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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Peril of the Blue World - -Author: Robert Abernathy - -Release Date: May 26, 2020 [EBook #62241] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERIL OF THE BLUE WORLD *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="346" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>PERIL OF THE BLUE WORLD</h1> - -<h2>By ROBERT ABERNATHY</h2> - -<p>The First Earth Expedition was the scouting<br /> -force of the conquering Martians. But conditions<br /> -were totally different from those expected, and<br /> -science was of no value—for on Earth were<br /> -"beings" that weapons could not fight.</p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Planet Stories Winter 1942.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>There are those who have criticized the wisdom of the members of the -First Earth Expedition in returning to Mars so precipitately, without -completing the observations and explorations which it had been intended -they should make. For some time now, we who were with the Expedition -and knew the real reason for that return have chosen to ignore these -few but noisy individuals; but latterly some of the hot-headed younger -generation, but lately out of the egg and unwilling to trust to the -wisdom of their elders, have begun to talk of launching a second -expedition to the Blue Planet.</p> - -<p>Therefore, I, Shapplo with the Long Proboscis, interpreter to the First -Expedition, have been commissioned by the crew of the Earth Rocket to -tell the full and unexpurgated story of our adventures on Earth, and -the reasons for our contention that the planet must forever remain -closed to Martian colonization.</p> - -<p>I will pass over the details of the interplanetary voyage, which -consists chiefly of scientific data and figures not calculated to -interest the average reader. Suffice it to say that the Earth Rocket, -with the twenty-three members of its crew alive and intact, came safely -to rest on the crest of a gently-swelling hill in the midst of an -island in the northern hemisphere of Earth. This island is located by -our astronomers as 1-2-2-(1) North, but is called by its inhabitants, -Engelond or Britannia.</p> - -<p>We landed in the southern portion of this island, on a hilltop as -before stated; and, after conditioning our lungs and wearing gravity -belts against Earth's dense atmosphere and correspondingly strong -gravity, we threw open the exit ports and trooped out, led by our -captain, Tutwa with the Crooked Ears, our second in command, Ikleek -from Gnoxwid, and myself; also, immediately behind us, came our -zoologist, Zesmo Who Fell in the Canal when an Infant.</p> - -<p>The first thing noticed by all of us, but particularly by Zesmo Who -Fell in the Canal, was the riparian-appearing profusion of Earthly -life which at once displayed itself. Plants of every size and shape, -invariably green in color but bearing blossoms of all shades, covered -the hillside, and all of the rolling landscape that was visible -from our point of vantage. Among the leaves and flowers fluttered -bright-colored objects which we soon perceived, with great surprise, to -be living creatures.</p> - -<p>"What a planet!" exclaimed the captain philosophically. "Even the lower -animals can fly; what then may we expect of the higher creatures, the -intelligent races?"</p> - -<p>"You'll notice, however," said Zesmo, who had in the meantime succeeded -in capturing one of these aerial dancers, "that they fly entirely -without artificial aids. It is made possible by the dense atmosphere of -Earth."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As we moved forward among the thick and moderately lofty vegetation, -small, furred, four-legged creatures leaped out of the underbrush and -scampered rapidly away. Using ray-guns at low power, we paralyzed -several of these; but, after close examination, we were forced to -conclude that we must look further for the intelligent inhabitants of -the planet.</p> - -<p>"It's quite possible that there isn't any intelligent race," said -Zesmo gloomily. "If they were very bright, I should think they'd have -crossed space to Mars before now."</p> - -<p>"Don't expect too much of the poor Earthman, Zesmo," retorted Ikleek. -"Remember that our own race discovered space travel only three -generations ago, and that ours is the first rocket powerful enough -to dare Earth's gravitational field. Due to the high velocity of -escape, the development of space travel by Earthman would be very much -retarded. They might have a high civilization and never get off the -ground."</p> - -<p>"Aerial flight should be easy," argued Zesmo. "Look at even those -ignorant little—"</p> - -<p>He was interrupted by a shrill shout from one of the crew. One and all, -we turned toward the sound, and saw him hastening toward us through the -trees as fast as Earth's tremendous gravity would let him, waving his -tentacles and glowing with terror.</p> - -<p>"A monster!" he sputtered. "A metal monster!"</p> - -<p>We hastily adjusted our ray-guns to full power, and awaited anxiously -the onslaught of whatever formidable being might come against us. We -had not long to wait, for in a moment we saw approaching among the -trees a fantastic creature.</p> - -<p>For some moments we gaped foolishly at the thing before we realized -that it was actually a compound monster—two animals in one, so to -speak. Except that one was not an animal, but evidently a machine!</p> - -<p>The Earth-monster had not yet seen us; and at this juncture I took -the opportunity to hastily scribble some notes which I very shortly -regretted. However, to illustrate the fact that anyone may make -mistakes and that even the most apparent truths may be misinterpreted, -I will here reproduce what I wrote:</p> - -<p>"The intelligent inhabitants of Earth somewhat resemble us in the -possession of four limbs, two eyes, and two elongated protuberances -which are very likely ears. The sensory organs are mostly located -on, or about, the front of the head. The feet are sheathed in horny -coverings which may be either natural or artificial. The caudal -appendage is of considerable length and bears long dense hairs, thus -differing from the rest of the body, over which the hairy covering is -short and flat-lying. No real proboscis is present, but the head is -much elongated in front, with the snout directed downward...."