The Region Between
Harlan Ellison
Language: English
Pages: 33
ISBN: 2:00351554
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
The Region Between first appeared in Galaxy back in 1970. It had originally been commissioned as one of a set of stories by different authors who all used a common starting point as set out in the story's prologue, written by Keith Laumer. Ellison's contribution was a longer work than one usually expects from him, but it nevertheless sustains its bombardment of ideas and feelings throughout. What's more, Ellison created a story that demanded a different format to allow for full expression. The result was a typesetter's nightmare but, as you will see, the experience now only makes this story all the more fascinating, it actually takes you into the story itself.
something.” “I’m trying to tell you that the gestalt spore grabbed you, to get a line on what was happening with the invaders, but you’ve been sitting here for some time, musing to yourself – which, being instantaneously communicative throughout the many parts of the whole, is a concept they can’t grasp – and so it’s getting ready to digest you.” The stalker blinked his thirty eyes very rapidly. “The spore thing?” “Uh-uh. All the spores eat are the hookworms. The bark’s starting to look at you
forward again. The same procedure was repeated at the next spore. And the next, and the next. The hookworm followed the stalker through the tunnels. Some miles away, the Filonii stared into their screen as a strange procession of red spores formed in the shape of a long thick hawser-like chain emerged from the forest and began to encircle the ship. “Repulsors?” Kicker asked. “Not yet, they haven’t made a hostile move,” the Homer said. “The cat could have won them somehow. This may be a
also given a wondrous narcotic called Nodabit. The Humans were given Euthanasia Centers. And from these diverse channels the Succubus received a steady supply of prime souls. He received Flashers and skimmers and Condolis and ether-breathers and Amassanii and perambulators and Bunanits and gill-creatures and . . . William Bailey. Trapped in the lens of the Succubus. 1¾ Bailey, cosmic nothingness, electrical potential spread out to the ends of the universe and beyond, nubbin’d his thoughts.
and gave it to Pinkh. The subaltern marveled again at how old the briefing officer must be: the hair of his chest was almost gray. “Sir,” Pinkh began. Then stopped. The briefing officer raised a palm. “I understand, Subaltern. Even to the most reverent among us there come moments of confusion.” Pinkh smiled. He did understand. “Lords,” Pinkh said, palming the briefing officer with fullness and propriety. “Lords,” he replied, palming honor in the dying. Pinkh left the briefing officer’s
listen don’t do that I’ve been someplace you haven’t been and I can tell you about the Lords oh this can’t be happening to me not to me I’m a devout man fuck that garbage listen to me they lost you man they lost you to a soul stealer and they had to get you back because you were their specially programmed killer they want you to Lord oh Lord of Propriety hear me now hear me your most devout worshipper forgive these blasphemous thoughts I can’t control you any more you idiot I’m fading fading