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diff --git a/old/30408-h/30408-h.htm b/old/30408-h/30408-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..981fcb0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/30408-h/30408-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6408 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/> + + <title>The Fifth-Dimension Tube, by Murray Leinster.</title> + + <style type="text/css"> + body { + font-family: Georgia,serif; + margin-left: 15%; + margin-right: 15%; + } + + p { text-align: justify; + margin: 0em; + text-indent:1em; + } + + h1,h2 { + text-align: center; + font-weight: normal; + margin-top:2em; + } + + div.image {text-align:center; + margin:4em auto; + text-indent:0em;} + + img { border:none;} + + .caption {text-align:center;text-indent:0em;font-style:italic;font-size:.9em;font-family:sans-serif;} + + #transcriber_note {margin: 2em 10%; + padding: 1em 1em; + border:thin gray solid; + background-color:#eee; + color:#000; + text-align:left; + } + + #synopsis { + margin: 2em 20%; + padding: 10px; + text-align:justify; + font-family:sans-serif; + text-indent:0em; + border:thin gray solid; + } + + #author { + text-align: center; + font-size:125%; + padding:1em; + text-indent:0em; + } + + .supertitle, .subtitle {text-align:center; text-indent:0em;} + .subtitle {font-style:italic;} + + .pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 1%; + right: 87%; + font-size: 10px; + text-align: left; + color: gray; + background-color: inherit; + font-weight: normal; + font-style: normal; + font-variant: normal; + letter-spacing: normal; + text-indent: 0em; + } + + /* a[title].pagenum:after { content: attr(title); } */ /*uncomment this line to show page numbers*/ + + .chapter_no {font-size:.6em;font-style:normal;display:block;margin-top:4em;line-height:0;} + .chapter_title {font-style:italic;line-height:.8;} + + hr.thoughtbreak {display:none;} + + .post_thoughtbreak, .first_paragraph { + margin-top:2em; + text-indent:0em; + } + + .post_thoughtbreak:first-letter, .first_paragraph:first-letter { + font-size:2.5em; + float: left; + clear: left; + margin: -.2em 4px -.2em 0px; + line-height: 1.25em; + width:auto; + } + + .first_word { text-transform:uppercase; } + + .letter {margin:2em 10%;} + .letter p {text-indent:0em;margin:0;text-align:left;} + .letter p.signature {text-align:right;margin-right:1em;} + + .fn_marker {vertical-align:top;} + .fn {position: absolute; + right: 1%; + left: 87%; + font-size: .8em; + text-align: left; + font-weight: normal; + font-style: normal; + font-variant: normal; + letter-spacing: normal; + text-indent: 0em;} + + /* framing decoration */ + #the_beginning { border-top:thin gray solid; margin:2em 0em;} + #the_end { border-bottom:thin gray solid; margin:2em 0em;} + + /* no underlines in links */ + + a:link { text-decoration: none; } + a:visited { text-decoration: none; } + a:hover { + color: red; + background: inherit; + } + </style> + +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Fifth-Dimension Tube, by William Fitzgerald Jenkins + +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.org + + +Title: The Fifth-Dimension Tube + +Author: William Fitzgerald Jenkins + +Release Date: November 6, 2009 [EBook #30408] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FIFTH-DIMENSION TUBE *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Barbara Tozier and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + <div id="transcriber_note"> + This etext was produced from <cite>Astounding Stories</cite> January 1933. + Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. + copyright on this publication was renewed. + </div> + + <div id="the_beginning"> + + </div> + <div class="image"> + <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="360" height="523" alt="Cover" /> + </div> + + <p class="supertitle"><a class="pagenum" id="page366" title="366"> </a>A Sequel to “The Fifth-Dimension Catapult”</p> + + <div class="image"> + <a href="images/illo-lg.png"><img src="images/illo.png" width="672" height="362" alt="A woman zombie-walks towards a large shadowy figure with huge shining eyes." /></a> + <p class="caption">Evelyn swayed … and the Thing moved!</p> + </div> + + <h1>The Fifth-Dimension Tube</h1> + <p class="subtitle">A Complete Novelette</p> + <p id="author">By Murray Leinster</p> + + <p id="synopsis">By way of Professor Denham’s + Tube, Tommy and Evelyn invade + the inimical Fifth-Dimensional + world of golden cities and tree-fern + jungles and Ragged Men.</p> + + <h2 class="chapter_title"><span class="chapter_no">CHAPTER I</span><br /> + The Tube</h2> + + <p class="first_paragraph"><span class="first_word">The</span> generator rumbled and + roared, building up to its + maximum speed. The whole + laboratory quivered from its + vibration. The dynamo hummed and + whined and the night silence outside + seemed to make the noises + within more deafening. Tommy + Reames ran his eyes again over + the power-leads to the monstrous, + misshapen coils. Professor Denham + bent over one of them, straightened, + and nodded. Tommy Reames + nodded to Evelyn, and she threw + the heavy multiple-pole switch.</p> + + <p>There was a flash of jumping + current. The masses of metal on + the floor seemed to leap into ungainly + life. The whine of the + dynamo rose to a scream and its + brushes streaked blue flame. The + metal things on the floor flicked together + and were a tube, three feet + and more in diameter. That tube + writhed and twisted. It began to + form itself into an awkward and + seemingly impossible shape, while + metal surfaces sliding on each other + produced screams that cut through + the din of the motor and dynamo. + The writhing tube strained and + <a class="pagenum" id="page367" title="367"> </a>wriggled. Then there was a queer, + inaudible <em>snap</em> and something gave. + A part of the tube quivered into + nothingness. Another part hurt the + eyes that looked upon it.</p> + + <p>And then there + was the smell of + burned insulation + and a wire was + arcing somewhere, + while thick rubbery + smoke arose. A fuse blew out + with a thunderous report, and + Tommy Reames leaped to the suddenly + racing motor-generator. The + motor died amid gasps and rumblings. + And Tommy Reames looked + anxiously at the Fifth-Dimension + Tube.</p> + + <p>It was important, that Tube. + Through it, Tommy Reames and + Professor Denham had reason to + believe they + could travel to + another universe, + of which other + men had only + dreamed. And it + was important in other ways, too. + At the moment Evelyn Denham + threw the switch, last-edition newspapers + in Chicago were showing + headlines about “King” Jacaro’s + forfeiture of two hundred thousand + <a class="pagenum" id="page368" title="368"> </a>dollars’ bail by failing to appear in + court. King Jacaro was a lord of + racketeerdom.</p> + + <p>While Tommy inspected the + Tube anxiously, a certain chief of + police in a small town upstate was + telling feverishly over the telephone + of a posse having killed a + monster lizard by torchlight, having + discovered it in the act of devouring + a cow. The lizard was + eight feet high, walked on its hind + legs, and had a collar of solid gold + about its neck. And jewel importers, + in New York, were in anxious + conference about a flood of untraced + jewels upon the market. + Their origin was unknown. The + Fifth-Dimension Tube ultimately + affected all of those affairs, and + the Death Mist as well. And—though + it was not considered dangerous + then—everybody remembers + the Death Mist now.</p> + + <p>But at the moment Professor + Denham stared at the Tube concernedly, + his daughter Evelyn shivered + from pure excitement as she + looked at it, and a red-headed man + named Smithers looked impassively + from the Tube to Tommy Reames + and back again. He’d done most of + the mechanical work on the Tube’s + parts, and he was as anxious as the + rest. But nobody thought of the + world outside the laboratory.</p> + + <p>Professor Denham moved suddenly. + He was nearest to the open + end of the Tube. He sniffed curiously + and seemed to listen. Within + seconds the others became aware of + a new smell in the laboratory. It + seemed to come from the Tube + itself, and it was a warm, damp + smell that could only be imagined + as coming from a jungle in the + tropics. There were the rich odors + of feverishly growing things; the + heavy fragrance of unknown tropic + blossoms, and a background of some + curious blend of scents and smells + which was alien and luring, and + exotic. The whole was like the + smell of another planet of the + jungles of a strange world which + men had never trod. And then, definitely + coming out of the Tube, + there was a hollow, booming noise.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">It</span> had been echoed and re-echoed + amid the twistings of the Tube, + but only an animal could have made + it. It grew louder, a monstrous + roar. Then yells sounded suddenly + above it—human yells, wild yells, + insane, half-gibbering yells of hysterical + excitement and blood lust. + The beast-thing bellowed and an + ululating chorus of joyous screams + arose. The laboratory reverberated + with the thunderous noise. Then + there was the sound of crashing + and of paddings, and abruptly the + noise was diminishing as if its + source were moving farther away. + The beast-thing roared and bellowed + as if in agony, and the yelling + noise seemed to show that men + were following close upon its + flanks.</p> + + <p>Those in the laboratory seemed to + awaken as if from a bad dream. + Denham was kneeling before the + mouth of the Tube, an automatic + rifle in his hands. Tommy Reames + stood grimly before Evelyn. He’d + snatched up a pair of automatic + pistols. Smithers clutched a spanner + and watched the mouth of the Tube + with a strained attention. Evelyn + stood shivering behind Tommy.</p> + + <p>Tommy said with a hint of grim + humor:</p> + + <p>“I don’t think there’s any doubt + about the Tube having gotten + through. That’s the Fifth Dimension + planet, all right.”</p> + + <p>He smiled at Evelyn. She was + deathly pale.</p> + + <p>“I—remember—hearing noises + like that….”</p> + + <p>Denham stood up. He painstakingly + slipped on the safety of his + rifle and laid it on a bench with the + other guns. There was a small arsenal + on a bench at one side of the + <a class="pagenum" id="page369" title="369"> </a>laboratory. The array looked much + more like arms for in expedition + into dangerous territory than a + normal part of apparatus for an experiment + in rather abstruse mathematical + physics. There were even + gas masks on the bench, and some + of those converted brass Very pistols + now used only for discharging + tear- and sternutatory-gas bombs.</p> + + <p>“The Tube wasn’t seen, anyhow,” + said Professor Denham briskly. + “Who’s going through first?”</p> + + <p>Tommy slung a cartridge belt + about his waist and a gas mask + about his neck.</p> + + <p>“I am,” he said shortly. “We’ll + want to camouflage the mouth of + the Tube. I’ll watch a bit before + I get out.”</p> + + <p>He crawled into the mouth of + the twisted pipe.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> Tube was nearly three feet + across, each section was five + feet long, and there were gigantic + solenoids at each end of each section.</p> + + <p>It was not an experiment made + at random, nor was the world to + which it reached an unknown one + to Tommy or to Denham. Months + before, Denham had built an instrument + which would bend a ray + of light into the Fifth Dimension + and had found that he could fix a + telescope to the device and look + into a new and wholly strange cosmos.<span class="fn_marker">*</span> <span class="fn">* “The Fifth-Dimension Catapult”—see the <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/30177">January, 1931, issue of Astounding Stories</a>.</span> + He had seen tree-fern jungles + and a monstrous red sun, and + all the flora and fauna of a planet + in the carboniferous period of development. + More, by the accident of + its placing he had seen the towers + and the pinnacles of a city whose + walls and towers seemed plated + with gold.</p> + + <p>Having gone so far, he had devised + a catapult which literally + flung objects to the surface of that + incredible world. Insects, birds, and + at last a cat had made the journey + unharmed, and he had built a steel + globe in which to attempt the + journey in person. His daughter + Evelyn had demanded to accompany + him, and he believed it safe. The + trip had been made in security, but + return was another matter. A laboratory + assistant, Von Holtz, had + sent them into the Fifth Dimension, + only to betray them. One King + Jacaro, lord of Chicago racketeers, + was convinced by him of the + existence of the golden city of that + other world, and that it was full + of delectable loot. He offered a + bribe past envy for the secret of + Denham’s apparatus. And Von + Holtz had removed the apparatus + for Denham’s return before working + the catapult to send him on his + strange journey. He wanted to be + free to sell full privileges of rapine + and murder to Jacaro.</p> + + <p>The result was unexpected. Von + Holtz could not unravel the secret + of the catapult he himself had operated. + He could not sell the secret + for which he had committed a + crime. In desperation he called in + Tommy Reames—rather more than + an amateur in mathematical physics—showed + him Evelyn and her + father marooned in a tree-fern + jungle, and hypocritically asked for + aid.</p> + + <p>Tommy’s enthusiastic efforts soon + became more than merely enthusiastic. + The men of the Golden City + remained invisible, but there were + strange, half-mad outlaws of the + jungles who hated the city. Tommy + Reames had watched helplessly as + they hunted for the occupants of + the steel globe. He had worked + frenziedly to achieve a rescue. In + the course of his labor he discovered + the treachery of Von Holtz + as well as the secret of the catapult, + and with the aid of Smithers—who + had helped to build the original + <a class="pagenum" id="page370" title="370"> </a>catapult—he made a new small device + to achieve the original end.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> whole affair came to an + end on one mad afternoon + when the Ragged Men captured + first an inhabitant of the Golden + City, and then Denham and Evelyn + in a forlorn attempt at rescue. + Tommy Reames went mad. He used + a tiny sub-machine gun upon the + Ragged Men through the model + magnetic catapult he had made, and + contrived communication with Denham + afterward. Instructed by Denham, + he brought about the return + of father and daughter to Earth + just before Ragged Men and + Earthling alike would have perished + in a vengeful gas cloud from + the Golden City. Even then, + though, his triumph was incomplete + because Von Holtz had gotten word + to Jacaro, and nattily-dressed gunmen + raided the laboratory and made + off with the model catapult, leaving + three bullets in Tommy and one in + Smithers as souvenirs.</p> + + <p>Now, using the principle developed + in the catapult, Tommy + and Denham had built a large Tube, + and as Tommy climbed along its + corrugated interior he knew a good + part of what he should expect at + the other end. A steady current of + air blew past him. It was laden + with a myriad unfamiliar scents. + The Tube was a tunnel from one + set of dimensions to another, a + permanent way from Earth to a + strange, carboniferous-period planet + on which a monstrous dull-red sun + shone hotly. Tommy should come + out into a tree-fern forest whose + lush vegetation would hide the sky, + and which furnished a lurking + place not only for strange reptilian + monsters akin to those of the long-dead + past of Earth, but for the + bands of ragged, half-mad human + beings who were outlaws from the + civilization of which Denham and + Evelyn had seen proofs.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Tommy</span> reached the third bend + in the Tube. By now he had + lost all sense of orientation. An object + may be bent through one right + angle only in two dimensions, and + a second perfect right angle—at + ninety degrees to all former paths—only + in three dimensions. It follows + that a third perfect right + angle requires four dimensions for + existence, and four perfect right + angles five. The Tube bent itself + through four perfect right angles, + and since no human-being can ever + have experience of more than three + dimensions, plus time, it followed + that Tommy was experiencing other + dimensions than those of Earth as + soon as he passed the third bend. + In short, he was in another cosmos.</p> + + <p>There was a moment of awful + sickness as he passed the third + bend. He was hideously dizzy when + he passed the fourth. For a time he + felt as if he had no weight at all. + But then, quite abruptly, he was + climbing vertically upward and the + soughing of tree-fern fronds was + loud in his ears, and suddenly the + end of the Tube was under his fingers + and he stared out into the + world of the Fifth Dimension.</p> + + <p>Now a gentle wind blew in his + face. Tree-ferns rose to incredible + heights above his head, and now + and again by the movements of + their fronds he caught stray + glimpses of unfamiliar stars. There + were red stars, and blue ones, and + once he caught sight of a clearly + distinguishable double star, of + which each component was visible + to the naked eye. And very, very + far away he heard the beastly yellings + he knew must be the outlaws, + the Ragged Men, feasting horribly + on half-scorched flesh torn from + the quivering, yet-living flanks of + a monstrous reptile.</p> + + <p>Something moved, whimpered—and + fled suddenly. It sounded like + a human being. And Tommy Reames + was struck with the utterly impossible + <a class="pagenum" id="page371" title="371"> </a>conviction that he had heard + just that sound before. It was not + dangerous, in any case, and he + watched, and listened, and presently + he slipped from the mouth + of the Tube and by the glow of a + flashlight stripped foliage from + nearby growths and piled it about + the Tube’s mouth. And then, because + the purpose of the Tube was + not adventure but science, he went + back down into the laboratory.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> three men, with Evelyn, + worked until dawn at the rest + of their preparations for the use + of the Tube. All that time the + laboratory was filled with the heavy + fragrance of a tree-fern jungle + upon an unknown planet. The + heavy, sickly-sweet scents of closed + jungle blossoms filled their nostrils. + The reek of feverishly growing + green things saturated the air. + A steady wind blew down the + Tube, and it bore innumerable unfamiliar + odors into the laboratory. + Once a gigantic moth bumped and + blundered into the Tube, and finally + crawled heavily out into the light. + It was scaled, and terrible because + of its monstrous size, but it had + broken a wing and could not fly. + So it crawled with feverish haste + toward a brilliant electric light. Its + eyes were especially horrible because + they were not compound like + the moths of Earth. They were + single, like those of a man, and + were fixed in an expression of + utter, fascinated hypnosis. The + thing looked horribly human with + those eyes staring from an insect’s + head, and Smithers killed it in a + flash of nerve-racked horror. None + of them were able to go on with + their work until the thing and its + fascinated, staring eyes had been + put out of sight. Then they labored + on with the smell of the jungles + of that unnamed planet thick about + them, and noises now and then + coming down the Tube. There were + roars, and growlings, and once there + was a thin high sound which + seemed like the far-distant, death-startled + scream of a man.</p> + + <h2 class="chapter_title"><span class="chapter_no">CHAPTER II</span><br /> + The Death Mist</h2> + + <p class="first_paragraph"><span class="first_word">Tommy Reames</span> saw the red + sun rise while he was on guard + at the mouth of the Tube. The + tree-ferns above him came into + view as vague gray outlines. The + many-colored stars grew pale. And + presently a bit of crimson light + peeped through the jungle somewhere. + It moved along the horizon + and very slowly grew higher. For + a moment, Tommy saw the huge, + dull-red ball that was the sun of + this alien planet. Queer mosses took + form and color in the daylight, displaying + colors never seen on Earth. + He saw flying things dart among + the tree-fern fronds, and some were + scaled and some were not, but none + of them were feathered.</p> + + <p>Then a tiny buzzing noise. The + telephone that now rested below the + lip of the Tube was being used + from the laboratory.</p> + + <p>“Smithers will relieve you,” said + Denham’s voice in the receiver. + “Come on down. We’re not the only + people experimenting with the + Fifth Dimension. Jacaro’s been + working, and all hell’s loose!”</p> + + <p>Tommy slid down the Tube in an + instant. The four right-angled turns + made him sick and dizzy again, but + he came out with his jaw set + grimly. There was good reason for + Tommy’s interest in Jacaro. Besides + sides three bullet wounds, Tommy + owed Jacaro something for stealing + the first model Tube.</p> + + <p>He emerged in the laboratory on + his hands and knees as the size of + the Tube made necessary. Smithers + smiled placidly at him and crawled + in to take his place.</p> + + <p>“What the devil happened?” demanded + Tommy.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page372" title="372"> </a>Denham was bitter. He held a + newspaper before him. Evelyn had + brought coffee and the morning + paper to the laboratory. She seemed + rather pale.</p> + + <p>“Jacaro’s gotten through too!” + snapped Denham. “He’s gotten in a + pack of trouble. And he’s loosed the + devil on Earth. Here—look!” He + jabbed his finger at one headline. + “And here—and here!” He thrust + at others. “Here’s proof.”</p> + + <p>The first headline read: “KING + JACARO FORFEITS BOND.” + Smaller headings beneath it read: + “Racketeer Missing for Income Tax + Trial. $200,000 Bail Forfeited.” The + second headline was in smaller + type: “Monster Lizard Killed! + Giant Meat Eater Brought Down + by Rifleman. Akin to Ancient + Dinosaurs, Say Scientists.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">“Jacaro’s</span> missing,” said Denham + harshly. “This article says + he’s vanished, and with him a dozen + of his most prominent gunmen. You + know he had a model catapult to + duplicate—the one he got from you. + Von Holtz could arrange the construction + of a big Tube for him. + And he knew about the Golden + City. Look!”</p> + + <p>His finger, trembling, tapped on + the flashlight picture of the giant + lizard of which the story told. And + it was a giant. A rope had upheld + a colossal, leering, reptilian head + while men with rifles posed self-consciously + beside the dead creature. + It was as big as a horse, + and at first glance its kinship to the + extinct dinosaurs of Earth was + plain. Huge teeth in sharklike rows. + A long, trailing tail. But there was + a collar about the beast-thing’s + neck.