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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..d4405c2 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #63668 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63668) diff --git a/old/63668-8.txt b/old/63668-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 51b97cc..0000000 --- a/old/63668-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1866 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Steel Giants of Chaos, by James R. Adams - -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: Steel Giants of Chaos - -Author: James R. Adams - -Release Date: November 7, 2020 [EBook #63668] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STEEL GIANTS OF CHAOS *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - Steel Giants Of Chaos - - By JAMES R. ADAMS - - Earth owed the Wronged Ones a world, and - Gene Drummond alone could repay that debt. - Only he knew that payment would save two - races from extinction--and he was a helpless - prisoner of the ones he wanted to aid. - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Planet Stories Winter 1945. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -Gene Drummond felt a tingle of anticipation course through his being -as he stepped through the open airlock of his small scout ship and -for the first time in more than a year felt the soft soil of Mother -Earth under his booted feet. He stood for a moment, hungrily drinking -in the noise and clamor of New York Spaceport. Around and about him -the shouts and curses of bustling, grease-soaked mechanics and husky -stevedores acted as a balm to his taut nerves. To return to this, after -fourteen grueling months of biological research on Venus, was little -short of heaven itself. The fact that he had been forced, because of -the fatally-poisoned atmosphere of the young world, to conduct his -investigation in brief sallies from the stuffy confines of his ship -served only to heighten this ecstatic conception of his return. The -profoundness of the moment passing, he breathed deeply of the warm, -sweet air and turned to face the fat little mechanic hurrying across -the field. - -Puffing noisily for breath, the man skidded to a halt and bent a toothy -grin upon the wiry biologist-explorer. "Bin gone a spell, ain'tcha, Mr. -Drummond?" the fellow wheezed good-naturedly. "Have a nice trip?" - -Gene winced at the mechanic's naïvete, then smiled in spite of himself. -"You might call it that," he said thoughtfully. "But _I_ wouldn't! -Venus isn't exactly paradise, Fatboy; take it from me, I know. All the -moons of Saturn couldn't persuade me to go through another year of -privation on that forsaken hunk of cosmic dust. It's a beautiful world, -yes, but one whiff of its poison air and you pretty damn quick lose -interest in landscapes and natural wonders." - -"Just the same, I sure wouldn't miss a chance to take it in," Fatboy -opined dreamily. "'Tain't every guy that gets to plant his feet on a -restricted planet. You're pretty dang lucky, if you ask me." - -Gene shrugged wearily. "Maybe so. Every man is entitled to his own -opinion, they tell me. Personally, I'll stick by the motto, 'See Terra -Firma first.'" - -Gene's tall form suddenly went slack and his eyelids drooped heavily. -"Look, Fatboy, I'm practically asleep on my feet. My next stop is home, -where I won't lose any time in renewing an acquaintance with a real -bed. Take care of the buggy, will you? Give it a complete overhauling -and when you're done with that, put her in storage and forget about -her. Yours truly is taking a long vacation from strange worlds and -stuffy rocket cabins." - -Fatboy nodded absently and turned to enter the ship. Snapping his -fingers, as if suddenly remembering something, he wheeled about and -called after Gene, who was striding off across the field: "Hey, Mr. -Drummond! Wait up a minute and lemme tell you what's happened here -while you was gone. It'll make your hair stand straight up and do a -jig!" - -"Sorry, Fatboy," Gene shouted back. "I'll shoot the bull with you some -other time. Right now I have important business with the Sandman!" -The tired explorer hurried off before Fatboy could collar him and -regale him with the latest thriller of the multitude of endless, -blood-curdling yarns that constantly made the rounds of a spaceport. He -needed sleep, and that was what he meant to get. - -Pausing briefly at a mail-tube, he sent the thick envelope containing a -complete report of his findings on Venus speeding on its way to Science -Center, whereat the document would be given a thorough and analytical -reading by the greatest minds of the system. That account would shatter -the hopes of many, even his own, but it was Gene's duty to report -conditions as they were, not as he wanted them to be. His job was done; -Venus was the Center's baby now. - -Rather than wait for a tube-train, he decided to walk the distance to -his apartment, which was but two or three blocks from the spaceport. As -he plodded tiredly along, strange happenings gradually made themselves -known to his dulled senses. Although he was about to drop, Gene stopped -to watch with a tense interest the impromptu ball game taking place on -the walk before him. - -A pint-sized batter stepped up to the plate and prepared to knock -himself a home-run. The gamins ranged in the outfield hooted and -leered, trying to shake the nerve of the midget Babe Ruth, but the boy -stood his ground. Gesturing threateningly with the light metal bat, he -spat contemptuously at a fat cockroach scurrying frantically from the -field of action and grimly faced his hecklers. "Play ball!" he bawled. - -The pitcher took him at his word, and after executing the tedious rite -of winding up, whipped the ball across the plate at no mean speed. The -boy in the batter's box brought his club down fast to connect solidly -with the sphere in as pretty a swing as Gene ever hoped to witness, -among sandlotters at least. - -Gene expected to see the ball go whizzing off down the street, but the -next instant his expectations were abruptly dashed, in a manner that -left the biologist wide-eyed and stunned. - -The flashing metal bat met the hard-thrown ball in a resounding impact, -_and instantly exploded into a thousand tiny fragments_! - - * * * * * - -Gene watched incredulously as the gleaming particles rained to the -walk, preceded by a tattered ball that had lost almost all momentum. A -flying piece of metal ripped across the back of his hand, tearing away -an inch or so of skin, but he was oblivious to all but the scene before -him. - -The boy at the plate snorted disgustedly and glared down at the remains -of his bat. "That's the fourth bat in six days," he said bitterly. "I'm -quittin' right now. That woulda been a homer, sure's there's rings -around Saturn, and then the bat has to go and fall apart on me. I got -cheated. Nope, I just ain't playin' anymore." - -Gene watched the group of urchins disperse, then slowly moved away down -the street, his thoughts centered on the strange occurrence he had just -witnessed. - -That bat--it had been made of a very durable metal, metal that wasn't -given to falling apart upon receiving a hard blow. What had caused it -to suddenly lose its stability and disintegrate into a heap of shards -and powder? Something had very definitely gone haywire here on Earth -during his absence. As Gene walked, he found further evidence to bear -out this conclusion. - -A rather fat individual came waddling along the walk, making a grand -show of bearing his weight with dignity. His stately reserve turned -suddenly to consternation as the large metal buckle of his belt burst -violently into powder. The fellow gave an alarmed shout and fled -clumsily through the door of an office building, clutching frantically -at his trousers to keep them from completing his embarrassment. - -Gene had now entirely forgotten his need for sleep. He had to know the -answer to this perplexing circumstance. One place would know, if the -answer had yet been found, and that was Science Center. He hurried -toward the nearest tube-train terminal, intent on having the mystery -made clear to his mind. - -At the terminal he found a message waiting for him. It was from Elliott -Mason, World President, directing Gene to appear before the dignitary -at the earliest possible moment. Apparently the message had missed him -at the spaceport and had been relayed to the tube terminals along his -homeward route. That would indicate utmost urgency, so Gene lost no -time in boarding a train destined for Government Center. - -He found the Presidential Mansion in a turmoil. Garrulous diplomats -were everywhere in evidence, and not a few scientists from Science -Center hastened through the halls, bent on mysterious missions. - -Gene was immediately admitted to the presence of the president. Mason -sat behind his ornate desk, poring over a thick sheaf of papers. Worry -and anxiety creased his brow, but even so, he flashed a quick smile as -he looked up at the biologist-explorer. - -"It's good to see you again, Drummond," Mason began. "Much has happened -here while you were on Venus. Perhaps you are not yet aware of it, but -a world calamity has befallen us, and as yet we have made no headway -whatsoever against it. But before I tell you of our plight, I would -like to know of your findings on Venus." - -"I'm afraid it's hopeless, sir," Gene sighed. "As you know, we cannot -colonize Venus, since our respiratory systems could not long stand up -under its poisonous atmosphere. - -"As for the native Venusians, they are already man's equal, physically, -having a rate of evolution considerably faster than ours. But mentally, -they are not much more than equal to a chicken. For some strange -reason, their mental development does not keep pace with that of their -bodies. Consequently, it will be many years, possibly centuries, before -the Venusians are capable of rational thought. - -"Thus you can see there is no hope of interplanetary commerce with -them. By the time they reach a point of sufficient intelligence to -realize the desirability of trade between worlds, our depleted metal -resources will be gone, and man will likely be on his way down the -evolutionary scale. Science Center has my full report. If I have been -hazy on any point, they will give you the complete facts." - -Mason sighed heavily and lowered his head a moment. "This new scourge -with which we have become afflicted also concerns metal," he spoke in -a low tone. "To give you the entire facts would require a long and -detailed explanation, for which there is not time. - -"However, the gist of it is that all our metals, including raw ores, -are slowly losing their molecular coherence. Sections of every -continent have come under the influence of the deadly visitation. -Already two of New York's largest structures have collapsed when their -girder frameworks suddenly turned to powder. Many lives have been lost; -tube-train and all other modes of transportation have become extremely -risky. - -"The condition, which first appeared a month or so ago, is slowly -spreading to finally encompass all Earth. Science Center has discovered -the phenomenon is not a natural one, but is rather an inexplicable ray -emanating from somewhere in space. - -"Earth is in great danger, Drummond, and someone must volunteer to -eliminate that danger. Knowing our system as you do, I believe you are -the man best qualified to track down the ray to its source and destroy -it, if at all possible. - -"Accordingly, I have had prepared a brochure, embodying all the facts -you will need. Science Center has devised a special tracer mechanism, -which when directed upon the ray, will clearly reveal its path through -the void, and which will be installed in your ship upon your acceptance -of the task. I--" - -Gene held up a respectful hand. "I believe I have heard enough, sir. -You were going to say the decision is entirely mine and that refusal -would not be held against me. No need. I accept!" - -Mason stood up and extended a warm hand. "Your courage will not go -unnoticed, boy. The thanks of all Earth will go with you into the void." - - - II - -Gene nodded sleepily as his ship, _New Frontiers_, drove forward -through space. The outermost planets were now far behind in the -all-surrounding blackness, and a vague doubt was beginning to worry his -mind. - -Suppose the malignant ray did not originate in this system? Science -Center had naturally assumed that the radiation came from some -uncharted asteroid or rogue world within the system. But if it didn't, -then what? Should he return to Earth and report failure? Gene dismissed -the thought as soon as it entered his head. - -Yet, as the great, staring orb that was Pluto slipped away behind him, -the doubt grew stronger and made of itself a steady clamor that would -not pass unheeded. - -His ship still followed the swath of the ray; a never-ending, invisible -beam that would seem to sprout from the very emptiness of space itself. - -Mason had warned Gene that he might face untold danger at the ray's -source, but the explorer could not see how that danger could come from -any living thing. Here in the farthermost reaches of the system, far -from the warmth of the sun, what strange organic creature could find -sustenance? - -He stifled a yawn, fighting doggedly to keep his heavy lids from -closing in slumber. Sleep was out of the question. He could take no -chance of losing the unseen trail of that devilish radiation, so that -meant he had to go it without the help of the automatic controls. - -In spite of Gene's efforts to remain awake, his brown-thatched head -slowly lowered against his chest. Tortured eyes no longer registered -the monotonous gray of the ship's cabin as leaden lids closed over -them. He was asleep. - -Instants later, the insistent clang of a warning bell penetrated -through his torpor, whipping away the blanket of sleep and bringing the -drowsing biologist at once to alert wakefulness. - -He reached out frantically, his fingers flying unerringly over the -myriad controls, jabbing viciously at the studs regulating the -batteries of rocket tubes. - -_Something was pulling, tugging, at the small ship, drawing it down, -held in a relentless clutch that grew stronger with each passing -moment!_ - -The ship surged with power; steel crossbeams groaned and screeched, -threatening to buckle under the strain placed on them. And still it -rushed downward! - -He cursed wildly and punched hard at the stud controlling the forward -tubes. The craft lurched drunkenly under this new force, then continued -its downward flight, moving not quite so fast now. - -For the first time since awakening, he glanced at the Vizio-screen, and -what he saw rooted him to the spot, eyes dilated with astonishment. The -_New Frontiers_ was hurtling down on a planet, dark and foreboding; a -world where no world should be! It loomed in the screen like a great -black eight-ball--and he was definitely behind it! Now he was entering -an atmosphere, according to the instruments. He jiggled the dials, but -the reading did not change. What wouldn't the astronomers of Earth give -to know about this! - -What manner of world was this rushing up to meet him? He could not -know. But his instruments told him that in a very short while the -first Earthian feet would walk upon this mystery planet. _If_ he lived -through the crash. - -Wrestling mightily with the controls, he succeeded in bringing the -craft out of its dive and leveled off in a long skim above the sphere's -surface, now close below. - -He hunched tensely over the controls, a thin film of cold sweat -standing out on his brow. Hardened though he was, he could not help -but feel a quickening fear of the inexplicable world he was fast -approaching. - -A formidable upjutting of rock suddenly reared up directly in his path, -completely blacking out the screen! - -He held his breath as his finger nicked out and impaled the stud -operating the forward tubes. Once more fire burst from the nose of the -ship, roaring out to meet the unyielding wall of rock in a titanic -impact. - -The _New Frontiers_ shuddered to a halt, hung a second in midair, then -abruptly slid forward and down. This was it! - -Gene threw his arms over his eyes as ship and mountain met violently, -throwing him from his seat and smashing his helmet-protected head -against the control panel. Overhead a crossbeam groaned tormentedly -and gave way under the stress, while outside an avalanche of stone, -dislodged from the lofty heights, smashed against the thick hull in a -steady rain--setting up such a din as only the forces of nature could. - -Then all was still. - - * * * * * - -Gene climbed unsteadily to his feet and felt tenderly of his throbbing -head. It still rested atop his shoulders. A wonder he hadn't been -stretched out for the count. Except for minor bruises and cuts he was -no worse for the experience. - -A quick look about assured him that the damage to the interior of the -ship was slight. The crumpled girder would not impair the craft's -flight. - -Clambering outside, he found one of the stern tubes smashed beyond -repair. No matter. He could replace it with one of the two spare tubes -the _New Frontiers_ carried. - -Altogether, the small scouter was not much worse for its experience. It -would take but a few hours to install the new tube, and the battered -but faithful ship would be ready to blast off to new adventures. - -Gene turned curiously and took up a minute inspection of this tenth -planet's terrain. Bleak and forbidding, jumbled masses of black rock -stretch away to the horizon. Here and there, patches of slatish soil, -naked and sterile, contended with the ever-present stone for surface -space. He became aware of an insidious chill gnawing at his bones. - -Cautiously lifting the air helmet he had donned before emerging from -the ship, he sniffed tentatively of the dry, thin air. It seemed to -have no ill effects on him. He removed the helmet and stood irresolute, -wondering what next to do. - -That problem was solved at once. Over the horizon came a howling, -clamorous horde of man-shaped creatures, brandishing crudely fashioned -spears tipped with sharpened stone, making straightway for the _New -Frontiers_! - -Gene's hand went to his hip and came up bearing his energy-ray. Any -question of the creatures' intentions was immediately dispelled