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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..6c3523f --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #63807 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63807) diff --git a/old/63807-h.zip b/old/63807-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 307343f..0000000 --- a/old/63807-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/63807-h/63807-h.htm b/old/63807-h/63807-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 2a0fdf9..0000000 --- a/old/63807-h/63807-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3726 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Great Green Blight, by Emmett Mcdowell. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.caption p -{ - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0; - margin: 0.25em 0; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -.ph1 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } -.ph1 { font-size: medium; margin: .83em auto; } - - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Great Green Blight, by Emmett McDowell - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Great Green Blight - -Author: Emmett McDowell - -Release Date: November 18, 2020 [EBook #63807] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT GREEN BLIGHT *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>The Great Green Blight</h1> - -<h2>By EMMETT McDOWELL</h2> - -<p>The Empire of Earth was crumbling. Space-liners fell<br /> -prey to savage phantom crews. A weird, green wave<br /> -of terror engulfed the Universe. Enslavement of the<br /> -Empire was near, and only a handful of men could halt<br /> -the final blow ... a handful of men who could not<br /> -act—for a single movement would mean their death.</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>Somewhere aboard the Super Space Liner, <i>Jupiter</i>, a resonant gong -sounded three times. Norman Saint Clair started, glanced uneasily -about the magnificent lounge. A gray fear gnawed at his vitals. With -a sinking heart, he watched the crowd, who had come to see off the -passengers, hurry out the port. This was his last chance to get off the -ship.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me," said a voice at his elbow.</p> - -<p>Norman Saint Clair spun around, recognized a Universal Lines steward, -grinned embarrassedly.</p> - -<p>"First trip?" asked the yellow-clad steward.</p> - -<p>The young man nodded.</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't be too uneasy, sir. We'll pick up our escort this side of -the moon. A full ship of the line, sir. We're carrying radium, you -know. They wouldn't dare attack a ship of the line. May I see your -book, sir?"</p> - -<p>Norman Saint Clair fumbled in his wallet, handed the steward his book. -Since Terra's ships had begun to disappear on the Earth to Jupiter run, -the Terrestial Intelligence Service required them of everyone traveling -through space. It contained his photograph, a three-dimensional -likeness showing a gaunt likeable face crowned by short, crisp blond -hair, a photostatic copy of his birth certificate, his description, -nationality, business, fingerprints, history.</p> - -<p>Satisfied, the steward said: "This way, sir," and led him to an -acceleration chair at the after end of the lounge. "Strap yourself in, -sir. We start in a few moments."</p> - -<p>The young man eased his lank, six-foot-two frame into the seat, -nervously fastened the belt. In spite of the steward's words, he was -not reassured. Ship after ship had vanished into the blue. Nor had the -vaunted Terrestial Navy or the T.I.S. been able to discover any trace -of them thereafter. Somewhere beyond the orbit of Mars their radios -crackled and blanked out. Space opened and swallowed them. It was -unprecedented. Never before in the history of space travel had anything -remotely like it occurred.</p> - -<p>His eyes roved among the few passengers strapped in their chairs. They -were subdued. The sailing, unlike the gay hectic affairs before the -coming of the terror, was grim, quiet. No one, he realized, was making -the trip unless it was unavoidable.</p> - -<p>With a touch of panic, he considered demanding to be set back on Terra -while there was yet time, but a stubborn streak made him hold to his -course. It was the same stubborn streak which had led him to book -passage aboard the <i>Jupiter</i> in spite of the terror. A hundred times -he had regretted accepting the post of Lecturer on Ancient History at -distant Ganymede. He loved the quiet sanctuary of his library with -its collection of twentieth century authors. He had no ambition to -exchange his secure academic life for the uncertainty of a crude, rowdy -frontier. But the post had offered a good salary, much better than he -could expect on Earth for years.</p> - -<p>A party of Colonial Guards swaggering across the lounge drew his -attention. They were a hard-faced lot, recruited from Earth's far-flung -frontiers. They constituted, he knew, a special armed guard, traveling -aboard the <i>Jupiter</i> at the company's request. Universal was taking -no risk with the precious cargo of radium.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>From the Colonial Guards his eyes strayed across to the occupant of the -seat next to his. A girl. He stared, lost in admiration. He'd never -seen a creature so beautiful. Her black curly hair framed a pale oval -face. Her eyes were blue, her features delicate, chiseled. She was, he -realized with a start, regarding him with a mixture of amusement and -solicitude.</p> - -<p>"First trip?" the girl asked, liking the frank scholarly face of the -young man.</p> - -<p>He nodded.</p> - -<p>"Just relax in your chair," she advised him. "The acceleration's pretty -fierce at first."</p> - -<p>A second gong advised them the port was sealed. Several passengers -hurried into the lounge, flung themselves into acceleration chairs. -A voice, coming over the public address system, announced: "Strap -yourselves in carefully. Acceleration begins in three minutes." Twice -more the warning was repeated.</p> - -<p>Norman Saint Clair's pulse beat rapidly. He felt frightened. Then a -faint hum made itself felt rather than heard.</p> - -<p>The girl said, "Listen, the engines."</p> - -<p>He thought they sounded like the hum of bees on a warm summer day. He -shivered, feeling that cold knife of fear slide into his vitals.</p> - -<p>A giant hand slammed him in the chest, thrust him deep into the folds -of the acceleration chair. His breath was driven from his lungs. He -gasped, strained for air painfully. The die was cast, he realized -bitterly. There could be no turning back now. They were off.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes the pressure slackened. He could turn his head. The -girl, he saw, had uncoupled her safety and was rising. He followed her -example, stood up unsteadily. The artificial gravity, two-thirds that -on Earth, was in effect. It gave him a light giddy sensation. He didn't -think he was going to enjoy the voyage.</p> - -<p>"Isn't it delightful?" said the girl. "It always makes me feel -positively sylph-like."</p> - -<p>Now that she was standing he could see how slim was her waist, how full -her hips, how long her legs. She stirred some atavistic sense in him. A -vein throbbed in his throat. I'm reacting like an animal, he thought. -Disgusting.</p> - -<p>The girl held out her hand, said, "I'm Jennifer Scott. I'm going home -to Ganymede."</p> - -<p>He took her hand, introduced himself. "I've been employed to lecture on -Ancient History at the Ganymede Seminar."</p> - -<p>Jennifer clapped her hands. "Grand. Papa is commandant of the military -post. The fort is only a short distance from the Seminar. We'll be -neighbors. You'll love Ganymede. It's so wild and primitive."</p> - -<p>"No doubt," he replied dryly.</p> - -<p>Jennifer glanced at her watch, said, "It's time for lunch. I'm -ravenous. Shall we try the saloon or the grill." She seemed to have -assumed proprietorship of him. He rather liked it. He said, "Let's try -the dining saloon."</p> - -<p>As he piloted her across the lounge, he observed again how few people -had booked passage. The fear returned, squeezed at his stomach. He said:</p> - -<p>"Do you think it was wise to make the crossing at a time like this?"</p> - -<p>"What?" said Jennifer. "Oh. You mean the terror. No, I suppose it -wasn't, and papa will be frantic. He sent me a spaceogram absolutely -forbidding me to return. But I was fed up."</p> - -<p>"Fed up?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, fed up with Earth and their dull stuffy ways," said the girl -passionately. "They're dead. They've forgotten how to play, or fight or -make love."</p> - -<p>Norman Saint Clair was shocked. People who went to the Colonies, he had -always supposed, were driven to some such drastic step by the force of -circumstance—economic, possibly, as was his case. This view came as a -revelation, an unpleasant one.</p> - -<p>"Anyway," continued the girl; "we're off. It's too late now."</p> - -<p>They fell in behind a fat Earth woman, entered the passage which led -to the dining saloon. He started to ask the girl what she had found so -unpleasant about Earth, when the fat woman stopped, said: "Oh, my God!" -Then she began to scream. The screams lifted the hair right off Norman -Saint Clair's neck.</p> - -<p>Jennifer cried, "What is it? What happened?"</p> - -<p>Hesitantly, he peered over the screaming woman's shoulder, saw a man -stretched on the deck. He lay on his stomach, his head on one side, -disclosing a pale classical profile. He appeared young, little older -than Norman himself.</p> - -<p>"I don't know," the young man replied. "Someone's hurt, I think."</p> - -<p>He forced himself to push past the fat woman, kneel at the unconscious -man's side. What he saw made him sick. He looked away. A gout of blood -had spurted from the man's neck, dyed the green fiberon carpet scarlet. -His throat had been cut from ear to ear.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Several passengers, alarmed by the Earth woman's screams, dashed into -the passage.</p> - -<p>"What's wrong?"</p> - -<p>"Something happened?"</p> - -<p>"Dead!" the fat woman gasped. "My God, I almost stepped on him!" She -burst into strangling sobs.</p> - -<p>A yellow-clad steward appeared. He couldn't see the body because of the -press. "What's the trouble, sir?"</p> - -<p>Norman stared at him. "Murder," he said in a shocked voice. "This man -has been murdered. His throat's cut."</p> - -<p>"Murder!" repeated the steward. "I'll get the captain." He scuttled off -down the corridor. The fat woman went into hysterics.</p> - -<p>"Who could have done it?" breathed Jennifer. "Why?"</p> - -<p>Norman Saint Clair shook his head. He rose from his knees, feeling -weak, shaken. He had never seen a dead man before.</p> - -<p>"Here," said a man brusquely. "I'm a doctor. Let me see that man." He -shouldered to the front, knelt beside the body. Norman Saint Clair -relinquished his place with relief.</p> - -<p>"Powerful man did that," the doctor pointed out. "Almost cut his head -off."</p> - -<p>With a gulp Norman looked away.</p> - -<p>"Here!" ejaculated the doctor. "Look at this!"</p> - -<p>Curiosity dragged his eyes back. The doctor had rolled the body over, -turned back the lapel of the dark gray business suit. Norman saw a -small green disk pinned to the underside of the lapel. It was about the -size of a dime and died out to represent one of Earth's hemispheres. -Three letters in raised silver stood out on the green surface. -"<i>T.I.S.</i>" he made out.</p> - -<p>"An agent of the Terrestial Intelligence Service," breathed Norman.</p> - -<p>The doctor rose, drew a handkerchief, wiped his hands. He was a tall -man, almost as tall as Norman, with gray hair. His brown eyes sought -the young man's. "He must have been working on the terror."</p> - -<p>Norman nodded, thought that it didn't require any brilliant deduction -to guess that. Ninety percent of the T.I.S. force was trying to solve -it. The entire resources of the Empire were being drawn upon to uncover -the solution. Vital trade was at a standstill, and last week the -<i>Nebulae</i>, a crack luxury liner, had disappeared between Earth and -Mars with the Martian ambassador aboard. The incident had very nearly -severed diplomatic relations between the two worlds.</p> - -<p>The doctor bit his lip, frowned, "I wish the Captain would get here," -he said. He glanced anxiously at the gaping crowd, discovered the -blue-eyed, black-haired girl by Norman's side.</p> - -<p>"Jennifer!" the doctor exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Hello, Doctor Pequod. I didn't want to interrupt your examination."</p> - -<p>The doctor's frown deepened. "Jennifer, what's your father thinking to -let you travel at a time like this? He should realize it's dangerous."</p> - -<p>"He doesn't know," replied Jennifer simply. "Doctor, this is Mr. Saint -Clair. He's going to lecture in the Ganymede Seminar."</p> - -<p>Norman shook hands automatically. Although he refused to look at the -body his mind persisted in picturing it. He said, "Doctor, do you -realize there's a killer loose among us?"</p> - -<p>"What do you take me for? A simpleton?" snorted the doctor.</p> - -<p>"But Doctor," put in Jennifer; "if he was working on the terror, he -must have discovered something. Else, why should they have killed him?"</p> - -<p>"I'd thought of that," interrupted Norman. "Do you suppose we're headed -for the same fate as those other ships? We're carrying radium."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense," grunted the doctor. "That agent might have been on the -trail of smugglers, anything. Oh, here comes the Captain."</p> - -<p>The Captain, a brusque little man who appeared to be in his fifties, -glanced briefly at the body, said: "Who found it?"</p> - -<p>Several passengers pointed out Norman.</p> - -<p>"I?" said Norman in haste. "I didn't find it. That—that...." He flung -his eyes over the crowd in search of the fat woman, but she had been -carried to her stateroom. He took a breath, began again. "Miss Scott -and I were going to lunch. We were right behind an Earth woman. She saw -the body first."</p> - -<p>"You didn't see anyone enter or leave this passage?"</p> - -<p>He emphatically shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Steward!" called the Captain, turning away. "Get this body into the -meat box."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir." The steward started to go for help.</p> - -<p>"Here! Wait a moment. Clear these people out first."</p> - -<p>Norman said to Jennifer, "Let's get out." More than anything else, he -wanted to get away from that body. His voyage to Ganymede was turning -out even worse than he had anticipated.</p> - -<p>"Not you," said the Captain. "I want to see your book."</p> - -<p>Norman could feel the eyes of everyone on him as he handed it over.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The Captain examined it, looked up into the pale scholarly face of -the young man. "No," he said with a trace of contempt, "I suppose you -wouldn't have seen anything at that. You may go."</p> - -<p>Norman flushed, took his book back. A surge of anger welled up inside -him at the Captain's tone. He was of a mind to register a complaint -with the company.</p> - -<p>"I said you may go," repeated the Captain.</p> - -<p>"I am waiting for Miss Scott," replied Norman stiffly.</p> - -<p>For a moment the two men's wills clashed. It was the Captain, oddly -enough, who yielded. "Very well. May I see your book, Miss Scott?"</p> - -<p>Norman felt a sense of triumph as Jennifer passed over her book.</p> - -<p>The Captain accepted it, scanned it briefly. "I see your father is -Commandant Scott. I know him very well. A capable man. We need more -administrators like him in the Colonies. But Earth doesn't produce the -men she used to. If it weren't for the Outlanders, the Empire would -fall to pieces. Decadency; that's the sickness of Earth. Be sure to -convey my respects to your father, Miss Scott."</p> - -<p>Jennifer smiled, said, "Thank you, Captain."</p> - -<p>"I believe you were with Mr. Saint Clair. Did you seen anyone ahead of -you?"</p> - -<p>Jennifer frowned in an effort to remember, shook her curly black hair. -"I'm sorry, Captain."</p> - -<p>Before he could reply an officer pushed his way into the group. Norman -recognized him as the colonel in charge of the Armed Guard.</p> - -<p>"Hello, Captain," said the Colonel. "One of my men just informed me -of the murder." He glanced at the body. "I suggest you close off this -corridor and take these people's names."</p> - -<p>"I've done both," said the Captain tartly. "Since you've arrived, -Colonel, I can leave the investigation in your hands. Meanwhile this -must be reported to the T.I.S. You'll excuse me, Colonel?"</p> - -<p>The Colonel nodded indifferently. He was a small wiry man with cold -blue eyes. He requested all three of their books, examined them -minutely while the doctor fidgeted and Norman sweated to get away from -that still form on the deck. After questioning them again, he took -their names in a notebook, dismissed them.</p> - -<p>Once in the lounge, Norman lit a cigarette, inhaled it gratefully.</p> - -<p>The doctor said, "I prescribe a stiff shot of brandy."</p> - -<p>Norman didn't drink. He believed alcohol impaired thinking. -Nevertheless, he seconded the doctor's suggestion. Spirits, he decided -reluctantly, had their uses.</p> - -<p>The murder had riven a crack in Norman Saint Clair's complacency. His -safe world was crumbling about his ears. He recalled the Captain's -charge that Earth was decadent. It was true that more and more -Outlanders, men born in the colonies, were grasping power. Could it be -possible that in his academic isolation he had missed the real pulse of -life.</p> - -<p>Jennifer said, "Whatever are you thinking, Norman? Your eyes look as if -you were miles away."</p> - -<p>With a start, he realized that the pair of them were waiting for him. -"I? I was thinking that—that. Oh bother thinking. Let's get that -drink."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">II</p> - -<p>Aboard the <i>Jupiter</i> day and night were artificially simulated. Norman -Saint Clair awoke the next morning with a sense of disaster strong in -his mind. He rose, stretched, went to the quartzite port. They had -picked up their escort during the night.</p> - -<p>The Terrestian warship paced the <i>Jupiter</i> silently, grimly. She wasn't -half the size of the colossal liner, but her speed he knew to be -fabulous, and he could count a hundred gun ports along her starboard -side alone. A lean gray wolf of space, he thought. Nothing could stand -up against that brutally efficient machine of destruction. Reassured, -he began to dress himself carefully.</p> - -<p>In the dining saloon he discovered the girl, Jennifer Scott. She was -seated at a table having breakfast with a young man to whom Norman took -an immediate dislike although it was possible to see only the back -of his head. He felt surprised at himself. He wasn't in the habit of -making snap judgements like that.</p> - -<p>Jennifer saw him, waved gaily, beckoned him to come sit with them. The -informality of the Outlanders never ceased to amaze him. They brushed -aside conventions like cobwebs.</p> - -<p>He said, "Good morning, Miss Scott. I trust yesterday's tragedy didn't -disturb your rest too much." There was a touch of resentment in his -tone. The girl appeared too buoyant, too vivacious. His own sleep had -been wretched.</p> - -<p>The girl's blue eyes were bright. She said, "Not too much;" and -introduced her companion. "This is Mr. Vermeer. He's an agent of the -Venusian Export Lines."</p> - -<p>Norman observed Vermeer coolly, saw a black-eyed, black-haired man -whose gray coat fit his chunky shoulders too tightly. There was a white -scar on his upper lip, another above his right eyebrow. Mr. Vermeer -extended his hand without enthusiasm, said, "Sit down, Saint Clair."</p> - -<p>Norman eased his lank frame into the chair. "Have they caught the -murderer, yet?"</p> - -<p>Jennifer shook her head.</p> - -<p>"Not likely," observed Vermeer with scorn. "There was a time when it -would have been suicide to kill a T.I.S. agent. From Mercury to Pluto -Earthmen were known as the scourge of the Universe. But now. Pah! -They've grown fat and spoiled. The Empire isn't able to protect its own -ships anymore."</p> - -<p>Norman fidgeted angrily. "You're an Earthman, yourself," he accused.</p> - -<p>"Not I," denied Vermeer. "I'm of Terrestial descent, but I was born on -Venus. I'm an Outlander."</p> - -<p>A waiter approached, took Norman's order.</p> - -<p>Jennifer leaned forward. "Mr. Vermeer, do you believe this murder has -any connection with the terror?"</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't be surprised. I'd say the T.I.S. agent had stumbled across -some information which made it necessary that he be silenced."</p> - -<p>Although that was Norman's idea he said perversely, "I think you're -making a mountain out of a molehill. The agent was probably on the -track of smugglers."</p> - -<p>Jennifer opened her blue eyes in surprise. Vermeer shrugged, turned -to the girl, said: "They're giving a dance tonight. Would you be my -partner?"</p> - -<p>The girl hesitated, glanced roguishly at Norman who sat stiff-faced. -"Thank you, Mr. Vermeer, but Mr. Saint Clair has already asked me."</p> - -<p>Norman's mouth fell open. He had wanted to ask her but had hesitated -because he didn't know her well enough. His heart leaped now with -pleasure.</p> - -<p>Vermeer glanced at Norman sourly, excused himself, left the table.</p> - -<p>When he was out of earshot, the girl said, "There's something about -that man that doesn't ring true. I hope you don't mind me using you as -an excuse, Norman. You don't have to take me."</p> - -<p>"Not take you?" he echoed. "Of course, I'm going to take you. You can't -very well refuse now." He grinned triumphantly, feeling something of a -devil. He rather liked the sensation.</p> - -<p>The girl was suddenly serious. "Have you heard the news?"</p> - -<p>"News? I haven't heard any news."</p> - -<p>"It just came over the radio. The <i>Comet</i> disappeared three days out -from Ganymede. She was escorted by a corvette of the Martian Navy, too."</p> - -<p>The <i>Comet</i>, he knew, was a semi-passenger freighter of Martian -register. "But the corvette?" he echoed blankly, feeling suddenly a bit -frightened and confused.</p> - -<p>"It vanished too." She snapped her fingers. "Just like that. But before -they disappeared, they reported three flashes in space dead ahead. Then -their signals stopped."</p> - -<p>He opened his mouth.</p> - -<p>"Wait," said the girl. "You haven't heard it all. The Observatory on -Ganymede had them in sight all the time. A short while after the ship's -radio messages stopped coming through, they noticed that the <i>Comet</i> -was disappearing just as if she were disintegrating. The disintegration -started at the stern and slowly worked forward until the ship was -completely gone." She shuddered. "When I heard the news coming over the -caster it reminded me of an old, old story of a grinning cheshire cat. -The cat disappeared tail first until even the grin was gone."</p> - -<p>"Alice in Wonderland," said Norman mechanically. "That was written by -Lewis Carroll, a famous writer of antiquity."</p> - -<p>"What do you think it is?"</p> - -<p>He shook his head. "I'm no scientist, Jennifer. It sounds like atomic -disintegration."</p> - -<p>"But why?"</p> - -<p>Again he shook his head. His food, he realized, was growing cold. He -began to eat mechanically. He thought that if he ever reached Ganymede, -he'd never venture into space again.</p> - -<p>The girl said, "Vermeer was right about one thing. The Empire's -crumbling. This never could have happened a hundred years ago." She -hesitated, then added with a rush, "I wasn't going to tell you because -I'm not sure, but Mr. Vermeer's stateroom is next to mine. When I first -came aboard and was putting away my things, I noticed a man leave his -stateroom. Norman, it wasn't Mr. Vermeer. I think it was that T.I.S. -agent who was murdered."</p> - -<p>"By Jupiter," ejaculated Norman, "do you think the T.I.S. man could -have been making an investigation of this Vermeer?"</p> - -<p>She nodded her head, wide-eyed.</p> - -<p>"Have you told the Captain?"</p> - -<p>"No," said the girl.</p> - -<p>"But he should know."</p> - -<p>She shook her head. "He'd think I was imagining things. The passengers -have been reporting all sorts of nonsense since the murder. If I could -only be sure." She bit her lip. "Norman, the dance tonight. He'll be -there. We could search his room."</p> - -<p>He looked at her aghast. "Search his room? Me? Suppose he walked in on -us?"</p> - -<p>"We could pretend we'd entered by mistake. My cabin is next door."</p> - -<p>He shook his head. "I still think it should be reported to the Captain."</p> - -<p>"He'd never believe me."</p> - -<p>He glanced at her helplessly. "But...."</p> - -<p>Jennifer rose. "I'll meet you at the dance tonight. We'll make sure -he's there first."</p> - -<p>He nodded unhappily. When the girl had left he pushed back his plate, -called the waiter. "You can take this away," he said. "I've lost my -appetite."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">III</p> - -<p>In spite of all the preparations by the Stewards Department, the dance -was not a success. Everyone drank too much, tried too hard to be gay, -but the shadow of the terror hung over the little floating world -turning the celebrations tawdry.</p> - -<p>Norman and Jennifer were seated at a table against the bulkhead. The -orchestra was playing <i>My Man's Done Left For Outer Space</i> while a -Martian girl gyrated in a barbaric dance which stirred Norman's pulse -and shocked him beyond measure.</p> - -<p>"There he is," said Jennifer in a low excited voice. "There's Vermeer -now."</p> - -<p>The Venusian Export Lines man had just entered the saloon. Norman saw -him glance casually about the hall, saunter across to the bar.</p> - -<p>"Come on," said Jennifer. "Let's get started."</p> - -<p>Norman gulped down a last drink of the brandy, rose from the table. -Jennifer took his arm. He could feel her grip tighten. They passed out -a side entrance, down a companionway to the deck where Vermeer's cabin -was located. Before the door of 312 they paused.</p> - -<p>"This is it," said Jennifer in a whisper.</p> - -<p>Norman gingerly tried the door. "It's locked," he said with relief. -"Let's get back to the dance."</p> - -<p>"Here," said Jennifer fumbling in her purse. "Try this. It's a pass -key."</p> - -<p>He stared at the little sliver of metal in consternation. "Where did -you get it?"</p> - -<p>"I bribed the steward."</p> - -<p>Norman took the key. The door opened easily. Vermeer's stateroom -contained a bunk, desk, two chairs, and a dresser. A spot reading light -threw a round beam from the overhead to the desk. A door on the right -opened into the bath. There was a second door on the left, but it was -closed.</p> - -<p>He drew Jennifer inside, closed and locked the door.</p> - -<p>"Look through the desk," he commanded. He went to the closed door, -opened it, revealing a closet.</p> - -<p>"Look," he said. "What's this?"</p> - -<p>Jennifer glanced up from the desk. Norman had pulled out a single piece -garment with shoes, gloves and helmet attached like a diver's suit. It -was made of a very sheer translucent material resembling oiled silk. A -zipper-like fastener ran up the back. The suit was pale green, even the -eye pieces being the same color.</p> - -<p>Jennifer shook her head. "I never saw anything like it before. It isn't -heavy enough for a space suit. What do you suppose it could be?"</p> - -<p>Norman shrugged, put it back on the rack. He went through the pockets -of the remaining clothes, found exactly nothing. From the closet, he -turned to the built-in dresser. Again his search was fruitless.</p> - -<p>"Have you found anything, Jennifer?"</p> - -<p>The girl shook her head. "Not a thing. Except papers from the Venusian -Export Lines. He seems to be an accredited agent of theirs after all."</p> - -<p>"Let's get out of here," said Norman uneasily.</p> - -<p>Jennifer clutched his arm. "Listen!"</p> - -<p>He heard the grate of a key in the lock. He and the girl looked at each -other in consternation.</p> - -<p>"Quick," said Norman, struck by an inspiration. He embraced Jennifer -clumsily. "Put your arms around me! Hurry! Now kiss me!"</p> - -<p>Bewildered but obedient, she held up her lips. Norman kissed her. He -held it until a discreet cough behind them caused them to spring apart -guiltily.</p> - -<p>Mr. Vermeer was regarding them from the open door, his black eyes -sardonic. "Sorry to interrupt," he said, "but you've got the wrong -cabin."</p> - -<p>"I know it," said Jennifer in confusion. "My stateroom's next door. -Silly mistake, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Sorry, Vermeer," apologized Norman hastily. "Come on, Jennifer." He -led the girl into the corridor. Vermeer closed and locked the door -after them.</p> - -<p>Jennifer unlocked her cabin, said, "Come in."</p> - -<p>Norman limply followed her inside, collapsed on a chair.</p> - -<p>"You were wonderful," she cried. "I never would have thought of that. -It explained everything, even our confusion."</p> - -<p>He began to feel rather proud of himself. He glanced about the girl's -room. It was similar to Vermeer's except that it was not so tidy. Gauzy -white undergarments of finest spun microweb lay on the chairs. He -recognized a tiny vial of Venusian perfume on the dresser surrounded -by a litter of brushes, mirrors, combs. There was a picture of a tall -elderly man in a uniform.</p> - -<p>"That's papa," exclaimed Jennifer.</p> - -<p>"I wish I knew what that suit was used for," said Norman thoughtfully. -"I've never seen anything like it before."</p> - -<p>"You know," said the girl seating herself on the edge of the bed, -"you're not like most Earth men. You're not stodgy and patronizing. -You're cute."</p> - -<p>He felt ridiculously pleased. He was convinced that he'd never met a -more intelligent, a more charming, a more beautiful girl than Jennifer -Scott. He said, "I've had to revise all my opinions of Outlanders since -I met you."</p> - -<p>Jennifer laughed, jumped to her feet. Stooping over, she kissed him -lightly. "That's for a very pretty compliment. Now let's get back to -the dance before I lose all my maidenly modesty."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">IV</p> - -<p>Beyond the orbit of Mars a tension gripped the passengers of the -<i>Jupiter</i>. The killer of the T.I.S. agent remained at large, and the -passengers were beginning to regard each other suspiciously. They were -now in the zone where the terror operated. The battle ship had edged in -closer. Constant radio contact was maintained between the two vessels.</p> - -<p>Norman Saint Clair and Jennifer were on the observation deck in -the forepeak. The quartzite dome arched flatly overhead. The chill -immensity of space crowded all around them, black infinity pricked with -a million blazing suns. It was Norman's first visit to the observation -deck. Jennifer had brought him up.</p> - -<p>"There's Jupiter," she exclaimed pointing to a large bright star dead -ahead. Norman gazed at it, fascinated.</p> - -<p>The lookout, a lean spaceman, stirred restlessly, then stiffened. -Norman followed his gaze, saw three brief pin pricks of light stab out -of the void.</p> - -<p>"Look!" He clutched Jennifer's shoulder, but she had seen the flashes -already.</p> - -<p>The lookout grabbed the phone, said, "Observation deck reporting, sir. -Three flashes two points on the port bow. Yes sir. Two points on the -port bow." He hung up the phone.</p> - -<p>Norman and Jennifer exchanged glances.</p> - -<p>Jennifer said, "The <i>Comet</i> reported three flashes before she -disappeared. It must be a signal?"</p> - -<p>Overhead the general alarm rang furiously. A file of Armed Guards -poured onto the observation deck, took up their posts. Norman pointed -to the battle ship. Its guns were run out like bared fangs.</p> - -<p>"<i>Attention!</i>" blared a voice over the public address system. "<i>All -passengers return immediately to their staterooms. Attention! All -passengers return immediately to their staterooms.</i>"</p> - -<p>"Come on," urged Norman. "We'd better go below."</p> - -<p>"Do you mind if I stay with you?" asked Jennifer.</p> - -<p>"Of course not. I wouldn't leave you alone, anyway."</p> - -<p>They descended the companionway to their deck, entered Norman's -stateroom. Through his port he could still observe the warship pacing -them noiselessly.</p> - -<p>He padded back and forth across the fiberon carpet. "I wish I had a -dart gun, anything. I feel so helpless." He went to the door, opened it -a crack, peered out. "Jupiter!" he breathed.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" cried Jennifer, starting up from her chair.</p> - -<p>"Not so loud," he cautioned. "Come here."</p> - -<p>The girl sprang lithely across the deck. On tiptoe, her body pressed -against his, she stared over his shoulder through the inch wide crack.