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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. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a1118d0 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #62765 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/62765) diff --git a/old/62765-h.zip b/old/62765-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 76c18c0..0000000 --- a/old/62765-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/62765-h/62765-h.htm b/old/62765-h/62765-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 85b3600..0000000 --- a/old/62765-h/62765-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2907 +0,0 @@ -<!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=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Star Guardsman, by Albert Depina. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.caption p -{ - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0; - margin: 0.25em 0; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -.ph1 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } -.ph1 { font-size: medium; margin: .83em auto; } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Star Guardsman, by Albert dePina - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. 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: The Star Guardsman - -Author: Albert dePina - -Release Date: July 26, 2020 [EBook #62765] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STAR GUARDSMAN *** - - - - -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="694" height="1000" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> -<h1>The Star Guardsman</h1> - -<h2>By ALBERT DePINA</h2> - -<p>Europa was the only sanctuary for Earth's<br /> -doomed millions. Yet to hold it, Mark Lynn<br /> -had to fight his traitorous Overlords. And<br /> -he was destined to lose—for his weapons were<br /> -antiquated, his allies a fragile peaceful race.</p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Planet Stories Winter 1943.<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>"Your business?"</p> - -<p>The Martian Proctor's parchment-like face was blank as he examined -Lynn's pass-card impassively.</p> - -<p>"Since when are Internationals given explanations?" Mark Lynn's dark -green eyes glowed. "I've been given none."</p> - -<p>"In the Council Hall, humility's essential." The tall Martian drew -himself erect, arrogantly.</p> - -<p>"See that you observe it, then." Lynn barked laconically and turning -entered the tube, while the violet-eyed Planetarian gasped in -incredulity.</p> - -<p>When the door of the tube in which he'd been transported opened -silently, Mark Lynn found himself before a blank, polished wall of -Beryloy, but as he stepped before it, the wall slid aside to reveal an -austere room of dura-plon whose walls were buckled in places, as if -they'd endured tremendous pressure; part of the room was marked off by -beryloy cables, where a <i>bas-relief</i> of man's progress had crumbled to -the floor and had not been removed as yet. The ceiling seemed uneven, -the polished expanse of floor was asymmetrical.</p> - -<p>Across an enormous desk, now covered by a plotting chart, a figure -dressed in the purple uniform of a scientist, with the golden cord of -the Psychologists, gazed at him placidly out of level hazel eyes.</p> - -<p>The short-cropped hair that escaped the confines of the tight, silver -kepis, was golden-brown, unruly, and the oval face freckle-sprinkled -had the serious expression of a precocious child.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mark regarded the girl gravely, startled at her youth, although being -accustomed to female scientists her sex did not surprise him. He -remained silent, as the etiquette of 2,022 demanded when before the -ruling class.</p> - -<p>"You've made a characteristic beginning, Spacer Lynn," the girl -observed coldly and gestured toward a visi-screen at her side. "Was it -necessary to leave the Proctor frothing?"</p> - -<p>"At the moment, yes!" Mark replied evenly. "Martian arrogance annoys -me, scientist."</p> - -<p>The girl frowned slightly. "I'm Doctor Fortun," she stated after a -pause. "The Council has decided to honor you with a mission. It is a -problem particularly suited to your ... er ... talents; your record -shows a rare agility of mind impossible to find among Civicans."</p> - -<p>"That's because controls one, six and fifteen failed to affect me," -Mark said smiling, unconsciously displaying magnificent teeth, dazzling -against the background of his space-tanned features.</p> - -<p>"Because you're a ..." the girl began irritably and then checked -herself. "No matter, Spacer Lynn."</p> - -<p>"Why not finish it?" Mark sat down, stretching long, sinewy legs -until he sprawled relaxed and loose-jointed, so that it seemed even -his magnificent muscles would never be able to lift the great body. -"Atavistic, is the word." He grinned engagingly and hooded his eyes -slightly as he appraised Doctor Fortun with undisguised admiration.</p> - -<p>The young scientist reddened, but she continued in a quiet voice.</p> - -<p>"You were selected because you evolved the expedient of taking -Internationals on space exploration, in defiance of the Council Law -that no International can serve more than two years in one position, -by simply shifting them to different levels of work on the Spacers, -where they would be unlikely to contact each other, and, incidentally, -managed to keep yourself as a Spacer long after your term had expired.</p> - -<p>"Your record shows also that you circumvented the non-voting status -of Internationals by organizing Civicans into groups to vote for the -interests of Internationals in exchange for confidential information on -planetary resettlement, so that they could obtain choice localities...."</p> - -<p>"There's a fundamental necessity of calling worn-out laws to the -attention of the Council by evasion, when they refuse to listen," Mark -explained affably.</p> - -<p>Doctor Fortun straightened angrily, her hazel eyes gold-bright with -annoyance. "You were not summoned to discuss revision of existing -laws," she flashed. "That impudence of yours hardly becomes...." She -was at a loss for words. Belonging as she did to the highest hereditary -rank in the realm, the smiling assurance of Spacer Lynn, three ranks -beneath her, and his frank insolence was a new experience to the girl.</p> - -<p>Mark Lynn laughed joyously. The admiration in his eyes deepened.</p> - -<p>"Thank the eternal stars!" He exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Have you gone mad?" The girl's voice was tight with fury. "Dare you -laugh at a scientist?"</p> - -<p>"No, not mad—merely happy! First the Council calls me because being -<i>International</i> and beyond Civican control my individualism and my -freedom of action are useful; you, of course, approve. Then when I -show those very qualities, you're furious. And, I'm happy because ..." -his voice dwindled.</p> - -<p>"Yes, go on!" Her words were sheathed in velvet, but her eyes were -feral, like flaming topaz.</p> - -<p>"Because it's paradoxical and shows you're still a woman—lovelier than -any I've ever seen," he finished almost in a whisper.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Doctor Fortun looked as if she were about to slap his face. Remembering -the dignity of a scientist in time, she gazed at Mark Lynn with a -mixture of feelings. Finally, something of his infectious good-nature, -of his open admiration touched her and she laughed quietly.</p> - -<p>"You are right, Spacer Lynn," she acknowledged. "For a moment I forgot -I was a Psychologist—it's a quality about you that for an instant -made me feel less a scientist and more a ... but never mind. We'll be -together for the Deity knows how long, and it's futile to begin by -quarrelling. Lean forward so you can see this chart, I'll explain."</p> - -<p>"We'll be together, did you say?" Mark was delighted. "Then give me a -dozen problems!"</p> - -<p>"Yes," she replied dubiously. "As a Psychologist I'll be part of -the expedition. You'll find that this one problem will be more than -enough." The girl pressed a button on her desk and one of the undamaged -walls began to glow until it became an astro-map, a reproduction of -charted space. Each planet was indicated in relative size, and in the -lower center, pulsing angrily a thin red line marked "Comet" seemed to -be approaching inferior conjunction with Terra.</p> - -<p>"Is that the problem?" Mark asked. "Simple! When it enters Terra's -orbit, life on Terra ceases. Evacuation's the only possible solution. -I knew that comet was approaching, but not being an Astronomer I -didn't compute its trajectory. Besides, being on Io is like being -in exile—news hardly ever reaches us there. Will it destroy Terra -completely?"</p> - -<p>"No, not entirely. At first, indications were that it would enter the -orbit of our system at such an angle that Terra would be destroyed. -However, we've checked with the observatories on Pluto since then, -and it has been determined that it will merely enter the field of -attraction sufficiently to shift the axis to opposition. Of course, -this will render Terra unfit for habitation ... perhaps for a century -or two ... therefore, as you realized, evacuation's the answer."</p> - -<p>"I'm listening," Mark said earnestly, as the magnitude of the problem -before them struck him. "However, you're aware I'm not an astronomer, -and the technique of evacuation could best be handled by the Council -itself. I'm afraid I still don't quite see what my role's to be.... But -whatever it is, I'm ready."</p> - -<p>"Turn your attention to this plotting chart," Doctor Fortun indicated -the map on her desk. "These areas marked in red have already been -affected. Tremors have increased and volcanic openings are occurring -in these and these areas, never dangerous before. While you were on Io -awaiting orders for another exploratory journey, we began to attempt -resettlement of our <i>Civicans</i> and <i>Ruralians</i> on other Planets—even -giving them their choice of occupations and of planets ... quite a -concession you must agree."</p> - -<p>"Quite!" The irony in his voice seemed to escape her.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"We have succeeded in resettling two-thirds of Terra's population -on Mars and Venus, and a limited number on Mercury; this last world -only offered limited space at best in its twilight zone, and it was -necessary to construct subterranean cities beneath its dark side—the -frigid half—but that's another problem. Now, however, Venus refuses to -accept any more Terrans and Mars has also closed its doors to us. Under -existing treaties they have no right to exclude Terrans, but we're -hardly in a position to enforce them now."</p> - -<p>"Hardly!" Lynn agreed sardonically.</p> - -<p>"The problem's further complicated by the innate characteristics of -this remaining third," Doctor Fortun paused, and gazed very intently -into the dark green eyes of the Spacer before she resumed.</p> - -<p>"They're for the most part internationals, ruralians who originally -refused to undergo controls one and six, and were not condemned to -Power Reserve because of the increasing need for Vitaminic Flora, as -you no doubt know that vibroponics, due to some peculiarity of the -radiations are greatly deficient in certain vitamins. The balance -are Planetarians from throughout the system who flatly refuse to -be repatriated. And, last but certainly not least, religious and -philosophic groups—the former, fanatical believers in <i>ancestrals</i> -and atavistic cults, who chose to regard this cosmic tragedy as a -manifestation of Divine Wrath and devote their time to frenzied, -masochistic meetings and revivals. The latter have turned stoic, and -choose to see nothing in our civilization worth living for, claiming -that all incentive has been removed, consequently, they prefer to -meet their fate on Terra. In short, this last third is completely -intractable."</p> - -<p>"I'm amazed the Council's taken no measures!" Mark exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Oh, measures have been taken, of course. The philosophers -have had rank and prerogatives—even when they had scientific -honors—nullified. The religious groups have had their food allowance -reduced to the starvation point and all their privileges recalled. -The Internationals ..." here she paused again as she regarded Mark, -"since they're free-thinkers, and the most dangerous of the lot, were -ordered to report for control-treatment under penalty of death. They -promptly took to the fastnesses in the mountains and deserts by the -millions, and are existing on game and vegetables to be found in the -now abandoned regions. They are armed for the most part."</p> - -<p>Mark Lynn was openly grinning now, but the girl chose to ignore it and -continued:</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately, our armed forces are too busy keeping order in the -new resettlements, or they would have been subdued long ago. The -resettlements have been supplied with seed, tools, cattle, metallic -substances, concentrated fuel, machinery ... in fact, everything -necessary for a successful evacuation. This last group would have -been similarly supplied, they were even given a reprieve for their -insubordination and offered special terms—the Council can be -munificent!" For an instant her voice rang with exaltation. "But they -absolutely refuse evacuation, except...."</p> - -<p>"Except what?" Lynn was all attention, sensing that this was the core -of the problem.</p> - -<p>"Except on their own terms!" The young scientist exclaimed with a trace -of bitterness.</p> - -<p>"But why don't you permit them to decide what manner of death they're -to have? What possible interest can the Council have in what to them -is an atavistic, intransigent group that detests our system of planned -existence? If the prospect of a continuation of this civilization gags -them, even in another planet, then obviously their choice to remain and -die here should be respected." Mark's voice was very soft.</p> - -<p>The limpid hazel eyes of the girl mirrored her shock at Mark's words.</p> - -<p>"Impossible! It would be horribly wasteful. And, a distinct failure on -the Council's part. Those lives can be useful—the Council never fails!"</p> - -<p>"Amen!" Mark Lynn exclaimed archaically. "And where do I come in?"</p> - -<p>The irony of his present situation didn't escape him. That he, an -<i>International</i>, a strata of the highly complex social order considered -most dangerous, should be called in to solve a problem of such -magnitude, involving (of all people) Internationals and intransigents, -would have been fantastic to anyone not acquainted with the subtle and -at times Machiavellian methods of the Council.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Doctor Fortun handed him a rolled, tissue-thin, metallic cylinder for -an answer.</p> - -<p>"Those are your orders from the Council," she said soberly. "I'm but an -agent, as you know. Just one among the scientists who will be in charge -upon arrival. Do not read it now. It is final. Take this card, it's a -permit to enter a scientific News-Casting Booth and scan all available -data for the past year. We know that out of the remaining third, -roughly three or four hundred million at best will be transportable. -The balance are far too old to withstand the journey—their power -potential is negligible, and in any case, they'd much rather die than -leave. But it's the three or four hundred million transportables who -are highly useful for the particular purpose of the Council, that -we must ... or rather," she smiled faintly, "you must convince." She -opened a drawer and extracted a gleaming metal disk. "These credits -will be ample," she said, extending it to Mark.</p> - -<p>Lynn's eyes widened. "Ten thousand credits? I've had to work as many -years for that amount!"</p> - -<p>Doctor Fortun smiled. "May you live to spend them, Spacer Lynn," she -said cryptically. "Greetings!"</p> - -<p>Mark Lynn wanted to speak, to ask her social name, anything that would -delay his departure from her office. But he knew the interview was at -an end even before she turned to the mass of figures and data on her -desk.</p> - -<p>Spacer Lynn threw a rapid glance around the room. They were still -alone, but he knew that the entire interview had been minutely -recorded—the august body of scientists of the first order who composed -the Council took no chances, especially with Internationals, the -adventurers, the pioneers who opened up new worlds for the maddeningly -impersonal efficiency of the Council to take over and remold. But Mark -didn't care. There was little that they didn't know about him, in -detail.</p> - -<p>Mark Lynn in common with a few million others was a product of his time -and station. One of the immense legion of war orphans that the constant -and increasingly destructive warfare of the twentieth and twenty-first -centuries had left behind, he was automatically a ward of the Executive -Council.</p> - -<p>Now that wars had finally been abolished as wasteful and inefficient, -the ultimate goal of the social order was "Achievement." It had become -a religion. It was instilled into infantile minds with the first -toddling steps; it was propagated through a thousand subtle means; it -was a constant threat in the background of every living being under -the government of Terra. <i>Achievement</i> was the inexorable law. It -might mean producing so many tons of vitaminic flora during a span of -so many years, or perhaps the production of metallic substances, or -the exploration of so many worlds, as in Mark's case. Regardless of -the task imposed, its final, successful and unequivocal completion was -the "Achievement" for that particular being. And, woe unto him who -<i>failed</i> to achieve!</p> - -<p>In Mark Lynn's case, having been given over to the International -Police for training as an astrogator and having finished his course -with brilliant honors, he had been given a first-class exploration -rating, and trained in outer space navigation. Years of successful -interplanetary and outer space exploration and research had given -him an unequaled experience as an explorer. It was his duty to give -the Council implicit obedience—and to reserve his thinking for the -problems of unexplored worlds and outer space. The Council, Rulers of -the World State, frowned on thinking without directives, especially by -those beyond control, such as the Internationals, of which Mark Lynn -was a great leader.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Thinking led to individualism, and the latter to conflict of opinions, -eventually to become conflict of a far more deadly sort. The recent -past was an unerasable record of promiscuous thinking; it had brought -too many problems, social and economic—it was wasteful, slipshod and -inefficient. So it became a matter of unalterable policy to train -each individual rigidly in that station in life to which he was -best fitted, where he or she could function with maximum efficiency -toward achievement. It became essential to apply control "one," which -instilled into the mental patterns a dreadful guilt of waste—whether -of energy, credits or time, much as the ancient Puritans lived in the -fear of their consciences and could never be comfortable or enjoy -frivolous moments or leisure. Control "six" became an obsession to -achieve, subtly replacing the emotional complex of what in an earlier -day was called "ambition," until nothing, literally nothing could stand -before that one, all-important goal. And finally, control "fifteen" -became an absolute need for guidance, a pattern that subtly replaced -the instinct for security of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, so -that all problems, all crises were solved by the Council. An attempt to -make individual solutions, resulted in an awful sense of "aloneness," -of absolute insecurity that could drive a civican or ruralian to the -verge of a psychosis. There were other controls, some major and -some minor, but these three, one, six and fifteen, were the three -imperatives. Mark Lynn was impervious to them—he had to be to belong -to the Internationals.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>With the sealed cylinder in an inner pocket of his tunic, that boasted -a golden sun embroidered on the chest, Mark left the building and -made his way through the milling crowds in the streets. They were all -hurrying to some individual task—office workers in the black gowns -of their calling; artisans with wide, tooled belts. The violet-eyed -Martian proctors who acted as guards, and the tiny, slender Venusians, -with their vari-colored wings and melodious voices. Scientists of -the various orders were hurrying to the transportation belts, while -technicians in their bright blue tunics went in and out of different -buildings. There was no confusion, no disorder, despite the evident -haste.</p> - -<p>Shops were closed, deserted or wrecked by earthquakes. Many buildings -were in partial ruins, others had huge cracks along the sides. Yet, -from the public visi-screens posted along the street came glimpses of -beautiful scenes and soft, seductive music. A light powdery snow was -falling, and the wind danced a sara-band unchecked.</p> - -<p>"Weather control stations must have failed," Mark said inwardly, and -breathed deeply, gratefully, the keen, icy freshness of the wind.</p> - -<p>An old woman, a ruralian carrying a huge bundle, spied him and eagerly -grasped his arm. "Greetings, International! Pray give an old woman -information! I've farmed my allotment and <i>achieved</i> ten years ahead -of my plan, and now they tell me I must move to Venus! I don't mind -the moving—though I mistrust those winged creatures—but I'm old and -very tired. Does my moving mean I'll have another allotment to achieve? -Must I clear Venusian land? Tell me International, if I'm assigned to -a freighter, will the gravs be likely to shorten what remains of my -life-span?"</p> - -<p>Mark laughed at the loud avalanche of questions. "Peace, Ruralian," -he managed through his laughter. "I doubt if you'll be required -to <i>achieve</i> another allotment. Didn't the government grant you -sufficient credits for a new start?"</p> - -<p>The ruralian woman pulled out a package of rank, Venusian cigarets -and contentedly puffed on one after lighting it. "Yes, when the -earth-temblors ruined my land and a mouth of fire finished it, a -proctor came from the Council and gave me enough credits to last a body -a life-time, then told me to make my way to transportation. But I can't -bring myself to spend those credits, International—its wasteful.... -I'd rather achieve another allotment. Why, I haven't bought a thing for -fifty years that I could grow or make myself!</p> - -<p>"I've been some time getting here from the Arizona sector, for the -shakes disrupted the conveyor roads, and I lost a lot of things when -another mouth of fire pushed up where the road was and blew my cart -to the four winds—It's a miracle I'm here at all! But about the -freighter, will the gravs...."</p> - -<p>"Ask for the sleep-freeze ... it will be given you, in any event. If -anything, it'll lengthen your span, and the journey will seem like an -overnight trip to you. If you need directing, a proctor will assist -you. Greetings Ruralian!" Mark tried to make his tones as kindly as he -possibly could, but realizing the woman was eager to make conversation, -he ended the incident—he was still on duty.</p> - -<p>"Greetings, International," she replied disappointed, and heaved the -bundle to her shoulder.</p> - -<p>Mark had not walked ten paces when instant correlation between his -senses, mental synthesis and muscular reaction made him swerve -aside, bending over at the same time. It had been the horror-shocked -expression in the eyes of a technician barely three paces before him, -that had sent the Spacer hurtling to one side, half bent over, bowling -pedestrians aside like ten-pins. A thin pencil of light flashed where -Mark's head had been seconds before. Mark had turned without pausing -and he saw a tall International whose yellow tunic bore the red whorl -insignia of a conveyor-road inspector.</p> - -<p>Mark's molecular rate was faster than any other strata, purposely, -because of his calling, and to the spectators it seemed as if he'd -twisted, turned and flung himself into a prodigious tackle all in -one motion. The attacking International, fully as tall as Mark, went -down under the terrific impact, his atomo-pistol sailing through the -icy atmosphere in a falling arc. But with the agility of a Martian -Hellacorium, he was up and snarling: "Traitor!" through clenched teeth. -With a cry of baffled fury he launched himself at Mark unhesitatingly, -one hand fumbling at his belt.</p> - -<p>But Mark ducked, side-stepping. He was icy calm now, although the -reason for this attack baffled him. Mark was in his element in a fight; -the International Police trained its wards to be fighting machines, -deadly in their efficiency. Explorers had to be!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">II</p> - -<p>Mark wheeled as the attacker hurtled past him and his straight left -went unerringly to the man's head, jarring him. Automatically Mark's -training came to the fore, as everything else faded until it was only -Spacer Lynn and a murderous enemy. Mark's right was a peg upon which -he hung the attacker's blasting blow, while he used the boxer's left, -long and weaving, throwing it swiftly like a cat sparring with a -mouse dangling by the tail from its teeth. His left bounced off the -attacker's chin. It was a little high, but the man rocked on his heels.</p> - -<p>The killer rushed. Mark let his heels touch the ground, refused to run. -The attacker was too aggressive and eager for complete defense. Mark -caught him with a left and right and calmly took a murderous hook to -the belly without flinching, then he let his right hand ride, dropping -it like a sledge-hammer. The attacker's face seemed to lose contour, -its features blurred as the face went gory; his feet crossed and his -knees went suddenly rubbery. The conveyor-road inspector fell with a -crash and didn't get up.</p> - -<p>Mark became suddenly aware that two Martian proctors flanked him, -deadly atomo-pistols pressing at his sides.</p> - -<p>"Silence and obedience, International! Follow!" came the crisp, laconic -order from the senior proctor.</p> - -<p>Instantly a visi-screen lighted and a cold, imperious voice directed:</p> - -<p>"Remove the attacker, dispose as power reserve. Spacer Lynn proceed on -mission!"</p> - -<p>In unison, the two proctors saluted and the atomo-pistols disappeared. -It was the voice of the Council, through some subordinate.</p> - -<p>"The eyes and ears of the universe!" Mark Lynn exclaimed ironically in -a whisper. The cometary reaction must have been psychological as well -as physical to bring about crime in a social order where for centuries -it had disappeared. Or had it? Mark wondered. How many secrets, how -much factual data the Council kept from the people? No one would ever -know. But why try to liquidate him? He'd just arrived from years in -outer space; surely he couldn't possibly have enemies on Terra! Was -his mission known? And come to think of it, just what was his mission -actually? Meditatively, he tapped the cylinder in the inner pocket of -his tunic. Could <i>that</i> have been the motive for the assault?</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Palanth!" Mark Lynn exclaimed delightedly as he spied a dandified -Martian leaning against a column of chrysophrase, upon entering the -lobby of the International Police headquarters to report.</p> - -<p>Tall and sinewy-lean, with the exaggeratedly narrow waist -characteristic of the Martians, Palanth gazed startled at his companion -of many adventures, from behind a silken square of Venusian-spider -silk drenched in the overpowering fragrance of Venusian Jasmines. Only -the violet eyes were visible, startling against the background of his -flaming hair.</p> - -<p>In the tight-fitting yellow tunic of an International, he resembled an -ancient, narrow-waisted cretan come to life, but for the flaming mane -and towering height.</p> - -<p>"Greetings! O bird of ill-omen, what malodorous wind blew you in -from outer space?" He dropped the handkerchief long enough to reveal -chiselled nostrils and white even teeth as he smiled heart-warmingly. -He placed his left hand on Mark's shoulder, in the immemorial gesture -Mars reserved for the closest friends.</p> - -<p>"One sec, Planetarian, while I check in," Mark grinned also placing -his hand on the Martian's shoulder, knowing how it annoyed the -Martian to be called by a lower rank. Mark stepped into a booth that -automatically recorded his status as the visi-screen panel glowed into -life.</p> - -<p>"Spacer Mark Lynn, Exploratory Astrogator First Class, reporting. Under -sealed orders from the Supreme Council. Last station Io. Awaiting -further orders." In a thousand departments that recorded global -information and checked it in detail even psychologically, Mark's words -automatically became part of the endless record. But there was no -answer. The visi-screen faded to a smouldering green and went blank.</p> - -<p>"Strange!" Mark muttered to himself, stepping out of the booth. "These -orders must be final." He touched the slight bulge made by the cylinder -he carried.</p> - -<p>Curiosity was beginning to needle him, but orders from the Council -could only be opened in absolute privacy, especially sealed orders.</p> - -<p>Palanth was waiting for him, the eternal handkerchief pressed against -his nose. A brilliant panagran, blood-red and flashing made a deep -spot of color against his left ear-lobe. Everything about him seemed -indolent, aesthetic, super-refined. And the exquisite fragrances from -the known universe with which he drenched his squares of silk, thanks -to his mania against human odors, added to the foppish effect.</p> - -<p>"Have you come to twist the tail of the comet, O thou especially not -wanted?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Palanth waved his handkerchief diffusing jasmines in the rich austerity -of the lobby, as he lounged back against the column with a sigh that -might have meant anything. His yellow tunic—as near the color of gold -as he dared, without actually being the hue reserved for the Supreme -head of the Council, shimmered like watered silk. His slender hands -flashed with <i>acerines</i> and <i>calchuites</i>.