The Best of Argosy #2 - Minions on the Moon
Page 17
Their point of view, it became apparent, was perfect. They had taken off from a point directly at the south-pole of a world of the Jaspers, and were afforded a vision of the complete southern hemisphere. The day side of the planet was a brilliant crescent, vivid in detail, while the night side was a shadowy world.
The Jaspers were as good as their word. After a few minutes of watching it became evident that the work was already begun.
Slim, working frantically at the adjustment knobs on the telescope, brought into focus a vast cloud, its edges wavering and constantly changing, rising from a point on the lighted side of the planet.
Gradually the telescope brought the image closer and defined it more clearly.
Ham gasped as it became apparent that the cloud was composed of millions of Jaspers, rocketing through space at a terrific speed. Neither man had expected anything like this. They had expected to wait several days before anything happened, while the Jaspers constructed machinery to accomplish their purpose.
But obviously these beings were too advanced to require any such crude methods. They would make the necessary light-reflecting screen by direct manipulation of the energies thrown off by their sun, Propus. Each individual would do his part in constructing the vast reflector.
THE cloud approached a point several millions of miles above the dark side of the planet; and as it did the Jaspers which composed it began to diverge, taking paths away from the center of the cloud.
The two men scarcely breathed as they watched the magnificence of the spectacle. Each Jasper was taking his position as if with rehearsed precision. The whole formed a pattern millions of miles across. If lines could have been drawn through the tiny points in the pattern the result would have resembled a circular spider’s web of almost unimaginable proportions.
Abruptly the two men slitted their eyes as the vast design flashed into blinding light. Each Jasper, utilizing the accumulated knowledge of a civilization old beyond human conception, was throwing off his portion of that huge mirror.
THE darkness below was suddenly turned into blazing day. The reflector was steady, motionless; and the two men knew that it would be maintained that way until every Mad One had given up the ghost.
Swiftly Slim pointed the telescope toward the ground below. But as quickly as he manipulated its controls, even quicker had been the action of the light.
Scattered from pole to equator were evidences that the menace of the Mad Ones was no more. Several times the telescope caught images of animals of varying sizes, dead and partially devoured; and each time they saw the shriveled remains of Mad Ones stricken in the middle of their carnivorous repasts.
At length the two men turned from the telescope and started the ship on its swift journey homeward.
Ham, a few minutes later, was struck with a familiar urge and began to rummage through the supply lockers. He wasn’t exactly disappointed when he didn’t find any Scotch.
“Some sight, wasn’t it?” he remarked.
“Sure was,” admitted Slim, bending over a sheaf of charts. “We ought to get a bonus for starting the ball a-rolling.”
No answer. Silence, in fact — which was a thoroughly unnatural reaction to the mention of increased emolument. Somewhat alarmed, Slim looked up from the charts. And his alarm was not mitigated by what he saw.
Ham had found a bottle — a pint one, with the amber approximation of one slug of Scotch at the bottom. Yet he had apparently forgotten it; was, in fact, standing rigid, holding the bottle without seeing it. On his face was an expression of deep bereavement.
“For Propus’ sake!” Slim exploded. “What’s happened now? Who’s died? Gimme that —”
Ham shook his head mournfully. “I was just thinking of Jasper. Nicest little gent you’d care to meet on any planet. I guess I’m going to kind of miss him.”
“Oh that.” Slim started a laugh. “Why he’s just —” He paused, nodded. “Yeah,” he finished lamely. “Yeah... me too.”
And then it came, like a faint music seeping into their minds. Like a memory, distinct but impalpable. “Are my rays strong enough, earth-gentlemen? We are grateful to you, and I personally shall miss you very much.”
The two earth-gentlemen stared at each other, nodded slowly in unison. It was the McCoy.
“And now that things are already back to normal on your planet, I have begun to think how pleasant it would be to visit you there. Perhaps, at some future time, it would not be impossible. Meanwhile...”
Ham raised the bottle to his lips, drank exactly half a slug. Bowed profoundly.
And passed the other half-slug over to Slim.
Mother Earth sang happily in her course.
THE END
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Introduction to The Best of Argosy
Minions of the Moon
Chapter 1: The Unknown Years
Chapter 2: If a Body Meet a Body
Chapter 3: Welcome Stranger
Chapter 4: The Lady in the Cage
Chapter 5: Dinner at Four
Chapter 6: The Dangerous Brains
Chapter 7: Nocturne for Tomorrow
Chapter 8: Blueblood
Chapter 9: When is a Bear...
Chapter 10: I Took This Woman
Chapter 11: The Man from Oslo
Chapter 12: Whom The Gods Have Chosen
Chapter 13: Mark, The Mighty
Chapter 14: Harbor of Women
Chapter 15: Soldiers — to War!
Chapter 16: Nomads and a Dragon
Chapter 17: The Real Fight
Chapter 18: Tomorrow Can Come
Let ‘Em Eat Space
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
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