,boy ,meets ,dyevitza ,by ,,rob]t ,f4 ,,"y ,illu/rat$ by ,,birm+ham ,= ! incurable romantics among u1 ! p[] ( love to conqu] ev]y?+ _c be ov]e/imat$4 ,& s let u read ?is g5tle1 pleasant1 w>m-he>t$ tale1 kn[+ z we d t ! /ory x tells is v likely impossible1 b yet hop+1 p]haps1 t x c\ld all end ?is way4 ,transcrib]'s ,note3 ,?is etext 0 produc$ f ,amaz+ ,/ories ,octob] #aifb4 ,ext5sive rese>* did n uncov] any evid5ce t ! ,u4,s4 copyright on ?is publication 0 r5ew$4 ,a ?rill+ news bullet91 dat$ ,septemb] #aa1 #aiif1 0 rec5tly h&$ to me by an assi/ant :o is too "y to rememb] ! /> ov] ,mosc[1 & x is t[>d him & o!rs l him t ! foll[+ hi/ory is direct$4 ,if x resembles fiction m ?an x does fact1 ! simil>ity is :olly int5tional1 = x is only ?r\gh fiction t ! pa/ c be br\ght back to life4 99 99 99 99 99 ,:5 ,gordon ,&rews fir/ saw ! girl1 he took x = grant$ t %e 0 a ,v5usian--a natural en\gh assumption 9 view ( ! fact t he 0 on ,v5us4 ,%e 0 kneel+ beside a small brook1 humm+ a little tune & wa%+ out a pair ( /ock+s1 & s int5t 0 %e on h] tune & h] task t %e did n he> him :5 he /epp$ out ( ! =e/ beh9d h]4 ,h] bobb$ hair 0 ! color ( horse *e/nuts1 & h] clo?+ consi/$ ( gray culottes1 a gray bl\se1 black lea!r boots & a small gray kepi4 ,! tune %e 0 humm+ 0 a passage f ,t*aikovsky's ,swan ,lake4 ,?us f>1 ,gordon _h tak5 ,v5us pretty mu* 9 8 /ride4 ,! data suppli$ by ! ,v5us probes dur+ ! e>ly #fj's1 :ile obscure ) reg>d to h] cl\d-cov]1 _h conclusively disprov$ =m] !ories to ! effect t %e lack$ a brea?able atmosph]e & possess$ a surface temp]ature ( m ?an #ajj degrees ,c5tigrade1 & _h prep>$ him = :at he _h f\nd--an atmosph]e ri*] 9 oxyg5 cont5t ?an ,e>?'s1 a com=table climate1 & a planet-wide sea1 unbrok5 z yet save = an equatorial l& mass no l>g] ?an a mode/ isl&4 ,! data1 by its v nature1 _h also prep>$ him = ! possibility ( human life4 ,x _h n prep>$ him1 h[ev]1 = a ,v5usian maid5 on humm+ t]ms ) ,swan ,lake4 ,small wond]1 !n1 t he gasp$4 ,! girl dropp$ h] /ock+s & %ot to h] feet s fa/ t %e w\ld h toppl$ into ! brook if he hadn't leap$ =w>d & caught h] arm4 ,%e _h a he>t-%ap$ face1 & h] eyes 7 ! hue ( h>ebells4 ,at ! mom5t !y 7 fill$ ) al>m4 ,pres5tly1 h[ev]1 ! al>m w5t away & recognition took its place4 ,oh1 x's y1 %e said1 free+ h] arm4 99 99 99 99 99 ,he took an involunt>y /ep backw>d4 ,me8 he said4 ,yes4 ,capta9 ,gordon ,&rews1 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,space ,=ce1 is x n8 ,y look q a lot l y\r photograph4 ,he c\ld only />e at h]4 ,i d8 ,yes4 ,i saw x 9 "o ( y\r mat]iali/ic capitali/ic magaz9es4 ,%e /ood up a little /raight]--an act t br\ght h] h>ebell-blue eyes on a level ) ! topmo/ button ( 8 fatigue-alls4 ,i am ,major ,sonya ,mikhailovna1 ( ! ,soviet ,space ,=ce1 & my %ip is 9 ! next valley4 ,i arriv$ "h ye/]day4 ,he got ! picture !n1 & he felt sick4 ,he %\ld h kn[n f h] too-correct1 slightly /ilt$ ,engli%1 f ! milit>y cut ( h] clo?+4 ,he %\ld h kn[n 9 ! fir/ place1 = t matt]4 ,x 0 ! same old humiliat+ /ory4 ,! mann$ ,v5us %ot _h be5 publiciz$ = mon?s be=e ! actual laun*+1 & he _h be5 writt5 up 9 e newspap] & magaz9e 9 ! c\ntry4 ,articles _h paid homage to 8 suburban upbr++1 salut$ 8 record at ! ,%ep>d ,space ,academy1 prais$ 8 c>e] z an orbital pilot1 romanticiz$ 8 ba*elorhood1 describ$ h[ he lik$ 8 eggs1 & inf]r$ :at a good cat* he w\ld be4 ,mean:ile1 ! ,russians _h gone quietly & sy/ematically ab\t _! bus9ess1 & at ! precise psy*ological mom5t _h pull$ _! usual unexpect$ c\p4 ,fir/ x _h be5 ,laika1 !n ,zrezdo*ka1 !n ,gag>91 !n ,dymov1 ! fir/ ,man 9 ! ,moon4 ,n[ x 0 ,major ,sonya ,mikhailovna4 ,b :y a woman8 ,& :y "o s seem+ly delicate t y m>vell$ at h] ability