 CHAPTER IX The three sunlets of flame merged together and dripped yellow blobs of light into the darkness. They grew into a great soap bubble that turned to topaz. Like something moving in a dream it gained upon the nebula until it was pacing beside them, a little larger now and still growing, dwarfing them and filling half the screen. A shadow, no two shadows, were growing within it. Odin tried to make them out, but they were dark and wavering. Still they looked something like a high priest standing above a prone victim stretched out upon some sacrificial altar. Odin was working the screens like mad, keeping their entire crew before his and Ato's eyes, and at the same time watching the topaz bubble. The bubble cleared. Over the loudspeakers came Grimhagen's shriek of wild laughter. Odin turned another knob and the bubble loomed larger. Grimhagen stood there, one lean hand rubbing his chin as he laughed at them. And the figure lying prone upon a couch beside him was swathed by a sheet which came almost to its eyes. But the shadows were leaving the bubble now and Odin saw that it was mea, a sleep, statuesque, like a carving upon a tomb. But it was mea. Then he cried out in alarm, for upon another screen he saw Gunnar and his crew swing their weapon into action. Shell after shell of greenish fire burst about the globe. Green flame thrust out tiny rootlets that crawled over it outlining it in garish light. Another shell seemed to burst upon Grimhagen's chest tearing the bubble of light apart, and as Jack watched horrified and sick the shards of flame came back together, and there was the globe again, with Grimhagen and mea as whole as ever. And a green streak of fire, one of Gunnar's misses, went careening off into space until it shrank it to a pinpoint of light and then vanished. At a signal from Ato the firing stopped. Grimhagen was still laughing. You are wasting your energy Ato. I am only a projection. And so this is that is with me. I have mea. He bowed mockingly. See, Odin, come and get her, Odin, so I can kill you. I had thought I was done with you, but this is just as well. Out here, somewhere, some when I can kill you slowly. Look, she sleeps. She stood there within a bubble of changing light. Mea looked like a bronze statue. Lying upon her back with her arms folded across her breasts, and with half her face covered by the flowing folds of a coverlet, she was like a bride of death, waiting the end of eternity. Hagen laughed again. Here in trans-Einsteinian space there is neither size nor time as we once knew it. I could leave her on a giant planet, a statue ten miles long for the ages to marvel at, or I could cast her a drift to make the million-mile long trip with the suns until the last explosion when space will dissolve it to be born again. So give up now. Father me no more. Space and its treasures are mine for the taking, and I have waited too long. Then the Topaz globe twitched as a bubble vanishes, and it was gone. Out there there was nothing but the night. Ato said a course for Aldebaran. His watch finished Jack Odin sat alone in the lounge, and watched the star upon the screen. It did not seem to be much larger, a single brilliant jewel of flame that beckoned them on. Gunnar had long since gone to bed, grumbling that the way order and military discipline were maintained aboard ship they probably couldn't whip their way out of a child's waiting-pool. Odin was thinking of all the things that had happened to him since that night when Mea and the dwarves had brought the helpless Grimhagen and an old Odin homestead. Lord, how long had it been? Out here, where time could not be measured, and perhaps did not exist at all, it seemed futile to count the weeks and the months. He stared at the single star upon the screen until he was half asleep. Behind it Mea's face, outlined in black curls, seemed to peer at him, and her pouting lips parted as she smiled. He stared and shook his head. The dream vision vanished from the screen. Someone had entered the room. It was Nia. Just in slacks once more, she slouched over to his chair and drew a hassaka up beside it. As she looked at him, Jack Odin saw that her eyes were tired, tired, tired, as though they had not rested for months. You ought to be asleep, he warned, now that your work is finished. And is it finished? She asked. Is anything ever finished? Nia drooped upon the hassaka, resting her chin upon her hands as she looked up at the screen. That is where you're going? She asked. Ato is certain that Grimhagen is headed for Altebaran, Odin answered. One star out of millions, what different can it make? You've been working too hard. Oh, damn! she said angrily. There was more to the work than you and others guessed. Now we are going to rescue a cousin of mine and punish another cousin, the old rat-race. Tell me why don't people just go sit in a corner and enjoy themselves? So far we've done nothing but increase our scurrying a thousandfold. He tried to make a joke of the matter. You sound like a beatnik. Perhaps, she answered slowly, still looking up at the screen, they considered my father beat, deadbeat. But I know more of this science than you do, Jack Odin. What if I told you there was a little chance of finding Mea, or if you found her, she might be an old, old lady? Well, I'd say nuts. We would keep on looking. But why such gloomy thoughts? You do not understand. Here, flashing through trans space, we are in another time. Oh, it goes by, but not as the clocks of Opal. Once a ship slides out here to a planet it is caught in a web of time and space. The clock resumes their old work of grinding the minutes and hours to bits. The black oxen of the sun take up their measured march. Oh, I could show you the mathematical formula to prove this. But it would take a blackboard larger than the screen. Don't you see? While we search through trans space, it is highly possible that Grimhagen, Mea, and all the crew are growing old on some planet that you may never find. Odin drew his hand across his face in dismay. You make all this sound like a mad voyage. Why, this is insane. Check with Ato if you wish. Her sad smile was almost a sneer. And men talk of going to the stars. Where is the clock they will use? Where is their yardstick? Where is the concept? Why, out there, for all you know, Huckleberry fin is still floating down the river, and Macbeth walks through the halls of Toussaint. And the last man in the year, one million AD, may be squatting over a fire, watching his last stick of wood turn to ashes. Lidely she got to her feet and reached a dial upon the screen. The lone star vanished, a thousand pinpoints leapt out. There is but a segment, she said, sitting back upon the hasik again. I have known Mea all my life. I was a poor relation. I envied her, but I did not hate her. And so with Grimhagen, I should hate him. But I remember him as a frustrated cousin who always ran second in the races. And all that, even my father, seems far away and long ago. Why do you bring love and hate with you out here to the stars, Jack Odin? Because I am a man, I suppose. She sighed again. There is much more to this invention of mine than I showed you. Upon that screen there must be ten thousand worlds. Let us pick one, you and I. We can glide out of here at any time. And we can make that world over as we please. We might even eat the fruit of life and become as gods. As though it came from a dark corridor of the years, Jack Odin seemed to hear the resounding echo of slow footsteps in a deep voice that thundered. For I, thy God, am a jealous God. She had almost hypnotized him, with her weary, earnest voice. For a moment it had seemed that all this frantic quest was nothing. That it would be far, far better to find a home with Mea and build a world of his own rather than go on searching the stars. Then he answered slowly, trying to measure his words, for he did not want to hurt her feelings. No, Nea. If I go wandering forever it will be no worse than my father's did before me. For a man is vagrant and restless. What he gets he loses, and if he is lucky he can hold fast to his dreams. For a moment dark anger blazed in her eyes. Then they were calm and sad again. She got to her feet as though she were very tired. She smiled. If I followed all the books I would make a scene now. I have offered myself and a will to you and have been refused. But I wish you and your dreams well, Jack Oden. She bent over him, and her lips brushed his, faintly like the touch of a rose-pedal. And the perfume of her hair seemed to fill the room. Then she was gone. Jack Oden sat there, looking long and long at the swarms of stars upon the screen, thinking of the unseen worlds about them, the worlds that he had just renounced. Until finally he got up and went to bed. CHAPTER X Ato's probing instrument still pointed the way to Aldebaran. In a surprisingly short time the warning signals were flashing and jingling throughout the nebula. There was that same sick feeling as it moved slower than the speed of light. And there was a glowing sun with nine planets circling stately about it. Slower the nebula moved, and slower, until the outermost planet sparkled in the light of its sun below them. And they swooped down. Not a single blast was fired at them. Every man was at his post, while Ato guided them in and Oden worked the screens. Once more Jack was disappointed. He had looked forward to some alien, even exotic civilization. Here were fields and streams, and there were cities, looking very much like the cities of his world, and of Opal. Those other worlds which he had seen had been blasted, so there was no way of knowing how their cities had looked. But these were too recognizable. He was certain he had seen several of the taller buildings before. Was space no more creative than this? Had the worlds dedicated themselves to the same monotonous pattern? Had he caught a glimpse of conventional, rocket-shaped spaceships plying their courses back and forth among the planets? He saw boats and cars and a few long-nosed airplanes with a mirrored trace of vestigial wings far back near the impenetrage, streaking through the sky in high arcs, leaving curling trails of fog and smoke behind them. But there was little here that his world had not already mastered, or at least had on the drawing-board. The Nebula came to rest upon a bare plane not far from the nearest city. As he turned to the scanner upon it, Oden saw that while it looked familiar enough, there was one exotic thing about it. Toward the outskirts of the city, in the bend of a wide river, was