"Afternoon, Mr. Correy. "Not a thing, sir!" "You were born a few centuries too late," I chuckled. At the moment, Correy meant every word he said. I was just making
conversation, to get his mind out of its unhealthy channel. "Arpan isn't registering yet, I see. "Right, sir," replied Correy. "Most useless world in the Universe, I
guess. "She's not very valuable, certainly," I admitted. "A--a new continent, sir!" said Correy almost reverently. I confess I was tempted. I know." "Well, we'll hope you're wrong." "Keep her on her present course, Mr. Correy." "Present course it is, sir!" snapped Correy. "Right. No comment." "He's spoiling for action, sir," he commented. "I only
hope--message for you, sir." "Yes. Thank you, sir. Will await
instructions." "Confirmed. Stand by." I
will repeat the orders," and he droned through them a second time. "Orders are understood. "What's up, sir?" asked Correy, reading news in my face. "If there are, we can do without them!" shouted Correy. "The crew is on duty, sir," said Kincaide quietly. We can leave any time you
order, sir." "We leave immediately, gentlemen," I said. "Mr. Correy, will you give
the necessary orders?" "Yes, sir!" "We've been trying constantly, at intervals of but a few minutes," I
replied grimly. "We're reducing speed, sir," he said. "What are the bands, Mr. I asked sharply. I looked up from the disk, feeling Correy's eyes upon me. "You--you saw it, sir?" asked Correy at last, his voice scarcely more
than a whisper. "I don't know. "Yes. "I know it, sir," nodded Correy. "I know it. And still, I saw it, and
you saw it." "Yes," I muttered. "I saw it. Like the antennae of a
butterfly, they were surmounted by tiny knobs, and were in constant
motion. "It shouldn't be such a stiff battle, sir," he said. This is a case for
cunning, and not might." "What weapons, sir?" asked Correy, his eyes gleaming. "Right, sir!" said Correy, and picked up the microphone. You will be needed--"
"I understand your motives, Mr. Correy," I interrupted, "but I do not
agree with you. As Commander of the _Ertak_, I shall command the
activities of her men. "Use your own judgment, Mr. Correy. "Mr. Kincaide, you will remain on duty here. "I know that. I
find myself in need of words, and possessed only of memories. "I believe," emanated Correy, "that the beast sees us. "It's possible," I replied. "It's worth trying," agreed Hendricks. I am on
the verge of insanity myself. "Yes. We are coming to your aid. "I doubt it, for there's very little to tell. I don't know. "They were close now; very close. "I waited. It was terrible--ghastly. The load was too great. We have heard you
calling us, faintly and faultily. You have come at last, and I am at your orders. If
you cannot help us, we are lost, for we shall all go mad." "Yes. Stand by." They had, and had now reduced power, as I had done. snapped Correy. "He's hungry. It was daring enough to have some hope of success, but its dangers were
obvious. I asked
grimly. "You and Hendricks, with your men, will be on both sides of the path,
not opposite each other. To
the right, Hendricks and his men were scrambling into position. Before
me was the enemy. "Yes. I ordered. As it was, neither Hendricks or I had had time to get into
position. Unless a miracle happened,
he would be too late to help. "Hide, men!" I ordered. Then, with the monster towering
almost over my head. Of a sudden the sound stopped. Then, as his head shot
downward, I leaped aside. Dimly, I could hear him shouting. I warned him. "Keep back, Correy! Gasping, Correy rose to his feet, and I ran to assist him. "Back, men!" I shouted. "True," I said. We all looked up. "I suppose," grinned Correy, "that we'll be thanked by radio." "Probably. The rest of the great length slid, twitching, down the
shore. "Finish," I commented. That's the trouble with the scientists, I've found.