The Complete Stories of Philip K. Dick Vol. 2 by Philip K. Dick Page B

seemed to have been aware of the dangers."
    "But not sufficiently so."
    "No." Ryan hesitated. "And we may be getting ourselves into the same situation."
    "How do you mean?"
    "Schonerman's discovery of the artificial brain was lost when the last claw was destroyed. None of us have been able to duplicate his work. If we bring his papers we may put society back in jeopardy. We may bring back the claws."
    Kastner shook his head. "No. Schonerman's work was not implicitly related to the claws. The development of an artificial brain does not imply lethal usage. Any scientific discovery can be used for destruction. Even the wheel was used in the Assyrian war chariots."
    "I suppose so." Ryan glanced up at Kastner. "Are you certain USIC doesn't intend to use Schonerman's work along military lines?"
    "USIC is an industrial combine. Not a government."
    "It would ensure its advantage for a long time."
    "USIC is strong enough as it is."
    "Let it go." Ryan rolled up the map. "We can start any minute. I'm anxious to get going. We've worked a long time on this."
    "I agree."
    Ryan crossed the room to his son. "We're leaving, Jon. We should be back fairly soon. Wish us luck."
    Jon nodded. "I wish you luck."
    "You're feeling all right?"
    "Yes."
    "Jon – you feel better now, don't you? Better than before?"
    "Yes."
    "Aren't you glad they're gone? All the troubles you were having?"
    "Yes."
    Ryan put his hand awkwardly on the boy's shoulder. "We'll see you later."
    Ryan and Kastner made their way up the ramp to the hatch of the time ship. From the corner, Jon watched them silently. A few League Guards lounged at the entrances to the work lab, watching with idle interest.
    Ryan paused at the hatch. He called one of the guards over. "Tell Timmer I want him."
    The guard went off, pushing through the exit.
    "What is it?" Kastner said.
    "I have some final instructions to give him."
    Kastner shot him a sharp glance. "Final? What's the matter? You think something's going to happen to us?"
    "No. Just a precaution."
    Timmer came striding in. "You're leaving, Ryan?"
    "Everything's ready. There's no reason to hold back any longer."
    Timmer came up the ramp. "What did you want me for?"
    "This may be unnecessary. But there's always the possibility something might go wrong. In case the ship doesn't reappear according to schedule I've filed with the League members -"
    "You want me to name a protector for Jon."
    "That's right."
    "There's nothing to worry about."
    "I know. But I'd feel better. Someone should watch out for him."
    They both glanced at the silent, expressionless boy sitting in the corner of the room. Jon stared straight ahead. His face was blank. His eyes were dull, listless. There was nothing there.
    "Good luck," Timmer said. He and Ryan shook hands. "I hope everything works out."
    Kastner climbed inside the ship, setting down his briefcase. Ryan followed him, lowering the hatch into place and bolting it into position. He sealed the inner lock. A bank of automatic lighting came on. Controlled atmosphere began to hiss into the cabin of the ship.
    "Air, light, heat," Kastner said. He peered out the port at the League Guards outside. "It's hard to believe. In a few minutes all this will disappear. This building. These guards. Everything."
    Ryan seated himself at the control board of the ship, spreading out the time map. He fastened the map into position, crossing the surface with the cable leads from the board before him. "It's my plan to make several observation stops along the way, so we can view some of the past events relevant to our work."
    "The war?"
    "Mainly. I'm interested in seeing the claws in actual operation. At one time they were in complete control of Terra, according to the War Office records."
    "Let's not get too close, Ryan."
    Ryan laughed. "We won't land. We'll make our observations from the air. The only actual contact we'll make will be with Schonerman."
    Ryan closed the power circuit. Energy flowed through the ship around them,