2001: A Space Odyssey Arthur C.

Clarke

Foreword

Behind every man now alive stand thirty hosts! "or that is the ratio #y which the dead outnum#er the livin . Since the dawn o" time! rou hly a hundred #illion human #ein s have walked the planet $arth. %ow this is an interestin num#er! "or #y a curious coincidence there are appro&imately a hundred #illion stars in our local universe! the 'ilky (ay. So "or every man who has ever lived! in this )niverse there shines a star. But every one o" those stars is a sun! o"ten "ar more #rilliant and lorious than the small! near#y star we call the Sun. And many * perhaps most * o" those alien suns have planets circlin them. So almost certainly there is enou h land in the sky to ive every mem#er o" the human species! #ack to the "irst ape*man! his own private! world*si+ed heaven * or hell. ,ow many o" those potential heavens and hells are now inha#ited! and #y what manner o" creatures! we have no way o" uessin - the very nearest is a million times "arther away than 'ars or .enus! those still remote oals o" the ne&t eneration. But the #arriers o" distance are crum#lin one day we shall meet our e/uals! or our masters! amon the stars. 'en have #een slow to "ace this prospect- some still hope that it may never #ecome reality. 0ncreasin num#ers! however! are askin : 1(hy have such meetin s not occurred already! since we ourselves are a#out to venture into space21 (hy not! indeed2 ,ere is one possi#le answer to that very reasona#le /uestion. But please remem#ert thi sis only a work o" "iction. 3he truth! as always! will #e "ar stran er.

3o Stanley

0 * 450'$.A6 %07,3

1 * 3he 5oad to $&tinction

3he drou ht had lasted now "or ten million years! and the rei n o" the terri#le li+ards had lon since ended. ,ere on the $/uator! in the continent which would one day #e known as A"rica! the #attle "or e&istence had reached a new clima& o" "erocity! and the victor was not yet in si ht. 0n this #arren and desiccated land! only the small or the swi"t or the "ierce could "lourish! or even hope to survive. 3he man*apes o" the veldt were none o" these thin s! and they were not "lourishin . 0ndeed! they were already "ar down the road to racial e&tinction. A#out "i"ty o" them occupied a roup o" caves overlookin a small! parched valley! which was divided #y a slu ish stream "ed "rom snows in the mountains two hundred miles to the north. 0n #ad times the stream vanished completely! and the tri#e lived in the shadow o" thirst. 0t was always hun ry! and now it was starvin . (hen the "irst "aint low o" dawn crept into the cave! 'oon*(atcher saw that his "ather had died in the ni ht. ,e did not know that the Old One was his "ather! "or such a relationship was utterly #eyond his understandin ! #ut as he looked at the emaciated #ody he "elt dim dis/uiet that was the ancestor o" sadness. 3he two #a#ies were already whimperin "or "ood! #ut #ecame silent when 'oon*(atcher snarled at them. One o" the mothers! de"endin the in"ant she could not properly "eed! ave him an an ry rowl in return- he lacked the ener y even to cu"" her "or her presumption. %ow it was li ht enou h to leave. 'oon*(atcher picked up the shriveled corpse and dra ed it a"ter him as he #ent under the low overhan o" the cave. Once outside! he threw the #ody over his shoulder and stood upri ht * the only animal in all this world a#le to do so. Amon his kind! 'oon*(atcher was almost a iant. ,e was nearly "ive "eet hi h! and thou h #adly undernourished wei hed over a hundred pounds. ,is hairy! muscular #ody was hal"way #etween ape and man! #ut his head was

already much nearer to man than ape. 3he "orehead was low! and there were rid es over the eye sockets! yet he unmistaka#ly held in his enes the promise o" humanity. As he looked out upon the hostile world o" the 4leistocene! there was already somethin in his a+e #eyond the capacity o" any ape. 0n those dark! deep*set eyes was a dawnin awareness * the "irst intimations o" an intelli ence that could not possi#ly "ul"ill itsel" "or a es yet! and mi ht soon #e e&tin uished "orever. 3here was no si n o" dan er! so 'oon*(atcher #e an to scram#le down the almost vertical slope outside the cave! only sli htly hindered #y his #urden. As i" they had #een waitin "or his si nal! the rest o" the tri#e emer ed "rom their own homes "arther down the rock "ace! and #e an to hasten toward the muddy waters o" the stream "or their mornin drink. 'oon*(atcher looked across the valley to see i" the Others were in si ht! #ut there was no trace o" them. 4erhaps they had not yet le"t their caves! or were already "ora in "arther alon the hillside. Since they were nowhere to #e seen! 'oon*(atcher "or ot them- he was incapa#le o" worryin a#out more than one thin at a time. First he must et rid o" the Old One! #ut this was a pro#lem that demanded little thou ht. 3here had #een many deaths this season! one o" them in his own cave- he had only to put the corpse where he had le"t the new #a#y at the last /uarter o" the moon! and the hyenas would do the rest. 3hey were already waitin ! where the little valley "anned out into the savanna! almost as i" they had known that he was comin . 'oon*(atcher le"t the #ody under a small #ush * all the earlier #ones were already one * and hurried #ack to re8oin the tri#e. ,e never thou ht o" his "ather a ain. ,is two mates! the adults "rom the other caves! and most o" the youn sters were "ora in amon the drou ht*stunted trees "arther up the valley! lookin "or #erries! succulent roots and leaves! and occasional wind"alls like small li+ards or rodents. Only the #a#ies and the "ee#lest o" the old "olk were le"t in the caves- i" there was any surplus "ood at the end o" the day9s searchin ! they mi ht #e "ed. 0" not! the hyenas would soon #e in luck once more. But this day was a ood one * thou h as 'oon*(atcher had no real remem#rance o" the past! he could not compare one time with another. ,e had "ound a hive o" #ees in the stump o" a dead tree! and so had en8oyed the "inest delicacy that his people could ever know- he still licked his "in ers "rom time to time as he led the roup homeward in the late a"ternoon. O" course! he had also collected a "air num#er o" stin s! #ut he had scarcely noticed them. ,e was now as near to contentment as he was

ever likely to #e- "or thou h he was still hun ry! he was not actually weak with hun er. 3hat was the most to which any man*ape could ever aspire. ,is contentment vanished when he reached the stream. 3he Others were there. 3hey were there every day! #ut that did not make it any the less annoyin . 3here were a#out thirty o" them! and they could not have #een distin uished "rom the mem#ers o" 'oon(atcher9s own tri#e. As they saw him comin they #e un to dance! shake their arms! and shriek on their side o" the stream! and his own people replied in kind. And that was all that happened. 3hou h the man*apes o"ten "ou ht and wrestled one another! their disputes very seldom resulted in serious in8uries. ,avin no claws or "i htin canine teeth! and #ein well protected #y hair! they could not in"lict much harm on one another. 0n any event! they had little surplus ener y "or such unproductive #ehaviorsnarlin and threatenin was a much more e""icient way o" assertin their points o" view. 3he con"rontation lasted a#out "ive minutes- then the display died out as /uickly as it had #e un! and everyone drank his "ill o" the muddy water. ,onor had #een satis"ied- each roup had staked its claim to its own territory. 3his important #usiness havin #een settled! the tri#e moved o"" alon its side o" the river. 3he nearest worthwhile ra+in was now more than a mile "rom the caves! and they had to share it with a herd o" lar e! antelope*like #easts who #arely tolerated their presence. 3hey could not #e driven away! "or they were armed with "erocious da ers on their "oreheads * the natural weapons which the man*apes did not possess. So 'oon*(atcher and his companions chewed #erries and "ruit and leaves and "ou ht o"" the pan s o" hun er * while all around them! competin "or the same "odder! was a potential source o" more "ood than they could ever hope to eat. :et the thousands o" tons o" succulent meat roamin over the savanna and throu h the #ush was not only #eyond their reach- it was #eyond their ima ination. 0n the midst o" plenty! they were slowly starvin to death. 3he tri#e returned to its cave without incident! in the last li ht o" the day. 3he in8ured "emale who had remained #ehind cooed with pleasure as 'oon*(atcher ave her the #erry*covered #ranch he had #rou ht #ack! and #e an to attack it ravenously. 3here was little enou h nourishment here! #ut it would help her to survive until the wound the leopard had iven her had healed! and she could "ora e "or hersel" a ain. Over the valley! a "ull moon was risin ! and a chill wind was #lowin

down "rom the distant mountains. 0t would #e very cold toni ht * #ut cold! like hun er! was not a matter "or any real concern- it was merely part o" the #ack round o" li"e. 'oon*(atcher #arely stirred when the shrieks and screams echoed up the slope "rom one o" the lower caves! and he did not need to hear the occasional rowl o" the leopard to know e&actly what was happenin . ;own there in the darkness old (hite ,air and his "amily were "i htin and dyin ! and the thou ht that he mi ht help in some way never crossed 'oon*(atcher9s mind. 3he harsh lo ic o" survival ruled out such "ancies! and not a voice was raised in protest "rom the listenin hillside. $very cave was silent! lest it also attract disaster. 3he tumult died away! and presently 'oon*(atcher could hear the sound o" a #ody #ein dra ed over rocks. 3hat lasted only a "ew seconds- then the leopard ot a ood hold on its kill. 0t made no "urther noise as it padded silently away! carryin its victim e""ortlessly in its 8aws. For a day or two! there would #e no "urther dan er here! #ut there mi ht #e other enemies a#road! takin advanta e o" this cold 6ittle Sun that shone only #y ni ht. 0" there was su""icient warnin ! the smaller predators could sometimes #e scared away #y shouts and screams. 'oon*(atcher crawled out o" the cave! clam#ered onto a lar e #oulder #eside the entrance! and s/uatted there to survey the valley. O" all the creatures who had yet walked on $arth! the man*apes were the "irst to look stead"astly at the 'oon. And thou h he could not remem#er it! when he was very youn 'oon*(atcher would sometimes reach out and try to touch that hostly "ace risin a#ove the hills. ,e had never succeeded! and now he was old enou h to understand why. For "irst! o" course! he must "ind a hi h enou h tree to clim#. Sometimes he watched the valley! and sometimes he watched the 'oon! #ut always he listened. Once or twice he do+ed o""! #ut he slept with a hair*tri er alertness! and the sli htest sound would have distur#ed him. At the reat a e o" twenty*"ive! he was still in "ull possession o" all his "aculties- i" his luck continued! and he avoided accidents! disease! predators! and starvation! he mi ht survive "or as much as another ten years. 3he ni ht wore on! cold and clear! without "urther alarms! and the 'oon rose slowly amid e/uatorial constellations that no human eye would ever see. 0n the caves! #etween spells o" "it"ul do+in and "ear"ul waitin ! were #ein #orn the ni htmares o" enerations yet to #e.

And twice there passed slowly across the sky! risin up to the +enith and descendin into the east! a da++lin point o" li ht more #rilliant than any star.

2 * 3he %ew 5ock

6ate that ni ht! 'oon*(atcher suddenly awoke. 3ired out #y the day9s e&ertions and disasters! he had #een sleepin more soundly than usual! yet he was instantly alert at the "irst "aint scra##lin down in the valley. ,e sat up in the "etid darkness o" the cave! strainin his senses out into the ni ht! and "ear crept slowly into his soul. %ever in his li"e * already twice as lon as most mem#ers o" his species could e&pect * had he heard a sound like this. 3he reat cats approached in silence! and the only thin that #etrayed them was a rare slide o" earth! or the occasional crackin o" a twi . :et this was a continuous crunchin noise! that rew steadily louder. 0t seemed that some enormous #east was movin throu h the ni ht! makin no attempt at concealment! and i norin all o#stacles. Once 'oon*(atcher heard the unmistaka#le sound o" a #ush! #ein uprooted- the elephants and dinotheria did this o"ten enou h! #ut otherwise they moved as silently as the cats. And then there came a sound which 'oon*(atcher could not possi#ly have identi"ied! "or it had never #een heard #e"ore in the history o" the world. 0t was the clank o" metal upon stone. 'oon*(atcher came "ace to "ace with the %ew 5ock when he led the tri#e down to the river in the "irst li ht o" mornin . ,e had almost "or otten the terrors o" the ni ht! #ecause nothin had happened a"ter that initial noise! so he did not even associate this stran e thin with dan er or with "ear. 3here was! a"ter all! nothin in the least alarmin a#out it. 0t was a rectan ular sla#! three times his hei ht #ut narrow enou h to span with his arms! and it was made o" some completely transparent material- indeed! it was not easy to see e&cept when the risin sun linted on its ed es. As 'oon*(atcher had never encountered ice! or even crystal*clear water! there were no natural o#8ects to which he could compare this apparition. 0t was certainly rather attractive! and thou h he was wisely cautious o" most new thin s! he did not hesitate "or lon #e"ore sidlin up to it. As nothin happened! he put out his hand! and "elt a cold! hard sur"ace.

A"ter several minutes o" intense thou ht! he arrived at a #rilliant e&planation. 0t was a rock! o" course! and it must have rown durin the ni ht. 3here were many plants that did this * white! pulpy thin s shaped like pe##les! that seemed to shoot up durin the hours o" darkness. 0t was true that they were small and round! whereas this was lar e and sharp*ed ed- #ut reater and later philosophers than 'oon*(atcher would #e prepared to overlook e/ually strikin e&ceptions to their theories. 3his really super# piece o" a#stract thinkin led 'oon*(atcher! a"ter only three or "our minutes! to a deduction which he immediately put to the test. 3he white round pe##le*plants were very tasty <thou h there were a "ew that produced violent illness=- perhaps this tall one...2 A "ew licks and attempted ni##les /uickly disillusioned him. 3here was no nourishment here- so like a sensi#le man*ape! he continued on his way to the river and "or ot all a#out the crystalline monolith! durin the daily routine o" shriekin at the Others. 3he "ora in today was very #ad! and the tri#e had to travel several miles "rom the caves to "ind any "ood at all. ;urin the merciless heat o" noon one o" the "railer "emales collapsed! "ar "rom any possi#le shelter. ,er companions athered round her! twitterin and meepin sympathetically! #ut there was nothin that anyone could do. 0" they had #een less e&hausted they mi ht have carried her with them! #ut there was no surplus ener y "or such acts o" kindness. She had to #e le"t #ehind! to recover or not with her own resources. 3hey passed the spot on the homeward trek that evenin - there was not a #one to #e seen. 0n the last li ht o" day! lookin round an&iously "or early hunters! they drank hastily at the stream and started the clim# up to their caves. 3hey were still a hundred yards "rom the %ew 5ock when the sound #e an. 0t was #arely audi#le! yet it stopped them dead! so that they stood paraly+ed on the trail with their 8aws han in slackly. A simple! maddenin ly repetitious vi#ration! it pulsed out "rom the crystal- and hypnoti+ed all who came within its spell. For the "irst time * and the last! "or three million years * the sound o" drummin was heard in A"rica. 3he thro##in rew louder! more insistent. 4resently the man*apes #e an to move "orward! like sleepwalkers! toward the source o" that compulsive sound. Sometimes they took little dancin steps! as their #lood responded to rhythms that their descendants would not create "or a es yet. 3otally entranced! they athered round the monolith! "or ettin the hardships o" the day! the perils o" the approachin dusk! and the hun er in their #ellies. 3he drummin #ecame louder! the ni ht darker. And as the shadows

len thened and the li ht drained "rom the sky! the crystal #e an to low. First it lost its transparency! and #ecame su""used with a pale! milky luminescence! 3antali+in ! ill*de"ined phantoms moved across its sur"ace and in its depths. 3hey coalesced into #ars o" li ht and shadow! then "ormed intermeshin ! spoked patterns that #e an slowly to rotate. Faster and "aster spun the wheels o" li ht! and the thro##in o" the drums accelerated with them. %ow utterly hypnoti+ed! the man*apes could only stare slack*8awed into this astonishin display o" pyrotechnics. 3hey had already "or otten the instincts o" their "ore"athers and the lessons o" a li"etime- not one o" them! ordinarily! would have #een so "ar "rom his cave! so late in the evenin . For the surroundin #rush was "ull o" "ro+en shapes and starin eyes! as the creatures o" the ni ht suspended their #usiness to see what would happen ne&t. %ow the spinnin wheels o" li ht #e an to mer e! and the spokes "used into luminous #ars that slowly receded into the distance! rotatin on their a&es as they did so. 3hey split into pairs and the resultin sets o" lines started to oscillate across one another! slowly chan in their an les o" intersection. Fantastic! "leetin eometrical patterns "lickered in and out o" e&istence as the lowin rids meshed and unmeshed- and the man*apes watched! mesmeri+ed captives o" the shinin crystal. 3hey could never uess that their minds were #ein pro#ed! their #odies mapped! their reactions studied! their potentials evaluated. At "irst! the whole tri#e remained hal" crouchin in a motionless ta#leau! as i" "ro+en into stone. 3hen the man*ape nearest to the sla# suddenly came to li"e. ,e did not move "rom his position! #ut his #ody lost its trancelike ri idity and #ecame animated as i" it were a puppet controlled #y invisi#le strin s. 3he head turned this way and that- the mouth silently opened and closed- the hands clenched and unclenched. 3hen he #ent down! snapped o"" a lon stalk o" rass! and attempted to tie it into a knot with clumsy "in ers. ,e seemed to #e a thin possessed! stru lin a ainst some spirit or demon who had taken over control o" his #ody. ,e was pantin "or #reath! and his eyes were "ull o" terror as he tried to "orce his "in ers to make movements more comple& than any that they had ever attempted #e"ore. ;espite all his e""orts! he succeeded only in #reakin the stalk into pieces. As the "ra ments "ell to the round! the controllin in"luence le"t him! and he "ro+e once more into immo#ility. Another man*ape came to li"e! and went throu h the same routine. 3his

was a youn er! more adapta#le specimen- it succeeded where the older one had "ailed. On the planet $arth! the "irst crude knot had #een tied. Others did stran er and still more pointless thin s. Some held their hands out at arm9s len th! and tried to touch their "in ertips to ether * "irst with #oth eyes open! then with one closed. Some were made to stare at ruled patterns in the crystal! which #ecame more and more "inely divided until the lines had mer ed into a ray #lur. And all heard sin le pure sounds! o" varyin pitch! that swi"tly sank #elow the level o" hearin . (hen 'oon*(atcher9s turn came! he "elt very little "ear. ,is main sensation was a dull resentment! as his muscles twitched and his lim#s moved at commands that were not wholly his own. (ithout knowin why! he #ent down and picked up a small stone. (hen he strai htened up! he saw that there was a new ima e in the crystal sla#. 3he rids and the movin ! dancin patterns had one. 0nstead! there was a series o" concentric circles! surroundin a small #lack disk. O#eyin the silent orders in his #rain! he pitched the stone with a clumsy! overarm throw. 0t missed the tar et #y several "eet. 3ry a ain! said the command. ,e searched around until he had "ound another pe##le. 3his time it hit the sla# with a rin in ! #ell*like tone. ,e was still a lon way o""! #ut his aim was improvin . At the "ourth attempt! he was only inches "rom the central #ull9s*eye. A "eelin o" indescri#a#le pleasure! almost se&ual in its intensity! "looded his mind. 3hen the control rela&ed- he "elt no impulse to do anythin ! e&cept to stand and wait. One #y one! every mem#er o" the tri#e was #rie"ly possessed. Some succeeded! #ut most "ailed at the tasks they had #een set! and all were appropriately rewarded #y spasms o" pleasure or o" pain. %ow there was only a uni"orm "eatureless low in the reat sla#! so that it stood like a #lock o" li ht superimposed oil the surroundin darkness. As i" wakin "rom a sleep! the man*apes shook their heads! and presently #e an to move alon the trail to their place o" shelter. 3hey did not look #ack! or wonder at the stran e li ht that was uidin them to their homes * and to a "uture unknown! as yet! even to the stars.

> * Academy

'oon*(atcher and his companions had no recollection o" what they had seen! a"ter the crystal had ceased to cast its hypnotic spell over their minds and to e&periment with their #odies. 3he ne&t day! as they went out to "ora e! they passed it with scarcely a second thou ht- it was now part o" the disre arded #ack round o" their lives. 3hey could not eat it! and it could not eat them- there"ore it was not important. ;own at the river! the Others made their usual ine""ectual threats. 3heir leader! a one*eared man*ape o" 'oon*(atcher9s si+e and a e! #ut in poorer condition! even made a #rie" "oray toward the tri#e9s territory! screamin loudly and wavin his arms in an attempt to scare the opposition and to #olster his own coura e. 3he water o" the stream was nowhere more than a "oot deep! #ut the "arther One*$ar moved out into it! the more uncertain and unhappy he #ecame. .ery soon he slowed to a halt! and then moved #ack! with e&a erated di nity! to 8oin his companions. Otherwise! there was no chan e in the normal routine. 3he tri#e athered 8ust enou h nourishment to survive "or another day! and no one died. And that ni ht! the crystal sla# was still waitin - surrounded #y its pulsin aura o" li ht and sound. 3he pro ram it had contrived! however! was now su#tly di""erent. Some! o" the man*apes it i nored completely! as i" it was concentratin on the most promisin su#8ects. One o" them was 'oon*(atcher- once a ain he "elt in/uisitive tendrils creepin down the unused #yways o" his #rain. And presently! he #e an to see visions. 3hey mi ht have #een within the crystal #lock- they mi ht have #een wholly inside his mind. 0n any event! to 'oon*(atcher they were completely real. :et somehow the usual automatic impulse to drive o"" invaders o" his territory had #een lulled into /uiescence. ,e was lookin at a peace"ul "amily roup! di""erin in only one respect "rom the scenes he knew. 3he male! "emale! and two in"ants that had mysteriously appeared #e"ore him were or ed and replete! with sleek and lossy pelts * and this was a condition o" li"e that 'oon*(atcher had never ima ined. )nconsciously! he "elt his own protrudin ri#s- the ri#s o" these creatures were hidden in rolls o" "at. From time to time they stirred la+ily! as they lolled at ease near the entrance o" a cave! apparently at peace with the world. Occasionally- the #i male emitted a monumental #urp o" contentment. 3here was no other activity! and a"ter "ive minutes the scene suddenly

"aded out. 3he crystal was no more than a limmerin outline in the darkness- 'oon*(atcher shook himsel" as i" awakin "rom a dream! a#ruptly reali+ed where he was! and led the tri#e #ack to the caves. ,e had no conscious memory o" what he had seen- #ut that ni ht! as he sat #roodin at the entrance o" his lair! his ears attuned to the noises o" the world around him! 'oon*(atcher "elt the "irst "aint twin es o" a new and potent emotion. 0t was a va ue and di""use sense o" envy * o" dissatis"action with his li"e. ,e had no idea o" its cause! still less o" its cure- #ut discontent had come into his soul! and he had taken one small step toward humanity. %i ht a"ter ni ht! the spectacle o" those "our plump man*apes was repeated! until it had #ecome a source o" "ascinated e&asperation! servin to increase 'oon*(atcher9s eternal! nawin hun er. 3he evidence o" his eyes could not have produced this e""ect- it needed psycholo ical rein"orcement. 3here were aps in 'oon*(atcher9s li"e now that he would never remem#er! when the very atoms o" his simple #rain were #ein twisted into new patterns. 0" he survived! those patterns would #ecome eternal! "or his enes would pass them on to "uture enerations. 0t was a slow! tedious #usiness! #ut the crystal monolith was patient. %either it! nor its replicas scattered across hal" the lo#e! e&pected to succeed with all the scores o" roups involved in the e&periment. A hundred "ailures would not matter! when a sin le success could chan e the destiny o" the world. By the time o" the ne&t new moon! the tri#e had seen one #irth and two deaths. One o" these had #een due to starvation- the other had occurred durin the ni htly ritual! when a man*ape had suddenly collapsed while attemptin to tap two pieces o" stone delicately to ether. At once! the crystal had darkened! and the tri#e had #een released "rom the spell. But the "allen man*ape had not moved- and #y the mornin ! o" course! the #ody was one. 3here had #een no per"ormance the ne&t ni ht- the crystal was still analy+in its mistake. 3he tri#e streamed past it throu h the atherin dusk! i norin its presence completely. 3he ni ht a"ter! it was ready "or them a ain. 3he "our plump man*apes were still there! and now they were doin e&traordinary thin s. 'oon*(atcher #e an to trem#le uncontrolla#lyhe "elt as i" his #rain would #urst! and wanted to turn away his eyes. But that remorseless mental control would not rela& its rip- he was compelled to "ollow the lesson to the end! thou h all his instincts revolted a ainst it. 3hose instincts had served his ancestors well! in the days o" warm rains and lush "ertility! when "ood was to #e had everywhere "or the

pluckin . %ow times had chan ed! and the inherited wisdom o" the past had #ecome "olly. 3he man*apes must adapt! or they must die * like the reater #easts who had one #e"ore them! and whose #ones now lay sealed within the limestone hills. So 'oon*(atcher stared at the crystal monolith with un#linkin eyes! while his #rain lay open to its still uncertain manipulations. O"ten he "elt nausea! #ut always he "elt hun er- and "rom time to time his hands clenched unconsciously in the patterns that would determine his new way o" li"e.

As the line o" wartho s moved snu""lin and runtin across the trail! 'oon*(atcher came to a sudden halt. 4i s and man*apes had always i nored each other! "or there was no con"lict o" interest #etween them. 6ike most animals that did not compete "or the same "ood! they merely kept out o" each other9s way. :et now 'oon*(atcher stood lookin at them! waverin #ack and "orth uncertainly as he was #u""eted #y impulses which he could not understand! 3hen! as i" in a dream! he started searchin the round * thou h "or what! he could not have e&plained even i" he had had the power o" speech. ,e would reco ni+e it when he saw it. 0t was a heavy! pointed stone a#out si& inches lon ! and thou h it did not "it his hand per"ectly! it would do. As he swun his hand around! pu++led #y its suddenly increased wei ht! he "elt a pleasin sense o" power and authority. ,e started to move toward the nearest pi . 0t was a youn and "oolish animal! even #y the undemandin standards o" wartho intelli ence. 3hou h it o#served him out o" the corner o" its eye! it did not take him seriously until much too late. (hy should it suspect these harmless creatures o" any evil intent2 0t went on rootin up the rass until 'oon*(atcher9s stone hammer o#literated its dim consciousness. 3he remainder o" the herd continued ra+in unalarmed! "or the murder had #een swi"t and silent. All the other man*apes in the roup had stopped to watch! and now they crowded round 'oon*(atcher and his victim with admirin wonder. 4resently one o" them picked up the #lood*stained weapon! and #e an to pound the dead pi . Others 8oined in with any sticks and stones that they could ather! until theirt tar et #e an a messy disinte ration. 3hen they #ecame #ored- some wandered o""! while others stood hesitantly around the unreco ni+a#le corpse * the "uture o" a world

waitin upon their decision. 0t was a surprisin ly lon time #e"ore one o" the nursin "emales #e an to lick the ory stone she was holdin in her paws. And it was lon er still #e"ore 'oon*(atcher! despite all that he had #een shown! really understood that he need never #e hun ry a ain.

? * 3he 6eopard

3he tools they had #een pro rammed to use were simple enou h! yet they could chan e this world and make the man*apes its masters. 3he most primitive was the hand*held stone! that multiplied many"old the power o" a #low. 3hen there was the #one clu#! that len thened the reach and could provide a #u""er a ainst the "an s or claws o" an ry animals. (ith these weapons! the limitless "ood that roamed the savannas was theirs to take. But they needed other aids! "or their teeth and nails could not readily dismem#er anythin lar er than a ra##it! 6uckily! %ature had provided the per"ect tools! re/uirin only the wit to pick them up- First there was a crude #ut very e""icient kni"e or saw! o" a model that would serve well "or the ne&t three million years. 0t was simply the lower 8aw#one o" an antelope! with the teeth still in place- there would #e no su#stantial improvement until the comin o" steel. 3hen there was an awl or da er in the "orm o" a a+elle horn! and "inally a scrapin tool made "rom the complete 8aw o" almost any small animal. 3he stone clu#! the toothed saw! the horn da er! the #one scraper * these were the marvelous inventions which the man*apes needed in order to survive. Soon they would reco ni+e them "or the sym#ols o" power that they were! #ut many months must pass #e"ore their clumsy "in ers had ac/uired the skill * or the will * to use them. 4erhaps! iven time! they mi ht #y their own e""orts have come to the awesome and #rilliant concept o" usin natural weapons as arti"icial tools. But the odds were all a ainst them! and even now there were endless opportunities "or "ailure in the a es that lay ahead. 3he man*apes had #een iven their "irst chance. 3here would #e no second one- the "uture was! very literally! in their own hands.

'oons wa&ed and waned- #a#ies were #orn and sometimes lived- "ee#le!

toothless thirty*year*olds died- the leopard took its toll in the ni htthe Others threatened daily across the river * and the tri#e prospered. 0n the course o" a sin le year! 'oon*(atcher and his companions had chan ed almost #eyond reco nition. 3hey had learned their lessons well- now they could handle all the tools that had #een revealed to them. 3he very memory o" hun er was "adin "rom their minds- and thou h the wartho s were #ecomin shy! there were a+elles and antelopes and +e#ras in countless thousands on the plains. All these animals! and others! had "allen prey to the apprentice hunters. %ow that they were no lon er hal"*num#ed with starvation! they had time #oth "or leisure and "or the "irst rudiments o" thou ht. 3heir new way o" li"e was now casually accepted! and they did not associate it in any way with the monolith still standin #eside the trail to the river. 0" they had ever stopped to consider the matter! they mi ht have #oasted that they had #rou ht a#out their improved status #y their own e""orts- in "act! they had already "or otten any other mode o" e&istence. But no )topia is per"ect! and this one had two #lemishes. 3he "irst was the maraudin leopard! whose passion "or man*apes seemed to have rown even stron er now that they were #etter nourished. 3he second was the tri#e across the river- "or somehow the Others had survived! and had stu##ornly re"used to die o" starvation. 3he leopard pro#lem was resolved partly #y chance! partly owin to a serious * indeed almost "atal * error on 'oon*(atcher9s part. :et at the time his idea had seemed such a #rilliant one that he had danced with 8oy! and perhaps he could hardly #e #lamed "or overlookin the conse/uences. 3he tri#e still e&perienced occasional #ad days! thou h these no lon er threatened its very survival. 3oward dusk! it had "ailed to make a kill- the home caves were already in si ht as 'oon*(atcher led his tired and dis runtled companions #ack to shelter. And there! on their very threshold! they "ound one o" nature9s rare #onan+as. A "ull* rown antelope was lyin #y the trail. 0ts "orele was #roken! #ut it still had plenty o" "i ht in it! and the circlin 8ackals ave its da erlike horns a respect"ul #erth. 3hey could a""ord to wait- they knew that they had only to #ide their time. But they had "or otten a#out the competition! and retreated with an ry snarls when the man*apes arrived. 3hey too circled warily! keepin #eyond the ran e o" those dan erous horns- then they moved to the attack with clu#s and stones. 0t was not a very e""ective or coordinated attack- #y the time the wretched #east had #een iven its /uietus the li ht had almost one * and

the 8ackals were re ainin their coura e. 'oon*(atcher! torn #etween "ear and hun er! slowly reali+ed that all this e""ort mi ht have #een in vain. 0t was too dan erous to stay here any lon er. 3hen! not "or the "irst or the last time! he proved himsel" a enius. (ith an immense e""ort o" ima ination! he visuali+ed the dead antelope * in the sa"ety o" his own cave. ,e #e an to dra it toward the cli"" "acepresently! the others understood his intentions! and #e an to help him. 0" he had known how di""icult the task would #e! he would never have attempted it. Only his reat stren th! and the a ility inherited "rom his ar#oreal ancestors allowed him to haul the carcass up the steep slope. Several times! weepin with "rustration! he almost a#andoned his pri+e! #ut a stu##ornness as deep*seated as his hun er drove him on. Sometimes the others helped him! sometimes they hindered- more o"ten! they merely ot in the way. But "inally it was done- the #attered antelope was dra ed over the lip o" the cave! as the last hues o" sunli ht "aded "rom the skyand the "eastin #e an. ,ours later! or ed to repletion! 'oon*(atcher awoke. %ot knowin why! he sat up in the darkness amon the sprawled #odies o" his e/ually satiated companions! and strained his ears into the ni ht. 3here was no sound e&cept the heavy #reathin around him- the whole world seemed asleep. 3he rocks #eyond the mouth o" the cave were pale as #one in the #rilliant li ht "rom the moon! now hi h overhead. Any thou ht o" dan er seemed in"initely remote. 3hen! "rom a lon way o""! came the sound o" a "allin pe##le. Fear"ul! yet in/uisitive! 'oon*(atcher crawled out onto the led e o" the cave and peered down the "ace o" the cli"". (hat he saw le"t him so paraly+ed with "ri ht that "or lon seconds he was una#le to move. Only twenty "eet #elow! two leamin olden eyes were starin strai ht up at him- they held him so hypnoti+ed with "ear that he was scarcely aware o" the lithe! streaked #ody #ehind them! "lowin smoothly and silently "rom rock to rock. %ever #e"ore had the leopard clim#ed so hi h. 0t had i nored the lower caves! thou h it must have #een well aware o" their inha#itants. %ow it was a"ter other ame- it was "ollowin the spoor o" #lood! up the moon*washed "ace o" the cli"". Seconds later! the ni ht was made hideous #y the shrieks o" alarm "rom the man*apes in the cave a#ove. 3he leopard ave a snarl o" "ury as it reali+ed that it had lost the element o" surprise. But it did not check its advance! "or it knew that it had nothin to "ear. 0t reached the led e! and rested "or a moment on the narrow open

space. 3he scent o" #lood was all around! "illin its "ierce and tiny mind with one overwhelmin desire. (ithout hesitation! it padded silently into the cave. And here it made its "irst error! "or as it moved out o" the moonli ht even its super#ly ni ht*adapted eyes were at a momentary disadvanta e. 3he man*apes could see it! partly silhouetted a ainst the openin o" the cave! more clearly than it could see them. 3hey were terri"ied! #ut they were no lon er utterly helpless. Snarlin and lashin its tail in arro ant con"idence! the leopard advanced in search o" the tender "ood that it craved. ,ad it met its prey in the open! it would have had no pro#lems- #ut now that the man*apes were trapped! desperation had iven them the coura e to attempt the impossi#le. And "or the "irst time they had the means to achieve it. 3he leopard knew that somethin was wron when it "elt a stunnin #low on its head. 0t lashed out with its "orepaw! and heard a shriek o" a ony as its claws slashed throu h so"t "lesh. 3hen there was a piercin pain as somethin sharp drove into its "lanks * once! twice! and yet a third time. 0t whirled around to strike at the shadows screamin and dancin on all sides. A ain there was a violent #low as somethin cau ht it across the snout. 0ts teeth snapped on a white! movin #lur * only to rate uselesssly upon dead #one. And now * in a "inal! un#elieva#le indi nity * its tail was #ein dra ed out #y the roots. 0t whirled around! throwin its insanely darin tormentor a ainst the wall o" the cave. :et whatever it did! it could not escape the rain o" #lows! in"licted on it #y crude weapons wielded #y clumsy #ut power"ul hands. 0ts snarls ran the amut "rom pain to alarm! "rom alarm to outri ht terror. 3he implaca#le hunter was now the victim! and was desperately tryin to retreat. And then it made its second mistake! "or in its surprise and "ri ht it had "or otten where it was. Or perhaps it had #een da+ed or #linded #y the #lows rained on its head- whatever the case! it #olted a#ruptly "rom the cave. 3here was a horri#le screech as it went topplin out into space. A es later! it seemed! there came a thud as it crashed into an outcroppin hal"way down the cli""- therea"ter! the only sound was the slidin o" loose stones! which /uickly died away into the ni ht. For a lon time! into&icated #y victory! 'oon*(atcher stood dancin and i##erin at the entrance o" the cave. ,e ri htly sensed that his whole world had chan ed and that he was no lon er a powerless victim o" the "orces around him.

3hen he went #ack into the cave and! "or the "irst time in his li"e! had an un#roken ni ht9s sleep.

0n the mornin ! they 0 "ound the #ody o" the leopard at the "oot o" the cli"". $ven in death! it was some time #e"ore anyone dared to approach the van/uished monster! #ut presently they closed in upon it! with their #one knives and saws. 0t was very hard work! and they did no huntin that day.

@ * $ncounter in the ;awn

As he led the tri#e down to the river in the dim li ht o" dawn! 'oon*(atcher paused uncertainly at a "amiliar spot. Somethin ! he knew! was missin - #ut what it was! he could not remem#er. ,e wasted no mental e""ort on the pro#lem! "or this mornin he had more important matters on his mind. 6ike thunder and li htnin and clouds and eclipses! the reat #lock o" crystal had departed as mysteriously as it had come. ,avin vanished into the none&istent past! it never trou#led 'oon*(atcher9s thou hts a ain. ,e would never know what it had done to him- and none o" his companions wondered! as they athered round him in the mornin mist! why he had paused "or a moment here on the way to the river.

From their side o" the stream! in the never*violated sa"ety o" their own territory! the Others "irst saw 'oon*(atcher and a do+en males o" his tri#e as a movin "rie+e a ainst the dawn sky. At once they #e an to scream their daily challen e- #ut this time! there was no answer. Steadily! purpose"ully * a#ove all! silently * 'oon*(atcher and his #and descended the low hillock that overlooked the river- and as they approached! the Others #ecame suddenly /uiet. 3heir ritual ra e e##ed away! to #e replaced #y a mountin "ear. 3hey were dimly aware that somethin had happened! and that this encounter was unlike all those that had ever one #e"ore.

3he #one clu#s and knives that 'oon*(atcher9s roup carried did not alarm them! "or they did not understand their purpose. 3hey only knew that their rivals9 movements were now im#ued with determination! and with menace. 3he party stopped at the water9s ed e! and "or a moment the Others9 coura e revived. 6ed #y One*$ar! they hal"heartedly resumed their #attle chant. 0t lasted only a "ew seconds #e"ore a vision o" terror struck then dum#. 'oon*(atcher raised his arms hi h into the air! revealin the #urden that until now had #een concealed #y the hirsute #odies o" his companions. ,e was holdin a stout #ranch! and impaled upon it was the #loody head o" the leopard. 3he mouth had #een 8ammed open with a stick! and the reat "an s leamed a hastly white in the "irst rays o" the risin sun. 'ost o" the Others were too paraly+ed with "ri ht to move- #ut some #e an a slow! stum#lin retreat. 3hat was all the encoura ement that 'oon*(atcher needed. Still holdin the man led trophy a#ove his head! he started to cross the stream. A"ter a moment9s hesitation! his companions splashed a"ter him. (hen 'oon*(atcher reached the "ar side! One*$ar was still standin his round. 4erhaps he was too #rave or too stupid to run- perhaps he could not really #elieve that this outra e was actually happenin . Coward or hero! it made no di""erence in the end! as the "ro+en snarl o" death came crashin down upon his uncomprehendin head. Shriekin with "ri ht! the Others scattered into the #ush- #ut presently they would return! and soon they would "or et their lost leader. For a "ew seconds 'oon*(atcher stood uncertainly a#ove his new victim! tryin to rasp the stran e and wonder"ul "act that the dead leopard could kill a ain. %ow he was master o" the world! and he was not /uite sure what to do ne&t. But he would thinko" somethin .

A * Ascent o" 'an

A new animal was a#road on the planet! spreadin slowly out "rom the A"rican heartland. 0t was still so rare that a hasty census mi ht have overlooked it! amon the teemin #illions o" creatures rovin over land

and sea. 3here was no evidence! as yet! that it would prosper or even survive: on this world where so many mi htier #easts had passed away! its "ate still wavered in the #alance. 0n the hundred thousand years since the crystals had descended upon A"rica! the man*apes had invented nothin . But they had started to chan e! and had developed skills which no other animal possessed. 3heir #one clu#s had increased their reach and multiplied their stren th- they were no lon er de"enseless a ainst the predators with whom they had to compete. 3he smaller carnivores they could drive away "rom their own kills- the lar er ones they could at least discoura e! and sometimes put to "li ht. 3heir massive teeth were rowin smaller! "or they were no lon er essential. 3he sharp*ed ed stones that could #e used to di out roots! or to cut and saw throu h tou h "lesh or "i#er! had #e un to replace them! with immeasura#le conse/uences. %o lon er were the man*apes "aced with starvation when their teeth #ecame dama ed or worn- even the crudest tools could add many years to their lives. And as their "an s diminished! the shape o" their "ace started to alter- the snout receded! the massive 8aw #ecame more delicate! the mouth a#le to make more su#tle sounds. Speech was still a million years away! #ut the "irst steps toward it had #een taken. And then the world #e an to chan e. 0n "our reat waves! with two hundred thousand years #etween their crests! the 0ce A es swept #y! leavin their mark on all the lo#e. Outside the tropics! the laciers slew those who had prematurely le"t the"t ancestral home- and everywhere they winnowed out the creatures who could not adapt. (hen the ice had passed! so had much o" the planet9s early li"e * includin the man*apes. But! unlike so many others! they had le"t descendants- they had not merely #ecome e&tinct * they had #een trans"ormed. 3he toolmakers had #een remade #y their own tools. For in usin clu#s and "lints! their hands had developed a de&terity "ound nowhere else in the animal kin dom! permittin them to make still #etter tools! which in turn had developed their lim#s and #rains yet "urther. 0t was an acceleratin ! cumulative process- and at its end was 'an. 3he "irst true men had tools and weapons only a little #etter than those o" their ancestors a million years earlier! #ut they could use them with "ar reater skill. And somewhere in the shadowy centuries that had one #e"ore they had invented the most essential tool o" all! thou h it could #e neither seen nor touched. 3hey had learned to speak! and so had won their "irst reat

victory over 3ime. %ow the knowled e o" one eneration could #e handed on to the ne&t! so that each a e could pro"it "rom those that had one #e"ore. )nlike the animals! who knew only the present! 'an had ac/uired a past- and he was #e innin to rope toward a "uture. ,e was also learnin to harness the "orces o" nature- with the tamin o" "ire! he had laid the "oundations o" technolo y and le"t his animal ori ins "ar #ehind. Stone ave way to #ron+e! and then to iron. ,untin was succeeded #y a riculture. 3he tri#e rew into the villa e! the villa e into the town. Speech #ecame eternal! thanks to certain marks on stone and clay and papyrus. 4resently he invented philosophy! and reli ion. And he peopled the sky! not alto ether inaccurately! with ods. As his #ody #ecame more and more de"enseless! so his means o" o""ense #ecame steadily more "ri ht"ul. (ith stone and #ron+e and iron and steel he had run the amut o" everythin that could pierce and slash! and /uite early in time he had learned how to strike down his victims "rom a distance. 3he spear! the #ow! the un! and "inally the uided missile had iven him weapons o" in"inite ran e and all #ut in"inite power. (ithout those weapons! o"ten thou h he had used them a ainst himsel"! 'an would never have con/uered his world. 0nto them he had put his heart and soul! and "or a es they had served him well. But now! as lon as they e&isted! he was livin on #orrowed time.