</p> - -<p>A strange figure stood back to them at the turn in the corridor, a man -clad in loose green coveralls with helmet, gloves and boots attached so -that no part of his figure was exposed.</p> - -<p>"Vermeer!" breathed Jennifer. "He's put on the suit we saw in his -closet."</p> - -<p>Vermeer remained motionless, half crouched at the end of the hall as -if waiting for some signal. A poisoned dart gun was buckled around his -waist.</p> - -<p>Norman eased the door shut, not allowing it to click, faced Jennifer.</p> - -<p>"What is it?" she asked breathlessly.</p> - -<p>"I don't know. But I think we should have reported that suit to the -Captain."</p> - -<p>Jennifer sank to the edge of the bed. He looked at her, thought again, -how striking was the contrast between blue eyes and black hair. He felt -dizzy, said, "Jennifer, do you notice anything?"</p> - -<p>"I feel faint!" she gasped.</p> - -<p>A numbing sensation spread through his limbs. The room tilted crazily, -darkened. He cried, "Jennifer!" and fell forward limply on his face. He -wondered vaguely, just before consciousness left him, if he were being -disintegrated. Then the blackness of infinite space engulfed him.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>When Norman Saint Clair returned to consciousness, he was still lying -face down on the green fiberon carpet. He groped to his feet, swayed -groggily. He glanced at the bed. Jennifer was gone.</p> - -<p>Shaking his head to clear it of the cobwebs, he staggered to the door. -It was locked. He was a prisoner in his own room.</p> - -<p>Still something was missing, something intangible. Then he heard the -silence. It screamed at him. The soft overtones of the motors were -dead. The engines had been stopped.</p> - -<p>He sprang to his port hole, glanced out. The bulk of the battle ship -floated a little above the wounded <i>Jupiter</i>. His eyes opened wide -in consternation. Half of the warship appeared to have been sheared -off as if by a giant cleaver. Even as he watched she was slowly -disintegrating.</p> - -<p>Then he made out dozens of figures swarming over the hull like ants. -They were men in space suits, he realized, and they were spraying the -battle spacer with a film which no sooner solidified than it became -invisible, hiding ship and all. A light absorbent matter, he guessed.</p> - -<p>The warship was not disintegrating. She was being coated with a film -which absorbed all the light rays and so rendered it invisible. That -was the answer to the strange disappearance of the <i>Comet</i> and her -escort. He looked closer, realized that the invisible stern of the -warship was blocking out a patch of stars.</p> - -<p>Above the battleship he saw a port open in space and from nowhere a two -man tender was launched into the void. It was uncanny. Then he realized -he was looking at the ship of the terror, invisible of course. That was -how they had approached their prey without being detected. It was one -chance in a million that anyone would notice the momentary blotting out -of a star.</p> - -<p>"Pirates," he thought. The word was archaic. It had almost disappeared -from the vocabulary. He shuddered. They must have approached unseen, -bathed the two ships in a ray which knocked everyone unconscious. The -vaunted warship, the pride of the Empire, had been taken without firing -a shot.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Vermeer, he thought. Of course, they would need a man aboard to shut -down the engines, bring the <i>Jupiter</i> to a stop so they could board -her. Vermeer's odd suit must have protected him from the effects of the -paralysis ray.</p> - -<p>He crossed to his bunk, sat down. He felt strangely indifferent to his -own fate, but Jennifer! He clenched his hands until the nails bit into -his palms. What were the beasts doing with Jennifer?</p> - -<p>Abruptly the door opened. Norman sprang to his feet, saw a strange -figure blocking the entrance.</p> - -<p>It was a man dressed from head to foot in black. Black trousers were -tucked into black boots. Blouse and helmet, all a somber black. His -eyes though, were blue, his face clean shaven. He had a dart gun in his -hand.</p> - -<p>"Come along." He motioned with the dart gun. "You're wanted above." He -stepped back, indicated that Norman should precede him.</p> - -<p>They went silently along the corridor, the pirate collecting more -men from the staterooms on either side. By the time they reached the -companionway he was herding ahead of him quite a number of frightened -prisoners.</p> - -<p>"What are they going to do with us?" asked a fat man beside Norman.</p> - -<p>They had reached the companionway.</p> - -<p>"Up!" said their guard.</p> - -<p>They mounted the stair, came out into the dining saloon.</p> - -<p>A scene of wildest disorder burst upon Norman's shocked gaze. A throng -of black clad pirates moved among the passengers who had been routed -from all parts of the ship. The missing women, he saw, were huddled -in a frightened group at the opposite end of the hall. They had been -brought to the saloon in whatever state of undress the ray had caught -them; in evening dress, scant undergarments, in gowns and shorts, and -one frightened girl, clutching a large bath towel about herself.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>The passengers of the captured ship had been brought to the saloon in whatever state of undress the ray had caught them.</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Norman was pushed into the group of men. His eyes, though, kept -searching for Jennifer. With a sigh of relief, he discovered her at the -same time she found him. She waved rather forlornly, and Norman almost -dislocated his shoulder waving back.</p> - -<p>The fat man said, "Pirates! The effrontery of those rogues. When the -Terrestial Navy locates their lair, they'll blast them to atoms."</p> - -<p>Norman recognized Dr. Pequod at his elbow. The doctor was clad nattily -in the hair on his chest and a flaming pair of shorts.</p> - -<p>"It's not so simple as that," the doctor answered the fat man. "You -fail to realize the size of the Universe. Nine tenths of it remains -unexplored, unmapped. And how will the Terrestial Navy trail an -invisible enemy?"</p> - -<p>The fat man blew himself up, said, "The resources of the Empire are -unlimited."</p> - -<p>"Sounds good," agreed the doctor; "but the Empire these days is living -on its reputation."</p> - -<p>A crowd of the frightened passengers were gathered about the two men.</p> - -<p>"And I've a notion," the doctor went on, "that this is more than -piracy. The Empire is crumbling. Some faction may be nibbling at its -edges, growing strong from its life blood, the trading lines. Has it -occurred to you that with every ship lost, the pirates are that much -stronger and we that much weaker!"</p> - -<p>"Nonsense," retorted the fat man, but his tone had lost conviction.</p> - -<p>"Break it up," commanded one of their guards. "Silence!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The main entrance to the saloon had swung open, admitting the strangest -creature that Norman had yet seen. It appeared human, but obviously it -was not from any known planet. Short and squat, with yellow wrinkled -skin, it looked more like a rutabaga than a man. The pirates snapped to -attention.</p> - -<p>"Jupiter," breathed Norman. "Is it a man?"</p> - -<p>Dr. Pequod scratched the shag on his chest. "Odd specimen. Wonder what -corner of the Universe it hails from?"</p> - -<p>The creature regarded the prisoners without any expression whatever on -its parchment-like face. It was clothed in a harness which gave no clue -to its sex. With a scrawny hand it beckoned the renegade Earthman who -had been directing the operations, said something in a voice too low -for anyone to overhear.</p> - -<p>The Earthman nodded, turned to the captives. "Every able bodied man -between the ages of nineteen and forty, step out," he shouted. As no -one moved, he frowned, said, "In any case your books will be examined -and your correct age determined. Get a move on!"</p> - -<p>Norman accompanied by perhaps thirty percent of the male passengers -advanced into the center of the room.</p> - -<p>"That's far enough," advised the creature in a high reedy voice.</p> - -<p>They halted uncertainly.</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen," said the leader, for such the creature seemed to be; -"I am here to offer you a choice of two courses. We are coming into -possession of more vessels than we have recruits to man. Consequently, -it is our custom to offer all able bodied humans between the ages of -nineteen and forty the opportunity to join us. As a further inducement, -the new recruits will share equally in the proceeds of this venture -with the regular crew." He paused. Not a flicker of expression had -marred the creature's face.</p> - -<p>Norman Saint Clair's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. A forlorn hope -presented itself, if only he had the courage to grasp it.</p> - -<p>"Now, gentlemen," the turnip shaped leader continued; "it would only be -fair to give you the opposite side of the coin. You are bound to us for -life; not by anything so puerile as an oath. In fact you are at liberty -to escape any time," he paused, "if you can.</p> - -<p>"You will be given good quarters and food. Money for any pleasure or -vices you wish to indulge will come as your share of the prizes taken. -The alternative, gentlemen, which I mentioned at first, is slavery. -We also need men and women to work our factories, maintain our living -quarters. The fighting men do not work."</p> - -<p>With a faint bow the creature turned on his heel, disappeared as -suddenly as he had come.</p> - -<p>A low buzz sprang up in the hall as everyone turned to his neighbors, -questions tumbling from their lips. The pirates dropped their stiff -pose, returned to their duties. The men grouped in the center of the -floor shifted uneasily.</p> - -<p>Norman bit his lip, frowned. He might be able to protect Jennifer as -one of the pirates and eventually escape. He wished he could talk it -over with her.</p> - -<p>"All right," said the burly renegade. "How many of you are -volunteering? Step forward."</p> - -<p>Norman Saint Clair stepped out of the group. He did it like a man -plunges off a high dive, quickly before his nerve departed. Nine of his -fellow passengers straggled beside him.</p> - -<p>"Is that all, gentlemen?" inquired the pirate. "This is your last -chance. Either piracy or slavery. And let me warn you, slaves don't -live an easy life."</p> - -<p>Twenty-three more men straggled uncertainly around Norman.</p> - -<p>"All right," said the pirate. "The rest of you can return to your -fellows. Baldy! Hey, Baldy!"</p> - -<p>A second Earth man strolled across the deck. He was short, older than -most of the freebooters.</p> - -<p>"Take these men aboard the <i>Rocket</i>," the first renegade directed. "You -know what to do with them."</p> - -<p>Baldy grinned, saluted. "Come along, you buccaneers," he commanded.</p> - -<p>Norman caught Jennifer's eyes. She was staring at him in astonishment. -He waved, trying to convey reassurance across the space that separated -them. Slowly a flush burned up from the girl's throat. With a look of -scorn, Jennifer deliberately turned her back.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Norman gaped after her in consternation. He had expected her to realize -that he was joining the pirates in order to help her. He certainly had -no ambition to go gallivanting through space capturing space ships.</p> - -<p>"Hey you," said Baldy, "move along there."</p> - -<p>Norman jumped, trailed after the new recruits. He would help the -girl in spite of herself. He visualized himself standing off a dozen -black clad figures while Jennifer boarded a small space craft. Then -he tumbled in beside her, wrenched the controls wide open: "You're -wounded," Jennifer cried. "Norman, I didn't understand. Can you forgive -me?"</p> - -<p>"Hey," growled the man in front. "For God's sake, quit tramping on my -heels."</p> - -<p>They had arrived at the air lock, he saw with a start. Baldy opened the -port, revealing a small space tender. They wedged themselves inside. -With the pirate at the controls the craft launched into space, speeding -toward a shadow which blocked off half the heavens.</p> - -<p>A port snapped open in space dead ahead. Norman blinked his eyes. -Although he knew this was the pirate's ship coated with the light -absorbent film the sight of an air lock appearing suddenly where -nothing had been before was disconcerting. The tender eased into the -lock, settled to the deck.</p> - -<p>"Here we are, you volunteers," observed Baldy.</p> - -<p>They passed from the lock through a corridor into a large square room. -Half of the room was railed off. Behind the railing a man in a black -uniform sat working at a desk. It reminded Norman of an employment -bureau. The rest of the space was filled with benches set in evenly -spaced rows.</p> - -<p>"Sit down," said Baldy.</p> - -<p>The recruits seated themselves nervously.</p> - -<p>"You," said Baldy, indicating Norman. "Go up to the desk."</p> - -<p>Norman rose, approached the middle aged pirate who sported a spade -beard and dark brown eyes.</p> - -<p>"Your book," he said.</p> - -<p>Norman handed it over.</p> - -<p>"Sit down," said the man. "Make yourself comfortable.</p> - -<p>"You know, since the T.I.S. has inaugurated these books our jobs -have been greatly simplified." He was making rapid notations on a -form. "Lecturer on Ancient History," he read aloud. "Degrees in -twentieth century literature." He looked up at Norman, smiled. "I'm an -anthropologist myself. Was with an expedition to study the aborigines -of Jupiter when the pirates captured our ship." He closed Norman's -book, dropped it in a drawer.</p> - -<p>"Now this is serious," he began in a different, somehow ominous tone. -"What I am about to tell you is of the gravest importance. Every -recruit is warned once and once only, so take heed.</p> - -<p>"When you leave here you will be subjected to a machine which registers -your personal wave length, particularly the subtle peculiarly -individualistic vibrations emanating from your brain. Those vibrations -will be impressed on an indestructible duraloid cylinder and sent to -the control station in Behrl. The Dohlmites have devised a machine -which can broadcast your death at any time, no matter where you may be. -It operates through the wave length of your individual vibration."</p> - -<p>"Dohlmites?" echoed Norman.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Dohlmites. You saw one aboard your ship. The man who recruited -you. They are a race so alien to mankind that we have nothing in -common. The Dohlmites are the real masters here. All of us, fighting -men and slaves, have had our vibrations recorded and are subject to -instant death at the first sign of treachery.</p> - -<p>"The Dohlmites can snuff your life out by simply turning a dial. Don't -think I exaggerate. I have seen healthy men drop dead on the streets of -Behrl. I have seen the lives of an entire rebellious crew extinguished -like candles."</p> - -<p>"But who are these Dohlmites. What are they?" Norman's brain was -whirling.</p> - -<p>"I think," replied the ex-anthropologist, "that they are plants."</p> - -<p>"Plants!" ejaculated Norman Saint Clair.</p> - -<p>"Yes, plants. Flora, not fauna. Their young are green in color. As they -mature, ripen, I suppose is the correct word, they turn yellow. When -they cut themselves, they bleed green. Sap, don't you know."</p> - -<p>"This Behrl, where is it?" asked Norman.</p> - -<p>"In Neptune. The planet is hollow. Just a shell. The city of Behrl is -on the inside of Neptune." The ex-anthropologist sat back. "Whatever -you do, don't try to escape. Even if you get away, when the Dohlmites -missed you they would simply extinguish you wherever you were."</p> - -<p>Norman's breath went out of him like air from a burst sack. The full -implication of what the ex-anthropologist had revealed broke in his -mind like an exploding shell. Gone were his hopes of escaping, and -taking Jennifer with him. He was trapped. The net of the Dohlmites was -perfect and he and the girl were caught in its meshes. Certainly, he -thought bitterly, no human intelligence could have conceived such a -devilish plan.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>From the desk of the ex-anthropologist Norman was led into a small -closet where the rays of the fatal machine bathed him from head to -foot. Beyond the partition something click-clicked at irregular -intervals like a beetle and an ominous scratching recorded his -vibratory rate indelibly on the duraloid cylinder.</p> - -<p>The machine stopped. The door of the closet opened.</p> - -<p>Norman discovered a thick shouldered Martian grinning at him from the -entrance.</p> - -<p>"That's enough," said the Martian in the sibilant accent of the red -planet. "You've been detailed to my squad."</p> - -<p>As Norman slipped from the closet another recruit took his place. He -noticed a low humming.</p> - -<p>"The engines?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes," agreed the Martian. "We're off. Your ships have been coated with -the light blanket."</p> - -<p>"Where are they?"</p> - -<p>"They're following us. We've put prize crews aboard. It was a rich -haul. Radium." He rubbed his hands together, laughed as if in -anticipation of the orgy he would be able to indulge in with his share.</p> - -<p>Norman winced. The Martians as a rule were a cosmopolitan and cultured -people.</p> - -<p>"Don't judge too harshly," said the Martian as if reading the young -man's thoughts. "You'll look forward to the brief time between voyages, -too. But I'm forgetting. My name's Koal. I was a space pilot before I -was captured."</p> - -<p>Norman introduced himself.</p> - -<p>The Martian grinned, shook hands. "Come along, Earth man, and get your -issue. Then I'll show you your quarters."</p> - -<p>At length they came to a chamber deep within the bowels of the ship. -A counter ran along the back wall. A wizened yellow eyed Mercurian -took Norman's measure, piled four changes of the somber uniform on the -counter. With quick cat-like movements he added a helmet and boots, -slug gun and Dixon Ray rifle. Wide-eyed, Norman watched the pile grow. -It was a very complete outfit by the time the Mercurian paused.</p> - -<p>Staggering under the load Norman and Koal ascended to the sleeping -quarters, paused before a stateroom.</p> - -<p>"This is your cabin," said Koal unlocking the door. "Slaves keep it -cleaned." They went inside. "If you let me know the number of your -stateroom aboard the <i>Jupiter</i>, I'll see that you get your personal -belongings when we arrive in Behrl."</p> - -<p>The cabin, Norman observed, was similar to the one he had left. He set -about stowing away his gear.</p> - -<p>"You have a great deal to learn," said Koal and sat down on the edge of -the bunk. "The Dohlmites regard us as dangerous animals. But as long as -we obey orders we are left alone."</p> - -<p>"What happens to the prisoners?" Norman asked suddenly.</p> - -<p>"They're sold from the block in the slave market."</p> - -<p>"You mean anyone can buy a slave?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly. An agent of the Dohlmites bids a flat hundred notes for -each captive. If any of them strike your fancy you only need bid above -the hundred notes. Of course when a pretty wench is auctioned off the -bidding among the men gets rather wild."</p> - -<p>"Jupiter!" breathed Norman pausing in the act of pulling on his blouse. -"Was that right, what the Dohlmite said about the recruits sharing -equally with the crew in the loot."</p> - -<p>The Martian nodded. "Half goes to the Dohlmites. The remaining half is -divided among the crew. That includes the cargo, whatever the captives -bring on the open market and salvage value of the ships themselves."</p> - -<p>Norman grinned. His first purchase with his share of the prize money -would be Jennifer Scott.</p> - -<p>The Martian pointed to a silver insignia, a small rocket ship of -ancient design pinned to the right breast of Norman's blouse. "That," -he informed the young man, "is the insignia of your clan. It is -important. Never take it off. All the men aboard the <i>Rocket</i> belong to -that clan."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Norman, puzzled.</p> - -<p>The Martian sighed. "There is no law in Behrl, so long as we don't -interfere with the administration of the city. In the Human Colony -anarchy reigns supreme. For our own protection, we've banded together."</p> - -<p>The Martian rose from the bunk, went to the door. "I'll leave you to -get settled now. We eat at fourteen-hundred." He opened the door, -paused, turned back. "One thing more. Forget about escaping. Dismiss -it from your mind. Most of us joined with the same intention that you -have. But it's impossible. There was a Martian, a very good friend of -mine, who tried it. He stole a space tender. He got all the way to Mars -before he was missed. In sight of the quarters of the imperial guard -he dropped dead." He paused, said, "I'll see you at fourteen-hundred," -pulled the door shut after him.</p> - -<p>Norman Saint Clair sank down on his bunk. Somewhere, there must be -a weak link in the Dohlmites armor. He wished he had specialized -in botany instead of ancient history. Botany, he thought wildly, -horticulture, perhaps there lay the clue.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">V</p> - -<p>During the ensuing days Norman Saint Clair became acquainted with the -other members of Koal's squad. There were nine. Two were Martians, one -a Venusian, the rest Earthmen. All of them had been captured by the -Dohlmites and had chosen piracy to slavery.</p> - -<p>While yet a day from Neptune, everyone began feverishly to pack their -gear in anticipation of the landing. Word was circulated when they -were passing through the crust. Norman and Koal hurried to the corridor -before the port, found it jammed with men. The huge ship settled with a -slight jar. They had landed.</p> - -<p>"Home," said Koal.</p> - -<p>With a jolt Norman realized that this was home for him, too. The -massive entrance slid aside. The men poured out. Caught in the stream, -he and Koal were carried to the runway and down to the floor of the -spaceport. He looked around curiously.</p> - -<p>The road led between two empty troughs. At least he thought they were -empty, until he realized he couldn't see beyond them. Invisible ships -lay in the troughs. Overhead a large pinkish sun flamed unnaturally.</p> - -<p>"Come along," urged Koal. "You've the rest of your life for sight -seeing." He led Norman outside the yards to a massive building.</p> - -<p>"What's this?" asked the young man as they passed through the doors.</p> - -<p>"Emigration. Here's where you'll be assigned living quarters."</p> - -<p>A Mercurian ensconced behind a grill like a bank teller took his name -and ship, handed him a slip of paper. On it was printed F12-D234. He -looked at it blankly.</p> - -<p>The Martian laughed, explained: "F12 is the building. Everyone from the -<i>Rocket</i> lodges in the same building. D is the floor, two-thirty-four -your apartment number."</p> - -<p>"Oh."</p> - -<p>The Martian laughed again, said "Come along. You'll get the hang of -things soon enough."</p> - -<p>They returned to the street, entered a many storied garage. Here Norman -saw hundreds of surface cars parked row upon row. A ramp led up to the -next level.</p> - -<p>"This is where our cars are stored while we're on a voyage. We aren't -allowed flying vehicles. Only the Dohlmites can use them."</p> - -<p>The Martian went to one of the cars, held open the door. "You'll want -to buy one of these as soon as we're paid. The slaves manufacture them -very cheaply."</p> - -<p>Climbing in beside Norman, Koal pressed a button. The diminutive atomic -motor burst into life. They rolled out onto the streets of Behrl.</p> - -<p>"When will they auction off the prisoners?" asked Norman as the Martian -guided the surface car through the traffic.</p> - -<p>"Not for a day or so. You'll be notified. This is the manufacturing -district."</p> - -<p>One factory after another flowed past. Off to their left Norman -observed a hill towering above the rest of the city. Its slopes were -covered with balconied buildings rank with trees and flowers and shrubs -like the fabled hanging gardens of Babylon.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" He nudged the Martian.</p> - -<p>"That's where the Dohlmites live. Whatever you do, don't go near -that quarter of the city. A force wall surrounds it which is instant -death if you come in contact with it. Their laboratories, the control -station, the death machine, our wave length cylinders are all there."</p> - -<p>In a few moments they had passed through the factory area and into a -district of shops, restaurants, amusement centers.</p> - -<p>"Who operates these?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Slaves. The profits go to the Dohlmites. Everything returns to their -pockets."</p> - -<p>The streets were crowded with people: barefooted women in short gay -colored tunics, men in loose coveralls.</p> - -<p>"Slaves," explained Koal.</p> - -<p>The vastness of the plant men's enterprise became apparent as they sped -through the streets.</p> - -<p>"Koal," said Norman a little frightened. "When is it going to stop?"</p> - -<p>The Martian looked at him grimly, "With the fall of the Empire," he -replied bitterly. "With the enslavement of Mars and Venus and Earth. -The Dohlmites are only a handful, but they plan to lop off the Empire -colony by colony, enslaving the inhabitants just as they have us. Their -ultimate goal is to have the individual wave recording of every human -in the Universe. An Empire of slaves."</p> - -<p>"Impossible!" he ejaculated.</p> - -<p>"Why? The element of time is of no importance with them. Every ship -they capture gives them more power, more slaves. It gathers force like -a snowball rolling down hill. Before long, nothing can stop them."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Norman slumped back in his seat. What the Martian said was true. Unless -the Dohlmites were stopped soon, they would be so strong that nothing -in the Universe could halt their march to Empire.</p> - -<p>"Is there a library in Behrl?" he asked the Martian suddenly.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Koal in surprise. "A very fine one in fact, but no one -uses it."</p> - -<p>Norman's next question seemed irrelevant.</p> - -<p>"Would the humans revolt if they thought there might be a slim chance -of success?"</p> - -<p>"Who would be a slave by choice?" grunted Koal angrily. "They'd rise as -one man at the faintest sort of a chance and at no chance at all." For -a moment, he glared straight down the street, then relaxed, glanced at -Norman seriously.</p> - -<p>"Look," he said in a quiet voice that was somehow more impressive. "Do -you realize how hungry I am for the dry chill air of Mars. How hungry -all these exiles are for their home planets? You don't think we've -submitted meekly to the Dohlmites, do you? There have been mutinies and -rebellions a dozen times since I've been here. And everytime the rebels -have dropped dead on the streets, at their guns, in their beds. All of -them. I tell you its impossible."</p> - -<p>"Nevertheless," said Norman, "you've told me what I wanted to know."</p> - -<p>The shops were behind them, many storied apartment dwellings having -taken their place. With a grunt; the Martian swung the car down an -incline leading to the basement under one of the buildings.</p> - -<p>"This is F Twelve," he said, halted the car just inside the gate while -a guard inspected their papers, waved them on.</p> - -<p>"For our own protection." Koal nodded toward the guard as he parked the -car. "No one but members of our clan and their households can enter -this apartment building."</p> - -<p>They crossed the basement parking area to a lift. Koal pressed a -button. The car descended; the doors opened. He motioned Norman inside.</p> - -<p>"Hello, Alicia," Koal greeted the operator, a girl in a short green -tunic gathered in at her slim waist by a belt. He chucked her under the -chin. "Glad to see me back?"</p> - -<p>She was from Earth, Norman realized. She was barefooted and around her -ankle was the metal band of the slave.</p> - -<p>She said, "Did you bring me anything?"</p> - -<p>He snapped his fingers. "How could I have forgotten?" but his grin -belied his words.</p> - -<p>The girl cried, "What did you bring me, Koal? Where is it?"</p> - -<p>"Not so fast," he admonished. "You haven't met Saint Clair yet. He's a -new recruit."</p> - -<p>The girl turned brown eyes on Norman, saw his crisp blond hair -and likeable features, his broad shoulders and flat hips. "Um, um," she -said, "I know. You've brought me him."</p> - -<p>Norman flushed hotly. The Martian laughed, reached in his pocket, -pulled out a pair of earrings set with magnificent Venusian pearls. -Norman recollected seeing them grace the ears of a Terranean dowager -aboard the <i>Jupiter</i>.</p> - -<p>Alicia squealed with delight, hastened to attach the earrings. She shot -the lift upward jubilantly.</p> - -<p>At D deck they left the car. Alicia looked at Norman.</p> - -<p>"If you're lonesome tonight, I'm off duty at Seventeen-hundred." Before -he could answer the doors slid shut.</p> - -<p>"What did you do to her?" growled Koal. "I bring the earrings and she -propositions you."</p> - -<p>Norman grinned, preened himself. Alicia, he decided, was a remarkably -pretty girl, intelligent, too.</p> - -<p>"Here's your apartment," Koal interrupted his thoughts. They had -stopped before a door which bore the numeral 234 in brass. "I'm -two-forty-eight. If you want anything, step down the hall and knock." -He started off, paused. "Meals are served three times a day in the -dining room on A deck, or you can prepare your own food in your rooms. -I think you'll find everything necessary in the kitchen. If not, call -the steward."</p> - -<p>Norman went inside, glanced around curiously. An entrance hall led him -into a sumptuous living-room. A compact kitchen, which did everything -mechanically but digest your food, opened from a dinette. Behind the -front rooms lay three spacious bedrooms, which gave onto a balcony. He -opened the glass doors, passed out into the sunshine.</p> - -<p>Building number F12 was on the outskirts of Behrl, and a jungle of -riotous vegetation met his eye. The horizon curved up like a bowl -before disappearing in rosy mists.</p> - -<p>Here on the inside of Neptune the sun always hung straight overhead. -A land of high noon, he thought. The sun beat down on his head. He -wondered what kind of phenomenon it was, possibly a ball of liquid fire -slowly burning itself out. The resultant high percentage of carbon -dioxide in the air might account for the evolution of plants into -reasoning creatures rather than mammals.</p> - -<p>He returned to the kitchen. The cabinets were stocked with food and he -prepared a cold lunch, ate it hungrily. A feeling of contentment stole -over him.</p> - -<p>He returned to the bedrooms, chose the largest one, stripped and -showered and flung himself into the bed. He was immediately asleep.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VI</p> - -<p>Sometime later Norman was awakened by a rude hand shaking his shoulder.</p> - -<p>Koal was grinning down at him.</p> - -<p>"Wake up," said Koal. "You've been dead to the world for thirty-six -hours, and the paymaster's here."</p> - -<p>Norman sat up, reached for his trousers, which, to his surprise, were -neatly hung over the back of a chair. Drawing on his clothes, he -went into the kitchen. It had been cleaned, put to rights. Further -exploration revealed that his things from the <i>Jupiter</i> had been -delivered and stowed away in the closet and built-in bureau. Hordes of -people must have trailed in and out of his apartment while he slept. He -decided to prop a chair against the knob the next time he went to bed.</p> - -<p>The Martian was watching him, an amused glint in his black eyes. "There -is a bolt on your door, you know," he assured the young man.</p> - -<p>A subdued buzzing announced a visitor.</p> - -<p>"That's probably the paymaster now," said Koal. He opened the door, -revealing a Mercurian with a black satchel in his hand.</p> - -<p>The Mercurian said, "Norman Saint Clair?"</p> - -<p>The young man nodded.</p> - -<p>"First," said the Mercurian, opening the satchel, "here are your -papers." He handed him a yellow envelope which contained a book similar -to the one the T.I.S. had issued when he left Earth.</p> - -<p>"The individual shares from the <i>Jupiter's</i> cargo," the Mercurian -droned on, "plus the Terrestial warship amount to twenty thousand -notes." He handed Norman a sheaf of yellow bills.</p> - -<p>"Roughly," Koal interposed, "that is equal in value to twenty-five -thousand Earth notes."</p> - -<p>"Twenty-five thousand Earth notes!" gasped Norman. "It's a fortune."</p> - -<p>"Sign here, please," said the Mercurian, handing him a ledger.</p> - -<p>Norman affixed his name in a daze.</p> - -<p>"That doesn't, of course," added the Mercurian, "include your share -from the sale of the slaves. They are to be auctioned off at fourteen -hundred." He snapped shut his satchel, bowed himself out.