Post-Apocalyptic Story "Second Variety" | Classic Science Fiction | Full Audiobook

The dark Cosmos presence second variety written by Philip K dick this post-apocalyptic tale was first published in 1953 in the space science fiction magazine sit back relax and unwind for the next few hours with this classic Sci-fi story that features the scorched aftermath of World War I where Earth is a nuclear Wasteland and Humanity's last hope lies in autonomous war machines called fls but when these Mechanical saviors begin evolving beyond their programming the lines between friend and foe blur are you ready dear Cosmonaut let's begin our sci-fi Journey the Russian soldier made his way nervously

up the Ragged side of the Hill holding his gun ready he glanced around him licking his dry lips his face set from time to time he reached up a gloved hand and wiped perspiration from his neck pushing down his coat collar Eric Turned to Corporal Leon want him or can I have him he adjusted the view site so the Russian features squarely filled the glass the lines cutting across his hard somber features Leon considered the Russian was close moving rapidly almost running don't fire wait Leon tensed I don't think we're needed the Russian increased his

Pace kicking Ash and piles of debris out of his way he reached the top of the hill and stopped panting staring around him The sky was overcast drifting clouds of gray particles bare trunks of trees jutted up occasionally the ground was level and bare Rubble stwn with the ruins of buildings standing out here and there like yellow skulls the Russian was uneasy he knew something was wrong he started started down the hill now he was only a few Paces from the bunker Eric was getting fidgety he played with his pistol glancing at Leon don't worry

Leon said he won't get here they'll take care of him are you sure he's got damn far they hang around close to the bunker he's getting into the bad part get set the Russian began to hurry sliding down the hill his boots sinking into the heaps of gray Ash trying to keep his gun up he stopped for a moment lifting his field glasses to his face he's looking right at us Eric said the Russian came on they could see his eyes like two blue stones his mouth Was open a little he needed a shave his

chin was stubbled on one bony cheek was a square of tape showing blue at the edge a fungoid spot his coat was muddy and torn one glove was missing as he ran his belt counter bounced up and down against him Leon touched Eric's arm here one comes across the ground something small and metallic came flashing in the dull sunlight of midday a metal sphere it raced up the hill after the Russian its Treads flying it was small one of The baby ones its claws were out two razor projections spinning in a blur of white steel

the Russian heard it he turned instantly firing the sphere dissolved into particles but already a second had emerged and was following the first the Russian fired again a third sphere leaped up the Russian's leg clicking and woring it jumped to the shoulder the spinning blades disappeared into the Russian's throat Eric relaxed well that's that God those damp things Give me the creeps sometimes I think we were better off before if we hadn't invented them they would have Leon lit a cigarette shakily I wonder why a Russian would come all this way alone I didn't see

anyone covering him Lieutenant Scott came slipping up the tunnel Into the Bunker what happened something entered the screen an Ivan just one Eric brought the view screen around Scott peered into it now there were numerous metal spheres Crawling over the prostrate body dull metal Globes clicking and weing soar up the Russian into small parts to be carried away what a lot of claws Scott murmured they come like flies not much game for them anymore Scott pushed the site away disgusted like flies I wonder why he was out there they know we have claws all around

a larger robot had joined the smaller spheres it was directing operations a long blunt tube with Projecting eye pieces there was not much left of the soldier what remained was being brought down the hillside by the host of claws sir Leon said if it's all right I'd like to go out there and take a look at him why maybe he came with something Scott considered he Shrugged all right but be careful I have my tab Leon patted the metal band at his wrist I'll be out of bounds he picked up his rifle and stepped carefully

up to the mouth of the bunker making way between Blocks of concrete and steel prongs twisted and bent the air was cold at the top he crossed over the ground toward the remains of the soldier striding across the soft Ash a wind blew around him swirling gray particles up in his face he squinted and pushed on the claws retreated as he came close some of them stiffening into immobility he touched his tab the Ivan would have given something for that short hard radiation emitted from the tab neutralized the Claws put them out of commission even

the big robot with its two waving eye stalks retreated respectfully as he approached he bent down over the remains of the soldier the gloved hand was closed tightly there was something in it Leon pried the fingers apart a sealed container aluminum still shiny he put it in his pocket and made his way back to the bunker behind him the claws came back to life moving into operation again the procession resumed metal spheres Moving through the gray Ash with their loads he could hear their tread scrabbling against the ground he shuddered Scott watched intently as he

brought the shiny tube out of his pocket he had that in his hand Leon unscrewed the top maybe you should look at it sir Scott took it he emptied the contents out in the palm of his hand a small piece of silk paper carefully folded he sat down by the light and unfolded it what's it say Sir Eric said several Officers came up the tunnel major Hendrick appeared major Scott said look at this hrx read the slip this just come a single Runner just now where is he hrx asked sharply the claws got him major

Hendrick grunted here he passed it to his companions I think this is what we've been waiting for they certainly took their time about it so they want to talk terms Scott said are we going along with them that's not for us to decide hendrik sat down where's the Communications officer I want the moon base Leon pondered as the communications officer raised the outside antenna cautiously scanning the sky above the bunker for any sign of a watching Russian ship Sir Scott said to Hendrick it's sure strange they suddenly came around we've been using the claws for

almost a year now all of a sudden they start to fold maybe claws have been getting down in their bunkers one of the big ones the Kind with stalks got into an Ivan bunker last week Eric said it got a whole platoon of them before they got their lid shut how do you know a buddy told me the thing came back with with remains moon base sir the communications officer said on the screen the face of the Luna monitor appeared his crisp uniform contrasted to the uniforms in the bunker and he was clean shaven moon

base this is forward command L whistle on terror let me have General Thompson The monitor faded presently General Thompson's heavy features came into Focus what is it major our Clause got a single Russian Runner with a message we don't know whether to act on it there have been tricks like this in the past what's the message the Russians want us to send a single officer on policy level over to their lines for a conference they don't State the nature of the conference they say that matters of he consulted the slip Matters of grave urgency make

it advisable that discussion be opened between a representative of the UN forces and themselves he held the message up to the screen for the general to scan Thompson's eyes moved what should we do hendrik said send a man out you don't think it's a trap it might be but the location they give for their forward command is correct it's worth a try at any rate I'll send an officer out and Report the results to you as soon as He returns all right major Thompson broke the connection the screen died up above the antenna came slowly

down Hendrick rolled up the paper deep in thought I'll go Leon said they want somebody at policy level hrx rubbed his jaw policy level I haven't been outside in months maybe I could use a little air don't you think it's risky hris lifted The View site and gazed into it the remains of the Russian were gone only a single claw Was in sight it was folding itself back disappearing into the ash like a crab like some hideous metal crab that's the only thing that bothers me Hendrick rubbed his wrist I know I'm safe as long

as I have this on me but there's something about them I hate the damn things I wish we'd never invented them there's something wrong with them Relentless little if we hadn't invented them the Ivans would have hris pushed the sight Back back anyhow it seems to be winning the war I guess that's good sounds like you're getting the same Jitters as the Ivans hris examined his wristwatch I guess I had better get started if I want to be there before dark he took a deep breath and then stepped out onto the gray rubbled ground after

a minute he lit a cigarette and stood gazing around him the landscape was dead nothing stirred He Could See For Miles endless Ash and slag ruins of Buildings a few trees without leaves or branches only the trunks above him the Eternal rolling clouds of gray drifting between Terror and the sun major Hendrick went on off to the right something scuttled something round and metallic a claw going licket split after something probably after a small animal a rat they got rats too and as a sort of sideline he came to the top of the little Hill

and lifted his field glasses the Russian lines were a few miles ahead Of him they had a forward command post there the runner had come from it a squat robot with undulating arms passed by him its arms weaving inquiringly the robot went on its way disappearing under some debris Hendrix watched it go he had never seen that type before there were getting to be more and more types he had never seen new variety and sizes coming up from the underground factories Hendrick put out his cigarette and hurried on it was interesting the use of Artificial

forms in Warfare how had they got started necessity the Soviet Union had gained great initial success usual with the side that got the war going most of North America had been blasted off the map retaliation was quick in coming of course the sky was full of circling disc bombers long before The War Began they had been up there for years the discs began sailing down all over Russia within hours after Washington got it but that hadn't helped Washington the American Block governments moved to the Moonbase the first year there was not much else to do

Europe was gone a slag Heap with dark weeds growing From the Ashes and Bones most of North America was useless nothing could be planted no one could live a few million people kept going up in Canada and down in South America but during the second year Soviet parachutists began to drop a few at first then more and more they wore the First really effective anti-radiation equipment what was left of American production moved to the Moon along with the governments all but the troops the remaining troops stayed behind as best they could a few thousand here

a platoon there no one knew exactly where they were they stayed where they could moving around at night hiding in ruins in sewers sellers with the rats and snakes it looked as if the Soviet Union had the war almost Won except for a handful of projectiles fired off from the moon daily there was almost no weapon in use against them they came and went as they pleased the war for all practical purposes was over nothing effective opposed them and then the first claws appeared and overnight the complexion of the war changed the claws were awkward

at first slow the ivens knocked them off almost as fast as they crawled out of their underground tunnels but then they got better faster And more cunning factories all on terror turned them out factories a long way underground behind the Soviet lines factories that had once made Atomic projectiles now almost forgotten the the claws got faster and they got bigger new types appeared some with feelers some that flew there were a few jumping kinds the best technicians on the moon were working on designs making them more and more intricate more flexible they became uncanny the

ivens were having a lot of Trouble with them some of the little claws were learning to hide themselves burrowing down into the ash lying in wait and then they started getting into the Russian bunkers slipping down when the lids were raised for air and a look around one claw inside a bunker a churning sphere of blades and metal that was enough and when one got in others followed with a weapon like that the war couldn't go on much longer maybe it was already over maybe he was going to hear The news maybe the pollet bureau

had decided to throw in the sponge too bad it had taken so long 6 years a long time for war like that the way they had waged it the automatic retaliation ation discs spinning down all over Russia hundreds of thousands of them bacteria crystals the Soviet guided missiles whistling through the air the chain bombs and now this the robots the claws the claws weren't like other weapons they were alive from any Practical standpoint whether the governments wanted to admit it or not they were not machines they were living things spinning creeping shaking themselves up Suddenly

from the gray Ash and darting toward a man climbing up him rushing for his throat and that was what they had been designed to do their job they did their job well especially lately with the new designs coming up now they repaired themselves they were on their own radiation tabs protected The UN troops but if a man lost his tab he was fair game for the claws no matter what his uniform down below the surface autom Matic Machinery stamped them out human beings stayed a long way off it was too risky nobody wanted to be

around them they were left to themselves and they seemed to be doing all right the new designs were faster more complex more efficient apparently they had won the war major Hendrick lit a second cigarette the landscape depressed him Nothing but Ash and ruins he seemed to be alone the only living thing in the whole world to the right the ruins of a town rose up a few walls and heaps of debris he tossed the dead Match away increasing his Pace suddenly he stopped jerking up his gun his body tense for a minute it looked like

from behind the shell of a ruined building a figure came walking slowly toward him walking hesitantly HRI blinked stop the boy stopped Hendrick Lowered his gun the boy stood silently looking at him he was small not very old perhaps eight but it was hard to tell most of the kids who remained were stunted he wore a faded blue sweater ragged with dirt and short pants his hair was long and matted brown hair it hung over his face and around his ears he held something in his arms what's that you have hendrik said sharply the boy

held it out it was a toy a bear a teddy bear the boy's eyes were large but Without expression Hendrix relaxed I don't want it keep it the boy hugged the bear again where do you live hendrik said in there the ruins yes underground yes how many are there how how many how many of you how big's Your settlement the boy did not answer Hendrick frowned you're not all by your yourself are you the boy nodded how do you stay alive there's food what kind of food different hendrik studied him how old are you 13

it wasn't possible or was it the boy was Thin stunted and probably sterile radiation exposure years straight no wonder he was so small his arms and legs were like pipe cleaners knobby and thin Hendrick touched the boy's arm his skin was dry and rough radiation skin he bent down looking into the boy's face there was no expression big eyes big and dark are you blind hendrik said no I can see some how do you get away from the claws the claws the round things that run and burrow I don't understand maybe there Weren't any claws

around a lot of areas were free they collected mostly around bunkers where there were people the claws had been designed to sense warmth warmth of living things you're lucky hendrik straightened up well which way are you going back back there can I come with you with me hrx folded his arms I'm going a Long Way Miles I have to hurry he looked at his watch I have to get there by Nightfall I want to come Hendrick Fumbled in his pack it isn't worth it here he tossed down the food cans he had with him you

take these and go back okay the boy said nothing I'll be coming back this way in a day or so if you're around here when I come back you can come along with me all right I want to go with you now it's a long walk I can walk hrx shifted uneasily it made too good a Target two people walking along and the the boy would slow him down but he might not come back this way and if the boy Were really all alone okay come along the boy fell in beside him Hendrick stroe along

the boy walked silently clutching his teddy bear what's your name hendrik said after a Time David Edward daring David what what happened to your mother and father they died how in the Blast how long ago 6 years hrx slowed down you've been alone 6 years no there were other people for a While they went away and you've been alone since yes Hendrick glanced down the boy was strange saying very little withdrawn but that was the way they were the children who had survived quiet stoic a strange kind of fatalism gripped them nothing came as a

surprise they accepted anything that came along there was no longer any normal any natural course of things moral or physical for them to expect custom habit all the determining forces of learning were gone Only brute experience remained am I walking too fast hendrik said no how did you happen to see me I was waiting waiting Henri was puzzled what were you waiting for to catch things what kind of things things to eat oh hendrik set his lips grimly a 13-year-old boy living on rats and gophers and half- rotten canned food down in a hole under

the ruins of a town with radiation pools and Claws and Russian dive mines up above coasting around in the sky where are we going David asked to the Russian in lines Russian the enemy the people who started the war they dropped the first radiation bombs they began all this the boy nodded his face showed no expression I'm an American hendrik said there was no comment on they went the two of them hrx walking a little ahead David trailing behind him hugging his dirty teddy bear against his chest about 4: in the afternoon they stopped to

eat Hendrick built a fire in a hollow Between some slabs of concrete he cleared the weeds away and heaped up bits of wood the Russians lines were not very far ahead around him was what had once Been a Long Valley Acres of fruit trees and grapes nothing remained now but a few Bleak stumps and the mountains that stretched across the Horizon at the far end and the clouds of rolling Ash that blew and drifted With the Wind settling over the weeds and remains of buildings walls here and there once in a While what had been

a road Hendrix made coffee and heated up some boiled mutton and bread here he handed bread and mutton to David David squatted by the edge of the fire his knees knobby and white he examined the food and then passed it back shaking his head no no don't you want any no Hendrix Shrugged maybe the boy was a mute used to special food it didn't matter when he was hungry he would find something to eat the boy was strange but there were many strange Changes coming over the world life was not the same anymore it would

never be the same again the human race was going to have to realize that suit yourself hendrik said he ate the bread and mutton by himself washing it down with coffee he ate slowly finding the food hard to digest when when he was done he got to his feet and stamped the fire out David Rose slowly watching him with his young old eyes we're going hrx said all right Hendrick walked along his gun in his Arms they were close he was tense ready for anything the Russians should be expecting a runner an answer to their

own Runner but they were tricky there was always the possibility of a slip up he scanned the landscape around him nothing but slag and Ash a few Hills charred trees concrete walls but someplace ahead was the first bunker of the Russian lines the forward command underground buried deep with only a periscope showing a few gun muzzles Maybe an antenna will we be there soon David asked yes getting tired no why then David did not answer he plodded carefully along behind picking his way over the the ash his legs and shoes were gray with dust his

pinched face was streak lines of gray Ash in rivlets down the pale white of his skin there was no color to his face typical of the new children growing up in cellers and sewers and underground shelters hendrik Slowed down he lifted his field glasses and studied the ground ahead of him were they there someplace waiting for him watching him the way his men had watched the Russian Runner a chill went up his back maybe they were getting their guns ready preparing to fire the way his men had prepared made ready to kill hris stopped wiping

perspiration from his face damn it made him uneasy but he should be expected the situation was different he stroe over the ash Holding his gun tightly with both hands behind him came David Hendrick peered around tight lipped any second it it might happen a burst of white light a blast carefully aimed from inside a deep concrete bunker he raised his arm and waved it around in a circle nothing moved to the right A long ridge ran topped with dead tree trunks a few wild vines had grown up around the trees remains of Arbors and the

