Sleepers Of Mars

‘Mr. Ball,’ the other interrupted coolly, ‘you will please to control yourself. The fact that Gratz is here at all is a sign, not only that I believe him, but that I consider his news seriously to concern us all.’

‘Nonsense! If you are going to believe every fairy story that a paid spy-’

‘Mr. Ball, I must ask you to leave the conduct of this matter to me. You knew, as we all did, that I.C. were building this ship, and you knew it was intended for space-travel. Why, then, should you disbelieve the report of its destination? I must insist that you control yourself.’

Mr. Ball subsided, muttering indefinite threats, and the chairman turned back to me.

‘And the purpose of this expedition?’ he prompted. I was only able to suggest that it was to establish claims over territories as sources of supplies. He nodded, and turned to address the rest.

‘You see, gentlemen, what this will mean? It is scarcely necessary to remind you that I.C. are our greatest rivals; our only considerable rivals. The overlapping of our interests is inevitable. Metals and chemicals obviously cannot be expected to keep apart. They are interdependent. It cannot be anything but a fight for survival between the two companies. At present we are evenly balanced in the matter of raw materials, and probably shall be for years to come. But—and this is the important point—if their ship makes this trip successfully, what will be the results?

‘First, of course, the annexation of the richest territories on the planet, with their raw materials. And later, the importation of these materials to Earth. Mind you, this will not take place at once; but make no mistake, it will come as inevitably as tomorrow. Once the trip has been successfully made, the inventors will not rest until they have found a way of carrying freight between the two worlds at economic rates. It may take them ten years to do it, or it may take them a century, but, sooner or later, do it they will.

‘And that, gentlemen, will mean the end of Metallic Industries.’

There was a pause during which no one spoke. Drakin looked round to see the effect of his words.

‘Gratz has told me,’ he continued, ‘that I.C. are convinced their ship is capable of the journey. Is that not so?’

‘It is,’ I confirmed. ‘They have complete faith in her; and so have I.’

Old John Ball’s voice rose again.

‘If this is not nonsense, why have we let it go on? Why have I.C. been allowed to build this vessel without interference? What is the good of having a man there who does nothing to hinder the work?’ He glared at me.

‘You mean-?’ inquired Drakin.

‘I mean that this man has been excellently placed to work sabotage. Why has there been none? It should be simple enough to cause an “accidental” explosion.’

‘Very simple,’ agreed Drakin. ‘So simple that I.C. would jump to it at once—even if there were a genuine accident, they would suspect that we had a hand in it. Then we should have our hands full with an expensive vendetta. Furthermore, I.C. would recommence building with additional precautions, and it is possible that we might not have a man on the inside. I take it that we are all agreed that the Nuntia must fail—but it must not be a suspicious failure. The Nuntia must saiclass="underline" it is up to us to see that she does not return.

‘Gratz has been offered a position aboard her, but has not, as yet, returned a definite answer. My suggestion is that he should accept the offer, with the object of seeing that the Nuntia is lost; the details I can leave to him.’

Drakin went on to eleborate his plan. Directly the Nuntia had left, Metallic Industries would begin work on a space-flyer of their own. As soon as possible, she would follow to Venus. Meanwhile, I, having settled the Nuntia, would await her arrival. In the unlikely event of the planet being found inhabited, I would get on good terms with the natives and endeavour to influence them against I.C. When the second ship arrived, I was to be taken off and brought back to Earth, while a party of M.I. men remained to survey and annex territories. On my return, I would be sufficiently rewarded to make me rich for life.

‘You will be doing a great work for us,’ he concluded, ‘and we do not forget our servants.’ He looked me straight in the eyes as he said it. ‘Will you do it?’

I hesitated. ‘I would like a day or so to think it over.’

‘Of course. That is only natural; but as there is not a great deal of time to spare, will you let me have your answer by this time tomorrow? It will then give us a chance to make other arrangements in case you refuse.’

‘Yes, sir. That will do.’

On that, I left them. As to their further deliberations, I can only guess. And my guesses are bitter….