Transcriber's note: Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed. THIS WORLD IS TABOO by MURRAY LEINSTER ACE BOOKS, INC. 23 West 47th Street, New York 36, N. Y. THIS WORLD IS TABOO [5] 1 The little Med Ship came out of overdrive and the stars were strange and the Milky Way seemed unfamiliar. Which, of course, was because the Milky Way and the local Cepheid marker-stars were seen from an unaccustomed angle and a not-yet-commonplace pattern of varying magnitudes. But Calhoun grunted in satisfaction. There was a banded sun off to port, which was good. A breakout at no more than sixty light-hours from one's destination wasn't bad, in a strange sector of the galaxy and after three light-years of journeying blind. "Arise and shine, Murgatroyd," said Calhoun. "Comb your whiskers. Get set to astonish the natives!" A sleepy, small, shrill voice said: "Chee!" Murgatroyd the tormal came crawling out of the small cubbyhole which was his own. He blinked at Calhoun. "We're due to land shortly," Calhoun observed. "You will impress the local inhabitants. I will get unpopular. According to the records, there's been no Med Ship inspection here for twelve standard years. And that was practically no inspection, to judge by the report." Murgatroyd said: "Chee-chee!" He began to make his toilet, first licking his right-hand whiskers and then his left. Then he stood up and shook himself and looked interestedly at Calhoun. Tormals are companionable small animals. They are charmed when somebody speaks to them. They find great, deep satisfaction in imitating the[6] actions of
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