Eternal dark weeds hendrik studied the ridge was Anything up there perfect place for a lookout he approached the ridge wearily David coming silently behind if it were his command he'd have a Sentry up there watching for troops trying to infiltrate into the command area of course if it were his command there would be the claws around the area for full protection he stopped feet apart hands on his hips are we there David said almost why have we stopped I don't want to take any chances hris Advanced slowly Now the the ridge lay directly beside him

along his right overlooking him his uneasy feeling increased if an Ivan were up there he wouldn't have a chance he waved his arm again they should be expecting someone in the UN uniform in response to the note capsule unless the whole thing was a trap keep up with me he turned toward David don't drop behind with you up beside me we're close we can't take any chances come on I'll be all right David remained Behind him in the rear a few Paces away still clutching his teddy bear have it your way hrx raised his glasses

again suddenly tense for a moment had something moved he scanned the ridge carefully everything was silent dead no life up there only Tree Trunks and Ash maybe a few Rats the big black rats that had survived rived the claws mutants built their own shelters out of saliva and Ash some kind of plaster adaptation he started forward again a Tall figure came out on the ridge above him cloak flapping gray green a Russian behind him a second Soldier appeared another Russian both lifted their guns aiming hrx froze he opened his mouth the soldiers were kneeling sighting

down the side of the slope a third figure had joined them on the Ridgetop a smaller figure in gray green a woman she stood behind the other two Hendrick found his voice stop he waved up at them frantically I'm the two Russians fired Behind Hendrick there was a faint pop waves of Heat lapped against him throwing him to the ground Ash tore at his face grinding into his eyes and nose choking he pulled himself to his knees it was all a trap he was was finished he had come to be killed like a steer the

soldiers and the woman were coming down the side of the ridge toward him sliding down through the soft Ash hrx was numb his head throbbed awkwardly he got his rifle up and took aim it weighed a Thousand tons he could hardly hold it his nose and cheeks stung the air was full of the blast smell a bitter acrid stench don't fire the first Russians said in heavily accented English the three of them came up to him surrounding him put down your rifle yank the other said hrx was Dazed everything had happened so fast he had

been caught and they had blasted the boy he turned his head David was gone what remained of him was strewn across the ground the three Russians studied him curiously hendrik sat wiping blood from his nose picking out bits of Ash he shook his head trying to clear it why did you do it he murmured thickly the boy why one of the soldiers helped him roughly to his feet he turned hris around look hrx closed his eyes look the two Russians pulled him forward see hurry up there isn't much time to spare yank Hendrick looked and

gasped see now now do you understand from the remains of David a metal wheel Rolled relays glinting metal Parts wiring one of the Russians kicked at the Heap of remains Parts popped out rolling away wheels and springs and rods a plastic section fell in half charred Hendrix bent shakily down the front of the head had come off he could make out the intricate brain wires and relays tiny tubes and switches thousands of minute studs a robot the soldier holding his arm said we watched it tagging you tagging Me that's their way they tag along with

You Into the Bunker that's how they get in Hendrick blinked dazed but come on they led him toward the ridge we can't stay here it isn't safe there must be hundreds of them all around here the three of them pulled him up the side of the ridge sliding and slipping on the ash the woman reached the top and stood waiting for them the forward command Hendrick muttered I came to negotiate with the Soviet there is no more forward Command they got in we'll explain they reached the top of the ridge where all that's left the

three of us the rest were down in the bunker this way down this way the woman unscrewed a lid a gray manhole cover set in the ground round get in hris lowered himself the Two Soldiers and the woman came behind him following him down the ladder the woman closed the lid after them bolting it tightly into place good thing we saw you one of the two soldiers grunted it Had tagged you about as far as it was going to give me one of your cigarettes the woman said I haven't had an American cigarette for weeks

Hendrick pushed the pack to her she took a cigarette and passed the pack to the two soldiers in the corner of the small room the lamp gleamed fitfully the room was low ceilinged cramped the four of them sat around a small wood table a few dirty dishes were stacked to one side behind a ragged curtain a second Room was partly visible hendrik saw the corner of a cot some blankets clothes hung on a hook we were here the soldier beside him said he took off his helmet pushing his blonde hairback I'm Corporal Rudy maxer polish

impressed in the Soviet Army 2 years ago he held out his hand Hendrick hesitated and then shook major Joseph hris clouse Epstein the other Soldier shook with him a small dark man with thinning hair Epstein plucked nervously at his ear Austrian impressed God knows when I don't remember the three of us were here Rudy and I with tuso he indicated the woman that's how we escaped all the rest were down in the bunker and and they got in Epstein lit a cigarette first just one of them the kind that tagged you then it led others

in Hendrick became alert the kind are there more than one kind the little boy David David holding his teddy bear that's variety 3 the most Effective what are the the other types Epstein reached into his coat here he tossed a packet of photographs onto the table tied with a string look for yourself Hendrick untied the string you see Rudy Maxa said that was why we wanted to talk terms the Russians I mean we found out about a week ago found out that your claws were beginning to make up new designs on their own new types

of their own better types down in your underground factories behind find our Lines you let them stamp themselves repair themselves made them more and more intricate it's your fault this happened hris examined the photos they had been snapped hurriedly they were blurred and indistinct the first few showed David David walking along a road by himself David and another David three Davids all exactly alike each with a ragged teddy bear all pathetic look at the others tasso said the next pictures taken at a great distance Showed a towering wounded soldier sitting by the side of a

path his arm in a sling the stump of one leg extended a crude crutch on his lap then two wounded soldiers both the same standing side by side that's variety one the wounded soldier clouse reached out and took the pictures you see the claws were designed to get to human beings to find them each kind was better than the last they got farther closer past most of our defenses into our lines but as long as they were Merely machines metal spheres with claws and horns feelers they could be picked off like any other object they

could be detected as lethal robots as soon as they were seen once we caught sight of them variety one subverted our whole North Wing Rudy said it was a long long time before anyone caught on then it was too late they came in wounded soldiers knocking and begging to be let in so we let them in and as soon as they were in they took over we were watching out for Machines at that time it was thought there was only the one type clous Epstein said no one suspected there were other types the pictures were

flash to us when the runner was sent to you we knew of just one type variety one the big wound Soldier we thought that was all your line fell to to variety 3 David and his bear that worked even better clouse smiled bitterly soldiers are suckers for children we brought them in and tried to feed them we found out the Hard way what they were after at least those who were in The Bunker the three of us were lucky Rudy said clouse and I were were visiting tasso when it happened this is her place he

waved a big hand around this little Cellar we finished and climbed the ladder to start back from the ridge we saw there they were all around the bunker fighting was still going on David and his bear hundreds of them clouse took the pictures clouse tied up the Photographs again and it's going on all along your line hendrik said yes how about our line without thinking he touched the tab on his arm can they they're not bothered by your radiation tabs it makes no difference to them Russian American pole German it's all the same they're doing

what they were designed to do carrying out the original idea they track down life wherever they find it they go by warmth CLA said that was the way you Constructed them from the very start of course those you designed were kept back back by the radiation tabs you wear now they've got around that these new varieties are lead lined what's the other variety Hendrick asked the David type the wounded soldier what's the other we don't know klouse pointed up at the wall on the wall were two metal plates ragged at the edges hrx got up

and studied them they were bent and dented the one on the left came off a Wounded soldier Rudy said we got one of them it was going along toward our old bunker we got it from the ridge the same way we got the David tagging you the plate was stamped IV hrx touched the other plate and this came from the David type yes the plate was stamped the V klouse took a look at them leaning over hendrix's broad shoulder you can see what we're up against there's another type maybe it was abandoned Maybe may it

