Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced Science Fiction Stories 1953. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
The Natives
by KATHERINE MACLEAN
he old one said, "Stick close by me, child."
"What'll it be like, Grandpa?" The youngster was frightened.
"Dark, very dark, and big. It moves fast, but we'll keep up with it."The tone was consciously reassuring.
"Dark, Grandpa?"
"Yes, it sucks heat and absorbs light. You'll find out when you're oldand strong enough to swim down to the bottom and see what's there. Nowstay with me when we follow it, and don't get lost in the crowd; anddon't get ahead of me or get too close to it—you might take in toomuch, and get overcharged."
"What's 'overcharged,' Grandpa? Can you really get too much?" Theyoungster jigged up and down a little with excitement andanticipation.
For a moment, the oldster turned his attention from watching for thething that was coming, and considered him fondly. "Poor youngling. Iforget. You've had no chance to learn what it means to get enough.You're too young to ride the storms and tap the lightnings.... Listennow. When a grownup has to let out a flash of blue light, that meansthat he's overcharged and spinning off balance inside, and so he hasto save himself by letting out his energy to let down the pressure. Sobe careful; take enough, but don't be greedy and take in too much toosuddenly. Now let's just float here with the others and be ready."
It was a beautiful bright day. The sun poured down its flood of light,here and there energizing a molecule of the blue air into littlesparkles of ionization; and below, a mist of bright clouds half veiledthe darkness that was the bottom.
"What's it mean when someone blinks blue light in lots of flashes, andthen glows red and starts sinking, huh, Grandpa?"
"I'll tell you later when you're older. Just be careful and don't gettoo close." He was abruptly excited. "Here it comes!"
Out of the blue translucence far below, a black dot appeared and grewrapidly, rushing closer until it was a huge fish-shaped object withwidespread fins, rushing towards them. It would pass slightly to theleft of them, and already the waiting crowd was moving to interceptit.
It flashed by, and the youngster thought they were going to loseit—it was going so much faster than they; but as the thought crossedhis mind, and he saw the two churning glowing openings in its rear, aburning blast of energy struck him. A multitude of glowing, chargedparticles crackled around him, streamed against him. His fieldsshifted to reach out and capture them; the spin of stored energywithin spun faster, absorbing the new energy into its drive, itslife-pulse rising to a deep hum, and he felt strong, stronger than hehad ever felt before in his life.
They were flying faster now, accelerating faster than he had everflown, and it was easy. They drew up closer to the dark thing,matching it speed for speed, laving in the glowing cloud ofenergy-particles that roared backward from its jets. The youngster wasastounded and exhilarated at the tremendous, effortless speed withwhich they were driving forwar