ARENA

by Fredric Brown CARSON OPENED HIS EYES, and found him e!f !oo"in# u$ward in%o a f!ic"erin# b!ue dimne & I% wa ho%, and he wa !yin# on and, and a roc" embedded in %he and wa hur%in# hi bac"& He ro!!ed o'er %o hi ide, off %he roc", and %hen $u hed him e!f u$ %o a i%%in# $o i%ion& (I(m cra)y,( he %hou#h%& (Cra)y ** or dead ** or ome%hin#&( +he and wa b!ue, bri#h% b!ue& And %here wa n(% any uch %hin# a bri#h% b!ue and on Ear%h or any of %he $!ane% & B!ue and under a b!ue dome %ha% wa n(% %he "y nor ye% a room, bu% a circum cribed area ** omehow he "new i% wa circum cribed and fini%e e'en %hou#h he cou!dn(% ee %o %he %o$ of i%& He $ic"ed u$ ome of %he and in hi hand and !e% i% run %hrou#h hi fin#er & I% %ric"!ed down on %o hi bare !e#& Bare, He wa %ar" na"ed, and a!ready hi body wa dri$$in# $er $ira%ion from %he ener'a%in# hea%, coa%ed b!ue wi%h and where'er and had %ouched i%& E! ewhere hi body wa whi%e& He %hou#h%- %hen %hi and i rea!!y b!ue& If i% eemed b!ue on!y becau e of %he b!ue !i#h%, %hen I(d be b!ue a! o& Bu% I(m whi%e, o %he and i b!ue& B!ue and- %here i n(% any b!ue and& +here i n(% any $!ace !i"e %hi $!ace I(m in& Swea% wa runnin# down in hi eye & I% wa ho%, ho%%er %han he!!& On!y he!! ** %he he!! of %he ancien% ** wa u$$o ed %o be red and no% b!ue& ri'a! cou%er ** %he Ou% ider hi$ ** had come wi%hin ran#e of hi de%ec%or / No one "new who %he Ou% ider were, wha% %hey !oo"ed !i"e, or from wha% far #a!a0y %hey came, o%her %han %ha% i% wa in %he #enera! direc%ion of %he P!eiade & Fir %, %here had been $oradic raid on Ear%h co!onie and ou%$o % 1 i o!a%ed ba%%!e be%ween Ear%h $a%ro! and ma!! #rou$ of Ou% ider $ace hi$ 1 ba%%!e ome%ime won and ome%ime !o %, bu% ne'er re u!%in# in %he ca$%ure of an a!ien 'e e!& Nor had any member of a raided co!ony e'er ur'i'ed %o de cribe %he Ou% ider who had !ef% %he hi$ , if indeed %hey had !ef% %hem& No% %oo eriou a menace, a% fir %, for %he raid had no% been numerou or de %ruc%i'e& And indi'idua!!y, %he hi$ had $ro'ed !i#h%!y inferior in armamen% %o %he be % of Ear%h( fi#h%er , a!%hou#h omewha% u$erior in $eed and maneu'erabi!i%y& A ufficien% ed#e in $eed, in fac%, %o #i'e %he Ou% ider %heir choice of runnin# or fi#h%in#, un!e urrounded& Ne'er%he!e , Ear%h had $re$ared for eriou %roub!e, bui!din# %he mi#h%ie % armada of a!! %ime& I% had been wai%in# now, %ha% armada, for a !on# %ime& Now %he howdown wa comin#& Scou% %wen%y bi!!ion mi!e ou% had de%ec%ed %he a$$roach of a mi#h%y f!ee% of %he Ou% ider & +ho e cou% had ne'er come bac", bu% %heir radio%ronic me a#e had& And now Ear%h( armada, a!! %en %hou and hi$ and ha!f*mi!!ion fi#h%in# $acemen, wa ou% %here, ou% ide P!u%o( orbi%, wai%in# %o in%erce$% and ba%%!e %o %he dea%h&

Bu% if %hi $!ace wa n(% he!!, wha% wa i%, On!y .ercury, amon# %he $!ane% , had hea% !i"e %hi and %hi wa n(% .ercury& And .ercury wa ome four bi!!ion mi!e from And an e'en ba%%!e i% wa #oin# %o be, 2ud#in# by %he &&& From, ad'ance re$or% of %he men of %he far $ic"e% !ine who I% came bac" %o him %hen, where he(d been- in %he !i%%!e had #i'en %heir !i'e %o re$or% ** before %hey had died one*man cou%er, ou% ide %he orbi% of P!u%o, cou%in# a ** on %he i)e and %ren#%h of %he a!ien f!ee%& can% mi!!ion mi!e %o one ide of %he Ear%h Armada drawn u$ in ba%%!e array %here %o in%erce$% %he Ou% ider & +ha% udden %riden% rin#in# of %he a!arm be!! when %he

Anybody( ba%%!e, wi%h %he ma %ery of %he o!ar y %em han#in# in %he ba!ance, on an e'en chance& A !a % and on!y chance, for Ear%h and a!! her co!onie !ay a% %he u%%er mercy of %he Ou% ider if %hey ran %ha% #aun%!e% **

Oh ye & Bob Car on remembered now& He remembered %ha% %riden% be!! and hi !ea$ for %he con%ro! $ane!& Hi fren)ied fumb!in# a he %ra$$ed him e!f in%o %he ea%& +he do% in %he 'i i$!a%e %ha% #rew !ar#er& +he dryne of hi mou%h& +he awfu! "now!ed#e %ha% %hi wa i% for him, a% !ea %, a!%hou#h %he main f!ee% were %i!! ou% of ran#e of one ano%her& +hi , hi fir % %a %e of ba%%!e/ 3i%hin %hree econd or !e he(d be 'ic%oriou , or a charred cinder& One hi% com$!e%e!y %oo" care of a !i#h%!y armed and armoured one*man craf% !i"e a cou%er& Fran%ica!!y ** a hi !i$ ha$ed %he word (One( ** he wor"ed a% %he con%ro! %o "ee$ %ha% #rowin# do% cen%red on %he cro ed $iderweb of %he 'i i$!a%e& Hi hand doin# %ha%, whi!e hi ri#h% foo% ho'ered o'er %he $eda! %ha% wou!d fire %he bo!%& +he in#!e bo!% of concen%ra%ed he!! %ha% had %o hi% ** or e! e& +here wou!dn(% be %ime for any econd ho%& (+wo&( He didn(% "now he(d aid %ha%, ei%her& +he do% in %he 'i i$!a%e wa n(% a do% now& On!y a few %hou and mi!e away, i% howed u$ in %he ma#nifica%ion of %he $!a%e a %hou#h i% were on!y a few hundred yard off& I% wa a fa % !i%%!e cou%er, abou% %he i)e of hi & An a!ien hi$, a!! ri#h%/ (+hr ** ( Hi foo% %ouched %he bo!%*re!ea e $eda!& And %hen %he Ou% ider had wer'ed udden!y and wa off %he cro hair & Car on $unched "ey fran%ica!!y, %o fo!!ow& For a %en%h of a econd, i% wa ou% of %he 'i i$!a%e en%ire!y, and %hen a %he no e of hi cou%er wun# af%er i%, he aw i% a#ain, di'in# %rai#h% %oward %he #round& +he #round, I% wa an o$%ica! i!!u ion of ome or%& I% had %o be- %ha% $!ane% ** or wha%e'er i% wa ** %ha% now co'ered %he 'i i$!a%e cou!dn(% be %here& Cou!dn(% $o ib!y/ +here wa n(% any $!ane% nearer %han Ne$%une %hree bi!!ion mi!e away ** wi%h P!u%o on %he o$$o i%e ide of %he di %an% $in$oin% un&

in%o, on!y a few hundred mi!e be!ow him& In hi udden an0ie%y %o "ee$ from cra hin#, he for#o% %he Ou% ider hi$& He fired %he fron% brea"in# roc"e% , and e'en a %he udden chan#e of $eed !ammed him forward a#ain % %he ea% %ra$ , fired fu!! ri#h% for an emer#ency %urn& Pu hed %hem down and he!d %hem down, "nowin# %ha% he needed e'ery%hin# %he hi$ had %o "ee$ from cra hin# and %ha% a %urn %ha% udden wou!d b!ac" him ou% for a momen%& I% did b!ac" him ou%& And %ha% wa a!!& Now he wa i%%in# in ho% b!ue and, %ar" na"ed bu% o%herwi e unhur%& No i#n of hi $ace hi$ and ** for %ha% ma%%er ** no i#n of $ace& +ha% cur'e o'erhead wa n(% a "y, wha%e'er e! e i% wa & He cramb!ed %o hi fee%& 4ra'i%y eemed a !i%%!e more %han Ear%h*norma!& No% much more& F!a% and %re%chin# away, a few crawny bu he in c!um$ here and %here& +he bu he were b!ue, %oo, bu% in 'aryin# hade , ome !i#h%er %han %he b!ue of %he and, ome dar"er& Ou% from under %he neare % bu h ran a !i%%!e %hin# %ha% wa !i"e a !i)ard, e0ce$% %ha% i% had more %han four !e# & I% wa b!ue, %oo& Bri#h% b!ue& I% aw him and ran bac" a#ain under %he bu h& He !oo"ed u$ a#ain, %ryin# %o decide wha% wa o'erhead& I% wa n(% e0ac%!y a roof, bu% i% wa dome* ha$ed& I% f!ic"ered and wa hard %o !oo" a%& Bu% defini%e!y, i% cur'ed down %o %he #round, %o %he b!ue and, a!! around him& He wa n(% far from bein# under %he cen%re of %he dome& A% a #ue , i% wa a hundred yard %o %he neare % wa!!, if i% wa a wa!!& I% wa a %hou#h a b!ue hemi $here of ome%hin# abou% %wo hundred and fif%y yard in circumference wa in'er%ed o'er %he f!a% e0$an e of %he and& And e'ery%hin# b!ue, e0ce$% one ob2ec%& O'er near a far cur'in# wa!! %here wa a red ob2ec%& Rou#h!y $herica!, i% eemed %o be abou% a yard in diame%er& +oo far for him %o ee c!ear!y %hrou#h %he f!ic"erin# b!uene &