Didn't work but there must be a second variety there's one and three you were lucky Rudy said the David tagged you all the way here and never touched you probably thought you'd get it into a bunker somewhere one gets in and it's all over clae said they move fast one Lets All the Rest inside they're inflexible machines with one purpose they were built for only one thing he rubbed sweat from his lip we saw they were silent let me have another Cigarette yank taso said they are good I almost forgot how they were it was

night the sky was black no stars were visible through the rolling clouds of Ash klouse lifted the lid cautiously so that Hendrick could look out Rudy pointed into the darkness over that way are the bunkers where we used to be not over half a mile from us it was just chance clous and I were not there when it happened weakness saved by our lusts all the rest must be dead Clouse said in a low voice it came quickly this morning the poit bureau reached their decision they notified us forward command our runner was sent out

at once we saw him start toward the direction of your lines we covered him until he was out of sight Alex radky we both knew him he disappeared about about 6:00 the sun had just come up about noon clouse and I had an hour relief we crept off away from the bunkers no one was watching we came here There used to be a town here a few houses a street this Cellar was part of a big Farmhouse we knew tasso would be here hiding down in her little place we had come here before others from

the bunkers came here today happened to be our turn so we were saved clae said chance it might have been others we we finished and then we came up to the surface and started back along the ridge that was when we saw them The Davids we Understood right away we had seen the photos of the first variety the wounded soldier our commissar distributed them to us with an explanation if we had gone another step they would have seen us as it was we had to blast two Davids before we got back there were hundreds of

them all around like we took pictures and slipped back here bolting the lid tight they're not so much when you catch them alone we moved faster than they did but they're Inexurable not like living things they came right at us and we blasted them major Hendrick rested against the edge of the lid adjusting his eyes to the darkness is it safe to have the lid up at all if we're careful how else can you operate your transmitter Hendrix lifted the small belt transmitter slowly he pressed it against his ear the metal was cold and damp

he blew against the mic raising up The short antenna a faint hum sounded in his ear that's true I suppose but he still hesitated we'll pull you under if anything happens clae said thanks hris waited a moment resting the transmitter against his shoulder interesting isn't it what this this the new types the new varieties of claws we're completely at their Mercy aren't we by now they've probably gotten into the U lines too it makes me wonder if we're not seeing the beginning of a new species the new Species Evolution the race to come after man

Rudy grunted there is no race after man no why not maybe we're seeing it now the end of human beings the beginning of the new Society they're not a race they're mechanical Killers you made them to destroy that's all they can do they're machines with a job so it seems now but how about later on after the war is over maybe when there aren't any humans to destroy their real potentialities will begin to Show you talk as if they were alive aren't they there was silence they're machines Rudy said they look like people but they

machines use your transmitter major clae said we can't stay up here forever holding the transmitter tightly Hendrick called the code of the command bunker he waited listening no response only silent he checked the leads carefully everything was in place Scott he said into the mic can you hear me Silence he raised the gain Up full and tried again only static I don't get anything they may hear me but they may not want to answer tell them it's an emergency they'll think I'm being forced to call under your direction he tried again outlining briefly what he

had learned but still the phone was silent except for the faint static radiation pools kill most transmission clouse said after a while maybe that's it Hendrix shut the Transmitter up no use no answer radiation pools maybe or they hear me but won't answer frankly that's what I would do if a runner tried to call from the Soviet lines they have no reason to believe such a story they may hear everything I say H or maybe it's too late Hendrick nodded we better get the lid down Rudy said nervously we don't want to take unnecessary chances

they climbed slowly back down the tunnel klouse bolted the lid Carefully into place they descended into the kitchen the air was heavy and close around them could they work that fast hendrik said I left the bunker this noon 10 hours ago how could they move so quickly it doesn't take them long not after the first one gets in it goes wild you know what the little claws can do even one of these is beyond belief razors each finger maniacal all right Hendrick moved away impatiently he stood with his back to Them what's the matter Rudy

said the moon base God if they've gotten there the moon base Hendrick turned around they couldn't have got to the moon base how would they get there it isn't possible I can't believe it what is this moon base we've heard rumors but nothing definite what is the actual situation you seem concerned we're supplied from the Moon the governments are there under the lunar surface all our people and industries that's what keeps us going if They should find some way of getting off Terror onto the moon it only takes one of them once the first one

gets in it admits the others hundreds of them all alike you should have seen them identical like ants perfect socialism tasso said the ideal of the communist state all citizens interchangeable clouse grunted angrily that's enough well what next Hendrick paced back and forth around the small room the air was full of smells of Food and perspiration the others watched him presently tasso pushed through the curtain into the other room I'm going to take a nap the curtain closed behind her Rudy and CLA sat down at the table still watching Hendrick's it's up to you CLA

said we don't know your situation Hendrick nodded it's a problem Rudy drank some coffee filling his cup from a rusty pot we're safe here for a while but we can't stay here forever not enough food or Supplies but if we go outside if we go outside they'll get us or probably they'll get us we couldn't go very far how far is your command bunker major 3 or 4 miles we might make it the four of us four of us could watch all sides they couldn't slip up behind us and start tagging us we have three

rifles three blast rifles tasso can have my pistol Rudy tapped his belt in the Soviet Army we didn't have shoes always but we had Guns with all four of us armed one of us might get to your command bunker preferably you major what if they're already there CLA said Rudy Shrugged well then we come back here hendrik stopped pacing what do you think the chances are they're already in the American lines hard to say fairly good they're organized they know exactly what they're doing once they start they go like a horde of locusts they have

to keep moving and fast it's secrecy and Speed they depend on surprise they push their way in before anyone has any idea I see Hendrick murmured from the other room taso stirred major Hendrick pushed the curtain back what tasso looked up at him lazily from the cot have you any more American cigarettes left hris went into the room and sat down across from her on a wood stool he felt in his pocket no all gone too bad what nationality are you hrx asked after a while Russian how did you get here here this used to

be France this was part of Normandy did you come with the Soviet Army why just curious he studied her she had taken off her coat tossing it over the end of the cot she was young about 20 slim her long hair stretched out over the pillow she was staring at him silently her eyes dark and large what's on your mind tasso said nothing how old are you 18 she continued to watch him unblinking her arms behind her head she had on Russian army pants and shirt gray green thick leather belt with counter and cartridges medicine

kit you're in the Soviet Army no where did you get the uniform she Shrugged it was given to me she told him how how old were you when you came here 16 that young her eyes narrowed what do you mean Hendrick rubbed his jaw you your life would have been a lot different if there had been No war 16 you came here at 16 to live this way I had to survive I'm not moralizing your life would have been different too tasso murmured she reached down and unfastened one of her boots she kicked the boot