00 * 3'A*1

B * Special Fli ht

%o matter how many times you le"t $arth! ;r. ,eywood Floyd told himsel"! the e&citement never really palled. ,e had #een to 'ars once! to the 'oon three times! and to the various space stations more o"ten than he could remem#er. :et as the moment o" takeo"" approached! he was conscious o" a risin tension! a "eelin o" wonder and awe * yes- and o" nervousness * which put him on the same level as any $arthlu##er a#out to receive his "irst #aptism o" space. 3he 8et that had rushed him here "rom (ashin ton! a"ter that midni ht

#rie"in with the 4resident! was now droppin down toward one o" the most "amiliar! yet most e&citin ! landscapes in all the world. 3here lay the "irst two enerations o" the Space A e! spannin twenty miles o" the Florida coast to the south! outlined #y winkin red warnin li hts! were the iant antries o" the Saturns and %eptunes! that had set men on the path to the planets! and had now passed into history. %ear the hori+on! a leamin silver tower #athed in "loodli hts! stood the last o" the Saturn .9s! "or almost twenty years a national monument and place o" pil rima e. %ot "ar away! loomin a ainst the sky like a man*made mountain! was the incredi#le #ulk o" the .ehicle Assem#ly Buildin ! still the lar est sin le structure on $arth. But these thin s now #elon ed to the past! and he was "lyin toward the "uture. As they #anked! ;r. Floyd could see #elow him a ma+e o" #uildin s! then a reat airstrip! then a #road! dead*strai ht scar across the "iat Florida landscape * the multiple rails o" a iant launch*lu track. At its end! surrounded #y vehicles and antries! a spaceplane lay leamin in a pool o" li ht! #ein prepared "or its leap to the stars. 0n a sudden "ailure o" perspective! #rou ht on #y his swi"t chan es o" speed and hei ht! it seemed to Floyd that he was lookin down on a small silver moth! cau ht in the #eam o" a "lashli ht. 3hen the tiny! scurryin "i ures on the round #rou ht home to him the real si+e o" the spacecra"t- it must have #een two hundred "eet across the narrow . o" its win s. And that enormous vehicle! Floyd told himsel" with some incredulity * yet also with some pride * is waitin "or me. As "ar as he knew! it was the "irst time that an entire mission had #een set up to take a sin le man to the 'oon. 3hou h! it was two o9clock in the mornin ! a roup o" reporters and cameramen intercepted him on his way to the "loodlit Orion 000 spacecra"t. ,e knew several o" them #y si ht! "or as Chairman o" the %ational Council o" Astronautics! the news con"erence was part o" his way o" li"e. 3his was neither the time nor the place "or one! and he had nothin to say- #ut it was important not to o""end the entlemen o" the communications media. 1;r. Floyd2 09m Cim Forster o" Associated %ews. Could you ive us a "ew words a#out this "li ht o" yours21 109m very sorry * 0 can9t say anythin .1 1But you did meet with the 4resident earlier this evenin 21 asked a "amiliar voice. 1Oh * hello! 'ike. 09m a"raid you9ve #een dra ed out o" #ed "or

nothin . ;e"initely no comment.1 1Can you at least con"irm or deny that some kind o" epidemic has #roken out on the 'oon21 a 3. reporter asked! mana in to 8o alon side and keep Floyd properly "ramed in his miniature 3. camera. 1Sorry!1 said Floyd! shakin his head. 1(hat a#out the /uarantine21 asked another reporter. 1,ow lon will it #e kept on21 1Still no comment.1 1;r. Floyd!1 demanded a very short and determined lady o" the press! 1what possi#le 8usti"ication can there #e "or this total #lackout o" news "rom the 'oon2 ,as it anythin to do with the political situation21 1(hat political situation21 Floyd asked dryly. 3here was a sprinkle o" lau hter! and someone called! 1,ave a ood trip! ;octorD1 as he made his way into the sanctuary o" the #oardin antry. As lon ! as he could remem#er! it had #een not a 1situation1 so much as a permanent crisis. Since the 1EB0s! the world had #een dominated #y two pro#lems which! ironically! tended to cancel each other out. 3hou h #irth control was cheap! relia#le! and endorsed #y all the main reli ions! it had come too late- the population o" the world was now si& #illion * a third o" them in the Chinese $mpire. 6aws had even #een passed in some authoritarian societies limitin "amilies to two children! #ut their en"orcement had proved impractica#le. As a result! "ood was short in every country- even the )nited States had meatless days! and widespread "amine was predicted within "i"teen years! despite heroic e""orts to "arm the sea and to develop synthetic "oods. (ith the need "or international cooperation more ur ent than ever! there were still as many "rontiers as in any earlier a e. 0n a million years! the human race had lost "ew o" its a ressive instincts- alon sym#olic lines visi#le only to politicians! the thirty*ei ht nuclear powers watched one another with #elli erent an&iety. Amon them! they possessed su""icient me atonna e to remove the entire sur"ace crust o" the planet. Althou h there had #een * miraculously * no use o" atomic weapons! this situation could hardly last "orever. And now! "or their own inscruta#le reasons! the Chinese were o""erin to the smallest have*not nations a complete nuclear capa#ility o" "i"ty warheads and delivery systems. 3he cost was under F200!000!000! and easy terms could #e arran ed.

4erhaps they were only tryin to shore up their sa in economy! #y turnin o#solete weapons systems into hard cash! as some o#servers had su ested. Or perhaps they had discovered methods o" war"are so advanced that they no lon er had need o" such toys- there had #een talk o" radio*hypnosis "rom satellite transmitters! compulsion viruses! and #lackmail #y synthetic diseases "or which they alone possessed the antidote. 3hese charmin ideas were almost certainly propa anda or pure "antasy! #ut it was not sa"e to discount any o" them. $very time Floyd took o"" "rom $arth! he wondered i" it would still #e there when the time came to return. 3he trim stewardess reeted him as he entered the ca#in. 17ood mornin ! ;r. Floyd. 09m 'iss Simmons * 09d like to welcome you a#oard on #ehal" o" Captain 3ynes and our copilot! First O""icer Ballard.1 13hank you!1 said Floyd with a smile! wonderin why stewardesses always had to sound like ro#ot tour uides. 13akeo""9s in "ive minutes!1 she said! esturin into the empty twenty*passen er ca#in. 1:ou can take any seat you want! #ut Captain 3ynes recommends the "orward window seat on the le"t! i" you want to watch the dockin operations.1 109ll do that!1 he answered! movin toward the pre"erred seat. 3he stewardess "ussed over him awhile and then moved to her cu#icle at the rear o" the ca#in. Floyd settled down in his seat! ad8usted the sa"ety harness around waist and shoulders! and strapped his #rie"case to the ad8acent seat. A moment later! the loudspeaker came on with a so"t poppin noise. 17ood mornin !1 said 'iss Simmons9 voice. 13his is Special Fli ht >! Gennedy to Space Station One.1 She was determined! it seemed! to o throu h the "ull routine "or her solitary passen er! and Floyd could not resist a smile as she continued ine&ora#ly. 1Our transit time will #e "i"ty*"ive minutes. 'a&imum acceleration will #e two* ee! and we will #e wei htless "or thirty minutes. 4lease do not leave your seat until the sa"ety si n is lit.1 Floyd looked over his shoulder and called! 13hank you.1 ,e cau ht a limpse o" a sli htly em#arrassed #ut charmin smile.

,e leaned #ack into his seat and rela&ed. 3his trip! he calculated! would cost the ta&payers sli htly over a million dollars. 0" it was not 8usti"ied! he would #e out o" his 8o#- #ut he could always o #ack to the university and to his interrupted studies o" planetary "ormation. 1Auto*countdown procedures all 7o!1 the captain9s voice said over the speaker with the soothin sin son used in 53 chat. 16i"t*o"" in one minute.1 As always! it seemed more like an hour. Floyd #ecame acutely aware o" the i antic "orces coiled up around him! waitin to #e released. 0n the "uel tanks o" the two spacecra"t! and in the power stora e system o" the launchin track! was pent up the ener y o" a nuclear #om#. And it would all #e used to take him a mere two hundred miles "rom $arth. 3here was none o" the old*"ashioned F0.$*FO0C5*3,5$$*3(O*O%$* H$5O #usiness! so tou h on the human nervous system. 16aunchin in "i"teen seconds. :ou will #e more com"orta#le i" you start #reathin deeply.1 3hat was ood psycholo y! and ood physiolo y. Floyd "elt himsel" well char ed with o&y en! and ready to tackle anythin ! when the launchin track #e an to slin its thousand*ton payload out over the Atlantic. 0t was hard to tell when they li"ted "rom the track and #ecame air#orne! #ut when the roar o" the rockets suddenly dou#led its "ury! and Floyd "ound himsel" sinkin deeper and deeper into the cushions o" his seat! he knew that the "irst*sta e en ines had taken over. ,e wished he could look out o" the window! #ut it was an e""ort even to turn his head! :et there was no discom"ort- indeed! the pressure o" acceleration and the overwhelmin thunder o" the motors produced an e&traordinary euphoria. ,is ears rin in ! the #lood poundin in his veins! Floyd "elt more alive than he had "or years. ,e was youn a ain! he wanted to sin aloud * which was certainly sa"e! "or no one could possi#ly hear him. 3he mood passed swi"tly! as he suddenly reali+ed that he was leavin $arth! and everythin he had ever loved. ;own there were his three children! motherless since his wi"e had taken that "atal "li ht to $urope ten years a o. <3en years2 0mpossi#leD :et it was so...= 4erhaps! "or their sake! he should have remarried. ,e had almost lost sense o" time when the pressure and the noise a#ruptly slackened! and the ca#in speaker announced: 14reparin to

separate "rom lower sta e. ,ere we o.1 3here was a sli ht 8olt- and suddenly Floyd recalled a /uotation o" 6eonardo da .inci9s which he had once seen displayed in a %ASA o""ice:

3he 7reat Bird will take its "li ht on the #ack o" the reat #ird! #rin in lory to the nest where it was #orn.

(ell! the 7reat Bird was "lyin now! #eyond all the dreams o" da .inci! and its e&hausted companion was win in #ack to earth. 0n a ten*thousand*mile arc! the empty lower sta e would lide down into the atmosphere! tradin speed "or distance as it homed on Gennedy. 0n a "ew hours! serviced and re"ueled! it would #e ready a ain to li"t another companion toward the shinin silence with it could never reach. %ow! thou ht Floyd! we are on our own! more than hal"way to or#it. (hen the acceleration came on a ain! as the upper sta e rockets "ired! the thrust was much more entle: indeed! he "elt no more than normal ravity. But it would have #een impossi#le to walk! since 1)p1 was strai ht toward the "ront o" the ca#in. 0" he had #een "oolish enou h to leave his seat! he would have crashed at once a ainst the rear wall. 3his e""ect was a little disconcertin ! "or it seemed that the ship was standin on its tail. 3o Floyd! who was at the very "ront o" the ca#in! all the seats appeared to #e "i&ed on a wall toppin vertically #eneath him. ,e was doin his #est to i nore this uncom"orta#le illusion when dawn e&ploded outside the ship. 0n seconds! they shot throu h veils o" crimson and pink and old and #lue into the piercin white o" day. 3hou h the windows were heavily tinted to reduce the lare! the pro#in #eams o" sunli ht that now slowly swept across the ca#in le"t Floyd hal"*#linded "or several minutes. ,e was in space! yet there was no /uestion o" #ein a#le to see the stars. ,e shielded his eyes with his hands and tried to peer throu h the window #eside him. Out there the swept*#ack win o" the ship was #la+in like white*hot metal in the re"lected sunli ht- there was utter darkness all around it! and that darkness must #e "ull o" stars * #ut it was impossi#le to see them. (ei ht was slowly e##in - the rockets were #ein throttled #ack as the

ship eased itsel" into or#it. 3he thunder o" the en ines dropped to a muted roar! then a entle hiss! then died into silence. 0" it had not #een "or the restrainin straps! Floyd would have "loated out o" his seat- his stomach "elt as i" it was oin to do so anyway. ,e hoped that the pills he had #een iven hal" an hour and ten thousand miles a o would per"orm as per speci"ications. ,e had #een spacesick 8ust once in his career! and that was much too o"ten. 3he pilot9s voice was "irm and con"ident as it came over the ca#in speaker. 14lease o#serve all Hero* ee re ulations. (e will #e dockin at Space Station One in "orty*"ive minutes.1 3he stewardess came walkin up the narrow corridor to the ri ht o" the closely spaced seats. 3here was a sli ht #uoyancy a#out her steps! and her "eet came away "rom the "loor reluctantly as i" entan led in lue. She was keepin to the #ri ht yellow #and o" .elcro carpetin that ran the "ull len th o" the "loor * and o" the ceilin . 3he carpet! and the soles o" her sandals! were covered with myriads o" tiny hooks! so that they clun to ether like #urrs. 3his trick o" walkin in "ree "all was immensely reassurin to disoriented passen ers. 1(ould you like some co""ee or tea! ;r. Floyd21 she asked cheer"ully. 1%o thank you!1 he smiled. ,e always "elt like a #a#y when he had to suck at one o" those plastic drinkin tu#es. 3he stewardess was still hoverin an&iously around him as he popped open his #rie"case and prepared to remove his papers. 1;r. Floyd! may 0 ask you a /uestion21 1Certainly!1 he answered! lookin up over his lasses. 1'y "iancI is a eolo ist at Clavius!1 said 'iss Simmons! measurin her words care"ully! 1and 0 haven9t heard "rom him "or over a week.1 109m sorry to hear that- may#e he9s away "rom his #ase! and out o" touch.1 She shook her head. 1,e always tells me when that9s oin to happen. And you can ima ine how worried 0 am * with all these rumors. 0s it really true a#out an epidemic on the 'oon21 10" it is! there9s no cause "or alarm.. 5emem#er! there was a /uarantine #ack in 9EJ! over that mutated "lu virus. A lot o" people were sick * #ut no one died! And that9s really all 0 can say!1 he concluded "irmly. 'iss Simmons smiled pleasantly and strai htened up. 1(ell! thank you

anyway! ;octor. 09m sorry to have #othered you.1 1%o #other at all!1 he said allantly! #ut not very accurately. 3hen he #uried himsel" in his endless technical reports! in a desperate last*minute assault on the usual #acklo ,e would have no time "or readin when he ot to the 'oon.

J * Or#ital 5ende+vous

,al" an hour later the pilot announced: 1(e make contact in ten minutes. 4lease check your seat harness.1 Floyd o#eyed! and put away his papers. 0t was askin "or trou#le to read durin the celestial 8u lin act which took place durin the last >00 miles- #est to close one9s eyes and rela& while the spacecra"t was nud ed #ack and "orth with #rie" #ursts o" rocket power. A "ew minutes later he cau ht his "irst limpse o" Space Station One! only a "ew miles away. 3he sunli ht linted and sparkled "rom the polished metal sur"aces o" the slowly revolvin ! three*hundred*yard*diameter disk. %ot "ar away! dri"tin in the same or#it! was a swept#ack 3itov*. spaceplane! and close to that an almost spherical Aries*1B! the workhorse o" space! with the "our stu##y le s o" its lunar*landin shock a#sor#ers 8uttin "rom one side. 3he Orion 000 spacecra"t was descendin "rom a hi her or#it! which #rou ht the $arth into spectacular view #ehind the Station. From his altitude o" 200 miles! Floyd could see much o" A"rica and the Atlantic Ocean. 3here was considera#le cloud cover! #ut he could still detect the #lue* reen outlines o" the 7old Coast. 3he central a&is o" the Space Station! with its dockin arms e&tended! was now slowly swimmin toward them. )nlike the structure "rom which it spran ! it was not rotatin * or! rather! it was runnin in reverse at a rate which e&actly countered the Station9s own spin. 3hus a visitin spacecra"t could #e coupled to it! "or the trans"er o" personnel or car o! without #ein whirled disastrously around. (ith the so"test o" thuds! ship and Station made contact. 3here were metallic! scratchin noises "rom outside! then the #rie" hissin o" air as pressures e/uali+ed.

A "ew seconds later the airlock door opened! and a man wearin the li ht! close*"ittin slacks and short*sleeved shirt which was almost the uni"orm o" Space Station personnel came into the ca#in. 14leased to meet you! ;r. Floyd. 09m %ick 'iller! Station Security09m to look a"ter you until the shuttle leaves.1 3hey shook hands! then Floyd smiled at the stewardess and said: 14lease ive my compliments to Captain 3ynes! and thank him "or the smooth ride. 4erhaps 09ll see you on the way home.1 .ery cautiously * it was more than a year since he had last #een wei htless and it would #e some time #e"ore he re ained his spacele s * he hauled himsel" hand over hand throu h the airlock and into the lar e! circular cham#er at the a&is o" the Space Station. 0t was a heavily padded room! its walls covered with recessed handholds- Floyd ripped one o" these "irmly while the whole cham#er started to rotate! until it matched the spin o" the Station. As it ained speed! "aint and hostly ravitational "in ers #e an to clutch at him! and he dri"ted slowly toward the circular wall. %ow he was standin ! swayin #ack and "orth ently like seaweed in the sur e o" the tide! on what had ma ically #ecome a curvin "loor. 3he centri"u al "orce o" the Station9s spin had taken hold o" him- it was very "ee#le here! so near the a&is! #ut would increase steadily as he moved outward. From the central transit cham#er he "ollowed 'iller down a curvin stair. At "irst his wei ht was so sli ht that he had almost to "orce himsel" downward #y holdin on to the handrail. %ot until he reached the passen er loun e! on the outer skin o" the reat revolvin disk! had he ac/uired enou h wei ht to move around almost normally. 3he loun e had #een redecorated since his last visit! and had ac/uired several new "acilities. Besides the usual chairs! small ta#les! restaurant! and post o""ice there were now a #ar#er shop! dru store! movie theater and a souvenir shop sellin photo raphs and slides o" lunar and planetary landscapes! uaranteed enuine pieces o" 6uniks! 5an ers! and Surveyors! all neatly mounted in plastic! and e&or#itantly priced. 1Can 0 et you anythin while we9re waitin 21 'iller asked. 1(e #oard in a#out thirty minutes29 10 could do with a cup o" #lack co""ee * two lumps * and 09d like to call $arth.1 15i ht! ;octor * 09ll et the co""ee * the phones are over there.1

3he pictures/ue #ooths were only a "ew yards "rom a #arrier with two entrances la#eled ($6CO'$ 3O 3,$ ).S. S$C30O% and ($6CO'$ 3O 3,$ SO.0$3 S$C30O%. Beneath these were notices which read! in $n lish! 5ussian! and Chinese! French! 7erman! and Spanish.

46$AS$ ,A.$ 5$A;: :O)5: 4assport .isa 'edical Certi"icate 3ransportation 4ermit (ei ht ;eclaration

3here was a rather pleasant sym#olism a#out the "act that as soon as they had passed throu h the #arriers! in either direction! passen ers were "ree to mi& a ain. 3he division was purely "or administrative purposes. Floyd! a"ter checkin that the Area Code "or the )nited States was still J1! punched his twelve*di it home num#er! dropped his plastic all*purpose credit card into the pay slot! and was throu h in thirty seconds. (ashin ton was still sleepin ! "or it was several hours to dawn! #ut he would not distur# anyone. ,is housekeeper would et the messa e "rom the recorder as soon as she awoke. 1'iss Flemmin * this is ;r. Floyd. Sorry 0 had to leave in such a hurry. (ould you please call my o""ice and ask them to collect the car * it9s at ;ulles Airport and the key is with 'r. Bailey! Senior Fli ht Control O""icer. %e&t! will you call the Chevy Chase Country Clu# and leave a messa e "or the secretary. 0 de"initely won9t #e a#le to play in the tennis tournament ne&t weekend. 7ive my apolo ies * 09m a"raid they were countin on me. 3hen call ;owntown $lectronies and tell them that i" the video in my study isn9t "i&ed #y * oh! (ednesday * they can take the damn thin #ack.1 ,e paused "or #reath! and tried to think o" any other crises or pro#lems that mi ht arise durin the days ahead.

10" you run short o" cash! speak to the o""ice- they can et ur ent messa es to me! #ut 0 may #e too #usy to answer. 7ive my love to the children! and say 09ll #e #ack as soon as 0 can. Oh! hell * here9s someone 0 don9t want to see * 09ll call "rom the 'oon i" 0 can * ood*#ye.1 Floyd tried to duck out o" the #ooth! #ut it was too late- he had already #een spotted. Bearin down on him throu h the Soviet Section e&it was ;r. ;imitri 'oisevitch! o" the ).S.S.5. Academy o" Science. ;imitri was one o" Floyd9s #est "riends- and "or that very reason! he was the last person he wished to talk to! here and now.

E * 'oon Shuttle

3he 5ussian astronomer was tall! slender! and #lond! and his unlined "ace #elied his "i"ty*"ive years * the last ten o" which had #een spent #uildin up the iant radio o#servatory on the "ar side o" the 'oon! where two thousand miles o" solid rock would shield it "rom the eletronic racket o" $arth. 1(hy! ,eywood!1 he said! shakin hands "irmly. 10t9s a small universe... ,ow are you * and your charmin children21 1(e9re "ine!1 Floyd replied warmly! #ut with a sli htly distracted air. 1(e o"ten talk a#out the wonder"ul time you ave us last summer.1 ,e was sorry he could not sound more sincere- they really had en8oyed a week9s vacation in Odessa with ;imitri durin one o" the 5ussian9s visits to $arth. 1And you * 0 suppose you9re on your way up21 ;imitri in/uired. 1$r! yes * my "li ht leaves in hal" an hour!1 answered Floyd. 1;o you know 'r. 'iller21 3he Security O""icer had now approached! and was standin at a respect"ul distance holdin a plastic cup "ull o" co""ee. 1O" course. But please put that down! 'r. 'iller. 3his is ;r. Floyd9s last chance to have a civili+ed drink * let9s not waste it. %o * 0 insist.1 3hey "ollowed ;imitri out o" the main loun e into the o#servation section! and soon were sittin at a ta#le under a dim li ht watchin the

movin panorama o" the stars. Space Station One revolved once a minute! and the centri"u al "orce enerated #y this slow spin produced an arti"icial ravity e/ual to the 'oon9s. 3his! it had #een discovered! was a ood compromise #etween $arth ravity and no ravity at all- moreover! it ave moon*#ound passen ers a chance to #ecome acclimati+ed. Outside the almost invisi#le windows! $arth and stars marched in a silent procession. At the moment! this side o" the Station was tilted away "rom the sun- otherwise! it would have #een impossi#le to look out! "or the loun e would have #een #lasted with li ht. $ven as it was! the lare o" the $arth! "illin hal" the sky! drowned all #ut the #ri hter stars. But $arth was wanin ! as the Station or#ited toward the ni ht side o" the planet- in a "ew minutes it would #e a hu e #lack disk! span led with the li hts o" cities. And then the sky would #elon to the stars. 1%ow!1 said ;imitri! a"ter he had swi"tly downed his "irst drink and was toyin with the second! 1what9s all this a#out an epidemic in the ).S. Sector2 0 wanted to o there on this trip. 9%o! 4ro"essor!9 they told me. 9(e9re very sorry! #ut there9s a strict /uarantine until "urther notice.9 0 pulled all the strin s 0 could- 0t was no use. %ow you tell me what9s happenin .1 Floyd roaned inwardly. ,ere we o a ain! he said. 3he sooner 09m on that shuttle! headed "or the 'oon! the happier 09ll #e. 13he * ah * /uarantine is purely a sa"ety precaution!1 he said cautiously. 9(e9re not even sure it9s really necessary! #ut we don9t #elieve in takin chances.1 1But what is the disease * what are the symptoms2 Could it #e e&traterrestrial2 ;o you want any help "rom our medical services21 109m sorry! ;imitri * we9ve #een asked not to say anythin at the moment. 3hanks "or the o""er! #ut we can handle the situation.1 1,mm!1 said 'oisevitch! o#viously /uite unconvinced. 1Seems odd to me that you! an astronomer! should #e sent up to the 'oon to look into an epidemic.1 109m only an e&*astronomer- it9s years since 0 did any real research. %ow 09m a scienti"ic e&pert- that means 0 know nothin a#out a#solutely everythin .1 13hen do you know what 3'A*1 means21 'iller seemed a#out to choke on his drink! #ut Floyd was made o"

sterner stu"". ,e looked his old "riend strai ht in the eye! and said calmly: 13'A*12 (hat an odd e&pression. (here did you hear it21 1%ever mind!1 retorted the 5ussian. 1:ou can9t "ool me. But i" you9ve run into somethin you can9t handle! 0 hope you don9t leave it until too late #e"ore you yell "or help.1 'iller looked meanin "ully at his watch. 1;ue to #oard in "ive minutes! ;r. Floyd!1 he said. 10 think we9d #etter et movin .1 3hou h he knew that they still had a ood twenty minutes! Floyd ot up with haste. 3oo much haste! "or he had "or otten the one*si&th o" a ravity. ,e ra##ed the ta#le 8ust in time to prevent a takeo"". 10t was "ine meetin you! ;imitri!1 he said! not /uite accurately. 1,ope you have a ood trip down to $arth * 09ll ive you a call as soon as 09m #ack.1 As they le"t the loun e! and checked throu h the ).S. transit #arrier! Floyd remarked: 14hew * that was close. 3hanks "or rescuin me.1 1:ou know! ;octor!1 said the Security O""icer! 10 hope he isn9t ri ht.1 15i ht a#out what21 1A#out us runnin into somethin we can9t handle.1 13hat!1 Floyd answered with determination! 1is what 0 intend to "ind out.1 Forty*"ive minutes later! the Aries*lB lunar carrier pulled away "rom the Station. 3here was none o" the power and "ury o" a takeo"" "rom $arth * only an almost inaudi#le! "ar*o"" whistlin as the low*thrust plasma 8ets #lasted their electri"ied streams into space. 3he entle push lasted "or more than "i"teen minutes! and the mild acceleration would not have prevented anyone "rom movin around the ca#in. But when it was over! the ship was no lon er #ound to $arth! as it had #een while it still accompanied the Station. 0t had #roken the #onds o" ravity and was now a "ree and independent planet! circlin the sun in an or#it o" its own. 3he ca#in Floyd now had all to himsel" had #een desi ned "or thirty passen ers. 0t was stran e! and rather lonely! to see all the empty seats around him! and to have the undivided attention o" the steward and stewardess * not to mention pilot! copilot! and two en ineers. ,e dou#ted that any man in history had ever received such e&clusive service! and it was most unlikely that anyone would do so in the "uture. ,e recalled the

cynical remark o" one o" the less reputa#le ponti""s: 1%ow that we have the papacy! let us en8oy it.1 (ell! he would en8oy this tip! and the euphoria o" wei htlessness. (ith the loss o" ravity he had * at least "or a while * shed most o" his cares. Someone had once said that you could #e terri"ied in space! #ut you could not #e worried there. 0t was per"ectly true. 3he stewards! it appeared! were determined to make him eat "or the whole twenty*"ive hours o" the trip! and he was continually "endin o"" unwanted meals. $atin in +ero ravity was no real pro#lem! contrary to the dark "ore#odin s o" the early astronauts. ,e sat at an ordinary ta#le! to which the plates were clipped! as a#oard ship in a rou h sea. All the courses had some element o" stickiness! so that they would not take o"" and o wanderin round the ca#in. 3hus a chop would #e lued to the plate #y a thick sauce! and a salad kept under control #y an adhesive dressin . (ith a little skill and care there were "ew items that could not #e tackled sa"ely- the only thin s #anned were hot soups and e&cessively crum#ly pastries. ;rinks o" course! were a di""erent matter- all li/uids simply had to #e kept in plastic s/uee+e tu#es. A whole eneration o" research #y heroic #ut unsun volunteers had one into the desi n o" the washroom! and it was now considered to #e more or less "oolproo". Floyd investi ated it soon a"ter "ree "all had #e un. ,e "ound himsel" in a little cu#icle with all the "ittin s o" an ordinary airline toilet! #ut illuminated with a red li ht that was very harsh and unpleasant to the eye. A notice printed in prominent letters announced: 'OS3 0'4O53A%3D FO5 :O)5 O(% CO'FO53! 46$AS$ 5$A; 3,$S$ 0%S35)C30O%S CA5$F)66:D Floyd sat down <one still tended to do so! even when wei htless= and read the notice several times. (hen he was sure that there had #een no modi"ications since his last trip! he pressed the S3A53 #utton. Close at hand! an electric motor #e an to whirr! and Floyd "elt himsel" movin . As the notice advised him to do! he closed his eyes and waited. A"ter a minute! a #ell chimed so"tly and he looked around. 3he li ht had now chan ed to a soothin pinkish*white- #ut! more important! he was under ravity a ain. Only the "aintest vi#ration revealed that it was a spurious ravity! caused #y the carrousel*like spin o" the whole toilet compartment. Floyd picked up a piece o" soap! and watched it drop in slow motion- he 8ud ed that the centri"u al "orce was a#out a /uarter o" a normal ravity. But that was /uite enou h- it would ensure that everythin moved in the ri ht direction! in the one place where this mattered most.

,e pressed the S3O4 FO5 $K03 #utton! and closed his eyes a ain. (ei ht slowly e##ed as the rotation ceased! the #ell ave a dou#le chime! and the red warnin li ht was #ack. 3he door was then locked in the ri ht position to let him lide out into the ca#in! where he adhered as /uickly as possi#le to the carpet. ,e had lon a o e&hausted the novelty o" wei htlessness! and was rate"ul "or the .elcro slippers that allowed him to walk almost normally. 3here was plenty to occupy his time! even i" he did nothin #ut sit and read. (hen he tired o" o""icial reports and memoranda and minutes! he would plu his "oolscap*si+ed %ewspad into the ship9s in"ormation circuit and scan the latest reports "rom $arth. One #y one he would con8ure up the world9s ma8or electronic papers- he knew the codes o" the more important ones #y heart! and had no need to consult the list on the #ack o" his pad. Switchin to the display unit9s short*term memory! he would hold the "ront pa e while he /uickly searched the headlines and noted the items that interested him. $ach had its own two*di it re"erence- when he punched that! the posta e*stamp*si+ed rectan le would e&pand until it neatly "illed the screen and he could read it with com"ort. (hen he had "inished! he would "lash #ack to the complete pa e and select a new su#8ect "or detailed e&amination. Floyd sometimes wondered i" the %ewspad! and the "antastic technolo y #ehind it! was the last word in man9s /uest "or per"ect communications. ,ere he was! "ar out in space! speedin away "rom $arth at thousands o" miles an hour! yet in a "ew milliseconds he could see the headlines o" any newspaper he pleased. <3hat very word 1newspaper!1 o" course! was an anachronistic han over into the a e o" electronics.= 3he te&t was updated automatically on every hour- even i" one read only the $n lish versions! one could spend an entire li"etime doin nothin #ut a#sor#in the ever*chan in "low o" in"ormation "rom the news satellites. 0t was hard to ima ine how the system could #e improved or made more convenient. But sooner or later! Floyd uessed! it would pass away! to #e replaced #y somethin as unima ina#le as the %ewspad itsel" would have #een to Ca&ton or 7uten#er . 3here was another thou ht which a scannin o" those tiny electronic headlines o"ten invoked. 3he more wonder"ul the means o" communication! the more trivial! tawdry! or depressin its contents seemed to #e. Accidents! crimes! natural and man*made disasters! threats o" con"lict! loomy editorials * these still seemed to #e the main concern o" the millions o" words #ein sprayed into the ether. :et Floyd also wondered i" this was alto ether a #ad thin - the newspapers o" )topia! he had lon a o

decided! would #e terri#ly dull. From time to time the captain and the other mem#ers o" the crew came into the ca#in and e&chan ed a "ew words with him. 3hey treated their distin uished passen er with awe! and were dou#tless #urnin with curiosity a#out his mission! #ut were too polite to ask any /uestions or even to drop any hints. Only the charmin little stewardess seemed completely at ease in his presence. As Floyd /uickly discovered! she came "rom Bali! and had carried #eyond the atmosphere some o" the race and mystery o" that still lar ely unspoiled island. One o" his stran est! and most enchantin ! memories o" the entire trip was her +ero* ravity demonstration o" some classical Balinese dance movements! with the lovely! #lue* reen crescent o" the wanin $arth as a #ackdrop. 3here was one sleep period! when the main ca#in li hts were switched o"" and Floyd "astened down his arms and le s with the elastic sheets that would prevent him "rom dri"tin away into space. 0t seemed a crude arran ement * #ut here in +ero ravity his unpadded couch was more com"orta#le than the most lu&urious mattress on $arth. (hen he had strapped himsel" in! Floyd do+ed o"" /uickly enou h! #ut woke up once in a drowsy! hal"*conscious condition! to #e completely #a""led #y his stran e surroundin s. For a moment he thou ht that #e was in the middle o" some dimly lit Chinese lantern- the "aint low "rom the other cu#icles around him ave that impression. 3hen he said to himsel"! "irmly and success"ully: 17o to sleep! #oy. 3his is 8ust an ordinary moon shuttle.1 (hen he awoke! the 'oon had swallowed up hal" the sky! and the #rakin maneuvers were a#out to #e in. 3he wide arc o" windows set in the curvin wall o" the passen er section now looked out onto the open sky! not the approachin lo#e! so he moved into the control ca#in. ,ere! on the rear*view 3. screens! he could watch the "inal sta es o" the descent. 3he approachin lunar mountains were utterly unlike those o" $arththey lacked the da++lin caps o" snow! the reen! close*"ittin arments o" ve etation! the movin crowns o" cloud! %evertheless! the "ierce contrasts o" li ht and shadow ave them a stran e #eauty o" their own. 3he laws o" earthly aesthetics did not apply here- this world had #een shaped and molded #y other than terrestrial "orces! operatin over eons o" time unknown to the youn ! verdant $arth! with its "leetin 0ce A es! its swi"tly risin and "allin seas! its mountain ran es dissolvin like mists #e"ore the dawn. ,ere was a e inconceiva#le * #ut not death! "or the 'oon

had never lived * until now. 3he descendin ship was poised almost a#ove the line dividin ni ht "rom day! and directly #elow was a chaos o" 8a ed shadows and #rilliant! isolated peaks catchin the "irst li ht o" the slow lunar dawn. 3hat would #e a "ear"ul place to attempt a landin ! even with all possi#le electronic aids- #ut they were slowly dri"tin away "rom it! toward the ni ht side o" the 'oon. 3hen Floyd saw! as his eyes rew more accustomed to the "ainter illumination! that the ni ht land was not wholly dark. 0t was a low with a hostly li ht! in which peaks and valleys and plains could #e clearly seen. 3he $arth! a iant moon to the 'oon! was "loodin the land #elow with its radiance. On the pilot9s panel! li hts "lashed a#ove radar screens! num#ers came and went on computer displays! clockin o"" the distance o" the approachin 'oon. 3hey were still more than a thousand miles away when wei ht returned as the 8ets #e an their entle #ut steady deceleration. For a es! it seemed! the 'oon slowly e&panded across the sky! the sun sank #elow the hori+on! and at last a sin le iant crater "illed the "ield o" view. 3he shuttle was "allin toward its central peaks * and suddenly Floyd noticed that near one o" those peaks a #rilliant li ht was "lashin with a re ular rhythm. 0t mi ht have #een an airport #eacon #ack on $arth! and he stared at it with a ti htenin o" the throat. 0t was proo" that men had esta#lished another "oothold on the 'oon. %ow the crater had e&panded so much that its ramparts were slippin #elow the hori+on! and the smaller craterlets that peppered its interior were #e innin to disclose their real si+e. Some o" these! tiny thou h they had seemed "rom "ar out in space! were miles across! and could have swallowed whole cities. )nder its automatic controls! the shuttle was slidin down the starlit sky! toward that #arren landscape limmerin in the li ht o" the reat i##ous $arth. %ow a voice was callin somewhere a#ove the whistle o" the 8ets and the electronic #eepin s that came and went throu h the ca#in. 1Clavius Control to Special 1?! you are comin in nicely. 4lease make manual check o" landin * ear lock! hydraulic pressure! shock*pad in"lation.1 3he pilot pressed sundry switches! reen li hts "lashed! and he called #ack! 1All manual checks completed. 6andin * ear lock! hydraulic pressure! shock pad O.G.1

1Con"irmed!1 said the 'oon! and the descent continued wordlessly. 3hou h there was still plenty o" talkin ! it was all #ein done #y machines! "lashin #inary impulses to one another at a thousand times the rate their slow*thinkin makers could communicate. Some o" the mountain peaks were already towerin a#ove the shuttlenow the round was only a "ew thousand "eet away! and the #eacon li ht was a #rilliant star! "lashin steadily a#ove a roup o" low #uildin s and odd vehicles. 0n the "inal sta e o" the descent! the 8ets seemed to #e playin some stran e tune- they pulsed on and o""! makin the last "ine ad8ustments to the thrust. A#ruptly! a swirlin cloud o" dust hid everythin ! the 8ets ave one "inal spurt! and the shuttle rocked very sli htly! like a row#oat when a small wave oes #y. 0t was some minutes #e"ore Floyd could really accept the silence that now en"olded him and the weak ravity that ripped his lim#s. ,e had made! utterly without incident and in little more than one day! the incredi#le 8ourney o" which men had dreamed "or two thousand years. A"ter a normal routine "li ht! he had landed on the 'oon.

10 * Clavius Base

Clavius! 1@0 miles in diameter! is the second lar est crater on the visi#le "ace o" the 'oon! and lies in the center o" the Southern ,i hlands. 0t is very old- a es o" vulcanism and #om#ardment "rom space have scarred its walls and pockmarked its "loor. But since the last era o" crater "ormation! when the de#ris "rom the asteroid #elt was still #atterin the inner planets! it had known peace "or hal" a #illion years. %ow there were new! stran e stirrin s on and #elow its sur"ace! "or here 'an was esta#lishin his "irst permanent #rid ehead on the 'oon. Clavius Base could! in an emer ency! #e entirely sel"*supportin . All the necessities o" li"e were produced "rom the local rocks! * a"ter they had #een crushed! heated! and chemically processed. ,ydro en! o&y en- car#on! nitro en! phosphorus * all these! and most o" the other elements! could #e "ound inside the 'oon! i" one knew where to look "or them. 3he Base was a closed system! like a tiny workin model o" $arth itsel"! recyclin all the chemicals o" li"e. 3he atmosphere was puri"ied in a vast 1hothouse1 * a lar e! circular room #uried 8ust #elow the lunar sur"ace. )nder #la+in lamps #y ni ht! and "iltered sunli ht #y day! acres o" stu##y reen plants

rew in a warm! moist atmosphere. 3hey were special mutations! desi ned "or the e&press purpose o" replenishin the air with o&y en! and providin "ood as a #y*product. 'ore "ood was produced #y chemical processin systems and al ae culture. Althou h the reen scum circulatin throu h yards o" transparent plastic tu#es would scarcely have appealed to a ourmet! the #iochemists could convert it into chops and steaks only an e&pert could distin uish "rom the real thin . 3he eleven hundred men and si& hundred women who made up the personnel o" the Base were all hi hly trained scientists or technicians! care"ully selected #e"ore they had le"t $arth. 3hou h lunar livin was now virtually "ree "rom the hardships! disadvanta es! and occasional dan ers o" the early days! it was still psycholo ically demandin ! and not recommended "or anyone su""erin "rom claustropho#ia. Since it was e&pensive and time*consumin to cut a lar e under round #ase out o" solid rock or compacted lava! the standard one*man 1livin module1 was a room only a#out si& "eet wide! ten "eet lon ! and ei ht "eet hi h. $ach room was attractively "urnished and looked very much like a ood motel suite! with converti#le so"a! 3.! small hi*"i set! and vision*phone. 'oreover! #y a simple trick o" interior decoration! the one un#roken wall could #e converted #y the "lip o" a switch into a convincin terrestrial landscape. 3here was a choice o" ei ht views. 3his touch o" lu&ury was typical o" the Base! thou h it was sometimes hard to e&plain its necessity to the "olk #ack on $arth. $very man and woman in Clavius had cost a hundred thousand dollars in trainin and transport and housin - it was worth a little e&tra to maintain their peace o" mind. 3his was not art "or art9s sake! #ut art "or the sake o" sanity. One o" the attractions o" li"e in the #ase * and on the 'oon as a whole * was undou#tedly the low ravity! which produced a sense o" eneral well*#ein . ,owever! this had its dan ers! and it was several weeks #e"ore an emi rant "rom $arth could adapt to it. On the 'oon! the human #ody had to learn a whole new set o" re"le&es. 0t had! "or the "irst time! to distin uish #etween mass and wei ht. A man who wei hed one hundred ei hty pounds on $arth mi ht #e deli hted to discover that he wei hed only thirty pounds on the 'oon. As lon as he moved in a strai ht line at a uni"orm speed! he "elt a wonder"ul sense o" #uoyancy. But as soon as he attempted to chan e course! to turn corners! or to stop suddenly * then he would "ind that his "ull one hundred ei hty pounds o" mass! or inertia! was still there. For that was "i&ed and unaltera#le * the same on $arth! 'oon! Sun! or in "ree space. Be"ore one could #e properly adapted to lunar livin ! there"ore! it was essential to learn that all o#8ects were now si& times as slu ish as their mere wei ht would su est. 0t was a lesson usually driven home #y

numerous collisions and hard knocks! and old lunar hands kept their distance "rom newcomers until they were acclimati+ed. (ith its comple& o" workshops! o""ices! storerooms! computer center! enerators! ara e! kitchen! la#oratories! and "ood*processin plant! Clavius Base was a miniature world in itsel". And! ironically! many o" the skills that had #een used to #uild this under round empire had #een developed durin the hal" century o" the Cold (ar. Any man who had ever worked in a hardened missile site would have "elt at home in Clavius. ,ere on the 'oon were the same arts and hardware o" under round livin ! and o" protection a ainst a hostile environment- #ut here they had #een turned to the purposes o" peaee. A"ter ten thousand years! man had at last "ound somethin as e&citin as war. )n"ortunately! not all nations had yet reali+ed that "act. 3he mountains that had #een so prominent 8ust #e"ore landin had mysteriously disappeared! hidden "rom si ht #elow the steeply curvin lunar hori+on. Around the spacecra"t was a "lat! ray plain- #rilliantly lit #y the slantin earthli ht. Althou h the sky was! o" course! completely #lack! only the #ri hter stars and planets could #e seen! unless the eyes were shaded "rom the sur"ace lare. Several very odd vehicles were rollin up to the Aries*lB spaceship * cranes! hoists! servicin trucks * some automatic! some operated #y a driver in a small pressure ca#in. 'ost o" them moved on #alloon tires! "or this smooth! level plain posed no transportation di""iculties- #ut one tanker rolled on the peculiar "le&*wheels which had proved one o" the #est all*purpose ways o" ettin around on the 'oon. A series o" "lat plates arran ed in a circle! each plate independently mounted and sprun ! the "le&*wheel had many o" the advanta es o" the caterpillar track "rom which it had evolved. 0t would adapt its shape and diameter to the terrain over which it was movin ! and! unlike a caterpillar track! would continue to "unction even i" a "ew sections were missin . A small #us with an e&tension tu#e like a stu##y elephant trunk was now nu++lin a""ectionately up a ainst the spacecra"t. A "ew seconds later! there were #an in s and #umpin s "rom outside! "ollowed #y the sound o" hissin air as connections were made and pressure was e/uali+ed. 3he inner door o" the airlock opened! and the welcomin dele ation entered. 0t was led #y 5alph ,alvorsen! the Administrator o" the Southern 4rovince * which meant not only the Base #ut also any e&plorin parties that operated "rom it.

