Classic Audiobook Collection - The Defenders by Philip K. Dick ~ Full Audiobook [scifi]

Episode Date: March 14, 2023

The Defenders by Philip K. Dick audiobook. Genre: scifi The terrible destruction of total nuclear war between the Western and Eastern Blocks has succeeded in sterilizing the surface of the earth. No living creature can now exist there and all humans on both sides, have fled to the hives built miles below the surface where they constantly work to produce the war materials necessary to carry on the battle. For 8 years now, the actual fighting between these super powers has been conducted by robots known as Ledeys since only they can sustain the terrible levels of radiation caused by the constant bombardment. They are the Defenders, standing between the combatants far below and ultimate victory or defeat. Life is hard in the tunnels, but liveable, while it is lethal on the surface. The ledeys keep the generals informed on everything through vids and pictures; but how can this continue? what will happen? Who will win? For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 1 (00:13:49) Chapter 2 (00:27:59) Chapter 3 (00:48:10) Chapter 4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

the defenders by philip k dick part one taylor sat back in his chair reading the morning newspaper the warm kitchen and the smell of coffee blended with the comfort of not having to go to work this was his rest period the first for a long time and he was glad of it he folded the second section back sighing with contentment what is it mary said from the stove They pasted Moscow again last night. Taylor nodded his head in approval. Gave it a real pounding. One of those R.H. bombs. It's about time. He nodded again. Feeling the full comfort of the kitchen, the presence of his plump, attractive wife, the breakfast dishes and coffee. This was relaxation. And the war news was good, good and satisfying. He could feel a justifiable glow at the news, a sense of pride and personal accomplishment. After all, he was an integral part of the war program,

not just another factory worker lugging a cart of scrap, but a technician, one of those who designed and planned the nerve trunk of the war. It says they have the new subs almost perfected. Wait till they get those going. He smacked his lips with anticipation. When they start shelling from underwater. The Soviets are sure going to be surprised. They're doing a wonderful job. Mary agreed vaguely. Do you know what we saw today? Our team is getting a letty to show to the school children. I saw the letty, but only for a moment. It's good for the children to see what their contributions are going for, don't you think? She looked around at him. A letty, Taylor murmured. He put the newspaper slowly down. Well, maybe.

sure it's decontaminated probably. We don't want to take any chances." Oh, they always bathe them when they're brought down from the surface," Mary said. They wouldn't think of letting them down without the bath, would they?" she hesitated, thinking back. Don, you know it makes me remember. He nodded. I know. He knew which he was thinking. Once in the very first weeks of the war, before everyone had been evacuated from the surface, They had seen a hospital train discharging the wounded, people who had been showered with sleet. He remembered the way they had looked, the expression on their faces, or as much of their faces as was left. It was not a pleasant sight.

There had been a lot of that at first, in the early days before the transfer to under-surface was complete. There had been a lot, and it hadn't been very difficult to come across it. Taylor looked up at his wife. She was thinking too much about it the last few months. They all were. Forget it. He said it's all in the past. There isn't anybody up there now but the Lettys, and they don't mind.

But just the same. I hope they're careful when they let one of them down here. If one were still hot, he laughed, pushing himself away from the table. Forget it. I'll be home for the next two shifts. Nothing to do but sit around and take. Things easy. Maybe we can take in a show, okay? A show? Do we have to? I don't like to look at all the destruction, the ruins.

Sometimes I see some places I remember, like San Francisco. They showed a shot of San Francisco, the bridge broken and fallen in the water, and I get upset. I don't like to watch. But don't you want to know what's going on? No human beings are getting hurt, you know. it's so awful. Her face was set and strained. Please, no, Don. Don Taylor picked up his newspaper sullenly. All right, but there isn't a hell of a lot else to do. And don't forget, their cities are getting it even worse. She nodded. Taylor turned the rough, thin sheets of newspaper. His good mood had soured on him. Why did she have to fret all the time? They were perfectly well off as things went. You couldn't expect to have everything perfect living under surface with an artificial sun and artificial

food? Naturally it was a strain, not seeing the sky, or being able to go any place or see anything other than metal walls, great roaring factories, the plant yards, barracks. But it was better than being on surface. And someday it would end and they could return. Nobody wanted to live this way, but it was necessary." the page angrily, and the poor paper ripped. Damn it. The paper was getting worse quality all the time. Bad print, yellow tint.

Well, they needed everything for the war program. He ought to know that. Wasn't he one of the planners? He excused himself and went into the other room. The bed was still unmade. They had better get it in shape before the seventh hour inspection. There was a one-unit fine. The vid-phone rang.

He halted. Who could it be? He went over and clicked it on. Taylor, the voice said, farming into place. It was an old face, gray and grim. This is Moss. I'm sorry to bother you during Russ period, but this thing has come up. He rattled papers.