the Taj Mahal. He felt nearly as bewildered as he had been when Nia explained her theories of time-space concept to him. They had hardly landed before one of Ato's scientists announced that there was good clean air outside. Oxygen and nitrogen, with good old water, held as moisture within it. The city sat there upon the plane and stared at them. The Nebula looked back. At length a procession of cars moved toward them. Grimhagen's voice came thundering over the loudspeakers. A truce, Ato. I offer you a week's truce. It returned for a few meetings. This world has seen enough destruction. Gunnar and his crew leveled their death-gun at the advancing party. Oden kept them on the screen. Ato and a few of his captains got ready to disembark. As Oden watched, he kept puzzling over that voice. It certainly was Grimhagen's, but it was different. Perhaps it was a bit lower, perhaps a more commanding. But there was just a bit of weariness in it. And the answer came to him suddenly, although he never knew why. The voice was older. Then Grimhagen and his staff were below the Nebula. They were dressed in white and gold uniforms. That was not surprising either. Ato and his men advanced for a parlay. Oden watched and listened. At first he could not get a clear look at the man for Ato's broad shoulders. Then Ato turned aside and Grimhagen's head and shoulders filled the screen. Oden gasped in amazement. Grimhagen was nearly twenty years older than when he had seen him last. The shoulders and arms were larger, although there appeared to be a little fat upon Grimhagen. The dark hair was creaked with gray. The face was seamed. And though the black eyes still blazed, they now burned with the fanatic hate and desperation. Where pride and ambition had once made a face coldly handsome, there was now nothing but seemed lines like scars and blazing eyes. It was an evil face. Grimhagen had become a devil. Hagen looked at the much younger Ato and laughed. So the cub comes to fight with the tiger. Didn't you know? Didn't you guess? While you came galloping after me, I had already landed within this system. And time began its old outage. These were a peaceful people, and we wrecked them. We enslaved them and built the nine worlds into our own fashion. Dealing nineteen years, Ato, no Caesar ever dreamed of a larger kingdom. I even gave them a new goddess. For I did not want them to do much thinking. Yonder, he pointed to the duplicate Taj Mahal in the distance. She sleeps, my only failure. No older, and sometimes I go back there and look at her. And my youth seems to walk beside me. We want the people that you brought with you, Grimhagen. Ato answered coldly. And the treasures. Grimhagen laughed again. Those that came with me willingly are dukes and kings beyond their wildest dreams. Those who would not take oath to serve me are still slaves, except for Mayor, who sleeps. As for the treasures, my treasure-houses are so full now that I doubt if I could separate one thing from the other. So youth grows old. But you must admit that this is better than cringing in a hole in the ground. None of us cringed unless it was you. Ato retorted angrily. We have come beyond time and space, for may I enter friends for the treasures and for you. The mad light flamed in Grimhagen's eyes as he laughed again. You could not get a thousand feet into the air unless I permitted it. Come now. I have given a week's truce. Relax and enjoy yourselves. After all, we are kinsmen in a far country. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and repeated. A far country. Three days had passed since they had landed on Grimhagen's planet. Ato, Gunnar, Odin, and a score of others had gone into the city, where they had been given quarters in a palace that made Windsor look like a second-class lodging. Odin and Gunnar shared a suite. As he dressed that morning, Odin looked about him at the splendor. Every bit of woodwork was hand-carved. The walls were covered with frescoes. The chandeliers were jeweled masterpieces, and the carpets were thick crims and piles. The lace curtains must have ruined the eyes and hands of a dozen women. He had heard that the planets of Aldebaran had been peopled by a blond, peaceful race, who were on par with the culture of the Middle Ages, when Grimhagen arrived. Lord, how he must have worked himself and them to bring them this far along in nineteen years. There was a peaceful air of prosperity about the planet, and trade, he understood, was flourishing with the outer worlds of the system. But the people were no more than slaves, beaten and cowed in the submission. Oh, they worked hard, but Odin wondered what had been their punishment in years past for not working. There was something in their eyes, a stunned, unhappy look, that made him wonder what would happen some day, when they learned as much as their masters had turned upon them. Moreover, he had been told that the planets were overcrowded when Grimhagen arrived. They did not seem so now. How many graves throughout those nine planets were dedicated to the conquerors? Only once had he seen one of them mistreated. That was at a dinner the night before. The banquet hall had been a combination of medieval, modern, and bronze splendor. The dishes, the food, and the music had been superb. But a fair-skinned girl had spilled a few drops of wine when she was serving Grimhagen. His face had grown dark. Half arising from his high back chair at the end of the table, he had doubled up his fist and struck her below the cheekbone. She reeled back, her face crimsoning from the blow and the shame. The other servants pretended to see nothing, but in the girl's eyes and the eyes of the others he saw the old promise that had been written in the eyes of slaves since time began. Some day, some day. Then, with perfect calm, Grimhagen had sat down, wiping his lips with a lacy napkin. Pog me, gentlemen. But they have so much to learn in so short a time. Then he looked down the long table at Odin and could not resist one jive. You don't know how happy I was to find that these planets were peopled by a light-skinned race. That was all. True to his promise Grimhagen had given them the run of the city. But there was always one of Hagen's men or some native in uniform to politely assure them that there was little to see down the off-streats. The main squares were a tourist paradise, beautiful buildings in all colors and styles, black marble and silver, tracings of gold, clocks, bells, statues, fountains. All the architecture of the world they had left with fine selections and matching, with daring improvisations. And everything new. Odin had to admit that the squares were beautiful. Someday this conquered race might even owe a debt to Grimhagen and his crew, but right now they did not seem to be bowling over. The natives were polite, too meek for comfort. Some of the women were beautiful. Most of the men were too slight of build, almost effeminate. But once Jack Odin and Gunnar managed to stroll down a narrow street without anyone noticing them, it was the cry of the birds that caused them to turn aside into even a narrower one. So they came to a little rundown park that looked old enough to have survived the conquest. Then they saw the scaffoldings, and there were twelve shapes hanging from ropes and meat hooks, as they neared a flock of fat, revolting-looking birds arose and complained as they fluttered away. Gunnar and Odin had stood there looking upon the half-drive mummies that swung slowly about and grimaced at the tiny wind that perplexed them. The gibbets were spotted with blood and filth, flies swarmed about them. So, Gunnar remarked, the leopard does not change its spots. Grimhagen still gives lessons to these people. I know in Grimhagen I would say he's a rough schoolmaster. They did not stay long, and a guard opened his mouth in surprise when he saw them entering the square from the dark little street. Today Grimhagen had invited them to another conference. Gunnar and Odin dressed carefully. But Gunnar took a last look at harness and sword as he complained, he wants something, and Grimhagen can be mean when he doesn't get what he wants. We should have started wrecking this world before we landed. The people would be no worse off. And maybe we could have rid ourselves of a snake. Ado needs a big drink of Tiger's milk. Oh, quit complaining, little giant, we still have some bargaining power. Yes, our swords. This meeting reminds me of the conference that a king once held to decide upon another conference which would decide what the next conference would be about. Quit wearing, one of us will kill Grimhagen sooner or later. But Gunnar went on with his complaining. You'd better stay close to me, you understand, or you'll be hanging from one of Grimhagen's meat-hooks. So they went to the conference. All of Ado's men and at least fifty of Grimhagen's were there. Contrary to Gunnar's prediction, Grimhagen got to the point at once. Kinsman. He began mockingly. You may have wondered why I called a truce, when I could just as well have destroyed you. That I doubt, Ado answered him. We have defensive weapons, even now the guns from our ship are trained upon the city. Grimhagen shrugged. Let us not quibble, Ado. Your father was a quibbler before you. Ado flushed in anger. Grimhagen continued with an apologetic smile. I'm only joking. But I do know certain things. Your father, Wolden, was a brilliant man, Ado. He bowed slightly as he admitted this. From time to time, as you hurdled through the star-spaces, I picked up scraps of conversation with my instruments. Also, I knew something of what Wolden had been working on all these years. Now you're quibbling, Gunnar jeered. Get on with your speech, Grimhagen. Grimhagen bowed to the broad-shouldered little man. Some day, Gunnar, I may have to kill you. Now, now, Gunnar urged, fairly jumping and raged. Just the two of us, Grimhagen, just the two of us with bare hands. Not yet, Grimhagen sneered. Now, I will continue. From what I have learned, it appears that Wolden's work has been a success. It is possible for men to master both time and space. I have mastered space, but time is turning everything to dust and ashes. What good is it to be an old emperor? No better than to be an old herdsman. Again he tossed a sneer in Gunnar's direction. That's easy, Gunnar retorted. The old herdsman sleeps well at night. Who wants to sleep? Please, Quint, interrupting Gunnar. Even before we came to Aldebaran, Hagen went on. I was in contact with a dying world out there at the edge of space. Those people are desperate, and