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 23

which Ornoo had easily mastered {unclear} away, Gordon was struck by a terrible thought.  
  "But you are immortal!" he gasped.  "I will die before I help you at all!"
  "Ornoo smiled.  "Have no fear.  I have thought of that.  I shall gift you with a longevity almost equal to mine.  You shall live many, many times the normal span of your life I have learned much in my travels."
  Gordon laughed in relief.  The shadows fled from his eyes.  He accepted the statement of Ornoo without question.
  "You may have wondered where I get my immortality," Ornoo began.  "I shall explain.  My body structure has little to wear out.  My mouth is for speaking only.  It never was designed to take nourishment.  The metabolism of my body is vastly different from yours.  I have no digestive organs to become infected or to fail to function properly after long use.  I have a circulatory system, but it is not subject to the depredations of time or use.  I have a nervous system that withstands adverse situations, yet is finely developed.  I have no respiratory system that easily succumbs to microbes and other infection.  I need none for this reason: I do not need oxygen or any other element from atmosphere.  The fluid in my circulation system does not carry oxygen; in fact, it does not carry any energizing material.  The electrical energy I use completely impregnates every cell in my body, and , therefore, the cells do not need a medium to carry food to them.  My "blood" serves only to warm the body and to carry the slight quantities of excretions to the skin, which discharges the waste.
  "You want to know how I capture the electricity for use?  This tiny mechanism on my helmet collects electricity when in operation.  It is attached to my body,  My body is capable of capturing electricity for itself, but the mechanism facilitates matters.  Now electricity is an ideal energy-supplier, because it is found everywhere, being easily gathered and stored anywhere in the cosmos...  What organs I have are very resistant.  But I rejuvenate them occasionally.
  "About you -- I shall alter your metabolism.  First, your digestive system must go, for it will cause early death.  A digestive system cannot be renewed or rejuvenated.  I'll make you are much like me as possible.  I cannot alter your need for respiratory system, because it will serve as a supplement to other changes which I cannot make wholly perfect, but I'll make you to utilize electric energy.  Your external appearance will not be affected by the changing process, but internally, there will be radical changes made."
  Gordon could scarcely believe his good fortune.  To live on and on!  He could not believe that immortality could ever become a curse.  And, as he exulted, he thought of his mother, father, and sister.  He did not regret that they lacked the gift he was to have.  He was unselfish, but he knew that none of them would want it.  They would hesitate, think a while, but decline in the end, fearful of the unknown.  Gordon had no such inhibitions.
  Thereafter, at regular intervals, Ornoo slowly altered Gordon, did inexplicable things to him.  No pain attended the ministrations.
  Ornoo finally declared that his work was done.  He told Gordon, though, that the longevity would not continue to the lenght of the natural immortality which he, Ornoo, possessed.  But this did not trouble Gordon.  One could not have everything.  What matter if Ornoo outlived him?

Saving...

which Ornoo had easily mastered {unclear} away, Gordon was struck by a terrible thought. "But you are immortal!" he gasped. "I will die before I help you at all!" "Ornoo smiled. "Have no fear. I have thought of that. I shall gift you with a longevity almost equal to mine. You shall live many, many times the normal span of your life I have learned much in my travels." Gordon laughed in relief. The shadows fled from his eyes. He accepted the statement of Ornoo without question. "You may have wondered where I get my immortality," Ornoo began. "I shall explain. My body structure has little to wear out. My mouth is for speaking only. It never was designed to take nourishment. The metabolism of my body is vastly different from yours. I have no digestive organs to become infected or to fail to function properly after long use. I have a circulatory system, but it is not subject to the depredations of time or use. I have a nervous system that withstands adverse situations, yet is finely developed. I have no respiratory system that easily succumbs to microbes and other infection. I need none for this reason: I do not need oxygen or any other element from atmosphere. The fluid in my circulation system does not carry oxygen; in fact, it does not carry any energizing material. The electrical energy I use completely impregnates every cell in my body, and , therefore, the cells do not need a medium to carry food to them. My "blood" serves only to warm the body and to carry the slight quantities of excretions to the skin, which discharges the waste. "You want to know how I capture the electricity for use? This tiny mechanism on my helmet collects electricity when in operation. It is attached to my body, My body is capable of capturing electricity for itself, but the mechanism facilitates matters. Now electricity is an ideal energy-supplier, because it is found everywhere, being easily gathered and stored anywhere in the cosmos... What organs I have are very resistant. But I rejuvenate them occasionally. "About you -- I shall alter your metabolism. First, your digestive system must go, for it will cause early death. A digestive system cannot be renewed or rejuvenated. I'll make you are much like me as possible. I cannot alter your need for respiratory system, because it will serve as a supplement to other changes which I cannot make wholly perfect, but I'll make you to utilize electric energy. Your external appearance will not be affected by the changing process, but internally, there will be radical changes made." Gordon could scarcely believe his good fortune. To live on and on! He could not believe that immortality could ever become a curse. And, as he exulted, he thought of his mother, father, and sister. He did not regret that they lacked the gift he was to have. He was unselfish, but he knew that none of them would want it. They would hesitate, think a while, but decline in the end, fearful of the unknown. Gordon had no such inhibitions. Thereafter, at regular intervals, Ornoo slowly altered Gordon, did inexplicable things to him. No pain attended the ministrations. Ornoo finally declared that his work was done. He told Gordon, though, that the longevity would not continue to the lenght of the natural immortality which he, Ornoo, possessed. But this did not trouble Gordon. One could not have everything. What matter if Ornoo outlived him?