</p> - -<p>Enough of this. At least, tremendous as my error was, it was at the -time shared by all the others present.</p> - -<p>The animal above described formed the lower portion of the compound -being which confronted us. Mounted astride of it was a gleaming metal -creature, constructed on the same lines, but with jointed arms and legs -of metal, without a tail, and seated erect instead of going slavishly -on all fours. In one hand it grasped a long pole with a sharp metal -point, and other accouterments which might be weapons were girded about -it.</p> - -<p>"A robot!" ejaculated the Captain. He had jumped to the same natural -conclusion as the rest of us.</p> - -<p>"What do you say to an intelligent race now, Zesmo?" hissed Ikleek. -"Obviously the Earthmen were <i>too</i> intelligent. They built a high -civilization and were enslaved by their own machines!"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps we Martians are destined to free this oppressed race from -ignoble servitude!" exclaimed Zesmo. "If we can just paralyze and -capture the machine—" He began adjusting his ray-gun to low power.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The creature may have heard our voices, muffled as they were by the -heavy air. At any rate, it suddenly turned toward us, displaying an -expressionless metal face with a curious grille arrangement in front; -and, recovering in a trice from its evident astonishment, it drove feet -armed with dagger-sharp points into the flanks of its mount, and came -galloping toward us. As it came it lowered its long spear, with the -obvious intention of impaling upon it one or more of our number.</p> - -<p>Zesmo's right tentacle whipped up with his ray-gun; there was a sharp -crackle of invisible energy in the air, blue sparks leaped about the -thing's metal joints, and both it and its mount toppled heavily to the -earth and lay in an inert heap.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" width="393" height="500" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>Zesmo's right tentacle whipped up; there was the sharp -crackle of energy in the air; sparks leaped about the thing's metal -joints.</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>We approached them with caution—none too cautiously, as it developed, -because abruptly the robot stirred and scrambled dizzily to its -feet. Its metal sheathing had absorbed most of the ray-gun's merely -paralyzing energy. With a swift, practiced motion, it drew from its -side a long, straight, sharp blade, which I subconsciously identified -as a primitive weapon operating on the wedge principle, even as I was -raising and aiming my ray-gun.</p> - -<p>Taking cognizance of the fact that we would much prefer to capture the -machine in an undamaged state, but also of the fact that unless steps -were taken it would very shortly hack me into small pieces, I aimed at -the upraised weapon and pressed the firing button. The ray, at full -power, struck the blade, which glowed red-hot and partially fused. -The robot dropped it with a sharp exclamation of uncertain meaning, -probably expressing considerable annoyance.</p> - -<p>In the meantime Zesmo had stepped to close range, and now he gave the -metal man a considerably augmented dosage of the ray. With a hiss and -crackle, the robot collapsed and gave us no more trouble.</p> - -<p>Zesmo had begun to examine the prostrate animal upon which it had -ridden, with a view to resuscitation, then Ikleek, who had turned his -attention to the robot, abruptly straightened up and began to rock to -and fro in amusement.</p> - -<p>"Would you mind telling me what you're so happy about?" inquired Zesmo -with pardonable acerbity.</p> - -<p>"Merely that we've all made a <i>very</i> silly mistake," gurgled Ikleek, -recovering a portion of his composure. He flipped a contemptuous -tentacle toward the animal which Zesmo had been examining. "Intelligent -creature, bah!" He began to rock back and forth uncontrollably once -more.</p> - -<p>"Explain yourself," ordered Captain Tutwa sternly.</p> - -<p>For answer, the second in command bent over the "robot," and, wrenching -off its metal head-covering, revealed the face of an unconscious living -being.</p> - -<p>I need not describe the Earthman, since the form and appearance of this -race have become familiar to all Martians from the photographs and -descriptions which we brought back from Earth. I will only mention that -this specimen was a male, and consequently was rather hairy about the -lower portion of the face as well as on the top and back of the head.</p> - -<p>Zesmo made no comment, but popped his eyes in and out of his head at an -expressive rate.</p> - -<p>"Here's your Earthman!" chortled Ikleek gleefully, tapping on the -creature's metal chest-protector. "He's only wearing armor, a great -deal like a spacesuit."</p> - -<p>"Maybe he'll die if you leave his helmet off," exclaimed Zesmo in alarm.</p> - -<p>I picked up the helmet and examined it. "His armor isn't airtight," I -informed the company. "It must be worn for some other reason."</p> - -<p>We were all considerably puzzled by this, and determined to revive the -Earthman as soon as possible, in order to question him on this subject -and others. With some difficulty we carried him back to the ship.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Unable to use drugs, due to the possibility of essential differences -between Earthly and Martian chemical constitutions, we were forced to -resort to purely physical means for his resuscitation; but we were very -shortly successful to the extent that the Earthman stirred, opened his -lidded eyes, and sat up groggily—then, seeing us crowding about him -curiously with waving tentacles and proboscides, uttered an insane yell -and attempted to leave the ship at once.</p> - -<p>It was with much difficulty that we succeeded in overpowering the -frantic Earthman without his breaking the glass oxygen helmet which -we had placed over his head to allow him to breathe air at the normal -Earthly pressure of between fourteen and fifteen pounds to the square -inch. With the aid of a dozen members of the crew, however, we -eventually subdued him, not without ourselves sustaining some damage. -The tip of one left tentacle was somehow broken off in the scuffle, -and by the time I had located the fragment and fastened it back on -with medicated adhesive to facilitate healing, the Earthman had been -strapped to a table and the telepathor set up.