Bob saw pictures of twisted buildings, wreckage, littering streets. The
entire downtown section of his home city had suffered. Kerla Research
structures had been particularly hard hit. And there, at the bottom of
the page, was his own photograph.
YOUNG DIRECTOR OF KERLA RESEARCH LOST, read the caption.
Many bodies were still buried in debris, Bob read, and it was assumed
Bob had met such a fate. Jim interrupted. "Sa-a-ay. The Cincy Reds
are coming right back. Can you tie that? And the Cards--sa-a-ay. The
Nationals will be all tied up again this year. And--" Jim crushed the
paper, tossed it away. He got up, face pale.
Bob laid his paper aside, walked over and patted Jim's shoulder. "They
said it was a tornado, just as we got kidnaped, Jim. I'm supposed to be
killed. And maybe you. We'll have to forget it, Jim."
"I wish to hell Vasper hadn't stopped on his way back. Or--that's the
particular hell of it. Vasper going back. And coming just like coming
home on the bus. And look at us. Look at us. Now I want to get back.
Back home. To hell with this--all of it."
"Hush Jim. Shut up." Vasper looked sorry. He shook his head. "I
thought I was doing you a favor," he apologized. "To tell the truth,
I had never seen such a storm, and I wanted to know how--how intense
it was myself. We--we almost gave up taking you back because of the
disturbance."
"I wish it had blown you to the year 50,000," Jim said bitterly. "Now
I'm thinking of Yanks and Reds and Cubs, and football and racing,
and--of everything."
Vasper removed his headgear as Jim sauntered into another room. He
motioned for Bob to do the same thing. In wonder, Bob obeyed. Watching
the screen constantly, Vasper drew nearer. "Did you hear--whispers?" he
asked anxiously. Bob shook his head.
Vasper hesitated. Then, "I like your friend Jim. Many young men do. But
he is doomed."
"What!"
"Not so loud," Vasper said in lower tones. "Jim Kenley is doomed,
unless some way is found. The young men are afraid, as more like
Jim--with strong bodies and no great brains, are being brought here."
"Go on," Bob answered. "I betray no secrets. What do you mean?"
"Bodies are plentiful, but brains are not. Bodies can die, but brains
must survive. The Three have decided that."