</p> + + <p>“It had killed and was devouring + a cow when they shot it,” said + Denham bitterly. “There’ve been + reports of these creatures for days—so + the news story says. They + weren’t printed because nobody believed + them. But there are a couple + of people missing. A searching + party was hunting for them. They + found this!”</p> + + <p>Tommy Reames stared at the picture. + His face went grimmer still. + He thought of sounds he had + heard beyond the Tube, not long + since.</p> + + <p>“There’s no question where they + came from. The Fifth Dimension. + But if Jacaro brought them back, + he’s a fool.”</p> + + <p>“Jacaro’s missing,” said Denham + savagely. “Don’t you understand? + He could get through to the + Golden City. These beast-things are + proof somebody did. And these + things came down the Tube that + somebody travelled through. Jacaro + wouldn’t send them, but somebody + did. They’ve got collars around + their necks! Who sent them? And + why?”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Tommy’s</span> eyes narrowed.</p> + + <p>“If civilized men found the + mouth of a Tube, it would seem + like the mouth of an artificial + tunnel or a cave—”</p> + + <p>“And if annoying vermin, like + Jacaro’s gunmen”—Denham’s voice + was brittle—“had come out of it, + why, intelligent men might send + something living and deadly down + it, as men on Earth will send + ferrets down a rat-hole! To wipe + out the breed! That’s what’s happened! + Jacaro’s gone through and + attacked the Golden City. They’ve + found his Tube. And they’ve sent + these things down….”</p> + + <p>“If <em>we</em> found rats coming from + a rat-hole,” said Tommy very + quietly, “and ferrets went down and + didn’t come up, we’d gas them.”</p> + + <p>“And so,” Denham told him, “so + would the Golden City.”</p> + + <p>He pointed to a boxed double + paragraph news story under + leaded twenty-point headline: + “Poisonous Fog Kills Wild Life.”</p> + + <p>The story was not alarming. It + <a class="pagenum" id="page373" title="373"> </a>said merely that state game wardens + had found numerous dead + game animals in a thinly-settled district + near Coltsville, N.Y., and on + investigation had found a bank of + mist, all of half a mile across, + which seemed to have caused the + trouble. State chemists and biologists + were investigating the phenomenon. + Curiously, the bank of + mist seemed not to dissipate in a + normal fashion. Samples of the fog + were being analyzed. It was probably + akin to the Belgian fogs + which on several occasions had + caused much loss of life. The mist + was especially interesting because + in sunlight it displayed prismatic + colorings. State troopers were + warning the inhabitants of the + neighborhood.</p> + + <p>“The gassing’s started,” said Denham + savagely. “I know a gas that + shows rainbow colors. The Golden + City uses it. So we’ve got to find + Jacaro’s Tube and seal it, or only + God knows what will come out of + it next. I’m going off, Tommy. You + and Smithers guard our Tube. Blow + it up, if necessary. It’s dangerous. + I’ll get some authority in Albany, + and we’ll find Jacaro’s Tube and + blast it shut.”</p> + + <p>Tommy nodded, his eyes keen + and thoughtful. Denham hurried + out.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Minutes</span> later, only, they + heard the roar of a car motor + going down the long lane away + from the laboratory. Evelyn tried + to smile at Tommy.</p> + + <p>“It seems terrible, dangerous.”</p> + + <p>Tommy considered and shrugged.</p> + + <p>“This news is old,” he observed. + “This paper was printed last night. + I think I’ll make a couple of long-distance + calls. If the Golden City’s + had trouble with Jacaro, it’s going + to make things bad for us.”</p> + + <p>He swept his eyes about and + frowningly loaded a light rifle. He + put it convenient to Evelyn’s hand + and made for the dwelling-house + and the telephone. It was odd that + as he emerged into the open air, the + familiar smells of Earth struck his + nostrils as strange and unaccustomed. + The laboratory was redolent + of the tree-fern forest into + which the Tube extended. And + Smithers was watching amid those + dank, incredible carboniferous-period + growths now.</p> + + <p>Tommy put through calls, seeing + all his and Denham’s plans for + a peaceful exploration party and + amicable contact with the civilization + of that other planet, utterly + shattered by presumed outrages by + Jacaro. He made call after call, + and his demands for information + grew more urgent as he got closer + to the source of trouble. His cause + for worry was verified long before + he had finished. Even as he made + the first call, New York newspapers + had crowded a second-grade murder + off their front pages to make room + for the white mist upstate.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> early-morning editions had + termed it a “poisonous fog.” + The breakfast editions spoke of it + as a “poison fog.” But it grew and + moved and by the time Tommy had + a clear line to get actual information + about it, a tabloid had christened + it the “Death Mist” and + there were three chartered planes + circling about it for the benefit of + their newspapers. State troopers + were being reinforced. At ten + o’clock it was necessary to post + extra traffic police to take care of + the cars headed upstate to look at + the mystery. At eleven it began to + move! Sluggishly, to be sure, and + rather raggedly, but it undoubtedly + moved, and as undoubtedly it + moved independently of the wind.</p> + + <p>It was at twelve-thirty that the + first casualty occurred. Before that + time, the police had frantically demanded + that the flood of sightseers + be stopped. The Death Mist + <a class="pagenum" id="page374" title="374"> </a>covered a square mile or more. It + clung to the ground, nowhere more + than fifty or sixty feet high, and + glittered with all the colors of the + rainbow. It moved with a velocity + of anywhere from ten to twenty + miles an hour. In its path were a + myriad small tragedies—nesting + birds stiff and still, and rabbits + and other small furry bodies contorted + in queer agonized postures. + But until twelve-thirty no human + beings were known to be its victims.</p> + + <p>Then, though, it was moving + blindly across the wind with a thin + trailing edge behind it and a rolling + billow of descending mist as + its forefront. It rolled up to and + across a concrete highway, watched + by perspiring motor cops who had + performed miracles in clearing a + path for it among the horde of + sightseeing cars. It swept on into + a spindling pine wood. Behind it + lay a thinning sheet of vapor—thick + white mist which seemed to + rise and move more swiftly to overtake + the main body. It lay across + the highway in a sheet which was + ten feet deep, then thinned to six, + to three….</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> mist was no more than + a foot thick, when a party of + motorists essayed to drive through + it as through a sheet of water. They + dodged a swearing motorcycle cop + and, yelling hilariously, plunged + forward. It happened that they had + not more than a hundred yards to + go, so the whole thing was plainly + seen.</p> + + <p>The car was ten yards across the + sheet of mist before the effect of + its motion was apparent. Then the + mist, torn by the car-eddy, swirled + madly in their wake. The motorists + yelled delightedly. There is a picture + extant, taken at just this moment. + It shows the driver with a + foolish grin on his face, clutching + the wheel and very obviously + stepping on the accelerator. A pandemonium + of triumphant, hilarious + shouting—and then a very sudden + silence.</p> + + <p>The car roared on. The road + curved slightly. The car did not. + It went off the road, turned over, + and its engine shrieked itself into + silence. The Death Mist went on, + draining from the roadway to follow + the tall, prismatically-colored + cloud. It moved swiftly and blindly. + To the circling planes above it, it + seemed like a blind thing imagining + itself confined, and searching for + the edges of its prison. It gave an + uncanny impression of being directed + by intelligence. But the + Death Mist, itself, was not alive.</p> + + <p>Neither were the occupants of the + motor car.</p> + + <p>When Tommy got back to the + laboratory after his last call for + news, he found Evelyn in the act + of starting to fetch him.</p> + + <p>“Smithers called,” she said uneasily. + “He says something’s moving + about—” The buzzer of the + telephone was humming stridently. + Tommy answered quickly.</p> + + <p>“Just want you handy,” said + Smithers’ calm voice. “I might have + to duck. Some Ragged Men are + chasin’ something. Get set, will + ya?”</p> + + <p>“Ready for anything,” Tommy + assured him.</p> + + <p>Then he made it true: rifles + handy, a sub-machine gun, grenades, + gas masks. He handed one to + Evelyn. Smithers had one already. + Then Tommy waited, grimly ready + by the Tube-mouth.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> warm, scent-laden breeze + blew upon him. Straining his + ears, he could hear the sound of + tree-fern fronds clashing in the + wind. He heard the louder sounds + made by Smithers, stirring ever so + slightly in the Tube. And then he + caught a vague, distant uproar. It + would have been faint and confused + <a class="pagenum" id="page375" title="375"> </a>at best but the Tube was + partly blocked by Smithers’ body, + and there were the multiple bends + further to complicate the echoes. + It was no more than a formless + tumult through which faint yells + came occasionally. It drew nearer + and nearer. Tommy heard Smithers + stir suddenly, almost as if he had + jumped. Then there were scrapings + which could only mean one thing: + Smithers was climbing out of the + Tube into the jungle of the Fifth-Dimension + world.</p> + + <p>The noise rose abruptly to a roar + as the muffling effect of Smithers’ + body was removed. The yells were + sharp and savage and half mad. + There was a sudden crackling + sound and a voice screamed:</p> + + <p>“<em>Gott!</em>”</p> + + <p>The hair rose at the back of + Tommy’s neck. Then there came the + deafening report of an automatic + pistol roaring itself empty above + the end of the Tube. Smithers’ + voice, vastly calm:</p> + + <p>“It’s a’right, Mr. Reames. Don’t + worry.”</p> + + <p>A second pistol took up the + fusillade. Yells and howls and + screams arose. Men fled. Something + came crashing to the mouth of the + Tube. Smithers’ voice again, with + purring note in it: “Get down + there. I’ll hold ’em off.” Then + single deliberately spaced shots, + while something came stumbling, + fumbling, squirming down through + the Tube, so filling it that Smithers’ + shooting was muted.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Then</span> came the subtly different + explosions of the Very pistols, + discharging gas bombs. And + Tommy drew back, his jaw set, and + he stood with his weapons very + ready indeed, and a scratched, + bleeding, exhausted, panting, terror-stricken + human being in the tattered + costume of Earth crawled + from the Tube and groveled on the + floor before him.</p> + + <p>Evelyn gave a little exclamation, + partly of disgust and partly of + horror. Because this man, who had + had come from the world of the + Fifth Dimension, was wholly familiar. + He was tall, and he was lean, + emaciated now; he wept sobbingly + behind thick-lensed spectacles, and + his lips were far too full and red. + His name was Von Holtz; he had + once been laboratory assistant to + Professor Denham, and he had betrayed + Evelyn and her father to the + most ghastly of possible fates for + a bribe offered him by Jacaro. Now + he groveled. He was horrible to + look at. Where he was not scratched + and torn his flesh was reddened + as if by fire. He was exhausted, + and trembling with an awful terror, + and he gasped out abject, placatory + ejaculations and suddenly collapsed + into a sobbing mass on the floor.</p> + + <p>Smithers emerged from the Tube + with a look of unpleasant satisfaction + on his face.</p> + + <p>“I chased off the Ragged Men + with sneeze gas,” he observed with + a vast calmness. “They ain’t comin’ + back for a while. An’ I always + wanted to break this guy’s neck. I + think I’ll do it now.”</p> + + <p>“Not till I’ve questioned him,” + said Tommy savagely. “He and + Jacaro have started hell to + popping, with that Tube design + they stole from me. He’s got to + stay alive and tell us how to stop + it. Von Holtz, talk! And talk + quick, or back you go through the + Tube for the Ragged Men to work + on!”</p> + + <h2 class="chapter_title"><span class="chapter_no">CHAPTER III</span><br /> + The Tree-Fern Jungle</h2> + + <p class="first_paragraph"><span class="first_word">Tommy</span> watched Smithers drive + away. The sun was sinking low + toward the west, and the car stirred + up a cloud of light-encarmined + dust as it sped down the long, + narrow lane to the main road. The + laboratory had intentionally been + <a class="pagenum" id="page376" title="376"> </a>built in an isolated spot, but at + the moment Tommy would have + given a good deal for a few men + nearby. Smithers was taking Von + Holtz to Albany to add his information + to Denham’s pleas. Denham + had ordered it, when they reached + him by phone after hours of effort. + Smithers had to go, to guard + against Von Holtz’s escape, even + sick and ill as he was. And Evelyn + had refused to go with him.</p> + + <p>“If I stay in the laboratory,” she + insisted fiercely, “you can slip down + and I can blow up the Tube after + you, if the Ragged Men don’t stay + away. But by yourself….”</p> + + <p>Tommy did not consent, but he + was helpless. There was danger + from the Tube. Not only from + ghastly animals which might come + through, but from men. Smithers + had fought the Ragged Men above + it. He had chased them off, but + they would come back. Perhaps + they would come very soon, perhaps + not until Denham and Smithers + had returned. If they could be + held off, the as yet unknown dangers + from the other Tube—of which + only the lizards and the Death + Mist were certainties—might be + counteracted. In any case, the Tube + must not be destroyed until its defense + was hopeless.</p> + + <p>Tommy made up a grim bundle to + go through the Tube with him: the + sub-machine gun, extra drums of + shells, more gas bombs and half a + dozen grenades. He hung the + various objects about himself. + Evelyn watched him miserably.</p> + + <p>“You—you’ll be careful, Tommy?”</p> + + <p>“Nothing else but,” said Tommy. + He grinned reassuringly. “There’s + nothing to it, really. Just sitting + still, listening. If I pop off some + fireworks I’ll just have to sit down + and watch them run.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">He</span> settled his gas mask about + his neck and started to enter + the Tube. Evelyn touched his arm.</p> + + <p>“I’m—frightened, Tommy.”</p> + + <p>“Shucks!” said Tommy. “Also a + couple of tut-tuts.” He stood up, + put his arms about her, and kissed + her until she smiled. “Feel better + now?” he asked interestedly.</p> + + <p>“Y-yes….”</p> + + <p>“Fine!” said Tommy, and grinned + again. “When you feel scared again, + ring me on the phone and I’ll give + you another treatment.”</p> + + <p>But her smile faded as, beaming + at her, he crawled into the first section + of the Tube. And his own expression + grew serious enough when + she could see him no longer. The + situation was not comfortable. + Evelyn intended to marry him and + he had to keep her cheerful, but he + wished she were well away from + here.</p> + + <p>He tried to move cautiously + through the Tube, but his bundles + bumped and rattled. It seemed + hours before he was climbing up + the last section into the tree-fern + jungle. He was caution itself as + he peered over the edge. It was + already night upon Earth, but here + the monstrous, dull-red sun was + barely sinking. It moved slowly + along the horizon as it dipped, but + presently a gray cast come over the + colorings in the forest. Flying + things came clattering homeward + through the masses of fern-fronds + overhead. He saw a projectile-like + thing with a lizard’s head and jaws + go darting through an incredibly + small opening. It seemed to have no + wings at all. But then, in one instant, + a vast wing-surface flashed + out, made a single gigantic flap—and + the thing was a projectile + again, darting through a <em>cheraux-de-frise</em> + of interlaced fronds without + a sign of wings to support it.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Tommy</span> inspected his surroundings + with an infinite care. + As the darkness deepened he meditatively + taped a flashlight below + the barrel of the sub-machine gun. + <a class="pagenum" id="page377" title="377"> </a>Turned on, it would cast a pitiless + light upon his target, and the + sights would be silhouetted against + the thing to be killed. He hung + his grenades in a handy row just + inside the mouth of the Tube and + set his gas bombs conveniently in + place, then settled down to watch.</p> + + <p>It was assuredly necessary. Von + Holtz’s story confirmed his own + and Denham’s guesses and made + their worst fears seem optimistic. + Von Holtz had made a Tube for + Jacaro, working from the model of + Tommy’s own construction. It had + been completed nearly a month before. + But no jungle odors had + seeped through that other Tube on + its completion. It opened in a sub-cellar + of a structure in the Golden + City itself, the city of towers and + soaring spires Denham had + glimpsed long months before. By + sheer fortune it opened upon a + rarely used storeroom where improbable + small animals—the equivalent + of rats—played obscenely in + the light of ever-glowing panels in + the wall.</p> + + <p>For two days of the Fifth-Dimension + world Jacaro and his gunmen + lay quiet. During two nights + they made infinitely cautious reconnaissance. + The second night it was + necessary to kill two men who + sighted the tiny exploring party. + But the killing was done with + silenced automatics, and there was + no alarm. The third night they + lay still, fearing an ambush. The + fourth night Jacaro struck.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">He</span> and his men fled back to + their Tube with plunder and + precious gems. Their loot was vast + even beyond their hopes, though + they had killed other men in gathering + it. The Golden City was rich + beyond belief. The very crust of the + Fifth-Dimension world seemed to + be composed of other substances + than those of Earth. The common + metals of Earth were rare or even + unknown. The rarer metals of Earth + were the commonplace ones in the + Golden City. Even the roofs seemed + plated with gold, but Jacaro’s gunmen + saw not one particle of iron + save in a ring they took from a + dead man’s finger. There, an acid-etched + plate of steel was set as if to + be used for a signet.</p> + + <p>Von Holtz had accompanied the + raiders perforce on every journey. + Jeweled bearings for motors; objects + of commonest use, made of + gold beat thin for lightness; huge + ingots of silver for industry; once + a queer-shaped spool of platinum + wire that it took two men to carry—these + things made up the loot + they scurried back to their rathole + with. Five raids they made, and + twenty men they shot down before + they came upon disaster. On the + sixth raid an outcry rose and an + ambush fell upon them.</p> + + <p>Flashes of incredibly vivid + actinic flame leaped from queer engines + that opened upon them. + Curious small truncheonlike weapons + spat paralyzing electric shocks + upon them. The twelve gangsters + fought with the desperation of cornered + rats, with notched and explosive + bullets and with streams of + lead from tommy-guns.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">A chance</span> bullet blew something + up. One of the flame + weapons flew to bits, spouting + what seemed to be liquid thermit + upon friend and foe alike. The way + of the gangsters back to their Tube + was barred. The route they knew + was a chaos of scorched bodies and + melting metal. The thermit flowed + in all directions, seeming to grow + in volume as it flamed. Jacaro and + his gangsters fled. They broke + through the shaken remnants of the + ambush. The six of them who survived + the fighting found a man + somnolently driving a ground + vehicle with two wheels. They burst + upon him and, with their scared + <a class="pagenum" id="page378" title="378"> </a>faces constituting threats in themselves, + forced him to drive them + out of the Golden City. They fled + along aluminum roads into the tree-fern + forests, while the sky behind + them seemed to flame as the city + woke to the tumult in its ways.</p> + + <p>They killed the driver of their + vehicle when he refused to take + them farther, and it was that murder + which saved their lives. It was + seen by Ragged Men, the outlaws + of the jungle, and it proved their + enmity to the Golden City. The + Ragged Men greeted them joyously + and fed them, and enlisted their + aid in a savage attack on a land-convoy + on the way to the city. + Their weapons carried the convoy, + and they watched wounded prisoners + killed with excruciating tortures….</p> + + <p>They were with the Ragged Men + now, Von Holtz believed. He had + fled a week or more before, when + Jacaro—already learning the language + of his half-mad allies—began + to plan a grandiose attack upon the + Golden City. Von Holtz was born + a coward, and he knew where + Tommy Reames and Denham would + shortly thrust a Tube through. It + would come out just where the + catapult had flung Evelyn and Denham, + months before, the same spot + where he had marooned them. He + searched desperately for that Tube, + and failed to find it. He was chased + by carnivores, scratched by thorns, + and at last pursued by a yelling + horde of human devils who were + fired into by Smithers from the + mouth of the just-finished Tube.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Tommy</span> debated the story + grimly as he stood guard in + the Tube in the humid jungle + night. Many-colored stars winked + fitfully through the thatch of giant + ferns overhead. The wind soughed + unsteadily above the jungle. There + were queer creakings, and once or + twice there were distant cries, and + when the wind died down there + was a deep-toned croaking audible + somewhere which sounded rather + like the croaking of unthinkably, + monstrous frogs. But it could not + be that, of course. And once there + was the sound of dainty movement + and something passed nearby. + Tommy Reames saw the shadowy + outline of a bulk so vast that it + turned him cold to think about it, + and it did not seem fair for any + creature as huge as that to move + so quietly.</p> + + <p>Then there was a little scuffling + noise beneath him. A hand touched + his foot.</p> + + <p>“It’s—it’s me, Tommy.” Evelyn + crowded up beside him and whispered + shakenly: “It—it was so + lonesome down there, so quiet.”</p> + + <p>Tommy frowned unhappily in the + darkness. If he sent her back, she + would know it was because he knew + danger lurked here. Then she + would worry. If he did not send + her back….</p> + + <p>“I’ll go back the minute you + tell me,” she insisted forlornly. + “Honestly. But—I was lonesome.”</p> + + <p>Tommy slipped his arm about + her.