Part 44 (2/2)

There seemed to be some mining equipment also. Far along the deck, beyond the central cabin in the open s.p.a.ce of the stern, steel rails were stacked; half a dozen tiny-wheeled ore carts; a tiny motor engine for hauling them and what looked as though it might be the dismembered sections of an ore chute.

The whole deck was presently strewn with this ma.s.s of equipment.

Potan moved about, directing the different groups of workers. The news had spread that we knew the location of the treasure. The brigands were jubilant. In a few hours the s.h.i.+p's armament would be ready, and it would advance.

I saw many glances cast out the dome side windows toward the distant plains of the Mare Imbrium. The brigands believed that the Grantline camp lay in that direction.

Anita whispered, ”Which is their giant electronic projector, Gregg?”

I could see it amids.h.i.+ps of the deck. It was already in place. Potan was there now, superintending the men who were connecting it. The most powerful weapon on the s.h.i.+p. It had, Potan said, an effective range of some ten miles. I wondered what it would do to a Grantline building!

The Erentz double walls would withstand it for a time, I was sure. But it would blast an Erentz fabric suit, no doubt of that. Like a lightning bolt, it would kill--its flas.h.i.+ng free stream of electrons shocking the heart, bringing instant death.

I whispered, ”We must smash that before we leave! But first turn it on Miko, if he signals now.”

I was tensely watchful for that signal. The electronic projector obviously was not ready. But when it was connected, I must be near it, to persuade its duty man to fire it on Miko. With this done we would have more time to plan our other tasks. I did not think Potan would be ready for his attack before another time of sleep here in the s.h.i.+p's routine. Things would be quieter then; I would watch my chance to send a signal to Earth, and then we would escape.

With my thoughts roving, we had been standing quietly at the cubby door for about fifteen minutes. My hand in my side pouch clutched the little bullet projector. The brigands had taken it from me and given it to Potan. He had placed it on the settle with my Erentz suit; and when we gained his confidence he had forgotten it and left it there. I had it now, and the feel of its cool sleek handle gave me a measure of comfort. Things could go wrong so easily. But if they did, I was determined to sell my life as dearly as possible. And a vague thought was in my mind: I must not use the last bullet. That would be for Anita.

”That electronic projector is remote controlled. Look, Anita, that's the signal room over us. The giant projector will be aimed and fired from up there.”

A thirty foot skeleton tower stood on the deck near us, with a spiral ladder leading up to a small, square, steel cubby at the top. Through the cubby window I could see instrument panels. A single Martian was up there; he had called down to Potan concerning the electronic projector.

The roof of this little tower room was close under the dome--a s.p.a.ce of no more than four feet. A pressure lock exit in the dome was up there, with a few steps leading up to it from the roof of the tower signal room.

We could escape that way, perhaps. In the event of dire necessity it might be possible. But only as a desperate resort, for it would put us on the top of the gla.s.site dome, with a sheer hundred feet or more down its sleek bulging exterior side, and down the outside bulge of the s.h.i.+p's hull, to the rocks below. There might be a spider ladder outside leading downward, but I saw no evidence of it. If Anita and I were forced to escape that way, I wondered how we could manage a hundred foot jump to the rocks, and land safely. Even with the slight gravity of the Moon, it would be a dangerous fall.

”You are Gregg Haljan?”

I stared as one of the brigands, coming up behind, addressed me.

”Yes.”

”Commander Potan tells me you were chief navigator of the _Planetara_?”

”Yes.”

”You shall pilot us when we advance upon the Grantline camp. I am control-commander here--Brotow, my name.”

He smiled. A giant fellow, but spindly. He spoke good English. He seemed anxious to be friendly.

”We are glad to have you and George Prince's sister with us.” He shot Anita an admiring glance. ”I will show you our controls, Haljan.”

”All right,” I said. ”Whatever I can do to help....”

”But not now. It will be some hours before we are ready.”

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