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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..a5e4428 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #63897 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63897) diff --git a/old/63897-8.txt b/old/63897-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ba76d64..0000000 --- a/old/63897-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2976 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dread-Flame of M'Tonak, by Henry Hasse - -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: Dread-Flame of M'Tonak - -Author: Henry Hasse - -Release Date: November 27, 2020 [EBook #63897] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DREAD-FLAME OF M'TONAK *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - DREAD-FLAME OF M'TONAK - - By HENRY HASSE - - A flame of pure thought ... green and unspeakably - vile ... thrust from its own supra-dimension into - the Solar warp, it found one whose malignance - matched its own--and who would bargain with it. - Against them--Ketrik, outlawed and alone! - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Planet Stories Fall 1946. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -Ketrik came in from Perlac, came fast, using the Frequency Tuner all -the way. Now his great bulk came forward in the control-seat, his eyes -fastened intently on the dark blue disk of Earth that loomed ahead. - -"Strange," he muttered. "Strange, no Patrollers! I expected an escort -at least, if not a challenge!" - -But no one heard. Ketrik, as always, had come alone. The helio from -Mark Travers, recorded on the sensitized receivers at Perlac, had -been more than a summons and a plea; it had contained an undertone -of urgency. Ketrik had left at once, making the trip from the newly -discovered outer planet in record time, thanks to the secret power-unit -which the Earth Council still coveted. - -Ketrik thought of that now, as he neared Earth where he had not set -foot for so long. He remembered the tedious negotiations between -Earth and Perlac, designed to bring the latter planet into the Solar -Federation--a status hardly equitable to the Perlac government, due -to Earth's high-handed demands. For Earth still claimed priority on -Brownell's "Frequency Tuner," despite the fact that he had been forced -to flee with his invention to Perlac; and since then there had been an -alarming exodus of Earth's scientists to Perlac where they could work -out their ideas unhampered.[1] - -[Footnote 1: _Passage to Planet X_, Planet Stories, Winter, 1945.] - -The Earth Council remained haughty, adamant. Only six months ago there -had been a skirmish beyond Jupiter in which several Earth Patrollers -had gone to flaming destruction against the speedy Perlac ships. The -"Perlac Incident" was developing into open, bitter warfare. Venus -remained wisely aloof, riding a crest of peace under the reign of -Princess Aladdian. And on Mars, Dar Vaajo sat brooding on his ancient -throne, silent and watchful. - -"Maybe I'm being a fool," Ketrik murmured now as he crossed the orbit -of Earth's moon. "Mark Travers guaranteed me safe landing and full -protection--nevertheless--" - -Weary but still cautious, he switched to the auxiliary rocket-power, -then went to work dismantling the Frequency Tuner. In a short time -he had jumbled the unit into a confusion of its component parts, and -carefully hid it away. He trusted Mark Travers ... but there were -others. - -As he picked up the grav-beam for his landing, he thought again of -Mark. It would be good to see him again after four years. He wondered -if the lad's status as "Member of Council" had changed him any. Even -more, he wondered at Mark's urgent message. - -The city spread below. Then the landing field. Ketrik berthed with -practiced ease, stepped down from the lock. - - * * * * * - -The guards closed in fast. There were dozens of them. Ketrik had only -time to glimpse the black-and-silver insignia of the elite Council -Guard, the drawn guns and grim purpose on their faces. Even as he -whirled back toward his ship, the deadly song of a heat-beam sounded -past his ear--so close he could feel the swirling scorch of it. - -Ketrik came erect and motionless. He turned slowly, brain wry with the -thought that he'd come into a trap after all. But he smiled--a twisted -smile which failed to erase the hard lines of his face. His eyes were -a puzzle, gray and serene but somehow mocking beneath the dark bangs -tumbling across his forehead. - -The Guards formed a watchful circle about this man whose deeds were -renowned throughout the System. For a moment their Captain hesitated. -Then, squaring his shoulders, he stepped forward. His gun became -intimate with Ketrik's wishbone. - -"George Ketrik, I arrest you by order of the Supreme Earth Council! You -will come along peaceably or suffer the consequences!" The man's voice -was overly loud, arrogant. With a dramatic gesture he removed Ketrik's -gun, then whirled him into the hands of the Guards. They marched toward -a waiting tube-car. Other guards were trying to keep back the crowd, -passengers for the Venus Express who thronged the field. - -Ketrik's eyes were emotionless now, devoid of color. He said -tonelessly: "Taking quite a chance, aren't you, Captain? I've only -counted fifty of your men." - -"We've heard too much about you, Ketrik! And we want you alive--that's -why we didn't try to take you in space. I'm glad you're being sensible -about this." - -Ketrik shrugged his towering shoulders as though to say, "Why not?" -But his mind raced. So they wanted him alive. They were nearing the -tube-car now, and the crowd, eternally curious, was trying to press in. - -It was now or never. Ketrik stumbled. His elbow shot back, caught the -captain in the stomach. With the same motion he snatched the latter's -heat-gun, and bending low, lunged to the left. The crowd parted before -his onrush. Women screamed at sight of the gun he waved before him. - -Ketrik heard shouts and curses from the startled guard, but he knew -they wouldn't fire into the crowd. A uniformed man loomed before him, -swinging a gun-fist up. Ketrik was quicker. The guard went down from -a sledge-hammer blow. Grinning joyously, Ketrik evaded two others. He -twisted and turned through the crowd, with some notion of gaining the -tube-car and escaping into the heart of the city. - -And it might have worked. Now a path was opening clear. But this time -he really stumbled, lost his balance momentarily. It was enough to -allow the guards to close in. Ketrik twisted erect, felt clutching -hands upon him and heard the bellowing voice of the captain. He swung -out with his arms, felt men flung backward. He tried to bring up the -heat-gun. - -This time someone else was quicker. - -A heavy weight crashed against Ketrik's head, a sun exploded into -millions of fragments which dwindled away as he plunged forward into -darkness. - - * * * * * - -He regained his faculties quickly. His subconsciousness demanded it. -This curious "awareness" in which Ketrik had trained himself had saved -him from many a tight scrape. - -But now he did not open his eyes at once. He knew he was in the -tube-car, for he could feel the cushioned seat beneath him and the -faint vibration of the gyro-motors. Then he became aware of another -fact. - -He was alone. - -This brought him to his feet, wide-eyed and alert. He felt the weight -of his own gun again in his belt, examined it, found it still loaded. -Strange! - -Where were the guards? Why should they be sending him somewhere alone? -A glance at the _crystyte_ window revealed a flashing panorama of the -city. He knew he was moving at terrific speed, probably on a special -"right-of-way." To attempt an escape now would be suicide. - -He shrugged, settled down in the seat. His capture had been well -planned, but he failed to see what the Council hoped to gain by it! -Ketrik felt a surge of cold fury at this treachery--a treachery in -which Mark Travers must have had a hand. - -Presently a braking signal flashed green. The tiny car sighed, as -though exhausted from its headlong route across the city. It came to a -stop against the forward cushion of air, and doors of _duraplon_ slid -smoothly back. - -Hand near his gun, Ketrik emerged into a long empty corridor of black -and silver. Black marble walls reached sheerly up, to curve away -into a filigreed ceiling. Priceless tapestries adorned the walls, -caught a hidden overhead glow and shattered it into lances of silver -radiance. Ketrik frowned, looking at these tapestries. Their design -was interwoven with thousands of _Kra_ plumes, those priceless silvery -plumes for which he'd risked his life many times among the wild peaks -of Ganymede. Only the very elect could afford them. He knew now, that -he must be in Earth's Council Chambers. - -Again he felt a tingling awareness, knew that unseen eyes were upon -him. He straightened his shoulders and walked unhurriedly toward a -massive door at the end of the corridor. As he neared it, there came a -tiny click and the door slid back. - -It was a large room but startlingly bare. A huge table of Martian -_majagua_ wood, with a dozen surrounding chairs, occupied the center. -The only other article was a magnificent Ethero-Magnum, with screen -reaching nearly to the ceiling--an instrument powerful enough for -communication with Venus, Mars, even the Callistan colonies. - -To Ketrik's surprise, only one Member of Council was present. This man -had risen as Ketrik entered. Ketrik stared and it took him fully a -minute to recognize this man. It had been four years since he had last -seen him, out there at Perlac--but now Mark Travers seemed to have aged -twenty years! - -Mark came slowly around the table, hand thrust out in greeting. - -Ketrik's voice was like a whiplash. - -"Nice going, Travers! I trusted you, so I came right into your little -trap! What is it you want--the Frequency Tuner? Or am I just plain -under arrest?" - -Mark stopped in his tracks. A pained look swept across his features. -Ketrik went on mercilessly. - -"And I expected a better reception than this! Where's the rest of the -Council? I'll save you time, though, and tell you that Perlac has -ceased negotiating. We're prepared to fight for our independence and -free enterprise in the System!" - -"I know that, Ketrik. I'll continue to champion Perlac's cause against -all odds here!" Grim-faced, Mark began pacing the room. "As for the -other eleven Council Members--they don't even know that you've arrived -on Earth. I'm risking my position in Council, perhaps my very life, by -bringing an outsider into these chambers without a quorum present!" - -Ketrik's mien underwent a change. "You mean I'm not under arrest?" - - * * * * * - -Mark laughed. "Of course you're not! That little show at the spaceport -was faked, had to be. And," he smiled a little, "thanks for adding the -touch of realism. Moreover, your spacer is in safe hands." - -"Well, son, congratulations!" Ketrik grinned broadly. "You sure had me -fooled. But what about the rest of the Council, if they learn that I'm -on Earth--" - -"By the time they do, it won't matter. You won't be here." Mark stopped -his pacing, turned to the famed adventurer. "Ketrik, I sent for you -because I need you desperately! Earth needs you! I have reason to -believe that Earth is facing the greatest danger in its history." - -"Earth." The bronzed exile spoke the word quietly, but with a world of -contempt. - -"Well, then, the entire System! Even Perlac. I believe it will strike -first at Earth, in fact may already have done so." - -"And this danger. Danger from what?" - -"Ketrik, you'll probably think me a fool--but I don't know! It's so -damned vague it's terrifying. I do have an accumulation of data that -points to Mars. I want you to go there." - -"Mars? A second-rate power. Their race is dying out, and their science -goes with it." - -Mark shook his head. "Don't underrate Dar Vaajo! He's an old man -now, but cunning. An opportunist. He's never forgotten how Princess -Aladdian of Venus, through her treaty with Earth, put an end to his -dreams of conquest."[2] - -[Footnote 2: _Alcatraz of the Starways_, Planet Stories, May, 1943.] - -"Yes, I remember it well." Ketrik was thoughtful. "But how could Dar -Vaajo make a play now against the power of Earth, or for that matter -Perlac?" - -Mark permitted himself a smile. He didn't miss the implication that -Perlac, too, was fast becoming a power to be reckoned with. - -"I'll give you the facts," he said quietly, "and you can judge. About -two years ago, Dar Vaajo stopped all Uranium shipments from Mars. That -in itself is comparatively unimportant. What is important, is the Earth -Council. Now consider, Ketrik--I've been close to these men for four -years. Very often it has seemed to me that where rudimentary logic -should dictate a course of action, they incomprehensibly choose to -follow another. So it was with this Uranium embargo. They might easily -have forced a showdown, but instead, they seemed satisfied with Dar -Vaajo's peculiar evasions. - -"Of course, about this time Earth's quarrel with Perlac was reaching -a crisis. But even there, I noticed definite trends of irrational -thinking on the part of the Members. At our frequent sessions to -discuss the Perlac question, they seemed to appreciate all the factors -involved--even that we were fast losing our best scientific talent to -Perlac. Yet their damned egotisms crept through, dictating to their -reason. Ketrik, I swear to you that when they voted sending a fleet -of Patrollers out to Jupiter to prevent your men from landing there, -I did everything in my power to prevent it. But again my voice was -one against eleven. And believe me, the majority vote of Council is -final--irrevocable." - -"I have reason to know that," Ketrik said. "But, Mark, I still fail to -see this danger you spoke of." - -"I'm getting to it. And this is the part that's frightening. About a -month ago, in my own home, I set up a secret Cerebro-Scanner. Know what -that is?" - -"Never heard of it." - -"It's new, and plenty dangerous in the wrong hands. Works on a ray -principle. Produces elaborate graphs of an individual's mental and -emotional co-ordinates. Well, on a secret wave-length I probed the -minds of my fellow Council Members!" Mark smiled. "Yes, I'd probably -receive sentence of death if they knew, but the end justified the -means. Ketrik, the resulting graphs reveal that the cerebro-thalamic -co-ordinates of the Council Members do not vary in the slightest! They -are the same down to ten decimal points!" - -Ketrik gestured helplessly. "Is this important?" - -Mark stared at him. "Important--it's unprecedented! Much the same as -finding eleven identical sets of fingerprints! But what is worse, the -graphs show elements of--of--it's hard to explain. Certainly not -disloyalty! Rather the opposite. An _intense_ loyalty, but governed by -unreason. Their minds seem directed along a single channel, toward a -definite end. And that is--the utter humbling of Perlac! Nothing else -seems to matter!" - -Ketrik nodded. Then he asked the obvious question. - -"Did you employ this Scanner on yourself?" - -"To make the record complete--yes! Needless to say, this tenacity -of purpose concerning Perlac is utterly missing from my own mental -co-ordinates." - -"Hmm. How do you account for that?" - -"I can't. But this mental trend in the others seems to be _induced_. -Now, you begin to see the implications?" - -Ketrik nodded slowly. "Yes, son, and you're right! It even begins to -scare me a little. Suppose Dar Vaajo in some way has gained control of -those eleven minds--is that what you mean? But why Dar Vaajo?" - -"There's one more item that completes the pattern, and points to Mars. -During the past year, as many as four of our spacers have disappeared -on the Earth-Mars route. No trace has ever been found. However, about a -month ago, a life-boat from the missing _Terra III_ was found drifting -near the orbit of our moon. Aboard was one survivor--Dr. Curt Ransome, -the brilliant physicist and mathematician, returning from a lecture -tour on Mars." - -"And could you learn nothing from him?" - -"No." Mark's voice was tragic. "We learned nothing, because--_his -brilliant mind was gone_! The doctors say it's doubtful if he'll -ever respond to treatment. He babbles incessantly, has the mind of a -week-old infant!" - -Ketrik was aghast. "What has the Council done?" - -"Nothing, of course!" Mark laughed bitterly. "They're pre-occupied -with Perlac! I've personally contacted Dar Vaajo on the Ethero-Magnum. -He expresses regret and puzzlement, offers every aid in tracing the -disappearing ships. But there's an under-current of evasion. As a -desperate measure I sent two secret operatives to Mars." - -"Good," Ketrik nodded his approval. "They get through all right?" - -"Yes, apparently just in time. Dar Vaajo has thrown a close guard about -the planet. Anyway, my operatives managed to set up a communications -base in the wilds of the K'Mari Range, half a day's flight from -Turibek, capital of South Mars. I've contacted them twice. They report -strange activities at Turibek, something in the nature of a vast -scientific experiment! And another thing. Dar Vaajo apparently has made -a truce with the Rajecs." - -"The Rajecs! Those Martian Outlanders?" Ketrik's face was dark with -real concern. This news seemed to affect him more than anything Mark -had said. - -"We've really never learned much about those strange desert tribes," -Mark went on. "But--" - -"It's impossible!" Ketrik said. "Those Outlanders hate the Upper -Martians with a hatred beyond our understanding. Nothing would impel -them to make truce, absolutely _nothing_! I know, for I once lived -among them for six months." Ketrik was as near to being excited as was -possible for him. "Yes, Mark, I'll go to Mars. This really begins to -interest me!" - - - II - -They spent much of that night in going over their plans. Ketrik had -no misapprehensions about landing on Mars; he could do that despite -Vaajo's patrols. Turibek presented the real problem. - -Carefully he perused the tele-strip recordings from Mark's operatives, -E-39 and EV-5. There had only been two reports, and they were brief. - -"This last one was sent two weeks ago," Mark said, "and I haven't been -able to contact them since. The channel's dead. I'm afraid it means -their hide-out was discovered!" - -Ketrik studied the rough map Mark had made, showing the location of the -hide-out in the K'Mari Range, and its position from Turibek. - -"This will help. I'll try to get over there, see if anything's left of -their sending equipment. Then I want to make a try for the city. If -I can get inside of Turibek, and maybe get a line on this scientific -thing they're working up ... I was at Turibek eight years ago, and know -it fairly well." - -"Here's a photo-static air view," Mark said. "Afraid it doesn't show -much." - -"It shows one thing," Ketrik said, studying the film. "Dar Vaajo's had -a wall built completely around the city. That wasn't there eight years -ago! And those towers stationed around the wall--what do you suppose -they are?" - -"Control towers. That's an electronic wall! And you'll observe there's -another within the city itself, surrounding that group of buildings -which must be the laboratories. Ketrik--if you ever get in there...." -His voice dwindled away in doubt. - -"You don't think I can do it? I don't either, Mark--not as an Earthman!" - -"Come. We'll fix that." - -They passed through endless corridors, arrived finally at a large -white-enameled room. It was complete with operating tables, -instruments, plastics, ray-lamps--everything necessary to Earth's -espionage system. - -Ketrik stripped piecemeal, allowed every inch of his superbly muscled -body to be subjected to the stinging Ulmo lamps. Gradually under -the hot rays, the very pigmentation of his skin changed to the deep -reddish-copper of a Martian. Mark proved himself an expert at this. -Even the insides of Ketrik's ears did not escape the ray. - -"Don't worry," Mark told him. "This will all wear off eventually." - -"Yes? How long?" - -"In about two years! Now, your eyes. You never saw a Martian with gray -eyes. Look up just a moment." - -A few drops of liquid, a harmless vegetable composition, changed -Ketrik's eyes to a muddy golden color. - -"Those bangs have got to come off!" Mark went to work in earnest. Ten -minutes under another ray, and Ketrik's unruly hair was transformed -into tight, crisp curls in keeping with the Martian fashion. His -features presented the hardest problem, but Mark worked miracles with -the plastics and equipment. - -At last the job was done. When Ketrik surveyed himself in the mirror -he saw a tall, somewhat arrogant Martian of the middle class, with -slightly flaring nostrils, bulging cheek-bones and lips curving in a -thin, cruel smile. He nodded, more than satisfied. - -Mark consulted his wrist-chrono. "Four hours until dawn. Better grab a -few hours' sleep, it may be your last for a while." - -"Sure, but I'll rest better if I know one thing. Where's my ship?" - -"My guards moved it secretly to the underground repair locks. Right -now it's undergoing as radical a change as I just performed on you." -Mark smiled. "When you leave Earth, it will be in a slow-powered ore -freighter ostensibly bound for the Moon!" - - * * * * * - -An hour before the dawn, Mark wakened Ketrik. But Mark hadn't been idle -in those hours. He handed the other a small, compact instrument. - -"Here's a Scanner disc I just finished assembling. It only works within -a very short range, but you may have need of it." - -They took the swift tube-car across the city and arrived at the -spaceport amidst surprising activity. A Callistan freighter had just -berthed. Bright lights were trained upon it, men and trucks were moving -about handling the cargo. - -"I planned it for this hour," Mark explained, "because now less -attention will be drawn to you. We can't be too careful." He pointed to -a dark, far corner of the field where a clumsy bulk rested. "Believe it -or not, that's your ship. The exterior's been changed but that's all. -You still have the Frequency Tuner." They paused for a moment in solemn -thought. "I can't impress upon you too much, Ketrik, what this--" - -"That's right, Mark, you can't. So let's not mention it." Ketrik was -brusque. "Believe me, son, I know what I'm up against." - -"Send _any_ news at all as to what Dar Vaajo's up to. If I learn -that, I can rouse the people of Earth to preparedness in spite of the -Council." He thrust out his hand. "I'll say goodby now--and good luck!" - -Ketrik said simply, "You'll be hearing from me, Mark." He moved across -the field, keeping to the shadows, the collar of his space tunic turned -up. He wondered how many of the men working about this field were -Martian "Specials." Some of them, surely. If he, an Earthman, could be -molded into Martian guise, Dar Vaajo could certainly perform the same -miracle in reverse and probably had. - -He reached his ship undetected. All was dark and quiet. The hull, he -noticed, had been painted solid black. He entered and flicked on the -lights. Mark was right, nothing on the inside had been changed. - -He explored the ship to make sure. Then he moved forward to the -control-console, remembering that this was supposed to be a clumsy Moon -freighter. The rockets roared. The ship moved with slow acceleration up -the step locks, to finally catapult into the stratosphere. - -And five minutes later, just as he was clearing Earth's gravity, he -heard the voice behind him: - -"Well, Ketrik, at last! Really--I thought you were never going to make -it!" - -Ketrik had long since learned caution in these matters. He turned -slowly now and was glad he did. The first thing he saw was the gun--a -powerful weapon, an electro. The fist wrapped around it looked firm and -experienced. Ketrik's gaze went to the man's face. - -It was the Captain of the Guard, the same captain who had met him at -his landing eight hours before. The man was cold-eyed now. He kept a -few paces away from Ketrik. - -Ketrik said, "I searched the ship. Where were you?" - -"You failed to look in the emergency fuel locker. It was a tight -squeeze for me." He smiled tightly, surveying Ketrik's transformed -figure. "A nice job. Slightly tall for a Martian but, withal very nice. -Too bad all that ingenuity has to be wasted at the very outset." - -Ketrik's muscles tightened. As though it were a signal, the other's -voice became brittle. - -"Up! Up with those hands, Ketrik. I have a few questions to ask, and -then--" - - * * * * * - -It seemed ridiculously easy, the way Ketrik did it. He let his eyes -go dull. He sighed and raised his hands, slowly. He saw the other's -gun-fist relax ever so slightly. Then Ketrik's legs gave way and he -went swiftly downward. The captain fired but Ketrik wasn't there, his -powerful muscles had launched him forward, beneath the hissing beam. -His shoulder caught the other just below the midriff and bent him -double, carried him backward. They crashed into the controlroom door. -Ketrik's left hand found the other's gun-wrist and twisted powerfully. -A bone snapped, the electro skidded away. The captain began a curse but -it was cut short by Ketrik's right hand at his throat. - -Ketrik pulled the man to a sitting posture. He gazed deep into the eyes -which were glazing over with pain. But it was not enough to prevent the -true color from shining through ... the color of dull, tarnished gold. - -"I thought so," Ketrik murmured, and then his hand loosened, balled -into a fist that drove forward. The man laid back and went limp. - -Ketrik's fingers probed the other's face. The man was a Martian, all -right, the features had been subtly altered. Enough to fool even Mark! -Captain of the elite guard! How long had the man masqueraded in that -position, Ketrik wondered--and then he shrugged. It didn't matter now. - -He went through the man's clothes, found nothing of interest until he -came under the left arm-pit. There, next to the skin, he found a tiny -metal disk. He rose, went over to the wall-light to examine his find. -The disk was perforated with queer Martian characters. Ketrik knew -Martian, but he couldn't quite make these out. He bent closer. - -A sixth sense warned him, or perhaps it was some slight sound. He -whirled. The Martian's hand had moved, was now grasping the electro -which he swung up into line. Ketrik's hand dropped and he fired his own -heat-beam from the hip. The beam cut a clean swath across the other's -chest, and he died without so much as a sigh. - -"Sorry, buddy, whoever you are," Ketrik whispered. "Guess I'd have had -to do that anyway, though. When Dar Vaajo plants Specials like you on -Earth, we don't play for fun!" - -He fastened the identification disk under his own arm-pit. Five minutes -later, from the starboard lock, he dumped the body into space and -without a qualm, rayed it to dust. - -Then, champing with impatience, Ketrik allowed his "freighter" to plod -Moonward. He skirted within five thousand miles of it, then with the -satellite as a shield between him and Earth, he charted for Mars. - -His brush with the Martian operative had sobered him. He began to -realize that Mark had every reason for alarm! The subtle tampering with -the Council's mental patterns, the placing of operatives in high Earth -positions, the secret scientific experiments on Mars--they all had to -tie in. He was sure of one thing now. Dar Vaajo, an embittered old man, -was making one last bid which would bring his race to its former glory -or else carry it forever to extinction with him. - -There were surely other Martian operatives on Earth, and they -would have established a communications base. By this time they had -undoubtedly flashed the news of his coming. Ketrik smiled inwardly. -Very well--they'd be expecting him at Turibek, but he'd take the -indirect approach. - -All the way to Mars his mind was at work. He was remembering days he'd -spent in that wild desert country of South Mars. From the tide of his -thoughts he segregated events ... places and people ... the canals and -cruel deserts, the customs of the Rajecs, those fierce black outcasts -from the cities of Mars. He knew that before he got through to Turibek, -he'd need all this. Already a plan was forming.... - -Twenty hours later he sighted a Mars patrol, six formidable spacers -athwart the Earth-route. They moved leisurely, in perfect formation, -and Ketrik knew their network of "finder beams" covered a large area. -However, the power-principle of the Frequency Tuner defied those -"finders." No challenge came through his open radio, which meant they -hadn't sighted him yet. - -A solid black ship was strictly against the Space Code, but Codes -mattered little now! With the ebony backdrop of space behind him, -Ketrik's ship would be hard to detect. He decided to try a sneak past -them. He'd have to go into Inferior-plane, but he was sure he could -make it. - -Quickly he changed course, swept into a sharp parabola that carried -him far below the Ecliptic. In a matter of minutes he was watching the -Mars-cruisers fade away into darkness. His present course would bring -him far over into Mars' dark-side, but that was what he wanted anyway. - - * * * * * - -Hours later the vast South Desert was rising up below him. Deimos had -just appeared, climbing with slow majesty across the sky; Phobos would -come a few hours later, pursuing its reckless course. Ketrik peered far -ahead to the horizon. There, against the dark downward curve, he saw a -faint glow that was not the glow of Deimos. He knew that must be the -capital city, Turibek, untold miles away. He made swift calculation. To -the right, then, would be the K'Mari Range. He knew those mountains. -It would be the very place to leave his ship. - -He dropped lower and headed for there. The pale ghost-glow of Deimos -didn't help much. He switched to infra-red, peered at the V-Panel as it -lighted up and saw the unmistakable, serrated line of mountains about -twenty miles away. He had judged it that close! Ketrik grinned proudly. - -It was short-lived. A Martian voice sliced through the radio, shrill -and commanding. - -"Ground! You, below there--you will ground immediately or we blast!" - -Then Ketrik realized that for the past several minutes there had been -a faint humming sound from above and all about him, scarcely heard. He -had relaxed in his vigilance, and the Martian 'copters had picked out -his trail--those fast-powered and deadly scouting ships. They too must -be equipped with infra-red! - -Even as these thoughts raced through his mind, Ketrik was acting. He -leaped away from the V-Panel, grabbed the Control and threw it over. -Too late now! The ship responded, but sluggishly. The nose veered -sharply upward, trying to leap away--then the entire hull shuddered. -Power-beams! It must be a vast concentration of them, to stop Frequency -power! Slowly his forward progress was retarded. Relentlessly he was -being forced down into the Martian sands. Again the voice sliced -through. - -"It is useless, outlaw! We've had you in our finder for the past five -minutes and you are in a network of Power-beams. Nullify your control -immediately or we blast!" - -Ketrik cursed. Already his ship was straining at the seams. And now -he felt insufferable heat all about him, realized they were using the -beams. His stomach turned over as he thought of his rocket-tubes loaded -with fuel.... - -Quickly he entered the starboard lock; stood peering down. He was -dropping fast. Above him now he saw hosts of vague shapes, heard the -whine of Martian 'copter blades cutting the air. The metal under his -fingers was growing hot. He counted to five, slowly ... and leaped -outward. - -It may have been thirty feet--or fifty. Ketrik only knew that he was -plummeting downward. He let his muscles go limp, and just in time. He -hit the sand hard, rolled over once and knew that no bones were broken. -Above him he saw the pale glow of heat-beams, saw the hull of his -spacer growing cherry-red ... and suddenly realized his danger. - -He staggered up, went ploughing across the desert, still mentally -counting off the seconds ... "eight ... nine ... ten...." The explosion -lighted the sky for a hell-filled moment. Ketrik went hurling forward, -to land head foremost into the sand. Parts of his ship came thudding -down about him. - -One fragment, red-hot, landed against his arm and burned it severely. -Other fragments scattered over a wide area. Ketrik was cursing now, -unconsciously using the mono-syllabic Martian in which he had versed -himself. - -Then it was all over. Ketrik was glad of only one thing. His ship was -gone, but the Frequency Tuner had gone with it! The Martians would -never get that priceless power unit. He rolled to his back and looked -up. - -It was not over! A few 'copters were descending to view the -wreckage--or perhaps to look for him. Had they seen him jump? Powerful -searchlights began criss-crossing the area. Again he staggered up, went -forward into darkness. Every muscle ached, but his eyes were alert for -the beams. Whenever one passed near him, he flattened into the sand. -After untold agonies, he judged that he was fairly safe. Far behind, he -heard the drift of excited Martian voices. - -He didn't rest. He kept going away from those voices. They might still -be looking for him. He was utterly confused in his direction now. He -could be going toward Turibek, or toward K'Mari Range ... or out into -the vast wilderness to the south. One of those dark storms was sweeping -up, and Deimos was hidden. Soon the sharp sand began to pelt him. - -Ketrik turned up his collar and ploughed on. He remembered that those -storms usually, but not always, came up from the south. He guided his -direction by that, and plunged on. - -"At least one thing's settled," he muttered after a while. "I'm -relieved of the problem of hiding my ship!" - - - III - -Through adventures on every far-flung world, every barren satellite, -Ketrik's uncanny "time-awareness" had never failed him. It didn't now. -He knew that it was precisely one hour and twenty minutes later when -he saw the flickering lights, so he couldn't have come far. He saw the -lights but once, quite a distance ahead and low against the ground. -Then they were gone as the sand rose in renewed fury. - -He moved cautiously now. He didn't see the lights again but knew he was -going toward them. Ketrik was no stranger to this south desert. Now -the old nameless awareness was with him. It may not have been anything -he heard--but he suddenly knew that very close, just beyond the radius -of his vision, unknown shapes moved through murky darkness. The very -sands seemed to whisper the danger. But Ketrik heard other sounds now. -The sounds he heard were sibilant footsteps and they were patient, very -patient, as they kept pace with him. - -He became suddenly motionless, held his ears attuned. The soft -footsteps stopped, but not before Ketrik determined that they were on -both sides of him now and probably behind him as well. He nodded grimly -and went on, no longer trying to tread softly. He loosened the electro -in his belt. These might be Rajecs or they might be the scavenger rats -that trailed a man until he dropped. In either event.... - -He knew very soon. They came hurtling out of darkness at him, great -black shapes, silent and swift. But they were man-size, which meant -they were Rajecs. His electro was out, but he didn't get a chance to -use it. A muscular hand seized his arm and bore it painfully backward. -Other Rajecs crowded in. Even at this close range Ketrik could see -little except their eyes, feral as flaming topaz. - -Even Ketrik could not fight that which he could not see. But he tried, -tried grimly until the weight of their bodies bore him down. He -remembered that these people could see in darkness. They undoubtedly -saw that he was "Martian," and his life would be forfeit unless.... - -He was trying to remember something else, something out of Rajec -legendry. A single word. It came to him then, and he ceased fighting. -He whispered the word fiercely. - -"_S'Relah!