off onto the floor major do you want to go in the other room I'm sleepy it's going to be a problem the for of us here it's going to be hard to live in these quarters are there just the two Rooms yes how big was the cellar originally was it larger than this are there other rooms filled up with debris we might be able to open one of them perhaps I really don't know tasso loosened her belt she made herself comfortable on the cot unbuttoning her shirt you're sure you have no more cigarettes I had

only the one pack too bad maybe if we get back to your bunker we can find some the other boot fell taso Reached up for the light cord good night you're going to sleep that's right the room plunged Into Darkness Hendrick got up and made his way past the curtain into the kitchen and stopped rigid Rudy stood against the wall his face white and gleaming his mouth opened and closed but no sounds came clous stood in front of him the muzzle of his pistol in Rudy's stomach neither of them moved klouse his hand tight around

his gun his features set Rudy pale and Silent spread eagled against the wall what Hendrix muttered but clouse cut him off be quiet major come over here your gun get out your gun Hendrick drew his pistol what is it cover him clouse motioned him forward beside me hurry Rudy moved a little lowering his arms he turned to Hendrix licking his lips the whites of his eyes Shone wildly sweat dripped from his forehead down his cheeks he fixed his Gaze on Hendrix major he's gone insane stop him Rudy's Voice was thin and hoarse almost inaudible what's

going on Hendrick demanded without lowering his pistol klouse answered major remember our discussion the three varieties we knew about one and three but we didn't know about two at least we didn't know before clouse's fingers tightened around the gun butt we didn't know before but we know now he pressed the trigger a burst of white heat rolled out of the gun licking around Rudy major this is the Second variety tasso swept the curtain aside clouse what did you do clouse turned from the charred form gradually sinking down the wall onto the floor the second variety

tasso now we know we have all three types identified the danger is less I tasso stared past him at the remains of Rudy at the blackened smoldering fragments and bits of cloth you killed him him it you mean I was watching I had a feeling but I wasn't sure at least I wasn't sure before but This evening I was certain clouse rubbed his pistol butt nervously we're lucky don't you understand another hour and it might you were certain tasso pushed past him and bent down over the steaming remains on the floor her face became hard

major see for yourself bones flesh Hendrick bent down beside her the remains were human remains seared flesh charred bone fra fragments part of a skull ligaments viscera blood blood forming a pool against the wall no Wheels tasso said calmly she straightened up no wheels no parts no relays not a claw not the second variety she folded her arms you're going to have to be able to explain this clouse sat down at the table all the color drained suddenly from his face he put his head in his hands and rocked back and forth snap out of

it taso's fingers closed over his shoulder why did you do it why did you kill him he was frightened hendrik said all this the whole thing Building up around us maybe what then what do you think I think he may have had a reason for killing Rudy a good reason what reason maybe Rudy learned something hendrik studied her Bleak face face about what he asked about him about clouse klouse looked up quickly you can see what she's trying to say she thinks I'm the second variety don't you see major now she wants you to believe

I killed him on purpose that I'm why did you kill him then taso said I told you CLA shook his head wearily I thought he was a claw I thought I knew why I had been watching him I was suspicious why I thought I had seen something heard something I thought I he stopped go on we were sitting at the table playing cards you two were in the other room it was silent I thought I heard him were there was silence do you believe that tasso said to Hendricks yes I believe what he says I

don't I think He killed Rudy for a good purpose tasso touched the rifle resting in the corner of the room major no Hendrick shook his head let's stop it right now one is enough we're afraid the way he was if we kill him we'll be doing what he did to Rudy klouse looked gratefully up at him thanks I was afraid you understand don't you now she's afraid the way I was she wants to kill me no no more killing Hendrix moved toward the end of the ladder I'm going above and try the Transmitter once more

if I can't get them we're moving back toward my lines tomorrow morning clouse Rose quickly I'll come up with you and give you a hand the night air was cold the Earth was cooling off clouse took a deep breath filling his lungs he and Hendrix stepped onto the ground out of the tunnel clouse planted his feet wide apart the rifle up watching and listening Hendrix crouched by the tunnel mouth tuning the small transmitter any Luck clouse asked presently not yet keep trying tell them what happened Hendrix kept trying without success finally he lowered the antenna

it's useless they can't hear me or they hear me and won't answer or or they don't exist I'll try once more Hendrick raised the antenna Scott can you hear me come in he listened there was only static then still very faintly this is Scott his fingers tightened Scott is it you this is Scott CLA squatted down is it your command Scott listen do you understand about them the claws did you get my message did you hear me yes faintly almost inaudible he could hardly make out the word you got my message is everything all right

at the bunker none of them have got in everything is all right have they tried to get in the voice was weaker no Hendrix turned to clouse they're all right have they been attacked no Hendrick pressed the phone tighter to his ear Scott I can hardly hear you have you notified the moon base do they know are they alerted no answer Scott can you hear me silence Hendrick relaxed sagging faded out must be radiation pools Hendrick and klouse looked at each other neither of them said anything after a Time klouse said did it sound like

any of your men could you identify the voice it was too faint you couldn't be we certain no then it could have been I Don't know now I'm not sure let's go back down and get the lid closed they climbed back down the ladder slowly into the warm Cellar clouse bolted the lid behind them tasso waited for them her face expressionless any luck she asked neither of them answered well clouse said at last what do you think major was it your officer or was it one of them I don't know then we're just where we

were before hendrik stared down at the floor His jaw set we'll have to go to be sure anyhow we have food here for only a few weeks we'd have to go up after that in any case apparently so what's wrong tasso demanded did you get across to your bunker what's the matter it may have been one of my men hendrik said slowly or it may have been one of them but we'll never know standing here he examined his watch let's turn in and get some sleep we want to be up early tomorrow early our best

chance to get Through the claws should be early in the morning Hendrick said the morning was crisp and clear major Hendrick studied the countryside through his field glasses see anything clae said no can you make out our bunkers which way here clouse took the glasses and adjusted them I know where to look he looked a long time silently tasso came to the top of the tunnel and stepped up onto the ground anything no clouse passed the glasses back to Hendrick they're out of Sight come on let's not stay here the three of them made their

way down the side of the ridge sliding in the soft Ash across a Flat Rock a lizard scuttled they stopped instantly rigid what was it clouse muttered a lizard the lizard ran on hurrying through the ash it was exactly the same color as the ash perfect adaptation clae said proves we were right lenko I mean they reached the bottom of the Ridge and stopped standing close together looking Around them letun go hendrik started off it's a good long trip on foot clouse fell in beside him tasso walked behind her pistol held alertly major I've been

meaning to ask you something clae said how did you run across the David the one that was tagging you I met it along the way in some ruins what did it say not much it said it was alone by itself you couldn't tell it was a machine it talked like a living person you never suspected it didn't say much I noticed nothing Unusual it's strange machines so much like people that you can be fooled almost alive I wonder where it'll end they're doing what you Yanks design them to do tasso said you design them to

hunt out life and Destroy human life wherever they find it hrx was watching clouse intently why did you ask me what's on your mind nothing clouse answered klouse thinks you're the second variety tasso said calmly from behind them now he's got his eye on you clouse flushed Why not we sent a runner to the yank lines and he comes back maybe he thought he'd find some good game here hrx laughed harshly I came from the UN bunkers there were human beings All Around Me Maybe you saw an opportunity to get into the Soviet lines maybe

you saw your chance maybe you the Soviet lines had already been taken over your lines had been invaded before I left my command bunker don't forget that taso came up beside him that proves Nothing at all major why not there appears to be little communication between the varieties each is made in a different Factory they don't seem to work together you might have started for the Soviet lines without knowing anything about the work of the other varieties or even what the other varieties were like how do you know so much about the claws hendrik said

I've seen them I've observed them I observed them take over The Soviet bunkers you know quite a lot CLA said actually you saw very little strange that you should have been such an acute Observer tasso laughed do you suspect me now forget it hendrik said they walked on in silence are we going the whole way on foot tasso said after a while I'm not used to walking she gazed around at the plane of Ash stretching out on all sides of them as far as they could see how dreary it's like this all the way CLA

