New Lensman.

William B. Ellern.

CHAPTER ONE.

THE BLACK s.p.a.cESHIP.

The wall slid slowly back revealing an executive conference room with its heavy wall drapery, upholstered furniture and simulated wood table. A tall, slender man in the uniform of the Solarian Patrol stood at the far end of the room, waiting. The group of men entered, obviously curious at the presence of the patrolman but not commenting on it. They quietly found their places at the conference table and sat down.

'Gentleman,' Ron Love, the Mayor of Copernicus, began the meeting. The Mayor of Copernicus was a man of ordinary height but quite stocky of build. His bright eyes penetrated each man of the group as he spoke, as though trying to perceive their thoughts. 'The material to be discussed in this meeting is cla.s.sified Top Secret. Consequently, I must insist that all of you who are using recording devices, turn them off.'

There was a short pause as several men removed cases from their pockets and turned them off, while others merely touched various places on their person.

'Gentlemen,' the Mayor began, when it was apparent that he again had the attention of the group.

'This is Lt. Larry McQueen of the Solarian Patrol. The Lieutenant is a special courier from the Solarian Patrol Grand Fleet Headquarters in The Hill on Tellus. His message to the Board of Directors is the reason for this meeting being cla.s.sified. If the material presented here seems extra-ordinary, so will be our response to it!'

'Lieutenant, these men are the Board of Directors of Copernicus.' Mayor Love introduced Lt.

McQueen around the conference table. Larry was already familiar with each of their backgrounds, having read their Service dossiers. When the social amenities were over he began.

'For at least the last two years our solar system has been under surveillance by some unknown, outside agency. In formation about this has not been made public because of the limited amount of data available. Until recently each contact with this agency had been made visually by a Solarian Patrol s.p.a.ceship while, for various reasons, it was not radiating energy. When our s.p.a.ceship revealed its presence by using a tracer, or spy-ray, directed toward the other s.p.a.ceship, it disappeared! After several such accidental encounters, a concerted effort was made to detect this agency.'

'Approximately a year ago the Solarian Patrol started Project Light Post!" The announced purpose of this project was to englobe the Solar System, at the radius of Saturn, with a series of twelve unmanned, automatic navigation aids; beacons for interstellar flight. In addition to the publicized automatic positioning and communications equipment, there were special recorders on board the Light Post beacons using the light-field lenses developed by Dr. Kelvin here at your Moorpark Research Center. I have brought with me a special set of these recordings to show you.'

The room darkened and on the wall behind Larry a picture of the planet Saturn with its rings appeared.

'The light sensors of Light Post No.7 picked up a glint of light here,' Larry continued, pointing to a little sparkle of light a few inches past the edge of Saturn. 'A light-field recorder immediately focused on the area.'

The picture zoomed in on the spot of light. As it grew larger, it changed into a black, teardrop- shaped s.p.a.ceship.

23

'As you can see from the shape, this s.p.a.ceship is unlike any thing thus so far built in the Solar System. Having found it, we followed it as it drifted inertialess into our system. It did not radiate, and its course implied an accurate knowledge of the location of charted detectors in our tracking network, as well as our manned stations and s.p.a.cecraft. This in turn indicated that there is some continuous, covert contact between the ent.i.ties operating this s.p.a.ceship and our civilization.'

Time-lapse pictures followed the s.p.a.ceship into the Solar System.

'In the asteroid belt the s.p.a.ceship used tractor beams to alter its course. Using the asteroids as a screen, it rapidly moved part way round the system. It also radiated for a short time as it recharged its acc.u.mulators from its generators.

'At this point the tracking of the s.p.a.ceship was switched to Lamp Post No. 3,' Larry said, and the view of the s.p.a.ceship changed. 'Here the s.p.a.ceship apparently felt safe to leave the plane of the ecliptic. It approached an asteroid known as Icarus. Icarus is unique in that it is one of the few asteroids to cross the orbit of Tellus. The s.p.a.ceship went inert. Note that the intrinsic velocity of the s.p.a.ceship so closely matched that of the asteroid that it was able to land on tractor beams alone. A day later it again radiated for about an hour. The s.p.a.ceship sat on Icarus for a week.

Then it went free and lifted off using pressors. when it got back to the asteroid belt, it switched to atomics and disappeared at light speeds.' The pictures on the wall used time-lapse photography to follow Larry's words. The lights came back on.

'In the intervening months since this first s.p.a.ceship was found, we have kept a watch on Icarus.

During this time three s.p.a.ce craft have landed there. As far as could be determined, each followed the same pattern. The last one we attempted to intercept, as is shown in the following sequence.'

The lights dimmed.

'You see here the s.p.a.ceship lifting off from Icarus,' Larry said. 'Four cruiser cla.s.s patrol ships were waiting for it about a detet* away, with all radiating equipment off. They followed it visually, and when it got within range, the patrol ships went into action.'

On the wall the group of men saw four tractor beams clamp onto the black s.p.a.ceship. A blast of incandescent gas appeared at the black s.p.a.ceship's side as simultaneously activated planes of force attempted to sheer the tractor beams - unsuccessfully. These were not light tracers! They were hard-driven tractors clamped on with the full power of a patrol cruiser behind them!

'At the first touch of a tractor the black s.p.a.ceship's screens went up. The atomic power system activated the Bergenholm and jets drove the s.p.a.ceship sideways. In previous instances only the obvious line of flight had been searched when the s.p.a.ceships vanished. This is why they seemed to disappear.'

The four patrol cruisers closed in and linked together to form a tetrahedron about the black s.p.a.ceship. The captive s.p.a.ceship lashed out with its macro beams against the s.p.a.ceships holding it. The screens of the patrol cruisers flared a little but took it with ease. Then, with careful deliberation, the patrol attacked. The outer screen of the black s.p.a.ceship went down as beams from the four cruisers overloaded it. The second one went down a minute later. The third screen was carefully brought up to a violet radiance, just short of being burned out by the opposing s.p.a.cecraft.

'An estimate was made of the black s.p.a.ceship's generating system based on the amount of radiation given off when they recharged their acc.u.mulators. It was estimated that it would require about four hours of intense overload on the screens before the generators of the black s.p.a.ceship would burn out,' Larry said. 'At the end of five hours the third screen went down. Before the wall shield could be loaded, an atomic explosion completely destroyed the black s.p.a.ceship. It was deliberate suicide.'

The group watched as the black s.p.a.ceship disappeared in an intense flare of light. The room lights came up.

'The expected response of an alien s.p.a.ceship, when discovered in this manner and captured by overwhelming forces, is to surrender. In return, our response would be to give the inhabitants a tour of our system, escort them out of it and release them with the admonishment to "go and spy no more",' Larry explained, and then smiled slowly. 'This att.i.tude may seem a little idealistic but the other party may claim sovereignty. If we damaged their subjects, or their property, they could demand reparations, if they didn't declare war. The only obvious conclusion to be reached by this 'rather die than be captured' att.i.tude is that this unknown agency has serious intentions of aggression, the details of which we might discover by capturing them. Accordingly, we are alerting all the patrol bases and the major s.p.a.ceports in the Solar System to prepare for an armed conflict. It may never come but we must be prepared. I have given Mayor Love a general outline of the preparations which the Patrol would like to have made here at Copernicus and those additional tasks which a full scale effort will entail. He is in charge of all local activity,' Lt Larry 34

McQueen concluded. 'Are there any questions?'

'Yes,' Linn Potter, Director of Services said. 'Is the alert only in our solar system?'

'Yes, until signs of similar activity are discovered elsewhere,' Larry answered. 'Mr. Johnstone?'

'You mentioned that they seemed to have a knowledge of the location of our manned stations and s.p.a.cecraft,' the Director of Copernicus Control said. 'Do you have any idea yet of the source of that information?'

'None. Mr. Turner?'

'How much time do we have to prepare for this enemy?'

'We have no concrete proof that these ent.i.ties are "enemies",' Larry answered. 'We can only guess, based on what we have seen. This is one of the reasons why this information not been released to either the press or the general public. Yes, they are watching us. Yes, they have been acting like they are considering a fight. BUT, until they perform some aggressive act, they are not enemies.

We must also be careful not to accuse the next group of aliens who happen to venture into our solar system in a black, tear-drop shaped s.p.a.ceship, of being spies or enemies or potential aggressors.'

'As to how much time we have to prepare,' Larry continued, 'I don't know. Maybe days. Maybe years.

Mr. Sneary?'

'During the Jovian Wars several attempts were made to drop meteoroids on Copernicus. Is any protection available for a similar type of attack?'

'Yes, the new Rodebush-Bergenholm field,' Larry answered. 'Rodebush-Bergenholm field generators will be available shortly. I'm not at liberty to say anything else at this time. Mr. Gold?'

'Will we act as a relay for communications, as we did during the Jovian Wars?' the Director of Earthside Communications asked.

