A TRACE OF MEMORY
KEITH LAUMER
TOR
A TOM DOHERTY ASSOCIATES BOOK
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events
portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance
to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.
A TRACE OF MEMORY
Copyright 1963 by Keith Laumer
All rights reserved, including the right to
reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.
A short version of this novel appeared serially in
Amazing, July-August-September, 1962.
Copyright 1962 by Ziff-Davis Publishing Company.
A TOR Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates,
8-10 West 36 Street,
New York, N.Y. 10018
Cover art by Bob Layzell
First TOR printing: November 1984
ISBN: O-812-54373-4
CAN. ED.: O-812-54374-2
Printed in the United States of America
[Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any
evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
"Let's get out of here fast," I said. "We've probably set off an alarmalready."
As if in answer, a low chime cut across our talk. Pearly light sprangup on a square panel. Foster and I stared at it.
"What do you make of it?" he said.
"I'm no expert on stone-age relics," I said. "But if that's not a radarscreen, I'll eat it."
I sat down in the single chair before the dusty control console, andwatched a red blip creep across the screen.
"That blip is either a mighty slow airplane—or it's at one hell of analtitude." I sat upright, eyes on the screen. "Look at this, Foster,"I snapped. A pattern of dots flashed across the screen, faded, flashedagain....
"I don't like that thing blinking at us," I said. "It makes me feelconspicuous." I looked at the big red button beside the screen. "Maybeif I pushed that...." Without waiting to think it over, I jabbed at it.
"I'm not sure you should have done that," Foster said.
"There is room for doubt," I said in a strained voice. "It looks likeI've launched a bomb from the ship overhead."
A TRACE OF MEMORY
Look for these other TOR books by Keith Laumer:
THE BREAKING EARTH
THE GLORY GAME
THE INFINITE CAGE
KNIGHT OF DELUSIONS
THE MONITORS
THE HOUSE IN NOVEMBER AND THE OTHER SKY
ONCE THERE WAS A GIANT
PLANET RUN
WORLDS OF THE IMPERIUM