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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..fa6d9b1 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50783 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50783) diff --git a/old/50783-8.txt b/old/50783-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 7faaaf9..0000000 --- a/old/50783-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7826 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Alien, by Raymond F. Jones - -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 Alien - -Author: Raymond F. Jones - -Release Date: December 28, 2015 [EBook #50783] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ALIEN *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - THE ALIEN - - A Gripping Novel of Discovery and Conquest - in Interstellar Space - - by Raymond F. Jones - - A Complete ORIGINAL Book, UNABRIDGED - - WORLD EDITIONS, Inc. - 105 WEST 40th STREET - NEW YORK 18, NEW YORK - - Copyright 1951 - by - WORLD EDITIONS, Inc. - - PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. - THE GUINN CO., Inc. - New York 14, N.Y. - - [Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any - evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - - - -Just speculate for a moment on the enormous challenge to archeology -when interplanetary flight is possible ... and relics are found of a -race extinct for half a million years! A race, incidentally, that was -scientifically so far in advance of ours that they held the secret of -the restoration of life! - -One member of that race can be brought back after 500,000 years of -death.... - -That's the story told by this ORIGINAL book-length novel, which has -never before been published! You can expect a muscle-tightening, -sweat-producing, mind-prodding adventure in the future when you read -it! - - - - -_CHAPTER ONE_ - - -Out beyond the orbit of Mars the _Lavoisier_ wallowed cautiously -through the asteroid fields. Aboard the laboratory ship few of the -members of the permanent Smithson Asteroidal Expedition were aware -that they were in motion. Living in the field one or two years at -a time, there was little that they were conscious of except the -half-million-year-old culture whose scattered fragments surrounded them -on every side. - -The only contact with Earth at the moment was the radio link by which -Dr. Delmar Underwood was calling Dr. Illia Morov at Terrestrial Medical -Central. - -Illia's blonde, precisely coiffured hair was only faintly golden -against, the stark white of her surgeons' gown, which she still wore -when she answered. Her eyes widened with an expression of pleasure as -her face came into focus on the screen and she recognized Underwood. - -"Del! I thought you'd gone to sleep with the mummies out there. It's -been over a month since you called. What's new?" - -"Not much. Terry found some new evidence of Stroid III. Phyfe has a -new scrap of metal with inscriptions, and they've found something that -almost looks as if it might have been an electron tube five hundred -thousand years ago. I'm working on that. Otherwise all is peaceful and -it's wonderful!" - -"Still the confirmed hermit?" Illia's eyes lost some of their banter, -but none of their tenderness. - -"There's more peace and contentment out here than I'd ever dreamed of -finding. I want you to come out here, Illia. Come out for a month. If -you don't want to stay and marry me, then you can go back and I won't -say another word." - - * * * * * - -She shook her head in firm decision. "Earth needs its scientists -desperately. Too many have run away already. They say the Venusian -colonies are booming, but I told you a year ago that simply running -away wouldn't work. I thought by now you would have found it out for -yourself." - -"And I told you a year ago," Underwood said flatly, "that the only -possible choice of a sane man is escape." - -"You can't escape your own culture, Del. Why, the expedition that -provided the opportunity for you to become a hermit is dependent on -Earth. If Congress should cut the Institute's funds, you'd be dropped -right back where you were. You can't get away." - -"There are always the Venusian colonies." - -"You know it's impossible to exist there independent of Earth." - -"I'm not talking about the science and technology. I'm talking about -the social disintegration. Certainly a scientist doesn't need to take -that with him when he's attempting to escape it." - -"The culture is not to blame," said Illia earnestly, "and neither is -humanity. You don't ridicule a child for his clumsiness when he is -learning to walk." - -"I hope the human race is past its childhood!" - -"Relatively speaking, it isn't. Dreyer says we're only now emerging -from the cave man stage, and that could properly be called mankind's -infancy, I suppose. Dreyer calls it the 'head man' stage." - -"I thought he was a semanticist." - -"You'd know if you'd ever talked with him. He'll tear off every other -word you utter and throw it back at you. His 'head man' designation -is correct, all right. According to him, human beings in this stage -need some leader or 'head man' stronger than themselves for guidance, -assumption of responsibility, and blame, in case of failure of the -group. These functions have never in the past been developed in the -individual so that he could stand alone in control of his own ego. But -it's coming--that's the whole import of Dreyer's work." - -"And all this confusion and instability are supposed to have something -to do with that?" - -"It's been growing for decades. We've seen it reach a peak in our own -lifetimes. The old fetishes have failed, the head men have been found -to be hollow gods, and men's faith has turned to derision. Presidents, -dictators, governors, and priests--they've all fallen from their high -places and the masses of humanity will no longer believe in any of -them." - - * * * * * - -"And _that_ is development of the race?" - -"Yes, because out of it will come a people who have found in themselves -the strength they used to find in the 'head men.' There will come a -race in which the individual can accept the responsibility which he -has always passed on to the 'head man,' the 'head man' is no longer -necessary." - -"And so--the ultimate anarchy." - -"The 'head man' concept has, but first he has to find out that -has nothing to do with government. With human beings capable of -independent, constructive behavior, actual democracy will be possible -for the first time in the world's history." - -"If all this is to come about anyway, according to Dreyer, why not try -to escape the insanity of the transition period?" - -Illia Morov's eyes grew narrow in puzzlement as she looked at Underwood -with utter incomprehension. "Doesn't it matter at all that the race is -in one of the greatest crises of all history? Doesn't it matter that -you have a skill that is of immense value in these times? It's peculiar -that it is those of you in the physical sciences who are fleeing in -the greatest numbers. The Venusian colonies must have a wonderful time -with physicists trampling each other to get away from it all--and Earth -almost barren of them. Do the physical sciences destroy every sense of -social obligation?" - -"You forget that I don't quite accept Dreyer's theories. To me this is -nothing but a rotting structure that is finally collapsing from its own -inner decay. I can't see anything positive evolving out of it." - -"I suppose so. Well, it was nice of you to call, Del. I'm always glad -to hear you. Don't wait so long next time." - -"Illia--" - -But she had cut the connection and the screen slowly faded into gray, -leaving Underwood's argument unfinished. Irritably, he flipped the -switch to the public news channels. - -Where was he wrong? The past year, since he had joined the expedition -as Chief Physicist, was like paradise compared with living in the -unstable, irresponsible society existing on Earth. He knew it was a -purely neurotic reaction, this desire to escape. But application of -that label solved nothing, explained nothing--and carried no stigma. -The neurotic reaction was the norm in a world so confused. - -He turned as the news blared abruptly with its perpetual urgency that -made him wonder how the commentators endured the endless flow of crises. - -The President had been impeached again--the third one in six months. - -There were no candidates for his office. - -A church had been burned by its congregation. - -Two mayors had been assassinated within hours of each other. - -It was the same news he had heard six months ago. It would be the same -again tomorrow and next month. The story of a planet repudiating all -leadership. A lawlessness that was worse than anarchy, because there -was still government--a government that could be driven and whipped by -the insecurities of the populace that elected it. - -Dreyer called it a futile search for a 'head man' by a people who would -no longer trust any of their own kind to be 'head man.' And Underwood -dared not trust that glib explanation. - -Many others besides Underwood found they could no longer endure the -instability of their own culture. Among these were many of the world's -leading scientists. Most of them went to the jungle lands of Venus. The -scientific limitations of such a frontier existence had kept Underwood -from joining the Venusian colonies, but he'd been very close to going -just before he got the offer of Chief Physicist with the Smithson -Institute expedition in the asteroid fields. He wondered now what he'd -have done if the offer hadn't come. - - * * * * * - -The interphone annunciator buzzed. Underwood turned off the news as -the bored communications operator in the control room announced, "Doc -Underwood. Call for Doc Underwood." - -Underwood cut in. "Speaking," he said irritably. - -The voice of Terry Bernard burst into the room. "Hey, Del! Are you -going to get rid of that hangover and answer your phone or should we -embalm the remains and ship 'em back?" - -"Terry! You fool, what do you want? Why didn't you say it was you? I -thought maybe it was that elephant-foot Maynes, with chunks of mica -that he thought were prayer sticks." - -"The Stroids didn't use prayer sticks." - -"All right, skip it. What's new?" - -"Plenty. Can you come over for a while? I think we've really got -something here." - -"It'd better be good. We're taking the ship to Phyfe. Where are you?" - -"Asteroid C-428. It's about 2,000 miles from you. And bring all the -hard-rock mining tools you've got. We can't get into this thing." - -"Is _that_ all you want? Use your double coated drills." - -"We wore five of them out. No scratches on the thing, even." - -"Well, use the Atom Stream, then. It probably won't hurt the artifact." - -"I'll say it won't. It won't even warm the thing up. Any other ideas?" - -Underwood's mind, which had been half occupied with mulling over his -personal problems while he talked with Terry, swung startledly to what -the archeologist was saying. "You mean that you've found a material -the Atom Stream won't touch? That's impossible! The equations of the -Stream prove--" - -"I know. _Now_ will you come over?" - -"Why didn't you say so in the first place? I'll bring the whole ship." - - * * * * * - -Underwood cut off and switched to the Captain's line. "Captain Dawson? -Underwood. Will you please take the ship to the vicinity of Asteroid -C-428 as quickly as possible?" - -"I thought Doctor Phyfe--" - -"I'll answer for it. Please move the vessel." - -Captain Dawson acceded. His instructions were to place the ship at -Underwood's disposal. - -Soundlessly and invisibly, the distortion fields leaped into -space about the massive laboratory ship and the _Lavoisier_ moved -effortlessly through the void. Its perfect inertia controls left no -evidence of its motion apparent to the occupants with the exception of -the navigators and pilots. The hundreds of delicate pieces of equipment -in Underwood's laboratories remained as steadfast as if anchored to -tons of steel and concrete deep beneath the surface of Earth. - -Twenty minutes later they hove in sight of the small, black asteroid -that glistened in the faint light of the faraway Sun. The spacesuited -figures of Terry Bernard and his assistant, Batch Fagin, clung to the -surface, moving about like flies on a blackened, frozen apple. - -Underwood was already in the scooter lock, astride the little -spacescooter which they used for transportation between ships of the -expedition and between asteroids. - - * * * * * - -The pilot jockeyed the _Lavoisier_ as near as safely desirable, then -signaled Underwood. The physicist pressed the control that opened -the lock in the side of the vessel. The scooter shot out into space, -bearing him astride it. - -"Ride 'em, cowboy!" Terry Bernard yelled into the intercom. He gave a -wild cowboy yell that pierced Underwood's ears. "Watch out that thing -doesn't turn turtle with you." - -Underwood grinned to himself. He said, "Your attitude convinces me of a -long held theory that archeology is no science. Anyway, if your story -of a material impervious to the Atom Stream is wrong, you'd better get -a good alibi. Phyfe had some work he wanted to do aboard today." - -"Come and see for yourself. This is it." - -As the scooter approached closer to the asteroid, Underwood could -glimpse the strangeness of the thing. It looked as if it had been -coated with the usual asteroid material of nickel iron debris, but -Terry had cleared this away from more than half the surface. - -The exposed half was a shining thing of ebony, whose planes and angles -were machined with mathematical exactness. It looked as if there were -at least a thousand individual facets on the one hemisphere alone. - -At the sight of it, Underwood could almost understand the thrill of -discovery that impelled these archeologists to delve in the mysteries -of space for lost kingdoms and races. This object which Terry had -discovered was a magnificent artifact. He wondered how long it had -circled the Sun since the intelligence that formed it had died. He -wished now that Terry had not used the Atom Stream, for that had -probably destroyed the validity of the radium-lead relationship in the -coating of debris that might otherwise indicate something of the age of -the thing. - -Terry sensed something of Underwood's awe in his silence as he -approached. "What do you think of it, Del?" - -"It's--beautiful," said Underwood. "Have you any clue to what it is?" - -"Not a thing. No marks of any kind on it." - -The scooter slowed as Del Underwood guided it near the surface of the -asteroid. It touched gently and he unstrapped himself and stepped off. -"Phyfe will forgive all your sins for this," he said. "Before you show -me the Atom Stream is ineffective, let's break off a couple of tons of -the coating and put it in the ship. We may be able to date the thing -yet. Almost all these asteroids have a small amount of radioactivity -somewhere in them. We can chip some from the opposite side where the -Atom Stream would affect it least." - -"Good idea," Terry agreed. "I should have thought of that, but when -I first found the single outcropping of machined metal, I figured it -was very small. After I found the Atom Stream wouldn't touch it, I was -overanxious to undercover it. I didn't realize I'd have to burn away -the whole surface of the asteroid." - -"We may as well finish the job and get it completely uncovered. I'll -have some of my men from the ship come on over." - -It took the better part of an hour to chip and drill away samples to be -used in a dating attempt. Then the intense fire of the Atom Stream was -turned upon the remainder of the asteroid to clear it. - -"We'd better be on the lookout for a soft spot." Terry suggested. "It's -possible this thing isn't homogeneous, and Papa Phyfe would be very -mad if we burned it up after making such a find." - - * * * * * - -From behind his heavy shield which protected him from the stray -radiation formed by the Atom Stream, Delmar Underwood watched the -biting fire cut between the gemlike artifact and the metallic alloys -that coated it. The alloys cracked and fell away in large chunks, -propelled by the explosions of matter as the intense heat vaporized the -metal almost instantly. - -The spell of the ancient and the unknown fell upon him and swept him up -in the old mysteries and the unknown tongues. Trained in the precise -methods of the physical sciences, he had long fought against the -fascination of the immense puzzles which the archeologists were trying -to solve, but no man could long escape. In the quiet, starlit blackness -there rang the ancient memories of a planet vibrant with life, a -planet of strange tongues and unknown songs--a planet that had died -so violently that space was yet strewn with its remains--so violently -that somewhere the echo of its death explosion must yet ring in the far -vaults of space. - -Underwood had always thought of archeologists as befogged antiquarians -poking among ancient graves and rubbish heaps, but now he knew them -for what they were--poets in search of mysteries. The Bible-quoting of -Phyfe and the swearing of red-headed Terry Bernard were merely thin -disguises for their poetic romanticism. - -Underwood watched the white fire of the Atom Stream through the lead -glass of the eye-protecting lenses. "I talked to Illia today," he said. -"She says I've run away." - -"Haven't you?" Terry asked. - -"I wouldn't call it that." - -"It doesn't make much difference what you call it. I once lived in an -apartment underneath a French horn player who practised eight hours a -day. I ran away. If the whole mess back on Earth is like a bunch of -horn blowers tootling above your apartment, I say move, and why make -any fuss about it? I'd probably join the boys on Venus myself if my job -didn't keep me out here. Of course it's different with you. There's -Illia to be convinced--along with your own conscience." - -"She quotes Dreyer. He's one of your ideals, isn't he?" - -"No better semanticist ever lived," Terry said flatly. "He takes the -long view, which is that everything will come out in the wash. I agree -with him, so why worry--knowing that the variants will iron themselves -out, and nothing I can possibly do will be noticed or missed? Hence, -I seldom worry about my obligations to mankind, as long as I stay -reasonably law-abiding. Do likewise, Brother Del, and you'll live -longer, or at least more happily." - - * * * * * - -Underwood grinned in the blinding glare of the Atom Stream. He wished -life were as simple as Terry would have him believe. Maybe it would be, -he thought--if it weren't for Illia. - -As he moved his shield slowly forward behind the crumbling debris, -Underwood's mind returned to the question of who created the structure -beneath their feet, and to what alien purpose. Its black, impenetrable -surfaces spoke of excellent mechanical skill, and a high science that -could create a material refractory to the Atom Stream. Who, a half -million years ago, could have created it? - -The ancient pseudo-scientific Bode's Law had indicated a missing planet -which could easily have fitted into the Solar System in the vicinity -of the asteroid belt. But Bode's Law had never been accepted by -astronomers--until interstellar archeology discovered the artifacts of -a civilization on many of the asteroids. - -The monumental task of exploration had been undertaken more than a -generation ago by the Smithson Institute. Though always handicapped by -shortage of funds, they had managed to keep at least one ship in the -field as a permanent expedition. - -Dr. Phyfe, leader of the present group, was probably the greatest -student of asteroidal archeology in the System. The younger -archeologists labeled him benevolently Papa Phyfe, in spite of the -irascible temper which came, perhaps, from constantly switching his -mind from half a million years ago to the present. - -In their use of semantic correlations, Underwood was discovering, the -archeologists were far ahead of the physical scientists, for they had -an immensely greater task in deducing the mental concepts of alien -races from a few scraps of machinery and art. - -Of all the archeologists he had met, Underwood had taken the greatest -liking to Terry Bernard. An extremely competent semanticist and -archeologist, Terry nevertheless did not take himself too seriously. He -did not even mind Underwood's constant assertion that archeology was -no science. He maintained that it was fun, and that was all that was -necessary. - -At last, the two groups approached each other from opposite sides of -the asteroid and joined forces in shearing off the last of the debris. -As they shut off the fearful Atom Streams, the scientists turned to -look back at the thing they had cleared. - - * * * * * - -Terry said quietly, "See why I'm an archeologist?" - -"I think I do--almost," Underwood answered. - -The gemlike structure beneath their feet glistened like polished ebony. -It caught the distant stars in its thousand facets and cast them until -it gleamed as if with infinite lights of its own. - -The workmen, too, were caught in its spell, for they stood silently -contemplating the mystery of a people who had created such beauty. - -The spell was broken at last by a movement across the heavens. -Underwood glanced up. "Papa Phyfe's coming on the warpath. I'll bet -he's ready to trim my ears for taking the lab ship without his consent." - -"You're boss of the lab ship, aren't you?" said Terry. - -"It's a rather flexible arrangement--in Phyfe's mind, at least. I'm -boss until he decides he wants to do something." - -The headquarters ship slowed to a halt and the lock opened, emitting -the fiery burst of a motor scooter which Doc Phyfe rode with angry -abandon. - -"You, Underwood!" His voice came harshly through the phones. "I demand -an explanation of--" - -That was as far as he got, for he glimpsed the thing upon which the -men were standing, and from his vantage point it looked all the more -like a black jewel in the sky. He became instantly once more the eager -archeologist instead of expedition administrator, a role he filled with -irritation. - -"What have you got there?" he whispered. - -Terry answered. "We don't know. I asked Dr. Underwood's assistance in -uncovering the artifact. If it caused you any difficulty, I'm sorry; -it's my fault." - - * * * * * - -"Pah!" said Phyfe. "A thing like this is of utmost importance. You -should have notified me immediately." - -Terry and Underwood grinned at each other. Phyfe reprimanded every -archeologist on the expedition for not notifying him immediately -whenever anything from the smallest machined fragment of metal to the -greatest stone monuments were found. If they had obeyed, he would have -done nothing but travel from asteroid to asteroid over hundreds of -thousands of miles of space. - -"You were busy with your own work," said Terry. - -But Phyfe had landed, and as he dismounted from the scooter, he stood -in awe. Terry, standing close to him, thought he saw tears in the old -man's eyes through the helmet of the spaceship. - -"It's beautiful!" murmured Phyfe in worshipping awe. "Wonderful. The -most magnificent find in a century of asteroidal archeology. We must -make arrangements for its transfer to Earth at once." - -"If I may make a suggestion," said Terry, "you recall that some of the -artifacts have not survived so well. Decay in many instances has set -in--" - -"Are you trying to tell me that this thing can decay?" Phyfe's little -gray Van Dyke trembled violently. - -"I'm thinking of the thermal transfer. Doctor Underwood is better able -to discuss that, but I should think that a mass of this kind, which is -at absolute zero, might undergo unusual stresses in coming to Earth -normal temperatures. True, we used the Atom Stream on it, but that heat -did not penetrate enough to set up great internal stresses." - -Phyfe looked hesitant and turned to Underwood. "What is your opinion?" - -Underwood didn't get it until he caught Terry's wink behind Phyfe's -back. Once it left space and went into the museum laboratory, Terry -might never get to work on the thing again. That was the perpetual -gripe of the field men. - -"I think Doctor Bernard has a good point," said Underwood. "I would -advise leaving the artifact here in space until a thorough examination -has been made. After all, we have every facility aboard the _Lavoisier_ -that is available on Earth." - -"Very well," said Phyfe. "You may proceed in charge of the physical -examination of the find, Doctor Underwood. You, Doctor Bernard, will be -in charge of proceedings from an archeological standpoint. Will that -be satisfactory to everyone concerned?" - -It was far more than Terry had expected. - -"I will be on constant call," said Phyfe. "Let me know immediately of -any developments." Then the uncertain mask of the executive fell away -from the face of the little old scientist and he regarded the find with -humility and awe. "It's beautiful," he murmured again, "_beautiful_." - - - - -_CHAPTER TWO_ - - -Phyfe remained near the site as Underwood and Terry set their crew to -the routine task of weighing, measuring, and photographing the object, -while Underwood considered what else to do. - -"You know, this thing has got me stymied, Terry. Since it can't be -touched by an Atom Stream, that means there isn't a single analytical -procedure to which it will respond--that I know of, anyway. Does your -knowledge of the Stroids and their ways of doing things suggest any -identification of it?" - -Terry shook his head as he stood by the port of the laboratory ship -watching the crews at work outside. "Not a thing, but that's no -criterion. We know so little about the Stroids that almost everything -we find has a function we never heard of before. And of course -we've found many objects with totally unknown functions. I've been -thinking--what if this should turn out to be merely a natural gem -from the interior of the planet, maybe formed at the time of its -destruction, but at least an entirely natural object rather than an -artifact?" - -"It would be the largest crystal formation ever encountered, and -the most perfect. I'd say the chances of its natural formation are -negligible." - -"But maybe this is the one in a hundred billion billion or whatever -number chance it may be." - -"If so, its value ought to be enough to balance the Terrestrial budget. -I'm still convinced that it must be an artifact, though its material -and use are beyond me. We can start with a radiation analysis. Perhaps -it will respond in some way that will give us a clue." - -When the crew had finished the routine check, Underwood directed his -men to set up the various types of radiation equipment contained within -the ship. It was possible to generate radiation through almost the -complete spectrum from single cycle sound waves to hard cosmic rays. - -The work was arduous and detailed. Each radiator was slowly driven -through its range, then removed and higher frequency equipment used. At -each fraction of an octave, the object was carefully photographed to -record its response. - -After watching the work for two days, Terry wearied of the seemingly -non-productive labor. "I suppose you know what you're doing, Del," he -said. "But is it getting you anywhere at all?" - -Underwood shook his head. "Here's the batch of photographs. You'll -probably want them to illustrate your report. The surfaces of the -object are mathematically exact to a thousandth of a millimeter. -Believe me, that's some tolerance on an object of this size. The -surfaces are of number fifteen smoothness, which means they are plane -within a hundred-thousandth of a millimeter. The implications are -obvious. The builders who constructed that were mechanical geniuses." - - * * * * * - -"Did you get any radioactive dating?" - -"Rather doubtfully, but the indications are around half a million -years." - -"That checks with what we know about the Stroids." - -"It would appear that their culture is about on a par with our own." - -"Personally, I think they were ahead of us," said Terry. "And do you -see what that means to us archeologists? It's the first time in the -history of the science that we've had to deal with the remains of a -civilization either equal or superior to our own. The problems are -multiplied a thousand times when you try to take a step up instead of a -step down." - -"Any idea of what the Stroids looked like?" - -"We haven't found any bodies, skeletons, or even pictures, but we think -they were at least roughly anthropomorphic. They were farther from the -Sun than we, but it was younger then and probably gave them about the -same amount of heat. Their planet was larger and the Stroids appear -to have been somewhat larger as individuals than we, judging from -the artifacts we've discovered. But they seem to have had a suitable -atmosphere of oxygen diluted with appropriate inert gases." - - * * * * * - -They were interrupted by the sudden appearance of a laboratory -technician who brought in a dry photographic print still warm from the -developing box. - -He laid it on the desk before Underwood. "I thought you might be -interested in this." - -Underwood and Terry glanced at it. The picture was of the huge, -gemlike artifact, but a number of the facets seemed to be covered with -intricate markings of short, wavy lines. - -Underwood stared closer at the thing. "What the devil are those? We -took pictures of every facet previously and there was nothing like -this. Get me an enlargement of these." - -"I already have." The assistant laid another photo on the desk, showing -the pattern of markings as if at close range. They were clearly -discernible now. - -"What do you make of it?" asked Underwood. - -"I'd say it looked like writing," Terry said. "But it's not like any -of the other Stroid characters I've seen--which doesn't mean much, of -course, because there could be thousands that I've never seen. Only how -come these characters are there now, and we never noticed them before?" - -"Let's go out and have a look," said Underwood. He grasped the -photograph and noted the numbers of the facets on which the characters -appeared. - -In a few moments the two men were speeding toward the surface of their -discovery astride scooters. They jockeyed above the facets shown on the -photographs, and stared in vain. - -"Something's the matter," said Terry. "I don't see anything here." - -"Let's go all the way around on the scooters. Those guys may have -bungled the job of numbering the photos." - -They began a slow circuit, making certain they glimpsed all the facets -from a height of only ten feet. - -"It's not here," Underwood agreed at last. "Let's talk to the crew that -took the shots." - -They headed towards the equipment platform, floating in free space, -from which Mason, one of the Senior Physicists, was directing -operations. Mason signaled for the radiations to be cut off as the men -approached. - -"Find any clues, Chief?" he asked Underwood. "We've done our best to -fry this apple, but nothing happens." - -"Something _did_ happen. Did you see it?" Underwood extended the -photograph with the mechanical fingers of the spacesuit. Mason held it -in a light and stared at it. "We didn't see a thing like that. And we -couldn't have missed it." He turned to the members of the crew. "Anyone -see this writing on the thing?" - -They looked at the picture and shook their heads. - -"What were you shooting on it at the time?" - -Mason glanced at his records. "About a hundred and fifty angstroms." - -"So there must be something that becomes visible only in a field of -radiation of about that wave length," said Underwood. "Keep going and -see if anything else turns up, or if this proves to be permanent after -exposure to that frequency." - -Back in the laboratory, they sat down at the desk and went through -the file of hundreds of photographs that were now pouring out of the -darkroom. - -"Not a thing except that one," said Terry. "It looks like a message -intended only for someone who knew what frequency would make it -visible." - - * * * * * - -Underwood shook his head. "That sounds a little too melodramatic for -me. Yet it is possible that this thing is some kind of repository, and -we've found the key to it. But what a key! It looks as if we've got to -decipher the language of the Stroids in order to use the key." - -"The best men in the field have been trying to do that for only about -seventy-five years. If that's what it takes, we may as well quit right -now." - -"You said that this was nothing like any other Stroid characters that -you had seen. Maybe this belongs to a different cultural stratum. It -might prove easier to crack. Who's the best man in the field on this -stuff?" - -"Dreyer at the semantics lab. He won't touch it any more. He says he's -wasted fifteen years of his life on the Stroid inscriptions." - -"I'll bet he will tackle this, if it's as new as you think it is. I've -seen some of those antiquarians before. We'll get Phyfe to transmit -some copies of this to him. Who's the next best man?" - -"Probably Phyfe himself." - -"It won't be hard to get him started on it, I'll bet." - -It wasn't. The old scientist was ecstatic over the discovery of the -inscriptions upon the huge gem. He took copies of the pictures into his -study and spent two full days comparing them with the known records. - -"It's an entirely new set of characters," he said after completing the -preliminary examination. "We already have three sets of characters that -seem to be in no way related. This is the fourth." - -"You sent copies to Dreyer?" - -"Only because you requested it. Dreyer admitted long ago that he was -licked." - - * * * * * - -During the week of Phyfe's study, the work of radiation analysis had -been completed. It proved completely negative with the single exception -of the 150 A. radiation which rendered visible the characters on the -gem. No secondary effects of any significance whatever had been noted. -The material reflected almost completely nearly every frequency imposed -upon it. - -Thus, Underwood found himself again at the end of his resources. It -was impossible to analyze material that refused to react, which was -refractive to every force applied. - -Underwood told Terry at the conclusion of a series of chemical tests, -"If you want to keep that thing out here any longer, I'm afraid -you've got to think of some more effective way of examining it than -I have been able to do. From a physical standpoint this artifact is -in about the same position as the language of the Stroids had been -semantically--completely intractable." - -"I'm not afraid of its being sent back to the museum now. Papa Phyfe's -got his teeth into it and he won't let go until he cracks the key to -this lingo." - -Underwood didn't believe that it would ever be solved, unless by -some lucky chance they came upon a sort of Rosetta Stone which would -bridge the gap between the human mind and that of the alien Stroids. -Even if the Stroids were somewhat anthropomorphic in makeup as the -archeologists believed, there was no indication that their minds would -not be so utterly alien that no bridge would even be possible. - -Underwood felt seriously inclined to abandon the problem. While -completely fascinating, it was hardly more soluble than was the problem -of the composition of the stars in the days before the spectroscope -was invented. Neither the archeologists, the semanticists, nor the -physicists yet had the tools to crack the problem of the Stroids. Until -the tools became available, the problem would simply have to go by the -boards. The only exception was the remote possibility of a deliberate -clue left by the Stroids themselves, but Underwood did not believe in -miracles. - -His final conviction came when word came back from Dreyer, who said, -"Congratulations, Phyfe," and returned the copies of the Stroid -characters with a short note. - -"Well, that does it," said Underwood. - -Phyfe was dismayed by Dreyer's reply. "The man's simply trying to -uphold a decaying reputation by claiming the problem can't be solved. -Send it to the museum and let them begin work on it. I'll give it my -entire time. You will help me, if you will, Doctor Bernard." - - * * * * * - -Terry himself was becoming somewhat dismayed by the magnitude of the -mystery they had uncovered. He knew Phyfe's bulldog tenacity when he -tackled something and he didn't want to be tied to semantics for the -rest of the term of the expedition. - -Underwood, however, had become immersed in X-ray work, attempting -to determine the molecular structure of the artifact from a -crystallographic standpoint, to find out if it could be found it might -be possible to disrupt the pattern. - -After he had been at it for about a week, Terry came into the lab in a -disgruntled mood at the completion of a work period. - -"You look as if Papa gave you a spanking," said Underwood. "Why the -downcast mood?" - -"I think I'll resign and go back to the museum. It's useless to work on -this puzzle any longer." - -"How do you know?" - -"Because it doesn't follow the laws of semantics with respect to -language." - -"Maybe the laws need changing." - -"You know better than that. Look, you are as familiar with Carnovan's -law as I am. It states that in any language there is bound to be a -certain constant frequency of semantic conceptions. It's like the -old frequency laws that used to be used in cryptographic analysis -except a thousand times more complex. Anyway, we've made thousands of -substitutions into Carnovan's frequency scale and nothing comes out. -Not a thing. No concept of ego, identity, perfection, retrogression, or -intercourse shows up. The only thing that registers in the slightest -degree is the concept of motion, but it doesn't yield a single key -word. It's almost as if it weren't even a language." - -"Maybe it isn't." - -"What else could it be?" - -"Well, maybe this thing we've found is a monument of some kind and -the inscriptions are ritualistic tributes to dead heroes or something. -Maybe there's no trick at all about the radiation business. Maybe -they used that frequency for common illumination and the inscription -was arranged to show up just at night. The trouble with you strict -semanticists is that you don't use any imagination." - -"Like to try a hand at a few sessions with Papa Phyfe?" - -"No, thanks, but I do think there are other possibilities that you -are overlooking. I make no claim to being anything but a strictly ham -semanticist, but suppose, for example, that the inscriptions are not -language at all in the common sense." - -"They must represent transfer of thought in some form." - -"True, but look at the varied forms of thought. You are bound down to -the conception of language held as far back as Korzybski. At least to -the conception held by those who didn't fully understand Korzybski. You -haven't considered the concept of music. It's a very real possibility, -but one which would remain meaningless without the instrument. Consider -also--Wait a minute, Terry! We've all been a bunch of thoroughbred -dopes!" - -"What is it?" - -"Look at the geometrical and mechanical perfection of the artifact. -That implies mathematical knowledge of a high order. The inscriptions -could be mathematical measurements of some kind. That would explain the -breakdown of Carnovan's principles. They don't apply to math." - -"But what kind of math would be inscribed on a thing like that?" - -"Who knows? We can give it a try." - - * * * * * - -It was the beginning of their sleeping period, but Terry was fired with -Underwood's sudden enthusiasm. He brought in a complete copy of all the -inscriptions found upon the facets of the black gem. Underwood placed -them on a large table in continuous order as they appeared around the -circumference. - -"It's mud to me," said Terry. "I'm the world's worst mathematician." - -"Look!" exclaimed Underwood. "Here's the beginning of it." He suddenly -moved some of the sheets so that one previously in the middle formed -the beginning of the sequence. "What does it look like to you?" - -"I've seen that until I dream of it. It's one Phyfe tried to make the -most of in his frequency determinations. It looks like nothing more -than some widgets alongside a triangle." - -"That's exactly what it is, and no wonder Phyfe found it had a high -frequency. That is nothing more nor less than an explanation of the -Stroid concept of the differential. This widget over here must be the -sign of the derivative corresponding to our dy/dx." - -Hastily, Underwood scrawled some symbols on a scratch pad, using -combinations of "x"s and "y"s and the strange, unknown symbols of the -Stroids. - -"It checks. They're showing us how to differentiate! Not only that, -we have the key to their numerical system in the exponentials, -because they've given us the differentiation of a whole series of -power expressions here. Now, somewhere we ought to find an integral -expression which we could check back with differentiation. Here it is!" - - * * * * * - -Terry, left behind now, went to the galley and brewed a steaming pot of -coffee and brought it back. He found Underwood staring unseeingly ahead -of him into the dark, empty corners of the lab. - -"What is it?" Terry exclaimed. "What have you found?" - -"I'm not sure. Do you know what the end product of all this math is?" - -"What?" - -"A set of wave equations, but such wave equations as any physicist -would be thought crazy to dream up. Yet, in light of some new -manipulations introduced by the Stroids, they seem feasible." - -"What can we do with them?" - -"We can build a generator and see what kind of stuff comes out of -it when we operate it according to this math. The Stroids obviously -intended that someone find this and learn to produce the radiation -described. For what purpose we can only guess--but we might find out." - -"Do we have enough equipment aboard to build such a generator?" - -"I think so. We could cannibalize enough from equipment we already have -on hand. Let's try it." - -Terry hesitated. "I'm not quite sure, but--well, this stuff comes about -as near as anything I ever saw to giving me what is commonly known as -the creeps. Somehow these Stroids seem too--too _anxious_. That sounds -crazy, I know, but there's such alienness here." - -"Nuts. Let's build their generator and see what they're trying to tell -us." - - - - -_CHAPTER THREE_ - - -Phyfe was exuberant. He not only gave permission to construct the -generator, he demanded that all work aboard the lab ship give priority -to the new project. - -The design of the machine was no easy task, for Underwood was a -physicist and not an engineer. However, he had two men, Moody and -Hansen, in his staff who were first rate engineers. On them fell -the chief burden of design after Underwood worked out the rough -specifications. - -One of the main laboratories with nearly ten thousand square feet of -floor space was cleared for the project. As the specifications flowed -from Underwood's desk, they passed over to Moody and Hansen, and from -there out to the lab where the mass of equipment was gathered from all -parts of the fleet. - -An atomic power supply sufficient to give the large amount of energy -required by the generator was obtained by robbing the headquarters -ship of its auxiliary supply. Converter units were available in the -_Lavoisier_ itself, but the main radiator tubes had to be cannibalized -from the 150 A equipment aboard. - -Slowly the mass of improvised equipment grew. It would have been a -difficult task on Earth with all facilities available for such a -project, but with these makeshift arrangements it was a miracle that -the generator continued to develop. A score of times Underwood had to -make compromises that he hoped would not alter the characteristics of -the wave which, two weeks before, he would have declared impossible to -generate. - -When the equipment was completed and ready for a trial check, the huge -lab was a mass of hay-wiring into which no one but Moody and Hansen -dared go. - -The completion was an anti-climax. The great project that had almost -halted all other field work was finished--and no one knew what to -expect when Hansen threw the switch that fed power from the converters -into the giant tubes. - -As a matter of fact, nothing happened. Only the faint whine of the -converters and the swinging needles of meters strung all over the room -showed that the beam was in operation. - -On the nose of the _Lavoisier_ was the great, ungainly radiator a -hundred feet in diameter, which was spraying the unknown depths of -space with the newly created power. - -Underwood and Terry were outside the ship, behind the huge radiator, -with a mass of equipment designed to observe the effects of the beam. - -In space it was totally invisible, creating no detectable field. It -seemed as inactive as a beam of ultraviolet piercing the starlit -darkness. - - * * * * * - -Underwood picked up the interphone that connected them with the -interior of the ship. "Swing around, please, Captain Dawson. Let the -beam rotate through a one hundred and eighty degree arc." - -The Captain ordered the ship around and the great _Lavoisier_ swung -on its own axis--but not in the direction Underwood had had in mind. -He failed to indicate the direction, and Dawson had assumed it didn't -matter. - -Ponderously, the great radiator swung about before Underwood could -shout a warning. And the beam came directly in line with the mysterious -gem of the universe which they had found in the heart of the asteroid. - -At once, the heavens were filled with intolerable light. Terry and -Underwood flung themselves down upon the hull of the ship and the -physicist screamed into the phones for Dawson to swing the other way. - -But his warnings were in vain, for those within the ship were blinded -by the great flare of light that penetrated even the protective ports -of the ship. Irresistibly, the _Lavoisier_ continued to swing, spraying -the great gem with its mysterious radiation. - -Then it was past and the beam cut into space once more. - -On top of the ship, Underwood and Terry found their sight slowly -returning. They had been saved the full blast of the light from the gem -by the curve of the ship's hull which cut it off. - -Underwood stumbled to his feet, followed by Terry. The two men stood -in open-mouthed un-belief at the vision that met their eyes. Where the -gem had drifted in space, there was now a blistered, boiling mass of -amorphous matter that surged and steamed in the void. All semblance to -the glistening, faceted, ebon gem was gone as the repulsive mass heaved -within itself. - -"It's destroyed!" Terry exclaimed hoarsely. "The greatest archeological -find of all time and we destroy it before we find out anything about -it--" - -"Shut up!" Underwood commanded harshly. He tried to concentrate on the -happenings before him, but he could find no meaning in it. He bemoaned -the fact that he had no camera, and only prayed that someone inside -would have the wit to turn one on. - -As the ship continued its slow swing like a senseless animal, the -pulsing of the amorphous mass that had been the jewel slowly ceased. -And out of the gray murkiness of it came a new quality. It began to -regain rigidity--and transparency! - - * * * * * - -Underwood gasped. At the boundary lines of the facets, heavy ribs -showed the tremendously reinforced structure that formed the skeleton. -And each cell between the ribs was filled with thick substance that -partially revealed the unknown world within. - -But more than that, between one set of ribs he glimpsed what he was -sure was an emptiness, a doorway to the interior! - -"Come on," he called to Terry. "Look at that opening!" - -They leaped astride the scooters clamped to the surface of the lab -ship and sped into space between the two objects. It required only an -instant to confirm his first hasty glimpse. - -They navigated the scooters close to the opening and clamped them to -the surface. For a moment, Underwood thought the gem might be some -strange ship from far out of the Universe, for it seemed filled with -mechanism of undescribable characteristics and unknown purposes. It was -so filled that it was impossible to see very far into the interior even -with the help of the powerful lamps on the scooters. - -"The beam was the key to get into the thing," said Terry. "It was -intended all along that the beam be turned on it. The beam had to be -connected with the gem in some way." - -"And what a way!" - -The triangular opening was large enough to admit a man. Underwood and -Terry knelt at the edge of it, peering down, flashing their lights -about the revealed interior. The opening seemed to drop into the center -of a small room that was bare. - -"Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly," quoted Terry. "I -don't see anything down there, do you?" - -"No. Why the spider recitation?" - -"I don't know. Everything is too pat. I feel as if someone is watching -behind us, practically breathing down our necks and urging us on the -way he wants us to go. And when we get there we aren't going to like -it." - -"I suppose that is strictly a scientific hunch which we ignorant -physicists wouldn't understand." - -But Terry was serious. The whole aspect of the Stroid device was -unnerving in the way it led along from step to step, as if unseen -powers were guiding them, rather than using their own initiative in -their work. - -Underwood gave a final grunt and dropped into the hole, flashing his -light rapidly about. Terry followed immediately. They found themselves -in the center of a circular room twenty feet in diameter. The walls -and the floor seemed to be of the same ebony-black material that had -composed the outer shell of the gem before its transmutation. - - * * * * * - -The walls were literally covered from the floor to the ten-foot -ceiling with inscriptions that glowed faintly in the darkness when the -flashlights were not turned on them. - -"Recognize any of this stuff?" asked Underwood. - -"Stroid III," said Terry in awe. "The most beautiful collection -of engravings that have ever been found. We've never obtained a -consecutive piece even a fraction this size before. Dreyer has got to -come now." - -"I've got a hunch about this," said Underwood slowly. "I don't know a -thing about the procedures used in deciphering an unknown lingo, but -I'll bet you find that this is an instruction primer to their language, -just as the inscriptions outside gave the key to their math before -detailing the wave equations." - -"You might be right!" Terry's eyes glowed with enthusiasm as he looked -about the polished walls with the faintly glowing characters inlaid in -them. "If that's the case, Papa Phyfe and I ought to be able to do the -job without Dreyer." - -They returned to the ship for photographic equipment and to report -their finding to Phyfe. It was a little difficult for him to adjust to -the view that something had been gained in the transformation of the -gem. The sight of that boiling, amorphous mass in space had been to him -like helplessly standing on the bank of a stream and watching a loved -one drown. - -But with Terry's report on the characters in Stroid III which lined the -walls of the antechamber which they had penetrated, he was ready to -admit that their position had improved. - -Underwood was merely a by-stander as they returned to the gem. Two -photographers, Carson and Enright, accompanied them along with Nichols, -assistant semanticist. - -Underwood stood by, in the depths of speculation, as the photographers -set up their equipment and Phyfe bent down to examine the characters at -close range. - -Terry continued to be dogged by the feeling that they were being led -by the nose into something that would end unpleasantly. He didn't know -why, except that the fact of immense and meticulous preparation was -evidenced on all sides. It was the reason for that preparation which -made him wonder. - - * * * * * - -Phyfe said to Underwood, "Doctor Bernard tells me your opinion is that -this room is a key to Stroid III. You may be right, but I fail to find -any indication of it at present. What gives you that idea?" - -"The whole setup," said Underwood. "First, there was the impenetrable -shell. Nothing like it exists in Solarian culture today. Then there -was the means by which we were able to read the inscriptions on the -outside. Obviously, if heat and fission reactions as well as chemical -reactions could not touch the stuff, the only remaining means of -analysis was radiative. And the only peoples who could discover the -inscriptions were those capable of building a generator of 150 A. -radiations. We have there two highly technical requirements of anyone -attempting to solve the secret of this cache--ability to generate the -proper radiation, and the ability to understand their mathematics and -build a second generator from their wave equations. - -"Now that we're in here, there is nothing more we can do until we can -understand their printed language. Obviously, they must teach it to us. -This would be the place." - -"You may be right," said Phyfe, "But we archeologists work with facts, -not guesses. We'll know soon enough if it's true." - - * * * * * - -Underwood felt content to speculate while the others worked. There was -nothing else for him to do. No way out of the anteroom was apparent, -but he was confident that a way to the interior would be found when the -inscriptions were deciphered. - -He went out to the surface and walked slowly about, peering into the -transparent depths with his light. What lay within this repository -left by an ancient race that had obviously equaled or surpassed man -in scientific attainments? Would it be some vast store of knowledge -that would come to bless mankind with greater abundance? Or would it, -rather, be a new Pandora's box, which would pour out upon the world new -ills to add to its already staggering burden? - -The world had about all it could stand now, Underwood reflected. For a -century, Earth's scientific production had boomed. Her factories had -roared with the throb of incessant production, and the utopia of all -the planners of history was gradually coming to pass. Man's capacities -for production had steadily increased for five hundred years, and -at last the capacities for consumption were rising equally, with -correspondingly less time spent in production and greater time spent in -consumption. - -But the utopia wasn't coming off just as the Utopians had dreamed of -it. The ever present curse of enforced leisure was not respecting the -new age any more than it had past ages. Men were literally being driven -crazy with their super-abundance of luxury. - -Only a year before, the so-called Howling Craze had swept cities -and nations. It was a wave of hysteria that broke out in epidemic -proportions. Thousands of people within a city would be stricken at -a time by insensate weeping and despair. One member of a household -would be afflicted and quickly it would spread from that man to the -family, and from that family it would race the length and breadth of -the streets, up and down the city, until one vast cry as of a stricken -animal would assault the heavens. - -Underwood had seen only one instance of the Howling Craze and he had -fled from it as if pursued. It was impossible to describe its effects -upon the nervous system--a whole city in the throes of hysteria. - -Life was cheap, as were the other luxuries of Earth. Murders by the -thousands each month were scarcely noticed, and the possession of -weapons for protection had become a mark of the new age, for no man -knew when his neighbor might turn upon him. - -Governments rose and fell swiftly and became little more than -figureheads to carry out the demands of peoples cloyed with the -excesses of life. Most significant of all, however, was the inability -of any leader to hold any following for more than a short time. - -Of all the inhabitants of Earth, there were but a few hundred thousand -scientists who were able to keep themselves on even keel, and most of -these were now fleeing. - -As he thought of these things, Underwood pondered what the opening of -the repository of a people who sealed up their secrets half a million -years ago would mean to mankind. This must be what Terry felt, he -thought. - -For perhaps three hours he remained on the outside of the shell, -letting his mind idle under the brilliance of the stars. Suddenly, the -phones in his helmet came alive with sound. It was the voice of Terry -Bernard. - -"We've got it, Del," he said quietly. "We can read this stuff like -nursery rhymes. Come on down. It tells us how to get into the thing." - -Underwood did not hurry. He rose slowly from his sitting position and -stared upward at the stars, the same stars that had looked down upon -the beings who had sealed up the repository. This is it, he thought. -Man can never go back again. - - * * * * * - -He lowered himself into the opening. - -Doctor Phyfe was strangely quiet in spite of their quick success in -deciphering the language of the Stroids. Underwood wondered what was -going through the old man's mind. Did he, too, sense the magnitude of -this moment? - -Phyfe said, "They were semanticists as well. They knew Carnovan's -frequency. It's right here, the key they used to reveal their language. -No one less advanced in semantics than our own civilization could have -deciphered it, but with a knowledge of Carnovan's frequency, it is -simple." - -"Practically hand-picked us for the job," said Terry. - -Phyfe's sharp eyes turned upon him suddenly behind the double -protection of his spectacles and the transparent helmet of the -spacesuit. - -"Perhaps," said Phyfe. "Perhaps we are. At any rate, there are certain -manipulations to be performed which will open this chamber and provide -passage to the interior." - - * * * * * - -"Where's the door?" said Underwood. - -Following the notes he had made, Terry moved about the room, directing -Underwood's attention to features of the design. Delicately carved, -movable levers formed an intricate combination that suddenly released -a section of the floor in the exact center of the room. It depressed -slowly, then revolved out of the way. - -For a moment no one spoke while Phyfe moved to the opening and peered -down. A stairway of the same glistening material as the walls about -them led downward into the depths of the repository. - -Phyfe stepped down and almost stumbled into the opening. "Watch for -those steps," he warned. "They're larger than necessary for human -beings." - -_Giants in those days_ came to Underwood's mind. He tried to vision the -creatures who had walked upon this stairway and touched the hand rail -that was shoulder high for him. - -The repository was divided into levels and the stairway ended abruptly -as they came to the level below the anteroom. The chamber in which -they found themselves was crowded with artifacts of strange shapes and -varying sizes. Not a thing of familiar cast greeted them. But opposite -the bottom of the stairway was a pedestal and upon it rested a booklike -object that proved to be hinged metallic sheets, covered with Stroid -III inscriptions, when Terry climbed up to examine it. He was unable -to move it, but the metal pages were locked with a simple clasp that -responded to his touch. - -"It looks as if we've got to read our way along," said Terry. "I -suppose this will tell us how to get into the next room." - -Underwood and the other expedition members moved cautiously about, -examining the contents of the room. The two photographers began to make -an orderly pictorial record of everything within the chamber. - -Standing alone in one corner, Underwood peered at an object that -appeared to be nothing but a series of opaque, polychrome globes -tangent to each other and mounted on a pedestal. - -Whether it were some kind of machine or monument, he could not tell. - -"You feel it, too," said a sudden quiet voice behind him. Underwood -whirled about in surprise. Phyfe was there behind him, his slight -figure a shapeless shadow in the spacesuit. - -"Feel what?" - -"I've watched you, Doctor Underwood. You are a physicist and in -far closer touch with the real world than I. You have seen me--I -cannot even manage an expedition with efficiency--my mind lives -constantly in the past, and I cannot comprehend the significance of -contemporary things. Tell me what it will mean, this intrusion -of an alien science into our own." - -A sudden, new, and humbling respect filled Underwood. He had never -dreamed that the little archeologist had such a penetrating view of -himself in his relation to his environment. - -"I wish I could answer that question," said Underwood, shaking his -head. "I can't. Perhaps if we knew, we'd destroy the thing--or it might -be that we'd shout our discovery to the Universe. But we can't know, -and we wouldn't dare be the judges if we could. Whatever it is, the -ancient Stroids seem to have deliberately attempted to provide for the -survival of their culture." He hesitated. "That, of course is my guess." - -In the darkened corner of the chamber, Phyfe nodded slowly. "You are -right, of course. It is the only answer. We dare not try to be the -judges." - - * * * * * - -Underwood saw that he would get nowhere in his understanding of -the Stroid science by merely depending on the translations given him -by Terry and Phyfe. He'd have to learn to read the Stroid inscriptions -himself. He buttonholed Nichols and got the semanticist to show him the -rudiments of the language. It was amazingly simple in principle and -constructed along semantic lines. - -The going became rapidly heavier, however, and it took them the -equivalent of five days to get through the fairly elementary material -disclosed in the first level below the antechamber. - -The book of metal pages did little to satisfy their curiosity -concerning either the ancient planet or its culture. It instructed them -further in understanding the language, and addressed them as Unknown -friends--the nearest human translation. - -As was already apparent, the repository had been prepared to save the -highest products of the ancient Stroid culture from the destruction -that came upon the world. But the records did not even hint as to the -nature of that destruction and they said nothing about the objects in -the room. - -The scientists were a bit disappointed by the little revealed to them -so far, but, as expected, there were instructions to enter the next -lower level. There, an entirely different situation confronted them. - -The chamber into which they came after winding down a long, spiral -stairway, narrow, yet with the same high steps as before, was spherical -in shape and seemed to be concentric with the outer shell of the -repository. It contained a single object. - -The object was a cube in the center of the chamber, about two feet on -a side. From the corners of the cube, long supports of complicated -spring structure led to the inner surface of the spherical chamber. -It appeared to be a highly effective shock mounting for whatever was -contained within the cube. - - * * * * * - -The sight before the men was impressive in simplicity, yet was -anticlimactic, for there was nothing here of the great wonders that -they had expected. There was only the suspended cube--and a book. - -Quickly, Phyfe advanced along the narrow catwalk that led from the -opening to the cube. The book lay on a shelf fastened to the side of -the cube. Phyfe opened it to the first sheet and read haltingly and -laboriously: - -"Greetings, Unknown Friends, Greetings to you from the Great One. By -the token that you are now reading this, you have proven yourselves -mentally capable of understanding the new world of knowledge and -discovery that may be yours. - -"I am Demarzule, the Great One the greatest of great Sirenia--and the -last. And within the storehouse of my mind is the vast knowledge that -made Sirenia the greatest world in all the Universe. - -"Great as it was, however, destruction came to the world of Sirenia. -But her knowledge and her wonders shall never pass. In ages after, new -worlds will rise and beings will inhabit them, and they will come to a -minimum plane of knowledge that will assure their appreciation of the -wonders that may be theirs from the world of Sirenia. - -"You have minimum technical knowledge, else you could not have created -the radiation necessary to render the storehouse penetrable. You have a -minimum semantic knowledge, else you could not have understood my words -that have brought you this far. - -"You are fit and capable to behold the Great One of Sirenia!" - -As Phyfe turned over the first metal sheet, the men looked at each -other. It was Nichols, the semanticist, who said, "There are only two -possibilities in a mind that would write a statement of that kind. -Either it belonged to a truly superior being, or to a maniac. So far, -in man's history, there has not been encountered such a superior being. -If he existed, it would have been wonderful to have known him." - -Phyfe paused and peered with difficulty through the helmet of the -spacesuit. He continued, "I live. I am eternal. I am in your midst, -Unknown Friends, and to your hands falls the task of bringing speech to -my voice, and sight to my eyes, and feeling to my hands. Then, when you -have fulfilled your mighty task, you shall behold me and the greatness -of the Great One of Sirenia." - -Enright, the photographer said, "What the devil does that mean? The guy -must have been nuts. He sounds like he expected to come back to life." - -The feeling within Underwood was more than bearable. It was composed -of surging anticipation and quiet fearfulness, and they mingled in a -raging torrent. - -The men made no sound as Phyfe read on, "I shall live again. The Great -One shall return, and you who are my Unknown Friends shall assist me to -return to life. Then and only then shall you know the great secrets of -the world of Sirenia which are a thousand times greater than your own. -Only then shall you become mighty, with the secrets of Sirenia locked -in my brain. By the powers I shall reveal, you shall become mighty -until there are none greater in all the Universe." - - * * * * * - -Phyfe turned the page. Abruptly he stopped. He turned to Underwood. -"The rest of it is yours," he said. - -"What--?" - -Underwood glanced at the page of inscription. With difficulty he took -up the reading silently. The substance of the writings had changed and -here was a sudden wilderness of an alien science. - -Slowly he plodded through the first concepts, then skimmed as it became -evident that here was material for days of study. But out of his hasty -scanning there came a vision of a great dream, a dream of conquest of -the eons, the preservation of life while worlds waned and died and -flared anew. - -It told of an unknown radiation turned upon living cells, reducing them -to primeval protoplasm, arresting all but the _symbol_ of metabolism. - -And it spoke of other radiation and complex chemical treatment, a -fantastic process that could restore again the life that had been only -_symbolized_ by the dormant protoplasm. - -Underwood looked up. His eyes went from the featureless cube to the -faces of his companions. - -"It's alive!" he breathed. "Five hundred million years--and it's alive! -These are instructions by which it may be restored!" - -None of the others spoke, but Underwood's eyes were as if a sudden, -great commission had been placed upon him. Out of the turmoil of his -thoughts a single purpose emerged, clear and irrevocable. - -Within that cube lay dormant matter that could be formed into a -brain--an alien but mighty brain. Suddenly, Underwood felt an -irrational kinship with the ancient creature who had so conquered time, -and in his own mind he silently vowed that if it lay within his power, -that creature would live again, and speak its ancient secrets. - - - - -_CHAPTER FOUR_ - - -"Del!" The shock of surprise and the flush of pleasure heightened the -beauty of Illia's delicate features. She stood in the doorway, the -aureole of her pale golden hair backlighted by the illumination from -within the room. - -"Surprised?" said Underwood. He always found it difficult to speak for -a moment after the first sight of Illia. No one would guess a beauty -like her to be the top surgeon of Medical Center. - -"Why didn't you let me know you were coming? It's not fair--" - -"--not to give you time to build up your defenses?" - -She nodded silently as he took her into his arms. But quickly she broke -away and led him to the seat by the broad windows overlooking the night -lights of the city below. - -"Have you come back?" she said. - -"Back? You put such a confusing amount of meaning into ordinary words, -Illia." - -She smiled and sat down beside him, and swiftly changed the subject. -"Tell me about the expedition. Archeology has always seemed the most -futile of all sciences, but I've supposed that was because I could find -nothing in common between it and my medical science, nothing in common -with the future. I've wondered what a physicist could find in it." - -"I think you'll find something in common with our latest discovery. We -have a living though dormant creature on an equal or superior plane of -intelligence with us. Its age is around half a million years. You will -be interested in the medical aspects of that, I am sure." - - * * * * * - -For a moment Illia sat as if she hadn't heard him. Then she said, "That -could be a discovery to change a world, if you're sure of what you've -found." - -Underwood felt irritation more because he had been trying to fight down -the same idea himself than because she had spoken it. "Your semantic -extensions would turn Phyfe's whiskers white. We haven't found any such -world-shaking discovery. We've found a creature out of another age and -another culture, but it's not going to disrupt or change our society." - -"If it's a scientifically superior culture, how do you know what it -will do?" - -"We don't, but to apply so many extensions only confuses our -interpretation more. I mention it because we are going to need a -biological advisor. I thought you might like to be it." - -Her eyes were staring far out across the halo of the city's lights. She -said, "Del, is it human?" - -"Human? What's human? Is intelligence human? Can any other factor of -our existence be defined as human? If you can tell me that, perhaps I -can answer. So far, we only know that it is a sentient creature of high -scientific culture." - -"Then that alone makes its relationship with us a sympathetic one?" - -"Why, I suppose so. I see no reason why not." - -"Yes. Yes, I agree with you! And don't you see? It can be a germ -of rejuvenation, a nucleus to gather the scattered impulses of our -culture and unify them in an absorption of this new science. Look -what biological knowledge the mere evidence of suspended animation -indicates." - -"All right." Underwood laughed faintly in resignation. "There's no use -trying to avoid such a discussion with you, is there, Illia? You'd take -the first flower of spring and project a whole summer's glory from it, -wouldn't you?" - -"But am I wrong in this? The people of Earth need _something_ to cement -them together in this period of disillusionment. This could be it." - -"I know," said Underwood. "We talked it over out there before we -decided to go ahead with the restoration. We talked and argued for -hours. Some of the men wanted to destroy the thing immediately because -it is impossible to forecast the effect of this discovery from a -strictly semantic standpoint. We have no data. - -"Terry Bernard definitely fought for its destruction. Phyfe is afraid -of the possible consequences, but he maintains that we haven't the -right to destroy it because it is too great a heritage. I maintain -that from a purely scientific standpoint we have no right to consider -anything but restoration, regardless of consequences. - -"And there is something more--the personal element. A creature whose -imagination and daring were great enough to preserve his ego through an -age of five hundred thousand years deserves something more than summary -execution. He deserves the right to be known and heard. Actually, it -seems ridiculous to fear anything that can come of this. Well, Phyfe -and Terry are expert semanticists, and they're afraid--" - -"Oh, they're wrong, Del! They _must_ be wrong. If they have no data, -if they have only a hunch, a prejudice, it's ridiculous for them as -scientists to be swayed by such feelings." - -"I don't know. I wash my hands of all such aspects of the problem. -I only know that I'm going to see that a guy who's got the brains -and guts this one must have had has his chance to be heard. So far, -I'm on the winning side. Tomorrow I'm going to see Boarder and the -Director's Committee with Phyfe. If you're interested in taking the job -I mentioned, come along." - - * * * * * - -The enthusiasm of the directors was even greater than that of Illia, -if possible. None of them seemed to share the fears of some of the -expedition members. And, somehow, in the warm familiarity of the -committee room, those fears seemed fantastically groundless. Boarder, -the elder member of the committee of directors, could not hold back -his tears as he finished the report and Underwood had given verbal -amplification. - -"What a wonderful thing that this should have happened in our -lifetime," he said. "Do you think it is feasible? The thing seems -so--so fantastic, the restoration of a living creature of half a -million years ago." - -"I'm sure I don't know the answer to that," said Underwood. "No one -does. The construction of the equipment described by the Stroid, -though, is completely within range of our technical knowledge. I'm -certain that we can set it up exactly according to specifications. It -is possible that too much time has passed and the protoplasm has died. -It is possible that Demarzule thought in terms of hundreds of years, -or, at the most, a few thousand, before he would be found. There is -no way to know except to construct the equipment and carry out the -experiment, which I will do if the Directors wish to authorize the -expenditure." - -"There is no question of that!" said Boarder. "We'd mortgage the entire -Institution if necessary! I'm wondering what laboratory space we can -use. Why not put it in the new Carlson Museum building? The specimens -for the Carlson can stay in the warehouse for a while longer." - -Boarder looked about the circle of Directors facing him. He saw nods -and called for a vote. His proposal was upheld. - -With approval given, Phyfe returned to the expedition to supervise -the transfer of the repository of Demarzule to Earth, while Underwood -began infinitely detailed planning for the construction and setup of -equipment as specified by the instructions he had brought from the -Stroid repository. - -The great semanticist, Dreyer, was asked to help in a consulting -capacity for the whole project; specifically, to assist in -retranslation of the records to make absolutely certain of their -interpretation of the scientific instructions. - -Dreyer was a short, squat man who had never been caught without a thick -black cigar from which billowed endless columns of pale blue smoke. His -face was round and baby-calm. He gave the impression of having achieved -the impossible goal of complete serenity in a world that swirled with -unceasing turmoil. - - * * * * * - -He listened quietly when approached, and when Phyfe and Underwood had -finished their stories, he said, "Yes, I shall be glad to help. This is -a thing of great importance." - -But Underwood was forced to shed his mind of sociological and semantic -implications of the job they were doing. The technical work involved -was of tremendous complexity and magnitude. A mountainous quantity of -complicated equipment had to be designed and built, but as Underwood -deciphered the instructions of the Stroids and had it verified by -Dreyer, he could find no short cuts, nor did he dare attempt any. - -The Carlson Museum had been designed along the lines of an ancient -Greek temple and was set prominently on a low hill apart from other -groups of buildings of the Smithson. Its glistening marble columns -made a landmark for miles. It was rather symbolical in a way, Underwood -thought, that such an imposing edifice should be appointed for the -resurrection of the ancient Great One. - -The central hall of the museum was cleared of display cases which had -already been set up. Electronic and biological equipment began to flow -in as Underwood sent strange fabrication orders to scattered shops and -plants throughout the country. - - * * * * * - -When it was announced that the Carlson would not open on the date -previously set, the worldwide news associations were interested and -Underwood was suddenly besieged by reporters. He briefly outlined their -discovery. It would make some good science supplement yarns, Underwood -supposed, and by the time the reporters got through with the stories -they would have a whole race of monsters out of space being restored in -the Carlson. - -Underwood told them as much. - -But Davis of the Science Press shook his head. "No, that's not the -angle. Archeology always makes good stories, but this is the first -time archeology has ever produced any live specimens. We'll build the -creature up big from the sympathetic angle. What did you say the -inscriptions called him? The Great One?" - -Underwood nodded. - -"That's it! The mysterious, all knowing brain that has lain dormant in -the void for ages, waiting for the touch of a merciful hand to restore -life to that mighty intellect and receive in payment the magnificent -store of knowledge locked within it. That's the angle we'll use." - -Underwood mentally gagged and returned to his work. - -Slowly the equipment took shape within the large hall. The center -of construction was the ceramic bath which would hold the mass -of protoplasm in its nutrient solution and keep it in controlled -temperatures and pressures. The complex observation panel was being -assembled beside it. From this point every physiological function -of the developing mass could be observed as it progressed. Scores -of meters would give electronic readings which could be interpreted -in terms of developing functions. It was almost like watching the -development and growth of a foetus, for that appeared almost to be the -course of growth that was to be expected. - -Automatic valves would control the injection into the bath of nutrient -materials with an accuracy of a thousandth of a milligram. A dozen -operators would be trained, were now being selected, for the precise -task of watching the bath during every second of the growth of the -organism. - -The upper half of the walls of the bath was transparent, as was the -cover. Inside, under the cover, the broad reflecting cone of the -radiator would spray the long dormant protoplasm with life-giving -radiation. Giant generators required to provide this radiation filled -other parts of the hall. - - * * * * * - -It was five months after the actual discovery of the repository that -the restoration equipment was completed and tested and ready for use. -Public interest in the project had been aroused by the sensational news -reports, and a constant stream of people passed the Carlson to glimpse -the activities going on inside. - -The news stories built up the Stroid as the magnificent benefactor of -mankind, as Davis had promised. They presented a sympathetic aspect -of a creature imprisoned and doomed throughout the ages, and now -being released from bondage and ready to pour out blessings upon his -benefactors. - -Underwood didn't pay much attention to the news stories, but the -increasing swarms of people began to get in his way and hampered -operations. He was forced to ask the directors to fence off a large -area about the Carlson. - -During this time the _Lavoisier_ had been slowly swinging in an orbit -about the Earth to keep the repository, taken bodily into its hold, at -the temperature of space, until time for the transfer of the protoplasm -to the nutrient bath. - -Now, with everything completed at the Museum, Underwood and Phyfe -returned to the repository to direct the removal of the container -of protoplasm, leaving Terry Bernard in charge at the museum. The -operators and technicians were ready to take over their duties. - -Removal of the protoplasm to Earth was a critical operation. The bath -at the Carlson had been brought down to absolute zero and would be -brought up a few degrees at a time. - -Boarder and the other directors of the Institution did not share -Underwood's reluctance for publicity. They were accustomed to the ways -of the publicity writers, for much of the income of the Institute -depended upon such publicity which drew substantial contributions. - -So it was that the arrival of the _Lavoisier_ was widely announced. A -crowd of ten thousand gathered to watch the removal of the protoplasm -that had once been a great and alien being. - -Underwood stood in the control room watching the landing area beside -the Carlson as the ship settled deep into Earth's atmosphere. Gradually -he made out the identity of the black smear covering the landscape -about the white stone building that gleamed like a Grecian temple. - - * * * * * - -Terry, beside him, exclaimed, "Look at that mob! The whole town must be -out to welcome our guest." - -"If they don't get out of the landing area, they'll be smeared over the -landscape. Collins, contact the base and get that field cleared!" - -The communications officer put the call in. The laboratory ship circled -idly while the mob moved slowly back to permit the ship to touch down -beside the building. - -Underwood raced out of the ship and into the building. His technicians -were standing by. Each one in turn reported his position operating -properly. Then Underwood called back to the ship and ordered the -portable lock released. - -At once the massive cargo hold was thrown open and the thick-walled -lock, bearing the container of protoplasm, was wheeled out. - -The crowd caught sight of it as it rolled swiftly into the building. -Someone in the far ranks sent up a cry. "Hail the Great One! Welcome -to Earth!" - -The shout was taken up by hundreds, then thousands of throats until -a sea of sound washed against the ears of those within the building. -Underwood paused and turned to look out as the sound caught him. A -faint chill went through him. - -"The fools," he said angrily to Terry. "They'll drive themselves into -hysteria if they keep that up. Why didn't the directors keep this whole -business quiet? They ought to have known how it would affect a mob of -bystanders." - -From a distance, Illia and Dreyer watched silently. Underwood hurried -away to give attention to the cargo. The lock was wheeled close to -the bath and a passage was opened as the two containers were brought -adjacent. On sterile slides, the frozen protoplasmic mass slid forward -and came to rest at last within the machine for which it had waited -half a million years. - -There was utter lack of response to that final placement of the mass. -Yet those who watched knew that the great experiment had begun. In six -months, they would find out if they were successful. - -Underwood sent the carriage back to the ship, and the _Lavoisier_ -moved to the Institute's spaceport. Then Boarder entered with a score -of photographers and newsmen in his wake. They took pictures of the -equipment and technicians, and of the protoplasm lying inert within the -bath, in which the nutrient liquids would be placed after a temperature -of a hundred degrees had been reached. - -Underwood did not have time to pay any attention to the newsmen. He -tried to be everywhere at once, inspecting meters and gauges, assuring -himself that all was functioning well. Every piece of equipment was -triply installed for safety in case of breakdown. The instructions -warned that, once started, the process of restoration must not be -interrupted or death to the Great One would result. - -When he had finished his inspection, Underwood felt suddenly exhausted. -He turned away to avoid the newsmen whom Boarder was now lecturing on -the subject of the strange repository in space and its even stranger -inhabitant. - -Underwood spied the aged figure standing almost unseen near the recess -between two panels. It was Phyfe and he spoke slowly as Underwood -approached. - -"It is begun," the old archeologist said slowly. "And it can never be -undone." - -Underwood felt again that chill of apprehension and looked sharply at -Phyfe, but the latter was staring straight ahead--straight at the inert -block of protoplasm. - - - - -_CHAPTER FIVE_ - - -Phyfe asked to be relieved of his duties as head of the expedition -still in the field in order that he might devote his entire time to -a study of Stroid records and manuscripts now in existence. Terry -Bernard gave up field work to assist him in order to be near the site -of restoration. With them was Dreyer, who attacked with feverish effort -the translation of the language that had defied him so long. - -Underwood was concerned with the resurrection itself. He sensed that -the very secret of life was involved in the work he was doing. The -instruction book left by the Stroid was in the nature of an operating -manual, however, rather than a theoretical text, and now that the -experiment was actually under way, Underwood abandoned everything in an -attempt to study fully the processes that were taking place. - -So occupied were they with their own studies that the scientists -scarcely noticed the public reaction to the creature they were -attempting to restore. - -The first outward sign had been that wild cry of welcome the day the -protoplasm was brought to Earth. - -The next was the Sunday sermon preached by one of the multitude of -obscure religious leaders in a poorly attended meeting in a luxurious -church in that same city. - -William B. Hennessey had been a publicity man in his early years -before the full breakdown began to show, and he was conscious of good -publicity values. But perhaps he half believed what he wrote and the -mere preaching of it convinced him it was so. It is probable that there -were other preachers who took the same theme that Sunday morning, but -William B. Hennessey's was the one that got the news publicity. - -He said, "How many of this congregation this morning are among those -who have given up in the race of life, who have despaired of values -and standards to cling