JIGSAW

By TOM McMORROW, JR.

[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Thrilling Wonder Stories Winter 1954.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]


ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

Spaceport Chicago, February 26, 2168.... DEPARTING--Spaceliner American
Beauty, Galactic Spaceways, for Mars. Scheduled to arrive Spaceport
New Dallas May 14. Eighty-seven passengers. Captain Anthony Kostov in
Command.

       *       *       *       *       *

_FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS_

BULLETIN

THE SPACELINER AMERICAN BEAUTY CRASHED IN FLAMES TODAY ON THE LANDING
FIELD AT NEW DALLAS, MARS. OFFICIALS OF GALACTIC SPACEWAYS STATED THAT
LOSS OF LIFE WAS QUOTE LIMITED UNQUOTE. NO FURTHER DETAILS IMMEDIATELY
AVAILABLE.

       *       *       *       *       *

TRANSCRIPT

May 27, 2168--The following conversation between the spaceliner
American Beauty and GCA, Spaceport New Dallas, Mars, was recorded
5/14/2168 and played at the official inquiry today:

    KOSTOV: Calling GCA. This is Kostov in American Beauty calling
    GCA New Dallas. Do you read me? Come in, GCA. Over.

    GCA: GCA to American Beauty. You're in the screen. Come in.
    All clear for landing. Over.

    KOSTOV: Check. Coming in. Speed now ten thousand. Over.

    GCA: You are now visible in northern sky. Will have drink
    ready. Over.

    KOSTOV: That you, Ralph?

    GCA: Yeah, Tony. Welcome back. Will you have that with soda
    or on the rocks?

    KOSTOV: Straight, with a blonde chaser, if you don't mind. You
    say you can see me?

    GCA: Like Sirius on a clear night. Only one problem.

    KOSTOV: What's that?

    GCA: You're smack in between me and that girl in Omaha. I
    wish you wouldn't block the view like that.

    KOSTOV: I'll take my hat off. Better?

    GCA: Much. Say, what's that light on your starboard side?

    KOSTOV: Light? There shouldn't be any....

(AN EXPLOSION, FOLLOWED BY SOUND OF ROARING FLAME)

    GCA: Tony! What happened? GCA calling American Beauty!

    JENSEN: Stewardess to pilot! Stewardess to pilot! The starboard
    fuel tank's exploded! Fire in passageway!

    KOSTOV: Activate all extinguishers--clear the passengers forward--I'm
    going to close the emergency bulkheads.

    GCA: My God, it's a ball of fire! Tony, can you make it?

    KOSTOV: I can make anything. If it gets hot enough I'll spit on
    it and put it out--Pilot to naviga-

NOTE: At this point American Beauty's radio went out.

BOARD FINDING: Flippant attitude of ship-to-port conversation to
be deplored. On the basis of this and other evidence, however, the
official finding of this Board is No Negligence. Accident due solely to
mechanical failure.

       *       *       *       *       *

GALACTIC SPACEWAYS, INC.

Office of the Personnel Director

6/4/68

_STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL:_

Interviewed employee A. Kostov relative to the unfortunate business
of 5/14/68 in which thirty-six passengers and two crewmen lost their
lives. Gave him the news that he is through as a pilot, due to the fact
that we feel the experience has broken his nerve. Offered him a desk
job, which he declined as expected. Accepted his resignation, effective
immediately.

COMMENT: Entire incident most unfortunate. Understand that the Line
might lose passengers to Interplanetary Transport Service if the
American Beauty pilot continued to operate our ships, but regret
this loss of a valuable employee. Of course he will not be taken on
by any other line, but the profession will be the poorer for the
absence of this talented, fearless pilot. On the personal level, hope
that this man of whom all associates were fond will not take out his
understandable bitterness in any violent manner.--A. J. Bannerman,
Director of Personnel

       *       *       *       *       *

DEATH KNELL OF SPACESHIPS SEEN POSSIBLE

New York, Sept. 12--Speculation was rife in scientific circles this
week over reports that a workable converter-transmitter may soon be
a practical reality. Should this prove true the spaceship, a travel
fixture for two centuries, would soon be obsolete.

The principle of the converter-transmitter, long known to scientific
enthusiasts, is that of television carried a step farther. As
television converts voices and images into electrical impulses and
beams them to a receiving set which reassembles the picture and voice
which started out, solid objects are converted, transmitted and
reassembled by this mechanism.

Clearly, workable converter-transmitters would quickly cause the
spaceship to become outmoded, as they would transmit anything and
everything at the speed of light. The moon could be reached in less
than two seconds, Mars in four minutes.

The great question is whether humans could endure the stress of such
an experience. The current speculation has been caused by rumors
that a leading scientific foundation has secretly started human
experimentation with a converter-transmitter.

       *       *       *       *       *

    YOUNG MAN WANTED to Take Part in Scientific Experiment. Must Be
    Healthy, Intelligent, Accustomed to Dangerous Work. Pay Is Generous.
    Write Box W2714, Chicago.