they are weary of life, having seen too much of it. They have agreed to go with me. Why, this sun in these worlds are piddling trifles. With that invention we could go from sun to sun. Space would be ours to play with. Maybe the mischief-maker running through creation, Gunnar muttered. Grimhagen may not have heard him, for he continued in that same desperate pleading voice. So here's my proposition, Ato. Give me your father's secret. In return I give you the treasures, the old ship, the prisoners, and even mea. Is that not a complete surrender? He smiled disarmingly. Ato stood tall and proud, as he answered. His eyes were blazing now. As he saw through Grimhagen's plan. So you thought I would bargain away, old and secret, did you? Well, your surmises were wrong. When I last saw him, his work was not finished. I know so little about it that I could tell you nothing of any value. But if I did— Ato's voice was trembling in disgust. If I did, Hagen, would I turn you and your hells spawn loose upon the stars to plex them for ever? Grimhagen's face was almost blue with rage. You have said enough, and there are other ways to make you talk. Make these swine prisoners, he screamed. A dozen knives flashed. A dozen death-tubes were pointed toward Ato and his followers. But one of Grimhagen's lieutenants, a brawn who was now silver-haired, intervened. No, Grimhagen. They are under truce. The week is not up yet. I will not see you go back on your own word. Grimhagen flamed. You will die on the hook for this. Maybe so one thing is certain. I will die, and I can face that. But you can't, can you, Grimhagen? You would prefer to be some sort of eternal devil working its fury upon the stars. Now, where is the new thinking that you used to preach? That dream is as old as the incantations beside the cave-fires. Arrest them all, Grimhagen screamed. Arrest Rama too, he added with rage. But the knives and swords were back in their holsters. The guns were lowered. One by one his men filed out of the council room. Grimhagen's face was so dark that Odin feared a stroke. But with a curse at Ato and Odin, Hagen lifted his chin high and followed his men from the room. Only the one called Rama remained. I will do what I can, Ato," he said quietly. I was nearly fifty when we started this journey, and we lived hard and fast. I am old now, but I married one of the slave-girls. We have children. Were it not for that, I would go with you. But I am tired. God, I am tired." He saluted them as he went out the door. They never saw Rama again. CHAPTER X Although Gunnar had spent most of the past four days in grumbling and polishing his sword, there had been hours and hours and hours when Odin had not seen him. The little man had a secret, but what it was he would not tell. For, he said to Odin, then it would not be my secret. It would be mine and yours. And I would own but half of it. Does a man give half of his flocks away? Odin was a bit hurt over his friend's behavior. He even wondered if Gunnar had taken a liking to one of the white-skinned slave-girls, for they were all beautiful. Still, that did not seem like Gunnar. But you could never tell. After all, he found himself quoting, There's no fool like an old fool. Mixed up in this secret was a buckskin bag that Gunnar had brought with him from the ship. When Odin had inquired about it, Gunnar had replied, Magic! A very old magic. That, too, was not like Gunnar. He relied upon his sword, since the Norse gods were usually busy with their own affairs. Those gods ate their rejuvenating apples every day and went out like healthy boys to see what was happening. And though they meant well, they usually were somewhere else when they were needed. Therefore the use of magic bags and incantations was a lot of foolishness. But here was Gunnar fondling a tightly drawn buckskin bag, as though it held eternity secrets. You ought to get yourself a witch doctor's mask and a couple of hollow bones to whistle through. Odin had told him scathingly, Never mind, never mind. Old Gunnar will be there when they put out the fire and call the dogs. Now you stay here in this room, Odin. And don't go looking after any of these slave girls. They're too pretty. And you're young. After all, there's no fool like a young fool, so don't go wandering off. Just stay here and polish your sword and wait until I return. I think my magic will do a great deal this afternoon. Touche, Jack Odin thought, has Gunnar departed? So he's been worrying about me and the girls, has he? Odin polished his sword and looked at the paintings. But the entire palace seemed to be whispering, and air of tension hung over it. The halls were quiet, where servants usually were busily going back and forth. Once he heard shouts and the sound fighting far off. There was a loud shot and a scream of pain. After that, the unusual quiet returned. This was the sixth afternoon that he had spent on this enslaved world. Odin did not enjoy it. He tried to make plans to rescue Mea, but he had gone over those same plans many times before. The Taj Mahal was well guarded. There was an unshaded road that went from the city to it. Also, the road was usually crowded with pilgrims. He never knew whether they went out there in some strong belief that there was a goddess from outer space, or whether they were forced to go. After all, Grimhagen was clever. He took a bath and changed clothes. Then Jack Odin read one of those books that Grimhagen had stolen. It was the first edition of the Rubiot, the one with the jeweled peacock cover. And it would have been worth a fortune back home. But here it was just another of Grimhagen's treasures. It was dusty and neglected, and Odin wondered if he were not the first to take a look at it since Hagen had brought it here. The windows were dark when Gunnar returned. Jack Odin sat by a single tiny light and greeted his old friend in a glum and sour fashion. But Gunnar was in a gay mood. Look, I told you that my magic would do great tricks. See, the bag's nearly empty. He held the buckskin the bag high and it was much thinner than before. You waited, did you? Good Norse king! I had to make sure that no one came here while I was gone. Just myself, Odin replied. Now what? Oh, I told you I had great magic in that bag. You shall see. Gunnar returned to the door, opened it, and led a tall white-skinned slave into the room. A man of about thirty, dressed in white uniform, was some sort of insignia upon his shoulders. Odin had never bothered to learn the different graduations of Grimhagen's slave world. This man goes by the name of Piper. Gunnar announced simply. The man bowed and smiled nervously. And he is a bro stoka among the slaves, Gunnar continued. Odin was about to reply that he didn't give a damn if the man were a colonel or a two-star general. But Gunnar hurried on to explain. A stoka is a captain of a hundred, but a bro stoka is a captain over ten stokas and all their men. Not often does one advance so at an early age. Gunnar seemed to be buttering up the man for some reason or other, so Jack Odin decided to go along. I have never seen a bro stoka so young, he admitted. This was true, Odin thought, since this was the first bro stoka who had ever been identified to him. And he wondered if maybe bro stoka were not a local term for ninety-day wonder. God knows he had seen too many of them. Gunnar seated himself comfortably and swung the nearly empty bag to and fro. I told you that I carried great magic in the bag? With Piper's help, may I will be ours before midnight? Odin's lethargy was gone now. Gunnar, old friend, what magic was in that bag of yours? The oldest magic in the world. Pieces of gold, diamonds, rubies. When we left the nebula, I said to myself that if Grimm Hagen owed everything here it was quite possible that many would be eating very little. Knowing Grimm Hagen, I said to myself, there will be a mad scramble for money and position. It would be the only kind of a world that Grimm Hagen could fashion. Odin slapped him on the back. Gunnar, you're a genius, a sheer genius. Not at all. When I was a young man, I learned such strategy from studying the world above me. Odin winced. Gunnar continued. Well, it has turned out, even as I figured. Only more so, when traveling in far countries you should try to learn how the people live, Odin. It's enlightening. I had an old uncle who always said that travel broadens one. It must have, for he weighed nearly two hundred when he died. Please, Gunnar, when will we see Maia? So I have been working since we arrived. A jewel here, a bit of gold there. It's amazing how a diamond can make a man see just what you want him to see. Much better than ordinary glasses. Then I found Piper here, and Piper's ambitious. Do you know what it cost to become headman and chief tax-gatherer of a town of five thousand Odin? Gunnar, I know nothing of these mages. Tell me about Maia. Well, Piper's been paid. The town will be his if our plan works out tonight. Otherwise, I'll twist his neck. And Gunnar paused the scowl at the young man in the white uniform until poor Piper began sweating. Many others have been paid. They ought to stay away from their posts. They will see nothing in here, nothing at certain times tonight. Here, hand me your book. Odin obliged, and Gunnar produced a ragged bit of pencil and started drawing a map upon the fly-leaf. Here, he said, is a city, and here is the river. Now, if you remember, there is a deep bend in the river, and this tomb that Grimhagen is built is within the bend of the river. There is a good road that goes from the city to the tomb, but it's guarded. The nebula is on the other side of the bend, so the answer is quite simple. We go up the river. Piper is about waiting for us. I have already paid many and have sworn them to silence. Piper interrupted, but it will be a dangerous business. I would not dare to at all accept that it would be five years before I am eligible for tax-gatherer, and the waiting is killing me, a city of my own. Piper, Jack Odin gathered, was a very ambitious man. The boat moved up river in darkness. There were beacons upon the shore, turning this way and that, but they seemed to be trained a bit high this night. Once a motorboat passed them, going at a fast clip, and somebody called out that he saw a shadow over toward the far side of the river. And another voice answered, You're always seeing things, a log, maybe. Didn't I tell you that I found some money in the street? And aren't we going to have the best meal that money can buy? Do you want to stay here with an empty belly on this cold river all night, or watch is nearly over? I'm tired, let's get along. Later, someone hailed him from the bank and threatened to shoot if they didn't pull in. Then there was a loud scream that died in the weltering gurgle. They heard a splash as something hit the water, and then all was still. They waited. A particular little whistle sounded three notes from the darkness. As though reassured, Piper took up the oars. That was the last guard, Gunnar whispered. He took a ruby the size of a sparrow's egg to get him killed. Oh, well, blame Grim Hagen. He shouldn't have gouged these people so hard. And then to Piper, You're bright enough, I guess, but you don't know how to rule a boat. Give me the oars. He took them and slid them into their hole-pins. Now give Gunnar room. He bowed his broad head, leaning forward almost to his toes. Then he dug the oars into the water and straightened up and bent backward like a machine. Noiselessly, the oars came up again. He bent forward and dipped them into the river again. And as he worked faster, he began to count to himself in a panting whisperer. Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! The boat streaked across the river's surface like a water bug. At last they slid into some thick-cat tails. Gunnar got a handhold and propelled them forward until the prowl grounded in the shallows. This is as far as I go, Piper told him in a sweating voice. Over there is a tomb. Odin and Gunnar scrambled ashore. Piper pushed the boat back into the river and was gone. Three thin sickles of moons were cleaving their way across the sky. A few unfamiliar stars were out. There was enough light now for them to see Maya's tomb not far away. It seemed to be fashioned of moon-beams. There was such a perfect copy of the Taj Mahal that here both death and sleep were brothers and Nirvana of peace hung over it in an aura of silver light. Ed Piper is a smart lad, Gunnar whispered. He knows what he wants. He'll go far, maybe. They approached. Odin knew the four guards were stationed here at all times. They were all gone. The two went in and Gunnar turned on a little flash. Had there been time, Odin might have grudgingly given Grimhagen a few kind words for the work he had done and the tribute he had paid Maya. The best of a planet's treasures and art had been brought here. But all he could see was Maya, lying upon a golden diamond-set couch. A silk embroidered coverlet was drawn over her and it too seemed to have been spun from moon-beams. She looked no older. Odin could see no sign of breath. But he touched her hand and it was warm. He knelt beside her. Here Gunnar handed him light. Hold this while I get busy. Here now, Norse King, no blubbering. He opened his buckskin bag and took out the last of its treasures. A small hypodermic case. He filled the hypodermic from a little vial that glittered in the light of the lamp. Turn the light on her forearm now, he instructed. Gunnar slowly counted to sixty after he'd given her the shot. Maya's breast moved. She sighed and raised the hand to her dark curls. Then her eyes opened. In fear and wonder as a child opens its eyes in a strange place. Then her vision cleared and she recognized them. Check! Gunnar! she gasped. Then she was in Odin's arms and Gunnar the strong one was standing over them, sniffling. It was one of those moments that seemed to last forever and then it was over and she drew her hand through his light hair. What happened? Where are we? The dream is strange as dreams. Never mind, Odin comforted. We will explain later. Can you walk now? Walk? Of course I can walk. But when Maya tried to sit up she moaned in pain. My whole body is stiff and sore. Have I been sick? Odin helped her to her feet as he did so hundreds of precious stones that had been heaped upon the couch rolled unnoticed to the floor. Maya winced as she stood up. Reaching down she rubbed the calves of her legs and then stood straight with a little gasp of pain. Carry her, Norse King! Gunnar muttered. The night goes old and we must make our way to the nebula. Odin lifted her easily. She put her arms around his neck and clung to him. The perfume of her hair was as faint as the ghost of autumn flowers. Her breath was warm and caressing against his throat. Then the mausoleum turned into a blinding glare of lights. Gunnar dropped the flash and his broadsword shrieked against the scabbard as he drew it. Odin set Maya's feet upon the floor. Still holding her with one arm he drew his sword and made ready to stand before Gunnar. A dozen cloaked figures came into the room. The first was Grimhagen, smiling sardonically. The others were bronze. The last to enter was carrying poor pipers dripping head by a handful of hair. So Grimhagen bowed. The Princess awakens. And here is Prince Charming. And here is the last evening that I shall ever kill. I would like to kill you very slowly, but I am afraid I do not have time. Hell is bubbling over in that fair city of mine tonight. I thought I paid my captains well, but some of them wanted more. Well, they wanted what I could not give them. It doesn't matter. Let them fight it out. We have the old ship with the new drive. Out there, at the edge of space, desperate people are waiting for me, and now I have Maya. Gunnar, that was a mean trick. You used the science that your people stole from us to cheat me of my bride and my slave. Gunnar had heard enough. The huge sword flashed in a circle as he swung it above his head with both hands. A bronze stepped forward and Gunnar slashed him from shoulder to stomach pit. Odent thrust Maya to the couch as he came forward to help. But Grimhagen had merely stepped back. Now he was holding a deadly little tube in his hand. A cold light winked on and off. Odent felt his muscles harden as though a hundred Charlie horses had struck him at once. He froze, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Gunnar standing like a statue. His sword still appraised, a look of agony upon his face. One more flash, and you will be dead, Grimhagen mocked. But before you plunge into the night, remember that I watched you so that I could get Maya back. You were not clever at all, Gunnar. Ato can have these worlds if he wants them. I have the ship and Maya, and space his mind to ravage as I please. Then at last, while Maya watched with fierce struck eyes, the tube flashed once more. Gunnar and Odent stood there for a second. They fell like unbalanced things of stone. A bronze stepped forward and drew his sword. But Grimhagen waved him aside as he bent over the two silent forms. Put up your sword. He said quietly, They are dead. And now and then shining little fishes swam inquisitively up to him and stared. They would look at him with wide cold eyes, then dart off into space, leaving a flashing wake behind them. They hurdled through the murky light like shooting stars, and once two of them dashed together and burst like a rocket. The sparks came falling down through a billion miles of space, and as they fell they built up planets and systems of their own, until a dark coil that had the shape of a dragon slithered across the milky way, and began to devour them one by one. The sparks disappeared into its dark maw. Then it turned about and came snuffling the air as it looked for him. It found him and buried its long fangs in the back of his skull. Jack Odent groaned in pain and awoke. The pain hit him again, and he thrust out with his arms, but strong hands were holding him down. He became conscious of a buzzing, murmuring sound. It was neither sad nor glad, something like a sound that the last bee of autumn makes as it hovers above the last ball of clover. Something was falling across the back of his neck and spreading out across his shoulders. Like a woman's hair, he thought. Perhaps it was a bit coarser, but not much. But then just as a strange soothing feeling was putting him back to sleep, the hairs changed their soft caress and a dozen of them plunged into his spinal cord, and upward into that small, old brain where all the boogies of the Stone Age still cowered. Odent yelled in pain and fought, but the hands held him tight. In his ears he could hear someone else screaming and cursing, threatening all sorts of vengeance. The voice was gun-ars. Three times more the soft mane of hair caressed him and three times more just as he was getting ready to go back to sleep the torture began. And all the while he was lying upon his belly, his face thrust into a pillow. He could see little as he writhed from one side to the other. The hands held him securely, and once when he almost struggled clear a strong knee was thrust into his back and forced him down. At intervals he could hear gun-ars voice and his own, crying, pleading, threatening. Then at last it was over. The hands turned Odent upon his back and he lay there gasping and hurting, like one who has just come up from deep water. The lights were so bright that at first he could see nothing. Then his vision cleared and he knew where he was in the surgery room of the nebula. Ato was standing nearby, trying to reassure him. Beside Odent on another bed was Gunnar lying flat on his back and stripped to the waist. Gunnar was howling curses and kicking like a frog. A doctor and a nurse were there. Then completing the group was Nia, holding a round object in each hand. Round things with unkempt trailing hair. He was not completely conscious and for a second she looked like a high priestess of the Amazon, holding two mummified heads before her. The pain left him, his mind cleared and he lay there gasping from the ordeal. Ato and Nia smiled at them, so cheerfully that he almost expected them to write out a bill for surgical fees. God, that was a close one! Ato said and wiped his forehead. Five hours of it and it was touch and go all the time. What happened? Odent asked. He remembered something about a glittering tomb and Maya awakening from her long sleep in Grimhagen. He even remembered the bron carelessly swiping Piper's head by the hair. But these were mere scenes that flashed before his mind. He couldn't fit them together as yet. Tell him, Nia, Ato said. She smiled proudly. It was my invention that saved you. You see, I have two of them now. I told you that they are as near as we can go to making living things. And I also told you that there is much more to them than you saw. They are destroyers and they are builders. We found you dead, or nearly so. Hagen had sent volt after volt through your bodies. You were electrocuted. We hurried you back to the ship in all this time while Ato steered us back