</p> - -<p>"What time is it now?" asked Norman.</p> - -<p>"We've time for something to eat before going twelve-hundred."</p> - -<p>The slave market resembled an open-air theatre minus the seats. The -same cosmopolitan crowd which Norman had observed on the streets eddied -about the block. He caught sight of a figure clad in civilian clothes. -It was Vermeer, the black-headed Outlander whom he had been sure was -instrumental in the <i>Jupiter's</i> capture.</p> - -<p>"Who's that?" he asked the Martian pointing to Vermeer.</p> - -<p>"A Venusian Export Lines man. The Dohlmites needed an outlet for much -of the material they captured. They established their own line of -trading ships under a Venusian register because they are so much less -strict on Venus. By the way, keep away from anyone connected with that -company. Never talk sedition in front of them. Those men belong to the -Dohlmites body and soul."</p> - -<p>Just then the auctioneer, a lean, yellow-skinned Venusian, moved to the -block. Two men led Dr. Pequod from the wings. The flaming shorts were -gone. He was clad in exactly nothing. The doctor stalked to the block, -glared at the buccaneers who had clustered around him.</p> - -<p>"What am I offered?" began the auctioneer. "A little scrawny but sound -and with a heart of gold."</p> - -<p>The free booters cackled.</p> - -<p>"A hundred notes," said the representative of the Dohlmites dryly. He -was seated on the platform with the auctioneer.</p> - -<p>"A hundred notes. I'm offered a hundred notes. Who'll say a hundred -and ten—A hundred and five? Going for a hundred notes. Going. Going. -Gone!" He cracked his gavel down. Dr. Pequod was led back into the -wings.</p> - -<p>The next three passengers were purchased by the agent of the Dohlmites -for the standard one hundred notes. There was some lively bidding -for the ex-chef of the <i>Jupiter</i>, who was finally knocked down to a -big-bellied pirate. He hauled his prize off with triumph.</p> - -<p>Then Norman's heart jumped. The sixth passenger to be led to the block -was Jennifer. She was barefooted, the metal band gleaming about her -naked ankle. A cape had been thrown about her erect shoulders.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>The sixth slave to be led to the auction block was Jennifer.</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>The auctioneer lifted it off. There was nothing but girl underneath.</p> - -<p>"Two hundred notes," a voice shouted from Norman's elbow.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Norman swung about, recognized Vermeer, the Venusian Export Lines agent.</p> - -<p>"Hello," said Vermeer, "I see you've joined us."</p> - -<p>Norman nodded shortly. "So it was you who killed the T.I.S. agent. I -suspected it all along."</p> - -<p>Vermeer merely smiled. The auctioneer cried, "Two hundred notes. Two -hundred and ten," as another man bid. "Twenty. Twenty. Thirty." The -bidding was growing lively.</p> - -<p>"Three hundred," said Vermeer.</p> - -<p>"Three hundred and five," Norman echoed.</p> - -<p>"Five hundred," said Vermeer without blinking an eye.</p> - -<p>Realizing that the two men were bidding against each other the rest -dropped out. The audience seemed to settle back in expectancy. Men had -been known to pay the complete prize money of a venture for a girl.</p> - -<p>"Five hundred and five," Norman said in a determined voice.</p> - -<p>"Really," said Vermeer; "you're wasting your time. I intend to have -that girl. From one venture you can't possibly have enough money to -outbid me. One thousand notes," he addressed the auctioneer.</p> - -<p>"A thousand notes, I'm offered," chanted the auctioneer.</p> - -<p>"A thousand notes. Do I hear more?"</p> - -<p>Norman bit his lip. It was only too true that Vermeer could outbid him. -With a sudden grim determination he balled his fist, walloped Vermeer -in the temple. All his indignation was behind that blow, all the bone -and gristle of six-foot-two of lecturer on Ancient History. Vermeer -went down and out like a pole axed steer.</p> - -<p>"One thousand and one," shouted Norman triumphantly.</p> - -<p>For a moment a hush gripped the audience, then the men roared with -laughter. No one liked the Venusian Export Lines men, the pet of the -Dohlmites.</p> - -<p>"Going," chanted the auctioneer, "going. Gone! To the impetuous -gentleman with the good right fist!"</p> - -<p>For the life of him, Norman couldn't help swaggering a little as he -went up to claim the girl.</p> - -<p>The auctioneer tossed Jennifer her cape. She snatched it closely about -herself, leaped down from the platform.</p> - -<p>Norman counted out the bills. Jennifer, without glancing at her -purchaser, walked swiftly ahead of him through the throng.</p> - -<p>A pirate reached out, clapped him on the shoulder. "She's worth it," -he chortled. "She's worth it." But Norman was being beset by doubts. -He hadn't liked the steely glint in the girl's blue eyes. It foreboded -trouble. Koal joined them chuckling, as they left the market place.</p> - -<p>Once outside Jennifer stopped, swung on Norman. "All right," she said -in a suppressed voice. "You've bought me. But you'll regret it as long -as you live, you, you—renegade!"</p> - -<p>Her tone brought him up short. "Of all the ungrateful wenches," he -flared; "you are the prize. I joined the Dohlmites with the express -purpose of rescuing you. I plank down one thousand notes cash to save -you from what in the old days was considered a fate worse than death."</p> - -<p>The girl's features registered surprise, incredulity, contrition. She -started to say, "I didn't know," but Norman was thoroughly wound up.</p> - -<p>"Of course, I realize that view is no longer entertained by the best -informed people, but if you are so anxious for Vermeer to buy you, I'll -go throw a bucket of water in his face and present you to him with my -compliments."</p> - -<p>Indignation swept away all other emotions from the girl's features. "I -think you're horrible," she said and turned her back on him.</p> - -<p>Koal suddenly shouted, "Look out, Norman!"</p> - -<p>The young man swung around, saw Vermeer boring down on him. The agent -had a poisoned needle gun in his hand. His temple was swollen, his eyes -furious. Scarcely three steps away he swung the needle gun up.</p> - -<p>Norman heard the weapon <i>plop</i> softly. At the same instant something -swished between him and the murderous dart gun. Jennifer, he realized, -had pulled the cloak from her bare shoulders, flung it between them.</p> - -<p>He snatched the cloak, flipped it over Vermeer's head and shoulders. -His rush bowled the man over backwards. The dart gun dropped to the -pavement. Norman snatched it up just as Vermeer flung the cloak off his -head, sprang to his feet.</p> - -<p>"Kill him!" shouted Koal. "Quick!"</p> - -<p>Vermeer's face blanched. He turned, began to run back toward the slave -market, bent over, zig-zagging wildly.</p> - -<p>Norman brought the dart gun up, then let it fall helplessly at his side.</p> - -<p>"I can't do it," he said.</p> - -<p>He picked up the cloak, started to return it to Jennifer. His eye lit -on a slender, three-cornered needle stuck halfway through the heavy -material. He pulled the poisoned dart out. One scratch from that deadly -missile would have killed him. The girl's instinctive action had saved -his life. He felt weak.</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry for what I said, Jennifer."</p> - -<p>"For heaven's sake," she cried; "apologize later, if you must, but give -me back my cloak now."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VII</p> - -<p>Once back in his apartment, Norman flung himself down in a chair. They -had stopped on the way home in an establishment which sold the short -tunics proscribed by law for all female slaves and Norman purchased the -girl a complete outfit. She had chosen one of the smaller bedrooms and -was putting her things away now. Koal was lounging on the couch.</p> - -<p>"Koal," began Norman, "I've an idea and I'd like your opinion."</p> - -<p>"Go ahead," replied the Martian with a chuckle. "You really want me to -agree with you. But if it has to do with escaping, I warn you, I shall -be disagreeable."</p> - -<p>Norman grinned, said, "Koal, twentieth century Eire was under the -British crown, but for a long time an underground army had fought the -English Black and Tans. Around Nineteen-twenty they threw off the -English yoke. That party of liberation was known as the Sinn Feiners."</p> - -<p>Jennifer wandered back in the room in time to hear the last of Norman's -words. She sat down, listened.</p> - -<p>"So?" said Koal.</p> - -<p>"So," said Norman. "I think that if a little group of patriots like the -Sinn Feiners could throw off the yoke of the British Empire, we should -be able to turn the tables on the Dohlmites."</p> - -<p>"I've seen rebellions before," began Koal stonily.</p> - -<p>"I know. But Koal, I'm not proposing any premature mutiny. I do -believe, though, we should band together secretly. If any opportunity -for escape presents itself, we'll be ready for it; not just a disunited -group of clans snapping at each other's throats."</p> - -<p>The Martian appeared to waver.</p> - -<p>"Koal," Norman went on urgently. "Only one thing stands between us and -freedom. The death broadcasting machine."</p> - -<p>"Yes, just that—and a force wall impossible to penetrate."</p> - -<p>"What maintains the force wall?" asked Norman.</p> - -<p>The Martian shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Suppose we succeed in neutralizing it. We'd have a picked body of men -to rush the Dohlmite station, destroy the cylinders."</p> - -<p>Koal scratched his head speculatively. He said, "The men would have to -be carefully chosen. It would be suicide should any word of the society -leak to the Dohlmites." He rose, frowned. "Wait a moment," he said and -hurried from the apartment.</p> - -<p>"Norman," breathed Jennifer. "Do you think there's any chance?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," he replied, a worried expression on his gaunt features; -"but if I can persuade the men to unite there's hope." He ran his -fingers through his crisp blond hair. "It's more than that, too. We'll -be the only force standing between the Dohlmites and the Empire. -Somehow we've got to destroy them before they destroy us."</p> - -<p>The door opened, readmitting Koal attended by a tall, lean, yellow -Venusian. The blue star of the killer cast was tattooed on his -forehead. A Fozoql! Norman was only vaguely familiar with the caste of -mercenaries and assassins. They had the reputation of being loyal and -ferocious and were in high demand by the constantly warring factions on -Venus.</p> - -<p>"Norman," said Koal, "this is Acpsahme. He and his brother with their -wives were migrating to Ganymede when they were captured. His brother -was killed by the broadcast machine while trying to escape. His wife -was sold in the slave market to a renegade Earthman. I think I can -vouch for his silence. Explain what you just told me."</p> - -<p>Norman shook hands, launched into a passionate appeal for union among -the men. Acpsahme's green eyes glowed.</p> - -<p>"Good," he said from time to time, "good. But there must not be too -many, and those must be carefully chosen. The success of the enterprise -depends on secrecy."</p> - -<p>Koal leaped to his feet, his broad pale brow furrowed. He strode back -and forth across the thick carpet. "At nineteen-hundred," he said, "I -am going to give a party in my quarters. A small, select party. Only -the men I know best will be invited. Gentlemen, we'll bring the Sinn -Fein Society back to life."</p> - -<p>When they had gone, Jennifer looked across at Norman mistily. "You -know," she said in a tender voice, "you really are rather wonderful."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was an oddly assorted group who attended Koal's party at -nineteen-hundred. Of the thirteen men present, there were renegade -Earthmen, outcasts of the Empire, mad dogs feared from Pluto to -Mercury. Another had been a T.I.S. agent before his capture. Pepperell -was the name which Koal gave when he introduced him to Norman. -Pepperell was a bland-faced, heavy-set Earthman with a gullible smile -and a chunk of ice for a heart. The fifth had been a corporation -lawyer. His noble brow and prematurely gray hair give him the benignity -of a saint, but a thief, it had been whispered about on Earth during -his remarkable career, had better ethics and a hungry tiger couldn't be -half so rapacious. There were three Martians, urbane, pleasant-spoken, -and a Venusian. The Venusian, an ex-dictator of a small state, had been -fleeing from his irate people with the treasury, when he was captured. -Norman, Koal, and Acpsahme made up the thirteen. Jennifer was the only -woman present.</p> - -<p>The men were gathered in animated groups, drinking, laughing.</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen," began Koal, "may I have your attention. What you hear -tonight must be held in the strictest confidence. If any word of this -meeting reaches the Dohlmites, our lives are forfeit."</p> - -<p>Pepperell, the T.I.S. agent, raised his eyebrows, said, "What do you -propose to do? Release cut worms among the plant men?"</p> - -<p>Jennifer grinned. No one else laughed.</p> - -<p>"Thanks," said Pepperell to the girl. "I see we both have the same low -sense of humor."</p> - -<p>"This is serious," said Koal. "Norman, will you explain your plan to -these gentlemen."</p> - -<p>For the third time Norman delivered his impassioned appeal for union. -"I know," he concluded, "that we haven't any definite means of attack, -but how much greater is our chance of discovering one if we work -together."</p> - -<p>"But the danger of betrayal," protested Pepperell. "The more recruits -to this underground army we gain, the more chances we run of admitting -a traitor. No silly oath will hold some man from running to the -Dohlmites in hopes of currying favor."</p> - -<p>"True," agreed Acpsahme grimly. "But a committee of execution should be -formed. A committee whose sole duty will be to track down and kill any -informer. Gentlemen, this is no seminar fraternity. If I thought any of -you were proposing to betray us, I'd shoot you down without a qualm." -The blue star tattooed on his forehead lent authority to his quiet -words.</p> - -<p>"What powers the Dohlmite's force wall?" inquired Norman suddenly.</p> - -<p>The men turned back to him, their eyes serious, intent.</p> - -<p>"I've speculated about that," admitted Pepperell. "But no human is -allowed within to learn."</p> - -<p>"If it ever failed, and we were organized, we could rush the Dohlmites, -capture the broadcast machine and destroy the cylinders."</p> - -<p>"You forget the paralysis ray," observed one of the Martians quietly.</p> - -<p>"There's a shield against the ray," Norman countered. "I saw one. -Vermeer had one on when our ship was captured."</p> - -<p>"A green suit," smiled the Martian. "But they are issued only to agents -of the Venusian Export Lines."</p> - -<p>"We can steal them."</p> - -<p>A hungry look had come into the men's eyes as they recalled the past -when they had been free in the Universe. Pepperell smashed his fist -down hard on the buffet.</p> - -<p>"I'm with you."</p> - -<p>"And I." It was unanimous.</p> - -<p>Jennifer squeezed Norman's hand ecstatically.</p> - -<p>"A toast," proposed Koal, "to freedom."</p> - -<p>The men lifted their glasses, drank. Then, with one accord, they -shattered them on the floor in a very ancient custom, a custom which -hadn't been observed in centuries. Norman's heart swelled at the -significance of the gesture.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VIII</p> - -<p>Immediately after the next sleeping period, Norman Saint Clair had -Koal drive him into the shopping district where he purchased one of -the surface cars. It had been agreed at the previous meeting of the -new-born Sinn Fein Society that members should be introduced at small, -apparently harmless parties. A list of possible recruits had been -drawn up and Koal, after directing him to the library, left to set the -machinery running.</p> - -<p>The library was a large, well lit building with an imposing entrance -hall. Norman searched the foyer, but could see no one. Apparently the -library was deserted. He crossed the floor, peered over the counter.</p> - -<p>There was a couch behind the counter and stretched at full length on -the couch was a girl sound asleep. For a moment Norman continued to -gaze at her in astonishment. Her blond hair spread out on the pillow -like yellow gauze. She had on a rumpled green tunic, and her naked -ankle bore the metal slave band. He coughed discreetly.</p> - -<p>The girl sat up, stifled a yawn. "Hello," she said, regarding Norman -with surprised interest. Her eyes were large and gray with black lashes.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, miss," he said doubtfully, "but are you the librarian?"</p> - -<p>"My God," exclaimed the girl, "don't tell me you want a book!"</p> - -<p>"Why, yes," he replied, uncertainty in his voice. "Isn't this the -library?"</p> - -<p>"It's the library, yes. But I've been in this vault for a month now, -and you're the first person who's asked for a book. I'd rather be back -at the factory."</p> - -<p>"You used to work in a factory?"</p> - -<p>The girl nodded. "Where they make the paralysis ray insulators."</p> - -<p>"The green suits?" he ejaculated.</p> - -<p>"Yes. They're green. Why?"</p> - -<p>"No reason," he replied cautiously. "Do you have any volumes on botany, -horticulture, plant growth, anything at all related to that subject?"</p> - -<p>Her gray eyes opened wide. "How long have you been here?"</p> - -<p>"Not very long."</p> - -<p>"I thought not. Don't you know those subjects are on the index? They're -forbidden. The Dohlmites destroy any such book no sooner than they get -their hands on it. They even destroy anyone who has made a study of it."</p> - -<p>He shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry," she replied, "but there isn't a paragraph on plant life in -the library." Her gray eyes brightened. "What about me? You could take -me out. I'm a hell of a sight more fun than those musty books."</p> - -<p>He said with a grin, "Do you know anything about plant life?"</p> - -<p>"No. But I could show you a thing or two about animal life."</p> - -<p>He was tempted. She had worked in the factory where the green -insulation suits were made. She might be able to give the Sinn Feiners -valuable information.</p> - -<p>"What time do you get off?"</p> - -<p>"Now! Where are you going to take me?"</p> - -<p>"But the library," he expostulated.</p> - -<p>"Bother the library," she laughed. "No one's used it yet." She jumped -to a sitting position on the counter, swung her legs across, slid off -on his side.</p> - -<p>"There. The library's closed for the day."</p> - -<p>"What did you do before your capture?"</p> - -<p>"I was on the triangle."</p> - -<p>He frowned in perplexity. "On the triangle? It sounds uncomfortable."</p> - -<p>"Sure. The triangle. Mars, Venus, Earth. Ninety gorgeous gals." She -clasped her hands behind her head, rolled her hips.</p> - -<p>"Oh," he said, comprehending at last. "You were on the stage."</p> - -<p>"The stage?" she laughed. "It does sound more dignified that way. I -was in the chorus. Man, what I wouldn't give for a glimpse of the Gay -White Way or the Street of Sighs."</p> - -<p>Impulsively, Norman decided to trust her. He said, "We're going to -steal a green suit."</p> - -<p>"A green suit?" She raised her eyebrows. "What do you want with a green -suit? You look much nicer in the outfit you have on."</p> - -<p>"A paralysis ray insulating suit," he explained.</p> - -<p>"What!" She clapped her hands to her mouth.</p> - -<p>"You said you'd worked in the factory. Do you know where they're -stored?"</p> - -<p>She bit her lip. "Yes, in the warehouse behind the plant. But why do -you want one? Don't you know escape's impossible?"</p> - -<p>"Improbable," he corrected.</p> - -<p>"I knew it. I knew it when you wanted to see the books on botany. Take -me along. I won't ask any questions. Take me along, please."</p> - -<p>"We're not ready yet," he replied.</p> - -<p>"But you'll take me?" Her gray eyes were pleading.</p> - -<p>He nodded, said, "The green suit first, though."</p> - -<p>She drew in her breath, "All right, handsome, I'm your woman."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>At the door to his car Norman paused, said, "I don't even know your -name."</p> - -<p>"Call me the Duchess," she laughed.</p> - -<p>"I'm Saint Clair, Norman Saint Clair."</p> - -<p>Norman got behind the wheel. The Duchess stimulated him. She was a -little earthy perhaps, but clever. He wondered uncomfortably just how -he would explain her to Jennifer, decided not to cross that bridge -until he got there.</p> - -<p>At the Duchess's direction, he parked the car in an alley behind the -warehouse where the protective green suits were stored.</p> - -<p>"This is it," said the girl.</p> - -<p>Norman got out, surveyed the massive stone structure. The windows -were barred like a jail. On the roof he could make out the edges of -shrubbery.</p> - -<p>"It looks like there's a roof garden up there," he commented.</p> - -<p>"There is," replied the Duchess. "The quarters of the men who work for -the Venusian Export Lines are on the top floors of the warehouse."</p> - -<p>Norman frowned. "There doesn't seem to be any way in here. What about -the front?"</p> - -<p>"It's guarded night and day."</p> - -<p>"What's that building?" He pointed to the structure adjacent to the -warehouse. The two roofs were almost on a level.</p> - -<p>"It's a slave barracks. That's where the women who work in the -surrounding factories live."</p> - -<p>"Do you think that we could slip to the roof without attracting too -much attention?"</p> - -<p>All about them they could hear the hum of machinery, the pulsing life -of the factory district.</p> - -<p>The Duchess shrugged her shoulders. "They work in shifts. The factories -never close down. This is as good a time as any."</p> - -<p>He crossed to the slave barracks, tried the rear door. It was unlocked. -Cautiously, he pulled it open. A long hall like a hotel corridor with a -stair well at the far end stretched before him. The slave barracks were -not equipped with lifts. The hall was empty.</p> - -<p>"Come on," he said, and slipped inside.</p> - -<p>They reached the stairs, crept up to the second floor. Again the -corridor was empty and they continued their ascent. At the fourth -stage, however, Norman halted, his eyes on a level with the floor. Two -women were gossiping not a dozen feet away.</p> - -<p>"Go on," hissed the Duchess desperately. "There's someone coming up the -steps behind us!"</p> - -<p>Norman heard the clatter of footsteps below them. He hadn't time to -hesitate, but leaped up the steps three at a time.</p> - -<p>"Eeeek!" a startled shriek escaped one of the women. "Wasn't that a -man, Cheryl?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! Yes, it was," replied the one addressed as Cheryl, "with a girl -chasing him like mad, the hussy!"</p> - -<p>"What would a man be doing in here?"</p> - -<p>"Now what do you think a man would be doing in the female slave -barracks?"</p> - -<p>The excited chatter of feminine tongues all wagging at once overtook -the pair as they raced upward. Norman's heart sank like a stone. The -way was closed behind them. Unexpectedly, he popped out on the roof, -paused to catch his breath.</p> - -<p>"Go on!" panted the Duchess. "Go on, for heaven's sake! The party on -the stairs below us. I caught a glimpse of them. They were plant men!"</p> - -<p>"Plant men!"</p> - -<p>"Yes! Yes! They must have been inspecting the barracks. Hurry!"</p> - -<p>Norman cast a glance at the exquisitely landscaped roof gardens atop -the warehouse next door. The gap appeared wider than it had from the -street. Furthermore, the top of the warehouse was much lower, a wall -surrounding the garden having given it the appearance of being the same -height as the slave barracks.</p> - -<p>An ominous mutter like the sound of a disturbed hornet's nest ascended -the stair well. Norman cast caution to the wind, sprinted across the -flat roof, launched himself into space.</p> - -<p>He cleared the top of the wall by inches, glanced downward. A man lay -sunning himself directly beneath. The man had on trunks. He lay on his -back and his dark sun glasses gave him a goggle-eyed appearance. He -started to yell and sit up.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Norman landed with both feet in the pit of the man's stomach. There was -an explosive <i>ooof</i> as Norman sprawled forward on the roof. Then the -Duchess sailed over the wall, lit full on the sun-bather, tumbled head -over heels, arms and legs flying.</p> - -<p>Norman got to his hands and knees, surveyed their victim in -consternation. The man was unconscious.</p> - -<p>"I hope he's not dead."</p> - -<p>"You better hope he is," said the Duchess, sitting up.</p> - -<p>He felt the man's pulse. It throbbed feebly.</p> - -<p>"What'll we do with him?"</p> - -<p>"Toss him over the edge," suggested the girl.</p> - -<p>"We can't do that!" protested Norman in horror. "We'll bring him along. -Maybe we can find some place to lock him up." He took hold of the man, -heaved, grunted, got him over his shoulder. "There's the elevator -house, beyond that rock garden," he panted, staggering toward it.</p> - -<p>They reached the elevator. It was an automatic lift, he saw. The -indicator showed that the cage was on the floor below them. He was -about to press the button when the Duchess's eyes widened. The needle -on the indicator was slowly revolving around the dial.</p> - -<p>"Someone's coming up," gasped Norman. Feverishly, he heaved the -unconscious man behind a bush. The Duchess dived around the corner of -the elevator house as Norman plucked a stone the size of his head from -the rock garden, crouched behind a dwarf fir beside the doors.</p> - -<p>The doors slid back. A man in civilian clothes stepped onto the roof.</p> - -<p>"Bauer," he called. "Hey, Bauer."</p> - -<p>Norman hit him over the head with the stone. The man crumpled.</p> - -<p>The Duchess peered around the edge of the elevator house, stepped out. -"You're getting quite a collection."</p> - -<p>Norman looked worried. He hauled the sun-bather from behind the bush -and stacked both of them inside the elevator. "Come on."</p> - -<p>The Duchess shrugged her shoulders, stepped into the elevator.</p> - -<p>"Where are the suits?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Basement."</p> - -<p>He pressed the button. The car shot downward.</p> - -<p>"Did you kill this one?" asked the Duchess hopefully.</p> - -<p>He shook his head. "I don't think so."</p> - -<p>The car stopped suddenly, the doors slid back. Norman stared out at -a dimly-lit, low-ceilinged room which stretched off into shadows on -either hand. It was full of bales, boxes and dust.</p> - -<p>He dragged the bodies out, stretched them side by side on the floor.</p> - -<p>"Where are the suits?"</p> - -<p>"Any of those cases."</p> - -<p>Feverishly, he broke one open, pulled out the familiar green suit with -helmet, gloves, and boots attached.</p> - -<p>"Now that you've got it," said the Duchess, "have you figured how -you're going to get out with it? We've got as much chance of returning -the way we came as of burrowing through the walls. That slave barracks -won't quiet down for a week."</p> - -<p>He appeared crestfallen, then his eyes lit on his latest victim. He -brightened. "Aren't the only men in Behrl who wear civilian clothes -agents of the Venusian Export Lines, and didn't you say they had their -headquarters upstairs?"</p> - -<p>The Duchess nodded.</p> - -<p>He began to strip the clothes from their second victim.</p> - -<p>"We'll walk out the front door," he said grimly.</p> - -<p>"You're a resourceful rogue," the Duchess admitted with admiration.</p> - -<p>In a matter of minutes, he had changed clothes. Hastily, he bundled up -the green suit, wrapped it in a piece of packing paper. "Let's get out -of here."</p> - -<p>"What about these?" The Duchess indicated the bodies on the floor.</p> - -<p>"Leave them there. They don't know what hit them."</p> - -<p>They re-entered the lift, got off on the street floor. Six guards were -loafing in the foyer. One of them winked when he saw the slave girl -demurely following the young man out of the elevator.</p> - -<p>Norman swallowed, walked out into the blessed sunlight. No one tried to -stop him.</p> - -<p>He didn't draw an easy breath until they were back in his car, the -insulation suit tucked under the seat.</p> - -<p>"Well," he said triumphantly as they sped from the alley onto a broad -thoroughfare, "that's one."</p> - -<p>"One!" cried the Duchess. "You're not going to try to get any more?"</p> - -<p>"We need hundreds," he assured her.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>She stared at him in awe. "Hundreds!" Then she began to laugh. "Well, -the Lord helps those who help themselves."</p> - -<p>They drove along for a few minutes in silence.</p> - -<p>"Listen," said the Duchess suddenly. "You need more insulation suits. I -know how they can be obtained."</p> - -<p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"I know the people who work in the factory. There are a few I can -trust. If anyone could slip out the green suits, they could."</p> - -<p>Norman was jubilant. "Great," he ejaculated.</p> - -<p>"But you'll have to buy me."</p> - -<p>"Buy you?" he echoed.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said the Duchess. "If I have to stay at that library another -day, I'll die. Besides, I need more freedom to contact the workers."</p> - -<p>She saw him wavering, put her hand over his on the wheel. "It gets so -lonesome in that library."</p> - -<p>"All right," he agreed.</p> - -<p>The Duchess threw her arms about him. "You're a dear," she squealed.</p> - -<p>Jennifer, he thought unhappily, wasn't going to like this at all.</p> - -<p>The transaction proved as simple as the Duchess had forecast. For the -ridiculous sum of fifty notes plus the girl's original purchase price, -the agent transferred her to Norman Saint Clair. He turned the car into -the basement of the apartment, his latest venture in livestock on the -seat beside him. He had been rather silent since leaving the agent. -Not only must he explain the Duchess to Jennifer, he had to explain -Jennifer to the Duchess.</p> - -<p>He brought the car to a stop, said uneasily, "I forgot to tell you. -I have...." He paused, started over again. "There is another girl in -my apartment, too. She.... Well.... There are three bedrooms. I don't -think we'll be too crowded. Do you?" He mopped his brow with his -handkerchief.</p> - -<p>The Duchess was regarding him, a steel-like glint in her gray eyes.</p> - -<p>"Of all the deceitful, lecherous rogues it's been my misfortune to -meet," she said, her tone low, gentle, "in a profession where rogues -abound, you are the lowest."</p> - -<p>"Now I say ..." he protested, but the Duchess swept his words aside.</p> - -<p>"You wolf, bleating like a lamb. Oh, you're clever. I haven't a thing -to reproach you with. You fixed it so it was I who asked you to buy -me. But mark this, handsome, our association is going to be strictly -business. You supply me with food and shelter; I supply the Sinn -Feiners with green suits."</p> - -<p>"But isn't that why I bought you?" he asked in perplexity.</p> - -<p>"What?" said the Duchess, hauling herself up short.</p> - -<p>"I mean, you didn't like the library, and you needed more freedom any -way to contact the factory workers. It looked to me like a sensible -plan."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'll be darned," said the Duchess.</p> - -<p>"What?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"I apologize." She held out her hand. He took it gratefully. "If you -like," she said, "you can give me a good swift kick."</p> - -<p>They went up in the lift. When they entered the apartment, they found -Koal talking to Jennifer. He introduced the Duchess.</p> - -<p>"I bought her from the Dohlmites," he blurted out. "She's to have the -spare room."</p> - -<p>Koal regarded the Duchess with admiration, made a clucking sound. -Norman reddened.</p> - -<p>"What are you doing?" asked Jennifer sweetly. "Starting a harem?"</p> - -<p>"Won't it be cozy," interposed the Duchess coolly, "twenty-nine or -thirty of us scampering about the apartment."</p> - -<p>"What?" said Jennifer.</p> - -<p>"Well, you know what the collecting instinct's like."</p> - -<p>Norman hastily unwrapped the green suit, related their adventures. The -Duchess, he explained, had promised to help procure more of them.</p> - -<p>Although Jennifer still seemed skeptical, the Martian's expression -changed. He looked at the Duchess thoughtfully. "You can supply us with -more of these?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. There's a girl who works in the factory. We played the triangle -together. Her name's Marcia. We were booked for a run on Ganymede when -we were captured. If anyone can slip out the green suits, she can."