</p> - -<p>"Breath-taking, as usual," Mark was grinning from ear to ear, -"specially that godawful jungle fumes you're soaked in ... arrgh! I -can't breathe!"</p> - -<p>"My only defense against you creatures," Palanth said languidly. "I -need replenishing, Mark, shall we go?"</p> - -<p>"Lord, yes. I could eat an Europan." Mark checked himself as an -odd tight expression came into his eyes, and his hand tightened -on something hard inside a lower pocket of his tunic. He fell -unaccountably silent for a moment.</p> - -<p>Palanth strode beside him with a lithe, tigerish stride which belied -his now forgotten languid pose of a few minutes ago. His deceptive -exterior—which many to their final regret had found could disappear -like lightning, still made him seem a Planetarian fop whom the Council -permitted harmless foibles for reasons of their own.</p> - -<p>"I never hoped to see you again after that crash on Europa." Palanth -exclaimed with a relieved sigh. "You're so reckless, Mark, and death is -so permanent!"</p> - -<p>"Of course, <i>you</i> are not reckless," Mark taunted with obvious irony, -remembering how the Martian International could explode into action -like an enraged Martian Hella. "In your superior wisdom, there's no -reason to take chances—everything's planned in advance, logically, -coldly.... Bah. Do you recall that little incident on Venus when they -served you imitation Thassalian and that little Venusian baggage tried -to dope you with...."</p> - -<p>"Cease! O chattering...." Palanth interrupted as near being embarrassed -as it was possible for him to be. The rest of what he said was buried -in the perfumed handkerchief which he hastily pressed against his face -as they joined the crowds that filled the avenue.</p> - -<p>"But what are you here for? It is permissible to know?" Mark asked -soberly at last.</p> - -<p>"I may as well tell you," Palanth said, his tones muffled by the -handkerchief. "You'd never have the imagination to guess!"</p> - -<p>"You probably have been appointed to regulate the last batch of -outgoing freighters enroute to various space stations, in order to -relieve congestion and ease pressure of transportation. There may be -something else ... eh?"</p> - -<p>"Master mind! But there's that last <i>something else</i> that you'd never -guess."</p> - -<p>"Inductive reasoning tells me that a freight coordinator would -be assigned to freight problems ... let <i>me</i> talk ... but this -seems to be the last time that old Terra is going to send freight -anywhere. I feel there's one last measure to be taken against the -unpredictable—something calculated to checkmate a future result. Oh -I know I sound as if I were talking gibberish, Palanth, but well ... -it's still sort of foggy in my mind. I'll know more when I read my -orders."</p> - -<p>"I've already read mine," Palanth said quietly. "I'm persuaded they're -not very different from yours—in the last analysis. It's a gigantic -game, Mark!"</p> - -<p>"Then you know?"</p> - -<p>"Yes!" It was almost a whisper, almost a telepathic assent. "But here's -our energy center, let's go on in."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Once within the vast dining-hall, known as an Energy Center, they -selected a table and from the menu the number of the meal that suited -them, pressing the numerically corresponding stud on the panel above -the table. The food came on a conveyor belt that passed beneath the -floor and emerged from the center of the table which was hollow and had -a panel that slid aside as the food arrived.</p> - -<p>"Well, what have you learned," Palanth asked Mark as they began their -meal.</p> - -<p>Mark Lynn outlined what he knew and added a few conjectures of his own, -and Palanth's face split gradually in a wide grin.</p> - -<p>"A pretty mess.... How many of you flesh-eating mammals are there left -to transport ... the irreconcilables, I mean, the dissenters."</p> - -<p>"Roughly about five hundred million. They're an amazing mixture -of Internationals, Philosophers and Ruralians—the three most -individualistic strata!"</p> - -<p>"It would be easier to ray them down, let the Comet wipe them out -in due time, than to go to all this trouble of persuading them to -evacuate." Palanth retorted coldly. "Still, to my Martian mind, they're -far more valuable than your herds of controlled sheep—at least, they -can think for themselves!"</p> - -<p>"However, in a controlled, beneficent political economy such as the -World State, any such benevolent treatment as raying them down, or -abandoning them to sidereal extinction is outlawed," a quiet, mellow -voice said behind them.</p> - -<p>Both Mark and Palanth looked up with a start to see the exquisite oval -face with the serious, limpid hazel eyes of Doctor Fortun, in her -purple scientist tunic. Palanth rose instantly and bowed, Mark was but -a fraction of a second behind him.</p> - -<p>"It's a rare honor for Spacers to enjoy socially the company of a -Scientist," Mark said gravely, but his eyes were dancing.</p> - -<p>"Probably just as well, if you express such unorthodox opinions -freely," she replied sitting between them at the table. "However, we -have a long journey ahead, might as well begin to know each ... as -we really are." Her smile was an adventure, and when she turned her -head to survey Palanth with frank curiosity, Mark noted that her hair -escaping the tight-fitting kepis was almost the color of dark honey in -the sun.</p> - -<p>"A long journey...." Palanth murmured as he picked absorbedly at -something on his plate that resembled purple pop-corn. "A long journey, -where ... how, and to what end?"</p> - -<p>"What are you eating?" Doctor Fortun asked almost too casually, instead -of replying.</p> - -<p>"These? Oh, candied violets," Palanth's languid pose had returned aware -that many eyes were upon him in the crowded energy center.</p> - -<p>"Don't you have enough perfume as it is without eating it too?" Mark -growled.</p> - -<p>"Peace, O spawn of unthinkable misfortune!" Palanth said grandly and -filled his mouth with the delicacy.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Doctor Fortun laughed aloud, it was like the tintinnabulation of -clustered silver bells.</p> - -<p>"Fraud!" she exclaimed amiably. "If I were not acquainted with your -past record I'd think you were a fop. Does that pose ever fool anybody, -Palanth?"</p> - -<p>The tall Martian grinned shrugging his shoulders. "Who knows? <i>It's -been so long since I've had adventure for a bride!</i>" He quoted a line -from the famous Terran poet of the twenty-first century.</p> - -<p>"He's done it so long, it's become second nature with him," Mark said -inelegantly. "However, the perfume business is no pose. Wait till you -see his collection of extracts!"</p> - -<p>Palanth glared at him, but remained silent. Just then a growing -tremor shook the energy center, and one of the walls split from floor -to ceiling. Their table fell with a crash and the hum of the food -conveyors ceased. Voices rose in startled exclamations and the crash -of other tables added to the increasing noise. A convulsive heave -rent the floor and the continuous series of audio-pictures on the -visi-screen ceased abruptly.</p> - -<p>After what seemed an eternity, in reality seconds, the quake subsided, -leaving wreckage behind and the pale, strained faces of the guests.</p> - -<p>"Even here in North America, the very heart of the World State, the -quakes are increasing," Doctor Fortun said thoughtfully. "Our estimates -gave us eight more weeks before the proximity of the comet neutralized -astro-warp evacuation. It seems hardly possible, but there may be -elements in the situation we have failed to calculate. I believe the -sooner we complete evacuation the better it'll be." She glanced at Mark -speculatively.</p> - -<p>"I suggest you read your orders this evening, once you're registered at -International House, Spacer Lynn."</p> - -<p>"That's my plan," Mark told her. "And speaking of unknown elements, -I'm still puzzled at being attacked by an International today. I was -unaware that I had enemies on Terra. What could the motive have been?"</p> - -<p>"Attacked?" Palanth was instantly alert. "Why didn't you tell me, Mark?"</p> - -<p>The Spacer shrugged his shoulders. "It was a minor incident—only, it's -mystery bothers me. I've been taught there's no crime on Terra, and I -am too unimportant for political liquidation."</p> - -<p>"You forget," Doctor Fortun said softly, "the profound dislocations -brought about by this unforeseen situation. Two-thirds of Terra's -population have been evacuated. Another third—the most intractable, -refuses cooperation. There are many sympathizers in high places. -In the inevitable confusion, the efficiency of the World State has -been impaired. What would have been impossible a few months ago, -can happen now. You're not only our chief explorer, but a name to -conjure with among Internationals—your word has never been broken. -Being suspected of having become a subservient tool of the Council is -enough for certain elements to consider you too dangerous to their -aims—therefore, guard your life, Spacer!"</p> - -<p>"But I'm not a tool!" Mark exclaimed fiercely. "My allegiance to the -Council only involves my life—not the lives of others—I'll not -defraud them, dissenters or not!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Doctor Fortun smiled quietly, as if contemplating some inner scene. The -brilliant hazel eyes were veiled and whatever activity went on behind -the smooth forehead was masked. The confusion within the Energy Center -had subsided, and the guests were leaving now in orderly fashion, but -as fast as possible.</p> - -<p>"It's time to exit," the girl said casually. "Pity we were interrupted -just when we were beginning to really know each other." Suddenly her -manner changed as with what seemed an unconscious gesture she removed -the tight-fitting cap and her hair fell about her shoulders with the -gleaming patina of dark gold. Her smile had the demure sweetness of an -embarrassed girl, her eyes were soft and luminous as she gazed first at -Mark and then at Palanth.</p> - -<p>"There's a strato-cruiser of the first order leaving at six for a -resort on the gulf of Mexico—Havanol—it's perhaps the last time we'll -have a chance to see it. Shall we ..." she hesitated, "shall we dine -there?" Rose mantled her cheeks and her long lashes swept downwards as -she made the suggestion.</p> - -<p>"Havanol!" Mark was enchanted. "Martian music and food to tempt -archangels ... but how can you and I enter Havanol? It's open only to -special permit!"</p> - -<p>"You're not by any remote chance forgetting me?" Palanth inquired with -elaborate irony. "I've never seen Havanol, besides, I'm sure Doctor -Fortun would like to use some Parnassin for the occasion."</p> - -<p>"Parnassin! The perfume of the butterfly orchids of Venus! Why, -Palanth, it's worth more than <i>calchuites</i>—it's the rarest, the most -unattainable of extracts!" Doctor Fortun clasped her hands in ecstasy -at the very thought of it. Then her rigid scientific training asserted -itself. "But I couldn't wear it, it's like evaporating a fortune in -credits within a few hours," she said unhappily.</p> - -<p>"Bother, control 'one,' forget it for one memorable night!" Palanth was -exasperated. "I know its antidote—and I have it!" he said savagely.</p> - -<p>"So have I," Mark said grinning.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"<i>Thassalian?</i>" the girl was startled. It was the forbidden Martian -liquor of the Gods. It could achieve almost miraculous cures when taken -in tiny doses; it gave the sensation of ineffable happiness, and when -taken to excess, it drove the addict hopelessly insane.</p> - -<p>"We still haven't solved the problem of the special permit," Mark -reminded them.</p> - -<p>"I have one for a party of four, which I haven't used as yet," Doctor -Fortun said with a hint of shyness. "You'll have time to read your -orders and then I'll pick you both up at International House in my -helio-plane. Agreed?"</p> - -<p>"Agreed!" Both Mark and Palanth said fervently. They watched the -slight figure of the girl as she made her way through the crowds with -precision, her purple tunic vivid against the white carpet of fallen -snow. "Her mind was well guarded!" Palanth thought aloud.</p> - -<p>"It is a mind of power, or I would have contacted it," Mark barely -whispered without moving his lips.</p> - -<p>"Still, there can be nothing at Havanol that we can't cope with," -Palanth shot a powerful telepathetic vibration at the Earthian Spacer. -"Have you had the feeling of being under spy-ray, Mark?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, for months ... but I've guarded my mind, and as you know, the -Council's spy-ray is not quite effective on those beyond controls one, -six and fifteen; we're beyond conditioning for penetration by their -mental synthesis. At times they're able to obtain partial ideation -which they reconstruct and reform into thought-pattern trends—but -hell! our thought-trends and individualistic patterns have been known -to them all our lives. However, we are being used as tools—indirectly!"</p> - -<p>"We have no proof, Earthman! In any event, within certain limits we are -still free agents. Their orders may be one thing, what we do ... is -another. This cataclysm has shorn the World State of most of its power, -on Terra at any rate. Mars and Venus would sweep the resettlements off -their planets if the Terran fleet weren't constantly on guard!"</p> - -<p>"Havanol may give us an inkling of what the game is!" Mark observed. -"The whole secret lies within the reason for evacuating the -irreconcilables. The Civicans, Guildians, Technicians and Ruralians -are merely the base of the pyramid; between them and the Scientists -there's a gap that must be filled by the Internationals and the -Philosophers—without pioneers and thinkers in the abstract, their -rule's static. Their scheme, whatever it is, fails without us." Mark -was telepathically communicating with Palanth his conclusions as they -neared International House.</p> - -<p>Palanth's violet eyes narrowed in amusement. "They no doubt have -a surprise for us in store—how poetic that we should be the ones -to surprise them!" The Martian waved his perfumed kerchief and the -sparkling iciness of the breeze was scented with fresh jasmines.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">III</p> - -<p>Mark's hand tightened on the hard object he carried in a lower pocket -of his tunic. It seemed to him as if an immeasurably distant vibration -reached the very top of his brain where the most difficult thinking -is done. It was a fleeting thought, the barest sidereal whisper, that -was gone almost the instant it impinged upon his mind. Could the final -answer lie there for them?</p> - -<p>With Terra gone, or made uninhabitable, they would be homeless -children of space, unless they subjected themselves to the prosaic, -uninspiring existence of the planetarian settlements, limited by space, -rigidly under Council control—their lives but pawns in a gigantic -game that was planned for centuries to come with a cold, mathematical -impersonality that reduced life to a mechanical phenomenon. Mark -shuddered slightly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Palanth, poetic justice indeed! Come to my apartment at -International House, I want to tell you a story ... the story of what -happened on Europa when I was Mark the daredevil, recorded as Hugh -Betancourt—the surname of my Mentor before I earned my rank and the -right to use my own name. Jim Brannigan was my second in command, when -he crashed our ship on Europa...." He was smiling with a distant look -in his eyes.</p> - -<p>Later, they met Doctor Fortun.</p> - -<p>She was still sheathed in the filmy tunic of silver-violet she had worn -at Havanol. The fragrance of Venusian butterfly-orchids was a faint -invitation to desire. But her firm, capable hands at the controls, sent -the luxurious helio-plane hurtling through the stratosphere at a dizzy -speed above a continental cloud bank.</p> - -<p>Dawn was beginning in a young flood of opalescent fire; the ship was -dipping and the clouds were swirling. Doctor Fortun sat silent with an -enigmatic smile on her lips. Mark Lynn didn't speak lest he break the -spell, while Palanth leaned back in his mullioned seat, eyes closed, -recapturing the past memorable hours.</p> - -<p>At last the terrain became visible.</p> - -<p>It seemed only seconds and they were hovering above the immense -interplanetary field where vast spacers awaited launching. Built to -accommodate hundreds of thousands, their titanic proportions dwarfed -everything around them. Doctor Fortun touched the controls of her -helio-plane, and instantly the ship veered and aimed straight for one -of the spacers. She flicked a lever and locked the controls. Calmly, -she released another lever, and the robot pilot took over. She leaned -back with a sigh, her shoulders slumped, silent still.</p> - -<p>Mark Lynn's eyes widened. "What are you doing! We'll crash against that -Spacer...." He leaped to the controls but the locking mechanism had -been set for arrival and could not be unlocked until the ship came to a -stop. At the urgency in his voice, Palanth jerked forward wide awake, -in time to glimpse the cavernous proportions of the starboard port of -the interplanetary spacer yawning open to receive them.</p> - -<p>As it entered the stupendous spacer, the helio-plane decelerated -suddenly, coming to an abrupt stop that pressed them back against -their ultra-padded seats as if a gigantic hand had pushed them back. -Instantly the spacer's port closed automatically without a sound and -vari-colored lights flashed within the ship. A bell rang shrilly, -insistently somewhere.</p> - -<p>"Strap yourselves immediately and push that small lever on the side of -your seats, it'll convert them into couches," Doctor Fortun directed -hurriedly. "Prepare for launching!" She herself was already busy -converting her own seat and then strapping herself. From a pocket of -her tunic she took a tiny box and opening it took two pellets which she -swallowed; within seconds she was unconscious. Mark reached over and -took the box from her nerveless fingers. "Vanadol! For those who do not -wish the sleep-freeze, Palanth! Do you want any? Or will you withstand -the gravs?"</p> - -<p>"Neither, I'll submerge my conscious mind and thus preserve everything -that occurs in my subconscious without suffering the effects of -acceleration."</p> - -<p>"So will I," Mark agreed. His dark green eyes were lambent with fury. -"We've been tricked very neatly, old Spacer. We're going somewhere, -willy-nilly. The first trick's theirs!" He gazed at the unconscious -form of the girl with a mixture of sorrow and anger. "The same old -story on a higher plane," he whispered to himself. "A memorable -night—and the next day shanghaied into space! I wonder if the ancients -staffed their crude water vessels in this manner?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As they submerged their conscious minds, a buzzer vibrated throughout -the interplanetary spacer, a tremor went through the beryllium alloy -monster and suddenly it catapulted into space on the astro-warp, -robot-controlled until beyond the gravitational pull of Terra. The -tiny Helio-Plane, tiny in comparison with the titanic spacer, hung -suspended in a special craddle to minimize still further the effects -of 2g's acceleration. Doctor Fortun and the two Internationals were -too valuable to take chances. But the incongruous three were beyond -inductive thinking as the "Stellar-Virgin" leaped away from Earth.</p> - -<p>They didn't hear a mechanical voice order: "Free fall into orbit -three." Presently the ship settled into the warp. After a while, the -same mechanical voice ordering: "Free fall into orbit nine." Presently -the Space Drive took hold as the interplanetary cruiser warped out into -free space. The normal gravity plates began to function and instantly -the pressure ceased.</p> - -<p>Color returned to Mark Lynn's face, he was the first to awaken. -From where he lay, he could see the still form of Palanth, a fallen -dishevelled giant, and the fragile figure of Doctor Fortun, pale as -death and as still. A pang of pity shot through him, then remembering, -a surge of anger made his eyes grow cold.</p> - -<p>Leisurely he unstrapped himself and stretched, then went over and -unstrapped his two companions. "Well, we're together, for better or for -worse," he sighed. Just then Palanth shuddered and opened his violet -eyes; at sight of Mark he sat up abruptly, passing a dazed hand over -his eyes. Then he saw the still unconscious form of Doctor Fortun and -recollection came to him.</p> - -<p>"She's still asleep," Mark said softly. "Let her rest, we'll have ample -time for explanations."</p> - -<p>Suddenly Palanth laughed. "Shanghaied, by Jupiter's Red Spot!" He -searched assiduously for his eternal kerchief. "Ah, here it is ..." -then remembering, "My extracts! All my fragrances that have taken years -to collect, left on Terra!" He cursed venomously in five interplanetary -dialects until he was out of breath.</p> - -<p>"Magnificent!" Mark commented admiringly.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Palanth subsided into smoldering fury, his great eyes almost black, the -chiselled nostrils quivering. To him it was an appalling loss.</p> - -<p>"Go on, don't stop now," Mark urged him grinning. "Later, when she -wakes up, you won't be able to mourn your perfumes; now's your -chance, besides I'd like some of those remarks for my own collection, -Planetarian!"</p> - -<p>"You'll find them in your private quarters awaiting you in the Spacer," -a wan voice said wearily. "I feel as if I'd been mangled," Doctor -Fortun sighed tremulously. Both men turned toward the girl, but her -slender body had not stirred, the eyes were closed, only a tiny, tired -smile hovered on the curving lips.</p> - -<p>"Didn't know you were awake!" Mark reddened at the recollection of the -lurid language.</p> - -<p>"Praise be to Antares. My extracts ... where are they, where are my -quarters ... let's get out of here!" Palanth could think of nothing but -his priceless collection. "Without them I'd have to condition myself to -pollution!"</p> - -<p>"You're not very complimentary, Martian!" Doctor Fortun chided, her -hazel eyes flickered open and she sat up. The girl surveyed Mark Lynn -with calm, clear eyes. "What, no violence, not even recriminations? -What an utterly erroneous conception the Council has about you -Internationals," she observed, and waited for Mark to speak.</p> - -<p>"We don't indulge in futilities, Doctor Fortun," Mark replied. "But -perhaps you can give us an inkling of what all this is about; I think -we deserve at least that much, Scientist!"</p> - -<p>The girl seemed to meditate in silence. An odd, half fearful, half -ashamed expression flitted across her features. "Yes, you deserve a -great deal more than I can offer you, Spacer Lynn. But I'm afraid I -can only give you another unpleasant experience to chalk up against -me. It's all part of a pattern agreed upon even before you and your -companion arrived on Terra. It was thought that only your influence on -Internationals and Philosophers could persuade them to evacuate—they'd -believe you, where they would never trust the Council. It was necessary -that you be seen on Terra—when you entered the Council building, it -was visi-screened in detail throughout the World State; your encounter -with the attacker on the street, was seen by countless millions. It -had to be established that you were on Terra, and in touch with the -Council, so that your audio-visi-screen broadcast should be considered -<i>authentic</i>."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"But I didn't broadcast, my orders from the Council were to promise -all Internationals, Philosophers and the Ruralians—in fact, all -dissenters—a habitable planet to which they would be transported in -sleep-freeze, together with all metallic substances, seeds, plasms, -drugs, food, in fact everything required for their normal existence -for a five-year cycle—free from interference by the Government of the -World State—provided they agreed to furnish the World State with an -equal amount of materials within one hundred years. I never believed -for an instant that the Council would relinquish control, the absolute -lack of weapons, or of machinery to fashion them, was in itself a proof -of intentions beyond the letter of the offer. I meant to refuse to -broadcast to the irreconcilables my personal guarantee as demanded by -the Council. Besides, I know of no such planet."</p> - -<p>"That was why I took you to Havanol," Doctor Fortun nodded sadly. "The -Council anticipated your refusal—your psychological data easily -told them that—and since at Havanol only those with special permit -could enter, the guests were specially chosen, so that none without -the scientific circle knew you were there, thus your broadcast became -authentic in the minds of the dissenters. You noticed there were no -visi-screens at Havanol, under the excuse that nothing that did not -contribute to pleasure could be permitted."</p> - -<p>"But I tell you, I didn't broadcast!" Mark was becoming exasperated. -"You keep on harping on that!"</p> - -<p>"No, but your double did," the girl's voice was opaque. "Turn on the -visi-screen in the Spacer, and you'll learn the truth. Everything that -has been visi-screened on Terra since your arrival, was recorded in -the Spacer's telecast—simply select the broadcasts of the date and -hour when we went to Havanol, and it will be shown on the visi-screen -panel in the Commander's quarters. Your double—part resemblance, -part surgico-synthesis even imitates your voice within one-tenth of -a microgram of its tonal quality. Detection was beyond human power, -Spacer Lynn."</p> - -<p>"If I ever get my hands on him...!" Mark's fingers clenched -spasmodically as his face went dark with passion.</p> - -<p>"You never will," the girl said sadly, "nor on the double who took the -place of Palanth ... even that detail was taken care of, perfumes and -all," her smile was bitter. "By now, both have been converted to power -reserve, their usefulness having ended." There was an uncomfortable -pause, the silence becoming oppressive in the luxurious helio-plane of -the girl.</p> - -<p>"Who's the Commander of the Interplanetary Spacer?" Mark asked at last, -his agile mind already seeking means to circumvent the snare.</p> - -<p>"<i>You!</i>" was the laconic reply.</p> - -<p>"I? Has the Council gone mad? Do they think that after what's happened -they can place a spacer in my power, and still command my allegiance? I -can lose their damned Patrol in uncharted space ... <i>and I will!</i>"</p> - -<p>"No, Spacer Lynn, you'll have to find a better, a more definitive -solution than that. You see, you promised millions a planet of freedom, -where they could build a new civilization patterned after the old -American Constitution, but on an even greater, a wider plane of being. -You promised them freedom from the Council, and a chance to develop -untrammelled not only their minds but their emotions as well; you do -not know it, but your double was trained as a great actor, years of -conditioning and training taught him to ring the changes of emotion on -human souls not deadened by the controls. Reports showed that millions -wept, that a tidal wave of joy coursed through their ranks sending -them pouring like a human cataract into the awaiting spacers, and -sleep-freeze, Mark!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">IV</p> - -<p>"Have you the figures on how many agreed to evacuate?" Mark's face was -white and tense. Palanth was silent, immobile, in the hieratic attitude -of Martians in deep thought.</p> - -<p>"Roughly, three hundred million. I received the secret report just -before we left Havanol."</p> - -<p>"Where are they now?" Mark forced himself to ask.</p> - -<p>"Travelling in space under robot control. When they arrive within the -orbit of Europa, they will remain in an orbit calculated to parallel -the trajectory of our Universe in space, in relation to the orbit of -Europa, so that they will be like satellites of that planet. You will -find an instrument in your quarters, which when operated activates a -vibrational beam of such potency that it will contact the robot control -of those spacers, causing them to land on the planet at various places -and intervals. The major task will be to administer the antidote to -sleep-freeze, but as each dissenter's awakened, he or she can join in -awakening the rest. Your task is to build a civilization of Europa, a -civilization with all the technical science of Terra, and to thoroughly -develop that planet."</p> - -<p>"But why Europa? It's a bleak world of cold and bare rocks, lit -by a hellish crimson radiation from Jupiter's red spot, deserted, -inhospitable...."</p> - -<p>"But habitable, and rich in minerals, a large world with which to -replenish a ravaged earth. The moon, our Luna, will go, Mark. The -Council plans to eventually move Europa from its orbit to take the -place of our Moon! What happened to you when you crashed there, is -known to the Council; they inspected your ship and found it had been -expertly repaired with rare metals and superb skill. By spy-ray they -obtained enough out of your mind to obtain a pattern. You didn't have -reserve oxides with you on that trip, yet oxides had been used in -repairing your ship; an assortment of special tools were needed to make -the repairs—tools you didn't have with you, yet the work had been done -with a skill that surpassed that of our best technicians. And, finally, -it was established that your skull had been crushed from behind, yet, -you arrived in perfect health, the bone fracture entirely healed and -with <i>thrice the energy</i> reserve of a normal man! as a psychologist, I -worked on the report. It was startling!"</p> - -<p>"I see. And if I refuse to be part of their plan?" Mark's voice had the -flat tones of a man condemned to death.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"You will be sentenced to power reserve, and Europa taken by force. -A scientist will be placed in charge and armed proctors brought to -preserve obedience. The Council hopes such measures will not be -necessary—it will mean a constant struggle with the dissenters, and -Venus and Mars might take advantage of the situation to begin the -ancient wars all over again. That is why they are willing to give -you a free rein. Ultimately of course, they envision the planet as a -satellite of the Earth, its population under complete Council control."