
andhandswasuncannilywhite,devoidaltogetherofanypigmentation.
Kerans'heavysunburn,likethatofBeatriceandDr.Bodkin,madehim
virtuallyindistinguishablefromtheremainderofthenegrocrew,andthe
subtledistinctionsbetweenthemulattosandquadroonshadvanished.
Strangmanaloneretainedhisoriginalpaleness,theeffectemphasisedbythe
whitesuithehadchosen.
Thebare-chestednegrointhepeakedcapappeared,sweatrollingacrosshis
powerfulmuscles.Hewasaboutsixfeetinheight,buttherollingbreadthof
hisshouldersmadehimseemstockyandcompact.Hismannerwas
deferentialandobservant,andKeranswonderedhowStrangmanmanagedto
101
maintainhisauthorityoverthecrew,andwhytheyacceptedhisharsh,callous
tone.
Strangmanintroducedthenegrocurtly."ThisistheAdmiral,mychief
whip.IfI'mnotaroundwhenyouwantme,dealwithhim."Hestoodup,
steppingdownfromthedais."Beforeyouleave,letmetakeyouonabrief
tourofmytreasureship."HeextendedanarmgallantlytoBeatrice,whotook
ittimorously,hiseyesglintingandrapacious.
Atonetime,Keranssurmised,thedepotshiphadbeenagamblingsteamer
andfloatingviceden,mooredbeyondthefive-milelimitoutsideMessinaor
Beirut,orintheshelterofsomeestuarinecreekunderthebinder,more
tolerantskiessouthoftheequator.Astheyleftthedeckasquadofmenwere
loweringanancientornamentalgangwaytothewater'sedge,itsbanistersof
peelinggiltshadedbyawhiteclapboardmarqueepaintedwithgoldtassels
anddrapery,creakingaboutonitspulleyslikeafuniculargazebo.Theinterior
oftheshipwasdecoratedinasimilarpastichebaroque.Thebar,nowdark
andclosed,attheforwardendoftheobservationdeckwaslikethestern
castleofaceremonialgalleon,nakedgiltcaryatidssupportingitsportico.
Semi-columnsoffakemarbleformedlittleloggiasthatledawaytotheprivate
alcovesanddiningrooms,whilethedividedcentralstairwaywasabadfilm
setofVersailles,anaerialriotofdustycupidsandcandelabra,thegrimybrass
overlayedwithmouldandverdigris.
Buttheformerroulettewheelsandchemindefertableshadgone,andthe
scarredparquetflooringwascoveredwithamassofcratesandcartons,piled
upagainstthewiremeshwindowssothatonlyafaintreflectionofthelight
outsideseepedthrough.Everythingwaswellpackedandsealed,butonanold
mahoganycharttableinonecornerKeranssawacollectionofbronzeand
marblelimbsandtorsos,fragmentsofstatuarywaitingtobesorted.
Strangmanpausedatthebottomofthestaircase,tearingoffastripof
102
fadingtemperafromoneofthemurals."Theplaceisfallingtobits.Hardlyup
tothestandardoftheRitz,Doctor.Ienvyyourgoodsense."
Keransshrugged."It'salow-rentareanow."HewaitedasStrangman
unlockedadoor,andtheyenteredthemainstorehold,adimstiflingcavern
packedwithlargewoodencrates,thefloorstrewnwithsawdust.Theywere
nolongerintherefrigeratedsectionoftheship,andtheAdmiralandanother
sailorfollowedthemclosely,continuallyhosingthemwithice-coldairfroma
faucetonthewall.StrangmansnappedhisfingersandtheAdmiralquickly
begantopullawaythecanvaswrappingsdrapedbetweenthecrates.
InthethinlightKeranscouldjustseetheglimmeringoutlineofahuge
ornamentedaltarpieceatthefarendofthehold,fittedwithelaboratescrollworkandtoweringdolphincandelabra,toppedbyaneo-classicalproscenium
whichwouldhavecoveredasmallhouse.Nexttoitstoodadozenpiecesof
statuary,mostlyofthelateRenaissance,stacksofheavygiltframespropped
againstthem.Beyondthesewereseveralsmalleraltarpiecesandtriptychs,an
intactpulpitinpanelledgold,threelargeequestrianstatues,afewstrandsof
sea-weedstillentwinedinthehorses'manes,severalpairsofenormous
cathedraldoors,embossedingoldandsilver,andalargetieredmarble
fountain.Themetalshelvesaroundthesideoftheholdwereloadedwith
smallerbricabrac:votiveurns,goblets,shieldsandsalvers,piecesof
decorativearmour,ceremonialinkstandsandthelike.
StillholdingBeatrice'sarm,Strangmangesturedexpansivelyafewyards
ahead.Keransheardhimsay'SistineChapel'and'MediciTomb'butBodkin
muttered:"Aesthetically,mostofthisisrubbish,pickedforthegoldcontent
alone.Yetthere'snotmuchofthat.Whatisthemanupto?"
Keransnodded,watchingStrangmaninhiswhitesuit,thebarelegged
Beatricebesidehim.SuddenlyherememberedtheDelvauxpainting,withits
tuxedoedskeletons.Strangman'schalk-whitefacewaslikeaskull,andhehad
103
somethingoftheskeleton'sjauntiness.Fornoreasonhebegantofeelan
intensedistastefortheman,hishostilitymoregeneralisedthanpersonal.
"Well,Kerans,whatdoyouthinkofthem?"Strangmanpivotedatoneend
oftheaisleandswungback,barkingattheAdmiraltocovertheexhibits
again."Impressed,Doctor?"
KeransmanagedtotakehiseyesoffStrangman'sfaceandglancedatthe
lootedrelics.
"They'relikebones,"hesaidflatly.
Baffled,Strangmanshookhishead."Bones?Whatonearthareyoutalking
about?Kerans,you'reinsane!Bones,GoodGod!"
Asheletoutamartyredgroan,theAdmiraltookuptherefrain,firstsaying
thewordquietlytohimselfasifexaminingastrangeobject,thenrepeatingit
moreandmorerapidlyinasortofnervousrelease,hisbroadfacegibbering
withlaughter.Theothersailorjoinedin,andtogethertheybegantochantit
out,convulsedoverthefirehoselikesnakedancers.
"Bones!Yes,man,dem'sallbones!Dembonesdembonesdem…!"
Strangmanwatchedthemangrily,themusclesofhisfacelockingand
unlockinglikemanacles.Disgustedwiththisdisplayofrudenessandbad
temper,Keransturnedtoleavethehold.InannoyanceStrangmanrushed
afterhim,pressedthepalmofhishandinKerans'backandpropelledhim
alongtheaisleoutofthehold.
Fiveminuteslater,astheydroveoffinoneofthescows,theAdmiraland
halfadozenothermembersofthecrewlinedtherail,stillchantingand
dancing.Strangmanhadregainedhishumour,andstoodcoollyinhiswhite
suit,detachedfromtheothers,wavingironically.
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9-ThePoolofThanatos
Duringthenexttwoweeks,asthesouthernhorizonbecameincreasingly
darkenedbytheapproachingrain-clouds,KeranssawStrangmanfrequently.
Usuallyhewouldbedrivinghishydroplaneatspeedaroundthelagoons,his
whiteloungesuitexchangedforoverallsandhelmet,supervisingtheworkof
thesalvageteams.Onescow,withsixmen,wasworkingineachofthethree
lagoons,thediversmethodicallyexploringthesunkenbuildings.Occasionally
theplacidroutinesofdescentandpumpwouldbeinterruptedbythesounds
ofriflefireasanalligatorventuringtoonearthediverswasdispatched.
Sittinginthedarknessinhishotelsuite,Keranswasfarawayfromthe
lagoon,contenttoletStrangmandiveforhislootaslongashewouldsoon
leave.Moreandmorethedreamshadbeguntoencroachonhiswakinglife,
hisconsciousmindbecomingincreasinglydrainedandwithdrawn.Thesingle
planeoftimeonwhichStrangmanandhismenexistedseemedsotransparent
astohaveanegligibleclaimtoreality.Nowandthen,whenStrangmancame
tocallonhim,hewouldemergeforafewminutesontothistenuousplane,
buttherealcentreofhisconsciousnesswaselsewhere.
Curiously,afterhisinitialirritation,Strangmanhaddevelopedasneaking
likingforKerans.Thebiologist'squiet,angularmindwasaperfecttargetfor
Strangman'sdryhumour.AttimeshewouldsubtlymimicKerans,earnestly
takinghisarmduringoneoftheirdialoguesandsayinginapiousvoice:"You
know,Kerans,leavingtheseatwohundredmillionyearsagomayhavebeena
deeptraumafromwhichwe'veneverrecovered…"
Onanotheroccasionhesenttwoofhismenoverinaskifftothelagoon;
ononeofthelargestbuildingsontheoppositebanktheypaintedinletters
thirtyfeethigh:
TIMEZONE
105
Keranstookthisbanteringoodpart,ignoringitwhenthedivers'lackof
successmadeitmoresevere.Sinkingbackwardsthroughthepast,hewaited
patientlyforthecomingoftherain.
ItwasafterthedivingpartyarrangedbyStrangmanthatKeransfirst
realisedthetruenatureofhisfearoftheman.
OstensiblythepartyhadbeendevisedbyStrangmanasasocialfunctionto
bringthethreeexilestogether.Inhislaconic,off-handwayStrangmanhad
beguntolaysiegetoBeatrice,deliberatelycultivatingKeransasameansof
securinganeasyentreetoherapartment.Whenhediscoveredthatthe
membersofthetriorarelysaweachotherheevidentlydecidedonan
alternativeapproach,bribingKeransandBodkinwiththepromiseofhiswellstockedcuisineandcellar.Beatrice,however,alwaysrefusedtheseinvitations
toluncheonandmidnightbreakfast-Strangmanandhisentourageofalligators
andone-eyedmulattosstillfrightenedher-andthepartieswereinvariably
cancelled.
Buttherealreasonforhis'divinggala'wasmorepractical.Forsometime
hehadnoticedBodkinpuntingaroundthecreeksoftheformeruniversity
quarter-oftentheoldman,muchtohisamusement,wouldbetrailedaround
thenarrowcanalsbyoneofthedragon-eyedscows,mannedbytheAdmiral
orBigCaesarandcamouflagedwithfernfronds,likealostcarnivalfloat-and
attributinghisownmotivestoothers,assumedthatBodkinwassearchingfor
somelong-buriedtreasure.Thefocusofhissuspicionsfinallybecamefixed
onthesubmergedplanetarium,theoneunderwaterbuildingtowhichthere
waseasyaccess.Strangmanpostedapermanentguardoverthelittlelake,
sometwohundredyardstothesouthofthecentrallagoon,whichcontained
theplanetarium,butwhenBodkinfailedtoappearatthedeadofnightin
flippersandaqualungStrangmanlostpatienceanddecidedtoanticipatehim.
"We'llpickyouupatseventomorrowmorning,"hetoldKerans.
106
"Champagnecocktails,coldbuffet,we'llreallyfindoutwhatoldBodkinhas
gothiddendownthere."
"Icantellyou,Strangman.Justhislostmemories.They'reworthallthe
treasureintheworldtohim."
ButStrangmanhadletoutapealofskepticallaughter,roaredawayinthe
hydroplaneandleftKeranshanginghelplesslytotheswitchbladingjetty.
PromptlyatseventhenextmorningtheAdmiralhadcomeforhim.They
collectedBeatriceandDr.Bodkinandthenrepairedtothedepotship,where
Strangmanwascompletinghispreparationsforthedive.Asecondscowwas
filledwithdivingequipment-bothaqualungandsuit-pumpsandatelephone.
Adivingcagehungfromthedavit,butStrangmanassuredthemthatthelake
wasfreeofiguanasandalligatorsandtherewasnoneedtoremaininthecage
underwater.
Keranswasskepticalofthis,butforonceStrangmanwasasgoodashis
word.Thelakehadbeenclearedcompletely.Heavysteelgrilleshadbeen
loweredintothewateratthesubmergedentrances,andarmedguardssatwith
harpoonsandshotgunsastridethebooms.Astheyenteredthelakeand
mooredagainstashadedwatersidebalconyontheeasternsidethelastofa
seriesofgrenadeswasbeingtossedintothewater,thesharppulsing
explosionsspewingupaflotsamofstunnedeels,shrimpandsomasteroids,
whichwerepromptlyrakedawaytooneside.
Thecauldronofsubmergedfoamdispersedandcleared,andfromtheir
seatsbytherailtheylookeddownatthewidedomedroofoftheplanetarium,
wreathedinstrandsoffucus,asBodkinhadsaidlikeagiantshell-palacefrom
achildhoodfairytale.Thecircularfanlightattheapexofthedomewas
coveredbyaretractablemetalscreen,andanattempthadbeenmadetolift
oneofthesections,buttoStrangman'schagrintheyhadlongsincerusted
intoplace.Themainentranceofthedomewasattheoriginalstreetlevel,too
107
fardowntobevisible,butapreliminaryreconnaissancehadrevealedthatthey
wouldbeabletoenterwithoutdifficulty.
AsthesunlightroseacrossthewaterKeransgazeddownintothegreen
translucentdepths,atthewarmamnionicjellythroughwhichheswaminhis
dreams.Herememberedthatdespiteitsuniversalsuperabundancehehadnot
fullyimmersedhimselfintheseafortenyears,andmentallyrecapitulatedthe
motionsoftheslowbreaststrokethatcarriedhimthroughthewaterwhilehe
slept.
Threefeetbelowthesurfaceasmallalbinopythonswampast,searching
forawayoutoftheenclosure.Watchingitsstrongheadswerveanddartasit
evadedtheharpoons,Keransfeltamomentaryreluctancetoentrusthimself
tothedeepwater.Ontheothersideofthelake,behindoneofthesteel
grilles,alargeestuarinecrocodilewaswrestlingwithagroupofsailorstrying
todriveitoff.BigCaesar,hisgreatlegsclampedtothenarrowsillofthe
boom,kickedsavagelyattheamphibian,whichsnappedandlungedatthe
spearsandboathooks.Overthirtyfeetlong,itwaswelloverninetyyearsold,
andmeasuredsixorsevenfeetinchestdiameter.Itssnow-whiteunder-belly
remindedKeransthathehadseenacuriouslylargenumberofalbinosnakes
andlizardssinceStrangman'sarrival,appearingfromthejungleasifattracted
byhispresence.Therehadevenbeenafewalbinoiguanas.Onehadsaton
hisjettythepreviousmorning,watchinghimlikeanalabasterlizard,andhe
hadautomaticallyassumedthatitboreamessagefromStrangman.
KeranslookedupatStrangman,whostoodinhiswhitesuitinthebowsof
thevessel,watchingexpectantlyasthecrocodilethrashedandslammed
againstthegrille,almosttopplingthegiantnegrointothewater.Strangman's
sympathieswerealltooobviouslywiththecrocodile,butnotforanyreasons
ofsportsmanshiporfromasadisticdesiretoseeoneofhisprincipal
lieutenantsgoredandkilled.
108
Finally,amidaconfusionofshoutsandcurses,ashotgunwaspassedtoBig
Caesar,whosteadiedhimselfanddischargedbothbarrelsintothehapless
crocodilebelowhisfeet.Withabellowofpain,itbackedawayintothe
shallows,itstailsmackingthewater.
BeatriceandKeranslookedaway,waitingforthecoupdegracetobe
administered,andStrangmanswarmedalongtherailinfrontofthem,eager
forabettervantagepoint.
"Whenthey'retrappedordyingtheysmackthewaterasanalarmsignalto
eachother."HeputaforefingeronBeatrice'scheek,asiftryingtomakeher
facethespectacle."Don'tlooksodisgusted.Kerans!Damnit,showmore
sympathyforthebeast.They'veexistedforahundredmillionyears,they're
amongtheoldestcreaturesontheplanet."
Aftertheanimalhadbeendispatchedhestillstoodelatedlybytherail,
bouncingontheballsofhisfeet,asifhopingthatitwouldresuscitateitself
andmakeacome-back.Onlywhenthedecapitatedheadwashoistedawayon
theendofaboathookdidheturnwithaspasmofirritationtothebusinessof
thedive.
UnderthesupervisionoftheAdmiral,twoofthecrewmadeapreliminary
diveinaqualungs.Theyclimbeddownthemetalladderintothewaterand
glidedawaytowardstheslopingcurveofthedome.Theyexaminedthe
fanlight,thentestedthesemicircularribsofthebuilding,pullingthemselves
acrossthedomebythecracksinthesurface.Aftertheirreturnathirdsailor
descended,withsuitandline.Heclumpedslowlyacrossthecloudyfloorof
thestreetbelow,thethinlightreflectedoffhishelmetandshoulders.Asthe
lineswoundout,heenteredthemaindoorwayanddisappearedfromview,
communicatingbytelephonewiththeAdmiral,whosangouthiscommentary
foralltohearinarichfruitybaritone."indepay-box…nowindemain
lounge…Jomosaysdeseatsindechurch,CaptainStrang',butdealtargone."
109
Everyonewasleaningovertherail,waitingforJomotoreappear,but
Strangmanwasslumpedbackmoodilyinhischair,faceclampedinonehand.
"Church!"hesnortedderisively."God!Sendsomeoneelsedown.Jomo'sa
bloodyfool."
"Yes,Captain."
Morediversdescended,andthefirstchampagnecocktailswerebrought
roundbythesteward.Intendingtodivehimself,Keranssippedlightlyatthe
headyeffervescence.
Beatricetouchedhiselbow,herfacewatchful."Areyougoingdown,
Robert?"
Keranssmiled."Tothebasement,Bea.Don'tworry,I'llusethebigsuit,it's
perfectlysafe."
"Iwasn'tthinkingofthat."Shelookedupattheexpandingellipseofthe
sunjustvisibleovertherooftopbehindthem.Theolive-greenlightrefracted
throughtheheavyfernfrondsfilledthelakewithayellow,swampymiasma,
driftingoverthesurfacelikevapouroffavat.Afewmomentsearlierthe
waterhadseemedcoolandinviting,butnowhadbecomeaclosedworld,the
barrierofthesurfacelikeaplanebetweentwodimensions.Thedivingcage
wasswungoutandloweredintothewater,itsredbarsblurredand
shimmering,sothattheentirestructurewascompletelydistorted.Eventhe
menswimmingbelowthesurfaceweretransformedbythewater,theirbodies
astheyswervedandpivotedturnedintogleamingchimeras,likeexploding
pulsesofideationinaneuronicjungle.
Farbelowthem,thegreatdomeoftheplanetariumhoveoutoftheyellow
light,remindingKeransofsomecosmicspacevehiclemaroonedonEarthfor
millionsofyearsandonlynowrevealedbythesea.HeleanedbehindBeatrice
110
andsaidtoBodkin:"Alan,Strangman'ssearchingforthetreasureyou've
hiddendownthere."
Bodkinsmiledfleetingly."Ihopehefindsit,"hesaidmildly."Theentire
ransomoftheUnconsciousiswaitingforhimifhecan."
Strangmanwasstandinginthebowsofthecraft,interrogatingoneofthe
diverswhohadsurfacedandwasnowbeinghelpedoutofhissuit,water
streamingoffhiscopperskinacrossthedeck.Ashebarkedhisquestionshe
noticedBodkinandKeranswhisperingtoeachother.Browsknitting,he
stalkedacrossthedecktowheretheyweresitting,watchingthemsuspiciously
throughhalfclosedeyes,andthensidledbehindthemlikeaguardeyeingatrio
ofpotentiallytroublesomeprisoners.
Toastinghimwithhisglassofchampagne,Keranssaidjocularly:"Iwasjust
askingDr.Bodkinwherehe'dhiddenhistreasure,Strangman."
Strangmanpaused,staringathimcoldlyasBeatricelaugheduneasily,hiding
herfaceinsidethewingcollarsofherbeachshirt.Heputhishandsonthe
backofKerans'wickerchair,hisfacelikewhiteflint."Don'tworry,Kerans,"
hesnappedsoftly."Iknowwhereitis,andIdon'tneedyourhelptofindit."
HeswungroundonBodkin."DoI,Doctor?"
Shieldingoneearfromthecuttingedgeofhisvoice,Bodkinmurmured:"I
thinkyouprobablydoknow,Strangman."Hepushedhischairbackintothe
shrinkingshade."Whendoesthegalabegin?"
"Gala?"Strangmanglancedaboutirritably,apparentlyforgettingthathe
hadintroducedthetermhimself."Therearenobathingbeautieshere,
Doctor,thisisn'tthelocalaquadrome.Waitaminute,though,Imustn'tbe
ungallantandforgetthebeautifulMissDahl."Hebowedoverherwithan
unctuoussmile."Come,mydear,I'llmakeyouqueenoftheaquacade,withan
escortoffiftydivinecrocodiles."
111
Beatricelookedawayfromhisgleamingeyes."Nothanks,Strangman.The
seafrightensme."
"Butyoumust.KeransandDr.Bodkinexpectyouto.AndI.You'llbea
Venusdescendingtothesea,madetwicebeautifulbyyourreturn."He
reacheddowntotakeherhandandBeatriceflinchedfromhim,frowning
withrepugnanceathisoleaginoussmirk.Keranspivotedinhisseatandheld
herarm.
"Idon'tthinkthisisBeatrice'sday,Strangman.Weonlyswiminthe
evenings,underafullmoon.It'saquestionofmood,youknow."
HesmiledatStrangmanasthelattertightenedhisgriponBeatrice,hisface
likeawhitevampire's,asifbecomingexasperatedbeyondallmeasure.
Keransstoodup."Look,Strangman,I'lltakeherplace.Allright?I'dliketo
godownandhavealookattheplanetarium."HewavedBeatrice'salarms
aside."Don'tworry,StrangmanandtheAdmiralwilltakegoodcareofme."
"Ofcourse,Kerans."Strangman'sgoodhumourhadreturned,instantlyhe
radiatedabenevolentwillingnesstoplease,onlytheslightesthintinhiseyes
ofhispleasureathavingKeranswithinhisclutches.'We'llputyouinthebig
suit,thenyoucantalktousovertheloudspeaker.Relax,MissDahl,there'sno
danger.Admiral!SuitforDr.Kerans!Chop,chop!"
