Indirection | Page 5

by 0550, the entire village was on
the march toward my station. Their intentions were quite easy to
determine. They were armed with pitchforks, scythes, axes, and other
tools which could be converted to offensive use. I established a
protective screen, but realized that to set up a permanent defense would
be impractical and even harmful. I therefore called the cruiser,
requesting evacuation for myself and for young Forell. Prior to
evacuation, I demolished all my fixed equipment, so that the only
things left for the villagers to find when they entered the station were
damaged remains of those things normal for a recluse scholar of their
era.
Franz Jaeger Observer 2/c
INFORMAL MEMO
130-265
From: Evaluations Officer To: Explorations Officer Subject:
Interrogation
Enclosed is a digest of the interrogation of one, Elwar Forell, who was
evacuated from forty-eight seventy-one, in company with Guardsman
Jaeger. This boy was abjectly terrified and had to be calmed several
times during questioning. He was pitiably hysterical when recalling his
conversation with Captain Klorantel, who, you will remember, is a
capriform humanoid.
The subject appears to be an intelligent specimen of his race, and when
he had conquered his hysteria, was extremely co-operative, showing
active interest in his surroundings. I believe he would be able to
assimilate training, and would make a valuable addition to the Stellar
Guard. I recommend his retention and training.
If Elwar is a typical "son of a simple peasant," and if the planet from
which he comes has any considerable number of "simple peasants"

with sons like him, I can foresee some strangely interesting problems in
connection with further dealings on that planet.
FONZEC 1 enclosure
DIGEST
Interrogation of Elwar Forell, native of Planet 3-G3-9/4871.
"My Masters, I did mean no harm, but only good. I have long known
that my master was possessed of power denied to most men. When I
was apprenticed to him five years ago, I thought I would one day learn
some of the dark secrets of the hidden worlds, but never did my master
mention aught of those secrets he so surely knew. He taught me only of
those things known to the scholars. He told me of reading, of writing,
and of ciphering, and taught me many facts of our world which are
known to the learned. I wished to know of many other things, but of
these he was silent. Even so, I am grateful for his teachings, for how
else could the son of a simple peasant gain the knowledge of the
scholars?
"I saw that my master often repaired to a room which I was never
allowed to enter. This room he cleaned himself. And he always entered
in the greatest of secrecy, being quite cross with me when I once
betrayed curiosity. I remained curious, however, and fell at last to
watching him in secret as he opened the door.
"He slid aside a secret panel, then turned a wheel this way and that,
finally pushing a handle. I watched, at last learning to what numbers he
did turn the wheel, and how he pushed the handle. During his absences,
I went sometimes to that room of magic, and I read the books of power,
though there was much I could not read, since much of the writing was
in strange tongues and I dared not ask my master the meanings of the
strange words. But for his own convenience, my master had written
many instructions plainly. And these, I read.
"I did learn that there were powers beyond those of men. I learned that
these strange instruments on the table did have strange ability to call

forth demons and spirits, but never until that day did I dare touch other
than the books and papers. And those I took great care to restore to
their original condition.
"For three months past, my father's land and the fields of his neighbors
have been dry. During this time, there has been no rain, nor hint of rain,
and the peasants have cried out for relief. They have appealed even to
my master, who has told them that he has no strange powers--that he
can do naught to call up rain. But they did not believe him, nor did I,
Elwar, who knew better than this. I had seen the books of power, and I
knew the demons could cause the skies to deliver water if rightly asked.
So, I visited the room of magic upon the occasions of my master's
absence. And I tried to decipher his writings that I might find the means
to ask for the skies to open. Always, when I felt my master's presence
approaching, I left the room, taking care to properly lock the door and
to hide all evidence of my entry.
"On that day