to, who have forsaken the leadership of all who -would lead you? Perhaps you are among the millions of those who have -given up all hope of solving the great problems of life. If you are, -I want to ask if you were among those who witnessed the miraculous -arrival of the Gift out of the Ages. Were you among those who saw the -Great One?" - -William B. Hennessey paused. "For centuries we have looked for -leadership in our own midst and not found it. They were, after all, -merely human. But now, into the hands of our noble scientists, has been -imparted the great task of awakening the sleeping Great One, and when -they have completed their work, the Golden Age of Earth will be upon us. - -"I call upon you to throw off the shackles of despair. Come out of the -prison of your disillusionment. Make ready to greet the Great One on -the day of his rising. Let your hearts and minds be ready to receive -the message that he shall give, and to obey the words of counsel you -shall surely be given, for truly from a greater world and a brighter -land than ours has come the Great One to preserve us!" - - * * * * * - -Within an hour Hennessey's words were flashed around the world. - -Terry was the only one of the scientists on the project who heard about -it. He went over to the museum in the afternoon and found Underwood and -Dreyer at the test board. - -"Some crackpot preacher this morning gave out a sermon on Oscar here." -He jerked a thumb toward the bath. "He says we've got the solution to -all the world's ills. He's calling on the people to worship Oscar." - -"You might know some fool thing like that would happen." - -Dreyer emitted a single, explosive puff of cigar smoke. "A religious -cult based upon this alien intelligence. We should have predicted that -development. I wonder why our computations failed to indicate it." - -"I think it's dangerous," said Terry. "It could turn into serious -business." - -"What do you mean? I don't get it," said Underwood. - -"Don't you see the implications? The whole trouble with our culture -is disillusionment, lack of leadership. If this thing turns out to be -sentient, intelligent--even superior--why, it could become anything the -people wanted to make it, president, dictator, god, or what not." - -"Oh, take it easy," Underwood said. "This is just one little tin-horn -preacher who probably didn't have more than a hundred in his -congregation. The news broadcasts must have treated it as a humorous -commentary on our experiments. Just the same, we should never have -allowed the news to be broadcast. It all started with that hysterical -mob the day we brought the protoplasm here." - -Dreyer shook his head amid the smoke aura. "No. It began long ago when -the first cave man plastered up his clay gods and found them cracked -in the Sun and washed away with the rains. It began when the first cave -chieftain was slain by a rival leader and his disillusioned followers -looked about for a new head man. It has been going on ever since." - - * * * * * - -"It's no concern of ours," said Underwood. - -Dreyer went on slowly, "As one by one the gods and chieftains fell, men -cast about for new leaders who would bear the burdens of mankind and -show the way to that illusive paradise that all men sought. Through the -ages there have always been those who would let themselves be lifted up -and called great, who would undertake to lead. Some had their eyes on -faraway starry places that man could never reach and their disciples -fell away, heartbroken and discouraged. Others sought their goal by -mastery over foreign men and nations and bathed their followers in -blood and disaster. But always their star fell and men never found the -elusive goal which they could not name nor define." - -"And so the Age of Disillusion," said Underwood bitterly. - -"But disillusion is a healthy thing. It leads to reality." - -"How can you call this healthy?" Underwood demanded. "Men believe in -nothing. They have lost faith in life itself." - -"Faith in life? I wonder what that means," said Dreyer, musingly. -"Watch your extensions, Dr. Underwood." - -Underwood flushed, recalling Illia's remark that Dreyer would tear off -every other word and throw it back at him. "All right, then. There are -no governments, no leaders, no religions to lean upon in times of need, -because men have no confidence in such sources." - -"All of which is a sign that they are approaching a stage in which they -will no longer need such support. And, like a baby in his first steps, -they stumble and fall. They get bruised and cry, as I detect that many -of our scientists have done, else they would not have run away to Venus -and other places." - -Underwood blinked from the sting of Dreyer's rebuke. "That's the second -time I've been accused of running away," he said. - -"No offense," Dreyer said. "I am merely stating facts. That you do -not believe them is not to your condemnation, only a commentary on -the state of your knowledge. But our discussion is on the restoration -of the alien, and your knowledge may have far-reaching effects in the -disposition of this project." - -"Policy is controlled by the directors, who will be guided by your -recommendations--" - -Dreyer shook his head. "No, I think not, unless it pleases them. Should -I ever recommend destruction of the alien, I would have to work through -you. And that would take much convincing, would it not?" - -"Plenty," said Underwood. "Are you recommending that now?" - -"Not yet. No, not yet." - -Slowly, Dreyer moved away toward the massive bath that housed the -alien, Demarzule, Hetrarra of Sirenia, the Great One. - - * * * * * - -Underwood watching the beetle-back of the semanticist felt deflated by -the encounter. Dreyer seemed always so nerve-rackingly calm. Underwood -wondered if it were possible to acquire such immunity to turmoil. - -He turned back to Terry, who had stood in silent agreement with Dreyer. -"How are you and Phyfe coming along?" - -"It's a slow business, even with the help of the key in the repository. -That was apparently pure Stroid III, but we have two other languages or -dialects that are quite different and we seem to have more specimens -of those than we do of Stroid III. Phyfe thinks he's on the way to -cracking both Stroid I and II, though. Personally, I'd like to get -back out to the asteroids, if it weren't for Demarzule. I wasn't meant -to be a scholar." - -"Stick with it. I'm hoping that we can have some kind of idea what the -Stroid civilization was like by the time Demarzule revives." - -"How is it coming?" - -"Cell formation is taking place, but how organs will ever develop -is more than I can see. We're just waiting and observing. Four -motion picture cameras are constantly at work, some through electron -microscopes. At the end of six months we'll at least have a record of -what occurred, regardless of what it is." - -The mass of life grew and multiplied its millions of cells. Meanwhile, -another growth, less tangible but no less real, was swiftly rising and -spreading through the Earth. The mind of each man it encompassed was -one of its cells, and they were multiplying no less rapidly than those -of the growth within the marble museum building. The leadership of men -by men had proven false beyond all hope of ever restoring the dream of -a mortal man who could raise his fellows to the heights of the stars. -But the Great One was something else again. Utterly beyond all Earthly -build and untainted with the flaws of Earthmen, he was the gift of the -gods to man--he _was_ a god who would lift man to the eternal heights -of which he had dreamed. - -The flame spread and leaped the oceans of Earth. It swept up all creeds -and races and colors. - -Delmar Underwood looked up from his desk in annoyance as a pompous, -red-faced man of short, stout build was ushered in by his secretary. -The man halted halfway between the door and the desk and bowed slightly. - -He said, "I address the Prophet Underwood by special commission of the -Disciples." - -"What the devil--?" Underwood frowned and extended a hand toward a -button. But he didn't ring. The visitor extended an envelope. - -"And by special authorization of Director Boarder of the Institute!" - - * * * * * - -Still keeping his eyes on the man, Underwood accepted the envelope and -ripped it open. In formal language and the customary red tape manner, -it instructed Underwood to hear the visitor, one William B. Hennessey, -and grant the request that Hennessey would make. - -Underwood knew him now. His throat felt suddenly dry. "What's this all -about?" - -The man shrugged disparagingly. "I am only a poor Disciple of the Great -One, who has been commissioned by his fellows to seek a favor at the -hands of the Prophet Underwood." - -As Underwood looked into the man's eyes, he felt a chill, and a wave of -apprehension swept over him with staggering force. - -"Sit down," he said. "What is it you want?" He wished Dreyer were here -to place some semantic evaluation upon this crazy incident. - -"The Disciples of the Great One would have the privilege of viewing the -Master," said Hennessey as he sat down near the desk. "You scientists -are instruments selected for a great task. The Great One did not come -only to a select few. He came to all mankind. We request the right to -visit the temple quietly and view the magnificent work you are doing -as you restore our Master to life so that we may receive of his great -gifts." - -Underwood could picture the laboratory filled with bowing, praying, -yelling, fanatic worshippers crowding around, destroying equipment and -probably trying to walk off with bits of holy protoplasm. He pressed -a switch and spun a dial savagely. In a moment the face of Director -Boarder was on the tiny screen before him. - -"This fanatic Hennessey is here. I just wanted to check on the possible -liability before having him thrown out on his ear." - -Boarder's face grew frantic. "Don't do that! You got my note? Do -exactly as I said. Those are orders!" - -"But we can't carry on an experiment with a bunch of fanatics yapping -at our heels." - - * * * * * - -"I don't care how you do it. You've got to give them what they want. -Either that or fold up the experiment. The latest semi-weekly poll -shows they effectively control eighty million votes. You know what that -means. One word to the Congressional scientific committee and all of us -would be out on our ear." - -"We could shut the thing up and call it off. The protoplasm would just -quietly die and then what would these birds have to worship?" - -"Destruction of government property _can_ carry the death penalty," -said Boarder ominously. "Besides, you're too much of the scientist to -do that. You want to see the thing through just as much as the rest of -us do. If I had the slightest fear that you'd destroy it, I'd yank you -out of there before you knew where you were--but I haven't any such -fears." - -"Yes, you're right, but these--" Underwood made a grimace as if he were -trying to swallow an oyster with fur on. - -"I know. We've got to put up with it. The scientist who survives in -this day and age is the one who adjusts to his environment." Boarder -grinned sourly. - -"I went out to space to escape the environment. Now I'm right back in -it, only worse than ever." - -"Well, look, Underwood, why can't you just build a sort of balcony with -a ramp running across the lab so that these Disciples of the Great One -can look down into the bath? You could feed them in at one end of the -building and run them out the other. That way it wouldn't upset you. -After all, it's only going to last six months." - -"When the Stroid revives, they'll probably want to put him on a throne -with a radiant halo about his head." Boarder laughed. "If he represents -the civilization whose artifacts we've found on the asteroids, I think -he'll take care of his 'Disciples' in short order. Anyway, you'll have -to do as they demand. It won't last long." - -Boarder cut off and Underwood turned back to the bland Hennessey, who -sat as if nothing would ever disturb him. - -"You see," Hennessey said, "I knew what the outcome would be. I had -faith in the Great One." - -"Faith! You knew that the scientific committee would back you up -because you represent eighty million neurotic crackpots. What will you -do when your Great One wakes up and tells you all to go to hell?" - -Hennessey smiled quietly. "He won't. I have faith." - - - - -_CHAPTER SIX_ - - -Two days later, Underwood received a call from Phyfe, asking for an -appointment. It was urgent; that was all Phyfe would tell him. - -The archeologist had not heard of the demands of the Disciples. He was -surprised to see the construction under way in the great central hall -where the restoration equipment was installed. - -He found Underwood with Illia in the laboratory examining films of the -protoplasmic growth. - -"What are you building out there?" he asked. "I thought you had all the -equipment in." - -"A monument to human stupidity," Underwood growled. Then he told Phyfe -of the orders he had received. "We're putting in a balcony so that the -faithful can look down upon their Great One. Boarder says we'll have to -put up with this nonsense for six months." - -"Why six months?" - -"Demarzule will be revived by then or else we'll have failed. In either -case, the Disciples will have come to an end." - -"Why?" - -Underwood glanced up in irritation. "If he's dead, they won't have -anything to worship. And if he lives, he certainly won't have anything -to do with them." - -"I could ask another 'why,'" said Phyfe, "but I'll put it this way. -You know nothing of how he will act if he lives. And if he dies he'll -probably be a martyr that will establish a new worldwide religion--with -those of us who have had to do with this experiment and its failure -being burned at the stake." - -Underwood laid down the sheaf of films. Out among the asteroids he -had learned to respect the old archeologist's opinions but Dreyer had -already laid more of a burden upon him than he felt he should bear. - -"The technological aspects of this problem are more than you say you -have found?" - -"Fortunately for us, certain Stroid records were small metallic plates -whose molecular structure was altered according to script or vocal -patterns. Some of the boys in the lab have developed a device for -listening to the audio records. We have actually heard the _voices_ of -the Stroids! At least there are sounds that resemble a spoken language. -But it is what we have found on the written records that brought me -here. - -"More than eighty-five years ago, the most fortunate find previous -to the discovery of the repository was made. An extensive cache of -historical records was uncovered by Dickens, one of the early workers -in the field. They were almost fused together, and the molecular -alteration was barely traceable due to exposure to terrific heat. -But we've succeeded in separating the plates and transferring their -records in amplified form to new sheets. And we can read them. We -have a remarkably complete section of Stroid history just before -their extermination, and, if we are reading it correctly, there's a -surprising fact about them." - -"What is that?" - -"They were not native to this Solar System. They were extra-galactic -refugees whose home world had been destroyed in something completely -revolting in an intellect that would foresee the doom of a world and -set about to assure its own preservation." - -"But that is only your own subjective extension," Illia answered. -"There is no such semantic concept in the idea." - - * * * * * - -"Isn't there? The egotism, the absolute lack of concern for a -creature's fellows--those are semantically contained in it. And that -is why I'm more than a little afraid of what we shall find if we do -succeed in reviving this creature. How is it developing?" - -"It seems to be going through a sort of conventional embryonic growth," -Illia answered. "It's already passed a pseudo-blastic stage. So far, it -has generally mammalian characteristics; more than that is impossible -to say. But what about this new evidence enough for my mental capacity. -I can't and won't give a damn about any other aspects." - -"You must!" Phyfe's eyes were suddenly afire, demanding, unyielding. -"We have new evidence--Terry may have been right when he asked to have -the protoplasm destroyed." - -Illia froze. "What evidence?" - -"What type of mentality would attempt to preserve itself through a -planetary catastrophe that destroyed all its contemporaries?" asked -Phyfe. "I find some great interstellar conflict and whose enemies -eventually traced them and destroyed for the second time the world -on which they lived. Out of all that ancient people, destroyed as -completely as was Carthage, only this single individual remained. - -"Do you see the significance of that? If he lives, he will live again -with the same war-born hate and lust for revenge that filled him as he -saw his own world fall!" - -"It won't survive the knowledge that all that he fought for -disappeared geologic ages past," objected Underwood. "Besides, you are -contradicting yourself. If he was so unconcerned about his own world, -perhaps he had no interest in the conflict. Maybe he was the supreme -genius of his day and wanted only to escape from a useless carnage that -he could not stop." - -"No, there is no contradiction," said Phyfe earnestly. "That is typical -of the war leader who has brought his people to destruction. At the -moment when disaster overwhelms them, he thinks only of himself. The -specimen we have here is a supreme example of what such egocentric -desires for self-preservation lead to." - -Phyfe abruptly rose from the chair and tossed a sheaf of papers on the -laboratory bench. "Here it is. Read it for yourself. It's a pretty free -translation of the story we found on Dickens' records." - - * * * * * - -He left abruptly. Illia and Underwood turned to the short script he had -left behind and began reading. - -The hundred mighty vessels of the Sirenian Empire flung themselves -across space that was made tangible by their velocity. The impregnable -heart of the fleet was deep in the hull of the flagship, _Hebrian_, -where the Sirenian Hetrarra, Demarzule, slumped sullenly before the -complex panel that reported all the workings of his vast fleet. - -Beside him was the old but sinewy figure of Toshmere, the genius who -had saved this remnant of the once mighty empire that could have put a -million vessels like these into space at one time. - -Toshmere said, "Further flight is useless. Our instruments show that -the Dragbora are gaining. Their fleet outnumbers us ten to one. Even -with my protective screens, we can't hope to resist long. They've got -the one weapon we can't withstand. They're determined to wipe out the -last of the Sirenian Empire." - -"And I'm determined to wipe out the last of the Dragbora!" Demarzule -snapped in sudden fury. He rose out of the chair and paced the room. "I -shall live! I shall live to see their world blasted to energy and the -last Dragbor dead. Is the repository nearly ready?" - -Toshmere nodded. - -"And you are certain of your method?" - -"Yes. Would you care to see our final results?" - -Demarzule nodded and Toshmere led the way through the door and down the -long corridor to the laboratory where lay Demarzule's hopes of spanning -the eons and escaping the enemy who had sworn no quarter. - -The Sirenian Hetrarra watched impassively as the scientist put a -small animal into a bowl-like chamber. He backed away behind a shield -and pressed a switch. Instantly, the animal was bathed in a flood of -orange glow and a terrible look of pain crossed the animal's face while -hideous cries came from its throat. - - * * * * * - -"It is not pleasant," observed Demarzule. - -"No," said Toshmere. "But it is necessary that it be done with full -consciousness of mind. Otherwise, proper restoration cannot be made." - -The ruler was impassive as the animal's cries slowly died while its -body melted under the glow of the beam--literally melted until it -flowed into a pool at the bottom of the bowl where it quivered with -residual life forces. - -"Pure protoplasm," explained Toshmere. "It can be frozen to absolute -zero and the remaining metabolism will be undetectable, yet life will -remain, perhaps for a thousand _ela_, long enough for new worlds to -form and old ones die." - -"Long enough for the last Dragbor to die--while I, Demarzule, Hetrarra -of Sirenia, live on in glory and triumph." - -Toshmere smiled a thin smile that Demarzule did not see in his own -preoccupation. What a tragedy for the civilizations of the Universe -if Demarzule or any remnant of the Sirenian Empire should survive, -Toshmere thought. The Dragbora had well considered their plans when -they set upon a program of complete extermination for the Sirenians. - -His own life would be far more worthy of salvation from the impending -doom than that of Demarzule. From the first moment that he had -conceived the repository and presented the idea to Demarzule, Toshmere -had planned that it would hold not Demarzule, but Toshmere himself. - -There was only one way to go ahead with such a gigantic project, -however, and that was letting Demarzule believe that it would be for -him. Since it could not be prepared in secret, Demarzule would have to -assent to the construction. He would do that if he thought it were for -himself. The idea would appeal to his egotistical mind; the thought of -his own personality spanning the eons, while all the civilization he -knew decayed and was swept away, would delight him. - -"The revival," said Demarzule. "Let me see how life is to be brought -back." - -Toshmere swung another projector into line above the bowl and snapped -another switch. Invisible rays suddenly bathed the mass of shapeless -protoplasm within the bowl. As they watched, it quivered and flowed, -swiftly changing shapes, and growth and life took possession of it. - - * * * * * - -The ruler of the Sirenians watched the reformation of the animal in the -bowl. Limbs and torso formed in shadowy gray outline, then abruptly -solidified and the animal leaped up, alive and startled. - -Even Demarzule was somewhat taken aback by the seeming miracle. "It is -swift," he remarked. "The specimen is unharmed?" - -"Completely," said Toshmere. "The process is not so rapid after a long -period of time has elapsed. The level of life is very low, but never -will it completely disappear. The lower it is, however, the longer it -takes for restoration. After many hundred _ela_, it might require as -much as a _tor-ela_." - -"But it would be sure to succeed regardless?" - -Toshmere nodded. - -The hundred ships of the Sirenian bore on their steady course with the -enemy constantly gaining even though Galaxies away. At last the lookout -spotted a likely System in which the fifth planet showed signs of -habitability. Demarzule ordered preparations be made for a halt. - -The planet they found was inhabited by the remnants of a dying -civilization that had retro-graded almost to its infancy. The -opposition offered was quickly disposed of and the Sirenian refugees -began the frantic and hopeless task of constructing defenses against -the coming of the overwhelming force of the Dragbora, defenses they -knew were as penetrable as air to the new, fearful weapon strength of -the enemy. - -But while gigantic screen generators were swiftly reared against -the sky and beam emplacements were dug, the best and wisest of the -scientists were busy preparing the repository for the Hetrarra, -Demarzule. - -The huge, crystal-like container, which would be rendered impervious to -all known forces except the key frequency whose formula was inscribed -upon the outside, was to be lowered thousands of feet into the great -ore beds of the planet, in the hope of avoiding the final blast that -would shear the planet. - -Two men would go into that repository, but only one would survive the -eons. - -Toshmere was the only one completely acquainted with the entire process -so that it would be necessary for him to direct the operation of the -instruments. But Toshmere knew that Demarzule had no intention of -allowing him to leave the repository with knowledge of its secrets--any -more than Toshmere intended that Demarzule should be the one to benefit -by those secrets. - -For three _tor-ela_ the Sirenians worked frantically, putting up -their mighty defense works, and then their lookout posted a hundred -thousand light years out in space announced the arrival of the terrible -Dragboran fleet--just before a tongue of light from that fleet lashed -out at him and swept him into the eternities. - - * * * * * - -Toshmere approached Demarzule in his headquarters as the word came. -"There is not much time left, Hetrarra. The repository is ready." - -Demarzule looked out upon the sprawling works and great machines so -pitifully huddled together on an alien planet. This was all that -remained of the vast empire which he had dreamed of extending to the -limits of space itself, the empire over which he was to have been -supreme Hetrarra. And in a short moment this remnant would be wiped out -under the devastating supremacy of the now mightier Dragbora. - -He looked at Toshmere hesitantly. In the face of certain death the old, -lean, sinewy scientist showed nothing but calm. The Hetrarra took one -final glance at the remnants of his Sirenian Empire and nodded. - -"I am ready," he said. - -They went out to the entrance to the shaft leading toward the heart of -the planet. The shaft had been built with the knowledge of only a few -Sirenians and none of them were aware of its purpose, thinking rather -that it was a means of defense. - -Nobody saw the Hetrarra and the genius Toshmere enter the elevator that -carried them forever into the depths below the surface of the planet. - -Underwood and Illia came to the end of the page and Underwood swore -softly as he thumbed through the few remaining sheets. There was no -more about the ancient Demarzule and Toshmere. - -The writer of the history had apparently been one of the Sirenian -scientists, a confidant and friend of Toshmere who had been close to -him in those last days. He had been one of the few to witness the -descent of the two into the depths of the planet, but he knew nothing -of what happened when they reached the bottom and sealed the repository. - -_He did not know which one had survived in that mighty struggle that -must have taken place below._ - -And shortly no one of the Sirenians cared what the fate of their -deserting Hetrarra might have been, for the great Dragboran fleet was -upon them. With the mighty, unknown weapon that struck terror to the -mightiest of Sirenia, they sped out of space and swiftly nullified the -Sirenian defenses. It was a carnage that was frightful even to the -Sirenians, so schooled in the methods of shedding blood. Their defenses -might not have existed for all the effect they had on their enemy. At -first one by one, and then by tens, the operators were touched by death -and their machines turned to molten ruin. - -At last, when only incandescent metal and sprawling dead lay of the -Sirenian fleet, the enemy ships withdrew, and the handful of survivors -dared hope that there might be escape for them. - - * * * * * - -But there was none. As the fleet withdrew beyond their vision, a -single small ship appeared in the heavens and they screamed with the -knowledge of what it was. But they were dead long before the planet -exploded into its component fragments which hurtled in all directions -into space. - -Underwood put the manuscript down, his mind reluctant to close the -scene of vast and terrible battle that had occurred so long ago. It -had answered some of the problems raised by asteroidal archeology. It -explained the utter lack of relationship between Stroid III, which -was the language of the Sirenians, and Stroid I and II, which were -undoubtedly native to the vanished planet. - -But this snatch of history prepared by the unknown scientist companion -of Toshmere raised the greatest enigma of all. - -Illia's eyes looked up into Underwood's. "Who could have won?" she -said. "If it was Toshmere, the alien will be all that we hoped he would -be. If it is Demarzule, then Terry is right--he should be destroyed." - -Underwood glanced out toward the nutrient bath where the alien slept, -where the shadowy outlines of a faintly human figure already appeared -in the misty depths of the nutrient solution. - -"It's got to be Toshmere," he said, and hoped he was right. - - - - -_CHAPTER SEVEN_ - - -The viewing balcony above the floor of the museum hall was completed -and the disciples of the Great One began to flow through in a -never-ending stream. To Underwood, it was a sickening, revolting sight. -As he watched the faces of those who came and worshipped at the shrine, -he saw them transformed, as if they had seen some great vision. They -came with burdens of care lining their faces--all ages, young and -old--and they left with shining eyes and uplifted faces. There were -even sick and crippled who came and left crutches, eyeglasses and -trusses. - -Twice a day, William B. Hennessey stood upon the balcony and uttered a -prayer to the Great One, and the stream of fanatic worshipers stopped -and bowed down. - -One of Underwood's biologists, Craven, was so fascinated by the -exhibition of mass hysteria that he asked for permission to make a -study of it. - -Underwood forced the spectacle out of his mind. He knew he couldn't -endure staying there at the museum if he allowed his mind to dwell upon -the decadence of mankind. - -The mass of protoplasm in the nutrient bath was becoming more and more -a typical mammalian embryo, anthropomorphic in most respects, but with -differences that Illia and Underwood could not assign to the natural -development of the creature, or to the unusual circumstances of its -revival, because there was no standard with which to compare it. - -Then, one day near the end of the fourth month, Underwood received an -urgent call from Phyfe. - -"Come over at once!" he said. "We've found the answer in the -repository. We know who the Great One is." - -"Who?" - -"I want you to see for yourself." - -Underwood swore as Phyfe cut off. He turned his observations over -to the operator on duty and left the building. The lexicography and -philography sections of the institute were in an old sprawling block -across the city by the spaceport; the semantics section was also housed -there. The repository had been taken there for continued examination. - -Dreyer and Phyfe met him. The old archeologist was trembling with -excitement. "I've found the mummy!" he said. - -"What mummy?" - -"The mummy of the one in the repository who was killed by the -successful one." - -"Who was it?" - -"You'll see. He left a record for the discoverers of the repository." - - * * * * * - -They went into the enclosure that had been built to house the alien -structure. Inside, the repository looked many times the size it had -appeared in space. Underwood followed them into the familiar passages. -They went down into the main chamber which had held the protoplasm of -the Great One. Then Underwood observed an opening leading lower down. - -"You found a way into the rest of the repository?" - -"Yes, and how unfortunate we were not to have found our way into that -portion first. But come." - -Phyfe disappeared through the narrow opening and they passed three -levels filled with unknown artifacts. Then at last they came to the -smallest chamber formed by the curve of the outside hull. It was too -small for them to stand upright and filled rapidly with Dreyer's cigar -smoke. - -"There it is, right where we found it," said Phyfe. - -Underwood looked at the thing without recognition. It appeared as if a -rather huge, dried-up bat had been carelessly tossed into the corner of -the chamber. - -"Completely dessicated," said Phyfe. "He didn't stay here long enough -between his death and the destruction of the planet for decay to -set in. He simply dried up as the molecules of water were frozen and -dispersed. I wish there were some way the biologists could find to -restore him. He's so shapeless it's difficult to tell what he looked -like." - -"But who is he?" - -"Here is the record he left. Apparently they had some kind of small -electric tool they carried with them to write on metallic surfaces. How -they read them is a mystery because we have to have a mass of equipment -as big as this chamber to decipher the stuff. Here are photographs of -his message that we have rendered visible." - -Underwood took the sheaf of photographs. They showed the walls of the -chamber including the dried mummy lying inert where it had fallen -in pain and death. But standing out in sharp white characters was a -lengthy inscription written by the ancient creature of eons ago. - -"Can you read it?" asked Phyfe. - -Underwood scanned the characters and nodded slowly. He had not been -able to keep up on the language as Phyfe had, but he could read it now -with fair facility. - -The first part of the message was a brief reiteration of the history -of the ill-fated refugees that he already knew, but then he came to a -fresh portion. - -"Demarzule has slain me!" the message read. - - * * * * * - -The words were like pellets of ice suddenly shot with bullet speed into -his face. He looked up at the impassive faces of the other two men and -read there the decision they had made. - -Then, slowly, his eyes lowered to the sheet again and he went on -deliberately with the reading. - -"I have attempted to get to the main chamber and destroy the -transformation equipment, but I cannot. Demarzule has learned how to -operate the equipment. Though there is nothing creative in him, and all -his aims are of conquest and destruction, he still has the command of -vast stores of Sirenian science. - -"I am not a warrior or clever in the ways of fighting. It was not -difficult for Demarzule to best me. I die soon, therefore it is for you -who may read this in the ages to come. This is my message to you, my -warning: Destroy the contents of the protoplasm chamber without mercy. -Demarzule is there and he will be the scourge of any civilization in -which he arises. He dreams of conquest and he will not rest until he -is master of the Universe. He has destroyed galaxies; he will destroy -others if he lives again. Kill him! Erase all knowledge of the dreadful -Sirenian Empire from your memory! - -"Should you be tempted to restore the Hetrarra and believe your science -a match for ours, remember that the knowledge required to enter this -repository is only the minimum. It is the lowest common denominator of -our civilization. Therefore, kill--" - -The record ended with the last scrawled admonition of the ancient -scientist, Toshmere. - -For long moments, the chamber of the repository was silent. Phyfe made -no comment as Underwood finished. He saw the tensing of the physicist's -jaw and the staring fixation of his eyes, as if he would penetrate -the ages with his naked vision and try to picture the dying scientist -scrawling his message on the walls of the death chamber. - -Then Phyfe said at last, "We can't risk the revival of Demarzule now, -Del. Think what it would mean to turn loose a mentality having command -of such a superior science." - -"We're not exactly planning to turn him loose," said Underwood -defensively. "We'll still have control when he revives. He can be kept -in suitable confinement--and finally disposed of, if necessary. It -seems worth it if we could tap the science he knows." - -"Are you forgetting that we do _not_ have control of him in any -sense of the word? The Disciples have. We're under direction of -the Institute, which can be wiped out in an instant by the Science -Committee. They, in turn, are mere puppets of the Disciples who hold -the voting power. When Demarzule revives, he'll have a ready made -following who'll regard him not only as Emperor, but as god. I tell you -we have no alternative but destruction." - - * * * * * - -Underwood's jaws tightened further. Within his grasp was a science -that might represent thousands of years of normal development of the -Solar system. He could not give up a gift such as the Sirenian culture -offered. - -Then his eyes found those of Dreyer, who had said nothing, who sat -on his heels placidly in his haze of smoke. And there he read the -irrevocable answer. - -"All right," he said. "You win--you and old Toshmere. Let's get inside -to a phone and I'll give the word to turn the radiation off." - -Swiftly now they clambered up the stairs as if to escape some foul tomb -of the long-dead. They hurried into the building and into the office of -Phyfe. There Underwood called Illia. - -She answered instantly, as if she had been waiting for his message, -fearfully and without hope. - -"It's Demarzule, the conqueror," he said. "Turn off the radiation and -drain the tank. We'll stand the consequences of that, but we dare not -go on with the restoration." - -Illia bit her lip and nodded. "It might have been Earth's great -chance," she said, and there was something like a sob in her voice. -"I'll turn it off at once." - -Phyfe said, "Know what, Underwood? There's going to be trouble over -this. I think I'll ask for a transfer back to the expedition. Would you -like to come along with us?" - -"I suppose so, but I'm afraid the Scientific Committee won't let us -get away that easily. You and I are through for the rest of our lives. -Didn't you think of that, Phyfe? We'll be lucky if we don't have to -spend the rest of our lives in prison. But, Dreyer, you don't need to -be caught in this. Get away before they come for us." - -"I hadn't considered it that way," said Phyfe, "but I suppose you're -right. The Disciples won't be likely to let us get away this easy, will -they?" - -Before Dreyer could speak, a call came through on the office -interphone. Phyfe switched on and the frantic face of Esmond, one of -the junior archeologists, appeared. - -"Phyfe!" the man exclaimed. "I don't know what it is all about, but the -police are on the way down to your office. They have warrants for the -arrest of you and Dr. Underwood!" - - * * * * * - -Phyfe nodded. "Thanks, Esmond. I'll see that there's no trouble for -you because of this. I appreciate it. They didn't lose any time, -did they?" he said to Underwood. "But as long as Demarzule has been -destroyed, we've accomplished what we've tried to do." - -"Wait a minute!" said Underwood. "Do we know that Demarzule has been -destroyed? Something must have gone wrong; the police came too quickly." - -"Look!" Shaken out of his customary calm, Dreyer was pointing through -the window across the city. - -There, where they knew the Carlson to be, was a great shining bubble of -light. - -"A force shell!" Underwood exclaimed. "How--?" - -"They have evidently been prepared for a long time," said Dreyer. - -Underwood tried the phone again and called for Illia, but there was -no response from inside the shell of impenetrable energy. A moment of -terrible fear caught Underwood up in its turbulence. What of Illia? Was -she all right? - -"Whatever the answer," Phyfe exclaimed, "it's a ten to one shot that -Demarzule is not destroyed. In which case we'd better not be taken!" - -"What can we do? They'll have the building surrounded. There'll be no -chance of getting out." - -"This is an old building. There are rooms and sub-basements that few -know about, and the staff are all scientists. They'll be loyal. Come -on!" - -"No, wait," said Underwood. "Nothing can be gained by my hiding in -this rabbit warren underneath the city. There is only one chance of -destroying Demarzule, and that is my getting back to the museum and -doing it personally." - -"You're crazy! The Disciples will never let you back in there. Come on, -man, we're wasting time!" - -"You two go on and hide, Phyfe. I'll try to lay the blame on you and a -group of scientists, and swear my own innocence. It's the only way to -get access to Demarzule. Get going. Wait--have you got a burner?" - -"In the drawer there. We'd better take it." - - * * * * * - -Underwood yanked open the drawer and found the weapon. Then he held the -muzzle a short distance from his upper arm and fired. His face twisted -involuntarily with pain and Phyfe stared in amazement. "What for?" the -archeologist demanded. - -Underwood tossed him the weapon as the room filled with the stench of -his burned flesh. "You shot me when I refused to order the radiation -off. It's a thin story and if they won't believe it I'll be a goner. -But if we don't risk it, Demarzule will be the next ruler of Earth." - -Dreyer nodded. "It's a chance. You'd better take it. Good luck." - -A sudden commotion down the hall outside the door warned of the -approach of the arresting officers. Phyfe gave a last despairing glance -at Underwood, who was clutching the painful burn on his arm. The -archeologist turned and darted swiftly through a door at the rear of -the office, followed by Dreyer. - -Almost instantly the main door was flung wide and two heavily armed -officers burst into the room. Their impulsive charge was halted as they -stared at the groaning physicist. - -"Get help," Underwood said desperately. "I've got to get to the museum. -It may not be too late if Dr. Morov turned the beam off. Phyfe forced -me to order it stopped. Scientists don't want the Great One revived. He -shot me when I refused. Would have killed me if--" - -Underwood sagged forward over the desk and fainted from the pain -he could no longer endure. - - - - -_CHAPTER EIGHT_ - - -The beefy Committee Chairman regarded Underwood in the crowded hearing -room with the self-righteous, detached anger of one who represents -approximately a million voters. He told Underwood, "The reprieve -you have been granted is not given because your crime is considered -any less grievous. Because your act threatened a possession of this -government which may potentially change the entire life of Earth for -the better, your crime is deemed punishable by death. - -"However, you are the only man capable of directing the project. -Therefore, your sentence is commuted and will be resolved if you -successfully conclude the project of restoring the Great One. Only by -so doing may you prove your innocence. If an accident brings failure, -three separate committees of competent scientists will bring a verdict -that will determine whether you shall live." - -"And what of Dr. Illia Morov?" - -"Her sentence is life imprisonment for her attempt to destroy the Great -One." - -"She obeyed my orders given under duress, as I have explained. I -cannot be responsible for the successful restoration if I am to be -denied competent assistance. Her knowledge is absolutely essential to -the success of the work." - -The chairman frowned. "The civil courts have exercised judgment. It -may be possible for her to be bound over to us as you were, but her -sentence cannot be commuted except by special appeal and retrial. We -will see what can be done in the matter." - -Underwood choked back the blast he would like to have hurled, his -denunciation of everything that symbolized the rotten culture into -which he had been driven by accident of birth. He dared hope only that -Illia would be granted leniency, that somehow they could think of a way -to destroy the alien. - - * * * * * - -He had forced his mind shut against all possibilities of antagonism -between the culture of Sirenia and that of Earth. Now he was aware of -the full potentialities of a mind like Demarzule's, armed with Sirenian -super-science, loose among Earthmen, and he was motivated by an urge -to destroy that was as great as his former desire to save and restore. -Earth was in bad enough shape without a Demarzule. - -For himself and for Illia he almost dared hope that they might find -escape from the wrath of the Disciples--perhaps to the Venusian -colonies--for there was nothing left for them upon Earth. - -The Chairman added with deadly significance, "Just to make sure that no -risk is being taken with the Great One, you will be constantly attended -by an armed guard. You will carefully explain every move before you -make it--otherwise you may not be alive to make it." - -That was all then. Underwood was led out under heavy guard between the -rows of watchers, most of whom were Disciples. He could almost feel the -doubt and hate directed toward him. - -When he returned to the museum, guards of the Disciples stood -everywhere. The scientists worked with blank, expressionless faces--and -guns at their backs. - -Craven, the biologist who had made detailed studies of the Disciples, -glanced up from his desk uncertainly as Underwood walked in. He had -been placed in charge temporarily during the absence of Illia and -Underwood. - -"I'm sorry about--everything, Del. Especially about Dr. Morov. When I -saw her turning off the radiation I knew that something was wrong, but -when she said that word had come from you to do it, I knew it was time -for us to take over. I'm glad that they found you were not in sympathy -with the scientists who wanted the Great One destroyed." - -His words refused to fall into place in Underwood's mind so that they -made sense. But after a moment it came--though there were personal -guards attached to every other scientist in the place, there was none -standing watch over Craven. So Craven was one of them, a Disciple. And -if Craven, why not others? - -But the biologist had been studying the Disciples from a scientific -standpoint. Had he succumbed in spite of that or because of it? - -It was a problem beyond Underwood's grasp. He evaded a reply with: -"How is everything going? Is the cell division increasing? Intensities -of radiation and nutrient solution being stepped up according to our -plans?" - -Craven nodded. "As far as I can tell, the Great One is developing -properly. You'll want to make a complete check, of course. The daily -reports are ready for your inspection." - -Underwood grunted and left, followed by the silent, ever-present guard. -He went out to the test board where the trio of technicians kept -constant watch on the processes. Everything was functioning according -to instructions in the repository--instructions prepared by Toshmere. - -Everywhere were the guards, and up on the balcony were the unending -streams of Disciples of the Great One. It was like a nightmare to -Underwood. How had control of the project slipped away? It had happened -so rapidly and insidiously that he had not been aware. But that was -not it; the truth was that he had never had control. From the moment -that the scientists brought the protoplasm of Demarzule to Earth and -revealed the story of their find, it had been inevitable. - -Inevitable, Underwood thought, and the greatest semantic blunder ever -made. It might have been a good thing if it had been Toshmere instead -of Demarzule. The world had had no leaders for a century except the -bungling, vote-buying politicians. Toshmere might have led them back to -a semblance of strength and initiative, but what would the conqueror -and destroyer, Demarzule, do? - - * * * * * - -The following day, Illia returned. Underwood was shocked by her -appearance. She had dreamed of a new and saner world to be brought by -the alien out of space, just as Underwood had dreamed of a new world of -science to be revealed. And now their dreams had turned into a monster. - -The worst of their meeting was that there was nothing they could say -to each other. Illia came into the tiny world of nightmare under the -force shell in the custody of guards, and one remained constantly by -her side as she resumed her duties. Likewise, Underwood's own guard -never left him. Underwood had to maintain his pretense of innocence -before them. - -"It was Phyfe and Dreyer," he said to Illia. "I'm glad you didn't -succeed in destroying Demarzule." - -She hesitated an instant, then nodded with understanding. "I didn't -know what you were doing, but I supposed there was some reason. I -didn't suspect their evil plot." - - * * * * * - -And that was all. There was nothing more they could say. Nothing of her -despair at her white-faced, lusterless appearance. Nothing of her lost -dream. - -The mass grew and took shape. Limbs and head and torso were distinctly -formed and losing their fearsome, embryonic cast. The creature would -be of adult form and shape, Underwood saw, and would not represent a -return to infancy. It was fully eight feet tall and was humanoid to the -extent of having four limbs and head and torso, but the X-rays showed -radical differences in bone and joint structure. One cranial and two -abdominal organs were completely unfamiliar and could be identified by -none of the biologists on the project. - -For a time Underwood nursed the hope that these structural differences -might make it impossible for Demarzule to survive on Earth. But the -further the lungs developed, the more evident it became that the -Sirenian would adapt to the atmosphere. As to food, there was little -doubt that nourishment would be no problem. By the sixth month, too, it -was hopeless to assume that anything would go wrong with the process of -restoration. Toshmere had planned too well. - -Underwood wondered what had become of Phyfe and Dreyer, if they had -been captured and killed, or if they still lived in the depths of the -ancient buildings beneath the city. There had been absolutely no word. -He had been kept in complete isolation since their tragic failure. He -spoke to no one except the silent guards and his fellow technicians. -He knew of none that he could trust, for he was certain that among the -scientists working beside him, there were those whose duty it was to -spy upon him. Craven, for example, had become more sullen day by day, -and now he avoided Underwood almost continually, as if ashamed of the -things that he believed in and had done, but unable to renounce them -or help himself. The symptoms of hysteria were becoming constantly more -evident. - -Underwood looked for them in the other scientists, but he was not -skilled enough to detect all the signs. The only way was to play safe -and take no one into his confidence. - - * * * * * - -Life went on timelessly in the nightmare world. The light of day was -completely obscured by the force shell. As Underwood strolled out of -the museum building and looked up at its blackness, he recalled how it -had saved the world centuries ago, when mankind had once before been -on the verge of self-destruction in the dim beginnings of the atomic -age. Only by the discovery of the force shell, a field impenetrable -by any substance or radiation or force, had men been saved from total -annihilation. - -But now man was faced by another potent force of destruction--his own -desire to submit to any leader who promised relief from independent -responsibility and action. The alien would certainly be able to fulfill -that promise where no man could, but was it worth the risk of being -saddled with a bloody dictatorship? - -It was fantastic, Underwood thought, that he could find no way to elude -his guards and kill the growing monster. Variations in the strength -of the radiation might do it, but there was no possibility of varying -the radiation. The guards, whose leaders were technically trained, -had access to the records of the scientists, which not only gave the -details of previous work, but outlined each step until Demarzule was -restored. Underwood dared not attempt departures of procedure from the -written notes. The bath itself had been surrounded by a transparent -guard impervious to solid shot or radiation weapons--even if he could -have obtained any--nor could poisons be placed in the nutrient solution. - -There was simply nothing that could be done while Demarzule was still -in the nutrient bath. But on the day of his arising? A desperate, -last-ditch plan formed in Underwood's mind. - -He explained to his guard, "When the Great One arises, it would be -well for someone to welcome him in his own tongue. Only a few of us -scientists are able to, and of those who can, I am the only one here. -With your permission, I'll be beside him and welcome him when he rises." - -The guard considered. "I'll relay your request to the First High -Prophet Hennessey. If it is deemed fitting you shall be appointed to -welcome the Great One." - -Underwood wished that he had given Hennessey a warmer welcome that -first day when the fanatic prophet came to his office, but Hennessey -gave permission immediately. Underwood imagined the Prophet taking -considerable satisfaction in the irony of Underwood being the first to -welcome the Great One. - -Mounted beside the narrow catwalk between the observation board and -the bath were the controls which would finally cut the radiation and -drain the nutrient solution as the process of restoration came to an -end. Here also were the water valves used to flush the bath when it had -first been constructed. - -In this narrow space, Underwood could escape the watching eye of his -guard for an instant. He hoped to be able to cut the radiation and -drain the bath prematurely. If that couldn't be done, he might fill the -bath with water and drown Demarzule before the guards could intervene -or reach the shutoff valve. Underwood had managed to secrete a small -bar in his pocket with which he hoped to break the valve after it was -opened. - -The massive form of Demarzule had been stirring like an embryo for days -now, and Underwood watched closely for the first attempt to rise. That -would be the earliest moment that he could hope to make an attempt to -destroy the Sirenian. - -He wished he could confide in Illia, but there was no chance. He feared -she might have some desperate, dangerous plan of her own. - -The color of the Sirenian's skin had turned a deep hue, like dark -redwood, and that appeared to be its natural tone. The hair upon the -head was coppery, darker than the skin. Demarzule's whole appearance -was one of might and strength even as he lay quiescent. His features -were bold, with wide-set eyes and sharp nose. The mouth was stern, -almost harsh. - - * * * * * - -Hysteria among the Disciples was mounting hourly. Instead of flowing -through the building along the balcony in their endless stream, they -poured in and stayed, hoping to be there for the rising of the Great -One. Some were pushed over and killed by the fall to the floor below. -They overflowed into the main hall and swarmed about the masses of -equipment. This was welcomed by Underwood, who hoped that the pressing -mob might damage some of the equipment and thus bring about the end of -Demarzule. - -In any event, the hysteria was having its effects upon the guards, who -continued to watch the scientists. Their alertness and efficiency were -giving way to the same tension that filled the mobs within the hall -like a disease. - -Underwood went sleepless for two days at the end, not daring to miss -his one chance. And hundreds of the faithful who jammed the hall and -thousands more who waited outside had already stood that long waiting -for the miracle. - -It was in early dawn when Underwood caught the first faint motion that -indicated Demarzule was about to rise. - -Underwood jerked a finger in the direction of the bath and looked -questioningly at the guard. The man nodded and Underwood raced along -the narrow catwalk. - -There was no question of premature draining of the solution and cutting -the radiation. It was time for that now. Demarzule was struggling -upward, his lungs gasping in the first breath of Terrestrian atmosphere -which filled the upper part of the enclosure. - -Underwood cut the radiation switch and twisted the valve on the water -line with a mighty wrench that tore the wheel from the shaft. Water -flooded into the chamber. - -Demarzule struggled to a sitting position and stared as if dazed, his -countenance working fearsomely. - -The Disciples saw him. A shout of ecstasy thundered through the great -hall and the empty rooms of the museum. And then, suddenly, there was a -new sound. A single voice rang out above all the rest. - -"Strike now!" it shouted. "Strike down the invader. Destroy the -blasphemy of the Great One!" - - * * * * * - -Underwood's head twisted about. There on the balcony in the place -lately occupied by the Prophet, Hennessey, was Terry Bernard! - -For an instant Underwood could not comprehend the meaning of it. The -gun in Terry's hand flashed red. Underwood's guard slumped in his -murderous rush and fell from the catwalk. He alone had seen the sudden -rise of water and realized its meaning. - -The cries and curses and screams and prayers that filled the hall made -the previous commotion deathly silence by contrast. Sudden beams of -deadly fire shot through the air, and Underwood could make no sense of -it all. - -Sides in the conflict began to appear. Underwood saw that some of -the technicians and scientists had weapons and had disposed of -their guards. Now they were firing carefully into the mob about the -equipment, picking off the armed leaders. - -Inside the impenetrable enclosure, the giant Sirenian staggered -uncertainly as if stunned. The water was rising swiftly about his hips. -The air, rushing out the oxygen intake pipe, allowed the water to rise -in the otherwise hermetically sealed chamber. - -A few minutes more and Demarzule would be cut off from the air supply. -How long it would take to drown him, Underwood did not know. It would -depend largely on his present rate of metabolism, which was a great -uncertainty. But could the mob be held off that long? They had to be! -He bent down and grabbed up the gun that his pursuing guard had dropped. - -In the background of his mind he wondered what this sudden attack -meant. How strongly organized was it, and who was behind it? Apparently -Terry had given the signal for attack, and many of the scientists on -the project had been prepared for it, yet Underwood had been given not -the slightest hint that such attack would take place. He wondered why -he had been left out. - -The screaming of the hysterical Disciples was deafening as those in -front tried to force their way back from the line of battle, and those -in the rear tried to press forward to glimpse Demarzule. - -Underwood leaped down to the floor in the sea of confusion and found -himself unable to determine which way the conflict was moving. None of -the scientists were near him, only the maddened, unreasoning Disciples. -He decided to stay near the water valve to make certain that it was not -shut off by any of the guards. - -Then two figures surged up to him and one grasped his arm. "Del! Come -on, let's get out of here!" - -He turned. Terry's blood-streaked face was almost unrecognizable. His -other hand clutched Illia's arm. - -"You two go on," Underwood shouted. "Get out if you can. I've got to -stay--to make sure he drowns." - - * * * * * - -"The water's cut off! Can't you see?" - -Underwood turned in horror. The water level was falling instead of -rising. Someone had cut it off at one of the other valves farther along -the line and had opened the drain. Air was being pumped through, for -Demarzule was standing rigidly now, looking down upon the surging mass -as if contemplating their fate. The bitter animal struggle for survival -was gone now from his face, and only a mocking scorn was there as the -mob battled before him. - -"We've failed!" Underwood exclaimed. "It must have been Craven who -shut the water off. We haven't a chance now." - -"Not if we stay here. Come on. We can lose ourselves in this crowd -and work our way outside. There's a ship waiting to take us across to -Phyfe. The _Lavoisier_ is manned and ready to go." - -"The _Lavoisier!_ Where--?" - -"Who knows? Go!" - -Hopelessly, Underwood allowed himself to be pushed and jammed into the -thick of the mob by the frantic Terry. Signs of armed conflict were -dying. Underwood supposed that the scientists had been subdued, for now -the hall was completely filled with the Disciples. It was impossible, -he thought, that they could ever make their way out without being -apprehended. But even as doubts came, he knew that he had to get out. -He had to live to make another stand against the Sirenian. - -He looked back. Demarzule was standing erect now. Slowly his great arms -came up and his hands extended as if in blessing and welcome, and the -moaning of the ecstatic Disciples rose in wild discordance. - -Then out of those alien lips, amplified a thousand fold by the audio -system installed within the chamber to catch any uttered words, there -came an alien voice that only Underwood could understand. And as the -strange words poured forth he shuddered at their implications. - -"My people." Demarzule said. "My great and mighty people!" - - - - -_CHAPTER NINE_ - - -Underwood turned as if driven back by the force of the conquering voice -of thunder that came from the throat of Demarzule. - -No one was paying any attention to the three scientists now. The faces -of the Disciples were upturned toward the Great One, waiting for -further pronouncements. - -Underwood, Terry and Illia shoved through the wide doors of the hall -against the crowd pressing from outside. As they fought through, the -enormous voice continued to assail their ears. - -"I have triumphed over death," Demarzule exclaimed. "I have conquered -the ages, and now I come to you, my people. I have come to lead you to -the stars and to the Galaxies beyond the stars, where your very name -shall cause the creatures of distant worlds to tremble." - -Each word was like a knife stabbing into Underwood, for they showed -that Demarzule had already comprehended the situation--and mastered -it. And though the people did not understand the words, the tone of -his voice carried the meaning almost equally well, and there were none -in that mass of worshipping Disciples who doubted that a new day of -greatness had dawned for Earth. - -All semblance of organization under the small-time prophets and priests -such as Hennessey had vanished. There had never been much organization -because people did not trust any man sufficiently to compose a very -tight or efficient organization. - -This was to the benefit of the scientists. It would take time for -Demarzule to become aware of the opposition and the identity of the -scientists. But he must surely be aware of the attempt on his life, -Underwood thought, unless full consciousness had not returned until -the water had begun to subside in the chamber, and Demarzule had not -realized the significance of it. - -But Underwood did not believe that. Demarzule had exhibited such rapid -grasp of the attitude of the Disciples that he probably possessed a -semantic accuracy in his thinking which would shame the best of Earth's -scientists. - -The three were making more rapid progress now as they pushed out into -the part of the mob that could not see Demarzule. Under the black dome -of the force shell, as far as they could see, the area between the -building and the outer edge of the shell was filled with struggling -humanity. The words of Demarzule could be heard only faintly. - -"The north gate," Illia said. "That is the widest. Maybe the guard -system has broken down completely--" - - * * * * * - -Terry nodded. "It looks like it. That's the closest to our flier, -anyway. If we are challenged, let's carry Illia and explain she was -injured in the mob. That might get us through. If not, keep your gun -ready." - -Underwood assented. He felt as if this were some nightmare from which -he was struggling to awaken--unsuccessfully. He wondered what had -happened to the other scientists on the project, and to those who had -attempted the storming of the building. Had they all perished in the -short and futile battle? - -He had to admit to himself that at times, during those long days under -the surveillance of the Disciple guards, he had wondered if there -wouldn't have been some chance of utilizing Demarzule's science without -danger. That hope, however, had been finally and completely blasted by -Demarzule's arising. The Sirenian had not changed in half a million -years. - -As they savagely thrust through, Underwood considered the course that -would probably be followed by Demarzule. He would gather about him a -puppet organization of administrators who would take on a priestly -sanctification before the people because of their nearness to the Great -One. The organization would tighten about the Earth, enfolding the -willing devotees, ruthlessly wiping out small centers of opposition -that might spring up. - -At the command of the Disciples would be the world's weapons and -factories. And added to these would be the fearful science and unknown -weapons of the Sirenian. - -What force could hold back this avalanche? - -The answer was: _None._ There was no force that could touch him, -nothing the scientists could do to prevent the unleashed forces of -Earth from sweeping the Galaxies. - -Flight. That was the only recourse for those who wished to escape the -debacle. But it must be more than flight. However hopeless it seemed, -those of Earth's scientists who could be gathered must be dedicated -to the task of Demarzule's overthrow, the saving of Earthmen from an -insane course of conquest. - - * * * * * - -Close to the north gate, the distorting energies of the force shell -were led around a portion of space to form an opening in the wall. Word -of the rising of the Great One had spread like a virus and thousands -were gathered beyond the shell, trying in vain to force their way in. -All semblance of attempting to guard the entrances seemed to have -vanished as the trio forced their way through the opening and out into -the sunlight that seemed utterly blinding to Illia and Underwood, who -had not seen it for so long. - -For a moment Underwood wondered if they could not have remained inside -the Carlson and taken a chance on shooting Demarzule when he came out -of the protecting shield about the bath. But he knew better. Demarzule -would not come out until the room was cleared and the faithful were -standing guard with their guns ready to blast any would-be assassin. - -No, they were on the only course open to them. They were committed to -it now; there was no turning back. - -At last they came out into a relatively free space where they could -move rapidly. Underwood caught sight of the small three-man flier atop -a low rise, a mile from the museum. - -"What about the others?" Underwood said as they ran. "Didn't any of -them get away?" - -"I don't think so," Terry answered. "We didn't expect it. Our object -was to destroy Demarzule, and, failing that, to get you two." - -The two running men, one with bandaged arm and the other with -bloodsmeared face, and the white-faced girl were attracting unwelcome -attention, but at last they came to the rise where the flier lay, and -climbed in. Without a lost motion, Terry worked the controls and they -whirled into the air. - -From their elevation, Underwood looked back toward the museum, the -holy sanctuary of the Disciples. The roads leading to the site were -black with humanity as the faithful streamed to the building to witness -the Great One and hear his voice. - - * * * * * - -He turned to Terry. "Bring me up to date." - -"They contacted me--I wasn't suspected by the police, you know--and we -organized a small group of the scientists we felt we could trust. We -told them all about Demarzule and our blunder in bringing him back. We -organized for the purpose of destroying him by any means possible, but -of course we had no means. The force shell prevented direct attack on -the Carlson, so we tried filtering in with the Disciples. Four of us -were caught and killed. - -"We didn't try to communicate with you, because we felt it was too -dangerous, and knew that you would be doing anything possible. We -succeeded in getting enough of our number in for the end of the show -and passing weapons to some of the scientists on the project, but we -apparently lost all our men without doing damage to the Great One. Only -getting ourselves lost in that mob saved us three. I suspect that they -feel so secure in the protection of Demarzule now that that is their -only reason for not gassing the whole mob in order to get us." - -"What's your next move?" asked Illia. - -"The _Lavoisier_ came in two weeks ago for supplies. Most of the crew -are on our side, and the rest aren't there any more. Phyfe and Dreyer -are already aboard, as well as the rest of the scientists of our group. -All we can do is point the nose up and get going as fast as we can -travel. It may be only a matter of hours until Demarzule is aware of us -and sends a fleet in pursuit. After we get out into space, the rest is -up to the boss." He jerked a thumb in Underwood's direction. - -"What do you mean?" asked Underwood. - -"I mean that as top-dog physicist and the only one besides us somewhat -non-combatant archeologists and semanticists who understands the -Sirenian lingo, not to mention your familiarity with Demarzule, you got -yourself elected chairman of this delegation." - -Underwood laughed shortly and bitterly. "I'm responsible for the mess, -so I should be the one responsible for finding a way out. Is that it?" - -"We'll turn you over to the psychiatric department if you don't cut -that out," said Terry grimly. - -"Sorry. I'm grateful, of course, that the rest of you think I could be -useful, but I'm afraid my brain is a complete blank on how to get out." - -"Maybe you think the rest of us aren't the same way," said Terry. "But -you're the most qualified of us all to recognize a means of licking -Demarzule when you see it." - -Underwood stared ahead of them toward the expanding view of the -buildings where the scientists had held out against the Disciples. He -tried to picture what the past months had been for them, but he could -never know the hundreds of desperate escapes and skirmishes with guards -and officers, and swift murders in the depths below the city. - -Beside the clustered buildings the great laboratory spaceship, -_Lavoisier_, lay on the experimental grounds, shining in the early -dawn. Sudden bright spurts of light showed on the field. Illia saw it -first. "Gunfire!" she cried. - -"They're being attacked!" Terry exclaimed. "We've got to get down -there or they may have to leave without us. Get out that pair of heavy -burners under your seat, Del. We'll have to go in shooting." - -Underwood hauled out the weapons as the flier darted swiftly toward -the field. A concentrated knot of offense was being offered from the -building entrance nearest the ship, but other officers were surrounding -the ship behind the screen of the distant shrubbery. - - * * * * * - -"I'll fly over them," said Terry. "Give them a good blast with both -guns." - -Underwood opened the port against the wind and pointed the noses of -the deadly weapons outward. He clicked the trigger and an unending -stream of fire hurled toward the earth, sweeping through the lines of -attackers as they crouched behind the shrubs and fences. Then, swiftly, -Terry spun the ship to avoid the building and they zoomed upward. At -that instant a crippling beam came from below. - -"We're hit!" Terry exclaimed. "It killed the motor. Hang on for a crash -landing. I'll try to make the port of the ship." - -Underwood returned his attention to the guns as if nothing had -occurred. As the nose dipped, he fired into the building from which the -disabling shot had come. He thought he heard a scream of pain, though -it might have been only the sound of the wind against the shell of the -little flier. - -They were falling fast now, heading for the open port of the large -spaceship. They could see some of the crew members and scientists -emerging, weapons ready to protect their landing. They sped down below -the level of the top of the hull and the vast sheets of plate seemed to -flow past the port of the flier like a river of steel. - -It stopped flowing. They hit hard, and Terry yanked open the door. They -tumbled out in the midst of their defenders, while spurts of flame -showed in the sunlight all about them. - -"Get in!" one of the men shouted. "We almost had to leave without you. -They'll be bringing reinforcements." It was Mason, the physicist. - -Underwood nodded. "We're ready. Is everyone else aboard who is going?" - -"Yes." - -There was a sudden cry beside Underwood and one of the crewmen dropped -his gun and clutched an arm in pain. Mason and Terry clutched him in -supporting arms and dragged him into the vessel. Underwood clasped -Illia's hand and hurried through the port. Behind them the last of the -men slammed the door and dogged it tight. - -"Phyfe's waiting for you in the control room," Mason said. "We'll take -care of Peters, here. Terry had better stay for treatment also." - -Underwood nodded and raced along the corridor with Illia. They passed -other men intent upon their own tasks. Some of them he knew; others -he had never seen before. He hoped that Phyfe and Terry had chosen -carefully. The remembrance of the biologist, Craven, came to his mind. -They came to the entrance to the control room. Captain Dawson was in -technical command, waiting for instructions to take off. Apparently -Mason was assuming charge of the takeoff, for his voice came through -the audio system as Underwood entered. Phyfe nodded assent to Captain -Dawson. "Take it up!" - - * * * * * - -Almost instantly, the ship soared aloft. - -"Wait!" Underwood exclaimed, as he entered the control room. - -Phyfe and Dawson looked toward the door. "There can be no waiting," -said Phyfe. "We had almost given up you and Terry and Illia. The police -have been searching for us for weeks, and now that we're out in the -open they'll spare no force to take us." - -"We can't go without the Stroid records," said Underwood. "Terry tells -me I've been elected to head this outfit. If that's so, then my first -order is to pick up every scrap of Stroid record and artifact that has -ever been found before we take off." - -Dreyer came in and looked interestedly as Underwood spoke, but he said -nothing. - - * * * * * - -"Why?" said Phyfe. "I don't understand." - -"There was a weapon," said Underwood, "a weapon that the Sirenians -were afraid of, which apparently was responsible for the power of -the Dragbora over them. If any trace of that weapon remains in the -Universe, our goal is to find it. It may be our one hope of defeating -Demarzule." - -The others looked at him as if doubting his sanity, yet hoping he was -on the trail of a solution. - -"But that was five hundred thousand years ago!" said Phyfe. "How could -we hope to find such a weapon that disappeared that long ago? We have -no clues--" - -"We have the Stroid records. That's why I want them." - -"But the Sirenians seemed to know nothing about the nature of the -weapon." - -"We're not so sure of that. But even if that's so, there was the great -civilization of the Dragbora. We don't know that it is extinct, and we -know nothing of its location--but the weapon may be there. And the clue -to _its_ location may be in the Stroid records." - -Dreyer nodded and gave a violent puff of smoke. "He's right, Phyfe. -We hadn't thought of it, but that may be our one chance. At least it -gives us an objective instead of just plunging into purposeless flight." - -"I suppose so," Phyfe said doubtfully. "But I don't see how--" - -"I'll take care of that. Show us where the records are. We'll get the -repository first, however; I want the whole thing brought aboard." - -Underwood turned swiftly to Dawson and ordered the ship lowered beside -the temporary structure housing the repository near the Stroid museum -building. Then he stepped to the ship's interphone and explained their -maneuver. He called for twenty volunteers to man scooters and weapons -to cover those who were to transfer the records. - -Below them, on the ground, the police forces who watched their prey -escape stood puzzledly as the _Lavoisier_ turned and moved slowly -across the group of buildings and began dropping again. Three deadly -police fliers hovered in the air about the great spaceship. - -It was the fliers that Underwood watched with intent study. The twenty -men he had selected out of the volunteers gathered around the viewing -plates with him. - -"The first objective will be to down those fliers," said Underwood. -"Then you will provide constant cover for those of us who leave the -ship to bring the records back. Go to your assigned airlocks. I'll -signal when the fliers are in the best position for one group of you to -attack it." - -Byers, the engineer mechanic appointed captain of the group, nodded. - -"They won't know what hit 'em," he promised. - -"I hope so," said Underwood. "All right, take your stations and signal -when you're ready." - -The men filed out of the room while the big ship slowly settled toward -the Earth. The three police fliers continued to move about with deadly -inquisitiveness. Then the sudden signal from Byers indicated the men -were positioned and ready. - -Underwood watched the fliers. One was out of sight of the other two -near the nose of the _Lavoisier_. Underwood called sharply: "Number -three, attack!" - -Almost instantly, a lock opened behind the unsuspecting police flier -and three scooters darted out, their riders firing a deadly stream -which came to a focus on the tail of the flier. A sudden blossom of -flame sent up a plume of black smoke and the flier nosed Earthward -without its occupants knowing what had struck. - -But now the second flier was rounding the hull and the three scooters -were spotted. The police fired and one scooter plummeted out of sight. - - * * * * * - -"Number seven!" Underwood ordered. - -A lock near the top of the hull opened and a second trio of scooters -darted out. The flier was beneath them, and its pilots had time to look -up and see the blasting fire that poured through the transparent bubble -over them. But they had no time to retaliate. - -Fire began rising from the ground forces now and the scooter riders -were forced to dodge and twist to avoid being hit. At the same time -they dived close to the ground and sprayed the attackers. - -From above, however, the third flier joined with devastating fury. Two -more scooters dropped. Underwood ordered the remaining scooters to -the attack. Simultaneously, they poured from the ship, swept over the -remaining flier in a wave of destruction and dropped it onto the ground -forces. - -The latter spread out now and hunted for cover before the mounting -destruction of the scooter riders. - -"Align cargo hatch number one by the repository shelter," Underwood -instructed the Captain. "We'll load that first." - -The ship settled to the surface without a jar. The immediate area -around the shelter was cleared. Mason, taking charge of the loading, -ordered the hatch swung open. Portable cargo units were passed out and -strapped to the periphery of the huge, faceted artifact, whose bulk -almost filled the hatchway. - -Sporadic fire continued from the hidden police, but the scooter riders -were holding it below an effective level without losing any more of -their own number. - -Mason turned the current into the cargo units, and slowly the huge mass -rose from the spot where it rested. Then a G-line attached to it began -reeling in, drawing the repository toward the ship. - -As the hatch clanged shut over it, Underwood exhaled heavily. "That's -the main part of our job! Another half hour to scoop up the records in -the building and we'll be through." - -Illia gave a sudden shrill cry. "Del! The building--it's on fire!" - -The men stared. From the museum where the Stroid records lay, there -rose billows of smoke and licking flames. - -"They must have known what we were after," said Phyfe, "and they fired -the building. There's no chance now of getting any of them." - -"Yes, there is! Most of the records are metallic." Underwood stepped to -the interphone. "Every man but the takeoff crew in spacesuits. Carry -sidearms and be ready to enter the museum at once." - -"What are you going to do?" Illia cried. - - * * * * * - -Already he was at the nearest locker, struggling into the ungainly -spacesuit. "These will be enough protection from the fire to enable -each man to bring out one load, perhaps." - -The old building, as if symbolic of the times, was submitting willingly -to the flames. Its ancient, only partly fireproofed construction was -giving way, and the fire protection system had failed completely. - -Rapidly, Underwood went over the plan Phyfe had given him locating the -bulk of the records, then raced toward the cargo hold where the others -were nearly ready. He ordered each pair of men to tow a cargo carrier. - -It was a weird procession of unworldly figures that made their way -clumsily from the ship and up the steps of the burning building. - -Underwood and Mason were together, towing their carrier, which rested -a foot off the floor. Almost blinded by the smoke, they led the way -through the halls and into the stacks where the half-million-year-old -records lay on shelves. - -"Load up! This is it," Underwood called. Like creatures in some -fantastic hell, he saw the others file into the large room behind -him. They began emptying over the shelves, filling the carriers with -whatever came to hand. - -The wooden beams supporting the high, archaic roof structure were dry -and roaring with flames. Somewhere out of their line of sight, a beam -gave way and a shower of plaster and masonry filled the air. - -"There won't be time for any more," Mason said. "Our carrier's full. -Let's go." - -Underwood shoved the carrier toward the doorway through which they had -come. Its inertia was its only opposition. - -"You drag the carrier," said Underwood. "I'll get another armful." - -While Mason vanished out through the pall of smoke, Underwood scooped -up another armful of materials. Then, almost blindly, he sought the -exit. - -Nearly all the others were loaded and dragging their carriers now. -Underwood glanced back. What secrets might yet lie here among the -records they must leave behind! He hoped the gods of chance had been -merciful enough to guide their hands toward some record that would -direct the scientists to the ancient enemy of the Sirenian Empire, -the Dragbora, whose dreadful weapon had been so feared by the Sirenian -hordes. - -Back in the ship, Underwood glanced back longingly at the flame-ravaged -building. It was useless to attempt another trip. - - * * * * * - -The police had apparently hoped the fire would defeat the purposes of -the scientists, but after the successful rescue of tons of records and -artifacts, they resumed their attack with increasing fury. - -Underwood called to Byers and the scooter riders to come in. Slowly, -the protective forces withdrew to the ship, and as they did so, the -police began firing into the opening ports. The scooters poured into -the ship, more than one bearing a mortally wounded crewman. - -Altogether, only fourteen returned. - -"That's all," Byers said grimly. "The rest of the boys won't be coming -back." - -For a drastic moment of uncertainty, Underwood wondered if his demand -for the records would be worth that sacrifice. It had to be, he told -himself. Without hope of a weapon to defeat the Sirenian, there was no -purpose in flight into space. - -He returned to the control room and gave the order to lift ship. - - - - -_CHAPTER TEN_ - - -Through the ports Underwood watched the nearby buildings drop away. The -Sun's disk shot up over the horizon and bathed them in golden glow. -Then the pilot adjusted the controls and sudden, crushing acceleration -was applied to the ship, but to the occupants it was imperceptible. - -Like the tired old man that he was, Phyfe slumped down in a cushioned -seat beside the navigator's table. - -"You look as if you'd had a pretty rough time of it since I saw you -last," said Underwood. - -Phyfe smiled disparagingly. "For fifty years I've been a scholar and -archeologist. It's much too late to find myself in the midst of a -planetary crisis, and expect to be able to cope with it." - -"You've done a fine job so far." - -"I could never even lead an expedition very satisfactorily, and -certainly not a group of this kind. Terry might, but he lacks the -physical knowledge you have. Mason might, but he knows nothing of the -Sirenians. You're the best qualified of us all for the job." - -"I want to be sure the rest think so. It might not be a bad idea to -hold an election." - -"We should call a meeting of everyone, anyway. Many of the scientists -are not adequately acquainted with the problem. They should be -organized according to their specialties, and we ought to prepare some -system of defense." - -With the ship no farther than the orbit of the moon, a meeting was -called of the hundred and twenty-five scientists and crewmen of the -_Lavoisier_. Phyfe, as nominal chairman, presented Underwood formally -as leader of the group. Acceptance was unanimous and enthusiastic, -for Underwood was known to nearly all of them by reputation if not -personally. - - * * * * * - -Briefly, he outlined the events concerning the discovery and -restoration of Demarzule, the futile attempts of the scientists to -stand against humanity's demand for a new god. Then he called on Dreyer -to describe the characteristics of the enemy who opposed them. - -"In the ages of Earth's past history," Dreyer said, "there have been -conquerors, emperors, dictators and tyrants, but there has never been -Demarzule, the Sirenian. To the Sirenians, conquest and leadership -were as essential as food. There was only one solution for them as -they expanded in the Galaxy, and that was complete mastery of the -Galaxies--or extinction. It was undoubtedly fortunate for our own world -that the Dragbora succeeded in destroying them. - -"As to our present problem, Demarzule will sell the peoples of Earth -the idea of their complete superiority over all other races in the -Universe. They're ripe for acceptance of such doctrine. He'll use -the supernatural aspect of his appearance among us and encourage -a worshipful attitude. Then he is, I think, certain to begin the -construction of battle fleets and the assembly of weapons and -armies--not the ships and weapons we know, but the best that Sirenian -science could produce half a million years ago. - -"Within a few hours from now he'll be sure to learn of our escape -and our identity as enemies. It is impossible to believe he will not -dispatch pursuit ships to destroy us. Our only chance is to be too far -away for them to catch up with us. At least in Terrestrial ships. By -the time Sirenian designs are built, we must have an answer. - -"That, then, is the nature of the problem we face. Our one hope--and -it is a slim one--appears to be the discovery of the weapon by which -the Dragbora overpowered the Sirenian hordes long ago. If we remain -limited by the range of our own science, I am convinced the problem is -hopeless, though I'm aware that happily there are those of you whose -minds differ radically from mine and would not admit defeat even with -such limitations." - - * * * * * - -"Some of you had objections to our flight, arguing that we should -remain and conduct an underground opposition movement. You were those -who lacked a correct evaluation of our enemy. I want you to understand -that such a movement would have been absolutely futile. A successful -underground movement must be that of an oppressed majority against a -minority of ruling numbers. Humanity _wants_ Demarzule. Never forget -it. That is why we are fleeing. - -"But our battle is not with our fellow men; their faults are rooted in -the dark processes of evolution and racial development. The appearance -of Demarzule is an extraneous factor, however, one that evolution -did not allow for. Without him, men would eventually attain maturity -and balance out of the conflicts of their racial adolescence. With -Demarzule as god and leader, generations of development may be wiped -out. - -"You must remember that we have committed ourselves to the only -possible course--escape. We're nothing but children beside the racially -old Demarzule. He's a superman from a super-race that outstripped ours -long before our first cave ancestor discovered fire. Let us hope that -we find the weapon of the Dragbora, so our kind may climb the long -evolutionary ladder upon which they have stumbled so sorely." - -After Dreyer's speech it was a solemn group of men that faced -Underwood. The semanticist had conveyed for the first time to most of -them the immensity of the threat that confronted them. - -They proceeded then with the organizing of the large group into smaller -units according to their specialties. Underwood found there was a -preponderance of physicists and biologists. The thirty physicists -were grouped under the leadership of Mason. To them went the task of -investigating the possible weapons and defenses which could be employed -against the attacks that would certainly come. - -The men with strictly engineering qualifications were assigned to work -with Mason's group. - -The biological group included a dozen surgeons and four psychiatrists -under Illia's leadership. Dreyer and his fellow semanticists were -assigned with the archeologists to examine the records they had -salvaged from the fire in the hopes of finding a clue to the Dragboran -world and the weapon that might be there. - -Most of the physical scientists had varying degrees of skill with -machine tools and equipment and could assist in the fabrication of -armaments for the ship. - -The first task was to rig the ship with absorbing screens to prevent -radar echoes and nullify this means of locating them from Earth. It -was a relatively easy project and one that was completed by the end of -their first twenty-four hours in space. That left only astronomical -means by which they could be detected from Earth, and with each passing -hour, this possibility became more remote. Underwood, however, could -not put off the uneasiness that beset him in the face of the pursuit he -knew must surely come. - -Six days out and a hundred thousand light years from Earth, Phyfe -uncovered the first evidence that fortune was with them. - -He and Dreyer, along with Terry and Underwood and the other -semanticists and archeologists, were working in the single large -chamber allotted to study of the records. Phyfe's sudden exclamation -burst upon the silence of the room. He held up a small metal roll, -fused on the outside, but unrolled in a spiral coil where he had -broken the fused portions away. - -"This looks as if it might have been the log of one of the refugee -ships," he said. "Look at it." - -Underwood bent over the small machine they had devised for supplying -the correction radiation which would render the characters visible. -Normally, they stood out against their dull, metallic background like -white fire, but these were dim almost to the point of obliteration. He -read slowly, aloud. - -"Meathes. 2192903. One _detela_ since leaving Sirenia. Lookout reports -Dragboran vessels within range. A thousand of them, which means we are -outnumbered ten to one. Flight bearings 3827--" - -Underwood looked up. He could read no further. "Those last figures--" - -"Could they be the relationship between his own fleet and the home -planet?" said Phyfe. - -"More likely it would be the bearings of the Dragboran fleet in -relation to the Sirenians. In any case, such figures would be a clue -to the location of the worlds, because they would be related to -their Galactic references. That's the catch, though, finding those -references. To us, they would be entirely arbitrary. But if this is a -log, it may give the location of the planets and their Galaxy that we -can identify. If we can work out the changes in astronomical positions -that take place in five hundred thousand years." - -He took the roll from the machine and examined it more closely. "It's -almost hopeless to get any more out of this. Is there any other -specimen that was found in the same locality?" - -Phyfe checked the records and shook his head. "This was found stuck to -a completely fused mass of iron, apparently part of the ship in which -it lay when the Dragbora struck. We may as well send it to the lab for -restoration. If it becomes possible to read it, it may help." - - * * * * * - -In four hours the duplicate record came back, restored as completely -as possible, but there were long blanks which were un-intelligible. -Underwood turned up the maximum radiation which helped bring out the -characters, but also burned them rapidly away if left on too long. -Suddenly he caught his breath. - -"Listen to this: 'Our bearings are now 6749367 Sirenia, having traveled -84 _tre-doma_, Sirenia. In two _te-ela_ we land. Perhaps for the last -time--'" - -"That's it!" Phyfe exclaimed. - -"All but the key to their co-ordinate system," said Underwood. "Do you -see any possibility of interpreting it, Dreyer?" - -The semanticist shook his head. "It must be based upon entirely -arbitrary reference points as ours is. I see no hope of interpretation -with the figures we now have. Perhaps our astronomers could suggest -something." - -Masterson and Ebert, the two astronomers included in the group, were -called in from their task of preparing star charts of the Universe of -half a million years ago. They considered the facts Underwood presented. - -Masterson said, "I'm afraid the bearings given by the Sirenians won't -be much help. The distance is of value. That shows us that we have a -shell at a radial distance of approximately ninety million light years -from the Solar System. At best, then, we have this shell, which may be -considered as several thousand light years thick, in which to search. -If we could find even approximately the proper sector of this shell, we -might soon isolate the possible planetary systems to which the Dragbora -and Sirenians belonged, but without being able to narrow down the -possible sectors of that shell, it becomes an impossible task. Just a -single reference to some Island Universe that we might identify would -do it, perhaps." - -Underwood and Dreyer had to agree. They had gained something; if they -could just obtain one more scrap of astronomical information, it might -give them the key. - -The search for that key went on among the records and artifacts. The -repository itself was searched inch by inch--and still almost none of -the artifacts found there could be identified or explained. Apart from -the repository, most of the material they had was native to the planet -on which the Sirenians landed. - -By the eighth day Mason's crew had managed to construct equipment -for throwing a force shell about the _Lavoisier_, and Underwood -breathed considerably easier. They could travel indefinitely behind -the protection of that impenetrable shield. Data for navigation was -obtained through almost infinitesimal pilot units set outside the shell -and connected through hair-fine leads running through equally small -holes in it. - - * * * * * - -Underwood was proud of this accomplishment. With their limited -facilities for manufacture, it was little short of a miracle that they -had been able to turn out the mass of complex equipment in so short a -time. Somehow, it seemed symbolic to him, as if there were definite -laws favoring their success--the success of Earth. - -And then on that same eighth day, when they were almost beyond the -limit at which such small, dark objects could be identified, the -lookout observer on duty sounded a warning to the control center. - -"Fleet departing from Earth. Twenty warships. Corius type. Apparent -course 169 46 12 and 48 19 06. Velocity--" - -Underwood looked at Phyfe, who was beside him at the time. "This is -it," he said. - -The warning went throughout the ship and the men looked up from their -tasks a moment, then resumed with grimmer eyes and firmer mouths. -Mason's group was working on the problem that had baffled armament men -for generations, the problem of firing the Atom Stream through the -force shell. Underwood had little confidence that they would solve the -problem, but as it was they had no offense whatever. - -As Underwood and Phyfe moved to the navigator's table to check their -course and that of the pursuing fleet, he said, "I wonder how they -spotted us. Our echo screen couldn't have broken down. It must have -been sheer astronomical luck that put them on our trail." - -Lieutenant Wilson, the navigator, frowned as he pointed to their -course charts. "I don't believe that fleet is following us," he said. -"If they are, they're going the long way around, because their course -at present is heading more than fourteen degrees from ours." - - * * * * * - -Phyfe and Underwood studied the trajectories, projecting them into -space, estimating the rate at which the fleet would approach, -considering its superior velocity and the divergent courses. - -"It's easy enough to determine whether they're following or not," -said Underwood. "We could simply change our own course by ninety -degrees. Perhaps they haven't detected us after all, but are merely -shooting blind in the general direction we might be, based only on the -observations of the police as we took off. In that case, they may hope -merely to approach near enough to obtain adequate radar echoes." - -Dreyer had heard the news over the interphone and came into the -navigation cell. He overheard Underwood's last statement. - -"Demarzule would not send out a mere fishing expedition," he said -flatly. - -"Then what's the answer?" Underwood asked, but in his own mind he was -evolving a wild theory. He wondered if Dreyer would confirm it. - -"If we were merely going blindly into space to escape, Demarzule would -have no concern with us, but if we were going to a destination where -our arrival would be malevolent to him--then he would be concerned." - -Underwood's eyes lighted. He read in Dreyer's face the same conclusions -he had reached. - -"And Demarzule would send his fleet not after us particularly, but to -that destination to see that we didn't reach it. Therefore, this fleet -is headed for the Dragboran world!" - -"Not so fast!" Phyfe objected. "Demarzule would be assuming that we -know where it is. He has no basis for such an assumption." - -Dreyer shook his head. "He doesn't know whether we know the way or not. -He knows only that it must be guarded from any possible exploitation by -us. If we don't go there, we are no menace to him. If we do, the fleet -is there to take care of us." - -Phyfe considered, then slowly nodded. "You're right." - -"And Demarzule is going to show us the way to the Dragboran weapon!" -said Underwood fiercely. - - - - -_CHAPTER ELEVEN_ - - -The course was changed so that the flight of the _Lavoisier_ paralleled -that of the Terrestrian fleet. The acceleration was increased to a -twenty per cent overload of the inertia units, making it necessary for -each man to use a small carrier unit against his own increased weight. - -Still the fleet crept up, lessening the distance between them, but -Underwood felt confident that the distance between their parallel -courses was great enough to prevent detection by any means the -fleet could mount. - -There was new life in the ship as the working and sleeping periods -passed rapidly. It was easier to concentrate on their work now that -everyone felt he was heading toward a definite goal--they dared not -doubt that that goal would yield what they hoped from it. - -Under Phyfe's direction, daily classes in Sirenian culture were held. -Every fact of existence they tried to view from the Sirenian viewpoint -and anticipate its semantic significance to that ancient conquering -race. - -The trip was estimated at approximately three months. A little -impromptu party was held when the fleet passed them near the halfway -mark. From then on it was a desperate race to see that the other ships -didn't get out of range of the instruments of the _Lavoisier_. - - * * * * * - -In the last week of the third month, a sudden, sharp deceleration -was observed in the ships of the battle fleet. Underwood alerted his -entire crew. If their deductions had been right, they were within a few -hundred thousand light years of the Dragboran world. - -As the _Lavoisier_ braked some of its tremendous velocity by the -opening of the entropy dissipators, the fleet appeared heading for a -small galaxy with a group of yellow stars near its outer rim. - -Underwood allowed their ship to close somewhat the enormous gap between -them and the enemy, but he wanted to maintain a reasonable distance, -for the fleet would certainly begin to sweep-search the skies of the -alien planet when they arrived and found the _Lavoisier_ had not landed. - -The fleet was finally observed to close in upon one of the yellow suns -which had a system of five planets. It was the fourth planet toward -which the fleet drove. Underwood watched six of the twenty ships land -upon it. - -"Let's line up behind one of the other planets," he instructed Dawson. -"The second appears closest. Then we can swing over and come in behind -the moon of number four. We'll probably land on that moon and look the -fleet over before deciding our next action." - -The only disadvantage in the maneuver was that they could not keep a -sufficiently close check on the fleet. They came out of the shadow of -the planet for two hours and then were eclipsed by the moon of the -fourth planet. During that interval they were in the light of the sun, -and they saw no evidence of the fleet at all. The photographers busied -themselves with taking pictures of the Dragboran world. - -Like the second planet, the moon appeared to be a barren sphere at -first glance, but as they approached and moved farther around its -six-thousand-mile circumference, they found an area of lush vegetation -occupying about an eighth of the surface. - -It was the night side at the moment of their approach. No sign of -habitation was apparent, though Underwood thought for an instant he -glimpsed a smoke column spiraling upward in the night as they dropped -to the surface. Then it was gone, and he was not sure that he had -really seen anything. - -The _Lavoisier_ came to rest on the grassy floor of a clearing in the -vegetated corner of the otherwise barren world. - -At that instant Mason came into the control room. "I don't know what -you expect to find on that planet down there," he said. He handed a -batch of photos to Underwood. "We must have pulled a boner somewhere." - -Underwood felt a sting of apprehension. "Why? What's the matter?" - -"If there's any habitation there, it's under bottles. There isn't a -speck of atmosphere on the whole planet." - -"That makes it definitely an archeological problem, then," Phyfe -said. "It was too much to hope that an advanced civilization like -the Dragboran could have existed another half million years. But the -photos--what do they show?" - -He glanced over Underwood's arm. "There are cities! No question that -the planet was once inhabited. But it looks as if it had only been -yesterday that those cities had been occupied!" - -"That would be explained by the absence of atmosphere," said Underwood. -"The cities would not be buried under drifted mounds in an airless -world. Some great cataclysm must have removed both atmosphere and life -from the planet at the same time. Perhaps our problem is easier, rather -than more difficult, because of this. If the destruction occurred -reasonably soon after the Dragbora defeated the Sirenians, there may be -ample evidence of their weapons among the ruins." - - * * * * * - -As Dreyer, Terry, and Illia drifted into the control room after the -landing, an impromptu war council was held. - -"We'll have to wait until the fleet gives up and goes back," said -Terry. "We can't hope to go in and blast them out of the way." - -"How do we know they'll give up?" asked Illia. "They may be a permanent -guard." - -"We don't know what they will do," said Underwood. "They might stay for -months, anyway, and that is too long for us to wait. Even twenty ships -are not a large force on a planet of that size. My plan is to make a -night landing in some barren area, then advance slowly up to one of the -larger cities and hide the ship. We can make explorations by means of -scooter to determine if any of the fleet is in the city. If so, we can -move on; if not, we can begin searching. It makes no difference where -we begin until we get some kind of idea of the history and culture of -the Dragbora." - -"It's so hopeless!" Phyfe shook his head fiercely. "It would be a -project for a thousand archeologists for a hundred years to examine and -analyze such ruins as those down there, yet a hundred of us propose -to do it in weeks--hiding from a deadly enemy at the same time! It's -utterly impossible." - -"I don't think so," said Underwood. "We are searching only for one -thing. We know it is a weapon. It is not unreasonable to believe there -might be wide reference to it in the writings and history of the -Dragbora, since it was the means of destroying their rival empire. The -only real difficulty is with the fleet, but I think we can work under -their noses for a long enough time." - -"You're an incurable optimist," said Terry. - -"So are the rest of you, or you'd never have come on this trip." - -"I'm agreeable," said Illia. "There's only one thing I'd like to -suggest. If this moon is at all habitable, I think we should take a day -or two off and stretch our legs outside in some sunshine." - -There was no objection to that. - - * * * * * - -Dawn on the moon of the Dragboran world almost corresponded with the -end of their sleeping period. Analysis was made of conditions outside. -The atmosphere proved suitable, though thin. The outside temperature -appeared high, as was expected from their proximity to the sun. - -Then, as Underwood ordered the force shell lifted and opened the port, -he received a shock of surprise that made him exclaim aloud. Illia, not -far behind, came running. - -"What is it, Del?" - -His finger was pointing down toward a group of figures at the base of -the ship. They were quite human in appearance--in the same way that -Demarzule had been. Taller than the Earthmen, and copper-skinned, they -watched the opening of the port and bowed low before Underwood and -Illia. - -There were four of them standing, and they were grouped about a fifth -figure lying on a litter. - -"Maybe we ought to forget about leaving the ship," said Underwood -doubtfully. "There's no use getting tangled up with superstitious -natives. We haven't time for that." - -"No, wait, Del. That one on the litter is hurt," said Illia. "I believe -they've brought him here to see us. Maybe we can do something for him." - -Underwood knew it was no use trying to oppose her desire to help. He -said, "Let's get Dreyer. He may be able to talk with them." - -Dreyer and Phyfe and Nichols were already coming toward the port -together. They were excited by Underwood's report. - -"This may be an offshoot of either the Dragboran or Sirenian -civilization," said Phyfe. "In either case we may find something useful -to us." - -"They think we're gods. They want us to cure one of their injured," -said Underwood. "We can't hope for anything useful in a society as -primitive as that." - -The semanticists looked out at the small group. Suddenly, Dreyer -uttered sounds that resembled a series of grunts with changing -inflections. One of the natives, a woman, rose and presented a long -speech wholly meaningless to Underwood. But Dreyer stood with strained -attention, as if comprehending with difficulty every meaning in that -alien tongue. - - * * * * * - -Then Underwood recalled hearing of Dreyer's statement that a true -semanticist should be able to understand and converse in any alien -language the first time he heard it. In all languages there are sounds -and intonations that have fundamental and identical semantic content. -These, Dreyer asserted, could be identified and used in reconstructing -the language in a ready flow of conversation if one were skillful -enough. Underwood had always believed it was nothing but a boast, but -now he was seeing it in action. - -The two women of the group and one of the men seemed utterly lost in -their attitude of worship, but the other figure, standing a little -apart, seemed almost rebellious in appearance. He spoke abruptly and at -little length. - -"That fellow is a healthy skeptic," said Dreyer. "He's willing to -accept us as gods, but he wants proof that we are. He's liable to play -tricks to find out." - -"We can't bother with them," said Underwood. "There's nothing here for -us." - -"There may be," said Dreyer. "We should let Illia see what she can do." - -Underwood did not press his protests. He allowed Dreyer to direct the -natives to bring their companion into the ship. There, in the surgery, -Illia examined the injuries. The injured one appeared aged, but there -was a quality of joyousness and exuberance in his countenance that -Underwood found himself almost envying. - -But Illia was shaking her head. "It's hopeless," she said. "There's -nothing we can do for him." - -She turned on the fluoroscope for Underwood to see. He moved it about, -then exclaimed, "Illia! Those strange organs below the diaphragm--" - -She caught her breath sharply. "The same as in Demarzule. These must be -of the same race!" - -Dreyer was speaking to the companions of the injured one, explaining -that it was impossible to save the life of the aged man. - -The response of the rebellious one was an almost savage growl in his -throat. He spoke then more softly to the injured one, as if explaining. -The serene countenance did not change, but the eyes closed quietly, and -the Earthmen knew that he was dead. - -Swiftly, the rebellious one drew a knife of glass from a sheath and -slashed with careless skill at the corpse. He extracted one of the -alien organs and placed it in a container which he carried. With no -other word, he left, and the two women followed sorrowfully and more -slowly. They refused to speak further. - -Underwood watched them go. "We seem to have gained a corpse," he said. -"Get a couple of the men to take it out and bury it, will you, Terry? -I wonder what the whole thing means, anyway. Are these remnants of -Sirenian culture?" - -His speculations were suddenly interrupted by the blaring of the -interphone. "Doctor Underwood, lookout reports entire Terrestrian fleet -departing from the Dragboran planet!" - -The group in surgery looked at each other in sudden silence. - - * * * * * - -"It doesn't make sense," Terry said finally. - -"It does," said Underwood slowly. "If they have found and destroyed -what we hoped to find." - -"Also if they wanted to draw us out of hiding," added Dreyer. - -"We'd better wait a couple of days and see what they do. If they seem -to be intent on continuing their flight, we can move to the planet with -the sun behind us and they won't detect it. But I think that we should -wait the two days at least, so if one wants to do any looking around on -this moon, there's his chance." - -Terry was enthusiastic about exploring the moon. It seemed that here -might be a living fragment of a civilization thousands of years old, -which should have been long dead in the normal course of events, but -which had somehow survived the catastrophes that wiped out the parent -civilizations. - -Illia too, was anxious to get away from the ship. Together, they -persuaded Underwood to join them in a scooter exploration of the -surrounding territory. Phyfe and Dreyer were going, but it was -necessary for Mason to remain in technical command at the ship. - -Beyond the grassy plain lay a thickly forested section. The scooter -party rose high into the air to clear the wooded area and were lost to -the view of those aboard the _Lavoisier_. - -For a long time they rode at treetop level, looking beyond toward the -barren sand wastes that touched the far horizon. - -Suddenly Terry pointed downward. "A road!" - -A shimmering belt ran through the forest almost at right angles to -their line of flight. They dropped into the sylvan canyon to examine -it. Underwood halted just above the surface. Then he leaned over and -touched it. - - * * * * * - -Dreyer looked at his puzzled face without halting the column of cigar -smoke. "Glass, eh?" - -"Looks and feels like it, but a glass highway--!" - -"Limitation of materials," said Dreyer. "The moon obviously is -lacking in mineral resources, being composed chiefly of nonmetallic -silicates. The glass knife our friend used on the corpse indicates -metal starvation; this highway clinches it because it shows they -have a highly developed technology of glass-working. Therefore, we -are very definitely not in the presence of a primitive civilization -as we supposed. We'd better watch our step because our friend seemed -disillusioned about our failure to save his injured companion." - -They chose a direction along the highway and pursued it a few feet -above the surface. They traveled for twenty minutes or so with no break -in the forest about them or the shining highway below. - -Then abruptly a figure came into view in the distance. It was moving -rapidly. Terry squinted and suddenly exclaimed, "We come how many light -years to find a super-civilization, and we find bike riders!" - -Phyfe said, "I don't see anything strange in it. Certainly the bicycle -is an obvious mode of locomotion in a moderately mechanical culture. It -may or may not imply a lack of self-propelled mechanisms." - -"Recognize that fellow?" asked Underwood. - -They drifted forward as the rider approached rapidly. Finally they -could see his features plainly and recognized him as the rebellious one -of their morning encounter. - -"I wonder if he is on his way back to see us again," said Terry. - -"Our meeting is fortunate," said Dreyer. "I want to know what he did -with that organ he removed from the corpse. I've never come across -anything quite like that in all my ethnological studies. I suspect it -may be some rite associated with the belief in that organ as the seat -of life, just as the heart was once regarded among us." - -They slowed as they came to the man--for so they had come to think of -him in their own minds. He halted also and regarded them balefully. -Then furious speech came to his lips. "_Shazer na jourli!_" - -Dreyer frowned and muttered a few syllables slowly. The stranger -repeated the furious assertion. - - * * * * * - -"He says that we are not gods," said Dreyer. - -"We could have told him that much," said Underwood drily. - -The conversation in the unknown tongue continued until Dreyer turned -again to his companions. "The fellow calls himself Jandro, and the fact -that we have metals still doesn't convince him that we are gods, an -opinion which contradicts those of his fellows. Does that make sense to -you?" - -Phyfe exclaimed, "It makes wonderful sense! A planet devoid of metals, -yet inhabited by a highly intelligent race. They make the best possible -technological use of materials at their command, but they know somehow -of the existence and properties of metals. What is more natural than -for them to build a religion about the more fortunate metal-using -gods?" - -Dreyer said to Jandro, "We are not gods. We did not come to you as -gods, but as visitors. We are from a place called Earth." - -The admission seemed a great shock to Jandro, for his expression -changed markedly. "I am sorry," he said, "if I have accused you of a -claim you have not made. But I do not understand what you say. If you -come from the Heaven World, take me there and help me return with the -secrets to lift my people." - -"Heaven World?" Dreyer frowned. - -Jandro pointed toward the horizon where the planet of the Dragbora hung -like a silver disk. - -"Why do you call it Heaven World?" - -Jandro looked up with both longing and bitterness before he spoke. "You -did not come from there?" - -"No." - -"But you can go there in your metal?" - -"Yes." - -"Will you take me?" - -"That is not for me to say, but perhaps I can influence the others. -Tell me why you want to go and why you call it Heaven World." - -"Long ago," said Jandro, "before men lived on Trear, they lived with -the gods on Heaven World, but for rebellion and disobedience they -were thrown down and exiled. Trear was a barren moon without life or -materials. After many _dekara_ man succeeded in expanding the tiny -seeds of life he had brought and grew the great forests. That gave us -wood, and the deserts gave us glass. So we have built a world on the -barren Trear, and have looked to the time when the gods shall lift us -again to Heaven World. - -"That is the story the fathers have told, but I do not believe it," -Jandro finished. "I do not know what to believe, except that I want the -heritage of our home world to be restored to us." - -Dreyer related the story to his companions. "It sounds very much as if -Jandro's ancestors were some refugee group that fled the planet before -the destruction that consumed the atmosphere." - -"So he wants to go with us," Underwood said. "I wonder if he could be -of any use to us in unraveling the secrets of the planet." - -"I'd like to use the request to bargain with him," said Dreyer. "I very -much want to know why he cut out that organ and what he did with it. -That surgical skill he exhibited didn't come instinctively." - -"It's all right with me," assented Underwood. - - * * * * * - -Dreyer addressed Jandro again. "It is that you may go to the planet -with us. There's only one thing we'd like in return--information as to -why you opened the corpse and removed the organ." - -"For the _discara_, of course. Oh! You mean you wish to present the -apologetics?" Sudden expressions of understanding and of extreme -puzzlement conflicted on his face. - -Dreyer fumbled an instant. "The apologetics? Yes, of course! We wish to -present the apologetics." - -"Very well. You are guests of my house. My father will be pleased." - -Jandro wheeled his bicycle about and sped down the road. Dreyer told -the others what had happened and set his scooter in motion in the -direction taken by the stranger. - -Terry was explosive in comment. "What the devil are the apologetics?" -he demanded. "We don't know how to offer them or who to offer them to. -You're going to get us in a jam if we poke into the religious rites of -these amateur surgeons!" - - - - -_CHAPTER TWELVE_ - - -Underwood speculated about Dreyer. Behind the passive exterior of the -man was a brain whose incessant activity often flowed in the most -devious channels. What motivated this interest in the peculiarities of -the alien culture? Underwood was sure there was more than appeared on -the surface. - -There was the fact that every organ presents a vulnerable point to the -proper weapon. Was it Dreyer's idea to determine the properties of the -unknown organs in the hope of finding weapons to which they would be -vulnerable? - -The forest gave way to green and they were in a clearing that shone in -the sunlight like a pool of soap bubbles. - -The houses, like the streets, were of multicolored glass that sparkled -as if with light of their own. The Earthmen knew then for certain that -they were not in the presence of any primitive people, for the city was -arranged with the artistry of a giant crown of jewels. - -There were many of the tall, copper people in the streets and in the -parkways. Seeing them together in their own setting, Underwood was -impressed with their grace and simple beauty. Serenity and contentment -were in their features and in the grace of their carriage. - - * * * * * - -The Earthmen, astride the scooters, riding mysteriously above the -surface of the road, soon attracted attention. Cries rose into the air, -and scores of the people prostrated themselves in the road. - -Jandro stopped and motioned the men to halt. Then he addressed his -people in speech that was too rapid even for Dreyer's understanding. -Dreyer managed to glean only that Jandro was saying the men had come to -offer the apologetics to his father and that Jandro had been chosen to -go to Heaven World for his people. - -There were some who seemed to regard Jandro with astonished disbelief, -and others who bowed before him as before the Earthmen. But when the -group began moving forward again, the people rose and stood in silence -and awe. - -They stopped before a large, one-story cube of orange hue. Jandro -dismounted and stood aside for them to enter. - -"You do my house honor," he said. - -Underwood strained to pick up some of the language, but he could only -guess at it. Phyfe and Terry Bernard were getting much of it, but not -with Dreyer's facility. The semanticist walked toward the building -confidently, then stopped at the entrance and regarded his cigar -doubtfully. It was impossible to toss it aside upon the immaculate -gardens or walkways. He finally put it out against his shoe and stuffed -the shredded remains in his pocket. - -The interior of the house was fitted with simple luxury. Abundant light -streamed from colored prisms which brought in flooding beams of natural -light from outside the decoratively translucent panels that formed the -walls. - -Almost at once, two others, women, entered from the opposite doorway -into the room. One was elderly, but the other was younger than Jandro -in appearance. - -Then the Earthmen recognized them--the same who had been at the ship -with Jandro that morning. - -They gave involuntary cries at the sight of the Earthmen. Quickly, -Jandro explained their presence and their denial of being gods. -Gradually, the excitement of the two women abated and Jandro introduced -them to Dreyer, who relayed the introductions. - -"They will prepare our meal before we go," said Jandro, "but now you -wish you view my father's _discara_ and offer the apologetics. Come -this way." - -He led the way through the house to another room with a closed door. -Even Dreyer's calm was deserting him as he wondered what would happen -if he could not grasp instantly what was expected of him. - -Jandro suddenly flung the door wide and ushered them in. "You will wish -to be alone," he said. "I will await you." - -He closed the door. - - * * * * * - -None of them had any preconceived idea of what they might see, nor -could they have imagined the sight that met their eyes. The room was -large and the walls were lined with shelves from floor to ceiling, like -a fantastic library. - -It was the objects on those shelves that held their attention. Square -glass jars, completely identical, filled the spaces, and in each jar -was a reddish-brown organ exactly like that taken from the corpse -aboard their ship by Jandro. A clear, transparent preservative liquid -surrounded the specimens, and the containers were sealed. - -But in a small space before them a table stood, and on it rested a -single jar with a fresh-looking specimen. Instinctively, they knew it -was the one they had seen excised that morning. - -Terry expelled a lungful of air. "Well, this _is_ something. A morgue -for extinct livers, kept by an amateur surgeon who rides a bike to -work. What the devil do you make of it?" - -Illia was examining the specimens closely. "All of them weren't as good -surgeons as Jandro. Most of these look as if they'd been out with a -meat axe. Some of them look as if they've been here since the beginning -of time." - -"Some sort of ancestor worship," said Underwood. "The apologetics must -be some form of social rite offered to the ancestors of a friend, all -of it interesting but quite useless for our purposes at the moment." - -"It's not that simple," said the semanticist. "Consider the fact that -even though Jandro understands we are from another world, he believes -us familiar with all of this. He therefore believes these things -familiar to all humanoid beings. There could be a scientifically valid -reason behind it." - -"What?" said Underwood. - -"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." - -Jandro was waiting for them when they emerged. He showed them to the -table where a meal was prepared and waiting. - -For Underwood and Illia it was a strange meal, for they could not -communicate with their hosts in the slightest degree. Phyfe and Terry -were entering gradually into the interchange. - -There was awkwardness due to the oversize furniture and eating -equipment, but tolerant allowances were made on both sides. The two -women had difficulty in dropping their stiff reserve, but by the end of -the meal they seemed to have forgotten that the men were anything but -old acquaintances in for a visit. - -It was then that Jandro said, "I suppose you would like to see our -_resa_ and the installation of the _abasa_?" - -Without a sign of incomprehension, Dreyer repeated the question. - -"I'm willing to see anything there is to see," said Underwood. Though -he was restless, he knew they must give more time for the Terrestrian -fleet to get away. - -They left the house and crossed the city afoot, Jandro leading the way -toward one of the major jewels in that sparkling city. It was a large -building of blood-red glass standing apart from other structures. - -"I should have explained," said Jandro. "This is where my duties are -performed. I am an installer. Today I am not working, but operations -are being performed, so that you will be able to witness our methods -as well as the mother-flesh of the _abasa_." - -He led them through the winding corridors of the magnificent structure -of glass. By some means, Underwood observed, the glistening floors -had a high friction co-efficient without losing any of their sheen. -Abruptly, they came into a chamber that formed a small amphitheater, -similar in some respects to the operating amphitheaters of Terrestrian -hospitals. With something of a shock, they discovered that was exactly -what it was. - -They took seats by the protective railing. Below them, on a table -where a pair of surgeons worked, an infant lay with a large abdominal -incision. One of the surgeons lifted a small, fleshy object from a -nearby bath and skillfully inserted it through the incision. They -watched in spell-bound amazement as the organ was sutured into place, -tiny blood vessels were spliced and nerves from adjacent organs were -slit and led into the new mass. - - * * * * * - -Illia clutched Underwood's arm. She whispered, "They're _grafting_ in -those strange organs we haven't identified. They aren't born with them -at all!" - -"But where do they get them?" Terry muttered. "Maybe that's why they -take them out after death--to use them over again. But that couldn't -be because they pickle them. I give up. This is too much for me." - -Illia's eyes were only for the skilled hands below that were working -such miracles with living tissue. Once she looked aside at the calm -features of Jandro and recalled his passing remark that he was an -"installer." If this was the sort of thing he did, he could stand with -the greatest of Earth's surgeons. - -The operation was a long one. When the two surgeons finally closed the -incision, they began a similar operation at the base of the brain, -grafting in a fragment of shapeless flesh there. - -The Earthmen could not comprehend how the infant could stand the shock -of such radical surgery, yet if they were to believe the evidence, this -was performed on every child born on the moon. - -Jandro said, "You have seen our technique. How does it compare with -yours?" - -Dreyer nodded noncommittally. "Very similar, except that we have found -it advisable to delay the brain operation. It relieves shock and -appears to help recovery." - -"The _tri-abasa_, you mean? So that is the explanation. I will be -frank. I've been attempting to detect your _epthalia_ since your -arrival. I have wondered about your reasons for concealment, but of -course that is your own concern. It seemed impossible, however, that -you should prevent me from detecting." - -"Yes," Dreyer replied sagely. He reported the double talk to his -companions. "I don't think we can keep this up much longer, and I don't -believe it would be a good idea to disclose our lack of these organs. -Jandro assumes all humanoid life requires it. He would be likely to -consider us sub-human if he knew." - - * * * * * - -Underwood nodded. "Tell him we'll be on our way, then." - -It had been fruitless, he thought. He didn't know what Dreyer had -expected of their diversionary visit among these people, but as far as -Underwood could see it had accomplished nothing. He had become rather -attracted to Jandro, however, in their few hours together, recognizing -in him something of the same rebellion against the conventions of -his world that Underwood felt on Earth. Perhaps, on the trip to the -Dragboran planet, they could become acquainted. - -Jandro led them from the chamber. "You must see the mother-flesh. It -will only take a few moments. It has never once died, and now is far -older than our historical records." - -The Earthmen followed through the winding corridors again to a door -that opened only after a complicated code system, and then by being -drawn wholly inward. As they walked through the opening, they observed -the walls were nearly four feet thick, of solid glass of a lead-gray -hue. - -"The protection is necessary to guard the mother-flesh against natural -disturbances and the occasional unfortunates among us whose will is to -destroy. No force of which we are aware could penetrate the barrier." - -Underwood's interest was aroused concerning the nature of this -mysterious mother-flesh. He suspected the meaning of the name, but the -nature of the substance was impossible to guess at. - -The room into which they came was very large and equipped as a -laboratory, with wooden and glass instruments on every side. - -The central feature of the room, however, was a large, dome-covered -container about twenty feet in diameter. Inside it, rising about -halfway to the top, was a shapeless mass of flesh, grayish for the most -part, but shot through with livid streaks of red. It pulsed as if some -quiescent, sleeping life possessed it. - -"This is our mother-flesh," said Jandro. - -Illia shuddered faintly at the sight. "It looks almost like an enormous -cancer," she said. - -They peered into the vat, the base of the mound of flesh being hidden -by a thick, soupy liquid. - -A technician approached as they neared the dome. He carried a -long-handled instrument which he had just removed from a sterilizer. As -they watched, he opened a port in the dome and thrust the instrument -quickly into the mound of flesh and turned it. The mass quivered and -recoiled, but the instrument withdrew, holding a core from deep within -the mass. Slowly, the wound closed and the thick, dark blood ceased -flowing. - - * * * * * - -The technician dropped the core into a container and carried it across -the room to one of several hundred cagelike units about a foot square. - -"There you see it," said Jandro. "The primeval flesh is cut out and -placed within its forming box where surgical manipulation and radiation -will cause the formation of the specialized cells that will turn it -into one of the three _abasa_." - -"I'd swear that is cancerous tissue," said Illia. "Whatever the purpose -of these strange organs developed from it, it may be that these -people have succeeded in perfecting the mutation that nature has been -struggling with on Earth for thousands of generations." - -"But what could be the purpose of it?" Underwood demanded. "What -abilities do these organs give that we do not already possess? I don't -see any evidence in Jandro nor did I see any in Demarzule, showing the -results of these organs." - -"Who knows?" said Dreyer. "But I believe Illia may be right. Among us, -cancerous formation has all the appearance of a mutation gone wild, yet -it seems to be one that nature insists on. Perhaps with Jandro aboard -the ship we can find out what these organs do." - -They returned to Jandro's house. There Jandro bade good-by to his -mother and his sister. They seemed curiously unmoved by what must be an -event of tremendous significance in their history, Underwood thought. - -Jandro mounted behind Underwood on the scooter. They rose high in the -air and set a straight course for the spot where the _Lavoisier_ lay. -Jandro gave no outward sign that such flight was unusual for him. - -Within a few minutes they spotted the ship, and groups of the crew -gathered outside, some at a distance of a mile or two. They circled and -landed, returned the scooters to the locks. - -Mason came up as if greatly relieved to see them. "The men are anxious -to be on the way," he said. "The fleet of Demarzule is definitely -returning to Earth, even more rapidly than they came here. There -appears to be no more reason for delay." - -Underwood went to the control room to check the observations. Before -his eyes the mighty fleet was melting into the depths of space toward -Earth. He checked their velocity, and frowned. What purpose was there -in this sudden retreat? Did it signify a trap that had been prepared -for the scientists on the Dragboran planet? - -There was no way of knowing--and no way of combating the unknown. - -Underwood stood up from the viewing plates and nodded. "Let's go." - - - - -_CHAPTER THIRTEEN_ - - -As if awaiting the completion of the final step in his long journey to -destiny, Jandro watched the stars swing past the field of his vision as -the _Lavoisier_ turned sharply to get into the shadow of the planet to -prevent observation by the fleet. - -Underwood watched the alien individual, trying to fathom the mystery of -Jandro and his people. What was the truth about their myth of a fall -from Heaven World, which Jandro admitted he did not believe? How had -the strange mass of flesh originated, from which they perpetuated the -unknown organs within their own bodies? Underwood wondered if Illia -were right, if it were the harnessing of some cancerous mutation that -had occurred long ago in some forgotten individual and perfected for -the whole race. - -Most important of all, could Jandro and his people have any bearing -on the problem that had brought the scientists across the vastness of -space? - -To Underwood it seemed unlikely. They had come in search of a strange -and deadly weapon, hinted at only in scant records half a million -years old. Jandro's people knew nothing of the vast techniques of -producing metallic instruments and equipment. They were wizards in -glass technology, and in surgery, but it was doubtful if they even knew -of the existence of electricity. - -The journey was only a matter of hours from the moon to the planet, but -it seemed the longest part of the trip to the scientists who crowded -about the scanning plates turned up to their highest sensitivity. - - * * * * * - -From a quarter of a million miles away, the faint details of the -ancient cities began to be recognizable on the large screens. The -sharpness with which they were revealed was awe-inspiring, for the -airless world permitted perfect clarity of vision, and there had been -none of the ceaseless winds that were quick to hide the works of man -on other planets beneath dunes of sand. Here it looked as if the -inhabitants had made a quick, orderly exodus only yesterday, leaving -the vast cities for whoever might want them. - -Phyfe was ecstatic at the sight. "The archeologists' dream," he said. -"The perfect preservation of an ancient civilization." - -"I can't see how the atmosphere was destroyed without considerable -effect all over the planet," said Underwood. "It doesn't seem possible. -Wait--there it is!" - -On the horizon of the world appeared a vast scar that looked as if -it encompassed at least an eighth of the planet's surface. It looked -relatively shallow, though they knew it must be miles deep at the -center, as if a searing torch had been touched at that one spot in a -great blaze that consumed all the gases in the planet's atmosphere. For -hundreds of miles around, the cities and plains showed evidence now of -the destruction. It was only on the opposite side of the planet that -the works of the ancient inhabitants had escaped. - -"That's what did it," said Underwood. "I've got an idea that we'll find -actually few cities without considerable damage, but this is more than -I hoped for. If there is evidence of the weapon here, we may be able to -find it yet." - -They circled the planet out of sight of the departing fleet, taking -scores of pictures of the remains below for future study. At a point -farthest removed from the center of destruction lay one of the largest -of the undamaged cities. It was nearly five hundred square miles in -area, and almost in the center of it was an area that looked as if it -had been a landing for ships. There, Underwood ordered the _Lavoisier_ -brought down upon the surface of the Dragboran world. - -Under their predetermined plan, Phyfe was now given charge of their -archeological activities. He had already outlined the method of -procedure. They would move outward in small groups, mapping the city as -they went. Their initial goals would be libraries and laboratories, for -their first task was to obtain command of the Dragboran language. - -As Jandro looked out upon the barren planet, his face displayed its -first sign of emotion. He stared at the deserted ruins and his lips -moved. - -"Heaven World!" he murmured. - -Dreyer came up behind him. "It was just a world where men lived," he -said. "Something happened a long time ago that made it unfit for your -people to live here. Some few of them apparently escaped to the moon -and carried on your civilization. That is what is behind your legends -of Heaven World." - -Jandro nodded slowly. "And it means that we can never possess our world -again. I had thought that I would lead my people back here, be the -first to reclaim my heritage--and there is nothing to reclaim. Forever, -we shall remain in our barren moon of glass while only the ghosts of -the gods possess our metal Heaven World!" - -"You don't believe in the gods, and less in their ghosts," Dreyer -reminded him bluntly. - - * * * * * - -Jandro remained facing the port without speaking. - -Dreyer continued, "Your people would never have followed you here even -if the planet had been all that you dreamed. You know that, don't you?" - -Jandro whirled, startled, as if Dreyer had been reading his mind. -Dreyer pretended not to notice. - -"In every civilization there are those who dream of better things for -themselves and their world. Would it help if I told you that of all the -worlds and peoples that men have found in their wanderings in the void, -there are none as highly civilized as yours?" - -"A world of bits of glass?" - -"A world where the perfection of the individual is the most urgent -community enterprise. But you know all of that. Let's go out and see -what your Heaven World was like when your people lived here." - -Clad in spacesuits, the Earthmen began to pour out of the ship. Phyfe -and Underwood directed the dispersal of the small exploring groups -who were to move radially in all directions. Though few were trained -in the methods of archeology, they understood their objectives well -enough to assist in the preliminary identification of specialized -centers and in gathering information. - -One by one, the groups left the scooters soaring into the sky like -bees swarming from a hive. Underwood chose to remain near the landing -area with Phyfe and Terry and Dreyer. Illia and Jandro also were part -of this group, which were to explore the buildings in the immediate -vicinity of the landing area. - -Underwood was curious about the thoughts passing through the mind of -the stranger as he viewed for the first time the long-dead remains of -Heaven World. Here, where there should have been sunlight and gardens -and life, there was only the mad contrast of blindingly bright planes -and shadows of terrifying darkness, out of which the ghosts of the -half-million-year-old dead might suddenly rise. - -But since stepping out of the ship in the hastily modified suit that -hardly accommodated his bulk, Jandro's face had taken on a look of -inquiry and expression of expectancy, as if waiting for the Earthmen to -do something, yet not quite understanding their delay. - -Underwood was impressed by this curious expectancy, but there were too -many other things to be concerned with at the moment. He drew the -attention of the others toward an edifice that reared at least two -thousand feet into the sky a mile beyond the landing area, but which -was connected with it by a long road or ramp. - -"Let's have a look at that," he suggested. - - * * * * * - -Jandro opened his lips hesitantly as if to speak, then suddenly closed -them tightly and a new and dreadful expression came upon his face. -Underwood was mystified, but dismissed the puzzle from his mind. - -His eyes were upon the great structure that loomed just ahead. He -soared up around it. Nowhere were there windows or other openings in -the heights of the vast, featureless walls. - -He dropped back to ground level and found his companions at the edge of -the enormous ramp leading down into the depths beneath the building. - -He noticed there were only four of them. "Where did Jandro go?" - -Terry glanced quickly about. "I thought he was with you." - -"No. He probably went after something that looked familiar to him. I -guess he can't get lost. The ship is obvious enough out there in the -center of the field. Shall we see what's down here?" - -Dreyer pointed toward a track leading from the depths. "It's possible -this is an underground hangar for their vessels, perhaps an embarkation -station, from which the ships were towed to the takeoff area." - - * * * * * - -Underwood touched the controls of his scooter and led the way down the -decline, a scant few feet above its surface. In the field illuminated -by the spotlight of the scooter, he could see that the opening at the -bottom was close to a hundred and fifty feet in diameter. - -The others followed cautiously down the long slope. At the bottom -they paused, glancing back, estimating their distance under the great -building above. Then Underwood led the way slowly forward into the -darkness of the ancient terminal. - -Suddenly, in the glare of his light, distant metallic facets reflected -the gleam. He went forward swiftly, swinging the light about. Then he -realized they were already in the center of a double row of metallic -walls. - -He focused the light more sharply. - -"Ships!" he exclaimed. "You were right, Dreyer. They couldn't be -anything else." - -The hangar was filled with row on row of the monstrous vessels, -towering ellipsoidal shapes whose crowns were lost in the gloom that -was more desolate than the absolute darkness. But the long shining -hulls looked as if ready for flight on an instant's notice. - -The Earthmen dismounted from the scooters and headed for the nearest -ship, eyes searching for a port. - -"These are wonderful finds from an archeological standpoint," said -Terry, "but they're not likely to contain our weapon because they seem -to be strictly commercial vessels rather than warships." - -"We can't know," said Underwood. "If there was such a state of -Galactic unrest as the conflict between the Sirenians and the Dragbora -indicates, it might have been that all commercial ships were armed." - -"Is that a hatchway?" said Phyfe, pointing suddenly upward. - -Underwood stared in the direction of the beam from the archeologist's -flashlight. As he did so, a score of beams flashed upon them from all -parts of the terminal. Running figures could be seen dimly in the side -reflections. - -The Earthmen whirled about in astonishment and sudden fear. They -started for the scooters on a run, then stopped short. - -A voice rang harshly in their ears. "Halt and disarm in the name of -Demarzule, the Great One!" - -The enormity of their blunder broke upon them simultaneously with -all its mind-crushing force. They had imagined every possible -contingency--except that of a garrison left upon the planet by the -Terrestrian fleet. - -Once again they had underestimated Demarzule! - -Underwood called suddenly into his microphone, turning up the power -to reach the other groups of explorers and those yet at the ship. -"Underwood calling. We're attacked by Demarzule's garrison. Defend--" - -A laugh cut him off. "They would like to defend, no doubt, but the -rest of them are as helpless as you are. Do you suppose that you could -outwit the all-knowing mind of the Great One? He will be pleased to see -those who dared match wits with him. He will be even more pleased with -his servants for returning you." - -Underwood could not see the speaker because the ring of lights blinded -them, but now one of the spacesuited figures stepped forward into the -light of the other lamps and gestured imperiously. - -"Back to your ship!" he commanded. "We will return to Earth at once, as -soon as all of you are rounded up. Don't think of escape. We outnumber -you ten to one in this city, and those of us who stood guard in other -places will join us. Our fleet has been notified already of our -success and they will return immediately to escort us back." - -There was no identifying the voice of the speaker as other than -Terrestrian, but there was something in it that none of their -semantically trained minds had ever heard before, something that -chilled and terrified the sensitive Dreyer. - -Underwood sensed it, and his mind struggled to evaluate its -implications. The voice was that of one who has seen a great and -mighty destiny for himself and his race, all the more shining -because unrestricted by reality. And in that great and illusory -dream, all creatures other than himself and his chosen god sank into -insignificance. - - * * * * * - -It was the voice and the dream of a madman. - -None of the others spoke, but they remained like diligent herdsmen as -the scientists were forced to walk back up the long incline, leaving -the scooters behind. - -Out on the surface again, they saw that there were at least two -dozen of the Great One's Disciples, indistinguishable in space garb. -They had planned with obvious care, doubtless with maps provided by -Demarzule, placing units of their garrison at strategic points where -the scientists would be most likely to explore first. - -Underwood hoped that perhaps some of the other groups had had better -luck than his, but it was unlikely, for the scientists had been totally -unprepared for attack. When the fleet had been seen retreating into -space, they had assumed that threat from that quarter had vanished with -it. - -They marched slowly between the black and shining planes of the city's -walls toward the _Lavoisier_, and as they moved they saw other groups -of the scientists being led back from the opposite side of the landing -area. - -The ship had already been taken over. That hadn't been difficult, -Underwood supposed. Any approaching figures would have been taken for -some of the scientists returning. Inside the ship, when the invaders -burst from the airlocks, weapons ready, the scientists would have had -little chance. - -Underwood and his group were led into the lock and followed by four of -their captors with readied weapons. The scientists were ordered out -of the spacesuits. When the lock was opened, they were turned over -to others who were waiting for them inside the ship. Their original -captors returned to the outside. - -Underwood's eyes searched the faces of those who had taken over the -ship, as if for some sign of the superiority by which the scientists -had been trapped, but there was nothing in those faces, only the light -of fanaticism shining dimly in the eyes. - -Underwood felt sick as he watched Illia led away to be imprisoned in -her own stateroom. The men were herded together into another room, and -the sound of the locking door was like the final blow to all their -hopes. - - * * * * * - -For moments they looked at each other in silence. At last Terry grinned -bleakly. "It looks as if we missed the boat this time, doesn't it? -Even if we could find the way out of this rat trap, there are the -battleships of the fleet on their way here." - -Sound came dimly from other parts of the ship, but the men could -identify none of them. They supposed that the other groups were being -rounded up and imprisoned. The whole thing had been worked out as if -with foreknowledge of their movements. Underwood wondered if Demarzule -didn't almost possess such powers. - -He crossed to a chair in the corner of the room and sat down to try -to think. His thoughts only went around in circles that seemed to -grow smaller and smaller until he could concentrate on only the one -inescapable fact of their imprisonment. - -He wondered what was passing through the minds of the others. Phyfe, -slumped upon a bunk, seemed to have been abandoned by the fierce, -bright spirit that had carried him along this far in the face of their -obstacles. Terry was squirming restlessly. Dreyer sat heavily in the -opposite corner from Underwood, a cloud from his cigar almost obscuring -him from view. - - * * * * * - -But there were deep lines in Dreyer's forehead and his face bore a -fierce desolation that Underwood had never seen there before--as though -all Dreyer's own personal gods had fled at once. - -Underwood knew that Dreyer's mind must be wrestling more with the -problem of responsibility for their failure rather than with the -problem of escape. To the semanticist it would be important to -determine whether the men or their science had failed. He had probably -eliminated the problem of their escape by evaluating it as impossible. - -While his thoughts revolved in endless procession, Underwood's senses -became more acutely aware of the scores of sounds carried by the -metallic walls and framework of the ship. He found himself straining to -identify and separate the sounds. - -There was one that persisted above all the others, but it was not the -scrape of feet against steel floors, nor the bumping of closing and -opening ports. Rather, it was the sound of a voice, so distant as to be -scarcely audible. - -It tapped at the threshold of his consciousness for minutes before he -admitted it was more than imagination. He turned his eyes toward one -after the other of his companions, wondering if they had heard it. Then -for the first time he distinguished words. - -"Men of Earth," the faint voice called. - -Underwood stood up suddenly. Terry jerked his head about. "You heard -it, too?" he asked. - -Underwood nodded. "I could have sworn someone was in this room talking. -Listen, now--it's getting louder." - -While they stared at each other questioningly, there came a sudden -wavering of light in the center of the room. They glanced at the -illumination panel, but nothing was wrong there. Still the distortion -of light in their midst took on vague shape. It wavered and writhed, -as if it were an image on a sheet being tossed in the wind. Then it -assumed questionable solidity. - -It was human in form, taller than a man and copper-skinned. - -"Jandro!" Underwood exclaimed. - -The image faded and wavered again. - -"How can it be?" murmured Phyfe. - -The image was not a thing of reality, Underwood knew. It was no more -than conjuration within their own brains, yet the experience appeared -identical to all of them. That Jandro was in some strange manner -communicating with them, Underwood had no doubt, but the means were -utterly beyond comprehension. - -"I do not know whether you can hear me or not," the voice of Jandro -spoke in their minds. "Listen to me if you can. I see and hear you, and -your actions indicate you are aware of my presence. I am communicating -by means of the _abasic_ senses. I know now that you neither possess -nor understand the _abasic_ organs. It had puzzled me that you did not -use them. - -"What you are or who you are, I cannot guess. You are not men, of -course, for men cannot live without the _abasa_. Proof that you did not -possess it was provided when you allowed yourselves to be trapped and -captured. I could not understand it, for I perceived your enemies the -instant your ship touched the surface of the planet. - -"Our ancient myths and legends speak of creatures such as you, animals -who could survive without the _abasa_, but never were they spoken of as -having the intelligence you display. Whatever you have done, you have -dispelled our one great legend--not only is metal not reserved for the -non-existent gods, it is also permitted to such creatures as you. - -"Therefore, I will bargain with you. I will teach my people to know and -value the ancient science and the metal culture that they have been -denied. You will help me in exchange for my help in overpowering your -enemies. Are you willing to do that?" - -"Where are you? How can you do this?" Underwood demanded. - - * * * * * - -"You can understand the thoughts that I speak, but I cannot understand -your language." Jandro said. - -"There's only one answer," Dreyer said to his companions. "Is it -agreeable to all of us?" - -The others nodded, and Dreyer spoke quickly in Jandro's tongue. "We -will do whatever is in our power." - -"I feel that you are sufficiently intelligent to keep your word," -said Jandro. "When one of your enemies next enters the room, I will -overpower him and you will be free to seize his weapon and to leave. -I will be with you later, though you do not see me. I will visit the -others now." - -The image and the voice were suddenly gone, and the four men looked at -each other as if awakening from a dream that they had miraculously -shared. - -"So the organs they graft in give them telepathic powers," said Terry. -"It's funny he didn't get wise to us from the very first when we used -spoken language all the time. Or was he reading our minds?" - -"No, he wasn't, and can't," said Phyfe. "Recall his words that he -had to have us speak in his own language in order for him to receive -communication from us here. It would suggest that one faculty was -used in impressing our minds with his message, and another was used -in detecting our speech. As for our using spoken language at first, -he probably allowed for it because we were strangers and gave us the -prerogative of selecting our own medium of communication. Do you agree, -Dreyer?" - - * * * * * - -The semanticist nodded. "I think we have witnessed at least two -separate functions of the organs grafted into Jandro. And I would -suggest that we are about to witness still another if he is able to -keep his promise of overpowering the next Disciple to enter our room. -Also, do not forget the semantic implications of the _abasa_ to Jandro. -He is a man and we are lower animals to his way of thinking. It may not -ever be possible to alter that view. We should act accordingly." - -There was a moment of silence, then they grew tense with expectancy -as the sound of the door lock clicked in the silence and one of the -Disciples entered the room. - -He stood in the doorway surveying them, a middle-aged man, erect of -bearing, obviously a professional militarist. He said stiffly, "In the -name of the Great One you are ordered to appear before the Commander -for questioning. You will come at--." - -A sudden glassy stare crept into his eyes, and a look of intolerable -agony flashed across his face. His stiffened, arrogant form stood in -utter lifelessness. Then, slowly, it crashed to the floor. - - - - -_CHAPTER FOURTEEN_ - - -Underwood swept up the gun that fell from the loosened fingers before -it hit the floor. He jerked it into firing position and approached the -open iris of the doorway cautiously. The corridor was clear for the -moment. - -"You and Dreyer remain here," he said to Phyfe. "Terry and I will try -to make it to the control room or wherever this so-called Commander is -keeping headquarters. If we can capture him and gain control of the -ship, you should hear from us within an hour. If not, you'll know we -have failed, and then it will be up to you to make a try." - -The older men nodded. Silently, he and Terry slipped through the -doorway. - -The rest of the iris doors on the corridor were all closed. Underwood -pressed the release lock on the one adjacent to his own recent prison. -The opening flared wide, revealing Roberts, one of the surgeons, and -the three men who had formed his party. - -"Underwood!" Roberts exclaimed. "What happened?" - -Underwood cautioned him to quiet and explained briefly. "Locate some -weapons if you can. There should be some in the corridor lockers. Make -your way down, and release them. Try to hold the locks against the -entry of any more of the Disciples until we can gain control inside the -ship. We have no idea how many are here." - -The men nodded, exuberant at the opportunity for action against the -enemy. There should be weapons in a corridor compartment only a -short distance toward the rear, Underwood knew. Ahead, there was an -additional compartment from which he and Terry could reinforce their -own armament. - -The next room they tried was empty. They thought at first that the one -adjacent to it was also empty, but as they started to move away, Terry -exclaimed, "Look! There on the floor!" - -One of their men was lying sprawled, the back of his shirt covered with -blood and burned tissue. - -Underwood and Terry stepped in and shut the iris door. The man looked -up and smiled feebly as they looked down at him. - -"Hi, Doc," he said. - -It was Armstrong, one of the ship's engineers. - -"What happened?" asked Terry. "Did you try to buck them?" - -The engineer answered painfully. "No. It was a sort of object lesson. -I think. The Commander--Rennies, they call him--gave me his personal -attention. But have you got the ship back?" - -Underwood shook his head. "We've just broken out and managed to free a -few of the others. Can you hang on a while until we can get help?" - -"Yeah, sure. Don't worry about me." - - * * * * * - -"Do you know how many of them there are aboard?" - -"About twenty took us over in the beginning. We were puzzled when we -thought so many of you were coming back at once. Sessions and Treadwell -down in the engine room were killed outright and a couple more of the -boys pretty badly shot up when they tried to resist. They're the only -ones I know of, besides me. Rennies and his gang took up headquarters -in the control room the last I heard. That's about all the dope I can -give you." - -"It helps," said Underwood. "We can take care of twenty of them, if we -can get organized. Take it easy, old man, and we'll be back with help." - -The engineer smiled and his eyes closed. - -Underwood and Terry hurried out, closing the iris door behind them. -They came to the storage closets and found to their relief that the -invaders had not removed the weapons stored there. Underwood selected -another gun; Terry took a pair. - -"I wish we'd hear again from Jandro," said Terry. - -"He may be helping the group down at the locks. We're on our own here, -it appears." - -They came to the end of the corridor and the passage split, forming a -U around the control room because the navigational machinery had to be -located on the axis of the ship. - -"Let's separate," Underwood said. "It'll give us a chance to attack -from two directions. They may not have a guard that's too alert, since -we couldn't be expected to need much guarding." - -"Good idea," said Terry. He checked his watch with Underwood's. "Begin -firing in exactly sixty seconds!" - -They separated and went swiftly in opposite directions. - -As Underwood came to the abrupt turn that would put him in a direct -line with the door to the control room, he halted and listened for -sounds from beyond. Footsteps were moving carelessly and hurriedly. -Only one person, Underwood thought; therefore, it must be one of the -Disciples. There was the unlikely possibility that one of his own men -had escaped independently and had already been to the control room. -He'd have to risk that. - -He stepped around the corner and fired. - -The shot caught the man--a Disciple, luckily--full in the chest. An -instant's surprised agony did not prevent a wild cry from issuing from -his throat. Underwood leaped over the fallen body before the Disciple -ceased struggling. - -From inside the control room there were sudden confused shouts and -orders. Underwood saw two figures running toward the iris. He fired -twice, then dropped to the floor. The first man collapsed in the path -of the second, but the latter was only slightly wounded. He raised his -weapon toward Underwood even as he fell. - - * * * * * - -From his prone position, Underwood fired again. The blast missed and -reddened the metal of the far wall of the room for a moment. - -Underwood did not dare move. He could find little shelter in the small -corner where the circled doorway did not fully meet the rectangular -corridor, but there was no other to be had. - -Shots from within the control room were coming close now. He could -feel the heat they generated in the metal floor. While he tried to -edge closer into the corner, somebody else came into his view. It was -an impressive, militaristic figure, undoubtedly Commander Rennies, -for his harsh, arrogant voice was ordering one of the men to call for -assistance from the other end of the ship. - -Then, suddenly, the Commander stiffened. Even Underwood could glimpse -the stare that glazed his eyes like polished glass. Jandro? - -The others in the room saw it also, and heard the crash as the heavy -body fell to the floor. - -The disaster to the Disciples disrupted their attack for an instant. It -was long enough for Underwood to get his gun up and fire straight at -his opponent. The man started and whirled with a look of surprise on -his face for an instant before he died. - -And then another shot came from the opposite side of the room and -caught one of the remaining defenders unaware. Terry was there at last! - - * * * * * - -Underwood breathed heavily in relief. He had been afraid Terry had been -caught. Apparently the archeologist had met opposition of his own and -had eventually succeeded in overcoming it. - -Terry and Underwood rushed the control room simultaneously. Only a -single member of the Disciples was able to offer resistance. Beams -from the two guns crossed the room and caught him in a lethal blaze. - -Cautiously, Underwood advanced not quite inside the doorway. - -"Terry, you there?" he called. - -"Check. I ran into one of them in the corridor." - -"Keep out of the way. I'm going to come in blasting in your direction -in case any more of these fanatics are hiding." - -"Right. If I don't get your okay in five or so, I'll come in the same -way." - -Underwood set the beam to a low but deadly intensity and fanned it up -and down, bringing the plane of motion ever nearer the wall that could -be hiding an attacker. Without exposing himself, he extended his hand -and brought the gun about until he knew the room was cleared or that -any one hiding there had been hit. - -He entered then and called to Terry. The redhead entered grinning, but -a smear of blood covered his left arm from the shoulder down. - -"Terry! You're hurt!" - -"I didn't get him good enough with my first shot. I'll be all right. -What do we do now?" - -"We can clear the ship by throwing some chloryl triptanate into the -air system. But even after that, we can't even go back to the moon to -return Jandro to his own people--that would bring the whole fleet down -on them." - -"We'll figure something out," said Terry optimistically. "We didn't -expect to get this far. I wonder what happened to that guy Jandro. Have -you found out where he actually is yet?" - -"No. He apparently killed Rennies, but I've heard nothing from him." - -"I'll get the triptanate, and some mesarpin for antidote. If I'm not -back in half an hour, it'll be your baby." - -"You guard here," said Underwood, "You'd better take it easy with that -arm of yours." - -"You're more important around here than I am. I'll be back in five -minutes." Terry disappeared in the direction of surgery. - -Underwood sat down wearily--and suddenly became aware of the fixed dead -stare of the eyes of Commander Rennies, who lay on the floor. - -His name had been vaguely familiar to Underwood and now he knew -why. Rennies had attained considerable renown in the interstellar -military field. He had been an able leader, highly trained, widely -read, intelligent, and a clever tactician--yet his mind had been as -vulnerable to Demarzule as the most illiterate of the Disciples. - -Then Underwood became aware of a slow stirring upon the floor. The last -Disciple he had shot was not dead. The lips twisted in a snarl of hate. - -"Fools!" The Disciple spat out. Blood poured from between his lips. -"Do you suppose you can block the Great One? The human race waited ten -thousand years for this savior. Man shall become the greatest in all -the Universe with him as leader. Pay homage to the Great One as all the -Galaxies shall pay homage to us!" - -Underwood said, "Why?" - -"Because we are the greatest!" - -He looked at the man curiously. It was as if the knowledge of semantics -did not exist, yet for twelve hundred years semanticists had slowly -been prying loose the ancient false extensions that cluttered men's -thinking and dwarfed their concepts. - -Demarzule had wiped out all of that merely by his presence. Underwood -found himself wondering why he should be at all concerned with the -matter. - - * * * * * - -He knew, however, that as a member of the human race he had to keep on -hoping that the course of evolution would lead it to something greater -than constant strife and insecurity. He had been blind when he had -tried to escape. There was no escape; he saw that very clearly now. - -A sudden sound in the corridor alerted his senses. His gun moved -slightly to cover the entrances. - -Then Terry burst into view with the containers of chemicals from the -surgical lab. - - * * * * * - -"Made it," he said. "Any trouble here?" - -"No, just one revived for a little while to gab. He's dead now." The -man was quiet in a pool of his own blood. "How do things look out -there?" - -"A lot of racket in the direction of the lock area. Must be fighting -going on down there. I didn't see anyone at all near this end." - -While he spoke, Terry bent over and moistened a strip of his clothing -with one of the liquids. He held it to his nostrils for a moment and -passed it to Underwood. Then he opened the return air vent and poured -the contents of the other bottle into it. The highly volatile liquid -quickly vaporized and passed to the fans of the central ventilating -blowers, from which it passed into every chamber of the ship. Within -ten minutes it had anesthetized every person aboard the ship except the -two who had inhaled the antidote. - -While they waited, Underwood stared thoughtfully at the dead Rennies. -"I wonder how Jandro kills," he said. "Can there be any defense against -such silent power? Have you thought of what that implies with relation -to Jandro's people and the society they live in?" - -Terry nodded. "I haven't thought much of anything else since I first -saw him kill that guard in our stateroom. A civilization in which every -member holds a silent, secret weapon over the head of his neighbor. -It's incredible that it could exist." - -"But it _has_ existed and continues to exist, and I'll bet that Jandro -is the first of his kind to use this power for generations." - -"It certainly implies a stability and individual recognition of -responsibility that has never existed among us. I doubt that it ever -will." - -"Someday it _might_." - -"We won't be around." - -"There's something else, too," Underwood said. "This may be the way out -for us. It could be." - -"What do you mean?" - -"Suppose just one of us had the power Jandro has. That would be the -weapon against Demarzule that we need!" - -Terry hesitated. "We're not likely to get that power--and if we did, we -could never get near enough to Demarzule to use it." - -"No? Suppose we let the fleet capture us and take us back. It's my -guess that Demarzule wants us alive. His pleasure in our downfall -should come from personally witnessing our defeat. It would fit -his character. So we'll be brought back as prisoners. Then all that -would be necessary would be to dispose of him just as Jandro did with -Rennies." - -"You're forgetting that Demarzule has the same organs and the same -powers. You don't know what kind of defense could be offered against -them--perhaps they are immune to such attacks themselves. That would -explain this mystery of Dragboran civilization. Maybe Demarzule -could detect it if any of us possessed the organs. Lastly, there is -absolutely no possibility of our getting them, anyway." - - * * * * * - -Underwood's face darkened. "That's the one thing I haven't figured out -yet, but there's got to be a way. It looks as if this is the only hope -left us to destroy the alien. We'd have to defeat the whole fleet to -continue searching for the Dragboran weapon, and there's no chance of -that." - -"I hope you're right. Well, the anesthetic has had time to act. Let's -revive our men and set to work on it." - -They made sure of their weapons, and left the control room. Within the -whole ship there was no sound except their footsteps in the corridor. -One by one, they opened the stateroom doors as they went down toward -the locks. They held the cloths moistened with the restoring vapors to -the nostrils of each of their own men. - -The first were Dreyer and Phyfe. Mason and his crew were found in the -next room toward the stern. Quick explanations were made and those -revived went to the task of restoring still others. - -In Illia's stateroom, they found her lying composed upon her bunk. -For a moment, as he looked down upon her serene features, Underwood -forgot the intense urgency of his tasks. He tried to recall just why he -had been willing to sacrifice the life that Illia and he had hoped to -share--sacrifice, because she had believed in man, while Underwood had -wanted only escape from the pressure of an erratic and chaotic society. -Surely that life together would not have been postponed if he could -have seen the choices earlier as he saw them now. Was it too late to -hope now for reprieve from the destruction that hovered over them? He -dared not answer. - -Gently, he restored her to consciousness. - -"I had the nicest dream," she said. "I knew you were in control as soon -as the first whiff of triptanate came through." - -"We're not in control yet. The main fleet will arrive within a few -hours and have us cornered. Most of us are revived with the exception -of a large group down by the locks. Will you go up and help Armstrong, -the engineer? He's in B05 and badly hurt. We haven't been able to do a -thing for him yet." - -Illia nodded. "I'll take care of him. Any others?" - -"Terry here." He motioned at Terry's bloodcaked arm. "You'd have to -tie him down to work on him, though. Maybe he can go until we get -organized." - -They separated in the corridor and Underwood hurried on toward the -stern locks. As he came up he could see a large group of the men -gathered around. Apprehension drove him to a run along the narrow -passageway. The group turned as they heard his footsteps and made a -path for him. - -A scene of death lay before him. Bodies of scientists and Disciples lay -side by side on the floor. There were Roberts, the surgeon, and Parker -and Muth, two of the chemists. Three others were not recognizable. Six -of his own men had died and five of the Disciples before the gas had -brought an instant and bloodless end to the battle. - -He turned away. He wished there might have been some other way than -sacrificing those men, but if the scientists had not held the lock, the -Disciples might have remained in permanent control of the ship. - - * * * * * - -He beckoned to Terry, who was checking the roster with Mason. "Have you -accounted for everyone yet?" - -"Peters, Atchison, and Markham appear to be the three we couldn't -identify," said Terry. "And, of course, Jandro. No one has heard or -seen anything of him since he killed Rennies." - -"Jandro!" Underwood was suddenly and fearfully aware of Jandro's -absence. "We've got to find him. There's no use of any of us leaving -unless we do." - -"I couldn't be sure, but I think I saw him from the lock viewplates a -minute ago," Captain Dawson said. "There's no way of telling except by -that oversize spacesuit, but he may be lying on the ground out there." - -"If he's been killed--" Underwood raced toward the nearest viewing -station. - -He switched it on and scanned the area about the ship. Disciples were -milling about, hesitant about using their Atom Stream weapons to force -entrance without orders from their Commander. - -Dawson pointed. "Toward the stern--there!" - -It was unmistakably Jandro, though a blast had blackened the upper -right portion of the spacesuit and a gap showed in it. - -"If the self-sealers worked, he may not have been out there too long," -Underwood said urgently. "Dawson, drive the mob back with the big Atom -Stream, then throw a force shell over to Jandro so we can go out and -get him." - - * * * * * - -Dawson hurried away, calling for his mates and engineers on his way -to the control room. Underwood remained watching the exterior from -the plate. Abruptly the Disciples turned and fled in panic. The blue -radiance of the Atom Stream played about the ship, clearing a space -beyond Jandro. Then the view of all the ancient city and the fleeing -Disciples was cut off as the impenetrable force shell went out. Mason -and two of the crew were already in suits and in the lock. They opened -it the instant the force shell stabilized. - -Jandro had been lying in the sunlight. That might have saved him. -Underwood thought, for the suit absorbed the radiant heat. - -The three men reached the Dragboran and lifted him carefully. They did -not know whether he was dead or alive as they gently rolled him onto a -stretcher and carried him to the ship. - -Underwood located Akers, the surgeon next in skill to Illia, who -ordered the surgery prepared. Underwood left his post and sought Illia. -Jandro would need all her skill if he still lived. But he wondered if -the engineer, Armstrong, did too. - -Underwood found her still in the room where Armstrong lay. She was -rising from her knees as he entered. - -"There was nothing to be done for him," said Illia. "I stayed until he -died. Do you need me anywhere else?" - -"Yes. Jandro was shot outside. Akers is making ready, but I want you to -take over. Jandro is the key to our whole success here. If he's alive, -he's got to be kept alive." - -Illia looked at him questioningly. - -"I'll do my best," she cried. - -Akers was quite willing for Illia to take over when he saw Jandro. The -wound was ghastly to see, slashing across the full width of the chest. - -While Jandro was in surgery, Underwood called a general meeting. They -gathered rapidly in the conference room, but their worn and strained -faces were little short of tragic. - -"We've lost our chance for any Dragboran super-weapon we might have -found in the ruins here," said Underwood without preamble. "We're -defenseless--except for the shell--and outnumbered. We can't run -because the fleet can run faster, and we can't stay bottled up here -forever. I can think of only one thing possible that we can do." - -The others did not need to be reminded of the hopelessness of their -situation, but their eyes lighted with interest at the last sentence. -Then he outlined briefly his idea of obtaining the organs and powers -that Jandro possessed and allowing themselves to be captured and taken -to Demarzule. - -"It sounds good for a last-ditch stand," said Mason. "But you haven't -explained how we are going to get back to the moon so that we can -obtain these things from the Dragbora." - -"That is the one missing element of the plan," said Underwood. Then he -added fiercely, "And it's got to be solved! That's why I called you -here. I haven't the answer, but together we've got to find it. It's our -last chance to stop Demarzule." - -Mason jumped to his feet. "There ought to be several hours yet before -the fleet arrives. We might have time to rig up a field generator and -set up a dummy here to make the Disciples believe we're hiding under -it, while we actually take off for the moon." - -"That's it!" Underwood exclaimed. "Only we'll have to move around the -planet to avoid detection by the local garrison. But that will do it!" - -The interphone sounded. Illia said, "We're finished, Del. Jandro is -alive, but he'll be dead within an hour. If you want to see him, you'd -better come now." - - - - -_CHAPTER FIFTEEN_ - - -Underwood started for the door without hesitation. "We'll try your -plan, Mason. Take over. Dreyer, Phyfe--please come along with me." - -They hurried to the room next to surgery where Jandro lay in bed, -motionless and unseeing. Only Illia and Akers were with him. - -At the sight of that unmoving figure, Underwood experienced a depth -of sorrow and pity that wiped out all other thoughts for a moment. -He felt that he alone of all the Earthmen could understand the deep -rebellion, the dreams and the hopes that had been the driving force in -Jandro's life. And this was a mean end for such bright dreams--death at -the hands of crazed fanatics on a Heaven World that had proved to be -anything but that. - -Underwood thought of the green, shining moon of the refugee Dragbora -where men lived in peace with one another. The moon that Jandro would -never see again. - -Jandro's eyes fluttered open slowly and gradual recognition came into -them. Dreyer said softly, "We're sorry. If there were anything within -our power to get you back to your own world and your own people, we -would do it. I hope you know that." - -"Of course," said Jandro slowly. "I would like my _seaa-abasa_ to be -with those of my ancestors for the day when life will return. But I -think perhaps it never will. It is like our dream of the gods, only a -delusion. As for death, that is certain for every man. How or when it -comes is not important. It is strange for me to observe the grief of -animals for a man. Strange--" - -"Doesn't he suppose there was a time when the Dragbora never had the -mother-flesh and the secret of the _abasa_?" Asked Underwood, and -Dreyer translated for him. - -"Naturally," Jandro replied. "We were merely animals then, as you are -now. When you came in your ships of metal, all of us thought surely the -gods had come to return us to Heaven World again. You did us a great -favor in showing us how wrong we were in our legends and our dreams. -But until we arrived on this planet, I still thought you were superior -beings because I could not detect your _epthalia_. None of us have the -ability to hide it from each other." - -"But you knew it when we were attacked?" said Dreyer. - -"I could not understand why you did not act to forestall your enemies -who were so apparent to me. Then I realized that it was because you did -not possess the _abasa_ at all. I was frightened because I did not know -what to do. I had never dreamed in all my life that I would meet with -creatures who might be gods because they possessed the metals, and yet -were lower than men because they did not have the _abasa_. I did not -understand." - - * * * * * - -"We do not understand many things about each other," said Underwood, -"but perhaps you understand us well enough now to know that we need -your help against these enemies of ours--and of yours. - -"Many hundreds of thousands of years ago, there was a race, called the -Sirenians, and they were deadly enemies of your race, the Dragbora. -Like you, they possessed the _abasa_, but instead of living peacefully -they set out to conquer all the worlds and the Galaxies. In the end -they were defeated by your people who had some mysterious weapon that -penetrated every defense of the Sirenians. We came to your ancient -world to find a clue to that weapon because one of the Sirenians -succeeded in surviving and is now at large upon our own world. He -has seized control over our people and is setting out to sweep the -Galaxies with conquest and blood. In time he will find even your little -world. The civilizations of many Galaxies will suffer centuries of -retrogression. - -"We didn't find the weapon we came for, and now our chance is gone, for -the fleet of Demarzule, the Sirenian, is almost upon us. There is just -one hope left to us. - -"We believe that his men will capture us alive and take us to him if we -permit it. If we could be taken into his presence bearing the power of -destruction that lies in the _abasa_, we might be able to destroy him. - -"Can you--will you--make it possible for us to gain that power by -grafting the _abasa_ in some of us upon your world?" - -Dreyer translated as rapidly as possible the swift spoken words of -Underwood while Jandro lay with closed eyes, as if sleeping a dreamless -sleep. It was a long time after Dreyer finished that Jandro slowly -opened his eyes again. - - * * * * * - -His voice was so low that Dreyer had to lean forward to catch his words. - -"It is a strange story you tell," he said, "but I am impressed that -what you say is true. As to your request--no. It would be utterly -impossible for you to be given fresh _abasa_ as are the young of our -race. Not that I wouldn't make it possible for some of you--a very -few--to receive them, if I could, but the _abasa_ can be installed in -only the very young. - -"The use of the _abasa_ is similar to that of the organs of walking or -speaking. The organs must develop from their rudimentary forms through -long years of usage, and skill with them comes much more slowly than -any of the other common skills. Though they are installed in us in -infancy, most of us are well matured before we gain great skill. For -this reason alone it would be impossible for you to have the organs." - -Across the bed, Underwood's eyes met Illia's and held for an -endless moment. In her he sought strength to endure the crushing -disappointment. Illia's eyes gave him blind assurance that there would -yet be a way. - -"Your race will, in time, develop and learn the use of the _abasa_," -Jandro went on, "but not for many hundreds of generations. From what -I have seen of your people, I wonder what your world would be like if -every one possessed the power to kill at will, silently, and without -detection. I do not know the answer to that, but I ask you to answer -it for yourselves. The mere fact that you have not yet developed the -_abasa_ is proof that you are not ready for it. - -"The Dragbora live in peace not because they have such terrible power; -they can live with such power because they have first learned how men -must live with one another. You cannot understand why the power of -death is inherent in the _abasa_. It is merely one of the inevitable -functions that accompany the other greater and more useful powers, most -of which you shall, of course, never know. I wonder if you would want -the _abasa_, even if it were possible for you to possess it," Jandro -finished. - - * * * * * - -"For our race? No!" Underwood shuddered at the thought of every man -of Earth possessing instant, undetectable powers of death over his -neighbor. "You are right in that, Jandro. Whatever the other powers -of the _abasa_ may be, we could not live with it. But Demarzule is a -totally extraneous factor not considered in our own evolution. We have -no defense against him. If the power of death in the _abasa_ could be -used to destroy him, it would give our race its one chance of staving -off this threat. - -"Yet you say it is impossible. It means for us no hope against the -barbarism that will destroy our civilization and brutalize our people, -not to mention what it means to the other civilizations of the -Galaxy--including your own." - -There was scarcely the sound of their breathing within the room as the -Earthmen avoided each others' eyes now, staring down at the closed ones -of Jandro. - -"Your people hardly deserve the scourge of Demarzule and the Sirenian -demand for supremacy," said Jandro slowly. "And what you say of the -rest of the Universe is true. In a way, the Dragbora are responsible. -Demarzule is a product of the Sirenian-Dragboran culture. My ancestors -should have made more sure of the total extinction of the Sirenian -branch. Perhaps there is one way in which we could yet help." - -"You _can_ help?" Underwood asked eagerly and incredulously. - -"I have little longer to live. It would be worthwhile if, in that hour -left to me, I could complete the task of extinction--or at least enable -you to do so. If one of you is willing to take the risk, I will do what -I can." - -"No risk is too great! But what can be done?" - -"As far as I know, it has never been attempted, but perhaps my own -_abasa_ could be transferred to you." - -Dreyer translated the offer, his glance going from Illia to Underwood. -Something of hope seemed to come again into his eyes. - -Underwood caught his breath sharply. "A set of fully developed _abasa_ -transferred to my own body! There would be one of us to meet Demarzule -on his own level. Illia--" - -Her face was suddenly white. "It's impossible, Del! I couldn't perform -such an operation without any previous study with their anatomy. I -can't do it!" - -"It's got to be done, Illia. I'll take a chance on your skill." - -"That's an utterly ridiculous statement. I have no skill in a case like -this. Tell him, Dr. Dreyer. He can't expect that much of me." - -"I don't know, Illia," said the semanticist. "It seems to me that you -are confusing your analysis by your own personal emotions. You cannot -be evaluating properly under such conditions." - -She bit her lips to hold back a further outburst. Then, at last she -said, "Don't ask the impossible of me, Del. I saw the way they split -the nerves in the operation we watched. It couldn't be done without -long practise. Most of all, I couldn't do it to you." - -As if sensing the meaning of their argument, Jandro spoke suddenly. -"You will have great difficulty in making a successful installation -because you are unfamiliar with the anatomy of the _abasa_, true, but -I can help. I can guide and direct your hands up to the very point of -cutting the nerves to the _tri-abasa_. You shall succeed if you allow -me to guide you." - - * * * * * - -Underwood kept his eyes upon Illia. Her face was as pale as her shining -hair. - -"I'll try, Del," she said. - -News of the projected experiment sped swiftly through the ship, and -its significance was greeted with awed incomprehension as if Underwood -has suddenly stepped from their midst into a misty realm beyond their -reach. And their awe was magnified by the knowledge that it could very -well mean death. - -Within minutes of the decision, assistants were rolling the tables -bearing the white sheeted forms of Underwood and Jandro into the -surgery. - -A strange peace, a sort of ecstasy, seemed to have come over Jandro. -Underwood had seen and heard of resignation in the face of death, but -never such serenity as possessed Jandro. It had a calming effect upon -Underwood and he shed the thoughts of his own possible death or maiming -as a result of the strange operation. He thought only of the mission -that would be his once he owned the powers of the Dragbora. - -Whatever turmoil possessed Illia had vanished as she faced Underwood. -The sterile white of her surgeon's garb masked her personality and her -feelings, and left only a nameless agent possessed of science and skill. - -Underwood grinned up at her as the anesthetic was injected. "When I -wake up I'll let you know how it feels to be a Dragboran." - - * * * * * - -At the adjacent operating table, Akers was preparing Jandro for the -preliminary work of exposing the _abasic_ organs. - -Then, to each of them came the unspoken command to abandon their -minds by Jandro. It was an incredible, unearthly experience, but they -released their senses and gradually the guiding impulses from the -Dragboran brain surged into their own. - -For just the barest fraction of an instant, Illia's hand trembled -as she touched the electronic scalpel to the flesh at the base of -Underwood's shaven skull. The skin severed, and her nerves were threads -of steel. - -With increasing speed, Akers and Illia made the incisions in the bodies -before them. Their hands moved surely, as if Jandro were seeing with -their eyes and using their hands. - -The deep incision was made in Underwood's skull. The pulsing brain lay -exposed. Illia concentrated for an instant as waves of instruction -flowed from Jandro. Then, swiftly, the scalpel cut a bloodless path -through a section of unused tissue. - -She moved to the adjacent table and peered into the wound that Akers -had made in Jandro's head. She paused as his words came to her. - -"This is the final step. I can go no further with you. Attend to my -instructions now and you shall succeed." - -Flashing, incomprehensible things flooded into her mind, imperishable -photographs of the remainder of this operation and the one to follow, -in which the two abdominal organs would be transferred. Illia knew -that every picture would return in its own time to guide her hands in -unfamiliar paths. - -"Proceed!" Jandro suddenly commanded. "I retire to the _seaa-abasa_. -Farewell!" - -The flowing pictures ceased and Illia felt suddenly alone, like a child -lost amid a blinding storm. There was nothing to depend on now but her -own skill and the telepathic instructions. - -She faltered for an instant and breathed a name, "Del--Del!" - -Akers was watching her sharply as she stood staring at the strange, -unearthly organ lying in the brain pan of the dead Dragboran. - -But it was not strange. She knew its constitution and anatomy and the -complex nerve hook-up that connected it with the brain. They were as -clear as if she had studied them for many years. - -A surge of gladness and confidence filled her. She was alone in this -yes, but that did not matter any more. She alone possessed the ability -to perform the operation, and a world awaited the results. - -Her scalpel entered the incision and touched the flesh with a pinpoint -of destruction that sheared away the tissue from the delicate white -nerve channels serving the _abasic_ organ. - -For a full hour, and then another, Akers watched in un-believing -fascination as Illia freed the twelve separate nerve filaments serving -it, then cut the artery and filled the vessels with the chemical -solution that would feed the cells until Underwood's blood could be -sent pouring through it. - -At last all that remained was the severing of the connecting tissues -that held the organ in place. Illia cut them and plunged her hands into -the sterilizing, protecting compound that had been prepared at Jandro's -instructions. She salved the organ and lifted it out, then thrust it -quickly into the corresponding cavity in Underwood's brain pan. - -This phase of the operation was less than half over. Blood vessels had -to be prepared to serve the new organ in Underwood's body, and the -twelve nerves had to be connected into the Great Sympathetic where no -such nerves had ever been connected before. - - * * * * * - -Another two hours passed before the final sutures closed the wound in -Underwood's head. - -When at last she laid the needle down, Illia's hand suddenly trembled -and she quivered throughout her body. - -"Can't we postpone the others for a time?" asked Akers. "You surely -can't go on with two more like that." - -"I'm afraid the tissues will degenerate too much if we delay. If I were -only as fast as those Dragboran surgeons. What men they must be! Get me -a shot of neostrene and better have one yourself. We'll go on." - -Akers was willing, but he didn't believe that Illia could stand more -hours of exacting surgery. After a moment's rest, however, and a shot -of the stimulant drug, she stepped back to the operating tables to -perform the adbominal operation. Once again, Akers made the preliminary -incisions. - -In the control room the group leaders waited for news in nerve-racking -inactivity. Terry Bernard paced about, his flaming disheveled hair -like a signal flare swinging through the room. Phyfe stood at one of -the observation panels watching the inexorable approach of Demarzule's -fleet. Dawson sat at his Captain's position fingering the inactive -switches on the panel before him. Most placid of all, Dreyer simply -sat in the navigation chair and smoked cigars so unrelentingly that it -taxed the ventilating system of the ship. - - * * * * * - -Terry glanced at the clock anxiously and stopped his pacing. "It's been -over thirteen hours since Underwood went in there. Don't you think we -ought to ask Illia--" - -"There are only two alternatives," said Dreyer. "Success or failure. -Our questioning will not assure success. We had best keep out of the -way." - -Mason kept anxious watch of the progress of the fleet. No one knew -what would happen when the battleships arrived and surrounded the -_Lavoisier_, but they had not long to wait. The ships were hardly more -than minutes away from the planet. - -As if guided by a single mind, the ships turned slowly in the black -sky as their navigators and lookouts spotted and set a course for the -luminous bubble that marked the force shell hiding the _Lavoisier_. - -To the crewmen watching from within, it was a fearful sight to -witness the sudden plunging flight of those twenty mighty ships. -Simultaneously, a score of fearful Atom Streams were turned upon the -bubble, apparently not in the futile hope of burning through the -protection, but to destroy the minute sensory probes and prevent the -ship from navigating away from the planet. - -In spatial combat, where the ship was free to wheel and turn and defend -itself, it would not have been so easy to destroy the probes. But -with the ship motionless upon the surface of the planet, the streams -of incomprehensible fire washed over every square millimeter of the -surface of the shell, probing, destroying and setting off the multitude -of relays within the _Lavoisier_, closing the hairlike openings in the -shell as the probes were burned away. - -Mason moved away as one after another of the segments on his plates -went dead until there was no vision whatever of the outside world. - -He turned to the others and motioned toward the dead plates. "This is -it." - -The spell that fell upon them was broken minutes later by Illia's -abrupt voice on the interphone. - -"The operation is finished." - - - - -_CHAPTER SIXTEEN_ - - -Consciousness came to Underwood as if he were responding to the -persistent voice of some unseen speaker. It called him out of the -depths of eternal existence into the realm of conflict and reality. -Curiously, it sounded like Jandro. - -He opened his eyes. Illia was there, her face white and strained. But -as he looked at her, her blue eyes glistened and she bent down. "Del! -Oh, Del--!" - -Terry, Phyfe, Mason and Akers were standing near the bed, watching with -anxious faces. - -Pain was beginning to show itself in burning streamers, but he managed -a quick smile to those about him. "Looks like we made it all right," -he said. "I wonder what I can do with these gadgets now. Think they'll -work, Illia?" - -She raised up, brisk and businesslike once more. "You aren't going -to find out for a while. I intend to knock you out for a good, cold -twenty-four hours. Give me your arm." - -She reached for a hypo needle on the table beside the bed. - -It was like stumbling around in the dark at first, trying to run from -an unseen pursuer. But all at once, Underwood knew he didn't need to -run at all. The hypo was blocking the sensory equipment in other parts -of his body, but it couldn't affect the _abasic_ organs if he didn't -want it to. He stopped running and watched the ordinary faculties of -his body give way while he stood aside in complete immunity. It was as -if he could step outside and look at himself. - -And, suddenly, that was what he was doing! - - * * * * * - -He could see the room, the watching scientists, and Illia carefully -checking his heartbeat and respiration. He could see himself lying -still with eyes closed. Curiously, he could not identify the point -of view. He thought for a moment that he was up near the ceiling -somewhere, looking down, but that wasn't right, either, because he -could see the ceiling just as well as the floor or the four walls. The -scene was like a picture taken with a lens having a solid angle of -perception of three hundred and sixty degrees. - -He wondered if he could go beyond the limits of the room, tried it -and found it quite easy to do. There was some clumsiness due to -inexperience and conditioning that stopped him at the walls, where -he had a moment's claustrophobic fright of being trapped between the -metal panels, but it was over in an instant and he was through. He -went toward the control room and found it occupied only by Dreyer, who -remained placidly smoking a cigar in the navigator's chair. - -Underwood wanted to communicate with the semanticist, only he wasn't -sure how to go about it. It was like trying to talk with a mouth full -of dry crackers. - -But Dreyer stared around with a sudden start. He removed the cigar from -his mouth and looked agape for an unseen speaker. - -"Dreyer, can you hear me?" - -"Underwood! You succeeded!" - -"After a fashion. So far it's like walking around in deep mud, but I'm -getting used to it gradually." - -"This is wonderful--_wonderful_!" Dreyer breathed. "I hadn't dared hope -that I would ever hear your voice again. Where are you?" - -"That's a tough question. Theoretically, I'm unconscious back in sick -bay with a shot of neo-morph that will keep me out for twenty-four -hours. Illia and the others are back there watching me. The _abasic_ -senses aren't at all affected by the drug. I seem to be able to wander -anywhere I wish about the ship. The funny part is that I can't pin down -a point of view. I don't seem to be anywhere. Nevertheless, my -senses perceive distant sounds and objects--including my own corpus." - -"Can you detect my thoughts when I don't speak? Jandro didn't seem able -to do that." - -Underwood laughed. "I don't know whether I can or not. I try, but all -I get is a fuzzy static. I'm sure that these organs have dozens of -functions that we haven't even dreamed of yet. I hope that I can learn -to use them all." - -"What do you plan now? Do you need a period of exercise and study?" - -"Some, but not nearly as much as I would have needed if it hadn't been -Jandro's mature organs that were grafted into me. There is something -that we never thought of before, though." - -"What is that?" - -"We can still search for the Dragboran weapon we came here for. I can -go outside the ship with these new senses. I don't know whether I can -cover the whole planet or not, but if not, we can move to keep in range -of my powers. It will be slow because I am the only one who can do it, -but it may be faster in the end because I can get around more quickly." - -"I wonder if it will be possible in the presence of the fleet--or -didn't you know that they had arrived?" Dreyer pointed toward the -blank viewplates. - - * * * * * - -"I didn't know. What are they doing there?" - -Underwood realized immediately the absurdity of the question. Dreyer -could know no more about it than he, since all communication with the -outside was destroyed. - -With all the strength he could gather, he hurled his new powers beyond -the scope of the ship, out into the contrasting heat and cold of the -barren planet. It was as if he had hurled himself high into space, for -he was viewing the broad expanse of the Dragboran world and the busy -fleet of Demarzule. - -Underwood's senses revolted at what he saw. Completely surrounding the -ship was utter, flaming destruction. The great city of the Dragbora -had been turned into molten ruin by the twenty ships, which spiraled -slowly, their powerful beams of the Atom Stream turned upon the -buildings below. Even as Underwood watched, they completed their work -upon that city and traveled toward another great city less than a -hundred miles away. - -What purpose was behind the wanton ruin, Underwood could not -comprehend. Perhaps now that the scientists had been cornered, the -Terrestrians hoped to destroy the super-weapon that could unseat -Demarzule. - -Within hours, the major cities of the planet would be shapeless mounds -of frozen lava. - -He debated trying to enter those vessels and overpowering members of -their crews. At once his reason told him no, for he was still a toddler -in the use of the new faculties he possessed. But there was a greater -reason, too. If he should expose himself by such attacks, the ships -would send word to Earth, and Demarzule would easily identify the -methods used against his men and be prepared. Underwood knew how this -destruction of archeological treasures would affect Phyfe and Terry, -but more important was the loss of any chance to search for the weapon. - - * * * * * - -He turned his senses toward the bubble of the shell that hid the -_Lavoisier_. Its shining surface was the only thing in all that broad -city that did not reek of destruction. - -As Underwood regarded it, a shock of comprehension hit him. In the -impetuousness of his flight above the planet, he had overlooked the -most significant point of all. - -He--his senses, at least--_had passed through the impenetrable force -shell_. - -Sudden fear mingled with that devastating realization. Could he get -back through it? How had he passed the barrier in the first place? It -was mathematically impossible for matter or energy to be transferred -across it. - -Did his senses represent neither one? - -He impelled himself toward it, waited for the impact--and felt none. -Then he was through, looking at the interior of the shell and the ship -within it. - -His mind was afire with the significance of his discovery as he burst -into the control room. The others had rejoined Dreyer there. Mason and -some of his men were struggling to replace some of the probes now that -the attack upon the ship had ceased for the moment. - -"We've found it!" Underwood shouted. "We've got the weapon that Dragbor -turned upon Sirenia!" - -Illia screamed at the sudden impact upon her worn nerve cells. - -Mason whirled around in horror and cried, "Underwood! Where are you?" - -"We can hit them wherever they try to hide," said Underwood, "No matter -where Demarzule tries to flee, I'll find him. There's no place in the -Universe he can hide from me!" - - - - -_CHAPTER SEVENTEEN_ - - -Underwood's physical body recovered slowly from the severe shock of -the operation. He was immune to the pain of it, however, for having -the _abasic_ senses was like possessing another body. He could close -all the normal channels of perception and exist with his consciousness -operating only through the _abasic_ senses. - -While the fleet sped about the planet on its path of useless -destruction, Underwood spent his hours practising the use of his new -powers. - -Gradually, he obtained an understanding of their properties and some -of their functions. The _tri-abasa_ was the sensory organ, located -at the base of his brain, which could pick up distant, focusable -sensations which any of his normal five senses could detect. They were -controllable in their subjective effects, however, as he had found when -going beyond the limits of the ship. Though he had been unaware of the -interstellar cold, it had no subjective effect upon his body or his -sensory apparatus. - -The _dor-abasa_ was the organ of communication, but it worked in -combination with the _tri-abasa_ in order to transmit and receive -sensory effects. So it was that the two of them in combination could -transmit not only ordinary communication, but could convey the actual -sensations of heat, cold, light, sound. - -And these same two organs were capable of dispensing swift and silent -death. - -How this happened was the greatest mystery Underwood had to solve. -He experimented by hurling the powers upon an artificial nervous -system rigged up from a network of wires. A strong electric field was -definitely measured within the wires, but it had properties that were -not within the physicists' prior experience. Regardless, Underwood -continued with his practising and found that he could increase -the strength of that field more each time. If necessary, a full -understanding of how it destroyed nerve tissue could wait until they -reach their objectives upon Earth. - -The third organ, the _seaa-abasa_, was the strangest of all. -Interconnected intimately with the other two through nerve channels, -it nevertheless had no obvious functions. Jandro had referred to it as -the receptacle of life. It appeared to be the belief of the Dragbora -that everything representing the individual could be drawn into the -seaa-abasa when death approached. - -Eons ago, the art of artificially reconstructing new bodies into which -the organ could be placed, a process constituting literal resurrection, -had been lost, but the Dragbora lived in hope of recovering the -forgotten knowledge. This was their explanation of the preservation of -the _seaa-abasa_, each family possessing the vast collection of its -ancestral organs back to the time of the expulsion from their parent -world. - -What basis in fact there was to this theory, the scientists did not -know. Apparently, such resurrection had never been accomplished, yet -with each death, the _seaa-abasa_ was religiously removed and preserved. - - * * * * * - -Underwood felt like some ancient gladiator training for an arena -battle, but never had any gladiator fought for such a prize. No -one knew better than he that at the moment he faced Demarzule and -challenged the Sirenian, he might face equal and perhaps superior -powers of destruction, for Demarzule was old in experience. - -There was a defense against it, and to this Underwood turned his -attention, for it was difficult in function. The _dor-abasa_ had -the power to absorb and store the destructive energies. Underwood -discovered it almost by accident when Mason's technicians set up -equipment for duplicating the destructive force as nearly as possible. -It was weak and wholly ineffective, but it acted upon the _dor-abasa_, -and the organ absorbed it involuntarily. - -He was absolutely confident that they had succeeded in finding the -great weapon for which they had come. The ancient Dragboran-Sirenian -culture had obviously possessed the force shell as a protection. -Toshmere's words made that plain, but they had misunderstood the -implications when he had said, "They have found a way through the -barrier. Our men are falling one by one." - - * * * * * - -Trained in physical ways of thinking, they had overlooked any such -possibility as the superior powers of the Dragboran _abasa_. - -There was one other thing that worried Underwood, however, and that -was the possibility of producing the effects of the _abasic_ weapon by -electronic means. Though the scientists were failing almost completely -in their attempts to do that, he wondered if perhaps the Terrestrians -under Demarzule might not succeed. - -In the scientists' favor, however, was the fact that though he -possessed a vast reservoir of scientific knowledge, Demarzule was still -only the dictator, the politician. He was no scientist. - -On the third day following the operation, Underwood was able to be -up about the ship for a few moments, though by means of the _abasic_ -senses he had been actively supervising the work in the laboratory -during the entire time. - -He felt his powers growing almost hourly, and the vista of the new -world of physical and mental powers into which he was coming was almost -overwhelming. He sensed other new and untried properties of the organs, -which he dared not experiment with yet. There would be time enough when -they reached Earth. - -An accurate watch had been kept on the battle fleet from Earth. Its -wanton firing of the ancient cities was completed by the time Underwood -was able to rise physically from his bed. The observer reported -the ships were turning about and returning in the direction of the -_Lavoisier_. - -"We'd better get into space," said Underwood. "There's no reason for -staying here longer, and I don't want them to burn away all our probes -again if we can help it. They may try to send a surrender demand or -something of the sort, but let's be in space where we can maneuver when -they do it." - -The _Lavoisier_ lifted from the surface of the planet, its course set -for Earth, more than ninety million light years away. - -The force shell about it glistened in space like a new star, and -through the probes the observers aboard saw the fleet swiftly shift its -course in pursuit. - -Underwood left the ship and let his senses rove through the space -about the vessel. He remained like some omnipotent observer in space, -while the shining bubble sped through the heavens. Behind it came the -twenty mighty battleships, their acceleration high enough to overtake -the _Lavoisier_. Impulsively, Underwood drifted toward the nearest and -entered through the hull. - -It was the giant flagship, _Creagor_. The Disciples who formed the -fighting forces were like men reborn. There was none of the blasé, -disillusioned attitude that had been prevalent upon Earth before the -coming of Demarzule. Instead, there was a zealous, inspired attitude -that frightened Underwood. It was a fanatic, desperate, unhealthy thing. - -He tried to picture the nations of the Earth filled with such men -driven by the same kind of unholy inspiration. It sickened him, for -even if Demarzule were destroyed, the Earth would be no place where a -sane man could find peace for decades to come. In death, Demarzule -might become a martyr and live more strongly than ever in the minds of -his followers. - - * * * * * - -As Underwood moved so strangely among his enemies, he heard occasional -remarks concerning the _Lavoisier_ and its scientists. Blasphemer and -infidel were the mildest terms applied to them. - -He came to the control room, where the Admiral was in conference with -the Captain of the flagship. - -"We have our orders, Captain Montrose," the Admiral was saying. -"Destruction of the ship and all its occupants is to be complete." - -"That supersedes the command to take prisoners, then?" - -The Admiral nodded. "Orders will be dispatched to all vessels at once. -We will make a combined attack with the new force shell disruptor." - -Underwood froze at the words. Had Demarzule brought back with him some -terrible means of penetrating the force shell and rendering it useless? -That was absolutely the only defense the _Lavoisier_ had. Her own Atom -Stream projectors would be ineffective against the twenty encircling -ships. - -Underwood heard the orders given. Throughout the flagship an electric -tension filled the air. It was the first time the weapon had been tried -against an enemy, Underwood supposed. The crewmen were eager with a -sickening lust to kill. - -Underwood went swiftly through the ship, searching to locate the -machines that would be turned upon the helpless laboratory ship. He -still didn't quite believe that anything could break down the force -shell. But when he saw the weapons, he knew that defeat had come for a -civilization which had learned to depend upon the force shell for its -protection. - - * * * * * - -He watched the crewmen at the complicated boards that controlled the -input of power and the focusing of the radiators upon the distant -target. - -Underwood sped away to the distant _Lavoisier_ to see what effect the -onslaught was having. The force shell about the ship glowed with the -faint, pinkish aura of the twenty beams that converged upon it. - -As he came up there was no apparent effect, but all at once the -glistening shell grew red in a spot as the force field weakened. - -Then Underwood comprehended the means by which the disruptor worked. -It did not penetrate the shell. That was an impossibility. But it -unbalanced the forces that held the field in a shell and caused it -to rotate. This, in turn, created a tremendous flow of energy through -the generators aboard the _Lavoisier_ and shortly would burn them out, -leaving the ship the defenseless prey of the Atom Streams. - -There was no time to enter the _Lavoisier_ to warn them. Underwood -returned with bodiless velocity to the _Creagor_. - -There in the depths of the ship he found the Chief Operator who was -directing those beams toward the _Lavoisier_. With all the power of his -_abasic_ organs, he hurled a devastating wave of energy into the man's -nerve channels. - -The result was shocking to one unaccustomed to killing. The man jerked -upright before his panel, staggered uncertainly, and fell across the -maze of switches. - -There was no time for reaction within Underwood at his merciless first -slaying. The complex machinery of the disruptor sputtered to a halt -amid the clatter of relays. - -Underwood moved into the next sector of the ship where the powerful -Atom Stream projectors awaited their prey. He carefully extended the -powers of the _dor-abasa_. It was almost as if he could feel his way -along the nerve channels of the operator's mind into the depths of the -brain. There he sent forth a sudden, wild command. - -The operator unquestioningly spun the wheels that shifted the -radiators. They came to rest upon the nearest ship of the fleet. - -"Fire!" Underwood commanded. - -The operator's fingers closed upon the switches. The Atom Stream -lashed into space, tore open the vitals of the sister ship and flung -the fragments out into space. Some crashed into other ships, battering -them, throwing them off course. - -For a moment after the catastrophe, the commanders of the fleet were -stunned to inactivity, while confusion swept the ranks. The hysterical -cries of the operator who had pulled the switches filled the room. - -"I didn't do it!" he screamed. "Something made me--" - -Some of the ships were still attacking the _Lavoisier_. Underwood -didn't know how long they could hold out. He sped to the nearest ship -where there was milder but no less disrupting confusion as news of the -unexplained disaster filtered down to the lowest astro-man. - -Underwood sought out the fire control chamber. He fingered his way -along the nerve channels of the operator and swung the projectors -around. This time the target was the mighty flagship. - -The operator gasped with horror as the titanic hull came into view in -his sights, yet with unerring accuracy his hands moved the radiators to -center exactly on the target. - -His fingers pressed the switches. - - * * * * * - -Soundlessly, the blossom of flame sprang into being where once had -been the leviathan of space. Viewplates throughout the fleet suddenly -blacked out in protection against that terrible overload. When they -came on again, they showed the drifting, helpless hulk of the rear -third of the ship. - -The immediate objective had been accomplished. The disruptor beams -vanished as the eighteen ships converged upon the black hulks to take -off any possible survivors. - -Underwood seized the moment and diffused his powers until he -encompassed the fleet. He spoke and his voice found hearing in every -man of those mighty ships. - -"Men of Earth! You have sworn allegiance to Demarzule, the Sirenian, -because of his might. Now you will swear allegiance to might that is -great enough to wipe Demarzule from the face of civilization. I have -killed your fellows right in your midst, and destroyed two of your -mightiest ships--yet none of you have seen me. You know not how I come -into your midst, nor how it is that every man of every ship can hear -my voice at once. - -"You have betrayed your kind to an alien who has destroyed worlds and -ruined Galaxies. You are guilty of the highest treason to mankind. What -is there that you can do to wipe out such infamy? - -"You can join the forces that will wipe out the monster Demarzule! You -can accept the leadership of greater might--or be destroyed. Choose!" - - * * * * * - -There was a moment of stunned quiet within the ships, then a bedlam -that would not die for many minutes. - -Underwood withdrew from the fleet and returned to the control room of -the _Lavoisier_. There he found a chaos of despair. Mason had properly -diagnosed the weapons the fleet had turned upon the ship. - -Though his physical self lay in the sick bay yet, the members of the -crew were becoming accustomed to his unexpected voice in their minds. -Quickly he told them what he had done. When he finished, he said, "What -damage did you suffer, if any, Mason?" - -"Only two very doubtful generators left. We couldn't stand another -blast like that. Where did they get such machines?" - -"I don't know. It's possibly something Toshmere was on the edge of -developing. Perhaps some of our own men have worked it out with clues -given by Demarzule. There's no telling. The important thing now is that -we've got a bear by the tail. For a moment we have the upper hand, but -I'm not sure just what will happen when they pull themselves together -again. If they don't accept my ultimatum, we may be in a spot." - -"And if they do--what are we going to do with a whole fleet of fanatics -and dupes?" - -"We'll need every ally that we can get now. Undoubtedly word was -flashed back to Earth of this disaster before I talked to them. -Demarzule knows we're coming and is aware of the power I have. He'll -undoubtedly send powerful interceptors to wipe us out. If we can gain -control of these ships, we can throw them against his interceptors, and -maybe sneak through the Terrestrian defenses. It doesn't matter what -happens to every one of us--just so I can get close enough to Demarzule -to tangle with him." - -At that moment, Captain Dawson approached Mason. "Message from the -fleet. They offer to surrender unconditionally." - - - - -_CHAPTER EIGHTEEN_ - - -Auxiliary engines were removed from the hulk of the destroyed flagship. -Installed in the _Lavoisier_, they could easily bring her speed up to -that of the fastest ship in the fleet. - -So with the small laboratory ship, _Lavoisier_, as flagship, the -ravaged and reorganized fleet turned once again toward Earth. As the -long days in space passed while they sped Earthward at incredible -velocities, the physicists and engineers turned the _Lavoisier_ into a -deadly warship, the equal of any in their fleet. New and more powerful -Atom Stream projectors were installed, and massive disruptor units were -built into previous areas of more peaceful uses. - -And while they hurled through the vault of space, Underwood moved from -ship to ship by means of his _abasic_ senses, testing, examining and -filtering out the men of the battle crews. - -If he could have afforded pity, all he possessed would have been -expended upon them, for they were a pitiable lot. He knew that their -standards of values had been scattered again by their defeat at -his hands. If their belief in the invincibility of Demarzule, and -themselves because they were the Disciples of Demarzule, had not -been so great, their defeat would have been less easy. Underwood was -thankful for the conceit that rendered them vulnerable when defeat hove -in sight. - -Their allegiance to him was no stable thing, he knew. But most of them -were willing to throw their loyalties with the scientists because they -hungered for leadership with a neurotic longing, and the power that -could silently and unseen wipe out two of the Great One's warships was -surely a power to command their respect. So they reasoned in their -bewildered minds. - -Underwood removed from the key places those who were doubtful and -rebellious, and he spoke to them daily throughout the long voyage, -sometimes reasoning, sometimes commanding, but always with a display -of power that they had to respect. In the end he felt he had a set of -crews as trustworthy as Earthmen could be made in this culture of doubt -and universal disregard of trust and honesty. - -He practised constantly in perfecting the powers of the _abasa_, and -as his facility grew, so did his regard for the little offshoot of -Dragboran culture that had flourished upon the barren little moon. -Such powers as he possessed would have meant suicide to his own race. -Sometimes he wondered if he could himself endure their temptations -long enough to accomplish his goal. Certainly, with that completed, he -would have the organs removed. Their call to power, wealth, and the -misappropriation were almost more than any human mind in this -stage of evolution could endure. - - * * * * * - -Almost in Earth's own front yard, at the orbit of Mars, the first -signs of the coming struggle appeared. The lookout called his warning. -A score of fast interceptors were leaving Earth, headed in their -direction. - -Underwood wished that he'd paid more attention to the military arts. He -dared trust none of the warriors who were his by conquest, for he could -not appear to be less than they in any respect. But neither he nor any -of the other scientists were competent to lead a complex military unit, -such as his fleet represented, into the vortex of battle. - -Yet he must do what had to be done. He formed the fleet into a massive -tactical cylinder with the _Lavoisier_ at the center and the remainder -of the ships at the periphery. There would be no fancy maneuvering, -only blunt, smashing force, every erg of it that could be generated -within the hulls of those warships. - -The entropy dissipators were already at work absorbing a fraction of -the momentum that had carried the fleet across the reaches of space, -but as it drove into the heart of the Solar System, its velocity was -still immeasurable by Solarian standards. - -The interceptors were powerless to match that speed in so short a time, -but one wave approached on a near collision course, with the fury of -all its disruptors and Atom Streams bearing upon the fleet. - -The effect was negligible, however, as the fleet smashed by, its own -weapons flaming. - -But that passage meant nothing. If the _Lavoisier_ were to attempt -a landing, it couldn't continue to hurl by at such velocities, for -already it was passing Earth. - - * * * * * - -Underwood, though, was satisfied as he opened his physical eyes in the -control room and abandoned the _abasic_ senses for a return to his -normal self. - -"I'm sure my useful range with these powers is at least eighty thousand -miles. Jandro ought to have been able to examine the Dragboran planet -by means of the _abasa_, but maybe he didn't realize it. I know that -my own range is increasing constantly." - -"What do you intend to do?" asked Terry. "Are you going to try a -landing or attack Demarzule without going down?" - -"I believe we'll be safer to remain in space. If we can maneuver into -an orbit of fifty thousand miles or so from Earth, and can hold off -the attacks long enough for me to find Demarzule, that ought to be our -greatest chance of success. If we landed we'd be sitting ducks." - -There was general agreement with Underwood's estimate, though no one -aboard the ship felt very much confidence in their ability to hold off -the attacks they knew were coming. They kept reminding themselves that -it was not important to save themselves or their ships. What mattered -to give Underwood an adequate opportunity to hurl the powers of the -_abasic_ weapons at Demarzule. After that, chance would have to take -care of the rest. - -The hurtling projectile turned long after it had passed Earth. The -entropy dissipators absorbed the flaming energy of the ships' flight -and dispersed it into space to recreate the infinitesimal particles -that had been broken down to obtain that energy. - -So, as the fleet braked its momentum and turned into an -ever-tightening spiral, the interceptors swept down once more. - -The thundering mass that was the fleet held its course now. Torrents -of energy, slashed from the hearts of incalculable numbers of atoms, -washed into space from the throats of the great radiators aboard the -battleships. Three of the interceptors went down in that barrage before -their own force shields went up. - -It became a fantastic battle between almost irresistible forces. Both -the Atom Stream and the disruptor beams could be fired only through a -hiatus in the force shell, but such an opening was itself vulnerable -to the enemy fire of Atom Streams. Therefore, the technique of warfare -between similarly armed forces consisted of rapidly shifting the attack -from radiator to radiator in a given vessel, so that no single opening -would exist long enough for the enemy to concentrate fire upon that -spot. - -The interceptors were too small to mount the equipment for such defense -tactics. Their only value lay in maneuverability. Slashing across the -lanes of the battleships, their beams could cross the radiator pattern -in unpredictable courses. The laws of chance were sometimes with them -and their Atom Streams struck an opening directly. Regardless of the -speed of closing the hiatus, such a coincidence was sufficient to -destroy the ship. And so Underwood and his companions, watching, saw -one of their great battleships explode in a nova of atomic fire as such -a hit was scored upon it. - - * * * * * - -The interceptor itself was fired an instant later by the concentrated -fire of the two adjacent battleships, but its loss was negligible to -the enemy. The interceptors were expendable, expendable for now another -score were seen leaving the rim of Earth and taking up the pursuit of -the fleet. - -But it was not their approach that caused the hearts of the men aboard -the _Lavoisier_ to quail. Behind them, slowly and ponderously, rose a -terrible fleet of fifty dreadnaughts with vast firepower. - -"What's our orbital radius at present?" Underwood demanded abruptly of -the navigator. - -"Sixty thousand." - -"Take it, Mason," Underwood said. "I'm going down." - -The impact of that moment hit them all, though they had been trying to -anticipate it since they had first known that it would come. It was -not their regard and friendship for Underwood, who might presently die -before their eyes. It was not their own almost extinction before the -fire of the invincible fleet rising to do battle. - -It was that this moment would decide the course of man's history. - -Everything depended upon a single strange weapon snatched from the -hands of a forgotten people in a little eddy of civilization, whose -sole purpose in existence might have been to carry this weapon through -time to this moment. - -And only one of them could wield that weapon, while the others stood -by, neither knowing the progress of that conflict nor able to assist. - - * * * * * - -Underwood sat down in the deep chair that would hold his body restfully -while his _abasic_ senses swept Earthward to envelop and crush the -anachronism that he had turned upon civilization. - -It was more than just, more than ironic, he thought. It was his high -privilege to wipe out some of the guilt that he knew he could never -smother or rationalize out of his mind--the guilt of having been the -one to bring Demarzule back to life. - -Of them all in that control room, only Illia uttered a sound, and hers -was a half audible cry choked back before it was fully spoken. - -He lay apparently relaxed with eyes closed in the huge chair in the -control room of the _Lavoisier_, but the essence, the force that was -Delmar Underwood, was sixty thousand miles away, hovering over the -force shell dome that hid the Carlson Museum. - -Simultaneously with Illia's cry there came a smashing alarm that rang -through the room with its insistent, murderous message. - -"We're hit! Number three and four shell generators have gone out!" - -As Underwood held to the point of view of the advancing wave-front of -perception, he had the sensation of diving headlong toward the throng -that was gathering as if by magic about the white, shining columns -of the building. As if knowing of the battle that was to be fought -between the titans, the waiting thousands had gathered when the force -shell went over the Carlson and the battle fleets took to space. They -watched, waiting for the unknown, the unexpected, somehow sensing their -destiny was being decided. - -Sight of the milling thousands was lost to Underwood as he plunged deep -below the protecting shell over the building as if it did not exist. -The lightlessness inside the shell was broken by the blaze of lights -that showered their radiance everywhere upon the grounds and museum -that had become a monstrous palace. - -Waiting, hesitant guards and servants moved about the grounds, -gathering in knots to ask one another what the appearance of the -battleships and the sudden use of the shell meant. It was inconceivable -that anyone should be challenging the Great One, but the very -improbability of it filled them with fearful dismay. - -Underwood entered the building. The vast assemblage of instruments and -machines that had filled the main hall when he last saw it was gone -now, replaced with rich paintings and fabulous tapestries had been -ransacked from the treasuries of the Earth. - -There was no one in sight. Underwood continued on until he came to the -series of large exhibition rooms toward the rear. Here, apparently, -were set up administrative offices to maintain whatever personal -contact was necessary between Demarzule and the Disciples he ruled. - - * * * * * - -Then Underwood came to the central room at the rear of the center -section of the building. Demarzule was there. - -It was with an involuntary shock that Underwood saw again the alien -creature he had restored to life. As he sat in the throne-like chair -in the center of one wall of the room, the Great One seemed like some -sculpture of an ancient god of evil executed in weathered bronze. Only -the startling white of his eyes gave evidence of life in that enormous -bulk. - -Underwood hadn't expected the twenty Earthmen who sat near Demarzule, -forming a semi-circle with the Great One in the center, as if in -council. They sat in brooding silence. Not a word seemed to be passing -between them, and Underwood watched in wonderment. - -Then, slowly, Demarzule stirred. His white staring eyes moved, as -though searching the room. His words came to Underwood. - -"So you have come at last," he said. "You challenge Demarzule the Great -One with your feeble powers. I know you, Delmar Underwood. They tell -me it was you who found and restored me. I owe you much, and I would -have offered you a high place in my realm which shall encompass the -Universe. Yet you set yourself against me. - -"I am merciful. You may still have your place if you choose. I need one -such as you, just as I needed the brain and hands of Toshmere, who was -so foolish as to think he could be the one to conquer the eons in my -place. You know of his fate, I am sure." - -Demarzule's speech was a paralyzing shock. Underwood had made no -revelation of himself, yet the alien had detected his presence. Through -the _abasa_, he sensed the might and power of Demarzule, the full -potentialities that lay in the three organs that the ancient race had -developed, potentialities that he had scarcely touched in the short -weeks of experimentation. - -It made him sick for an instant with the fear of almost certain defeat. -Then he struck, furiously, and with all the power that was in him. - -Never before had he hurled such a bolt of devastation. With -satisfaction he sensed Demarzule's powers sway and wither before its -blast, but the Great One absorbed it and recovered after an instant. - - * * * * * - -"You are a worthy opponent," said Demarzule. "You have accomplished -much in so short a time, but not enough, I fear. Once more I extend my -offer to join me. As my lieutenant, you might become governor of many -Galaxies." - -Underwood remained silent, conserving his forces for another blast -which Demarzule could surely not endure. He hurled it and felt the -energies flowing from him in a life-destroying stream. Demarzule's -bronze face was only smiling sardonically as he met that attack--and -absorbed it. - -"When you have exhausted yourself thoroughly," he said, "I shall -demonstrate my own powers--but slowly, so that death will not be too -quick for you." - -The use of such waves of force was exhausting to Underwood, but he knew -that Demarzule's absorptive organ should soon reach maximum capacity, -if it were not allowed to drain away in the meantime. - -A third time he blasted. Then sudden, terrible realization came that -Demarzule was not absorbing the energy. It was being diverted, drawn -aside before it even approached the Sirenian. - -In something approaching panic, Underwood directed his senses to locate -the source of the diversion, and found it in the twenty Earthmen -sitting motionlessly about Demarzule. - -Demarzule seemed to know the instant that Underwood became aware of -the fact. "Yes," he said, "we have duplicated the _abasa_. Cancer is -plentiful among you. In five thousand more years you would have stopped -fighting it and learned how to use it. There are twenty of us. You -would not have come had you known you would have that many to fight -singlehanded, would you? Now it is too late!" - -With that word, a wave, of paralyzing, destroying force swept over -Underwood. How it was affecting him, what senses it was attacking, he -did not know. He only knew that a flaming agony was burning out life, -as if reluctant to give him a speedy, merciful death. - -He must withdraw to the ship to recover his forces. He could never -withstand the attack of twenty-one _abasas_. - -Underwood relaxed and threw his powers back toward the ship--and failed! - -Abruptly, the metallic glint of Demarzule's lips parted in a roar of -laughter without merriment, but of triumph. - -"No, my brave Earthling, you cannot retreat. You did not know that. -For those who would challenge the Great One there is no retreat. Your -decision is made, and you will fail and you will die--but only when I -wish, and your fellow Earthmen will find amusement in toying with you -as a cat with a mouse before I give the final blow that will destroy -your rash, impatient ego." - -The flaming fire of Demarzule's attack continued while Underwood fought -savagely and vainly to retreat. How was he being held there against his -efforts to retreat? He did not know that the _abasa_ held such powers -and he would not have known how to exert them himself if he had been -aware of them. - -He gave up and turned back, letting the power flow into the absorptive -cells of the _dor-abasa_, but it could not be for long, for the organ -would disrupt under such stress. - -Then, as if in keeping with his promise to prolong the agony, the -attack ceased, and Demarzule allowed him to rest. - -"You were brash, were you not?" he taunted. "How could you dare come -against the mightiest power of the Universe, the greatest mind ever -created, and attack with your puny powers? You blaspheme the Great One -by your presumption!" - -"Once, long ago," said Underwood, "the Sirenian forces were defeated by -the Dragbora. Again it is the Dragbora you face, Demarzule. Remember -that, and defend yourself!" - - * * * * * - -Underwood was startled. Incredibly, it seemed that he had not spoken -those words, but rather that the dead Jandro was with him, silently -backing him, teaching, advising--. - -He lashed out, but not at Demarzule. He struck swiftly at the nearest -Earthman. Almost instantly, the unfortunate shuddered and fell to the -floor, dead. In quick succession Underwood struck at the nerve cells of -the next five and they died without sound. - -In snarling fury and retaliation, Demarzule retaliated. Underwood -absorbed the blow--and incredibly hurled it back. - -It was as if he had suddenly become aware of techniques that he had -never dreamed of. He had not known it was possible to absorb the -nerve-destroying force with his own _dor-abasa_ and whip it back upon -the attacker, like a ball caught and thrown. - -It hardly seemed as if he were acting through his own volition, yet he -acted. He felt the surprise of Demarzule, and in that moment he knew -the secret. The Earthmen apparently possessed only a single primitive -organ, hardly identifiable as one of the _abasa_, for they had the -capacity for defense, but not for attack. Four more of them toppled, -and then Underwood was forced to face the attack of Demarzule again. - -Something like terror had entered the mind of the alien now. Underwood -sensed the thoughts of possible defeat that flooded Demarzule's mind. - - * * * * * - -"Remember that day on _Vorga_?" Underwood asked. "Remember how the -Dragboran powers pierced the great force shell you flung about the -planet? Remember how your men fell one by one, and their weapons -went cold and the force shell dropped for lack of control? Remember, -Demarzule, it was the Dragbora you fought that day, and it is the -Dragbora you fight now. I have not come to challenge as a puny -Earthman. I come as a Dragboran--to complete the unfinished task of my -ancestors!" - -The Sirenian was silent and new confidence filled Underwood. He felt -that he was not fighting alone, that all of the ancient Dragboran -civilization was behind him, battling its age-old enemies to -extinction. He felt as if Jandro himself were there. - -The energy he absorbed from Demarzule he turned upon the cohorts, who -sat as if frozen with fear as they watched their fellows slump and fall -to the floor in soundless death. - -In near-madness, Demarzule increased his attacks. He adopted a -shifting, feinting attack that shocked Underwood's _abasa_ with each -surging wave of force. But Underwood learned how to control those -surges, to pass them on to his own attacks, which still were directed -upon the Earthmen within the chamber. - -Within moments of each other, the last two on either side of Demarzule -fell. The Sirenian seemed not to have noticed, for all his energies and -concentration now were directed at Underwood. - -Underwood was tiring swiftly. The energies draining out of him seemed -as if they were sapping every cell of his being, and back on board the -_Lavoisier_, every spasm of torture was reflected involuntarily on his -physical face. Those who watched suffered for him. - -Illia sat in a corner of the room opposite him and her fists pressed -white spots into her cheeks. Dreyer's nervous reaction was expressed -in the incessant puffs and chewing on his normally steady cigar. The -others merely watched with taut faces and teeth sinking into their lips. - -In the chamber of the great museum palace, the tempo of the battle was -slowly building up. Though he felt exhausted almost to the point of -defeat, Underwood strained for more energy and found that it was at his -command. His _dor-abasa_ fed upon the attacking force of Demarzule and -returned it with added energy potential. - -In each of them, the same process was going on, and the outcome would -be determined by the final resultant flow of destroying power. - -He could retreat now, Underwood realized. He doubted that Demarzule -could exert a holding force upon him, but nothing would be gained by -abandoning the battle now. He drove on with increasing surges. - -Suddenly there was a faltering and Underwood exulted within himself. -Demarzule's force wavered for the barest fraction of an instant, and it -was not a feint. - -"You are old and weak," said Underwood. "Half a million years ago, -civilization rejected you. _We reject you!_" - -He smashed on almost without hindrance now. Demarzule's great form -writhed in pain upon the throne--and fought with one desperate surge of -energy. - -Underwood caught and hurled it back mercilessly. He felt his way into -the innermost recesses of the Sirenian mind, groped along the nerve -ways of the Great One. And as he went, he burned and destroyed the -vital synapses. - -Demarzule was dying--slowly, because of his resistance--and in endless -pain because there was no other way. He screamed aloud in ultimate -agony, and then the giant figure of Demarzule, the Sirenian--the Great -One--crashed to the floor. - - * * * * * - -The relief that came to Underwood was near agony. The wild forces of -the Dragbora tore relentlessly from him and filled the room with their -lethal energy before they died. - -Then, in greater calm, he regarded what he had done. It was finished, -almost unbelievably finished. - -Yet there were a few things to do. He left the building and sought -out the guards and the caretakers and whispered into their minds, -"Demarzule is dead! The Great One has died and you are men once more." - -He sought out the controls of the force shell and caused the operator -to drop the shield. Then he whispered, "The Great One is dead," and -like the wind, his voice encompassed the vast thousands who had -gathered. - -The message sank unspoken into their minds and each man looked at -his neighbor as if to ask how it had come. They pressed forward, -a battling, maddened mob who had for an hour lived in a childish, -primitive world where men were not required to think but only to obey. -They pushed forward and flowed into the building, battering, clawing -one another. But they managed to view the body of the fallen Sirenian, -so that the message was confirmed and spread, soon to circle the Earth. - - * * * * * - -Underwood studied the writhing, bewildered mass. Could Dreyer possibly -be right? Would it ever end--men's unthinking grasping for leadership, -their mindless search for kings and gods, while within them their own -powers withered? Always it had been the same; leaders arose holding -before men the illusion of vast, glorious promises while they carefully -led them into hells of lost dreams and broken promises. - -Yes, it would be different, Underwood told himself. The Dragbora had -proved that it could be different. Their origin could have been no less -lowly than man's. They must have trodden the same tortuous stairway to -dreams that man was now on, and they had learned how to live with one -another. - -Man was already nearer that goal--far nearer now that Demarzule was -dead. Underwood formed a silent prayer that fate would be merciful to -man and not send another like Demarzule. - -And he allowed himself a moment's pride, an instant of pleasure in the -thought that he had been able to take part in the crisis. - -With a final pity for the scene below, he fled back into space. What -he saw there turned him sick with fear. The great fleet was broken -and burned with atomic fires. Only two of the battleships remained -to challenge the attackers. But they were no longer challenging. -They signalled abject surrender and were fallen upon by ravenous -interceptors. - -The _Lavoisier_ herself was darkened and drifting, her force shell -feeble and waning, while the flaming disruptors of a trio of -dreadnaughts concentrated upon her. - -Underwood hurled himself toward the nearest of the enemy ships. In its -depths he sought out the gunners and cut off life in them before they -were aware of his bodiless presence. Swiftly he turned their beams upon -each other and watched them wallow and disappear in sudden flame. - -Others rushed forward now. Still more than a score of them to defeat -the single crippled laboratory ship, more than he could hope to conquer -in time. - - * * * * * - -But they did not fire. Their shields remained intact; then slowly their -courses changed and they drifted away. Without comprehension, Underwood -peered into those hulls and knew the answer. - -The news had come to them of Demarzule's death. Like men in pursuit -of a mirage, they could not endure the reality that came with the -vanishing of their dream. Their defeat was utter and complete. -Throughout the Earth Demarzule's defeat was the defeat of all men -who had not yet become strong enough to walk in the sun of their own -decisions, but clung to the shadow of illusory leadership. - -Underwood swept back toward the darkened _Lavoisier_. He moved like -a ghost through its bleak halls and vacant corridors. Down in the -generator rooms, he found the cause of the disaster in the blasted -remains of overburdened force shell generators. Four of them must -have given way at once, ripping the ship throughout its length with -concussion and lethal waves. - -The control room was dark, like the rest of the ship, and the forms of -his companions were strewn upon the floor. But there was life yet and -he dared to hope as he spoke to their minds, insistent, commanding, -forcing life and consciousness back into their nerve cells. He seemed -to become aware of unknown powers of resurrection that dwelt within his -own being. - -His mission was complete. He returned to his own physical form and -abandoned the _abasic_ senses. He sat there in the huge chair in the -control room, while those about him revived and life gradually returned -to the dying ship. Of the enemy fleet there was no more, for it was -descending to an Earth shorn of the hope of Galaxy-wide conquest. - -They did not know yet where they would go or where they could find -refuge, but when the wreckage was cleared and the ship lived again, -Underwood and Illia stood alone in a darkened observation pit, watching -the stars slip across the massive arc of the screens. - -As Underwood watched, he thought he sensed something of the drive that -might have whipped Demarzule's brain, the goad that made vast superior -powers intolerable in the possession of even a beneficent man, for he -would no longer remain beneficent. - -By the might that was in him he had vanquished the Great One! He could -stand in the place of the Great One if he chose! He did not know if his -powers were becoming greater than those of Jandro, like a strengthened -plant in new soil, but surely they were growing. The secrets of the -Universe seemed to be appearing before him, one by one. - -A mere glance at a slab of inert matter, and his senses could delve -into the composition of its atoms and sort out and predict its -properties and reactions. One look into the far spaces beyond the Solar -System and he could sense himself soaring in eternity. Yes, he was -growing in power and perception, and where it might lead, he dared not -look. - -But there were other things to be had, other, simpler ambitions in -which common men had found fulfillment throughout the ages. - -Illia was warm against him, soft in his arms. - -"I want you to operate again, as quickly as possible," he said. - - * * * * * - -She looked up at him with a start. "What do you mean?" - -"You must take out the _abasic_ organs. They've served their purpose. -I don't want to live with them. I could become another Demarzule with -the power I have." - -Her eyes were faintly blue in the light that came from the panel and -they were intent upon him. In them he read something that made him -afraid. - -"There is always a need for men with greater powers and greater -knowledge than the average man," she said. "The race has need of its -mutants. They are dealt so sparingly to us that we cannot afford not to -utilize them." - -"_Mutants?_" - -"You are a true mutant, whether artificial or not, possessing organs -and abilities that are unique. The race needs them. You cannot ask me -to destroy them." - -He had never thought of himself as a mutant, yet she was right for -all practical purposes. His powers and perceptions would perhaps not -have been produced naturally in any man of his race for thousands of -years to come. Perhaps he _could_ use them to assist man's slow rise. -A new wealth of science, a new strength of leadership and guidance if -necessary--. - -"I could become the world's greatest criminal," he said. "There's no -secret, no property that's safe from my grasp. I have only to reach out -for possessions, for power." - -"You worry too much about that," she said lightly. "You could no more -become a villain than I could." - -"Why are you so sure of that?" - -"Don't you remember the properties of the _seaa-abasa_? But then you -didn't hear the last words that Jandro ever spoke, did you? He said, 'I -retire to the _seaa-abasa_.' Do you know what that means?" - - * * * * * - -Suddenly, Underwood felt cold. A score of whisperings came thundering -into his mind. The moment when he had first awakened from the -operation, when it seemed as if death would have him and only the power -of a demanding will had helped him cling to life. The voice that seemed -to penetrate and call him back. The voice of Jandro. And then the final -conflict in the chambers of Demarzule. - -New skills and new strength had suddenly come to him as if out of -nowhere. He had been conceited to call it his increased experience -and ability. Yet could it have come from outside himself? He sought -frantically and urgently within his own nerve channels, in the cells of -his own being, and in the pathways of the alien organs that lent him -those unearthly senses. There seemed nothing but an echo, as if within -a great empty hall. There was no answer, yet it seemed as if down -those channels of perception there was the dim shadow of a wary prey -who could never be caught, who could never be found in those endless -pathways, but who would never be far away. - -Underwood knew then that if it was Jandro, he would never make himself -known for reasons of his own, perhaps. But there was a sudden peace as -if he had found some secret purification, as if he had been taken to -a high place and looked about the world and had been able to turn his -back upon it. Whether he would ever find Jandro or not, he was sure -that the guardian was there. - -Illia was saying, "I can't operate, Del. Even if you hate me for the -rest of our lives, I won't do it. And there is no one else in the world -who would know how. You would be killed if you let anyone else attempt -to cut those nerves. Tell me that you believe I'm right." - -"I do," he said in cheerful resignation. "But don't forget it's half -your funeral as well. It means that you're going to have to spend the -rest of your life with a mutant." - -She turned her face up to his. "I can think of worse fates." - - -END - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Alien, by Raymond F. 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Jones - -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 Alien - -Author: Raymond F. Jones - -Release Date: December 28, 2015 [EBook #50783] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ALIEN *** - - - - -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="353" height="486" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>THE ALIEN</h1> - -<p>A Gripping Novel of Discovery and Conquest -in Interstellar Space</p> - -<p>by Raymond F. Jones</p> - -<p><i>A Complete ORIGINAL Book</i>, UNABRIDGED</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">WORLD EDITIONS, Inc.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">105 WEST 40th STREET</span><br /> -NEW YORK 18, NEW YORK</p> - -<p><i>Copyright 1951</i><br /> -<i>by</i><br /> -<span class="smcap">WORLD EDITIONS, Inc.</span></p> - -<p>PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.<br /> -<span class="smcap">THE GUINN CO., Inc.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">New York 14, N.Y.</span></p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any<br /> -evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/coverb.jpg" width="303" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p>Just speculate for a moment on the enormous challenge to archeology -when interplanetary flight is possible ... and relics are found of a -race extinct for half a million years! A race, incidentally, that was -scientifically so far in advance of ours that they held the secret of -the restoration of life!</p> - -<p>One member of that race can be brought back after 500,000 years of -death....</p> - -<p>That's the story told by this ORIGINAL book-length novel, which has -never before been published! You can expect a muscle-tightening, -sweat-producing, mind-prodding adventure in the future when you read -it!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p class="ph3">Contents</p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_ONE"><i>CHAPTER ONE</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_TWO"><i>CHAPTER TWO</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_THREE"><i>CHAPTER THREE</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_FOUR"><i>CHAPTER FOUR</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_FIVE"><i>CHAPTER FIVE</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_SIX"><i>CHAPTER SIX</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_SEVEN"><i>CHAPTER SEVEN</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_EIGHT"><i>CHAPTER EIGHT</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_NINE"><i>CHAPTER NINE</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_TEN"><i>CHAPTER TEN</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_ELEVEN"><i>CHAPTER ELEVEN</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_TWELVE"><i>CHAPTER TWELVE</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_THIRTEEN"><i>CHAPTER THIRTEEN</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_FOURTEEN"><i>CHAPTER FOURTEEN</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_FIFTEEN"><i>CHAPTER FIFTEEN</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_SIXTEEN"><i>CHAPTER SIXTEEN</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_SEVENTEEN"><i>CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</i></a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_EIGHTEEN"><i>CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</i></a></td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_ONE" id="CHAPTER_ONE"><i>CHAPTER ONE</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Out beyond the orbit of Mars the <i>Lavoisier</i> wallowed cautiously -through the asteroid fields. Aboard the laboratory ship few of the -members of the permanent Smithson Asteroidal Expedition were aware -that they were in motion. Living in the field one or two years at -a time, there was little that they were conscious of except the -half-million-year-old culture whose scattered fragments surrounded them -on every side.</p> - -<p>The only contact with Earth at the moment was the radio link by which -Dr. Delmar Underwood was calling Dr. Illia Morov at Terrestrial Medical -Central.</p> - -<p>Illia's blonde, precisely coiffured hair was only faintly golden -against, the stark white of her surgeons' gown, which she still wore -when she answered. Her eyes widened with an expression of pleasure as -her face came into focus on the screen and she recognized Underwood.</p> - -<p>"Del! I thought you'd gone to sleep with the mummies out there. It's -been over a month since you called. What's new?"</p> - -<p>"Not much. Terry found some new evidence of Stroid III. Phyfe has a -new scrap of metal with inscriptions, and they've found something that -almost looks as if it might have been an electron tube five hundred -thousand years ago. I'm working on that. Otherwise all is peaceful and -it's wonderful!"</p> - -<p>"Still the confirmed hermit?" Illia's eyes lost some of their banter, -but none of their tenderness.</p> - -<p>"There's more peace and contentment out here than I'd ever dreamed of -finding. I want you to come out here, Illia. Come out for a month. If -you don't want to stay and marry me, then you can go back and I won't -say another word."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>She shook her head in firm decision. "Earth needs its scientists -desperately. Too many have run away already. They say the Venusian -colonies are booming, but I told you a year ago that simply running -away wouldn't work. I thought by now you would have found it out for -yourself."</p> - -<p>"And I told you a year ago," Underwood said flatly, "that the only -possible choice of a sane man is escape."</p> - -<p>"You can't escape your own culture, Del. Why, the expedition that -provided the opportunity for you to become a hermit is dependent on -Earth. If Congress should cut the Institute's funds, you'd be dropped -right back where you were. You can't get away."</p> - -<p>"There are always the Venusian colonies."</p> - -<p>"You know it's impossible to exist there independent of Earth."</p> - -<p>"I'm not talking about the science and technology. I'm talking about -the social disintegration. Certainly a scientist doesn't need to take -that with him when he's attempting to escape it."</p> - -<p>"The culture is not to blame," said Illia earnestly, "and neither is -humanity. You don't ridicule a child for his clumsiness when he is -learning to walk."</p> - -<p>"I hope the human race is past its childhood!"</p> - -<p>"Relatively speaking, it isn't. Dreyer says we're only now emerging -from the cave man stage, and that could properly be called mankind's -infancy, I suppose. Dreyer calls it the 'head man' stage."</p> - -<p>"I thought he was a semanticist."</p> - -<p>"You'd know if you'd ever talked with him. He'll tear off every other -word you utter and throw it back at you. His 'head man' designation -is correct, all right. According to him, human beings in this stage -need some leader or 'head man' stronger than themselves for guidance, -assumption of responsibility, and blame, in case of failure of the -group. These functions have never in the past been developed in the -individual so that he could stand alone in control of his own ego. But -it's coming—that's the whole import of Dreyer's work."</p> - -<p>"And all this confusion and instability are supposed to have something -to do with that?"</p> - -<p>"It's been growing for decades. We've seen it reach a peak in our own -lifetimes. The old fetishes have failed, the head men have been found -to be hollow gods, and men's faith has turned to derision. Presidents, -dictators, governors, and priests—they've all fallen from their high -places and the masses of humanity will no longer believe in any of -them."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"And <i>that</i> is development of the race?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, because out of it will come a people who have found in themselves -the strength they used to find in the 'head men.' There will come a -race in which the individual can accept the responsibility which he -has always passed on to the 'head man,' the 'head man' is no longer -necessary."</p> - -<p>"And so—the ultimate anarchy."</p> - -<p>"The 'head man' concept has, but first he has to find out that -has nothing to do with government. With human beings capable of -independent, constructive behavior, actual democracy will be possible -for the first time in the world's history."</p> - -<p>"If all this is to come about anyway, according to Dreyer, why not try -to escape the insanity of the transition period?"</p> - -<p>Illia Morov's eyes grew narrow in puzzlement as she looked at Underwood -with utter incomprehension. "Doesn't it matter at all that the race is -in one of the greatest crises of all history? Doesn't it matter that -you have a skill that is of immense value in these times? It's peculiar -that it is those of you in the physical sciences who are fleeing in -the greatest numbers. The Venusian colonies must have a wonderful time -with physicists trampling each other to get away from it all—and Earth -almost barren of them. Do the physical sciences destroy every sense of -social obligation?"</p> - -<p>"You forget that I don't quite accept Dreyer's theories. To me this is -nothing but a rotting structure that is finally collapsing from its own -inner decay. I can't see anything positive evolving out of it."</p> - -<p>"I suppose so. Well, it was nice of you to call, Del. I'm always glad -to hear you. Don't wait so long next time."</p> - -<p>"Illia—"</p> - -<p>But she had cut the connection and the screen slowly faded into gray, -leaving Underwood's argument unfinished. Irritably, he flipped the -switch to the public news channels.