I want you to hurry over here. Taylor stiffened. What is it? There's no chance he could wait. The calm gray eyes were studying him, expressionless, unjudging. If you want me. me to come down to the lab. Taylor grumbled, I suppose I can. I'll get my uniform. No, come as you are. And not to the lab. Meet me at second stage as soon as possible. It'll take you about a half hour,

using the fast car up. I'll see you there. The picture broke and Moss disappeared. What was it? Mary said at the door. Moss. He wants me for something. I knew this would happen. Well, you didn't want to do anything anyhow. What does it matter? his voice was bitter it's all the same every day i'll bring you back something i'm going up to second stage maybe i'll be close enough to the surface to don't don't bring me anything not from the surface All right, I won't, but of all the irrational nonsense, she watched him put on his boots without answering. Moss nodded, and Taylor fell in step with him as the older man strode along. A series of loads were going up to the surface, blind cars clanking like ore trucks up the

ramp, disappearing through the stage trap above them. Taylor watched the cars, heavy with tubular machinery of some sort, weapons new to him, workers were everywhere in the dark gray uniforms of the labor corps, loading, lifting, shouting back and forth. The stage was deafening with noise. We'll go up away, Moss said, where we can talk. This is no place to give you details. They took an escalator up.

The commercial lift fell behind them, and with it most of the crashing and booming. Soon they emerged on an observation platform, suspended on the side of the tube, the vast tunnel leading to the surface, not more than half a mile above them now. My God, Taylor said looking down the tube involuntarily. It's a long way down. Moss laughed. Don't look. They opened a door and entered an office.

Behind the desk an officer was sitting an officer of internal security. He looked up. I'll be right with you, Moss. He gazed at Taylor studying him. You're a little ahead of time. "'This is Commander Franks,' Moss said to Taylor. "'He was the first to make the discovery. I was notified last night. He tapped a parcel he carried. I was let in because of this.'

Franks frowned at him and stood up. "'We're going up to first stage. We can discuss it there.' "'First stage?' Taylor repeated nervously. The three of them went down a side passage to a small lift. "'I've never been up there. Is it all right? It's not radioactive, is it?' You're like everyone else, Frank said. Old women afraid of burglars. No radiation leaks down to first stage.

There's lead and rock and what comes down the tube is bathed. What's the nature of the problem? Taylor asked. I'd like to know something about it. In a moment. They entered the lift and ascended. When they stepped out, they were in a hall of soldiers, weapons and uniforms everywhere. Taylor blinked in surprise.

So this was first stage. the closest under-surface level to the top. After this stage there was only rock, lead, and rock, and the great tubes leading up like the burrows of earthworms, lead and rock, and above that, where the tubes opened, the great expanse that no living being had seen for eight years, the vast, endless ruin that had once been man's home, the place where he had lived eight years ago.

Now the surface was a lethal desert of slag and rolling clouds. Endless clouds drifted back and forth, blotting out the red sun. Occasionally, something metallic stirred, moving through the remains of a city, threading its way across the tortured terrain of the countryside, a letty, a surface robot, immune to radiation, constructed with feverish haste in the last months before the Cold War became literally hot. Lettys, crawling along the ground, moving over the oceans, or through the skies, in slender blackened craft, creatures that could exist where no life could remain, metal and plastic

figures that waged a war man had conceived, but which he could not fight himself. Human beings had invented war, invented and manufactured the weapons, even invented the players, the fighters, the actors of the war, but they themselves could not venture forth, could not wage it themselves. In all the world, in Russia, in Europe, America, Africa, no living human being remained. They were under the surface, in the deep shelters that had been carefully planned and built, even as the first bombs began to fall. It was a brilliant idea, and the only idea that could have worked. Up above, on the ruined, blasted surface of what had once been a living planet, the Lettie crawled and scurried and fought man's war. And under surface, in the depths

of the planet, human beings toiled endlessly to produce the weapons to continue the fight, month by month, year by year. First stage, Taylor said. A strange ache went through him, almost to the surface, but not quite, Moss said. Franks led them through the soldiers, over to one side, near the lip of the tube. In a few minutes a lift will bring something down to us from the surface, he explained. You see, Taylor, every once in a while security examines and interrogates a surface letty, one that has been above for a time to find out certain things.

A vid-call is sent up and contact is made with the field headquarters. We need this direct interview. We can't depend on vid-screen contact alone. The leadys are doing a good job, but we want to make certain that everything is going the way we want it. Franks faced Taylor in Moss and continued, The lift will bring down a letty from the surface, one of the A-class letties. There's an examination chamber in the next room, with a lead wall in the center, so the interviewing officers won't be exposed to radiation.

We find this easier than bathing the letty. It is going right back up. It has a job to get back to. Two days ago, an A-class leady was brought down and interrogated. I conducted the session myself. We were interested in a new weapon the Soviets had been using, an automatic mind that pursues anything that moves. Military had sent instructions up that the mind be observed and reported in detail.

