The Unlearned Read online

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  THE UNLEARNED

  By Raymond F. Jones

  Illustrated by Ed Emsh

  [Transcriber Note: This etext was produced from IF Worlds of ScienceFiction August 1954. Extensive research did not uncover any evidencethat the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]

  [Sidenote: _The scientists of Rykeman III were conceded by all thegalactic members to be supreme in scientific achievement. Now the Rykeswere going to share their vast knowledge with the scientists of Earth.To any question they would supply an answer--for a price. And Hockley,of all Earth's scientists, was the stubborn one who wanted to weigh theanswers with the costs...._]

  The Chief Officer of Scientific Services, Information and Coordinationwas a somewhat misleading and obscure title, and Dr. Sherman Hockley whoheld it was not the least of those whom the title misled and sometimesobscured.

  He told himself he was not a mere library administrator, although he wasproud of the information files built up under his direction. Theycontained the essence of accumulated knowledge found to date on Earthand the extraterrestrial planets so far contacted. He didn't feeljustified in claiming to be strictly a research supervisor, either, inspite of duties as top level administrator for all divisions of theNational Standardization and Research Laboratories and theirsubsidiaries in government, industry, and education. During his term ofsupervision the National Laboratories had made a tremendous growth, incontrast to a previous decline.

  Most of all, however, he disclaimed being a figurehead, to which all theloose strings of a vast and rambling organization could be tied. Butsometimes it was quite difficult to know whether or not that was hisprimary assignment after all. His unrelenting efforts to keep out of thecategory seemed to be encountering more and more determination to pushhim in that direction.

  Of course, this was merely the way it looked in his more bittermoments--such as the present. Normally, he had a full awareness of theparamount importance of his position, and was determined to administerit on a scale in keeping with that importance. His decision could affectthe research in the world's major laboratories. Not that he was adictator by any means, although there were times when dictation wascalled for. As when a dozen projects needed money and the Congressallotted enough for one or two. Somebody had to make a choice--

  His major difficulty was that active researchers knew it was theCongressional Science Committee which was ultimately responsible fortheir bread and butter. And the Senators regarded the scientists, whodid the actual work in the laboratories, as the only ones who mattered.Both groups tended to look upon Hockley's office as a sort of fulcrum intheir efforts to maintain balance with each other--or as referee intheir sparring for adequate control over each other.

  At that, however, things research-wise were better than ever before.More funds and facilities were available. Positions in pure researchwere more secure.

  And then, once again, rumors about Rykeman III had begun to circulatewildly a few days ago.

  Since Man's achievement of extra-galactic flight, stories of Rykeman IIIhad tantalized the world and made research scientists sick with longingwhen they considered the possible truth of what they heard. The planetwas rumored to be a world of super-science, whose people had an answerfor every research problem a man could conceive. The very few Earthmenwho had been to Rykeman III confirmed the rumors. It was a paradise,according to their stories. And among other peoples of the galaxies theinhabitants of Rykeman III were acknowledged supreme in scientificachievement. None challenged them. None even approached them inabilities.

  What made the situation so frustrating to Earthmen was the additionalreport that the Rykes were quite altruistically sharing their sciencewith a considerable number of other worlds on a fee basis. Earthscientists became intoxicated at the mere thought of studying at thefeet of the exalted Rykes.

  Except Dr. Sherman Hockley. From the first he had taken a dim view ofthe Ryke reports. Considering the accomplishments of the NationalLaboratories, he could see no reason for his colleagues' half-shamefuldisowning of all their own work in favor of a completely unknown cultureseveral hundred million light years away. They were bound to contactmore advanced cultures in their explorations--and could be thankful theywere as altruistic as the Rykes!--but it was no reason to viewthemselves as idiot children hoping to be taught by the Rykes.

  He had kept his opinions very much to himself in the past, since theywere not popular with his associates, who generally regarded hisattitudes as simply old-fashioned. But now, for the first time, a Rykeship was honoring Earth with a visit. There was almost hystericalspeculation over the possibility that Earth would be offered tutelage bythe mighty Ryke scientists. Hockley wouldn't have said he wasunalterably opposed to the idea. He would have described himself asextremely cautious. What he did oppose wholeheartedly was the enthusiasmthat painted the Rykes with pure and shining light, without a shadowyhue in the whole picture.

  Since his arrival, the Ryke envoy had been closeted with members of theCongressional Science Committee. Not a word had leaked as to hismessage. Shortly, however, the scientists were to be let in on thesecret which might affect their careers for better or for worse duringthe rest of their lives, and for many generations to come. The meetingwas going to be--

  Hockley jumped to his feet as he glanced at the clock. He hurriedthrough the door to the office of his secretary, Miss Cardston, wholooked meaningfully at him as he passed.

  "I'll bet there isn't a Senator on time," he said.

  In the corridor he almost collided with Dr. Lester Showalter, who washis Administrative Assistant for Basic Research. "The Ryke charactershowed up fifteen minutes ago," said Showalter. "Everyone's waiting."

  "We've got six minutes yet," said Hockley. He walked rapidly besideShowalter. "Is there any word on what the envoy's got that's soimportant?"

  "No. I've got the feeling it's something pretty big. Wheeler and Johnsonof Budget are there. Somebody said it might have something to do withthe National Lab."

  "I don't see the connection between that and a meeting with the Ryke,"said Hockley.

  Showalter stopped at the door of the conference room. "Maybe they wantto sell us something. At any rate, we're about to find out."

  The conference table was surrounded by Senators of the Committee.Layered behind them were scientists representing the cream of Hockley'sorganization. Senator Markham, the bulky, red-faced Chairman greetedthem. "Your seats are reserved at the head of the table," he said.

  "Sorry about the time," Hockley mumbled. "Clock must be slow."

  "Quite all right. We assembled just a trifle early. I want you to meetour visitor, Special Envoy from Rykeman III, Liacan."

  Markham introduced them, and the stick-thin envoy arose with an extendedhand. His frail, whistling voice that was in keeping with his bird-likecharacter spoke in clear tones. "I am happy to know you, Dr. Hockley,Dr. Showalter."

  The two men sat down in good view of the visitor's profile. Hockley hadseen the Rykes before, but had always been repelled by their snobbishapproach. Characteristically, the envoy bore roughly anthropomorphicfeatures, including a short feather covering on his dorsal side. He wasdressed in bright clothing that left visible the streak of featheringthat descended from the bright, plumed crown and along the back of hisneck. Gravity and air pressure of Earth were about normal for him. Forbreathing, however, he was required to wear a small device in one narrownostril. This was connected to a compact tank on his shoulder.

  Markham called for order and introduced the visitor. There was a roundof applause. Liacan bowed with a short, stiff gesture and let his smallb
lack eyes dart over the audience. With an adjustment of his breathingpiece he began speaking.

  "It is recognized on Earth," he said, "as it is elsewhere, that mypeople of Rykeman III possess undisputed intellectual leadership in thegalaxies of the Council. Your research is concerned with things taughtonly in the kindergartens of my world. Much that you hold to be true isin error, and your most profound discoveries are self-evident to thechildren of my people."

  Hockley felt a quick, painful contraction in the region of hisdiaphragm. So this was it!

  "We are regarded with much jealousy, envy, and even hatred by some ofour unlearned neighbors in space," said the Ryke. "But it has never beenour desire to be selfish with our superior achievements which make usthe object of these feelings. We have undertaken a program of scientificleadership in our interstellar neighborhood. This began long before