Barrington Bayley - The Star Virus

“Get a load of that!” Jermy was saying intensely and eagerly. “That’s a kick I’ll repeat any time!”

Rodrone guessed that it was the horror of it all that appealed to Jermy. Not all the deadliners had enjoyed their trip as much. Jublow was moaning painfully. Others argued in tight, frightened voices.

A far different, more collected response came from Feeldonet.

“Captain! The Barrier is down !”

“What did you say?” Rodrone snapped.

“There’s nothing holding us back any more. It shows up on the drive. We’re in free space, symmetrical in all directions—we can go as far as we like!”

It took some time for the fact to sink in. But it was a logical outcome: with the dissolution of the lens, the hermetic seal around Thiswhirl was gone too.

“Did you hear that, you trash?” Rodrone shouted exultantly. “Do you know where we’re going? Andromeda! Andromeda!”

A stunned silence followed his words. Jermy croaked, “Is it true, boss?”

“Damn you all for scum, of course it’s true!”

“Andromeda!” Jermy echoed disbelievingly.

Infectiously the others took up the cry, echoing it all around the Stator ’s iron galleries.

“ANDROMEDA! ANDROMEDA!”

With a sourness he could not quite dispel, Rodrone wondered whether it was true after all that mankind was the dangerous “star virus” that the Streall believed it to be. If so, then the damage was done and it was irreparable, for all constraints on man’s actions had now been removed. The virus was about to spread to other bodies.

Silently the Stator put herself in motion to cross the immense sea between the galaxies.