to )/& ! accel]ation ( take-(f8 ,sudd5ly he got ! :ole picture1 & he really felt sick4 ,he c\ld see ! humiliat+ headl9es--or r1 _! ,engli% c\nt]p>ts--9 ,pravda3 ,,soviet ,,space ,,girl ,,beats ,,capitali/ ,,cosmonaut ,,to ,,v5us6 ,,ussr ,,triumph ,,aga96 ,i suppose y pick$ up my %ip on y\r rad> :ile ,i 0 com+ 91 & fix$ ! "t & location ( my l&+1 he said bitt]ly4 ,sonya ,mikhailovna nodd$4 ,my own arrival-"t has already be5 (ficially record$1 b ! ann\ncem5t ( my success _h to be )held until ,i c\ld e/abli% y\r arrival-"t & ! exact "t-diff]5ce c\ld be comput$4 ,soon n[1 ! news ( our glori\s new victory w be releas$ to ! _w4 99 99 99 99 99 ,%e b5t d[n1 retriev$ h] /ock+s f ! brook & wrung !m out4 ,/raight5+1 %e hung !m on a l[-hang+ bran* ( a ne>by tree4 ,!y 7 cotton1 he notic$1 & !re 0 a hole 9 "o ( ! toes4 ,sudd5ly %e gave a />t4 ,foll[+ ! direction ( h] gaze1 he gave "o too4 ,s did ! man & ! woman :o _h j em]g$ f ! =e/4 ,s9ce 8 arrival f\r h\rs ago1 ,gordon _h be5 wond]+--among a ho/ ( o!r ?+s--:e!r ! ultra-violet rays ( ! sun c\ld p5etrate ! planet's ?ick cl\d-cov]4 ,he saw n[ t !y n only c\ld1 b did4 ,! man & ! woman 7 unque/ionably memb]s ( a :ite-sk9n$ race1 & bo? possess$ suntans s deep & gold5 t 9 contra/ _! d>k blue eyes seem$ ev5 d>k] & _! bright blond hair ev5 bright]4 ,_! :ite knee-l5g? tunics augm5t$ ! effect1 & 9 co-op]ation ) _! h&some faces1 suppli$ !m ) a god- & goddess-l aspect4 ,un=tunately ?is aspect 0 some:at m>r$ by _! "o concession to p]sonal adornm5t--gleam+ neckb&s =g$ f a copp]-l metal4 ,z nei!r native appe>$ to be arm$1 ,gordon saw no cause = al>m1 & aft] 8 initial surprise1 he reg>d$ !m q calmly4 ,s did ,sonya ,mikhailovna4 ,?is "t1 h[ev]1 ! two ,v5usians did n reciprocate4 ,_! eyes _h gr[n wide1 & n[ an unmi/akable expression ( disbelief settl$ ^u _! h&some faces4 ,at l5g? ! man t\*$ 8 own neck & !n ! woman's2 !n he po9t$1 almo/ accus+ly1 x seem$1 t[>d ,gordon & ,sonya1 & dem&$ some?+ 9 an un9telligible tongue4 ,gordon proce$$ to t\* 8 own neck4 ,next he t\*$ ,sonya's ev] s lightly ( c\rse4 ,gordon1 he said4 ,sonya4 ,he 0 rew>d$ = 8 p]spicacity by two horrifi$ />es & a pair ( ho>se gasps4 ,!n be=e he c\ld utt] ano!r ^w1 ! two ,v5usians turn$ & vani%$ into ! =e/4 ,he />$ aft] !m4 ,s did ,sonya ,mikhailovna4 ,did y "k1 he ask$ pres5tly1 t ,v5us 0 inhabit$8 ,our sci5ti/s suspect$ t x might be4 ,%e %rugg$4 ,anyway1 :at does x matt] n[8 ,by y\r /upid action y de/roy$ :atev] *ance we _h ( e/abli%+ fri5dly relations4 ,gordon felt 8 face gr[ hot4 ,:5 y meet ali5s1 ! fir/ ?+ y always d is ex*ange names ) !m1 he said4 ,ev]ybody kn[s t6 ,ev]ybody :o reads y\r /]eotyp$ sci5ce fiction kn[s x1 y mean4 ,& aft] y f9d out _! names1 y say1 ',take me to y\r lead]1' & _! lead] turns out to be a big beautiful blond :o is /ack$4 ,well1 ,i ?9k ,i w be gett+ back to my %ip4 ,i don't see anybody /opp+ y1 ,gordon said4 ,%e gave him a long look4 ,9 ! roseate radiance ( ! ,v5usian aft]noon1 h] face _h a p9k-*eek$ little girl aspect4 ,9 imp]iali/ic idiom1 t means1 ,i suppose1 t x is a matt] ( complete indiff]5ce to y :at ,i d4 ,x sure does1 ,gordon said4 ,well1 ,i'll be see+ y4 99 99 99 99 99 ,leav+ h] /&+ by ! brook1 he re-ent]$ ! =e/ & /ruck out ov] ! little hills t roll$ back f ! littoral l gre5 inl& waves to break riot\sly aga9/ ! high ridge t encompass$ ! isl&'s int]ior4 ,9 8 initial en?usiasm1 he _h w&]$ f>!r f 8 %ip ?an he _h meant to1 & he _h be5 ab\t to turn back :5 he _h se5 ! girl4 ,n[ he _h ano!r reason = return+3 a d>k cl\d 0 due to arrive ov] ,wa%+ton 9 ! v ne> future1 & x 0 up to him to s5d out a bad-wea!r w>n+4 ,multicolor$ fl[]s c>pet$ virtually e squ>e in* ( ! =e/ floor2 f9*-l birds ( ra9b[ hues d>t$ ov]head1 leav+ exquisite wakes ( song2 squirrel-l mammals spiral$ tree trunks s swiftly t !y 7 b>ely visible4 ,v5us _h turn$ out to be ! ,v5us ( ! romantics1 r ?an ! ,v5us ( ! sci5ti/s1 & ,gordon1 :o1 = all 8 sci5tific tra9+1 0 a romantic himself1 f\nd ! ev5tuality exhil>at+1 ev5 9 8 pres5t doldrums4 ,p]haps :5 man rea*$ ,m>s1 he w\ld f9d blue canals aft] all1 no matt] :at ! sci5ti/s said to ! contr>y1 & fragile glass cities t9kl+ 9 c9namon-sc5t$ w9ds4 ,! day 0 ne>ly done :5 he rea*$ ! cove1 ne> ! %ore ( :i* 8 space%ip /ood1 & d>kness 0 ^u him by ! "t he climb$ ! metal ,jacob's ladd] & /epp$ ?r\gh ! lock4 7,9 bli! disreg>d ( le>n$ op9ion1 ,v5us's rotation p]iod approximat$ ,e>?'s2 h[ev]1 h] cl\d-cov] br\ght ab\t an abrupt & e>ly dep>ture ( daylight47 ,9 8 ha/e1 he did n bo!r to close ! lock1 b head$ /raight = ! radio alcove & beam$ ! news ( 8 hi/oric meet+ ) ,major ,sonya ,mikhailovna across ! imm5sities to ,space ,=ce headqu>t]s at ,new ,canav]al1 app5d+ x ) ! in=mation t ! peoples ( ,e>? c\ld no long] consid] !mselves ! sole inh]itors ( ! sol> sy/em4 ,ow+ to ! di/ance involv$1 ov] five m9utes elaps$ be=e he receiv$ a reply4 ,he 0 in=m$ t ! ,,ussr _h already releas$ ! news ( ! new space victory & t ! ,soviet premi] _h decl>$ a national holiday 9 honor ( ! occasion4 ,new ,canav]al also provid$ him ) an unsolicit$ ?umbnail-biography ( ,major ,sonya ,mikhailovna4 ,h] fa!r ,ptr1 0 a fam\s ,russian piani/1 %e 0 tw5ty-?ree ye>s ( age1 unm>ri$1 spoke six languages flu5tly1 _h a nodd+ acqua9tance ) elev5 m1 held a doctor's degree 9 an?ropology1 0 an accompli%$ ball]9a1 & 9 ! la/ ,olympic games _h won ! gold m$al 9 ! gymna/ics competition4 ,%e _h be5 *os5 = ! ,v5us %ot f a gr\p ( "o hundr$ tra9$ wom5 volunte]s1 & ! rank ( major _h be5 be/[$ ^u h] 9 honor ( h] s]vice to h] c\ntry4 ,also-- ,gordon he>d ! foot/eps !n1 & :irl$ ar\nd4 ,b ! ?ree ,v5usians :o _h cr[d$ into ! little control room 7 ^u him be=e he c\ld draw 8 pi/ol4 ,!y reliev$ him ( x quickly & toss$ x to "o side2 !n two ( !m held him :ile ! ?ird cov]$ 8 nose & m\? ) a wet clo? t reek$ ( a cloy+ p]fume4 ,he black$ out 9 a matt] ( seconds4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a new day 0 dawn+ :5 he climb$ out ( ! deep well ( drug-induc$ unconsci\sness & op5$ 8 eyes4 ,8 wri/s & ankles 7 b\nd1 & he 0 ly+ on a /ret*] fa%ion$ ( la%$-toge!r sapl+s4 ,x 0 be+ c>ri$ by two gold-sk9n$ ,v5usians1 "o ( :om 0 ! male memb] ( ! c\ple :o _h come ^u him & ,sonya ! previ\s aft]noon4 ,he rais$ 8 head4 ,app>5tly ! p]fume he _h inhal$ possess$ only "p ( ! prop]ties ( *lor(orm--9 any ev5t1 he felt no ill effects4 ,turn+ 8 head1 he discov]$ t 8 captors consi/$ ( ab\t two doz5 natives1 all told1 & t e "o ( !m wore a metal coll>4 ,half ( !m 7 wom51 & "o ( ! wom5 0 ! "o he & ,sonya _h se5 ! day be=e4 ,!re 0 ano!r /ret*] j beh9d 8 own4 ,sonya ,mikhailovna's face 0 hidd51 b he c\ld see h] horse-*e/nut color$ hair4 ,are y all "r8 he call$4 ,%e did n answ]4 ,cle>ly _! captors _h us$ ! same drug on h] t !y _h us$ on him1 & %e 0 /ill "u its influ5ce4 ,a numb] ( o!r ?+s 7 also cle>3 ! two orig9al ,v5usians _h be5 "p ( a l>g] gr\p--an excursion p>ty1 p]haps--& aft] vani%+ into ! =e/1 !y _h rejo9$ ! ma9 body & report$ 8 & ,sonya's pres5ce4 ,! decision to capture !m mu/ h be5 made %ortly aft]w>d4 ,! trees ?9n$ out on ,gordon's "r1 provid+ him ) a glimpse ( di/ant blue-mi/$ hills & gray-blue sea & br++ home ! realization t he 0 be+ borne along ! l(ty inl& ridge t circl$ ! isl&'s int]ior4 ,= ! fir/ "t s9ce he _h op5$ 8 eyes1 fe> t\*$ him4 ,9 less ?an two mon?s1 ,v5us w\ld approa* to )9 ?irty million miles ( ,e>?