Hellstrom's Hive Read Online Free

barn-studio.”
    â€œPorter’s account says these people weren’t wearing any clothes,” Depeaux said. “It seems to me that a report to the authorities giving a description of—”
    â€œAnd we’d have had to explain why we were there, send our one man up against numerous Hellstrom accomplices, all of this in the presence of the new morality that permeates this society.”
    You damned hypocrite! Carr thought. You know how the Agency uses sex for its own purposes.
    Janvert leaned forward in his chair and said, “Merrivale, you’re holding something back in this case. I want to know what it is. We have Porter’s report, but he’s not here to amplify it. Is Porter available?” He sat back. “A simple yes or no will suffice.”
    That’s a dangerous tack to take, Eddie, Carr thought. She watched Merrivale intently to measure his response.
    â€œI can’t say I care for your tone, Shorty,” Merrivale said.
    Depeaux leaned back, put a hand over his eyes.
    â€œAnd I can’t say I care for your secrecy,” Janvert said. “We would like to know the things that are not in these reports.”
    Depeaux dropped his hand, nodded. Yes, there were some things about this case…
    â€œImpatience is not seemly in good agents,” Merrivale said. “However, I can understand your curiosity, and the need-to-know rule has not been applied in this case. Peruge was specific on that. What has our wind up, as it were, is not just this Project 40 thing, but the accumulation of items, the indications that Hellstrom’s film activities are actually (he pronounced it exshooly , and once more for emphasis)— actually a cover for serious and highly subversive political activities.”
    Bullshit! Janvert thought.
    â€œHow serious?” Carr asked.
    â€œWell—Hellstrom has been nosing around the Nevada atomic-testing area. He conducts entomological researches, as well, you see. His films are offered under the guise of documentary productions. He has had atomic materials for his so-called researches and—”
    â€œWhy so-called? ” Janvert asked. “Isn’t it possible he’s just what he—”
    â€œImpossible!” Merrivale snorted. “Look, it’s really all in the reports here. Observe especially the indications that Hellstrom and his people may be interested in forming some sort of new communal society. It’s quite provocative. He and his film crew live that sort of life wherever they go—off to themselves, clubby—and their preoccupation with the emerging African nations, the numerous visits to the Nevada testing area, the ecology thing with its highly inflammatory nature, the—”
    â€œCommunist?” Carr interrupted.
    â€œIt’s—ahhh—possible.”
    Janvert said, “Where’s Porter?”
    â€œThat—ahh—” Merrivale pulled at his chin. “That’s a bit sticky. I’m sure you understand the delicacy of our position in all of—”
    â€œI don’t understand it,” Janvert said. “What’s happened to Porter?”
    â€œThat’s one of the things we hope Carlos can ascertain,” Merrivale said.
    Depeaux turned a speculative look on Janvert, returned his attention to Merrivale, who had sunk back into apparent concentration on the blueprint map.
    â€œPorter’s missing?” Depeaux asked.
    â€œSomewhere around this farm,” Merrivale said. He looked up as though just noticing Depeaux. “Presumably.”

 
    From recorded comments of brood mother Trova Hellstrom . Some threat is good for a species. It tends to stimulate breeding, toraise the level of awareness. Too much, however, can have a stupefying effect. It is one of the tasks of Hive leadership to adjust the level of stimulating threat.
    Â 
    As the sun moved lower behind him on the hill above Guarded Valley, Depeaux took care that the