Captain Future 09 - Quest Beyond the Stars (Winter 1942)

by Edmond Hamilton

  “But after ages had passed, Thruun began to wither. Then many of our people, who had lost faith in the ancient law, desired to disregard the traditional warning, enter the Birthplace and use its secret to revive our wasting world. They were forbidden to do so. So the malcontents left Thruun and built themselves a new city upon the world of a green star which, until then, had been too hot for habitation. They called that world Kor, and they themselves came to be green of skin after some generations.

  “Since then, the Korians have lusted after the secret of the Birthplace, but always we of the true blood of Thruun have abided by the ordainment of the Watchers and prevented them. But the Korians have increased more rapidly than we on our wasted world. Only their fear that we had relaxed our former severe attitude and had secured the secret of the Birthplace for our own use has kept them from attacking us to penetrate the constant patrols that we maintain around he Birthplace. But now,” he concluded, “Larstan has learned that we do not possess the secret. Very soon, I fear, he will launch his forces upon us. The help of you strangers and your science would be invaluable in repelling that attack. But I will not delude you with false promises. Even if you help us, we cannot and will not allow you to approach the Birthplace!”

  Chapter 14: Struggle of Worlds

  CURT NEWTON had listened in growing wonder to the old king’s story. He broke the ensuing silence with a question. “Do you Thruunians believe that the Watchers still exist inside the Birthplace?”

  “We do,” affirmed Kwolok solemnly, “Even though not for ages have they manifested themselves.”

  Otho was openly incredulous. “How could any beings live inside that storm of force?”

  “Tradition tells us,” answered the king, “that there is a world somewhere inside the Birthplace.”

  “A planet in there?” echoed Grag. “It sounds impossible.”

  “It might be possible,” murmured the Brain thoughtfully. “There might be a calm area within that spinning tempest.”

  Kwolok looked at Captain Future. “I have been frank with you, strangers. You know now that we can never permit you to approach the Birthplace. Knowing that, do you still wish to help us against Larstan?”

  Curt’s decision was already made. “We’re going to help you,” he said quietly. “Larstan must not gain possession of the power of matter mastery, for if he did, he might carry conquest to our own outer universe. Once he has been thwarted, we can discuss our own plans.”

  “There will be nothing to discuss, for I repeat that we shall never allow you to enter the Birthplace,” warned Kwolok. “But I gladly accept your help, for I fear that we will need it badly.”

  “Will Larstan’s forces be so superior to your own?” Curt asked.

  “I fear they will be. We can muster no more than four hundred space cruisers fit for battle, and the Korians must have nearly six hundred. To make matters worse, half our own ships are required to maintain the space patrol around the Birthplace.”

  Captain Future nodded understanding. “But if your ships had the speed and armament of our Comet, they’d be more that a match for Larstan’s superior numbers. We must lose no time in beginning the refitting of your fleet.”

  They stood up. Kwolok thrust his hand impulsively toward Curt Newton. “Strangers, I think you were sent by providence in this hour of our need. I am only sorry that we are forced to deny your wish respecting the Birthplace.”

  “Time enough to argue about that later,” Curt smiled. “Good night, sir. Goodnight, Thyria.”

  Back in their own chambers, Otho vehemently expressed his dislike of the proceedings to Captain Future.

  “This is a one-way alliance!” the android declared. “The Thruunians get our help but what do we get — nothing! And if the Thruunians don’t get our help, the Birthplace will be penetrated by Larstan.”

  Curt explained.

  “Our most pressing problem is to keep the Korians from getting the power of matter creation, Otho. Think what disaster Larstan could spread in the universe with that power. We can’t allow that to happen. Once Larstan’s attempt has been crushed, we can get away from here and enter the Birthplace — with or without the permission of the Thruunians.”

  Hol Jor loudly approved. “It’ll give us a chance to settle our score with those green devils of Kor. I haven’t forgotten Taunus Tar and Skur Kal.”

  KI ILLOK’S brown face was almost eager.

