Public-domain ebook
by Garrett, Randall; Janifer, Laurence M.
Language: en11,950 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
In: Science Fiction·Science-Fiction & Fantasy·Crime, Thrillers and Mystery
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #30434.
This story is a mid‑century science‑fiction tale that blends bureaucratic intrigue with a hint of the paranormal. It opens with a terse, almost news‑reel style description of how a single faulty transistor can cripple a multi‑million‑dollar missile, then launches into a dialogue between FBI Director Andrew J. Burris and his subordinate Kenneth J. Malone. The conversation quickly moves from historical scapegoating, enemy aliens, Wobblies, fellow‑travelers, to the present crisis of “insane telepaths” and a mysterious sabotage affecting congressional paperwork. Burris, bewildered and weary, tasks Malone with probing the “computer‑secretaries” in the Senate Office Building, hinting at a deeper, unseen threat that the agency must keep secret. The opening establishes a setting where ordinary government procedures intersect with speculative technology and psychic abilities, framing the narrative as a procedural mystery set against a backdrop of Cold‑War anxieties.
The prose reflects the punchy, dialogue‑driven style of 1960s magazine fiction, with a dry, bureaucratic tone punctuated by occasional wry humor. The voice is that of a seasoned editor‑turned‑author, employing concise sentences and a steady rhythm that mirrors the procedural nature of the plot. Readers who enjoy classic speculative fiction that mixes espionage, early computer paranoia, and a touch of telepathy, especially fans of vintage Analog stories, will find the book’s blend of institutional satire and futuristic speculation appealing.
Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction November 1960, December 1960, January 1961, February 1961. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. OCCASION ... for DISASTER By MARK PHILLIPS Illustrated by van Dongen A very small slip, at just the wrong place, can devastate any enterprise. One tiny transistor can go wrong ... and ruin a multi-million dollar missile. Which would be one way to stop the missiles.... " We must remember not to judge any public servant by any one act, and especially should we beware of attacking the men who are merely the occasions and not the causes of disaster. " Theodore Roosevelt n 1914, it was enemy aliens. In 1930, it was Wobblies. In 1957, it was fellow-travelers. In 1971, it was insane telepaths. And, in 1973: "We don't know what it is," said Andrew J. …
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