</p> - -<p>"I'll not live to see that tragic day!" Mark's voice held infinite -conviction.</p> - -<p>"Neither will I," seconded Palanth.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you're the direct representative of the Council?" Mark asked -the girl. "You'll keep them informed of everything we do!" There was -contempt in his deep, bitter voice.</p> - -<p>"Don't spare my feelings!" Doctor Fortun smiled with a quiet sadness. -"I've told everything but what the Supreme Council instructed me to -say. I was to tell you another story ... to play enchantress and keep -you lulled, if necessary, in a fool's paradise. But controls one, six -and fifteen never quite worked with me. I've had to feign a lot and -mask my mind lest I be condemned to power control. We Psychologists are -very few—it's our only defense. Those we instruct in the techniques -of the mind, must join our guild and swear allegiance <i>to us</i>! Why do -you think I arranged to come on this trip? For love of the Council?</p> - -<p>"I'm a woman, Mark! I want a home instead of a clinic and a husband -instead of an order for fertilization. I want to experience the rapture -that is love and have children. I came because I thought the very -qualities in you the Council means to utilize might be the means of -circumventing their purpose and ... and make us free!"</p> - -<p>An incredulous look of surprise spread over Mark's face. For an instant -he wondered if the Machiavellian tactics of the Council could extend -even this far. But with a determined mental effort he probed the girl's -mind and found it was unguarded. There was no trickery, no deception -in her mind, even as the tears that blurred the lovely hazel eyes were -genuine.</p> - -<p>"Venus be praised!" He exclaimed fervently, and it was all he could do -to refrain from taking her in his arms and kissing away the tears that -were rolling down her cheeks.</p> - -<p>"She speaks the truth," Palanth said telepathically, there was a trace -of embarrassment in his thoughts. "She will be a most valuable ally in -our fight."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mark smiled, his face had lighted as if a profound grief had been -removed. "You already know we'll fight, eh, Palanth?"</p> - -<p>"But of course, O Terran of dubious intellect!" The Martian said -grandly and waved the sadly crumpled kerchief now almost devoid of its -overpowering perfume. He was himself again, eager for the intellectual -struggle against overwhelming odds.</p> - -<p>"What sort of intelligence is there on Europa?" Doctor Fortun asked, -once more in control of herself.</p> - -<p>"Exquisite beings with a mental power beyond our own, but resembling -nothing human," Mark replied.</p> - -<p>"Let's leave this helio. I'm anxious to inspect the Spacer; I've never -commanded a ship of this size."</p> - -<p>"How many are aboard and what are they?" Palanth inquired. "I hope -they're Internationals!"</p> - -<p>"I don't know the figures, Palanth, but I'm certain at least ninety -percent are Internationals. I do know at least five hundred scientists -of various categories are aboard. They'll be the first to be awakened -from sleep-freeze, for at journey's end, they take charge."</p> - -<p>"And who's going to give them the antidote?" Mark asked silkily.</p> - -<p>"Robots, timed to administer it the moment we land on Europa. They have -orders to direct resettlement without interfering too much—and of -course, they are the eyes and ears of the Council; they are the only -ones who have the necessary equipment for interplanetary communication, -as you'll find out!"</p> - -<p>"I think they need a long, long rest, don't you Palanth?" Mark was -smiling.</p> - -<p>"Indeed, O protector of the martyred!" Palanth exclaimed -grandiloquently. "They must be tired, very tired ... of anything but -sleep!"</p> - -<p>"I've never seen these robots," Mark Lynn thought aloud. "Are there -many, Doctor Fortun?"</p> - -<p>"Approximately fifty—more than necessary, but they're to be used on -landing by the scientists. These robots, Mark, are humanoid in their -mental processes, able to perform tasks too difficult for human beings, -especially in the mathematical field. They are created secretly, for -the peoples of the World State must not know of their invention—there -would be no need for labor if they were to be produced in sufficient -numbers; production of necessities and luxuries could be increased a -thousand fold, and ... it would destroy the present social philosophy -of the World State. It would remove the <i>credo</i> of achievement, it -would abolish the standards of rigid thrift and conservation in a world -of undreamed plenty, and finally, with robots able to solve the most -intricate problems the absolute need for guidance would be neutralized.</p> - -<p>"The Supreme Council had these robots built for their exclusive use. -Only one thousand exist, we've been allotted fifty because Europa's -been acknowledged as a major achievement."</p> - -<p>"Can they be neutralized—the robots, I mean?" Mark was thinking at a -furious pace.</p> - -<p>"These robots are impressionless, blank, so to speak. Their only -motivation is to administer the sleep-freeze antidote to the -scientists aboard. After that, the scientists can direct them to -required tasks, and each problem as it is solved by the robot, remains -in its mechanical nero-pattern for repetition if necessary. They're -wholly metallic, almost indestructible. <i>Whoever uses them first, is -their master!</i>"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was then that Mark unable to restrain himself, bent down and kissed -her. "It occurs to me," he said very gently, "that I've never known -your social name."</p> - -<p>"Lucero," the girl whispered. "It's an ancient, almost forgotten name -of the romance languages now lost."</p> - -<p>"The evening star!" Mark breathed. "No wonder you're golden...." -Forgetting Palanth he was about to take her in his arms, when the -latter coughed with the dry, hacking sound of the Martians.</p> - -<p>"Are we going into the Spacer, or have we changed our minds?" -he inquired of the universe in general. "Terra's being wrecked, -we're shanghaied aboard a sleep-freeze coffin polluted with half a -thousand scientists and fifty inimical robots; we are headed for -an unexplored moon of Jupiter, in the mesh of a gigantic plot, and -three hundred million victims are dependent on our wits ... yet two -highly specialized humans on whom the fate of a universe depends, are -oblivious of it all like two Phobos-struck kaladonis! Arrgh ... what a -race, O Mind of ultimate understanding!" He bowed at the mention of the -Martian all highest—the nameless God.</p> - -<p>Both Lucero and Mark came to, faces crimson, smiling sheepishly. -Together they left the helio-plane and went down an emergency ladder -into the interior of the vast interplanetary Spacer.</p> - -<p>Within the <i>Stellar Virgin</i> the silence was intense—the silence of -a dead city. In the luxurious quarters provided for the scientists, -the latter lay soundless and inert in the almost ultimate oblivion -of sleep-freeze. They were ten in number to each mammoth, cavernous -stateroom, and in the very center, upon a throne-like dais, motionless -and life-like, a gigantic robot sat immobile, awaiting the end of the -trip, when for the first time since they were fashioned, they would -perform the only task impressed upon their virgin brains.</p> - -<p>Mark Lynn went silently from cabin to cabin, to all outward -appearances inspecting the ship, but inwardly, his mental processes -geared to the apex of their wide-awakedness, grappled endlessly -with the problem of the robots. If the scientists awakened from the -sleep-freeze thanks to the antidotes, they'd instantly command the -robots for their initial tasks and thereafter they'd be masters of that -incalculable source of power. With the robots under their command, the -scientists would be masters indeed, able to dispose of the machinery -within the Spacer at their will, to manufacture more machinery, build -weapons and in short, control Europa.</p> - -<p>He thought of the thousands of Internationals in the Spacer's hold, -and his head ached with the sustained effort. It was a little thing -that gave him the clue, the intense pain at the base of his brain was -like a constant hammering, and Mark considered an infinitesimal dose of -Vanadol. It would banish the pain as if by magic.</p> - -<p>"Vanadol!" He exclaimed electrified. "By Io, Vanadol is the answer! How -much Vanadol have we got aboard? Palanth, search the medical stores and -find how much of the stuff we've brought along ... hurry!" Mark's eyes -were sparkling, green as emeralds.</p> - -<p>Lucero regarded him curiously. "What's so important about Vanadol, -Mark?"</p> - -<p>"The scientists must not awaken until we have the robots under our -command. By giving each scientist a heavy dose of Vanadol, enough for -weeks of sleep, we circumvent the antidote for sleep-freeze. It's -this way: when we land, the mechanism within each robot timed for -release on arrival, activates them for their one and only task, the -administration of anti-sleep freeze, but since each scientist will -have been thoroughly drugged with Vanadol, they'll be released from -sleep-freeze, but will continue to sleep under the powerful narcotic. -The robots then will be given such commands as we decide on, and will -be entirely answerable to us three only. They will facilitate immensely -the task of making Europa truly habitable, and since they are almost -indestructible, will be the most valuable of all weapons. Let's get -busy, if there's enough Vanadol, we've won the first round after all!"</p> - -<p>Presently the Martian returned, "There's tons of the stuff," he -announced. Mark had to explain all over again.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VI</p> - -<p>"Panadur!" Mark Lynn breathed softly as he glanced at the stark -grandeur of Europa from one of the glassite ports. It was night. The -macabre glow of Jupiter's Red Spot enveloped the satellite in a red -opaline haze that made the vari-colored cliffs gleam with twisted -flames in deep crimson and orange and purple. Over all, an eternal -mantle of snow lay like frozen spume. Mark opened his hand and looked -at the jewel he held. It was pulsing now with a fiery radiance.</p> - -<p>The great spacer was lying in the cup-shaped hollow of the immense -valley, resting on the blanketing snow, just as once before, a -tiny cruiser had rested crippled in the fantastic Europan night. -But it was different then. Mark remembered his chilling awe at the -Dantesque panorama, and his shock when Jim Brannigan had found life -on Europa, the strange, exquisitely furred bipeds with slender arms -and six-fingered hands. He had thought them animals then, despite the -bright intelligence shining in the beryl-eyes of the creatures. But -he'd learned differently in time, when Jim had crushed his skull from -behind, and the Panadurs had saved him by absorbing Jim's life-energy -and transferring it to him while he lay unconscious. That was the -miracle, that the metabolism of the Panadurs could absorb energy from -any source and transfer it at will. They were telepathic, and their -leader had given him the jewel to facilitate communication if Mark ever -returned.</p> - -<p>It was like the remembrance of a dream, to have the past pass in review -through his mind as he methodically donned his allurium suit, and -turned on the heating unit.</p> - -<p>"I'm going out ... alone," he said firmly to Palanth and Lucero. "I -owe the inhabitants of this world a debt, and whether we remain or -not, is for them to decide. You see this star-like jewel? That's the -Star of Panadur; by concentrating my thoughts, it acts as a sort of -transmitting crystal and will make it possible for me to reach the -leader of the Panadurs. I will return." He smiled reassuringly into -Lucero's distraught face, and Palanth's scowling one.</p> - -<p>"Why can't I accompany you?" The Martian growled. "Since when must I be -left behind in the face of danger? Am I an old woman, Mark?"</p> - -<p>"But there's no danger, Palanth! It's a promise I gave that never, -never would I bring any intelligent creature to Panadur without their -approval. This world's a treasure house, and the Panadurs are a -treasure in themselves, for their fur is finer than anything in the -Universe, including Neptune's moons. I know of a vast cavern floored -with oxide, and cliffs of pure metal. Europa, or rather, Panadur, is -an inexhaustible source of power! It remains with them—the Panadurs, -whether we remain or not." He smiled at them again, almost pleadingly, -for them to understand, and without another word, stepped through the -air-locks and was gone. They could see his tall figure in its gleaming -sheath outlined in the unearthly glow until it disappeared in the -distance.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mark Lynn let his mind be passive. Contact with the alien intelligence -had been made; the jewel in his hand was now a burst of radiance, as -he traversed the valley in the direction of the cavern country, and at -last he was before the gigantic mass of cliffs he sought. He entered -a low, gallery-like cave that wound downwards into the bowels of the -cliff, following the twisting turns as the gallery widened and the -luminescent walls became even more luminous, until at the end of a turn -a burst of radiance met his eyes and he was once more in the grotto of -titanic proportions lighted by the glaucous radiance, like the green -light beneath the waters of a shallow sea. At his feet, crystalline and -powdery, the entire floor of the grotto was covered by oxide as far as -his eyes could see. Mark had the odd sensation of living a part of his -life over again. He waited in silence.</p> - -<p>Mark knew that thousands of burning beryl eyes were peering at him -from concealed openings in the walls; he felt the mental rapport with -their leader that was rapidly absorbing from his mind all that could -be obtained. The wait was interminable. At last, a silvery-grey, -furred being, was before Mark, seemingly having come from nowhere. Its -exquisite triangular face, with the wide-set beryl eyes and broad -forehead, was startlingly human.</p> - -<p>"Greetings, twice come!" the faint shadow of a smile seemed to cross -its features as it telepathed the thought. "When your space machine -landed, we feared the worst—but we are reassured. Your mind tells me -that countless of your kind hover asleep over our world. What would you -have us do?"</p> - -<p>"Your permission to remain," Mark sent the telepathic reply. And -then, in a welling flood of thought, poured out the story of what had -happened on Terra, the resettlement of two-thirds of the population on -other planets, and finally, their abhorrence of their Terran Government -and its methods.</p> - -<p>"Allow us, O Panadur, to build a new civilization on your world, a -civilization where we may achieve happiness in freedom. We bring over -two thousand Space machines laden with everything we can possibly -need, and millions of eager beings. We will transform your world into -a Paradise such as you have never known. Weather control stations will -give Panadur freedom from cold and darkness; cities will be reared in -beauty, and to you, we guarantee forever, freedom from attack; for -if we do not remain on Panadur, whom the Terrans call Europa, the -Council of Terra will never rest until it has been subjugated by its -interstellar fleet. Your mines will be ravaged, your people will be -enslaved, blood redder than the angry spot of the greater world will -flow in rivers."</p> - -<p>"And how can you prevent them from doing so, in any event?" the Panadur -asked.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"We will make your world impregnable. Each one of the Spacers that -brings our people here, will be turned into a fighting cruiser; the -minds of the greatest scientists of Terra will be utilized for our -advancement ... and, these scientists, five-hundred of them, now -asleep, will be delivered into your care as hostages, together with -fifteen robots, placed under your command. We will ensure your safety, -in return for your scientific aid. We know you have no tools; even to -repair a small rent on my cruiser when I crashed here before, took -hundreds and hundreds of your people and the tools I had, plus weeks of -work! The result was magnificent, but I know how handicapped you were. -My robots will build you machines of power, and we will give you that -which you may choose from our ships. In insuring your safety, we ensure -ours. One for all, and all for one, O Panadur. Fate has decreed that -your world is in danger—shall we join forces?"</p> - -<p>"It is true, Terran. We have achieved mental mastery, but we've -never conquered our environment. Our hands," he extended fragile, -six-fingered hands without thumbs, "are hardly suited to fashion tools. -But with machines that create other machines ... and metal beings such -as I saw in your mind...." A far away look came into beryl eyes as the -Panadur leader paused.</p> - -<p>"Let your mind be passive that I may contact and transmit to my people, -they must know the entire story."</p> - -<p>Mark complied, and instantly, as if a tremendous force had struck him, -he reeled in darkness, consciousness fled. He never knew that not far -behind him another being fell unconscious also. It was Palanth. The -Martian had followed unseen, unwilling to let Mark risk the unknown by -himself.</p> - -<p>The hours slid in silence under the unchanging luminescence of the -primordial cavern, now filled with countless Panadurs in hieratic -attitudes.</p> - -<p>At last one of the beings stood erect and made a silent motion; waves -of pure energy began to course through Mark Lynn and Palanth. But when -they awoke, all the Panadurs were gone save their leader. Mark dazedly -stretched his long limbs and looked at the Martian uncomprehendingly, -then slowly remembrance came.</p> - -<p>"So, you did follow me after all? Disobedience of orders in an -uncharted world—do you know the penalty imposed by the Council?"</p> - -<p>"May the Council swelter in Venus' deepest swamp!" Palanth spat -irreverently. "Didn't intend to take chances ... your life's too -valuable, O scourge of the Planets!" Under a grandiloquent manner he -tried to hide the mixture of bewilderment and awe with which he gazed -at the placid Panadur Leader. He still had not quite decided what had -happened to him.</p> - -<p>The Panadur in turn, gazed inscrutably at the being from Mars, its -delicate nose wrinkled slightly at Palanth's mingled fragrances. What -went on in the Panadur's prodigious mind was unknown to the two men, -for the three-foot tall Leader's mind was not in contact with theirs. -The faintest hint of a smile hovered over his placid features. At last -he began to send:</p> - -<p>"The tragedy of your world, 'twice come' is only less startling than -that of your Government—your leaders are a paradox! With a philosophy -of achievement they conceal the greatest achievement of all—men -of metal to enrich your lives; with the goal of conservation and -economy, they waste the most precious of all things—Life! From such a -Government, we can expect but destruction.</p> - -<p>"Yet, your people reared without controls are dissenters.... I fear -they might not accept our guidance, that at some future time their will -to power might create an even greater problem to be solved. However, -there's no alternative now. We accept the fifteen men of metal, O -Terran, but above all we must have the 'Sleeping Ones' whose minds we -will study. <i>We Panadurs must guard against a future paradox.</i> Your -people," he paused and gazed from Mark to Palanth, "may remain."</p> - -<p>The mental rapport was broken, and the furred leader disappeared into -the depths of the cavern, leaving Mark and Palanth to retrace their -steps to the <i>Stellar Virgin</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>For the first time in her highly-trained life, Lucero felt the full -impact of loneliness as the Europan night swallowed Mark and Palanth. -At last she chose action rather than endure the atavistic emotions -that had begun to grip her. And methodically she flitted silently from -compartment to luxurious compartment where the scientists dreamt their -drugged sleep. Carefully she scanned their faces and was struck by one -overwhelming fact—this was no collection of second rate scientists -for the solution of routine problems, but an assemblage of the first -order, now inert and helpless in the coma of Vanadol, presided over by -a sphinx-like robot.</p> - -<p>The last compartment was much larger than the preceding ones, and by -far more luxurious; during the previous inspection, Mark, Palanth and -herself had had no time to come this far, and the girl was startled at -its complex magnificence. Equipped for research work, it was a miracle -of scientific devices, from energizing cabinets to a bewildering array -of surgical apparatus and tools.</p> - -<p>Only one man occupied it, and on the raised dais an immobile robot. But -the face that Lucero bent over made her gasp with involuntary fear. It -was the face of Verdugo, the infamous cerebral surgeon whose gifted -fingers could change an entire ego with a few movements of the atomic -scalpel.</p> - -<p>The sight of the dreaded scientist in their midst was startling -enough, but what made the girl turn ashen was the sudden flutter of -the surgeon's lids. A painful groan came from his lips, as he trembled -and opened his eyes. The sight of Lucero bending over him seemed to -reassure him, for he smiled faintly.</p> - -<p>Behind Lucero the towering robot glided noiselessly to peer at his -awakening master. The girl was unaware it had moved.</p> - -<p>"Shall I bring a measure of Thassalian, Master?" The metal man's richly -modulated voice rose without the slightest mechanical inflection.</p> - -<p>For one shattering instant, the girl felt as if her reason was taking -wings. She remained utterly still as if in the grip of paralyzing -hysteria. But her training saved her. Slowly she turned and gazed into -the strangely human features of the metal giant. At close quarters she -noted the smooth beryloid construction of the superb outer shell; the -indestructible optics of non-abradable, chemically inert crystal with -microscopic adjustments. But most important of all, she sensed that -here was a brain which had attained full growth—powerful, experienced -and ... organic!</p> - -<p>"Yes, bring me some Thassalian, <i>Alcoran</i>," the surgeon assented -wearily and half-rose from his couch with a sigh. "The sleep-freeze -reaction is far worse than I'd anticipated!"</p> - -<p>"The antidotes have been given—two antidotes Master!" The super-robot -answered instantly.</p> - -<p>"Two! For the love of Terra! If it took a double antidote I must have -been given a dose big enough for a Hellacorium...."</p> - -<p>"Doctor Verdugo," Lucero interrupted purposely, now entirely calm. -"There's life ... intelligent life on Europa." She didn't intend that -Alcoran should have a chance to disclose what he must have known.</p> - -<p>"Yes?" Doctor Verdugo was all attention. "Bring the Thassalian!" He -waved an imperious hand at Alcoran, "and don't stand there like an -effigy! Must your orders be given twice?" He glared at the robot. -"Proceed, Doctor Fortun. Intelligent life ... what's it like?"</p> - -<p>"Humanoid, but furred against Europa's eternal cold. They seem to be -telepathic!"</p> - -<p>"Telepathic.... Remarkable! I must have a specimen without delay. Have -my scientists been awakened?"</p> - -<p>"We've just arrived, Doctor, they're being given the antidote now," -Lucero was once again her coldly efficient self.</p> - -<p>"Your Thassalian, Master." Alcoran extended the small glass and waited -while the scientist drank, closing his eyes against the ecstasy -imparted by the liquor.</p> - -<p>"Help me up!" The girl complied stifling a grimace of distaste as his -arm encircled her waist. Verdugo stood on his feet with the girl's -help, weaving a little, and finally recovered his balance.</p> - -<p>"Telepathic ..." he murmured, the light of some fiendish purpose -gleaming in the coal black eyes. "Order some of my scientists to secure -a specimen immediately, Doctor Fortun!" The girl bowed.</p> - -<p>"Master ..." Alcoran's voice was insistent. "You must...."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Silence! Never use the word 'must' to me, never!" Verdugo had drawn -himself to his full height. "Ever since I synthetized his brain, he's -got the idea that <i>he</i> owns me! I had to order him not to stir from -his seat during the entire voyage ... I wouldn't have had any peace -otherwise," he smiled at the girl and waved toward the super-robot. "I -synthetized his brain from three of the finest intelligences on Terra!"</p> - -<p>"You mean you transferred three brains to Alcoran's helmet?" She -asked aghast. "But didn't they retain their memories ... their -personalities...?"</p> - -<p>"Of course not, my dear. I never do things by halves. And now I must -inform the Council we have arrived, and the discovery of life on -Europa." He walked toward the immense metal wall and his slender hand -reached out to touch a spot. Silently, the huge metal partition rose -upwards revealing a hidden alcove in the very center of which, taking -up about two-thirds of the available space stood a gigantic machine.</p> - -<p>"A Tele-Magnum!" Lucero breathed.</p> - -<p>"Alcoran, contact Venus ... the Council Hall," Doctor Verdugo ordered -his super-robot. The latter came noiselessly forward. Once seated at -the console of the incredibly complex mechanism, his agile finger ran -without hesitation over the banked keys, after pressing a master switch -that lighted serried ranks of powerful tubes, with an eerie violet -light.</p> - -<p>"Give my orders to my scientists, Doctor Fortun—it is imperative I -have an Europan specimen immediately." Doctor Verdugo made a curious -grimace that accentuated the evil expression stamped on his features, -then he nodded in dismissal.</p> - -<p>With a great effort Lucero quieted her swirling thoughts. She had -no doubt but that the super-robot knew about the administration of -Vanadol. If Verdugo learned of it, he would instantly report it to the -Council, and at least part of the fleet would come to investigate. -Against the fleet of Terra they were powerless.</p> - -<p>"I'll not deserve this world and freedom if I fail now!" She told -herself. White-faced and grim she began to carry out a plan that -was slowly growing in her mind out of sheer desperation. Once again -she retraced her steps from compartment to compartment, and began -motivating each robot, commanding them to administer the sleep-freeze -to the men and women in the lower tiers. One robot she left, the one in -the compartment next to that of Doctor Verdugo—she had a task for that -one.</p> - -<p>When all the robots save one had been sent below, she went back and -entered the next to the last compartment.</p> - -<p>"Arise and come with me," she ordered the robot. "I'm your master, you -will obey my orders implicitly." The metal monster stirred, as if some -hidden mechanism had come to life at the vibration of her words. It -arose on frictionless bearings and stood glittering before her; she -opened its breast and inspected the masterly work that had been done -on the control panel; its eyes, lit now by the glow of intelligence -seemed uncannily human. Lucero knew this specimen didn't possess the -Machiavellian intelligence of Alcoran—only Verdugo could accomplish -such a satanic piece of work—but it was larger and more powerful than -Alcoran, the latter being a specialized product for intricate mental -work.</p> - -<p>Resolutely Lucero marched to Doctor Verdugo's compartment, followed -by the fearful metal servant. The scientist had already completed -preparations for a vivisection when the girl entered, and was bending -over a multitude of helixes of finest wire of sensitized silver.</p> - -<p>An array of electric and atomic-powered instruments from tiny, -silver-like scalpels, to razor-sharp saws gleamed on tables at his -sides; fulgurants cast ultra-visibility light upon the white-swathed -couch where the victim was to be strapped alive. Verdugo did not hear -them enter, but Alcoran did! Instantly the super-robot gave a warning -cry at the sight of his metal counterpart and stood before the girl and -robot like an impassable wall.</p> - -<p>"Attack!" Lucero did not waste words. "Destroy it!" She pointed to the -slightly crouching Alcoran.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VII</p> - -<p>With a blasting roar the girl's robot lunged, and Alcoran sprang -forward to meet the attack. It was a nerve shattering impact, like that -of two armored pre-historic monsters engaged in a death-struggle.</p> - -<p>Behind the metal men, both Lucero and Verdugo maneuvered for position, -their atomo-pistols blazing a path through scientific instruments and -furnishings as they fired over and around the struggling robots. The -awesome din of the gigantic battle was deafening, as the compartment -was slowly converted into shambles.</p> - -<p>Once Alcoran managed to grip the leg of Lucero's robot and the latter -went crashing against the vivisection table, instantly pulverizing -it. But with a leap that carried it half across the vast alcove, -the robot charged Alcoran like a battering-ram and driving him into -the Tele-Magnum room with the impetus of his leap. The explosion of -shattered tubes and crashing metal, the singing hum of ripped berlyloy -and pulverized plastuco, was drowned by the clang and thud of the -gigantic bodies as they strove to wrench each other apart.</p> - -<p>And now, only the litter-strewn floor was between Lucero and Verdugo, -the latter oozing blood from a seared shoulder where an atomoblast had -touched. Deliberately she aimed her atomo-pistol, even as the surgeon -simultaneously raised his, but her blast only disintegrated a fulgurant -on the ceiling, while Verdugo's fatal pencil of violet light speared -an empty spot, for at that instant the hurtling form of Alcoran spewed -from the alcove, barely grazing the girl, but such was the terrific -force of his passage that it knocked her spinning against the wall -where she collapsed.