cond S

with the voyage and with themselves. Repeated doses of the pink gas-the ignominy of their utter subservience to the will of Antazzo-had worn them do

ething over a quarter million of your miles from the mother planet. See it? It is home, my friends; home

the heavens. Antazzo had called it the golden crescent. Rather, it was of gleaming coppery hue, and now, as they swung around, it was fully illuminated-a brilliant sphere of unbroken contour. Smoothly globular, there was not one

o you, does it not?" he asked; "rather different from

it appeared that there were tiny seams in the smooth surface, a regular criss-cross pattern of fine lines that looked like-Lord, yes,

sped. "Copper plates. It's a man-made world;

world, it was, and the cleverest scientists in the universe saved it and themselves from certain death. What you see is me

side that shell?" Bl

eathe and warmth for our bodies. H

ties of the heavens by night. Yet here it was, drawing ever nearer, a colossal monument to the ingenuity and handiwork of a highly intelligent civilization who had labored probably for c

controls, sending tremendous blasts from the forward rocket-tubes to retard their speed for a safe landing. The

chart which he drew from his pocket, and examined minutely the surface over which they were speeding. Here and there curious designs wer

ed a bulge in the copper surface, a round protuberance that resolved itself into a great dome-shaped structure as they drew nearer. A full two hundr

arson," Antazzo barked, "and both o

only he could get in one good punch. They might get away yet. There was plenty of k-metal to replenish the fuel supply. He whirled suddenly, muscles tensed. He faced the grinning hunchback-and was greeted by

thout words; his evil mind possessed fully the mind of his victim. For Blaine Car

pper plates. Hazily he knew he was with the others in an airlock; the hiss and the throbbing of pumps told him that. Under the great dome there was the latticework of a huge reflecting

g labored and difficult. And then they were in a lift that dropped into the depths of its shaft with dizzying speed. Antazzo's gri

h them an unspoken and unintelligible command. Why couldn't they let him alone; leave him to die in peace? He knew he was on his feet, swaying. There were voices, strident and guttural, and then by some magic the veil was lifted. His brain cleared and he saw

whispered. "You wi

here, was doing the same, but Antazzo stood erect with arms crossed over his chest and head thrown

pink gas were wearing off once more. They were in a large hall, obviously the throne room of a palace. Men-at-arms lined the walls on either side of the dais,

in a scowl that could have but one meaning. She was displeased with the hunchback, displeased and furiously a

d raised his arms in an angry gesture, pacing the floor in his fury and thrusting out a pugnacious chin while he raved. This Zara woman rose higher in her cushions, and the look that flashed from those terrible

tention, mouth open and eyes bulging with horror. One of those unbelievably white arms stretched forth, threateningly tense, and a jeweled finger leveled itself at the rash Ionian. From it there flashed an intangible something that lea

igh-pitched tones like the angry buzzing of a swarm of bees. Antazzo's body shriveled as the things hummed on in their devilish work. Soon there was but a tiny heap of clothing with the ang

e way to go. These damned Ionians, even to their queen, were bloodthirsty creatures. And what devilish ingenuity th

eliberate allure. He felt the hot blood mount to his temples. A languid arm beckoned him to her side an

r step!" T

stinctive recoiling from a loathsome thing. The Zara saw and understood; and she went ag

ful hands, their feeble resistance overcome by the bronze giants as easily as

stery. Perhaps they were being reserved for an even more terrible fate than that of the hunchback. They were be

l operating-room on Earth. Woven bands, quickly adjusted by the bronze giants held them fast. Blaine turned his head and saw that Tommy w

lass cylinders which bore some resemblance to the vacuum tubes used on the inner planets for radio communication and television. One of the bronze giants, he saw, was brin

he viewed, and strange creatures parading in a fantasmagoria of delirium before his aching eyes. Voices, harsh and guttural, spoke in his drumming ea

PTE

en

illness. Weak and sick, he turned his head listlessly to gaze at the ornate embossed designs on a wall of gleaming silvery metal. What place was this? His mind was wool-gather

seen. Antazzo! But this one had none of the other's ferocity as he returned Blaine's stare. Rather, there was

recovered," he s

he understood his every word! It must be a dream, this impossible thing that had happened. An

How have I acquired this knowledge of your language? Where am

pt. A thought transference process we use for educating the young. You are in the palace of the Za

ords, and his knowing eyes spoke volumes. In favor w

my friend," h

o the Zara immediately you are stron

countenance and fight his way out of the place. But that would be suicide. He'd w

said, "I'm ready to go be

and that, while ruling the sealed-in planet, their kind had originally come from Ganymede, the fifth satellite of Jupiter. Centuries had passed since the inhabitants of Europa and Ganymede had been forced to desert their aging worlds and had settled on Io. During other centuries the widely different peoples had co-operated in constructi

ounced, when they stood before the s

g at either side of the throne. The men-at-arms were absent and, instead, there were dozens of handmaidens, white-skinned and seductive as their qu

eld himself stiffly erect, looking straight into the eyes of the

without deigning him a glance. "Remain

dais. Unwillingly, yet inexorably, his lagging footsteps brought him to her side. Cool white fingers touched his arm and he saw th

of my people and the ruling power of Antrid, the body you call Io. The

he stammered, "that Antazzo exceeded his autho

t-we have no space-ships-his body disintegrated by my scientists for transmittal, and the atoms of his beastly form reassembled in their proper relation when he arrived there. But he threatened me when he returned successful. The possession of the k-metal and his knowledge of its powers

way in sudden panic. This creature was not telling the truth. She w

said abruptly:

