The Man on the Meteor by Ray Cummings

"Nona," I said, "do you wish to go to this merry-making? . Caan, should I take her?"

It was two days after the attempted assassination of the King. I had not yet seen the cavern where the King was preparing for war. I was going there after this next time of sleep.

We in Rax-the King, Atar, Caan and I-were much perturbed at the turn affairs were taking We knew now that Og's emissaries were among us. But they kept themselves hidden-talking secretly to the half-breeds, to all who sympathized with the Maagogs.

We knew all this; but we could do nothing about it. There was no police force, or army, or anything of the kind in this crude Marinoid civilization. Soon the King would organize an army-we were planning to do that almost at once-as soon as the final preparations in the cavern were complete. And meanwhile the King wished to do nothing that might precipitate further trouble with the half-breeds. An internal revolt, on the ere of foreign warfare-that was what we most dreaded.

It was at this juncture that some of the King's councillors suggested a public celebration, such as was always held at the birth of a child to the royal family, or on other festive national occasions.

A celebration! When we were at the brink of war! To me, it was a mistake. It could do nothing but humiliate-antagonize-the half-breeds. They could not take open part in it; the Marinoids would not permit that. Yet, said the King, we had our own people to think of. There is a certain human quality of mind which turns to merry-making on the eve of danger. You on Earth have seen that in your own history. The Marinoid morale would be helped. To laugh, sing, shout, and make love-and then go to battle. That was what the people wished; and against my advice, the celebration was to be held.

Now, in Caan's house-where Boy was asleep with Caan's children-we were planning to go to the cube of water before the palace where the festival was to be held.

"Take me," cried Nona. "I want to go with you, my Nemo."

Never had my Nona seen public merry-making; the woman in her was very eager to go, to take part in it.

And I took her. With Caan, we started after that next meal; and Caan's woman stayed at home with Boy and her own children.

My last moment decision to take Nona seemed somewhat superfluous, for all that day she had been getting ready to go! Clothes! My Nona was as interested in them as any woman of your own Earth.

She had made every preparation, and soon she swam before us, laughing with excitement and delight. I gasped. For the first time, I saw her usually up-flowing hair bound down to her shapely head, coiled and braided, and with a garland of tiny marine flowers in it. A new, close-fitting suit, with a girdle. And anklets of dull green, which by contrast made her smooth skin shine like polished pink marble.

"You like me, my Nemo? " she laughed. And she eyed me sidewise through lowered lashes-as though I were not her mate, but only one who wished to be.

Then we started. The streets-more brightly lighted than usual-were bedecked with flowers. The light slanting down through the water from overhead lent queer grotesque shadows to the figures swimming beneath them. The crowd was all moving toward the palace. Marinoid men and girls-gaudily dressed; the girls, I noticed, all more scantily robed than upon less festive occasions. In couples and little groups, they swam along. The water rang with the gay voices of the girls. A cart passed us-a sleigh driven by a swimming animal-the equipage of one of the King's advisers. But its owner was not in it now. It was loaded with Marinoid girls; as they swept past, one of them leaned out and tossed a garland of seaweed over my head, laughing at me provocatively.

We three-Caan, Nona and I-swam slowly onward. The eve of warfare! No one would have believed it who swam the gay streets of Rax that night! And yet-a figure lurked here and there. The Marinog half breeds! From doorways of houses dark, with the shades all closed, from rooftops, tangles of street vegetation, they hovered, motionless. Or swam furtively, close along the walls of cross-streets.

I could feel their eyes upon me. At one corner we passed a giant half-breed man. He stood on the street-bottom, motionless, and he did not move to make way for us. I passed quite close to him; and I could sense that his figure stiffened, tensed. I looked back. He was staring after me, grim, inscrutable, sinister. .

The palace, and the water before it, were jammed. Glaring green water. Lights everywhere. Crowds of gaudy figures. Laughing girls, alert to their sex. Confusion. gaiety everywhere. .

I followed Caan, keeping Nona close beside me. On the palace roof we came to rest, near a sort of throne erected at the parapet-a throne on which the King and Queen were sitting.

Atar joined us. "Will you eat now? Food is there waiting."

He smiled at my Nona, kneeling before her. And she bent down and touched his head with her cheek, Marinoid fashion.