</p> - -<p>The Martian nodded. "We'll have a car waiting behind the factory." He -turned suddenly upon Norman. "I've got bad news," he said.</p> - -<p>Norman felt his heart sink.</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"The Dohlmites are preparing to attack Ganymede."</p> - -<p>"Ganymede!" ejaculated Norman. "When?"</p> - -<p>The Martian gestured palm up with his hands, shrugged. "We haven't been -told yet. I imagine they're waiting until all the ships are back. It's -the beginning of the end of the Empire, unless we can do something -quick."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">IX</p> - -<p>During the next ten sleeping periods an epidemic of small parties broke -out in the human colony. The Sinn Fein Society from its tiny spark had -spread into a conflagration. Apartment F12 was rapidly being converted -into an arsenal as the men hid rocket shells, ray rifles, dum-dums -and dart guns in the basement. Furthermore, twelve bales of green -insulation suits had been added to the one Norman and the Duchess had -stolen.</p> - -<p>The Duchess had made good her promise and a steady stream of suits was -being slipped into the hands of the Sinn Feiners. She was ensconced in -the third bedroom of Norman's apartment. Jennifer had not relented.</p> - -<p>"When you add any more wenches to your collection," Jennifer replied, -coolly skeptical, "quarter them with the Duchess. I absolutely refuse -to share my room with any of your paramours."</p> - -<p>Norman had returned from a meeting of the Sinn Feiners where he had -learned that most of the ships were back already and were being -refitted for the attack on Ganymede. Time pressed. He said:</p> - -<p>"Jennifer, I'm going to drive out into the country to try to get a line -on the vegetation. I came back to the apartment to ask you to come -along."</p> - -<p>"No," she said perversely. "Why don't you ask Alicia?"</p> - -<p>"Alicia?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Alicia, the elevator operator. She's been asking about you."</p> - -<p>Norman's ire mounted. "Jennifer," he said wrathfully, "I've been -exceptionally lenient."</p> - -<p>"Lenient?" repeated the girl.</p> - -<p>"That's right, lenient." He advanced on her threateningly. She backed -off in consternation. "It's not uncommon for disobedient slaves to be -given a sound thrashing, locked up on bread and water."</p> - -<p>"You wouldn't dare." The girl compressed her lips.</p> - -<p>"Now then," he went on, "are you coming with me peacefully or must I -descend to force?"</p> - -<p>She stamped her foot. "No!"</p> - -<p>Norman grabbed her, slung her over his shoulder, started for the door.</p> - -<p>"Put me down! Put me down!" she cried, kicking vigorously.</p> - -<p>"Are you coming along quietly?"</p> - -<p>"No!"</p> - -<p>He carried her into the hall, made for the elevator, pressed the button.</p> - -<p>"Norman," she pleaded in consternation. "Put me down before that -elevator gets here."</p> - -<p>"Are you coming quietly?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. For heaven's sake, yes!"</p> - -<p>He placed her on her feet. She brushed her black hair from her eyes, -straightened her white tunic with a wriggle.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" she said, "of all the indignities!" But the corners of her lips -kept trying to break into a grin. "Would you really have hauled me to -your car like that in front of everybody?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," he replied seriously.</p> - -<p>In spite of herself Jennifer burst into laughter. "You know, sometimes -you're the most amazing rogue I've ever met. I can't stay angry at you -for ten minutes."</p> - -<p>The city of Behrl had been built around the enormous blow hole through -which escaping gasses in some distant geological age had burst to the -surface of Neptune. Beyond its outskirts lay a hilly country matted -with undergrowth. The road kept getting worse and worse until finally -it ended abruptly on the slope of a hill.</p> - -<p>Norman brought the car to a stop. "End of the line," he said and hopped -out. Jennifer followed him.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Jennifer glancing at the weird vegetation about them. -"Where do we start?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," he confessed. His eyes swept the country. A thick -growth of small shrubs matted with creepers cloaked the hillside. The -air smelled rich, hot, fertile.</p> - -<p>"By Jove," he exclaimed, "what's that?" He pointed to a bare spot a -quarter of a mile away. It was several acres in extent. And even in the -rosy sunlight it seemed to pulse with a phosphorescent light.</p> - -<p>Jennifer shivered. "What makes the light?"</p> - -<p>"Let's take a look at it," he suggested.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Norman in the lead, they began to force their way through the -grotesque, waist-high jungle. The sun beat down hotly on their -uncovered heads. He wiped the perspiration from his face, swatted -vindictively at a small persistent insect.</p> - -<p>Jennifer tripped on a thick purple creeper, muttered something under -her breath which sounded like cursing. Norman grinned, plowed ahead. It -took them almost half an hour to reach the edge of the bare spot.</p> - -<p>"A landslide," he ejaculated.</p> - -<p>The slide had gouged a deep gash in the loamy soil of the hillside. It -was from this gash that the glow emanated. For yards on either side the -vegetation was dead. He crossed the belt of dead plants, approached -the gash. On the brink, he paused, shaded his eyes, backed off hastily.</p> - -<p>"Stay away!" he cautioned the girl. "Don't look in there!"</p> - -<p>"Why?" she cried, halting in her tracks.</p> - -<p>"Radium! I'm not sure, but I think it's almost pure radium. Jennifer, -do you realize? The landslide has uncovered a fortune. We're rich!"</p> - -<p>She looked at him sadly. "What difference does it make?"</p> - -<p>But his jubilation was not to be dampened. "We won't be here forever. -Um-um!" He smacked his lips, almost danced. "Radium! We'd better get -back a ways, we're too close to the stuff as it is."</p> - -<p>They retreated to the edge of the stricken vegetation. Even here the -plants were sickly, wilted. Half a dozen of them were coated with red, -rust-like scales.</p> - -<p>Jennifer suddenly grabbed his shoulder, shook him. "Come out of your -daze, Midas," she laughed a little hysterically. "Look at the plants. -They're dead. Don't you see. It's killed them. Wouldn't it kill the -plant men, too."</p> - -<p>But Norman shook his head. "They know as much if not more about radium -than we do. It's dangerous, yes, but it's not a weapon." Suddenly he -dropped to his knees beside a dwarf shrub. It was one of those covered -with the red scales. "But, by Jupiter, this may be."</p> - -<p>"What is it?" said the girl in a stifled voice.</p> - -<p>"Blight!"</p> - -<p>"What?" she asked in astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Blight!" he repeated. "Don't you see? It's blight. Look." He pointed -to the scabrous red scale attacking the shrub.</p> - -<p>She shook her head in bewilderment.</p> - -<p>"If the Dohlmites aren't blight resistant, Jennifer, this may be the -weapon." His voice was hoarse with excitement, the radium forgotten. -He said, "In the early days in America, blight attacked the chestnut -trees. It wiped out every American chestnut from coast to coast."</p> - -<p>"What about the other trees?" she asked, puzzled.</p> - -<p>"Well," he admitted, "it didn't harm them."</p> - -<p>"Maybe the plant men aren't susceptible to this disease, either."</p> - -<p>"Maybe not, but it's a chance. It's the only chance that's presented -itself, and we haven't much time left before the Dohlmites will order -the attack on Ganymede." Tenderly, he dug up the infected plant, -wrapped its roots in his handkerchief.</p> - -<p>"What in the world are you doing?"</p> - -<p>"I'm going to infect a Dohlmite with this blight!" he replied grimly.</p> - -<p>Jennifer giggled.</p> - -<p>"What's so funny?" he wanted to know.</p> - -<p>"Blight! It does seem such an odd method of attack."</p> - -<p>Once back in the apartment, Jennifer dived beneath a cold shower. -Norman, though, went straight to the kitchen where he transplanted the -infected plant into a saucepan and took it out on the balcony.</p> - -<p>He heard the front door open and close with a loud bang. He started -guiltily, thought who could that be? Should the Dohlmites discover the -infected plant that he was nurturing on his balcony, the penalty would -be swift and final. He dashed into the hall.</p> - -<p>Jennifer's head stuck beyond her door revealing one bare wet shoulder. -Her blue eyes were panicky. "Who is it?"</p> - -<p>He shook his head, went into the living-room. With a sigh of relief, he -recognized the Duchess.</p> - -<p>"Norman, you're back!" cried the Duchess wildly. "I didn't know what -I'd do if you weren't here."</p> - -<p>The young man's reassurance evaporated. The Duchess's blond hair was -disheveled. She was panting as if she'd been running.</p> - -<p>"What's wrong?"</p> - -<p>"We've been betrayed!" said the Duchess in a frightened voice.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">X</p> - -<p>"Betrayed!" echoed Norman.</p> - -<p>The Duchess nodded. Her gray eyes were enormous. "I've been expecting -to keel over on the street all the way home!"</p> - -<p>"Who? How?"</p> - -<p>"One of your precious Earth men. Hops, he's called." She paused, said, -"I feel kind of dizzy! My God! You don't suppose the Dohlmites are -putting the finger on me, do you?"</p> - -<p>"No. No, of course not. It's just shock. Sit down. Jennifer," he -called, "make the Duchess some tea, coffee, anything hot."</p> - -<p>"Tea, hell," said the Duchess sinking on the couch. "Bring me a shot of -whiskey."</p> - -<p>Jennifer had hastily slipped on her tunic. She brought a glass of -whiskey from the kitchen. The Duchess drank it neat.</p> - -<p>"Now, what happened?" pressed Norman.</p> - -<p>"Marcia told me," began the Duchess. "She's the girl in the troop I -told you about. The one who played the triangle with me and who's been -slipping us the green suits."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," he interrupted impatiently.</p> - -<p>She said, "Vermeer and Del Solar were inspecting the factory."</p> - -<p>"Vermeer," ejaculated Norman. "I know Vermeer. But who's Del Solar?"</p> - -<p>"Del Solar's chief of the Venusian Export Lines. Vermeer's his -assistant. They are the only two humans allowed beyond the force wall. -They've charge of the factory, you know, and it isn't unusual for them -to make an inspection, but Marcia was jittery. She was afraid they'd -discover she'd been stealing the green suits.</p> - -<p>"She hung around them trying to overhear what they were saying. She -was listening when one of the guards approached Del Solar and told him -there was a man outside to see him. 'Send him in,' says Del Solar. So -the guard brought this Hops inside. When Marcia saw it was a fighting -man and not an agent or a slave she sneaked behind a packing case where -she could hear every word they said.</p> - -<p>"'What do you want?' Del Solar asked. Hops told him he knew about a -conspiracy. He wanted to give Del Solar the names of the leaders in -exchange for a post in the Venusian Export Lines. He told a lot more -too: about us stealing the insulation suits, how the Sinn Feiners have -spread all over Behrl. Enough to convince Del Solar that it was a -serious matter."</p> - -<p>"But he hasn't our names yet?" Norman clutched at a straw.</p> - -<p>The Duchess shook her head. "Not yet. Del Solar wanted them. But Hops -is no fool. He wouldn't betray the names of the conspirators until he -was guaranteed a post with the Export Company. No one is accepted in -the company without the plant men's approval. That means Del Solar will -have to see the Dohlmites first."</p> - -<p>"Jennifer," commanded Norman, "get Koal. Tell him to bring Acpsahme."</p> - -<p>The girl left, her blue eyes frightened.</p> - -<p>"Go on," urged Norman. He was trying to place Hops, then he remembered. -Hops had been one of the renegade Earth men present at the first -meeting.</p> - -<p>"Well, Del Solar asked him his name and where he lived. That's how -Marcia knew who he was. He lives in G-seven, but she couldn't remember -his apartment number. Then Del Solar said he'd meet Hops in the Earth -man's apartment as soon as he'd seen the Dohlmites."</p> - -<p>Jennifer burst into the room leading Koal and Acpsahme.</p> - -<p>"What's this about a traitor?" cried the usually calm Martian.</p> - -<p>"Tell them," commanded Norman.</p> - -<p>The Duchess repeated her story.</p> - -<p>"If we can reach Hops in time," Koal exploded, "we're not lost yet!"</p> - -<p>"Whether we're in time or not," interposed Acpsahme in a flat voice, -"we've business with Hops. Have you got your gun, Norman?"</p> - -<p>The young man caught his breath. The meaning behind Acpsahme's words -was only too clear.</p> - -<p>"Yes," he faltered. He felt hollow inside. He wasn't frightened, just -sick.</p> - -<p>"Come on," said Acpsahme in that unemotional voice.</p> - -<p>"Norman," said Jennifer in a frightened tone.</p> - -<p>"Don't interfere," he heard the Duchess say. "This is man's work." Then -he was outside in the corridor.</p> - -<p>While waiting for the elevator, they met Pepperell, the ex-T.I.S. -agent. Koal explained briefly what had occurred.</p> - -<p>"Spread the word, Pepperell. If we're in time, this should discourage -any ambition to sell us out among the others."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>They went down in the lift, entered Koal's car, drove out into the -blinding sunlight. We're going to kill a man, Norman thought. Little -beads of sweat stood out on his temples. He saw the informer stretched -lifeless on the floor, his blank eyes staring at him accusingly.</p> - -<p>"Don't think about it," advised Koal, with that disconcerting ability -to divine what was passing through Norman's mind.</p> - -<p>They turned into the base of G7. Koal brought the car to a stop. A -guard advanced to examine their papers. Norman recognized him as a Sinn -Feiner. Acpsahme leaned forward, explained their errand.</p> - -<p>The guard compressed his lips angrily. "Go ahead," he growled. "He's on -H deck, apartment Four-o-eight."</p> - -<p>They went up in the lift. On H deck they walked slowly along the hall -until they came to room 408.</p> - -<p>"Get your gun out," said Koal, and knocked.</p> - -<p>There was a bitter taste in Norman's mouth. He felt sick at his stomach -as he had when he'd seen the murdered T.I.S. agent aboard the <i>Jupiter</i>.</p> - -<p>The door opened.</p> - -<p>Hops was framed in the entrance. He seemed to know instantly why the -three grim-faced, silent men had come. His features went stiff with -terror. He backed into the room. His mouth opened.</p> - -<p>"All right," said Koal.</p> - -<p>"<i>No!</i>" cried Hops.</p> - -<p>Acpsahme's dart struck the informer in the neck.</p> - -<p>"Search the room," commanded Koal, stepping across the informer's body.</p> - -<p>They found a paper upon which Hops had been working. It contained the -names of seventy-eight of the Sinn Feiners. Norman's name headed the -list.</p> - -<p>"A real distinction," observed the Martian dryly.</p> - -<p>It was an honor that Norman didn't covet. They found nothing else of -importance.</p> - -<p>"Leave him lie," said Acpsahme. "I think we have been in time. The -Dohlmites know there's a rebellion afoot, but they don't know who's -concerned."</p> - -<p>"This is one time," observed the Martian, "when what they don't know is -going to hurt them."</p> - -<p>They started out. At the door, Acpsahme stopped, yanked out his dart -gun. Norman peering over his shoulders, saw a Dohlmite accompanied -by a man in civilian clothes. They were scarcely a dozen steps down -the corridor. The plant man's mask-like face gave no clue to what -was passing through his mind. The Earth man, though, was plainly -frightened.</p> - -<p>"Del Solar," the Martian hissed, his voice sibilant. "He's come to get -the names of the Sinn Feiners from Hops."</p> - -<p>Del Solar spun around, began to run back down the hall. Again it was -Acpsahme's dart which halted the man. Del Solar pitched forward on his -face.</p> - -<p>Koal fired three times at the plant man. Norman saw the darts strike -the Dohlmite's chest, stick out like pins, but he didn't fall. The -poisoned needles seemed to have no more effect on the plant man than -they would have had on a tree. He, too, began to run.</p> - -<p>"Quick," cried Acpsahme. "Don't let him escape."</p> - -<p>Norman leaped in pursuit, tackled the fleeing plant man about the hips. -They went down in a tangle. He saw a knife flash. It was withdrawn -green and sticky. The Dohlmite quit struggling. Norman staggered to his -feet.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>Koal's blade flashed, cut into the Dohlmite's neck.</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Good work," said Koal. He was wiping his blade on the plant man's -harness.</p> - -<p>A thought struck Norman. His stomach revolted, but he forced himself to -say, "I want the corpse of the Dohlmite."</p> - -<p>"Why?" ejaculated the Martian.</p> - -<p>Briefly, he revealed his discovery of the blight-sickened plant. "I -want to infect this Dohlmite with the blight. There's a chance that -when his fellows carry him into their city, the blight will spread."</p> - -<p>"It's a gamble," said Koal thoughtfully. "But it's worth it."</p> - -<p>"Leave Del Solar lie where he is then," put in Acpsahme. "We'll take -the Dohlmite."</p> - -<p>They dragged the corpse of the plant man to the elevator, dropped -swiftly to the basement. Acpsahme called the guard.</p> - -<p>"We've had to kill a plant man," he said quietly.</p> - -<p>A look of terror passed across the guard's features. Involuntarily, he -took a backward step.</p> - -<p>"We're taking the body," Acpsahme went on in a low voice. "Hops and an -agent of the Venusian Export Lines are still above. Dispose of them as -you think best."</p> - -<p>The guard nodded. They loaded the stringy frame of the plant man into -their car, shot out into the rosy sunlight.</p> - -<p>Norman felt dazed. Although he had not actually killed any of the -three, he considered himself as guilty as if it had been his finger -that pulled the trigger. He began to tremble. He felt as if he were -going to be violently sick.</p> - -<p>"Brace up," said Koal with that queer intuition. "It'll pass."</p> - -<p>Acpsahme chuckled. "The first man I killed, I ran to my house and cried -like a baby. I couldn't stop. I wanted them to bleach the tattoo off my -forehead."</p> - -<p>Somehow Norman felt better.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>When they reached the basement of F12, they left Acpsahme to guard the -body, ascended in the lift to Norman's apartment.</p> - -<p>Jennifer and the Duchess met them at the door. Jennifer had been -crying, Norman saw with satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"Norman, Norman," the girl said and flew to his arms.</p> - -<p>He patted her shoulder, disengaged himself gently. "We've still got -work to do."</p> - -<p>"We had to kill Del Solar and a plant man," Koal explained briefly. -"The Dohlmites are going to be furious, but I don't think they will -suspect us. Norman has an experiment he wants to try with the body of -the Dohlmite."</p> - -<p>The Duchess turned to him, astonished.</p> - -<p>"The blight," he explained. "I'm going to try to infect the plant man -with the blight. When the Dohlmites find his body and carry it into -their city, I'm gambling on it spreading."</p> - -<p>He retrieved the infected plant from the balcony. Even in that short -time the shrub had visibly wilted. The blight had spread over twice its -former area.</p> - -<p>"It seems to be a virulent disease," observed the Martian.</p> - -<p>They carried the infected plant to the basement. Norman dusted the -corpse from head to foot with the rust-like scales. Anything touching -the body would be bound to come in contact with them.</p> - -<p>"All right," said Acpsahme, "let's take him out and get this over with."</p> - -<p>A broad yellow line marked the zone beyond which it was death to stray. -It was the first time Norman had been close to the force wall. He -looked at it curiously.</p> - -<p>A ribbon of some unfamiliar silver metal wound like the track of a mono -rail around the base of the hill where the Dohlmites had their houses. -There were no visible rays arising from the ribbon, no distortion of -the atmosphere, nothing. It looked utterly harmless.</p> - -<p>"I wonder what would happen if you broke the circuit," speculated -Norman.</p> - -<p>"It's impossible," replied Koal. "The zone of force protects the -ribbon. Look." He threw a pebble toward the silver track of metal. -While still a yard from the ribbon, the stone exploded like a hand -grenade. It was as if the force radiating from the track had touched -off the atoms of the pebble. Norman blinked his eyes involuntarily.</p> - -<p>"How do the Dohlmites pass through?"</p> - -<p>"There's a gate only a short distance from here where they can shut off -a segment of the wall."</p> - -<p>The buildings of the human colony, Norman noticed, were set well back -from the yellow warning line, leaving a broad road which paralleled -the silver track. There was no one in sight. It seemed to be a very -unpopular neighborhood.</p> - -<p>"Get him out," grunted Acpsahme. They tossed the body of the -disease-infected Dohlmite to the road.</p> - -<p>"The Trojan horse," thought Norman, remembering a tale from the dawn of -history. He glanced back once as they sped away.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">XI</p> - -<p>Preparations for the invasion of Ganymede went forward during the next -six sleeping periods. The Dohlmites had been unsuccessful in their -investigation, and had withdrawn behind their force wall, transmitting -their orders through the agents of the Venusian Export Lines.</p> - -<p>Then the date of sailing was set. Norman received his orders to report -aboard the <i>Rocket</i> within twenty-four hours.</p> - -<p>He paced back and forth across the living-room of his apartment. Even -if the blight did sweep the Dohlmites, he thought, with the Sinn -Feiners away on Ganymede they wouldn't be able to take advantage of -their opportunity.</p> - -<p>Jennifer entered from the bedroom, glanced at him worriedly, said, -"Norman, relax or you'll have a nervous breakdown."</p> - -<p>He flung himself on the couch. "If only we knew what's happening behind -the force wall. The Dohlmites are taking this so queerly. I haven't -seen one on the streets for days."</p> - -<p>The buzzer announced someone at the door. He leaped to his feet, -answered it anxiously. Koal came inside. There was a flicker of triumph -in the Martian's eyes.</p> - -<p>"The sailing," he announced, "has been indefinitely postponed!"</p> - -<p>Norman sank on the couch, only to spring up again.</p> - -<p>"Something's happened on the hill!"</p> - -<p>Koal nodded his head. "That's what I think."</p> - -<p>"We've got to know what it is," cried Norman. "If it's the blight, and -it leaves only one plant man alive, he's still master of every one -of us." He paused, bit his lip, said, "Koal, issue the green suits -to a select force. Have them ready to storm the hill. I'm going to -reconnoitre the force wall."</p> - -<p>"Watch your step," the Martian cautioned. "This may be a trap." He -turned on his heel, left the apartment.</p> - -<p>"Norman," said Jennifer looking utterly miserable, "do be careful."</p> - -<p>He kissed her, said, "I will," and started for the door. A heady -excitement was pounding in his blood.</p> - -<p>From the apartment he drove to the gate in the force wall.</p> - -<p>Two parallel lines of yellow intersected the silver track at right -angles and indicated the segment which could be shut off. Just within -the wall he saw a small cage like a switchman's shack on a railroad. -But the plant man who operated the gate was not there.</p> - -<p>He frowned, swept the hill above with his eyes. Not a figure stirred on -any of the airy balconies. Nothing moved in the streets. The city of -the Dohlmites was a ghost town.</p> - -<p>A feeling that he was being watched made his heart beat faster.</p> - -<p>He caught his breath. For a moment he thought he had detected a faint -movement in one of the doorways. Was this a trap after all? Minutes -slipped past but the movement was not repeated. The high noon sun beat -down on the empty street.</p> - -<p>He got out of the car, walked cautiously toward the force wall, halted -at the yellow stripe. It was maddening to be stopped by that intangible -emanation from the silver track.</p> - -<p>He started to turn away, paused, staring rigidly at the hill. A man was -running blindly away down the curving road which led between the plant -men's houses. Even at that distance, Norman could detect something -peculiar about the man's flight. He would run several hundred yards, -stumble, fall, drag himself to his feet and go on.</p> - -<p>As he drew closer, Norman identified him as a plant man. He seemed -to be making for the gate in the force wall. He reached the glassite -shack, staggered inside. Norman could see him fumble weakly with the -switch. The Dohlmite was shutting down the current at the gate.</p> - -<p>Still with that strange intentness, the plant man lurched out again, -stumbled, fell. He tried to rise, fell back. No flicker of emotion -betrayed the terrible fear which must be driving him onward. He pulled -himself to his hands and knees, began to crawl through the gate. He -reached the silver ribbon, keeping in the center of the yellow lines. -His eyes stared straight ahead. He wobbled across the force wall, kept -on. Crawling on hands and knees, he passed within ten feet of Norman -and didn't seem to see him.</p> - -<p>Twenty yards beyond Norman his wobble became more pronounced, like -a toy running down. Then he seemed to hesitate. His arms and legs -suddenly gave way. He collapsed. This time he didn't try to rise, but -lay still, lay still as death. Norman shuddered and looked away.</p> - -<p>From head to heels the plant man was covered with the red, rust-like -scales.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>With a start Norman realized that the way into the city lay open before -him. He drew his breath sharply, walked slowly between the parallel -yellow lines. His nerves quivered as he stepped across the silver -track. He was inside at last. He set out up the hill.</p> - -<p>As Norman reached the first houses, the toll exacted by the scabrous -red blight became apparent. It had swept the population on the hill -like a plague. Plant men lay in the streets, on the balconies, in the -houses, their bodies scaly with rust. It had even begun to spread to -the festooned hanging gardens.</p> - -<p>Crowning the apex of the hill was a tremendous structure pillared like -the incredibly ancient Grecian temples of which a few pictures still -survived. A feeling of elation seized him. This surely was the building -which housed the death broadcasting machine. This was the end of his -journey.</p> - -<p>A voice behind him shouted, "Stop, Saint Clair!"</p> - -<p>He spun around.</p> - -<p>Vermeer was toiling up the hill behind him. The agent of the Venusian -Export Lines had his dart gun drawn and levelled. He halted half a -dozen steps from Norman. He said, "There's always a reckoning, Saint -Clair."</p> - -<p>Wildly, Norman speculated on his chance should he hurl himself at -Vermeer in the face of the poisoned needles. He knew there was none.</p> - -<p>"You've had a remarkable run of luck," Vermeer smiled. "But by the laws -of chance, it was bound to turn."</p> - -<p>Norman didn't reply. The explosion of a rocket shell suddenly rent -the air, followed by the crackle of dum-dum fire. It ascended faintly -unreal from the human colony below them.</p> - -<p>"My men," Vermeer explained, "are attacking yours. But it doesn't -matter who wins. The real contest is being decided up here between us -two. It's rather like ancient times, with which you're so familiar, -Saint Clair, when battles were decided between two champions. You see, -I took the precaution to close the gate before I followed you."</p> - -<p>Norman could feel the drag of his own dart gun at his waist, considered -throwing himself to one side, snatching for his gun. Vermeer, he -realized bitterly, had only to pull his trigger.</p> - -<p>"I wonder," Vermeer went on, "if you realize the stakes we're playing -for? The man who remains alive within the force wall can control the -solar system." He laughed exultantly, drew a careful bead on Norman's -chest.</p> - -<p>He's going to fire, thought Norman. Even at that distance, he could see -the knuckles of the agent's hand whiten as they contracted about the -pommel of the dart gun.</p> - -<p>A fantastic hope crystallized in his mind. Conception and action was -simultaneous.</p> - -<p>"Now!" Norman breathed, and fell as if dead.</p> - -<p>He fell just a fraction of a second before Vermeer pulled the trigger. -He heard the poisoned dart whistle over his shoulder, then he hit the -street with a jarring thud and lay still. He daren't breathe, daren't -flicker an eyelash.</p> - -<p>It would never occur to Vermeer that he could have missed at twenty -short paces. The very deadliness of the darts precluded any necessity -of administering a <i>coup de grace</i>. Norman could hear the shuffle of -Vermeer's approaching steps. Had the trick worked?</p> - -<p>Vermeer's foot nudged him in the ribs.</p> - -<p>Like the recoil of a spring, Norman grabbed the agent's ankles, threw -his weight against Vermeer's knees. The man toppled backward. Norman -swarmed on top of him.</p> - -<p>Vermeer had been suspicious. He still retained the dart gun in his -hand. Norman seized his wrist. They struggled fiercely, silently in the -empty streets, their only audience the plant men covered with blight, -full of the indifference of death.</p> - -<p>With a surge of exultation Norman felt Vermeer's wrist weaken. He threw -his weight on the weapon, bent it downward. His finger covered the -trigger. He squeezed.</p> - -<p>Vermeer shuttered and lay still.</p> - -<p>Norman crouched backward off the dead agent to his feet. The sound of -firing in the human colony was silent. Whatever the outcome of the -battle had been, he realized, it was over.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>What was it Vermeer had said? "The man who remains alive within the -force wall can control the Solar System." He, Norman Saint Clair, -who had set out from Earth to lecture on Ancient History in distant -Ganymede, was as much master of the System at this moment as if the -battle had already been fought.</p> - -<p>He had no difficulty locating the death broadcasting machine. It was -housed in a tremendous hall in the Dohlmite temple of science. It was -a delicate affair of tubes and wires. The cylinders, he saw, were fed -into it automatically so that it could broadcast its messages of death -with machine gun rapidity.</p> - -<p>He seized a chair, savagely smashed the machine into fragments. It -was a weapon of enslavement. No good could come of it. At length, he -paused. The cylinders and the force wall remained, but they could wait.</p> - -<p>With a growing sense of triumph, he left the temple of science, -retraced his steps down the hill between the silent houses.</p> - -<p>While still half way to the gate, he made out hundreds of men crowded -just beyond the force wall. As he drew closer he recognized Koal and -Acpsahme in the front ranks. He went into the glassite shack, threw the -switch that shut off the segment of the wall. He forced himself to walk -across the silver track, say in a calm voice:</p> - -<p>"The Dohlmites are dead, Koal. The machine is destroyed. We're free."</p> - -<p>A savage cheer rang up from the men. Runners left to inform the rest of -the city. Koal seized his hand, nearly wrung it off.</p> - -<p>Acpsahme said, "The men of the Venusian Export Lines attacked us. They -bit off more than they could chew."</p> - -<p>"Pepperell? Where's Pepperell?" asked Norman.</p> - -<p>"Here," replied the T.I.S. agent.</p> - -<p>"Pepperell," said Norman. "Get in touch with the Terrestial -Intelligence Service over the radio at once. You know their code. -Tell them to send an accredited ambassador of the Earth Congress in -the Empire's fastest space ship toward Neptune, but don't reveal our -location. We'll contact the ship beyond the orbit of Jupiter. I want," -he said with a sudden laugh, "to arrange a surprise for the ambassador."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">XII</p> - -<p>During the following days a bacchanalian orgy swept Behrl as former -slaves and pirates went wild with freedom. It was the maddest spree in -the history of the System. Only in the apartment of Norman Saint Clair -did sanity hold forth.</p> - -<p>There the nine remaining men of the original thirteen who had launched -the Sinn Feiners, worked ceaselessly to bring order out of chaos. Hops, -the traitor, was dead. Pepperell, in charge of a picked crew, had -been despatched in the <i>Rocket</i> to fetch the ambassador of the Earth -Congress. Two of the Martians had been killed in the battle with the -men of the Venusian Export Lines.