_" - -It was magic. The clutching hands loosened. He could feel the black -muscular figures draw back, hesitant. - -"You are Martian!" one of them hissed. - -"But _S'Relah_, I tell you!" Ketrik spat the word. "I am one of you!" - -They helped him to rise, but kept firm grip on his arms. "We will see. -Come." - -They went forward through darkness. Presently they were mounting a -slight rise. From the top of it Ketrik looked down at the campfires of -a Rajec caravan, a large one. - -As they moved down the slope, Ketrik realized he'd have to stick to -his word. His mind raced, building up a brief but, he hoped, suitable -story. He was sufficiently versed in Martian history. He knew that -aeons ago vast tribes of these black-skinned Rajecs had been dominant -on the planet. But the "Upper Martians," so called, had progressed -phenomenally. They were superior in the arts, social government, -science, and the "culture" of warfare. They had swept down from the -north, expanding, building their cities and developing their waterways, -the now famous Canals. A bitter thousand-years' war had driven the -Rajecs ever southward into the merciless deserts. - -There they had stayed, waging periodic but futile warfare. Wild -and tribal now, they still had never forgotten. The _S'Relah_ was -a fanatic, inter-tribal society ... persisting through countless -generations, dedicated to a relentless hate of those upper Martians. -And Ketrik knew what few men knew--that among the _S'Relah_ were many -renegade Martians, outlaws and embittered "politicals" usually, working -through the Society for personal gain or revenge. - - * * * * * - -Ketrik had his story ready as they came into the camp. The Rajec leader -was sent for. This man was large, well proportioned, the muscles -beneath his ebon skin high-lighted in the glow of the central fire. He -was armed merely with a razor-edged dagger in a jewelled belt. Ketrik, -looking at him, felt respect and a certain foreboding--the latter -occasioned by the slight enigmatic smile about the other's lips. - -The man eyed Ketrik with equal interest. His keen gaze lingered overly -long on his "Martian" features. He certainly noted the electro which -Ketrik retained, but it didn't seem to bother him. He spoke at last, in -Martian. - -"You claim to be _S'Relah_. We will need proof of that. What is your -name?" - -"Khosan." - -"Ah, yes. Khosan. And where do you come from?" - -"L'Ottli." Ketrik named a small mining camp far to the south. "Been -prospecting there for six months, trying to make stake enough to get up -to Turibek." - -"Yes. We, too, go to Turibek. You knew that?" - -Ketrik allowed puzzlement to show in his eyes. The other went on. "You -seem surprised, Khosan. Had you not heard, then, that your emperor, Dar -Vaajo, has signed a treaty with the consolidated tribes of Rajec?" - -"I had not heard. And I believe you lie! The Rajecs would never make -treaty!" Ketrik hoped his disbelief sounded convincing. - -"It is true," the black shrugged. "But that does not matter. Your going -to Turibek matters. A foolhardy thing to attempt alone!" The enigmatic -smile still lingered. "But, then, being at L'Ottli for so long, you -were not aware of Dar Vaajo's scouts everywhere. This area has become -thick with their 'copters--especially in the last few hours!" There was -calculated meaning in the last words. - -Ketrik decided on a bold stroke. He said calmly, "Yes. I am aware of it -now. They blasted my plane out of the sky scarcely an hour ago. Perhaps -you saw that?" - -"We all have observed a slight display in the sky to the west. You -know--Khosan--word reaches us swiftly and in many ways. It is rumored -that Vaajo's scouts are seeking to apprehend one who _may_ come here -from Earth." The black paused, but Ketrik's eyes never flickered. "They -may even search this area. They know our camp is here. There should be -a reward of many Martian credits for capture of the one they seek!" - -Ketrik shrugged. "That explains why they fired at me. I guess they -mistook me for that one." - -The Rajec's smile vanished abruptly. His next questions came fast. "You -are _S'Relah_? Why are you _S'Relah_?" - -"Political. Irreconcilable. My father was a 'political' before me." - -"Where do you go in Turibek?" - -"Where the Street of the Double Moon makes juncture with the Low Canal -is a tiny shop dealing in curios from the far planets. The proprietor -is one Jal Thurlo. I go there for a meeting with him." - -"And the reason? The reason--quickly!" - -Ketrik's gaze leveled and he said slowly, "You would not expect me to -tell you that. He too is a 'political'." - -"You can quote the oath of the _S'Relah_?" - -Ketrik had been waiting for that one. Now, in a low voice, he quoted -the oath which not all Rajecs, very few Martians, and probably no -Earthman save himself had ever heard. It was a strange and terrible -oath, an oath hallowed in blood, and its implications would have made -some men blanch. But Ketrik spoke it feelingly. He finished the words -and looked closely at the black's face. - -The man was satisfied and strangely moved, albeit slightly puzzled. He -drew a tremulous breath at last. - -"You have proven! You may go on to Turibek with us. We travel afoot and -the way is slow, but certain." - -"That is agreeable." - - * * * * * - -The leader drew Ketrik aside, out of hearing of the others. "At the -rear of our caravan is a small group of Martians, prospectors from the -nearby mountains--a ragged, harmless lot, whom we tolerate. I think it -advisable that you travel with them. Dar Vaajo's Specials are stationed -along our route." - -Ketrik nodded curtly, started to move away. The Rajec stopped him. -"This mining camp you mention, this L'Ottli where you have been for -six months. Is it not far, far to the south, at the extreme end of the -K'Mari Range?" - -"That's the place." Ketrik was on his guard. - -"I thought you would like to know there is no L'Ottli. That entire town -was wiped out in a great avalanche three years ago. Oh, yes, one more -thing." The black was smiling now, looking at the place on Ketrik's arm -where the hot chunk of metal had burned the sleeve away. "That is a bad -burn, and a strange one--for a Martian." - -Ketrik looked at his injured arm for the first time. Around the area -of the burn was a tiny outline of white--the white skin of an Earthman -showing through. Only the keen eyes of this Rajec would have noticed it. - -"I'll give you other garments," the man said. "You had better burn -these. Good night, and sleep well--Khosan." - -But Ketrik didn't sleep well. He burned his garments and donned the -others, then found the camp of the Martian prospectors. There were -six of them, all asleep now. Ketrik found a place by the fire and lay -awake, speculating. - -The Rajec leader he trusted. The man was undoubtedly of the _S'Relah_. -But these six Martians would be suspicious of him, a newcomer. If -they hadn't yet heard of the search for a spy in the area, they would -certainly hear of it on the morrow! And they'd report him to any of Dar -Vaajo's "Specials" they met along the line of march. - -That last thought gave Ketrik his answer, a temporary one at least. - -At dawn the caravan moved. The six Martians were surprised at this -newcomer, but not yet suspicious. Ketrik didn't give them time to be. -From beneath his arm-pit he produced the thin disk which he'd taken -from the slain Martian operative. He flashed it briefly, asked a few -curt questions, and the men were properly cowed. Apparently they knew -the power of Vaajo's Specials. - -"Just routine," Ketrik told them. "I'll travel along with you for a -while." Determined to play his role to the hilt, he added, "We can't be -too careful in these times. There may be _S'Relah_ among these damned -Rajecs, but we'll find them out before we get to Turibek. Dar Vaajo has -gone too far in his plans to have them thwarted now." - -By tactful conversation he sought to learn something of what was going -on at Turibek. It soon became apparent that these bedraggled men didn't -know, and cared less. One of them had heard of Dar Vaajo coming to -Turibek with a complete staff of scientists, but that's as far as his -knowledge went. Another of the men had heard of the treaty, and wasn't -surprised. - -"I've seen it coming," he said gruffly. "Many years I've lived in these -deserts, and I tell you the Rajecs aren't the same. Especially the last -few years. Something just seems to have gone out of them." - -Something indeed had gone out of the Rajecs, if they made treaty! -Ketrik wondered what kind of magic Dar Vaajo had used to bring that -about. More particularly, _why_! There was some sort of link here, -between the Rajecs and whatever was going on at Turibek. And that, in -turn, was a pivot in Vaajo's larger plan, the plan that would deal with -Earth. Ketrik just couldn't piece it together as yet; he'd have to get -to Turibek. He thought fleetingly of those electronic walls.... - -The sun climbed higher, hot and dry, sapping the strength. Ketrik -marvelled at the long line of marching Rajecs--there were perhaps two -hundred. Long years in these deserts had inured them to discomfort. -Again he wondered why they were going to Turibek. Almost he was tempted -to go up and speak again with the Rajec leader--the man's name was -Aarnto, he learned--but he thought better of it. - -At high noon they stopped for rations, and a few hours later the -Martian 'copters came over. They came from the direction of the city, -circled once, and flew leisurely back. Ketrik wondered what that meant. -He was soon to know. - - * * * * * - -Presently Aarnto dropped back, fell into step beside him and drew him -away from the others. "You saw the 'copters?" - -"Yes," Ketrik replied. "Trouble ahead?" - -"For you, perhaps, O mysterious one from out of the desert! Those -'copters mean there is a surveying station ahead, and the Specials will -be there. Apparently they are still searching for the spy." - -"These surveying stations--what do they do there?" - -"Oh, they are diabolic, these Specials of Vaajo's! They have machines -which tear a man's mind apart, probe into his inner thoughts. No spy -could ever get past them." - -"Then how do _you_ propose to get by, O grinning one?" - -The black continued to grin. "True," he said frankly, "I am _S'Relah_. -And there are several others among us. We shall get by the Specials all -right, and into Turibek by the main gate. For the past year we have -prepared for this, through systematic thought-control. We can submerge -our true thoughts so that all the machines will read will be obeisance -and loyalty." - -"Seems ticklish," Ketrik said. "But I guess I'll try that too." He had -no intention of trying it. He was watching Aarnto's reaction. - -"Listen to me." Aarnto was serious, gripping Ketrik's arm. "You could -never manage it. It takes months to perfect such mind control, and you -have only hours. I do not know why you wish to get to Turibek, but you -quoted the oath to me. I know of another way into the city for you--it -will be perilous but not so perilous as trying to run the gauntlet of -Specials!" - -"I am listening, O helpful one." - -"We will reach this station before sundown. If you should leave the -caravan now, and cut across desert to the foothills, you would be safe. -Once over there...." - -Now it was Ketrik who grinned. "I know. Once over there, I might find -the entrance to the ancient South Canal." - -Aarnto was amazed. "You know of that too?" - -"I've heard of it, but don't know the exact location." - -Aarnto pointed to the K'Mari Range, indicating twin peaks that curled -up like devil's horns. "Guide your course directly between those. The -Canal ends somewhere in the foothills below." - -"Thanks, Aarnto." Ketrik placed his hand on the man's shoulder, in the -Rajec custom. "May I repay you some day!" - -"That day may come soon," the other said calmly. "I can almost promise -it." - -Ketrik wondered what he meant by that, but wasted no more time on -words. Turning abruptly, he set out across the desert. The six Martians -watched him go. One of them, who had been silent and surly, frowned -thoughtfully now as he stared after Ketrik's retreating figure. - -Ketrik judged the hills to be fifteen miles away at this point. He'd -be lucky if he reached them before nightfall. After that, well, there -were tales about those abandoned Canals.... - -He directed his course between the curving peaks. In a few hours the -ground began to rise slightly, became firmer underfoot. Still later, -deep little gullies began crossing the terrain. He followed these, -changing from one to the other, searching for some sign of the Canal. - -After an interminable search, he was rewarded. He began to notice -peculiarities of the gully in which he trod. It seemed to level out, -and the walls seemed smoother and higher. He scraped away layers of -sand, saw ancient stone. - -By this time the sun had dropped below his vision. He knew that any -minute the Martian night would come with awful suddenness. And with it, -would come ... other things. - -But Ketrik was unprepared for what came in that moment. He heard a -sudden sharp _whirr_ of blades, and a 'copter appeared above him! It -swept so low he could almost see the pilot. There was no doubt the -pilot had seen him, for a heat-beam sliced downward, swept along the -Canal floor. Ketrik leaped aside, hugged the sandy wall. - -Then the 'copter was gone, but Ketrik knew it would circle and return. -That could only mean one thing. The caravan had reached the Station, -and one of those Martians had spoken of him to the Specials. - -Ahead, through the gloom, the Canal seemed to dip into a sort of -culvert. He raced for it as he heard the whirring blades again, entered -the dark tunnel just as the heat-beam sprayed downward, sending the -sand into molten froth. Ketrik groped forward in darkness. The tunnel -leveled and continued. Ketrik's heart leaped as he realized where he -was. This was one of the abandoned Canals which had been filled with -slag from the Martian mines. But years ago pirates had conceived the -unique idea of burrowing through it, making a perfect retreat from -Turibek to the mountains! - - * * * * * - -Suddenly he started. Far behind he heard a scuffle of steps. That could -only be the Martian Special! There was no doubt, now, that word had -gone to Dar Vaajo; they really wanted to stop him! Ketrik grinned and -went on, hurrying his steps a little. Rajecs could see in the dark, but -Martians couldn't. If it came to a showdown.... - -His grin soon vanished. All about him now he heard vicious little -animal squeals, the scuffing of tiny feet. Scavengers! There must be -thousands of them. He saw their baleful red eyes. They gradually grew -bolder, began nipping at him. Soon his trousers were in shreds from the -knees down, and he felt the flow of blood. - -There was one satisfaction. The Martian coming behind must be suffering -the same treatment! But the man kept coming. The footsteps were dogged -and Ketrik knew he had a real antagonist here. - -Now the scavengers were becoming more than annoying. He knew that -before he ever reached the city, he would weaken from loss of blood and -they'd pull him down. He could use the electro to clear a path through -the vicious beasts--but he knew the one coming behind was waiting for -that, waiting for any sign of light that would give him a clear target. -Ketrik gritted his teeth and went on, occasionally kicking out at the -beasts in the dark. It didn't do much good. - -Then, far ahead, he saw the faintest glow of light. It seemed to come -from around a bend in the tunnel. If he could only get up there in -time--and beyond that light, before his pursuer came into view.... - -He sprinted ahead now, noiselessly. The scavengers squealed in renewed -fury, racing along beside him. Once he stumbled, felt a horrid mass of -the things swarming. But he fought his way up. By the time he reached -the light, he was sure he had gained a considerable distance on his -pursuer. - -He hurried around the bend, saw that the faint light came from a radium -lamp in the ceiling. It had probably been there for years. But what -held his attention, and brought him to a standstill, was the figure -huddling against the wall. - -It was an Earthman and he was still alive. His clothes were in shreds -and the rats had been at him--before he reached this light where the -rats did not come. He struggled up weakly, gazed at Ketrik out of -idiotic eyes. Ketrik hurried forward, pulled the man erect. - -One look into his gibbering face, and Ketrik felt his stomach turn -over in a prodigious yawn. - -_It had taken more than the rats and darkness to do this! The -Earthman's mind had been literally and deliberately blasted!_ - -Ketrik suddenly remembered what Mark had said of Dr. Ransome, whom -they'd found drifting near the moon ... his mind that of a week-old -infant.... - -He hurriedly searched the man's clothes, but found nothing. He -knew this must be one of the operatives whom Mark had sent a month -before--E-39 or EV-5. The other must be dead, somewhere in this tunnel -or back at their communications base in the mountains. - -He spoke softly to the man, but the other only cringed in terror. -Then, with unexpected strength, he tore himself from Ketrik's grasp -and was scuttling away, back around the bend of the corridor. Ketrik -followed, called a warning. He reached the bend too late. He heard the -hiss of a heat-gun and saw the vivid blue streak of it from out of the -darkness--a streak that touched the Earthman's chest and sent him -crumpling. - -Ketrik fired at the spot where the ray had appeared, fired -instinctively but unerringly. He heard a soft moan that ended abruptly, -then a clatter of sound. - -He moved slowly forward, hugging the wall. He feared a trick. Past the -little radius of light where the Earthman's body lay, he stumbled upon -the Martian Special. He flashed his electro again and saw that the man -was unmistakably dead. He went back to the Earthman, stared down for a -moment. There was no doubt that he had unwittingly saved Ketrik's life. - -"Guess you served your purpose here, after all," Ketrik murmured, but -his thoughts at that moment were not as calloused as the words. - -With a few strokes of his electro, he removed the crystyte globe of -radium from the ceiling; and carrying this light, he was no longer -bothered by the scavengers. For hours he proceeded along the tunnel. At -last, infinitely weary and wracked with pain, he reached a blank wall. - -Searching around it, he at last found a loose stone which he pulled -away. A tiny metal lever was revealed. After tugging interminably at it -and pounding the rust away, Ketrik managed to pull it slowly back. - -The entire wall swung around on pivots. A blast of foul air struck -him. Ketrik stepped into a small passage. He recognized it as one of -the underground sewers of Turibek. He followed it and came to a short -flight of stone stairs leading up to a hinged door. Slowly he shoved it -open. - -He was in Turibek! This was one of the narrow, winding streets in the -warehouse district. He glanced at the sky. It was night. Deimos was -gone below the horizon, but Phobos rode high on liquid sapphire. - -Ketrik rested there for a few hours until Phobos descended. Then, in -the utterly dark hour that precedes dawn on Mars, he crept forth and -sought the shop of one Jal Thurlo in the Street of the Double Moon. - - - IV - -He found the shop, in a twisting little street that seemed to cringe -from the rest of the city. The insignia of Jal Thurlo was still upon -the door, and Ketrik breathed a sigh of relief. - -Finally, after his persistent knocking, the door opened a trifle and -Ketrik saw the wizened little face of Jal Thurlo. The shop-keeper's -eyes were dark with suspicion. - -"I was told I would find one Jal Thurlo here," Ketrik said glibly. "I -come with news of a secret shipment. Rare _kaladonis_ furs from the -plains of Io." - -"At this ungodly hour?" Thurlo grumbled sleepily. - -"It is the proper hour for such matters, thou sulky one! Permit me to -enter now or I take my news elsewhere!" - -Thurlo opened the door, and Ketrik slipped into a dark room that -smelled of spices, perfumes, and a miscellany of objects from the far -planets. He followed the little Martian through the shop and along a -dim corridor, until they arrived at the living quarters. There, under -brilliant light, Thurlo faced him. "Who sent you?" - -Ketrik answered carefully. He knew this little man carried a needle-gun -in his sleeve and had used it on occasion. "No one. I merely seek haven -here. I once saved your life on Deimos--you remember it?" - -Thurlo started visibly. "Ketrik! Is it really you? But no, it cannot -be!" - -"It's Ketrik, all right. But 'Khosan' for the time being. Remember -this?" He bared one arm and revealed a long jagged scar from shoulder -to elbow. He further proved his identity by recounting the adventure on -Deimos many years ago, in which he'd received this scar while saving -Thurlo's life. "I must remind you of the Martian blood debt," he ended. -"I saved your life and it is forfeit to me until you repay." - -"I have not forgotten!" He looked at the other's torn and bleeding -legs. "Come, man, let me dress those wounds! Then you can tell me why -you are here." - -Ketrik recounted part but not all. When he had finished, impressing -upon Thurlo the urgent need to get inside Dar Vaajo's laboratories, the -little Martian shook his head. - -"I fear it cannot be done. That part of the city is strictly forbidden. -Vaajo's palace is there, and the homes of his scientists, all -surrounded by the wall. Even the few servants who are permitted to pass -in and out occasionally are painstakingly examined." - -"I've got to get in there," Ketrik reiterated. "And I intend to!" - -"Wish I could help you. It might be for the best! Dar Vaajo is becoming -as hated as he is feared, yes even by his own people! Something -monstrous and mad is going on in those laboratories!" - -"What can you tell me about it?" - -Thurlo's eyes became dark, and his voice lowered. "Only this: -Frequently, in the dark of night, a faint greenish glow comes over the -city. It only lasts a few seconds, then withdraws into a pillar of -concentrated fire _directly over the laboratories_! Then it seems to -extend itself, lashing outward into space." - -"Greenish fire!" Ketrik exclaimed. "Do you mean electronic power, -Thurlo?" - -"No, not that at all. I'm no scientist, but I know this is _cold -light_. It's different--devilish! You may laugh at me, Ketrik, but -I will say it. These radiations seem alien to this world, to this -universe; they seem almost--_alive_!" - -But Ketrik did not laugh. He was remembering the mad survivor of a -missing Earth spacer. He was remembering the poor gibbering devil he -had seen but recently in the tunnel. He thought of these and other -things, and felt the hair at the back of his neck begin to rise. - -"Why," Thurlo was grumbling, "did Vaajo have to come _here_ to conduct -his devilish experiments? Why could he not have stayed in the northern -capital?" - -"Because here he is in close contact with the Rajecs," Ketrik said -experimentally, and watched for the little Martian's reaction. - -"Yes!" Thurlo nodded. "I can tell you something about that, too. Under -the treaty, the Rajecs are allowed access to Turibek or, if they wish, -other cities to the north. Vaajo has even built a magnificent temple -here, where they can carry on their own ritualistic worship. Well--I've -seen those black caravans come into the city, quite a number of them in -the past weeks. But one sees little of them afterwards! Of course they -may be shunted further north...." - -"No!" Ketrik smacked a fist into his palm. "No, Thurlo, for some reason -they are needed here! It's all a part of Vaajo's plan--I knew it!" - -"I care little about the Rajecs," Thurlo shrugged. "It is well that -they disappear." - -Ketrik thought differently. He lay awake in the little cubicle to which -Thurlo assigned him, his mind too turbulent for sleep. The pattern, -though still vague, was beginning to take shape. At least he had gained -entrance to Turibek! Tomorrow he would make a short tour about the -city, try to formulate a plan. At last his tired muscles relaxed, and -he dropped into an untroubled sleep. - - * * * * * - -It was high noon when Jal Thurlo wakened him. The little Martian seemed -strangely perturbed. "My friend, there is one at the alley entrance who -asks for you!" - -"For me?" Ketrik was up instantly and began dressing with deft, precise -fingers. Who else would know that he had arrived in Turibek? But his -mind was put at ease when he reached the rear entrance. Standing before -him was the somewhat bedraggled but still grinning figure of Aarnto, -the caravan leader. - -"Did I not say, Khosan, that the day would soon come when you could -repay me? I remembered well your mention of this shop!" And when -Ketrik hesitated, he went on, "Well, O fugitive of the dark tunnels--am -I not permitted entrance?" - -"Come in--quickly!" - -Aarnto waved a hand cheerily. "There is no need for alarm. I entered -through the city gates as I said I would. The others have gone to the -temple, but not I. I will need a place...." - -Thurlo frowned. Ketrik said, "It's all right, Thurlo. Aarnto's a friend -of mine. Please allow him to stay. I owe a debt too." He turned to -Aarnto. "But listen! Don't draw the Specials here. I can't afford that!" - -"I am caution itself, my friend! I too have a mission here. Perhaps -one night's sanctuary is all I shall ask, and your debt is paid." The -black still smiled--with all but his eyes. Behind them Ketrik detected -a hardness and cunning, together with a warning not to ask questions. - -Ketrik had no intention of doing that, but he made a resolution to -watch this one. If their paths here should ever chance to cross, Aarnto -would be a tough one indeed! Ketrik left him in Thurlo's capable but -somewhat reluctant hands, while he prepared himself for his tour of the -city. - -From the Street of the Double Moon, he emerged into the broader -thoroughfare. Turibek was the metropolis of the south, boasting -of theatres, cafés and shopping centers, as well as a magnificent -spaceport. - -Ketrik gave but a glance to the overhead mono-cars, preferring to -stroll leisurely. He found the people, the streets, and the queer -facaded buildings much the same as he'd know them years ago. - -There was one startling difference. At the end of this main -thoroughfare a forbidding wall reared up, to extend out of sight in -either direction. That was the wall around the laboratories. Ketrik -could not possibly see what lay beyond. - -He made his way slowly in that direction. Thurlo had furnished him with -apparel that stamped him as a prosperous, somewhat foppish Martian, -perhaps a mercantile buyer. He stopped once, listened to news blaring -from a public Tele-system, but it contained nothing of consequence to -him--no mention of Dar Vaajo or local events. - -A few minutes later he entered a tiny shop dealing in rare spices and -tobaccos. He purchased a vile but expensive Venusian cigar. He lighted -and drew upon it with evident relish. - -"Ah, we do not find these often in Roktol!" he said to the proprietor, -naming a city far to the north. "Turibek has its advantages after all." - -"You are a stranger here?" - -"Yes, I have just arrived. I am a buyer for Varik's." He saw the man -was impressed. "I find Turibek a fascinating city, but tell me--the -high wall to the east of here--what is it? They would not allow me to -pass!" - -"And no wonder, sir. Those walls surround the palace grounds and -laboratories of our Emperor!" - -"To be sure! I should have known that." Ketrik smiled, and when he -spoke again there was the slightest hint of mockery. "Ah, but you of -Turibek should be flattered that our Emperor chose your city to carry -on his noble experiments." - -The man hesitated, glanced around, but decided to speak. "I think you -know we are not fortunate, sir. What Dar Vaajo is doing may be for the -best ... but if only we were informed!" - -Ketrik raised his brows in puzzlement, and the other went on, "Eh, then -you do not know of it? But of course not--you have just arrived. Well, -sir, it is to come again _tonight_--at two hours past the midnight. -This morning's Tele-news warned all residents to stay in their homes at -that hour--and we know what that means." - - * * * * * - -Ketrik knew, too. The green radiance which Thurlo had spoken of. -Tonight! He wanted to observe that display! Then he thought of the -Rajecs, the caravan of two hundred which had just that day entered the -city. His mind leaped. Was it mere coincidence, that upon this very -day...? - -He said carelessly, "I have heard that more of those wretched Rajecs -were permitted entrance this morning. It seems a stupid thing, this -treaty which allows the outlanders to pollute our cities!" - -"It would seem so, yes. But Dar Vaajo is cunning in his way. Perhaps -the blacks are shipped north, to work the Uranium mines!" - -Ketrik dared ask no more questions. He left the shop and continued his -stroll toward the wall. When he came within a block of it he could see -that it wasn't stone, as he had supposed. It was heavy mesh-_duraplon_ -reaching twenty feet high, and still higher were the electronic -control-towers. A touch of a button would throw any section of this -wall into flaming, deadly radiance. Here was a formidable barrier! -Ketrik frowned, looking at it--but he didn't dare linger there too long. - -He turned back, was crossing the street when he heard a warning shout -and then a clarion-blast. He leaped to the curb just as a vehicle swept -by. It swerved sharply to avoid hitting him. Two others followed--they -were the three-wheeled, electronic-powered cars native to Mars. - -From the rear seat of the second car a girl's face peered out, a -bit frightened at the near accident. A golden face, lovely, with -copper-hued hair tumbling in waves to her shoulders, and eyes large and -blue as _asterines_. - -This much Ketrik saw, before the cars were gone. He turned and stared. -A section of the _duraplon_ wall slid upward and the cars passed -through; all, except the last one. It turned sharply and came hurtling -back to where Ketrik stood. A pompous Martian climbed out, strode -angrily up to him. - -"You! Dolt! The Princess Praana might have been injured! What are -you doing here anyway, so near the grounds? Do you not know it is -forbidden?" - -The Princess Praana! Yes, now Ketrik remembered. Dar Vaajo had a -daughter--she had completed her early education at one of Earth's best -schools. That was all of ten years ago, but she had been a pretty child -even then. - -"Well! Answer me! Or shall I take you to the Guards for questions?" - -Ketrik came out of his reverie and looked at this man. A high-servant -at the palace, probably, judging from his manner. Ketrik bowed coldly. - -"I was not aware of the restricted area. I am but newly arrived in -Turibek, and have found your city most charming--until now." There was -the correct amount of annoyance in his voice, plus a subtle warning. -"You wish to see my credentials, sir?" - -The other's manner changed. For the first time he seemed to notice -Ketrik's dignified dress and manner. He hesitated. - -"I don't suppose that will be necessary, sir. A thousand pardons for -speaking so hastily, but our nerves have been on edge, you know, ever -since the rumor that some of the _S'Relah_ would attempt to enter the -city." - -"My dear man! I am sure our Emperor's splendid Guard can deal capably -with these _S'Relah_! I will bid you good day now; I have yet to visit -your charming shops." Ketrik turned haughtily, began his stroll back to -the main avenues. He felt the Martian's puzzled gaze upon him, but did -not look back. - -He did not look back until ten minutes later, when he had the eerie -sensation of being followed. He spotted the man at once, undoubtedly a -Special--tall, cold-eyed, a bit too leisurely of manner. Ketrik smiled -grimly, and entered a shop. The man followed. Ketrik came out, and the -Special was just the correct distance behind. - -At the next loading platform Ketrik purchased a ticket, waited until -one of the mono-cars dropped down from the single overhead track. He -entered the car, walked the length of it and exited on the opposite -side. He hurried across an area-way and lost himself in the crowd -waiting for the opposite-bound car which just then hove into view. The -simple ruse worked. He boarded this car and there was no sign of his -pursuer. - -Dusk was fast coming upon the city when he again made his way to -Thurlo's shop. His mind still wrestled with the problem of the -electronic wall, and how to get beyond it. He immediately discarded -the idea of an aero-copter in the dead of night; there would surely -be detector rays. Here was a problem that called for planning, and -patience. - -And something else vaguely bothered him. A vision intruded upon his -thoughts, annoying but persistent--the vision of a girl's face, lovely -and golden.... - - - V - -He entered the shop, and was startled to see a Rajec emerge from behind -a counter piled high with silks and fineries. The black was tall, -elderly, a bit stooped, with a nervous twitch at the side of his face. - -"Ah, sir, welcome to the humble shop of Thurlo. May I assist you in -a selection? Some of these rare laces from Io, perhaps--or these -exquisite candelabra? Over a thousand years old, sir, yet they have -found their mysterious way here from the Deimian Temple of the -Ancients." - -Ketrik smiled a little, picked up the candelabra and set it down. "A -fake. And so are you, Aarnto. I recognize you now." - -"But not at first," Aarnto grinned. "I think my disguise will do. Not -as thorough as yours, of course," he added. - -"Where is Jal Thurlo?" - -"Back there preparing the evening meal." Aarnto's finely chiselled nose -wrinkled appreciatively. "And a welcome repast it will be, after our -miserable desert fare!" - -Thurlo had not spared his talents, and the meal proved to be excellent. -Ketrik ate appreciatively but in silence. Thurlo hardly touched -the food, seemed perturbed over something. Only Aarnto was his old -self--more than that! His crisp manner, which Ketrik had noticed -earlier in the day, was gone; he now seemed happy and almost jovial, as -he kept up a running conversation. He told of haggling with one of the -customers over a set of Venusian tapestries, finally getting twice the -expected price. - -"And look at this," he held to the light a crystalline jar that adorned -the table. "Would you look at it, Khosan? _Vanadol_, the nectar of the -Gods! An ancient vintage, too! I found it hidden away, far back on one -of the dark shelves. I am sure," he smiled slyly, "that our host can -obtain more where it came from, so let us drink to this occasion." He -poured the blue liquor into their cups. "Yes, Khosan, an occasion--that -two such as you and I should find our way here!" - -Ketrik smiled, barely touched the stinging liquor to his lips. - -When they had finished the repast, Aarnto rose and excused himself, -but stood a moment hesitant. "I must leave you now, and I may have no -occasion to return here. I wish to thank you, Thurlo, for you have been -most gracious. And you--Khosan. We have been helpful to each other?" - -"Yes, Aarnto. You more than I." - -"Then the debt is paid." With that, the black was gone, out into the -night which swallowed him up. - -Thurlo sighed. "I hope he never returns. I do not like that one! If he -is caught, and it becomes known I harbored one of the _S'Relah_ here, -even for a day.... I only did it for you, Ketrik." - -"You needn't worry. He's a clever one. But I wish I knew what they were -up to!" - -"They'll fry on Dar Vaajo's torture plates," Thurlo prophesied. - -Ketrik thought of his own fate if he were caught, but quickly put it -out of mind. "What do _you_ think they're up to, Thurlo?" - -The little Martian spoke slowly. "The _S'Relah_? They are apart from -other Rajecs. Treaties mean nothing to those fanatics. They wish to -strike at Dar Vaajo, and"--he hesitated--"what better way to do it than -through his daughter?" - - * * * * * - -The Princess Praana! Of course that was it! A bold stroke, but just -such a one as the Society of _S'Relah_ would attempt. Ketrik realized -now that some such thought had been hammering at his mind all the -afternoon. He said eagerly, "Tell me about her, Thurlo. I caught a -glimpse of her this afternoon." - -"You did? Yes, she visits the shops occasionally, always accompanied by -a bodyguard. The Palace Guard has been doubled too, since these rumors -of the _S'Relah_. I'll wager her father would be furious if he knew -she had left the grounds this afternoon! But that girl has a mind and -temper of her own--so I have heard." - -"Has she been here long?" - -"No, she flew down from the northern capital only a few weeks ago. That -was against Vaajo's orders, too. I think he'll be sending her back -soon." - -Ketrik remained thoughtful. He failed to see how Aarnto and the others -hoped to reach her! For a Martian to get beyond those walls would be a -ticklish problem; for a Rajec, it would be impossible! He heard Thurlo -again. - -"That's why I'm worried, Ketrik. Attention is being drawn to my shop. -This afternoon an elderly matron came in--I recognized her, she's been -here before, one of the Princess Praana's personal servants--" - -"Go on!" Ketrik was listening now. - -"Well, Aarnto was in the front of the shop. He sold her some Ionian -laces, then I saw him speak to her in an undertone and hand her a -folded note. He doesn't know I saw him. I don't like it, Ketrik. I--" - -"A note!" Ketrik's mind was racing with the speed of atomotors. "To be -delivered to the Princess, no doubt! Thurlo, tell me--does Praana ever -come here?" - -"She would never deign to set foot in this humble part of the city. But -she has undoubtedly heard of my shop...." - -"That's it, Thurlo. I think I see their plan now. If you will promise -to retire early tonight, I can guarantee that no word of this will -reach the Emperor's ears." - -Thurlo would have promised anything. An hour later all lights were -out, and Ketrik stood in the darkened front of the shop where he could -see the street but remain unseen. If his surmise was correct, he -could thwart the plans of the _S'Relah_. Ordinarily he wouldn't have -bothered, but now he thought he could turn it to his own advantage. - -The hours passed. He watched the slow climb of Deimos across the sky. -Its light scarcely touched this cringing little street. Once he saw the -dull lights of a freighter descending, and remembered that just beyond -this district was the freighter spaceport. Occasionally a skulking -figure passed, keeping to the shadows. Once the flash of a heat-pistol -came from a nearby alley, and a moment later the sound of running feet. - -Still he waited. He lit a cigarette, keeping the glow of it carefully -hidden. He began to wonder if the Princess would venture into this -place after all. It seemed most unlikely, at this hour! It had been a -crazy idea to begin with. He was clutching at straws. That note which -Aarnto slipped to the servant might have meant something else entirely. - -Ketrik dropped the cigarette, ground it savagely underfoot. Then, with -a sharp intake of breath he leaned forward, peering through the window. -From the nearby corner a dark vehicle had glided into the street! It -moved swiftly and silently. It could only be one of the three-wheeled -cars. - -It stopped across the street from the shop of Thurlo. For a minute no -one emerged, and Ketrik knew the occupants were surveying the shop. He -drew back a little. Then two figures stepped out, started across the -street. One was a woman. Her steps were unhesitant, even a bit excited. -Ketrik recognized the Princess Praana even from here. The other was a -man, who seemed to be remonstrating with her. - -"The fool! The little fool," Ketrik muttered. "But at least, she had -sense enough to bring one of the Guard!" - - * * * * * - -Events happened then with blurring swiftness. The shadows came from -somewhere out of darkness, seemed to glide toward the pair in the -street. In a split second they were upon Praana and the man. Too late -the Guard sensed the danger; he whirled, but in the same instant was -sinking to the street with a Rajec dagger through his heart. The other -Rajec had clapped a hand roughly over the girl's mouth, was dragging -her back to the car. - -In those few seconds Ketrik was tugging at the shop door. It seemed -to stick. He cursed, wrenched it open and flung himself into the -street. His gun was out but he saw it was too late; Praana and the two -assailants were already in the car, the motor was whining to life. -Ketrik reached the car in two bounds, just as it hurtled away. He flung -himself blindly at it. His hands managed to grip the rear wheel-guard. -He clung to it, arms wrenching painfully as he was dragged along. - -The car slowed, turning into the nearby street, and Ketrik managed to -get his feet up. There he crouched precariously, leaning his weight -forward as the car jolted through rough streets and alleyways. Again he -cursed. He'd lost his gun back there! He didn't think they'd seen him, -though; Praana had fought like a wild _hella_. - -They apparently had her under control now, probably had administered a -drug. Ketrik began to take notice of their direction. They were deep in -the dark warehouse district. Suddenly his heart leaped. He knew where -they were going! They intended to get Praana out of the city through -that secret Canal-tunnel! He doubted if there were a dozen men in this -city who knew of its existence, much less its location. - -Then they reached it. Ketrik recognized the place, knew he'd have -to act quickly. One of the Rajecs had gotten out, was leaning over, -trying to lift the girl's limp figure down from the seat. Ketrik stole -forward. He put all his weight behind the blow which landed at the -side of the man's neck; it was a dirty blow but this was no time for -niceties. The Rajec crumpled, slid forward against the car. - -"What's the matter, Vronu?" The other was Aarnto; Ketrik recognized his -voice. Aarnto came around the front of the car then, and took in the -scene. - -Ketrik was tense. But Aarnto didn't move or speak. Not for several -seconds. Then he said, slowly, "So. It is you again, Earthman." He was -calling the terms correctly now. "I thought I had seen the last of you." - -Ketrik glanced at Praana's unconscious figure upon the seat. His -eyes flicked back to Aarnto. "My debt is paid, Aarnto! You said it -yourself." With that, his limbs uncoiled and he hurled himself forward. - -Aarnto met his rush, sending out a straight jab as he allowed his body -to sway aside. The blow was glancing but powerful enough to send Ketrik -off balance. Ketrik's lips went tight as he whirled back to the attack. -He knew he had his work cut out for him here. - -Aarnto seemed slim, but there was weight there and he knew how to use -it. He put it behind every blow. For a few seconds Ketrik found himself -parrying these blows, ducking and rolling and taking a few on the arms -which numbed him. He managed to get a few past Aarnto's guard, but the -Rajec took them too, and pressed his advantage. Ketrik was satisfied -to back away for the moment. His legs were still a little numb from -crouching on the car. - -A crashing right came through Ketrik's guard, drawing blood from his -mouth. He countered and missed, as the other leaped away. Again and yet -again this happened, with Ketrik missing almost clumsily; they fought -in near darkness and it was hard to connect with that swift moving -black body! - -"So you would interfere, O crudely disguised one!" Again Aarnto's fist -came through, to send Ketrik reeling back. But his legs were less numb -now, and he began to co-ordinate his footwork. His brain was lightning -clear. Aarnto laughed contemptuously, laughed with the joy of battle -and pressed forward, throwing more lefts and rights. They missed as -Ketrik danced away lightly as a _hella_ cat--then Ketrik threw a -boxer's left, long and weaving, that found its mark. - -"That better, O haunter of dark places?" He followed it with a right -that crashed against bone, and Aarnto didn't laugh again. - -Slowly Ketrik took the initiative, refusing to give way now and -throwing his long left to advantage. He used the other's feral eyes -as a focal point, aiming just below them. He sensed that the other -was weakening. Aarnto gave ground slowly, fighting back. His blows -were still heavy but now his timing was off and Ketrik didn't give -him a chance to regain it. Ketrik's own arms were becoming numb, from -stopping the other's blows. He shifted the attack to the stomach and -Aarnto's guard dropped. A right came up that sent the Rajec staggering. -Ketrik leaped in for the kill, lashed with a left that sent the black -spinning half around. - -The right-cross that followed immediately, was the one that did it. It -caught Aarnto at the point of the jaw just below his ear. By the way he -crumpled, Ketrik knew he wouldn't get up for some time. - -Ketrik stood there for a moment looking down. A roaring was in his -ears, a vast tiredness came upon him. He wiped blood from his face and -looked at his bruised fists. - -A sound came from behind him. He whirled. - - * * * * * - -It was Praana. She stood there, looking small but somehow not -frightened, staring at Aarnto's prone figure. She reached into her -tunic and drew out a small electro. Before Ketrik could realize her -intention, she aimed it at Aarnto. - -He snatched the gun away just in time. "You'd kill him in cold blood?" - -"He's a Rajec. And a member of the _S'Relah_!" - -"Oh, you realize that how, do you? Well, listen to me. He fought -fairly--had a dagger there in his belt, and could have used it. So he -gets a break." - -She turned an angry face to him, started to speak, but he stopped her -with a gesture. "Quiet! Listen!" - - * * * * * - -From somewhere near came the sound of scuffing feet. Ketrik moved -swiftly to a little metal door between two buildings. This was the door -to the sewer, which in turn led into the secret tunnel. Presently it -opened, and Ketrik saw the yellowish glow of eyes. Rajec eyes, many of -them--perhaps eight or ten. Ketrik stepped back. He gave a burst with -the electro, allowed the beam to cut a frothing path very near the -doorway. The black figures drew back. - -"You get these two, and that's all!" He indicated Aarnto and Vronu. -"Two of you step forward and get them. Quickly, now!" He gestured -meaningfully with the weapon. - -Two of the Rajecs crept out, watching him all the while. They seized -the limp figures and dragged them back. Ketrik followed. "All the way! -Clear back into the tunnel. I'm letting you off easy. Be glad you don't -get Vaajo's torture plates for this night's work!" - -He herded them all into the tunnel, then swung the pivoted door shut. A -steady play of the electro-beam fused the mechanism so that it wouldn't -work again, ever. He knew they might use their knives, loosen the stone -blocks enough to gain another entrance, but he didn't care about that -now. - -He hurried back to the street, found Praana still waiting. Her fists -were clinched and her voice sharp. "You take a lot upon yourself! Those -were the _S'Relah_ and should be turned over to the Guard!" - -Not a word of thanks, no show of gratitude. Ketrik let his own voice -rasp. "It isn't important. You were a little fool to leave the Palace! -Why did you do it?" - -"Then you know I am the Princess Praana! And you--you dare to speak to -me like that!" She raised her fists, seemed about to strike him--then -a thought occurred. "Rilon--he--where is he? What happened?" Then she -shuddered, as though suddenly remembering. - -"I suppose you mean your Guard," Ketrik said with no attempt to spare -her feelings. "He's lying back in the Street of the Double Moon with a -dagger through his heart, thanks to you." - -"Thanks to me," she whispered, all the spirit gone out of her now. -"I shall never forgive myself! He warned me, tried to stop me, even -pleaded--and when I threatened to come alone...." - -Ketrik said sternly, "Why should you want to come at all--to this -miserable part of the city?" - -"You are right, I was a fool. Occasionally I send a servant to the shop -of one Jal Thurlo, to pick up a rare article that would never find its -way to Mars by the ordinary routes--you understand? This afternoon my -servant brought me exciting news. In his shop Jal Thurlo had a single -bottle of the perfume from the Deimian Temple of the Ancients! Can you -understand what that means? That rare, that glorious perfume...." - -Yes, Ketrik could understand. He smiled at Aarnto's cunning. Women -would give their money, their jewels, everything they held precious, -for a single dram of that perfume which was so rare as to be almost -non-existent. - -"But," Praana went on, "it was to be smuggled away from Mars tonight! -It was to go to the Princess Aladdian on Venus! The note said that if I -were to see Jal Thurlo tonight, I might persuade him--" - -Ketrik felt suddenly sorry for her. She was almost in tears. "It was -a trick of the _S'Relah_," he said, "and Jal Thurlo knew nothing of -it. As for the Deimian perfume--my dear girl! I happen to know that -the last of it was smuggled to Earth some years ago, and sold for -a fabulous price." Ketrik neglected to mention that he himself had -engineered the feat. - -She smiled wistfully. "You have saved my life, and I have learned a -great lesson. I owe you for both." She suddenly removed a bracelet of -Martian diamonds. Ketrik waved it away, and she frowned in puzzlement. -"Is it not enough?" - -It was not nearly enough. What he wanted was to get beyond the -electronic wall. He came near to hinting at it, but checked himself. No -need to press his luck too far. - -He bowed elegantly. "To have been of service to you, Princess, is -reward enough in itself." - -She was impressed, insisted on knowing his name and where he could -be reached. He gave her the information with seeming reluctance. She -assured him she could make her way back to the palace alone. "You shall -be rewarded, nevertheless," were the last words Ketrik heard as she -drove the car away. And he smiled inwardly. - - * * * * * - -He was jubilant, retracing his route through the dark streets. Dar -Vaajo would certainly send for him tomorrow! For he knew that Praana -would tell her father of this. - -It was just past the midnight hour, and suddenly he remembered -something. This was the hour ... but even as the thought crossed his -mind, the phenomenon came. It came as a greenish glow rising above the -city center, spreading swiftly outward. As it spread, like a blanket of -palely pulsing light, a frightening _malignancy_ came with it. - -Then it touched upon Ketrik, and he reeled. The cold light was all -about him, surging through him. Tightening tendrils of it clutched -at his brain. A vast singing was in his ears. He fought back, -fought as his mind reeled upon a chaos of vertiginous horror! Those -light-tendrils tearing at his brain, eagerly, hungrily--here was Dar -Vaajo's weapon and he knew it, even as he fell to the street to lie -exhausted, his mind going away.... - -Still he tried to fight, knowing it was hopeless. An agony was in him, -tearing at his fingertips and through every muscle; wrenching at his -brain, seeking to tear it apart fiber by fiber. He felt his sanity -going; it was being _drained_ away as liquid is sucked through a -straw. He laughed once, wildly. He felt other light-tendrils seeking, -seeking hungrily all about him. With a last vestige of mental power he -remembered again a gibbering madman in a dark tunnel.... - -Then the light was going away. It receded, rushing back upon itself, -coalescing into a mass of greenish radiance that swirled and twisted -angrily and tried to escape. Almost _alive_! As Jal Thurlo had said! -Ketrik rose and stood swaying, his head throbbing, as he watched it -from afar. - -Now the spherical mass of it, deeper in hue and pulsing angrily, -hovered in the sky just above Vaajo's laboratories. Suddenly the sphere -extended, became a pillar of pulsing light trying to leap away. - -And it leaped away. Faster than light, swift as thought, hurtling -through the outer reaches of space. - -Ketrik didn't stay to see more. He didn't need to. Even through the -cold needle-fires in his brain, he had enough faculty left to know that -far out in space, in that part of the heavens, swam the planet Earth. -Again this night Dar Vaajo was testing ... testing the power of his -curiously-alive weapon.... - -Ketrik reached the shop of Jal Thurlo, found the jar of _vanadol_ and -downed enough of it to put him into merciful oblivion. - - - VI - -It was late the following day when a car, bearing the royal insignia, -drew up before the shop and one of the Guards asked for "Khosan." - -Ketrik was ready. He'd been waiting for this. As they drove toward the -palace grounds the two Guards looked at him enviously. - -"You have won great favor with the Emperor for last night's work," -one of them said. "He wants personal audience with you! It would not -surprise me if he made you Captain of Praana's own guard!" - -"It is true you were not supposed to be on the streets at that hour," -said the other. "But Dar Vaajo will overlook that, considering the -circumstances." - -Ketrik remembered that Praana was not supposed to be on the streets -either, but he didn't voice the thought. They reached the electronic -wall. One of the men gave the signal, and a section of it moved upward. -Their car passed through. - -At last he was inside the forbidden grounds! Ketrik remained outwardly -humble, but he kept his eyes open. They went along a sweeping drive -bordered by stately _majagua_ trees. They passed a few buildings, -fronted by splendid lawns. Then the palace itself loomed ahead, a -magnificent two-storied structure of dark _culchite_ marble. - -But Ketrik had no eyes for it. To the left was a building equally -imposing, and covering more area, which could only be the royal -laboratories! It was undoubtedly from that building that the phenomenon -had come the night before. He noticed the roof in particular, -glass-covered, curving into a shallow dome. If Dar Vaajo favored him, -he could get a position in there.... - -Then they were past the building and approaching the palace. The -audio-tube near the driver's head crackled to life, and a voice came -through. Ketrik couldn't hear the words. A startled look appeared on -the Guard's face. "Are you sure?" he said. "My orders were--" - -"These are new orders! Obey them!" Ketrik heard those words all right. -The audio went dead. The driver wheeled the car around abruptly, headed -away from the palace. - -"Something wrong?" Ketrik asked. - -"Plans have been changed. Dar Vaajo doesn't want to see you quite yet." -The man's voice was grim. - -Ketrik felt a sudden foreboding. "Where are you taking me, then?" - -No answer. Ketrik glanced at the Guard sitting next to him. This man -had gone grim too, as his hand rested lightly on the electro beneath -his tunic. Ketrik couldn't guess what had gone wrong or why, but he -knew he wasn't going to see Dar Vaajo under favorable circumstances. He -went tight inside. - -They stopped before a low stone building. The driver came around, -opened the car door. "Out!" he ordered curtly. - -Ketrik came out. He launched himself bodily, his fist smashing to the -other's face and making a bloody smear of it. The man staggered back. -The momentum carried Ketrik out of the car and to his knees. He heard -the rush of the other Guard, whirled to meet it. Too late. He only saw -the dark blur of the man's arm coming down in a swift arc, then heavy -metal crashed behind his ear, leaving him stunned. - -His muscles wouldn't pull him up. The blows came again ... more than -once, heavy and accurate. He ploughed forward onto cold pavement as his -mind blanked out. - - * * * * * - -He came again to consciousness, groaned as heavy pain hammered through -his skull. Gradually his eyes focused upon the details of the room. -There weren't many details. It was a small room, quite bare. The floor -was stone but the walls seemed to be of thick _crystyte_. Dim lights -filtered through. There was no entrance of any kind that he could see. - -"So you are awake at last, Earthman. And none the worse for wear." The -voice came from within the room. Ketrik raised his head, stared at the -opposite wall, a section of which had taken on the silvery radiance of -a tele-vise. - -Imaged there were the features of Dar Vaajo. Ketrik recognized him -immediately. - -It was an elderly face, but smooth--with the color and toughness -and texture of old leather. The lips were tight and purposeful, the -cheek-bones bulged beneath crisp, graying hair. And the eyes ... they -held Ketrik. They weren't old eyes. They were hard and bright as -jewels. An indomitable light came up from the dark depths of them. - -Dar Vaajo spoke again from the screen. - -"As you see, I prefer to hold audience with you in this manner. You are -a dangerous man. Yes, very dangerous, to have come so far. Through my -Space Patrol. Past my Specials. Into the city and past the inner wall -itself." The lips quirked a little. "Yes, I have determined everything -about you. Your name is not Khosan, but George Ketrik--I have heard -something of your exploits in the past. You are the spy sent here by -the Earth Councillor, Mark Travers." Again he paused. "You are not -surprised that I know all this?" - -If he was surprised, Ketrik didn't show it in the slight shrug he gave. -He knew the voice would go on. - -"I have learned this," Vaajo said, "within the past few hours. You -see--we, too, have a development of the Scanner Beam. This beam was -trained upon you from the very moment you drove into the palace -grounds. We learned your true identity and purpose." - -Ketrik went dry inside. It would have to be that, the one thing he -couldn't have foreseen! He spoke to the screen. "Very well, so I have -lost. I suppose I can expect no reward for saving the Princess." - -Something showed in the dark depths of Vaajo's eyes. Amusement? But he -spoke thoughtfully. "Very well, you shall have your reward. I think I -will send you back to Mark Travers--in a most unique way!" - -Quite suddenly then, Ketrik knew. He knew the reason for the beam he -had seen launched into space, and almost he grasped the principle of -it. He felt his insides twisting up into cold, hard knots. But he -managed to say, "You mean--that just a part of me will go." - -Vaajo chuckled. "So. You saw last night's display, felt a taste of it -perhaps, and you have guessed. Yes, your surmise is correct! We utilize -the Rajec caravans. Two hundred yesterday, and fine specimens they -were! But they are now mere walking hulks, devoid of all but the most -meager mental impulses. Their bodies will be sent north to work the -Uranium pits. Their minds have already been absorbed into my--shall we -say, weapon, increasing its potential considerably." - -Ketrik's brain seemed to twist inside his skull, until he could not -tell whether he felt horror or fury or both. He only knew he must keep -control, learn more of this grisly thing that Vaajo was conducting with -human minds.... He found his own voice, hard and dry, saying, "Yes, I -saw it last night, felt it ... but still I cannot understand...." He -passed a hand across his forehead in seeming bewilderment. He heard -Vaajo saying, "It cannot matter now, for my beam reached Earth last -night ... yes, it would please me to tell you something of it! You -must have heard of the ancient city of M'Tonak, lying far beneath -Mars' Polar Cap. And the sentient thought-force that came from outer -space, or another dimension--no one ever knew--to land at M'Tonak where -it remained for untold centuries. Through all that time the Entity -remained barely alive, unknown to man, sustaining itself by sending out -invisible radiations that fed on Martian minds! And you must have heard -of the Earthman, Jim Landor, who found his way there and destroyed the -Entity, leaving it crushed beneath tons of ice. All this was before -your time or mine. Over a hundred years ago...."[3] - -[Footnote 3: _City of the Living Flame_, Planet Stories, Fall, 1942.] - -Ketrik nodded. He had heard the story many times. - - * * * * * - -Dar Vaajo went on. "The story of the thought-entity beneath our ice -cap had always intrigued me," he said. "So several years ago I sent -some workmen to uncover that ancient city. Yes, you have guessed. The -Entity hadn't died! It remained there insentient but alive, frozen into -suspended animation beneath miles of ice! It was then that I remembered -the stories of its power, its insatiable appetite for the mental forces -of man ... and thereupon I evolved my scheme. It has been dangerous, -Ketrik, but I worked slowly and carefully. - -"The first step was to waken it, which was easy. The second step was -to keep it under control--not so easy. But I managed this by means of -Uranium rays which seems to be the only thing capable of combating -the Entity's own peculiar atomic structure. That was the reason for -my Uranium embargo; I've had to increase the potential of these -controlling rays as the Entity grew in size and power." - -"You mean you ... _fed it_? Allowed it to _grow_?" Ketrik was aghast, -listening to this cold-blooded recital. - -"Of course! How else was I to reach Earth with it, across miles of -space? That was my ultimate goal." - -"But how? It must have taken a tremendous ... surely the Rajecs were -not enough?" - -Vaajo smiled blandly from the screen. "I told you I worked slowly. -I began by communicating with it, telepathically. Yes! It's a -highly intelligent entity, and it wishes to remain alive. It seems -it came originally from a world _in another dimension bordering on -ours_! It was the creation of a scientist on that world. The Entity -became dangerous, threatened to get out of control, and could not be -destroyed. The scientists rigged up a contra-dimensional device which -hurled it out of that dimension. It landed quite by chance in ours--on -Mars, near M'Tonak. - -"So we made a sort of pact, the Entity and I. I wished it to grow -in size and potential, but not at the sacrifice of my own people. I -told it something of my plans. It, in turn, told me how to build a -contra-dimensional machine by which to project it back into its own -world! I managed this at last, adding a reverse control by which I -could always bring it back. - -"Fully a dozen times now it has crossed the dimensions. Whenever I -brought it back, it had ... _fed_. You understand? It was satiating -itself upon the populace of that other world! Until finally, it -revealed to me that ... there was no more. The other-dimensional world -was barren of sustenance! - -"By this time, however, I was almost ready. It had grown tremendously -in size and power. I always added more rays to keep it under control. -Then I began testing for Earth, allowing it to reach out. Have you -realized what a terrible weapon concentrated and projected thought -can be? Several times it touched Earth spacers, absorbed the minds -aboard them, and"-- Dar Vaajo shrugged--"I had to send my Patrollers -out afterwards to destroy the spacers. But never were we quite able -to reach Earth! It would take more potential, just a little more, and -where was I to find it? Then I thought of the Rajecs. I made treaty -with them, built the temple here to attract them ... I guess you know -the rest." - -Ketrik knew the rest, and more. He knew that Earth would have -to capitulate to Vaajo's demands, or face destruction by a -mind-destroying, mind-feeding Entity now capable of reaching across -space. Venus would undoubtedly be next, leaving Dar Vaajo in control -of the inner planets including the colonies recently established on -Jupiter's moons. - -"So, Ketrik, I shall send you back to Mark Travers," Dar Vaajo was -saying. "Four days from now the orbits of our two planets reach their -nearest juxtaposition. _Then_ is when the Entity shall reach out -again for Earth, to give another sample of my power." Vaajo smiled -maddeningly just before he caused the screen to blank out. "And isn't -it ironic that you, or rather the mental part of you, shall be an -infinitesimal part of it!" - - - VII - -It seemed hours later when Ketrik awoke. He had tried in vain to find -a way out of the smooth, _crystyte_-walled room. He had sought to -loosen one of the heavy stones in the floor until, with bleeding and -broken-nailed fingers, he had fallen into a sleep of sheer exhaustion. - -Now, in the exact center of the room, he noticed a platter of food. He -frowned, until it dawned on him that it must have been lowered from the -ceiling! He glanced up, but if the entrance was there, it was tightly -closed now. - -He ate the palatable food, but noticed the platter was of light -plastex, could not possibly be used as a weapon or anything else. He -made another search through his clothes, knowing it was useless. But -suddenly he remembered the tiny scanner disc which Mark had given him. -He had strapped it tightly to the underside of his arm ... and it was -still there! - -He could think of no use for it now, however. He was still pondering -this, when his attuned ears caught a faint sound of footsteps overhead. -A moment later a section of the ceiling slid back. Framed in the square -of light Ketrik saw a face ... golden, a bit frightened. - -Praana! Ketrik's heart leaped. - -"Speak softly," she whispered. "You are in a room directly beneath the -main palace. Father has gone for the moment, and I took this chance...." - -"Why are you here?" - -She spoke quickly. "A few hours ago I tuned my tele-vise into this -one. I heard everything he told you! It's horrible, what he is -doing--unbelievable! I hadn't known before! I knew he was conducting -some sort of experiment ... but this...." The shock of it, even -disbelief, was still mirrored on her face. - -"Praana, listen to me! Doesn't your father have an Ethero-Magnum here, -capable of reaching Earth?" - -"Yes, in his own private quarters." She was puzzled. - -"You must get to it! Tune it into the Earth beam, then give me a -channel from this tele-vise here, into that beam. If I can reach Mark -Travers, I'll have him send the Earth Fleet!" - -He saw her hesitate. She knew that Mars' patrollers could not stand -against Earth's mighty armada. She was visioning the holocaust, the -destruction of Martian cities and her own people. Ketrik went on -quickly. - -"Praana, you've been to Earth! You spent most of your girlhood there, -and you must remember it still, have a fondness for it! The green -forests and wide lakes, the mountains, the unreal clouds in a blue -sky--and the people who treated you kindly! All this will go, unless -you act. Surely--" - -"Mars is my world," she was murmuring. "My own people ... to consign -them to another horrible war! Mars would never recover." - -"It will not come to that! If Earth takes the initiative, sends its -Fleet in a surprise attack--the display of power will be enough. Dar -Vaajo will be helpless in the face of it." Ketrik was not at all sure -this would be the case, but here was his only chance. "Quickly ... we -haven't much time!" - -Praana was wavering. "You saved my life," she whispered. "Yes, I will -try!" She tossed an electro-gun down to him, her own gun. Then she was -gone, as the ceiling door went shut. - -Ketrik waited, facing the wall which he knew was the tele-vise. Minutes -passed, seemed to lengthen interminably. If he couldn't get through to -Mark ... if Praana failed to gain access to the Ethero-Magnum, that was -his last hope.... He wondered if she knew how to operate it! - -Suddenly a pale glow came across the wall, wavered for a moment -and then deepened. He was looking into a luxurious room which must -be somewhere in the palace above him. At the far end he saw the -magnificent Ethero-Magnum, with Praana standing before it manipulating -the controls. He heard the ascending whine as selenic cells poured -power into the beam, then minutes passed as it gained full strength. At -last a voice came through faint and clear! Mark Travers' voice saying -cautiously, "Go ahead, go ahead! You're on Earth beam." - -"Ketrik speaking! Mark, listen carefully now and act fast! Mass the -Earth Fleet, get it to Mars. Blast the city of Turibek clear off the -planet if you have to! Things--" - -"The Fleet," Mark cut in, "is already on its way, in full battle -formation! Something happened here about thirty hours ago that I -suspect is Vaajo's work! Touched an area just south of Kansas City. -It's horrible! Everyone within that area--" - -"Spare me the details, I know them anyway. Dar Vaajo plans to give you -another taste in three days, on what I think will be a vastly wider -scale! After that, he'll probably give his ultimatum." - -"What is it he's got there?" Mark's voice was harried. "And where are -you--" - -"No time to tell you now! You wouldn't believe me anyway, and there's -no defense against it except to get that Fleet here and fast! I only -hope--" - -The beam went suddenly dead. For a second the screen blurred, then -Ketrik was looking into the room of the Ethero-Magnum again. But it was -a different scene now. - - * * * * * - -Different, because Dar Vaajo strode swiftly into view! He approached -Praana who straightened up suddenly from the Magnum's panel. Vaajo was -trembling with rage, but Praana faced him defiantly. For a moment no -one spoke. Then Vaajo turned, facing the screen so Ketrik could see -him. Anger was still on his face, but something of triumph too. - -"I really should thank you, Ketrik--and my daughter! I couldn't, have -planned it better myself. So the entire Earth Fleet is coming, and I am -warned! I shall wait until they are almost here before I use my weapon; -yes, it should cover the entire expanse of the Fleet at one stroke! -And after that"--he shrugged, permitted his cruel lips to fashion the -faintest of smiles--"after that, what shall I have to fear from a Fleet -manned by mindless idiots? Yes, it will be a master stroke! Again I -thank you." - -He flicked off the control. The screen before Ketrik's eyes went dead, -almost as dead as the hope within him. - -The Fleet might have gotten through and taken Vaajo unawares, if it -hadn't been for him! Now Vaajo was warned, and Ketrik knew it was no -idle boast he had made. The awful power of the Entity was quite capable -of dealing with the Earth Fleet, especially as the Commanders had -no idea of the type of thing they were facing. That it would strike -suddenly and completely, Ketrik had no doubt. - -His soul was bitter within him. He had but one chance left, a wild -and improbable chance, but he mustn't miss! It was hours later when -he again heard footsteps overhead. He threw himself to the floor, -pretended to be asleep. The electro was in his hand, carefully -concealed beneath him. - -As he thought, it was a Guard bringing him food. From lowered lids he -saw the ceiling trap slide back--slowly at first, then wider. The Guard -leaned over, concentrated on lowering the platter of food on a long -cord. When it had almost touched the floor, Ketrik brought out his hand -and fired. It was simple as that. The man's body toppled through the -opening, made a dull thud on the floor below. - -So far so good, Ketrik thought grimly. He bunched the dead man's limbs -under him, stood upon the sagging shoulders and leaped for the opening. -A moment later he was swinging his body up and through. - -He was in a dim, carpeted corridor, probably part of the servants' -quarters. He hurried softly past a row of doors to the end of the hall, -then up a short flight of stairs. A heavy door faced him. He pushed -it open cautiously, then stepped out into a small flower garden. It -was night, but Phobos was making a brilliant path across the sky. -Unfortunate. But he'd have to make the best of it now. - -He hugged the shadows until he got his bearings. This was the rear -of the palace, he realized; at least that was lucky, for it brought -him closer to that glass-domed building which he was sure was Vaajo's -laboratory. It should be somewhere to the left of here. - -Swiftly he crossed the garden. He passed through a tall hedge which -concealed him from the palace. He followed the shadow of it all the way -to the left, until he came in sight of the laboratory building. It was -lying only fifty yards away--but fifty yards drenched in Phobos' glow! - -He hesitated. But there was no other way. He started across the space -leisurely, remembering he was still "Martian." The building was dark, -there seemed to be no Guards about. - -He was wrong in the latter surmise, he learned when he had almost -reached the building. A voice challenged him. Almost in the same -instant he saw the man, deep in the shadow of an arched doorway. Ketrik -veered toward him, grunted something in reply and raised a hand in -casual greeting. The Guard hesitated. Ketrik came two steps nearer. The -Guard dropped a hand to his gun, and Ketrik hurled himself forward--low -and hard. - -The impact carried the Guard backward. Their combined weight crashed -into a door, nearly taking it from the hinges. Ketrik rose quickly but -the Guard didn't rise at all, and Ketrik knew his luck was still with -him. - -He changed his mind a second later. He heard shouts and pounding feet. -Guards were all about the place, probably stationed at each of the -doors! For a split second Ketrik hesitated. The only way now, was _in_. - -He hurled his weight forward and the already weakened door crashed open. - - * * * * * - -He hurried recklessly forward through darkness. He touched a smooth -marble wall, allowed his fingertips to brush lightly along it as he -ran. His racing feet sent up echoes in the hollow place. - -The Guards were crowding through the doorway behind him now. Suddenly -lights leaped up! Just as suddenly, Ketrik swerved aside. An -electro-beam hummed, came so close to him he could feel the swirling -heat. He hurled himself into a dim cross-corridor, as more electros -lanced out. But Ketrik was expert at this game. He raced for a stairway -he could see just ahead. He was halfway up when the others came into -view below him. He whirled, gave a sweeping burst with his own gun -that sent them tumbling back out of range. He gained the second floor -corridor. - -Suddenly the lights came on there too! Someone at the master-switch -was throwing on light all over the place! Ketrik preferred darkness. -He couldn't keep this up interminably. Feet pounded on the stairs now. -He opened the nearest door, slipped into a dark room. There he stood -breathing heavily as the pursuers pounded by. He waited until their -footsteps died away, then opened the door a crack. - -It was almost his undoing. A beam creased his hair. He drew back, then -suddenly flung the door wide and fired at the man they had left to -guard the stairs. His beam sliced across the Guard's wrist, sent his -gun spinning. But the man's scream of pain sent up shrill echoes that -would bring the others back. Ketrik bowled the man aside as he leaped -for the stairs leading up. At least he'd gained a few minutes! - -He wasn't fleeing blindly now. He had an objective. He was sure the -place he sought lay _above_--somewhere near that great, curved glass -roof. He reached the third floor and continued upward. Then he groaned. -The stairs ended at the next floor. A heavy metal door barred his way. -He wasted precious seconds fumbling at the complicated mechanism--was -about to use his electro to burn it away, when the great handle slid -down under his pressure and the ponderous door swung aside. He leaped -forward into more darkness. - -There he paused, electro raised. This would be cutting off his own -retreat, but he had to do it now! The beam lashed out, played across -the door's inner mechanism. Gradually the tough metal fused under the -heat. Ketrik made a thorough job of it, was satisfied at last that it -would take them some time to blast through! - -But he couldn't hear them out there. They should have reached the -door by this time. He frowned, then drew out the short-wave scanner -disc. He pressed the stud and tiny coils hummed to life. He moved the -sliding sheathes around the rim and at last a thought-impression came -through--a jumble of them. Ketrik knew his pursuers were standing on -the stairs, hesitant and a bit frightened, staring at the metal door. -Then a stronger impression came out of the thought-jumble as one of the -Guards spoke. "Shall we go ahead? We can burn through the door." - -"Enter that place?" came an answer, and Ketrik felt the mental shudder -that came with the words. "I'd sooner go unarmed into a den of -_hellas_!" - -Other thoughts agreed. Ketrik grinned there in the dark. He knew now, -that somewhere beyond him must be the lair of Dar Vaajo's _Entity_, and -these men were deathly afraid of it. Finally another thought stabbed -through. - -"Very well. There's no retreat for him now anyway. We'll wait here, but -one of you hurry to the palace and bring Dar Vaajo!" - -Ketrik acted quickly then. He found the lights, saw that he was in a -small metal-walled room. On the opposite side was another door, and -near it was a tall case containing half a dozen protective suits. - -He hurriedly donned one. It wasn't hard to guess what they were -for. The suit itself was of light mesh-beryllium, topped by a heavy -_crystyte_ helmet. Again he brought his weapon into play, destroyed the -other five suits. Let Vaajo come! He would hardly dare enter this den -without protective gear! - -But even within the suit Ketrik didn't feel quite safe. He still -remembered the power of the thing he had felt the previous night. His -stomach turned over in a frightened yawn as he stepped through the -opposite door. - - - VIII - -He was on a wide balcony. Near at hand was a tele-vise, a -control-studded panel, and other complicated machinery. Overhead, -seeming so near he could almost touch it, the great laboratory -dome stretched out and away in its vast curve. While below ... was -emptiness. Now for the first time he realized the gigantic proportions -of this building. A hundred feet below he saw bare floor. Probably -twice that distance away, straight across from him, he could make out -the opposite wall. There was nothing more, nothing in all that maw of -space. - -Peering at the walls, he saw strange instruments protruding. Short and -tubular, literally thousands of them reached from the floor to the -height of this balcony, stretching away across the walls as far as he -could see. Ketrik thought he knew what they were--but he had to be sure. - -He looked at the controls all about him. One huge panel contained -thousands of studs. He depressed one. From the far away opposite wall -a ray of white light needled out and slightly downward. He swept his -hand across more studs, and other beams lanced out from the four -walls--dozens, then hundreds. Ketrik was satisfied. Here, he knew were -the controlling rays which Vaajo had spoken of. He shut the rays off, -and looked further about him. - -There was only the tele-vise, and two other instruments. One was merely -a wheel, six feet in diameter. The other was a machine complicated -beyond anything Ketrik had ever imagined. Giant tubes, coils, and alien -looking grids nestled in the bulk of it. Cables thick as his arm led -to the nearest wall, thence upward to the lower rim of the glassite -dome, and completely around it. From there, other cables dangled -downward for a few feet into empty space. - -Ketrik approached the control panel. It seemed simpler than he had -supposed, but he studied it a while before reaching out a tentative -hand to the first switch. The coils shrieked maddeningly, then the -sound ascended the scale and passed beyond the audible. The giant tubes -pulsed to life, throwing out a silver radiance. Then Ketrik reached out -to what seemed to be a master-lever. He pulled it slowly toward him. - -There came a sound, a sighing, which rose to tremendous crescendo as -though every wind from the depths of space were sweeping in upon him! -An awful vertigo as the dome, the floor, and all space between seemed -to tilt crazily--into _nothingness_! He clung to the lever, sought to -push it back. His mind reeled. Everything before him was merging into a -grotesquerie of impossible angles and planes--and through it all came a -twisting vortex of darkness, utter emptiness, that sought to sweep him -out and away! - -Then the lever gave before his surging muscles. It fell back into -place. Everything came back to normal--except Ketrik. He allowed the -dizziness to pass, and then grinning, he tried the stunt again! Two, -three times more he tried it, with the same result, until he was quite -sure of his mastery over that control. - -For here was the machine he had hoped to find! Here was the means -and the only means, of ridding the System once and for all of that -Entity which Dar Vaajo in his madness had built up into such a weapon; -a terribly alive weapon which, if allowed to go unchecked, with or -without Dar Vaajo, could well become a menace to all the worlds! Ketrik -realized that his task had reached the crucial point. A single mistake -now, a mere miscalculation, and all would be over. So far he had only -seen a manifestation of the Entity, not the thing itself. But he knew -it must be here, somewhere very close--and waiting.... - -He stepped over to the towering perpendicular wheel. - - * * * * * - -It moved easily beneath his hand. He was tense now, watching the great -expanse of floor a hundred feet below. His surmise was correct. A tiny -crack appeared there, extending the length of the floor. And upward -from it came light--greenish, terrible light which he'd felt before, -which he knew was the Entity itself, eager to lash outward! Almost, -Ketrik hesitated. But he forced his hand to move the wheel. - -The crack widened as the floor moved away on either side. Gradually he -could see the Entity, the very bulk of it--maddening, impossible--but -there it was! Fully a hundred feet across, greenish and blinding! -It was roughly globular, seemed to be a giant brain slowly pulsing -and evilly alive, yet somehow it was more than that. It was -quasi-amorphous, writhing and changing shape and trying to heave itself -upward! Tentacles lashed out--tentacles that seemed to be solidified -light, seeking ... seeking for sustenance! - -It began to move upward. Up between the walls on a sliding platform, -to a point just above the floor, where it stopped. Some of its light -touched Ketrik, beat against his helmet and surged about him, tearing -with cold fingers at his beryllium suit. In his absorbing interest he -had almost forgotten the controlling rays! He hurled himself at the -panel. With reckless sweeps of his hands he flicked on the studs. - -[Illustration: _It began to move upward ... to beat against Ketrik, -surging ... tearing._...] - -He had been just in time. The white rays, lancing out from the walls, -now formed a gorgeous criss-crossing pattern that held the Entity in -leash. It writhed and cowered. Slowly its own tentacles of light drew -back. It lay in seeming quiescence. But even then Ketrik received its -thought-emanations, as they crashed with frightening impact upon his -brain. Yes, the thing was alive and evil. Too long had Dar Vaajo held -it in subservience. It wished to escape these barriers, launch out -for itself. There was sustenance aplenty on Mars, and it would grow -titanically. Then would come Earth--and there were many other planets. - -Perhaps the Entity sensed Ketrik's rising horror. Perhaps it guessed -what he meant to do! For now, despite the concentration of rays, it -tried to lash out in new fury. Ketrik laughed then, a bit wildly; -laughed in mockery and joy, seeing the thing in thrall, watching its -futile efforts against the barriers.... - -Then the laughter died in his throat. Something was happening. The -rays, the controlling rays across the walls--one by one they were -blanking out! One by one, then suddenly whole rows at a time! - - * * * * * - -Ketrik whirled to the control-panel. Another figure was there--Dar -Vaajo! Somewhere he had obtained another protective suit, had entered -silently. Now he was blanking out the control-rays, enough of them to -allow the power of the Entity through! - -Even as Ketrik hurled himself forward, he saw madness on Vaajo's face. -More of the rays blanked off as Vaajo swept his hand down. Then Ketrik -was upon him. The two metal-suited figures clashed, went spinning -backward and then to the floor of the balcony in a wild tangle. - -Dar Vaajo was old but he was still tough and wiry. He had the strength -of a madman now. He kept Ketrik at bay as the latter sought to grip -his throat. He laughed wildly as Ketrik pounded futilely at the tough -_crystyte_ helmet. Then Ketrik knew why he laughed. The damage had been -done, the power of the Entity was lashing through the barriers now! A -tendril of light curled about Ketrik's head. Even through the helmet he -felt the insatiable greed of it, as his brain exploded in fire. - -[Illustration: _Dar Vaajo was old but he was still tough and wiry._] - -He forgot Dar Vaajo, managed to drag himself upward. He staggered -toward the huge Vortex machine. Vaajo hurled against his legs and -brought him crashing down. His brain was now a writhing agony of fire. -He saw Vaajo's grinning face near his own, and knew that somehow Vaajo -wasn't affected by the Entity; perhaps years of working so close to -it had made him partially immune. Slowly Ketrik managed to bring his -knees up under the other's body, then his feet. With his last remaining -strength he lashed out. - -He saw the Martian's slight body hurl backward. It crashed into the -balcony's low railing which caught him just at the knees. For a moment -Vaajo tottered, arms flailing wildly; then his mouth opened in what -must have been a shriek as he went over the edge, over and downward, -to crash a hundred feet below into the great greenish bulk of the -Entity. - -But Ketrik didn't see that. He was dragging himself the few remaining -yards to the Vortex machine, then slowly up to the controls. Heedless -now of the frantic light-tendrils that tried to stop him, he managed -to turn on the control. He sank to the floor as he pulled back on the -master lever. - -It was through blurring eyes this time that he saw the crazy tilting -of the laboratory dome and everything beneath, saw the dark Vortex -twisting through from an alien space. As though in a dream he saw a -rush of light, glimpsed a greenish mass hurtling outward to disappear -in a convergence of crazy space-angles.... - -After that he remembered finding his electro which had skidded away on -the floor. He used it to blast the Vortex machine into tangled ruin. He -remembered staggering to the tele-vise and turning it on, and seeing -Praana's face from a screen somewhere in the palace. - -"Praana ... the laboratory ... your father is...." But that was all. He -was sliding forward against the screen, sliding down to the floor into -merciful oblivion. - - * * * * * - -He saw her face again and it was no longer startled, it was smiling -down at him. He tried to sit up. A spasm of pain hit him. He heard her -say, "Rest. You will be all right soon." - -He was lying on a couch somewhere in the palace. Servants were hovering -around anxiously. Praana sent them away. Presently she said, "I've -contacted the Earth Fleet's flagship. They will be here sometime -tomorrow. They come in peace." - -He managed to nod. "You know about the other? Your father--he was...." -He stopped the words in time, his face twisted as he thought of it. - -"Don't be afraid to say it." Praana still managed to smile. "Yes, I -know it now, we all know! He was mad. Mars as well as Earth owes you -a debt of gratitude it can never repay." She hesitated. "I want to -forget. I must get away, somewhere far away. I should like to return to -Earth, for just a little while." - -Ketrik grinned. He lay back. He had wanted to hear her say that. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dread-Flame of M'Tonak, by Henry Hasse - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DREAD-FLAME OF M'TONAK *** - -***** This file should be named 63897-8.txt or 63897-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/8/9/63897/ - -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: Dread-Flame of M'Tonak - -Author: Henry Hasse - -Release Date: November 27, 2020 [EBook #63897] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DREAD-FLAME OF M'TONAK *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>DREAD-FLAME OF M'TONAK</h1> - -<h2>By HENRY HASSE</h2> - -<p>A flame of pure thought ... green and unspeakably<br /> -vile ... thrust from its own supra-dimension into<br /> -the Solar warp, it found one whose malignance<br /> -matched its own—and who would bargain with it.<br /> -Against them—Ketrik, outlawed and alone!</p> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Planet Stories Fall 1946.<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>Ketrik came in from Perlac, came fast, using the Frequency Tuner all -the way. Now his great bulk came forward in the control-seat, his eyes -fastened intently on the dark blue disk of Earth that loomed ahead.</p> - -<p>"Strange," he muttered. "Strange, no Patrollers! I expected an escort -at least, if not a challenge!"</p> - -<p>But no one heard. Ketrik, as always, had come alone. The helio from -Mark Travers, recorded on the sensitized receivers at Perlac, had -been more than a summons and a plea; it had contained an undertone -of urgency. Ketrik had left at once, making the trip from the newly -discovered outer planet in record time, thanks to the secret power-unit -which the Earth Council still coveted.</p> - -<p>Ketrik thought of that now, as he neared Earth where he had not set -foot for so long. He remembered the tedious negotiations between -Earth and Perlac, designed to bring the latter planet into the Solar -Federation—a status hardly equitable to the Perlac government, due -to Earth's high-handed demands. For Earth still claimed priority on -Brownell's "Frequency Tuner," despite the fact that he had been forced -to flee with his invention to Perlac; and since then there had been an -alarming exodus of Earth's scientists to Perlac where they could work -out their ideas unhampered.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>The Earth Council remained haughty, adamant. Only six months ago there -had been a skirmish beyond Jupiter in which several Earth Patrollers -had gone to flaming destruction against the speedy Perlac ships. The -"Perlac Incident" was developing into open, bitter warfare. Venus -remained wisely aloof, riding a crest of peace under the reign of -Princess Aladdian. And on Mars, Dar Vaajo sat brooding on his ancient -throne, silent and watchful.</p> - -<p>"Maybe I'm being a fool," Ketrik murmured now as he crossed the orbit -of Earth's moon. "Mark Travers guaranteed me safe landing and full -protection—nevertheless—"</p> - -<p>Weary but still cautious, he switched to the auxiliary rocket-power, -then went to work dismantling the Frequency Tuner. In a short time -he had jumbled the unit into a confusion of its component parts, and -carefully hid it away. He trusted Mark Travers ... but there were -others.