</p> - -<p>Behind Alcoran, hurtling like an avenging angel, Lucero's robot came -charging with but one thought—destruction.</p> - -<p>"Alcoran!" It was Verdugo shouting hoarsely at his creation, now -spread-eagled on the floor. "Run, follow me!" He dived for the -passageway as Alcoran, damaged as he was, his brain shaken by the -terrific concussion arose and sped after him.</p> - -<p>At the sight of the fallen girl, Lucero's robot checked his rush, -hesitated and finally bent over her. He raised the still form as if -it were a feather and stood for a moment as if trying to cerebrate. -Finally it deposited her with infinite care on the couch where -Verdugo had slept. Then it began to search what cabinets had not been -destroyed, for a stimulant.</p> - -<p>It found the decanter of Thassalian, that miraculously had escaped -destruction; gently opening the girl's mouth the robot poured a few -drops down her throat. Just then Mark Lynn and Palanth burst into the -room. Shamble was before their eyes. Mark went white with apprehension -and leaped to Lucero's side, but the robot placed a formidable metal -hand against the earthman's chest and growled:</p> - -<p>"Back, Terran! Come no nearer!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Palanth slid toward them atomo-pistol in hand, just as Mark drew his. -But at that moment Lucero opened her eyes and groaned softly.</p> - -<p>"Mark!" There was a universe of gladness in her cry. She waved a limp -hand toward the robot. "This is Mark Lynn and the other's Palanth—your -masters also, obey them."</p> - -<p>The robot stepped back and Mark kneeled at her side. "Are you hurt, my -darling?" Lucero shook her head and tried to smile.</p> - -<p>Palanth turned to the robot. "Tell us what occurred in detail," he -commanded. Thus it was that from the metal lips they heard the entire -story with photographic accuracy, as far as he had seen.</p> - -<p>"I might have known they'd have one last counter-check," Mark -reproached himself. "I should never have left you!"</p> - -<p>"Who could have foreseen this?" Lucero raised herself on an elbow. -"Even I had no idea that Verdugo was with us, not to speak of his -bringing one of the only two ultra-specialized super-robots in -existence. We'll have to work very fast, Mark! There's nothing, -literally nothing, that Alcoran cannot accomplish in a scientific -way, provided he has the materials—Verdugo may even have him build a -Tele-Magnum and communicate with the Council!"</p> - -<p>"But where's he going to get materials, my dear? A Tele-Magnum is a -tall order!"</p> - -<p>"I don't know.... But I do know that Verdugo has the mind of a fiend -and the skill of a genius, and Alcoran's a triple-synthetized brain, -and under Verdugo's control!"</p> - -<p>"We'll deal with the surgeon," Palanth's voice was deadly.</p> - -<p>"And we shall deal with Verdugo and his scientists," came the quiet -telepathic thought.</p> - -<p>Both Mark Lynn and the Martian turned seeking its source, and saw -framed in the doorway to the alcove, the silver-furred figure of the -Panadur leader.</p> - -<p>"That was the agreement," the Panadur added after a pause. "Thousands -of my people await without to carry him away."</p> - -<p>Lucero's robot took a step forward tentatively and then gazed -questioningly at its mistress, and suddenly a wave of energy from the -Panadur stopped it dead in its tracks.</p> - -<p>"The agreement will be honored," Mark acquiesced, "but one has escaped, -O Panadur, and Klonos knows where in that maze of rocks and caverns -he's now hiding with his super-robot."</p> - -<p>"That's our problem, Terran. The agreement was five-hundred, and -five-hundred scientists shall we have."</p> - -<p>"You will need the fifteen robots immediately," Mark said thoughtfully. -"Lucero, my dear, only you can command the robots, so place fifteen -under the Panadur's command ... are you able to walk?"</p> - -<p>"Of course, I was only stunned." She rose from the couch and left the -compartment followed by her ever-watchful metal man. The Panadur seemed -to melt away as it glided into the hall.</p> - -<p>"And now," Mark addressed Palanth, "we must begin to land the -spacers, I have the radio beam. The sooner everyone has been given -the sleep-freeze antidote, the better. Internationals first, they -are our best fighters, just in case the Council has another trick up -its sleeve. Then we must find some way of increasing the spacers' -resistance to the disintegrating beam—the alloy used on robots' case -shell is the clue—they're impervious to atom-blast. Weather stations -next—robots to be detailed on that and machinery stations to turn out -mechanical robots and more machinery ... tools, weapons for defense ... -we're really fighting for time."</p> - -<p>"I know. But even then, I can think of nothing that can stop Terra's -fleet if it ever comes to Europa. It's practically invulnerable, or -Venus and my own Mars would have shaken off the Council's domination -long ago!"</p> - -<p>"I have an idea Palanth! It's far from clear, but if it works.... It -has to do with radiant energy—even the Fleet couldn't withstand that."</p> - -<p>"Radiant energy! Have you lost your mind? Who can control a radiant -energy vortex? Besides, we have no means of releasing it. Stop dreaming -Mark!"</p> - -<p>"It isn't a dream," Mark shrugged wide shoulders. "But come, let's take -a look at the scientific exodus—I'm certainly glad to be rid of them, -hope the Panadurs can cope with that tribe."</p> - -<p>"What do you suppose the Panadurs <i>really</i> want with them, Mark?"</p> - -<p>"Probe their minds of course. Panadurs have surpassing intellects, -but they have neither tools nor scientific techniques. I suppose they -want to learn all they can from our 'sleeping beauties,' in order to -achieve their own inventions. Panadurs are thumbless, unable to make -tools, thus their development has been purely along mental lines. Since -their metabolism requires no food, as they are able to absorb energy -<i>directly</i>, they have by-passed all domestic arts and sciences."</p> - -<p>The steadily increasing noise from the tiers below, had now become a -cacophonous din, as more and more Internationals came to life.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The Panadur Leader bending over a scientist for the nth time, probed, -delved and searched the innermost recesses of the quiescent brain under -the scalpel, but at last he straightened with a baffled expression.</p> - -<p>The Europan cavern was a vast catacomb under the glaucous radiance of -the radio-active walls that spread a green stela on the faces of the -sleeping scientists, flanking the walls in lengthening rows.</p> - -<p>The Panadur knew what had been done, he had even tried the delicate -process, but the secret of transferring a living brain, minus its -personality and the seat of entity, remained unsolved.</p> - -<p>Not one of the scientists brought from the <i>Stellar Virgin</i> possessed -the secret technique, and many Panadurs had sacrificed themselves in -vain as their brains died under the atomo-knife.</p> - -<p>Presently the Panadur Leader raised his delicate face, the brilliance -of his eyes increased as he turned to face the tunnel that led to the -cavern's entrance, then the single thought flashed out: "<i>Enter!</i>"</p> - -<p>It wasn't long until the silence was broken by the tread of heavy-shod -feet crunching the glittering oxide crystals, and Mark entered followed -by Palanth. The awful responsibility for three-hundred million lives -and the transfiguration of a world, had left its mark on the faces of -the two men.</p> - -<p>"We bring bad news, Panadur!" Mark said bluntly, in his preoccupation -he unconsciously resorted to speech. "One of the space vessels has -been looted of vital supplies that can be used for the construction -of an interplanetary radio. Verdugo took the opportunity to steal its -radio installations with the aid of his robot, while the passengers -celebrated their arrival on Europa. If Verdugo builds a Tele-Magnum and -contacts the Council, it means War!"</p> - -<p>"And war," Palanth seconded, "means the Terran Fleet, against which we -are not prepared!"</p> - -<p>"When were the supplies stolen?"</p> - -<p>"Three revolutions of Panadur on its axis ago—we learned of it today. -Enough time for Alcoran to have built an instrument powerful enough to -contact the Council on Venus."</p> - -<p>"The blame is partly ours," the Panadur telepathed sadly. "We should -have captured Verdugo long ago. But it meant wasting lives to imprison -that madman ... but now, we have no recourse, the scientist and his -metal servant will be brought in. It will solve another problem," he -added thoughtfully. "This!" He indicated the trepanned cranium of the -scientist on the operating table.</p> - -<p>"If you need them, Panadur, you may have every robot in our -possession," Mark offered.</p> - -<p>For an instant the nearest thing to a smile the two men had ever seen, -crossed the features of the strange being of Europa.</p> - -<p>"Panadur thanks you, Terran. But we already have built over a -thousand robots, half of them have mechanical brains and can be -radio-controlled, but the other half, the important one requires a -knowledge of Verdugo's technique for transplanting organic brains to -metal men. He shall provide that ... personally!"</p> - -<p>"Once long ago," Mark spoke meditatively, "you slew an enemy of mine -with a volume of energy like a bolt of lightning, then you somehow -transferred the latent energy of that being to me. <i>Could that have -been radiant energy?</i>" He paused. "Could it, O Panadur?"</p> - -<p>But the Europan had abruptly interposed an impenetrable barrier between -his mind and that of the two men. With an imperious gesture he pointed -to the exit of the cavern. Mark and Palanth gazed at each other in -bewilderment, finally they left in silence.</p> - -<p>As soon as they were lost to view, the cavern began to be filled by a -steady stream of thousands upon thousands of silvery Panadurs silently -filing in from the inner caverns.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"What in Phobos happened to him?" Mark thought aloud, trying to -understand the incomprehensible conduct of the Panadur Leader.</p> - -<p>"Don't ask me riddles about this fantastic race of beings!" Palanth -exclaimed irritably, waving his handkerchief. "What has radiant energy -got to do with them anyway?"</p> - -<p>"Just a hunch of mine, Palanth. If the energy they absorb from minerals -is radiant energy ... well, we might be able to defy the Terran Fleet -itself ... <i>if</i>!"</p> - -<p>"You still speak in riddles, O Thou specially not wanted!" Palanth -lapsed into his usual grandiloquent manner. "At any rate, your idea of -fighting the Terran Fleet with radiant energy certainly had a startling -effect on that mysterious biped of yours." He pressed still another -offensively perfumed handkerchief to his face and eyed the changing -landscape of Europa with distaste. It was a raw panorama of great -tracts of vivid red soil, exposed by the melting snows; outcrops of -glittering rocks rich in minerals flashed in rainbow hues under the -powerful ultra-visibility reflectors that were substituting for Terra's -Sol. In the near distance, gigantic skeletal structures were a babel of -sound, and beyond, the mile-high weather control towers fought steadily -the numbing cold.</p> - -<p>"Must I explain in words of one syllable so that dubious intellect of -yours can absorb it?" Mark asked mockingly. "Well, while asking the -Panadur about radiant energy, <i>I had in mind</i> building thousands of -tiny spacers out of some of the Spacer Transports that brought us here. -These tiny swarms are to be filled with <i>radiant energy</i> and aimed by -mechanical robot control directly at the Terran Fleet so that they -will explode on contact, annihilating everything in their path. Thus -lives will be conserved.... <i>But the radiant energy must come from the -Panadurs!</i>"</p> - -<p>"Too many <i>ifs</i>," Palanth replied unconvinced. "However, we can have -a fleet of miniature spacers ready before the Council's butchers get -within a million parsecs of Europa.</p> - -<p>"But without either your damned radiant energy or some explosive that -will do what no explosive has ever done before, or ray either, for that -matter, the ships will be as useless as ... as a Panadur in a fight!"</p> - -<p>"<i>Build the fleet!</i>" came the startling telepathic command from the -direction of the cavern country.</p> - -<p>"He ... <i>It</i> was in contact!" Palanth gazed at Mark Lynn startled.</p> - -<p>"He always is," Mark held up the gleaming blue, star-like gem he -carried in his pocket. "Probably appreciated your complimentary remark -about the fighting qualities of Panadurs. But that's what I wanted to -hear him say!" He exulted. "Hold up everything Palanth, and throw all -our resources into the building of the miniature fleet."</p> - -<p>"Yeah! But let's not forget to get the remaining spacers into shape -just in case.... I'd much rather die exploding on a Terran spacer, than -trapped like a Martian desert rat on Europa."</p> - -<p>"Patience, O Spawn of unfortunate begetting!" Mark taunted his friend -with one of the latter's favorite insults. "Everything in good time."</p> - -<p>As their Spacer came into view in the distance, Mark increased his -speed unconsciously as he thought of Lucero.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VIII</p> - -<p>His eyes were expressionless, his ego inert, but with the incredible -dexterity of genius and long practice, Doctor Verdugo transferred the -brains of drugged scientists to the waiting rows of perfected robots.</p> - -<p>The bolt of living energy that had dropped the infamous Terran surgeon -in the recesses of an Europan cavern, had neutralized his will, and his -egocentric and sadistic personality no longer dominated his brain.</p> - -<p>Now his flying fingers manipulated atomic scalpels without hesitation, -and one by one scientific brains were short of certain areas, without -impairing them. Silently he coupled the organic demi-brains with the -mechanical motor organs of the robots, by means of nerve tendrils that -led out of the brains themselves, and were curled into coils about -which he placed helixes of sensitized silver wire, that made them -virtually transformers—nervous impulses into electrical and vice versa.</p> - -<p>The miracle that was Alcoran, the super-robot, was being multiplied -five-hundred fold, as each scientific hostage provided a brain to -activate the new super-robots of the Panadurs.</p> - -<p>Alcoran itself had been operated upon to remove certain allegiances -and memories and now, under the direct control of the Panadur leader, -assisted the doctor in the operations.</p> - -<p>The Panadur leader watched expressionless as the work went on -ceaselessly, inexorably until every scientific brain was housed in a -metal man.</p> - -<p>Finally, at a telepathic command from their leader, the Panadurs began -to carry the cadavers of the scientists away—their energy potential -must not be wasted—the need for energy would be great. And then, an -uncanny, a hair-raising scene took place.</p> - -<p>As if felled by a blow, Doctor Verdugo collapsed prone upon the now -empty operation table, and Alcoran detaching himself from among the -newly activated robots, grasped instruments and began to operate.</p> - -<p>Stranger still, a Panadur silently lay down by the side of the -scientist and relaxed as if in death.</p> - -<p>Doctor Verdugo's cranium was trepanned and opened, Alcoran deftly -extracted the brain operating with the mastery that had been Verdugo's. -Then he opened the brain pan of the Panadur and removed certain parts -from its alien brain, including the pituitary at the apex, which -seemed enormous in comparison with the size of the Panadur's brain, -and grafted it to what had been the brain of Doctor Verdugo. Then as -a swarm of Panadurs dragged a robot forward, he inserted the organic -brain in the super-robot's helmet, made the necessary connections, -completed the task and sealed the incision. Verdugo's body was carried -away. The same swarm of Panadurs circled the super-robot, and began to -generate energy potential which they transmitted to the quiescent brain -in its metal head.</p> - -<p>Slowly, the superb metal man rose from the table and with slender, -delicate hands grasped its head. Its brilliant beryl eyes of purest -indestructible crystal, glowed in the chiseled semi-triangular face. -Suddenly it raised its head and gazed straight at the Panadur leader, -and as if it had received a command, it bowed silently. Then, with the -lithe, cat-like stride of the Panadurs it headed for the exit of the -Cavern and was gone.</p> - -<p>An expression of triumph exalted the Leader's features. "Hereafter," he -thought, "the energy output to control robots' brains telepathically, -will not be necessary. <i>They could be rendered telepathic!</i>"</p> - -<p>It was then the Leader turned majestically toward the cavern's depths -and issued his final command to the waiting legions of his people. The -robots with the mechanical brains, nearly a thousand strong, marched -forward, and, behind them, rank upon rank of the countless furry -Panadurs.</p> - -<p>Once outside in the artificial sunlight of Europa, only the myriad -bullet-shaped, miniature spacers flashing in the golden light, drew -their eyes. The distant rows of tiny, waiting ships drew robots and -Panadurs alike like a magnet and the immense army of silver-gray beings -with a vanguard of metal men swept forward, eerily silent.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Within the <i>Stellar Virgin</i>, Mark Lynn paced the confines of what had -been Verdugo's chamber. The Tele-Magnum, repaired and rebuilt could be -seen in the small alcove. Mark's face was gray and haggard as he faced -Lucero and Palanth, seated on a couch against the wall.</p> - -<p>"No word from the Panadur Leader, and we cannot wait much longer! If -my calculations are right, the Terran Fleet should be nearing Europa's -orbit. We cannot afford to be caught on the ground."</p> - -<p>"Do you suppose the Council would listen?" It was Palanth hoping -against hope. "Try them, Mark; we can spar for time." Then in sheer -desperation: "I told you, Terran, those bipeds would never come through -with that infernal radiant energy!" His features also showed the strain -he'd gone through, even the ubiquitous handkerchief was missing.</p> - -<p>"I will!" Mark had reached a decision. "But no mercy can be expected -from them, I'll have to handle it <i>my way</i>...." He broke off and walked -to the Tele-Magnum, followed by Lucero and Palanth. Outside, an immense -multitude of Terrans awaited orders.</p> - -<p>Mark Lynn sat down at the console and manipulated the controls, -his fingers danced over the console keys until the eerie glow of -swirling colors and the ascending whine of the instrument told him -he had the required power. Scene after scene rushed on and off the -tele-panel until finally Venus City flashed into view. Mark made minute -adjustments and increased the potential—at last the inner Council -Chamber was revealed.</p> - -<p>It was filled to overflowing with scientists of the highest order. An -atmosphere of excitement pervaded it as experts of various categories -rushed in and out with their calculations and reports. They were -electrified as the scene within the Spacer was flashed on their -gigantic tele-panel. Mark waited an instant before he spoke, as the -holy of holies subsided into utter silence.</p> - -<p>"Europa," he said with complete aplomb, "greets the Council. A free -Europa offers peace. Soon the Terran Fleet will have reached our new -world, and that Fleet will not return to Venus! Before it is too -late, before the interplanetary void becomes the scene of a gigantic -hecatomb, we ask you, <i>turn your fleet back</i> before it is too late!"</p> - -<p>There was an interval of stunned, disbelieving silence. Within the -memory of all present such a speech had never been heard. Such -insolence was so utterly unthinkable, that the scientists stood -grotesquely open-mouthed. Then in a rising tide of fury pandemonium -broke loose.</p> - -<p>"Traitor!" Was the universal cry. "Apostate, blasphemer!" From among -the scientific swarm that had completely forgotten their dignity, a -tall, white-bearded scientist detached himself and raising both arms -roared: "Silence! The Master will speak!" The pandemonium ceased -like a receding storm. Mark Lynn waited. Contemptuously he eyed the -sleek bodies clothed in costly raiment, the bejeweled fingers and -cruel faces. A wave of revulsion swept over him as he remembered what -countless millions had suffered at their hands. And as he waited, a -deep, magnificently modulated voice broke the stillness:</p> - -<p>"<i>You</i> offer peace!" Low, sardonic laughter slashed like a scimitar. -"Peace I shall grant you earthling... in the <i>power reserve</i>! You and -that addled female who has betrayed her scientist's oath, and that -foppish Martian who even dares to ape my robes. To the rest of the -dissenters, conditioning by the controls and rigid supervision for -fifteen years. Those who are immune to controls, shall be condemned to -power reserve."</p> - -<p>He paused as if relishing the effect of words that sealed a planet's -doom. Then: "As for those humanoid creatures with silver furs Doctor -Verdugo mentioned in his message, we have already planned their orbit -of <i>achievement</i> ... that is," the satanic chuckle rose again, "for the -ones we spare to serve, the rest shall be disposed of properly."</p> - -<p>The unseen speaker's voice ceased, as if there were nothing more to be -said.</p> - -<p>In the momentary silence the voice of a robot boomed behind him:</p> - -<p>"Master, a messenger from Panadur!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mark Lynn whirled and saw a new type of robot, whose delicate features -resembled uncannily those of the beings of Europa. Its beryl eyes -regarded him steadily as it stood motionless flanked by two robot -guards. Then Mark received the telepathic message flashing from the -super-robot's brain:</p> - -<p>"I, Leader of Panadur, have attended to represent my People."</p> - -<p>For an instant Mark wondered if the Leader had somehow transferred his -own brain to the metal man, for some obscure purpose of his own, but -telepathically, he was reassured.</p> - -<p>"The metal man's brain relays my thoughts only. It is a vehicle, -nothing more, and can convey speech when the need shall arise."</p> - -<p>"War is imminent, Panadur," he telepathed, knowing that the Council -could not receive his thoughts. "Without radiant energy we're doomed to -failure." But from the super-robot came no answer. Mark Lynn whirled to -face the Tele-Magnum again, and his voice rang true with contemptuous -assurance.</p> - -<p>"You're dreaming, <i>Benevolence</i>! My offer was merely to prevent -needless slaughter. Your hour of domination has passed. When your -Terran Fleet reaches the orbit of Europa, it will disintegrate, leaving -you and your cruel henchmen helpless to enforce your vandal rule on -Mars and Venus; a tidal wave of retribution will sweep you out of the -planetary colonies. Europa is and will remain free. Your despotic rule -has come to an end. This is your <i>last</i> chance for peace!"</p> - -<p>"You are mad!" There was a terrible anger in the voice of the Supreme -Ruler. "Mad.... Do you think for an instant that I would send the -entire Terran Fleet to your puny satellite? A mere section of a -thousand ships will be enough to blast your blaspheming minions off its -frozen wastes. But enough of this, in less than an hour our ships will -be above you and death shall be swift!" The Tele-Screen went blank.</p> - -<p>"I can stay no longer, my men await me." Palanth rose abruptly and left -the chamber. He hurried to his flagship that led a section of what -remained of the great Spacers that had brought them to Europa.</p> - -<p>"My bluff has failed," Mark said quietly to Lucero, and his face was -drained of all color. "Go to the Panadur caverns, my dear, they may be -able to provide safety for you. I have only one course of action left."</p> - -<p>Lucero shook her lovely head. "We began together, we shall end that -way." There was unshakable determination in her quiet, husky voice. -"Go and give the necessary orders ... it ... it ..." her voice broke -slightly, "has been a glorious adventure, Mark!" He kissed her with -infinite tenderness and tore himself away.</p> - -<p>Once in the control room, his tones were hard as beryloy as he issued -command after command, and the gigantic spacers rose in a crescendo of -sound toward the trackless void. He knew the ships had been rendered -as formidable as was within their power, but even that was not enough, -and the knowledge that countless millions faced certain death became a -terrible anger and desperation within him.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The Europan Fleet in battle formation, assumed a staggered triangle, -in tiers of ships that rendered it a three-dimensional wedge. Powerful -super-armored spacers formed the frontal line, while the spacers they -had been able to equip with atomic projectors guarded the sides, ready -to meet encirclement. At the very apex rode the <i>Stellar Virgin</i>, with -Palanth's sectional flagship the <i>Hellacorium</i> one tier beneath. It was -a magnificent sight, and viewing it through the Tele-Magnum, Mark had a -momentary lift of pride.</p> - -<p>"Connect three-dimensional telecast," Mark ordered the robot, and -instantly the tele-panel showed a scene as if it were an open window on -the heavens. In the distance racing at unimaginable speed, the Terran -Fleet flashed on majestically.</p> - -<p>Breathlessly, the watchers on two worlds eyed its inexorable approach. -Suddenly, from the vanguard of the Terran Fleet a pencil of livid -light speared an Europan Spacer, and the great transport seemed to -disintegrate in space. Mark's knuckles were white as they tightened.</p> - -<p>"Maneuver and blast!" He roared into the radio, and in unison, but with -vertiginous speed the Europa fleet became a single perpendicular line -that spewed atom-blast in an awesome holocaust. But the Terran Fleet -came on unscathed. Simultaneously converging beams of livid light shot -out from its foremost cruisers and a score of Europan Spacers crumbled -into dust. In desperation a flight of them hurled themselves suicidally -against the driving Terran Fleet, and whorls of incandescence illumined -the ghastly scene, and it was then that Mark saw several shattered -Terran Spacers spinning down.</p> - -<p>"We have no chance!" Mark gritted as he saw the Europan Spacers -disintegrated in the awful struggle. "Murderers!... We'll hurl all our -remaining spacers against the Terran Fleet; if that's the only way to -shatter them, that's the way it'll be!" As he was about to give the -fateful command, the Panadur super-robot, who had accompanied them, lay -a restraining metal hand on Mark Lynn's arm:</p> - -<p>"Wait!" He exclaimed laconically, and pointed to the three-dimensional -Tele-cast. He flicked a tiny lever and made delicate adjustments. As -if seen through an ultra-powerful telescope, a vast swarm of silver -specks were rising from Europa itself. With dazzling speed many times -greater than that of the Spacers, the darting miniatures grew in size. -Presently they reached the battle scene, and like metal hornets were -darting among the intermingled fleets, as if seeking their prey.</p> - -<p>From thousands of projectors of the Terran Fleet, a myriad -scintillating beams crossed and criss-crossed the void like cosmic -fingers, but the tiny ships in an unexpected maneuver, executed with -dazzling speed, had scattered, skimming, darting, swooping like silver -hawks, spreading like an immense net over and beneath the Terran ships. -Now, they aimed themselves with unerring accuracy at the battle-giants -of the Council.</p> - -<p>Dozens disappeared into puffs of brilliant light as the Terran beams -found their mark, but as the flagship of the Terran Fleet maneuvered -into position to annihilate the on-coming swarm, a single silver -miniature crashed squarely against its nose. As if a meteor had -exploded in space, there was a burst of intolerable light blinding the -watchers, and just as they were able to see again, a salvo of crashes -became a flaming incandescence that human eyes could never record.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" width="650" height="530" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>Space was a raving hell of raw energy.</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>When at last the awesome scene had ceased, and they were able to open -their tortured eyes, the void was empty but for a pitiful remnant -fleeing pell-mell from an enemy that became a living projectile and -crashed suicidally against their ships with immediate annihilation to -both. A few silver bullets pursued them relentlessly until distance -swallowed them.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In their Europan ships, now being tossed like leaves in a storm, no -one spoke. There were no words in human throats that could shatter the -brooding silence in two worlds.</p> - -<p>Even the sight of a thin, towering old man, whose despotic face was -blanched as he gazed from the balcony above the Council Chamber, was -not enough to bring back their speech. The head of the Council, the -Supreme Ruler had shown himself for the first time in history!</p> - -<p>"Fiends!" He croaked in a voice that trembled with shocked unbelief. -"Demons! What manner of beings have you on Europa that their bodies -can shatter the Council's fleet? For this your world shall be -destroyed—utterly destroyed!"</p> - -<p>"With what?" It was the Panadur Leader speaking through his robot. -"Listen, O Man of evil! The five-hundred scientists you sent to our -world, no longer exist. Their minds activate such robots as you have -never even imagined. Verdugo is a robot himself—the robot whose voice -you are listening to, as my telepathic commands reach its brain. You -saw my people hurling themselves against your might and dissolving into -<i>radiant energy</i>, which we absorb directly from matter as you absorb -energy from food. We can store it in our bodies, increasing it into a -potential which can be directed at will and released with cumulative -force. Nothing in our universe can withstand that—and we're willing to -die by the millions that Panadur may be free!"</p> - -<p>"We shall make treaties with Mars and Venus, to permit the millions -of Terrans to dwell on their Planets until we can provide habitation -for them elsewhere. In the meantime, take your choice, old man! Your -terror-reign is ended. We give you the choice of the radiant death, -or a space ship to take you and your vermin beyond the inner planets. -You will be provided with whatever you need—but the Council must go -forever!"</p> - -<p>The Supreme Ruler realized defeat. He had never granted mercy—he -expected none. His arms hung limp at his sides, and his head with its -smoldering, hatred-filled eyes hung on his aged chest. He gazed at the -stunned assembly of scientists below him and knew there was no escape.</p> - -<p>If he defied Mark Lynn and the Panadurs, the Terran Fleet would be -utterly destroyed and without that safeguard, Mars and Venus would -sweep them off their planets. Everywhere his thoughts turned he only -saw death. And, as the power he had held for years slipped from his -grasp, he became a gray, broken old man who knew fear.</p> - -<p>"We will go, International!" He flung with one final sneer, as the -hatred of a trapped beast flamed in his eyes.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As Mark Lynn manipulated the keys and cut the connection, he found a -warm body being pressed against his, and a tear-wet face that burrowed -beneath his chin. His arms went about Lucero.</p> - -<p>"Crying, indeed! Where is the dignity of a scientist, Doctor Fortun?" -He smiled with a vast tenderness.</p> - -<p>"Damn scientists," she exclaimed inelegantly, and burrowed deeper. "All -I want is to be a woman, Mark!"</p> - -<p>At that moment the tele-panel lighted signaling and Mark connected -again. It was Palanth.</p> - -<p>"Mark! Mark!" His face was alight with triumph. But Mark did not -answer, for a new dawn was rising in his heart, and Lucero's lips were -pressed to his.</p> - -<p>The Martian went silent, scowled for a moment and shrugged his -shoulders, then pressed a square of Venusian silk to his supercilious -nose in order to hide a spreading grin.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="ph1">[Transcriber's Note: No Section V heading in original.]</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Star Guardsman, by Albert dePina - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STAR GUARDSMAN *** - -***** This file should be named 62765-h.htm or 62765-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/7/6/62765/ - -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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Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/62765-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/62765-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 0200def..0000000 --- a/old/62765-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/62765-h/images/illus.jpg b/old/62765-h/images/illus.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ee7f181..0000000 --- a/old/62765-h/images/illus.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/62765.txt b/old/62765.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a106aa4..0000000 --- a/old/62765.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2784 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Star Guardsman, by Albert dePina - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. 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: The Star Guardsman - -Author: Albert dePina - -Release Date: July 26, 2020 [EBook #62765] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STAR GUARDSMAN *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - The Star Guardsman - - By ALBERT DePINA - - Europa was the only sanctuary for Earth's - doomed millions. Yet to hold it, Mark Lynn - had to fight his traitorous Overlords. And - he was destined to lose--for his weapons were - antiquated, his allies a fragile peaceful race. - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Planet Stories Winter 1943. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -"Your business?" - -The Martian Proctor's parchment-like face was blank as he examined -Lynn's pass-card impassively. - -"Since when are Internationals given explanations?" Mark Lynn's dark -green eyes glowed. "I've been given none." - -"In the Council Hall, humility's essential." The tall Martian drew -himself erect, arrogantly. - -"See that you observe it, then." Lynn barked laconically and turning -entered the tube, while the violet-eyed Planetarian gasped in -incredulity. - -When the door of the tube in which he'd been transported opened -silently, Mark Lynn found himself before a blank, polished wall of -Beryloy, but as he stepped before it, the wall slid aside to reveal an -austere room of dura-plon whose walls were buckled in places, as if -they'd endured tremendous pressure; part of the room was marked off by -beryloy cables, where a _bas-relief_ of man's progress had crumbled to -the floor and had not been removed as yet. The ceiling seemed uneven, -the polished expanse of floor was asymmetrical. - -Across an enormous desk, now covered by a plotting chart, a figure -dressed in the purple uniform of a scientist, with the golden cord of -the Psychologists, gazed at him placidly out of level hazel eyes. - -The short-cropped hair that escaped the confines of the tight, silver -kepis, was golden-brown, unruly, and the oval face freckle-sprinkled -had the serious expression of a precocious child. - - * * * * * - -Mark regarded the girl gravely, startled at her youth, although being -accustomed to female scientists her sex did not surprise him. He -remained silent, as the etiquette of 2,022 demanded when before the -ruling class. - -"You've made a characteristic beginning, Spacer Lynn," the girl -observed coldly and gestured toward a visi-screen at her side. "Was it -necessary to leave the Proctor frothing?" - -"At the moment, yes!" Mark replied evenly. "Martian arrogance annoys -me, scientist." - -The girl frowned slightly. "I'm Doctor Fortun," she stated after a -pause. "The Council has decided to honor you with a mission. It is a -problem particularly suited to your ... er ... talents; your record -shows a rare agility of mind impossible to find among Civicans." - -"That's because controls one, six and fifteen failed to affect me," -Mark said smiling, unconsciously displaying magnificent teeth, dazzling -against the background of his space-tanned features. - -"Because you're a ..." the girl began irritably and then checked -herself. "No matter, Spacer Lynn." - -"Why not finish it?" Mark sat down, stretching long, sinewy legs -until he sprawled relaxed and loose-jointed, so that it seemed even -his magnificent muscles would never be able to lift the great body. -"Atavistic, is the word." He grinned engagingly and hooded his eyes -slightly as he appraised Doctor Fortun with undisguised admiration. - -The young scientist reddened, but she continued in a quiet voice. - -"You were selected because you evolved the expedient of taking -Internationals on space exploration, in defiance of the Council Law -that no International can serve more than two years in one position, -by simply shifting them to different levels of work on the Spacers, -where they would be unlikely to contact each other, and, incidentally, -managed to keep yourself as a Spacer long after your term had expired. - -"Your record shows also that you circumvented the non-voting status -of Internationals by organizing Civicans into groups to vote for the -interests of Internationals in exchange for confidential information on -planetary resettlement, so that they could obtain choice localities...." - -"There's a fundamental necessity of calling worn-out laws to the -attention of the Council by evasion, when they refuse to listen," Mark -explained affably. - -Doctor Fortun straightened angrily, her hazel eyes gold-bright with -annoyance. "You were not summoned to discuss revision of existing -laws," she flashed. "That impudence of yours hardly becomes...." She -was at a loss for words. Belonging as she did to the highest hereditary -rank in the realm, the smiling assurance of Spacer Lynn, three ranks -beneath her, and his frank insolence was a new experience to the girl. - -Mark Lynn laughed joyously. The admiration in his eyes deepened. - -"Thank the eternal stars!" He exclaimed. - -"Have you gone mad?" The girl's voice was tight with fury. "Dare you -laugh at a scientist?" - -"No, not mad--merely happy! First the Council calls me because being -_International_ and beyond Civican control my individualism and my -freedom of action are useful; you, of course, approve. Then when I -show those very qualities, you're furious. And, I'm happy because ..." -his voice dwindled. - -"Yes, go on!" Her words were sheathed in velvet, but her eyes were -feral, like flaming topaz. - -"Because it's paradoxical and shows you're still a woman--lovelier than -any I've ever seen," he finished almost in a whisper. - - * * * * * - -Doctor Fortun looked as if she were about to slap his face. Remembering -the dignity of a scientist in time, she gazed at Mark Lynn with a -mixture of feelings. Finally, something of his infectious good-nature, -of his open admiration touched her and she laughed quietly. - -"You are right, Spacer Lynn," she acknowledged. "For a moment I forgot -I was a Psychologist--it's a quality about you that for an instant -made me feel less a scientist and more a ... but never mind. We'll be -together for the Deity knows how long, and it's futile to begin by -quarrelling. Lean forward so you can see this chart, I'll explain." - -"We'll be together, did you say?" Mark was delighted. "Then give me a -dozen problems!" - -"Yes," she replied dubiously. "As a Psychologist I'll be part of -the expedition. You'll find that this one problem will be more than -enough." The girl pressed a button on her desk and one of the undamaged -walls began to glow until it became an astro-map, a reproduction of -charted space. Each planet was indicated in relative size, and in the -lower center, pulsing angrily a thin red line marked "Comet" seemed to -be approaching inferior conjunction with Terra. - -"Is that the problem?" Mark asked. "Simple! When it enters Terra's -orbit, life on Terra ceases. Evacuation's the only possible solution. -I knew that comet was approaching, but not being an Astronomer I -didn't compute its trajectory. Besides, being on Io is like being -in exile--news hardly ever reaches us there. Will it destroy Terra -completely?" - -"No, not entirely. At first, indications were that it would enter the -orbit of our system at such an angle that Terra would be destroyed. -However, we've checked with the observatories on Pluto since then, -and it has been determined that it will merely enter the field of -attraction sufficiently to shift the axis to opposition. Of course, -this will render Terra unfit for habitation ... perhaps for a century -or two ... therefore, as you realized, evacuation's the answer." - -"I'm listening," Mark said earnestly, as the magnitude of the problem -before them struck him. "However, you're aware I'm not an astronomer, -and the technique of evacuation could best be handled by the Council -itself. I'm afraid I still don't quite see what my role's to be.... But -whatever it is, I'm ready." - -"Turn your attention to this plotting chart," Doctor Fortun indicated -the map on her desk. "These areas marked in red have already been -affected. Tremors have increased and volcanic openings are occurring -in these and these areas, never dangerous before. While you were on Io -awaiting orders for another exploratory journey, we began to attempt -resettlement of our _Civicans_ and _Ruralians_ on other Planets--even -giving them their choice of occupations and of planets ... quite a -concession you must agree." - -"Quite!" The irony in his voice seemed to escape her. - - * * * * * - -"We have succeeded in resettling two-thirds of Terra's population -on Mars and Venus, and a limited number on Mercury; this last world -only offered limited space at best in its twilight zone, and it was -necessary to construct subterranean cities beneath its dark side--the -frigid half--but that's another problem. Now, however, Venus refuses to -accept any more Terrans and Mars has also closed its doors to us. Under -existing treaties they have no right to exclude Terrans, but we're -hardly in a position to enforce them now." - -"Hardly!" Lynn agreed sardonically. - -"The problem's further complicated by the innate characteristics of -this remaining third," Doctor Fortun paused, and gazed very intently -into the dark green eyes of the Spacer before she resumed. - -"They're for the most part internationals, ruralians who originally -refused to undergo controls one and six, and were not condemned to -Power Reserve because of the increasing need for Vitaminic Flora, as -you no doubt know that vibroponics, due to some peculiarity of the -radiations are greatly deficient in certain vitamins. The balance -are Planetarians from throughout the system who flatly refuse to -be repatriated. And, last but certainly not least, religious and -philosophic groups--the former, fanatical believers in _ancestrals_ -and atavistic cults, who chose to regard this cosmic tragedy as a -manifestation of Divine Wrath and devote their time to frenzied, -masochistic meetings and revivals. The latter have turned stoic, and -choose to see nothing in our civilization worth living for, claiming -that all incentive has been removed, consequently, they prefer to -meet their fate on Terra. In short, this last third is completely -intractable." - -"I'm amazed the Council's taken no measures!" Mark exclaimed. - -"Oh, measures have been taken, of course. The philosophers -have had rank and prerogatives--even when they had scientific -honors--nullified. The religious groups have had their food allowance -reduced to the starvation point and all their privileges recalled. -The Internationals ..." here she paused again as she regarded Mark, -"since they're free-thinkers, and the most dangerous of the lot, were -ordered to report for control-treatment under penalty of death. They -promptly took to the fastnesses in the mountains and deserts by the -millions, and are existing on game and vegetables to be found in the -now abandoned regions. They are armed for the most part." - -Mark Lynn was openly grinning now, but the girl chose to ignore it and -continued: - -"Unfortunately, our armed forces are too busy keeping order in the -new resettlements, or they would have been subdued long ago. The -resettlements have been supplied with seed, tools, cattle, metallic -substances, concentrated fuel, machinery ... in fact, everything -necessary for a successful evacuation. This last group would have -been similarly supplied, they were even given a reprieve for their -insubordination and offered special terms--the Council can be -munificent!" For an instant her voice rang with exaltation. "But they -absolutely refuse evacuation, except...." - -"Except what?" Lynn was all attention, sensing that this was the core -of the problem. - -"Except on their own terms!" The young scientist exclaimed with a trace -of bitterness. - -"But why don't you permit them to decide what manner of death they're -to have? What possible interest can the Council have in what to them -is an atavistic, intransigent group that detests our system of planned -existence? If the prospect of a continuation of this civilization gags -them, even in another planet, then obviously their choice to remain and -die here should be respected." Mark's voice was very soft. - -The limpid hazel eyes of the girl mirrored her shock at Mark's words. - -"Impossible! It would be horribly wasteful. And, a distinct failure on -the Council's part. Those lives can be useful--the Council never fails!" - -"Amen!" Mark Lynn exclaimed archaically. "And where do I come in?" - -The irony of his present situation didn't escape him. That he, an -_International_, a strata of the highly complex social order considered -most dangerous, should be called in to solve a problem of such -magnitude, involving (of all people) Internationals and intransigents, -would have been fantastic to anyone not acquainted with the subtle and -at times Machiavellian methods of the Council. - - * * * * * - -Doctor Fortun handed him a rolled, tissue-thin, metallic cylinder for -an answer. - -"Those are your orders from the Council," she said soberly. "I'm but an -agent, as you know. Just one among the scientists who will be in charge -upon arrival. Do not read it now. It is final. Take this card, it's a -permit to enter a scientific News-Casting Booth and scan all available -data for the past year. We know that out of the remaining third, -roughly three or four hundred million at best will be transportable. -The balance are far too old to withstand the journey--their power -potential is negligible, and in any case, they'd much rather die than -leave. But it's the three or four hundred million transportables who -are highly useful for the particular purpose of the Council, that -we must ... or rather," she smiled faintly, "you must convince." She -opened a drawer and extracted a gleaming metal disk. "These credits -will be ample," she said, extending it to Mark. - -Lynn's eyes widened. "Ten thousand credits? I've had to work as many -years for that amount!" - -Doctor Fortun smiled. "May you live to spend them, Spacer Lynn," she -said cryptically. "Greetings!" - -Mark Lynn wanted to speak, to ask her social name, anything that would -delay his departure from her office. But he knew the interview was at -an end even before she turned to the mass of figures and data on her -desk. - -Spacer Lynn threw a rapid glance around the room. They were still -alone, but he knew that the entire interview had been minutely -recorded--the august body of scientists of the first order who composed -the Council took no chances, especially with Internationals, the -adventurers, the pioneers who opened up new worlds for the maddeningly -impersonal efficiency of the Council to take over and remold. But Mark -didn't care. There was little that they didn't know about him, in -detail. - -Mark Lynn in common with a few million others was a product of his time -and station. One of the immense legion of war orphans that the constant -and increasingly destructive warfare of the twentieth and twenty-first -centuries had left behind, he was automatically a ward of the Executive -Council. - -Now that wars had finally been abolished as wasteful and inefficient, -the ultimate goal of the social order was "Achievement." It had become -a religion. It was instilled into infantile minds with the first -toddling steps; it was propagated through a thousand subtle means; it -was a constant threat in the background of every living being under -the government of Terra. _Achievement_ was the inexorable law. It -might mean producing so many tons of vitaminic flora during a span of -so many years, or perhaps the production of metallic substances, or -the exploration of so many worlds, as in Mark's case. Regardless of -the task imposed, its final, successful and unequivocal completion was -the "Achievement" for that particular being. And, woe unto him who -_failed_ to achieve! - -In Mark Lynn's case, having been given over to the International -Police for training as an astrogator and having finished his course -with brilliant honors, he had been given a first-class exploration -rating, and trained in outer space navigation. Years of successful -interplanetary and outer space exploration and research had given -him an unequaled experience as an explorer. It was his duty to give -the Council implicit obedience--and to reserve his thinking for the -problems of unexplored worlds and outer space. The Council, Rulers of -the World State, frowned on thinking without directives, especially by -those beyond control, such as the Internationals, of which Mark Lynn -was a great leader. - - * * * * * - -Thinking led to individualism, and the latter to conflict of opinions, -eventually to become conflict of a far more deadly sort. The recent -past was an unerasable record of promiscuous thinking; it had brought -too many problems, social and economic--it was wasteful, slipshod and -inefficient. So it became a matter of unalterable policy to train -each individual rigidly in that station in life to which he was -best fitted, where he or she could function with maximum efficiency -toward achievement. It became essential to apply control "one," which -instilled into the mental patterns a dreadful guilt of waste--whether -of energy, credits or time, much as the ancient Puritans lived in the -fear of their consciences and could never be comfortable or enjoy -frivolous moments or leisure. Control "six" became an obsession to -achieve, subtly replacing the emotional complex of what in an earlier -day was called "ambition," until nothing, literally nothing could stand -before that one, all-important goal. And finally, control "fifteen" -became an absolute need for guidance, a pattern that subtly replaced -the instinct for security of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, so -that all problems, all crises were solved by the Council. An attempt to -make individual solutions, resulted in an awful sense of "aloneness," -of absolute insecurity that could drive a civican or ruralian to the -verge of a psychosis. There were other controls, some major and -some minor, but these three, one, six and fifteen, were the three -imperatives. Mark Lynn was impervious to them--he had to be to belong -to the Internationals. - - * * * * * - -With the sealed cylinder in an inner pocket of his tunic, that boasted -a golden sun embroidered on the chest, Mark left the building and -made his way through the milling crowds in the streets. They were all -hurrying to some individual task--office workers in the black gowns -of their calling; artisans with wide, tooled belts. The violet-eyed -Martian proctors who acted as guards, and the tiny, slender Venusians, -with their vari-colored wings and melodious voices. Scientists of -the various orders were hurrying to the transportation belts, while -technicians in their bright blue tunics went in and out of different -buildings. There was no confusion, no disorder, despite the evident -haste. - -Shops were closed, deserted or wrecked by earthquakes. Many buildings -were in partial ruins, others had huge cracks along the sides. Yet, -from the public visi-screens posted along the street came glimpses of -beautiful scenes and soft, seductive music. A light powdery snow was -falling, and the wind danced a sara-band unchecked. - -"Weather control stations must have failed," Mark said inwardly, and -breathed deeply, gratefully, the keen, icy freshness of the wind. - -An old woman, a ruralian carrying a huge bundle, spied him and eagerly -grasped his arm. "Greetings, International! Pray give an old woman -information! I've farmed my allotment and _achieved_ ten years ahead -of my plan, and now they tell me I must move to Venus! I don't mind -the moving--though I mistrust those winged creatures--but I'm old and -very tired. Does my moving mean I'll have another allotment to achieve? -Must I clear Venusian land? Tell me International, if I'm assigned to -a freighter, will the gravs be likely to shorten what remains of my -life-span?" - -Mark laughed at the loud avalanche of questions. "Peace, Ruralian," -he managed through his laughter. "I doubt if you'll be required -to _achieve_ another allotment. Didn't the government grant you -sufficient credits for a new start?" - -The ruralian woman pulled out a package of rank, Venusian cigarets -and contentedly puffed on one after lighting it. "Yes, when the -earth-temblors ruined my land and a mouth of fire finished it, a -proctor came from the Council and gave me enough credits to last a body -a life-time, then told me to make my way to transportation. But I can't -bring myself to spend those credits, International--its wasteful.... -I'd rather achieve another allotment. Why, I haven't bought a thing for -fifty years that I could grow or make myself! - -"I've been some time getting here from the Arizona sector, for the -shakes disrupted the conveyor roads, and I lost a lot of things when -another mouth of fire pushed up where the road was and blew my cart -to the four winds--It's a miracle I'm here at all! But about the -freighter, will the gravs...." - -"Ask for the sleep-freeze ... it will be given you, in any event. If -anything, it'll lengthen your span, and the journey will seem like an -overnight trip to you. If you need directing, a proctor will assist -you. Greetings Ruralian!" Mark tried to make his tones as kindly as he -possibly could, but realizing the woman was eager to make conversation, -he ended the incident--he was still on duty. - -"Greetings, International," she replied disappointed, and heaved the -bundle to her shoulder. - -Mark had not walked ten paces when instant correlation between his -senses, mental synthesis and muscular reaction made him swerve -aside, bending over at the same time. It had been the horror-shocked -expression in the eyes of a technician barely three paces before him, -that had sent the Spacer hurtling to one side, half bent over, bowling -pedestrians aside like ten-pins. A thin pencil of light flashed where -Mark's head had been seconds before. Mark had turned without pausing -and he saw a tall International whose yellow tunic bore the red whorl -insignia of a conveyor-road inspector. - -Mark's molecular rate was faster than any other strata, purposely, -because of his calling, and to the spectators it seemed as if he'd -twisted, turned and flung himself into a prodigious tackle all in -one motion. The attacking International, fully as tall as Mark, went -down under the terrific impact, his atomo-pistol sailing through the -icy atmosphere in a falling arc. But with the agility of a Martian -Hellacorium, he was up and snarling: "Traitor!" through clenched teeth. -With a cry of baffled fury he launched himself at Mark unhesitatingly, -one hand fumbling at his belt. - -But Mark ducked, side-stepping. He was icy calm now, although the -reason for this attack baffled him. Mark was in his element in a fight; -the International Police trained its wards to be fighting machines, -deadly in their efficiency. Explorers had to be! - - - II - -Mark wheeled as the attacker hurtled past him and his straight left -went unerringly to the man's head, jarring him. Automatically Mark's -training came to the fore, as everything else faded until it was only -Spacer Lynn and a murderous enemy. Mark's right was a peg upon which -he hung the attacker's blasting blow, while he used the boxer's left, -long and weaving, throwing it swiftly like a cat sparring with a -mouse dangling by the tail from its teeth. His left bounced off the -attacker's chin. It was a little high, but the man rocked on his heels. - -The killer rushed. Mark let his heels touch the ground, refused to run. -The attacker was too aggressive and eager for complete defense. Mark -caught him with a left and right and calmly took a murderous hook to -the belly without flinching, then he let his right hand ride, dropping -it like a sledge-hammer. The attacker's face seemed to lose contour, -its features blurred as the face went gory; his feet crossed and his -knees went suddenly rubbery. The conveyor-road inspector fell with a -crash and didn't get up. - -Mark became suddenly aware that two Martian proctors flanked him, -deadly atomo-pistols pressing at his sides. - -"Silence and obedience, International! Follow!" came the crisp, laconic -order from the senior proctor. - -Instantly a visi-screen lighted and a cold, imperious voice directed: - -"Remove the attacker, dispose as power reserve. Spacer Lynn proceed on -mission!" - -In unison, the two proctors saluted and the atomo-pistols disappeared. -It was the voice of the Council, through some subordinate. - -"The eyes and ears of the universe!" Mark Lynn exclaimed ironically in -a whisper. The cometary reaction must have been psychological as well -as physical to bring about crime in a social order where for centuries -it had disappeared. Or had it? Mark wondered. How many secrets, how -much factual data the Council kept from the people? No one would ever -know. But why try to liquidate him? He'd just arrived from years in -outer space; surely he couldn't possibly have enemies on Terra! Was -his mission known? And come to think of it, just what was his mission -actually? Meditatively, he tapped the cylinder in the inner pocket of -his tunic. Could _that_ have been the motive for the assault? - - * * * * * - -"Palanth!" Mark Lynn exclaimed delightedly as he spied a dandified -Martian leaning against a column of chrysophrase, upon entering the -lobby of the International Police headquarters to report. - -Tall and sinewy-lean, with the exaggeratedly narrow waist -characteristic of the Martians, Palanth gazed startled at his companion -of many adventures, from behind a silken square of Venusian-spider -silk drenched in the overpowering fragrance of Venusian Jasmines. Only -the violet eyes were visible, startling against the background of his -flaming hair. - -In the tight-fitting yellow tunic of an International, he resembled an -ancient, narrow-waisted cretan come to life, but for the flaming mane -and towering height. - -"Greetings! O bird of ill-omen, what malodorous wind blew you in -from outer space?" He dropped the handkerchief long enough to reveal -chiselled nostrils and white even teeth as he smiled heart-warmingly. -He placed his left hand on Mark's shoulder, in the immemorial gesture -Mars reserved for the closest friends. - -"One sec, Planetarian, while I check in," Mark grinned also placing -his hand on the Martian's shoulder, knowing how it annoyed the -Martian to be called by a lower rank. Mark stepped into a booth that -automatically recorded his status as the visi-screen panel glowed into -life. - -"Spacer Mark Lynn, Exploratory Astrogator First Class, reporting. Under -sealed orders from the Supreme Council. Last station Io. Awaiting -further orders." In a thousand departments that recorded global -information and checked it in detail even psychologically, Mark's words -automatically became part of the endless record. But there was no -answer. The visi-screen faded to a smouldering green and went blank. - -"Strange!" Mark muttered to himself, stepping out of the booth. "These -orders must be final." He touched the slight bulge made by the cylinder -he carried. - -Curiosity was beginning to needle him, but orders from the Council -could only be opened in absolute privacy, especially sealed orders. - -Palanth was waiting for him, the eternal handkerchief pressed against -his nose. A brilliant panagran, blood-red and flashing made a deep -spot of color against his left ear-lobe. Everything about him seemed -indolent, aesthetic, super-refined. And the exquisite fragrances from -the known universe with which he drenched his squares of silk, thanks -to his mania against human odors, added to the foppish effect. - -"Have you come to twist the tail of the comet, O thou especially not -wanted?" - - * * * * * - -Palanth waved his handkerchief diffusing jasmines in the rich austerity -of the lobby, as he lounged back against the column with a sigh that -might have meant anything. His yellow tunic--as near the color of gold -as he dared, without actually being the hue reserved for the Supreme -head of the Council, shimmered like watered silk. His slender hands -flashed with _acerines_ and _calchuites_. - -"Breath-taking, as usual," Mark was grinning from ear to ear, -"specially that godawful jungle fumes you're soaked in ... arrgh! I -can't breathe!" - -"My only defense against you creatures," Palanth said languidly. "I -need replenishing, Mark, shall we go?" - -"Lord, yes. I could eat an Europan." Mark checked himself as an -odd tight expression came into his eyes, and his hand tightened -on something hard inside a lower pocket of his tunic. He fell -unaccountably silent for a moment. - -Palanth strode beside him with a lithe, tigerish stride which belied -his now forgotten languid pose of a few minutes ago. His deceptive -exterior--which many to their final regret had found could disappear -like lightning, still made him seem a Planetarian fop whom the Council -permitted harmless foibles for reasons of their own. - -"I never hoped to see you again after that crash on Europa." Palanth -exclaimed with a relieved sigh. "You're so reckless, Mark, and death is -so permanent!" - -"Of course, _you_ are not reckless," Mark taunted with obvious irony, -remembering how the Martian International could explode into action -like an enraged Martian Hella. "In your superior wisdom, there's no -reason to take chances--everything's planned in advance, logically, -coldly.... Bah. Do you recall that little incident on Venus when they -served you imitation Thassalian and that little Venusian baggage tried -to dope you with...." - -"Cease! O chattering...." Palanth interrupted as near being embarrassed -as it was possible for him to be. The rest of what he said was buried -in the perfumed handkerchief which he hastily pressed against his face -as they joined the crowds that filled the avenue. - -"But what are you here for? It is permissible to know?" Mark asked -soberly at last. - -"I may as well tell you," Palanth said, his tones muffled by the -handkerchief. "You'd never have the imagination to guess!" - -"You probably have been appointed to regulate the last batch of -outgoing freighters enroute to various space stations, in order to -relieve congestion and ease pressure of transportation. There may be -something else ... eh?" - -"Master mind! But there's that last _something else_ that you'd never -guess." - -"Inductive reasoning tells me that a freight coordinator would -be assigned to freight problems ... let _me_ talk ... but this -seems to be the last time that old Terra is going to send freight -anywhere. I feel there's one last measure to be taken against the -unpredictable--something calculated to checkmate a future result. Oh -I know I sound as if I were talking gibberish, Palanth, but well ... -it's still sort of foggy in my mind. I'll know more when I read my -orders." - -"I've already read mine," Palanth said quietly. "I'm persuaded they're -not very different from yours--in the last analysis. It's a gigantic -game, Mark!" - -"Then you know?" - -"Yes!" It was almost a whisper, almost a telepathic assent. "But here's -our energy center, let's go on in." - - * * * * * - -Once within the vast dining-hall, known as an Energy Center, they -selected a table and from the menu the number of the meal that suited -them, pressing the numerically corresponding stud on the panel above -the table. The food came on a conveyor belt that passed beneath the -floor and emerged from the center of the table which was hollow and had -a panel that slid aside as the food arrived. - -"Well, what have you learned," Palanth asked Mark as they began their -meal. - -Mark Lynn outlined what he knew and added a few conjectures of his own, -and Palanth's face split gradually in a wide grin. - -"A pretty mess.... How many of you flesh-eating mammals are there left -to transport ... the irreconcilables, I mean, the dissenters." - -"Roughly about five hundred million. They're an amazing mixture -of Internationals, Philosophers and Ruralians--the three most -individualistic strata!" - -"It would be easier to ray them down, let the Comet wipe them out -in due time, than to go to all this trouble of persuading them to -evacuate." Palanth retorted coldly. "Still, to my Martian mind, they're -far more valuable than your herds of controlled sheep--at least, they -can think for themselves!" - -"However, in a controlled, beneficent political economy such as the -World State, any such benevolent treatment as raying them down, or -abandoning them to sidereal extinction is outlawed," a quiet, mellow -voice said behind them. - -Both Mark and Palanth looked up with a start to see the exquisite oval -face with the serious, limpid hazel eyes of Doctor Fortun, in her -purple scientist tunic. Palanth rose instantly and bowed, Mark was but -a fraction of a second behind him. - -"It's a rare honor for Spacers to enjoy socially the company of a -Scientist," Mark said gravely, but his eyes were dancing. - -"Probably just as well, if you express such unorthodox opinions -freely," she replied sitting between them at the table. "However, we -have a long journey ahead, might as well begin to know each ... as -we really are." Her smile was an adventure, and when she turned her -head to survey Palanth with frank curiosity, Mark noted that her hair -escaping the tight-fitting kepis was almost the color of dark honey in -the sun. - -"A long journey...." Palanth murmured as he picked absorbedly at -something on his plate that resembled purple pop-corn. "A long journey, -where ... how, and to what end?" - -"What are you eating?" Doctor Fortun asked almost too casually, instead -of replying. - -"These? Oh, candied violets," Palanth's languid pose had returned aware -that many eyes were upon him in the crowded energy center. - -"Don't you have enough perfume as it is without eating it too?" Mark -growled. - -"Peace, O spawn of unthinkable misfortune!" Palanth said grandly and -filled his mouth with the delicacy. - - * * * * * - -Doctor Fortun laughed aloud, it was like the tintinnabulation of -clustered silver bells. - -"Fraud!" she exclaimed amiably. "If I were not acquainted with your -past record I'd think you were a fop. Does that pose ever fool anybody, -Palanth?" - -The tall Martian grinned shrugging his shoulders. "Who knows? _It's -been so long since I've had adventure for a bride!_" He quoted a line -from the famous Terran poet of the twenty-first century. - -"He's done it so long, it's become second nature with him," Mark said -inelegantly. "However, the perfume business is no pose. Wait till you -see his collection of extracts!" - -Palanth glared at him, but remained silent. Just then a growing -tremor shook the energy center, and one of the walls split from floor -to ceiling. Their table fell with a crash and the hum of the food -conveyors ceased. Voices rose in startled exclamations and the crash -of other tables added to the increasing noise. A convulsive heave -rent the floor and the continuous series of audio-pictures on the -visi-screen ceased abruptly. - -After what seemed an eternity, in reality seconds, the quake subsided, -leaving wreckage behind and the pale, strained faces of the guests. - -"Even here in North America, the very heart of the World State, the -quakes are increasing," Doctor Fortun said thoughtfully. "Our estimates -gave us eight more weeks before the proximity of the comet neutralized -astro-warp evacuation. It seems hardly possible, but there may be -elements in the situation we have failed to calculate. I believe the -sooner we complete evacuation the better it'll be." She glanced at Mark -speculatively. - -"I suggest you read your orders this evening, once you're registered at -International House, Spacer Lynn." - -"That's my plan," Mark told her. "And speaking of unknown elements, -I'm still puzzled at being attacked by an International today. I was -unaware that I had enemies on Terra. What could the motive have been?" - -"Attacked?" Palanth was instantly alert. "Why didn't you tell me, Mark?" - -The Spacer shrugged his shoulders. "It was a minor incident--only, it's -mystery bothers me. I've been taught there's no crime on Terra, and I -am too unimportant for political liquidation." - -"You forget," Doctor Fortun said softly, "the profound dislocations -brought about by this unforeseen situation. Two-thirds of Terra's -population have been evacuated. Another third--the most intractable, -refuses cooperation. There are many sympathizers in high places. -In the inevitable confusion, the efficiency of the World State has -been impaired. What would have been impossible a few months ago, -can happen now. You're not only our chief explorer, but a name to -conjure with among Internationals--your word has never been broken. -Being suspected of having become a subservient tool of the Council is -enough for certain elements to consider you too dangerous to their -aims--therefore, guard your life, Spacer!" - -"But I'm not a tool!" Mark exclaimed fiercely. "My allegiance to the -Council only involves my life--not the lives of others--I'll not -defraud them, dissenters or not!" - - * * * * * - -Doctor Fortun smiled quietly, as if contemplating some inner scene. The -brilliant hazel eyes were veiled and whatever activity went on behind -the smooth forehead was masked. The confusion within the Energy Center -had subsided, and the guests were leaving now in orderly fashion, but -as fast as possible. - -"It's time to exit," the girl said casually. "Pity we were interrupted -just when we were beginning to really know each other." Suddenly her -manner changed as with what seemed an unconscious gesture she removed -the tight-fitting cap and her hair fell about her shoulders with the -gleaming patina of dark gold. Her smile had the demure sweetness of an -embarrassed girl, her eyes were soft and luminous as she gazed first at -Mark and then at Palanth. - -"There's a strato-cruiser of the first order leaving at six for a -resort on the gulf of Mexico--Havanol--it's perhaps the last time we'll -have a chance to see it. Shall we ..." she hesitated, "shall we dine -there?" Rose mantled her cheeks and her long lashes swept downwards as -she made the suggestion. - -"Havanol!" Mark was enchanted. "Martian music and food to tempt -archangels ... but how can you and I enter Havanol? It's open only to -special permit!" - -"You're not by any remote chance forgetting me?" Palanth inquired with -elaborate irony. "I've never seen Havanol, besides, I'm sure Doctor -Fortun would like to use some Parnassin for the occasion." - -"Parnassin! The perfume of the butterfly orchids of Venus! Why, -Palanth, it's worth more than _calchuites_--it's the rarest, the most -unattainable of extracts!" Doctor Fortun clasped her hands in ecstasy -at the very thought of it. Then her rigid scientific training asserted -itself. "But I couldn't wear it, it's like evaporating a fortune in -credits within a few hours," she said unhappily. - -"Bother, control 'one,' forget it for one memorable night!" Palanth was -exasperated. "I know its antidote--and I have it!" he said savagely. - -"So have I," Mark said grinning. - - * * * * * - -"_Thassalian?_" the girl was startled. It was the forbidden Martian -liquor of the Gods. It could achieve almost miraculous cures when taken -in tiny doses; it gave the sensation of ineffable happiness, and when -taken to excess, it drove the addict hopelessly insane. - -"We still haven't solved the problem of the special permit," Mark -reminded them. - -"I have one for a party of four, which I haven't used as yet," Doctor -Fortun said with a hint of shyness. "You'll have time to read your -orders and then I'll pick you both up at International House in my -helio-plane. Agreed?" - -"Agreed!" Both Mark and Palanth said fervently. They watched the -slight figure of the girl as she made her way through the crowds with -precision, her purple tunic vivid against the white carpet of fallen -snow. "Her mind was well guarded!" Palanth thought aloud. - -"It is a mind of power, or I would have contacted it," Mark barely -whispered without moving his lips. - -"Still, there can be nothing at Havanol that we can't cope with," -Palanth shot a powerful telepathetic vibration at the Earthian Spacer. -"Have you had the feeling of being under spy-ray, Mark?" - -"Yes, for months ... but I've guarded my mind, and as you know, the -Council's spy-ray is not quite effective on those beyond controls one, -six and fifteen; we're beyond conditioning for penetration by their -mental synthesis. At times they're able to obtain partial ideation -which they reconstruct and reform into thought-pattern trends--but -hell! our thought-trends and individualistic patterns have been known -to them all our lives. However, we are being used as tools--indirectly!" - -"We have no proof, Earthman! In any event, within certain limits we are -still free agents. Their orders may be one thing, what we do ... is -another. This cataclysm has shorn the World State of most of its power, -on Terra at any rate. Mars and Venus would sweep the resettlements off -their planets if the Terran fleet weren't constantly on guard!" - -"Havanol may give us an inkling of what the game is!" Mark observed. -"The whole secret lies within the reason for evacuating the -irreconcilables. The Civicans, Guildians, Technicians and Ruralians -are merely the base of the pyramid; between them and the Scientists -there's a gap that must be filled by the Internationals and the -Philosophers--without pioneers and thinkers in the abstract, their -rule's static. Their scheme, whatever it is, fails without us." Mark -was telepathically communicating with Palanth his conclusions as they -neared International House. - -Palanth's violet eyes narrowed in amusement. "They no doubt have -a surprise for us in store--how poetic that we should be the ones -to surprise them!" The Martian waved his perfumed kerchief and the -sparkling iciness of the breeze was scented with fresh jasmines. - - - III - -Mark's hand tightened on the hard object he carried in a lower pocket -of his tunic. It seemed to him as if an immeasurably distant vibration -reached the very top of his brain where the most difficult thinking -is done. It was a fleeting thought, the barest sidereal whisper, that -was gone almost the instant it impinged upon his mind. Could the final -answer lie there for them? - -With Terra gone, or made uninhabitable, they would be homeless -children of space, unless they subjected themselves to the prosaic, -uninspiring existence of the planetarian settlements, limited by space, -rigidly under Council control--their lives but pawns in a gigantic -game that was planned for centuries to come with a cold, mathematical -impersonality that reduced life to a mechanical phenomenon. Mark -shuddered slightly. - -"Yes, Palanth, poetic justice indeed! Come to my apartment at -International House, I want to tell you a story ... the story of what -happened on Europa when I was Mark the daredevil, recorded as Hugh -Betancourt--the surname of my Mentor before I earned my rank and the -right to use my own name. Jim Brannigan was my second in command, when -he crashed our ship on Europa...." He was smiling with a distant look -in his eyes. - -Later, they met Doctor Fortun. - -She was still sheathed in the filmy tunic of silver-violet she had worn -at Havanol. The fragrance of Venusian butterfly-orchids was a faint -invitation to desire. But her firm, capable hands at the controls, sent -the luxurious helio-plane hurtling through the stratosphere at a dizzy -speed above a continental cloud bank. - -Dawn was beginning in a young flood of opalescent fire; the ship was -dipping and the clouds were swirling. Doctor Fortun sat silent with an -enigmatic smile on her lips. Mark Lynn didn't speak lest he break the -spell, while Palanth leaned back in his mullioned seat, eyes closed, -recapturing the past memorable hours. - -At last the terrain became visible. - -It seemed only seconds and they were hovering above the immense -interplanetary field where vast spacers awaited launching. Built to -accommodate hundreds of thousands, their titanic proportions dwarfed -everything around them. Doctor Fortun touched the controls of her -helio-plane, and instantly the ship veered and aimed straight for one -of the spacers. She flicked a lever and locked the controls. Calmly, -she released another lever, and the robot pilot took over. She leaned -back with a sigh, her shoulders slumped, silent still. - -Mark Lynn's eyes widened. "What are you doing! We'll crash against that -Spacer...." He leaped to the controls but the locking mechanism had -been set for arrival and could not be unlocked until the ship came to a -stop. At the urgency in his voice, Palanth jerked forward wide awake, -in time to glimpse the cavernous proportions of the starboard port of -the interplanetary spacer yawning open to receive them. - -As it entered the stupendous spacer, the helio-plane decelerated -suddenly, coming to an abrupt stop that pressed them back against -their ultra-padded seats as if a gigantic hand had pushed them back. -Instantly the spacer's port closed automatically without a sound and -vari-colored lights flashed within the ship. A bell rang shrilly, -insistently somewhere. - -"Strap yourselves immediately and push that small lever on the side of -your seats, it'll convert them into couches," Doctor Fortun directed -hurriedly. "Prepare for launching!" She herself was already busy -converting her own seat and then strapping herself. From a pocket of -her tunic she took a tiny box and opening it took two pellets which she -swallowed; within seconds she was unconscious. Mark reached over and -took the box from her nerveless fingers. "Vanadol! For those who do not -wish the sleep-freeze, Palanth! Do you want any? Or will you withstand -the gravs?" - -"Neither, I'll submerge my conscious mind and thus preserve everything -that occurs in my subconscious without suffering the effects of -acceleration." - -"So will I," Mark agreed. His dark green eyes were lambent with fury. -"We've been tricked very neatly, old Spacer. We're going somewhere, -willy-nilly. The first trick's theirs!" He gazed at the unconscious -form of the girl with a mixture of sorrow and anger. "The same old -story on a higher plane," he whispered to himself. "A memorable -night--and the next day shanghaied into space! I wonder if the ancients -staffed their crude water vessels in this manner?" - - * * * * * - -As they submerged their conscious minds, a buzzer vibrated throughout -the interplanetary spacer, a tremor went through the beryllium alloy -monster and suddenly it catapulted into space on the astro-warp, -robot-controlled until beyond the gravitational pull of Terra. The -tiny Helio-Plane, tiny in comparison with the titanic spacer, hung -suspended in a special craddle to minimize still further the effects -of 2g's acceleration. Doctor Fortun and the two Internationals were -too valuable to take chances. But the incongruous three were beyond -inductive thinking as the "Stellar-Virgin" leaped away from Earth. - -They didn't hear a mechanical voice order: "Free fall into orbit -three." Presently the ship settled into the warp. After a while, the -same mechanical voice ordering: "Free fall into orbit nine." Presently -the Space Drive took hold as the interplanetary cruiser warped out into -free space. The normal gravity plates began to function and instantly -the pressure ceased. - -Color returned to Mark Lynn's face, he was the first to awaken. -From where he lay, he could see the still form of Palanth, a fallen -dishevelled giant, and the fragile figure of Doctor Fortun, pale as -death and as still. A pang of pity shot through him, then remembering, -a surge of anger made his eyes grow cold. - -Leisurely he unstrapped himself and stretched, then went over and -unstrapped his two companions. "Well, we're together, for better or for -worse," he sighed. Just then Palanth shuddered and opened his violet -eyes; at sight of Mark he sat up abruptly, passing a dazed hand over -his eyes. Then he saw the still unconscious form of Doctor Fortun and -recollection came to him. - -"She's still asleep," Mark said softly. "Let her rest, we'll have ample -time for explanations." - -Suddenly Palanth laughed. "Shanghaied, by Jupiter's Red Spot!" He -searched assiduously for his eternal kerchief. "Ah, here it is ..." -then remembering, "My extracts! All my fragrances that have taken years -to collect, left on Terra!" He cursed venomously in five interplanetary -dialects until he was out of breath. - -"Magnificent!" Mark commented admiringly. - - * * * * * - -Palanth subsided into smoldering fury, his great eyes almost black, the -chiselled nostrils quivering. To him it was an appalling loss. - -"Go on, don't stop now," Mark urged him grinning. "Later, when she -wakes up, you won't be able to mourn your perfumes; now's your -chance, besides I'd like some of those remarks for my own collection, -Planetarian!" - -"You'll find them in your private quarters awaiting you in the Spacer," -a wan voice said wearily. "I feel as if I'd been mangled," Doctor -Fortun sighed tremulously. Both men turned toward the girl, but her -slender body had not stirred, the eyes were closed, only a tiny, tired -smile hovered on the curving lips. - -"Didn't know you were awake!" Mark reddened at the recollection of the -lurid language. - -"Praise be to Antares. My extracts ... where are they, where are my -quarters ... let's get out of here!" Palanth could think of nothing but -his priceless collection. "Without them I'd have to condition myself to -pollution!" - -"You're not very complimentary, Martian!" Doctor Fortun chided, her -hazel eyes flickered open and she sat up. The girl surveyed Mark Lynn -with calm, clear eyes. "What, no violence, not even recriminations? -What an utterly erroneous conception the Council has about you -Internationals," she observed, and waited for Mark to speak. - -"We don't indulge in futilities, Doctor Fortun," Mark replied. "But -perhaps you can give us an inkling of what all this is about; I think -we deserve at least that much, Scientist!" - -The girl seemed to meditate in silence. An odd, half fearful, half -ashamed expression flitted across her features. "Yes, you deserve a -great deal more than I can offer you, Spacer Lynn. But I'm afraid I -can only give you another unpleasant experience to chalk up against -me. It's all part of a pattern agreed upon even before you and your -companion arrived on Terra. It was thought that only your influence on -Internationals and Philosophers could persuade them to evacuate--they'd -believe you, where they would never trust the Council. It was necessary -that you be seen on Terra--when you entered the Council building, it -was visi-screened in detail throughout the World State; your encounter -with the attacker on the street, was seen by countless millions. It -had to be established that you were on Terra, and in touch with the -Council, so that your audio-visi-screen broadcast should be considered -_authentic_." - - * * * * * - -"But I didn't broadcast, my orders from the Council were to promise -all Internationals, Philosophers and the Ruralians--in fact, all -dissenters--a habitable planet to which they would be transported in -sleep-freeze, together with all metallic substances, seeds, plasms, -drugs, food, in fact everything required for their normal existence -for a five-year cycle--free from interference by the Government of the -World State--provided they agreed to furnish the World State with an -equal amount of materials within one hundred years. I never believed -for an instant that the Council would relinquish control, the absolute -lack of weapons, or of machinery to fashion them, was in itself a proof -of intentions beyond the letter of the offer. I meant to refuse to -broadcast to the irreconcilables my personal guarantee as demanded by -the Council. Besides, I know of no such planet." - -"That was why I took you to Havanol," Doctor Fortun nodded sadly. "The -Council anticipated your refusal--your psychological data easily -told them that--and since at Havanol only those with special permit -could enter, the guests were specially chosen, so that none without -the scientific circle knew you were there, thus your broadcast became -authentic in the minds of the dissenters. You noticed there were no -visi-screens at Havanol, under the excuse that nothing that did not -contribute to pleasure could be permitted." - -"But I tell you, I didn't broadcast!" Mark was becoming exasperated. -"You keep on harping on that!" - -"No, but your double did," the girl's voice was opaque. "Turn on the -visi-screen in the Spacer, and you'll learn the truth. Everything that -has been visi-screened on Terra since your arrival, was recorded in -the Spacer's telecast--simply select the broadcasts of the date and -hour when we went to Havanol, and it will be shown on the visi-screen -panel in the Commander's quarters. Your double--part resemblance, -part surgico-synthesis even imitates your voice within one-tenth of -a microgram of its tonal quality. Detection was beyond human power, -Spacer Lynn." - -"If I ever get my hands on him...!" Mark's fingers clenched -spasmodically as his face went dark with passion. - -"You never will," the girl said sadly, "nor on the double who took the -place of Palanth ... even that detail was taken care of, perfumes and -all," her smile was bitter. "By now, both have been converted to power -reserve, their usefulness having ended." There was an uncomfortable -pause, the silence becoming oppressive in the luxurious helio-plane of -the girl. - -"Who's the Commander of the Interplanetary Spacer?" Mark asked at last, -his agile mind already seeking means to circumvent the snare. - -"_You!_" was the laconic reply. - -"I? Has the Council gone mad? Do they think that after what's happened -they can place a spacer in my power, and still command my allegiance? I -can lose their damned Patrol in uncharted space ... _and I will!