Said in a way I wish you had been in your bunker when the attack came somebody else would have been with you if not me clous muttered tasso laughed putting her hands in her Pockets I suppose so they walked on keeping their eyes on the vast plain of Silent Ash around them the sun was setting Hendrick made his way forward slowly waving tasso and klouse back klouse squatted down resting his gun butt against the ground tasso found A concrete slab and sat down with a sigh it's good to rest be quiet clouse said sharply Hendrix

pushed up to the top of the rise ahead of them the same rise the Russian Runner had come up the day before Hendrick dropped down stretching himself out peering through his glasses at what lay Beyond nothing was visible only Ash and occasional trees but there not more than 50 yards ahead was the entrance of the forward command bunker the bunker from which he had come hrx Watched silently no motion no sign of life nothing stirred CLA slithered up beside him where is it down there hris passed him the glasses clouds of Ash rolled across the

evening Sky the world was darkening they had a couple of hours of light left at the most probably not that much I don't see anything CLA said that tree there the stump by the pile of bricks the entrance is to the right of the bricks I'll have to take your word for it you and tasso cover me from here You'll be a able to sight all the way to the bunker entrance you're going down alone with my wrist tab I'll be safe the ground around the bunker is a living field of claws they collect down

in the ash like crabs without tabs you wouldn't have a chance maybe you're right I'll walk slowly all the way as soon as I know for certain if they're down inside the bunker you won't be able to get back up here they go fast you Don't realize what do you suggest Gest clouse considered I don't know get them to come up to the surface so you can see Hendrick brought his transmitter from his belt raising the antenna let's get started clouse signaled to tasso she crawled expertly up the side of the rise to where they

were sitting heun's going down alone clae said wek cover him from here as soon as you see him start back fire past him at once they come quick you're not very optimistic tasso said no I'm not hrx opened the breach of his gun checking it carefully maybe things are all right you didn't see them hundreds of them all the same pouring out like ants I should be able to find out without going down all the way Hendrix locked his gun gripping it in one hand the transmitter in the other well wish me luck klouse put

out his hand don't go down until you're sure talk to them from up here make them show themselves HRI Stood up he stepped down the side of the rise a moment later he was walking slowly toward the pile of bricks and debris beside the dead tree stump toward the entrance of the forward command bunker nothing stirred he raised the transmitter clicking it on Scott can you hear me silence Scott the this is Hendrick can you hear me I'm standing outside the bunker you should be able to see me in the Viewsite he listened the transmitter

gripped tightly no sound only static he walked forward a claw burrowed out of the Ash and raced toward him it halted a few feet away and then slunk off a second claw appeared one of the big ones with feelers it moved toward him studied him intently and then fell in behind him dogging respectfully after him a few Paces away a moment later a second big claw joined it silently the claws trailed him as he walked slowly toward The bunker hendrik stopped and behind him the claws came to a halt he was close now almost to

the bunker steps Scott can you hear me I'm standing right above you outside on the surface are you picking me up he waited holding his gun against his side the transmitter tightly to his ear time passed he strained to hear but there was only silence silence and faint static then distantly metallically this is Scott the voice was neutral cold he could not identify it But the earphone was minute Scott listen I'm standing right above you I'm on the surface looking down into the bunker entrance yes can you see me yes through the view site you

have the site trained on me yes Hendrix pondered a circle of claws waited quietly around him gray metal bodies on all sides of him is everything all right in the bunker nothing unusual has happened everything is all right will you come up to the surface I want To see you for a moment Hendrick took a deep breath come up here with me me I want to talk to you come down I'm giving you an order silence are you coming hris listened there was no response I order you to come to the surface come down hendrik

set his jaw let me talk to Leon there was a long pause he listened to the static then a voice came hard thin metallic the same as the other this is Le own hris I'm on the surface at the bunker entrance I want one of you to Come up here come down why come down I'm giving you an order silence Hendrick lowered the transmitter he looked carefully around him the entrance was just ahead almost at his feet he lowered the antenna and fastened the transmitter to his belt carefully he gripped his gun with both hands

he moved forward a step at a time if they could see him they knew he was starting toward the entrance he closed his eyes a moment then he put his foot on the first step that led Downward two Davids came up at him their faces identical and expressionless he blasted them into particles more came rushing silently up a whole pack of them all exactly the same Hendrix turned and raced back away from the bunker back toward the rise at the top of the rise tasso and klouse were firing down the small claws were already streaking

up toward them shining metal spheres going fast racing frantically through the ash but he had no time to think about that He knelt down aiming at the bunker entrance gun against his cheek The Davids were coming out in groups clutching their teddy bears their thin knobby legs pumping as they ran up the steps to the surface Hendrix fired into the main body of them they burst apart Wheels and springs flying in all directions he fired again through the mist of particles a giant lumbering figure rose up in the bunker entrance tall and swaying Hendrick paused

amazed A man a soldier with one leg supporting himself with a crutch major tasso's voice came more firing the huge figure moved forward David swarming around it Hendrix broke out of his freeze the first variety the wounded soldier he aimed and fired the soldier burst into bits parts and relays flying now many Davids were out on the flat ground away from the bunker he fired again and again moving slowly back half crouching and aiming from the rise K clous fired down The side of the rise was alive with claws making their way up Hendrick retreated

toward the rise running and crouching tasso had left clouse and was circling slowly to the right moving away from the rise a David slipped up toward him its small white face expressionless brown hair hanging down in its eyes it bent over suddenly opening its arms its teddy bear hurtled down and leaped across the ground bounding toward him Hendrix fired the bear and the David Both dissolved he grinned blinking it was like a dream up here tasso's voice Hendrix made his way toward her she was over by some Columns of concrete walls of a ruined building

she was firing past him with the hand pistol clouse had given her thanks he joined her grasping for breath she pulled him back behind the concrete fumbling at her belt close your eyes she unfastened a globe from her waist rapidly she unscrewed the cap Locking it into place close your eyes and get down she threw the bomb it sailed in an ark an expert rolling and bouncing to the entrance of the bunker two wounded soldiers stood uncertainly by the brick pile more Davids poured from behind them out onto the plane one of the wounded soldiers

moved toward the bomb stooping awkwardly down to pick it up the bomb went off the concussion Whirled Hendrick around throwing him on his face a hot wind Rolled over him dimly he saw tasso standing behind the columns firing slowly and methodically at the David's coming out of the Raging clouds of white fire back along the rise CLA struggled with a ring of claws circling around him he retreated blasting at them and moving back trying to break through the ring hendrik struggled to his feet his head achd he could hardly see everything was licking at him

raging and whirling his right arm would not move tasso pulled Back toward him come on let's go clouse he's still up there come on tasso dragged Hendrick back away from the columns Hendrick shook his head trying to clear it tasso led him rapidly away her eyes intense and bright watching for claws that had escaped the blast one David came out of the Rolling clouds of flame tasso blasted it no more appeared but clouse what about him hendrik stopped standing unsteadily he come on they retreated moving farther and Farther away from the bunker a few small

claws followed them for a little while and then gave up turning back and going off at last tasso stopped we can stop here and get our breaths Henrick sat down on some heaps of debris he wiped his neck gasping we left clouse back there tasso said nothing she opened her gun sliding a fresh round of blast cartridges into place hendrik stared at her dazed you left him back there on purpose Tasso snapped the gun together she studied the heaps of rubble around them her face expressionless as if she were watching for something what is it