</p> - -<p>Since I was interpreter for the expedition, due to my training in the -arts and sciences of telepathy, psychology, and linguistics, I, at -once, took charge, checked over the apparatus, and began to experiment -with a view to discovering the vibration frequency of the Earthman's -mind. At last I found it, surprisingly far down in the scale. The -Earthmen have exceedingly slow minds, which do not allow them to think -quickly in an emergency; this, however, does not prevent them from -acting quickly.</p> - -<p>Having finally attuned the transformer of the telepathor to step down -my mental frequency to the Earthman's level, I succeeded in entering -into telepathic communication with him. I will not attempt to reproduce -this conversation in words, but will merely give the gist of it, which -was about all that I grasped at the time, having no familiarity with -Earthly idioms of thought.</p> - -<p>This Earthman's name, I gathered, was Sir Henry de Long, the initial -"Sir" being some sort of title of more or less vague meaning. He -was also a "knight"; this, too, was an honor of some sort, and was -intimately connected with the wearing of a considerable quantity -of heavy iron and the possession of a horse—the animal upon which -the Earthman had been mounted when we first made his acquaintance. -In addition to his knighthood, he was an "Englishman," which he -also appeared to consider a distinction. On further questioning, it -developed that being an Englishman meant having been born in this -island of Engelond; I was unable to perceive why this accident should -be a cause for personal pride, but concluded that there must be some -reason buried deep in Earthly psychology.</p> - -<p>When I inquired about his armor, I discovered that it had something -to do with his being a knight; furthermore, he seemed to be proud of -the armor. In fact, this remarkable individual was proud of almost -everything connected with himself. This is one of the characteristics -of a certain class of Earthmen, to which this specimen belonged; we -discovered later that the vast majority of the race is educated to a -becoming humility, while a limited group is allowed to consider itself -out of the ordinary and infinitely better than the rest. This is quite -proper, of course; those who are superior should be accorded fitting -distinction. During our brief stay on Earth, however, we were unable -to ascertain the basis on which the superiority of this class is -determined.</p> - -<p>I succeeded in assuring de Long of our kindly intentions toward him, -and obtained his promise not to make trouble if released. Considering -the high respect in which this queer fellow held himself, I was -reasonably certain that he would refrain from breaking his "word of -honor."</p> - -<p>I learned also that de Long's home was not far from our present -location. On due consideration, we decided to move the ship to this -place and gain an opportunity to observe these people in their natural -habitat.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The Earth Rocket, accordingly, lifted and flew several miles to -the east, landing near the castle, or great fortress-like building -of stone, which was our guest's usual habitation. The Earthman was -overwhelmed by the actuality of flight; we learned, when he finally -came out of his daze, that artificial flying was here believed -impossible.</p> - -<p>We were somewhat startled by the sensation produced by our appearance -on the scene; of course, these people had never seen a flying machine, -but their excitement seemed to us wholly disproportionate. However, -it is a characteristic of Earthman psychology to believe anything you -have never seen or heard of impossible, and accordingly to be very -much alarmed when it actually appears. After we had entered the castle -with de Long in our midst, we were disagreeably surprised to learn -that on observing our approach the people in the fortress had prepared -quantities of boiling oil and heavy stones with the idea of dropping -them on us when we passed under the walls, and had only been deterred -by the presence of their chieftain.</p> - -<p>It was not a pleasant thought.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, after their terror had been dissipated by our -pacificatory policy, these people became childishly curious, and -wherever any one of us went, he could be sure of a crowd of gaping -Earthmen following on his heels to observe his every action.</p> - -<p>Zesmo was a bit disappointed by the low state of advancement in which -we found the Earthmen. They have no electricity and no self-powered -machines; they depend entirely upon muscle, either their own—which -is far from inconsiderable in proportion to their intellect—or that -of their various slave animals. In some things they display striking -ingenuity, in other remarkable obtusity.</p> - -<p>During our several days' stay near the castle of de Long, Zesmo and our -sociologist, Plagu Long Legs, gathered an immense body of data on the -life and characteristics of the Earthmen, which may be found in almost -any public library in more or less condensed form. Therefore I will -avoid going into it here.</p> - -<p>So far, we had found no great danger on Earth, and no hint of the -horrors which must forever prohibit exploration of the planet. One day, -however, when I was pursuing an investigation of their socialistic -society in a telepathor conversation with de Long, he happened to -mention that one of the occupations of a good knight was killing -dragons.</p> - -<p>"Dragons?" I inquired, recording the word in my notebook.</p> - -<p>"Wot ye not what dragons be?" exclaimed de Long, with raised -eyebrows—an expression of mild surprise with the Earthmen. "A dragon -is a huge beast, the greatest on the Earth. From its mouth and -nostrils, it breathes flame and smoke, so that but to approach it is -deadly peril."</p> - -<p>"Uh—where do these brutes live?" I wanted to know, somewhat -apprehensively.</p> - -<p>"There are not many in Engelond in these latter days, St. George and -many another valiant champion having harried them full sore, slaying -many and putting the fear of God into the rest. But in Ireland and -other lands many remain and are the terror of all men living."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>This was a bit of a shock, to say the least. We had expected dangers on -Earth, naturally; but no such fearsome beasts as de Long described. Our -ray guns might prove quite ineffective against these terrible animals.</p> - -<p>"Are these the most dangerous creatures on Earth?" I inquired, with -some hesitancy.