"he too shall have the freedom of the

his arm, firm and compelling.

a shiver of apprehension chasing down his spine. Savage, devastating desire mingled with ill-concealed rage at his col

rarily relieved, Blaine wheeled to face the portal. Tommy had broken loose! He he

ted their cushions and were milling about in affrighted confusion. The Zara's sibilant exclamation startled him into looking at her

g vibrant note smote the heavy air, a pulsation that beat at the ear drums with painful intensity. Silence fell as the awesome sound die

e guard. "You will leave my presence and report to your overm

again she purred. Tommy watched in open mouthed as

y you. Pegrani will guide you and inform you regarding our customs and ou

and kissed the cold white hand of the Zara. A foolish thing to do! She purred and snuggled into the cushions like t

ridor to a lift. The car shot

s the big idea? You've got the old girl ga-ga

stand any more than you do. But we're going to sit tight now

st stand around and take

't ripe yet. We'll have to wait

line upon line of them, stretched off into the distance as far as the eye could follow; enormous white metal supports that carried the immense weight of the covering which retained the dense and humid atmosphere. Myriads of t

tted and shooting transparent tubular stems up to a height of a hundred feet or more where they sprouted great spherical growths that looked like enormous sponges. Of a sickly, pale green hue, these growths overran everything; climbed the columns and were lost in the shadows above

is self-sustaining. The vegetation is inedible, all of our food is synthetic and highly concentrated. You were fed by intravenous injection while under the influence of the language machines. Our heat

in sore straits and that this expedition to Earth had more back of it than had been reve

ething, a vehicle of enormous size with rows of lighted ports on the under s

te system interconnects all cities and divisions. They a

bably Antazzo was but one of many spies who had been sent to th

as pointing into the distance and expounding on the merits of the monorail system. The youth touched a finger to his lips to enjoin

just as the slender lad was slinking away. Black rage contorted his features

ed as he saw a glin

its crackling blue flame and the youth stood there, bathed in the eery blue light; dazzling blasts of expl

x it with their guide. But the glowing ray pistol waved them back. O

egrani snapped.

the rail far into the matted vegetation below. One might as well hunt for a needle in a haystack a

PTE

the C

the throne room of the palace where the leopard woman sat in conference with her advisers.

" The Zara's chalky f

They have endeavored to com

Clyone's voice was t

ger, and the message itself was lost

mitted herself the ghost of a smile. "It is well," she breath

her bidding and Blaine tur

rley." The incisive voice of the le

and they were the last survivors of the civilization of Europa; descendants of those origin

e-set gray eyes in the face of a Greek god. Olive-skinned like the messenger, he was, and with the

ars that a Rulan lad carried a message to o

ur Majesty." Tiedor gazed in

ch you had hoped to enlist their help. You will t

nothing

Rulan in the Tritu Nogaru." The Zara's wo

a grim line, but he stood his ground.

r head and motioned to one of the green-bronze giants who guarde

r wall. There, on a stubby pedestal, was revealed a gleaming sphere of crystal,

that carried their gaze to another and distant point. It was a large open space that was revealed to their eyes; a sort of public square where many of the olive-skinned Rulans were coming and going to and from the entrances of the circular tank-like structures t

Tiedor," the

I tell you!" The Rulan ch

e energy of their ray pistols. It was a shambles, that square of the Tritu Nogaru; a slaughter house. Agonized screams of the doomed Rulans rent the air of the council chamber. They organized hast

Blaine cried out a

ve. Tommy, too, was in their clutches once more, fighting valiantly but without avail. The sphere went blank and silent, and the drape was returned to

gloated. "Soon your handful of follow

t raving mad. In one wild leap he was upon her, his fingers sinking int

face them all with distended, pain-crazed eyes. Astonishment was there, and horror, but the fire of undying courage remained. His olive skin tu

her bruised throat with fluttering fingers. She had fac

of you!" she screamed. "Out, I say! The Earth men are to be f

eart. But he recoiled from the expression in those red-flecked eyes; they softened instantly and looked into his very soul, saw through and beyond him into some far place where relief and happ

nd tenderness, of cold hatred and the longing for love. A dual personality hers, susc

ed softly fr

as blowing off at a great rate. Even Pegra

we go from here?" He couldn't have expl

up his expressive tirade, "are getting in deeper and deeper. We can't do a thing. Why in the devil

ng of understanding in his beady eyes. But he was nervous and apprehensive and b

e was startled by an insistent tap on his shoulder. Another of the Rulans, it was, repeating the gesture of the youth who had been killed o

pistol in hand. But Blaine was prepared for him this time. He wasn't going to witness another murder-not now. Flinging Tom Farley aside, he let loose a te

ers. The thud of hard fists against yielding flesh was a new and terrifying experience. Pegrani was game, though, and he flailed about with his powerful arms, endeavoring to get his opponent in his grasp. Sidestepping to avoid one of

was easy to see that he fe

nt by one who would have conversation with you. It is of the

fellow's blue eyes. "What do you say, Tommy?"