KeransexchangedabriefwarningglancewithBodkin,thenlookedaway
whenhesawBodkin'ssurpriseatthealacritywithwhichhehadvolunteered.
Hefeltcuriouslylight-headed,thoughhehadbarelytouchedhiscocktail.
"Don'tgodownfortoolong,Robert,"Bodkincalledafterhim."The
temperatureofthewaterwillbehigh,atleastninety-fivedegrees,you'llfindit
veryenervating."
112
Keransnodded,thenfollowedStrangman'seagerstridetotheforward
deck.Acoupleofmenwerehosingdownthesuitandhelmet,whilethe
AdmiralandBigCaesar,andthesailorsrestingonthepump-wheels,watched
Keransapproachwithnoncommittalinterest.
"Seeifyoucangetdownintothemainauditorium,"Strangmantoldhim.
"Oneoftheboysmanagedtofindaslitinanexitdoor,buttheframehad
rustedsolid."HeexaminedKeranswithacriticaleyeashewaitedforthe
helmettobeloweredoverhishead.Designedforuseonlywithinthefirstfive
fathoms,itwasacompleteperspexbowl,bracedbytwolateralribs,and
affordingmaximumvisibiity."Itsuitsyou,Kerans,youlookliketheman
frominnerspace."Therictusofalaughtwistedhisface."Butdon'ttryto
reachtheUnconscious,Kerans,rememberitisn'tequippedtogodownthat
far!"
Clumpingslowlytotherail,thesailorscarryingthelinesafterhim,Kerans
pausedtowavecumbersomelytoBeatriceandDr.Bodkin,thenmountedthe
narrowladderandloweredhimselfslowlytowardstheslackgreenwater
below.Itwasshortlyaftereighto'clockandthesunshonedirectlyontothe
tackyvinylenvelopethatenclosedhim,clammingdamplyagainsthischest
andlegs,andhelookedforwardwithpleasuretocoolinghisburningskin.
Thesurfaceofthelakewasnowcompletelyopaque.Alitterofleavesand
weedfloatedslowlyaroundit,occasionallydisruptedbybubblesoftrapped
aireruptingfromtheinteriorofthedome.
TohisrighthecouldseeBodkinandBeatricewiththeirchinsontherail,
watchinghimexpectantly.Directlyabove,ontheroofofthescow,stoodthe
tallgauntfigureofStrangman,tailsofhisjacketpushedback,armsakimbo,
thelightbreezeliftinghischalkwhitehair.Hewasgrinningsoundlesslyto
himself,butasKerans'feettouchedthewatershoutedsomethingwhich
Keranshearddimlyrelayedovertheheadphones.Immediatelythehissofair
throughtheintakevalvesinthehelmetincreasedandtheinternalcircuitof
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themicrophonecamealive.
Thewaterwashotterthanheexpected.Insteadofacoolrevivifyingbath,
hewassteppingintoatankfilledwithwarm,glutinousjellythatclampeditself
tohiscalvesandthighslikethefoetidembraceofsomegiganticprotozoan
monster.Quicklyheloweredhimselftohisshoulders,thentookhisfeetoff
therungsandlethisweightcarryhimslowlydownwardsintothegreenlit
deep,handoverhandalongtherail,andpausedatthetwo-fathommark.
Herethewaterwascooler,andheflexedhisarmsandlegsthankfully,
accustominghiseyestothepalelight.Afewsmallangelfishswampast,their
bodiesgleaminglikesilverstarsintheblueblurthatextendedfromthe
surfacetoadepthoffivefeet,a'sky'oflightreflectedfromthemillionsof
dustandpollenparticles.Fortyfeetawayfromhimloomedthepalecurved
hulloftheplanetarium,farlargerandmoremysteriousthanithadseemed
fromthesurface,likethesternofanancientsunkenliner.Theoncepolished
aluminiumroofhadbecomedullandblunted,mollusksandbivalvesclinging
tothenarrowledgesformedbythetransversevaulting.Lowerdown,where
thedomerestedonthesquareroofoftheauditorium,aforestofgiantfucus
floateddelicatelyfromtheirpedestals,someofthefrondsovertenfeettall,
exquisitemarinewraithsthatflutteredtogetherlikethespiritsofasacred
neptuniangrove.
Twentyfeetfromthebottomtheladderended,butKeranswasnow
almostatequilibriumwiththewater.Helethimselfsinkdownwardsuntilhe
washoldingthetipsoftheladderabovehisheadwithhisfingers,then
releasedthemandglidedawaybackwardstowardsthelakefloor,thetwin
antennaeofhisair-lineandtelephonecablewindingupthenarrowwellof
light,reflectedbythedisturbedwater,tothesilverrectangularhullofthe
scow.
Cutoffbythewaterfromanyothersounds,thenoiseoftheairpumpand
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therelayedrhythmsofhisownrespirationdrummedsteadilyinhisears,
increasinginvolumeastheairpressurewasraised.Thesoundsseemedto
boomaroundhiminthedarkolivegreenwater,thuddingliketheimmense
tidalpulsehehadheardinhisdreams.
Avoicegratedfromhisheadphones."Strangmanhere,Kerans.How'sthe
greysweetmotherofusall?"
"Feelslikehome.I'venearlyreachedthebottomnow.Thedivingcageis
overbytheentrance."
Hesanktohiskneesinthesoftloamwhichcoveredthefloor,andsteadied
himselfagainstabarnacledlamppost.Inarelaxed,gracefulmoon-stridehe
lopedslowlythroughthedeepsludge,whichrosefromhisfootprintslike
cloudsofdisturbedgas.Onhisrightwerethedimflanksofthebuildings
liningtheside-walk,thesiltpiledinsoftdunesuptotheirfirst-floorwindows.
Intheintervalsbetweenthebuildingstheslopeswerealmosttwentyfeethigh,
andtheretaininggrilleswerelockedintothemlikehugeportcullises.Mostof
thewindowswerechokedwithdebris,fragmentsoffurnitureandmetal
cabinets,sectionsoffullboards,mattedtogetherbythefucusand
cephalopods.
Thedivingcageswungslowlyonitscablefivefeetoffthestreet,aselection
ofhacksawsandspannerslooselytiedtothefloor.Keransapproachedthe
doorwayoftheplanetarium,steeringthelinesbehindhimandoccasionally
pulledlightlyoffhisfeetwhentheybecameover-extended.
Likeanimmensesubmarinetemple,thewhitebulkoftheplanetarium
stoodbeforehim,illuminatedbythevividsurfacewater.Thesteelbarricades
aroundtheentrancehadbeendismantledbythepreviousdivers,andthe
semi-circulararcofdoorswhichledintothefoyerwasopen.Keransswitched
onhishelmetlampandwalkedthroughtheentrance.Hepeeredcarefully
amongthepillarsandalcoves,followingthestepswhichledupintothe
115
mezzanine.Themetalrailingsandchromiumdisplaypanelshadrusted,but
thewholeinterioroftheplanetarium,sealedoffbythebarricadesfromthe
plantandanimallifeofthelagoons,seemedcompletelyuntouched,asclean
anduntarnishedasonthedaythelastdykeshadcollapsed.
Passingtheticketbooth,hepropelledhimselfslowlyalongthemezzanine,
andpausedbytherailtoreadthesignsoverthecloakroomdoors,their
luminouslettersreflectingthelight.Acircularcorridorledaroundthe
auditorium,thelampthrowingapaleconeoflightdownthesolidblack
water.Inthefainthopethatthedykeswouldberepaired,themanagementof
theplanetariumhadsealedasecondinnerringofbarricadesaroundthe
auditorium,lockedintoplacebypadlockedcross-barswhichhadnowrusted
intoimmovablebulkheads.
Thetopright-handcornerpanelofthesecondbulkheadhadbeenjimmied
backtoprovideasmallpeepholeintotheauditorium.Tootiredbythewater
pressingonhischestandabdomentolifttheheavysuit,Keranscontented
himselfwithaglimpseofafewmotesoflightgleamingthroughthecracksin
thedome.
Onhiswaytofetchahacksawfromthedivingcage,henoticedasmall
doorwayatthetopofashortflightofstepsbehindtheticketbox,apparently
leadingovertheauditorium,eitheracineprojectionist'sboothorthe
manager'soffice.Hepulledhimselfupthehandrail,themetalcleatsofhis
weightedbootsskatingontheslimycarpet.Thedoorwaslocked,buthe
drovehisshouldersagainstitandthetwohingespartedeasily,thedoor
glidingawaygracefullyacrossthefloorlikeapapersail.
Pausingtofreehislines,Keranslistenedtothesteadypumpinginhisears.
Therhythmhadchangedperceptibly,indicatingthatadifferentpairof
operatorshadtakenoverthejob.Theyworkedmoreslowly,presumably
unaccustomedtopumpingairatthemaximumpressure.Forsomereason,
116
Keransfeltaslightstirringofalarm.AlthoughfullyawareofStrangman's
maliceandunpredictability,hefeltconfidentthathewouldnottrytokillhim
bysocrudeamethodasblockingtheairsupply.BothBeatriceandBodkin
werepresent,andalthoughRiggsandhismenwereathousandmilesaway
therewasalwaysthechancethatsomespecialistgovernmentunitmightpaya
flyingvisittothelagoons.UnlesshekilledBeatriceandBodkinaswell-which
seemedunlikely,foranumberofreasons(heobviouslysuspectedthemof
knowingmoreaboutthecitythantheyadmitted)-Strangmanwouldfind
Kerans'deathmoretroublethanitwasworth.
Astheairhissedreassuringlythroughhishelmet,Keransmovedforward
acrosstheemptyroom.Afewshelvessaggedfromonewall,afilingcabinet
loomedinacorner.Suddenly,withashockofalarm,hesawwhatappearedto
beamaninanimmenseballooningspacesuitfacinghimtenfeetaway,white
bubblesstreamingfromhisfrog-likehead,handsraisedinanattitudeof
menace,ablazeoflightpouringfromhishelmet.
"Strangman!"heshoutedatitinvoluntarily.
"Kerans!Whatisit?"Strangman'svoice,closerthanthewhisperofhisown
consciousness,cutacrosshispanic."Kerans,youfool…!"
"Sorry,Strangman."Keranspulledhimselftogether,andadvancedslowly
towardstheapproachingfigure."I'vejustseenmyselfinamirror.I'mupin
themanager'sofficeorcontrolroom,I'mnotsurewhich.There'saprivate
stairwayfromthemezzanine,maybeanentranceintotheauditorium."
"Goodman.Seeifyoucanfindthesafe.Itshouldbebehindthepicture
framedirectlyoverthedesk."
Ignoringhim,Keransplacedhishandsontheglasssurfaceandswungthe
helmetsharplyfromlefttoright.Hewasinthecontrolboothoverlookingthe
auditorium,hisimagereflectedintheglasssound-proofpanel.Infrontof
117
himwasthecabinetwhichhadonceheldtheinstrumentconsole,buttheunit
hadbeenremoved,andtheproducer'sswing-backseatfacedout
unobstructedlikeaninsulatedthroneofsomegerm-obsessedpotentate.
Almostexhaustedbythepressureofthewater,Keranssatdownintheseat
andlookedoutoverthecircularauditorium.
Dimlyilluminatedbythesmallhelmetlamp,thedarkvaultwithitsblurred
wallscloakedwithsiltroseupabovehimlikeahugevelvet-upholstered
wombinasurrealistnightmare.Theblackopaquewaterseemedtohangin
solidverticalcurtains,screeningthedaisinthecentreoftheauditoriumasif
hidingtheultimatesanctumofitsdepths.Forsomereasonthewomb-like
imageofthechamberwasreinforcedratherthandiminishedbythecircular
rowsofseats,andKeransheardthethuddinginhisearsuncertainwhetherhe
waslisteningtothedimsubliminalrequiemofhisdreams.Heopenedthe
smallpaneldoorwhichleddownintotheauditorium,disconnectingthe
telephonecablefromhishelmetsothathewouldbefreeofStrangman's
voice.
Alightcoatingofsiltcoveredthecarpetedstepsoftheaisle.Inthecentre
ofthedomethewaterwasatleasttwentydegreeswarmerthanithadbeenin
thecontrolroom,heatedbysomefreakofconvection,anditbathedhisskin
likehotbalm.Theprojectorhadbeenremovedfromthedais,butthecracks
inthedomesparkledwithdistantpointsoflight,likethegalacticprofilesof
somedistantuniverse.Hegazedupatthisunfamiliarzodiac,watchingit
emergebeforehiseyeslikethefirstvisionofsomepelagicCortezemerging
fromtheoceanicdeepstoglimpsetheimmensePacificsoftheopensky.
Standingonthedais,helookedaroundattheblankrowsofseatsfacing
him,wonderingwhatuterineritetoperformfortheinvisibleaudiencethat
seemedtowatchhim.Theairpressureinsidehishelmethadincreased
sharply,asthemenonthedecklostcontactwithhimbytelephone.The
valvesboomedoffthesidesofthehelmet,thesilverbubblesdartedand
118
swervedawayfromhimlikefranticphantoms.
Gradually,astheminutespassed,thepreservationofthisdistantzodiac,
perhapstheveryconfigurationofconstellationsthathadencompassedthe
EarthduringtheTriassicPeriod,seemedtoKeransataskmoreimportant
thananyotherfacinghim.Hesteppeddownfromthedaisandbeganto
returntothecontrolroom,draggingtheair-lineafterhim.Ashereachedthe
paneldoorhefeltthelinesnakeoutthroughhishands,andwithanimpulse
ofangerseizedaloopandanchoreditaroundthehandleofthedoor.He
waiteduntilthelinetautened,thenwoundasecondlooparoundthehandle,
providinghimselfwitharadiusofadozenfeet.Hewalkedbackdownthe
stepsandstoppedhalf-waydowntheaisle,headheldback,determinedto
engravetheimageoftheconstellationsonhisretina.Alreadytheirpatterns
seemedmorefamiliarthanthoseoftheclassicalconstellations.Inavast,
convulsiverecessionoftheequinoxes,abillionsiderealdayshadreborn
themselves,re-alignedthenebulaeandislanduniversesintheiroriginal
perspectives.
Asharpspurofpaindroveitselfintohiseustachiantube,forcinghimto
swallow.Abruptlyherealisedthattheintakevalveofthehelmetsupplywas
nolongerworking.Afainthissseepedthrougheverytenseconds,butthe
pressurehadfallensteeply.Dizzying,hestumbleduptheaisleandtriedto
freetheair-linefromthehandle,certainnowthatStrangmanhadseizedthe
opportunitytofabricateanaccident.Breathexploding,hetrippedoveroneof
thesteps,fellawkwardlyacrosstheseatswithagentleballooningmotion.
Asthespotlightflaredacrossthedomedceiling,illuminatingthehuge
vacantwombforthelasttime,Keransfeltthewarmbloodfillednauseaofthe
chamberfloodinuponhim.Helayback,spreadeagledacrossthesteps,his
handpressednumblyagainsttheloopoflinearoundthedoorhandle,the
soothingpressureofthewaterpenetratinghissuitsothatthebarriers
betweenhisownprivateblood-streamandthatofthegiantamnionseemed
119
nolongertoexist.Thedeepcradleofsiltcarriedhimgentlylikeanimmense
placenta,infinitelysofterthananybedhehadeverknown.Farabovehim,as
hisconsciousnessfaded,hecouldseetheancientnebulaeandgalaxiesshining
throughtheuterinenight,buteventuallyeventheirlightwasdimmedandhe
wasonlyawareofthefaintglimmerofidentitywithinthedeepestrecessesof
hismind.Quietlyhebegantomovetowardsit,floatingslowlytowardsthe
centreofthedome,knowingthatthisfaintbeaconwasrecedingmorerapidly
thenhecouldapproachit.Whenitwasnolongervisiblehepressedon
throughthedarknessalone,likeablindfishinanendlessforgottensea,
drivenbyanimpulsewhoseidentitybewouldnevercomprehend…
Epochsdrifted.Giantwaves,infinitelyslowandenveloping,brokeandfell
acrossthesunlessbeachesofthetime-sea,washinghimhelplesslyinits
shallows.Hedriftedfromonepooltoanother,inthelimbosofeternity,a
thousandimagesofhimselfreflectedintheinvertedmirrorsofthesurface.
Withinhislungsanimmenseinlandlakeseemedtobeburstingoutwards,his
rib-cagedistendedlikeawhale'stocontaintheoceanicvolumesofwater.
"Kerans…"
Helookedupatthebrightdeck,atthebrilliantpanoplyoflightonthe
canvasshadeabovehim,atthewatchfulebonyfaceoftheAdmiralsitting
acrosshislegsandpumpinghischestinhishugehands.
"Strangman,he…"Chokingontheexpressedfluidinhisthroat,Keranslet
hisheadlollbackontothehotdeck,thesunlightstinginghiseyes.Acircleof
faceslookeddownathimintently-Beatrice,hereyeswidewithalarm,Bodkin
frowningseriously,amotleyofbrownfacesunderkhakikepis.Abruptlya
singlewhitegrinningfaceinterposeditself.Onlyafewfeetfromhim,itleered
likeanobscenestatue.
"Strangman,you-"
120
Thegrinbrokeintoawinningsmile."No,Ididn't,Kerans.Don'ttrytopin
theblameonme.Dr.Bodkinwillvouchforthat."Hewaggledafingerat
Kerans."Iwarnedyounottogodowntoofar."
TheAdmiralstoodup,evidentlysatisfiedthatKeranshadrecovered.The
deckseemedtobemadeofburningiron,andKeranspulledhimselfupon
oneelbow,satweaklyinthepoolofwater.Afewfeetaway,creasedinthe
scuppers,thesuitlaylikeadeflatedcorpse.
Beatricepushedthroughthecircleofonlookers,andcroucheddown
besidehim."Robert,relax,don'tthinkaboutitnow."Sheputherarmaround
hisshoulders,glancingupwatchfullyatStrangman.HestoodbehindKerans,
grinningwithpleasure,handsonhips,
"Thecableseized…"Keransclearedhishead,hislungsliketwobruised,
tenderflowers.Hebreathedslowly,soothingthemwiththecoolair."They
werepullingitfromabove.Didn'tyoustop…"
BodkinsteppedforwardwithKerans'jacketanddrapeditacrosshis
shoulders."Easy,Robert,itdoesn'tmatternow.Actually,I'msureitwasn't
Strangman'sfault,hewastalkingtoBeatriceandmewhenithappened.The
cablewashookedroundsomeobstruction,itlooksasifitwasacomplete
accident."
"No,itwasn't,Doctor,"Strangmancutin."Don'tperpetuateamyth,
Keranswillbemuchmoregratefulforthetruth.Heanchoredthatcable
himself,quitedeliberately.Why?"HereStrangmantappedtheair
magisterially."Becausehewantedtobecomepartofthedrownedworld."He
begantolaughtohimself,slappinghisthighswithamusementasKerans
hobbledweaklytohischair."Andthejokeisthathedoesn'tknowwhether
I'mtellingthetruthornot.Doyourealisethat,Bodkin?Lookathim,he
genuinelyisn'tsure!God,whatirony!"
121
"Strangman!"Beatricesnappedathimangrily,overcomingherfears."Stop
sayingthat!Itmighthavebeenanaccident."
Strangmanshruggedtheatrically."Itmight,"herepeatedwithgreat
emphasis."Let'sadmitthat.Itmakesitmoreinteresting-particularlyfor
Kerans.'DidIordidInottrytokillmyself?'Oneofthefewexistential
absolutes,farmoresignificantthan'Tobeornottobe?',whichmerely
underlinestheuncertaintyofthesuicide,ratherthantheeternalambivalence
ofhisvictim."HesmileddownpatronisinglyatKeransasthelattersatquietly
inhischair,sippingatthedrinkBeatricehadbroughthim."Kerans,Ienvy
youthetaskoffindingout-ifyoucan."
Keransmanagedaweaksmile.Fromthespeedofhisrecoveryherealised
thathehadsufferedonlymildlyfromthedrowning.Theremainderofthe
crewhadmovedawaytotheirduties,nolongerinterested.
"Thankyou,Strangman.I'llletyouknowwhenIhavetheanswer."
OnthewaybacktotheRitzhesatsilentlyinthesternofthescow,
thinkingtohimselfofthegreatwomb-chamberoftheplanetariumandthe
multilayeredoverlayofitsassociations,tryingtoerasefromhismindthe
terrible'either/or'whichStrangmanhadcorrectlyposed.Hadhe
unconsciouslylockedtheair-pipe,knowingthatthetensioninthecable
wouldsuffocatehim,orhaditbeenacompleteaccident,even,possibly,an
attemptbyStrangmantoinjurehim?Butfortherescuebythetwoskindivers
(perhapshehadcountedonthemsettingoutafterhimwhenthetelephone
cablewasdisconnected)hewouldcertainlyhavefoundtheanswer.His
reasonsformakingthediveatallremainedobscure.Therewasnodoubtthat
hehadbeenimpelledbyacuriousurgetoplacehimselfatStrangman'smercy,
almostasifhewerestaginghisownmurder.
Duringthenextfewdaystheconundrumremainedunsolved.Wasthe
drownedworlditself,andthemysteriousquestforthesouthwhichhad
122
possessedHardman,nomorethananimpulsetosuicide,anunconscious
acceptanceofthelogicofhisowndevolutionarydescent,theultimate
neuronicsynthesisofthearchaeopsychiczero?Ratherthantrytolivewithyet
anotherenigma,andmoreandmorefrightenedoftherealrolethat
Strangmanplayedinhismind,Keranssystematicallyrepressedhismemories
oftheaccident.Likewise,BodkinandBeatriceceasedtorefertoit,asif
acceptingthatananswertothequestionwouldsolveforthemmanyofthe
othermysteriousenigmaswhichnowalonesustainedthem,delusionswhich,
likealltheambiguousbutnecessaryassumptionsabouttheirown
personalities,theywouldonlysacrificewithreluctance.
123
10-SurpriseParty
"Kerans…!"
Rousedbythedeepblareofthehydroplaneasitapproachedthelanding
stage,Keransstirredfretfully,hisheadlollingfromsidetosideonthestale
pillow.Hefocusedhiseyesonthebrightgreenparallelogramswhichdappled
theceilingabovethevenetianblinds,listeningtotheenginesoutsidereverse
andaccelerate,thenwithaneffortpulledhimselfoffthebed.Itwasalready
after7-30,anhourlaterthanhehadwokenamonthearlier,andthebrilliant
sunlightreflectedoffthelagoonthrustitsfingersintothedarkenedroomlike
aravenousgoldenmonster.
