The Defenders

By Philip K. Dick

No weapon
has ever been frightful enough
to put a stop to war
—perhaps because
we never before had any
that thought
for themselves!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amazing Sci-Fi Classics
• Release date: Jan 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781518356940

Philip K. Dick

Over a writing career that spanned three decades, PHILIP K. DICK (1928–1982) published 36 science fiction novels and 121 short stories in which he explored the essence of what makes man human and the dangers of centralized power. Toward the end of his life, his work turned to deeply personal, metaphysical questions concerning the nature of God. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film, notably Blade Runner (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly, as well as television's The Man in the High Castle. The recipient of critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout his career, including the Hugo and John W. Campbell awards, Dick was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2005, and between 2007 and 2009, the Library of America published a selection of his novels in three volumes. His work has been translated into more than twenty-five languages.

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THE DEFENDERS

Philip K. Dick

AMAZING SCI-FI CLASSICS

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Copyright © 2016 by Philip K. Dick

Published by Amazing Sci-Fi Classics

Interior design by Pronoun

Distribution by Pronoun

ISBN: 9781518356940

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Defenders

THE DEFENDERS

~

TAYLOR SAT BACK IN HIS chair reading the morning newspaper. The warm kitchen and the smell of coffee blended with the comfort of not having to go to work. This was his Rest Period, the first for a long time, and he was glad of it. He folded the second section back, sighing with contentment.

What is it? Mary said, from the stove.

They pasted Moscow again last night. Taylor nodded his head in approval. Gave it a real pounding. One of those R-H bombs. It’s about time.

He nodded again, feeling the full comfort of the kitchen, the presence of his plump, attractive wife, the breakfast dishes and coffee. This was relaxation. And the war news was good, good and satisfying. He could feel a justifiable glow at the news, a sense of pride and personal accomplishment. After all, he was an integral part of the war program, not just another factory worker lugging a cart of scrap, but a technician, one of those who designed and planned the nerve-trunk of the war.

"It says they have the new subs almost perfected. Wait until they get those going. He smacked his lips with anticipation. When they start shelling from underwater, the Soviets are sure going to be surprised."

They’re doing a wonderful job, Mary agreed vaguely. Do you know what we saw today? Our team is getting a leady to show to the school children. I saw the leady, but only for a moment. It’s good for the children to see what their contributions are going for, don’t you think?

She looked around at him.

A leady, Taylor murmured. He put the newspaper slowly down. Well, make sure it’s decontaminated properly. We don’t want to take any chances.

Oh, they always bathe them when they’re brought down from the surface, Mary said. They wouldn’t think of letting them down without the bath. Would they? She hesitated, thinking