EARTHBOUND
By LESTER DEL REY
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Galaxy Magazine August 1963.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
He wanted above anything else to go into space.
He had been waiting for it—a long time!
It was hours after the last official ceremony before Clifton couldescape the crowd of planetlubbers with their babblings, their eligibledaughters and their stupid self-admiration. They'd paid through thenose to get him here, and they meant to get their money's worth.
The exit led only to a little balcony, but it seemed to be deserted. Hetook a deep breath of the night air and his eyes moved unconsciouslytoward the stars.
Coming back to Earth had been a mistake, but he'd needed themoney. Space Products Unlimited wanted a real deepspace hero tohelp celebrate its hundredth anniversary. He had just finished theRegulation of Rigel, so he'd been picked. Damn them and their sillyspeeches and awards—and damn Earth! What was one planet when therewere a billion up there among the stars?
From the other side of a potted plant there was a soft sigh.
Clifton swung his head, then relaxed as he saw the other man was notlooking at him. The eyes behind the dark glasses were directed towardthe sky.
"Aldebaran, Sirius, Deneb, Alpha Centauri," the voice whispered. Itwas a high-pitched voice with an odd accent, but there was the poetryof ancient yearning in it.
He was a small, shriveled old man. His shoulders were bent. A longbeard and the dark glasses covered most of his face, but could notentirely conceal the deep wrinkles, even in the moonlight.
Clifton felt a sudden touch of pity and moved closer, without quiteknowing why. "Didn't I see you on the platform?"
"Your memory is very good, Captain. I was awarded publicly—for fiftyyears of faithful service making space boots. Well, I was always agood cobbler, and perhaps my boots helped some men out there." The oldman's hand swept toward the stars, then fell back to grip the railingtightly. "They gave me a gold watch, though time means nothing to me.And a cheap world cruise ticket. As if there were any spot on thisworld I could still want to see." He laughed harshly. "Forgive me if Isound bitter. But, you see, I've never been off Earth!"
Clifton stared at him incredulously. "But everyone—"
"Everyone but me," the old man said. "Oh, I tried. I was utterly wearyof Earth and I looked at the stars and dreamed. But I failed the earlyrigid physicals. Then, when things were easier, I tried again. Aplague grounded the first ship. A strike delayed another. Then oneexploded on the pad and only a few on board were saved. It was then Irealized I was meant to wait here—here on Earth, and nowhere else. SoI stayed, making space boots."
Pity and impulse forced unexpected words to Clifton's lips. "I'm takingoff for Rigel again in four hours, and there's a spare cabin on theMaryloo. You're coming with me."
The old hand that gripped his arm was oddly gentle. "Bless you,Captain. But it would never work. I'm under orders to remain here."
"Nobody can order a man grounded forever. You're coming with me if Ihave to drag you, Mr.—"
"Ahasuerus."
The old man hesitated, as if expecting the name to mean something. Thenhe sighed and lifted his dark glasses.
Clifton met the other's gaze for less than a second. Then his own eyesdropped, though memory of what h