'No. Your commercial facilities will probably not be required except on a routine basis. The Solarian Patrol will be using ultra-wave equipment. This s.p.a.ceport will be expected first to defend itself, second to destroy any attacking s.p.a.cecraft within its range and last to act as a cislunar spotter for Grand Fleet Headquarters,' Larry answered. 'Mr. Castora?'

'Could the black s.p.a.ceship be a pirate?'

'Yes!' Larry said. 'That is a definite probability. Certainly the battle to the death philosophy fits. However, consider the s.p.a.ceship. It was of a design different from that of the Solar System or of any of the inhabited planets we know. If these are pirates, then they are the most dangerous pirates we've ever seen. They have the facilities of one or more worlds to produce their own fleet. If they are pirates, we still must prepare, perhaps more than ever. Are there any further questions? No? Then I'll turn the meeting back to Mayor Love.'

'Thank you, Lt. McQueen,' Ron Love said. He waited a few moments until Lt. McQueen sat down, and then continued waiting until he again had the attention of the group.

'In normal times Copernicus is a s.p.a.ceport and a research center rather than a military base,' he began. 'The Gateway to Tellus we call ourselves. But even so we have a responsibility: we are responsible for all the activities in one of the four sectors of the moon through Copernicus Control and its...o...b..ting observation relays. Through Copernicus Control we control most of the commercial traffic in the Solar System. We also exert direct military command over a large radius of the Lunar surface and half a million miles into s.p.a.ce with our blaster batteries. We are one of the primary lines of defense of Tellus! That responsibility can weigh heavy.'

Ron paused for a moment and then continued in a softer tone, an almost tired tone. 'This information which Lt. McQueen has brought compels us to consider Copernicus as a military base under impending attack from an unknown foe. A state of war may soon exist! Our first concern is the general public. Our first a.s.sumption is that if the enemy attacks, they will first have infiltrated us and be prepared to sabotage or destroy our defenses, our air, our power and/or our water systems.

'I need from each of you a report,' he said. 'A list of the critical points of internal attack, which are under your control, and the procedures for protecting these essential systems or minimizing any damage that can be done to them. This report will be due in three days. Include everything you can think of, whether you have a solution to the problem or not. Mr. Johnstone, I also need from you, as Director of Copernicus Control, an evaluation of our external defenses and their weak points. My secretary will issue each of you an outline of the information required in your reports. They will be cla.s.sified Top Secret as well as the information discussed here and the outline. Release only as little as possible to those members of your staff who have been cleared on this level, or from those from whom you specifically need help,' Ron directed.

'If there are no further questions, the meeting of the Board of Directors of Copernicus will be adjourned,' Mayor Ron Love concluded.

45

Dr. Kelvin remained behind with Lt. McQueen and Mayor Love after the rest of the Board of Directors had left. At the Mayor's suggestion they went into his office.

The office of the Mayor of Copernicus showed his status. It was a plush place with thick carpets, draped walls and a large genuine wood desk imported from Tellus at one end. Behind the desk a three-dimensional television picture of the interior of Copernicus Crater covered the entire wall.

One could see several s.p.a.ceships being unloaded far below. In the distance was the top of the east peak on the other side of the crater 50 miles away. It was called Pelz Peak after one of the first men to enter the crater on foot. The three peaks in the center of the crater were, of course, named after the three astronauts who first landed there.

'OK, Ron. What's the real reason behind that Board Meeting?' Dr. Kelvin asked the Mayor after they were seated.

'What do you mean?'

'Of the people at that meeting, at least four had no business being there. Or if you want to be formal, they had no "need to know" the information revealed. I'm certain you didn't invite them without a reason.'

Mayor Love looked inquiringly at Lt. McQueen.

'Are the shields and blocks up around this room?' Larry asked.

'G-1?' Ron said.

'Yes, all the shields and spy-ray blocks are in operation,' the office robot answered.

Lt. McQueen nodded to the Mayor to go on.

'We suspect that we have already been infiltrated, and are checking on the Board of Directors level,' Ron Love answered. 'The chairs in the conference room had lie detectors secretly installed by the last Mayor of Copernicus. I never bothered to have them removed. I hope both of you realize how politically dangerous that fact is and will appreciate my position in telling you. During the meeting any significant changes in emotional levels were displayed on the plate in front of my seat. Our suspicions seem to have been borne out. One of the men at the meeting didn't turn off his personal recorder and practically went off scale when the words "Icarus", "pirates" and "sabotage" were mentioned.'

