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August 15, 2025 24 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Section four of Second Variety by Philip kay Dick. This
LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Tasso did not answer.
She glanced up at him, her eyes bright in the firelight.
Hendrix examined his arm. He could not move his fingers.

(00:20):
His whole side seemed numb down inside him was a dull,
steady ache. How do you feel, Tasso asked, My arm
is damaged? Anything else internal injuries? You didn't get down
with the bomb with off? Hendrix said nothing. He watched

(00:42):
Tasso pour the coffee from the cup into a flat
metal pan. She brought it over to him thanks. He
struggled up enough to drink. It was hard to swallow,
his insides turned over, and he pushed the pan away.
That's all I could drink. Tasso drank the rest. Time passed,

(01:05):
the clouds of ash moved across the dark sky above them.
Hendrix rested his mind blank. After a while, he became
aware that Tasso was standing over him, gazing down at him.
What is it? He murmured? Do you feel any better?
Some you know major? If I hadn't dragged you away,

(01:29):
they would have got you. You would be dead like Rudy.
I know, do you want to know why I brought
you out. I could have left you. I could have
left you there. Why did you bring me out? Because
we have to get away from here? Tasso stirred the
fire with a stick, peering calmly down into it. No

(01:53):
human being can live here. When their reinforcements come, we
won't have a chance. I have pondered about it while
you are unconscious. We have perhaps three hours before they come,
and you expect me to get us away. That's right.
I expect you to get us out of here. Why me?

(02:15):
Because I don't know anyway. Her eyes showed at him
in the half light, bright and steady. If you can't
get us out of here, they'll kill us within three hours.
I see nothing else ahead. Well, Major, what are you
going to do? I've been waiting all night while you

(02:37):
were unconscious. I sat here waiting and listening. It's almost dawn.
The night is over. Hendrix considered. It's curious, he said,
at last, curious that you should think I can get
us out of here. I wonder which you think I
can do? Can you get us to the boon base,

(03:00):
the moon base? How that must be some way? Hendrix
shook his head. No, there's no way that I know of.
Tasso said nothing. For a moment, her steady gaze wavered.
She ducked her head, turning abruptly away. She scrambled to
her feet. More coffee, No, sooot yourself, Tasso drank silently.

(03:28):
He cannot see her face. He lay back against the ground,
deep in thought, trying to concentrate. It was hard to think,
his head still hurt, and the numbing days still hung
over him. There might be one way, he said, suddenly. Oh,
how soon is dawn? Two hours? The sun will be

(03:52):
coming up shortly. There's supposed to be a ship near here.
I've never seen it, but I know it exists. What
k of a ship? Her voice was sharp, A rocket cruiser?
Will it take us off to the moon base it's
supposed to in case of emergency? He rubbed his forehead.

(04:14):
What's wrong my head? It's hard to think. I can hardly,
hardly concentrate the bomb? Is the ship near here? Tasso
slid over beside him, settling down on her haunches. How
far is it? Where is it? I'm trying to think.
Her fingers dug into his arm near by. Her voice

(04:38):
was like iron. Where would it be? Would they store
it underground, hidden underground, Yes, in a storage locker. How
do we find it? Is it marked? Is it a
code marker? To identify it? Hendrix concentrated. No, no markings,

(04:58):
no code symbol. What then, a sign? What sort of sign?
Hendrix did not answer In the flickering light, his eyes
were glazed two sightless orbs. Tasso's fingers dug into his arm.
What sort of sign? What is it? I I can't think?

(05:22):
Let me rest, all right? She let go and stood up.
Hendrix lay back against the ground, his eyes closed. Tosso
walked away from him, her hands in her pockets. She
kicked a rock out of her way and stood staring
up at the sky. The night blackness was already beginning

(05:43):
to fade into gray. Morning was coming. Tasso gripped her
pistol and walked around the fire in a circle, back
and forth on the ground. Major Hendrix lay his eyes closed, unmoving.
The grayness rose in the sky, higher and higher. The
landscape became visible. Fields of ash stretching out in all directions,

(06:08):
Ash and ruins of buildings, a wall here and there,
heaps of concrete, the naked trunk of a tree. The
air was cold and sharp. Somewhere a long way off,
A bird made a few bleak sounds. Hendrick stirred. He
opened his eyes. Is it dawn already? Yes? Hendrick sat

(06:34):
up a little. You wanted to know something, you were
asking me. Do you remember now? Yes? What is it?
She tensed? What she repeated sharply, A well, A ruined well.
It's in a storage locker, under a well a well.