as one -of them jerked to a halt and flung his spear hard at the explorer. - -Gene ducked and came up blasting. A grim smile was on his lips as the -rabble came on in spite of his withering fire, screeching like harpies -as they closed in on him. - -He found time to wonder how the beings could see, for no eyes were -evident on the flat, hateful faces. Wicked fangs gleamed in the gaping -mouths; set squarely between where the eyes should have been was a -diminutive, almost non-existent nose. Huge, batlike ears gave the -finishing touch to their grotesque appearance. - -Gene felt a deep loathing for these weird denizens of a world that -should not be. That abhorrence was reflected in the steady blast of his -energy-ray, which cut a wide swath in the creatures' ranks. - -But still they advanced, shrieking and gnashing their teeth in black -hate. They flung their spears with such clumsiness that Gene found them -fairly easy to side-step, but now crude stone knives were brought into -play, knives that were deadly, in spite of their unwieldiness. Once the -beings gained close enough to use those weapons, the biologist would -meet with a quick end. - -[Illustration: _Gene cut the half-men down one after another, but still -they came on._] - -He fought silently, striving to work around the ship to the air lock, -but the hideous half-men divined his purpose and swiftly moved to flank -him, cutting off all escape. Gene cursed explosively and battled all -the fiercer. - -Then he gaped in surprise as a spear whizzed past him and sank deep in -the breast of his nearest attacker. A look of fear crossed the features -of the ferocious barbarians, and as one they turned to face this new -enemy. - -Gene, too, turned to look at the small band of sturdy beings advancing -nimbly over the rocky ground, filling the air with well-aimed spears -even as they came. - -His assailants made a show of standing firm under the onslaught, -screeching defiantly and launching their spears haphazardly at the -newcomers. - -The ranks wavered and suddenly broke, then the horrible monstrosities -were fleeing, chattering their hate as they went scrambling away over -the boulders. Now and again one would pause and turn to hurl his -spear at Gene in a last venomous attempt to do him in. Then all had -disappeared in the far distance. - - * * * * * - -Gene breathed a sigh of relief and wiped sweat from his forehead in -spite of the chill air. "What a reception!" He grinned wryly. "Saturn's -Rings! The tracer surely developed a bug and took me off course. These -people are nothing more than savages. I can't believe them capable of -constructing an intricate ray and directing it on Earth. The whole -thing is crazy, just plain, crazy!" - -His rescuers hurried up, waving their spears and shouting in a strange -tongue. - -Gene could not understand the words, but he guessed at their meaning -from the triumphal air in which they were spoken. A crude tongue, at -best, but then these wild tribesmen needed no elaborate language to -express their simple minds. - -Now the tribesmen, clad in shaggy furs, clustered about him, feeling -wonderingly of his clothes, muttering exclamations of surprise as they -noted the five digits on each of his hands. Their own gnarled, hairy -paws boasted but four fingers to each. - -A towering, rawboned fellow pushed his way through the mob and stopped -before Gene. The man--for men these people were, in spite of their -crudity and animal traits--swept his eyes over the explorer in a cool -glance of appraisal. - -Gene did a bit of sizing-up of his own. The giant's high forehead -suggested intelligence of a sort; the clear gray eyes told of courage -and loyalty. Plainly, the man was a leader among his people. - -Abruptly, the fellow turned and uttered a command to the foremost -tribesmen. Two stepped forward and took up positions to each side of -Gene. They prodded him gently in the ribs and pointed to the horizon. -He took this to be a signal to start moving, and he obliged with -reluctance, for his overpowering need of sleep now threatened to drop -him at each step. How long they walked, the biologist did not know. -His guides were practically dragging him by the time the party came -into a city of caves, hewn in the jagged wall of a desolate valley. -He was led to one of these caverns, mid the shouted questions of the -quick-gathered townsfolk and the catcalls of unkempt children. - -Blessed sleep rushed up to meet him as the two tribesmen deposited him -on a pallet of dirty furs and withdrew from the chamber. The world -could wait; the body must rest. - - * * * * * - -Gene learned much of this strange planet in the next few days. A -wizened, white-bearded old man came daily to instruct him in the -tribe's language--a simple speech which Gene, a student of ancient -tongues, found easy to master. - -"Our life is harsh," the talkative patriarch told the explorer between -lessons. "Game is scarce and there is little vegetation. Once we grew -crops, but now the soil is sterile and bears little, but for wild -vegetables and fruits in those isolated places where the ground is yet -fertile. This is a world of rock, my son. No creature of flesh and bone -was meant to trod here." - -The man spoke truth. All about, the valley lay barren, the sandy soil -smothered under by tons of rock. Gene thought it a marvel that the -tribesmen were able to exist at all in such a place. They must have -great courage to fight such a hopeless battle against the forces of -nature. - -On his fifth day in the cave city, Gene was summoned to the dwelling -of Old One, the tribal chief. There, too, was the gray-eyed giant whom -Gene had first met the day of his arrival. - -Old One raised a withered hand to signify peace, and the biologist -solemnly did likewise. The venerable man nodded approval and settled -back on his fur-covered stone bench. - -"It stuns my senses," he murmured. "Kac, say again this youth was -spawned of a beast that walks through air." - -"Truly, he was, Father," the dark-haired man said gravely. "The Beast -People were besetting him and bearing him under at the time our hunting -party came upon the scene. The spineless creatures fled at mere sight -of our warriors, though there was a far greater number of them than our -small party could boast. The beast that walked through air still rests -where it fell from the sky. I fear it is dead, for no longer does it -give out its breath of fire." - -"Not dead, but sleeping," Gene said, wisely refraining from burdening -the simple minds of these people with scientific principles. He noticed -that many tribes-people were silently drifting into the cavern, curious -to see this strange being who was so like themselves, yet so different. - -"Now, Old One," he addressed the chief in a respectful tone, "I know -so little of your world. I am as an old woman in a strange cave; -lost. Tell me of the Beast People. How do they see--for they have no -eyes--and how is it there is so much animosity between your races? -Perhaps, if their sin is great enough, I will help you against them." - -Old One frowned and thoughtfully fingered his dingy gray beard. -"Nothing can be done about the Beast People. Long ago, they came from a -world beyond worlds. At the coming of our ancestors, the two races took -up a constant war for possession of this cave city. - -"The legend is that they, too, were spawned of a great beast that -walked through air. Their air-beast, just as yours, fell from the -sky with a great crash. But this sky-monster slept the sleep of no -awakening, and for them there was no returning. - -"In truth, they have no eyes, but my father once told me of the manner -in which they find their way about. When afoot, they send out squeals, -imperceptible to our ears, which come back to them from the obstacles -and pitfalls they would avoid and thus guide them to an open path. - -"Never, since that far day in the past, have others of their kind -come to plague this world. It is my belief that the Beast People's -sky-monster rebelled against them and carried them far away from -their goal, wherever it may have been. For that, their brothers who -searched--if search they did--could not find their spoor and perforce -gave them up for lost. - -"There is more to their history, but it is not for your ears. Methinks, -it could well be that you are one of the Beast People; for surely those -of the home world have changed in the many tens of years since these -few of their kind were stranded here." - -Old One paused to glance quizzically at Gene. His bewrinkled old -forehead drew tightly together as he studied the wiry biologist. - -"Whence come you?" he asked sharply. "If from the world beyond worlds, -then truly you are a Beast Man. If from a world that is sister to this -sphere of rock, then does my tribe welcome you and call you brother. -May your tongue speak truth, man of the skies." - -All in the cave were tense, silent--waiting for the man's answer. -Gene took a step nearer Old One's bench, calm and confident. A world -beyond worlds would imply a planet of another system; thus, being from -a planet akin to this upon which he had been cast, he spoke without -apprehension: - -"I name myself Gene Drummond, and I come from Earth--the third world -nearest the sun." - -He looked about, expecting the tribesmen to loose shouts of welcome; -but the grim silence only became more forbidding and the people drew -back, as if from a leper. Gene leaped forward. - -"Old One!" he cried in the aged man's face. "Explain to them that I am -not of the Beast People. I am an Earthling; your brother!" - -There was infinite sadness in Old One's gaze. "Nay," he said somberly, -"you are not of the Beast People, and no more so are you our brother. -By the gods, you are of a race a thousandfold more loathsome than the -Beast People!" - - - III - -Gene sat dejectedly at the mouth of his cave, dully staring out at the -black sameness of the destitute valley. Two stalwart Wronged Ones, as -Kac had termed his tribe, stood at the opening, watching the man with -troubled eyes. - -Thus had it been for the past week, since the day Old One had -pronounced those dread words condemning Gene and all like him. True, he -was allowed to roam the cave city and observe the ways of the tribe, -but always the guards were with him. - -What terrible deed could have been done by Earth's people to so bring -the scorn of an entire race upon them? He had mulled over this night -after night, but the answer was beyond his grasp. Those of the tribe -had never again spoken of it after that one accusing moment in the case -of their chief. - -He smiled wryly. Faring forth from Earth to solve the mystery of the -destructive ray, he had run squarely into another, far greater puzzle. -And when he found the answer to one, then he would surely solve the -other; for he now felt certain that the two were in some way connected. - -The solution must come soon. He had spent much time reading the -brochure given to him by President Mason, and in it Science Center had -stated that the molecular patterns of metal could not long withstand -the disrupting force. If surcease did not come shortly, there was no -guessing what great catastrophe would befall Earth. Perhaps the entire -sphere would disintegrate and fall away in space! - -Another riddle he had come across was that of the always-guarded cavern -in the center of the city, about which all life in the community -revolved. It seemed as if the Wronged Ones lived only to gather each -night in that chamber and--worship? - -All that his guards would tell him about the place was that it was -called the Cave of Talkers. Old One had warned him never to go near it, -and the guards were careful to see that he heeded the admonition. - -With such things troubling his mind, he retired into the cave and -stretched out on the miserable pile of furs. Soon he made out the -glow of a tiny campfire outside, about which the guards huddled in the -gathering gloom. - -Strange people were these. It was very seldom they smiled. The greater -part of the time sadness was stamped deep in their features; sadness -that spoke eloquently of a great tragedy that had come to them in the -dim far past. Plague, perhaps? - -Gene frowned and rolled over on his side. So many questions; so few -answers. He yawned sleepily and closed his eyes. Action. That was what -he wanted; action.... Then his mind became as the darkness. - -He did not fare forth into the city next morning, but remained in the -cave, putting into action a plan that had come to him during the night. -The guards were not in evidence at the cavern's mouth, but he knew they -were near at hand. The moment he came out, there they would be, intent -on carrying out their sworn duty. - -Crouched in a deep recess of the chamber, he played his energy-ray on -the wall before him, shielding his eyes from the bright glare with a -gloved hand. - -He thanked his lucky stars that the simple-minded tribesmen had never -thought to take the gun from him. With its aid he would at least be -able to steal from the cave this night, all unknown to the guards, and -make his way to the Cave of Talkers, there to learn what went on inside -that mysterious chamber. - -The ray bit ever deeper in the hard stone, gouging out a narrow tunnel -through which Gene could worm his way into the adjoining cave--that of -Mree-na, the patriarch, from whom Gene had learned the language of the -Wronged Ones. - -Mree-na would not be home. Being too old to hunt, he spent his days -in going among the people to hear their woes and offer his counsel in -inter-family disputes. Thus Gene worked without fear of detection. - -The hours sped by, and still he labored--determined to win through by -nightfall. If he had judged right, he would emerge in the far reaches -of Mree-na's abode, where the shadows were heavy and where the feeble -old man never ventured. - -The wall was not as thick as he had expected. The call of the returning -hunters was in his ears as the last foot of matter gave before the -hissing ray and crashed to the floor of Mree-na's cave, mid a thunder -of echoes. - -Gene stuck his head through the opening, glanced about, then withdrew. -The way was clear. When the tribe met tonight in the Cave of Talkers, -Gene Drummond would be the uninvited guest. - -Brushing the telltale dust from his clothes he walked casually from the -cavern and started down the long, sloping trail leading to the valley -below. His guards hurried up and one grasped him gently by the shoulder. - -"There you cannot go," he said firmly. "Old One knows all. You would -go yonder where the sleeping sky-beast lies and flee this world, -but Old One and his people would not have it so ... ever," he added -significantly. - - * * * * * - -"Damn it!" Gene exploded. "I'm starving for a good meal. I've got -plenty of canned food in my ship; give me a couple of warriors to carry -it here and I'll spread out a feast for your tribe that will make the -slop you eat taste like--like slop!" - -The two men did not cringe before his wrath, but stood their ground; -their sad eyes growing even sadder. For a long moment there was -silence; then the one who rested his hand on Gene's shoulder spoke. - -"Man of the third planet, you have come among a saddened people; a -people to whom a great--nay, the _greatest_--injustice was done in the -dim, yet vivid, past. My tongue is pledged to speak not of this, but -know you it is not by our will we are here. Know you, also, this slop -you cry out against should call to you as like calls to like, for long -did you wallow in it!" - -Gene said nothing, but turned and stumbled away. He realized now that -these barbarians meant to keep him here for as long as he should live. -They wanted him to know some of their misery, their sorrow; to know -the hopelessness they knew, and the futility of struggling with an -environment that gave not before the onslaught of humanity. Why? - -He was feeling like the lowest heel in the world by the time night -fell. But he soon snapped out of it when he heard the tramp of many -feet outside as the tribes-people passed on their way to the Cave of -Talkers. - -Hell! He didn't owe these savages anything, though they tried their -best to give him that impression. Maybe their plaint of injustice done -them was just an act to cover up some insidious activity going on in -the great cave! - -Shaking with excitement, he wriggled through his secret tunnel and -dropped cat-like to the floor of the adjacent cave. A quick look about -assured him Mree-na had already left for the big doings. He hurried to -the mouth of the chamber and stealthily peered outside. - -A few yards away, the two guards squatted on boulders in front of the -cave he had just vacated, talking in low voices about the night's -activities. They expressed disappointment at not being able to attend -the nightly meetings, but Old One had cautioned them never to go so far -from their post as to allow their charge a chance to escape. - -Gene took a deep breath and darted out of the cavern, running silently -over the rough ledge to the next chamber. He crouched in its maw and -looked back at the guards. They sat unmoving, except to reach up now -and then to adjust their fur robes in an effort to shut out the biting -cold. - -He moved away, satisfied they had not seen him. - -As he neared the Cave of Talkers he became aware of a steady vibration -of the rock underfoot. He had never before been this close to the -worshipping place of the Wronged Ones, if worshipping place it was. - -No guards were here; they, too, had gone inside to participate in the -proceedings. Gene eased into the vast cavern, staying close to the wall -so as not to be seen. A rumbling as of giant sobbing beat against his -ears, accompanied by the droning undertone of a rhythmic chant. - -He stood at the head of the broad stairs leading down to the cave -proper; and from there he looked upon that which brought a gasp of -stark incredulity to his lips. - -Below, the Wronged Ones knelt on the floor of the cavern, heads bowed -in veneration as they offered up the monotonous prayer. All were there: -women, children, battle-scarred warriors, and aged folk who could but -scarcely assume a kneeling position. - -All this, he had more or less expected; for after all, these people -were but superstitious savages who looked to their gods for guidance. -But the thing that astounded him was the two