go. He seems

cted the floors of the huge building. They soon reached the roof through a hatch that opened on a small penthou

heir guide bid them enter. When they had done so, he tugged on the cable, giving a rapid twi

rip possible. The car was unlighted save for the faint glow of a hand lamp, and it was not until the lower door was

Dantus, son of Dantor, the greatest scientist in all Antrid. We are taking you to Dantor who has kno

ng deep into the earnest eyes of Tiedus

few of us left, oh Earth man," he said then, "and all expect a like fate sooner or later. But that is beside the

th interest. "This one of the monorail cars?" he inq

can be adjusted to keep it at a fixed distance from the inner surface of the copper shell. Thus it misses cross beams and braces. It is drawn forward by similar energies, or more exactly, by the component of a number o

ntrol panels like the stops of an organ, the car lurched forward. Silent

d the endless lines of illuminating globes slip by beneath them. Weirdly vast and shadowy in the upper reaches, the

either night nor day in the sealed-in world; only the artificial suns that never set. Continuous subjection to the ultra-violet and visible rays of

interest in the mechanism of the car.

of the past few days he could scarcely believe they had actually occurred or that he was sitting here in a mystery car, speeding through the rank atmo

PTE

Trit

d in a locker and stretched forth his hands

u to put this on," he said:

Was this Rulan kidding him

loak, an invisible thing that will hide you from the guards and from the Zara's c

ight dropped in loose folds around his body. But there was nothing there: to the eyes. It sim

ddenly, seeing that Dantus n

in the same manner," he said, "and is

ut to his friend in a tremulous voice. And

t. The two Earth men collided violently and, clinging to each other in their ghastly invisibility, laugh

itary and unlovely structure, in the midst of the jungle a thousand miles from Ilen-dar. The indicator informed him that seven

t to rest in a deeply shadowed portion. Immediately they stepped out, and it was s

! Fortunately Pegrani had not recognized Tiedus or all would have been lost. But the Zara was watching every Rulan community and had instructed her gu

g passageways that led ever downward. A wall of damp stone finally blocked their progress, but at Dantus' touch of a hidden spring a section of

ey were welcomed by Dantor, a tall white-ha

ion, but they gazed on the Earth men with sympathy and un

cal and physical research. Dantor sat before a smaller repl

amity that has befallen you. And it is not to be wondered at. But your own danger is as nothing compared with the danger that now thre

k is carried out entirely by our people. It is only on account of our superior accomplishments in science that the Llotta have allowed us to exist for so long a time, and, in this connection, I

Llotta have been casting their eyes about for a new home. The inner planets beckoned, especially your Earth, but it was manifestly impossible to reach them as there is insufficient fuel in all Antrid to provide for

hey plan to use the energy of this supply of k-metal in setting up tremendous streams of electronic discharges from the great tube and thus to swing the satellite from its natural orbit. They would send this entire world hurtling through space toward the inner

blast them from the skies before they

ntury of life now remains to its peoples. Our power is produced by admitting water to the interior through myriads of tubes that serve the double purpose of introducing the water and conveying the generated steam back to the surface, where it produces electricity by driving great turbine generators. This electricity is

this marvelous energy producer. Realizing this, she set about to make friends with you two in the hope th

"No wonder she tried her wiles on me. Tri

ually she is enamoured of you, Carson, and besides she is not rea

not understand and will not believe when I tell them is that the only result of the mad experiment will be the complete destruction of th

ble explanation. But he saw that Tommy had paled and was clenching his fists. To

unward. All bodies are kept in their orbits by a nice balance of mass attraction and centrifugal force; if a single one is altered all others are affected. What would happen is easy to calculate. First off, w

l remained on Earth, it would quickly become extinct, for the vastly increased tidal forces on that body would flood the land to the peaks of the highest mountains. Earth would draw in closer to the sun due to loss o

aw. "I'll never give 'em the secret of the k-metal," he grated. "Nor will C

ed, "we might remain in hiding here for an indefinite period. Perhaps even we might contrive a way

hey will not give up. Another emissary would be transmitted to duplicate Antazzo's exploit on Earth and in five of your years the da

od, it's hopeless

l hope and we will leave you to think it over-if you are willing. It is necessary

p." Blaine was intensely earnest and Tommy chimed in with his o

you," he said simply. "This chamber is insulated from the searching rays of the crystal spheres. You are safe for the pr

rehension. What patient, hopeless creatures these Rulans were! Knowing they were doomed, and without thought of their own

bout that?" Tommy s

e asked. "What would happen to o

He's doped it out to a T

ink? Is there a

rupted him. "Didn't

ssing. Blaine heard distinctly

er side of the stone door. A woman's scream of desperate entreaty

PTE

l

opening the stone door from the inside. Tommy, less excited,

't be a damn fool! They

queezed through and into the passage. He stumbled over the crumpled fig

m up!" he snarled. Then, realizing the words were meaningless to the other, he said,

dim light, obeyed. But his wary eye

, its energy spent before complete disintegration was effected. The girl lay still at his feet. With quick fingers he frisked the guard,

evils of Earth men! They had worked their evil magic on the Zara: had she not ordered that their lives be spared? And now there was this

sh. "Bring the big bum inside. I'll carry the girl

, it floated joggily, unsteadily through the crack of the partly opened stone door.

rs of Tom Farley, with eyes imploring the evil spirits for mercy. And when Tommy's head appeared, drifting, unsupported by a body; to be followed by a

fully chiseled ivory features were fixed in an expression of nameless dread. A mass of red-gold hair tumbled in confusion about her face and shoulders and when the pilot smoothed th

ore you'd never tangle up with a femme! Just a month ago, too. Now look: first you get this Za

this very girl in his thoughts; had always dreamed of meeting her some day. And here she was: a living, breathing reality. She was stirring, too, now; breathing e

embering, "where is he? I saw-I thought-

s sobbing now, and Blaine raised her in hi

y; "I'm afraid the guard did

became still, her tousled golden head somehow find

I shouldn't feel so badly," she said. "We always expect it. B

me-us, that is. We are the Earth m

arson?" sh

how your people address us, but we ha

t he have any more sense? Blaine thought. Th

a," she sa

in, closing it swiftly behind him. He stared at

" He breathed heavily as if he had run a long

ong?" Blaine se

urderous rage and has visited her wrath on the Tritu Anu. Even

my fault entirely, but-b

ifference as far as we Rulans are concerned. We had not long to remain in this life, anyway. It

she will make a

ders to repeat what happened in the Tritu Nogaru. She depends on the work

hen, clearly, they were looking into the council chamber at Ilen-dar. Clyone was there, pacing the floor. Dantor had just arrived

aid, "I want th

oduce them, Y

st have these Earth men. And they must not be harmed. We need them on account of t

id, oh Clyone?" Dant

must know. And it is the only influence for good that ever has

a moron. And Ulana drew away, ever so slightly, it was true, but

erent from those of the Llotta. They are-you will pardon my saying it-more like those of the Rulans. The Llotta hold life cheap; they hold it dear. To your people you are not a bad woman; only a foolish one who sometimes, in t

breath, anticipating another of her black

re of strange caprices! Though humanlike in her emotions when in her softer moods, she w

muffled explosion. Its shock was felt even here in the rock-hewn secret apartme

he guards would not disobey her

e above them. One of the chemical laboratories was completely wrecked; maimed and dying Rulans were everywhere in t

blooded destruction of the Rulan scientists, the most valuable of all in the Llott scheme of things. The Ear

in Ilen-dar. The Zara had not risen from her knees; she was

dus gasped. "

e of the crystal spheres, watching the carnage in the Tritu Anu and shouting his orders to the guards. "Slay, slay, slay!" he yelled. "Not a Rulan shall remain in all Antrid. It is Ianito commanding yo

ned: "it is the end. He has taken

lever. His shoulders drooped and he spre

loded. "Can this guy overrule

ehind the throne. Clyone must do his bidding. He has seen th

d gone the Zara one better. He had located them; probably saw the capture of the guar

rders issued by Ianito. They will take you alive and bring you to him.

We'll refuse." Blai

one way. You must go out into the jungle and hide for a time. Dantor will return later; it is cer

st that shook the ground beneath their feet, and a huge section of the stone doo

in the darkness, and slimy things wriggled over the floor, brushing their ankles clammily. Behind them there was the r

d halted; something that rattled and clanked and finally came

er be directed by a mental message from Dantor. I shall advise him from the spirit world. We do that, you kn

the Llotta at least. Blaine reached for him to restrain him; it was unthinkable that this fine lad should s

e with suppressed emotion. "The kid's right; let's go."

should see what he knew was there, Blaine followed his friend. Th

PTE

he J

lights themselves, of the great latticed columns, of the enormous sponge-like blossoms of the upper surface of the jungle sea, nothing could be seen. They were deep in a tangled maze of translucent flora that was like nothing so much as a forest of giant seaweed transplanted from its natura

emed almost that the uncanny, weaving green things were alive and

g drenched and steaming, they pressed ever deeper

, seeing that Ulana was gasping from her

al thing-the searchin

insulator against the ray. In fact, it was an extract of these that was used in pro

y, and now Ulana's statement had stilled his doubts. Poor kid-she was all in! Her shoulders drooped and she leaned on his arm f

mushroom! Towering seven feet from the ground, the great umbrella-like top was aglow with sulphurous light on its under side. And, beneath its

emnly at each other; speechless. In the dim distance the roar of a monorail car rose faintly at first, then grew louder and

er a while. "I'd give my r

ng drowsily. "A nice rare steak with mushroom

of these vitamin pills of their

er than nothing. We hav

a bush, back there about fifty feet, with bunches of big red

hey may be poison. We can't take any

Blaine smiled grimly. Nerves! Tommy always was like that; always had to be on the go and doing something. His own nerves were jumpy to-day. They were in hot water this time

ly. "You'll have us both bughouse. C

ngle. Then, suddenly he exclaimed, "Say, I'm going for some of those grapes, or whatever they are. I'll

ourself lost. Yell out if you

And in three steps Tommy was s

way. He ought to be sending that message soon-a mental one, Tiedus said. Poor kid, Tiedus; gone to the happy hunting grounds now, no question of that. And he intended to advise Danto

d droop and in a mom

h of Ulana's soft fingers on his

d rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "How

ed the fact that Tommy was missing. He shouldn

mmy!" he c

y the whispering of the jungle overhead

g, "we are alone. Farley is lost; sw

ous blue eyes, swimming in tears, looked into his ow

our good friend is lost. But perhaps," more brightly-"he has but strayed away. Wh

gain. He had wandered too close to the Tritu Anu and had been overpowered

Carson," the girl wa

e, drawing her fiercely to him. And then, raising dull eyes to stare over the

was, on a scaly and slimy length of undulating body that coiled high above in the matted growths of the j

release and a whirring sound came from the little weapon. But no crackling blue flame sprang forth to blast this creatu

force her way into the thick undergrowth where the thing could not reach her. She lay there, helpless with terror. Then, in a flash

ng atoms, dazzling in the green twilight. Mighty thrashings of the huge coils high up in the tangled foliage. Crashing and tearing of great stems and rope-like tendri

into the small clearing where the giant mushroom grew. Their shelter was destroyed. He must find another; he must be

e jungle. A voice familiar, yet unreal; supernatural; a calm, comm

e tightly. "Did you hear? It is Da

orange fire flamed suddenly in the depths

reactions. You will follow the orange beacon to the Tritu A

y in its most perfect form. Communications from the spirit plane; the orange flame-it was all so utterly fantas

into the undergrowth. They must fo

rest it danced there impatiently, then receded into the green shadows until they were forced to follow for fear of losing it. Ulana's light robe was torn and sodden with mo

d when they were able to walk erect: followed swiftly and unquestioningly when

m body and held her fast. As he grasped her hand to draw her away, others of the tendrils curled about his wrist and he too was imprisoned. The

on flashed across his mind he saw that the spiny sphere was opening. Split vertically, the two halves fell apart to disclose the ste

e spurted from the glass tube that was its muzzle. Only a few charges remained now in the marvelous weapon but once more it had served then well. The open-mouthed plant monster v

eery twilight gloom, and he leaned a moment against one of its vine-wrapped members. The girl was exhausted and hung limp in hi

everywhere in his path. Slimy fronds wrapped themselves around them, impeding his progress; clinging as

u! His brain cleared and courage returned with a rush. The tiny orange flame

long the gleaming wall. Sometimes it was almost hidden from sight by the curva

the delectable creature whose

crossed the threshold and trudged wearily along with his precious burden. Blindly trusting in the miraculous powers of Dantor,

the arms of the aged Rulan when h

TER

f the

maiden were much refreshed and heartened when, together, they finally faced the aged sc

e the stone door had been blown away. "We

who were not completely disintegrated lie blackened corpses in the chambers and corridors overhead. The gas grenade

?" A wild hope sprang into being, inte

he is in a hypnotic state of complete subjection to the Dictator. A quantity of k-metal has been taken to the laboratory at the breech of the g

g us back?" he asked, turning away. Blaine felt it was better to have died in the jungle than to face this certainty of lingering torture. Ianito

is hope. That is the reason I brought you back. Tiedus' message came to me as his spirit left the

d the solar system, certain of the ultimate fate that would be meted out to Tom F

efully. Insignificant as we are in the vastness of the cosmos, we may yet prove to be the ones to circumvent the mad plans

st glistened in his keen eyes, and he ste

a exclaimed loyally. "He is with us to

Never! Not with Ulana to fight for. Blaine nodded wordless agreement, silenced by th

lted chamber. Tom Farley, moving jerkily and staring with glazed unseeing eyes, was working there with a cube of the glittering k-metal. In the open breech block of the tube was a heaped-up cone of dry soil, the material they would disintegrate in producing the blast of electronic forces

cite ordinary material such as this dry soil by means of atoms exploded from this k-metal which is in

ooks as if my friend is being extremely accurate in spite of his dazed condition. Man aliv

orbit," Dantor returned. "Enough to s

ll Jupiter is enormous. Antrid will be speeded up in its orbit and the increased centrifugal force will cause it to take up a new an

do to put a stop to the thing? Something to counteract this

. It is a bare chance if you want to take it. I can show you the way to this underground laboratory, and, in invisibility, you

l chance it. W

ana looked up at him starry-eyed. "I'

There'll be dange

ld be greater if I were alone. Where you go I go, and if you die I die wit

e!" He turned to the

is better as she wishes, Carson. I am unable to protect her, my boy, and there is no one

, pale and distraugh

tu when he had finished here. Those were the last settlements remaining, you know. W

strous deed, this last one of Ianito's. He was a fit master of a

d with sudden conviction. She had mastered her emotions

accomplishments, he maintains an armed truce with me. He dares not do otherwise as the Supreme Council is aware of hi

e. The laboratory there at its base was in confusion indescribable, the workmen running hither and yon in the effort to escape the terrific heat that radiated from the red hot bre

velocity. Her vitals were wrenche

le cloaks for Ulana. He'd have to take her with him.

ir ears as they stood there looking up into the blackness above the blue-white lights of Antrid. Vibrating to the tremendous roar of the rocket-tube, the copper shell

e car that had brought the two Earth men from Ilen-dar. Again and again he returned to his manipulations after peering

shouted above the din, his face a tragic mask, hi

and. Carson, placing his lips close to the old ma

happened to the motors, probably on acc

oice broke in-Ianito's voice. "Dantor!" it shrieked. "At last I have

scientist with the searching ray and was still watching and listening

nito. I shall wai

done." Ianito's words trailed off into the

ance now. You must come with me, depending on absolute sil

orting butt of the ray pistol. Whatever happened there were a few charges left; blasts of

pted his thoughts. "Close to me now!" Dantor shouted; "

and they crowded in beside the scientist. Quic

nto the passenger compartment. Two of Ianito's technical experts were there and a crew of at least a dozen of the green-bro

tion of Ilen-dar. In earnest conversation with Ianito's engineers, Dantor affected an air of nonc

They were coming now, two of the green-bronze ones, to investigate. There was no escape from this narrow space. And-Ulana was gone! She had slipped from his grasp in the coughing fit and he could n

and startled face appeared: floating there, unsupported, her bod

PTE

ni

erly but with a grip of iron. His eyes bulged from their sockets, and the other guard staggered backward

zy laugh forced itself to his lips at sight of the detached member, stretched

behind the lone arm was snar

; it was useless anyway to battle the entire outfit. But the blood lust was upon him and a savage joy in the destruction of this beast who had dared lay hands on Ulana

atisfying crunch of his left fist against a leering green-bronze face was followed by an excruciating pain as one of his knuckles was driven back. Hardly knowing he had pressed the release of the ray, he was mildly astonished to see that two of the gu

t upon him was enormous; crushing. If only they'd quit squirming so ...

he blankness of

A cool hand stroked his aching brow and he opened his eyes. Ulana! They had spared her. Alert on the instant, he was acutely aware of the babbling of voices close at hand. Ianito was there, at the b

st; held it there a moment, thinking, hoping, planning. Then he sat up on the edge of the low cou

with him, lagging a little and pressing a finger to his lips; shaking his head gravel

it seemed almost that something of admiration or respect

h my plans to a nicety. I shall spare the life of the Earth man on account of his knowledge of the inner planet

smooth talk. Blaine half rose from his seat in quick anger, but the girl's gentle touch on his

hese Earth men. A characteristic that must get

is hell-hound! Blai

trusted retainers and by so doing have forfeited your right to life. But Ianito is forgiving. Mechanized, you will be of value

the pressure of Ulana's fingers held him back. He would

arson, it will so d

d left them. A number of his technical experts aw

llowing him, "Keep up your courage

h must be of great moment. It came to Blaine in a flash that the reverbera

this," he said to the girl. "Let's go

ty has increased greatly," he was saying, "and the new path lies at an average distance of eighty-three erds from the mother planet.

t to a new orbit between those of Ganymede and Callisto. And what of the effect

proved disastrous. It has commenced its inward journey and soon will have fallen into the gaseous envelope of the mother body. B

entists could see no farther than their snub noses, or at least no farther than the sa

of his crystal sphere. Blaine and Ulana caught the view of th

its massive block was open. Tommy was there, fishing the radium capsule from the powdery residue in or

off the view. "We are progressing nicely, thanks to the

man's direction. It wouldn't do to lock horns with this self-satisfied des

hrone room in the palace of the Zara! The Dictator snorted when he saw that Clyone was reclin

. "Harlot! Parricide! But at las

in its intensity: implacable, relentless. Yet Blaine could not down the exul

e throw you down?" He could have bitten

lare that answered his rash words. But the Dictator was master of himself, at that; his lips tightened in a thin line and he held his peace. He ac

d, in velvety voic

ace gone whiter still. Her jeweled fi

plied shakily. "What

ors who request an audience with you,

Her eyes widened at

n who is to become his mate." Ianito chu

ering joy that had glowed in her face. She was thinking of the statement regarding the Rulan ma

as his scheme! He was sending Ulana to certain death at the hands of the leopard woman. Bla

see him; the devil had donned one of Dantor's invisi

ver you in order that your deportment be suitable to the occasion. The death ray of Antrid is ready in my hands.

