Nightmare Planet

by Donald S. Rowland

  They started to walk towards the control room, and Denson spoke rapidly, eagerness in his tones.

  “The third planet from the sun is inhabited,” he said. “The scientific department picked up definite signs of life! The first and second planets are uninhabited. The first planet has no vegetation or anything that could support any kind of life, and the second planet is gaseous. But you’ll be able to read the reports, Captain.”

  “Have you made contact with the aliens?” Barlor demanded.

  “No. There’s been no reply to any of the calls Professor Norvall made. He’s tried every known language, and some that he made up himself, but there hasn’t been so much as a squeak in reply.”

  “Any attacks made against the ship?”

  “Not a thing! We haven’t detected any kind of action. We have had clear sensor readings from the moment you detached from the ship.”

  “Yet we were attacked with missiles, and we found automatic missile sites on the fourth planet!” There was a hardening of Barlor’s tones. “We assumed that those sites are merely set up as outpost warnings, and that one or more of the inner planets was inhabited.”

  “Well there are definite life forms on the third planet.” Denson spoke in matter of fact tones, but there was excitement showing in his expression. “We’ll have to go down to the planet surface to make contact.”

  “And I promised you could take command of the next expedition!” Barlor smiled grimly. “The way I feel at the moment you can have the command, Collin.”

  “Was it tough down there?” Denson asked.

  “Not at all. It was unpleasant in space suits. But let us now make an approach to this third planet and see if we can slip into orbit around it without attracting hostile attention.”

  They entered the control room and Denson relieved the duty officer. Barlor went to the astrogator’s console, where Tewkes was seated, looking as if he had been there since Barlor detached in the shuttle forty-eight hours earlier. But Tewkes smiled.

  “Glad to see you back safe, Captain,” he greeted. “Thanks to your efficiency,” Barlor retorted. “I hear that you have some surprises in store for us! I want you to get us into orbit around the third planet as soon as possible. Will you work on the co-ordinates?”

  “I’ve already completed those calculations.” Tewkes permitted himself another smile. “I have only to rewrite the initial stage according to the position of the ship when we start swinging, and that won’t take long.”

  “Do it right away. The sooner we get into normal orbit the better!” Barlor spoke firmly. “We have to check out these aliens and find out about the attack that was made against us. If everything goes according to my hopes then we can arrange for the safe passage of our freighters through this planetary system. That is all we want! It shouldn’t be too difficult to arrange.”

  “Well the ship hasn’t been attacked again,” Tewkes mused softly. “I feel optimistic at last, Captain.”

  “Is that a good sign?” Barlor smiled as he turned away. “Do what you can about the course change, and bring us into orbit as soon as possible. I want to see all the scientific reports on that third planet before we venture from the ship, and I need to have a sleep before we proceed with the expedition.”

  Denson was watching him as he turned back to the control console, and Barlor smiled, nodding as he caught his subordinate’s eye. Denson would have his chance! But first there were a great many facts to be ascertained. Barlor could not overlook that the ship had been attacked, and some of the crew had suffered from a mental probe. One man had died as a result. The apparent peacefulness could be a false impression intended to lull them into a sense of false security, but Barlor was too experienced to fall into that insidious trap. His mouth tightened as he considered. He would not risk his ship and crew. He would use the utmost caution. There was danger in this project and he could sense it, and he knew his hunches had to be respected. They had served him too well in the past to be ignored now, and they were pressing him, making him uneasy again. Yet he had to push on if he were to maintain his schedule, and that was the rub…

  CHAPTER VI

  Voyager slid easily into a parking orbit around the third planet of the system at an average height of three hundred miles above the surface. Deflector shields were erected and fed full power, and Barlor ordered that the entire planet should be mapped and inspected before any attempt at landing would be made. The massive space ship orbited more than fifty times before the scientists reported that their tests and examination were complete.

  Barlor, sitting in on the scientific conference at the termination of the examination, let most of the scientific and technological information go over his head. That was not his department, although he was concerned with the mineral deposits and the like which could prove invaluable. But he asked for details of the life forms indicated on the planet, and received a technical lecture from Professor Tosk, which boiled down to the fact that life was evident, probably intelligent, but no signs of activity. Barlor ordered that a nonstop transmission of radio calls be made — a repetitive message that would inform those life forms on the planet that an intelligent alien was attempting to make contact. The ship continued to orbit, and for two days Barlor maintained their orbit while the transmissions were made.

  They called and listened on all frequencies, but there was no reply. Barlor realised there could be many reasons why those life forms did not reply, but there seemed only one solution to the deadlock that had arisen. They would have to make physical contact. An expedition would have to descend to the surface of the planet.

  Collin Denson was eager to lead the landing party, and Barlor gave his subordinate permission to select a security guard of six men and arrange a detach in one of the shuttles. Later, at a final briefing, Barlor faced the landing party, which consisted of Denson, Major Hammond and four guards. Barlor was emphatic in his orders.

  “Collin, you must maintain continual contact with the ship from the moment you detach until to attach again. Proceed with the utmost caution, and if you meet with hostility then withdraw immediately. Don’t make any hostile moves and always endeavour to convey that you are peacefully-minded.”

