Brownell told them later, in great excitement: "I swear to you, it
defies all physical laws as we know them! It's merely a shiny chunk of
rock, a few yards in diameter--but do you know, I believe it actually
feeds upon gravity! I have always believed that gravity, magnetism,
and other such universal forces are all a part of the electrical
spectrum. Some peculiarity in the atomic structure of this Stone draws
the straight-line force of gravity to it, and that force is then
oscillated, transmitted into light! The process is unending!"
"That's all very well," Mark told him, "but I believe the greatest
miracle is right here in the laboratories. These people have had to
utilize the barest elements of this world, but they've done wonders.
They have plastiglass, and farm implements, and electrical power--even
crude atomic furnaces."
"They'd have their neutro-pistols right now," Janus agreed, "but they
hit the same stumbling block that baffled our scientists for so long."
For days they worked ceaselessly on the neutro-pistols. Mark and the
Professor together laid out the blueprints, devising a radical and more
potent design for the firing coils. The latter was surprised at Mark's
knowledge of electronic principles.
"I may surprise you even further, one of these days," Mark promised.
And now the urgency of their work was really impressed upon them.
Scouts returning each day from the twilight zone reported that the
Perlacs were gathering. Thousands of them swarmed the forests on the
dark side, apparently massing for an all-out attack. There had been a
few preliminary skirmishes but nothing serious as yet.
Donli undertook the task of setting up barricades at the twilight
border. These were huge shields of light but durable metal, arranged in
strategic positions, easily movable. And the work at the city went on
apace.
Janus and the others directed work at the forges and metal shops.
Everyone, men and women alike, who could be spared from the border
defenses, were given assignments. Mari was a surprise to the new men.
Already she knew the ancient science textbooks by heart, and she
thirsted for more knowledge. She was everywhere, directing, helping,
learning. She grasped the principle almost at once when Brownell
explained:
"Briefly, the atom itself must not be shattered. That has been
your mistake. Successive sheathes of electrons must be stripped
without disruption of the ultimate atomic structure. That means
swift transmutations, not disintegration. Most important of all, the
electrons must be propelled along a controlled, directional beam."
Only Ferris was dissatisfied at the hard work. In their quarters, at
the end of the first week, he complained:
"What's all this getting us? I thought we came out here to make a
fortune! That's the story you gave me, Janus, when you rooked me into
this deal."
Janus looked at him distastefully. "Haven't you ever wanted to do a
decent act in your life? Lord knows I've done some scandalous things,
but these people need our help now and they deserve it!"
"That's not getting back the fortune I sunk into this venture," Ferris
grumbled.
"We'll think of that later."
The work was slower than they wished, for it became apparent the Perlac
attack was going to materialize any day, any hour. As leader of the
defense, the all-out call was left to Donli, who, with his select
group, remained at the border constantly now.
And on the tenth day, even before the new pistols had been assembled or
tested--the call came. One of the scouts raced into the city with the
signal.
* * * * *
Everyone, men and women alike, left their work instantly. Dozens of
the electrically-motored surface cars were waiting, and soon they were
racing along the road. Within the hour they had reached the twilight
zone to reinforce Donli's group.
Each person was equipped with an electric rifle which, at the longer
distances, stunned but was not fatal. And there were quantities of
atomic grenades. The new Earthmen retained their atomic rifles and
neutro-pistols, as they better understood the operation of these
weapons and could use them to more advantage.
The attack had not yet come but Donli was expecting it at any minute.
Each group took up its assigned position behind a barrier. Mark found
himself beside Janus and was glad, for he liked that blustering,
red-bearded giant.
"It's going to be hell," Janus promised, peering into the twilight
gloom. "We have to wait for them. The Perlacs can come over into our
lighter gravity, but their gravity'd be fatal to us!"