</p> + + <p>“Woman,” he said sternly. “I’m + going to let you stay ten minutes, + so you can brag to our grandchildren + that you were the first + Earth-girl ever to be kissed in the + Fifth Dimension. But I want you + down in the laboratory so you + won’t be in my way if I start + running!”</p> + + <p>His tone was the right one. She + even laughed a little, softly, as he + pressed her to him. Then she clung + to his hand and tried eagerly to + pierce the darkness all about them.</p> + + <p>“You’ll be able to see something + presently,” he assured her in a low + tone. “Just keep quiet, now.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">She</span> gazed up at the stars, then + around in the so-nearly complete + obscurity. Tommy answered + <a class="pagenum" id="page379" title="379"> </a>her comments abstractedly, after a + little. He was not quite sure that + certain irregular sounds, yet far + distant, were not actually quite + regular ones. The Ragged Men + Smithers had shot into had run + away. But they would come back + and they might come with Jacaro + and his gunmen as allies. If those + distant sounds were men….</p> + + <p>She withdrew her hand from his. + Her back was toward him then, as + she tried to pierce the darkness + with her eyes. Tommy listened uneasily + to the distant sound. Suddenly + he felt Evelyn bump against + his shoulder. He turned sharply—and + she was out of the Tube! She + was walking steadily off into the + darkness!</p> + + <p>“Evelyn! Evelyn!”</p> + + <p>She did not falter or turn. He + switched on the flashlight beneath + his gun barrel and leaped out of + the Tube himself. The light swept + about. Evelyn’s lithe figure kept + moving away from him. Then his + heart stood still. There were eyes + beyond her in the darkness, huge, + monstrous, steady eyes, half a yard + apart in a head like something out + of hell. And he could not fire because + Evelyn was between the + Thing and himself. Its eyes glowed + unholily—fascinating, hypnotic, insane….</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Evelyn</span> swayed … and the + Thing moved! Tommy leaped + like a madman shouting. As his + feet struck the ground a mass of + sold-seeming fungus gave way beneath + him. He fell sprawling, but + clutching the gun fast. The spreading + beam of the flashlight showed + him Evelyn turning, her face filled + with a wakening horror—the horror + of one released from the fascination + of a snake. She screamed his name.</p> + + <p>Then a huge lizard paw swept + forward and seized her body. A + second gripped her as she screamed + again. And Tommy Reames was + deathly, terribly cool. The whole + thing had happened in seconds + only. He was submerged in slimy, + sticky ooze which was the crushed + fungus that had tripped him. But + he cleared the gun. The flashlight + limned a ghastly, obscenely fat + body and a long tapering tail. + Tommy aimed at the base of that + tail and pulled the trigger, praying + frenziedly.</p> + + <p>A stream of flame leaped from the + gun-muzzle. Explosive bullets + uttered their queer cracking noise. + The thing screamed horribly. Its + cry was hoarsely shrill. The flashlight + showed it swinging ponderously + about, with Evelyn held fast + against its body in a fashion horribly + reminiscent of a child holding + a doll.</p> + + <p>Tommy was scrambling upright. + Jaws clamped, cold horror filling + him, he aimed again, at the sharp-toothed + head above Evelyn’s body. + He could not try a heart shot with + her in the way. Again the gun spat + out a burst of explosive lead. And + Tommy should have been sickened + by the effect of detonating missiles. + The thing’s lower jaw was + shattered, half severed, made useless. + It should have been killed a + dozen times over.</p> + + <p>But it screamed again until the + jungle rang with the uproar, and + then it fled, still screaming and still + holding Evelyn clutched fast + against its scaly breast.</p> + + <h2 class="chapter_title"><span class="chapter_no">CHAPTER IV</span><br /> + The Fifth-Dimension World</h2> + + <p class="first_paragraph"><span class="first_word">Tommy</span> flung himself in pursuit, + despairing. Evelyn cried + out once more as the lumbering + thing fled with her, giving utterance + to shrieking outcries at which + the tree-fern jungle shook. It + leaped once, upon monstrous hind + legs, but came crashing heavily to + the ground. Tommy’s explosive bullets + <a class="pagenum" id="page380" title="380"> </a>had shattered the bones which + supported the balancing tail. Now + that huge fleshy member dragged + uselessly. The thing could not + progress in its normal fashion of + leaps covering many yards. It began + to waddle clumsily, shrieking, + with Evelyn clasped close. Its jaw + was a shattered horror. It went + marching insanely through the + blackness of the jungle, and with it + went the unholy din of its anguish, + and behind it Tommy Reames came + flinging himself frenziedly in pursuit.</p> + + <p>Normally, the thing should have + distanced him in seconds. Even + crippled as it was, it moved swiftly. + The scaly, duck-shaped head reared + a good twenty feet above the fallen + tree-fern fronds which carpeted the + jungle. The monstrous splayed feet + stretched a good yard and a half + from front to rear upon the ground. + Even its waddling footprints were + yards apart, and it moved in terror.</p> + + <p>Tommy tripped, fell, and got to + his feet again, and the shrieking + tumult was farther away. He raced + madly toward the sound, the flashlight + beam cutting swordlike + through the blackness. He caught + sight of the warty, scaly bulk of + the monster at the extreme limit of + the rays. It was moving faster than + he could travel. He sobbed helpless + curses at the thing and put forth + superhuman exertions. He leaped + fallen tree-fern trunks, he splashed + through shallow ponds—later, when + he knew something of the inhabitants + of such pools, Tommy would + turn cold at that memory—and + raced on, gasping for breath while + the shrieking of the thing that + bore Evelyn grew more and more + distant.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">In</span> five minutes he was almost + strangling and the thing was + half a mile ahead of him. In ten, + he was exhausted, and the shrieking + noise it made as it waddled + away was distinctly fainter. In + fifteen minutes he only heard its + hooting scream between the harsh + laboring rasps of his own breath + as he drew it into tortured lungs. + But he ran on. He leaped and + climbed and ran in a terrible obliviousness + to all dangers the jungle + might hold.</p> + + <p>He leaped down from one toppled + tree-trunk upon what seemed be + another. But the thing he landed + upon gave beneath his boots in the + unmistakable fashion of yielding + flesh. Something vast and angry + stirred and hissed furiously. Something—a + head, perhaps—whipped + toward him among the fallen fern-fronds. + But he was racing on, + sobbing, cursing, praying all at + once.</p> + + <p>Then suddenly he broke out into + a profuse sweat. His breathing became + easier, and then he was + running lightly. His second wind + had come to him. He was no longer + exhausted. He felt as if he could + run forever, and ran on more + swiftly still. Suddenly the flashlight + beam showed him a deep + furrow in the rotting vegetation + underfoot, and something glistened. + A musky reek filled his nostrils. + The thing’s trail—the furrow left + by its dragging tail! That musky + reek was the thing’s blood. It was + bleeding from the wounds the explosive + bullets had made. It was + spouting whatever filthy fluid ran + in its veins even as it waddled onward, + screaming.</p> + + <p>Five minutes more, and he felt + that he was gaining on it. Then, + and he was sure of it. But it was + half an hour before he actually + overtook the injured monster + marching like a mad machine. Its + mutilated ducklike head held high, + its colossal feet lifting one after + the other in a heavy, slowing + waddle, and its hoarse screams re-echoing + in a senseless uproar of + agony.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><a class="pagenum" id="page381" title="381"> </a><span class="first_word">Tommy’s</span> hands were shaking, + but his brain was cool with a + vast coolness. He raced past the + shrieking monster, and halted in its + path. He saw Evelyn, a huddled + bundle, clasped still to the creature’s + scaly breast. And Tommy + sent a burst of explosive bullets + into a gigantic, foot thick ankle-joint.</p> + + <p>The monster toppled, and flung + out its prehensile lizard claws in + an instinctive effort to catch itself. + Evelyn was thrown clear. And + Tommy, standing alone in the + blackness of a carboniferous jungle + upon an alien planet, sent bullet + after bullet into the shaking, obscenely + flabby body of the thing. + The bullets penetrated, and exploded. + Great masses of flesh upheaved + and fell away. Great gouts + of awful smelling fluid were flung + out and blown to mist by the explosions. + The thing did not so + much die as disintegrate under the + storm of detonating missiles.</p> + + <p>Then Tommy went to Evelyn. + He was wild with grief. He had + no faintest hope that she could still + be living. But as he picked her up + she moaned softly, and when he + cried her name she clung to him, + pressing close in an agony of thankfulness + almost as devastating as her + fear had been.</p> + + <p>It was minutes before either of + them could think of anything other + than her safety and the fact that + they were together again. But then + Tommy said, in a shaken effort to + be himself again:</p> + + <p>“I—I’d have done better if—if + I’d had roller skates, maybe.” His + grin was wholly unconvincing. + “Why’d you get out of the Tube?”</p> + + <p>“Its eyes!” Evelyn shuddered, + her own eyes hidden against Tommy’s + shoulder. “I saw them suddenly, + looking at me. And I—hadn’t + any will. I felt myself getting out + of the Tube and walking toward + it. It was like the way a snake + fascinates—hypnotizes—a bird….”</p> + + <p>A vagrant wind-eddy submerged + them in the foul reek of the dead + thing’s flesh. Tommy stirred.</p> + + <p>“Ugh! Let’s get out of this. + There’ll be things coming to feed + on that carcass. They’ll smell it.”</p> + + <p>Evelyn tried to stand, and succeeded. + She clung to his hand.</p> + + <p>“Do you think you can find the + Tube again?”</p> + + <p>Tommy was already thinking of + that. He grimaced.</p> + + <p>“Probably. Back-trail the damned + thing. If the flashlight battery holds + out. Its tail left plenty of sign + for us to follow.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">They</span> started. And Evelyn had + literally been forgotten in its + agony by the monster which had + carried her. Its body, though + scaled and warty, was flabby and + soft. Pressed against its breast she + had been half strangled, but had no + injuries beyond huge, purple + bruises which had not yet reached + the point of stiffness. She followed + Tommy gamely, and the need for + action kept her from yielding to the + reaction from her terror.</p> + + <p>For a long, long time they back-trailed. + Less than fifteen minutes + after leaving the carcass of the + thing Tommy had killed, they + heard beast-roarings and the sound + of fighting. But that noise died + away as they traveled. Presently + they reached the spot where + Tommy had leaped upon a huge + living thing. It was gone now, but + the impress of a body the thickness + of a barrel remained upon the + rotted vegetation of the jungle + floor. Evelyn shivered when Tommy + pointed it out.</p> + + <p>“It was large,” said Tommy ruefully. + “I didn’t even get a good + look it the thing. Probably just as + well, though. I might have been—er—delayed. + Good Lord! What’s + that?”</p> + + <p>A light had sprung into being + <a class="pagenum" id="page382" title="382"> </a>somewhere. It was bright. It was + blinding in its brilliance. Coming + through the tangled jungle growth, + it seemed as if spears of flame shot + through the air, irradiating stray + patches of scabrous tree-trunk with + unbearable light. For an instant the + illumination held. Then there was + a distant, cracking detonation. The + unmistakable explosion of gun-cotton + split the air, and its echoes + rolled and reverberated through the + jungle. The light went out. Then + came a thin, high yelling sound + which, faint as it was, had something + of the quality of hysterical + glee. That crazy ululation kept up + for several minutes. Evelyn shivered.</p> + + <p>“The Ragged Men,” said Tommy + very quietly. “They sneaked up on + the Tube. They flung blazing thermit, + or something like it, with a + weapon captured from the Golden + City. That explosion was the grenades + going off. I’m afraid the + Tube’s blown up, Evelyn.”</p> + + <p>She caught her breath, looking + mutely up at him.</p> + + <p>“Here’s a pistol,” he said briefly, + “and shells. There’s no use our + going to the Tube to-night. It + would be dangerous. We’ll do our + investigating at dawn.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">He</span> found a crevice where tree-fern + trunks grew close together + and closed in three sides of + a sort of roofless cave. He seated + himself grimly at the opening to + wait for daybreak. He was not easy + in his mind. There had been two + Tubes to the Fifth-Dimension + world. One had been made by + Jacaro for his gunmen. That was + now held by the men of the Golden + City, as was proved by carnivorous + lizards and the Death Mist that + had come down it. The other was + now blown up or, worse, in the + hands of the Ragged Men. In any + case Tommy and Evelyn were + isolated upon a strange planet in a + strange universe. To fall into the + hands of the Ragged Men was to + die horribly, and the Golden City + would not now welcome inhabitants + of the world Jacaro and his men + had come from. To the civilized + men of this world, Jacaro’s raids + would seem invasion. They would + seem acts of war on the part of + the people of Earth. And the people + of Earth, all of them, would + seem enemies. Jacaro would never + be identified as an unauthorized invader. + He would seem to be a + scout, an advance guard, a spy, for + hordes of other invaders yet to + come.</p> + + <p>As the long night wore away, + Tommy’s grim hopelessness intensified. + The Ragged Men would hunt + them for sport and out of hatred + for all sane human beings. The men + of the Golden City would be merciless + to compatriots of Jacaro’s gunmen. + And Tommy had Evelyn to + look out for.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">When</span> dawn came, his face + was drawn and lined. Evelyn + woke with a little gasp, staring affrightedly + about her. Then she + tried gamely to smile.</p> + + <p>“Morning, Tommy,” she said + shakily. She added in a brave attempt + at levity: “Where do we go + from here?”</p> + + <p>“We look at the Tube,” said + Tommy heavily. “There’s a bare + chance….”</p> + + <p>He led the way as on the night + before, with his gun held ready. + They traveled for half an hour + through the awakening jungle. Then + for long, long minutes Tommy + searched for a sign of living men + before he ventured forth to look at + the wreckage of the Tube. He found + no live men, and only two dead + ones. But a glimpse of their bestial, + vice-ridden faces was enough to remove + any regret for their deaths.</p> + + <p>The Tube was shattered. Its + mouth was belled out and broken + <a class="pagenum" id="page383" title="383"> </a>by the explosion of the grenades + hung within it. A part of the metal + was molten—from the thermit, past + question. There was a veritable + crater fifteen feet across where the + Tube had come through, and there + were only shattered shreds of metal + where the first bend had been. + Tommy regarded the wreckage + grimly. A pair of oxidized copper + wires, their insulation burnt off, + stung his eyes as he traced them + to where they vanished in torn-up + earth. He took them in his bare + hands. The tingling sting of a low-voltage + current made his heart leap. + Then he smiled grimly. He touched + them to each other. Dot-dot-dot—dash-dash-dash—dot-dot-dot. + S O S! If there was anybody in + the laboratory, that would tell + them.</p> + + <p>His hands stung sharply. Someone + was there, ringing the phone! + Evelyn came toward him, her face + resolutely cheerful.</p> + + <p>“No hope, Tommy?” she asked. + “I just saw the telephone, all battered + up. I guess we’re pretty badly + off.”</p> + + <p>“Get it!” said Tommy feverishly. + “For Heaven’s sake, get it! The + phone wires weren’t broken. If we + can make it work….”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> instrument was a wreck. + It was crumpled and torn and + apparently useless. The diaphragm + of the receiver was punctured. The + transmitter seemed to have been + crushed. But Tommy worked desperately + over them, and twisted the + earth-wires into place.</p> + + <p>“Hello, hello, hello!”</p> + + <p>The voice that answered was + Smithers’, strained and fearful:</p> + + <p>“Mr. Reames! Thank Gawd! + What’s happened? Is Miss Evelyn + all right?”</p> + + <p>“So far,” said Tommy. “Listen!” + He told curtly just what had happened. + “Now, what’s happened on + Earth?”</p> + + <p>“Hell!” panted Smithers bitterly. + “Hell’s been poppin’! The Death + Mist’s two miles across an’ still + growin an’ movin’. Four townships + under martial law an’ movin’ out + the people. It got thirty of ’em + this morning. An’ they think the + professor’s crazy an’ nobody’ll + listen to him!”</p> + + <p>“Damn!” said Tommy. He considered, + grimly. “Look here, Von + Holtz ought to convince them.”</p> + + <p>“He caved in, outa his head, before + I got to Albany. He’s in hospital + now, ravin’. He’s got some + kinda fever the doctors don’t know + nothin’ about. Sick as hell!”</p> + + <p>Tommy compressed his lips. Matters + were more desperate even than + he had believed. He informed his + helper measuredly:</p> + + <p>“Evelyn and I can’t stay around + here, Smithers. The Ragged Men + may come back, and it’ll be weeks + before you and the professor can + get another Tube through. I’m + going to make for the Golden City + and work on them there to cut off + the Death Mist.”</p> + + <p>There was an inarticulate sound + from Smithers.</p> + + <p>“Tell the professor. If he can find + Jacaro’s Tube, he’ll work out some + way to communicate through it. + We’ve got to stop that Death Mist + somehow. And we don’t know what + else they may try.”</p> + + <p>Smithers tried to speak, and + could not. He merely made grief-stricken + noises. He worshiped + Evelyn and she was isolated in a + hostile world which was vastly + more unreachable than could be + measured by millions or trillions of + miles. But at last he said unsteadily:</p> + + <p>“We’ll be comin’, Mr. Reames. + We’ll come, if we have t’ blow half + the world apart!”</p> + + <p>Tommy said grimly: “Then hunt + up the Golden City and bring extra + ammunition. Mostly explosive bullets. + Good-by.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><a class="pagenum" id="page384" title="384"> </a><span class="first_word">He</span> untwisted the wires from + the shattered phone units and + thrust them in his pocket. Evelyn + was picking up stray small objects + from the ground.</p> + + <p>“I’ve found some cartridges, + Tommy,” she said constrainedly, + “and a pistol I think will work.”</p> + + <p>“Then listen for visitors,” commanded + Tommy, “while I look for + more.”</p> + + <p>For half in hour he scoured the + area around the shattered Tube. + He found where some clumsy-wheeled + thing had been pushed to a + spot near the Tube—undoubtedly + the machine which had sprayed the + flaming stuff upon it. He found + two pockets full of shells. He found + an extra magazine, for the sub-machine + gun. It was nearly full + and only a little bent. That was + all.</p> + + <p>“Now,” he said briskly, “we’ll + start. I’ve got a hunch the jungle + thins out over that way. We’ll find + a clearing, try to locate the Golden + City either by seeing it or by + watching for aircraft flying to it, + and then make for it. They’re + making war on Earth there. They + don’t understand. We’ve got to + make them understand. O. K.?”</p> + + <p>Evelyn nodded. She put out her + hand suddenly, a brave slender figure + amid the incredible growths + about her.</p> + + <p>“I’m glad, Tommy,” she said + slowly, “that if—if anything happens, + it will be the—the two of + us. Funny, isn’t it?”</p> + + <p>Tommy kissed the twisted little + smile from her face.</p> + + <p>“And now that that’s over,” he + observed, ashamed of his own emotion, + “let’s go!”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">They</span> went. Tommy watched + the sun and kept approximately + a straight line. They traveled three + miles, and the jungle broke abruptly. + Before them was a spongy + surface neither solid earth or + marsh. It shelved gently down to + a vast and steaming morass upon + which the dull-red sun shone hotly. + It was vast, that marsh, and a + steaming haze hung over it, and it + seemed to reach to the world’s end. + But vaguely, through the attenuating + upper layers of the steamy + haze, they saw the outlines of a city + beyond: tall towers and soaring + spires, buildings of a grace and + perfection of outline unknown + upon the Earth. And faint golden + flashes came from the walls and + pinnacles of that city. They were + reflections of this planet’s monster + sun, upon walls and roofs of plated + gold.</p> + + <p>“The Golden City,” said Tommy + heavily. He looked at the horrible + marsh between. His heart sank.</p> + + <p>And then there was a sudden + screaming ululation nearby. A half-naked + man was running out of + sight. Two others danced and + capered and yelled in insane glee, + pointing at Tommy and at Evelyn. + The running man’s outcry was + echoed from far away. Then it + was taken up and repeated here + and there in the jungle.</p> + + <p>“They saw our tracks near the + Tube,” snapped Tommy bitterly. + “Oh, what a fool I am! Now they’ll + ring us in.”</p> + + <p>He seized Evelyn’s hand and began + to run. There was a little rise + in the ground a hundred yards + away, with a clump of leafy ferns + to shade it. They reached it as + other half-naked, wholly mad human + forms burst out of the jungle + to yell and caper and make derisive + and horrible gestures at the fugitives.</p> + + <p>“Here we fight,” said Tommy + grimly. “The ground’s open, anyhow. + We fight here, and very probably + we die here. But first….”</p> + + <p>He knelt down and drew the + finest of fine beads upon a bearded + man who carried a glittering truncheonlike + club which, by the way + <a class="pagenum" id="page385" title="385"> </a>it was carried, was more than + merely a bludgeon. He pulled the + trigger for a single shot.</p> + + <p>The bullet struck the capering + Ragged Man fairly in the chest. + And it exploded.</p> + + <h2 class="chapter_title"><span class="chapter_no">CHAPTER V</span><br /> + The Fight in the Marsh</h2> + + <p class="first_paragraph"><span class="first_word">Twice,</span> within the next two + hours, the Ragged Men mustered + the courage to charge. They + came racing across the semi-solid + ooze like the madmen they were. + Their yells and shouts were + maniacal howls of blood-lust or + worse. And twice Tommy broke + their rush with a savage ruthlessness. + The sub-machine-gun’s first + magazine was nearly empty. It was + an unhandy weapon for single-shot + work but it was loaded with explosive + shells. The second rush he + stopped with an automatic pistol. + There were half-naked bodies partly + buried in the ooze all the way + from the jungle’s edge to within + ten yards of the hillock on which + he and Evelyn had taken refuge.