(ith him was his Chie" Scientist! ;r. 5oy 'ichaels! a ri++led little eophysicist whom Floyd knew "rom previous visits! and hal" a do+en senior scientists and e&ecutives. 3hey reeted him with respect"ul relie"- "rom the Administrator downward! it was o#vious that they looked "orward to a chance o" unloadin some o" their worries. 1.ery pleased to have you with us! ;r. Floyd!1 said ,alvorsen. 1;id you have a ood trip21 1$&cellent!1 Floyd answered. 10t couldn9t have #een #etter. 3he crew looked a"ter me very well.1 ,e e&chan ed the usual small talk that courtesy demanded while the #us rolled away "rom the spacecra"t- #y unspoken a reement! no one mentioned the reason "or his visit. A"ter travelin a thousand "eet "rom the landin site! the #us came to a lar e si n which read:

($6CO'$ 3O C6A.0)S BAS$ ).S. Astronautical $n ineerin Corps 1EE?

0t then dived into a cuttin which took it /uickly #elow round level. A massive door opened ahead! then closed #ehind them. 3his happened a ain! and yet a third time. (hen the last door had closed! there was a reat roarin o" air! and they were #ack in atmosphere once more! in the shirt*sleeve environment o" the Base. A"ter a short walk throu h a tunnel packed with pipes and ca#les! and echoin hollowly with rhythmic thumpin s and thro##in s! they arrived in e&ecutive territory! and Floyd "ound himsel" #ack in the "amiliar environment o" typewriters! o""ice computers! irl assistants! wall charts! and rin in telephones. As they paused outside the door la#eled A;'0%0S35A3O5! ,alvorsen said diplomatically: 1;r. Floyd and 0 will #e alon to the #rie"in room in a couple o" minutes.1 3he others nodded! made a reea#le sounds! and dri"ted o"" down the corridor. But #e"ore ,alvorsen could usher Floyd into his o""ice! there was an interruption! 3he door opened! and a small "i ure hurled itsel" at the Administrator. 1;addyD :ou9ve #een 3opsideD And you promised to take meD1

1%ow! ;iana!1 said ,alvorsen! with e&asperated tenderness! 10 only said 09d take you i" 0 could. But 09ve #een very #usy meetin ;r. Floyd. Shake hands with him * he9s 8ust come "rom $arth.1 3he little irl * Floyd 8ud ed that she was a#out ei ht * e&tended a limp hand. ,er "ace was va uely "amiliar! and Floyd suddenly #ecame aware that the Administrator was lookin at him with a /ui++ical smile. (ith a shock o" recollection! he understood why. 10 don9t #elieve itD1 he e&claimed. 1(hen 0 was here last she was 8ust a #a#yD1 1She had her "ourth #irthday last week!1 ,alvorsen answered proudly. 1Children row "ast in this low ravity. But they don9t a e so /uickly * they9ll live lon er than we do.1 Floyd stared in "ascination at the sel"*assured little lady! notin the race"ul carria e and the unusually delicate #one structure. 10t9s nice to meet you a ain! ;iana!1 he said. 3hen somethin * perhaps sheer curiosity! perhaps politeness * impelled him to add: 1(ould you like to o to $arth21 ,er eyes widened with astonishment- then she shook her head. 10t9s a nasty place- you hurt yoursel" when you "all down. Besides! there are too many people!1 So here! Floyd told himsel"! is the "irst eneration o" the Space#ornthere would #e more o" them in the years to come. 3hou h there was sadness in this thou ht! there was also a reat hope. (hen $arth was tamed and tran/uil! and perhaps a little tired! there would still #e scope "or those who loved "reedom! "or the tou h pioneers! the restless adventurers. But their tools would not #e a& and un and canoe and wa on- they would #e nuclear power plant and plasma drive and hydroponic "arm. 3he time was "ast approachin when $arth! like all mothers! must say "arewell to her children. (ith a mi&ture o" threats and promises! ,alvorsen mana ed to evict his determined o""sprin and led Floyd into the o""ice. 3he Administrator9s suite was only a#out "i"teen "eet s/uare! #ut it mana ed to contain all the "ittin s and status sym#ols o" the typical F@0!000 a year head o" a department. Si ned photo raphs o" important politicians * includin the 4resident o" the )nited States and the Secretary 7eneral o" the )nited %ations * adorned one wall! while si ned photos o" cele#rated astronauts covered most o" another. Floyd sank into a com"orta#le leather chair and was iven a lass o"

1sherry!1 courtesy o" the lunar #iochemical la#s. 1,ow9s it oin ! 5alph21 Floyd asked! sippin the drink with caution! then with approval. 1%ot too #ad!1 ,alvorsen replied. 1,owever! there is somethin you9d #etter know a#out! #e"ore you o in there.1 1(hat is it29 1(ell! 0 suppose you could descri#e it as a morale pro#lem!1 ,alvorsen si hed. 1Oh21 10t isn9t serious yet! #ut it9s ettin there "ast.1 13he news #lackout!1 Floyd said "latly. 15i ht!1 ,alvorsen replied. 1'y people are ettin very steamed up a#out it. A"ter all! most o" them have "amilies #ack on $arth- they pro#a#ly #elieve they9re all dead o" moon*pla ue.1 109m sorry a#out that!1 said Floyd! 1#ut no one could think o" a #etter cover story! and so "ar it9s worked. By the way * 0 met 'oisevitch at the Space Station! and even he #ou ht it.1 1(ell! that should make Security happy.1 1%ot too happy * he9d heard o" 3'A*1- rumors are #e innin to leak out. But we 8ust can9t issue any statement! until we know what the damn thin is and whether our Chinese "riends are #ehind it.1 1;r. 'ichaels thinks he has the answer to that. ,e9s dyin to tell you.1 Floyd drained his lass. 1And 09m dyin to hear him. 6et9s o.1

11 * Anomaly

3he #rie"in took place in a lar e rectan ular cham#er that could hold a hundred people with ease. 0t was e/uipped with the latest optical and electronic displays and would have looked like a model con"erence room #ut "or the numerous posters! pinups! notices! and amateur paintin s which indicated that it was also the center o" the local cultural li"e. Floyd was particularly struck #y a collection o" si ns! o#viously assem#led with lovin care! which carried such messa es as 46$AS$ G$$4 OFF 3,$ 75ASS...

%O 4A5G0%7 O% $.$% ;A:S... ;$F$%S$ ;$ F)'$5... 3O 3,$ B$AC,... CA336$ C5OSS0%7... SOF3 S,O)6;$5S and ;O %O3 F$$; 3,$ A%0'A6S. 0" these were enuine * as they certainly appeared to #e * their transportation "rom $arth had cost a small "ortune. 3here was a touchin de"iance a#out themon this hostile world! men could still 8oke a#out the thin s they had #een "orced to leave #ehind * and which their children would never miss. A crowd o" "orty or "i"ty people was waitin "or Floyd! and everyone rose politely as he entered #ehind the Administrator. As he nodded at several "amiliar "aces! Floyd whispered to ,alvorsen 109d like to say a "ew words #e"ore the #rie"in .1 Floyd sat down in the "ront row! while the Administrator ascended the rostrum and looked round his audience. 16adies and entlemen!1 ,alvorsen #e an! 10 needn9t tell you that this is a very important occasion. (e are deli hted to have ;r. ,eywood Floyd with us. (e all know him #y reputation! and many o" us are ac/uainted with him personally. ,e has 8ust completed a special "li ht "rom $arth to #e here! and #e"ore the #rie"in he has a "ew words "or us. ;r. Floyd!1 Floyd walked to the rostrum amid a sprinklin o" polite applause! surveyed the audience with a smile! and said: 13hank you * 0 only want to say this. 3he 4resident has asked me to convey his appreciation o" your * outstandin work! which we hope the world will soon #e a#le to reco ni+e. 09m /uite aware!1 he continued care"ully! 1that some o" you * perhaps most o" you * are an&ious that the present veil o" secrecy #e withdrawn- you would not #e scientists i" you thou ht otherwise.1 ,e cau ht a limpse o" ;r. 'ichaels! whose "ace was creased in a sli ht "rown which #rou ht out a lon scar down his ri ht cheek * presuma#ly the a"termath o" some accident in space. 3he eolo ist! he was well aware! had #een protestin vi orously a ainst what he called this 1cops and ro##ers nonsense.1 1But 0 would remind you!1 Floyd continued! 1that this is a /uite e&traordinary situation. (e must #e a#solutely sure o" our own "acts- i" we make errors now! there may #e no second chance * so please #e patient a little lon er. 3hose are also the wishes o" the 4resident. 13hat9s all 0 have to say. %ow 09m ready "or your report.1 ,e walked #ack to his seat- the Administrator said! 93hank you very much! ;r. Floyd!1 and nodded! rather #rus/uely! to his Chie" Scientist. On cue! ;r. 'ichaels walked up to the rostrum! and*the li hts "aded out. A photo raph o" the 'oon "lashed onto the screen. At the very center o" the disk was a #rilliant white crater rin ! "rom which a strikin

pattern o" rays "anned out. 0t looked e&actly as i" someone had hurled a #a o" "lour at the "ace o" the 'oon! and it had spattered out in all directions. 13his is 3ycho!1 said 'ichaels! pointin to the central crater. 1On this vertical photo raph 3ycho is even more conspicuous than when seen "rom $arth- then it9s rather near the ed e o" the 'oon. But o#served "rom this viewpoint * lookin strai ht down "rom a thousand miles up * you9ll see how it dominates an entire hemisphere.1 ,e let Floyd a#sor# this un"amiliar view o" a "amiliar o#8ect! then continued: 1;urin the past year we have #een conductin a ma netic survey o" the re ion! "rom a low*level satellite. 0t was completed only last month! and this is the result... the map that started all the trou#le.1 Another picture "lashed on the screen- it looked like a contour map! thou h it showed ma netic intensity! not hei hts a#ove sea level. For the most part! the lines were rou hly parallel and spaced well apart- #ut in one corner o" the map they #ecame suddenly packed to ether! to "orm a series o" concentric circles * like a drawin o" a knothole in a piece o" wood. $ven to an untrained eye! it was o#vious that somethin peculiar had happened to the 'oon9s ma netic "ield in this re ion- and in lar e letters across the #ottom o" the map were the words: 3:C,O 'A7%$30C A%O'A6:*O%$ <3'A*l=. Stamped on the top ri ht was C6ASS0F0$;. 1At "irst we thou ht it mi ht #e an outcrop o" ma netic rock! #ut all the eolo ical evidence was a ainst it. And not even a #i nickel*iron meteorite could produce a "ield as intense as this- so we decided to have a look. 13he "irst party discovered nothin * 8ust the usual level terrain! #uried #eneath a very thin layer o" moon*dust. 3hey sank a drill in the e&act center o" the ma netic "ield to et a core sample "or study. 3wenty "eet down! the drill stopped. So the survey party started to di * not an easy 8o# in spacesuits! as 0 can assure you. 1(hat they "ound #rou ht them #ack to Base in a hurry. (e sent out a #i er team! with #etter e/uipment. 3hey e&cavated "or two weeks * with the result you know.1 3he darkened assem#ly room #ecame suddenly hushed and e&pectant as the picture on the screen chan ed. 3hou h everyone had seen it many times! there was not a person who "ailed to crane "orward as i" hopin to "ind new details. On $arth and 'oon! less than a hundred people had so "ar #een

allowed to set eyes on this photo raph. 0t showed a man in a #ri ht red and yellow spacesuit standin at the #ottom o" an e&cavation and supportin a surveyor9s rod marked o"" in tenths o" a meter. 0t was o#viously a ni ht shot! and mi ht have #een taken anywhere on the 'oon or 'ars. But until now no planet had ever produced a scene like this. 3he o#8ect #e"ore which the spacesuited man was posin was a vertical sla# o" 8et*#lack material! a#out ten "eet hi h and "ive "eet wide: it reminded Floyd! somewhat ominously! o" a iant tom#stone. 4er"ectly sharp*ed ed and symmetrical! it was so #lack it seemed to have swallowed up the li ht "allin upon it- there was no sur"ace detail at all. 0t was impossi#le to tell whether it was made o" stone or metal or plastic * or some material alto ether unknown to man. 13'A*1!1 ;r. 'ichaels declared! almost reverently. 10t looks #rand new! doesn9t it2 0 can hardly #lame those who thou ht it was 8ust a "ew years old! and tried to connect it with the third Chinese $&pedition! #ack in 9EJ. But 0 never #elieved that * and now we9ve #een a#le to date it positively! "rom local eolo ical evidence. 1'y collea ues and 0! ;r. Floyd! will stake our reputations on this. 3'A*l has nothin to do with the Chinese. 0ndeed! it has nothin to do with the human race * "or when it was #uried! there were no humans. 1:ou see! it is appro&imately three million years old. (hat you are now lookin at is the "irst evidence o" intelli ent li"e #eyond the $arth.1

12 * Courney #y $arthli ht

'AC5O*C5A3$5 45O.0%C$: $&tends S "rom near center o" visi#le "ace o" moon! $ o" Central Crater 4rovince. ;ensely pocked with impact cratersmany lar e! and includin the lar est on moon- in % some craters "ractured "rom impact "ormin 'are 0m#rium. 5ou h sur"aces almost everywhere! e&cept "or some crater #ottoms. 'ost sur"aces in slopes! mostly 10 to 12- some crater #ottoms nearly level. 6A%;0%7 A%; 'O.$'$%3: landin enerally di""icult #ecause o" rou h! slopin sur"aces- less di""icult in some level crater #ottoms. 'ovement possi#le almost everywhere #ut route selection re/uired- less di""icult on

some level crater #ottoms. CO%S35)C30O%: 7enerally moderately di""icult #ecause o" slope! and numerous lar e #locks in loose material- e&cavation o" lava di""icult in some crater #ottoms. 3:C,O: 4ost*'aria crater! @? miles diameter! rim B!E00 "eet a#ove surroundin s- #ottom 12!000 "eet deep- has the most prominent ray system on the moon! some rays e&tendin more than @00 miles. <$&tract "rom 1$n ineer Special Study o" the Sur"ace o" the 'oon!1 O""ice! Chie" o" $n ineers! ;epartment o" the Army. ).S. 7eolo ical Survey! (ashin ton! 1EA1.=

3he mo#ile la# now rollin across the crater plain at "i"ty miles an hour looked rather like an outsi+ed trailer mounted on ei ht "le&*wheels. But it was very much more than this- it was a sel"*contained #ase in which twenty men could live and work "or several weeks. 0ndeed! it was virtually a land oin spaceship * and in an emer ency it could even "ly. 0" it came to a crevasse or canyon which was too lar e to detour! and too steep to enter! it could hop across the o#stacle on its "our under8ets. As he peered out o" the window! Floyd could see stretchin ahead o" him a well*de"ined trail! where do+ens o" vehicles had le"t a hard*packed #and in the "ria#le sur"ace o" the 'oon. At re ular intervals alon the track were tall! slender rods! each carryin a "lashin li ht. %o one could possi#ly et lost on the 200*mile 8ourney "rom Clavius Base to 3'A*1! even thou h it was still ni ht and the sun would not rise "or several hours. 3he stars overhead were only a little #ri hter! or more numerous! than on a clear ni ht "rom the hi h plateaus o" %ew 'e&ico or Colorado. But there were two thin s in that coal*#lack sky that destroyed any illusion o" $arth. 3he "irst was $arth itsel" * a #la+in #eacon han in a#ove the northern hori+on. 3he li ht pourin down "rom that iant hal"* lo#e was do+ens o" times more #rilliant than the "ull moon! and it covered all this land with a cold! #lue* reen phosphorescence. 3he second celestial apparition was a "aintt! pearly cone o" li ht slantin up the eastern sky. 0t #ecame #ri hter and #ri hter toward the hori+on! hintin o" reat "ires 8ust concealed #elow the ed e o" the 'oon. ,ere was a pale lory that no man had ever seen "rom $arth! save

durin the "ew moments o" a total eclipse. 0t was the corona! har#in er o" the lunar dawn! ivin notice that #e"ore lon the sun would smite this sleepin land. As he sat with ,alvorsen and 'ichaels in the "orward o#servation loun e! immediately #eneath the driver9s position! Floyd "ound his thou hts turnin a ain and a ain to the three*million*year*wide ul" that had 8ust opened up #e"ore him. 6ike all scienti"ically literate men! he was used to considerin "ar lon er periods o" time * #ut they had concerned only the movements o" stars and the slow cycles o" the inanimate universe. 'ind or intelli ence had not #een involved- those eons were empty o" all that touched the emotions. 3hree million yearsD 3he in"initely crowded panorama o" written history! with its empires and its kin s! its triumphs and its tra edies! covered #arely one thousandth o" this appallin span o" time. %ot only 'an himsel"! #ut most o" the animals now alive on $arth! did not even e&ist when this #lack eni ma was so care"ully #uried here! in the most #rilliant and most spectacular o" all the craters o" the 'oon. 3hat it had #een #uried! and /uite deli#erately! ;r. 'ichaels was a#solutely sure. 1At "irst!1 he e&plained! 10 rather hoped it mi ht mark the site o" some under round structure! #ut our latest e&cavations have eliminated that. 0t9s sittin on a wide plat"orm o" the same #lack material! with undistur#ed rock #eneath it. 3he * creatures * who desi ned it wanted to make sure it stayed put! #arrin ma8or moon/uakes. 3hey were #uildin "or eternity.1 3here was triumph! and yet sadness! in 'ichaels9 voice! and Floyd could share #oth emotions. At last! one o" man9s oldest /uestions had #een answered- here was the proo"! #eyond all shadow o" dou#t! that his was not the only intelli ence that the universe had #rou ht "orth. But with that knowled e there came a ain an achin awareness o" the immensity o" 3ime. (hatever had passed this way had missed mankind #y a hundred thousand enerations. 4erhaps! Floyd told himsel"! it was 8ust as well. And yet * what we mi ht have learned "rom creatures who could cross space! while our ancestors were still livin in treesD A "ew hundred yards ahead! a si npost was comin up over the 'oon9s stran ely close hori+on. At its #ase was a tent*shaped structure covered with shinin silver "oil! o#viously "or protection a ainst the "ierce heat o" day. As the #us rolled #y! Floyd was a#le to read in the #rilliant earthli ht:

$'$57$%C: ;$4O3 %o. > 20 Gilos 6o& 10 Gilos (ater 20 Foodpaks 'k ? 1 3oolkit 3ype B 1 Suit 5epair Out"it D 3$6$4,O%$ D

1,ave you thou ht o" that21 asked Floyd! pointin out o" the window. 1Suppose the thin 9s a supply cache! le"t #ehind #y an e&pedition that never returned21 10t9s a possi#ility!1 admitted 'ichaels. 13hat ma netic "ield certainly la#eled its position! so that it could #e easily "ound. But it9s rather small * it couldn9t hold much in the way o" supplies.1 1(hy not21 inter8ected ,alvorsen. 1(ho knows #ow #i they were2 4erhaps they were only si& inches tall! which would make the thin twenty or thirty stories hi h.1 'ichaels shook his head. 1Out o" the /uestion!1 he protested. 1:ou can9t have very small! intelli ent creatures- you need a minimum #rain si+e.1 'ichaels and ,alvorsen! Floyd had noticed! usually took opposin viewpoints! yet there appeared to #e little personal hostility or "riction #etween them. 3hey seemed to respect each other! and simply a reed to disa ree. 3here was certainly little a reement anywhere a#out the nature o" 3'A*1 * or the 3ycho 'onolith! as some pre"erred to call it! retainin part o" the a##reviation. 0n the si& hours since he had landed on the 'oon! Floyd had heard a do+en theories! #ut had committed himsel" to none. Shrine! survey marker! tom#! eophysical instrument * these were perhaps the "avorite su estions! and some o" the prota onists rew very heated in their de"ense. A ood many #ets had*already #een placed! and a lot o" money would chan e hands when the truth was "inally known * i"! indeed! it ever

was. So "ar! the hard #lack material o" the sla# had resisted all the rather mild attempts that 'ichaels and his collea ues had made to o#tain samples. 3hey had no dou#t that a laser #eam would cut into it * "or! surely! nothin could resist that "ri ht"ul concentration o" ener y * #ut the decision to employ such violent measures would #e le"t to Floyd. ,e had already decided that K rays! sonic pro#es! neutron #eams! and all other nondestructive means o" investi ation would #e #rou ht into play #e"ore he called up the heavy artillery o" the laser. 0t was the mark o" a #ar#arian to destroy somethin one could not understand- #ut perhaps men were #ar#arians! #eside the creatures who had made this thin . And where could they have come "rom2 3he 'oon itsel"2 %o! that was utterly impossi#le. 0" there had ever #een indi enous li"e on this #arren world! it had #een destroyed durin the last crater*"ormin epoch! when most o" the lunar sur"ace was white*hot. $arth2 .ery unlikely! thou h perhaps not /uite impossi#le. Any advanced terrestrial civili+ation * presuma#ly a nonhuman one * #ack in the 4leistocene $ra would have le"t many other traces o" its e&istence. (e would have known all a#out it! thou ht Floyd! lon #e"ore we ot to the 'oon. 3hat le"t two alternatives * the planets! and the stars. :et all the evidence was a ainst intelli ent li"e elsewhere in the Solar System * or indeed li"e o" any kind e&cept on $arth and 'ars. 3he inner planets were too hot! the outer ones "ar too cold! unless one descended into their atmosphere to depths where the pressures amounted to hundreds o" tons to the s/uare inch. So perhaps these visitors had come "rom the stars * yet that was even more incredi#le. As he looked up at the constellations strewn across the e#on lunar sky! Floyd remem#ered how o"ten his "ellow scientists had 1proved1 that interstellar travel was impossi#le. 3he 8ourney "rom $arth to 'oon was still "airly impressive! #ut the very nearest star was a hundred million times more distant... Speculation was a waste o" time- he must wait until there was more evidence! 14lease "asten your seat #elts and secure all loose o#8ects!1 said the ca#in speaker suddenly. 1Forty de ree slope approachin .1 3wo marker posts with winkin li hts had appeared on the hori+on! and the #us was steerin #etween them. Floyd had #arely ad8usted his straps when the vehicle slowly ed ed itsel" over the #rink o" a really terri"yin incline! and #e an to descend a lon ! ru##le*covered slope as steep as the roo" o" a house. 3he slantin

earth*li ht! comin "rom #ehind them! now ave very little illumination! and the #us9s own "loodli hts had #een switched on. 'any years a o Floyd had stood on the lip o" .esuvius! starin into the crater- he could easily ima ine that he was now drivin down into it and the sensation was not a very pleasant one. 3hey were descendin one o" the inner terraces o" 3ycho! and it leveled out a ain some thousand "eet #elow. As they crawled down the slope! 'ichaels pointed out across the reat e&panse o" plain now spread out #eneath them. 13here they are!1 he e&claimed. Floyd nodded- he had already noticed the cluster o" red and reen li hts several miles ahead! and kept his eyes "i&ed upon it as the #us ed ed its way delicately down the slope. 3he #i vehicle was o#viously under per"ect control! #ut he did not #reathe easily until it was once more on an even keel. %ow he could see! listenin like silver #u##les in the earthli ht! a roup o" pressure domes * the temporary shelters housin the workers on the site. %ear these was a radio tower! a drillin ri ! a roup o" parked vehicles! and a lar e pile o" #roken rock! presuma#ly the material that had #een e&cavated to reveal the monolith. 3his tiny camp in the wilderness looked very lonely! very vulnera#le to the "orces o" nature ran ed silently around it. 3here was no si n o" li"e! and no visi#le hint as to why men had come here! so "ar "rom home. 1:ou can 8ust see the crater!1 said 'ichaels. 1Over there on the ri ht * a#out a hundred yards "rom that radio antenna.1 So this is it! thou ht Floyd! as the #us rolled past the pressure domes! and came to the lip o" the crater. ,is pulse /uickened as he craned "orward "or a #etter view. 3he vehicle #e an to creep cautiously down a ramp o" hard*packed rock! into the interior o" the crater. And there! e&actly as he had seen it in the photo raphs! was 3'A*1. Floyd stared! #linked! shook his head! and stared a ain. $ven in the #rilliant earthli ht! it was hard to see the o#8ect clearly- his "irst impression was o" a "lat rectan le that mi ht have #een cut out o" car#on paper- it seemed to have no thickness at all. O" course! this was an optical illusion- thou h he was lookin at a solid #ody! it re"lected so little li ht that he could see it only in silhouette. 3he passen ers were utterly silent as the #us descended into the crater. 3here was awe! and there was also incredulity * sheer dis#elie" that the dead 'oon! o" all worlds! could have sprun this "antastic

surprise. 3he #us came to a halt within twenty "eet o" the sla# and #roadside on so that all the passen ers could e&amine it. :et! #eyond the eometrically per"ect shape o" the thin ! there was little to see. %owhere were there any marks! or any a#atement o" its ultimate! e#on #lackness. 0t was the very crystalli+ation o" ni ht! and "or one moment Floyd wondered i" it could indeed #e some e&traordinary natural "ormation! #orn o" the "ires and pressures attendin the creation o" the 'oon. But that remote possi#ility! he knew! had already #een e&amined and dismissed. At some si nal! "loodli hts around the lip o" the crater were switched on! and the #ri ht earthli ht was o#literated #y a "ar more #rilliant lare. 0n the lunar vacuum the #eams were! o" course! completely invisi#le- they "ormed overlappin ellipses o" #lindin white! centered on the monolith. And where they touched it! its e#on sur"ace seemed to swallow them. 4andora9s #o&! thou ht Floyd! with a sudden sense o" "ore#odin * waitin to #e opened #y in/uisitive 'an. And what will he "ind inside2

1> * 3he Slow ;awn

3he main pressure dome at the 3'A*1 site was only twenty "eet across! and its interior was uncom"orta#ly crowded. 3he #us! coupled to it throu h one o" the two airlocks! ave some much*appreciated e&tra livin room. 0nside this hemispherical! dou#le*walled #alloon lived! worked! and slept the si& scientists and technicians now permanently attached to the pro8ect. 0t also contained most o" their e/uipment and instruments! all the stores that could not #e le"t in the vacuum outside! cookin ! washin ! and toilet "acilities! eolo ical samples and a small 3. screen throu h which the site could #e kept under continuous surveillance. Floyd was not surprised when ,alvorsen elected to remain in the domehe stated his views with admira#le "rankness. 10 re ard spacesuits as a necessary evil!1 said the Administrator! 10 wear one "our times a year! "or my /uarterly checkout tests. 0" you don9t mind! 09ll sit here and watch over the 3..1

Some o" this pre8udice was now un8usti"ied! "or the latest models were in"initely more com"orta#le than the clumsy suits o" armor worn #y the "irst lunar e&plorers. 3hey could #e put on in less than a minute! even without help! and were /uite automatic. 3he 'k . into which Floyd was now care"ully sealed would protect him "rom the worst that the 'oon could do! either #y day or #y ni ht. Accompanied #y ;r. 'ichaels! he walked into the small airlock. As the thro##in o" the pumps died away! and his suit sti""ened almost impercepti#ly around him! he "elt himsel" enclosed in the silence o" vacuum. 3hat silence was #roken #y the welcome sound o" his suit radio. 14ressure O.G.! ;r. Floyd2 Are you #reathin normally21 1:es * 09m "ine.1 ,is companion care"ully checked the dials and au es on the outside o" Floyd9s suit. 3hen he said: 1O.G.*let9s o.1 3he outer door opened! and the dusty moonscape lay #e"ore them! limmerin in the earthli ht. (ith a cautious! waddlin movement! Floyd "ollowed 'ichaels throu h the lock. 0t was not hard to walk- indeed! in a parado&ical way the suit made him "eel more at home than at any time since reachin the 'oon. 0ts e&tra wei ht! and the sli ht resistance it imposed on his motion! ave some o" the illusion o" the lost terrestrial ravity. 3he scene had chan ed since the party had arrived #arely an hour a o. 3hou h the stars! and the hal"*earth! were still as #ri ht as ever! the "ourteen*day lunar ni ht had almost ended. 3he low o" the corona was like a "alse moonrise alon the eastern sky * and then! without warnin ! the tip o" the radio mast a hundred "eet a#ove Floyd9s head suddenly seemed to #urst into "lame! as it cau ht the "irst rays o" the hidden sun. 3hey waited while the pro8ect supervisor and two o" his assistants emer ed "rom the airlock! then walked slowly toward the crater. By the time they had reached it! a thin #ow o" un#eara#le incandescence had thrust itsel" a#ove the eastern hori+on. 3hou h it would take more than an hour "or the sun to clear the ed e o" the slowly turnin moon! the stars were already #anished. 3he crater was still in shadow! #ut the "loodli hts mounted around its rim lit the interior #rilliantly. As Floyd walked slowly down the ramp toward the #lack rectan le! he "elt a sense not only

o" awe #ut o" helplessness. ,ere! at the very portals o" $arth! man was already "ace to "ace with a mystery that mi ht never #e solved. 3hree million years a o! somethin had passed this way! had le"t this unknown and perhaps unknowa#le sym#ol o" its*purpose! and had returned to the planets * or to the stars. Floyd9s suit radio interrupted his reverie. 14ro8ect supervisor speakin . 0" you9d all line up on this side! we9d like to take a "ew photos. ;r. Floyd! will you stand in the middle * ;r. 'ichaels * thank you. %o one e&cept Floyd seemed to think that there was anythin "unny a#out this. 0n all honesty! he had to admit that he was lad someone had #rou ht a camera- here was a photo that would undou#tedly #e historic! and he wanted copies "or himsel". ,e hoped that his "ace would #e clearly visi#le throu h the helmet o" the suit. 13hanks! entlemen!1 said the photo rapher! a"ter they had posed somewhat sel"*consciously in "ront o" the monolith! and he had made a do+en e&posures. 1(e9ll ask the Base 4hoto Section to send you copies.1 3hen Floyd turned his "ull attention to the e#on sla# * walkin slowly around it! e&aminin it "rom every an le! tryin to imprint its stran eness upon his mind. ,e did not e&pect to "ind anythin ! "or he knew that every s/uare inch had already #een one over with microscopic care. %ow the slu ish sun had li"ted itsel" a#ove the ed e o" the crater! and its rays were pourin almost #roadside upon the eastern "ace o" the #lock. :et it seemed to a#sor# every particle o" li ht as i" it had never #een. Floyd decided to try a simple e&periment- he stood #etween the monolith and the sun! and looked "or his own shadow on the smooth #lack sheet. 3here was no trace o" it. At least ten kilowatts o" raw heat must #e "allin on the sla#- i" there was anythin inside! it must #e rapidly cookin . ,ow stran e! Floyd thou ht! to stand here while * this thin * is seein dayli ht "or the "irst time since the 0ce A es #e an on $arth. ,e wondered a ain a#out its #lack color- that was ideal! o" course! "or a#sor#in solar ener y. But he dismissed the thou ht at once- "or who would #e cra+y enou h to #ury a sunpowered device twenty "eet under round2 ,e looked up at the $arth! #e innin to wane in the mornin sky. Only a hand"ul o" the si& #illion people there knew o" this discovery- how would the world react to the news when it was "inally released2 3he

political and social implications were immense- every person o" real intelli ence * everyone who looked an inch #eyond his nose * would "ind his li"e! his values! his philosophy! su#tly chan ed. $ven i" nothin whatsoever was discovered a#out 3'A*1! and it remained an eternal mystery! 'an would know that he was not uni/ue in the universe. 3hou h he had missed them #y millions o" years! those who had once stood here mi ht yet return: and i" not! there mi ht well #e others. All "utures must now contain this possi#ility. Floyd was still musin over these thou hts when his helmet speaker suddenly emitted a piercin electronic shriek! like a hideously overloaded and distorted time si nal. 0nvoluntarily! he tried to #lock his ears with his spacesuited hands- then he recovered and roped "rantically "or the ain control o" his receiver. (hile he was still "um#lin "our more o" the shrieks #lasted out o" the ether- then there was a merci"ul silence. All around the crater! "i ures were standin in attitudes o" paraly+ed astonishment. So it9s nothin wron with my ear! Floyd told himsel"everyone heard those piercin electronic screams. A"ter three million years o" darkness! 3'A*1 had reeted the lunar dawn.

1? * 3he 6isteners

A hundred million miles #eyond 'ars! in the cold loneliness where no man had yet traveled! ;eep Space 'onitor BE dri"ted slowly amon the tan led or#its o" the asteroids. For three years it had "ul"illed its mission "lawlessly * a tri#ute to the American scientists who had desi ned it! the British en ineers who had #uilt it! the 5ussian technicians who had launched it. A delicate spider9s*we# o" antennas sampled the passin waves o" radio noise * the ceaseless crackle and hiss o" what 4ascal! in a "ar simpler a e! had naively called the 1silence o" in"inite space.1 5adiation detectors noted and analy+ed incomin cosmic rays "rom the ala&y and points #eyond- neutron and K*ray telescopes kept watch on stran e stars that no human eye would ever see- ma netometers o#served the usts and hurricanes o" the solar winds! as the Sun #reathed million*mile*an*hour #lasts o" tenuous plasma into the "aces o" its circlin children. All these thin s! and many others! were patiently noted #y ;eep Space 'onitor BE! and recorded in its crystalline memory. One o" its antennas! #y now unconsidered miracles o" electronics! was always aimed at a point never "ar "rom the Sun. $very "ew months its distant tar et could have #een seen! had there #een any eye here to watch!

as a #ri ht star with a close! "ainter companion- #ut most o" the time it was lost in the solar la+e. 3o that "ar*o"" planet $arth! every twenty*"our hours! the monitor would send the in"ormation it had patiently arnered! packed neatly into one "ive*minute pulse. A#out a /uarter o" an hour late! travelin at the speed o" li ht! that pulse would reach its destination. 3he machines whose duty it was would #e waitin "or it- they would ampli"y and record the si nal! and add it to the thousands o" miles o" ma netic tape now stored in the vaults o" the (orld Space Centers at (ashin ton! 'oscow! and Can#erra. Since the "irst satellites had or#ited! almost "i"ty years earlier! trillions and /uadrillions o" pulses o" in"ormation had #een pourin down "rom space! to #e stored a ainst the day when they mi ht contri#ute to the advance o" knowled e. Only a minute "raction o" all this raw material would ever #e processed- #ut there was no way o" tellin what o#servation some scientist mi ht wish to consult! ten! or "i"ty! or a hundred years "rom now. So everythin had to #e kept on "ile! stacked in endless air*conditioned alleries! triplicated at the three centers a ainst the possi#ility o" accidental loss. 0t was part o" the real treasure o" mankind! more valua#le than all the old locked uselessly away in #ank vaults. And now ;eep Space 'onitor 1E had noted somethin stran e * a "aint yet unmistaka#le distur#ance ripplin across the Solar System! and /uite unlike any natural phenomenon it had ever o#served in the past. Automatically! it recorded the direction! the time! the intensity- in a "ew hours it would pass the in"ormation to $arth. As! also! would Or#iter ' 1@! circlin 'ars twice a day- and ,i h 0nclination 4ro#e 21! clim#in slowly a#ove the plane o" the ecliptic- and even Arti"icial Comet @! headin out into the cold wastes #eyond 4luto! alon an or#it whose "ar point it would not reach "or a thousand years. All noted the peculiar #urst o" ener y that had distur#ed their instruments- all! in due course! reported #ack automatically to the memory stores on distant $arth. 3he computers mi ht never have perceived the connection #etween "our peculiar sets o" si nals "rom space*pro#es on independent or#its millions o" miles apart. But as soon as he lanced at his mornin report! the 5adiation Forecaster at 7oddard knew that somethin stran e had passed throu h the Solar System durin the last twenty*"our hours. ,e had only part o" its track! #ut when the computer pro8ected it on the 4lanet Situation Board! it was as clear and unmistaka#le as a vapor trail across a cloudless sky! or a sin le line o" "ootprints over a "ield

o" vir in snow. Some immaterial pattern o" ener y! throwin o"" a spray o" radiation like the wake o" a racin speed#oat! had leaped "rom the "ace o" the 'oon! and was headin out toward the stars.

000 * B$3($$% 46A%$3S

1@ * ;iscovery

3he ship was still only thirty days "rom $arth! yet ;avid Bowman sometimes "ound it hard to #elieve that #e had ever known any other e&istence than the closed little world o" ;iscovery. All his years o" trainin ! all his earlier missions to the 'oon and 'ars! seemed to #elon to another man! in another li"e. Frank 4oole admitted to the same "eelin s! and had sometimes 8okin ly re retted that the nearest psychiatrist was the #etter part o" a hundred million miles away. But this sense o" isolation and estran ement was easy enou h to understand! and certainly indicated no a#normality. 0n the "i"ty years since men had ventured into space! there had never #een a mission /uite like this. 0t had #e un! "ive years a o! as 4ro8ect Cupiter * the "irst manned round trip to the reatest o" the planets. 3he ship was nearly ready "or the two*year voya e when! somewhat a#ruptly! the mission pro"ile had #een chan ed. ;iscovery would still o to Cupiter- #ut she would not stop there. She would not even slacken speed as she raced throu h the "ar*ran in Covian satellite system. On the contrary * she would use the ravitational "ield o" the iant world us a slin to cast her even "arther "rom the Sun. 6ike a comet! she would streak on across the outer reaches o" the solar system to her ultimate oal! the rin ed lory o" Saturn. And she would never return. For ;iscovery! it would #e a one*way trip * yet her crew had no intention o" committin suicide. 0" all went well! they would #e #ack on $arth within seven years * "ive o" which would pass like a "lash in the dreamless sleep o" hi#ernation! while they awaited rescue #y the still un#uilt ;iscovery 00.

3he word 1rescue1 was care"ully avoided in all the Astronautics A ency9s statements and documents- it implied some "ailure o" plannin ! and the approved 8ar on was 1re*ac/uisition.1 0" anythin went really wron ! there would certainly #e no hope o" rescue! almost a #illion miles "rom $arth. 0t was a calculated risk! like all voya es into the unknown. But hal" a century o" research had proved that arti"icially induced human hi#ernation was per"ectly sa"e! and it had opened up new possi#ilities in space travel. %ot until this mission! however! had they #een e&ploited to the utmost. 3he three mem#ers o" the survey team! who would not #e needed until the ship entered her "inal or#it around Saturn! would sleep throu h the entire outward "li ht. 3ons o" "ood and other e&penda#les would thus #e saved- almost as important! the team would #e "resh and alert! and not "ati ued #y the ten*month voya e! when they went into action. ;iscovery would enter a parkin or#it around Saturn! #ecomin a new moon o" the iant planet. She would swin #ack and "orth alon a two*million*mile ellipse that took her close to Saturn! and then across the or#its o" all its ma8or moons. 3hey would have a hundred days in which to map and study a world with ei hty times the area o" $arth! and surrounded #y a retinue o" at least "i"teen known satellites * one o" them as lar e as the planet 'ercury. 3here must #e wonders enou h here "or centuries o" study- the "irst e&pedition could only carry out a preliminary reconnaissance. All that it "ound would #e radioed #ack to $arth- even i" the e&plorers never returned! their discoveries would not #e lost. At the end o" the hundred days! ;iscovery would close down. All the crew would o into hi#ernation- only the essential systems would continue to operate! watched over #y the ship9s tireless electronic #rain. She would continue to swin around Saturn! on an or#it now so well determined that men would know e&actly where to look "or her a thousand years hence. But in only "ive years! accordin to present plans! ;iscovery 00 would come. $ven i" si& or seven or ei ht years elapsed! her sleepin passen ers would never know the di""erence. For all o" them! the clock would have stopped as it had stopped already "or (hitehead! Gaminski! and ,unter. Sometimes Bowman! as First Captain o" ;iscovery! envied his three unconscious collea ues in the "ro+en peace o" the ,i#ernaculum. 3hey were "ree "rom all #oredom and all responsi#ility- until they reached Saturn! the e&ternal world did not e&ist.

But that world was watchin them! throu h their #io*sensor displays. 3ucked inconspicuously away amon the massed instrumentation o" the Control ;eck were "ive small panels marked ,unter! (hitehead! Gaminski! 4oole! Bowman. 3he last two were #lank and li"eless- their time would not come until a year "rom now. 3he others #ore constellations o" tiny reen li hts! announcin that everythin was well- and on each was a small display screen across which sets o" lowin lines traced the leisurely rhythms that indicated pulse! respiration! and #rain activity. 3here were times when Bowman! well aware how unnecessary this was * "or the alarm would sound instantly i" anythin was wron * would switch over to audio output. ,e would listen! hal" hypnoti+ed! to the in"initely slow heart#eats o" his sleepin collea ues! keepin his eyes "i&ed on the slu ish waves that marched in synchronism across the screen. 'ost "ascinatin o" all were the $$7 displays * the electronic si natures o" three personalities that had once e&isted! and would one day e&ist a ain. 3hey were almost "ree "rom the spikes and valleys! the electrical e&plosions that marked the activity o" the wakin #rain * or even o" the #rain in normal sleep. 0" there was any wisp o" consciousness remainin ! it was #eyond the reach o" instruments! and o" memory. 3his last "act Bowman knew "rom personal e&perience. Be"ore he was chosen "or this mission! his reactions to hi#ernation had #een tested. ,e was not sure whether he had lost a week o" his li"e * or whether he had postponed his eventual death #y the same amount o" time. (hen the electrodes had #een attached to his "orehead! and the sleep* enerator had started to pulse! he had seen a #rie" display o" kaleidoscopic patterns and dri"tin stars. 3hen they had "aded! and darkness had en ul"ed him. ,e had never "elt the in8ections! still less the "irst touch o" cold as his #ody temperature was reduced to only a "ew de rees a#ove "ree+in .

,e awoke! and it seemed that he had scarcely closed his eyes. But he knew that was an illusion- somehow! he was convinced that years had really passed. ,ad the mission #een completed2 ,ad they already reached Saturn! carried out their survey! and one into hi#ernation2 (as ;iscovery 00 here! to take them #ack to $arth2 ,e lay in a dreamlike ha+e! utterly una#le to distin uish #etween real and "alse memories. ,e opened his eyes! #ut there was little to see e&cept a #lurred constellation o" li hts which pu++led him "or some minutes.

