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The Alchemist, v. 1, issue 5, February 1941

Page 35

           Rhythm Of The Spheres                      35

   And finally this last deep vibration burst into hearing as a vast drone, hummed up and down into swift tingling tempest of crystalline, brittle notes, and still ascending passed into shrill high pipings, and continued again unheard, as had the prelude to the droning. And thence it rushed back, the piping and the crystalline storm reversed, into the drone and silence--then back and up.

   And the bodies of the broken robots began to quiver, to tremble, as though every atom within them were dancing in ever increasing, rhythmic motion. Up rushed the music and down--again and again. It ended abruptly in midflight with one crashing note.

   The broken bodies ceased their quivering. Tiny-star-shaped cracks appeared in their metal. Once more the note sounded and the cracks widened. The metal splintered.

   Narodny said: "Well, there is the frequency for the rhythm of our robots. The destructive unison. I hope for the sake of the world outside it is not also the rhythm of many of their buildings and bridges. But after all, in any war there must be casualties on both sides."

   Lao said: "Earth will be an extraordinary spectacle--a plaintive phenomenon, for a few days."

   Narodny said: "It is going to be an extraordinary uncomfortable Earth for a few days, and without doubt many will die and more go mad. But is there any other way?"

   There was no answer. He said: "Bring in the two robots."

   They brought them in.

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Rhythm Of The Spheres 35 And finally this last deep vibration burst into hearing as a vast drone, hummed up and down into swift tingling tempest of crystalline, brittle notes, and still ascending passed into shrill high pipings, and continued again unheard, as had the prelude to the droning. And thence it rushed back, the piping and the crystalline storm reversed, into the drone and silence--then back and up. And the bodies of the broken robots began to quiver, to tremble, as though every atom within them were dancing in ever increasing, rhythmic motion. Up rushed the music and down--again and again. It ended abruptly in midflight with one crashing note. The broken bodies ceased their quivering. Tiny-star-shaped cracks appeared in their metal. Once more the note sounded and the cracks widened. The metal splintered. Narodny said: "Well, there is the frequency for the rhythm of our robots. The destructive unison. I hope for the sake of the world outside it is not also the rhythm of many of their buildings and bridges. But after all, in any war there must be casualties on both sides." Lao said: "Earth will be an extraordinary spectacle--a plaintive phenomenon, for a few days." Narodny said: "It is going to be an extraordinary uncomfortable Earth for a few days, and without doubt many will die and more go mad. But is there any other way?" There was no answer. He said: "Bring in the two robots." They brought them in.