you promised to spare them. I learned to love

oh Dantor. Ianito

the Z

ce, Dantor; I command it! You will remain here

of doubt. Blaine Carson drew the Rulan maiden fiercely to him. This Clyone might meet some opposition if she attempted to wreak her spite on Ulan

ng swiftly into the palace beneath

ent, my Carson. I fear for your loss-to me. She will take you f

dear. She has no power over me; nor wil

an ugly cackle that c

PTE

e and

sed the threshold, Ulana's trembling fingers tightly clasped in his own. The

ack-sheathed body and rose to h

has mourned you as dead, but she mourns

she did not see his companion. Blaine fought the sp

ed, her lashes lowered. "Leave

he goes," he

eekly, "bring her with you. I wou

provocatively. If this was a ruse, if she meant harm to the Rulan maid, her acting was superb. And, from what he had seen of the woman previously, he was almost convinced of her sincerity. A nature lik

my dear," she said

movement of the Zara's straying fingers. But her gaze was direct and kindly; t

a," she said softly. "Do you

Your Ma

on, you love h

ked back the vigorous affirmative and he merely nodded,

ading, her eyes compelling; tender. U

most convincing mood he had seen. Despite his knowledge of her past; despite his better judgment, he was

aiden. She extended a white arm with jeweled fingers, pointing. Blaine swung quickly, brushing the arm aside just as that intangi

had been Ianito wriggled under the heap of whirring black things that suddenly covered the invisible form. H

exclaimed, thunders

lind rage overcame him. She had tried to kill Ulana; before his eyes! "You she-devil!" he roared. "I've half a mind to choke the

ably, he was ashamed. Cursing her like a schoolboy

will and release me from my torment. I am yours to do with as

forward, his knee

Ulana, her hand

But was ever a woman so deserving of death? Incomprehensible h

, Clyone. Your sins be on your own head. Yo

igured. Almost it seemed that she was happy. "Wait!" she repeated. "You are

er in silent

is able to carry on with the plans he conceived; able, but no longer willing. Clyone is abdicating. It but remains for you, Carson, to put a stop to this th

fingers to her lips, then tossed

stifled a hysterical sob as she spoke.

ious cushions of the throne she had occupied for so long a time, a queen in nam

s formed the words

nees and crying. "Carson,

good, left the beautiful body as the Earth man pressed his lips to he

a was n

ied from the chamber of death. Blaine located the l

him aside, whispering the story in his ear in swift disjointed

e, since the vacuum of outer space surrounded the great domed structure. But the vibration and quakings of the satellite wer

now it not. These in the dome think he is with you now, cloaked in invisibility. The tale of the cloaks has been broadcast. You are safe for the present and can descend

ngers closed lovingly over the butts of th

beneath the natural surface of Antrid in a tunnel where a moving platform will c

th breath-taking speed. Down into the bowels of the sate

ried them on. The great arched chamber opened before them at last and they saw that the workmen were returning to thei

Earth man presented himself before the guard at the entrance,

syllables, acting the part, "he-

leniency of Ianito in permitting them to remain together was the topic of the day. He waved them thr

em to open it and prepare the third charge. A flicker of recognition in his glazed eyes told Blaine he was not altogether g

t tubes and retorts, watching for a chance to get a word with Tommy in private. He was almost certain that his friend was r

eap of the dry soil for the next charge

ess of the Llotta. With a carefully planned but seemingly careless gesture, Blaine slid back the weight on th

clamp that would hold it in contact with the cube of k-metal. The dry soil was shoveled into th

aboratory was suspended and the workmen stood around in expectant silence

in his ear. "There'll be hell

ad been shamming at the last. Blaine saw they were u

t wise. Grab the girl and we'll make a br

at his side. They moved swiftly in the directi

ime. There was a terrible menacing note in the jarring thump which preceded the roar. A muffled boom high in the five mile depth of rock

the lift, covering their retreat with brandished ray pistols. Ulana, brave

PTE

sa

with the scarlet warning signal of the Supreme Council. A

dead and Ianito has vanished. Denari has mounted the th

er of Antrid. These devils from Earth had tampered with the last rocket-tube

ossible for them to use their ray pistols. At the great iron gate that now closed the exit stood the guar

ening distance in a bound and his fist crashed to the fellow's jaw, snapping back his head and lifting

le toll of the Llotta. They fell back before the onslaught of the infuriated Terrestrial,

at him and he ducked to the floor as the blue flame crackled, singeing the hair from his head and bli

shed his arms wildly in the blue mist, then stiffened to

eet, running from the spreading sulphurous cloud. The gate

r pursuers for the moment and the

closed his eyes as he slammed the gate and wedged it with th

e in the scalding vapor, blindly. Tommy had him by the wrist then, dragging him away. Ulana was calling somewhere there in the dar

She was safe, thank God! They were on the moving platform then, on the return side, and his strength was r

them down. What if the lift would not operate? This Denari might well have

ing, "you sure did gum up th

look of things," B

ut the expansion was too rapid. Explosion followed before the air could be driven fro

ing came up from the vitals of Antrid. An earthquake! The tortured satellite could not withstand the strains set up by the tremendous reactive force of the rocket-tube. The

now!" Tommy grunted

she was unharmed. "Yes," he said slowly; "but there's on

asked with forced cheerfu

to. And here's hoping we get somewhere.

he smooth tunnel wall, and Tom Farley, behind them there in the darkness, kept up a runni

was there, fully lighted and waiting. Denari had not shut off the power after all. But of course! It came to Blaine in a flash; this was a private shaft, used by Ianito in hi

there in a comparatively short time. A mass of falling rock, shaken loose by the temblo

mooth acceleration. Tommy fidgeted and paced the

er a while, "what I would

ng the upper end of the shaft. "Try to do a little thinking about what's going to happen up there

here'll be a lot of fireworks, I guess.