into space. The Kalis and I, for that is what I have decided to call them, have been working over you. You might say that we are master-elect technicians rebuilding circuits, repairing transistors and condensers. You were plenty rough, Gunnar grumbled. We had to be. Do you remember a story about the Bushman dying from a curse here? She held her two precious Kalis in one arm while she tapped the base of her skull. In here is a bulb, the old brain. Not even an idiot's brain that brought you up from the jungle. It is a simple, worrying brain, easily frightened, easily convinced. It was convinced that you were dead. We had to arouse it. Odin fancied that he could hear the two Kalis purring contentedly like cats. Well, they had done a good job, let them purr. He would like to have thanked them, but how can you thank two bowling balls with scalps and cat-whisker wire? Gunnar sat up and began grumbling anew. Well, thanks. Now, give me some clothes. Frida would not like it if I sat here half undressed before a young lady and tell me where we are. It was Edo's turn to talk. I threw the nebula into the fourth drive some time ago. That may have helped to save your lives, too. We should check on that, Nia. Will you please tell me where we are? Gunnar demanded. Give me time, little man, Edo retorted. We are back in trans-Einsteinian space, and Aldebaran and its worlds are far behind us. The head of us is Grimhagen and the old ship. Mea is with him. So are at least a hundred of the white-skinned captains from the planet we just left. Also a dozen bronze. Maybe more, but not many. What we saw at the council that day when Rama defied Grimhagen was just a sample of what was to follow. The people were bled white. Graft, corruption, and patronage had taken its toll. The bronze were older and wanted to rest, but injustice couldn't stop until the last tear had washed away the last drop of blood. A few of the bronze and most of the slaves revolted. They won, of course. Grimhagen should have known the result. He and his men were in flight when they found you and took Mea. They gathered at the old ship and took off. Meanwhile we found our way out of the city. We had one last try for Mea. But we found you, too, in a dead bronze and the head of a native. We brought you here and took off. All of this time I've had a fix on Hagen. Can we overtake him? Odin asked. We're trying to. He seems to be heading for a huge dust cloud. He also sent us a message, some nonsense, about having contacted some race at the edge of creation who would go with him to plunder the stars. He demanded the secret of Walden's invention again. I think his mind is going fast. Not as fast as who, if I ever get my hands on him? Gunnar promised. But Mea is awake now. We had time on our side before. Now, if he gets away from us, he can live out his days on some obscure planet. The years will pass like a whirlwind, while we go dashing this way and that. And in a surprisingly short time our willing and unwilling fugitives will have lived out their lives. They have the vagaries of time, space and speed on their side. Mea laughed. Even as I said before, she gave Jack Odin a searching look. But Odin avoided her gaze. Then what have you done? Odin asked. All I could do under the circumstances. I have a fix upon him. We sapped all the energy from Aldebaran that we could. We have power enough, but there are no stars nearby. As I said before, he is heading for a dust cloud. There, both ships can replenish their energy. After that, we will have to stick close by him and see what happens. After all, we are behind him. By the old airman's rule of thumb, a ship with another upon its tail is a hundred percent lost. Only at the moment, Odin corrected, if not destroyed, it has a chance to improve its percentage when the pursuer has made its pass. True enough, Ato admitted. That's why I propose to stay close behind it. I can't seem to find that dust cloud on any map. It must be far, far away. Nia laughed again. What's his fa? What is Nia? You do not even have catchwords for trans space. You are looking into the books of the advanced classes, and you have not yet opened the primus of space. Ato flushed in anger. Nia I was my father's helper for years and years. I know as much about space as any man. She shrugged. Oh, you can cover blackboards with formulas. And I don't doubt that they will be right. But living things and living emotions demands something to cling to. A measuring stick. Grimhagen tried to give them something substantial back there. A system of brutality and graft that worked for the last minutes as ours. He even threw in a goddess. Did he succeed? She paused to caress the two things she held in her arms. My pet's no more about time and space and energy than all of you. Don't you, dears? She kissed one of them and gave Odin a mysterious smile. The Calus began purring contentedly, as though space were no more than a huge living room. And they were beside a comfortable fireplace, looking up at their all-powerful mistress. End of Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Of Hunters Out of Space This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller. Hunters Out of Space by Joseph E. Kelleyen. Chapter 13 The dust cloud was farther away than Atoh had guessed. Long before they reached it, his instruments began to waver. He looked at a star map. Meanwhile, Nia fed rows of figures into a humming calculator. We'll never make it this way, Atoh said. Not even the emergency storage would help us hear. He pointed to a pinpoint of light upon the map. A white star. We can reach it, I think. Nia sighed. That dust cloud is beyond our calculations. We should be nearly there, but it's still far off. I think it is shrinking and expanding. At the same time it's dashing off into space at a terrific rate of speed. You'll have to swing toward that star, Atoh. I'll try to probe the clouds some more. My father would have liked this problem. I don't like the problem at all, Gunnar complained. Just where is Grimhagen? He must be having as much trouble beating his way to that dust cloud as we are. Atoh assured him. And then doubtfully he added, But he has more energy. The old spaceship was sitting there below Aldebaran for years and years. He surely took advantage of the time to replenish his fuel. All the while we were using hours up in an effort to find him. Jack Oden's science did not go far enough to pursue the conversation. He knew that their power was something like a solar battery. When in gear, the current that went through the frame of the hourglass-shaped craft turned into a huge blob of plasma, a miniature nebula and hurled it into space. As for the fourth drive, he had the slightest idea how that worked. Atoh had said that the scientists who developed it were not sure. Just as men had developed generators long before they knew the laws that governed them. Atoh had a theory that the fourth gear slid the ship from plane to plane. If a bug were crawling along a million-mile spiral of wire, he might go on until he died before getting anywhere. But if he simply lumbered across the intervening space to the next coil, would he have traveled a short distance or a million miles? Atoh had also told Oden that the ship took energy from the gravitational field that it created while traveling at a tremendous speed, so that the motors were 99% efficient. Atoh set a course for the distant star, and in a short while it was looming upon the screen with sheets of atomic flame leaping out like the teeth of a circular saw. One huge explosion flicked a long tongue of heat at them. The corona of the sun gleamed and writhed like a thin ban of quicks over. We're going in there, Atoh decided. It's the quickest way. Warnings were sounded all through the ship. The screens were turned off now, as no eye could have survived the sight of that flaming ball which was rushing toward them at such extraordinary speed. The ship groaned as it hit the corona. Vast whirlwinds of flame shook it. The motors coughed and spat. Then the gyroscopes took over. It steadied itself and went through, like a moth fluttering through a candle flame. The nebula drew away from the star, but this moth was unharmed, and a million cells had drunk so much energy that the ship reeled with its power. On and on, in a zigzag pursuit of Grimhagen, they crashed through trans space. The dust cloud loomed larger now upon their screens. It was still no larger than a baseball, though it must have been millions of miles across. Three times they had to sweep from their course to renew their energy from a straggling sun that seemed to be farther and farther apart. The first was a tiny blue sun that burned its way through the emptiness. The second was a huge nebula that pulsed in spouted flame and protean worlds into space, enveloped again as it breathed, scarred them and cast them out once more. And Odin wondered if in such a furnace and such torment his own world had been born. He had now seen as much of space as any man, with the exception of Grimhagen, and so far it had been a tumultuous creation that he had watched. Nothing was still. The forges of space were white-hot. As they sped toward this sun they passed two planets, perilously close together, pelting each other with splashing gobs and spears of flame and slag. The third was a red sun with lonely, burnt-out planets circling wearily about it. As they skimmed above its surface, Odin slid a dark plate over the screen and watched. Here were molten lakes of metal rimmed by red flames that looked like writhing trees. The surface was splitting and bubbling. A mountain of molten ooze swiftly grew to a height of thirty miles. Then it burst into red flame from its own weight and came toppling down. As they hurled away from the red star, Ado turned to Odin and Gunnar and said, I'm afraid that will be the last. Even the stars are behind us. The screens now showed nothing but the dust cloud, with specks of light and coils of darkness threaded through it. It loomed larger and larger until it filled the screen. Ragnarok! Gunnar growled in his throat. He dusted the shoulder strap that harnessed his broadsword to his back and looked at Odin curiously. You should have rest, Norse King. You look gaunt and tired, but stronger, too. I wonder if I have changed as much as you since we started this trip, eh, Norse King? He chuckled. If you had but one eye, I'd swear you were old Odin himself, rushing out to the edge of space to start that last bonfire of suns. Quiet! Nia pleaded as she worked with the calculator. So far this is defied