Second stage Lensmen

by E. E. Smith

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SECOND STAGE LENSMEN

By E. E. Smith, Ph.D.

[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Astounding Science Fiction November, December 1941,
January, February 1942.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]

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HISTORICAL

Law enforcement lagged behind crime because the police were limited in their spheres of action, while criminals were not. Therefore, when Bergenholm invented the inertialess drive and commerce throughout the Galaxy became commonplace, crime became so rampant as to threaten the very existence of Civilization.

Thus came into being the Galactic Patrol, an organization whose highest members are called "Lensmen." Each is identified by wearing the Lens, a pseudoliving telepathic jewel matched to the ego of its wearer by those master philosophers, the Arisians. The Lens cannot be either imitated or counterfeited, since it glows with color when worn by its owner, and since it kills any other who attempts to wear it.