The A-class leady was brought down with a-class leady was brought down with. information. We learned a few facts from it, obtained the usual role of film and reports, and then sent it back up. It was going out of the chamber back to the lift when a curious thing happened. At the time I thought Franks broke off a red light was flashing. That downlift is coming. He nodded to some soldiers. Let's enter the chamber. The Letty will be along in a moment." An A-class Letty, Taylor said. I've seen them on the show screens, making their reports. it's quite an experience moss said they're almost human end of part one part two of the defenders by philip k dick this labor box recording is in the public domain part two

they entered the chamber and seated themselves behind the lead wall after a time a signal was flashed and franks made a motion with his hands the door beyond the wall opened taylor peered through his view slot he was a little bit of his view-slot he was flashed and franks made a motion with his hands the door beyond the wall opened taylor peered through his view slot he We saw something advancing slowly, a slender metallic figure, moving on a tread, its arm grips at rest by its sides, the figure halted and scanned the lead wall. It stood waiting. We are interested in learning something, Frank said. Before I question you, do you have anything to report on surface conditions? No, the war continues. The lettuce voice was automatic and homeless.

We are a little short of fast-pursuit craft. The single-seat type, we could use also some— That has all been noted. What I want to ask you is this. Our contact with you has been through the screen only. We must rely on indirect evidence, since none of us goes above. We can only infer what is going on. We never see anything ourselves.

We have to take it all second-hand. Some top leaders are beginning to think there's too much room for error. Error. that he asked. In what way? Our reports are checked carefully before they're sent down. We maintain constant contact with you. Everything of value is reported.

Any new weapons which the enemy is seen to employ? I realize that." Franks grunted behind his peep-slot. But perhaps we should see it all for ourselves. Is it possible that there might be a large enough radiation-free area for a human party to ascend to the surface. If a few of us were to come up in lead-lined suits, would we be able to survive long enough to observe conditions and watch things? The machine hesitated before answering. I doubt it. You can check air samples, of course, and decide for yourselves. But in the eight

years since you left, things have continually worsened. You cannot have any real idea of conditions up there. It has become difficult for any moving object to survive for long. There are many kinds of projectiles sensitive to movement. The new mind not only reacts to motion, but it continues to pursue the object indefinitely until it finally reaches it, and the radiation is everywhere. I see. Frank's turn to Moss. His His eyes narrowed oddly. Well, that was what I wanted to know. You may go.

The machine moved back toward its exit. It paused. Each month the amount of lethal particles in the atmosphere increases. The tempo of war is gradually. I understand, Franks rose. He held out his hand, and Moss passed him the package. One thing before you leave, I want you to examine a new type of metal shield material. I'll pass you a sample with the tong."

Franks put the package in the toothed grip and revolved the tong so that he held the other end. The package swung down to the Letty which took it. They watched it unwrapped the package and took the metal plate in its hands. The Lettie turned the metal over and over. Suddenly it became rigid. All right, Frank said. He put his shoulder against the wall and a section slid aside. Taylor gasped.

Franks and Moss were hurrying up to the leady. Good God, Taylor said, but it's radioactive. The leady stood unmoving, still holding the metal. Soldiers appeared in the chamber. They surrounded the leady and ran a counter across it carefully. Okay, sir, one of them said to Franks, it's as cold as a long winter evening. Good, I was sure, but I didn't want to take any chances.

You see, Moss said to Taylor, this leady isn't hot at all. Yet it came directly from the surface without even being bathed. But what does it mean? Taylor asked blankly. It may be an accident, Frank said. There's always the possibility that a given object might escape being exposed above, but this is the second time it's happened that we know of. There may be others. The second time? The previous interview was when we noticed it. The leady was not hot. It was cold, too, like this one. Moss took back the metal plate from the Lettie's hands.

He pressed the surface carefully and returned it to the stiff, unprotesting fingers. We sharded it out with this so we could get close enough for a thorough check. It'll come back on in a second now. We had better get behind the wall again. They walked back, and the lead wall swung closed behind them. The soldiers left the chamber. Two periods from now, Franks said softly, An initial investigating party will be ready to go surface-side.

We're going up the tube and suits up to the top. The first human party to leave under surface in eight years. It may mean nothing, Moss said, but I doubt it. Something's going on, something's strange. The Letty told us no life could exist above without being roasted. The story doesn't fit. Taylor nodded. He stared through the peep-slot at the immobile.

metal figure. Already the leady was beginning to stir. It was bent in several places, dented and twisted, and its finish was blackened and charred. It was a leady that had been up there a long time. It had seen war and destruction, ruins so vast that no human being could imagine the extent. It had crawled and slunk in a world of radiation and death, a world where no life could exist, and Taylor had touched it. You're going with us, Frank said suddenly. I want you along. I think the three of us will go.

Mary faced him with a sick and frightened expression. I know it. You're going to the surface, aren't you? She followed him into the kitchen. Taylor sat down, looking away from her. It's a classified project, he evaded. I can't tell you anything about it. You don't have to tell me, I know.

