One Step from Earth
Harry Harrison
Language: English
Pages: 0
ISBN: 0812539729
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
After years of research, man's dream of instantaneous transportation through the universe has been realized. Humanity begins to explore, settle and colonize throughout the universe, but in doing so finds itself changing. From the author of "Stainless Steel Rat".
"Transmitting," he said. "Here, send this," Stan said, scribbling How do you read us? on a piece of paper. He threw it far out into the center of the screen and it sank from sight. "Now receive." Aldo flipped the switch and the surface of the screen changed. Nothing else happened. For a heartbeat of time they watched, unmoving, not breathing, staring at that barren surface. Then, with smooth sinuousness, a length of recording tape sprang into existence and, bent by its own weight, curved and
in his rocket unit had detected a mass ahead and had directed that he be turned end for end. Once this was done he knew that the combat computer would cut free and turn control over to the tiny set-down computer that was part of his radar. His rockets blasted, strong now, punching the supports up against him, and he looked down past his feet at the growing dark shape that occulted the stars. With a roar, loud in the silence, his headphones burst into life. "Went, went, gone hungry. Went, went
throwing out handfuls of coins of small denomination. "How very nice for you," Osie said, bestowing smiles as well, "and for me too, of course. But are the people happy?" "As pigs in a parsley patch. Because I really am benevolent. They have all of the benefits of science without the foul by-products or responsibilities. No smog, no pollution, no industry. No endless years at school to compete for a place in a technocratic society. No schools for that matter, so happy children are everywhere.
dressings set. Your name and citizen's number." He punched Jomfri's data into the computer, then looked expressionless at the screen. "You see," Jomfri shouted happily. "It was a mistake. I'll file no complaints. Free me now, it is all I ask." "You are guilty," the doctor said quietly. "You were sent here." "Impossible!" Jomfri was justifiably angry. "Some trick. I demand you tell me what I have been charged with." The doctors looked at his instruments. "Blood pressure, brain waves, normal
only object in the stone cell was a large, covered ceramic vessel. He looked at the stock of his gun where he had pasted his instructions. Next to the number for this location was the notation destroy gun. Jagen peeled off the instructions and slipped them into his belt pouch. He took the lid from the vessel and turned away, coughing, as the fumes rose up. This bubbling, hellish brew would dissolve anything. With well-practiced motions he released the plastic stock from the weapon, then dropped