their faces forced a laugh to her lips, one of those silvery tinkles that caught at

l of its gravity energy functioned. The door rolled back an

his knees by the body, raising the blood-smeared head with gentle hands. A deep gash extended from over the right temple up into the scalp and the sku

he sighed. "I have waited her

adled the drooping head on his knees. Ulana was beside hi

d is doomed; the incorrectly proportioned charge burst the rocket-tube in several places and tore the muzzle asunder where it projected from the copper shell of our worl

s, and a spasm of pai

huddering breath,

hand as his weak voice resumed. "You will take care of her I know, Carson. T

" Blaine

the oxygen helmets and vacuum-tight suits in which you can step forth from the adjoining air

and stretched him on the hard metal floor, crossing the thin hands on his

id softly, looking down at all that

pered, "I am the

away from here." There was no time to be lost, at that. At any moment this Dena

en-dar would have notified the entire population by this time. There would be rioting, panics, murder and suicide in the cities of the accursed Llotta and in their subject countries. A frantic effort of the scientists to stop the gap would avail them nothing: it was an imp

ines still hummed there but the place was deserted save for a few scattered corps

t least these helmeted contraptions resembled the so-called moon-suits used by

another of the suits and locked his helmet. A moment later they were in the air-lo

tended ludicrously now by the pressure within, they unclamped the hatch and stepped out to the surface of the g

which now was millions of miles distant. The sun was not visible and the light of the mother planet cast long shadows on the coppe

nearing the hull of the RX8. The Llotta had beat them to it. Denari, no doubt, intending to escape with a chosen few of his subject

PTE

st of

anger. If they could not reach the vessel ahead of the Llotta; would not fight them of

without destroying it and themselves. There were only the hooks that were attached to the bulging slee

his companions by means of the hooks, interlocking his with theirs, and waited for the storm to ease off. If ever it would! Pressing the thick glass

he saw the hull of the ship, a dim shape that loomed suddenly dist

clawing arc. It caught in the fabric of the fellow's suit, ripping a foot-long slit. Like a punctured ballon it deflated and became a shriveled, clinging thing. The

ged Tommy. Two of them: in fact, there were three swollen figures in that mix-up. And the fourth was advancing on a smaller figure that turned and ran

owdery carpet of ice particles. Oh God, if that Llott devil got Ulana! He groaned aloud, a hideous mournful echo in the confines of the helmet. Groping, staggering the

o had chased her! He was there in one mad scramble and had dragged the fellow from her; was astride the rubbery inflated covering, clawing and tearing. The thing collapsed and went flat between his knees. He saw the mist of mo

where was the RX8? In the awful white silence, broken only by the eery patter of the ice particles on helmets and fabric, all sen

bobbing figure and swinging those terrible slashing hooks. The other was down, almost covered with white. Out of the picture, that one, but the remaining Llott was giving his

ed madly there in splashings of white that hid them from view for a moment. Then one

crashing. He lay still, the devil, knocked out probably by the metal helmet contacting with his skull. With arm poised for that slashing swing that would send him into eternity, Blaine p

without danger of slashing it with one of those hooks. What if that fall had been fatal! Ulana

then he, too, stared in horror. How close a call! Friend killing friend, o

a dream. He bolted the outer cover and turned the valve that would admit air to the lock. Soon they would be inside. With their protecting coverings

ng and oiling and fondling his beloved machines. The surface of Antrid was visible through the viewing po

absolute zero of space. For many days this would continue and the pressure within would drop gradually, down, down, until the air was so rare it would no longer sustain life. And there was no hope of repairing the break: the mountain of ice prevented getting at it from outside, and the rush of air from within

away from this terrible world of disaster and death-homeward bound. With a tremendous blast from the stern rocket-tubes

be that was Antrid. Through the floor ports it shone, casting cheerful rays up

awe. "I-I've never seen it, my

ou'll see it every day, dear,"

to since Antarro showed his hand back there in the asteroid belt. And n

ts from the steering rockets to swing them around on a new course sunwa

yed gaze and she drew closer

If only he had w

rd, girl, they'll love you! But not as

Blaine turned to glare savagely. His friend was standing ther

elessly: "cigarettes. I f

ou think of, all you've talked about since we left the vessel, is your hankering

ending the package. "Come on, old kid, have one,"

ne was forced to laugh. "Oh, all right," he said, reaching for the package

t friend a man could have. They'd catch hell when they got back, for losing a part of their precious cargo. Those miserly k-metal people wouldn't give them credit for salvaging nine-

bless her. She saw into this wonderful friendship and was glad

ost marvelous sight, an omen of good fortune and of happiness to come. She ne

steady muffled purr of the stern rocket-tubes. The

ct, undisturbed excepting for the slight perturbation in the region of Jupiter. Blaine doubted if

d to bear on the Earth. A cool green crescent was there in the field of v

. "Home! Your new home is

unlit outlines. "Home," she repeated, softly, rev