colossal objects upon -which the Wronged Ones bestowed their homage. - -In the center of the ring of kneeling tribesmen stood twin machines, -throbbing with power and sending off a weird effulgence. From one, -a long, tapering tube thrust up through the ceiling of the cavern, -vibrating violently under some great stress. Gene pressed nearer the -wall, unconsciously fearful of the tremendous energy surging through -that giant machine. - -The other object of worship vaguely resembled an outsized dynamo, -though such as Gene had never before seen. In truth, the resemblance -was so little as to be all but non-existent. - -Great comets! How did such a mass of intricate machinery get here, in -this underground vault, on a world where metal was not known? And what -was its purpose? - -A narrow ledge ran around the chamber's walls, and Gene moved along -this to a spot where he could look down on the scene without risk of -being seen. - -Now and again the droning supplication halted, and during these pauses -Old One arose and moved about the machines. In his hand he carried a -small skin sack. This he tilted over certain parts of the whirring, -pounding colossi, and from it poured a thin trickle of what could be -nothing but oil. - -This ceremony performed, Old One moved back, then once more the -gathered throng took up the melancholy strain of the interrupted -invocation. Above all, the machines hummed and sang with unbelievable -power; deathless power. Yet, it seemed the prolonged roar faltered now -and then; stopped for the barest fraction of an instant. At such times, -the multitude groaned; then prayed all the more fervently. - - * * * * * - -Gene's mind was in tumult. This world was so unlike Earth: it did not -revolve on its axis, the false night of the valley was caused by dense -clouds of dust or some other substance which, carried by the wind, -passed over in irregular periods; thus one day would be longer or -shorter than another. He doubted that a thorough search of the sphere -would turn up enough metal to be worth the hunting, yet here were two -giant machines, idols of a primitive people who could not conceivably -grasp the mechanics involved. What a world! A world of riddles, Gene -thought absently. - -Then, a wild shout stabbed through his thoughts and he jerked -startledly, almost losing his foothold on the treacherous ledge. The -urgent cry came again, nearer the cave now, and with it a frightful -uproar that raised the short hairs on the nape of Gene's neck. He could -make out the yell now: "Out! Out! The Beast People come!" - -The Wronged Ones heard also, and poured up the stairs with cries of -wrath at thus having their ritual broken short, snatching up spears -from the floor as they went. - -Gene hung back until the last of them had passed outside, then he, too, -flung himself through the cave mouth. His hand clutched the deadly -energy-ray, finger ready on the trigger to unloose a barrage of hissing -death on the repulsive creatures assailing the city. He did owe the -Wronged Ones something for saving his life, even though they had not -treated him as nicely as they might have. - -Chaos met his eyes. Grouped together as they were, the Wronged Ones -offered a perfect target for the spears of the Beast People. Screaming -women and children floundered about, colliding with the warriors and -making it difficult for them to cast their weapons with accuracy. A -great sorrow clutched his heart as he saw old Mree-na go down, his -hands tearing at a shaft imbedded deep in his chest. Of all on this -world, the withered patriarch and Kac alone had been friendly toward -Gene. The rest bore him no hate, no ill will; but their eyes never -looked upon him but that they looked with accusation. - -He pushed to the fore of the throng, brusquely shoving aside all in his -path. A long line of Beast People stretched across the valley floor, -moving forward rapidly and determinedly. Gene could see they were set -on winning the city this time, no matter what the cost. They carried -many firebrands, and some of these they threw among the disorganized -foe. Cries of agony rent the air as the blazing missiles ignited hair -and fur garments. Now, even the staunch warriors dropped their weapons -to beat at the tormenting flames. Utter defeat was hard upon them. - - * * * * * - -Gene felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to find Kac standing beside -him, desperation in his eyes. The young giant paused to launch a spear -at the oncoming horde, then ducked behind a boulder, dragging the -biologist with him. - -The chief's son looked wonderingly for a moment at his strange -companion, then spoke quickly: "I do not know how you managed to -escape, Gene, but somehow I find myself glad to have you here in -this hour of crisis. See, even now my people fall by the tens; it -will be slaughter when the Beast People close with our warriors for -hand-to-hand battles. Can not you, a man capable of bending a fiery -sky-monster to your will, find a way to turn back this vermin that -would bring annihilation to all in this city?" - -Gene peeped over the rounded stone and snapped a shot at the nearest -half-man. The thing fell, its head completely blown away. Kac gasped -and backed away in fear, for although he had seen the Earthling use the -gun when trapped near the ship, he still thought of it as some form of -black magic. - -"Small loss to those monstrosities," Gene murmured. "There's swarms of -them." Then in a louder voice, "I might think of something shortly. But -first we must rally your men and get the women and children to safety. -Then we can work on a method of counterattack." - -Old One joined them and Gene quickly gave the men their instructions. -Leaders that they were, he was certain they would succeed in the task -of bringing order to the panic-stricken community. He was to hold off -the half-men until the two could draw up an effective defense. - -The chief and his son hurried away to exhort the tribe and Gene took -his post behind the large boulder. He noticed the hideous ones were not -advancing so rapidly now. They were reluctant to face again the fearful -death of fire that had done for so many of them the first time they had -come upon the explorer. - -Kac raced up, flung himself down beside Gene, just as a spear whizzed -overhead and clattered to the ground a few yards away. - -"They are poor marksmen," he laughed mirthlessly. Then, with pride in -his voice, "Gene, the warriors have already rallied, and of their own -accord! They are ready to fight the invader." - -A look assured Drummond that the Wronged Ones had indeed come back -fighting; they scorned the protection of the rocks, but stood straight -and firm, casting their shafts with a trueness that took great toll of -the disappointed Beast People, who had thought victory already in their -grasp. The long line moved ever slower. - -"Well, that was certainly taken care of in a hurry!" he said -admiringly. "What about the women and children--are they safe?" - -"Yes," Kac nodded. "The aged men of the tribe even now aid Old One in -herding the weak ones into the caves. Now we may fight unhindered. Now -shall the vermin know the wrath of my people!" - - * * * * * - -Gene did not voice his fears, but he was afraid the rally had come too -late. The attacking force had gained too far up the side of the valley, -and with their greatly superior numbers they could soon squelch the -opposition in a man-to-man fight. It was uncanny, the way the eyeless -beings moved over and around the obstructions in their path, as if they -knew the location of each from memory. Even so, they were about the -clumsiest things he knew of. - -The valley was brighter now, and looking up he could see a dim glow -filtering through the heavy clouds. It had been a short night, and that -was well for the tribe; for heretofore they had been forced to direct -their weapons to the target by the light of torches dropped by fallen -half-men. - -But even though the advantage of daylight was now with them, they were -forced to give back before the doggedly advancing enemy. Soon they -would be forced to seek refuge in the caves. And as the foul creatures -came on there rose up an endless, terrifying scream of hate. The fall -of the cave city was near at hand. - -Gene had been thinking about the things he had witnessed in the Cave -of Talkers, and now he turned excitedly to the man beside him, a -desperate plan taking shape in his mind. - -"Listen, Kac! Go now--and may your feet sprout wings--to the Cave of -Talkers and bring from there the sack of liquid used in your ritual. We -may yet save the city, my friend." - -Fear was in Kac's eyes, but only a moment. Surely the gods would give -up their sustenance to save their devout people. He hurried off, -bending low and weaving. - -While he waited, Gene poured a steady fire at the abhorrent foe. Still, -not a gap showed in that long, undulating line. The moment one creature -fell, another rushed in to take his place. - -Kac returned shortly, carrying the big skin sack of oil. - -"This is all we have," he apologized. "The plants that produce this are -scarce, and so we never have a very large supply." - -"We can only hope it will be enough," Gene said grimly, taking the -sack. "Here, give me your spear." - -Kac turned over the long shaft and the biologist quickly poured oil -over it. Then he inserted the shaft of the slippery weapon in the -leatherlike carrying strap of the sack. While doing this, a torch fell -at his side in a burst of sparks and he snatched it up, smiling. - -"Thanks, sucker! I'll be returning the favor shortly! Now, Kac, here's -what you must do: Take the torch and when I give the signal, touch it -to the oilsack. Then stand away in a hurry. That clear?" - -Kac grinned in quick understanding of Gene's plan and enthusiastically -prepared for his part in it. He crouched low, smoking firebrand ready -in his hand, while Gene climbed to his feet and hoisted the odd -ensemble over his shoulder. Gauging distance, he adjusted the angle of -the spear, then took a firm stance. - -"Let 'er rip!" - -Kac leaped up and thrust the torch against the saturated sack, then -threw himself to the ground and rolled frantically away. - -The bag blazed up instantly, and just as swift did Gene whip the spear -up and forward. The roaring ball of fire left the shaft in a high arc, -sailing straight toward the unsuspecting Beast People. - -Down it came, bursting at the feet of the nearest half-men. Flaming -oil spewed over everything within a wide radius. It ate away flesh and -hair with a voracity that was dreadful to see. Living torches raced -madly about in circles, screaming at the top of their voices--then to -collapse in smouldering heaps, the evil life within them fled before -the cleansing flame. - -All along the line, creatures stopped dead in their tracks, an -unreasoning fear striking deep in their hearts, if hearts they had. -They could not see the cause of disaster, but they could hear its roar -and the shrieks of their dying fellows. To them, it was as if a raging -holocaust had leaped from the bowels of the earth to gulp them in. -Then, as once before, the Beast People gave up to panic, and the solid -ranks suddenly disintegrated. Pell-mell they fled, back into and across -the valley, putting distance between themselves and the horror that -supposedly pursued them. - -A jubilant shout went up from the defenders of the city: "The accursed -ones are beaten! The man from Earth has this day given us final -victory! Hail the man from Earth--our brother!" - -A great pride welled in Gene's breast, but still his mind was troubled. -Now he had won the friendship of the Wronged Ones, but were the Beast -People truly vanquished? He thought not. Even with the enormous -casualties they had sustained, they still far outnumbered Old One's -tribe. They were desperate; this was a bitterly cold, dying world, and -outside this valley, without shelter, a person unhardened to the low -temperature would soon perish. The horrible creatures were vigorous and -rugged, but the cold was becoming more marked, year by year. Even they -could not long bear such hardships. He had a hunch they had not gone -far from the valley, and would soon launch another attack on the city. - - - IV - -Part of Gene's hunch proved correct. The Beast People were camped just -outside the valley, this being verified by scouts sent out from the -city late that evening. It was logical to suppose that the suspected -attack would also become reality in the near future. There was little -sleep for him that night. He lay with eyes open, thinking--but little -did he solve. - -Kac personally brought Gene's breakfast to him the following morning. -The sad face of the chief's son was even sadder this day. - -"Many of my people shall no longer know the hardships of life," he told -the explorer. "One hundred of them fell before the onslaught of the -Beast People. And--sorrow floods my heart--women and children account -for more than half of the dead. - -"Gene, my friend, my tribe is grateful for your succor in its hour of -peril. But for you, the caves would now be in the filthy hands of our -most despised enemies. Yea, you have proved yourself a warrior, and we -belatedly welcome you as a brother." - -Gene was already engrossed in the food, and an unintelligible grunt -was the best he could do in the way of a reply. Kac sat on the floor, -watching him with wonder--and more than a touch of pity. His brow was -furrowed with thought, and suddenly he spoke: - -"You are not like those, those _others_, Gene. The legends tell us -_they_ were cruel, merciless. But you are kind, just, and your mind -knows no deceit. Spawn of the _others_ you may well be, yet their -inhuman traits dwell not in you." - -Gene looked up puzzledly. "Hey! What in Deimos' Dungeons are you -talking about? Who are these _others_, and what makes you think I'm -in cahoots with them? Listen, Kac, I'm an Earthman--flesh and blood, -bone and hair, every single atom. Before Man, there were no intelligent -creatures on Earth; and as for Man himself doing you some great wrong, -it could not possibly have happened. Your planet is unknown to my -world; I myself discovered it only by the most unusual circumstances. -You've got me dizzy with all this talk about supposed wrongs, so how -about putting our cards on the table?" - -Kac rose, nodding gravely. "Thus was it foretold. Time has erased all -memory of the evil deed of your race. But our remembrance of it is as -a flame that grows not weaker, but stronger, with the years. Come now, -Gene Drummond, and learn of your sin." - -Gene followed the tall barbarian from the cavern, excited and more -than a little apprehensive. As they walked, he noted that many warriors -were on guard throughout the community. That was good. Looking up, he -noticed for the first time that a naked, black mountain reared into the -sky but a half-mile or so back from the valley wall wherein the caves -were situated. That, too, was good. The Beast People would be forced to -come at them from the fore. - -The trail led to the Cave of Talkers. Down the broad steps, across the -flat stone floor, they went wordless and in awe. The giant machines -loomed before them, throbbing and pounding with such a clamor as to -bring Gene's hands to his ears. - -He soon grew accustomed to the noise, however, and went on with Kac to -a small niche carved in a wall of the chamber. A vault rested in the -recess, and from it Kac took a long metal tube; from this, a musty skin -scroll. - -The towering tribesman turned and looked deep into Gene's eyes. "Now," -he said, "now shall I read to you from this ancient record, written by -those long dead for all Wronged Ones to study and learn therefrom of -the terrible injustice done to their ancestors. It is not pleasant, -Gene. Will you hear it?" - -The biologist nodded, a tight feeling around his heart. What unhappy, -haunting knowledge was about to come to his mind? - -"It is short," Kac murmured. "Those who wrote it knew so little of what -actually happened. Too, the language in which it is written is all but -lost to us. But it is my fancy that when you have hearkened to these -few words, little space will remain in your mind for other thoughts." - -"Go ahead, read it," Gene said hoarsely. "I don't run from the truth, -even though it may cut to the quick." - - * * * * * - -Kac began; reading swiftly, yet comprehensively: "Long were we, the -Wronged Ones, happy on our beautiful world. Like a green jewel in -space it was; a treasure lost from the bosom of the Mother Sun in some -careless moment. - -"True it is that we were of simple minds; even so, great things were -destined for our race. As evolution worked its miracles the ignorance -that was born with us dropped away, and in its place came a high order -of intelligence. - -"We built, tilled the soil, and forever sought new knowledge to enrich -our hungry minds. Our civilization was rising, forging ahead. The -fertile soil gave abundantly of its treasure; power for our machines -came from the Mother Sun itself. - -"Then, disaster fell upon our world. Through space, with a far greater -speed than light, stabbed an insidious ray--stealing our minds, our -egos. Our bodies remained, but the egos that controlled them were -drained away and hurled through the void. - -"Great was our consternation to find ourselves on an alien world, -inhabiting alien bodies; and bitter were we when we realized the egos -that had formerly possessed these organic vehicles were now dwelling in -_our_ bodies, on our own fair world. A planet of deadness was this upon -which our intellects had been cast, but we were determined to live on -and someday know vengeance. - -"In a word: in one horrible second, and much against our will, we had -traded worlds with a desperate, dying race--our sphere of abundance for -theirs of desolation. - -"The machine with which the usurpers had accomplished this was beyond -our comprehension, though our scientists worked long and feverishly to -solve its secret. Long after, we came to the conclusion the machine had -been captured from the Beast People and one of their number forced to -operate it. - -"Truly, we found a dying half-man in this cavern. He had been poisoned, -so we could not force him to operate the machine for us and take back -the planet and organisms that were rightfully ours. Not until many -years after did we succeed