</p> - -<p>Many of the pirates and slaves would desire to remain, Norman thought. -Here was a new world, a rich world with unguessed resources waiting for -exploitation. But for those who wished to return, transportation to -Earth had to be arranged.</p> - -<p>At the present, the nine original members of the Sinn Feiners had -assumed control of Behrl, but a permanent form of government also must -be drawn up. The vast housing facilities and factories thrown open to -the colonists demanded cooperative ownership, a communal government. -With a sigh, Norman turned over his radium mines to the new state.</p> - -<p>The nine men were seated about a long table which had been installed in -his living-room. He said with a wry grin, "Gentlemen, I'm absolutely -the only man in history to turn down mastery of the Solar System and -then toss away a fortune on top of it."</p> - -<p>The buzzer softly announced a visitor. Koal rose, admitted Pepperell, -the ex-T.I.S. agent. The men crowded about him, firing questions. "Did -he have the ambassador with him? Was there any trouble?"</p> - -<p>Pepperell laughed, held up his hands.</p> - -<p>"Give me a chance, gentlemen. Give me a chance. Yes, I've got the -ambassador."</p> - -<p>"Did everything go as planned?" asked Norman anxiously.</p> - -<p>Pepperell nodded. "Yes. We contacted the Empire's ship. They had no -suspicion that we were anywhere about until we caught them in the -paralysis ray. We boarded them successfully, took the ambassador -off. He was a very surprised ambassador when he woke up aboard the -<i>Rocket</i>—and a very thoughtful one."</p> - -<p>"How much does he know?"</p> - -<p>"He hasn't been told anything," said Pepperell.</p> - -<p>The buzzer rang a second time.</p> - -<p>"That must be him now." Pepperell went to the door.</p> - -<p>The ambassador was in the corridor. He had been escorted to the -apartment by a squad of men from the <i>Rocket</i>.</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen," Pepperell introduced him, "may I present Mustapha Tiflis, -Ambassador of the Empire."</p> - -<p>"Jupiter!" Norman breathed. The Earth Congress had sent their ablest -member, the man who was slated to be the next Autocrat.</p> - -<p>Norman seated him at the table. Mustapha Tiflis was an Earth man of -Oriental origin. His hair and eyes were black, his nose strongly -hooked. He appeared to be in his early fifties. His features bore an -expression of guarded surprise. The surprise spread as Norman related -briefly the origin of the terror and how they had finally destroyed the -plant men. He said:</p> - -<p>"Ambassador, we kidnapped you in the fashion we did for two reasons. -First, until we have been granted citizenship, we prefer to keep our -hiding place a secret. Second, we wanted to impress you with the -effectiveness of the invisible ship and the paralysis ray."</p> - -<p>"You succeeded," said Mustapha Tiflis.</p> - -<p>"Now in regard to our citizenship, we wish to be taken into the Empire, -not as a colony, but as a sovereign state with a seat in the Earth -Congress."</p> - -<p>Mustapha Tiflis frowned. "It's quite without precedent," he said. "As -you know, all colonies are administered by a governor."</p> - -<p>"But we are in a position to bargain," said Norman handing the -ambassador the document which the nine had drawn up. "We have the -secret of the invisible ships to offer the Empire, the paralysis ray -and a world."</p> - -<p>Mustapha Tiflis was an ambitious man and quick to recognize -opportunity. In later years, he was to rise to a position of almost -absolute dictatorship, and with the aid of the invisible ships and -paralysis ray, bring Mars and Venus under the wings of the Empire. He -read the document carefully, scrawled his signature at the bottom. "And -now, gentlemen, if you would be so kind, just exactly where the hell am -I?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As the last of the Executive Committee trooped outside, Norman turned -back into the apartment, saw Jennifer watching him from the doorway.</p> - -<p>"It's finished," he said. He looked faintly embarrassed. "We've come a -long way together, haven't we?"</p> - -<p>The girl nodded, slipped into the room.</p> - -<p>His embarrassment mounted. "I was hoping ..." he began. "This is a good -world now that the plant men are dead. We...."</p> - -<p>"Yes?" said Jennifer.</p> - -<p>He drew his breath. "Would you...."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Jennifer and the next moment she was in his arms. "A good -slave always obeys her master."</p> - -<p>Suddenly the door to the apartment was flung violently open. The -Duchess charged into the room.</p> - -<p>"Where's that bag of mine?" she demanded excitedly. "There's a ship -sailing for Earth at seventeen-hundred." She dashed for her room. -"Broadway, here I come!"</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Great Green Blight, by Emmett McDowell - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT GREEN BLIGHT *** - -***** This file should be named 63807-h.htm or 63807-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/8/0/63807/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Great Green Blight - -Author: Emmett McDowell - -Release Date: November 18, 2020 [EBook #63807] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT GREEN BLIGHT *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - The Great Green Blight - - By EMMETT McDOWELL - - The Empire of Earth was crumbling. Space-liners fell - prey to savage phantom crews. A weird, green wave - of terror engulfed the Universe. Enslavement of the - Empire was near, and only a handful of men could halt - the final blow ... a handful of men who could not - act--for a single movement would mean their death. - - [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.] - - -Somewhere aboard the Super Space Liner, _Jupiter_, a resonant gong -sounded three times. Norman Saint Clair started, glanced uneasily -about the magnificent lounge. A gray fear gnawed at his vitals. With -a sinking heart, he watched the crowd, who had come to see off the -passengers, hurry out the port. This was his last chance to get off the -ship. - -"Excuse me," said a voice at his elbow. - -Norman Saint Clair spun around, recognized a Universal Lines steward, -grinned embarrassedly. - -"First trip?" asked the yellow-clad steward. - -The young man nodded. - -"I wouldn't be too uneasy, sir. We'll pick up our escort this side of -the moon. A full ship of the line, sir. We're carrying radium, you -know. They wouldn't dare attack a ship of the line. May I see your -book, sir?" - -Norman Saint Clair fumbled in his wallet, handed the steward his book. -Since Terra's ships had begun to disappear on the Earth to Jupiter run, -the Terrestial Intelligence Service required them of everyone traveling -through space. It contained his photograph, a three-dimensional -likeness showing a gaunt likeable face crowned by short, crisp blond -hair, a photostatic copy of his birth certificate, his description, -nationality, business, fingerprints, history. - -Satisfied, the steward said: "This way, sir," and led him to an -acceleration chair at the after end of the lounge. "Strap yourself in, -sir. We start in a few moments." - -The young man eased his lank, six-foot-two frame into the seat, -nervously fastened the belt. In spite of the steward's words, he was -not reassured. Ship after ship had vanished into the blue. Nor had the -vaunted Terrestial Navy or the T.I.S. been able to discover any trace -of them thereafter. Somewhere beyond the orbit of Mars their radios -crackled and blanked out. Space opened and swallowed them. It was -unprecedented. Never before in the history of space travel had anything -remotely like it occurred. - -His eyes roved among the few passengers strapped in their chairs. They -were subdued. The sailing, unlike the gay hectic affairs before the -coming of the terror, was grim, quiet. No one, he realized, was making -the trip unless it was unavoidable. - -With a touch of panic, he considered demanding to be set back on Terra -while there was yet time, but a stubborn streak made him hold to his -course. It was the same stubborn streak which had led him to book -passage aboard the _Jupiter_ in spite of the terror. A hundred times -he had regretted accepting the post of Lecturer on Ancient History at -distant Ganymede. He loved the quiet sanctuary of his library with -its collection of twentieth century authors. He had no ambition to -exchange his secure academic life for the uncertainty of a crude, rowdy -frontier. But the post had offered a good salary, much better than he -could expect on Earth for years. - -A party of Colonial Guards swaggering across the lounge drew his -attention. They were a hard-faced lot, recruited from Earth's far-flung -frontiers. They constituted, he knew, a special armed guard, traveling -aboard the _Jupiter_ at the company's request. Universal was taking -no risk with the precious cargo of radium. - - * * * * * - -From the Colonial Guards his eyes strayed across to the occupant of the -seat next to his. A girl. He stared, lost in admiration. He'd never -seen a creature so beautiful. Her black curly hair framed a pale oval -face. Her eyes were blue, her features delicate, chiseled. She was, he -realized with a start, regarding him with a mixture of amusement and -solicitude. - -"First trip?" the girl asked, liking the frank scholarly face of the -young man. - -He nodded. - -"Just relax in your chair," she advised him. "The acceleration's pretty -fierce at first." - -A second gong advised them the port was sealed. Several passengers -hurried into the lounge, flung themselves into acceleration chairs. -A voice, coming over the public address system, announced: "Strap -yourselves in carefully. Acceleration begins in three minutes." Twice -more the warning was repeated. - -Norman Saint Clair's pulse beat rapidly. He felt frightened. Then a -faint hum made itself felt rather than heard. - -The girl said, "Listen, the engines." - -He thought they sounded like the hum of bees on a warm summer day. He -shivered, feeling that cold knife of fear slide into his vitals. - -A giant hand slammed him in the chest, thrust him deep into the folds -of the acceleration chair. His breath was driven from his lungs. He -gasped, strained for air painfully. The die was cast, he realized -bitterly. There could be no turning back now. They were off. - -In a few minutes the pressure slackened. He could turn his head. The -girl, he saw, had uncoupled her safety and was rising. He followed her -example, stood up unsteadily. The artificial gravity, two-thirds that -on Earth, was in effect. It gave him a light giddy sensation. He didn't -think he was going to enjoy the voyage. - -"Isn't it delightful?" said the girl. "It always makes me feel -positively sylph-like." - -Now that she was standing he could see how slim was her waist, how full -her hips, how long her legs. She stirred some atavistic sense in him. A -vein throbbed in his throat. I'm reacting like an animal, he thought. -Disgusting. - -The girl held out her hand, said, "I'm Jennifer Scott. I'm going home -to Ganymede." - -He took her hand, introduced himself. "I've been employed to lecture on -Ancient History at the Ganymede Seminar." - -Jennifer clapped her hands. "Grand. Papa is commandant of the military -post. The fort is only a short distance from the Seminar. We'll be -neighbors. You'll love Ganymede. It's so wild and primitive." - -"No doubt," he replied dryly. - -Jennifer glanced at her watch, said, "It's time for lunch. I'm -ravenous. Shall we try the saloon or the grill." She seemed to have -assumed proprietorship of him. He rather liked it. He said, "Let's try -the dining saloon." - -As he piloted her across the lounge, he observed again how few people -had booked passage. The fear returned, squeezed at his stomach. He said: - -"Do you think it was wise to make the crossing at a time like this?" - -"What?" said Jennifer. "Oh. You mean the terror. No, I suppose it -wasn't, and papa will be frantic. He sent me a spaceogram absolutely -forbidding me to return. But I was fed up." - -"Fed up?" - -"Yes, fed up with Earth and their dull stuffy ways," said the girl -passionately. "They're dead. They've forgotten how to play, or fight or -make love." - -Norman Saint Clair was shocked. People who went to the Colonies, he had -always supposed, were driven to some such drastic step by the force of -circumstance--economic, possibly, as was his case. This view came as a -revelation, an unpleasant one. - -"Anyway," continued the girl; "we're off. It's too late now." - -They fell in behind a fat Earth woman, entered the passage which led -to the dining saloon. He started to ask the girl what she had found so -unpleasant about Earth, when the fat woman stopped, said: "Oh, my God!" -Then she began to scream. The screams lifted the hair right off Norman -Saint Clair's neck. - -Jennifer cried, "What is it? What happened?" - -Hesitantly, he peered over the screaming woman's shoulder, saw a man -stretched on the deck. He lay on his stomach, his head on one side, -disclosing a pale classical profile. He appeared young, little older -than Norman himself. - -"I don't know," the young man replied. "Someone's hurt, I think." - -He forced himself to push past the fat woman, kneel at the unconscious -man's side. What he saw made him sick. He looked away. A gout of blood -had spurted from the man's neck, dyed the green fiberon carpet scarlet. -His throat had been cut from ear to ear. - - * * * * * - -Several passengers, alarmed by the Earth woman's screams, dashed into -the passage. - -"What's wrong?" - -"Something happened?" - -"Dead!" the fat woman gasped. "My God, I almost stepped on him!" She -burst into strangling sobs. - -A yellow-clad steward appeared. He couldn't see the body because of the -press. "What's the trouble, sir?" - -Norman stared at him. "Murder," he said in a shocked voice. "This man -has been murdered. His throat's cut." - -"Murder!" repeated the steward. "I'll get the captain." He scuttled off -down the corridor. The fat woman went into hysterics. - -"Who could have done it?" breathed Jennifer. "Why?" - -Norman Saint Clair shook his head. He rose from his knees, feeling -weak, shaken. He had never seen a dead man before. - -"Here," said a man brusquely. "I'm a doctor. Let me see that man." He -shouldered to the front, knelt beside the body. Norman Saint Clair -relinquished his place with relief. - -"Powerful man did that," the doctor pointed out. "Almost cut his head -off." - -With a gulp Norman looked away. - -"Here!" ejaculated the doctor. "Look at this!" - -Curiosity dragged his eyes back. The doctor had rolled the body over, -turned back the lapel of the dark gray business suit. Norman saw a -small green disk pinned to the underside of the lapel. It was about the -size of a dime and died out to represent one of Earth's hemispheres. -Three letters in raised silver stood out on the green surface. -"_T.I.S._" he made out. - -"An agent of the Terrestial Intelligence Service," breathed Norman. - -The doctor rose, drew a handkerchief, wiped his hands. He was a tall -man, almost as tall as Norman, with gray hair. His brown eyes sought -the young man's. "He must have been working on the terror." - -Norman nodded, thought that it didn't require any brilliant deduction -to guess that. Ninety percent of the T.I.S. force was trying to solve -it. The entire resources of the Empire were being drawn upon to uncover -the solution. Vital trade was at a standstill, and last week the -_Nebulae_, a crack luxury liner, had disappeared between Earth and -Mars with the Martian ambassador aboard. The incident had very nearly -severed diplomatic relations between the two worlds. - -The doctor bit his lip, frowned, "I wish the Captain would get here," -he said. He glanced anxiously at the gaping crowd, discovered the -blue-eyed, black-haired girl by Norman's side. - -"Jennifer!" the doctor exclaimed. - -"Hello, Doctor Pequod. I didn't want to interrupt your examination." - -The doctor's frown deepened. "Jennifer, what's your father thinking to -let you travel at a time like this? He should realize it's dangerous." - -"He doesn't know," replied Jennifer simply. "Doctor, this is Mr. Saint -Clair. He's going to lecture in the Ganymede Seminar." - -Norman shook hands automatically. Although he refused to look at the -body his mind persisted in picturing it. He said, "Doctor, do you -realize there's a killer loose among us?" - -"What do you take me for? A simpleton?" snorted the doctor. - -"But Doctor," put in Jennifer; "if he was working on the terror, he -must have discovered something. Else, why should they have killed him?" - -"I'd thought of that," interrupted Norman. "Do you suppose we're headed -for the same fate as those other ships? We're carrying radium." - -"Nonsense," grunted the doctor. "That agent might have been on the -trail of smugglers, anything. Oh, here comes the Captain." - -The Captain, a brusque little man who appeared to be in his fifties, -glanced briefly at the body, said: "Who found it?" - -Several passengers pointed out Norman. - -"I?" said Norman in haste. "I didn't find it. That--that...." He flung -his eyes over the crowd in search of the fat woman, but she had been -carried to her stateroom. He took a breath, began again. "Miss Scott -and I were going to lunch. We were right behind an Earth woman. She saw -the body first." - -"You didn't see anyone enter or leave this passage?" - -He emphatically shook his head. - -"Steward!" called the Captain, turning away. "Get this body into the -meat box." - -"Yes, sir." The steward started to go for help. - -"Here! Wait a moment. Clear these people out first." - -Norman said to Jennifer, "Let's get out." More than anything else, he -wanted to get away from that body. His voyage to Ganymede was turning -out even worse than he had anticipated. - -"Not you," said the Captain. "I want to see your book." - -Norman could feel the eyes of everyone on him as he handed it over. - - * * * * * - -The Captain examined it, looked up into the pale scholarly face of -the young man. "No," he said with a trace of contempt, "I suppose you -wouldn't have seen anything at that. You may go." - -Norman flushed, took his book back. A surge of anger welled up inside -him at the Captain's tone. He was of a mind to register a complaint -with the company. - -"I said you may go," repeated the Captain. - -"I am waiting for Miss Scott," replied Norman stiffly. - -For a moment the two men's wills clashed. It was the Captain, oddly -enough, who yielded. "Very well. May I see your book, Miss Scott?" - -Norman felt a sense of triumph as Jennifer passed over her book. - -The Captain accepted it, scanned it briefly. "I see your father is -Commandant Scott. I know him very well. A capable man. We need more -administrators like him in the Colonies. But Earth doesn't produce the -men she used to. If it weren't for the Outlanders, the Empire would -fall to pieces. Decadency; that's the sickness of Earth. Be sure to -convey my respects to your father, Miss Scott." - -Jennifer smiled, said, "Thank you, Captain." - -"I believe you were with Mr. Saint Clair. Did you seen anyone ahead of -you?" - -Jennifer frowned in an effort to remember, shook her curly black hair. -"I'm sorry, Captain." - -Before he could reply an officer pushed his way into the group. Norman -recognized him as the colonel in charge of the Armed Guard. - -"Hello, Captain," said the Colonel. "One of my men just informed me -of the murder." He glanced at the body. "I suggest you close off this -corridor and take these people's names." - -"I've done both," said the Captain tartly. "Since you've arrived, -Colonel, I can leave the investigation in your hands. Meanwhile this -must be reported to the T.I.S. You'll excuse me, Colonel?" - -The Colonel nodded indifferently. He was a small wiry man with cold -blue eyes. He requested all three of their books, examined them -minutely while the doctor fidgeted and Norman sweated to get away from -that still form on the deck. After questioning them again, he took -their names in a notebook, dismissed them. - -Once in the lounge, Norman lit a cigarette, inhaled it gratefully. - -The doctor said, "I prescribe a stiff shot of brandy." - -Norman didn't drink. He believed alcohol impaired thinking. -Nevertheless, he seconded the doctor's suggestion. Spirits, he decided -reluctantly, had their uses. - -The murder had riven a crack in Norman Saint Clair's complacency. His -safe world was crumbling about his ears. He recalled the Captain's -charge that Earth was decadent. It was true that more and more -Outlanders, men born in the colonies, were grasping power. Could it be -possible that in his academic isolation he had missed the real pulse of -life. - -Jennifer said, "Whatever are you thinking, Norman? Your eyes look as if -you were miles away." - -With a start, he realized that the pair of them were waiting for him. -"I? I was thinking that--that. Oh bother thinking. Let's get that -drink." - - - II - -Aboard the _Jupiter_ day and night were artificially simulated. Norman -Saint Clair awoke the next morning with a sense of disaster strong in -his mind. He rose, stretched, went to the quartzite port. They had -picked up their escort during the night. - -The Terrestian warship paced the _Jupiter_ silently, grimly. She wasn't -half the size of the colossal liner, but her speed he knew to be -fabulous, and he could count a hundred gun ports along her starboard -side alone. A lean gray wolf of space, he thought. Nothing could stand -up against that brutally efficient machine of destruction. Reassured, -he began to dress himself carefully. - -In the dining saloon he discovered the girl, Jennifer Scott. She was -seated at a table having breakfast with a young man to whom Norman took -an immediate dislike although it was possible to see only the back -of his head. He felt surprised at himself. He wasn't in the habit of -making snap judgements like that. - -Jennifer saw him, waved gaily, beckoned him to come sit with them. The -informality of the Outlanders never ceased to amaze him. They brushed -aside conventions like cobwebs. - -He said, "Good morning, Miss Scott. I trust yesterday's tragedy didn't -disturb your rest too much." There was a touch of resentment in his -tone. The girl appeared too buoyant, too vivacious. His own sleep had -been wretched. - -The girl's blue eyes were bright. She said, "Not too much;" and -introduced her companion. "This is Mr. Vermeer. He's an agent of the -Venusian Export Lines." - -Norman observed Vermeer coolly, saw a black-eyed, black-haired man -whose gray coat fit his chunky shoulders too tightly. There was a white -scar on his upper lip, another above his right eyebrow. Mr. Vermeer -extended his hand without enthusiasm, said, "Sit down, Saint Clair." - -Norman eased his lank frame into the chair. "Have they caught the -murderer, yet?" - -Jennifer shook her head. - -"Not likely," observed Vermeer with scorn. "There was a time when it -would have been suicide to kill a T.I.S. agent. From Mercury to Pluto -Earthmen were known as the scourge of the Universe. But now. Pah! -They've grown fat and spoiled. The Empire isn't able to protect its own -ships anymore." - -Norman fidgeted angrily. "You're an Earthman, yourself," he accused. - -"Not I," denied Vermeer. "I'm of Terrestial descent, but I was born on -Venus. I'm an Outlander." - -A waiter approached, took Norman's order. - -Jennifer leaned forward. "Mr. Vermeer, do you believe this murder has -any connection with the terror?" - -"I wouldn't be surprised. I'd say the T.I.S. agent had stumbled across -some information which made it necessary that he be silenced." - -Although that was Norman's idea he said perversely, "I think you're -making a mountain out of a molehill. The agent was probably on the -track of smugglers." - -Jennifer opened her blue eyes in surprise. Vermeer shrugged, turned -to the girl, said: "They're giving a dance tonight. Would you be my -partner?" - -The girl hesitated, glanced roguishly at Norman who sat stiff-faced. -"Thank you, Mr. Vermeer, but Mr. Saint Clair has already asked me." - -Norman's mouth fell open. He had wanted to ask her but had hesitated -because he didn't know her well enough. His heart leaped now with -pleasure. - -Vermeer glanced at Norman sourly, excused himself, left the table. - -When he was out of earshot, the girl said, "There's something about -that man that doesn't ring true. I hope you don't mind me using you as -an excuse, Norman. You don't have to take me." - -"Not take you?" he echoed. "Of course, I'm going to take you. You can't -very well refuse now." He grinned triumphantly, feeling something of a -devil. He rather liked the sensation. - -The girl was suddenly serious. "Have you heard the news?" - -"News? I haven't heard any news." - -"It just came over the radio. The _Comet_ disappeared three days out -from Ganymede. She was escorted by a corvette of the Martian Navy, too." - -The _Comet_, he knew, was a semi-passenger freighter of Martian -register. "But the corvette?" he echoed blankly, feeling suddenly a bit -frightened and confused. - -"It vanished too." She snapped her fingers. "Just like that. But before -they disappeared, they reported three flashes in space dead ahead. Then -their signals stopped." - -He opened his mouth. - -"Wait," said the girl. "You haven't heard it all. The Observatory on -Ganymede had them in sight all the time. A short while after the ship's -radio messages stopped coming through, they noticed that the _Comet_ -was disappearing just as if she were disintegrating. The disintegration -started at the stern and slowly worked forward until the ship was -completely gone." She shuddered. "When I heard the news coming over the -caster it reminded me of an old, old story of a grinning cheshire cat. -The cat disappeared tail first until even the grin was gone." - -"Alice in Wonderland," said Norman mechanically. "That was written by -Lewis Carroll, a famous writer of antiquity." - -"What do you think it is?" - -He shook his head. "I'm no scientist, Jennifer. It sounds like atomic -disintegration." - -"But why?" - -Again he shook his head. His food, he realized, was growing cold. He -began to eat mechanically. He thought that if he ever reached Ganymede, -he'd never venture into space again. - -The girl said, "Vermeer was right about one thing. The Empire's -crumbling. This never could have happened a hundred years ago." She -hesitated, then added with a rush, "I wasn't going to tell you because -I'm not sure, but Mr. Vermeer's stateroom is next to mine. When I first -came aboard and was putting away my things, I noticed a man leave his -stateroom. Norman, it wasn't Mr. Vermeer. I think it was that T.I.S. -agent who was murdered." - -"By Jupiter," ejaculated Norman, "do you think the T.I.S. man could -have been making an investigation of this Vermeer?" - -She nodded her head, wide-eyed. - -"Have you told the Captain?" - -"No," said the girl. - -"But he should know." - -She shook her head. "He'd think I was imagining things. The passengers -have been reporting all sorts of nonsense since the murder. If I could -only be sure." She bit her lip. "Norman, the dance tonight. He'll be -there. We could search his room." - -He looked at her aghast. "Search his room? Me? Suppose he walked in on -us?" - -"We could pretend we'd entered by mistake. My cabin is next door." - -He shook his head. "I still think it should be reported to the Captain." - -"He'd never believe me." - -He glanced at her helplessly. "But...." - -Jennifer rose. "I'll meet you at the dance tonight. We'll make sure -he's there first." - -He nodded unhappily. When the girl had left he pushed back his plate, -called the waiter. "You can take this away," he said. "I've lost my -appetite." - - - III - -In spite of all the preparations by the Stewards Department, the dance -was not a success. Everyone drank too much, tried too hard to be gay, -but the shadow of the terror hung over the little floating world -turning the celebrations tawdry. - -Norman and Jennifer were seated at a table against the bulkhead. The -orchestra was playing _My Man's Done Left For Outer Space_ while a -Martian girl gyrated in a barbaric dance which stirred Norman's pulse -and shocked him beyond measure. - -"There he is," said Jennifer in a low excited voice. "There's Vermeer -now." - -The Venusian Export Lines man had just entered the saloon. Norman saw -him glance casually about the hall, saunter across to the bar. - -"Come on," said Jennifer. "Let's get started." - -Norman gulped down a last drink of the brandy, rose from the table. -Jennifer took his arm. He could feel her grip tighten. They passed out -a side entrance, down a companionway to the deck where Vermeer's cabin -was located. Before the door of 312 they paused. - -"This is it," said Jennifer in a whisper. - -Norman gingerly tried the door. "It's locked," he said with relief. -"Let's get back to the dance." - -"Here," said Jennifer fumbling in her purse. "Try this. It's a pass -key." - -He stared at the little sliver of metal in consternation. "Where did -you get it?" - -"I bribed the steward." - -Norman took the key. The door opened easily. Vermeer's stateroom -contained a bunk, desk, two chairs, and a dresser. A spot reading light -threw a round beam from the overhead to the desk. A door on the right -opened into the bath. There was a second door on the left, but it was -closed. - -He drew Jennifer inside, closed and locked the door. - -"Look through the desk," he commanded. He went to the closed door, -opened it, revealing a closet. - -"Look," he said. "What's this?" - -Jennifer glanced up from the desk. Norman had pulled out a single piece -garment with shoes, gloves and helmet attached like a diver's suit. It -was made of a very sheer translucent material resembling oiled silk. A -zipper-like fastener ran up the back. The suit was pale green, even the -eye pieces being the same color. - -Jennifer shook her head. "I never saw anything like it before. It isn't -heavy enough for a space suit. What do you suppose it could be?" - -Norman shrugged, put it back on the rack. He went through the pockets -of the remaining clothes, found exactly nothing. From the closet, he -turned to the built-in dresser. Again his search was fruitless. - -"Have you found anything, Jennifer?" - -The girl shook her head. "Not a thing. Except papers from the Venusian -Export Lines. He seems to be an accredited agent of theirs after all." - -"Let's get out of here," said Norman uneasily. - -Jennifer clutched his arm. "Listen!" - -He heard the grate of a key in the lock. He and the girl looked at each -other in consternation. - -"Quick," said Norman, struck by an inspiration. He embraced Jennifer -clumsily. "Put your arms around me! Hurry! Now kiss me!" - -Bewildered but obedient, she held up her lips. Norman kissed her. He -held it until a discreet cough behind them caused them to spring apart -guiltily. - -Mr. Vermeer was regarding them from the open door, his black eyes -sardonic. "Sorry to interrupt," he said, "but you've got the wrong -cabin." - -"I know it," said Jennifer in confusion. "My stateroom's next door. -Silly mistake, isn't it?" - -"Sorry, Vermeer," apologized Norman hastily. "Come on, Jennifer." He -led the girl into the corridor. Vermeer closed and locked the door -after them. - -Jennifer unlocked her cabin, said, "Come in." - -Norman limply followed her inside, collapsed on a chair. - -"You were wonderful," she cried. "I never would have thought of that. -It explained everything, even our confusion." - -He began to feel rather proud of himself. He glanced about the girl's -room. It was similar to Vermeer's except that it was not so tidy. Gauzy -white undergarments of finest spun microweb lay on the chairs. He -recognized a tiny vial of Venusian perfume on the dresser surrounded -by a litter of brushes, mirrors, combs. There was a picture of a tall -elderly man in a uniform. - -"That's papa," exclaimed Jennifer. - -"I wish I knew what that suit was used for," said Norman thoughtfully. -"I've never seen anything like it before." - -"You know," said the girl seating herself on the edge of the bed, -"you're not like most Earth men. You're not stodgy and patronizing. -You're cute." - -He felt ridiculously pleased. He was convinced that he'd never met a -more intelligent, a more charming, a more beautiful girl than Jennifer -Scott. He said, "I've had to revise all my opinions of Outlanders since -I met you." - -Jennifer laughed, jumped to her feet. Stooping over, she kissed him -lightly. "That's for a very pretty compliment. Now let's get back to -the dance before I lose all my maidenly modesty." - - - IV - -Beyond the orbit of Mars a tension gripped the passengers of the -_Jupiter_. The killer of the T.I.S. agent remained at large, and the -passengers were beginning to regard each other suspiciously. They were -now in the zone where the terror operated. The battle ship had edged in -closer. Constant radio contact was maintained between the two vessels. - -Norman Saint Clair and Jennifer were on the observation deck in -the forepeak. The quartzite dome arched flatly overhead. The chill -immensity of space crowded all around them, black infinity pricked with -a million blazing suns. It was Norman's first visit to the observation -deck. Jennifer had brought him up. - -"There's Jupiter," she exclaimed pointing to a large bright star dead -ahead. Norman gazed at it, fascinated. - -The lookout, a lean spaceman, stirred restlessly, then stiffened. -Norman followed his gaze, saw three brief pin pricks of light stab out -of the void. - -"Look!" He clutched Jennifer's shoulder, but she had seen the flashes -already. - -The lookout grabbed the phone, said, "Observation deck reporting, sir. -Three flashes two points on the port bow. Yes sir. Two points on the -port bow." He hung up the phone. - -Norman and Jennifer exchanged glances. - -Jennifer said, "The _Comet_ reported three flashes before she -disappeared. It must be a signal?" - -Overhead the general alarm rang furiously. A file of Armed Guards -poured onto the observation deck, took up their posts. Norman pointed -to the battle ship. Its guns were run out like bared fangs. - -"_Attention!