A Matter of Traces
"A Matter of Traces" is a science fiction short story by American writer Frank Herbert. It was first published in November 1958 in Fantastic Universe magazine, and reprinted in 1985 in Herbert's short story collection Eye. It is the first story in Herbert's ConSentiency universe, one of his three elaborate fictional universes spanning multiple volumes.
Plot
This story takes place in the distant future on the planet Aspidiske VII. A meeting of the "Special Subcommittee on Intergalactic Culture" is called to investigate the possibility of excessive wastefulness on the part of the "Historical Preservation Teams of the Bureau of Cultural Affairs". Secretary Hablar comes to present a sample of the work being done by the Historical Preservation Team. The sample he submits is an interview with one of the few surviving pioneers of the planet Gomeisa III. He is an old man named Hilmot Gustin. During the course of the interview it is learned that Hilmot was the inventor of the, a plow harness for an alien life form native to the planet, and also the man who discovered what swamp cream does for the complexion. When the interview is finished the meeting is adjourned until the following day.Characters
- Senator Jorj C. Zolam – chairman of the subcommittee
- Senator Arden B Pingle – from Proxistu I
- Mergis Wl Ledder – counsel to the subcommittee
- Jorj X. McKie – saboteur extraordinary
- Glibbis Hablar – Secretary of Fusion
- Interviewer Simsu Yaggata
- Mr. Presby Kilkau
- Mrs. Kilkau – Gustin's niece
- Hilmot Gustin – pioneer