THE PRIMUS CURSE
By BILL WESLEY
That the psychology boys had been right again,
annoyed the veteran captain. He'd felt like a
mechanical man all the time. Never would have
believed he could send men to their death like
that. And the ship! He might have lost everything!
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Planet Stories May 1954.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
"Well, Skipper, we'll be in Mercury's com zone in ten hours, plus or minus a half."
Captain Evan Grimes eyed his chief engineer sternly. "How'd you know I wouldn't have the recorder turned on, Manson? That could have cost you a week's pay."
"Sorry, sir," Bill Manson saluted, still smiling.
"I don't mean the salutation, you bonehead. It's been five years since the Service banned the name Mercury for Primus, and I've heard it used at least three times on this trip."
"I'll make out a voluntary on it."