Withapangofannoyancehenoticedthathehadforgottentoswitchoff
thebedsidefanbeforegoingtosleep.Hehadbeguntofallasleepnowat
unpredictablemoments,sometimessittinghalfuprightonthebedwhile
unlacinghisshoes.Inanattempttoconservehisfuelhehadcloseddownthe
bedroomandmovedtheheavygilt-frameddoublebedintothelounge,butits
associationswithsleepweresopowerfulthathewassoonforcedtomoveit
backagain.
"Kerans…!"
Strangman'svoiceechoedwarninglydownthecorridorbelow.Kerans
limpedslowlytothebathroom,managedtosplashhisfacebythetime
Strangmanlethimselfintothesuite.
Tossinghishelmetontothefloor,Strangmanproducedadecanterofhot
blackcoffeeandacannedgorgonzolagreenwithage.
"Apresentforyou."HeexaminedKerans'dulledeyeswithanamiable
frown.'Well,howarethingsindeeptime?"
124
Keranssatontheedgeofthebed,waitingfortheboomingofthephantom
junglesinhismindtofade.Likeanendlessshallows,theresiduesofthe
dreamsstretchedawaybelowthesurfaceoftherealityaroundhim.'What
bringsyouhere?"heaskedflatly.
Strangmanputonanexpressionofdeepinjury.
"Kerans,Ilikeyou.Youkeepforgettingthat."Heturnedupthevolumeof
theair-conditioner,smilingatKerans,whogazedwatchfullyatthewry,
pervertedleer."ActuallyIhaveanothermotive-Iwantyoutohavedinner
withmetonight.Don'tstartshakingyourbead.Ihavetokeepcominghere,
it'stimeIreturnedyourhospitality.BeatriceandoldBodkinwillbethere,it
shouldbeprettyswagger-fireworkdisplays,bongodrumsandasurprise."
"Whatexactly?"
"You'llsee.Somethingreallyspectacular,believeme,Idon'tdothingsby
halves.I'dhavethose'gatorsdancingonthetipsoftheirtailsifIwantedto."
Henoddedsolemnly."Kerans,you'regoingtobeimpressed.Anditmayeven
doyousomegoodmentally,stopthiscrazytimemachineofyours."His
moodchanged,becomingdistantandabstracted."ButImustn'tpokefunat
you,Kerans,Icouldn'tbearatenthofthepersonalresponsibilityyou've
shouldered.Thetragicloneliness,forexample,ofthosehauntedTriassic
swamps."Hepickedabookofftheair-conditioner,acopyofDonne's
poems,andextemporisedaline:'Worldwithinworld,eachmananisland
untohimself,swimmingthroughseasofarchipelagoes…"
Fairlycertainthathewasfooling,Keransasked:"How'sthedivinggoing?"
"Frankly,notverywell.Thecity'stoofarnorthformuchtohavebeenleft.
Butwe'vediscoveredafewinterestingthings.You'llseetonight."
Keranshesitated,doubtingwhetherhewouldhaveenoughenergytomake
125
smalltalkwithDr.BodkinandBeatrice-hehadseenneitherofthemsincethe
debacleofthedivingparty,thougheveryeveningStrangmandroveoverinhis
hydroplanetoBeatrice'sapartmenthouse(whatsuccesshehadKeranscould
onlyguess,butStrangman'sreferencestoher-"Womenarelikespiders,they
sittherewatchingyouandknittingtheirwebs"or"shekeepstalkingabout
you,Robert,confoundher"-indicatedanegativeresponse).
However,theparticulartwistofemphasisinStrangman'svoicesuggested
thatKerans'attendancewasobligatory,andthathewouldnotbeallowedto
refuse.Strangmanfollowedhimintothelounge,waitingforareply.
"It'srathershortnotice,Strangman."
"I'mterriblysorry,Kerans,butasweknoweachothersowellIfeltsure
youwouldn'tmind.Blameitonmymanic-depressivepersonality,I'malways
seizingonwildschemes."
Keransfoundtwogold-platedporcelaincoffeecupsandfilledthemfrom
thedecanter.Knoweachothersowell,herepeatedtohimselfironically.I'm
damnedifIknowyouatall,Strangman.Racingaroundthelagoonslikethe
delinquentspiritofthedrownedcity,apotheosisofallitsaimlessviolenceand
cruelty,Strangmanwashalf-buccaneer,half-devil.Yethehadafurther
neuronicrole,inwhichheseemedalmostapositiveinfluence,holdinga
warningmirroruptoKeransandobliquelycautioninghimaboutthefuture
hehadchosen.Itwasthisbondthatkeptthemtogether,forotherwise
Keranswouldlongsincehaveleftthelagoonandmovedsouthwards.
"Iassumethisisn'tafarewellcelebration?"heaskedStrangman."You
aren'tleavingus?"
"Kerans,ofcoursenot,"Strangmanremonstrated."We'veonlyjustgot
here.Besides,"headdedsagely,"wherewouldwego?There'snothingmuch
leftnow-Icantellyou,IsometimesfeellikePhiebasthePhoenician.Though
126
that'sreallyyourrole,isn'tit?
"-Acurrentundersea
Pickedhisbonesinwhispers.Asheroseandfell
Hepassedthestagesofhisageandyouth
Enteringthewhirlpool."
HecontinuedtopesterKeransuntilthelatteracceptedhisinvitation,then
madeoffjubilantly.Keransfinishedthecoffeeinthedecanter,whenhebegan
torecoverdrewthevenetianblindsandletinthebrightsunlight.
Outside,inhischairontheveranda,awhitemonitorlizardsatand
regardedhimwithitsstonyeyes,waitingforsomethingtohappen.
Asherodeacrossthelagoontothepaddle-shipthatevening,Kerans
speculatedontheprobablenatureofStrangman's'surprise',hopingthatit
wouldnotbesomeelaboratepracticaljoke.Theeffortofshavingoffhis
beardandputtingonawhitedinnerjackethadtiredhim.
Considerablepreparationswereobviouslyafootinthelagoon.Thedepot
shiphadbeenmooredaboutfiftyyardsfromshore,strungwithawningsand
colouredlights,andthetworemainingSCOWSwereworkingsystematically
alongthebanks,drivingthealligatorsintothecentrallagoon.
Keranspointedtoabigcaimanthrashingaboutinacircleofboathooks,
andsaidtoBigCaesar:"What'sonthemenutonight-roastalligator?"
Thegianthunch-backedmulattoatthehelmofthescowshruggedwith
studiedvagueness."Strang'gotabigshowtonight,MistahKerans,arealbig
show.Yousee."
127
Keranslefthisseatandleanedonthebridge."BigCaesar,howlonghave
youknowntheCaptain?"
"Longtime,MistahKerans.Tenyears,maybetwenty."
"He'sastrangeone,allright,"Keranscontinued."Hismoodschangeso
quickly-youmusthavenoticedthat,workingforhim.Sometimeshefrightens
me."
Thebigmulattosmiledcryptically."Yourightthere,MistahKerans,"he
rejoinedwithachuckle."Youreallyright."
ButbeforeKeranscouldpresshimamegaphonejabbedatthemacrossthe
waterfromthebridgeofthedepotship.
Strangmanmeteachoneofhisguestsastheyarrivedattheheadofthe
gangway.Inhighspirits,hemanagedasustainedmoodofcharmandgood
cheer,complimentingBeatriceelaboratelyonherappearance.Sheworeafulllengthbluebrocadeballdress,theturquoisemascaraaroundhereyesmaking
herlooklikesomeexoticbirdofparadise.EvenBodkinhadcontrivedtotrim
hisbeardandsalvagearespectablelinenjacket,anoldpieceofcrepearound
hisneckaraggedconcessiontoablacktie.LikeKerans,however,theyboth
seemedglazedandremote,joiningintheconversationoverdinner
automatically.
Strangman,however,failedtonoticethis,orifhedidwastooelatedand
preoccupiedtocare.Whateverhismotives,hehadobviouslygoneto
considerabletroubletostagehissurprise.Afreshcanvasawninghadbeen
brokenoutlikeacrispwhitesailovertheobservationdeck,flaredatitsrimin
theformofaninvertedmarqueetogivethemanuninterruptedviewoverthe
lagoonandsky.Alargecirculardiningtablestoodbytherail,lowdivansin
theEgyptianstyle,withspiralgiltandivorybolsters,disposedaroundit.A
clutterofunmatchedbutnonethelessbrilliantpiecesofgoldandsilverdining
128
platedecoratedthetable,muchofitofhugeproportions-theormolufingerbowlswerethesizeoffacebaths.
Strangmanhadrifledhistreasurehousebelowinanaccessofprofligacyseveralpiecesofblackenedbronzestatuarystoodaboutbehindthetable
bearingsalversoffruitandorchids,andanimmensecanvasbysomepainter
oftheschoolofTintorettohadbeenproppedagainstthefunnelsand
screenedtheservicehatches,loomingdownoverthetablelikeamural.Its
titlewas'TheMarriageofEsterandKingXerxes'butthepagantreatment
andthelocalbackgroundoftheVenetianlagoonandtheGrandCanal
palazzos,coupledwiththeQuincentodecorandcostume,madeitseemmore
like'TheMarriageofNeptuneandMinerva,'nodoubtthemoralStrangman
intendedtopoint.KingXerxes,awily,beak-nosedelderlyDogeorVenetian
Grand-Admiral,alreadyseemedcompletelytamedbyhisdemure,ravenhairedEster,whohadafaintbutnonethelessperceptiblelikenesstoBeatrice.
Ashecasthiseyesoverthecrowdedspreadofthecanvaswithitshundreds
ofweddingguests,Keranssuddenlysawanotherfamiliarprofile-thefaceof
StrangmanamongthehardcruelsmilesoftheCouncilofTen-butwhenhe
approachedthepaintingthesimilarityvanished.
Themarriageceremonywasbeingcelebratedaboardagalleonmoored
againsttheDoge'sPalace,anditselaboraterococoriggingseemedtomerge
directlyintothesteelhawzersandbracinglinesofthedepotship.Apartfrom
thekindredsettings,emphasisedbythetwolagoonsandthebuildingsrising
fromthewater,Strangman'smotleycrewmightthemselveshavestepped
straightfromthecanvas,withitsjeweledslavesandnegrocaptainof
gondoliers.
Sippinghiscocktail,KeranssaidtoBeatrice:"Doyouseeyourselfthere,
Bea?Obviously,Strangmanhopesyou'llsubduethefloodwaterswiththe
sameskillEsterusedtopacifytheKing."
129
"Correct,Kerans!"Strangmansteppedovertothemfromthebridge."You
haveitexactly."HebowedtoBeatrice."Ihopeyouacceptthecompliment,
mydear?"
"I'mveryflattered,Strangman,ofcourse."Beatricemovedovertothe
painting,examiningherdouble,thenturnedinaswirlofbrocadeandstood
bytherail,staringoutoverthewater."ButI'mnotsurewhetherIwanttobe
castinthatrole,Strangman."
"Butyouare,MissDahl,inescapably."Strangmangesturedthesteward
overtoBodkin,whowassittinginaquietreverie,thenslappedKeransonthe
shoulder."Believeme,Doctor,you'llsoonsee-"
"Good.I'mgettingalittleimpatient,Strangman."
"What,afterthirtymillionyearsyoucan'twaitfiveminutes?I'mobviously
bringingyoubacktothepresent."
ThroughoutthemealStrangmansupervisedthesuccessionofwines,taking
advantageofhisabsencesfromthetabletoconferwiththeAdmiral.Withthe
finalbrandiesbeforethem,Strangmansatdownapparentlyforthelasttime,
winkingbroadlyatKerans.Twoofthescowshadmovedovertotheinletby
thefarsideofthelagoonanddisappearedintoitsmouth,whilethethirdtook
upitspositioninthecentre,fromwhereitreleasedasmallfireworkdisplay.
Thelastsunlightstilllayoverthewater,buthadfadedsufficientlyforthe
brightcatherinewheelsandrocketstoflickeranddazzle,theirsharp
explosionsetchedclearlyagainstthetintedcrepuscularsky.Thesmileon
Strangman'sfacegrewbroaderandbroader,untilhelaybackonhis
chesterfieldgrinningsoundlesslytohimself,theredandgreenflashes
illuminatinghissaturninefeatures.
Uncomfortably,Keransleanedforwardtoaskhimwhentheirsurprise
130
wouldmaterialise,butStrangmananticipatedhim.
"Well,haven'tyounoticed?"Heglancedaroundthetable."Beatrice?Dr.
Bodkin?Youthreeareslow.Comeoutofdeeptimeforamoment."
Acurioussilencehungovertheship,andinvoluntarilyKeransleaned
againsttherailtobracehimselfincaseStrangmanwasabouttosetoffan
underwaterexplosivecharge.Glancingdownatthedeckbelow,hesuddenly
sawthetwentyorthirtymembersofthecrew,lookingmotionlesslyatthe
lagoon,theirebonyfacesandwhitesingletsflickeringwiththeghostlylight,
likethecrewofaspectralship.
Puzzled,Keranssearchedtheskyandlagoon.Theduskhadcomeinrather
morequicklythanheexpected,thecurtainwallsofthebuildingsopposite
sinkingintoshadow.Atthesametimetheskyremainedclearandvisiblein
thesunset,thetopsofthesurroundingvegetationbrilliantlytinted.
Alowdrummingsoundedsomewhereinthedistance,theairpumpswhich
hadworkedalldayandwhosenoisehadbeenmaskedbythepyrotechnic
display.Aroundtheshipthewaterhadbecomestrangelyslackandlifeless,the
lowswellsthatusuallydisturbeditabsent.Wonderingwhetheranexhibition
ofunderwaterswimminghadbeenarrangedforatroupeoftrainedalligators,
hepeereddownatthesurface.
"Alan!Look,forheaven'ssake!Beatrice,canyousee?"Keranskickedback
hischairandleapttotherail,pointingdowninamazementatthewater."The
levelisgoingdown!"
Loomingjustbelowthedarkpellucidsurfacewerethedimrectangular
outlinesofthesubmergedbuildings,theiropenwindowslikeemptyeyesin
enormousdrownedskulls.Onlyafewfeetfromthesurface,theydrewcloser,
emergingfromthedepthslikeanimmenseintactAtlantis.Firstadozen,then
ascoreofbuildingsappearedtoview,theircornicesandfireescapesclearly
131
visiblethroughthethinningrefractingglassofthewater.Mostofthemwere
onlyfourorfivestoreyshigh,partofadistrictofsmallshopsandoffices
enclosedbythetallerbuildingsthathadformedtheperimeterofthelagoon.
Fiftyyardsawaythefirstoftheroofsbrokesurface,abluntedrectangle
smotheredwithweedsandalgae,acrosswhichslitheredafewdesperatefish.
Immediatelyhalfadozenothersappearedaroundit,alreadyroughly
delineatinganarrowstreet.Theupperlineofwindowsemerged,waterspilling
fromtheirledges,fucusdrapedfromthestragglingwiresthatsaggedacross
theroadways.
Alreadythelagoonhadvanished.Astheysankslowlydownwards,settling
intowhatseemedtobealargeopensquare,theywerenowlookingacrossa
diffusestraggleofrooftops,punctuatedbyerodedchimneysandspires,the
flatsheetofthesurfacetransformedintoajungleofcubistblocks,atits
boundariesmergingintothehighergroundoftheenvelopingvegetation.
Whatremainedofthewaterhadformedintodistinctchannels,darkand
somber,eddyingawayaroundcornersandintonarrowalleyways.
"Robert!Stopit!It'shorrible!"KeransfeltBeatriceseizehisarm,herlong
bluenailsbitingthroughthefabricofhisdinnerjacket.Shegazedoutatthe
emergingcity,anexpressionofrevulsiononhertenseface,physicallyrepelled
bythesharpacridsmellsoftheexposedwater-weedsandalgae,thedamp
barnacledformsofrustinglitter.Veilsofscumdrapedfromthecriss-crossing
telegraphwiresandtiltingneonsigns,andathincoatingofsiltcloakedthe
facesofthebuildings,turningtheoncelimpidbeautyoftheunderwatercity
intoadrainedandfesteringsewer.
ForamomentKeransfoughttofreehismind,grapplingwiththistotal
inversionofhisnormalworld,unabletoacceptthelogicoftherebirthbefore
him.Firsthewonderedwhethertherehadbeenatotalclimaticreversalthat
wasshrinkingtheformerlyexpandingseas,drainingthesubmergedcities.If
132
so,hewouldhavetomakehiswaybacktothisnewpresent,orbemarooned
millionsofyearsawayonthebeachofsomelostTriassiclagoon.Butdeep
withinhismindthegreatsunpoundeddimlywithastrengthstill
undiminished,andbesidehimheheardBodkinmutter:
"Thosepumpsarepowerful.Thewaterisgoingdownbyagoodtwoor
threefeetaminute.We'renotfarfromthebottomnow.Thewholething's
fantastic!"
LaughterrockedoutintothedarkeningairasStrangmanrolledabout
mirthfullyonthechesterfield,dabbinghiseyeswithanapkin.Releasedfrom
thetensionofstagingthespectacle,hewasnowexultinginthethree
bewilderedfacesattherail.Onthebridgeabovehim,theAdmiralwatched
withdryamusement,thefadinglightglintingacrosshisbarechestlikeagong.
Twoorthreemenbelowweretakinginthemooringlines,holdingthe
orientationoftheshipinthesquare.
Thetwoscowswhichhadmovedovertothecreekmouthduringthe
fireworkdisplaywerefloatingbehindamassiveboom,andafoamingmassof
waterpouredfromthetwinventsofahugepumpingsystem.Thenthe
rooftopsobscuredtheirviewacrosstheinterval,andthepeopleonthedeck
werelookingupattheblanchedbuildingsofthesquare.Onlyfifteenor
twentyfeetofwaterremained,andahundredyardsawaydownoneofthe
sidestreetstheycouldseethethirdscowwendingtentativelybelowthe
trailingWires.
Strangmancontrolledhimselfandcameovertotherail."Perfect,don'tyou
agree,Dr.Bodkin?Whatajest,areallysuperbspectacle!Comeon,Doctor,
don'tlooksopiqued,congratulateme!Itwasn'ttooeasytoarrange."
Bodkinnoddedandmovedawayalongtherail,hisfacestillstunned.
Keransasked:"Buthowdidyousealofftheperimeter?There'sno
Continuouswallaroundthelagoon."
133
"Thereisnow,Doctor.Ithoughtyouweretheexpertinmarinebiology.
Thefungigrowingintheswampmudoutsideconsolidatedtheentiremass,
forthelastweekthere'sonlybeenonepointofinflux,tookusfiveminutesto
damitup."
Hegazedoutbrightlyattheemergingstreetsinthedimlightaroundthem,
thehumpedbacksofcarsandbusesappearingthroughthesurface.Giant
anemonesandstar-fishfloppedlimplyintheshallows,collapsingkelp
straggledoutofwindows.
Numbly,Bodkinsaid:"LeicesterSquare."
Hislaughtervanishing,Strangmanswungonhim,hiseyespeering
rapaciouslyattheneon-coveredporticosofthehulksofformercinemasand
theatres.
"Soyoudoknowyourwayaroundhere,Doctor!Apityyoucouldn'thave
helpedusbefore,whenweweregettingnowhere."Heslammedtherailwith
anoath,jarringKerans'elbow."ByCod,though,we'rereallyinbusiness
now!"Withasnarlheflunghimselfawayfromthem,kickingbackthedining
table,shoutingupattheAdmiral.
Beatricewatchedhimdisappearbelowwithalarm,aslenderhandonher
throat."Robert,he'sinsane.Whatarewegoingtodo-he'lldrainallthe
lagoons."
Keransnodded,thinkingaboutthetransformationofStrangmanwhichhe
hadwitnessed.Withthereappearanceofthesubmergedstreetsandbuildings
hisentiremannerhadchangedabruptly.Alltracesofcourtlyrefinementand
laconichumourhadvanished,hewasnowcallousandvulpine,therenegade
spiritofthehoodlumstreetsreturningtohislostplayground.Itwasalmostas
ifthepresenceofthewaterhadanaesthetisedhim,smotheringhistrue
134
charactersothatonlythesurfaceveneerofcharmandmoodinessremained.
Behindthemtheshadowofanofficeblockfellacrossthedeck,drawinga
diagonalcurtainofdarknessoverthehugepainting.Afewfigures,Esterand
thenegrocaptainofgondoliers,stillremained,andasinglewhiteface,a
beardlessmemberoftheCouncilofTen.AsStrangmanhadprophesied,
Beatricehadperformedhersymbolicrole,andNeptunehaddeferredand
withdrawn.
Keranslookedupattheroundbulkofthetestingstation,poisedonthe
cinemabehindthemlikeanenormousboulderontheedgeofacliff.
Apparentlyeightytoninetyfeethigher,thetallbuildingsaroundthelagoon
perimeternowcutoffhalfthesky,enclosingtheminadimcanyon-floor
world.
"Itdoesn'tmatterthatmuch,"Keranstemporised.Hesteadiedheragainst
hisarmastheshiptouchedbottomandrolledslightly,crushingasmallcar
undertheportbow.'Whenhe'sfinishedstrippingthestoresandmuseums
they'llleave.Anyway,therain-stormswillbehereinaweekortwo."
Beatriceclearedherthroatdistastefully,wincingasthefirstbatsflickered
amongtherooftops,dartingfromonedrippingeavetoanother."Butit'sall
sohideous.Ican'tbelievethatanyoneeverlivedhere.It'slikesomeimaginary
cityofhell.Robert,Ineedthelagoon."
"Well,wecouldleaveandmovesouthacrossthesiltflats.Whatdoyou
think,Alan?"
Bodkinshookhisheadslowly,stillstaringoutblanklyatthedarkened
buildingsaroundthesquare."Youtwogo,Imuststayhere."
Keranshesitated."Alan,"hewarnedhimgently."Strangmanhaseverything
heneedsnow.We'reuselesstohim.Soonwe'llsimplybeunwelcomeguests."