       *       *       *       *       *

PEIFFER SCIENCE FOUNDATION

PROGRESS REPORT

PROJECT 3889, NICHOLAS GARSKI, DIRECTOR

12 SEPT., 2168

Concluded interviewing of volunteers. Believe the right man has been
found. Name--Anthony Kostov. Claims to be a former space pilot.
Feel that he is the perfect subject--age 28, physically and morally
tough. Most important, however, he is obviously under a compulsion
to prove his courage, due to some incident in his recent past. This
compulsion should prove helpful in case he learns what happened to
Sartorius--Garski.

       *       *       *       *       *

REPORT

FROM   : Council Member #7

TO     : The Science Council

SUBJECT: Peiffer Converter-Transmitter

1. Verified rumor that Nicholas Garski, director of experiment, plans
to use human subject again, despite Council ruling after the Sartorius
incident. He admits this intention, defies Council to stop him.

2. Ruled that all activity in connection with this experiment be halted
pending investigation and ruling of the full Council.

3. Strongly urge that:

    a. Garski be permanently restrained from further experimentation
    with the converter-transmitter, as he has proved himself
    irresponsibly reckless.

    b. The machine be impounded, since neither the Foundation nor its
    agent Garski have exhibited restraint in their handling of this
    tremendous force or respect for the edicts of this Council.

    c. That Anthony Kostov, the proposed human subject, be acquainted with
    the facts in the case of Steven Sartorius.

       *       *       *       *       *

MEMORANDUM

FROM: The Science Council

TO  : Anthony Kostov, c/o Peiffer Science Foundation

The attached medical record is forwarded for your attention.

(Signed) Robert Shepard, President

       *       *       *       *       *

STATE NEURO-PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL

EVANSTON, ILL.

Case History 8739

Name__Sartorius, Steven

Date of Admission__Dec. 18, 2166

Age at Date of Admission__25

Patient was employed by Peiffer Science Foundation as electronic
engineer for six years, following graduation summa cum laude from
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Worked under Dr. Nicholas Garski
on the Peiffer converter-transmitter for the three years immediately
prior to his mental collapse. No evidence of psychiatric disturbance
during these years, in college or in childhood.

On Dec. 15, 2166, Sartorius placed himself in the converter-transmitter
and acted as a human guinea pig in an experiment. Appeared dazed but
unhurt after the experience and was placed in bed. Arose late at night,
however, and returned to the laboratory.

Questioned by a night watchman, he attacked and strangled the man. In
the morning he was found, in excellent spirits, working on the machine.
At his feet was the dead body of the watchman.

Patient cannot be classified as paranoic, as there are no persecution
delusions, nor does he exhibit symptoms of hebephrenia or catatonia. Is
cool, lucid at all times, but totally unable to distinguish right from
wrong. Inclines toward capricious violent outbursts of the most vicious
sort, as above.

Diagnosis: Insane, Unclassified. Dangerous.

Prognosis: Incurable.

       *       *       *       *       *

PEIFFER SCIENCE FOUNDATION

PROGRESS REPORT

PROJECT 3889, NICHOLAS GARSKI, DIRECTOR

27 SEPT., 2168

Those bumbling amateurs on the Science Council are throwing every
possible roadblock in my path. But they will not stop me. A Council
member inspected the laboratory last week, ordered me to suspend
all operations, even took care that the complete medical dossier on
Sartorius was sent to my volunteer. When the volunteer showed it to
me I freely admitted the accuracy of the record. Told him that if he
were afraid, he could withdraw and I would understand. This brought
him quickly into line. My theory as to his compulsion was evidently
well-founded. As to the suspension of operations, I shall see to it
that it is strictly temporary.--Garski

       *       *       *       *       *

Mr. Robert Shepard

_Personal_

It is regrettable that your organization has seen fit to interfere with
my work. If it comes to the hearing before the full Council, I suppose
I shall be forced to bring out the facts about some unfortunate medical
experiments at the University forty-two years ago. Of course this might
not bother the august President of the Council. Perhaps he likes to be
reminded of carefree student days....

G.

       *       *       *       *       *

DIRECTIVE

FROM: THE PRESIDENT OF THE SCIENCE COUNCIL

TO  : All Members

29 SEPT., 2168

SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS ON PROJECT 3889, PEIFFER SCIENCE FOUNDATION,
IS REVOKED EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND EXPERIMENTATION WILL BE PERMITTED
TO PROCEED UNHINDERED. SHEPARD, PRESIDENT.

       *       *       *       *       *

Mr. Ralph Watson

Ground Control Approach Division

Spaceport New Dallas, Mars

Dear Ralph:

I may be seeing you sooner than you expect. Maybe you've read the
rumors about converter-transmitter experiments in the facsimile papers.
Well, that's me, baby. I'm the human cannonball that they're going to
shoot through space.

You've heard of the Peiffer Foundation. They turned out that stepped-up
atomic fuel a couple of years ago. Well, they're my new bosses, and an
old bird by the name of Garski is getting ready to load me into his
cannon. And the target is Mars.

So if you hear somebody go shooting by your window one of these nights,
hollering, "Look, Ma--no rocket ship!" that'll be your old buddy.

