Free The Forever Man by Gordon R. Dickson Page A

There’s the possibility of immortality which Mary may have mentioned to you—or at least a lifetime that isn’t dependent on a body that can wear out. But beyond that, there’s unlimited possibilities of having ships and other things that don’t have to take into account the necessity of being designed to protect the life of a breakable human inside them, white they maneuver at high accelerations.”
    He took a swallow from his glass. “The war with the Laagi,” he said, “may have brought all the nations of Earth into alliance, but the national rivalries are still there, and the business of looking forward to a day in which they’ll find themselves competing, once again. So you’re all under special guard from now on.”
    â€œBut all I did was listen to Penard when we escorted him back.”
    â€œAnd saw his ship. And heard him again after he got here. And had Mary Gallegher riding with you, in which case some of her educated understanding of the nature and possibilities of Penard may have rubbed off on you. No, Jim, the people up top, the politicians up where decisions like this are made, have decided you’re under wraps from now on; and under wraps you’re going to be.”
    â€œBut I can go off Base, if I want to, as long as some Secret Service people go with me?”
    â€œI didn’t say that,” Mollen answered. “In fact, I’m not so sure you’ll be allowed off under any circumstances, unless it’s for something like going to Washington and reporting to the higher-ups; or something of that nature.”
    â€œI see, sir,” said Jim glumly.
    â€œBrace yourself,” said Mollen. “So far I’ve only shown you the tip of the iceberg. Not only are you going to be restricted in the matter of leaving the Base, your movements and contacts are going to be restricted here on the Base, too. From now on you live in special quarters in that lab of Mary’s I was talking about, just as she and her staff does; and during your waking hours I’ll be keeping you under my eye, since I’m personally responsible for you.
    â€œBut you can’t ride with me when I take the Wing out to the Frontier, sir,” protested Jim. “It’d be ridiculous, having a general riding as gunner. These people up top you talk about can’t expect anything like that.”
    â€œThey don’t,” grunted Mollen. “I’m not going to join you; you’re going to join me.”
    It took a long moment for the implications of this remark to sink into Jim’s mind. When it did, he stared at the older man.
    â€œSir? You mean—you can’t mean I’m grounded!”
    â€œThat’s the size of it,” said Mollen. “Beginning tomorrow morning you move into an office at my headquarters and behind a desk as Chief of Section.”
    â€œBut sir,” said Jim, “there has to be some other way of working this. I’m a ship man. I don’t know anything about a deskjob. Can’t I—”
    But Mollen was not listening. His gaze was roving the room as if in search of a waiter. There was no waiter to be seen, but in a minute the mess attendant had abandoned his customary post by the entrance to the room and come hurrying over.
    â€œOh, Sven,” said Mollen. “I’m sorry to bother you with this, but would you just step across to Mary Gallegher—you know who she is? Good. Ask her if she’ll join us for a few minutes. We won’t keep her long. Tell her that.”
    â€œYes, General.”
    The mess attendant went off. They could see him talking to Mary Gallegher, and a second after, both she and her escort pushed their chairs back and got to their feet.
    â€œDamn it, I don’t want her hound dog, too!” said Mollen.
    But the major with the aiguillette was simply being polite. As Mary started across the empty dance floor toward them, the major sat down again.