Ten From Infinity | Page 9

other two are still at large."
Jones of the Air Force asked, "Were all eight apprehended in large
cities?"
"Yes."
"Shouldn't that mean something to us?"
"Well, it's a pattern, all right, but no one's been able to give it any
meaning--so far."
No one had any further comment on that point. Brent waited a moment
and then threw the bombshell. "We are quite sure that these creatures
are of extraterrestrial origin."
For a time it seemed as though Brent's bombshell had been a dud.
There was no comment from around the table--no sound of any kind.
But each man was evaluating the information after his own fashion.
The key thought, no doubt, other than a natural and instinctive moment
of sheer unbelief, was that this marked a giant, forward lunge in world

history. And also, no doubt, in this group of responsible men, there was
a common question: It would appear that our world had at last come to
grips with the universe around it. Was our world ready?
And there was general doubt.
Now the questions came. From whence? To what purpose? Hostile?
Benign? Dangerous? Harmless?
"What other information was gained from the creature?"
"Very little. He knows our language. He is here for a definite and
clear-cut purpose. Probably hostile. But what he was supposed to do or
how he was supposed to accomplish it we do not know."
"Do you think you will eventually get these answers?"
"I think," and there was an ominous note in Brent's voice, "that we will.
If not from the creature himself, then in some sudden and far more
violent manner."
This statement also had impact. It seemed that the group had
overlooked Brent's previous revelation that ten of the creatures had
arrived and only eight had been accounted for.
"Perhaps," Jones said hopefully, "whatever their plan, it required the
participation of all ten."
"In that case," Brent said quietly, "we have nothing to worry about. At
least, at the moment."
"Are you of the opinion that these creatures have been dropped
anywhere else on earth?"
"All I can say on that score is that all seems quiet around the world. Of
course, if Russia has rounded up a quota of these two-hearted
characters they wouldn't be likely to tell us. They certainly haven't
shown up in the European countries with whom we consult. All I can
say about the situation behind the Iron Curtain is that they have made

no inquiries of us relative to the matter--and we certainly have made no
inquiries of them. Also, our people in the sensitive Eastern areas report
nothing indicative."
Pender bobbed his throat and said, "You told us you're sure the
creatures are from outer space. That makes our interests with Russia
mutual. Therefore, why shouldn't open inquiry be made?"
Brent frowned. "An entirely logical question. As a matter of fact, I
recommended that course. Nothing has been down in that direction,
however. At least, not to my knowledge."
"I assume the White House knows about this."
Brent nodded but did not elaborate, perhaps because to have done so
would have tended to clarify his own connection with the top spot in
the nation; a relationship accepted but not thoroughly understood by
any man present.
"May I inquire as to Senator Crane?" Bright asked.
"I see no reason why you shouldn't."
"He was in your anteroom when I entered. Obviously he was mad. I
assume that was because you excluded him from this meeting."
"Correct." Brent Taber's eyes turned a trifle steely. "In fact, I'd like to
know exactly how he found out about the meeting."
No one offered any data on this point and Bright asked, "Is it wise to
keep information of this vital nature from the United States Senate?"
"The information has not been kept from the United States Senate,"
Brent corrected. "Let's say it has been kept from certain United States
Senators on the theory that the interests of the nation can best be served
by a closed-door policy on this matter until it becomes clarified."
Whether they agreed or not, the men present accepted this as coming
from the top, and they would automatically abide by it.

"I suppose," Pender said, "that every effort is being made to apprehend
the missing pair."
"Every effort of which we are capable."
"What conclusions have you drawn from the fact that these ten
creatures are identical?"
"That they are not human beings, in the strictest sense of the word,"
Brent replied gravely.
"Then what are they?"
"We believe they are androids."
"And what the hell is an android?" Jones snapped.
"A synthetic." Brent smiled just slightly. "In this case, men not born of
women. All this is detailed in the confidential report that will be
handed to you when you leave. The report, incidentally,