135
ButBodkinignoredhim.Helookeddownatthestreets,handsclaspingthe
raillikeanoldmanatthecounterofsomevaststore,shoppingforthe
memoriesofhischildhood.
Thestreetshadalmostbeendrained.Theapproachingscowranaground
onthesidewalk,pushedoffagainandthenstuckfinallyonatrafficisland.
LedbyBigCaesar,thethree-mencrewjumpeddownintothewaist-deep
waterandwadednoisilytowardsthedepotship,splashingwaterexcitedlyinto
theopenshop-fronts.
Withajoltthepaddle-shipsettleditselffirmlyonthebottom,cheersand
shoutsgoingupfromStrangmanandtherestofthecrewastheyfendedoff
thesnappingoverheadwiresandtiltedtale-graphpoles.Asmalldinghywas
thrownintothewater,andtoachorusoffistspoundingadrum-beatonthe
railtheAdmiralrowedStrangmanacrosstheshallowpooltothefountainin
thecentreofthesquare.HereStrangmandebarked,pulledaflarepistolfrom
apocketofhisdinnerjacketandwithanexultantshoutbegantofiresalvo
aftersalvoofcolouredstar-shellsintotheairoverhead.
136
11-"TheBalladofMistahBones"
HalfanhourlaterBeatrice,KeransandDr.Bodkinwereabletowalkout
intothestreets.Hugepoolsofwaterstilllayabouteverywhere,leakingfrom
thegroundfloorsofthebuildings,buttheywerelittlemorethantwoorthree
feetdeep.Therewereclearstretchesofpavementoverahundredyardslong,
andmanyofthefurtherstreetswerecompletelydrained.Dyingfishand
marineplantsexpiredinthecentreoftheroadways,andhugebanksofblack
sludgeweresiltedupintotheguttersandoverthesidewalks,butfortunately
theescapingwatershadcutlongpathwaysthroughthem.
Strangmanattheirhead,racingalonginhiswhitesuit,firingstar-shellsinto
thedarkstreets,thecrewchargedoffinabellowingpack,thoseinfront
balancingarumkegontheirupturnedpalms,theothersbrandishingan
assortmentofbottles,machetesandguitars.Afewderisiveshoutsof'Mistah
Bones!'fadedaroundKeransashehelpedBeatricedownoffthegangway,
andthenthetriowereleftaloneinthesilenceofthehugestrandedpaddleship.
Glancingupuncertainlyatthehighdistantringofthejungleloomingout
ofthedarknessliketheencirclinglipofanextinctvolcaniccone,Keransled
thewayacrossthepavementtothenearestbuildings.Theystoodinthe
entrancetooneofthehugecinemas,seaurchinsandcucumbersflickering
faintlyacrossthetiledfloor,sanddollarsfloweringintheformerticketbooth.
Beatricegatheredherskirtinonehand,andtheymovedslowlydownthe
lineofcinemas,pastcafesandamusementarcades,patronisednowonlyby
thebivalvesandmollusks.Atthefirstcornertheyturnedawayfromthe
soundsofrevelrycomingfromtheothersideofthesquare,andwalked
westwardsdownthedimdrippingcanyons.Afewstar-shellscontinuedto
explodeoverhead,andthedelicateglassspongesinthedoorwaysglowed
softlyastheyreflectedthepinkandbluelight.
137
"CoventryStreet,Haymarket…"KeransreadofftherustingStreetsigns.
TheysteppedquicklyintoadoorwayasStrangmanandhispackchargedback
acrossthesquareinablazeoflightandnoise,machetesslashingattherotting
boardsovertheshop-fronts.
"Let'shopetheyfindsomethingthatsatisfiesthem,"Bodkinmurmured.
Hesearchedthecrowdedskyline,asiflookingforthedeepblackwaterthat
hadoncecoveredthebuildings.
Forseveralhourstheywanderedlikeforlornelegantghoststhroughthe
narrowstreets,occasionallymeetingoneoftheroisteringcrew,ambling
drunkenlyalongthecentreoftheroadwaywiththeremainsofsomefading
garmentinonehand,amacheteintheother.Afewsmallfireshadbeen
startedinthecentreofthestreetjunctions,groupsoftwoorthreemen
warmingthemselvesovertheflaringtinder.
Avoidingthese,thetriomadetheirwayacrossthenexusofstreetstothe
southshoreofthesometimelagoon,whereBeatrice'sapartmenthouserose
upintothedarkness,thepenthouselostamongthestars.
"You'llhavetowalkthefirsttenstoreys,"KeranstoldBeatrice.Hepointed
tothedeepbankofsiltwhichreachedupwardsinadampconcaveslopeto
thefifthfloorwindows,partofanimmensemassifofcoagulatedloamwhich,
asStrangmanhaddescribed,nowencircledthelagoonandformedan
impenetrabledykeagainsttheencroachingsea.Downtheside-streetsthey
couldseethegreatviscousmassliftingovertherooftops,flowingthroughthe
guttedbuildingswhichinturnhelpedtorigidifythem.
Hereandtheretheperimeterofthedykemooreditselftoaheavier
obstruction-achurchorgovernmentoffice-anddivergedfromitscircularpath
aroundthelagoon.Oneoftheseevaginationsfollowedtheroutetheyhad
takenontheirwaytothedivingparty,andKeransfelthisstepquickenasthey
approachedtheplanetarium.Hewaitedimpatientlyastheothersidledinfront
138
oftheemptydisplaywindowsoftheolddepartmentstores,orgazedatthe
blackslimeoozingdowntheescalatorsbelowtheofficeblocksintosluggish
poolsacrossthestreet.
Eventhesmallestofthebuildingshadbeenbarricadedbeforebeing
abandoned,andamakeshiftclutterofsteelscreensandgrillescollapsed
acrossthedoorways,hidingwhatevermightliebehindthem.Everythingwas
coveredwithafinecoatingofsilt,smotheringwhatevergraceandcharacter
hadoncedistinguishedthestreets,sothattheentirecityseemedtoKeransto
havebeenresurrectedfromitsownsewers.WeretheDayofJudgementto
come,thearmiesofthedeadwouldprobablyriseclothedinthesamefilthy
mantle.
"Robert."Bodkinheldhisarm,pointingdownthedarkenedstreetaheadof
them.Fiftyyardsaway,itsmetaldomeoutlinedfaintlyinthefragmentarylight
ofthedistantsignalrockets,stoodthesomber,shadow-drapedhullofthe
planetarium.Keransstopped,recognisingtheorientationofthesurrounding
roadway,thesidewalksandstreetlamps,thenwalkedforward,halfuncertain,
halfcurious,towardsthispantheonwhichheldsomanyofhisterrorsand
enigmas.
Spongesandredkelpsaggedlimplyacrossthesidewalkoutsidethe
entranceastheyapproached,pickingtheirwaycarefullyoverthebanksof
mudthatlinedthestreet.Thegrovesofwraith-likefucuswhichhadwreathed
thedomenowfloppedlimplyovertheportico,theirlongdrainingfronds
hangingovertheentrancelikearaggedawning.Keransreachedupand
pushedasidethefronds,thenpeeredcautiouslyintotheinteriorofthe
darkenedfoyer.Thickblackmud,hissingfaintlyasitscontainedmarinelife
expiredinaslowdeflationofair-bladdersandbuoyancysacs,layeverywhere,
overtheticketboothsandthestairwaytothemezzanine,acrossthewallsand
door-panels.Nolongerthevelvetmantleherememberedfromhisdescent,it
wasnowafragmentingcloakofrottingorganicforms,likethevestmentsof
139
thegrave.Theoncetranslucentthresholdofthewombhadvanished,itsplace
takenbythegatewaytoasewer.
Keransbegantowalkforwardsacrossthefoyer,rememberingthedeep
twilightboweroftheauditoriumanditsstrangezodiac.Thenhefeltthedark
fluidtillingoutacrossthemudbetweenhisfeet,liketheleakingblood-stream
ofawhale.
QuicklyhetookBeatrice'sarm,andretracedtheirstepsdownthestreet.
"I'mafraidthemagichasgone,"heremarkedflatly.Heforcedalaugh."I
supposeStrangmanwouldsaythatthesuicideshouldneverreturntothe
sceneofhiscrime."
Attemptingtotakeashorterroute,theyblunderedintoawindingculde
sac,managedtostepbackintimeasasmallcaimanlungedatthemfroma
shallowpool.Dartingbetweentherustingshellsofcars,theyregainedthe
openstreet,thealligatorracingbehindthem.Itpausedbyalamppostonthe
edgeofthesidewalk,tailwhippingslowly,jawsflexing,andKeranspulled
Beatriceafterhim.Theybrokeintoarunandhadcoveredtenyardswhen
Bodkinslippedandfellheavilyintoabankofsilt.
"Alan!Hurry!"Keransstartedtogobackforhim,thecaiman'shead
pivotingtowardsthem.Maroonedbehindinthelagoon,itseemedbewildered
andreadytoattackanything.
Suddenlytherewasaroarofgunfire,theflamesstabbingacrossthe
roadway.Flaresheldabovetheirheads,agroupofmenappearedarounda
corner.Infrontofthemwasthewhite-facedfigureofStrangman,followed
bytheAdmiralandBigCaesar,shotgunsattheirshoulders.
Strangman'seyesglitteredintheflarelight.Hemadeasmallbowtowards
Beatrice,thensalutedKerans.Itsspineshattered,thealligatorthrashed
impotentlyinthegutter,revealingitsyellowunderbelly,andBigCaesardrew
140
hismacheteandbegantohackatitshead.
Strangmanwatcheditwithevilpleasure."Loathsomebrute,"he
commented,thenpulledfromhispocketahugerhinestonenecklace,still
encrustedwithalgae,andhelditouttoBeatrice.
"Foryou,mydear."Deftly,hestrungthestrandsaroundherneck,
regardingtheeffectwithpleasure.Theentwinedweedsamongthesparkling
stonesagainstthewhiteskinofherbreastmadeherlooklikesomenaiadof
thedeep."Andalltheotherjewelsofthisdeadsea."
Withaflourishhewasoffagain,theflaresvanishinginthedarknesswith
theshoutsofhismen,leavingthemaloneinthesilencewiththewhitejewels
andthedecapitatedalligator.
Duringthenextdayseventsproceededtoevengreatermadness.
Increasinglydisorientated,Keranswouldwanderalonethroughthedark
streetsatnight-bydayitbecameunbearablyhotinthelabyrinthofalleywaysunabletotearhimselfawayfromhismemoriesoftheoldlagoon,yetatthe
sametimelockedfasttotheemptystreetsandguttedbuildings.
Afterhisfirstsurpriseatseeingthedrainedlagoonhebegantosinkrapidly
intoastateofdulledinertia,fromwhichhetriedhelplesslytorousehimself.
Dimlyherealisedthatthelagoonhadrepresentedacomplexofneuronic
needsthatwereimpossibletosatisfybyanyothermeans.Thisblunting
lethargydeepened,unbrokenbytheviolencearoundhim,andmoreandmore
hefeltlikeamanmaroonedinatimesea,hemmedinbyamassofdissonant
realitiesmillionsofyearsapart.
Thegreatsunbeatinginhismindalmostdrownedoutthesoundsofthe
lootingandrevelry,theroarsofexplosivesandshotguns.Likeablindmanhe
stumbledinandoutoftheoldarcadesandentrances,hiswhitedinnerSuit
stainedandgrimy,jeeredatbythesailorsastheychargedbyhim,playfully
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buffetinghisshoulders.Atmidnighthewouldwanderthroughtheroistering
singersinthesquareandsitbesideStrangmanathisparties,hidingback
undertheshadowofthepaddle-ship,watchingthedancingandlisteningto
thebeatofthedrumsandguitars,overlayedinhismindbytheinsistent
poundingoftheblacksun.
Heabandonedanyattempttoreturntothehotel-thecreekwasblockedby
thetwopumpingscowsandtheinterveninglagoonseethedwithalligatorsandduringthedayeithersleptinBeatrice'sapartmentonthesofaorsat
numblyinaquietalcoveonthegamingdeck0fthedepotship.Mostofthe
crewwouldbeasleepamongthecratesorarguingovertheirspoils,waiting
withsurlyimpatienceforthedusk,andtheylefthimalone.Byaninversionof
logicitwassafertostayclosetoStrangmanthantotrytocontinuehis
previousseparateregimen.Bodkinattemptedthis,withdrawinginagrowing
stateofshocktothetestingstation-nowreachedbyaprecipitousclimbupa
dilapidatedfireescape-butononeofhismidnightforaysoutintothestreets
oftheuniversityquarterbehindtheplanetariumhehadbeenseizedbya
groupofsailorsandroughlymanhandled.ByattachinghimselftoStrangman's
entourageKeranshadatlastconcededhisabsoluteauthorityoverthe
lagoons.
OncehemanagedtoforcehimselftovisitBodkin,foundhimresting
quietlyinhisbunk,cooledbyahomemadefanandthefadingair-conditioner.
Likehimself,Bodkinseemedtobeisolatedonasmallspurofrealityinthe
centreofthetimesea.
"Robert,"hemurmuredthroughhisswollenlips,"getawayfromhere.
Takeher,thegirl-"herehesearchedforthename"-Beatrice,andfind
anotherlagoon."
Keransnodded,hunchinghimselfinsidethenarrowconeofcoolair
projectedbytheair-conditioner."Iknow,Alan,Strangman'sinsaneand
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dangerous,butforsomereasonIcan'tleaveyet.Idon'tknowwhy,but
there'ssomethinghere-thosenakedstreets."Hegaveupcloudily."Whatisit?
There'sastrangeincubusonmymind,Imustliftitfirst."
Bodkinmanagedtositupweakly."Kerans,listen.Takeherandgo.
Tonight.Timedoesn'texistherenow."
Inthelaboratorybelowapallidbrownscumwasdrapedoverthegreat
semi-circleofprogresscharts,Bodkin'sdismemberedneuroniczodiac,and
veiledthestrandedbenchesandfumecupboards.Keransmadeahalf-hearted
attempttoreplacethechartsthathadfallentothefloor,thengaveupand
spentthenexthourwashinghissilkdinnerjacketinapoolofwaterleft
behindinoneofthesinks.
Perhapsinimitationofhimself,severalofthecrewnowalsosported
tuxedosandblackties.Apantechniconfullofeveningwearsealedinside
water-tightenvelopeshadbeenfoundinoneofthewarehouses.Eggedonby
Strangman,halfadozenofthesailorsdressedthemselvesup,bowtiesaround
theirbarenecks,andprancedthroughthestreetsintremendousglee,tails
flaringandkneeshigh-kicking,likeatroupeoflunaticwaitersatadervish
carnival.
Aftertheinitialabandon,thelootingbegantotakeonamoreseriousnote.
Whateverhisprivatereasons,Strangmanwassolelyinterestedinobjetsd'art,
andafteracarefulreconnaissanceidentifiedoneofthecity'sprincipal
museums.But,tohisannoyance,thebuildinghadbeenstripped,andhisonly
salvagewasalargemosaicwhichhismenremovedtilebytilefromthe
entrancehailandlaidoutlikeavastjig-sawontheobservationdeckofthe
depotship.
ThisdisappointmentpromptedKeranstowarnBodkinthatStrangman
mighttrytoventhisspleenonhim,butwhenheclimbeduptothetesting
stationearlythenexteveninghefoundthatBodkinhadgone.Theair143
conditionerhadexhausteditsfuel,andBodkin,deliberatelyitseemed,had
openedthewindowsbeforeheleft,sothattheentirestationsteamedlikea
cauldron.
Curiously,Bodkin'sdisappearancegaveKeranslittleconcern.Immersedin
himself,hemerelyassumedthatthebiologisthadfollowedhisownadvice
andmovedouttooneofthelagoonstothesouth.
Beatrice,however,wasstillthere.LikeKerans,shehadsunkintoaprivate
reverie.Keransrarelysawherduringtheday,whenshewouldbelockedinto
herbedroom,butatmidnight,whenitbecamecool,shewouldalwayscome
downfromherpenthouseamongthestarsandjoinStrangmanathisparties.
Shesatnumblybesidehiminherblueeveningdress,herhairstuddedwith
threeorfourofthetiarasStrangmanhadlootedfromtheoldjewelleryvaults,
herbreastssmotheredunderamassofglitteringchainsandcrescents,likea
madqueeninahorrordrama.
Strangmantreatedherwithastrangedeference,notunmarkedbyapolite
hostility,almostasifshewereatribaltotem,adeitywhosepowerwas
responsiblefortheircontinuedgoodfortunebutnonethelessresented.
Keranstriedtostaynearher,withinherorbitofprotection,andtheevening
afterBodkin'sdisappearanceleanedacrossthecushionstosay:"Alan'sgone.
OldBodkin.Didheseeyoubeforeheleft?"
ButBeatricestaredoutoverthefiresburninginthesquare,without
lookingathimsaidinavaguevoice:"Listentothedrumming,Robert.How
manysunsarethere,doyouthink?"
WildernowthanKeranshadeverseenhim,Strangmandancedaboutthe
campfires,sometimesforcingKeranstojoinhim,incitingthebongo
drummerstoeverfasterrhythms.Then,exhausted,hewouldslumpbackon
hisdivan,histhinwhitefacelikebluechalk.
144
Leaningononeelbow,hestaredsomberlyatKerans,squattingona
cushionbehindhim.
"Doyouknowwhytheyfearme,Kerans?TheAdmiral,BigCaesarandthe
others.Letmetellyoumysecret."Then,inawhisper:"Becausetheythink
I'mdead."
Inaspasmoflaughter,herockedbackintothedivan,shakinghelplessly.
"Oh,myGod,Kerans!What'sthematterwithyoutwo.Comeoutofthat
trance."HelookedupasBigCaesarapproached,doffingthedriedalligator's
headwhichheworelikeahoodoverhisown."Yes,whatisit?Aspecialsong
forDoctorKerans?Capital!Didyouhearthat,Doctor?Let'sgothen,with
TheBalladofMistahBones!"
Clearinghisthroat,withmuchprancingandgesticulation,thebignegro
began,hisvoicedeepandguttural.
MistahBones,helovesdriedmen,
Gothimselfabananagirl;threeprophetssly,
Sheplayedhimallcrazy,drownedhiminthesnakewine,
Neverheardsomanyswampbirds,
Thatoldbossalligator.
RumBones,hewentskullfishing,
DownoffAngelCreek,wherethedriedmenrun,
Tookouthisturtlestone,waitedforthechapelboat,
145
Threeprophetslanding,
Somebadjoss.
RumBones,hesawthelovinggirl,
Gavehisturtlestonefortwobananas,
Hehadthatbananagirllikeahotmangrove;
Prophetssawhim,
NodriedmencomingforRumBones.
RumBones,hedancedforthatlovinggirl,
Builtabananahouseforherlovingbed-"
Withasuddenshout,Strangmanleaptfromthedivan,racedpastBig
Caesarintothecentreofthesquare,pointingupattheperimeterwallofthe
lagoonhighabovethem.Outlinedagainstthesettingskywasthesmallsquare
figureofDr.Bodkin,pickinghiswayslowlyacrossthewoodenbarragethat
heldbackthecreekwatersoutside.Unawarethathehadbeenspottedbythe
partybelow,hecarriedasmallwoodenboxinonehand,afaintlightfizzing
fromatrailingwire.
Wideawake,Strangmanbellowed:"Admiral,BigCaesar!Gethim,he'sgot
abomb!"
Inawildscramblethepartydissolved,withtheexceptionofBeatriceand
Keranseveryoneracedoffacrossthesquare.Shotgunsslammedleftand
right,andBodkinpauseduncertainly,thefusewiresparkingabouthislegs.
Thenheturnedandbegantoedgebackalongthebarrage.
146
Keransjumpedtohisfeetandranaftertheothers.Ashereachedthe
perimeterwallstar-shellswereburstingintotheair,spittingmagnesium
fragmentsacrosstheroadway.StrangmanandtheAdmiralwereleapingupa
fireescape,BigCaesar'sshotgunslammingoutovertheirheads.Bodkinhad
leftthebombinthecentreofthedamandwasracingawayovertherooftops.
Straddlingthefinalledge,Strangmanleaptupontothebarrage,inadozen
stridesreachedthebombandkickeditoutintothecentreofthecreek.Asthe
splashdiedawayacheerofapprovalwentupfromthosebelow.Catchinghis
breath,Strangmanbuttonedhisjacket,thenslippedashort-barreled.38from
hisshoulderholster.Athinsmileglitteredonhisface.Whippingonthecries
ofhisfollowers,hesetoutafterBodkinashescaledhiswaypainfullyupthe
pontoonofthetestingstation.
Keranslistenednumblytothefinalshots,rememberingBodkin'swarning
andthenecessity,forwhichheborehimnogrudgeashehadchosento
ignoreit,ofbeingsweptawayhimselfwithStrangmanandhiscrew.He
walkedslowlybacktothesquare,whereBeatricestillsatontheheapof
cushions,thealligatorheadonthegroundinfrontofher.Ashereachedher
heheardthefootstepsbehindhimslowingmenacingly,astrangesilencefall
overthepack.
HeswungaroundtoseeStrangmansaunterforward,asmirktwistinghis
lips.BigCaesarandtheAdmiralwereathisshoulder,theirshotguns
exchangedformachetes.Therestofthecrewfannedoutinaloosesemicircle,watchingexpectantly,obviouslypleasedtoseeKerans,thealoof
medicine-manofarivaljuju,gethisjustdeserts.
"ThatwasratherstupidofBodkin,don'tyouthink,Doctor?Dangerous
too,asamatteroffact.Wecoulddamnnearlyhaveallbeendrowned."
StrangmanpausedafewfeetfromKerans,eyeinghimmoodily."Youknew
Bodkinprettywell,I'msurprisedyoudidn'tanticipatethat.Idon'tknow
147
whetherIshouldtakeanymorechanceswithmadbiologists."
HewasabouttogesturetoBigCaesarwhenBeatricejumpedtoherfeet
andrushedovertoStrangman.
"Strangman!Forheaven'ssake,one'senough.Stopit,wewon'thurtyou!
Look,youcanhaveallthese!"
Withawrenchsheunclaspedthemassofnecklaces,torethetiarasfrom
herhairandflungthematStrangman.Snarlingwithanger,Strangmankicked
themintothegutter,andBigCaesarsteppedpasther,themacheteswinging
upward.