in capturing a number of the Beast People, -only to find they had lost the knowledge of the ego-transposer's -working. They were devolving at a rapid pace, and soon we, too, began -to know the ravages of degeneration, though it did not act with such -speed on us--perhaps only for the reason that we were determined to -stave it off and one day return to our much-mourned world. - -"Here were we, a rising race, now doomed to extinction by a treacherous -people too weak to face the destiny ordained for them. It is true these -people were intelligent, after a fashion, but there is little knowledge -to be had on this rock-world and when the limit is reached, the mind -must retrogress. - -"There will be mutations on our lost world, for our planet was -possessed of a much larger population than this of the transgressors. -Thus when the hellish ego-transposer effected the change, many on -our world were left mindless, with only the instincts of the beast -remaining. Inter-breeding will greatly reduce the intelligence of the -entire population for a time--though they will without doubt arise once -more to a new greatness, for the means are there for them. - -"There can only be sorrow, despair, and untold misery for us. Before -the gods, there can be no greater trespass than this." - -Kac's voice trailed away. - -Sick dread was on Gene's face. "Kac," he whispered, "What was the name -of this world that was stolen from you?" - -"Ours was the third world nearest the sun," the tall warrior answered -with true regret. "The planet you call Earth...." - -Gene's torment of mind knew no bounds in the following hours. Kac had -left him in the cavern, warning him not to destroy the Talkers or the -tribe would surely slay him. The biologist had given his word and even -if he had wished, he could not have violated it; for nothing short of -an atomic-cannon could rend the metal of which the titanic machines -were built. - -He had an atomic-cannon mounted on his ship, _New Frontiers_, but what -good was it? He could not get to it--the Beast People surrounded the -valley and would nail him the moment he appeared over the rim. - -A small platform extended from the ego-transposer, midway up, and to -this he climbed via a ladder depending from it. A bucket seat was -anchored to the flooring. He dropped in it and began studying the -instruments before him. - -Outside of two silver-beaded screens, the fixtures were simple ones and -quite easy to understand. Yet, his manipulations brought no results. - -Long after night fell, he worked with the machine, and when done, he -left with the knowledge that he was its master. The troublemaker turned -out to be a broken wire; simple, yet it had stumped the Wronged Ones. -The plainest things are often the hardest to see. - -The other machine defied solution. Kac had told him that it, too, had -been captured from the Beast People, who avowed that it generated rays -beneficial to vegetable and animal life. - -Gene learned definitely, though, that it was the cause of Earth's -plight. The working of it was beyond him, but this much he knew. This, -then, was the traitorous Beast People's way of exacting vengeance--by -deliberately misinforming their captors as to the machine's purpose. -Too, they had tampered with some vital part, making it impossible to -shut off the power. - -There was no guessing how long it had been sending that deadly ray -through space, slowly disintegrating all metallic matter in its path. -In a few years, maybe months, metal molecules would be drawn so far -apart that every structure on Earth would collapse under its own weight. - -He thought his brain would burst, so many troubles did it hold. To -add to them, Kac brought word that the Beast People were massing for -another attack. This would be the final battle, with no surcease till -one or the other of the clashing forces fell in decisive defeat--and -Gene knew with dread that it could only be the Wrong Ones who would go -down. - - - V - -The onslaught came the next day. Hundreds of the Beast People poured -into the valley--screaming, gibbering, eager to taste blood. They moved -over the rocky surface like some evil blight cast up from the uttermost -depths of Hell. - -Gene's oil trick would not work now, for there was no oil with which to -carry it through. The plants from which it was obtained grew outside -the valley, and no one had dared venture forth to pluck them. The tribe -would not be in misery much longer. - -The warriors had thrown up a stone barricade in front of the caves, and -from behind this they looked out upon the fast-approaching horde. Not a -man among them looked with fear, but with contempt and detestation for -the vermin that came to crush them. - -The invaders were within range now. Gene raised his energy-ray and -tightened his finger around the trigger. Nothing happened. Its power -was exhausted by the almost constant use to which he had put it since -arriving here. He flung it aside and snatched up a spear. - -The first wave of half-men loosed a hail of crude shafts, hurling them -with all the venom that was in their black hearts. Some went to the -mark, piercing the breasts of those too slow in ducking. Their aim was -poor, but they had many spears and many men to throw them. - -Gene tossed his own javelin and had the pleasure of seeing it bury -itself in the neck of a squat creature, severing the jugular. Then the -battle waxed furious. - -The tribe fought desperately to stem the tide. Even Old One and the -venerable warriors whose day of battle should be past added their bit -to the cause. But nothing could turn those squealing, hate-maddened -beings that charged. - -Of a sudden, a hairy, hideous face poked above the barrier. The thing -snarled and pulled itself over the rocks to land squarely on Gene. - -Man and beast met in a fight for life. The slavering brute bore Gene -down with crushing strength, wrapping an arm about his waist and -pushing back on his chin, trying to snap his spine. - -The agony was unbearable. Gene brought up a hand and clamped it on the -back of the half-man's head, digging his thumb in behind the ear. - -An infinite moment passed, then his adversary straightened slowly, -swaying on his feet. The biologist quickly wound his arms around its -neck and went dragging it over the ground to a boulder. Once, twice, he -bashed the filthy head against the stone. The lifeless body dropped. - -Hand to hand battles were raging all about Gene, and though the Wronged -Ones fought valiantly, the knowledge was in their eyes that they were -lost. - -In horror, he saw Old One threshing about on the ground, the fangs -of a half-man fastened in his throat. Before Gene could move, an -avenging form hurtled through the air and lit on the hell-creature. -A stone dagger came down, slashing, tearing, wielded by the hand of a -grief-maddened Kac. - -The explorer turned away, a choking lump rising in his throat. Then, -in his sorrow, a daring plan came to him. Heart thumping against its -prison of ribs, he raced away to the Cave of Talkers. - - * * * * * - -No one was there. The women and children were all huddled in their -homes and, of course, every man was outside defending the city. He -clambered up to the platform and threw himself in the bucket seat, -hoping against hope that this experiment would work. - -The ego-transposer hummed with unholy sentience as he threw in a -switch, and a soft glow appeared deep in the silver-beaded screens. - -Slowly, the image of a tiny organism took form on one screen. Almost at -the same moment an identical likeness swam into view on the other. Then -began a parade of life-forms across the screens, each succeeding animal -a bit higher on the evolutionary scale than its predecessor. - -The sounds of battle grew nearer. He had to hurry now.... Ah! There! -The flat, repulsive face of a half-man loomed before him. His finger -stabbed at a stud, and the likeness was transfixed on the screen. - -The procession continued on the other glowing surface until the -physique of a Wronged One took shape in the depths and came to focus. - -The two reproductions stared out at him with unwinking eyes. Deep in -the bowels of the machine the basic mind make-up of the beings was -being analyzed. An instant later the throbbing transposer would set up -an en masse connection with the race egos, then.... - -A green light flashed on the panel and Gene brought his hand forward on -the master switch. It was done! - -Elated, he scrambled down from his perch and hurried outside. As he -passed between the strangely inactive creatures at the entrance, a -horrified voice croaked: "What terrible deed has been done?" - -Gene grabbed the foul thing by the shoulders. "Kac! Is it you?" - -"No," it whispered. "It is my mind, yes, but it is not my body." His -hands went to his face. "Gene! I cannot see!" - - * * * * * - -"Easy!" Gene hissed. "You'll cause a panic." He realized that although -the Wronged Ones could, with effort, talk with the strange vocal cords, -it would take them some time to master the high-pitched shrill. - -"Listen, Kac," he said. "Call out and tell your people to banish fear -from their minds, or many will die by the spears of the crazed Beast -People. Tell them to fall on the ground and not to rise until you so -instruct them. Hurry now, there is no time to lose!" - -Dazedly, Kac obeyed. Though his voice was cracked and unrecognizable, -it boomed with authority. Suppressing their fright, the transposed -Wronged Ones dropped to the ground and lay unmoving. - -Then Gene crouched beside his fearful companion and looked upon the -debacle. The transported Beast People were groping about uncertainly. - -They were in the same boat as their hated enemies. Sight was a thing -unknown to their brutish minds, thus the eyes they now possessed were -utterly useless; and try as they would, they could not produce the -inaudible squeal which gave them knowledge of their surroundings with -the vocal cords of their new bodies. - -Two of them collided, and immediately struck out with their stone -knives. To each, the flesh they felt was the flesh of a Wronged One--a -feared foe who must be destroyed. Both toppled, screaming defiance even -in their final death throes. - -The scene was repeated time and again, till the valley floor was but a -mass of shrieking, struggling, mangled bodies. - -The carnage all but over, Gene grabbed up a spear and went forth to mop -up. Some of the transposed Wronged Ones had not dropped as Kac, now -their chief, had commanded, but stood about with vacuous expressions on -their faces. He suddenly realized that there were no guiding minds in -these husks. The Beast People had outnumbered the tribe; consequently -many of the monstrosities had been left mindless when the change took -place. - -Finishing his grisly task, he flung the spear from him in disgust and -hurried back to the cave, shouting as he went: "Victory is ours, Kac! -The Beast People are defeated! Now your tribe can rejoice!" - -But there was no joy in Kac, he found. Now, there was a greater sadness -on the new chief's face than was there at any time previous. Strange -people! What could be the grievance now? - -Kac must have sensed the question in his mind. He gestured disdainfully -at his squat, hairy body. "Look you, Gene. You have made our plight -far worse. Now we cannot see to hunt or to harvest the puny crops that -we wrest from this woe-begone world. This had to be, that is to my -knowing. But I fear the tribe will not understand. I can sense their -rage even now, my brother." - -Gene whirled and stared sickly at the warriors rising from the ground. -It was true. Wrath was on their features as they fumbled toward the -cave, guided by the very sound of his breathing impinging against their -sensitive ears. - -The blood-spattered biologist was stunned. "Wait, my brothers!" he -cried, throwing up his arms. "You have not been betrayed! Today, you -have won a great victory over your enemies; on this same day you shall -begin a new life--a life of plenty, of happiness." - -But his words were lost in the roar of a people aroused. Nearer they -groped. Kac added his appeal, to no avail. They would have the blood of -this false-tongued specimen of a race that revelled on a world that was -not his own. - -If only they would listen to his plan! But argument would only bring -about his death--and the end of all hope for a once-mighty people. He -turned despairingly to his one remaining friend. - -"Hear this now, Kac," he said urgently. "I am going into the cave -to--to appeal to the all-powerful Talkers. It is your task to remain -here and hold off your warriors as long as possible. In a few moments -wondrous magic will be worked on you and all your people, but fear not. -Know I am your friend, no matter what strange, new vista your eyes next -look upon, and never would I do you harm. When next we meet, it will be -in a paradise far more glorious than that for which you mourn. Will you -do this your brother asks?" - -The great jaws parted and one resolute word came from them: "Yes!" - -Gene took the gnarled, furry hand in a warm grip, then turned and -bounded down the steps. His hands seemed to be all thumbs as he climbed -the ladder. - -At least, he thought as he spun the dials to long range, the -ego-transposer would undo some of its horrors before its evil existence -came to an end. - -The splendid, sun-tanned form of a tall youth coalesced on one screen -and Gene froze it there with a flick of his finger. - -A panorama of life hastened across the other screen, and he recoiled -impulsively as the flat, stupid face of a half-man leaped at him from -its depth. But he knew that intelligence reposed behind those fearsome -features--intelligence that would build a world. - -Now the transposer was analyzing the race-egos--and the Wronged Ones -were swarming into the cave! - - * * * * * - -Kac had been unable to hold them. They had merely side-stepped him and -come on, silent now and grim. They would not harm their chief, but they -would let nothing stand in the way of their vengeance. - -Gene rushed to the platform's edge and brought his foot down on a -shaggy hand. A stone dagger swished past his ear and shattered against -the machine. Heart racing, he flung himself against the master switch -and slammed it shut. - -Silence, then a chorus of meaningless grunts drifted up to his ears. -Below, the half-men milled about like cattle, feeling stupidly of their -bodies. They could not understand; they felt wonderingly of their heads -where eyes should be, trying to lift the darkness. - -The _New Frontiers_ still rested where it had crashed--how long ago? -Gene replaced the smashed tube and jockeyed the ship clear of the -debris. The tubes roared with power and the landscape fell away. - -As he sped toward the cave city, his thoughts went back to the events -of a few short hours ago. - -In his feeling for the Wronged Ones, he had followed the only course -that offered itself. That was the transference of their egos to Venus, -to the bodies of the human-like inhabitants of that planet. To those -whom Man had wronged long in the dim past. Gene had given a new life, -atoned for Man's darkest deed. - -At the same time, he had given new hope to Man himself; for now, trade -between Earth and Venus would become a reality as soon as the Wronged -Ones could orient themselves to the new surroundings--a year at the -most. The clouds of Venus had long since lifted, and the tribe would -thrive in the warm sunshine that now bathed the planet. Under Kac's -able leadership they would aid in restoring Earth's depleted mineral -wealth, and in turn Earth would help them in building a lasting -civilization. - -Now he was over the cave city, and he knew what he must do. On the -Vizio-screen he could see tiny specks moving about in the valley. They -were stumbling away from the caves, away from what they could not -understand. - -He dived on the city and depressed the firing stud of the -atomic-cannon. A gigantic concussion rocked his ship as the valley wall -exploded upward. - -On the screen he could see the remains of the machines in the rubble -below. So ended the ego-transposer, a devil machine that could lift the -spider-web of self from the very brain on which it was spun. - -So, too, ended the destructive ray that a desperate people, ever greedy -for new wealth, had unwittingly turned upon themselves on that day of -infancy in the now-forgotten past. - -Now to Venus, where the end of his strange adventure awaited. There -had been many more Venusians than Wronged Ones. This surplus now -belonged to the beasts--mindless, with only the instincts of the -beast remaining. These mindless ones must be segregated to prevent -inter-breeding with the others. - -As the _New Frontiers_ flashed sunward, Gene caught one final glimpse -of the transposed Venusians on his Vizio. Now a race without hope, were -they. In undoing one great wrong, he had committed another. But this -was a primitive, ignorant people to whom intelligence would never have -come in time to aid Earth in the crisis that threatened. - -He had played God to them, but they would never know, never realize ... -or would they? - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Steel Giants of Chaos, by James R. 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Adams - -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: Steel Giants of Chaos - -Author: James R. Adams - -Release Date: November 7, 2020 [EBook #63668] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STEEL GIANTS OF CHAOS *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>Steel Giants Of Chaos</h1> - -<h2>By JAMES R. ADAMS</h2> - -<p>Earth owed the Wronged Ones a world, and<br /> -Gene Drummond alone could repay that debt.<br /> -Only he knew that payment would save two<br /> -races from extinction—and he was a helpless<br /> -prisoner of the ones he wanted to aid.</p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Planet Stories Winter 1945.