Hi de%ec%or / +hey hadn(% hown any ob2ec% of $!ane%ary dimen ion , e'en of a %eroid dimen ion , and Bu%, unaccoun%ab!y, he huddered& %i!! didn(%& I% cou!dn(% be %here, %ha% wha%e'er*i%*wa he wa di'in#

He wi$ed wea% from hi forehead, or %ried %o, wi%h %he bac" of hi hand&

3a %hi a dream, a ni#h%mare, +hi hea%, %hi and, %ha% 'a#ue fee!in# of horror he fe!% when he !oo"ed %oward %ha% red %hin#, A dream, No, one didn(% #o %o !ee$ and dream in %he mid % of a ba%%!e in $ace& Dea%h, No, ne'er& If %here were immor%a!i%y, i% wou!dn(% be a en e!e %hin# !i"e %hi , a %hin# of b!ue hea% and b!ue and and a red horror& +hen he heard %he 'oice& In ide hi head he heard i%, no% wi%h hi ear & I% came from nowhere or e'erywhere& (+hrou#h $ace and dimen ion wanderin#,( ran# %he word in hi mind, (and in %hi $ace and %hi %ime, I find %wo $eo$!e abou% %o e0%ermina%e one and o wea"en %he o%her %ha% i% wou!d re%ro#re and ne'er fu!fi! i% de %iny, bu% decay and re%urn %o mind!e du % whence i% came& And I ay %hi mu % no% ha$$en&( (3ho &&& wha% are you,( Car on didn(% ay i% a!oud, bu% %he 5ue %ion formed i% e!f in hi brain& (You wou!d no% under %and com$!e%e!y& I am ** (+here wa a $au e a %hou#h %he 'oice ou#h% ** in Car on( brain ** for a word %ha% wa n(% %here, a word he didn(% "now& (I am %he end of e'o!u%ion of a race o o!d %he %ime canno% be e0$re ed in word %ha% ha'e meanin# %o your mind& A race fu ed in%o a in#!e en%i%y, e%erna!& (An en%i%y uch a your $rimi%i'e race mi#h% become( ** a#ain %he #ro$in# for a word ** (%ime from now& So mi#h% %he race you ca!!, in your mind, %he Ou% ider & So I in%er'ene in %he ba%%!e %o come, %he ba%%!e be%ween f!ee% o e'en!y ma%ched %ha% de %ruc%ion of bo%h race wi!! re u!%& One mu % ur'i'e& One mu % $ro#re and e'o!'e&( (One,( %hou#h% Car on& (.ine or (I% i in my $ower %o %o$ %he war, %o end %he Ou% ider bac" %o %heir #a!a0y& Bu% %hey wou!d re%urn, or your race wou!d ooner or !a%er fo!!ow %hem %here& On!y by remainin# in %hi $ace and %ime %o in%er'ene con %an%!y cou!d I $re'en% %hem from de %royin# one ano%her, and I canno% remain& (So I ha!! in%er'ene now& I ha!! de %roy one f!ee% com$!e%e!y wi%hou% !o %o %he o%her& One ci'i!i)a%ion ha!! %hu ur'i'e&( Ni#h%mare& +hi had %o be ni#h%mare, Car on %hou#h%&

Bu% he "new i% wa n(%& I% wa %oo mad, %oo im$o ib!e, %o be any%hin# bu% rea!& He didn(% dare a " %he 5ue %ion ** which, Bu% hi %hou#h% a "ed i% for him& (+he %ron#er ha!! ur'i'e,( aid %he 'oice& (+ha% I canno% ** and wou!d no% ** chan#e& I mere!y in%er'ene %o ma"e i% a com$!e%e 'ic%ory, no%( ** #ro$in# a#ain ** (no% Pyrrhic 'ic%ory %o a bro"en race& (From %he ou% "ir% of %he no%*ye% ba%%!e I $!uc"ed %wo indi'idua! , you and an Ou% ider& I ee from your mind %ha%, in your ear!y hi %ory of na%iona!i m , ba%%!e be%ween cham$ion %o decide i ue be%ween race were no% un"nown& (You and your o$$onen% are here $i%%ed a#ain % one ano%her, na"ed and unarmed, under condi%ion e5ua!!y unfami!iar %o you bo%h, e5ua!!y un$!ea an% %o you bo%h& +here i no %ime !imi%, for here %here i no %ime& +he ur'i'or i %he cham$ion of hi race& +ha% race ur'i'e &( (Bu% ** ( Car on( $ro%e % wa %oo inar%icu!a%e for e0$re ion, bu% %he 'oice an wered i%& (I% i fair& +he condi%ion are uch %ha% %he acciden% of $hy ica! %ren#%h wi!! no% com$!e%e!y decide %he i ue& +here i a barrier& You wi!! under %and& Brain*$ower and coura#e wi!! be more im$or%an% %han %ren#%h& .o % e $ecia!!y coura#e, which i %he wi!! %o ur'i'e&( (Bu% whi!e %hi #oe on, %he f!ee% wi!! ** ( (No, you are in ano%her $ace, ano%her %ime& For a !on# a you are here, %ime %and %i!! in %he uni'er e you "now& I ee you wonder whe%her %hi $!ace i rea!& I% i , and i% i no%& A I ** %o your !imi%ed under %andin# ** am and am no% rea!& .y e0i %ence i men%a! and no% $hy ica!& You aw me a a $!ane%1 i% cou!d ha'e been a a du %*mo%e or a un& (Bu% %o you %hi $!ace i now rea!& 3ha%you uffer here wi!! be rea!& And if you die here,your dea%h wi!! be rea!& If you die, your fai!ure wi!! be %he end of your race& +ha% i enou#h for you %o "now&( And %hen %he 'oice wa #one& A#ain he wa a!one, bu% no% a!one& For a Car on !oo"ed u$, he aw %ha% %he red %hin#, %he $here of horror %ha% he now "new wa %he Ou% ider, wa ro!!in# %oward him&

