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The K-Factor, by
Harry Harrison (AKA Henry Maxwell Dempsey) This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net
Title: The K-Factor
Author: Harry Harrison (AKA Henry Maxwell Dempsey)
Illustrator: Summers
Release Date: September 8, 2007 [EBook #22540]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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[Illustration]
THE K-FACTOR
By HARRY HARRISON
Speed never hurt anybody--it's the sudden stop at the end. It's not how much change that signals danger, but how fast it's changing....
Illustrated by Summers
"We're losing a planet, Neel. I'm afraid that I can't ... understand it."
The bald and wrinkled head wobbled a bit on the thin neck, and his eyes were moist. Abravanel was a very old man. Looking at him, Neel realized for the first time just how old and close to death he was. It was a profoundly shocking thought.
"Pardon me, sir," Neel broke in, "but is it possible? To lose a planet, I mean. If the readings are done correctly, and the k-factor equations worked to the tenth decimal place, then it's really just a matter of adjustment, making the indicated corrections. After all, Societics is an exact science--"
"Exact? Exact! Of course it's not! Have I taught you so little that you dare say that to