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Gene Drummond felt a tingle of anticipation course through his being -as he stepped through the open airlock of his small scout ship and -for the first time in more than a year felt the soft soil of Mother -Earth under his booted feet. He stood for a moment, hungrily drinking -in the noise and clamor of New York Spaceport. Around and about him -the shouts and curses of bustling, grease-soaked mechanics and husky -stevedores acted as a balm to his taut nerves. To return to this, after -fourteen grueling months of biological research on Venus, was little -short of heaven itself. The fact that he had been forced, because of -the fatally-poisoned atmosphere of the young world, to conduct his -investigation in brief sallies from the stuffy confines of his ship -served only to heighten this ecstatic conception of his return. The -profoundness of the moment passing, he breathed deeply of the warm, -sweet air and turned to face the fat little mechanic hurrying across -the field.</p> - -<p>Puffing noisily for breath, the man skidded to a halt and bent a toothy -grin upon the wiry biologist-explorer. "Bin gone a spell, ain'tcha, Mr. -Drummond?" the fellow wheezed good-naturedly. "Have a nice trip?"</p> - -<p>Gene winced at the mechanic's naïvete, then smiled in spite of himself. -"You might call it that," he said thoughtfully. "But <i>I</i> wouldn't! -Venus isn't exactly paradise, Fatboy; take it from me, I know. All the -moons of Saturn couldn't persuade me to go through another year of -privation on that forsaken hunk of cosmic dust. It's a beautiful world, -yes, but one whiff of its poison air and you pretty damn quick lose -interest in landscapes and natural wonders."</p> - -<p>"Just the same, I sure wouldn't miss a chance to take it in," Fatboy -opined dreamily. "'Tain't every guy that gets to plant his feet on a -restricted planet. You're pretty dang lucky, if you ask me."</p> - -<p>Gene shrugged wearily. "Maybe so. Every man is entitled to his own -opinion, they tell me. Personally, I'll stick by the motto, 'See Terra -Firma first.'"</p> - -<p>Gene's tall form suddenly went slack and his eyelids drooped heavily. -"Look, Fatboy, I'm practically asleep on my feet. My next stop is home, -where I won't lose any time in renewing an acquaintance with a real -bed. Take care of the buggy, will you? Give it a complete overhauling -and when you're done with that, put her in storage and forget about -her. Yours truly is taking a long vacation from strange worlds and -stuffy rocket cabins."</p> - -<p>Fatboy nodded absently and turned to enter the ship. Snapping his -fingers, as if suddenly remembering something, he wheeled about and -called after Gene, who was striding off across the field: "Hey, Mr. -Drummond! Wait up a minute and lemme tell you what's happened here -while you was gone. It'll make your hair stand straight up and do a -jig!"</p> - -<p>"Sorry, Fatboy," Gene shouted back. "I'll shoot the bull with you some -other time. Right now I have important business with the Sandman!" -The tired explorer hurried off before Fatboy could collar him and -regale him with the latest thriller of the multitude of endless, -blood-curdling yarns that constantly made the rounds of a spaceport. He -needed sleep, and that was what he meant to get.</p> - -<p>Pausing briefly at a mail-tube, he sent the thick envelope containing a -complete report of his findings on Venus speeding on its way to Science -Center, whereat the document would be given a thorough and analytical -reading by the greatest minds of the system. That account would shatter -the hopes of many, even his own, but it was Gene's duty to report -conditions as they were, not as he wanted them to be. His job was done; -Venus was the Center's baby now.</p> - -<p>Rather than wait for a tube-train, he decided to walk the distance to -his apartment, which was but two or three blocks from the spaceport. As -he plodded tiredly along, strange happenings gradually made themselves -known to his dulled senses. Although he was about to drop, Gene stopped -to watch with a tense interest the impromptu ball game taking place on -the walk before him.</p> - -<p>A pint-sized batter stepped up to the plate and prepared to knock -himself a home-run. The gamins ranged in the outfield hooted and -leered, trying to shake the nerve of the midget Babe Ruth, but the boy -stood his ground. Gesturing threateningly with the light metal bat, he -spat contemptuously at a fat cockroach scurrying frantically from the -field of action and grimly faced his hecklers. "Play ball!" he bawled.</p> - -<p>The pitcher took him at his word, and after executing the tedious rite -of winding up, whipped the ball across the plate at no mean speed. The -boy in the batter's box brought his club down fast to connect solidly -with the sphere in as pretty a swing as Gene ever hoped to witness, -among sandlotters at least.</p> - -<p>Gene expected to see the ball go whizzing off down the street, but the -next instant his expectations were abruptly dashed, in a manner that -left the biologist wide-eyed and stunned.</p> - -<p>The flashing metal bat met the hard-thrown ball in a resounding impact, -<i>and instantly exploded into a thousand tiny fragments</i>!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Gene watched incredulously as the gleaming particles rained to the -walk, preceded by a tattered ball that had lost almost all momentum. A -flying piece of metal ripped across the back of his hand, tearing away -an inch or so of skin, but he was oblivious to all but the scene before -him.</p> - -<p>The boy at the plate snorted disgustedly and glared down at the remains -of his bat. "That's the fourth bat in six days," he said bitterly. "I'm -quittin' right now. That woulda been a homer, sure's there's rings -around Saturn, and then the bat has to go and fall apart on me. I got -cheated. Nope, I just ain't playin' anymore."</p> - -<p>Gene watched the group of urchins disperse, then slowly moved away down -the street, his thoughts centered on the strange occurrence he had just -witnessed.</p> - -<p>That bat—it had been made of a very durable metal, metal that wasn't -given to falling apart upon receiving a hard blow. What had caused it -to suddenly lose its stability and disintegrate into a heap of shards -and powder? Something had very definitely gone haywire here on Earth -during his absence. As Gene walked, he found further evidence to bear -out this conclusion.</p> - -<p>A rather fat individual came waddling along the walk, making a grand -show of bearing his weight with dignity. His stately reserve turned -suddenly to consternation as the large metal buckle of his belt burst -violently into powder. The fellow gave an alarmed shout and fled -clumsily through the door of an office building, clutching frantically -at his trousers to keep them from completing his embarrassment.</p> - -<p>Gene had now entirely forgotten his need for sleep. He had to know the -answer to this perplexing circumstance. One place would know, if the -answer had yet been found, and that was Science Center. He hurried -toward the nearest tube-train terminal, intent on having the mystery -made clear to his mind.</p> - -<p>At the terminal he found a message waiting for him. It was from Elliott -Mason, World President, directing Gene to appear before the dignitary -at the earliest possible moment. Apparently the message had missed him -at the spaceport and had been relayed to the tube terminals along his -homeward route. That would indicate utmost urgency, so Gene lost no -time in boarding a train destined for Government Center.</p> - -<p>He found the Presidential Mansion in a turmoil. Garrulous diplomats -were everywhere in evidence, and not a few scientists from Science -Center hastened through the halls, bent on mysterious missions.</p> - -<p>Gene was immediately admitted to the presence of the president. Mason -sat behind his ornate desk, poring over a thick sheaf of papers. Worry -and anxiety creased his brow, but even so, he flashed a quick smile as -he looked up at the biologist-explorer.</p> - -<p>"It's good to see you again, Drummond," Mason began. "Much has happened -here while you were on Venus. Perhaps you are not yet aware of it, but -a world calamity has befallen us, and as yet we have made no headway -whatsoever against it. But before I tell you of our plight, I would -like to know of your findings on Venus."</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid it's hopeless, sir," Gene sighed. "As you know, we cannot -colonize Venus, since our respiratory systems could not long stand up -under its poisonous atmosphere.</p> - -<p>"As for the native Venusians, they are already man's equal, physically, -having a rate of evolution considerably faster than ours. But mentally, -they are not much more than equal to a chicken. For some strange -reason, their mental development does not keep pace with that of their -bodies. Consequently, it will be many years, possibly centuries, before -the Venusians are capable of rational thought.</p> - -<p>"Thus you can see there is no hope of interplanetary commerce with -them. By the time they reach a point of sufficient intelligence to -realize the desirability of trade between worlds, our depleted metal -resources will be gone, and man will likely be on his way down the -evolutionary scale. Science Center has my full report. If I have been -hazy on any point, they will give you the complete facts."</p> - -<p>Mason sighed heavily and lowered his head a moment. "This new scourge -with which we have become afflicted also concerns metal," he spoke in -a low tone. "To give you the entire facts would require a long and -detailed explanation, for which there is not time.</p> - -<p>"However, the gist of it is that all our metals, including raw ores, -are slowly losing their molecular coherence. Sections of every -continent have come under the influence of the deadly visitation. -Already two of New York's largest structures have collapsed when their -girder frameworks suddenly turned to powder. Many lives have been lost; -tube-train and all other modes of transportation have become extremely -risky.</p> - -<p>"The condition, which first appeared a month or so ago, is slowly -spreading to finally encompass all Earth. Science Center has discovered -the phenomenon is not a natural one, but is rather an inexplicable ray -emanating from somewhere in space.</p> - -<p>"Earth is in great danger, Drummond, and someone must volunteer to -eliminate that danger. Knowing our system as you do, I believe you are -the man best qualified to track down the ray to its source and destroy -it, if at all possible.</p> - -<p>"Accordingly, I have had prepared a brochure, embodying all the facts -you will need. Science Center has devised a special tracer mechanism, -which when directed upon the ray, will clearly reveal its path through -the void, and which will be installed in your ship upon your acceptance -of the task. I—"</p> - -<p>Gene held up a respectful hand. "I believe I have heard enough, sir. -You were going to say the decision is entirely mine and that refusal -would not be held against me. No need. I accept!"</p> - -<p>Mason stood up and extended a warm hand. "Your courage will not go -unnoticed, boy. The thanks of all Earth will go with you into the void."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">II</p> - -<p>Gene nodded sleepily as his ship, <i>New Frontiers</i>, drove forward -through space. The outermost planets were now far behind in the -all-surrounding blackness, and a vague doubt was beginning to worry his -mind.</p> - -<p>Suppose the malignant ray did not originate in this system? Science -Center had naturally assumed that the radiation came from some -uncharted asteroid or rogue world within the system. But if it didn't, -then what? Should he return to Earth and report failure? Gene dismissed -the thought as soon as it entered his head.</p> - -<p>Yet, as the great, staring orb that was Pluto slipped away behind him, -the doubt grew stronger and made of itself a steady clamor that would -not pass unheeded.</p> - -<p>His ship still followed the swath of the ray; a never-ending, invisible -beam that would seem to sprout from the very emptiness of space itself.</p> - -<p>Mason had warned Gene that he might face untold danger at the ray's -source, but the explorer could not see how that danger could come from -any living thing. Here in the farthermost reaches of the system, far -from the warmth of the sun, what strange organic creature could find -sustenance?</p> - -<p>He stifled a yawn, fighting doggedly to keep his heavy lids from -closing in slumber. Sleep was out of the question. He could take no -chance of losing the unseen trail of that devilish radiation, so that -meant he had to go it without the help of the automatic controls.</p> - -<p>In spite of Gene's efforts to remain awake, his brown-thatched head -slowly lowered against his chest. Tortured eyes no longer registered -the monotonous gray of the ship's cabin as leaden lids closed over -them. He was asleep.</p> - -<p>Instants later, the insistent clang of a warning bell penetrated -through his torpor, whipping away the blanket of sleep and bringing the -drowsing biologist at once to alert wakefulness.</p> - -<p>He reached out frantically, his fingers flying unerringly over the -myriad controls, jabbing viciously at the studs regulating the -batteries of rocket tubes.</p> - -<p><i>Something was pulling, tugging, at the small ship, drawing it down, -held in a relentless clutch that grew stronger with each passing -moment!</i></p> - -<p>The ship surged with power; steel crossbeams groaned and screeched, -threatening to buckle under the strain placed on them. And still it -rushed downward!</p> - -<p>He cursed wildly and punched hard at the stud controlling the forward -tubes. The craft lurched drunkenly under this new force, then continued -its downward flight, moving not quite so fast now.</p> - -<p>For the first time since awakening, he glanced at the Vizio-screen, and -what he saw rooted him to the spot, eyes dilated with astonishment. The -<i>New Frontiers</i> was hurtling down on a planet, dark and foreboding; a -world where no world should be! It loomed in the screen like a great -black eight-ball—and he was definitely behind it! Now he was entering -an atmosphere, according to the instruments. He jiggled the dials, but -the reading did not change. What wouldn't the astronomers of Earth give -to know about this!</p> - -<p>What manner of world was this rushing up to meet him? He could not -know. But his instruments told him that in a very short while the -first Earthian feet would walk upon this mystery planet. <i>If</i> he lived -through the crash.</p> - -<p>Wrestling mightily with the controls, he succeeded in bringing the -craft out of its dive and leveled off in a long skim above the sphere's -surface, now close below.</p> - -<p>He hunched tensely over the controls, a thin film of cold sweat -standing out on his brow. Hardened though he was, he could not help -but feel a quickening fear of the inexplicable world he was fast -approaching.</p> - -<p>A formidable upjutting of rock suddenly reared up directly in his path, -completely blacking out the screen!</p> - -<p>He held his breath as his finger nicked out and impaled the stud -operating the forward tubes. Once more fire burst from the nose of the -ship, roaring out to meet the unyielding wall of rock in a titanic -impact.</p> - -<p>The <i>New Frontiers</i> shuddered to a halt, hung a second in midair, then -abruptly slid forward and down. This was it!</p> - -<p>Gene threw his arms over his eyes as ship and mountain met violently, -throwing him from his seat and smashing his helmet-protected head -against the control panel. Overhead a crossbeam groaned tormentedly -and gave way under the stress, while outside an avalanche of stone, -dislodged from the lofty heights, smashed against the thick hull in a -steady rain—setting up such a din as only the forces of nature could.</p> - -<p>Then all was still.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Gene climbed unsteadily to his feet and felt tenderly of his throbbing -head. It still rested atop his shoulders. A wonder he hadn't been -stretched out for the count. Except for minor bruises and cuts he was -no worse for the experience.</p> - -<p>A quick look about assured him that the damage to the interior of the -ship was slight. The crumpled girder would not impair the craft's -flight.</p> - -<p>Clambering outside, he found one of the stern tubes smashed beyond -repair. No matter. He could replace it with one of the two spare tubes -the <i>New Frontiers</i> carried.</p> - -<p>Altogether, the small scouter was not much worse for its experience. It -would take but a few hours to install the new tube, and the battered -but faithful ship would be ready to blast off to new adventures.</p> - -<p>Gene turned curiously and took up a minute inspection of this tenth -planet's terrain. Bleak and forbidding, jumbled masses of black rock -stretch away to the horizon. Here and there, patches of slatish soil, -naked and sterile, contended with the ever-present stone for surface -space. He became aware of an insidious chill gnawing at his bones.</p> - -<p>Cautiously lifting the air helmet he had donned before emerging from -the ship, he sniffed tentatively of the dry, thin air. It seemed to -have no ill effects on him. He removed the helmet and stood irresolute, -wondering what next to do.</p> - -<p>That problem was solved at once. Over the horizon came a howling, -clamorous horde of man-shaped creatures, brandishing crudely fashioned -spears tipped with sharpened stone, making straightway for the <i>New -Frontiers</i>!</p> - -<p>Gene's hand went to his hip and came up bearing his energy-ray. Any -question of the creatures' intentions was immediately dispelled as one -of them jerked to a halt and flung his spear hard at the explorer.</p> - -<p>Gene ducked and came up blasting. A grim smile was on his lips as the -rabble came on in spite of his withering fire, screeching like harpies -as they closed in on him.</p> - -<p>He found time to wonder how the beings could see, for no eyes were -evident on the flat, hateful faces. Wicked fangs gleamed in the gaping -mouths; set squarely between where the eyes should have been was a -diminutive, almost non-existent nose. Huge, batlike ears gave the -finishing touch to their grotesque appearance.</p> - -<p>Gene felt a deep loathing for these weird denizens of a world that -should not be. That abhorrence was reflected in the steady blast of his -energy-ray, which cut a wide swath in the creatures' ranks.