  “You’ll find we know something about space fighting,” he told Curt.

  Old Ber Del looked worried. “But even if we defeat Larstan and get to the Birthplace, will it do us any good? What if the Watchers still exist?”

  “Bah, we’re not going to let an old legend stop us if we get that far,” declared Otho.

  “Old legends usually have a basis of fact,” muttered the Brain. “The Watchers sound incredible, but who knows? More than one scientist believes there were prehuman races of great powers in the past.”

  “We’ll face that possibility when it arises,” yawned Curt. “Time to turn in, you space lawyers. We’ve got to be up early to start refitting the Thruunian ships — and a sweet job that will be.”

  IT SEEMED to Captain Future that he had only slept a few hours before he was awakened by a hard hand squeezing his shoulder. He opened his eyes, instantly alert. Grag’s great metal figure towered over him in the dim light of earliest dawn that filtered through the window. The robot’s booming voice had an excited tempo.

  “Chief, it’s come already! An audio message just received from a scout cruiser — the Korian space fleet is on its way toward Thruun,”

  Curt sprang to his feet, his gray eyes flashing.

  “I might have known it — Larstan’s not going to give us time to strengthen the Thruunian ships with new weapons.”

  The others were rising. The whole royal castle was in an increasing uproar.

  From outside the large building came the roar of space ships hastily landing or taking off. Hol Jor was exultant, his red face flaming.

  “Hah, this is what I’ve been hoping for! If they’ll give me a cruiser, I’ll show Larstan how an Antarian fights.”

  They had buckled on their proton-pistols and atom guns. They made a formidable group as they trooped hastily down the stairs after Captain Future.

  In the great marble hall of the castle, Thruunians were coming and going excitedly.

  Kwolok stood amid a little knot of his officers. The old king wore an impressive crested helmet, a fire-rod at his belt. His bearded face was blazing with excitement as he greeted Curt Newton.

  “This is a day of fate for either Larstan or ourselves!” he exclaimed tensely.

  “The audio message came an hour ago from one of our scout ships cruising toward Kor. They are coming full speed.”

  “How many ships, and in what disposition?” Curt asked rapidly.

  “Their whole fleet is in battle formation, with a fringe of fast scouts ahead,” replied the Thruunian king. “Their course is straight toward Thruun.

  “I’ve already called all our patrol cruisers to rendezvous with the rest of our forces a million miles off Thruun. We’ll give battle there.”

  Thyria caught at Curt’s arm. The Thruunian girl was a slim, martial figure, wearing a short fire-rod at her belt, her eyes shining.

  “I go in my father’s flagship!” she exclaimed. “You will be with us?”

  “We’ll take our own Comet” Curt answered. Kwolok, Hol Jor and Ber Del and Ki Illok are veteran space fliers and fighters. If you could give them cruisers —”

  “They shall each command one of our best ships,” Kwolok replied. “We can use their abilities, for no battle of such magnitude has ever been fought between Thruun and Kor.”

  An officer came running up to the king.

  “Patrol cruisers all report on the way to the rendezvous, sir.”

  “Good — we go!” exclaimed Kwolok. He led the way out.

  THE crimson sun had risen, and its brilliant rays smote their faces as they
emerged from the castle. A dense crowd of Thruunians surged around the plaza and split the air with a cheer as the ruler and his daughter and officers moved toward the royal flagship. Other ships were parked on the plaza — needle-like Thruunian war cruisers with grim batteries of fire-rods along their sides. Kwolok assigned three of the cruisers to Hol Jor and Ki Illok and Ber Del, and the three star captains hastened to assume their new commands. The Thruunian king paused by the door of his ship for a last word with Captain Future. “Set your audio transmitter and receiver to this frequency,” he said, giving Curt the figure. “It is our secret wave which permits our ships to communicate with each other without the Korians being able to overhear. And remain near my flagship — I count on your experience to aid us.”

  Then Kwolok made a reverent gesture toward the eastern sky.

