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“It’s worth trying,” agreed Hendricks. “These new menores are powerful.”

I adjusted the little atomic generator to maximum, and replaced the instrument on my head.

“On board the Kabit!” I emanated, trying by sheer mental effort to drive the thought over that stinking waste, and through the massive double hull of the liner. “Ahoy the Kabit!”

“This is Captain Gole,” flashed back the answer instantly. “Captain Gole of the passenger liner Kabit. You are from the Ertak?“

“Commander Hanson of the Ertak emanating. How are conditions on the Kabit?“

“Ghastly!” I could sense the feeling in the word, faintly as it smote upon my consciousness. “My officers are keeping the crew under some sort of control, but the passengers are unmanageable. They are frantic–insane with terror. Two or three have already gone mad. I am on the verge of insanity myself. Have you seen the thing that has us trapped?”

“Yes. We are coming to your aid. Tell your passengers to calm themselves. We’ll find a way out of this somehow. You know the motto of our Service.”

“Yes: ‘Nothing Less Than Complete Success!‘ I have already issued a bulletin to the effect that I am in contact with your ship. I think it has had a good effect. The clamor is quieting somewhat; you don’t know what a terrible strain this has been, sir!”

I could well imagine his mental state. The captain of the Kabit was a Zenian, and the Zenians are too high-strung to stand up under a severe strain.

“It may help us if you’ll tell us, very briefly, the history of your experience here,” I suggested. “We’re going up against something we know nothing about. Perhaps you can give us some valuable information.”

“I doubt it, for there’s very little to tell. Undoubtedly, you have the report which I managed to get through to Arpan before our radio emanation plates were put out of commission.

“Against my better judgment, we set down here upon the insistence of the passengers. The television instruments revealed nothing more dangerous than the small life in the marine growths left stranded by the receding water.

“I unsealed one of the exit ports, and a small party of the more curious passengers, under the escort of my second officer and six men, ventured forth on a little tour of exploration. A goodly portion of the remaining passengers huddled close to the ship, contenting themselves with souvenir-hunting close by.

“Suddenly there was a great sound of shouting from the exploring party. Not knowing the danger, but realizing that something was wrong, the passengers rushed into the ship. Helplessly, for we are utterly defenseless, I watched the fleeing party of explorers.

“For a moment, I could not see why they fled; I could only see them scrambling desperately toward the ship, and casting frightened glances behind them. Then I saw the thing’s head rear itself from the slimy tangle of vegetation, and behind it the wilting growths were lashed to shreds.

“The head drove forward. My second officer, courageously bringing up the rear, was the first victim. Perhaps his bright uniform attracted the beast’s attention. I don’t know.

“They were close now; very close. I knew that we were in danger, and yet I could not bear to seal the port in the faces of those helpless men racing towards the ship.

“I waited. Twice more the terrible head shot out and both times a man was picked from the fleeing ranks. It was terrible–ghastly.

“The rest of them reached the ship, and as the last man came reeling through the port, the door swung shut and began spinning upon its threads. Almost instantly I gave the order for vertical ascent at emergency speed, but before the order could be obeyed, the ship lurched suddenly, rolled half over, and swung back with a jolt. As the power was applied, the ship rose at a crazy angle, hung there trembling for a moment, and then sank back to the ground. The load was too great. I knew then that we were in the power of the thing that had come wriggling out of that sea of rotting weeds.