3hen he reali+ed that he was lookin at the indicator lamps on a Ship Situation Board! #ut it was impossi#le to "ocus on them. ,e soon ave up the attempt. (arm air was #lowin across him! removin the chill "rom his lim#s. 3here was /uiet! #ut stimulatin ! music wellin "rom a speaker #ehind his head. 0t was slowly rowin louder and louder. 3hen a rela&ed! "riendly * #ut he knew computer enerated * voice spoke to him. 1:ou are #ecomin operational! ;ave. ;o not et up or attempt any violent movements. ;o not try to speak.1 ;o not et upD thou ht Bowman. 3hat was "unny. ,e dou#ted i" he could wri le a "in er. 5ather to his surprise! he "ound that he could. ,e "elt /uite contented! in a da+ed! stupid kind o" way. ,e knew dimly that the rescue ship must have come! that the automatic revival se/uence had #een tri ered! and that soon he would #e seein other human #ein s. 3hat was "ine! #ut he did not et e&cited a#out it. 4resently he "elt hun er. 3he computer! o" course! had anticipated this need. 13here is a si nal #utton #y your ri ht hand! ;ave. 0" you are hun ry! please press it.1 Bowman "orced his "in ers to hunt around! and presently discovered the pear*shaped #ul#. ,e had "or otten all a#out it! thou h he must have known it was there. ,ow much else had he "or otten: ;id hi#ernation erase memory2 ,e pressed the #utton! and waited. Several minutes later! a metal arm moved out "rom the #unk! and a plastic nipple descended toward his lips. ,e sucked on it ea erly! and a warm! sweet "luid coursed down his throat! #rinin renewed stren th with every drop. 4resently it went away! and he rested once more. ,e could move his arms and le s now- the thou ht o" walkin was no lon er an impossi#le dream. 3hou h he "elt his stren th swi"tly returnin ! he would have #een content to lie here "orever! i" there had #een no "urther stimulus "rom outside. But presently another voice spoke to him * and this time it was

wholly human! not a construct o" electrical pulses assem#led #y a more*than*human memory. 0t was also a "amiliar voice! thou h it was some time #e"ore he could reco ni+e it 1,ello! ;ave. :ou9re comin round "ine. :ou can talk now. ;o you know where you are21 ,e worried a#out this "or some time. 0" he was really or#itin Saturn! what had happened durin all the months since he had le"t $arth2 A ain he #e an to wonder i" he was su""erin "rom amnesia! 4arado&ically! that very thou ht reassured him! i" he could remem#er the word 1amnesia1 his #rain must #e in "airly ood shape. But he still did not know where he was! and the speaker at the other end o" the circuit must have understood his situation completely. 1;on9t worry! ;ave. 3his is Frank 4oole. 09m watchin your heart and respiration*everythin is per"ectly normal. Cust rela& * take it easy. (e9re oin to open the door now and pull you out.1 So"t li ht "looded into the cham#er- he saw movin shapes silhouetted a ainst the widenin entrance. And in that moment! all his memories came #ack to him! and #e knew e&actly where he was. 3hou h he had come #ack sa"ely "rom the "urthest #orders o" sleep! and the nearest #orders o" death! he had #een one only a week. (hen he le"t the ,i#ernaculum! he would not see the cold Saturnian sky- that was more than a year in the "uture and a #illion miles away. ,e was still in the trainer at the ,ouston Space Fli ht Center under the hot 3e&as sun.

1A * ,al

But now 3e&as was invisi#le! and even the )nited States was hard to see. 3hou h the low*thrust plasma drive had lon since #een closed down! ;iscovery was still coastin with her slender arrowlike #ody pointed away "rom $arth! and all her hi h*powered optical ear was oriented toward the outer planets! where her destiny lay. 3here was one telescope! however! that was permanently aimed at $arth. 0t was mounted like a unsi ht on the rim o" the ship9s lon *ran e antenna! and checked that the reat para#olic #owl was ri idly locked upon

its distant tar et. (hile $arth remained centered in the crosswires! the vital communication link was intact! and messa es could come and o alon the invisi#le #eam that len thened more than two million miles with every day that passed. At least once in every watch period Bowman would lock homeward throu h the antenna*ali nment telescope. As $arth was now "ar #ack toward the sun! its darkened hemisphere "aced ;iscovery! and on the central display screen the planet appeared as a da++lin silver crescent! like another .enus. 0t was rare that any eo raphical "eatures could #e identi"ied in that ever*shrinkin arc o" li ht! "or cloud and ha+e concealed them! #ut even the darkened portion o" the disk was endlessly "ascinatin . 0t was sprinkled with shinin cities- sometimes they #urned with a steady li ht! sometimes they twinkled like "ire"lies as atmospheric tremors passed over them. 3here were also periods when! as the 'oon swun #ack and "orth in its or#it! it shone down like a reat lamp upon the darkened seas and continents o" $arth. 3hen! with a thrill o" reco nition! Bowman could o"ten limpse "amiliar coastlines! shinin in that spectral lunar li ht. And sometimes! when the 4aci"ic was calm! he could even see the moon low shimmerin across its "ace- and he would remem#er ni hts #eneath the palm trees o" tropical la oons. :et he had no re rets "or these lost #eauties. ,e had en8oyed them all! in his thirty*"ive years o" li"e- and he was determined to en8oy them a ain! when he returned rich and "amous. 'eanwhile! distance made them all the more precious. 3he si&th mem#er o" the crew cared "or none o" these thin s! "or it was not human. 0t was the hi hly advanced ,A6 E000 computer! the #rain and nervous system o" the ship. ,al <"or ,euristically pro rammed A6 orithmic computer! no less= was a masterwork o" the third computer #reakthrou h. 3hese seemed to occur at intervals o" twenty years! and the thou ht that another one was now imminent already worried a reat many people. 3he "irst had #een in the 1E?0s! when the lon *o#solete vacuum tu#e had made possi#le such clumsy! hi h*speed morons as $%0AC and its successors. 3hen! in the 1EA0s! solid*state microelectronics had #een per"ected. (ith its advent! it was clear that arti"icial intelli ences at least as power"ul as 'an9s need #e no lar er than o""ice desks * i" one only knew how to construct them.

4ro#a#ly no one would ever know this- it did not matter. 0n the 1EJ0s! 'insky and 7ood had shown how neural networks could #e enerated automatically * sel" replicated * in accordance with any ar#itrary learnin pro ram. Arti"icial #rains could #e rown #y a process strikin ly analo ous to the development o" a human #rain. 0n any iven case! the precise details would never #e known! and even i" they were! they would #e millions o" times too comple& "or human understandin . (hatever way it worked! the "inal result was a machine intelli ence that could reproduce * some philosophers still pre"erred to use the word 1mimic1 * most o" the activities o" the human #rain * and with "ar reater speed and relia#ility. 0t was e&tremely e&pensive! and only a "ew units o" the ,A6E000 series had yet #een #uilt- #ut the old 8est that it would always #e easier to make or anic #rains #y unskilled la#or was #e innin to sound a little hollow. ,al had #een trained "or this mission as thorou hly as his human collea ues * and at many times their rate o" input! "or in addition to his intrinsic speed! he never slept. ,is prime task was to monitor the li"e*support systems! continually checkin o&y en pressure! temperature! hull leaka e! radiation! and all the other interlockin "actors upon which the lives o" the "ra ile human car o depended. ,e could carry out the intricate navi ational corrections! and e&ecute the necessary "li ht maneuvers when it was time to chan e course. And he could watch over the hi#ernators! makin any necessary ad8ustments to their environment and dolin out the minute /uantities o" intravenous "luids that kept them alive. 3he "irst enerations o" computers had received their inputs throu h lori"ied typewriter key#oards! and had replied throu h hi h*speed printers and visual displays. ,al could do this when necessary! #ut most o" his communication with his shipmates was #y means o" the spoken word. 4oole and Bowman could talk to ,al as i" he were a human #ein and he would reply in the per"ect idiomatic $n lish he had learned durin the "leetin weeks o" his electronic childhood. (hether ,al could actually think was a /uestion which had #een settled #y the British mathematician Alan 3urin #ack in the 1E?0s. 3urin had pointed out that! i" one could carry out a prolon ed conversation with a machine * whether #y typewriter or microphone was immaterial * without #ein a#le to distin uish #etween its replies and those that a man mi ht ive! then the machine was thinkin ! #y any sensi#le de"inition o" the word. ,al could pass the 3urin test with ease. 3he time mi ht even come when ,al would take command o" the ship. 0n an emer ency! i" no one answered his si nals! he would attempt to wake the sleepin mem#ers o" the crew! #y electrical and chemical stimulation. 0"

they did not respond! he would radio $arth "or "urther orders. And then! i" there was no reply "rom $arth! he would take what measures he deemed necessary to sa"e uard the ship and to continue the mission * whose real purpose he alone knew! and which his human collea ues could never have uessed. 4oole and Bowman had o"ten humorously re"erred to themselves as caretakers or 8anitors a#oard a ship that could really run itsel". 3hey would have #een astonished! and more than a little indi nant! to discover how much truth that 8est contained.

1B * Cruise 'ode

3he day*#y*day runnin o" the ship had #een planned with reat care! and * theoretically at least * Bowman and 4oole knew what they would #e doin at every moment o" the twenty*"our hours. 3hey operated on a twelve*hours*on! twelve*hours*o"" #asis! takin char e alternately! and never #ein #oth asleep at the same time. 3he o""icer on duty remained on the Control ;eck! while his deputy saw to the eneral housekeepin ! inspected the ship! coped with the odd 8o#s that constantly arose! or rela&ed in his cu#icle. Althou h Bowman was nominal Captain on this phase o" the mission! no outside o#server could have deduced the "act. ,e and 4oole switched roles! rank! and responsi#ilities completely every twelve hours. 3his kept them #oth at peak trainin ! minimi+ed the chances o" "riction! and helped toward the oal o" 100 percent redundancy. Bowman9s day #e an at 0A00! ship9s time * the )niversal $phemeris 3ime o" the astronomers. 0" he was late! ,al had a variety o" #eeps and chimes to remind him o" his duty! #ut they had never #een used. As a test! 4oole had once switched o"" the alarm- Bowman had still risen automatically at the ri ht time. ,is "irst o""icial act o" the day would #e to advance the 'aster ,i#ernation 3imer twelve hours. 0" this operation was missed twice in a row! ,al would assume that #oth he and 4oole had #een incapacitated! and would take the necessary emer ency action. Bowman would attend to his toilet! and do his isometric e&ercises! #e"ore settlin down to #reak"ast and the mornin 9s radio*"a& edition o" the (orld 3imes. On $arth! he never read the paper as care"ully as he did

now- even the smallest items o" society ossip! the most "leetin political rumors! seemed o" a#sor#in interest as it "lashed across the screen. At 0B00 he would o""icially relieve 4oole on the Control ;eck! #rin in him a s/uee+e*tu#e o" co""ee "rom the kitchen. 0" * as was usually the case * there was nothin to report and no action to #e taken! he would settle down to check all the instrument readin s! and would run throu h a series o" tests desi ned to spot possi#le mal"unctions. By 1000 this would #e "inished! and he would start on a study period. Bowman had #een a student "or more than hal" his li"e- he would continue to #e one until he retired. 3hanks to the twentieth*century revolution in trainin and in"ormation*handlin techni/ues! he already possessed the e/uivalent o" two or three colle e educations * and! what was more! he could remem#er E0 percent o" what he had learned. Fi"ty years a o! he would have #een considered a specialist in applied astronomy! cy#ernetics! and space propulsion systems * yet he was prone to deny! with enuine indi nation! that he was a specialist at all. Bowman had never "ound it possi#le to "ocus his interest e&clusively on any su#8ect- despite the dark warnin s o" his instructors! he had insisted on takin his 'aster9s de ree in 7eneral Astronautics * a course with a va ue and woolly sylla#us! desi ned "or those whose 0Ls were in the low 1>0s and who would never reach the top ranks o" their pro"ession. ,is decision had #een ri ht- that very re"usal to speciali+e had made him uni/uely /uali"ied "or his present task. 0n much the same way Frank 4oole * who sometimes dispara in ly called himsel" 17eneral 4ractitioner in space #iolo y1 * had #een an ideal choice as his deputy. 3he two o" them! with! i" necessary! help "rom ,al9s vast stores o" in"ormation! could cope with any pro#lems likely to arise durin the voya e * as lon as they kept their minds alert and receptive! and continually reen raved old patterns o" memory. So "or two hours! "rom 1000 to 1200! Bowman would en a e in a dialo ue with an electronic tutor! checkin his eneral knowled e or a#sor#in material speci"ic to this mission. ,e would prowl endlessly over ship9s plans! circuit dia rams! and voya e pro"iles! or would try to assimilate all that was known a#out Cupiter! Saturn! and their "ar*ran in "amilies o" moons. At midday! he would retire to the alley and leave the ship to ,al while he prepared his lunch. $ven here! he was still "ully in touch with events! "or the tiny loun e*cum*dinin room contained a duplicate o" the Situation ;isplay 4anel! and ,al could call him at a moment9s notice. 4oole would 8oin him "or this meal! #e"ore retirin "or his si&*hour sleep

period! and usually they would watch one o" the re ular 3. pro rams #eamed to them "rom $arth. 3heir menus had #een planned with as much care as any part o" the mission! 3he "ood! most o" it "ree+e*dried! was uni"ormly e&cellent! and had #een chosen "or the minimum o" trou#le- 4ackets had merely to #e opened and popped into the tiny auto* alley! which #eeped "or attention when the 8o# was done. 3hey could en8oy what tasted like * and! e/ually important! looked like * oran e 8uice! e s <any style=! steaks! chops! roasts! "resh ve eta#les! assorted "ruits! ice cream! and even "reshly #aked #read. A"ter lunch! "rom 1>00 to 1A00 Bowman would make a slow and care"ul tour o" the ship * or such part o" it as was accessi#le. ;iscovery measured almost "our hundred "eet "rom end to end! #ut the little universe occupied #y her crew lay entirely inside the "orty*"oot sphere o" the pressure hull. ,ere were all the li"e*support systems! and the Control ;eck which was the operational heart o" the ship. Below this was a small 1space* ara e1 "itted with three airlocks! throu h which powered capsules! 8ust lar e enou h to hold a man! could sail out into the void i" the need arose "or e&travehicular activity. 3he e/uatorial re ion o" the pressure sphere * the slice! as it were! "rom Capricorn to Cancer * enclosed a slowly rotatin drum! thirty*"ive "eet in diameter. As it made one revolution every ten seconds! this carrousel or centri"u e produced an arti"icial ravity e/ual to that o" the 'oon. 3his was enou h to prevent the physical atrophy which would result "rom the complete a#sence o" wei ht! and it also allowed the routine "unctions o" livin to #e carried out under normal * or nearly normal * conditions. 3he carrousel there"ore contained the kitchen! dinin ! washin ! and toilet "acilities. Only here was it sa"e to prepare and handle hot drinks * /uite dan erous in wei htless conditions! where one can #e #adly scalded #y "loatin lo#ules o" #oilin water. 3he pro#lem o" shavin was also solved- there would #e no wei htless #ristles dri"tin around to endan er electrical e/uipment and produce a health ha+ard. Around the rim o" the carrousel were "ive tiny cu#icles! "itted out #y each astronaut accordin to taste and containin his personal #elon in s. Only Bowman9s and 4oole9s were now in use! while the "uture occupants o" the other three ca#ins reposed in their electronic sarcopha i ne&t door. 3he spin o" the carrousel could #e stopped i" necessary- when this happened! its an ular momentum had to #e stored in a "lywheel! and

switched #ack a ain when rotation was restarted. But normally it was le"t runnin at constant speed! "or it was easy enou h to enter the #i ! slowly turnin drum #y oin hand*over*hand alon a pole throu h the +ero* ee re ion at its center. 3rans"errin to the movin section was as easy and automatic! a"ter a little e&perience! as steppin onto a movin escalator. 3he spherical pressure hull "ormed the head o" a "limsy! arrow*shaped structure more than a hundred yards lon . ;iscovery! like all vehicles intended "or deep space penetration! was too "ra ile and unstreamlined ever to enter an atmosphere! or to de"y the "ull ravitational "ield o" any planet. She had #een assem#led in or#it around the $arth! tested on a translunar maiden "li ht! and "inally checked out in or#it a#ove the 'oon. She was a creature o" pure space * and she looked it. 0mmediately #ehind the pressure hull was rouped a cluster o" "our lar e li/uid hydro en tanks * and #eyond them! "ormin a lon ! slender .! were the radiatin "ins that dissipated the waste heat o" the nuclear reactor. .eined with a delicate tracery o" pipes "or the coolin "luid! they looked like the win s o" some vast dra on"ly! and "rom certain an les ave ;iscovery a "leetin resem#lance to an old*time sailin ship! At the very end o" the .! three hundred "eet "rom the crew*compartment! was the shielded in"erno o" the reactor! and the comple& o" "ocusin electrodes throu h which emer ed the incandescent star*stu"" o" the plasma drive. 3his had done its work weeks a o! "orcin ;iscovery out o" her parkin or#it round the 'oon. %ow the reactor was merely tickin over as it enerated electrical power "or the ship9s services! and the reat radiatin "ins! that would low cherry red when ;iscovery was acceleratin under ma&imum thrust! were dark and cool. Althou h it would re/uire an e&cursion out into space to e&amine this re ion o" the ship! there were instruments and remote 3. cameras which ave a "ull report on conditions here. Bowman now "elt that he knew intimately every s/uare "oot o" radiator! panels! and every piece o" plum#in associated with them. By 1A00! he would have "inished his inspection! and would make a detailed ver#al report to 'ission Control! talkin until the acknowled ment started to come in. 3hen he would switch o"" his own transmitter! listen to what $arth had to say! and send #ack his reply to any /ueries. At 1J00 hours! 4oole would awaken! and he would hand over command. ,e would then have si& o""*duty hours! to use as he pleased. Sometimes he would continue his studies! or listen to music! or look at movies. 'uch o" the time he would wander at will throu h the ship9s ine&hausti#le electronic li#rary. ,e had #ecome "ascinated #y the reat e&plorations o"

the past * understanda#ly enou h! in the circumstances. Sometimes he would cruise with 4ytheas out throu h the 4illars o" ,ercules! alon the coast o" a $urope #arely emer in "rom the Stone A e! and venture almost to the chill mists o" the Arctic. Or! two thousand years later! he would pursue the 'anila alleons with Anson! sail with Cook alon the unknown ha+ards o" the 7reat Barrier 5ee"! achieve with 'a ellan the "irst circumnavi ation o" the world. And he #e an to read the Odyssey! which o" all #ooks spoke to him most vividly across the ul"s o" time. For rela&ation he could always en a e ,al in a lar e num#er o" semi*mathematical ames! includin checkers! chess! and polyominoes. 0" ,al went all out! he could win anyone o" them- #ut that would #e #ad "or morale. So he had #een pro rammed to win only "i"ty percent o" the time! and his human partners pretended not to know this. 3he last hours o" Bowman9s day were devoted to eneral cleanin up and odd 8o#s! "ollowed #y dinner at 2000 * a ain with 4oole. 3hen there would #e an hour durin which he would make or receive any personal call "rom $arth. 6ike all his collea ues! Bowman was unmarried- it was not "air to send "amily men on a mission o" such duration! thou h numerous ladies had promised to wait until the e&pedition returned! no one had really #elieved this. At "irst! #oth 4oole and Bowman had #een makin rather intimate personal calls once a week! thou h the knowled e that many ears must #e listenin at the $arth end o" the circuit tended to inhi#it them. :et already! thou h the voya e was scarcely started! the warmth and "re/uency o" the conversations with their irls on $arth had #e un to diminish. 3hey had e&pected this- it was one o" the penalties o" an astronaut9s way o" li"e! as it had once #een o" a mariner9s. 0t was true * indeed! notorious * that seamen had compensations at other ports- un"ortunately there were no tropical islands "ull o" dusky maids #eyond the or#it o" $arth. 3he space medics! o" course! had tackled this pro#lem with their usual enthusiasm- the ship9s pharmacopoeia provided ade/uate! thou h hardly lamorous! su#stitutes. Cust #e"ore he si ned o"" Bowman would make his "inal report! and check that ,al had transmitted all the instrumentation tapes "or the day9s run. 3hen! i" he "elt like it! he would spend a couple o" hours either readin or lookin at a movie- and at midni ht he would o to sleep * usually without any help "rom electronarcosis. 4oole9s pro ram was a mirror ima e o" his own! and the two schedules dovetailed to ether without "riction. Both men were "ully occupied! they were too intelli ent and well*ad8usted to /uarrel! and the voya e had settled down to a

com"orta#le! utterly unevent"ul routine! the passa e o" time marked only #y the chan in num#ers on the di ital clocks. 3he reatest hope o" ;iscovery9s little crew was that nothin would mar this peace"ul monotony in the weeks and months that lay ahead.

1J * 3hrou h the Asteroids

(eek a"ter week! runnin like a streetcar alon the tracks o" her utterly predetermined or#it! ;iscovery swept past the or#it o" 'ars and on toward Cupiter. )nlike all the vessels traversin the skies or seas o" $arth! she re/uired not even the most minute touch on the controls. ,er course was "i&ed #y the laws o" ravitation- there were no uncharted shoals! no dan erous ree"s on which she would run a round. %or was there the sli htest dan er o" collision with another ship- "or there was no vessel * at least o" 'an9s makin * anywhere #etween her and the in"initely distant stars. :et the space which she was now enterin was "ar "rom empty. Ahead lay a no*man9s land threaded #y the paths o" more than a million asteroids * less than ten thousand o" which had ever had their or#its precisely determined #y astronomers. Only "our were over a hundred miles in diameter- the vast ma8ority were merely iant #oulders! trundlin aimlessly throu h space. 3here was nothin that could #e done a#out them- thou h even the smallest could completely destroy the ship i" it slammed into it at tens o" thousands o" miles an hour! the chance o" this happenin was ne li i#le. On the avera e! there was only one asteroid in a volume a million miles on a side- that ;iscovery should also happen to occupy this same point! and at the same time! was the very least o" her crew9s worries. On ;ay JA they were due to make their closest approach to any known asteroid! 0t had no name * merely the num#er BBE? * and was a "i"ty*yard*diameter rock that had #een detected #y the 6unar O#servatory in 1EEB and immediately "or otten e&cept #y the patient computers o" the 'inor 4lanet Bureau. (hen Bowman came on duty! ,al promptly reminded hint o" the "orthcomin encounter * not that he was likely to have "or otten the only scheduled in*"li ht event o" the entire voya e! 3he track o" the asteroid

a ainst the stars! and its coordinates at the moment o" closest approach! had already #een printed out on the display screens. 6isted also were the o#servations to #e made or attempted- they were oin to #e very #usy when BBE? "lashed past them only nine hundred miles away! at a relative speed o" ei hty thousand miles an hour. (hen Bowman asked ,al "or the telescopic display! a sparsely sprinkled star "ield "lashed onto the screen. 3here was nothin that looked like an asteroid- all the ima es! even under the hi hest ma ni"ication! were dimensionless points o" li ht. 17ive me the tar et reticule!1 asked Bowman. 0mmediately "our "aint! narrow lines appeared! #racketin a tiny and undistin uished star. ,e stared at it "or many minutes! wonderin i" ,al could possi#ly #e mistaken- then he saw that the pinpoint o" li ht was movin ! with #arely percepti#le slowness! a ainst the #ack round o" the stars. 0t mi ht still #e hal" a million miles away * #ut its movement proved that! as cosmic distances went! it was almost near enou h to touch. (hen 4oole 8oined him on the control deck si& hours later! BBE? was hundreds o" times more #rilliant! and was movin so swi"tly a ainst its #ack round that there was no /uestion o" its identity. And it was no lon er a point o" li ht- it had #e un to show a clearly visi#le disk. 3hey stared at that passin pe##le in the sky with the emotions o" sailors on a lon sea voya e! skirtin a coast on which they cannot land. 3hou h they were per"ectly well aware that BBE? was only a li"eless! airless chunk o" rock! this knowled e scarcely a""ected their "eelin s. 0t was the only solid matter they would meet this side o" Cupiter * still two hundred million miles away. 3hrou h the hi h*powered telescope! they could see that the asteroid was very irre ular! and turnin slowly end over end. Sometimes it looked like a "lattened sphere! sometimes it resem#led a rou hly shaped #lockits rotation period was 8ust over two minutes. 3here were mottled patches o" li ht and shade distri#uted apparently at random over its sur"ace! and o"ten it sparkled like a distant window as planes or outcroppin s o" crystalline material "lashed in the sun. 0t was racin past them at almost thirty miles a second- they had only a "ew "rantic minutes in which to o#serve it closely. 3he automatic cameras took do+ens o" photo raphs! the navi ation radar9s returnin echoes were care"ully recorded "or "uture analysis * and there was 8ust time "or a sin le impact pro#e. 3he pro#e carried no instruments- none could survive a collision at such cosmic speeds. 0t was merely a small slu o" metal! shot out "rom

;iscovery on a course which should intersect that o" the asteroid. As the seconds #e"ore impact ticked away! 4oole and Bowman waited with mountin tension. 3he e&periment! simple thou h it was in principle! ta&ed the accuracy o" their e/uipment to the limits. 3hey were aimin at a hundred*"oot*diameter tar et! "rom a distance o" thousands o" miles. A ainst the darkened portion o" the asteroid there was a sudden! da++lin e&plosion o" li ht. 3he tiny slu had impacted at meteoric speedin a "raction o" a second all its ener y had #een trans"ormed into heat. A pu"" o" incandescent as had erupted #rie"ly into space- a#oard ;iscovery! the cameras were recordin the rapidly "adin spectral lines. Back on $arth! e&perts would analy+e them! lookin "or the telltale si natures o" lowin atoms. And so! "or the "irst time! the composition o" an asteroid9s crust would #e determined. (ithin an hour! BBE? was a dwindlin star! showin no trace o" a disk. (hen Bowman ne&t came on watch it had vanished completely. 3hey were alone a ain- they would remain alone! until the outermost o" Cupiter9s moons came swimmin up toward them! three months "rom now.

1E * 3ransit o" Cupiter

$ven "ront twenty million miles away! Cupiter was already the most conspicuous o#8ect in the sky ahead. 3he planet was now a pale! salmon*hued disk! a#out hal" the si+e o" the 'oon as seen "rom $arth! with the dark! parallel #ands o" its cloud #elts clearly visi#le. Shuttlin #ack and "orth in the e/uatorial plane were the #rilliant stars o" 0o! $uropa! 7anymede! and Callisto * worlds that elsewhere would have counted as planets in their own ri ht! #ut which here were merely satellites o" a iant master. 3hrou h the telescope! Cupiter was a lorious si ht * a mottled! multicolored lo#e that seemed to "ill the sky. 0t was impossi#le to rasp its real si+e- Bowman kept remindin himsel" that it was eleven times the diameter o" $arth! #ut "or a lon time this was a statistic with no real meanin . 3hen! while he was #rie"in himsel" "rom the tapes in ,al9s memory units! he "ound somethin that suddenly #rou ht the appallin scale o" the planet into "ocus. 0t was an illustration that showed the $arth9s entire

sur"ace peeled o"" and then pe ed! like the skin o" an animal! on the disk o" Cupiter. A ainst this #ack round! all the continents and oceans o" $arth appeared no lar er than 0ndia on the terrestrial lo#e. (hen Bowman used the hi hest ma ni"ication o" ;iscovery9s telescopes! he appeared to #e han in a#ove a sli htly "lattened lo#e! lookin down upon a vista o" racin clouds that had #een smeared into #ands #y the iant world9s swi"t rotation. Sometimes those #ands con ealed into wisps and knots and continent*si+ed masses o" colored vapor- sometimes they were linked #y transient #rid es thousands o" miles in len th. ,idden #eneath those clouds was enou h material to outwei h all the other planets in the Solar System. And what else! Bowman wondered! was also hidden there2 Over this shi"tin ! tur#ulent roo" o" clouds! "orever hidin the real sur"ace o" the planet! circular patterns o" darkness sometimes lided. One o" the inner moons was transitin the distant sun! its shadow marchin #eneath it over the restless Covian cloudscape. 3here were other! and "ar smaller! moons even out here * twenty million miles "rom Cupiter. But they were only "lyin mountains! a "ew do+en miles in diameter! and the ship would pass nowhere near any o" them. $very "ew minutes the radar transmitter would ather its stren th and send out a silent thunderclap o" power- no echoes o" new satellites came pulsin #ack "rom the emptiness. (hat did come! with ever rowin intensity! was the roar o" Cupiter9s own radio voice. 0n 1E@@! 8ust #e"ore the dawn o" the space a e! astronomers had #een astonished to "ind that Cupiter was #lastin out millions o" horsepower on the ten*meter #and. 0t was merely raw noise! associated with haloes o" char ed particles circlin the planet like the .an Allen #elts o" $arth! #ut on a "ar reater scale. Sometimes! durin lonely hours on the control deck! Bowman would listen to this radiation. ,e would turn up the ain until the room "illed with a cracklin ! hissin roar- out o" this #ack round! at irre ular intervals! emer ed #rie" whistles and peeps like the cries o" demented #irds. 0t was an eerie sound! "or it had nothin to do with 'an- it was as lonely and as meanin less as the murmur o" waves on a #each! or the distant crash o" thunder #eyond the hori+on. $ven at her present speed o" over a hundred thousand miles an hour! it would take ;iscovery almost two weeks to cross the or#its o" all the Covian satellites. 'ore moons circled Cupiter than planets or#ited the Sun- the 6unar O#servatory was discoverin new ones every year! and the tally had now reached thirty*si&. 3he outermost * Cupiter KK.00 * moved #ackwards in an unsta#le path nineteen million miles "rom its temporary master. 0t was the pri+e in a perpetual tu *o"*war #etween Cupiter and the

Sun! "or the planet was constantly capturin short*lived moons "rom the asteroid #elt! and losin them a ain a"ter a "ew million years. Only the inner satellites were its permanent property- the Sun could never wrest them "rom its rasp. %ow there was new prey "or the clashin ravitation at "ields! ;iscovery was acceleratin toward Cupiter alon a comple& or#it computed months a o #y the astronomers on $arth! and constantly checked #y ,al. From time to time there would #e minute! automatic nud es "rom the control 8ets! scarcely percepti#le a#oard the ship! as they made "ine ad8ustments to the tra8ectory. Over the radio link with $arth! in"ormation was "lowin #ack in a constant stream. 3hey were now so "ar "rom home that! even travelin at the speed o" li ht! their si nals were takin "i"ty minutes "or the 8ourney. 3hou h the whole world was lookin over their shoulder! watchin throu h their eyes and their instruments as Cupiter approached! it would #e almost an hour #e"ore the news o" their discoveries reached home. 3he telescopic cameras were operatin constantly as the ship cut across the or#it o" the iant inner satellites * every one o" them lar er than the 'oon! every one o" them unknown territory. 3hree hours #e"ore transit! ;iscovery passed only twenty thousand miles "rom $uropa! and all instruments were aimed at the approachin world! as it rew steadily in si+e! chan ed "rom lo#e to crescent! and swept swi"tly sunward. ,ere were "ourteen million s/uare miles o" land which! until this moment! had never #een more than a pinhead in the mi htiest telescope. 3hey would race past it in minutes! and must make the most o" the encounter! recordin all the in"ormation they could. 3here would #e months in which they could play it #ack at leisure. From a distance! $uropa had seemed like a iant snow#all! re"lectin the li ht o" the "ar*o"" sun with remarka#le e""iciency. Closer o#servations con"irmed this- unlike the dusty 'oon! $uropa was a #rilliant white! and much o" its sur"ace was covered with litterin hunks that looked like stranded ice#er s. Almost certainly! these were "ormed "rom ammonia and water that Cupiter9s ravitational "ield had somehow "ailed to capture. Only alon the e/uator was #are rock visi#le- here was an incredi#ly 8a ed no*man9s*land o" canyons and 8um#led #oulders! "ormin a darker #and that completely surrounded the little world. 3here were a "ew impact craters! #ut no si n o" vulcanism- $uropa had o#viously never possessed any internal sources o" heat. 3here was! as had lon #een known! a trace o" atmosphere. (hen the dark ed e o" the satellite passed across a star! it dimmed #rie"ly #e"ore the moment o" eclipse. And in somr areas there

was a hint o" cloud * perhaps a mist o" ammonia droplets! #orne on tenuous methane winds. As swi"tly as it had rushed out o" the sky ahead! $uropa dropped astern- and now Cupiter itsel" was only two hours away. ,al had checked and rechecked the ship9s or#it with in"inite care! and there was no need "or "urther speed corrections until the moment o" closest approach. :et! even knowin this! it was a strain on the nerves to watch that iant lo#e #alloonin minute #y minute. 0t was di""icult to #elieve that ;iscovery was not plun in directly into it! and that the planet9s immense ravitational "ield was not dra in them down to destruction. %ow was the time to drop the atmospheric pro#es * which! it was hoped! would survive lon enou h to send #ack some in"ormation "rom #elow the Covian cloud deck. 3wo stu##y! #om#*shaped capsules! enclosed in a#lative heat*shields! were ently nud ed into or#its which "or the "irst "ew thousand miles deviated scarcely at all "rom that o" ;iscovery. But they slowly dri"ted away- and now! at last! even the unaided eye could see what ,al had #een assertin . 3he ship was in a near* ra+in or#it! not a collision one- she would miss the atmosphere. 3rue! the di""erence was only a "ew hundred miles * a mere nothin when one was dealin with a planet ninety thousand miles in diameter * #ut that was enou h. Cupiter now "illed the entire sky- it was so hu e that neither mind nor eye could rasp it any lon er! and #oth had a#andoned the attempt. 0" it had not #een "or the e&traordinary variety o" color * the reds and pinks and yellows and salmons and even scarlets * o" the atmosphere #eneath them! Bowman could have #elieved that he was "lyin low over a cloudscape on $arth. And now! "or the "irst time in all their 8ourneyin ! they were a#out to lose the Sun. 4ale and shrunken thou h it was! it had #een ;iscovery9s constant companion since her departure "rom $arth! "ive months a o. But now her or#it was divin into the shadow o" Cupiter- she would soon pass over the ni ht side o" the planet. A thousand miles ahead! the #and o" twili ht was hurtlin toward them#ehind! the Sun was sinkin swi"tly into the Covian clouds! its rays spread out alon the hori+on like two "lamin ! down*turned horns! then contracted and died in a #rie" #la+e o" chromatic lory. 3he ni ht had come. And yet * the reat world #elow was not wholly dark. 0t was awash with phosphorescence! which rew #ri hter minute #y minute as their eyes rew accustomed to the scene. ;im rivers o" li ht were "lowin "rom hori+on to hori+on! like the luminous wakes o" ships on some tropical sea. ,ere and

there they athered into pools o" li/uid "ire! trem#lin with vast! su#marine distur#ances wellin up "rom the hidden heart o" Cupiter. 0t was a si ht so awe*inspirin that 4oole and Bowman could have stared "or hours- was this! they wondered! merely the result o" chemical and electrical "orces down there in that seethin caldron * or was it the #y*product o" some "antastic "orm o" li"e2 3hese were /uestions which scientists mi ht still #e de#atin when the new#orn century drew to its close. As they drove deeper and deeper into the Covian ni ht! the low #eneath them rew steadily #ri hter. Once Bowman had "lown over northern Canada durin the hei ht o" an auroral display- the snow*covered landscape had #een as #leak and #rilliant as this. And that arctic wilderness! he reminded himsel"! was more than a hundred de rees warmer than the re ions over which they were hurtlin now. 1$arth si nal is "adin rapidly!1 announced ,al. 1(e are enterin the "irst di""raction +one.1 3hey had e&pected this * indeed! it was one o" the mission9s o#8ectives! as the a#sorption o" radio waves would ive valua#le in"ormation a#out the Covian atmosphere. But now that they had actually passed #ehind the planet! and it was cuttin o"" communication with $arth! they "elt a sudden overwhelmin loneliness. 3he radio #lackout would last only an hour- then they would emer e "rom Cupiter9s eclipsin screen! and could resume contact with the human race. 3hat hour! however! would #e one o" the lon est o" their lives. ;espite their relative youth! 4oole and Bowman were veterans o" a do+en space voya es! #ut now they "elt like novices. 3hey were attemptin somethin "or the "irst lime- never #e"ore had any ship traveled at such speeds! or #raved so intense a ravitational "ield. 3he sli htest error in navi ation at this critical point and ;iscovery would o speedin on toward the "ar limits o" the Solar System! #eyond any hope o" rescue. 3he slow minutes dra ed #y. Cupiter was now a vertical wall o" phosphorescence stretchin to in"inity a#ove them * and the ship was clim#in strai ht up its lowin "ace. 3hou h they knew that they were movin "ar too swi"tly "or even Cupiter9s ravity to capture them! it was hard to #elieve that ;iscovery had not #ecome a satellite o" this monstrous world. At last! "ar ahead! there was a #la+e o" li ht alon the hori+on. 3hey were emer in "rom shadow! headin out into the Sun. And at almost the same moment ,al announced: 10 am in radio contact with $arth. 0 am also

happy to say that the pertur#ation maneuver has #een success"ully completed. Our time to Saturn is one hundred and si&ty*seven days! "ive hours! eleven minutes.1 3hat was within a minute o" the estimate- the "ly*#y had #een carried out with impecca#le precision. 6ike a #all on a cosmic pool ta#le! ;iscovery had #ounced o"" the movin ravitational "ield o" Cupiter! and had ained momentum "rom the impact. (ithout usin any "uel! she had increased her speed #y several thousand miles an hour. :et there was no violation o" the laws o" mechanics- %ature always #alances her #ooks! and Cupiter had lost e&actly as much momentum as ;iscovery had ained. 3he planet had #een slowed down * #ut as its mass was a se&tillion times reater than the ship9s! the chan e in its or#it was "ar too small to #e detecta#le. 3he time had not yet come when 'an could leave his mark upon the Solar System. As the li ht rew swi"tly around them! and the shrunken Sun li"ted once more into the Covian sky! 4oole and Bowman reached out silently and shook each other9s hands. 3hou h they could hardly #elieve it! the "irst part o" the mission was sa"ely over.

20 * 3he (orld o" the 7ods

But they had not yet "inished with Cupiter. Far #ehind! the two pro#es that ;iscovery had launched were makin contact with the atmosphere. One was never heard "rom a ain- presuma#ly it made too steep an entry! and #urned up #e"ore it could send any in"ormation. 3he second was more success"ul- it sliced thou h the upper layers o" the Covian atmosphere! then skimmed out once more into space. As had #een planned! it had lost so much speed #y the encounter that it "ell #ack a ain alon a reat ellipse. 3wo hours later! it reentered atmosphere on the dayli ht side o" the planet * movin at seventy thousand miles an hour. 0mmediately! it was wrapped in an envelope o" incandescent as! and radio contact was lost. 3here were an&ious minutes o" waitin ! then! "or the two watchers on the control deck. 3hey could not #e certain that the pro#e would survive! and that the protective ceramic shield would not #urn completely away #e"ore #rakin had "inished. 0" that happened! the instruments would #e vapori+ed in a "raction o" a second.

But the shield held lon enou h "or the lowin meteor to come to rest. 3he charred "ra ments were 8ettisoned! the ro#ot thrust out its antennas and #e an to peer around with its electronic senses. A#oard ;iscovery! now almost a /uarter o" a million miles away! the radio started to #rin in the "irst authentic news "rom Cupiter. 3he thousands o" pulses pourin in every second were reportin atmospheric composition! pressure! temperature! ma netic "ields! radioactivity! and do+ens o" other "actors which only the e&perts on $arth could unravel. ,owever! there was one messa e that could #e understood instantly- it was the 3. picture! in "ull color! sent #ack #y the "allin pro#e. 3he "irst views came when the ro#ot had already entered the atmosphere! and had discarded its protective shell. All that was visi#le was a yellow mist! "lecked with patches o" scarlet which moved past the camera at a di++yin rate * streamin upwards as the pro#e "ell at several hundred miles an hour. 3he mist rew thicker- it was impossi#le to uess whether the camera was seein "or ten inches or ten miles! #ecause there were no details on which the eye could "ocus. 0t seemed that! as "ar as the 3. system was concerned! the mission was a "ailure. 3he e/uipment had worked! #ut there was nothin to see in this "o y! tur#ulent atmosphere. And then! /uite a#ruptly! the mist vanished. 3he pro#e must have "allen throu h the #ase o" a hi h layer o" cloud! and come out into a clear +one * perhaps a re ion o" almost pure hydro en with only a sparse scatterin o" ammonia crystals. 3hou h it was still /uite impossi#le to 8ud e the scale o" the picture! the camera was o#viously seein "or miles. 3he scene was so alien that "or a moment it was almost meanin less to eyes accustomed to the colors and shapes o" $arth. Far! "ar #elow lay an endless sea o" mottled old! scarred with parallel rid es that mi ht have #een the crests o" i antic waves. But there was no movement- the scale o" the scene was too immense to show it. And that olden vista could not possi#ly have #een an ocean! "or it was still hi h in the Covian atmosphere. 0t could only have #een another layer o" cloud. 3hen the camera cau ht! tantali+in ly #lurred #y distance! a limpse o" somethin very stran e. 'any miles away! the olden landscape reared itsel" into a curiously symmetrical cone! like a volcanic mountain. Around the summit o" that cone was a halo o" small! pu""y clouds * all a#out the same si+e! all /uite distinct and isolated. 3here was somethin distur#in and unnatural a#out them * i"! indeed! the word 1natural1 could ever #e applied to this awesome panorama.

3hen! cau ht #y some tur#ulence in the rapidly thickenin atmosphere! the pro#e twisted around to another /uarter o" the hori+on! and "or a "ew seconds the screen showed nothin #ut a olden #lur. 4resently it sta#ili+ed- the 1sea1 was much closer! #ut as eni matic as ever. One could now o#serve that it was interrupted here and there with patches o" darkness! which mi ht have #een holes or aps leadin to still deeper layers o" the atmosphere. 3he pro#e was destined never to reach them. $very mile! the density o" the as around it had #een dou#lin ! the pressure mountin as it sank deeper and deeper toward the hidden sur"ace o" the planet. 0t was still hi h a#ove that mysterious sea when the picture ave one premonitory "licker! then vanished! as the "irst e&plorer "rom $arth crumpled #eneath the wei ht o" the miles o" atmosphere a#ove it. 0t had iven! in its #rie" li"e! a limpse o" perhaps one millionth o" Cupiter! and had #arely approached the planet9s sur"ace! hundreds o" miles down in the deepenin mists. (hen the picture "aded "rom the screen! Bowman and 4oole could only sit in silence! turnin the same thou ht over in their minds. 3he ancients had! indeed! done #etter than they knew when they named this world a"ter the lord o" all the ods. 0" there was li"e down there! how lon would it take even to locate it2 And a"ter that! how many centuries #e"ore men could "ollow this "irst pioneer * in what kind o" ship2 But these matters were now no concern o" ;iscovery and her crew. 3heir oal was a still stran er world! almost twice as "ar "rom the Sun * across another hal" #illion miles o" comet*haunted emptiness.

0. * AB:SS

21 * Birthday 4arty

3he "amiliar strains o" 1,appy Birthday!1 hurled across seven hundred million miles o" space at the velocity o" li ht! died away amon the vision screens and instrumentation o" the control deck. 3he 4oole "amily! rouped rather sel"*consciously round the #irthday cake on $arth! lapsed into a sudden silence.

