CHAPTER VIII
Power from Mars
"Well!" said Flick Muldoon. "Everything happens to us!"
Lark O'Day pushed a final stud which silenced theLiberty'smotors. The ship lay still upon the satellite's rocky surface.
"That," said the pilot moodily, "is that! You all right, fellows? How about you, Muldoon?"
Flick eased himself from his chair, flexed arms and legs gingerly. "Theyseemto be all right," he admitted cautiously. "I'll study them for defects when the goose pimples go down."
Mac was already at the intercommunicating system, rasping queries to the far chambers of the ship. "Everybody O.Q.? No casualties?"
The responses were encouraging if somewhat blasphemous. Typical was the reply from Slops, the ship's chef. He snarled irately, "I'mall right, Lootenant, but did you say we was to have soup for dinner?"
"Eh? Why, yes. But—"
"'Cause if you did, everybody better come on up to the galley right now with spoons. Dinner's slip-sloppin' all over the floor."
There came the sound of footsteps on the ramp. The door burst open, admitting that quartet which Lark O'Day had humorously dubbed "the brains of this here outfit." All were excited. Gary Lane demanded intently, "Hugh.... Lark.... What is it? Where are we? We're not on Mars?"
Warren shook his head. "No. We are about twelve thousand miles short of our goal. This is what you might call 'time out by command performance.' We're grav-locked. Have you tried to make her respond, Lark?"
O'Day had again been jiggling the activating studs. Now he said, "Yeah, but it's no go. Just our luck. We've blundered into one of Deimos' unpredictable magnetic periods. We're frozen tighter than a pollywog in a Plutonian puddle."
"How long," demanded Muldoon, "does this here magnetic grab operate?"
Dr. Bryant answered for the navigators.
"That, Muldoon, is as unpredictable as the phenomenon itself. Sometimes these periods last but a few hours; at other times they are sustained for months. I'm afraid we must just resign ourselves to remaining here as long as need be."
"Which being the case," drawled Lark O'Day, rising and stretching nonchalantly, "I might as well take a stroll outside and make sure we didn't split any seams when we pancaked. Come along, Hugh?"
He lifted down a brace of fabricoid bulgers from their racks on the control room wall. But before he and the skipper had time to don the airtight suits, there came an interruption not so alarming as unexpected. From the starboard airlock athwart the ship came the rasp of an entrance buzzer, then the wheeze of escaping air as someone or something outside employed the opening apparatus.
For a moment the companions stared at each other in bewilderment, then, as one, they turned and dashed toward the portal.
They arrived just as the inner door of the lock opened, admitting two bulger-clad figures. The taller of these stepped forward with hands outstretched in gesture of peaceful intent, and a quiet, pleasant voice said, "Greeting, friends. We bid you welcome to our tiny refuge."
Then the bulger helm was thrown back, and they were gazing upon the slant-eyed, ivory-skinned countenance of a native Martian.
Now again the ex-pirate, Lark O'Day, proved himself a valuable adjunct to the party. He moved to confront the newcomers, conducting the amenities of greeting as only one with a knowledge of Martian custom and tradition could.
"Welcome, O brother of the ancient world," he said politely. "Your presence is like water to a sun-parched tongue. We are honored by your visit."
Never a word of surprise or astonishment. Never a query as to whence came the two interlopers. And though the old Martian's impassive face moved not a muscle, it was apparent he was pleased to find amongst this group one who respected the formalities of his people.
He bowed in turn, and with a politeness surpassing that of O'Day breathed, "You are most kind. The mongrel barks unbidden at the courteous man's gate."
"The bright sun also rises without warning," answered O'Day gallantly, "kindling fresh life in flagging souls. Will your lordship deign to brighten our humble vessel with his presence?"
The Martian bowed, and without further word he and his companion followed the others to the recreation room.
There, when all were settled comfortably, the visitor reopened the conversation. To the relief of all the Earthmen he did so in a manner at once pleasant and abrupt.