  “Now pray the Watchers that fortune favor us this day.”

  Up from the city of Kor into the red sunlight rose two hundred war cruisers of Thruun. In a T formation they flew steadily into space. At the head of the fleet moved Kwolok’s flagship, easily identifiable by the insignia on its bows. Close behind it trailed the Comet.

  Curt’s tanned face was grave as he sat in the pilot-chair. “They got off well,” he murmured, looking back. “But these Thruunians have never fought a real fleet action before. This organization of theirs around one central command is faulty. There should be sub-commanders for ease and quickness in tactical handling of units.”

  Otho shrugged. “So what’s the difference? The Korians haven’t had any more experience than they in real space battle.”

  “No, but Larstan and Uzhur are cunning devils who will plan well,” Curt muttered. “Also, they’ve got a heavy numerical superiority and possess the initiative.”

  They were flying through the glittering haze in the general direction of the green spark that was the sun of Kor. Behind them, the red sun of Thruun was a drop of blood hanging against the appalling background of the vast, haze-shrouded spinning flame of the Birthplace. The voice of Kwolok came from the audio speaker, ordering them to halt and form up in a hollow cube. They assumed the formation, the flagship and the Comet lying a little in front of it. Then they waited for the patrol cruisers to reach the rendezvous. Captain Future listened intently to the messages constantly coming in from the Thruunian scout cruisers that were fleeing back before the advance of Larstan’s fleet. They reported the Korian armada still massed solidly and driving at top speed toward Thruun.

  “Larstan must figure his superiority in numbers will give him a sure victory, to use such simple tactics,” Curt commented. “He must know the whole Thruunian force has had time to gather to meet him.”

  Swarms of dots appeared to right and left in space. They were the patrol cruisers of Thruun, coming from their watch around the Birthplace to join the rest of the fleet. Kwolok ordered the newly arrived ships to reinforce their present cubical formation. The Thruunian fleet thus became a cube of four hundred cruisers hanging motionless in space.

  “We shall await the Korians in our present formation,” Kwolok’s voice rang confidently. It is a rock against which their attack will shatter itself. Then we can easily rout them.”

  “I don’t like this,” murmured Otho uneasily. “You can’t win a space battle by standing on the defensive.”

  Captain Future shrugged. “Kwolok’s giving the orders.”

  “There comes the Korians,” Grag exclaimed suddenly.

  FAR out in space, tiny racing dots were becoming visible. There were a dozen of them — speeding Thruunian scout cruisers which were blasting backward with their fire-rods as they fled. After them came the big Korian fleet. The conical ships of the green men were holding a ring formation, their own fringe of scouts hotly pursuing the fleeting Thruunians.

  “Here they come!” cried Otho, his green eyes aglow as he sprang to the breech of a proton cannon.

  Curt’s keen eyes were taking in every detail. Space actions were fought at such high speed that only a trained eye could comprehend ship movements before it was too late. The massive ring of Korian cruisers was deliberately advancing toward the Thruunian cubical formation. As it swept closer, the ring began to revolve.

  “They’re going to cut in!” Curt yelled, suddenly understanding. He shouted into the audio. “Kwolok, order our forces to spread into columns before it’s too late!”

  “It’s too late already!” Grag cried.

  The ring of Korian ships, spinning ever more rapidly, was at the same time sweeping on toward the motionless cube of Thruunian ships. The spinning ring cut into the cube like a buzz-saw biting into wood. A wild melee took place in the left of the cube. As the Korian cruisers penetrated their formation, the Thruunians were letting go with all fire-rods in position to bear on the enemy. Bolts of white energy criss-crossed like weaving lightning between racing ships, blasted through metal hulls.

  Curt Newton sent the Comet racing into the thick of the battle with Kwolok’s flagship. Grag and Otho were already triggering heavy proton cannon. The pale, deadly beams flashed out through the spinning ships and fire-bolts like dim fingers of death, ripping Korian cruisers into wreckage with uncanny accuracy. Captain Future’s attention was divided. One part of it concentrated on maneuvering the Comet to avoid enemy fire-bolts, and to bring it in to position to loose its beams effectively. But the other part of Curt’s mind was apprehending the general plan of battle.