_" - -"No, Spacer Lynn, you'll have to find a better, a more definitive -solution than that. You see, you promised millions a planet of freedom, -where they could build a new civilization patterned after the old -American Constitution, but on an even greater, a wider plane of being. -You promised them freedom from the Council, and a chance to develop -untrammelled not only their minds but their emotions as well; you do -not know it, but your double was trained as a great actor, years of -conditioning and training taught him to ring the changes of emotion on -human souls not deadened by the controls. Reports showed that millions -wept, that a tidal wave of joy coursed through their ranks sending -them pouring like a human cataract into the awaiting spacers, and -sleep-freeze, Mark!" - - - IV - -"Have you the figures on how many agreed to evacuate?" Mark's face was -white and tense. Palanth was silent, immobile, in the hieratic attitude -of Martians in deep thought. - -"Roughly, three hundred million. I received the secret report just -before we left Havanol." - -"Where are they now?" Mark forced himself to ask. - -"Travelling in space under robot control. When they arrive within the -orbit of Europa, they will remain in an orbit calculated to parallel -the trajectory of our Universe in space, in relation to the orbit of -Europa, so that they will be like satellites of that planet. You will -find an instrument in your quarters, which when operated activates a -vibrational beam of such potency that it will contact the robot control -of those spacers, causing them to land on the planet at various places -and intervals. The major task will be to administer the antidote to -sleep-freeze, but as each dissenter's awakened, he or she can join in -awakening the rest. Your task is to build a civilization of Europa, a -civilization with all the technical science of Terra, and to thoroughly -develop that planet." - -"But why Europa? It's a bleak world of cold and bare rocks, lit -by a hellish crimson radiation from Jupiter's red spot, deserted, -inhospitable...." - -"But habitable, and rich in minerals, a large world with which to -replenish a ravaged earth. The moon, our Luna, will go, Mark. The -Council plans to eventually move Europa from its orbit to take the -place of our Moon! What happened to you when you crashed there, is -known to the Council; they inspected your ship and found it had been -expertly repaired with rare metals and superb skill. By spy-ray they -obtained enough out of your mind to obtain a pattern. You didn't have -reserve oxides with you on that trip, yet oxides had been used in -repairing your ship; an assortment of special tools were needed to make -the repairs--tools you didn't have with you, yet the work had been done -with a skill that surpassed that of our best technicians. And, finally, -it was established that your skull had been crushed from behind, yet, -you arrived in perfect health, the bone fracture entirely healed and -with _thrice the energy_ reserve of a normal man! as a psychologist, I -worked on the report. It was startling!" - -"I see. And if I refuse to be part of their plan?" Mark's voice had the -flat tones of a man condemned to death. - - * * * * * - -"You will be sentenced to power reserve, and Europa taken by force. -A scientist will be placed in charge and armed proctors brought to -preserve obedience. The Council hopes such measures will not be -necessary--it will mean a constant struggle with the dissenters, and -Venus and Mars might take advantage of the situation to begin the -ancient wars all over again. That is why they are willing to give -you a free rein. Ultimately of course, they envision the planet as a -satellite of the Earth, its population under complete Council control." - -"I'll not live to see that tragic day!" Mark's voice held infinite -conviction. - -"Neither will I," seconded Palanth. - -"I suppose you're the direct representative of the Council?" Mark asked -the girl. "You'll keep them informed of everything we do!" There was -contempt in his deep, bitter voice. - -"Don't spare my feelings!" Doctor Fortun smiled with a quiet sadness. -"I've told everything but what the Supreme Council instructed me to -say. I was to tell you another story ... to play enchantress and keep -you lulled, if necessary, in a fool's paradise. But controls one, six -and fifteen never quite worked with me. I've had to feign a lot and -mask my mind lest I be condemned to power control. We Psychologists are -very few--it's our only defense. Those we instruct in the techniques -of the mind, must join our guild and swear allegiance _to us_! Why do -you think I arranged to come on this trip? For love of the Council? - -"I'm a woman, Mark! I want a home instead of a clinic and a husband -instead of an order for fertilization. I want to experience the rapture -that is love and have children. I came because I thought the very -qualities in you the Council means to utilize might be the means of -circumventing their purpose and ... and make us free!" - -An incredulous look of surprise spread over Mark's face. For an instant -he wondered if the Machiavellian tactics of the Council could extend -even this far. But with a determined mental effort he probed the girl's -mind and found it was unguarded. There was no trickery, no deception -in her mind, even as the tears that blurred the lovely hazel eyes were -genuine. - -"Venus be praised!" He exclaimed fervently, and it was all he could do -to refrain from taking her in his arms and kissing away the tears that -were rolling down her cheeks. - -"She speaks the truth," Palanth said telepathically, there was a trace -of embarrassment in his thoughts. "She will be a most valuable ally in -our fight." - - * * * * * - -Mark smiled, his face had lighted as if a profound grief had been -removed. "You already know we'll fight, eh, Palanth?" - -"But of course, O Terran of dubious intellect!" The Martian said -grandly and waved the sadly crumpled kerchief now almost devoid of its -overpowering perfume. He was himself again, eager for the intellectual -struggle against overwhelming odds. - -"What sort of intelligence is there on Europa?" Doctor Fortun asked, -once more in control of herself. - -"Exquisite beings with a mental power beyond our own, but resembling -nothing human," Mark replied. - -"Let's leave this helio. I'm anxious to inspect the Spacer; I've never -commanded a ship of this size." - -"How many are aboard and what are they?" Palanth inquired. "I hope -they're Internationals!" - -"I don't know the figures, Palanth, but I'm certain at least ninety -percent are Internationals. I do know at least five hundred scientists -of various categories are aboard. They'll be the first to be awakened -from sleep-freeze, for at journey's end, they take charge." - -"And who's going to give them the antidote?" Mark asked silkily. - -"Robots, timed to administer it the moment we land on Europa. They have -orders to direct resettlement without interfering too much--and of -course, they are the eyes and ears of the Council; they are the only -ones who have the necessary equipment for interplanetary communication, -as you'll find out!" - -"I think they need a long, long rest, don't you Palanth?" Mark was -smiling. - -"Indeed, O protector of the martyred!" Palanth exclaimed -grandiloquently. "They must be tired, very tired ... of anything but -sleep!" - -"I've never seen these robots," Mark Lynn thought aloud. "Are there -many, Doctor Fortun?" - -"Approximately fifty--more than necessary, but they're to be used on -landing by the scientists. These robots, Mark, are humanoid in their -mental processes, able to perform tasks too difficult for human beings, -especially in the mathematical field. They are created secretly, for -the peoples of the World State must not know of their invention--there -would be no need for labor if they were to be produced in sufficient -numbers; production of necessities and luxuries could be increased a -thousand fold, and ... it would destroy the present social philosophy -of the World State. It would remove the _credo_ of achievement, it -would abolish the standards of rigid thrift and conservation in a world -of undreamed plenty, and finally, with robots able to solve the most -intricate problems the absolute need for guidance would be neutralized. - -"The Supreme Council had these robots built for their exclusive use. -Only one thousand exist, we've been allotted fifty because Europa's -been acknowledged as a major achievement." - -"Can they be neutralized--the robots, I mean?" Mark was thinking at a -furious pace. - -"These robots are impressionless, blank, so to speak. Their only -motivation is to administer the sleep-freeze antidote to the -scientists aboard. After that, the scientists can direct them to -required tasks, and each problem as it is solved by the robot, remains -in its mechanical nero-pattern for repetition if necessary. They're -wholly metallic, almost indestructible. _Whoever uses them first, is -their master!_" - - * * * * * - -It was then that Mark unable to restrain himself, bent down and kissed -her. "It occurs to me," he said very gently, "that I've never known -your social name." - -"Lucero," the girl whispered. "It's an ancient, almost forgotten name -of the romance languages now lost." - -"The evening star!" Mark breathed. "No wonder you're golden...." -Forgetting Palanth he was about to take her in his arms, when the -latter coughed with the dry, hacking sound of the Martians. - -"Are we going into the Spacer, or have we changed our minds?" -he inquired of the universe in general. "Terra's being wrecked, -we're shanghaied aboard a sleep-freeze coffin polluted with half a -thousand scientists and fifty inimical robots; we are headed for -an unexplored moon of Jupiter, in the mesh of a gigantic plot, and -three hundred million victims are dependent on our wits ... yet two -highly specialized humans on whom the fate of a universe depends, are -oblivious of it all like two Phobos-struck kaladonis! Arrgh ... what a -race, O Mind of ultimate understanding!" He bowed at the mention of the -Martian all highest--the nameless God. - -Both Lucero and Mark came to, faces crimson, smiling sheepishly. -Together they left the helio-plane and went down an emergency ladder -into the interior of the vast interplanetary Spacer. - -Within the _Stellar Virgin_ the silence was intense--the silence of -a dead city. In the luxurious quarters provided for the scientists, -the latter lay soundless and inert in the almost ultimate oblivion -of sleep-freeze. They were ten in number to each mammoth, cavernous -stateroom, and in the very center, upon a throne-like dais, motionless -and life-like, a gigantic robot sat immobile, awaiting the end of the -trip, when for the first time since they were fashioned, they would -perform the only task impressed upon their virgin brains. - -Mark Lynn went silently from cabin to cabin, to all outward -appearances inspecting the ship, but inwardly, his mental processes -geared to the apex of their wide-awakedness, grappled endlessly -with the problem of the robots. If the scientists awakened from the -sleep-freeze thanks to the antidotes, they'd instantly command the -robots for their initial tasks and thereafter they'd be masters of that -incalculable source of power. With the robots under their command, the -scientists would be masters indeed, able to dispose of the machinery -within the Spacer at their will, to manufacture more machinery, build -weapons and in short, control Europa. - -He thought of the thousands of Internationals in the Spacer's hold, -and his head ached with the sustained effort. It was a little thing -that gave him the clue, the intense pain at the base of his brain was -like a constant hammering, and Mark considered an infinitesimal dose of -Vanadol. It would banish the pain as if by magic. - -"Vanadol!" He exclaimed electrified. "By Io, Vanadol is the answer! How -much Vanadol have we got aboard? Palanth, search the medical stores and -find how much of the stuff we've brought along ... hurry!" Mark's eyes -were sparkling, green as emeralds. - -Lucero regarded him curiously. "What's so important about Vanadol, -Mark?" - -"The scientists must not awaken until we have the robots under our -command. By giving each scientist a heavy dose of Vanadol, enough for -weeks of sleep, we circumvent the antidote for sleep-freeze. It's -this way: when we land, the mechanism within each robot timed for -release on arrival, activates them for their one and only task, the -administration of anti-sleep freeze, but since each scientist will -have been thoroughly drugged with Vanadol, they'll be released from -sleep-freeze, but will continue to sleep under the powerful narcotic. -The robots then will be given such commands as we decide on, and will -be entirely answerable to us three only. They will facilitate immensely -the task of making Europa truly habitable, and since they are almost -indestructible, will be the most valuable of all weapons. Let's get -busy, if there's enough Vanadol, we've won the first round after all!" - -Presently the Martian returned, "There's tons of the stuff," he -announced. Mark had to explain all over again. - - - VI - -"Panadur!" Mark Lynn breathed softly as he glanced at the stark -grandeur of Europa from one of the glassite ports. It was night. The -macabre glow of Jupiter's Red Spot enveloped the satellite in a red -opaline haze that made the vari-colored cliffs gleam with twisted -flames in deep crimson and orange and purple. Over all, an eternal -mantle of snow lay like frozen spume. Mark opened his hand and looked -at the jewel he held. It was pulsing now with a fiery radiance. - -The great spacer was lying in the cup-shaped hollow of the immense -valley, resting on the blanketing snow, just as once before, a -tiny cruiser had rested crippled in the fantastic Europan night. -But it was different then. Mark remembered his chilling awe at the -Dantesque panorama, and his shock when Jim Brannigan had found life -on Europa, the strange, exquisitely furred bipeds with slender arms -and six-fingered hands. He had thought them animals then, despite the -bright intelligence shining in the beryl-eyes of the creatures. But -he'd learned differently in time, when Jim had crushed his skull from -behind, and the Panadurs had saved him by absorbing Jim's life-energy -and transferring it to him while he lay unconscious. That was the -miracle, that the metabolism of the Panadurs could absorb energy from -any source and transfer it at will. They were telepathic, and their -leader had given him the jewel to facilitate communication if Mark ever -returned. - -It was like the remembrance of a dream, to have the past pass in review -through his mind as he methodically donned his allurium suit, and -turned on the heating unit. - -"I'm going out ... alone," he said firmly to Palanth and Lucero. "I -owe the inhabitants of this world a debt, and whether we remain or -not, is for them to decide. You see this star-like jewel? That's the -Star of Panadur; by concentrating my thoughts, it acts as a sort of -transmitting crystal and will make it possible for me to reach the -leader of the Panadurs. I will return." He smiled reassuringly into -Lucero's distraught face, and Palanth's scowling one. - -"Why can't I accompany you?" The Martian growled. "Since when must I be -left behind in the face of danger? Am I an old woman, Mark?" - -"But there's no danger, Palanth! It's a promise I gave that never, -never would I bring any intelligent creature to Panadur without their -approval. This world's a treasure house, and the Panadurs are a -treasure in themselves, for their fur is finer than anything in the -Universe, including Neptune's moons. I know of a vast cavern floored -with oxide, and cliffs of pure metal. Europa, or rather, Panadur, is -an inexhaustible source of power! It remains with them--the Panadurs, -whether we remain or not." He smiled at them again, almost pleadingly, -for them to understand, and without another word, stepped through the -air-locks and was gone. They could see his tall figure in its gleaming -sheath outlined in the unearthly glow until it disappeared in the -distance. - - * * * * * - -Mark Lynn let his mind be passive. Contact with the alien intelligence -had been made; the jewel in his hand was now a burst of radiance, as -he traversed the valley in the direction of the cavern country, and at -last he was before the gigantic mass of cliffs he sought. He entered -a low, gallery-like cave that wound downwards into the bowels of the -cliff, following the twisting turns as the gallery widened and the -luminescent walls became even more luminous, until at the end of a turn -a burst of radiance met his eyes and he was once more in the grotto of -titanic proportions lighted by the glaucous radiance, like the green -light beneath the waters of a shallow sea. At his feet, crystalline and -powdery, the entire floor of the grotto was covered by oxide as far as -his eyes could see. Mark had the odd sensation of living a part of his -life over again. He waited in silence. - -Mark knew that thousands of burning beryl eyes were peering at him -from concealed openings in the walls; he felt the mental rapport with -their leader that was rapidly absorbing from his mind all that could -be obtained. The wait was interminable. At last, a silvery-grey, -furred being, was before Mark, seemingly having come from nowhere. Its -exquisite triangular face, with the wide-set beryl eyes and broad -forehead, was startlingly human. - -"Greetings, twice come!" the faint shadow of a smile seemed to cross -its features as it telepathed the thought. "When your space machine -landed, we feared the worst--but we are reassured. Your mind tells me -that countless of your kind hover asleep over our world. What would you -have us do?" - -"Your permission to remain," Mark sent the telepathic reply. And -then, in a welling flood of thought, poured out the story of what had -happened on Terra, the resettlement of two-thirds of the population on -other planets, and finally, their abhorrence of their Terran Government -and its methods. - -"Allow us, O Panadur, to build a new civilization on your world, a -civilization where we may achieve happiness in freedom. We bring over -two thousand Space machines laden with everything we can possibly -need, and millions of eager beings. We will transform your world into -a Paradise such as you have never known. Weather control stations will -give Panadur freedom from cold and darkness; cities will be reared in -beauty, and to you, we guarantee forever, freedom from attack; for -if we do not remain on Panadur, whom the Terrans call Europa, the -Council of Terra will never rest until it has been subjugated by its -interstellar fleet. Your mines will be ravaged, your people will be -enslaved, blood redder than the angry spot of the greater world will -flow in rivers." - -"And how can you prevent them from doing so, in any event?" the Panadur -asked. - - * * * * * - -"We will make your world impregnable. Each one of the Spacers that -brings our people here, will be turned into a fighting cruiser; the -minds of the greatest scientists of Terra will be utilized for our -advancement ... and, these scientists, five-hundred of them, now -asleep, will be delivered into your care as hostages, together with -fifteen robots, placed under your command. We will ensure your safety, -in return for your scientific aid. We know you have no tools; even to -repair a small rent on my cruiser when I crashed here before, took -hundreds and hundreds of your people and the tools I had, plus weeks of -work! The result was magnificent, but I know how handicapped you were. -My robots will build you machines of power, and we will give you that -which you may choose from our ships. In insuring your safety, we ensure -ours. One for all, and all for one, O Panadur. Fate has decreed that -your world is in danger--shall we join forces?" - -"It is true, Terran. We have achieved mental mastery, but we've -never conquered our environment. Our hands," he extended fragile, -six-fingered hands without thumbs, "are hardly suited to fashion tools. -But with machines that create other machines ... and metal beings such -as I saw in your mind...." A far away look came into beryl eyes as the -Panadur leader paused. - -"Let your mind be passive that I may contact and transmit to my people, -they must know the entire story." - -Mark complied, and instantly, as if a tremendous force had struck him, -he reeled in darkness, consciousness fled. He never knew that not far -behind him another being fell unconscious also. It was Palanth. The -Martian had followed unseen, unwilling to let Mark risk the unknown by -himself. - -The hours slid in silence under the unchanging luminescence of the -primordial cavern, now filled with countless Panadurs in hieratic -attitudes. - -At last one of the beings stood erect and made a silent motion; waves -of pure energy began to course through Mark Lynn and Palanth. But when -they awoke, all the Panadurs were gone save their leader. Mark dazedly -stretched his long limbs and looked at the Martian uncomprehendingly, -then slowly remembrance came. - -"So, you did follow me after all? Disobedience of orders in an -uncharted world--do you know the penalty imposed by the Council?" - -"May the Council swelter in Venus' deepest swamp!" Palanth spat -irreverently. "Didn't intend to take chances ... your life's too -valuable, O scourge of the Planets!" Under a grandiloquent manner he -tried to hide the mixture of bewilderment and awe with which he gazed -at the placid Panadur Leader. He still had not quite decided what had -happened to him. - -The Panadur in turn, gazed inscrutably at the being from Mars, its -delicate nose wrinkled slightly at Palanth's mingled fragrances. What -went on in the Panadur's prodigious mind was unknown to the two men, -for the three-foot tall Leader's mind was not in contact with theirs. -The faintest hint of a smile hovered over his placid features. At last -he began to send: - -"The tragedy of your world, 'twice come' is only less startling than -that of your Government--your leaders are a paradox! With a philosophy -of achievement they conceal the greatest achievement of all--men -of metal to enrich your lives; with the goal of conservation and -economy, they waste the most precious of all things--Life! From such a -Government, we can expect but destruction. - -"Yet, your people reared without controls are dissenters.... I fear -they might not accept our guidance, that at some future time their will -to power might create an even greater problem to be solved. However, -there's no alternative now. We accept the fifteen men of metal, O -Terran, but above all we must have the 'Sleeping Ones' whose minds we -will study. _We Panadurs must guard against a future paradox._ Your -people," he paused and gazed from Mark to Palanth, "may remain." - -The mental rapport was broken, and the furred leader disappeared into -the depths of the cavern, leaving Mark and Palanth to retrace their -steps to the _Stellar Virgin_. - - * * * * * - -For the first time in her highly-trained life, Lucero felt the full -impact of loneliness as the Europan night swallowed Mark and Palanth. -At last she chose action rather than endure the atavistic emotions -that had begun to grip her. And methodically she flitted silently from -compartment to luxurious compartment where the scientists dreamt their -drugged sleep. Carefully she scanned their faces and was struck by one -overwhelming fact--this was no collection of second rate scientists -for the solution of routine problems, but an assemblage of the first -order, now inert and helpless in the coma of Vanadol, presided over by -a sphinx-like robot. - -The last compartment was much larger than the preceding ones, and by -far more luxurious; during the previous inspection, Mark, Palanth and -herself had had no time to come this far, and the girl was startled at -its complex magnificence. Equipped for research work, it was a miracle -of scientific devices, from energizing cabinets to a bewildering array -of surgical apparatus and tools. - -Only one man occupied it, and on the raised dais an immobile robot. But -the face that Lucero bent over made her gasp with involuntary fear. It -was the face of Verdugo, the infamous cerebral surgeon whose gifted -fingers could change an entire ego with a few movements of the atomic -scalpel. - -The sight of the dreaded scientist in their midst was startling -enough, but what made the girl turn ashen was the sudden flutter of -the surgeon's lids. A painful groan came from his lips, as he trembled -and opened his eyes. The sight of Lucero bending over him seemed to -reassure him, for he smiled faintly. - -Behind Lucero the towering robot glided noiselessly to peer at his -awakening master. The girl was unaware it had moved. - -"Shall I bring a measure of Thassalian, Master?" The metal man's richly -modulated voice rose without the slightest mechanical inflection. - -For one shattering instant, the girl felt as if her reason was taking -wings. She remained utterly still as if in the grip of paralyzing -hysteria. But her training saved her. Slowly she turned and gazed into -the strangely human features of the metal giant. At close quarters she -noted the smooth beryloid construction of the superb outer shell; the -indestructible optics of non-abradable, chemically inert crystal with -microscopic adjustments. But most important of all, she sensed that -here was a brain which had attained full growth--powerful, experienced -and ... organic! - -"Yes, bring me some Thassalian, _Alcoran_," the surgeon assented -wearily and half-rose from his couch with a sigh. "The sleep-freeze -reaction is far worse than I'd anticipated!" - -"The antidotes have been given--two antidotes Master!" The super-robot -answered instantly. - -"Two! For the love of Terra! If it took a double antidote I must have -been given a dose big enough for a Hellacorium...." - -"Doctor Verdugo," Lucero interrupted purposely, now entirely calm. -"There's life ... intelligent life on Europa." She didn't intend that -Alcoran should have a chance to disclose what he must have known. - -"Yes?" Doctor Verdugo was all attention. "Bring the Thassalian!" He -waved an imperious hand at Alcoran, "and don't stand there like an -effigy! Must your orders be given twice?" He glared at the robot. -"Proceed, Doctor Fortun. Intelligent life ... what's it like?" - -"Humanoid, but furred against Europa's eternal cold. They seem to be -telepathic!" - -"Telepathic.... Remarkable! I must have a specimen without delay. Have -my scientists been awakened?" - -"We've just arrived, Doctor, they're being given the antidote now," -Lucero was once again her coldly efficient self. - -"Your Thassalian, Master." Alcoran extended the small glass and waited -while the scientist drank, closing his eyes against the ecstasy -imparted by the liquor. - -"Help me up!" The girl complied stifling a grimace of distaste as his -arm encircled her waist. Verdugo stood on his feet with the girl's -help, weaving a little, and finally recovered his balance. - -"Telepathic ..." he murmured, the light of some fiendish purpose -gleaming in the coal black eyes. "Order some of my scientists to secure -a specimen immediately, Doctor Fortun!" The girl bowed. - -"Master ..." Alcoran's voice was insistent. "You must...." - - * * * * * - -"Silence! Never use the word 'must' to me, never!" Verdugo had drawn -himself to his full height. "Ever since I synthetized his brain, he's -got the idea that _he_ owns me! I had to order him not to stir from -his seat during the entire voyage ... I wouldn't have had any peace -otherwise," he smiled at the girl and waved toward the super-robot. "I -synthetized his brain from three of the finest intelligences on Terra!" - -"You mean you transferred three brains to Alcoran's helmet?" She -asked aghast. "But didn't they retain their memories ... their -personalities...?" - -"Of course not, my dear. I never do things by halves. And now I must -inform the Council we have arrived, and the discovery of life on -Europa." He walked toward the immense metal wall and his slender hand -reached out to touch a spot. Silently, the huge metal partition rose -upwards revealing a hidden alcove in the very center of which, taking -up about two-thirds of the available space stood a gigantic machine. - -"A Tele-Magnum!" Lucero breathed. - -"Alcoran, contact Venus ... the Council Hall," Doctor Verdugo ordered -his super-robot. The latter came noiselessly forward. Once seated at -the console of the incredibly complex mechanism, his agile finger ran -without hesitation over the banked keys, after pressing a master switch -that lighted serried ranks of powerful tubes, with an eerie violet -light. - -"Give my orders to my scientists, Doctor Fortun--it is imperative I -have an Europan specimen immediately." Doctor Verdugo made a curious -grimace that accentuated the evil expression stamped on his features, -then he nodded in dismissal. - -With a great effort Lucero quieted her swirling thoughts. She had -no doubt but that the super-robot knew about the administration of -Vanadol. If Verdugo learned of it, he would instantly report it to the -Council, and at least part of the fleet would come to investigate. -Against the fleet of Terra they were powerless. - -"I'll not deserve this world and freedom if I fail now!" She told -herself. White-faced and grim she began to carry out a plan that -was slowly growing in her mind out of sheer desperation. Once again -she retraced her steps from compartment to compartment, and began -motivating each robot, commanding them to administer the sleep-freeze -to the men and women in the lower tiers. One robot she left, the one in -the compartment next to that of Doctor Verdugo--she had a task for that -one. - -When all the robots save one had been sent below, she went back and -entered the next to the last compartment. - -"Arise and come with me," she ordered the robot. "I'm your master, you -will obey my orders implicitly." The metal monster stirred, as if some -hidden mechanism had come to life at the vibration of her words. It -arose on frictionless bearings and stood glittering before her; she -opened its breast and inspected the masterly work that had been done -on the control panel; its eyes, lit now by the glow of intelligence -seemed uncannily human. Lucero knew this specimen didn't possess the -Machiavellian intelligence of Alcoran--only Verdugo could accomplish -such a satanic piece of work--but it was larger and more powerful than -Alcoran, the latter being a specialized product for intricate mental -work. - -Resolutely Lucero marched to Doctor Verdugo's compartment, followed -by the fearful metal servant. The scientist had already completed -preparations for a vivisection when the girl entered, and was bending -over a multitude of helixes of finest wire of sensitized silver. - -An array of electric and atomic-powered instruments from tiny, -silver-like scalpels, to razor-sharp saws gleamed on tables at his -sides; fulgurants cast ultra-visibility light upon the white-swathed -couch where the victim was to be strapped alive. Verdugo did not hear -them enter, but Alcoran did! Instantly the super-robot gave a warning -cry at the sight of his metal counterpart and stood before the girl and -robot like an impassable wall. - -"Attack!" Lucero did not waste words. "Destroy it!" She pointed to the -slightly crouching Alcoran. - - - VII - -With a blasting roar the girl's robot lunged, and Alcoran sprang -forward to meet the attack. It was a nerve shattering impact, like that -of two armored pre-historic monsters engaged in a death-struggle. - -Behind the metal men, both Lucero and Verdugo maneuvered for position, -their atomo-pistols blazing a path through scientific instruments and -furnishings as they fired over and around the struggling robots. The -awesome din of the gigantic battle was deafening, as the compartment -was slowly converted into shambles. - -Once Alcoran managed to grip the leg of Lucero's robot and the latter -went crashing against the vivisection table, instantly pulverizing -it. But with a leap that carried it half across the vast alcove, -the robot charged Alcoran like a battering-ram and driving him into -the Tele-Magnum room with the impetus of his leap. The explosion of -shattered tubes and crashing metal, the singing hum of ripped berlyloy -and pulverized plastuco, was drowned by the clang and thud of the -gigantic bodies as they strove to wrench each other apart. - -And now, only the litter-strewn floor was between Lucero and Verdugo, -the latter oozing blood from a seared shoulder where an atomoblast had -touched. Deliberately she aimed her atomo-pistol, even as the surgeon -simultaneously raised his, but her blast only disintegrated a fulgurant -on the ceiling, while Verdugo's fatal pencil of violet light speared -an empty spot, for at that instant the hurtling form of Alcoran spewed -from the alcove, barely grazing the girl, but such was the terrific -force of his passage that it knocked her spinning against the wall -where she collapsed. - -Behind Alcoran, hurtling like an avenging angel, Lucero's robot came -charging with but one thought--destruction. - -"Alcoran!" It was Verdugo shouting hoarsely at his creation, now -spread-eagled on the floor. "Run, follow me!" He dived for the -passageway as Alcoran, damaged as he was, his brain shaken by the -terrific concussion arose and sped after him. - -At the sight of the fallen girl, Lucero's robot checked his rush, -hesitated and finally bent over her. He raised the still form as if -it were a feather and stood for a moment as if trying to cerebrate. -Finally it deposited her with infinite care on the couch where -Verdugo had slept. Then it began to search what cabinets had not been -destroyed, for a stimulant. - -It found the decanter of Thassalian, that miraculously had escaped -destruction; gently opening the girl's mouth the robot poured a few -drops down her throat. Just then Mark Lynn and Palanth burst into the -room. Shamble was before their eyes. Mark went white with apprehension -and leaped to Lucero's side, but the robot placed a formidable metal -hand against the earthman's chest and growled: - -"Back, Terran! Come no nearer!" - - * * * * * - -Palanth slid toward them