The Sentimentalists

By Murray Leinster

You do not always have to go looking for a guardian angel. He may be looking for you—but perhaps for somebody else's benefit! Rhadampsicus and Nodalictha were on their honeymoon, and consequently they were sentimental. To be sure, it would not have been easy for humans to imagine sentiment as existing between them. Humans would hardly associate tenderness with glances cast from sets of sixteen eyes mounted on jointed eye stalks, nor link langorous thrills with a coy mingling of positronic repulsion blasts—even when the emission of positron blasts from beneath one's mantle was one's normal personal mode of locomotion. And when two creatures like Rhadampsicus and Nodalictha stood on what might be roughly described as their heads and twined their eye stalks together, so that they gazed fondly at each other with all sixteen eyes at once, humans would not have thought of it as the equivalent of a loving kiss. Humans would have screamed and run—if they were not paralyzed by the mere sight of such individuals.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wilder Publications, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781515403760

Murray Leinster

Murray Leinster, born William Fitzgerald Jenkins on June 16, 1896, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a name that echoes through the realms of science fiction and speculative literature. Leinster, a pen name he adopted, became one of the most prolific and influential writers of the 20th century, contributing immensely to the genre's evolution. His work is characterized by innovative ideas and a visionary outlook that still resonate with modern audiences. While many may not immediately recognize his name today, Leinster's legacy is undeniable. He wrote over 1,500 short stories, novellas, and novels, many of which have left an indelible mark on science fiction. His story "A Logic Named Joe," published in 1946, is particularly notable for its eerie foresight into the development of personal computers and the internet—decades before such technology became a reality. This story alone underscores Leinster's uncanny ability to anticipate future technological advancements, making his work remarkably relevant even in today's digital age. Leinster's career began during World War I, where he served in the United States Army. This period of his life exposed him to various aspects of technology and machinery, which would later influence his writing. After the war, he ventured into pulp magazines, a popular medium at the time, where he found a ready audience for his imaginative tales. His ability to weave complex scientific concepts with engaging narratives quickly set him apart from his contemporaries. One of the most fascinating aspects of Leinster's life was his adaptability. He witnessed and adapted to significant technological and cultural shifts throughout the 20th century, from the advent of radio and television to the space race and the early days of the computer revolution. This adaptability is reflected in his writing, which evolved to incorporate new scientific theories and societal changes, ensuring that his stories remained fresh and relevant. Leinster's influence extends beyond his written work. He was a pioneer in the field of speculative fiction, often exploring themes that challenged the status quo. His stories frequently delved into the ethical implications of technological advancements, a topic that remains highly pertinent in today's rapidly evolving world. By questioning the impact of technology on human life, Leinster's work encourages readers to consider the broader implications of scientific progress. Despite his success, Leinster's life was not without controversy. He was involved in a notable legal battle over the rights to his creations, which highlighted the often-precarious nature of intellectual property in the creative industries. This struggle for authorial control and recognition is a theme that continues to resonate with writers and artists today, underscoring the importance of protecting creative rights in an era of digital reproduction and widespread information sharing. Leinster's work has also influenced a generation of contemporary writers. Authors such as Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert Heinlein have cited him as an inspiration, and his innovative concepts continue to be explored in modern science fiction. The themes he explored—such as artificial intelligence, space exploration, and the ethical dimensions of technological progress—remain central to the genre and continue to captivate readers and writers alike. Murray Leinster's "Island Honor," while not as widely known as some of his other works, is a testament to his versatility as a writer. The book delves into themes of courage, loyalty, and the moral complexities of honor. These themes are timeless, resonating with contemporary readers who grapple with similar issues in a world that often seems increasingly fragmented and morally ambiguous. "Island Honor" challenges readers to reflect on their own values and the societal norms that shape their actions, making it a relevant and thought-provoking read for modern audiences. In conclusion, Murray Leinster's contributions to science fiction and speculative literature are both profound and enduring. His ability to foresee technological advancements and explore their implications, coupled with his adaptability and innovative spirit, make his work as relevant today as it was during his lifetime. By examining the ethical dimensions of technological progress and the timeless themes of human experience, Leinster's stories continue to engage and inspire readers, underscoring the enduring power of speculative fiction to explore the possibilities of our future.

