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  INDIRECTION

  _The best way to keep a secret is to publish it in a quite unbelievable form--and insist that it is the truth._

  BY EVERETT B. COLE

  Illustrated by Freas

  Elwar Forell leaned back in his chair, looking about the small diningsalon. The usual couples were there, he noticed. Of course, the faceswere different from those of last evening, but the poses were similar.And the people were there for the same reasons. They were enjoying thefood and drinks, just as many others had enjoyed them before. But likeall those others, their greater enjoyment was in the company of oneanother. Forell glanced at the vacant chair across the table from himand sighed.

  It would be nice, he thought, if-- But any arrangement involving apermanent companion would be hardly practical under his circumstances.After all, prudence dictated limits.

  He picked up his cup and drained it, then leaned back and beckoned thewaiter over.

  "The reckoning, please," he ordered.

  He looked again at the letter on the table before him, then folded itand put it in his pocket. It was well, he thought. His latest book offairy tales and fantasy had enjoyed good acceptance. And the check inthe letter had been of satisfactory size. He smiled to himself. Therewere compensations in this job of his. It seemed to be profitable tohave a purpose other than the obvious and usual one.

  He paid his bill and left the restaurant, to walk slowly along thestreet, enjoying the mild, spring air.

  As he passed a sidewalk cafe, a man beckoned from one of the tables.

  "Oh, Forell," he called. "I was hoping I'd see you this evening." Heheld up a book.

  "Just finished your 'Tales of the Sorcerers,'" he added. "Some of thoseyarns of yours seem almost real."

  Elwar Forell nodded. They should, he thought. Factual material, howeverdisguised, often shines through its fictional background. And he had aninexhaustible source of material, drawn from many sources. He twistedhis face into a gratified smile.

  "That's my objective," he said aloud. "I do all in my power to place thereader inside the story."

  Charo Andorra nodded. "It's the secret of good fiction, I know," headmitted, "and every storyteller tries to do it. But I seem to see morethan that in your stuff. There's an almost believable pattern." Hehesitated. "You know, while I'm reading it, I can almost see beings ofsuperior powers walking the earth. And sometimes, I visualize us workingwith them." He laughed shortly.

  "Of course, I may be more credulous and imaginative than most. Probablywhy I'm a critic. And I really should know better." He looked down atthe book in his hands.

  "But that stuff of yours can be mighty convincing." He tilted his head."Somehow, I can't help but look at some of the old legends--and some ofthe things that have happened in more recent years, too. Can't help butwonder if we actually are babes of the cosmos, and if we haven't beenvisited and watched by some form of extra-planetary life at one time oranother."

  Forell looked closely at his friend. Andorra, he knew, was a clearthinker in his own right. And he just might start a seriousanalysis--and publish it. He grimaced. It wasn't time for that, he knew.Many years must pass before it would be time.

  He placed a hand on the back of Andorra's chair, remembering the wordsof one of the teachers.

  _"Remember, Elwar," he had been told, "your objective is clear, but yourmethods must be most indirect--even unclear. Some things you mustobscure in a mass of obviously imaginative detail, while you bringothers to the fore. You must hint. You must suggest. You should neverfully explain or deny. And you must never be guilty of definite, directfalsehood._

  _"There may come a time when you will be directly questioned--whendiscovery of your real background and purpose seems imminent, and youwill have to take positive action. For such an eventuality, I cannotoutline any steps, or even any definite plan of action, since I neitherfully understand many of the factors involved, nor have any way ofknowing the circumstances which may arise. You'll have to prepareyourself for almost anything, always keeping in mind the peculiaritiesand capabilities of your own people."_

  It looked as though the time might have come. If Andorra, a clever,influential critic, should guess at the real background and the sourcesof the Forell tales, and if he should misunderstand the motives behindthose tales, he would probably publish his thoughts. And those thoughtswould be widely read. Many would smile as they read and regard the thingas a hoax. But others might start their own analyses. And some of thosemight come to highly undesirable conclusions and cause undesirable,even disastrous, reactions. It would be many generations before clearexplanations could be made and definite principles outlined withoutcausing misunderstanding and serious damage. The Forell tales wereevasive and preparatory as well as vaguely instructive.

  He recovered his self-discipline and waved his hand negligently.

  "You know, Charo," he said laughingly, "I've been thinking along similarlines for a long while. Of course, you know I must have built up somesort of fantasy world to base my yarns on?"

  Andorra nodded. "That's obvious. I've been wondering about some of yourbasic theory. Like to see your notes some time."

  Forell spread his hands. "You're quite welcome to look them over," hesaid. "Come on up to my rooms now." He smiled. "As a matter of fact,I've been doing a little extension on my dream world. Built up a littlesketch a while ago, and I'm not just sure what to do with it."

  * * * * *

  As they entered the study, Forell walked across to his desk. He fumbledfor a few seconds under the desk, then opened a drawer. For a moment, hepaused, looking inside, then pulled out a thin folder. Again, hehesitated. At last, he picked a small, metallic object from the drawerand held it in his left hand.

  "Might need this," he told himself. "If I'm wrong, it'll take a sectorpatrolman to straighten out the mess. And I could be wrong--two ways."

  Casually, he placed his left hand in his pocket, then he turned towardAndorra, holding out the folder.

  "Here," he said. "See what you think of this one."

  Andorra opened the folder, taking out a few sheets of paper. He read fora moment, then looked up quizzically.

  "A little different from your usual style, isn't it?"

  Forell nodded, watching the man tensely. "I'm trying something new," hesaid. "Go ahead and read it, then tell me what you think."

  He busied himself with a bottle and glasses.

  * * * * *

  INFORMAL MEMO

  130-263 From: Explorations Officer, Sector Nine To: Ecological Officer Subject: Incident Report

  Enclosed is the file on that recent occurrence on Planet 3-G3-9/4871,consisting of the certificates and statements of the various officersand guardsmen concerned, together with a digest of the interrogation ofElwar Forell, a young planetary native, who appears to have been theinstigator.

  It seems to me that something is seriously wrong with our system ofoperation, at least on the subject planet. After all, our operationshave the purpose of research and observation, with a view to protectionand development. Certainly, we cannot create chaos. And knowledge of ourexistence by very young cultures would certainly cause just that. We'vegot to clear this up in a hurry. The Elder Galactics are most certain tobe unhappy about it in any event, and I don't like to make them unhappy.

  Obviously, there was a chain of errors, and some of our people concernedwill have to be reassigned for further training, but that's just thebeginning. I've recalled all the observers from this planet, pendingreorganization, and we've
got to come up with an answer that'll preventfurther occurrences of this nature, as well as covering this affair onthe planet concerned.

  I realize that the situation has some of the elements of comedy, and Ipresume that it will eventually be regarded with considerable amusement,but right at the moment, my sense of humor is working very poorly.

  I have a few ideas of my own, but would like to have yourrecommendations and those of other section officers before I make anyfinal decision or report. I am calling a conference on this incident at280.1000, so make a full investigation on this, and give me somepractical recommendation as soon as possible.

  CIJORN 6 enclosures

  STATEMENT

  I, Florand Anremdor, am assigned to