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There is very little radiactum available on Mars, and our government will not allow our own supply to be exported. What do you suppose that company on Mars would pay for a few tons of richly radioactive radiactum such as Grantline may have found on the Moon?" "But," I objected, "That is a reputable Martian company. It's backed by the government of the Martian Union.
The government of Mars would not dare " "Of course not!" Captain Carter exclaimed sardonically. "Not openly! But if Martian Brigands had a supply of radiactum I don't imagine where it came from would make much difference. The Martian company would buy it, and you know that as well as I do!" Halsey added, "And George Prince, my agents inform me, seems to know that Grantline is on the Moon.
But he associates with bad companions particularly Martians." I had never heard of this George Prince, though I was familiar with the Federated Catalyst Corporation, of course. A semigovernment trust, which controlled virtually the entire Earth supply of radiactum, the catalyst mineral which was revolutionizing industry. "He was in the Automotive Department," Carter put in.
He is known as unusually friendly with several Martians in Greater New York of bad reputation." "Well?" "What you don't know," Halsey said, "is that Grantline expects to find radiactum on the Moon." We gasped. "Exactly," said Halsey. "The ill-fated Ballon Expedition thought they had found it on the Moon, shortly after its merit was discovered.
Coming back, you'll stop at the Moon and transport whatever radiactum ore Grantline has ready. The Grantline Flyer is too small for ore transportation." Halsey's voice turned grimly sarcastic. "Doesn't it seem queer that George Prince and a few of his Martian friends happen to be listed as passengers for this voyage?" In the silence that followed, Snap and I regarded each other.
A new type of ore a lode of it is there somewhere, without doubt." He added vehemently, "Do you understand now why we should be suspicious of this George Prince? He has a criminal record. He has a thorough technical knowledge of radium ores. He associates with Martians of bad reputation. A large Martian company has recently developed a radiactum engine to compete with our Earth motor.
"You've heard of the Federated Radiactum Motor?" We had, of course. It was a recent Earth discovery and invention. An engine of a new type, using radiactum as its fuel. Snap demanded, "What in the stars has this got to do with Johnny Grantline?" "Much," said Halsey quietly, "or perhaps nothing. But George Prince some years ago mixed in rather unethical transactions. We had him in custody once.
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