on. He read the report again.
"No evidence of mental senility," it said in part. "Micro-samples ofbrain cells seem to be taken from someone about forty or fifty. Physicalreactions are slow but firm and consistent. There are puzzling aspects.Certain obscure functions apparently are those of septuagenarians.Others are in keeping with the mental age. The weakest organs govern, ofcourse; they should live another thirty years, as if they really were intheir seventies. However, locomotion and judgment should not be impaireduntil the very end. Query: Are you sure these are the people I wassupposed to examine? I couldn't find that deep, inoperable, thoughnon-malignant tumor the man was supposed to have."
Marlowe folded and refolded the report. Radiation could kill. But itcould also cure. It was a standard treatment. But never so drastic andnot on the aged for this purpose. He had come at once on two monumentaldiscoveries, both by accident. How many discoveries _were_ accidental?
These two wouldn't live longer, but they would have a better life and infull possession of their senses.
"Sure, we borrowed--stole the ship," said Ethan abruptly, interruptingMarlowe's thoughts. "You got it back, but that don't change things.We've got money. We might have enough to pay for most of the fuel."
"It's not necessary. We'll charge it off as an experiment." Marlowetried to frown. Perhaps he succeeded. "In return for not prosecuting, Iwant you to abandon your pension and go to work for InterplanetTransport."
Ethan's joints creaked as he sat up eagerly. "Work it off? Sounds fair."There were wrinkles on his face and there never would be any less, butthey weren't as deep as they had been, not when they formed the networkof a smile. "I can sweep out a ship. Maybe you'd even let me go on atrip once in a while. I could be a cabin boy."
They had been considered useless and incapable for so long that theystill didn't realize what he was saying. They weren't childish, but theythought they were. Re-education would have to proceed slowly.
"I had a trip in mind for you," said Marlowe. "And Amantha will have togo to work, too."
"Young man, it's been a long time since I cooked anything but onecanalberry shortcake, but you just watch what I can stir up."
"I've got just the place for you," Marlowe answered. "One morestipulation--don't talk about your experiences. If reporters comearound, and I think they will, say merely that we traced the ship and,after conferring with you, decided to drop all charges. Understand?"
Amantha nodded. "Look bad for you, wouldn't it? Not guarding the shipsany better than that, I mean."
He was thankful their minds had merely been resharpened, that they wouldnever regain their original edge. She was right--it _would_ look bad.Also, the company had competitors. And by the time _they_ got wind ofit, he wanted to have a head-start. Only a few of the aged would fit inwith his plans, though the rest would benefit, and by more than a changeof status.
Marlowe nodded. "That's it. Report tomorrow and we'll go over yourassignments."
"Guess you don't know what we're like," said Ethan. "We've hardly seenour littlest grandson yet. What do you suppose we stole--experimentedwith the ship for?"
Marlowe watched them go and, as the door closed, began to writehurriedly. The others would be here soon. He wanted to have itsummarized by the time they arrived.
Half an hour later, he looked at what he'd put down. It was on the backof the medical report.
"Memo: Change the design of our lastest ship. Instead of a heavy-hulled,superfast rocket, requiring the utmost in bodily coordination andstamina, reverse every specification. Permeability to radiation noobjection."
He chuckled. Demarest would threaten to resign. It violated everyprecept he had ever learned. But the engineer would change his mind whenhe saw the rest of it.
* * * * *
Marlowe read on: "Top speed need not be high. Emphasis should be placedon safety. Must be maneuverable by operators whose reactive time is notfast, but whose judgment and foresight are trustworthy. Stresssimplicity.
"Memo No. 2: Inaugurate another class of service. In addition to fastspeedy passages when planets are close, a freight system that canoperate continuously is now possible. The planets will open up faster ifa steady supply route can be maintained. Older passengers will be amainstay, especially since therapeutic value is sure to be disclosed.Estimated time to prepare for first run--one year minimum.
"Memo No. 3: Recruiting. Do not overlook the most unlikely skill. It mayindicate undisclosed ability of high order.
"Training: Blank. Improvise as you go along!"
Marlowe got up. He thought he heard planes overhead. If so, he hadsomething for them. He'd have to argue, but he felt up to it. The sandhad disappeared from his eyes. His step was lighter, too.
And that was because of another item he hadn't written down. He wouldn'tforget.
He was in the mid-forties and would have to begin learning. It was theawkward age--too old--too young. He couldn't hope to pilot themurderously fast ships currently in use. And he couldn't take his placein the clumsy tubs that would soon be swinging between the planets,opening up space to commerce. He would have to wait, but what he learnednow would be useful some day. It would be better integrated for havingbeen long buried in his memory.
A vintage aspiration.
When he was immune to the mutating effects of radiation, old and nearlysleepless, he could retire from this career--into a better one.
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends