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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..e1099be --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #66798 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66798) diff --git a/old/66798-0.txt b/old/66798-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d6e7c95..0000000 --- a/old/66798-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2663 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Secret of the Martians, by Paul W. -Fairman - -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 -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Secret of the Martians - -Author: Paul W. Fairman - -Release Date: April 12, 2022 [eBook #66798] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SECRET OF THE MARTIANS *** - - - - - - Few colonists had seen a Martian, so why - worry about them causing trouble? Yet Spencer - had been killed--and Rex Tate trapped by the-- - - Secret Of The Martians - - By Paul W. Fairman - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy - February 1956 - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -Gordon Malloy, Chief of Interplanetary Security, rocked back in his -chair, and with seeming unconcern looked Rex Tate over searchingly. -"How was Pluto?" - -"Stinking. Why we want that frozen lump in the Federation is something -I can't figure." - -"Rich in minerals." - -"You left me there for seven Terran months," Rex allowed criticism to -sound in his voice. - -This did not bother Malloy. "Good for you. Toughened you up. Safe too. -Never much trouble on Pluto." - -"That's why I joined up. So I'd be nice and safe." - -"I've got something in mind for you." - -"Where?" - -"Mars. But it could be nasty so you'd better go back to Pluto." - -"Try and get me on a ship. What's with Mars?" - -Malloy looked for a place to put his feet and found only the top of his -desk. Up there they looked like a pair of crossed banjo cases. - -"I wish I knew." - -"I'll go find out for you." - -Malloy's eyes brooded. "The thing started as a result of privileges -and stupidity, the way most things of this sort do. As you know, Mars -is the only planet in the Federation without representation because -the Martians refused to represent themselves. They wanted no part of -the alliance." Malloy glanced up quickly. "How's your knowledge of the -Martian background?" - -"Sketchy. Ask me about Venus, Mercury, Neptune, Pluto. By all means -ask me about Pluto." - -"We're talking about Mars. When we went up there in 2091, we found as -close to a dead planet as you could want. There were people, but damned -funny ones. They wouldn't fight us or they wouldn't join us. They had a -kind of pride we've never been able to analyze. They just kept backing -away. - -"We found rich minerals and fine farm land--land that had lain fallow -for ages just waiting for the plow. And plenty of water. Every spring, -the ice cliffs at the poles melted on schedule and sent down the -moisture for bumper crops. - -"But the Martians didn't farm--they didn't mine--they didn't do -anything so far as we could discover except back away into their caves -and rocky fastnesses up north and give us the cold eye." - -Rex knew all this but he liked to hear The Chief talk--liked to be -with him as did every other agent in the Gang, so he registered bright -interest and listened. - -"They rebuffed all our advances and so we let them alone." - -"But that happened on other planets too," Rex said innocently, "and so -we went right in and got acquainted--looked in their bedrooms and their -dresser drawers." - -Malloy frowned slightly. "But on Mars, we didn't." - -"Nope. I wonder if it could have been because we had their land and -their mines and didn't think they had anything of value around their -north pole?" - -"You're speaking disrespectfully of the System," Malloy said in mild -disapproval. "You sound as though you think we moved in and took -planets over. All we did was develop latent resources--" - -"--Make for the better life--" - -"--Invite them to join us for a greater System--" - -"--The same way the British and the Dutch and the French and the -Russians did in ancient times here on Terra." - - * * * * * - -Malloy regarded his big feet with hostility; as though they and not Rex -Tate had been speaking. "Do you want this assignment, or don't you?" - -"Sure I want it." Rex grinned. What other department chief would let a -subordinate sound off? None except Malloy. That was one of the things -that made up for the low pay. - -"All right--then shut your trap and listen. As I said, the Martians -backed off into those hills and caves and hung out a _Private_ sign -that we respected for three hundred years. Then, about six months ago, -a Martologist named Spencer got tired of testing flora and fauna in the -safe areas and wangled a permit to penetrate the taboo areas around -the pole." - -Rex Tate straightened--honestly amazed. "Alone?" - -"No. In the company of his twenty-year-old daughter." - -"Good God! Why we wouldn't even send a nuclear battalion in there! Who -issued such an insane permit?" - -"That's not our business. The criminally stupid ass is being hunted -from other directions, but in this age of red tape and buck-passing I -doubt if he'll ever be found. Our job lies elsewhere. We've got to find -out what happened to Spencer's daughter." - -"What about Spencer?" - -"He came back." - -"Without his daughter?" - -"Yes." - -"I'd like to talk to the slob for a few minutes." - -Malloy dropped his feet to the floor. "Come on. I'll give you a chance." - -Rex followed Malloy out of the office. They got on an elevator that -dropped them to a sub-basement. Malloy manned a scooter and they rode -for several minutes down a long, straight corridor. - -Just when Rex wondered whether or not The Chief knew where he was -going, Malloy stopped the scooter in front of a closed door. He opened -the door and motioned Rex inside. - -The room was small and bare, boasting as furniture, only a rectangular -table in its center. On the table sat a rectangular box. Malloy pointed -into the box and said, "All right--start talking." - -A small chill danced down Rex's spine. In the box lay a serene-faced, -middle-aged man with his hands folded over his chest. He had a rosy -complexion and appeared to be napping. What an odd place for a man to -sleep, Rex thought. He glanced up at Malloy. The latter said, "As near -as we can tell, he's been dead for four months." - -"But--" - -"I know. Perfectly preserved--the skin soft--all normal fluid still -present in the body. Nothing's wrong with him except that he's dead." - -Rex touched the soft tissue. It was cool. "How can you figure the time?" - -"He came in on a food freighter--in a cargo of potatoes that was sent -from a farmer's market at a place called New Iowa in the heart of the -Martian farm belt." - -"Not far from the forbidden polar circle," Rex said. - -"I thought you didn't know anything about Mars." - -"When things were dull on Pluto, I studied timetables." - -"That's interesting. I'll issue them to all agents." - -"Of course you've got no proof that the body was put aboard at Iowa." - -"Yes we have. The hold was locked and sealed there. The body was -inside. The seal was unbroken." - -The closed eyes of Professor Spencer made Rex almost as uncomfortable -as the closed lips. "All right. I've got the picture. What do we do? -Send in a battalion to question the Martian taste in gift packages?" - -"We've got no proof the Martians did this." - -"Who else?" - -"Maybe some transplanted Terran farmer took up taxidermy on the side." - -"The odds are way against it." - -"So are the odds against a solar eclipse, but they happen." - -"Then we make no hostile gestures?" - -"Not until we know the score. That's what I want you to do, Rex--go out -to Mars and find the score." - -"Okay, Chief." Rex took a last look at the body. "And if I come back in -that shape, check my pockets. There might be time to write a note." - -"Don't be such a pessimist," Malloy growled. - - * * * * * - -(_From the diary of Tommy Wilks_) - -_The first thing you miss on Mars is the green. The things hardest to -get used to are the reds and the yellows and the tired browns. Never is -there any bright rich green filled with the promise of spring as I grew -used to in Kentucky back on Terra. Because this is a dying planet and -even when the Martian spring does come, there is a feeling of tiredness -in the air._ - -_And the warm rain on your face. You miss that too because there is no -rain on Mars. You keep looking at the sky, hunting for the big black -thunderheads that sent people running for cover back in Kentucky. You -look and look until your eyes ache and even the sting of icy cold rain -would be nice._ - -_The water here is all underground and in the canals. It is good water, -running down through the bogs and the rivers and the marshes in spring -when the big northern ice cliffs melt._ - -_It is very funny about the ice cliffs. Up there it snows in the -winter I guess because they get higher and higher until they are like -mountains. Then in spring, they melt in a few days. Nobody knows much -about the ice mountains because they are in the middle of the forbidden -polar zone. It is said there are Martian people up in the forbidden -circle but I don't think so. Because why would anybody live in such a -place when the level lands and the old sea bottoms and the canals are -down here!_ - -_Anyhow, we never go there. The only Martians I ever saw are the ones -that come by like tramps asking for food. We always give it to them -because they are always hungry and we don't want any trouble. And -then there is Barzoo. He was here when we came. He lives in a little -stone house out beyond the potato fields. All Martians have hard brown -skins--almost like shells--and instead of white in their eyes, like -Terrans, they have light green, and the pupils are always jet black. -Looking at a Martian is a little hard to get used to at first but after -a while it's all right._ - -_Dad and Mom made me stay away from Barzoo at first, but he was -harmless and now they let me visit him. We talk but I can only -understand a little of what he says and he can't understand much -Terran. He is a funny man, Barzoo. He never smiles and gives you the -idea he has only contempt for Terrans. But he takes me and shows me -where the big gadfish hide in holes in the canals and how to catch them -with a white pebble on the end of a line._ - -_Nobody minds Barzoo._ - -_I am Thomas Wilks Junior, but everybody calls me Tommy. I am fifteen -years old and I like to write and someday I will go to Terra to some -big university and learn to do it well and then I will write stories -all about Mars for the Terrans to read._ - -_My father is Thomas Wilks Senior. My mother is Lucy Wilks. My -sister is Jean Wilks. Father brought us to Mars when the Federation -opened this land. It is very easy to grow good crops here--very big -potatoes--because Dad says ages ago it was farmed by the Martians and -the fields and the canals are all here. We put the potatoes on big -space freighters that take them back to Terra. All the farmers send -their potatoes in the big freighters and they all talk about going back -themselves after they get rich out here but I have a feeling very few -of them will go. There is something about this planet that grows on -you. It's awfully cold a lot of the time and you have to learn to walk -carefully or you go right up in the air. But you get used to it. And -two moons instead of one._ - -_I like keeping a diary because someday I will need what I'm writing -now for my stories about Mars and will become very famous and live in -a high tower in Kentucky. Or maybe I will build a tower right here on -Mars._ - - * * * * * - -(_Wednesday_) - -_We have a new man working for us. He came in on the last freighter. He -is very tall and has yellow hair and he is different from most men that -come here to work. Most of them go to the saloon when the ship sets -down, but this one went to the candy store and that was where I met -him._ - -_He bought me some ice cream and we talked about Mars. I guess I did -most of the talking. I told him all about the farm and about Barzoo -and the gadfish you catch with a pebble. He seemed very interested in -Barzoo and said he'd like to meet him._ - -_I told him if he worked for Dad I would introduce him to Barzoo and he -said all right. Which Dad slapped me on the back for later because help -is hard to get and he gave me credit for talking the yellow haired man -into working for us._ - -_His name is Rex Tate and we didn't ask him how he happened to come out -here. We're just glad that he did because help is a problem._ - -_After this I guess the farmers will check the candy store too when -they come into Iowa along with the saloon. But who would expect to find -a grown man like Rex Tate in a candy store? He's different than the -other workers who come here. A lot more intelligent. I like to talk to -him._ - - * * * * * - -Rex Tate, clad in a Martian fox jacket against the sharp winter air, -worked at a strand of broken fence on the far north line of the Wilks -farm. - -He straightened and looked off across the dull brown plains. The -experts said this had all been ocean once; back in the days when Terra -was a seething, untenanted ball of hot lava. Rex wondered how right -they were. - -One thing was sure. A no more dull, drab, peaceful landscape could -possibly be imagined. He turned to look northward toward the high ice -cliffs of the polar circle. The thin air made distances deceptive and -the cliffs looked to be hanging almost over Rex's head. But he knew -they were many miles away. - -He frowned. This had seemed the logical place to start his -investigation, yet what evil could lurk among these simple energetic -Terrans? Such an act as had been perpetrated upon Professor Spencer -was certainly beyond their ability to conceive, and Margo Spencer was -certainly not hidden among them. - -Only one thing kept him in this vicinity and it was indeed a frail -thread. The Martian hermit young Wilks had told him about. He wanted to -look the man over but had delayed, feeling that even though the lead -seemed hardly to be taken seriously, caution was still the better part -of wisdom. - -Rex turned now to watch big Tom Wilks stride across the frozen brown -moss of the pasture. Terran cattle, Rex had learned, thrived on the -prickly stuff. - -Tom Wilks had a big, cordial face, roughened and seamed by the Martian -cold. He slapped Rex on the shoulder and said, "Well, how do you like -this outpost of civilization?" - -"It's different--I'll say that." - -"Hope you grow to like it. A man can get rich out here." - -"I don't doubt it." - -"You aren't like the others," Wilks said. - -"Thank you." - -"I mean most of the help we get out here are drifters looking for a -stake. You could easy get yourself some land--make a go of it. We need -good solid men out here. Now I've got a fine looking daughter--" Wilks -paused. "Guess maybe I'm going too fast." - -"Jean's a fine girl, but you don't know much about me, Mr. Wilks." - -"The name's Tom and don't forget it. And don't think I'm going to nose -into your business until you're ready to tell us. We're inclined to -take people at face-value. We consider 'em first-rate until they prove -otherwise. You might say we kind of follow our instincts." - -Rex give him a quick smile. "One thing puzzles me." - -"What's that?" - -"How come there are no Martians working for you? The pay is good. I'd -think they'd be swarming around." - -"You don't know much about Mars, son. I've got a hunch there aren't -many Martians." - -When Rex started to reply, Tom Wilks waved a hand. "Oh, I know the -Federation experts tell us different--say they live up there under the -ice cap, but I don't believe it. A few of them would wander down." - -"Young Tommy tells me you've got one around. A character named Barzoo." - -"Uh-huh. God knows where he came from or what he wants here. Doesn't -care to work a lick." - -This, Rex realized, was Tom Wilks' basis of judging a man. A worker -rated high with him. A fairly presentable worker rated high enough to -be considered for his daughter's hand. Not a bad way to look at it at -that, Rex thought. - -"I'd like to meet this Barzoo." - -"Tommy'll take you out there any time you say." - -"He goes alone?" - -"The old coot's harmless. Looked him over myself. He takes the -youngster fishing." - -"Characters like that interest me." - -"Well, finish this fence now and then get back to the house. Jean's -fixed up something a little special for supper. Got her hair and face -all shined up too. I wonder why?" - -Wilks winked and strode off about his business, leaving Rex to wonder -about Jean. He'd have to be a little careful there. She was a nice -kid. There'd be no problem, though, because he wouldn't be around long -enough. He hooked the last strand of wire into place and headed for the -house.... - - * * * * * - -Jean Wilks was a lithe, slim, dark-haired girl with laughing blue eyes -and red, almost sensuous lips. When Rex got to the house she was there -to open the door. She wore a close-fitting blouse, slacks, and a frilly -postage-stamp apron. There was welcome in her smile and her eyes spoke -quite frankly. They said, _I'm after you_. - -"Come on in and shuck your coat," Jean said. "I'll bet you're frozen." - -"Only my fingers." - -Jean took his hand in hers and rubbed briskly. Her eyes teased. "I -thought you were too hot-blooded to let a little cold snap chill you." - -"I'm used to a hot sun." - -She could change mood quickly. Her smile slipped away. "Where _did_ you -come from, Rex?" - -As he hesitated she put a quick finger over his lips. "Don't tell me. -Sorry I pried. We aren't that way here on Mars--really." She moved away -from him. "How do you like my apron! It's supposed to show you how -domestic I am." - -"You did the cooking tonight?" - -"Uh-huh. Mom and Dad and Tommy just left. They went to New Iowa for -dinner with some friends. I'm in charge of the feed bag." - -"Swell--let's open it up." - -Supper over, Rex helped Jean with the dishes. He was struck by the -domestic situation into which this case had brought him. He felt -guilty--as though he were trespassing on the hospitality of these fine -people. And fine people they were--of that he was assured. Now only -remained to discover by what weird turn of circumstances the perfectly -preserved body of Professor Spencer had been placed in a sealed potato -hold in New Iowa. - -"The ships that go out of here," Rex said. "Do they all set down in New -Iowa--on the field there?" - -They were having coffee in the living room. Jean had removed her apron -and sat close to Rex on the lounge. Her hair was soft and gleaming in -the light of the open flame from the old-fashioned fireplace. - -"Usually," she said, "except during heavy harvest time. Then they put -down wherever they can. We've had them parked in our lower pasture. You -see we like to get the crops away as quick as we can and the freight -company always sends enough ships to accommodate us because the run is -so profitable." - -"The lower pasture. Isn't that where this Barzoo fellow hangs out?" - -Jean shuddered. "He's awful. I suppose I shouldn't feel this way about -him because he's harmless and very good to Tommy. But that dull brown -hide--his funny eyes." - -"I'd like to see what he looks like. I'll have to ask Tommy to take me -down there." - -Jean regarded him thoughtfully. "I'll take you down." - -"But why should you--?" - -She shrugged. "I don't seem to be doing very well by firelight. We have -two moons up here. They should be twice as hard to resist as one." - -Rex was playing it straight all the way through--which meant playing it -dumb. "But it's very cold out." - -"Pretty cold in here, too. Let's get started." - - * * * * * - -Rex put on his jacket, wondering what he was going to do with this -girl. She appeared from her bedroom wearing a white parka that made her -look doubly attractive. "It's only a ten-minute walk. And the cold -isn't as penetrating here as on Terra." - -They hiked along, hand-in-hand, under the two racing Martian moons. -The air was sharp, stinging, like heady wine. Rex felt as though he -could have jumped clear up to where Terra hung close and beautiful in -the night sky. This, he decided, was a wonderful planet, a wonderful -country, a great place to settle down and build something--raise -children. Bodies in shipping cases seemed far away and unreal. - -Jean's hand, warm in his own, squeezed suddenly as though she sensed -his thoughts. She glanced at him, her eyes rich with meaning. Then she -broke away and ran on ahead toward an oddly shaped monolith of a hut -further down the pasture. - -As Rex hurried forward, he studied the stone hutch. It was obviously -very old--something left over from a lost and forgotten civilization. -It impressed him as having been built as both a shelter and a symbol. -There appeared to be undecipherable meaning in the formation of -it--blurred now by the wear of centuries. - -Jean stopped beside the narrow entrance. "He's not here," she said. Rex -pushed his head inside, bent forward to peer about the small interior. -It was smooth, unadorned, cone-shaped. - -He took a step forward, heard a quick laugh and tripped over Jean's -extended foot. He grabbed as he went down--inside the shelter--and -caught Jean's arm. He dragged her with him and they went down in a -heap. He was looking into her fur-framed face, into her eyes. She had -stopped laughing. Neither of them spoke during several quick breaths. - -Then Jean said, "I guess you think I'm pretty forward, don't you?" - -"I think you're pretty wonderful." - -"I think maybe we're different up here--a lot different than we'd be on -Terra." - -Her breath was warm in Rex's face. "How do you figure that?" - -"We're more elemental out here, I guess. We're more afraid of letting -life get past us. I want you so bad it hurts. I want to marry you and -have your children and I'm afraid of not letting you know it." - -Her mouth was on his; her body through the soft fur of their clothing -was warm and rounded against him. His blood was pounding and he was -conscious of two things. First, this intoxicating girl in his arms. -Second, the fact that the slab against which he was pressed had -loosened and turned; that it had moved on a hinge of some kind and he -had to hold tight to Jean to keep from falling through. - -Then he became aware of a third presence. Just outside a figure loomed; -a hideous looking man with a brown, scarred hide. A man with eyes that -seemed to hold all the hate in the universe.... - - * * * * * - -(From the Diary of Tommy Wilks) (_Saturday_) - -_They're gone--Jean and Rex Tate. Nobody around here knows what to -think because there is no place to go. No ships have come in or gone -out. Everybody is talking about it. Some people say Rex Tate had a ship -and that he put Jean in it and took her away. But how can that be true? -Where could anybody hide a ship around here? The country is flat as far -as you can see. They say he must have had a ship hidden up in the ice -country--in the forbidden circle and he took her up there._ - -_But that is crazy too. They were having supper here last night when -Mom and Dad and I went to the Parker's for supper. They weren't here -when we got back and none of the cars or horses are gone so how could -they have got away?_ - -_They say he took Jean away, but I wonder if it wasn't the other way -around? Jean was in love with him--she wanted to marry him--and I -wonder if maybe she didn't take HIM away? But that's foolish, too. -There was no place for her to take him or him to take her. It certainly -is a mystery. We haven't had so much excitement since we came to Mars. -People coming and going--men riding off in bunches hunting under every -piece of moss as though they'd turned to midgets and were hiding there. -It's all very silly. But Mom is sick about it. She's in bed and Mrs. -Parker is taking care of her. The men swear they'll catch Rex and kill -him wherever they find him. They say he dragged Jean away to have her -for himself. I don't think so--not for that reason, anyhow. I know how -Jean felt about him and girls in love are funny. He wouldn't have had -to drag her anywhere. That was how Jean felt about him._ - -_It's all very strange. And very lonesome here with Dad gone off with -the hunting party and Mom under sedatives. I'm going to ask Barzoo what -he thinks about it._ - - * * * * * - -(_Sunday_) - -_I've learned something important and I don't know what to do about it. -I went to Barzoo's hutch to find him but he was not there. I waited -around a while and then, while I was looking inside, I thought I saw -something funny about the wall. One section of it looked different -than the others. It wasn't dirty along the bottom. It looked as though -there was a crack there. I examined it and found it moved on a hinge. -I pushed it back and everything was dark behind it. I listened for a -while and then thought I heard a sound inside as though somebody had -taken a step._ - -_I got scared and dropped the stone back into place and began to run. -I ran all the way home to tell Dad about it because that must be where -Rex and Jean went. There can't be any other place._ - -_But Dad isn't here and I can't tell Mom. She's too sick and I'd only -disturb her...._ - -_It's been an hour now. Dad still isn't home. I've done some thinking. -Why did I run away from the hutch? There isn't anything there to be -afraid of. When you think it over, it's logical that Barzoo would have -a place underneath the hutch to keep warm on cold winter nights. Even -if his hide is thick, he still needs shelter. And why should he have -told me about it? It's his private business and I never asked him. I'll -bet he would have told me if I'd asked him._ - -_I'm going to wait another half hour for Dad. Then, if he isn't back, -I'll go to the hutch with a flashlight and see what's under it. Maybe -everybody is right about Rex. Maybe he's got Jean down there._ - -_But if he has I'll bet she isn't trying very hard to get away...._ - -_The half hour's up. Here I go...._ - - * * * * * - -"So that's the story," Rex said. "Now you know who I am and how I -happened to come to New Iowa." - -Jean twisted her arms against the thongs that bound her wrists and -said, "I think you were stupid not to tell us and let us try to help -you." - -"But I was moving in the dark entirely unsure of myself. I had to look -around and find out--" - -"Oh, I see. You suspected us. You thought we were capable of murdering -a man and putting his body in a box and shipping it back to Terra with -our potatoes!" - -"I thought no such thing!" - -They spoke openly, convinced that the five Martians who were their -captors could not understand Terran. They had been at the hutch when -Rex and Jean got there--four of them--crouched behind the wall. When -Barzoo arrived, just as Rex tilted the section of wall, they had seized -the two Terrans and tied their hands. There had been nothing Rex could -do, hampered as he was by Jean lying in his arms. - -Rex's thoughts had been the bitterest of gall as he forecast his report -to The Chief--that was, if he lived long enough to submit a report: - -_I was necking with a local farmer's daughter in the stone hutch of a -Martian character. I had every reason to be suspicious of this Martian -and should have been on my toes when he arrived. Instead, I was on my -back, kissing this aforementioned local daughter and this Martian and -four of his friends took us both. No credit to them, though. In the -shape we were in, a crippled blind man could have taken us. Any further -orders, Chief?_ - -The Martians had ignored his pleas that they leave Jean behind, or -perhaps the Martians did not even understand him. - -They had been led off down a long, dark tunnel. So far as Rex and Jean -were concerned, their next step could have almost dropped them off into -oblivion but the Martians were sure-footed and seemed to be entirely -familiar with the pitch-black tunnel. - -They walked for what seemed hours before a light showed in the -distance. Another hour brought them to the spot where a dusty overhead -bulb glowed dimly. It appeared to have been there untouched for -centuries because the ceiling was damp and calcium-bearing droplets -had almost covered it. Yet it glowed bravely. - -Here, the two Terrans were allowed to rest. One of the Martians dug -into a small opening in one wall and brought forth a quantity of -grayish substance which he offered them--holding it toward their mouths -with his filthy hand. They turned their faces away and he made no -further effort to feed them. - -They were ignored--left sitting on a ledge while the Martians gorged -down the food. Afterward, the one Jean designated as Barzoo, looked -up suddenly as though a thought had come. He talked to one who had -finished eating and was wiping his hands on his dull brown hide. - -Rex tried to fathom Barzoo's words. Familiar with languages and -dialects the System over, he got some of Barzoo's meaning. The Martian -leader was worried about the condition in which the hutch floor had -been left. Perhaps the wall-section had been left tilted. After a -while, the other Martian got to his feet and trotted back through the -darkness along the tunnel through which they had come. - - * * * * * - -After the Martian left, Barzoo wiped his mouth with the back of his -hand and motioned Rex and Jean to get up and move into a passage to -their right. - -"How much further can he take us?" Jean asked. "After the first drop -back at the hutch, it seems to me the tunnel has been level." - -"A floor can be deceptive. We could have been moving down a gradual -slope for miles." - -Jean said nothing. The going was easier now, this tunnel being lighted -at intervals by the strange overhead bulbs. Rex asked, "Are you sore at -me for what happened back at the farm? For not telling you the truth?" - -"No. We're in too much trouble to waste time being angry. What's done -is done. Only the future is important now." - -Rex could have made his self-recrimination vocal but he felt that too -would be a waste of time. He said, "Didn't anybody--any of you Terrans -know about the opening in that hutch?" - -"I'm sure no one did--except perhaps Tommy." She thought that over and -added, "No--that's absurd. If Tommy had known it he wouldn't have been -able to keep it to himself." - -"Maybe they'll hunt around and find it." - -"Maybe--but I hope they don't." - -"Why not?" - -"If they find the opening they'll come looking for us. These Martians -are hostile. Some of our men might be killed and they have wives and -families." - -Jean made Rex feel ashamed of himself. "Don't worry. I'll get you out -of here." - -She glanced up at him. Her chin trembled slightly as she sought to -stiffen it. - -At that moment they walked into a larger tunnel. There were more -overhead bulbs here and a ribbon of narrow-gauge track stretching off -into the distance. - -"A railroad!" Rex exclaimed. - -"I wonder where it goes?" - -"I've got a hunch we're going to find out." - -One of the Martians had gone around a shoulder of the tunnel. There was -a whining sound. He returned in the driver's seat of a small rail car. -Barzoo motioned the Terrans into one of the seats. The other Martians -got in behind them. The driver pulled a throttle. The whining sound -increased and the car moved off down the tracks. - -Rex listened for a time, inspected the portion of the car within range -of his eyes, then said, "I wonder what kind of power this thing uses?" - -Jean did not answer. Her head had dropped to his shoulder. She was -asleep. He settled himself, forming a pocket with his body so she could -rest against him with the seat supporting her. Behind him the eyes of -the three Martians, including Barzoo, had also closed. Rex wondered if -the driver was asleep also. - -The car rolled on in a monotonously straight line, mile after mile. Rex -realized he had discovered a civilization under Mars, the existence of -which was unknown on Terra. He knew that none of the authorities or -experts suspected anything so civilized as a railroad in the forbidden -polar lands. At best they thought the territory inhabited by hardy -bands of hostile, backward ice dwellers. - -This was indeed a great discovery, he told himself bitterly. Of course -neither he nor Jean would live to reveal it, but they could die happy, -knowing they were great explorers. - -He grew tired of excoriating himself. The passing overhead lights had a -hypnotic effect. He closed his eyes and slept.... - - * * * * * - -Fanton, son of Fandor of the Bantarks--last great ruling dynasty of -Mars--lay sick and dying in a foul cell under the Amphitheater of the -Gods. He was old and tired and ready to die, yet he longed for survival -because his work was not yet done. - -For two centuries, Fanton had ruled as Lord of the North Hemisphere. -He had seen the great prosperity of the planet even under conditions -whereby the scientists of his father had foreseen the planet's death. -He had been there at the birth of their scientific magic. - -Fandor, his father, had been a wise and gentle ruler. When the Terrans -came in their great ships, Fandor had prevailed upon the Council and -a policy of cautious retreat had been instituted. Fandor advocated -this because he knew the Martian science was no match for that of the -Terrans. Not that the wizardry of the Martian scientists was any less -great, but they had bent their efforts in peaceful directions while the -Terrans came with huge warships and no end of armament. - -So the Martians, under Fandor, had retreated quietly to the north -allowing the Terrans to move onto the planet. This policy was much -despised by the young and the hot-headed who would have preferred to -meet the invader face to face and die in battle if need be. But the -majority of the Council was old and weary as was Fandor, and they -prevailed. - -Then Fandor felt he had lived long enough and refused to enter the -place of Eternal Strength--greatest miracle of Martian science. He died -peacefully and Fanton put on his royal robes. - -Now those robes had been torn from his body and he had been refused -access to the place of Eternal Strength. Pandek, the fiery young -Councilman had overthrown him and assumed power and the younger -Martians were preparing to sweep down over the planet and slay the -unsuspecting Terrans. - -They would be slaughtered of course. This, Fanton knew, because the -Martian weapons were puny, but there would be death and fiery agony -before the Terrans finally won. - -Many times, in his heart, Fanton had wondered if the policy of the old -ones had been wise. Fanton was a scholar. The books of the Terrans had -been smuggled into the north country. He had learned the language and -read the books and there was one Terran writer of whom he never tired; -a genius named William Shakespeare. In his great play called _Julius -Caesar_, Shakespeare had said: _There is a tide in the affairs of men -which taken at its flood leads on to fortune._ - -Lying in his filthy cell, Fanton's mind was cloudy. He was not sure if -those were the exact words but the point was clear. Perhaps there had -been a time in the affairs of the Martians when the tide of fortune -was at its flood--when they could have won out over the Terrans. But -that time had certainly long-passed and if their present plight was -the result of the old mistakes, then so be it. There was still no -justification for mass suicide. - -So Fanton did not want to die. His work remained undone. Above his -cell, in the Amphitheater of the Gods, Padtek was fomenting a kettle of -hell's brew. Already, they had used the Place of Eternal Strength in a -fiendish manner--desecrated it--and now they deprived their Emperor of -its healing magic. - -Fanton realized the die was cast. He himself had been removed from the -stage. Mad new actors bent upon destruction were reading their lines. - -He, Fanton, was finished.... - - * * * * * - -Tommy Wilks walked a long way down the dark passage, his light picking -a path through the gloom. He knew he had already gone further than he -should but always there was the temptation to see what lay just ahead. - -And nothing was ever there. Only the sinister black passage leading -onward. He explored another length, then stopped. This was far enough. -What if he had unknowingly turned into a by-passage? Suppose he would -miss the intersection on the way back? - -Thoughts such as these flared into his mind to bring a sudden sense -of entrapment. The walls seemed to be closing in on him. He turned to -retrace his steps. - -Then he froze. Sound. A far-away, echoing sound. The soft tap of -footsteps. But coming closer. Tommy threw his light on down the tunnel. -He strained his eyes ahead looking for whatever or whoever made the -sound. - -It was louder now and he realized, too late, that his flash was -on--guiding the menace--serving as a beacon. He clawed at the switch -but his fingers were clumsy thumbs. When he finally got the light out, -the footsteps had increased to a running tempo. He turned and fled -blindly back along the tunnel. He had not taken ten steps when he -tripped and fell. He struggled to his feet in panic. Too late. Hard, -rough hands were upon him. - -He fought but his struggles were useless.... - - * * * * * - -Twice, Rex had tried to maneuver the Martians into removing the thongs -from his wrists. At the end of the rail line there was a pool of water -fed by a spring. He motioned toward his wrists and signified thirst. -One of the Martians callously threw water in his face until he was -gasping for breath. His second attempt failed also and now he and Jean -were being led through a shining marble corridor the like of which he -had never seen even in the finer buildings on Terra. What manner of -world, he wondered, was hidden here under the northern Martian ice cap? - -But the wonder in store made the corridor look like a tunnel clawed -through bare earth. It was a huge amphitheater into which he and -Jean were rudely shoved. They stood frozen, their perilous position -momentarily forgotten. - -"Did you ever see anything like it?" Jean gasped. - -"It must be an illusion of some kind. I can't believe it really exists." - -The floor upon which they stood was of pure, glittering gold. It -stretched away in shining glory to a wall of crystal--a window so high -and vast Rex could not conceive it as standing alone. Surely it had to -fall by its own weight. - -It dwarfed a high, curved dais along which sat a line of richly robed -Martians. In the center of the dais was an elevated throne upon which -sat a scowling young Martian. - -But the thing that caught and held the two Terrans were the towering -cliffs of ice framed in the great window as by a master painter. Rex -and Jean were pushed forward. As they came near the high throne, the -young Martian smiled coldly as he noted the direction of their eyes. - -He broke the silence. "You seem to admire our view." - -"You speak Terran," Rex said, surprise in his words. - -"A source of amazement to you, no doubt. You who consider us a mob of -imbeciles cringing up here in the ice floes." - -"Whoever you are, I'm afraid you're in trouble. We aren't used to being -hauled around like criminals." - -"Then it's time you got used to it." - -"Who are you?" - -"I am Pandek, ruler of all Martians. Down on your knees!" - -Rex and Jean were hurled roughly to the floor. Rex lowered his head and -whispered to Jean, "Take it easy. We've got to feel our way and wait -this out." To Pandek, he said, "Is this the way you're in the habit of -receiving ambassadors from friendly nations?" - -"Friendly? That from you who have kicked and despised us for hundreds -of years?" Pandek's rage was heightening with each word. "You and your -arrogant army of invaders? You who treated us with the patronizing -kindness you reserve for amiable dogs?" - -"We came in friendship--" - -"--with armed space ships at your back--uninvited--unwelcome--smiling -like the hypocrites you are!" - -"Those entrusted with government on Terra would be happy to hear that -you are willing to come forth and negotiate," Rex said. - -Pandek arose from his throne, his brown face mottled with rage. -"Negotiate for what is already ours? Put our stamp of approval on your -conquest of our planet?" - -Rex saw that further words were useless. He stood silent until the -ruler's anger subsided. Then he asked, "What do you plan to do with us?" - -"Kill you--as we will kill every Terran on our world." - - * * * * * - -He eyed Rex for signs of fear. When they did not appear he seemed -mildly disappointed. When he spoke again it was in a quieter tone. "But -first I would have you see a little of what Martian science is like. I -would have you know how far ahead of the Terran bunglers our scientists -were even a thousand years ago. I would have you know by what power -Mars will again come into its own." - -"I would like to see the work of your scientists." Conceit was -obviously one of this ruler's weaknesses, Rex decided. He hoped others -would reveal themselves. - -"Very well, Terran. You shall see a part of the miracle concerning -which you Terrans have wondered for years; the miracle by which your -stolen lands below the polar circle have been watered and kept lush." - -"The ice cliffs?" - -"Yes. I cannot show you the process whereby the rains and the snows are -created and drawn to the pole each season--how these great cliffs of -ice are built over the winter months. But I can reveal to you the most -spectacular part of the process--the melting of the ice cliffs." - -In spite of their predicament, Rex was vitally interested. Jean, also. -He glanced at her and saw the intent look on her face. - -Pandek picked up a device at his elbow--obviously some sort of a -telephone and spoke into it. His words were low and indistinguishable. -But the results were almost instantaneous. - -A far-away hum was heard, greatening in volume as from the release of -sudden power. A faint blue light appeared, glowing the ice at the base -of the cliffs. The color shot up through the ice mass--clear blue--as -new colors were added to that at the base. Red, yellow, purple, -crimson--so bright they seemed to sear Rex's eyes. Then they too -started climbing up through the solid ice. - -A deep rumbling was heard. Pandek said, "Your Terran scientists have -not even begun to realize the power of nuclear fission. Two thousand -years ago our scientists were ages ahead of them." - -Pandek said more, but his words were drowned in thunder from the -crashing of ice cliffs beyond the great window. Huge cataracts were -even now pouring down the walls of melting ice. Both Rex and Jean stood -awed at the sight of such vast and instantaneous destruction. - -Pandek smiled his cold smile. The thunder subsided somewhat and Pandek -said, "I see you are impressed. I would welcome your comments." He was -enjoying himself. - -The display had astounded Rex but the expression on his face remained -cold. "I imagine you were responsible for sending the body of Professor -Spencer back to Terra." - - * * * * * - -Pandek paused at Rex's quick change of subject. "Yes, a fitting -reminder to the Terrans that we aren't animals to be gaped at." - -"On the contrary--an indication that you _are_ animals." - -Pandek half-rose from the throne. - -"You'll die a little more horribly than I'd planned for that remark." - -"Perhaps I will but the fact remains that you're mad to think you can -stand against Terra. Your scientific know-how is admittedly great, but -it is not geared for war." - -"You think not?" - -"I'm certain of it. I'm also sure of another thing." - -"What else are you sure of?" - -"That you have no scientists." - -"Then how--?" - -"You had them--ages ago--and they built well--so well that their work -has survived to this day. What you have here was built by geniuses for -fools to operate. I'm certain all you do is press switches and reap the -benefits of work done by long-dead brains in another age." - -The darkening of Pandek's face told Rex his words had cut deep. In a -way, he felt sorry for the Martian. A hate-filled, envy-charged man -seeking to vent his rage in mad ways. - -If carried to their ultimate, his acts could only lead to the -destruction of his people at the hands of the Terrans. But this made -the situation no less perilous for Rex and Jean and other Terrans on -Mars. - -"You hold a Terran citizen," he said. "The daughter of Professor -Spencer. Is she still alive?" - -Pandek was again enjoying himself. "Oh, very much so." His smile held -some hidden meaning as he said, "A trifle embarrassed perhaps--at the -moment--but alive and healthy." - -"I demand you return her to her own people." - -"You demand? I admire your courage--" - -"What do you plan to do with her?" - -Pandek's Martian eyes grew speculative. "She fits into my plans as -does the young woman at your side. A new day will dawn upon Mars soon, -a reversion to the old days when Mars was a virile, fighting planet. -Then, there was less science and more emotion. The masses were whipped -to a fighting frenzy by supplications to the old gods." Pandek grinned -wickedly. "Human sacrifices were a part of those supplications. Nothing -stirs the people like the public sacrifice of a beautiful female with -all its pomp and splendor. It stirs them deeply." - -"The thought of it stirs _you_ deeply, you mean. You're mad. You're a -dangerous maniac. I can only hope your own people put you down in time." - -With a howl of rage, Pandek leaped from his throne. He drew a short -ornamental sword from his belt and swung it viciously against the side -of Rex's head. Rex went down like an ox felled for slaughter. - -Jean screamed.... - - * * * * * - -The rough-skinned Martian who subdued Tommy Wilks, pressed him against -the wall of the tunnel and used Tommy's own flashlight for purposes -of inspection. He growled a few unintelligible words and seemed to be -debating a problem. - -Tommy watched him silently, warily, without fear. He had ceased -struggling because it was useless but his mind was alert. - -He had no way of knowing the Martian was in a quandary. He had been -sent to check the tunnel entrance in the stone hutch on the Wilks farm. -But he had come upon Tommy halfway to his objective. Should he take -Tommy to his superiors, or finish his original mission? It was indeed a -problem. - -The Martian was not too bright. Also, he was lazy. The capturing of -this Terran changed things, he told himself. He would take the boy to -the terminal. Then perhaps something would happen so he would not have -to take the long walk back through the tunnel. Perhaps he would be -honored for his capture and another would be sent to the hutch. - -This hope brightened him as he took Tommy roughly by the arm and hauled -him toward the railhead. Tommy was not a difficult prisoner. They moved -swiftly. But the boy was breathing heavily when he was pushed into one -of the cars and the Martian took the controls. - -Tommy rested, awaiting his chance. He had by no means given up hope. -It was just a matter of the Martian easing up on his arm. At least -that would be the first step. Tommy was glad the Martian had been -contemptuous and not tied him up. - -The car rolled smoothly along its tracks; faster than the one used -to transport Rex and Jean because the Martian transporting Tommy had -always liked speed. He liked it so well he opened the car to its -greatest capacity and at one point had to release Tommy's arm in order -to put both hands on the throttle. - -Tommy struck instantly without thought as to the outcome--only with -hope. And his hopes were fulfilled. He hurled himself against the -Martian with both fists extended. They hit hard brown hide just below -the Martian's right shoulder and sent him off balance. The Martian -snatched at Tommy while trying to regain his equilibrium and learned -the folly of attempting two things at once. - -But too late. He teetered, howled dismally, and pitched in front of the -racing car. It hit him with a dull thud, killing him instantly. But his -dead bulk also wreaked a kind of vengeance on the car, lifting it from -its tracks and sending it skidding along on its side. - -Tommy had been thrown clear and as he hit the wall of the tunnel he -knew he was done for. Every bone in his body snapped. Every ounce of -his flesh crackled with pain. He fell to the tracks and lay dying. - -But the process was slower than he anticipated. A full minute passed -and he had not yet expired. This puzzled him. How could you live with -all this pain? With every bone broken? It just didn't make sense. Tommy -waited. - -But death proved remarkably stubborn. It refused to drop its black -mantle over his tortured body. Finally Tommy moved an arm--a foot--a -leg. Odd. They all worked. He got to his feet. He conceded that maybe -the agony was not as great as it had first seemed. Now that he could -breathe again, things were better. There was only one bad place, -really; a vicious bloody abrasion along his right forearm. - -The lights of a platform loomed ahead. Tommy crawled over the car and -stepped gingerly around the body of the dead Martian. Then he hurried -forward and climbed on the deserted platform. - -Here the light was better and he examined his arm. It was an angry, -bloody mass but the blood was oozing out rather than flowing. No deep -wound had been suffered but it hurt like fury. He could not bear to -have anything touch it so he put his arm out at an awkward angle and -left it there while he looked around, wondering what this place was and -also how hard you had to get hit and how much it had to hurt before you -got killed. - - * * * * * - -His ponderings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. In the face -of this, there was nothing to do, he decided, but pick a direction and -run. Back up the tracks? No. While the lights from the overhead bulbs -were dim, they would still reveal him at quite a distance. The platform -had two exits. The running footsteps were approaching along one of -these. That left the other. Tommy plunged into it and ran. - -He ran a long way and his surroundings changed swiftly. The rail -platform had been crude and uninspiring but now he was fleeing along a -beautiful marble corridor. - -He stopped for breath, backed into a partially secluded niche and -admired his surroundings. Was this the kind of place the Martians lived -in? It certainly didn't fit into his preconceived notions of a place -where backward ice people would dwell. - -As his breathing lessened, a tantalizing sound asserted itself upon his -ears. An odd, singing sound, both pleasant and mysterious. He wondered -where it came from. - -He peeked out into the corridor and found it deserted. - -The singing sound. As he walked back along the corridor, it diminished. -He turned and retraced his steps. The sound greatened until he came to -an archway in one wall of the corridor. The sound obviously emanated -from that direction. The archway was supported by gleaming marble -pillars and as Tommy passed between them, the singing sound rose to a -crescendo that vibrated deliciously against his nerve centers. - -Then he saw it. A beautiful, domed room that gave a first impression -of being a public bath of some sort. But there was no water, only -brilliant, breathtaking color; all the gorgeous colors of the rainbow -dancing down from the ceiling in beams of crystal clarity. There was -sound and color--and something else; a subtle something that made Tommy -very happy; excitedly happy in a way he had never before experienced. - -He moved forward, completely engrossed in his new surroundings. -He moved in under the shower of color and a feeling of ecstatic -exhilaration went through him. It was wonderful. - -Then he froze. Not twenty feet away stood two Martians clad in rich -metal harness and holding long golden spears. Guards. Sudden fear -swept Tommy. The Martians were staring straight at him. - -Desperately, he signalled to his frozen muscles; _Let's get out of -here._ But they failed to respond. The guards stared at him. He stared -back. - -Nothing happened. - -Why, they're asleep, Tommy thought in amazement. They're standing there -sound asleep with their eyes wide open holding their spears. That's -crazy. Why don't they fall down? - -Tommy wanted to run. But he couldn't. The curiosity of the very young -not only barred retreat, but pushed him slowly forward until he was -standing beside one of the guards. - -The Martian had not moved a muscle. His chest neither rose nor fell. -Completely fascinated, Tommy extended his hand. He touched the face of -the guard. It was rough and cool. The guard did not move, Tommy laid a -hand against the golden harness. Nothing happened. He had not intended -to push, but he did. He pushed so hard the guard tilted over on one -stiff leg. Appalled, Tommy leaped back. - -The guard kept on tilting until he fell on his side with a great crash -of ringing metal. - - * * * * * - -Tommy darted back through the color rays and out of the strange room -so fast that he was far down the marble hall before his mind told him -he was running. - -He kept on running. Then he stopped as suddenly as he had started. He -looked down at his wounded arm. He glanced quickly up and down the -corridor, then ducked again in a wall niche where he gave his whole -attention to his arm. - -Had he dreamed all this? The horrible Martian in the tunnel? The car -crash? The color room? He must have dreamed it. The proof was there -before him. A smooth, unblemished forearm where there had been a huge -bloody bruise but a few moments before! He rubbed the arm--tested it. -There was not the faintest sign of a wound. - -He looked around in bewilderment, peeked both ways and moved out again -into the corridor. - -His luck had held for a long time but now it failed him as sudden -footsteps sounded in a traversing passage just ahead. They were coming -swiftly. Tommy looked around in desperation. - -This appeared to be the end but it was not. Fate seemed indeed to be -toying with him--moving him around like a mobile chessman. At the last -moment it showed him a doorway he had overlooked. The door was unlocked -and he went through it as fast as he could while still closing it -softly behind him. - -Inside, the light was very dim. Tommy listened at the door as the sound -of footsteps diminished. He smiled--quite proud of his ability to take -care of himself under these circumstances. He would certainly have a -lot to put in his diary when he got home. - -_If_ he got home. - -Tommy drove this last thought from his mind. He would make it. He was -doing all right. Whereupon fate slapped him and sharply for his conceit -by turning him and dropping him down a flight of stairs he'd been too -busy watching the door to notice. - -The fall hurt but Tommy was no longer frightened. He knew that so long -as he had survived the car crash no violence of this type could even -dent him. - -He got to his feet and danced around for a while, holding a barked -shin, then straightened as a new sound smote his ears. Someone was -sobbing. - -A woman. A woman crying. - -It did not take Tommy long to trace the sound. He was in a narrower, -lower corridor now; one not as fine as the big one upstairs. As -Tommy moved forward, the sobbing told him he was going in the right -direction. He opened a door. - -Inside the small room was a narrow, high-legged bed--more of a table, -Tommy thought, but he gave it no attention. He was held spellbound by -what lay upon the table. - -A girl with wrists and ankles bound down. She had long chestnut hair -that hung down over the edge of the table. She was helpless. And she -was completely nude.... - - * * * * * - -Rex got up from the floor to which he had been viciously hurled by -three Martian guards. He and Jean were in a cell. As the barred door -clanged shut, he turned to help Jean as best he could. "Are you hurt?" - -"I--I guess not." She tried to smile. "Only my dignity." - -"I got us into a pretty bad mess." - -"It wasn't your fault." - -"I don't know who's else it was." - -Jean strained at her bonds. "They could have at least taken these -things off our wrists." - -"We can do it ourselves." - -"That guard out there--he's leering in. Maybe we'd better wait until he -leaves." - -"Maybe he won't leave. Anyhow--I don't think they care whether we take -them off or not." - -They stood back to back while Rex worked on the thongs binding Jean. -The knots were stubborn but they finally gave, the guard outside -watching the process with amusement. - -Jean got Rex's wrist free quickly and they sat down on the edge of the -single bunk and rubbed their wrists. "Well," Jean said, "where do we go -from here?" - -"To wherever they execute their prisoners, I imagine." - -"But we're still alive. Aren't we supposed to keep the chin up like -they do in books?" - -He took her suddenly in his arms. - -"You're a brave girl." - -She pressed close to him. "I'd rather hear you say I'm an attractive -girl." - -He kissed her hard. "Does that convince you?" - -She sighed and snuggled closer, oblivious of the leering guard. -"Thanks, mister. That's better. A gal doesn't mind dying, but she hates -to go out feeling she hasn't hooked her man." - -Rex felt a catch in his throat at the brave front she was maintaining. -And it had to be an effort. Jean was no fool. She was a realist. No -need to tell her they were finished--that he was no superman who could -kick down a wall and carry her to safety. - -"Let's not think about anything but us," she whispered. "We have at -least a few minutes to live--really live!" - -"With that guard standing there?" Rex said bitterly. - -"Well, then we can almost live." She kissed him. - -A few minutes later, he said, "Did you notice anything funny out there -in that council room?" - -"What do you mean by funny? I was so busy looking at those tumbling ice -cliffs--" - -"I mean the councilmen sitting on either side of Pandek. Not one of -them moved or spoke." - -"That's right. They sat there like dummies." - -"A row of dummies afraid to move even their eyes." - -"There's something else that puzzles me," Jean said. "Those ice cliffs -are life and death to we Terrans down below. Then why do the Martians -build them up each winter and melt them for us in the spring? I'd think -they'd leave the plains arid and thus drive us out." - -"I wondered about that too. There can be only one explanation. They've -repeated the process for so long they're afraid to stop--afraid of what -it might do to the overall welfare of the planet." - -"Perhaps if they didn't the ice would pile up of its own accord and -crush them and their cities." - -"I wonder how many cities there are." - -"I don't care--really. Hold me closer. I'm cold...." - - * * * * * - -"But I don't understand why they would do such a thing as this," Tommy -said. He had released the girl and found her clothing in a corner of -the room. - -"It is a part of some pagan rite they plan to revive. The victim must -lie in--in the manner you found me for a certain length of time. Some -weird looking priests visited me at intervals and recited incantations. -It was horrible!" - -"What's your name?" - -"I'm Helen Spencer. I came here with my father--" - -"Never mind that now. I think we can get out of here. There was nobody -in the hallway when I came in." - -"I'd like to find my father." - -"We can try." - -"They separated us a long time ago. For a while they treated me like a -queen, even though they kept me a prisoner. I wondered why. Now I know. -It was all a part of this terrible pagan sacrifice. I think the time is -very near." - -"Then let's go." - -But they had waited too long. The door opened and four Martian guards -entered. They almost filled the room. Tommy hurled himself at the -closest one but was knocked viciously back against the wall. It seemed -that fate had deserted him at last. - -The Martian in charge, one who stood a head taller than the other -three, grasped Helen roughly by the arm. He seemed infuriated at -finding her dressed. He threw her roughly after Tommy and she too fell -to the floor. - -The Martian stood there, undecided, some problem evidently occupying -his mind. The three subordinates waited in silence. After a few -moments, the leader turned and barked several sharp commands. - -The orders puzzled the three Martians. They stood where they were until -the leader barked another sharper order. Then they turned and filed out. - -The leader stood motionless until their footsteps died in the corridor. -Then he bent swiftly and lifted Helen Spencer to her feet. - -As she cringed away, he said, "I am Maxis, a dictor in the Emperor's -guard. I think perhaps you can help me. If so, I may be able to help -you." - -"You--you're speaking Terran," Helen said. - -"Of course. Many of us know your language." He pointed to Tommy. "Who -is this one?" - -"I don't know. But I'm sure he has hurt none of you. Please let him go -free." - -Maxis shook his head impatiently. "It is of no importance. Tell -me--while you lay here bound, did they bring a man to see you? A very -old man--very feeble?" - -Helen did not trust the Martian. After what had happened to her she -was in no mood to trust any of these people. There had been an old -man. The priests and a tall young Martian had practically carried him -in. They had stayed in the room for quite a while, the young Martian -talking harshly. The older one had pleaded with him. Had the old man -escaped? Helen wondered. Was this one hunting him down? - -"You don't trust me," Maxis said, "but you must. If the old one came -he would have been brought by a young one. The old one would have been -horrified at seeing you." - -"That's how it was," Helen said. - -Maxis' eyes flared. He laid a quick hand on Helen's shoulder, then drew -it back. "How long ago was this? Tell me! How long ago?" - -"Several hours at least." - -"Then he still lives! They lied to us. Pandek lied to us!" - -"If you would explain--" - -"The man you saw--the old one--was Fanton, Lord of the North -Hemisphere--Ruler of Mars. Pandek told us of his death when he assumed -the throne. Only for this reason did the legions swear loyalty to -Pandek. But Fanton still lives!" - -Tommy had got to his feet and was brushing his clothes. "Maybe not. -They might have killed him in the meantime." - -"I have a feeling he is not dead," Maxis insisted. "I must find him. I -must not fail to find him!" - -He was turning toward the door. Tommy said, "What about us?" - -Maxis turned back and Tommy knew he was ready to leave them to fend for -themselves. Tommy said, "You promised to help us if she told you what -you wanted to know." - -"You are right. But you will be in my way." - -"A promise is a promise," Tommy said stoutly. - -"Very well. We will go down to the prison block. You two will march -ahead. I will act as though I am delivering you. But if there is any -trouble I will have to desert you. I cannot stand and fight. I cannot -risk being slain until I find my Emperor." - -They marched out into the corridor. The three guards had gone their way -and no one was in sight. But from the grim look on the Martian's face, -Tommy knew peril lay ahead. - - * * * * * - -The door to the cell in which Rex and Jean were imprisoned was -unlocked. Five Martian guards entered. The leader was in high rage. -"This girl will have to do," he snapped. "The crowds in the square will -not know the difference and the priests will just have to keep their -mouths shut. Take her!" - -As three of the guards advanced on Jean, Rex went into action. He drove -his knee into the groin of the leader, bending the Martian forward into -a straight right that almost tore his head off. The Martian went down. -His jaw structure was so thick, Rex's fist turned numb from the contact -and the Martian was only dazed. - -Rex knew his one hope lay in getting control of the small pistol -the leader carried. He lunged. The gun lay in the fallen leader's -out-stretched hand. Rex's fingers touched it. But the leader's fist -closed. - -The delay was fatal. It gave one of the guards time to take one long -step and kick Rex solidly behind the right ear. Rex went down hard, -smacking the floor with his face. He did not move. Jean screamed. A -hard hand went brutally over her mouth, dragging her down also. - -The leader of the squad said, "Take her to the ceremonial room. Prepare -her for the knife. Tell the priests I will be there soon." - -"Aye, great Lord Pandek," the guard said. - -Jean bit the hand that lay across her mouth. It was jerked away. She -tore loose and threw herself down on Rex's unconscious body. She was -pulled roughly to her feet and other hard hands dragged her away. - - * * * * * - -Perhaps it was Tommy's luck that carried the party through. On the trip -to the cell blocks they met only two other Martians--not soldiers--who -exhibited only mild curiosity. - -Once in the lower tier, Maxis seemed more at home. "This is the -likeliest cell block," he said. - -"But we can't search all those cells," Tommy said. "It would take -hours. We'd surely be stopped." He was looking down a long corridor -lined with bars. Other corridors intersected until the place was a maze. - -"You are right," Maxis said. "I have a plan that may save us time. -Come. You two walk behind me now." - -They moved down the corridor. Only one guard lay in their path but he -was down on his haunches, asleep. They glided past him, Maxis' gun -held ready. They moved on until they were approaching a more brightly -lighted intersection. A small table was located against the bars of a -corner cell and a Martian sat at the table occupied with some papers. - -The trio approached from behind the man quietly. He heard them when -they were a few steps away. He turned. Maxis took a last bold step and -was towering over the seated one. - -Maxis spoke casually, but with authority. "I've been sent to deliver -Fanton to the council hall." - -Maxis did not expect cooperation from the guard. But he hoped for -something else. His eyes were on the guard's face, watching for the -man's first reaction. - -It was entirely satisfactory from Maxis' point of view. The guard's -startled eyes widened, then narrowed in suspicion. "Who sent you for -him?" - -Maxis smiled without humor. "Then he is here! He does live! What cell, -you mother's mistake? Quick!" - -The guard looked into the barrel of the deadly gun Maxis held close to -his face. A black hole from whence could come needle flames that would -burn his head into an instantaneous crisp. "The--third aisle--cell -eight--" - -The gun in Maxis's hand spit a small blue flame. For a moment, the -guard's head was enveloped in fire. Then the head was gone. - -Helen Spencer recoiled in horror. Maxis said, "He was a traitor." To -the Martian, that justified everything. He bent over and picked up the -headless body and carried it into the nearest cell. - -He returned and said to Tommy, "This is the dangerous moment. You must -help me--do exactly as I say. You must go to the cell and bring Fanton -back to this table. I must wait here." - -Tommy was perplexed. "I don't get it. You should be better able to get -him out of his cell. If we meet a guard, he'll stop us." - -"No he won't. He will bring you here. All authority in the block stems -from this key-center. If you meet a guard tell him you are under orders -from the key-keeper. He will be suspicious and completely confounded, -but he will bring you here. In the meantime I can better stave off -trouble with the authority this post gives me." Maxis looked at Helen -and pointed. "You--into that cell--out of sight. Stay there until we -have either succeeded or failed." His face was grim. "If we fail, you -must shift for yourself with nothing but my good wishes to help you on -your way." - -His tone indicated his good wishes would be of scant aid. He laid a -hand on Tommy's shoulder. "Walk to the next intersection down that -corridor. Turn to your right and count off seven cells. Fanton will be -in the eighth. Good luck." - - * * * * * - -Tommy took the key Maxis handed him and started off as directed. The -key seemed very heavy. The corridor seemed very long. The task set for -him seemed next to impossible. - -He reached the cell without trouble. He unlocked the door. Inside, a -very old Martian lay in filth and rags on the floor. Tommy knelt beside -him, his heart pounding. "You are to come with me," he said. - -The old Martian opened his eyes. "Who are you?" - -"I am Tommy Wilks, a Terran, but that doesn't matter. Maxis, one of -your friends, is waiting at the table down the hall. Can you walk, sir?" - -A tired smile brightened the old Martian's face. "Strange indeed are -our times--when a Terran juvenile comes to aid the Lord of the North -Hemisphere. The times have gone mad and we can only go where destiny -directs--or seems to." - -Fanton, with Tommy's aid, had got to his feet and Tommy helped him -from the cell. But now there was a barrier--three scowling Martian -guards. One of them barked a challenge in his own language. "Don't say -anything," Tommy warned Fanton. "Maxis said it might work out like -this." - -To the Martian, he said, "I've been sent to bring the prisoner," but he -knew the Martian did not understand him. - -The three spoke among themselves, their confusion quite obvious. - -Then it worked exactly as Maxis had hoped. At a command from one, the -other two guards took Tommy and Fanton each by an arm and hauled them -along the corridor toward the key-center. As they approached it, Tommy -saw that Maxis had gotten to his feet and was waiting for them. The -grim Martian stood with both hands behind his back. - -As they came to a halt, the leader of the trio spoke questioningly to -Maxis in their own language. Before Maxis could answer, the other's -eyes opened wide and Tommy knew what was going on in his mind. He was -recognizing Maxis as a false key-keeper. - -The leader got short satisfaction from his discovery. He died with his -questions still unanswered as Maxis brought his right arm around and -blasted the man's head into a cinder. - -The other two guards fell away quickly, their reflexes in perfect -condition. Both snatched for their own guns, one going down as Maxis' -ray cut him in two. - -The other guard was bringing his gun up. Maxis had no time to match -shots with him or perhaps chose not to from a certainty that both of -them would die as a result. - -Instead, he hurled himself on the guard and caught the latter's wrist -bending the gun away from himself and the others. The guard was far -heavier than Maxis, his bulk possessed of greater strength. He dropped -the gun but heaved Maxis to one side and come down heavily upon him. -He had trapped Maxis' arms successfully and it was a matter of moments -before he would again have the gun in his fist. - -Tommy acted from desperation--without plan. A heavy ring of keys lay -on the desk. Tommy snatched them up and swung them, from high over his -head, down hard on the skull of the guard. The guard's head was indeed -hard. The keys rang dully against it but the guard's hand only faltered -in reaching for the gun. - -Tommy swung the keys again, and again. Unable to grip the gun, the -guard reached with both hands, thus loosing his hold on Maxis for a -moment. - -The moment was enough. Suddenly the guard stiffened and came awkwardly -erect. There was an empty look in his eyes and then Tommy saw the -reason. The handle of a dagger protruded from his chest, driven in by -Maxis who was even now rolling the corpse over and coming free. - -Maxis sheathed his dagger, still dripping blood. He snapped, "We've got -to move fast. Now all we have to go on is hope." - -Helen came from the cell as Tommy asked, "Where are we going?" - -"We've got to get Fanton to the Place of Eternal Strength. Come!" - -He took the old Martian in his arms and the cavalcade moved off down -the corridor following Maxis' lead. Guards could be heard, running in -from different directions. - -To Maxis, it was but a matter of time. He did not expect to reach the -Place of Eternal Strength. He could only try; and die finally, battling -for his Emperor. But this did not sadden him. There was no better way -for a Martian to die.... - - * * * * * - -Rex floated in a sea of pain. Sadistically beaten by the guards who -had overpowered him, he lay on the floor of the cell; aware of the -blood-pool around him and of the pain, but unable to force his body -into action. He knew the door to the cell stood open. He forced his -mind to focus on this point. It could mean only one thing. - -The guards had left him for dead. - -The thought cheered him. He was not dead. Therefore he was living on -borrowed time--a break men in his profession seldom got. - -Another thought intruded. Maybe he wasn't lucky. Maybe he was crippled. -He had as yet not inventoried the damage. Was it worse than the pain -indicated? - -He searched for numbness and found none. He moved and the pain -increased. That was good. Nothing paralyzed. But was an arm or leg -broken? Was there a spine injury? - -Resolutely, he forced his muscles to respond. Arms, legs, bones okay. -He got to his feet and swayed dizzily. Pain shot through his head. He -almost blacked out, clawed at the wall, kept himself from falling. - -He got hold of a bar and held himself erect while the floor spun and -the walls tilted. Then they steadied away. His stomach settled back -into place, the nausea giving ground sullenly. - -After a while, he decided he was all right. As all right as he would be -for a long time. He looked around for a weapon. All the bars were in -solid rock. The legs of the bunk were riveted down. - -He hunted and stood finally looking at his two fists. They were all he -had. They would have to do. - -He stepped out of his cell and saw two guards approaching along the -corridor. He debated flight. He stopped. There were the two fists. -Might as well find out right now how effective they would be. He -crouched and stood waiting.... - - * * * * * - -Jean moved in a daze. She had been taken by the Martian guard through -long corridors, into a splendid part of whatever building this was. At -one point during the trip, she lashed out suddenly, bit the hand across -her mouth and raked her nails across a hard face. - -The Martians had been in no mood to tame a tigress the gentle way. -The big Martian, after snarling from the bite, swung his other fist -viciously. The blow rang against Jean's head. She fell. The Martians -growled at each other, picked her up roughly and carried her, -half-conscious, on down the corridor. - -She was taken to a high room, far up in the building. The room seemed -to be some sort of a storage place for fine garments. They were -everywhere; gold surplices hanging in rows; gold and silver sandals -hanging from pegs along the wall. A rich room with windows and daylight -coming in; the first Jean had seen in a long time. - -She remembered the stone hutch--so wondrous--so far away--so -unattainable. Rex. Tears welled in Jean's eyes and she tasted the dregs -of bitterness as she saw Rex--in memory--lying bloody and broken on the -floor of the cell; recalled the ferocity with which the Martians had -attacked him. - -Suddenly Jean realized what was going on--what the Martians were doing -there in the high room--stripping off her clothing. With a choked cry -she found new strength and fought again. - -She took them by surprise; broke from them and ran, half naked, toward -the door. Escape seemed imminent but she threw herself straight into -the arms of a tall, scowling Martian who held her like a child and -carried her back into the terrible room. As he walked toward them, -those who had brought her there fell on their knees. One of them -intoned, "Pandek--great Pandek--Lord of the North Hemisphere." - -"Not quite," Pandek said, speaking in Terran. "And never if I continue -to be surrounded by bungling fools such as you, who cannot hold a slip -of a girl. Had I not come through that door she would even now be -making her escape." - -"She surprised us, great Pandek. It will not happen again." - -Callously, Pandek held Jean forth with one great hand and hit her -sharply on the point of her chin with a doubled fist. "I'll make -certain of that. Here--take her. Maybe you will be safer with an -unconscious sacrifice. Comb out her hair--wash her body. Put on the -golden harness--get her ready for the knife." - -They took Jean from him and laid her on a marble slab and continued -their ministrations. Pandek, scowling deeply, walked to the window -and looked out. Beyond and below was a great open square filled with -people. They milled about a high, central platform upon which sat a -throne and a sacrificial block. The block was caked with the blood of a -thousand sacrifices made before the Reformation, centuries before. It -had been removed from the square, but had been carefully preserved by a -core of fanatics who had never given up hope of the Old Regime coming -again into power; the old, bloody regime that worshiped the robust -pagan gods and gave the people great spectacles. - -Now the block had been returned; the minds of the people had been -inflamed and they awaited the first sacrifice of the New Age--the age -in which proud pagan Mars would again demand its rightful place in the -sun. Pandek's hand thrilled for the feel of the knife. He thrilled at -the thought of driving it home and thus ushering in the New Age. - -His mind went, quite naturally, to Fanton, the weak old fool he had -dragged down. It had been a clever coup. Of course, Fanton still had -followers, but they had been misled, lied to, cleverly hoodwinked. A -little fearful of a slip in his plans, Pandek had not had Fanton slain. -He had merely thrown the old fool into a cell to die--had deprived him -of rejuvenation. - -Perhaps Fanton was already dead. Pandek wondered. But perhaps not, and -with plans having gone forward so smoothly, it was safe to kill the -deposed Lord of the Northern Hemisphere. - -Pandek turned swiftly and went to see about it.... - - * * * * * - -Maxis, leading his cavalcade down the prison corridor and carrying the -even frailer body of his Emperor, traveled half the breadth of the -prison before danger confronted him; three guards loyal to Pandek the -usurper and dedicated to his treacherous cause. - -Maxis laid the body of Fanton gently upon the floor. Then he stepped -over it and made his stand between his Emperor and those who had -deserted him. He paid no attention to the two Terrans. He wished them -neither harm nor good fortune, they would be of no value in this fight -so he forgot them. - -The guards, sure of their advantage, moved slowly forward. They knew -Maxis and gave him a tribute by taking it for granted he would not -retreat. They drew their short, wicked swords, thus forcing Maxis, a -man of ethics, to foreswear use of any other weapon even though death -faced him. - -The Martians moved in from three angles, skillful swordsmen all, and -Maxis parried three quick thrusts with a tricky maneuver that left a -scratch on the arm of one guard. - -It was a gallant parry, worthy of a better reward than certain death. -The guards retreated a step, set themselves, and moved in again. Maxis -would certainly not be able to repeat the maneuver. - -Then there was new, sudden, and devastating action. From the rear of -the guards, came a crazed, unarmed juggernaut of destruction; a mad -Terran; bloody, savage-eyed, lethal, he threw himself against the -flank of the advancing trio, locked an arm around his throat, and with -leverage obtained by wrapping his legs around the Martian's body, -snapped the ugly head at the base of the spine. - -The Martian fell with the Terran under him. As Tommy cried, "Rex--Rex! -Where did you come from?" the Terran had disentangled himself from -the corpse and was engaging a second guard. Stunned by the suddenness -of the attacks, the guard was easy prey for the Terran's death grip. -A second spine snapped and as the Terran rose, he saw that the third -guard had fallen before Maxis' sword. - -Maxis said, "Your aid was indeed timely." - -Rex wiped blood from his face and advanced like a great cat. "What are -you doing with these people?" - -Tommy rushed forward. "It's all right, Rex. This is our friend. The -old man is the Lord of the North Hemisphere. Maxis is trying to save -his life. This is Helen Spencer. They were going to kill her." - -Maxis had again taken Fanton in his arms. "We have no time to discuss -these things. Find a gun on one of those bodies and follow." - -He moved swiftly down the corridor. Tommy and Helen Spencer followed, -but Rex strode forward until he was abreast of the Martian. "Where are -we going?" There was suspicion and hostility in his voice--as though he -suspected a trick. - -"I can't go into detail," Maxis said, "but believe me, our chances of -survival lie in reaching a ray fountain we call the Place of Eternal -Strength. The Emperor's life is at stake and ours also." - -As though on cue, two guards appeared from a cross-corridor. Grinning -mirthlessly, Rex turned the gun on them. It spat forth a crackling -ray that cut them in the middle and brought the upper halves of their -bodies toppling to the floor. - -"Now lead the way," Rex said. - -He killed four more guards before they arrived at the Place of Eternal -Strength, shooting them in the back without compunction as he stalked -ahead of Rex, clearing the way. - -Upon arrival at their destination, Tommy cried, "Why this is the place -where my arm was healed. I had a wound and then it was gone!" - - * * * * * - -Maxis laid the body of Fanton on a marble couch under the singing -colored rays. "Even greater miracles are achieved here," he said. "It -heals all ills--even old age. If a spark of life remains in a body, the -fountain greatens and strengthens it." - -Rex stared in wonder. "Will it revive the dead?" - -"No. It will preserve a dead body--cause it to remain perfect for -centuries but once life is gone it can never be returned." - -"Then this is what happened to Professor Spencer. He was killed and -placed under this ray." - -Maxis nodded sadly. "Brutally murdered. It was Pandek's signal for his -great coup. We were caught completely unawares. He acted very cleverly -and told us Fanton had died, refusing rejuvenation, when in truth he -had deprived Fanton of the fountain's healing power. Only today did I -discover that Fanton still lived." - -Rex was staring at the body of the ancient ruler. "How long does the -process take?" - -"A matter of minutes. Let's only hope that those minutes are afforded -us." - -"There are still some shots in my gun," Rex said. - -They waited, while the body of Fanton seemed to visibly recharge -itself. Two guards appeared. Rex killed them. - -"How was this rebellion allowed to get started?" he asked. - -There was a grim look upon Maxis' face. "Through laxness. Through -carelessness. From stopping our ears against the sound of treacherous -undercurrents. From feeling that young hotheads were basically sound -and would not arrange their own destruction and ours too." - -"This Pandek you speak of--he planned to move against the Terrans to -the south?" - -"He still plans it. He has vowed to wipe every alien from the planet -and establish a new age of Martian resurgence." - -"The Martians would be annihilated." - -"Pandek is willing to gamble on that." - -"He must be insane," Rex said. - -"It began when Fanton advocated a change in Martian policy. For -centuries, ever since the Terrans came, our course has been one of -proud isolation. The policy was instituted centuries ago by ill-advised -leaders and Fanton carried it on against his better judgment. When -he began talking of a reversal, the underground mutiny gained in -strength." - -"Will saving Fanton's life stop the rebellion?" - -"This thing we do is only a feeble step in the right direction. Even -with Fanton strong and healthy, we may not be able to win." - -"What is this sacrifice business?" - -"It is supposed to take place in the public square. An old and barbaric -rite in which a maiden is slain and the people file by and bathe -their hands in her blood. It will be the signal for the final act of -over-throw--when the rebels come into the open and slay all who remain -faithful to Fanton." - -A new voice spoke. The two men turned. Fanton was sitting on the edge -of the marble couch. Helen and Tommy were staring at him. - -Fanton's words were for Maxis. "You have done well. If I'd known before -where loyalty lay, things might have been different." - -Maxis dropped to one knee. He bowed his head. "My lord." - -"No time for this. I must get to the Council." - -"It will be very dangerous." - -"But the uprising must be beaten down. The Council is still loyal. They -must see that I am alive." - -Rex said, "I think you'll find--" - -Fanton waved him to silence. "We must hurry." - - * * * * * - -As the group left the Place of Eternal Strength, Maxis said, "Perhaps -they will have to be assembled. If they are not in session--" - -"They _must_ be in session!" - -On the trip to the Amphitheater of the Gods, two rebels were killed and -one loyal Martian added to the cavalcade. As they moved into the great -hall, Fanton said, "They are here!" - -This appeared to be true. The seats flanking the central throne were -still occupied. The throne itself was vacant. Immediately upon entering -the great hall, Rex ran forward and climbed to the tier of benches. -The council members sat silent, unmoving. Rex pushed the body of the -nearest one. It tumbled off the bench like a sack of grain and fell to -the floor. - -Fanton paled. "What does this mean?" - -"They're all dead," Rex replied. "When we were here before I -noticed that none of them moved nor spoke. This is the work of a -mad-man--Pandek. This is his joke. He rules all alone." - -Maxis said, "You will have to try and escape, my Lord. You must get to -the Terrans and tell your story." - -Fanton considered. "If I run like a coward, thousands of loyal Martians -will die. Their blood will be on my hands." - -"That's not true," Rex said, sharply. - -Further talk was interrupted by the sound of men approaching at a run. -Fanton turned and pointed. "Behind that pillar! There is a small door -that leads to an observatory platform above the square. Only my father -knew of the stairway behind the wall." - -Fanton pressed a carved leaf in a decoration on the pillar and a small -section of the seemingly unbroken wall moved inward. Fanton entered and -the rest followed with Rex and Maxis and the new recruit bringing up -the rear. - -Maxis said, "I will stay here and fight. I'm tired of running away." - -Rex dragged him into the opening. "Don't be a fool. There's a time to -fight and a time to run. This is a time to run." - -As the wall-section slid back into place, Fanton indicated a stairway -a short distance down the narrow corridor. Rex said to Maxis. "You go -ahead to guard Fanton. This new man and I will stay here in case Fanton -and his father weren't the only ones who knew about that opening. I -think whoever was coming heard us leave." - -Maxis was prepared to object. He hesitated, watching Fanton, Tommy and -Helen move up the circular stairway. "Go ahead," Rex snapped. "You -don't know who may be up there." - -Scowling, Maxis turned suddenly and took the stairs three at a time. - -Rex and the loyal Martian had a short wait. The sound of the others had -scarcely died out above, when the panel opened again. "I was right," -Rex whispered. "Stand on the other side." - -The two defenders had the advantage of a comparatively dim interior; -that, and the remaining charges in Rex's gun. Three guards crowded into -the narrow passageway. - -As they saw Rex standing by the stairway, he dropped to the floor and -fired at an upward angle. His lethal charges cut the two forward guards -to pieces. - -The third one, though confused, was more alert. He also had a gun -and looked desperately around for a target. The loyal Martian thrust -viciously with his sword. He missed. The guard danced away. Rex brought -his gun around, but hesitated with the loyal Martian in his range of -fire. When he maneuvered a clear shot, he pressed the switch. Nothing -happened. The gun was empty. - -In the meantime, the guard brought his gun around to bear on the -Martian. The later made a second desperate thrust. It went home but -only as the Martian fell dead from the guard's last shot. Rex got to -his feet, wiping sweat from his face. - -And at that moment, Pandek stepped into the passageway. - -Instantly, Rex leaped for the fallen guard's gun. Pandek smiled -contemptuously and kicked it far down the passageway. Pandek apprised -the situation swiftly. He said, "Pick up the sword, Terran scum." - -Without reply, Rex bent down and did as directed. - -"Are you skilled in its use?" Pandek asked. - -"I never had one in my hand before." - -Pandek raised his own sword, identical to the one Rex held. "Then I'm -afraid the contest will be rather unequal," he said and moved toward -Rex. "On guard! It will be a great pleasure to kill you." - -Rex took a backward step. He was no match for Pandek with these -weapons. Pandek would be a master at close swordsmanship. This had to -be true. Otherwise Pandek would not be so eager to engage him. - -Rex thought of the headquarters on Earth; of Professor Spencer, so -still, so peaceful in that box. So dead. Would he go back to Terra the -same way? - -With Fanton's hiding place known to Pandek, the rebellion seemed -assured of success--as certain as his own death at Pandek's hands. - -He took another backward step.... - - * * * * * - -Jean was ready for the sacrifice. She had been dressed in a rich golden -harness and wore golden manacles on her wrists. She had waited in the -room with the sound of the crowds in the great court below rising in -volume as their impatience increased. - -Finally a door opened. A tall resplendent figure entered. He wore a -jeweled cloak that swept the floor. A hideous golden mask covered his -face. - -There were two attending priests with Jean. They dropped to their knees -and lowered their eyes. One of them intoned, "Great Pandek. Lord of the -Northern Hemisphere. The sacrifice is ready for your knife." - -The room grew hazy before Jean's eyes. It spun in a sickening swirl as -she slipped to the floor in a dead faint.... - -When she regained consciousness, Jean found herself under an archway -in the court below. The great square was jammed with howling Martians. -A long red carpet stretched from the archway to the platform in the -center of the square. The sting of a sharp odor in her nostrils told -Jean how she had been revived. - -A priest on either side now supported her. They moved forward from the -building toward the platform. Evidently, she could either walk or be -dragged. She preferred to walk. She raised her head high and matched -the priests step for step. - -The crowd pressed close to the red carpet on either side. Unbroken -lines of guards held the Martians back. To Jean, they seemed things out -of a nightmare. - -They reached the steps leading up to the platform. Five steps. She -counted them as she ascended. - -The marble block. - -The priests laid her along its length. The golden manacles were -removed. Each priest took an arm and held her to the slab with the tall -masked figure raising his knife and looking down at her. The knife -arched. - -Then, halfway in its descent toward her bared breast, it stopped. The -masked figure looked upward toward the high wall of the building. He -shrank backward--pointed with the knife as he cringed away. - -A dramatic gesture that turned every eye in the square toward a small -balcony high on the wall. A cry went up. A single word. - -"Fanton!" - -The true Lord of the Northern Hemisphere stood with his arms -out-stretched imperiously over the crowd below. He held this position -until the roaring died away and a whisper could have been heard in the -great square. Then he spoke. - -"Hear your Emperor now! You have been lied to by those who would -destroy you. You have been told I was dead and that a new order would -prevail among you; an old, outdated order that brought only blood and -suffering in its time. I tell you now that those who spoke thus were -traitors who sought to exploit your suffering to their cruel ends. -The leader of these was Pandek, a prince I trusted. I now declare his -life forfeit and say to you that he will be executed in public at this -hour one day hence. Return now to your homes and have done with this -madness. I, your Emperor command each of you personally. You who are -vested with authority, return to your duties." - -The sonorous voice ceased and Jean felt herself being raised from the -marble slab. She opened her eyes. The golden mask had been lifted from -the face of the executioner. He had dropped the knife and now he held a -sword in his hand. - -It was Maxis. - -He whispered, "Under the platform, quick! There is an underground -passage back into the palace. You will be safe." - -Jean was bewildered. As she descended she saw that the crowd had surged -backward, leaving an open space between the platform and the palace. -Maxis turned and ran toward the open space. - -A small group of Martians was running forward from the building. They -were led by Pandek with a sword in his hand. From another doorway, Rex -ran to join Maxis. He was unarmed. - -One of Pandek's group turned and swerved out to intercept him. Like a -great cat, Rex crouched, waiting. The Martian moved in. Rex went under -the vicious swipe of the Martian's sword and caught the Martian's arm -and spun him around. Before the Martian could recover his balance, -there was an arm around his throat--pressure on his spine. He screamed -as his spine snapped. Rex raced on and joined Maxis. - - * * * * * - -The guards in the square had now chosen sides. A few rallied behind -Pandek. By far the majority took their stand behind Maxis. Their number -doomed the smaller group. - -But Maxis held up his hands. "Stand back! All of you! Come forward, -Pandek. You think so highly of your swordsman's skill. Let me see the -proof. Just we two." - -Pandek was not slow in accepting the challenge. He came forward and -the two Martians circled cautiously in the open space between the two -opposing forces. - -Pandek seemed the better of the two. Maxis fought mainly on the -defensive, his play unspectacular, which made Pandek's thrusts seem all -the more brilliant. - -Pandek evidently felt any retreat was a mark against him. Not so with -Maxis. He retreated whenever it was made necessary by Pandek's able -thrusts. Pandek sneered. Maxis fought stolidly, doggedly. - -Until Pandek made the mistake of losing regard for his foe's ability. -He thrust smartly and did not maintain the balance necessary for -retreat in case of quick counter attack. - -The counterattack came. Suddenly Maxis' blade was everywhere. Pandek -retreated in order to regain his balance and reassume domination of the -match. - -Maxis never gave him a chance to do this. Always, Pandek was a scant -second too late in parrying a thrust to balance himself for the next. -He fell. - -Maxis moved in swiftly. For a moment he stayed his thrust hoping. And -what he hoped for, came to pass. Pandek's courage broke. With terror in -his eyes, the fallen Martian shouted. "Stop! I am of royal blood. You -don't dare kill me!" - -Maxis smiled and drove his blade home. - -As he drew it forth, he glanced at Pandek's waiting group. Brave men -all, who had espoused the losing cause openly. To a man they were -throwing down their swords, their eyes on the dead Pandek, contempt on -their faces. The contempt of men who suddenly realized they had been -led by a coward. Men who were ashamed. - -Maxis sheathed his blade and looked up to where Fanton, Lord of the -Northern Hemisphere raised his hand in salute. - -Maxis bowed. Then he turned to Rex. He said, "It is over, my friend. -The fuse has been snuffed in time. We will be eternally in your -gratitude." - -"It's the other way around. We're getting out of this little affair -with whole skins. That's something to be really thankful for." - - * * * * * - -(_From the diary of Tommy Wilks_) - -_What a story I'll have to tell! I guess I'm about the luckiest kid -on Mars right now because when we get back, they're going to let me -tell what happened! I've got it all written down so I won't forget -anything. I've got it up to the time we left Rex and the Martian in the -passageway behind the wall. Rex didn't tell me all that happened but -when Maxis got back there, after hearing the noise, he found Pandek on -the floor unconscious. Rex said Pandek came at him with a sword and he -was pretty sure Pandek would kill him but Pandek missed a thrust and -Rex got in a lucky grab and pushed a nerve on Pandek's neck. He made it -sound very easy but I'll bet Rex is about the best nerve fighter in the -world. That's what they call men who can kill with nothing but their -bare hands._ - -_Anyhow, they brought Pandek upstairs and Maxis wanted to kill him. But -Fanton said no--that Pandek should be kept alive until the rebellion -was over--if it ever was._ - -_They talked about what they'd do, but Fanton made the final decision -because he was the Emperor. He said he wanted to reveal himself to the -people at a dramatic moment because that was what had an affect on -crowds. He decided the most dramatic moment would be while the knife -was raised over Jean._ - -_So they took Pandek to a room and tied him up and Maxis took his -place. Maxis' job was to call the crowd's attention to Fanton at the -right instant to heighten the dramatic effect. He was also supposed to -look scared to death so the crowd wouldn't swing Pandek's side against -the Emperor._ - -_It all worked swell except for one thing. Some traitor guards came -and let Pandek out. If Pandek had gone after Fanton, it all might have -ended differently. That's what Rex said. But Pandek got rattled and -went after Maxis instead. Maxis killed him even though Pandek was a -much better swordsman._ - -_Now to me, that doesn't make any sense. I asked Rex about that but he -just smiled and said Pandek was better than Maxis except for one thing. -Guts. That's a funny term that means courage. I wonder where Rex heard -it. Probably on Earth._ - -_Anyhow, everything is fine, now. The people are behind Fanton and -he's coming back to New Iowa with us and wants to go on to Terra for a -good-will visit. He wants to open the northern country to Terrans and -trade scientific secrets._ - -_Right now I'm in a room they gave me to sleep in while we're here. I -saw Jean and Rex walking in the garden down below. 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Fairman</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Secret of the Martians</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Paul W. Fairman</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: April 12, 2022 [eBook #66798]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SECRET OF THE MARTIANS ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <img src="images/illusc.jpg" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<p>Few colonists had seen a Martian, so why<br /> -worry about them causing trouble? Yet Spencer<br /> -had been killed—and Rex Tate trapped by the—</p> - -<h1>Secret Of The Martians</h1> - -<h2>By Paul W. Fairman</h2> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy<br /> -February 1956<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>Gordon Malloy, Chief of Interplanetary Security, rocked back in his -chair, and with seeming unconcern looked Rex Tate over searchingly. -"How was Pluto?"</p> - -<p>"Stinking. Why we want that frozen lump in the Federation is something -I can't figure."</p> - -<p>"Rich in minerals."</p> - -<p>"You left me there for seven Terran months," Rex allowed criticism to -sound in his voice.</p> - -<p>This did not bother Malloy. "Good for you. Toughened you up. Safe too. -Never much trouble on Pluto."</p> - -<p>"That's why I joined up. So I'd be nice and safe."</p> - -<p>"I've got something in mind for you."</p> - -<p>"Where?"</p> - -<p>"Mars. But it could be nasty so you'd better go back to Pluto."</p> - -<p>"Try and get me on a ship. What's with Mars?"</p> - -<p>Malloy looked for a place to put his feet and found only the top of his -desk. Up there they looked like a pair of crossed banjo cases.</p> - -<p>"I wish I knew."</p> - -<p>"I'll go find out for you."</p> - -<p>Malloy's eyes brooded. "The thing started as a result of privileges -and stupidity, the way most things of this sort do. As you know, Mars -is the only planet in the Federation without representation because -the Martians refused to represent themselves. They wanted no part of -the alliance." Malloy glanced up quickly. "How's your knowledge of the -Martian background?"</p> - -<p>"Sketchy. Ask me about Venus, Mercury, Neptune, Pluto. By all means -ask me about Pluto."</p> - -<p>"We're talking about Mars. When we went up there in 2091, we found as -close to a dead planet as you could want. There were people, but damned -funny ones. They wouldn't fight us or they wouldn't join us. They had a -kind of pride we've never been able to analyze. They just kept backing -away.</p> - -<p>"We found rich minerals and fine farm land—land that had lain fallow -for ages just waiting for the plow. And plenty of water. Every spring, -the ice cliffs at the poles melted on schedule and sent down the -moisture for bumper crops.</p> - -<p>"But the Martians didn't farm—they didn't mine—they didn't do -anything so far as we could discover except back away into their caves -and rocky fastnesses up north and give us the cold eye."</p> - -<p>Rex knew all this but he liked to hear The Chief talk—liked to be -with him as did every other agent in the Gang, so he registered bright -interest and listened.</p> - -<p>"They rebuffed all our advances and so we let them alone."</p> - -<p>"But that happened on other planets too," Rex said innocently, "and so -we went right in and got acquainted—looked in their bedrooms and their -dresser drawers."</p> - -<p>Malloy frowned slightly. "But on Mars, we didn't."</p> - -<p>"Nope. I wonder if it could have been because we had their land and -their mines and didn't think they had anything of value around their -north pole?"</p> - -<p>"You're speaking disrespectfully of the System," Malloy said in mild -disapproval. "You sound as though you think we moved in and took -planets over. All we did was develop latent resources—"</p> - -<p>"—Make for the better life—"</p> - -<p>"—Invite them to join us for a greater System—"</p> - -<p>"—The same way the British and the Dutch and the French and the -Russians did in ancient times here on Terra."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Malloy regarded his big feet with hostility; as though they and not Rex -Tate had been speaking. "Do you want this assignment, or don't you?"</p> - -<p>"Sure I want it." Rex grinned. What other department chief would let a -subordinate sound off? None except Malloy. That was one of the things -that made up for the low pay.</p> - -<p>"All right—then shut your trap and listen. As I said, the Martians -backed off into those hills and caves and hung out a <i>Private</i> sign -that we respected for three hundred years. Then, about six months ago, -a Martologist named Spencer got tired of testing flora and fauna in the -safe areas and wangled a permit to penetrate the taboo areas around -the pole."</p> - -<p>Rex Tate straightened—honestly amazed. "Alone?"</p> - -<p>"No. In the company of his twenty-year-old daughter."</p> - -<p>"Good God! Why we wouldn't even send a nuclear battalion in there! Who -issued such an insane permit?"</p> - -<p>"That's not our business. The criminally stupid ass is being hunted -from other directions, but in this age of red tape and buck-passing I -doubt if he'll ever be found. Our job lies elsewhere. We've got to find -out what happened to Spencer's daughter."</p> - -<p>"What about Spencer?"</p> - -<p>"He came back."</p> - -<p>"Without his daughter?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p>"I'd like to talk to the slob for a few minutes."</p> - -<p>Malloy dropped his feet to the floor. "Come on. I'll give you a chance."</p> - -<p>Rex followed Malloy out of the office. They got on an elevator that -dropped them to a sub-basement. Malloy manned a scooter and they rode -for several minutes down a long, straight corridor.</p> - -<p>Just when Rex wondered whether or not The Chief knew where he was -going, Malloy stopped the scooter in front of a closed door. He opened -the door and motioned Rex inside.</p> - -<p>The room was small and bare, boasting as furniture, only a rectangular -table in its center. On the table sat a rectangular box. Malloy pointed -into the box and said, "All right—start talking."</p> - -<p>A small chill danced down Rex's spine. In the box lay a serene-faced, -middle-aged man with his hands folded over his chest. He had a rosy -complexion and appeared to be napping. What an odd place for a man to -sleep, Rex thought. He glanced up at Malloy. The latter said, "As near -as we can tell, he's been dead for four months."</p> - -<p>"But—"</p> - -<p>"I know. Perfectly preserved—the skin soft—all normal fluid still -present in the body. Nothing's wrong with him except that he's dead."</p> - -<p>Rex touched the soft tissue. It was cool. "How can you figure the time?"</p> - -<p>"He came in on a food freighter—in a cargo of potatoes that was sent -from a farmer's market at a place called New Iowa in the heart of the -Martian farm belt."</p> - -<p>"Not far from the forbidden polar circle," Rex said.</p> - -<p>"I thought you didn't know anything about Mars."</p> - -<p>"When things were dull on Pluto, I studied timetables."</p> - -<p>"That's interesting. I'll issue them to all agents."</p> - -<p>"Of course you've got no proof that the body was put aboard at Iowa."</p> - -<p>"Yes we have. The hold was locked and sealed there. The body was -inside. The seal was unbroken."</p> - -<p>The closed eyes of Professor Spencer made Rex almost as uncomfortable -as the closed lips. "All right. I've got the picture. What do we do? -Send in a battalion to question the Martian taste in gift packages?"</p> - -<p>"We've got no proof the Martians did this."</p> - -<p>"Who else?"</p> - -<p>"Maybe some transplanted Terran farmer took up taxidermy on the side."</p> - -<p>"The odds are way against it."</p> - -<p>"So are the odds against a solar eclipse, but they happen."</p> - -<p>"Then we make no hostile gestures?"</p> - -<p>"Not until we know the score. That's what I want you to do, Rex—go out -to Mars and find the score."</p> - -<p>"Okay, Chief." Rex took a last look at the body. "And if I come back in -that shape, check my pockets. There might be time to write a note."</p> - -<p>"Don't be such a pessimist," Malloy growled.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>(<i>From the diary of Tommy Wilks</i>)</p> - -<p><i>The first thing you miss on Mars is the green. The things hardest to -get used to are the reds and the yellows and the tired browns. Never is -there any bright rich green filled with the promise of spring as I grew -used to in Kentucky back on Terra. Because this is a dying planet and -even when the Martian spring does come, there is a feeling of tiredness -in the air.</i></p> - -<p><i>And the warm rain on your face. You miss that too because there is no -rain on Mars. You keep looking at the sky, hunting for the big black -thunderheads that sent people running for cover back in Kentucky. You -look and look until your eyes ache and even the sting of icy cold rain -would be nice.</i></p> - -<p><i>The water here is all underground and in the canals. It is good water, -running down through the bogs and the rivers and the marshes in spring -when the big northern ice cliffs melt.</i></p> - -<p><i>It is very funny about the ice cliffs. Up there it snows in the -winter I guess because they get higher and higher until they are like -mountains. Then in spring, they melt in a few days. Nobody knows much -about the ice mountains because they are in the middle of the forbidden -polar zone. It is said there are Martian people up in the forbidden -circle but I don't think so. Because why would anybody live in such a -place when the level lands and the old sea bottoms and the canals are -down here!</i></p> - -<p><i>Anyhow, we never go there. The only Martians I ever saw are the ones -that come by like tramps asking for food. We always give it to them -because they are always hungry and we don't want any trouble. And -then there is Barzoo. He was here when we came. He lives in a little -stone house out beyond the potato fields. All Martians have hard brown -skins—almost like shells—and instead of white in their eyes, like -Terrans, they have light green, and the pupils are always jet black. -Looking at a Martian is a little hard to get used to at first but after -a while it's all right.</i></p> - -<p><i>Dad and Mom made me stay away from Barzoo at first, but he was -harmless and now they let me visit him. We talk but I can only -understand a little of what he says and he can't understand much -Terran. He is a funny man, Barzoo. He never smiles and gives you the -idea he has only contempt for Terrans. But he takes me and shows me -where the big gadfish hide in holes in the canals and how to catch them -with a white pebble on the end of a line.</i></p> - -<p><i>Nobody minds Barzoo.</i></p> - -<p><i>I am Thomas Wilks Junior, but everybody calls me Tommy. I am fifteen -years old and I like to write and someday I will go to Terra to some -big university and learn to do it well and then I will write stories -all about Mars for the Terrans to read.</i></p> - -<p><i>My father is Thomas Wilks Senior. My mother is Lucy Wilks. My -sister is Jean Wilks. Father brought us to Mars when the Federation -opened this land. It is very easy to grow good crops here—very big -potatoes—because Dad says ages ago it was farmed by the Martians and -the fields and the canals are all here. We put the potatoes on big -space freighters that take them back to Terra. All the farmers send -their potatoes in the big freighters and they all talk about going back -themselves after they get rich out here but I have a feeling very few -of them will go. There is something about this planet that grows on -you. It's awfully cold a lot of the time and you have to learn to walk -carefully or you go right up in the air. But you get used to it. And -two moons instead of one.</i></p> - -<p><i>I like keeping a diary because someday I will need what I'm writing -now for my stories about Mars and will become very famous and live in -a high tower in Kentucky. Or maybe I will build a tower right here on -Mars.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>(<i>Wednesday</i>)</p> - -<p><i>We have a new man working for us. He came in on the last freighter. He -is very tall and has yellow hair and he is different from most men that -come here to work. Most of them go to the saloon when the ship sets -down, but this one went to the candy store and that was where I met -him.</i></p> - -<p><i>He bought me some ice cream and we talked about Mars. I guess I did -most of the talking. I told him all about the farm and about Barzoo -and the gadfish you catch with a pebble. He seemed very interested in -Barzoo and said he'd like to meet him.</i></p> - -<p><i>I told him if he worked for Dad I would introduce him to Barzoo and he -said all right. Which Dad slapped me on the back for later because help -is hard to get and he gave me credit for talking the yellow haired man -into working for us.</i></p> - -<p><i>His name is Rex Tate and we didn't ask him how he happened to come out -here. We're just glad that he did because help is a problem.</i></p> - -<p><i>After this I guess the farmers will check the candy store too when -they come into Iowa along with the saloon. But who would expect to find -a grown man like Rex Tate in a candy store? He's different than the -other workers who come here. A lot more intelligent. I like to talk to -him.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Rex Tate, clad in a Martian fox jacket against the sharp winter air, -worked at a strand of broken fence on the far north line of the Wilks -farm.</p> - -<p>He straightened and looked off across the dull brown plains. The -experts said this had all been ocean once; back in the days when Terra -was a seething, untenanted ball of hot lava. Rex wondered how right -they were.</p> - -<p>One thing was sure. A no more dull, drab, peaceful landscape could -possibly be imagined. He turned to look northward toward the high ice -cliffs of the polar circle. The thin air made distances deceptive and -the cliffs looked to be hanging almost over Rex's head. But he knew -they were many miles away.</p> - -<p>He frowned. This had seemed the logical place to start his -investigation, yet what evil could lurk among these simple energetic -Terrans? Such an act as had been perpetrated upon Professor Spencer -was certainly beyond their ability to conceive, and Margo Spencer was -certainly not hidden among them.</p> - -<p>Only one thing kept him in this vicinity and it was indeed a frail -thread. The Martian hermit young Wilks had told him about. He wanted to -look the man over but had delayed, feeling that even though the lead -seemed hardly to be taken seriously, caution was still the better part -of wisdom.</p> - -<p>Rex turned now to watch big Tom Wilks stride across the frozen brown -moss of the pasture. Terran cattle, Rex had learned, thrived on the -prickly stuff.</p> - -<p>Tom Wilks had a big, cordial face, roughened and seamed by the Martian -cold. He slapped Rex on the shoulder and said, "Well, how do you like -this outpost of civilization?"</p> - -<p>"It's different—I'll say that."</p> - -<p>"Hope you grow to like it. A man can get rich out here."</p> - -<p>"I don't doubt it."</p> - -<p>"You aren't like the others," Wilks said.</p> - -<p>"Thank you."</p> - -<p>"I mean most of the help we get out here are drifters looking for a -stake. You could easy get yourself some land—make a go of it. We need -good solid men out here. Now I've got a fine looking daughter—" Wilks -paused. "Guess maybe I'm going too fast."</p> - -<p>"Jean's a fine girl, but you don't know much about me, Mr. Wilks."</p> - -<p>"The name's Tom and don't forget it. And don't think I'm going to nose -into your business until you're ready to tell us. We're inclined to -take people at face-value. We consider 'em first-rate until they prove -otherwise. You might say we kind of follow our instincts."</p> - -<p>Rex give him a quick smile. "One thing puzzles me."</p> - -<p>"What's that?"</p> - -<p>"How come there are no Martians working for you? The pay is good. I'd -think they'd be swarming around."</p> - -<p>"You don't know much about Mars, son. I've got a hunch there aren't -many Martians."</p> - -<p>When Rex started to reply, Tom Wilks waved a hand. "Oh, I know the -Federation experts tell us different—say they live up there under the -ice cap, but I don't believe it. A few of them would wander down."</p> - -<p>"Young Tommy tells me you've got one around. A character named Barzoo."</p> - -<p>"Uh-huh. God knows where he came from or what he wants here. Doesn't -care to work a lick."</p> - -<p>This, Rex realized, was Tom Wilks' basis of judging a man. A worker -rated high with him. A fairly presentable worker rated high enough to -be considered for his daughter's hand. Not a bad way to look at it at -that, Rex thought.</p> - -<p>"I'd like to meet this Barzoo."</p> - -<p>"Tommy'll take you out there any time you say."</p> - -<p>"He goes alone?"</p> - -<p>"The old coot's harmless. Looked him over myself. He takes the -youngster fishing."</p> - -<p>"Characters like that interest me."</p> - -<p>"Well, finish this fence now and then get back to the house. Jean's -fixed up something a little special for supper. Got her hair and face -all shined up too. I wonder why?"</p> - -<p>Wilks winked and strode off about his business, leaving Rex to wonder -about Jean. He'd have to be a little careful there. She was a nice -kid. There'd be no problem, though, because he wouldn't be around long -enough. He hooked the last strand of wire into place and headed for the -house....</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Jean Wilks was a lithe, slim, dark-haired girl with laughing blue eyes -and red, almost sensuous lips. When Rex got to the house she was there -to open the door. She wore a close-fitting blouse, slacks, and a frilly -postage-stamp apron. There was welcome in her smile and her eyes spoke -quite frankly. They said, <i>I'm after you</i>.</p> - -<p>"Come on in and shuck your coat," Jean said. "I'll bet you're frozen."</p> - -<p>"Only my fingers."</p> - -<p>Jean took his hand in hers and rubbed briskly. Her eyes teased. "I -thought you were too hot-blooded to let a little cold snap chill you."</p> - -<p>"I'm used to a hot sun."</p> - -<p>She could change mood quickly. Her smile slipped away. "Where <i>did</i> you -come from, Rex?"</p> - -<p>As he hesitated she put a quick finger over his lips. "Don't tell me. -Sorry I pried. We aren't that way here on Mars—really." She moved away -from him. "How do you like my apron! It's supposed to show you how -domestic I am."</p> - -<p>"You did the cooking tonight?"</p> - -<p>"Uh-huh. Mom and Dad and Tommy just left. They went to New Iowa for -dinner with some friends. I'm in charge of the feed bag."</p> - -<p>"Swell—let's open it up."</p> - -<p>Supper over, Rex helped Jean with the dishes. He was struck by the -domestic situation into which this case had brought him. He felt -guilty—as though he were trespassing on the hospitality of these fine -people. And fine people they were—of that he was assured. Now only -remained to discover by what weird turn of circumstances the perfectly -preserved body of Professor Spencer had been placed in a sealed potato -hold in New Iowa.</p> - -<p>"The ships that go out of here," Rex said. "Do they all set down in New -Iowa—on the field there?"</p> - -<p>They were having coffee in the living room. Jean had removed her apron -and sat close to Rex on the lounge. Her hair was soft and gleaming in -the light of the open flame from the old-fashioned fireplace.</p> - -<p>"Usually," she said, "except during heavy harvest time. Then they put -down wherever they can. We've had them parked in our lower pasture. You -see we like to get the crops away as quick as we can and the freight -company always sends enough ships to accommodate us because the run is -so profitable."</p> - -<p>"The lower pasture. Isn't that where this Barzoo fellow hangs out?"</p> - -<p>Jean shuddered. "He's awful. I suppose I shouldn't feel this way about -him because he's harmless and very good to Tommy. But that dull brown -hide—his funny eyes."</p> - -<p>"I'd like to see what he looks like. I'll have to ask Tommy to take me -down there."</p> - -<p>Jean regarded him thoughtfully. "I'll take you down."</p> - -<p>"But why should you—?"</p> - -<p>She shrugged. "I don't seem to be doing very well by firelight. We have -two moons up here. They should be twice as hard to resist as one."</p> - -<p>Rex was playing it straight all the way through—which meant playing it -dumb. "But it's very cold out."</p> - -<p>"Pretty cold in here, too. Let's get started."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Rex put on his jacket, wondering what he was going to do with this -girl. She appeared from her bedroom wearing a white parka that made her -look doubly attractive. "It's only a ten-minute walk. And the cold -isn't as penetrating here as on Terra."</p> - -<p>They hiked along, hand-in-hand, under the two racing Martian moons. -The air was sharp, stinging, like heady wine. Rex felt as though he -could have jumped clear up to where Terra hung close and beautiful in -the night sky. This, he decided, was a wonderful planet, a wonderful -country, a great place to settle down and build something—raise -children. Bodies in shipping cases seemed far away and unreal.</p> - -<p>Jean's hand, warm in his own, squeezed suddenly as though she sensed -his thoughts. She glanced at him, her eyes rich with meaning. Then she -broke away and ran on ahead toward an oddly shaped monolith of a hut -further down the pasture.</p> - -<p>As Rex hurried forward, he studied the stone hutch. It was obviously -very old—something left over from a lost and forgotten civilization. -It impressed him as having been built as both a shelter and a symbol. -There appeared to be undecipherable meaning in the formation of -it—blurred now by the wear of centuries.</p> - -<p>Jean stopped beside the narrow entrance. "He's not here," she said. Rex -pushed his head inside, bent forward to peer about the small interior. -It was smooth, unadorned, cone-shaped.</p> - -<p>He took a step forward, heard a quick laugh and tripped over Jean's -extended foot. He grabbed as he went down—inside the shelter—and -caught Jean's arm. He dragged her with him and they went down in a -heap. He was looking into her fur-framed face, into her eyes. She had -stopped laughing. Neither of them spoke during several quick breaths.</p> - -<p>Then Jean said, "I guess you think I'm pretty forward, don't you?"</p> - -<p>"I think you're pretty wonderful."</p> - -<p>"I think maybe we're different up here—a lot different than we'd be on -Terra."</p> - -<p>Her breath was warm in Rex's face. "How do you figure that?"</p> - -<p>"We're more elemental out here, I guess. We're more afraid of letting -life get past us. I want you so bad it hurts. I want to marry you and -have your children and I'm afraid of not letting you know it."</p> - -<p>Her mouth was on his; her body through the soft fur of their clothing -was warm and rounded against him. His blood was pounding and he was -conscious of two things. First, this intoxicating girl in his arms. -Second, the fact that the slab against which he was pressed had -loosened and turned; that it had moved on a hinge of some kind and he -had to hold tight to Jean to keep from falling through.</p> - -<p>Then he became aware of a third presence. Just outside a figure loomed; -a hideous looking man with a brown, scarred hide. A man with eyes that -seemed to hold all the hate in the universe....</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>(From the Diary of Tommy Wilks) (<i>Saturday</i>)</p> - -<p><i>They're gone—Jean and Rex Tate. Nobody around here knows what to -think because there is no place to go. No ships have come in or gone -out. Everybody is talking about it. Some people say Rex Tate had a ship -and that he put Jean in it and took her away. But how can that be true? -Where could anybody hide a ship around here? The country is flat as far -as you can see. They say he must have had a ship hidden up in the ice -country—in the forbidden circle and he took her up there.</i></p> - -<p><i>But that is crazy too. They were having supper here last night when -Mom and Dad and I went to the Parker's for supper. They weren't here -when we got back and none of the cars or horses are gone so how could -they have got away?</i></p> - -<p><i>They say he took Jean away, but I wonder if it wasn't the other way -around? Jean was in love with him—she wanted to marry him—and I -wonder if maybe she didn't take HIM away? But that's foolish, too. -There was no place for her to take him or him to take her. It certainly -is a mystery. We haven't had so much excitement since we came to Mars. -People coming and going—men riding off in bunches hunting under every -piece of moss as though they'd turned to midgets and were hiding there. -It's all very silly. But Mom is sick about it. She's in bed and Mrs. -Parker is taking care of her. The men swear they'll catch Rex and kill -him wherever they find him. They say he dragged Jean away to have her -for himself. I don't think so—not for that reason, anyhow. I know how -Jean felt about him and girls in love are funny. He wouldn't have had -to drag her anywhere. That was how Jean felt about him.</i></p> - -<p><i>It's all very strange. And very lonesome here with Dad gone off with -the hunting party and Mom under sedatives. I'm going to ask Barzoo what -he thinks about it.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>(<i>Sunday</i>)</p> - -<p><i>I've learned something important and I don't know what to do about it. -I went to Barzoo's hutch to find him but he was not there. I waited -around a while and then, while I was looking inside, I thought I saw -something funny about the wall. One section of it looked different -than the others. It wasn't dirty along the bottom. It looked as though -there was a crack there. I examined it and found it moved on a hinge. -I pushed it back and everything was dark behind it. I listened for a -while and then thought I heard a sound inside as though somebody had -taken a step.</i></p> - -<p><i>I got scared and dropped the stone back into place and began to run. -I ran all the way home to tell Dad about it because that must be where -Rex and Jean went. There can't be any other place.</i></p> - -<p><i>But Dad isn't here and I can't tell Mom. She's too sick and I'd only -disturb her....</i></p> - -<p><i>It's been an hour now. Dad still isn't home. I've done some thinking. -Why did I run away from the hutch? There isn't anything there to be -afraid of. When you think it over, it's logical that Barzoo would have -a place underneath the hutch to keep warm on cold winter nights. Even -if his hide is thick, he still needs shelter. And why should he have -told me about it? It's his private business and I never asked him. I'll -bet he would have told me if I'd asked him.</i></p> - -<p><i>I'm going to wait another half hour for Dad. Then, if he isn't back, -I'll go to the hutch with a flashlight and see what's under it. Maybe -everybody is right about Rex. Maybe he's got Jean down there.</i></p> - -<p><i>But if he has I'll bet she isn't trying very hard to get away....</i></p> - -<p><i>The half hour's up. Here I go....</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"So that's the story," Rex said. "Now you know who I am and how I -happened to come to New Iowa."</p> - -<p>Jean twisted her arms against the thongs that bound her wrists and -said, "I think you were stupid not to tell us and let us try to help -you."</p> - -<p>"But I was moving in the dark entirely unsure of myself. I had to look -around and find out—"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I see. You suspected us. You thought we were capable of murdering -a man and putting his body in a box and shipping it back to Terra with -our potatoes!"</p> - -<p>"I thought no such thing!"</p> - -<p>They spoke openly, convinced that the five Martians who were their -captors could not understand Terran. They had been at the hutch when -Rex and Jean got there—four of them—crouched behind the wall. When -Barzoo arrived, just as Rex tilted the section of wall, they had seized -the two Terrans and tied their hands. There had been nothing Rex could -do, hampered as he was by Jean lying in his arms.</p> - -<p>Rex's thoughts had been the bitterest of gall as he forecast his report -to The Chief—that was, if he lived long enough to submit a report:</p> - -<p><i>I was necking with a local farmer's daughter in the stone hutch of a -Martian character. I had every reason to be suspicious of this Martian -and should have been on my toes when he arrived. Instead, I was on my -back, kissing this aforementioned local daughter and this Martian and -four of his friends took us both. No credit to them, though. In the -shape we were in, a crippled blind man could have taken us. Any further -orders, Chief?</i></p> - -<p>The Martians had ignored his pleas that they leave Jean behind, or -perhaps the Martians did not even understand him.</p> - -<p>They had been led off down a long, dark tunnel. So far as Rex and Jean -were concerned, their next step could have almost dropped them off into -oblivion but the Martians were sure-footed and seemed to be entirely -familiar with the pitch-black tunnel.</p> - -<p>They walked for what seemed hours before a light showed in the -distance. Another hour brought them to the spot where a dusty overhead -bulb glowed dimly. It appeared to have been there untouched for -centuries because the ceiling was damp and calcium-bearing droplets -had almost covered it. Yet it glowed bravely.</p> - -<p>Here, the two Terrans were allowed to rest. One of the Martians dug -into a small opening in one wall and brought forth a quantity of -grayish substance which he offered them—holding it toward their mouths -with his filthy hand. They turned their faces away and he made no -further effort to feed them.</p> - -<p>They were ignored—left sitting on a ledge while the Martians gorged -down the food. Afterward, the one Jean designated as Barzoo, looked -up suddenly as though a thought had come. He talked to one who had -finished eating and was wiping his hands on his dull brown hide.</p> - -<p>Rex tried to fathom Barzoo's words. Familiar with languages and -dialects the System over, he got some of Barzoo's meaning. The Martian -leader was worried about the condition in which the hutch floor had -been left. Perhaps the wall-section had been left tilted. After a -while, the other Martian got to his feet and trotted back through the -darkness along the tunnel through which they had come.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>After the Martian left, Barzoo wiped his mouth with the back of his -hand and motioned Rex and Jean to get up and move into a passage to -their right.</p> - -<p>"How much further can he take us?" Jean asked. "After the first drop -back at the hutch, it seems to me the tunnel has been level."</p> - -<p>"A floor can be deceptive. We could have been moving down a gradual -slope for miles."</p> - -<p>Jean said nothing. The going was easier now, this tunnel being lighted -at intervals by the strange overhead bulbs. Rex asked, "Are you sore at -me for what happened back at the farm? For not telling you the truth?"</p> - -<p>"No. We're in too much trouble to waste time being angry. What's done -is done. Only the future is important now."</p> - -<p>Rex could have made his self-recrimination vocal but he felt that too -would be a waste of time. He said, "Didn't anybody—any of you Terrans -know about the opening in that hutch?"</p> - -<p>"I'm sure no one did—except perhaps Tommy." She thought that over and -added, "No—that's absurd. If Tommy had known it he wouldn't have been -able to keep it to himself."</p> - -<p>"Maybe they'll hunt around and find it."</p> - -<p>"Maybe—but I hope they don't."</p> - -<p>"Why not?"</p> - -<p>"If they find the opening they'll come looking for us. These Martians -are hostile. Some of our men might be killed and they have wives and -families."</p> - -<p>Jean made Rex feel ashamed of himself. "Don't worry. I'll get you out -of here."</p> - -<p>She glanced up at him. Her chin trembled slightly as she sought to -stiffen it.</p> - -<p>At that moment they walked into a larger tunnel. There were more -overhead bulbs here and a ribbon of narrow-gauge track stretching off -into the distance.</p> - -<p>"A railroad!" Rex exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"I wonder where it goes?"</p> - -<p>"I've got a hunch we're going to find out."</p> - -<p>One of the Martians had gone around a shoulder of the tunnel. There was -a whining sound. He returned in the driver's seat of a small rail car. -Barzoo motioned the Terrans into one of the seats. The other Martians -got in behind them. The driver pulled a throttle. The whining sound -increased and the car moved off down the tracks.</p> - -<p>Rex listened for a time, inspected the portion of the car within range -of his eyes, then said, "I wonder what kind of power this thing uses?"</p> - -<p>Jean did not answer. Her head had dropped to his shoulder. She was -asleep. He settled himself, forming a pocket with his body so she could -rest against him with the seat supporting her. Behind him the eyes of -the three Martians, including Barzoo, had also closed. Rex wondered if -the driver was asleep also.</p> - -<p>The car rolled on in a monotonously straight line, mile after mile. Rex -realized he had discovered a civilization under Mars, the existence of -which was unknown on Terra. He knew that none of the authorities or -experts suspected anything so civilized as a railroad in the forbidden -polar lands. At best they thought the territory inhabited by hardy -bands of hostile, backward ice dwellers.</p> - -<p>This was indeed a great discovery, he told himself bitterly. Of course -neither he nor Jean would live to reveal it, but they could die happy, -knowing they were great explorers.</p> - -<p>He grew tired of excoriating himself. The passing overhead lights had a -hypnotic effect. He closed his eyes and slept....</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Fanton, son of Fandor of the Bantarks—last great ruling dynasty of -Mars—lay sick and dying in a foul cell under the Amphitheater of the -Gods. He was old and tired and ready to die, yet he longed for survival -because his work was not yet done.</p> - -<p>For two centuries, Fanton had ruled as Lord of the North Hemisphere. -He had seen the great prosperity of the planet even under conditions -whereby the scientists of his father had foreseen the planet's death. -He had been there at the birth of their scientific magic.</p> - -<p>Fandor, his father, had been a wise and gentle ruler. When the Terrans -came in their great ships, Fandor had prevailed upon the Council and -a policy of cautious retreat had been instituted. Fandor advocated -this because he knew the Martian science was no match for that of the -Terrans. Not that the wizardry of the Martian scientists was any less -great, but they had bent their efforts in peaceful directions while the -Terrans came with huge warships and no end of armament.</p> - -<p>So the Martians, under Fandor, had retreated quietly to the north -allowing the Terrans to move onto the planet. This policy was much -despised by the young and the hot-headed who would have preferred to -meet the invader face to face and die in battle if need be. But the -majority of the Council was old and weary as was Fandor, and they -prevailed.</p> - -<p>Then Fandor felt he had lived long enough and refused to enter the -place of Eternal Strength—greatest miracle of Martian science. He died -peacefully and Fanton put on his royal robes.</p> - -<p>Now those robes had been torn from his body and he had been refused -access to the place of Eternal Strength. Pandek, the fiery young -Councilman had overthrown him and assumed power and the younger -Martians were preparing to sweep down over the planet and slay the -unsuspecting Terrans.</p> - -<p>They would be slaughtered of course. This, Fanton knew, because the -Martian weapons were puny, but there would be death and fiery agony -before the Terrans finally won.</p> - -<p>Many times, in his heart, Fanton had wondered if the policy of the old -ones had been wise. Fanton was a scholar. The books of the Terrans had -been smuggled into the north country. He had learned the language and -read the books and there was one Terran writer of whom he never tired; -a genius named William Shakespeare. In his great play called <i>Julius -Caesar</i>, Shakespeare had said: <i>There is a tide in the affairs of men -which taken at its flood leads on to fortune.</i></p> - -<p>Lying in his filthy cell, Fanton's mind was cloudy. He was not sure if -those were the exact words but the point was clear. Perhaps there had -been a time in the affairs of the Martians when the tide of fortune -was at its flood—when they could have won out over the Terrans. But -that time had certainly long-passed and if their present plight was -the result of the old mistakes, then so be it. There was still no -justification for mass suicide.</p> - -<p>So Fanton did not want to die. His work remained undone. Above his -cell, in the Amphitheater of the Gods, Padtek was fomenting a kettle of -hell's brew. Already, they had used the Place of Eternal Strength in a -fiendish manner—desecrated it—and now they deprived their Emperor of -its healing magic.</p> - -<p>Fanton realized the die was cast. He himself had been removed from the -stage. Mad new actors bent upon destruction were reading their lines.</p> - -<p>He, Fanton, was finished....</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Tommy Wilks walked a long way down the dark passage, his light picking -a path through the gloom. He knew he had already gone further than he -should but always there was the temptation to see what lay just ahead.</p> - -<p>And nothing was ever there. Only the sinister black passage leading -onward. He explored another length, then stopped. This was far enough. -What if he had unknowingly turned into a by-passage? Suppose he would -miss the intersection on the way back?</p> - -<p>Thoughts such as these flared into his mind to bring a sudden sense -of entrapment. The walls seemed to be closing in on him. He turned to -retrace his steps.</p> - -<p>Then he froze. Sound. A far-away, echoing sound. The soft tap of -footsteps. But coming closer. Tommy threw his light on down the tunnel. -He strained his eyes ahead looking for whatever or whoever made the -sound.</p> - -<p>It was louder now and he realized, too late, that his flash was -on—guiding the menace—serving as a beacon. He clawed at the switch -but his fingers were clumsy thumbs. When he finally got the light out, -the footsteps had increased to a running tempo. He turned and fled -blindly back along the tunnel. He had not taken ten steps when he -tripped and fell. He struggled to his feet in panic. Too late. Hard, -rough hands were upon him.</p> - -<p>He fought but his struggles were useless....</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Twice, Rex had tried to maneuver the Martians into removing the thongs -from his wrists. At the end of the rail line there was a pool of water -fed by a spring. He motioned toward his wrists and signified thirst. -One of the Martians callously threw water in his face until he was -gasping for breath. His second attempt failed also and now he and Jean -were being led through a shining marble corridor the like of which he -had never seen even in the finer buildings on Terra. What manner of -world, he wondered, was hidden here under the northern Martian ice cap?</p> - -<p>But the wonder in store made the corridor look like a tunnel clawed -through bare earth. It was a huge amphitheater into which he and -Jean were rudely shoved. They stood frozen, their perilous position -momentarily forgotten.</p> - -<p>"Did you ever see anything like it?" Jean gasped.</p> - -<p>"It must be an illusion of some kind. I can't believe it really exists."</p> - -<p>The floor upon which they stood was of pure, glittering gold. It -stretched away in shining glory to a wall of crystal—a window so high -and vast Rex could not conceive it as standing alone. Surely it had to -fall by its own weight.</p> - -<p>It dwarfed a high, curved dais along which sat a line of richly robed -Martians. In the center of the dais was an elevated throne upon which -sat a scowling young Martian.</p> - -<p>But the thing that caught and held the two Terrans were the towering -cliffs of ice framed in the great window as by a master painter. Rex -and Jean were pushed forward. As they came near the high throne, the -young Martian smiled coldly as he noted the direction of their eyes.</p> - -<p>He broke the silence. "You seem to admire our view."</p> - -<p>"You speak Terran," Rex said, surprise in his words.</p> - -<p>"A source of amazement to you, no doubt. You who consider us a mob of -imbeciles cringing up here in the ice floes."</p> - -<p>"Whoever you are, I'm afraid you're in trouble. We aren't used to being -hauled around like criminals."</p> - -<p>"Then it's time you got used to it."</p> - -<p>"Who are you?"</p> - -<p>"I am Pandek, ruler of all Martians. Down on your knees!"</p> - -<p>Rex and Jean were hurled roughly to the floor. Rex lowered his head and -whispered to Jean, "Take it easy. We've got to feel our way and wait -this out." To Pandek, he said, "Is this the way you're in the habit of -receiving ambassadors from friendly nations?"</p> - -<p>"Friendly? That from you who have kicked and despised us for hundreds -of years?" Pandek's rage was heightening with each word. "You and your -arrogant army of invaders? You who treated us with the patronizing -kindness you reserve for amiable dogs?"</p> - -<p>"We came in friendship—"</p> - -<p>"—with armed space ships at your back—uninvited—unwelcome—smiling -like the hypocrites you are!"</p> - -<p>"Those entrusted with government on Terra would be happy to hear that -you are willing to come forth and negotiate," Rex said.</p> - -<p>Pandek arose from his throne, his brown face mottled with rage. -"Negotiate for what is already ours? Put our stamp of approval on your -conquest of our planet?"</p> - -<p>Rex saw that further words were useless. He stood silent until the -ruler's anger subsided. Then he asked, "What do you plan to do with us?"</p> - -<p>"Kill you—as we will kill every Terran on our world."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>He eyed Rex for signs of fear. When they did not appear he seemed -mildly disappointed. When he spoke again it was in a quieter tone. "But -first I would have you see a little of what Martian science is like. I -would have you know how far ahead of the Terran bunglers our scientists -were even a thousand years ago. I would have you know by what power -Mars will again come into its own."</p> - -<p>"I would like to see the work of your scientists." Conceit was -obviously one of this ruler's weaknesses, Rex decided. He hoped others -would reveal themselves.</p> - -<p>"Very well, Terran. You shall see a part of the miracle concerning -which you Terrans have wondered for years; the miracle by which your -stolen lands below the polar circle have been watered and kept lush."</p> - -<p>"The ice cliffs?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I cannot show you the process whereby the rains and the snows are -created and drawn to the pole each season—how these great cliffs of -ice are built over the winter months. But I can reveal to you the most -spectacular part of the process—the melting of the ice cliffs."</p> - -<p>In spite of their predicament, Rex was vitally interested. Jean, also. -He glanced at her and saw the intent look on her face.</p> - -<p>Pandek picked up a device at his elbow—obviously some sort of a -telephone and spoke into it. His words were low and indistinguishable. -But the results were almost instantaneous.</p> - -<p>A far-away hum was heard, greatening in volume as from the release of -sudden power. A faint blue light appeared, glowing the ice at the base -of the cliffs. The color shot up through the ice mass—clear blue—as -new colors were added to that at the base. Red, yellow, purple, -crimson—so bright they seemed to sear Rex's eyes. Then they too -started climbing up through the solid ice.</p> - -<p>A deep rumbling was heard. Pandek said, "Your Terran scientists have -not even begun to realize the power of nuclear fission. Two thousand -years ago our scientists were ages ahead of them."</p> - -<p>Pandek said more, but his words were drowned in thunder from the -crashing of ice cliffs beyond the great window. Huge cataracts were -even now pouring down the walls of melting ice. Both Rex and Jean stood -awed at the sight of such vast and instantaneous destruction.</p> - -<p>Pandek smiled his cold smile. The thunder subsided somewhat and Pandek -said, "I see you are impressed. I would welcome your comments." He was -enjoying himself.</p> - -<p>The display had astounded Rex but the expression on his face remained -cold. "I imagine you were responsible for sending the body of Professor -Spencer back to Terra."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Pandek paused at Rex's quick change of subject. "Yes, a fitting -reminder to the Terrans that we aren't animals to be gaped at."</p> - -<p>"On the contrary—an indication that you <i>are</i> animals."</p> - -<p>Pandek half-rose from the throne.</p> - -<p>"You'll die a little more horribly than I'd planned for that remark."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I will but the fact remains that you're mad to think you can -stand against Terra. Your scientific know-how is admittedly great, but -it is not geared for war."</p> - -<p>"You think not?"</p> - -<p>"I'm certain of it. I'm also sure of another thing."</p> - -<p>"What else are you sure of?"</p> - -<p>"That you have no scientists."</p> - -<p>"Then how—?"</p> - -<p>"You had them—ages ago—and they built well—so well that their work -has survived to this day. What you have here was built by geniuses for -fools to operate. I'm certain all you do is press switches and reap the -benefits of work done by long-dead brains in another age."</p> - -<p>The darkening of Pandek's face told Rex his words had cut deep. In a -way, he felt sorry for the Martian. A hate-filled, envy-charged man -seeking to vent his rage in mad ways.</p> - -<p>If carried to their ultimate, his acts could only lead to the -destruction of his people at the hands of the Terrans. But this made -the situation no less perilous for Rex and Jean and other Terrans on -Mars.</p> - -<p>"You hold a Terran citizen," he said. "The daughter of Professor -Spencer. Is she still alive?"</p> - -<p>Pandek was again enjoying himself. "Oh, very much so." His smile held -some hidden meaning as he said, "A trifle embarrassed perhaps—at the -moment—but alive and healthy."</p> - -<p>"I demand you return her to her own people."</p> - -<p>"You demand? I admire your courage—"</p> - -<p>"What do you plan to do with her?"</p> - -<p>Pandek's Martian eyes grew speculative. "She fits into my plans as -does the young woman at your side. A new day will dawn upon Mars soon, -a reversion to the old days when Mars was a virile, fighting planet. -Then, there was less science and more emotion. The masses were whipped -to a fighting frenzy by supplications to the old gods." Pandek grinned -wickedly. "Human sacrifices were a part of those supplications. Nothing -stirs the people like the public sacrifice of a beautiful female with -all its pomp and splendor. It stirs them deeply."</p> - -<p>"The thought of it stirs <i>you</i> deeply, you mean. You're mad. You're a -dangerous maniac. I can only hope your own people put you down in time."</p> - -<p>With a howl of rage, Pandek leaped from his throne. He drew a short -ornamental sword from his belt and swung it viciously against the side -of Rex's head. Rex went down like an ox felled for slaughter.</p> - -<p>Jean screamed....</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The rough-skinned Martian who subdued Tommy Wilks, pressed him against -the wall of the tunnel and used Tommy's own flashlight for purposes -of inspection. He growled a few unintelligible words and seemed to be -debating a problem.</p> - -<p>Tommy watched him silently, warily, without fear. He had ceased -struggling because it was useless but his mind was alert.</p> - -<p>He had no way of knowing the Martian was in a quandary. He had been -sent to check the tunnel entrance in the stone hutch on the Wilks farm. -But he had come upon Tommy halfway to his objective. Should he take -Tommy to his superiors, or finish his original mission? It was indeed a -problem.</p> - -<p>The Martian was not too bright. Also, he was lazy. The capturing of -this Terran changed things, he told himself. He would take the boy to -the terminal. Then perhaps something would happen so he would not have -to take the long walk back through the tunnel. Perhaps he would be -honored for his capture and another would be sent to the hutch.</p> - -<p>This hope brightened him as he took Tommy roughly by the arm and hauled -him toward the railhead. Tommy was not a difficult prisoner. They moved -swiftly. But the boy was breathing heavily when he was pushed into one -of the cars and the Martian took the controls.</p> - -<p>Tommy rested, awaiting his chance. He had by no means given up hope. -It was just a matter of the Martian easing up on his arm. At least -that would be the first step. Tommy was glad the Martian had been -contemptuous and not tied him up.</p> - -<p>The car rolled smoothly along its tracks; faster than the one used -to transport Rex and Jean because the Martian transporting Tommy had -always liked speed. He liked it so well he opened the car to its -greatest capacity and at one point had to release Tommy's arm in order -to put both hands on the throttle.</p> - -<p>Tommy struck instantly without thought as to the outcome—only with -hope. And his hopes were fulfilled. He hurled himself against the -Martian with both fists extended. They hit hard brown hide just below -the Martian's right shoulder and sent him off balance. The Martian -snatched at Tommy while trying to regain his equilibrium and learned -the folly of attempting two things at once.</p> - -<p>But too late. He teetered, howled dismally, and pitched in front of the -racing car. It hit him with a dull thud, killing him instantly. But his -dead bulk also wreaked a kind of vengeance on the car, lifting it from -its tracks and sending it skidding along on its side.</p> - -<p>Tommy had been thrown clear and as he hit the wall of the tunnel he -knew he was done for. Every bone in his body snapped. Every ounce of -his flesh crackled with pain. He fell to the tracks and lay dying.</p> - -<p>But the process was slower than he anticipated. A full minute passed -and he had not yet expired. This puzzled him. How could you live with -all this pain? With every bone broken? It just didn't make sense. Tommy -waited.</p> - -<p>But death proved remarkably stubborn. It refused to drop its black -mantle over his tortured body. Finally Tommy moved an arm—a foot—a -leg. Odd. They all worked. He got to his feet. He conceded that maybe -the agony was not as great as it had first seemed. Now that he could -breathe again, things were better. There was only one bad place, -really; a vicious bloody abrasion along his right forearm.</p> - -<p>The lights of a platform loomed ahead. Tommy crawled over the car and -stepped gingerly around the body of the dead Martian. Then he hurried -forward and climbed on the deserted platform.</p> - -<p>Here the light was better and he examined his arm. It was an angry, -bloody mass but the blood was oozing out rather than flowing. No deep -wound had been suffered but it hurt like fury. He could not bear to -have anything touch it so he put his arm out at an awkward angle and -left it there while he looked around, wondering what this place was and -also how hard you had to get hit and how much it had to hurt before you -got killed.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>His ponderings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. In the face -of this, there was nothing to do, he decided, but pick a direction and -run. Back up the tracks? No. While the lights from the overhead bulbs -were dim, they would still reveal him at quite a distance. The platform -had two exits. The running footsteps were approaching along one of -these. That left the other. Tommy plunged into it and ran.</p> - -<p>He ran a long way and his surroundings changed swiftly. The rail -platform had been crude and uninspiring but now he was fleeing along a -beautiful marble corridor.</p> - -<p>He stopped for breath, backed into a partially secluded niche and -admired his surroundings. Was this the kind of place the Martians lived -in? It certainly didn't fit into his preconceived notions of a place -where backward ice people would dwell.</p> - -<p>As his breathing lessened, a tantalizing sound asserted itself upon his -ears. An odd, singing sound, both pleasant and mysterious. He wondered -where it came from.</p> - -<p>He peeked out into the corridor and found it deserted.</p> - -<p>The singing sound. As he walked back along the corridor, it diminished. -He turned and retraced his steps. The sound greatened until he came to -an archway in one wall of the corridor. The sound obviously emanated -from that direction. The archway was supported by gleaming marble -pillars and as Tommy passed between them, the singing sound rose to a -crescendo that vibrated deliciously against his nerve centers.</p> - -<p>Then he saw it. A beautiful, domed room that gave a first impression -of being a public bath of some sort. But there was no water, only -brilliant, breathtaking color; all the gorgeous colors of the rainbow -dancing down from the ceiling in beams of crystal clarity. There was -sound and color—and something else; a subtle something that made Tommy -very happy; excitedly happy in a way he had never before experienced.</p> - -<p>He moved forward, completely engrossed in his new surroundings. -He moved in under the shower of color and a feeling of ecstatic -exhilaration went through him. It was wonderful.</p> - -<p>Then he froze. Not twenty feet away stood two Martians clad in rich -metal harness and holding long golden spears. Guards. Sudden fear -swept Tommy. The Martians were staring straight at him.</p> - -<p>Desperately, he signalled to his frozen muscles; <i>Let's get out of -here.</i> But they failed to respond. The guards stared at him. He stared -back.</p> - -<p>Nothing happened.</p> - -<p>Why, they're asleep, Tommy thought in amazement. They're standing there -sound asleep with their eyes wide open holding their spears. That's -crazy. Why don't they fall down?</p> - -<p>Tommy wanted to run. But he couldn't. The curiosity of the very young -not only barred retreat, but pushed him slowly forward until he was -standing beside one of the guards.</p> - -<p>The Martian had not moved a muscle. His chest neither rose nor fell. -Completely fascinated, Tommy extended his hand. He touched the face of -the guard. It was rough and cool. The guard did not move, Tommy laid a -hand against the golden harness. Nothing happened. He had not intended -to push, but he did. He pushed so hard the guard tilted over on one -stiff leg. Appalled, Tommy leaped back.</p> - -<p>The guard kept on tilting until he fell on his side with a great crash -of ringing metal.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Tommy darted back through the color rays and out of the strange room -so fast that he was far down the marble hall before his mind told him -he was running.</p> - -<p>He kept on running. Then he stopped as suddenly as he had started. He -looked down at his wounded arm. He glanced quickly up and down the -corridor, then ducked again in a wall niche where he gave his whole -attention to his arm.</p> - -<p>Had he dreamed all this? The horrible Martian in the tunnel? The car -crash? The color room? He must have dreamed it. The proof was there -before him. A smooth, unblemished forearm where there had been a huge -bloody bruise but a few moments before! He rubbed the arm—tested it. -There was not the faintest sign of a wound.</p> - -<p>He looked around in bewilderment, peeked both ways and moved out again -into the corridor.</p> - -<p>His luck had held for a long time but now it failed him as sudden -footsteps sounded in a traversing passage just ahead. They were coming -swiftly. Tommy looked around in desperation.</p> - -<p>This appeared to be the end but it was not. Fate seemed indeed to be -toying with him—moving him around like a mobile chessman. At the last -moment it showed him a doorway he had overlooked. The door was unlocked -and he went through it as fast as he could while still closing it -softly behind him.</p> - -<p>Inside, the light was very dim. Tommy listened at the door as the sound -of footsteps diminished. He smiled—quite proud of his ability to take -care of himself under these circumstances. He would certainly have a -lot to put in his diary when he got home.</p> - -<p><i>If</i> he got home.</p> - -<p>Tommy drove this last thought from his mind. He would make it. He was -doing all right. Whereupon fate slapped him and sharply for his conceit -by turning him and dropping him down a flight of stairs he'd been too -busy watching the door to notice.</p> - -<p>The fall hurt but Tommy was no longer frightened. He knew that so long -as he had survived the car crash no violence of this type could even -dent him.</p> - -<p>He got to his feet and danced around for a while, holding a barked -shin, then straightened as a new sound smote his ears. Someone was -sobbing.</p> - -<p>A woman. A woman crying.</p> - -<p>It did not take Tommy long to trace the sound. He was in a narrower, -lower corridor now; one not as fine as the big one upstairs. As -Tommy moved forward, the sobbing told him he was going in the right -direction. He opened a door.</p> - -<p>Inside the small room was a narrow, high-legged bed—more of a table, -Tommy thought, but he gave it no attention. He was held spellbound by -what lay upon the table.</p> - -<p>A girl with wrists and ankles bound down. She had long chestnut hair -that hung down over the edge of the table. She was helpless. And she -was completely nude....</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Rex got up from the floor to which he had been viciously hurled by -three Martian guards. He and Jean were in a cell. As the barred door -clanged shut, he turned to help Jean as best he could. "Are you hurt?"</p> - -<p>"I—I guess not." She tried to smile. "Only my dignity."</p> - -<p>"I got us into a pretty bad mess."</p> - -<p>"It wasn't your fault."</p> - -<p>"I don't know who's else it was."</p> - -<p>Jean strained at her bonds. "They could have at least taken these -things off our wrists."</p> - -<p>"We can do it ourselves."</p> - -<p>"That guard out there—he's leering in. Maybe we'd better wait until he -leaves."</p> - -<p>"Maybe he won't leave. Anyhow—I don't think they care whether we take -them off or not."</p> - -<p>They stood back to back while Rex worked on the thongs binding Jean. -The knots were stubborn but they finally gave, the guard outside -watching the process with amusement.</p> - -<p>Jean got Rex's wrist free quickly and they sat down on the edge of the -single bunk and rubbed their wrists. "Well," Jean said, "where do we go -from here?"</p> - -<p>"To wherever they execute their prisoners, I imagine."</p> - -<p>"But we're still alive. Aren't we supposed to keep the chin up like -they do in books?"</p> - -<p>He took her suddenly in his arms.</p> - -<p>"You're a brave girl."</p> - -<p>She pressed close to him. "I'd rather hear you say I'm an attractive -girl."</p> - -<p>He kissed her hard. "Does that convince you?"</p> - -<p>She sighed and snuggled closer, oblivious of the leering guard. -"Thanks, mister. That's better. A gal doesn't mind dying, but she hates -to go out feeling she hasn't hooked her man."</p> - -<p>Rex felt a catch in his throat at the brave front she was maintaining. -And it had to be an effort. Jean was no fool. She was a realist. No -need to tell her they were finished—that he was no superman who could -kick down a wall and carry her to safety.</p> - -<p>"Let's not think about anything but us," she whispered. "We have at -least a few minutes to live—really live!"</p> - -<p>"With that guard standing there?" Rex said bitterly.</p> - -<p>"Well, then we can almost live." She kissed him.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later, he said, "Did you notice anything funny out there -in that council room?"</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by funny? I was so busy looking at those tumbling ice -cliffs—"</p> - -<p>"I mean the councilmen sitting on either side of Pandek. Not one of -them moved or spoke."</p> - -<p>"That's right. They sat there like dummies."</p> - -<p>"A row of dummies afraid to move even their eyes."</p> - -<p>"There's something else that puzzles me," Jean said. "Those ice cliffs -are life and death to we Terrans down below. Then why do the Martians -build them up each winter and melt them for us in the spring? I'd think -they'd leave the plains arid and thus drive us out."</p> - -<p>"I wondered about that too. There can be only one explanation. They've -repeated the process for so long they're afraid to stop—afraid of what -it might do to the overall welfare of the planet."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps if they didn't the ice would pile up of its own accord and -crush them and their cities."</p> - -<p>"I wonder how many cities there are."</p> - -<p>"I don't care—really. Hold me closer. I'm cold...."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"But I don't understand why they would do such a thing as this," Tommy -said. He had released the girl and found her clothing in a corner of -the room.</p> - -<p>"It is a part of some pagan rite they plan to revive. The victim must -lie in—in the manner you found me for a certain length of time. Some -weird looking priests visited me at intervals and recited incantations. -It was horrible!"</p> - -<p>"What's your name?"</p> - -<p>"I'm Helen Spencer. I came here with my father—"</p> - -<p>"Never mind that now. I think we can get out of here. There was nobody -in the hallway when I came in."</p> - -<p>"I'd like to find my father."</p> - -<p>"We can try."</p> - -<p>"They separated us a long time ago. For a while they treated me like a -queen, even though they kept me a prisoner. I wondered why. Now I know. -It was all a part of this terrible pagan sacrifice. I think the time is -very near."</p> - -<p>"Then let's go."</p> - -<p>But they had waited too long. The door opened and four Martian guards -entered. They almost filled the room. Tommy hurled himself at the -closest one but was knocked viciously back against the wall. It seemed -that fate had deserted him at last.</p> - -<p>The Martian in charge, one who stood a head taller than the other -three, grasped Helen roughly by the arm. He seemed infuriated at -finding her dressed. He threw her roughly after Tommy and she too fell -to the floor.</p> - -<p>The Martian stood there, undecided, some problem evidently occupying -his mind. The three subordinates waited in silence. After a few -moments, the leader turned and barked several sharp commands.</p> - -<p>The orders puzzled the three Martians. They stood where they were until -the leader barked another sharper order. Then they turned and filed out.</p> - -<p>The leader stood motionless until their footsteps died in the corridor. -Then he bent swiftly and lifted Helen Spencer to her feet.</p> - -<p>As she cringed away, he said, "I am Maxis, a dictor in the Emperor's -guard. I think perhaps you can help me. If so, I may be able to help -you."</p> - -<p>"You—you're speaking Terran," Helen said.</p> - -<p>"Of course. Many of us know your language." He pointed to Tommy. "Who -is this one?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. But I'm sure he has hurt none of you. Please let him go -free."</p> - -<p>Maxis shook his head impatiently. "It is of no importance. Tell -me—while you lay here bound, did they bring a man to see you? A very -old man—very feeble?"</p> - -<p>Helen did not trust the Martian. After what had happened to her she -was in no mood to trust any of these people. There had been an old -man. The priests and a tall young Martian had practically carried him -in. They had stayed in the room for quite a while, the young Martian -talking harshly. The older one had pleaded with him. Had the old man -escaped? Helen wondered. Was this one hunting him down?</p> - -<p>"You don't trust me," Maxis said, "but you must. If the old one came -he would have been brought by a young one. The old one would have been -horrified at seeing you."</p> - -<p>"That's how it was," Helen said.</p> - -<p>Maxis' eyes flared. He laid a quick hand on Helen's shoulder, then drew -it back. "How long ago was this? Tell me! How long ago?"</p> - -<p>"Several hours at least."</p> - -<p>"Then he still lives! They lied to us. Pandek lied to us!"</p> - -<p>"If you would explain—"</p> - -<p>"The man you saw—the old one—was Fanton, Lord of the North -Hemisphere—Ruler of Mars. Pandek told us of his death when he assumed -the throne. Only for this reason did the legions swear loyalty to -Pandek. But Fanton still lives!"</p> - -<p>Tommy had got to his feet and was brushing his clothes. "Maybe not. -They might have killed him in the meantime."</p> - -<p>"I have a feeling he is not dead," Maxis insisted. "I must find him. I -must not fail to find him!"</p> - -<p>He was turning toward the door. Tommy said, "What about us?"</p> - -<p>Maxis turned back and Tommy knew he was ready to leave them to fend for -themselves. Tommy said, "You promised to help us if she told you what -you wanted to know."</p> - -<p>"You are right. But you will be in my way."</p> - -<p>"A promise is a promise," Tommy said stoutly.</p> - -<p>"Very well. We will go down to the prison block. You two will march -ahead. I will act as though I am delivering you. But if there is any -trouble I will have to desert you. I cannot stand and fight. I cannot -risk being slain until I find my Emperor."</p> - -<p>They marched out into the corridor. The three guards had gone their way -and no one was in sight. But from the grim look on the Martian's face, -Tommy knew peril lay ahead.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The door to the cell in which Rex and Jean were imprisoned was -unlocked. Five Martian guards entered. The leader was in high rage. -"This girl will have to do," he snapped. "The crowds in the square will -not know the difference and the priests will just have to keep their -mouths shut. Take her!"</p> - -<p>As three of the guards advanced on Jean, Rex went into action. He drove -his knee into the groin of the leader, bending the Martian forward into -a straight right that almost tore his head off. The Martian went down. -His jaw structure was so thick, Rex's fist turned numb from the contact -and the Martian was only dazed.</p> - -<p>Rex knew his one hope lay in getting control of the small pistol -the leader carried. He lunged. The gun lay in the fallen leader's -out-stretched hand. Rex's fingers touched it. But the leader's fist -closed.</p> - -<p>The delay was fatal. It gave one of the guards time to take one long -step and kick Rex solidly behind the right ear. Rex went down hard, -smacking the floor with his face. He did not move. Jean screamed. A -hard hand went brutally over her mouth, dragging her down also.</p> - -<p>The leader of the squad said, "Take her to the ceremonial room. Prepare -her for the knife. Tell the priests I will be there soon."</p> - -<p>"Aye, great Lord Pandek," the guard said.</p> - -<p>Jean bit the hand that lay across her mouth. It was jerked away. She -tore loose and threw herself down on Rex's unconscious body. She was -pulled roughly to her feet and other hard hands dragged her away.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Perhaps it was Tommy's luck that carried the party through. On the trip -to the cell blocks they met only two other Martians—not soldiers—who -exhibited only mild curiosity.</p> - -<p>Once in the lower tier, Maxis seemed more at home. "This is the -likeliest cell block," he said.</p> - -<p>"But we can't search all those cells," Tommy said. "It would take -hours. We'd surely be stopped." He was looking down a long corridor -lined with bars. Other corridors intersected until the place was a maze.</p> - -<p>"You are right," Maxis said. "I have a plan that may save us time. -Come. You two walk behind me now."</p> - -<p>They moved down the corridor. Only one guard lay in their path but he -was down on his haunches, asleep. They glided past him, Maxis' gun -held ready. They moved on until they were approaching a more brightly -lighted intersection. A small table was located against the bars of a -corner cell and a Martian sat at the table occupied with some papers.</p> - -<p>The trio approached from behind the man quietly. He heard them when -they were a few steps away. He turned. Maxis took a last bold step and -was towering over the seated one.</p> - -<p>Maxis spoke casually, but with authority. "I've been sent to deliver -Fanton to the council hall."</p> - -<p>Maxis did not expect cooperation from the guard. But he hoped for -something else. His eyes were on the guard's face, watching for the -man's first reaction.</p> - -<p>It was entirely satisfactory from Maxis' point of view. The guard's -startled eyes widened, then narrowed in suspicion. "Who sent you for -him?"</p> - -<p>Maxis smiled without humor. "Then he is here! He does live! What cell, -you mother's mistake? Quick!"</p> - -<p>The guard looked into the barrel of the deadly gun Maxis held close to -his face. A black hole from whence could come needle flames that would -burn his head into an instantaneous crisp. "The—third aisle—cell -eight—"</p> - -<p>The gun in Maxis's hand spit a small blue flame. For a moment, the -guard's head was enveloped in fire. Then the head was gone.</p> - -<p>Helen Spencer recoiled in horror. Maxis said, "He was a traitor." To -the Martian, that justified everything. He bent over and picked up the -headless body and carried it into the nearest cell.</p> - -<p>He returned and said to Tommy, "This is the dangerous moment. You must -help me—do exactly as I say. You must go to the cell and bring Fanton -back to this table. I must wait here."</p> - -<p>Tommy was perplexed. "I don't get it. You should be better able to get -him out of his cell. If we meet a guard, he'll stop us."</p> - -<p>"No he won't. He will bring you here. All authority in the block stems -from this key-center. If you meet a guard tell him you are under orders -from the key-keeper. He will be suspicious and completely confounded, -but he will bring you here. In the meantime I can better stave off -trouble with the authority this post gives me." Maxis looked at Helen -and pointed. "You—into that cell—out of sight. Stay there until we -have either succeeded or failed." His face was grim. "If we fail, you -must shift for yourself with nothing but my good wishes to help you on -your way."</p> - -<p>His tone indicated his good wishes would be of scant aid. He laid a -hand on Tommy's shoulder. "Walk to the next intersection down that -corridor. Turn to your right and count off seven cells. Fanton will be -in the eighth. Good luck."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Tommy took the key Maxis handed him and started off as directed. The -key seemed very heavy. The corridor seemed very long. The task set for -him seemed next to impossible.</p> - -<p>He reached the cell without trouble. He unlocked the door. Inside, a -very old Martian lay in filth and rags on the floor. Tommy knelt beside -him, his heart pounding. "You are to come with me," he said.</p> - -<p>The old Martian opened his eyes. "Who are you?"</p> - -<p>"I am Tommy Wilks, a Terran, but that doesn't matter. Maxis, one of -your friends, is waiting at the table down the hall. Can you walk, sir?"</p> - -<p>A tired smile brightened the old Martian's face. "Strange indeed are -our times—when a Terran juvenile comes to aid the Lord of the North -Hemisphere. The times have gone mad and we can only go where destiny -directs—or seems to."</p> - -<p>Fanton, with Tommy's aid, had got to his feet and Tommy helped him -from the cell. But now there was a barrier—three scowling Martian -guards. One of them barked a challenge in his own language. "Don't say -anything," Tommy warned Fanton. "Maxis said it might work out like -this."</p> - -<p>To the Martian, he said, "I've been sent to bring the prisoner," but he -knew the Martian did not understand him.</p> - -<p>The three spoke among themselves, their confusion quite obvious.</p> - -<p>Then it worked exactly as Maxis had hoped. At a command from one, the -other two guards took Tommy and Fanton each by an arm and hauled them -along the corridor toward the key-center. As they approached it, Tommy -saw that Maxis had gotten to his feet and was waiting for them. The -grim Martian stood with both hands behind his back.</p> - -<p>As they came to a halt, the leader of the trio spoke questioningly to -Maxis in their own language. Before Maxis could answer, the other's -eyes opened wide and Tommy knew what was going on in his mind. He was -recognizing Maxis as a false key-keeper.</p> - -<p>The leader got short satisfaction from his discovery. He died with his -questions still unanswered as Maxis brought his right arm around and -blasted the man's head into a cinder.</p> - -<p>The other two guards fell away quickly, their reflexes in perfect -condition. Both snatched for their own guns, one going down as Maxis' -ray cut him in two.</p> - -<p>The other guard was bringing his gun up. Maxis had no time to match -shots with him or perhaps chose not to from a certainty that both of -them would die as a result.</p> - -<p>Instead, he hurled himself on the guard and caught the latter's wrist -bending the gun away from himself and the others. The guard was far -heavier than Maxis, his bulk possessed of greater strength. He dropped -the gun but heaved Maxis to one side and come down heavily upon him. -He had trapped Maxis' arms successfully and it was a matter of moments -before he would again have the gun in his fist.</p> - -<p>Tommy acted from desperation—without plan. A heavy ring of keys lay -on the desk. Tommy snatched them up and swung them, from high over his -head, down hard on the skull of the guard. The guard's head was indeed -hard. The keys rang dully against it but the guard's hand only faltered -in reaching for the gun.</p> - -<p>Tommy swung the keys again, and again. Unable to grip the gun, the -guard reached with both hands, thus loosing his hold on Maxis for a -moment.</p> - -<p>The moment was enough. Suddenly the guard stiffened and came awkwardly -erect. There was an empty look in his eyes and then Tommy saw the -reason. The handle of a dagger protruded from his chest, driven in by -Maxis who was even now rolling the corpse over and coming free.</p> - -<p>Maxis sheathed his dagger, still dripping blood. He snapped, "We've got -to move fast. Now all we have to go on is hope."</p> - -<p>Helen came from the cell as Tommy asked, "Where are we going?"</p> - -<p>"We've got to get Fanton to the Place of Eternal Strength. Come!"</p> - -<p>He took the old Martian in his arms and the cavalcade moved off down -the corridor following Maxis' lead. Guards could be heard, running in -from different directions.</p> - -<p>To Maxis, it was but a matter of time. He did not expect to reach the -Place of Eternal Strength. He could only try; and die finally, battling -for his Emperor. But this did not sadden him. There was no better way -for a Martian to die....</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Rex floated in a sea of pain. Sadistically beaten by the guards who -had overpowered him, he lay on the floor of the cell; aware of the -blood-pool around him and of the pain, but unable to force his body -into action. He knew the door to the cell stood open. He forced his -mind to focus on this point. It could mean only one thing.</p> - -<p>The guards had left him for dead.</p> - -<p>The thought cheered him. He was not dead. Therefore he was living on -borrowed time—a break men in his profession seldom got.</p> - -<p>Another thought intruded. Maybe he wasn't lucky. Maybe he was crippled. -He had as yet not inventoried the damage. Was it worse than the pain -indicated?</p> - -<p>He searched for numbness and found none. He moved and the pain -increased. That was good. Nothing paralyzed. But was an arm or leg -broken? Was there a spine injury?</p> - -<p>Resolutely, he forced his muscles to respond. Arms, legs, bones okay. -He got to his feet and swayed dizzily. Pain shot through his head. He -almost blacked out, clawed at the wall, kept himself from falling.</p> - -<p>He got hold of a bar and held himself erect while the floor spun and -the walls tilted. Then they steadied away. His stomach settled back -into place, the nausea giving ground sullenly.</p> - -<p>After a while, he decided he was all right. As all right as he would be -for a long time. He looked around for a weapon. All the bars were in -solid rock. The legs of the bunk were riveted down.</p> - -<p>He hunted and stood finally looking at his two fists. They were all he -had. They would have to do.</p> - -<p>He stepped out of his cell and saw two guards approaching along the -corridor. He debated flight. He stopped. There were the two fists. -Might as well find out right now how effective they would be. He -crouched and stood waiting....</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Jean moved in a daze. She had been taken by the Martian guard through -long corridors, into a splendid part of whatever building this was. At -one point during the trip, she lashed out suddenly, bit the hand across -her mouth and raked her nails across a hard face.</p> - -<p>The Martians had been in no mood to tame a tigress the gentle way. -The big Martian, after snarling from the bite, swung his other fist -viciously. The blow rang against Jean's head. She fell. The Martians -growled at each other, picked her up roughly and carried her, -half-conscious, on down the corridor.</p> - -<p>She was taken to a high room, far up in the building. The room seemed -to be some sort of a storage place for fine garments. They were -everywhere; gold surplices hanging in rows; gold and silver sandals -hanging from pegs along the wall. A rich room with windows and daylight -coming in; the first Jean had seen in a long time.</p> - -<p>She remembered the stone hutch—so wondrous—so far away—so -unattainable. Rex. Tears welled in Jean's eyes and she tasted the dregs -of bitterness as she saw Rex—in memory—lying bloody and broken on the -floor of the cell; recalled the ferocity with which the Martians had -attacked him.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Jean realized what was going on—what the Martians were doing -there in the high room—stripping off her clothing. With a choked cry -she found new strength and fought again.</p> - -<p>She took them by surprise; broke from them and ran, half naked, toward -the door. Escape seemed imminent but she threw herself straight into -the arms of a tall, scowling Martian who held her like a child and -carried her back into the terrible room. As he walked toward them, -those who had brought her there fell on their knees. One of them -intoned, "Pandek—great Pandek—Lord of the North Hemisphere."</p> - -<p>"Not quite," Pandek said, speaking in Terran. "And never if I continue -to be surrounded by bungling fools such as you, who cannot hold a slip -of a girl. Had I not come through that door she would even now be -making her escape."</p> - -<p>"She surprised us, great Pandek. It will not happen again."</p> - -<p>Callously, Pandek held Jean forth with one great hand and hit her -sharply on the point of her chin with a doubled fist. "I'll make -certain of that. Here—take her. Maybe you will be safer with an -unconscious sacrifice. Comb out her hair—wash her body. Put on the -golden harness—get her ready for the knife."</p> - -<p>They took Jean from him and laid her on a marble slab and continued -their ministrations. Pandek, scowling deeply, walked to the window -and looked out. Beyond and below was a great open square filled with -people. They milled about a high, central platform upon which sat a -throne and a sacrificial block. The block was caked with the blood of a -thousand sacrifices made before the Reformation, centuries before. It -had been removed from the square, but had been carefully preserved by a -core of fanatics who had never given up hope of the Old Regime coming -again into power; the old, bloody regime that worshiped the robust -pagan gods and gave the people great spectacles.</p> - -<p>Now the block had been returned; the minds of the people had been -inflamed and they awaited the first sacrifice of the New Age—the age -in which proud pagan Mars would again demand its rightful place in the -sun. Pandek's hand thrilled for the feel of the knife. He thrilled at -the thought of driving it home and thus ushering in the New Age.</p> - -<p>His mind went, quite naturally, to Fanton, the weak old fool he had -dragged down. It had been a clever coup. Of course, Fanton still had -followers, but they had been misled, lied to, cleverly hoodwinked. A -little fearful of a slip in his plans, Pandek had not had Fanton slain. -He had merely thrown the old fool into a cell to die—had deprived him -of rejuvenation.</p> - -<p>Perhaps Fanton was already dead. Pandek wondered. But perhaps not, and -with plans having gone forward so smoothly, it was safe to kill the -deposed Lord of the Northern Hemisphere.</p> - -<p>Pandek turned swiftly and went to see about it....</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Maxis, leading his cavalcade down the prison corridor and carrying the -even frailer body of his Emperor, traveled half the breadth of the -prison before danger confronted him; three guards loyal to Pandek the -usurper and dedicated to his treacherous cause.</p> - -<p>Maxis laid the body of Fanton gently upon the floor. Then he stepped -over it and made his stand between his Emperor and those who had -deserted him. He paid no attention to the two Terrans. He wished them -neither harm nor good fortune, they would be of no value in this fight -so he forgot them.</p> - -<p>The guards, sure of their advantage, moved slowly forward. They knew -Maxis and gave him a tribute by taking it for granted he would not -retreat. They drew their short, wicked swords, thus forcing Maxis, a -man of ethics, to foreswear use of any other weapon even though death -faced him.</p> - -<p>The Martians moved in from three angles, skillful swordsmen all, and -Maxis parried three quick thrusts with a tricky maneuver that left a -scratch on the arm of one guard.</p> - -<p>It was a gallant parry, worthy of a better reward than certain death. -The guards retreated a step, set themselves, and moved in again. Maxis -would certainly not be able to repeat the maneuver.</p> - -<p>Then there was new, sudden, and devastating action. From the rear of -the guards, came a crazed, unarmed juggernaut of destruction; a mad -Terran; bloody, savage-eyed, lethal, he threw himself against the -flank of the advancing trio, locked an arm around his throat, and with -leverage obtained by wrapping his legs around the Martian's body, -snapped the ugly head at the base of the spine.</p> - -<p>The Martian fell with the Terran under him. As Tommy cried, "Rex—Rex! -Where did you come from?" the Terran had disentangled himself from -the corpse and was engaging a second guard. Stunned by the suddenness -of the attacks, the guard was easy prey for the Terran's death grip. -A second spine snapped and as the Terran rose, he saw that the third -guard had fallen before Maxis' sword.</p> - -<p>Maxis said, "Your aid was indeed timely."</p> - -<p>Rex wiped blood from his face and advanced like a great cat. "What are -you doing with these people?"</p> - -<p>Tommy rushed forward. "It's all right, Rex. This is our friend. The -old man is the Lord of the North Hemisphere. Maxis is trying to save -his life. This is Helen Spencer. They were going to kill her."</p> - -<p>Maxis had again taken Fanton in his arms. "We have no time to discuss -these things. Find a gun on one of those bodies and follow."</p> - -<p>He moved swiftly down the corridor. Tommy and Helen Spencer followed, -but Rex strode forward until he was abreast of the Martian. "Where are -we going?" There was suspicion and hostility in his voice—as though he -suspected a trick.</p> - -<p>"I can't go into detail," Maxis said, "but believe me, our chances of -survival lie in reaching a ray fountain we call the Place of Eternal -Strength. The Emperor's life is at stake and ours also."</p> - -<p>As though on cue, two guards appeared from a cross-corridor. Grinning -mirthlessly, Rex turned the gun on them. It spat forth a crackling -ray that cut them in the middle and brought the upper halves of their -bodies toppling to the floor.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Now lead the way," Rex said.</p> - -<p>He killed four more guards before they arrived at the Place of Eternal -Strength, shooting them in the back without compunction as he stalked -ahead of Rex, clearing the way.</p> - -<p>Upon arrival at their destination, Tommy cried, "Why this is the place -where my arm was healed. I had a wound and then it was gone!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Maxis laid the body of Fanton on a marble couch under the singing -colored rays. "Even greater miracles are achieved here," he said. "It -heals all ills—even old age. If a spark of life remains in a body, the -fountain greatens and strengthens it."</p> - -<p>Rex stared in wonder. "Will it revive the dead?"</p> - -<p>"No. It will preserve a dead body—cause it to remain perfect for -centuries but once life is gone it can never be returned."</p> - -<p>"Then this is what happened to Professor Spencer. He was killed and -placed under this ray."</p> - -<p>Maxis nodded sadly. "Brutally murdered. It was Pandek's signal for his -great coup. We were caught completely unawares. He acted very cleverly -and told us Fanton had died, refusing rejuvenation, when in truth he -had deprived Fanton of the fountain's healing power. Only today did I -discover that Fanton still lived."</p> - -<p>Rex was staring at the body of the ancient ruler. "How long does the -process take?"</p> - -<p>"A matter of minutes. Let's only hope that those minutes are afforded -us."</p> - -<p>"There are still some shots in my gun," Rex said.</p> - -<p>They waited, while the body of Fanton seemed to visibly recharge -itself. Two guards appeared. Rex killed them.</p> - -<p>"How was this rebellion allowed to get started?" he asked.</p> - -<p>There was a grim look upon Maxis' face. "Through laxness. Through -carelessness. From stopping our ears against the sound of treacherous -undercurrents. From feeling that young hotheads were basically sound -and would not arrange their own destruction and ours too."</p> - -<p>"This Pandek you speak of—he planned to move against the Terrans to -the south?"</p> - -<p>"He still plans it. He has vowed to wipe every alien from the planet -and establish a new age of Martian resurgence."</p> - -<p>"The Martians would be annihilated."</p> - -<p>"Pandek is willing to gamble on that."</p> - -<p>"He must be insane," Rex said.</p> - -<p>"It began when Fanton advocated a change in Martian policy. For -centuries, ever since the Terrans came, our course has been one of -proud isolation. The policy was instituted centuries ago by ill-advised -leaders and Fanton carried it on against his better judgment. When -he began talking of a reversal, the underground mutiny gained in -strength."</p> - -<p>"Will saving Fanton's life stop the rebellion?"</p> - -<p>"This thing we do is only a feeble step in the right direction. Even -with Fanton strong and healthy, we may not be able to win."</p> - -<p>"What is this sacrifice business?"</p> - -<p>"It is supposed to take place in the public square. An old and barbaric -rite in which a maiden is slain and the people file by and bathe -their hands in her blood. It will be the signal for the final act of -over-throw—when the rebels come into the open and slay all who remain -faithful to Fanton."</p> - -<p>A new voice spoke. The two men turned. Fanton was sitting on the edge -of the marble couch. Helen and Tommy were staring at him.</p> - -<p>Fanton's words were for Maxis. "You have done well. If I'd known before -where loyalty lay, things might have been different."</p> - -<p>Maxis dropped to one knee. He bowed his head. "My lord."</p> - -<p>"No time for this. I must get to the Council."</p> - -<p>"It will be very dangerous."</p> - -<p>"But the uprising must be beaten down. The Council is still loyal. They -must see that I am alive."</p> - -<p>Rex said, "I think you'll find—"</p> - -<p>Fanton waved him to silence. "We must hurry."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As the group left the Place of Eternal Strength, Maxis said, "Perhaps -they will have to be assembled. If they are not in session—"</p> - -<p>"They <i>must</i> be in session!"</p> - -<p>On the trip to the Amphitheater of the Gods, two rebels were killed and -one loyal Martian added to the cavalcade. As they moved into the great -hall, Fanton said, "They are here!"</p> - -<p>This appeared to be true. The seats flanking the central throne were -still occupied. The throne itself was vacant. Immediately upon entering -the great hall, Rex ran forward and climbed to the tier of benches. -The council members sat silent, unmoving. Rex pushed the body of the -nearest one. It tumbled off the bench like a sack of grain and fell to -the floor.</p> - -<p>Fanton paled. "What does this mean?"</p> - -<p>"They're all dead," Rex replied. "When we were here before I -noticed that none of them moved nor spoke. This is the work of a -mad-man—Pandek. This is his joke. He rules all alone."</p> - -<p>Maxis said, "You will have to try and escape, my Lord. You must get to -the Terrans and tell your story."</p> - -<p>Fanton considered. "If I run like a coward, thousands of loyal Martians -will die. Their blood will be on my hands."</p> - -<p>"That's not true," Rex said, sharply.</p> - -<p>Further talk was interrupted by the sound of men approaching at a run. -Fanton turned and pointed. "Behind that pillar! There is a small door -that leads to an observatory platform above the square. Only my father -knew of the stairway behind the wall."</p> - -<p>Fanton pressed a carved leaf in a decoration on the pillar and a small -section of the seemingly unbroken wall moved inward. Fanton entered and -the rest followed with Rex and Maxis and the new recruit bringing up -the rear.</p> - -<p>Maxis said, "I will stay here and fight. I'm tired of running away."</p> - -<p>Rex dragged him into the opening. "Don't be a fool. There's a time to -fight and a time to run. This is a time to run."</p> - -<p>As the wall-section slid back into place, Fanton indicated a stairway -a short distance down the narrow corridor. Rex said to Maxis. "You go -ahead to guard Fanton. This new man and I will stay here in case Fanton -and his father weren't the only ones who knew about that opening. I -think whoever was coming heard us leave."</p> - -<p>Maxis was prepared to object. He hesitated, watching Fanton, Tommy and -Helen move up the circular stairway. "Go ahead," Rex snapped. "You -don't know who may be up there."</p> - -<p>Scowling, Maxis turned suddenly and took the stairs three at a time.</p> - -<p>Rex and the loyal Martian had a short wait. The sound of the others had -scarcely died out above, when the panel opened again. "I was right," -Rex whispered. "Stand on the other side."</p> - -<p>The two defenders had the advantage of a comparatively dim interior; -that, and the remaining charges in Rex's gun. Three guards crowded into -the narrow passageway.</p> - -<p>As they saw Rex standing by the stairway, he dropped to the floor and -fired at an upward angle. His lethal charges cut the two forward guards -to pieces.</p> - -<p>The third one, though confused, was more alert. He also had a gun -and looked desperately around for a target. The loyal Martian thrust -viciously with his sword. He missed. The guard danced away. Rex brought -his gun around, but hesitated with the loyal Martian in his range of -fire. When he maneuvered a clear shot, he pressed the switch. Nothing -happened. The gun was empty.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, the guard brought his gun around to bear on the -Martian. The later made a second desperate thrust. It went home but -only as the Martian fell dead from the guard's last shot. Rex got to -his feet, wiping sweat from his face.</p> - -<p>And at that moment, Pandek stepped into the passageway.</p> - -<p>Instantly, Rex leaped for the fallen guard's gun. Pandek smiled -contemptuously and kicked it far down the passageway. Pandek apprised -the situation swiftly. He said, "Pick up the sword, Terran scum."</p> - -<p>Without reply, Rex bent down and did as directed.</p> - -<p>"Are you skilled in its use?" Pandek asked.</p> - -<p>"I never had one in my hand before."</p> - -<p>Pandek raised his own sword, identical to the one Rex held. "Then I'm -afraid the contest will be rather unequal," he said and moved toward -Rex. "On guard! It will be a great pleasure to kill you."</p> - -<p>Rex took a backward step. He was no match for Pandek with these -weapons. Pandek would be a master at close swordsmanship. This had to -be true. Otherwise Pandek would not be so eager to engage him.</p> - -<p>Rex thought of the headquarters on Earth; of Professor Spencer, so -still, so peaceful in that box. So dead. Would he go back to Terra the -same way?</p> - -<p>With Fanton's hiding place known to Pandek, the rebellion seemed -assured of success—as certain as his own death at Pandek's hands.</p> - -<p>He took another backward step....</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Jean was ready for the sacrifice. She had been dressed in a rich golden -harness and wore golden manacles on her wrists. She had waited in the -room with the sound of the crowds in the great court below rising in -volume as their impatience increased.</p> - -<p>Finally a door opened. A tall resplendent figure entered. He wore a -jeweled cloak that swept the floor. A hideous golden mask covered his -face.</p> - -<p>There were two attending priests with Jean. They dropped to their knees -and lowered their eyes. One of them intoned, "Great Pandek. Lord of the -Northern Hemisphere. The sacrifice is ready for your knife."</p> - -<p>The room grew hazy before Jean's eyes. It spun in a sickening swirl as -she slipped to the floor in a dead faint....</p> - -<p>When she regained consciousness, Jean found herself under an archway -in the court below. The great square was jammed with howling Martians. -A long red carpet stretched from the archway to the platform in the -center of the square. The sting of a sharp odor in her nostrils told -Jean how she had been revived.</p> - -<p>A priest on either side now supported her. They moved forward from the -building toward the platform. Evidently, she could either walk or be -dragged. She preferred to walk. She raised her head high and matched -the priests step for step.</p> - -<p>The crowd pressed close to the red carpet on either side. Unbroken -lines of guards held the Martians back. To Jean, they seemed things out -of a nightmare.</p> - -<p>They reached the steps leading up to the platform. Five steps. She -counted them as she ascended.</p> - -<p>The marble block.</p> - -<p>The priests laid her along its length. The golden manacles were -removed. Each priest took an arm and held her to the slab with the tall -masked figure raising his knife and looking down at her. The knife -arched.</p> - -<p>Then, halfway in its descent toward her bared breast, it stopped. The -masked figure looked upward toward the high wall of the building. He -shrank backward—pointed with the knife as he cringed away.</p> - -<p>A dramatic gesture that turned every eye in the square toward a small -balcony high on the wall. A cry went up. A single word.</p> - -<p>"Fanton!"</p> - -<p>The true Lord of the Northern Hemisphere stood with his arms -out-stretched imperiously over the crowd below. He held this position -until the roaring died away and a whisper could have been heard in the -great square. Then he spoke.</p> - -<p>"Hear your Emperor now! You have been lied to by those who would -destroy you. You have been told I was dead and that a new order would -prevail among you; an old, outdated order that brought only blood and -suffering in its time. I tell you now that those who spoke thus were -traitors who sought to exploit your suffering to their cruel ends. -The leader of these was Pandek, a prince I trusted. I now declare his -life forfeit and say to you that he will be executed in public at this -hour one day hence. Return now to your homes and have done with this -madness. I, your Emperor command each of you personally. You who are -vested with authority, return to your duties."</p> - -<p>The sonorous voice ceased and Jean felt herself being raised from the -marble slab. She opened her eyes. The golden mask had been lifted from -the face of the executioner. He had dropped the knife and now he held a -sword in his hand.</p> - -<p>It was Maxis.</p> - -<p>He whispered, "Under the platform, quick! There is an underground -passage back into the palace. You will be safe."</p> - -<p>Jean was bewildered. As she descended she saw that the crowd had surged -backward, leaving an open space between the platform and the palace. -Maxis turned and ran toward the open space.</p> - -<p>A small group of Martians was running forward from the building. They -were led by Pandek with a sword in his hand. From another doorway, Rex -ran to join Maxis. He was unarmed.</p> - -<p>One of Pandek's group turned and swerved out to intercept him. Like a -great cat, Rex crouched, waiting. The Martian moved in. Rex went under -the vicious swipe of the Martian's sword and caught the Martian's arm -and spun him around. Before the Martian could recover his balance, -there was an arm around his throat—pressure on his spine. He screamed -as his spine snapped. Rex raced on and joined Maxis.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The guards in the square had now chosen sides. A few rallied behind -Pandek. By far the majority took their stand behind Maxis. Their number -doomed the smaller group.</p> - -<p>But Maxis held up his hands. "Stand back! All of you! Come forward, -Pandek. You think so highly of your swordsman's skill. Let me see the -proof. Just we two."</p> - -<p>Pandek was not slow in accepting the challenge. He came forward and -the two Martians circled cautiously in the open space between the two -opposing forces.</p> - -<p>Pandek seemed the better of the two. Maxis fought mainly on the -defensive, his play unspectacular, which made Pandek's thrusts seem all -the more brilliant.</p> - -<p>Pandek evidently felt any retreat was a mark against him. Not so with -Maxis. He retreated whenever it was made necessary by Pandek's able -thrusts. Pandek sneered. Maxis fought stolidly, doggedly.</p> - -<p>Until Pandek made the mistake of losing regard for his foe's ability. -He thrust smartly and did not maintain the balance necessary for -retreat in case of quick counter attack.</p> - -<p>The counterattack came. Suddenly Maxis' blade was everywhere. Pandek -retreated in order to regain his balance and reassume domination of the -match.</p> - -<p>Maxis never gave him a chance to do this. Always, Pandek was a scant -second too late in parrying a thrust to balance himself for the next. -He fell.</p> - -<p>Maxis moved in swiftly. For a moment he stayed his thrust hoping. And -what he hoped for, came to pass. Pandek's courage broke. With terror in -his eyes, the fallen Martian shouted. "Stop! I am of royal blood. You -don't dare kill me!"</p> - -<p>Maxis smiled and drove his blade home.</p> - -<p>As he drew it forth, he glanced at Pandek's waiting group. Brave men -all, who had espoused the losing cause openly. To a man they were -throwing down their swords, their eyes on the dead Pandek, contempt on -their faces. The contempt of men who suddenly realized they had been -led by a coward. Men who were ashamed.</p> - -<p>Maxis sheathed his blade and looked up to where Fanton, Lord of the -Northern Hemisphere raised his hand in salute.</p> - -<p>Maxis bowed. Then he turned to Rex. He said, "It is over, my friend. -The fuse has been snuffed in time. We will be eternally in your -gratitude."</p> - -<p>"It's the other way around. We're getting out of this little affair -with whole skins. That's something to be really thankful for."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>(<i>From the diary of Tommy Wilks</i>)</p> - -<p><i>What a story I'll have to tell! I guess I'm about the luckiest kid -on Mars right now because when we get back, they're going to let me -tell what happened! I've got it all written down so I won't forget -anything. I've got it up to the time we left Rex and the Martian in the -passageway behind the wall. Rex didn't tell me all that happened but -when Maxis got back there, after hearing the noise, he found Pandek on -the floor unconscious. Rex said Pandek came at him with a sword and he -was pretty sure Pandek would kill him but Pandek missed a thrust and -Rex got in a lucky grab and pushed a nerve on Pandek's neck. He made it -sound very easy but I'll bet Rex is about the best nerve fighter in the -world. That's what they call men who can kill with nothing but their -bare hands.</i></p> - -<p><i>Anyhow, they brought Pandek upstairs and Maxis wanted to kill him. But -Fanton said no—that Pandek should be kept alive until the rebellion -was over—if it ever was.</i></p> - -<p><i>They talked about what they'd do, but Fanton made the final decision -because he was the Emperor. He said he wanted to reveal himself to the -people at a dramatic moment because that was what had an affect on -crowds. He decided the most dramatic moment would be while the knife -was raised over Jean.</i></p> - -<p><i>So they took Pandek to a room and tied him up and Maxis took his -place. Maxis' job was to call the crowd's attention to Fanton at the -right instant to heighten the dramatic effect. He was also supposed to -look scared to death so the crowd wouldn't swing Pandek's side against -the Emperor.</i></p> - -<p><i>It all worked swell except for one thing. Some traitor guards came -and let Pandek out. If Pandek had gone after Fanton, it all might have -ended differently. That's what Rex said. But Pandek got rattled and -went after Maxis instead. Maxis killed him even though Pandek was a -much better swordsman.</i></p> - -<p><i>Now to me, that doesn't make any sense. I asked Rex about that but he -just smiled and said Pandek was better than Maxis except for one thing. -Guts. That's a funny term that means courage. I wonder where Rex heard -it. Probably on Earth.</i></p> - -<p><i>Anyhow, everything is fine, now. The people are behind Fanton and -he's coming back to New Iowa with us and wants to go on to Terra for a -good-will visit. He wants to open the northern country to Terrans and -trade scientific secrets.</i></p> - -<p><i>Right now I'm in a room they gave me to sleep in while we're here. I -saw Jean and Rex walking in the garden down below. He was kissing her.</i></p> - -<p><i>Or maybe it was the other way around.</i></p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SECRET OF THE MARTIANS ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. 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