Electron Pump. The para-people, the people in the para-Universe, whoever they are and whatever that is, invented it. Hallam was their accidental instrument. All of Earth is their accidental instrument.”
“We were clever enough to take advantage of their initiative.”
“Yes, as cows are clever enough to eat the hay we provide for them. The Pump is no sign that man is forward-looking. Quite the reverse.”
“If the Pump is a backward step, then I say good for backwardness. I wouldn’t want to do without it.”
“Who would? But the point is it fits Earth’s present mood perfectly. Infinite energy at virtually zero cost, except for maintenance, and with zero pollution besides. But there are no Electron Pumps on the Moon.”
Gottstein said, “I imagine there’s no need for them. The Solar batteries supply what the Lunarites require. Infinite energy at virtually zero cost, except for maintenance, and with zero pollution besides.… Isn’t that the litany?”
“Yes, indeed, but the Solar batteries are entirely man-made. That’s the point I’m making. An Electron Pump was projected for the Moon; installation was attempted.”
“And?”
“And it didn’t work. The para-people didn’t accept the tungsten. Nothing happened.”
“I didn’t know that. Why not?”
Montez lifted his shoulders and eyebrows expressively. “How is one to know? We might assume, for instance, that the para-people live on a world without a satellite; that they have no conception of separate worlds in close proximity, each populated; that, having found one, they did not seek another. Who knows?—The point is, that the para-people didn’t bite and we ourselves, without them, could do nothing.”
“We ourselves,” repeated Gottstein, thoughtfully. “By that, you mean the Earthmen?”
“Yes.”
“And the Lunarites?”
“They were not involved.”
“Were they interested?”
“I don’t know. That’s where my uncertainty—and fear—chiefly rests. The Lunarites—the native Lunarites, particularly—do not feel like Earthmen. I don’t know what their plans are or what they intend. I can’t find out.”
Gottstein looked thoughtful. “But what can they do? Do you have any reason to suppose they intend to do us harm; or that they can do Earth harm even if they intend it?”
“I can’t answer that question. They are an attractive and intelligent people. It seems to me they lack real hatred or real rage or even real fear. But perhaps that is what only seems to me. What bothers me most is that I don’t know.”
“The scientific equipment on the Moon is run by Earth, I believe.”
“That is correct. The proton synchrotron is. The radio telescope on the trans-terrestrial side is. The three-hundred-inch optical telescope is.… The large equipment, that is, all of which has been in existence for fifty years.”
“And what’s been done since?”
“Very little by Earthmen.”
“What about the Lunarites?”
“I’m not sure. Their scientists work in the large installations, but I once tried to check time cards. There are gaps.”
“Gaps?”
“They spend considerable time away from the large installations. It is as though they had laboratories of their own.”
“Well, if they produce mini-electronic devices and fine biochemicals, isn’t that to be expected?”
“Yes, but—Gottstein, I don’t know. I fear my ignorance.”
There was a moderately long pause. Gottstein said, “Montez, I take it you are telling me all this so that I will be careful; so that I will try to find out what the Lunarites are doing?”
“I suppose that’s about it,” said Montez, unhappily.
“But you don’t even know that they’re doing anything at all.”
“I feel that they are.”
Gottstein said, “It’s odd, then. I should be trying to talk you out of all this fearful mysticism of yours—but it’s odd—”
“What is?”
“The same vessel that brought me to the Moon brought someone else to the Moon. I mean, a large party came, but one face in particular triggered something. I didn’t talk to him—had no occasion to—and I dismissed the matter. But now our talk is pushing a button, and he suddenly comes back to mind—”
“Yes?”
“I was on a committee once that dealt with Electron Pump matters. A question of safety.” He smiled briefly. “Earth’s lost nerve, you might say. We worry about safety everywhere—and a good thing, damn it, lost nerve or not. The details escape me but in connection with that hearing, I saw that face that now I saw on the vessel. I’m convinced of it.”
“Does that have significance, do you think?”
“I’m not sure. I associate that face with something disturbing. If I keep on thinking, it may come back to me. In any case, I had better get a list of the passengers and see if any name means something to me. Too bad, Montez, but I think you’re getting me started.”