computation. It's unstable, Eto. Before I can identify it, a factor is added or taken away. Grimhagen went in there. Eto replied as he studies his instruments. If he can, we can. Perhaps, she answered, but space out there is cuddling in his wake. She shivered. The shoulders were beautifully shaped and Odin found himself thinking that they were made for a man's arms instead of bending over calculators and machines. Oh, well, he thought. They are not for my arms, but why doesn't Eto wake up and claim her? Then there wouldn't be distractions like this. With one warning blare, the nebula plunged into the fringe of the dust cloud. The boat rocked. A splattering sound, a calling of heavy sleet filled the control room. Needles jumped and wheeled, dials turned madly, spun back and forth and jammed. The lights flickered on and off, for a time they were in darkness. Then the lights came back, but continued their flickering. The screens were dark. Nia worked with the instruments. When power enough was available, she began probing the dust cloud as though nothing had happened. Then she fed more figures into the calculator and handed the result to Eto. Try this, she said in a tremulous voice. It may work. Eto took the tape from her hands and set the controls accordingly. The lights dimmed again, came on and remained steady. The expanse of dim yellow light through which coils and ellipses of darkness crawled like black worms. Odin knew that such a feeling was impossible out here, but it seemed to him that the nebula leapt forward. Eto cried out in triumph. I've got another fix on Grimhagen. He's much nearer now. Harry, Eto, hurry! Nia was pleading. They drove on and on. The screens remained as before, yellow light and crawling shadows. Then suddenly the screens were filled with dancing circles of flame. They blazed brightly and thrust out little fiery arms and took their neighbors' hands. They danced, they gleamed and glistened. They became circles of flame. They grew toward each other and ran together into little puddles of light. Eto, hurry! Nia screamed. One of her instruments melted as she stared into it and she jumped back her hands to her eyes. Then they were out of the cloud and space lay empty and free before them, with only one tiny sun in view. Jack Oden twisted the controls to take a look at what was happening back there in the cloud. Just as he got it in view, the moiling space out there coalesced into one smoldering ember. Crushed by the awful weight, that single giant of flames suddenly burst into a thousand pieces. Comets streaked away, dripping suns streamed across the mad sky. Worlds spewed out and moons dripped tears of light as they followed after their mothers. They crashed and wheeled. They merged in gigantic splashes of fire. Pinwheels rushed across the screen, rockets flashed, and fountains of flame spilled sun after sun into the sparkling void. Oden stood transfixed by the sight. Then, momentarily, the holocaust of flame was over. New suns and new worlds drifted calmly, with only a few erratic meteors and some settling dust clouds left to tell the explosion that had shaped them. All was as bright and calm out there as the day after creation, but only for a while. For a very short time the new sun sparkled clean and fresh. Then one by one they guttered and winked out. They drew closer together as though afraid of the dark. Then smoldered and flickered. Then they were gone. And all that was left was one dark cloud that slowly drifted away. It was an artificial explosion, near murmured in a puzzled voice. Grimhagen shippin' ass destroyed the balance and caused a premature burst. There must be some loss, some time and weight factor that governs these things. I would judge that the explosion was not violent enough. Not violent enough, Oden exclaimed. How violent can an explosion be? Her eyes were still wide and creamy with wonder when she replied. I don't know. Something went wrong, relatively speaking. It may have been a mild explosion. At any rate the new galaxy was unstable. I wish we had time to go back and make some tests. Gunnar shivered. Not back there, I've seen enough. Ow, Ato, what lies ahead? Ato shrugged his lean shoulders. I still have a fix on Grimhagen. And there seems to be but one place for him to go. He turned a dial and the screens picked up one lonely red sun far away. One tiny black dot slowly circled it. That was all. Space itself was wrapped in primeval darkness and the sable wings of nothing had spanned the void. Oden's eyes ached at the sight of the awful emptiness. His heart felt heavy as the weight of dread distances pressed upon him. Could space itself reach some limit and curve weirdly back upon itself? Like folds of black silk? The emptiness out there shivered and flowed away. One other speck now appeared on the screen. A pinpoint of light that crawled toward the lone sun and its single huge planet. Grimhagen and the old ship. Time, if time existed at all, went slowly by. They ate and slept. Nia and her workers were busy with the Kalas, as she called them. Four were now finished. A fifth had been fashioned and locked into space and it had been lost. It had simply sailed out there and disappeared. Some from sight were gunners' words and this explained the disappearance as well as anything. It was as though they had been on a boat and the thing had dived overboard. Nia, who had been trained to scientific thinking since she was knee-high, had to think up an answer. Her explanation was that it had slid down a plane into three-dimensional space. Even now it might be on some planet puzzling and worrying the natives. For the Kalas were almost like living things and almost like gods. That was like Nia, Odin thought. A scientist always. Anything unexplainable must be immediately attached to a theory. Whether the theory was right or wrong, just as long as there was an explanation to hang upon a phenomenon, she was happy enough. She might lively think up a new theory tomorrow and throw the old one away, but that was of no consequence. Odin had grown skeptical of such thinking when he was a medical student. Each doctor had his own pet diagnosis and too many tried to fit the patient to the cure instead of working out a cure for the patient. Oh, well, that was far away and long ago. How far away and how long ago? Meanwhile the red sun and its planet were looming large upon the screen. The shining light that was the old ship was crawling nearer to them. Twice Grimhagen had hurled sheets of flame at them and once he contacted the nebula on the speaker and cursed everyone fluently in three languages. He assured them that he now had a fighting crew and would soon join up with others. He had a dozen new weapons, so why didn't they simply get lost? Sleep after sleep went by and still the two ships crawled toward that last port on the edge of space. Until, finally, they saw the old ship leave trans space and glide down to the huge planet and with a last burst of speed Ato came in behind it. End of Chapter 13 Chapter 14 of Hunters Out of Space This leap of ox recording is in the public domain Recording by Elliot Miller Hunters Out of Space by Joseph E. Kelliam Chapter 14 The two ships landed a few miles apart at almost the same time. They settled to the plain surface like whirling hourglasses. The fire spouted from them in all directions. Then their movement stopped. Smoke shrouded them as slowly drifted away. They were upon a reddish plain. Above them the red sun filled the twelfth of the sky. That sky was one vast swirl of crimson. Even the few clouds seemed to be on fire and yet their instruments showed the temperature of the thin air outside was in the sixties. There were no mountains or valleys. The giant planet had weathered down to one great curving plain. It was mostly red sandstone, but here and there were reddish carpets in moss and grass. In the distance were a few gaunt trees. They had seen no rivers or seas before they landed. Odin learned later that there were many muddy ponds upon the surface from the remains of stagnant seas. He also learned later that huge reservoirs were underground. With the exception of the trees the only thing that broke the monotonous line of the horizon was one great dome of violet stone or metal. It flashed like an amethyst in the red glare of the sun and it was certainly man-made. But on that occasion Jack Odin had little time to look at the scenery. They had hardly settled to the planet's surface before Grimhagen trained his guns upon them and began to fire. Flame enveloped them. Bombs of acid and steel shook the nebula. The battle stations were already manned and Ato gave orders to return fire. For nearly an hour the Holocaust continued. Both ships rocked upon their steady foundations. They were bathed in flame. Acid streamed down their sides and rockets tore at them. Shells burst upon them. And then it was over. The two ships, scarred and blackened, glared at each other across a three-mile expanse that had now turned to cinders. And that was all. Practically indestructible and evenly matched they had fought to a standstill. Neither ship had lost a man. See how it is, Norse King? Gunner said as he drew his fingers across the shaft of his sword. It says I told you before. We have the same weapons, the same defenses. I will use the blood-drinkers yet before this is over. There was a demanding buzz from the loudspeaker. Ato turned the dial. A strange, harsh voice was calling. You there, on the second ship. You on the second ship enter. Yes. Ato replied, roughly. Who are you? I am the headman of the city. The city within the dome. How do you know our language? We have noted for thirty years, but that long we have been in contact with Grimhagen. Jack Odin was never quite able to cope with the passing of time on these planets. While the ships scurried through trans-space in what appeared to be a matter of days. The voice continued. We invited Grimhagen to our world. We did not invite you. Go away. I don't think I like his tone. Gannar interrupted. Someday I'll catch the owner of that voice and make him eat his ears. We are not going away. Ato told the voice stubbornly. Then you can stay where you are. We have just witnessed the battle. We do not have weapons such as yours, but we do have a defense. An electric screen nearly half a mile across has been placed about you. Watch. They looked at the screen, and a tiny drone torpedo came winging its way from the violet dome. It came to within a thousand yards of them and suddenly crashed into an unseen barrier. Broken and blazing, it came falling