Free Rockets in Ursa Major by Fred Hoyle, Geoffrey Hoyle

are dead,' came the observation. 'I've got a spare if you would like one.'
    Opening the watch revealed nothing. I took out the miniature heat battery and shorted it across my tongue. `I think you're right,' I said. I had felt no tingling. Changing the battery, I cleaned a speck of fluff from the transistor, and then closed the watch up and put it back on my wrist.
    `Here we are, sir,' said the soldier. Looking out of the cockpit I could see King's College Chapel below.
    `Can you put me down over there by the old tennis courts.'
    The helicopter settled gently on St John's grass tennis courts. If the head gardener had seen this he'd probably have shot me with his evil smelling insecticide.
    The soldier didn't leave straightaway, just in case I crumpled up again. My mind was almost blank. The thought of a good wholesome steak filled the blankness as I walked unsteadily into the college buildings.
    `Good evening, Dr Warboys,' said the voice of the head porter as I tried to slip unnoticed to my rooms.
    `Good evening,' I replied, longing to hurry on.
    `A Colonel Ganges telephoned,' he said, falling into step beside me. 'And gave me instructions to see that you were well fed.'
    I thanked him.
    Once inside my room, I locked the door, flicked the TV on and went into the kitchenette to find the material of a substantial meal set on a tray. I opened the oven; it smelt delicious. A bottle of the College's best claret was already airing. Pleasurable anticipation swept most of my fatigue away.
    Within five minutes I was sitting in front of the TV.
    `Good evening,' said the announcer. 'All twenty-eight channels will now be showing a special political broadcast.' The Prime Minister's face appeared on the screen.
    No choice, I thought; he's got all the channels. I tucked into my supper with relish as I watched with a jaundiced eye.
    `Good evening,' said the Prime Minister. 'As all of you are fully aware what has been happening during the last week, I do not think you will wish me to mince matters. The Solar System has been invaded by a powerful alien fleet of -- ah hem -- space ships. Who, or what these aliens may have been is unknown to us. Why the attack was prosecuted so fiercely, so relentlessly, is unknown to us. From whence the aliens came we do not know.'
    How can he say things like that, I thought as he went on:
    `For two days' duration, a fierce battle has raged in the vast spaces surrounding our Earth. The outcome has been a complete victory for the brilliantly controlled forces of the World Space Fleet. The unprovoked, unsought attack is over. Our bitter, hostile, implacable enemy, has retreated beyond the confines of the Solar System, his fleet shattered and broken.'
    `You wait until the papers print the real story in the morning,' I said to the TV, but the Prime Minister just went on.
    `My purpose tonight is to inform you of a further most remarkable circumstance -- that near the end of the battle our World Fleet was joined by a second fleet, from outside our Solar System. This second fleet appears to be just as friendlily disposed to us, as the first was hostile. You will therefore realize that no cause for alarm exists when I say that – a -- ha, hem -- a ship of this second fleet has landed on Earth. Why it has entered the regions of the Solar System and from whence it came will shortly be known.
    `I wish to conclude this announcement with an appeal. These are exciting times -- the wind of change blows unceasingly. But I need hardly say that a vast gulf exists -- between a justifiable pride and excitement in the achievements of our species -- and the hysteria of unbridled curiosity. I therefore trust, and the government behind me trusts, that during the next few days no unseemly demonstrations will take place here in Britain -- whatsoever may happen in the -- ah, hem -- rest of the world.'
    I listened to the speech with amazement and amusement. The information given was such a distortion of the truth; but then politicians had