</p> - -<p>As he picked up the grav-beam for his landing, he thought again of -Mark. It would be good to see him again after four years. He wondered -if the lad's status as "Member of Council" had changed him any. Even -more, he wondered at Mark's urgent message.</p> - -<p>The city spread below. Then the landing field. Ketrik berthed with -practiced ease, stepped down from the lock.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The guards closed in fast. There were dozens of them. Ketrik had only -time to glimpse the black-and-silver insignia of the elite Council -Guard, the drawn guns and grim purpose on their faces. Even as he -whirled back toward his ship, the deadly song of a heat-beam sounded -past his ear—so close he could feel the swirling scorch of it.</p> - -<p>Ketrik came erect and motionless. He turned slowly, brain wry with the -thought that he'd come into a trap after all. But he smiled—a twisted -smile which failed to erase the hard lines of his face. His eyes were -a puzzle, gray and serene but somehow mocking beneath the dark bangs -tumbling across his forehead.</p> - -<p>The Guards formed a watchful circle about this man whose deeds were -renowned throughout the System. For a moment their Captain hesitated. -Then, squaring his shoulders, he stepped forward. His gun became -intimate with Ketrik's wishbone.</p> - -<p>"George Ketrik, I arrest you by order of the Supreme Earth Council! You -will come along peaceably or suffer the consequences!" The man's voice -was overly loud, arrogant. With a dramatic gesture he removed Ketrik's -gun, then whirled him into the hands of the Guards. They marched toward -a waiting tube-car. Other guards were trying to keep back the crowd, -passengers for the Venus Express who thronged the field.</p> - -<p>Ketrik's eyes were emotionless now, devoid of color. He said -tonelessly: "Taking quite a chance, aren't you, Captain? I've only -counted fifty of your men."</p> - -<p>"We've heard too much about you, Ketrik! And we want you alive—that's -why we didn't try to take you in space. I'm glad you're being sensible -about this."</p> - -<p>Ketrik shrugged his towering shoulders as though to say, "Why not?" -But his mind raced. So they wanted him alive. They were nearing the -tube-car now, and the crowd, eternally curious, was trying to press in.</p> - -<p>It was now or never. Ketrik stumbled. His elbow shot back, caught the -captain in the stomach. With the same motion he snatched the latter's -heat-gun, and bending low, lunged to the left. The crowd parted before -his onrush. Women screamed at sight of the gun he waved before him.</p> - -<p>Ketrik heard shouts and curses from the startled guard, but he knew -they wouldn't fire into the crowd. A uniformed man loomed before him, -swinging a gun-fist up. Ketrik was quicker. The guard went down from -a sledge-hammer blow. Grinning joyously, Ketrik evaded two others. He -twisted and turned through the crowd, with some notion of gaining the -tube-car and escaping into the heart of the city.</p> - -<p>And it might have worked. Now a path was opening clear. But this time -he really stumbled, lost his balance momentarily. It was enough to -allow the guards to close in. Ketrik twisted erect, felt clutching -hands upon him and heard the bellowing voice of the captain. He swung -out with his arms, felt men flung backward. He tried to bring up the -heat-gun.</p> - -<p>This time someone else was quicker.</p> - -<p>A heavy weight crashed against Ketrik's head, a sun exploded into -millions of fragments which dwindled away as he plunged forward into -darkness.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He regained his faculties quickly. His subconsciousness demanded it. -This curious "awareness" in which Ketrik had trained himself had saved -him from many a tight scrape.</p> - -<p>But now he did not open his eyes at once. He knew he was in the -tube-car, for he could feel the cushioned seat beneath him and the -faint vibration of the gyro-motors. Then he became aware of another -fact.</p> - -<p>He was alone.</p> - -<p>This brought him to his feet, wide-eyed and alert. He felt the weight -of his own gun again in his belt, examined it, found it still loaded. -Strange!</p> - -<p>Where were the guards? Why should they be sending him somewhere alone? -A glance at the <i>crystyte</i> window revealed a flashing panorama of the -city. He knew he was moving at terrific speed, probably on a special -"right-of-way." To attempt an escape now would be suicide.</p> - -<p>He shrugged, settled down in the seat. His capture had been well -planned, but he failed to see what the Council hoped to gain by it! -Ketrik felt a surge of cold fury at this treachery—a treachery in -which Mark Travers must have had a hand.</p> - -<p>Presently a braking signal flashed green. The tiny car sighed, as -though exhausted from its headlong route across the city. It came to a -stop against the forward cushion of air, and doors of <i>duraplon</i> slid -smoothly back.</p> - -<p>Hand near his gun, Ketrik emerged into a long empty corridor of black -and silver. Black marble walls reached sheerly up, to curve away -into a filigreed ceiling. Priceless tapestries adorned the walls, -caught a hidden overhead glow and shattered it into lances of silver -radiance. Ketrik frowned, looking at these tapestries. Their design -was interwoven with thousands of <i>Kra</i> plumes, those priceless silvery -plumes for which he'd risked his life many times among the wild peaks -of Ganymede. Only the very elect could afford them. He knew now, that -he must be in Earth's Council Chambers.</p> - -<p>Again he felt a tingling awareness, knew that unseen eyes were upon -him. He straightened his shoulders and walked unhurriedly toward a -massive door at the end of the corridor. As he neared it, there came a -tiny click and the door slid back.</p> - -<p>It was a large room but startlingly bare. A huge table of Martian -<i>majagua</i> wood, with a dozen surrounding chairs, occupied the center. -The only other article was a magnificent Ethero-Magnum, with screen -reaching nearly to the ceiling—an instrument powerful enough for -communication with Venus, Mars, even the Callistan colonies.</p> - -<p>To Ketrik's surprise, only one Member of Council was present. This man -had risen as Ketrik entered. Ketrik stared and it took him fully a -minute to recognize this man. It had been four years since he had last -seen him, out there at Perlac—but now Mark Travers seemed to have aged -twenty years!</p> - -<p>Mark came slowly around the table, hand thrust out in greeting.</p> - -<p>Ketrik's voice was like a whiplash.</p> - -<p>"Nice going, Travers! I trusted you, so I came right into your little -trap! What is it you want—the Frequency Tuner? Or am I just plain -under arrest?"</p> - -<p>Mark stopped in his tracks. A pained look swept across his features. -Ketrik went on mercilessly.</p> - -<p>"And I expected a better reception than this! Where's the rest of the -Council? I'll save you time, though, and tell you that Perlac has -ceased negotiating. We're prepared to fight for our independence and -free enterprise in the System!"</p> - -<p>"I know that, Ketrik. I'll continue to champion Perlac's cause against -all odds here!" Grim-faced, Mark began pacing the room. "As for the -other eleven Council Members—they don't even know that you've arrived -on Earth. I'm risking my position in Council, perhaps my very life, by -bringing an outsider into these chambers without a quorum present!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik's mien underwent a change. "You mean I'm not under arrest?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Mark laughed. "Of course you're not! That little show at the spaceport -was faked, had to be. And," he smiled a little, "thanks for adding the -touch of realism. Moreover, your spacer is in safe hands."</p> - -<p>"Well, son, congratulations!" Ketrik grinned broadly. "You sure had me -fooled. But what about the rest of the Council, if they learn that I'm -on Earth—"</p> - -<p>"By the time they do, it won't matter. You won't be here." Mark stopped -his pacing, turned to the famed adventurer. "Ketrik, I sent for you -because I need you desperately! Earth needs you! I have reason to -believe that Earth is facing the greatest danger in its history."</p> - -<p>"Earth." The bronzed exile spoke the word quietly, but with a world of -contempt.</p> - -<p>"Well, then, the entire System! Even Perlac. I believe it will strike -first at Earth, in fact may already have done so."</p> - -<p>"And this danger. Danger from what?"</p> - -<p>"Ketrik, you'll probably think me a fool—but I don't know! It's so -damned vague it's terrifying. I do have an accumulation of data that -points to Mars. I want you to go there."</p> - -<p>"Mars? A second-rate power. Their race is dying out, and their science -goes with it."</p> - -<p>Mark shook his head. "Don't underrate Dar Vaajo! He's an old man -now, but cunning. An opportunist. He's never forgotten how Princess -Aladdian of Venus, through her treaty with Earth, put an end to his -dreams of conquest."<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> - -<p>"Yes, I remember it well." Ketrik was thoughtful. "But how could Dar -Vaajo make a play now against the power of Earth, or for that matter -Perlac?"</p> - -<p>Mark permitted himself a smile. He didn't miss the implication that -Perlac, too, was fast becoming a power to be reckoned with.</p> - -<p>"I'll give you the facts," he said quietly, "and you can judge. About -two years ago, Dar Vaajo stopped all Uranium shipments from Mars. That -in itself is comparatively unimportant. What is important, is the Earth -Council. Now consider, Ketrik—I've been close to these men for four -years. Very often it has seemed to me that where rudimentary logic -should dictate a course of action, they incomprehensibly choose to -follow another. So it was with this Uranium embargo. They might easily -have forced a showdown, but instead, they seemed satisfied with Dar -Vaajo's peculiar evasions.</p> - -<p>"Of course, about this time Earth's quarrel with Perlac was reaching -a crisis. But even there, I noticed definite trends of irrational -thinking on the part of the Members. At our frequent sessions to -discuss the Perlac question, they seemed to appreciate all the factors -involved—even that we were fast losing our best scientific talent to -Perlac. Yet their damned egotisms crept through, dictating to their -reason. Ketrik, I swear to you that when they voted sending a fleet -of Patrollers out to Jupiter to prevent your men from landing there, -I did everything in my power to prevent it. But again my voice was -one against eleven. And believe me, the majority vote of Council is -final—irrevocable."</p> - -<p>"I have reason to know that," Ketrik said. "But, Mark, I still fail to -see this danger you spoke of."</p> - -<p>"I'm getting to it. And this is the part that's frightening. About a -month ago, in my own home, I set up a secret Cerebro-Scanner. Know what -that is?"</p> - -<p>"Never heard of it."</p> - -<p>"It's new, and plenty dangerous in the wrong hands. Works on a ray -principle. Produces elaborate graphs of an individual's mental and -emotional co-ordinates. Well, on a secret wave-length I probed the -minds of my fellow Council Members!" Mark smiled. "Yes, I'd probably -receive sentence of death if they knew, but the end justified the -means. Ketrik, the resulting graphs reveal that the cerebro-thalamic -co-ordinates of the Council Members do not vary in the slightest! They -are the same down to ten decimal points!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik gestured helplessly. "Is this important?"</p> - -<p>Mark stared at him. "Important—it's unprecedented! Much the same as -finding eleven identical sets of fingerprints! But what is worse, the -graphs show elements of—of—it's hard to explain. Certainly not -disloyalty! Rather the opposite. An <i>intense</i> loyalty, but governed by -unreason. Their minds seem directed along a single channel, toward a -definite end. And that is—the utter humbling of Perlac! Nothing else -seems to matter!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik nodded. Then he asked the obvious question.</p> - -<p>"Did you employ this Scanner on yourself?"</p> - -<p>"To make the record complete—yes! Needless to say, this tenacity -of purpose concerning Perlac is utterly missing from my own mental -co-ordinates."</p> - -<p>"Hmm. How do you account for that?"</p> - -<p>"I can't. But this mental trend in the others seems to be <i>induced</i>. -Now, you begin to see the implications?"</p> - -<p>Ketrik nodded slowly. "Yes, son, and you're right! It even begins to -scare me a little. Suppose Dar Vaajo in some way has gained control of -those eleven minds—is that what you mean? But why Dar Vaajo?"</p> - -<p>"There's one more item that completes the pattern, and points to Mars. -During the past year, as many as four of our spacers have disappeared -on the Earth-Mars route. No trace has ever been found. However, about a -month ago, a life-boat from the missing <i>Terra III</i> was found drifting -near the orbit of our moon. Aboard was one survivor—Dr. Curt Ransome, -the brilliant physicist and mathematician, returning from a lecture -tour on Mars."</p> - -<p>"And could you learn nothing from him?"</p> - -<p>"No." Mark's voice was tragic. "We learned nothing, because—<i>his -brilliant mind was gone</i>! The doctors say it's doubtful if he'll -ever respond to treatment. He babbles incessantly, has the mind of a -week-old infant!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik was aghast. "What has the Council done?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing, of course!" Mark laughed bitterly. "They're pre-occupied -with Perlac! I've personally contacted Dar Vaajo on the Ethero-Magnum. -He expresses regret and puzzlement, offers every aid in tracing the -disappearing ships. But there's an under-current of evasion. As a -desperate measure I sent two secret operatives to Mars."</p> - -<p>"Good," Ketrik nodded his approval. "They get through all right?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, apparently just in time. Dar Vaajo has thrown a close guard about -the planet. Anyway, my operatives managed to set up a communications -base in the wilds of the K'Mari Range, half a day's flight from -Turibek, capital of South Mars. I've contacted them twice. They report -strange activities at Turibek, something in the nature of a vast -scientific experiment! And another thing. Dar Vaajo apparently has made -a truce with the Rajecs."</p> - -<p>"The Rajecs! Those Martian Outlanders?" Ketrik's face was dark with -real concern. This news seemed to affect him more than anything Mark -had said.</p> - -<p>"We've really never learned much about those strange desert tribes," -Mark went on. "But—"</p> - -<p>"It's impossible!" Ketrik said. "Those Outlanders hate the Upper -Martians with a hatred beyond our understanding. Nothing would impel -them to make truce, absolutely <i>nothing</i>! I know, for I once lived -among them for six months." Ketrik was as near to being excited as was -possible for him. "Yes, Mark, I'll go to Mars. This really begins to -interest me!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">II</p> - -<p>They spent much of that night in going over their plans. Ketrik had -no misapprehensions about landing on Mars; he could do that despite -Vaajo's patrols. Turibek presented the real problem.</p> - -<p>Carefully he perused the tele-strip recordings from Mark's operatives, -E-39 and EV-5. There had only been two reports, and they were brief.</p> - -<p>"This last one was sent two weeks ago," Mark said, "and I haven't been -able to contact them since. The channel's dead. I'm afraid it means -their hide-out was discovered!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik studied the rough map Mark had made, showing the location of the -hide-out in the K'Mari Range, and its position from Turibek.</p> - -<p>"This will help. I'll try to get over there, see if anything's left of -their sending equipment. Then I want to make a try for the city. If -I can get inside of Turibek, and maybe get a line on this scientific -thing they're working up ... I was at Turibek eight years ago, and know -it fairly well."</p> - -<p>"Here's a photo-static air view," Mark said. "Afraid it doesn't show -much."</p> - -<p>"It shows one thing," Ketrik said, studying the film. "Dar Vaajo's had -a wall built completely around the city. That wasn't there eight years -ago! And those towers stationed around the wall—what do you suppose -they are?"</p> - -<p>"Control towers. That's an electronic wall! And you'll observe there's -another within the city itself, surrounding that group of buildings -which must be the laboratories. Ketrik—if you ever get in there...." -His voice dwindled away in doubt.</p> - -<p>"You don't think I can do it? I don't either, Mark—not as an Earthman!"</p> - -<p>"Come. We'll fix that."</p> - -<p>They passed through endless corridors, arrived finally at a large -white-enameled room. It was complete with operating tables, -instruments, plastics, ray-lamps—everything necessary to Earth's -espionage system.</p> - -<p>Ketrik stripped piecemeal, allowed every inch of his superbly muscled -body to be subjected to the stinging Ulmo lamps. Gradually under -the hot rays, the very pigmentation of his skin changed to the deep -reddish-copper of a Martian. Mark proved himself an expert at this. -Even the insides of Ketrik's ears did not escape the ray.</p> - -<p>"Don't worry," Mark told him. "This will all wear off eventually."</p> - -<p>"Yes? How long?"</p> - -<p>"In about two years! Now, your eyes. You never saw a Martian with gray -eyes. Look up just a moment."</p> - -<p>A few drops of liquid, a harmless vegetable composition, changed -Ketrik's eyes to a muddy golden color.</p> - -<p>"Those bangs have got to come off!" Mark went to work in earnest. Ten -minutes under another ray, and Ketrik's unruly hair was transformed -into tight, crisp curls in keeping with the Martian fashion. His -features presented the hardest problem, but Mark worked miracles with -the plastics and equipment.</p> - -<p>At last the job was done. When Ketrik surveyed himself in the mirror -he saw a tall, somewhat arrogant Martian of the middle class, with -slightly flaring nostrils, bulging cheek-bones and lips curving in a -thin, cruel smile. He nodded, more than satisfied.</p> - -<p>Mark consulted his wrist-chrono. "Four hours until dawn. Better grab a -few hours' sleep, it may be your last for a while."</p> - -<p>"Sure, but I'll rest better if I know one thing. Where's my ship?"</p> - -<p>"My guards moved it secretly to the underground repair locks. Right -now it's undergoing as radical a change as I just performed on you." -Mark smiled. "When you leave Earth, it will be in a slow-powered ore -freighter ostensibly bound for the Moon!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>An hour before the dawn, Mark wakened Ketrik. But Mark hadn't been idle -in those hours. He handed the other a small, compact instrument.</p> - -<p>"Here's a Scanner disc I just finished assembling. It only works within -a very short range, but you may have need of it."</p> - -<p>They took the swift tube-car across the city and arrived at the -spaceport amidst surprising activity. A Callistan freighter had just -berthed. Bright lights were trained upon it, men and trucks were moving -about handling the cargo.</p> - -<p>"I planned it for this hour," Mark explained, "because now less -attention will be drawn to you. We can't be too careful." He pointed to -a dark, far corner of the field where a clumsy bulk rested. "Believe it -or not, that's your ship. The exterior's been changed but that's all. -You still have the Frequency Tuner." They paused for a moment in solemn -thought. "I can't impress upon you too much, Ketrik, what this—"</p> - -<p>"That's right, Mark, you can't. So let's not mention it." Ketrik was -brusque. "Believe me, son, I know what I'm up against."</p> - -<p>"Send <i>any</i> news at all as to what Dar Vaajo's up to. If I learn -that, I can rouse the people of Earth to preparedness in spite of the -Council." He thrust out his hand. "I'll say goodby now—and good luck!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik said simply, "You'll be hearing from me, Mark." He moved across -the field, keeping to the shadows, the collar of his space tunic turned -up. He wondered how many of the men working about this field were -Martian "Specials." Some of them, surely. If he, an Earthman, could be -molded into Martian guise, Dar Vaajo could certainly perform the same -miracle in reverse and probably had.</p> - -<p>He reached his ship undetected. All was dark and quiet. The hull, he -noticed, had been painted solid black. He entered and flicked on the -lights. Mark was right, nothing on the inside had been changed.</p> - -<p>He explored the ship to make sure. Then he moved forward to the -control-console, remembering that this was supposed to be a clumsy Moon -freighter. The rockets roared. The ship moved with slow acceleration up -the step locks, to finally catapult into the stratosphere.</p> - -<p>And five minutes later, just as he was clearing Earth's gravity, he -heard the voice behind him:</p> - -<p>"Well, Ketrik, at last! Really—I thought you were never going to make -it!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik had long since learned caution in these matters. He turned -slowly now and was glad he did. The first thing he saw was the gun—a -powerful weapon, an electro. The fist wrapped around it looked firm and -experienced. Ketrik's gaze went to the man's face.</p> - -<p>It was the Captain of the Guard, the same captain who had met him at -his landing eight hours before. The man was cold-eyed now. He kept a -few paces away from Ketrik.</p> - -<p>Ketrik said, "I searched the ship. Where were you?"</p> - -<p>"You failed to look in the emergency fuel locker. It was a tight -squeeze for me." He smiled tightly, surveying Ketrik's transformed -figure. "A nice job. Slightly tall for a Martian but, withal very nice. -Too bad all that ingenuity has to be wasted at the very outset."</p> - -<p>Ketrik's muscles tightened. As though it were a signal, the other's -voice became brittle.</p> - -<p>"Up! Up with those hands, Ketrik. I have a few questions to ask, and -then—"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It seemed ridiculously easy, the way Ketrik did it. He let his eyes -go dull. He sighed and raised his hands, slowly. He saw the other's -gun-fist relax ever so slightly. Then Ketrik's legs gave way and he -went swiftly downward. The captain fired but Ketrik wasn't there, his -powerful muscles had launched him forward, beneath the hissing beam. -His shoulder caught the other just below the midriff and bent him -double, carried him backward. They crashed into the controlroom door. -Ketrik's left hand found the other's gun-wrist and twisted powerfully. -A bone snapped, the electro skidded away. The captain began a curse but -it was cut short by Ketrik's right hand at his throat.</p> - -<p>Ketrik pulled the man to a sitting posture. He gazed deep into the eyes -which were glazing over with pain. But it was not enough to prevent the -true color from shining through ... the color of dull, tarnished gold.</p> - -<p>"I thought so," Ketrik murmured, and then his hand loosened, balled -into a fist that drove forward. The man laid back and went limp.</p> - -<p>Ketrik's fingers probed the other's face. The man was a Martian, all -right, the features had been subtly altered. Enough to fool even Mark! -Captain of the elite guard! How long had the man masqueraded in that -position, Ketrik wondered—and then he shrugged. It didn't matter now.</p> - -<p>He went through the man's clothes, found nothing of interest until he -came under the left arm-pit. There, next to the skin, he found a tiny -metal disk. He rose, went over to the wall-light to examine his find. -The disk was perforated with queer Martian characters. Ketrik knew -Martian, but he couldn't quite make these out. He bent closer.</p> - -<p>A sixth sense warned him, or perhaps it was some slight sound. He -whirled. The Martian's hand had moved, was now grasping the electro -which he swung up into line. Ketrik's hand dropped and he fired his own -heat-beam from the hip. The beam cut a clean swath across the other's -chest, and he died without so much as a sigh.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, buddy, whoever you are," Ketrik whispered. "Guess I'd have had -to do that anyway, though. When Dar Vaajo plants Specials like you on -Earth, we don't play for fun!"</p> - -<p>He fastened the identification disk under his own arm-pit. Five minutes -later, from the starboard lock, he dumped the body into space and -without a qualm, rayed it to dust.</p> - -<p>Then, champing with impatience, Ketrik allowed his "freighter" to plod -Moonward. He skirted within five thousand miles of it, then with the -satellite as a shield between him and Earth, he charted for Mars.</p> - -<p>His brush with the Martian operative had sobered him. He began to -realize that Mark had every reason for alarm! The subtle tampering with -the Council's mental patterns, the placing of operatives in high Earth -positions, the secret scientific experiments on Mars—they all had to -tie in. He was sure of one thing now. Dar Vaajo, an embittered old man, -was making one last bid which would bring his race to its former glory -or else carry it forever to extinction with him.</p> - -<p>There were surely other Martian operatives on Earth, and they -would have established a communications base. By this time they had -undoubtedly flashed the news of his coming. Ketrik smiled inwardly. -Very well—they'd be expecting him at Turibek, but he'd take the -indirect approach.</p> - -<p>All the way to Mars his mind was at work. He was remembering days he'd -spent in that wild desert country of South Mars. From the tide of his -thoughts he segregated events ... places and people ... the canals and -cruel deserts, the customs of the Rajecs, those fierce black outcasts -from the cities of Mars. He knew that before he got through to Turibek, -he'd need all this. Already a plan was forming....</p> - -<p>Twenty hours later he sighted a Mars patrol, six formidable spacers -athwart the Earth-route. They moved leisurely, in perfect formation, -and Ketrik knew their network of "finder beams" covered a large area. -However, the power-principle of the Frequency Tuner defied those -"finders." No challenge came through his open radio, which meant they -hadn't sighted him yet.</p> - -<p>A solid black ship was strictly against the Space Code, but Codes -mattered little now! With the ebony backdrop of space behind him, -Ketrik's ship would be hard to detect. He decided to try a sneak past -them. He'd have to go into Inferior-plane, but he was sure he could -make it.</p> - -<p>Quickly he changed course, swept into a sharp parabola that carried -him far below the Ecliptic. In a matter of minutes he was watching the -Mars-cruisers fade away into darkness. His present course would bring -him far over into Mars' dark-side, but that was what he wanted anyway.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Hours later the vast South Desert was rising up below him. Deimos had -just appeared, climbing with slow majesty across the sky; Phobos would -come a few hours later, pursuing its reckless course. Ketrik peered far -ahead to the horizon. There, against the dark downward curve, he saw a -faint glow that was not the glow of Deimos. He knew that must be the -capital city, Turibek, untold miles away. He made swift calculation. To -the right, then, would be the K'Mari Range. He knew those mountains. -It would be the very place to leave his ship.</p> - -<p>He dropped lower and headed for there. The pale ghost-glow of Deimos -didn't help much. He switched to infra-red, peered at the V-Panel as it -lighted up and saw the unmistakable, serrated line of mountains about -twenty miles away. He had judged it that close! Ketrik grinned proudly.</p> - -<p>It was short-lived. A Martian voice sliced through the radio, shrill -and commanding.</p> - -<p>"Ground! You, below there—you will ground immediately or we blast!"</p> - -<p>Then Ketrik realized that for the past several minutes there had been -a faint humming sound from above and all about him, scarcely heard. He -had relaxed in his vigilance, and the Martian 'copters had picked out -his trail—those fast-powered and deadly scouting ships. They too must -be equipped with infra-red!</p> - -<p>Even as these thoughts raced through his mind, Ketrik was acting. He -leaped away from the V-Panel, grabbed the Control and threw it over. -Too late now! The ship responded, but sluggishly. The nose veered -sharply upward, trying to leap away—then the entire hull shuddered. -Power-beams! It must be a vast concentration of them, to stop Frequency -power! Slowly his forward progress was retarded. Relentlessly he was -being forced down into the Martian sands. Again the voice sliced -through.</p> - -<p>"It is useless, outlaw! We've had you in our finder for the past five -minutes and you are in a network of Power-beams. Nullify your control -immediately or we blast!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik cursed. Already his ship was straining at the seams. And now -he felt insufferable heat all about him, realized they were using the -beams. His stomach turned over as he thought of his rocket-tubes loaded -with fuel....</p> - -<p>Quickly he entered the starboard lock; stood peering down. He was -dropping fast. Above him now he saw hosts of vague shapes, heard the -whine of Martian 'copter blades cutting the air. The metal under his -fingers was growing hot. He counted to five, slowly ... and leaped -outward.</p> - -<p>It may have been thirty feet—or fifty. Ketrik only knew that he was -plummeting downward. He let his muscles go limp, and just in time. He -hit the sand hard, rolled over once and knew that no bones were broken. -Above him he saw the pale glow of heat-beams, saw the hull of his -spacer growing cherry-red ... and suddenly realized his danger.</p> - -<p>He staggered up, went ploughing across the desert, still mentally -counting off the seconds ... "eight ... nine ... ten...." The explosion -lighted the sky for a hell-filled moment. Ketrik went hurling forward, -to land head foremost into the sand. Parts of his ship came thudding -down about him.</p> - -<p>One fragment, red-hot, landed against his arm and burned it severely. -Other fragments scattered over a wide area. Ketrik was cursing now, -unconsciously using the mono-syllabic Martian in which he had versed -himself.</p> - -<p>Then it was all over. Ketrik was glad of only one thing. His ship was -gone, but the Frequency Tuner had gone with it! The Martians would -never get that priceless power unit. He rolled to his back and looked -up.</p> - -<p>It was not over! A few 'copters were descending to view the -wreckage—or perhaps to look for him. Had they seen him jump? Powerful -searchlights began criss-crossing the area. Again he staggered up, went -forward into darkness. Every muscle ached, but his eyes were alert for -the beams. Whenever one passed near him, he flattened into the sand. -After untold agonies, he judged that he was fairly safe. Far behind, he -heard the drift of excited Martian voices.</p> - -<p>He didn't rest. He kept going away from those voices. They might still -be looking for him. He was utterly confused in his direction now. He -could be going toward Turibek, or toward K'Mari Range ... or out into -the vast wilderness to the south. One of those dark storms was sweeping -up, and Deimos was hidden. Soon the sharp sand began to pelt him.