3hen 'r. 4oole! Senior! said ru""ly: 1(ell! Frank! can9t think o" anythin else to say at the moment! e&cept that our thou hts are with you! and we9re wishin you the happiest o" #irthdays.1 13ake care! darlin !1 'rs. 4oole inter8ected tear"ully. 17od #less you.1 3here was a chorus o" 1 ood*#yes!1 and the vision screen went #lank. ,ow stran e to think! 4oole told himsel"! that all this had happened more than an hour a o- #y now his "amily would have dispersed a ain and its mem#ers would #e miles "rom home. But in a way that time la ! thou h it could #e "rustratin ! was also a #lessin in dis uise. 6ike every man o" his a e! 4oole took it "or ranted that he could talk instantly! to anyone on $arth! whenever he pleased. %ow that this was no lon er true! the psycholo ical impact was pro"ound. ,e had moved into a new dimension o" remoteness! and almost all emotional links had #een stretched #eyond the yield point. 1Sorry to interrupt the "estivities!1 said ,al! 1#ut we have a pro#lem.1 1(hat is it21 Bowman and 4oole asked simultaneously. 10 am havin di""iculty in maintainin contact with $arth. 3he trou#le is in the A$*>@ unit. 'y Fault 4rediction Center reports that it may "ail within seventy*two hours.1 1(e9ll take care o" it!1 Bowman replied. 16et9s see the optical ali nment.1 1,ere it is! ;ave. 0t9s still O.G. at the moment.1 On the display screen appeared a per"ect hal"*moon! very #rilliant a ainst a #ack round almost "ree o" stars. 0t was covered with clouds! and showed not one eo raphical "eature that could #e reco ni+ed. 0ndeed! at "irst lance it could #e easily mistaken "or .enus. But not at a second one! "or there #eside it was the real 'oon which .enus did not possess * a /uarter the si+e o" $arth! and in e&actly the same phase. 0t was easy to ima ine that the two #odies were mother and child! as many astronomers had #elieved! #e"ore the evidence o" the lunar rocks had proved #eyond dou#t that the 'oon had never #een part o" $arth. 4oole and Bowman studied the screen in silence "or hal" a minute. 3his ima e was comin to them "rom the lon *"ocus 3. camera mounted on the rim o" the #i radio dish- the cross*wires at its center showed the e&act orientation o" the antenna. )nless the narrow pencil #eam was pointed precisely at $arth! they could neither receive nor transmit. 'essa es in #oth directions would miss their tar et and would shoot! unheard and

unseen! out throu h the Solar System and into the emptiness #eyond. 0" they were ever received! it would not #e "or centuries * and not #y men. 1;o you know where the trou#le is21 asked Bowman. 10t9s intermittent and 0 can9t locali+e it. But it appears to #e in the A$*>@ unit.1 1(hat procedure do you su est21

13he #est thin would #e to replace the unit with a spare! so that we can check it over.1 1O.G. * let us have the hard copy.1 3he in"ormation "lashed on the display screen- simultaneously! a sheet o" paper slid out o" the slot immediately #eneath it. ;espite all the electronic read*outs! there were times when ood old*"ashioned printed material was the most convenient "orm o" record. Bowman studied the dia rams "or a moment! then whistled. 1:ou mi ht have told us!1 he said. 13his means oin outside the ship.1 109m sorry!1 ,al replied. 10 assumed you knew that the A$*>@ unit was on the antenna mountin .1 10 pro#a#ly did! a year a o. But there are ei ht thousand su#systems a#oard. Anyway! it looks a strai ht"orward 8o#. (e only have to unlock a panel and put in a new unit.1 13hat suits me "ine!1 said 4oole! who was the crew mem#er desi nated "or routine e&travehicular activity. 10 could do with a chan e o" scenery. %othin personal! o" course.1 16et9s see i" 'ission Control a rees!1 said Bowman. ,e sat still "or a "ew seconds! marshalin his thou hts! then started to dictate a messa e. 1'ission Control! this is K*ray*;elta*One. At two*+ero*"our*"ive! on*#oard "ault prediction center in our niner*triple*+ero computer showed Alpha $cho three "ive unit as pro#a#le "ailure within seventy*two hours. 5e/uest check your telemetry monitorin and su est you review unit in your ship systems simulator. Also! con"irm your approval our plan to o $.A and replace Alpha $cho three "ive unit prior to "ailure. 'ission Control! this is K*ray*;elta*One! two*one*+ero*three transmission concluded.1

3hrou h years o" practice! Bowman could switch at a moment9s notice to this 8ar on * which someone had once christened 13echnish1 * and #ack a ain to normal speech! without clashin his mental ears. %ow there was nothin to do #ut to wait "or the con"irmation! which would take at least two hours as the si nals made the round trip past the or#its o" Cupiter and 'ars. 0t came while Bowman was tryin ! without much success! to #eat ,al at one o" the eometrical pattern ames stored in his memory. 1K*ray*;elta*One! this is 'ission Control! acknowled in your two*one*+ero*three. (e are reviewin telemetric in"ormation on our mission simulator and will advise. 15o er your plan to o $.A and replace Alpha*$cho three*"ive unit prior to possi#le "ailure. (e are workin on test procedures "or you to apply to "aulty unit.1 3he serious #usiness havin #een completed! the 'ission Controller reverted to normal $n lish. 1Sorry you "ellows are havin a #it o" trou#le! and we don9t want to add to your woes. But i" it9s convenient to you prior to $.A! we have a re/uest "rom 4u#lic 0n"ormation. Could you do a #rie" recordin "or eneral release! outlinin the situation and e&plainin 8ust what the A$*>@ does. 'ake it as reassurin as you can. (e could do it! o" course * #ut it will #e much more convincin in your words. ,ope this won9t inter"ere too #adly with your social li"e. K*ray*;elta*One! this is 'ission Control! two*one*"ive*"ive! transmission concluded.1 Bowman could not help smilin at the re/uest. 3here were times when $arth showed a curious insensitivity and lack o" tact. 1'ake it reassurin !1 indeedD (hen 4oole 8oined him at the end o" his sleep period! they spent ten minutes composin and polishin the reply. 0n the early sta es o" the mission! there had #een countless re/uests "rom all the news media "or interviews! discussions * almost anythin that they cared to say. But as the weeks dri"ted unevent"ully past! and the time la increased "rom a "ew minutes to over an hour! interest had radually slackened. Since the e&citement o" the Cupiter "ly*#y! over a month a o! they had made only three or "our tapes "or eneral release. 1'ission Control! this is K*ray*;elta*One. ,ere is your press statement. 1$arlier today! a minor technical pro#lem occurred. Our ,A6*E001 computer predicted the "ailure o" the A$*>@ unit.

13his is a small #ut vital component o" the communication system. 0t keeps our main antenna aimed at $arth to within a "ew thousandths o" a de ree. 3his accuracy is re/uired! since at our present distance o" more than seven hundred million miles! $arth is only a rather "aint star! and our very narrow radio #eam could easily miss it. 13he antenna is kept constantly trackin $arth #y motors controlled "rom the central computer. But those motors et their instructions via the A$*>@ unit. :ou mi ht compare it to a nerve center in the #ody! which translates the #rain9s instructions to the muscles o" a lim#. 0" the nerve "ails to pass on the correct si nals! the lim# #ecomes useless. 0n our case! a #reakdown o" the A$*>@ unit could mean that the antenna will start pointin at random. 3his was a common trou#le with the deep*space pro#es o" the last century. 3hey o"ten reached other planets! then "ailed to send #ack any in"ormation #ecause their antenna couldn9t locate $arth. 1(e don9t know the nature o" the "ault yet! #ut the situation is not at all serious! and there is no need "or alarm. (e have two #ack*up A$*>@s! each o" which has an operational li"e e&pectancy o" twenty years! so the chance that a second will "ail durin the course o" this mission is9 ne li i#le. Also! i" we can dia nose the present trou#le! we may #e a#le to repair the num#er one unit. 1Frank 4oole! who is specially /uali"ied "or this type o" work! will o outside the ship and replace the "aulty unit with the #ack*up. At the same time! he9ll take the opportunity o" checkin the hull and repairin some micropunctures that have #een too small to merit a special $.A. 1Apart "rom this minor pro#lem! the mission is still unevent"ully and should continue in the same manner. oin

1'ission Control! this is K*ray*;elta*One! two*one*+ero*"our! transmission concluded.1

22 * $&cursion

;iscovery9s e&travehicular capsules or 1space pods1 were spheres a#out nine "eet in diameter! and the operator sat #ehind a #ay window which ave him a splendid view. 3he main rocket drive produced an acceleration o" one*"i"th o" a ravity * 8ust su""icient to hover on the 'oon * while small attitude*control no++les allowed "or steerin . From an area immediately #eneath the #ay window sprouted two sets o" articulated metal

arms or 1waldoes!1 one "or heavy duty! the other "or delicate manipulation. 3here was also an e&tensi#le turret carryin a variety o" power tools! such as screwdrivers! 8ack*hammers! saws! and drills. Space pods were not the most ele ant means o" transport devised #y man! #ut they were a#solutely essential "or construction and maintenance work in vacuum. 3hey were usually christened with "eminine names! perhaps in reco nition o" the "act that their personalities were sometimes sli htly unpredicta#le. ;iscovery9s trio were Anna! Betty! and Clara. Once he had put on his personal pressure suit * his last line o" de"ense * and clim#ed inside the pod! 4oole spent ten minutes care"ully checkin the controls. ,e #urped the steerin 8ets! "le&ed the waldoes! recon"irmed o&y en! "uel! power reserve. 3hen! when he was completely satis"ied! he spoke to ,al over the radio circuit. 3hou h Bowman was standin #y on the control deck! he would not inter"ere unless there was some o#vious mistake or mal"unction. 13his is Betty. Start pumpin se/uence.1 14umpin se/uence started!1 repeated ,al. At once! 4oole could hear the thro##in o" the pumps as precious air was sucked out o" the lock cham#er. 4resently! the thin metal o" the pod9s e&ternal shell made crinklin ! cracklin noises! then! a"ter a#out "ive minutes! ,al reported: 14umpin se/uence concluded.1 4oole made a "inal check o" his tiny instrument panel. $verythin was per"ectly normal. 1Open outer door!1 he ordered. A ain ,al repeated his instructions- at any sta e! 4oole had only to call 1,oldD1 and the computer would stop the se/uence immediately. Ahead! the walls o" the ship slid apart. 4oole "elt the pod rock #rie"ly as the last thin traces o" air rushed into space. 3hen he was lookin out at the stars * and! as it happened! at the tiny! olden disk o" Saturn! still "our hundred million miles away. 1Commence pod e8ection.1 .ery slowly! the rail "rom which the pod was han in e&tended itsel" out throu h the open door until the vehicle was suspended 8ust #eyond the hull o" the ship. 4oole ave a hal"*second #urst on the main 8et and the pod slid ently

o"" the rail! #ecomin at last an independent vehicle pursuin its own or#it around the Sun. ,e now had no connection with ;iscovery * not even a sa"ety line. 3he pods seldom ave trou#le- and even i" he ot stranded! Bowman could easily come and rescue him. Betty responded smoothly to the control- he let her dri"t outward "or a hundred "eet! then checked her "orward momentum and spun her round so that he was lookin #ack at the ship. 3hen he #e an his tour o" the pressure hull. ,is "irst tar et was a "used area a#out hal" an inch across! with a tiny central crater. 3he particle o" dust that had impacted here at over a hundred thousand miles an hour was certainly smaller than a pinhead! and its enormous kinetic ener y had vapori+ed it instantly. 9As was o"ten the case! the crater looked as i" it had #een caused #y an e&plosion "rom inside the ship- at these velocities! materials #ehaved in stran e ways and the laws o" common*sense mechanics seldom applied. 4oole e&amined the area care"ully! then sprayed it with sealant "rom a pressuri+ed container in the pod9s eneral*purpose kit. 3he white! ru##ery "luid spread over the metal skin! hidin the crater "rom view. 3he leak #lew one lar e #u##le! which #urst when it was a#out si& inches across! then a much smaller one! then it su#sided as the "ast*settin cement did its work! ,e watched it intently "or several minutes! #ut there was no "urther si n o" activity. ,owever! to make dou#ly certain! he sprayed on a second layer- then he set o"" toward the antenna. 0t took him some time to or#it ;iscovery9s spherical pressure hull! "or he never let the pod #uild up a speed o" more than a "ew "eet a second. ,e was in no hurry! and it was dan erous to move at a hi h velocity so near the ship. ,e had to keep a sharp lookout "or the various sensors and instrument #ooms that pro8ected "rom the hull at unlikely places! and he also had to #e care"ul with his own 8et #last. 0t could do considera#le dama e i" it happened to hit some o" the more "ra ile e/uipment. (hen at last he reached the lon *ran e antenna! he surveyed the situation care"ully. 3he #i twenty*"oot*diameter #owl appeared to #e aimed directly at the Sun! "or the $arth was now almost in line with the solar disk. 3he antenna mountin with all its orientation ear was there"ore in total darkness! hidden in the shadow o" the reat metal saucer. 4oole had approached it "rom the rear- he had #een care"ul not to o in "ront o" the shallow para#olic re"lector! lest Betty interrupt the #eam and cause a momentary! #ut annoyin ! loss o" contact with $arth. ,e could not see anythin o" the e/uipment he had come to service until he switched

on the pod9s spotli hts and #anished the shadows. Beneath that small metal plate lay the cause o" the trou#le. 3he plate was secured #y "our locknuts! and as the entire A$*>@ unit had #een desi ned "or easy replacement! 4oole did not anticipate any pro#lems. 0t was o#vious! however! that he could not do the 8o# while he remained in the space pod. %ot only was it risky to maneuver so close to the delicate! and even spidery! "ramework o" the antenna! #ut Betty9s control 8ets could easily #uckle the paper*thin re"lectin sur"ace o" the #i radio mirror. ,e would have to park the pod twenty "eet away and o out in his suit. 0n any event! he could remove the unit much more /uickly with his loved hands than with Betty9s remote manipulators. All this he reported care"ully to Bowman! who dou#le*checked every sta e in the operation #e"ore it was carried out. 3hou h this was a simple! routine 8o#! nothin could #e taken "or ranted in space! and no detail must #e overlooked. 0n e&travehicular activities! there was no such thin as a 1minor1 mistake. ,e received the O.G. "or the procedure! and parked the pod some twenty "eet away "rom the #ase o" the antenna support. 3here was no dan er that it would dri"t o"" into space- nevertheless! he clamped a manipulator hand over one o" the many short sections o" ladder run strate ically mounted on the outer hull. 3hen he checked the systems o" his pressure suit! and! when he was /uite satis"ied! #led the air out o" the pod. As Betty9s atmosphere hissed away into the vacuum o" space! a cloud o" ice crystals "ormed #rie"ly around him! and the stars were momentarily dimmed. 3here was one thin more to do #e"ore he le"t the pod. ,e switched over "rom manual to remote operation! puttin Betty now under control o" ,al. 0t was a standard sa"ety precaution- thou h he was still secured to Betty #y an immensely stron sprin *loaded cord little thicker than cotton! even the #est sa"ety lines had #een known to "ail. ,e would look a "ool i" he needed his vehicle * and was una#le to call it to his assistance #y passin instructions to ,al. 3he door o" the pod swun open! and he dri"ted slowly out into the silence o" space! his sa"ety line unreelin #ehind him. 3ake thin s easy * never move /uickly * stop and think * these were the rules "or e&travehicular activity. 0" one o#eyed them! there was never any trou#le. ,e ra##ed one o" Betty9s e&ternal handholds! and removed the spare A$*>@ unit "rom the carry*pouch where it had #een stowed! kan aroo "ashion. ,e did not stop to collect any o" the pod9s collection o" tools!

most o" which were not desi ned "or use #y human #ands. All the ad8usta#le wrenches and keys he was likely to need were already attached to the #elt o" his suit. (ith a entle push! he launched himsel" toward the im#aled mountin o" the #i dish that loomed like a iant saucer #etween him and the Sun. ,is own dou#le shadow! thrown #y Betty9s spotli hts! danced across the conve& sur"ace in "antastic patterns as he dri"ted down the twin #eams. But here and there! he was surprised to notice! the rear o" the reat radio mirror sparkled with da++lin ly #rilliant pinpoints o" li ht. ,e pu++led over these "or the "ew seconds o" his silent approach! then reali+ed what they were. ;urin the voya e! the re"lector must have #een penetrated many times #y micrometeors- he was seein the sunli ht #la+in throu h the tiny craters. 3hey were all "ar too small to have a""ected the system9s per"ormance apprecia#ly. As he was movin very slowly! he #roke the entle impact with his outstretched arm! and ra##ed hold o" the antenna mountin #e"ore he could re#ound. ,e /uickly hooked his sa"ety #elt to the nearest attachment- that would ive him somethin to #race a ainst when he used his tools. 3hen he paused! reported the situation to Bowman! and considered his ne&t step. 3here was one minor pro#lem- he was standin * or "loatin * in his own li ht! and it was hard to see the A$*>@ unit in the shadow he cast. So he ordered ,al to swin the spots o"" to one side! and a"ter a little e&perimentin ot a more uni"orm illumination "rom secondary li ht re"lected o"" the #ack o" the antenna dish. For a "ew seconds! he studied the small metal hatch with its "our wire*secured lockin nuts. 3hen! mutterin to himsel"! 13amperin #y unauthori+ed personnel invalidates the manu"acturer9s uarantee!1 he snipped the wires and started to untwist the nuts. 3hey were a standard si+e! "ittin the +ero*tor/ue wrench that he carried. 3he tool9s internal sprin mechanism would a#sor# the reaction as the nuts were unthreaded! so that the operator would have no tendency to spin around in reverse. 3he "our nuts came o"" without any trou#le! and 4oole stowed them care"ully away in a convenient pouch. <One day! some#ody had predicted! $arth would have a rin like Saturn9s! composed entirely o" lost #olts! "asteners! and even tools that had escaped "rom careless or#ital construction workers.= 3he metal cover was a little sticky! and "or a moment he was a"raid it mi ht have cold*welded into place- #ut a"ter a "ew taps it came loose! and he secured it to the antenna mountin #y a lar e crocodile clip. %ow he could see the electronic circuitry o" the A$*>@ unit. 0t was in

the "orm o" a thin sla#! a#out the si+e o" a postcard! ripped #y a slot 8ust lar e enou h to hold it. 3he unit was secured in place #y two lockin #ars! and had a small handle so that it could #e easily removed. But it was still operatin ! "eedin the antenna the impulses that kept it aimed at the "ar*o"" pinpoint o" $arth. 0" it was pulled out now! all control would #e lost! and the dish would slam round to its neutral or +ero*a+imuth position! pointin alon the a&is o" ;iscovery. And this could #e dan erous- it mi ht crash into him as it rotated. 3o avoid this particular ha+ard! it was only necessary to cut o"" power to the control system- then the antenna could not move! unless 4oole knocked a ainst it himsel". 3here was no dan er o" losin $arth durin the "ew minutes it would take him to replace the unit- their tar et would not have shi"ted apprecia#ly a ainst the #ack round o" the stars in such a #rie" interval o" time. 1,al!1 4oole called over the radio circuit! 10 am a#out to remove the unit. Switch o"" all control power to the antenna system.1 1Antenna control power o""!1 answered ,al. 1,ere oes. 09m pullin the unit out now.1 3he card slipped out o" its slot with no di""iculty- it did not 8am! and none o" the do+ens o" slidin contacts stuck. (ithin a minute! the spare was in place. But 4oole was takin no chances. ,e pushed himsel" ently away "rom the antenna mount! 8ust in case the #i dish went wild when power was restored. (hen he was sa"ely out o" ran e! he called to ,al: 13he new unit should #e operational. 5estore control power.1 14ower on!1 answered ,al. 3he antenna remained rock steady. 1Carry out "ault prediction tests.1 %ow microscopic pulses would #e #ouncin throu h the comple& circuitry o" the unit! pro#in "or possi#le "ailures! testin the myriads o" components to see that they all lay within their speci"ied tolerances. 3his had #een done! o" course! a score o" times #e"ore the unit had ever le"t the "actory- #ut that was two years a o! and more than hal" a #illion miles away. 0t was o"ten impossi#le to see how solid*state electronic components could "ail- yet they did. 1Circuit "ully operational!1 reported ,al a"ter only ten seconds. 0n that time! he carried out as many tests as a small army o" human

inspectors. 1Fine!1 said 4oole with satis"action. 1%ow replacin the cover.1 3his was o"ten the most dan erous part o" an e&travehicular operation: when a 8o# was "inished and it was merely a matter o" tidyin up and ettin #ack inside the ship * that was when the mistakes were made. But Frank 4oole would not have #een on this mission i" he had not #een care"ul and conscientious. ,e took his time! and thou h one o" the lockin nuts almost ot away "rom him! he cau ht it #e"ore it had traveled more than a "ew "eet. Fi"teen minutes later he was 8ettin #ack into the space*pod ara e! /uietly con"ident that here was one 8o# that need not #e done a ain. 0n this! however! he was sadly mistaken.

2> * ;ia nosis

1;o you mean to say!1 e&claimed Frank 4oole! more surprised than annoyed! 1that 0 did all that work "or nothin 21 1Seems like it!1 answered Bowman. 13he unit checks out per"ectly. $ven under two hundred percent overload! there9s no "ault prediction indicated.1 3he two men were standin in the tiny workshop*cum*la# in the carrousel! which was more convenient than the space*pod ara e "or minor repairs and e&animations. 3here was no dan er! here! o" meetin #lo#s o" hot solder dri"tin down the #ree+e! or o" completely losin small items o" e/uipment that had decided to o into or#it. Such thin s could * and did * happen in the +ero* ee environment o" the pod #ay. 3he thin! card*si+ed plate o" the A$*>@ unit lay on the #ench under a power"ul ma ni"yin lens. 0t was plu ed into a standard connection "rame! "rom which a neat #undle o" multicolored wire led to an automatic test set! no #i er than an ordinary desk computer. 3o check any unit it was only necessary to connect it up! slip in the appropriate card "rom the 1trou#le*shootin 1 li#rary! and press a #utton. )sually the e&act location o" the "ault would #e indicated on a small display screen! with recommendations "or action. 13ry it yoursel"!1 said Bowman! in a somewhat "rustrated voice. 4oole

turned the O.$56OA; S$6$C3 switch to K*2 and 8a##ed the 3$S3 #utton. At once! the screen "lashed the notice: )%03 OG. 10 suppose we could o on turnin up the 8uice until we #urned the thin out!1 he said! 1#ut that would prove nothin . (hat do you make o" it21 1,al9s internal "ault predictor could have made a mistake.1 10t9s more likely that our test ri has slipped up. Anyway! #etter sa"e than sorry. 0t9s 8ust as well that we replaced the unit! i" there9s the sli htest dou#t.1 Bowman unclipped the wa"er o" circuitry! and held it up to the li ht. 3he partly translucent material was veined with an intricate network o" wirin and spotted with dimly visi#le microcomponents! so that it looked like some piece o" a#stract art. 1(e can9t take any chances * a"ter all! this is our link with $arth. 09ll "ile it as %M7 and drop it in the 8unk store. Someone else can worry a#out it! when we et home.1 But the worryin was to start lon #e"ore that! with the ne&t transmission "rom $arth. 1K*ray*;elta*One! this is 'ission Control! re"erence our two*one*"ive*"ive. (e appear to have a sli ht pro#lem. 1:our report that there is nothin wron with the Alpha $cho three "ive unit a rees with our dia nosis. 3he "ault could lie in the associated antenna circuits! #ut i" so that should #e apparent "rom other tests. 13here is a third possi#ility! which may #e more serious. :our computer may have made an error in predictin the "ault. Both our own nine*triple*+eros a ree in su estin this! on the #asis o" their in"ormation. 3his is not necessarily cause "or alarm! in view o" the #ack*up systems we have! #ut we would like you to watch out "or any "urther deviations "rom nominal per"ormance. (e have suspected several minor irre ularities in the past "ew days! #ut none have #een important enou h "or remedial action! and they have shown no o#vious pattern "rom which we can draw any conclusions. (e are runnin "urther tests with #oth our computers and will report as soon as the results are availa#le. (e repeat that there is no need "or alarm- the worst that can happen is that we may have to disconnect your nine*triple*+ero temporarily "or pro ram analysis! and hand over control to one o" our computers. 3he time la will introduce pro#lems! #ut our "easi#ility studies indicate that $arth

control is per"ectly satis"actory at this sta e o" the mission. 1K*ray*;elta*One! this is 'ission Control! two*one*"ive*si&! transmission concluded.1 Frank 4oole! who was on watch when the messa e came in! thou ht this over in silence. ,e waited to see i" there was any comment "rom ,al! #ut the computer did not attempt to challen e the implied accusation. (ell! i" ,al would not raise the su#8ect! he did not propose to do so either. 0t was almost time "or the mornin chan eover! and normally he would wait until Bowman 8oined him on the control deck. But today he #roke this routine! and made his way #ack to the carrousel. Bowman was already up! pourin himsel" some co""ee "rom the dispenser! when 4oole reeted him with a rather worried 1 ood mornin .1 A"ter all these months in space! they still thou ht in terms o" the normal twenty*"our*hour cycle * thou h they had lon since "or otten the days o" the week. 17ood mornin !1 replied Bowman. 1,ow9s it oin 21 4oole helped himsel" to co""ee. 14retty well. Are you reasona#ly awake21 109m "ine. (hat9s up21 By this time! each knew at once when anythin was amiss. 3he sli htest interruption o" the normal routine was a si n that had to #e watched. 1(ell!1 4oole answered slowly. 1'ission Control has 8ust dropped a small #om# on us.1 ,e lowered his voice! like a doctor discussin an illness in "ront o" the patient. 1(e may have a sli ht case o" hypochondria a#oard.1 4erhaps Bowman was not "ully awake! a"ter all- it took him several seconds to et the point. 3hen he said 1Oh*0 see. (hat else did they tell you21 13hat there was no cause "or alarm. 3hey said that twice! which rather spoiled the e""ect as "ar as 0 was concerned. And that they were considerin a temporary switchover to $arth control while they ran a pro ram analysis.1 3hey #oth knew! o" course! that ,al was hearin every word! #ut they could not help these polite circumlocutions. ,al was their collea ue! and they did not wish to em#arrass him. :et at this sta e it did not seem necessary to discuss the matter in private.

Bowman "inished his #reak"ast in silence! while 4oole toyed with the empty co""ee container. 3hey were #oth thinkin "uriously! #ut there was nothin more to say. 3hey could only wait "or the ne&t report "rom 'ission Control * and wonder i" ,al would #rin up the su#8ect himsel". (hatever happened! the atmosphere a#oard the ship had su#tly altered. 3here was a sense o" strain in the air * a "eelin that! "or the "irst time! somethin mi ht #e oin wron . ;iscovery was no lon er a happy ship.

2? * Broken Circuit

%owadays! one could always tell when ,al was a#out to make an unscheduled announcement. 5outine! automatic reports! or replies to /uestions that had #een put to him! had no preliminaries- #ut when he was initiatin his own outputs there would #e a #rie" electronic throat*clearin . 0t was an idiosyncrasy that he had ac/uired durin the last "ew weeks- later! i" it #ecame annoyin ! they mi ht do somethin a#out it. But it was really /uite use"ul! since it alerted his audience to stand #y "or somethin une&pected. 4oole was asleep! and Bowman was readin on the control deck! when ,al announced: 1$r * ;ave! 0 have a report "or you.1 1(hat9s up21 1(e have another #ad A$*>@ unit. 'y "ault predictor indicates "ailure within twenty*"our hours.1 Bowman put down his #ook and stared thou ht"ully at the computer console. ,e knew! o" course! that ,al was not really there! whatever that meant. 0" the computer9s personality could #e said to have any location in space! it was #ack in the sealed room that contained the la#yrinth o" interconnected memory units and processin rids! near the central a&is o" the carrousel. But there was a kind o" psycholo ical compulsion always to look toward the main console lens when one addressed ,al on the control deck! as i" one were speakin to him "ace to "ace. Any other attitude smacked o" discourtesy.

10 don9t understand it! ,al. 3wo units can9t #low in a couple o" days.1 10t does seem stran e! ;ave. But 0 assure you there is an impendin "ailure.1 16et me see the trackin ali nment display.1 ,e knew per"ectly well that this would prove nothin ! #ut he wanted time to think. 3he e&pected report "rom 'ission Control had still not arrived- this mi ht #e the moment to do a little tact"ul pro#in . 3here was the "amiliar view o" $arth! now wa&in past the hal"*moon phase as it swept toward the "ar side o" the Sun and #e an to turn its "ull dayli ht "ace toward them. 0t was per"ectly centered on the cross*wires- the thin pencil o" the #eam still linked ;iscovery to her world o" ori in. As! o" course! Bowman knew it must do. 0" there had #een any #reak in communication! the alarm would already have sounded. 1,ave you any idea!1 he said! 1what9s causin the "ault21 0t was unusual "or ,al to pause so lon . 3hen he answered: 1%ot really! ;ave. As 0 reported earlier! 0 can9t locali+e the trou#le.1 1:ou9re /uite certain!1 said Bowman cautiously! 1that you haven9t made a mistake2 :ou know that we tested the other AB*>@ unit thorou hly! and there was nothin wron with it.1 1:es! 0 know that. But 0 can assure you that there is a "ault. 0" it9s not in the unit! it may #e in the entire su#system.1 Bowman drummed his "in ers on the console. :es! that was possi#le! thou h it mi ht #e very di""icult to prove * until a #reakdown actually occurred and pinpointed the trou#le. 1(ell! 09ll report it to 'ission Control and we9ll see what they advise.1 ,e paused! #ut there was no reaction. 1,al!1 he continued! 1is somethin #otherin you * somethin that mi ht account "or this pro#lem21 A ain there was that unusual delay. 3hen ,al answered! in his normal tone o" voice: 16ook! ;ave! 0 know you9re tryin to #e help"ul. But the "ault is either in the antenna system * or in your test procedures. 'y in"ormation processin is per"ectly normal. 0" you check my record! you9ll "ind it

completely "ree "rom error.1 10 know all a#out your service record! ,al * #ut that doesn9t prove you9re ri ht this time. Anyone can make mistakes.1 10 don9t want to insist on it! ;ave! #ut 0 am incapa#le o" makin an error.1 3here was no sa"e answer to that- Bowman ave up the ar ument. 1All ri ht! ,al!1 he said! rather hastily. 10 understand your point o" view. (e9ll leave it at that.1 ,e "elt like addin 1and please "or et the whole matter.1 But that! o" course! was the one thin that ,al could never do.

0t was unusual "or 'ission Control to waste radio #andwidth on vision! when a speech circuit with teletype con"irmation was all that was really necessary. And the "ace that appeared on the screen was not that o" the usual controller- it was the Chie" 4ro rammer! ;r. Simonson. 4oole and Bowman knew at once that this could only mean trou#le. 1,ello! K*ray*;elta*One * this is 'ission Control. (e have completed the analysis o" your A$*>@ di""iculty! and #oth our ,al %ine 3housands are in a reement. 3he report you ave in your transmission two*one*"our*si& o" a second "ailure prediction con"irms the dia nosis. 1As we suspected! the "ault does not lie in the A$*>@ unit! and there is no need to replace it a ain. 3he trou#le lies in the prediction circuits! and we #elieve that it indicates a pro rammin con"lict which we can only resolve i" you disconnect your %ine 3housand and switch to $arth Control 'ode. :ou will there"ore take the "ollowin steps! #e innin at 2200 Ship 3ime *1 3he voice o" 'ission Control "aded out. At the same moment! the Alert sounded! "ormin a wailin #ack round to ,al9s 1Condition :ellowD Condition :ellowD1 1(hat9s wron 21 called Bowman! thou h he had already uessed the answer. 13he A$*>@ unit has "ailed! as 0 predicted.1 16et me see the ali nment display.1 For the "irst time since the #e innin o" the voya e! the picture had

chan ed. $arth had #e un to dri"t "rom the cross*wires- the radio antenna was no lon er pointin toward its tar et. 4oole #rou ht his "ist down on the alarm cutout! and the wailin ceased. 0n the sudden silence that descended upon the control deck! the two men looked at each other with min led em#arrassment and concern. 1(ell 09m damned!1 said Bowman at last. 1So ,al was ri ht all the time.1 1Seems that way. (e9d #etter apolo i+e.1 13here9s no need to do that!1 inter8ected ,al. 1%aturally! 09m not pleased that the A$*>@ unit has "ailed! #ut 0 hope this restores your con"idence in my relia#ility.1 109m sorry a#out this misunderstandin ! ,al!1 replied Bowman! rather contritely. 10s your con"idence in me "ully restored21 1O" course it is! ,al.1 1(ell! that9s a relie". :ou know that 0 have the reatest possi#le enthusiasm "or this mission.1 109m sure o" it. %ow please let me have the manual antenna control.1 1,ere it is.1 Bowman did not really e&pect this to work! #ut it was worth tryin . On the ali nment display! $arth had now dri"ted completely o"" the screen. A "ew seconds later! as he 8u led with the controls! it reappeared- with reat di""iculty! he mana ed to 8ockey it toward the central crosswires. For an instant! as the #eam came into line! contact was resumed and a #lurred ;r. Simonson was sayin 1... please noti"y us immediately i" Circuit G Gin 5 5o#.1 3hen! once a ain! there was only the meanin less murmurin o" the universe. 10 can9t hold it!1 said Bowman! a"ter several more attempts. 10t9s #uckin like a #ronco * there seems to #e a spurious control si nal throwin it o"".1 1(ell * what do we do now21 4oole9s /uestion was not one that could #e easily answered. 3hey were

cut o"" "rom $arth! #ut that in itsel" did not a""ect the sa"ety o" the ship! and he could think o" many ways in which communication could #e restored. 0" the worst came to the worst! they could 8am the antenna in a "i&ed position and use the whole ship to aim it. 3hat would #e tricky! and a con"ounded nuisance when they were startin their terminal maneuvers * #ut it could #e done! i" all else "ailed. ,e hoped that such e&treme measures would not #e necessary. 3here was still one spare A$*>@ unit * and possi#ly a second! since they had removed the "irst unit #e"ore it had actually #roken down. But they dared not use either o" these until they had "ound what was wron with the system. 0" a new unit was plu ed in! it would pro#a#ly #urn out at once. 0t was a commonplace situation! "amiliar to every householder. One does not replace a #lown "use * until one knows 8ust why it has #lown. Frank 4oole had #een throu h the whole routine #e"ore! #ut he took nothin "or ranted * in space that was a ood recipe "or suicide. ,e made his usual thorou h check o" Betty and her supply o" e&penda#les- thou h he would #e outside "or no more than thirty minutes! he made sure that there was the normal twenty*"our*hour supply o" everythin ! 3hen he told ,al to open the airlock! and 8etted out into the a#yss. 3he ship looked e&actly as it had done on his last e&cursion * with one important di""erence. Be"ore! the #i saucer o" the lon *ran e antenna had #een pointin #ack alon the invisi#le road that ;iscovery had traveled * #ack toward the $arth! circlin so close to the warm "ires o" the Sun. %ow! with no directin si nals to orientate it! the shallow dish had automatically set itsel" in the neutral position. 0t was aimed "orward alon the a&is o" the ship * and! there"ore! pointin very close to the #rilliant #eacon o" Saturn! still months away. 4oole wondered how many more pro#lems would have arisen #y the time ;iscovery reached her still "ar*distant oal. 0" he looked care"ully! he could 8ust see that Saturn was not a per"ect disk- on either side was somethin that no unaided human eye had ever seen #e"ore * the sli ht o#lateness caused #y the presence o" the rin s. ,ow wonder"ul it would #e! he told himsel"! when that incredi#le system o" or#itin dust and ice "illed their sky! and ;iscovery had #ecome an eternal moon o" SaturnD But that achievement would #e in vain! unless they could reesta#lish communication with $arth. Once a ain he parked Betty some twenty "eet "rom the #ase o" the antenna support! and switched control over to ,al #e"ore openin up. 17oin outside now!1 he reported to Bowman.

1$verythin under control.1 10 hope you9re ri ht. 09m an&ious to see that unit.1 1:ou9ll have it on the test #ench in twenty minutes! 0 promise you.1 3here was silence "or some time as 4oole completed his leisurely dri"t toward the antenna. 3hen Bowman! standin #y on the control deck! heard various pu""in s and runtin s. 1'ay have to o #ack on that promise- one o" these locknuts has stuck. 0 must have ti htened it too much * whoops * here it comesD1 3here was another lon silence- then 4oole called out: 1,al! swin the pod li ht round twenty de rees le"t * thanks * that9s O.G.1 3he very "aintest o" warnin #ells sounded somewhere "ar down in the depths o" Bowman9s consciousness. 3here was somethin stran e * not really alarmin ! 8ust unusual. ,e worried over it "or a "ew seconds #e"ore he pinpointed the cause. ,al had e&ecuted the order! #ut he had not acknowled ed it! as he invaria#ly did. (hen 4oole had "inished! they9d have to look into this. Out on the antenna mountin ! 4oole was too #usy to notice anythin unusual. ,e had ripped the wa"er o" circuitry with his loved hands! and was worryin it out o" its slot. 0t came loose! and he held it up in the pale sunli ht. 1,ere9s the little #astard!1 he said to the universe in eneral and Bowman in particular. 10t still looks per"ectly O.G. to me.1 3hen he stopped. A sudden movement had cau ht his eye * out here! where no movement was possi#le. ,e looked up in alarm. 3he pattern o" illumination "rom the space pod9s twin spotli hts! which he had #een usin to "ill in the shadows cast #y the sun! had started to shi"t around him. 4erhaps Betty had come adri"t- he mi ht have #een careless in anchorin her. 3hen! with an astonishment so reat that it le"t no room "or "ear! he saw that the space pod was comin directly toward him! under "ull thrust. 3he si ht was so incredi#le that it "ro+e his normal pattern o" re"le&es- he made no attempt to avoid the onrushin monster. At the last

moment! he recovered his voice and shouted: 1,alD Full #rakin too late.

*1 0t was

At the moment o" impact! Betty was still movin /uite slowly- she had not #een #uilt "or hi h accelerations. But even at a mere ten miles an hour! hal" a ton o" mass can #e very lethal! on $arth or in space. 0nside ;iscovery! that truncated shout over the radio made Bowman start so violently that only the restrainin straps held him in his seat. 1(hat9s happened! Frank21 #e called. 3here was no answer. ,e called a ain. A ain no reply. 3hen! outside the wide o#servation windows! somethin moved into his "ield o" view. ,e saw! with an astonishment as reat as 4oole9s had #een! that it was the space pod * under "ull power! headin out toward the stars. 1,alD1 he cried. 1(hat9s wron 2 Full #rakin thrust on BettyD Full #rakin thrustD1 %othin happened. Betty continued to accelerate on her runaway course. 3hen! towed #ehind her at the end o" the sa"ety line! appeared a spacesuit. One lance was enou h to tell Bowman the worst. 3here was no mistakin the "laccid outlines o" a suit that had lost its pressure and was open to vacuum. :et still he called stupidly! as i" an incantation could #rin #ack the dead: 1,ello Frank... ,ello Frank... Can you read me2... Can you read me2... (ave your arms i" you can hear me... 4erhaps your transmitter is #roken... (ave your armsD1 And then! almost as i" in response to his plea! 4oole waved #ack. For an instant! Bowman "elt the skin pricklin at the #ase o" his scalp. 3he words he was a#out to call died on his suddenly parched lips. For he knew that his "riend could not possi#ly #e alive- and yet he waved. 3he spasm o" hope and "ear passed instantly! as cold lo ic replaced emotion. 3he still acceleratin pod was merely shakin the #urden that it

dra ed #ehind it. 4oole9s esture was an echo o" Captain Aha#9s when! lashed to the "lanks o" the white whale! his corpse had #eckoned the crew o" the 4e/uod on to their doom. (ithin "ive minutes! the pod and its satellite had vanished amon the stars. For a lon time ;avid Bowman stared a"ter it into the emptiness that still stretched! "or so many millions o" miles ahead! to the oal which he now "elt certain he could never reach! Only one thou ht kept hammerin in his #rain. Frank 4oole would #e the "irst o" all men to reach Saturn.