</p> - -<p>De Long leaned back and emitted a series of explosive sounds indicative -of amusement.</p> - -<p>"Far from it," he declared. "For though dragons be vasty and terrible, -yet are there other creatures no whit less perilous to mortal men, and -some far more so. We have many fiends of divers sorts even here in -Engelond, some of which are friends to man and hold no malice, but the -most of which are ill-natured and lose no opportunity to do a mischief. -They say that when the rovers came from Noroway in the days of the -good King Aelfred, they brought with them in their long black galleys, -together with many a thirsty spear, the devils and hobgoblins that -were their pagan gods; and that these have stayed after them and are -yet the foes of all true Englishmen."</p> - -<p>"We have seen no such creatures," said I doubtfully.</p> - -<p>"Nay, for men rarely see them. For the most part, they do their evil -deeds by night; and many are able to become invisible at their will. -And some take divers forms: such are the werewolves, which are by day -men, by night ravenous man-eating beasts."</p> - -<p>This was decidedly discouraging. I was still not sure, though, that de -Long was not merely jesting.</p> - -<p>"Are these things likely to be dangerous to Martians?" I demanded.</p> - -<p>"I know not—but here in Engelond, as I have said before, there are -much fewer of these fiends than elsewhere," he reassured me.</p> - -<p>I glanced nervously about the room. "Is it—is it possible that an -invisible fiend might be present even here?" I knew that our scientists -had produced invisibility in the laboratory, but it was hard to -believe—</p> - -<p>De Long nodded gravely. "Quite possible," he affirmed, adding -sententiously, "Even walls have ears; speak of the Devil and his imps -will appear."</p> - -<p>"Excuse me," I said falteringly. "I just remembered an important -engagement—"</p> - -<p>I switched off the telepathor, gathered it up and made a hasty exit. I -wanted to consult with Captain Tutwa.</p> - -<p>The captain listened with skepticism to my retelling of de Long's -account of the dangers of the Blue Planet.</p> - -<p>"Bah!" he said, when I had finished. "The Earthman was probably lying, -for some reason or other. These fellows have strange motives."</p> - -<p>"But why should he tell me such tales?" I persisted. "He seemed -perfectly serious. And if such dangers <i>do</i> exist on Earth—"</p> - -<p>"The motive becomes perfectly plain to me!" exclaimed the captain, -snapping a tentacle in the air. "By telling us of imaginary dangers, -the Earthman intends to frighten us away and preserve his sovereignty -over the planet."</p> - -<p>"That sounds like a plausible reason," I admitted. "But—if he <i>is</i> -telling the truth, we are risking Martian lives every moment we remain -here! We should at least check the facts."</p> - -<p>"Well...." The captain turned blue with concentration. "The Council, -in chartering the Earth Expedition, expressed a fear that the planet -might prove unavailable for colonization, due to possible inimical -life forms. It's so much nearer the Sun, and so moist, that we had -anticipated just such a canalbank jungle as does exist; and it's -possible that the pressure of evolutionary competition might develop -strange and fearful creatures.... But, remember that we haven't seen -even one of these 'fiends.'"</p> - -<p>"De Long said that a great many of them are invisible."</p> - -<p>"Hmm!" said the captain. "Of course, that's within the bounds of -possibility, though not of probability; but before we came here I'd -have said flying animals were improbable. We had best investigate."</p> - -<p>"Eh?"</p> - -<p>"It's simple. We'll merely put de Long under the lie detector."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I was struck by the beautiful simplicity of this idea, which should -have been right in my province.</p> - -<p>"I leave it to you to maneuver de Long into a position where we can use -the detector without his knowledge," said the captain.</p> - -<p>"Very well," I said joyfully.</p> - -<p>It was not difficult to get de Long aboard the ship; he had never had -a chance to satisfy his curiosity concerning it. I showed him through -several of the cabins without doing anything to arouse his suspicions, -and finally got him seated within the effective radius of the lie -detector.</p> - -<p>"Er—I've been wondering about—about those werewolves you were telling -me of, Sir Henry," I improvised. "Just what are their habits?"</p> - -<p>"They are a dangerous sort of demon," replied the Earthman readily. "By -day they appear to be ordinary men, save that they may be distinguished -by the first finger of the right hand being longer than the second; -but in the dead of night the craving for human flesh comes upon them, -they grow hairy, their nails become claws and their jaws lengthen, and -they are wolves. They may not be slain by any weapon while in the beast -form, but must be taken in human shape."</p> - -<p>I quivered in spite of myself. The lie detector indicator had not moved -from center—what he was saying must be the dreadful truth!</p> - -<p>"Are—are they the worst sort of fiend common around here?" I ventured -to ask.</p> - -<p>De Long constricted the skin above his eyes judiciously. "The vampire -is likewise a direful demon, though little known in these parts," he -declared. "It is the soul of an unsanctified corpse, which rises in the -night from its grave and goes forth to suck blood and life from living -men."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I sprang to my feet, unable to remain still any longer. De Long stared. -"Is aught amiss?" he exclaimed anxiously.</p> - -<p>"No—nothing," I muttered, and the lie detector needle leaped clear -against its stop pins. "That is—I rather think we'll be leaving Earth -before very long." With lame excuses, we managed to get the Earthman -outside.</p> - -<p>Captain Tutwa thoroughly agreed with me that we must leave this noxious -planet at once, never to return, and that Earth must be declared unfit -for Martian colonization. I can solemnly say that the Blue Planet is -a veritable inferno; we of Mars will do well to keep clear of it in -future interplanetary explorations.</p> - -<p>I am sure that you can well see that Earth can never be colonized from -Mars, that it must be forever shunned as a plague spot. If any of our -hot-headed youth is now so foolhardy as to brave the horrors of that -planet of fear, their blood is on their own heads.