The Others

By John Russel Fearn

Between the atoms of apparent solids there are spaces as comparably vast as those between this world and the nearest galaxy. Nature has ordained it that the atoms of countless worlds fit exactly into the spaces which are left between, in a great interlocking process. And Onia, a mysterious girl from another plane of matter has been projected to Earth…

John Russell Fearn (1908–1960) was a British author and one of the first British writers to appear in American pulp science fiction magazines. Always a highly prolific author, he published not only under his own name, but also as Vargo Statten and other pseudonyms including Thornton Ayre, Polton Cross, Geoffrey Armstrong, John Cotton, Dennis Clive, Ephriam Winiki, Astron Del Martia (and others). He remains best known for his long-running Golden Amazon saga. At times these drew on the pulp traditions of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Fearn also wrote Westerns and crime fiction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wildside Press
• Release date: May 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781479469666

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COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

THE OTHERS

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

Copyright © 1954 by John Russell Fearn.

First published in Vargo Statten Science Fiction Magazine, 1954, under the pseudonym Volsted Gridban.

Reprinted with the permission of the Cosmos Literary Agency.

Published by Wildside Press LLC.

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THE OTHERS

JOHN RUSSELL FEARN

The inter-phone buzzed insistently for the fifth time in an hour. Douglas Milton, resident surgeon of the Karoneth Hospital for Nervous Diseases, reached out a claw of a hand and snapped the switch.

Well? His voice was brusque; his dark eyes tired. He had been so overworked recently he felt as though he could do with a course of treatment himself.

Have you a moment, Douglas? It was the voice of Dr. Meadows in the loudspeaker, and Meadows was one of the specialists in neuronic ganglia.

No, Milton answered briefly. Not even for you, Harry. I’m up to the eyes in this case of Joseph Baxter. I think that he’s—

Joseph Baxter has nothing on this, Douglas! It’s the most amazing thing that ever happened. A woman totally different from all the women I’ve ever seen.

Oh? Milton neither sounded nor looked impressed. What’s so unique about her?

Well, her blue hair for one thing.

That isn’t unique. Women will do anything these days.

"But it isn’t dyed! She has genuine blue hair—and there is something odd about her eyes too. Just as though she’s wearing contact lenses. She isn’t, though. Frankly I’m out of my depth. All my specialised knowledge doesn’t apply."

Milton reflected, his interest becoming slowly aroused. After a moment he asked a question: Where does she hail from?

No idea. She doesn’t talk English. A passer-by found her fainting in the gutter and sent for an ambulance. General Hospital couldn’t make head nor tail of the business and decided she might be a nervous sufferer, so sent her here. I think you should have a look—as resident surgeon.

All right, Milton sighed. I’ll come.

Ward Four. You’ll find me there.

Milton switched