down like a crippled bird. There, the voice had triumphantly. The edge is what will happen to you. Why don't you leave us? We have not wanted to leave us. Say, he's a hospitable soul. Open murmured. Ato's voice was shaking and wrath when he answered. We can find a way to smash that curtain. We want Grimhagen and his prisoners. When we have them, we will depart. Grimhagen is our ally. We have already sworn our allegiance. We have no more words for you. It was a clicking sound, and the loudspeaker died with a sputter of static. It sputtered again, and this time Grimhagen's voice mocked him. There, Ato, you have your answer. You are wasting your time. But I am a reasonable man. You can have, Mayor. You can have the ship. You can have the prisoners. The few that are left. I will trade all these for world and secret. Greed has you in its hand, Grimhagen. I know nothing of my father's secret. I do not even know if he succeeded. Then summon him and let him decide for himself. You are young, but two-thirds of my life is gone now. Your calculation is wrong, Gennar shouted. Your life is nearly all gone, Grimhagen. The dwarf still lives. Grimhagen answered with a curse. But so does Mayor, my slave. I had to beat her the other day. My moots were not polished very well. Talk on, Grimhagen, Odin Brawl. I am here, and I intend to kill you. Just as I promised. Like most of your brace, you talk too loud, Odin. Well, Ato, Gennar, and Odin, I am going now. Please don't get in my way, or I will hatch at the flesh from your bones. Another click, and the loudspeaker was silent. They had landed on the giant worn planet very early in the day. Now as time went on, they watched Grimhagen ship and tried to make plans. Gennar was in favor of hazarding an attack on the barrier and then going on to the city. Ato and Odin voted in favor of waiting. Although they admitted they could think of no better plan. Ato was sure that the Nebula could plunge through any curtain. But he wanted to try that as a last resort. Meanwhile, a steady stream of crackers and men was going back and forth from the old ship to the city. Odin watched them on the screen. They were mostly the white-skinned people of Alderman, the bronze who had gone out to space with Grimhagen had dwindled away. Odin saw a few white-headed ones. And once he saw a captain stop to lash a worn grey-haired brawn, who must have been one of the original prisoners. The poor fellow looked so old and frazzled that Odin could not recognize him. His heart grew heavy as he thought of these prisoners. They had done no harm. Their lives had been wasted away because of their loyalty to Mea, and the words of an old poet came to his mind. Think of a man's inhumanity to man, and write your poem if you can. The day passed wearily by. Odin felt it was one of the worst days of his life. They had spanned thousands of light-years, and time had slid by like a stream of quick-sober while they hunted through space. And now, at the last, they were pinned down on a gaunt planet while a triumphant Grimhagen went back and forth from the old ship to the violet dome. Welcomed like a conqueror and holding every card, Grimhagen was the man of the hour. Yes, it was certainly Grimhagen's day. Night fell quite suddenly, but the sky above them turned to the faintest moth, and there was still a pale ghost of a light hovering over the plane. There were no stars, no moon. Jack Odin learned later that the people of this planet had fed their moon to the dying sun long before. They ate supper, as Gunnar called it, and then Ato and Odin studied some photo maps which they had taken just before they had landed. Meanwhile, Gunnar busied himself with the sword, and Nia, who stayed in her lab most of the day, brought in a few calculations on the barrier that imprisoned them. It's an old idea, she told him quietly. It can be broken on by a steadily increasing force. Twenty days, perhaps, after I rig up the machine. Odin groaned. In twenty days Grimhagen will be back among the stars. She smiled quietly, and now he saw how tired her face and eyes were, like the face of a child that had worked too hard. I think not, she answered him simply. Gunnar is always talking about fate. I do not believe in such, but all day I have felt that the end is drawing near. Remember, I still have my Calus. With them I could have been a huntress on some greener planet, another Diana perhaps. Oh, she stamped her foot in worryment. We held creation in our grasp out here. We could have forced the last secrets from her. Yes, I will say it, we could have been as gods. And where is it ending? A mad chase after a madman. And for all the years and all the lives that have been spent on these two ships, time and space are the only winners. Nia went back to the lab. Odin and Ato continued their study of the maps. Gunnar was putting a fine edge to his broadsword. Then the warning buzzer sounded in alarm. Odin dived for the screen and turned on the controls. A long procession of maw of shadows was approaching. Already inside the barrier they came single file and slowly circled the nebula. Even in the pale weird light they certainly seemed to be men. Ato ordered battle stations and sirens sounded all over the ship, but the circling host made no offer to attack. Odin turned the receiver up to its highest point and speaking brokenly in the language of the bronze a voice came through. Men of the strange ship. Men of the strange ship. Yes, Odin answered. Good, you hear me. We are those who have been driven out of the city. We would visit you in peace. We are called Lorenz. Within a few minutes a dozen of the strangers had been brought aboard the nebula. Ato summoned Nia and the rest of the captains. The leader of the visitors was a man by the name of Val. He was a tall, lean man with a Norman nose and his dark skin was drawn so tightly about his face that he looked a bit like a mummy. Val was over sixty, Odin judged, and though his wrists were skinny, the tendons and muscles on the arms stood out like taut lengths of cable. He and his men were dressed alike, a sleeveless shirt of walnut-brown plastic, dark peg-bottomed trousers of corduroy and foot gear that looked like engineers' boots with rippled soles. The tops of the boots were tight-fitting and peg-bottomed trousers were drawn snuggly over them. Odin learned later what had appeared to be green moss out there on the weathered plain was a kind of thistle with cat-claw thorns. Each man wore a heavy black belt about his waist. Attached to the belt were at least a dozen weapons, several grenades, a pistol, another pistol with a flaring muzzle, a long knife, a glassy-looking tube fitted to a pistol butt, and a blue-black ugly thing which was shaped like an oversized toadstool. In addition to this odd assortment of gear, each man carried something in his hand which greatly resembled the frame of an old-fashioned umbrella, except that half a dozen varied colored buttons were set into the handle. It was nearly thirty years ago, while I was explaining, that the voice of Grimhagen began to interfere with our broadcasting system. Some said it was a guard, some said it was a devil. It came from space, it came from mobiles everywhere. We have been an intelligent race, but we were so beset, our son was dying. All that we had was our son and a huge dust cloud in the distance. In times past our astronomers had seen the glow of millions of suns, millions upon millions of miles away, but we were never able to perfect a telescope that could bring a single sun into view. Nor did we ever have a chance to do this. The dust cloud surged out toward us every twenty years, and our scientists were able to use a gravitational beam to deflect a particle toward our son. In this way we kept it alive and might have been able to do so for ages, but now the dust cloud is gone. Val paused the sigh and then resumed his story. The voice, I mean the voice of Grimhagen, promised my people that if they would accept him he would take them forth into the stars. They would plunder thousands of worlds and they would live for centuries while generations died. Also, he said, he was on the brink of discovering eternal life. He was playing at being the eternal Loki, the old mischief maker, Gunnar interrupted, and went on edging his sword. Here, Val continued, I cannot blame my people too much for believing this story. Our plight was desperate. There were those of us who did not believe him. He seemed to know too much. When according to Arthur Lafacephe the only wise man is the one who admits he knows nothing. I'm not a philosopher, Gunnar interrupted again. I only noted what you thrust a foot of steel into a man. He does not bother you again. Please, Gunnar. Atoe begged. Let Val go on with his story. The rest of the story I do not understand at all. Val said with a shake of his grizzled head. This Grimhagen said he did not age until he stopped to conquer a planet and replenish his ship's energy. It was thirty years ago when he first spoke to us. He looks like a man of forty-five now. Could he have been an upstart of fifteen when he first spoke to our receivers? I will try to explain that later. Atoe answered. But there were those of us who could not agree with the general idea. There are even some of the Lorans in the violet dome who think he is a god. We think he is an evil man. We have no desire for London's staff. If he is so great, why doesn't he give new life to our feeble son? That is what we really need. Meanwhile, the people of the Dome are building five new ships. As Grimhagen directed, they have been working upon them for years. Good God! Jack Oden was thinking. What a hideous propaganda machine these ships are to condition and instruct a whole generation while you flash through space and a twinkler yarn in the eye. And that is all. Val finished with the shrug of his lean shoulders. Those of us who had never agreed with the idea were thrown out of the city as soon as Grimhagen arrived. We have come to join forces with you. How did you get through the barrier? Nia asked. Val lifted the umbrella frame. We have had had the barrier for years. There is strange peace out there on the plane. This instrument allows us to go through the barrier when we please. Then we can go to the city. Gunnar exclaimed with a joyful war-woop. To kill and kill and kill. You are right, Ato admitted. Delay will only increase Grimhagen's advantage to the city as fast as we can. End of chapter 14 Chapter 15 of Hunters Out of Space This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Elliot Miller Hunters Out