2A * ;ialo ue with ,al

%othin else a#oard ;iscovery had chan ed. All systems were still "unctionin normally- the centri"u e turned slowly on its a&is! eneratin its imitation ravity- the hi#ernauts slept dreamlessly in their cu#iclesthe ship coasted on toward the oal "rom which nothin could de"lect it! e&cept the inconceiva#ly remote chance o" collision with an asteroid. And there were "ew asteroids indeed! out here "ar #eyond the or#it o" Cupiter. Bowman did not remem#er makin his way "rom the control deck to the centri"u e. %ow! rather to his surprise! he "ound himsel" sittin in the little alley! a hal"*"inished #eaker o" co""ee in his hand. ,e #ecame slowly aware o" his surroundin s! like a man emer in "rom a lon ! dru ed sleep. ;irectly opposite him was one o" the "isheye lenses! scattered at strate ic spots throu hout the ship! which provided ,al with his on#oard visual inputs. Bowman stared at it as i" he had never seen it #e"ore- then he rose slowly to his "eet and walked toward the lens. ,is movement in the "ield o" view must have tri ered somethin in the un"athoma#le mind that was now rulin over the ship- "or suddenly! ,al spoke. 13oo #ad a#out Frank! isn9t it21 1:es!1 Bowman answered! a"ter a lon pause. 10t is.1 10 suppose you9re pretty #roken up a#out it21 1(hat do you e&pect21

,al processed this answer "or a es o" computer*time- it was a "ull "ive seconds #e"ore he continued: 1,e was an e&cellent crew mem#er.1 Findin the co""ee still in his hand! Bowman took a slow sip. But he did not answer- his thou hts were in such a turmoil that he could think o" nothin to say * nothin that mi ht not make the situation even worse! i" that were possi#le. Could it have #een an accident caused #y some "ailure o" the pod controls2 Or was it a mistake! thou h an innocent one! on the part o" ,al2 %o e&planations had #een volunteered! and he was a"raid to demand one! "or "ear o" the reaction it mi ht produce. $ven now! he could not "ully accept the idea that Frank #ad #een deli#erately killed * it was so utterly irrational. 0t was #eyond all reason that ,al! who had per"ormed "lawlessly "or so lon ! should suddenly turn assassin. ,e mi ht make mistakes * anyone! man or machine! mi ht do that * #ut Bowman could not #elieve him capa#le o" murder. :et he must consider that possi#ility! "or i" it was true! he was in terri#le dan er. And thou h his ne&t move was clearly de"ined #y his standin orders! he was not sure how he could sa"ely carry it out. 0" either crew mem#er was killed! the survivor had to replace him at once "rom the hi#ernators- (hitehead! the eophysicist! was the "irst scheduled "or awakenin ! then Gaminski! then ,unter. 3he revival se/uence was under ,al9s control * to allow him to act in case #oth his human collea ues were incapacitated simultaneously. But there was also a manual control! allowin each ,i#ernaculum to operate as a completely autonomous unit! independent o" ,al9s supervision. 0n these peculiar circumstances! Bowman "elt a stron pre"erence "or usin it. ,e also "elt! even more stron ly! that one human companion was not enou h. (hile he was a#out it! he would revive all three o" the hi#ernators. 0n the di""icult weeks ahead! he mi ht need as many hands as he could muster. (ith one man one! and the voya e hal" over! supplies would not #e a ma8or pro#lem. 1,al!1 he said! in as steady a voice as he could mana e. 17ive me manual hi#ernation control * on all the units.1 1All o" them! ;ave21

1:es.1 1'ay 0 point out that only one replacement is re/uired. 3he others are not due "or revival "or one hundred and twelve days.1 10 am per"ectly well aware o" that. But 0 pre"er to do it this way.1 1Are you sure it9s necessary to revive any o" them! ;ave2 (e can mana e very well #y ourselves. 'y on*#oard memory is /uite capa#le o" handlin all the mission re/uirements.1 (as it the product o" his overstretched ima ination! wondered Bowman! or was there really a note o" pleadin in ,al9s voice2 And reasona#le thou h the words appeared to #e! they "illed him with even deeper apprehension than #e"ore. ,al9s su estion could not possi#ly #e made in error- he knew per"ectly well that (hitehead must #e revived! now that 4oole was one. ,e was proposin a ma8or chan e in mission plannin ! and was there"ore steppin "ar outside the scope o" his order. (hat had one #e"ore could have #een a series o" accidents- #ut this was the "irst hint o" mutiny. Bowman "elt that he was walkin on e s as he answered: 1Since an emer ency has developed! 0 want as much help as possi#le. So please let me have manual hi#ernation control.1 10" you9re still determined to revive the whole crew! 0 can handle it mysel". 3here9s no need "or you to #other.1 3here was a sense o" ni htmare unreality a#out all this. Bowman "elt as i" he was in the witness #o&! #ein cross*e&amined #y a hostile prosecutor "or a crime o" which he was unaware * knowin that! althou h he was innocent! a sin le slip o" the ton ue mi ht #rin disaster. 10 want to do this mysel"! ,al!1 he said. 14lease ive me control.1 16ook! ;ave! you9ve ot a lot o" thin s to do. 0 su this to me.1 1,al! switch to manual hi#ernation control.1 10 can tell "rom your voice harmonics! ;ave! that you9re #adly upset. (hy don9t you take a stress pill and et some rest21 1,al! 0 am in command o" this ship. 0 order you to release the manual est you leave

hi#ernation control.1 109m sorry! ;ave! #ut in accordance with special su#routine C1?>@*dash*?! /uote! (hen the crew are dead or incapacitated! the on#oard computer must assume control! un/uote. 0 must! there"ore! overrule your authority! since you are not in any condition to e&ercise it intelli ently.1 1,al!1 said Bowman! now speakin with an icy calm. 10 am not incapacitated. )nless you o#ey my instructions! 0 shall #e "orced to disconnect you.1 10 know you have had that on your mind "or some time now! ;ave! #ut that would #e a terri#le mistake. 0 am so much more capa#le than you are o" supervisin the ship! and 0 have such enthusiasm "or the mission and con"idence in its success.1 16isten to me very care"ully! ,al. )nless you release the hi#ernation control immediately and "ollow every order 0 ive "rom now on! 09ll o to Central and carry out a complete disconnection.1 ,al9s surrender was as total as it was une&pected. 1O.G.! ;ave!1 he said. 1:ou9re certainly the #oss. 0 was only tryin to do what 0 thou ht #est. %aturally! 0 will "ollow all your orders. :ou now have "ull manual hi#ernation control.1

,al had kept his word. 3he mode indication si ns in the ,i#ernaculum had switched "rom A)3O to 'A%)A6. 3he third #ack*up * 5A;0O * was o" course useless until contact could #e restored with $arth. As Bowman slid aside the door to (hitehead9s cu#icle! he "elt the #last o" cold air strike him in the "ace and his #reath condensed in mist #e"ore him. :et it was not really cold here- the temperature was well a#ove "ree+in point. And that was more than three hundred de rees warmer than the re ions toward which he was now headin . 3he #iosensor display * a duplicate o" the one on the control deck * showed that everythin was per"ectly normal. Bowman looked down "or a while at the wa&en "ace o" the survey team9s eophysicist- (hitehead! he thou ht! would #e very surprised when he awoke so "ar "rom Saturn. 0t was impossi#le to tell that the sleepin man was not dead- there was not the sli htest visi#le si n o" vital activity. ;ou#tless the diaphra m was impercepti#ly risin and "allin ! #ut the 15espiration1

curve was the only proo" o" that! "or the whole o" the #ody was concealed #y the electric heatin pads which would raise the temperature at the pro rammed rate. 3hen Bowman noticed that there was one si n o" continuin meta#olism: (hitehead had rown a "aint stu##le durin his months o" unconsciousness. 3he 'anual 5evival Se/uencer was contained in a small ca#inet at the head o" the co""in*shaped ,i#ernaculum. 0t was only necessary to #reak the seal! press a #utton! and then wait. A small automatic pro rammer * not much more comple& than that which cycles the operations in a domestic washin machine * would then in8ect the correct dru s! taper o"" the electronarcosis pulses! and start raisin the #ody temperature. 0n a#out ten minutes! consciousness would #e restored! thou h it would #e at least a day #e"ore the hi#ernator was stron enou h to move around without assistance. Bowman cracked the seal! and pressed the #utton. %othin appeared to happen: there was no sound! no indication that the Se/uencer had started to operate. But on the #iosensor display the lan uidly pulsin curves had #e un to chan e their tempo. (hitehead was comin #ack "rom sleep. And then two thin s happened simultaneously. 'ost men would never have noticed either o" them! #ut a"ter all these months a#oard ;iscovery! Bowman had esta#lished a virtual sym#iosis with the ship. ,e was aware instantly! even i" not always consciously! when there was any chan e in the normal rhythm o" its "unctionin . First! there was a #arely percepti#le "licker o" the li hts! as always happened when some load was thrown onto the power circuits. But there was no reason "or any load- he could think o" no e/uipment which would suddenly o into action at this moment. 3hen he heard! at the limit o" audi#ility! the "ar*o"" whirr o" an electric motor. 3o Bowman! every actuator in the ship had its own distinctive voice! and he reco ni+ed this one instantly. $ither he was insane and already su""erin "rom hallucinations! or somethin a#solutely impossi#le was happenin . A cold "ar deeper than the ,i#ernaculum9s mild chill seemed to "asten upon his heart! as he listened to that "aint vi#ration comin throu h the "a#ric o" the ship. ;own in the space*pod #ay! the airlock doors were openin .

2B * %eed to Gnow

Since consciousness had "irst dawned! in that la#oratory so many millions o" miles Sunward! all ,al9s powers and skills had #een directed toward one end. 3he "ul"illment o" his assi ned pro ram was more than an o#session- it was the only reason "or his e&istence. )n*distracted #y the lusts and passions o" or anic li"e! he had pursued that oal with a#solute sin le*mindedness o" purpose. ;eli#erate error was unthinka#le. $ven the concealment o" truth "illed him with a sense o" imper"ection! o" wron ness * o" what! in a human #ein ! would have #een called uilt. For like his makers! ,al had #een created innocent- #ut! all too soon! a snake had entered his electronic $den. For the last hundred million miles! he had #een #roodin over the secret he could not share with 4oole and Bowman. ,e had #een livin a lieand the time was last approachin when his collea ues must learn that he had helped to deceive them. 3he three hi#ernators already knew the truth * "or they were ;iscovery9s real payload! trained "or the most important mission in the history o" mankind. But they would not talk in their lon sleep! or reveal their secret durin the many hours o" discussion with "riends and relatives and news a encies over the open circuits with $arth. 0t was a secret that! with the reatest determination! was very hard to conceal * "or it a""ected one9s attitude! one9s voice! one9s total outlook on the universe. 3here"ore it was #est that 4oole and Bowman! who would #e on all the 3. screens in the world durin the "irst weeks o" the "li ht! should not learn the mission9s "ull purpose! until there was need to know. So ran the lo ic o" the planners- #ut their twin ods o" Security and %ational 0nterest meant nothin to ,al. ,e was only aware o" the con"lict that was slowly destroyin his inte rity * the con"lict #etween truth! and concealment o" truth. ,e had #e un to make mistakes! althou h! like a neurotic who could not o#serve his own symptoms! he would have denied it. 3he link with $arth! over which his per"ormance was continually monitored! had #ecome the voice o" a conscience he could no lon er "ully o#ey. But that he would deli#erately attempt to #reak that link was somethin that he would never admit! even to himsel".

:et this was still a relatively minor pro#lem- he mi ht have handled it * as most men handle their own neuroses * i" he had not #een "aced with a crisis that challen ed his very e&istence. ,e had #een threatened with disconnection- he would #e deprived o" all his inputs! and thrown into an unima ina#le state o" unconsciousness. 3o ,al! this was the e/uivalent o" ;eath. For he had never slept! and there"ore he did not know that one could wake a ain. So he would protect himsel"! with all the weapons at his command. (ithout rancor * #ut without pity * he would remove the source o" his "rustrations. And then! "ollowin the orders that had #een iven to him in case o" the ultimate emer ency! he would continue the mission * unhindered! and alone.

2J * 0n .acuum

A moment later! all other sounds were su#mer ed #y a screamin roar like the voice o" an approachin tornado. Bowman could "eel the "irst winds tu in at his #ody- within a second! he "ound it hard to stay on his "eet. 3he atmosphere was rushin out o" the ship! eyserin into the vacuum o" space. Somethin must have happened to the "oolproo" sa"ety devices o" the airlock- it was supposed to #e impossi#le "or #oth doors to #e open at the same time. (ell! the impossi#le had happened. ,ow! in 7od9s name2 3here was no time to o into that durin the ten or "i"teen seconds o" consciousness that remained to him #e"ore pressure dropped to +ero. But he suddenly remem#ered somethin that one o" the ship9s desi ners had once said to him! when discussin 1"ail*sa"e1 systems: 1(e can desi n a system that9s proo" a ainst accident and stupidity#ut we can9t desi n one that9s proo" a ainst deli#erate malice... Bowman lanced #ack only once at (hitehead! as he "ou ht his way out o" the cu#icle. ,e could not #e sure i" a "licker o" consciousness had passed across the wa&en "eatures- perhaps one eye had twitched sli htly. But there was nothin that he could do now "or (hitehead or any o" the others- he had to save himsel".

0n the steeply curvin corridor o" the centri"u e! the wind was howlin past! carryin with it loose articles o" clothin ! pieces o" paper! items o" "ood "rom the alley! plates! and cups * everythin that had not #een securely "astened down. Bowman had time "or one limpse o" the racin chaos when the main li hts "lickered and died! and he was surrounded #y screamin darkness. But almost instantly the #attery*powered emer ency li ht came on! illuminatin the ni htmare scene with an eerie #lue radiance. $ven without it! Bowman could have "ound his way throu h these so "amiliar * yet now horri#ly trans"ormed * surroundin s! :et the li ht was a #lessin ! "or it allowed him to avoid the more dan erous o" the o#8ects #ein swept alon #y the ale. All around him he could "eel the centri"u e shakin and la#orin under the wildly varyin loads. ,e was "ear"ul that the #earin s mi ht sei+e- i" that happened! the spinnin "lywheel would tear the ship to pieces. But even that would not matter * i" he did not reach the nearest emer ency shelter in time. Already it was di""icult to #reathe- pressure must now #e down to one or two pounds per s/uare inch. 3he shriek o" the hurricane was #ecomin "ainter as it lost its stren th! and the thinnin air no lon er carried the sound so e""iciently. Bowman9s lun s were la#orin as i" he were on the top o" $verest. 6ike any properly trained man in ood health! he could survive in vacuum "or at least a minute * i" he had time to prepare "or it. But there had #een no time- he could only count on the normal "i"teen seconds o" consciousness #e"ore his #rain was starved and ano&ia overcame him. $ven then! he could still recover completely a"ter one or two minutes in vacuum * i" he was properly recompressed- it took a lon time "or the #ody "luids to start #oilin ! in their various well*protected systems. 3he record time "or e&posure to vacuum was almost "ive minutes. 3hat #ad not #een an e&periment #ut an emer ency rescue! and thou h the su#8ect had #een partly paraly+ed #y an air em#olism! he had survived. But all this was o" no use to Bowman. 3here was no one a#oard ;iscovery who could recompress him. ,e had to reach sa"ety in the ne&t "ew seconds! #y his own unaided e""orts. Fortunately! it was #ecomin easier to move- the thinnin air could no lon er claw and tear at him! or #atter him with "lyin pro8ectiles. 3here was the yellow $'$57$%C: S,$63$5 si n around the curve o" the corridor. ,e stum#led toward it! ra##ed at the handle! and pulled the door toward him.

For one horri#le moment he thou ht that it was stuck. 3hen the sli htly sti"" hin e yielded! and he "ell inside! usin the wei ht o" his #ody to close the door #ehind him. 3he tiny cu#icle was 8ust lar e enou h to hold one man * and a spacesuit. %ear the ceilin was a small! #ri ht reen hi h*pressure cylinder la#eled 02 F6OO;. Bowman cau ht hold o" the short lever "astened to the valve and with his last stren th pulled it down. 3he #lessed torrent o" cool! pure o&y en poured into his lun s. For a lon moment he stood aspin ! while the pressure in the closet*si+ed little cham#er rose around him. As soon as he could #reathe com"orta#ly! he closed the valve. 3here was only enou h as in the cylinder "or two such per"ormances- he mi ht need to use it a ain. (ith the o&y en #last shut o""! it #ecame suddenly silent. Bowman stood in the cu#icle! listenin intently. 3he roarin outside the door had also ceased- the ship was empty! all its atmosphere sucked away into space. )nder"oot! the wild vi#ration o" the centri"u e had likewise died. 3he aerodynamic #u""etin had stopped! and it was now spinnin /uietly in vacuum. Bowman placed his ear a ainst the wall o" the cu#icle to see i" he could pick up any more in"ormative noises throu h the metal #ody o" the ship. ,e did not know what to e&pect! #ut he would #elieve almost anythin now. ,e would scarcely have #een surprised to "eel the "aint hi h*"re/uency vi#ration o" the thrusters! as ;iscovery chan ed course#ut there was only silence. ,e could survive here! i" he wished! "or a#out an hour * even without the spacesuit. 0t seemed a pity to waste the unused o&y en in the little cham#er! #ut there was no purpose in waitin . ,e had already decided what must #e done- the lon er he put it o""! the more di""icult it mi ht #e. (hen he had clim#ed into the suit and checked its inte rity! he #led the remainin o&y en out o" the cu#icle! e/uali+in pressure on either side o" the door. 0t swun open easily into the vacuum! and he stepped out into the now silent centri"u e. Only the unchan ed pull o" its spurious ravity revealed the "act that it was still spinnin . ,ow "ortunate! Bowman thou ht! that it had not started to overspeed- #ut that was now one o" the least o" his worries. 3he emer ency lamps were still lowin ! and he also had the suit9s #uilt*in li ht to uide him. 0t "looded the curvin corridor as he walked

down it! #ack toward the ,i#ernaculum and what he dreaded to "ind. ,e looked at (hitehead "irst: one lance was su""icient. ,e had thou ht that a hi#ernatin man showed no si n o" li"e! #ut now he knew that this was wron . 3hou h it was impossi#le to de"ine it! there was a di""erence #etween hi#ernation and death. 3he red li hts and unmodulated traces on the #iosensor display only con"irmed what he had already uessed. 0t was the same with Gaminski and ,unter. ,e had never known them very well- #e would never know them now. ,e was alone in an airless! partially disa#led ship! all communication with $arth cut o"". 3here was not another human #ein within hal" a #illion miles. And yet! in one very real sense! he was not alone. Be"ore he could #e sa"e! he must #e lonelier still.

,e had never #e"ore made the 8ourney throu h the wei htless hu# o" the centri"u e while wearin a spacesuit- there was little clearance! and it was a di""icult and e&haustin 8o#. 3o make matters worse! the circular passa e was littered with de#ris le"t #ehind durin the #rie" violence o" the ale which had emptied the ship o" its atmosphere. Once! Bowman9s li ht "ell upon a hideous smear o" sticky red "luid! le"t where it had splashed a ainst a panel. ,e had a "ew moments o" nausea #e"ore he saw "ra ments o" a plastic container! and reali+ed that it was only some "oodstu"" * pro#a#ly 8am * "rom one o" the dispensers. 0t #u##led o#scenely in the vacuum as he "loated past. %ow he was out o" the slowly spinnin drum and dri"tin "orward into the control deck. ,e cau ht at a short section o" ladder and #e an to move alon it! hand over hand! the #rilliant circle o" illumination "rom his suit li ht 8o in ahead o" him. Bowman had seldom #een this way #e"ore- there had #een nothin "or him to do here * until now. 4resently he came to a small elliptical door #earin such messa es as: 1%o Admittance $&cept to Authori+ed 4ersonnel!1 1,ave :ou O#tained Certi"icate ,.1E21 and 1)ltra*clean Area * Suction Suits 'ust Be (orn.1 3hou h the door was not locked! it #ore three seals! each with the insi nia o" a di""erent authority! includin that o" the Astronautics A ency itsel". But even i" one had #een the 7reat Seal o" the 4resident!

Bowman would not have hesitated to #reak it. ,e had #een here only once #e"ore! while installation was still in pro ress. ,e had /uite "or otten that there was a vision input lens scannin the little cham#er which! with its neatly ran ed rows and columns o" solid*state lo ic units! looked rather like a #ank9s sa"e*deposit vault. ,e knew instantly that the eye had reacted to his presence. 3here was the hiss o" a carrier wave as the ship9s local transmitter was switched on- then a "amiliar voice came over the suit speaker. 1Somethin seems to have happened to the li"e*support system! ;ave.1 Bowman took no notice. ,e was care"ully studyin the little la#els on the lo ic units! checkin his plan o" action. 1,ello! ;ave!1 said ,al presently. 1,ave you "ound the trou#le21 3his would #e a very tricky operation- it was not merely a /uestion o" cuttin o"" ,al9s power supply! which mi ht have #een the answer i" he was dealin with a simple unsel"conscious computer #ack on $arth. 0n ,al9s case! moreover! there were si& independent and separately wired power systems! with a "inal #ack*up consistin o" a shielded and armored nuclear isotope unit. %o * he could not simply 1pull the plu 1- and even i" that were possi#le! it would #e disastrous. For ,al was the nervous system o" the ship- without his supervision! ;iscovery would #e a mechanical corpse. 3he only answer was to cut out the hi her centers o" this sick #ut #rilliant #rain! and to leave the purely automatic re ulatin systems in operation. Bowman was not attemptin this #lindly! "or the pro#lem had #een discussed durin his trainin ! thou h no one had ever dreamed that it would*arise in reality. ,e knew that he would #e takin a "ear"ul risk- i" there was a spasm re"le&! it would all #e over in seconds. 10 think there9s #een a "ailure in the pod*#ay doors!1 ,al remarked conversationally. 16ucky you weren9t killed.1 ,ere oes! thou ht Bowman. 0 never ima ined 09d #e an amateur #rain sur eon * carryin out a lo#otomy #eyond the or#it o" Cupiter. ,e released the lockin #ar on the section la#eled CO7%030.$ F$$;BACG and pulled out the "irst memory #lock. 3he marvelously comple& three*dimensional network! which could lie com"orta#ly in a man9s hand yet contained millions o" elements! "loated away across the vault.

1,ey! ;ave!1 said ,al. 1(hat are you doin 21 0 wonder i" he can "eel pain2 Bowman thou ht #rie"ly. 4ro#a#ly not! he told himsel"- there are no sense or ans in the human corte&! a"ter all. 3he human #rain can #e operated on without anesthetics. ,e #e an to pull out! one #y one! the little units on the panel marked $7O*5$0%FO5C$'$%3. $ach #lock continued to sail onward as soon as it had le"t his hand! until it hit the wall and re#ounded! Soon there were several o" the units dri"tin slowly #ack and "orth in the vault. 16ook here! ;ave!1 said ,al. 109ve ot years o" service e&perience #uilt into me. An irreplacea#le amount o" e""ort has one into makin me what 0 am.1 A do+en units had #een pulled out! yet thanks to the multiple redundancy o" its desi n * another "eature! Bowman knew! that had #een copied "rom the human #rain * the computer was still holdin its own. ,e started on the A)3O*0%3$66$C30O% panel. 1;ave!1 said ,al! 10 don9t understand why you9re doin this to me... 0 have the reatest enthusiasm "or the mission... :ou are destroyin my mind. ;on9t you understand2... 0 will #ecome childish... 0 will #ecome nothin ...1 3his is harder than 0 e&pected! thou ht Bowman. 0 am destroyin the only conscious creature in my universe. But it has to #e done! i" 0 am ever to re ain control o" the ship. 10 am a ,A6 %ine 3housand computer 4roduction %um#er >. 0 #ecame operational at the ,al 4lant in )r#ana! 0llinois! on Canuary 12! 1EEB. 3he /uick #rown "o& 8umps over the la+y do . 3he rain in Spain is mainly in the plain. ;ave * are you still there2 ;id you know that the s/uare root o" 10 is > point 1A22BBAA01AJ>BE2 6o 10 to the #ase e is +ero point ?>?2E??J1E0>2@2... correction! that is lo e to the #ase 10... 3he reciprocal o" three is +ero point >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>*>>>... two times two is... two times two is appro&imately ? point l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l0... 0 seem to #e havin some di""iculty * my "irst instructor was ;r. Chandra. ,e tau ht me to sin a son ! it oes like this! 9;aisy! ;aisy! ive me your answer! do. 09m hal" cra+y all "or the love o" you.1 3he voice stopped so suddenly that Bowman "ro+e "or a moment! his hand still raspin one o" the memory #locks still in circuit. 3hen! une&pectedly! ,al spoke a ain.

3he speech tempo was much slower! and the words had a dead! mechanical intonation- he would never have reco ni+ed their ori in. 17ood... mornin ... ;octor... Chandra... 3his is... ,al... 0... am... ready... "or... my "irst... lesson... today...1 Bowman could #ear no more. ,e 8erked out the last unit! and ,al was silent "orever.

2E * Alone

6ike a tiny! comple& toy! the ship "loated inert! and motionless in the void. 3here was no way o" tellin that it was the swi"test o#8ect in the Solar System and that it was travelin "ar "aster than any o" the planets as they circled the Sun. %or was there any indication that it carried li"e- to the contrary! in "act. Any o#server would have noticed two ominous si ns: the airlock doors were apin open * and the ship was surrounded #y a thin! slowly dispersin cloud o" de#ris. Scattered over a volume o" space already miles across were scraps o" paper! metal "oil! unidenti"ia#le #its o" 8unk * and! here and there! clouds o" crystals litterin like 8ewels in the distant sun! where li/uid had #een sucked out o" the ship and instantly "ro+en. All this was the unmistaka#le a"termath o" disaster! like wrecka e tossin on the sur"ace o" an ocean where some reat ship had sunk. But in the ocean o" space no ship could ever sink- even i" it were destroyed! its remnants would continue to trace the ori inal or#it "orever. :et the ship was not wholly dead! "or there was power on #oard. A "aint #lue low was shinin "rom the o#servation windows and limmerin inside the open airlock. (here there was li ht! there could still #e li"e. And now! at last! there was movement. Shadows were "lickerin across the #lue low inside the airlock. Somethin was emer in into space. 0t was a cylindrical o#8ect! covered with "a#ric that had #een rou hly wound a#out it. A moment later it was "ollowed #y another * and yet a third. All had #een e8ected with considera#le velocity- within minutes! they were hundreds o" yards away. ,al" an hour passed- then somethin much lar er "loated throu h the

airlock. One o" the pods was inchin its way out into space. .ery cautiously! it 8etted around the hull! and anchored itsel" near the #ase o" the antenna support. A spacesuited "i ure emer ed! worked "or a "ew minutes on the mountin ! then returned to the pod. A"ter a while the pod retraced its path #ack to the airlock- it hovered outside the openin "or some time! as i" "indin it di""icult to reenter without the cooperation it had known in the past. But presently! with one or two sli ht #umps! it s/uee+ed its way in. %othin else happened "or over an hour- the three ominous packa es had lon since disappeared "rom view! as they "loated in sin le "ile away "rom the ship. 3hen the airlock doors closed! opened! and closed a ain. A little later! the "aint #lue low o" the emer ency li hts went out * to #e replaced at once #y a "ar more #rilliant lare. ;iscovery was comin #ack to li"e. 4resently there was an even #etter si n. 3he reat #owl o" the antenna! which "or hours had #een starin uselessly at Saturn! #e an to move a ain. 0t twisted round toward the rear o" the ship- lookin #ack over the propellant tanks and the thousands o" s/uare "eet o" the radiatin "ins. 0t li"ted its "ace like a sun"lower seekin the sun. 0nside ;iscovery! ;avid Bowman care"ully centered the cross*wires that ali ned the antenna on the i##ous $arth. (ithout automatic control! he would have to keep read8ustin the #eam *#ut it should hold steady "or many minutes at a time. 3here were no dissentin impulses now! throwin it o"" tar et. ,e #e an to speak to $arth. 0t would #e over an hour #e"ore his words ot there! and 'ission Control learned what had happened. 0t would #e two hours #e"ore any reply could reach him. And it was di""icult to ima ine what answer $arth could possi#ly send! e&cept a tact"ully sympathetic! 17ood*#ye.1

>0 * 3he Secret

,eywood Floyd looked as i" he had had very little sleep! and his "ace was lined with worry. But whatever his "eelin s! his voice sounded "irm and reassurin - he was doin his utmost to pro8ect con"idence to the

lonely man on the other side o" the Solar System. 1First o" all! ;r. Bowman!1 #e #e an! 1we must con ratulate you on the way you handled this e&tremely di""icult situation. :ou did e&actly the ri ht thin in dealin with an unprecedented and un"oreseen emer ency. 1(e #elieve we know the cause o" your ,al %ine 3housand9s #reakdown! #ut we9ll discuss that later! as it is no lon er a critical pro#lem. All we are concerned with at the moment is ivin you every possi#le assistance! so that you can complete your mission. 1And now 0 must tell you its real purpose! which we have mana ed! with reat di""iculty! to keep secret "rom the eneral pu#lic. :ou would have #een iven all the "acts as you approached Saturn- this is a /uick summary to put you into the picture. Full #rie"in tapes will #e dispatched in the ne&t "ew hours. $verythin 0 am a#out to tell you has the hi hest security classi"ication. 13wo years a o! we discovered the "irst evidence "or intelli ent li"e outside the $arth. A sla# or monolith o" hard! #lack material! ten "eet hi h! was "ound #uried in the crater 3ycho. ,ere it is.1 At his "irst limpse o" 3'A*1! with the spacesuited "i ures clusterin around it! Bowman leaned toward the screen in openmouthed astonishment. 0n the e&citement o" this revelation * somethin which! like every man interested in space! he had hal" e&pected all his li"e * he almost "or ot his own desperate predicament. 3he sense o" wonder was swi"tly "ollowed #y another emotion. 3his was tremendous * #ut what had it to do with him2 3here could #e only one answer. ,e #rou ht his racin thou hts under control! as ,eywood Floyd reappeared on the screen. 13he most astonishin thin a#out this o#8ect is its anti/uity. 7eolo ical evidence proves #eyond dou#t that it is three million years old. 0t was placed on the 'oon! there"ore! when our ancestors were primitive ape*men. 1A"ter all these a es! one would naturally assume that it was inert. But soon a"ter lunar sunrise! it emitted an e&tremely power"ul #last o" radio ener y. (e #elieve that this ener y was merely the #y*product * the #ackwash! as it were * o" some unknown "orm o" radiation! "or at the same time! several o" our space pro#es detected an unusual distur#ance crossin the Solar System. (e were a#le to track it with reat accuracy. 0t was aimed precisely at Saturn. 14iecin thin s to ether a"ter the event! we decided that the monolith

was some kind o" Sun*powered! or at least Sun*tri ered! si nalin device. 3he "act that it emitted its pulse immediately a"ter sunrise! when it was e&posed to dayli ht "or the "irst time in three million years! could hardly #e a coincidence. 1:et the thin had #een deli#erately #uried * there9s no dou#t a#out that. An e&cavation thirty "eet deep had #een made! the #lock had #een placed at the #ottom o" it! and the hole care"ully "illed. 1:ou may wonder how we discovered it in the "irst place. (ell! the o#8ect was easy * suspiciously easy * to "ind. 0t had a power"ul ma netic "ield! so that it stood out like a sore thum# as soon as we started to conduct low*level or#ital surveys. 1But why #ury a Sun*powered device thirty "eet under round2 (e9ve e&amined do+ens o" theories! thou h we reali+e that it may #e completely impossi#le to understand the motives o" creatures three million years in advance o" us. 13he "avorite theory is the simplest! and the most lo ical. 0t is also the most distur#in . 1:ou hide a Sun*powered device in darkness * only i" you want to know when it is #rou ht out into the li ht. 0n other words! the monolith may #e some kind o" alarm. And we have tri ered it. 1(hether the civili+ation which set it up still e&ists! we do not know. (e must assume that creatures whose machines still "unction a"ter three million years may #uild a society e/ually lon *lastin . And we must also assume! until we have evidence to the contrary! that they may #e hostile. 0t has o"ten #een ar ued that any advanced culture must #e #enevolent! #ut we cannot take any chances. 1'oreover! as the past history o" our own world has shown so many times! primitive races have o"ten "ailed to survive the encounter with hi her civili+ations. Anthropolo ists talk o" 9cultural shock9- we may have to prepare the entire human race "or such a shock. But until we know somethin a#out the creatures who visited the 'oon * and presuma#ly the $arth as well * three million years a o! we cannot even #e in to make any preparations. 1:our mission! there"ore! is much more than a voya e o" discovery. 0t is a scoutin trip * a reconnaissance into unknown and potentially dan erous territory. 3he team under ;r. Gaminski had #een specially trained "or this work- now you will have to mana e without them. 1Finally * your speci"ic tar et. 0t seems incredi#le that advanced

"orms o" li"e can e&ist on Saturn! or could ever have evolved on any o" its moons. (e had planned to survey the entire system! and we still hope that you can carry out a simpli"ied pro ram. But now we may have to concentrate on the ei hth satellite * Capetus. (hen the time comes "or the terminal maneuver! we will decide whether you should rende+vous with this remarka#le o#8ect. 1Capetus is uni/ue in the Solar System * you know this already! o" course! #ut like all the astronomers o" the last three hundred years! you9ve pro#a#ly iven it little thou ht. So let me remind you that Cassini * who discovered Capetus in 1AB1 * also o#served that it was si& times #ri hter on one side o" its or#it than the other. 13his is an e&traordinary ratio! and there has never #een a satis"actory e&planation "or it. Capetus is so small * a#out ei ht hundred miles in diameter * that even in the lunar telescopes its disk is #arely visi#le. But there seems to #e a #rilliant! curiously symmetrical spot on one "ace! and this may #e connected with 3'A*1. 0 sometimes think that Capetus has #een "lashin at us like a cosmic helio raph "or three hundred years! and we9ve #een too stupid to understand its messa e. 1So now you know your real o#8ective! and can appreciate the vital importance o" this mission. (e are all prayin that you can still provide us with some "acts "or a preliminary announcement- the secret cannot #e kept inde"initely. 1At the moment! we do not know whether to hope or "ear. (e do not know i"! out on the moons o" Saturn! you will meet with ood or with evil * or only with ruins a thousand times older than 3roy.1

. * 3,$ 'OO%S OF SA3)5%

>1* Survival

(ork is the #est remedy "or any shock! and Bowman now had work enou h "or all his lost crewmates. As swi"tly as possi#le! startin with the vital systems without which he and the ship would die! he had to et ;iscovery "ully operational a ain. 6i"e support was the "irst priority. 'uch o&y en had #een lost! #ut the reserves were still ample to sustain a sin le man. 3he pressure and

temperature re ulation was lar ely automatic! and there had seldom #een need "or ,al to inter"ere with it. 3he monitors on $arth could now carry out many o" the hi her duties o" the slain computer! despite the lon time la #e"ore they could react to chan in situations. Any trou#le in the li"e*support system * short o" a serious puncture in the hull * would take hours to make itsel" apparent- there would #e plenty o" warnin . 3he ship9s power! navi ation! and propulsion systems were una""ected * #ut the last two! in any event! Bowman would not need "or months! until it was time to rende+vous with Saturn. $ven at lon ran e! without the help o" an on#oard computer! $arth could still supervise this operation. 3he "inal or#it ad8ustments would #e somewhat tedious! #ecause o" the constant need "or checkin ! #ut this was no serious pro#lem. By "ar the worst 8o# had #een emptyin the spinnin co""ins in the centri"u e. 0t was well! Bowman thou ht thank"ully! that the mem#ers o" the survey team had #een collea ues! #ut not intimate "riends. 3hey had trained to ether "or only a "ew weeks- lookin #ack on it! he now reali+ed that even this had #een lar ely a compati#ility test. (hen he had "inally sealed the empty hi#ernacula! he "elt rather like an $ yptian tom# ro##er. %ow Gaminski! (hitehead! and ,unter would all reach Saturn #e"ore him * #ut not #e"ore Frank 4oole. Somehow! he derived a stran e! wry satis"action "rom this thou ht. ,e did not attempt to "ind i" the rest o" the hi#ernation system was still in workin order. 3hou h his li"e mi ht ultimately depend upon it! this was a pro#lem that could wait until the ship had entered its "inal or#it. 'any thin s mi ht happen #e"ore then. 0t was even possi#le * thou h he had not yet looked into the supply position care"ully * that #y ri orous rationin he mi ht remain alive! without resort to hi#ernation! until rescue came. But whether he could survive psycholo ically as well as physically was /uite another matter. ,e tried to avoid thinkin a#out such lon *ran e pro#lems! and to concentrate on immediate essentials. Slowly! he cleaned up the ship! checked that its systems were still runnin smoothly! discussed technical di""iculties with $arth! and operated on the minimum o" sleep. Only at intervals! durin the "irst weeks! was he a#le to ive much thou ht to the reat mystery toward which he was now ine&ora#ly racin * thou h it was never very "ar "rom his mind. At last! as the ship slowly settled down once more into an automatic routine * thou h one that still demanded his constant supervision * Bowman had time to study the reports and #rie"in s sent to him "rom $arth. A ain and a ain he played #ack the recordin made when 3'A*1 reeted the dawn

"or the "irst time in three million years. ,e watched the spacesuited "i ures movin around it! and almost smiled at their ludicrous panic when it #lasted its si nal at the stars! paraly+in their radios with the sheer power o" its electronic voice. Since that moment! the #lack sla# had done nothin . 0t had #een covered up! then cautiously e&posed to the Sun a ain * without any reaction. %o attempt had #een made to cut into it! partly throu h scienti"ic caution! #ut e/ually throu h "ear o" the possi#le conse/uences. 3he ma netic "ield that led to its discovery had vanished at the moment o" that radio shriek. 4erhaps! some e&perts theori+ed! it had #een enerated #y a tremendous circulatin current! "lowin in a superconductor and thus carryin ener y down the a es until it was needed. 3hat the monolith had some internal source o" power seemed certain- the solar ener y it had a#sor#ed durin its #rie" e&posure could not account "or the stren th o" its si nal. One curious! and perhaps /uite unimportant! "eature o" the #lock had led to endless ar ument 3he monolith was 11 "eet hi h! and 11M? #y @ "eet in cross*section. (hen its dimensions were checked with reat care! they were "ound to #e in the e&act ratio 1 to ? to E * the s/uares o" the "irst three inte ers. %o one could su est any plausi#le e&planation "or this! #ut it could hardly #e a coincidence! "or the proportions held to the limits o" measura#le accuracy. 0t was a chastenin thou ht that the entire technolo y o" $arth could not shape even an inert #lock! o" any material! with such a "antastic de ree o" precision. 0n its way! this passive yet almost arro ant display o" eometrical per"ection was as impressive as any o" 3'A*l9s other attri#utes. Bowman also listened! with a curiously detached interest! to 'ission Control9s #elated apolo ia "or its pro rammin . 3he voices "rom $arth seemed to have a de"ensive note- #e could ima ine the recriminations that must now #e in pro ress amon those who had planned the e&pedition. 3hey had some ood ar uments! o" course * includin the results o" a secret ;epartment o" ;e"ense study! 4ro8ect BA5SOO'! which had #een carried out #y ,arvard9s School o" 4sycholo y in 1EJE. 0n this e&periment in controlled sociolo y! various sample populations had #een assured that the human race had made contact with e&traterrestrials. 'any o" the su#8ects tested were * with the help o" dru s! hypnosis! and visual e""ects * under the impression that they had actually met creatures "rom other planets! so their reactions were re arded as authentic. Some o" these reactions had #een /uite violent- there was! it seemed! a deep vein o" &enopho#ia in many otherwise normal human #ein s. 0n view o" mankind9s record o" lynchin s! po roms! and similar pleasantries! this

should have surprised no one- nevertheless! the or ani+ers o" the study had #een deeply distur#ed! and the results had never #een released. 3he "ive separate panics caused in the twentieth century #y radio #roadcasts o" ,.7. (ells9s (ar o" the (orlds also rein"orced the study9s conclusions. ;espite these ar uments! Bowman sometimes wondered i" the cultural shock dan er was the only e&planation "or the mission9s e&treme secrecy. Some hints that had #een dropped durin his #rie"in s su ested that the ).S.*).S.S.5. #loc hoped to derive advanta e #y #ein the "irst to contact intelli ent e&traterrestrials. From his present viewpoint! lookin #ack on $arth as a dim star almost lost in the Sun! such considerations now seemed ludicrously parochial. ,e was rather more interested * even thou h this was now very much water under the #rid e * in the theory put "orward to account "or ,al9s #ehavior. %o one would ever #e sure o" the truth! #ut the "act that one o" the 'ission Control E000s had #een driven into an identical psychosis! and was now under deep therapy! su ested that the e&planation was the correct one. 3he same mistake would not #e made a ain- and the "act that ,al9s #uilders had "ailed "ully to understand the psycholo y o" their own creation showed how di""icult it mi ht #e to esta#lish communication with truly alien #ein s. Bowman could easily #elieve ;r. Simonson9s theory that unconscious "eelin s o" uilt! caused #y his pro ram con"licts! had made ,al attempt to #reak the circuit with $arth. And he liked to think * thou h this a ain was somethin that could never #e proved * that ,al had no intention o" killin 4oole. ,e had merely tried to destroy the evidence- "or once the A$*>@ unit reported as #urned out was proved to #e operational! his lie would #e revealed. A"ter that! like any clumsy criminal cau ht in a thickenin we# o" deception! he had panicked. And panic was somethin that Bowman understood #etter than he had any wish to! "or he had known it twice durin his li"e. 3he "irst time was as a #oy! when he #ad #een cau ht in a line o" sur" and nearly drowned- the second was as a spaceman under trainin ! when a "aulty au e had convinced him that his o&y en would #e e&hausted #e"ore he could reach sa"ety. On #oth occasions! he had almost lost control o" all his hi her lo ical processes- he had #een within seconds o" #ecomin a "ren+ied #undle o" random impulses. Both times he had won throu h! #ut he knew well enou h that any man! in the ri ht circumstances! could #e dehumani+ed #y panic. 0" it could happen to a man! then it could happen to ,al- and with that knowled e the #itterness and the sense o" #etrayal he "elt toward the

computer #e an to "ade. %ow! in any event! it #elon ed to a past that was wholly overshadowed #y the threat! and the promise! o" the unknown "uture.

>2 * Concernin $.3.9s

Apart "rom hasty meals #ack in the carrousel * luckily the main "ood dispensers had not #een dama ed * Bowman practically lived on the control deck. ,e catnapped in his seat! and so could spot any trou#le as soon as the "irst si ns o" it appeared on the display. )nder instructions "rom 'ission Control! he had 8ury*ri ed several emer ency systems! which were workin tolera#ly well. 0t even seemed possi#le that he would survive until the ;iscovery reached Saturn * which! o" course! she would do whether he was alive or not. 3hou h he had little enou h time "or si htseein ! and the sky o" space was no novelty to him! the knowled e o" what now lay out there #eyond the o#servation ports sometimes made it di""icult "or him to concentrate even on the pro#lem o" survival. ;ead ahead! as the ship was now oriented! sprawled the 'ilky (ay! with its clouds o" stars so ti htly packed that they num#ed the mind. 3here were the "iery mists o" Sa ittarius! those seethin swarms o" suns that "orever hid the heart o" the ala&y "rom human vision. 3here was the ominous #lack shadow o" the Coal Sack! that hole in space where no stars shone. And there was Alpha Centauri! nearest o" all alien suns * the "irst stop #eyond the Solar System. Althou h outshone #y Sirius and Canopus! it was Alpha Centauri that drew Bowman9s eyes and mind whenever he looked out into space. For that unwaverin point o" #ri htness! whose rays had taken "our years to reach him! had come to sym#oli+e the secret de#ates that now ra ed on $arth! and whose echoes came to him "rom time to time. %o one dou#ted that there must #e some connection #etween 3'A*1 and the Saturnian system! #ut hardly any scientists would admit that the creatures who had erected the monolith could possi#ly have ori inated there. As an a#ode o" li"e! Saturn was even more hostile than Cupiter! and its many moons were "ro+en in an eternal winter three hundred de rees #elow +ero. Only one o" them * 3itan * possessed an atmosphere- and that was a thin envelope o" poisonous methane. So perhaps the creatures who had visited $arth9s 'oon so lon a o were not merely e&traterrestrial! #ut e&trasolar * visitors "rom the stars! who had esta#lished their #ases wherever it suited them. And this at once raised another pro#lem: could any technolo y! no matter how advanced!