</p> - -<p>But still they advanced, shrieking and gnashing their teeth in black -hate. They flung their spears with such clumsiness that Gene found them -fairly easy to side-step, but now crude stone knives were brought into -play, knives that were deadly, in spite of their unwieldiness. Once the -beings gained close enough to use those weapons, the biologist would -meet with a quick end.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>Gene cut the half-men down one after another, but still they came on.</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>He fought silently, striving to work around the ship to the air lock, -but the hideous half-men divined his purpose and swiftly moved to flank -him, cutting off all escape. Gene cursed explosively and battled all -the fiercer.</p> - -<p>Then he gaped in surprise as a spear whizzed past him and sank deep in -the breast of his nearest attacker. A look of fear crossed the features -of the ferocious barbarians, and as one they turned to face this new -enemy.</p> - -<p>Gene, too, turned to look at the small band of sturdy beings advancing -nimbly over the rocky ground, filling the air with well-aimed spears -even as they came.</p> - -<p>His assailants made a show of standing firm under the onslaught, -screeching defiantly and launching their spears haphazardly at the -newcomers.</p> - -<p>The ranks wavered and suddenly broke, then the horrible monstrosities -were fleeing, chattering their hate as they went scrambling away over -the boulders. Now and again one would pause and turn to hurl his -spear at Gene in a last venomous attempt to do him in. Then all had -disappeared in the far distance.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Gene breathed a sigh of relief and wiped sweat from his forehead in -spite of the chill air. "What a reception!" He grinned wryly. "Saturn's -Rings! The tracer surely developed a bug and took me off course. These -people are nothing more than savages. I can't believe them capable of -constructing an intricate ray and directing it on Earth. The whole -thing is crazy, just plain, crazy!"</p> - -<p>His rescuers hurried up, waving their spears and shouting in a strange -tongue.</p> - -<p>Gene could not understand the words, but he guessed at their meaning -from the triumphal air in which they were spoken. A crude tongue, at -best, but then these wild tribesmen needed no elaborate language to -express their simple minds.</p> - -<p>Now the tribesmen, clad in shaggy furs, clustered about him, feeling -wonderingly of his clothes, muttering exclamations of surprise as they -noted the five digits on each of his hands. Their own gnarled, hairy -paws boasted but four fingers to each.</p> - -<p>A towering, rawboned fellow pushed his way through the mob and stopped -before Gene. The man—for men these people were, in spite of their -crudity and animal traits—swept his eyes over the explorer in a cool -glance of appraisal.</p> - -<p>Gene did a bit of sizing-up of his own. The giant's high forehead -suggested intelligence of a sort; the clear gray eyes told of courage -and loyalty. Plainly, the man was a leader among his people.</p> - -<p>Abruptly, the fellow turned and uttered a command to the foremost -tribesmen. Two stepped forward and took up positions to each side of -Gene. They prodded him gently in the ribs and pointed to the horizon. -He took this to be a signal to start moving, and he obliged with -reluctance, for his overpowering need of sleep now threatened to drop -him at each step. How long they walked, the biologist did not know. -His guides were practically dragging him by the time the party came -into a city of caves, hewn in the jagged wall of a desolate valley. -He was led to one of these caverns, mid the shouted questions of the -quick-gathered townsfolk and the catcalls of unkempt children.</p> - -<p>Blessed sleep rushed up to meet him as the two tribesmen deposited him -on a pallet of dirty furs and withdrew from the chamber. The world -could wait; the body must rest.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Gene learned much of this strange planet in the next few days. A -wizened, white-bearded old man came daily to instruct him in the -tribe's language—a simple speech which Gene, a student of ancient -tongues, found easy to master.</p> - -<p>"Our life is harsh," the talkative patriarch told the explorer between -lessons. "Game is scarce and there is little vegetation. Once we grew -crops, but now the soil is sterile and bears little, but for wild -vegetables and fruits in those isolated places where the ground is yet -fertile. This is a world of rock, my son. No creature of flesh and bone -was meant to trod here."</p> - -<p>The man spoke truth. All about, the valley lay barren, the sandy soil -smothered under by tons of rock. Gene thought it a marvel that the -tribesmen were able to exist at all in such a place. They must have -great courage to fight such a hopeless battle against the forces of -nature.</p> - -<p>On his fifth day in the cave city, Gene was summoned to the dwelling -of Old One, the tribal chief. There, too, was the gray-eyed giant whom -Gene had first met the day of his arrival.</p> - -<p>Old One raised a withered hand to signify peace, and the biologist -solemnly did likewise. The venerable man nodded approval and settled -back on his fur-covered stone bench.</p> - -<p>"It stuns my senses," he murmured. "Kac, say again this youth was -spawned of a beast that walks through air."</p> - -<p>"Truly, he was, Father," the dark-haired man said gravely. "The Beast -People were besetting him and bearing him under at the time our hunting -party came upon the scene. The spineless creatures fled at mere sight -of our warriors, though there was a far greater number of them than our -small party could boast. The beast that walked through air still rests -where it fell from the sky. I fear it is dead, for no longer does it -give out its breath of fire."</p> - -<p>"Not dead, but sleeping," Gene said, wisely refraining from burdening -the simple minds of these people with scientific principles. He noticed -that many tribes-people were silently drifting into the cavern, curious -to see this strange being who was so like themselves, yet so different.</p> - -<p>"Now, Old One," he addressed the chief in a respectful tone, "I know -so little of your world. I am as an old woman in a strange cave; -lost. Tell me of the Beast People. How do they see—for they have no -eyes—and how is it there is so much animosity between your races? -Perhaps, if their sin is great enough, I will help you against them."</p> - -<p>Old One frowned and thoughtfully fingered his dingy gray beard. -"Nothing can be done about the Beast People. Long ago, they came from a -world beyond worlds. At the coming of our ancestors, the two races took -up a constant war for possession of this cave city.</p> - -<p>"The legend is that they, too, were spawned of a great beast that -walked through air. Their air-beast, just as yours, fell from the -sky with a great crash. But this sky-monster slept the sleep of no -awakening, and for them there was no returning.</p> - -<p>"In truth, they have no eyes, but my father once told me of the manner -in which they find their way about. When afoot, they send out squeals, -imperceptible to our ears, which come back to them from the obstacles -and pitfalls they would avoid and thus guide them to an open path.</p> - -<p>"Never, since that far day in the past, have others of their kind -come to plague this world. It is my belief that the Beast People's -sky-monster rebelled against them and carried them far away from -their goal, wherever it may have been. For that, their brothers who -searched—if search they did—could not find their spoor and perforce -gave them up for lost.</p> - -<p>"There is more to their history, but it is not for your ears. Methinks, -it could well be that you are one of the Beast People; for surely those -of the home world have changed in the many tens of years since these -few of their kind were stranded here."</p> - -<p>Old One paused to glance quizzically at Gene. His bewrinkled old -forehead drew tightly together as he studied the wiry biologist.</p> - -<p>"Whence come you?" he asked sharply. "If from the world beyond worlds, -then truly you are a Beast Man. If from a world that is sister to this -sphere of rock, then does my tribe welcome you and call you brother. -May your tongue speak truth, man of the skies."</p> - -<p>All in the cave were tense, silent—waiting for the man's answer. -Gene took a step nearer Old One's bench, calm and confident. A world -beyond worlds would imply a planet of another system; thus, being from -a planet akin to this upon which he had been cast, he spoke without -apprehension:</p> - -<p>"I name myself Gene Drummond, and I come from Earth—the third world -nearest the sun."</p> - -<p>He looked about, expecting the tribesmen to loose shouts of welcome; -but the grim silence only became more forbidding and the people drew -back, as if from a leper. Gene leaped forward.</p> - -<p>"Old One!" he cried in the aged man's face. "Explain to them that I am -not of the Beast People. I am an Earthling; your brother!"</p> - -<p>There was infinite sadness in Old One's gaze. "Nay," he said somberly, -"you are not of the Beast People, and no more so are you our brother. -By the gods, you are of a race a thousandfold more loathsome than the -Beast People!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">III</p> - -<p>Gene sat dejectedly at the mouth of his cave, dully staring out at the -black sameness of the destitute valley. Two stalwart Wronged Ones, as -Kac had termed his tribe, stood at the opening, watching the man with -troubled eyes.</p> - -<p>Thus had it been for the past week, since the day Old One had -pronounced those dread words condemning Gene and all like him. True, he -was allowed to roam the cave city and observe the ways of the tribe, -but always the guards were with him.</p> - -<p>What terrible deed could have been done by Earth's people to so bring -the scorn of an entire race upon them? He had mulled over this night -after night, but the answer was beyond his grasp. Those of the tribe -had never again spoken of it after that one accusing moment in the case -of their chief.</p> - -<p>He smiled wryly. Faring forth from Earth to solve the mystery of the -destructive ray, he had run squarely into another, far greater puzzle. -And when he found the answer to one, then he would surely solve the -other; for he now felt certain that the two were in some way connected.</p> - -<p>The solution must come soon. He had spent much time reading the -brochure given to him by President Mason, and in it Science Center had -stated that the molecular patterns of metal could not long withstand -the disrupting force. If surcease did not come shortly, there was no -guessing what great catastrophe would befall Earth. Perhaps the entire -sphere would disintegrate and fall away in space!</p> - -<p>Another riddle he had come across was that of the always-guarded cavern -in the center of the city, about which all life in the community -revolved. It seemed as if the Wronged Ones lived only to gather each -night in that chamber and—worship?</p> - -<p>All that his guards would tell him about the place was that it was -called the Cave of Talkers. Old One had warned him never to go near it, -and the guards were careful to see that he heeded the admonition.</p> - -<p>With such things troubling his mind, he retired into the cave and -stretched out on the miserable pile of furs. Soon he made out the -glow of a tiny campfire outside, about which the guards huddled in the -gathering gloom.</p> - -<p>Strange people were these. It was very seldom they smiled. The greater -part of the time sadness was stamped deep in their features; sadness -that spoke eloquently of a great tragedy that had come to them in the -dim far past. Plague, perhaps?</p> - -<p>Gene frowned and rolled over on his side. So many questions; so few -answers. He yawned sleepily and closed his eyes. Action. That was what -he wanted; action.... Then his mind became as the darkness.</p> - -<p>He did not fare forth into the city next morning, but remained in the -cave, putting into action a plan that had come to him during the night. -The guards were not in evidence at the cavern's mouth, but he knew they -were near at hand. The moment he came out, there they would be, intent -on carrying out their sworn duty.</p> - -<p>Crouched in a deep recess of the chamber, he played his energy-ray on -the wall before him, shielding his eyes from the bright glare with a -gloved hand.</p> - -<p>He thanked his lucky stars that the simple-minded tribesmen had never -thought to take the gun from him. With its aid he would at least be -able to steal from the cave this night, all unknown to the guards, and -make his way to the Cave of Talkers, there to learn what went on inside -that mysterious chamber.</p> - -<p>The ray bit ever deeper in the hard stone, gouging out a narrow tunnel -through which Gene could worm his way into the adjoining cave—that of -Mree-na, the patriarch, from whom Gene had learned the language of the -Wronged Ones.</p> - -<p>Mree-na would not be home. Being too old to hunt, he spent his days -in going among the people to hear their woes and offer his counsel in -inter-family disputes. Thus Gene worked without fear of detection.</p> - -<p>The hours sped by, and still he labored—determined to win through by -nightfall. If he had judged right, he would emerge in the far reaches -of Mree-na's abode, where the shadows were heavy and where the feeble -old man never ventured.</p> - -<p>The wall was not as thick as he had expected. The call of the returning -hunters was in his ears as the last foot of matter gave before the -hissing ray and crashed to the floor of Mree-na's cave, mid a thunder -of echoes.</p> - -<p>Gene stuck his head through the opening, glanced about, then withdrew. -The way was clear. When the tribe met tonight in the Cave of Talkers, -Gene Drummond would be the uninvited guest.</p> - -<p>Brushing the telltale dust from his clothes he walked casually from the -cavern and started down the long, sloping trail leading to the valley -below. His guards hurried up and one grasped him gently by the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"There you cannot go," he said firmly. "Old One knows all. You would -go yonder where the sleeping sky-beast lies and flee this world, -but Old One and his people would not have it so ... ever," he added -significantly.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Damn it!" Gene exploded. "I'm starving for a good meal. I've got -plenty of canned food in my ship; give me a couple of warriors to carry -it here and I'll spread out a feast for your tribe that will make the -slop you eat taste like—like slop!"</p> - -<p>The two men did not cringe before his wrath, but stood their ground; -their sad eyes growing even sadder. For a long moment there was -silence; then the one who rested his hand on Gene's shoulder spoke.</p> - -<p>"Man of the third planet, you have come among a saddened people; a -people to whom a great—nay, the <i>greatest</i>—injustice was done in the -dim, yet vivid, past. My tongue is pledged to speak not of this, but -know you it is not by our will we are here. Know you, also, this slop -you cry out against should call to you as like calls to like, for long -did you wallow in it!"</p> - -<p>Gene said nothing, but turned and stumbled away. He realized now that -these barbarians meant to keep him here for as long as he should live. -They wanted him to know some of their misery, their sorrow; to know -the hopelessness they knew, and the futility of struggling with an -environment that gave not before the onslaught of humanity. Why?</p> - -<p>He was feeling like the lowest heel in the world by the time night -fell. But he soon snapped out of it when he heard the tramp of many -feet outside as the tribes-people passed on their way to the Cave of -Talkers.</p> - -<p>Hell! He didn't owe these savages anything, though they tried their -best to give him that impression. Maybe their plaint of injustice done -them was just an act to cover up some insidious activity going on in -the great cave!</p> - -<p>Shaking with excitement, he wriggled through his secret tunnel and -dropped cat-like to the floor of the adjacent cave. A quick look about -assured him Mree-na had already left for the big doings. He hurried to -the mouth of the chamber and stealthily peered outside.</p> - -<p>A few yards away, the two guards squatted on boulders in front of the -cave he had just vacated, talking in low voices about the night's -activities. They expressed disappointment at not being able to attend -the nightly meetings, but Old One had cautioned them never to go so far -from their post as to allow their charge a chance to escape.</p> - -<p>Gene took a deep breath and darted out of the cavern, running silently -over the rough ledge to the next chamber. He crouched in its maw and -looked back at the guards. They sat unmoving, except to reach up now -and then to adjust their fur robes in an effort to shut out the biting -cold.</p> - -<p>He moved away, satisfied they had not seen him.</p> - -<p>As he neared the Cave of Talkers he became aware of a steady vibration -of the rock underfoot. He had never before been this close to the -worshipping place of the Wronged Ones, if worshipping place it was.</p> - -<p>No guards were here; they, too, had gone inside to participate in the -proceedings. Gene eased into the vast cavern, staying close to the wall -so as not to be seen. A rumbling as of giant sobbing beat against his -ears, accompanied by the droning undertone of a rhythmic chant.</p> - -<p>He stood at the head of the broad stairs leading down to the cave -proper; and from there he looked upon that which brought a gasp of -stark incredulity to his lips.</p> - -<p>Below, the Wronged Ones knelt on the floor of the cavern, heads bowed -in veneration as they offered up the monotonous prayer. All were there: -women, children, battle-scarred warriors, and aged folk who could but -scarcely assume a kneeling position.</p> - -<p>All this, he had more or less expected; for after all, these people -were but superstitious savages who looked to their gods for guidance. -But the thing that astounded him was the two colossal objects upon -which the Wronged Ones bestowed their homage.