While Randall and McClellan were deciding what should be done about the
Time Trap, Jerome Jackson was standing in open-mouthed awe before the
huge crystal cylinders in the room which he had entered.
In the first cylinder was a twelve-foot length of undulating livid
flesh which looked exactly like a gigantic maggot.
Then his glance flicked to the next crystal cylinder. In it was a
replica of the first.
That is, it was almost a replica. But the exterior covering seemed
greyer and thicker, more like a shell than that of the first.
The third cylinder held still another monstrous larva. And its
difference was even more apparent. The sickly gray covering was
translucent, and through it Jackson could see that the interior of the
thing was definitely undergoing metamorphosis.
Following on down the line of crystal tubes, it became quite apparent
that these were steps in the pupation of Kralon larvae, for the
inhabitant of the tube on the end of the row was our almost fully
developed Kralon.
"Artificial cocoons!" thought Jackson. "I wonder if it is necessary for
the Kralons to protect all the larvae of their race in this way during
development?"
Then Jackson reached a sudden decision. "Why should I risk my neck,
just because the rest of them don't respect theirs?" he thought. "I'm
going to get out of here!"
On his way from the room he paused curiously for a moment beside the
huge control panel, with its myriad triangular controls and dials, but,
unlike Dr. Gerard, he held too much esteem for his own safety to chance
an impetuous action. Furthermore, destruction of Kralon property wasn't
in his plans now.
He left the laboratory room, closing the panel behind him. He scurried
rapidly down the corridor to the main Hive entrance. There he looked
about cautiously, then crept across the open space to the foot of the
stockade.
He put two fingers to his lips, whistled loudly. "Kralons!" he shouted.
"Kralons, can you hear me?"
There was no immediate response, and for several minutes Jackson
alternately whistled and called out for the Kralons. Before long, one
of the smaller worker insects came rapidly up the path from the Hive
and stopped before Jackson.
Then the speaker above the main entrance to the Hive boomed a message.
"You will follow the guide," it said.
Jackson did so, and his Kralon guide led the way to a separate entrance
a dozen yards south of the main Hive corridor. In a few moments,
they again entered the conference room where the comrades had been
questioned after their arrival in the world of giant insects.
A few of the council group were present, and the Kralon "Voderist"
was ready at the keyboard of the mechanical voice. In answer to the
insect's flying fingers, a question sounded in metallic tones: "What do
you want?" it asked. "Why are you calling the Kralons? And how did you
leave the stockade?"
"I came to warn you," said Jackson. "Four of my companions are hiding
somewhere in the Hive, and they will try to do all the damage they can."
The several council members conferred, mandibles clacking.
"We knew of one," the Voder said. "We caught one of your companions in
the corridor. After a fight with some of our workers, he was returned
to the stockade."
"Well," said Jackson, "there are three more somewhere, and you'd better
find them before they cause trouble."
The Kralon who was apparently leader of the council, examined the
salesman suspiciously with its many-faceted eyes. He spoke briefly to
the Kralon at the keyboard, and the Voder asked: "Why are you telling
us these things? Why are you betraying your companions?"
"They're fools!" said Jackson contemptuously. "Even if they have no
regard for their own welfare, I value mine. I'd like to make a deal
with you."
"What kind of a deal?"
"In return for my safety," replied Jackson, "I will give you
information on the activities of the group in the stockade."
Again the Kralons conferred, then the question came: "How do we know
that we can trust you?"
"Why not?" asked Jackson. "I have everything to gain and nothing to
lose by cooperating with you."
After another short conference, the Voder said: "We find your terms
acceptable, and you will be returned to the stockade as if you had been
apprehended in the Hive."
Just then, warning gongs sounded brazenly in the conference room, and
violet lights flashed a signal above the entry. The Kralons clacked
furiously to each other for a moment, then scurried from the room,
leaving the smaller guide to escort Jackson back to the stockade.
* * * * *
Back in the Incubator Room, Doctor Gerard watched in fascination the
havoc his actions were producing.
Under the increased intensity of the heating elements and infra-red
tubes which normally warmed the Kralon eggs to incubation temperature,
disaster was slowly occurring.
The Doctor's handiwork on the dials of the control panel had apparently
inactivated the thermostatic controls, and now the eggs were bathed in
vicious radiation overtaxed tubes and scorched by overloaded elements.
The Doctor was literally cooking the Kralon eggs!
He knew that his interference had set off warning gongs and signal
lights, so he discreetly turned from the room and down the main
corridor.
When he was halfway to the Hive entrance he heard the metallic clatter
of Kralon mandibles ahead of him. He spotted an open panel across the
hall, stepped inside and touched the stud which closed the panel.
He found himself in the generator room, with Randall and McClellan
looking at him in amazement.
"Hi!" Doctor Gerard said brightly. "What's up?"
"Hi, yourself," said the little gray agent. "Find anything
interesting?"
Gerard nodded. "Just cooked the next generation of Kralons," he said
proudly. Then he told the two men what had happened in the incubator
room.
"Oh--oh!" said McClellan. "The Hive will really be a hornet's nest now!"