First there had been the tyranny of Pax, which had been man-made and so understandable, in all its narrow cruelty, because it had been the work of human beings. And now this-which man dared not-touch!
Kimber had regained control of himself. There was even a trace of the familiar impish grin on his face as he said:
When the fighting is the toughest, thats when our breed digs in toes. And we neednt borrow trouble. Get Kordov and Harmon in here. If we are going to discuss the offer of the mermen we want them to know what to expect from overseas.
But- to Dards dismay-the projection of Those Others tapes aroused in Harmon no more than a vague uneasiness -though it shook Kordov. And, as they insisted on the rest of the men viewing it, they discovered that it varied in its effects upon different individuals. Rogan, sensitive to communication devices, almost fainted after a few moments strict attention. Santee admitted that he did not like it but couldnt say why. But, in the end, the weight of evidence was that they could not hope to deal with Those Others.
Im still sayin, Harmon insisted, that we shouldnt get pulled into anything them sea people has started. You say them pictures make Those Others regular devils. Well, theyre still across the sea. We shouldnt go lookin for trouble-then maybe we dont find none!
Were not suggesting an expeditionary force, Tim, Kimber answered mildly. But if they are alive overseas they may just get the idea to reclaim this land-and youd want to know about it ahead of time if they did. The mermen will keep us informed. Then we could supply them with better arms.
Yeah, and right there youve got trouble! You make sea-goin ray guns and the first thing you know theyre gonna use em. They hate Those Others dont they? Back on earth we picked off a Peaceman whenever we got the chance, didnt we? And let that happen a coupla times and Those Others are gonna come lookin for where those new guns came from. I aint sayin we oughta turn our backs on the mermen-they seem peaceful. But were plain foolish if we get mixed up in any war of theirs. I said it before and Im gonna keep on sayin it!
All right, Tim. And youre speaking the truth. But this is good land, aint it?
Sure, its good land! Were gonna have a mighty fine farm here. But farmin and fightin dont mix. What about that fella what lived fight over there? He didnt live out the last war, did he?
Suppose they want this good land back? How long can we defend it?
For the first time a shadow of doubt appeared in Tim Harmons eyes.
Okay! he flung up a hand in surrender. Ill go with you halfway. I say be friends with the mermen and help em-some. But Im not gonna vote for no gangin up with em in a private war!
Thats all we want you to do, Tim. Well ally with the mermen and make plans for defense, Kordov soothed him.
Dard smiled wryly. Inside he was amused, amused and tired. They had come across the galaxy to escape to freedom, only to live again under the shadow of fear. It was a long way to travel to come-home!
A new frontier to guard. What was that thing Kimber had once quoted while standing on a mountainside in the Terran winter?
"Frontiers of any type, physical or mental, are but a challenge to our breed. Nothing can stop the questing of men, not even Man. If we will it, not only the wonders of space, but the very stars are ours!
They had known the wonders of space, the stars were theirs-if they could hold them! But who-or what-dared to say that they could not? Why, Dard savored the new pride growing hotly within him, they had broken the bonds of space-
There was a wide world before them, unlimited in its possibilities. On distant Terra this ill-assorted group had drawn into tight alliance because they believed alike-in what? Freedom-Mans freedom! They had faced the sterility of Pax clear-eyed and refused to be bound by it- entrusting their lives to the knowledge Pax had outlawed- and it had brought them here. They-if they willed it-worked for a united goal-they could do anything!
Dards eyes were on the painted cliffs but inwardly he saw beyond-across the wide and waiting land. Alliance with the merpeople-taming of the land-building a new civilization-his breath came faster. Why a lifetime was not going to be time enough to do everything that even he could see had to be done.
Could their breed be defeated? He gave his answer to the uncertain future with a single word: