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buildings came the rustling, pattering sound of thousands of tiny feet. The
party from The Ark watched in wary bewilderment. The tension was
snapped by Gerry's gasp.
"Look there - coming up through the hole in the floor!"
It was a hideously malformed little devil that stared around with bright,
beady eyes at the intruders, then popped out into the room. It stood about
three feet high, in appearance much like a sea-horse. At the base of the
nauseous, scaly body there were four short legs, ending in hoofs giving the
creature a top-heavy appearance. Just as the Titanians were the epitome of
kindliness, something in its stance and eyes said this thing was stark evil.
"No sudden moves, boys," Gerry ordered in quiet tones. "This monkey
looks as if he could be pretty mean."
There was intelligence in the beast's eyes as it surveyed the unexpected
situation. Abruptly the slender snout opened and it hissed, long and
piercingly. It also recognized a foe.
War had been declared.
The group from The Ark pressed slowly back to await developments.
There was something mysterious, unexplained. They wanted to learn the
vital elements of the situation before deciding on a course of action.
The monster apparently took this withdrawal as capitulation, and
promptly went about its business, ignoring the others. The hoofs made a
faintly disturbing clop-clop as it crossed the room to bend over one of the
sleeping Titanians. From its snout protruded a long, thin extension that was
almost needlelike. Before anyone could speak or interrupt, it was plunged
into the throat of the Titanian!
Action erupted in a swift flurry. Someone had his heat ray out in a flash,
hurling a soundless, searing bolt. The monster doubled up in quick pain,
nipping at the glowing spot on its horny hide. Then it turned, hissing
viciously as it charged.
Cool and efficient, Gerry instantly took command.
"Concentrated heat beam," she ordered calmly. "Its armor is too strong
for diffused rays."
As she spoke, she unsheathed and adjusted her own weapon with a single
swift motion. While the monster drove at them, Gerry emotionlessly drilled
it twice and stepped out of the path of the plunging body like a graceful bull-
fighter. It crashed against the front wall and collapsed, smoking from half a
dozen heat ray blasts.
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r r
Immediately after the brief scuffle, two more ugly devils magically
popped up into the room. For a moment it looked like real trouble in the
confining, narrow room. The leading Titanian, however, stirred restlessly
and raised himself on one elbow. He was groggy, like a bear roused from
hibernation. But be managed to convey by gestures of negation that Gerry
and the hunters were to do nothing to interrupt. Then he heavily dropped
back on the couch and sank into a coma again.
"He wants us to lay off, men," Gerry said in bewilderment. "Evidently
this sort of thing goes on all the time! Maybe he isn't being hurt, and will
tell us about it when be awakens. This whole business, though-" She shook
her head. "It absolutely beats me."
The new monsters methodically went about plunging their needlelike
tongues into the sleeping Titanians' exposed throats. Gerry repressed a
shudder, turned sharply away. She found Strike making the most of the
opportunity to study the body of the dead one.
"Find out anything?"
"A little," he said abstractedly. "For one thing, this tonguelike jigger is
sharp and bony. Also it's hollow, like a hypodermic needle. And the cheeks
inside are lined with pouches that are partially filled with some oily stuff."
Gerry forced herself to wait patiently while the ugly little monsters came
in three relays to gouge at the necks of the helpless Titanians. Finally they
disappeared for good, and the vague scurrying sounds all over the city died
away to silence. This in turn was broken by the double note of the deep-
toned gong.
The three Titanians awoke, bright-eyed and seemingly refreshed, to turn
graciously again to their guests.
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r r
Chapter IX
Children of Esau
Eagerly Gerry donned the thought helmet once more, placing the
corresponding helmet upon the leading Titanian. Gone now were all
thoughts of delving into the mysteries of an ancient and dying civilization.
Even the urgency of their terrible predicament faded momentarily before the
importance of learning the queer relationship between the Titanians and the
monsters.
"They are the Gora," came the Titanian thought waves, anticipating
Gerry's questions. "They are native to this world."
"Which means that you're not?"
"No. Many ages ago, the Old Ones came here from a far star. There was
death on our original home, though I know little about it. When we arrived
here, our presence was resented by the Gora. But their catacombs were
underground, and we did not interfere much with one another. Then it was
discovered by the Gora that we people have a strange gland in our bodies-" [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]