</p> - -<p>Ketrik turned up his collar and ploughed on. He remembered that those -storms usually, but not always, came up from the south. He guided his -direction by that, and plunged on.</p> - -<p>"At least one thing's settled," he muttered after a while. "I'm -relieved of the problem of hiding my ship!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">III</p> - -<p>Through adventures on every far-flung world, every barren satellite, -Ketrik's uncanny "time-awareness" had never failed him. It didn't now. -He knew that it was precisely one hour and twenty minutes later when -he saw the flickering lights, so he couldn't have come far. He saw the -lights but once, quite a distance ahead and low against the ground. -Then they were gone as the sand rose in renewed fury.</p> - -<p>He moved cautiously now. He didn't see the lights again but knew he was -going toward them. Ketrik was no stranger to this south desert. Now -the old nameless awareness was with him. It may not have been anything -he heard—but he suddenly knew that very close, just beyond the radius -of his vision, unknown shapes moved through murky darkness. The very -sands seemed to whisper the danger. But Ketrik heard other sounds now. -The sounds he heard were sibilant footsteps and they were patient, very -patient, as they kept pace with him.</p> - -<p>He became suddenly motionless, held his ears attuned. The soft -footsteps stopped, but not before Ketrik determined that they were on -both sides of him now and probably behind him as well. He nodded grimly -and went on, no longer trying to tread softly. He loosened the electro -in his belt. These might be Rajecs or they might be the scavenger rats -that trailed a man until he dropped. In either event....</p> - -<p>He knew very soon. They came hurtling out of darkness at him, great -black shapes, silent and swift. But they were man-size, which meant -they were Rajecs. His electro was out, but he didn't get a chance to -use it. A muscular hand seized his arm and bore it painfully backward. -Other Rajecs crowded in. Even at this close range Ketrik could see -little except their eyes, feral as flaming topaz.</p> - -<p>Even Ketrik could not fight that which he could not see. But he tried, -tried grimly until the weight of their bodies bore him down. He -remembered that these people could see in darkness. They undoubtedly -saw that he was "Martian," and his life would be forfeit unless....</p> - -<p>He was trying to remember something else, something out of Rajec -legendry. A single word. It came to him then, and he ceased fighting. -He whispered the word fiercely.</p> - -<p>"<i>S'Relah!</i>"</p> - -<p>It was magic. The clutching hands loosened. He could feel the black -muscular figures draw back, hesitant.</p> - -<p>"You are Martian!" one of them hissed.</p> - -<p>"But <i>S'Relah</i>, I tell you!" Ketrik spat the word. "I am one of you!"</p> - -<p>They helped him to rise, but kept firm grip on his arms. "We will see. -Come."</p> - -<p>They went forward through darkness. Presently they were mounting a -slight rise. From the top of it Ketrik looked down at the campfires of -a Rajec caravan, a large one.</p> - -<p>As they moved down the slope, Ketrik realized he'd have to stick to -his word. His mind raced, building up a brief but, he hoped, suitable -story. He was sufficiently versed in Martian history. He knew that -aeons ago vast tribes of these black-skinned Rajecs had been dominant -on the planet. But the "Upper Martians," so called, had progressed -phenomenally. They were superior in the arts, social government, -science, and the "culture" of warfare. They had swept down from the -north, expanding, building their cities and developing their waterways, -the now famous Canals. A bitter thousand-years' war had driven the -Rajecs ever southward into the merciless deserts.</p> - -<p>There they had stayed, waging periodic but futile warfare. Wild -and tribal now, they still had never forgotten. The <i>S'Relah</i> was -a fanatic, inter-tribal society ... persisting through countless -generations, dedicated to a relentless hate of those upper Martians. -And Ketrik knew what few men knew—that among the <i>S'Relah</i> were many -renegade Martians, outlaws and embittered "politicals" usually, working -through the Society for personal gain or revenge.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Ketrik had his story ready as they came into the camp. The Rajec leader -was sent for. This man was large, well proportioned, the muscles -beneath his ebon skin high-lighted in the glow of the central fire. He -was armed merely with a razor-edged dagger in a jewelled belt. Ketrik, -looking at him, felt respect and a certain foreboding—the latter -occasioned by the slight enigmatic smile about the other's lips.</p> - -<p>The man eyed Ketrik with equal interest. His keen gaze lingered overly -long on his "Martian" features. He certainly noted the electro which -Ketrik retained, but it didn't seem to bother him. He spoke at last, in -Martian.</p> - -<p>"You claim to be <i>S'Relah</i>. We will need proof of that. What is your -name?"</p> - -<p>"Khosan."</p> - -<p>"Ah, yes. Khosan. And where do you come from?"</p> - -<p>"L'Ottli." Ketrik named a small mining camp far to the south. "Been -prospecting there for six months, trying to make stake enough to get up -to Turibek."</p> - -<p>"Yes. We, too, go to Turibek. You knew that?"</p> - -<p>Ketrik allowed puzzlement to show in his eyes. The other went on. "You -seem surprised, Khosan. Had you not heard, then, that your emperor, Dar -Vaajo, has signed a treaty with the consolidated tribes of Rajec?"</p> - -<p>"I had not heard. And I believe you lie! The Rajecs would never make -treaty!" Ketrik hoped his disbelief sounded convincing.</p> - -<p>"It is true," the black shrugged. "But that does not matter. Your going -to Turibek matters. A foolhardy thing to attempt alone!" The enigmatic -smile still lingered. "But, then, being at L'Ottli for so long, you -were not aware of Dar Vaajo's scouts everywhere. This area has become -thick with their 'copters—especially in the last few hours!" There was -calculated meaning in the last words.</p> - -<p>Ketrik decided on a bold stroke. He said calmly, "Yes. I am aware of it -now. They blasted my plane out of the sky scarcely an hour ago. Perhaps -you saw that?"</p> - -<p>"We all have observed a slight display in the sky to the west. You -know—Khosan—word reaches us swiftly and in many ways. It is rumored -that Vaajo's scouts are seeking to apprehend one who <i>may</i> come here -from Earth." The black paused, but Ketrik's eyes never flickered. "They -may even search this area. They know our camp is here. There should be -a reward of many Martian credits for capture of the one they seek!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik shrugged. "That explains why they fired at me. I guess they -mistook me for that one."</p> - -<p>The Rajec's smile vanished abruptly. His next questions came fast. "You -are <i>S'Relah</i>? Why are you <i>S'Relah</i>?"</p> - -<p>"Political. Irreconcilable. My father was a 'political' before me."</p> - -<p>"Where do you go in Turibek?"</p> - -<p>"Where the Street of the Double Moon makes juncture with the Low Canal -is a tiny shop dealing in curios from the far planets. The proprietor -is one Jal Thurlo. I go there for a meeting with him."</p> - -<p>"And the reason? The reason—quickly!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik's gaze leveled and he said slowly, "You would not expect me to -tell you that. He too is a 'political'."</p> - -<p>"You can quote the oath of the <i>S'Relah</i>?"</p> - -<p>Ketrik had been waiting for that one. Now, in a low voice, he quoted -the oath which not all Rajecs, very few Martians, and probably no -Earthman save himself had ever heard. It was a strange and terrible -oath, an oath hallowed in blood, and its implications would have made -some men blanch. But Ketrik spoke it feelingly. He finished the words -and looked closely at the black's face.</p> - -<p>The man was satisfied and strangely moved, albeit slightly puzzled. He -drew a tremulous breath at last.</p> - -<p>"You have proven! You may go on to Turibek with us. We travel afoot and -the way is slow, but certain."</p> - -<p>"That is agreeable."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The leader drew Ketrik aside, out of hearing of the others. "At the -rear of our caravan is a small group of Martians, prospectors from the -nearby mountains—a ragged, harmless lot, whom we tolerate. I think it -advisable that you travel with them. Dar Vaajo's Specials are stationed -along our route."</p> - -<p>Ketrik nodded curtly, started to move away. The Rajec stopped him. -"This mining camp you mention, this L'Ottli where you have been for -six months. Is it not far, far to the south, at the extreme end of the -K'Mari Range?"</p> - -<p>"That's the place." Ketrik was on his guard.</p> - -<p>"I thought you would like to know there is no L'Ottli. That entire town -was wiped out in a great avalanche three years ago. Oh, yes, one more -thing." The black was smiling now, looking at the place on Ketrik's arm -where the hot chunk of metal had burned the sleeve away. "That is a bad -burn, and a strange one—for a Martian."</p> - -<p>Ketrik looked at his injured arm for the first time. Around the area -of the burn was a tiny outline of white—the white skin of an Earthman -showing through. Only the keen eyes of this Rajec would have noticed it.</p> - -<p>"I'll give you other garments," the man said. "You had better burn -these. Good night, and sleep well—Khosan."</p> - -<p>But Ketrik didn't sleep well. He burned his garments and donned the -others, then found the camp of the Martian prospectors. There were -six of them, all asleep now. Ketrik found a place by the fire and lay -awake, speculating.</p> - -<p>The Rajec leader he trusted. The man was undoubtedly of the <i>S'Relah</i>. -But these six Martians would be suspicious of him, a newcomer. If -they hadn't yet heard of the search for a spy in the area, they would -certainly hear of it on the morrow! And they'd report him to any of Dar -Vaajo's "Specials" they met along the line of march.</p> - -<p>That last thought gave Ketrik his answer, a temporary one at least.</p> - -<p>At dawn the caravan moved. The six Martians were surprised at this -newcomer, but not yet suspicious. Ketrik didn't give them time to be. -From beneath his arm-pit he produced the thin disk which he'd taken -from the slain Martian operative. He flashed it briefly, asked a few -curt questions, and the men were properly cowed. Apparently they knew -the power of Vaajo's Specials.</p> - -<p>"Just routine," Ketrik told them. "I'll travel along with you for a -while." Determined to play his role to the hilt, he added, "We can't be -too careful in these times. There may be <i>S'Relah</i> among these damned -Rajecs, but we'll find them out before we get to Turibek. Dar Vaajo has -gone too far in his plans to have them thwarted now."</p> - -<p>By tactful conversation he sought to learn something of what was going -on at Turibek. It soon became apparent that these bedraggled men didn't -know, and cared less. One of them had heard of Dar Vaajo coming to -Turibek with a complete staff of scientists, but that's as far as his -knowledge went. Another of the men had heard of the treaty, and wasn't -surprised.</p> - -<p>"I've seen it coming," he said gruffly. "Many years I've lived in these -deserts, and I tell you the Rajecs aren't the same. Especially the last -few years. Something just seems to have gone out of them."</p> - -<p>Something indeed had gone out of the Rajecs, if they made treaty! -Ketrik wondered what kind of magic Dar Vaajo had used to bring that -about. More particularly, <i>why</i>! There was some sort of link here, -between the Rajecs and whatever was going on at Turibek. And that, in -turn, was a pivot in Vaajo's larger plan, the plan that would deal with -Earth. Ketrik just couldn't piece it together as yet; he'd have to get -to Turibek. He thought fleetingly of those electronic walls....</p> - -<p>The sun climbed higher, hot and dry, sapping the strength. Ketrik -marvelled at the long line of marching Rajecs—there were perhaps two -hundred. Long years in these deserts had inured them to discomfort. -Again he wondered why they were going to Turibek. Almost he was tempted -to go up and speak again with the Rajec leader—the man's name was -Aarnto, he learned—but he thought better of it.</p> - -<p>At high noon they stopped for rations, and a few hours later the -Martian 'copters came over. They came from the direction of the city, -circled once, and flew leisurely back. Ketrik wondered what that meant. -He was soon to know.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Presently Aarnto dropped back, fell into step beside him and drew him -away from the others. "You saw the 'copters?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," Ketrik replied. "Trouble ahead?"</p> - -<p>"For you, perhaps, O mysterious one from out of the desert! Those -'copters mean there is a surveying station ahead, and the Specials will -be there. Apparently they are still searching for the spy."</p> - -<p>"These surveying stations—what do they do there?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, they are diabolic, these Specials of Vaajo's! They have machines -which tear a man's mind apart, probe into his inner thoughts. No spy -could ever get past them."</p> - -<p>"Then how do <i>you</i> propose to get by, O grinning one?"</p> - -<p>The black continued to grin. "True," he said frankly, "I am <i>S'Relah</i>. -And there are several others among us. We shall get by the Specials all -right, and into Turibek by the main gate. For the past year we have -prepared for this, through systematic thought-control. We can submerge -our true thoughts so that all the machines will read will be obeisance -and loyalty."</p> - -<p>"Seems ticklish," Ketrik said. "But I guess I'll try that too." He had -no intention of trying it. He was watching Aarnto's reaction.</p> - -<p>"Listen to me." Aarnto was serious, gripping Ketrik's arm. "You could -never manage it. It takes months to perfect such mind control, and you -have only hours. I do not know why you wish to get to Turibek, but you -quoted the oath to me. I know of another way into the city for you—it -will be perilous but not so perilous as trying to run the gauntlet of -Specials!"</p> - -<p>"I am listening, O helpful one."</p> - -<p>"We will reach this station before sundown. If you should leave the -caravan now, and cut across desert to the foothills, you would be safe. -Once over there...."</p> - -<p>Now it was Ketrik who grinned. "I know. Once over there, I might find -the entrance to the ancient South Canal."</p> - -<p>Aarnto was amazed. "You know of that too?"</p> - -<p>"I've heard of it, but don't know the exact location."</p> - -<p>Aarnto pointed to the K'Mari Range, indicating twin peaks that curled -up like devil's horns. "Guide your course directly between those. The -Canal ends somewhere in the foothills below."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, Aarnto." Ketrik placed his hand on the man's shoulder, in the -Rajec custom. "May I repay you some day!"</p> - -<p>"That day may come soon," the other said calmly. "I can almost promise -it."</p> - -<p>Ketrik wondered what he meant by that, but wasted no more time on -words. Turning abruptly, he set out across the desert. The six Martians -watched him go. One of them, who had been silent and surly, frowned -thoughtfully now as he stared after Ketrik's retreating figure.</p> - -<p>Ketrik judged the hills to be fifteen miles away at this point. He'd -be lucky if he reached them before nightfall. After that, well, there -were tales about those abandoned Canals....</p> - -<p>He directed his course between the curving peaks. In a few hours the -ground began to rise slightly, became firmer underfoot. Still later, -deep little gullies began crossing the terrain. He followed these, -changing from one to the other, searching for some sign of the Canal.</p> - -<p>After an interminable search, he was rewarded. He began to notice -peculiarities of the gully in which he trod. It seemed to level out, -and the walls seemed smoother and higher. He scraped away layers of -sand, saw ancient stone.</p> - -<p>By this time the sun had dropped below his vision. He knew that any -minute the Martian night would come with awful suddenness. And with it, -would come ... other things.</p> - -<p>But Ketrik was unprepared for what came in that moment. He heard a -sudden sharp <i>whirr</i> of blades, and a 'copter appeared above him! It -swept so low he could almost see the pilot. There was no doubt the -pilot had seen him, for a heat-beam sliced downward, swept along the -Canal floor. Ketrik leaped aside, hugged the sandy wall.</p> - -<p>Then the 'copter was gone, but Ketrik knew it would circle and return. -That could only mean one thing. The caravan had reached the Station, -and one of those Martians had spoken of him to the Specials.</p> - -<p>Ahead, through the gloom, the Canal seemed to dip into a sort of -culvert. He raced for it as he heard the whirring blades again, entered -the dark tunnel just as the heat-beam sprayed downward, sending the -sand into molten froth. Ketrik groped forward in darkness. The tunnel -leveled and continued. Ketrik's heart leaped as he realized where he -was. This was one of the abandoned Canals which had been filled with -slag from the Martian mines. But years ago pirates had conceived the -unique idea of burrowing through it, making a perfect retreat from -Turibek to the mountains!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Suddenly he started. Far behind he heard a scuffle of steps. That could -only be the Martian Special! There was no doubt, now, that word had -gone to Dar Vaajo; they really wanted to stop him! Ketrik grinned and -went on, hurrying his steps a little. Rajecs could see in the dark, but -Martians couldn't. If it came to a showdown....</p> - -<p>His grin soon vanished. All about him now he heard vicious little -animal squeals, the scuffing of tiny feet. Scavengers! There must be -thousands of them. He saw their baleful red eyes. They gradually grew -bolder, began nipping at him. Soon his trousers were in shreds from the -knees down, and he felt the flow of blood.</p> - -<p>There was one satisfaction. The Martian coming behind must be suffering -the same treatment! But the man kept coming. The footsteps were dogged -and Ketrik knew he had a real antagonist here.</p> - -<p>Now the scavengers were becoming more than annoying. He knew that -before he ever reached the city, he would weaken from loss of blood and -they'd pull him down. He could use the electro to clear a path through -the vicious beasts—but he knew the one coming behind was waiting for -that, waiting for any sign of light that would give him a clear target. -Ketrik gritted his teeth and went on, occasionally kicking out at the -beasts in the dark. It didn't do much good.</p> - -<p>Then, far ahead, he saw the faintest glow of light. It seemed to come -from around a bend in the tunnel. If he could only get up there in -time—and beyond that light, before his pursuer came into view....</p> - -<p>He sprinted ahead now, noiselessly. The scavengers squealed in renewed -fury, racing along beside him. Once he stumbled, felt a horrid mass of -the things swarming. But he fought his way up. By the time he reached -the light, he was sure he had gained a considerable distance on his -pursuer.</p> - -<p>He hurried around the bend, saw that the faint light came from a radium -lamp in the ceiling. It had probably been there for years. But what -held his attention, and brought him to a standstill, was the figure -huddling against the wall.</p> - -<p>It was an Earthman and he was still alive. His clothes were in shreds -and the rats had been at him—before he reached this light where the -rats did not come. He struggled up weakly, gazed at Ketrik out of -idiotic eyes. Ketrik hurried forward, pulled the man erect.</p> - -<p>One look into his gibbering face, and Ketrik felt his stomach turn -over in a prodigious yawn.</p> - -<p><i>It had taken more than the rats and darkness to do this! The -Earthman's mind had been literally and deliberately blasted!</i></p> - -<p>Ketrik suddenly remembered what Mark had said of Dr. Ransome, whom -they'd found drifting near the moon ... his mind that of a week-old -infant....</p> - -<p>He hurriedly searched the man's clothes, but found nothing. He -knew this must be one of the operatives whom Mark had sent a month -before—E-39 or EV-5. The other must be dead, somewhere in this tunnel -or back at their communications base in the mountains.</p> - -<p>He spoke softly to the man, but the other only cringed in terror. -Then, with unexpected strength, he tore himself from Ketrik's grasp -and was scuttling away, back around the bend of the corridor. Ketrik -followed, called a warning. He reached the bend too late. He heard the -hiss of a heat-gun and saw the vivid blue streak of it from out of the -darkness—a streak that touched the Earthman's chest and sent him -crumpling.</p> - -<p>Ketrik fired at the spot where the ray had appeared, fired -instinctively but unerringly. He heard a soft moan that ended abruptly, -then a clatter of sound.</p> - -<p>He moved slowly forward, hugging the wall. He feared a trick. Past the -little radius of light where the Earthman's body lay, he stumbled upon -the Martian Special. He flashed his electro again and saw that the man -was unmistakably dead. He went back to the Earthman, stared down for a -moment. There was no doubt that he had unwittingly saved Ketrik's life.</p> - -<p>"Guess you served your purpose here, after all," Ketrik murmured, but -his thoughts at that moment were not as calloused as the words.</p> - -<p>With a few strokes of his electro, he removed the crystyte globe of -radium from the ceiling; and carrying this light, he was no longer -bothered by the scavengers. For hours he proceeded along the tunnel. At -last, infinitely weary and wracked with pain, he reached a blank wall.</p> - -<p>Searching around it, he at last found a loose stone which he pulled -away. A tiny metal lever was revealed. After tugging interminably at it -and pounding the rust away, Ketrik managed to pull it slowly back.</p> - -<p>The entire wall swung around on pivots. A blast of foul air struck -him. Ketrik stepped into a small passage. He recognized it as one of -the underground sewers of Turibek. He followed it and came to a short -flight of stone stairs leading up to a hinged door. Slowly he shoved it -open.</p> - -<p>He was in Turibek! This was one of the narrow, winding streets in the -warehouse district. He glanced at the sky. It was night. Deimos was -gone below the horizon, but Phobos rode high on liquid sapphire.</p> - -<p>Ketrik rested there for a few hours until Phobos descended. Then, in -the utterly dark hour that precedes dawn on Mars, he crept forth and -sought the shop of one Jal Thurlo in the Street of the Double Moon.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">IV</p> - -<p>He found the shop, in a twisting little street that seemed to cringe -from the rest of the city. The insignia of Jal Thurlo was still upon -the door, and Ketrik breathed a sigh of relief.</p> - -<p>Finally, after his persistent knocking, the door opened a trifle and -Ketrik saw the wizened little face of Jal Thurlo. The shop-keeper's -eyes were dark with suspicion.</p> - -<p>"I was told I would find one Jal Thurlo here," Ketrik said glibly. "I -come with news of a secret shipment. Rare <i>kaladonis</i> furs from the -plains of Io."</p> - -<p>"At this ungodly hour?" Thurlo grumbled sleepily.</p> - -<p>"It is the proper hour for such matters, thou sulky one! Permit me to -enter now or I take my news elsewhere!"</p> - -<p>Thurlo opened the door, and Ketrik slipped into a dark room that -smelled of spices, perfumes, and a miscellany of objects from the far -planets. He followed the little Martian through the shop and along a -dim corridor, until they arrived at the living quarters. There, under -brilliant light, Thurlo faced him. "Who sent you?"</p> - -<p>Ketrik answered carefully. He knew this little man carried a needle-gun -in his sleeve and had used it on occasion. "No one. I merely seek haven -here. I once saved your life on Deimos—you remember it?"</p> - -<p>Thurlo started visibly. "Ketrik! Is it really you? But no, it cannot -be!"</p> - -<p>"It's Ketrik, all right. But 'Khosan' for the time being. Remember -this?" He bared one arm and revealed a long jagged scar from shoulder -to elbow. He further proved his identity by recounting the adventure on -Deimos many years ago, in which he'd received this scar while saving -Thurlo's life. "I must remind you of the Martian blood debt," he ended. -"I saved your life and it is forfeit to me until you repay."</p> - -<p>"I have not forgotten!" He looked at the other's torn and bleeding -legs. "Come, man, let me dress those wounds! Then you can tell me why -you are here."</p> - -<p>Ketrik recounted part but not all. When he had finished, impressing -upon Thurlo the urgent need to get inside Dar Vaajo's laboratories, the -little Martian shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I fear it cannot be done. That part of the city is strictly forbidden. -Vaajo's palace is there, and the homes of his scientists, all -surrounded by the wall. Even the few servants who are permitted to pass -in and out occasionally are painstakingly examined."</p> - -<p>"I've got to get in there," Ketrik reiterated. "And I intend to!"</p> - -<p>"Wish I could help you. It might be for the best! Dar Vaajo is becoming -as hated as he is feared, yes even by his own people! Something -monstrous and mad is going on in those laboratories!"</p> - -<p>"What can you tell me about it?"</p> - -<p>Thurlo's eyes became dark, and his voice lowered. "Only this: -Frequently, in the dark of night, a faint greenish glow comes over the -city. It only lasts a few seconds, then withdraws into a pillar of -concentrated fire <i>directly over the laboratories</i>! Then it seems to -extend itself, lashing outward into space."</p> - -<p>"Greenish fire!" Ketrik exclaimed. "Do you mean electronic power, -Thurlo?"</p> - -<p>"No, not that at all. I'm no scientist, but I know this is <i>cold -light</i>. It's different—devilish! You may laugh at me, Ketrik, but -I will say it. These radiations seem alien to this world, to this -universe; they seem almost—<i>alive</i>!"</p> - -<p>But Ketrik did not laugh. He was remembering the mad survivor of a -missing Earth spacer. He was remembering the poor gibbering devil he -had seen but recently in the tunnel. He thought of these and other -things, and felt the hair at the back of his neck begin to rise.</p> - -<p>"Why," Thurlo was grumbling, "did Vaajo have to come <i>here</i> to conduct -his devilish experiments? Why could he not have stayed in the northern -capital?"</p> - -<p>"Because here he is in close contact with the Rajecs," Ketrik said -experimentally, and watched for the little Martian's reaction.</p> - -<p>"Yes!" Thurlo nodded. "I can tell you something about that, too. Under -the treaty, the Rajecs are allowed access to Turibek or, if they wish, -other cities to the north. Vaajo has even built a magnificent temple -here, where they can carry on their own ritualistic worship. Well—I've -seen those black caravans come into the city, quite a number of them in -the past weeks. But one sees little of them afterwards! Of course they -may be shunted further north...."</p> - -<p>"No!" Ketrik smacked a fist into his palm. "No, Thurlo, for some reason -they are needed here! It's all a part of Vaajo's plan—I knew it!"</p> - -<p>"I care little about the Rajecs," Thurlo shrugged. "It is well that -they disappear."</p> - -<p>Ketrik thought differently. He lay awake in the little cubicle to which -Thurlo assigned him, his mind too turbulent for sleep. The pattern, -though still vague, was beginning to take shape. At least he had gained -entrance to Turibek! Tomorrow he would make a short tour about the -city, try to formulate a plan. At last his tired muscles relaxed, and -he dropped into an untroubled sleep.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was high noon when Jal Thurlo wakened him. The little Martian seemed -strangely perturbed. "My friend, there is one at the alley entrance who -asks for you!"</p> - -<p>"For me?" Ketrik was up instantly and began dressing with deft, precise -fingers. Who else would know that he had arrived in Turibek? But his -mind was put at ease when he reached the rear entrance. Standing before -him was the somewhat bedraggled but still grinning figure of Aarnto, -the caravan leader.</p> - -<p>"Did I not say, Khosan, that the day would soon come when you could -repay me? I remembered well your mention of this shop!" And when -Ketrik hesitated, he went on, "Well, O fugitive of the dark tunnels—am -I not permitted entrance?"</p> - -<p>"Come in—quickly!"</p> - -<p>Aarnto waved a hand cheerily. "There is no need for alarm. I entered -through the city gates as I said I would. The others have gone to the -temple, but not I. I will need a place...."</p> - -<p>Thurlo frowned. Ketrik said, "It's all right, Thurlo. Aarnto's a friend -of mine. Please allow him to stay. I owe a debt too." He turned to -Aarnto. "But listen! Don't draw the Specials here. I can't afford that!"</p> - -<p>"I am caution itself, my friend! I too have a mission here. Perhaps -one night's sanctuary is all I shall ask, and your debt is paid." The -black still smiled—with all but his eyes. Behind them Ketrik detected -a hardness and cunning, together with a warning not to ask questions.</p> - -<p>Ketrik had no intention of doing that, but he made a resolution to -watch this one. If their paths here should ever chance to cross, Aarnto -would be a tough one indeed! Ketrik left him in Thurlo's capable but -somewhat reluctant hands, while he prepared himself for his tour of the -city.</p> - -<p>From the Street of the Double Moon, he emerged into the broader -thoroughfare. Turibek was the metropolis of the south, boasting -of theatres, cafés and shopping centers, as well as a magnificent -spaceport.</p> - -<p>Ketrik gave but a glance to the overhead mono-cars, preferring to -stroll leisurely. He found the people, the streets, and the queer -facaded buildings much the same as he'd know them years ago.</p> - -<p>There was one startling difference. At the end of this main -thoroughfare a forbidding wall reared up, to extend out of sight in -either direction. That was the wall around the laboratories. Ketrik -could not possibly see what lay beyond.</p> - -<p>He made his way slowly in that direction. Thurlo had furnished him with -apparel that stamped him as a prosperous, somewhat foppish Martian, -perhaps a mercantile buyer. He stopped once, listened to news blaring -from a public Tele-system, but it contained nothing of consequence to -him—no mention of Dar Vaajo or local events.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later he entered a tiny shop dealing in rare spices and -tobaccos. He purchased a vile but expensive Venusian cigar. He lighted -and drew upon it with evident relish.</p> - -<p>"Ah, we do not find these often in Roktol!" he said to the proprietor, -naming a city far to the north. "Turibek has its advantages after all."</p> - -<p>"You are a stranger here?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have just arrived. I am a buyer for Varik's." He saw the man -was impressed. "I find Turibek a fascinating city, but tell me—the -high wall to the east of here—what is it? They would not allow me to -pass!"</p> - -<p>"And no wonder, sir. Those walls surround the palace grounds and -laboratories of our Emperor!"</p> - -<p>"To be sure! I should have known that." Ketrik smiled, and when he -spoke again there was the slightest hint of mockery. "Ah, but you of -Turibek should be flattered that our Emperor chose your city to carry -on his noble experiments."