--! di/ance :i* ! ,space ,=ce te*nicians _h us$ 9 comput+ 8 return trajectory & 9 e/imat+ ! am\nt ( fuel he w\ld ne$4 ,9 all probability1 ,sonya's return trajectory & fuel-supply _h be5 simil>ly comput$ & e/imat$1 & if s1 %e 0 9 ! same boat he 04 ,if !y 7 kept captive = any l5g? ( "t1 !y might n be able to return to ,e>? = ano!r ye>1 & :ile x 0 conceivable t !y might be able to live (f ! l& aft] _! supplies gave out1 x 0 f> f likely4 ,maybe1 ?\gh1 eat+ w\ldn't be a problem4 ,dead p are z unable to eat z !y are unable to tell tales4 99 99 99 99 99 ,! trees ?9n$ out aga9--on 8 left1 ?is "t--& he saw a b[l-%ap$ valley f> bel[4 ,!re 7 gre5 fields & blue lakes1 & scatt]$ clu/]s ( :ite build+s4 ,villages1 no d\bt4 ,!y w]5't l>ge en\gh to h regi/]$ on 8 viewscope dur+ 8 orbit1 b !y 7 l>ge en\gh to regi/] on 8 ret9a n[4 ,! fa9t trail :i* ! ,v5usians _h be5 foll[+ began zigzagg+ d[n ! side ( ! ridge1 & ! go+ became m difficult4 ,!y kept glanc+ uneasily at ! sky z ?\gh !y mom5t>ily expect$ x to fall d[n ^u !m4 ,gordon c\ld disc]n no cause = _! conc]n2 z f> z he c\ld see1 ! sky 0 ! same hazy p9k x _h be5 ye/]day--b !n1 he 0 n a ,v5usian & consequ5tly knew no?+ ab\t su* matt]s4 ,at ! foot ( ! ridge1 ! procession 0 jo9$ by o!r natives1 indicat+ t a c\ri] _h be5 s5t ahead to h]ald its approa*4 ,all ( ! new-com]s wore metal coll>s1 & all ( !m look$ at ,gordon & ,sonya briefly1 !n quickly glanc$ away4 ,sonya1 ,gordon saw1 turn+ 8 head1 _h awak5$1 & 0 reg>d+ h] surr\nd+s ) eyes t seem$ to h ev5 m h>ebell-blue 9 !m ?an be=e4 ,are y all "r8 he call$ aga94 ,yes1 %e said1 aft] a pause4 ,i am all "r4 ,"o ( ! ne>] villages prov$ to be _! captors' de/9ation1 & aft] pass+ betwe5 sev]al neatly laid-out fields1 ! pr9cipal crop ( :i* appe>$ to be a ,v5usian =m ( sweetcorn1 ! procession />t$ d[n a n>r[ ?or\ghf>e 9 ! direction ( a l>ge circul> /one build+ surm\nt$ by a /eeple-l *imney f :i* smoke arose 9 a t5u\s blue-:ite column4 ,! build+s on ei!r side ( ! /reet 7 pla9 to ! po9t ( bleakness1 ! faades featureless save = oval w9d[s & n>r[ doorways4 ,villag]s 7 ev]y:]e1 & all ( !m1 m5 & wom5 alike1 sport$ metal coll>s4 ,*ildr51 h[ev]1 7 noticeably abs5t1 ?\gh once ,gordon caught sight ( a r\nd1 wide-ey$ face 9 "o ( ! oval w9d[s4 ,he _h to look fa/ to see x1 ?\gh1 because an in/ant lat] a woman appe>$ & yank$ ! *ild back out ( sight4 ,he 0 m bewild]$ ?an ev]4 ,obvi\sly1 judg+ f _! reactions1 ! ,v5usians consid]$ him & ,sonya to be guilty ( "s mann] ( immoral crime2 b ! only crime !y _h committ$ t he c\ld ?9k ( 0 trespass+--& c]ta9ly trespass+ c\ldn't be con/ru$ z immoral4 ,:at 9 ! _w _h !y done !n8 ,! procession _h rea*$ ! l>ge circul> /ructure & 0 fil+ ?r\gh its vault$ entrance4 ,t]rac$ ti]s ( /one b5*es encircl$ a small1 flag/one-pav$ ar5a 9 ! c5t] ( :i* 7 two alt>-l /one blocks1 plac$ ab\t five feet ap>t4 ,j beh9d ! blocks /ood a primitive =ge1 & beside ! =ge /ood an ev5 m primitive anvil4 ,a gold-sk9n$ blacksmi? 0 busily op]at+ a pair ( crude bell[s4 ,gordon & ,sonya 7 plac$ on ! blocks & /rapp$ d[n by means ( lea!r ?ongs4 ,! ti]s ( b5*es fill$ rapidly1 & an air ( expectation rapidly p]meat$ ! smoky atmosph]e4 ,gordon began to sweat--a reaction due p>tly1 b n :olly1 to ! heat ?r[n (f by ! =ge4 ,sonya's face 0 :ite4 ,he tri$ to ?9k ( some?+ reassur+ to say to h]1 b = ! life ( him he c\ldn't4 ,q by accid5t1 8 eyes met h]s1 & to 8 con/]nation h] *eeks *ang$ f :ite to p9k1 & %e turn$ abruptly away4 99 99 99 99 99 ,! audi5ce began to *ant1 & pres5tly a man ( noble mi5 appe>$1 be>+ two /rips ( copp]-l metal4 ,he h&$ !m to ! blacksmi? & !n /epp$ back & took up a position equidi/ant f ea* block1 aft] :i* he proce$$ to look /]nly d[n fir/ into ,gordon's face & !n into ,sonya's4 ,gordon c\ldn't see :at ! blacksmi? 