</p> + + <p>It was hot there, terribly hot. + The air was stifling. It fairly + reeked of moisture and the smells + from the swamp behind them were + sickening. Tommy began to transfer + the shells from the spare bent + magazine to the one he had carried + with the gun.</p> + + <p>“We’ve a couple of reasons to + be thankful,” he observed. “One is + that there’s a bit of shade overhead. + The other is that we had the + big magazines for this gun. We + still have nearly ninety shells, besides + the ones for the pistols.”</p> + + <p>Evelyn said soberly:</p> + + <p>“We’re going to be killed, don’t + you think, Tommy?”</p> + + <p>Tommy frowned.</p> + + <p>“I’m rather afraid we are,” he + said irritably. “Confound it, and I’d + thought of such excellent arguments + to use in the City back yonder! + Smithers said the Death Mist + was two miles across, to-day, and + still growing. The people in the + city are still pouring the stuff + down through Jacaro’s Tube.”</p> + + <p>Evelyn smiled faintly. She + touched his hand.</p> + + <p>“Trying to keep me from worrying? + Tommy….” She hesitated + until he growled a question. “Please—remember + that when Daddy and I + were in the jungle before, we saw + what these Ragged Men do to prisoners + they take. I just want you to + promise that—well, you won’t wait + too long, in hopes of somehow saving + me.”</p> + + <p>Tommy stared at her. Then he + decisively reached forward and put + his hand over her mouth.</p> + + <p>“Keep quiet,” he said gently. + “They shan’t capture you. I promise + that. Now keep quiet.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">There</span> was only silence for a + long time. Now and again a + hidden figure screamed in rage at + them. Now and again some flapping + thing sped toward the jungle’s + edge. Once a naked arm thrust one + of the golden truncheons from behind + its cover, pointing at a flying + thing a few yards overhead. + The flying thing suddenly toppled, + turning over and over before it + crashed to the ground. There were + howls of glee.</p> + + <p>“They seem mad,” said Tommy + meditatively, “and they act like + lunatics, but I’ve got a hunch of + some sort about them. But what?”</p> + + <p>Sunlight gleamed on something + golden beyond the jungle’s edge. + Naked figures went running to the + spot. An exultant tumult arose.</p> + + <p>“Now they try another trick,” + Tommy observed dispassionately. + “I remember that at the Tube they + had pushed something on + wheels….”</p> + + <p>The sub-machine gun was unhandy + for accurate single shots, + and no pistol can be used to effect + <a class="pagenum" id="page386" title="386"> </a>at long ranges. To conserve ammunition, + Tommy had been shooting + only at relatively close targets, + allowing the Ragged Men immunity + at over two hundred yards. But + now he flung over the continuous-fire + stud. He watched grimly.</p> + + <p>The foliage at the edge of the + jungle parted. A crude wagon appeared. + Its axles were lesser tree-trunks. + Its wheels were clumsy and + crude beyond belief. But mounted + upon it there was a queer mass of + golden metal which looked + strangely beautiful and strangely + deadly.</p> + + <p>“That’s the thing,” said Tommy + dispassionately, “which made the + flare of light last night. It blew + up the Tube. And Von Holtz told + me—hm—his friends, in the + City….”</p> + + <p>He sighted carefully. The wagon + and its contents were surrounded + by a leaping, capering mob. They + shook their fists in an insane + hatred.</p> + + <p>A storm of bullets burst upon + them. Tommy was traversing the + little gun with the trigger pressed + down. His lips were set tightly. + And suddenly it seemed as if the + solid earth burst asunder! There + had been an instant in which the + bullet-bursts were visible. They + tore and shattered the howling mob + of Ragged Men. But then they + struck the golden weapon. A sheet + of blue-white flame leaped skyward + and round about. A blast of blistering, + horrible heat smote upon the + beleaguered pair. The moisture of + the ooze between them and the + jungle flashed into steam. A section + of the jungle itself, a hundred + yards across, shriveled and died.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Steam</span> shot upward in a monstrous + cloud—miles high, it + seemed. Then, almost instantly, + there was nothing left of the + Ragged Men about the golden + weapon, or of the weapon itself, + but an unbearable blue-white light + which poured away and trickled + here and there and seemed to grow + in volume as it flamed.</p> + + <p>From the rest of the jungle a + howl arose. It was a howl of such + loss, and of such unspeakable rage, + that the hair at the back of + Tommy’s neck lifted, as a dog’s + hackles lift at sight of an enemy.</p> + + <p>“Keep your head down, Evelyn,” + said Tommy composedly. “I have + an idea that the burning stuff + gives off a lot of ultra-violet. Von + Holtz was badly burned, you remember.”</p> + + <p>Naked figures flashed forward + from the jungle beyond the burned + area. Tommy shot them down + grimly. He discarded the sub-machine + gun with its explosive + shells for the automatics. Some of + his targets were only wounded. + Those wounded men dragged themselves + forward, screaming their + rage. Tommy felt sickened, as if he + were shooting down madmen. A + voice roared a rage-thickened order + from the jungle. The assault slackened.</p> + + <p>Five minutes later it began again, + and this time the attackers waded + out into the softer ooze and flung + themselves down, and then began + a half-swimming, half-crawling + progress behind bits of tree-fern + stump, or merely pushing walls of + the jellylike mud before them. The + white light expanded and grew + huge—but it dulled as it expanded, + and presently seemed no hotter + than molten steel, and later still it + was no more than a dull-red heat, + and later yet….</p> + + <p>Tommy shot savagely. Some of + the Ragged Men died. More did + not.</p> + + <p>“I’m afraid,” he said coolly, + “they’re going to get us. It seems + rather purposeless, but I’m afraid + they’re going to win.”</p> + + <p>Evelyn thrust a shaking hand + skyward. “There, Tommy!”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><a class="pagenum" id="page387" title="387"> </a><span class="first_word">A strange,</span> angular flying + thing was moving steadily + across the marsh, barely above the + steamlike haze that hung in + thinning layers about its foulness. + The flying thing moved with a + machinelike steadiness, and the sun + twinkled upon something bright + and shining before it.</p> + + <p>“A flying machine,” said Tommy + shortly. His mind leaped ahead and + his lips parted in a mirthless smile. + “Get your gas mask ready, Evelyn. + The explosion of that thermit-thrower + made them curious in the + City. They sent a ship to see.”</p> + + <p>The flying thing grew closer, + grew distinct. A wail arose from + the Ragged Men. Some of them + leaped to their feet and fled. A man + came out into the open and shook + his fists at the angular thing in the + air. He screamed at it, and such + ghastly hatred was in the sound + that Evelyn shuddered.</p> + + <p>Tommy could see it plainly, now. + Its single wing was thick and + queerly unlike the air-foils of + Earth. A framework hung below it, + but it had no balancing tail. And + there was a glittering something + before it that obviously was its + propelling mechanism, but as obviously + was not a screw propeller. + It swept overhead, with a man in + it looking downward. Tommy + watched coolly. It was past him, + sweeping toward the jungle. It + swung sharply to the right, banking + steeply. Smoking things + dropped from it, which expanded + into columns of swiftly-descending + vapor. They reached the jungle and + blotted it out. The flying machine + swung again and swept back to the + left. More smoking things dropped. + Ragged Men erupted from the jungle’s + edge in screaming groups, + only to writhe and fall and lie + still. But a group of five of them + sped toward Tommy, shrieking + their rage upon him as the cause + of disaster. Tommy held his fire, + looking upward. A hundred yards, + fifty yards, twenty-five….</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> flying machine soared in + easy, effortless circles. The man + in it was watching, making no effort + to interfere.</p> + + <p>Tommy shot down the five men, + one after the other, with a curiously + detached feeling that their vice-brutalized + faces would haunt him + forever. Then he stood up.</p> + + <p>The flying machine banked, + turned, and swept toward him, and + a smoking thing dropped toward the + earth. It was a gas bomb like those + that had wiped out the Ragged Men. + It would strike not ten yards away.</p> + + <p>“Your mask!” snapped Tommy.</p> + + <p>He helped Evelyn adjust it. The + billowing white cloud rolled around + him. He held his breath, clapped on + his mask, exhaled until his lungs + ached, and was breathing comfortably. + The mask was effective protection. + And then he held Evelyn + comfortably close.</p> + + <p>For what seemed a long, long + while they were surrounded by the + white mist. The cloud was so dense, + indeed, that the light about them + faded to a gray twilight. But gradually, + bit by bit, the mist grew + thinner. Then it moved aside. It + drifted before the wind toward the + tree-fern forest and was lost to + sight.</p> + + <p>The flying machine was circling + and soaring silently overhead. As + the mist drew aside, the pilot dived + down and down. And Tommy + emptied his automatic at the glittering + thing which drew it. There + was a crashing bolt of blue light. + The machine canted, spun about + with one wing almost vertical, that + wing-tip struck the marsh, and it + settled with a monstrous splashing + of mud. All was still.</p> + + <p>Tommy reloaded, watching it + keenly.</p> + + <p>“The framework isn’t smashed + up, anyhow,” he observed grimly. + <a class="pagenum" id="page388" title="388"> </a>“The pilot thinks we’re some of + Jacaro’s gang. My guns were proof, + to him. So, since the Ragged Men + didn’t get us, he gassed us.” He + watched again, his eyes narrow. + The pilot was utterly still. “He may + be knocked out. I hope so! I’m + going to see.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Automatic</span> held ready, + Tommy moved toward the + crashed machine. It had splashed + into the ooze less than a hundred + yards away. Tommy moved cautiously. + Twenty yards away, the + pilot moved feebly. He had knocked + his head against some part of his + machine. A moment later he opened + his eyes and stared about. The next + instant he had seen Tommy and + moved convulsively. A glittering + thing appeared in his hand—and + Tommy fired. The glittering thing + flew to one side and the pilot + clapped his hand to a punctured + forearm. He went white, but his + jaw set. He stared at Tommy, waiting + for death.</p> + + <p>“For the love of Pete,” said + Tommy irritably, “I’m not going to + kill you! You tried to kill me, + and it was very annoying, but I + have some things I want to tell + you.”</p> + + <p>He stopped and felt foolish because + his words were, of course, + unintelligible. The pilot was staring + amazedly at him. Tommy’s tone + had been irritated, certainly, but + there was neither hatred nor + triumph in it. He waved his hand.</p> + + <p>“Come on and I’ll bandage you + up and see if we can make you + understand a few things.”</p> + + <p>Evelyn came running through + the muck.</p> + + <p>“He didn’t hurt you, Tommy?” + she gasped. “I saw you shoot—”</p> + + <p>The pilot fairly jumped. At first + glance he had recognized her as a + woman. Tommy growled that he’d + had to “shoot the damn fool + through the arm.” The pilot spoke, + curiously. Evelyn looked at his arm + and exclaimed. He was holding it + above the wound to stop the bleeding. + Evelyn looked about helplessly + for something with which to + bandage it.</p> + + <p>“Make pads with your handkerchief,” + grunted Tommy. “Take my + tie to hold them in place.”</p> + + <p>The prisoner looked curiously + from one to the other. His color + was returning. As Evelyn worked + on his arm he seemed to grow excited + at some inner thought. He + spoke again, and looked at once + puzzled and confirmed in some conviction + when they were unable to + comprehend. When Evelyn finished + her first-aid task he smiled suddenly, + flashing white teeth at them. + He even made a little speech which + was humorously apologetic, to + judge by its tone. When they + turned to go back to their fortress + he went with them without a trace + of hesitation.</p> + + <p>“Now what?” asked Evelyn.</p> + + <p>“They’ll be looking for him in a + little while,” said Tommy curtly. + “If we can convince him we’re not + enemies, he’ll keep them from giving + us more gas.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> pilot was fumbling at a + belt about the curious tunic + he wore. Tommy watched him + warily. But a pad of what seemed + to be black metal came out, with + a silvery-white stylus attached to + it. The pilot sat down the instant + they stopped and began to draw in + white lines on the black surface. + He drew a picture of a man and an + angular flying machine, and then + a sketchy, impressionistic outline + of a city’s towers. He drew a circle + to enclose all three drawings and + indicated himself, the machine, and + the distant city. Tommy nodded + comprehension as the pilot looked + up. Then came a picture of a half-naked + man shaking his fists at the + three encircled sketches. The half-naked + <a class="pagenum" id="page389" title="389"> </a>man stood beneath a roughly + indicated tree-fern.</p> + + <p>“Clever,” said Tommy, as a larger + circle enclosed that with the city + and the machine. “He’s identifying + himself, and saying the Ragged + Men are enemies of himself and his + Golden City, too. That much is not + hard to get.”</p> + + <p>He nodded vigorously as the pilot + looked up again. And then he + watched as a lively, tiny sketch + grew on the black slab, showing + half a dozen men, garbed almost as + Tommy was, using weapons which + could only be sub-machine guns and + automatic pistols. They were obviously + Jacaro’s gangsters. The + pilot handed over the plate and + watched absorbedly as Tommy fumbled + with the stylus. He drew, not + well but well enough, an outline + of the towers of New York. The + difference in architecture was striking. + There followed tiny figures of + himself and Evelyn—with a drily + murmured, “This isn’t a flattering + portrait of you, Evelyn!”—and a + circle enclosing them with the + towers of New York.</p> + + <p>The pilot nodded in his turn. + And then Tommy encircled the + previously drawn figures of the + gangsters with New York, just as + the Ragged Men had been linked + with the other city. And a second + circle linked gangsters and Ragged + Men together.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">“I’m</span> saying,” observed Tommy, + “that Jacaro and his mob are + the Ragged Men of our world, + which may not be wrong, at that.”</p> + + <p>There was no question but that + the pilot took his meaning. He + grinned in a friendly fashion, and + winced as his wounded arm hurt + him. Ruefully, he looked down at + his bandage. Then he pressed a + tiny stud at the top of the black-metal + pad and all the white lines + vanished instantly. He drew a new + circle, with tree-ferns scattered + about its upper third—a tiny sketch + of a city’s towers. He pointed to + that and to the city visible through + the mist—a second city, and a third, + in other places. He waved his hand + vaguely about, then impatiently + scribbled over the middle third of + the circle and handed it back to + Tommy.</p> + + <p>Tommy grinned ruefully.</p> + + <p>“A map,” he said amusedly. “He’s + pointed out his own city and a + couple of others, and he wants us + to tell him where we come from. + Evelyn—er—how are we going to + explain a trip through five dimensions + in a sketch?”</p> + + <p>Evelyn shook her head. But a + shadow passed over their heads. + The pilot leaped to his feet and + shouted. There were three planes + soaring above them, and the pilot + in the first was in the act of releasing + a smoking object over the + side. At the grounded pilot’s shout, + he flung his ship into a frantic dive, + while behind him the smoking + thing billowed out a thicker and + thicker cloud. His plane was nearly + hidden by the vapor when he released + it. It fell two hundred yards + and more away, and the white mist + spread and spread. But it fell short + of the little hillock.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">“Quick</span> thinking,” said Tommy + coolly. “He thought we had + this man a prisoner, and he’d be + better off dead. But—”</p> + + <p>Their captive was shouting again. + His head thrown back, he called + sentence after sentence aloft while + the three ships soared back and + forth above their heads, soundless + as bats. One of the three rose + steeply and soared away toward the + city. Their captive, grinning, + turned and nodded his head + satisfiedly. Then he sat down to + wait.</p> + + <p>Twenty minutes later a monstrous + machine with ungainly flapping + wings came heavily over the swamp. + <a class="pagenum" id="page390" title="390"> </a>It checked and settled with a terrific + flapping and an even more terrific + din. Half a dozen armed men + waited warily for the three to approach. + The golden weapons lifted + alertly as they drew near. The + wounded man explained at some + length. His explanation was dismissed + brusquely. A man advanced + and held out his hands for Tommy’s + weapons.</p> + + <p>“I don’t like it,” growled Tommy, + “but we’ve got to think of Earth. + If you get a chance hide your + gun, Evelyn.”</p> + + <p>He pushed on the safety catches + and passed over his guns. The pilot + he had shot down led them onto + the fenced-in deck of the monstrous + ornithopter. Machinery roared. The + wings began to beat. They were + nearly invisible from the speed of + their flapping when the ship lifted + vertically from the ground. It rose + straight up for fifty feet, the motion + of the wings changed subtly, + and it swept forward.</p> + + <p>It swung in a vast half circle + and headed back across the marsh + for the Golden City. Five minutes + of noisy flight during which the + machine flapped its way higher and + higher above the marsh—which + seemed more noisome and horrible + still from above—and then the + golden towers of the city were below. + Strange and tapering and + beautiful, they were. No single line + was perfectly straight, nor was any + form ungraceful. These towers + sprang upward in clean-soaring + curves toward the sky. Bridges between + them were gossamerlike + things that seemed lace spun out + in metal. And as Tommy looked + keenly and saw the jungle crowding + close against the city’s metal + walls, the flapping of the ornithopter’s + wings changed again and it + seemed to plunge downward like a + stone toward a narrow landing + place amid the great city’s towering + buildings.</p> + + <h2 class="chapter_title"><span class="chapter_no">CHAPTER VI</span><br /> + The Golden City</h2> + + <p class="first_paragraph"><span class="first_word">The</span> thing that struck Tommy + first of all was the scarcity of + men in the city, compared to its + size. The next thing was the entire + absence of women. The roar of + machines smote upon his consciousness + as a bad third, though they + made din enough. Perhaps he + ignored the machine noises because + the ornithopter on which they had + arrived made such a racket itself.</p> + + <p>They landed on a paved space + perhaps a hundred yards by two + hundred, three sides of which were + walled off by soaring towers. The + fourth gave off on empty space, + and he realized that he was still at + least a hundred feet above the + ground. The ornithopter landed + with a certain skilful precision and + its wings ceased to beat. Behind it, + the two fixed-wing machines soared + down, leveled, hovered, and settled + upon amazingly inadequate wheels. + Their pilots got out and began to + push them toward one side of the + landing area. Tommy noticed it, of + course. He was noticing everything, + just now. He said amazedly:</p> + + <p>“Evelyn! They launch these planes + with catapults like those our battleships + use! They don’t take off + under their own power!”</p> + + <p>The six men on the ornithopter + put their shoulders to their machine + and trundled it out of the way. + Tommy blinked at the sight.</p> + + <p>“No field attendants!” He gazed + out across the open portion of the + land area and saw an elevated + thoroughfare below. Some sort of + vehicle, gleaming like gold, moved + swiftly on two wheels. There was a + walkway in the center of the street + with room for a multitude. But + only two men were in sight upon + it. “Lord!” said Tommy. “Where + are the people?”</p> + + <p>There was brief talk among the + crew of the ornithopter. Two of + <a class="pagenum" id="page391" title="391"> </a>them picked up Tommy’s weapons, + and the pilot he had wounded + made a gesture indicating that he + should follow. He led the way to + an arched door in the nearest + tower. A little two-wheeled car was + waiting. They got into it and the + pilot fumbled with the controls. As + he worked at it—rather clumsily on + account of his arm—the rest of the + ornithopter’s crew came in. They + wheeled out another vehicle, + climbed into it, and shot away down + a sloping passage.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Their</span> own vehicle followed + and emerged upon the paved + and nearly empty thoroughfare. + Tall buildings rose all about them, + with curved walls soaring dizzily + skyward. There was every sign of + a populous city, including the dull + drumming roar of many machines, + but the streets were empty. The + little machine moved swiftly for + minutes. Twice it swung aside and + entered a sloping incline. Once it + went up. The other time it dived + down seventy feet on a four-hundred-foot + ramp. Then it swung + sharply to the right, meandered into + a street-level way leading into the + heart of a monster building, and + stopped. And in all its travel it had + not passed fifty people.</p> + + <p>The pilot-turned-chauffeur turned + and grinned amiably, and led the + way again. Steps—twenty or thirty + of them. Then they emerged suddenly + into a vast room. It must + have been a hundred and fifty feet + long, fifty wide, and nearly as high. + It was floored with alternate blocks + of what seemed to be an iron-hard + black wood and the omnipresent + golden metal. Columns and pilasters + about the place gave forth the same + subdued deep golden glow. Light + streamed from panels inset in the + wall and ceiling—a curious saffron-red + light. There was a massive + table of the hard black wood. + Chairs with curiously designed + backs were ranged about it. They + were benches, really, but they + served the purpose of chairs. Each + was too narrow to hold more than + one person. The room was empty.