DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Planeteer Magazine, v. 2, isssue 1, March 1939

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Planeteer Magazine, v. 2, isssue 1, March 1939

Page 22

to observe.  I studied it minutely with a powerful instrument that showed all the details.  And, as I looked, I fell to musing.  A wave of loneliness stole over me all unbidden.  I finally surrendered, gave myself to it.  I determined to seek a comrade who would be a helpmate and confidant, one who could dispell ennui upon a long voyage.
  "You see me here now.  I have come for that comrade.  That I landed here is, perhaps, very fortunate.  I can see from your thoughts that other parts of this world might not have welcomed me, for they would have been without understanding.  I saw your lights, and landed.  I am glad that I did.  I think that I should like to have Gordon as the comrade spoken of."
  Addressing Mr. and Mrs. Waldon:"Could Gordon be that companion if he wishes?"
  Gordon whooped joyously for all his nineteen years.  Both parents looked grave.  Ornoo read the negative reply.
  Ornoo began to plead his cause.  He said that Gordon could communicate every day with them, no matter how far the distance.  He explained that, via the televisor, they could see and hear their son just as they did at home.  He pointed out the fact that Gordon would be the first human to leave the Earth.  He said many other things.  No lawyer ever pled a case more convincingly.  But he read again the negative reply.  He knew then that they would never consent.
  Ornoo ceased to persuade.  He was a diplomat.  He looked significantly at Gordon.  Gordon then asserted himself.  He declared that nothing could hold him to the Earth.  Bitterly he poured out his longing to break away from the strife and petty hatreds of a world that never knew the coherent life.  He refuted the place his father was to give him in the realm of business.  His tirade rolled on and on.  The parents looked and listened in wonder.  But their lips only tightened the more in determination.
  Gordon ended with the flat statement that he was going.  And he had his way in the end, though he never secured their consent.  Good-byes were expressed; then Gordon and Ornoo went to the ship.  Both parents wept a little as the ship leapt into the nite sky.  Catherine only looked on in silence.  She seemed stunned.

  Far from the Earth, Gordon and Ornoo looked back on the tiny speck of light.  Both contemplated it with exalted mien for a bit, then they looked questioningly.  They felt like Gods.  Even Ornoo, to whom this was a known experience, felt omnipotent.  What a pity that all could not know the sensation of looking at a Universe undistorted by the atmosphere of a more lost in the Cosmos' greatness!  As they thought and meditated, the tiny spec whisked from sight.  Ornoo went forward to tend to the machines, leaving Gordon to revel in the sights seen through vision plates.
  Time passed.  Gordon and Ornoo had wonderful times together.  The Earthman's cup was overflowing.
  Much time was spent in conversing.  Ornoo spoke this of his mission on Earth: "Loneliness comes to every creature.  From the lower types that have no learning to beings able to control the destiny of a galaxy -- all want and need companionship.  No life can evolve to the point where it can dispense with this need.  Therefore, I eventually wanted a companion.  I came to Earth in search of one.  I knew that you will not think me sentimental.  I was beginning to be surfeited, but now a comrade has made me enjoy existence again."
  As these last words -- they spoke often in Gordon's language

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to observe. I studied it minutely with a powerful instrument that showed all the details. And, as I looked, I fell to musing. A wave of loneliness stole over me all unbidden. I finally surrendered, gave myself to it. I determined to seek a comrade who would be a helpmate and confidant, one who could dispell ennui upon a long voyage. "You see me here now. I have come for that comrade. That I landed here is, perhaps, very fortunate. I can see from your thoughts that other parts of this world might not have welcomed me, for they would have been without understanding. I saw your lights, and landed. I am glad that I did. I think that I should like to have Gordon as the comrade spoken of." Addressing Mr. and Mrs. Waldon:"Could Gordon be that companion if he wishes?" Gordon whooped joyously for all his nineteen years. Both parents looked grave. Ornoo read the negative reply. Ornoo began to plead his cause. He said that Gordon could communicate every day with them, no matter how far the distance. He explained that, via the televisor, they could see and hear their son just as they did at home. He pointed out the fact that Gordon would be the first human to leave the Earth. He said many other things. No lawyer ever pled a case more convincingly. But he read again the negative reply. He knew then that they would never consent. Ornoo ceased to persuade. He was a diplomat. He looked significantly at Gordon. Gordon then asserted himself. He declared that nothing could hold him to the Earth. Bitterly he poured out his longing to break away from the strife and petty hatreds of a world that never knew the coherent life. He refuted the place his father was to give him in the realm of business. His tirade rolled on and on. The parents looked and listened in wonder. But their lips only tightened the more in determination. Gordon ended with the flat statement that he was going. And he had his way in the end, though he never secured their consent. Good-byes were expressed; then Gordon and Ornoo went to the ship. Both parents wept a little as the ship leapt into the nite sky. Catherine only looked on in silence. She seemed stunned. Far from the Earth, Gordon and Ornoo looked back on the tiny speck of light. Both contemplated it with exalted mien for a bit, then they looked questioningly. They felt like Gods. Even Ornoo, to whom this was a known experience, felt omnipotent. What a pity that all could not know the sensation of looking at a Universe undistorted by the atmosphere of a more lost in the Cosmos' greatness! As they thought and meditated, the tiny spec whisked from sight. Ornoo went forward to tend to the machines, leaving Gordon to revel in the sights seen through vision plates. Time passed. Gordon and Ornoo had wonderful times together. The Earthman's cup was overflowing. Much time was spent in conversing. Ornoo spoke this of his mission on Earth: "Loneliness comes to every creature. From the lower types that have no learning to beings able to control the destiny of a galaxy -- all want and need companionship. No life can evolve to the point where it can dispense with this need. Therefore, I eventually wanted a companion. I came to Earth in search of one. I knew that you will not think me sentimental. I was beginning to be surfeited, but now a comrade has made me enjoy existence again." As these last words -- they spoke often in Gordon's language