of Space by Joseph E. Kelliam Chapter 15 Val and his men had brought along enough of the umbrella-shaped defenses to get them through the barrier. They held a short council of war. It was agreed that every able-bodied man would go into the city. Nia and a few of the older men were detailed to stand by the Nebula and take care of the women and children. Nia had screamed and protested against that. She had only agreed to stay upon one condition. That she be left one of the umbrella skeletons. The nights Odin learned were about sixteen hours long on this dying planet. It was toward midnight when they started out from the ship toward the violet dome. The strange half-light still hovered over the ground. In the sky splinters of mauve tore at curtains of purplish flame. Something like northern lights, they glinted and gleamed, wrestled and writhed. There was no peace up there in that abandoned sky. But there was enough of that unearthly light glimmering below for him to watch his footsteps. They had brought every kind of weapon they could lug with them. Atomic machine-guns, needle-nose things that spat blobs of flame, anti-gravitational bombs, bombs that swirled slowly toward the enemy and cut him down with scythe-blades. Gunnar had laughed at that. Hang on to your sword and knife, Noor's King. We will need them yet. With the umbrella frames held over them as though protecting them from a flood, they went through the barrier. Beyond it, thousands of men rose up from the scarred plains to join them. Val had a much larger following than Odin had ever guessed. These men were swathed in long coats and capes. Similar items of apparel were hastily furnished to the crew of the Nebula, for when they were through the barrier, the temperature dropped to about thirty. Once they passed through a thin swirl of snow, then something screamed at them out there in the night and came at them like a juggernaut. It must have stood nearly fifty feet high and came rushing at them on a score of legs with dozens of eyes flashing green as it hurdled forward. The men of Valoran were not greatly worried. They began to fire at it with the pistol-shaped weapons. There was only a popping noise, but Odin could hear the bullets smashing into the onrushing thing. Others used tulip-flared guns which made no noise at all, bolts of lightning sank into the sides of the behemoth. After it was dead, its furious drive sent it nearly a score of yards forward. It slid into a clump of twisted trees and tore them to splinters before it stopped quivering. Finally the way was clear. They waited there for a time to see if they had attracted any attention from the city of the Violet Dome. Nothing happened, so they advanced again. At least five thousand men now made up this little army. Val guessed that there were a hundred thousand fighters left in the city, not counting the experienced Ruffians that Grimhagen had brought with him. They had advanced not over half a mile before the pale glow of the night turned to utter darkness. Something that looked like a vast sea nettle was slowly sinking down toward them from the sky. Its tentacles glowed faintly as it fell. And it must have been a hundred yards across at the top. Once more bullets, lightning bolts, and sheets of flame were hurled at the descending thing. It fell apart and came writhing down. Men rushed to get away from the reach of those flailing arms. They laid low and walked while the thing died. Listen!" Ganar warned. From the far away came the sound of shots and an eerie whine that seemed faintly familiar. The shots died down. The whine continued louder and louder. Almost to the top peak of sound as though a tiger was growling to itself as it feasted. Then all was still. It was from the old ship, Ganar said. I wonder. But there was no time left to wonder. As the thing died the phosphor glow faded from its lashing tentacles. Finally it was still. They picked themselves up and went on toward the dome. The dome was propped upon miles of forty-foot columns. All carved and decorated like those from the Hall of Kings. Below the dome the same barrier came pouring down like an unseen waterfall. Again they used their protective umbrella frames. Then, sweating and cursing and grunting, they hauled their weapons of war into the city. Val, the Lorraine, had explained that the city was not a city as Ato and Odin understood the words. Being domed, there was no use for rooms of any kind. The temperature stayed constant. There were wide streets paved with blocks of pink and black marble. These streets were flanked by sidewalks and walls. At intervals of a hundred feet the huge columns were placed. They were minutely decorated and carved. These supported a silver and clear plastic framework that held up the violet dome. Looking upward Odin had the impression that he was standing beneath a vast spider web. There were many hedges, all neatly trimmed. Some resembled purvey, but most of them were like pomegranate with larger reddish blossoms that seemed to drip blood. Here and there were railings with steps going down. Like subway entrances, Odin thought, except they were more elaborately carved. These steps went down to tier after tier of labyrinths. It was a skyscraper's city turned upside down, Odin gathered from Val's explanations. The first level below the city was made up of factories and machine shops. The next was where plants, flowers and trees were forced, producing the city's food. Below that for nearly a thousand feet were the living quarters of the people. The ground level of the city was in reality a beautiful park. During the day Val explained it was busy with street vendors, open-air schools, theaters and thousands who came up from underground to drink in the air in the sun. Now it was nearly empty. The columns were evenly spaced and at a spot exactly between each two columns was a great crescent of stone. At the top of each crescent were flickering flames that burned without leaving any smoke. Like stone tulips with petals of flame, Ganar said as he looked at them. They stood nearly twelve feet high. Their pedestals were broad, their stems were nearly a foot thick, nearly a yard across. Their flames were violet, tipped with blue. They made a beautiful sight, but it did not matter. For within less than an hour this lovely park with its carved columns and tulip shapes across its fire was turned into a shambles. They had not gone a quarter of a mile before a guard hailed them. A score of guns popped like open models and the guard died before the echo of his voice was gone. But his cry was taken up by others, and now Odin saw that there in the spiderweb framework that held the dome were hundreds of little cubicles. All manned. Shafts of flame darted through the dimlet area, bullets whizzed. Ato's needle-nosed machines began to whine and the metal in the guard's cubicles grew red hot and melted. Charred bodies came tumbling down. Men came pouring out of the subway entrances. There was a crashing and grinding as hidden elevators brought weapons of death to the surface. The fires and the crests danced higher. They fought now in midday light. There was a blast nearby that nearly burst Odin's eardrums. A crash of flame that half blinded him. A gun crew screamed and died as one of the needle-nosed machines melted into puddles of steel. One by one these guns exploded, taking their crews with them. But even as they died they littered the streets with the bodies of those who were pouring up from the depths of the city. Even as one melted, its needle-nosed swung upward and its beam cut through girders as though they were soft cheese. There was an awful grating sound as the heavy dome sagged a few inches. Splinters of glass and plastic rained down upon invader and defender alike. Guns burst in men's hands or turned to soft wax. The machine guns grew red-hot and melted. Ato sent his swirling bombs toward the enemy. The side blades dripped as they cut swathed through massive rows of human flesh. But from far down the street a swarm of red sparks came rushing at the bombs like hornets. They swirled about them, humming angrily. And then the bombs and the hornet sparks were gone. Odin learned that the Toadstool-shaped weapon which Valsman carried was a defense against the lancing beams from the glassy tubes. So one by one the weapons of offense and the weapons of defense fell apart. Sirens were screaming within the city. Hordes were still arriving from the depths below. Ato had set up a huge slowly whirling globe that was studded with spines. As it turned upon its axis it emitted a strange pulsing light. As the defenders came rushing up the stairways to the upper world the guns at their belts exploded in furious heat. They died by the hundreds of those entrances. They filled the stairways in the halls below. Screams from seared throats drowned out the noise of battle. The stench of burned flesh and blood was now so heavy that it was hard to breathe. Another wild shell crashed into the spider web framework of the dome. It sagged again with a shriek and a groan of protest, and once more a rain of glass showered down upon them. The defenders cleared in the choked stairways and came on, dying at the entrances and falling back and blocking the stairs again. At the last they unbuckled their belts and their weapons and threw them aside. Then they plunged through the entrances in a flood armed with only knives and clubs. Meanwhile Ato's guns were going out. At last became a white torch when a magnesium blob struck it. The side arms were all gone. They fought now with sword and knife. Jack Oden felt a heavy hand upon his arm. Gunnar was at his side. It is even as I foretold you, Norse King. The weapons are all gone. Stay close by Gunnar's side now. We will fight together as we fought before. They are coming up from underground like ants. I think we have lost the advantage. Hagen's dead life thick though, and now it's our turn. The old swords and the swinging chant. Ah, old blood drinker will not be thirsty tonight. Brace yourself. Here comes the first assault. And with this huge short leg spread wide apart Gunnar swung his broadsword. The first wave of attackers went down like a ripe wheat. Gunnar and Oden cut their way through them and came out against the smoking hedge. Behind them Ato and his Lawrence screwed the streets with dead. Gunnar and Oden went through a hole in the hedge. A defender was making for it from the other side and Gunnar broke the man's neck. Clinging to the thin shadow of the hedge they moved forward, killing as they went. End of Chapter 15