</p> + + <p>They waited. After a long time + a man in a blue tunic came into the + room and sat down on one of the + benches. A long time later, another + man came in, in red; and another + and another, until there were a + dozen in all. They regarded Tommy + and Evelyn with a weary suspicion. + One of them—an old man + with a white beard—asked questions. + The pilot answered them. At + a word, the two men with Tommy’s + weapons placed them on the table. + They were inspected casually, as + familiar things. They probably + were, since some of Jacaro’s gunmen + had been killed in a fight in + this city. Another question.</p> + + <p>The pilot explained briefly and + offered Tommy the black-metal pad + again. It still contained the incomplete + map of a hemisphere, and + was obviously a repetition of the + question of where he came from.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Tommy</span> took it, frowning + thoughtfully. Then an idea + struck him. He found the little + stud which, pressed by the pad’s + owner, had erased the previous + drawings. He pressed it and the + lines disappeared. And Tommy + drew, crudely enough, that complicated + diagram which is supposed to + represent a cube which is a cube + in four dimensions: a tesseract. + Upon one surface of the cube he + indicated the curving towers of the + Golden City. Upon a surface representing + a plane beyond the three + dimensions of normal experience, + he repeated the angular tower + structures of New York. He + shrugged rather hopelessly as he + passed it over, but to his amazement + it was understood at once.</p> + + <p>The little black pad passed from + hand to hand and an animated discussion + <a class="pagenum" id="page392" title="392"> </a>took place. One rather hard-faced + man was the most animated + of all. The bearded old man demurred. + The hard-faced man insisted. + Tommy could see that his + pilot’s expression was becoming + uneasy. But then a compromise + seemed to be arrived at. The + bearded man spoke a single, ceremonial + phrase and the twelve men + rose. They moved toward various + doors and one by one left, until the + room was empty.</p> + + <p>But the pilot looked relieved. He + grinned cheerfully at Tommy and + led the way back to the two-wheeled + vehicle. The two men with + Tommy’s weapons vanished. And + again there was a swift, cyclonelike + passage along empty ways with the + throbbing of machinery audible + everywhere. Into the base of a second + building, up endless stairs, past + innumerable doors. It seemed to + Tommy that he heard voices behind + some of them, and they were women’s + voices.</p> + + <p>At a private, triple knock a door + opened wide, and the pilot led the + way into a room, closed and locked + the door behind him, and called. + A woman’s voice cried out in astonishment. + Through an inner arch a + woman came running eagerly. Her + face went blank at sight of Tommy + and Evelyn, and her hand flew to + a tiny golden object at her waist. + Then, at the pilot’s chuckle, she + flushed vividly.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Hours</span> later, Tommy and + Evelyn were able to talk it + over. They were alone then, and + could look out an oval window + upon the Golden City all about + them. It was dark, but saffron-red + panels glowed in building walls all + along the thoroughfares, and tiny + glowing dots in the soaring spires + of gold told of people within other + dwellings like this.</p> + + <p>“As I see it,” said Tommy restlessly, + “the Council—and it must + have been that in the big room + to-day—put us in our friend’s hands + to learn the language. He’s been + working with me four hours, drawing + pictures, and I’ve been writing + down words I’ve learned. I must + have several hundred of them. But + we do our best talking with pictures. + And Evelyn, this city’s in a + bad fix.”</p> + + <p>Evelyn said irrelevantly: “Her + name is Ahnya, Tommy, and she’s a + dear. We got along beautifully. I’ll + bet I found out things you don’t + even guess at.”</p> + + <p>“You probably have,” admitted + Tommy, frowning. “Check up on + this: our friend’s name is Aten, + and he’s an air-pilot and also has + something to do with growing foodstuffs + in some special towers where + they grow crops by artificial light + only. Some of the plants he + sketched look amazingly like wheat, + by the way. The name of the town + is”—he looked at his notes—“Yugna. + There are some other + towns, ten or twelve of them. Rahn + is the nearest, and it’s worse off + than this one.”</p> + + <p>“Of course,” said Evelyn, smiling. + “They use <em>cuyal</em> openly, there!”</p> + + <p>“How’d you learn all that?” demanded + Tommy.</p> + + <p>“Ahnya told me. We made gestures + and smiled at each other. We + understood perfectly. She’s crazy + about her husband, and I—well + she knows I’m going to marry you, + so….”</p> + + <p>Tommy grunted.</p> + + <p>“I suppose she explained with + a smile and gestures just how much + of a strain it is, simply keeping the + city going?”</p> + + <p>“Of course,” said Evelyn calmly. + “The city’s fighting against the + jungle, which grows worse all the + time. They used to grow their foodstuffs + in the open fields. Then + within the city. Now they use + empty towers and artificial light. I + don’t know why.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><a class="pagenum" id="page393" title="393"> </a><span class="first_word">Tommy</span> grunted again.</p> + + <p>“This planet’s just had, or is + having, a change of geologic period,” + he explained, frowning. “The + plants people need to live on aren’t + adapted to the new climate and new + plants fit for food are scarce. They + have to grow food under shelter, + now, and their machines take an + abnormal amount of supervision—I + don’t know why. The air-conditions + for the food plants; the + machines that fight back the jungle + creepers which thrive in the new + climate and try to crawl into the + city to smother it; the power + machines; the clothing machines—a + million machines have to be kept + going to keep back the jungle and + fight off starvation and just hold + on doggedly to the bare fact of + civilization. And they’re short-handed. + The law of diminishing returns + seems to operate. They’re + trying to maintain a civilization + higher than their environment will + support. They work until they’re + ready to drop, just to stay in the + same place. And the monotony and + the strain makes some of them take + to <em>cuyal</em> for relief.”</p> + + <p>He surveyed the city from the + oval window, frowning in thought.</p> + + <p>“It’s a drug which grows wild,” + he added slowly. “It peps them up. + It makes the monotony and the + weariness bearable. And then, suddenly, + they break. They hate the + machines and the city and everything + they ever knew or did. It’s + a sort of delayed-action psychosis + which goes off with a bang. Some + of them go amuck in the city, + using their belt-weapons until + they’re killed. More of them bolt + for the jungle. The city loses + better than one per cent of its + population a year to the jungle. + And then they’re Ragged Men, half + mad at all times and wholly mad + as far as the city and its machines + are concerned.”</p> + + <p>Evelyn linked her arm in his.</p> + + <p>“Somehow,” she told him, smiling, + “I think one Thomas Reames is + working out ways and means to + help a city named Yugna.”</p> + + <p>“Not yet,” said Tommy grimly. + “We have to think of Earth. Not + everybody in the Council approved + of us. Aten told me one chap + argued that we ought to be shoved + out into the jungle again as compatriots + of Jacaro. And the + machines were especially short-handed + to-day because of a diversion + of labor to get ready something + monstrous and really deadly + to send down the Tube to Earth. + We’ve got to find out what that is, + and stop it.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">But</span> on the second day afterward, + when he and Evelyn + were summoned before the Council + again, he still had not found out. + During those two days he learned + many other things, to be sure: that + Aten for instance, was relieved + from duty at the machines only because + he was wounded; that the + power of the main machines came + from a deep bore which brought up + superheated steam from the source + of boiling springs long since built + over; that iron was a rare metal, + and consequently there was no + dynamo in the city and magnetism + was practically an unknown force; + that electrokinetics was a laboratory + puzzle—or had been, when + there was leisure for research—while + the science of electrostatics + had progressed far past its state on + Earth. The little truncheonlike + weapons carried a stored-up static + charge measurable only in hundreds + of thousands of volts, which could + be released in flashes which were + effective up to a hundred feet or + more.</p> + + <p>And he learned that the thermit-throwers + actually spat out in normal + operation tiny droplets of + matter Aten could not describe + clearly, but which seemed to be + <a class="pagenum" id="page394" title="394"> </a>radioactive with a period of five + minutes or less; that in Rahn, the + nearest other city, <em>cuyal</em> was taken + openly, and the jungle was growing + into the town with no one to hold + it back; that two generations since + there had been twenty cities like + this one, but that a bare dozen still + survived; that there was a tradition + that human beings had come + upon this planet from another + world where other human beings + had harried them, and that in that + other world there were divers races + of humanity, of different colors, + whereas in the world of the Golden + City all mankind was one race; + that Tommy’s declaration that he + came from another group of dimensions + had been debated and, on + re-examination of Jacaro’s Tube, accepted, + and that there was keen + argument going on as to the measures + to be taken concerning it.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">These</span> things Tommy had + learned, and he and Evelyn + went to their second interrogation + by the city’s Council armed with + written vocabularies of nearly a + thousand words, which they had + sorted out and made ready for use. + But they were still ignorant of + the weapons the Golden City might + use against Earth.</p> + + <p>The Council meeting took place + in the same hall, with its alternating + black-and-gold flooring and + the saffron-red lighting panels casting + a soft light everywhere. This + was a scheduled meeting, foreseen + and arranged for. The twelve chairs + above the heavy table were all occupied + from the first. But Tommy + realized that the table had been + intended to seat a large number of + councilors. There were guards stationed + formally behind the chairs. + There were spectators, auditors of + the deliberations of the Council. + They were dressed in a myriad + colors, and they talked quietly + among themselves; but it seemed to + Tommy that nowhere had he seen + weariness, as an ingrained expression, + upon so many faces.</p> + + <p>Tommy and Evelyn were led to + the foot of the Council table. The + bearded old man in blue began the + questioning. As Keeper of Foodstuffs—according + to Aten—he was + a sort of presiding officer.</p> + + <p>Tommy answered the questions + crisply. He had known what they + would be, and he had developed a + vocabulary to answer them. He told + them of Earth, of Professor Denham, + of his and the professor’s experiments. + He outlined the first experiment + with the Fifth-Dimension + catapult and the result of it—when + the Golden City had sent the Death + Mist to wipe out a band of Ragged + Men who had captured a citizen, + and after him Evelyn and her + father.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">This</span> they remembered. Nods + went around the table. Tommy + told them of Jacaro, stressing the + fact that Jacaro was an outlaw, + a criminal upon Earth. He explained + the theft of the model + Tube, and how it was that their + first contact with Earth had been + with the dregs of Earth humanity. + On behalf of his countrymen he + offered reparation for all the damage + Jacaro and his men had done. + He proposed a peaceful commerce + between worlds, to the infinite + benefit of both.</p> + + <p>There was silence until he finished. + The faces before him were + immobile. But a hawk-faced man in + brown asked dry questions. Were + there more races than one upon + Earth? Were they of diverse colors? + Did they ever war among + themselves? At Tommy’s answers + the atmosphere seemed to change. + And the hawk-faced man rose to + speak.</p> + + <p>Tommy and Evelyn, he conceded + caustically, had certainly come from + another world. Their own most + <a class="pagenum" id="page395" title="395"> </a>ancient legends described just such + a world as his: a world of many + races of many colors, who fought + many wars among themselves. Their + ancestors had fled from such a + world, according to legend through + a twisting cavern which they had + sealed behind them. The conditions + Tommy described had been the + cause of their ancestors’ flight. + They, the people of Yugna, would + do well to follow the example of + their forebears: strip these Earth + folk of their weapons, exile them + to the jungles, destroy the Tube + through which the Mist of Many + Colors had been sent. All should be + as in past ages.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Tommy</span> opened his mouth to + answer, but another man sprang + to his feet. His face alone was not + weary and worn. As he stood up, + Aten murmured “<em>Cuyal!</em>” and + Tommy understood that this man + used the drug which was destroying + the city’s citizens, but gave a + transient energy to its victims. He + spoke in fiery phrases, urging action + which would be drastic and certain. + He spoke confidently, persuasively. + There was a rustling among those + who watched and listened to the + debate. He had caught at their + imagination.</p> + + <p>Evelyn, exerting every faculty to + understand, saw Tommy’s lips set + grimly.</p> + + <p>“What—what is it?” she whispered. + “I—I don’t understand….”</p> + + <p>Tommy spoke in a savage growl.</p> + + <p>“He says,” he told her bitterly, + “that in one blow they can defeat + both the jungle and the invaders + from Earth. In past ages their + ancestors were faced by enemies + they could not defeat. They fled to + this world. Now they are faced + by jungles they cannot defeat. He + proposes that they flee to our + world. The Death Mist is a toy, he + reminds them, compared with gases + they know. There is a gas of which + one part in ten hundred million is + fatal! In a hundred of their days + they can make and send through + the Tube enough of it to kill every + living thing on Earth. They’ve figures + on the Earth’s size and atmosphere + from me, damn ’em! And he + reminds them that that deadly gas + changes of itself into a harmless + substance. He urges them to gas + Earth humanity out of existence, + call upon the other cities of this + world, and presently move through + the Tube to Earth. They’ll carry + their food-plants, rebuild their + cities, and abandon this planet to + the jungles and the Ragged Men. + And the hell of it is, they can do + it!”</p> + + <p>A sudden approving buzz went + through the Council hall.</p> + + <h2 class="chapter_title"><span class="chapter_no">CHAPTER VII</span><br /> + The Fleet from Rahn</h2> + + <p class="first_paragraph"><span class="first_word">The</span> approval of the citizens + of Yugna was not enthusiastic. + It was desperate. Their faces were + weary. Their lives were warped. + They had been fighting since birth + against the encroachment of the + jungle, which until the days of + their grandparents had been no + menace at all. But for two generations + these people had been foredoomed, + and they knew it. Nearly + half the cities of their race were + overwhelmed and their inhabitants + reduced to savage hunters in the + victorious jungles. Now the people + of Yugna saw a chance to escape + from the jungle. They were offered + rest. Peace. Relaxation from the + desperate need to serve insatiable + machines. Sheer desperation impelled + them. In their situation, the + people of Earth would annihilate + a solar system for relief, let alone + the inhabitants of a single planet.</p> + + <p>Shouts began to be heard above + the uproar in the Council hall—approving + shouts, demands that one + be appointed to conduct the operation + <a class="pagenum" id="page396" title="396"> </a>which was to give them a new + planet on which to live, where their + food-plants would thrive in the + open, where jungles would no + longer press on them.</p> + + <p>Tommy’s face went savage and + desperate, itself. He clenched and + unclenched his hands, struggling + among his meagre supply of words + for promises of help from Earth, + which promises would tip the scales + for peace again. He raised his voice + in a shout for attention. He was + unheard. The Council hall was in + an uproar of desperate approval. + The orator stood flushed and + triumphant. The Council members + looked from eye to eye, and slowly + the old, white-bearded Keeper of + Foodstuffs placed a golden box upon + the table. He touched it in a certain + fashion, and handed it to the + next man. That second man touched + it, and passed it to a third. And + that man….</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">A hush</span> fell instantly. Tommy + understood. The measure was + being decided by solemn vote. The + voting device had reached the fifth + man when there was a frantic + clatter of footsteps, a door burst + in, and babbling men stood in the + opening, white-faced and stammering + and overwhelmed, but trying + to make a report.</p> + + <p>Consternation reigned, incredulous, + amazed consternation. The + bearded old man rose dazedly and + strode from the hall with the rest + of the Council following him. A + pause of stunned stupefaction, and + the spectators in the hall rushed + for other doors.</p> + + <p>“Stick to Aten,” snapped Tommy. + “Something’s broken, and it has to + be our way. Let’s see what it is.”</p> + + <p>He clung alike to Evelyn and to + Aten as the air-pilot fought to clear + a way. The doors were jammed. + It was minutes before they could + make their way through and plunge + up the interminable steps Aten + mounted, only to fling himself out + to the open air. Then they were + upon a flying bridge between two + of the towers of the city. All about + the city human figures were massing, + staring upward.</p> + + <p>And above the city swirled a + swarm of aircraft. Tommy counted + three of the clumsy ornithopters, + high and motelike. There were + twenty or thirty of the small, one-man + craft. There were a dozen or + more two-man planes. And there + were at least forty giant single-wing + ships which looked as if they + had been made for carrying freight. + They soared and circled above the + city in soundless confusion. Before + each of them glittered something + silvery, like glass, which was not + a screw propeller but somehow + drew them on.</p> + + <p>The Council was massed two hundred + yards away. A single-seater + dived downward, soared and circled + noiselessly fifty yards overhead, and + its pilot shouted a message. Then + he climbed swiftly and rejoined his + fellows. The men about Tommy + looked stunned, as if they could + not believe their ears. Aten seemed + stricken beyond the passability of + reaction.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">“I got</span> part of it,” snapped + Tommy, to Evelyn’s whispered + question. “I think I know the rest. + Aten!” He snapped question after + question in his inadequate phrasing + of the city’s tongue. Evelyn saw + Aten answer dully, then bitterly, + and then, as Tommy caught his arm + and whispered savagely to him, + Aten’s eyes caught fire. He nodded + violently and turned on his heel.</p> + + <p>“Come on!” And Tommy seized + Evelyn’s arm again.</p> + + <p>They followed closely as Aten + wormed his way through the crowd. + They raced behind him downstairs + and through a door into a dusty + and unvisited room. It was a + museum. Aten pointed grimly.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page397" title="397"> </a>Here were the automatic pistols + taken from those of Jacaro’s men + who had been killed, a nasty sub-machine + gun which had been + Tommy’s, and grenades—Jacaro’s. + Tommy checked shell calibres and + carried off a ninety-shot magazine + full of explosive bullets, and a repeating + rifle.</p> + + <p>“I can do more accurate work + with this than the machine gun,” + he said cryptically. “Let’s go!”</p> + + <p>It was not until they were racing + away from the Council building in + one of the two-wheeled vehicles + that Evelyn spoke again.</p> + + <p>“I—understand part,” she said unsteadily. + “Those planes overhead + are from Rahn. And they’re threatening—”</p> + + <p>“Blackmail,” said Tommy between + clenched teeth. “It sounds + like a perfectly normal Earth + racket. A fleet from Rahn is over + Yugna, loaded with the Death Mist. + Yugna pays food and goods and + women or it’s wiped out by gas. + Further, it surrenders its aircraft + to make further collections easier. + Rahn refuses to die, though it’s let + in the jungle. It’s turned pirate + stronghold. Fed and clothed by + a few other cities like this one, it + should be able to hold out. It’s + a racket, Evelyn. A stick-up. A hijacking + of a civilised city. Sounds + like Jacaro.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> little vehicle darted madly + through empty highways, passing + groups of men staring dazedly + upward at the soaring motes overhead. + It darted down this inclined + way, up that one. It shot into a + building and around a winding + ramp. It stopped with a jerk and + Aten was climbing out. He ran + through a doorway, Tommy and + Evelyn following. Planes of all + sizes, still and lifeless, filled a vast + hall. And Aten struggled with a + door mechanism and a monster + valve swung wide. Then Tommy + threw his weight with Aten’s to + roll out the plane he had selected. + It was a small, triangular ship, + with seats for three, but it was + heavy. The two men moved it with + desperate exertion. Aten pointed, + panting, to slide-rail and it took + them five minutes to get the plane + about that rail and engage a curious + contrivance in a slot in the ship’s + fuselage.</p> + + <p>“Tommy,” said Evelyn, “you’re + not going to—”</p> + + <p>“Run away? Hardly!” said + Tommy. “We’re going up. I’m going + to fight the fleet with bullets. They + don’t have missile-weapons here, + and Aten will know the range of + their electric-charge outfits.”</p> + + <p>“I’m coming too,” said Evelyn + desperately.</p> + + <p>Tommy hesitated, then agreed.</p> + + <p>“If we fail they’ll gas the city + anyway. One way or the other….”</p> + + <p>There was a sudden rumble as + Evelyn took her place. The plane + shot forward with a swift smooth + acceleration. There was no sound + of any motor. There was no movement + of the glittering thing at the + forepart of the plane. But the ship + reached the end of the slide and + lifted, and then was in mid-air, fifty + feet above the vehicular way, a hundred + feet above the ground.