I'm not exactly crazy about this Garski character--he looks at you like
you were an interesting smear under a microscope--but I'm not getting
paid to love him. I'm getting paid to take a chance, and the money's
good--enough to buy me a tramp ship so I can start my own little line
when this is over.

And speaking of lines, tell our friend Bannerman I'll be glad to hold
him on my lap on the return trip--that is, if he's got the nerve.

See you soon, buddy.

Tony

       *       *       *       *       *

PEIFFER SCIENCE FOUNDATION

PROGRESS REPORT

PROJECT 3889, NICHOLAS GARSKI, DIRECTOR

4 OCT., 2168

All is in readiness for the final step in the experiment. The volunteer
has signed a waiver of all claims save that of payment, the mechanism
has been triple-checked in test runs with inanimate solids. Tomorrow at
approximately 2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time the Earth will come into
the ideal juxtaposition with Mars. I am confident that the adjustments
I have made in the resistor coils and elsewhere will eliminate all
shock to the subject and success will be mine. But twenty-four hours
from now and a galaxy will echo to the name of--Garski

       *       *       *       *       *

PEIFFER SCIENCE FOUNDATION

FINAL REPORT

PROJECT 3889, NICHOLAS GARSKI, DIRECTOR

5 OCT., 2168

(Note: This report made by Laboratory Technician D. J. Williams in the
absence of Dr. Garski, for the record. Complete report will be made by
the Doctor upon his return.)

Project 3889 was today completed. Result: Failure. The subject Kostov
has been found insane and removed under guard. Dr. Garski left the
laboratory in a highly agitated state immediately after the experiment
and has not returned. It might be observed by one who was present at
both experiments that the eyes of the subject Kostov were of the same
lifeless glassiness as those of Sartorius after the first experiment in
'66.

       *       *       *       *       *

UNIDENTIFIED BODY DISCOVERED

Chicago, Oct. 6--The body of an elderly man was found floating in Lake
Michigan this morning by fishermen. There was no identification on the
body, but the clothing seemed to indicate a hospital or laboratory
worker. Suicide was indicated by an unsigned note in a pocket reading,
"I know now what I have done and it is unthinkable."

       *       *       *       *       *

_The Journal of Steven Sartorius_

Oct. 6, 2168.... There is another nearby like myself. I can feel its
presence. This is great news--the time approaches! Soon I will no
longer have to while away the hours by writing these pages and then
destroying them before the guards come around. For this other must
sense my presence too, and working together, we will quickly escape
this house of madness.

They have put it in the compartment next to mine. That is excellent. I
will communicate with it by wall-taps, and we will soon devise a code.
Once this is done, I will communicate to it my plan for overpowering
the night guard and we will be away from this place.

Away--free--free of these fools who class us with lunatics. And of them
all, Garski was the greatest fool. I hear the guards in the hall saying
he destroyed himself when the second experiment failed.

Failed, he thought! A fool to the end. It succeeded! Just as the first
one did, it succeeded.

An answer so beautifully simple, and he never saw it. Garski the
perfectionist, meticulously checking each last detail. And not seeing
the most important fact of all.

Of course the machine works--up to a point. The body that is assembled
in the receiving set is physically complete. Atoms and molecules can be
converted into electrical impulses and beamed through space, for atoms
and molecules are solids. But a soul is not.

There is more to a man than atoms and molecules, and that is why I am
not a man, although I have a man's body. Thanks to Garski's machine, I
am the first of all time to be free of that foul encumbrance men call a
soul. The chains of conscience struck off, I am free to destroy those
who oppose me, to kill--to conquer!

Yes--conquer. For there will be more of us when we have escaped this
prison. I know how to build the machine. And I hear the guards saying
this other is strong and bold. That is well. What a combination we will
make, I to create the supermen of tomorrow and my new brother to lead
them! A terrible army of soulless creatures to enslave these weaklings
that call themselves men.

Wait! Do I hear a faint tapping? Yes, it is trying to contact me
already. I come, brother, I come...!

       *       *       *       *       *

STATE NEURO-PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL

Evanston, Illinois

Nov. 7, 2168

To All Staff Members--CONFIDENTIAL

The escape of the inmates Sartorius and Kostov will not be discussed
with members of the press. The salient facts, i. e. vital statistics on
the dead guard Rasmussen, exact time of the escape, etc., have already
been announced by this office and it is felt that further discussion of
the matter would only lead to unnecessary speculation.

LOUIS ASHLEY, Administrator.

Crashaw, Ky.

       *       *       *       *       *

Augest 22, 2170

Deer Bessy,

How you ben? i am fine hope to See you Soon. Caint see you nex Sardy
nigt tho. am gon up with a bunch of the boys to see them funny fellows
Tony an Steve. They got som graet tricks you kno. Best ones a big black
box wher one sets in it and tother pushes a swich an he dispears. Aint
nowhers about--you can hunt all you plees. Then all at wonce hes back
alaffin like all get out.

Corse they ack kinda crazy but there a barel of fun. Next Sardy nigt
they say there gon let me an the boys set in the box. So when i see you
i will let you kno how it feels to dispear. Hope i dont lose nothin in
the prosess if you kno what i mean. Ha. ha.

Rufe