Ro!!in#&

#!a , warm %o hi %ouch, bu% no warmer %han %he and underfoo%& And i% wa com$!e%e!y in'i ib!e, e'en a% I% eemed %o ha'e no !e# or arm %ha% he cou!d ee, no c!o e ran#e& fea%ure & I% ro!!ed acro %he and wi%h %he f!uid 5uic"ne of a dro$ of mercury& And before i%, in ome He dro$$ed %he %one and $u% bo%h hand a#ain % i%, manner he cou!d no% under %and, came a wa'e of $u hin#& I% eemed %o yie!d, 2u % a %rif!e, bu% no far%her nau ea%in# ha%red& %han %ha% %rif!e, e'en when he $u hed wi%h a!! hi wei#h%& I% fe!% !i"e a hee% of rubber bac"ed u$ by %ee!& Car on !oo"ed abou% him fran%ica!!y& A %one, !yin# in 6imi%ed re i!iency, and %hen firm %ren#%h& %he and a few fee% away, wa %he neare % %hin# %o a wea$on& I% wa n(% !ar#e, bu% i% had har$ ed#e , !i"e a He %ood on %i$%oe and reached a hi#h a he cou!d !ab of f!in%& I% !oo"ed a bi% !i"e b!ue f!in%& and %he barrier wa %i!! %here& He $ic"ed i% u$, and crouched %o recei'e %he a%%ac"& I% wa comin# fa %, fa %er %han he cou!d run& No %ime %o %hin" ou% how he wa #oin# %o fi#h% i%1 how anyway cou!d he $!an %o ba%%!e a crea%ure who e %ren#%h, who e charac%eri %ic , who e me%hod of fi#h%in# he did no% "now, Ro!!in# o fa %, i% !oo"ed more %han e'er !i"e a $erfec% $here& +en yard away& Fi'e& And %hen i% %o$$ed& Ra%her, i% wa %o$$ed& Abru$%!y %he near ide of i% f!a%%ened a %hou#h i% had run u$ a#ain % an in'i ib!e wa!!& I% bounced, ac%ua!!y bounced bac"& +hen i% ro!!ed forward a#ain, bu% more cau%iou !y& I% %o$$ed a#ain, a% %he ame $!ace& i% %ried a#ain, a few yard %o one ide& +hen i% ro!!ed forward a#ain, bu% more cau%iou !y& I% %o$$ed a#ain, a% %he ame $!ace& I% %ried a#ain, a few yard %o one ide& +here wa a barrier %here of ome or%& I% c!ic"ed, %hen, in Car on( mind, %ha% %hou#h% $ro2ec%ed by %he En%i%y who had brou#h% %hem %here(** acciden% of $hy ica! %ren#%h wi!! no% com$!e%e!y decide %he i ue& +here i a barrier&( A force*fie!d, of cour e& No% %he Ne%)ian Fie!d, "nown %o Ear%h cience, for %ha% #!owed and emi%%ed a crac"!in# ound& +hi one wa in'i ib!e, i!en%& I% wa a wa!! %ha% ran from ide %o ide of %he in'er%ed hemi $here1 Car on didn(% ha'e %o 'erify %ha% him e!f& +he Ro!!er wa doin# %ha%, ro!!in# ideway a!on# %he barrier, ee"in# a brea" in i% %ha% wa n(% %here& Car on %oo" ha!f a do)en %e$ forward, hi !ef% hand #ro$in# ou% before him, and %ouched %he barrier& I% fe!% moo%h, yie!din#, !i"e a hee% of rubber ra%her %han !i"e He aw %he Ro!!er comin# bac", ha'in# reached one ide of %he arena& +ha% fee!in# of nau ea hi% Car on a#ain, and he %e$$ed bac" from %he barrier a i% wen% by& I% didn(% %o$& Bu% did %he barrier %o$ a% #round*!e'e!, Car on "ne!% down and burrowed in %he and1 i% wa of%, !i#h%, ea y %o di# in& And %wo fee% down %he barrier wa %i!! %here& +he Ro!!er wa comin# bac" a#ain& Ob'iou !y, i% cou!dn(% find a way %hrou#h a% ei%her ide& +here mu % be a way %hrou#h, Car on %hou#h%, or e! e %hi due! i meanin#!e & ** +he Ro!!er wa bac" now, and i% %o$$ed 2u % acro %he barrier, on!y i0 fee% away& I% eemed %o be %udyin# him a!%hou#h, for %he !ife of him, Car on cou!dn(% find e0%erna! e'idence of en e or#an on %he %hin#& No%hin# %ha% !oo"ed !i"e eye or ear , or e'en a mou%h& +here wa %hou#h, he ob er'ed, a erie of #roo'e , $erha$ a do)en of %hem a!%o#e%her, and he aw %wo %en%ac!e $u h ou% from %wo of %he #roo'e and di$ in%o %he and a %hou#h %e %in# i% con i %ency& +he e were abou% an inch in diame%er and $erha$ a foo% and a ha!f !on#& +he %en%ac!e were re%rac%ab!e in%o %he #roo'e and were "e$% %here e0ce$% when in u e& +hey re%rac%ed when %he %hin# ro!!ed and eemed %o ha'e no%hin# %o do wi%h i% me%hod of !ocomo%ion1 %ha%, a far a Car on cou!d 2ud#e, eemed %o be accom$!i hed by ome hif%in# ** 2u % how he cou!dn(% ima#ine ** of i% cen%re of #ra'i%y& He huddered a he !oo"ed a% %he %hin#& I% wa a!ien, horrib!y differen% from any%hin# on Ear%h or any of %he !ife form found on %he o%her o!ar $!ane% & In %inc%i'e!y, he "new i% mind wa a a!ien a i% body& If i% cou!d $ro2ec% %ha% a!mo % %an#ib!e wa'e of ha%red,

$erha$ i% cou!d read hi mind a we!!, ufficien%!y for hi $ur$o e& De!ibera%e!y, Car on $ic"ed u$ %he roc" %ha% had been hi on!y wea$on, %hen %o ed i% down a#ain in a #e %ure of re!in5ui hmen% and rai ed hi em$%y hand , $a!m u$, before him& He $o"e a!oud, "nowin# %ha% a!%hou#h %he word wou!d be meanin#!e %o %he crea%ure before him, $ea"in# %hem wou!d focu hi own %hou#h% more com$!e%e!y u$on %he me a#e& (Can we no% ha'e $eace be%ween u ,( he aid, hi 'oice %ran#e in %he %i!!ne & (+he En%i%y who brou#h% u here ha %o!d u wha% mu % ha$$en if our race fi#h% ** e0%inc%ion of one and wea"enin# and re%ro#re ion of %he o%her& +he ba%%!e be%ween %hem, aid %he En%i%y, de$end u$on wha% we do here& 3hy canno% we a#ree %o an e%erna! $eace ** your race %o i% #a!a0y, we %o our ,( Car on b!an"ed ou% hi mind %o recei'e a re$!y& I% came, and i% %a##ered him bac", $hy ica!!y& He recoi!ed e'era! %e$ in heer horror a% %he in%en i%y of %he !u %*%o*"i!! of %he red ima#e $ro2ec%ed a% him& For a momen% %ha% eemed e%erni%y he had %o %ru##!e a#ain % %he im$ac% of %ha% ha%red, fi#h%in# %o c!ear hi mind of i% and dri'e ou% %he a!ien %hou#h% %o which he had #i'en admi%%ance& He wan%ed %o re%ch& Hi mind c!eared !ow!y& He wa brea%hin# hard and he fe!% wea"er, bu% he cou!d %hin"& He %ood %udyin# %he Ro!!er& I% had been mo%ion!e durin# %he men%a! due! i% had o near!y won& Now i% ro!!ed a few fee% %o one ide, %o %he neare % of %he b!ue bu he & +hree %en%ac!e whi$$ed ou% of %heir #roo'e and be#an %o in'e %i#a%e %he bu h& (O&7&,( Car on aid, ( o i%( war %hen&( He mana#ed a #rin& (If I #o% your an wer %rai#h%, $eace doe n(% a$$ea! %o you&( And, becau e he wa , af%er a!!, a youn# man and cou!dn(% re i % %he im$u! e %o be drama%ic, he added, (+o %he dea%h/( Bu% hi 'oice, in %ha% u%%er i!ence, ounded i!!y e'en %o him e!f& I% came %o him, %hen, %ha% %hi wa %o %he dea%h, no% on!y hi own dea%h or %ha% of %he red $herica! %hin# which he %hou#h% of a %he Ro!!er, bu% dea%h %o %he en%ire race of one or %he o%her of %hem- %he end of %he human race, if he fai!ed&

I% made him udden!y 'ery humb!e and 'ery afraid %o %hin" %ha%& 3i%h a "now!ed#e %ha% wa abo'e e'en fai%h, he "new %ha% %he En%i%y who had arran#ed %hi due! had %o!d %he %ru%h abou% i% in%en%ion and i% $ower & +he fu%ure of humani%y de$ended u$on him& I% wa an awfu! %hin# %o rea!i)e& He had %o concen%ra%e on %he i%ua%ion a% hand& +here had %o be ome way of #e%%in# %hrou#h %he barrier, or of "i!!in# %hrou#h %he barrier& .en%a!!y, He ho$ed %ha% wa n(% a!!, for %he Ro!!er ob'iou !y had %ron#er %e!e$a%hic $ower %han %he unde'e!o$ed one of %he human race& Or did i%, He had been ab!e %o dri'e %he %hou#h% of %he Ro!!er ou% of hi own mind1 cou!d i% dri'e ou% hi , If i% abi!i%y %o $ro2ec% were %ron#er, mi#h% no% i% rece$%i'i%y mechani m be more 'u!nerab!e, He %ared a% i% and endea'oured %o concen%ra%e and focu a!! hi %hou#h% u$on i%& (Die,( he %hou#h%& (You are #oin# %o die& You are dyin#& You are ** ( He %ried 'aria%ion on i%, and men%a! $ic%ure & Swea% %ood ou% on hi forehead and he found him e!f %remb!in# wi%h %he in%en i%y of %he effor%& Bu% %he Ro!!er wen% ahead wi%h i% in'e %i#a%ion of %he bu h, a u%%er!y unaffec%ed a %hou#h Car on had been reci%in# %he mu!%i$!ica%ion %ab!e& So %ha% wa no #ood& He fe!% di))y from %he hea% and hi %renuou effor% a% concen%ra%ion& He a% down on %he b!ue and and #a'e hi fu!! a%%en%ion %o %udyin# %he Ro!!er& By %udy, $erha$ , he cou!d 2ud#e i% %ren#%h and de%ec% i% wea"ne e , !earn %hin# %ha% wou!d be 'a!uab!e %o "now when and if %hey hou!d come %o #ri$ & I% wa brea"in# off %wi# & Car on wa%ched carefu!!y, %ryin# %o 2ud#e 2u % how hard i% wor"ed %o do %ha%& 6a%er, he %hou#h%, he cou!d find a imi!ar bu h on hi own ide, brea" off %wi# of e5ua! %hic"ne him e!f, and #ain a com$ari on of $hy ica! %ren#%h be%ween hi own arm and hand and %ho e %en%ac!e & +he %wi# bro"e off hard1 %he Ro!!er wa ha'in# %o %ru##!e wi%h each one& Each %en%ac!e, he aw, bifurca%ed a% %he %i$ in%o %wo fin#er , each %i$$ed by a nai! or c!aw& +he c!aw didn(% eem %o be $ar%icu!ar!y !on# or dan#erou , or no more o %han hi own

