Snaring both Earthmen in a mind-web was
easy for the mutant telepath. But once you've
caught your prey—how do you get rid of them?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
December 1957
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Rick Mason's ship was still high over Mordarga, coming in for alanding, when the cry for help sounded in his audio phones.
Rick frowned, reached to the control panel to turn up theamplification—then realized that the voice had not come over the audioafter all. It had spoken in his mind.
Help! Rick, they've caught me!
There was urgency in the mental cry. Instantly, Mason sized up thesituation.
It was his partner, Klon Darra, the Venusian—the other half of thismentally-attuned Solar System intelligence team. Klon Darra was introuble!
He focussed his mental energies and replied: I read you, Klon Darra.What's the problem?
The response was blurred and indistinct, as if the Venusian werelaboring under great mental strain. I ... landed on schedule. Fellinto hands of ... ruler. In prison. Going to be tortured. I....
Mason struggled to keep his attention on his descending spaceship whilepicking up the Venusian's fading mental voice. Go ahead, Klon Darra. Ihear you.
They're going to torture me. Help me, Mason. Help!
Where are you? Mason asked.
Dungeons of the main palace, Mordarga City. Hurry, Rick. There's notmuch time!
Mason switched on the fore visi-plate and the mottled grey-and-bluesurface of Mordarga became visible ahead of him. The planet Mordargawas one of the universe's potential trouble-spots. That was why theSolar System Government had sent a team of its intelligence agentsthere.
But they had planned on a leisurely, detailed reconnaissance of theplanet, intending to return to home base with a full account ofMordarga's weaknesses and future militaristic plans. Now, that waschanged; Klon Darra would have to be rescued at once. The Mordargansprobably knew by now that the Solar System had discovered Mordarga'swarlike aims.
Rick began setting up his landing orbit. The tiny two-man ship curvedsharply downward as his trained fingers played over the controlconsole. The planet of Mordarga sprang up to meet the down-plungingship.
Mordarga was in the Sirius system, a big, ugly world inhabited by big,ugly humanoids. Mason landed in a secluded spot on the north continentof the planet, coming to rest in a foul-smelling valley between twolooming mountains.
Jutting angular blue-leaved trees stuck up around, and hoarse-voicedalien wildlife chattered and yawped in the background. Mason strappedhis safety-kit to his side, flipped on the homing-switch he'd needto find his way back to the ship, and lightly swung down from to theground. He started to walk.
Unless his figures were wrong Mordarga City lay three miles to thewest. He kept his receptive mind attuned, hoping to hear from theVenusian again but Klon Darra was not sending.
They made a good team, Mason and the Venusian. A pair of Earthmensomehow never were as efficient together as a mixed-planet outfit;the green-skinned Venusian had certain attributes Mason lacked andvice-versa. Together they were a well-nigh perfect intelligence team.Knowledge of Mordarga's future intentions was essential to the safetyand security of the Solar System.
Suddenly Klon Darra's voice sounded in his mind.
Mason, have you landed yet?
Yes. I'm on my way. You all