</p> - -<p class="ph1">In the 75th day of the 242nd year of the invention of the steam engine,</p> - -<p class="ph1">(Signed)</p> - -<p class="ph1">Shapplo with the Long Proboscis,<br /> -Interpreter, First Earth Expedition.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Peril of the Blue World, by Robert Abernathy - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERIL OF THE BLUE WORLD *** - -***** This file should be named 62241-h.htm or 62241-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/2/4/62241/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Peril of the Blue World - -Author: Robert Abernathy - -Release Date: May 26, 2020 [EBook #62241] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERIL OF THE BLUE WORLD *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - PERIL OF THE BLUE WORLD - - By ROBERT ABERNATHY - - The First Earth Expedition was the scouting - force of the conquering Martians. But conditions - were totally different from those expected, and - science was of no value--for on Earth were - "beings" that weapons could not fight. - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Planet Stories Winter 1942. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -There are those who have criticized the wisdom of the members of the -First Earth Expedition in returning to Mars so precipitately, without -completing the observations and explorations which it had been intended -they should make. For some time now, we who were with the Expedition -and knew the real reason for that return have chosen to ignore these -few but noisy individuals; but latterly some of the hot-headed younger -generation, but lately out of the egg and unwilling to trust to the -wisdom of their elders, have begun to talk of launching a second -expedition to the Blue Planet. - -Therefore, I, Shapplo with the Long Proboscis, interpreter to the First -Expedition, have been commissioned by the crew of the Earth Rocket to -tell the full and unexpurgated story of our adventures on Earth, and -the reasons for our contention that the planet must forever remain -closed to Martian colonization. - -I will pass over the details of the interplanetary voyage, which -consists chiefly of scientific data and figures not calculated to -interest the average reader. Suffice it to say that the Earth Rocket, -with the twenty-three members of its crew alive and intact, came safely -to rest on the crest of a gently-swelling hill in the midst of an -island in the northern hemisphere of Earth. This island is located by -our astronomers as 1-2-2-(1) North, but is called by its inhabitants, -Engelond or Britannia. - -We landed in the southern portion of this island, on a hilltop as -before stated; and, after conditioning our lungs and wearing gravity -belts against Earth's dense atmosphere and correspondingly strong -gravity, we threw open the exit ports and trooped out, led by our -captain, Tutwa with the Crooked Ears, our second in command, Ikleek -from Gnoxwid, and myself; also, immediately behind us, came our -zoologist, Zesmo Who Fell in the Canal when an Infant. - -The first thing noticed by all of us, but particularly by Zesmo Who -Fell in the Canal, was the riparian-appearing profusion of Earthly -life which at once displayed itself. Plants of every size and shape, -invariably green in color but bearing blossoms of all shades, covered -the hillside, and all of the rolling landscape that was visible -from our point of vantage. Among the leaves and flowers fluttered -bright-colored objects which we soon perceived, with great surprise, to -be living creatures. - -"What a planet!" exclaimed the captain philosophically. "Even the lower -animals can fly; what then may we expect of the higher creatures, the -intelligent races?" - -"You'll notice, however," said Zesmo, who had in the meantime succeeded -in capturing one of these aerial dancers, "that they fly entirely -without artificial aids. It is made possible by the dense atmosphere of -Earth." - - * * * * * - -As we moved forward among the thick and moderately lofty vegetation, -small, furred, four-legged creatures leaped out of the underbrush and -scampered rapidly away. Using ray-guns at low power, we paralyzed -several of these; but, after close examination, we were forced to -conclude that we must look further for the intelligent inhabitants of -the planet. - -"It's quite possible that there isn't any intelligent race," said -Zesmo gloomily. "If they were very bright, I should think they'd have -crossed space to Mars before now." - -"Don't expect too much of the poor Earthman, Zesmo," retorted Ikleek. -"Remember that our own race discovered space travel only three -generations ago, and that ours is the first rocket powerful enough -to dare Earth's gravitational field. Due to the high velocity of -escape, the development of space travel by Earthman would be very much -retarded. They might have a high civilization and never get off the -ground." - -"Aerial flight should be easy," argued Zesmo. "Look at even those -ignorant little--" - -He was interrupted by a shrill shout from one of the crew. One and all, -we turned toward the sound, and saw him hastening toward us through the -trees as fast as Earth's tremendous gravity would let him, waving his -tentacles and glowing with terror. - -"A monster!" he sputtered. "A metal monster!" - -We hastily adjusted our ray-guns to full power, and awaited anxiously -the onslaught of whatever formidable being might come against us. We -had not long to wait, for in a moment we saw approaching among the -trees a fantastic creature. - -For some moments we gaped foolishly at the thing before we realized -that it was actually a compound monster--two animals in one, so to -speak. Except that one was not an animal, but evidently a machine! - -The Earth-monster had not yet seen us; and at this juncture I took -the opportunity to hastily scribble some notes which I very shortly -regretted. However, to illustrate the fact that anyone may make -mistakes and that even the most apparent truths may be misinterpreted, -I will here reproduce what I wrote: - -"The intelligent inhabitants of Earth somewhat resemble us in the -possession of four limbs, two eyes, and two elongated protuberances -which are very likely ears. The sensory organs are mostly located -on, or about, the front of the head. The feet are sheathed in horny -coverings which may be either natural or artificial. The caudal -appendage is of considerable length and bears long