fin#ernai! , if %hey were !ef% %o #row a bi%& No, on %he who!e, i% didn(% !oo" %oo hard %o hand!e $hy ica!!y& 8n!e , of cour e, %ha% bu h wa made of $re%%y %ou#h %uff& Car on !oo"ed round1 wi%hin reach wa ano%her bu h of iden%ica!!y %he ame %y$e& He na$$ed off a %wi#& I% wa bri%%!e, ea y %o brea"& Of cour e, %he Ro!!er mi#h% ha'e been fa"in# de!ibera%e!y bu% he didn(% %hin" o& On %he o%her hand, where wa i% 'u!nerab!e, How wou!d he #o abou% "i!!in# i% if he #o% %he chance, He wen% bac" %o %udyin# i%& +he ou%er hide !oo"ed $re%%y %ou#h1 he(d need a har$ wea$on of ome or%& He $ic"ed u$ %he $iece of roc" a#ain& I% wa abou% %we!'e inche !on#, narrow, and fair!y har$ on one end& If i% chi$$ed !i"e f!in%, he cou!d ma"e a er'iceab!e "nife ou% of i%& +he Ro!!er wa con%inuin# i% in'e %i#a%ion of %he bu he & I% ro!!ed a#ain, %o %he neare % one of ano%her %y$e& A !i%%!e b!ue !i)ard, many*!e##ed !i"e %he one Car on had een on hi ide of %he barrier, dar%ed ou% from under %he bu h&

i!!y& He bounced bac" and fe!!& A he a% u$, ha"in# hi head %o c!ear i%, he aw ome%hin# comin# %hrou#h %he air %oward him, and %hrew him e!f f!a% a#ain on %he and, %o one ide& He #o% hi body ou% of %he way, bu% %here wa a udden har$ $ain in %he ca!f of hi !ef% !e#& He ro!!ed bac"ward , i#norin# %he $ain, and cramb!ed %o hi fee%& I% wa a roc", he aw now, %ha% had %ruc" him& And %he Ro!!er wa $ic"in# u$ ano%her, win#in# i% bac" #ri$$ed be%ween %wo %en%ac!e , ready %o %hrow a#ain& I% ai!ed %hrou#h %he air %oward him, bu% he wa ab!e %o %e$ ou% of i% way& +he Ro!!er, a$$aren%!y, cou!d %hrow %rai#h%, bu% nei%her hard nor far& +he fir % roc" had %ruc" him on!y becau e he had been i%%in# down and had no% een i% comin# un%i! i% wa a!mo % u$on him&

E'en a he %e$$ed a ide from %ha% wea" econd %hrow Car on drew bac" hi ri#h% arm and !e% f!y wi%h %he roc" %ha% wa %i!! in hi hand& If mi i!e , he %hou#h% wi%h A %en%ac!e of %he Ro!!er !a hed ou% and cau#h% i%, $ic"ed e!a%ion, can cro %he barrier, %hen %wo can $!ay a% %he i% u$& Ano%her %en%ac!e whi$$ed o'er and be#an %o $u!! #ame of %hrowin# %hem& !e# off %he !i)ard, a co!d!y a i% had $u!!ed %wi# off %he bu h& +he crea%ure %ru##!ed fran%ica!!y and emi%%ed He cou!dn(% mi a %hree*foo% $here a% on!y four*yard ran#e, and he didn(% mi & +he roc" whi))ed %rai#h%, a hri!! 5uea!in# %ha% wa %he fir % ound Car on had and wi%h a $eed e'era! %ime %ha% of %he mi i!e %he heard here, o%her %han %he ound of hi own 'oice& Ro!!er had %hrown& I% hi% dead cen%re, bu% hi% f!a% in %ead Car on made him e!f con%inue %o wa%ch1 any%hin# he of $oin% fir %& Bu% i% hi% wi%h a re oundin# %hum$, and cou!d !earn abou% hi o$$onen% mi#h% $ro'e 'a!uab!e, ob'iou !y hur%& +he Ro!!er had been reachin# for e'en "now!ed#e of i% unnece ary crue!%y ** ano%her roc", bu% chan#ed i% mind and #o% ou% of $ar%icu!ar!y, he %hou#h% wi%h udden emo%ion, %here in %ead& By %he %ime Car on cou!d $ic" u$ and "now!ed#e of i% unnece ary crue!%y& I% wou!d ma"e i% %hrow ano%her roc", %he Ro!!er wa for%y yard bac" a $!ea ure %o "i!! %he %hin#, if and when %he chance from %he barrier and #oin# %ron#& came& Hi econd %hrow mi ed by fee%, and hi %hird %hrow 3i%h ha!f i% !e# #one, %he !i)ard %o$$ed 5uea!in# wa hor%& +he Ro!!er wa ou% of ran#e of any mi i!e and !ay !im$ in %he Ro!!er( #ra $& hea'y enou#h %o be dama#in#& I% didn(% con%inue wi%h %he re % of %he !e# & Con%em$%uou !y i% %o ed %he dead !i)ard away from i%, in Car on( direc%ion& +he !i)ard arced %hrou#h %he air be%ween %hem and !anded a% hi fee%& I% had come %hrou#h %he barrier/ +he barrier wa n(% %here any more/ Car on wa on hi fee% in a f!a h, %he "nife #ri$$ed %i#h%!y in hi hand, !ea$in# forward& He(d e%%!e %hi %hin# here and now/ 3i%h %he barrier #one ** bu% i% wa n(% #one& He found %ha% ou% %he hard way, runnin# head on in%o i% and near!y "noc"in# him e!f Car on #rinned& +ha% round had been hi & He %o$$ed #rinnin# a he ben% o'er %o e0amine %he ca!f of hi !e#& A 2a##ed ed#e of %he %one had made a cu% e'era! inche !on#& I% wa b!eedin# $re%%y free!y, bu% he didn(% %hin" i% had #one dee$ enou#h %o hi% an ar%ery& If i% %o$$ed b!eedin# of i% own accord, we!! and #ood& If no%, he wa in for %roub!e& Findin# ou% one %hin#, %hou#h, %oo" $recedence o'er %ha% cu%- %he na%ure of %he barrier&

He wen% forward %o i% a#ain, %hi %ime #ro$in# wi%h hi hand before him& Ho!din# one hand a#ain % i%, he %o ed a handfu! of and a% i% wi%h %he o%her hand& +he and wen% ri#h% %hrou#h1 hi hand didn(%& Or#anic ma%%er 'er u inor#anic, No, becau e %he dead !i)ard had #one %hrou#h i%, and a !i)ard, a!i'e or dead, wa cer%ain!y or#anic& P!an% !ife, He bro"e off a %wi# and $o"ed i% a% %he barrier& +he %wi# wen% %hrou#h, wi%h no re i %ance, bu% when hi fin#er #ri$$in# %he %wi# came %o %he barrier, %hey were %o$$ed& He cou!dn(% #e% %hrou#h i%, nor cou!d %he Ro!!er& Bu% roc" and and and a dead !i)ard&&&& How abou% a !i'e !i)ard, He wen% hun%in# under bu he un%i! he found one, and cau#h% i%& He %o ed i% a#ain % %he barrier and i% bounced bac" and curried away acro %he b!ue and& +ha% #a'e him %he an wer, o far a he cou!d de%ermine i% now& +he creen wa a barrier %o !i'in# %hin# & Dead or inor#anic ma%%er cou!d cro i%& 3i%h %ha% off hi mind, Car on !oo"ed a% hi in2ured !e# a#ain& +he b!eedin# wa !e enin#, which mean% he wou!dn(% need %o worry abou% ma"in# a %ourni5ue%& Bu% he hou!d find ome wa%er, if any wa a'ai!ab!e, %o c!ean %he wound& 3a%er ** %he %hou#h% of i% made him rea!i)e %ha% he wa #e%%in# awfu!!y %hir %y& He(d ha'e %o find wa%er, in ca e %hi con%e % %urned ou% %o be a $ro%rac%ed one& 6im$in# !i#h%!y now, he %ar%ed off %o ma"e a circui% of hi ha!f of %he arena& 4uidin# him e!f wi%h one hand a!on# %he barrier, he wa!"ed %o hi ri#h% un%i! he came %o %he cur'in# idewa!!& I% wa 'i ib!e, a du!! b!ue*#rey a% c!o e ran#e, and %he urface of i% fe!% 2u % !i"e %he cen%ra! barrier& He e0$erimen%ed by %o in# a handfu! of and a% i%, and %he and reached %he wa!! and di a$$eared a i% wen% %hrou#h& +he hemi $herica! he!! wa a force*fie!d, %oo, bu% an o$a5ue one, in %ead of %ran $aren% !i"e %he barrier& He fo!!owed i% round un%i! he came bac" %o %he barrier, and wa!"ed bac" a!on# %he barrier %o %he $oin% from which he(d %ar%ed& No i#n of wa%er& ***

