Page:Amazing Stories Volume 10 Number 13.djvu/72

70 bassadors to Mars. But they didn't fool the Martians. Orders were subsequently issued that no Earth Republic rocket ships would be permitted to land on Martian soil. It is generally understood that any member of the E. R. Space Navy who gets caught on Mars will be summarily tortured and put to death without even the formality of a trial. Do you understand now why there is no possibility of our sending an expedition to save Miss Andersen?"

Instead of answering this question, Mayer asked another one: "You think that Zurek will take Miss Andersen to Mars?"

"Yes," Steiner affirmed. "In consideration of the facts brought out in Lieutenant Sullivan's report, there can be little doubt of that. Unquestionably the purpose of the raid was to capture slaves. There is only one place in the Solar System where public barter of slaves is condoned, and that is on Mars."

"But isn't there a possibility that we could overtake and apprehend Zurek before he reaches Mars?"

The Colonel smiled tolerantly and said: "I don't think you would make a suggestion of that sort if you stopped to reason it out intelligently. You must know, for instance, that the mere task of locating Zurek's flyer would be like hunting for a champagne cork floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I won't say that it is absolutely impossible, but unless we were miraculously lucky it would take so much time to find him, that Zurek would be safe at home before we could even commence to pursue him."

He stopped for a moment to light his pipe, and then went on: "Even if we knew exactly where Zurek is right now, I'm afraid we wouldn't have a chance to overtake him. To be sure, the Hyperion is a trifle faster than his Krovenka, but it isn't nearly speedy enough to overcome the enormous head start which he already must have. You realize this, do you not?"

"Yes, Sir," Mayer had to admit. "But—" He couldn't think of any way to end the sentence.

After a polite pause, Steiner continued: "Suppose a miracle—or rather two successive miracles—did happen. Suppose we located Zurek and caught up with him before he landed on Mars—what could we do about it?"

Mayer opened his mouth but said nothing.

"I see you understand the situation," the Colonel observed. "We couldn't force Zurek to heave-to, without threatening to blast his ship. With Miss Andersen and the captured Ganymedians aboard, Zurek would know we wouldn't dare to do that. On the other hand, he wouldn't hesitate about using his beam projectors against the Hyperion. Do you understand now how suicidal such a chase would be?"

Mayer could only nod his head sadly.

For a moment or two no one spoke, then Captain Brink said: "Do you mind if I make a suggestion, Colonel Steiner?"

"Please do."

"In view of the fact that we have just completed a successful mission, I believe we are entitled to a leave of absence. Am I right?"

"Most certainly," the Colonel agreed. "All three of you have earned vacations. How long would you like to be off duty?"

"That will be hard to predict," Brink replied. "My idea is this: Whereas it is obviously unfeasible