  “Don’t worry, Captain, I’ll handle it tactfully.” Denson was eager to be gone. “Lieutenant Tewkes is plotting our co-ordinates now, and we’ll be under computer control at all times. Professor Tosk is working with Tewkes, and they plan to set us down close to a position where there is a considerable grouping of life form. It must be a town, I suspect. One of the guards will be in direct contact with the ship all the time you are above the horizon.”

  “That’s the only drawback in the whole operation,” Barlor mused. “We’re completing one orbit every two hours, and three-quarters of that time will be spent out of contact with you. But there has been no sign of hostility while we’ve been in orbit, and any life forms on the planet surface must be aware of our presence now.” He paused and considered for a moment. “I think your party should include Professor Norvall, unless he wishes to send his assistant. Someone who can handle the communication side of the business should be present. A transmuter would be invaluable once you’ve established contact with the aliens.”

  “I’ll talk to Professor Norvall,” Denson said. “He’s been

  on duty at the communicator for hours now. He hasn’t stopped trying to make contact with the aliens since we arrived in orbit.”

  “All right, so now you’re ready to detach. There’s nothing else we can do to safeguard your expedition. I leave it to you to take all possible precautions, Collin!” Barlor got to his feet and held out his hand. “Good luck! I’ll be waiting impatiently for your return.”

  Denson smiled as he gripped Barlor’s hand, and for a moment their eyes met in an unwavering gaze.

  “Thanks, Captain,” Denson said softly. “We’ll be in touch.”

  Barlor nodded, wishing that he was going in Denson’s place, and he returned to the control room as Denson took his party to the s
huttle airlock where they would board their craft and detach. In the control room Barlor spoke first to Tewkes, who was happy about his computed coordinates for the shuttle.

  “They’ll detach in thirty minutes, Captain,” Tewkes reported. “I’ll want them sealed in the shuttle in twenty minutes.”

  “They’ll be ready,” Barlor promised. He glanced across at the communications console, where Professor Norvall was seated with Lieutenant Elon. They were still transmitting monotonously. “Keep me informed of the countdown,” he said. “I want to talk to Norvall.”

  Tewkes nodded, intent upon what he was doing, and Barlor went over to the communications console. Norvall looked up at his approach and his fleshy face was gaunt, his dark eyes showing strain.

  “No luck yet, Captain,” Norvall reported, anticipating Barlor’s question.

  “Would you like to accompany the landing party, Professor?” Barlor demanded.

  “I certainly would!” Norvall started to his feet, his tired expression fading and being replaced by excitement.

  “You’ve got twenty minutes to get your space suit and report to Starboard Three Shuttle. Put one of your assistants in here in your place!” Barlor moved back to the astrogator’s console.

  Norvall left the control room almost at a run, and Tewkes shook his head as he looked up at Barlor.

  “I wouldn’t be so eager to push my nose into the unknown, Captain,” he commented.

  “Have you lost your nerve, Lieutenant?” Barlor demanded. “I can remember the time when you were always the first to volunteer for any mission.”

  “It isn’t that so much as being aware that a man has only a certain number of chances in his life, and I have a hunch that I’ve used up most of mine,” Tewkes replied seriously.

  “That kind of reasoning has been uppermost in my mind for quite some time,” Barlor admitted. “But I don’t think it really works like that. There can’t be any kind of cumulative odds. Each time we risk our lives has nothing to do with any previous chance. That’s the way I look at it, anyway, and it seems to help my nerve.”

  Tewkes nodded, his face impassive, and Barlor went over to the main control console, which was unattended now the ship was in orbit and under computer control.

  He checked out the panels and satisfied himself that all circuits were working normally, aware that alarms would sound if any malfunction developed. Then Tewkes called him to say that the shuttle with the landing party would be detaching within a few minutes, and Barlor stood by, watching Tewkes handling the operation with efficient ability.

  The shuttle detached and Barlor went back to the control console, seating himself and switching on the scanners to watch the smaller craft. The deflector shields had been lowered to permit the detach operation to be effected, and immediately after were erected again.

  Tension filled Barlor’s mind as he watched the descent of the craft, which soon disappeared against the background of the planet. But sensors kept track of it and Barlor was worried that missiles might be fired at it. The minutes passed and the voice of Collin Denson came over the communicator, informing Tewkes that everything was going according to schedule. Then Voyager passed over the horizon and all contact with the craft was lost.

  Barlor paced the control room as the minutes fled, and he was wishing that he had commanded the shuttle. Being unable to ascertain what was happening to the landing party was nerve-racking, and he glanced frequently at the chrono on the bulkhead, wishing the minutes away until they could cross the horizon again and resume contact with the shuttle.

  It was almost two hours later when Lieutenant Elon at the communications console looked up and called to Barlor, who immediately went to her side.

  “I’ve picked up the shuttle’s callsign, Captain,” the girl reported. “It’s the automatic call. I’ve answered, but there is no reply to my counter.”

  “Denson would have left one man on duty at the shuttle,” Barlor said. “Keep calling, Lieutenant. Tell them to come in.”