3orried now, he %ar%ed a erie of )i#)a# bac" and for%h be%ween %he barrier and %he wa!!, co'erin# %he in%er'enin# $ace %horou#h!y& No wa%er& B!ue and, b!ue bu he , and in%o!erab!e hea%& No%hin# e! e& I% mu % be hi ima#ina%ion, he %o!d him e!f %ha% he wa ufferin# %ha% much from %hir %& How !on# had he been %here, Of cour e, no %ime a% a!!, accordin# %o hi own $ace*%ime frame& +he En%i%y had %o!d him %ime %ood %i!! ou% %here, whi!e he wa here& Bu% hi body $roce e wen% on here, 2u % %he ame& Accordin# %o hi body( rec"onin#, how !on# had he been here, +hree or four hour , $erha$ & Cer%ain!y no% !on# enou#h %o be ufferin# from %hir %& Ye% he wa ufferin# from i%1 hi %hroa% wa dry and $arched& Probab!y %he in%en e hea% wa %he cau e& I% wa ho%, a hundred and %hir%y Fahrenhei%, a% a #ue & A dry, %i!! hea% wi%hou% %he !i#h%e % mo'emen% of air& He wa !im$in# ra%her bad!y and u%%er!y fa##ed when he fini hed %he fu%i!e e0$!ora%ion of hi domain& He %ared acro a% %he mo%ion!e Ro!!er and ho$ed i% wa a mi erab!e a he wa & +he En%i%y had aid %he condi%ion here were e5ua!!y unfami!iar and uncomfor%ab!e for bo%h of %hem& .aybe %he Ro!!er came from a $!ane% where %wo*hundred*de#ree hea% wa %he norm1 maybe i% wa free)in# whi!e he wa roa %in#& .aybe %he air wa a much %oo %hic" for i% a i% wa %oo %hin for him& For %he e0er%ion of hi e0$!ora%ion had !ef% him $an%in#& +he a%mo $here here, he rea!i)ed, wa no% much %hic"er %han on .ar & No wa%er& +ha% mean% a dead!ine, for him a% any ra%e& 8n!e he cou!d find a way %o cro %ha% barrier or %o "i!! hi enemy from %hi ide of i%, %hir % wou!d "i!! him e'en%ua!!y& I% #a'e him a fee!in# of de $era%e ur#ency, bu% he made him e!f i% down a momen% %o re %, %o %hin"& 3ha% wa %here %o do, No%hin#, and ye% o many %hin# & +he e'era! 'arie%ie of bu he , for e0am$!e1 %hey didn(% !oo" $romi in#, bu% he(d ha'e %o e0amine %hem for $o ibi!i%ie & And hi !e# ** he(d ha'e %o do ome%hin# abou% %ha%, e'en wi%hou% wa%er %o c!ean i%1 #a%her ammuni%ion in %he form of roc" 1 find a roc" %ha% wou!d ma"e a #ood "nife& Hi !e# hur% ra%her bad!y now, and he decided %ha% came fir %& One %y$e of bu h had !ea'e ** or %hin#

ra%her imi!ar %o !ea'e & He $u!!ed off a handfu! of %hem and decided, af%er e0amina%ion, %o %a"e a chance on %hem& He u ed %hem %o c!ean off %he and and dir% and ca"ed b!ood, %hen made a $ad of fre h !ea'e and %ied i% o'er %he wound wi%h %endri! from %he ame bu h& +he %endri! $ro'ed une0$ec%ed!y %ou#h and %ron#&

abou% any%hin# e0ce$% wa%er& Bu% he had %o %hin" abou% o%her %hin# - abou% #e%%in# %hrou#h %ha% barrier, under or o'er i%, #e%%in# a% %ha% red $here and "i!!in# i% before %hi $!ace of hea% and %hir % "i!!ed him& +he barrier wen% %o %he wa!! u$on ei%her ide, bu% how hi#h, and how far under %he and,

+hey were !ender and $!iab!e, ye% he cou!dn(% brea" For a momen%, Car on( mind wa %oo fu))y %o %hin" %hem a% a!!, and had %o aw %hem off %he bu h wi%h %he ou% how he cou!d find ou% ei%her of %ho e %hin# & Id!y, har$ ed#e of b!ue f!in%& Some of %he %hic"er one were i%%in# %here in %he ho% and ** and he didn(% remember o'er a foo% !on#, and he fi!ed away in hi memory, for i%%in# down ** he wa%ched a b!ue !i)ard craw! from %he fu%ure reference, %he fac% %ha% a bunch of %he %hic" one , he!%er of one bu h %o %he he!%er of ano%her& %ied %o#e%her, wou!d ma"e a $re%%y er'iceab!e ro$e& From under %he econd bu h, i% !oo"ed ou% a% him& .aybe he(d be ab!e %o %hin" of a u e for ro$e& Ne0%, he made him e!f a "nife& +he b!ue f!in% did chi$& From a foo%*!on# $!in%er of i%, he fa hioned him e!f a crude bu% !e%ha! wea$on& And of %endri! from %he bu h, he made him e!f a ro$e*be!% %hrou#h which he cou!d %hru % %he f!in% "nife, %o "ee$ i% wi%h him a!! %he %ime and ye% ha'e hi hand free& He wen% bac" %o %udyin# %he bu he & +here were %hree o%her %y$e & One wa !eaf!e , dry, bri%%!e, ra%her !i"e a dried %umb!eweed& Ano%her wa of of%, crumb!y wood, a!mo % !i"e $un"& I% !oo"ed and fe!% a %hou#h i% wou!d ma"e e0ce!!en% %inder for a fire& +he %hird %y$e wa %he mo % near!y wood!i"e& I% had fra#i!e !ea'e %ha% wi!%ed a% %he %ouch, bu% %he %a!" , a!%hou#h hor%, were %rai#h% and %ron#& I% wa horrib!y, unbearab!y ho%& He !im$ed u$ %o %he barrier, fe!% %o ma"e ure %ha% i% wa %i!! %here& I% wa & He %ood wa%chin# %he Ro!!er for a whi!e1 i% wa "ee$in# a afe di %ance from %he barrier, ou% of effec%i'e %one*%hrowin# ran#e& I% wa mo'in# around bac" %here, doin# ome%hin#& He cou!dn(% %e!! wha% i% wa doin#& Once i% %o$$ed mo'in#, came a !i%%!e c!o er, and eemed %o concen%ra%e i% a%%en%ion on him& A#ain Car on had %o fi#h% off a wa'e of nau ea& He %hrew a %one a% i%1 %he Ro!!er re%rea%ed and wen% bac" %o wha%e'er i% had been doin# before& A% !ea % he cou!d ma"e i% "ee$ i% di %ance& And, he %hou#h% bi%%er!y, a !o% of #ood %ha% did him& 9u % %he ame, he $en% %he ne0% hour or %wo #a%herin# %one of ui%ab!e i)e for %hrowin#, and ma"in# e'era! $i!e of %hem near hi ide of %he barrier& Hi %hroa% burned now& I% wa difficu!% for him %o %hin" Car on #rinned a% i%, reca!!in# %he o!d %ory of %he de er%*co!oni % on .ar , %a"en from an o!der %ory of Ear%h ** (Pre%%y oon you #e% o !one ome you find your e!f %a!"in# %o %he !i)ard , and %hen no% o !on# af%er %ha% you find %he !i)ard %a!"in# bac" %o you&&&&( He hou!d ha'e been concen%ra%in#, of cour e, on how %o "i!! %he Ro!!er, bu% in %ead he #rinned a% %he !i)ard and aid, (He!!o, %here&( +he !i)ard %oo" a few %e$ %oward him& (He!!o,( i% aid& Car on wa %unned for a momen%, and %hen he $u% bac" hi head and roared wi%h !au#h%er& I% didn(% hur% hi %hroa% %o do o, ei%her1 he hadn(% been %ha% %hir %y& 3hy no%, 3hy hou!d %he En%i%y who %hou#h% u$ %hi ni#h%mare of a $!ace no% ha'e a en e of humour, a!on# wi%h %he o%her $ower he had, +a!"in# !i)ard , e5ui$$ed %o %a!" bac" in my own !an#ua#e, if I %a!" %o %hem ** i%( a nice %ouch& He #rinned a% %he !i)ard and aid, (Come on o'er&( Bu% %he !i)ard %urned and ran away, curryin# from bu h %o bu h un%i! i% wa ou% of i#h%& He had %o #e% $a % %he barrier& He cou!dn(% #e% %hrou#h i%, or o'er i%, bu% wa he cer%ain he cou!dn(% #e% under i%, And come %o %hin" of i%, didn(% one ome%ime find wa%er by di##in#, Painfu!!y now, Car on !im$ed u$ %o %he barrier and %ar%ed di##in#, coo$in# u$ and a doub!e handfu! a% a %ime& I% wa !ow wor" becau e %he and ran in a% %he ed#e and %he dee$er he #o% %he bi##er in diame%er %he ho!e had %o be& How many hour i% %oo" him, he didn(% "now, bu% he hi% bedroc" four fee% down- dry bedroc" wi%h no i#n of wa%er&