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Tommy</span> spoke urgently. Aten + nodded. The ship had started + to climb. He leveled it out and + darted straight forward. He swung + madly to dodge a soaring tower. + He swept upward a little to avoid + a flying bridge. The ship was travelling + with an enormous speed, and + the golden walls of the city flashed + past below them and they sped + away across feathery jungle.</p> + + <p>“If we climbed at once,” observed + Tommy shortly, “they’d + think we meant to fight. They + might start their gassing. As it is, + we look like we’re running away.”</p> + + <p>Evelyn said nothing. For five + <a class="pagenum" id="page398" title="398"> </a>miles the plane fled as if in panic. + Evelyn clung to the filigree side + of the cockpit. The city dwindled + behind them. Then Aten climbed + steeply. Tommy was looking keenly + at the glittering thing which propelled + the ship. It seemed like a + crystal gridwork, like angular lace + contrived of glass. But a cold blue + flame burned in it and Tommy was + obscurely reminded of a neon tube, + though the color was wholly unlike. + A blast of air poured back + through the grid. Somehow, by + some development of electro-statics, + the “static jet” which is merely a + toy in Earth laboratories had become + usable as a means of propelling + aircraft.</p> + + <p>Back they swept toward the + Golden City, five thousand feet or + more aloft. The ground was partly + obscured by the hazy, humid atmosphere, + but glinting sun-reflections + from the city guided them. Soaring + things took shape before them and + grew swiftly nearer. Tommy spoke + again, busily loading the automatic + rifle with explosive shells.</p> + + <p>Aten swung to follow a vast dark + shape in its circular soaring, a + hundred feet above it and a hundred + yards behind. Wind whistled, + rising to a shriek. Tommy fired + painstakingly.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> other plane zoomed suddenly + as a flash of blue flame + spouted before it. It dived, then, + fluttering and swooping, began to + drift helplessly toward the spires + of the city below it.</p> + + <p>“Good!” snapped Tommy. “Another + one, Aten.”</p> + + <p>Aten made no reply. He flung + his ship sidewise and dived steeply + before a monstrous freight carrier. + Tommy fired deliberately as they + swept past. The propelling grid + flashed blue flame in a vast, crashing + flame. It, too, began to flutter + down.</p> + + <p>Tommy did not miss until the + fifth time, and Aten turned with + a grimace of disappointment. + Tommy’s second shot burst in a + freight compartment and a man + screamed. His voice carried horribly + in the silence of these heights. + But Tommy shot again, and, again, + and there was a satisfying blue + flash as a fifth big ship went fluttering + helplessly down.</p> + + <p>Aten began to circle for height + Tommy refilled the magazine.</p> + + <p>“I’m bringing ’em down,” he explained + unnecessarily to Evelyn, + “by smashing their propellers. They + have to land, and when they land + they’re hostages—I hope!”</p> + + <p>Confusion became apparent + among the hostile planes. The one + Yugna ship was identified as the + source of disaster. Tommy worked + his rifle in cold fury. He aimed + at no man, but the propelling grids + were large. For a one-man ship + they were five feet in diameter, + and for the big freight ships, they + were circles fifteen feet across. + They were perfect targets, and + Aten seemed to grasp the necessary + tactics almost instantly. Dead ahead + or from straight astern, Tommy + could not miss a shot. The fleet of + Rahn went fluttering downward. + Fifteen of the biggest were down, + and six of the two-man planes. A + sixteenth and seventeenth flashed at + their bows and drifted helplessly….</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Then</span> the one-man ships attacked. + Six of them at once. + Aten grinned and dived for all of + them. One by one, Tommy smashed + their crystal grids and watched + them sinking unsteadily toward the + towers of the city. As his own ship + drove over them, little golden + flashes licked out. Electric-charge + weapons. One flash struck the wingtip + of their plane, and flame burst + out, but Aten flung the ship into + a mad whirl in which the blaze was + blown out.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page399" title="399"> </a>Another freight ship helpless—and + another. Then the air fleet of + Rahn turned and fled. The ornithopters + winged away in heavy, + creaking terror. The others dived + for speed and flattened out hardly + above the tree-fern jungle. They + streaked away in ignominious + panic. Aten darted and circled + above them and, as Tommy failed + to fire, turned and went racing + back toward the city.</p> + + <p>“After the first ones went down,” + observed Tommy, “they knew that + if they gassed the city we’d shoot + them down into their own gas + cloud. So they ran away. I hope + this gives us a pull.”</p> + + <p>The city’s towers loomed before + them. The lacy bridges swarmed + with human figures. Somewhere a + fight was in progress about a + grounded plane from Rahn. Others + seemed to have surrendered sullenly + on alighting. For the first + time Tommy saw the city as a + thronging mass of humanity, and + for the first time he realized how + terrible must be the strain upon + the city if with so large a population + so few could be free for leisure + in normal times.</p> + + <p>The little plane settled down and + landed lightly. There were a dozen + men on the landing platform now, + and they were herding disarmed + men from Rahn away from a big + ship Tommy had brought down. + Tommy looked curiously at the + prisoners. They seemed freer than + the inhabitants of Yugna. Their + faces showed no such signs of + strain. But they did not seem well-fed, + nor did they appear as capable + or as resolute.</p> + + <p>“<em>Cuyal</em>,” said Aten in an explanatory + tone, seeing Tommy’s expression. + He put his shoulder to the + big ship, to wheel it back into its + shed.</p> + + <p>“You son of a gun,” grunted + Tommy, “it’s all in the day’s work + to you, fighting an invading fleet!”</p> + + <p>A messenger came panting + through the doorway. Tommy + grinned.</p> + + <p>“The Council wants us, Evelyn. + Now maybe they’ll listen.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> atmosphere of the resumed + Council meeting was, as a + matter of fact, considerably + changed. The white-bearded Keeper + of Foodstuffs thanked them with + dignity. He invited Tommy to offer + advice, since his services had + proved so useful.</p> + + <p>“Advice?” said Tommy, in the + halting, fumbling phrases he had + slaved to acquire. “I would put the + prisoners from Rahn to work at the + machines, releasing citizens.” There + was a buzz of approval, and he + added drily in English: “I’m playing + politics, Evelyn.” Again in + the speech of Yugna he added: + “And I would have the fleet of + Yugna soar above Rahn, not to demand + tribute as that city did, but + to disable all its aircraft, so that + such piracy as to-day may not be + tried again!” There was a second + buzz of approval. “And third,” said + Tommy earnestly, “I would communicate + with Earth, rather than + assassinate it. I would require the + science of Earth for the benefit of + this world, rather than use the + science of this world to annihilate + that! I—”</p> + + <p>For the second time the Council + meeting was interrupted. An armed + messenger came pounding into the + room. He reported swiftly. Tommy + grasped Evelyn’s wrist in what was + almost a painful grip.</p> + + <p>“Noises in the Tube!” he told + her sharply. “Earth-folk doing + something in the Tube Jacaro came + through. Your father….”</p> + + <p>There was an alert silence in the + Council hall. The white-bearded + old man had listened to the messenger. + Now he asked a grim question + of Tommy.</p> + + <p>“They may be my friends, or + <a class="pagenum" id="page400" title="400"> </a>your enemies,” said Tommy briefly. + “Mass thermit-throwers and let me + find out!”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">It</span> was the only possible thing to + do. Tommy and Evelyn went + with the Council, in a body, in a + huge wheeled vehicle that raced + across the city. Lingering groups + still searched the sky above them, + now blessedly empty again. But the + Council’s vehicle dived down and + down to ground level, where the + rumble of machines was loud indeed, + and then turned into a tunnel + which went down still farther. + There was feverish activity ahead, + where it stopped, and a golden + thermit-thrower came into sight + upon a dull-colored truck.</p> + + <p>Questions. Feverish replies. The + white-bearded man touched Tommy + on the shoulder, regarding him with + a peculiarly noncommittal gaze, and + pointed to a doorway that someone + was just opening. The door + swung wide. There was a confusion + of prismatically-colored mist + within it, and Tommy noticed that + tanks upon tanks were massed outside + the metal wall of that compartment, + and seemingly had been + pouring something into the room.</p> + + <p>The mist drew back from the + door. Saffron-red lighting panels + appeared dimly, then grew distinct. + There were small, collapsed bundles + of fur upon the floor of the storeroom + being exposed to view. They + were, probably, the equivalent of + rats. And then the last remnant of + mist vanished with a curiously + wraithlike abruptness, and the end + of Jacaro’s Tube came into view.</p> + + <p>Tommy advanced, Evelyn clinging + to his sleeve. There were clanking + noises audible in this room + even above the dull rumble of the + city’s machines. The noises came + from the Tube’s mouth. It was four + feet and more across, and it projected + at a crazy angle out of a + previously solid wall.</p> + + <p>“Hello!” shouted Tommy. “Down + the Tube!”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> clattering noise stopped, + then continued at a faster rate.</p> + + <p>“The gas is cut off!” shouted + Tommy again. “Who’s there?”</p> + + <p>A voice gasped from the Tube’s + depths:</p> + + <p>“It’s him!” The tone was made + metallic by echoing and reechoing + in the bends of the Tube, but it + was Smithers. “We’re comin’, Mr. + Reames.”</p> + + <p>“Is—is Daddy there?” called + Evelyn eagerly. “Daddy!”</p> + + <p>“Coming,” said a grim voice.</p> + + <p>The clattering grew nearer. A + goggled, gas-masked head appeared, + and a body followed it out of the + Tube, laden with a multitude of + burdens. A second climbed still + more heavily after the first. The + brightly-colored citizens of the + Golden City reached quietly to the + weapons at their waists. A third + voice came up the Tube, distant and + nearly unintelligible. It roared a + question.</p> + + <p>Smithers ripped off his gas mask + and said distinctly:</p> + + <p>“Sure we’re through. Go ahead. + An’ go to hell!”</p> + + <p>Then there was a thunderous + detonation somewhere down in the + Tube’s depths. The visible part of + it jerked spasmodically and cracked + across. A wisp of brownish smoke + puffed out of it, and the stinging + reek of high explosive tainted the + air. Then Evelyn was clinging close + to her father, and he was patting + her comfortingly, and Smithers was + pumping both of Tommy’s hands, + his normal calmness torn from him + for once. But after a bare moment + he had gripped himself again. He + unloaded an impressive number of + parcels from about his person. Then + he regarded the citizens of the + Golden City with an impersonal, + estimating gaze, ignoring twenty + weapons trained upon him.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page401" title="401"> </a>“Those damn fools back on + Earth,” he observed impassively, + “decided the professor an’ me was + better off of it. So they let us + come through the Tube before they + blew it up. We brought the explosive + bullets, Mr. Reames. I hope + we brought enough.”</p> + + <p>And Tommy grinned elatedly as + Denham turned to crush his hands + in his own.</p> + + <h2 class="chapter_title"><span class="chapter_no">CHAPTER VIII</span><br /> + “Those Devils Have Got Evelyn!”</h2> + + <p class="first_paragraph"><span class="first_word">That</span> night the three of them + talked, on a high terrace with + most of the Golden City spread + out below them. Over their heads, + lights of many colors moved and + shifted slowly in the sky. There + were a myriad glowing specks of + saffron-red about the ways of the + city, and the air was full of fragrant + odors. The breath of the + jungle reached them even a thousand + feet above ground. And the + dull, persistent roar of the machines + reached them too. There were five + people on the terrace: Tommy, + Denham, Smithers, Aten and the + white-bearded old Keeper of Foodstuffs. + He looked on as the Earthmen + talked.</p> + + <p>“We’re marooned,” Tommy was + saying crisply, “and for the time + being we’ve got to throw in with + these people. I believe they came + from Earth originally. Four, five + thousand years ago, perhaps. Their + tale is of a cave they sealed up behind + them. It might have been a + primitive Tube, if such a thing can + be imagined.”</p> + + <p>Denham filled his pipe and + lighted it meditatively.</p> + + <p>“Half the American Indian + tribes,” he observed drily, “had + legends of coming originally from + an underworld. I wonder if Tubes + are less your own invention than + we thought?”</p> + + <p>Tommy shrugged.</p> + + <p>“In any case, Earth is safe.”</p> + + <p>“Is it?” insisted Denham. “You + say they understood at once when + you talked of dimension-travel. Ask + the old chap there.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Tommy</span> frowned, then labored + with the question. The bearded + old man spoke gravely. At his answer, + Tommy grimaced.</p> + + <p>“Datl’s gone looking for the cave + their legends tell of,” he said reluctantly. + “He’s the lad who wanted + the city to gas Earth with some + ghastly stuff they know of, and + move over when the gas was harmless + again. But the cave has been + lost for centuries, and it’s in the + torrid zone—which <em>is</em> torrid! We’re + near the North Pole of this planet, + and it’s tropic here. It must be + mighty hot at the equator. Datl + took a ship and supplies and sailed + off. He may be killed. In any case + it’ll be some time before he’s dangerous. + Meanwhile, as I said, we’re + marooned.”</p> + + <p>“And more,” said Denham deliberately. + “By the time the authorities + halfway believed me, and + Von Holtz could talk, there were + more deaths from the Death Mist. + It wiped out a village, clean. So + when it was realized that I’d caused + it—or that was their interpretation—and + was the only man who could + cause it again, why, the authorities + thought it a splendid idea for me + to come through the Tube. They + invited me to commit suicide. My + knowledge was too dangerous for a + man to have. So,” he added grimly, + “I have committed suicide. We will + not be welcomed back on Earth, + Tommy.”</p> + + <p>Tommy made an impatient gesture.</p> + + <p>“Worry about that later,” he said + impatiently. “Right now there’s a + war on. Rahn’s desperate, and the + prisoners we took this morning + say Jacaro and his gunmen are + there, advising them. Ragged Men + <a class="pagenum" id="page402" title="402"> </a>have joined in to help kill civilized + humans. And they’ve still got aircraft.”</p> + + <p>“Which can still bombard this + city,” observed Denham. “Can’t + they?”</p> + + <p>Tommy pointed to the many-colored + beams of light playing through + the sky overhead.</p> + + <p>“No. Those lights were invented + to guide night-flying planes back + home. They’re static lights—cold + lights, by the way—and they register + powerfully when a static-discharge + propeller comes within + range of them. If Rahn tries a + night attack, Aten and I take off + and shoot them down again. That’s + that. But we’ve got to design gas + masks for these people, and I think + I can persuade the Council to send + over and take all Rahn’s aircraft + away to-morrow. But the real emergency + is the jungle.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">He</span> expounded the situation of + the city as he understood it. + He labored painstakingly to make + his meaning clear while Denham + blew meditative smoke rings and + Smithers listened quietly. But when + Tommy had finished, Smithers said + in a vast calm:</p> + + <p>“Say, Mr. Reames, y’know I asked + you to get somebody to take me + through some o’ these engine rooms. + That’s kinda my specialty. An’ + these folks are good, no question! + There’s engines—even steam engines—we + couldn’t build on Earth. + But, my Gawd, they’re dumb! There + ain’t a piece of automatic machinery + on the place. There’s one man to + every motor, handlin’ the controls + or the throttle. They got stuff we + couldn’t come near, but they never + thought of a steam governor.”</p> + + <p>Tommy turned kindling eyes + upon him. “Go on!”</p> + + <p>“Hell,” said Smithers, “gimme + some tools an’ I’ll go through one + shop an’ cut the workin’ force in + half, just slammin’ governors, reducin’ + valves, an’ automatic cut-offs + on the machines I understand!”</p> + + <p>Tommy jumped to his feet. He + paced up and down, then halted + and began to spout at Aten and + the Keeper of Foodstuffs. He gesticulated, + fumbling for words, and + hunted absurdly for the ones he + wanted among his written lists, and + finally was drawing excitedly on + Aten’s black-metal tablet. Smithers + got up and looked over his shoulder.</p> + + <p>“That ain’t it, Mr. Reames,” he + said slowly. “Maybe I….”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Tommy</span> pressed the stud that + erased the page. Smithers took + the tablet and began to draw painstakingly. + Aten, watching, exclaimed + suddenly. Smithers was + drawing an actual machine, actually + used in the Golden City, and he + was making a working sketch of + a governor so that it would operate + without supervision while the steam + pressure continued. Aten began to + talk excitedly. The Keeper of + Foodstuffs took the tablet and examined + it. He looked blank, then + amazed, and as the utterly foreign + idea of a machine which controlled + itself struck home, his hands shook + and color deepened in his cheeks.</p> + + <p>He gave an order to Aten, who + dashed away. In ten minutes other + men began to arrive. They bent + over the drawing. Excited comments, + discussions and disputes + began. A dawning enthusiasm manifested + itself. Two of them approached + Smithers respectfully, + with shining eyes. They drew their + tablets from their belts, rather skilfully + drew the governor he had indicated + in larger scale, and by gestures + asked for more detailed plans. + Smithers stood up to go with them.</p> + + <p>“You’re a hero, now, Smithers,” + Tommy informed him exultantly. + “They’ll work you to death and + call you blessed!”</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page403" title="403"> </a>“Yes, sir,” said Smithers. “These + fellas are right good mechanics. + They just happened to miss this + trick.” He paused. “Uh—where’s + Miss Evelyn?”</p> + + <p>“With Aten’s—wife,” said + Tommy. This was no time to discuss + the marital system of Yugna. + “We were prisoners until this + morning. Now we’re guests of + honor. Evelyn’s talking to a lot of + women and trying to boost our + prestige.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Smithers</span> went over to the + gesticulating group of draftsmen. + He settled down to explain + by drawings, since he had not a + word of their language. In a few + minutes a group went rushing away + with the sketch tablets held jealously + to their breasts, bound for + workshops. Other men appeared to + present new problems. A wave of + sheer enthusiasm was in being. A + new idea which would lessen the + demands of the machines was a godsend + to these folk.</p> + + <p>Then Denham blew a smoke ring + and said meditatively:</p> + + <p>“I think I’ve got something too, + Tommy. Ultra-sonic vibrations. + Sound waves at two to three hundred + thousand per second. Air won’t + carry them. Liquids will. They use + ’em to sterilize milk, killing the + germs by sound waves carried + through the fluid. I think we can + start some ultra-sonic generators + out there that will go through the + wet soil and kill all vegetation + within a given range. We might + clear away the jungle for half a + mile or so and then use ultra-sonic + beams to help it clear while new + food-plants are tried out.”</p> + + <p>Tommy’s eyes glowed.</p> + + <p>“You’ve given yourself a job! + We’ll turn this planet upside + down.”</p> + + <p>“We’ll have to,” said Denham + drily. “This city may believe in + you, but there are others, and these + folk are a little too clever. There’s + no reason why some other city + shouldn’t attack Earth, if they + seriously attack the problem of + building a Tube.”</p> + + <p>Tommy ground his teeth, frowning. + Then he started up. There was + a new noise down in the city. A + sudden flare of intolerable illumination + broke out. There was an explosion, + many screams, then the + yelling tumult of men in deadly + battle.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Every</span> man on the tower terrace + was facing toward the + noise, staring. The white-bearded + man gave an order, deliberately. + Men rushed. But as they swarmed + toward an exit, a green beam of + light appeared near the uproar. It + streaked upward, wavering from + side to side and making the golden + walls visible in a ghostly fashion. + It shivered in a hasty rhythm.</p> + + <p>Aten groaned, almost sobbed. + There was another flash of that unbearable + actinic flame. A thermit-thrower + was in action. Then a third + flash. This was farther away. The + tumult died suddenly, but the green + light-beam continued its motion.</p> + + <p>Tommy was snapping questions. + Aten spoke, and choked upon his + words. Tommy swore in a sudden + raging passion and then turned a + chalky face toward the other two + men from Earth.</p> + + <p>“The prisoners!” he said in a + hoarse voice. “The men from + Rahn! They broke loose. They + rushed an arsenal. With hand weapons + and a thermit-thrower they + fought their way to a place where + the big vehicles are kept. They + raided a dwelling-tower on the way + and seized women. They’ve gone + off on the metal roads through the + jungle!” He tried to ease his collar. + Aten, still watching the green beam, + croaked another sentence. “Those + devils have got Evelyn!” cried + Tommy hoarsely. “My God! Aten’s + <a class="pagenum" id="page404" title="404"> </a>wife, and his….” He jerked a + hand toward the Councilor. “Fifty + women—gone through the jungle + with them, toward Rahn! Those + devils have got Evelyn!”</p> + + <p>He whirled upon Aten, seizing + his shoulder, shaking the man as he + roared questions.</p> + + <p>“No chance of catching them.” + Far away, in the jungle, the infinitely + vivid actinic flame blazed + for several seconds. “They’ve + sprayed thermit on the road. It’s + melted and ruined. It’d take hours + to haul the ground vehicles past + the gap. They’re got arms and + lights. They can fight off the beasts + and Ragged Men. They’ll make + Rahn. And then”—he shook with + the rage that possessed him—“Jacaro’s + there with those gunmen + of his and his friends the Ragged + Men!”