  He remained motionless and silent, listening to the girl’s harsh tones. She was betraying concern, and the same emotion was beginning to envelop Barlor’s mind. He knew Denson well. He had been assured that a crewman would be left at the communicator in order to maintain contact. The fact that there was no reply to their call, and that the automatic callsign of the shuttle was in use, indicated that none of the landing party was aboard the smaller craft.

  Barlor went to Tewkes, who was also trying to raise the shuttle with his own equipment, and the astrogator looked up into Barlor’s face and shook his head slowly.

  “All the shuttle’s systems are functioning, Captain, but there is no crewman inside the craft, and I can’t account for their silence.”

  “Then I’d better take another shuttle and make a landing to check this out personally,” Barlor said.

  “There won’t be time for you to do that on this orbit, Captain!” Tewkes was looking concerned. “According to my reckoning we’ll be over the horizon in ten minutes. You’ll have to wait another two hours.”

  “Arrange for another shuttle to detach as soon as we approach the area where Denson went down.” Barlor turned away, his face taut, his lips compressed. “I’ll arrange for a landing party to accompany me.”

  Tewkes nodded and spoke thickly. “You’d better use the Port Two shuttle, Captain. I’ll compute a programme for it.”

  “Thanks. Give me plenty of time to get aboard.” Barlor went to the control console and called the security section, asking for Lieutenant Franklin, and paced the control room until the Security Lieutenant arrived.

  “Trouble, Captain?” Boyd Franklin demanded.

  Barlor explained the situation and saw the concern which came to his subordinate’s face.

  “I did say to Major Hammond that a larger party should have landed, Captain,” Franklin commented.

  “Numbers wouldn’t have made any difference, except that we might have lost more men,” Barlor said grimly. “If they ran into trouble then they’re dead, and if they didn’t find hostility then they would have reported in on time. Denson knows how to handle any situation, and even if he wasn’t able to send a message personally he would have recorded one for us as we passed over his position down there.”

  “How many men do you want to take along with us, Captain?” Franklin’s grim features were stiff and set in harsh lines.

  “A dozen of your toughest, and armed with the heaviest weapons available. We have two hours before detach, so have your men assembled in the corridor outside the airlock at Port Two station. I want to have a word with the engine room. I think we’ll need to be able to boost the deflector shields of the shuttle, and we’ll leave a strong guard on it after we’ve landed.”

  “I’ll attend to the details, Captain!” Franklin saluted and departed.

  Barlor stood motionless for a moment, then went to the control console and sat down. He opened a line to the engine room and a moment later Linus Royden was answering.

  “This is the captain,” Barlor said crisply, and explained the situation. “I’m taking down another shuttle on the next orbit, Linus, and I want its deflector shields boosted. Can you put in the necessary additional equipment in two hours?”

  “I can’t do anything about the shuttle’s personal shield, but I can install a force-field projector that will erect a shield around the shuttle outside of the craft’s own area of power.”

  “That will do fine, but will it be powerful enough to withstand any determined attack?” Barlor sounded tense.

  “Have you any idea of the degree of power you may have to face?” Royden countered.

  “None at all! It’s impossible to assess.”

  “I’ll put in a generator that can be controlled to a high degree. That’s all I can do, Captain.”

  “That will be fine, Linus! Perhaps one of your crewmen will join the landing party to take care of your equipment.”

  “Certainly. I’ll designate an articifer to handle the equipment. It
will be ready by the time you need to detach.”

  “Thanks, Linus!” Barlor closed the line and opened another to the scientific section. Professor Tosk answered immediately. Barlor explained the situation and asked for advice.

  “There’s little I can tell you about the life forms detected on the planet surface, Captain,” came the terse reply. “I would like to make the next landing in order to experience contact with the aliens at first hand.”

  “I think it would be too dangerous for you to accompany the next landing.” Barlor spoke firmly.

  “Nonsense!” There was a sharp note in the professor’s tones. “I am a member of the crew and it is my duty to check upon all alien life forms we come across. I demand to be included in your party, Captain, along with at least two of my assistants.”

  “Very well. You have less than two hours to be ready at the airlock of Port Two Shuttle station.” Barlor closed the line and leaned back in his seat. He pictured the lovely face of Professor Tosk and told himself that she had no right to be aboard the ship. It was dangerous work, and duty didn’t enter into it…

  Time seemed to drag then, and Barlor tried to occupy himself with every kind of check he could think of. The sensors were probing the surface of the planet, and life forms were obvious, although no details could be made out. An hour passed, and Barlor wondered why the ship had not been attacked with missiles. The aliens must have overpowered Denson’s landing party, and yet they had made no attempt to hit the ship. Perhaps they were waiting for another landing party!

  He toyed with the idea for some time, and almost decided against making the next landing, but he knew he had to check out Denson’s position, and when Tewkes finally called to him, Barlor was relieved that the waiting was over and action would be coming up.

  “Captain,” Tewkes said curtly. “I’ve arranged the computer control so that the shuttle will take off again automatically in time to meet this ship on its next orbit. We didn’t do that with Denson’s landing party.”