"I am charmed, Captain—" It was to O'Day he spoke, for the pirate chieftain, like Warren, affected the insignia of a space captain—"by your acceptance and usage of our Martian rites of greeting. But proud as I am of our ancient customs I must confess that when urgency presses, our formalities consume too much time. Let us, therefore, speak in the manner of your people, and—as you Earthmen so aptly put it—'get down to business.'
"You know, of course, you have landed on the planetoid Chou-shen, that which Earthmen call Deimos. I trust your craft was not damaged in the landing?"
O'Day said, "I think not, sir. We were about to investigate when you arrived. But I think I brought theLibertydown without any trouble."
"That is good. And now, if you please, just what is your purpose in approaching Mars?"
Lark said dubiously, "Well, sir, that's quite a long story. I'd like my friend here to explain it. He knows the facts better than I. Meanwhile, perhaps your companion—" He nodded to the second and somewhat slighter Martian who so far had not removed his helmet—"might make himself more comfortable—?"
The old Martian permitted himself a faint smile. He murmured, "Though your ship is on Martian soil, it is a part of Earth. And it is written, 'The wise traveler eats of native bread.' So I suppose it will do no harm—"
He turned and spoke swift, rippling sentences to his associate. After a moment's hesitation, the other vested himself of his headpiece....
Himself?
It was no male Martian who stood shyly smiling at the assembled Earthmen, but a girl. Her long, almond-shaped eyes were sloe-black and lustrous, modestly concealed beneath lowered lids which rested like velvet fringes upon soft cheeks of palest amber sheen. Her hair was black and glossy, gathered up from a shapely neck and piled high upon her head in an elaborate but striking coiffure.
Looking at her, Gary Lane was stricken with admiration for the gentle charm and beauty of Martian women. She was, he thought swiftly, the most beautiful creature he had ever seen—well, thesecondmost beautiful, anyway. His betraying eyes sought reassurance with a glance at Nora Powell, and when his gaze met hers he colored faintly.
Flick Muldoon, a dependable barometer of feminine pulchritude, gulped audibly and might have whistled his admiration had not Hugh Warren, jabbing him severely in the ribs, jolted the pucker from his lips. But it was upon Lark O'Day whom the sight of the girl had its most devastating effect. The handsome corsair's eyes widened in frank admiration; a spark lighted within their moss-brown depths, and his lips parted.
Young Dr. Lane began his tale.
"Well, you see, sir—"
The Martian said, "My name is Kang Tsao. And this is my daughter, Pen-N'hi."
The Earthmen introduced themselves swiftly. Then again Gary embarked on the telling of his oft-told tale.
Here in this quiet room, on one of the solar system's tiniest satellites, he found his most attentive audience. The old Martian listened gravely, attentively. When he had finished, Kang Tsao said, "I find this a strange, but not incredible narrative, Dr. Lane. You mentioned proof; mathematical computations. Might I see those proofs?"
And when some time later, he lifted his eyes from the perusal of the other world scientist's calculations....
"There is no doubt," he said, "but that everything you have said is completely and horribly true. One question, however, you have left unanswered. Why did you come to Mars?"
"Because," answered Gary frankly, "there is something we need from your planet. We know, or believe, that the authors of this disaster threatening Earth dwell not in our solar system but beyond it. There is no spacecraft known to men capable of carrying us outside our own little solar galaxy. But if all human intelligence, the wit and wisdom of every planet, could be brought to contribute its portion, such a spacecraft could be built. It was our hope to gain the four requisite elements from the four major planets. The secret of the hypatomic drive from Earth; fuel from Venus; from Jupiter the secret of faster-than-light travel—"
"And from Mars?"
"From Mars," said Gary slowly, "a vital gift. Your most cherished defensive military secret ... the power shield. Yes, we know you have it, sir. We know it because—I am ashamed to say—you have been forced on several occasions to employ it against Earth's space-vessels.
"Your science has discovered some form of force field which is impregnable against the onslaught of every known weapon. Our heaviest HE shells, our heat beams, needle rays, and rotor-blasts alike are harmlessly diverted by the magnificent barrier your people have invented.
"With such a shield must theLibertybe equipped if she is to dare a long and arduous trip through space to a hostile bourne. Not only is the entire journey made in peril of collision with rogue asteroids, bits of cosmic debris, and the like ... but when we reach our destination we will need protection against any conceivable weapon our enemy may bring against us.
