Always A Qurono
By JIM HARMON
Illustrated by RITTER
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Galaxy Magazine August 1962.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
You too can be a Qurono. All you need do is
geoplanct. All you need know is when to stop!
Barnhart sauntered right into the middle of them. He covertly watchedthe crew close in around him and he never twitched an eyelash.Officers must never panic, he reminded himself, and manipulated themorning sighting on the nearest sun through the Fitzgerald lens. It wasexactly 900:25:30, Galactic Time.
He jotted the reading in, satisfied. The warm breath tickling the backof his neck was unnerving. If he showed fear and grabbed a blasterfrom the locker he could probably control them, but he was devastinglyaware that a captain must never show fear.
"Captain Barnhart," Simmons, the mate, drawled politely, "do you stillplan on making the jump at 900 thirty?"
The captain removed his eyeglasses and polished the lenses.
"Simmons," he said in comforting, confiding tones, "you are well awarethat regulations clearly state that a spaceship that phases in ona star in major trans-spot activity is required to re-phase withintwenty-four hours to avoid being caught in turbulence."
"Yes, sir," Simmons said. "But, as I have stated before, it is mybelief that regulation means that a ship should phase to avoid thepossibility of being caught in an energy storm. We landed right inthe middle of one. As you are aware, sir, if we phase now there is anexcellent chance we will warp right into the sun!"
Barnhart shook his lean, bronze head wearily. "Simmons, the Admiraltyhas gone through this thousands of times. Obviously they know ourdanger is greater by staying where we are. Why, Ignatz 6Y out there maynova! We'll have to take our chances."
"No, sir." Simmons thrust his pale, blue-veined jaw at him, his lighteyes Nordicly cold below a blond cropping. "The storm spots are dyingdown. We aren't phasing yet."
Barnhart drew himself up and looked down at the mate. Behind Simmons,York moved closer. The captain was suddenly aware of York's lowforehead and muscular, free-swinging arms. It was probably sheer bias,but he had frequently entertained the idea that Englishmen were closerto our apelike ancestor than most people ... the way they ran aroundpainted blue when everybody was civilly wearing clothes and all.Obviously York was incapable of thinking for himself and was willing todo anything Simmons commanded him to do.
It became transparent to Barnhart that they were going to mutiny toavoid following their duty as clearly outlined in regulations. Judgingfrom York's twitching knuckles, they were going to resist by stranglinghim.
Barnhart wondered if this was the time to show fear and unlock a weaponto defend himself.
York clamped onto him before he could decide on the properinterpretation of the regulations and just as his mind settled on theirresolvable question: If a captain must never show fear, why was hegiven the key to a hand weapons locker to use when in fear of his life?
Barnhart gazed around the purple clearing with clouded eyes. Hetrembled in near traumatic shock. It was almost too much to bear.
Regulations clearly stated that no officer was to be marooned on a .9Earth-type planet at fourteen-forty Galactic Time, early evening local.
Or (he b