The band played on

by Lester Del Rey

The Band Played On

by LESTER DEL REY

Illustrated by SCHOENHERR

The Heroes' March was fitting for
most spacemen. Somehow, though, if just didn't
apply to a space-borne garbage man!

[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Infinity June 1957.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]

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Lester del Rey says: "I've grown more and more unhappy about the trend to stories laid a thousand years ahead and a megaparsec away. So every once in a while, I like to sit down with an idea where I can be pretty darned honest about probable facts and see if some of the old, basic, simple ideas can't be twisted." He has a good point there, and we think you'll agree he has succeeded in his aim in The Band Played On.

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CHAPTER I

Inside the rocket grounds, the band was playing the inevitable Heroes' March while the cadets snapped through the final maneuvers of their drill. Captain Thomas Murdock stopped at the gate near the visitors' section, waiting until the final blatant notes blared out and were followed by the usual applause from the town kids in the stands. The cadets broke ranks and headed for their study halls, still stepping as if the band played on inside their heads.