Morquil's Story
: Wanted 7 Fearless EngineersFor a long time there was silence, then Mrs. Jones fainted. McCarthy
took it without flinching, and his wife was satisfied if he was. Dick
had suspected something almost as strange, and did not seem surprised.
Dolores looked at him for guidance. He nodded reassuringly. The others
shut their lips tight, feeling that they had been taken prisoner without
hope of escape.
After a pause, Morquil continued. Mrs.
and was staring at him with undisguised dislike. "I'm sorry it had to
happen this way, but I would not have been able to take sufficient
people if you had known where we were going. Some of you might have
come, but I treated every one alike.
"I also was unconscious from the gas, but the crew revived me. I had to
look after the loading of the supplies, and have the cabins prepared for
you. It was much nicer that way than if you had resisted, and were put
on board by force.
"I shall start at the beginning of my story, and let you judge for
yourselves as to whether we have done wrong.
"The existence of my world depends on the perfect operation of machines.
Even our atmosphere is manufactured and kept at proper temperature
within sealed domes, to protect us from the natural gases of the planet.
We live on this planet through necessity--not desire!
"Our race landed there very long ago after escaping from a planet that
was falling into the sun. Their space ship ran short of fuel within the
gravity pull of our present habitation. It was difficult, but they
succeeded in constructing gas-proof shelters, and slowly improved
conditions for living.
"We never knew what happened to the other space ships from our original
planet, but they may be distributed throughout the universe. Your own
ancestors may be of the same origin as ours. The similarity of our forms
tends to prove it.
"Eventually metal domes were built, and the race prospered within. But
our lives depend on their being kept in perfect repair. Machines were
built which do practically all of the work in caring for our wants, and
from the first we have adjusted our own gravity; to live normally under
the gigantic pull of the new planet, which to you is Jupiter.
"Through the ages our lives became easier, and required less manual
work. Machinery did everything we desired. Most of them were
automatically repaired and serviced, while the permanent machines ran on
through the ages without care. As generation after generation lived and
died, under these conditions, we lost most of our former knowledge.
"When one of the atmospheric machines ceased to operate--we could not
repair it! Instead, one of the other machines had to be speeded up, and
the atmosphere pumped into the extra dome.
"At the height of our mechanical development this space ship was built.
Then the race lost interest and were content to live in ease, without
attempting to reach another planet. Three generations ago our people
discovered the danger. Even our bodies had deteriorated until we could
not stand hard work. The machines had begun to break down--we were
headed for extinction!
"When I was a young man they succeeded in finishing the equipment on
this ship. Three generations had been required to create enough fuel for
only two voyages!
"I was selected as the man to explore the strange world, which we had
been studying with the instruments of our ancestors. We had determined
your exact mechanical development, and knew that you were capable of
furnishing the engineers which meant life or death to our race.
"It is twenty years since I was left on the small island, and the ship
returned to Jupiter. At that time we decided the date for this trip, to
bring me back. In the meantime I traveled half way around the world in a
small metal boat, before being picked up by a tramp steamer, as I dared
not land near any civilized country. After I reached a settlement I had
to learn your customs and language, and many other things about a
completely alien people.
"I was furnished with an ample supply of gold, as we knew it was the
metal that you valued highest. This purchased many things that would
otherwise have been impossible to obtain, and also brought me a great
deal of trouble. I was robbed of most of the wealth before I had been in
civilization a year. The fact that a great deal was left on the small
island is all that made my venture possible.
* * * * *
"I spent three years in an institution before they decided that I was a
normal human being, and could take care of myself. I dared not tell them
that I came from a different planet, or I would have failed in every
way. I learned many things about the people of your world, but mainly
that gold could buy almost anything.
"I lived for several years, by working at anything that I could obtain,
trying to find someone who would finance an expedition to the island. No
one would believe me when I said that I knew of a great fortune in gold.
I finally found a man who did believe me, and he received one half of
the gold as reward. It was not until then that I could begin the work
that I started out to do, and nearly ten years had passed.
"I planned for several years before I dared try to obtain the people I
needed. I studied everything I could about your engineering, and found
that it was not of the same type as our own. For this reason I did not
want a graduate engineer, as he would have to learn everything all over
again in my cities.
"When I advertised for men, and told you of the wonderful mechanical
development, it was the truth. I did mislead you to a small extent, in
obtaining your promise to come with me, but the existence of my race
depended on your work. My people will give you anything you desire if
you will help them.
"When we left our cities, we didn't know whether we could even escape
from the planet in this ship. There was no opportunity of testing it,
until we started on the journey. Even the men at the controls had never
handled it. All of their knowledge was obtained by years of practice,
sitting in a stationary ship.