</p> - -<p>In the center of the ring of kneeling tribesmen stood twin machines, -throbbing with power and sending off a weird effulgence. From one, -a long, tapering tube thrust up through the ceiling of the cavern, -vibrating violently under some great stress. Gene pressed nearer the -wall, unconsciously fearful of the tremendous energy surging through -that giant machine.</p> - -<p>The other object of worship vaguely resembled an outsized dynamo, -though such as Gene had never before seen. In truth, the resemblance -was so little as to be all but non-existent.</p> - -<p>Great comets! How did such a mass of intricate machinery get here, in -this underground vault, on a world where metal was not known? And what -was its purpose?</p> - -<p>A narrow ledge ran around the chamber's walls, and Gene moved along -this to a spot where he could look down on the scene without risk of -being seen.</p> - -<p>Now and again the droning supplication halted, and during these pauses -Old One arose and moved about the machines. In his hand he carried a -small skin sack. This he tilted over certain parts of the whirring, -pounding colossi, and from it poured a thin trickle of what could be -nothing but oil.</p> - -<p>This ceremony performed, Old One moved back, then once more the -gathered throng took up the melancholy strain of the interrupted -invocation. Above all, the machines hummed and sang with unbelievable -power; deathless power. Yet, it seemed the prolonged roar faltered now -and then; stopped for the barest fraction of an instant. At such times, -the multitude groaned; then prayed all the more fervently.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Gene's mind was in tumult. This world was so unlike Earth: it did not -revolve on its axis, the false night of the valley was caused by dense -clouds of dust or some other substance which, carried by the wind, -passed over in irregular periods; thus one day would be longer or -shorter than another. He doubted that a thorough search of the sphere -would turn up enough metal to be worth the hunting, yet here were two -giant machines, idols of a primitive people who could not conceivably -grasp the mechanics involved. What a world! A world of riddles, Gene -thought absently.</p> - -<p>Then, a wild shout stabbed through his thoughts and he jerked -startledly, almost losing his foothold on the treacherous ledge. The -urgent cry came again, nearer the cave now, and with it a frightful -uproar that raised the short hairs on the nape of Gene's neck. He could -make out the yell now: "Out! Out! The Beast People come!"</p> - -<p>The Wronged Ones heard also, and poured up the stairs with cries of -wrath at thus having their ritual broken short, snatching up spears -from the floor as they went.</p> - -<p>Gene hung back until the last of them had passed outside, then he, too, -flung himself through the cave mouth. His hand clutched the deadly -energy-ray, finger ready on the trigger to unloose a barrage of hissing -death on the repulsive creatures assailing the city. He did owe the -Wronged Ones something for saving his life, even though they had not -treated him as nicely as they might have.</p> - -<p>Chaos met his eyes. Grouped together as they were, the Wronged Ones -offered a perfect target for the spears of the Beast People. Screaming -women and children floundered about, colliding with the warriors and -making it difficult for them to cast their weapons with accuracy. A -great sorrow clutched his heart as he saw old Mree-na go down, his -hands tearing at a shaft imbedded deep in his chest. Of all on this -world, the withered patriarch and Kac alone had been friendly toward -Gene. The rest bore him no hate, no ill will; but their eyes never -looked upon him but that they looked with accusation.</p> - -<p>He pushed to the fore of the throng, brusquely shoving aside all in his -path. A long line of Beast People stretched across the valley floor, -moving forward rapidly and determinedly. Gene could see they were set -on winning the city this time, no matter what the cost. They carried -many firebrands, and some of these they threw among the disorganized -foe. Cries of agony rent the air as the blazing missiles ignited hair -and fur garments. Now, even the staunch warriors dropped their weapons -to beat at the tormenting flames. Utter defeat was hard upon them.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Gene felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to find Kac standing beside -him, desperation in his eyes. The young giant paused to launch a spear -at the oncoming horde, then ducked behind a boulder, dragging the -biologist with him.</p> - -<p>The chief's son looked wonderingly for a moment at his strange -companion, then spoke quickly: "I do not know how you managed to -escape, Gene, but somehow I find myself glad to have you here in -this hour of crisis. See, even now my people fall by the tens; it -will be slaughter when the Beast People close with our warriors for -hand-to-hand battles. Can not you, a man capable of bending a fiery -sky-monster to your will, find a way to turn back this vermin that -would bring annihilation to all in this city?"</p> - -<p>Gene peeped over the rounded stone and snapped a shot at the nearest -half-man. The thing fell, its head completely blown away. Kac gasped -and backed away in fear, for although he had seen the Earthling use the -gun when trapped near the ship, he still thought of it as some form of -black magic.</p> - -<p>"Small loss to those monstrosities," Gene murmured. "There's swarms of -them." Then in a louder voice, "I might think of something shortly. But -first we must rally your men and get the women and children to safety. -Then we can work on a method of counterattack."</p> - -<p>Old One joined them and Gene quickly gave the men their instructions. -Leaders that they were, he was certain they would succeed in the task -of bringing order to the panic-stricken community. He was to hold off -the half-men until the two could draw up an effective defense.</p> - -<p>The chief and his son hurried away to exhort the tribe and Gene took -his post behind the large boulder. He noticed the hideous ones were not -advancing so rapidly now. They were reluctant to face again the fearful -death of fire that had done for so many of them the first time they had -come upon the explorer.</p> - -<p>Kac raced up, flung himself down beside Gene, just as a spear whizzed -overhead and clattered to the ground a few yards away.</p> - -<p>"They are poor marksmen," he laughed mirthlessly. Then, with pride in -his voice, "Gene, the warriors have already rallied, and of their own -accord! They are ready to fight the invader."</p> - -<p>A look assured Drummond that the Wronged Ones had indeed come back -fighting; they scorned the protection of the rocks, but stood straight -and firm, casting their shafts with a trueness that took great toll of -the disappointed Beast People, who had thought victory already in their -grasp. The long line moved ever slower.</p> - -<p>"Well, that was certainly taken care of in a hurry!" he said -admiringly. "What about the women and children—are they safe?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," Kac nodded. "The aged men of the tribe even now aid Old One in -herding the weak ones into the caves. Now we may fight unhindered. Now -shall the vermin know the wrath of my people!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Gene did not voice his fears, but he was afraid the rally had come too -late. The attacking force had gained too far up the side of the valley, -and with their greatly superior numbers they could soon squelch the -opposition in a man-to-man fight. It was uncanny, the way the eyeless -beings moved over and around the obstructions in their path, as if they -knew the location of each from memory. Even so, they were about the -clumsiest things he knew of.</p> - -<p>The valley was brighter now, and looking up he could see a dim glow -filtering through the heavy clouds. It had been a short night, and that -was well for the tribe; for heretofore they had been forced to direct -their weapons to the target by the light of torches dropped by fallen -half-men.</p> - -<p>But even though the advantage of daylight was now with them, they were -forced to give back before the doggedly advancing enemy. Soon they -would be forced to seek refuge in the caves. And as the foul creatures -came on there rose up an endless, terrifying scream of hate. The fall -of the cave city was near at hand.</p> - -<p>Gene had been thinking about the things he had witnessed in the Cave -of Talkers, and now he turned excitedly to the man beside him, a -desperate plan taking shape in his mind.</p> - -<p>"Listen, Kac! Go now—and may your feet sprout wings—to the Cave of -Talkers and bring from there the sack of liquid used in your ritual. We -may yet save the city, my friend."</p> - -<p>Fear was in Kac's eyes, but only a moment. Surely the gods would give -up their sustenance to save their devout people. He hurried off, -bending low and weaving.</p> - -<p>While he waited, Gene poured a steady fire at the abhorrent foe. Still, -not a gap showed in that long, undulating line. The moment one creature -fell, another rushed in to take his place.</p> - -<p>Kac returned shortly, carrying the big skin sack of oil.</p> - -<p>"This is all we have," he apologized. "The plants that produce this are -scarce, and so we never have a very large supply."</p> - -<p>"We can only hope it will be enough," Gene said grimly, taking the -sack. "Here, give me your spear."</p> - -<p>Kac turned over the long shaft and the biologist quickly poured oil -over it. Then he inserted the shaft of the slippery weapon in the -leatherlike carrying strap of the sack. While doing this, a torch fell -at his side in a burst of sparks and he snatched it up, smiling.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, sucker! I'll be returning the favor shortly! Now, Kac, here's -what you must do: Take the torch and when I give the signal, touch it -to the oilsack. Then stand away in a hurry. That clear?"</p> - -<p>Kac grinned in quick understanding of Gene's plan and enthusiastically -prepared for his part in it. He crouched low, smoking firebrand ready -in his hand, while Gene climbed to his feet and hoisted the odd -ensemble over his shoulder. Gauging distance, he adjusted the angle of -the spear, then took a firm stance.</p> - -<p>"Let 'er rip!"</p> - -<p>Kac leaped up and thrust the torch against the saturated sack, then -threw himself to the ground and rolled frantically away.</p> - -<p>The bag blazed up instantly, and just as swift did Gene whip the spear -up and forward. The roaring ball of fire left the shaft in a high arc, -sailing straight toward the unsuspecting Beast People.</p> - -<p>Down it came, bursting at the feet of the nearest half-men. Flaming -oil spewed over everything within a wide radius. It ate away flesh and -hair with a voracity that was dreadful to see. Living torches raced -madly about in circles, screaming at the top of their voices—then to -collapse in smouldering heaps, the evil life within them fled before -the cleansing flame.</p> - -<p>All along the line, creatures stopped dead in their tracks, an -unreasoning fear striking deep in their hearts, if hearts they had. -They could not see the cause of disaster, but they could hear its roar -and the shrieks of their dying fellows. To them, it was as if a raging -holocaust had leaped from the bowels of the earth to gulp them in. -Then, as once before, the Beast People gave up to panic, and the solid -ranks suddenly disintegrated. Pell-mell they fled, back into and across -the valley, putting distance between themselves and the horror that -supposedly pursued them.</p> - -<p>A jubilant shout went up from the defenders of the city: "The accursed -ones are beaten! The man from Earth has this day given us final -victory! Hail the man from Earth—our brother!"</p> - -<p>A great pride welled in Gene's breast, but still his mind was troubled. -Now he had won the friendship of the Wronged Ones, but were the Beast -People truly vanquished? He thought not. Even with the enormous -casualties they had sustained, they still far outnumbered Old One's -tribe. They were desperate; this was a bitterly cold, dying world, and -outside this valley, without shelter, a person unhardened to the low -temperature would soon perish. The horrible creatures were vigorous and -rugged, but the cold was becoming more marked, year by year. Even they -could not long bear such hardships. He had a hunch they had not gone -far from the valley, and would soon launch another attack on the city.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">IV</p> - -<p>Part of Gene's hunch proved correct. The Beast People were camped just -outside the valley, this being verified by scouts sent out from the -city late that evening. It was logical to suppose that the suspected -attack would also become reality in the near future. There was little -sleep for him that night. He lay with eyes open, thinking—but little -did he solve.</p> - -<p>Kac personally brought Gene's breakfast to him the following morning. -The sad face of the chief's son was even sadder this day.</p> - -<p>"Many of my people shall no longer know the hardships of life," he told -the explorer. "One hundred of them fell before the onslaught of the -Beast People. And—sorrow floods my heart—women and children account -for more than half of the dead.</p> - -<p>"Gene, my friend, my tribe is grateful for your succor in its hour of -peril. But for you, the caves would now be in the filthy hands of our -most despised enemies. Yea, you have proved yourself a warrior, and we -belatedly welcome you as a brother."</p> - -<p>Gene was already engrossed in the food, and an unintelligible grunt -was the best he could do in the way of a reply. Kac sat on the floor, -watching him with wonder—and more than a touch of pity. His brow was -furrowed with thought, and suddenly he spoke:</p> - -<p>"You are not like those, those <i>others</i>, Gene. The legends tell us -<i>they</i> were cruel, merciless. But you are kind, just, and your mind -knows no deceit. Spawn of the <i>others</i> you may well be, yet their -inhuman traits dwell not in you."</p> - -<p>Gene looked up puzzledly. "Hey! What in Deimos' Dungeons are you -talking about? Who are these <i>others</i>, and what makes you think I'm -in cahoots with them? Listen, Kac, I'm an Earthman—flesh and blood, -bone and hair, every single atom. Before Man, there were no intelligent -creatures on Earth; and as for Man himself doing you some great wrong, -it could not possibly have happened. Your planet is unknown to my -world; I myself discovered it only by the most unusual circumstances. -You've got me dizzy with all this talk about supposed wrongs, so how -about putting our cards on the table?"</p> - -<p>Kac rose, nodding gravely. "Thus was it foretold. Time has erased all -memory of the evil deed of your race. But our remembrance of it is as -a flame that grows not weaker, but stronger, with the years. Come now, -Gene Drummond, and learn of your sin."</p> - -<p>Gene followed the tall barbarian from the cavern, excited and more -than a little apprehensive. As they walked, he noted that many warriors -were on guard throughout the community. That was good. Looking up, he -noticed for the first time that a naked, black mountain reared into the -sky but a half-mile or so back from the valley wall wherein the caves -were situated. That, too, was good. The Beast People would be forced to -come at them from the fore.</p> - -<p>The trail led to the Cave of Talkers. Down the broad steps, across the -flat stone floor, they went wordless and in awe. The giant machines -loomed before them, throbbing and pounding with such a clamor as to -bring Gene's hands to his ears.</p> - -<p>He soon grew accustomed to the noise, however, and went on with Kac to -a small niche carved in a wall of the chamber. A vault rested in the -recess, and from it Kac took a long metal tube; from this, a musty skin -scroll.</p> - -<p>The towering tribesman turned and looked deep into Gene's eyes. "Now," -he said, "now shall I read to you from this ancient record, written by -those long dead for all Wronged Ones to study and learn therefrom of -the terrible injustice done to their ancestors. It is not pleasant, -Gene. Will you hear it?"</p> - -<p>The biologist nodded, a tight feeling around his heart. What unhappy, -haunting knowledge was about to come to his mind?</p> - -<p>"It is short," Kac murmured. "Those who wrote it knew so little of what -actually happened. Too, the language in which it is written is all but -lost to us. But it is my fancy that when you have hearkened to these -few words, little space will remain in your mind for other thoughts."</p> - -<p>"Go ahead, read it," Gene said hoarsely. "I don't run from the truth, -even though it may cut to the quick."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Kac began; reading swiftly, yet comprehensively: "Long were we, the -Wronged Ones, happy on our beautiful world. Like a green jewel in -space it was; a treasure lost from the bosom of the Mother Sun in some -careless moment.</p> - -<p>"True it is that we were of simple minds; even so, great things were -destined for our race. As evolution worked its miracles the ignorance -that was born with us dropped away, and in its place came a high order -of intelligence.</p> - -<p>"We built, tilled the soil, and forever sought new knowledge to enrich -our hungry minds. Our civilization was rising, forging ahead. The -fertile soil gave abundantly of its treasure; power for our machines -came from the Mother Sun itself.</p> - -<p>"Then, disaster fell upon our world. Through space, with a far greater -speed than light, stabbed an insidious ray—stealing our minds, our -egos. Our bodies remained, but the egos that controlled them were -drained away and hurled through the void.</p> - -<p>"Great was our consternation to find ourselves on an alien world, -inhabiting alien bodies; and bitter were we when we realized the egos -that had formerly possessed these organic vehicles were now dwelling in -<i>our</i> bodies, on our own fair world. A planet of deadness was this upon -which our intellects had been cast, but we were determined to live on -and someday know vengeance.</p> - -<p>"In a word: in one horrible second, and much against our will, we had -traded worlds with a desperate, dying race—our sphere of abundance for -theirs of desolation.