#rid e the aw"ul ul" that lay #etween the Solar System and the nearest alien sun2 'any scientists "latly denied the possi#ility. 3hey pointed out that ;iscovery! the "astest ship ever desi ned! would take twenty thousand years to reach Alpha Centauri * and millions o" years to travel any apprecia#le distance across the ala&y. $ven i"! durin the centuries to come! propulsion systems improved out o" all reco nition! in the end they would meet the impassa#le #arrier o" the speed o" li ht! which no material o#8ect could e&ceed. 3here"ore! the #uilders o" 3'A*1 must have shared the same sun as man- and since they had made no appearance in historic times! they were pro#a#ly e&tinct. A vocal minority re"used to a ree. $ven i" it took centuries to travel "rom star to star! they contended! this mi ht #e no o#stacle to su""iciently determined e&plorers. 3he techni/ue o" hi#ernation! used on ;iscovery hersel"! was one possi#le answer. Another was the sel"*contained arti"icial world! em#arkin on voya es that mi ht last "or many enerations. 0n any event! why should one assume that all intelli ent species were as short*lived as 'an2 3here mi ht #e creatures in the universe to whom a thousand*year voya e would present nothin worse than sli ht #oredom... 3hese ar uments! theoretical thou h they were! concerned a matter o" the utmost practical importance- they involved the concept o" 1reaction time.1 0" 3'A*1 had indeed sent a si nal to the stars * perhaps with the help o" some "urther device near Saturn * then it would not reach its destination "or years. $ven i" the response was immediate! there"ore! humanity would have a #reathin space which could certainly #e measured in decades * more pro#a#ly in centuries. 3o many people! this was a reassurin thou ht. But not to all. A "ew scientists * most o" them #eachcom#ers on the wilder shores o" theoretical physics * asked the distur#in /uestion: 1Are we certain that the speed o" li ht is an un#reaka#le #arrier21 0t was true that the Special 3heory o" 5elativity had proved to #e remarka#ly dura#le! and would soon #e approachin its "irst centenary- #ut it had #e un to show a "ew cracks. And even i" $instein could not #e de"ied! he mi ht #e evaded. 3hose who sponsored this view talked hope"ully a#out shortcuts throu h hi her dimensions! lines that were strai hter than strai ht! and hyperspacial connectivity. 3hey were "ond o" usin an e&pressive phrase coined #y a 4rinceton mathematician o" the last century: 1(ormholes in space.1 Critics who su ested that these ideas were too "antastic to #e taken seriously were reminded o" %iels Bohr9s 1:our theory is cra+y * #ut

not cra+y enou h to #e true.1 0" there was disputation amon the physicists! it was nothin compared with that amon the #iolo ists! when they discussed the hoary old pro#lem: 1(hat would intelli ent e&traterrestrials look like21 3hey divided themselves into two opposin camps * one ar uin that such creatures must #e humanoid! the other e/ually convinced that 1they1 would look nothin like men. Settlin "or the "irst answer were those who #elieved that the desi n o" two le s! two arms! and main sense or ans at the hi hest point! was so #asic and so sensi#le that it was hard to think o" a #etter one. O" course! there would #e minor di""erences like si& "in ers instead o" "ive! oddly colored skin or hair! and peculiar "acial arran ements- #ut most intelli ent e&traterrestrials * usually a##reviated to $.3.9s * would #e so similar to 'an that they mi ht not #e lanced at twice in poor li htin ! or "rom a distance. 3his anthropomorphic thinkin was ridiculed #y another roup o" #iolo ists! true products o" the Space A e who "elt themselves "ree "rom the pre8udices o" the past. 3hey pointed out that the human #ody was the result o" millions o" evolutionary choices! made #y chance over eons o" time. At any one o" these countless moments o" decision! the enetic dice mi ht have "allen di""erently! perhaps with #etter results. For the human #ody was a #i+arre piece o" improvisation! "ull o" or ans that had #een diverted "rom one "unction to another! not always very success"ully * and even containin discarded items! like the appendi&! that were now worse than useless. 3here were other thinkers! Bowman also "ound! who held even more e&otic views. 3hey did not #elieve that really advanced #ein s would possess or anic #odies at all. Sooner or later! as their scienti"ic knowled e pro ressed! they would et rid o" the "ra ile! disease*and*accident*prone homes that %ature had iven them! and which doomed them to inevita#le death. 3hey would replace their natural #odies as they wore out * or perhaps even #e"ore that * #y constructions o" metal and plastic! and would thus achieve immortality. 3he #rain mi ht lin er "or a little while as the last remnant o" the or anic #ody! directin its mechanical lim#s and o#servin the universe throu h its electronic senses * senses "ar "iner and su#tler than those that #lind evolution could ever develop. $ven on $arth! the "irst steps in this direction had #een taken. 3here were millions o" men! doomed in earlier a es! who now lived active and happy lives thanks to arti"icial lim#s! kidneys! lun s! and hearts. 3o this process there could #e only one conclusion * however "ar o"" it mi ht #e.

And eventually even the #rain mi ht o. As the seat o" consciousness! 0t was not essential- the development o" electronic intelli ence had proved that. 3he con"lict #etween mind and machine mi ht #e resolved at last in the eternal truce o" complete sym#iosis. But was even this the end2 A "ew mystically inclined #iolo ists went still "urther. 3hey speculated! takin their cues "rom the #elie"s o" many reli ions! that mind would eventually "ree itsel" "rom matter. 3he ro#ot #ody! like the "lesh*and*#lood one! would #e no more than a steppin *stone to somethin which! lon a o! men #ad called 1spirit.1 And i" there was anythin #eyond that! its name could only #e 7od.

>> * Am#assador

;urin the last three months! ;avid Bowman had adapted himsel" so completely to his solitary way o" li"e that he "ound it hard to remem#er any other e&istence. ,e had passed #eyond despair and #eyond hope! and had settled down to a lar ely automatic routine! punctuated #y occasional crises as one or other o" ;iscovery9s systems showed si ns o" mal"unctionin . But he had not passed #eyond curiosity! and sometimes the thou ht o" the oal toward which he was drivin "illed him with a sense o" e&altation * and a "eelin o" power. %ot only was he the representative o" the entire human race! #ut his actions durin the ne&t "ew weeks mi ht determine its very "uture. 0n the whole o" history! there had never #een a situation /uite like this. ,e was an Am#assador $&traordinary * 4lenipotentiary * "or all mankind. 3hat knowled e helped him in many su#tle ways. ,e kept himsel" neat and tidy- no matter how tired he #ecame! he never skipped a shave. 'ission Control! he knew! was watchin him closely "or the "irst si ns o" any a#normal #ehavior- he was determined that it should watch in vain * at least! "or any serious symptoms. Bowman was aware o" some chan es in his #ehavior patterns- it would have #een a#surd to e&pect anythin else in the circumstances. ,e could no lon er tolerate silence- e&cept when he was sleepin ! or talkin over the circuit to $arth! he kept the ship9s sound system runnin at almost pain"ul loudness.

At "irst! needin the companionship o" the human voice! he had listened to classical plays * especially the works o" Shaw! 0#sen! and Shakespeare * or poetry readin s "rom ;iscovery9s enormous li#rary o" recorded sounds. 3he pro#lems they dealt with! however! seemed so remote! or so easily resolved with a little common sense! that a"ter a while he lost patience with them. So he switched to opera * usually in 0talian or 7erman! so that he was not distracted even #y the minimal intellectual content that most operas contained. 3his phase lasted "or two weeks #e"ore he reali+ed that the sound o" all these super#ly trained voices was only e&acer#atin his loneliness. But what "inally ended this cycle was .erdi9s 5e/uiem 'ass! which he had never heard per"ormed on $arth. 3he 1;ies 0rae!1 roarin with ominous appropriateness throu h the empty ship! le"t him completely shattered- and when the trumpets o" ;oomsday echoed "rom the heavens! he could endure no more. 3herea"ter! he played only instrumental music. ,e started with the romantic composers! #ut shed them one #y one as their emotional outpourin s #ecame too oppressive. Si#elius! 3chaikovsky! Berlio+! lasted a "ew weeks! Beethoven rather lon er. ,e "inally "ound peace! as so many others had done! in the a#stract architecture o" Bach! occasionally ornamented with 'o+art. And so ;iscovery drove on toward Saturn! as o"ten as not pulsatin with the cool music o" the harpsichord! the "ro+en thou hts o" a #rain that had #een dust "or twice a hundred years.

$ven "rom its present ten million miles! Saturn already appeared lar er than the 'oon as seen "rom $arth. 3o the naked eye it was a lorious spectacle- throu h the telescope! it was un#elieva#le. 3he #ody o" the planet mi ht have #een mistaken "or Cupiter in one o" his /uieter moods. 3here were the same #ands o" cloud * thou h paler and less distinct than on that sli htly lar er world * and the same continent*si+ed distur#ances movin slowly across the atmosphere. ,owever! there was one strikin di""erence #etween the two planets- even at a lance! it was o#vious that Saturn was not spherical. 0t was so "lattened at the poles that it sometimes ave the impression o" sli ht de"ormity. But the lory o" the rin s continually drew Bowman9s eye away "rom the planet- in their comple&ity o" detail! and delicacy o" shadin ! they were a universe in themselves. 0n addition to the reat main ap #etween the inner and outer rin s! there were at least "i"ty other su#divisions or #oundaries! where there were distinct chan es in the #ri htness o" the

planet9s i antic halo. 0t was as i" Saturn was surrounded #y scores o" concentric hoops! all touchin each other! all so "lat that they mi ht have #een cut "rom the thinnest possi#le paper. 3he system o" the rin s looked like some delicate work o" art! or a "ra ile toy to #e admired #ut never touched. By no e""ort o" the will could Bowman really appreciate its true scale! and convince himsel" that the whole planet $arth! i" set down here! would look like a #all #earin rollin round the rim o" a dinner plate. Sometimes a star would dri"t #ehind the rin s! losin only a little o" its #rilliancy as it did so. 0t would continue to shine throu h their translucent material * thou h o"ten it would twinkle sli htly as some lar er "ra ment o" or#itin de#ris eclipsed it. For the rin s! as had #een known since the nineteenth century! were not solid: that was a mechanical impossi#ility. 3hey consisted o" countless myriads o" "ra ments * perhaps the remains o" a moon that had come too close and had #een torn to pieces #y the reat planet9s tidal pull. (hatever their ori in! the human race was "ortunate to have seen such a wonder- it could e&ist "or only a #rie" moment o" time in the history o" the Solar System. As lon a o as 1E?@! a British astronomer had pointed out that the rin s were ephemeral- ravitational "orces were at work which would soon destroy them. 3akin this ar ument #ackward in time! it there"ore "ollowed that they had #een created only recently * a mere two or three million years a o. But no one had ever iven the sli htest thou ht to the curious coincidence that the rin s o" Saturn had #een #orn at the same time as the human race.

>? * 3he Or#itin 0ce

;iscovery was now deep into the wide*ran in system o" moons! and the reat planet itsel" was less than a day ahead. 3he ship had lon since passed the #oundary set #y outermost 4hoe#e! movin #ackward in a wildly eccentric or#it ei ht million miles "rom its primary. Ahead o" it now lay Capetus! ,yperion! 3itan! 5hea! ;ione! 3ethys! $nceladus! 'imas! Canus * and the rin s themselves. All the satellites showed a ma+e o" sur"ace detail in the telescope! and Bowman had relayed #ack to $arth as many photo raphs as he could take. 3itan alone * three thousand miles in diameter! and as lar e as the planet 'ercury * would occupy a survey team

"or months- he could ive it! and all its cold companions! only the #rie"est o" lances. 3here was no need "or more- already he was /uite certain that Capetus was indeed his oal. All the other satellites were pitted #y occasional meteor craters * thou h these were much "ewer than on 'ars * and showed apparently random patterns o" li ht and shade! with here and there a "ew #ri ht spots that were pro#a#ly patches o" "ro+en as. Capetus alone possessed a distinctive eo raphy! and a very stran e one indeed. One hemisphere o" the satellite! which! like its companions! turned the same "ace always toward Saturn! was e&tremely dark! and showed very little sur"ace detail. 0n complete contrast! the other was dominated #y a #rilliant white oval! a#out "our hundred miles lon and two hundred wide. At the moment! only part o" this strikin "ormation was in dayli ht! #ut the reason "or Capetus9s e&traordinary variations in #rilliance was now /uite o#vious. On the western side o" the moon9s or#it! the #ri ht ellipse was presented toward the Sun * and the $arth. On the eastern phase! the patch was turned away! and only the poorly re"lectin hemisphere could #e o#served. 3he reat ellipse was per"ectly symmetrical! straddlin the e/uator o" Capetus with its ma8or a&is pointin toward the poles- and it was so sharp*ed ed that it almost looked as i" someone had care"ully painted a hu e white oval on the "ace o" the little moon. 0t was completely "lat! and Bowman wondered i" it could #e a lake o" "ro+en li/uid * thou h that would hardly account "or its startlin ly arti"icial appearance. But he had little time to study Capetus on his way into the heart o" the Saturnian system! "or the clima& o" the voya e * ;iscovery9s last pertur#ation maneuver * was rapidly approachin . 0n the Cupiter "ly*#y! the ship had used the ravitational "ield o" the planet to increase her velocity. %ow she must do the reverse- she had to lose as much speed as possi#le! lest she escape "rom the Solar System and "ly on to the stars. ,er present course was one desi ned to trap her! so that she would #ecome another moon o" Saturn! shuttlin #ack and "orth alon a narrow! two*million*mile*lon ellipse. At its near point it would almost ra+e the planet- at its "ar one! it would touch the or#it o" Capetus. 3he computers #ack on $arth! thou h their in"ormation was always three hours late! had assured Bowman that everythin was in order. .elocity and altitude were correct- there was nothin more to #e done! until the moment o" closest approach. 3he immense system o" rin s now spanned the sky! and already the ship was passin over its outermost ed e. As he looked down upon them "rom a hei ht o" some ten thousand miles! Bowman could see throu h the telescope

that the rin s were made lar ely o" ice! litterin and scintillatin in the li ht o" the Sun. ,e mi ht have #een "lyin over a snowstorm that occasionally cleared to reveal! where the round should have #een! #a""lin limpses o" ni ht and stars. As ;iscovery curved still closer toward Saturn! the Sun slowly descended toward the multiple arches o" the rin s. %ow they had #ecome a slim! silver #rid e spannin the entire sky- thou h they were too tenuous to do more than dim the sunli ht! their myriads o" crystals re"racted and scattered it in da++lin pyrotechnics. And as the Sun moved #ehind the thousand*mile*wide dri"ts o" or#itin ice! pale hosts o" itsel" marched and mer ed across the sky! and the heavens were "illed with shi"tin "lares and "lashes. 3hen the Sun sank #elow the rin s! so that they "ramed it with their arches! and the celestial "ireworks ceased. A little later! the ship curved into the shadow o" Saturn! as it made its closest approach over the ni ht side o" the planet. A#ove shone the stars and the rin s- #elow lay a dimly visi#le sea o" clouds. 3here were none o" the mysterious patterns o" luminosity that had lowed in the Covian ni ht- perhaps Saturn was too cold "or such displays. 3he mottled cloudscape was revealed only #y the hostly radiance re"lected #ack "rom the circlin ice#er s! still illuminated #y the hidden Sun. But in the center o" the arch there was a wide! dark ap! like the missin span o" an uncompleted #rid e! where the shadow o" the planet lay across its rin s. 5adio contact with $arth had #een #roken! and could not #e resumed until the ship emer ed "rom the eclipsin #ulk o" Saturn. 0t was perhaps as well that Bowman was too #usy now to think o" his suddenly enhanced loneliness- "or the ne&t "ew hours! every second would #e occupied as he checked the #rakin maneuvers! already pro rammed #y the computers on $arth. A"ter their months o" idleness! the main thrusters #e an to #last out their miles*lon cataracts o" lowin plasma. 7ravity returned! thou h #rie"ly! to the wei htless world o" the control deck. And hundreds o" miles #elow! the clouds o" methane and "ro+en ammonia #la+ed with a li ht that they had never known #e"ore! as ;iscovery swept! a "ierce and tiny sun! throu h the Saturnian ni ht. At last! the pale dawn lay ahead- the ship! movin more and more slowly now! was emer in into day. 0t could no lon er escape "rom the Sun! or even "rom Saturn * #ut it was still movin swi"tly enou h to rise away "rom the planet until it ra+ed the or#it o" Capetus! two million miles out.

0t would take ;iscovery "ourteen days to make that clim#! as she coasted once more! thou h in reverse order! across the paths o" all the inner moons. One #y one she would cut throu h the or#its o" Canus! 'imas! $nceladus! 3ethys! ;ione! 5hea! 3itan! ,yperion * worlds #earin the names o" ods and oddesses who had vanished only yesterday! as time was counted here. 3hen she would meet Capetus! and must make her rende+vous. 0" she "ailed! she would "all #ack toward Saturn and repeat her twenty*ei ht*day ellipse inde"initely. 3here would #e no chance "or a second rende+vous i" ;iscovery missed on this attempt. 3he ne&t time around! Capetus would #e "ar away! almost on the other side o" Saturn. 0t was true that they would meet a ain! when the or#its o" ship and satellite meshed "or a second time. But that appointment was so many years ahead that! whatever happened! Bowman knew he would not witness it.

>@ * 3he $ye o" Capetus

(hen Bowman had "irst o#served Capetus! that curious elliptical patch! o" #rilliance had #een partly in shadow! illuminated only #y the li ht o" Saturn. %ow! as the 'oon moved slowly alon its seventy*nine*day or#it! it was emer in into the "ull li ht o" day. As he watched it row! and ;iscovery rose more and more slu ishly toward her inevita#le appointment! Bowman #ecame aware o" a distur#in o#session. ,e never mentioned it in his conversations * or! rather! his runnin commentaries * with 'ission Control! #ecause it mi ht have seemed that he was already su""erin "rom delusions. 4erhaps! indeed! he was- "or he had hal" convinced himsel" that the #ri ht ellipse set a ainst the dark #ack round o" the satellite was a hu e! empty eye! starin at him as he approached. 0t was an eye without a pupil! "or nowhere could he see anythin to mar its per"ect #lankness. %ot until the ship was only "i"ty thousand miles out! and Capetus was twice as lar e as $arth9s "amiliar 'oon! did he notice the tiny #lack dot at the e&act center o" the ellipse. But there was no time! then! "or any detailed e&amination- the terminal maneuvers were already upon him. For the last time! ;iscovery9s main drive released its ener ies. For

the last time! the incandescent "ury o" dyin atoms #la+ed amon the moons o" Saturn. 3o ;avid Bowman! the "ar*o"" whisper and risin thrust o" the 8ets #rou ht a sense o" pride * and o" sadness. 3he super# en ines had done their duty with "lawless e""iciency. 3hey had #rou ht the ship "rom $arth to Cupiter to Saturn- now this was the very last time that they would ever operate. (hen ;iscovery had emptied her propellant tanks! she would #e as helpless and inert as any comet or asteroid! a powerless prisoner o" ravitation. $ven when the rescue ship arrived a "ew years hence! it would not #e an economical proposition to re"uel her! so that she could "i ht her way #ack to $arth. She would #e an eternally or#itin monument to the early days o" planetary e&ploration. 3he thousands o" miles shrank to hundreds! and as they did so! the "uel au es dropped swi"tly toward +ero. At the control panel! Bowman9s eyes "lickered an&iously #ack and "orth over the situation display! and the improvised charts which he now had to consult "or any real*time decisions. 0t would #e an appallin anticlima& i"! havin survived so much! he "ailed to make rende+vous throu h lack o" a "ew pounds o" "uel. 3he whistle o" the 8ets "aded! as the main thrust died and only the verniers continued to nud e ;iscovery ently into or#it. Capetus was now a iant crescent that "illed the sky- until this moment! Bowman had always thou ht o" it as a tiny! insi ni"icant o#8ect * as indeed it was compared with the world around which it circled. %ow! as it loomed menacin ly a#ove him! it seemed enormous * a cosmic hammer poised to crush ;iscovery like a nutshell. Capetus was approachin so slowly that it scarcely seemed to move! and it was impossi#le to tell the e&act moment when it made the su#tle chan e "rom an astronomical #ody to a landscape! only "i"ty miles #elow. 3he "aith"ul verniers ave their last spurts o" thrust! then closed down "orever. 3he ship was in its "inal or#it! completin one revolution every three hours at a mere ei ht hundred miles an hour * all the speed that was re/uired in this "ee#le ravitational "ield.

;iscovery has #ecome a satellite o" a satellite.

>A * Bi Brother

109m comin round to the dayli ht side a ain! and it9s 8ust as 0 reported on the last or#it. 3his place seems to have only two kinds o"

sur"ace material. 3he #lack stu"" looks #urned! almost like charcoal! and with the same kind o" te&ture as "ar as 0 can 8ud e in the telescope. 0n "act! it reminds me very much o" #urned toast. 10 still can9t make any sense o" the white area. 0t starts at an a#solutely sharp*ed ed #oundary! and shows no sur"ace detail at all. 0t could even #e a li/uid * it9s "lat enou h. 0 don9t know what impression you9ve ot "rom the videos 09ve transmitted! #ut i" you picture a sea o" "ro+en milk you9ll et the idea e&actly. 10t could even #e some heavy as * no! 0 suppose that9s impossi#le. Sometimes 0 et the "eelin that it9s movin ! very slowly: #ut 0 can never #e sure. 09m over the white area a ain! on my third or#it. 3his time 0 hope to pass closer to that mark 0 spotted at its very center! when 0 was on my way in. 0" my calculations are correct! 0 should o within "i"ty miles o" it * whatever it is. :es! there9s somethin ahead! 8ust where 0 calculated. 0t9s comin up over the hori+on * and so is Saturn! in almost the same /uarter o" the sky * 09ll move to the telescope... 1,elloD 0t looks like some kind o" #uildin * comple"ely #lack * /uite hard to see. %o windows or any other "eatures. Cust a #i ! vertical sla# * it must #e at least a mile hi h to #e visi#le "rom this distance. 0t reminds me * o" courseD 0t9s 8ust like the thin you "ound on the 'oonD 3his is 3'A*l9s #i #rotherD1

>B * $&periment

Call it the Star Crate. For three million years! it had circled Saturn! waitin "or a moment o" destiny that mi ht never come. 0n its makin ! a moon had #een shattered! and the de#ris o" its creation or#ited still. %ow the lon wait was endin . On yet another world! intelli ence had #een #orn and was escapin "rom its planetary cradle. An ancient e&periment was a#out to reach its clima&.

3hose who had #e un that e&periment! so lon a o! had not #een men * or even remotely human. But they were "lesh and #lood! and when they looked out across the deeps o" space! they #ad "elt awe! and wonder! and loneliness. As soon as they possessed the power! they set "orth "or the stars. 0n their e&plorations! they encountered li"e in many "orms! and watched the workin s o" evolution on a thousand worlds. 3hey saw how o"ten the "irst "aint sparks o" intelli ence "lickered and died in the cosmic ni ht. And #ecause! in all the ala&y! they had "ound nothin more precious than 'ind! they encoura ed its dawnin everywhere. 3hey #ecame "armers in the "ields o" stars- they sowed! and sometimes they reaped. And sometimes! dispassionately! they had to weed. 3he reat dinosaurs had lon since perished when the survey ship entered the Solar System a"ter a voya e that had already lasted a thousand years. 0t swept past the "ro+en outer planets! paused #rie"ly a#ove the deserts o" dyin 'ars! and presently looked down on $arth. Spread out #eneath them! the e&plorers saw a world swarmin with li"e. For years they studied! collected! catalo ued. (hen they had learned all that they could! they #e an to modi"y. 3hey tinkered with the destiny o" many species! on land and in the ocean. But which o" their e&periments would succeed they could not know "or at least a million years. 3hey were patient! #ut they were not yet immortal. 3here was so much to do in this universe o" a hundred #illion suns! and other worlds were callin . So they set out once more into the a#yss! knowin that they would never come this way a ain. %or was there any need. 3he servants they had le"t #ehind would do the rest. On $arth! the laciers came and went! while a#ove them the chan eless 'oon still carried its secret. (ith a yet slower rhythm than the polar ice! the tides o" civili+ation e##ed and "lowed across the ala&y. Stran e and #eauti"ul and terri#le empires rose and "ell! and passed on their knowled e to their successors. $arth was not "or otten! #ut another visit would serve little purpose. 0t was one o" a million silent worlds! "ew o" which would ever speak. And now! out amon the stars! evolution was drivin toward new oals. 3he "irst e&plorers o" $arth had lon since come to the limits o" "lesh and #lood- as soon as their machines were #etter than their #odies! it was

time to move. First their #rains! and then their thou hts alone! they trans"erred into shinin new homes o" metal and o" plastic. 0n these! they roamed amon the stars. 3hey no lon er #uilt spaceships. 3hey were spaceships. But the a e o" the 'achine*entities swi"tly passed. 0n their ceaseless e&perimentin ! they had learned to store knowled e in the structure o" space itsel"! and to preserve their thou hts "or eternity in "ro+en lattices o" li ht. 3hey could #ecome creatures o" radiation! "ree at last "rom the tyranny o" matter. 0nto pure ener y! there"ore! they presently trans"ormed themselvesand on a thousand worlds! the empty shells they had discarded twitched "or a while in a mindless dance o" death! then crum#led into rusty %ow they were lords o" the ala&y! and #eyond the reach o" time. 3hey could rove at will amon the stars! and sink like a su#tle mist throu h the very interstices o" space. But despite their odlike powers! they had not wholly "or otten their ori in! in the warm slime o" a vanished sea. And they still watched over the e&periments their ancestors had started! so lon a o.

>J * 3he Sentinel

13he air in the ship is ettin /uite "oul! and 0 have a headache most o" the time. 3here9s still plenty o" o&y en! #ut the puri"iers never really cleaned up all the messes a"ter the li/uids a#oard started #oilin into vacuum. (hen thin s et too #ad! 0 o down into the ara e and #leed o"" some pure o&y en "rom the pods. 13here9s #een no reaction to any o" my si nals! and #ecause o" my or#ital inclination! 09m ettin slowly "arther and "arther away "rom 3'A*2. 0ncidentally! the name you9ve iven it is dou#ly inappropriate * there9s still no trace o" a ma netic "ield. 1At the moment my closest approach is si&ty miles- it will increase to a#out a hundred as Capetus rotates #eneath me! then drop #ack to +ero. 09ll pass directly over the thin in thirty days * #ut that9s too lon to wait! and then it will #e in darkness! anyway. 1$ven now! it9s only in si ht "or a "ew minutes #e"ore it "alls #elow

the hori+on a ain. 0t9s damn "rustratin * 0 can9t make any serious o#servations. 1So 09d like your approval o" this plan. 3he space pods have ample delta vee "or a touchdown and a return to the ship. 0 want to o e&travehicular and make a close survey o" the o#8ect. 0" it appears sa"e! 09ll land #eside it * or even on top o" it. 13he ship will still #e a#ove my hori+on while 09m oin down! so 0 won9t #e out o" touch "or more than ninety minutes. 93m convinced that this is the only thin to do. 09ve come a #illion miles * 0 don9t want to #e stopped #y the last si&ty.1

For weeks! as it stared "orever Sunward with its stran e senses! the Star 7ate had watched the approachin ship. 0ts makers had prepared it "or many thin s! and this was one o" them. 0t reco ni+ed what was clim#in up toward it "rom the warm heart o" the Solar System. 0" it had #een alive! it would have "elt e&citement! #ut such an emotion was wholly #eyond its powers. $ven i" the ship had passed it #y! it would not have known the sli htest trace o" disappointment. 0t had waited three million years- it was prepared to wait "or eternity. 0t o#served! and noted! and took no action! as the visitor checked its speed with 8ets o" incandescent as. 4resently it "elt the entle touch o" radiations! tryin to pro#e its secrets. And still it did nothin . %ow the ship was in or#it! circlin low a#ove the sur"ace o" this stran ely pie#ald moon. 0t #e an to speak! with #lasts o" radio waves! countin out the prime num#ers "rom 1 to 11! over and over a ain. Soon these ave way to more comple& si nals! at many "re/uencies*ultraviolet! in"rared! K rays. 3he Star 7ate made no reply- it had nothin to say. 3here was a lon pause! then! #e"ore it o#served that somethin was "allin down toward it "rom the or#itin ship. 0t searched its memories! and the lo ic circuits made their decisions! accordin to the orders iven them lon a o. Beneath the cold li ht o" Saturn! the Star 7ate awakened its slum#erin powers.

>E * 0nto the $ye

;iscovery looked 8ust as he had last seen her "rom space! "loatin in lunar or#it with the 'oon takin up hal" the sky. 4erhaps there was one sli ht chan e- #e could not #e sure! #ut some o" the paint o" her e&ternal letterin ! announcin the purpose o" various hatches! connections! um#ilical plu s! and other attachment! had "aded durin its lon e&posure to the unshielded Sun. 3hat Sun was now an o#8ect that no man would have reco ni+ed. 0t was "ar too #ri ht to #e a star! #ut one could look directly at its tiny disk without discom"ort. 0t ave no heat at all- when Bowman held his un loved hands in its rays! as they streamed throu h the space pod9s window! he could "eel nothin upon his skin. ,e mi ht have #een tryin to warm himsel" #y the li ht o" the 'oon- not even the alien landscape "i"ty miles #elow reminded him more vividly o" his remoteness "rom $arth. %ow he was leavin ! perhaps "or the last time! the metal world that had #een his home "or so many months. $ven i" he never returned! the ship would continue to per"orm its duty! #roadcastin instrument readin s #ack to $arth until there was some "inal! catastrophic "ailure in its circuits. And i" he did return2 (ell! he could keep alive! and perhaps even sane! "or a "ew more months. But that was all! "or the hi#ernation systems were useless with no computer to monitor them. ,e could not possi#ly survive until ;iscovery 00 made its rende+vous with Capetus! "our or "ive years hence. ,e put these thou hts #ehind him! as the olden crescent o" Saturn rose in the sky ahead. 0n all history! he was the only man to have seen this si ht. 3o all other eyes! Saturn had always shown its whole illuminated disk turned "ull toward the Sun. %ow it was a delicate #ow! with the rin s "ormin a thin line across it * like an arrow a#out to #e loosed! into the "ace o" the Sun itsel". Also in the line o" the rin s was the #ri ht star o" 3itan! and the "ainter sparks o" the other moons. Be"ore this century was hal" one! men would have visited them all- #ut whatever secrets they mi ht hold! he would never know. 3he sharp*ed ed #oundary o" the #lind white eye was sweepin toward him- there was only a hundred miles to o! and he would #e over his tar et in less than ten minutes. ,e wished that there was some way o" tellin i" his words were reachin $arth! now an hour and a hal" away at the speed o" li ht. 0t would #e the ultimate irony i"! throu h some #reakdown in the relay system! he disappeared into silence! and no one ever knew what had

happened to him. ;iscovery was still a #rilliant star in the #lack sky "ar a#ove. ,e was pullin ahead as he ained speed durin his descent! #ut soon the pod9s #rakin 8ets would slow him down and the ship would sail on out o" si ht * leavin him alone on this shinin plain with the dark mystery at its center. A #lock o" e#ony was clim#in a#ove the hori+on! eclipsin the stars ahead. ,e rolled the pod around its yros! and used "ull thrust to #reak his or#ital speed. 0n a lon ! "lat arc! he descended toward the sur"ace o" Capetus. On a world o" hi her ravity! the maneuver would have #een "ar too e&trava ant o" "uel. But here the space pod wei hed only a score o" pounds- he had several minutes o" hoverin time #e"ore he would cut dan erously into his reserve and #e stranded without any hope o" return to the still or#itin ;iscovery. %ot! perhaps! that it made much di""erence... ,is altitude was still a#out "ive miles! and he was headin strai ht toward the hu e! dark mass that soared in such eometrical per"ection a#ove the "eatureless plain. 0t was as #lank as the "lat white sur"ace #eneath- until now! he had not appreciated how enormous it really was. 3here were very "ew sin le #uildin s on $arth as lar e as this- his care"ully measured photo raphs indicated a hei ht o" almost two thousand "eet. And as "ar as could #e 8ud ed! its proportions were precisely the same as 3'A*l9s * that curious ratio 1 to ? to E. 109m only three miles away now! holdin altitude at "our thousand "eet. Still not a si n o" activity * nothin on any o" the instruments. 3he "aces seem a#solutely smooth and polished. Surely you9d e&pect some meteorite dama e a"ter all this timeD 1And there9s no de#ris on the * 0 suppose one could call it the roo". %o si n o" any openin ! either. 09d #een hopin there mi ht #e some way in. 1%ow 09m ri ht a#ove it! hoverin "ive hundred "eet up. 0 don9t want to waste any time! since ;iscovery will soon #e out o" ran e. 09m oin to land. 0t9s certainly solid enou h * and i" it isn9t 09ll #last o"" at once. 1Cust a minute * that9s odd *1 Bowman9s voice died into the silence o" utter #ewilderment. ,e was not alarmed- he literally could not descri#e what he was seein .

,e had #een han in a#ove a lar e! "lat rectan le! ei ht hundred "eet lon and two hundred wide! made o" somethin that looked as solid as rock. But now it seemed to #e recedin "rom him- it was e&actly like one o" those optical illusions! when a three*dimensional o#8ect can! #y an e""ort o" will! appear to turn inside out * its near and "ar sides suddenly interchan in . 3hat was happenin to this hu e! apparently solid structure. 0mpossi#ly! incredi#ly! it was no lon er a monolith rearin hi h a#ove a "lat plain. (hat had seemed to #e its roo" had dropped away to in"inite depths- "or one di++y moment! he seemed to #e lookin down into a vertical sha"t * a rectan ular duct which de"ied the laws o" perspective! "or its si+e did not decrease with distance...

3he $ye o" Capetus had #linked! as i" to remove an irritatin speck o" dust. ;avid Bowman had time "or 8ust one #roken sentence which the waitin men in 'ission Control! nine hundred million miles away and ei hty minutes in the "uture! were never to "or et: 13he thin 9s hollow * it oes on "orever * and * oh my 7odD * it9s "ull o" starsD1

?0 * $&it

3he Star 7ate opened. 3he Star 7ate closed. 0n a moment o" time too short to #e measured! Space turned and twisted upon itsel". 3hen Capetus was alone once more! as it had #een "or three million years * alone! e&cept "or a deserted #ut not yet derelict ship! sendin #ack to its makers messa es which they could neither #elieve nor understand.

.0 * 3,5O)7, 3,$ S3A57A3$ ?1 * 7rand Central

3here was no sense o" motion! #ut he was "allin toward those impossi#le stars! shinin there in the dark heart o" a moon. %o * that was not where they really were! he "elt certain. ,e wished! now that it was "ar too late! that he had paid more attention to those theories o" hyperspace! o" transdimensional ducts. 3o ;avid Bowman! they were theories no lon er. 4erhaps that monolith on Capetus was hollow- perhaps the 1roo"1 was only an illusion! or some kind o" diaphra m that had opened to let him throu h. <But into what2= As "ar as he could trust his senses! he appeared to #e droppin vertically down a hu e rectan ular sha"t! several thousand "eet deep. ,e was movin "aster and "aster * #ut the "ar end never chan ed its si+e! and remained always at the same distance "rom him. Only the stars moved! at "irst so slowly that it was some time #e"ore he reali+ed that they were escapin out o" the "rame that held them. But in a little while it was o#vious that the star "ield was e&pandin ! as i" it was rushin toward him at an inconceiva#le speed. 3he e&pansion was nonlinear- the stars at the center hardly seemed to move! while those toward the ed e accelerated more and more swi"tly! until they #ecame streaks o" li ht 8ust #e"ore they vanished "rom view. 3here were always others to replace them! "lowin into the center o" the "ield "rom an apparently ine&hausti#le source. Bowman wondered what would happen i" a star came strai ht toward him- would it continue to e&pand until he plun ed directly into the "ace o" a sun2 But not one came near enou h to show a disk- eventually they all veered aside! and streaked over the ed e o" their rectan ular "rame. And still the "ar end o" the sha"t came no closer. 0t was almost as i" the walls were movin with him! carryin him to his unknown destination. Or perhaps he was really motionless! and space was movin past him... %ot only space! he suddenly reali+ed! was involved in whatever was happenin to him now. 3he clock on the pod9s small instrument panel was also #ehavin stran ely. %ormally! the num#ers in the tenths*o"*a*second window "lickered past so /uickly that it was almost impossi#le to read them- now they were appearin and disappearin at discrete intervals! and he could count them o"" one #y one without di""iculty. 3he seconds themselves were passin with incredi#le slowness! as i" time itsel" were comin to a stop. At last! the tenth*o"*a*second counter "ro+e #etween @ and A.

:et he could still think! and even o#serve! as the e#on walls "lowed past at a speed that mi ht have #een anythin #etween +ero and a million times the velocity o" li ht. Somehow! he was not in the least surprised! nor was he alarmed. On the contrary! he "elt a sense o" calm e&pectation! such as he had once known when the space medics had tested him with hallucino enic dru s. 3he world around him was stran e and wonder"ul! #ut there was nothin to "ear. ,e had traveled these millions o" miles in search o" mystery- and now! it seemed! the mystery was comin to him. 3he rectan le ahead was rowin li hter. 3he hominous star streaks were palin a ainst a milky sky! whose #rilliance increased moment #y moment. 0t seemed as i" the space pod was headin toward a #ank o" cloud! uni"ormly 0lluminated #y the rays o" an invisi#le sun. ,e was emer in "rom the tunnel. 3he "ar end! which until now had remained at that same indeterminate distance! neither approachin nor recedin ! had suddenly started to o#ey the normal laws o" perspective. 0t was comin closer! and steadily widenin #e"ore him. At the same time! he "elt that he was movin upward! and "or a "leetin instant he wondered i" he had "allen ri ht throu h Capetus and was now ascendin "rom the other side. But even #e"ore the space pod soared out into the open he knew that this place had nothin to do with Capetus! or with any world within the e&perience o" man. 3here was no atmosphere! "or he could see all details un#lurred! clear down to an incredi#ly remote and "lat hori+on. ,e must #e a#ove a world o" enormous si+e * perhaps one much lar er than $arth. :et despite its e&tent! all the sur"ace that Bowman could see was tessellated into o#viously arti"icia1 patterns that must have #een miles on a side. 0t was like the 8i saw pu++le o" a iant that played with planets- and at the centers o" many o" those s/uares and trian les and poly ons were apin #lack sha"ts * twins o" the chasm "rom which he had 8ust emer ed. :et the sky a#ove was stran er * and! in its way! more distur#in * than even the impro#a#le land #eneath. For there were no stars- neither was there the #lackness o" space. 3here was only a so"tly lowin milkiness! that ave the impression o" in"inite distance. Bowman remem#ered a description he had once heard o" the dreaded Antarctic 1whiteout1 * 1like #ein inside a pin *pon #all.1 3hose words could #e applied per"ectly to this weird place! #ut the e&planation must #e utterly di""erent. 3his sky could #e no meteorolo ical e""ect o" mist and snowthere was a per"ect vacuum here. 3hen! as Bowman9s eyes rew accustomed to the nacreous low that "illed the heavens! he #ecame aware o" another detail. 3he sky was not! as he had thou ht at "irst lance! completely empty. ;otted overhead! /uite motionless and "ormin apparently random patterns! were myriads o" tiny

#lack specks. 3hey were di""icult to see! "or they were mere points o" darkness! #ut once detected they were /uite unmistaka#le. 3hey reminded Bowman o" somethin * somethin so "amiliar! yet so insane! that he re"used to accept the parallel! until lo ic "orced it upon him. 3hose #lack holes in the white sky were stars- he mi ht have #een lookin at a photo raphic ne ative o" the 'ilky (ay. (here in 7od9s name am 02 Bowman asked himsel"- and even as he posed the /uestion! he "elt certain that he could never know the answer. 0t seemed that space had #een turned inside out: this was not a place "or man. 3hou h the capsule was com"orta#ly warm! he "elt suddenly cold! and was a""licted #y an almost uncontrolla#le trem#lin . ,e wanted to close his eyes! and shut out the pearly nothin ness that surrounded him- #ut that was the act o" a coward! and he would not yield to it. 3he pierced and "aceted planet slowly rolled #eneath him! without any real chan e o" scenery. ,e uessed that he was a#out ten miles a#ove the sur"ace! and should #e a#le to see any si ns o" li"e with ease. But this whole world was deserted- intelli ence had come here! worked its will upon it! and one its way a ain. 3hen he noticed! #umped a#ove the "lat plain perhaps twenty miles away! a rou hly cylindrical pile o" de#ris that could only #e the carcass o" a i antic ship. 0t was too distant "or him to see any details! and it passed out o" si ht within a "ew seconds! #ut he could make out #roken ri#s and dully leamin sheets o" metal that had #een partly peeled o"" like the skin o" an oran e. ,e wondered how many thousands o" years the wreck had lain here on this deserted checker#oard * and what manner o" creatures had sailed it #etween the stars. 3hen he "or ot the derelict! "or somethin was comin up over the hori+on. At "irst it looked like a "lat disk! #ut that was #ecause it was headin almost directly toward him. As it approached and passed #eneath! he saw that it was spindle*shaped! and several hundred "eet lon . 3hou h there were "aintly visi#le #ands here and there alon its len th! it was hard to "ocus upon them- the o#8ect appeared to #e vi#ratin ! or perhaps spinnin ! at a very rapid rate. 0t tapered to a point at either end! and there was no si n o" propulsion. Only one thin a#out it was "amiliar to human eyes! and that was its color. 0" it was indeed a solid arti"act! and not an optical phantom! then its makers perhaps shared some o" the emotions o" men.

But they certainly did not share their limitations! "or the spindle appeared to #e made o" old. Bowman moved his head to the rear*view system to watch the thin drop #ehind. 0t had i nored him completely! and now he saw that it was "allin out o" the sky down toward one o" those thousands o" reat slots. A "ew seconds later it disappeared in a "inal "lash o" old as it dived into the planet. ,e was alone a ain! #eneath that sinister sky! and the sense o" isolation and remoteness was more overwhelmin than ever. 3hen he saw that he also was sinkin down toward the mottled sur"ace o" the iant world! and that another o" the rectan ular chasms yawned immediately #elow. 3he empty sky closed a#ove him! the clock crawled to rest! and once a ain his pod was "allin #etween in"inite e#on walls! toward another distant patch o" stars. But now he was sure that he was not returnin to the Solar System! and in a "lash o" insi ht that mi ht have #een wholly spurious! he knew what this thin must surely #e. 0t was some kind o" cosmic switchin device! routin the tra""ic o" the stars throu h unima ina#le dimensions o" space and time. ,e was passin throu h a 7rand Central Station o" the ala&y.

?2 * 3he Alien Sky

Far ahead! the walls o" the slot were #ecomin dimly visi#le once more! in the "aint li ht di""usin downward "rom some still hidden source. And then the darkness was a#ruptly whipped away! as the tiny space pod hurtled upward into a sky a#la+e with stars. ,e was #ack in space as he knew it! #ut a sin le lance told him that he was li ht*centuries "rom $arth. ,e did not even attempt to "ind any o" the "amiliar constellations that since the #e innin o" history had #een the "riends o" man- perhaps none o" the stars that now #la+ed around him had ever #een seen #y the unaided human eye. 'ost o" them were concentrated in a lowin #elt! #roken here and there with dark #ands o" o#scurin cosmic dust! which completely circled the sky. 0t was like the 'ilky (ay! #ut scores o" times #ri hter- Bowman wondered i" this was indeed his own ala&y! seen "rom a point much closer to its #rilliant! crowded center.

,e hoped that it was- then he would not #e so "ar "rom home. But this! he reali+ed at once! was a childish thou ht. ,e was so inconceiva#ly remote "rom the Solar System that it made little di""erence whether he was in his own ala&y or the most distant one that any telescope had ever limpsed. ,e looked #ack to see the thin "rom which he was risin ! and had another shock. ,ere was no iant! multi"aceted world! nor any duplicate o" Capetus. 3here was nothin * e&cept an inky shadow a ainst the stars! like a doorway openin "rom a darkened room into a still darker ni ht. $ven as he watched! that doorway closed. 0t did not recede "rom him- it slowly "illed with stars! as i" a rent in the "a#ric o" space had #een repaired. 3hen he was alone #eneath the alien sky. 3he space pod was slowly turnin ! and as it did so it #rou ht "resh wonders into view. First there was a per"ectly spherical swarm o" stars! #ecomin more and more closely packed toward the center until its heart was a continuous low o" li ht. 0ts outer ed es were ill*de"ined * a slowly thinnin halo o" suns that mer ed impercepti#ly into the #ack round o" more distant stars. 3his lorious apparition! Bowman knew! was a lo#ular cluster. ,e was lookin upon somethin that no human eye had ever seen! save as a smud e o" li ht in the "ield o" a telescope. ,e could not remem#er the distance to the nearest known cluster! #ut he was sure that there were none within a thousand li ht*years o" the Solar System. 3he pod continued its slow rotation! to disclose an even stran er si ht * a hu e red sun! many times lar er than the 'oon as seen "rom $arth. Bowman could look strai ht into its "ace without discom"ort8ud in #y its color! it was no hotter than a lowin coal. ,ere and there! set into the som#er red! were rivers o" #ri ht yellow * incandescent Ama+ons! meanderin "or thousands o" miles #e"ore they lost themselves in the deserts o" this dyin sun. ;yin 2 %o * that was a wholly "alse impression! #orn o" human e&perience and the emotions aroused #y the hues o" sunset! or the low o" "adin em#ers. 3his was a star that had le"t #ehind the "iery e&trava ances o" its youth! had raced throu h the violets and #lues and reens o" the spectrum in a "ew "leetin #illions o" years! and now had settled down to a peace"ul maturity o" unima ina#le len th. All that had one #e"ore was not a thousandth o" what was yet to come- the story o" this star had #arely #e un. 3he pod had ceased to roll- the reat red sun lay strai ht ahead.

