[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Astounding Science-Fiction October 1942.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
_QRM--International code signal meaning "Interference" of
controllable nature, such as man-made static, cross modulation
from another channel adjoining or willful obliteration of
signals by an interfering source._
_Interference not of natural sources (designated by International
code as QRN), such as electrical storms, common static, et cetera._
--_Handbook, Interplanetary Amateur Radio League.
Korvus, the Magnificent, Nilamo of Yoralen, picked up the telephone
in his palace and said: "I want to talk to Wilneda. He is at the
International Hotel in Detroit, Michigan."
"I'm sorry, sir," came the voice of the operator. "Talking is not
possible, due to the fifteen-minute transmission lag between here and
Terra. Interplanetary Communications will not permit audio. However,
teletype messages are welcome."
Her voice originated fifteen hundred miles north of Yoralen, but it
sounded as though she might be in the next room. Korvus thought for a
moment and then said: "Take this message: 'Wilneda: Add to order for
mining machinery one type 56-XXD flier to replace washed-out model.
And remember, tobacco and sublevel energy will not mix!' Sign that
_Korvus_."
"Yes, Mr. Korvus."
"Not _mister_!" yelled the monarch. "I am Korvus, the Magnificent! I am
Nilamo of Yoralen!"
"Yes, your magnificence," said the operator humbly. It was more than
possible that she was stifling a laugh, which knowledge made the little
man of Venus squirm in wrath. But there was nothing that he could do
about it, television still being distant by the same five years that it
was behind in 1929.
To give Korvus credit, he was not a pompous little man. He was
large--for a Venusian--which made him small according to the standards
set up by Terrestrians. He, as Nilamo of Yoralen, had extended the
once-small kingdom outward to include most of the Palanortis Country
which extended from about 23.0 degrees North Latitude to 61.7 degrees,
and almost across the whole, single continent that was the dry land
of Venus. He was a wily monarch, making his conquest of the wild and
lawless country by treaty, and by double-double-crossing those who
might have tried to double-cross him. Armed conquest was scorned, but
armed defense was desirable in the Palanortis Country--and Korvus had
defended himself up and down the inhabitable Northern portion of the
planet. His conquest had been a blessing to civilization, and though
publicly denounced, it was privately commended. Those who could have
stopped it did all they could to delay and intercept any proceedings
that would have caused the conquest of Korvus' intended country any
trouble.
Korvus' message to Terra zoomed across the fifteen hundred rocky
miles of Palanortis to Northern Landing. It passed high across the
thousand-foot-high trees and over the mountain ranges. It swept over
open patches of water, and across intervening cities and towns. It went
with the speed of light and in a tight beam from Yoralen to Northern
Landing, straight as a die and with person-to-person clarity. The
operator in the city that lay across the North Pole of Venus clicked
on a teletype, reading back the message as it was written.