</p> - -<p>"The machine with which the usurpers had accomplished this was beyond -our comprehension, though our scientists worked long and feverishly to -solve its secret. Long after, we came to the conclusion the machine had -been captured from the Beast People and one of their number forced to -operate it.</p> - -<p>"Truly, we found a dying half-man in this cavern. He had been poisoned, -so we could not force him to operate the machine for us and take back -the planet and organisms that were rightfully ours. Not until many -years after did we succeed in capturing a number of the Beast People, -only to find they had lost the knowledge of the ego-transposer's -working. They were devolving at a rapid pace, and soon we, too, began -to know the ravages of degeneration, though it did not act with such -speed on us—perhaps only for the reason that we were determined to -stave it off and one day return to our much-mourned world.</p> - -<p>"Here were we, a rising race, now doomed to extinction by a treacherous -people too weak to face the destiny ordained for them. It is true these -people were intelligent, after a fashion, but there is little knowledge -to be had on this rock-world and when the limit is reached, the mind -must retrogress.</p> - -<p>"There will be mutations on our lost world, for our planet was -possessed of a much larger population than this of the transgressors. -Thus when the hellish ego-transposer effected the change, many on -our world were left mindless, with only the instincts of the beast -remaining. Inter-breeding will greatly reduce the intelligence of the -entire population for a time—though they will without doubt arise once -more to a new greatness, for the means are there for them.</p> - -<p>"There can only be sorrow, despair, and untold misery for us. Before -the gods, there can be no greater trespass than this."</p> - -<p>Kac's voice trailed away.</p> - -<p>Sick dread was on Gene's face. "Kac," he whispered, "What was the name -of this world that was stolen from you?"</p> - -<p>"Ours was the third world nearest the sun," the tall warrior answered -with true regret. "The planet you call Earth...."</p> - -<p>Gene's torment of mind knew no bounds in the following hours. Kac had -left him in the cavern, warning him not to destroy the Talkers or the -tribe would surely slay him. The biologist had given his word and even -if he had wished, he could not have violated it; for nothing short of -an atomic-cannon could rend the metal of which the titanic machines -were built.</p> - -<p>He had an atomic-cannon mounted on his ship, <i>New Frontiers</i>, but what -good was it? He could not get to it—the Beast People surrounded the -valley and would nail him the moment he appeared over the rim.</p> - -<p>A small platform extended from the ego-transposer, midway up, and to -this he climbed via a ladder depending from it. A bucket seat was -anchored to the flooring. He dropped in it and began studying the -instruments before him.</p> - -<p>Outside of two silver-beaded screens, the fixtures were simple ones and -quite easy to understand. Yet, his manipulations brought no results.</p> - -<p>Long after night fell, he worked with the machine, and when done, he -left with the knowledge that he was its master. The troublemaker turned -out to be a broken wire; simple, yet it had stumped the Wronged Ones. -The plainest things are often the hardest to see.</p> - -<p>The other machine defied solution. Kac had told him that it, too, had -been captured from the Beast People, who avowed that it generated rays -beneficial to vegetable and animal life.</p> - -<p>Gene learned definitely, though, that it was the cause of Earth's -plight. The working of it was beyond him, but this much he knew. This, -then, was the traitorous Beast People's way of exacting vengeance—by -deliberately misinforming their captors as to the machine's purpose. -Too, they had tampered with some vital part, making it impossible to -shut off the power.</p> - -<p>There was no guessing how long it had been sending that deadly ray -through space, slowly disintegrating all metallic matter in its path. -In a few years, maybe months, metal molecules would be drawn so far -apart that every structure on Earth would collapse under its own weight.</p> - -<p>He thought his brain would burst, so many troubles did it hold. To -add to them, Kac brought word that the Beast People were massing for -another attack. This would be the final battle, with no surcease till -one or the other of the clashing forces fell in decisive defeat—and -Gene knew with dread that it could only be the Wrong Ones who would go -down.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">V</p> - -<p>The onslaught came the next day. Hundreds of the Beast People poured -into the valley—screaming, gibbering, eager to taste blood. They moved -over the rocky surface like some evil blight cast up from the uttermost -depths of Hell.</p> - -<p>Gene's oil trick would not work now, for there was no oil with which to -carry it through. The plants from which it was obtained grew outside -the valley, and no one had dared venture forth to pluck them. The tribe -would not be in misery much longer.</p> - -<p>The warriors had thrown up a stone barricade in front of the caves, and -from behind this they looked out upon the fast-approaching horde. Not a -man among them looked with fear, but with contempt and detestation for -the vermin that came to crush them.</p> - -<p>The invaders were within range now. Gene raised his energy-ray and -tightened his finger around the trigger. Nothing happened. Its power -was exhausted by the almost constant use to which he had put it since -arriving here. He flung it aside and snatched up a spear.</p> - -<p>The first wave of half-men loosed a hail of crude shafts, hurling them -with all the venom that was in their black hearts. Some went to the -mark, piercing the breasts of those too slow in ducking. Their aim was -poor, but they had many spears and many men to throw them.</p> - -<p>Gene tossed his own javelin and had the pleasure of seeing it bury -itself in the neck of a squat creature, severing the jugular. Then the -battle waxed furious.</p> - -<p>The tribe fought desperately to stem the tide. Even Old One and the -venerable warriors whose day of battle should be past added their bit -to the cause. But nothing could turn those squealing, hate-maddened -beings that charged.</p> - -<p>Of a sudden, a hairy, hideous face poked above the barrier. The thing -snarled and pulled itself over the rocks to land squarely on Gene.</p> - -<p>Man and beast met in a fight for life. The slavering brute bore Gene -down with crushing strength, wrapping an arm about his waist and -pushing back on his chin, trying to snap his spine.</p> - -<p>The agony was unbearable. Gene brought up a hand and clamped it on the -back of the half-man's head, digging his thumb in behind the ear.</p> - -<p>An infinite moment passed, then his adversary straightened slowly, -swaying on his feet. The biologist quickly wound his arms around its -neck and went dragging it over the ground to a boulder. Once, twice, he -bashed the filthy head against the stone. The lifeless body dropped.</p> - -<p>Hand to hand battles were raging all about Gene, and though the Wronged -Ones fought valiantly, the knowledge was in their eyes that they were -lost.</p> - -<p>In horror, he saw Old One threshing about on the ground, the fangs -of a half-man fastened in his throat. Before Gene could move, an -avenging form hurtled through the air and lit on the hell-creature. -A stone dagger came down, slashing, tearing, wielded by the hand of a -grief-maddened Kac.</p> - -<p>The explorer turned away, a choking lump rising in his throat. Then, -in his sorrow, a daring plan came to him. Heart thumping against its -prison of ribs, he raced away to the Cave of Talkers.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>No one was there. The women and children were all huddled in their -homes and, of course, every man was outside defending the city. He -clambered up to the platform and threw himself in the bucket seat, -hoping against hope that this experiment would work.</p> - -<p>The ego-transposer hummed with unholy sentience as he threw in a -switch, and a soft glow appeared deep in the silver-beaded screens.</p> - -<p>Slowly, the image of a tiny organism took form on one screen. Almost at -the same moment an identical likeness swam into view on the other. Then -began a parade of life-forms across the screens, each succeeding animal -a bit higher on the evolutionary scale than its predecessor.</p> - -<p>The sounds of battle grew nearer. He had to hurry now.... Ah! There! -The flat, repulsive face of a half-man loomed before him. His finger -stabbed at a stud, and the likeness was transfixed on the screen.</p> - -<p>The procession continued on the other glowing surface until the -physique of a Wronged One took shape in the depths and came to focus.</p> - -<p>The two reproductions stared out at him with unwinking eyes. Deep in -the bowels of the machine the basic mind make-up of the beings was -being analyzed. An instant later the throbbing transposer would set up -an en masse connection with the race egos, then....</p> - -<p>A green light flashed on the panel and Gene brought his hand forward on -the master switch. It was done!</p> - -<p>Elated, he scrambled down from his perch and hurried outside. As he -passed between the strangely inactive creatures at the entrance, a -horrified voice croaked: "What terrible deed has been done?"</p> - -<p>Gene grabbed the foul thing by the shoulders. "Kac! Is it you?"</p> - -<p>"No," it whispered. "It is my mind, yes, but it is not my body." His -hands went to his face. "Gene! I cannot see!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Easy!" Gene hissed. "You'll cause a panic." He realized that although -the Wronged Ones could, with effort, talk with the strange vocal cords, -it would take them some time to master the high-pitched shrill.</p> - -<p>"Listen, Kac," he said. "Call out and tell your people to banish fear -from their minds, or many will die by the spears of the crazed Beast -People. Tell them to fall on the ground and not to rise until you so -instruct them. Hurry now, there is no time to lose!"</p> - -<p>Dazedly, Kac obeyed. Though his voice was cracked and unrecognizable, -it boomed with authority. Suppressing their fright, the transposed -Wronged Ones dropped to the ground and lay unmoving.</p> - -<p>Then Gene crouched beside his fearful companion and looked upon the -debacle. The transported Beast People were groping about uncertainly.</p> - -<p>They were in the same boat as their hated enemies. Sight was a thing -unknown to their brutish minds, thus the eyes they now possessed were -utterly useless; and try as they would, they could not produce the -inaudible squeal which gave them knowledge of their surroundings with -the vocal cords of their new bodies.</p> - -<p>Two of them collided, and immediately struck out with their stone -knives. To each, the flesh they felt was the flesh of a Wronged One—a -feared foe who must be destroyed. Both toppled, screaming defiance even -in their final death throes.</p> - -<p>The scene was repeated time and again, till the valley floor was but a -mass of shrieking, struggling, mangled bodies.</p> - -<p>The carnage all but over, Gene grabbed up a spear and went forth to mop -up. Some of the transposed Wronged Ones had not dropped as Kac, now -their chief, had commanded, but stood about with vacuous expressions on -their faces. He suddenly realized that there were no guiding minds in -these husks. The Beast People had outnumbered the tribe; consequently -many of the monstrosities had been left mindless when the change took -place.</p> - -<p>Finishing his grisly task, he flung the spear from him in disgust and -hurried back to the cave, shouting as he went: "Victory is ours, Kac! -The Beast People are defeated! Now your tribe can rejoice!"</p> - -<p>But there was no joy in Kac, he found. Now, there was a greater sadness -on the new chief's face than was there at any time previous. Strange -people! What could be the grievance now?</p> - -<p>Kac must have sensed the question in his mind. He gestured disdainfully -at his squat, hairy body. "Look you, Gene. You have made our plight -far worse. Now we cannot see to hunt or to harvest the puny crops that -we wrest from this woe-begone world. This had to be, that is to my -knowing. But I fear the tribe will not understand. I can sense their -rage even now, my brother."</p> - -<p>Gene whirled and stared sickly at the warriors rising from the ground. -It was true. Wrath was on their features as they fumbled toward the -cave, guided by the very sound of his breathing impinging against their -sensitive ears.</p> - -<p>The blood-spattered biologist was stunned. "Wait, my brothers!" he -cried, throwing up his arms. "You have not been betrayed! Today, you -have won a great victory over your enemies; on this same day you shall -begin a new life—a life of plenty, of happiness."</p> - -<p>But his words were lost in the roar of a people aroused. Nearer they -groped. Kac added his appeal, to no avail. They would have the blood of -this false-tongued specimen of a race that revelled on a world that was -not his own.</p> - -<p>If only they would listen to his plan! But argument would only bring -about his death—and the end of all hope for a once-mighty people. He -turned despairingly to his one remaining friend.</p> - -<p>"Hear this now, Kac," he said urgently. "I am going into the cave -to—to appeal to the all-powerful Talkers. It is your task to remain -here and hold off your warriors as long as possible. In a few moments -wondrous magic will be worked on you and all your people, but fear not. -Know I am your friend, no matter what strange, new vista your eyes next -look upon, and never would I do you harm. When next we meet, it will be -in a paradise far more glorious than that for which you mourn. Will you -do this your brother asks?"</p> - -<p>The great jaws parted and one resolute word came from them: "Yes!"</p> - -<p>Gene took the gnarled, furry hand in a warm grip, then turned and -bounded down the steps. His hands seemed to be all thumbs as he climbed -the ladder.</p> - -<p>At least, he thought as he spun the dials to long range, the -ego-transposer would undo some of its horrors before its evil existence -came to an end.</p> - -<p>The splendid, sun-tanned form of a tall youth coalesced on one screen -and Gene froze it there with a flick of his finger.</p> - -<p>A panorama of life hastened across the other screen, and he recoiled -impulsively as the flat, stupid face of a half-man leaped at him from -its depth. But he knew that intelligence reposed behind those fearsome -features—intelligence that would build a world.</p> - -<p>Now the transposer was analyzing the race-egos—and the Wronged Ones -were swarming into the cave!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Kac had been unable to hold them. They had merely side-stepped him and -come on, silent now and grim. They would not harm their chief, but they -would let nothing stand in the way of their vengeance.</p> - -<p>Gene rushed to the platform's edge and brought his foot down on a -shaggy hand. A stone dagger swished past his ear and shattered against -the machine. Heart racing, he flung himself against the master switch -and slammed it shut.</p> - -<p>Silence, then a chorus of meaningless grunts drifted up to his ears. -Below, the half-men milled about like cattle, feeling stupidly of their -bodies. They could not understand; they felt wonderingly of their heads -where eyes should be, trying to lift the darkness.</p> - -<p>The <i>New Frontiers</i> still rested where it had crashed—how long ago? -Gene replaced the smashed tube and jockeyed the ship clear of the -debris. The tubes roared with power and the landscape fell away.</p> - -<p>As he sped toward the cave city, his thoughts went back to the events -of a few short hours ago.</p> - -<p>In his feeling for the Wronged Ones, he had followed the only course -that offered itself. That was the transference of their egos to Venus, -to the bodies of the human-like inhabitants of that planet. To those -whom Man had wronged long in the dim past. Gene had given a new life, -atoned for Man's darkest deed.</p> - -<p>At the same time, he had given new hope to Man himself; for now, trade -between Earth and Venus would become a reality as soon as the Wronged -Ones could orient themselves to the new surroundings—a year at the -most. The clouds of Venus had long since lifted, and the tribe would -thrive in the warm sunshine that now bathed the planet. Under Kac's -able leadership they would aid in restoring Earth's depleted mineral -wealth, and in turn Earth would help them in building a lasting -civilization.</p> - -<p>Now he was over the cave city, and he knew what he must do. On the -Vizio-screen he could see tiny specks moving about in the valley. They -were stumbling away from the caves, away from what they could not -understand.</p> - -<p>He dived on the city and depressed the firing stud of the -atomic-cannon. A gigantic concussion rocked his ship as the valley wall -exploded upward.</p> - -<p>On the screen he could see the remains of the machines in the rubble -below. So ended the ego-transposer, a devil machine that could lift the -spider-web of self from the very brain on which it was spun.</p> - -<p>So, too, ended the destructive ray that a desperate people, ever greedy -for new wealth, had unwittingly turned upon themselves on that day of -infancy in the now-forgotten past.</p> - -<p>Now to Venus, where the end of his strange adventure awaited. There -had been many more Venusians than Wronged Ones. This surplus now -belonged to the beasts—mindless, with only the instincts of the -beast remaining. These mindless ones must be segregated to prevent -inter-breeding with the others.</p> - -<p>As the <i>New Frontiers</i> flashed sunward, Gene caught one final glimpse -of the transposed Venusians on his Vizio. Now a race without hope, were -they. In undoing one great wrong, he had committed another. But this -was a primitive, ignorant people to whom intelligence would never have -come in time to aid Earth in the crisis that threatened.</p> - -<p>He had played God to them, but they would never know, never realize ... -or would they?</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Steel Giants of Chaos, by James R. 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