_Locked in the mutant jungle of Venus were the
horror-secrets of the universe. Here, into these
thousand deaths, with a Tihar-trotting convict
to lead her, went luxury-soft Kial Nasron._
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Planet Stories November 1951.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Hailard, director of Venusian Exports, was not given to unnecessary
elaborations or complexities of speech. He let his attention stray from
the girl to a tiny scale-model of the first rocket ship to land on
Venus, and reflected bitterly that after two hundred years the planet
still held both problems and eery mysteries for the Earth colonists.
"But a convict," Kial Nasron protested. She was the daughter of Torkeg
Nasron, Martian politician and the largest single shareholder in VE. As
such she felt entitled to make a nuisance of herself. However, she did
have a tragic problem.
Hailard sighed. "A man without deviltry in him has little capacity for
wisdom, or sainthood either. Convict or not, Craig Alston is the man
for your job."
The sharp sound of her indrawn breath puzzled Hailard. "I didn't know
you knew him."
Kial shrugged. "I don't, personally. I've never seen him, though I know
the name and remember something about the case. But we were talking
about an expedition into the Tihar Forest to look for my sister."
Hailard studied her critically. "Yes, we were. But you don't really
want my advice, and I doubt if you'll like it. Your request puts me in
an awkward position."
"Be specific." Her expression was that of a woman used to having her
own way. It reminded him of her father, and he had uneasy conviction
that the interview was going to be difficult.
"All right, I will be. You don't understand Venus. If you were familiar
with conditions here, you wouldn't need descriptions or explanations.
This is a strange, savage planet, and the Tihar Forest is the most
vicious part of it."
The girl stopped him scornfully. "But surely a well-equipped
expedition...."
Hailard smiled. "There's no such thing as far as the Tihar Forest is
concerned. After forty years on Venus I still know nothing about the
interior. Nor does anyone else. The forests here are freaks. Ages
ago, atomic holocaust got out of hand. In a few places certain forms
of life survived. Nature went mad. The Tihar Forest is its laboratory
of gibbering, unnatural experiments--half a million square miles of
luxuriant, nightmarish wonderland. Not one living creature, plant or
animal, is the product of sane, orderly evolution. It's an asylum for
the cripples, freaks and lunatic-fringe of abnormal creation."
Hailard went on in his clear way. They claimed that once he had studied
for the ministry. He had convictions and he knew what he was talking
about.
"True, Venusian Exports holds a license for limited exploitation of its
peculiar resources. But we nibble at the edges. We collect rare furs
and leathers, some valuable hardwoods and minerals, but we don't even
try to penetrate the forest depths, or develop any plantations there.
It's too dangerous. There have been some hideously disturbing rumors
recently, and a marked increase of casualties...."
"My sister is there," Kial Nasron said stubbornly. "In this place of
horror you describe. As long as we thought she had died in the crash of
the _Krajulla_, we accepted the tragedy. But now that we have evidence
she may be alive, neither my father nor I will rest until we locate the
wreckage. She may be hurt or lost or a captive of savage natives. The
Company assured us you would give us every possible aid in finding and
rescuing her."
Hailard nodded wearily. "I have orders from the executive board to put
all resources at your disposal. Our staff will give you every technical
assistance, and a fast survey cruiser has been adapted for low-altitude
scouting. I disapprove of the expedition, particularly of you or your
father going along. It will be hard enough, and you are both rash,
headstrong and inexperienced. And there'll be difficulty arranging for
a crew."
"I don't understand. Aren't the men convicts?"
Hailard spoke angrily. "Convicts, yes--but not animals to be ordered
around. They're paroled to the Company in my custody. I'm responsible,
and I won't order anyone to take such risks. Your project is insane.
If your sister is alive, after three months in the Tihar no one can
help her and you probably couldn't recognize her. It would be cruel to
bring her back. If she's dead, that's the best thing that could happen
to her. Forget her. If she were my own daughter, my advice would be the
same."