</p> - -<p>Where was he wrong? The past year, since he had joined the expedition -as Chief Physicist, was like paradise compared with living in the -unstable, irresponsible society existing on Earth. He knew it was a -purely neurotic reaction, this desire to escape. But application of -that label solved nothing, explained nothing—and carried no stigma. -The neurotic reaction was the norm in a world so confused.</p> - -<p>He turned as the news blared abruptly with its perpetual urgency that -made him wonder how the commentators endured the endless flow of crises.</p> - -<p>The President had been impeached again—the third one in six months.</p> - -<p>There were no candidates for his office.</p> - -<p>A church had been burned by its congregation.</p> - -<p>Two mayors had been assassinated within hours of each other.</p> - -<p>It was the same news he had heard six months ago. It would be the same -again tomorrow and next month. The story of a planet repudiating all -leadership. A lawlessness that was worse than anarchy, because there -was still government—a government that could be driven and whipped by -the insecurities of the populace that elected it.</p> - -<p>Dreyer called it a futile search for a 'head man' by a people who would -no longer trust any of their own kind to be 'head man.' And Underwood -dared not trust that glib explanation.</p> - -<p>Many others besides Underwood found they could no longer endure the -instability of their own culture. Among these were many of the world's -leading scientists. Most of them went to the jungle lands of Venus. The -scientific limitations of such a frontier existence had kept Underwood -from joining the Venusian colonies, but he'd been very close to going -just before he got the offer of Chief Physicist with the Smithson -Institute expedition in the asteroid fields. He wondered now what he'd -have done if the offer hadn't come.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The interphone annunciator buzzed. Underwood turned off the news as -the bored communications operator in the control room announced, "Doc -Underwood. Call for Doc Underwood."</p> - -<p>Underwood cut in. "Speaking," he said irritably.</p> - -<p>The voice of Terry Bernard burst into the room. "Hey, Del! Are you -going to get rid of that hangover and answer your phone or should we -embalm the remains and ship 'em back?"</p> - -<p>"Terry! You fool, what do you want? Why didn't you say it was you? I -thought maybe it was that elephant-foot Maynes, with chunks of mica -that he thought were prayer sticks."</p> - -<p>"The Stroids didn't use prayer sticks."</p> - -<p>"All right, skip it. What's new?"</p> - -<p>"Plenty. Can you come over for a while? I think we've really got -something here."</p> - -<p>"It'd better be good. We're taking the ship to Phyfe. Where are you?"</p> - -<p>"Asteroid C-428. It's about 2,000 miles from you. And bring all the -hard-rock mining tools you've got. We can't get into this thing."</p> - -<p>"Is <i>that</i> all you want? Use your double coated drills."</p> - -<p>"We wore five of them out. No scratches on the thing, even."</p> - -<p>"Well, use the Atom Stream, then. It probably won't hurt the artifact."</p> - -<p>"I'll say it won't. It won't even warm the thing up. Any other ideas?"</p> - -<p>Underwood's mind, which had been half occupied with mulling over his -personal problems while he talked with Terry, swung startledly to what -the archeologist was saying. "You mean that you've found a material -the Atom Stream won't touch? That's impossible! The equations of the -Stream prove—"</p> - -<p>"I know. <i>Now</i> will you come over?"</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you say so in the first place? I'll bring the whole ship."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood cut off and switched to the Captain's line. "Captain Dawson? -Underwood. Will you please take the ship to the vicinity of Asteroid -C-428 as quickly as possible?"</p> - -<p>"I thought Doctor Phyfe—"</p> - -<p>"I'll answer for it. Please move the vessel."</p> - -<p>Captain Dawson acceded. His instructions were to place the ship at -Underwood's disposal.</p> - -<p>Soundlessly and invisibly, the distortion fields leaped into -space about the massive laboratory ship and the <i>Lavoisier</i> moved -effortlessly through the void. Its perfect inertia controls left no -evidence of its motion apparent to the occupants with the exception of -the navigators and pilots. The hundreds of delicate pieces of equipment -in Underwood's laboratories remained as steadfast as if anchored to -tons of steel and concrete deep beneath the surface of Earth.</p> - -<p>Twenty minutes later they hove in sight of the small, black asteroid -that glistened in the faint light of the faraway Sun. The spacesuited -figures of Terry Bernard and his assistant, Batch Fagin, clung to the -surface, moving about like flies on a blackened, frozen apple.</p> - -<p>Underwood was already in the scooter lock, astride the little -spacescooter which they used for transportation between ships of the -expedition and between asteroids.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The pilot jockeyed the <i>Lavoisier</i> as near as safely desirable, then -signaled Underwood. The physicist pressed the control that opened -the lock in the side of the vessel. The scooter shot out into space, -bearing him astride it.</p> - -<p>"Ride 'em, cowboy!" Terry Bernard yelled into the intercom. He gave a -wild cowboy yell that pierced Underwood's ears. "Watch out that thing -doesn't turn turtle with you."</p> - -<p>Underwood grinned to himself. He said, "Your attitude convinces me of a -long held theory that archeology is no science. Anyway, if your story -of a material impervious to the Atom Stream is wrong, you'd better get -a good alibi. Phyfe had some work he wanted to do aboard today."</p> - -<p>"Come and see for yourself. This is it."</p> - -<p>As the scooter approached closer to the asteroid, Underwood could -glimpse the strangeness of the thing. It looked as if it had been -coated with the usual asteroid material of nickel iron debris, but -Terry had cleared this away from more than half the surface.</p> - -<p>The exposed half was a shining thing of ebony, whose planes and angles -were machined with mathematical exactness. It looked as if there were -at least a thousand individual facets on the one hemisphere alone.</p> - -<p>At the sight of it, Underwood could almost understand the thrill of -discovery that impelled these archeologists to delve in the mysteries -of space for lost kingdoms and races. This object which Terry had -discovered was a magnificent artifact. He wondered how long it had -circled the Sun since the intelligence that formed it had died. He -wished now that Terry had not used the Atom Stream, for that had -probably destroyed the validity of the radium-lead relationship in the -coating of debris that might otherwise indicate something of the age of -the thing.</p> - -<p>Terry sensed something of Underwood's awe in his silence as he -approached. "What do you think of it, Del?"</p> - -<p>"It's—beautiful," said Underwood. "Have you any clue to what it is?"</p> - -<p>"Not a thing. No marks of any kind on it."</p> - -<p>The scooter slowed as Del Underwood guided it near the surface of the -asteroid. It touched gently and he unstrapped himself and stepped off. -"Phyfe will forgive all your sins for this," he said. "Before you show -me the Atom Stream is ineffective, let's break off a couple of tons of -the coating and put it in the ship. We may be able to date the thing -yet. Almost all these asteroids have a small amount of radioactivity -somewhere in them. We can chip some from the opposite side where the -Atom Stream would affect it least."</p> - -<p>"Good idea," Terry agreed. "I should have thought of that, but when -I first found the single outcropping of machined metal, I figured it -was very small. After I found the Atom Stream wouldn't touch it, I was -overanxious to undercover it. I didn't realize I'd have to burn away -the whole surface of the asteroid."</p> - -<p>"We may as well finish the job and get it completely uncovered. I'll -have some of my men from the ship come on over."</p> - -<p>It took the better part of an hour to chip and drill away samples to be -used in a dating attempt. Then the intense fire of the Atom Stream was -turned upon the remainder of the asteroid to clear it.</p> - -<p>"We'd better be on the lookout for a soft spot." Terry suggested. "It's -possible this thing isn't homogeneous, and Papa Phyfe would be very -mad if we burned it up after making such a find."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>From behind his heavy shield which protected him from the stray -radiation formed by the Atom Stream, Delmar Underwood watched the -biting fire cut between the gemlike artifact and the metallic alloys -that coated it. The alloys cracked and fell away in large chunks, -propelled by the explosions of matter as the intense heat vaporized the -metal almost instantly.</p> - -<p>The spell of the ancient and the unknown fell upon him and swept him up -in the old mysteries and the unknown tongues. Trained in the precise -methods of the physical sciences, he had long fought against the -fascination of the immense puzzles which the archeologists were trying -to solve, but no man could long escape. In the quiet, starlit blackness -there rang the ancient memories of a planet vibrant with life, a -planet of strange tongues and unknown songs—a planet that had died -so violently that space was yet strewn with its remains—so violently -that somewhere the echo of its death explosion must yet ring in the far -vaults of space.</p> - -<p>Underwood had always thought of archeologists as befogged antiquarians -poking among ancient graves and rubbish heaps, but now he knew them -for what they were—poets in search of mysteries. The Bible-quoting of -Phyfe and the swearing of red-headed Terry Bernard were merely thin -disguises for their poetic romanticism.</p> - -<p>Underwood watched the white fire of the Atom Stream through the lead -glass of the eye-protecting lenses. "I talked to Illia today," he said. -"She says I've run away."</p> - -<p>"Haven't you?" Terry asked.</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't call it that."</p> - -<p>"It doesn't make much difference what you call it. I once lived in an -apartment underneath a French horn player who practised eight hours a -day. I ran away. If the whole mess back on Earth is like a bunch of -horn blowers tootling above your apartment, I say move, and why make -any fuss about it? I'd probably join the boys on Venus myself if my job -didn't keep me out here. Of course it's different with you. There's -Illia to be convinced—along with your own conscience."</p> - -<p>"She quotes Dreyer. He's one of your ideals, isn't he?"</p> - -<p>"No better semanticist ever lived," Terry said flatly. "He takes the -long view, which is that everything will come out in the wash. I agree -with him, so why worry—knowing that the variants will iron themselves -out, and nothing I can possibly do will be noticed or missed? Hence, -I seldom worry about my obligations to mankind, as long as I stay -reasonably law-abiding. Do likewise, Brother Del, and you'll live -longer, or at least more happily."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood grinned in the blinding glare of the Atom Stream. He wished -life were as simple as Terry would have him believe. Maybe it would be, -he thought—if it weren't for Illia.</p> - -<p>As he moved his shield slowly forward behind the crumbling debris, -Underwood's mind returned to the question of who created the structure -beneath their feet, and to what alien purpose. Its black, impenetrable -surfaces spoke of excellent mechanical skill, and a high science that -could create a material refractory to the Atom Stream. Who, a half -million years ago, could have created it?</p> - -<p>The ancient pseudo-scientific Bode's Law had indicated a missing planet -which could easily have fitted into the Solar System in the vicinity -of the asteroid belt. But Bode's Law had never been accepted by -astronomers—until interstellar archeology discovered the artifacts of -a civilization on many of the asteroids.</p> - -<p>The monumental task of exploration had been undertaken more than a -generation ago by the Smithson Institute. Though always handicapped by -shortage of funds, they had managed to keep at least one ship in the -field as a permanent expedition.</p> - -<p>Dr. Phyfe, leader of the present group, was probably the greatest -student of asteroidal archeology in the System. The younger -archeologists labeled him benevolently Papa Phyfe, in spite of the -irascible temper which came, perhaps, from constantly switching his -mind from half a million years ago to the present.</p> - -<p>In their use of semantic correlations, Underwood was discovering, the -archeologists were far ahead of the physical scientists, for they had -an immensely greater task in deducing the mental concepts of alien -races from a few scraps of machinery and art.</p> - -<p>Of all the archeologists he had met, Underwood had taken the greatest -liking to Terry Bernard. An extremely competent semanticist and -archeologist, Terry nevertheless did not take himself too seriously. He -did not even mind Underwood's constant assertion that archeology was -no science. He maintained that it was fun, and that was all that was -necessary.</p> - -<p>At last, the two groups approached each other from opposite sides of -the asteroid and joined forces in shearing off the last of the debris. -As they shut off the fearful Atom Streams, the scientists turned to -look back at the thing they had cleared.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Terry said quietly, "See why I'm an archeologist?"</p> - -<p>"I think I do—almost," Underwood answered.</p> - -<p>The gemlike structure beneath their feet glistened like polished ebony. -It caught the distant stars in its thousand facets and cast them until -it gleamed as if with infinite lights of its own.</p> - -<p>The workmen, too, were caught in its spell, for they stood silently -contemplating the mystery of a people who had created such beauty.</p> - -<p>The spell was broken at last by a movement across the heavens. -Underwood glanced up. "Papa Phyfe's coming on the warpath. I'll bet -he's ready to trim my ears for taking the lab ship without his consent."</p> - -<p>"You're boss of the lab ship, aren't you?" said Terry.</p> - -<p>"It's a rather flexible arrangement—in Phyfe's mind, at least. I'm -boss until he decides he wants to do something."</p> - -<p>The headquarters ship slowed to a halt and the lock opened, emitting -the fiery burst of a motor scooter which Doc Phyfe rode with angry -abandon.</p> - -<p>"You, Underwood!" His voice came harshly through the phones. "I demand -an explanation of—"</p> - -<p>That was as far as he got, for he glimpsed the thing upon which the -men were standing, and from his vantage point it looked all the more -like a black jewel in the sky. He became instantly once more the eager -archeologist instead of expedition administrator, a role he filled with -irritation.</p> - -<p>"What have you got there?" he whispered.</p> - -<p>Terry answered. "We don't know. I asked Dr. Underwood's assistance in -uncovering the artifact. If it caused you any difficulty, I'm sorry; -it's my fault."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Pah!" said Phyfe. "A thing like this is of utmost importance. You -should have notified me immediately."</p> - -<p>Terry and Underwood grinned at each other. Phyfe reprimanded every -archeologist on the expedition for not notifying him immediately -whenever anything from the smallest machined fragment of metal to the -greatest stone monuments were found. If they had obeyed, he would have -done nothing but travel from asteroid to asteroid over hundreds of -thousands of miles of space.</p> - -<p>"You were busy with your own work," said Terry.</p> - -<p>But Phyfe had landed, and as he dismounted from the scooter, he stood -in awe. Terry, standing close to him, thought he saw tears in the old -man's eyes through the helmet of the spaceship.</p> - -<p>"It's beautiful!" murmured Phyfe in worshipping awe. "Wonderful. The -most magnificent find in a century of asteroidal archeology. We must -make arrangements for its transfer to Earth at once."</p> - -<p>"If I may make a suggestion," said Terry, "you recall that some of the -artifacts have not survived so well. Decay in many instances has set -in—"</p> - -<p>"Are you trying to tell me that this thing can decay?" Phyfe's little -gray Van Dyke trembled violently.</p> - -<p>"I'm thinking of the thermal transfer. Doctor Underwood is better able -to discuss that, but I should think that a mass of this kind, which is -at absolute zero, might undergo unusual stresses in coming to Earth -normal temperatures. True, we used the Atom Stream on it, but that heat -did not penetrate enough to set up great internal stresses."</p> - -<p>Phyfe looked hesitant and turned to Underwood. "What is your opinion?"</p> - -<p>Underwood didn't get it until he caught Terry's wink behind Phyfe's -back. Once it left space and went into the museum laboratory, Terry -might never get to work on the thing again. That was the perpetual -gripe of the field men.</p> - -<p>"I think Doctor Bernard has a good point," said Underwood. "I would -advise leaving the artifact here in space until a thorough examination -has been made. After all, we have every facility aboard the <i>Lavoisier</i> -that is available on Earth."</p> - -<p>"Very well," said Phyfe. "You may proceed in charge of the physical -examination of the find, Doctor Underwood. You, Doctor Bernard, will be -in charge of proceedings from an archeological standpoint. Will that -be satisfactory to everyone concerned?"</p> - -<p>It was far more than Terry had expected.</p> - -<p>"I will be on constant call," said Phyfe. "Let me know immediately of -any developments." Then the uncertain mask of the executive fell away -from the face of the little old scientist and he regarded the find with -humility and awe. "It's beautiful," he murmured again, "<i>beautiful</i>."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWO" id="CHAPTER_TWO"><i>CHAPTER TWO</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Phyfe remained near the site as Underwood and Terry set their crew to -the routine task of weighing, measuring, and photographing the object, -while Underwood considered what else to do.</p> - -<p>"You know, this thing has got me stymied, Terry. Since it can't be -touched by an Atom Stream, that means there isn't a single analytical -procedure to which it will respond—that I know of, anyway. Does your -knowledge of the Stroids and their ways of doing things suggest any -identification of it?"</p> - -<p>Terry shook his head as he stood by the port of the laboratory ship -watching the crews at work outside. "Not a thing, but that's no -criterion. We know so little about the Stroids that almost everything -we find has a function we never heard of before. And of course -we've found many objects with totally unknown functions. I've been -thinking—what if this should turn out to be merely a natural gem -from the interior of the planet, maybe formed at the time of its -destruction, but at least an entirely natural object rather than an -artifact?"</p> - -<p>"It would be the largest crystal formation ever encountered, and -the most perfect. I'd say the chances of its natural formation are -negligible."</p> - -<p>"But maybe this is the one in a hundred billion billion or whatever -number chance it may be."</p> - -<p>"If so, its value ought to be enough to balance the Terrestrial budget. -I'm still convinced that it must be an artifact, though its material -and use are beyond me. We can start with a radiation analysis. Perhaps -it will respond in some way that will give us a clue."</p> - -<p>When the crew had finished the routine check, Underwood directed his -men to set up the various types of radiation equipment contained within -the ship. It was possible to generate radiation through almost the -complete spectrum from single cycle sound waves to hard cosmic rays.</p> - -<p>The work was arduous and detailed. Each radiator was slowly driven -through its range, then removed and higher frequency equipment used. At -each fraction of an octave, the object was carefully photographed to -record its response.</p> - -<p>After watching the work for two days, Terry wearied of the seemingly -non-productive labor. "I suppose you know what you're doing, Del," he -said. "But is it getting you anywhere at all?"</p> - -<p>Underwood shook his head. "Here's the batch of photographs. You'll -probably want them to illustrate your report. The surfaces of the -object are mathematically exact to a thousandth of a millimeter. -Believe me, that's some tolerance on an object of this size. The -surfaces are of number fifteen smoothness, which means they are plane -within a hundred-thousandth of a millimeter. The implications are -obvious. The builders who constructed that were mechanical geniuses."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Did you get any radioactive dating?"</p> - -<p>"Rather doubtfully, but the indications are around half a million -years."</p> - -<p>"That checks with what we know about the Stroids."</p> - -<p>"It would appear that their culture is about on a par with our own."</p> - -<p>"Personally, I think they were ahead of us," said Terry. "And do you -see what that means to us archeologists? It's the first time in the -history of the science that we've had to deal with the remains of a -civilization either equal or superior to our own. The problems are -multiplied a thousand times when you try to take a step up instead of a -step down."</p> - -<p>"Any idea of what the Stroids looked like?"</p> - -<p>"We haven't found any bodies, skeletons, or even pictures, but we think -they were at least roughly anthropomorphic. They were farther from the -Sun than we, but it was younger then and probably gave them about the -same amount of heat. Their planet was larger and the Stroids appear -to have been somewhat larger as individuals than we, judging from -the artifacts we've discovered. But they seem to have had a suitable -atmosphere of oxygen diluted with appropriate inert gases."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>They were interrupted by the sudden appearance of a laboratory -technician who brought in a dry photographic print still warm from the -developing box.</p> - -<p>He laid it on the desk before Underwood. "I thought you might be -interested in this."</p> - -<p>Underwood and Terry glanced at it. The picture was of the huge, -gemlike artifact, but a number of the facets seemed to be covered with -intricate markings of short, wavy lines.</p> - -<p>Underwood stared closer at the thing. "What the devil are those? We -took pictures of every facet previously and there was nothing like -this. Get me an enlargement of these."</p> - -<p>"I already have." The assistant laid another photo on the desk, showing -the pattern of markings as if at close range. They were clearly -discernible now.</p> - -<p>"What do you make of it?" asked Underwood.</p> - -<p>"I'd say it looked like writing," Terry said. "But it's not like any -of the other Stroid characters I've seen—which doesn't mean much, of -course, because there could be thousands that I've never seen. Only how -come these characters are there now, and we never noticed them before?"</p> - -<p>"Let's go out and have a look," said Underwood. He grasped the -photograph and noted the numbers of the facets on which the characters -appeared.</p> - -<p>In a few moments the two men were speeding toward the surface of their -discovery astride scooters. They jockeyed above the facets shown on the -photographs, and stared in vain.</p> - -<p>"Something's the matter," said Terry. "I don't see anything here."</p> - -<p>"Let's go all the way around on the scooters. Those guys may have -bungled the job of numbering the photos."</p> - -<p>They began a slow circuit, making certain they glimpsed all the facets -from a height of only ten feet.</p> - -<p>"It's not here," Underwood agreed at last. "Let's talk to the crew that -took the shots."</p> - -<p>They headed towards the equipment platform, floating in free space, -from which Mason, one of the Senior Physicists, was directing -operations. Mason signaled for the radiations to be cut off as the men -approached.</p> - -<p>"Find any clues, Chief?" he asked Underwood. "We've done our best to -fry this apple, but nothing happens."</p> - -<p>"Something <i>did</i> happen. Did you see it?" Underwood extended the -photograph with the mechanical fingers of the spacesuit. Mason held it -in a light and stared at it. "We didn't see a thing like that. And we -couldn't have missed it." He turned to the members of the crew. "Anyone -see this writing on the thing?"</p> - -<p>They looked at the picture and shook their heads.</p> - -<p>"What were you shooting on it at the time?"</p> - -<p>Mason glanced at his records. "About a hundred and fifty angstroms."</p> - -<p>"So there must be something that becomes visible only in a field of -radiation of about that wave length," said Underwood. "Keep going and -see if anything else turns up, or if this proves to be permanent after -exposure to that frequency."</p> - -<p>Back in the laboratory, they sat down at the desk and went through -the file of hundreds of photographs that were now pouring out of the -darkroom.</p> - -<p>"Not a thing except that one," said Terry. "It looks like a message -intended only for someone who knew what frequency would make it -visible."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood shook his head. "That sounds a little too melodramatic for -me. Yet it is possible that this thing is some kind of repository, and -we've found the key to it. But what a key! It looks as if we've got to -decipher the language of the Stroids in order to use the key."</p> - -<p>"The best men in the field have been trying to do that for only about -seventy-five years. If that's what it takes, we may as well quit right -now."</p> - -<p>"You said that this was nothing like any other Stroid characters that -you had seen. Maybe this belongs to a different cultural stratum. It -might prove easier to crack. Who's the best man in the field on this -stuff?"</p> - -<p>"Dreyer at the semantics lab. He won't touch it any more. He says he's -wasted fifteen years of his life on the Stroid inscriptions."</p> - -<p>"I'll bet he will tackle this, if it's as new as you think it is. I've -seen some of those antiquarians before. We'll get Phyfe to transmit -some copies of this to him. Who's the next best man?"</p> - -<p>"Probably Phyfe himself."</p> - -<p>"It won't be hard to get him started on it, I'll bet."</p> - -<p>It wasn't. The old scientist was ecstatic over the discovery of the -inscriptions upon the huge gem. He took copies of the pictures into his -study and spent two full days comparing them with the known records.</p> - -<p>"It's an entirely new set of characters," he said after completing the -preliminary examination. "We already have three sets of characters that -seem to be in no way related. This is the fourth."</p> - -<p>"You sent copies to Dreyer?"</p> - -<p>"Only because you requested it. Dreyer admitted long ago that he was -licked."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>During the week of Phyfe's study, the work of radiation analysis had -been completed. It proved completely negative with the single exception -of the 150 A. radiation which rendered visible the characters on the -gem. No secondary effects of any significance whatever had been noted. -The material reflected almost completely nearly every frequency imposed -upon it.</p> - -<p>Thus, Underwood found himself again at the end of his resources. It -was impossible to analyze material that refused to react, which was -refractive to every force applied.</p> - -<p>Underwood told Terry at the conclusion of a series of chemical tests, -"If you want to keep that thing out here any longer, I'm afraid -you've got to think of some more effective way of examining it than -I have been able to do. From a physical standpoint this artifact is -in about the same position as the language of the Stroids had been -semantically—completely intractable."</p> - -<p>"I'm not afraid of its being sent back to the museum now. Papa Phyfe's -got his teeth into it and he won't let go until he cracks the key to -this lingo."</p> - -<p>Underwood didn't believe that it would ever be solved, unless by -some lucky chance they came upon a sort of Rosetta Stone which would -bridge the gap between the human mind and that of the alien Stroids. -Even if the Stroids were somewhat anthropomorphic in makeup as the -archeologists believed, there was no indication that their minds would -not be so utterly alien that no bridge would even be possible.</p> - -<p>Underwood felt seriously inclined to abandon the problem. While -completely fascinating, it was hardly more soluble than was the problem -of the composition of the stars in the days before the spectroscope -was invented. Neither the archeologists, the semanticists, nor the -physicists yet had the tools to crack the problem of the Stroids. Until -the tools became available, the problem would simply have to go by the -boards. The only exception was the remote possibility of a deliberate -clue left by the Stroids themselves, but Underwood did not believe in -miracles.</p> - -<p>His final conviction came when word came back from Dreyer, who said, -"Congratulations, Phyfe," and returned the copies of the Stroid -characters with a short note.</p> - -<p>"Well, that does it," said Underwood.</p> - -<p>Phyfe was dismayed by Dreyer's reply. "The man's simply trying to -uphold a decaying reputation by claiming the problem can't be solved. -Send it to the museum and let them begin work on it. I'll give it my -entire time. You will help me, if you will, Doctor Bernard."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Terry himself was becoming somewhat dismayed by the magnitude of the -mystery they had uncovered. He knew Phyfe's bulldog tenacity when he -tackled something and he didn't want to be tied to semantics for the -rest of the term of the expedition.</p> - -<p>Underwood, however, had become immersed in X-ray work, attempting -to determine the molecular structure of the artifact from a -crystallographic standpoint, to find out if it could be found it might -be possible to disrupt the pattern.</p> - -<p>After he had been at it for about a week, Terry came into the lab in a -disgruntled mood at the completion of a work period.</p> - -<p>"You look as if Papa gave you a spanking," said Underwood. "Why the -downcast mood?"</p> - -<p>"I think I'll resign and go back to the museum. It's useless to work on -this puzzle any longer."</p> - -<p>"How do you know?"</p> - -<p>"Because it doesn't follow the laws of semantics with respect to -language."</p> - -<p>"Maybe the laws need changing."</p> - -<p>"You know better than that. Look, you are as familiar with Carnovan's -law as I am. It states that in any language there is bound to be a -certain constant frequency of semantic conceptions. It's like the -old frequency laws that used to be used in cryptographic analysis -except a thousand times more complex. Anyway, we've made thousands of -substitutions into Carnovan's frequency scale and nothing comes out. -Not a thing. No concept of ego, identity, perfection, retrogression, or -intercourse shows up. The only thing that registers in the slightest -degree is the concept of motion, but it doesn't yield a single key -word. It's almost as if it weren't even a language."</p> - -<p>"Maybe it isn't."</p> - -<p>"What else could it be?"</p> - -<p>"Well, maybe this thing we've found is a monument of some kind and -the inscriptions are ritualistic tributes to dead heroes or something. -Maybe there's no trick at all about the radiation business. Maybe -they used that frequency for common illumination and the inscription -was arranged to show up just at night. The trouble with you strict -semanticists is that you don't use any imagination."</p> - -<p>"Like to try a hand at a few sessions with Papa Phyfe?"</p> - -<p>"No, thanks, but I do think there are other possibilities that you -are overlooking. I make no claim to being anything but a strictly ham -semanticist, but suppose, for example, that the inscriptions are not -language at all in the common sense."</p> - -<p>"They must represent transfer of thought in some form."</p> - -<p>"True, but look at the varied forms of thought. You are bound down to -the conception of language held as far back as Korzybski. At least to -the conception held by those who didn't fully understand Korzybski. You -haven't considered the concept of music. It's a very real possibility, -but one which would remain meaningless without the instrument. Consider -also—Wait a minute, Terry! We've all been a bunch of thoroughbred -dopes!"</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"Look at the geometrical and mechanical perfection of the artifact. -That implies mathematical knowledge of a high order. The inscriptions -could be mathematical measurements of some kind. That would explain the -breakdown of Carnovan's principles. They don't apply to math."</p> - -<p>"But what kind of math would be inscribed on a thing like that?"</p> - -<p>"Who knows? We can give it a try."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was the beginning of their sleeping period, but Terry was fired with -Underwood's sudden enthusiasm. He brought in a complete copy of all the -inscriptions found upon the facets of the black gem. Underwood placed -them on a large table in continuous order as they appeared around the -circumference.</p> - -<p>"It's mud to me," said Terry. "I'm the world's worst mathematician."</p> - -<p>"Look!" exclaimed Underwood. "Here's the beginning of it." He suddenly -moved some of the sheets so that one previously in the middle formed -the beginning of the sequence. "What does it look like to you?"</p> - -<p>"I've seen that until I dream of it. It's one Phyfe tried to make the -most of in his frequency determinations. It looks like nothing more -than some widgets alongside a triangle."</p> - -<p>"That's exactly what it is, and no wonder Phyfe found it had a high -frequency. That is nothing more nor less than an explanation of the -Stroid concept of the differential. This widget over here must be the -sign of the derivative corresponding to our dy/dx."</p> - -<p>Hastily, Underwood scrawled some symbols on a scratch pad, using -combinations of "x"s and "y"s and the strange, unknown symbols of the -Stroids.</p> - -<p>"It checks. They're showing us how to differentiate! Not only that, -we have the key to their numerical system in the exponentials, -because they've given us the differentiation of a whole series of -power expressions here. Now, somewhere we ought to find an integral -expression which we could check back with differentiation. Here it is!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Terry, left behind now, went to the galley and brewed a steaming pot of -coffee and brought it back. He found Underwood staring unseeingly ahead -of him into the dark, empty corners of the lab.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" Terry exclaimed. "What have you found?"</p> - -<p>"I'm not sure. Do you know what the end product of all this math is?"</p> - -<p>"What?"</p> - -<p>"A set of wave equations, but such wave equations as any physicist -would be thought crazy to dream up. Yet, in light of some new -manipulations introduced by the Stroids, they seem feasible."</p> - -<p>"What can we do with them?"</p> - -<p>"We can build a generator and see what kind of stuff comes out of -it when we operate it according to this math. The Stroids obviously -intended that someone find this and learn to produce the radiation -described. For what purpose we can only guess—but we might find out."</p> - -<p>"Do we have enough equipment aboard to build such a generator?"</p> - -<p>"I think so. We could cannibalize enough from equipment we already have -on hand. Let's try it."</p> - -<p>Terry hesitated. "I'm not quite sure, but—well, this stuff comes about -as near as anything I ever saw to giving me what is commonly known as -the creeps. Somehow these Stroids seem too—too <i>anxious</i>. That sounds -crazy, I know, but there's such alienness here."</p> - -<p>"Nuts. Let's build their generator and see what they're trying to tell -us."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_THREE" id="CHAPTER_THREE"><i>CHAPTER THREE</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Phyfe was exuberant. He not only gave permission to construct the -generator, he demanded that all work aboard the lab ship give priority -to the new project.</p> - -<p>The design of the machine was no easy task, for Underwood was a -physicist and not an engineer. However, he had two men, Moody and -Hansen, in his staff who were first rate engineers. On them fell -the chief burden of design after Underwood worked out the rough -specifications.</p> - -<p>One of the main laboratories with nearly ten thousand square feet of -floor space was cleared for the project. As the specifications flowed -from Underwood's desk, they passed over to Moody and Hansen, and from -there out to the lab where the mass of equipment was gathered from all -parts of the fleet.</p> - -<p>An atomic power supply sufficient to give the large amount of energy -required by the generator was obtained by robbing the headquarters -ship of its auxiliary supply. Converter units were available in the -<i>Lavoisier</i> itself, but the main radiator tubes had to be cannibalized -from the 150 A equipment aboard.</p> - -<p>Slowly the mass of improvised equipment grew. It would have been a -difficult task on Earth with all facilities available for such a -project, but with these makeshift arrangements it was a miracle that -the generator continued to develop. A score of times Underwood had to -make compromises that he hoped would not alter the characteristics of -the wave which, two weeks before, he would have declared impossible to -generate.</p> - -<p>When the equipment was completed and ready for a trial check, the huge -lab was a mass of hay-wiring into which no one but Moody and Hansen -dared go.</p> - -<p>The completion was an anti-climax. The great project that had almost -halted all other field work was finished—and no one knew what to -expect when Hansen threw the switch that fed power from the converters -into the giant tubes.</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact, nothing happened. Only the faint whine of the -converters and the swinging needles of meters strung all over the room -showed that the beam was in operation.</p> - -<p>On the nose of the <i>Lavoisier</i> was the great, ungainly radiator a -hundred feet in diameter, which was spraying the unknown depths of -space with the newly created power.</p> - -<p>Underwood and Terry were outside the ship, behind the huge radiator, -with a mass of equipment designed to observe the effects of the beam.</p> - -<p>In space it was totally invisible, creating no detectable field. It -seemed as inactive as a beam of ultraviolet piercing the starlit -darkness.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood picked up the interphone that connected them with the -interior of the ship. "Swing around, please, Captain Dawson. Let the -beam rotate through a one hundred and eighty degree arc."</p> - -<p>The Captain ordered the ship around and the great <i>Lavoisier</i> swung -on its own axis—but not in the direction Underwood had had in mind. -He failed to indicate the direction, and Dawson had assumed it didn't -matter.</p> - -<p>Ponderously, the great radiator swung about before Underwood could -shout a warning. And the beam came directly in line with the mysterious -gem of the universe which they had found in the heart of the asteroid.</p> - -<p>At once, the heavens were filled with intolerable light. Terry and -Underwood flung themselves down upon the hull of the ship and the -physicist screamed into the phones for Dawson to swing the other way.</p> - -<p>But his warnings were in vain, for those within the ship were blinded -by the great flare of light that penetrated even the protective ports -of the ship. Irresistibly, the <i>Lavoisier</i> continued to swing, spraying -the great gem with its mysterious radiation.</p> - -<p>Then it was past and the beam cut into space once more.</p> - -<p>On top of the ship, Underwood and Terry found their sight slowly -returning. They had been saved the full blast of the light from the gem -by the curve of the ship's hull which cut it off.</p> - -<p>Underwood stumbled to his feet, followed by Terry. The two men stood -in open-mouthed un-belief at the vision that met their eyes. Where the -gem had drifted in space, there was now a blistered, boiling mass of -amorphous matter that surged and steamed in the void. All semblance to -the glistening, faceted, ebon gem was gone as the repulsive mass heaved -within itself.</p> - -<p>"It's destroyed!" Terry exclaimed hoarsely. "The greatest archeological -find of all time and we destroy it before we find out anything about -it—"</p> - -<p>"Shut up!" Underwood commanded harshly. He tried to concentrate on the -happenings before him, but he could find no meaning in it. He bemoaned -the fact that he had no camera, and only prayed that someone inside -would have the wit to turn one on.</p> - -<p>As the ship continued its slow swing like a senseless animal, the -pulsing of the amorphous mass that had been the jewel slowly ceased. -And out of the gray murkiness of it came a new quality. It began to -regain rigidity—and transparency!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood gasped. At the boundary lines of the facets, heavy ribs -showed the tremendously reinforced structure that formed the skeleton. -And each cell between the ribs was filled with thick substance that -partially revealed the unknown world within.</p> - -<p>But more than that, between one set of ribs he glimpsed what he was -sure was an emptiness, a doorway to the interior!</p> - -<p>"Come on," he called to Terry. "Look at that opening!"</p> - -<p>They leaped astride the scooters clamped to the surface of the lab -ship and sped into space between the two objects. It required only an -instant to confirm his first hasty glimpse.</p> - -<p>They navigated the scooters close to the opening and clamped them to -the surface. For a moment, Underwood thought the gem might be some -strange ship from far out of the Universe, for it seemed filled with -mechanism of undescribable characteristics and unknown purposes. It was -so filled that it was impossible to see very far into the interior even -with the help of the powerful lamps on the scooters.</p> - -<p>"The beam was the key to get into the thing," said Terry. "It was -intended all along that the beam be turned on it. The beam had to be -connected with the gem in some way."</p> - -<p>"And what a way!"</p> - -<p>The triangular opening was large enough to admit a man. Underwood and -Terry knelt at the edge of it, peering down, flashing their lights -about the revealed interior. The opening seemed to drop into the center -of a small room that was bare.</p> - -<p>"Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly," quoted Terry. "I -don't see anything down there, do you?"</p> - -<p>"No. Why the spider recitation?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. Everything is too pat. I feel as if someone is watching -behind us, practically breathing down our necks and urging us on the -way he wants us to go. And when we get there we aren't going to like -it."</p> - -<p>"I suppose that is strictly a scientific hunch which we ignorant -physicists wouldn't understand."</p> - -<p>But Terry was serious. The whole aspect of the Stroid device was -unnerving in the way it led along from step to step, as if unseen -powers were guiding them, rather than using their own initiative in -their work.</p> - -<p>Underwood gave a final grunt and dropped into the hole, flashing his -light rapidly about. Terry followed immediately. They found themselves -in the center of a circular room twenty feet in diameter. The walls -and the floor seemed to be of the same ebony-black material that had -composed the outer shell of the gem before its transmutation.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The walls were literally covered from the floor to the ten-foot -ceiling with inscriptions that glowed faintly in the darkness when the -flashlights were not turned on them.</p> - -<p>"Recognize any of this stuff?" asked Underwood.</p> - -<p>"Stroid III," said Terry in awe. "The most beautiful collection -of engravings that have ever been found. We've never obtained a -consecutive piece even a fraction this size before. Dreyer has got to -come now."</p> - -<p>"I've got a hunch about this," said Underwood slowly. "I don't know a -thing about the procedures used in deciphering an unknown lingo, but -I'll bet you find that this is an instruction primer to their language, -just as the inscriptions outside gave the key to their math before -detailing the wave equations."</p> - -<p>"You might be right!" Terry's eyes glowed with enthusiasm as he looked -about the polished walls with the faintly glowing characters inlaid in -them. "If that's the case, Papa Phyfe and I ought to be able to do the -job without Dreyer."</p> - -<p>They returned to the ship for photographic equipment and to report -their finding to Phyfe. It was a little difficult for him to adjust to -the view that something had been gained in the transformation of the -gem. The sight of that boiling, amorphous mass in space had been to him -like helplessly standing on the bank of a stream and watching a loved -one drown.</p> - -<p>But with Terry's report on the characters in Stroid III which lined the -walls of the antechamber which they had penetrated, he was ready to -admit that their position had improved.</p> - -<p>Underwood was merely a by-stander as they returned to the gem. Two -photographers, Carson and Enright, accompanied them along with Nichols, -assistant semanticist.</p> - -<p>Underwood stood by, in the depths of speculation, as the photographers -set up their equipment and Phyfe bent down to examine the characters at -close range.</p> - -<p>Terry continued to be dogged by the feeling that they were being led -by the nose into something that would end unpleasantly. He didn't know -why, except that the fact of immense and meticulous preparation was -evidenced on all sides. It was the reason for that preparation which -made him wonder.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Phyfe said to Underwood, "Doctor Bernard tells me your opinion is that -this room is a key to Stroid III. You may be right, but I fail to find -any indication of it at present. What gives you that idea?"</p> - -<p>"The whole setup," said Underwood. "First, there was the impenetrable -shell. Nothing like it exists in Solarian culture today. Then there -was the means by which we were able to read the inscriptions on the -outside. Obviously, if heat and fission reactions as well as chemical -reactions could not touch the stuff, the only remaining means of -analysis was radiative. And the only peoples who could discover the -inscriptions were those capable of building a generator of 150 A. -radiations. We have there two highly technical requirements of anyone -attempting to solve the secret of this cache—ability to generate the -proper radiation, and the ability to understand their mathematics and -build a second generator from their wave equations.</p> - -<p>"Now that we're in here, there is nothing more we can do until we can -understand their printed language. Obviously, they must teach it to us. -This would be the place."</p> - -<p>"You may be right," said Phyfe, "But we archeologists work with facts, -not guesses. We'll know soon enough if it's true."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood felt content to speculate while the others worked. There was -nothing else for him to do. No way out of the anteroom was apparent, -but he was confident that a way to the interior would be found when the -inscriptions were deciphered.</p> - -<p>He went out to the surface and walked slowly about, peering into the -transparent depths with his light. What lay within this repository -left by an ancient race that had obviously equaled or surpassed man -in scientific attainments? Would it be some vast store of knowledge -that would come to bless mankind with greater abundance? Or would it, -rather, be a new Pandora's box, which would pour out upon the world new -ills to add to its already staggering burden?</p> - -<p>The world had about all it could stand now, Underwood reflected. For a -century, Earth's scientific production had boomed. Her factories had -roared with the throb of incessant production, and the utopia of all -the planners of history was gradually coming to pass. Man's capacities -for production had steadily increased for five hundred years, and -at last the capacities for consumption were rising equally, with -correspondingly less time spent in production and greater time spent in -consumption.</p> - -<p>But the utopia wasn't coming off just as the Utopians had dreamed of -it. The ever present curse of enforced leisure was not respecting the -new age any more than it had past ages. Men were literally being driven -crazy with their super-abundance of luxury.</p> - -<p>Only a year before, the so-called Howling Craze had swept cities -and nations. It was a wave of hysteria that broke out in epidemic -proportions. Thousands of people within a city would be stricken at -a time by insensate weeping and despair. One member of a household -would be afflicted and quickly it would spread from that man to the -family, and from that family it would race the length and breadth of -the streets, up and down the city, until one vast cry as of a stricken -animal would assault the heavens.</p> - -<p>Underwood had seen only one instance of the Howling Craze and he had -fled from it as if pursued. It was impossible to describe its effects -upon the nervous system—a whole city in the throes of hysteria.</p> - -<p>Life was cheap, as were the other luxuries of Earth. Murders by the -thousands each month were scarcely noticed, and the possession of -weapons for protection had become a mark of the new age, for no man -knew when his neighbor might turn upon him.</p> - -<p>Governments rose and fell swiftly and became little more than -figureheads to carry out the demands of peoples cloyed with the -excesses of life. Most significant of all, however, was the inability -of any leader to hold any following for more than a short time.</p> - -<p>Of all the inhabitants of Earth, there were but a few hundred thousand -scientists who were able to keep themselves on even keel, and most of -these were now fleeing.</p> - -<p>As he thought of these things, Underwood pondered what the opening of -the repository of a people who sealed up their secrets half a million -years ago would mean to mankind. This must be what Terry felt, he -thought.</p> - -<p>For perhaps three hours he remained on the outside of the shell, -letting his mind idle under the brilliance of the stars. Suddenly, the -phones in his helmet came alive with sound. It was the voice of Terry -Bernard.</p> - -<p>"We've got it, Del," he said quietly. "We can read this stuff like -nursery rhymes. Come on down. It tells us how to get into the thing."</p> - -<p>Underwood did not hurry. He rose slowly from his sitting position and -stared upward at the stars, the same stars that had looked down upon -the beings who had sealed up the repository. This is it, he thought. -Man can never go back again.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He lowered himself into the opening.</p> - -<p>Doctor Phyfe was strangely quiet in spite of their quick success in -deciphering the language of the Stroids. Underwood wondered what was -going through the old man's mind. Did he, too, sense the magnitude of -this moment?</p> - -<p>Phyfe said, "They were semanticists as well. They knew Carnovan's -frequency. It's right here, the key they used to reveal their language. -No one less advanced in semantics than our own civilization could have -deciphered it, but with a knowledge of Carnovan's frequency, it is -simple."</p> - -<p>"Practically hand-picked us for the job," said Terry.</p> - -<p>Phyfe's sharp eyes turned upon him suddenly behind the double -protection of his spectacles and the transparent helmet of the -spacesuit.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," said Phyfe. "Perhaps we are. At any rate, there are certain -manipulations to be performed which will open this chamber and provide -passage to the interior."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Where's the door?" said Underwood.</p> - -<p>Following the notes he had made, Terry moved about the room, directing -Underwood's attention to features of the design. Delicately carved, -movable levers formed an intricate combination that suddenly released -a section of the floor in the exact center of the room. It depressed -slowly, then revolved out of the way.</p> - -<p>For a moment no one spoke while Phyfe moved to the opening and peered -down. A stairway of the same glistening material as the walls about -them led downward into the depths of the repository.</p> - -<p>Phyfe stepped down and almost stumbled into the opening. "Watch for -those steps," he warned. "They're larger than necessary for human -beings."</p> - -<p><i>Giants in those days</i> came to Underwood's mind. He tried to vision the -creatures who had walked upon this stairway and touched the hand rail -that was shoulder high for him.</p> - -<p>The repository was divided into levels and the stairway ended abruptly -as they came to the level below the anteroom. The chamber in which -they found themselves was crowded with artifacts of strange shapes and -varying sizes. Not a thing of familiar cast greeted them. But opposite -the bottom of the stairway was a pedestal and upon it rested a booklike -object that proved to be hinged metallic sheets, covered with Stroid -III inscriptions, when Terry climbed up to examine it. He was unable -to move it, but the metal pages were locked with a simple clasp that -responded to his touch.</p> - -<p>"It looks as if we've got to read our way along," said Terry. "I -suppose this will tell us how to get into the next room."</p> - -<p>Underwood and the other expedition members moved cautiously about, -examining the contents of the room. The two photographers began to make -an orderly pictorial record of everything within the chamber.</p> - -<p>Standing alone in one corner, Underwood peered at an object that -appeared to be nothing but a series of opaque, polychrome globes -tangent to each other and mounted on a pedestal.</p> - -<p>Whether it were some kind of machine or monument, he could not tell.</p> - -<p>"You feel it, too," said a sudden quiet voice behind him. Underwood -whirled about in surprise. Phyfe was there behind him, his slight -figure a shapeless shadow in the spacesuit.</p> - -<p>"Feel what?"</p> - -<p>"I've watched you, Doctor Underwood. You are a physicist and in -far closer touch with the real world than I. You have seen me—I -cannot even manage an expedition with efficiency—my mind lives -constantly in the past, and I cannot comprehend the significance of -contemporary things. Tell me what it will mean, this intrusion -of an alien science into our own."</p> - -<p>A sudden, new, and humbling respect filled Underwood. He had never -dreamed that the little archeologist had such a penetrating view of -himself in his relation to his environment.</p> - -<p>"I wish I could answer that question," said Underwood, shaking his -head. "I can't. Perhaps if we knew, we'd destroy the thing—or it might -be that we'd shout our discovery to the Universe. But we can't know, -and we wouldn't dare be the judges if we could. Whatever it is, the -ancient Stroids seem to have deliberately attempted to provide for the -survival of their culture." He hesitated. "That, of course is my guess."</p> - -<p>In the darkened corner of the chamber, Phyfe nodded slowly. "You are -right, of course. It is the only answer. We dare not try to be the -judges."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood saw that he would get nowhere in his understanding of -the Stroid science by merely depending on the translations given him -by Terry and Phyfe. He'd have to learn to read the Stroid inscriptions -himself. He buttonholed Nichols and got the semanticist to show him the -rudiments of the language. It was amazingly simple in principle and -constructed along semantic lines.</p> - -<p>The going became rapidly heavier, however, and it took them the -equivalent of five days to get through the fairly elementary material -disclosed in the first level below the antechamber.</p> - -<p>The book of metal pages did little to satisfy their curiosity -concerning either the ancient planet or its culture. It instructed them -further in understanding the language, and addressed them as Unknown -friends—the nearest human translation.</p> - -<p>As was already apparent, the repository had been prepared to save the -highest products of the ancient Stroid culture from the destruction -that came upon the world. But the records did not even hint as to the -nature of that destruction and they said nothing about the objects in -the room.</p> - -<p>The scientists were a bit disappointed by the little revealed to them -so far, but, as expected, there were instructions to enter the next -lower level. There, an entirely different situation confronted them.</p> - -<p>The chamber into which they came after winding down a long, spiral -stairway, narrow, yet with the same high steps as before, was spherical -in shape and seemed to be concentric with the outer shell of the -repository. It contained a single object.</p> - -<p>The object was a cube in the center of the chamber, about two feet on -a side. From the corners of the cube, long supports of complicated -spring structure led to the inner surface of the spherical chamber. -It appeared to be a highly effective shock mounting for whatever was -contained within the cube.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The sight before the men was impressive in simplicity, yet was -anticlimactic, for there was nothing here of the great wonders that -they had expected. There was only the suspended cube—and a book.</p> - -<p>Quickly, Phyfe advanced along the narrow catwalk that led from the -opening to the cube. The book lay on a shelf fastened to the side of -the cube. Phyfe opened it to the first sheet and read haltingly and -laboriously:</p> - -<p>"Greetings, Unknown Friends, Greetings to you from the Great One. By -the token that you are now reading this, you have proven yourselves -mentally capable of understanding the new world of knowledge and -discovery that may be yours.</p> - -<p>"I am Demarzule, the Great One the greatest of great Sirenia—and the -last. And within the storehouse of my mind is the vast knowledge that -made Sirenia the greatest world in all the Universe.</p> - -<p>"Great as it was, however, destruction came to the world of Sirenia. -But her knowledge and her wonders shall never pass. In ages after, new -worlds will rise and beings will inhabit them, and they will come to a -minimum plane of knowledge that will assure their appreciation of the -wonders that may be theirs from the world of Sirenia.</p> - -<p>"You have minimum technical knowledge, else you could not have created -the radiation necessary to render the storehouse penetrable. You have a -minimum semantic knowledge, else you could not have understood my words -that have brought you this far.</p> - -<p>"You are fit and capable to behold the Great One of Sirenia!"</p> - -<p>As Phyfe turned over the first metal sheet, the men looked at each -other. It was Nichols, the semanticist, who said, "There are only two -possibilities in a mind that would write a statement of that kind. -Either it belonged to a truly superior being, or to a maniac. So far, -in man's history, there has not been encountered such a superior being. -If he existed, it would have been wonderful to have known him."</p> - -<p>Phyfe paused and peered with difficulty through the helmet of the -spacesuit. He continued, "I live. I am eternal. I am in your midst, -Unknown Friends, and to your hands falls the task of bringing speech to -my voice, and sight to my eyes, and feeling to my hands. Then, when you -have fulfilled your mighty task, you shall behold me and the greatness -of the Great One of Sirenia."</p> - -<p>Enright, the photographer said, "What the devil does that mean? The guy -must have been nuts. He sounds like he expected to come back to life."</p> - -<p>The feeling within Underwood was more than bearable. It was composed -of surging anticipation and quiet fearfulness, and they mingled in a -raging torrent.</p> - -<p>The men made no sound as Phyfe read on, "I shall live again. The Great -One shall return, and you who are my Unknown Friends shall assist me to -return to life. Then and only then shall you know the great secrets of -the world of Sirenia which are a thousand times greater than your own. -Only then shall you become mighty, with the secrets of Sirenia locked -in my brain. By the powers I shall reveal, you shall become mighty -until there are none greater in all the Universe."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Phyfe turned the page. Abruptly he stopped. He turned to Underwood. -"The rest of it is yours," he said.</p> - -<p>"What—?"</p> - -<p>Underwood glanced at the page of inscription. With difficulty he took -up the reading silently. The substance of the writings had changed and -here was a sudden wilderness of an alien science.</p> - -<p>Slowly he plodded through the first concepts, then skimmed as it became -evident that here was material for days of study. But out of his hasty -scanning there came a vision of a great dream, a dream of conquest of -the eons, the preservation of life while worlds waned and died and -flared anew.</p> - -<p>It told of an unknown radiation turned upon living cells, reducing them -to primeval protoplasm, arresting all but the <i>symbol</i> of metabolism.</p> - -<p>And it spoke of other radiation and complex chemical treatment, a -fantastic process that could restore again the life that had been only -<i>symbolized</i> by the dormant protoplasm.</p> - -<p>Underwood looked up. His eyes went from the featureless cube to the -faces of his companions.</p> - -<p>"It's alive!" he breathed. "Five hundred million years—and it's alive! -These are instructions by which it may be restored!"</p> - -<p>None of the others spoke, but Underwood's eyes were as if a sudden, -great commission had been placed upon him. Out of the turmoil of his -thoughts a single purpose emerged, clear and irrevocable.</p> - -<p>Within that cube lay dormant matter that could be formed into a -brain—an alien but mighty brain. Suddenly, Underwood felt an -irrational kinship with the ancient creature who had so conquered time, -and in his own mind he silently vowed that if it lay within his power, -that creature would live again, and speak its ancient secrets.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FOUR" id="CHAPTER_FOUR"><i>CHAPTER FOUR</i></a></h2> - - -<p>"Del!" The shock of surprise and the flush of pleasure heightened the -beauty of Illia's delicate features. She stood in the doorway, the -aureole of her pale golden hair backlighted by the illumination from -within the room.</p> - -<p>"Surprised?" said Underwood. He always found it difficult to speak for -a moment after the first sight of Illia. No one would guess a beauty -like her to be the top surgeon of Medical Center.</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you let me know you were coming? It's not fair—"</p> - -<p>"—not to give you time to build up your defenses?"</p> - -<p>She nodded silently as he took her into his arms. But quickly she broke -away and led him to the seat by the broad windows overlooking the night -lights of the city below.</p> - -<p>"Have you come back?" she said.</p> - -<p>"Back? You put such a confusing amount of meaning into ordinary words, -Illia."</p> - -<p>She smiled and sat down beside him, and swiftly changed the subject. -"Tell me about the expedition. Archeology has always seemed the most -futile of all sciences, but I've supposed that was because I could find -nothing in common between it and my medical science, nothing in common -with the future. I've wondered what a physicist could find in it."</p> - -<p>"I think you'll find something in common with our latest discovery. We -have a living though dormant creature on an equal or superior plane of -intelligence with us. Its age is around half a million years. You will -be interested in the medical aspects of that, I am sure."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>For a moment Illia sat as if she hadn't heard him. Then she said, "That -could be a discovery to change a world, if you're sure of what you've -found."</p> - -<p>Underwood felt irritation more because he had been trying to fight down -the same idea himself than because she had spoken it. "Your semantic -extensions would turn Phyfe's whiskers white. We haven't found any such -world-shaking discovery. We've found a creature out of another age and -another culture, but it's not going to disrupt or change our society."</p> - -<p>"If it's a scientifically superior culture, how do you know what it -will do?"</p> - -<p>"We don't, but to apply so many extensions only confuses our -interpretation more. I mention it because we are going to need a -biological advisor. I thought you might like to be it."</p> - -<p>Her eyes were staring far out across the halo of the city's lights. She -said, "Del, is it human?"</p> - -<p>"Human? What's human? Is intelligence human? Can any other factor of -our existence be defined as human? If you can tell me that, perhaps I -can answer. So far, we only know that it is a sentient creature of high -scientific culture."</p> - -<p>"Then that alone makes its relationship with us a sympathetic one?"</p> - -<p>"Why, I suppose so. I see no reason why not."</p> - -<p>"Yes. Yes, I agree with you! And don't you see? It can be a germ -of rejuvenation, a nucleus to gather the scattered impulses of our -culture and unify them in an absorption of this new science. Look -what biological knowledge the mere evidence of suspended animation -indicates."</p> - -<p>"All right." Underwood laughed faintly in resignation. "There's no use -trying to avoid such a discussion with you, is there, Illia? You'd take -the first flower of spring and project a whole summer's glory from it, -wouldn't you?"</p> - -<p>"But am I wrong in this? The people of Earth need <i>something</i> to cement -them together in this period of disillusionment. This could be it."</p> - -<p>"I know," said Underwood. "We talked it over out there before we -decided to go ahead with the restoration. We talked and argued for -hours. Some of the men wanted to destroy the thing immediately because -it is impossible to forecast the effect of this discovery from a -strictly semantic standpoint. We have no data.</p> - -<p>"Terry Bernard definitely fought for its destruction. Phyfe is afraid -of the possible consequences, but he maintains that we haven't the -right to destroy it because it is too great a heritage. I maintain -that from a purely scientific standpoint we have no right to consider -anything but restoration, regardless of consequences.</p> - -<p>"And there is something more—the personal element. A creature whose -imagination and daring were great enough to preserve his ego through an -age of five hundred thousand years deserves something more than summary -execution. He deserves the right to be known and heard. Actually, it -seems ridiculous to fear anything that can come of this. Well, Phyfe -and Terry are expert semanticists, and they're afraid—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, they're wrong, Del! They <i>must</i> be wrong. If they have no data, -if they have only a hunch, a prejudice, it's ridiculous for them as -scientists to be swayed by such feelings."</p> - -<p>"I don't know. I wash my hands of all such aspects of the problem. -I only know that I'm going to see that a guy who's got the brains -and guts this one must have had has his chance to be heard. So far, -I'm on the winning side. Tomorrow I'm going to see Boarder and the -Director's Committee with Phyfe. If you're interested in taking the job -I mentioned, come along."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The enthusiasm of the directors was even greater than that of Illia, -if possible. None of them seemed to share the fears of some of the -expedition members. And, somehow, in the warm familiarity of the -committee room, those fears seemed fantastically groundless. Boarder, -the elder member of the committee of directors, could not hold back -his tears as he finished the report and Underwood had given verbal -amplification.</p> - -<p>"What a wonderful thing that this should have happened in our -lifetime," he said. "Do you think it is feasible? The thing seems -so—so fantastic, the restoration of a living creature of half a -million years ago."</p> - -<p>"I'm sure I don't know the answer to that," said Underwood. "No one -does. The construction of the equipment described by the Stroid, -though, is completely within range of our technical knowledge. I'm -certain that we can set it up exactly according to specifications. It -is possible that too much time has passed and the protoplasm has died. -It is possible that Demarzule thought in terms of hundreds of years, -or, at the most, a few thousand, before he would be found. There is -no way to know except to construct the equipment and carry out the -experiment, which I will do if the Directors wish to authorize the -expenditure."</p> - -<p>"There is no question of that!" said Boarder. "We'd mortgage the entire -Institution if necessary! I'm wondering what laboratory space we can -use. Why not put it in the new Carlson Museum building? The specimens -for the Carlson can stay in the warehouse for a while longer."</p> - -<p>Boarder looked about the circle of Directors facing him. He saw nods -and called for a vote. His proposal was upheld.</p> - -<p>With approval given, Phyfe returned to the expedition to supervise -the transfer of the repository of Demarzule to Earth, while Underwood -began infinitely detailed planning for the construction and setup of -equipment as specified by the instructions he had brought from the -Stroid repository.</p> - -<p>The great semanticist, Dreyer, was asked to help in a consulting -capacity for the whole project; specifically, to assist in -retranslation of the records to make absolutely certain of their -interpretation of the scientific instructions.</p> - -<p>Dreyer was a short, squat man who had never been caught without a thick -black cigar from which billowed endless columns of pale blue smoke. His -face was round and baby-calm. He gave the impression of having achieved -the impossible goal of complete serenity in a world that swirled with -unceasing turmoil.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He listened quietly when approached, and when Phyfe and Underwood had -finished their stories, he said, "Yes, I shall be glad to help. This is -a thing of great importance."</p> - -<p>But Underwood was forced to shed his mind of sociological and semantic -implications of the job they were doing. The technical work involved -was of tremendous complexity and magnitude. A mountainous quantity of -complicated equipment had to be designed and built, but as Underwood -deciphered the instructions of the Stroids and had it verified by -Dreyer, he could find no short cuts, nor did he dare attempt any.</p> - -<p>The Carlson Museum had been designed along the lines of an ancient -Greek temple and was set prominently on a low hill apart from other -groups of buildings of the Smithson. Its glistening marble columns -made a landmark for miles. It was rather symbolical in a way, Underwood -thought, that such an imposing edifice should be appointed for the -resurrection of the ancient Great One.</p> - -<p>The central hall of the museum was cleared of display cases which had -already been set up. Electronic and biological equipment began to flow -in as Underwood sent strange fabrication orders to scattered shops and -plants throughout the country.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>When it was announced that the Carlson would not open on the date -previously set, the worldwide news associations were interested and -Underwood was suddenly besieged by reporters. He briefly outlined their -discovery. It would make some good science supplement yarns, Underwood -supposed, and by the time the reporters got through with the stories -they would have a whole race of monsters out of space being restored in -the Carlson.</p> - -<p>Underwood told them as much.</p> - -<p>But Davis of the Science Press shook his head. "No, that's not the -angle. Archeology always makes good stories, but this is the first -time archeology has ever produced any live specimens. We'll build the -creature up big from the sympathetic angle. What did you say the -inscriptions called him? The Great One?"</p> - -<p>Underwood nodded.</p> - -<p>"That's it! The mysterious, all knowing brain that has lain dormant in -the void for ages, waiting for the touch of a merciful hand to restore -life to that mighty intellect and receive in payment the magnificent -store of knowledge locked within it. That's the angle we'll use."</p> - -<p>Underwood mentally gagged and returned to his work.</p> - -<p>Slowly the equipment took shape within the large hall. The center -of construction was the ceramic bath which would hold the mass -of protoplasm in its nutrient solution and keep it in controlled -temperatures and pressures. The complex observation panel was being -assembled beside it. From this point every physiological function -of the developing mass could be observed as it progressed. Scores -of meters would give electronic readings which could be interpreted -in terms of developing functions. It was almost like watching the -development and growth of a foetus, for that appeared almost to be the -course of growth that was to be expected.</p> - -<p>Automatic valves would control the injection into the bath of nutrient -materials with an accuracy of a thousandth of a milligram. A dozen -operators would be trained, were now being selected, for the precise -task of watching the bath during every second of the growth of the -organism.</p> - -<p>The upper half of the walls of the bath was transparent, as was the -cover. Inside, under the cover, the broad reflecting cone of the -radiator would spray the long dormant protoplasm with life-giving -radiation. Giant generators required to provide this radiation filled -other parts of the hall.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was five months after the actual discovery of the repository that -the restoration equipment was completed and tested and ready for use. -Public interest in the project had been aroused by the sensational news -reports, and a constant stream of people passed the Carlson to glimpse -the activities going on inside.</p> - -<p>The news stories built up the Stroid as the magnificent benefactor of -mankind, as Davis had promised. They presented a sympathetic aspect -of a creature imprisoned and doomed throughout the ages, and now -being released from bondage and ready to pour out blessings upon his -benefactors.</p> - -<p>Underwood didn't pay much attention to the news stories, but the -increasing swarms of people began to get in his way and hampered -operations. He was forced to ask the directors to fence off a large -area about the Carlson.</p> - -<p>During this time the <i>Lavoisier</i> had been slowly swinging in an orbit -about the Earth to keep the repository, taken bodily into its hold, at -the temperature of space, until time for the transfer of the protoplasm -to the nutrient bath.</p> - -<p>Now, with everything completed at the Museum, Underwood and Phyfe -returned to the repository to direct the removal of the container -of protoplasm, leaving Terry Bernard in charge at the museum. The -operators and technicians were ready to take over their duties.</p> - -<p>Removal of the protoplasm to Earth was a critical operation. The bath -at the Carlson had been brought down to absolute zero and would be -brought up a few degrees at a time.</p> - -<p>Boarder and the other directors of the Institution did not share -Underwood's reluctance for publicity. They were accustomed to the ways -of the publicity writers, for much of the income of the Institute -depended upon such publicity which drew substantial contributions.</p> - -<p>So it was that the arrival of the <i>Lavoisier</i> was widely announced. A -crowd of ten thousand gathered to watch the removal of the protoplasm -that had once been a great and alien being.</p> - -<p>Underwood stood in the control room watching the landing area beside -the Carlson as the ship settled deep into Earth's atmosphere. Gradually -he made out the identity of the black smear covering the landscape -about the white stone building that gleamed like a Grecian temple.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Terry, beside him, exclaimed, "Look at that mob! The whole town must be -out to welcome our guest."</p> - -<p>"If they don't get out of the landing area, they'll be smeared over the -landscape. Collins, contact the base and get that field cleared!"</p> - -<p>The communications officer put the call in. The laboratory ship circled -idly while the mob moved slowly back to permit the ship to touch down -beside the building.</p> - -<p>Underwood raced out of the ship and into the building. His technicians -were standing by. Each one in turn reported his position operating -properly. Then Underwood called back to the ship and ordered the -portable lock released.</p> - -<p>At once the massive cargo hold was thrown open and the thick-walled -lock, bearing the container of protoplasm, was wheeled out.</p> - -<p>The crowd caught sight of it as it rolled swiftly into the building. -Someone in the far ranks sent up a cry. "Hail the Great One! Welcome -to Earth!"</p> - -<p>The shout was taken up by hundreds, then thousands of throats until -a sea of sound washed against the ears of those within the building. -Underwood paused and turned to look out as the sound caught him. A -faint chill went through him.</p> - -<p>"The fools," he said angrily to Terry. "They'll drive themselves into -hysteria if they keep that up. Why didn't the directors keep this whole -business quiet? They ought to have known how it would affect a mob of -bystanders."</p> - -<p>From a distance, Illia and Dreyer watched silently. Underwood hurried -away to give attention to the cargo. The lock was wheeled close to -the bath and a passage was opened as the two containers were brought -adjacent. On sterile slides, the frozen protoplasmic mass slid forward -and came to rest at last within the machine for which it had waited -half a million years.</p> - -<p>There was utter lack of response to that final placement of the mass. -Yet those who watched knew that the great experiment had begun. In six -months, they would find out if they were successful.</p> - -<p>Underwood sent the carriage back to the ship, and the <i>Lavoisier</i> -moved to the Institute's spaceport. Then Boarder entered with a score -of photographers and newsmen in his wake. They took pictures of the -equipment and technicians, and of the protoplasm lying inert within the -bath, in which the nutrient liquids would be placed after a temperature -of a hundred degrees had been reached.</p> - -<p>Underwood did not have time to pay any attention to the newsmen. He -tried to be everywhere at once, inspecting meters and gauges, assuring -himself that all was functioning well. Every piece of equipment was -triply installed for safety in case of breakdown. The instructions -warned that, once started, the process of restoration must not be -interrupted or death to the Great One would result.</p> - -<p>When he had finished his inspection, Underwood felt suddenly exhausted. -He turned away to avoid the newsmen whom Boarder was now lecturing on -the subject of the strange repository in space and its even stranger -inhabitant.</p> - -<p>Underwood spied the aged figure standing almost unseen near the recess -between two panels. It was Phyfe and he spoke slowly as Underwood -approached.</p> - -<p>"It is begun," the old archeologist said slowly. "And it can never be -undone."</p> - -<p>Underwood felt again that chill of apprehension and looked sharply at -Phyfe, but the latter was staring straight ahead—straight at the inert -block of protoplasm.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FIVE" id="CHAPTER_FIVE"><i>CHAPTER FIVE</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Phyfe asked to be relieved of his duties as head of the expedition -still in the field in order that he might devote his entire time to -a study of Stroid records and manuscripts now in existence. Terry -Bernard gave up field work to assist him in order to be near the site -of restoration. With them was Dreyer, who attacked with feverish effort -the translation of the language that had defied him so long.</p> - -<p>Underwood was concerned with the resurrection itself. He sensed that -the very secret of life was involved in the work he was doing. The -instruction book left by the Stroid was in the nature of an operating -manual, however, rather than a theoretical text, and now that the -experiment was actually under way, Underwood abandoned everything in an -attempt to study fully the processes that were taking place.</p> - -<p>So occupied were they with their own studies that the scientists -scarcely noticed the public reaction to the creature they were -attempting to restore.</p> - -<p>The first outward sign had been that wild cry of welcome the day the -protoplasm was brought to Earth.</p> - -<p>The next was the Sunday sermon preached by one of the multitude of -obscure religious leaders in a poorly attended meeting in a luxurious -church in that same city.</p> - -<p>William B. Hennessey had been a publicity man in his early years -before the full breakdown began to show, and he was conscious of good -publicity values. But perhaps he half believed what he wrote and the -mere preaching of it convinced him it was so. It is probable that there -were other preachers who took the same theme that Sunday morning, but -William B. Hennessey's was the one that got the news publicity.</p> - -<p>He said, "How many of this congregation this morning are among those -who have given up in the race of life, who have despaired of values -and standards to cling to, who have forsaken the leadership of all who -would lead you? Perhaps you are among the millions of those who have -given up all hope of solving the great problems of life. If you are, -I want to ask if you were among those who witnessed the miraculous -arrival of the Gift out of the Ages. Were you among those who saw the -Great One?"</p> - -<p>William B. Hennessey paused. "For centuries we have looked for -leadership in our own midst and not found it. They were, after all, -merely human. But now, into the hands of our noble scientists, has been -imparted the great task of awakening the sleeping Great One, and when -they have completed their work, the Golden Age of Earth will be upon us.</p> - -<p>"I call upon you to throw off the shackles of despair. Come out of the -prison of your disillusionment. Make ready to greet the Great One on -the day of his rising. Let your hearts and minds be ready to receive -the message that he shall give, and to obey the words of counsel you -shall surely be given, for truly from a greater world and a brighter -land than ours has come the Great One to preserve us!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Within an hour Hennessey's words were flashed around the world.</p> - -<p>Terry was the only one of the scientists on the project who heard about -it. He went over to the museum in the afternoon and found Underwood and -Dreyer at the test board.</p> - -<p>"Some crackpot preacher this morning gave out a sermon on Oscar here." -He jerked a thumb toward the bath. "He says we've got the solution to -all the world's ills. He's calling on the people to worship Oscar."</p> - -<p>"You might know some fool thing like that would happen."</p> - -<p>Dreyer emitted a single, explosive puff of cigar smoke. "A religious -cult based upon this alien intelligence. We should have predicted that -development. I wonder why our computations failed to indicate it."</p> - -<p>"I think it's dangerous," said Terry. "It could turn into serious -business."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean? I don't get it," said Underwood.</p> - -<p>"Don't you see the implications? The whole trouble with our culture -is disillusionment, lack of leadership. If this thing turns out to be -sentient, intelligent—even superior—why, it could become anything the -people wanted to make it, president, dictator, god, or what not."</p> - -<p>"Oh, take it easy," Underwood said. "This is just one little tin-horn -preacher who probably didn't have more than a hundred in his -congregation. The news broadcasts must have treated it as a humorous -commentary on our experiments. Just the same, we should never have -allowed the news to be broadcast. It all started with that hysterical -mob the day we brought the protoplasm here."</p> - -<p>Dreyer shook his head amid the smoke aura. "No. It began long ago when -the first cave man plastered up his clay gods and found them cracked -in the Sun and washed away with the rains. It began when the first cave -chieftain was slain by a rival leader and his disillusioned followers -looked about for a new head man. It has been going on ever since."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"It's no concern of ours," said Underwood.</p> - -<p>Dreyer went on slowly, "As one by one the gods and chieftains fell, men -cast about for new leaders who would bear the burdens of mankind and -show the way to that illusive paradise that all men sought. Through the -ages there have always been those who would let themselves be lifted up -and called great, who would undertake to lead. Some had their eyes on -faraway starry places that man could never reach and their disciples -fell away, heartbroken and discouraged. Others sought their goal by -mastery over foreign men and nations and bathed their followers in -blood and disaster. But always their star fell and men never found the -elusive goal which they could not name nor define."