(06:56):
Tussl relaxed. Then we'll find a well. He looked at
her watch. We have about an hour, major. Do you
think we can find it in an hour? Give me
a hand up, Hendrick said. Tasso put her pistol away
and helped him to his feet. This is going to
be difficult, Yes, it is. Hendrick set his lips tightly.

(07:20):
I don't think we're going to go very far. They
began to walk. The early sun cast a little warmth
down on them. The land was flat and barren, stretching
out gray and lifeless as far as they could see,
a few birds sails silently far above them, circling slowly.

(07:42):
See anything, Hendrick said, any claws? No, not yet. They
passed through some ruins upright, concrete and bricks, a cement
foundation rats scuttled away. Tasso jumped back, warily. This to
be a town, Heindrix said, a village, a provincial village.

(08:06):
This was all grape country once where we are now
they came on to a ruined street, weeds and cracks
crisscrossing it. Over to the right, a stone chimney stuck up.
Be careful, he warned her. A pit yawned, an open basement,
ragged ends of pipes jutted up, twisted and bent. They

(08:28):
passed part of a house, sa bathtub turned on its side,
a broken chair, a few spoons, and bits of china dishes.
In the center of the street, the ground had sunk away.
The depression was filled with weeds and debris and bones.
Over here, Hendrix murmured. This way to the right, they

(08:52):
passed the remains of a heavy duty tank. Hendrix's belt
counter clicked ominously. The tank had been radiation blasted. A
few feet from the tank, a mummified body lay sprawled
out mouth open. Beyond the road was a flat field,
stones and weeds and bits of broken glass. There, Hendrix said,

(09:17):
a stone well jutted up, sagging and broken. A few
boards lay across it. Most of the well had sunk
into rubble. Hendrix walked unsteadily toward it. Tasso beside him.
Are you certain about this? Tasso said, this doesn't look
like anything. I'm sure. Hendrix sat down at the edge

(09:39):
of the well, his teeth locked. His breath came quickly.
He wiped perspiration from his face. This was arranged so
the senior command officer could get away if anything happened.
If the bunker fell, that was you. Yes, where is
the ship? Is it sure? We're standing on it? Hendrix

(10:03):
ran his hands over the surface of the wellstones. The
eye lock responds to me, not to anybody else. It's
my ship, or it was supposed to be. There was
a sharp click. Presently they heard a low grating sound
from below them. Step back, Hendrix said. He and Tasso

(10:24):
moved away from the well. A section of the ground
slid back. A metal frame pushed slowly up through the ash,
shoving bricks and weeds out of the way. The action
ceased as the ship nosed into view. There it is,
Hendrix said. The ship was small. It rested quietly, suspended

(10:47):
in its mesh frame like a blunt needle. A rain
of ash sifted down into the dark cavity from which
the ship had been raised. Hendrix made his way over
to it. He mounted the mesh and unscrewed the hatch,
pulling it back inside the ship. The control banks and
the pressure seat were visible. Tasso came and stood beside him,

(11:11):
gazing into the ship. I'm not accustomed to rocket piloting,
she said. After a while Heindrick's glanced at her. I'll
do the piloting, will you. There's only one seat, Major,
I can see it's built to carry only a single person.
Hendrix's breathing changed. He studied the interior of the ship intently.

(11:34):
Tasso was right. There was only one seat. The ship
was built to carry only one person. I see, he
said slowly. And the one person is you. She nodded.
Of course. Why you can't go. You might not live

(11:55):
through the trip. You're injured, You probably wouldn't get there.
An interesting point, but you see, I know where the
moon base is and you don't. You might fly around
for months and not find it. It's well hidden. Without
knowing what to look for, I'll have to take my chances.