dense hairs, thus -differing from the rest of the body, over which the hairy covering is -short and flat-lying. No real proboscis is present, but the head is -much elongated in front, with the snout directed downward...." - -Enough of this. At least, tremendous as my error was, it was at the -time shared by all the others present. - -The animal above described formed the lower portion of the compound -being which confronted us. Mounted astride of it was a gleaming metal -creature, constructed on the same lines, but with jointed arms and legs -of metal, without a tail, and seated erect instead of going slavishly -on all fours. In one hand it grasped a long pole with a sharp metal -point, and other accouterments which might be weapons were girded about -it. - -"A robot!" ejaculated the Captain. He had jumped to the same natural -conclusion as the rest of us. - -"What do you say to an intelligent race now, Zesmo?" hissed Ikleek. -"Obviously the Earthmen were _too_ intelligent. They built a high -civilization and were enslaved by their own machines!" - -"Perhaps we Martians are destined to free this oppressed race from -ignoble servitude!" exclaimed Zesmo. "If we can just paralyze and -capture the machine--" He began adjusting his ray-gun to low power. - - * * * * * - -The creature may have heard our voices, muffled as they were by the -heavy air. At any rate, it suddenly turned toward us, displaying an -expressionless metal face with a curious grille arrangement in front; -and, recovering in a trice from its evident astonishment, it drove feet -armed with dagger-sharp points into the flanks of its mount, and came -galloping toward us. As it came it lowered its long spear, with the -obvious intention of impaling upon it one or more of our number. - -Zesmo's right tentacle whipped up with his ray-gun; there was a sharp -crackle of invisible energy in the air, blue sparks leaped about the -thing's metal joints, and both it and its mount toppled heavily to the -earth and lay in an inert heap. - -[Illustration: _Zesmo's right tentacle whipped up; there was the sharp -crackle of energy in the air; sparks leaped about the thing's metal -joints._] - -We approached them with caution--none too cautiously, as it developed, -because abruptly the robot stirred and scrambled dizzily to its -feet. Its metal sheathing had absorbed most of the ray-gun's merely -paralyzing energy. With a swift, practiced motion, it drew from its -side a long, straight, sharp blade, which I subconsciously identified -as a primitive weapon operating on the wedge principle, even as I was -raising and aiming my ray-gun. - -Taking cognizance of the fact that we would much prefer to capture the -machine in an undamaged state, but also of the fact that unless steps -were taken it would very shortly hack me into small pieces, I aimed at -the upraised weapon and pressed the firing button. The ray, at full -power, struck the blade, which glowed red-hot and partially fused. -The robot dropped it with a sharp exclamation of uncertain meaning, -probably expressing considerable annoyance. - -In the meantime Zesmo had stepped to close range, and now he gave the -metal man a considerably augmented dosage of the ray. With a hiss and -crackle, the robot collapsed and gave us no more trouble. - -Zesmo had begun to examine the prostrate animal upon which it had -ridden, with a view to resuscitation, then Ikleek, who had turned his -attention to the robot, abruptly straightened up and began to rock to -and fro in amusement. - -"Would you mind telling me what you're so happy about?" inquired Zesmo -with pardonable acerbity. - -"Merely that we've all made a _very_ silly mistake," gurgled Ikleek, -recovering a portion of his composure. He flipped a contemptuous -tentacle toward the animal which Zesmo had been examining. "Intelligent -creature, bah!" He began to rock back and forth uncontrollably once -more. - -"Explain yourself," ordered Captain Tutwa sternly. - -For answer, the second in command bent over the "robot," and, wrenching -off its metal head-covering, revealed the face of an unconscious living -being. - -I need not describe the Earthman, since the form and appearance of this -race have become familiar to all Martians from the photographs and -descriptions which we brought back from Earth. I will only mention that -this specimen was a male, and consequently was rather hairy about the -lower portion of the face as well as on the top and back of the head. - -Zesmo made no comment, but popped his eyes in and out of his head at an -expressive rate. - -"Here's your Earthman!" chortled Ikleek gleefully, tapping on the -creature's metal chest-protector. "He's only wearing armor, a great -deal like a spacesuit." - -"Maybe he'll die if you leave his helmet off," exclaimed Zesmo in alarm. - -I picked up the helmet and examined it. "His armor isn't airtight," I -informed the company. "It must be worn for some other reason." - -We were all considerably puzzled by this, and determined to revive the -Earthman as soon as possible, in order to question him on this subject -and others. With some difficulty we carried him back to the ship. - - * * * * * - -Unable to use drugs, due to the possibility of essential differences -between Earthly and Martian chemical constitutions, we were forced to -resort to purely physical means for his resuscitation; but we were very -shortly successful to the extent that the Earthman stirred, opened his -lidded eyes, and sat up groggily--then, seeing us crowding about him -curiously with waving tentacles and proboscides, uttered an insane yell -and attempted to leave the ship at once. - -It was with much difficulty that we succeeded in overpowering the -frantic Earthman without his breaking the glass oxygen helmet which -we had placed over his head to allow him to breathe air at the normal -Earthly pressure of between fourteen and fifteen pounds to the square -inch. With the aid of a dozen members of the crew, however, we -eventually subdued him, not without ourselves sustaining some damage. -The tip of one left tentacle was somehow broken off in the scuffle, -and by the time I had located the fragment and fastened it back on -with medicated adhesive to facilitate healing, the Earthman had been -strapped to a table and the telepathor set up. - -Since I was interpreter for the expedition, due to my training in the -arts and sciences of telepathy, psychology, and linguistics, I, at -once, took charge, checked over the apparatus, and began to experiment -with a view