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">He</span> seemed to control himself + with a terrific effort. He + turned to the white-bearded Councilor, + whose bearing was that of a + man stunned by disaster. Tommy + spoke measuredly, choosing words + with a painstaking care, clipping + the words crisply as he spoke.</p> + + <p>The Councilor stiffened. Old as + he was, an undeniable fighting light + came into his eyes. He barked orders + right and left. Men woke + from the paralysis of shock and + fled upon errands of his command. + And Tommy turned to Denham and + Smithers.</p> + + <p>“The women will be safe until + dawn,” he said evenly. “Our late + prisoners can’t lose the way—aluminum + roads that are no longer much + used lead between all the cities—but + they won’t dare stop in the + jungles. They’ll go straight on + through. They should reach Rahn + at dawn or a little before. And at + dawn our air fleet will be over the + city and they’ll give back the + women, unharmed, or we’ll turn + their own trick on them, by God! + It’d be better for Evelyn to die of + gas than as—as the Ragged Men + would kill her!”</p> + + <p>His hands were clenched and he + breathed noisily for an instant. + Then he swallowed, and went on in + the same unnatural calm:</p> + + <p>“Smithers, you’re going to stay + behind, with part of the air fleet. + You’ll get aloft before dawn and + shoot down any strange aircraft. + They might try to stalemate us by + repeating their threat, with our + guns over Rahn. I’ll give orders.”</p> + + <p>He turned again to the Councilor, + who nodded, glanced at Smithers, + and repeated the command.</p> + + <p>“You, sir,” he spoke to Denham, + “you’ll come with me. It’s your + right, I suppose. And we’ll go + down and get ready.”</p> + + <p>He led the way steadily toward + a door. But he reached up to his + collar, once, as if he were choking, + and ripped away collar and coat + and all, unconscious of the resistance + of the cloth.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">That</span> night the Golden City + made savage preparation for + war. Ships were loaded and ranged + in order. Crews armed themselves, + and helped in the loading and arming + of other ships. Oddly enough, it + was to Tommy that men came to + ask if the directing apparatus for + the Death Mist should be carried. + The Death Mist could, of course, + be used as a gas alone, drifting + with the wind, or it could be directed + from a distance. This had + been done on Earth, with the directional + impulses sent blindly + down the Tube merely to keep the + Mist moving always. The controlling + apparatus could be carried in + a monster freight plane. Tommy + ordered it done. Also he had the + captured planes from Rahn refitted + for flight by replacing their + smashed propelling grids. Fresh + crews of men for these ships organized + themselves.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page405" title="405"> </a>When the fleet took off there + was only darkness in all the world. + The unfamiliar stars above shone + bright and very near as Tommy’s + ship, leading, winged noiselessly + up and down and straight away + from the play of prismatic lights + above the city. Behind him, silhouetted + against that many-colored + glow, were the angular shapes of + many other noiseless shadows. The + ornithopters with their racket + would start later, so the planes + would be soaring above Rahn before + their presence was even suspected. + The rest of the fleet flew + in darkness.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> flight above the jungle + would have been awe-inspiring + at another time. There were the + stars above, nearer and brighter + than those of Earth. There was no + Milky Way in the firmament of + this universe. The stars were separate + and fewer in number. There + was no moon. And below there was + only utter, unrelieved darkness, + from which now and again beast-sounds + arose. They were clearly + audible on board the silent air fleet. + Roarings, bellowings, and hoarse + screamings. Once the ships passed + above a tumult as of unthinkable + monsters in deadly battle, when for + an instant the very clashing of + monstrous jaws was audible and a + hissing sound which seemed filled + with deadly hate.</p> + + <p>Then lights—few of them, and + dim ones. Then blazing fires—Ragged + Men, camped without the + walls of Rahn or in some gold-walled + courtyard where the jungle + thrust greedy, invading green tentacles. + The air fleet circled noiselessly + in a huge batlike cloud. Then + things came racing from the darkness, + down below, and there was a + tumult and a shouting, and presently + the hilarious, insanely gleeful + uproar of the Ragged Men. + Tommy’s face went gray. These + were the escaped prisoners, arrived + actually after the air fleet which + was to demand the return of their + captives.</p> + + <p>Tommy wet his lips and spoke + grimly to his pilot. There were + six men and many Death-Mist + bombs in his ship. He was asking + if communication could be had with + the other ships. It was wise to let + Rahn know at once that avengers + lurked overhead for the captives + just delivered there.</p> + + <p>For answer, a green signal-beam + shot out. It wavered here and there. + Tommy commanded again. And as + the signal-beam flickered, he somehow + sensed the obedience of the + invisible ships about him. They + were sweeping off to right and + left. Bombs of the Death Mist were + dropping in the darkness. Even in + the starlight, Tommy could see + great walls of pale vapor building + themselves up above the jungle. + And a sudden confused noise of + yapping defiance and raging hatred + came up from the city of Rahn. + But before dawn came there was + no other sign that their presence + was known.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> ornithopters came squeaking + and rattling in their heavy + flight just as the dull-red sun of + this world peered above the horizon. + The tree-fern fronds waved + languidly in the morning breeze. + The walls and towers of Rahn + gleamed bright gold, in parts, and + in parts they seemed dull and scabrous + with some creeping fungus + stuff, and on one side of the city + the wall was overwhelmed by a triumphant + tide of green. There the + jungle had crawled over the ramparts + and surged into the city. + Three of the towers had their bases + in the welter of growing things, + and creepers had climbed incredibly + and were still climbing to enter and + then destroy the man-made structures.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page406" title="406"> </a>But about the city there now + reared a new rampart, rising above + the tree-fern tops: there was a + wall of the Death Mist encompassing + the city. No living thing + could enter or leave the city without + passing through that cloud. + And at Tommy’s order it moved + forward to the very encampments + of the Ragged Men.</p> + + <p>He spoke, beginning his ultimatum. + But a movement below + checked him. On a landing stage + that was spotted with molds and + lichens, women were being herded + into clear view. They were the + women of the Golden City. Tommy + saw a tiny figure in khaki—Evelyn! + Then there was a sudden uproar + from an encampment of the Ragged + Men. His eyes flicked there, and he + saw the Ragged Men running into + and out of the tall wall of Death + Mist. And they laughed uproariously + and ran into and out of the + Mist again.</p> + + <p>His pilot dived down. The + Ragged Men yelled and capered + and howled derisively at him. He + saw that they removed masklike + things from their faces in order to + shout, and donned them again before + running again into the Mist. + At once he understood. The Ragged + Men had gas masks!</p> + + <p>Then, a sudden cracking noise. + Three men had opened fire with + rifles from below. Their garments + were drab-colored, in contrast to + the vivid tints of the clothing of + the inhabitants of Rahn. They were + Jacaro’s gunmen. And a great + freight carrier from Yugna veered + suddenly, and a bluish flash burst + out before it, and it began to + flutter helplessly down into the + city beneath.</p> + + <p>The weapons of Tommy’s fleet + were useless, since the citizens of + Rahn were protected by gas masks. + And Tommy’s fighting ships were + subject to the same rifle fire against + their propelling grids that had defeated + the fleet from Rahn. The + only thing the avenging fleet could + now accomplish was the death of + the women it could not save.</p> + + <h2 class="chapter_title"><span class="chapter_no">CHAPTER IX</span><br /> + War!</h2> + + <p class="first_paragraph"><span class="first_word">A huge</span> ornithopter came + heavily out on the landing + stage in the city of Rahn. Its crew + took their places. With a creaking + and rattling noise it rose toward + the invading fleet. From its filigree + cockpit sides, men waved green + branches. A green light wavered + from the big plane that carried the + bearded Council man and Denham. + That plane swept forward and hovered + above the ornithopter. The + two flying things seemed almost + fastened together, so closely did + their pilots maintain that same + speed and course. A snaky rope + went coiling down into the lower + ship’s cockpit. A burly figure began + to climb it hand over hand. A + second figure followed. A third + figure, in the drab clothing that + distinguished Jacaro’s men from all + others, wrapped the rope about + himself and was hauled up bodily. + And Tommy had seen Jacaro but + once, yet he was suddenly grimly + convinced that this was Jacaro himself.</p> + + <p>The two planes swept apart. The + ornithopter descended toward the + landing stage of Rahn. The freight + plane swept toward the ship that + carried Tommy. Again the snaky + rope coiled down. And Tommy + swung up the fifteen feet that alone + separated the two soaring planes, + and looked into the hard, amused + eyes of Jacaro where he sat between + two other emissaries of Rahn. One + of them was half naked and savage, + with the light of madness in his + eyes. A Ragged Man. The other + was lean and desperate, despite the + colored tunic of a civilized man that + he wore.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><a class="pagenum" id="page407" title="407"> </a><span class="first_word">“Hello,”</span> said Jacaro blandly. + “We come up to talk things + over.”</p> + + <p>Tommy gave him the briefest of + nods. He looked at Denham—who + was deathly white and grim—and + the bearded Councilor.</p> + + <p>“I’ been givin’ ’em the dope,” + said Jacaro easily. “We got the + whip hand now. We got gas masks, + we got guns just the same as you + have, an’ we got the women.”</p> + + <p>“You haven’t ammunition,” said + Tommy evenly, “or damned little. + Your men brought down one ship, + and stopped. If you had enough + shells would you have stopped + there?”</p> + + <p>Jacaro grinned.</p> + + <p>“You got arithmetic, Reames,” he + conceded. “That’s so. But—I’m sayin’ + it again—we got the women. + Your girl, for one! Now, how about + throwin’ in with me, you an’ the + professor?”</p> + + <p>“No,” said Tommy.</p> + + <p>“In a coupla months, Rahn’ll be + runnin’ this planet,” said Jacaro + blandly, “and I’m runnin’ Rahn! I + didn’t know how easy the racket’d + be, or I’d ‘ve let Yugna alone. I’d + ‘ve come here first. Now get it! Rahn + runnin’ the planet, with a couple + guys runnin’ Rahn an’ passin’ down + through a Tube any little thing we + want, like a few million bucks in + solid gold. An’ Rahn an’ the other + cities for kinda country homes for + us an’ our friends. All the women + we want, good liquor, an’ a swell + time!”</p> + + <p>“Talk sense,” said Tommy, without + even contempt in his tone.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Jacaro</span> snarled.</p> + + <p>“No sense actin’ too big!” But + the snarl encouraged Tommy, because + it proved Jacaro less confidant + than he tried to seem. His + next change of tone proved it. “Aw, + hell!” he said placatingly. “This is + what I’m figurin’ on. These guys + ain’t used to fighting, but they got + the stuff. They got gases that are + hell-roarin’. They got ships can + beat any we got back home. Figure + out the racket. A couple big Tubes, + that’ll let a ship—maybe folded—go + through. A fleet of ’em floatin’ + over N’York, loaded with gas—that + white stuff y’ can steer wherever y’ + want it. Figure the shake-down. + We could pull a hundred million + from Chicago! We c’d take over the + whole United States! Try that on + y’ piano! Me, King Jacaro, King of + America!” His dark eyes flashed. + “I’ll give y’ Canada or Mexico, + whichever y’ want. Name y’ price, + guy. A coupla months organizin’ + here, buildin’ a big Tube, then….”</p> + + <p>Tommy’s expression did not + change.</p> + + <p>“If it were that easy,” he said + drily, “you wouldn’t be bargaining. + I’m not altogether a fool, Jacaro. + We want those women back. You + want something we’ve got, and you + want it badly. Cut out the oratory + and tell me the real price for the + return of the women, unharmed.”</p> + + <p>Jacaro burst into a flood of profanity.</p> + + <p>“I’d rather Evelyn died from + gas,” said Tommy, “than as your + filthy Ragged Men would kill her. + And you know I mean it.” He + switched to the language of the + cities to go on coldly: “If one + woman is harmed, Rahn dies. We + will shoot down every ship that + rises from her stages. We will + spray burning thermit through her + streets. We will cover her towers + with gas until her people starve + in the gas masks they’ve made!”</p> + + <p>The lean man in the tunic of + Rahn snarled bitterly: “What + matter? We starve now!”</p> + + <p>Tommy turned upon him as + Jacaro whirled and cursed him bitterly + for the revealing outburst.</p> + + <p>“We will ransom the women with + food,” said Tommy coldly—and + then his eyes flamed, “and thrash + you afterwards for fools!”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><a class="pagenum" id="page408" title="408"> </a><span class="first_word">He</span> made a gesture to the + Keeper of Foodstuffs. It was + unconsciously an authoritative gesture, + though the Keeper of Foodstuffs + was in the state of affairs in + Yugna the head of the Council. + But that old man spoke deliberately. + The man from Rahn snarled + his reply. And Tommy turned aside + as the bargaining went on. He could + see Evelyn down below, a tiny + speck of khaki amid the rainbow-colored + robes of the other women. + This had been a savage expedition, + to rescue or to avenge. It had deteriorated + into a bargain. Tommy + heard, dully, amounts of unfamiliar + weights and measures of foodstuffs + he did not recognize. He heard the + time and place of payment named: + the gate of Yugna, the third dawn + hence. He hardly looked up as at + some signal one of their own ornithopters + slid below and the three + ambassadors of Rahn prepared to + go over the side. But Jacaro snarled + out of one corner of his mouth.</p> + + <p>“These guys are takin’ each + other’s words. Maybe that’s all + right, but I’m warnin’ you, if there’s + any double-crossin’….”</p> + + <p>He was gone. The Keeper of + Foodstuffs touched Tommy’s shoulder.</p> + + <p>“Our flier,” he said slowly, “will + make sure our women are as yet unharmed. + We are to deliver the foods + at our own city gate, and after + the women have been returned. + Rahn dares not keep them or harm + them. We of Yugna keep our word. + Even in Rahn they know it.”</p> + + <p>“But they won’t keep theirs,” + said Tommy heavily. “Not with a + man of Earth to lead them.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">He</span> watched with his heart in + his mouth as the ornithopter + alighted near the assembled women + of Yugna. As the three ambassadors + climbed out, he could hear the faint + murmur of voices. The men of + Yugna, under truce, called across + the landing stage to the women of + their own city, and the women replied + to them. Then the crew of + the one grounded freighter arrived + on the landing stage and the + flapping flier rose slowly and rejoined + the fleet. Its crew shouted + a shamefaced reassurance to the + flagship.</p> + + <p>“I suppose,” said Tommy bitterly, + “we’d better go back—if you’re sure + the women are safe.”</p> + + <p>“I am sure,” said the old man + unhappily, “or I had not agreed to + pay half the foodstuffs in Yugna + for their return.”</p> + + <p>He withdrew into a troubled + silence as the fleet swept far from + triumphantly for him. Denham had + not spoken at all, though his eyes + had blazed savagely upon the men + of Rahn. Now he spoke, dry-throatedly:</p> + + <p>“Tommy—Evelyn—”</p> + + <p>“She is all right so far,” said + Tommy bitterly. “She’s to be ransomed + by foodstuffs, paid at the + gates of Yugna. And Jacaro + bragged he’s running Rahn—and + they’ve got gas masks. We’d better + be ready for trouble after the women + are returned.”</p> + + <p>Denham nodded grimly. Tommy + reached out and took one of the + black tablets from the man beside + him. He began to draw carefully, + his eyes savage.</p> + + <p>“What’s that?”</p> + + <p>“There’s high-pressure steam in + Yugna,” said Tommy coldly. “I’m + designing steam guns. Gravity feed + of spherical projectiles. A jet of + steam instead of gunpowder. + They’ll be low-velocity, but we can + use big-calibre balls for shock effect, + and with long barrels they + ought to serve for a hundred yards + or better. Smooth bore, of course.”</p> + + <p>Denham stirred. His lips were + pinched.</p> + + <p>“I’ll design a gas mask,” he said + restlessly, “and Smithers and I, between + us, will do what we can.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><a class="pagenum" id="page409" title="409"> </a><span class="first_word">The</span> air fleet went on over the + waving tree-fern jungle in an + unvarying monotony of bitterness. + Presently Tommy wearily explained + his design to the bearded Councilor + who, with the quick comprehension + of mechanical design apparently instinctive + in these folk, grasped it + immediately. He selected three of + the six-man crew and passed + Tommy’s drawings to them. While + the jungle flowed beneath the fleet + they studied the sketches, made + other drawings, and showed them + eagerly to Tommy. When the fleet + soared down to the scattered landing + stages, not only was the design + understood but apparently plans for + production had been made. It did + not take the men of the Golden City + long to respond.</p> + + <p>Tommy flung himself savagely + into the work he had taken upon + himself. It did not occur to him to + ask for authority. He knew what + had to be done and he set to work + to do it, commanding men and + materials as if there could be no + question of disobedience. As a + matter of fact, he yielded impatiently + to an order of the Council + that he should present himself in + the Council hall, and, since no + questions were asked him, continued + his organizing in the very + presence of the Council, sending + for information and giving orders + in a low tone while the Council deliberated. + A vote was taken by the + voting machine. At its end, he was + solemnly informed that, though not + a native of Yugna, he was entrusted + with the command of the + defense forces of the city. His skill + in arms—as evidenced by his defeat + of the fleet of Rahn—and his ability + in command—when he met the gas-mask + defense of Rahn with a threat + of starvation—moved the Council + to that action. He accepted the command + almost abstractedly, and hurried + away to pick gun emplacements.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Within</span> four hours after the + return of the fleet, the first + steam gun was ready for trial. + Smithers appeared, sweat-streaked + and vastly calm, to announce that + others could be turned out in quantity.</p> + + <p>“These guys have got the stuff,” + he said steadily. “Instead o’ castin’ + their stuff, they shoot it on a core + in a melted spray. They ain’t got + steel, an’ copper’s scarce, but they + got some alloys that are good an’ + tough. One’s part tungsten or I’m + crazy.”</p> + + <p>Tommy nodded.</p> + + <p>“Turn out all the guns you can,” + he said. “I look for fighting.”</p> + + <p>“Yeah,” said Smithers. “Miss + Evelyn’s still all right?”</p> + + <p>“Up to three hours ago,” said + Tommy grimly. “Every three hours + one of our ships lands in Rahn and + reports. We give the Rahnians their + stuff at our own city gates. I’ve + warned Jacaro that we’ve mounted + thermit-throwers on our food stores. + If he manages to gas us by surprise, + nevertheless our foodstuffs + can’t be captured. They’ve got to + turn over Evelyn and cart off their + food before they dare to fight, else + they’ll starve.”</p> + + <p>“But—uh—there’re other cities + they could stick up, ain’t there?”</p> + + <p>“We’ve warned them,” said + Tommy curtly. “They’ve got thermit-throwers + mounted on their food + supplies, too. And they’re desperate + enough to keep Rahn off. They’re + willing enough to let Yugna do the + fighting, but they know what Rahn’s + winning will mean.”</p> + + <p>Smithers turned away, then + turned back.</p> + + <p>“Uh—Mr. Reames,” he said + heavily, “these fellas’ve gone near + crazy about governors an’ reducing + valves an’ such. They’re inventin’ + ways to use ’em on machines I + don’t make head or tail of. We got + three-four hundred men loose from + machines already, an’ they’re turnin’ + <a class="pagenum" id="page410" title="410"> </a>out these steam guns as soon as + you check up. There’ll be more + loose by night. I had ’em spray + some castin’s for another Tube, too. + Workin’ like they do, an’ with the + tools they got, they make speed.”</p> + + <p>Tommy responded impatiently: + “There’s no steel, no iron for magnets.”</p> + + <p>“I know,” admitted Smithers. + “I’m tryin’ steam cylinders to—uh—energize + the castin’s, instead o’ + coils. It’ll be ready by mornin’. I + wish you’d look it over, Mr. + Reames. If Miss Evelyn gets safe + into the city, we could send her + down the Tube to Earth until the + fightin’s over.”</p> + + <p>“I’ll try to see it,” said Tommy + impatiently. “I’ll try!”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">He</span> turned back to the set-up + steam gun. A flexible pipe + from a heavily insulated cylinder + ran to it. A hopper dropped metallic + balls down into a bored-out + barrel, where they were sucked + into the blast of superheated steam + from the storage cylinder. At a + touch of the trigger a monstrous + cloud of steam poured out. It was + six feet from the gun muzzle before + it condensed enough to be + visible. Then a huge white cloud + developed; but the metal pellets + went on with deadly force. Half an + inch in diameter, they carried seven + hundred yards at extreme elevation. + Point-blank range was seventy-five + yards. They would kill at + three hundred, and stun or disable + beyond that. At a hundred yards + they would tear through a man’s + body.</p> + + <p>Tommy was promised a hundred + of the weapons, with their boilers, + in two days. He selected their emplacements. + He directed that a disabling + device be inserted, so if + rushed they could not be turned + against their owners. He inspected + the gas masks being turned out by + the women, who in this emergency + worked like the men. Though helpless + before machinery, it seemed, + they could contrive a fabric device + like a gas mask.