(12:17):
Maybe I won't find it, not by myself, but I
think you'll give me all the information I need. Your
life depends on it. How If I find the moon
basin time, perhaps I can get them to send the
ship back to pick you up if I find the
basin time. If not, then you haven't a chance. I imagine

(12:39):
that our supplies on the ship they will last me
long enough. Hendrix moved quickly, but his injured arm betrayed him.
Tasso ducked, sliding littley aside. Her hand came up lightening fast.
Hendrix saw the gun butt coming. He tried to ward
off the blow, but she was too fast. The metal

(12:59):
butt struck against the side of his head, just above
his ear. Numbing pain rushed through him, pain and rolling
clouds of blackness. He sank down, sliding to the ground. Dimly,
he was aware that Tasso was standing over him, kicking
with her toe. Major wake up. He opened his eyes, groaning,

(13:24):
listen to me. She bent down the gun pointed at
his face. I have to hurry. There isn't much time left.
The ship is ready to go, but you must tell
me the information I need before I leave. Hendrix shook
his head, trying to clear it. Hurry up. Where is
the moon base? How do you find it? What do
I look for? Hendrix said nothing, answer me, Sorry, Major,

(13:51):
The ship is loaded with provisions. I can coast for weeks.
I'll find the base eventually, and then a half hour
you'll be dead. Your only chance of survival. She broke
off along the slope by some crumbling ruins. Something mood
something in the ash. Tasso turned quickly, aiming. She fired

(14:14):
a puff of flame, leaped, something scuttled away, rolling across
the ash. She fired again. The claw burst apart, wheels
flying see. Tasso said, a scalt. It won't be long.
You'll bring them back here to get me, Yes, as
soon as possible. Hendrix looked up at her. He studied

(14:37):
her intently. You're telling the truth. A strange expression had
come over his face, an avid hunger. You'll come back
for me. You'll get me to the moon base. I'll
get you to the moon base. But tell me where
it is. There's only a little time left, all right.

(14:59):
Hendrick picked up a piece of rock, pulling himself to
a sitting position. Watch. Hendrix began to scratch in the ash.
Tasso stood by him, watching the motion of the rock.
Hendrix was sketching a crude lunar map. This is the
Apennine range. Here is the crater of Archimedies. The moon

(15:24):
base is beyond the end of the Apennine, about two
hundred miles. I don't know exactly where. No one on
Terror knows. But when you're over the Apennine, signal with
one red flare and a green flare followed by two
red flares in quick succession. The base monitor will record

(15:46):
your signal. The base is under the surface, of course,
They'll guide you down with magnetic grapples, and the controls
can I operate them. The controls are virtually automatic. All
you have to do is give the right signal at
the right time. I win. The seat absorbs most of
the take off shock, hair and temperature are automatically controlled.

(16:11):
The ship will leave Terra and pass out into free space.
It'll lined itself up with the Moon, falling into an
orbit around it about a hundred miles above the surface.
The orbit will carry you over the base. When you're
in the region of the Apennine, release the signal rockets.
Tasso slid into the ship and lowered herself into the

(16:33):
pressure seat. The armlocks folded automatically around her. She fingered
the controls. Too bad, You're not going Major, all this
put here for you, and you can't make the trip.
Leave me the pistol. Tasso pulled the pistol from her belt.
She held it in her hand, weighing it thoughtfully. Don't

(16:55):
go too far from this location. It'll be harder to
find you as it is. No, I'll stay here by
the well. Tasso gripped the take off switch, running her
fingers over the smooth metal. A beautiful ship, Major, well built.
I admire your workmanship. You people have always done good work.

(17:18):
You build fine things. Your work, your creations are your
greatest achievement. Give me the pistol, Hendrix said, impatiently, holding
out his hand. He struggled to his feet. Good bye. Major.
Tasso tossed the pistol past Hendrix. The pistol clattered against
the ground, bouncing and rolling away. Hendrix hurried after it.

(17:42):
He bent down, snatching it up. The hatch of the
ship clanged shut, the bolts fell into place. Hendrix made
his way back. The inner door was being sealed. He
raised the pistol unsteadily. There was a shattering roar. The
ship burst up from its metal cage, fusing the mesh

(18:03):
behind it. HENDRICKX cringed, pulling back. The ship shot up
into the rolling clouds of ash, disappearing into the sky.
Hendrick stood watching a long time until even the streamer
had dissipated. Nothing stirred. The morning air was chill and silent.