to discovering the vibration frequency of the Earthman's -mind. At last I found it, surprisingly far down in the scale. The -Earthmen have exceedingly slow minds, which do not allow them to think -quickly in an emergency; this, however, does not prevent them from -acting quickly. - -Having finally attuned the transformer of the telepathor to step down -my mental frequency to the Earthman's level, I succeeded in entering -into telepathic communication with him. I will not attempt to reproduce -this conversation in words, but will merely give the gist of it, which -was about all that I grasped at the time, having no familiarity with -Earthly idioms of thought. - -This Earthman's name, I gathered, was Sir Henry de Long, the initial -"Sir" being some sort of title of more or less vague meaning. He -was also a "knight"; this, too, was an honor of some sort, and was -intimately connected with the wearing of a considerable quantity -of heavy iron and the possession of a horse--the animal upon which -the Earthman had been mounted when we first made his acquaintance. -In addition to his knighthood, he was an "Englishman," which he -also appeared to consider a distinction. On further questioning, it -developed that being an Englishman meant having been born in this -island of Engelond; I was unable to perceive why this accident should -be a cause for personal pride, but concluded that there must be some -reason buried deep in Earthly psychology. - -When I inquired about his armor, I discovered that it had something -to do with his being a knight; furthermore, he seemed to be proud of -the armor. In fact, this remarkable individual was proud of almost -everything connected with himself. This is one of the characteristics -of a certain class of Earthmen, to which this specimen belonged; we -discovered later that the vast majority of the race is educated to a -becoming humility, while a limited group is allowed to consider itself -out of the ordinary and infinitely better than the rest. This is quite -proper, of course; those who are superior should be accorded fitting -distinction. During our brief stay on Earth, however, we were unable -to ascertain the basis on which the superiority of this class is -determined. - -I succeeded in assuring de Long of our kindly intentions toward him, -and obtained his promise not to make trouble if released. Considering -the high respect in which this queer fellow held himself, I was -reasonably certain that he would refrain from breaking his "word of -honor." - -I learned also that de Long's home was not far from our present -location. On due consideration, we decided to move the ship to this -place and gain an opportunity to observe these people in their natural -habitat. - - * * * * * - -The Earth Rocket, accordingly, lifted and flew several miles to -the east, landing near the castle, or great fortress-like building -of stone, which was our guest's usual habitation. The Earthman was -overwhelmed by the actuality of flight; we learned, when he finally -came out of his daze, that artificial flying was here believed -impossible. - -We were somewhat startled by the sensation produced by our appearance -on the scene; of course, these people had never seen a flying machine, -but their excitement seemed to us wholly disproportionate. However, -it is a characteristic of Earthman psychology to believe anything you -have never seen or heard of impossible, and accordingly to be very -much alarmed when it actually appears. After we had entered the castle -with de Long in our midst, we were disagreeably surprised to learn -that on observing our approach the people in the fortress had prepared -quantities of boiling oil and heavy stones with the idea of dropping -them on us when we passed under the walls, and had only been deterred -by the presence of their chieftain. - -It was not a pleasant thought. - -Nevertheless, after their terror had been dissipated by our -pacificatory policy, these people became childishly curious, and -wherever any one of us went, he could be sure of a crowd of gaping -Earthmen following on his heels to observe his every action. - -Zesmo was a bit disappointed by the low state of advancement in which -we found the Earthmen. They have no electricity and no self-powered -machines; they depend entirely upon muscle, either their own--which -is far from inconsiderable in proportion to their intellect--or that -of their various slave animals. In some things they display striking -ingenuity, in other remarkable obtusity. - -During our several days' stay near the castle of de Long, Zesmo and our -sociologist, Plagu Long Legs, gathered an immense body of data on the -life and characteristics of the Earthmen, which may be found in almost -any public library in more or less condensed form. Therefore I will -avoid going into it here. - -So far, we had found no great danger on Earth, and no hint of the -horrors which must forever prohibit exploration of the planet. One day, -however, when I was pursuing an investigation of their socialistic -society in a telepathor conversation with de Long, he happened to -mention that one of the occupations of a good knight was killing -dragons. - -"Dragons?" I inquired, recording the word in my notebook. - -"Wot ye not what dragons be?" exclaimed de Long, with raised -eyebrows--an expression of mild surprise with the Earthmen. "A dragon -is a huge beast, the greatest on the Earth. From its mouth and -nostrils, it breathes flame and smoke, so that but to approach it is -deadly peril." - -"Uh--where do these brutes live?" I wanted to know, somewhat -apprehensively. - -"There are not many in Engelond in these latter days, St. George and -many another valiant champion having harried them full sore, slaying -many and putting the fear of God into the rest. But in Ireland and -other lands many remain and are the terror of all men living." - - * * * * * - -This was a bit of a shock, to say the least. We had expected dangers on -Earth, naturally; but no such fearsome beasts as de Long described. Our -ray guns might prove quite ineffective against these terrible animals. - -"Are these the most dangerous creatures on Earth?" I inquired, with -some hesitancy. - -De Long leaned back and emitted a series of explosive sounds indicative -of amusement. - -"Far from it," he declared. "For though dragons be vasty and terrible, -yet are there other creatures no whit less perilous to mortal men, and -some far more so. We have many fiends of divers sorts even here in -Engelond, some of