</p> - -<p>"And so the Age of Disillusion," said Underwood bitterly.</p> - -<p>"But disillusion is a healthy thing. It leads to reality."</p> - -<p>"How can you call this healthy?" Underwood demanded. "Men believe in -nothing. They have lost faith in life itself."</p> - -<p>"Faith in life? I wonder what that means," said Dreyer, musingly. -"Watch your extensions, Dr. Underwood."</p> - -<p>Underwood flushed, recalling Illia's remark that Dreyer would tear off -every other word and throw it back at him. "All right, then. There are -no governments, no leaders, no religions to lean upon in times of need, -because men have no confidence in such sources."</p> - -<p>"All of which is a sign that they are approaching a stage in which they -will no longer need such support. And, like a baby in his first steps, -they stumble and fall. They get bruised and cry, as I detect that many -of our scientists have done, else they would not have run away to Venus -and other places."</p> - -<p>Underwood blinked from the sting of Dreyer's rebuke. "That's the second -time I've been accused of running away," he said.</p> - -<p>"No offense," Dreyer said. "I am merely stating facts. That you do -not believe them is not to your condemnation, only a commentary on -the state of your knowledge. But our discussion is on the restoration -of the alien, and your knowledge may have far-reaching effects in the -disposition of this project."</p> - -<p>"Policy is controlled by the directors, who will be guided by your -recommendations—"</p> - -<p>Dreyer shook his head. "No, I think not, unless it pleases them. Should -I ever recommend destruction of the alien, I would have to work through -you. And that would take much convincing, would it not?"</p> - -<p>"Plenty," said Underwood. "Are you recommending that now?"</p> - -<p>"Not yet. No, not yet."</p> - -<p>Slowly, Dreyer moved away toward the massive bath that housed the -alien, Demarzule, Hetrarra of Sirenia, the Great One.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood watching the beetle-back of the semanticist felt deflated by -the encounter. Dreyer seemed always so nerve-rackingly calm. Underwood -wondered if it were possible to acquire such immunity to turmoil.</p> - -<p>He turned back to Terry, who had stood in silent agreement with Dreyer. -"How are you and Phyfe coming along?"</p> - -<p>"It's a slow business, even with the help of the key in the repository. -That was apparently pure Stroid III, but we have two other languages or -dialects that are quite different and we seem to have more specimens -of those than we do of Stroid III. Phyfe thinks he's on the way to -cracking both Stroid I and II, though. Personally, I'd like to get -back out to the asteroids, if it weren't for Demarzule. I wasn't meant -to be a scholar."</p> - -<p>"Stick with it. I'm hoping that we can have some kind of idea what the -Stroid civilization was like by the time Demarzule revives."</p> - -<p>"How is it coming?"</p> - -<p>"Cell formation is taking place, but how organs will ever develop -is more than I can see. We're just waiting and observing. Four -motion picture cameras are constantly at work, some through electron -microscopes. At the end of six months we'll at least have a record of -what occurred, regardless of what it is."</p> - -<p>The mass of life grew and multiplied its millions of cells. Meanwhile, -another growth, less tangible but no less real, was swiftly rising and -spreading through the Earth. The mind of each man it encompassed was -one of its cells, and they were multiplying no less rapidly than those -of the growth within the marble museum building. The leadership of men -by men had proven false beyond all hope of ever restoring the dream of -a mortal man who could raise his fellows to the heights of the stars. -But the Great One was something else again. Utterly beyond all Earthly -build and untainted with the flaws of Earthmen, he was the gift of the -gods to man—he <i>was</i> a god who would lift man to the eternal heights -of which he had dreamed.</p> - -<p>The flame spread and leaped the oceans of Earth. It swept up all creeds -and races and colors.</p> - -<p>Delmar Underwood looked up from his desk in annoyance as a pompous, -red-faced man of short, stout build was ushered in by his secretary. -The man halted halfway between the door and the desk and bowed slightly.</p> - -<p>He said, "I address the Prophet Underwood by special commission of the -Disciples."</p> - -<p>"What the devil—?" Underwood frowned and extended a hand toward a -button. But he didn't ring. The visitor extended an envelope.</p> - -<p>"And by special authorization of Director Boarder of the Institute!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Still keeping his eyes on the man, Underwood accepted the envelope and -ripped it open. In formal language and the customary red tape manner, -it instructed Underwood to hear the visitor, one William B. Hennessey, -and grant the request that Hennessey would make.</p> - -<p>Underwood knew him now. His throat felt suddenly dry. "What's this all -about?"</p> - -<p>The man shrugged disparagingly. "I am only a poor Disciple of the Great -One, who has been commissioned by his fellows to seek a favor at the -hands of the Prophet Underwood."</p> - -<p>As Underwood looked into the man's eyes, he felt a chill, and a wave of -apprehension swept over him with staggering force.</p> - -<p>"Sit down," he said. "What is it you want?" He wished Dreyer were here -to place some semantic evaluation upon this crazy incident.</p> - -<p>"The Disciples of the Great One would have the privilege of viewing the -Master," said Hennessey as he sat down near the desk. "You scientists -are instruments selected for a great task. The Great One did not come -only to a select few. He came to all mankind. We request the right to -visit the temple quietly and view the magnificent work you are doing -as you restore our Master to life so that we may receive of his great -gifts."</p> - -<p>Underwood could picture the laboratory filled with bowing, praying, -yelling, fanatic worshippers crowding around, destroying equipment and -probably trying to walk off with bits of holy protoplasm. He pressed -a switch and spun a dial savagely. In a moment the face of Director -Boarder was on the tiny screen before him.</p> - -<p>"This fanatic Hennessey is here. I just wanted to check on the possible -liability before having him thrown out on his ear."</p> - -<p>Boarder's face grew frantic. "Don't do that! You got my note? Do -exactly as I said. Those are orders!"</p> - -<p>"But we can't carry on an experiment with a bunch of fanatics yapping -at our heels."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"I don't care how you do it. You've got to give them what they want. -Either that or fold up the experiment. The latest semi-weekly poll -shows they effectively control eighty million votes. You know what that -means. One word to the Congressional scientific committee and all of us -would be out on our ear."</p> - -<p>"We could shut the thing up and call it off. The protoplasm would just -quietly die and then what would these birds have to worship?"</p> - -<p>"Destruction of government property <i>can</i> carry the death penalty," -said Boarder ominously. "Besides, you're too much of the scientist to -do that. You want to see the thing through just as much as the rest of -us do. If I had the slightest fear that you'd destroy it, I'd yank you -out of there before you knew where you were—but I haven't any such -fears."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you're right, but these—" Underwood made a grimace as if he were -trying to swallow an oyster with fur on.</p> - -<p>"I know. We've got to put up with it. The scientist who survives in -this day and age is the one who adjusts to his environment." Boarder -grinned sourly.</p> - -<p>"I went out to space to escape the environment. Now I'm right back in -it, only worse than ever."</p> - -<p>"Well, look, Underwood, why can't you just build a sort of balcony with -a ramp running across the lab so that these Disciples of the Great One -can look down into the bath? You could feed them in at one end of the -building and run them out the other. That way it wouldn't upset you. -After all, it's only going to last six months."</p> - -<p>"When the Stroid revives, they'll probably want to put him on a throne -with a radiant halo about his head." Boarder laughed. "If he represents -the civilization whose artifacts we've found on the asteroids, I think -he'll take care of his 'Disciples' in short order. Anyway, you'll have -to do as they demand. It won't last long."</p> - -<p>Boarder cut off and Underwood turned back to the bland Hennessey, who -sat as if nothing would ever disturb him.</p> - -<p>"You see," Hennessey said, "I knew what the outcome would be. I had -faith in the Great One."</p> - -<p>"Faith! You knew that the scientific committee would back you up -because you represent eighty million neurotic crackpots. What will you -do when your Great One wakes up and tells you all to go to hell?"</p> - -<p>Hennessey smiled quietly. "He won't. I have faith."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SIX" id="CHAPTER_SIX"><i>CHAPTER SIX</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Two days later, Underwood received a call from Phyfe, asking for an -appointment. It was urgent; that was all Phyfe would tell him.</p> - -<p>The archeologist had not heard of the demands of the Disciples. He was -surprised to see the construction under way in the great central hall -where the restoration equipment was installed.</p> - -<p>He found Underwood with Illia in the laboratory examining films of the -protoplasmic growth.</p> - -<p>"What are you building out there?" he asked. "I thought you had all the -equipment in."</p> - -<p>"A monument to human stupidity," Underwood growled. Then he told Phyfe -of the orders he had received. "We're putting in a balcony so that the -faithful can look down upon their Great One. Boarder says we'll have to -put up with this nonsense for six months."</p> - -<p>"Why six months?"</p> - -<p>"Demarzule will be revived by then or else we'll have failed. In either -case, the Disciples will have come to an end."</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>Underwood glanced up in irritation. "If he's dead, they won't have -anything to worship. And if he lives, he certainly won't have anything -to do with them."</p> - -<p>"I could ask another 'why,'" said Phyfe, "but I'll put it this way. -You know nothing of how he will act if he lives. And if he dies he'll -probably be a martyr that will establish a new worldwide religion—with -those of us who have had to do with this experiment and its failure -being burned at the stake."</p> - -<p>Underwood laid down the sheaf of films. Out among the asteroids he -had learned to respect the old archeologist's opinions but Dreyer had -already laid more of a burden upon him than he felt he should bear.</p> - -<p>"The technological aspects of this problem are more than you say you -have found?"</p> - -<p>"Fortunately for us, certain Stroid records were small metallic plates -whose molecular structure was altered according to script or vocal -patterns. Some of the boys in the lab have developed a device for -listening to the audio records. We have actually heard the <i>voices</i> of -the Stroids! At least there are sounds that resemble a spoken language. -But it is what we have found on the written records that brought me -here.</p> - -<p>"More than eighty-five years ago, the most fortunate find previous -to the discovery of the repository was made. An extensive cache of -historical records was uncovered by Dickens, one of the early workers -in the field. They were almost fused together, and the molecular -alteration was barely traceable due to exposure to terrific heat. -But we've succeeded in separating the plates and transferring their -records in amplified form to new sheets. And we can read them. We -have a remarkably complete section of Stroid history just before -their extermination, and, if we are reading it correctly, there's a -surprising fact about them."</p> - -<p>"What is that?"</p> - -<p>"They were not native to this Solar System. They were extra-galactic -refugees whose home world had been destroyed in something completely -revolting in an intellect that would foresee the doom of a world and -set about to assure its own preservation."</p> - -<p>"But that is only your own subjective extension," Illia answered. -"There is no such semantic concept in the idea."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Isn't there? The egotism, the absolute lack of concern for a -creature's fellows—those are semantically contained in it. And that -is why I'm more than a little afraid of what we shall find if we do -succeed in reviving this creature. How is it developing?"</p> - -<p>"It seems to be going through a sort of conventional embryonic growth," -Illia answered. "It's already passed a pseudo-blastic stage. So far, it -has generally mammalian characteristics; more than that is impossible -to say. But what about this new evidence enough for my mental capacity. -I can't and won't give a damn about any other aspects."</p> - -<p>"You must!" Phyfe's eyes were suddenly afire, demanding, unyielding. -"We have new evidence—Terry may have been right when he asked to have -the protoplasm destroyed."</p> - -<p>Illia froze. "What evidence?"</p> - -<p>"What type of mentality would attempt to preserve itself through a -planetary catastrophe that destroyed all its contemporaries?" asked -Phyfe. "I find some great interstellar conflict and whose enemies -eventually traced them and destroyed for the second time the world -on which they lived. Out of all that ancient people, destroyed as -completely as was Carthage, only this single individual remained.</p> - -<p>"Do you see the significance of that? If he lives, he will live again -with the same war-born hate and lust for revenge that filled him as he -saw his own world fall!"</p> - -<p>"It won't survive the knowledge that all that he fought for -disappeared geologic ages past," objected Underwood. "Besides, you are -contradicting yourself. If he was so unconcerned about his own world, -perhaps he had no interest in the conflict. Maybe he was the supreme -genius of his day and wanted only to escape from a useless carnage that -he could not stop."</p> - -<p>"No, there is no contradiction," said Phyfe earnestly. "That is typical -of the war leader who has brought his people to destruction. At the -moment when disaster overwhelms them, he thinks only of himself. The -specimen we have here is a supreme example of what such egocentric -desires for self-preservation lead to."</p> - -<p>Phyfe abruptly rose from the chair and tossed a sheaf of papers on the -laboratory bench. "Here it is. Read it for yourself. It's a pretty free -translation of the story we found on Dickens' records."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He left abruptly. Illia and Underwood turned to the short script he had -left behind and began reading.</p> - -<p>The hundred mighty vessels of the Sirenian Empire flung themselves -across space that was made tangible by their velocity. The impregnable -heart of the fleet was deep in the hull of the flagship, <i>Hebrian</i>, -where the Sirenian Hetrarra, Demarzule, slumped sullenly before the -complex panel that reported all the workings of his vast fleet.</p> - -<p>Beside him was the old but sinewy figure of Toshmere, the genius who -had saved this remnant of the once mighty empire that could have put a -million vessels like these into space at one time.</p> - -<p>Toshmere said, "Further flight is useless. Our instruments show that -the Dragbora are gaining. Their fleet outnumbers us ten to one. Even -with my protective screens, we can't hope to resist long. They've got -the one weapon we can't withstand. They're determined to wipe out the -last of the Sirenian Empire."</p> - -<p>"And I'm determined to wipe out the last of the Dragbora!" Demarzule -snapped in sudden fury. He rose out of the chair and paced the room. "I -shall live! I shall live to see their world blasted to energy and the -last Dragbor dead. Is the repository nearly ready?"</p> - -<p>Toshmere nodded.</p> - -<p>"And you are certain of your method?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Would you care to see our final results?"</p> - -<p>Demarzule nodded and Toshmere led the way through the door and down the -long corridor to the laboratory where lay Demarzule's hopes of spanning -the eons and escaping the enemy who had sworn no quarter.</p> - -<p>The Sirenian Hetrarra watched impassively as the scientist put a -small animal into a bowl-like chamber. He backed away behind a shield -and pressed a switch. Instantly, the animal was bathed in a flood of -orange glow and a terrible look of pain crossed the animal's face while -hideous cries came from its throat.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"It is not pleasant," observed Demarzule.</p> - -<p>"No," said Toshmere. "But it is necessary that it be done with full -consciousness of mind. Otherwise, proper restoration cannot be made."</p> - -<p>The ruler was impassive as the animal's cries slowly died while its -body melted under the glow of the beam—literally melted until it -flowed into a pool at the bottom of the bowl where it quivered with -residual life forces.</p> - -<p>"Pure protoplasm," explained Toshmere. "It can be frozen to absolute -zero and the remaining metabolism will be undetectable, yet life will -remain, perhaps for a thousand <i>ela</i>, long enough for new worlds to -form and old ones die."</p> - -<p>"Long enough for the last Dragbor to die—while I, Demarzule, Hetrarra -of Sirenia, live on in glory and triumph."</p> - -<p>Toshmere smiled a thin smile that Demarzule did not see in his own -preoccupation. What a tragedy for the civilizations of the Universe -if Demarzule or any remnant of the Sirenian Empire should survive, -Toshmere thought. The Dragbora had well considered their plans when -they set upon a program of complete extermination for the Sirenians.</p> - -<p>His own life would be far more worthy of salvation from the impending -doom than that of Demarzule. From the first moment that he had -conceived the repository and presented the idea to Demarzule, Toshmere -had planned that it would hold not Demarzule, but Toshmere himself.</p> - -<p>There was only one way to go ahead with such a gigantic project, -however, and that was letting Demarzule believe that it would be for -him. Since it could not be prepared in secret, Demarzule would have to -assent to the construction. He would do that if he thought it were for -himself. The idea would appeal to his egotistical mind; the thought of -his own personality spanning the eons, while all the civilization he -knew decayed and was swept away, would delight him.</p> - -<p>"The revival," said Demarzule. "Let me see how life is to be brought -back."</p> - -<p>Toshmere swung another projector into line above the bowl and snapped -another switch. Invisible rays suddenly bathed the mass of shapeless -protoplasm within the bowl. As they watched, it quivered and flowed, -swiftly changing shapes, and growth and life took possession of it.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The ruler of the Sirenians watched the reformation of the animal in the -bowl. Limbs and torso formed in shadowy gray outline, then abruptly -solidified and the animal leaped up, alive and startled.</p> - -<p>Even Demarzule was somewhat taken aback by the seeming miracle. "It is -swift," he remarked. "The specimen is unharmed?"</p> - -<p>"Completely," said Toshmere. "The process is not so rapid after a long -period of time has elapsed. The level of life is very low, but never -will it completely disappear. The lower it is, however, the longer it -takes for restoration. After many hundred <i>ela</i>, it might require as -much as a <i>tor-ela</i>."</p> - -<p>"But it would be sure to succeed regardless?"</p> - -<p>Toshmere nodded.</p> - -<p>The hundred ships of the Sirenian bore on their steady course with the -enemy constantly gaining even though Galaxies away. At last the lookout -spotted a likely System in which the fifth planet showed signs of -habitability. Demarzule ordered preparations be made for a halt.</p> - -<p>The planet they found was inhabited by the remnants of a dying -civilization that had retro-graded almost to its infancy. The -opposition offered was quickly disposed of and the Sirenian refugees -began the frantic and hopeless task of constructing defenses against -the coming of the overwhelming force of the Dragbora, defenses they -knew were as penetrable as air to the new, fearful weapon strength of -the enemy.</p> - -<p>But while gigantic screen generators were swiftly reared against -the sky and beam emplacements were dug, the best and wisest of the -scientists were busy preparing the repository for the Hetrarra, -Demarzule.</p> - -<p>The huge, crystal-like container, which would be rendered impervious to -all known forces except the key frequency whose formula was inscribed -upon the outside, was to be lowered thousands of feet into the great -ore beds of the planet, in the hope of avoiding the final blast that -would shear the planet.</p> - -<p>Two men would go into that repository, but only one would survive the -eons.</p> - -<p>Toshmere was the only one completely acquainted with the entire process -so that it would be necessary for him to direct the operation of the -instruments. But Toshmere knew that Demarzule had no intention of -allowing him to leave the repository with knowledge of its secrets—any -more than Toshmere intended that Demarzule should be the one to benefit -by those secrets.</p> - -<p>For three <i>tor-ela</i> the Sirenians worked frantically, putting up -their mighty defense works, and then their lookout posted a hundred -thousand light years out in space announced the arrival of the terrible -Dragboran fleet—just before a tongue of light from that fleet lashed -out at him and swept him into the eternities.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Toshmere approached Demarzule in his headquarters as the word came. -"There is not much time left, Hetrarra. The repository is ready."</p> - -<p>Demarzule looked out upon the sprawling works and great machines so -pitifully huddled together on an alien planet. This was all that -remained of the vast empire which he had dreamed of extending to the -limits of space itself, the empire over which he was to have been -supreme Hetrarra. And in a short moment this remnant would be wiped out -under the devastating supremacy of the now mightier Dragbora.</p> - -<p>He looked at Toshmere hesitantly. In the face of certain death the old, -lean, sinewy scientist showed nothing but calm. The Hetrarra took one -final glance at the remnants of his Sirenian Empire and nodded.</p> - -<p>"I am ready," he said.</p> - -<p>They went out to the entrance to the shaft leading toward the heart of -the planet. The shaft had been built with the knowledge of only a few -Sirenians and none of them were aware of its purpose, thinking rather -that it was a means of defense.</p> - -<p>Nobody saw the Hetrarra and the genius Toshmere enter the elevator that -carried them forever into the depths below the surface of the planet.</p> - -<p>Underwood and Illia came to the end of the page and Underwood swore -softly as he thumbed through the few remaining sheets. There was no -more about the ancient Demarzule and Toshmere.</p> - -<p>The writer of the history had apparently been one of the Sirenian -scientists, a confidant and friend of Toshmere who had been close to -him in those last days. He had been one of the few to witness the -descent of the two into the depths of the planet, but he knew nothing -of what happened when they reached the bottom and sealed the repository.</p> - -<p><i>He did not know which one had survived in that mighty struggle that -must have taken place below.</i></p> - -<p>And shortly no one of the Sirenians cared what the fate of their -deserting Hetrarra might have been, for the great Dragboran fleet was -upon them. With the mighty, unknown weapon that struck terror to the -mightiest of Sirenia, they sped out of space and swiftly nullified the -Sirenian defenses. It was a carnage that was frightful even to the -Sirenians, so schooled in the methods of shedding blood. Their defenses -might not have existed for all the effect they had on their enemy. At -first one by one, and then by tens, the operators were touched by death -and their machines turned to molten ruin.</p> - -<p>At last, when only incandescent metal and sprawling dead lay of the -Sirenian fleet, the enemy ships withdrew, and the handful of survivors -dared hope that there might be escape for them.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>But there was none. As the fleet withdrew beyond their vision, a -single small ship appeared in the heavens and they screamed with the -knowledge of what it was. But they were dead long before the planet -exploded into its component fragments which hurtled in all directions -into space.</p> - -<p>Underwood put the manuscript down, his mind reluctant to close the -scene of vast and terrible battle that had occurred so long ago. It -had answered some of the problems raised by asteroidal archeology. It -explained the utter lack of relationship between Stroid III, which -was the language of the Sirenians, and Stroid I and II, which were -undoubtedly native to the vanished planet.</p> - -<p>But this snatch of history prepared by the unknown scientist companion -of Toshmere raised the greatest enigma of all.</p> - -<p>Illia's eyes looked up into Underwood's. "Who could have won?" she -said. "If it was Toshmere, the alien will be all that we hoped he would -be. If it is Demarzule, then Terry is right—he should be destroyed."</p> - -<p>Underwood glanced out toward the nutrient bath where the alien slept, -where the shadowy outlines of a faintly human figure already appeared -in the misty depths of the nutrient solution.</p> - -<p>"It's got to be Toshmere," he said, and hoped he was right.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SEVEN" id="CHAPTER_SEVEN"><i>CHAPTER SEVEN</i></a></h2> - - -<p>The viewing balcony above the floor of the museum hall was completed -and the disciples of the Great One began to flow through in a -never-ending stream. To Underwood, it was a sickening, revolting sight. -As he watched the faces of those who came and worshipped at the shrine, -he saw them transformed, as if they had seen some great vision. They -came with burdens of care lining their faces—all ages, young and -old—and they left with shining eyes and uplifted faces. There were -even sick and crippled who came and left crutches, eyeglasses and -trusses.</p> - -<p>Twice a day, William B. Hennessey stood upon the balcony and uttered a -prayer to the Great One, and the stream of fanatic worshipers stopped -and bowed down.</p> - -<p>One of Underwood's biologists, Craven, was so fascinated by the -exhibition of mass hysteria that he asked for permission to make a -study of it.</p> - -<p>Underwood forced the spectacle out of his mind. He knew he couldn't -endure staying there at the museum if he allowed his mind to dwell upon -the decadence of mankind.</p> - -<p>The mass of protoplasm in the nutrient bath was becoming more and more -a typical mammalian embryo, anthropomorphic in most respects, but with -differences that Illia and Underwood could not assign to the natural -development of the creature, or to the unusual circumstances of its -revival, because there was no standard with which to compare it.</p> - -<p>Then, one day near the end of the fourth month, Underwood received an -urgent call from Phyfe.</p> - -<p>"Come over at once!" he said. "We've found the answer in the -repository. We know who the Great One is."</p> - -<p>"Who?"</p> - -<p>"I want you to see for yourself."</p> - -<p>Underwood swore as Phyfe cut off. He turned his observations over -to the operator on duty and left the building. The lexicography and -philography sections of the institute were in an old sprawling block -across the city by the spaceport; the semantics section was also housed -there. The repository had been taken there for continued examination.</p> - -<p>Dreyer and Phyfe met him. The old archeologist was trembling with -excitement. "I've found the mummy!" he said.</p> - -<p>"What mummy?"</p> - -<p>"The mummy of the one in the repository who was killed by the -successful one."</p> - -<p>"Who was it?"</p> - -<p>"You'll see. He left a record for the discoverers of the repository."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>They went into the enclosure that had been built to house the alien -structure. Inside, the repository looked many times the size it had -appeared in space. Underwood followed them into the familiar passages. -They went down into the main chamber which had held the protoplasm of -the Great One. Then Underwood observed an opening leading lower down.</p> - -<p>"You found a way into the rest of the repository?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and how unfortunate we were not to have found our way into that -portion first. But come."</p> - -<p>Phyfe disappeared through the narrow opening and they passed three -levels filled with unknown artifacts. Then at last they came to the -smallest chamber formed by the curve of the outside hull. It was too -small for them to stand upright and filled rapidly with Dreyer's cigar -smoke.</p> - -<p>"There it is, right where we found it," said Phyfe.</p> - -<p>Underwood looked at the thing without recognition. It appeared as if a -rather huge, dried-up bat had been carelessly tossed into the corner of -the chamber.</p> - -<p>"Completely dessicated," said Phyfe. "He didn't stay here long enough -between his death and the destruction of the planet for decay to -set in. He simply dried up as the molecules of water were frozen and -dispersed. I wish there were some way the biologists could find to -restore him. He's so shapeless it's difficult to tell what he looked -like."</p> - -<p>"But who is he?"</p> - -<p>"Here is the record he left. Apparently they had some kind of small -electric tool they carried with them to write on metallic surfaces. How -they read them is a mystery because we have to have a mass of equipment -as big as this chamber to decipher the stuff. Here are photographs of -his message that we have rendered visible."</p> - -<p>Underwood took the sheaf of photographs. They showed the walls of the -chamber including the dried mummy lying inert where it had fallen -in pain and death. But standing out in sharp white characters was a -lengthy inscription written by the ancient creature of eons ago.</p> - -<p>"Can you read it?" asked Phyfe.</p> - -<p>Underwood scanned the characters and nodded slowly. He had not been -able to keep up on the language as Phyfe had, but he could read it now -with fair facility.</p> - -<p>The first part of the message was a brief reiteration of the history -of the ill-fated refugees that he already knew, but then he came to a -fresh portion.</p> - -<p>"Demarzule has slain me!" the message read.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The words were like pellets of ice suddenly shot with bullet speed into -his face. He looked up at the impassive faces of the other two men and -read there the decision they had made.</p> - -<p>Then, slowly, his eyes lowered to the sheet again and he went on -deliberately with the reading.</p> - -<p>"I have attempted to get to the main chamber and destroy the -transformation equipment, but I cannot. Demarzule has learned how to -operate the equipment. Though there is nothing creative in him, and all -his aims are of conquest and destruction, he still has the command of -vast stores of Sirenian science.</p> - -<p>"I am not a warrior or clever in the ways of fighting. It was not -difficult for Demarzule to best me. I die soon, therefore it is for you -who may read this in the ages to come. This is my message to you, my -warning: Destroy the contents of the protoplasm chamber without mercy. -Demarzule is there and he will be the scourge of any civilization in -which he arises. He dreams of conquest and he will not rest until he -is master of the Universe. He has destroyed galaxies; he will destroy -others if he lives again. Kill him! Erase all knowledge of the dreadful -Sirenian Empire from your memory!</p> - -<p>"Should you be tempted to restore the Hetrarra and believe your science -a match for ours, remember that the knowledge required to enter this -repository is only the minimum. It is the lowest common denominator of -our civilization. Therefore, kill—"</p> - -<p>The record ended with the last scrawled admonition of the ancient -scientist, Toshmere.</p> - -<p>For long moments, the chamber of the repository was silent. Phyfe made -no comment as Underwood finished. He saw the tensing of the physicist's -jaw and the staring fixation of his eyes, as if he would penetrate -the ages with his naked vision and try to picture the dying scientist -scrawling his message on the walls of the death chamber.</p> - -<p>Then Phyfe said at last, "We can't risk the revival of Demarzule now, -Del. Think what it would mean to turn loose a mentality having command -of such a superior science."</p> - -<p>"We're not exactly planning to turn him loose," said Underwood -defensively. "We'll still have control when he revives. He can be kept -in suitable confinement—and finally disposed of, if necessary. It -seems worth it if we could tap the science he knows."</p> - -<p>"Are you forgetting that we do <i>not</i> have control of him in any -sense of the word? The Disciples have. We're under direction of -the Institute, which can be wiped out in an instant by the Science -Committee. They, in turn, are mere puppets of the Disciples who hold -the voting power. When Demarzule revives, he'll have a ready made -following who'll regard him not only as Emperor, but as god. I tell you -we have no alternative but destruction."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood's jaws tightened further. Within his grasp was a science -that might represent thousands of years of normal development of the -Solar system. He could not give up a gift such as the Sirenian culture -offered.</p> - -<p>Then his eyes found those of Dreyer, who had said nothing, who sat -on his heels placidly in his haze of smoke. And there he read the -irrevocable answer.</p> - -<p>"All right," he said. "You win—you and old Toshmere. Let's get inside -to a phone and I'll give the word to turn the radiation off."</p> - -<p>Swiftly now they clambered up the stairs as if to escape some foul tomb -of the long-dead. They hurried into the building and into the office of -Phyfe. There Underwood called Illia.</p> - -<p>She answered instantly, as if she had been waiting for his message, -fearfully and without hope.</p> - -<p>"It's Demarzule, the conqueror," he said. "Turn off the radiation and -drain the tank. We'll stand the consequences of that, but we dare not -go on with the restoration."</p> - -<p>Illia bit her lip and nodded. "It might have been Earth's great -chance," she said, and there was something like a sob in her voice. -"I'll turn it off at once."</p> - -<p>Phyfe said, "Know what, Underwood? There's going to be trouble over -this. I think I'll ask for a transfer back to the expedition. Would you -like to come along with us?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose so, but I'm afraid the Scientific Committee won't let us -get away that easily. You and I are through for the rest of our lives. -Didn't you think of that, Phyfe? We'll be lucky if we don't have to -spend the rest of our lives in prison. But, Dreyer, you don't need to -be caught in this. Get away before they come for us."</p> - -<p>"I hadn't considered it that way," said Phyfe, "but I suppose you're -right. The Disciples won't be likely to let us get away this easy, will -they?"</p> - -<p>Before Dreyer could speak, a call came through on the office -interphone. Phyfe switched on and the frantic face of Esmond, one of -the junior archeologists, appeared.</p> - -<p>"Phyfe!" the man exclaimed. "I don't know what it is all about, but the -police are on the way down to your office. They have warrants for the -arrest of you and Dr. Underwood!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Phyfe nodded. "Thanks, Esmond. I'll see that there's no trouble for -you because of this. I appreciate it. They didn't lose any time, -did they?" he said to Underwood. "But as long as Demarzule has been -destroyed, we've accomplished what we've tried to do."</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute!" said Underwood. "Do we know that Demarzule has been -destroyed? Something must have gone wrong; the police came too quickly."</p> - -<p>"Look!" Shaken out of his customary calm, Dreyer was pointing through -the window across the city.</p> - -<p>There, where they knew the Carlson to be, was a great shining bubble of -light.</p> - -<p>"A force shell!" Underwood exclaimed. "How—?"</p> - -<p>"They have evidently been prepared for a long time," said Dreyer.</p> - -<p>Underwood tried the phone again and called for Illia, but there was -no response from inside the shell of impenetrable energy. A moment of -terrible fear caught Underwood up in its turbulence. What of Illia? Was -she all right?</p> - -<p>"Whatever the answer," Phyfe exclaimed, "it's a ten to one shot that -Demarzule is not destroyed. In which case we'd better not be taken!"</p> - -<p>"What can we do? They'll have the building surrounded. There'll be no -chance of getting out."</p> - -<p>"This is an old building. There are rooms and sub-basements that few -know about, and the staff are all scientists. They'll be loyal. Come -on!"</p> - -<p>"No, wait," said Underwood. "Nothing can be gained by my hiding in -this rabbit warren underneath the city. There is only one chance of -destroying Demarzule, and that is my getting back to the museum and -doing it personally."</p> - -<p>"You're crazy! The Disciples will never let you back in there. Come on, -man, we're wasting time!"</p> - -<p>"You two go on and hide, Phyfe. I'll try to lay the blame on you and a -group of scientists, and swear my own innocence. It's the only way to -get access to Demarzule. Get going. Wait—have you got a burner?"</p> - -<p>"In the drawer there. We'd better take it."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood yanked open the drawer and found the weapon. Then he held the -muzzle a short distance from his upper arm and fired. His face twisted -involuntarily with pain and Phyfe stared in amazement. "What for?" the -archeologist demanded.</p> - -<p>Underwood tossed him the weapon as the room filled with the stench of -his burned flesh. "You shot me when I refused to order the radiation -off. It's a thin story and if they won't believe it I'll be a goner. -But if we don't risk it, Demarzule will be the next ruler of Earth."</p> - -<p>Dreyer nodded. "It's a chance. You'd better take it. Good luck."</p> - -<p>A sudden commotion down the hall outside the door warned of the -approach of the arresting officers. Phyfe gave a last despairing glance -at Underwood, who was clutching the painful burn on his arm. The -archeologist turned and darted swiftly through a door at the rear of -the office, followed by Dreyer.</p> - -<p>Almost instantly the main door was flung wide and two heavily armed -officers burst into the room. Their impulsive charge was halted as they -stared at the groaning physicist.</p> - -<p>"Get help," Underwood said desperately. "I've got to get to the museum. -It may not be too late if Dr. Morov turned the beam off. Phyfe forced -me to order it stopped. Scientists don't want the Great One revived. He -shot me when I refused. Would have killed me if—"</p> - -<p>Underwood sagged forward over the desk and fainted from the pain -he could no longer endure.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_EIGHT" id="CHAPTER_EIGHT"><i>CHAPTER EIGHT</i></a></h2> - - -<p>The beefy Committee Chairman regarded Underwood in the crowded hearing -room with the self-righteous, detached anger of one who represents -approximately a million voters. He told Underwood, "The reprieve -you have been granted is not given because your crime is considered -any less grievous. Because your act threatened a possession of this -government which may potentially change the entire life of Earth for -the better, your crime is deemed punishable by death.</p> - -<p>"However, you are the only man capable of directing the project. -Therefore, your sentence is commuted and will be resolved if you -successfully conclude the project of restoring the Great One. Only by -so doing may you prove your innocence. If an accident brings failure, -three separate committees of competent scientists will bring a verdict -that will determine whether you shall live."</p> - -<p>"And what of Dr. Illia Morov?"</p> - -<p>"Her sentence is life imprisonment for her attempt to destroy the Great -One."</p> - -<p>"She obeyed my orders given under duress, as I have explained. I -cannot be responsible for the successful restoration if I am to be -denied competent assistance. Her knowledge is absolutely essential to -the success of the work."</p> - -<p>The chairman frowned. "The civil courts have exercised judgment. It -may be possible for her to be bound over to us as you were, but her -sentence cannot be commuted except by special appeal and retrial. We -will see what can be done in the matter."</p> - -<p>Underwood choked back the blast he would like to have hurled, his -denunciation of everything that symbolized the rotten culture into -which he had been driven by accident of birth. He dared hope only that -Illia would be granted leniency, that somehow they could think of a way -to destroy the alien.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He had forced his mind shut against all possibilities of antagonism -between the culture of Sirenia and that of Earth. Now he was aware of -the full potentialities of a mind like Demarzule's, armed with Sirenian -super-science, loose among Earthmen, and he was motivated by an urge -to destroy that was as great as his former desire to save and restore. -Earth was in bad enough shape without a Demarzule.</p> - -<p>For himself and for Illia he almost dared hope that they might find -escape from the wrath of the Disciples—perhaps to the Venusian -colonies—for there was nothing left for them upon Earth.</p> - -<p>The Chairman added with deadly significance, "Just to make sure that no -risk is being taken with the Great One, you will be constantly attended -by an armed guard. You will carefully explain every move before you -make it—otherwise you may not be alive to make it."</p> - -<p>That was all then. Underwood was led out under heavy guard between the -rows of watchers, most of whom were Disciples. He could almost feel the -doubt and hate directed toward him.</p> - -<p>When he returned to the museum, guards of the Disciples stood -everywhere. The scientists worked with blank, expressionless faces—and -guns at their backs.</p> - -<p>Craven, the biologist who had made detailed studies of the Disciples, -glanced up from his desk uncertainly as Underwood walked in. He had -been placed in charge temporarily during the absence of Illia and -Underwood.</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry about—everything, Del. Especially about Dr. Morov. When I -saw her turning off the radiation I knew that something was wrong, but -when she said that word had come from you to do it, I knew it was time -for us to take over. I'm glad that they found you were not in sympathy -with the scientists who wanted the Great One destroyed."</p> - -<p>His words refused to fall into place in Underwood's mind so that they -made sense. But after a moment it came—though there were personal -guards attached to every other scientist in the place, there was none -standing watch over Craven. So Craven was one of them, a Disciple. And -if Craven, why not others?</p> - -<p>But the biologist had been studying the Disciples from a scientific -standpoint. Had he succumbed in spite of that or because of it?</p> - -<p>It was a problem beyond Underwood's grasp. He evaded a reply with: -"How is everything going? Is the cell division increasing? Intensities -of radiation and nutrient solution being stepped up according to our -plans?"</p> - -<p>Craven nodded. "As far as I can tell, the Great One is developing -properly. You'll want to make a complete check, of course. The daily -reports are ready for your inspection."</p> - -<p>Underwood grunted and left, followed by the silent, ever-present guard. -He went out to the test board where the trio of technicians kept -constant watch on the processes. Everything was functioning according -to instructions in the repository—instructions prepared by Toshmere.</p> - -<p>Everywhere were the guards, and up on the balcony were the unending -streams of Disciples of the Great One. It was like a nightmare to -Underwood. How had control of the project slipped away? It had happened -so rapidly and insidiously that he had not been aware. But that was -not it; the truth was that he had never had control. From the moment -that the scientists brought the protoplasm of Demarzule to Earth and -revealed the story of their find, it had been inevitable.</p> - -<p>Inevitable, Underwood thought, and the greatest semantic blunder ever -made. It might have been a good thing if it had been Toshmere instead -of Demarzule. The world had had no leaders for a century except the -bungling, vote-buying politicians. Toshmere might have led them back to -a semblance of strength and initiative, but what would the conqueror -and destroyer, Demarzule, do?</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The following day, Illia returned. Underwood was shocked by her -appearance. She had dreamed of a new and saner world to be brought by -the alien out of space, just as Underwood had dreamed of a new world of -science to be revealed. And now their dreams had turned into a monster.</p> - -<p>The worst of their meeting was that there was nothing they could say -to each other. Illia came into the tiny world of nightmare under the -force shell in the custody of guards, and one remained constantly by -her side as she resumed her duties. Likewise, Underwood's own guard -never left him. Underwood had to maintain his pretense of innocence -before them.</p> - -<p>"It was Phyfe and Dreyer," he said to Illia. "I'm glad you didn't -succeed in destroying Demarzule."</p> - -<p>She hesitated an instant, then nodded with understanding. "I didn't -know what you were doing, but I supposed there was some reason. I -didn't suspect their evil plot."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And that was all. There was nothing more they could say. Nothing of her -despair at her white-faced, lusterless appearance. Nothing of her lost -dream.</p> - -<p>The mass grew and took shape. Limbs and head and torso were distinctly -formed and losing their fearsome, embryonic cast. The creature would -be of adult form and shape, Underwood saw, and would not represent a -return to infancy. It was fully eight feet tall and was humanoid to the -extent of having four limbs and head and torso, but the X-rays showed -radical differences in bone and joint structure. One cranial and two -abdominal organs were completely unfamiliar and could be identified by -none of the biologists on the project.</p> - -<p>For a time Underwood nursed the hope that these structural differences -might make it impossible for Demarzule to survive on Earth. But the -further the lungs developed, the more evident it became that the -Sirenian would adapt to the atmosphere. As to food, there was little -doubt that nourishment would be no problem. By the sixth month, too, it -was hopeless to assume that anything would go wrong with the process of -restoration. Toshmere had planned too well.</p> - -<p>Underwood wondered what had become of Phyfe and Dreyer, if they had -been captured and killed, or if they still lived in the depths of the -ancient buildings beneath the city. There had been absolutely no word. -He had been kept in complete isolation since their tragic failure. He -spoke to no one except the silent guards and his fellow technicians. -He knew of none that he could trust, for he was certain that among the -scientists working beside him, there were those whose duty it was to -spy upon him. Craven, for example, had become more sullen day by day, -and now he avoided Underwood almost continually, as if ashamed of the -things that he believed in and had done, but unable to renounce them -or help himself. The symptoms of hysteria were becoming constantly more -evident.</p> - -<p>Underwood looked for them in the other scientists, but he was not -skilled enough to detect all the signs. The only way was to play safe -and take no one into his confidence.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Life went on timelessly in the nightmare world. The light of day was -completely obscured by the force shell. As Underwood strolled out of -the museum building and looked up at its blackness, he recalled how it -had saved the world centuries ago, when mankind had once before been -on the verge of self-destruction in the dim beginnings of the atomic -age. Only by the discovery of the force shell, a field impenetrable -by any substance or radiation or force, had men been saved from total -annihilation.</p> - -<p>But now man was faced by another potent force of destruction—his own -desire to submit to any leader who promised relief from independent -responsibility and action. The alien would certainly be able to fulfill -that promise where no man could, but was it worth the risk of being -saddled with a bloody dictatorship?</p> - -<p>It was fantastic, Underwood thought, that he could find no way to elude -his guards and kill the growing monster. Variations in the strength -of the radiation might do it, but there was no possibility of varying -the radiation. The guards, whose leaders were technically trained, -had access to the records of the scientists, which not only gave the -details of previous work, but outlined each step until Demarzule was -restored. Underwood dared not attempt departures of procedure from the -written notes. The bath itself had been surrounded by a transparent -guard impervious to solid shot or radiation weapons—even if he could -have obtained any—nor could poisons be placed in the nutrient solution.</p> - -<p>There was simply nothing that could be done while Demarzule was still -in the nutrient bath. But on the day of his arising? A desperate, -last-ditch plan formed in Underwood's mind.</p> - -<p>He explained to his guard, "When the Great One arises, it would be -well for someone to welcome him in his own tongue. Only a few of us -scientists are able to, and of those who can, I am the only one here. -With your permission, I'll be beside him and welcome him when he rises."</p> - -<p>The guard considered. "I'll relay your request to the First High -Prophet Hennessey. If it is deemed fitting you shall be appointed to -welcome the Great One."</p> - -<p>Underwood wished that he had given Hennessey a warmer welcome that -first day when the fanatic prophet came to his office, but Hennessey -gave permission immediately. Underwood imagined the Prophet taking -considerable satisfaction in the irony of Underwood being the first to -welcome the Great One.</p> - -<p>Mounted beside the narrow catwalk between the observation board and -the bath were the controls which would finally cut the radiation and -drain the nutrient solution as the process of restoration came to an -end. Here also were the water valves used to flush the bath when it had -first been constructed.</p> - -<p>In this narrow space, Underwood could escape the watching eye of his -guard for an instant. He hoped to be able to cut the radiation and -drain the bath prematurely. If that couldn't be done, he might fill the -bath with water and drown Demarzule before the guards could intervene -or reach the shutoff valve. Underwood had managed to secrete a small -bar in his pocket with which he hoped to break the valve after it was -opened.</p> - -<p>The massive form of Demarzule had been stirring like an embryo for days -now, and Underwood watched closely for the first attempt to rise. That -would be the earliest moment that he could hope to make an attempt to -destroy the Sirenian.</p> - -<p>He wished he could confide in Illia, but there was no chance. He feared -she might have some desperate, dangerous plan of her own.</p> - -<p>The color of the Sirenian's skin had turned a deep hue, like dark -redwood, and that appeared to be its natural tone. The hair upon the -head was coppery, darker than the skin. Demarzule's whole appearance -was one of might and strength even as he lay quiescent. His features -were bold, with wide-set eyes and sharp nose. The mouth was stern, -almost harsh.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Hysteria among the Disciples was mounting hourly. Instead of flowing -through the building along the balcony in their endless stream, they -poured in and stayed, hoping to be there for the rising of the Great -One. Some were pushed over and killed by the fall to the floor below. -They overflowed into the main hall and swarmed about the masses of -equipment. This was welcomed by Underwood, who hoped that the pressing -mob might damage some of the equipment and thus bring about the end of -Demarzule.</p> - -<p>In any event, the hysteria was having its effects upon the guards, who -continued to watch the scientists. Their alertness and efficiency were -giving way to the same tension that filled the mobs within the hall -like a disease.</p> - -<p>Underwood went sleepless for two days at the end, not daring to miss -his one chance. And hundreds of the faithful who jammed the hall and -thousands more who waited outside had already stood that long waiting -for the miracle.</p> - -<p>It was in early dawn when Underwood caught the first faint motion that -indicated Demarzule was about to rise.</p> - -<p>Underwood jerked a finger in the direction of the bath and looked -questioningly at the guard. The man nodded and Underwood raced along -the narrow catwalk.</p> - -<p>There was no question of premature draining of the solution and cutting -the radiation. It was time for that now. Demarzule was struggling -upward, his lungs gasping in the first breath of Terrestrian atmosphere -which filled the upper part of the enclosure.</p> - -<p>Underwood cut the radiation switch and twisted the valve on the water -line with a mighty wrench that tore the wheel from the shaft. Water -flooded into the chamber.</p> - -<p>Demarzule struggled to a sitting position and stared as if dazed, his -countenance working fearsomely.</p> - -<p>The Disciples saw him. A shout of ecstasy thundered through the great -hall and the empty rooms of the museum. And then, suddenly, there was a -new sound. A single voice rang out above all the rest.</p> - -<p>"Strike now!" it shouted. "Strike down the invader. Destroy the -blasphemy of the Great One!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood's head twisted about. There on the balcony in the place -lately occupied by the Prophet, Hennessey, was Terry Bernard!</p> - -<p>For an instant Underwood could not comprehend the meaning of it. The -gun in Terry's hand flashed red. Underwood's guard slumped in his -murderous rush and fell from the catwalk. He alone had seen the sudden -rise of water and realized its meaning.</p> - -<p>The cries and curses and screams and prayers that filled the hall made -the previous commotion deathly silence by contrast. Sudden beams of -deadly fire shot through the air, and Underwood could make no sense of -it all.</p> - -<p>Sides in the conflict began to appear. Underwood saw that some of -the technicians and scientists had weapons and had disposed of -their guards. Now they were firing carefully into the mob about the -equipment, picking off the armed leaders.</p> - -<p>Inside the impenetrable enclosure, the giant Sirenian staggered -uncertainly as if stunned. The water was rising swiftly about his hips. -The air, rushing out the oxygen intake pipe, allowed the water to rise -in the otherwise hermetically sealed chamber.</p> - -<p>A few minutes more and Demarzule would be cut off from the air supply. -How long it would take to drown him, Underwood did not know. It would -depend largely on his present rate of metabolism, which was a great -uncertainty. But could the mob be held off that long? They had to be! -He bent down and grabbed up the gun that his pursuing guard had dropped.</p> - -<p>In the background of his mind he wondered what this sudden attack -meant. How strongly organized was it, and who was behind it? Apparently -Terry had given the signal for attack, and many of the scientists on -the project had been prepared for it, yet Underwood had been given not -the slightest hint that such attack would take place. He wondered why -he had been left out.</p> - -<p>The screaming of the hysterical Disciples was deafening as those in -front tried to force their way back from the line of battle, and those -in the rear tried to press forward to glimpse Demarzule.</p> - -<p>Underwood leaped down to the floor in the sea of confusion and found -himself unable to determine which way the conflict was moving. None of -the scientists were near him, only the maddened, unreasoning Disciples. -He decided to stay near the water valve to make certain that it was not -shut off by any of the guards.</p> - -<p>Then two figures surged up to him and one grasped his arm. "Del! Come -on, let's get out of here!"</p> - -<p>He turned. Terry's blood-streaked face was almost unrecognizable. His -other hand clutched Illia's arm.</p> - -<p>"You two go on," Underwood shouted. "Get out if you can. I've got to -stay—to make sure he drowns."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"The water's cut off! Can't you see?"</p> - -<p>Underwood turned in horror. The water level was falling instead of -rising. Someone had cut it off at one of the other valves farther along -the line and had opened the drain. Air was being pumped through, for -Demarzule was standing rigidly now, looking down upon the surging mass -as if contemplating their fate. The bitter animal struggle for survival -was gone now from his face, and only a mocking scorn was there as the -mob battled before him.</p> - -<p>"We've failed!" Underwood exclaimed. "It must have been Craven who -shut the water off. We haven't a chance now."</p> - -<p>"Not if we stay here. Come on. We can lose ourselves in this crowd -and work our way outside. There's a ship waiting to take us across to -Phyfe. The <i>Lavoisier</i> is manned and ready to go."</p> - -<p>"The <i>Lavoisier!</i> Where—?"</p> - -<p>"Who knows? Go!"</p> - -<p>Hopelessly, Underwood allowed himself to be pushed and jammed into the -thick of the mob by the frantic Terry. Signs of armed conflict were -dying. Underwood supposed that the scientists had been subdued, for now -the hall was completely filled with the Disciples. It was impossible, -he thought, that they could ever make their way out without being -apprehended. But even as doubts came, he knew that he had to get out. -He had to live to make another stand against the Sirenian.</p> - -<p>He looked back. Demarzule was standing erect now. Slowly his great arms -came up and his hands extended as if in blessing and welcome, and the -moaning of the ecstatic Disciples rose in wild discordance.</p> - -<p>Then out of those alien lips, amplified a thousand fold by the audio -system installed within the chamber to catch any uttered words, there -came an alien voice that only Underwood could understand. And as the -strange words poured forth he shuddered at their implications.</p> - -<p>"My people." Demarzule said. "My great and mighty people!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_NINE" id="CHAPTER_NINE"><i>CHAPTER NINE</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Underwood turned as if driven back by the force of the conquering voice -of thunder that came from the throat of Demarzule.</p> - -<p>No one was paying any attention to the three scientists now. The faces -of the Disciples were upturned toward the Great One, waiting for -further pronouncements.</p> - -<p>Underwood, Terry and Illia shoved through the wide doors of the hall -against the crowd pressing from outside. As they fought through, the -enormous voice continued to assail their ears.</p> - -<p>"I have triumphed over death," Demarzule exclaimed. "I have conquered -the ages, and now I come to you, my people. I have come to lead you to -the stars and to the Galaxies beyond the stars, where your very name -shall cause the creatures of distant worlds to tremble."</p> - -<p>Each word was like a knife stabbing into Underwood, for they showed -that Demarzule had already comprehended the situation—and mastered -it. And though the people did not understand the words, the tone of -his voice carried the meaning almost equally well, and there were none -in that mass of worshipping Disciples who doubted that a new day of -greatness had dawned for Earth.</p> - -<p>All semblance of organization under the small-time prophets and priests -such as Hennessey had vanished. There had never been much organization -because people did not trust any man sufficiently to compose a very -tight or efficient organization.</p> - -<p>This was to the benefit of the scientists. It would take time for -Demarzule to become aware of the opposition and the identity of the -scientists. But he must surely be aware of the attempt on his life, -Underwood thought, unless full consciousness had not returned until -the water had begun to subside in the chamber, and Demarzule had not -realized the significance of it.</p> - -<p>But Underwood did not believe that. Demarzule had exhibited such rapid -grasp of the attitude of the Disciples that he probably possessed a -semantic accuracy in his thinking which would shame the best of Earth's -scientists.</p> - -<p>The three were making more rapid progress now as they pushed out into -the part of the mob that could not see Demarzule. Under the black dome -of the force shell, as far as they could see, the area between the -building and the outer edge of the shell was filled with struggling -humanity. The words of Demarzule could be heard only faintly.</p> - -<p>"The north gate," Illia said. "That is the widest. Maybe the guard -system has broken down completely—"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Terry nodded. "It looks like it. That's the closest to our flier, -anyway. If we are challenged, let's carry Illia and explain she was -injured in the mob. That might get us through. If not, keep your gun -ready."</p> - -<p>Underwood assented. He felt as if this were some nightmare from which -he was struggling to awaken—unsuccessfully. He wondered what had -happened to the other scientists on the project, and to those who had -attempted the storming of the building. Had they all perished in the -short and futile battle?</p> - -<p>He had to admit to himself that at times, during those long days under -the surveillance of the Disciple guards, he had wondered if there -wouldn't have been some chance of utilizing Demarzule's science without -danger. That hope, however, had been finally and completely blasted by -Demarzule's arising. The Sirenian had not changed in half a million -years.</p> - -<p>As they savagely thrust through, Underwood considered the course that -would probably be followed by Demarzule. He would gather about him a -puppet organization of administrators who would take on a priestly -sanctification before the people because of their nearness to the Great -One. The organization would tighten about the Earth, enfolding the -willing devotees, ruthlessly wiping out small centers of opposition -that might spring up.</p> - -<p>At the command of the Disciples would be the world's weapons and -factories. And added to these would be the fearful science and unknown -weapons of the Sirenian.</p> - -<p>What force could hold back this avalanche?</p> - -<p>The answer was: <i>None.</i> There was no force that could touch him, -nothing the scientists could do to prevent the unleashed forces of -Earth from sweeping the Galaxies.</p> - -<p>Flight. That was the only recourse for those who wished to escape the -debacle. But it must be more than flight. However hopeless it seemed, -those of Earth's scientists who could be gathered must be dedicated -to the task of Demarzule's overthrow, the saving of Earthmen from an -insane course of conquest.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Close to the north gate, the distorting energies of the force shell -were led around a portion of space to form an opening in the wall. Word -of the rising of the Great One had spread like a virus and thousands -were gathered beyond the shell, trying in vain to force their way in. -All semblance of attempting to guard the entrances seemed to have -vanished as the trio forced their way through the opening and out into -the sunlight that seemed utterly blinding to Illia and Underwood, who -had not seen it for so long.</p> - -<p>For a moment Underwood wondered if they could not have remained inside -the Carlson and taken a chance on shooting Demarzule when he came out -of the protecting shield about the bath. But he knew better. Demarzule -would not come out until the room was cleared and the faithful were -standing guard with their guns ready to blast any would-be assassin.</p> - -<p>No, they were on the only course open to them. They were committed to -it now; there was no turning back.</p> - -<p>At last they came out into a relatively free space where they could -move rapidly. Underwood caught sight of the small three-man flier atop -a low rise, a mile from the museum.</p> - -<p>"What about the others?" Underwood said as they ran. "Didn't any of -them get away?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think so," Terry answered. "We didn't expect it. Our object -was to destroy Demarzule, and, failing that, to get you two."</p> - -<p>The two running men, one with bandaged arm and the other with -bloodsmeared face, and the white-faced girl were attracting unwelcome -attention, but at last they came to the rise where the flier lay, and -climbed in. Without a lost motion, Terry worked the controls and they -whirled into the air.</p> - -<p>From their elevation, Underwood looked back toward the museum, the -holy sanctuary of the Disciples. The roads leading to the site were -black with humanity as the faithful streamed to the building to witness -the Great One and hear his voice.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He turned to Terry. "Bring me up to date."</p> - -<p>"They contacted me—I wasn't suspected by the police, you know—and we -organized a small group of the scientists we felt we could trust. We -told them all about Demarzule and our blunder in bringing him back. We -organized for the purpose of destroying him by any means possible, but -of course we had no means. The force shell prevented direct attack on -the Carlson, so we tried filtering in with the Disciples. Four of us -were caught and killed.</p> - -<p>"We didn't try to communicate with you, because we felt it was too -dangerous, and knew that you would be doing anything possible. We -succeeded in getting enough of our number in for the end of the show -and passing weapons to some of the scientists on the project, but we -apparently lost all our men without doing damage to the Great One. Only -getting ourselves lost in that mob saved us three. I suspect that they -feel so secure in the protection of Demarzule now that that is their -only reason for not gassing the whole mob in order to get us."</p> - -<p>"What's your next move?" asked Illia.</p> - -<p>"The <i>Lavoisier</i> came in two weeks ago for supplies. Most of the crew -are on our side, and the rest aren't there any more. Phyfe and Dreyer -are already aboard, as well as the rest of the scientists of our group. -All we can do is point the nose up and get going as fast as we can -travel. It may be only a matter of hours until Demarzule is aware of us -and sends a fleet in pursuit. After we get out into space, the rest is -up to the boss." He jerked a thumb in Underwood's direction.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" asked Underwood.</p> - -<p>"I mean that as top-dog physicist and the only one besides us somewhat -non-combatant archeologists and semanticists who understands the -Sirenian lingo, not to mention your familiarity with Demarzule, you got -yourself elected chairman of this delegation."</p> - -<p>Underwood laughed shortly and bitterly. "I'm responsible for the mess, -so I should be the one responsible for finding a way out. Is that it?"</p> - -<p>"We'll turn you over to the psychiatric department if you don't cut -that out," said Terry grimly.</p> - -<p>"Sorry. I'm grateful, of course, that the rest of you think I could be -useful, but I'm afraid my brain is a complete blank on how to get out."</p> - -<p>"Maybe you think the rest of us aren't the same way," said Terry. "But -you're the most qualified of us all to recognize a means of licking -Demarzule when you see it."</p> - -<p>Underwood stared ahead of them toward the expanding view of the -buildings where the scientists had held out against the Disciples. He -tried to picture what the past months had been for them, but he could -never know the hundreds of desperate escapes and skirmishes with guards -and officers, and swift murders in the depths below the city.</p> - -<p>Beside the clustered buildings the great laboratory spaceship, -<i>Lavoisier</i>, lay on the experimental grounds, shining in the early -dawn. Sudden bright spurts of light showed on the field. Illia saw it -first. "Gunfire!" she cried.</p> - -<p>"They're being attacked!" Terry exclaimed. "We've got to get down -there or they may have to leave without us. Get out that pair of heavy -burners under your seat, Del. We'll have to go in shooting."</p> - -<p>Underwood hauled out the weapons as the flier darted swiftly toward -the field. A concentrated knot of offense was being offered from the -building entrance nearest the ship, but other officers were surrounding -the ship behind the screen of the distant shrubbery.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"I'll fly over them," said Terry. "Give them a good blast with both -guns."</p> - -<p>Underwood opened the port against the wind and pointed the noses of -the deadly weapons outward. He clicked the trigger and an unending -stream of fire hurled toward the earth, sweeping through the lines of -attackers as they crouched behind the shrubs and fences. Then, swiftly, -Terry spun the ship to avoid the building and they zoomed upward. At -that instant a crippling beam came from below.</p> - -<p>"We're hit!" Terry exclaimed. "It killed the motor. Hang on for a crash -landing. I'll try to make the port of the ship."</p> - -<p>Underwood returned his attention to the guns as if nothing had -occurred. As the nose dipped, he fired into the building from which the -disabling shot had come. He thought he heard a scream of pain, though -it might have been only the sound of the wind against the shell of the -little flier.</p> - -<p>They were falling fast now, heading for the open port of the large -spaceship. They could see some of the crew members and scientists -emerging, weapons ready to protect their landing. They sped down below -the level of the top of the hull and the vast sheets of plate seemed to -flow past the port of the flier like a river of steel.</p> - -<p>It stopped flowing. They hit hard, and Terry yanked open the door. They -tumbled out in the midst of their defenders, while spurts of flame -showed in the sunlight all about them.</p> - -<p>"Get in!" one of the men shouted. "We almost had to leave without you. -They'll be bringing reinforcements." It was Mason, the physicist.</p> - -<p>Underwood nodded. "We're ready. Is everyone else aboard who is going?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>There was a sudden cry beside Underwood and one of the crewmen dropped -his gun and clutched an arm in pain. Mason and Terry clutched him in -supporting arms and dragged him into the vessel. Underwood clasped -Illia's hand and hurried through the port. Behind them the last of the -men slammed the door and dogged it tight.</p> - -<p>"Phyfe's waiting for you in the control room," Mason said. "We'll take -care of Peters, here. Terry had better stay for treatment also."</p> - -<p>Underwood nodded and raced along the corridor with Illia. They passed -other men intent upon their own tasks. Some of them he knew; others -he had never seen before. He hoped that Phyfe and Terry had chosen -carefully. The remembrance of the biologist, Craven, came to his mind. -They came to the entrance to the control room. Captain Dawson was in -technical command, waiting for instructions to take off. Apparently -Mason was assuming charge of the takeoff, for his voice came through -the audio system as Underwood entered. Phyfe nodded assent to Captain -Dawson. "Take it up!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Almost instantly, the ship soared aloft.</p> - -<p>"Wait!" Underwood exclaimed, as he entered the control room.</p> - -<p>Phyfe and Dawson looked toward the door. "There can be no waiting," -said Phyfe. "We had almost given up you and Terry and Illia. The police -have been searching for us for weeks, and now that we're out in the -open they'll spare no force to take us."</p> - -<p>"We can't go without the Stroid records," said Underwood. "Terry tells -me I've been elected to head this outfit. If that's so, then my first -order is to pick up every scrap of Stroid record and artifact that has -ever been found before we take off."</p> - -<p>Dreyer came in and looked interestedly as Underwood spoke, but he said -nothing.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Why?" said Phyfe. "I don't understand."</p> - -<p>"There was a weapon," said Underwood, "a weapon that the Sirenians -were afraid of, which apparently was responsible for the power of -the Dragbora over them. If any trace of that weapon remains in the -Universe, our goal is to find it. It may be our one hope of defeating -Demarzule."</p> - -<p>The others looked at him as if doubting his sanity, yet hoping he was -on the trail of a solution.</p> - -<p>"But that was five hundred thousand years ago!" said Phyfe. "How could -we hope to find such a weapon that disappeared that long ago? We have -no clues—"</p> - -<p>"We have the Stroid records. That's why I want them."</p> - -<p>"But the Sirenians seemed to know nothing about the nature of the -weapon."</p> - -<p>"We're not so sure of that. But even if that's so, there was the great -civilization of the Dragbora. We don't know that it is extinct, and we -know nothing of its location—but the weapon may be there. And the clue -to <i>its</i> location may be in the Stroid records."</p> - -<p>Dreyer nodded and gave a violent puff of smoke. "He's right, Phyfe. -We hadn't thought of it, but that may be our one chance. At least it -gives us an objective instead of just plunging into purposeless flight."</p> - -<p>"I suppose so," Phyfe said doubtfully. "But I don't see how—"</p> - -<p>"I'll take care of that. Show us where the records are. We'll get the -repository first, however; I want the whole thing brought aboard."</p> - -<p>Underwood turned swiftly to Dawson and ordered the ship lowered beside -the temporary structure housing the repository near the Stroid museum -building. Then he stepped to the ship's interphone and explained their -maneuver. He called for twenty volunteers to man scooters and weapons -to cover those who were to transfer the records.</p> - -<p>Below them, on the ground, the police forces who watched their prey -escape stood puzzledly as the <i>Lavoisier</i> turned and moved slowly -across the group of buildings and began dropping again. Three deadly -police fliers hovered in the air about the great spaceship.</p> - -<p>It was the fliers that Underwood watched with intent study. The twenty -men he had selected out of the volunteers gathered around the viewing -plates with him.</p> - -<p>"The first objective will be to down those fliers," said Underwood. -"Then you will provide constant cover for those of us who leave the -ship to bring the records back. Go to your assigned airlocks. I'll -signal when the fliers are in the best position for one group of you to -attack it."</p> - -<p>Byers, the engineer mechanic appointed captain of the group, nodded.</p> - -<p>"They won't know what hit 'em," he promised.</p> - -<p>"I hope so," said Underwood. "All right, take your stations and signal -when you're ready."</p> - -<p>The men filed out of the room while the big ship slowly settled toward -the Earth. The three police fliers continued to move about with deadly -inquisitiveness. Then the sudden signal from Byers indicated the men -were positioned and ready.</p> - -<p>Underwood watched the fliers. One was out of sight of the other two -near the nose of the <i>Lavoisier</i>. Underwood called sharply: "Number -three, attack!"</p> - -<p>Almost instantly, a lock opened behind the unsuspecting police flier -and three scooters darted out, their riders firing a deadly stream -which came to a focus on the tail of the flier. A sudden blossom of -flame sent up a plume of black smoke and the flier nosed Earthward -without its occupants knowing what had struck.</p> - -<p>But now the second flier was rounding the hull and the three scooters -were spotted. The police fired and one scooter plummeted out of sight.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Number seven!" Underwood ordered.</p> - -<p>A lock near the top of the hull opened and a second trio of scooters -darted out. The flier was beneath them, and its pilots had time to look -up and see the blasting fire that poured through the transparent bubble -over them. But they had no time to retaliate.</p> - -<p>Fire began rising from the ground forces now and the scooter riders -were forced to dodge and twist to avoid being hit. At the same time -they dived close to the ground and sprayed the attackers.</p> - -<p>From above, however, the third flier joined with devastating fury. Two -more scooters dropped. Underwood ordered the remaining scooters to -the attack. Simultaneously, they poured from the ship, swept over the -remaining flier in a wave of destruction and dropped it onto the ground -forces.</p> - -<p>The latter spread out now and hunted for cover before the mounting -destruction of the scooter riders.</p> - -<p>"Align cargo hatch number one by the repository shelter," Underwood -instructed the Captain. "We'll load that first."</p> - -<p>The ship settled to the surface without a jar. The immediate area -around the shelter was cleared. Mason, taking charge of the loading, -ordered the hatch swung open. Portable cargo units were passed out and -strapped to the periphery of the huge, faceted artifact, whose bulk -almost filled the hatchway.</p> - -<p>Sporadic fire continued from the hidden police, but the scooter riders -were holding it below an effective level without losing any more of -their own number.</p> - -<p>Mason turned the current into the cargo units, and slowly the huge mass -rose from the spot where it rested. Then a G-line attached to it began -reeling in, drawing the repository toward the ship.</p> - -<p>As the hatch clanged shut over it, Underwood exhaled heavily. "That's -the main part of our job! Another half hour to scoop up the records in -the building and we'll be through."</p> - -<p>Illia gave a sudden shrill cry. "Del! The building—it's on fire!"</p> - -<p>The men stared. From the museum where the Stroid records lay, there -rose billows of smoke and licking flames.</p> - -<p>"They must have known what we were after," said Phyfe, "and they fired -the building. There's no chance now of getting any of them."</p> - -<p>"Yes, there is! Most of the records are metallic." Underwood stepped to -the interphone. "Every man but the takeoff crew in spacesuits. Carry -sidearms and be ready to enter the museum at once."</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do?" Illia cried.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Already he was at the nearest locker, struggling into the ungainly -spacesuit. "These will be enough protection from the fire to enable -each man to bring out one load, perhaps."</p> - -<p>The old building, as if symbolic of the times, was submitting willingly -to the flames. Its ancient, only partly fireproofed construction was -giving way, and the fire protection system had failed completely.</p> - -<p>Rapidly, Underwood went over the plan Phyfe had given him locating the -bulk of the records, then raced toward the cargo hold where the others -were nearly ready. He ordered each pair of men to tow a cargo carrier.</p> - -<p>It was a weird procession of unworldly figures that made their way -clumsily from the ship and up the steps of the burning building.</p> - -<p>Underwood and Mason were together, towing their carrier, which rested -a foot off the floor. Almost blinded by the smoke, they led the way -through the halls and into the stacks where the half-million-year-old -records lay on shelves.</p> - -<p>"Load up! This is it," Underwood called. Like creatures in some -fantastic hell, he saw the others file into the large room behind -him. They began emptying over the shelves, filling the carriers with -whatever came to hand.</p> - -<p>The wooden beams supporting the high, archaic roof structure were dry -and roaring with flames. Somewhere out of their line of sight, a beam -gave way and a shower of plaster and masonry filled the air.</p> - -<p>"There won't be time for any more," Mason said. "Our carrier's full. -Let's go."</p> - -<p>Underwood shoved the carrier toward the doorway through which they had -come. Its inertia was its only opposition.</p> - -<p>"You drag the carrier," said Underwood. "I'll get another armful."</p> - -<p>While Mason vanished out through the pall of smoke, Underwood scooped -up another armful of materials. Then, almost blindly, he sought the -exit.</p> - -<p>Nearly all the others were loaded and dragging their carriers now. -Underwood glanced back. What secrets might yet lie here among the -records they must leave behind! He hoped the gods of chance had been -merciful enough to guide their hands toward some record that would -direct the scientists to the ancient enemy of the Sirenian Empire, -the Dragbora, whose dreadful weapon had been so feared by the Sirenian -hordes.</p> - -<p>Back in the ship, Underwood glanced back longingly at the flame-ravaged -building. It was useless to attempt another trip.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The police had apparently hoped the fire would defeat the purposes of -the scientists, but after the successful rescue of tons of records and -artifacts, they resumed their attack with increasing fury.</p> - -<p>Underwood called to Byers and the scooter riders to come in. Slowly, -the protective forces withdrew to the ship, and as they did so, the -police began firing into the opening ports. The scooters poured into -the ship, more than one bearing a mortally wounded crewman.</p> - -<p>Altogether, only fourteen returned.</p> - -<p>"That's all," Byers said grimly. "The rest of the boys won't be coming -back."</p> - -<p>For a drastic moment of uncertainty, Underwood wondered if his demand -for the records would be worth that sacrifice. It had to be, he told -himself. Without hope of a weapon to defeat the Sirenian, there was no -purpose in flight into space.</p> - -<p>He returned to the control room and gave the order to lift ship.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TEN" id="CHAPTER_TEN"><i>CHAPTER TEN</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Through the ports Underwood watched the nearby buildings drop away. The -Sun's disk shot up over the horizon and bathed them in golden glow. -Then the pilot adjusted the controls and sudden, crushing acceleration -was applied to the ship, but to the occupants it was imperceptible.</p> - -<p>Like the tired old man that he was, Phyfe slumped down in a cushioned -seat beside the navigator's table.</p> - -<p>"You look as if you'd had a pretty rough time of it since I saw you -last," said Underwood.</p> - -<p>Phyfe smiled disparagingly. "For fifty years I've been a scholar and -archeologist. It's much too late to find myself in the midst of a -planetary crisis, and expect to be able to cope with it."</p> - -<p>"You've done a fine job so far."</p> - -<p>"I could never even lead an expedition very satisfactorily, and -certainly not a group of this kind. Terry might, but he lacks the -physical knowledge you have. Mason might, but he knows nothing of the -Sirenians. You're the best qualified of us all for the job."</p> - -<p>"I want to be sure the rest think so. It might not be a bad idea to -hold an election."</p> - -<p>"We should call a meeting of everyone, anyway. Many of the scientists -are not adequately acquainted with the problem. They should be -organized according to their specialties, and we ought to prepare some -system of defense."</p> - -<p>With the ship no farther than the orbit of the moon, a meeting was -called of the hundred and twenty-five scientists and crewmen of the -<i>Lavoisier</i>. Phyfe, as nominal chairman, presented Underwood formally -as leader of the group. Acceptance was unanimous and enthusiastic, -for Underwood was known to nearly all of them by reputation if not -personally.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Briefly, he outlined the events concerning the discovery and -restoration of Demarzule, the futile attempts of the scientists to -stand against humanity's demand for a new god. Then he called on Dreyer -to describe the characteristics of the enemy who opposed them.</p> - -<p>"In the ages of Earth's past history," Dreyer said, "there have been -conquerors, emperors, dictators and tyrants, but there has never been -Demarzule, the Sirenian. To the Sirenians, conquest and leadership -were as essential as food. There was only one solution for them as -they expanded in the Galaxy, and that was complete mastery of the -Galaxies—or extinction. It was undoubtedly fortunate for our own world -that the Dragbora succeeded in destroying them.