Page:Stirring Science Stories, February 1941.djvu/26

 ground! It appears on the surface for a reason. The domes, no doubt, have a special purpose,"

"Possibly," said Arthur Graham, "but it's the principle of the thing, gentlemen! We've made a revolutionary discovery—the moon is inhabited!"

RUE, the earth's pale-faced satellite bore animate existence. This was propounded by extensive observation during the months following the initial discovery. While the amazed scientific world looked on, astronomers trained their telescopes on the rugged globe 240,000 miles distant, watching with intense interest the constructive developments of a yet unseen race.

There in the center of Tycho the black framework which at first appeared to be another dome's foundation grew steadily and took on a strikingly different pattern. As astronomers watched the slow progress, months wore on and soon the framework became a huge metal base. Another building? Observers were certain of it at first, but as work continued on the great black surface, they grew doubtful. The moon people were not constructing another dome, or any other such form of shelter. Their present task involved something much more vast and important. It was important, in view of the slow, precise labor that was administered.

Weeks passed and the metal base acquired a circular cavity in its middle. From the cavity grew a huge, round tube. Another week went by, and the work stopped; no further additions were made to the structure.

Astronomers studied the apparition consistently, and for a number of days no one could offer a sound explanation.

One night when atmospheric conditions were good and visibility was clear, Arthur Graham viewed Tycho for several hours through the 300-inch telescope. No other magnifying instrument would provide a closer view. The two lunar structures seemed but a few miles distant, and to the elder Graham, the purpose in the minds of the moon people suddenly became apparent. The dome was shelter—beyond all doubt. But the other object was distinctly a weapon, a monstrous, sinister gun that was aimed at the earth.

Realization dawned upon the world. Astronomers gazed at Tycho once more and unanimously announced that Graham's supposition was correct. A shocked and unbelieving humanity accepted the warnings of science. Strange, maddened aliens were aiming a tremendous weapon at the earth!

T WAS like a fantasy; there had been countless stories of cosmic dangers and invasions. For untold centuries the world existed without interference from other worlds. Skepticism had always dominated the possibilities of "life on other planets," "runaway stars," or "invading comets." Such things might occur in the distant future

There was no mass hysteria. Despite the magnitude of interplanetary hostilities, the situation was received calmly and without furor. The weapon was there on the moon, and if it was intended to send mighty shells at the cities of earth, there was no need for preparation and confusion. The world was defenseless.

Humanity waited.

Consequently, as astronomers had anticipated, the massive barrel on Tycho spouted something black and circular. The concussion was