Lazarus caught Libby’s eye and silently motioned toward the door. The two slipped outside. “Justin’ll keep ’em busy for the next hour,” he said. “Let’s slide down to the Club and grab some calories.”
“Do you really think we ought to leave?’
“Relax. If the skipper wants us, he can holler.”
Chapter 8
LAZARUS TUCKED AWAY three sandwiches, a double order of ice cream, and some cookies while Libby contented himself with somewhat less. Lazarus would have eaten more but he was forced to respond to a barrage of questions from the other habitués of the Club.
“The commissary department ain’t really back on its feet,” he complained, as he poured his third cup of coffee. “The Little People made life too easy for them. Andy, do you like chili con carne?”
“It’s all right.”
Lazarus wiped his mouth. “There used to be a restaurant in Tijuana that served the best chili I ever tasted. I wonder if it’s still there?”
“Where’s Tijuana?” demanded Margaret Weatheral.
“You don’t remember Earth, do you, Peggy? Well, darling, it’s in Lower California. You know where that is?”
“Don’t you think I studied geography? It’s in Los Angeles.”
“Near enough. Maybe you’re right-by now.” The ship’s announcing system blared out:
“Chief Astrogator-report to the Captain in the Control Room!”
“That’s me!” said Libby, and hurriedly got up.
The call was repeated, then was followed by, “All hands prepare for acceleration! All hands prepare for acceleration!”
“Here we go again, kids.” Lazarus stood up, brushed off his kilt, and followed Libby, whistling as he went
“California, here I come,
Right back where I started from-”
The ship was underway, the stars had faded out. Captain King had left the control room, taking with him his guest, the Earth’s envoy. Miles Rodney had been much impressed; it seemed likely that he would need a drink.
Lazarus and Libby remained in the control room. There was nothing to do; for approximately four hours, ship’s time, the ship would remain in para-space, before returning to normal space near Earth.
Lazarus struck a cigaret. ‘What d’you plan to do when you get back, Andy?”
“Hadn’t thought about it.”
“Better start thinking. Been some changes.”
“I’ll probably head back home for a while. I can’t imagine the Ozarks having changed very much.”
“The hills will look the same, I imagine. You may find the people changed.”
“How?”
“You remember I told you that I had gotten fed up with the Families and had kinda lost touch with them for a century? By and large, they had gotten so smug and soft in their ways that I couldn’t stand them. I’m afraid we’ll find most everybody that way, now that they expect to live forever. Long term investments, be sure to wear your rubbers when it rains . . that sort of thing.”
“It didn’t aifect you that way.”
“My approach is different. I never did have any real reason to last forever-after all, as Gordon Hardy has pointed out, I’m only a third generation result of the Howard plan. I just did my living as I went along and didn’t worry my head about it. But that’s not the usual attitude. Take Miles Rodney- scared to death to tackle a new situation with both hands for fear of upsetting precedent and stepping on established privileges.”
“I was glad to see Justin stand up to him.” Libby chuckled. “I didn’t think Justin had it in him.”
“Ever see a little dog tell a big dog to get the hell out of the little dog’s yard?”
“Do you think Justin will win his point?”
“Sure he will, with your help.”
“Mine?” –
“Who knows anything about the para-drive, aside from what you’ve taught me?”
“I’ve dictated full notes into the records.”
“But you haven’t turned those records over to Miles Rodney. Earth needs your starship drive, Andy. You heard what Rodney said about population pressure. Ralph was telling me you have to get a government permit now before you can have a baby.”
“The hell you say!”
“Fact. You can count on it that there would be tremendous emigration if there were just some decent planets to emigrate to. And that’s where your drive comes in. With it, spreading out to the stars becomes really practical. They’ll have to dicker.”