+he force*fie!d of %he barrier wen% down c!ear %o %he bedroc"& He craw!ed ou% of %he ho!e and !ay %here $an%in#, %hen rai ed hi head %o !oo" acro and ee wha% %he Ro!!er wa doin#&

and un!e he cou!d $u% %ha% ca%a$u!% ou% of ac%ion& If he fe!! a !ee$, he(d ne'er wa"e u$& One of %he %one from i% #a'e him %he #!immer of an idea& I% hi% one of %he $i!e of %one he(d #a%hered near %he barrier %o u e a ammuni%ion and %ruc" $ar" &

I% wa ma"in# ome%hin# ou% of wood from %he bu he , S$ar" / Fire/ Primi%i'e man had made fire by %ri"in# %ied %o#e%her wi%h %endri! , a 5ueer!y ha$ed framewor" $ar" , and wi%h ome of %ho e dry crumb!y bu he a abou% four fee% hi#h and rou#h!y 5uare& +o ee i% %inder&&& be%%er, Car on c!imbed on %o %he mound of and he had A bu h of %ha% %y$e #rew near him& He u$roo%ed i%, e0ca'a%ed and %ood %here %arin#& %oo" i% o'er %o %he $i!e of %one , %hen $a%ien%!y hi% one +here were %wo !on# !e'er %ic"in# ou% of %he bac" of %one a#ain % ano%her un%i! a $ar" %ouched %he i%, one wi%h a cu$* ha$ed affair on %he end& Seemed %o $un"!i"e wood of %he bu h& I% wen% u$ in f!ame o fa % be ome or% of a ca%a$u!%, Car on %hou#h%& %ha% i% in#ed hi eyebrow and wa burned %o an a h wi%hin econd & Sure enou#h, %he Ro!!er wa !if%in# a i)ab!e roc" in%o %he cu$* ha$e& One of hi %en%ac!e mo'ed %he o%her Bu% he had %he idea now, and wi%hin minu%e had a !e'er u$ and down for a whi!e, and %hen he %urned %he !i%%!e fire #oin# in %he !ee of %he mound of and he(d machine !i#h%!y, aimin# i%, and %he !e'er wi%h %he %one made& +he %inder bu he %ar%ed i%, and o%her bu he f!ew u$ and forward& which burned more !ow!y "e$% i% a %eady f!ame& +he %one cur'ed e'era! yard o'er Car on( head, o far away %ha% he didn(% ha'e %o duc", bu% he 2ud#ed %he di %ance i% had %ra'e!!ed, and whi %!ed of%!y& He cou!dn(% %hrow a roc" %ha% wei#h% more %han ha!f %ha% di %ance& And e'en re%rea%in# %o %he rear of hi domain wou!dn(% $u% him ou% of ran#e of %ha% machine if %he Ro!!er $u hed i% forward %o %he barrier& Ano%her roc" whi))ed o'er, no% 5ui%e o far away %hi %ime& .o'in# from ide %o ide a!on# %he barrier, o %he ca%a$u!% cou!dn(% brac"e% him, he hur!ed a do)en roc" a% i%& Bu% %ha% wa n(% #oin# %o be any #ood, he aw& +hey had %o be !i#h% roc" , or he cou!dn(% %hrow %hem %ha% far& If %hey hi% %he framewor", %hey bounced off harm!e !y& +he Ro!!er had no difficu!%y, a% %ha% di %ance, in mo'in# a ide from %ho e %ha% came near i%& Be ide , hi arm wa %irin# bad!y& He ached a!! o'er& He %umb!ed %o %he rear of %he arena& E'en %ha% wa n(% any #ood1 %he roc" reached bac" %here, %oo, on!y %here were !on#er in%er'a! be%ween %hem, a %hou#h i% %oo" !on#er %o wind u$ %he mechani m, wha%e'er i% wa , of %he ca%a$u!%& 3eari!y he dra##ed him e!f bac" %o %he barrier a#ain& Se'era! %ime he fe!! and cou!d bare!y ri e %o hi fee% %o #o on& He wa , he "new, near %he !imi% of hi endurance& Ye% he didn(% dare %o$ mo'in# now, un%i! +he %ou#h %endri! didn(% burn readi!y1 %ha% made %he fire*bomb ea y %o ri# and %hrow1 a bund!e of fa##o% %ied abou% a ma!! %one %o #i'e i% wei#h% and a !oo$ of %he %endri! %o win# i% by& He made ha!f a do)en of %hem before he !i#h%ed and %hrew %he fir %& I% wen% wide, and %he Ro!!er %ar%ed a 5uic" re%rea%, $u!!in# %he ca%a$u!% af%er him& Bu% Car on had %he o%her ready and %hrew %hem in ra$id ucce ion& +he four%h wed#ed in %he ca%a$u!%( framewor" and did %he %ric"& +he Ro!!er %ried de $era%e!y %o $u% ou% %he $readin# b!a)e by %hrowin# and, bu% i% c!awed %en%ac!e wou!d %a"e on!y a $oonfu! a% a %ime and i% effor% were ineffec%ua!& +he ca%a$u!% burned& +he Ro!!er mo'ed afe!y away from %he fire and eemed %o concen%ra%e i% a%%en%ion on Car on& A#ain he fe!% %ha% wa'e of ha%red and nau ea ** bu% more wea"!y1 ei%her %he Ro!!er i% e!f wa wea"enin# or Car on had !earned how %o $ro%ec% him e!f a#ain % %he men%a! a%%ac"& He %humbed hi no e a% i% and %hen en% i% cu%%!in# bac" %o afe%y wi%h a %one& +he Ro!!er wen% %o %he bac" of i% ha!f of %he arena and %ar%ed $u!!in# u$ bu he a#ain& Probab!y i% wa #oin# %o ma"e ano%her ca%a$u!%& Car on 'erified %ha% %he barrier wa %i!! o$era%in#, and %hen found him e!f i%%in# in %he and be ide i%, udden!y %oo wea" %o %and u$&

Hi !e# %hrobbed %eadi!y now and %he $an# of %hir % were e'ere& Bu% %ho e %hin# $a!ed be ide %he $hy ica! e0hau %ion %ha% #ri$$ed hi en%ire body& He!! mu % be !i"e %hi , he %hou#h%, %he he!! %ha% %he ancien% had be!ie'ed in& He fou#h% %o %ay awa"e, and ye% %ayin# awa"e eemed fu%i!e, for %here wa no%hin# he cou!d do whi!e %he barrier remained im$re#nab!e and %he Ro!!er %ayed bac" ou% of ran#e& He %ried %o remember wha% he had read in boo" of archaeo!o#y abou% %he me%hod of fi#h%in# u ed bac" in %he day before me%a! and $!a %ic& +he %one mi i!e had come fir %, he %hou#h%& 3e!!, %ha% he a!ready had& Bow and arrow, No1 he(d %ried archery once and "new hi own ine$%ne e'en wi%h a modern $or% man( dura* %ee! wea$on, made for accuracy& 3i%h on!y %he crude, $ieced*%o#e%her ou%fi% he cou!d ma"e here, he doub%ed if he cou!d hoo% a far a he cou!d %hrow a roc"& S$ear, 3e!!, he cou!d ma"e %ha%& I% wou!d be u e!e a% any di %ance, bu% wou!d be a handy %hin# a% c!o e ran#e, if he e'er #o% %o c!o e ran#e& .a"in# one wou!d he!$ "ee$ hi mind from wanderin#, a i% wa be#innin# %o do& He wa %i!! be ide one of %he $i!e of %one & He or%ed %hrou#h i% un%i! he found one ha$ed rou#h!y !i"e a $earhead& 3i%h a ma!!er %one he be#an %o chi$ i% in%o ha$e, fa hionin# har$ hou!der on %he ide o %ha% if i% $ene%ra%ed i% wou!d no% $u!! ou% a#ain !i"e a har$oon& A har$oon wa be%%er %han a $ear, maybe, for %hi cra)y con%e %& If he cou!d once #e% i% in%o %he Ro!!er, and had a ro$e on i%, he cou!d $u!! %he Ro!!er u$ a#ain % %he barrier and %he %one b!ade of hi "nife wou!d reach %hrou#h %ha% barrier, e'en if hi hand wou!dn(%& +he haf% wa harder %o ma"e %han %he head, bu% by $!i%%in# and 2oinin# %he main %em of four of %he bu he , and wra$$in# %he2oin% wi%h %he %ou#h bu% %hin %endri! , he #o% a %ron# haf% abou% four fee% !on#, and %ied %he %one head in a no%ch cu% in one end& I% wa crude, bu% %ron#& 3i%h %he %endri! he made him e!f %wen%y fee% of !ine& I% wa !i#h% and didn(% !oo" %ron#, bu% he "new i% wou!d ho!d hi wei#h% and %o $are& He %ied one end of i% %o %he haf% of %he har$oon and %he o%her end abou% hi ri#h% wri %& A% !ea %, if he %hrew hi har$oon acro %he barrier, he(d be ab!e %o $u!! i% bac" if he mi ed&