Book preview

The Sentimentalists

by Murray Leinster

Cover Image © Can Stock Photo Inc. / rolffimages

Positronic Publishing

PO Box 632

Floyd VA 24091

ISBN 13: 978-1-5154-0376-0

First Positronic Publishing Edition

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Rhadampsicus and Nodalictha were on their honeymoon, and consequently they were sentimental. To be sure, it would not have been easy for humans to imagine sentiment as existing between them. Humans would hardly associate tenderness with glances cast from sets of sixteen eyes mounted on jointed eye stalks, nor link langorous thrills with a coy mingling of positronic repulsion blasts—even when the emission of positron blasts from beneath one’s mantle was one’s normal personal mode of locomotion. And when two creatures like Rhadampsicus and Nodalictha stood on what might be roughly described as their heads and twined their eye stalks together, so that they gazed fondly at each other with all sixteen eyes at once, humans would not have thought of it as the equivalent of a loving kiss. Humans would have screamed and run—if they were not paralyzed by the mere sight of such individuals.

Nevertheless, they were a very happy pair and they were very sentimental, and it was probably a good thing, considered from all angles. They were still newlyweds on their wedding tour—they had been married only seventy-five years before—when they passed by the sun that humans call Cetis Gamma.

Rhadampsicus noted its peculiarity. He was anxious, of course, for their honeymoon to be memorable in every possible way. So he pointed it out to Nodalictha and explained what was shortly to be expected. She listened with a bride’s rapt admiration of her new husband’s wisdom. Perceiving his scientific interest, she suggested shyly that they stop and watch.

*

Rhadampsicus scanned the area. There were planets—inner ones, and then a group of gas giants, and then a very cosy series of three outer planets with surface temperatures ranging from three to seven degrees Kelvin.

They changed course and landed on the ninth planet out, where the landscape was delightful. Rhadampsicus unlimbered his traveling kit and prepared a bower. Nitrogen snow rose and swirled and consolidated as he deftly shifted force-pencils. When the tumult subsided, there was a snug if primitive cottage for the two of them to dwell in while they waited for Cetis Gamma to accomplish its purpose.

Nodalictha cried out softly when she entered the bower. She was fascinated by its completeness. There was even running liquid hydrogen from a little rill nearby. And over the doorway, as an artistic and appropriate touch, Rhadampsicus had put his own and Nodalictha’s initials, pricked out in amber chlorine crystals and intertwined within the symbol which to them meant a heart. Nodalictha embraced him fondly for his thoughtfulness. Of course, no human would have recognized it as an embrace, but that did not matter.

Happily, then, they settled down to observe the phenomenon that Cetis Gamma would presently display. They scanned the gas giant planets together, and then the inner ones.

On the second planet out from the sun, they perceived small biped animals busily engaged in works of primitive civilization. Nodalictha was charmed. She asked eager questions, and Rhadampsicus searched his memory and told her that the creatures were not well known, but had been observed before. Limited in every way by their physical constitution, they had actually achieved a form of space travel by means of crude vehicles. He believed, he said, that the name they called themselves was men.

*

The sun rose slowly in the east, and Lon Simpson swore patiently as he tried for the eighteenth time to get the generator back again in a fashion to make it work. His tractor waited in the nearby field. The fields waited. Over in Cetopolis, the scales and storesheds waited, and somewhere there was doubtless a cargo ship waiting for a spacegram to summon it to Cetis Gamma Two for a load of thanar leaves. And of course people everywhere waited for thanar leaves.

A milligram a day kept old age away—which was not an advertising slogan but sound, practical geriatric science. But thanar leaves would only grow on Cetis Gamma Two, and the law said that all habitable planets had to be open for colonization and land could not be withheld from market.

There was too much population back on Earth, anyhow. Therefore the Cetis Gamma Trading Company couldn’t make a planetwide plantation and keep thanar as a monopoly, but could only run its own plantation for research and instruction purposes for new colonists. Colonists had to be admitted to the planet, and they