which are friends to man and hold no malice, but the -most of which are ill-natured and lose no opportunity to do a mischief. -They say that when the rovers came from Noroway in the days of the -good King Aelfred, they brought with them in their long black galleys, -together with many a thirsty spear, the devils and hobgoblins that -were their pagan gods; and that these have stayed after them and are -yet the foes of all true Englishmen." - -"We have seen no such creatures," said I doubtfully. - -"Nay, for men rarely see them. For the most part, they do their evil -deeds by night; and many are able to become invisible at their will. -And some take divers forms: such are the werewolves, which are by day -men, by night ravenous man-eating beasts." - -This was decidedly discouraging. I was still not sure, though, that de -Long was not merely jesting. - -"Are these things likely to be dangerous to Martians?" I demanded. - -"I know not--but here in Engelond, as I have said before, there are -much fewer of these fiends than elsewhere," he reassured me. - -I glanced nervously about the room. "Is it--is it possible that an -invisible fiend might be present even here?" I knew that our scientists -had produced invisibility in the laboratory, but it was hard to -believe-- - -De Long nodded gravely. "Quite possible," he affirmed, adding -sententiously, "Even walls have ears; speak of the Devil and his imps -will appear." - -"Excuse me," I said falteringly. "I just remembered an important -engagement--" - -I switched off the telepathor, gathered it up and made a hasty exit. I -wanted to consult with Captain Tutwa. - -The captain listened with skepticism to my retelling of de Long's -account of the dangers of the Blue Planet. - -"Bah!" he said, when I had finished. "The Earthman was probably lying, -for some reason or other. These fellows have strange motives." - -"But why should he tell me such tales?" I persisted. "He seemed -perfectly serious. And if such dangers _do_ exist on Earth--" - -"The motive becomes perfectly plain to me!" exclaimed the captain, -snapping a tentacle in the air. "By telling us of imaginary dangers, -the Earthman intends to frighten us away and preserve his sovereignty -over the planet." - -"That sounds like a plausible reason," I admitted. "But--if he _is_ -telling the truth, we are risking Martian lives every moment we remain -here! We should at least check the facts." - -"Well...." The captain turned blue with concentration. "The Council, -in chartering the Earth Expedition, expressed a fear that the planet -might prove unavailable for colonization, due to possible inimical -life forms. It's so much nearer the Sun, and so moist, that we had -anticipated just such a canalbank jungle as does exist; and it's -possible that the pressure of evolutionary competition might develop -strange and fearful creatures.... But, remember that we haven't seen -even one of these 'fiends.'" - -"De Long said that a great many of them are invisible." - -"Hmm!" said the captain. "Of course, that's within the bounds of -possibility, though not of probability; but before we came here I'd -have said flying animals were improbable. We had best investigate." - -"Eh?" - -"It's simple. We'll merely put de Long under the lie detector." - - * * * * * - -I was struck by the beautiful simplicity of this idea, which should -have been right in my province. - -"I leave it to you to maneuver de Long into a position where we can use -the detector without his knowledge," said the captain. - -"Very well," I said joyfully. - -It was not difficult to get de Long aboard the ship; he had never had -a chance to satisfy his curiosity concerning it. I showed him through -several of the cabins without doing anything to arouse his suspicions, -and finally got him seated within the effective radius of the lie -detector. - -"Er--I've been wondering about--about those werewolves you were telling -me of, Sir Henry," I improvised. "Just what are their habits?" - -"They are a dangerous sort of demon," replied the Earthman readily. "By -day they appear to be ordinary men, save that they may be distinguished -by the first finger of the right hand being longer than the second; -but in the dead of night the craving for human flesh comes upon them, -they grow hairy, their nails become claws and their jaws lengthen, and -they are wolves. They may not be slain by any weapon while in the beast -form, but must be taken in human shape." - -I quivered in spite of myself. The lie detector indicator had not moved -from center--what he was saying must be the dreadful truth! - -"Are--are they the worst sort of fiend common around here?" I ventured -to ask. - -De Long constricted the skin above his eyes judiciously. "The vampire -is likewise a direful demon, though little known in these parts," he -declared. "It is the soul of an unsanctified corpse, which rises in the -night from its grave and goes forth to suck blood and life from living -men." - - * * * * * - -I sprang to my feet, unable to remain still any longer. De Long stared. -"Is aught amiss?" he exclaimed anxiously. - -"No--nothing," I muttered, and the lie detector needle leaped clear -against its stop pins. "That is--I rather think we'll be leaving Earth -before very long." With lame excuses, we managed to get the Earthman -outside. - -Captain Tutwa thoroughly agreed with me that we must leave this noxious -planet at once, never to return, and that Earth must be declared unfit -for Martian colonization. I can solemnly say that the Blue Planet is -a veritable inferno; we of Mars will do well to keep clear of it in -future interplanetary explorations. - -I am sure that you can well see that Earth can never be colonized from -Mars, that it must be forever shunned as a plague spot. If any of our -hot-headed youth is now so foolhardy as to brave the horrors of that -planet of fear, their blood is on their own heads. - - In the 75th day of the 242nd year of the invention of the steam - engine, - - (Signed) - - Shapplo with the Long Proboscis, - Interpreter, First Earth Expedition. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Peril of the Blue World, by Robert Abernathy - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERIL OF THE BLUE WORLD *** - -***** This file should be named 62241.txt or 62241.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/2/4/62241/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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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