Robert Heinlein - Tunnel In The Sky

It had been a half hour since Mick had stumbled through the gate as it had focused, fallen flat in the low gravity of Luna. Rod was trying to bring order out of confusion, trying to piece together his own wits. Most of the villagers were out on the field, or sitting on top of the wall, watching technicians set up apparatus to turn the locus into a permanent gate, with controls and communications on both sides. Rod tried to tell one that they were exposed, that they should not run around unarmed; without looking up the man had said, "Speak to Mr. Johnson."

He found Mr. Johnson, tried again, was interrupted. Will you kids please let us work? We're glad to see you but we've got to get a power fence around this area. No telling what might be in that tall grass."

Oh," Rod answered. "Look, I'll set guards. We know what to expect. I'm in ch-"

'Beat it, will you? You kids mustn't be impatient."

So Rod went back inside his city, hurt and angry. Several strangers came in, poked around as if they owned the place, spoke to the excited villagers, went out again. One stopped to look at Jimmy's drum, rapped it and laughed. Rod wanted to strangle him.

"Rod?"

"Uh?" He whirled around. "Yes, Margery?"

"Do I cook lunch, or don't I? All my girls have left and Mel says its silly because we'll all be gone by lunch time- and I don't know what to do."

"Huh? Nobody's leaving... that I know of."

"Well, maybe not but that's the talk."

He was not given time to consider this as one of the ubiquitous strangers came up and said briskly, "Can you tell me where to find a lad named Roderick Welker?"

"Walker," Rod corrected. "I'm Rod Walker. What do you want?"

"My name is Sansom, Clyde B. Sansom- Administrative Officer in the Emigration Control Service. Now, Welker, I understand you are group leader for these students. You can-"

"I am Mayor of Cowpertown," Rod said stonily. "What do you want?"

"Yes, yes, that's what the youngster called you. 'Mayor.'" Sansom smiled briefly and went on. "Now, Walker, we want to keep things orderly. I know you are anxious to get out of your predicament as quickly as possible- but we must do things systematically. We are going to make it easy- just delousing and physical examination, followed by psychological tests and a relocation interview. Then you will all be free to return to your homes- after signing a waiver-of-liability form, but the legal officer will take care of that. If you will have your little band line up alphabetically- uh, here in this open space, I think, then I will-" He fumbled with his briefcase.

"Who the deuce are you to give orders around here?"

Sansom looked surprised. "Eh? I told you. If you want to be technical, I embody the authority of the Terran Corporation. I put it as a request- but under field conditions I can compel co-operation, you know."

Rod felt himself turn red. "I don't know anything of the sort! You may be a squad of angels back on Terra but you are in Cowpertown."

Mr. Sansom looked interested but not impressed. "And what, may I ask, is Cowpertown?"

"Huh? This is Cowpertown, a Sovereign nation, with its own constitution, its own laws- and its own territory." Rod took a breath. "If the Terran Corporation wants anything, they can send somebody and arrange it. But don't tell us to line up alphabetically!"

"Atta boy, Roddie!"

Rod said, "Stick around, Carol," then added to Sansom, "Understand me?"

"Do I understand," Sansom said slowly, "that you are suggesting that the Corporation should appoint an ambassador to your group?"

"Well... that's the general idea."

"Mmmm... an interesting theory, Welker."

"'Walker.' And until you do, you can darn well clear the sightseers out- and get out yourself. We aren't a zoo."

Sansom looked at Rod's ribs, glanced at his dirty, calloused feet and smiled. Rod said, "Show him out, Carol. Put him out, if you have to."

"Yes, sirr' She advanced on Sansom, grinning.

"Oh, I'm leaving," Sansom said quickly. "Better a delay than a mistake in protocol. An ingenious theory, young man. Good-by. We shall see each other later. Uh... a word of advice? May I?"

Huh? All right."

"Don't take yourself too seriously. Ready, young lady?"

Rod stayed in his hut. He wanted badly to see what was going on beyond the wall, but he did not want to run into Sansom. So he sat and gnawed his thumb and thought. Apparently some weak sisters were going back -wave a dish of ice cream under their noses and off they would trot, abandoning their land, throwing away all they had built up. Well, he wouldn't! This was home, his place, he had earned it; he wasn't going back and maybe wait half a lifetime for a chance to move to some other planet probably not as good.

Let them go! Cowpertown would be better and stronger without them.

Maybe some just wanted to make a visit, show off grandchildren to grandparents, then come back. Probably...in which case they had better make sure that Sansom or somebody gave them written clearance to come back. Maybe he ought to warn them.

But he didn't have anyone to visit. Except Sis- and Sis might be anywhere- unlikely that she was on Terra.

Bob and Carmen, carrying Hope, came in to say good-by. Rod shook hands solemnly. "You're coming back, Bob, when you get your degree... aren't you?"

"Well, we hope so, if possible. If we are permitted to."

"Who's going to stop you? It's your right. And when you do, you'll find us here. In the meantime we'll try not to break legs."

Baxter hesitated. "Have you been to the gate lately, Rod?"

"No. Why?"

"Uh, don't plan too far ahead. I believe some have already gone back."

"How many?"

"Quite a number." Bob would not commit himself further. He gave Rod the addresses of his parents and Carmen's, soberly wished him a blessing, and left.

Margery did not come back and the fire pit remained cold. Rod did not care, he was not hungry. Jimmy came in at what should have been shortly after lunch, nodded and sat down. Presently he said, "I've been out at the gate."

"So?"

"Yup. You know, Rod, a lot of people wondered why you weren't there to say good-by."

"They could come here to say good-by!"

"Yes, so they could. But the word got around that you didn't approve. Maybe they were embarrassed."

"Me?" Rod laughed without mirth. "I don't care how many city boys run home to mama. It's a free country." He glanced at Jim. "How many are sticking?"

"Uh, I don't know."

"I've been thinking. If the group gets small, we might move back to the cave just to sleep, I mean. Until we get more colonists."

"Maybe."

"Don't be so glum! Even if it got down to just you and me and Jackie and Carol, we'd be no worse off than we once were. And it would just be temporary. There'd be the baby, of course- I almost forgot to mention my god-son.

"There's the baby," Jimmy agreed.

"What are you pulling a long face about? Jim . you're not thinking of leaving?"

Jimmy stood up. Jackie said to tell you that we would stick by whatever you thought was best."

Rod thought over what Jimmy had not said. "You mean she wants to go back? Both of you do."

"Now, Rod, we're partners. But I've got the kid to think about. You see that?"

"Yes. I see."

"Well-"

Rod stuck out his hand. "Good luck, Jim. Tell Jackie good-by for me.

"Oh, she's waiting to say good-by herself. With the kid."

"Uh, tell her not to. Somebody once told me that saying good-by was a mistake. Be seeing you."

"Well-so long, Rod. Take care of yourself."

"You, too. If you see Caroline, tell her to come in. Caroline was slow appearing; he guessed that she had been at the gate. He said bluntly, "How many are left?"

"Not many," she admitted.