_" blared a voice over the public address system. "_All -passengers return immediately to their staterooms. Attention! All -passengers return immediately to their staterooms._" - -"Come on," urged Norman. "We'd better go below." - -"Do you mind if I stay with you?" asked Jennifer. - -"Of course not. I wouldn't leave you alone, anyway." - -They descended the companionway to their deck, entered Norman's -stateroom. Through his port he could still observe the warship pacing -them noiselessly. - -He padded back and forth across the fiberon carpet. "I wish I had a -dart gun, anything. I feel so helpless." He went to the door, opened it -a crack, peered out. "Jupiter!" he breathed. - -"What is it?" cried Jennifer, starting up from her chair. - -"Not so loud," he cautioned. "Come here." - -The girl sprang lithely across the deck. On tiptoe, her body pressed -against his, she stared over his shoulder through the inch wide crack. - -A strange figure stood back to them at the turn in the corridor, a man -clad in loose green coveralls with helmet, gloves and boots attached so -that no part of his figure was exposed. - -"Vermeer!" breathed Jennifer. "He's put on the suit we saw in his -closet." - -Vermeer remained motionless, half crouched at the end of the hall as -if waiting for some signal. A poisoned dart gun was buckled around his -waist. - -Norman eased the door shut, not allowing it to click, faced Jennifer. - -"What is it?" she asked breathlessly. - -"I don't know. But I think we should have reported that suit to the -Captain." - -Jennifer sank to the edge of the bed. He looked at her, thought again, -how striking was the contrast between blue eyes and black hair. He felt -dizzy, said, "Jennifer, do you notice anything?" - -"I feel faint!" she gasped. - -A numbing sensation spread through his limbs. The room tilted crazily, -darkened. He cried, "Jennifer!" and fell forward limply on his face. He -wondered vaguely, just before consciousness left him, if he were being -disintegrated. Then the blackness of infinite space engulfed him. - - * * * * * - -When Norman Saint Clair returned to consciousness, he was still lying -face down on the green fiberon carpet. He groped to his feet, swayed -groggily. He glanced at the bed. Jennifer was gone. - -Shaking his head to clear it of the cobwebs, he staggered to the door. -It was locked. He was a prisoner in his own room. - -Still something was missing, something intangible. Then he heard the -silence. It screamed at him. The soft overtones of the motors were -dead. The engines had been stopped. - -He sprang to his port hole, glanced out. The bulk of the battle ship -floated a little above the wounded _Jupiter_. His eyes opened wide -in consternation. Half of the warship appeared to have been sheared -off as if by a giant cleaver. Even as he watched she was slowly -disintegrating. - -Then he made out dozens of figures swarming over the hull like ants. -They were men in space suits, he realized, and they were spraying the -battle spacer with a film which no sooner solidified than it became -invisible, hiding ship and all. A light absorbent matter, he guessed. - -The warship was not disintegrating. She was being coated with a film -which absorbed all the light rays and so rendered it invisible. That -was the answer to the strange disappearance of the _Comet_ and her -escort. He looked closer, realized that the invisible stern of the -warship was blocking out a patch of stars. - -Above the battleship he saw a port open in space and from nowhere a two -man tender was launched into the void. It was uncanny. Then he realized -he was looking at the ship of the terror, invisible of course. That was -how they had approached their prey without being detected. It was one -chance in a million that anyone would notice the momentary blotting out -of a star. - -"Pirates," he thought. The word was archaic. It had almost disappeared -from the vocabulary. He shuddered. They must have approached unseen, -bathed the two ships in a ray which knocked everyone unconscious. The -vaunted warship, the pride of the Empire, had been taken without firing -a shot. - - * * * * * - -Vermeer, he thought. Of course, they would need a man aboard to shut -down the engines, bring the _Jupiter_ to a stop so they could board -her. Vermeer's odd suit must have protected him from the effects of the -paralysis ray. - -He crossed to his bunk, sat down. He felt strangely indifferent to his -own fate, but Jennifer! He clenched his hands until the nails bit into -his palms. What were the beasts doing with Jennifer? - -Abruptly the door opened. Norman sprang to his feet, saw a strange -figure blocking the entrance. - -It was a man dressed from head to foot in black. Black trousers were -tucked into black boots. Blouse and helmet, all a somber black. His -eyes though, were blue, his face clean shaven. He had a dart gun in his -hand. - -"Come along." He motioned with the dart gun. "You're wanted above." He -stepped back, indicated that Norman should precede him. - -They went silently along the corridor, the pirate collecting more -men from the staterooms on either side. By the time they reached the -companionway he was herding ahead of him quite a number of frightened -prisoners. - -"What are they going to do with us?" asked a fat man beside Norman. - -They had reached the companionway. - -"Up!" said their guard. - -They mounted the stair, came out into the dining saloon. - -A scene of wildest disorder burst upon Norman's shocked gaze. A throng -of black clad pirates moved among the passengers who had been routed -from all parts of the ship. The missing women, he saw, were huddled -in a frightened group at the opposite end of the hall. They had been -brought to the saloon in whatever state of undress the ray had caught -them; in evening dress, scant undergarments, in gowns and shorts, and -one frightened girl, clutching a large bath towel about herself. - -[Illustration: _The passengers of the captured ship had been brought to -the saloon in whatever state of undress the ray had caught them._] - -Norman was pushed into the group of men. His eyes, though, kept -searching for Jennifer. With a sigh of relief, he discovered her at the -same time she found him. She waved rather forlornly, and Norman almost -dislocated his shoulder waving back. - -The fat man said, "Pirates! The effrontery of those rogues. When the -Terrestial Navy locates their lair, they'll blast them to atoms." - -Norman recognized Dr. Pequod at his elbow. The doctor was clad nattily -in the hair on his chest and a flaming pair of shorts. - -"It's not so simple as that," the doctor answered the fat man. "You -fail to realize the size of the Universe. Nine tenths of it remains -unexplored, unmapped. And how will the Terrestial Navy trail an -invisible enemy?" - -The fat man blew himself up, said, "The resources of the Empire are -unlimited." - -"Sounds good," agreed the doctor; "but the Empire these days is living -on its reputation." - -A crowd of the frightened passengers were gathered about the two men. - -"And I've a notion," the doctor went on, "that this is more than -piracy. The Empire is crumbling. Some faction may be nibbling at its -edges, growing strong from its life blood, the trading lines. Has it -occurred to you that with every ship lost, the pirates are that much -stronger and we that much weaker!" - -"Nonsense," retorted the fat man, but his tone had lost conviction. - -"Break it up," commanded one of their guards. "Silence!" - - * * * * * - -The main entrance to the saloon had swung open, admitting the strangest -creature that Norman had yet seen. It appeared human, but obviously it -was not from any known planet. Short and squat, with yellow wrinkled -skin, it looked more like a rutabaga than a man. The pirates snapped to -attention. - -"Jupiter," breathed Norman. "Is it a man?" - -Dr. Pequod scratched the shag on his chest. "Odd specimen. Wonder what -corner of the Universe it hails from?" - -The creature regarded the prisoners without any expression whatever on -its parchment-like face. It was clothed in a harness which gave no clue -to its sex. With a scrawny hand it beckoned the renegade Earthman who -had been directing the operations, said something in a voice too low -for anyone to overhear. - -The Earthman nodded, turned to the captives. "Every able bodied man -between the ages of nineteen and forty, step out," he shouted. As no -one moved, he frowned, said, "In any case your books will be examined -and your correct age determined. Get a move on!" - -Norman accompanied by perhaps thirty percent of the male passengers -advanced into the center of the room. - -"That's far enough," advised the creature in a high reedy voice. - -They halted uncertainly. - -"Gentlemen," said the leader, for such the creature seemed to be; -"I am here to offer you a choice of two courses. We are coming into -possession of more vessels than we have recruits to man. Consequently, -it is our custom to offer all able bodied humans between the ages of -nineteen and forty the opportunity to join us. As a further inducement, -the new recruits will share equally in the proceeds of this venture -with the regular crew." He paused. Not a flicker of expression had -marred the creature's face. - -Norman Saint Clair's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. A forlorn hope -presented itself, if only he had the courage to grasp it. - -"Now, gentlemen," the turnip shaped leader continued; "it would only be -fair to give you the opposite side of the coin. You are bound to us for -life; not by anything so puerile as an oath. In fact you are at liberty -to escape any time," he paused, "if you can. - -"You will be given good quarters and food. Money for any pleasure or -vices you wish to indulge will come as your share of the prizes taken. -The alternative, gentlemen, which I mentioned at first, is slavery. -We also need men and women to work our factories, maintain our living -quarters. The fighting men do not work." - -With a faint bow the creature turned on his heel, disappeared as -suddenly as he had come. - -A low buzz sprang up in the hall as everyone turned to his neighbors, -questions tumbling from their lips. The pirates dropped their stiff -pose, returned to their duties. The men grouped in the center of the -floor shifted uneasily. - -Norman bit his lip, frowned. He might be able to protect Jennifer as -one of the pirates and eventually escape. He wished he could talk it -over with her. - -"All right," said the burly renegade. "How many of you are -volunteering? Step forward." - -Norman Saint Clair stepped out of the group. He did it like a man -plunges off a high dive, quickly before his nerve departed. Nine of his -fellow passengers straggled beside him. - -"Is that all, gentlemen?" inquired the pirate. "This is your last -chance. Either piracy or slavery. And let me warn you, slaves don't -live an easy life." - -Twenty-three more men straggled uncertainly around Norman. - -"All right," said the pirate. "The rest of you can return to your -fellows. Baldy! Hey, Baldy!" - -A second Earth man strolled across the deck. He was short, older than -most of the freebooters. - -"Take these men aboard the _Rocket_," the first renegade directed. "You -know what to do with them." - -Baldy grinned, saluted. "Come along, you buccaneers," he commanded. - -Norman caught Jennifer's eyes. She was staring at him in astonishment. -He waved, trying to convey reassurance across the space that separated -them. Slowly a flush burned up from the girl's throat. With a look of -scorn, Jennifer deliberately turned her back. - - * * * * * - -Norman gaped after her in consternation. He had expected her to realize -that he was joining the pirates in order to help her. He certainly had -no ambition to go gallivanting through space capturing space ships. - -"Hey you," said Baldy, "move along there." - -Norman jumped, trailed after the new recruits. He would help the -girl in spite of herself. He visualized himself standing off a dozen -black clad figures while Jennifer boarded a small space craft. Then -he tumbled in beside her, wrenched the controls wide open: "You're -wounded," Jennifer cried. "Norman, I didn't understand. Can you forgive -me?" - -"Hey," growled the man in front. "For God's sake, quit tramping on my -heels." - -They had arrived at the air lock, he saw with a start. Baldy opened the -port, revealing a small space tender. They wedged themselves inside. -With the pirate at the controls the craft launched into space, speeding -toward a shadow which blocked off half the heavens. - -A port snapped open in space dead ahead. Norman blinked his eyes. -Although he knew this was the pirate's ship coated with the light -absorbent film the sight of an air lock appearing suddenly where -nothing had been before was disconcerting. The tender eased into the -lock, settled to the deck. - -"Here we are, you volunteers," observed Baldy. - -They passed from the lock through a corridor into a large square room. -Half of the room was railed off. Behind the railing a man in a black -uniform sat working at a desk. It reminded Norman of an employment -bureau. The rest of the space was filled with benches set in evenly -spaced rows. - -"Sit down," said Baldy. - -The recruits seated themselves nervously. - -"You," said Baldy, indicating Norman. "Go up to the desk." - -Norman rose, approached the middle aged pirate who sported a spade -beard and dark brown eyes. - -"Your book," he said. - -Norman handed it over. - -"Sit down," said the man. "Make yourself comfortable. - -"You know, since the T.I.S. has inaugurated these books our jobs -have been greatly simplified." He was making rapid notations on a -form. "Lecturer on Ancient History," he read aloud. "Degrees in -twentieth century literature." He looked up at Norman, smiled. "I'm an -anthropologist myself. Was with an expedition to study the aborigines -of Jupiter when the pirates captured our ship." He closed Norman's -book, dropped it in a drawer. - -"Now this is serious," he began in a different, somehow ominous tone. -"What I am about to tell you is of the gravest importance. Every -recruit is warned once and once only, so take heed. - -"When you leave here you will be subjected to a machine which registers -your personal wave length, particularly the subtle peculiarly -individualistic vibrations emanating from your brain. Those vibrations -will be impressed on an indestructible duraloid cylinder and sent to -the control station in Behrl. The Dohlmites have devised a machine -which can broadcast your death at any time, no matter where you may be. -It operates through the wave length of your individual vibration." - -"Dohlmites?" echoed Norman. - -"Yes, Dohlmites. You saw one aboard your ship. The man who recruited -you. They are a race so alien to mankind that we have nothing in -common. The Dohlmites are the real masters here. All of us, fighting -men and slaves, have had our vibrations recorded and are subject to -instant death at the first sign of treachery. - -"The Dohlmites can snuff your life out by simply turning a dial. Don't -think I exaggerate. I have seen healthy men drop dead on the streets of -Behrl. I have seen the lives of an entire rebellious crew extinguished -like candles." - -"But who are these Dohlmites. What are they?" Norman's brain was -whirling. - -"I think," replied the ex-anthropologist, "that they are plants." - -"Plants!" ejaculated Norman Saint Clair. - -"Yes, plants. Flora, not fauna. Their young are green in color. As they -mature, ripen, I suppose is the correct word, they turn yellow. When -they cut themselves, they bleed green. Sap, don't you know." - -"This Behrl, where is it?" asked Norman. - -"In Neptune. The planet is hollow. Just a shell. The city of Behrl is -on the inside of Neptune." The ex-anthropologist sat back. "Whatever -you do, don't try to escape. Even if you get away, when the Dohlmites -missed you they would simply extinguish you wherever you were." - -Norman's breath went out of him like air from a burst sack. The full -implication of what the ex-anthropologist had revealed broke in his -mind like an exploding shell. Gone were his hopes of escaping, and -taking Jennifer with him. He was trapped. The net of the Dohlmites was -perfect and he and the girl were caught in its meshes. Certainly, he -thought bitterly, no human intelligence could have conceived such a -devilish plan. - - * * * * * - -From the desk of the ex-anthropologist Norman was led into a small -closet where the rays of the fatal machine bathed him from head to -foot. Beyond the partition something click-clicked at irregular -intervals like a beetle and an ominous scratching recorded his -vibratory rate indelibly on the duraloid cylinder. - -The machine stopped. The door of the closet opened. - -Norman discovered a thick shouldered Martian grinning at him from the -entrance. - -"That's enough," said the Martian in the sibilant accent of the red -planet. "You've been detailed to my squad." - -As Norman slipped from the closet another recruit took his place. He -noticed a low humming. - -"The engines?" he asked. - -"Yes," agreed the Martian. "We're off. Your ships have been coated with -the light blanket." - -"Where are they?" - -"They're following us. We've put prize crews aboard. It was a rich -haul. Radium." He rubbed his hands together, laughed as if in -anticipation of the orgy he would be able to indulge in with his share. - -Norman winced. The Martians as a rule were a cosmopolitan and cultured -people. - -"Don't judge too harshly," said the Martian as if reading the young -man's thoughts. "You'll look forward to the brief time between voyages, -too. But I'm forgetting. My name's Koal. I was a space pilot before I -was captured." - -Norman introduced himself. - -The Martian grinned, shook hands. "Come along, Earth man, and get your -issue. Then I'll show you your quarters." - -At length they came to a chamber deep within the bowels of the ship. -A counter ran along the back wall. A wizened yellow eyed Mercurian -took Norman's measure, piled four changes of the somber uniform on the -counter. With quick cat-like movements he added a helmet and boots, -slug gun and Dixon Ray rifle. Wide-eyed, Norman watched the pile grow. -It was a very complete outfit by the time the Mercurian paused. - -Staggering under the load Norman and Koal ascended to the sleeping -quarters, paused before a stateroom. - -"This is your cabin," said Koal unlocking the door. "Slaves keep it -cleaned." They went inside. "If you let me know the number of your -stateroom aboard the _Jupiter_, I'll see that you get your personal -belongings when we arrive in Behrl." - -The cabin, Norman observed, was similar to the one he had left. He set -about stowing away his gear. - -"You have a great deal to learn," said Koal and sat down on the edge of -the bunk. "The Dohlmites regard us as dangerous animals. But as long as -we obey orders we are left alone." - -"What happens to the prisoners?" Norman asked suddenly. - -"They're sold from the block in the slave market." - -"You mean anyone can buy a slave?" - -"Certainly. An agent of the Dohlmites bids a flat hundred notes for -each captive. If any of them strike your fancy you only need bid above -the hundred notes. Of course when a pretty wench is auctioned off the -bidding among the men gets rather wild." - -"Jupiter!" breathed Norman pausing in the act of pulling on his blouse. -"Was that right, what the Dohlmite said about the recruits sharing -equally with the crew in the loot." - -The Martian nodded. "Half goes to the Dohlmites. The remaining half is -divided among the crew. That includes the cargo, whatever the captives -bring on the open market and salvage value of the ships themselves." - -Norman grinned. His first purchase with his share of the prize money -would be Jennifer Scott. - -The Martian pointed to a silver insignia, a small rocket ship of -ancient design pinned to the right breast of Norman's blouse. "That," -he informed the young man, "is the insignia of your clan. It is -important. Never take it off. All the men aboard the _Rocket_ belong to -that clan." - -"Why?" asked Norman, puzzled. - -The Martian sighed. "There is no law in Behrl, so long as we don't -interfere with the administration of the city. In the Human Colony -anarchy reigns supreme. For our own protection, we've banded together." - -The Martian rose from the bunk, went to the door. "I'll leave you to -get settled now. We eat at fourteen-hundred." He opened the door, -paused, turned back. "One thing more. Forget about escaping. Dismiss -it from your mind. Most of us joined with the same intention that you -have. But it's impossible. There was a Martian, a very good friend of -mine, who tried it. He stole a space tender. He got all the way to Mars -before he was missed. In sight of the quarters of the imperial guard -he dropped dead." He paused, said, "I'll see you at fourteen-hundred," -pulled the door shut after him. - -Norman Saint Clair sank down on his bunk. Somewhere, there must be -a weak link in the Dohlmites armor. He wished he had specialized -in botany instead of ancient history. Botany, he thought wildly, -horticulture, perhaps there lay the clue. - - - V - -During the ensuing days Norman Saint Clair became acquainted with the -other members of Koal's squad. There were nine. Two were Martians, one -a Venusian, the rest Earthmen. All of them had been captured by the -Dohlmites and had chosen piracy to slavery. - -While yet a day from Neptune, everyone began feverishly to pack their -gear in anticipation of the landing. Word was circulated when they -were passing through the crust. Norman and Koal hurried to the corridor -before the port, found it jammed with men. The huge ship settled with a -slight jar. They had landed. - -"Home," said Koal. - -With a jolt Norman realized that this was home for him, too. The -massive entrance slid aside. The men poured out. Caught in the stream, -he and Koal were carried to the runway and down to the floor of the -spaceport. He looked around curiously. - -The road led between two empty troughs. At least he thought they were -empty, until he realized he couldn't see beyond them. Invisible ships -lay in the troughs. Overhead a large pinkish sun flamed unnaturally. - -"Come along," urged Koal. "You've the rest of your life for sight -seeing." He led Norman outside the yards to a massive building. - -"What's this?" asked the young man as they passed through the doors. - -"Emigration. Here's where you'll be assigned living quarters." - -A Mercurian ensconced behind a grill like a bank teller took his name -and ship, handed him a slip of paper. On it was printed F12-D234. He -looked at it blankly. - -The Martian laughed, explained: "F12 is the building. Everyone from the -_Rocket_ lodges in the same building. D is the floor, two-thirty-four -your apartment number." - -"Oh." - -The Martian laughed again, said "Come along. You'll get the hang of -things soon enough." - -They returned to the street, entered a many storied garage. Here Norman -saw hundreds of surface cars parked row upon row. A ramp led up to the -next level. - -"This is where our cars are stored while we're on a voyage. We aren't -allowed flying vehicles. Only the Dohlmites can use them." - -The Martian went to one of the cars, held open the door. "You'll want -to buy one of these as soon as we're paid. The slaves manufacture them -very cheaply." - -Climbing in beside Norman, Koal pressed a button. The diminutive atomic -motor burst into life. They rolled out onto the streets of Behrl. - -"When will they auction off the prisoners?" asked Norman as the Martian -guided the surface car through the traffic. - -"Not for a day or so. You'll be notified. This is the manufacturing -district." - -One factory after another flowed past. Off to their left Norman -observed a hill towering above the rest of the city. Its slopes were -covered with balconied buildings rank with trees and flowers and shrubs -like the fabled hanging gardens of Babylon. - -"What's that?" He nudged the Martian. - -"That's where the Dohlmites live. Whatever you do, don't go near -that quarter of the city. A force wall surrounds it which is instant -death if you come in contact with it. Their laboratories, the control -station, the death machine, our wave length cylinders are all there." - -In a few moments they had passed through the factory area and into a -district of shops, restaurants, amusement centers. - -"Who operates these?" he asked. - -"Slaves. The profits go to the Dohlmites. Everything returns to their -pockets." - -The streets were crowded with people: barefooted women in short gay -colored tunics, men in loose coveralls. - -"Slaves," explained Koal. - -The vastness of the plant men's enterprise became apparent as they sped -through the streets. - -"Koal," said Norman a little frightened. "When is it going to stop?" - -The Martian looked at him grimly, "With the fall of the Empire," he -replied bitterly. "With the enslavement of Mars and Venus and Earth. -The Dohlmites are only a handful, but they plan to lop off the Empire -colony by colony, enslaving the inhabitants just as they have us. Their -ultimate goal is to have the individual wave recording of every human -in the Universe. An Empire of slaves." - -"Impossible!" he ejaculated. - -"Why? The element of time is of no importance with them. Every ship -they capture gives them more power, more slaves. It gathers force like -a snowball rolling down hill. Before long, nothing can stop them." - - * * * * * - -Norman slumped back in his seat. What the Martian said was true. Unless -the Dohlmites were stopped soon, they would be so strong that nothing -in the Universe could halt their march to Empire. - -"Is there a library in Behrl?" he asked the Martian suddenly. - -"Yes," replied Koal in surprise. "A very fine one in fact, but no one -uses it." - -Norman's next question seemed irrelevant. - -"Would the humans revolt if they thought there might be a slim chance -of success?" - -"Who would be a slave by choice?" grunted Koal angrily. "They'd rise as -one man at the faintest sort of a chance and at no chance at all." For -a moment, he glared straight down the street, then relaxed, glanced at -Norman seriously. - -"Look," he said in a quiet voice that was somehow more impressive. "Do -you realize how hungry I am for the dry chill air of Mars. How hungry -all these exiles are for their home planets? You don't think we've -submitted meekly to the Dohlmites, do you? There have been mutinies and -rebellions a dozen times since I've been here. And everytime the rebels -have dropped dead on the streets, at their guns, in their beds. All of -them. I tell you its impossible." - -"Nevertheless," said Norman, "you've told me what I wanted to know." - -The shops were behind them, many storied apartment dwellings having -taken their place. With a grunt; the Martian swung the car down an -incline leading to the basement under one of the buildings. - -"This is F Twelve," he said, halted the car just inside the gate while -a guard inspected their papers, waved them on. - -"For our own protection." Koal nodded toward the guard as he parked the -car. "No one but members of our clan and their households can enter -this apartment building." - -They crossed the basement parking area to a lift. Koal pressed a -button. The car descended; the doors opened. He motioned Norman inside. - -"Hello, Alicia," Koal greeted the operator, a girl in a short green -tunic gathered in at her slim waist by a belt. He chucked her under the -chin. "Glad to see me back?" - -She was from Earth, Norman realized. She was barefooted and around her -ankle was the metal band of the slave. - -She said, "Did you bring me anything?" - -He snapped his fingers. "How could I have forgotten?" but his grin -belied his words. - -The girl cried, "What did you bring me, Koal? Where is it?" - -"Not so fast," he admonished. "You haven't met Saint Clair yet. He's a -new recruit." - -The girl turned brown eyes on Norman, saw his crisp blond hair and -likeable features, his broad shoulders and flat hips. "Um, um," she -said, "I know. You've brought me him." - -Norman flushed hotly. The Martian laughed, reached in his pocket, -pulled out a pair of earrings set with magnificent Venusian pearls. -Norman recollected seeing them grace the ears of a Terranean dowager -aboard the _Jupiter_. - -Alicia squealed with delight, hastened to attach the earrings. She shot -the lift upward jubilantly. - -At D deck they left the car. Alicia looked at Norman. - -"If you're lonesome tonight, I'm off duty at Seventeen-hundred." Before -he could answer the doors slid shut. - -"What did you do to her?" growled Koal. "I bring the earrings and she -propositions you." - -Norman grinned, preened himself. Alicia, he decided, was a remarkably -pretty girl, intelligent, too. - -"Here's your apartment," Koal interrupted his thoughts. They had -stopped before a door which bore the numeral 234 in brass. "I'm -two-forty-eight. If you want anything, step down the hall and knock." -He started off, paused. "Meals are served three times a day in the -dining room on A deck, or you can prepare your own food in your rooms. -I think you'll find everything necessary in the kitchen. If not, call -the steward." - -Norman went inside, glanced around curiously. An entrance hall led him -into a sumptuous living-room. A compact kitchen, which did everything -mechanically but digest your food, opened from a dinette. Behind the -front rooms lay three spacious bedrooms, which gave onto a balcony. He -opened the glass doors, passed out into the sunshine. - -Building number F12 was on the outskirts of Behrl, and a jungle of -riotous vegetation met his eye. The horizon curved up like a bowl -before disappearing in rosy mists. - -Here on the inside of Neptune the sun always hung straight overhead. -A land of high noon, he thought. The sun beat down on his head. He -wondered what kind of phenomenon it was, possibly a ball of liquid fire -slowly burning itself out. The resultant high percentage of carbon -dioxide in the air might account for the evolution of plants into -reasoning creatures rather than mammals. - -He returned to the kitchen. The cabinets were stocked with food and he -prepared a cold lunch, ate it hungrily. A feeling of contentment stole -over him. - -He returned to the bedrooms, chose the largest one, stripped and -showered and flung himself into the bed. He was immediately asleep. - - - VI - -Sometime later Norman was awakened by a rude hand shaking his shoulder. - -Koal was grinning down at him. - -"Wake up," said Koal. "You've been dead to the world for thirty-six -hours, and the paymaster's here." - -Norman sat up, reached for his trousers, which, to his surprise, were -neatly hung over the back of a chair. Drawing on his clothes, he -went into the kitchen. It had been cleaned, put to rights. Further -exploration revealed that his things from the _Jupiter_ had been -delivered and stowed away in the closet and built-in bureau. Hordes of -people must have trailed in and out of his apartment while he slept. He -decided to prop a chair against the knob the next time he went to bed. - -The Martian was watching him, an amused glint in his black eyes. "There -is a bolt on your door, you know," he assured the young man. - -A subdued buzzing announced a visitor. - -"That's probably the paymaster now," said Koal. He opened the door, -revealing a Mercurian with a black satchel in his hand. - -The Mercurian said, "Norman Saint Clair?" - -The young man nodded. - -"First," said the Mercurian, opening the satchel, "here are your -papers." He handed him a yellow envelope which contained a book similar -to the one the T.I.S. had issued when he left Earth. - -"The individual shares from the _Jupiter's_ cargo," the Mercurian -droned on, "plus the Terrestial warship amount to twenty thousand -notes." He handed Norman a sheaf of yellow bills. - -"Roughly," Koal interposed, "that is equal in value to twenty-five -thousand Earth notes." - -"Twenty-five thousand Earth notes!" gasped Norman. "It's a fortune." - -"Sign here, please," said the Mercurian, handing him a ledger. - -Norman affixed his name in a daze. - -"That doesn't, of course," added the Mercurian, "include your share -from the sale of the slaves. They are to be auctioned off at fourteen -hundred." He snapped shut his satchel, bowed himself out. - -"What time is it now?" asked