</p> - -<p>"As to our present problem, Demarzule will sell the peoples of Earth -the idea of their complete superiority over all other races in the -Universe. They're ripe for acceptance of such doctrine. He'll use -the supernatural aspect of his appearance among us and encourage -a worshipful attitude. Then he is, I think, certain to begin the -construction of battle fleets and the assembly of weapons and -armies—not the ships and weapons we know, but the best that Sirenian -science could produce half a million years ago.</p> - -<p>"Within a few hours from now he'll be sure to learn of our escape -and our identity as enemies. It is impossible to believe he will not -dispatch pursuit ships to destroy us. Our only chance is to be too far -away for them to catch up with us. At least in Terrestrial ships. By -the time Sirenian designs are built, we must have an answer.</p> - -<p>"That, then, is the nature of the problem we face. Our one hope—and -it is a slim one—appears to be the discovery of the weapon by which -the Dragbora overpowered the Sirenian hordes long ago. If we remain -limited by the range of our own science, I am convinced the problem is -hopeless, though I'm aware that happily there are those of you whose -minds differ radically from mine and would not admit defeat even with -such limitations."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Some of you had objections to our flight, arguing that we should -remain and conduct an underground opposition movement. You were those -who lacked a correct evaluation of our enemy. I want you to understand -that such a movement would have been absolutely futile. A successful -underground movement must be that of an oppressed majority against a -minority of ruling numbers. Humanity <i>wants</i> Demarzule. Never forget -it. That is why we are fleeing.</p> - -<p>"But our battle is not with our fellow men; their faults are rooted in -the dark processes of evolution and racial development. The appearance -of Demarzule is an extraneous factor, however, one that evolution -did not allow for. Without him, men would eventually attain maturity -and balance out of the conflicts of their racial adolescence. With -Demarzule as god and leader, generations of development may be wiped -out.</p> - -<p>"You must remember that we have committed ourselves to the only -possible course—escape. We're nothing but children beside the racially -old Demarzule. He's a superman from a super-race that outstripped ours -long before our first cave ancestor discovered fire. Let us hope that -we find the weapon of the Dragbora, so our kind may climb the long -evolutionary ladder upon which they have stumbled so sorely."</p> - -<p>After Dreyer's speech it was a solemn group of men that faced -Underwood. The semanticist had conveyed for the first time to most of -them the immensity of the threat that confronted them.</p> - -<p>They proceeded then with the organizing of the large group into smaller -units according to their specialties. Underwood found there was a -preponderance of physicists and biologists. The thirty physicists -were grouped under the leadership of Mason. To them went the task of -investigating the possible weapons and defenses which could be employed -against the attacks that would certainly come.</p> - -<p>The men with strictly engineering qualifications were assigned to work -with Mason's group.</p> - -<p>The biological group included a dozen surgeons and four psychiatrists -under Illia's leadership. Dreyer and his fellow semanticists were -assigned with the archeologists to examine the records they had -salvaged from the fire in the hopes of finding a clue to the Dragboran -world and the weapon that might be there.</p> - -<p>Most of the physical scientists had varying degrees of skill with -machine tools and equipment and could assist in the fabrication of -armaments for the ship.</p> - -<p>The first task was to rig the ship with absorbing screens to prevent -radar echoes and nullify this means of locating them from Earth. It -was a relatively easy project and one that was completed by the end of -their first twenty-four hours in space. That left only astronomical -means by which they could be detected from Earth, and with each passing -hour, this possibility became more remote. Underwood, however, could -not put off the uneasiness that beset him in the face of the pursuit he -knew must surely come.</p> - -<p>Six days out and a hundred thousand light years from Earth, Phyfe -uncovered the first evidence that fortune was with them.</p> - -<p>He and Dreyer, along with Terry and Underwood and the other -semanticists and archeologists, were working in the single large -chamber allotted to study of the records. Phyfe's sudden exclamation -burst upon the silence of the room. He held up a small metal roll, -fused on the outside, but unrolled in a spiral coil where he had -broken the fused portions away.</p> - -<p>"This looks as if it might have been the log of one of the refugee -ships," he said. "Look at it."</p> - -<p>Underwood bent over the small machine they had devised for supplying -the correction radiation which would render the characters visible. -Normally, they stood out against their dull, metallic background like -white fire, but these were dim almost to the point of obliteration. He -read slowly, aloud.</p> - -<p>"Meathes. 2192903. One <i>detela</i> since leaving Sirenia. Lookout reports -Dragboran vessels within range. A thousand of them, which means we are -outnumbered ten to one. Flight bearings 3827—"</p> - -<p>Underwood looked up. He could read no further. "Those last figures—"</p> - -<p>"Could they be the relationship between his own fleet and the home -planet?" said Phyfe.</p> - -<p>"More likely it would be the bearings of the Dragboran fleet in -relation to the Sirenians. In any case, such figures would be a clue -to the location of the worlds, because they would be related to -their Galactic references. That's the catch, though, finding those -references. To us, they would be entirely arbitrary. But if this is a -log, it may give the location of the planets and their Galaxy that we -can identify. If we can work out the changes in astronomical positions -that take place in five hundred thousand years."</p> - -<p>He took the roll from the machine and examined it more closely. "It's -almost hopeless to get any more out of this. Is there any other -specimen that was found in the same locality?"</p> - -<p>Phyfe checked the records and shook his head. "This was found stuck to -a completely fused mass of iron, apparently part of the ship in which -it lay when the Dragbora struck. We may as well send it to the lab for -restoration. If it becomes possible to read it, it may help."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In four hours the duplicate record came back, restored as completely -as possible, but there were long blanks which were un-intelligible. -Underwood turned up the maximum radiation which helped bring out the -characters, but also burned them rapidly away if left on too long. -Suddenly he caught his breath.</p> - -<p>"Listen to this: 'Our bearings are now 6749367 Sirenia, having traveled -84 <i>tre-doma</i>, Sirenia. In two <i>te-ela</i> we land. Perhaps for the last -time—'"</p> - -<p>"That's it!" Phyfe exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"All but the key to their co-ordinate system," said Underwood. "Do you -see any possibility of interpreting it, Dreyer?"</p> - -<p>The semanticist shook his head. "It must be based upon entirely -arbitrary reference points as ours is. I see no hope of interpretation -with the figures we now have. Perhaps our astronomers could suggest -something."</p> - -<p>Masterson and Ebert, the two astronomers included in the group, were -called in from their task of preparing star charts of the Universe of -half a million years ago. They considered the facts Underwood presented.</p> - -<p>Masterson said, "I'm afraid the bearings given by the Sirenians won't -be much help. The distance is of value. That shows us that we have a -shell at a radial distance of approximately ninety million light years -from the Solar System. At best, then, we have this shell, which may be -considered as several thousand light years thick, in which to search. -If we could find even approximately the proper sector of this shell, we -might soon isolate the possible planetary systems to which the Dragbora -and Sirenians belonged, but without being able to narrow down the -possible sectors of that shell, it becomes an impossible task. Just a -single reference to some Island Universe that we might identify would -do it, perhaps."</p> - -<p>Underwood and Dreyer had to agree. They had gained something; if they -could just obtain one more scrap of astronomical information, it might -give them the key.</p> - -<p>The search for that key went on among the records and artifacts. The -repository itself was searched inch by inch—and still almost none of -the artifacts found there could be identified or explained. Apart from -the repository, most of the material they had was native to the planet -on which the Sirenians landed.</p> - -<p>By the eighth day Mason's crew had managed to construct equipment -for throwing a force shell about the <i>Lavoisier</i>, and Underwood -breathed considerably easier. They could travel indefinitely behind -the protection of that impenetrable shield. Data for navigation was -obtained through almost infinitesimal pilot units set outside the shell -and connected through hair-fine leads running through equally small -holes in it.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood was proud of this accomplishment. With their limited -facilities for manufacture, it was little short of a miracle that they -had been able to turn out the mass of complex equipment in so short a -time. Somehow, it seemed symbolic to him, as if there were definite -laws favoring their success—the success of Earth.</p> - -<p>And then on that same eighth day, when they were almost beyond the -limit at which such small, dark objects could be identified, the -lookout observer on duty sounded a warning to the control center.</p> - -<p>"Fleet departing from Earth. Twenty warships. Corius type. Apparent -course 169 46 12 and 48 19 06. Velocity—"</p> - -<p>Underwood looked at Phyfe, who was beside him at the time. "This is -it," he said.</p> - -<p>The warning went throughout the ship and the men looked up from their -tasks a moment, then resumed with grimmer eyes and firmer mouths. -Mason's group was working on the problem that had baffled armament men -for generations, the problem of firing the Atom Stream through the -force shell. Underwood had little confidence that they would solve the -problem, but as it was they had no offense whatever.</p> - -<p>As Underwood and Phyfe moved to the navigator's table to check their -course and that of the pursuing fleet, he said, "I wonder how they -spotted us. Our echo screen couldn't have broken down. It must have -been sheer astronomical luck that put them on our trail."</p> - -<p>Lieutenant Wilson, the navigator, frowned as he pointed to their -course charts. "I don't believe that fleet is following us," he said. -"If they are, they're going the long way around, because their course -at present is heading more than fourteen degrees from ours."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Phyfe and Underwood studied the trajectories, projecting them into -space, estimating the rate at which the fleet would approach, -considering its superior velocity and the divergent courses.</p> - -<p>"It's easy enough to determine whether they're following or not," -said Underwood. "We could simply change our own course by ninety -degrees. Perhaps they haven't detected us after all, but are merely -shooting blind in the general direction we might be, based only on the -observations of the police as we took off. In that case, they may hope -merely to approach near enough to obtain adequate radar echoes."</p> - -<p>Dreyer had heard the news over the interphone and came into the -navigation cell. He overheard Underwood's last statement.</p> - -<p>"Demarzule would not send out a mere fishing expedition," he said -flatly.</p> - -<p>"Then what's the answer?" Underwood asked, but in his own mind he was -evolving a wild theory. He wondered if Dreyer would confirm it.</p> - -<p>"If we were merely going blindly into space to escape, Demarzule would -have no concern with us, but if we were going to a destination where -our arrival would be malevolent to him—then he would be concerned."</p> - -<p>Underwood's eyes lighted. He read in Dreyer's face the same conclusions -he had reached.</p> - -<p>"And Demarzule would send his fleet not after us particularly, but to -that destination to see that we didn't reach it. Therefore, this fleet -is headed for the Dragboran world!"</p> - -<p>"Not so fast!" Phyfe objected. "Demarzule would be assuming that we -know where it is. He has no basis for such an assumption."</p> - -<p>Dreyer shook his head. "He doesn't know whether we know the way or not. -He knows only that it must be guarded from any possible exploitation by -us. If we don't go there, we are no menace to him. If we do, the fleet -is there to take care of us."</p> - -<p>Phyfe considered, then slowly nodded. "You're right."</p> - -<p>"And Demarzule is going to show us the way to the Dragboran weapon!" -said Underwood fiercely.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_ELEVEN" id="CHAPTER_ELEVEN"><i>CHAPTER ELEVEN</i></a></h2> - - -<p>The course was changed so that the flight of the <i>Lavoisier</i> paralleled -that of the Terrestrian fleet. The acceleration was increased to a -twenty per cent overload of the inertia units, making it necessary for -each man to use a small carrier unit against his own increased weight.</p> - -<p>Still the fleet crept up, lessening the distance between them, but -Underwood felt confident that the distance between their parallel -courses was great enough to prevent detection by any means the -fleet could mount.</p> - -<p>There was new life in the ship as the working and sleeping periods -passed rapidly. It was easier to concentrate on their work now that -everyone felt he was heading toward a definite goal—they dared not -doubt that that goal would yield what they hoped from it.</p> - -<p>Under Phyfe's direction, daily classes in Sirenian culture were held. -Every fact of existence they tried to view from the Sirenian viewpoint -and anticipate its semantic significance to that ancient conquering -race.</p> - -<p>The trip was estimated at approximately three months. A little -impromptu party was held when the fleet passed them near the halfway -mark. From then on it was a desperate race to see that the other ships -didn't get out of range of the instruments of the <i>Lavoisier</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In the last week of the third month, a sudden, sharp deceleration -was observed in the ships of the battle fleet. Underwood alerted his -entire crew. If their deductions had been right, they were within a few -hundred thousand light years of the Dragboran world.</p> - -<p>As the <i>Lavoisier</i> braked some of its tremendous velocity by the -opening of the entropy dissipators, the fleet appeared heading for a -small galaxy with a group of yellow stars near its outer rim.</p> - -<p>Underwood allowed their ship to close somewhat the enormous gap between -them and the enemy, but he wanted to maintain a reasonable distance, -for the fleet would certainly begin to sweep-search the skies of the -alien planet when they arrived and found the <i>Lavoisier</i> had not landed.</p> - -<p>The fleet was finally observed to close in upon one of the yellow suns -which had a system of five planets. It was the fourth planet toward -which the fleet drove. Underwood watched six of the twenty ships land -upon it.</p> - -<p>"Let's line up behind one of the other planets," he instructed Dawson. -"The second appears closest. Then we can swing over and come in behind -the moon of number four. We'll probably land on that moon and look the -fleet over before deciding our next action."</p> - -<p>The only disadvantage in the maneuver was that they could not keep a -sufficiently close check on the fleet. They came out of the shadow of -the planet for two hours and then were eclipsed by the moon of the -fourth planet. During that interval they were in the light of the sun, -and they saw no evidence of the fleet at all. The photographers busied -themselves with taking pictures of the Dragboran world.</p> - -<p>Like the second planet, the moon appeared to be a barren sphere at -first glance, but as they approached and moved farther around its -six-thousand-mile circumference, they found an area of lush vegetation -occupying about an eighth of the surface.</p> - -<p>It was the night side at the moment of their approach. No sign of -habitation was apparent, though Underwood thought for an instant he -glimpsed a smoke column spiraling upward in the night as they dropped -to the surface. Then it was gone, and he was not sure that he had -really seen anything.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lavoisier</i> came to rest on the grassy floor of a clearing in the -vegetated corner of the otherwise barren world.</p> - -<p>At that instant Mason came into the control room. "I don't know what -you expect to find on that planet down there," he said. He handed a -batch of photos to Underwood. "We must have pulled a boner somewhere."</p> - -<p>Underwood felt a sting of apprehension. "Why? What's the matter?"</p> - -<p>"If there's any habitation there, it's under bottles. There isn't a -speck of atmosphere on the whole planet."</p> - -<p>"That makes it definitely an archeological problem, then," Phyfe -said. "It was too much to hope that an advanced civilization like -the Dragboran could have existed another half million years. But the -photos—what do they show?"</p> - -<p>He glanced over Underwood's arm. "There are cities! No question that -the planet was once inhabited. But it looks as if it had only been -yesterday that those cities had been occupied!"</p> - -<p>"That would be explained by the absence of atmosphere," said Underwood. -"The cities would not be buried under drifted mounds in an airless -world. Some great cataclysm must have removed both atmosphere and life -from the planet at the same time. Perhaps our problem is easier, rather -than more difficult, because of this. If the destruction occurred -reasonably soon after the Dragbora defeated the Sirenians, there may be -ample evidence of their weapons among the ruins."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As Dreyer, Terry, and Illia drifted into the control room after the -landing, an impromptu war council was held.</p> - -<p>"We'll have to wait until the fleet gives up and goes back," said -Terry. "We can't hope to go in and blast them out of the way."</p> - -<p>"How do we know they'll give up?" asked Illia. "They may be a permanent -guard."</p> - -<p>"We don't know what they will do," said Underwood. "They might stay for -months, anyway, and that is too long for us to wait. Even twenty ships -are not a large force on a planet of that size. My plan is to make a -night landing in some barren area, then advance slowly up to one of the -larger cities and hide the ship. We can make explorations by means of -scooter to determine if any of the fleet is in the city. If so, we can -move on; if not, we can begin searching. It makes no difference where -we begin until we get some kind of idea of the history and culture of -the Dragbora."</p> - -<p>"It's so hopeless!" Phyfe shook his head fiercely. "It would be a -project for a thousand archeologists for a hundred years to examine and -analyze such ruins as those down there, yet a hundred of us propose -to do it in weeks—hiding from a deadly enemy at the same time! It's -utterly impossible."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so," said Underwood. "We are searching only for one -thing. We know it is a weapon. It is not unreasonable to believe there -might be wide reference to it in the writings and history of the -Dragbora, since it was the means of destroying their rival empire. The -only real difficulty is with the fleet, but I think we can work under -their noses for a long enough time."</p> - -<p>"You're an incurable optimist," said Terry.</p> - -<p>"So are the rest of you, or you'd never have come on this trip."</p> - -<p>"I'm agreeable," said Illia. "There's only one thing I'd like to -suggest. If this moon is at all habitable, I think we should take a day -or two off and stretch our legs outside in some sunshine."</p> - -<p>There was no objection to that.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Dawn on the moon of the Dragboran world almost corresponded with the -end of their sleeping period. Analysis was made of conditions outside. -The atmosphere proved suitable, though thin. The outside temperature -appeared high, as was expected from their proximity to the sun.</p> - -<p>Then, as Underwood ordered the force shell lifted and opened the port, -he received a shock of surprise that made him exclaim aloud. Illia, not -far behind, came running.</p> - -<p>"What is it, Del?"</p> - -<p>His finger was pointing down toward a group of figures at the base of -the ship. They were quite human in appearance—in the same way that -Demarzule had been. Taller than the Earthmen, and copper-skinned, they -watched the opening of the port and bowed low before Underwood and -Illia.</p> - -<p>There were four of them standing, and they were grouped about a fifth -figure lying on a litter.</p> - -<p>"Maybe we ought to forget about leaving the ship," said Underwood -doubtfully. "There's no use getting tangled up with superstitious -natives. We haven't time for that."</p> - -<p>"No, wait, Del. That one on the litter is hurt," said Illia. "I believe -they've brought him here to see us. Maybe we can do something for him."</p> - -<p>Underwood knew it was no use trying to oppose her desire to help. He -said, "Let's get Dreyer. He may be able to talk with them."</p> - -<p>Dreyer and Phyfe and Nichols were already coming toward the port -together. They were excited by Underwood's report.</p> - -<p>"This may be an offshoot of either the Dragboran or Sirenian -civilization," said Phyfe. "In either case we may find something useful -to us."</p> - -<p>"They think we're gods. They want us to cure one of their injured," -said Underwood. "We can't hope for anything useful in a society as -primitive as that."</p> - -<p>The semanticists looked out at the small group. Suddenly, Dreyer -uttered sounds that resembled a series of grunts with changing -inflections. One of the natives, a woman, rose and presented a long -speech wholly meaningless to Underwood. But Dreyer stood with strained -attention, as if comprehending with difficulty every meaning in that -alien tongue.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then Underwood recalled hearing of Dreyer's statement that a true -semanticist should be able to understand and converse in any alien -language the first time he heard it. In all languages there are sounds -and intonations that have fundamental and identical semantic content. -These, Dreyer asserted, could be identified and used in reconstructing -the language in a ready flow of conversation if one were skillful -enough. Underwood had always believed it was nothing but a boast, but -now he was seeing it in action.</p> - -<p>The two women of the group and one of the men seemed utterly lost in -their attitude of worship, but the other figure, standing a little -apart, seemed almost rebellious in appearance. He spoke abruptly and at -little length.</p> - -<p>"That fellow is a healthy skeptic," said Dreyer. "He's willing to -accept us as gods, but he wants proof that we are. He's liable to play -tricks to find out."</p> - -<p>"We can't bother with them," said Underwood. "There's nothing here for -us."</p> - -<p>"There may be," said Dreyer. "We should let Illia see what she can do."</p> - -<p>Underwood did not press his protests. He allowed Dreyer to direct the -natives to bring their companion into the ship. There, in the surgery, -Illia examined the injuries. The injured one appeared aged, but there -was a quality of joyousness and exuberance in his countenance that -Underwood found himself almost envying.</p> - -<p>But Illia was shaking her head. "It's hopeless," she said. "There's -nothing we can do for him."</p> - -<p>She turned on the fluoroscope for Underwood to see. He moved it about, -then exclaimed, "Illia! Those strange organs below the diaphragm—"</p> - -<p>She caught her breath sharply. "The same as in Demarzule. These must be -of the same race!"</p> - -<p>Dreyer was speaking to the companions of the injured one, explaining -that it was impossible to save the life of the aged man.</p> - -<p>The response of the rebellious one was an almost savage growl in his -throat. He spoke then more softly to the injured one, as if explaining. -The serene countenance did not change, but the eyes closed quietly, and -the Earthmen knew that he was dead.</p> - -<p>Swiftly, the rebellious one drew a knife of glass from a sheath and -slashed with careless skill at the corpse. He extracted one of the -alien organs and placed it in a container which he carried. With no -other word, he left, and the two women followed sorrowfully and more -slowly. They refused to speak further.</p> - -<p>Underwood watched them go. "We seem to have gained a corpse," he said. -"Get a couple of the men to take it out and bury it, will you, Terry? -I wonder what the whole thing means, anyway. Are these remnants of -Sirenian culture?"</p> - -<p>His speculations were suddenly interrupted by the blaring of the -interphone. "Doctor Underwood, lookout reports entire Terrestrian fleet -departing from the Dragboran planet!"</p> - -<p>The group in surgery looked at each other in sudden silence.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"It doesn't make sense," Terry said finally.</p> - -<p>"It does," said Underwood slowly. "If they have found and destroyed -what we hoped to find."</p> - -<p>"Also if they wanted to draw us out of hiding," added Dreyer.</p> - -<p>"We'd better wait a couple of days and see what they do. If they seem -to be intent on continuing their flight, we can move to the planet with -the sun behind us and they won't detect it. But I think that we should -wait the two days at least, so if one wants to do any looking around on -this moon, there's his chance."</p> - -<p>Terry was enthusiastic about exploring the moon. It seemed that here -might be a living fragment of a civilization thousands of years old, -which should have been long dead in the normal course of events, but -which had somehow survived the catastrophes that wiped out the parent -civilizations.</p> - -<p>Illia too, was anxious to get away from the ship. Together, they -persuaded Underwood to join them in a scooter exploration of the -surrounding territory. Phyfe and Dreyer were going, but it was -necessary for Mason to remain in technical command at the ship.</p> - -<p>Beyond the grassy plain lay a thickly forested section. The scooter -party rose high into the air to clear the wooded area and were lost to -the view of those aboard the <i>Lavoisier</i>.</p> - -<p>For a long time they rode at treetop level, looking beyond toward the -barren sand wastes that touched the far horizon.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Terry pointed downward. "A road!"</p> - -<p>A shimmering belt ran through the forest almost at right angles to -their line of flight. They dropped into the sylvan canyon to examine -it. Underwood halted just above the surface. Then he leaned over and -touched it.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Dreyer looked at his puzzled face without halting the column of cigar -smoke. "Glass, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Looks and feels like it, but a glass highway—!"</p> - -<p>"Limitation of materials," said Dreyer. "The moon obviously is -lacking in mineral resources, being composed chiefly of nonmetallic -silicates. The glass knife our friend used on the corpse indicates -metal starvation; this highway clinches it because it shows they -have a highly developed technology of glass-working. Therefore, we -are very definitely not in the presence of a primitive civilization -as we supposed. We'd better watch our step because our friend seemed -disillusioned about our failure to save his injured companion."</p> - -<p>They chose a direction along the highway and pursued it a few feet -above the surface. They traveled for twenty minutes or so with no break -in the forest about them or the shining highway below.</p> - -<p>Then abruptly a figure came into view in the distance. It was moving -rapidly. Terry squinted and suddenly exclaimed, "We come how many light -years to find a super-civilization, and we find bike riders!"</p> - -<p>Phyfe said, "I don't see anything strange in it. Certainly the bicycle -is an obvious mode of locomotion in a moderately mechanical culture. It -may or may not imply a lack of self-propelled mechanisms."</p> - -<p>"Recognize that fellow?" asked Underwood.</p> - -<p>They drifted forward as the rider approached rapidly. Finally they -could see his features plainly and recognized him as the rebellious one -of their morning encounter.</p> - -<p>"I wonder if he is on his way back to see us again," said Terry.</p> - -<p>"Our meeting is fortunate," said Dreyer. "I want to know what he did -with that organ he removed from the corpse. I've never come across -anything quite like that in all my ethnological studies. I suspect it -may be some rite associated with the belief in that organ as the seat -of life, just as the heart was once regarded among us."</p> - -<p>They slowed as they came to the man—for so they had come to think of -him in their own minds. He halted also and regarded them balefully. -Then furious speech came to his lips. "<i>Shazer na jourli!</i>"</p> - -<p>Dreyer frowned and muttered a few syllables slowly. The stranger -repeated the furious assertion.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"He says that we are not gods," said Dreyer.</p> - -<p>"We could have told him that much," said Underwood drily.</p> - -<p>The conversation in the unknown tongue continued until Dreyer turned -again to his companions. "The fellow calls himself Jandro, and the fact -that we have metals still doesn't convince him that we are gods, an -opinion which contradicts those of his fellows. Does that make sense to -you?"</p> - -<p>Phyfe exclaimed, "It makes wonderful sense! A planet devoid of metals, -yet inhabited by a highly intelligent race. They make the best possible -technological use of materials at their command, but they know somehow -of the existence and properties of metals. What is more natural than -for them to build a religion about the more fortunate metal-using -gods?"</p> - -<p>Dreyer said to Jandro, "We are not gods. We did not come to you as -gods, but as visitors. We are from a place called Earth."</p> - -<p>The admission seemed a great shock to Jandro, for his expression -changed markedly. "I am sorry," he said, "if I have accused you of a -claim you have not made. But I do not understand what you say. If you -come from the Heaven World, take me there and help me return with the -secrets to lift my people."</p> - -<p>"Heaven World?" Dreyer frowned.</p> - -<p>Jandro pointed toward the horizon where the planet of the Dragbora hung -like a silver disk.</p> - -<p>"Why do you call it Heaven World?"</p> - -<p>Jandro looked up with both longing and bitterness before he spoke. "You -did not come from there?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"But you can go there in your metal?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"Will you take me?"</p> - -<p>"That is not for me to say, but perhaps I can influence the others. -Tell me why you want to go and why you call it Heaven World."</p> - -<p>"Long ago," said Jandro, "before men lived on Trear, they lived with -the gods on Heaven World, but for rebellion and disobedience they -were thrown down and exiled. Trear was a barren moon without life or -materials. After many <i>dekara</i> man succeeded in expanding the tiny -seeds of life he had brought and grew the great forests. That gave us -wood, and the deserts gave us glass. So we have built a world on the -barren Trear, and have looked to the time when the gods shall lift us -again to Heaven World.</p> - -<p>"That is the story the fathers have told, but I do not believe it," -Jandro finished. "I do not know what to believe, except that I want the -heritage of our home world to be restored to us."</p> - -<p>Dreyer related the story to his companions. "It sounds very much as if -Jandro's ancestors were some refugee group that fled the planet before -the destruction that consumed the atmosphere."</p> - -<p>"So he wants to go with us," Underwood said. "I wonder if he could be -of any use to us in unraveling the secrets of the planet."</p> - -<p>"I'd like to use the request to bargain with him," said Dreyer. "I very -much want to know why he cut out that organ and what he did with it. -That surgical skill he exhibited didn't come instinctively."</p> - -<p>"It's all right with me," assented Underwood.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Dreyer addressed Jandro again. "It is that you may go to the planet -with us. There's only one thing we'd like in return—information as to -why you opened the corpse and removed the organ."</p> - -<p>"For the <i>discara</i>, of course. Oh! You mean you wish to present the -apologetics?" Sudden expressions of understanding and of extreme -puzzlement conflicted on his face.</p> - -<p>Dreyer fumbled an instant. "The apologetics? Yes, of course! We wish to -present the apologetics."</p> - -<p>"Very well. You are guests of my house. My father will be pleased."</p> - -<p>Jandro wheeled his bicycle about and sped down the road. Dreyer told -the others what had happened and set his scooter in motion in the -direction taken by the stranger.</p> - -<p>Terry was explosive in comment. "What the devil are the apologetics?" -he demanded. "We don't know how to offer them or who to offer them to. -You're going to get us in a jam if we poke into the religious rites of -these amateur surgeons!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWELVE" id="CHAPTER_TWELVE"><i>CHAPTER TWELVE</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Underwood speculated about Dreyer. Behind the passive exterior of the -man was a brain whose incessant activity often flowed in the most -devious channels. What motivated this interest in the peculiarities of -the alien culture? Underwood was sure there was more than appeared on -the surface.</p> - -<p>There was the fact that every organ presents a vulnerable point to the -proper weapon. Was it Dreyer's idea to determine the properties of the -unknown organs in the hope of finding weapons to which they would be -vulnerable?</p> - -<p>The forest gave way to green and they were in a clearing that shone in -the sunlight like a pool of soap bubbles.</p> - -<p>The houses, like the streets, were of multicolored glass that sparkled -as if with light of their own. The Earthmen knew then for certain that -they were not in the presence of any primitive people, for the city was -arranged with the artistry of a giant crown of jewels.</p> - -<p>There were many of the tall, copper people in the streets and in the -parkways. Seeing them together in their own setting, Underwood was -impressed with their grace and simple beauty. Serenity and contentment -were in their features and in the grace of their carriage.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The Earthmen, astride the scooters, riding mysteriously above the -surface of the road, soon attracted attention. Cries rose into the air, -and scores of the people prostrated themselves in the road.</p> - -<p>Jandro stopped and motioned the men to halt. Then he addressed his -people in speech that was too rapid even for Dreyer's understanding. -Dreyer managed to glean only that Jandro was saying the men had come to -offer the apologetics to his father and that Jandro had been chosen to -go to Heaven World for his people.</p> - -<p>There were some who seemed to regard Jandro with astonished disbelief, -and others who bowed before him as before the Earthmen. But when the -group began moving forward again, the people rose and stood in silence -and awe.</p> - -<p>They stopped before a large, one-story cube of orange hue. Jandro -dismounted and stood aside for them to enter.</p> - -<p>"You do my house honor," he said.</p> - -<p>Underwood strained to pick up some of the language, but he could only -guess at it. Phyfe and Terry Bernard were getting much of it, but not -with Dreyer's facility. The semanticist walked toward the building -confidently, then stopped at the entrance and regarded his cigar -doubtfully. It was impossible to toss it aside upon the immaculate -gardens or walkways. He finally put it out against his shoe and stuffed -the shredded remains in his pocket.</p> - -<p>The interior of the house was fitted with simple luxury. Abundant light -streamed from colored prisms which brought in flooding beams of natural -light from outside the decoratively translucent panels that formed the -walls.</p> - -<p>Almost at once, two others, women, entered from the opposite doorway -into the room. One was elderly, but the other was younger than Jandro -in appearance.</p> - -<p>Then the Earthmen recognized them—the same who had been at the ship -with Jandro that morning.</p> - -<p>They gave involuntary cries at the sight of the Earthmen. Quickly, -Jandro explained their presence and their denial of being gods. -Gradually, the excitement of the two women abated and Jandro introduced -them to Dreyer, who relayed the introductions.</p> - -<p>"They will prepare our meal before we go," said Jandro, "but now you -wish you view my father's <i>discara</i> and offer the apologetics. Come -this way."</p> - -<p>He led the way through the house to another room with a closed door. -Even Dreyer's calm was deserting him as he wondered what would happen -if he could not grasp instantly what was expected of him.</p> - -<p>Jandro suddenly flung the door wide and ushered them in. "You will wish -to be alone," he said. "I will await you."</p> - -<p>He closed the door.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>None of them had any preconceived idea of what they might see, nor -could they have imagined the sight that met their eyes. The room was -large and the walls were lined with shelves from floor to ceiling, like -a fantastic library.</p> - -<p>It was the objects on those shelves that held their attention. Square -glass jars, completely identical, filled the spaces, and in each jar -was a reddish-brown organ exactly like that taken from the corpse -aboard their ship by Jandro. A clear, transparent preservative liquid -surrounded the specimens, and the containers were sealed.</p> - -<p>But in a small space before them a table stood, and on it rested a -single jar with a fresh-looking specimen. Instinctively, they knew it -was the one they had seen excised that morning.</p> - -<p>Terry expelled a lungful of air. "Well, this <i>is</i> something. A morgue -for extinct livers, kept by an amateur surgeon who rides a bike to -work. What the devil do you make of it?"</p> - -<p>Illia was examining the specimens closely. "All of them weren't as good -surgeons as Jandro. Most of these look as if they'd been out with a -meat axe. Some of them look as if they've been here since the beginning -of time."</p> - -<p>"Some sort of ancestor worship," said Underwood. "The apologetics must -be some form of social rite offered to the ancestors of a friend, all -of it interesting but quite useless for our purposes at the moment."</p> - -<p>"It's not that simple," said the semanticist. "Consider the fact that -even though Jandro understands we are from another world, he believes -us familiar with all of this. He therefore believes these things -familiar to all humanoid beings. There could be a scientifically valid -reason behind it."</p> - -<p>"What?" said Underwood.</p> - -<p>"I don't know, but I'm going to find out."</p> - -<p>Jandro was waiting for them when they emerged. He showed them to the -table where a meal was prepared and waiting.</p> - -<p>For Underwood and Illia it was a strange meal, for they could not -communicate with their hosts in the slightest degree. Phyfe and Terry -were entering gradually into the interchange.</p> - -<p>There was awkwardness due to the oversize furniture and eating -equipment, but tolerant allowances were made on both sides. The two -women had difficulty in dropping their stiff reserve, but by the end of -the meal they seemed to have forgotten that the men were anything but -old acquaintances in for a visit.</p> - -<p>It was then that Jandro said, "I suppose you would like to see our -<i>resa</i> and the installation of the <i>abasa</i>?"</p> - -<p>Without a sign of incomprehension, Dreyer repeated the question.</p> - -<p>"I'm willing to see anything there is to see," said Underwood. Though -he was restless, he knew they must give more time for the Terrestrian -fleet to get away.</p> - -<p>They left the house and crossed the city afoot, Jandro leading the way -toward one of the major jewels in that sparkling city. It was a large -building of blood-red glass standing apart from other structures.</p> - -<p>"I should have explained," said Jandro. "This is where my duties are -performed. I am an installer. Today I am not working, but operations -are being performed, so that you will be able to witness our methods -as well as the mother-flesh of the <i>abasa</i>."</p> - -<p>He led them through the winding corridors of the magnificent structure -of glass. By some means, Underwood observed, the glistening floors -had a high friction co-efficient without losing any of their sheen. -Abruptly, they came into a chamber that formed a small amphitheater, -similar in some respects to the operating amphitheaters of Terrestrian -hospitals. With something of a shock, they discovered that was exactly -what it was.</p> - -<p>They took seats by the protective railing. Below them, on a table -where a pair of surgeons worked, an infant lay with a large abdominal -incision. One of the surgeons lifted a small, fleshy object from a -nearby bath and skillfully inserted it through the incision. They -watched in spell-bound amazement as the organ was sutured into place, -tiny blood vessels were spliced and nerves from adjacent organs were -slit and led into the new mass.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Illia clutched Underwood's arm. She whispered, "They're <i>grafting</i> in -those strange organs we haven't identified. They aren't born with them -at all!"</p> - -<p>"But where do they get them?" Terry muttered. "Maybe that's why they -take them out after death—to use them over again. But that couldn't -be because they pickle them. I give up. This is too much for me."</p> - -<p>Illia's eyes were only for the skilled hands below that were working -such miracles with living tissue. Once she looked aside at the calm -features of Jandro and recalled his passing remark that he was an -"installer." If this was the sort of thing he did, he could stand with -the greatest of Earth's surgeons.</p> - -<p>The operation was a long one. When the two surgeons finally closed the -incision, they began a similar operation at the base of the brain, -grafting in a fragment of shapeless flesh there.</p> - -<p>The Earthmen could not comprehend how the infant could stand the shock -of such radical surgery, yet if they were to believe the evidence, this -was performed on every child born on the moon.</p> - -<p>Jandro said, "You have seen our technique. How does it compare with -yours?"</p> - -<p>Dreyer nodded noncommittally. "Very similar, except that we have found -it advisable to delay the brain operation. It relieves shock and -appears to help recovery."</p> - -<p>"The <i>tri-abasa</i>, you mean? So that is the explanation. I will be -frank. I've been attempting to detect your <i>epthalia</i> since your -arrival. I have wondered about your reasons for concealment, but of -course that is your own concern. It seemed impossible, however, that -you should prevent me from detecting."</p> - -<p>"Yes," Dreyer replied sagely. He reported the double talk to his -companions. "I don't think we can keep this up much longer, and I don't -believe it would be a good idea to disclose our lack of these organs. -Jandro assumes all humanoid life requires it. He would be likely to -consider us sub-human if he knew."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood nodded. "Tell him we'll be on our way, then."</p> - -<p>It had been fruitless, he thought. He didn't know what Dreyer had -expected of their diversionary visit among these people, but as far as -Underwood could see it had accomplished nothing. He had become rather -attracted to Jandro, however, in their few hours together, recognizing -in him something of the same rebellion against the conventions of -his world that Underwood felt on Earth. Perhaps, on the trip to the -Dragboran planet, they could become acquainted.</p> - -<p>Jandro led them from the chamber. "You must see the mother-flesh. It -will only take a few moments. It has never once died, and now is far -older than our historical records."</p> - -<p>The Earthmen followed through the winding corridors again to a door -that opened only after a complicated code system, and then by being -drawn wholly inward. As they walked through the opening, they observed -the walls were nearly four feet thick, of solid glass of a lead-gray -hue.</p> - -<p>"The protection is necessary to guard the mother-flesh against natural -disturbances and the occasional unfortunates among us whose will is to -destroy. No force of which we are aware could penetrate the barrier."</p> - -<p>Underwood's interest was aroused concerning the nature of this -mysterious mother-flesh. He suspected the meaning of the name, but the -nature of the substance was impossible to guess at.</p> - -<p>The room into which they came was very large and equipped as a -laboratory, with wooden and glass instruments on every side.</p> - -<p>The central feature of the room, however, was a large, dome-covered -container about twenty feet in diameter. Inside it, rising about -halfway to the top, was a shapeless mass of flesh, grayish for the most -part, but shot through with livid streaks of red. It pulsed as if some -quiescent, sleeping life possessed it.</p> - -<p>"This is our mother-flesh," said Jandro.</p> - -<p>Illia shuddered faintly at the sight. "It looks almost like an enormous -cancer," she said.</p> - -<p>They peered into the vat, the base of the mound of flesh being hidden -by a thick, soupy liquid.</p> - -<p>A technician approached as they neared the dome. He carried a -long-handled instrument which he had just removed from a sterilizer. As -they watched, he opened a port in the dome and thrust the instrument -quickly into the mound of flesh and turned it. The mass quivered and -recoiled, but the instrument withdrew, holding a core from deep within -the mass. Slowly, the wound closed and the thick, dark blood ceased -flowing.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The technician dropped the core into a container and carried it across -the room to one of several hundred cagelike units about a foot square.</p> - -<p>"There you see it," said Jandro. "The primeval flesh is cut out and -placed within its forming box where surgical manipulation and radiation -will cause the formation of the specialized cells that will turn it -into one of the three <i>abasa</i>."</p> - -<p>"I'd swear that is cancerous tissue," said Illia. "Whatever the purpose -of these strange organs developed from it, it may be that these -people have succeeded in perfecting the mutation that nature has been -struggling with on Earth for thousands of generations."</p> - -<p>"But what could be the purpose of it?" Underwood demanded. "What -abilities do these organs give that we do not already possess? I don't -see any evidence in Jandro nor did I see any in Demarzule, showing the -results of these organs."</p> - -<p>"Who knows?" said Dreyer. "But I believe Illia may be right. Among us, -cancerous formation has all the appearance of a mutation gone wild, yet -it seems to be one that nature insists on. Perhaps with Jandro aboard -the ship we can find out what these organs do."</p> - -<p>They returned to Jandro's house. There Jandro bade good-by to his -mother and his sister. They seemed curiously unmoved by what must be an -event of tremendous significance in their history, Underwood thought.</p> - -<p>Jandro mounted behind Underwood on the scooter. They rose high in the -air and set a straight course for the spot where the <i>Lavoisier</i> lay. -Jandro gave no outward sign that such flight was unusual for him.</p> - -<p>Within a few minutes they spotted the ship, and groups of the crew -gathered outside, some at a distance of a mile or two. They circled and -landed, returned the scooters to the locks.</p> - -<p>Mason came up as if greatly relieved to see them. "The men are anxious -to be on the way," he said. "The fleet of Demarzule is definitely -returning to Earth, even more rapidly than they came here. There -appears to be no more reason for delay."</p> - -<p>Underwood went to the control room to check the observations. Before -his eyes the mighty fleet was melting into the depths of space toward -Earth. He checked their velocity, and frowned. What purpose was there -in this sudden retreat? Did it signify a trap that had been prepared -for the scientists on the Dragboran planet?</p> - -<p>There was no way of knowing—and no way of combating the unknown.</p> - -<p>Underwood stood up from the viewing plates and nodded. "Let's go."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_THIRTEEN" id="CHAPTER_THIRTEEN"><i>CHAPTER THIRTEEN</i></a></h2> - - -<p>As if awaiting the completion of the final step in his long journey to -destiny, Jandro watched the stars swing past the field of his vision as -the <i>Lavoisier</i> turned sharply to get into the shadow of the planet to -prevent observation by the fleet.</p> - -<p>Underwood watched the alien individual, trying to fathom the mystery of -Jandro and his people. What was the truth about their myth of a fall -from Heaven World, which Jandro admitted he did not believe? How had -the strange mass of flesh originated, from which they perpetuated the -unknown organs within their own bodies? Underwood wondered if Illia -were right, if it were the harnessing of some cancerous mutation that -had occurred long ago in some forgotten individual and perfected for -the whole race.</p> - -<p>Most important of all, could Jandro and his people have any bearing -on the problem that had brought the scientists across the vastness of -space?</p> - -<p>To Underwood it seemed unlikely. They had come in search of a strange -and deadly weapon, hinted at only in scant records half a million -years old. Jandro's people knew nothing of the vast techniques of -producing metallic instruments and equipment. They were wizards in -glass technology, and in surgery, but it was doubtful if they even knew -of the existence of electricity.</p> - -<p>The journey was only a matter of hours from the moon to the planet, but -it seemed the longest part of the trip to the scientists who crowded -about the scanning plates turned up to their highest sensitivity.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>From a quarter of a million miles away, the faint details of the -ancient cities began to be recognizable on the large screens. The -sharpness with which they were revealed was awe-inspiring, for the -airless world permitted perfect clarity of vision, and there had been -none of the ceaseless winds that were quick to hide the works of man -on other planets beneath dunes of sand. Here it looked as if the -inhabitants had made a quick, orderly exodus only yesterday, leaving -the vast cities for whoever might want them.</p> - -<p>Phyfe was ecstatic at the sight. "The archeologists' dream," he said. -"The perfect preservation of an ancient civilization."</p> - -<p>"I can't see how the atmosphere was destroyed without considerable -effect all over the planet," said Underwood. "It doesn't seem possible. -Wait—there it is!"</p> - -<p>On the horizon of the world appeared a vast scar that looked as if -it encompassed at least an eighth of the planet's surface. It looked -relatively shallow, though they knew it must be miles deep at the -center, as if a searing torch had been touched at that one spot in a -great blaze that consumed all the gases in the planet's atmosphere. For -hundreds of miles around, the cities and plains showed evidence now of -the destruction. It was only on the opposite side of the planet that -the works of the ancient inhabitants had escaped.</p> - -<p>"That's what did it," said Underwood. "I've got an idea that we'll find -actually few cities without considerable damage, but this is more than -I hoped for. If there is evidence of the weapon here, we may be able to -find it yet."</p> - -<p>They circled the planet out of sight of the departing fleet, taking -scores of pictures of the remains below for future study. At a point -farthest removed from the center of destruction lay one of the largest -of the undamaged cities. It was nearly five hundred square miles in -area, and almost in the center of it was an area that looked as if it -had been a landing for ships. There, Underwood ordered the <i>Lavoisier</i> -brought down upon the surface of the Dragboran world.</p> - -<p>Under their predetermined plan, Phyfe was now given charge of their -archeological activities. He had already outlined the method of -procedure. They would move outward in small groups, mapping the city as -they went. Their initial goals would be libraries and laboratories, for -their first task was to obtain command of the Dragboran language.</p> - -<p>As Jandro looked out upon the barren planet, his face displayed its -first sign of emotion. He stared at the deserted ruins and his lips -moved.</p> - -<p>"Heaven World!" he murmured.</p> - -<p>Dreyer came up behind him. "It was just a world where men lived," he -said. "Something happened a long time ago that made it unfit for your -people to live here. Some few of them apparently escaped to the moon -and carried on your civilization. That is what is behind your legends -of Heaven World."</p> - -<p>Jandro nodded slowly. "And it means that we can never possess our world -again. I had thought that I would lead my people back here, be the -first to reclaim my heritage—and there is nothing to reclaim. Forever, -we shall remain in our barren moon of glass while only the ghosts of -the gods possess our metal Heaven World!"</p> - -<p>"You don't believe in the gods, and less in their ghosts," Dreyer -reminded him bluntly.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Jandro remained facing the port without speaking.</p> - -<p>Dreyer continued, "Your people would never have followed you here even -if the planet had been all that you dreamed. You know that, don't you?"</p> - -<p>Jandro whirled, startled, as if Dreyer had been reading his mind. -Dreyer pretended not to notice.</p> - -<p>"In every civilization there are those who dream of better things for -themselves and their world. Would it help if I told you that of all the -worlds and peoples that men have found in their wanderings in the void, -there are none as highly civilized as yours?"</p> - -<p>"A world of bits of glass?"</p> - -<p>"A world where the perfection of the individual is the most urgent -community enterprise. But you know all of that. Let's go out and see -what your Heaven World was like when your people lived here."</p> - -<p>Clad in spacesuits, the Earthmen began to pour out of the ship. Phyfe -and Underwood directed the dispersal of the small exploring groups -who were to move radially in all directions. Though few were trained -in the methods of archeology, they understood their objectives well -enough to assist in the preliminary identification of specialized -centers and in gathering information.</p> - -<p>One by one, the groups left the scooters soaring into the sky like -bees swarming from a hive. Underwood chose to remain near the landing -area with Phyfe and Terry and Dreyer. Illia and Jandro also were part -of this group, which were to explore the buildings in the immediate -vicinity of the landing area.</p> - -<p>Underwood was curious about the thoughts passing through the mind of -the stranger as he viewed for the first time the long-dead remains of -Heaven World. Here, where there should have been sunlight and gardens -and life, there was only the mad contrast of blindingly bright planes -and shadows of terrifying darkness, out of which the ghosts of the -half-million-year-old dead might suddenly rise.</p> - -<p>But since stepping out of the ship in the hastily modified suit that -hardly accommodated his bulk, Jandro's face had taken on a look of -inquiry and expression of expectancy, as if waiting for the Earthmen to -do something, yet not quite understanding their delay.</p> - -<p>Underwood was impressed by this curious expectancy, but there were too -many other things to be concerned with at the moment. He drew the -attention of the others toward an edifice that reared at least two -thousand feet into the sky a mile beyond the landing area, but which -was connected with it by a long road or ramp.</p> - -<p>"Let's have a look at that," he suggested.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Jandro opened his lips hesitantly as if to speak, then suddenly closed -them tightly and a new and dreadful expression came upon his face. -Underwood was mystified, but dismissed the puzzle from his mind.</p> - -<p>His eyes were upon the great structure that loomed just ahead. He -soared up around it. Nowhere were there windows or other openings in -the heights of the vast, featureless walls.</p> - -<p>He dropped back to ground level and found his companions at the edge of -the enormous ramp leading down into the depths beneath the building.</p> - -<p>He noticed there were only four of them. "Where did Jandro go?"</p> - -<p>Terry glanced quickly about. "I thought he was with you."</p> - -<p>"No. He probably went after something that looked familiar to him. I -guess he can't get lost. The ship is obvious enough out there in the -center of the field. Shall we see what's down here?"</p> - -<p>Dreyer pointed toward a track leading from the depths. "It's possible -this is an underground hangar for their vessels, perhaps an embarkation -station, from which the ships were towed to the takeoff area."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood touched the controls of his scooter and led the way down the -decline, a scant few feet above its surface. In the field illuminated -by the spotlight of the scooter, he could see that the opening at the -bottom was close to a hundred and fifty feet in diameter.</p> - -<p>The others followed cautiously down the long slope. At the bottom -they paused, glancing back, estimating their distance under the great -building above. Then Underwood led the way slowly forward into the -darkness of the ancient terminal.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, in the glare of his light, distant metallic facets reflected -the gleam. He went forward swiftly, swinging the light about. Then he -realized they were already in the center of a double row of metallic -walls.</p> - -<p>He focused the light more sharply.</p> - -<p>"Ships!" he exclaimed. "You were right, Dreyer. They couldn't be -anything else."</p> - -<p>The hangar was filled with row on row of the monstrous vessels, -towering ellipsoidal shapes whose crowns were lost in the gloom that -was more desolate than the absolute darkness. But the long shining -hulls looked as if ready for flight on an instant's notice.</p> - -<p>The Earthmen dismounted from the scooters and headed for the nearest -ship, eyes searching for a port.</p> - -<p>"These are wonderful finds from an archeological standpoint," said -Terry, "but they're not likely to contain our weapon because they seem -to be strictly commercial vessels rather than warships."</p> - -<p>"We can't know," said Underwood. "If there was such a state of -Galactic unrest as the conflict between the Sirenians and the Dragbora -indicates, it might have been that all commercial ships were armed."</p> - -<p>"Is that a hatchway?" said Phyfe, pointing suddenly upward.</p> - -<p>Underwood stared in the direction of the beam from the archeologist's -flashlight. As he did so, a score of beams flashed upon them from all -parts of the terminal. Running figures could be seen dimly in the side -reflections.</p> - -<p>The Earthmen whirled about in astonishment and sudden fear. They -started for the scooters on a run, then stopped short.</p> - -<p>A voice rang harshly in their ears. "Halt and disarm in the name of -Demarzule, the Great One!"</p> - -<p>The enormity of their blunder broke upon them simultaneously with -all its mind-crushing force. They had imagined every possible -contingency—except that of a garrison left upon the planet by the -Terrestrian fleet.</p> - -<p>Once again they had underestimated Demarzule!</p> - -<p>Underwood called suddenly into his microphone, turning up the power -to reach the other groups of explorers and those yet at the ship. -"Underwood calling. We're attacked by Demarzule's garrison. Defend—"</p> - -<p>A laugh cut him off. "They would like to defend, no doubt, but the -rest of them are as helpless as you are. Do you suppose that you could -outwit the all-knowing mind of the Great One? He will be pleased to see -those who dared match wits with him. He will be even more pleased with -his servants for returning you."</p> - -<p>Underwood could not see the speaker because the ring of lights blinded -them, but now one of the spacesuited figures stepped forward into the -light of the other lamps and gestured imperiously.</p> - -<p>"Back to your ship!" he commanded. "We will return to Earth at once, as -soon as all of you are rounded up. Don't think of escape. We outnumber -you ten to one in this city, and those of us who stood guard in other -places will join us. Our fleet has been notified already of our -success and they will return immediately to escort us back."</p> - -<p>There was no identifying the voice of the speaker as other than -Terrestrian, but there was something in it that none of their -semantically trained minds had ever heard before, something that -chilled and terrified the sensitive Dreyer.</p> - -<p>Underwood sensed it, and his mind struggled to evaluate its -implications. The voice was that of one who has seen a great and -mighty destiny for himself and his race, all the more shining -because unrestricted by reality. And in that great and illusory -dream, all creatures other than himself and his chosen god sank into -insignificance.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was the voice and the dream of a madman.</p> - -<p>None of the others spoke, but they remained like diligent herdsmen as -the scientists were forced to walk back up the long incline, leaving -the scooters behind.</p> - -<p>Out on the surface again, they saw that there were at least two -dozen of the Great One's Disciples, indistinguishable in space garb. -They had planned with obvious care, doubtless with maps provided by -Demarzule, placing units of their garrison at strategic points where -the scientists would be most likely to explore first.</p> - -<p>Underwood hoped that perhaps some of the other groups had had better -luck than his, but it was unlikely, for the scientists had been totally -unprepared for attack. When the fleet had been seen retreating into -space, they had assumed that threat from that quarter had vanished with -it.</p> - -<p>They marched slowly between the black and shining planes of the city's -walls toward the <i>Lavoisier</i>, and as they moved they saw other groups -of the scientists being led back from the opposite side of the landing -area.</p> - -<p>The ship had already been taken over. That hadn't been difficult, -Underwood supposed. Any approaching figures would have been taken for -some of the scientists returning. Inside the ship, when the invaders -burst from the airlocks, weapons ready, the scientists would have had -little chance.</p> - -<p>Underwood and his group were led into the lock and followed by four of -their captors with readied weapons. The scientists were ordered out -of the spacesuits. When the lock was opened, they were turned over -to others who were waiting for them inside the ship. Their original -captors returned to the outside.</p> - -<p>Underwood's eyes searched the faces of those who had taken over the -ship, as if for some sign of the superiority by which the scientists -had been trapped, but there was nothing in those faces, only the light -of fanaticism shining dimly in the eyes.</p> - -<p>Underwood felt sick as he watched Illia led away to be imprisoned in -her own stateroom. The men were herded together into another room, and -the sound of the locking door was like the final blow to all their -hopes.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>For moments they looked at each other in silence. At last Terry grinned -bleakly. "It looks as if we missed the boat this time, doesn't it? -Even if we could find the way out of this rat trap, there are the -battleships of the fleet on their way here."</p> - -<p>Sound came dimly from other parts of the ship, but the men could -identify none of them. They supposed that the other groups were being -rounded up and imprisoned. The whole thing had been worked out as if -with foreknowledge of their movements. Underwood wondered if Demarzule -didn't almost possess such powers.</p> - -<p>He crossed to a chair in the corner of the room and sat down to try -to think. His thoughts only went around in circles that seemed to -grow smaller and smaller until he could concentrate on only the one -inescapable fact of their imprisonment.</p> - -<p>He wondered what was passing through the minds of the others. Phyfe, -slumped upon a bunk, seemed to have been abandoned by the fierce, -bright spirit that had carried him along this far in the face of their -obstacles. Terry was squirming restlessly. Dreyer sat heavily in the -opposite corner from Underwood, a cloud from his cigar almost obscuring -him from view.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>But there were deep lines in Dreyer's forehead and his face bore a -fierce desolation that Underwood had never seen there before—as though -all Dreyer's own personal gods had fled at once.</p> - -<p>Underwood knew that Dreyer's mind must be wrestling more with the -problem of responsibility for their failure rather than with the -problem of escape. To the semanticist it would be important to -determine whether the men or their science had failed. He had probably -eliminated the problem of their escape by evaluating it as impossible.</p> - -<p>While his thoughts revolved in endless procession, Underwood's senses -became more acutely aware of the scores of sounds carried by the -metallic walls and framework of the ship. He found himself straining to -identify and separate the sounds.</p> - -<p>There was one that persisted above all the others, but it was not the -scrape of feet against steel floors, nor the bumping of closing and -opening ports. Rather, it was the sound of a voice, so distant as to be -scarcely audible.</p> - -<p>It tapped at the threshold of his consciousness for minutes before he -admitted it was more than imagination. He turned his eyes toward one -after the other of his companions, wondering if they had heard it. Then -for the first time he distinguished words.</p> - -<p>"Men of Earth," the faint voice called.</p> - -<p>Underwood stood up suddenly. Terry jerked his head about. "You heard -it, too?" he asked.</p> - -<p>Underwood nodded. "I could have sworn someone was in this room talking. -Listen, now—it's getting louder."</p> - -<p>While they stared at each other questioningly, there came a sudden -wavering of light in the center of the room. They glanced at the -illumination panel, but nothing was wrong there. Still the distortion -of light in their midst took on vague shape. It wavered and writhed, -as if it were an image on a sheet being tossed in the wind. Then it -assumed questionable solidity.</p> - -<p>It was human in form, taller than a man and copper-skinned.</p> - -<p>"Jandro!" Underwood exclaimed.</p> - -<p>The image faded and wavered again.</p> - -<p>"How can it be?" murmured Phyfe.</p> - -<p>The image was not a thing of reality, Underwood knew. It was no more -than conjuration within their own brains, yet the experience appeared -identical to all of them. That Jandro was in some strange manner -communicating with them, Underwood had no doubt, but the means were -utterly beyond comprehension.</p> - -<p>"I do not know whether you can hear me or not," the voice of Jandro -spoke in their minds. "Listen to me if you can. I see and hear you, and -your actions indicate you are aware of my presence. I am communicating -by means of the <i>abasic</i> senses. I know now that you neither possess -nor understand the <i>abasic</i> organs. It had puzzled me that you did not -use them.</p> - -<p>"What you are or who you are, I cannot guess. You are not men, of -course, for men cannot live without the <i>abasa</i>. Proof that you did not -possess it was provided when you allowed yourselves to be trapped and -captured. I could not understand it, for I perceived your enemies the -instant your ship touched the surface of the planet.</p> - -<p>"Our ancient myths and legends speak of creatures such as you, animals -who could survive without the <i>abasa</i>, but never were they spoken of as -having the intelligence you display. Whatever you have done, you have -dispelled our one great legend—not only is metal not reserved for the -non-existent gods, it is also permitted to such creatures as you.</p> - -<p>"Therefore, I will bargain with you. I will teach my people to know and -value the ancient science and the metal culture that they have been -denied. You will help me in exchange for my help in overpowering your -enemies. Are you willing to do that?"</p> - -<p>"Where are you? How can you do this?" Underwood demanded.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"You can understand the thoughts that I speak, but I cannot understand -your language." Jandro said.</p> - -<p>"There's only one answer," Dreyer said to his companions. "Is it -agreeable to all of us?"</p> - -<p>The others nodded, and Dreyer spoke quickly in Jandro's tongue. "We -will do whatever is in our power."</p> - -<p>"I feel that you are sufficiently intelligent to keep your word," -said Jandro. "When one of your enemies next enters the room, I will -overpower him and you will be free to seize his weapon and to leave. -I will be with you later, though you do not see me. I will visit the -others now."</p> - -<p>The image and the voice were suddenly gone, and the four men looked at -each other as if awakening from a dream that they had miraculously -shared.</p> - -<p>"So the organs they graft in give them telepathic powers," said Terry. -"It's funny he didn't get wise to us from the very first when we used -spoken language all the time. Or was he reading our minds?"</p> - -<p>"No, he wasn't, and can't," said Phyfe. "Recall his words that he -had to have us speak in his own language in order for him to receive -communication from us here. It would suggest that one faculty was -used in impressing our minds with his message, and another was used -in detecting our speech. As for our using spoken language at first, -he probably allowed for it because we were strangers and gave us the -prerogative of selecting our own medium of communication. Do you agree, -Dreyer?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The semanticist nodded. "I think we have witnessed at least two -separate functions of the organs grafted into Jandro. And I would -suggest that we are about to witness still another if he is able to -keep his promise of overpowering the next Disciple to enter our room. -Also, do not forget the semantic implications of the <i>abasa</i> to Jandro. -He is a man and we are lower animals to his way of thinking. It may not -ever be possible to alter that view. We should act accordingly."</p> - -<p>There was a moment of silence, then they grew tense with expectancy -as the sound of the door lock clicked in the silence and one of the -Disciples entered the room.</p> - -<p>He stood in the doorway surveying them, a middle-aged man, erect of -bearing, obviously a professional militarist. He said stiffly, "In the -name of the Great One you are ordered to appear before the Commander -for questioning. You will come at—."</p> - -<p>A sudden glassy stare crept into his eyes, and a look of intolerable -agony flashed across his face. His stiffened, arrogant form stood in -utter lifelessness. Then, slowly, it crashed to the floor.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FOURTEEN" id="CHAPTER_FOURTEEN"><i>CHAPTER FOURTEEN</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Underwood swept up the gun that fell from the loosened fingers before -it hit the floor. He jerked it into firing position and approached the -open iris of the doorway cautiously. The corridor was clear for the -moment.</p> - -<p>"You and Dreyer remain here," he said to Phyfe. "Terry and I will try -to make it to the control room or wherever this so-called Commander is -keeping headquarters. If we can capture him and gain control of the -ship, you should hear from us within an hour. If not, you'll know we -have failed, and then it will be up to you to make a try."</p> - -<p>The older men nodded. Silently, he and Terry slipped through the -doorway.</p> - -<p>The rest of the iris doors on the corridor were all closed. Underwood -pressed the release lock on the one adjacent to his own recent prison. -The opening flared wide, revealing Roberts, one of the surgeons, and -the three men who had formed his party.</p> - -<p>"Underwood!" Roberts exclaimed. "What happened?"</p> - -<p>Underwood cautioned him to quiet and explained briefly. "Locate some -weapons if you can. There should be some in the corridor lockers. Make -your way down, and release them. Try to hold the locks against the -entry of any more of the Disciples until we can gain control inside the -ship. We have no idea how many are here."</p> - -<p>The men nodded, exuberant at the opportunity for action against the -enemy. There should be weapons in a corridor compartment only a -short distance toward the rear, Underwood knew. Ahead, there was an -additional compartment from which he and Terry could reinforce their -own armament.</p> - -<p>The next room they tried was empty. They thought at first that the one -adjacent to it was also empty, but as they started to move away, Terry -exclaimed, "Look! There on the floor!"</p> - -<p>One of their men was lying sprawled, the back of his shirt covered with -blood and burned tissue.</p> - -<p>Underwood and Terry stepped in and shut the iris door. The man looked -up and smiled feebly as they looked down at him.</p> - -<p>"Hi, Doc," he said.</p> - -<p>It was Armstrong, one of the ship's engineers.</p> - -<p>"What happened?" asked Terry. "Did you try to buck them?"</p> - -<p>The engineer answered painfully. "No. It was a sort of object lesson. -I think. The Commander—Rennies, they call him—gave me his personal -attention. But have you got the ship back?"</p> - -<p>Underwood shook his head. "We've just broken out and managed to free a -few of the others. Can you hang on a while until we can get help?"</p> - -<p>"Yeah, sure. Don't worry about me."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Do you know how many of them there are aboard?"</p> - -<p>"About twenty took us over in the beginning. We were puzzled when we -thought so many of you were coming back at once. Sessions and Treadwell -down in the engine room were killed outright and a couple more of the -boys pretty badly shot up when they tried to resist. They're the only -ones I know of, besides me. Rennies and his gang took up headquarters -in the control room the last I heard. That's about all the dope I can -give you."</p> - -<p>"It helps," said Underwood. "We can take care of twenty of them, if we -can get organized. Take it easy, old man, and we'll be back with help."</p> - -<p>The engineer smiled and his eyes closed.</p> - -<p>Underwood and Terry hurried out, closing the iris door behind them. -They came to the storage closets and found to their relief that the -invaders had not removed the weapons stored there. Underwood selected -another gun; Terry took a pair.</p> - -<p>"I wish we'd hear again from Jandro," said Terry.</p> - -<p>"He may be helping the group down at the locks. We're on our own here, -it appears."</p> - -<p>They came to the end of the corridor and the passage split, forming a -U around the control room because the navigational machinery had to be -located on the axis of the ship.</p> - -<p>"Let's separate," Underwood said. "It'll give us a chance to attack -from two directions. They may not have a guard that's too alert, since -we couldn't be expected to need much guarding."</p> - -<p>"Good idea," said Terry. He checked his watch with Underwood's. "Begin -firing in exactly sixty seconds!"</p> - -<p>They separated and went swiftly in opposite directions.</p> - -<p>As Underwood came to the abrupt turn that would put him in a direct -line with the door to the control room, he halted and listened for -sounds from beyond. Footsteps were moving carelessly and hurriedly. -Only one person, Underwood thought; therefore, it must be one of the -Disciples. There was the unlikely possibility that one of his own men -had escaped independently and had already been to the control room. -He'd have to risk that.</p> - -<p>He stepped around the corner and fired.</p> - -<p>The shot caught the man—a Disciple, luckily—full in the chest. An -instant's surprised agony did not prevent a wild cry from issuing from -his throat. Underwood leaped over the fallen body before the Disciple -ceased struggling.</p> - -<p>From inside the control room there were sudden confused shouts and -orders. Underwood saw two figures running toward the iris. He fired -twice, then dropped to the floor. The first man collapsed in the path -of the second, but the latter was only slightly wounded. He raised his -weapon toward Underwood even as he fell.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>From his prone position, Underwood fired again. The blast missed and -reddened the metal of the far wall of the room for a moment.</p> - -<p>Underwood did not dare move. He could find little shelter in the small -corner where the circled doorway did not fully meet the rectangular -corridor, but there was no other to be had.</p> - -<p>Shots from within the control room were coming close now. He could -feel the heat they generated in the metal floor. While he tried to -edge closer into the corner, somebody else came into his view. It was -an impressive, militaristic figure, undoubtedly Commander Rennies, -for his harsh, arrogant voice was ordering one of the men to call for -assistance from the other end of the ship.</p> - -<p>Then, suddenly, the Commander stiffened. Even Underwood could glimpse -the stare that glazed his eyes like polished glass. Jandro?</p> - -<p>The others in the room saw it also, and heard the crash as the heavy -body fell to the floor.</p> - -<p>The disaster to the Disciples disrupted their attack for an instant. It -was long enough for Underwood to get his gun up and fire straight at -his opponent. The man started and whirled with a look of surprise on -his face for an instant before he died.</p> - -<p>And then another shot came from the opposite side of the room and -caught one of the remaining defenders unaware. Terry was there at last!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood breathed heavily in relief. He had been afraid Terry had been -caught. Apparently the archeologist had met opposition of his own and -had eventually succeeded in overcoming it.</p> - -<p>Terry and Underwood rushed the control room simultaneously. Only a -single member of the Disciples was able to offer resistance. Beams -from the two guns crossed the room and caught him in a lethal blaze.</p> - -<p>Cautiously, Underwood advanced not quite inside the doorway.</p> - -<p>"Terry, you there?" he called.</p> - -<p>"Check. I ran into one of them in the corridor."</p> - -<p>"Keep out of the way. I'm going to come in blasting in your direction -in case any more of these fanatics are hiding."</p> - -<p>"Right. If I don't get your okay in five or so, I'll come in the same -way."</p> - -<p>Underwood set the beam to a low but deadly intensity and fanned it up -and down, bringing the plane of motion ever nearer the wall that could -be hiding an attacker. Without exposing himself, he extended his hand -and brought the gun about until he knew the room was cleared or that -any one hiding there had been hit.</p> - -<p>He entered then and called to Terry. The redhead entered grinning, but -a smear of blood covered his left arm from the shoulder down.</p> - -<p>"Terry! You're hurt!"</p> - -<p>"I didn't get him good enough with my first shot. I'll be all right. -What do we do now?"</p> - -<p>"We can clear the ship by throwing some chloryl triptanate into the -air system. But even after that, we can't even go back to the moon to -return Jandro to his own people—that would bring the whole fleet down -on them."</p> - -<p>"We'll figure something out," said Terry optimistically. "We didn't -expect to get this far. I wonder what happened to that guy Jandro. Have -you found out where he actually is yet?"</p> - -<p>"No. He apparently killed Rennies, but I've heard nothing from him."</p> - -<p>"I'll get the triptanate, and some mesarpin for antidote. If I'm not -back in half an hour, it'll be your baby."</p> - -<p>"You guard here," said Underwood, "You'd better take it easy with that -arm of yours."</p> - -<p>"You're more important around here than I am. I'll be back in five -minutes." Terry disappeared in the direction of surgery.</p> - -<p>Underwood sat down wearily—and suddenly became aware of the fixed dead -stare of the eyes of Commander Rennies, who lay on the floor.</p> - -<p>His name had been vaguely familiar to Underwood and now he knew -why. Rennies had attained considerable renown in the interstellar -military field. He had been an able leader, highly trained, widely -read, intelligent, and a clever tactician—yet his mind had been as -vulnerable to Demarzule as the most illiterate of the Disciples.</p> - -<p>Then Underwood became aware of a slow stirring upon the floor. The last -Disciple he had shot was not dead. The lips twisted in a snarl of hate.</p> - -<p>"Fools!" The Disciple spat out. Blood poured from between his lips. -"Do you suppose you can block the Great One? The human race waited ten -thousand years for this savior. Man shall become the greatest in all -the Universe with him as leader. Pay homage to the Great One as all the -Galaxies shall pay homage to us!"</p> - -<p>Underwood said, "Why?"</p> - -<p>"Because we are the greatest!"</p> - -<p>He looked at the man curiously. It was as if the knowledge of semantics -did not exist, yet for twelve hundred years semanticists had slowly -been prying loose the ancient false extensions that cluttered men's -thinking and dwarfed their concepts.</p> - -<p>Demarzule had wiped out all of that merely by his presence. Underwood -found himself wondering why he should be at all concerned with the -matter.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He knew, however, that as a member of the human race he had to keep on -hoping that the course of evolution would lead it to something greater -than constant strife and insecurity. He had been blind when he had -tried to escape. There was no escape; he saw that very clearly now.</p> - -<p>A sudden sound in the corridor alerted his senses. His gun moved -slightly to cover the entrances.</p> - -<p>Then Terry burst into view with the containers of chemicals from the -surgical lab.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Made it," he said. "Any trouble here?"</p> - -<p>"No, just one revived for a little while to gab. He's dead now." The -man was quiet in a pool of his own blood. "How do things look out -there?"</p> - -<p>"A lot of racket in the direction of the lock area. Must be fighting -going on down there. I didn't see anyone at all near this end."</p> - -<p>While he spoke, Terry bent over and moistened a strip of his clothing -with one of the liquids. He held it to his nostrils for a moment and -passed it to Underwood. Then he opened the return air vent and poured -the contents of the other bottle into it. The highly volatile liquid -quickly vaporized and passed to the fans of the central ventilating -blowers, from which it passed into every chamber of the ship. Within -ten minutes it had anesthetized every person aboard the ship except the -two who had inhaled the antidote.</p> - -<p>While they waited, Underwood stared thoughtfully at the dead Rennies. -"I wonder how Jandro kills," he said. "Can there be any defense against -such silent power? Have you thought of what that implies with relation -to Jandro's people and the society they live in?"</p> - -<p>Terry nodded. "I haven't thought much of anything else since I first -saw him kill that guard in our stateroom. A civilization in which every -member holds a silent, secret weapon over the head of his neighbor. -It's incredible that it could exist."</p> - -<p>"But it <i>has</i> existed and continues to exist, and I'll bet that Jandro -is the first of his kind to use this power for generations."</p> - -<p>"It certainly implies a stability and individual recognition of -responsibility that has never existed among us. I doubt that it ever -will."</p> - -<p>"Someday it <i>might</i>."</p> - -<p>"We won't be around."</p> - -<p>"There's something else, too," Underwood said. "This may be the way out -for us. It could be."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Suppose just one of us had the power Jandro has. That would be the -weapon against Demarzule that we need!"</p> - -<p>Terry hesitated. "We're not likely to get that power—and if we did, we -could never get near enough to Demarzule to use it."