</p> - -<p>The man hesitated, glanced around, but decided to speak. "I think you -know we are not fortunate, sir. What Dar Vaajo is doing may be for the -best ... but if only we were informed!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik raised his brows in puzzlement, and the other went on, "Eh, then -you do not know of it? But of course not—you have just arrived. Well, -sir, it is to come again <i>tonight</i>—at two hours past the midnight. -This morning's Tele-news warned all residents to stay in their homes at -that hour—and we know what that means."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Ketrik knew, too. The green radiance which Thurlo had spoken of. -Tonight! He wanted to observe that display! Then he thought of the -Rajecs, the caravan of two hundred which had just that day entered the -city. His mind leaped. Was it mere coincidence, that upon this very -day...?</p> - -<p>He said carelessly, "I have heard that more of those wretched Rajecs -were permitted entrance this morning. It seems a stupid thing, this -treaty which allows the outlanders to pollute our cities!"</p> - -<p>"It would seem so, yes. But Dar Vaajo is cunning in his way. Perhaps -the blacks are shipped north, to work the Uranium mines!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik dared ask no more questions. He left the shop and continued his -stroll toward the wall. When he came within a block of it he could see -that it wasn't stone, as he had supposed. It was heavy mesh-<i>duraplon</i> -reaching twenty feet high, and still higher were the electronic -control-towers. A touch of a button would throw any section of this -wall into flaming, deadly radiance. Here was a formidable barrier! -Ketrik frowned, looking at it—but he didn't dare linger there too long.</p> - -<p>He turned back, was crossing the street when he heard a warning shout -and then a clarion-blast. He leaped to the curb just as a vehicle swept -by. It swerved sharply to avoid hitting him. Two others followed—they -were the three-wheeled, electronic-powered cars native to Mars.</p> - -<p>From the rear seat of the second car a girl's face peered out, a -bit frightened at the near accident. A golden face, lovely, with -copper-hued hair tumbling in waves to her shoulders, and eyes large and -blue as <i>asterines</i>.</p> - -<p>This much Ketrik saw, before the cars were gone. He turned and stared. -A section of the <i>duraplon</i> wall slid upward and the cars passed -through; all, except the last one. It turned sharply and came hurtling -back to where Ketrik stood. A pompous Martian climbed out, strode -angrily up to him.</p> - -<p>"You! Dolt! The Princess Praana might have been injured! What are -you doing here anyway, so near the grounds? Do you not know it is -forbidden?"</p> - -<p>The Princess Praana! Yes, now Ketrik remembered. Dar Vaajo had a -daughter—she had completed her early education at one of Earth's best -schools. That was all of ten years ago, but she had been a pretty child -even then.</p> - -<p>"Well! Answer me! Or shall I take you to the Guards for questions?"</p> - -<p>Ketrik came out of his reverie and looked at this man. A high-servant -at the palace, probably, judging from his manner. Ketrik bowed coldly.</p> - -<p>"I was not aware of the restricted area. I am but newly arrived in -Turibek, and have found your city most charming—until now." There was -the correct amount of annoyance in his voice, plus a subtle warning. -"You wish to see my credentials, sir?"</p> - -<p>The other's manner changed. For the first time he seemed to notice -Ketrik's dignified dress and manner. He hesitated.</p> - -<p>"I don't suppose that will be necessary, sir. A thousand pardons for -speaking so hastily, but our nerves have been on edge, you know, ever -since the rumor that some of the <i>S'Relah</i> would attempt to enter the -city."</p> - -<p>"My dear man! I am sure our Emperor's splendid Guard can deal capably -with these <i>S'Relah</i>! I will bid you good day now; I have yet to visit -your charming shops." Ketrik turned haughtily, began his stroll back to -the main avenues. He felt the Martian's puzzled gaze upon him, but did -not look back.</p> - -<p>He did not look back until ten minutes later, when he had the eerie -sensation of being followed. He spotted the man at once, undoubtedly a -Special—tall, cold-eyed, a bit too leisurely of manner. Ketrik smiled -grimly, and entered a shop. The man followed. Ketrik came out, and the -Special was just the correct distance behind.</p> - -<p>At the next loading platform Ketrik purchased a ticket, waited until -one of the mono-cars dropped down from the single overhead track. He -entered the car, walked the length of it and exited on the opposite -side. He hurried across an area-way and lost himself in the crowd -waiting for the opposite-bound car which just then hove into view. The -simple ruse worked. He boarded this car and there was no sign of his -pursuer.</p> - -<p>Dusk was fast coming upon the city when he again made his way to -Thurlo's shop. His mind still wrestled with the problem of the -electronic wall, and how to get beyond it. He immediately discarded -the idea of an aero-copter in the dead of night; there would surely -be detector rays. Here was a problem that called for planning, and -patience.</p> - -<p>And something else vaguely bothered him. A vision intruded upon his -thoughts, annoying but persistent—the vision of a girl's face, lovely -and golden....</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">V</p> - -<p>He entered the shop, and was startled to see a Rajec emerge from behind -a counter piled high with silks and fineries. The black was tall, -elderly, a bit stooped, with a nervous twitch at the side of his face.</p> - -<p>"Ah, sir, welcome to the humble shop of Thurlo. May I assist you in -a selection? Some of these rare laces from Io, perhaps—or these -exquisite candelabra? Over a thousand years old, sir, yet they have -found their mysterious way here from the Deimian Temple of the -Ancients."</p> - -<p>Ketrik smiled a little, picked up the candelabra and set it down. "A -fake. And so are you, Aarnto. I recognize you now."</p> - -<p>"But not at first," Aarnto grinned. "I think my disguise will do. Not -as thorough as yours, of course," he added.</p> - -<p>"Where is Jal Thurlo?"</p> - -<p>"Back there preparing the evening meal." Aarnto's finely chiselled nose -wrinkled appreciatively. "And a welcome repast it will be, after our -miserable desert fare!"</p> - -<p>Thurlo had not spared his talents, and the meal proved to be excellent. -Ketrik ate appreciatively but in silence. Thurlo hardly touched -the food, seemed perturbed over something. Only Aarnto was his old -self—more than that! His crisp manner, which Ketrik had noticed -earlier in the day, was gone; he now seemed happy and almost jovial, as -he kept up a running conversation. He told of haggling with one of the -customers over a set of Venusian tapestries, finally getting twice the -expected price.</p> - -<p>"And look at this," he held to the light a crystalline jar that adorned -the table. "Would you look at it, Khosan? <i>Vanadol</i>, the nectar of the -Gods! An ancient vintage, too! I found it hidden away, far back on one -of the dark shelves. I am sure," he smiled slyly, "that our host can -obtain more where it came from, so let us drink to this occasion." He -poured the blue liquor into their cups. "Yes, Khosan, an occasion—that -two such as you and I should find our way here!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik smiled, barely touched the stinging liquor to his lips.</p> - -<p>When they had finished the repast, Aarnto rose and excused himself, -but stood a moment hesitant. "I must leave you now, and I may have no -occasion to return here. I wish to thank you, Thurlo, for you have been -most gracious. And you—Khosan. We have been helpful to each other?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Aarnto. You more than I."</p> - -<p>"Then the debt is paid." With that, the black was gone, out into the -night which swallowed him up.</p> - -<p>Thurlo sighed. "I hope he never returns. I do not like that one! If he -is caught, and it becomes known I harbored one of the <i>S'Relah</i> here, -even for a day.... I only did it for you, Ketrik."</p> - -<p>"You needn't worry. He's a clever one. But I wish I knew what they were -up to!"</p> - -<p>"They'll fry on Dar Vaajo's torture plates," Thurlo prophesied.</p> - -<p>Ketrik thought of his own fate if he were caught, but quickly put it -out of mind. "What do <i>you</i> think they're up to, Thurlo?"</p> - -<p>The little Martian spoke slowly. "The <i>S'Relah</i>? They are apart from -other Rajecs. Treaties mean nothing to those fanatics. They wish to -strike at Dar Vaajo, and"—he hesitated—"what better way to do it than -through his daughter?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The Princess Praana! Of course that was it! A bold stroke, but just -such a one as the Society of <i>S'Relah</i> would attempt. Ketrik realized -now that some such thought had been hammering at his mind all the -afternoon. He said eagerly, "Tell me about her, Thurlo. I caught a -glimpse of her this afternoon."</p> - -<p>"You did? Yes, she visits the shops occasionally, always accompanied by -a bodyguard. The Palace Guard has been doubled too, since these rumors -of the <i>S'Relah</i>. I'll wager her father would be furious if he knew -she had left the grounds this afternoon! But that girl has a mind and -temper of her own—so I have heard."</p> - -<p>"Has she been here long?"</p> - -<p>"No, she flew down from the northern capital only a few weeks ago. That -was against Vaajo's orders, too. I think he'll be sending her back -soon."</p> - -<p>Ketrik remained thoughtful. He failed to see how Aarnto and the others -hoped to reach her! For a Martian to get beyond those walls would be a -ticklish problem; for a Rajec, it would be impossible! He heard Thurlo -again.</p> - -<p>"That's why I'm worried, Ketrik. Attention is being drawn to my shop. -This afternoon an elderly matron came in—I recognized her, she's been -here before, one of the Princess Praana's personal servants—"</p> - -<p>"Go on!" Ketrik was listening now.</p> - -<p>"Well, Aarnto was in the front of the shop. He sold her some Ionian -laces, then I saw him speak to her in an undertone and hand her a -folded note. He doesn't know I saw him. I don't like it, Ketrik. I—"</p> - -<p>"A note!" Ketrik's mind was racing with the speed of atomotors. "To be -delivered to the Princess, no doubt! Thurlo, tell me—does Praana ever -come here?"</p> - -<p>"She would never deign to set foot in this humble part of the city. But -she has undoubtedly heard of my shop...."</p> - -<p>"That's it, Thurlo. I think I see their plan now. If you will promise -to retire early tonight, I can guarantee that no word of this will -reach the Emperor's ears."</p> - -<p>Thurlo would have promised anything. An hour later all lights were -out, and Ketrik stood in the darkened front of the shop where he could -see the street but remain unseen. If his surmise was correct, he -could thwart the plans of the <i>S'Relah</i>. Ordinarily he wouldn't have -bothered, but now he thought he could turn it to his own advantage.</p> - -<p>The hours passed. He watched the slow climb of Deimos across the sky. -Its light scarcely touched this cringing little street. Once he saw the -dull lights of a freighter descending, and remembered that just beyond -this district was the freighter spaceport. Occasionally a skulking -figure passed, keeping to the shadows. Once the flash of a heat-pistol -came from a nearby alley, and a moment later the sound of running feet.</p> - -<p>Still he waited. He lit a cigarette, keeping the glow of it carefully -hidden. He began to wonder if the Princess would venture into this -place after all. It seemed most unlikely, at this hour! It had been a -crazy idea to begin with. He was clutching at straws. That note which -Aarnto slipped to the servant might have meant something else entirely.</p> - -<p>Ketrik dropped the cigarette, ground it savagely underfoot. Then, with -a sharp intake of breath he leaned forward, peering through the window. -From the nearby corner a dark vehicle had glided into the street! It -moved swiftly and silently. It could only be one of the three-wheeled -cars.</p> - -<p>It stopped across the street from the shop of Thurlo. For a minute no -one emerged, and Ketrik knew the occupants were surveying the shop. He -drew back a little. Then two figures stepped out, started across the -street. One was a woman. Her steps were unhesitant, even a bit excited. -Ketrik recognized the Princess Praana even from here. The other was a -man, who seemed to be remonstrating with her.</p> - -<p>"The fool! The little fool," Ketrik muttered. "But at least, she had -sense enough to bring one of the Guard!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Events happened then with blurring swiftness. The shadows came from -somewhere out of darkness, seemed to glide toward the pair in the -street. In a split second they were upon Praana and the man. Too late -the Guard sensed the danger; he whirled, but in the same instant was -sinking to the street with a Rajec dagger through his heart. The other -Rajec had clapped a hand roughly over the girl's mouth, was dragging -her back to the car.</p> - -<p>In those few seconds Ketrik was tugging at the shop door. It seemed -to stick. He cursed, wrenched it open and flung himself into the -street. His gun was out but he saw it was too late; Praana and the two -assailants were already in the car, the motor was whining to life. -Ketrik reached the car in two bounds, just as it hurtled away. He flung -himself blindly at it. His hands managed to grip the rear wheel-guard. -He clung to it, arms wrenching painfully as he was dragged along.</p> - -<p>The car slowed, turning into the nearby street, and Ketrik managed to -get his feet up. There he crouched precariously, leaning his weight -forward as the car jolted through rough streets and alleyways. Again he -cursed. He'd lost his gun back there! He didn't think they'd seen him, -though; Praana had fought like a wild <i>hella</i>.</p> - -<p>They apparently had her under control now, probably had administered a -drug. Ketrik began to take notice of their direction. They were deep in -the dark warehouse district. Suddenly his heart leaped. He knew where -they were going! They intended to get Praana out of the city through -that secret Canal-tunnel! He doubted if there were a dozen men in this -city who knew of its existence, much less its location.</p> - -<p>Then they reached it. Ketrik recognized the place, knew he'd have -to act quickly. One of the Rajecs had gotten out, was leaning over, -trying to lift the girl's limp figure down from the seat. Ketrik stole -forward. He put all his weight behind the blow which landed at the -side of the man's neck; it was a dirty blow but this was no time for -niceties. The Rajec crumpled, slid forward against the car.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter, Vronu?" The other was Aarnto; Ketrik recognized his -voice. Aarnto came around the front of the car then, and took in the -scene.</p> - -<p>Ketrik was tense. But Aarnto didn't move or speak. Not for several -seconds. Then he said, slowly, "So. It is you again, Earthman." He was -calling the terms correctly now. "I thought I had seen the last of you."</p> - -<p>Ketrik glanced at Praana's unconscious figure upon the seat. His -eyes flicked back to Aarnto. "My debt is paid, Aarnto! You said it -yourself." With that, his limbs uncoiled and he hurled himself forward.</p> - -<p>Aarnto met his rush, sending out a straight jab as he allowed his body -to sway aside. The blow was glancing but powerful enough to send Ketrik -off balance. Ketrik's lips went tight as he whirled back to the attack. -He knew he had his work cut out for him here.</p> - -<p>Aarnto seemed slim, but there was weight there and he knew how to use -it. He put it behind every blow. For a few seconds Ketrik found himself -parrying these blows, ducking and rolling and taking a few on the arms -which numbed him. He managed to get a few past Aarnto's guard, but the -Rajec took them too, and pressed his advantage. Ketrik was satisfied -to back away for the moment. His legs were still a little numb from -crouching on the car.</p> - -<p>A crashing right came through Ketrik's guard, drawing blood from his -mouth. He countered and missed, as the other leaped away. Again and yet -again this happened, with Ketrik missing almost clumsily; they fought -in near darkness and it was hard to connect with that swift moving -black body!</p> - -<p>"So you would interfere, O crudely disguised one!" Again Aarnto's fist -came through, to send Ketrik reeling back. But his legs were less numb -now, and he began to co-ordinate his footwork. His brain was lightning -clear. Aarnto laughed contemptuously, laughed with the joy of battle -and pressed forward, throwing more lefts and rights. They missed as -Ketrik danced away lightly as a <i>hella</i> cat—then Ketrik threw a -boxer's left, long and weaving, that found its mark.</p> - -<p>"That better, O haunter of dark places?" He followed it with a right -that crashed against bone, and Aarnto didn't laugh again.</p> - -<p>Slowly Ketrik took the initiative, refusing to give way now and -throwing his long left to advantage. He used the other's feral eyes -as a focal point, aiming just below them. He sensed that the other -was weakening. Aarnto gave ground slowly, fighting back. His blows -were still heavy but now his timing was off and Ketrik didn't give -him a chance to regain it. Ketrik's own arms were becoming numb, from -stopping the other's blows. He shifted the attack to the stomach and -Aarnto's guard dropped. A right came up that sent the Rajec staggering. -Ketrik leaped in for the kill, lashed with a left that sent the black -spinning half around.</p> - -<p>The right-cross that followed immediately, was the one that did it. It -caught Aarnto at the point of the jaw just below his ear. By the way he -crumpled, Ketrik knew he wouldn't get up for some time.</p> - -<p>Ketrik stood there for a moment looking down. A roaring was in his -ears, a vast tiredness came upon him. He wiped blood from his face and -looked at his bruised fists.</p> - -<p>A sound came from behind him. He whirled.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was Praana. She stood there, looking small but somehow not -frightened, staring at Aarnto's prone figure. She reached into her -tunic and drew out a small electro. Before Ketrik could realize her -intention, she aimed it at Aarnto.</p> - -<p>He snatched the gun away just in time. "You'd kill him in cold blood?"</p> - -<p>"He's a Rajec. And a member of the <i>S'Relah</i>!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you realize that how, do you? Well, listen to me. He fought -fairly—had a dagger there in his belt, and could have used it. So he -gets a break."</p> - -<p>She turned an angry face to him, started to speak, but he stopped her -with a gesture. "Quiet! Listen!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>From somewhere near came the sound of scuffing feet. Ketrik moved -swiftly to a little metal door between two buildings. This was the door -to the sewer, which in turn led into the secret tunnel. Presently it -opened, and Ketrik saw the yellowish glow of eyes. Rajec eyes, many of -them—perhaps eight or ten. Ketrik stepped back. He gave a burst with -the electro, allowed the beam to cut a frothing path very near the -doorway. The black figures drew back.</p> - -<p>"You get these two, and that's all!" He indicated Aarnto and Vronu. -"Two of you step forward and get them. Quickly, now!" He gestured -meaningfully with the weapon.</p> - -<p>Two of the Rajecs crept out, watching him all the while. They seized -the limp figures and dragged them back. Ketrik followed. "All the way! -Clear back into the tunnel. I'm letting you off easy. Be glad you don't -get Vaajo's torture plates for this night's work!"</p> - -<p>He herded them all into the tunnel, then swung the pivoted door shut. A -steady play of the electro-beam fused the mechanism so that it wouldn't -work again, ever. He knew they might use their knives, loosen the stone -blocks enough to gain another entrance, but he didn't care about that -now.</p> - -<p>He hurried back to the street, found Praana still waiting. Her fists -were clinched and her voice sharp. "You take a lot upon yourself! Those -were the <i>S'Relah</i> and should be turned over to the Guard!"</p> - -<p>Not a word of thanks, no show of gratitude. Ketrik let his own voice -rasp. "It isn't important. You were a little fool to leave the Palace! -Why did you do it?"</p> - -<p>"Then you know I am the Princess Praana! And you—you dare to speak to -me like that!" She raised her fists, seemed about to strike him—then -a thought occurred. "Rilon—he—where is he? What happened?" Then she -shuddered, as though suddenly remembering.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you mean your Guard," Ketrik said with no attempt to spare -her feelings. "He's lying back in the Street of the Double Moon with a -dagger through his heart, thanks to you."</p> - -<p>"Thanks to me," she whispered, all the spirit gone out of her now. -"I shall never forgive myself! He warned me, tried to stop me, even -pleaded—and when I threatened to come alone...."</p> - -<p>Ketrik said sternly, "Why should you want to come at all—to this -miserable part of the city?"</p> - -<p>"You are right, I was a fool. Occasionally I send a servant to the shop -of one Jal Thurlo, to pick up a rare article that would never find its -way to Mars by the ordinary routes—you understand? This afternoon my -servant brought me exciting news. In his shop Jal Thurlo had a single -bottle of the perfume from the Deimian Temple of the Ancients! Can you -understand what that means? That rare, that glorious perfume...."</p> - -<p>Yes, Ketrik could understand. He smiled at Aarnto's cunning. Women -would give their money, their jewels, everything they held precious, -for a single dram of that perfume which was so rare as to be almost -non-existent.</p> - -<p>"But," Praana went on, "it was to be smuggled away from Mars tonight! -It was to go to the Princess Aladdian on Venus! The note said that if I -were to see Jal Thurlo tonight, I might persuade him—"</p> - -<p>Ketrik felt suddenly sorry for her. She was almost in tears. "It was -a trick of the <i>S'Relah</i>," he said, "and Jal Thurlo knew nothing of -it. As for the Deimian perfume—my dear girl! I happen to know that -the last of it was smuggled to Earth some years ago, and sold for -a fabulous price." Ketrik neglected to mention that he himself had -engineered the feat.</p> - -<p>She smiled wistfully. "You have saved my life, and I have learned a -great lesson. I owe you for both." She suddenly removed a bracelet of -Martian diamonds. Ketrik waved it away, and she frowned in puzzlement. -"Is it not enough?"</p> - -<p>It was not nearly enough. What he wanted was to get beyond the -electronic wall. He came near to hinting at it, but checked himself. No -need to press his luck too far.</p> - -<p>He bowed elegantly. "To have been of service to you, Princess, is -reward enough in itself."</p> - -<p>She was impressed, insisted on knowing his name and where he could -be reached. He gave her the information with seeming reluctance. She -assured him she could make her way back to the palace alone. "You shall -be rewarded, nevertheless," were the last words Ketrik heard as she -drove the car away. And he smiled inwardly.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He was jubilant, retracing his route through the dark streets. Dar -Vaajo would certainly send for him tomorrow! For he knew that Praana -would tell her father of this.</p> - -<p>It was just past the midnight hour, and suddenly he remembered -something. This was the hour ... but even as the thought crossed his -mind, the phenomenon came. It came as a greenish glow rising above the -city center, spreading swiftly outward. As it spread, like a blanket of -palely pulsing light, a frightening <i>malignancy</i> came with it.</p> - -<p>Then it touched upon Ketrik, and he reeled. The cold light was all -about him, surging through him. Tightening tendrils of it clutched -at his brain. A vast singing was in his ears. He fought back, -fought as his mind reeled upon a chaos of vertiginous horror! Those -light-tendrils tearing at his brain, eagerly, hungrily—here was Dar -Vaajo's weapon and he knew it, even as he fell to the street to lie -exhausted, his mind going away....</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Still he tried to fight, knowing it was hopeless. An agony was in him, -tearing at his fingertips and through every muscle; wrenching at his -brain, seeking to tear it apart fiber by fiber. He felt his sanity -going; it was being <i>drained</i> away as liquid is sucked through a -straw. He laughed once, wildly. He felt other light-tendrils seeking, -seeking hungrily all about him. With a last vestige of mental power he -remembered again a gibbering madman in a dark tunnel....</p> - -<p>Then the light was going away. It receded, rushing back upon itself, -coalescing into a mass of greenish radiance that swirled and twisted -angrily and tried to escape. Almost <i>alive</i>! As Jal Thurlo had said! -Ketrik rose and stood swaying, his head throbbing, as he watched it -from afar.</p> - -<p>Now the spherical mass of it, deeper in hue and pulsing angrily, -hovered in the sky just above Vaajo's laboratories. Suddenly the sphere -extended, became a pillar of pulsing light trying to leap away.</p> - -<p>And it leaped away. Faster than light, swift as thought, hurtling -through the outer reaches of space.</p> - -<p>Ketrik didn't stay to see more. He didn't need to. Even through the -cold needle-fires in his brain, he had enough faculty left to know that -far out in space, in that part of the heavens, swam the planet Earth. -Again this night Dar Vaajo was testing ... testing the power of his -curiously-alive weapon....</p> - -<p>Ketrik reached the shop of Jal Thurlo, found the jar of <i>vanadol</i> and -downed enough of it to put him into merciful oblivion.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VI</p> - -<p>It was late the following day when a car, bearing the royal insignia, -drew up before the shop and one of the Guards asked for "Khosan."</p> - -<p>Ketrik was ready. He'd been waiting for this. As they drove toward the -palace grounds the two Guards looked at him enviously.</p> - -<p>"You have won great favor with the Emperor for last night's work," -one of them said. "He wants personal audience with you! It would not -surprise me if he made you Captain of Praana's own guard!"</p> - -<p>"It is true you were not supposed to be on the streets at that hour," -said the other. "But Dar Vaajo will overlook that, considering the -circumstances."</p> - -<p>Ketrik remembered that Praana was not supposed to be on the streets -either, but he didn't voice the thought. They reached the electronic -wall. One of the men gave the signal, and a section of it moved upward. -Their car passed through.</p> - -<p>At last he was inside the forbidden grounds! Ketrik remained outwardly -humble, but he kept his eyes open. They went along a sweeping drive -bordered by stately <i>majagua</i> trees. They passed a few buildings, -fronted by splendid lawns. Then the palace itself loomed ahead, a -magnificent two-storied structure of dark <i>culchite</i> marble.</p> - -<p>But Ketrik had no eyes for it. To the left was a building equally -imposing, and covering more area, which could only be the royal -laboratories! It was undoubtedly from that building that the phenomenon -had come the night before. He noticed the roof in particular, -glass-covered, curving into a shallow dome. If Dar Vaajo favored him, -he could get a position in there....</p> - -<p>Then they were past the building and approaching the palace. The -audio-tube near the driver's head crackled to life, and a voice came -through. Ketrik couldn't hear the words. A startled look appeared on -the Guard's face. "Are you sure?" he said. "My orders were—"</p> - -<p>"These are new orders! Obey them!" Ketrik heard those words all right. -The audio went dead. The driver wheeled the car around abruptly, headed -away from the palace.</p> - -<p>"Something wrong?" Ketrik asked.</p> - -<p>"Plans have been changed. Dar Vaajo doesn't want to see you quite yet." -The man's voice was grim.</p> - -<p>Ketrik felt a sudden foreboding. "Where are you taking me, then?"</p> - -<p>No answer. Ketrik glanced at the Guard sitting next to him. This man -had gone grim too, as his hand rested lightly on the electro beneath -his tunic. Ketrik couldn't guess what had gone wrong or why, but he -knew he wasn't going to see Dar Vaajo under favorable circumstances. He -went tight inside.</p> - -<p>They stopped before a low stone building. The driver came around, -opened the car door. "Out!" he ordered curtly.</p> - -<p>Ketrik came out. He launched himself bodily, his fist smashing to the -other's face and making a bloody smear of it. The man staggered back. -The momentum carried Ketrik out of the car and to his knees. He heard -the rush of the other Guard, whirled to meet it. Too late. He only saw -the dark blur of the man's arm coming down in a swift arc, then heavy -metal crashed behind his ear, leaving him stunned.</p> - -<p>His muscles wouldn't pull him up. The blows came again ... more than -once, heavy and accurate. He ploughed forward onto cold pavement as his -mind blanked out.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He came again to consciousness, groaned as heavy pain hammered through -his skull. Gradually his eyes focused upon the details of the room. -There weren't many details. It was a small room, quite bare. The floor -was stone but the walls seemed to be of thick <i>crystyte</i>. Dim lights -filtered through. There was no entrance of any kind that he could see.</p> - -<p>"So you are awake at last, Earthman. And none the worse for wear." The -voice came from within the room. Ketrik raised his head, stared at the -opposite wall, a section of which had taken on the silvery radiance of -a tele-vise.</p> - -<p>Imaged there were the features of Dar Vaajo. Ketrik recognized him -immediately.</p> - -<p>It was an elderly face, but smooth—with the color and toughness -and texture of old leather. The lips were tight and purposeful, the -cheek-bones bulged beneath crisp, graying hair. And the eyes ... they -held Ketrik. They weren't old eyes. They were hard and bright as -jewels. An indomitable light came up from the dark depths of them.</p> - -<p>Dar Vaajo spoke again from the screen.</p> - -<p>"As you see, I prefer to hold audience with you in this manner. You are -a dangerous man. Yes, very dangerous, to have come so far. Through my -Space Patrol. Past my Specials. Into the city and past the inner wall -itself." The lips quirked a little. "Yes, I have determined everything -about you. Your name is not Khosan, but George Ketrik—I have heard -something of your exploits in the past. You are the spy sent here by -the Earth Councillor, Mark Travers." Again he paused. "You are not -surprised that I know all this?"</p> - -<p>If he was surprised, Ketrik didn't show it in the slight shrug he gave. -He knew the voice would go on.</p> - -<p>"I have learned this," Vaajo said, "within the past few hours. You -see—we, too, have a development of the Scanner Beam. This beam was -trained upon you from the very moment you drove into the palace -grounds. We learned your true identity and purpose."</p> - -<p>Ketrik went dry inside. It would have to be that, the one thing he -couldn't have foreseen! He spoke to the screen. "Very well, so I have -lost. I suppose I can expect no reward for saving the Princess."