Norman. - -"We've time for something to eat before going twelve-hundred." - -The slave market resembled an open-air theatre minus the seats. The -same cosmopolitan crowd which Norman had observed on the streets eddied -about the block. He caught sight of a figure clad in civilian clothes. -It was Vermeer, the black-headed Outlander whom he had been sure was -instrumental in the _Jupiter's_ capture. - -"Who's that?" he asked the Martian pointing to Vermeer. - -"A Venusian Export Lines man. The Dohlmites needed an outlet for much -of the material they captured. They established their own line of -trading ships under a Venusian register because they are so much less -strict on Venus. By the way, keep away from anyone connected with that -company. Never talk sedition in front of them. Those men belong to the -Dohlmites body and soul." - -Just then the auctioneer, a lean, yellow-skinned Venusian, moved to the -block. Two men led Dr. Pequod from the wings. The flaming shorts were -gone. He was clad in exactly nothing. The doctor stalked to the block, -glared at the buccaneers who had clustered around him. - -"What am I offered?" began the auctioneer. "A little scrawny but sound -and with a heart of gold." - -The free booters cackled. - -"A hundred notes," said the representative of the Dohlmites dryly. He -was seated on the platform with the auctioneer. - -"A hundred notes. I'm offered a hundred notes. Who'll say a hundred -and ten--A hundred and five? Going for a hundred notes. Going. Going. -Gone!" He cracked his gavel down. Dr. Pequod was led back into the -wings. - -The next three passengers were purchased by the agent of the Dohlmites -for the standard one hundred notes. There was some lively bidding -for the ex-chef of the _Jupiter_, who was finally knocked down to a -big-bellied pirate. He hauled his prize off with triumph. - -Then Norman's heart jumped. The sixth passenger to be led to the block -was Jennifer. She was barefooted, the metal band gleaming about her -naked ankle. A cape had been thrown about her erect shoulders. - -[Illustration: _The sixth slave to be led to the auction block was -Jennifer._] - -The auctioneer lifted it off. There was nothing but girl underneath. - -"Two hundred notes," a voice shouted from Norman's elbow. - - * * * * * - -Norman swung about, recognized Vermeer, the Venusian Export Lines agent. - -"Hello," said Vermeer, "I see you've joined us." - -Norman nodded shortly. "So it was you who killed the T.I.S. agent. I -suspected it all along." - -Vermeer merely smiled. The auctioneer cried, "Two hundred notes. Two -hundred and ten," as another man bid. "Twenty. Twenty. Thirty." The -bidding was growing lively. - -"Three hundred," said Vermeer. - -"Three hundred and five," Norman echoed. - -"Five hundred," said Vermeer without blinking an eye. - -Realizing that the two men were bidding against each other the rest -dropped out. The audience seemed to settle back in expectancy. Men had -been known to pay the complete prize money of a venture for a girl. - -"Five hundred and five," Norman said in a determined voice. - -"Really," said Vermeer; "you're wasting your time. I intend to have -that girl. From one venture you can't possibly have enough money to -outbid me. One thousand notes," he addressed the auctioneer. - -"A thousand notes, I'm offered," chanted the auctioneer. - -"A thousand notes. Do I hear more?" - -Norman bit his lip. It was only too true that Vermeer could outbid him. -With a sudden grim determination he balled his fist, walloped Vermeer -in the temple. All his indignation was behind that blow, all the bone -and gristle of six-foot-two of lecturer on Ancient History. Vermeer -went down and out like a pole axed steer. - -"One thousand and one," shouted Norman triumphantly. - -For a moment a hush gripped the audience, then the men roared with -laughter. No one liked the Venusian Export Lines men, the pet of the -Dohlmites. - -"Going," chanted the auctioneer, "going. Gone! To the impetuous -gentleman with the good right fist!" - -For the life of him, Norman couldn't help swaggering a little as he -went up to claim the girl. - -The auctioneer tossed Jennifer her cape. She snatched it closely about -herself, leaped down from the platform. - -Norman counted out the bills. Jennifer, without glancing at her -purchaser, walked swiftly ahead of him through the throng. - -A pirate reached out, clapped him on the shoulder. "She's worth it," -he chortled. "She's worth it." But Norman was being beset by doubts. -He hadn't liked the steely glint in the girl's blue eyes. It foreboded -trouble. Koal joined them chuckling, as they left the market place. - -Once outside Jennifer stopped, swung on Norman. "All right," she said -in a suppressed voice. "You've bought me. But you'll regret it as long -as you live, you, you--renegade!" - -Her tone brought him up short. "Of all the ungrateful wenches," he -flared; "you are the prize. I joined the Dohlmites with the express -purpose of rescuing you. I plank down one thousand notes cash to save -you from what in the old days was considered a fate worse than death." - -The girl's features registered surprise, incredulity, contrition. She -started to say, "I didn't know," but Norman was thoroughly wound up. - -"Of course, I realize that view is no longer entertained by the best -informed people, but if you are so anxious for Vermeer to buy you, I'll -go throw a bucket of water in his face and present you to him with my -compliments." - -Indignation swept away all other emotions from the girl's features. "I -think you're horrible," she said and turned her back on him. - -Koal suddenly shouted, "Look out, Norman!" - -The young man swung around, saw Vermeer boring down on him. The agent -had a poisoned needle gun in his hand. His temple was swollen, his eyes -furious. Scarcely three steps away he swung the needle gun up. - -Norman heard the weapon _plop_ softly. At the same instant something -swished between him and the murderous dart gun. Jennifer, he realized, -had pulled the cloak from her bare shoulders, flung it between them. - -He snatched the cloak, flipped it over Vermeer's head and shoulders. -His rush bowled the man over backwards. The dart gun dropped to the -pavement. Norman snatched it up just as Vermeer flung the cloak off his -head, sprang to his feet. - -"Kill him!" shouted Koal. "Quick!" - -Vermeer's face blanched. He turned, began to run back toward the slave -market, bent over, zig-zagging wildly. - -Norman brought the dart gun up, then let it fall helplessly at his side. - -"I can't do it," he said. - -He picked up the cloak, started to return it to Jennifer. His eye lit -on a slender, three-cornered needle stuck halfway through the heavy -material. He pulled the poisoned dart out. One scratch from that deadly -missile would have killed him. The girl's instinctive action had saved -his life. He felt weak. - -"I'm sorry for what I said, Jennifer." - -"For heaven's sake," she cried; "apologize later, if you must, but give -me back my cloak now." - - - VII - -Once back in his apartment, Norman flung himself down in a chair. They -had stopped on the way home in an establishment which sold the short -tunics proscribed by law for all female slaves and Norman purchased the -girl a complete outfit. She had chosen one of the smaller bedrooms and -was putting her things away now. Koal was lounging on the couch. - -"Koal," began Norman, "I've an idea and I'd like your opinion." - -"Go ahead," replied the Martian with a chuckle. "You really want me to -agree with you. But if it has to do with escaping, I warn you, I shall -be disagreeable." - -Norman grinned, said, "Koal, twentieth century Eire was under the -British crown, but for a long time an underground army had fought the -English Black and Tans. Around Nineteen-twenty they threw off the -English yoke. That party of liberation was known as the Sinn Feiners." - -Jennifer wandered back in the room in time to hear the last of Norman's -words. She sat down, listened. - -"So?" said Koal. - -"So," said Norman. "I think that if a little group of patriots like the -Sinn Feiners could throw off the yoke of the British Empire, we should -be able to turn the tables on the Dohlmites." - -"I've seen rebellions before," began Koal stonily. - -"I know. But Koal, I'm not proposing any premature mutiny. I do -believe, though, we should band together secretly. If any opportunity -for escape presents itself, we'll be ready for it; not just a disunited -group of clans snapping at each other's throats." - -The Martian appeared to waver. - -"Koal," Norman went on urgently. "Only one thing stands between us and -freedom. The death broadcasting machine." - -"Yes, just that--and a force wall impossible to penetrate." - -"What maintains the force wall?" asked Norman. - -The Martian shook his head. - -"Suppose we succeed in neutralizing it. We'd have a picked body of men -to rush the Dohlmite station, destroy the cylinders." - -Koal scratched his head speculatively. He said, "The men would have to -be carefully chosen. It would be suicide should any word of the society -leak to the Dohlmites." He rose, frowned. "Wait a moment," he said and -hurried from the apartment. - -"Norman," breathed Jennifer. "Do you think there's any chance?" - -"I don't know," he replied, a worried expression on his gaunt features; -"but if I can persuade the men to unite there's hope." He ran his -fingers through his crisp blond hair. "It's more than that, too. We'll -be the only force standing between the Dohlmites and the Empire. -Somehow we've got to destroy them before they destroy us." - -The door opened, readmitting Koal attended by a tall, lean, yellow -Venusian. The blue star of the killer cast was tattooed on his -forehead. A Fozoql! Norman was only vaguely familiar with the caste of -mercenaries and assassins. They had the reputation of being loyal and -ferocious and were in high demand by the constantly warring factions on -Venus. - -"Norman," said Koal, "this is Acpsahme. He and his brother with their -wives were migrating to Ganymede when they were captured. His brother -was killed by the broadcast machine while trying to escape. His wife -was sold in the slave market to a renegade Earthman. I think I can -vouch for his silence. Explain what you just told me." - -Norman shook hands, launched into a passionate appeal for union among -the men. Acpsahme's green eyes glowed. - -"Good," he said from time to time, "good. But there must not be too -many, and those must be carefully chosen. The success of the enterprise -depends on secrecy." - -Koal leaped to his feet, his broad pale brow furrowed. He strode back -and forth across the thick carpet. "At nineteen-hundred," he said, "I -am going to give a party in my quarters. A small, select party. Only -the men I know best will be invited. Gentlemen, we'll bring the Sinn -Fein Society back to life." - -When they had gone, Jennifer looked across at Norman mistily. "You -know," she said in a tender voice, "you really are rather wonderful." - - * * * * * - -It was an oddly assorted group who attended Koal's party at -nineteen-hundred. Of the thirteen men present, there were renegade -Earthmen, outcasts of the Empire, mad dogs feared from Pluto to -Mercury. Another had been a T.I.S. agent before his capture. Pepperell -was the name which Koal gave when he introduced him to Norman. -Pepperell was a bland-faced, heavy-set Earthman with a gullible smile -and a chunk of ice for a heart. The fifth had been a corporation -lawyer. His noble brow and prematurely gray hair give him the benignity -of a saint, but a thief, it had been whispered about on Earth during -his remarkable career, had better ethics and a hungry tiger couldn't be -half so rapacious. There were three Martians, urbane, pleasant-spoken, -and a Venusian. The Venusian, an ex-dictator of a small state, had been -fleeing from his irate people with the treasury, when he was captured. -Norman, Koal, and Acpsahme made up the thirteen. Jennifer was the only -woman present. - -The men were gathered in animated groups, drinking, laughing. - -"Gentlemen," began Koal, "may I have your attention. What you hear -tonight must be held in the strictest confidence. If any word of this -meeting reaches the Dohlmites, our lives are forfeit." - -Pepperell, the T.I.S. agent, raised his eyebrows, said, "What do you -propose to do? Release cut worms among the plant men?" - -Jennifer grinned. No one else laughed. - -"Thanks," said Pepperell to the girl. "I see we both have the same low -sense of humor." - -"This is serious," said Koal. "Norman, will you explain your plan to -these gentlemen." - -For the third time Norman delivered his impassioned appeal for union. -"I know," he concluded, "that we haven't any definite means of attack, -but how much greater is our chance of discovering one if we work -together." - -"But the danger of betrayal," protested Pepperell. "The more recruits -to this underground army we gain, the more chances we run of admitting -a traitor. No silly oath will hold some man from running to the -Dohlmites in hopes of currying favor." - -"True," agreed Acpsahme grimly. "But a committee of execution should be -formed. A committee whose sole duty will be to track down and kill any -informer. Gentlemen, this is no seminar fraternity. If I thought any of -you were proposing to betray us, I'd shoot you down without a qualm." -The blue star tattooed on his forehead lent authority to his quiet -words. - -"What powers the Dohlmite's force wall?" inquired Norman suddenly. - -The men turned back to him, their eyes serious, intent. - -"I've speculated about that," admitted Pepperell. "But no human is -allowed within to learn." - -"If it ever failed, and we were organized, we could rush the Dohlmites, -capture the broadcast machine and destroy the cylinders." - -"You forget the paralysis ray," observed one of the Martians quietly. - -"There's a shield against the ray," Norman countered. "I saw one. -Vermeer had one on when our ship was captured." - -"A green suit," smiled the Martian. "But they are issued only to agents -of the Venusian Export Lines." - -"We can steal them." - -A hungry look had come into the men's eyes as they recalled the past -when they had been free in the Universe. Pepperell smashed his fist -down hard on the buffet. - -"I'm with you." - -"And I." It was unanimous. - -Jennifer squeezed Norman's hand ecstatically. - -"A toast," proposed Koal, "to freedom." - -The men lifted their glasses, drank. Then, with one accord, they -shattered them on the floor in a very ancient custom, a custom which -hadn't been observed in centuries. Norman's heart swelled at the -significance of the gesture. - - - VIII - -Immediately after the next sleeping period, Norman Saint Clair had -Koal drive him into the shopping district where he purchased one of -the surface cars. It had been agreed at the previous meeting of the -new-born Sinn Fein Society that members should be introduced at small, -apparently harmless parties. A list of possible recruits had been -drawn up and Koal, after directing him to the library, left to set the -machinery running. - -The library was a large, well lit building with an imposing entrance -hall. Norman searched the foyer, but could see no one. Apparently the -library was deserted. He crossed the floor, peered over the counter. - -There was a couch behind the counter and stretched at full length on -the couch was a girl sound asleep. For a moment Norman continued to -gaze at her in astonishment. Her blond hair spread out on the pillow -like yellow gauze. She had on a rumpled green tunic, and her naked -ankle bore the metal slave band. He coughed discreetly. - -The girl sat up, stifled a yawn. "Hello," she said, regarding Norman -with surprised interest. Her eyes were large and gray with black lashes. - -"Excuse me, miss," he said doubtfully, "but are you the librarian?" - -"My God," exclaimed the girl, "don't tell me you want a book!" - -"Why, yes," he replied, uncertainty in his voice. "Isn't this the -library?" - -"It's the library, yes. But I've been in this vault for a month now, -and you're the first person who's asked for a book. I'd rather be back -at the factory." - -"You used to work in a factory?" - -The girl nodded. "Where they make the paralysis ray insulators." - -"The green suits?" he ejaculated. - -"Yes. They're green. Why?" - -"No reason," he replied cautiously. "Do you have any volumes on botany, -horticulture, plant growth, anything at all related to that subject?" - -Her gray eyes opened wide. "How long have you been here?" - -"Not very long." - -"I thought not. Don't you know those subjects are on the index? They're -forbidden. The Dohlmites destroy any such book no sooner than they get -their hands on it. They even destroy anyone who has made a study of it." - -He shook his head. - -"I'm sorry," she replied, "but there isn't a paragraph on plant life in -the library." Her gray eyes brightened. "What about me? You could take -me out. I'm a hell of a sight more fun than those musty books." - -He said with a grin, "Do you know anything about plant life?" - -"No. But I could show you a thing or two about animal life." - -He was tempted. She had worked in the factory where the green -insulation suits were made. She might be able to give the Sinn Feiners -valuable information. - -"What time do you get off?" - -"Now! Where are you going to take me?" - -"But the library," he expostulated. - -"Bother the library," she laughed. "No one's used it yet." She jumped -to a sitting position on the counter, swung her legs across, slid off -on his side. - -"There. The library's closed for the day." - -"What did you do before your capture?" - -"I was on the triangle." - -He frowned in perplexity. "On the triangle? It sounds uncomfortable." - -"Sure. The triangle. Mars, Venus, Earth. Ninety gorgeous gals." She -clasped her hands behind her head, rolled her hips. - -"Oh," he said, comprehending at last. "You were on the stage." - -"The stage?" she laughed. "It does sound more dignified that way. I -was in the chorus. Man, what I wouldn't give for a glimpse of the Gay -White Way or the Street of Sighs." - -Impulsively, Norman decided to trust her. He said, "We're going to -steal a green suit." - -"A green suit?" She raised her eyebrows. "What do you want with a green -suit? You look much nicer in the outfit you have on." - -"A paralysis ray insulating suit," he explained. - -"What!" She clapped her hands to her mouth. - -"You said you'd worked in the factory. Do you know where they're -stored?" - -She bit her lip. "Yes, in the warehouse behind the plant. But why do -you want one? Don't you know escape's impossible?" - -"Improbable," he corrected. - -"I knew it. I knew it when you wanted to see the books on botany. Take -me along. I won't ask any questions. Take me along, please." - -"We're not ready yet," he replied. - -"But you'll take me?" Her gray eyes were pleading. - -He nodded, said, "The green suit first, though." - -She drew in her breath, "All right, handsome, I'm your woman." - - * * * * * - -At the door to his car Norman paused, said, "I don't even know your -name." - -"Call me the Duchess," she laughed. - -"I'm Saint Clair, Norman Saint Clair." - -Norman got behind the wheel. The Duchess stimulated him. She was a -little earthy perhaps, but clever. He wondered uncomfortably just how -he would explain her to Jennifer, decided not to cross that bridge -until he got there. - -At the Duchess's direction, he parked the car in an alley behind the -warehouse where the protective green suits were stored. - -"This is it," said the girl. - -Norman got out, surveyed the massive stone structure. The windows -were barred like a jail. On the roof he could make out the edges of -shrubbery. - -"It looks like there's a roof garden up there," he commented. - -"There is," replied the Duchess. "The quarters of the men who work for -the Venusian Export Lines are on the top floors of the warehouse." - -Norman frowned. "There doesn't seem to be any way in here. What about -the front?" - -"It's guarded night and day." - -"What's that building?" He pointed to the structure adjacent to the -warehouse. The two roofs were almost on a level. - -"It's a slave barracks. That's where the women who work in the -surrounding factories live." - -"Do you think that we could slip to the roof without attracting too -much attention?" - -All about them they could hear the hum of machinery, the pulsing life -of the factory district. - -The Duchess shrugged her shoulders. "They work in shifts. The factories -never close down. This is as good a time as any." - -He crossed to the slave barracks, tried the rear door. It was unlocked. -Cautiously, he pulled it open. A long hall like a hotel corridor with a -stair well at the far end stretched before him. The slave barracks were -not equipped with lifts. The hall was empty. - -"Come on," he said, and slipped inside. - -They reached the stairs, crept up to the second floor. Again the -corridor was empty and they continued their ascent. At the fourth -stage, however, Norman halted, his eyes on a level with the floor. Two -women were gossiping not a dozen feet away. - -"Go on," hissed the Duchess desperately. "There's someone coming up the -steps behind us!" - -Norman heard the clatter of footsteps below them. He hadn't time to -hesitate, but leaped up the steps three at a time. - -"Eeeek!" a startled shriek escaped one of the women. "Wasn't that a -man, Cheryl?" - -"Yes! Yes, it was," replied the one addressed as Cheryl, "with a girl -chasing him like mad, the hussy!" - -"What would a man be doing in here?" - -"Now what do you think a man would be doing in the female slave -barracks?" - -The excited chatter of feminine tongues all wagging at once overtook -the pair as they raced upward. Norman's heart sank like a stone. The -way was closed behind them. Unexpectedly, he popped out on the roof, -paused to catch his breath. - -"Go on!" panted the Duchess. "Go on, for heaven's sake! The party on -the stairs below us. I caught a glimpse of them. They were plant men!" - -"Plant men!" - -"Yes! Yes! They must have been inspecting the barracks. Hurry!" - -Norman cast a glance at the exquisitely landscaped roof gardens atop -the warehouse next door. The gap appeared wider than it had from the -street. Furthermore, the top of the warehouse was much lower, a wall -surrounding the garden having given it the appearance of being the same -height as the slave barracks. - -An ominous mutter like the sound of a disturbed hornet's nest ascended -the stair well. Norman cast caution to the wind, sprinted across the -flat roof, launched himself into space. - -He cleared the top of the wall by inches, glanced downward. A man lay -sunning himself directly beneath. The man had on trunks. He lay on his -back and his dark sun glasses gave him a goggle-eyed appearance. He -started to yell and sit up. - - * * * * * - -Norman landed with both feet in the pit of the man's stomach. There was -an explosive _ooof_ as Norman sprawled forward on the roof. Then the -Duchess sailed over the wall, lit full on the sun-bather, tumbled head -over heels, arms and legs flying. - -Norman got to his hands and knees, surveyed their victim in -consternation. The man was unconscious. - -"I hope he's not dead." - -"You better hope he is," said the Duchess, sitting up. - -He felt the man's pulse. It throbbed feebly. - -"What'll we do with him?" - -"Toss him over the edge," suggested the girl. - -"We can't do that!" protested Norman in horror. "We'll bring him along. -Maybe we can find some place to lock him up." He took hold of the man, -heaved, grunted, got him over his shoulder. "There's the elevator -house, beyond that rock garden," he panted, staggering toward it. - -They reached the elevator. It was an automatic lift, he saw. The -indicator showed that the cage was on the floor below them. He was -about to press the button when the Duchess's eyes widened. The needle -on the indicator was slowly revolving around the dial. - -"Someone's coming up," gasped Norman. Feverishly, he heaved the -unconscious man behind a bush. The Duchess dived around the corner of -the elevator house as Norman plucked a stone the size of his head from -the rock garden, crouched behind a dwarf fir beside the doors. - -The doors slid back. A man in civilian clothes stepped onto the roof. - -"Bauer," he called. "Hey, Bauer." - -Norman hit him over the head with the stone. The man crumpled. - -The Duchess peered around the edge of the elevator house, stepped out. -"You're getting quite a collection." - -Norman looked worried. He hauled the sun-bather from behind the bush -and stacked both of them inside the elevator. "Come on." - -The Duchess shrugged her shoulders, stepped into the elevator. - -"Where are the suits?" he asked. - -"Basement." - -He pressed the button. The car shot downward. - -"Did you kill this one?" asked the Duchess hopefully. - -He shook his head. "I don't think so." - -The car stopped suddenly, the doors slid back. Norman stared out at -a dimly-lit, low-ceilinged room which stretched off into shadows on -either hand. It was full of bales, boxes and dust. - -He dragged the bodies out, stretched them side by side on the floor. - -"Where are the suits?" - -"Any of those cases." - -Feverishly, he broke one open, pulled out the familiar green suit with -helmet, gloves, and boots attached. - -"Now that you've got it," said the Duchess, "have you figured how -you're going to get out with it? We've got as much chance of returning -the way we came as of burrowing through the walls. That slave barracks -won't quiet down for a week." - -He appeared crestfallen, then his eyes lit on his latest victim. He -brightened. "Aren't the only men in Behrl who wear civilian clothes -agents of the Venusian Export Lines, and didn't you say they had their -headquarters upstairs?" - -The Duchess nodded. - -He began to strip the clothes from their second victim. - -"We'll walk out the front door," he said grimly. - -"You're a resourceful rogue," the Duchess admitted with admiration. - -In a matter of minutes, he had changed clothes. Hastily, he bundled up -the green suit, wrapped it in a piece of packing paper. "Let's get out -of here." - -"What about these?" The Duchess indicated the bodies on the floor. - -"Leave them there. They don't know what hit them." - -They re-entered the lift, got off on the street floor. Six guards were -loafing in the foyer. One of them winked when he saw the slave girl -demurely following the young man out of the elevator. - -Norman swallowed, walked out into the blessed sunlight. No one tried to -stop him. - -He didn't draw an easy breath until they were back in his car, the -insulation suit tucked under the seat. - -"Well," he said triumphantly as they sped from the alley onto a broad -thoroughfare, "that's one." - -"One!" cried the Duchess. "You're not going to try to get any more?" - -"We need hundreds," he assured her. - - * * * * * - -She stared at him in awe. "Hundreds!" Then she began to laugh. "Well, -the Lord helps those who help themselves." - -They drove along for a few minutes in silence. - -"Listen," said the Duchess suddenly. "You need more insulation suits. I -know how they can be obtained." - -"How?" - -"I know the people who work in the factory. There are a few I can -trust. If anyone could slip out the green suits, they could." - -Norman was jubilant. "Great," he ejaculated. - -"But you'll have to buy me." - -"Buy you?" he echoed. - -"Yes," said the Duchess. "If I have to stay at that library another -day, I'll die. Besides, I need more freedom to contact the workers." - -She saw him wavering, put her hand over his on the wheel. "It gets so -lonesome in that library." - -"All right," he agreed. - -The Duchess threw her arms about him. "You're a dear," she squealed. - -Jennifer, he thought unhappily, wasn't going to like this at all. - -The transaction proved as simple as the Duchess had forecast. For the -ridiculous sum of fifty notes plus the girl's original purchase price, -the agent transferred her to Norman Saint Clair. He turned the car into -the basement of the apartment, his latest venture in livestock on the -seat beside him. He had been rather silent since leaving the agent. -Not only must he explain the Duchess to Jennifer, he had to explain -Jennifer to the Duchess. - -He brought the car to a stop, said uneasily, "I forgot to tell you. -I have...." He paused, started over again. "There is another girl in -my apartment, too. She.... Well.... There are three bedrooms. I don't -think we'll be too crowded. Do you?" He mopped his brow with his -handkerchief. - -The Duchess was regarding him, a steel-like glint in her gray eyes. - -"Of all the deceitful, lecherous rogues it's been my misfortune to -meet," she said, her tone low, gentle, "in a profession where rogues -abound, you are the lowest." - -"Now I say ..." he protested, but the Duchess swept his words aside. - -"You wolf, bleating like a lamb. Oh, you're clever. I haven't a thing -to reproach you with. You fixed it so it was I who asked you to buy -me. But mark this, handsome, our association is going to be strictly -business. You supply me with food and shelter; I supply the Sinn -Feiners with green suits." - -"But isn't that why I bought you?" he asked in perplexity. - -"What?" said the Duchess, hauling herself up short. - -"I mean, you didn't like the library, and you needed more freedom any -way to contact the factory workers. It looked to me like a sensible -plan." - -"Well, I'll be darned," said the Duchess. - -"What?" he asked. - -"I apologize." She held out her hand. He took it gratefully. "If you -like," she said, "you can give me a good swift kick." - -They went up in the lift. When they entered the apartment, they found -Koal talking to Jennifer. He introduced the Duchess. - -"I bought her from the Dohlmites," he blurted out. "She's to have the -spare room." - -Koal regarded the Duchess with admiration, made a clucking sound. -Norman reddened. - -"What are you doing?" asked Jennifer sweetly. "Starting a harem?" - -"Won't it be cozy," interposed the Duchess coolly, "twenty-nine or -thirty of us scampering about the apartment." - -"What?" said Jennifer. - -"Well, you know what the collecting instinct's like." - -Norman hastily unwrapped the green suit, related their adventures. The -Duchess, he explained, had promised to help procure more of them. - -Although Jennifer still seemed skeptical, the Martian's expression -changed. He looked at the Duchess thoughtfully. "You can supply us with -more of these?" - -"Yes. There's a girl who works in the factory. We played the triangle -together. Her name's Marcia. We were booked for a run on Ganymede when -we were captured. If anyone can slip out the green suits, she can." - -The Martian nodded. "We'll have a car waiting behind the factory." He -turned suddenly upon Norman. "I've got bad news," he said. - -Norman felt his heart sink. - -"What is it?" - -"The Dohlmites are preparing to attack Ganymede." - -"Ganymede!" ejaculated Norman. "When?" - -The Martian gestured palm up with his hands, shrugged. "We haven't been -told yet. I imagine they're waiting until all the ships are back. It's -the beginning of the end of the Empire, unless we can do something -quick." - - - IX - -During the next ten sleeping periods an epidemic of small parties broke -out in the human colony. The Sinn Fein Society from its tiny spark had -spread into a conflagration. Apartment F12 was rapidly being converted -into an arsenal as the men hid rocket shells, ray rifles, dum-dums -and dart guns in the basement. Furthermore, twelve bales of green -insulation suits had been added to the one Norman and the Duchess had -stolen. - -The Duchess had made good her promise and a steady stream of suits was -being slipped into the hands of the Sinn Feiners. She was ensconced in -the third bedroom of Norman's apartment. Jennifer had not relented. - -"When you add any more wenches to your collection," Jennifer replied, -coolly skeptical, "quarter them with the Duchess. I absolutely refuse -to share my room with any of your paramours." - -Norman had returned from a meeting of the Sinn Feiners where he had -learned that most of the ships were back already and were being -refitted for the attack on Ganymede. Time pressed. He said: - -"Jennifer, I'm going to drive out into the country to try to get a line -on the vegetation. I came back to the apartment to ask you to come -along." - -"No," she said perversely. "Why don't you ask Alicia?" - -"Alicia?" - -"Yes, Alicia, the elevator operator. She's been asking about you." - -Norman's ire mounted. "Jennifer," he said wrathfully, "I've been -exceptionally lenient." - -"Lenient?" repeated the girl. - -"That's right, lenient." He advanced on her threateningly. She backed -off in consternation. "It's not uncommon for disobedient slaves to be -given a sound thrashing, locked up on bread and water." - -"You wouldn't dare." The girl compressed her lips. - -"Now then," he went on, "are you coming with me peacefully or must I -descend to force?" - -She stamped her foot. "No!" - -Norman grabbed her, slung her over his shoulder, started for the door. - -"Put me down! Put me down!" she cried, kicking vigorously. - -"Are you coming along quietly?" - -"No!" - -He carried her into the hall, made for the elevator, pressed the button. - -"Norman," she pleaded in