</p> - -<p>"No? Suppose we let the fleet capture us and take us back. It's my -guess that Demarzule wants us alive. His pleasure in our downfall -should come from personally witnessing our defeat. It would fit -his character. So we'll be brought back as prisoners. Then all that -would be necessary would be to dispose of him just as Jandro did with -Rennies."</p> - -<p>"You're forgetting that Demarzule has the same organs and the same -powers. You don't know what kind of defense could be offered against -them—perhaps they are immune to such attacks themselves. That would -explain this mystery of Dragboran civilization. Maybe Demarzule -could detect it if any of us possessed the organs. Lastly, there is -absolutely no possibility of our getting them, anyway."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood's face darkened. "That's the one thing I haven't figured out -yet, but there's got to be a way. It looks as if this is the only hope -left us to destroy the alien. We'd have to defeat the whole fleet to -continue searching for the Dragboran weapon, and there's no chance of -that."</p> - -<p>"I hope you're right. Well, the anesthetic has had time to act. Let's -revive our men and set to work on it."</p> - -<p>They made sure of their weapons, and left the control room. Within the -whole ship there was no sound except their footsteps in the corridor. -One by one, they opened the stateroom doors as they went down toward -the locks. They held the cloths moistened with the restoring vapors to -the nostrils of each of their own men.</p> - -<p>The first were Dreyer and Phyfe. Mason and his crew were found in the -next room toward the stern. Quick explanations were made and those -revived went to the task of restoring still others.</p> - -<p>In Illia's stateroom, they found her lying composed upon her bunk. -For a moment, as he looked down upon her serene features, Underwood -forgot the intense urgency of his tasks. He tried to recall just why he -had been willing to sacrifice the life that Illia and he had hoped to -share—sacrifice, because she had believed in man, while Underwood had -wanted only escape from the pressure of an erratic and chaotic society. -Surely that life together would not have been postponed if he could -have seen the choices earlier as he saw them now. Was it too late to -hope now for reprieve from the destruction that hovered over them? He -dared not answer.</p> - -<p>Gently, he restored her to consciousness.</p> - -<p>"I had the nicest dream," she said. "I knew you were in control as soon -as the first whiff of triptanate came through."</p> - -<p>"We're not in control yet. The main fleet will arrive within a few -hours and have us cornered. Most of us are revived with the exception -of a large group down by the locks. Will you go up and help Armstrong, -the engineer? He's in B05 and badly hurt. We haven't been able to do a -thing for him yet."</p> - -<p>Illia nodded. "I'll take care of him. Any others?"</p> - -<p>"Terry here." He motioned at Terry's bloodcaked arm. "You'd have to -tie him down to work on him, though. Maybe he can go until we get -organized."</p> - -<p>They separated in the corridor and Underwood hurried on toward the -stern locks. As he came up he could see a large group of the men -gathered around. Apprehension drove him to a run along the narrow -passageway. The group turned as they heard his footsteps and made a -path for him.</p> - -<p>A scene of death lay before him. Bodies of scientists and Disciples lay -side by side on the floor. There were Roberts, the surgeon, and Parker -and Muth, two of the chemists. Three others were not recognizable. Six -of his own men had died and five of the Disciples before the gas had -brought an instant and bloodless end to the battle.</p> - -<p>He turned away. He wished there might have been some other way than -sacrificing those men, but if the scientists had not held the lock, the -Disciples might have remained in permanent control of the ship.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He beckoned to Terry, who was checking the roster with Mason. "Have you -accounted for everyone yet?"</p> - -<p>"Peters, Atchison, and Markham appear to be the three we couldn't -identify," said Terry. "And, of course, Jandro. No one has heard or -seen anything of him since he killed Rennies."</p> - -<p>"Jandro!" Underwood was suddenly and fearfully aware of Jandro's -absence. "We've got to find him. There's no use of any of us leaving -unless we do."</p> - -<p>"I couldn't be sure, but I think I saw him from the lock viewplates a -minute ago," Captain Dawson said. "There's no way of telling except by -that oversize spacesuit, but he may be lying on the ground out there."</p> - -<p>"If he's been killed—" Underwood raced toward the nearest viewing -station.</p> - -<p>He switched it on and scanned the area about the ship. Disciples were -milling about, hesitant about using their Atom Stream weapons to force -entrance without orders from their Commander.</p> - -<p>Dawson pointed. "Toward the stern—there!"</p> - -<p>It was unmistakably Jandro, though a blast had blackened the upper -right portion of the spacesuit and a gap showed in it.</p> - -<p>"If the self-sealers worked, he may not have been out there too long," -Underwood said urgently. "Dawson, drive the mob back with the big Atom -Stream, then throw a force shell over to Jandro so we can go out and -get him."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Dawson hurried away, calling for his mates and engineers on his way -to the control room. Underwood remained watching the exterior from -the plate. Abruptly the Disciples turned and fled in panic. The blue -radiance of the Atom Stream played about the ship, clearing a space -beyond Jandro. Then the view of all the ancient city and the fleeing -Disciples was cut off as the impenetrable force shell went out. Mason -and two of the crew were already in suits and in the lock. They opened -it the instant the force shell stabilized.</p> - -<p>Jandro had been lying in the sunlight. That might have saved him. -Underwood thought, for the suit absorbed the radiant heat.</p> - -<p>The three men reached the Dragboran and lifted him carefully. They did -not know whether he was dead or alive as they gently rolled him onto a -stretcher and carried him to the ship.</p> - -<p>Underwood located Akers, the surgeon next in skill to Illia, who -ordered the surgery prepared. Underwood left his post and sought Illia. -Jandro would need all her skill if he still lived. But he wondered if -the engineer, Armstrong, did too.</p> - -<p>Underwood found her still in the room where Armstrong lay. She was -rising from her knees as he entered.</p> - -<p>"There was nothing to be done for him," said Illia. "I stayed until he -died. Do you need me anywhere else?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Jandro was shot outside. Akers is making ready, but I want you to -take over. Jandro is the key to our whole success here. If he's alive, -he's got to be kept alive."</p> - -<p>Illia looked at him questioningly.</p> - -<p>"I'll do my best," she cried.</p> - -<p>Akers was quite willing for Illia to take over when he saw Jandro. The -wound was ghastly to see, slashing across the full width of the chest.</p> - -<p>While Jandro was in surgery, Underwood called a general meeting. They -gathered rapidly in the conference room, but their worn and strained -faces were little short of tragic.</p> - -<p>"We've lost our chance for any Dragboran super-weapon we might have -found in the ruins here," said Underwood without preamble. "We're -defenseless—except for the shell—and outnumbered. We can't run -because the fleet can run faster, and we can't stay bottled up here -forever. I can think of only one thing possible that we can do."</p> - -<p>The others did not need to be reminded of the hopelessness of their -situation, but their eyes lighted with interest at the last sentence. -Then he outlined briefly his idea of obtaining the organs and powers -that Jandro possessed and allowing themselves to be captured and taken -to Demarzule.</p> - -<p>"It sounds good for a last-ditch stand," said Mason. "But you haven't -explained how we are going to get back to the moon so that we can -obtain these things from the Dragbora."</p> - -<p>"That is the one missing element of the plan," said Underwood. Then he -added fiercely, "And it's got to be solved! That's why I called you -here. I haven't the answer, but together we've got to find it. It's our -last chance to stop Demarzule."</p> - -<p>Mason jumped to his feet. "There ought to be several hours yet before -the fleet arrives. We might have time to rig up a field generator and -set up a dummy here to make the Disciples believe we're hiding under -it, while we actually take off for the moon."</p> - -<p>"That's it!" Underwood exclaimed. "Only we'll have to move around the -planet to avoid detection by the local garrison. But that will do it!"</p> - -<p>The interphone sounded. Illia said, "We're finished, Del. Jandro is -alive, but he'll be dead within an hour. If you want to see him, you'd -better come now."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FIFTEEN" id="CHAPTER_FIFTEEN"><i>CHAPTER FIFTEEN</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Underwood started for the door without hesitation. "We'll try your -plan, Mason. Take over. Dreyer, Phyfe—please come along with me."</p> - -<p>They hurried to the room next to surgery where Jandro lay in bed, -motionless and unseeing. Only Illia and Akers were with him.</p> - -<p>At the sight of that unmoving figure, Underwood experienced a depth -of sorrow and pity that wiped out all other thoughts for a moment. -He felt that he alone of all the Earthmen could understand the deep -rebellion, the dreams and the hopes that had been the driving force in -Jandro's life. And this was a mean end for such bright dreams—death at -the hands of crazed fanatics on a Heaven World that had proved to be -anything but that.</p> - -<p>Underwood thought of the green, shining moon of the refugee Dragbora -where men lived in peace with one another. The moon that Jandro would -never see again.</p> - -<p>Jandro's eyes fluttered open slowly and gradual recognition came into -them. Dreyer said softly, "We're sorry. If there were anything within -our power to get you back to your own world and your own people, we -would do it. I hope you know that."</p> - -<p>"Of course," said Jandro slowly. "I would like my <i>seaa-abasa</i> to be -with those of my ancestors for the day when life will return. But I -think perhaps it never will. It is like our dream of the gods, only a -delusion. As for death, that is certain for every man. How or when it -comes is not important. It is strange for me to observe the grief of -animals for a man. Strange—"</p> - -<p>"Doesn't he suppose there was a time when the Dragbora never had the -mother-flesh and the secret of the <i>abasa</i>?" Asked Underwood, and -Dreyer translated for him.</p> - -<p>"Naturally," Jandro replied. "We were merely animals then, as you are -now. When you came in your ships of metal, all of us thought surely the -gods had come to return us to Heaven World again. You did us a great -favor in showing us how wrong we were in our legends and our dreams. -But until we arrived on this planet, I still thought you were superior -beings because I could not detect your <i>epthalia</i>. None of us have the -ability to hide it from each other."</p> - -<p>"But you knew it when we were attacked?" said Dreyer.</p> - -<p>"I could not understand why you did not act to forestall your enemies -who were so apparent to me. Then I realized that it was because you did -not possess the <i>abasa</i> at all. I was frightened because I did not know -what to do. I had never dreamed in all my life that I would meet with -creatures who might be gods because they possessed the metals, and yet -were lower than men because they did not have the <i>abasa</i>. I did not -understand."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"We do not understand many things about each other," said Underwood, -"but perhaps you understand us well enough now to know that we need -your help against these enemies of ours—and of yours.</p> - -<p>"Many hundreds of thousands of years ago, there was a race, called the -Sirenians, and they were deadly enemies of your race, the Dragbora. -Like you, they possessed the <i>abasa</i>, but instead of living peacefully -they set out to conquer all the worlds and the Galaxies. In the end -they were defeated by your people who had some mysterious weapon that -penetrated every defense of the Sirenians. We came to your ancient -world to find a clue to that weapon because one of the Sirenians -succeeded in surviving and is now at large upon our own world. He -has seized control over our people and is setting out to sweep the -Galaxies with conquest and blood. In time he will find even your little -world. The civilizations of many Galaxies will suffer centuries of -retrogression.</p> - -<p>"We didn't find the weapon we came for, and now our chance is gone, for -the fleet of Demarzule, the Sirenian, is almost upon us. There is just -one hope left to us.</p> - -<p>"We believe that his men will capture us alive and take us to him if we -permit it. If we could be taken into his presence bearing the power of -destruction that lies in the <i>abasa</i>, we might be able to destroy him.</p> - -<p>"Can you—will you—make it possible for us to gain that power by -grafting the <i>abasa</i> in some of us upon your world?"</p> - -<p>Dreyer translated as rapidly as possible the swift spoken words of -Underwood while Jandro lay with closed eyes, as if sleeping a dreamless -sleep. It was a long time after Dreyer finished that Jandro slowly -opened his eyes again.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>His voice was so low that Dreyer had to lean forward to catch his words.</p> - -<p>"It is a strange story you tell," he said, "but I am impressed that -what you say is true. As to your request—no. It would be utterly -impossible for you to be given fresh <i>abasa</i> as are the young of our -race. Not that I wouldn't make it possible for some of you—a very -few—to receive them, if I could, but the <i>abasa</i> can be installed in -only the very young.</p> - -<p>"The use of the <i>abasa</i> is similar to that of the organs of walking or -speaking. The organs must develop from their rudimentary forms through -long years of usage, and skill with them comes much more slowly than -any of the other common skills. Though they are installed in us in -infancy, most of us are well matured before we gain great skill. For -this reason alone it would be impossible for you to have the organs."</p> - -<p>Across the bed, Underwood's eyes met Illia's and held for an -endless moment. In her he sought strength to endure the crushing -disappointment. Illia's eyes gave him blind assurance that there would -yet be a way.</p> - -<p>"Your race will, in time, develop and learn the use of the <i>abasa</i>," -Jandro went on, "but not for many hundreds of generations. From what -I have seen of your people, I wonder what your world would be like if -every one possessed the power to kill at will, silently, and without -detection. I do not know the answer to that, but I ask you to answer -it for yourselves. The mere fact that you have not yet developed the -<i>abasa</i> is proof that you are not ready for it.</p> - -<p>"The Dragbora live in peace not because they have such terrible power; -they can live with such power because they have first learned how men -must live with one another. You cannot understand why the power of -death is inherent in the <i>abasa</i>. It is merely one of the inevitable -functions that accompany the other greater and more useful powers, most -of which you shall, of course, never know. I wonder if you would want -the <i>abasa</i>, even if it were possible for you to possess it," Jandro -finished.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"For our race? No!" Underwood shuddered at the thought of every man -of Earth possessing instant, undetectable powers of death over his -neighbor. "You are right in that, Jandro. Whatever the other powers -of the <i>abasa</i> may be, we could not live with it. But Demarzule is a -totally extraneous factor not considered in our own evolution. We have -no defense against him. If the power of death in the <i>abasa</i> could be -used to destroy him, it would give our race its one chance of staving -off this threat.</p> - -<p>"Yet you say it is impossible. It means for us no hope against the -barbarism that will destroy our civilization and brutalize our people, -not to mention what it means to the other civilizations of the -Galaxy—including your own."</p> - -<p>There was scarcely the sound of their breathing within the room as the -Earthmen avoided each others' eyes now, staring down at the closed ones -of Jandro.</p> - -<p>"Your people hardly deserve the scourge of Demarzule and the Sirenian -demand for supremacy," said Jandro slowly. "And what you say of the -rest of the Universe is true. In a way, the Dragbora are responsible. -Demarzule is a product of the Sirenian-Dragboran culture. My ancestors -should have made more sure of the total extinction of the Sirenian -branch. Perhaps there is one way in which we could yet help."</p> - -<p>"You <i>can</i> help?" Underwood asked eagerly and incredulously.</p> - -<p>"I have little longer to live. It would be worthwhile if, in that hour -left to me, I could complete the task of extinction—or at least enable -you to do so. If one of you is willing to take the risk, I will do what -I can."</p> - -<p>"No risk is too great! But what can be done?"</p> - -<p>"As far as I know, it has never been attempted, but perhaps my own -<i>abasa</i> could be transferred to you."</p> - -<p>Dreyer translated the offer, his glance going from Illia to Underwood. -Something of hope seemed to come again into his eyes.</p> - -<p>Underwood caught his breath sharply. "A set of fully developed <i>abasa</i> -transferred to my own body! There would be one of us to meet Demarzule -on his own level. Illia—"</p> - -<p>Her face was suddenly white. "It's impossible, Del! I couldn't perform -such an operation without any previous study with their anatomy. I -can't do it!"</p> - -<p>"It's got to be done, Illia. I'll take a chance on your skill."</p> - -<p>"That's an utterly ridiculous statement. I have no skill in a case like -this. Tell him, Dr. Dreyer. He can't expect that much of me."</p> - -<p>"I don't know, Illia," said the semanticist. "It seems to me that you -are confusing your analysis by your own personal emotions. You cannot -be evaluating properly under such conditions."</p> - -<p>She bit her lips to hold back a further outburst. Then, at last she -said, "Don't ask the impossible of me, Del. I saw the way they split -the nerves in the operation we watched. It couldn't be done without -long practise. Most of all, I couldn't do it to you."</p> - -<p>As if sensing the meaning of their argument, Jandro spoke suddenly. -"You will have great difficulty in making a successful installation -because you are unfamiliar with the anatomy of the <i>abasa</i>, true, but -I can help. I can guide and direct your hands up to the very point of -cutting the nerves to the <i>tri-abasa</i>. You shall succeed if you allow -me to guide you."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood kept his eyes upon Illia. Her face was as pale as her shining -hair.</p> - -<p>"I'll try, Del," she said.</p> - -<p>News of the projected experiment sped swiftly through the ship, and -its significance was greeted with awed incomprehension as if Underwood -has suddenly stepped from their midst into a misty realm beyond their -reach. And their awe was magnified by the knowledge that it could very -well mean death.</p> - -<p>Within minutes of the decision, assistants were rolling the tables -bearing the white sheeted forms of Underwood and Jandro into the -surgery.</p> - -<p>A strange peace, a sort of ecstasy, seemed to have come over Jandro. -Underwood had seen and heard of resignation in the face of death, but -never such serenity as possessed Jandro. It had a calming effect upon -Underwood and he shed the thoughts of his own possible death or maiming -as a result of the strange operation. He thought only of the mission -that would be his once he owned the powers of the Dragbora.</p> - -<p>Whatever turmoil possessed Illia had vanished as she faced Underwood. -The sterile white of her surgeon's garb masked her personality and her -feelings, and left only a nameless agent possessed of science and skill.</p> - -<p>Underwood grinned up at her as the anesthetic was injected. "When I -wake up I'll let you know how it feels to be a Dragboran."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>At the adjacent operating table, Akers was preparing Jandro for the -preliminary work of exposing the <i>abasic</i> organs.</p> - -<p>Then, to each of them came the unspoken command to abandon their -minds by Jandro. It was an incredible, unearthly experience, but they -released their senses and gradually the guiding impulses from the -Dragboran brain surged into their own.</p> - -<p>For just the barest fraction of an instant, Illia's hand trembled -as she touched the electronic scalpel to the flesh at the base of -Underwood's shaven skull. The skin severed, and her nerves were threads -of steel.</p> - -<p>With increasing speed, Akers and Illia made the incisions in the bodies -before them. Their hands moved surely, as if Jandro were seeing with -their eyes and using their hands.</p> - -<p>The deep incision was made in Underwood's skull. The pulsing brain lay -exposed. Illia concentrated for an instant as waves of instruction -flowed from Jandro. Then, swiftly, the scalpel cut a bloodless path -through a section of unused tissue.</p> - -<p>She moved to the adjacent table and peered into the wound that Akers -had made in Jandro's head. She paused as his words came to her.</p> - -<p>"This is the final step. I can go no further with you. Attend to my -instructions now and you shall succeed."</p> - -<p>Flashing, incomprehensible things flooded into her mind, imperishable -photographs of the remainder of this operation and the one to follow, -in which the two abdominal organs would be transferred. Illia knew -that every picture would return in its own time to guide her hands in -unfamiliar paths.</p> - -<p>"Proceed!" Jandro suddenly commanded. "I retire to the <i>seaa-abasa</i>. -Farewell!"</p> - -<p>The flowing pictures ceased and Illia felt suddenly alone, like a child -lost amid a blinding storm. There was nothing to depend on now but her -own skill and the telepathic instructions.</p> - -<p>She faltered for an instant and breathed a name, "Del—Del!"</p> - -<p>Akers was watching her sharply as she stood staring at the strange, -unearthly organ lying in the brain pan of the dead Dragboran.</p> - -<p>But it was not strange. She knew its constitution and anatomy and the -complex nerve hook-up that connected it with the brain. They were as -clear as if she had studied them for many years.</p> - -<p>A surge of gladness and confidence filled her. She was alone in this -yes, but that did not matter any more. She alone possessed the ability -to perform the operation, and a world awaited the results.</p> - -<p>Her scalpel entered the incision and touched the flesh with a pinpoint -of destruction that sheared away the tissue from the delicate white -nerve channels serving the <i>abasic</i> organ.</p> - -<p>For a full hour, and then another, Akers watched in un-believing -fascination as Illia freed the twelve separate nerve filaments serving -it, then cut the artery and filled the vessels with the chemical -solution that would feed the cells until Underwood's blood could be -sent pouring through it.</p> - -<p>At last all that remained was the severing of the connecting tissues -that held the organ in place. Illia cut them and plunged her hands into -the sterilizing, protecting compound that had been prepared at Jandro's -instructions. She salved the organ and lifted it out, then thrust it -quickly into the corresponding cavity in Underwood's brain pan.</p> - -<p>This phase of the operation was less than half over. Blood vessels had -to be prepared to serve the new organ in Underwood's body, and the -twelve nerves had to be connected into the Great Sympathetic where no -such nerves had ever been connected before.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Another two hours passed before the final sutures closed the wound in -Underwood's head.</p> - -<p>When at last she laid the needle down, Illia's hand suddenly trembled -and she quivered throughout her body.</p> - -<p>"Can't we postpone the others for a time?" asked Akers. "You surely -can't go on with two more like that."</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid the tissues will degenerate too much if we delay. If I were -only as fast as those Dragboran surgeons. What men they must be! Get me -a shot of neostrene and better have one yourself. We'll go on."</p> - -<p>Akers was willing, but he didn't believe that Illia could stand more -hours of exacting surgery. After a moment's rest, however, and a shot -of the stimulant drug, she stepped back to the operating tables to -perform the adbominal operation. Once again, Akers made the preliminary -incisions.</p> - -<p>In the control room the group leaders waited for news in nerve-racking -inactivity. Terry Bernard paced about, his flaming disheveled hair -like a signal flare swinging through the room. Phyfe stood at one of -the observation panels watching the inexorable approach of Demarzule's -fleet. Dawson sat at his Captain's position fingering the inactive -switches on the panel before him. Most placid of all, Dreyer simply -sat in the navigation chair and smoked cigars so unrelentingly that it -taxed the ventilating system of the ship.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Terry glanced at the clock anxiously and stopped his pacing. "It's been -over thirteen hours since Underwood went in there. Don't you think we -ought to ask Illia—"</p> - -<p>"There are only two alternatives," said Dreyer. "Success or failure. -Our questioning will not assure success. We had best keep out of the -way."</p> - -<p>Mason kept anxious watch of the progress of the fleet. No one knew -what would happen when the battleships arrived and surrounded the -<i>Lavoisier</i>, but they had not long to wait. The ships were hardly more -than minutes away from the planet.</p> - -<p>As if guided by a single mind, the ships turned slowly in the black -sky as their navigators and lookouts spotted and set a course for the -luminous bubble that marked the force shell hiding the <i>Lavoisier</i>.</p> - -<p>To the crewmen watching from within, it was a fearful sight to -witness the sudden plunging flight of those twenty mighty ships. -Simultaneously, a score of fearful Atom Streams were turned upon the -bubble, apparently not in the futile hope of burning through the -protection, but to destroy the minute sensory probes and prevent the -ship from navigating away from the planet.</p> - -<p>In spatial combat, where the ship was free to wheel and turn and defend -itself, it would not have been so easy to destroy the probes. But -with the ship motionless upon the surface of the planet, the streams -of incomprehensible fire washed over every square millimeter of the -surface of the shell, probing, destroying and setting off the multitude -of relays within the <i>Lavoisier</i>, closing the hairlike openings in the -shell as the probes were burned away.</p> - -<p>Mason moved away as one after another of the segments on his plates -went dead until there was no vision whatever of the outside world.</p> - -<p>He turned to the others and motioned toward the dead plates. "This is -it."</p> - -<p>The spell that fell upon them was broken minutes later by Illia's -abrupt voice on the interphone.</p> - -<p>"The operation is finished."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SIXTEEN" id="CHAPTER_SIXTEEN"><i>CHAPTER SIXTEEN</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Consciousness came to Underwood as if he were responding to the -persistent voice of some unseen speaker. It called him out of the -depths of eternal existence into the realm of conflict and reality. -Curiously, it sounded like Jandro.</p> - -<p>He opened his eyes. Illia was there, her face white and strained. But -as he looked at her, her blue eyes glistened and she bent down. "Del! -Oh, Del—!"</p> - -<p>Terry, Phyfe, Mason and Akers were standing near the bed, watching with -anxious faces.</p> - -<p>Pain was beginning to show itself in burning streamers, but he managed -a quick smile to those about him. "Looks like we made it all right," -he said. "I wonder what I can do with these gadgets now. Think they'll -work, Illia?"</p> - -<p>She raised up, brisk and businesslike once more. "You aren't going -to find out for a while. I intend to knock you out for a good, cold -twenty-four hours. Give me your arm."</p> - -<p>She reached for a hypo needle on the table beside the bed.</p> - -<p>It was like stumbling around in the dark at first, trying to run from -an unseen pursuer. But all at once, Underwood knew he didn't need to -run at all. The hypo was blocking the sensory equipment in other parts -of his body, but it couldn't affect the <i>abasic</i> organs if he didn't -want it to. He stopped running and watched the ordinary faculties of -his body give way while he stood aside in complete immunity. It was as -if he could step outside and look at himself.</p> - -<p>And, suddenly, that was what he was doing!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He could see the room, the watching scientists, and Illia carefully -checking his heartbeat and respiration. He could see himself lying -still with eyes closed. Curiously, he could not identify the point -of view. He thought for a moment that he was up near the ceiling -somewhere, looking down, but that wasn't right, either, because he -could see the ceiling just as well as the floor or the four walls. The -scene was like a picture taken with a lens having a solid angle of -perception of three hundred and sixty degrees.</p> - -<p>He wondered if he could go beyond the limits of the room, tried it -and found it quite easy to do. There was some clumsiness due to -inexperience and conditioning that stopped him at the walls, where -he had a moment's claustrophobic fright of being trapped between the -metal panels, but it was over in an instant and he was through. He -went toward the control room and found it occupied only by Dreyer, who -remained placidly smoking a cigar in the navigator's chair.</p> - -<p>Underwood wanted to communicate with the semanticist, only he wasn't -sure how to go about it. It was like trying to talk with a mouth full -of dry crackers.</p> - -<p>But Dreyer stared around with a sudden start. He removed the cigar from -his mouth and looked agape for an unseen speaker.</p> - -<p>"Dreyer, can you hear me?"</p> - -<p>"Underwood! You succeeded!"</p> - -<p>"After a fashion. So far it's like walking around in deep mud, but I'm -getting used to it gradually."</p> - -<p>"This is wonderful—<i>wonderful</i>!" Dreyer breathed. "I hadn't dared hope -that I would ever hear your voice again. Where are you?"</p> - -<p>"That's a tough question. Theoretically, I'm unconscious back in sick -bay with a shot of neo-morph that will keep me out for twenty-four -hours. Illia and the others are back there watching me. The <i>abasic</i> -senses aren't at all affected by the drug. I seem to be able to wander -anywhere I wish about the ship. The funny part is that I can't pin down -a point of view. I don't seem to be anywhere. Nevertheless, my -senses perceive distant sounds and objects—including my own corpus."</p> - -<p>"Can you detect my thoughts when I don't speak? Jandro didn't seem able -to do that."</p> - -<p>Underwood laughed. "I don't know whether I can or not. I try, but all -I get is a fuzzy static. I'm sure that these organs have dozens of -functions that we haven't even dreamed of yet. I hope that I can learn -to use them all."</p> - -<p>"What do you plan now? Do you need a period of exercise and study?"</p> - -<p>"Some, but not nearly as much as I would have needed if it hadn't been -Jandro's mature organs that were grafted into me. There is something -that we never thought of before, though."</p> - -<p>"What is that?"</p> - -<p>"We can still search for the Dragboran weapon we came here for. I can -go outside the ship with these new senses. I don't know whether I can -cover the whole planet or not, but if not, we can move to keep in range -of my powers. It will be slow because I am the only one who can do it, -but it may be faster in the end because I can get around more quickly."</p> - -<p>"I wonder if it will be possible in the presence of the fleet—or -didn't you know that they had arrived?" Dreyer pointed toward the -blank viewplates.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"I didn't know. What are they doing there?"</p> - -<p>Underwood realized immediately the absurdity of the question. Dreyer -could know no more about it than he, since all communication with the -outside was destroyed.</p> - -<p>With all the strength he could gather, he hurled his new powers beyond -the scope of the ship, out into the contrasting heat and cold of the -barren planet. It was as if he had hurled himself high into space, for -he was viewing the broad expanse of the Dragboran world and the busy -fleet of Demarzule.</p> - -<p>Underwood's senses revolted at what he saw. Completely surrounding the -ship was utter, flaming destruction. The great city of the Dragbora -had been turned into molten ruin by the twenty ships, which spiraled -slowly, their powerful beams of the Atom Stream turned upon the -buildings below. Even as Underwood watched, they completed their work -upon that city and traveled toward another great city less than a -hundred miles away.</p> - -<p>What purpose was behind the wanton ruin, Underwood could not -comprehend. Perhaps now that the scientists had been cornered, the -Terrestrians hoped to destroy the super-weapon that could unseat -Demarzule.</p> - -<p>Within hours, the major cities of the planet would be shapeless mounds -of frozen lava.</p> - -<p>He debated trying to enter those vessels and overpowering members of -their crews. At once his reason told him no, for he was still a toddler -in the use of the new faculties he possessed. But there was a greater -reason, too. If he should expose himself by such attacks, the ships -would send word to Earth, and Demarzule would easily identify the -methods used against his men and be prepared. Underwood knew how this -destruction of archeological treasures would affect Phyfe and Terry, -but more important was the loss of any chance to search for the weapon.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He turned his senses toward the bubble of the shell that hid the -<i>Lavoisier</i>. Its shining surface was the only thing in all that broad -city that did not reek of destruction.</p> - -<p>As Underwood regarded it, a shock of comprehension hit him. In the -impetuousness of his flight above the planet, he had overlooked the -most significant point of all.</p> - -<p>He—his senses, at least—<i>had passed through the impenetrable force -shell</i>.</p> - -<p>Sudden fear mingled with that devastating realization. Could he get -back through it? How had he passed the barrier in the first place? It -was mathematically impossible for matter or energy to be transferred -across it.</p> - -<p>Did his senses represent neither one?</p> - -<p>He impelled himself toward it, waited for the impact—and felt none. -Then he was through, looking at the interior of the shell and the ship -within it.</p> - -<p>His mind was afire with the significance of his discovery as he burst -into the control room. The others had rejoined Dreyer there. Mason and -some of his men were struggling to replace some of the probes now that -the attack upon the ship had ceased for the moment.</p> - -<p>"We've found it!" Underwood shouted. "We've got the weapon that Dragbor -turned upon Sirenia!"</p> - -<p>Illia screamed at the sudden impact upon her worn nerve cells.</p> - -<p>Mason whirled around in horror and cried, "Underwood! Where are you?"</p> - -<p>"We can hit them wherever they try to hide," said Underwood, "No matter -where Demarzule tries to flee, I'll find him. There's no place in the -Universe he can hide from me!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SEVENTEEN" id="CHAPTER_SEVENTEEN"><i>CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Underwood's physical body recovered slowly from the severe shock of -the operation. He was immune to the pain of it, however, for having -the <i>abasic</i> senses was like possessing another body. He could close -all the normal channels of perception and exist with his consciousness -operating only through the <i>abasic</i> senses.</p> - -<p>While the fleet sped about the planet on its path of useless -destruction, Underwood spent his hours practising the use of his new -powers.</p> - -<p>Gradually, he obtained an understanding of their properties and some -of their functions. The <i>tri-abasa</i> was the sensory organ, located -at the base of his brain, which could pick up distant, focusable -sensations which any of his normal five senses could detect. They were -controllable in their subjective effects, however, as he had found when -going beyond the limits of the ship. Though he had been unaware of the -interstellar cold, it had no subjective effect upon his body or his -sensory apparatus.</p> - -<p>The <i>dor-abasa</i> was the organ of communication, but it worked in -combination with the <i>tri-abasa</i> in order to transmit and receive -sensory effects. So it was that the two of them in combination could -transmit not only ordinary communication, but could convey the actual -sensations of heat, cold, light, sound.</p> - -<p>And these same two organs were capable of dispensing swift and silent -death.</p> - -<p>How this happened was the greatest mystery Underwood had to solve. -He experimented by hurling the powers upon an artificial nervous -system rigged up from a network of wires. A strong electric field was -definitely measured within the wires, but it had properties that were -not within the physicists' prior experience. Regardless, Underwood -continued with his practising and found that he could increase -the strength of that field more each time. If necessary, a full -understanding of how it destroyed nerve tissue could wait until they -reach their objectives upon Earth.</p> - -<p>The third organ, the <i>seaa-abasa</i>, was the strangest of all. -Interconnected intimately with the other two through nerve channels, -it nevertheless had no obvious functions. Jandro had referred to it as -the receptacle of life. It appeared to be the belief of the Dragbora -that everything representing the individual could be drawn into the -seaa-abasa when death approached.</p> - -<p>Eons ago, the art of artificially reconstructing new bodies into which -the organ could be placed, a process constituting literal resurrection, -had been lost, but the Dragbora lived in hope of recovering the -forgotten knowledge. This was their explanation of the preservation of -the <i>seaa-abasa</i>, each family possessing the vast collection of its -ancestral organs back to the time of the expulsion from their parent -world.</p> - -<p>What basis in fact there was to this theory, the scientists did not -know. Apparently, such resurrection had never been accomplished, yet -with each death, the <i>seaa-abasa</i> was religiously removed and preserved.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood felt like some ancient gladiator training for an arena -battle, but never had any gladiator fought for such a prize. No -one knew better than he that at the moment he faced Demarzule and -challenged the Sirenian, he might face equal and perhaps superior -powers of destruction, for Demarzule was old in experience.</p> - -<p>There was a defense against it, and to this Underwood turned his -attention, for it was difficult in function. The <i>dor-abasa</i> had -the power to absorb and store the destructive energies. Underwood -discovered it almost by accident when Mason's technicians set up -equipment for duplicating the destructive force as nearly as possible. -It was weak and wholly ineffective, but it acted upon the <i>dor-abasa</i>, -and the organ absorbed it involuntarily.</p> - -<p>He was absolutely confident that they had succeeded in finding the -great weapon for which they had come. The ancient Dragboran-Sirenian -culture had obviously possessed the force shell as a protection. -Toshmere's words made that plain, but they had misunderstood the -implications when he had said, "They have found a way through the -barrier. Our men are falling one by one."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Trained in physical ways of thinking, they had overlooked any such -possibility as the superior powers of the Dragboran <i>abasa</i>.</p> - -<p>There was one other thing that worried Underwood, however, and that -was the possibility of producing the effects of the <i>abasic</i> weapon by -electronic means. Though the scientists were failing almost completely -in their attempts to do that, he wondered if perhaps the Terrestrians -under Demarzule might not succeed.</p> - -<p>In the scientists' favor, however, was the fact that though he -possessed a vast reservoir of scientific knowledge, Demarzule was still -only the dictator, the politician. He was no scientist.</p> - -<p>On the third day following the operation, Underwood was able to be -up about the ship for a few moments, though by means of the <i>abasic</i> -senses he had been actively supervising the work in the laboratory -during the entire time.</p> - -<p>He felt his powers growing almost hourly, and the vista of the new -world of physical and mental powers into which he was coming was almost -overwhelming. He sensed other new and untried properties of the organs, -which he dared not experiment with yet. There would be time enough when -they reached Earth.</p> - -<p>An accurate watch had been kept on the battle fleet from Earth. Its -wanton firing of the ancient cities was completed by the time Underwood -was able to rise physically from his bed. The observer reported -the ships were turning about and returning in the direction of the -<i>Lavoisier</i>.</p> - -<p>"We'd better get into space," said Underwood. "There's no reason for -staying here longer, and I don't want them to burn away all our probes -again if we can help it. They may try to send a surrender demand or -something of the sort, but let's be in space where we can maneuver when -they do it."</p> - -<p>The <i>Lavoisier</i> lifted from the surface of the planet, its course set -for Earth, more than ninety million light years away.</p> - -<p>The force shell about it glistened in space like a new star, and -through the probes the observers aboard saw the fleet swiftly shift its -course in pursuit.</p> - -<p>Underwood left the ship and let his senses rove through the space -about the vessel. He remained like some omnipotent observer in space, -while the shining bubble sped through the heavens. Behind it came the -twenty mighty battleships, their acceleration high enough to overtake -the <i>Lavoisier</i>. Impulsively, Underwood drifted toward the nearest and -entered through the hull.</p> - -<p>It was the giant flagship, <i>Creagor</i>. The Disciples who formed the -fighting forces were like men reborn. There was none of the blasé, -disillusioned attitude that had been prevalent upon Earth before the -coming of Demarzule. Instead, there was a zealous, inspired attitude -that frightened Underwood. It was a fanatic, desperate, unhealthy thing.</p> - -<p>He tried to picture the nations of the Earth filled with such men -driven by the same kind of unholy inspiration. It sickened him, for -even if Demarzule were destroyed, the Earth would be no place where a -sane man could find peace for decades to come. In death, Demarzule -might become a martyr and live more strongly than ever in the minds of -his followers.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As Underwood moved so strangely among his enemies, he heard occasional -remarks concerning the <i>Lavoisier</i> and its scientists. Blasphemer and -infidel were the mildest terms applied to them.</p> - -<p>He came to the control room, where the Admiral was in conference with -the Captain of the flagship.</p> - -<p>"We have our orders, Captain Montrose," the Admiral was saying. -"Destruction of the ship and all its occupants is to be complete."</p> - -<p>"That supersedes the command to take prisoners, then?"</p> - -<p>The Admiral nodded. "Orders will be dispatched to all vessels at once. -We will make a combined attack with the new force shell disruptor."</p> - -<p>Underwood froze at the words. Had Demarzule brought back with him some -terrible means of penetrating the force shell and rendering it useless? -That was absolutely the only defense the <i>Lavoisier</i> had. Her own Atom -Stream projectors would be ineffective against the twenty encircling -ships.</p> - -<p>Underwood heard the orders given. Throughout the flagship an electric -tension filled the air. It was the first time the weapon had been tried -against an enemy, Underwood supposed. The crewmen were eager with a -sickening lust to kill.</p> - -<p>Underwood went swiftly through the ship, searching to locate the -machines that would be turned upon the helpless laboratory ship. He -still didn't quite believe that anything could break down the force -shell. But when he saw the weapons, he knew that defeat had come for a -civilization which had learned to depend upon the force shell for its -protection.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He watched the crewmen at the complicated boards that controlled the -input of power and the focusing of the radiators upon the distant -target.</p> - -<p>Underwood sped away to the distant <i>Lavoisier</i> to see what effect the -onslaught was having. The force shell about the ship glowed with the -faint, pinkish aura of the twenty beams that converged upon it.</p> - -<p>As he came up there was no apparent effect, but all at once the -glistening shell grew red in a spot as the force field weakened.</p> - -<p>Then Underwood comprehended the means by which the disruptor worked. -It did not penetrate the shell. That was an impossibility. But it -unbalanced the forces that held the field in a shell and caused it -to rotate. This, in turn, created a tremendous flow of energy through -the generators aboard the <i>Lavoisier</i> and shortly would burn them out, -leaving the ship the defenseless prey of the Atom Streams.</p> - -<p>There was no time to enter the <i>Lavoisier</i> to warn them. Underwood -returned with bodiless velocity to the <i>Creagor</i>.</p> - -<p>There in the depths of the ship he found the Chief Operator who was -directing those beams toward the <i>Lavoisier</i>. With all the power of his -<i>abasic</i> organs, he hurled a devastating wave of energy into the man's -nerve channels.</p> - -<p>The result was shocking to one unaccustomed to killing. The man jerked -upright before his panel, staggered uncertainly, and fell across the -maze of switches.</p> - -<p>There was no time for reaction within Underwood at his merciless first -slaying. The complex machinery of the disruptor sputtered to a halt -amid the clatter of relays.</p> - -<p>Underwood moved into the next sector of the ship where the powerful -Atom Stream projectors awaited their prey. He carefully extended the -powers of the <i>dor-abasa</i>. It was almost as if he could feel his way -along the nerve channels of the operator's mind into the depths of the -brain. There he sent forth a sudden, wild command.</p> - -<p>The operator unquestioningly spun the wheels that shifted the -radiators. They came to rest upon the nearest ship of the fleet.</p> - -<p>"Fire!" Underwood commanded.</p> - -<p>The operator's fingers closed upon the switches. The Atom Stream -lashed into space, tore open the vitals of the sister ship and flung -the fragments out into space. Some crashed into other ships, battering -them, throwing them off course.</p> - -<p>For a moment after the catastrophe, the commanders of the fleet were -stunned to inactivity, while confusion swept the ranks. The hysterical -cries of the operator who had pulled the switches filled the room.</p> - -<p>"I didn't do it!" he screamed. "Something made me—"</p> - -<p>Some of the ships were still attacking the <i>Lavoisier</i>. Underwood -didn't know how long they could hold out. He sped to the nearest ship -where there was milder but no less disrupting confusion as news of the -unexplained disaster filtered down to the lowest astro-man.</p> - -<p>Underwood sought out the fire control chamber. He fingered his way -along the nerve channels of the operator and swung the projectors -around. This time the target was the mighty flagship.</p> - -<p>The operator gasped with horror as the titanic hull came into view in -his sights, yet with unerring accuracy his hands moved the radiators to -center exactly on the target.</p> - -<p>His fingers pressed the switches.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Soundlessly, the blossom of flame sprang into being where once had -been the leviathan of space. Viewplates throughout the fleet suddenly -blacked out in protection against that terrible overload. When they -came on again, they showed the drifting, helpless hulk of the rear -third of the ship.</p> - -<p>The immediate objective had been accomplished. The disruptor beams -vanished as the eighteen ships converged upon the black hulks to take -off any possible survivors.</p> - -<p>Underwood seized the moment and diffused his powers until he -encompassed the fleet. He spoke and his voice found hearing in every -man of those mighty ships.</p> - -<p>"Men of Earth! You have sworn allegiance to Demarzule, the Sirenian, -because of his might. Now you will swear allegiance to might that is -great enough to wipe Demarzule from the face of civilization. I have -killed your fellows right in your midst, and destroyed two of your -mightiest ships—yet none of you have seen me. You know not how I come -into your midst, nor how it is that every man of every ship can hear -my voice at once.</p> - -<p>"You have betrayed your kind to an alien who has destroyed worlds and -ruined Galaxies. You are guilty of the highest treason to mankind. What -is there that you can do to wipe out such infamy?</p> - -<p>"You can join the forces that will wipe out the monster Demarzule! You -can accept the leadership of greater might—or be destroyed. Choose!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>There was a moment of stunned quiet within the ships, then a bedlam -that would not die for many minutes.</p> - -<p>Underwood withdrew from the fleet and returned to the control room of -the <i>Lavoisier</i>. There he found a chaos of despair. Mason had properly -diagnosed the weapons the fleet had turned upon the ship.</p> - -<p>Though his physical self lay in the sick bay yet, the members of the -crew were becoming accustomed to his unexpected voice in their minds. -Quickly he told them what he had done. When he finished, he said, "What -damage did you suffer, if any, Mason?"</p> - -<p>"Only two very doubtful generators left. We couldn't stand another -blast like that. Where did they get such machines?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. It's possibly something Toshmere was on the edge of -developing. Perhaps some of our own men have worked it out with clues -given by Demarzule. There's no telling. The important thing now is that -we've got a bear by the tail. For a moment we have the upper hand, but -I'm not sure just what will happen when they pull themselves together -again. If they don't accept my ultimatum, we may be in a spot."</p> - -<p>"And if they do—what are we going to do with a whole fleet of fanatics -and dupes?"</p> - -<p>"We'll need every ally that we can get now. Undoubtedly word was -flashed back to Earth of this disaster before I talked to them. -Demarzule knows we're coming and is aware of the power I have. He'll -undoubtedly send powerful interceptors to wipe us out. If we can gain -control of these ships, we can throw them against his interceptors, and -maybe sneak through the Terrestrian defenses. It doesn't matter what -happens to every one of us—just so I can get close enough to Demarzule -to tangle with him."</p> - -<p>At that moment, Captain Dawson approached Mason. "Message from the -fleet. They offer to surrender unconditionally."</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_EIGHTEEN" id="CHAPTER_EIGHTEEN"><i>CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</i></a></h2> - - -<p>Auxiliary engines were removed from the hulk of the destroyed flagship. -Installed in the <i>Lavoisier</i>, they could easily bring her speed up to -that of the fastest ship in the fleet.</p> - -<p>So with the small laboratory ship, <i>Lavoisier</i>, as flagship, the -ravaged and reorganized fleet turned once again toward Earth. As the -long days in space passed while they sped Earthward at incredible -velocities, the physicists and engineers turned the <i>Lavoisier</i> into a -deadly warship, the equal of any in their fleet. New and more powerful -Atom Stream projectors were installed, and massive disruptor units were -built into previous areas of more peaceful uses.</p> - -<p>And while they hurled through the vault of space, Underwood moved from -ship to ship by means of his <i>abasic</i> senses, testing, examining and -filtering out the men of the battle crews.</p> - -<p>If he could have afforded pity, all he possessed would have been -expended upon them, for they were a pitiable lot. He knew that their -standards of values had been scattered again by their defeat at -his hands. If their belief in the invincibility of Demarzule, and -themselves because they were the Disciples of Demarzule, had not -been so great, their defeat would have been less easy. Underwood was -thankful for the conceit that rendered them vulnerable when defeat hove -in sight.</p> - -<p>Their allegiance to him was no stable thing, he knew. But most of them -were willing to throw their loyalties with the scientists because they -hungered for leadership with a neurotic longing, and the power that -could silently and unseen wipe out two of the Great One's warships was -surely a power to command their respect. So they reasoned in their -bewildered minds.</p> - -<p>Underwood removed from the key places those who were doubtful and -rebellious, and he spoke to them daily throughout the long voyage, -sometimes reasoning, sometimes commanding, but always with a display -of power that they had to respect. In the end he felt he had a set of -crews as trustworthy as Earthmen could be made in this culture of doubt -and universal disregard of trust and honesty.</p> - -<p>He practised constantly in perfecting the powers of the <i>abasa</i>, and -as his facility grew, so did his regard for the little offshoot of -Dragboran culture that had flourished upon the barren little moon. -Such powers as he possessed would have meant suicide to his own race. -Sometimes he wondered if he could himself endure their temptations -long enough to accomplish his goal. Certainly, with that completed, he -would have the organs removed. Their call to power, wealth, and the -misappropriation were almost more than any human mind in this -stage of evolution could endure.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Almost in Earth's own front yard, at the orbit of Mars, the first -signs of the coming struggle appeared. The lookout called his warning. -A score of fast interceptors were leaving Earth, headed in their -direction.</p> - -<p>Underwood wished that he'd paid more attention to the military arts. He -dared trust none of the warriors who were his by conquest, for he could -not appear to be less than they in any respect. But neither he nor any -of the other scientists were competent to lead a complex military unit, -such as his fleet represented, into the vortex of battle.</p> - -<p>Yet he must do what had to be done. He formed the fleet into a massive -tactical cylinder with the <i>Lavoisier</i> at the center and the remainder -of the ships at the periphery. There would be no fancy maneuvering, -only blunt, smashing force, every erg of it that could be generated -within the hulls of those warships.</p> - -<p>The entropy dissipators were already at work absorbing a fraction of -the momentum that had carried the fleet across the reaches of space, -but as it drove into the heart of the Solar System, its velocity was -still immeasurable by Solarian standards.</p> - -<p>The interceptors were powerless to match that speed in so short a time, -but one wave approached on a near collision course, with the fury of -all its disruptors and Atom Streams bearing upon the fleet.</p> - -<p>The effect was negligible, however, as the fleet smashed by, its own -weapons flaming.</p> - -<p>But that passage meant nothing. If the <i>Lavoisier</i> were to attempt -a landing, it couldn't continue to hurl by at such velocities, for -already it was passing Earth.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood, though, was satisfied as he opened his physical eyes in the -control room and abandoned the <i>abasic</i> senses for a return to his -normal self.</p> - -<p>"I'm sure my useful range with these powers is at least eighty thousand -miles. Jandro ought to have been able to examine the Dragboran planet -by means of the <i>abasa</i>, but maybe he didn't realize it. I know that -my own range is increasing constantly."</p> - -<p>"What do you intend to do?" asked Terry. "Are you going to try a -landing or attack Demarzule without going down?"</p> - -<p>"I believe we'll be safer to remain in space. If we can maneuver into -an orbit of fifty thousand miles or so from Earth, and can hold off -the attacks long enough for me to find Demarzule, that ought to be our -greatest chance of success. If we landed we'd be sitting ducks."</p> - -<p>There was general agreement with Underwood's estimate, though no one -aboard the ship felt very much confidence in their ability to hold off -the attacks they knew were coming. They kept reminding themselves that -it was not important to save themselves or their ships. What mattered -to give Underwood an adequate opportunity to hurl the powers of the -<i>abasic</i> weapons at Demarzule. After that, chance would have to take -care of the rest.</p> - -<p>The hurtling projectile turned long after it had passed Earth. The -entropy dissipators absorbed the flaming energy of the ships' flight -and dispersed it into space to recreate the infinitesimal particles -that had been broken down to obtain that energy.</p> - -<p>So, as the fleet braked its momentum and turned into an -ever-tightening spiral, the interceptors swept down once more.</p> - -<p>The thundering mass that was the fleet held its course now. Torrents -of energy, slashed from the hearts of incalculable numbers of atoms, -washed into space from the throats of the great radiators aboard the -battleships. Three of the interceptors went down in that barrage before -their own force shields went up.</p> - -<p>It became a fantastic battle between almost irresistible forces. Both -the Atom Stream and the disruptor beams could be fired only through a -hiatus in the force shell, but such an opening was itself vulnerable -to the enemy fire of Atom Streams. Therefore, the technique of warfare -between similarly armed forces consisted of rapidly shifting the attack -from radiator to radiator in a given vessel, so that no single opening -would exist long enough for the enemy to concentrate fire upon that -spot.</p> - -<p>The interceptors were too small to mount the equipment for such defense -tactics. Their only value lay in maneuverability. Slashing across the -lanes of the battleships, their beams could cross the radiator pattern -in unpredictable courses. The laws of chance were sometimes with them -and their Atom Streams struck an opening directly. Regardless of the -speed of closing the hiatus, such a coincidence was sufficient to -destroy the ship. And so Underwood and his companions, watching, saw -one of their great battleships explode in a nova of atomic fire as such -a hit was scored upon it.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The interceptor itself was fired an instant later by the concentrated -fire of the two adjacent battleships, but its loss was negligible to -the enemy. The interceptors were expendable, expendable for now another -score were seen leaving the rim of Earth and taking up the pursuit of -the fleet.</p> - -<p>But it was not their approach that caused the hearts of the men aboard -the <i>Lavoisier</i> to quail. Behind them, slowly and ponderously, rose a -terrible fleet of fifty dreadnaughts with vast firepower.</p> - -<p>"What's our orbital radius at present?" Underwood demanded abruptly of -the navigator.</p> - -<p>"Sixty thousand."</p> - -<p>"Take it, Mason," Underwood said. "I'm going down."</p> - -<p>The impact of that moment hit them all, though they had been trying to -anticipate it since they had first known that it would come. It was -not their regard and friendship for Underwood, who might presently die -before their eyes. It was not their own almost extinction before the -fire of the invincible fleet rising to do battle.</p> - -<p>It was that this moment would decide the course of man's history.</p> - -<p>Everything depended upon a single strange weapon snatched from the -hands of a forgotten people in a little eddy of civilization, whose -sole purpose in existence might have been to carry this weapon through -time to this moment.</p> - -<p>And only one of them could wield that weapon, while the others stood -by, neither knowing the progress of that conflict nor able to assist.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood sat down in the deep chair that would hold his body restfully -while his <i>abasic</i> senses swept Earthward to envelop and crush the -anachronism that he had turned upon civilization.</p> - -<p>It was more than just, more than ironic, he thought. It was his high -privilege to wipe out some of the guilt that he knew he could never -smother or rationalize out of his mind—the guilt of having been the -one to bring Demarzule back to life.</p> - -<p>Of them all in that control room, only Illia uttered a sound, and hers -was a half audible cry choked back before it was fully spoken.</p> - -<p>He lay apparently relaxed with eyes closed in the huge chair in the -control room of the <i>Lavoisier</i>, but the essence, the force that was -Delmar Underwood, was sixty thousand miles away, hovering over the -force shell dome that hid the Carlson Museum.</p> - -<p>Simultaneously with Illia's cry there came a smashing alarm that rang -through the room with its insistent, murderous message.</p> - -<p>"We're hit! Number three and four shell generators have gone out!"</p> - -<p>As Underwood held to the point of view of the advancing wave-front of -perception, he had the sensation of diving headlong toward the throng -that was gathering as if by magic about the white, shining columns -of the building. As if knowing of the battle that was to be fought -between the titans, the waiting thousands had gathered when the force -shell went over the Carlson and the battle fleets took to space. They -watched, waiting for the unknown, the unexpected, somehow sensing their -destiny was being decided.</p> - -<p>Sight of the milling thousands was lost to Underwood as he plunged deep -below the protecting shell over the building as if it did not exist. -The lightlessness inside the shell was broken by the blaze of lights -that showered their radiance everywhere upon the grounds and museum -that had become a monstrous palace.</p> - -<p>Waiting, hesitant guards and servants moved about the grounds, -gathering in knots to ask one another what the appearance of the -battleships and the sudden use of the shell meant. It was inconceivable -that anyone should be challenging the Great One, but the very -improbability of it filled them with fearful dismay.</p> - -<p>Underwood entered the building. The vast assemblage of instruments and -machines that had filled the main hall when he last saw it was gone -now, replaced with rich paintings and fabulous tapestries had been -ransacked from the treasuries of the Earth.</p> - -<p>There was no one in sight. Underwood continued on until he came to the -series of large exhibition rooms toward the rear. Here, apparently, -were set up administrative offices to maintain whatever personal -contact was necessary between Demarzule and the Disciples he ruled.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Then Underwood came to the central room at the rear of the center -section of the building. Demarzule was there.</p> - -<p>It was with an involuntary shock that Underwood saw again the alien -creature he had restored to life. As he sat in the throne-like chair -in the center of one wall of the room, the Great One seemed like some -sculpture of an ancient god of evil executed in weathered bronze. Only -the startling white of his eyes gave evidence of life in that enormous -bulk.</p> - -<p>Underwood hadn't expected the twenty Earthmen who sat near Demarzule, -forming a semi-circle with the Great One in the center, as if in -council. They sat in brooding silence. Not a word seemed to be passing -between them, and Underwood watched in wonderment.</p> - -<p>Then, slowly, Demarzule stirred. His white staring eyes moved, as -though searching the room. His words came to Underwood.</p> - -<p>"So you have come at last," he said. "You challenge Demarzule the Great -One with your feeble powers. I know you, Delmar Underwood. They tell -me it was you who found and restored me. I owe you much, and I would -have offered you a high place in my realm which shall encompass the -Universe. Yet you set yourself against me.</p> - -<p>"I am merciful. You may still have your place if you choose. I need one -such as you, just as I needed the brain and hands of Toshmere, who was -so foolish as to think he could be the one to conquer the eons in my -place. You know of his fate, I am sure."</p> - -<p>Demarzule's speech was a paralyzing shock. Underwood had made no -revelation of himself, yet the alien had detected his presence. Through -the <i>abasa</i>, he sensed the might and power of Demarzule, the full -potentialities that lay in the three organs that the ancient race had -developed, potentialities that he had scarcely touched in the short -weeks of experimentation.</p> - -<p>It made him sick for an instant with the fear of almost certain defeat. -Then he struck, furiously, and with all the power that was in him.</p> - -<p>Never before had he hurled such a bolt of devastation. With -satisfaction he sensed Demarzule's powers sway and wither before its -blast, but the Great One absorbed it and recovered after an instant.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"You are a worthy opponent," said Demarzule. "You have accomplished -much in so short a time, but not enough, I fear. Once more I extend my -offer to join me. As my lieutenant, you might become governor of many -Galaxies."</p> - -<p>Underwood remained silent, conserving his forces for another blast -which Demarzule could surely not endure. He hurled it and felt the -energies flowing from him in a life-destroying stream. Demarzule's -bronze face was only smiling sardonically as he met that attack—and -absorbed it.</p> - -<p>"When you have exhausted yourself thoroughly," he said, "I shall -demonstrate my own powers—but slowly, so that death will not be too -quick for you."</p> - -<p>The use of such waves of force was exhausting to Underwood, but he knew -that Demarzule's absorptive organ should soon reach maximum capacity, -if it were not allowed to drain away in the meantime.</p> - -<p>A third time he blasted. Then sudden, terrible realization came that -Demarzule was not absorbing the energy. It was being diverted, drawn -aside before it even approached the Sirenian.</p> - -<p>In something approaching panic, Underwood directed his senses to locate -the source of the diversion, and found it in the twenty Earthmen -sitting motionlessly about Demarzule.</p> - -<p>Demarzule seemed to know the instant that Underwood became aware of -the fact. "Yes," he said, "we have duplicated the <i>abasa</i>. Cancer is -plentiful among you. In five thousand more years you would have stopped -fighting it and learned how to use it. There are twenty of us. You -would not have come had you known you would have that many to fight -singlehanded, would you? Now it is too late!"</p> - -<p>With that word, a wave, of paralyzing, destroying force swept over -Underwood. How it was affecting him, what senses it was attacking, he -did not know. He only knew that a flaming agony was burning out life, -as if reluctant to give him a speedy, merciful death.</p> - -<p>He must withdraw to the ship to recover his forces. He could never -withstand the attack of twenty-one <i>abasas</i>.</p> - -<p>Underwood relaxed and threw his powers back toward the ship—and failed!</p> - -<p>Abruptly, the metallic glint of Demarzule's lips parted in a roar of -laughter without merriment, but of triumph.</p> - -<p>"No, my brave Earthling, you cannot retreat. You did not know that. -For those who would challenge the Great One there is no retreat. Your -decision is made, and you will fail and you will die—but only when I -wish, and your fellow Earthmen will find amusement in toying with you -as a cat with a mouse before I give the final blow that will destroy -your rash, impatient ego."</p> - -<p>The flaming fire of Demarzule's attack continued while Underwood fought -savagely and vainly to retreat. How was he being held there against his -efforts to retreat? He did not know that the <i>abasa</i> held such powers -and he would not have known how to exert them himself if he had been -aware of them.</p> - -<p>He gave up and turned back, letting the power flow into the absorptive -cells of the <i>dor-abasa</i>, but it could not be for long, for the organ -would disrupt under such stress.</p> - -<p>Then, as if in keeping with his promise to prolong the agony, the -attack ceased, and Demarzule allowed him to rest.</p> - -<p>"You were brash, were you not?" he taunted. "How could you dare come -against the mightiest power of the Universe, the greatest mind ever -created, and attack with your puny powers? You blaspheme the Great One -by your presumption!"</p> - -<p>"Once, long ago," said Underwood, "the Sirenian forces were defeated by -the Dragbora. Again it is the Dragbora you face, Demarzule. Remember -that, and defend yourself!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood was startled. Incredibly, it seemed that he had not spoken -those words, but rather that the dead Jandro was with him, silently -backing him, teaching, advising—.</p> - -<p>He lashed out, but not at Demarzule. He struck swiftly at the nearest -Earthman. Almost instantly, the unfortunate shuddered and fell to the -floor, dead. In quick succession Underwood struck at the nerve cells of -the next five and they died without sound.</p> - -<p>In snarling fury and retaliation, Demarzule retaliated. Underwood -absorbed the blow—and incredibly hurled it back.</p> - -<p>It was as if he had suddenly become aware of techniques that he had -never dreamed of. He had not known it was possible to absorb the -nerve-destroying force with his own <i>dor-abasa</i> and whip it back upon -the attacker, like a ball caught and thrown.</p> - -<p>It hardly seemed as if he were acting through his own volition, yet he -acted. He felt the surprise of Demarzule, and in that moment he knew -the secret. The Earthmen apparently possessed only a single primitive -organ, hardly identifiable as one of the <i>abasa</i>, for they had the -capacity for defense, but not for attack. Four more of them toppled, -and then Underwood was forced to face the attack of Demarzule again.</p> - -<p>Something like terror had entered the mind of the alien now. Underwood -sensed the thoughts of possible defeat that flooded Demarzule's mind.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Remember that day on <i>Vorga</i>?" Underwood asked. "Remember how the -Dragboran powers pierced the great force shell you flung about the -planet? Remember how your men fell one by one, and their weapons -went cold and the force shell dropped for lack of control? Remember, -Demarzule, it was the Dragbora you fought that day, and it is the -Dragbora you fight now. I have not come to challenge as a puny -Earthman. I come as a Dragboran—to complete the unfinished task of my -ancestors!"</p> - -<p>The Sirenian was silent and new confidence filled Underwood. He felt -that he was not fighting alone, that all of the ancient Dragboran -civilization was behind him, battling its age-old enemies to -extinction. He felt as if Jandro himself were there.</p> - -<p>The energy he absorbed from Demarzule he turned upon the cohorts, who -sat as if frozen with fear as they watched their fellows slump and fall -to the floor in soundless death.</p> - -<p>In near-madness, Demarzule increased his attacks. He adopted a -shifting, feinting attack that shocked Underwood's <i>abasa</i> with each -surging wave of force. But Underwood learned how to control those -surges, to pass them on to his own attacks, which still were directed -upon the Earthmen within the chamber.</p> - -<p>Within moments of each other, the last two on either side of Demarzule -fell. The Sirenian seemed not to have noticed, for all his energies and -concentration now were directed at Underwood.</p> - -<p>Underwood was tiring swiftly. The energies draining out of him seemed -as if they were sapping every cell of his being, and back on board the -<i>Lavoisier</i>, every spasm of torture was reflected involuntarily on his -physical face. Those who watched suffered for him.</p> - -<p>Illia sat in a corner of the room opposite him and her fists pressed -white spots into her cheeks. Dreyer's nervous reaction was expressed -in the incessant puffs and chewing on his normally steady cigar. The -others merely watched with taut faces and teeth sinking into their lips.</p> - -<p>In the chamber of the great museum palace, the tempo of the battle was -slowly building up. Though he felt exhausted almost to the point of -defeat, Underwood strained for more energy and found that it was at his -command. His <i>dor-abasa</i> fed upon the attacking force of Demarzule and -returned it with added energy potential.</p> - -<p>In each of them, the same process was going on, and the outcome would -be determined by the final resultant flow of destroying power.</p> - -<p>He could retreat now, Underwood realized. He doubted that Demarzule -could exert a holding force upon him, but nothing would be gained by -abandoning the battle now. He drove on with increasing surges.</p> - -<p>Suddenly there was a faltering and Underwood exulted within himself. -Demarzule's force wavered for the barest fraction of an instant, and it -was not a feint.</p> - -<p>"You are old and weak," said Underwood. "Half a million years ago, -civilization rejected you. <i>We reject you!</i>"</p> - -<p>He smashed on almost without hindrance now. Demarzule's great form -writhed in pain upon the throne—and fought with one desperate surge of -energy.</p> - -<p>Underwood caught and hurled it back mercilessly. He felt his way into -the innermost recesses of the Sirenian mind, groped along the nerve -ways of the Great One. And as he went, he burned and destroyed the -vital synapses.</p> - -<p>Demarzule was dying—slowly, because of his resistance—and in endless -pain because there was no other way. He screamed aloud in ultimate -agony, and then the giant figure of Demarzule, the Sirenian—the Great -One—crashed to the floor.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The relief that came to Underwood was near agony. The wild forces of -the Dragbora tore relentlessly from him and filled the room with their -lethal energy before they died.</p> - -<p>Then, in greater calm, he regarded what he had done. It was finished, -almost unbelievably finished.</p> - -<p>Yet there were a few things to do. He left the building and sought -out the guards and the caretakers and whispered into their minds, -"Demarzule is dead! The Great One has died and you are men once more."</p> - -<p>He sought out the controls of the force shell and caused the operator -to drop the shield. Then he whispered, "The Great One is dead," and -like the wind, his voice encompassed the vast thousands who had -gathered.</p> - -<p>The message sank unspoken into their minds and each man looked at -his neighbor as if to ask how it had come. They pressed forward, -a battling, maddened mob who had for an hour lived in a childish, -primitive world where men were not required to think but only to obey. -They pushed forward and flowed into the building, battering, clawing -one another. But they managed to view the body of the fallen Sirenian, -so that the message was confirmed and spread, soon to circle the Earth.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Underwood studied the writhing, bewildered mass. Could Dreyer possibly -be right? Would it ever end—men's unthinking grasping for leadership, -their mindless search for kings and gods, while within them their own -powers withered? Always it had been the same; leaders arose holding -before men the illusion of vast, glorious promises while they carefully -led them into hells of lost dreams and broken promises.</p> - -<p>Yes, it would be different, Underwood told himself. The Dragbora had -proved that it could be different. Their origin could have been no less -lowly than man's. They must have trodden the same tortuous stairway to -dreams that man was now on, and they had learned how to live with one -another.</p> - -<p>Man was already nearer that goal—far nearer now that Demarzule was -dead. Underwood formed a silent prayer that fate would be merciful to -man and not send another like Demarzule.</p> - -<p>And he allowed himself a moment's pride, an instant of pleasure in the -thought that he had been able to take part in the crisis.</p> - -<p>With a final pity for the scene below, he fled back into space. What -he saw there turned him sick with fear. The great fleet was broken -and burned with atomic fires. Only two of the battleships remained -to challenge the attackers. But they were no longer challenging. -They signalled abject surrender and were fallen upon by ravenous -interceptors.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lavoisier</i> herself was darkened and drifting, her force shell -feeble and waning, while the flaming disruptors of a trio of -dreadnaughts concentrated upon her.</p> - -<p>Underwood hurled himself toward the nearest of the enemy ships. In its -depths he sought out the gunners and cut off life in them before they -were aware of his bodiless presence. Swiftly he turned their beams upon -each other and watched them wallow and disappear in sudden flame.</p> - -<p>Others rushed forward now. Still more than a score of them to defeat -the single crippled laboratory ship, more than he could hope to conquer -in time.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>But they did not fire. Their shields remained intact; then slowly their -courses changed and they drifted away. Without comprehension, Underwood -peered into those hulls and knew the answer.</p> - -<p>The news had come to them of Demarzule's death. Like men in pursuit -of a mirage, they could not endure the reality that came with the -vanishing of their dream. Their defeat was utter and complete. -Throughout the Earth Demarzule's defeat was the defeat of all men -who had not yet become strong enough to walk in the sun of their own -decisions, but clung to the shadow of illusory leadership.</p> - -<p>Underwood swept back toward the darkened <i>Lavoisier</i>. He moved like -a ghost through its bleak halls and vacant corridors. Down in the -generator rooms, he found the cause of the disaster in the blasted -remains of overburdened force shell generators. Four of them must -have given way at once, ripping the ship throughout its length with -concussion and lethal waves.</p> - -<p>The control room was dark, like the rest of the ship, and the forms of -his companions were strewn upon the floor. But there was life yet and -he dared to hope as he spoke to their minds, insistent, commanding, -forcing life and consciousness back into their nerve cells. He seemed -to become aware of unknown powers of resurrection that dwelt within his -own being.</p> - -<p>His mission was complete. He returned to his own physical form and -abandoned the <i>abasic</i> senses. He sat there in the huge chair in the -control room, while those about him revived and life gradually returned -to the dying ship. Of the enemy fleet there was no more, for it was -descending to an Earth shorn of the hope of Galaxy-wide conquest.</p> - -<p>They did not know yet where they would go or where they could find -refuge, but when the wreckage was cleared and the ship lived again, -Underwood and Illia stood alone in a darkened observation pit, watching -the stars slip across the massive arc of the screens.</p> - -<p>As Underwood watched, he thought he sensed something of the drive that -might have whipped Demarzule's brain, the goad that made vast superior -powers intolerable in the possession of even a beneficent man, for he -would no longer remain beneficent.</p> - -<p>By the might that was in him he had vanquished the Great One! He could -stand in the place of the Great One if he chose! He did not know if his -powers were becoming greater than those of Jandro, like a strengthened -plant in new soil, but surely they were growing. The secrets of the -Universe seemed to be appearing before him, one by one.</p> - -<p>A mere glance at a slab of inert matter, and his senses could delve -into the composition of its atoms and sort out and predict its -properties and reactions. One look into the far spaces beyond the Solar -System and he could sense himself soaring in eternity. Yes, he was -growing in power and perception, and where it might lead, he dared not -look.</p> - -<p>But there were other things to be had, other, simpler ambitions in -which common men had found fulfillment throughout the ages.</p> - -<p>Illia was warm against him, soft in his arms.</p> - -<p>"I want you to operate again, as quickly as possible," he said.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>She looked up at him with a start. "What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"You must take out the <i>abasic</i> organs. They've served their purpose. -I don't want to live with them. I could become another Demarzule with -the power I have."</p> - -<p>Her eyes were faintly blue in the light that came from the panel and -they were intent upon him. In them he read something that made him -afraid.</p> - -<p>"There is always a need for men with greater powers and greater -knowledge than the average man," she said. "The race has need of its -mutants. They are dealt so sparingly to us that we cannot afford not to -utilize them."</p> - -<p>"<i>Mutants?</i>"</p> - -<p>"You are a true mutant, whether artificial or not, possessing organs -and abilities that are unique. The race needs them. You cannot ask me -to destroy them."</p> - -<p>He had never thought of himself as a mutant, yet she was right for -all practical purposes. His powers and perceptions would perhaps not -have been produced naturally in any man of his race for thousands of -years to come. Perhaps he <i>could</i> use them to assist man's slow rise. -A new wealth of science, a new strength of leadership and guidance if -necessary—.</p> - -<p>"I could become the world's greatest criminal," he said. "There's no -secret, no property that's safe from my grasp. I have only to reach out -for possessions, for power."</p> - -<p>"You worry too much about that," she said lightly. "You could no more -become a villain than I could."</p> - -<p>"Why are you so sure of that?"</p> - -<p>"Don't you remember the properties of the <i>seaa-abasa</i>? But then you -didn't hear the last words that Jandro ever spoke, did you? He said, 'I -retire to the <i>seaa-abasa</i>.' Do you know what that means?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Suddenly, Underwood felt cold. A score of whisperings came thundering -into his mind. The moment when he had first awakened from the -operation, when it seemed as if death would have him and only the power -of a demanding will had helped him cling to life. The voice that seemed -to penetrate and call him back. The voice of Jandro. And then the final -conflict in the chambers of Demarzule.</p> - -<p>New skills and new strength had suddenly come to him as if out of -nowhere. He had been conceited to call it his increased experience -and ability. Yet could it have come from outside himself? He sought -frantically and urgently within his own nerve channels, in the cells of -his own being, and in the pathways of the alien organs that lent him -those unearthly senses. There seemed nothing but an echo, as if within -a great empty hall. There was no answer, yet it seemed as if down -those channels of perception there was the dim shadow of a wary prey -who could never be caught, who could never be found in those endless -pathways, but who would never be far away.</p> - -<p>Underwood knew then that if it was Jandro, he would never make himself -known for reasons of his own, perhaps. But there was a sudden peace as -if he had found some secret purification, as if he had been taken to -a high place and looked about the world and had been able to turn his -back upon it. Whether he would ever find Jandro or not, he was sure -that the guardian was there.</p> - -<p>Illia was saying, "I can't operate, Del. Even if you hate me for the -rest of our lives, I won't do it. And there is no one else in the world -who would know how. You would be killed if you let anyone else attempt -to cut those nerves. Tell me that you believe I'm right."</p> - -<p>"I do," he said in cheerful resignation. "But don't forget it's half -your funeral as well. It means that you're going to have to spend the -rest of your life with a mutant."</p> - -<p>She turned her face up to his. "I can think of worse fates."</p> - - -<p class="ph3">END</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Alien, by Raymond F. 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