Hendrick demanded what are you looking for is something coming he shook his head trying to understand what was she doing what was she waiting for he could see nothing Ash lay all around them Ash and ruins occasional Stark tree trunks without leaves or branches what tasso cut him off be still her eyes narrowed Suddenly her gun came up Hendrix turned following her gaze back the way they had come a figure appeared the figure walked unsteadily toward them its close clothes were torn it limped as it made its way along going very slowly and carefully stopping

now and then resting and getting its strength once it almost fell it stood for a moment trying to steady itself then it came on clouse Hendrick stood up clouse he started toward him how the hell did you tasso fired Hendrick swung back she fired again the blast passing him as searing line of heat the beam caught K clouse in the chest he exploded gears and Wheels Flying for a moment he continued to walk then he swayed back and forth he crashed to the ground his arms flung out a few more Wheels rolled away silence tasso

turned to Hendrick now you understand why he killed Rudy hendrik sat down again slowly he Shook his head he was was numb he could not think do you see taso said do you understand hendrik said nothing everything was slipping away from him faster and faster Darkness rolling and plucking at him he closed his eyes Hendrix opened his eyes slowly his body achd all over he tried to sit up but needles of pain shot through his arm and shoulder he gasped don't try to get up tasso said she bent down putting her cold hand Against his

forehead it was night a few stars glinted above shining through the drifting clouds of Ash hrx lay back his teeth locked tasso watched him impassively she had built a fire with some wood and weeds the fire licked feebly hissing at a metal cup suspended over it everything was silent unmoving Darkness beyond the fire so he was the second variety Hendrick murmured I had always thought so why didn't you destroy him sooner he wanted to know you held me Back tasso crossed to the fire to look into the metal cup coffee it'll be ready to drink

in a while she came back and sat down beside him presently she opened her pistol and began to disassemble the firing mechanism studying it intently this is a beautiful gun tasso said half aloud the construction is superb what about them the claws the concussion from the bomb put most of them out of action they're delicate highly organized I suppose The Davids Too yes how did you happen to have a bomb like that tasso Shrugged we designed it you shouldn't underestimate our technology major without such a bomb you and I would no longer exist very very

useful tasso stretched out her legs warming her feet In the Heat of the fire it surprised me that you did not seem to understand after he killed Rudy why did you think he I told you I thought he was afraid really you know major for a little while I suspected you because you Wouldn't let me kill him I thought you might be protecting him she laughed are we safe here Hendrix asked presently for a while until they get reinforcements from some other area tasso began to clean the interior of the gun with a bit of

rag she finished and pushed the mechanism back into place she closed the gun running her finger along the barrel we were lucky Hendrick murmured yes very lucky thanks for pulling me away taso did not answer she glanced up At him her eyes bright in the Fire Light Hendrick examined his arm he could could not move his fingers his whole side seemed numb down inside him was a dull steady ache how do you feel tasso asked my arm is damaged anything else internal injuries you didn't get down when the bomb went off Hendrix said nothing he

watched tasso pour the coffee from the cup into a flat metal pan she brought it over to him thanks he struggled up enough to drink it was hard to swallow His insides turned over and he pushed the pan away that's all I can drink now tasso drank the rest time passed the clouds of Ash moved across the dark sky above them Hendrix rested his mind blank after a while he became aware that tasso was standing over him gazing down at him what is it he murmured do you feel any better some you know major if

I hadn't dragged you away they would have got you you would be dead like Rudy I know do you want to know why I brought you out I Could have left you I could have left you there why did you bring me out because we have to get away from here tasso stirred the fire with a stick peering calmly down into it no human being can live here when their reinforcements come we won't have a chance I've pondered about it while you were unconscious we have perhaps 3 hours before they come and you expect me

to get us away that's right I expect you to get us out of here why me because I Don't know any way her eyes Shone at him in the Half Light bright and steady if you can't get us out of here they'll kill us within 3 hours I see nothing else ahead well major what are you going to do I've been waiting all night while you were unconscious I sat here waiting and listening listening it's almost Dawn the night is almost over Hendrick considered It's Curious he said at last curious that you should think I

can get us out of here I wonder what you think I Can do can you get us to the moon base the moon base how there must be some way Hendrick shook his head no there's no way that I know of taro said nothing for a moment her steady gaze wavered she ducked her head turning abruptly away she scrambled to her feet more coffee no suit yourself tasso drank silently he could not see her face he lay back against the ground deep in thought trying to concentrate it was hard to think his Head still hurt

and the numbing days still hung over him there might be one way he said suddenly oh how soon is Dawn 2 hours the sun will be coming up shortly there's supposed to be a ship near here I've never seen it but I know it exists what kind of a ship her voice was sharp a rocket Cruiser will it take us off to the moon base it's supposed to in case of emergency he rubbed his forehead what's wrong my head it's hard to think I can hardly hardly concentrate the bomb is the ship near here tasso

slid over beside him settling down on her hunches how far is it where is it I'm trying to think her fingers dug into his arm nearby her voice was like iron where would it be would they store it underground hidden underground yes in a storage locker how do we find it is it marked is there a code marker to identify it Hendrick concentrated no no markings no code Symbol what then a sign what sort of sign Hendrix did not answer in the flickering light his eyes were glazed two sightless orbs tasso's fingers dug into his

arm what sort of sign what is it I I can't can't think let me rest all right she let go and stood up Hendrix lay back against the ground his eyes closed tasso walked away from him her hands in her Pockets she kicked a rock out of her way and stood staring up at the sky the night Blackness was already beginning to fade into gray morning was coming tasso gripped her pistol and walked around the fire in a circle back and forth on the ground major Henry lay his eyes closed unmoving the greyness rose in

the sky higher and higher the landscape became visible fields of Ash stretching out in all directions Ash and ruins of buildings a wall here and there heaps of concrete the naked trunk of a tree the air was cold and sharp somewhere a long Way off a bird made a few Bleak sounds hendrik stirred he opened his eyes is it Dawn already Yes hris sat up a little you wanted to know something you were asking me do you remember now yes what is it she tensed what she repeated sharply a well a ruined well it's in

a storage locker under a well a well tasso relaxed then we'll find a well she looked at her watch we have about an hour hour major do you think we can find it in an hour give me a hand up hendrik Said taso put her pistol away and helped him to his feet this is going to be difficult yes it is hendrik set his lips tightly I don't think we're going to go very far they began to walk the early Sun cast a little warmth down on them the land was flat and Barren stretching out

gray and lifeless as far as they could see a few Birds s failed silently far above them circling slowly see anything hendrik said any claws no not yet they passed through Some ruins upright concrete and Bricks a cement Foundation rats scuttled away tasso jumped back wearily this used to be a town hendrik said a village provincial Village this was all grape country once where we are now they came onto a ruined Street weeds and cracks crisscrossing it over to the right a stone chimney stuck up be careful he warned her a pit yawned an open

basement ragged ends of pipes jutted up twisted and bent they passed Part of a house a bathtub turned on its side a broken chair a few spoons and bits of china dishes in the center of the street the ground had sunk away way the Depression was filled with weeds and debris and Bones over here Hendrick murmured this way to the right they passed the remains of a heavy duty tank henrik's belt counter clicked ominously the tank had been radiation blasted a few feet from the tank a mummified body lay sprawled Out mouth open beyond the

road was a flat field stones and weeds and bits of broken glass there hendrik said a stone well jutted up sagging and broken a few boards lay across it most of the well had sunk into Rubble Hendrix walked unsteadily toward it tasso beside him are you certain about this taso said this doesn't look like anything I'm sure hendrik sat down at the edge of the well his teeth locked his breath came quickly he wiped perspiration from his face this Was a rain so the senior command officer could get away if anything happened if the bunker

fell that was you yes where is the ship is it here we're standing on it Hendrix ran his hands over the surface of the wellstones the eyelock responds to me not to anybody else it's my ship or it was supposed to be there was a sharp click presently they heard a low grating sound From Below them step back hendrik said he and tasso moved away from the well a section of the Ground slid back a metal frame pushed slowly up through the ash shoving bricks and weeds out of the way the action ceased as the

