_The Expedition_
Carr awakened to a sense of wordless disgust. Fool that he was to
spill the beans as he had! All set to put one over on the leader of
the Llotta, then to come a cropper like this! He knew he had been
spared for a purpose. The gas was not intended to kill, only to render
him helpless for a time. He opened his eyes to the light of a familiar
room. He had awakened before in this bed. It was his own cabin on
board the _Nomad_. What had happened? Had he dreamed it all. Europa,
Ora, Rapaju--all of it? He sat up and felt of his aching head.
"Oh, are you awake?" a soft voice greeted him.
"Ora!" he exclaimed. It was indeed she, beautiful as ever.
"Sh-h," she warned, placing the tip of a finger to his lips. "They'll
hear us."
"Who?" he whispered.
"Rapaju--his two guards. They're in the control cabin with father and
Mado."
"What? They've taken the _Nomad_?"
"Yes. We're under way. They've forced Mado to guide them but do not
trust him. Rapaju spared you as he believes you more capable. He'll
hold you to your word."
"Lord! But what are you doing here?"
Ora dropped her eyes. "He--Rapaju--" she said, "inferred from your
action in assaulting him that you were very fond of me. He holds me as
a hostage for your good behavior. Father volunteered to come along. He
persuaded Rapaju to allow it. Swore allegiance to his cause. Of course
he wouldn't leave me."
* * * * *
Carr gazed at her in admiration of her courage. She had been nursing
him, too! What a girl she was!
"Ora," he said huskily, "Rapaju was right. I am fond of you. More than
fond: I love you. I never knew I could feel this way."
"Oh Carr, you mustn't!" She drew back as he scrambled to his feet.
"They'll find us. We must not show that we care. Rapaju is a beast. He
wants me for himself and is delaying the time only until you have
brought the fleet safely to the inner planets and to their great
cities. He--"
"The skunk! Wants you himself, does he? Why, why didn't I kill him?
But Ora, you said--you do care--"
"Ha! I thought so!" Rapaju stood in the doorway, grinning mockingly at
the pair. "The impetuous Terrestrial is up and about. Back at his old
game!"
"Please, please, for my sake, Carr!" Ora pressed him back as he
tensed his muscles for a spring.
"Sorry I was so slow," Carr grated, over her shoulder. "Another five
seconds, Rapaju, and I'd have had your windpipe out by the roots."
Rapaju scowled darkly and fingered his throat. "But, my dear Carr, you
were too slow," he said, "and I live--and shall live--while you shall
die. Meanwhile you'll carry out your agreement. Come, Ora."
The girl hesitated a moment, then with a pleading glance at Carr
stepped from the room.
"All right now, Parker," snapped Rapaju. "Into your clothes and into
the pilot's seat. You'll stay there, too, till the journey's over. Get
busy!"
One of his guards had appeared in the doorway. Carr knew that
resistance was useless. Besides, seated at those controls, he might
think of something. Rapaju'd never get Ora if he could help it!
* * * * *
Mado's shoulders drooped and his face was haggard and drawn, but he
summoned a smile when he saw Carr.
"Hello, Carr," he said. "You all right?"
"Sure. Rapaju says I've got to take the controls."
"Very well." Mado shrugged his broad shoulders and slipped from the
pilot's seat. Two ugly Llotta guards were watching, ray-pistols in
hand. "The chart is corrected, Carr, and--"
"Never mind the conversation!" Rapaju snarled. "There'll be no talk
between you at all. Beat it to your cabin, Mado."
The Martian glowered and made as if to retort hotly.
"But Rapaju," Detis interposed, speaking from his position at one of
the ports, "they'll have to consult regarding the course of the
vessel. Mado is more familiar than Carr with the navigation of space."
"Shut up!" roared Rapaju. "I know what I am doing. And, what's more,
you'll not converse with them, either! I'm running this expedition,
and I'm not taking any chances."
Detis subsided and followed Mado through the passage to the sleeping
cabins.