"Therefore, that for which we ask is a vital prerequisite to the safety and success of our journey."
Dr. Kang pondered briefly. Then, at length, "It is true," he admitted, "we possess a force-shield such as you have mentioned. But you have made one error. It is not altogether the defensive weapon you imagine it. It is, indeed, the reason your craft lies now on Deimos."
"What?" interjected Hugh Warren. "You mean the intensified magnetization—"
"Exactly, Captain. That is my reason for dwelling here on this outpost, twelve thousand miles from my beloved homeland. We of Mars have installed here a tremendous power plant capable of projecting its magnetic beam upon any vessel which approaches our planet. There is another similar station on Phobos. Master scientists control each of these laboratories. When spacecraft which we have reason to believe may have hostile intent approach Mars, switches are thrown converting these satellites into gigantic magnets of tremendous power.
"That is why—" He smiled a bit ruefully—"That is why, on several occasions, Earth ships have crashed on Deimos and Phobos. Because it was clear they planned to disturb the quietude of our community."
"But," cried Flick Muldoon, "how about us?Wedidn't come here with a chip on our shoulders.Ourpurpose was peaceful enough."
Dr. Kang said softly, "This I know, my friend,now. But you must admit that appearances were against you. You came foreheralded by bulletins of treachery and theft on Earth, of strong-armed compulsion and allegiance with a privateer on Venus. We did not know what you wanted, but—" The old Martian shrugged—"we thought it best to deter your arrival until you could be questioned."
O'Day, whom it was hard to believe had heard a single word of the conversation, so raptly had his attention been riveted upon the ivory-skinned scientist's daughter, said abruptly, "And now that you know, Dr. Kang, what is your decision?"
Kang's long dark eyes seemed to withdraw within the curiously involute epithelial folds of their lids. For a long moment he considered the question. Silent he sat, and as impassive as a carven Buddha of the Earth race whose members he so strongly resembled. Then he said, "There can be but one answer, my friend. And on a matter such as this I am free to speak not only for myself but for all my people. You shall have that for which you came."
"We may, Doctor?" cried Gary Lane.
"No kidding?" yelled Muldoon.
"Say—!" breathed Captain Warren.
The old man halted their expressions of gratitude with a turn of the hand.
"Yes, you shall have what you need. We of Mars are a peaceloving race. That which you have chosen to call a 'military weapon' we employ simply and solely as a defensive measure against aggression. But now it seems the time has come to turn this weapon against an interloper of unguessed strength. Therefore, you shall have what you need. But there is one small stipulation—"
Lane thought grimly, "This is it. The fly in the ointment. You never get something for nothing." But aloud he asked politely, "And that is, Dr. Kang—?"
"Simply," replied the aged Martian, "that my daughter and I be permitted to install the equipment on theLibertyourselves—"
"Why, of course!" said Gary.
"And," continued Dr. Kang, "that we further be permitted to join your party." And for the first time a flicker of expression crossed his features. A smile touched the corners of his lips. "You see, my friend, though we of Mars are called an impassive people, we are not entirely without curiosity. This quest upon which you are embarked has about it a breathtaking challenge which stirs me greatly. I am an old man, but I am not unlearned. It is possible that my knowledge may prove of some value—"
Dr. Bryant said, "Please, Dr. Kang! Not another word! We should be not only happy butproudto welcome you to our party."
Lark O'Day stirred restlessly. "But your daughter, Dr. Kang? It is a perilous trip. Scarcely the sort of adventure for a girl of gentle breeding."
"Where I go, there goes my daughter also. And I note that there is already one woman of refinement and gentle breeding among you. I think—" said Dr. Kang—"I think it is not utterly unreasonable to expect my daughter will find herself surrounded by champions more than willing to assure her comfort and happiness."
And this time it was a full smile he turned upon the suddenly embarrassed Lark O'Day. Gary Lane chuckled too. It appeared that the supposedly "impassive" Martian did not lack, among other things, a delightful sense of humor....