"Strangman!"BeatricethrewherselfatStrangman,stumbledandalmost
draggedhimtothegroundbyhislapels."Youwhitedevil,can'tyouleaveus
alone?"
Strangmantwistedheraway,breathseethingthroughhisclenchedteeth.
Hegazedwildlyatthedisheveledwomandownonherkneesamongthe
jewels,andwasabouttowaveBigCaesaronwhenasuddenintentiontremor
flickeredacrosshisrightcheek.Heslappedatitwithhisopenhand,tryingto
brushitawaylikeafly,thenflexedhisfacialmusclesinanuglygrimace,
unabletomasterthespasm.Foramomenthisfacewastwistedinagrotesque
gape,likeamanstrugglinginlock-jaw.Awareofhismaster'sindecision,Big
Caesarhesitated,andKeransmovedbackwardsintotheshadowsunderthe
depotship.
"Allright!God,whata…!"Strangmanmutteredsomethingthicklyto
himselfandstraightenedhisjacket,thepointgrudginglyconceded.Thetic
hadfaded.HenoddedslowlyatBeatrice,asifwarningherthatanyfuture
intercessionswouldbeignored,thenbarkedsharplyatBigCaesar.The
machetesweretossedaside,butbeforeBeatricecouldprotestagaintheentire
packthrewitselfonKeranswithaseriesofwhoopsandyells,handsflailing
148
andclapping.
Keranstriedtosidestepthem,uncertainfromthecircleofgrinningfaces
whetherthiswasmerelysomeelaborateformofhorseplayintendedto
dischargethetensionthatBodkin'smurderhadgenerated,andatthesame
timeadministerasalutaryreproof.HeskippedaroundStrangman'sdivanas
thepackclosedin,foundhisescapeblockedbytheAdmiral,whowasfeinting
fromsidetosideinhiswhitetennisshoeslikeadancer.Suddenlyhesprang
forwardsandkickedKerans'feetfromunderhim.Keranssatdownheavily
onthedivan,andadozen,oilybrown-skinnedarmsseizedhimaroundthe
neckandshouldersandsomersaultedhimbackwardsontothecobbled
ground.Hestruggledhelplesslytofreehimself,hadaglimpsethroughthe
pantingbodiesofStrangmanandBeatricewatchingfromthedistance.Taking
herarm,Strangmandrewherfirmlytowardsthegangway.
ThenalargesilkcushionwasstuffedintoKerans'face,andhardpalms
begantopoundadrum-beatacrossthebackofhisneck.
149
12-TheFeastofSkulls
"TheFeastofSkulls!"
Gobletraisedintheflare-light,itsambercontentsspillingoverhissuit,
Strangmanletoutanexultantshout,withaflourishleaptdownfromthe
fountainasthetumbrelcartswervedacrossthecobbledsquare.Propelledby
sixsweating,bare-chestedsailorsbentdoublebetweenitsshafts,itrattledand
joltedthroughthequickeningembersofthecharcoalfires,adozenhands
helpingitonitsway,andtoafinalacceleratingcrescendoonthedrumsstruck
theedgeofthedaisandtippeditswhitegleamingcargoacrosstheboardsat
Kerans'feet.Immediatelyachantingcircleformedaroundhim,handsbeat
outanexcitedrantando,whiteteethflashedandsnappedattheairlike
demoniacdice,hipsswiveledandheelsstamped.TheAdmiraldivedforward
andclearedawaythroughthewhirlingtorsos,andBigCaesar,asteeltrident
heldinfrontofhimwithahugebaleofredkelpandfucustransfixedonits
barbs,lurchedontothedaisandwithagruntingheavetossedthedripping
frondsintotheairoverthethrone.
Keransswayedforwardhelplesslyasthesweet,acridweedscascaded
aroundhisheadandshoulders,thelightsofthedancingflaresreflectedinthe
giltarm-restsofthethrone.Astherhythmofthedrumsbeataroundhim,
almostexorcisingthedeeperpulseboomingfaintlyinthebaseofhismind,he
lethisweighthangagainstthebloodiedthongsaroundhiswrists,indifferent
tothepainashesankinandoutofconsciousness.Athisfeet,atthebaseof
thethrone,thebrokenwhiteharvestofbonesgleamedwiththeirivory
whiteness:slendertibiasandfemurs,scapulaslikeworntrowels,ameshof
ribsandvertebrae,eventwolollingskulls.Thelightflickeredacrosstheirbald
patesandwinkedintheemptyeyesockets,leapingfromthebowlsof
kerosenebornebythecorridorofstatueswhichledtowardsthethroneacross
thesquare.Thedancershadformedthemselvesintoalongundulatingline,
andwithStrangmanprancingattheirheadbegantoweaveinandoutofthe
150
marblenymphs,thedrummersaroundthefirespivotingintheirseatsto
followtheirprogress.
Givenamomentaryrespiteastheycircledthesquare,Keranslolledagainst
thevelvetback-rest,pullingautomaticallyathisclampedwrists.Thekelp
trailedaroundhisneckandshoulders,fallingoverhiseyesfromthetincrown
Strangmanhadclampedtohisbrow.Almostdry,thekelpexudeditssweaty
stench,andcoveredhisarmssothatonlyafewraggedstripsofhisdinner
jacketwerevisible.Attheedgeofthedais,beyondthelitterofbonesandrum
bottles,weremoredriftsoftheweed,andadebrisofconchesand
dismemberedstar-fishwithwhichtheyhadpeltedhimbeforefindingthe
mausoleum.
Twentyfeetbehindhimtoweredthedarkbulkofthedepotship,afew
lightsstillburningonitsdecks.Fortwonightsthepartieshadcontinued,the
tempomountinghourbyhour,Strangmanapparentlydeterminedtoexhaust
hiscrew.Keransdriftedhelplesslyinahalf-consciousreverie,hispaindulled
bytherumforceddownhisthroat(evidentlythefinalindignity,drowning
Neptuneinanevenmoremagicalandpotentsea),mildconcussioncloaking
thescenebeforehiminamistofbloodandscotomata.Dimlyhewasaware
ofhistornwristsandlaceratedbody,buthesatpatiently,stoicallyactingout
theroleofNeptuneintowhichhehadbeencast,acceptingtherefuseand
abuseheapeduponhimasthecrewdischargedtheirfearandhatredofthe
sea.Inthatrole,too,oritscaricaturewhichheperformed,layhisonlysafety.
Whateverhimotives,Strangmanstillseemedreluctanttokillhim,andthe
crewreflectedthishesitation,alwaysdisguisingtheirinsultsandtorturesresin
theformofgrotesqueandhilariousjokes,protectingthemselveswhenthey
peltedhimwithsea-weedbyhalf-pretendingtomakeanofferingtoanidol.
Thesnakeofdancersreappearedandformeditselfintoachantingcircle
aroundhim.Strangmandetachedhimselffromitscentre-hewasobviously
reluctanttocometooclosetoKerans,perhapsafraidthatthebleedingwrists
151
andforeheadwouldmakehimrealisethecrudityofthejape-andBigCaesar
cameforward,hishugeknobbedfacelikeaninflamedhippo's.Lumbering
abouttotherhythmofthebongos,heselectedaskullandfemurfromthe
pileofbonesaroundthethrone,begantobeatoutatattooforKerans,
tappingthevaryingthicknessesofthetemporalandoccipitallobestopickout
acrudecranialoctave.Severalothersjoinedin,andwitharattleoffemurand
tibia,radiusandulna,amaddanceofthebonesensued.Weakly,onlyhalf
awareofthegrinning,insultingfacespressedtowithinafootortwoofhis
own,Keranswaitedforthistosubside,thenleanedbackandtriedtoshield
hiseyesasasalvoofstar-shellsburstoverheadandforamomentilluminated
thedepotshipandthesurroundingbuildings.Thissignaledtheendofthe
festivityandthestartofanothernight'swork.Withashout,Strangmanand
theAdmiralpulledapartthedancinggroup.Thecartwashauledaway,metal
rimsringingoverthecobbles,andthekeroseneflareswereextinguished.
Withinaminutethesquarewasdarkandempty,afewguttedfiressputtering
amongthecushionsanddrums,intermittentlyreflectedinthegiltlimbsofthe
throneandthewhitebonesencirclingit.
Nowandthen,atintervalsthroughthenight,asmallgroupoflooters
wouldreappear,wheelingtheirbootyinfrontofthem,abronzestatueora
sectionofportico,hoistthemintotheshipandthenvanishagain,ignoring
themotionlessfigurehunchedonthethroneamongtheshadows.Bynow
Keranswasasleep,unawareofhisfatigueandhunger,wakingforafew
minutesbeforedawnatthecoolestebbofthenighttoshoutforBeatrice.He
hadnotseenhersincehiscaptureafterBodkin'sdeath,andassumedthat
Strangmanhadlockedherawaywithinthedepotship.
Atlast,aftertheexplodingnightwithitsbravuraofdrumsandstar-shells,
thedawnliftedovertheshadow-filledsquare,drawingbehindittheimmense
goldencanopyofthesun.Withinanhourthesquareandthedrainedstreets
arounditweresilent,only&distantwhirofanair-conditionerinthedepot
shipremindingKeransthathewasnotalone.Somehow,byamanifest
152
miracle,hadsurvivedthepreviousday,sittingoutunprotectedinthefull
noonheat,shadedbyonlythecloakofweedstrailingfromhiscrown.Likea
strandedNeptune,helookedoutfromthismakeshiftpavilionofseaweedat
thecarpetofbrilliantlightcoveringthebonesandgarbage.Oncehehadbeen
awareofahatchwayopeningontoadeckabove,andsensedthatStrangman
hadcomefromhiscabintoobservehim-afewminuteslaterseveralbuckets
oficywaterweretosseddownontohim.Hesippedfeverishlythecolddrops
fallingfromtheweedsintohismouthlikefrozenpearls.Immediately
afterwardshesankoffintoaprofoundtorpor,wakingafterduskjustbefore
thenight'sfestivitiesweretobegin.
ThenStrangmanhadcomedowninhispressedwhitesuitandexamined
himcritically,inastrangeaccessofpitysuddenlymurmured:"Kerans,you're
stillalive,howdoyoudoit?"
Itwasthisremarkwhichsustainedhimthroughthesecondday,whenthe
whitecarpetatnoonlayoverthesquareinincandescentlayersafewinches
apart,liketheplanesofparalleluniversescrystallisedOutofthecontinuum
bytheimmenseheat.Acrosshisskintheairburnedlikeaflame.Hestared
listlesslyatthemarblestatues,andthoughtofHardman,movingthroughthe
pillarsoflightonhiswaytowardsthemouthofthesun,disappearingoverthe
dunesofluminousash.ThesamepowerwhichsavedHardmanseemedto
haverevealeditselfwithinKerans,insomewayadjustinghismetabolismso
thathecouldsurvivetheunbrokenheat.Stillhewaswatchedfromthedeck
above.Oncealargesalamanderthreefeetlonghaddartedamongthebones
towardshim,itsinsaneteethlikeflintsofobsidianflexingslowlyasitscented
Kerans,andasingleshothadroaredoutfromthedeck,smashingthelizard
intoawrithingbloodiedmessathisfeet.
Likethereptileswhichsatmotionlesslyinthesunlight,hewaitedpatiently
forthedaytoend.
153
AgainStrangmanseemedbaffledtofindhim,swayinginanexhausted
deliriumbutstillalive.Aflickerofnervousnesscreasedhismouth,andhe
glancedirritablyatBigCaesarandthecrewwaitingaroundthedaisinthe
torchlight,apparentlyassurprisedashimself.WhenStrangmanbeganto
whoopandshoutfordrumstheresponsewasmarkedlylessprompt.
DeterminedtobreakKerans'powerforonceandforall,Strangman
orderedtwoadditionalcasksofrumloweredfromthedepotship,hopingto
drivefromhismen'smindstheirunconsciousfearofKeransandthepaternal
guardianoftheseahenowsymbolised.Soonthesquarewasfilledwithnoisy
stumblingfigures,tippingtheirjugsandbottlestotheirlips,tapdancingon
thedrumskins.AccompaniedbytheAdmiral,Strangmanmovedswiftlyfrom
onePartytoanother,incitingthemtofurtheractsofextravagance.BigCaesar
donnedthealligatorheadandtotteredaboutthesquareonhisknees,a
whoopingtroupeofdrummersbehindhim.
WearilyKeranswaitedfortheclimax.AtStrangman'sinstructionsthe
thronewasliftedfromthedaisandlashedtothecartKeranslaybacklimply
againstthehead-rest,lookingupatthedarkflanksofthebuildingsasBig
Caesarheapedthebonesandsea-weedaroundhisfeet.Withashoutfrom
Strangmanthedrunkenprocessionsetoff,adozenmenfightingtoget
betweentheshaftsofthetumbrel,throwingitfromlefttorightacrossthe
squareandknockingdowntwoofthestatues.Amidachorusofexcited
ordersfromStrangmanandtheAdmiral,whoracedalongbesidethewheels,
tryinghelplesslytorestrainit,thecartrapidlygatheredspeedandveeredaway
intoaside-street,careenedalongthepavementbeforedemolishingarusty
lamp-standard.Bludgeoningthecurlypatesofthemenaroundhimwithhis
massivefists,BigCaesarfoughthiswaytothefrontoftheshafts,seizedone
ineachhandandenforcedamoreleisurelyprogress.
Highabovetheirheads,Keranssatintherockingthrone,thecoolair
slowlyrevivinghim.Hewatchedtheceremonybelowwithsemi-conscious
154
detachment,awarethattheyweremovingsystematicallydowneverystreetin
thedrainedlagoon,almostasifhewereanabductedNeptuneforcedagainst
hiswilltosanctifythosesectionsofthedrownedcitywhichhadbeenstolen
fromhimbyStrangmanandreclaimed.
Butgradually,astheexertionofpullingthecartclearedtheirheadsand
madethemmoveinstep,themenbetweentheshaftsbegantosingwhat
soundedlikethelayofanoldHaitiancargocult,adeepcrooningmelodythat
againunderlinedtheirambivalentattitudetowardsKerans.Inanefforttoreestablishtherealpurposeoftheouting,Strangmanbegantoshoutand
brandishhisflarepistol,afterashortscrimmagemadethemreversethe
directionofthecartsothattheypusheditinsteadofpulled.Astheypassed
theplanetariumBigCaesarleaptupontothecart,clingingtothethronelike
animmenseape,pickedupthealligator'sheadandclampeditdownover
Kerans'shoulders.
Blindedandalmostsuffocatedbythefoetidstenchofthecrudelyskinned
hide,Keransfelthimselfflunghelplesslyfromsidetosideasthetumbrel
gainedspeedagain.Themenbetweentheshafts,unawareoftheirdirection,
racedalongthestreet,pantingafterStrangmanandtheAdmiral,BigCaesar
pursuingthemwitharainofblowsandkicks.Almostoutofcontrol,thecart
swervedandlurched,narrowlymissedwreckingitselfonatrafficisland,then
straightenedupandaccelerateddownanopenstretchofroadway.Asthey
nearedacornerStrangmansuddenlyshoutedtoBigCaesar,withoutlooking
thehugemulattoflunghisweightontherighthandshaftandthecartpivoted
andboundedupontothesidewalkForfiftyyardsitracedalonghelplessly,
severalofthementrippingovereachother'slegsandfallingtotheground,
theninascreamofaxleironandtimbercollidedwiththewallandpitched
ontoitsside.
Tornfromitsmooring,thethronewasflunghalf-wayacrossthestreetinto
alowmudbank.Keranslayfacedownwards,hisimpactwiththeground
155
softenedbythedampsilt,freedofthealligatorheadbutstilltrappedinhis
seat.Twoorthreeofthecrewwerespreadeagledaroundhimandpicked
themselvesup,andanupendedwheelofthecartrumbledslowlyintheair.
Staggeringhelplesslywithlaughter,StrangmanslappedBigCaesarandthe
Admiralontheback,soonhadtherestofthecrewjabberingexcitedlytoeach
other.Theygatheredaroundthewreckedcart,thenwentovertolookatthe
upturnedthrone.Strangmanrestedonefootuponitmajestically,rockingthe
shatteredheadrest.Holdingtheposelongenoughtoconvincehisfollowers
thatKerans'powerwasnowtrulyspent,hebolsteredhisflarepistolandran
awaydownthestreet,beckoningtheothersafterhim.Withachorusofjeers
andshouts,thepackmadeoff.
Pinionedbelowtheinvertedthrone,Keransstirredpainfully.Hisheadand
rightshoulderwerehalfburiedinthebankofcakingsilt.Heflexedhiswrists
againsttheloosenedthongs,buttheywerestilltootightforhimtofreehis
hands.
Shiftinghisweightontohisshoulders,hetriedtopullthethroneoverby
hisarms,thennoticedthattheleft-handarm-resthadsnappedfromits
verticalsupport.Slowlyhepressedhisbluntedfingersunderthearm-restand
begantoworkthethongsloopbyloopovertheraggedstumpofthesupport
protrudingfromthemortisejoint.
Whenhishandfreeditself,heletitfalllimplytotheground,then
massagedhisbruisedlipsandcheeks,andkneadedthestiffenedmusclesof
hischestandstomach.Hetwistedhimselfontohissideandpickedatthe
knotclampinghisrightwristtotheotherrest,inthebriefflaresoflightfrom
thestar-shellsloosenedthethongsandfreedhimself.
Forfiveminuteshelayinertlyunderthedarkhulkofthethrone,listening
tothedistantvoicesrecedeintothealleysbeyondthedepotship.Gradually
theflaresfaded,andthestreetbecameasilentcanyon,therooftopsfaintly
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illuminatedbythefadingphosphorescentglowofthedyinganimalcula,which
castaweb-likesilverveiloverthedrainedbuildingsandturnedthemintothe
expiringcornerofanancientspectralcity.
Crawlingfrombelowthethrone,heroseuncertainlytohisfeet,stumbled
acrossthesidewalkandleanedagainstthewall,hisheadpoundingfromthe
exertion.Hepressedhisfaceagainstthecoolstill-dampstone,staringdown
thestreetintowhichStrangmanandhismenhaddisappeared.
Abruptly,beforehiseyesclosedinvoluntarily,hesawtwofigures
approaching,onefamiliarlywhite-suited,theothertallandbowshouldered,
walkingswiftlydownthestreettowardshim.
"Strangman…!"Keranswhispered.Hisfingersgrippedtheloosemortar,
andhestiffenedintotheshadowswhichcoveredthewall.Thetwomenwere
ahundredyardsaway,buthecouldseeStrangman'sbrisk,purposivestride,
BigCaesar'slopingstepbehindhim.Somethinggleamedasitcaughtarayof
lightshiningdownanintersection,astabofsilverthatswungfromBig
Caesar'shand.
Searchingthedarkness,Keransedgedalongthewall,almostcuthishands
onaraggedangleofplateglassinastorewindow.Afewyardsawaywasthe
entrancetoalargearcade,runningthroughtheblockuntilitjoinedaparallel
streetfiftyyardstothewest.Blacksiltafootdeepcovereditsfloor,and
Keranscroucheddownasheclimbedtheshallowsteps,thenranslowly
throughthedarktunneltothefarendofthearcade,thesoftsiltmufflinghis
limpingfootsteps.
Hewaitedbehindapillarattherearentrance,steadyinghimselfas
StrangmanandBigCaesarreachedthethrone.Themacheteinthemulatto's
gianthandseemedlittlemorethanarazor.Strangmanraisedonehand
warninglybeforetouchingthethrone.Carefullyhescannedthestreetsand
wallsofwindows,hisleanwhitejawilluminatedinthemoonlight.Thenhe
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gesturedsharplyatBigCaesarandkickedthethroneoverwithhisfoot.
Astheiroathsrangoutintotheair,Keransdrewhimselfbackbehindthe
pillar,thentiptoedquicklyacrossthestreettowardsanarrowalleywaythatran
offintothelabyrinthinenexusoftheuniversityquarter.
Halfanhourlaterhetookuphispositiononthetopfloorofafifteenstoreyofficeblockthatformedpartoftheperimeterwallofthelagoon.A
narrowbalconyringedthesuiteofoffices,atitsrearleadingtoafireescape
thattrailedoffacrossthelowerroofsintothejunglebeyond,finally
swallowedbythegiantretainingbanksofsilt.Thinpoolsofwaterwhichhad
condensedfromtheafternoonheatmistslayacrosstheplasticfloors,and
afterclimbingthecentralstairwellKeranslaydownandbathedhisfaceand
mouthinthecoolliquid,slowlysoothinghiswoundedwrists.
Nosearchpartycameafterhim.Ratherthanconcedecompletedefeat-the
onlyinterpretationmostofthecrewwouldputuponKerans'disappearance,
Strangmanhadevidentlydecidedtoaccepthisescapeasafaitaccompliand
forgethim,assumingthatKeranswouldsetsailforthelagoonsinthesouth.
Throughthenightthelootingpartiescontinuedtorovethestreets,each
succeedingfindsignallisedbyadisplayofrocketsandpyrotechnics.
Keransresteduntildawn,lyinginapoolofwater,lettingitsoakthrough
theraggedstripsofthesilkdinnerjacketthatstillclungtohim,washingaway
thestenchofthesea-weedandsilt.Anhourbeforedawnhepulledhimselfto
hisfeet,toreoffhisjacketandshirtandstuffedthemdownacrackinthe
wall.Heunscrewedaglasslightbracketthatwasintact,carefullyscoopedup
thewaterfromoneofthecleanpoolsonthefloorbelow.Hehadcollected
aboutaquartbythetimethesunwasliftingovertheeasternperimeterofthe
lagoon.Twocorridorsdownhetrappedasmalllizardinthewashroom,killed
itwithaloosebrick.Helitafireoftinderwithalensofchippedglass,roasted
thefiletsofdarkstringymeatuntiltheyweretender.Thesmallsteaksmelted
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inhiscrackedmouthwiththeexquisitetendernessofwarmfat.Recovering
hisstrength,heclimbedbacktothetopfloorandretiredtoaservicecubicle
behindtheelevatorshaft.Afterwedgingthedoorwithafewlengthsofrusty
banisterrail,hesettleddowninthecornerandwaitedfortheevening.