'Who was he?' asked Dr. Kelvin.

'John Griffin, Director of Facilities.'

There was a long pause, which was finally broken by Dr. Kelvin. 'We've been had! It's the one place we can't afford to have a ... a traitor!'

The Mayor had to laugh at the look of utter consternation on Dr. Kelvin's face. 'You're wrong,' he said. 'Almost any one of the Directors could be as dangerous. There are ways of checking Griffin's activities but that's a matter for myself and the Director of Security. Meanwhile, if you would take Lt. McQueen over to the research center, he will discuss the details of Project Hard Hat.'

'Larry, if you'll check with the Director of Security when you're through with Dr. Kelvin, he'll bring you up to date on any immediate results of our research on Griffin.'

'Good hunting, Ron,' Lt. McQueen said as they left.

'Thanks,' the Mayor answered.

CHAPTER TWO.

A CHANGED MAN.

In the hall outside the Mayor's office Lt. Larry McQueen and Dr. Kelvin stepped into the open Down shaft and dropped, free, through the City Hall Building to the travel tunnel level several hundred feet below. The travel tunnel was an extension of the same inertialess field as in the shaft but in the horizontal direction. Currently there was a grid of 10 north-south and 5 east-west travel tunnels under Copernicus. Opening off them every hundred feet or so, a pair of shafts extended upwards.

Dr. Kelvin reached up. Immediately, a handle snapped into his cupped hand at over 50 miles per hour. He didn't feel it strike him - inertialess collisions cannot be felt but he was instantly drawn along by it. It might be thought that air resistance would cause one to travel in a horizontal position but this is not so when the air itself is inertialess. Sounds are also strange inside a travel tunnel because every sound travels instantly to all parts of it without attenuation and then stops without reverberation. Gravity is equalized in the travel tunnels and shafts. Some rather grim accidents had occurred in which external gravity caused all of the air in an inertialess field to fall to the floor. Artificial gravity fields were used in such a way that the air was forced to circulate rather than stagnate at the floor.

Lt. Larry McQueen followed Dr. Kelvin through the travel tunnels to the entrance of the Moorpark Research Center. There they went through a security check.

A few minutes later they were in Dr. Kelvin's office. It was a great contrast from Mayor Love's. A 56

large, slightly battered, metal desk, and one of the tables were piled high with notebooks, magazines, tapes and papers. Models of gadgets were scattered about the room. A drafting tank and a bookcase were behind the desk in easy reach. The only real concession to comfort was two well- upholstered easy chairs and a couch.

Even then, the folded blanket on the floor next to the couch suggested that it had been used for more than just a place to sit.

'Are you familiar with the Rodebush-Bergenholm field?' Larry asked.

'No,' Dr. Kelvin answered. 'Sit down. Sit. I've seen Rodebush and Bergenholm's note in Nature but it doesn't give any of the essential details.'

'The field is the best matter shield yet developed,' Larry explained. 'It was derived from a similarity between the equations for the s.p.a.ceship wall shield and those for artificial gravity.

However, instead of dissipating the energy impinging on the field, it's stored in the field, or more accurately, circulated through the matter encompa.s.sed by the field. The generator can actually use part of the energy stored inside the field to strengthen and maintain itself.

However, the field does require a conductor through it. The Hill, where the prototype is being installed, uses the alloy sheathing covering it as the conductor for the field. It's not as effective as it could be, so they're cleaning down the surface and copper plating. But until they finish, the alloy is there, and usable: As part of our program of up-grading Solarian Patrol bases and major s.p.a.ceports, we propose to metal coat the surface over Copernicus and use a Rodebush- Bergenholm field as protection against bombardment.'

'But that would be a major engineering project!' Dr. Kelvin said. 'The Hill was sheathed during the Jovian Wars using a wartime budget. Sheathing just the crater wall side of Copernicus alone would be an incredibly difficult task, and financing it during peacetime ...' Dr. Kelvin shook his head.

'No, a sheath isn't necessary,' Larry said. 'An evaporative coating of copper a few micro-inches thick would be quite adequate. To the Rodebush-Bergenholm field it would be the equivalent of a sheath of several feet of alloy. With the field on, it would give a protection no thickness of alloy alone could give. The field is completely opaque to almost all radiation, so your blaster batteries and communication antennas will have to be moved. Mayor Love is clearing that with the appropriate Directors and Copernicus Control.

'I see why it would be useless on s.p.a.cecraft,' Dr. Kelvin said. 'They would be completely blind.'