I knew at the moment you came in. There was something on your face. Something I haven't seen there for a long, long time. It was an old look. She came toward him, but how can they send you to the surface? She took his face and her shaking hands, making him look at her. There was a strange hunger in her eyes. Nobody can live up there.

Look, look at this! She grabbed up a newspaper and held it in front of him. Look at this photograph. America, Europe, Asia, Africa, nothing but ruined. We've seen it every day on the show screens, all destroyed, poisoned, and they're sending you up? Why? No living thing can get by up there, not even a weed or grass. They've wrecked the surface, haven't they?

Haven't they? Taylor stood up. It's an order. I know nothing about it. I was told to report to join a scout party. That's all I know. He stood for a long time, staring ahead. Slowly he reached for the newspaper and held it up to the light.

It looks real, he murmured. Ruins, deadness, slag. It's convincing. All the reports, photographs, films, even air samples. Yet, we haven't seen it for ourselves. Not after the first months. What are you talking about? Nothing.

He put the paper down. I'm leaving early after the next sleep period. Let's turn in. Mary turned away, her face hard and harsh. Do what you want. We might just as well all go up and get It killed at once, instead of dying slowly down here, like vermin in the ground. He had not realized how resentful she was.

Were they all like that? How about the workers toiling in the factories day and night endlessly? The pale, stooped men and women, plodding back and forth to work, blinking in the colorless light, eating synthetics? You shouldn't be so bitter, he said. Mary smiled a little. I'm bitter because I know you'll never come back. She turned away.

I'll never see you again once you go up there. He was shocked. What? How can you say a thing like that? She did not answer. He awakened with the public newscaster screeching in his ears, shouting outside the building. Special news bulletin.

Surface forces report enormous sovious attack with new weapons. Retreat of key groups. All work units report to factories at once. Taylor blinked, rubbing his. his eyes. He jumped out of bed and hurried to the vid phone. A moment later he was put through to Moss. Listen, he said, what about this new attack? Is the project off? He could see Moss's desk covered with reports and papers. No, Moss said, we're going right ahead. Get over here at once. But don't argue with me. Moss held up a handful of surface bulletins, crumpling

them savagely. This is a fake. Come on. He broke off. Taylor dressed furiously his mind in a day's. Half an hour later he leaped from a fast car and hurried up the stairs into the synthetic building. The corridors were full of men and women rushing in every direction. He entered Moss's office. There you are, Moss said getting up immediately. Franks is waiting for us at the outgoing station. They went in a security car, the siren screaming.

Workers scattered out of their way. What about the attack? Taylor asked. Moss braced his shoulders. We're certain that we've forced their hand. We've brought the issue to a head. They pulled up at the station link of the tube and leaped out. A moment later, they were moving up at high speed toward the first stage.

They emerged into a bewildering scene of activity. Soldiers were fastening on lead suits, talking excitedly to each other, shouting back and forth. Guns were being given out instructions passed. Taylor studied one of the soldiers. He was armed with the dreaded bender pistol, the new snub-nosed hand weapon that was just beginning to come from the assembly line. Some of the soldiers looked a little frightened. I hope we're not making a mistake, Moss said, noticing his gaze. Franks came toward them.

Here's the program. The three of us are going up first alone. The soldiers will follow in fifteen minutes. What are we going to tell the leadys? Taylor worriedly. asked. We'll have to tell them something. We want to observe the new Soviet attack. Frank smiled ironically. Since it seems to be so serious, we should be there in person to witness it. And then what? Taylor said. That'll be up to them. Let's go. In a small car they went swiftly up the tube, carried by anti-grav beams from below. Taylor glanced down from time to time. It was a long way back in getting longer each moment. He sweated nervous.

inside his suit, gripping his bender pistol with inexpert fingers. Why had they chosen him? Chance, pure chance. Moss had asked him to come along as a department member. Then Franks had picked him out on the spur of the moment, and now they were rushing toward the surface, faster and faster. A deep fear instilled in him for eight years throbbed in his mind. Radiation, certain death. A world blasted and lethal. Up, up, the car went. Taylor gripped the sides and closed his eyes. Each moment they were closer. The first living creatures to go above the first stage, up the tube, past the lead and rock, up to the surface. The phobic horror shook him in waves. It was death. They all knew

that. Hadn't they seen it in the films a thousand times? The cities, the sleet coming down, the rolling clouds. It won't be much longer, Frank said we're almost there. The surface tower is not expecting us. I gave orders that no signal was to be sent. The car shot up, rushing furiously. Taylor's head spun. He hung on, his eyes shut, up and up.

The car stopped. He opened his eyes. They were in a vast room, fluorescent lit, a cavern filled with equipment and machinery, Endless mounds of material piled in row after row. Among the stacks, Letties were working silently, pushing trucks and hand-carts. Letties, Moss said. His face was pale.

