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"Let's not all go out at once, and the first group to go out goes out on foot, so they won't be scared off by our flying around." Arcot, Wade, Zezdon Afthen, and Stel Felso Theu went out. The natives had retreated to a respectful distance, and were now standing about, looking on, chattering to themselves. They were edging nearer. "Growing bold," grinned Wade.
Other men had arrived, men whom he met in his work. But there were Venerians here, too, in their protective suits, insulated against the cold of Earth, and against its atmosphere. "First, though, gentlemen, allow me to introduce Stel Felso Theu of the planet Talso, one of our allies in this struggle, and Zezdon Afthen and Fentes of Ortol, one of our other allies.
"Afthen," replied Stel Felso Theu calmly, "when our friends have smoked, and thought, the Thought will be repaired perfectly, and it will be made invulnerable to that weapon." "I hope so, Stel Felso Theu," smiled Arcot. He was feeling better already. "But do you know what that weapon is, Morey?" "Got some readings on it with the Banderlog's instruments, and I think I do.
"Lord you're right, Zezdon Afthen. I'm going to sleep," called Arcot. And the ship was suddenly far, far away from Thett. Morey took over, and Arcot slept. First Morey straightened the uninjured wall and ironed out the dents. "What, Morey, is the wall of Blackness?" asked Stel Felso Theu. "It's solid matter. A thing that you never saw before.
Accidents always happen, and for all our weapons, we might easily meet some animal which would put an abrupt and tragic finish to our explorations. Is it not so?" asked Stel Felso Theu. "Your point is good, Stel Felso Theu. I agree with you. We will do no more exploring than is necessary, or safe." "We might just as well travel slowly on the time retarder, and work on the way.
Behind him came another Wade, Torlos, Stel Felso Theu, and indeed all the members of their party save Arcot himself! The Galactians stared in wonder then comprehended and laughed together. Arcot had sent artificial matter images of them all! Their images stepped out, and the Venonian crowd which had collected, stared in wonder at the giants, looming twice their height above them.
"Are these the changers?" asked Arcot gazing at the gigantic tubes. "They are; each tube will handle up to a hundred thousand volts," said Stel Felso Theu. "But I fear, Stel Felso Theu, that these tubes will carry power only one way; that is, it would be impossible for power to be pumped from here into the power house, though the process can be reversed," pointed out Arcot.
The immense value of these machines was evident, for they would permit Arcot to do many things that would have been impossible without them. The explanation as he gave it to Stel Felso Theu, foretold the uses to which it might be put. "As a weapon," he pointed out, "its most serious fault is that it takes a considerable time to pump in the power needed.
We badly need your help, and as Stel Felso Theu cannot aid us here as much as he can by working with you, I will ask him to do so. I want your knowledge of psycho-mechanical devices to help us. Will you make a machine controlled by mental impulses? I want to see such a system and know how it is done that I may control machines by such a system." "Gladly.
Arcot's face was white once more as he thought of the danger he had run, of the terrible consequences possible of that 'amusement. "I think we had best start on the ship. I'll go get some sleep now, and then we can go." Arcot led the way to the ship, while Torlos, Morey and Wade and Stel Felso Theu accompanied him.
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