The Star Guardsman
By ALBERT DePINA
Europa was the only sanctuary for Earth's
doomed millions. Yet to hold it, Mark Lynn
had to fight his traitorous Overlords. And
he was destined to lose—for his weapons were
antiquated, his allies a fragile peaceful race.
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Planet Stories Winter 1943.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
"Your business?"
The Martian Proctor's parchment-like face was blank as he examinedLynn's pass-card impassively.
"Since when are Internationals given explanations?" Mark Lynn's darkgreen eyes glowed. "I've been given none."
"In the Council Hall, humility's essential." The tall Martian drewhimself erect, arrogantly.
"See that you observe it, then." Lynn barked laconically and turningentered the tube, while the violet-eyed Planetarian gasped inincredulity.
When the door of the tube in which he'd been transported openedsilently, Mark Lynn found himself before a blank, polished wall ofBeryloy, but as he stepped before it, the wall slid aside to reveal anaustere room of dura-plon whose walls were buckled in places, as ifthey'd endured tremendous pressure; part of the room was marked off byberyloy cables, where a bas-relief of man's progress had crumbled tothe floor and had not been removed as yet. The ceiling seemed uneven,the polished expanse of floor was asymmetrical.
Across an enormous desk, now covered by a plotting chart, a figuredressed in the purple uniform of a scientist, with the golden cord ofthe Psychologists, gazed at him placidly out of level hazel eyes.
The short-cropped hair that escaped the confines of the tight, silverkepis, was golden-brown, unruly, and the oval face freckle-sprinkledhad the serious expression of a precocious child.
Mark regarded the girl gravely, startled at her youth, although beingaccustomed to female scientists her sex did not surprise him. Heremained silent, as the etiquette of 2,022 demanded when before theruling class.
"You've made a characteristic beginning, Spacer Lynn," the girlobserved coldly and gestured toward a visi-screen at her side. "Was itnecessary to leave the Proctor frothing?"
"At the moment, yes!" Mark replied evenly. "Martian arrogance annoysme, scientist."
The girl frowned slightly. "I'm Doctor Fortun," she stated after apause. "The Council has decided to honor you with a mission. It is aproblem particularly suited to your ... er ... talents; your recordshows a rare agility of mind impossible to find among Civicans."
"That's because controls one, six and fifteen failed to affect me,"Mark said smiling, unconsciously displaying magnificent teeth, dazzlingagainst the background of his space-tanned features.
"Because you're a ..." the girl began irritably and then checkedherself. "No matter, Spacer Lynn."
"Why not finish it?" Mark sat down, stretching long, sinewy legsuntil he sprawled relaxed and loose-jointed, so that it seemed evenhis magnificent muscles would never be able to lift the great body."Atavistic, is the word." He grinned engagingly and hooded his eyesslightly as he appraised Doctor Fortun with undisguised admiration.
The young scientist reddened, but she continued in a quiet voice.
"You were selected because you evolved the expedient of takingInternationals on space exploration, in defiance of the Council Lawthat no International can serve more than two years in one position,