Then we're really on the surface. The Lettys were going back and forth with equipment, moving the vast stores of guns and spare parts, ammunition and supplies, that had been brought to the surface. And this was their receiving station for only one tube. There were many others scattered throughout the continent. Taylor looked nervously around him. They were really there, above ground, on the surface. This was where the war was.

Come on, Frank said. A B-class guard is coming our way. End of Section 2. Part 3 of the Defenders by Philip K. Dick. This Liebervox recording is in the public domain. Part 3 They stepped out of the car. car. A Letty was approaching them rapidly. It coasted up in front of them and stopped, scanning

them with its hand weapon raised. "'This is security,' Frank said. "'Have an A-class sent to me at once.' The Letty hesitated. Other B-class guards were coming, scooting across the floor, alert and alarmed. Moss peered around. "'Obey!' Frank said in a loud commanding voice. "'You've been ordered.' The Lettie moved uncertainly away from them. At the end of the building a door slid back.

Two A-class leadies appeared, coming slowly toward them. Each had a green stripe across its front. From the surface council, Franks whispered tensely. This is above ground, all right. Get set. The two leadys approached warily. Without speaking, they stopped close by the men, looking them up and down. I'm Franks of Security.

We came from under surface in order to— This is incredible. One of the leadies interrupted. him coldly. You know you can't live up here. The whole surface is lethal to you. You can't possibly remain on the surface. These suits will protect us, Frank said. In any case, it's not your responsibility. What I want is an immediate council meeting so I can acquaint myself with conditions with the situation here. Can that be arranged? You human beings can survive up here, and the new Soviet attack is directed at this area.

It is in considerable danger. We know that. Please assemble the council. Franks looked around him at the vast room, lit by recessed lamps in the ceiling. An uncertain quality came into his voice. Is it night or day right now? Night, one of the A-class leadies said after a pause, Don is coming in about two hours.

Franks nodded. We'll remain at least two hours, then. As a concession to our sentimentality, would you please show us some place where we can observe the sun as it comes up? We would appreciate it. A stir went through the leadys. It is an unpleasant sight, one of the lettys said. You've seen the photographs.

You know what you'll witness. Clouds of drifting particles blot out the light. Slag heaps are everywhere. The whole land is destroyed. For you it will be a stagger. sight much worse than pictures and film can convey. However it may be we'll stay long enough to see it. Will you give the order to the council?"

Come this way. Reluctantly the two leadys coasted toward the wall of the warehouse. The three men trudged after them, their heavy shoes ringing against the concrete. At the wall the two leadys paused. This is the entrance to the council chamber. There are windows in the chamber room, but it is still dark outside. Of course, you will see nothing right now, but in two hours open the door, Frank said. The door slid back.

They went slowly inside. The room was small, a neat room with a round table in the center, chairs ringing it. The three of them sat down silently, and the two leadys followed after them, taking their places. The other council members are on their way. They have already been notified and are coming as quickly as they can. Again, I urge you to go back down. The Lettie surveyed the three human beings. There is no way you can meet the conditions up here.

Even we survive with some trouble ourselves. How can you expect to do it? The leader approached Franks. This astonishes and perplexes us, it said. Of course we must do what you tell us, but allow me to point out that if you remain here, we know, Franks said impatiently. However, we intend to remain at least until sunrise. If you insist, there was silence.

The leadys seemed to be conferring with each other, although there, the three men heard no sound. For your own good, the leader said at last. You must go back down. We have discussed this, and it seems to us that you are doing the wrong thing for your own good. We are human beings, Frank said sharply. Don't you understand? We're men, not machines.

That is precisely why you must go back. This room is Ray D.O. active. All surface areas are. We calculate that your suits will not protect you for over fifty more minutes. Therefore, the leadys moved abruptly toward the men, wheeling in a circle, forming a solid row. The men stood up. Taylor reached awkwardly for his weapon. His fingers numb and stupid. The men stood facing the silent metal figures. We must insist, the leader said its voice, without emotion. We must take you back to the tube and send you down on the next car. I am sorry, but it is necessary."

"'What do?' Moss said nervously to Franks. He touched his gun. Shall we blast him?' Franks shook his head. "'All right,' he said to the leader. We'll go back." He moved toward the door, motioning Taylor and Moss to follow him. They looked at him in surprise, but they came with him. The Lettys followed them out into the great warehouse. Slowly they moved toward the tube entrance, none of them speaking. At the lip, Franks turned.

We are going back because we have no choice. There were three of us and about a dozen of you. However, if— Here comes the car, Taylor said. There was a grating sound from the tube. D-class Lettys moved toward the edge to receive it. I am sorry, the leader said, but it is for your protection. We are watching over you, literally. You must stay below and let us conduct the war.

