Universe Twister - Keith Laumer [194]
"I'll . . . I'll try to be brave." Sisli brushed away her tears and smiled up at Lafayette. "You're right. There's still time. We can't give up. Now try again: close your eyes, think of the wall as being woven of little lines of light. And the lines of light are only tiny specks that move very fast—so fast they aren't really there—and you reach out . . . you feel them, you match the pattern of your mind to them, and—"
"All right," Vugli's blunt voice spoke suddenly beside them. "Wizner Hiz is waiting. Let's go, Haz."
The glowering youth stood just inside the impervious wall—impervious to O'Leary, at least, he thought disgustedly. Around here, every man, woman, and child over eighteen months had freedom to come and go—all but him!
"He's not ready," Sisli had jumped up, stood facing her brother. "Hiz will have to wait."
"You know better than that."
"Go away! You're spoiling everything! If you'd just give us more time—"
"It's not me—it's Wizner Hiz—"
"Yes, indeed, it is Wizner Hiz," a new voice spoke, a sharp, thin-edged voice that seemed to slice between Lafayette's bones. He turned to see a lean, leathery-faced old Wingman, with a few gray plumes still clinging to his withered scalp, a nose like an eagle's beak, eyes like bits of glowing coal.
"And I am here," Wizner Hiz said in an ominous hiss, "to discover the truth of this curious matter!"
"There's nothing to discover," Sisli spoke up defiantly, facing the Visioner. "Tazlo had a fall; he hit his head. Naturally, he was a bit confused. But now . . . he remembers everything—don't you, Tazlo?" She turned to face him, her eyes bright with fear, and with determination.
"Well—there may be a few details I haven't quite remembered yet," he temporized.
"So? That is good news indeed," Wizner snapped. "But of course the matter is not one which can be settled so casually. The interests of all Thallathlone are concerned. People are afraid of the worst. They require reassurance. I'm sure you'll willingly join me in laying all fears at rest."
"Of course he will," Sisli spoke up quickly. "But he needs more rest. He hasn't recovered—"
"I have no intention of overstraining an honest invalid," Wizner cut in harshly. "A few questions, a few tests, publicly given—nothing more. Then honest Tazlo—if indeed the subject is Tazlo—can return to his sickbed—if—he is still in need of special attention."
"Tomorrow! He'll feel much better tomorrow—"
"Tomorrow may be too late, girl!"
"He might have a relapse if he has to go out now—"
"Suppose—" Wizner pointed a taloned finger at Sisli. "Suppose this man we call Tazlo Haz is in truth Invaded by a parasite from the dark spaces between the worlds! Would you nurture him here, assist him to prepare a place for others of his fell breed?"
"He isn't! I know he isn't!"
"Sisli—he has to be put to the test," Hinky interrupted. "Fighting it will only make it look worse for him. If he is Tazlo, it will all be over in a few minutes! It can't hurt to answer a few questions, even if he is still a little weak—and he looks strong enough to me," he added, giving Lafayette a look that was far from cordial.
"He'll come with you now," Vugli stated flatly. "Won't you, Tazlo?"
Lafayette looked at the wingman. He looked at Wizner Hiz. He looked at Sisli. He drew a breath.
"No," he said. "I'm afraid I can't oblige, fellows."
"No, you say?" the Visioner shrilled. "But I say yes! Vugli—Hinky—take him!"
"Come on you—" Vugli caught Lafayette's arm; Hinky seized his injured wing in a secure grip, twisted as Lafayette held back. Sisli screamed. Her father made distressed sounds. Lafayette braced his feet, but the pain in the broken member was like a hot sword under his shoulder blade. They hustled him forward, slammed him against the unyielding wall with stunning force.
"What's that?" said Vugli, who stood half in, half out of the wall, gaping at O'Leary. "Merge, man! Merge! This resistance is foolish!"
"Sorry," Lafayette said. "No can do. I