He %ried %o %and u$, %o ee wha% %he Ro!!er wa doin#, and found he cou!dn(% #e% %o hi fee%& On %he %hird %ry, he #o% a far a hi "nee and %hen fe!! f!a% a#ain& (I('e #o% %o !ee$,( he %hou#h%& (If a howdown came now, I(d be he!$!e & He cou!d come u$ here and "i!! me, if he "new& I('e #o% %o re#ain ome %ren#%h&( S!ow!y, $ainfu!!y, he craw!ed bac" from %he barrier& +he 2ar of ome%hin# %huddin# a#ain % %he and near him wa"ened him from a confu ed and horrib!e dream %o a more confu ed and horrib!e rea!i%y, and he o$ened hi eye a#ain %o b!ue radiance o'er b!ue and& How !on# had he !e$%, A minu%e, A day, Ano%her %one %hudded nearer and %hrew and on him& He #o% hi arm under him and a% u$& He %urned round and aw %he Ro!!er %wen%y yard away, a% %he barrier& I% ro!!ed off ha %i!y a he a% u$, no% %o$$in# un%i! i% wa a far away a i% cou!d #e%& He(d fa!!en a !ee$ %oo oon, he rea!i)ed, whi!e he wa %i!! in ran#e of %he Ro!!er( %hrowin#& Seein# him !yin# mo%ion!e , i% had dared come u$ %o %he barrier& 6uc"i!y, i% didn(% rea!i)e how wea" he wa , or i% cou!d ha'e %ayed %here and "e$% on %hrowin# %one & He %ar%ed craw!in# a#ain, %hi %ime forcin# him e!f %o "ee$ #oin# un%i! he wa a far a he cou!d #o, un%i! %he o$a5ue wa!! of %he arena( ou%er he!! wa on!y a yard away& +hen %hin# !i$$ed away a#ain&&&&

3hen he awo"e, no%hin# abou% him wa chan#ed, bu% %hi %ime he "new %ha% he had !e$% a !on# whi!e& +he fir % %hin# he became aware of wa %he in ide of hi mou%h1 i% wa dry, ca"ed& Hi %on#ue wa wo!!en& Some%hin# wa wron#, he "new, a he re%urned !ow!y %o fu!! awarene & He fe!% !e %ired, %he %a#e of u%%er e0hau %ion had $a ed& Bu% %here wa $ain, a#oni)in# $ain& I% wa n(% un%i! he %ried %o mo'e %ha% he "new %ha% i% came from hi !e#& He rai ed hi head and !oo"ed down a% i%& I% wa wo!!en be!ow %he "nee, and %he we!!in# howed e'en ha!f*way u$ hi %hi#h& +he $!an% %endri! he had %ied round %he $ro%ec%i'e $ad of !ea'e now cu% dee$!y in%o hi f!e h&

+o #e% hi "nife under %ha% imbedded !a hin# wou!d ha'e been im$o ib!e& For%una%e!y, %he fina! "no% wa o'er %he hin bone where %he 'ine cu% in !e dee$!y %han e! ewhere& He wa ab!e, af%er an effor%, %o un%ie %he "no%& A !oo" under %he $ad of !ea'e howed him %he wor %infec%ion and b!ood $oi onin#& 3i%hou% dru# , wi%hou% e'en wa%er, %here wa n(% a %hin# he cou!d do abou% i%, e0ce$% die when %he $oi on $read %hrou#h hi y %em& He "new i% wa ho$e!e , %hen, and %ha% he(d !o %, and wi%h him, humani%y& 3hen he died here, ou% %here in %he uni'er e he "new, a!! hi friend , e'erybody, wou!d die %oo& Ear%h and %he co!oni)ed $!ane% wou!d become %he home of %he red, ro!!in#, a!ien Ou% ider & I% wa %ha% %hou#h% which #a'e him coura#e %o %ar% craw!in#, a!mo % b!ind!y, %oward %he barrier a#ain, $u!!in# him e!f a!on# by hi arm and hand & +here wa a chance in a mi!!ion %ha% he(d ha'e %ren#%h !ef% when he #o% %here %o %hrow hi har$oon* $ear 2u % once, and wi%h dead!y effec%, if %he Ro!!er wou!d come u$ %o %he barrier, or if %he barrier wa #one& I% %oo" him year , i% eemed, %o #e% %here& +he barrier wa n(% #one& I% wa a im$a ab!e a when he(d fir % fe!% i%& +he Ro!!er wa n(% a% %he barrier& By rai in# him e!f u$ on hi e!bow , he cou!d ee i% a% %he bac" of i% $ar% of %he arena, wor"in# on a wooden framewor" %ha% wa a ha!f*com$!e%ed du$!ica%e of %he ca%a$u!% he(d de %royed& I% wa mo'in# !ow!y now& 8ndoub%ed!y i% had wea"ened, %oo& Car on doub%ed %ha% i% wou!d e'er need %ha% econd ca%a$u!%& He(d be dead, he %hou#h%, before i% wa fini hed&

ima#inin# %hin# a#ain&( Bu% he cou!dn(% %a!"1 hi %hroa% and %on#ue were $a % a!! $eech wi%h %he dryne & He c!o ed hi eye a#ain& (Hur%,( aid %he 'oice& (7i!!& Hur% ** "i!!& Come&( He o$ened hi eye a#ain& +he b!ue %en*!e##ed !i)ard wa %i!! %here& I% ran a !i%%!e way a!on# %he barrier, came bac", %ar%ed off a#ain, and came bac"& (Hur%,( i% aid& (7i!!& Come&( A#ain i% %ar%ed off, and came bac"& Ob'iou !y i% wan%ed Car on %o fo!!ow i% a!on# %he barrier& He c!o ed hi eye a#ain& +he 'oice "e$% on& +he ame %hree meanin#!e word & Each %ime he o$ened hi eye , i% ran off and came bac"& (Hur%& 7i!!& Come&( Car on #roaned& Since %here wou!d be no $eace un!e he fo!!owed %he %hin#, he craw!ed af%er i%& Ano%her ound, a hi#h*$i%ched, 5uea!in#, came %o hi ear & +here wa ome%hin# !yin# in %he and, wri%hin#, 5uea!in#& Some%hin# ma!!, b!ue, %ha% !oo"ed !i"e a !i)ard& He aw i% wa %he !i)ard who e !e# %he Ro!!er had $u!!ed off, o !on# a#o& I% wa n(% dead1 i% had come bac" %o !ife and wa wri##!in# and creamin# in a#ony& (Hur%,( aid %he o%her !i)ard& (Hur%& 7i!!& 7i!!&( Car on under %ood& He %oo" %he f!in% "nife from hi be!% and "i!!ed %he %or%ured crea%ure& +he !i'e !i)ard curried off& Car on %urned bac" %o %he barrier& He !eaned hi hand and head a#ain % i% and wa%ched %he Ro!!er, far bac", wor"in# on %he new ca%a$u!%&

(I cou!d #e% %ha% far,( he %hou#h%, (if I cou!d #e% %hrou#h& Hi mind mu % ha'e !i$$ed for a momen%, for he found If I cou!d #e% %hrou#h, I mi#h% win ye%& I% !oo" wea", him e!f bea%in# hi fi % a#ain % %he barrier in fu%i!e %oo& I mi#h% ** ( ra#e, and made him e!f %o$& He c!o ed hi eye , %ried And %hen %here wa ano%her reac%ion of ho$e!e ne , %o ma"e him e!f ca!m& when $ain a$$ed hi wi!! and he wi hed %ha% he were (He!!o,( aid a 'oice& dead, en'yin# %he !i)ard he(d 2u % "i!!ed& I% didn(% ha'e %o !i'e on and uffer& I% wa a ma!!, %hin 'oice& He o$ened hi eye and %urned hi head& I% wa a !i)ard& He wa $u hin# on %he barrier wi%h %he f!a% of hi hand (4o away,( Car on wan%ed %o ay& (4o away1 you(re no% rea!!y %here, or you(re %here bu% no% rea!!y %a!"in#& I(m when he no%iced hi arm , how %hin and crawny %hey were& He mu % rea!!y ha'e been here a !on# %ime, for