ThelastsunlightwasfadingoverthewaterasKeranspaddledtheraft
belowthefrondsoftheferntreesdippingintothewateraroundthelagoon,
thebloodandcopperbronzesoftheafternoonsungivingwaytodeepviolets
andindigo.Overheadtheskywasanimmensefunnelofsapphireandpurple,
fantasticatedwhorlsofcoralcloudmarkingthedescentofthesunlike
baroquevapourtrails.Aslackoilyswelldisturbedthesurfaceofthelagoon,
thewaterclingingtotheleavesofthefernsliketranslucentwax.Ahundred
yardsawayitslappedlazilyagainsttheshatteredremainsofthejettybelowthe
Ritz,throwingupafewbrokensparsoftimber.Stillrestrainedbytheloose
netofmooringlines,thefifty-gallondrumsfloatedtogetherlikeagroupof
hump-backedalligators.LuckilythealligatorsStrangmanhadpostedaround
thelagoonwerestillintheirnestsamongthebuildings,orhaddispersedinto
theneighbouringcreeksinsearchoffoodastheiguanasretreatedbefore
them.
Keranspausedbeforepaddlingoutacrosstheexposedfaceofthederelict
bankadjacenttotheRitz,scanningtheshorelineandtheexitcreekforanyof
Strangman'ssentries.Theconcentrationneededtobuildtheraftfromtwo
galvanisedironwatertankshadalmostdrainedhisbrain,andhewaited
carefullybeforepushingon.Ashenearedthejettyhesawthatthemooring
lineshadbeenslasheddeliberately,thewoodenboxframecrushedbysome
heavywater-craft,probablythehydroplane,whichStrangmanhadberthedin
thecentrallagoon.
Wedgingtheraftbetweentwoofthefloatingdrums,whereitfloated
unobtrusivelyamongtheshiftingdebris,Keranspulledhimselfupontothe
balconyandsteppedoverthewindowledgeintothehotel.Quicklyhemade
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hiswayupthestaircase,followingthetrailofhugeblurredfootprintsonthe
bluecarpetmouldwhichleddownfromtheroof.
Thepenthousehadbeenwrecked.Asheopenedtheouterwoodendoor
intothesuitearaggedglasspaneloftheinteriorair-sealfelltothefloorathis
feet.Someonehadmovedthroughtheroomsinaberserkfrenzyofviolence,
systematicallysmashingeverythingwithinsight.TheLouisQuinzefurniture
hadbeenhackedtopieces,dismemberedlegsandarmshurledthroughthe
internalglasswalls.Thecarpetingoverthefloorlayinatangleoflongtorn
strips,eventhecordunderlayrippedapartsothatthefloorsealscouldbe
hackedandbreached.Itslegslopped,thecabinetofthedesklayintwo
dividedsections,thecrocodileskinparedfromitsedges.Bookswere
scatteredunderfoot,manyofthemslashedcleanlyintotwo.Arainofblows
hadfallenuponthemantelpiece,hugegougescutintoitsgiltlip,and
enormousstarsoffrostedglassandsilverscreenburstacrossthemirrorlike
frozenexplosions.
Steppingoverthelitter,Keransventuredbrieflyontotheterrace,wherethe
wiremeshofthemosquitoscreenhadbeenballoonedoutwardsuntilitburst.
Thebeachchairswherehehadlainforsomanymonthswerechoppedto
matchwood.
Asheexpected,thedecoysafebehindthedeskhadbeensprung,itsdoor
openontheemptyvault.Keranswentintothebedroom,afaintsmile
crossinghisfacewhenherealisedthatStrangman'shousebreakershadfailed
tofindthedeepsafebehindthebedroommirrorovertheescritoire.The
dentedcylinderofthebrasscompasshehadidlystolenfromthebase,still
pointingtoitstalismanicsouth,layonthefloorbelowthesmallcircular
mirror,whichithadshatteredintoapatternlikeamagnifiedsnow-flake.
Keranscarefullyrotatedtherococoframe,releasedthehingeanddrewitback
torevealtheunbreacheddialofthesafe.
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Darknessfellfromtheair,throwinglongshadowsintothesuiteasKerans'
fingersracedthroughthetumblers.Witharelievedintakeofbreathhepulled
backthedoor,quicklyslippedouttheheavyColt.45anditscartonofslugs.
Hesatdownonthewreckedbedandtorethesealsoffthecarton,then
loadedthechamber,weighingthemassiveblackweaponinhishand.He
emptiedthecartonandfilledhispocketswiththeslugs,thentightenedhis
beltandwentbackintothelounge.
Ashesurveyedtheroom,herealisedthatbyacuriousparadoxhebore
Strangmanlittlemaliceforwreckingthesuite.Inasenseitsdestruction,and
withitallhismemoriesofthelagoon,merelyunderlinedsomethinghehad
beentacitlyignoringforsometime,andwhichStrangman'sarrival,andallit
implied,shouldhavemadehimaccept-theneedtoabandonthelagoonand
movesouthwards.Histimetherehadoutliveditself,andtheair-sealedsuite
withitsconstanttemperatureandhumidity,itssuppliesoffuelandfood,were
nothingmorethananencapsulatedformofhispreviousenvironment,to
whichhehadclunglikeareluctantembryotoitsyokesac.Theshatteringof
thisshell,likethepiercingdoubtsabouthistrueunconsciousmotivessetoff
byhisneardrowningintheplanetarium,wasthenecessaryspurtoaction,to
hisemergenceintothebrighterdayoftheinterior,archaeopsychicsun.Now
hewouldhavetogoforward.Boththepast,representedbyRiggs,andthe
presentcontainedwithinthedemolishedpenthouse,nolongeroffereda
viableexistence.Hiscommitmenttothefuture,sofaroneofchoiceand
plaguedbysomanydoubtsandhesitations,wasnowabsolute.
Inthedarknessthesleekcurvedhullofthedepotshiproseintotheairlike
thevelvetbellyofastrandedwhale.Keranscroucheddownintheshadowof
thesternpaddle,hisleanbronzedbodymerginghimintothebackground.He
hidinthenarrowintervalbetweentwooftheblades,eacharivetedmetalslab
fifteenfeetwideandfourfeetdeep,peeringthroughthecoconut-sizedlinks
ofthedrivechain.Itwasshortlybeforemidnight,andthelastoftheforaging
partieswasleavingthegangway,thesailors,bottleinonehandandmachete
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intheother,lurchingoffacrossthesquare.Thecobbleswerelitteredwith
burstcushionsandbongodrums,bonesandburnt-outembers,allkicked
aboutinacarelessmelee.
Keranswaiteduntilthelastofthegroupmadetheirwayoffamongthe
streets,thenstoodupandsecuredtheColtinhisbelt.Faraway,onthe
oppositesideofthelagoon,wasBeatrice'sapartment,itswindowsin
darkness,thelightonthepylonextinguished.Keranshadconsideredclimbing
thestairstothetopfloor,butsafelyassumedthatBeatricewouldbeaboard
thedepotship,anunwillinghouse-guestofStrangman.
Overheadafigureappearedattherail,thenwithdrew.Distantlyavoice
shoutedsomething,anotherrepliedfromthebridge.Ahatchwayfromthe
galleyopenedandapail-fulloffilthyslopsweretosseddownintothesquare.
Alreadyasubstantialpoolofabyssalfluidhadgatheredundertheship,soonit
wouldfillthelagoonandtheshipwouldfloatawayagainonaseaofitsown
excrement.
Duckingunderthebandofthedrivechain,Keranssteppedupontothe
lowestblade,quicklypulledhimselfhandoverhandupthiscurvedradial
ladder.Thepaddlecreakedslightly,rotatingafewinchesunderhisweightas
theslackinthedrivechainwastakenin.Atthetophetransferredtothesteel
boomwhichcarriedthepaddleaxle.Steadyinghimselfontheoverheadguyropecontrollingthebladescraper,hecrawledslowlyalongthefoot-wide
boom,thenstoodupandclimbedoverthepassengerrailintothesmallwell
oftheflag-deck.Anarrowcompanionwayledupdiagonallytothe
observationdeck.Keransscaleditsoundlessly,pausingashepassedthetwo
interveningdecksincaseanysailorwithahangoverwasmoon-gazingatthe
rail.
Hidingintheleeofawhite-paintedgigberthedonthedeck,Keransmoved
forward,duckingfromoneventilatortothenext,reachedarustywinch
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whichstoodafewfeetfromthediningtablewhereStrangmanhad
entertainedthem.Thetablehadbeenstripped,thedivansandchesterfield
drawnupinarowbelowthegiantpaintingstillproppedagainstthefunnels.
Voicessoundedbelowagain,andthegangwaycreakedasalastdeparture
steppeddownintothesquare.Inthedistance,overtherooftops,asignalflare
glowedbrieflyagainstthechimneystacks.AsitfadedKeransstoodupand
walkedpastthepaintingtowardsthehatchwayhiddenbehindit.
Suddenlyhestopped,handreachingforthebuttoftheColt.Littlemore
thanfifteenfeetawayfromhim,ontheberthingwingofthebridge,thered
endofacherootglowedinthedarkness,apparentlydetachedfromany
corporealform.Poisedontheballsofhisfeet,andunabletoeithermove
forwardorwithdraw,Keranssearchedthedarknessaroundtheglow,then
pickedoutthewhitebrimoftheAdmiral'speakedcap.Amomentlater,ashe
inhaledcontentedlyonthecheroot,thegleamofhiseyesreflectedthe
glowingtip.
Whilethemenbelowcrossedthesquare,theAdmiralturnedandsurveyed
theobservationdeck.OvertheedgeofthewoodenrailKeranscouldseethe
buttofashotguncradledlooselyinhiselbow.Thecherootswiveledtoone
sideofhismouthandaconeofwhitesmokedispersedintheairlikesilver
dust.ForafulltwoorthreesecondshelookedstraightatKerans,silhouetted
inthedarknessagainstthemassoffiguresonthecanvas,buthegavenohint
ofrecognition,apparentlyassumingthatKeranswaspartofthecomposition.
Thenhestrolledslowlyintothebridge-house.
Pickingeachfootstepcarefully,Keransadvancedtotheedgeofthe
painting,thenduckedintotheshadowsbehindit.Afanoflightfromthe
hatchwaylayacrossthedeck.Crouchingdown,theColtsteadyinhishand,he
slowlydescendedthestepsontotheemptygamingdeck,watchingthe
doorwaysforanysignofmovement,foraleveledgunbarrelamongthe
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curtains.Strangman'ssuitewasdirectlybelowthebridge,enteredbyapanel
doorinanalcovebehindthebar.
Hewaitedbythedooruntilametaltrayslammedinthegalley,thenleaned
onthehandleandeasedthedooroffitslatch,steppedsilentlyintothe
darkness.Forafewsecondshepausedinsidethedoor,adjustinghiseyesto
thedimlightcastintotheante-roomthroughabeadcurtainhiddenbehinda
chartcabinetonhisright.Inthecentreoftheroomwasalargemaptable,
roll-mapsundertheglasstop.Hisbarefeetsankintothesoftcarpeting,and
hesteppedpastthecabinetandpeeredthroughthebeads.
Theroom,twicethelength,wasStrangman'sprincipalsaloon,anoaklined
chamberwithleathercouchesfacingeachotherdownthesidewalls,alarge
antiqueglobeonitsbronzepedestalbelowtheforwardrowofportholes.
Threechandeliershungfromtheceiling,butonlyonewaslit,overahighbackedByzantinechairwithstainedglassinlaysatthefarendoftheroom,
shiningonthejewelswhichspilledfromthemetalgunboxesdrawnupona
semi-circleoflowtables.
Headbackagainstthechair,onehandtouchingtheslenderstemofagoldlippedglassonamahoganytableatherelbow,wasBeatriceDahl.Herblue
brocadedresswasspreadoutlikeapeacock'stail,afewpearlsandsapphires
whichhadspilledfromherlefthandgleamingamongthefoldslikeelectric
eyes.Keranshesitated,watchingthedooroppositewhichledinto
Strangman'scabin,thenpartedthecurtainslightlysothatthebeadstinkled
gently.
Beatriceignoredthis,obviouslytoo-familiarwiththesoundofrustling
glass.Thechestsatherfeetwereloadedwithamassofjeweledtrashdiamanteanklets,giltclasps,tiarasandchainsofzircon,rhinestonenecklaces
andpendants,hugeearringsofculturedpearl,overflowingfromonechestto
anotherandspillingontothesalversplacedonthefloorlikevesselstocatcha
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quicksilverrainfall.
ForamomentKeransthoughtthatBeatricehadbeendrugged-her
expressionwasvacantandblank,likethemaskofawaxdummy,hereyeson
somedistantfocus.Thenherhandmoved,andsheraisedthewineglass
perfunctorilytoherlips.
"Beatrice!"
Withastartshetippedthewineacrossherlap,lookedupinsurprise.
Pushingbackthebeads,Keranssteppedquicklyacrosstheroom,caughther
elbowasshebegantorisefromthechair.
"Beatrice,wait!Don'tmoveyet!"Hetriedthedoorbehindthechair,found
itlocked."Strangmanandhismenarelootingthestreets,Ithinkthere'sonly
theAdmiraluponthebridge."
Beatricepressedherfacetohisshoulders,withhercoolfingerstracedthe
blackbruisesshowingthroughhisebonytan."Robert,becareful!What
happenedtoyou,Strangmanwouldn'tletmewatch?"Herreliefandpleasure
atseeingKeransgavewaytoalarm.Sheglancedanxiouslyaroundtheroom.
"Darling,leavemehereandgetaway.Idon'tthinkStrangmanwillharmme."
Keransshookhishead,thenhelpedhertoherfeet.HegazedatBeatrice's
elegantprofile,athersleekcarminemouthandlacquerednails,almost
bemusedbytheheadyscentofperfumeandthebrocadedrustleofhergown.
AftertheviolenceandfilthofthepastdayshefeltlikeoneofthedustbegrimeddiscoverersofthetombofNefertitistumblinguponherexquisite
paintedmaskinthedepthsofthenecropolis.
"Strangman'scapableofanything,Beatrice.He'sinsane,theywereplayinga
sortofmadgamewithme,damnnearlykilledme."
165
Beatricegatheredthetrainofherskirt,brushingawaythejewelsthatclung
toitsfabric.Despitethelavishassortmentbeforeher,herwristsandbreast
werebare,oneofherownsmallgoldclaspsinacontouredtwistaroundher
neck."ButRobert,evenifwegetout-"
"Quiet!"Keransstoppedafewfeetfromthecurtain,watchingthestrands
balloonfaintlyandthensubside,tryingtorememberwhethertherewasa
portholeopenintheante-room."I'vebuiltasmallraft,itshouldcarryusfar
enough.Laterwe'llrestandbuildabetterone."
Hestartedtowalktowardsthecurtainwhentwoofthestrandsparted
fractionally,somethingmovedwithsnake-likespeedandawhirlingsilver
bladethreefeetlongclefttheairandspuntowardshisheadlikeanimmense
scythe.Wincingwithpain,Keransduckedandfeltthebladeskimpasthis
rightshoulder,tearingashallowthree-inchweal,thenimpaleitselfwitha
steelyshudderintheoakpanelingbehindhim.Voicefrozeninherthroat,
Beatricebackedwild-eyedintooneoftheoccasionaltables,knockingachest
ofjewelsacrossthefloor.
BeforeKeranscouldreachherthecurtainwasthrashedbackbyan
enormousarmandahugehunch-backedfigurefilledthedoorway,hisoneeyedheadloweredlikeabull'sbelowthetransom.Sweatpouredfromhis
hugemuscledchest,staininghisgreenshorts.Inhisrighthandwasatwelveinchbarbofgleamingsteel,abouttothrustupwardsatKerans'stomach.
Sidesteppingdowntheroom,Keranssteadiedtherevolverinhishands,the
hugenegro'ssinglecyclopeaneyefollowinghim.Thenhesteppedonthe
openteethofanecklaceclasp,involuntarilystumbledbackagainstasofa.
AshesteadiedhimselfagainstthewallBigCaesarlaunchedhimself
throughtheairatKerans,theknifedrivingthroughtheairinashortarclike
thetipofapropeller.Beatricescreamed,hervoiceabruptlydrownedinthe
tremendousroaroftheColt.Joltedbytherecoil,Keranssatdowninthesofa,
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watchedthemulattocrashcrookedlyagainstthedoorway,theknifespilling
fromhishand.Astrangledbubblinggrunteruptedfromhisthroat,andwitha
cataclysmicwrenchwhichsummedupallhispainandfrustrationhetoreat
thebeadcurtainandrippeditfromthetransom.Thebunchingmusclesofhis
torsocontractedforthelasttime.Drapedinthecurtain,hefellforwardsonto
thefloor,hisvastlimbslikeabloatedgiant's,thethousandsofbeadsspilling
aroundhim.
"Beatrice!Comeon!"Keransseizedherarm,steeredherpasttheprostrate
bodyintotheante-room,hisrighthandandforearmnumbfromthejarring
dischargeoftheColt.Theycrossedthealcove,andracedpastthedeserted
bar.Overheadavoiceshoutedfromthebridge,andfootstepshurriedacross
thedecktotherail.
Keransstopped,lookingdownatthevoluminousfoldsofBeatrice'sgown,
thenabandonedhisplantoretracehisentryoverthesternpaddle.
"We'llhavetotrythegangway."Hepointedtotheunguardedentranceby
thestarboardrail,thebeckoningnight-clubcupidswithflutestotheirruby
lipsdancingoneithersideofthesteps."Itmaylookalittleobvious,butit's
justabouttheonlywayleftnow."
Half-waydown,thegangwaybegantorockinitsdavits,andtheyheardthe
Admiralbarkdownatthemfromthebridge.Amomentlatertheshotgun
roaredout,thepelletsslashingthroughtheclapboardroofovertheirheads.
Keransducked,atthemouthofthegangwaycranedupatthebridge,now
directlyoverhead,sawthelongbarreloftheshotgunstickingintotheairas
theAdmiralmaneuveredabout.
Keransjumpeddownintothesquare,tookBeatricebythewaistandswung
herdown.Togethertheycrouchedunderthehullofthedepotship,then
dartedacrossthesquaretotheneareststreet.
167
Half-waythereKeranslookedoverhisshoulderasagroupofStrangman's
menappearedonthefarsideofthesquare.Theyshoutedtoandfrowiththe
Admiral,thenspottedKeransandBeatriceahundredyardsaway.
Keransstartedtorunon,therevolverstillclaspedinhishand,butBeatrice
heldhimback.
"No,Robert!Look!"
Infrontofthem,stretchedarmtoarmacrossthefullwidthofthestreet,
anothergroupapproached,awhite-suitedmanatitscentre.Hestrolledalong,
onethumbhookedcasuallyintohisbelt,theothersignalinghismenon,his
fingersalmosttouchingthetipofthemachetebrandishedbythemannextto
him.
Changingdirection,KeranspulledBeatricediagonallyacrossthesquare,
butthefirstgrouphadfannedoutandcutthemoff.Astarshellwentupfrom
thedeckoftheshipandilluminatedthesquareinitsroseatelight.
Beatricestopped,outofbreath,helplesslyholdingthebrokenheelofher
goldslipper.Shelookeduncertainlyatthemenclosinginonthem.
"Darling…Robert-whatabouttheship?Trytogetbackthereyourself."
Keranstookherarmandtheybackedintotheshadowsbelowtheforward
paddle,hiddenbythebladesfromtheshotgunonthebridge.Theexertionof
climbingaboardtheshipandthenrunningaboutthesquarehadexhausted
Kerans,andhislungspumpedinpainfulspasms,sothathecouldbarely
steadytherevolver.
"Kerans…"Strangman'scool,ironicvoicedriftedacrossthesquare.He
advancedatarelaxedamble,justwithinrangeoftheColtbutwellscreened
bythemenoneithersideofhim.Allcarriedmachetesandpangas,theirfaces
amiableandunhurried.
168
"Finis,Kerans…finis."StrangmanstoppedtwentyfeetfromKerans,his
sardoniclipswreathedinasoftsmile,surveyinghimwithalmostkindlypity.
"Sorry,Kerans,butyou'rebeingabitofanuisance.Throwawaythegunor
we'llkilltheDahlgirltoo."Hewaitedforafewseconds."Imeanit."
Keransfoundhisvoice."Strangman-"
"Kerans,thisisnotimeforametaphysicaldiscussion."Anoteof
annoyancecreptintohisvoice,asifheweredealingwithafractiouschild.
"Believeme,notimeforprayers,notimeforanything.Itoldyoutodropthe
gun.Thenwalkforward.MymenthinkyouabductedMissDahl,theywon't
touchher."Headded,withatouchofmenace:"Comeon,Kerans,wedon't
wantanythingtohappentoBeatrice,dowe?Thinkwhatabeautifulmaskher
facewillmake."Hetitteredinsanely."Betterthanthatoldalligatoryouwore."
Phlegmchokinghisthroat,Keransswungaroundandhandedtherevolver
toBeatrice,pressinghersmallhandsaroundthebutt.Beforetheireyescould
meethelookedaway,inhalingforthelasttimethemuskyperfumeonher
breasts,thenbegantowalkoutintothesquareasStrangmanhadordered.
Thelatterwatchedhimwithanevilsmirk,thensuddenlyleaptforwardwitha
snarl,whippingtheotherson.
AsthelongkniveslancedthroughtheairafterhimKeransturnedand
racedaroundthepaddle,tryingtoreachtheareabehindtheship.Thenhis
feetslippedinoneofthefoetidpools,beforehecouldcatchhimselfhefell
heavily.Hescrambledtohisknees,onearmraisedhelplesslytowardoffthe
circleofraisedmachetes,thenfeltsomethingseizehimfrombehindandpull
himbackwardsroughlyoffbalance.
Recoveringhisfootholdonthedampcobbles,heheardStrangmanshout
insurprise.Agroupofbrown-uniformedmen,riflesattheirhips,stepped
rapidlyfromtheshadowsbehindthedepotshipwheretheyhadbeenhiding.