0 do+ 9 ! meantime1 b judg+ f ! s\nds ! man 0 mak+1 he 0 busily occupi$4 ,bell[s :eez$ & coals crackl$1 & metal clang$ on metal z ?\gh a ,v5usian t>nhelm 0 9 ! works4 ,gordon knew p]fectly well1 h[ev]1 t "o wasn't & he wasn't p>ticul>ly surpris$ :51 a little :ile lat]1 a wat]-soak$ clo? 0 wrapp$ ar\nd 8 neck & 0 foll[$ by "o ( ! two metal /rips4 ,/eam rose f ! wet clo? z ! blacksmi? held ! two ends ( ! /rip toge!r until !y fus$1 & ev5 m /eam arose :5 he temp]$ ! resultant seam ) a conta9] ( wat]4 ,! job complet$ to 8 satisfaction1 he remov$ ! clo? & let ! /ill-w>m coll> settle aga9/ ,gordon's neck4 ,! o!r /rip 0 simil>ly fus$ ar\nd ,sonya's neck1 aft] :i* ! man ( noble me9 w5t into action4 ,rais+ 8 h& 9 a signal = ! audi5ce to cease its *ant+1 he laun*$ a long sonor\s spee*1 "p ( :i* he direct$ at ,gordon & "p ( :i* he direct$ at ,sonya4 ,aft] a r++ p]oration1 dur+ :i* he seem$ to ?reat5 ea* ( !m1 he produc$ a p9* ( :ite p[d] & spr9kl$ "s ( x ov] ea* ( _! heads4 ,f9ally he drew a long d\ble-edge knife4 ,well ?is is x1 ,gordon ?\ght4 ,b x wasn't4 ,! man ( noble me9 m]ely us$ ! knife to cut _! bonds2 !n1 aft] unty+ ! ?ongs t secur$ !m to ! /one blocks1 he rais$ bo? arms 9 a ge/ure = !m to /& up4 ,gordon massag$ 8 legs be=e putt+ 8 weight on !m1 & ,sonya foll[$ ! same precaution4 ,he c\ld h>dly believe t !y 7 /ill alive1 b seem+ly !y 74 ,& heal?y too--if ! p9kness ( ,soyna's *eeks 0 an accurate crit]ion4 ,! man ( noble me9 nodd$ 8 noble head 9 ! direction ( ! entrance1 & !y accompani$ him outside4 ,gordon did a d\bletake :5 !y /epp$ into ! /reet4 ,x 0 /rewn ) fre%ly pick$ fl[]s ( e hue & description & l9$ by little *ildr5 wav+ gre5 twigs t resembl$ olive bran*es4 ,he came to a />+ /op4 ,won't someone please tell me :at's com+ (f8 he said4 ,sonya /opp$ beside him4 ,don't y really "k8 %e ask$1 h] eyes fix$ on a fl[] at h] feet t 0 almo/ z r$ z h] face _h become4 ,i "k we're ! focal po9t ( "s k9d ( c]emony--b :at k9d ( a c]emony is x8 ,sl[ly ,sonya rais$ h] eyes4 ,x's a w$d+ c]emony1 %e said4 ,!y--!y m>ri$ u4 99 99 99 99 99 ,! fl[]-c>pet /ret*$ all ! way to ! outskirts ( ! village1 & s did ! two l9es ( little *ildr54 ,gordon /umbl$ along at ,sonya's side1 hopeful t he w\ld wake up any second 9 ! ba*elor's b>racks at ,new ,canav]al4 ,b ! /reet /ubbornly refus$ to dissipate1 & s did ! little *ildr5 & ! man ( noble me94 ,z = ,sonya1 mu* less ?an dissipat+1 %e took on add$ detail1 & ! metal coll> ar\nd h] neck seem$ to ?r[ (f flame aft] lamb5t flame1 & ea* "o 0 bright] ?an its pr$ecessor4 ,! man ( noble me9 escort$ !m outside ! village1 !n turn$ 8 back on !m z ?\gh !y no long] exi/$ & return$ ! way he _h come4 ,aft] 8 passage1 ! little *ildr5 broke ranks & began play+ 9 ! fl[]s4 ,gordon fac$ ,sonya4 ,n[ maybe y'll tell me :y !y m>ri$ u1 he said4 ,i w tell y on ! way back to our %ips4 ,%e did n speak aga9 till !y rea*$ ! top ( ! ridge4 ,!n1 aft] %e got h] brea? back1 %e said4 ,!y m>ri$ u because1 und]nea? _! demigod ext]iors1 !y are no?+ m ?an bronze-age puritans4 ,ye/]day1 :5 ! man & woman saw u /&+ toge!r by ! brook1 !y 7 bewild]$ because nei!r ( u 0 we>+ :at to !m is a univ]sal symbol ( m>riage--a metal coll>--& :5 y t\*$ me !y 7 %ock$4 ,y see1 9 _! society1 no man & woman c be alone toge!r unless !y are m>ri$1 & x is un?9kable = a man to t\* a woman unless %e is 8 wife1 or "s imm$iate memb] ( 8 family4 ,we c\ld h be5 bro!r & si/]1 ,gordon po9t$ out4 ,d ,i look l y\r si/]8 ,he _h to admit t %e didn't4 ,anyway1 ,sonya w5t on1 _! trail+ u to diff]5t h\ses mu/ h conv9c$ !m & ! re/ ( _! p>ty t we are n4 ,9 ! eyes ( ! ,v5usians1 y see1 our space%ips are j t4 ,h\ses4 ,odd "o1 p]haps1 by _! ar*itectural /&>ds1 b h\ses j ! same4 ,h[ else c\ld a simple bronze-age culture int]pret !m8 99 99 99 99 99 ,gordon duck$ b5ea? a blossom-lad5 b\gh4 ,h[ did y "k !y're puritans8 ,i didn't--at fir/4 ,i m]ely assum$1 f _! reactions to u1 t !y mu/ be4 ,& !n ,i got to ?9k+ ab\t h[ nei!r ! sun nor ! moon c be se5 ?r\gh ! cl\d-cov]1 & x occurr$ to me t _! concept ( "o god mu/ h come mu* e>li] 9 _! civilization ?an w\ld h be5 ! case on e>?1 ow+ to ! fact t !re c\ld h be5 no int]m$iate phase ( sun- or moon-wor%ip4 ,p]haps1 some:]e along ! l9e1 !y _h a ,*ri/ ^: tea*+s !y mis9t]pret$1 & no d\bt !y h a v]sion ( ,g5esis simil> to ! ,judaeo-,*ri/ian "o--except t 9 !irs1 ! problem ( creat+ ! sun & ! moon & ! />s nev] arose4 ,anyway1 n[ t !y h m>ri$ u1 !y are no long] int]e/$ 9 u4 ,all t conc]n$ !m 0 our moral welf>e4444 ,x seems to be gr[+ d>k4 ,x c't be1 ,gordon said4 ,x's only a little pa/ noon4 ,:i* rem9ds me--,i skipp$ breakfa/1 & supp] too4 ,he pull$ two conc5trat$ food biscuits out ( 8 fatigue-all pockets4 ,i sugge/ t we /op = lun*4 ,!y sat d[n side by side b5ea? a tree ) blue blossoms %ap$ l ,dut*man's-bree*es hang+ f its b\ghs4 ,!y 7 halfway d[n ! opposite slope ( ! ridge n[1 b ,sonya's %ip 0 /ill _m h\rs away1 & 8 0 an h\r f>!r yet4 ,!y ate sil5tly = a :ile4 ,!n1 ,!re is "o ?+ t puzzles me1 ,sonya said4 ,yes8 ,:y did !y m>ry u s soon8 ,:y 0 !re su* a ne$ = ha/e8 ,y made x cle> en\gh4 ,!y mis9t]pret$ our behavior & 7 %ock$ out ( _! self-righte\s puritanical sk9s4 ,%e %ook h] head4 ,%ock$1 yes--b n en\gh to h ru%$ u ?r\gh a c]emony t "u ord9>y circum/ances w\ld h requir$ days ( prep>ation4 ,!re mu/ h be5 ano!r reason4 ,sudd5ly %e glanc$ up ?r\gh ! foliage at ! sky4 ,x is gr[+ d>k4 ,!re 0 no long] any d5y+ ! fact4 ,! roseate radiance ( ! y\?ful aft]noon _h transmut$ to a sort ( gray murk2 moreov]1 ! air _h gr[n appreciably cold]4 ,gordon /ood up4 ,i ?9k we'd bett] be on our way1 he said4 ,x's go+ to ra94 99 99 99 99 99 ,a good ?ree h\rs pass$1 h[ev]1 be=e he felt ! fir/ drop4 ,he & ,sonya 7 9 ! hills n[1 & ! ridge 0 f> beh9d !m4 ,! ra9 0 g5tle1 b x 0 p]si/5t too1 & bo? ( !m 7 soak$ be=e ano!r h\r _h gone by4 ,we w g to my %ip1 ,sonya said1 bru%+ back a ra9-wet /r& ( horse-*e/nut color$ hair f h] =ehead4 ,x is mu* clos] ?an y\rs4 ,someh[ h] (f]+ him %elt] 9 a ,soviet %ip did n /rike him z be+ 9 ! lea/ incongru\s4 ,& :51 a mom5t lat]1 he slipp$ 8 arm ar\nd h] wai/1 t didn't seem incongru\s ei!r4 ,& :5 %e p]mitt$ x to rema9 !re1 ev5 t didn't seem incongru\s4 ,= "s crazy mix$-up reason life seem$ s+ul>ly devoid ( incongruities all ( a sudd54 ,& amaz+ly =?right & simple4 ,! ra9 0 extremely p5etrat+--s p5etrat+1 9 fact1 t x p5etrat$ 8 sk9 z well z 8 clo?+4 ,& x _h a curi\s lull+ effect4 ,no1 t wasn't ! ^w4 ,a curi\s soporific effect4 ,no1 t wasn't ! ^w1 ei!r4 ,well :at ^w 0 x1 !n8 ,he c\ldn't call x to m9d till aft] !y rea*$ ,sonya's %ip & 7 /&+ at ! base ( ! ,jacob's ladd]4 ,by !n x 0 too late4 ,by !n he 0 gaz+ s(tly d[n into h] eyes & %e 0 gaz+ s(tly up into 81 & ! _w 0 well on its way t[>d be+ well lo/4 ,he tri$ to =ce himself to /ep back & reg>d ! situation ) ! cold & objective eye ( a sci5ti/1 to evaluate ?is /range & wondr\s quality t fell 9 ! =m ( ra9 & to tie x 9 ) ! ,v5usians' motivation 9 m>ry+ him & ,sonya po/ha/e4 ,9 va94 ,all he c\ld ?9k ( 0 ! tune %e _h be5 humm+ by ! brook & ! hole he _h se5 9 "o ( h] *eap cotton /ock+s4 ,& !n %e 0 9 8 arms & he 0 kiss+ h] ra9-wet lips1 & ,wa%+ton & ,mosc[ 7 =gott5 place-names on a map t _h no m mean+ ?an ! pap] x 0 pr9t$ on4 ,! ra9 cont9u$ to fall4 ,s(tly2 g5tly4 ,insi/5tly4 ,x sang s(t songs 9 ! leaves4 ,x murmur$2 x :isp]$4 ,x laugh$4 99 99 99 99 99 ,x did n cease till morn+4 ,aft] />t+ back to 8 %ip1 ,gordon m5tally rehe>s$ ! report :i* he & ,sonya _h agre$ to s5d to _! respective headqu>t]s4 ,x describ$ briefly h[ !y _h be5 captur$ & releas$1 b discreetly made no ref]5ce ei!r to ! w$d+ c]emony or to ! ra94 ,!y _h unanim\sly agre$ t ! situation 0 complicat$ en\gh )\t complicat+ x fur!r4 ,he _h gone less ?an half a mile :5 8 coll> began to press aga9/ 8 ?roat4 ,!reaft] ! pressure increas$ ) e /ep he took1 till f9ally he came to a semi-/rangl$ /op4 ,x 0 z ?\gh he _h rea*$ ! end ( an invisible lea%4 ,! pressure less5$ aft] he back$ up a few paces1 w5t away altoge!r aft] he back$ up a doz5 m4 ,!re 0 only "o explanation4 ,! metal f :i* 8 & ,sonya's coll>s--z well z ^? ( ! ,v5usians--_h be5 =g$1 possess$ magnetic prop]ties unkn[n to t]re/rial metals1 & ! attraction betwe5 objects fa%ion$ f x grew progressively /rong] z ! squ>e ( ! di/ance betwe5 !m increas$4 ,ei!r ! ,v5usians _h discipl9$ ?is attraction s t x 0 limit$ to objects fa%ion$ f ! same /ock1 or ! ore f :i* ! metal 0 process$ 0 naturally subdivid$ into small magnetically indep5d5t ve9s4 ,gordon did n "k :i* 0 ! case1 b !re 0 "o ?+ he did "k2 :5 ! ,v5usians m>ri$ y1 !y meant bus9ess4 ,he began retrac+ 8 /eps back to ,sonya's %ip4 ,halfway !re1 he saw h] runn+ t[>d him4 ,h] :ite face told him t h] coll> _h be5 giv+ h] a h>d "t too1 & t %e _h arriv$ at a conclusion simil> to 8 own4 ,gordon1 :at are we go+ to d8 %e gasp$ :5 %e came up to him4 ,we'll get !m (f someway1 he reassur$ h]4 ,come on--,i've got ! necess>y tools 9 my %ip4 ,he tri$ all morn+ be=e he gave up4 ,! coll>s 7 imp]vi\s to 8 be/ %e>s1 & 8 h>de/ file fail$ to scrat* _! surface4 ,us+ 8 acetyl5e tor* 0 out ( ! "q4 99 99 99 99 99 ,he sat disconsolately d[n on ! gr\nd sev]al feet f "o ( ! l&+ jacks4 ,sonya sat d[n beside him4 ,we won't be able to g back at all n[1 %e said4 ,nei!r y\r %ip nor m9e c c>ry u bo?1 & !re's no way we c occupy m ?an "o ( !m at a "t4 ,gordon sigh$4 ,i suppose we c\ld radio = help1 he said pres5tly4 ,b if we did we'd h to tell !m ev]y?+ t happ5$4 ,i'm afraid !y'd be sort ( skeptical ab\t ! ra94 ,( c\rse1 we c\ld leave t "p out--b ,i'm afraid !y'd be skeptical ab\t ! coll>s too4 ,9 fact1 ,i don't ?9k !y'd ev5 believe u4 ,!y'd simply jump to ! conclusion t we've fal--t we don't want to return & w\ld ord] u back on ! d\ble ! m9ute maximum juxtaposition occurr$4 ,no1 if we radio = help1 we've got to h a good concrete reason = do+ s--"o t !y'll be able to und]/& & believe4 ,sonya manag$ a wan smile4 ,i--,i c j see myself /&+ be=e ! ,c\ncil ( ,m9i/]s1 blam+ :at happ5$ on ! ra91 %e said4 ,gordon laugh$1 ,& ,i c j see myself /&+ be=e a congressional inve/igat+ committee1 expla9+ ab\t ! coll>s4 ,he began to feel bett]4 ,a situation t c\ld l5d itself to humor c\ld n be :olly hopeless4 ,"h's :at we'll d = n[1 he w5t on4 ,we'll radio back ! report we agre$ ^u1 & !n we'll g on ) our "w z ?\gh no?+ is wrong4 ,sometimes problems solve !mselves2 b j 9 case ?is "o %\ldn't1 & we c't g back1 we'll build a cab9 s we'll h "s place to live4 ,sonya's eyes sp>k$ l a little girl's4 ,let's build x by t little brook1 %e said4 ,:]e--:]e we fir/ met4 ,f9e1 ,gordon said4 99 99 99 99 99 ,dur+ ! ensu+ weeks1 !y sp5t _! morn+s ga!r+ data & _! aft]noons work+ on ! cab94 ,!y took "t out to analyze a sample ( ra9 wat]1 b x ev9c$ no unusual qualities4 ,gordon 0 n surpris$4 ,%ortly aft] l&+1 he _h te/$ a sample ( ,v5usian wat] = dr9k+ purposes1 & ) ! same result4 ,cle>ly1 ! quality t _h und]m9$ _! inhibitions orig9at$ 9 ! cl\d-cov]1 & evaporat$ soon