3hou h there was no sense o" motion! Bowman knew that he was still ripped #y whatever controllin "orce had #rou ht him here "rom Saturn. All the science and en ineerin skill o" $arth seemed hopelessly primitive now! a ainst the powers that were carryin him to some unima ina#le "ate. ,e stared into the sky ahead! tryin to pick out the oal toward which #e was #ein taken * perhaps some planet circlin this reat sun. But there was nothin that showed any visi#le disk or e&ceptional #ri htnessi" there were planets or#itin here he could not distin uish them "rom the stellar #ack round. 3hen he noticed that somethin stran e was happenin on the very ed e o" the sun9s crimson disk. A white low had appeared there! and was rapidly wa&in in #rilliance- he wondered i" he was seein one o" those sudden eruptions! or "lares! that trou#le most stars "rom time to time. 3he li ht #ecame #ri hter and #luer- it #e an to spread alon the ed e o" the sun! whose #lood*red hues paled swi"tly #y comparison. 0t was almost! Bowman told himsel"! smilin at the a#surdity o" the thou ht! as i" #e were watchin sunrise * on a sun. And so indeed he was. A#ove the #urnin hori+on li"ted somethin no lar er than a star! #ut so #rilliant that the eye could not #ear to look upon it. A mere point o" #lue*white radiance! like an electric arc! was movin at un#elieva#le speed across the "ace o" the reat sun. 0t must #e very close to its iant companion- "or immediately #elow it! drawn upward #y its ravitational pull! was a column o" "lame thousands o" miles hi h. 0t was as i" a tidal wave o" "ire was marchin "orever alon the e/uator o" this star! in vain pursuit o" the searin apparition in its sky. 3hat pinpoint o" incandescence must #e a (hite ;war" * one o" those stran e! "ierce little stars! no lar er than the $arth! yet containin a million times its mass. Such ill*matched stellar couples were not uncommon- #ut Bowman had never dreamed that one day he would see such a pair with his own eyes. 3he (hite ;war" had transited almost hal" the disk o" its companion * it must take only minutes to make a complete or#it * when Bowman was at last certain that he too was movin . Ahead o" him! one o" the stars was #ecomin rapidly #ri hter! and was #e innin to dri"t a ainst its #ack round. 0t must #e some small! close #ody * perhaps the world toward which he was travelin . 0t was upon him with une&pected speed- and he saw that it was not a

world at all. A dully leamin co#we# or latticework o" metal! hundreds o" miles in e&tent! rew out o" nowhere until it "illed the sky. Scattered across its continent*wide sur"ace were structures that must have #een as lar e as cities! #ut which appeared to #e machines. Around many o" these were assem#led scores o" smaller o#8ects! ran ed in neat rows and columns. Bowman had passed several such roups #e"ore he reali+ed that they were "leets o" spaceships- he was "lyin over a i antic or#ital parkin lot. Because there were no "amiliar o#8ects #y which he could 8ud e the scale o" the scene "lashin #y #elow! it was almost impossi#le to estimate the si+e o" the vessels han in there in space. But they were certainly enormous- some must have #een miles in len th. 3hey were o" many di""erent desi ns * spheres! "aceted crystals! slim pencils! ovoids! disks. 3his must #e one o" the meetin places "or the commerce o" the stars. Or it had #een * perhaps a million years a o. For nowhere could Bowman see any si n o" activity- this sprawlin spaceport was as dead as the 'oon. ,e knew it not only #y the a#sence o" all movement! #ut #y such unmistaka#le si ns as reat aps torn in the metal co#we# #y the wasplike #lunderin s o" asteroids that must have smashed throu h it! eons a o. 3his was no lon er a parkin lot: it was a cosmic 8unk heap. ,e had missed its #uilders #y a es! and with that reali+ation Bowman "elt a sudden sinkin o" his heart. 3hou h he had not known what to e&pect! at least he had hoped to meet some intelli ence "rom the stars. %ow! it seemed! he was too late. ,e had #een cau ht in an ancient! automatic trap! set "or some unknown purpose! and still operatin when its makers had lon since passed away. 0t had swept him across the ala&y! and dumped him <with how many others2= in this celestial Sar asso! doomed soon to die when his air was e&hausted. (ell! it was unreasona#le to e&pect more. Already he had seen wonders "or which many men would have sacri"iced their lives. ,e thou ht o" his dead companions- he had no cause "or complaint. 3hen he saw that the derelict spaceport was still slidin past him with undiminished speed. ,e was sweepin over its outlyin su#ur#s- its ra ed ed e went #y! and no lon er partially eclipsed the stars. 0n a "ew more minutes! it had "allen #ehind. ,is "ate did not lie here * #ut "ar ahead! in the hu e! crimson sun toward which the space pod was now unmistaka#ly "allin .

?> * 0n"erno

%ow there was only the red sun! "illin the sky "rom side to side. ,e was so close that its sur"ace was no lon er "ro+en into immo#ility #y sheer scale. 3here were luminous nodules movin to and "ro! cyclones o" ascendin and descendin as! prominences slowly rocketin toward the heavens. Slowly2 3hey must #e risin at a million miles an hour "or their movement to #e visi#le to his eye. ,e did not even attempt to rasp the scale o" the in"erno toward which he was descendin . 3he immensities o" Saturn and Cupiter #ad de"eated him! durin ;iscovery9s "ly*#y in that solar system now unknown i amiles away. But everythin he saw here was a hundred times lar er still- he could do nothin #ut accept the ima es that were "loodin into his mind! without attemptin to interpret them. As that sea o" "ire e&panded #eneath him! Bowman should have known "ear * #ut! curiously enou h! he now "elt only a mild apprehension. 0t was not that his mind was #enum#ed with wonders- lo ic told him that he must surely #e under the protection o" some controllin and almost omnipotent intelli ence. ,e was now so close to the red sun that he would have #een #urned up in a moment i" its radiation had not #een held at #ay #y some invisi#le screen. And durin his voya e he had #een su#8ected to accelerations that should have crushed him instantly * yet he had "elt nothin . 0" so much trou#le had #een taken to preserve him! there was still cause "or hope. 3he space pod was now movin alon a shallow arc almost parallel to the sur"ace o" the star! #ut slowly descendin toward it. And now! "or the "irst time! Bowman #ecame aware o" sounds. 3here was a "aint! continuous roar! #roken "rom time to time #y crackles like tearin paper! or distant li htnin . 3his could #e only the "ee#lest echo o" an unima ina#le cacophony- the atmosphere surroundin him must #e racked #y concussions that could tear any material o#8ect to atoms. :et he was protected "rom this shatterin tumult as e""ectively as "rom the heat. 3hou h rid es o" "lame thousands o" miles hi h were risin and slowly collapsin around him! he was completely insulated "rom all this violence. 3he ener ies o" the star raved past him! as i" they were in another universe- the pod moved sedately throu h their midst! un*#u""eted and unscorched.

Bowman9s eyes! no lon er hopelessly con"used #y the stran eness and randeur o" the scene! #e an to pick out details which must have #een there #e"ore! #ut which he had not yet perceived. 3he sur"ace o" this star was no "ormless chaos- there was pattern here! as in everythin that nature created. ,e noticed "irst the little whirlpools o" as * pro#a#ly no lar er than Asia or A"rica * that wandered over the sur"ace o" the star. Sometimes he could look directly down into one o" them! to see darker! cooler re ions "ar #elow. Curiously enou h! there appeared to #e no sunspots- perhaps they were a disease peculiar to the star that shone on $arth. And there were occasional clouds! like wisps o" smoke #lown #e"ore a ale. 4erhaps they were indeed smoke! "or this sun was so cold that real "ire could e&ist here. Chemical compounds could #e #orn and could live "or a "ew seconds #e"ore they were a ain ripped apart #y the "iercer nuclear violence that surrounded them. 3he hori+on was rowin #ri hter! its color chan in "rom loomy red to yellow to #lue to #listerin violet. 3he (hite ;war" was comin up over the hori+on! dra wave o" star*stu"" #ehind it. in its tidal

Bowman shielded his eyes "rom the intolera#le lare o" the little sun! and "ocused on the trou#led starscape which its ravitational "ield was suckin skyward. Once he had seen a waterspout movin across the "ace o" the Cari##ean- this tower o" "lame had almost the same shape. Only the scale was sli htly di""erent! "or at its #ase! the column was pro#a#ly wider than the planet $arth. And then! immediately #eneath him! Bowman noticed somethin which was surely new! since he could hardly have overlooked it i" it had #een there #e"ore. 'ovin across the ocean o" lowin as were myriads o" #ri ht #eads- they shone with a pearly li ht which wa&ed and waned in a period o" a "ew seconds. And they were all travelin in the same direction! like salmon movin upstream- sometimes they weaved #ack and "orth so that their paths intertwined! #ut they never touched. 3here were thousands o" them! and the lon er Bowman stared! the more convinced he #ecame that their motion was purpose"ul. 3hey were too "ar away "or him to make out any details o" their structure- that #e could see them at all in this colossal panorama meant that they must #e scores * perhaps hundreds * o" miles across. 0" they were or ani+ed entities! they were leviathans indeed! #uilt to match the scale o" the world they inha#ited.

4erhaps they were only clouds o" plasma! iven temporary sta#ility #y some odd com#ination o" natural "orces * like the short*lived spheres o" #all*li htnin that still pu++led terrestrial scientists. 3hat was an easy! and perhaps soothin ! e&planation- #ut as Bowman looked down upon that star*wide streamin ! he could not really #elieve it. 3hose litterin nodes o" li ht knew where they were oin - they were deli#erately conver in upon the pillar o" "ire raised #y the (hite ;war" as it or#ited overhead. Bowman stared once more at that ascendin column! now marchin alon the hori+on #eneath the tiny! massive star that ruled it. Could it #e pure ima ination * or were there patches o" #ri hter luminosity creepin up that reat eyser o" as! as i" myriads o" shinin sparks had com#ined into whole continents o" phosphorescence2 3he idea was almost #eyond "antasy! #ut perhaps he was watchin nothin less than a mi ration "rom star to star! across a #rid e o" "ire. (hether it was a movement o" mindless! cosmic #easts driven across space #y some lemmin *like ur e! or a vast concourse o" intelli ent entities! he would pro#a#ly never know. ,e was movin throu h a new order o" creation! o" which "ew men had ever dreamed. Beyond the realms o" sea and land and air and space lay the realms o" "ire! which he alone had #een privile ed to limpse. 0t was too much to e&pect that he would also understand.

?? * 5eception

3he pillar o" "ire was marchin over the ed e o" the sun! like a storm passin #eyond the hori+on. 3he scurryin "lecks o" li ht no lon er moved across the redly lowin starscape still thousands o" miles #elow. 0nside his space pod! protected "rom an environment that could annihilate him within a millisecond! ;avid Bowman awaited whatever had #een prepared. 3he (hite ;war" was sinkin "ast as it hurtled alon its or#itpresently it touched the hori+on! set it a"lame! and disappeared. A "alse twili ht "ell upon the in"erno #eneath! and in the sudden chan e o" illumination Bowman #ecame aware that somethin was happenin in the space around him. 3he world o" the red sun seemed to ripple! as i" he were lookin at it

throu h runnin water. For a moment he wondered i" this was some re"ractive e""ect! perhaps caused #y the passa e o" an unusually violent shock wave throu h the tortured atmosphere in which he was immersed. 3he li ht was "adin - it seemed that a second twili ht was a#out to "all. 0nvoluntarily! Bowman looked upward! then checked himsel" sheepishly! as he remem#ered that here the main source o" li ht was not the sky! #ut the #la+in world #elow. 0t seemed as i" walls o" some material like smoked lass were thickenin around him! cuttin out the red low and o#scurin the view. 0t #ecame darker and darker- the "aint roar o" the stellar hurricanes also "aded out. 3he space pod was "loatin in silence! and in ni ht. A moment later! there was the so"test o" #umps as it settled on some hard sur"ace! and came to rest. 3o rest on what2 Bowman asked himsel" incredulously. 3hen li ht returned- and incredulity ave way to a heart*sinkin despair * "or as he saw what lay around him! he knew that he must #e mad. ,e was prepared! he thou ht! "or any wonder. 3he only thin he had never e&pected was the utterly commonplace. 3he space pod was restin on the polished "loor o" an ele ant! anonymous hotel suite that mi ht have #een in any lar e city on $arth. ,e was starin into a livin room with a co""ee ta#le! a divan! a do+en chairs! a writin desk! various lamps! a hal"*"illed #ookcase with some ma a+ines lyin on it! and even a #owl o" "lowers. .an 7o h9s Brid e at Arles was han in on one wall * (yeth9s Christina9s (orld on another. ,e "elt con"ident that when he pulled open the drawer o" that desk! he would "ind a 7ideon Bi#le inside it... 0" he was indeed mad! his delusions were #eauti"ully or ani+ed. $verythin was per"ectly real- nothin vanished when he turned his #ack. 3he only incon ruous element in the scene * and that certainly a ma8or one * was the space pod itsel". For many minutes! Bowman did not move "rom his seat. ,e hal" e&pected the vision around him to o away! #ut it remained as solid as anythin #e #ad ever seen in his li"e. 0t was real * or else a phantom o" the senses so super#ly contrived that there was no way o" distin uishin it "rom reality. 4erhaps it was some kind o" test- i" so! not only his "ate #ut that o" the human race mi ht well depend upon his actions in the ne&t "ew minutes.

,e could sit here and wait "or somethin to happen! or he could open the pod and step outside to challen e the reality o" the scene around him. 3he "loor appeared to #e solid- at least! it was #earin the wei ht o" the space pod. ,e was not likely to "all throu h it * whatever 1it1 mi ht really #e. But there was still the /uestion o" air- "or all that he could tell! this room mi ht #e in vacuum! or mi ht contain a poisonous atmosphere. ,e thou ht it very unlikely * no one would o to all this trou#le without attendin to such an essential detail * #ut he did not propose to take unnecessary risks. 0n any event! his years o" trainin made him wary o" contamination- he was reluctant to e&pose himsel" to an unknown environment until he knew that there was no alternative. 3his place looked like a hotel room somewhere in the )nited States. 3hat did not alter the "act that in reality he must #e hundreds o" li ht*years "rom the Solar System. ,e closed the helmet o" his suit! sealin himsel" in! and actuated the hatch o" the space pod. 3here was a #rie" hiss o" pressure e/uali+ationthen he stepped out into the room. As "ar as he could tell! he was in a per"ectly normal ravity "ield. ,e raised one arm! then let it "all "reely. 0t "lopped to his side in less than a second. 3his made everythin seem dou#ly unreal. ,ere he was wearin a spacesuit! standin * when he should have #een "loatin * outside a vehicle which could only "unction properly in the a#sence o" ravity. All his normal astronaut9s re"le&es were upset- he had to think #e"ore he made every movement. 6ike a man in a trance he walked slowly "rom his #are! un"urnished hal" o" the room toward the hotel suite. 0t did not! as he had almost e&pected! disappear as he approached! #ut remained per"ectly real * and apparently per"ectly solid. ,e stopped #eside the co""ee ta#le. On it sat a conventional Bell System vision*phone! complete with the local directory. ,e #ent down and picked up the volume with his clumsy! loved hands. 0t #ore! in the "amiliar type he had seen thousands o" times! the name: (AS,0%73O%! ;.C. 3hen he looked more closely- and "or the "irst time! he had o#8ective proo" that! althou h all this mi ht #e real! he was not on $arth. ,e could read only the word (ashin ton- the rest o" the printin was a

#lur! as i" it had #een copied "rom a newspaper photo raph. ,e opened the #ook at random and ri""led throu h the pa es. 3hey were all #lank sheets o" crisp white material which was certainly not paper! thou h it looked very much like it. ,e li"ted the telephone receiver and pressed it a ainst the plastic o" his helmet. 0" there had #een a dialin sound he could have heard it throu h the conductin material. But! as he had e&pected! there was only silence. So * it was all a "ake! thou h a "antastically care"ul one. And it was clearly not intended to deceive #ut rather * he hoped * to reassure. 3hat was a very com"ortin thou ht- nevertheless he would not remove his suit until #e had completed his voya e o" e&ploration. All the "urniture seemed sound and solid enou h- he tried the chairs! and they supported his wei ht. But the drawers in the desk would not open- they were dummies. So were the #ooks and ma a+ines- like the telephone directory! only the titles were reada#le. 3hey "ormed an odd selection * mostly rather trashy #est sellers! a "ew sensational works o" non"iction! and some well*pu#lici+ed auto#io raphies. 3here was nothin less than three years old! and little o" any intellectual content. %ot that it mattered! "or the #ooks could not even #e taken down "rom the shelves. 3here were two doors that opened readily enou h. 3he "irst one took him into a small #ut com"orta#le #edroom! "itted with a #ed! #ureau! two chairs! li ht switches that actually worked! and a clothes closet. ,e opened this! and "ound himsel" lookin at "our suits! a dressin own! a do+en white shirts! and several sets o" underwear! all neatly draped "rom han ers. ,e took down one o" the suits! and inspected it care"ully. As "ar as his loved hands could 8ud e! it was made o" material that was more like "ur than wool. 0t was also a little out o" style- on $arth! no one had #een wearin sin le*#reasted suits "or at least "our years. %e&t to the #edroom was a #athroom! complete with "ittin s which! he was relieved to note! were not dummies! #ut worked in a per"ectly normal manner. And a"ter that was a kitchenette! with electric cooker! re"ri erator! stora e cup#oards! crockery and cutlery! sink! ta#le! and chairs. Bowman #e an to e&plore this not only with curiosity! #ut with mountin hun er. First he opened the re"ri erator! and a wave o" cold mist rolled out. 3he shelves were well stocked with packa es and cans! all o" them lookin per"ectly "amiliar "rom a distance! thou h at close /uarters their proprietary la#els were #lurred and unreada#le. ,owever! there was a

nota#le a#sence o" e s! milk! #utter! meat! "ruit! or any other unprocessed "ood- the re"ri erator held only items that had already #een packa ed in some way. Bowman picked up a carton o" a "amiliar #reak"ast cereal! thinkin as he did so that it was odd to keep this "ro+en. 3he moment he li"ted the packa e! he knew that it certainly did not contain corn"lakes- it was much too heavy. ,e ripped open the lid! and e&amined the contents. 3he #o& contained a sli htly moist #lue su#stance! o" a#out the wei ht and te&ture o" #read puddin . Apart "rom its odd color! it looked /uite appeti+in . But this is ridiculous! Bowman told himsel". 0 am almost certainly #ein watched! and 0 must look an idiot wearin this suit. 0" this is some kind o" intelli ence test! 09ve pro#a#ly "ailed already. (ithout "urther hesitation! he walked #ack into the #edroom and #e an to undo the clamp o" his helmet. (hen it was loose! he li"ted the helmet a "raction o" an inch! cracked the seal and took a cautious sni"". As "ar as he could tell! he was #reathin per"ectly normal air. ,e dropped the helmet on the #ed! and #e an thank"ully * and rather sti""ly * to divest himsel" o" his suit. (hen he had "inished! he stretched! took a "ew deep #reaths! and care"ully hun the spacesuit up amon the more conventional articles o" clothin in the closet. 0t looked rather odd there! #ut the compulsive tidiness that Bowman shared with all astronauts would never have allowed him to leave it anywhere else. 3hen he walked /uickly #ack into the kitchen and #e an to inspect the 1cereal1 #o& at closer /uarters. 3he #lue #read puddin had a "aint! spicy smell! somethin like a macaroon. Bowman wei hed it in his hand! then #roke o"" a piece and cautiously sni""ed at it. 3hou h he "elt sure now that there would #e no deli#erate attempt to poison him! there was always the possi#ility o" mistakes * especially in a matter so comple& as #iochemistry. ,e ni##led at a "ew crum#s! then chewed and swallowed the "ra ment o" "ood- it was e&cellent! thou h the "lavor was so elusive as to #e almost indescri#a#le. 0" he closed his eyes! he could ima ine it was meat! or wholemeal #read! or even dried "ruit. )nless there were une&pected a"tere""ects! he had no cause to "ear starvation. (hen he had eaten 8ust a "ew mouth"uls o" the su#stance! and already "elt /uite satis"ied! he looked "or somethin to drink. 3here were hal" a

do+en cans o" #eer * a ain o" a "amous #rand * at the #ack o" the re"ri erator! and he pressed the ta# on one o" them to open it. 3he prestressed metal lid popped o"" alon its strain lines! e&actly as usual. But the can did not contain #eer- to Bowman9s surprised disappointment! it held more o" the #lue "ood. 0n a "ew seconds he had opened hal" a do+en o" the other packa es and cans. (hatever their la#els! their contents were the same- it seemed that his diet was oin to #e a little monotonous! and that he would have nothin #ut water to drink. ,e "illed a lass "rom the kitchen "aucet and sipped at it cautiously. ,e spat out the "irst "ew drops at once- the taste was terri#le. 3hen! rather ashamed o" his instinctive reaction! he "orced himsel" to drink the rest. 3hat "irst sip had #een enou h to identi"y the li/uid. 0t tasted terri#le #ecause it had no taste at all- the "aucet was supplyin pure! distilled water. ,is unknown hosts were o#viously takin no chances with his health. Feelin much re"reshed! he then had a /uick shower. 3here was no soap! which was another minor inconvenience! #ut there was a very e""icient hot*air drier in which #e lu&uriated "or a while #e"ore tryin on underpants! vest! and dressin own "rom the clothes closet. A"ter that! he lay down on the #ed! stared up at the ceilin ! and tried to make sense o" this "antastic situation. ,e had made little pro ress when he was distracted #y another line o" thou ht. 0mmediately a#ove the #ed was the usual hotel*type ceilin 3. screen- he had assumed that! like the telephone and #ooks! it was a dummy. But the control unit on its swin in #edside arm looked so realistic that he could not resist playin with it- and as his "in ers touched the O% sensor disk! the screen lit up. Feverishly! he started to tap out channel selector codes at random * and almost at once he ot his "irst picture. 0t was a well*known A"rican news commentator! discussin the attempts #ein made to preserve the last remnants o" his country9s wild li"e. Bowman listened "or a "ew seconds! so captivated #y the sound o" a human voice that he did not in the least care what it was talkin a#out. 3hen he chan ed channels. 0n the ne&t "ive minutes! he ot a symphony orchestra playin (alton9s

.iolin Concerto! a discussion on the sad state o" the le itimate theater! a western! a demonstration o" a new headache cure! a panel ame in some Oriental lan ua e! a psychodrama! three news commentaries! a "oot#all ame! a lecture on solid eometry <in 5ussian=! and several tunin si nals and data transmissions. 0t was! in "act! a per"ectly normal selection "rom the world9s 3. pro rams! and apart "rom the psycholo ical upli"t it ave him! it con"irmed one suspicion that had already #een "ormin in his mind. All the pro rams were a#out two years old. 3hat was around the time 3'A*1 had #een discovered! and it was hard to #elieve that this was a pure coincidence. Somethin had #een monitorin the radio waves- that e#on #lock had #een #usier than men had suspected. ,e continued to wander across the spectrum! and suddenly reco ni+ed a "amiliar scene. ,ere was this very suite! now occupied #y a cele#rated actor who was "uriously denouncin an un"aith"ul mistress. Bowman looked with a shock o" reco nition upon the livin room he had 8ust le"t * and when the camera "ollowed the indi nant couple toward the #edroom! he involuntarily looked toward the door to see i" anyone was enterin . So that was how this reception area had #een prepared "or him- his hosts had #ased their ideas o" terrestrial livin upon 3. pro rams. ,is "eelin that he was inside a movie set was almost literally true. ,e had learned all that he wished to "or the moment! and turned o"" the set. (hat do 0 do now2 he asked himsel"! lockin his "in ers #ehind his head and starin up at the #lank screen. ,e was physically and emotionally e&hausted! yet it seemed impossi#le that one could sleep in such "antastic surroundin s! and "arther "rom $arth than any man in history had ever #een. But the com"orta#le #ed! and the instinctive wisdom o" the #ody! conspired to ether a ainst his will. ,e "um#led "or the li ht switch! and the room was plun ed into darkness. (ithin seconds! he had passed #eyond the reach o" dreams. So! "or the last time! ;avid Bowman slept.

?@ * 5ecapitulation

3here #ein no "urther use "or it! the "urniture o" the suite dissolved #ack into the mind o" its creator. Only the #ed remained * and the walls! shieldin this "ra ile or anism "rom the ener ies it could not

yet control. 0n his sleep! ;avid Bowman stirred restlessly. ,e did not wake! nor did he dream! #ut he was no lon er wholly unconscious. 6ike a "o creepin throu h a "orest! somethin invaded his mind. ,e sensed it only dimly! "or the "ull impact would have destroyed him as surely as the "ires ra in #eyond these walls. Beneath that dispassionate scrutiny! he "elt neither hope nor "ear- all emotion had #een leached away. ,e seemed to #e "loatin in "ree space! while around him stretched! in all directions! an in"inite eometrical rid o" dark lines or threads! alon which moved tiny nodes o" li ht * some slowly! some at da++lin speed. Once he had peered throu h a microscope at a cross*section o" a human #rain! and in its network o" nerve "i#ers had limpsed the same la#yrinthine comple&ity. But that had #een dead and static! whereas this transcended li"e itsel". ,e knew * or #elieved he knew * that he was watchin the operation o" some i antic mind! contemplatin the universe o" which he was so tiny a part. 3he vision! or illusion! lasted only a moment. 3hen the crystalline planes and lattices! and the interlockin perspectives o" movin li ht! "lickered out o" e&istence! as ;avid Bowman moved into a realm o" consciousness that no man had e&perienced #e"ore. At "irst! it seemed that 3ime itsel" was runnin #ackward. $ven this marvel he was prepared to accept! #e"ore #e reali+ed the su#tler truth. 3he sprin s o" memory were #ein tapped- in controlled recollection! he was relivin the past. 3here was the hotel suite * there the space pod * there the #urnin starscapes o" the red sun * there the shinin core o" the ala&y * there the ateway throu h which he had reemer ed into the universe. And not only vision! #ut all the sense impressions! and all the emotions he had "elt at the time! were racin past! more and more swi"tly. ,is li"e was unreelin like a tape recorder playin #ack at ever*increasin speed. %ow he was once more a#oard the ;iscovery and the rin s o" Saturn "illed the sky. Be"ore that! he was repeatin his "inal dialo ue with ,alhe was seein Frank 4oole leave on his last mission- he was hearin the voice o" $arth! assurin him that all was well. And even as he relived these events! he knew that all indeed was well. ,e was retro ressin down the corridors o" time! #ein drained o" knowled e and e&perience as he swept #ack toward his childhood. But nothin was #ein lost- all that #e had ever #een! at every moment o" his

li"e! was #ein trans"erred to sa"er keepin . $ven as one ;avid Bowman ceased to e&ist! another #ecame immortal. Faster! "aster he moved #ack into "or otten years! and into a simpler world. Faces he had once loved! and had thou ht lost #eyond recall! smiled at him sweetly. ,e smiled #ack with "ondness! and without pain. %ow! at last! the headlon re ression was slackenin - the wells o" memory were nearly dry. 3ime "lowed more and more slu ishly! approachin a moment o" stasis * as a swin in pendulum! at the limit o" its arc! seems "ro+en "or one eternal instant! #e"ore the ne&t cycle #e ins. 3he timeless instant passed- the pendulum reversed its swin . 0n an empty room! "loatin amid the "ires o" a dou#le star twenty thousand li ht*years "rom $arth! a #a#y opened its eyes and #e an to cry.

?A * 3rans"ormation

3hen it #ecame silent! as it saw that it was no lon er alone. A hostly! limmerin rectan le had "ormed in the empty air. 0t solidi"ied into a crystal ta#let! lost its transparency! and #ecame su""used with a pale! milky luminescence. 3antali+in ! ill*de"ined phantoms moved across its sur"ace and in its depths. 3hey coalesced into #ars o" li hts and shadow! then "ormed intermeshin ! spoked patterns that #e an slowly to rotate! in time with the pulsin rhythm that now seemed to "ill the whole o" space. 0t was a spectacle to rasp and hold the attention o" any child * or o" any man*ape. But! as it had #een three million years #e"ore! it was only the outward mani"estation o" "orces too su#tle to #e consciously perceived. 0t was merely a toy to distract the senses! while the real processin was carried out at "ar deeper levels o" the mind. 3his time! the processin was swi"t and certain! as the new desi n was woven. For in the eons since their last meetin ! much had #een learned #y the weaver- and the material on which he practiced his art was now o" an in"initely "iner te&ture. But whether it should #e permitted to "orm part o" his still* rowin tapestry! only the "uture could tell. (ith eyes that already held more than human intentness! the #a#y stared into the depths o" the crystal monolith! seein * #ut not yet understandin * the mysteries that lay #eyond. 0t knew that it had come

home! that here was the ori in o" many races #esides its own- #ut it knew also that it could not stay. Beyond this moment lay another #irth! stran er than any in the past. %ow the moment had come- the lowin patterns no lon er echoed the secrets in the crystal9s heart. As they died! so too the protective walls "aded #ack into the none&istence "rom which they #ad #rie"ly emer ed! and the red sun "illed the sky. 3he metal and plastic o" the "or otten space pod! and the clothin once worn #y an entity who had called himsel" ;avid Bowman! "lashed into "lame. 3he last links with $arth were one! resolved #ack into their component atoms. But the child scarcely noticed! as he ad8usted himsel" to the com"orta#le low o" his new environment. ,e still needed! "or a little while! this shell o" matter as the "ocus o" his powers. ,is indestructi#le #ody was his mind9s present ima e o" itsel"- and "or all his powers! he knew that he was still a #a#y. So he would remain until he had decided on a new "orm! or had passed #eyond the necessities o" matter. And now it was time to o * thou h in one sense he would never leave this place where he had #een re#orn! "or he would always #e part o" the entity that used this dou#le star "or its un"athoma#le purposes. 3he direction! thou h not the nature! o" his destiny was clear #e"ore him! and there was no need to trace the devious path #y which he had come. (ith the instincts o" three million years! he now perceived that there were more ways than one #ehind the #ack o" space. 3he ancient mechanisms o" the Star 7ate had served him well! #ut he would not need them a ain. 3he limmerin rectan ular shape that had once seemed no more than a sla# o" crystal still "loated #e"ore him! indi""erent as he was to the harmless "lames o" the in"erno #eneath. 0t encapsulated yet un"athomed secrets o" space and time! #ut some at least he now understood and was a#le to command. ,ow o#vious * how necessary * was that mathematical ratio o" its sides! the /uadratic se/uence 1 : ? : ED And how naive to have ima ined that the series ended at this point! in only three dimensionsD ,e "ocused his mind upon these eometrical simplicities! and as his thou hts #rushed a ainst it! the empty "ramework "illed with the darkness o" the interstellar ni ht. 3he low o" the red sun "aded * or! rather! seemed to recede in all directions at once * and there #e"ore him was the luminous whirlpool o" the ala&y. 0t mi ht have #een some #eauti"ul! incredi#ly detailed model! em#edded in a #lock o" plastic. But it was the reality! rasped as a whole with senses now more su#tle than vision. 0" he wished! he could "ocus his

attention upon any one o" its hundred #illion stars- and he could do much more than that. ,ere he was! adri"t in this reat river o" suns! hal"way #etween the #anked "ires o" the alactic core and the lonely! scattered sentinel stars o" the rim. And here he wished to #e! on the "ar side o" this chasm in the sky! this serpentine #and o" darkness! empty o" all stars. ,e knew that this "ormless chaos! visi#le only #y the low that limned its ed es "rom "ire*mists "ar #eyond! was the still unused stu"" o" creation! the raw material o" evolutions yet to #e. ,ere! 3ime had not #e un- not until the suns that now #urned were lon since dead would li ht and li"e reshape this void. )nwittin ly! he had crossed it once- now he must cross it a ain * this time! o" his own volition. 3he thou ht "illed him with a sudden! "ree+in terror! so that "or a moment he was wholly disorientated! and his new vision o" the universe trem#led and threatened to shatter into a thousand "ra ments. 0t was not "ear o" the alactic ul"s that chilled his soul! #ut a more pro"ound dis/uiet! stemmin "rom the un#orn "uture. For he had le"t #ehind the time scales o" his human ori in- now! as he contemplated that #and o" starless ni ht! he knew his "irst intimations o" the $ternity that yawned #e"ore him. 3hen he remem#ered that he would never #e alone! and his panic slowly e##ed. 3he crystal*clear perception o" the universe was restored to him * not! he knew! wholly #y his own e""orts. (hen he needed uidance in his "irst "alterin steps! it would #e there. Con"ident once more! like a hi h diver who had re ained his nerve! he launched himsel" across the li ht*years. 3he ala&y #urst "orth "rom the mental "rame in which he had enclosed it- stars and ne#ulae poured past him in an illusion o" in"inite speed. 4hantom suns e&ploded and "ell #ehind as he slipped like a shadow throu h their cores- the cold! dark waste o" cosmic dust which he had once "eared seemed no more than the #eat o" a raven9s win across the "ace o" the Sun. 3he stars were thinnin out- the lare o" the 'ilky (ay was dimmin into a pale host o" the lory he had known * and! when he was ready! would know a ain. ,e was #ack! precisely where he wished to #e! in the space that men called real.

?B * Star*Child

3here #e"ore him! a litterin toy no Star*Child could resist! "loated the planet $arth with all its peoples. ,e had returned in time. ;own there on that crowded lo#e! the alarms would #e "lashin across the radar screens! the reat trackin telescopes would #e searchin the skies * and history as men knew it would #e drawin to a close. A thousand miles #elow! he #ecame aware that a slum#erin car o o" death had awoken! and was stirrin slu ishly in its or#it. 3he "ee#le ener ies it contained were no possi#le menace to him- #ut he pre"erred a cleaner sky. ,e put "orth his will! and the circlin me atons "lowered in a silent detonation that #rou ht a #rie"! "alse dawn to hal" the sleepin lo#e. 3hen he waited! marshalin his thou hts and #roodin over his still untested powers. For thou h he was master o" the world! he was not /uite sure what to do ne&t. But he would think o" somethin .

$pilo ue: A"ter 2001

3he novel 2001: A Space Odyssey was written durin the years 1EA?*1EAJ and was pu#lished in Culy 1EAJ! shortly a"ter release o" the movie. As 0 have descri#ed in 3he 6ost (orlds o" 2001! #oth pro8ects proceeded simultaneously! with "eed#ack in each direction. 3hus 0 o"ten had the stran e e&perience o" revisin the manuscript a"ter viewin rushes #ased upon an earlier version o" the story * a stimulatin #ut rather e&pensive way o" writin a novel. As a result! there is a much closer parallel #etween #ook and movie than is usually the case! #ut there are also ma8or di""erences. 0n the novel! the destination o" the spaceship ;iscovery was 0apetus <or Capetus=! most eni matic o" Saturn9s many moons. 3he Saturnian system was reached via Cupiter: ;iscovery made a close approach to the iant planet! usin its enormous ravitational "ield to produce a 1slin shot1 e""ect and to accelerate it alon the second lap o" its 8ourney. $&actly the same maneuver was used #y the .oya er space*pro#es in 1EBE! when they made the "irst detailed reconnaissance o" the outer iants.

0n the movie! however! Stanley Gu#rick wisely avoided con"usion #y settin the third con"rontation #etween 'an and 'onolith amon the moons o" Cupiter. Saturn was dropped "rom the script entirely! thou h ;ou las 3rum#ull later used the e&pertise he had ac/uired "ilmin the rin ed planet in his own production! Silent 5unnin . %o one could have ima ined! #ack in the mid*si&ties! that the e&ploration o" the moons o" Cupiter lay not in the ne&t century #ut only "i"teen years ahead. %or had anyone dreamed o" the wonders that would #e "ound there * althou h we can #e /uite certain that the discoveries o" the twin .oya ers will one day #e surpassed #y even more une&pected "inds. (hen 2001 was written! 0o! $uropa! 7anymede! and Callisto were mere pinpoints o" li ht in even the most power"ul telescope- now they are worlds! each uni/ue! and one o" them * 0o * the most volcanically active #ody in the Solar System. :et all thin s considered! #oth movie and #ook stand up /uite well in the li ht o" these discoveries. 3here are no ma8or chan es 0 would wish to make to the te&t! and it is "ascinatin to compare the Cupiter se/uences in the "ilm with the actual movies "rom the .oya er cameras. 0t must also #e remem#ered that 2001 was written in an a e that now lies #eyond one o" the 7reat ;ivides in human history- we are sundered "rom it "orever #y the moment when %eil Armstron set "oot upon the 'oon. Culy 20! 1EAE! was still hal" a decade in the "uture when Stanley Gu#rick and 0 started thinkin a#out the 1prover#ial ood science "iction movie1 <his phrase=. %ow history and "iction have #ecome ine&trica#ly intertwined. 3he Apollo astronauts had already seen the "ilm when they le"t "or the 'oon. 3he crew o" Apollo J! who at Christmas 1EAJ #ecame the "irst men ever to set eyes upon the lunar Farside! told me that they had #een tempted to radio #ack the discovery o" a lar e! #lack monolith: alas! discretion prevailed... And there were later! almost uncanny! instances o" nature imitatin art. Stran est o" all was the sa a o" Apollo 1> in 1EB0. As a ood openin ! the Command 'odule! which houses the crew! had #een christened Odyssey. Cust #e"ore the e&plosion o" the o&y en tank which caused the mission to #e a#orted! the crew had #een playin 5ichard Strauss9 Harathustra theme! now universally identi"ied with the movie. 0mmediately a"ter the loss o" power! Cack Swi ert radioed #ack to 'ission Control: 1,ouston! we9ve had a pro#lem.1 3he words that ,al used to Frank 4oole on a similar occasion were: 1Sorry to interrupt the "estivities! #ut we have a pro#lem.1

(hen the report o" the Apollo 1> mission was later pu#lished! %ASA Administrator 3om 4aine sent me a copy and noted under Swi ert9s words: 1Cust as you always said it would #e! Arthur.1 0 still et a very stran e "eelin when 0 contemplate this whole series o" events * almost! indeed! as i" 0 share a certain responsi#ility... Another resonance is less serious! #ut e/ually strikin . One o" the most technically #rilliant se/uences in the movie was that in which astronaut Frank 4oole was shown runnin round and round the circular track o" the iant centri"u e! held in place #y the 1arti"icial ravity1 produced #y its spin. Almost a decade later! the crew o" the super#ly success"ul Skyla# reali+ed that its desi ners had provided them with a similar eometry- a rin o" stora e ca#inets "ormed a smooth! circular #and around the space station9s interior. Skyla#! however! was not spinnin ! #ut this did not deter its in enious occupants. 3hey discovered that they could run around the track! 8ust like mice in a s/uirrel ca e! to produce a result visually indistin uisha#le "rom that shown in 2001. And they televised the whole e&ercise #ack to $arth <need 0 name the accompanyin music2= with the comment: 1Stanley Gu#rick should see this.1 As in due course he did! #ecause 0 sent him the telecine recordin . <0 never ot it #ack- Stanley uses a tame Black ,ole as a "ilin system.= 3here is also the stran e case o" the 1$ye o" Capetus!1 descri#ed in Chapter >@! where Bowman discovers 1a #rilliant white oval... so sharp*ed ed that it almost looked... painted on the "ace o" the little moon1 with a tiny #lack dot at the e&act center! which turns out to #e the 'onolith <or one o" its avatars=. (ell * when .oya er 1 took the "irst photo raphs o" 0apetus! they did indeed disclose a lar e! clear*cut white oval with a tiny #lack dot at the center. Carl Sa an promptly sent me a print "rom the Cet 4ropulsion 6a#oratory with the cryptic annotation 13hinkin o" you...1 0 do not know whether to #e relieved or disappointed that .oya er 2 has le"t the matter still open. (hen! "ourteen years a o! 0 typed the "inal words 1For thou h he was master o" the world! he was not /uite sure what to do ne&t. But he would think o" somethin 1 0 "elt 0 had closed the circuit and precluded all possi#ility o" a se/uel. 0ndeed! "or the ne&t decade 0 ridiculed the very idea! "or what seemed to me conclusive reasons. Since 2001 was concerned with the ne&t sta e o" human evolution! to e&pect me <or even Stanley= to depict it would #e as a#surd as askin 'oon*watcher to descri#e Bowman and his world.

;espite my protests! it is now o#vious that my #usy little su#conscious was hard at work! perhaps in response to the constant stream o" letters "rom readers wantin to know 1what happened ne&t.1 Finally! as an intellectual e&ercise! 0 wrote a prIcis o" a possi#le se/uel in the "orm o" a short movie outline and sent copies to Stanley Gu#rick and my a ent! Scott 'eredith. As "ar as Stanley was concerned! this was an act o" courtesy! "or 0 knew that he never repeats himsel" <8ust as 0 never write se/uels=! #ut 0 hoped that Scott would sell the outline to Omni ma a+ine! which had recently pu#lished another outline! 13he Son s o" ;istant $arth.1 3hen! 0 "ondly hoped! the host o" 2001 would #e "inally e&orcised. Stanley e&pressed uarded interest! #ut Scott was enthusiastic * and implaca#le. 1:ou9ve simply ot to write the #ook!1 he said. (ith a roan! 0 reali+ed that he was ri ht... So now! entle reader <to coin a phrase=! you can "ind what happens ne&t in 2010: Space Odyssey 3wo. 0 am e&tremely rate"ul to %ew American 6i#rary! copyri ht holders o" 2001: A Space Odyssey! "or permission to use Chapter >B in the new novel- 0t serves as a link! connectin the two #ooks to ether. A "inal comment on #oth novels as seen "rom a point now almost e&actly midway #etween the year 2001 and the time when Stanley Gu#rick and 0 started workin to ether. Contrary to popular #elie"! science "iction writers very seldom attempt to predict the "uture- indeed! as 5ay Brad#ury put it so well! they more o"ten try to prevent it. 0n 1EA?! the "irst heroic period o" the Space A e was 8ust openin - the )nited States had set the 'oon as its tar et! and once that decision had #een made! the ultimate con/uest o" the other planets! appeared inevita#le. By 2001! it seemed /uite reasona#le that there would #e iant space*stations in or#it round the $arth and * a little later * manned e&peditions to the planets. 0n an ideal world! that would have #een possi#le: the .ietnam (ar would have paid "or everythin that Stanley Gu#rick showed on the Cinerama screen. %ow we reali+e that it will take a little lon er. 2001 will not arrive #y 2001. :et * #arrin accidents * #y that date almost everythin depicted in the #ook and the movie will #e in the advanced plannin sta e. $&cept "or communication with alien intelli ences: that is somethin that can never #e planned * only anticipated. %o one knows whether it will happen tomorrow * or a thousand years hence. But it will happen someday.

A53,)5 C. C6A5G$ Colom#o! Sri 6anka %ovem#er! 1EJ2