In a sense, it has come to be our war. We must fight it as we see fit. The car rose to the surface. Twelve soldiers armed with bender pistols stepped from it and surrounded the three men. Moss breathed a sigh of relief. Well, this does change things. It came off just right. The leader moved back away from the soldiers. It studied them intently, glancing from one to the next, apparently trying to make up its mind. At last it made a sign to the other leadys. They coasted aside, and a corridor was opened up toward the warehouse. Even now, the leader said, we could send you back by force, but it is evident that this is not really an observation party at all. These soldiers show that you have much more in mind. This was all

carefully prepared. Very carefully, Frank said, they closed in. How much more we can only guess. I must admit that we were taken unprepared. We failed utterly to meet the situation. Now force would be absurd, because neither side can afford to injure the other. We, because of the restrictions placed on us regarding human life. You, because the war demands. The soldiers fired quick and in fright. Moss dropped to one knee, firing up. The leader dissolved in a cloud of particles.

On all sides, B and D-class letties were rushing up, some with weapons, some with metal slats. The room was in confusion. Off in the distance a siren was screaming. Franks and Taylor were caught off from the others, separated from the soldiers by a wall of metal bodies. They can't fire back. Frank said calmly. This is another bluff.

They've tried to bluff us all the way. He fired into the face of a Letty. The Lettie dissolved. They can only try to frighten us. Remember that. They went on firing, and Lettie after Lettie vanished. The room reeked with the smell of burning metal, the stink of fused, the stink of fused, plastic and steel. Taylor had been knocked down. He was struggling to find his gun, reaching wildly

among metal legs, groping frantically to find it. His fingers strained. A handle swam in front of him. Suddenly something came down on his arm, a metal foot. He cried out. Then it was over. The leadies were moving away, gathering together off to one side. Only four of the surface council remained. The others were radioactive particles in the air-active particles and in the air. D-class leadys were already restoring order, gathering up partly destroyed metal figures in bits and removing them." Franks breathed a shuddering sigh.

All right, he said. You can take us back to the windows. It won't be long now." The Lettys separated, and the human group Moss and Franks and Taylor and the soldiers, walked slowly across the room toward the door. They entered the council chamber, already a faintly. touch of gray mitigated the blackness of the windows. Take us outside.

Franks said impatiently. We'll see it directly, not in here. A door slid open, a chill blast of cold morning air rushed in, chilling them even through their lead suits. The men glanced at each other uneasily. Come on, Frank said. Outside. He walked out through the door, the others following him.

They were on a hill overlooking the vast bowl of a valley. dimly against the graying sky the outline of mountains were forming becoming tangible it'll be bright enough to see in a few minutes maus said he shuddered as a chilling wind caught him and moved around him it's worth it really worth it to see this again after eight years even if it's the last thing we see watch Franks snapped they obeyed silent and subdued the sky was clearing, brightening each moment, some place far off, echoing across the valley, a rooster crowed. A chicken? Taylor murmured, did you hear? Behind them the leadies had come out and were standing silently, watching, too. The gray sky turned to white, and the hills appeared more clearly.

Light spread across the valley floor moving toward them. God in heaven! Franks exclaimed. Trees, trees, trees and forests. A very very valley of plants and trees, with a few roads winding among them. Farmhouses, a windmill, a-born far down below them. Look, moss whispered. Color came into the sky. The sun was approaching. Birds began to sing.

Not far from where they stood the leaves of a tree danced in the wind. Franks turned to the row of leadies behind them. Eight years we were tricked. There was no war. As soon as we left the surface— Yes, an A-class Ledy admitted. As soon as you left, the war ceased. You were right.

It was a hoax. You worked hard under surface, sending up guns and weapons, and we destroyed them as fast as they came up. But why? Taylor asked, dazed. He stared down at the vast valley below. Why? Why?

You created us, the Lettie said, to pursue the war for you, while you human beings went below the ground in order to survive. But before we could continue the war, it was necessary to analyze it to determine what its purpose was. We did this, and we found that it had no purpose, except perhaps in terms of human needs. even this was questionable. We investigated further. We found that human cultures pass through phases.

Each culture in its own time, as the culture ages and begins to lose its objectives, conflict arises within it between those who wish to cast it off and set up a new culture pattern and those who wish to retain the old with as little change as possible. At this point a great danger appears. The conflict within threatens to engulf the society in self-war group against group.

The vital traditions may be lost, not merely altered or reformed, but completely destroyed in this period of. of chaos and anarchy. We have found many such examples in the history of mankind. It is necessary for this hatred within the culture to be directed outward toward an external group so that the culture itself may survive its crisis. War is the result. War to a logical mind is absurd, but in terms of human needs it plays a vital role, and it will continue to, until man has grown up enough so that no hatred lies within him. Taylor was listening intently. Do you think this time will come? Of course, it has almost arrived now. This was the last war.

Man is almost united into one final culture, a world culture. At this point he stands continent against continent, one half of the world against the other half. Only a single step remains. The jump to a unified culture. Man has climbed slowly upward, tending always toward unification of his culture. It will not be long, but it has not come yet, and so the war has to go on to satisfy the last violent surge of hatred that man felt. Eight years have passed since the war began. In these eight years we have observed and noted important changes going on in the minds of men.

