Padgett - The Fairy Chessman

a division of F+W Media, Inc.

THE DOORKNOB opened a blue eye and looked at him. Cameron stopped moving. He didnt touch the knob. He pulled back his hand and stood motionless, watching.

Then, when nothing happened, he stepped to one side. The black pupil of the eye swiveled in that direction. It watched him.

Deliberately he turned his back and walked slowly toward a window valve. The circular pane lightened to transparency as he approached. In a moment he stood before it, two fingers checking his pulse beat, while he automatically counted his respiration.

The window showed a green, rolling countryside, checkered with the shadows of drifting clouds. Golden sunlight brightened the spring flowers on the slopes. A helicopter moved silently across the blue sky.

The big, gray-haired man finished checking his pulse and waited, not wanting to turn around just yet. He stared at the peaceful landscape. Then, with a faint sound of impatience, he touched a stud. The pane swung aside into the wall.

Beyond the gap was red darkness, and the sound of thunder.

Shapes swam out of the gloom of the underground city, immense, blocky colossi of stone and metal. Somewhere a deep, rhythmic breathing made a distant roar; a mechanical rales rasped in the titan pumps beat. Static lightnings flickered occasionally, their duration too brief to show much of Low Chicago.

Cameron leaned forward, tilting his head back. Far above he could see only a deepening of the shadow, except when the necklaces of pallid lightning raced across the stone sky. And below was nothing but a pit of blackness.

Still, this was reality. The solid, sensible machines in the cavern made a sound foundation to logic, the logic on which the world was built today. A little heartened, Cameron drew back and closed the pane. Again blue skies and green hills were apparently outside the window.

He turned. The doorknob was a doorknob, nothing more. It was plain, solid metal.

He rounded the desk and walked quickly forward. His hand reached out and closed firmly on the metal.

His fingers sank into it. It was half-solid jelly.

Robert Cameron, Civilian Director of Psychometrics, went back to his desk and sat down. He pulled a bottle from his desk and poured himself a shot. His gaze wasnt steady. It kept shifting around the desk, never settling steadily on any one object. Presently he pushed a button.

Ben DuBrose, Camerons confidential secretary, came in, a short, heavy-set man of thirty, with pugnacious blue eyes and untidy taffy-colored hair. He seemed to have no trouble with the doorknob. Cameron didnt meet the gaze of those blue eyes.

He said sharply, I just noticed my televisors off. Did you do that?

DuBrose grinned. Why, chief it doesnt matter, does it? All the incoming calls come through my board anyway.

Not all of them, Cameron said. Not the ones from GHQ. Youre getting too smart. Wheres Seth?

I dont know, DuBrose said, frowning faintly. Wish I did. He

Shut up. Cameron had turned the visor to Receive. A hysterical buzzing sounded. The director looked up accusingly. DuBrose noticed the lines of tension about the older mans eyes, and cold, frantic panic struck into his stomach. He wondered if he could smash the visor but that wouldnt help now. Where was Seth?

Scrambler, a voice said.

Scrambler on, Cameron grunted. His strong, big-knuckled hands moved lightly over switches. A face checkered in on the screen.

The Secretary of War said, Cameron? Whats wrong with that office of yours? Ive been trying to locate you

Well, now youve got me. Since youre using this call number, it must be important. Whats up?

I cant tell you over the visor. Not even through the scrambler. Perhaps I made a mistake in explaining as much as I did to your man DuBrose. Is he trustworthy?

Cameron met DuBroses blank stare. Yes, he said, slowly. Yes, DuBrose is all right. Well?

Ill have a man pick you up in half an hour. Theres something I want you to see. Usual precautions. This is priority emergency. All right?

Ill be ready, Kalender, the director said, and broke the contact. He laid his hands flat on the desk and watched them.

All right, have me court-martialed, DuBrose said.

When did Kalender drop in?

This morning. Look, chief Ive got a reason. A good one. I tried to explain it to Kalender, but hes a brass hat. I didnt have enough stars on my shoulder to impress him.

What did he tell you?

Something I dont think you should know yet. Seth would back me up on that, too. Youd trust him. And look, I passed my psych tests with honors or I wouldnt be here with you. Theres a psychological problem here and the factors indicate that you shouldnt know the set-up until

Until what?

DuBrose bit a thumbnail. Anyway till I check with Seth. Its important that you shouldnt get mixed up in this affair right now. The whole things paradoxical. I maybe all wrong, but if Im right you dont know how right that is!

Cameron said, So you think Kalenders making a mistake in approaching me directly. Why?

Thats exactly what I dont want to tell you. Because if I did, it would screw things up.

Cameron sighed and rubbed his forehead. Forget it, he said, his voice tired. Im the guy in charge of this department, Ben. Its my responsibility. He stopped and looked sharply at DuBrose. That word must have a plenty high emotional index to you.

What word? Dubrose said flatly.

Responsibility. You reacted plenty.

A flea bit me.

So. Well, its the truth. If theres a priority emergency in psych, its my business to know about it. The war wont stop while I take a recess.

DuBrose picked up the bottle and shook it.

Buy yourself one, Cameron said, shoving the cup forward. The secretary poured out amber fluid. He managed to drop the pill into the whiskey without attracting Camerons attention.

But he didnt drink. He lifted the cup, sniffed, and set it down again. Too early for me, I guess. I do my best drinking at night. Do you know where I can reach Seth?

Oh, shut up, Cameron said. He sat staring at the cup without seeing it. DuBrose went to the window and looked at the projected landscape there.

Looks like rain.

Not under here, Cameron said. Nohow.

On the surface, however look. Let me go along, anyhow.

No.

Why not?

Because you make me sick, Cameron said tersely. DuBrose shrugged and went out. As he reached for the doorknob he felt the directors eyes upon him, but he didnt turn.

He went quickly to the communications board, ignoring the receptive smile of the girl who sat before the flickering panel.

Get hold of Seth Pell, DuBrose said, curiously conscious of the tone of flat hopelessness in his voice. Try everywhere. Keep trying.

Important?

Yeah plenty!

General broadcast?

I no, DuBrose said. He ruffled his yellow hair distractedly. I cant. No authorization. Youd think those pot-heads in charge would allow for

The chief would O.K. it.

Thats what you think. No dice, Sally. Just try your best, thats all. I may be going out, but Ill call back. Find out where I can reach Seth, anyhow.

Something must be up, Sally hinted. DuBrose gave her a thin, crooked smile and turned away. Praying silently, he went back to Camerons office.

The director had the window open and was staring out at the red-lit darkness. DuBrose slanted a quick glance at the desk. The cup was empty of whiskey, and an uncontrollable tremor of relief shook him. Though even now