  “They’re cutting in further!” he groaned. “They’ll split us to pieces.”

  The Korians had a great tactical advantage. The fact that their ring of ships was constantly revolving made it possible for them to bring a continuous fire to bear on the few ships of Thruun directly ahead of them. The rest of the Thruunians, stretched out in the cubical formation, could not get into the fight.

  “Kwolok, for space’s sake order our ships to drop back into columns!” Curt yelled into the audio. “A fifth of our cruisers are facing the firepower of the whole Korian fleet this way.”

  “Kwolok’s ship has been hit!” Otho cried. “Look at that!”

  The royal flagship of Thruun was limping through the battle confusion not far away. Its bow was badly ripped and crushed.

  Thyria’s frantic voice came from the audio. “Captain Future! My father is hurt, unconscious!”

  Curt sensed a wavering of the Thruunian ships around him as their officers also heard this news. He divined imminent disaster to a leader-less, broken fleet.

  “Then I’m taking over command for Kwolok!” he shouted into the audio. “All cruisers attention! Spread out and fall back at once! Form up into three columns!”

  THE formidable ring of the Korian fleet had almost split the disordered ships of Thruun asunder. But Curt’s order was followed by a sudden retreat through space in the direction of Thruun. The cruisers of the Thruunians spread out as they retreated. The green men, balked of expected victory, changed formation. Their ring compressed into a triangular formation that came hurtling in pursuit of the withdrawing Thruunians like a flying spear.

  “There’s Larstan’s flagship!” exclaimed Otho fiercely, pointing to a heavy conical cruiser at the apex of the enemy triangle. It bore a complex insignia. “If we could just get that —”

  Captain Future was barking orders into the audio. “Hol Jor, take command of our left column, Ki Illok of our right. I’ll command the center column. And whatever I do, you stand firm on the wings when the Korians hit us.”

  “I hear!” thundered Hol Jor’s excited voice. “Close up that column, you dunderheads, and swing broadside to face the enemy!”

  The Thruunian fleet, sadly diminished by the damaging Korian attack, had formed three columns which now presented their broadsides to the oncoming Korian triangle. The crippled flagship that bore Thyria and her wounded father had limped away toward Thruun at Curt’s order. Now Captain Future watched tensely as Larstan’s revolving wedge of ships rushed on.

  “If Larstan will only select our column for his point of attack —,” he
muttered tautly.

  “Holy sun-imps, I get it now!” cried Otho, his eyes blazing. “A chance to ‘box’ them!”

  The Korian triangle came on. Curt felt a thrill of hope as he perceived that its apex was directed toward his own center column.

  “As I thought — he plans to rip up our center first,” Curt rapped. “We’ve got to stand up to his first shock.”

  The wedge of Korian ships came on. Fire-rods blazed all along the line, crackling blasts of raving energy licking out from ship to ship. Then the Korians hit. A dozen ships on either side were crumpled to wrecks by outright collision. The rest battered furiously at each other with all their fire power. To Captain Future’s eyes, space seemed choked with whirling ships and blinding fire-bolts. Ships on each side were being torn and mauled by the blasting streaks of energy. Otho and Grag were pumping the proton-cannon furiously.

  “They’ve too much weight for us,” Otho gasped. “We can’t hold them —”

  Almost the whole mass of the Korian fleet was pressing against them. Only a light holding force of Korians were engaging the Thruunian wings.

  “Give back slowly, center column ships!” Curt shouted into the audio. “Slowly, and keep fighting —”

  The Thruunian center fell back as ordered, fiercely striking back at the Korians, who now pushed exultantly harder against them. Back fell Curt’s column until it was its own length behind the two wings that still held their places. Captain Future glimpsed the opportunity for which he had planned and grasped it.