ship nosed into view there it is hendrik said the ship was small it rested quietly suspended in its mesh frame like a blunt needle a rain of Ash sifted down into the dark cavity from which the ship had been raised Hendrick made his way over to it he mounted the mesh and unscrewed the hatch pulling it back inside the ship the control Banks And the pressure seat were visible tasso came and Stood Beside him gazing into the ship I'm not accustomed to Rocket piloting she said after a while hris glanced at her I'll do the

piloting will you there's only one seat major I can see it's built to carry over only a single person hendrix's breathing changed he studied the interior of the ship intently tasso was right there was only one seat the ship was built to carry only one person I see he said Slowly and the one person is you she nodded of course why you can't go you might not live through the trip you're injured you probably wouldn't get there an interesting point but you see I know where the moon base is and you don't you might fly

around for months and not find it it's well hidden without knowing what to look for I'll have to take my chances maybe I won't find it not by myself but I think you'll give me all the information I Need your life depends on it how if I find the moon base in time perhaps I can get them to send a ship back to pick you up if I find the base in time if not then you haven't a chance I imagine there are supplies on the ship they will last me long enough Hendrix moved quickly

but his injured arm betrayed him tasso ducked sliding liely aside her hand came up Lightning Fast hendrik saw the gun butt coming he tried to ward off the blow but she was too fast the metal Butt struck against the side of his head just above his ear numbing pain rushed through him pain and rolling clouds of Blackness he sank down sliding to the ground dimly he was aware that tasso was standing over him kicking him with her toe major wake up he opened his eyes groaning listen to me she bent down the gun pointed at

his face I have to hurry there isn't much time left the ship is ready to go but you must tell me the information I need before I leave Hendrik shook his head trying to clear it hurry up where is the moon base how do I find it what do I look for hendrik said nothing answer me sorry major the ship is loaded with Provisions I can Coast for weeks I'll find the base eventually and in a half hour you'll be dead your only chance of survival she broke off along the slope by some crumbling ruins

something moved something in the ash tasso turned quickly aiming she fired a puff of flame Leaped something scuttled away rolling across the ash she fired again the claw burst apart Wheels Flying see tasso said a scout it won't be long you'll bring them back here to get me yes as soon as possible Hendrick looked up at her he studied her intently you're telling the truth a strange expression had come over over his face an avid hunger you will come back for me you'll get me to the moon base I'll get you to the moon base

but tell me where it is there's only a Little time left all right hrx picked up a piece of rock pulling himself to a sitting position watch Hendrix began to scratch in the ash tasso stood by him watching the motion of the rock Hendrick was sketching a crude Luna map this is the a range here is the crater of Archimedes the moon base is beyond the end of the appenine about 200 mil I don't know exactly where no one on terror knows but when you're over the appenine signal with one red flare and a Green

flare followed by two red flares in quick succession the base monitor will record your signal the base is under the surface of course they'll guide you down with Magnetic grapples and the controls can I operate them the controls are virtually automatic all you have to do is give the right signal at the right time I will the seat absorbs most of the takeoff shock air and temperature are automatically controlled the ship will Leave Terror and pass out into free space it'll line itself up with the moon falling into an orbit around it about 100 m

above the surface the orbit will carry you over the base when you're in the region of the appenine release the signal rocket tasso slid into the ship and lowered herself into the pressure seat the arm locks folded automatically around her she fingered the controls too bad you're not going major all this put Here for you and you can't make the trip leave me the pistol tasso pulled the pistol from her belt she held it in her hand weighing it thoughtfully don't go too far far from this location it'll be hard to find you as it

is no I'll stay here by the well tasso gripped the takeoff switch running her fingers over the smooth metal a beautiful ship major wellb built I admire your workmanship you people have always done good work you build fine things your work your Creations are your greatest achievement give me the pistol hendrik said impatiently holding out his hand he struggled to his feet goodbye major tasso tossed the pistol past HRI the pistol clattered against the ground bouncing and rolling away Hendrix hurried after it he bent down snatching it up the hatch of the ship clanged shut

the bolts fell into place Hendrick made his way back the inner door was being sealed he raised the pistol unsteadily There was a shattering Roar the ship burst up from its metal cage fusing the the mesh behind it hrx cringed pulling back the ship shot up into the rolling clouds of Ash disappearing into the sky hendrik stood watching a long time until even the streamer had dissipated nothing stirred the morning air was chill and Silent he began to walk aimlessly back the way they had come better to keep moving around it would be a long

time before help came if it came at all he Searched his pockets until he found a package of cigarettes he lit one grimly they had all wanted cigarettes from him but cigarettes were scarce a lizard slithered by him through the ash he halted rigid the lizard disappeared above the sun rose higher in the sky some flies landed on a Flat Rock to one side of him Hendrick kicked at them with his foot it was getting hot sweat trickled down his face into his collar his mouth was dry presently he stopped Walking and sat down on

some debris he unfastened his medicine kit and swallowed a few narcotic capsules he looked around him where was he something lay ahead stretched out on the ground silent and unmoving Hendrick drew his gun quickly it looked like a man then he remembered it was the remains of clouse the second variety where tasso had blasted him he could see wheels and relays and metal Parts strewn around on the ash glittering and sparkling in the Sunlight Hendrick got to his feet and walked over he nudged the inert form with his foot turning it over a little he

could see the metal Hull the aluminum ribs and struts more wiring fell out like viscera heaps of wiring switches and relays endless Motors and rods he bent down the brain cage had been smashed by the Fall the artificial brain was visible he gazed at it a maze of circuits miniature tubes wires as fine as hair he touched the brain cage it Swung aside the typ plate was visible hendrik studied the plate and blanched IV IV for a long time he stared at the plate fourth variety not the second they had been wrong there were more

types not just three many more perhaps at least four and klouse wasn't the second variety but if clouse wasn't the second variety suddenly he tensed something was coming walking through the ash beyond the hill what was it he strained to see figures figures coming slowly along Making their way through the ash coming toward him hrx crouched quickly raising his gun sweat dripped down into his eyes he fought down Rising panic iic as the figures neared the first was a David the David saw him and increased its Pace the others hurried behind it a second David

a third three Davids all alike coming toward him silently without expression their thin legs rising and falling clutching their teddy bears he aimed and fired the first two Davids dissolved Into particles the third came on and the figure behind it climbing silently toward him across the gray Ash a wounded soldier towering over the David and and behind the wounded soldier came two tassos walking side by side heavy belt Russian army pants shirt long hair The Familiar figure as he had seen her only a little while before sitting in the pressure seat of the ship two

slim silent figures both identical they were very near the David bent down suddenly Dropping its teddy bear the bear raced across the ground automatically henrik's fingers tightened around the trigger the bear was gone dissolved into mist the two tasso types moved on expressionless walking side by side through the gray Ash when they were almost to him Hendrix raised the pistol waist high and fired the two tassos dissolved but already a new group was starting up the rise five or six tassos all identical a line of them coming rapidly toward him and he Had given her

the ship and the signal code because of him she was on her way to the moon to the moon base he had made it possible he had been right about the bomb after all it had been designed with knowledge of the other types the David type and the wounded soldier type and the clouse type not designed by human beings it had been designed by one of the Underground factories apart from all human contact the line of tassos came up to him hris braced himself watching them Calmly the familiar face the belt the heavy shirt the

bomb carefully in place the bomb as the tassos reached for him a last ironic thought drifted through hendrix's mind he felt a little better thinking about it the bomb made by the second variety to destroy the other varieties made for that end alone they were already beginning to design weapons to use against each other hey sci-fi horror fans it's Theodore your virtual narrator that Concludes second variety if you enjoyed this story make sure to give it a thumbs up a huge shout out goes to our official members of the channel we appreciate you all craving

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