The Gods Themselves Part 29

"Is she the result of the one-time genetic engineering program?"'

"I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if that were so, however."

"Do you trust her?"

"In what way? She has helped me."

"Do you know that she is the wife of Dr. Barron Neville?"

"There is an emotional connection; not a legal one, I believe."

"None of the connections are what we would call legal here on the Moon. The same Neville you want to invite as third author of the paper you are to write?"

"Yes."

"Is that merely a coincidence?"

"No. Neville was interested in my arrival and I believe he asked Selene to help me in my work."

"Did she tell you this?"

"She said he was interested in me. That was natural enough, I suppose."

"Does it occur to you, Dr. Denison, that she may be working in her own interests and in those of Dr. Neville?"

"In what way would their interests differ from ours? She has helped me without reservation."

Gottstein shifted position and moved his shoulders as though he were going through muscle-pulling exercises. He said, "Dr. Neville must know that a woman so close to himself is an Intuitionist. Wouldn't he use her? Why would she remain a tourist guide, if not to mask her abilities-for a purpose."

"I understand Dr. Neville frequently reasons in this fashion. I find it difficult to suspect unnecessary conspiracies."

"How do you know they are unnecessary.... When my s.p.a.ce-skipper was hovering over the Moon's surface just before the ball of radiation formed over your equipment, I was looking down at you. You were not at the Pionizer."

Denison thought back. "No, I wasn't I was looking at the stars; rather a tendency of mine on the surface."

"What was Miss Lindstrom doing?"

"I didn't see. She said she strengthened the magnetic field and the leak finally broke through."

"Is it customary for her to manipulate the equipment without you?"

"No. But I can understand the impulse."

"And would there have been some sort of an ejection?"

"I don't understand you."

"I'm not sure I understand myself. There was a dim sparkle in the Earthlight, as though something was flying through the air. I don't know what."

"I don't either," said Denison.

"You can't think of anything that might naturally have to do with the experiment that-"

"No."

'Then what was Miss Lindstrom doing?"

"I still don't know."

For a moment, the silence was heavy between them. Then the Commissioner said, "As I see it then, you will try to correct the leak-instability and will be thinking about the preparation of a paper. I will get matters into motion at the other end and on my shortly forthcoming visit to Earth will make arrangements to have the paper published and will alert the government."

It was a clear dismissal. Denison rose and the Commissioner said easily, "And think about Dr. Neville and Miss Lindstrom."

17.

It was a heavier star of radiation, a fatter one, a brighter one. Denison could feel its warmth on his faceplate, and backed away. There was a distinct x-ray component in the radiation and though this shielding should take care of that there was no point in placing it under a strain.

"I guess we can't question it," he muttered. "The leak-point is stable."

"I'm sure of it," said Selene, flatly.

"Then let's turn it off and go back to the city."

They moved slowly and Denison felt oddly dispirited. There was no uncertainty any more; no excitement. From this point on, there was no chance of failure. The government was interested; more and more, it would be out of his own hands.

He said, "I suppose I can begin the paper now."

"I suppose so," said Selene, carefully.

"Have you talked to Barren again?"

"Yes, I have,"

"Any difference in his att.i.tude?"

"None at all. He will not partic.i.p.ate. Ben-"

"Yes?"

"I really don't think it's any use talking to him. He will not cooperate in any project with the Earth government"

"But you've explained the situation?"

"Completely."

"And he still won't."

"He's asked to see Gottstein, and the Commissioner agreed to an interview after he returns from his Earth visit Well have to wait till then. Maybe Gottstein can have some effect on him, but I doubt it."

Denison shrugged, a useless maneuver inside his s.p.a.ce-suit. "I don't understand him."

"I do," said Selene, softly.

Denison did not respond directly. He shoved the Pionizer and its attendant apparatus into its rocky shelter and said, "Ready?"

"Ready."

They slipped into the surface entrance at Outlet P-4 in silence and Denison climbed down the entry ladder. Selene dropped past him, braking in quick holds at individual rungs. Denison had learned to do that, but he was dispirited and climbed down in a kind of rebellious refusal to accept acclimation.

They removed their suits in the staging areas, placed them in their lockers. Denison said, "Would you join me for lunch, Selene?"

Selene said uneasily, "You seem upset. Is something wrong?"

"Reaction, I think. Lunch?"

"Yes, of course."

They ate in Selene's quarters. She insisted, saying, "I want to talk to you and I can't do it properly in. the cafeteria."

And when Denison was chewing slowly at something that had a faint resemblance to peanut-flavored veal, she said, "Ben, you haven't said a word, and you've been like this for a week."

"No, I haven't," said Denison, frowning.

"Yes, you have." She looked into his eyes with concern. "I'm not sure how good my intuition is outside physics, but I suppose there's something you don't want to tell me."

Denison shrugged. "They're making a fuss about all this back on Earth. Gottstein has been pulling at strings as tough as cables in advance of his trip back. Dr. Lament is being lionized, and they want me to come back once the paper is written."

"Back to Earth?"

"Yes. It seems I'm a hero, too."

"You should be."

"Complete rehabilitation," said Denison, thoughtfully," is what they offer. It's clear I can get a position in any suitable university or government agency on Earth."

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

"It's what I imagine Lament wants, and would enjoy, and will certainly get. But I don't want it."

Selene said, "What do do you want then?" you want then?"

"I want to stay on the Moon."

"Why?"

"Because it's the cutting edge of humanity and I want to be part of that cutting edge. I want to work at the establishment of cosmeg pumps and that will be only here on the Moon. I want to work on para-theory with the kind of instruments you can dream up and handle, Selene. ... I want to be with you, Selene. But will you stay with me?"

"I am as interested in para-theory as you are." Denison said, "But won't Neville pull you off the job now?"

"Barren pull me off?" She said, tightly, "Are you trying to insult me, Ben?"

"Not at all."

"Well, then, do I misunderstand you? Are you suggesting that I'm working with you because Barron ordered me to?"

"Didn't he?"

"Yes, he did. But that's not why I'm here. I choose choose to be here. He may think he can order me about but he can only do so when his orders coincide with my will, as in your case they did. I resent his thinking he can order me otherwise, and I resent your thinking it, too." to be here. He may think he can order me about but he can only do so when his orders coincide with my will, as in your case they did. I resent his thinking he can order me otherwise, and I resent your thinking it, too."

"You two are s.e.x-partners."

"We have been, yes, but what has that to do with it? By that argument, I can order him about as easily as he me."

"Then you can can work with me, Selene?" work with me, Selene?"

"Certainly," she said, coldly. "If I choose to."

"But do you choose to?"

"As of now, yes."

And Denison smiled. "The chance that you might not choose to, or even might not be able to, is, I think, what has really been worrying me this past week. I dreaded the end of the project if it meant the end of you. I'm sorry, Selene, I don't mean to plague you with a sentimental attachment of an old Earthie-"

"Well, there's nothing old Earthie about your mind, Ben. There are other attachments than s.e.xual. I like being with you."

There was a pause and Denison's smile faded, then returned, perhaps a thought more mechanically. "I'm glad for my mind."

Denison looked away, shook his head slightly, then turned back. She watched him carefully, almost anxiously.

Denison said, "Selene, there's more than energy involved in the cross-Universe leaks. I suspect you've been thinking about that."

The silence stretched out now, painfully, and finally Selene said, "Oh, that-"

For a while the two stared at each other-Denison embarra.s.sed, Selene almost furtive.

18.