Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from Fantastic Universe Aug-Sept 1953. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
the instant of now
by ... Irving E. Cox, Jr.
Revolution is not necessarily a noble thing. Unless shrewdlydirected, its best elements may fall victim to its basestimpulses.
Eddie Dirrul had destroyed the message seconds after reading it. Yet,as he left the pneumotube from the University, he felt as if it wereburning a hole in his pocket. It had come to him from Paul Sorgel, thenew top-agent from the Planet Vinin. It had been written in HighVininese.
For a moment the alien language had slowed Eddie's reaction to itscontents, as had the shocking nature of its words. It had read—
Need your help. Glenna and Hurd in brush with SecretPolice—both hurt. Come at once.
Luckily old Dr. Kramer had asked no awkward questions when Eddieexcused himself from the balance of the lecture. If the kindlybumbling professor had been inquisitive, Eddie had no idea how hewould have answered. Glenna was his fiancée, Hurd his best friend—andtheir disaster meant disaster for the underground movement that hadbecome the guiding purpose of his entire life.
The night was still young when he emerged from the pneumotube and theslanting ramp-lines of windows in the massive unit-blocks of theWorkers' Suburb rose about him within the darkness of the structuralframes that encased them.
Parks, recreation centers and gaudy amusement halls were aswirl withthe usual evening crowds. With a sort of angry heedlessness Eddieforced his way among tall perpetually-youthful men in bright leisureclothing—and consciously alluring women clad in filmy garments asteasingly transparent as mist.
Glenna hurt—and Hurd! Seriously, of course, or Paul Sorgel wouldnever have risked a hand-message. With quiet desperation he pushedthrough the crowds—in his trim grey Air-command uniform he was onewith them, a nonentity like themselves.
He knew where to find the three he sought. Beyond the outdoor courts,where his fellow-Agronians amused themselves with a variety ofracquet-games, lay a tiny park, wherein a state of wild disorder wascarefuly maintained in imitation of nature.
Few were attracted by its rugged growth, save in very warm weather,when hardy souls ventured within its borders to relax in artificialbreezes created by silent concealed fans. In its center stood a smallstone building that housed the maintenance machinery. It was deserted,except for once each year when the city engineering crews came tocheck the machines and to make minor repairs. There the Libero-FreedomMovement held its meetings, in the shadow of the whirring wheels.
Sorgel came out of the shadows as Dirrul pushed through the thicket ofbrush that surrounded the stone building. In a hushed whisper heasked, "That you, Eddie?"
"Yes—where are they?"
"Inside. I gave them a hypo—they're both under now. It makes iteasier."
"How did it happen,