DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Horizons, v. 1, issue 3, April 1940

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Horizons, v. 1, issue 3, April 1940

Page 12

occasionally trampling down small trees that were in the way, when a voice sounded, and he stopped short, listening.
"I can hear a trampling noise," it said, speaking Latin.  "Can it be some large animal?"
Instantly, his micronic ears picked up the direction from which it came, and moving silently through the undergrowth, the Space-man neared the speakers.
"It has stopped now," replied another voice in the same language.  "It was possibly an animal returning to its lair.  How far are we from the ship now?"
"Not far," replied the first speaker.  "I wish this Zahdling would regain consciousness, for he is heavy to carry."
From behind a small pile of stones, the Space-man saw them.  Two men, to call them such, dressed in vac0suits, were supporting between then a white-uniformed Earth-man, whom with a feeling of surprise and suspicion he recognized as Allan Mann, his nephew.
Stepping into sight, the Space-man frew his M-gun, and called out in Latin to them.  Whirling round, the two lowered Allan the the fallen leaves below, and eyes his metal figure for a moment in surprise.  It was evident to the Space-man that they were not the inhabitants of Fonca.  If they were, why would they be wearing vac-suits?
"Who are you," he asked clearly, "and where do you come from?"  Striding nearer, he waiting for their reply.
Conversing hastily, the two then turned to the Space-man, and the taller one spoke in answer.
"We come from the world of mother sun," explained he.  "And we are looking for likely worlds to colonise.  Where is your master, robot?"
The Space-man moved up until he was standing in front of them.  "I am no robot," he answered, indicating his brain, which was visible through the transparent metal of his head, "but am known as the Space-man.  From what star do you come?"
The first spoke again.  "My name is Dic," he announced, "and this is Terv.  We come from one of the two planets circling the star you call Procyon."
Now that he was close, the Space-man had an opportunity of looking at them.  In structure, they resembled a human being, with the exception that they were squat and big-chested, and had three-fingered claws instead of hands.  Through their visa-plates, he saw the colour of their skins to be jet black, and that the canine theeth projected over the upper gum.  But instead of eyes, they had only one! 
 It was red in colour, with a  pure white iris.
The Space-man now turned his attention to the recovering Allan.  "Where did you find him?" he asked.
Terv shuffled his feet uneasily, but Dic hastened the explain.  "We found him lying unconscious in the wrecked space-ship not far from here.  We tried to revive him, but finding it impossible, decided to carry him to our own space-vessel, and treat him surgically."
Meanwhile, Allan, sitting up and rubbing his forehead, heard what they were saying, and scrambled to his feet.  Then seeing the Space-man, he gave a gasp of relief.
"Uncle!" he exclaimed.  "Am I glad to see you!  These two attacked my cruiser, and forced me to land on this planey.  I crashed doing so, but they followed me down, and took me prisoner.  They intend to con-"
He broke off as Dic gave a murderous oath, and snatched a weapon from his belt.  Instantly, the lithe young Terran hurled himself at the Procyonan, and together they crashed to the ground.  Terv turned to aid his comrade, bu Talu lashed out with one metallic fist, and the single-eyed man staggered backwards, tripped over a small bush, and fell face-downward among a clump of grassy reeds.
Meanwhile, Dic had overpowered the weakened Earthman, and was trying to press the trigger of his gun.  Seeing this, the Space-man brought up his gun and fired point-blank at the Procyonan.  With a low cry, the latter twisted around

Saving...

occasionally trampling down small trees that were in the way, when a voice sounded, and he stopped short, listening. "I can hear a trampling noise," it said, speaking Latin. "Can it be some large animal?" Instantly, his micronic ears picked up the direction from which it came, and moving silently through the undergrowth, the Space-man neared the speakers. "It has stopped now," replied another voice in the same language. "It was possibly an animal returning to its lair. How far are we from the ship now?" "Not far," replied the first speaker. "I wish this Zahdling would regain consciousness, for he is heavy to carry." From behind a small pile of stones, the Space-man saw them. Two men, to call them such, dressed in vac0suits, were supporting between then a white-uniformed Earth-man, whom with a feeling of surprise and suspicion he recognized as Allan Mann, his nephew. Stepping into sight, the Space-man frew his M-gun, and called out in Latin to them. Whirling round, the two lowered Allan the the fallen leaves below, and eyes his metal figure for a moment in surprise. It was evident to the Space-man that they were not the inhabitants of Fonca. If they were, why would they be wearing vac-suits? "Who are you," he asked clearly, "and where do you come from?" Striding nearer, he waiting for their reply. Conversing hastily, the two then turned to the Space-man, and the taller one spoke in answer. "We come from the world of mother sun," explained he. "And we are looking for likely worlds to colonise. Where is your master, robot?" The Space-man moved up until he was standing in front of them. "I am no robot," he answered, indicating his brain, which was visible through the transparent metal of his head, "but am known as the Space-man. From what star do you come?" The first spoke again. "My name is Dic," he announced, "and this is Terv. We come from one of the two planets circling the star you call Procyon." Now that he was close, the Space-man had an opportunity of looking at them. In structure, they resembled a human being, with the exception that they were squat and big-chested, and had three-fingered claws instead of hands. Through their visa-plates, he saw the colour of their skins to be jet black, and that the canine theeth projected over the upper gum. But instead of eyes, they had only one! It was red in colour, with a pure white iris. The Space-man now turned his attention to the recovering Allan. "Where did you find him?" he asked. Terv shuffled his feet uneasily, but Dic hastened the explain. "We found him lying unconscious in the wrecked space-ship not far from here. We tried to revive him, but finding it impossible, decided to carry him to our own space-vessel, and treat him surgically." Meanwhile, Allan, sitting up and rubbing his forehead, heard what they were saying, and scrambled to his feet. Then seeing the Space-man, he gave a gasp of relief. "Uncle!" he exclaimed. "Am I glad to see you! These two attacked my cruiser, and forced me to land on this planey. I crashed doing so, but they followed me down, and took me prisoner. They intend to con-" He broke off as Dic gave a murderous oath, and snatched a weapon from his belt. Instantly, the lithe young Terran hurled himself at the Procyonan, and together they crashed to the ground. Terv turned to aid his comrade, bu Talu lashed out with one metallic fist, and the single-eyed man staggered backwards, tripped over a small bush, and fell face-downward among a clump of grassy reeds. Meanwhile, Dic had overpowered the weakened Earthman, and was trying to press the trigger of his gun. Seeing this, the Space-man brought up his gun and fired point-blank at the Procyonan. With a low cry, the latter twisted around