Attheirheadwasthetrim,briskfigureofColonelRiggs.Twoofthesoldiers
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carriedalightmachinegun,athirdmantwoboxesofbeltammunition.They
quicklysetituponitstripodtenfeetinfrontofKerans,leveledthe
perforated,air-cooledbarrelattheconfusedmobbackingawayfromthem.
Therestofthesoldiersfannedoutinawideningsemi-circle,proddingthe
slowerofStrangman'smenwiththeirbayonets.
Mostofthecrewwereshamblingbackwardsinthegeneralmeleeacross
thesquare,butacoupleofthem,stillholdingtheirpangas,attemptedtobreak
throughthecordon.Instantlytherewasashortdecisivevolleyofshotsover
theirheads,andtheydroppedtheirknivesandfellbackmutelywiththerest.
"Okay,Strangman,thatwilldoverynicely."Riggsrappedhisbatonacross
theAdmiral'schestandforcedhimback.
Completelydisconcertedbyallthis,Strangmangapedblanklyatthe
soldiersswarmingpasthim.Hesearchedthedepotshiphelplessly,asif
expectingsomelargesiegecannontobewheeledforwardandreversethe
situation.Instead,however,twohelmetedsoldiersappearedonthebridge
withaportablesearchlight,swiveleditsbeamdownintothesquare.
Keransfeltsomeonetakehiselbow.Helookedaroundatthesolicitous
beak-likefaceofSergeantMacready,asubmachine-guninthecrookofhis
arm.AtfirsthealmostfailedtoidentifyMacready,onlywithaneffort
managedtoplacehisaquilinefeatures,likeafacedimlyrememberedacross
thespanofalifetime.
"Youallright,sir?"Macreadyaskedsoftly."Sorrytojerkyouaboutlike
that.Looksasifyou'vebeenhavingabitofapartyhere."
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13-TooSoon,TooLate
Byeighto'clockthenextmorningRiggshadstabilisedthesituationand
wasabletoseeKeransinformally.Hisheadquarterswereinthetesting
station,withacommandingviewoverthestreetsbelow,andparticularlyof
thepaddle-shipinthesquare.Strippedoftheirweapons,Strangmanandhis
crewsataroundintheshadeunderthehull,supervisedbythelightmachinegunmannedbyMacreadyandtwoofhismen.
KeransandBeatricehadspentthenightinthesick-bayaboardRiggs'
patrolcruiser,awell-armed30-tonPTboatwhichwasnowmooredagainst
thehydroplaneinthecentrallagoon.Theunithadarrivedshortlyafter
midnight,andareconnaissancepatrolreachedthetestingstationonthe
perimeterofthedrainedlagoonataboutthetimeKeransenteredStrangman's
suiteinthedepotship.Hearingtheensuinggunfire,theydescended
immediatelyintothesquare.
"IguessedStrangmanwashere,"Riggsexplained."Oneofouraerial
patrolsreportedseeingthehydroplaneaboutamonthago,andIreckoned
youmighthavealittletroublewithhimifyouwerestillhangingon.The
pretextoftryingtoreclaimthetestingstationwasafairone."Hesatonthe
edgeofthedesk,watchingthehelicoptercircletheopenstreets."Thatshould
keepthemquietforabit."
"Daleyseemstohavefoundhiswingsatlast,"Keranscommented.
"He'shadalotofpractice."RiggsturnedhisintelligenteyesonKerans,
askedcasually:"Bytheway,isHardmanhere?"
"Hardman?"Keransshookhisheadslowly."No,Ihaven'tseenhimsince
thedayhedisappeared.He'llbealongwayoffbynow,Colonel."
171
"You'reprobablyright.Ijustthoughthemightbearound."Heflashed
Keransasympatheticsmile,evidentlyhavingforgivenhimforscuttlingthe
testingstation,orsensibleenoughnottopressthemattersosoonafter
Kerans'ordeal.Hepointedtothestreetsbelowgloweringinthesunlight,the
drysiltontherooftopsandwallslikecakeddung."Prettygrimdownthere.
DamnshameaboutoldBodkin.Hereallyshouldhavecomenorthwithus."
Keransnodded,lookingacrosstheofficeatthemachetescarsslicedinto
thewoodworkaroundthedoor,partofthedamagegratuitouslyinflictedon
thestationafterBodkin'sdeath.Mostofthemesshadbeencleanedup,and
hisbody,lyingamongthebloodstainedprogrammechartsinthelaboratory
below,flownouttothepatrolcruiser.TohissurpriseKeransrealisedthat
callouslyhehadalreadyforgottenBodkinandfeltlittlemorethananominal
pityforhim.Riggs'mentionofHardmanhadremindedhimofsomethingfar
moreurgentandimportant,thegreatsunstillbeatingmagneticallywithinhis
mind,andavisionoftheendlesssandbanksandblood-redswampsofthe
southpassedbeforehiseyes.
Hewentovertothewindow,pickingasplinterfromthesleeveofhisfresh
uniformjacket,andstareddownatthemenhuddledunderthedepotship.
StrangmanandtheAdmiralhadgoneforwardtowardsthemachine-gun,and
wereremonstratingwithMacready,whowasshakinghisheadimpassively.
"Whydon'tyouarrestStrangman?"heasked.
Riggslaughedshortly."Becausethere'sabsolutelynothingIcanholdhim
on.Legally,ashefullwellknows,hewasabsolutelyentitledtodefendhimself
againstBodkin,killhimifnecessary."WhenKeranslookedroundoverhis
shoulderinsurprisehecontinued:"Don'tyouremembertheReclaimedLands
ActandtheDykesMaintenanceRegulations?They'restillverymuchinforce.
IknowStrangman'sanastypieceofwork-withthatwhiteskinandhis
alligators-butstrictlyspeakinghedeservesamedalforpumpingoutthe
172
lagoon.Ifhecomplains,I'llhaveajobexplainingthatmachine-gundown
there.Believeme,Robert,ifI'darrivedfiveminuteslaterandfoundyou
choppedtobitsStrangmancouldhaveclaimedthatyouwereanaccomplice
ofBodkin'sandI'dhavebeenabletodonothing.He'sacleverfellow."
Tiredoutafteronlythreehours'sleep,Keransleanedagainstthewindow,
smilingwanlytohimselfashetriedtoresolveRiggs'tolerantattitudetowards
Strangmanwithhisownexperiencesoftheman.Hewasconsciousthatan
evenwidergulfnowdividedRiggsandhimself.AlthoughtheColonelwas
onlyafewfeetawayfromhim,emphasisinghisargumentwithbrisk
flourishesofthebaton,hewasunabletoacceptwhollytheideaofRiggs'
reality,almostasifhisimagewerebeingprojectedintothetestingstation
acrossenormousdistancesoftimeandspacebysomeelaboratethreedimensionalcamera.ItwasRiggs,andnothimself,whowasthetime-traveler.
Keranshadnoticedasimilarlackofphysicalvalidityabouttherestofthe
crew.Manyoftheoriginalmembershadbeenreplaced-allthose,amongthem
WilsonandCaldwell,whohadbeguntoexperiencethedeepdreams.Forthis
reason,perhaps-andpartlybecauseoftheirpallidfacesandweakeyes,inso
markedcontrasttoStrangman'smen,thepresentcrewseemedflatandunreal,
movingabouttheirtaskslikeintelligentandroids.
"Whataboutthelooting?"heasked.
Riggsshrugged."Apartfromafewtrinketsfilchedfromanold
Woolworthshe'stakennothingthatcouldn'tbeputdowntonatural
exuberanceonthepartofhismen.Asforallthestatuesandsoon,he'sdoing
avaluablejobreclaimingworksofartthatwereperforceabandoned.Though
I'mnotsurewhathisrealmotivesare."HepattedKeransontheshoulder.
"You'llhavetoforgetaboutStrangman,Robert.Theonlyreasonhe'ssitting
quietnowisthatheknowshe'sgotthelawonhisside.Ifhehadn'tthere'dbe
abattleroyalgoingon."Hebrokeoff."Youlookallin,Robert.Areyoustill
gettingthesedreams?"
173
"Nowandthen."Keransshuddered."Thelastfewdayshavebeeninsane
here.It'sdifficulttodescribeStrangman-he'slikeawhitedeviloutofa
voodoocult.Ican'taccepttheideathathe'llgoscotfree.Whenareyougoing
tore-floodthelagoon?"
"Re-floodthe-?"Riggsrepeated,shakinghisheadinbewilderment.
"Robert,youreallyareoutoftouchwithreality.Thesooneryougetaway
fromherethebetter.ThelastthingIintendtodoisre-floodthelagoon.If
anybodytriesI'llpersonallyblowhisheadoff.Reclaimingland,particularlyan
urbanarealikethisrightinthecentreofaformercapitalcity,isaClassA1
priority.IfStrangmanisseriousaboutpumpingoutthenexttwolagoonshe'll
notonlygetafreepardonbutagovernor-generalshiptoboot."Helooked
downthroughthewindow,asthemetalrungsofthefireescaperanginthe
sunlight."Herehecomesnow,Iwonderwhat'sonhisevillittlemind?"
KeranswentovertoRiggs,avertinghiseyesfromthemazeoffestering
yellowrooftops."Colonel,you'vegottoflooditagain,Jawsornolaws.Have
youbeendowninthosestreets,they'reobsceneandhideous!It'sanightmare
worldthat'sdeadandfinished,Strangman'sresurrectingacorpse!Aftertwo
orthreedayshereyou'll-"
Riggsswungawayfromthedesk,cuttingKeransoff.Anelementof
impatiencecreptintohisvoice."Idon'tintendtostayhereforthreedays,"he
snappedcurtly."Don'tworry,I'mnotsufferingfromanycrazyobsessions
abouttheselagoons,floodedorotherwise.We'releavingfirstthing
tomorrow,allofus."
Puzzled,Keranssaid:"Butyoucan'tleave,Colonel.Strangmanwillstillbe
here."
"Ofcoursehewill!Doyouthinkthatpaddle-boathasgotwings?There's
noreasonforhimtoleave,ifhethinkshecantakethebigheatwavescoming
andtherain-storms.Youneverknow,ifhegetsafewofthesebigbuildings
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refrigeratedhemaybeableto.Intime,ifhereclaimsenoughofthecity,there
mightevenbeanattempttore-occupyit.WhenwegetbacktoByrdI'll
definitelyputinarecommendation,anyway.However,atpresentthere's
nothingformetostayfor-Ican'tmovethestationnow,butit'safairloss.
Anyway,youandtheDahlgirlneedarest.Andabrain-lift.Doyourealise
howluckysheistobeinonepiece?GoodGod!"Henoddedsharplyat
Kerans,standingupasafirmrapsoundedonthedoor."Youshouldbe
gratefulthatIcamehereintime."
Keranswalkedovertothesidedoorintothegalley,eagertoavoid
Strangman.HepausedforamomenttolookupatRiggs."Idon'tknowabout
that,Colonel.I'mafraidyoucametoolate."
175
14-GrandSlam
Croucheddowninasmallofficetwofloorsabovethebarrage,Kerans
listenedtothemusicplayingamidthelightsonthetopdeckofthedepot
ship.Strangman'spartywasstillinfullswing.Propelledbytwojunior
membersofthecrew,thebigpaddlesrotatedslowly,theirbladesdividingthe
colouredspotlightsandswingingthemupintothesky.Seenfromabove,the
whiteawningsresembledthemarqueeofafairground,abrilliantfocusof
noiseandfestivityinthedarkenedsquare.
AsaconcessiontoStrangman,Riggshadjoinedhimatthisfarewellparty.
Abargainhadbeenstruckbetweenthetwoleaders:earlierthemachine-gun
hadbeenwithdrawnandthelowerlevelplacedoutofboundstotheColonel's
men,whileStrangmanagreedtoremainwithintheperimeterofthelagoon
untilRiggshadleft.AlldayStrangmanandhispackhadrovedthestreets,and
therandomsoundsoflootingandfiringechoedtoandfro.Evennow,asthe
lastguests,theColonelandBeatriceDahl,leftthepartyandclimbedthefire
escapetothetestingstation,fightinghadbrokenoutondeckandbottles
werebeinghurleddownintothesquare.
Keranshadputinatokenappearanceattheparty,keepingwellawayfrom
Strangman,whomadelittleattempttotalktohim.Atonepoint,between
cabaretturns,hehadsweptpastKerans,deliberatelybrushinghiselbow,and
toastedhimwithhisgoblet.
"Ihopeyou'renottoobored,Doctor.Youlooktired."Heturnedawicked
smileonRiggs,whowassittingerectlyonatasseledsilkcushionwitha
circumspectexpressiononhisfacelikeadistrictcommissioneratapasha's
court."ThepartiesDr.KeransandIareusedtoareverydifferentaffairs,
Colonel.Theyreallygowithabang."
"SoIbelieve,Strangman,"Riggsrepliedmildly,butKeransturnedaway,
176
unable,likeBeatrice,tomaskhisrevulsionforStrangman.Shewaslooking
overhershoulderacrossthesquare,asmallfrownforamomenthidingthe
moodoftorporandself-immersiontowhichshewasagainreturning.
WatchingStrangmanfromthedistanceasheapplaudedthenextcabaret
turn,Keranswonderedwhetherinsomewayhehadpassedhispeak,andwas
beginningtodisintegrate.Henowlookedmerelyloathsome,likeadecaying
vampiregluttedwithevilandhorror.Thesometimecharmhadvanished,in
itsplaceapredatorygleam.Assoonashecould,Keransfeignedamildattack
ofmalaria,andmadehiswayoutintothedarknessandupthefireescapeto
thetestingstation.
Nowdeterminedontheonlysolutionavailable,Kerans'mindfeltclearand
coordinatedagain,extendingoutwardsbeyondtheperimeterofthelagoon.
Onlyfiftymilestothesouth,therain-cloudswerepackedtogetherintight
layers,blottingouttheswampsandarchipelagoesofthehorizon.Obscured
bytheeventsofthepastweek,thearchaicsuninhismindbeatagain
continuouslywithitsimmensepower,itsidentitymergingnowwiththatof
therealsunvisiblebehindtherain-clouds.Relentlessandmagnetic,itcalled
himsouthward,tothegreatheatandsubmergedlagoonsoftheEquator.
AssistedbyRiggs,Beatriceclimbedupontotheroofofthetestingstation,
whichalsoservedasthehelicopterlandingstage.WhenSergeantDaley
startedhisengineandtherotorsbegantospin,Keransquicklymadehisway
downtothebalconytwofloorsbelow.Separatedbyahundredyardsorsoon
eitherside,hewasdirectlybetweenthehelicopterandthebarrage,the
continuousterraceofthebuildinglinkingthethreepoints.
Behindthebuildingwasanenormousbankofsilt,reachingupwardsoutof
thesurroundingswamptotherailingsoftheterrace,ontowhichspilleda
luxuriousoutcropofvegetation.Duckingbelowthebroadfrondsofthefern
trees,heracedalongtothebarrage,fittedbetweentheendofthebuildingand
177
theshoulderoftheadjacentofficeblock.Apartfromtheexitcreekonthefar
sideofthelagoonwherethepumpingscowshadbeenstationed,thiswasthe
onlymajorentrypointforthewaterthathadpassedintothelagoon.The
originalinlet,oncetwentyyardswideanddeep,hadshrunktoanarrow
channelcloggedwithmudandfungi,itssixfoot-widemouthblockedbya
rampartofheavylogs.Initially,oncetherampartwasremoved,therateof
flowwouldbesmall,butasmoreandmoreofthesiltwascarriedawaythe
mouthwouldwidenagain.
Fromasmallcachebelowalooseflagstonehewithdrewtwosquareblack
boxes,eachcontainingsixsticksofdynamitelashedtogether.Hehadspentall
afternoonsearchingthroughthenearbybuildingsforthem,confidentthat
Bodkinhadraidedthearmouryofthebaseatthesametimethathehad
stolenthecompass,sureenoughfinallyfoundthetroveinanemptylavatory
cistern.
Asthehelicopterenginebegantofiremoreloudly,theexhaustspitting
brightlyintothedarkness,helittheshort30-secondfuse,straddledtherail
andranouttowardsthecentreofthebarrage.
Therehebentdownandsuspendedtheboxesfromasmallpeghehad
drivenintotheouterrowoflogsearlierthatevening.Theyhungsafelyoutof
view,abouttwofeetfromthewater'sedge.
"Dr.Kerans!Getawayfromthere,sir!"
KeranslookeduptoseeSergeantMacreadyatthefurtherendofthe
barrage,standingattherailofthenextroof.Heleanedforward,suddenly
spottingtheflickeringendofthefuse,thenrapidlyunslunghisThompson
gun.
Headdown,Keransracedbackalongthebarrage,reachedtheterraceas
Macreadyshoutedagainandthenfiredashortburst.Theslugstoreatthe
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railings,gougingoutpiecesofthecement,andKeransfellasoneofthe
cupronickelbulletsstruckhisrightlegjustabovetheankle.Pullinghimself
overtherail,hesawMacreadyshoulderthegunandjumpdownontothe
barrage.
"Macready!Goback!"heshoutedtotheSergeant,whowaslopingalong
thewoodenplanks."It'sgoingtoblow!"
Backingawayamongthefronds,hisvoicelostintheroarofthehelicopter
asitcarriedoutitstake-offcheck,hehelplesslywatchedMacreadystopinthe
centreofthebarrageandreachdowntotheboxes.
"Twenty-eight,twenty-nine…"Keransconcludedautomaticallytohimself.
Turninghisbackonthebarrage,helimpedawaydowntheterrace,thenthrew
himselfontothefloor.
Asthetremendousroaroftheexplosionliftedupintothedarksky,the
immensefountainoferuptingfoamandsiltbrieflyilluminatedtheterrace,
outliningKerans'spreadeagledform.Fromaninitialcrescendo,thenoise
seemedtomountinacontinuoussustainedrumble,thebreakingthunderof
theshockwaveyieldingtothelowrushoftheburstingcataract.Clodsofsilt
andtornvegetationspatteredonthetilesaroundKerans,andhestumbledto
hisfeetandreachedtherail.
Wideningashewatched,thewaterjetteddownintotheopenstreetsbelow,
carryingwithithugesectionsofthesiltbank.Therewasaconcertedrushto
thedeckofthedepotship,adozenarmspointingupatthewaterpouringout
ofthebreach.Itswilledintothesquare,onlyafewfeetdeep,blottingoutthe
firesandsplashingagainstthehulloftheship,stillrockingslightlyfromthe
impactoftheexplosion.
Then,abruptly,thelowersectionofthebarragefellforwards,abraceofa
dozentwenty-footlogsgoingdowntogether.TheU-shapedsaddleofsilt
179
behindcollapsedinturn,exposingthefullboreoftheinletcreek,andwhat
appearedtobeagiganticcubeofwaterfiftyfeethightippedintothestreet
belowlikeafloppingpieceofjelly.Withadullrumblingroarofcollapsing
buildingstheseapouredinfullflood.
"Kerans!"
Heturnedasashotwhippedoverhead,sawRiggsrunningforwardfrom
thehelicopterlandingstage,pistolinhand.Hisenginestalled,SergeantDaley
washelpingBeatriceoutofthecabin.
Thebuildingwasshakingundertheimpactofthetorrentsweepingpastits
shoulder.Supportinghisrightlegwithhishand,Keranshobbledintothelee
ofthesmalltowerwhichhadheldhispreviousobservationwindow.Fromhis
trouserbelthepulledthe.45Colt,heldthebuttinbothhandsandfiredtwice
aroundthecornerattheapproachinghatlessfigureofRiggs.Bothshotswent
wild,butRiggsstoppedandbackedoffafewfeet,takingcoverbehinda
balustrade.
FeetmovedquicklytowardshimandhelookedaroundasBeatriceraced
alongtheterrace.ReachingthecornerasRiggsandDaleyshoutedafterher,
shesankdownonherkneesbesideKerans.
"Robert,you'vegottoleave!Now,beforeRiggsbringsmoreofhismen!
Hewantstokillyou,Iknow."
Keransnodded,gettingpainfullytohisfeet."TheSergeant-Ididn'trealise
hewaspatrolling.TellRiggsI'msorry-"Hegesturedhelplessly,thentooka
lastlookatthelagoon.Theblackwatersurgedacrossitthroughthebuildings,
levelwiththetoplineoftheirwindows.Upended,itspaddlesstrippedaway,
thedepotshipdriftedslowlytowardsthefarshore,itshullstickingupinto
theairlikethebellyofanexpiringwhale.Spurtsofsteamandfoamerupted
fromitsexplodingboilers,burstingoutthroughthegashesinthehullasit
180
wasdrivenacrossthesharpreefsofthehalf-submergedcornices.Kerans
watcheditwithaquietcontainedpleasure,savouringthefreshtangthatthe
waterhadbroughtagaintothelagoon.NeitherStrangmannoranymembers
ofhiscrewwerevisible,andthefewfragmentsofsplinteredbridgeand
funnelsweptawaybythewaterwereswallowedandregurgitatedbythe
boilingundercurrents.
"Robert!Hurry!"Beatricepulledhisarm,glancingbackoverhershoulder
atthedartingfiguresofRiggsandthepilotonlyfiftyyardsaway."Darling,
whereareyougoing?I'msorryIcan'tbewithyou."
"South,"Keranssaidsoftly,listeningtotheroarofthedeepeningwater.
"Towardsthesun.You'llbewithme,Bea."
Heembracedher,thentorehimselffromherarmsandrantotherearrail
oftheterrace,pushingbacktheheavyfernfronds.Ashesteppeddownonto
thesiltbankRiggsandSergeantDaleyappearedaroundthecornerandfired
intothefoliage,butKeransduckedandranawaybetweenthecurvingtrunks,
sinkinguptohiskneesinthesoftmud.
Theedgeoftheswamphadrecededslightlyasthewaterpouredawayinto
thelagoon,andhepainfullydraggedthebulkycatamaran,home-madefrom
fourfifty-gallondrumsarrangedinparallelpairs,throughthethickrasp-weeds
tothewater.Riggsandthepilotemergedthroughthefernsashepushedoff.
Whiletheoutboardkickedintolifehelayexhaustedontheplanking,the
shotsfromRiggs'.38cuttingthroughthesmalltriangularsail.Slowlythe
intervalofwaterwidenedtoahundredandthentwohundredyards,andhe
reachedthefirstofthesmallislandsthatgrewoutoftheswampontheroofs
ofisolatedbuildings.Hiddenbythem,hesatupandreefedthesail,then
lookedbackforthelasttimeattheperimeterofthelagoon.
