The Human Edge by Gordon R. Dickson Read Free Book Online Page B

obvious your native star and mine aren't too far apart as galactic distances go—and exploratory ships have been getting closer to the opposing home worlds all the time. Instead of it being such a coincidence, you might say our meeting was close to inevitable." He cocked an eye at the alien. "And I'm sure you've already figured that out for yourself as well as I did."
    The alien hesitated for a moment.
    "I see," he said at last, "there is no point in my trying to deceive you."
    "Oh you can try if you like," said Hank, generously.
    "No, I will be absolutely frank."
    "Suit yourself."
    "You obviously have assessed the situation here as fully and correctly as I have myself. Here we stand, facing each other in an armed truce. There can be no question of either of us allowing the other to carry word of the other's civilization back to his own people. We cannot take the chance that the other's people are not inimical and highly dangerous. It becomes, therefore, the duty of each of us to capture the other." He cocked an eye at Hank. "Am I correct?"
    "You're doing the talking," said Hank.
    "At the present moment, we find ourselves at an impasse. My ship is possessed of a weapon which, by all the laws of science, should be able to destroy your ship utterly. Logically, you are at my mercy. However, illogically, you deny this."
    "Yep." said Hank.
    "You lay claim to an invisible weapon which you claim is greater than my own, and puts me at your mercy. For my own part I believe you are lying. But for the sake of my people I cannot put the matter to a test as things now stand. If I should do so and it should turn out I was wrong, I would be responsible for calamity."
    "Yes, indeed," said Hank.
    "However, an area of doubt remains in my mind. If you are so sure of the relative superiority of your weapon, why have you hesitated to make me prisoner in your turn?"
    "Why bother?" Hank let go of his knee and leaned forward confidentially with both feet on the ground. "To be frank right back at you—you're harmless. Besides, I'm going to settle down here."
    "Settle down? You mean you are going to set up residence here?"
    "Certainly. It's my world."
    "Your world?"
    "Among my people," said Hank, loftily, "when you find a world you like that no one else of our own kind has already staked out, you get to keep it."
    The pause the alien made this time was a very long one indeed.
    "Now I know you are a liar," he said.
    "Well, suit yourself," said Hank, mildly.
    The alien stood staring at him.
    * * *
    "You leave me no alternative," said the alien at last. "I offer you a proposition. I will give you proof that I have destroyed my cannon, if you will give me proof that you have destroyed your weapon. Then we can settle matters on the even basis that will result."
    "Unfortunately," said Hank, "this weapon of mine can't be destroyed."
    "Then," the alien backed off a step and started to turn his translator around back toward the ship. "I must take the chance that you are not a liar and do my best to destroy you after all."
    "Hey! Hold on a minute!" said Hank. The alien paused and turned back. "Don't rush off like that," Hank stood up and flexed his muscles casually. The two were about the same height but it was obvious Hank carried what would have been an Earth-weight advantage of about fifty pounds. "You want to settle this man-to-man, I'm willing. No weapons, no holds barred. There's a sporting proposition for you."
    "I am not a savage," retorted the alien. "Or a fool."
    "Clubs?" said Hank, hopefully.
    "No."
    "Knives?"
    "Certainly not."
    "All right," said Hank, shrugging, "have it your way. Go get yourself destroyed. I did my best to find some way out for you."
    The alien stood still as if thinking.
    "Let me make you a second proposition," he said at last. "All the alternatives you propose are those which give you the advantage. Let us reverse that. Let me propose that we trade ships, you and I."
    "What?" squawked Hank.
    "You see? You are not interested in