Captain Future and the Seven Space Stones by Edmond Hamilton

Author:Edmond Hamilton [Hamilton, Edmond]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
ISBN: 9781610818346
Publisher: Radio Archives
Published: 2012-09-05T07:00:00+00:00

AS THE little moon broadened out in the fore-port of the control room, old Ezra Gurney sat staring at it with fierce eagerness in his faded eyes.

“Just wait till I get my hands on that old devil Rok Olor!” he kept repeating. “To run him down, after all these years —”

“We’ve got to find him first,” Curt reminded. “He’ll be living under some false name. Call the Syrtis office of the Planet Police on Mars. Describe Rok Olor as you remember him, and ask them what planter of that description lives on Deimos.”

As Ezra obeyed, Curt rapidly removed the disguise which had enabled him to assume the identity of Mus Sigu. Removing waxite pads from his cheeks, he washed off the red skin-stain and discarded the cunningly devised aids which had given him a stiltlike Martian figure. Ezra Gurney reported as Curt finished the task.

“Retired planter livin’ near the south pole of Deimos. He calls himself Xex Iza, but he answers Rok Olor’s description. He’s our man!”

Soon the Comet was dropping toward the surface of Deimos. The night side showed as a tiny green world of parklike estates. Having been given atmosphere and hydrosphere by synthetic air and water creators, the little satellite was a favorite residence of wealthy Martians, whose gravitation equalizers enabled them to live comfortably there. Curt Newton landed not far from a gleaming chromalloy mansion. Small, but exquisitely beautiful, it was set amid formal Martian gardens.

“That’s the house,” Captain Future declared. “Come on, Ezra.”

“What about the girl?” Ezra asked.

N’rala still lay unconscious in the space chair.

“She won’t come to till I bring her out of it,” Curt replied.

He and the veteran emerged into the soft night of Deimos. Mars hung in the sky like an immense, dull-red moon. Flower scents made the warm breeze fragrant. It was easy to see why rich Martians preferred this blossoming little world to Mars. Captain Future and Ezra strode rapidly toward the chromalloy house. Their gravitation equalizers had automatically adjusted to the lighter gravitation.

“Just watch Rok Olor’s face when he sees me, and he realizes he’s goin’ to Cerberus Prison!” crowed Ezra.

As they entered the vestibule, a Martian servant came into the dimly lighted marble hall to greet them.

“Just two friends to see Xex Iza,” Curt said easily. “We’d rather not give names. We want to surprise him.”

They heard a limping step. A small, shriveled-looking Martian of advanced age, with a scarred, seamed face and proud, brilliant eyes, entered the vestibule. When he saw Ezra Gurney, he went rigid.

“Devils of Mars, Captain Gurney of the Patrol!”

“Marshal Gurney now, Rok,” drawled Ezra. “Surprised to see me, eh? Thought the Police never was goin’ to find you.”

Rok Olor’s shriveled figure seemed to sag for a moment. Then he raised his bald head defiantly.

“No, Gurney. I always felt that some day you would find me. I kept trying to tell myself it was nonsense, that I was safe here till I died. But underneath, I wasn’t sure. You always track a man till you get him.

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