Riggsandthepilotwerenolongervisible,buthighuponthetowerofthe
181
buildinghecouldseethelonelyfigureofBeatrice,wavingslowlytowardsthe
swamp,changingtirelesslyfromonearmtotheother,althoughshewas
unabletodistinguishhimamongtheislands.Fartoherright,risingupabove
theencompassingsiltbanks,weretheotherfamiliarlandmarksheknewso
well,eventhegreenroofoftheRitz,fadingintothehaze.Atlastallhecould
seeweretheisolatedlettersofthegiantsloganStrangman'smenhadpainted,
loomingoutofthedarknessovertheflatwaterlikeaconcludingepitaph:
TIMEZONE.
Theopposingflowofwaterslowedhisprogress,andfifteenminuteslater,
whenthehelicopterroaredover,hehadstillnotreachedtheedgeofthe
swamp.Passingthetopfloorofasmallbuilding,heglidedinthroughoneof
thewindows,waitedquietlyastheaircraftroaredupanddown,machinegunningtheislands.
Whenitlefthepushedonagain,withinanhourfinallynavigatedtheexit
watersoftheswampandenteredthebroadinlandseathatwouldleadhimto
thesouth.Largeislands,severalhundredyardsinlength,covereditssurface,
theirvegetationcrowdingoutintothewater,theircontourscompletelyaltered
bytherisingwaterintheshortperiodthathadelapsedsincetheirsearchfor
Hardman.Shippingtheoutboard,hesetthesmallsail,madeasteadytwoor
threemilesanhourtackingacrossthelightsoutherlybreeze.
Hisleghadbeguntostiffenbelowtheknee,andheopenedthesmall
medicalkithehadpackedandwashedthewoundinapenicillinspray,then
bandagedittightly.Justbeforedawn,whenthepainbecameunbearable,he
tookoneofthemorphinetabletsandfelloffintoaloud,boomingsleep,in
whichthegreatsunexpandeduntilitfilledtheentireuniverse,thestars
themselvesjoltedbyeachofitsbeats.
Hewokeatseventhenextmorning,lyingbackagainstthemastinbright
sunlight,themedicalkitopeninhislap,thebowsofthecatamaranrammed
182
lightlyintoalargeferntreegrowingofftheedgeofasmallisland.Amile
away,flyingfiftyfeetabovethewater,thehelicopterracedalong,machinegunfireflickeringfromitscabinattheislandsbelow.Keransshippedthe
mastandglidedinunderthetree,waitinguntilthehelicopterleft.Massaging
hisleg,butfearfulofthemorphine,hemadeasmallmealofabarof
chocolate,thefirstoftenhehadbeenabletocollect.Luckilythepettyofficer
inchargeofstoresaboardthepatrolboathadbeeninstructedtogiveKerans
freeaccesstothemedicalsupplies.
Theaerialattackswereresumedathalf-hourintervals,theaircraftonce
flyingdirectlyoverhead.FromhishidingplaceinoneoftheislandsKerans
clearlysawRiggslookingoutfromthehatchway,hissmalljawjuttingfiercely.
However,themachine-gunfirebecamemoreandmoresporadic,andthe
flightswerefinallydiscontinuedthatafternoon.
Bythen,atfiveo'clock,Keranswasalmostcompletelyexhausted.The
noontemperatureofahundredandfiftydegreeshaddrainedthelifeoutof
him,andhelaylimplyunderthemoistenedsail,lettingthehotwaterdrip
downontohischestandface,prayingforthecoolerairoftheevening.The
surfaceofthewaterturnedtofire,sothatthecraftseemedtobesuspended
onacloudofdriftingflame.Pursuedbystrangevisions,hepaddledfeebly
withonehand.
183
15-TheParadisesoftheSun
Thenextday,bygoodluck,thestorm-cloudsmovedoverheadbetween
himselfandthesun,andtheairgrewmarkedlycooler,fallingtoninety-five
degreesatnoon.Themassivebanksofblackcumulus,onlyfourorfive
hundredfeetabove,dimmedtheairlikeasolareclipse,andherevived
sufficientlytostarttheoutboardandraisehisspeedtotenmilesanhour.
Circlingbetweentheislands,hemovedonsouthwards,followingthesunthat
poundedinhismind.Laterthatevening,astherain-stormslasheddown,he
feltwellenoughtostandupononelegbythemast,lettingthetorrential
burstsrainacrosshischestandstripawaytheraggedfabricofhisjacket.
Whenthefirstofthestorm-beltsmovedoffthevisibilitycleared,andhe
couldseethesouthernedgeofthesea,alineoftremendoussiltbanksovera
hundredyardsinheight.Inthespasmodicsunlighttheyglitteredalongthe
horizonlikefieldsofgold,thetopsofthejunglebeyondrisingabovethem.
Halfamilefromtheshorethereservetankoftheoutboardrandry.He
unboltedthemotorandthrewitintothewater,watcheditsinkthroughthe
brownsurfaceinafaintwreathofbubbles.Hefurledthesailandpaddled
slowlyagainstthehead-breeze.Bythetimehereachedtheshoreitwasdusk,
theshadowssweepingacrossthehugegreyslopes.Limpingthroughthe
shallows,hebeachedthecraft,thensatdownwithhisbackagainstoneofthe
drums.Staringoutovertheimmenselonelinessofthisdeadterminalbeach,
hesoonfellintoanexhaustedsleep.
Thenextmorninghedismantledthecraft,portedthesectionsonebyone
uptheenormoussludge-coveredslopes,hopingforasouthwardextensionof
thewater-way.Aroundhimthegreatbanksundulatedformiles,thecurving
dunesdottedwithcuttlefishandnautiloids.Theseawasnolongervisible,and
hewasalonewiththesefewlifelessobjects,likethedebrisofavanished
continuum,onedunegivingwaytoanotherashedraggedtheheavyfiftygallondrumsfromcresttocrest.Overheadtheskywasdullandcloudless,a
184
blandimpassiveblue,moretheinteriorceilingofsomedeepirrevocable
psychosisthanthestorm-filledcelestialspherehehadknownduringthe
previousdays.Attimes,afterhehaddroppedoneburden,hewouldtotter
downintothehollowofthewrongdune,findhimselfstumblingaboutthe
silentbasins,theirfloorscrackedintohexagonalplates,likeadreamer
searchingforaninvisibledooroutofhisnightmare.
Finallyheabandonedthecraftandtrudgedonaheadwithasmallparcelof
supplies,lookingbackasthedrumssankslowlybelowthesurface.Carefully
avoidingthequicksandsbetweenthedunes,hemovedontowardsthejungle
inthedistance,wherethegreenspiresofthegreathorsetailsandferntrees
reachedahundredfeetintotheair.
Herestedagainbelowatreeontheedgeoftheforest,carefullycleaninghis
pistol.Aheadofhimhecouldhearthebatsscreechanddiveamongthedark
trunksintheendlesstwilightworldoftheforestfloor,theiguanassnarland
lunge.Hisanklehadbeguntoswellpainfully;thecontinualextensionofthe
damagedmusclehadspreaditsoriginalinfection.Cuttingabranchoffoneof
thetrees,hehobbledforwardsintotheshadows.
Byeveningtherainfallstarted,slashingatthehugeumbrellasahundred
feetabove,theblacklightonlybrokenwhenphosphorescentriversofwater
brokeandpoureddownonhim.Frightenedofrestingforthenight,he
pressedon,shootingofftheattackingiguanas,dartingfromtheshelterofone
massivetree-trunktothenext.Hereandtherehefoundanarrowbreachin
thecanopyoverhead,andapalelightwouldilluminateasmallclearingwhere
theruinedtopfloorofasunkenbuildingloomedthroughthefoliage,therain
beatingacrossit.Buttheevidenceofanyman-madestructureswas
increasinglyscanty,thetownsandcitiesofthesouthswallowedbytherising
siltandvegetation.
Forthreedayshepushedaheadsleeplesslythroughtheforest,feedingon
185
giantberrieslikeclustersofapples,cuttingaheavierbranchasacrutch.
Periodically,tohisleft,heglimpsedthesilverbackofajungleriver,itssurface
dancingintherain-storms,butmassivemangrovesformedthebanksandhe
wasunabletoreachit.
Sohisdescentintothephantasmagoricforestcontinued,therainsweeping
relentlesslyacrosshisfaceandshoulders.Sometimesitwouldstopabruptly,
andcloudsofsteamfilledtheintervalsbetweenthetrees,hangingoverthe
waterloggedfloorlikediaphanousfleeces,onlydispersingwhenthe
downpourresumed.
Itwasduringoneoftheseintermissionsthatheclimbedasteepriseinthe
centreofabroadclearing,hopingtoescapethedrenchingmists,found
himselfinanarrowvalleybetweenwoodedslopes.Crowdedwithvegetation,
thehillsrolledaroundthevalleyliketheduneshehadcrossedearlier,
enclosinghiminagreendrippingworld.Occasionally,asthemistsswirled
andlifted,hecaughtaglimpseofthejungleriverbetweenthepeakshalfa
mileaway.Thewetskywasstainedbythesettingsun,thepalecrimsonmists
tracingthehillcrestsinthedistance.Pullinghimselfoverthewetclay-like
soil,hestumbledintowhatseemedtobetheremainsofasmalltemple.
Tiltinggatepostsledtowardsasemi-circleofshallowsteps,wherefiveruined
columnsformedaraggedentrance.Theroofhadcollapsed,andonlyafew
feetofthesidewallsstillstood.Atthefarendofthenavethebatteredaltar
lookedoutoveranuninterruptedviewofthevalley,wherethesunsank
slowlyfromsight,itsgiantorangediscveiledbythemists.
Hopingtoshelterthereduringthenight,Keranswalkeddowntheaisle,
pausinglistlesslyastherainreneweditself.Reachingthealtar,herestedhis
armsonthechest-highmarbletable,andwatchedthecontractingdiscofthe
sun,itssurfacestirringrhythmicallyliketheslagonabowlofmoltenmetal.
"Aaa-ah!"Afaintalmostinhumancrysoundedthinlyintothewetair,like
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thegroanofastrickenanimal.Keranslookedaroundhimquickly,wondering
ifaniguanahadfollowedhimintotheruin.Butthejungleandthevalleyand
thewholeplaceofstonesweresilentandmotionless,therainstreaming
acrossthecracksinthecollapsingwalls.
"Aah-ah!"Thistimethesoundcamefrominfrontofhim,somewhere
towardsthefadingsun.Thedischadpulsedagain,apparentlydrawingforth
thisstrangledresponse,halfinprotest,halfingratitude.
Wipingthemoisturefromhisface,Keranssteppedcautiouslyaroundthe
altar,drewbackwithastartwhenhealmosttrippedovertheraggedremains
ofamansittingwithhisbacktothealtar,headproppedagainstthestone.
Thesoundshadobviouslycomefromthisemaciatedfigure,butitwasso
inertandblackenedthatKeransassumeditmustbedead.
Theman'slonglegs,liketwocharredpolesofwood,stuckoutuselesslyin
frontofhim,sheathedinacollectionoftatteredblackragsandbitsofbark.
Hisarmsandsunkenchestweresimilarlyclothed,strungtogetherwithshort
lengthsofcreeper.Aonceluxuriantbutnowthinningblackbeardcovered
mostofhisface,andtherainpouredacrosshishollowedbutjuttingjaw,
whichwasraisedtothefadinglight.Fitfullythesunshoneontheexposed
skinofhisfaceandhands.Oneofthelatter,askeletalgreenclaw,suddenly
roselikeahandfromagraveandpointedatthesunasifidentifyingit,then
felllimplytotheground.Asthediscpulsedagainthefaceshowedsomeslight
reaction.Thedeeprecessesaroundthemouthandnose,thehollowedcheeks
thatencroachedsodeeplyoverthebroadjawthattheyseemedtoleaveno
spaceforthebuccalcavitywithin,filledforamomentasifasinglebreathof
lifehadpassedmomentarilythroughthebody.
Unabletoadvance,Keranswatchedthehugeemaciatedfigureonthe
groundbeforehim.Themanwasnomorethanaresurrectedcorpse,without
foodorequipment,proppedagainstthealtarlikesomeonejerkedfromhis
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graveandabandonedtoawaittheDayofJudgement.
Thenherealisedwhythemanhadfailedtonoticehim.Thedirtandraw
sun-blisteredskinaroundthedeepeyesocketsturnedthemintoblackened
funnels,atthebaseofwhichadullfesteringgleamreflectedfaintlythedistant
sun.Botheyeswerealmostcompletelyoccludedbycornealcancers,and
Keransguessedthattheywouldbeabletoseelittlemorethanthedyingsun.
Asthediscfellawaybehindthejungleinfrontofthemandtheduskswept
likeapallthroughthegreyrain,theman'sheadraiseditselfpainfully,asif
tryingtoretaintheimagethathadburntitselfsodevastatinglyuponhis
retinas,thenslumpedtoonesideagainsthisstonepillow.Fliesbeganto
swarmacrossthegroundandbuzzedoverhisstreamingcheeks.
Keransbentdowntospeaktotheman,whoseemedtosensehis
movement.Blindly,thehollowedeyessearchedthedullnimbusbesidehim.
"Hey,fellow."Hisvoicewasafeeblerasp."Youthere,soldier,comehere!
Wherehaveyoucomefrom?"Hislefthandscuttledaroundthewetstony
claylikeacrab,asiflookingforsomething.Thenheturnedbacktothe
vanishedsun,obliviousofthefliessettlingonhisfaceandbeard."It'sgone
again!Aa-aah!It'smovingawayfromme!Helpmeup,soldier,we'llfollowit.
Now,beforeitgoesforever."
HeheldhisclawouttoKerans,likeadyingbeggar.Thenhisbeadslumped
backagainandtherainpouredoverhisblackskull.
Keranskneltdown.Despitetheeffectsofthesunandrain,theremnants
oftheman'suniformtrousersshowedhimtobeanofficer.Hisrighthand,
whichhadremainedclosed,nowopenedfeebly.Inhispalmwasasmallsilver
cylinderwithacirculardial,apocketcompasscarriedinaircrewrescuekits.
"Hey,soldier!"Themanhadrevivedabruptly,hiseyelessheadturning
towardsKerans."Iorderyou,don'tleaveme!Youcanrestnow,whileIkeep
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watch.Tomorrowwe'llmoveon."
Keranssatdownbesidehim,undidhissmallparcelandbegantowipethe
rainanddeadfliesfromtheman'sface.Takingtheravagedcheeksinhis
handslikeachild's,hesaidcarefully:"Hardman,thisisKerans-Doctor
Kerans.I'llgowithyou,buttrytorest."Hardmanshowednoresponsetothe
name,hisbrowscreasingslightlyinpuzzlement.
WhileHardmanlaybackagainstthealtar,Keransbegantodigupsomeof
thecrackedflagstonesfromtheaislewithhisclaspknife,carriedthepieces
backthroughtherainandbuiltacrudestoneshelteraroundthesupinefigure,
coveringthecrackswithcreepertornfromthewalls.Althoughshieldedfrom
therain,Hardmanbecameslightlyrestlessinthedarkalcove,butsoonfell
intoashallowsleep,nowandthenbreakingintostertorousbreaths.Kerans
wentbackthroughthedarknesstothejungleedge,pickedanarmfulofedible
berriesfromthetrees,thenreturnedtotheshelterandsatbesideHardman
untilthedawnbrokeoverthehillsbehindthem.
HestayedwithHardmanforthenextthreedays,feedinghimwiththe
berriesandsprayinghiseyeswithwhatwasleftofthepenicillin.He
strengthenedthehutwithmoreoftheflagstones,andbuiltaroughpallaisse
ofleavesforthemtosleepon.DuringtheafternoonandeveningHardman
wouldsitintheopendoorway,watchingthedistantsunthroughthemists.In
theintervalsbetweenthestormsitsrain-washedbeamslithisgreen-tinged
skinwithastrangeintenseglow.HefailedtorememberKerans,and
addressedhimsimplyas'Soldier',sometimesrousinghimselffromhistorpor
toissueaseriesofdisconnectedordersforthemorrow.Increasingly,Kerans
feltthatHardman'srealpersonalitywasnowsubmergeddeepwithinhis
mind,andthathisexternalbehaviourandresponsesweremerelypallid
reflectionsofthis,overlayedbyhisdeliriumandexposuresymptoms.Kerans
guessedthathissighthadbeenlostaboutamonthearlier,andthathehad
crawledinstinctivelytothehighergroundsupportingtheruin.Fromtherehe
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couldbestperceivethesun,thesoleentitynowstrongenoughtoimpingeits
imageuponhisfadingretinas.
OntheseconddayHardmanbegantoeatvoraciously,asifpreparing
himselfforanotheradvancethroughthejungle,bytheendofthethirdday
hadconsumedseveralbunchesofthegiantberries.Thestrengthseemedto
returnsuddenlytohisgreatraggedframe,andduringtheafternoonhe
managedtosupporthimselfonhislegs,leaningbackagainstthedoorwayas
thesunsankbehindthewoodedhills.WhetherhenowrecognisedKeransthe
latterwasunsure,butthemonologueofordersandinstructionsceased.
Keransfeltlittlesurprisewhenhewokethenextmorningandfound
Hardmanhadgone.Rousinghimselfinthethindawnlight,Keranslimped
downthevalleytowardstheedgeoftheforest,whereasmallstreamforked
onitswaytowardsthedistantriver.Helookedupatthedarkboughsofthe
ferntreeshanginginthesilence.FeeblyheshoutedHardman'sname,
listeningtoitsmutedechoesfallawayamongthesombertrunks,andthen
returnedtothehut.HeacceptedHardman'sdecisiontomoveonwithout
comment,assumingthathemightormightnotseethemanagaininthe
courseoftheircommonodysseysouthwards.Aslongashiseyeswerestrong
enoughtosensethedistantsignalstransmittedbythesun,andaslongasthe
iguanasfailedtoscenthim,Hardmanwouldmoveforwardsfeelinghisway
throughtheforesthandoverhand,headraisedtothesunlightbreaking
amongthebranches.
Keranswaitedafurthertwodaysatthehut,incaseHardmanchoseto
return,thensetouthimself.Hismedicalsupplieswerenowexhausted,andall
hecarriedwasabagofberriesandtheColt,containingtwoshells.Hiswatch
wasstillrunning,andheuseditasacompass,alsokeepingacarefulrecordof
thepassageofthedaysbynotchinghisbelteachmorning.
Followingthevalley,hewadedthroughtheshallowstream,intendingto
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reachtheshoresofthedistantriver.Intermittentlyheavyrain-stormsbeatthe
surfaceofthewater,butthesenowseemedconcentratedduringafewhours
intheafternoonandevening.
Whenthecourseoftheriverrequiredhimtomoveinawesterlydirection
forseveralmilestoreachitsbanks,hegaveuptheattemptandpressedon
southwards,leavingthedeeperjungleofthehillregionandenteringalighter
forest,whichinturngavewaytolargetractsofswamp.
Skirtingthese,heabruptlysteppedoutontotheshoresofanimmense
lagoon,overamileindiameter,ringedbyabeachofwhitesand,through
whichprotrudedthetopfloorsofafewruinedapartmenthouses,likebeach
chaletsseenatadistance.Inoneoftheseherestedforaday,tryingtomend
hisankle,whichhadbecomeblackandswollen.Lookingoutfromthe
windowatthediscofwater,hewatchedtheafternoonraindischargeitself
intothesurfacewithrelentlessfury;asthecloudsmovedawayandthewater
smootheditselfintoaglasssheetitscoloursseemedtorecapitulateallthe
changeshehadwitnessedinhisdreams.
Thathehadtravelledoverahundredandfiftymilessouthwardhecould
tellfromthemarkedriseintemperature.Againtheheathadbecomeallpervading,risingtoahundredandfortydegrees,andhefeltreluctanttoleave
thelagoon,withitsemptybeachesandquietringofjungle.Forsomereason
heknewthatHardmanwouldsoondie,andthathisownlifemightnotlong
survivethemassiveunbrokenjunglestothesouth.
Halfasleep,helaybackthinkingoftheeventsofthepastyearsthathad
culminatedintheirarrivalatthecentrallagoonsandlaunchedhimuponhis
neuronicodyssey,andofStrangmanandhisinsanealligators,and,withadeep
pangofregretandaffection,holdinghermemoryclearlybeforehismindas
longashecould,ofBeatriceandherquickeningsmile.
Atlasthetiedthecrutchtohislegagain,andwiththebuttoftheempty.45
191
scratchedonthewallbelowthewindow,surethatno-onewouldeverread
themessage:
27thday.Haverestedandammovingsouth.
Alliswell.
Kerans.
Soheleftthelagoonandenteredthejungleagain,withinafewdayswas
completelylost,followingthelagoonssouthwardthroughtheincreasingrain
andheat,attackedbyalligatorsandgiantbats,asecondAdamsearchingfor
theforgottenparadisesoftherebornSun.
TheEnd
ThisfilewascreatedwithBookDesignerprogram
[email protected]
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LRStoLRFparserv.0.9;MikhailSharonov,2006;msh-tools.com/ebook/
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TableofContents
-Contents1-OntheBeachattheRitz
2-TheComingoftheIguanas
3-TowardsaNewPsychology
4-TheCausewaysoftheSun
5-DescentintoDeepTime
6-TheDrownedArk
7-CarnivalofAlligators
8-TheManwiththeWhiteSmile
9-ThePoolofThanatos
10-SurpriseParty
11-"TheBalladofMistahBones"
12-TheFeastofSkulls
13-TooSoon,TooLate
14-GrandSlam
15-TheParadisesoftheSun
193
TableofContents
-Contents1-OntheBeachattheRitz
2-TheComingoftheIguanas
3-TowardsaNewPsychology
4-TheCausewaysoftheSun
5-DescentintoDeepTime
6-TheDrownedArk
7-CarnivalofAlligators
8-TheManwiththeWhiteSmile
9-ThePoolofThanatos
10-SurpriseParty
11-"TheBalladofMistahBones"
12-TheFeastofSkulls
13-TooSoon,TooLate
14-GrandSlam
15-TheParadisesoftheSun
194