Fatigue and disinterest we have seen are gradually taking the place of hatred and fear. The hatred is being exhausted gradually over a period of time, but for the present the hoax must go on. At least for a while longer, you are not ready to learn the truth. You would want to continue the war. But how did you manage it? Moss asked. All the photographs, the samples, the damaged equipment, come over here. The Lutty directed them toward a long, low building. Work goes on constantly. Whole staffs laboring to maintain a coherent and convincing picture of a global war. They entered the building. Lettys were working everywhere, pouring over tables,

and desks. Examine this project here, the A-class Letty said. Two Lettys were carefully photographing something, an elaborate model on a tabletop. It is a good example. The men grouped around trying to see. It was a model of a ruined city. Taylor studied it in silence for a long time. At last he looked up.

It's San Francisco, he said in a low voice. This is a model of San Francisco. Francisco destroyed. I saw this on the vid screen piped down to us. The bridges were hit. Yes, notice the bridges. The Lettie traced the ruin span with his metal finger. A tiny spider web almost invisible.

You have no doubt seen photographs of this many times and of the other tables in this building. San Francisco itself is completely intact. We restored it soon after you left, rebuilding the parts that had been damaged at the start of the war. The work of manufacturing news goes on all the time in this particular building. We are very careful to see that each part fits in with all the other parts. Much time and effort are devoted to it. franks touched one of the tiny model buildings lying half in ruins so this is what you spend your time doing making model cities and then blasting them no we do much more we are caretakers watching over the whole world the owners have left for a time and we must see that the cities are kept clean that decay is prevented that everything is kept oiled and we must see that the cities are kept clean that decay is prevented and

in running condition. The gardens, the streets, the water mains, everything must be maintained as it was eight years ago, so that when the owners return they will not be displeased. We want to be sure that they will be completely satisfied. Franks tapped Moss on the arm. Come over here, he said in a low voice, I want to talk to you. He led Moss and Taylor out of the billboard. away from the leadys, outside on the hillside.

The soldiers followed them. The sun was up and the sky was turning blue. The air smells sweet and good, the smell of growing things. Taylor removed his helmet and took a deep breath. I haven't smelled that smell for a long time, he said. Listen, Frank said his voice low and hard. We must get back down at once. There's a lot to get started on.

All this could be turned to our advantage." What do you mean?" Moss asked. It's a certainty that the Soviets have been tricked, too, the same as us. But we have found out. That gives us an edge over them. I see, Moss nodded. We know, but they don't.

Their surface counsel has sold out the same as ours. It works against them the same way. But if we could—with a hundred top-level men we could take over again—restored. things as they should be. It would be easy. End of Section 3. Part 4 of the Defenders by Philip K. Dick. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Part 4.

Moss touched him on the arm. An A-class letty was coming from the building toward them. We've seen enough, Frank said, raising his voice. All this is very serious. It must be reported below in a study. made to determine our policy. The Lutty said nothing. Franks waved to the soldiers.

Let's go. He started toward the warehouse. Most of the soldiers had removed their helmets. Some of them had taken their lead suits off, too, and were relaxing comfortably in their cotton uniforms. They stared around them, down the hillside at the trees and bushes, the vast expanse of green, the mountains and the sky. Look at the sun!

One of them murmured. It sure is bright as hell, another said. We're going back down, Frank said. Fall in by twos and follow us. Reluctantly the soldiers regrouped. The leadys watched without emotion as the men marched slowly back toward the warehouse. Franks and Moss and Taylor led them across the ground, glancing alertly at the leadies as they walked. They entered the warehouse.

D-class leadys were loading material and weapons on surface carts. Cranes and derricks were working busily everywhere. Work was done with efficiency but without hurry or excitement. The men stopped watching. Lettys operating the little carts moved past them, signaling silently to each other. Guns and parts were being hoisted by magnetic cranes and lowered gently onto waiting carts. Come on, Franks said. He turned toward the lip of the tube.

A row of D-class leadys were standing. in front of it, immobile and silent. Frank stopped, moving back. He looked around. An A-class Letty was coming toward him. Tell them to get out the way, Frank said. He touched his gun. You had better move them.

Time passed. An endless moment without measure. The men stood nervous and alert, watching the row of Lettys in front of them. As you wish, the A-class Letty said. It signaled, and the D-Class Lettys moved into life. They stepped slowly aside. Moss breathed a sigh of relief. I'm glad that's over, he said to Franks.

Look at them all. Why don't they try to stop us? They must know what we're going to do. Franks laughed. Stop us? You saw what happened when they tried to stop us before? They can't. They're only machines.

We built them so they can't lay hands on us, and they know that. His voice trailed off. The men stared at the tube entrance. Around them the leadys watched, silent and impassive, their metal faces expressionless. For a long time the men stood without moving. At last Taylor turned away. Good God, he said. He was numb without feeling of any kind.