day , %o #e% a %hin a %ha%& For a whi!e he wa a!mo % hy %erica! a#ain, and %hen came a %ime of dee$ ca!m and %hou#h%& +he !i)ard he had 2u % "i!!ed had cro ed %he barrier, %i!! a!i'e& I% had come from %he Ro!!er( ide1 %he Ro!!er had $u!!ed off i% !e# and %hen %o ed i% con%em$%uou !y a% him and i% had come %hrou#h %he barrier& I% hadn(% been dead, mere!y uncon ciou & A !i'e !i)ard cou!dn(% #o %hrou#h %he barrier, bu% an uncon ciou one cou!d& +he barrier wa no% a barrier, %hen, %o !i'in# f!e h, bu% %o con ciou f!e h& I% wa a men%a! $ro%ec%ion, a men%a! ha)ard& 3i%h %ha% %hou#h%, Car on %ar%ed craw!in# a!on# %he barrier %o ma"e hi !a % de $era%e #amb!e, a ho$e o for!orn %ha% on!y a dyin# man wou!d ha'e dared %ry i%& He mo'ed a!on# %he barrier %o %he mound of and, abou% four fee% hi#h, which he(d coo$ed ou% whi!e %ryin# ** how many day a#o, ** %o di# under %he barrier or %o reach wa%er& +ha% mound !ay ri#h% a% %he barrier, i% far%her !o$e ha!f on one ide of %he barrier, ha!f on %he o%her& +a"in# wi%h him a roc" from %he $i!e nearby, he c!imbed u$ %o %he %o$ of %he dune and !ay %here a#ain % %he barrier, o %ha% if %he barrier were %a"en away he(d ro!! on down %he hor% !o$e, in%o %he enemy %erri%ory& He chec"ed %o be ure %ha% %he "nife wa afe!y in hi ro$e be!%, %ha% %he har$oon wa in %he croo" of hi !ef% arm and %ha% %he %wen%y*foo% ro$e fa %ened %o i% and %o hi wri %& +hen wi%h hi ri#h% hand he rai ed %he roc" wi%h which he wou!d hi% him e!f on %he head& 6uc" wou!d ha'e %o be wi%h him on %ha% b!ow1 i% wou!d ha'e %o be hard enou#h %o "noc" him ou%, bu% no% hard enou#h %o "noc" him ou% for !on#& He had a hunch %ha% %he Ro!!er wa wa%chin# him, and wou!d ee him ro!! down %hrou#h %he barrier, and come %o in'e %i#a%e& I% wou!d be!ie'e he wa dead, he ho$ed ** he %hou#h% i% had $robab!y drawn %he ame deduc%ion abou% %he na%ure of %he barrier %ha% he had& Bu% i% wou!d come cau%iou !y1 he wou!d ha'e a !i%%!e %ime ** He %ruc" him e!f&

had %ruc" him e!f, an%ici$a%ed %ha% 'ery $ain, e'en ho$ed for i%, and had %ee!ed him e!f a#ain % awa"enin# wi%h a udden mo'emen%& He o$ened hi eye 2u % a !i%, and aw %ha% he had #ue ed ri#h%!y& +he Ro!!er wa comin# c!o er& I% wa %wen%y fee% away1 %he $ain %ha% had awa"ened him wa %he %one i% had %o ed %o ee whe%her he wa a!i'e or dead& He !ay %i!!& I% came c!o er, fif%een fee% away, and %o$$ed a#ain& Car on carce!y brea%hed& A near!y a $o ib!e, he wa "ee$in# hi mind a b!an", !e % i% %e!e$a%hic abi!i%y de%ec% con ciou ne in him& And wi%h hi mind b!an"ed ou% %ha% way, %he im$ac% of i% %hou#h% u$on hi mind wa ha%%erin#& He fe!% heer horror a% %he a!ienne , %he diff:ren%ne of %ho e %hou#h% , con'eyin# %hin# %ha% he fe!% bu% cou!d no% under %and or e0$re , becau e no %erre %ria! !an#ua#e had word , no %erre %ria! brain had ima#e %o fi% %hem& +he mind of a $ider, he %hou#h%, or %he mind of a $rayin# man%i or a .ar%ian and* er$en%, rai ed %o in%e!!i#ence and $u% in %e!e$a%hic ra$$or% wi%h human mind , wou!d be a home!y fami!iar %hin#, com$ared %o %hi & He under %ood now %ha% %he En%i%y had been ri#h%- .an or Ro!!er, %he uni'er e wa no% a $!ace %ha% cou!d ho!d %hem bo%h& C!o er& Car on wai%ed un%i! i% wa on!y fee% away, un%i! i% c!awed %en%ac!e reached ou%&&&& Ob!i'iou %o a#ony now, he a% u$, rai ed and f!un# %he har$oon wi%h a!! %he %ren#%h %ha% remained %o him& A %he Ro!!er, dee$!y %abbed by %he har$oon, ro!!ed away, Car on %ried %o #e% %o hi fee% %o run af%er i%& He cou!dn(% do %ha%1 he fe!!, bu% "e$% craw!in#& I% reached %he end of %he ro$e, and he wa 2er"ed forward by %he $u!! on hi wri %& I% dra##ed him a few fee% and %hen %o$$ed& Car on "e$% #oin#, $u!!in# him e!f %oward i% hand o'er hand a!on# %he ro$e& I% %o$$ed %here, %en%ac!e %ryin# in 'ain %o $u!! ou% %he har$oon& I% eemed %o hudder and 5ui'er, and %hen rea!i)ed %ha% i% cou!dn(% #e% away, for i% ro!!ed bac" %oward him, c!awed %en%ac!e reachin# ou%& S%one "nife in hand, he me% i%& He %abbed, a#ain and a#ain, whi!e %ho e horrid c!aw ri$$ed "in and f!e h and mu c!e from hi body& He %abbed and !a hed, and a% !a % i% wa %i!!&

--Pain brou#h% him bac" %o con ciou ne , a udden, har$ $ain in hi hi$ %ha% wa differen% from %he $ain in hi head and !e#& He had, %hin"in# %hin# ou% before he

*** A be!! wa rin#in#, and i% %oo" him a whi!e af%er he(d o$ened hi eye %o %e!! where he wa and wha% i% wa & He wa %ra$$ed in%o %he ea% of hi cou%er, and %he 'i i$!a%e before him howed on!y em$%y $ace& No Ou% ider hi$ and no im$o ib!e $!ane%& +he be!! wa %he communica%ion $!a%e i#na!1 omeone wan%ed him %o wi%ch $ower in%o %he recei'er& Pure!y ref!e0 ac%ion enab!ed him %o reach forward and %hrow %he !e'er& +he face of Brander, ca$%ain of %he .a#e!!an, mo%her* hi$ of hi #rou$ of cou%er , f!a hed in%o %he creen& Hi face wa $a!e and hi b!ac" eye #!owin# wi%h e0ci%emen%& (.a#e!!an %o Car on,( he na$$ed& (Come on in& +he fi#h%( o'er& 3e('e won/( +he creen wen% b!an"1 Brander wou!d be i#na!!in# %he o%her cou%er of hi command& S!ow!y, Car on e% %he con%ro! for %he re%urn& S!ow!y, unbe!ie'in#!y, he un %ra$$ed him e!f from %he ea% and wen% bac" %o #e% a drin" a% %he co!dwa%er %an"& For ome rea on, he wa unbe!ie'ab!y %hir %y& He dran" i0 #!a e & He !eaned %here a#ain % %he wa!!, %ryin# %o %hin"& Had i% ha$$ened, He wa in #ood hea!%h, ound, unin2ured& Hi %hir % had been men%a! ra%her %han $hy ica!1 hi %hroa% hadn(% been dry& He $u!!ed u$ hi %rou er !e# and !oo"ed a% %he ca!f& +here wa a !on# whi%e car %here, bu% a $erfec%!y hea!ed car1 i% hadn(% been %here before& He )i$$ed o$en %he fron% of hi hir% and aw %ha% hi che % and abdomen were cri *cro ed wi%h %iny, a!mo % unno%iceab!e, $erfec%!y hea!ed car &

I% had ha$$ened/ +he cou%er, under au%oma%ic con%ro!, wa a!ready en%erin# %he ha%ch of %he mo%her* hi$& +he #ra$$!e $u!!ed i% in%o i% indi'idua! !oc", and a momen% !a%er a bu))er indica%ed %ha% %he !oc" wa airfi!!ed& Car on o$ened %he ha%ch and %e$$ed ou% ide, wen% %hrou#h %he doub!e door of %he !oc"& He wen% ri#h% %o Brander( office, wen% in, and a!u%ed& Brander %i!! !oo"ed da)ed& (Hi, Car on,( he aid& (3ha% you mi ed1 wha% a how/( (3ha% ha$$ened, ir,( (Don(% "now, e0ac%!y& 3e fired one a!'o, and %heir who!e f!ee% wen% u$ in du %/ 3ha%e'er i% wa 2um$ed from hi$ %o hi$ in a f!a h, e'en %he one we hadn(% aimed a% and %ha% were ou% of ran#e/ +he who!e f!ee% di in%e#ra%ed before our eye , and we didn(% #e% %he $ain% of a in#!e hi$ cra%ched/ (3e can(% e'en c!aim credi% for i%& .u % ha'e been ome un %ab!e com$onen% in %he me%a! %hey u ed, and our i#h%in# ho% 2u % e% i% off& .an, %oo bad you mi ed a!! %he e0ci%emen%/( Car on mana#ed a ic"!y #ho % of a #rin, for i% wou!d be day before he(d be o'er %he im$ac% of hi e0$erience, bu% %he ca$%ain wa n(% wa%chin#& (Ye , ir,( he aid& Common en e, more %han mode %y, %o!d him he(d be branded a %he wor % !iar in $ace if he e'er aid any more %han %ha%& (Ye , ir, %oo bad I mi ed a!! %he e0ci%emen%&&&&(

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