aft] x rea*$ ! gr\nd4 ,aft] ! cab9 0 f9i%$1 !y began go+ on aft]noon-hikes into ! hills1 tramp+ ?r\gh idyllic woods1 talk+ & laugh+1 exclaim+ n[ & !n at unexpect$ patt]ns ( fl[]s1 />t+ at sudd5 ra9b[-flights ( birds4 ,!y saw b few ,v5usians1 & ! few !y did see ignor$ !m4 ,"o aft]noon !y f\nd a f]n-bord]$ pool b5ea? a :ite-skirt$ wat]fall1 & aft] t !y came !re e day to swim4 ,sonya's sk9 d>k5$ to a deep gold1 & look+ at h]1 ,gordon sometimes f\nd x h>d to brea!4 ,e s (t5 ! sky d>k5$1 & ra9 fell2 b ! ra9 0 sup]flu\s n[4 ,& z = ! invisible magnetic *a9 t b\nd !m toge!r1 t _h be5 supplant$ by ano!r invisible *a9 t 0 t5 times z /rong4 ,& yet ! orig9al "o /ill rema9$1 & ! problem x repres5t$ grew m & m acute z _! s*$ul$ dep>ture-times approa*$4 ,!y desp]ately ne$$ a good practical reason to give _! respective gov]nm5ts = n return+ to ,e>?--& q provid5tially at ! v la/ mom5t 7?\gh x seem$ any?+ b provid5tial at ! "t7 !y discov]$ t !y _h "o4 ,or r1 ,sonya did4 ,on ! morn+ ( ! day %e 0 s*$ul$ to und]go ! rigors ( accel]ation1 %e reg>d$ ,gordon %yly across ! little breakfa/ table he _h built4 ,i--,i am go+ to h a baby1 %e said4 99 99 99 99 99 ,! news1 :5 x arriv$ 9 ,mosc[1 _h some?+ ( ! impact ( a hydrog5 bomb1 & :5 x leak$ ?r\gh a hi!rto unsuspect$ crevice 9 ! ,kreml91 !re 0 a sort ( *a9-reaction ?r\gh\t ! entire ,soviet ,union4 ,x 0 at ?is po9t 9 8 political c>e] t ! ,soviet premi] discov]$ a univ]sal tru?3 p ! _w ov]1 :e!r !y be communi/ic or capitali/ic1 h a v l>ge s(t spot 9 _! he>ts :5 x comes to babies4 ,t spr+1 ,v5us out%one h]self1 & hung 9 ! ev5+ sky ov] ,mosc[ some:at 9 ! mann] ( ! /> ov] ,be?lehem4 ,! premi] _h a haunt$ look on 8 face :5 he appe>$ be=e ! ,c\ncil ( ,m9i/]s4 ,he 0 n alone4 ,! ,m9i/]s _h haunt$ looks on _! faces too4 ,:at did y d :5 y _h to cope ) a =?com+ space baby :o w\ld be half capitali/ & half communi/ & :o 0 already ador$ by ! :ole _w8 ,! premi] did n "k4 ,b !re 0 "o ?+ he did "k3 9 ! la/ analysis1 any p>ty is ! p1 & :ile y c con ! p into believ+ t black bread is :ite bread & t c>away se$s are cavi>1 y _c con !m into believ+ t a *ild conceiv$ on ! ,planet ( ,love by a ,russian girl & an ,am]ican boy is any?+ o!r ?an a h>b+] ( peace4 ,s 9 ! long run1 :at ! premi] did 0 ! only ?+ he c\ld h done4 ,he arrang$ a summit meet+ ) ! presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates & ! prime m9i/] ( ,great ,brita91 & = ! fir/ "t 9 hi/ory1 ! ,ea/ & ! ,we/ really got toge!r4 ,! ?reat ( w> c\ld n1 ( c\rse1 be totally elim9at$ at su* %ort notice2 b a numb] ( aggravations t c\ld precipitate a w> c\ld be elim9at$--& 74 ,?is accompli%$1 ! ?ree lead]s drew up plans = a sup] ?ree-man space%ip to be built po/ha/e by ! be/ eng9e]s ! ?ree nations c\ld supply1 & unanim\sly agre$ t ! pilot w\ld be ,engli%1 ! ob/etrician1 ,russian1 & ! nurse1 ,am]ican4 ,x has be5 said t aft] ! meet+ ! ,soviet premi] & ! presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates got toge!r & began ?9k+ up names4 ,?is is extremely d\btful4 ,anyway1 if !y did1 !y 7 wa/+ _! "t1 = ,sonya ,mikhailovna & ,gordon ,&rews _h already tak5 c>e ( ! matt]4 ,! "n !y *ose is well-kn[n today--except1 p]haps1 by ^? = :om ?is hi/ory has be5 record$4 ,:i* br+s u back to ! a=em5tion$ news bullet94 ,9 common ) mo/ news bullet9s1 x has ab\t z mu* poetry 9 x z an old %oe1 b its message %9es =? ) a radiance t excels ev5 ! radiance ca/ by ! /> ov] ,mosc[4 ,g5eva1 ,switz]l&1 ,septemb] #aa1 #aiif--,! "y ,russo-,am]ican ambassador-at-l>ge1 ,ptr ,gordonovit* ,&rews1 ann\nc$ ?is morn+ t 8 peace plan has be5 accept$ by all major & m9or p[]s1 & t ! w> t has ?reat5$ mank9d = ! pa/ half c5tury c no long] occur4 ,,! ,,end