consternation. "Put me down before that -elevator gets here." - -"Are you coming quietly?" - -"Yes. For heaven's sake, yes!" - -He placed her on her feet. She brushed her black hair from her eyes, -straightened her white tunic with a wriggle. - -"Oh!" she said, "of all the indignities!" But the corners of her lips -kept trying to break into a grin. "Would you really have hauled me to -your car like that in front of everybody?" - -"Yes," he replied seriously. - -In spite of herself Jennifer burst into laughter. "You know, sometimes -you're the most amazing rogue I've ever met. I can't stay angry at you -for ten minutes." - -The city of Behrl had been built around the enormous blow hole through -which escaping gasses in some distant geological age had burst to the -surface of Neptune. Beyond its outskirts lay a hilly country matted -with undergrowth. The road kept getting worse and worse until finally -it ended abruptly on the slope of a hill. - -Norman brought the car to a stop. "End of the line," he said and hopped -out. Jennifer followed him. - -"Well," said Jennifer glancing at the weird vegetation about them. -"Where do we start?" - -"I don't know," he confessed. His eyes swept the country. A thick -growth of small shrubs matted with creepers cloaked the hillside. The -air smelled rich, hot, fertile. - -"By Jove," he exclaimed, "what's that?" He pointed to a bare spot a -quarter of a mile away. It was several acres in extent. And even in the -rosy sunlight it seemed to pulse with a phosphorescent light. - -Jennifer shivered. "What makes the light?" - -"Let's take a look at it," he suggested. - - * * * * * - -Norman in the lead, they began to force their way through the -grotesque, waist-high jungle. The sun beat down hotly on their -uncovered heads. He wiped the perspiration from his face, swatted -vindictively at a small persistent insect. - -Jennifer tripped on a thick purple creeper, muttered something under -her breath which sounded like cursing. Norman grinned, plowed ahead. It -took them almost half an hour to reach the edge of the bare spot. - -"A landslide," he ejaculated. - -The slide had gouged a deep gash in the loamy soil of the hillside. It -was from this gash that the glow emanated. For yards on either side the -vegetation was dead. He crossed the belt of dead plants, approached -the gash. On the brink, he paused, shaded his eyes, backed off hastily. - -"Stay away!" he cautioned the girl. "Don't look in there!" - -"Why?" she cried, halting in her tracks. - -"Radium! I'm not sure, but I think it's almost pure radium. Jennifer, -do you realize? The landslide has uncovered a fortune. We're rich!" - -She looked at him sadly. "What difference does it make?" - -But his jubilation was not to be dampened. "We won't be here forever. -Um-um!" He smacked his lips, almost danced. "Radium! We'd better get -back a ways, we're too close to the stuff as it is." - -They retreated to the edge of the stricken vegetation. Even here the -plants were sickly, wilted. Half a dozen of them were coated with red, -rust-like scales. - -Jennifer suddenly grabbed his shoulder, shook him. "Come out of your -daze, Midas," she laughed a little hysterically. "Look at the plants. -They're dead. Don't you see. It's killed them. Wouldn't it kill the -plant men, too." - -But Norman shook his head. "They know as much if not more about radium -than we do. It's dangerous, yes, but it's not a weapon." Suddenly he -dropped to his knees beside a dwarf shrub. It was one of those covered -with the red scales. "But, by Jupiter, this may be." - -"What is it?" said the girl in a stifled voice. - -"Blight!" - -"What?" she asked in astonishment. - -"Blight!" he repeated. "Don't you see? It's blight. Look." He pointed -to the scabrous red scale attacking the shrub. - -She shook her head in bewilderment. - -"If the Dohlmites aren't blight resistant, Jennifer, this may be the -weapon." His voice was hoarse with excitement, the radium forgotten. -He said, "In the early days in America, blight attacked the chestnut -trees. It wiped out every American chestnut from coast to coast." - -"What about the other trees?" she asked, puzzled. - -"Well," he admitted, "it didn't harm them." - -"Maybe the plant men aren't susceptible to this disease, either." - -"Maybe not, but it's a chance. It's the only chance that's presented -itself, and we haven't much time left before the Dohlmites will order -the attack on Ganymede." Tenderly, he dug up the infected plant, -wrapped its roots in his handkerchief. - -"What in the world are you doing?" - -"I'm going to infect a Dohlmite with this blight!" he replied grimly. - -Jennifer giggled. - -"What's so funny?" he wanted to know. - -"Blight! It does seem such an odd method of attack." - -Once back in the apartment, Jennifer dived beneath a cold shower. -Norman, though, went straight to the kitchen where he transplanted the -infected plant into a saucepan and took it out on the balcony. - -He heard the front door open and close with a loud bang. He started -guiltily, thought who could that be? Should the Dohlmites discover the -infected plant that he was nurturing on his balcony, the penalty would -be swift and final. He dashed into the hall. - -Jennifer's head stuck beyond her door revealing one bare wet shoulder. -Her blue eyes were panicky. "Who is it?" - -He shook his head, went into the living-room. With a sigh of relief, he -recognized the Duchess. - -"Norman, you're back!" cried the Duchess wildly. "I didn't know what -I'd do if you weren't here." - -The young man's reassurance evaporated. The Duchess's blond hair was -disheveled. She was panting as if she'd been running. - -"What's wrong?" - -"We've been betrayed!" said the Duchess in a frightened voice. - - - X - -"Betrayed!" echoed Norman. - -The Duchess nodded. Her gray eyes were enormous. "I've been expecting -to keel over on the street all the way home!" - -"Who? How?" - -"One of your precious Earth men. Hops, he's called." She paused, said, -"I feel kind of dizzy! My God! You don't suppose the Dohlmites are -putting the finger on me, do you?" - -"No. No, of course not. It's just shock. Sit down. Jennifer," he -called, "make the Duchess some tea, coffee, anything hot." - -"Tea, hell," said the Duchess sinking on the couch. "Bring me a shot of -whiskey." - -Jennifer had hastily slipped on her tunic. She brought a glass of -whiskey from the kitchen. The Duchess drank it neat. - -"Now, what happened?" pressed Norman. - -"Marcia told me," began the Duchess. "She's the girl in the troop I -told you about. The one who played the triangle with me and who's been -slipping us the green suits." - -"Yes, yes," he interrupted impatiently. - -She said, "Vermeer and Del Solar were inspecting the factory." - -"Vermeer," ejaculated Norman. "I know Vermeer. But who's Del Solar?" - -"Del Solar's chief of the Venusian Export Lines. Vermeer's his -assistant. They are the only two humans allowed beyond the force wall. -They've charge of the factory, you know, and it isn't unusual for them -to make an inspection, but Marcia was jittery. She was afraid they'd -discover she'd been stealing the green suits. - -"She hung around them trying to overhear what they were saying. She -was listening when one of the guards approached Del Solar and told him -there was a man outside to see him. 'Send him in,' says Del Solar. So -the guard brought this Hops inside. When Marcia saw it was a fighting -man and not an agent or a slave she sneaked behind a packing case where -she could hear every word they said. - -"'What do you want?' Del Solar asked. Hops told him he knew about a -conspiracy. He wanted to give Del Solar the names of the leaders in -exchange for a post in the Venusian Export Lines. He told a lot more -too: about us stealing the insulation suits, how the Sinn Feiners have -spread all over Behrl. Enough to convince Del Solar that it was a -serious matter." - -"But he hasn't our names yet?" Norman clutched at a straw. - -The Duchess shook her head. "Not yet. Del Solar wanted them. But Hops -is no fool. He wouldn't betray the names of the conspirators until he -was guaranteed a post with the Export Company. No one is accepted in -the company without the plant men's approval. That means Del Solar will -have to see the Dohlmites first." - -"Jennifer," commanded Norman, "get Koal. Tell him to bring Acpsahme." - -The girl left, her blue eyes frightened. - -"Go on," urged Norman. He was trying to place Hops, then he remembered. -Hops had been one of the renegade Earth men present at the first -meeting. - -"Well, Del Solar asked him his name and where he lived. That's how -Marcia knew who he was. He lives in G-seven, but she couldn't remember -his apartment number. Then Del Solar said he'd meet Hops in the Earth -man's apartment as soon as he'd seen the Dohlmites." - -Jennifer burst into the room leading Koal and Acpsahme. - -"What's this about a traitor?" cried the usually calm Martian. - -"Tell them," commanded Norman. - -The Duchess repeated her story. - -"If we can reach Hops in time," Koal exploded, "we're not lost yet!" - -"Whether we're in time or not," interposed Acpsahme in a flat voice, -"we've business with Hops. Have you got your gun, Norman?" - -The young man caught his breath. The meaning behind Acpsahme's words -was only too clear. - -"Yes," he faltered. He felt hollow inside. He wasn't frightened, just -sick. - -"Come on," said Acpsahme in that unemotional voice. - -"Norman," said Jennifer in a frightened tone. - -"Don't interfere," he heard the Duchess say. "This is man's work." Then -he was outside in the corridor. - -While waiting for the elevator, they met Pepperell, the ex-T.I.S. -agent. Koal explained briefly what had occurred. - -"Spread the word, Pepperell. If we're in time, this should discourage -any ambition to sell us out among the others." - - * * * * * - -They went down in the lift, entered Koal's car, drove out into the -blinding sunlight. We're going to kill a man, Norman thought. Little -beads of sweat stood out on his temples. He saw the informer stretched -lifeless on the floor, his blank eyes staring at him accusingly. - -"Don't think about it," advised Koal, with that disconcerting ability -to divine what was passing through Norman's mind. - -They turned into the base of G7. Koal brought the car to a stop. A -guard advanced to examine their papers. Norman recognized him as a Sinn -Feiner. Acpsahme leaned forward, explained their errand. - -The guard compressed his lips angrily. "Go ahead," he growled. "He's on -H deck, apartment Four-o-eight." - -They went up in the lift. On H deck they walked slowly along the hall -until they came to room 408. - -"Get your gun out," said Koal, and knocked. - -There was a bitter taste in Norman's mouth. He felt sick at his stomach -as he had when he'd seen the murdered T.I.S. agent aboard the _Jupiter_. - -The door opened. - -Hops was framed in the entrance. He seemed to know instantly why the -three grim-faced, silent men had come. His features went stiff with -terror. He backed into the room. His mouth opened. - -"All right," said Koal. - -"_No!_" cried Hops. - -Acpsahme's dart struck the informer in the neck. - -"Search the room," commanded Koal, stepping across the informer's body. - -They found a paper upon which Hops had been working. It contained the -names of seventy-eight of the Sinn Feiners. Norman's name headed the -list. - -"A real distinction," observed the Martian dryly. - -It was an honor that Norman didn't covet. They found nothing else of -importance. - -"Leave him lie," said Acpsahme. "I think we have been in time. The -Dohlmites know there's a rebellion afoot, but they don't know who's -concerned." - -"This is one time," observed the Martian, "when what they don't know is -going to hurt them." - -They started out. At the door, Acpsahme stopped, yanked out his dart -gun. Norman peering over his shoulders, saw a Dohlmite accompanied -by a man in civilian clothes. They were scarcely a dozen steps down -the corridor. The plant man's mask-like face gave no clue to what -was passing through his mind. The Earth man, though, was plainly -frightened. - -"Del Solar," the Martian hissed, his voice sibilant. "He's come to get -the names of the Sinn Feiners from Hops." - -Del Solar spun around, began to run back down the hall. Again it was -Acpsahme's dart which halted the man. Del Solar pitched forward on his -face. - -Koal fired three times at the plant man. Norman saw the darts strike -the Dohlmite's chest, stick out like pins, but he didn't fall. The -poisoned needles seemed to have no more effect on the plant man than -they would have had on a tree. He, too, began to run. - -"Quick," cried Acpsahme. "Don't let him escape." - -Norman leaped in pursuit, tackled the fleeing plant man about the hips. -They went down in a tangle. He saw a knife flash. It was withdrawn -green and sticky. The Dohlmite quit struggling. Norman staggered to his -feet. - -[Illustration: _Koal's blade flashed, cut into the Dohlmite's neck._] - -"Good work," said Koal. He was wiping his blade on the plant man's -harness. - -A thought struck Norman. His stomach revolted, but he forced himself to -say, "I want the corpse of the Dohlmite." - -"Why?" ejaculated the Martian. - -Briefly, he revealed his discovery of the blight-sickened plant. "I -want to infect this Dohlmite with the blight. There's a chance that -when his fellows carry him into their city, the blight will spread." - -"It's a gamble," said Koal thoughtfully. "But it's worth it." - -"Leave Del Solar lie where he is then," put in Acpsahme. "We'll take -the Dohlmite." - -They dragged the corpse of the plant man to the elevator, dropped -swiftly to the basement. Acpsahme called the guard. - -"We've had to kill a plant man," he said quietly. - -A look of terror passed across the guard's features. Involuntarily, he -took a backward step. - -"We're taking the body," Acpsahme went on in a low voice. "Hops and an -agent of the Venusian Export Lines are still above. Dispose of them as -you think best." - -The guard nodded. They loaded the stringy frame of the plant man into -their car, shot out into the rosy sunlight. - -Norman felt dazed. Although he had not actually killed any of the -three, he considered himself as guilty as if it had been his finger -that pulled the trigger. He began to tremble. He felt as if he were -going to be violently sick. - -"Brace up," said Koal with that queer intuition. "It'll pass." - -Acpsahme chuckled. "The first man I killed, I ran to my house and cried -like a baby. I couldn't stop. I wanted them to bleach the tattoo off my -forehead." - -Somehow Norman felt better. - - * * * * * - -When they reached the basement of F12, they left Acpsahme to guard the -body, ascended in the lift to Norman's apartment. - -Jennifer and the Duchess met them at the door. Jennifer had been -crying, Norman saw with satisfaction. - -"Norman, Norman," the girl said and flew to his arms. - -He patted her shoulder, disengaged himself gently. "We've still got -work to do." - -"We had to kill Del Solar and a plant man," Koal explained briefly. -"The Dohlmites are going to be furious, but I don't think they will -suspect us. Norman has an experiment he wants to try with the body of -the Dohlmite." - -The Duchess turned to him, astonished. - -"The blight," he explained. "I'm going to try to infect the plant man -with the blight. When the Dohlmites find his body and carry it into -their city, I'm gambling on it spreading." - -He retrieved the infected plant from the balcony. Even in that short -time the shrub had visibly wilted. The blight had spread over twice its -former area. - -"It seems to be a virulent disease," observed the Martian. - -They carried the infected plant to the basement. Norman dusted the -corpse from head to foot with the rust-like scales. Anything touching -the body would be bound to come in contact with them. - -"All right," said Acpsahme, "let's take him out and get this over with." - -A broad yellow line marked the zone beyond which it was death to stray. -It was the first time Norman had been close to the force wall. He -looked at it curiously. - -A ribbon of some unfamiliar silver metal wound like the track of a mono -rail around the base of the hill where the Dohlmites had their houses. -There were no visible rays arising from the ribbon, no distortion of -the atmosphere, nothing. It looked utterly harmless. - -"I wonder what would happen if you broke the circuit," speculated -Norman. - -"It's impossible," replied Koal. "The zone of force protects the -ribbon. Look." He threw a pebble toward the silver track of metal. -While still a yard from the ribbon, the stone exploded like a hand -grenade. It was as if the force radiating from the track had touched -off the atoms of the pebble. Norman blinked his eyes involuntarily. - -"How do the Dohlmites pass through?" - -"There's a gate only a short distance from here where they can shut off -a segment of the wall." - -The buildings of the human colony, Norman noticed, were set well back -from the yellow warning line, leaving a broad road which paralleled -the silver track. There was no one in sight. It seemed to be a very -unpopular neighborhood. - -"Get him out," grunted Acpsahme. They tossed the body of the -disease-infected Dohlmite to the road. - -"The Trojan horse," thought Norman, remembering a tale from the dawn of -history. He glanced back once as they sped away. - - - XI - -Preparations for the invasion of Ganymede went forward during the next -six sleeping periods. The Dohlmites had been unsuccessful in their -investigation, and had withdrawn behind their force wall, transmitting -their orders through the agents of the Venusian Export Lines. - -Then the date of sailing was set. Norman received his orders to report -aboard the _Rocket_ within twenty-four hours. - -He paced back and forth across the living-room of his apartment. Even -if the blight did sweep the Dohlmites, he thought, with the Sinn -Feiners away on Ganymede they wouldn't be able to take advantage of -their opportunity. - -Jennifer entered from the bedroom, glanced at him worriedly, said, -"Norman, relax or you'll have a nervous breakdown." - -He flung himself on the couch. "If only we knew what's happening behind -the force wall. The Dohlmites are taking this so queerly. I haven't -seen one on the streets for days." - -The buzzer announced someone at the door. He leaped to his feet, -answered it anxiously. Koal came inside. There was a flicker of triumph -in the Martian's eyes. - -"The sailing," he announced, "has been indefinitely postponed!" - -Norman sank on the couch, only to spring up again. - -"Something's happened on the hill!" - -Koal nodded his head. "That's what I think." - -"We've got to know what it is," cried Norman. "If it's the blight, and -it leaves only one plant man alive, he's still master of every one -of us." He paused, bit his lip, said, "Koal, issue the green suits -to a select force. Have them ready to storm the hill. I'm going to -reconnoitre the force wall." - -"Watch your step," the Martian cautioned. "This may be a trap." He -turned on his heel, left the apartment. - -"Norman," said Jennifer looking utterly miserable, "do be careful." - -He kissed her, said, "I will," and started for the door. A heady -excitement was pounding in his blood. - -From the apartment he drove to the gate in the force wall. - -Two parallel lines of yellow intersected the silver track at right -angles and indicated the segment which could be shut off. Just within -the wall he saw a small cage like a switchman's shack on a railroad. -But the plant man who operated the gate was not there. - -He frowned, swept the hill above with his eyes. Not a figure stirred on -any of the airy balconies. Nothing moved in the streets. The city of -the Dohlmites was a ghost town. - -A feeling that he was being watched made his heart beat faster. - -He caught his breath. For a moment he thought he had detected a faint -movement in one of the doorways. Was this a trap after all? Minutes -slipped past but the movement was not repeated. The high noon sun beat -down on the empty street. - -He got out of the car, walked cautiously toward the force wall, halted -at the yellow stripe. It was maddening to be stopped by that intangible -emanation from the silver track. - -He started to turn away, paused, staring rigidly at the hill. A man was -running blindly away down the curving road which led between the plant -men's houses. Even at that distance, Norman could detect something -peculiar about the man's flight. He would run several hundred yards, -stumble, fall, drag himself to his feet and go on. - -As he drew closer, Norman identified him as a plant man. He seemed -to be making for the gate in the force wall. He reached the glassite -shack, staggered inside. Norman could see him fumble weakly with the -switch. The Dohlmite was shutting down the current at the gate. - -Still with that strange intentness, the plant man lurched out again, -stumbled, fell. He tried to rise, fell back. No flicker of emotion -betrayed the terrible fear which must be driving him onward. He pulled -himself to his hands and knees, began to crawl through the gate. He -reached the silver ribbon, keeping in the center of the yellow lines. -His eyes stared straight ahead. He wobbled across the force wall, kept -on. Crawling on hands and knees, he passed within ten feet of Norman -and didn't seem to see him. - -Twenty yards beyond Norman his wobble became more pronounced, like -a toy running down. Then he seemed to hesitate. His arms and legs -suddenly gave way. He collapsed. This time he didn't try to rise, but -lay still, lay still as death. Norman shuddered and looked away. - -From head to heels the plant man was covered with the red, rust-like -scales. - - * * * * * - -With a start Norman realized that the way into the city lay open before -him. He drew his breath sharply, walked slowly between the parallel -yellow lines. His nerves quivered as he stepped across the silver -track. He was inside at last. He set out up the hill. - -As Norman reached the first houses, the toll exacted by the scabrous -red blight became apparent. It had swept the population on the hill -like a plague. Plant men lay in the streets, on the balconies, in the -houses, their bodies scaly with rust. It had even begun to spread to -the festooned hanging gardens. - -Crowning the apex of the hill was a tremendous structure pillared like -the incredibly ancient Grecian temples of which a few pictures still -survived. A feeling of elation seized him. This surely was the building -which housed the death broadcasting machine. This was the end of his -journey. - -A voice behind him shouted, "Stop, Saint Clair!" - -He spun around. - -Vermeer was toiling up the hill behind him. The agent of the Venusian -Export Lines had his dart gun drawn and levelled. He halted half a -dozen steps from Norman. He said, "There's always a reckoning, Saint -Clair." - -Wildly, Norman speculated on his chance should he hurl himself at -Vermeer in the face of the poisoned needles. He knew there was none. - -"You've had a remarkable run of luck," Vermeer smiled. "But by the laws -of chance, it was bound to turn." - -Norman didn't reply. The explosion of a rocket shell suddenly rent -the air, followed by the crackle of dum-dum fire. It ascended faintly -unreal from the human colony below them. - -"My men," Vermeer explained, "are attacking yours. But it doesn't -matter who wins. The real contest is being decided up here between us -two. It's rather like ancient times, with which you're so familiar, -Saint Clair, when battles were decided between two champions. You see, -I took the precaution to close the gate before I followed you." - -Norman could feel the drag of his own dart gun at his waist, considered -throwing himself to one side, snatching for his gun. Vermeer, he -realized bitterly, had only to pull his trigger. - -"I wonder," Vermeer went on, "if you realize the stakes we're playing -for? The man who remains alive within the force wall can control the -solar system." He laughed exultantly, drew a careful bead on Norman's -chest. - -He's going to fire, thought Norman. Even at that distance, he could see -the knuckles of the agent's hand whiten as they contracted about the -pommel of the dart gun. - -A fantastic hope crystallized in his mind. Conception and action was -simultaneous. - -"Now!" Norman breathed, and fell as if dead. - -He fell just a fraction of a second before Vermeer pulled the trigger. -He heard the poisoned dart whistle over his shoulder, then he hit the -street with a jarring thud and lay still. He daren't breathe, daren't -flicker an eyelash. - -It would never occur to Vermeer that he could have missed at twenty -short paces. The very deadliness of the darts precluded any necessity -of administering a _coup de grace_. Norman could hear the shuffle of -Vermeer's approaching steps. Had the trick worked? - -Vermeer's foot nudged him in the ribs. - -Like the recoil of a spring, Norman grabbed the agent's ankles, threw -his weight against Vermeer's knees. The man toppled backward. Norman -swarmed on top of him. - -Vermeer had been suspicious. He still retained the dart gun in his -hand. Norman seized his wrist. They struggled fiercely, silently in the -empty streets, their only audience the plant men covered with blight, -full of the indifference of death. - -With a surge of exultation Norman felt Vermeer's wrist weaken. He threw -his weight on the weapon, bent it downward. His finger covered the -trigger. He squeezed. - -Vermeer shuttered and lay still. - -Norman crouched backward off the dead agent to his feet. The sound of -firing in the human colony was silent. Whatever the outcome of the -battle had been, he realized, it was over. - - * * * * * - -What was it Vermeer had said? "The man who remains alive within the -force wall can control the Solar System." He, Norman Saint Clair, -who had set out from Earth to lecture on Ancient History in distant -Ganymede, was as much master of the System at this moment as if the -battle had already been fought. - -He had no difficulty locating the death broadcasting machine. It was -housed in a tremendous hall in the Dohlmite temple of science. It was -a delicate affair of tubes and wires. The cylinders, he saw, were fed -into it automatically so that it could broadcast its messages of death -with machine gun rapidity. - -He seized a chair, savagely smashed the machine into fragments. It -was a weapon of enslavement. No good could come of it. At length, he -paused. The cylinders and the force wall remained, but they could wait. - -With a growing sense of triumph, he left the temple of science, -retraced his steps down the hill between the silent houses. - -While still half way to the gate, he made out hundreds of men crowded -just beyond the force wall. As he drew closer he recognized Koal and -Acpsahme in the front ranks. He went into the glassite shack, threw the -switch that shut off the segment of the wall. He forced himself to walk -across the silver track, say in a calm voice: - -"The Dohlmites are dead, Koal. The machine is destroyed. We're free." - -A savage cheer rang up from the men. Runners left to inform the rest of -the city. Koal seized his hand, nearly wrung it off. - -Acpsahme said, "The men of the Venusian Export Lines attacked us. They -bit off more than they could chew." - -"Pepperell? Where's Pepperell?" asked Norman. - -"Here," replied the T.I.S. agent. - -"Pepperell," said Norman. "Get in touch with the Terrestial -Intelligence Service over the radio at once. You know their code. -Tell them to send an accredited ambassador of the Earth Congress in -the Empire's fastest space ship toward Neptune, but don't reveal our -location. We'll contact the ship beyond the orbit of Jupiter. I want," -he said with a sudden laugh, "to arrange a surprise for the ambassador." - - - XII - -During the following days a bacchanalian orgy swept Behrl as former -slaves and pirates went wild with freedom. It was the maddest spree in -the history of the System. Only in the apartment of Norman Saint Clair -did sanity hold forth. - -There the nine remaining men of the original thirteen who had launched -the Sinn Feiners, worked ceaselessly to bring order out of chaos. Hops, -the traitor, was dead. Pepperell, in charge of a picked crew, had -been despatched in the _Rocket_ to fetch the ambassador of the Earth -Congress. Two of the Martians had been killed in the battle with the -men of the Venusian Export Lines. - -Many of the pirates and slaves would desire to remain, Norman thought. -Here was a new world, a rich world with unguessed resources waiting for -exploitation. But for those who wished to return, transportation to -Earth had to be arranged. - -At the present, the nine original members of the Sinn Feiners had -assumed control of Behrl, but a permanent form of government also must -be drawn up. The vast housing facilities and factories thrown open to -the colonists demanded cooperative ownership, a communal government. -With a sigh, Norman turned over his radium mines to the new state. - -The nine men were seated about a long table which had been installed in -his living-room. He said with a wry grin, "Gentlemen, I'm absolutely -the only man in history to turn down mastery of the Solar System and -then toss away a fortune on top of it." - -The buzzer softly announced a visitor. Koal rose, admitted Pepperell, -the ex-T.I.S. agent. The men crowded about him, firing questions. "Did -he have the ambassador with him? Was there any trouble?" - -Pepperell laughed, held up his hands. - -"Give me a chance, gentlemen. Give me a chance. Yes, I've got the -ambassador." - -"Did everything go as planned?" asked Norman anxiously. - -Pepperell nodded. "Yes. We contacted the Empire's ship. They had no -suspicion that we were anywhere about until we caught them in the -paralysis ray. We boarded them successfully, took the ambassador -off. He was a very surprised ambassador when he woke up aboard the -_Rocket_--and a very thoughtful one." - -"How much does he know?" - -"He hasn't been told anything," said Pepperell. - -The buzzer rang a second time. - -"That must be him now." Pepperell went to the door. - -The ambassador was in the corridor. He had been escorted to the -apartment by a squad of men from the _Rocket_. - -"Gentlemen," Pepperell introduced him, "may I present Mustapha Tiflis, -Ambassador of the Empire." - -"Jupiter!" Norman breathed. The Earth Congress had sent their ablest -member, the man who was slated to be the next Autocrat. - -Norman seated him at the table. Mustapha Tiflis was an Earth man of -Oriental origin. His hair and eyes were black, his nose strongly -hooked. He appeared to be in his early fifties. His features bore an -expression of guarded surprise. The surprise spread as Norman related -briefly the origin of the terror and how they had finally destroyed the -plant men. He said: - -"Ambassador, we kidnapped you in the fashion we did for two reasons. -First, until we have been granted citizenship, we prefer to keep our -hiding place a secret. Second, we wanted to impress you with the -effectiveness of the invisible ship and the paralysis ray." - -"You succeeded," said Mustapha Tiflis. - -"Now in regard to our citizenship, we wish to be taken into the Empire, -not as a colony, but as a sovereign state with a seat in the Earth -Congress." - -Mustapha Tiflis frowned. "It's quite without precedent," he said. "As -you know, all colonies are administered by a governor." - -"But we are in a position to bargain," said Norman handing the -ambassador the document which the nine had drawn up. "We have the -secret of the invisible ships to offer the Empire, the paralysis ray -and a world." - -Mustapha Tiflis was an ambitious man and quick to recognize -opportunity. In later years, he was to rise to a position of almost -absolute dictatorship, and with the aid of the invisible ships and -paralysis ray, bring Mars and Venus under the wings of the Empire. He -read the document carefully, scrawled his signature at the bottom. "And -now, gentlemen, if you would be so kind, just exactly where the hell am -I?" - - * * * * * - -As the last of the Executive Committee trooped outside, Norman turned -back into the apartment, saw Jennifer watching him from the doorway. - -"It's finished," he said. He looked faintly embarrassed. "We've come a -long way together, haven't we?" - -The girl nodded, slipped into the room. - -His embarrassment mounted. "I was hoping ..." he began. "This is a good -world now that the plant men are dead. We...." - -"Yes?" said Jennifer. - -He drew his breath. "Would you...." - -"Yes," said Jennifer and the next moment she was in his arms. "A good -slave always obeys her master." - -Suddenly the door to the apartment was flung violently open. The -Duchess charged into the room. - -"Where's that bag of mine?" she demanded excitedly. "There's a ship -sailing for Earth at seventeen-hundred." She dashed for her room. -"Broadway, here I come!" - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Great Green Blight, by Emmett McDowell - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT GREEN BLIGHT *** - -***** This file should be named 63807.txt or 63807.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/8/0/63807/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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