But immediately he saw he was wrong. Yarnith looked at him in
puzzlement. "Escape ... how can that be? This is our world, and where
could we go?"
Ric knew, then, that these people knew little of Gorak's plans. They
were probably unaware of the secret air-lock leading from their hollow
world! Not for three generations had a Phobian set foot on the barren
outer surface. Gorak was using them as pawns in his insatiable plan.
Again Ric looked about him. Their cart was half-filled now, and they
were moving toward a group of rough stone buildings that apparently
served as barracks. Yarnith whispered, "Be alert, Earthman!"
Ric was puzzled, but stayed with them. They rounded a corner of one of
the buildings, out of sight of the other workers. Then Yarnith acted
quickly. He burrowed deep into the cart, came up with a small leather
pouch; then as the other Phobians gathered 'round, he portioned out the
contents.
Ric thought he recognized the brownish stuff. The dread _eishn_ stems,
a powerful narcotic. He'd encountered it once on Venus.
"It helps," Yarnith explained. "It combats the fatigue, builds up a
cellular resistance and re-activates the blood stream. But we don't
have much of it here, and--"
One of the men gave a warning cry. Ric whirled, saw another group of
Phobians appear around the corner of the building. Their dull eyes
took on a glint as they saw the _eishn_ stems. Some of the newcomers
carried crude knives. Then they were rushing forward, and Ric found
himself battling beside Yarnith and the others, battling for his life.
He lashed out as two of the Phobians converged upon him. His fist
caught one of them, the man's face lost contour and his frail body
sailed backward. The other went down from a blow to the body. Then a
dozen of them were upon him, hands tearing at his arms and throat, and
Ric felt himself going down. He fought back, using fists and knees now.
The dread lethargy of this place was gone from him. He was feeling the
first joy of battle against odds.
Soon he was clear, using his Earth strength to advantage. He rolled
aside as a knife flashed toward him, grazing his cheek. He gained his
feet. Yarnith and the others were fighting against overwhelming odds.
He saw Yarnith seize a fallen knife, and two Phobians went down with
blood gushing from their throats.
The very silence lent an unreality. Ric was everywhere now, unleashing
sledgehammer fists that cut a path through the attackers. He evaded the
slashing knives, seized one of the Phobians and hurled him bodily.
Yarnith fought on by Ric's side, exulting, using the knife. The
attacking group was falling back now. Panic seized them as they
witnessed the Earthman's strength. Soon they were fleeing, leaving a
half-dozen of their dead and dying on the ground.
Ric towered there, still feeling the fierce surge of blood that was a
tonic to him. He heard Yarnith's exultant voice.
"That was a battle, Earthman! I'm glad you were with us. They'll kill
to get a few of these _eishn_ stems." It seemed not to matter to
Yarnith that these were his own people. He extended the pouch, but Ric
waved it away. Yarnith seemed puzzled, then shrugged, as the group went
back to their work.
Disgust flooded Ric like a cold wave from the sea. These people were
lost, struggling against a hopeless existence. They were little more
than beasts, and the addiction to the _eishn_ stems only hastened the
inevitable. He could not even feel pity--and certainly he could expect
no help from them.
* * * * *
He returned to their quarters in the city, weary of body and mind. It
was hours before the dread effect of the spores left him--but Ric was
determined not to resort to the _eishn_ stems. Praana and Tal Horan had
returned, and they compared notes for the day.
"They've gone far," Tal said grimly, "much farther than I ever dreamed!
They have an improved type of atomic furnace. They process and shape
the new metal into bomb-casings for the spores; but they're using
it for new rocket-tubes as well! According to Kueelo, it will give
them tubes that are absolutely blast proof and triples efficiency in
relation to fuel consumption. Already they've equipped two new spacers,
and will have more of them ready in the event that Earth refuses the
Phobian ultimatum."
Ric listened wearily, his mind trying to seize the problem. "What will
the ultimatum be?"
"I learned that today," Praana said. "Gorak will demand full
recognition of Phobos as a member of the Inner Planet Federation, with
himself as supreme ruler of Mars once he reclaims it from the red
plague."
"Earth Council will never agree!"
"I learned even more," Praana went on. "Dar Mihelson managed to reach
Luna safely with all units! They are safe for the time being, deep
within Tycho. And Ric ... the balance of Earth's fleet has sided with
your Earth Council, and against Wessell. Already a showdown battle is
in the making!"
Ric groaned. "Just what Gorak wanted! It will give him the time he
needs. Tal, how far have they gone?"
"Unfortunately, Kueelo's already deciphered our formula and it gives
them the missing equation! You see, Bedril and I were working on a
principle which meant stripping the outer sheathe of electrons from the
new metal, without disrupting the atom itself--and the power generated
would serve to counter-act the spores. Here, in their new type of
atomic furnace, they have the necessary heat and pressure to do that."
"What will it mean, then?" Ric's brows furrowed.
"Simply that, in a manner of speaking, they'll be able to control the
spore action, and they'll soon be able to launch the spore-bombs all
the way to Earth!"
Ric arose and paced the room angrily. He stepped to the outer door and
peered along the corridor, but a group of guards hurried toward him
with electros held in readiness. They had been instructed well. Ric
turned and continued to pace the room.
"It will be at least a few days before they're ready," Tal said.
"There's little I can do to slow them down, Ric--but my chance may
come!"
Ric paused. Already an idea was growing apace within him. It was a
desperate idea but they had to try something--anything! He said, "I
think somewhere in this city there's a supply of _eishn_ stems. I
saw some of the workers using it today--maybe it's smuggled out to
them occasionally. I want to get hold of some! All I can get! Praana,
suppose you work on that. If you can, find out where the stuff's kept!"