Buried under layers of horror in the old
scientist's brain was the only thing that
could save the System—and Roger Kay
had exactly half an hour to dig it out!
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Planet Stories Fall 1946.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
The face of Brian Wargan, chief of the Solar Bureau of Investigation,was gray with strain and fatigue. "This Corvo North business," hesaid. "It's almost a myth by now, but it's our only chance. We might aswell face that."
His features and that of the younger man across the desk from himmight have formed a study in contrasts. Roger Kay was keen, alert.There were signs of weariness about his eyes, but the firm set of hisjaw revealed a tendency to action rather than introspection.
"Then, sir," he urged, "let's take that chance. The department haslocated him, I believe? I haven't seen the reports."
The S.B.I. chief nodded. "His laboratory is right here on Gany." Heindicated a spot on the global map of Ganymede, some distance from thespaceport.
"That's the mining district," Kay observed.
"Yes. He's been doing some research for the Inter-Planetary MiningSyndicate. We've assigned a special wave band and are in constantcommunication. Here, I'll introduce you."
Wargan set the dials on the visi-communicator that occupied one cornerof his desk; then looked up at the screen on the wall. A blurredrectangle of light flickered and then coalesced into sharpness—andRoger Kay involuntarily drew a deep breath. The girl looking out fromthe visi-screen was the most beautiful he'd ever seen.
"Is your father making progress, Miss North?" asked Wargan.
The girl in the screen shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Mr. Wargan.He's in the lab now, working, and won't let me disturb him except tobring in coffee and sandwiches. I've been trying to get him to sleep."
"This is Roger Kay, Miss North," said the S.B.I. chief. "One of myassistants. I'm sending him out to your place to see if he can help."
Ann North frowned slightly. "We're doing everything we possibly canalready."
"I'm sure of that. But Mr. Kay is rather outstanding as a scientisthimself, Miss North. He'll be able to help—at least in some of thedetail work, to save time."
Roger Kay grinned. "He means, Miss North, that I can clean the testtubes and solder the wires and let your father save his energy for thebrain-work."
His smile was infectious, and the scientist's daughter capitulated.Wargan flicked the switch and threw the screen into blankness.
"I'll give you an order for the fastest helio we have," he said."You'll be there in three hours. And that means there will be a littleless than three days left!"
Roger Kay drew a deep breath, his face suddenly serious. Three days tosave the System from an invasion that could not possibly prove to beless than a major catastrophe, less than the end of things as he knewthem.
Even now the invaders from Andromeda were approaching the System'soutermost defenses; converging upon the virtually helpless garrisonson Pluto. Patrol spacers off the frigid planet had already contactedspearheads of the huge armada—with fatal results.
Once before the System had been periled by these devils from thedistant galaxy. Victory had been costly then, but the combinedPlanetary fleets could not now hope to stave off the full force on thisnew attack. They would have to yield space; fall back to more favorablepositions.
Trionite alone would prove the decisive factor in any war of worlds,and the United Planets had not been able to learn the secret ofmanufactur