</p> + + <p>The second day the work went + on more desperately still. But + Smithers’ work in releasing men + was telling. There were fifteen + hundred governors, or reducing + valves, or autocratic cut-outs in + operation now. And fifteen hundred + men were released from the + machines, which had to be kept + going to keep the city alive. With + that many men, intelligent mechanics + all, Tommy and Smithers + worked wonders. Smithers drove + them mercilessly, using profanity + and mechanical drawings instead of + speech. Denham withdrew twenty + men and labored on top of one of + the towers. Toward sunset of the + second day, vast clouds of steam + bellied out from it at odd, irregular + intervals. Nothing else manifested + itself. Those irregular belchings of + steam continued until dark, but + Tommy paid no attention to them. + He was driving the gunners of the + machine guns to practice. He was + planning patrols, devising a reserve, + mounting thermit-throwers, + and arranging for the delivery of + the promised ransom at the specified + city gate. So far, there was no + sign of anything unusual in Rahn. + Messengers from Yugna saw the + captive women regularly, once + every three hours. The last to leave + had reported them being loaded + into great ground vehicles under a + defending escort, to travel through + the dark jungle roads to Yugna. + A vast concourse of empty vehicles + was trailing into the jungle after + them, to bring back the food which + would keep Rahn from starving, + for a while. It all seemed wholly + regular.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">At</span> dawn, the remaining ships + of the air fleet of Rahn were + soaring silently above the jungle + <a class="pagenum" id="page411" title="411"> </a>about the Golden City. They made + no threat. They offered no affront. + But they soared, and soared….</p> + + <p>A little after dawn, glitterings in + the jungle announced the arrival of + the convoy. Messengers, in advance, + shouted the news. Men from Yugna + went out to inspect. The atmosphere + grew tense. The air fleet of + Rahn drew closer.</p> + + <p>Slowly, a great golden gateway + yawned. Four ground vehicles + rolled forward, and under escort + of the Rahnians entered the city. + Half the captive women from + Yugna were within them. They + alighted, weeping for joy, and were + promptly whisked away. Evelyn + was not among them. Tommy + ground his teeth. An explanation + came. When one half the promised + ransom was paid, the others would + be forthcoming.</p> + + <p>Tommy gave grim orders. Half + the foodstuffs were taken to the + city gate—half, no more. At his + direction, it was explained gently + to the Rahnians that the rest of + the ransom remained under guard + of the thermit-throwers. It would + not be exposed to capture until + the last of the captives were released. + There was argument, expostulation. + The rest of the women + appeared. Aten, at Tommy’s express + command, piled Evelyn and + his own wife into a ground vehicle + and came racing madly to the tower + from which Tommy could see all + the circuit of the city.</p> + + <p>“You’re all right?” asked Tommy. + At Evelyn’s speechless nod, he put + his hand heavily on her shoulder. + “I’m glad,” he managed to say. + “Put on that gas mask. Hell’s going + to pop in a minute.”</p> + + <p>He watched, every muscle tense. + There was confusion about the city + gate. Ground vehicles, loaded with + foodstuffs, poured out of the gate + and back toward the jungle. Other + vehicles with improvised enlargements + to their carrying platforms—making + them into huge closed + boxes—rolled up to the gate. The + loaded vehicles rolled back and + back and back, and ever more apparently + empty ones crowded about + the city gate waiting for admission.</p> + + <p>Then there was a sudden flare + of intolerable light. A wild yell + arose. Clouds of steam shot up + from the ready steam guns. But + the circling air fleet turned as one + ship and plunged for the city. The + leaders began to drop smoking + things that turned into monstrous + pillars of prismatically-colored + mist. A wave of deadly vapor + rolled over the ramparts of the + city. And then there was a long-continued + ululation and the noise + of battle. Ragged Men, hidden in + the jungle, had swarmed upon the + walls with ladders made of jungle + reeds. They came over the parapet + in a wave of howling madness. And + they surged into the city, flinging + gas bombs as they came.</p> + + <h2 class="chapter_title"><span class="chapter_no">CHAPTER X</span><br /> + The Fight</h2> + + <p class="first_paragraph"><span class="first_word">The</span> city was pandemonium. + Tommy, looking down from + his post of command, swore softly + under his breath. The Death Mist + was harmless to the defenders of + Yugna as a gas, because of their + gas masks. But it served as a + screen. It blotted out the waves of + attackers so the steam guns could + not be aimed save at the shortest + of short ranges. His precautions + were taking effect, to be sure. Two + thirds of the attackers were Ragged + Men drawn from about half the + surviving cities, and against such + a horde Yugna could not have held + out at all but for his preparations. + Now the defenders took a heavy + toll. Swarms of men came racing + toward the open gate, their truncheons + aglow in the sunlight. The + ring of Death Mist was contracting + as if to strangle the city, and it + <a class="pagenum" id="page412" title="412"> </a>left the ramparts bare again. And + from more than one point upon the + battlements the roaring clouds of + steam burst out again. A dozen + guns concentrated on the racing + men of Rahn, plunging from the + jungle to enter by the gate. They + were racing forward, without order + but at top speed, to share in the + fighting and loot. Then streams of + metal balls tore into them. The + front of the irregular column was + wiped out utterly. Wide swathes + were cut in the rest. The survivors + ran wildly forward over a litter of + dead and dying men. Electric-charge + weapons sent crackling discharges + among them. Their contorted + figures reeled and fell or + leaped convulsively to lie forever + still where they struck. And then + the steam guns turned about to fire + into the rear of the men who had + charged past them.</p> + + <p>The steam guns had literally + blasted away the line of Ragged + Men where they stood. But the + line went on, with great ragged + gaps in it, to be sure, but still + vastly outnumbering the defenders + of the city. Here and there a steam + gun was silent, its gun crew dead. + And presently those that were left + were useless, immobile upon the + ramparts in the rear of the attack.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Down</span> in the ways of the city + the fight rose to a riotous + clamor. At Tommy’s order the women + of the city had been concentrated + into a few strong towers. + The machines of the city were left + undefended for a time. A few + strong patrols of fighting men, + strategically placed, flung themselves + with irresistible force upon + certain bands of maddened Ragged + Men. But where a combat raged, + there the Ragged Men swarmed + howling. Their hatred impelled + them to suicidal courage and to unspeakable + atrocities. From his + tower, Tommy saw a man of Yugna, + evidently a prisoner. Four Ragged + Men surrounded him, literally tearing + him to pieces like the maniacs + they were. Then he saw dust spurting + up in a swift-advancing line, + and all four Ragged Men twitched + and collapsed on top of their victim. + A steam gun had done that. + A fighting patrol of the men of + Yugna swept fiercely down a paved + way in one of the Golden City’s + vehicles. There was the glint of + gold from it. A solid, choked mass + of invaders rushed upon it. Without + slackening speed, without a + pause, the vehicle raced ahead. Intolerable + flashes of light appeared. + A thermit-thrower was mounted on + the machine. It drove forward like + a flaming meteor, and as electric-charge + weapons flashed upon it + men screamed and died. It tore into + a vast cloud of the Death Mist and + the unbearable flames of its weapon + could only be seen as illuminations + of that deadly vapor.</p> + + <p>A part of the city was free of + defenders, save the isolated steam + gunners left behind upon the walls. + Ragged Men, drunk with success, + ran through its ways, slashing at + the walls, battering at the light-panels, + pounding upon the doorways + of the towers. Tommy saw + them hacking at the great doorway + of a tower. It gave. They rushed + within. Almost instantly thereafter + the opening spouted them forth + again and after them, leaping upon + them, snapping and biting and + striking out with monstrous paws + and teeth, were green lizard-things + like the one that had been killed—years + back, it seemed—on Earth. + A deadly combat began instantly. + But when the last of the fighting + creatures was down, no more than + a dozen were left of the three score + who had begun the fight.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">But</span> this was not the main + battle. The main battle was + hidden under the Death-Mist cloud, + <a class="pagenum" id="page413" title="413"> </a>concentrated in a vast thick mass + in the very center of the city. + Tommy watched that grimly. Perhaps + eight thousand men had assailed + the city. Certainly two thousand + of them were represented by + the still or twitching forms in + queer attitudes here and there, in + single dots or groups. There were + seven hundred corpses before the + city gate alone, where the steam + guns had mowed down a reinforcing + column. And there were + others scattered all about. The defenders + had lost heavily enough, + but Tommy’s defense behind the + line of the ramparts was soundly + concentrated in strong points, + equipped with steam guns and + mostly armed with thermit-throwers + as well. From the center + of the city there came only a vast, + unorganized tumult of battle and + death.</p> + + <p>Then a huge winged thing came + soaring down past Tommy’s tower. + It landed with a crash on the roofs + below, spilling its men like ants. + Tommy strained his eyes. There + was a billowing outburst of steam + from the tower where Denham had + been working the night before. A + big flier burst into the weird bright + flame of the thermit fluid. It fell, + splitting apart as it dropped. Again + the billowing steam. No result—but + beyond the city walls showed a + flash of thermit flame.</p> + + <p>“Denham!” muttered Tommy. + “He’s got a steam cannon; he’s + shooting shells loaded with thermit! + They smash when they hit. + Good!”</p> + + <p>He dispatched a man with orders, + but a messenger was panting + his way up as the runner left. He + thrust a scribbled bit of paper into + Tommy’s hand.</p> + + <div class="letter"> + <p>“I’m trying to bring down + the ship that’s controlling the + Death Mist. I’ll shell those + devils in the middle of town as + soon as our controls can handle + the Mist.</p> + + <p class="signature">Denham.”</p> + </div> + + <p>Tommy began to snap out his + commands. He raced downward toward + the street. Men seemed to + spring up like magic about him. A + ship with one wing aflame was tottering + in mid-air, and another was + dropping like a plummet.</p> + + <p>Then Tommy uttered a roar of + pure joy. The huge globe of beautiful, + deadly vapor was lifting! Its + control-ship was shattered, and men + of the Golden City had found its + setting. The Mist rose swiftly in + a single vast globule of varicolored + reflections. And the situation in + the center of the city was clear. + Two towers were besieged. Dense + masses of the invaders crowded + about them, battering at them. + Steam guns opened from their windows. + Thermit-throwers shot out + flashes of deadly fire.</p> + + <p>Tommy led five hundred men in + savage assault, cleaving the mass of + invaders like a wedge. He cut off + a hundred men and wiped them + out, while a rear guard poured + electric charges into the main body + of the enemy. More men of Yugna + came leaping from a dozen doorways + and joined them. Tommy + found Smithers by his side, powder-stained + and sweat-streaked.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">“Miss</span> Evelyn’s all right?” + Smithers asked in a great + calm.</p> + + <p>“She is,” growled Tommy. “On + the top floor of a tower, with a + hundred men to guard her.”</p> + + <p>“You didn’t look at the Tube I + made,” said Smithers impassively; + “but I turned on the steam. Looks + like it worked. It’s ready to go + through, anyways. It’s the same + place the other one was, down in + that cellar. I’m tellin’ you in case + anything happens.”</p> + + <p>He opened fire with a magazine + <a class="pagenum" id="page414" title="414"> </a>rifle into the thick of the mob that + assailed the two towers. Tommy + left him with fifty men to block a + highway and led his men again into + the mass of mingled Ragged Men + and Rahnians. His followers saw + his tactics now. They split off a + section of the mob and fell upon it + ferociously. There were sudden awful + screams. Thermit flame was + rising from two places in the very + thick of the mob. It burst up from + a third, and fourth, and fifth…. + Denham, atop his tower, had the + range with his steam cannon, and + was flinging heavy shells into the + attackers of the two central buildings. + And then there was a roaring + of steam and a ground vehicle came + to a stop not fifty feet away. A gun + crew of Yugnans had shifted their + unwieldy weapon and its insulated + steam boiler to a freight-carrying + vehicle. Now the gunner pulled + trigger and traversed his weapon + into the thick of the massed invaders, + while his companions + worked desperately to keep the + hopper full of projectiles.</p> + + <p>The invaders melted away. Steam + guns in the towers, thermit projectiles + from the cannon far away: + now this…. And the concealing + cloud of Death Mist was rising + still, headed straight up toward the + zenith. It looked like a tiny, dwindling + pearl.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">The</span> assault upon Yugna had + been a mad one, a frantic one. + But the flight from Yugna was the + flight of men trying to escape from + hell. Wild panic characterized the + fleeing men. They threw aside their + weapons and ran with screams of + terror no whit less horrible than + their howls of triumph had been. + And Tommy would have stopped + the slaughter, but there was no way + to send orders to the rampart gunners + in time. As the fugitives + swarmed toward the walls again, + the storms of steam-propelled missiles + mowed them down. Even + those who scrambled down to the + ground outside and fled sobbing + for the jungle were pursued by + hails of bullets. Of the eight thousand + men who assailed Yugna, less + than one in five escaped.</p> + + <p>Pursuit was still in progress. + Here and there, through the city, + the sound of isolated combats still + went on. Denham came down from + his tower, looking rather sick as he + saw the carnage about him. A + strong escort brought Evelyn. + Aten was grinning proudly, as + though he had in person defeated + the enemy. And as Evelyn shakingly + put out her hand to touch + Tommy’s arm—it was only later + that he realized he had been + wounded in half a dozen minor + ways—a shadow roared over their + heads. The crackle of firearms came + from it.</p> + + <p>“Jacaro!” snarled Tommy. He + leaped instinctively to pursue. But + the flying thing was bound for a + landing in an open square, the same + one which not long since had seen + the heaviest fighting. It alighted + there and toppled askew on contact. + Figures tumbled out of it, in + torn and ragged garments fashioned + in the style of the very best tailors + of the Earth’s underworld.</p> + + <p>Men of Yugna raced to intercept + them. Firearms spat and bellowed + luridly. In a close-knit, flame-spitting + group, the knot of men raced + over fallen bodies and hurtled + areas where the pavement had + cooled to no more than a dull-red + heat where a thermit shell had + struck. One man, two, three men + fell under the small-arms fire. The + gangsters went racing on, firing + desperately. They dived into a tunnel + and disappeared.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">“The</span> Tube!” roared Smithers. + “They’ goin’ for the Tube!”</p> + + <p>He plunged forward, and Tommy + seized his arm.</p> + + <p><a class="pagenum" id="page415" title="415"> </a>“They’ll go through your Tube,” + he said curtly. “It looks like the + one they came through. They’ll + think it is. Let ’em!”</p> + + <p>Smithers tried to tear free.</p> + + <p>“But they’ll get back to Earth!” + he raged. “They’ll get off clear!”</p> + + <p>The sharp, cracking sound of a + gun-cotton explosion came out of + the doorway into which Jacaro and + his men had dived. Tommy smiled + very grimly indeed.</p> + + <p>“They’ve gone through,” he said + drily, “and they’ve blown up the + Tube behind them. But—I didn’t + tell you—I took a look at your + castings. Your pupils were putting + them together, ready for the steam + to go in, in place of the coils I + used. But—er—Smithers! You’d discarded + one pair of castings. They + didn’t satisfy you. Your pupils + forgot that. They hooked them all + together.”</p> + + <p>Smithers gulped.</p> + + <p>“Instead of four right-angled + bends,” said Tommy grimly, “you + have six connected together. You + turned on the steam in a hurry, + not noticing. And I don’t know + how many series of dimensions + there are in this universe of ours. + We know of two. There may be + any number. But Jacaro and his + men didn’t go back to Earth. God + only knows where they landed, or + what it’s like. Maybe somewhere a + million miles in space. Nobody + knows. The main thing is that + Earth is safe now. The Death Mist + has faded out of the picture.”</p> + + <p>He turned and smiled warmly at + Evelyn. He was a rather horrible + sight just then, though he did not + know it. He was bloody and burned + and wounded. He ignored all matters + but success, however.</p> + + <p>“I think,” he said drily, “we have + won the confidence of the Golden + City, Evelyn, and that there’ll be + no more talk of gassing Earth. As + soon as the Council meets again, + we’ll make sure. And then—well, I + think we can devote a certain + amount of time to our personal + affairs. You are the first Earth-girl + to be kissed in the Fifth Dimension. + We’ll have to see if you can’t + distinguish yourself further.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Again</span> the Council hall in the + tower of government in the + Golden City of Yugna. Again the + queer benches about the black wood + table—though two of the seats that + had been occupied were now empty. + Again the guards behind the chairs, + and the crowd of watchers—visitors, + citizens of Yugna attending + the deliberations of the Council. + The audience was a queer one, this + time. There were bandages here + and there. There were men who + were wounded, broken, bent and + crippled in the fighting. But a + warmly welcoming murmur spread + through the hall as Tommy came + in, himself rather extensively + patched. He was wearing the tunic + and breeches of the Golden City, + because his own clothes were hopelessly + beyond repair. The bearded + old Councilor gathered the eyes of + his fellows. They rose. This Council + seated itself as one man.</p> + + <p>Quiet, placid formalities. The + Keeper of Foodstuffs murmured + that the ransom paid to Rahn had + been recaptured after the fight. The + Keeper of Rolls reported with + savage satisfaction the number of + enemies who had been slain in + battle. He added that the loss to + Yugna was less than one man to + ten of the enemy. And he added + with still greater emphasis that the + shops being fitted with automatic + controls had released now—it had + grown so much—two thousand men + from the necessary day-and-night + working force, and further releases + were to be expected. The demands + of the machines were lessened + already beyond the memory of man. + Eyes turned to Tommy. There was + an expectant pause for his reply.</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><a class="pagenum" id="page416" title="416"> </a><span class="first_word">“I have</span> been Commander of + Defense Forces,” he told them + slowly, “in this fighting. I have + given you weapons. My two friends + have done more. The machines will + need fewer and fewer attendants as + the hints they have given you are + developed by yourselves. And there + is some hope that one of my friends + may show you, in ultra-sonic vibrations, + a weapon against the jungle + itself. My own work is finished. + But I ask again for friendship for + my planet Earth. I ask that no war + be made on my own people. I ask + that what benefits you receive from + us be passed to the other surviving + cities on the same terms. And since + there can be no further fighting on + this scale, I give back my commission + as Commander of Defense.”</p> + + <p>There was a little murmur among + the men of Yugna, looking on. It + rose to a protesting babble, to a + shout of denial. The bearded old + Keeper of Foodstuffs smiled.</p> + + <p>“It is proposed that the appointment + as Commander of Defense + Forces be permanent,” he said + mildly.</p> + + <p>He produced the queer black box + and touched it in a certain fashion. + He passed it to the next man, and + the next and next. It went around + the table. It passed a second time, + but this time each man merely + looked at the top.</p> + + <p>“You command the defense forces + of Yugna for always,” said the + bearded old man, gently. “Now give + orders that your requests become + laws.”</p> + + <hr class="thoughtbreak" /> + + <p class="post_thoughtbreak"><span class="first_word">Tommy</span> stared blankly. He was + suddenly aware of Aten in the + background, smiling triumphantly + and very happily at him. There was + something like a roar of approval + from the men of Yugna, assembled.</p> + + <p>“Just what,” demanded Tommy, + “does this mean?”</p> + + <p>“For many years,” said a hawk-faced + man ungraciously, “we have + had no Commander of Defense. We + have had no wars. But we see it is + needful. We have chosen you, with + all agreeing. The Commander of + Defense”—he sniffed a little, pugnaciously—“has + the authority the + ancient kings once owned.”</p> + + <p>Tommy leaned back in the curious + benchlike chair, his eyes narrow + and thoughtful. This would + simplify matters. No danger of + trouble to Earth. A free hand for + Denham and Smithers to help these + folk, and for Denham to learn + scientific facts—in the sciences they + had developed—which would be of + inestimable value to Earth. And it + could be possible to open a peaceful + trade with the nations of Earth + without any danger of war. And + maybe….</p> + + <p>He smiled suddenly. It widened + almost into a grin.</p> + + <p>“All right. I’ll settle down here + for a while. But—er—just how + does one set about getting married + here?”</p> + + <div id="the_end"> + + </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Fifth-Dimension Tube, by +William Fitzgerald Jenkins + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FIFTH-DIMENSION TUBE *** + +***** This file should be named 30408-h.htm or 30408-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/4/0/30408/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Barbara Tozier and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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