atomo-pistol in hand, just as Mark drew his. -But at that moment Lucero opened her eyes and groaned softly. - -"Mark!" There was a universe of gladness in her cry. She waved a limp -hand toward the robot. "This is Mark Lynn and the other's Palanth--your -masters also, obey them." - -The robot stepped back and Mark kneeled at her side. "Are you hurt, my -darling?" Lucero shook her head and tried to smile. - -Palanth turned to the robot. "Tell us what occurred in detail," he -commanded. Thus it was that from the metal lips they heard the entire -story with photographic accuracy, as far as he had seen. - -"I might have known they'd have one last counter-check," Mark -reproached himself. "I should never have left you!" - -"Who could have foreseen this?" Lucero raised herself on an elbow. -"Even I had no idea that Verdugo was with us, not to speak of his -bringing one of the only two ultra-specialized super-robots in -existence. We'll have to work very fast, Mark! There's nothing, -literally nothing, that Alcoran cannot accomplish in a scientific -way, provided he has the materials--Verdugo may even have him build a -Tele-Magnum and communicate with the Council!" - -"But where's he going to get materials, my dear? A Tele-Magnum is a -tall order!" - -"I don't know.... But I do know that Verdugo has the mind of a fiend -and the skill of a genius, and Alcoran's a triple-synthetized brain, -and under Verdugo's control!" - -"We'll deal with the surgeon," Palanth's voice was deadly. - -"And we shall deal with Verdugo and his scientists," came the quiet -telepathic thought. - -Both Mark Lynn and the Martian turned seeking its source, and saw -framed in the doorway to the alcove, the silver-furred figure of the -Panadur leader. - -"That was the agreement," the Panadur added after a pause. "Thousands -of my people await without to carry him away." - -Lucero's robot took a step forward tentatively and then gazed -questioningly at its mistress, and suddenly a wave of energy from the -Panadur stopped it dead in its tracks. - -"The agreement will be honored," Mark acquiesced, "but one has escaped, -O Panadur, and Klonos knows where in that maze of rocks and caverns -he's now hiding with his super-robot." - -"That's our problem, Terran. The agreement was five-hundred, and -five-hundred scientists shall we have." - -"You will need the fifteen robots immediately," Mark said thoughtfully. -"Lucero, my dear, only you can command the robots, so place fifteen -under the Panadur's command ... are you able to walk?" - -"Of course, I was only stunned." She rose from the couch and left the -compartment followed by her ever-watchful metal man. The Panadur seemed -to melt away as it glided into the hall. - -"And now," Mark addressed Palanth, "we must begin to land the -spacers, I have the radio beam. The sooner everyone has been given -the sleep-freeze antidote, the better. Internationals first, they -are our best fighters, just in case the Council has another trick up -its sleeve. Then we must find some way of increasing the spacers' -resistance to the disintegrating beam--the alloy used on robots' case -shell is the clue--they're impervious to atom-blast. Weather stations -next--robots to be detailed on that and machinery stations to turn out -mechanical robots and more machinery ... tools, weapons for defense ... -we're really fighting for time." - -"I know. But even then, I can think of nothing that can stop Terra's -fleet if it ever comes to Europa. It's practically invulnerable, or -Venus and my own Mars would have shaken off the Council's domination -long ago!" - -"I have an idea Palanth! It's far from clear, but if it works.... It -has to do with radiant energy--even the Fleet couldn't withstand that." - -"Radiant energy! Have you lost your mind? Who can control a radiant -energy vortex? Besides, we have no means of releasing it. Stop dreaming -Mark!" - -"It isn't a dream," Mark shrugged wide shoulders. "But come, let's take -a look at the scientific exodus--I'm certainly glad to be rid of them, -hope the Panadurs can cope with that tribe." - -"What do you suppose the Panadurs _really_ want with them, Mark?" - -"Probe their minds of course. Panadurs have surpassing intellects, -but they have neither tools nor scientific techniques. I suppose they -want to learn all they can from our 'sleeping beauties,' in order to -achieve their own inventions. Panadurs are thumbless, unable to make -tools, thus their development has been purely along mental lines. Since -their metabolism requires no food, as they are able to absorb energy -_directly_, they have by-passed all domestic arts and sciences." - -The steadily increasing noise from the tiers below, had now become a -cacophonous din, as more and more Internationals came to life. - - * * * * * - -The Panadur Leader bending over a scientist for the nth time, probed, -delved and searched the innermost recesses of the quiescent brain under -the scalpel, but at last he straightened with a baffled expression. - -The Europan cavern was a vast catacomb under the glaucous radiance of -the radio-active walls that spread a green stela on the faces of the -sleeping scientists, flanking the walls in lengthening rows. - -The Panadur knew what had been done, he had even tried the delicate -process, but the secret of transferring a living brain, minus its -personality and the seat of entity, remained unsolved. - -Not one of the scientists brought from the _Stellar Virgin_ possessed -the secret technique, and many Panadurs had sacrificed themselves in -vain as their brains died under the atomo-knife. - -Presently the Panadur Leader raised his delicate face, the brilliance -of his eyes increased as he turned to face the tunnel that led to the -cavern's entrance, then the single thought flashed out: "_Enter!_" - -It wasn't long until the silence was broken by the tread of heavy-shod -feet crunching the glittering oxide crystals, and Mark entered followed -by Palanth. The awful responsibility for three-hundred million lives -and the transfiguration of a world, had left its mark on the faces of -the two men. - -"We bring bad news, Panadur!" Mark said bluntly, in his preoccupation -he unconsciously resorted to speech. "One of the space vessels has -been looted of vital supplies that can be used for the construction -of an interplanetary radio. Verdugo took the opportunity to steal its -radio installations with the aid of his robot, while the passengers -celebrated their arrival on Europa. If Verdugo builds a Tele-Magnum and -contacts the Council, it means War!" - -"And war," Palanth seconded, "means the Terran Fleet, against which we -are not prepared!" - -"When were the supplies stolen?" - -"Three revolutions of Panadur on its axis ago--we learned of it today. -Enough time for Alcoran to have built an instrument powerful enough to -contact the Council on Venus." - -"The blame is partly ours," the Panadur telepathed sadly. "We should -have captured Verdugo long ago. But it meant wasting lives to imprison -that madman ... but now, we have no recourse, the scientist and his -metal servant will be brought in. It will solve another problem," he -added thoughtfully. "This!" He indicated the trepanned cranium of the -scientist on the operating table. - -"If you need them, Panadur, you may have every robot in our -possession," Mark offered. - -For an instant the nearest thing to a smile the two men had ever seen, -crossed the features of the strange being of Europa. - -"Panadur thanks you, Terran. But we already have built over a -thousand robots, half of them have mechanical brains and can be -radio-controlled, but the other half, the important one requires a -knowledge of Verdugo's technique for transplanting organic brains to -metal men. He shall provide that ... personally!" - -"Once long ago," Mark spoke meditatively, "you slew an enemy of mine -with a volume of energy like a bolt of lightning, then you somehow -transferred the latent energy of that being to me. _Could that have -been radiant energy?_" He paused. "Could it, O Panadur?" - -But the Europan had abruptly interposed an impenetrable barrier between -his mind and that of the two men. With an imperious gesture he pointed -to the exit of the cavern. Mark and Palanth gazed at each other in -bewilderment, finally they left in silence. - -As soon as they were lost to view, the cavern began to be filled by a -steady stream of thousands upon thousands of silvery Panadurs silently -filing in from the inner caverns. - - * * * * * - -"What in Phobos happened to him?" Mark thought aloud, trying to -understand the incomprehensible conduct of the Panadur Leader. - -"Don't ask me riddles about this fantastic race of beings!" Palanth -exclaimed irritably, waving his handkerchief. "What has radiant energy -got to do with them anyway?" - -"Just a hunch of mine, Palanth. If the energy they absorb from minerals -is radiant energy ... well, we might be able to defy the Terran Fleet -itself ... _if_!" - -"You still speak in riddles, O Thou specially not wanted!" Palanth -lapsed into his usual grandiloquent manner. "At any rate, your idea of -fighting the Terran Fleet with radiant energy certainly had a startling -effect on that mysterious biped of yours." He pressed still another -offensively perfumed handkerchief to his face and eyed the changing -landscape of Europa with distaste. It was a raw panorama of great -tracts of vivid red soil, exposed by the melting snows; outcrops of -glittering rocks rich in minerals flashed in rainbow hues under the -powerful ultra-visibility reflectors that were substituting for Terra's -Sol. In the near distance, gigantic skeletal structures were a babel of -sound, and beyond, the mile-high weather control towers fought steadily -the numbing cold. - -"Must I explain in words of one syllable so that dubious intellect of -yours can absorb it?" Mark asked mockingly. "Well, while asking the -Panadur about radiant energy, _I had in mind_ building thousands of -tiny spacers out of some of the Spacer Transports that brought us here. -These tiny swarms are to be filled with _radiant energy_ and aimed by -mechanical robot control directly at the Terran Fleet so that they -will explode on contact, annihilating everything in their path. Thus -lives will be conserved.... _But the radiant energy must come from the -Panadurs!_" - -"Too many _ifs_," Palanth replied unconvinced. "However, we can have -a fleet of miniature spacers ready before the Council's butchers get -within a million parsecs of Europa. - -"But without either your damned radiant energy or some explosive that -will do what no explosive has ever done before, or ray either, for that -matter, the ships will be as useless as ... as a Panadur in a fight!" - -"_Build the fleet!_" came the startling telepathic command from the -direction of the cavern country. - -"He ... _It_ was in contact!" Palanth gazed at Mark Lynn startled. - -"He always is," Mark held up the gleaming blue, star-like gem he -carried in his pocket. "Probably appreciated your complimentary remark -about the fighting qualities of Panadurs. But that's what I wanted to -hear him say!" He exulted. "Hold up everything Palanth, and throw all -our resources into the building of the miniature fleet." - -"Yeah! But let's not forget to get the remaining spacers into shape -just in case.... I'd much rather die exploding on a Terran spacer, than -trapped like a Martian desert rat on Europa." - -"Patience, O Spawn of unfortunate begetting!" Mark taunted his friend -with one of the latter's favorite insults. "Everything in good time." - -As their Spacer came into view in the distance, Mark increased his -speed unconsciously as he thought of Lucero. - - - VIII - -His eyes were expressionless, his ego inert, but with the incredible -dexterity of genius and long practice, Doctor Verdugo transferred the -brains of drugged scientists to the waiting rows of perfected robots. - -The bolt of living energy that had dropped the infamous Terran surgeon -in the recesses of an Europan cavern, had neutralized his will, and his -egocentric and sadistic personality no longer dominated his brain. - -Now his flying fingers manipulated atomic scalpels without hesitation, -and one by one scientific brains were short of certain areas, without -impairing them. Silently he coupled the organic demi-brains with the -mechanical motor organs of the robots, by means of nerve tendrils that -led out of the brains themselves, and were curled into coils about -which he placed helixes of sensitized silver wire, that made them -virtually transformers--nervous impulses into electrical and vice versa. - -The miracle that was Alcoran, the super-robot, was being multiplied -five-hundred fold, as each scientific hostage provided a brain to -activate the new super-robots of the Panadurs. - -Alcoran itself had been operated upon to remove certain allegiances -and memories and now, under the direct control of the Panadur leader, -assisted the doctor in the operations. - -The Panadur leader watched expressionless as the work went on -ceaselessly, inexorably until every scientific brain was housed in a -metal man. - -Finally, at a telepathic command from their leader, the Panadurs began -to carry the cadavers of the scientists away--their energy potential -must not be wasted--the need for energy would be great. And then, an -uncanny, a hair-raising scene took place. - -As if felled by a blow, Doctor Verdugo collapsed prone upon the now -empty operation table, and Alcoran detaching himself from among the -newly activated robots, grasped instruments and began to operate. - -Stranger still, a Panadur silently lay down by the side of the -scientist and relaxed as if in death. - -Doctor Verdugo's cranium was trepanned and opened, Alcoran deftly -extracted the brain operating with the mastery that had been Verdugo's. -Then he opened the brain pan of the Panadur and removed certain parts -from its alien brain, including the pituitary at the apex, which -seemed enormous in comparison with the size of the Panadur's brain, -and grafted it to what had been the brain of Doctor Verdugo. Then as -a swarm of Panadurs dragged a robot forward, he inserted the organic -brain in the super-robot's helmet, made the necessary connections, -completed the task and sealed the incision. Verdugo's body was carried -away. The same swarm of Panadurs circled the super-robot, and began to -generate energy potential which they transmitted to the quiescent brain -in its metal head. - -Slowly, the superb metal man rose from the table and with slender, -delicate hands grasped its head. Its brilliant beryl eyes of purest -indestructible crystal, glowed in the chiseled semi-triangular face. -Suddenly it raised its head and gazed straight at the Panadur leader, -and as if it had received a command, it bowed silently. Then, with the -lithe, cat-like stride of the Panadurs it headed for the exit of the -Cavern and was gone. - -An expression of triumph exalted the Leader's features. "Hereafter," he -thought, "the energy output to control robots' brains telepathically, -will not be necessary. _They could be rendered telepathic!_" - -It was then the Leader turned majestically toward the cavern's depths -and issued his final command to the waiting legions of his people. The -robots with the mechanical brains, nearly a thousand strong, marched -forward, and, behind them, rank upon rank of the countless furry -Panadurs. - -Once outside in the artificial sunlight of Europa, only the myriad -bullet-shaped, miniature spacers flashing in the golden light, drew -their eyes. The distant rows of tiny, waiting ships drew robots and -Panadurs alike like a magnet and the immense army of silver-gray beings -with a vanguard of metal men swept forward, eerily silent. - - * * * * * - -Within the _Stellar Virgin_, Mark Lynn paced the confines of what had -been Verdugo's chamber. The Tele-Magnum, repaired and rebuilt could be -seen in the small alcove. Mark's face was gray and haggard as he faced -Lucero and Palanth, seated on a couch against the wall. - -"No word from the Panadur Leader, and we cannot wait much longer! If -my calculations are right, the Terran Fleet should be nearing Europa's -orbit. We cannot afford to be caught on the ground." - -"Do you suppose the Council would listen?" It was Palanth hoping -against hope. "Try them, Mark; we can spar for time." Then in sheer -desperation: "I told you, Terran, those bipeds would never come through -with that infernal radiant energy!" His features also showed the strain -he'd gone through, even the ubiquitous handkerchief was missing. - -"I will!" Mark had reached a decision. "But no mercy can be expected -from them, I'll have to handle it _my way_...." He broke off and walked -to the Tele-Magnum, followed by Lucero and Palanth. Outside, an immense -multitude of Terrans awaited orders. - -Mark Lynn sat down at the console and manipulated the controls, -his fingers danced over the console keys until the eerie glow of -swirling colors and the ascending whine of the instrument told him -he had the required power. Scene after scene rushed on and off the -tele-panel until finally Venus City flashed into view. Mark made minute -adjustments and increased the potential--at last the inner Council -Chamber was revealed. - -It was filled to overflowing with scientists of the highest order. An -atmosphere of excitement pervaded it as experts of various categories -rushed in and out with their calculations and reports. They were -electrified as the scene within the Spacer was flashed on their -gigantic tele-panel. Mark waited an instant before he spoke, as the -holy of holies subsided into utter silence. - -"Europa," he said with complete aplomb, "greets the Council. A free -Europa offers peace. Soon the Terran Fleet will have reached our new -world, and that Fleet will not return to Venus! Before it is too -late, before the interplanetary void becomes the scene of a gigantic -hecatomb, we ask you, _turn your fleet back_ before it is too late!" - -There was an interval of stunned, disbelieving silence. Within the -memory of all present such a speech had never been heard. Such -insolence was so utterly unthinkable, that the scientists stood -grotesquely open-mouthed. Then in a rising tide of fury pandemonium -broke loose. - -"Traitor!" Was the universal cry. "Apostate, blasphemer!" From among -the scientific swarm that had completely forgotten their dignity, a -tall, white-bearded scientist detached himself and raising both arms -roared: "Silence! The Master will speak!" The pandemonium ceased -like a receding storm. Mark Lynn waited. Contemptuously he eyed the -sleek bodies clothed in costly raiment, the bejeweled fingers and -cruel faces. A wave of revulsion swept over him as he remembered what -countless millions had suffered at their hands. And as he waited, a -deep, magnificently modulated voice broke the stillness: - -"_You_ offer peace!" Low, sardonic laughter slashed like a scimitar. -"Peace I shall grant you earthling... in the _power reserve_! You and -that addled female who has betrayed her scientist's oath, and that -foppish Martian who even dares to ape my robes. To the rest of the -dissenters, conditioning by the controls and rigid supervision for -fifteen years. Those who are immune to controls, shall be condemned to -power reserve." - -He paused as if relishing the effect of words that sealed a planet's -doom. Then: "As for those humanoid creatures with silver furs Doctor -Verdugo mentioned in his message, we have already planned their orbit -of _achievement_ ... that is," the satanic chuckle rose again, "for the -ones we spare to serve, the rest shall be disposed of properly." - -The unseen speaker's voice ceased, as if there were nothing more to be -said. - -In the momentary silence the voice of a robot boomed behind him: - -"Master, a messenger from Panadur!" - - * * * * * - -Mark Lynn whirled and saw a new type of robot, whose delicate features -resembled uncannily those of the beings of Europa. Its beryl eyes -regarded him steadily as it stood motionless flanked by two robot -guards. Then Mark received the telepathic message flashing from the -super-robot's brain: - -"I, Leader of Panadur, have attended to represent my People." - -For an instant Mark wondered if the Leader had somehow transferred his -own brain to the metal man, for some obscure purpose of his own, but -telepathically, he was reassured. - -"The metal man's brain relays my thoughts only. It is a vehicle, -nothing more, and can convey speech when the need shall arise." - -"War is imminent, Panadur," he telepathed, knowing that the Council -could not receive his thoughts. "Without radiant energy we're doomed to -failure." But from the super-robot came no answer. Mark Lynn whirled to -face the Tele-Magnum again, and his voice rang true with contemptuous -assurance. - -"You're dreaming, _Benevolence_! My offer was merely to prevent -needless slaughter. Your hour of domination has passed. When your -Terran Fleet reaches the orbit of Europa, it will disintegrate, leaving -you and your cruel henchmen helpless to enforce your vandal rule on -Mars and Venus; a tidal wave of retribution will sweep you out of the -planetary colonies. Europa is and will remain free. Your despotic rule -has come to an end. This is your _last_ chance for peace!" - -"You are mad!" There was a terrible anger in the voice of the Supreme -Ruler. "Mad.... Do you think for an instant that I would send the -entire Terran Fleet to your puny satellite? A mere section of a -thousand ships will be enough to blast your blaspheming minions off its -frozen wastes. But enough of this, in less than an hour our ships will -be above you and death shall be swift!" The Tele-Screen went blank. - -"I can stay no longer, my men await me." Palanth rose abruptly and left -the chamber. He hurried to his flagship that led a section of what -remained of the great Spacers that had brought them to Europa. - -"My bluff has failed," Mark said quietly to Lucero, and his face was -drained of all color. "Go to the Panadur caverns, my dear, they may be -able to provide safety for you. I have only one course of action left." - -Lucero shook her lovely head. "We began together, we shall end that -way." There was unshakable determination in her quiet, husky voice. -"Go and give the necessary orders ... it ... it ..." her voice broke -slightly, "has been a glorious adventure, Mark!" He kissed her with -infinite tenderness and tore himself away. - -Once in the control room, his tones were hard as beryloy as he issued -command after command, and the gigantic spacers rose in a crescendo of -sound toward the trackless void. He knew the ships had been rendered -as formidable as was within their power, but even that was not enough, -and the knowledge that countless millions faced certain death became a -terrible anger and desperation within him. - - * * * * * - -The Europan Fleet in battle formation, assumed a staggered triangle, -in tiers of ships that rendered it a three-dimensional wedge. Powerful -super-armored spacers formed the frontal line, while the spacers they -had been able to equip with atomic projectors guarded the sides, ready -to meet encirclement. At the very apex rode the _Stellar Virgin_, with -Palanth's sectional flagship the _Hellacorium_ one tier beneath. It was -a magnificent sight, and viewing it through the Tele-Magnum, Mark had a -momentary lift of pride. - -"Connect three-dimensional telecast," Mark ordered the robot, and -instantly the tele-panel showed a scene as if it were an open window on -the heavens. In the distance racing at unimaginable speed, the Terran -Fleet flashed on majestically. - -Breathlessly, the watchers on two worlds eyed its inexorable approach. -Suddenly, from the vanguard of the Terran Fleet a pencil of livid -light speared an Europan Spacer, and the great transport seemed to -disintegrate in space. Mark's knuckles were white as they tightened. - -"Maneuver and blast!" He roared into the radio, and in unison, but with -vertiginous speed the Europa fleet became a single perpendicular line -that spewed atom-blast in an awesome holocaust. But the Terran Fleet -came on unscathed. Simultaneously converging beams of livid light shot -out from its foremost cruisers and a score of Europan Spacers crumbled -into dust. In desperation a flight of them hurled themselves suicidally -against the driving Terran Fleet, and whorls of incandescence illumined -the ghastly scene, and it was then that Mark saw several shattered -Terran Spacers spinning down. - -"We have no chance!" Mark gritted as he saw the Europan Spacers -disintegrated in the awful struggle. "Murderers!... We'll hurl all our -remaining spacers against the Terran Fleet; if that's the only way to -shatter them, that's the way it'll be!" As he was about to give the -fateful command, the Panadur super-robot, who had accompanied them, lay -a restraining metal hand on Mark Lynn's arm: - -"Wait!" He exclaimed laconically, and pointed to the three-dimensional -Tele-cast. He flicked a tiny lever and made delicate adjustments. As -if seen through an ultra-powerful telescope, a vast swarm of silver -specks were rising from Europa itself. With dazzling speed many times -greater than that of the Spacers, the darting miniatures grew in size. -Presently they reached the battle scene, and like metal hornets were -darting among the intermingled fleets, as if seeking their prey. - -From thousands of projectors of the Terran Fleet, a myriad -scintillating beams crossed and criss-crossed the void like cosmic -fingers, but the tiny ships in an unexpected maneuver, executed with -dazzling speed, had scattered, skimming, darting, swooping like silver -hawks, spreading like an immense net over and beneath the Terran ships. -Now, they aimed themselves with unerring accuracy at the battle-giants -of the Council. - -Dozens disappeared into puffs of brilliant light as the Terran beams -found their mark, but as the flagship of the Terran Fleet maneuvered -into position to annihilate the on-coming swarm, a single silver -miniature crashed squarely against its nose. As if a meteor had -exploded in space, there was a burst of intolerable light blinding the -watchers, and just as they were able to see again, a salvo of crashes -became a flaming incandescence that human eyes could never record. - -[Illustration: _Space was a raving hell of raw energy._] - -When at last the awesome scene had ceased, and they were able to open -their tortured eyes, the void was empty but for a pitiful remnant -fleeing pell-mell from an enemy that became a living projectile and -crashed suicidally against their ships with immediate annihilation to -both. A few silver bullets pursued them relentlessly until distance -swallowed them. - - * * * * * - -In their Europan ships, now being tossed like leaves in a storm, no -one spoke. There were no words in human throats that could shatter the -brooding silence in two worlds. - -Even the sight of a thin, towering old man, whose despotic face was -blanched as he gazed from the balcony above the Council Chamber, was -not enough to bring back their speech. The head of the Council, the -Supreme Ruler had shown himself for the first time in history! - -"Fiends!" He croaked in a voice that trembled with shocked unbelief. -"Demons! What manner of beings have you on Europa that their bodies -can shatter the Council's fleet? For this your world shall be -destroyed--utterly destroyed!" - -"With what?" It was the Panadur Leader speaking through his robot. -"Listen, O Man of evil! The five-hundred scientists you sent to our -world, no longer exist. Their minds activate such robots as you have -never even imagined. Verdugo is a robot himself--the robot whose voice -you are listening to, as my telepathic commands reach its brain. You -saw my people hurling themselves against your might and dissolving into -_radiant energy_, which we absorb directly from matter as you absorb -energy from food. We can store it in our bodies, increasing it into a -potential which can be directed at will and released with cumulative -force. Nothing in our universe can withstand that--and we're willing to -die by the millions that Panadur may be free!" - -"We shall make treaties with Mars and Venus, to permit the millions -of Terrans to dwell on their Planets until we can provide habitation -for them elsewhere. In the meantime, take your choice, old man! Your -terror-reign is ended. We give you the choice of the radiant death, -or a space ship to take you and your vermin beyond the inner planets. -You will be provided with whatever you need--but the Council must go -forever!" - -The Supreme Ruler realized defeat. He had never granted mercy--he -expected none. His arms hung limp at his sides, and his head with its -smoldering, hatred-filled eyes hung on his aged chest. He gazed at the -stunned assembly of scientists below him and knew there was no escape. - -If he defied Mark Lynn and the Panadurs, the Terran Fleet would be -utterly destroyed and without that safeguard, Mars and Venus would -sweep them off their planets. Everywhere his thoughts turned he only -saw death. And, as the power he had held for years slipped from his -grasp, he became a gray, broken old man who knew fear. - -"We will go, International!" He flung with one final sneer, as the -hatred of a trapped beast flamed in his eyes. - - * * * * * - -As Mark Lynn manipulated the keys and cut the connection, he found a -warm body being pressed against his, and a tear-wet face that burrowed -beneath his chin. His arms went about Lucero. - -"Crying, indeed! Where is the dignity of a scientist, Doctor Fortun?" -He smiled with a vast tenderness. - -"Damn scientists," she exclaimed inelegantly, and burrowed deeper. "All -I want is to be a woman, Mark!" - -At that moment the tele-panel lighted signaling and Mark connected -again. It was Palanth. - -"Mark! Mark!" His face was alight with triumph. But Mark did not -answer, for a new dawn was rising in his heart, and Lucero's lips were -pressed to his. - -The Martian went silent, scowled for a moment and shrugged his -shoulders, then pressed a square of Venusian silk to his supercilious -nose in order to hide a spreading grin. - - * * * * * - -[Transcriber's Note: No Section V heading in original.] - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Star Guardsman, by Albert dePina - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STAR GUARDSMAN *** - -***** This file should be named 62765.txt or 62765.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/7/6/62765/ - -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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