</p> - -<p>Something showed in the dark depths of Vaajo's eyes. Amusement? But he -spoke thoughtfully. "Very well, you shall have your reward. I think I -will send you back to Mark Travers—in a most unique way!"</p> - -<p>Quite suddenly then, Ketrik knew. He knew the reason for the beam he -had seen launched into space, and almost he grasped the principle of -it. He felt his insides twisting up into cold, hard knots. But he -managed to say, "You mean—that just a part of me will go."</p> - -<p>Vaajo chuckled. "So. You saw last night's display, felt a taste of it -perhaps, and you have guessed. Yes, your surmise is correct! We utilize -the Rajec caravans. Two hundred yesterday, and fine specimens they -were! But they are now mere walking hulks, devoid of all but the most -meager mental impulses. Their bodies will be sent north to work the -Uranium pits. Their minds have already been absorbed into my—shall we -say, weapon, increasing its potential considerably."</p> - -<p>Ketrik's brain seemed to twist inside his skull, until he could not -tell whether he felt horror or fury or both. He only knew he must keep -control, learn more of this grisly thing that Vaajo was conducting with -human minds.... He found his own voice, hard and dry, saying, "Yes, I -saw it last night, felt it ... but still I cannot understand...." He -passed a hand across his forehead in seeming bewilderment. He heard -Vaajo saying, "It cannot matter now, for my beam reached Earth last -night ... yes, it would please me to tell you something of it! You -must have heard of the ancient city of M'Tonak, lying far beneath -Mars' Polar Cap. And the sentient thought-force that came from outer -space, or another dimension—no one ever knew—to land at M'Tonak where -it remained for untold centuries. Through all that time the Entity -remained barely alive, unknown to man, sustaining itself by sending out -invisible radiations that fed on Martian minds! And you must have heard -of the Earthman, Jim Landor, who found his way there and destroyed the -Entity, leaving it crushed beneath tons of ice. All this was before -your time or mine. Over a hundred years ago...."<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> - -<p>Ketrik nodded. He had heard the story many times.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Dar Vaajo went on. "The story of the thought-entity beneath our ice -cap had always intrigued me," he said. "So several years ago I sent -some workmen to uncover that ancient city. Yes, you have guessed. The -Entity hadn't died! It remained there insentient but alive, frozen into -suspended animation beneath miles of ice! It was then that I remembered -the stories of its power, its insatiable appetite for the mental forces -of man ... and thereupon I evolved my scheme. It has been dangerous, -Ketrik, but I worked slowly and carefully.</p> - -<p>"The first step was to waken it, which was easy. The second step was -to keep it under control—not so easy. But I managed this by means of -Uranium rays which seems to be the only thing capable of combating -the Entity's own peculiar atomic structure. That was the reason for -my Uranium embargo; I've had to increase the potential of these -controlling rays as the Entity grew in size and power."</p> - -<p>"You mean you ... <i>fed it</i>? Allowed it to <i>grow</i>?" Ketrik was aghast, -listening to this cold-blooded recital.</p> - -<p>"Of course! How else was I to reach Earth with it, across miles of -space? That was my ultimate goal."</p> - -<p>"But how? It must have taken a tremendous ... surely the Rajecs were -not enough?"</p> - -<p>Vaajo smiled blandly from the screen. "I told you I worked slowly. -I began by communicating with it, telepathically. Yes! It's a -highly intelligent entity, and it wishes to remain alive. It seems -it came originally from a world <i>in another dimension bordering on -ours</i>! It was the creation of a scientist on that world. The Entity -became dangerous, threatened to get out of control, and could not be -destroyed. The scientists rigged up a contra-dimensional device which -hurled it out of that dimension. It landed quite by chance in ours—on -Mars, near M'Tonak.</p> - -<p>"So we made a sort of pact, the Entity and I. I wished it to grow -in size and potential, but not at the sacrifice of my own people. I -told it something of my plans. It, in turn, told me how to build a -contra-dimensional machine by which to project it back into its own -world! I managed this at last, adding a reverse control by which I -could always bring it back.</p> - -<p>"Fully a dozen times now it has crossed the dimensions. Whenever I -brought it back, it had ... <i>fed</i>. You understand? It was satiating -itself upon the populace of that other world! Until finally, it -revealed to me that ... there was no more. The other-dimensional world -was barren of sustenance!</p> - -<p>"By this time, however, I was almost ready. It had grown tremendously -in size and power. I always added more rays to keep it under control. -Then I began testing for Earth, allowing it to reach out. Have you -realized what a terrible weapon concentrated and projected thought -can be? Several times it touched Earth spacers, absorbed the minds -aboard them, and"— Dar Vaajo shrugged—"I had to send my Patrollers -out afterwards to destroy the spacers. But never were we quite able -to reach Earth! It would take more potential, just a little more, and -where was I to find it? Then I thought of the Rajecs. I made treaty -with them, built the temple here to attract them ... I guess you know -the rest."</p> - -<p>Ketrik knew the rest, and more. He knew that Earth would have -to capitulate to Vaajo's demands, or face destruction by a -mind-destroying, mind-feeding Entity now capable of reaching across -space. Venus would undoubtedly be next, leaving Dar Vaajo in control -of the inner planets including the colonies recently established on -Jupiter's moons.</p> - -<p>"So, Ketrik, I shall send you back to Mark Travers," Dar Vaajo was -saying. "Four days from now the orbits of our two planets reach their -nearest juxtaposition. <i>Then</i> is when the Entity shall reach out -again for Earth, to give another sample of my power." Vaajo smiled -maddeningly just before he caused the screen to blank out. "And isn't -it ironic that you, or rather the mental part of you, shall be an -infinitesimal part of it!"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VII</p> - -<p>It seemed hours later when Ketrik awoke. He had tried in vain to find -a way out of the smooth, <i>crystyte</i>-walled room. He had sought to -loosen one of the heavy stones in the floor until, with bleeding and -broken-nailed fingers, he had fallen into a sleep of sheer exhaustion.</p> - -<p>Now, in the exact center of the room, he noticed a platter of food. He -frowned, until it dawned on him that it must have been lowered from the -ceiling! He glanced up, but if the entrance was there, it was tightly -closed now.</p> - -<p>He ate the palatable food, but noticed the platter was of light -plastex, could not possibly be used as a weapon or anything else. He -made another search through his clothes, knowing it was useless. But -suddenly he remembered the tiny scanner disc which Mark had given him. -He had strapped it tightly to the underside of his arm ... and it was -still there!</p> - -<p>He could think of no use for it now, however. He was still pondering -this, when his attuned ears caught a faint sound of footsteps overhead. -A moment later a section of the ceiling slid back. Framed in the square -of light Ketrik saw a face ... golden, a bit frightened.</p> - -<p>Praana! Ketrik's heart leaped.</p> - -<p>"Speak softly," she whispered. "You are in a room directly beneath the -main palace. Father has gone for the moment, and I took this chance...."</p> - -<p>"Why are you here?"</p> - -<p>She spoke quickly. "A few hours ago I tuned my tele-vise into this -one. I heard everything he told you! It's horrible, what he is -doing—unbelievable! I hadn't known before! I knew he was conducting -some sort of experiment ... but this...." The shock of it, even -disbelief, was still mirrored on her face.</p> - -<p>"Praana, listen to me! Doesn't your father have an Ethero-Magnum here, -capable of reaching Earth?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, in his own private quarters." She was puzzled.</p> - -<p>"You must get to it! Tune it into the Earth beam, then give me a -channel from this tele-vise here, into that beam. If I can reach Mark -Travers, I'll have him send the Earth Fleet!"</p> - -<p>He saw her hesitate. She knew that Mars' patrollers could not stand -against Earth's mighty armada. She was visioning the holocaust, the -destruction of Martian cities and her own people. Ketrik went on -quickly.</p> - -<p>"Praana, you've been to Earth! You spent most of your girlhood there, -and you must remember it still, have a fondness for it! The green -forests and wide lakes, the mountains, the unreal clouds in a blue -sky—and the people who treated you kindly! All this will go, unless -you act. Surely—"</p> - -<p>"Mars is my world," she was murmuring. "My own people ... to consign -them to another horrible war! Mars would never recover."</p> - -<p>"It will not come to that! If Earth takes the initiative, sends its -Fleet in a surprise attack—the display of power will be enough. Dar -Vaajo will be helpless in the face of it." Ketrik was not at all sure -this would be the case, but here was his only chance. "Quickly ... we -haven't much time!"</p> - -<p>Praana was wavering. "You saved my life," she whispered. "Yes, I will -try!" She tossed an electro-gun down to him, her own gun. Then she was -gone, as the ceiling door went shut.</p> - -<p>Ketrik waited, facing the wall which he knew was the tele-vise. Minutes -passed, seemed to lengthen interminably. If he couldn't get through to -Mark ... if Praana failed to gain access to the Ethero-Magnum, that was -his last hope.... He wondered if she knew how to operate it!</p> - -<p>Suddenly a pale glow came across the wall, wavered for a moment -and then deepened. He was looking into a luxurious room which must -be somewhere in the palace above him. At the far end he saw the -magnificent Ethero-Magnum, with Praana standing before it manipulating -the controls. He heard the ascending whine as selenic cells poured -power into the beam, then minutes passed as it gained full strength. At -last a voice came through faint and clear! Mark Travers' voice saying -cautiously, "Go ahead, go ahead! You're on Earth beam."</p> - -<p>"Ketrik speaking! Mark, listen carefully now and act fast! Mass the -Earth Fleet, get it to Mars. Blast the city of Turibek clear off the -planet if you have to! Things—"</p> - -<p>"The Fleet," Mark cut in, "is already on its way, in full battle -formation! Something happened here about thirty hours ago that I -suspect is Vaajo's work! Touched an area just south of Kansas City. -It's horrible! Everyone within that area—"</p> - -<p>"Spare me the details, I know them anyway. Dar Vaajo plans to give you -another taste in three days, on what I think will be a vastly wider -scale! After that, he'll probably give his ultimatum."</p> - -<p>"What is it he's got there?" Mark's voice was harried. "And where are -you—"</p> - -<p>"No time to tell you now! You wouldn't believe me anyway, and there's -no defense against it except to get that Fleet here and fast! I only -hope—"</p> - -<p>The beam went suddenly dead. For a second the screen blurred, then -Ketrik was looking into the room of the Ethero-Magnum again. But it was -a different scene now.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Different, because Dar Vaajo strode swiftly into view! He approached -Praana who straightened up suddenly from the Magnum's panel. Vaajo was -trembling with rage, but Praana faced him defiantly. For a moment no -one spoke. Then Vaajo turned, facing the screen so Ketrik could see -him. Anger was still on his face, but something of triumph too.</p> - -<p>"I really should thank you, Ketrik—and my daughter! I couldn't, have -planned it better myself. So the entire Earth Fleet is coming, and I am -warned! I shall wait until they are almost here before I use my weapon; -yes, it should cover the entire expanse of the Fleet at one stroke! -And after that"—he shrugged, permitted his cruel lips to fashion the -faintest of smiles—"after that, what shall I have to fear from a Fleet -manned by mindless idiots? Yes, it will be a master stroke! Again I -thank you."</p> - -<p>He flicked off the control. The screen before Ketrik's eyes went dead, -almost as dead as the hope within him.</p> - -<p>The Fleet might have gotten through and taken Vaajo unawares, if it -hadn't been for him! Now Vaajo was warned, and Ketrik knew it was no -idle boast he had made. The awful power of the Entity was quite capable -of dealing with the Earth Fleet, especially as the Commanders had -no idea of the type of thing they were facing. That it would strike -suddenly and completely, Ketrik had no doubt.</p> - -<p>His soul was bitter within him. He had but one chance left, a wild -and improbable chance, but he mustn't miss! It was hours later when -he again heard footsteps overhead. He threw himself to the floor, -pretended to be asleep. The electro was in his hand, carefully -concealed beneath him.</p> - -<p>As he thought, it was a Guard bringing him food. From lowered lids he -saw the ceiling trap slide back—slowly at first, then wider. The Guard -leaned over, concentrated on lowering the platter of food on a long -cord. When it had almost touched the floor, Ketrik brought out his hand -and fired. It was simple as that. The man's body toppled through the -opening, made a dull thud on the floor below.</p> - -<p>So far so good, Ketrik thought grimly. He bunched the dead man's limbs -under him, stood upon the sagging shoulders and leaped for the opening. -A moment later he was swinging his body up and through.</p> - -<p>He was in a dim, carpeted corridor, probably part of the servants' -quarters. He hurried softly past a row of doors to the end of the hall, -then up a short flight of stairs. A heavy door faced him. He pushed -it open cautiously, then stepped out into a small flower garden. It -was night, but Phobos was making a brilliant path across the sky. -Unfortunate. But he'd have to make the best of it now.</p> - -<p>He hugged the shadows until he got his bearings. This was the rear -of the palace, he realized; at least that was lucky, for it brought -him closer to that glass-domed building which he was sure was Vaajo's -laboratory. It should be somewhere to the left of here.</p> - -<p>Swiftly he crossed the garden. He passed through a tall hedge which -concealed him from the palace. He followed the shadow of it all the way -to the left, until he came in sight of the laboratory building. It was -lying only fifty yards away—but fifty yards drenched in Phobos' glow!</p> - -<p>He hesitated. But there was no other way. He started across the space -leisurely, remembering he was still "Martian." The building was dark, -there seemed to be no Guards about.</p> - -<p>He was wrong in the latter surmise, he learned when he had almost -reached the building. A voice challenged him. Almost in the same -instant he saw the man, deep in the shadow of an arched doorway. Ketrik -veered toward him, grunted something in reply and raised a hand in -casual greeting. The Guard hesitated. Ketrik came two steps nearer. The -Guard dropped a hand to his gun, and Ketrik hurled himself forward—low -and hard.</p> - -<p>The impact carried the Guard backward. Their combined weight crashed -into a door, nearly taking it from the hinges. Ketrik rose quickly but -the Guard didn't rise at all, and Ketrik knew his luck was still with -him.</p> - -<p>He changed his mind a second later. He heard shouts and pounding feet. -Guards were all about the place, probably stationed at each of the -doors! For a split second Ketrik hesitated. The only way now, was <i>in</i>.</p> - -<p>He hurled his weight forward and the already weakened door crashed open.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He hurried recklessly forward through darkness. He touched a smooth -marble wall, allowed his fingertips to brush lightly along it as he -ran. His racing feet sent up echoes in the hollow place.</p> - -<p>The Guards were crowding through the doorway behind him now. Suddenly -lights leaped up! Just as suddenly, Ketrik swerved aside. An -electro-beam hummed, came so close to him he could feel the swirling -heat. He hurled himself into a dim cross-corridor, as more electros -lanced out. But Ketrik was expert at this game. He raced for a stairway -he could see just ahead. He was halfway up when the others came into -view below him. He whirled, gave a sweeping burst with his own gun -that sent them tumbling back out of range. He gained the second floor -corridor.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the lights came on there too! Someone at the master-switch -was throwing on light all over the place! Ketrik preferred darkness. -He couldn't keep this up interminably. Feet pounded on the stairs now. -He opened the nearest door, slipped into a dark room. There he stood -breathing heavily as the pursuers pounded by. He waited until their -footsteps died away, then opened the door a crack.</p> - -<p>It was almost his undoing. A beam creased his hair. He drew back, then -suddenly flung the door wide and fired at the man they had left to -guard the stairs. His beam sliced across the Guard's wrist, sent his -gun spinning. But the man's scream of pain sent up shrill echoes that -would bring the others back. Ketrik bowled the man aside as he leaped -for the stairs leading up. At least he'd gained a few minutes!</p> - -<p>He wasn't fleeing blindly now. He had an objective. He was sure the -place he sought lay <i>above</i>—somewhere near that great, curved glass -roof. He reached the third floor and continued upward. Then he groaned. -The stairs ended at the next floor. A heavy metal door barred his way. -He wasted precious seconds fumbling at the complicated mechanism—was -about to use his electro to burn it away, when the great handle slid -down under his pressure and the ponderous door swung aside. He leaped -forward into more darkness.</p> - -<p>There he paused, electro raised. This would be cutting off his own -retreat, but he had to do it now! The beam lashed out, played across -the door's inner mechanism. Gradually the tough metal fused under the -heat. Ketrik made a thorough job of it, was satisfied at last that it -would take them some time to blast through!</p> - -<p>But he couldn't hear them out there. They should have reached the -door by this time. He frowned, then drew out the short-wave scanner -disc. He pressed the stud and tiny coils hummed to life. He moved the -sliding sheathes around the rim and at last a thought-impression came -through—a jumble of them. Ketrik knew his pursuers were standing on -the stairs, hesitant and a bit frightened, staring at the metal door. -Then a stronger impression came out of the thought-jumble as one of the -Guards spoke. "Shall we go ahead? We can burn through the door."</p> - -<p>"Enter that place?" came an answer, and Ketrik felt the mental shudder -that came with the words. "I'd sooner go unarmed into a den of -<i>hellas</i>!"</p> - -<p>Other thoughts agreed. Ketrik grinned there in the dark. He knew now, -that somewhere beyond him must be the lair of Dar Vaajo's <i>Entity</i>, and -these men were deathly afraid of it. Finally another thought stabbed -through.</p> - -<p>"Very well. There's no retreat for him now anyway. We'll wait here, but -one of you hurry to the palace and bring Dar Vaajo!"</p> - -<p>Ketrik acted quickly then. He found the lights, saw that he was in a -small metal-walled room. On the opposite side was another door, and -near it was a tall case containing half a dozen protective suits.</p> - -<p>He hurriedly donned one. It wasn't hard to guess what they were -for. The suit itself was of light mesh-beryllium, topped by a heavy -<i>crystyte</i> helmet. Again he brought his weapon into play, destroyed the -other five suits. Let Vaajo come! He would hardly dare enter this den -without protective gear!</p> - -<p>But even within the suit Ketrik didn't feel quite safe. He still -remembered the power of the thing he had felt the previous night. His -stomach turned over in a frightened yawn as he stepped through the -opposite door.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VIII</p> - -<p>He was on a wide balcony. Near at hand was a tele-vise, a -control-studded panel, and other complicated machinery. Overhead, -seeming so near he could almost touch it, the great laboratory -dome stretched out and away in its vast curve. While below ... was -emptiness. Now for the first time he realized the gigantic proportions -of this building. A hundred feet below he saw bare floor. Probably -twice that distance away, straight across from him, he could make out -the opposite wall. There was nothing more, nothing in all that maw of -space.</p> - -<p>Peering at the walls, he saw strange instruments protruding. Short and -tubular, literally thousands of them reached from the floor to the -height of this balcony, stretching away across the walls as far as he -could see. Ketrik thought he knew what they were—but he had to be sure.</p> - -<p>He looked at the controls all about him. One huge panel contained -thousands of studs. He depressed one. From the far away opposite wall -a ray of white light needled out and slightly downward. He swept his -hand across more studs, and other beams lanced out from the four -walls—dozens, then hundreds. Ketrik was satisfied. Here, he knew were -the controlling rays which Vaajo had spoken of. He shut the rays off, -and looked further about him.</p> - -<p>There was only the tele-vise, and two other instruments. One was merely -a wheel, six feet in diameter. The other was a machine complicated -beyond anything Ketrik had ever imagined. Giant tubes, coils, and alien -looking grids nestled in the bulk of it. Cables thick as his arm led -to the nearest wall, thence upward to the lower rim of the glassite -dome, and completely around it. From there, other cables dangled -downward for a few feet into empty space.</p> - -<p>Ketrik approached the control panel. It seemed simpler than he had -supposed, but he studied it a while before reaching out a tentative -hand to the first switch. The coils shrieked maddeningly, then the -sound ascended the scale and passed beyond the audible. The giant tubes -pulsed to life, throwing out a silver radiance. Then Ketrik reached out -to what seemed to be a master-lever. He pulled it slowly toward him.</p> - -<p>There came a sound, a sighing, which rose to tremendous crescendo as -though every wind from the depths of space were sweeping in upon him! -An awful vertigo as the dome, the floor, and all space between seemed -to tilt crazily—into <i>nothingness</i>! He clung to the lever, sought to -push it back. His mind reeled. Everything before him was merging into a -grotesquerie of impossible angles and planes—and through it all came a -twisting vortex of darkness, utter emptiness, that sought to sweep him -out and away!</p> - -<p>Then the lever gave before his surging muscles. It fell back into -place. Everything came back to normal—except Ketrik. He allowed the -dizziness to pass, and then grinning, he tried the stunt again! Two, -three times more he tried it, with the same result, until he was quite -sure of his mastery over that control.</p> - -<p>For here was the machine he had hoped to find! Here was the means -and the only means, of ridding the System once and for all of that -Entity which Dar Vaajo in his madness had built up into such a weapon; -a terribly alive weapon which, if allowed to go unchecked, with or -without Dar Vaajo, could well become a menace to all the worlds! Ketrik -realized that his task had reached the crucial point. A single mistake -now, a mere miscalculation, and all would be over. So far he had only -seen a manifestation of the Entity, not the thing itself. But he knew -it must be here, somewhere very close—and waiting....</p> - -<p>He stepped over to the towering perpendicular wheel.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It moved easily beneath his hand. He was tense now, watching the great -expanse of floor a hundred feet below. His surmise was correct. A tiny -crack appeared there, extending the length of the floor. And upward -from it came light—greenish, terrible light which he'd felt before, -which he knew was the Entity itself, eager to lash outward! Almost, -Ketrik hesitated. But he forced his hand to move the wheel.</p> - -<p>The crack widened as the floor moved away on either side. Gradually he -could see the Entity, the very bulk of it—maddening, impossible—but -there it was! Fully a hundred feet across, greenish and blinding! -It was roughly globular, seemed to be a giant brain slowly pulsing -and evilly alive, yet somehow it was more than that. It was -quasi-amorphous, writhing and changing shape and trying to heave itself -upward! Tentacles lashed out—tentacles that seemed to be solidified -light, seeking ... seeking for sustenance!</p> - -<p>It began to move upward. Up between the walls on a sliding platform, -to a point just above the floor, where it stopped. Some of its light -touched Ketrik, beat against his helmet and surged about him, tearing -with cold fingers at his beryllium suit. In his absorbing interest he -had almost forgotten the controlling rays! He hurled himself at the -panel. With reckless sweeps of his hands he flicked on the studs.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>It began to move upward ... to beat against Ketrik, surging ... tearing....</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>He had been just in time. The white rays, lancing out from the walls, -now formed a gorgeous criss-crossing pattern that held the Entity in -leash. It writhed and cowered. Slowly its own tentacles of light drew -back. It lay in seeming quiescence. But even then Ketrik received its -thought-emanations, as they crashed with frightening impact upon his -brain. Yes, the thing was alive and evil. Too long had Dar Vaajo held -it in subservience. It wished to escape these barriers, launch out -for itself. There was sustenance aplenty on Mars, and it would grow -titanically. Then would come Earth—and there were many other planets.</p> - -<p>Perhaps the Entity sensed Ketrik's rising horror. Perhaps it guessed -what he meant to do! For now, despite the concentration of rays, it -tried to lash out in new fury. Ketrik laughed then, a bit wildly; -laughed in mockery and joy, seeing the thing in thrall, watching its -futile efforts against the barriers....</p> - -<p>Then the laughter died in his throat. Something was happening. The -rays, the controlling rays across the walls—one by one they were -blanking out! One by one, then suddenly whole rows at a time!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Ketrik whirled to the control-panel. Another figure was there—Dar -Vaajo! Somewhere he had obtained another protective suit, had entered -silently. Now he was blanking out the control-rays, enough of them to -allow the power of the Entity through!</p> - -<p>Even as Ketrik hurled himself forward, he saw madness on Vaajo's face. -More of the rays blanked off as Vaajo swept his hand down. Then Ketrik -was upon him. The two metal-suited figures clashed, went spinning -backward and then to the floor of the balcony in a wild tangle.</p> - -<p>Dar Vaajo was old but he was still tough and wiry. He had the strength -of a madman now. He kept Ketrik at bay as the latter sought to grip -his throat. He laughed wildly as Ketrik pounded futilely at the tough -<i>crystyte</i> helmet. Then Ketrik knew why he laughed. The damage had been -done, the power of the Entity was lashing through the barriers now! A -tendril of light curled about Ketrik's head. Even through the helmet he -felt the insatiable greed of it, as his brain exploded in fire.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p><i>Dar Vaajo was old but he was still tough and wiry.</i></p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>He forgot Dar Vaajo, managed to drag himself upward. He staggered -toward the huge Vortex machine. Vaajo hurled against his legs and -brought him crashing down. His brain was now a writhing agony of fire. -He saw Vaajo's grinning face near his own, and knew that somehow Vaajo -wasn't affected by the Entity; perhaps years of working so close to -it had made him partially immune. Slowly Ketrik managed to bring his -knees up under the other's body, then his feet. With his last remaining -strength he lashed out.</p> - -<p>He saw the Martian's slight body hurl backward. It crashed into the -balcony's low railing which caught him just at the knees. For a moment -Vaajo tottered, arms flailing wildly; then his mouth opened in what -must have been a shriek as he went over the edge, over and downward, -to crash a hundred feet below into the great greenish bulk of the -Entity.</p> - -<p>But Ketrik didn't see that. He was dragging himself the few remaining -yards to the Vortex machine, then slowly up to the controls. Heedless -now of the frantic light-tendrils that tried to stop him, he managed -to turn on the control. He sank to the floor as he pulled back on the -master lever.</p> - -<p>It was through blurring eyes this time that he saw the crazy tilting -of the laboratory dome and everything beneath, saw the dark Vortex -twisting through from an alien space. As though in a dream he saw a -rush of light, glimpsed a greenish mass hurtling outward to disappear -in a convergence of crazy space-angles....</p> - -<p>After that he remembered finding his electro which had skidded away on -the floor. He used it to blast the Vortex machine into tangled ruin. He -remembered staggering to the tele-vise and turning it on, and seeing -Praana's face from a screen somewhere in the palace.</p> - -<p>"Praana ... the laboratory ... your father is...." But that was all. He -was sliding forward against the screen, sliding down to the floor into -merciful oblivion.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He saw her face again and it was no longer startled, it was smiling -down at him. He tried to sit up. A spasm of pain hit him. He heard her -say, "Rest. You will be all right soon."</p> - -<p>He was lying on a couch somewhere in the palace. Servants were hovering -around anxiously. Praana sent them away. Presently she said, "I've -contacted the Earth Fleet's flagship. They will be here sometime -tomorrow. They come in peace."</p> - -<p>He managed to nod. "You know about the other? Your father—he was...." -He stopped the words in time, his face twisted as he thought of it.</p> - -<p>"Don't be afraid to say it." Praana still managed to smile. "Yes, I -know it now, we all know! He was mad. Mars as well as Earth owes you -a debt of gratitude it can never repay." She hesitated. "I want to -forget. I must get away, somewhere far away. I should like to return to -Earth, for just a little while."</p> - -<p>Ketrik grinned. He lay back. He had wanted to hear her say that.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> <i>Passage to Planet X</i>, Planet Stories, Winter, 1945.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> <i>Alcatraz of the Starways</i>, Planet Stories, May, 1943.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> <i>City of the Living Flame</i>, Planet Stories, Fall, 1942.</p></div> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dread-Flame of M'Tonak, by Henry Hasse - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DREAD-FLAME OF M'TONAK *** - -***** This file should be named 63897-h.htm or 63897-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/8/9/63897/ - -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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