ORBIT THE BEST IN Science Fiction MORRIS S. LATZEN Publisher JULES SALTMAN, Editor BERNARD GORDON, Art Director ORBIT is published bi- monthly by Hanro Corp. Office of publication: 441 Lexington Ave., New York 17, N. Y. Application for second-class entry pending at post office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Additional entry at Silver Spring, Md. Copyright 1954 by Hanro Corp. Volume 1, Number 4. Sept-Oct., 1954, 35¢ per copy. Subscriptions: $2.00 per year Canada $2.50, foreign $3.00. Not responsible for unsolicited manu- scripts. Printed in the U.S.A. Na- tionally distributed by the Ameri- can News Company. EVERY STORY ORIGINAL; LAST NIGHT OF SUMMER by Alfred Coppel BEAST IN THE HOUSE by Michael Shaara DANGER PAST ; by James E. Gunn ME FEEL GOOD by Max Dancey NO MORE THE STARS by Irving E. Cox, Jr. THE THINKER AND THE THOUGHT by August Derleth THE IMAGE OF THE GODS by Alan E, Nourse ADJUSTMENT TEAM by Philip K. Dick INTRUDER ON THE RIM Volume 1, No. 4 7 27 36 39 56 66 81 by Milton Lesser 101 SCIENCE NOTES A STERLING PUBLICATION 6ADJUSTMENT TEAM by Philip K. Dick SOMETHING WENT WRONG ... AND ED FLETCHER GOT MIXED UP IN THE BIGGEST THING IN HIS LIFE. ‘T WAS BRIGHT MORNING. The sun shone down on the damp lawns and sidewalks, reflecting off the sparkling parked cars. The Cletk came walking hurriedly, leaf- 3) ADJUSTMENT TEAMing through his instructions, flipping pages and frowning. He stopped in front of the small green stucco house for a moment, and then turned up the walk, entering the back yard. The dog was asleep inside his shed, his back turned to the world. Only his thick tail showed. “For Heaven's sake,” the Clerk ex- claimed, hands on his hips. He tapped his mechanical pencil noisily against his clipboard. “Wake up, you in there.” The dog stirred. He came slowly out of his shed, head first, blinking and yawning in the morning sun- light. "Oh, it’s you. Already?” He yawned again. “Big doings.” ‘The Clerk ran his expert finger down the traffic-control sheet. “They'te adjusting Sector 1137 this morning. Starting at ex- actly nine o'clock.” He glanced at his pocket watch. “Three hour altera- tion. Will finish by noon.” “1137? That's not far from here.” The Clerk's thin lips ewisted with contempt. “Indeed. You're showing astonishing perspicacity, my black- haired friend. Maybe you can divine why I'm here.” “We overlap with T137.” “Exactly. Elements from this Sec? tor are involved. We must make sure they're properly placed when the ad- justment begins.” The Clerk glanced toward the small green stucco house. “Your particular task concerns the man in there. He is employed by a business establishment lying within 02 Sector T137. It’s essential that he be there before nine o'clock.” The dog studied the house. The shades had been let up. The kitchen light was on. Beyond the lace cur- tains dim shapes could be seen, stir- ring around the table. A man and woman. They were drinking ‘coffee. “There they are,” the dog mur- mured. “The man, you say? He's not going to be harmed, is he?” “OF course not. But he must be at his office early. Usually he doesn't leave until after nine. Today he must leave at eight-thirry. He must be within Sector T137 before the pro- cess begins, or he won't. be altered to coincide with the new adjust- ment.” The dog sighed. “That means 1 have to summon.” “Correct.” The Clerk checked his instruction sheet. “You're to sum- mon at precisely eight-fifteen. You've got that? Eight-fifteen. No later.” “What will an eight-fifteen sum- mons bring?” The Clerk flipped open his in- struction book, examining the code columns. “It will bring A Friend with a Car. To drive him to work early.” He closed the book and fold- ed his arms, preparing to wait. “That way he'll get to his office almost an hour ahead of time. Which is vital.” “Vital,” the dog murmured. He lay down, half inside his shed. His eyes closed. “Vital.” “Wake up! This must be done ADJUSTMENT TEAM