* * * * *
The ensuing silence was ominous. Carr could feel the eyes of the
Llotta upon him as he examined the adjustments of the controls and
peeped through the telescope. A glance at the velocity indicator
showed him they were traveling at a rate of eight hundred miles a
second. He studied the chart and soon made out their position. Jupiter
was a hundred million miles behind them and they were heading almost
due sunward. The automatic control mechanism was not functioning.
Evidently Mado had kept this a secret--and for a purpose. He wished he
could talk with his friend. They'd plan something.
"Like your job?" Rapaju was gloating over this Terrestrial who had
dared to lay hands upon him.
"Yes, but not the company." Carr was disdainful.
"You'll like it less before I've finished with you. And get this
straight. You think we're dependent on you to guide us to the inner
planets, and that we'll not harm any of you until they are reached.
Don't fool yourself! I've watched Mado and I've spent much time in the
excellent library of the _Nomad_. I've learned plenty about the
navigation of space and can reach those planets as quickly and
directly as you. But it pleases me to see you work, so work you shall.
I'll check you carefully, and don't think you can deceive me. Don't
try to depart from the true course. The sun is my check as it is
yours, and I'll keep constant tab on our position. Get it?"
"A rather long speech, Rapaju." Carr grinned into the evil face of the
commander.
"Still defiant, eh? Suits me, Carr Parker. We'll have some nice talks
here, and then--when it pleases me--you'll suffer. You shall live to
see your home city crash in utter ruin; your people slain, starved,
beaten. And, above all, there's Ora--"
"Don't defile her name in your ugly mouth, you--!"
* * * * *
Carr bit his tongue to keep back the torrent of invectives that sprang
to his lips. This would never do! He'd get himself bumped off before
they were well started. And while there was life there was hope. He'd
stick to his guns and think; think and plan. If only he could have a
few words with Mado. They must get out of this mess. There must be a
way! There must!
Rapaju was laughing in triumph. Thought he had cowed him, did he?
Boastful savage! If he could navigate the _Nomad_ himself, why didn't
he? Liar! He and Mado were godsends to him, and he knew it! His speech
at the council table had been the real truth.
Foreign thoughts entered his mind. Detis, good old Detis, was using
his thought apparatus in his own cabin! He paid no attention to the
words of Rapaju when he left the control room. Detis was on the job!
Between them they'd outwit this devil of Ganymede.
"Keep your courage," came the message. "I've read the thoughts of Mado
and he bids you examine the chart carefully. He's made some notations
in the ancient language of Mars. The automatic control of the _Nomad_
can be used when necessary. He has not advised Rapaju of its
existence."
Carr was encouraged and he concentrated on a suitable reply. But,
though he did not consciously will it, his thoughts were of Ora.
Instantly there came the reassurance of her father. "Ora is not in
immediate danger. Rapaju is saving her for his revenge on you. And I'm
watching her constantly. A ray-pistol is concealed in my clothing, its
charge ready for the foul creature in case he should lay hands on her.
But you must plan an escape, and salvation for your worlds. Examine
the chart at once."
* * * * *
He looked from the corner of his eye and saw that one of the Llotta
guards was watching intently. He peered into the eye-piece of the
telescope; made an inconsequential change in one of the adjustments.
The guard stirred but did not arise. He looked at the chart with new
interest, scanned its markings carefully. What had Mado marked for his
attention? There were hundreds of notations, some in Cos and a few in
the ancient Martian, all in Mado's painstaking chirography.
Ah, there it was! A tiny spot almost on their course, with Mado's
minute notation. Sargasso Sea! What did it mean? Did Mado intend to
lead the fleet into the embrace of that dreadful monster they had so
fortunately escaped? An excellent idea to save the inner planets. But
suicide for them! He'd do it though, if it weren't for Ora. She was so
sweet and innocent. She must not die; must not suffer. Another way
must be found. He groaned aloud as he realized that her predicament
was the result of his own bullheadedness. If only he hadn't insisted
on the trip to Ganymede. But then there was the problem of preserving
the civilization of the inner planets. It had to be met.
There was a commotion behind him; a feminine shriek from the after
cabins; loud shoutings from the beast called Rapaju. Carr's heart
skipped a beat. He was paralyzed with fear. But only for an instant.
With a bellow of rage he whirled around and started for the door,
charging the two guards with head down and arms flailing.