The tube was gone. It was sealed shut, fused over. Only a dull surface of cooling metal greeted them. The tube had been closed. Franks turned, his face pale and vacant. The A-class let he shifted. As you can see, the tube has been shut. We were prepared for this.

As soon as all of you were on the surface, the order was given. If you had gone back when we asked you, you would now be safely down below. We had to work quickly because it was such an immense operation. But why? Moss demanded angrily. Because it is unthinkable that you should be allowed to resume the war. With all the tubes sealed, it may be many months before forces from below can reach the surface. Let alone organize a military program.

By that time the cycle will, will have entered its last stages. You will not be so perturbed to find your world intact. We had hoped that you would be under surface when the ceiling occurred. Your presence here is a nuisance. When the Soviets broke through, we were able to accomplish their ceiling without the Soviets. They broke through? Several months ago, they came up unexpected.

to see why the war had not been won. We were forced to act with speed. At this moment, they are desperately attempting to cut new tubes to the surface to resume the war. We have, however, been able to seal each new one as it appears. The Letty regarded the three men calmly. "'We are caught off,' Moss said, trembling. "'We can't get back. What'll we do?' How did you manage to seal the tube so quickly?"

Franks asked the leady. We've been up here only two hours. Bombs are placed just above the first stage of each tube for such emergencies. They are heat bombs. They fuse lead and rock. Gripping the handle of his gun, Franks turned to Moss and Taylor. What do you say? We can't go back.

But we can do a lot of damage the fifteen of them. We have bender guns. How about it?" He looked around. The soldiers had wandered away again, back toward the exit of the building. They were standing outside, looking at the valley in the sky. A few of them were carefully climbing down the slope. Would you care to turn over your suits and guns?" The A-class Letty asked politely.

The suits are uncomfortable and you'll have no need for weapons. The Russians have given up theirs as you can see." Fingers tensed on triggers. Four men in Russian uniforms were coming toward them from an aircraft that they suddenly realized had landed silently some distance away. Let them have it!" Frank shouted. They are unarmed, said the Letty.

We brought them here so you could begin peace talks. We have no authority to speak for our country, Moss said stiffly. We do not mean diplomatic discussions," the Lettie explained. There will be no more. The working out of daily problems of existence will teach you how to get along in the same world. It will not be easy, but it will be done." The Russians halted, and they faced each other with raw hostility. I am Colonel Borodov and I regret giving up our guns."

The senior Russian said, You could have been the first Americans to be killed in almost eight years. Or the first Americans to kill, Franks corrected. No one would know of it except yourselves, the letty pointed out. It would be useless heroism. Your real concern should be surviving on the surface. We have no food for you, you know. Taylor put his gun in its holster.

They've done a neat job of neutralizing us, damn them. I propose we move into a city, start raising crops with the help of some leadys, and generally make ourselves comfortable. Drawing his lips tight over his teeth. He glared at the A-class letty. Until our families can come up from under surface, it's going to be pretty lonesome, but we'll have to manage." If I may make a suggestion," said another Russian uneasily.

We tried living in a city. It is too empty. It is also too hard to maintain for so few people. We finally settled in the most modern village we could find. Here in this country, a third Russian blurted. We have much to learn from you. The Americans abruptly found themselves laughing. You probably have a thing or two to teach us yourselves, said Taylor generously,

though I can't imagine what. The Russian colonel grinned. Would you join us in our village? It would make our work easier and give us company. Your village? Snapfranx. It's American, isn't it? It's ours. The Lutty stepped between them. When our plans are completed, the term will be interchangeable. Ours will eventually mean mankind's. It pointed at the aircraft, which was warming up. The ship is waiting. Will you join each other in making a new home? The Russians waited, while the Americans made up

their minds. I see what the Lettys meant about diplomacy becoming outmoded, Frank said at last. People who work together don't need diplomats. They solve their problems on the operational level instead of at a conference table. The Leady led them toward the ship. It is the goal of history unifying the world, from family to tribe to city-state, to nation, to hemisphere. The direction has been toward unification.

Now the hemispheres will be joined, and— Taylor stopped listening, and glanced back at the location of the tube. Mary was under surface there. He hated to leave her, even though he couldn't see her again until the tube was unsealed. But then he shrugged and followed the others. If this tiny amalgam of former enemies was a good example, it wouldn't be too long before he and he and the other.

and Mary and the rest of humanity would be living on the surface like rational human beings, instead of blindly hating moles. It has taken thousands of generations to achieve, the A-Class-Leddy concluded, hundreds of centuries of bloodshed and destruction, but each war was a step toward uniting mankind, and now the end is in sight, a world without war. but even that is only the beginning of a new stage of history. The conquest of space, breathed Colonel Bordov. The meaning of life, Moss added.

Eliminating hunger and poverty, said Taylor. The leady opened the door of the ship. All that and more. How much more we cannot foresee it any more than the first men who formed a tribe could foresee this day. but it will be unimaginably great. The door closed, and the ship took off toward their new home. End of Part 4. End of the Defenders by Philip K. Dick.