FullReads

“Some of these cubicles were very large, and utilized as storage rooms. Others were used for community activities, schools, entertainments, and so forth. We learned these things later, and explored them by means of our ethon lamps–the entire system of tunnels being, of course, in utter darkness.

“The first few days they were exceedingly hostile, and tried to tear us to pieces. When they could not do this, word was sent to some of their more learned members, and we were investigated. By the use of extra menores we had brought with us, we established a contact with their minds; first by the usual process of impressing pictures of our thoughts upon their minds, and later by more direct process.”

* * * * *

“I will say nothing of the great scientific value of our discoveries, for you would neither understand nor appreciate them–although they will set the scientific universe agog,” continued Tipene, his eyes gleaming suddenly with a triumphant light. “As we perfected communication, we convinced them that we were friendly, and we gained their complete confidence.

“They are a very ancient race. Very slowly have they come to their present stage of mental development, but they now possess reasoning faculties, a language–and a form of community government. There is much more, which, as I have said, would be of no significance to you.

“And then word came that beings like ourselves had attacked and killed many of the Aranians. The news had traveled slowly, for their system of communication is crude, but it reached the community center in which we were staying.

“Instantly, all was hostility. They felt they had been betrayed, and that we might betray them. Brady and Inverness, always rash and thoughtless, had discarded their protective suits, feeling sure they were perfectly safe, and they were torn to pieces.

“I, having a more scientific and cautious mind, doubting everything as a true scientific mind must, still wore my armor. By the liberal use of my pistol, I managed to fight my way to the surface, and to the boat. And now, Commander Hanson, will you start back, as I have ordered?”

I don’t know what I would have said if I had not caught a peculiar glance from Correy, a glance accompanied by a significant, momentary closing of one eye (a gesture of Earth which means many things, and which is impossible to explain) and a slight nod.

“Very well, Mr. Tipene,” I said shortly. “We’ll start at once. Gentlemen, will you join me in the navigating room?”

* * * * *

Correy was the last to arrive in the navigating room, and when he came in his eyes were dancing.

“I’ve just transferred Tipene to another stateroom, sir,” he said. “A specially equipped stateroom.”

“You what?”

“If you’ll give orders, sir, for an immediate start, I’ll tell you all about it,” chuckled Correy. “Tipene says he’s worn out, and is going to retire as soon as we start. And when he does–we’ll learn something.”

I nodded to Kincaide, and he gave the general attention signal. In a few seconds the outer sentry was recalled, and the exit port had been sealed. Slowly, the Ertak lifted.

“Maybe I’m wrong, sir,” said Correy then, “but I’m convinced that Tipene is lying. Something’s wrong; he was in altogether too much of a hurry to get away.

“So, before I transferred him to the other stateroom, I concealed a menore under the mattress of his bunk, immediately under where his head will lie. It’s adjusted to full strength, and I believe it will pick up enough energy to emanate what he’s thinking about. We’ll be in the next stateroom and see what we can pick up. How does that sound, sir?”