Part 4 (1/2)

”All right,” he said loudly, ”so it isn't like we expected. So no one came to meet us with bra.s.s bands and ten cent flags. We've still succeeded, haven't we? We've found life that's intelligent beyond our comprehension. What if our own civilization is insignificant by comparison? Look at those beings. Think of what we can learn from them.

Why, their s.h.i.+ps might have exceeded the speed of light. They might be from other galaxies!”

”Let's find out,” said Parker.

They strode to the nearest s.h.i.+p, an immense, smooth, bluish sphere. Two creatures stood before it, shaped like men and yet twice the size of men. They wore white, skin-tight garments that revealed muscular bodies like those of G.o.ds.

They looked at Captain Wiley and smiled.

One of them pointed toward the _Wanderer_. Their smiles widened and then they laughed.

They laughed gently, understandingly, but they _laughed_.

And then they turned away.

”Talk to them,” Parker urged.

”How?” Beads of perspiration shone on Captain Wiley's face.

”Any way. Go ahead.”

Captain Wiley wiped his forehead. ”We are from Earth, the third planet....”

The two G.o.d-like men seemed annoyed. They walked away, ignoring the Earthmen.

Captain Wiley spat. ”All right, so they won't talk to us. Look at that city! Think of the things we can see there and tell the folks on Earth about! Why, we'll be heroes!”

”Let's go,” said Parker, his voice quavering around the edges.

They walked toward a large, oval opening in a side of the field, a hole between mountainous, conical structures that seemed like the entrance to a street.

Suddenly breath exploded from Captain Wiley's lungs. His body jerked back. He fell to the blue stone pavement.

Then he scrambled erect, scowling, his hands outstretched. He felt a soft, rubbery, invisible substance.

”It's a wall!” he exclaimed.

The voice droned:

”To those of Earth: Beings under the 4th stage of Galactic Development are restricted to the area of the landing field. We are sorry. In your primitive stage it would be unwise for you to learn the nature of our civilization. Knowledge of our science would be abused by your people, and used for the thing you call war. We hope that you have been inspired by what you have seen. However, neither we nor the other visitors to our planet are permitted to hold contact with you. It is suggested that you and your vessel depart.”

”Listen, you!” screamed Parker. ”We've been nine years getting here! By Heaven, we won't leave now! We're....”

”We have no time to discuss the matter. Beings under the 4th stage of Galactic....”

”Never mind!” spat Captain Wiley.

Madness flamed in Parker's eyes. ”We won't go! I tell you, we _won't_, we _won't_!”

His fists streaked through the air as if at an invisible enemy. He ran toward the wall.