(18:24):
He began to walk aimlessly back the way they had come.
Better to keep moving around. It would be a long
time before help came, if it came at all. He
searched his pockets until he found a package of cigarettes.
He lit one grimly. They had all wanted cigarettes from him,
but cigarettes were scarce. A lizard slithered by him through

(18:49):
the ash. He halted rigid. The lizard disappeared above. The
sun rose higher in the sky. Some flies landed on
a flat rocked to one side of him. Hendrix kicked
at them with his foot. It was getting hot. Sweat
trickled down his face into his collar. His mouth was stry. Presently,

(19:13):
he stopped walking and sat down on some debris. He
unfastened his medicine kit and swallowed a few narcotic capsules.
He looked around him, where was he? Something lay ahead,
stretched out on the ground, silent and unmoving. Hendrix drew
his gun quickly. It looked like a man. Then he

(19:36):
remembered it was the remains of Klaus, the second variety,
where Tasso had lasted him. He could see wheels and
relays and metal parts strewn around on the ash, glittering
and sparkling in the sunlight. Hendrix got to his feet
and walked over. He nudged the inert form with his foot,

(19:59):
turning it over a lit He could see the metal hull,
the aluminum ribs and struts. More wiring fell out like visherra,
heaps of wiring, switches and relays, endless motors and rods.
He bent down. The brain cage had been smashed by
the fall. The artificial brain was visible. He gazed at it,

(20:24):
a maze of circuits, miniature tubes, wires as fine as hair.
He touched the brain cage, It swung aside. The type
plate was visible. Hendrix studied the plate and blanched IVV
dash I V. For a long time he stared at

(20:46):
the plate. Fourth variety, not the second. They had been wrong.
There were more types, not just three, many more, or
perhaps at least four, And Klaus wasn't the second variety.

(21:06):
But if Klaus wasn't the second variety, Suddenly he tensed
something was coming walking through the ash beyond the hill.
What was it? He strained to see figures, figures coming
slowly along, making their way through the ash, coming toward him.

(21:29):
Hendrix crouched quickly, raising his gun. Sweat dripped down into
his eyes. He fought down, rising panic as the figures neared.
The first was a David. The David saw him and
increased its pace. The others hurried behind it, A second David,
a third, Three Davids, all alike, coming toward him silently

(21:54):
without expression, their thin legs rising and falling, clutching their
teddy bears. He aimed and fired. The first two Davids
dissolved into particles. The third came on and the figure
behind it climbing silently toward him. Across the gray ash
a wounded soldier towering over the David, and and behind

(22:19):
the wounded soldier came two Tassos walking side by side,
heavy built, Russian army pants, shirt, long hair, the familiar
figure as he had seen her only a little while before,
sitting in the pressure seat of the ship. Two slim,

(22:39):
silent figures, both identical. They were very near the David.
Bent down suddenly dropping its teddy bear. The bear raced
across the ground automatically, Hendryx's fingers tightened around the trigger.
The bear was gone, dissolved into mist. The two Tasso
types moved on, expressionless, walking side by side through the

(23:03):
gray ash. When they were almost to him, Hendrix raised
the pistol waist high and fired. The two Tassos dissolved,
but already a new group was starting up the rise.
Five or six tasos, all identical, a line of them
coming rapidly toward him, And he had given her the

(23:27):
ship and the signal code. Because of him, she was
on her way to the moon, to the moon base.
He had made it possible. He had been right about
the bomb. After all, it had been designed with knowledge
of the other types, the David type and the wounded
soldier type, and the Klause type. Not designed by human beings.

(23:52):
It had been designed by one of the underground factories,
apart from all human contact. The line of Tassos came
up to him. Hendrix braced himself, watching them calmly, the
familiar face, the belt, the heavy shirt, the bomb carefully
in place, the bomb as the Tassos reached for him,

(24:14):
a last ironic thought drifted through Hendrix's mind. He felt
a little better thinking of it. The bomb made by
the Second Variety to destroy the other varieties made for
that end alone. They were already beginning to design weapons

(24:35):
to use against each other. End of Section four. End
of Second Variety by Philip K. Dick. The story recorded
by phil Schever in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in January of
two thousand thirteen.
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