"When they left me on the island and returned to the planet, they
hoped I could accomplish my purpose, but the chance of success was
pitifully small.
"I have never enjoyed the comforts of other members of my race, but have
spent my life in an alien universe, carrying around my big head; without
friends or companionship. The gravity within our enclosed cities is
lower than on your planet, making it easy for us to walk.
"After several years of study and planning, I knew there was only one
way of accomplishing what I went after. It is the way I have done it. No
one would have believed that I came from a strange planet; they would
have thought me out of my mind. If I had persuaded them, I could have
found no recruits for the work, no matter what I offered. I know how
anyone feels about leaving their own planet, where they were born and
brought up.
"You will find that the machines need work badly. Some of them are
running only because we use several times the normal power to turn them.
Our mining machines have not worked for more than a generation, and the
mines remain idle. The metal supply is running short.
"The equipment which overcomes gravity, also furnishes us with power.
When weights are lifted, with gravity almost eliminated, then allowed to
sink with the full pull of Jupiter, it creates enormous amounts of
energy for every use.
"It will be months before we reach our cities, and I hope that by that
time you will feel satisfied with your forced migration. To my race, it
was the only course which would avoid annihilation within a few
generations.
"At first it will seem terrible to be shut in beneath a metal cover. But
when you become accustomed to it, that feeling disappears. You depend
just as much on a ship at sea or a plane in the air, but never think of
it in the same way. We must trust you, as we will not know whether you
are repairing or destroying our machines until we see the results.
"You will be given complete power and can draw upon my people for all of
the help you need. You will be even more powerful than the rulers of the
domes. My people decided that you deserved this position, long before we
attempted to reach the earth and bring you back.
"I came to your country because the mechanical development is greater
than in any other nation. You have greater love for engineering, and
more of you are employed that way.
"I have told you everything about my home and my people, and leave it up
to you as to the way you will act. We have only done what was necessary
for the survival of our race, and hope that you will forgive us for
stealing you from your own planet.
"You have complete freedom of the ship, to come and go as you please at
any time. You are now considered part of our own population, and we both
have the same interests. We hope you enjoy it."
* * * * *
For a moment Morquil gazed into the faces of the small gathering of
people, then slowly walked from the room. There was complete silence,
broken occasionally by a sigh as some thought of home exerted itself. An
hour passed and they still had not moved. Each seemed to be waiting for
one of the others to break the silence.
Finally Dick got to his feet. His words came slow, as if carefully
weighed before using; the others listened intently.
"I know what each of you must be thinking; because I've been thinking
the same thoughts. We are all in the same boat, without chance of
leaving--headed for Jupiter! We have seen the last of the world where
we were born. Either we take up our lives in this new existence, or die
out here in space--destroying Morquil's race as well as ourselves.
"He says they can not survive without our aid. Our own world did not
need us, or give us much for our efforts. If it had we would not be on
this strange space ship. Morquil hired only people who were willing to
leave their homes and friends--and we applied for the work. There
really is not much that we can complain about.
"For one, I intend to do all that I can to make our future home the
greatest civilization in the universe. Perhaps in the future years it
will be possible for us to pay a short visit to our former planet.
Perhaps our children will follow in our footsteps; enjoying greater
honor, comfort, and luxury than they could possibly have had in our own
world. I received little from my fellow men, and have already received
more from Morquil than I ever had before."
As Dick sat down, John McCarthy's voice boomed out. "I'll follow Dick!
He's the boss of this party, and if he's satisfied, I am. Boy! We sure
do go places when we get started!"
The general laugh broke the tension, and each one spoke after a little
hesitation. Each man slowly grasped the gigantic task that was facing
them, and felt honored as a result.
It was a new world, farther advanced than their former habitation--which
needed them to care for it. It was a big bite to chew--but they would
do it!
Dick remained in his chair long after the others had gone to their
cabins. His mind dwelled on the complete happiness and satisfaction that
lighted Morquil's face, when informed of their decision. In that moment
he was repaid for a lifetime in a strange world, amongst alien people.
His return to Jupiter would be triumphal, with the earth people as his
friends; come to save his race from extinction!
Barrow's mind wandered on, to the gigantic task that faced them. His
would be the greatest responsibility, as head of all the domes. The
other men would have a single city to care for. The thought of McCarthy
as his assistant was comforting; he would be a great help.
The strange race of beings were putting every trust in the
earthmen--putting themselves at the mercy of the seven strangers--and
Dick knew the men would earn that faith!
He jumped when a hand touched his shoulder.
"Dick, won't you take your wife to her room--she feels sleepy!"
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