Astounding Science Fiction Stories Vol 1

by Anthology

  "Because if we ever land in court. I want you to be able to say under oath, 'He didn't tell me what he planned to do.'"

  "I don't like that."

  "I don't care if you like it or not. Tell me, what's the one basic thing that stands out in your mind about these--entities?"

  "That they're ..."

  "Fragile?"

  "Yes--fragile."

  "Give me some more coffee."

  * * * * *

  Lorry demanded to know what was in Pete's mind. All she got was kissed, and she did not see Pete again until eleven o'clock that night. He found her in the corridor in Maternity and motioned her toward the nursery. He carried a tray under a white towel. He said, "You watch the door. I'm going inside. I'll be about a half an hour."

  "What are you going to do?"

  "You stay out here and mind your business. Your business will be to steer any nosey party away. If you can't, make noise coming in."

  Doc Pete turned away and entered the nursery. Lorry stood at the doorway, in the silence, under the brooding night-light, and prayed.

  Twenty-five minutes later, Pete came out. His face was white and drawn. He looked like a man who had lately had a preview of Hell's inverted pleasures. His hands trembled. The towel still covered the tray. He said, "Watch them close. Don't move ten steps from here." He started away--turned back. "All hell is scheduled to break loose in this hospital shortly. Let's hope God remains in charge."

  Lorry saw the sick dread of his heart underneath his words.

  * * * * *

  It could have been a major scandal. An epidemic of measles on the maternity floor of a modern hospital indicates the unforgivable medical sin--carelessness. It was hushed up as much as possible, pending the time when the top people could shake off the shock and recover their wits. The ultimate recovery of thirty babies was a tribute to everyone concerned.

  Wan, done-in, Doc Pete drank coffee in Lorry's room. Lorry gave him three lumps of sugar and said, "But are you sure the sickness killed the entities?"

  "Quite sure. Somehow they knew when I made the injections. They screamed. They knew they were done for."

  "It took courage. Tell me: why are you so strong, so brave? Why are you so wonderful?"

  "Cut it out. I was scared stiff. If one baby had died, I'd have gone through life weighing the cure against the end. It isn't easy to risk doing murder--however urgent the need."

  She leaned across and kissed him. "And you were all alone. You wouldn't let me help. Was that fair?"

  He grinned, then sobered. "But I can't help remembering what that--that invisible monster said: 'Never before has a whole swarm gotten through. Only a single entity on rare occasions.'

  "I can't help wondering what happens to those single entities. I think of the newspaper headlines I've seen: Child Kills Parents in Sleep. Youth Slays Father. I'll probably always wonder--and I'll always remember...."

  Lorry got up and crossed to him and put her arms around him. "Not always," she whispered. "There will be times when I'll make you forget. For a little while, anyhow."