Parasite Planet. John Russell Fearn

thread just as they dropped it?”

      The Amazon shook her head. “You did not die, my friend. None of you did. You suffered a form of suspended animation in which everything dropped to zero. But that has nothing to do with our immediate problem.”

      “Which seems to be to discover who produced such a disastrous state of affairs, and why?” Cesnon asked.

      “Exactly.”

      “I still have no idea,” Mexone sighed. “Unless, as you have sug­gested, one of our neighbor worlds might be responsible. To make sure it would be necessary for you, in your marvelous machine, to visit each one of them. As you have said, each one of them might, however, be in the condition that ours was until you came.”

      “My interest,” the Amazon replied, “still centers on a smaller independent world near to your sun, which apparently you know nothing of.”

      Mexone looked surprised. “Is there one?”

      “Definitely, and with a reasonable-looking civilization. There might even be science there of a high order. As to why your world and maybe the neighboring worlds have been subjected to such treatment, we don’t know—but we can try to find out.”

      “Immediately?” Viona asked, and for some reason it sounded as though there was a sharp edge of disappoint­ment in her voice.

      “Well, of course!” The Amazon looked at her in surprise. “I see nothing to be gained by delaying.”

      “Somehow,” Cesnon remarked. “I cannot feel that it is right that you should have to endanger yourselves on our behalf—yet on the other hand, our science is of such a poor order that we are powerless to help ourselves. Naturally, it goes without saying that we’re extremely grateful to you.”

      “Our governing body ought to know what is intended,” Mexone put in. “So far everything has been confined to us, and we’re only ordinary citizens when all comes to be said.”

      The Amazon shook her head briefly and got to her feet. “That, to my mind, would cause a lot of delay, together with endless explanations. There just isn’t the time. I think you’d better do all the explaining yourselves.”

      “It will not be at all easy.” Mexone was looking troubled.

      “In some ways,” Viona said, thinking, “I have the feeling that we’re neglecting our job, mother.”

      “Meaning?” The Amazon gave her a sharp look.

      “Primarily, our job is to help backward worlds to advance their civiliza­tion so it can have all the necessary amenities. For that very reason we call ourselves the Cosmic Crusaders. Here we have a planet definitely in need of an uplift, yet the first thing we do is dash away from it on the off-chance of tackling a planet about which we know precisely nothing. And on top of that, poor Mexone is left with the unenviable task of trying to explain thermodynamic equilibrium to the governing body. To say nothing of attempting to explain why we came here and what our object is.”

      The Amazon and Abna looked at each other. This was the first time in all their experience they had ever found Viona disinclined to leap into a new adventure.

      “Of course,” Viona added, rising, “there might be a way round it. I could stay here and impart such scientific knowledge as I possess, and you and father could go ahead to this mystery world. You don’t really need me as well. You’re quite capable of looking after yourselves.”

      “That is possible,” Abna admitted dryly; then he, too, got to his feet, caught at Viona’s arm, and drew her away to a quiet corner of the room.

      “I’m afraid you’re not doing it very well, Viona.” Abna said, smiling. “I could read your mind and find out the truth, but I never invade the sanctity of thought unless I’m com­pelled. It wouldn’t be because of Mexone that you prefer to stay behind, would it?”

      “Of course not!” Viona’s sapphire-blue eyes had a hint of resentment in them, but under her father’s steady look the light died out of them. “That is.… Well, he’s rather nice.”

      “Very. Quite a good-looking young man, but his intelligence rating is infinitely below yours, my dear—”

      “All the better. You like being top dog. Well, so do I. Here’s a young man I really like, and he hasn’t enough knowledge to dictate anything. Not like Sefner Quorne, for instance.”

      “I see.” Abna gave his slow, toler­ant smile. “You haven’t had much fun in your associations with the opposite sex so far, have you?”

      “I can teach these people a good deal,” Viona added.

      “And Mexone too, maybe,” Abna murmured; then he led the way back to the group and raised his voice. “I’ve just been talking things over with Viona, my friends, and I think it as well that she stays with you.”