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Cosmic Tales, v. 2, issue 1, Summer 1939
Page 21
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COSMIC TALES 21 of a once mighty civilization, shattered buildings, debris scattered all over, filled the scene. "It seems this world has met the fate of Woonel (Mars), although in a different way, " Loor spoke up as his nimble fingers guided the ship to the ground in a perfect landing. Yes, and I hope we find some record of their past, unlike Woonel where we found nothing indicative of the degree and type of civilization the inhabitants reached. If only we can return with some record of life on this planet we would be completely successful. A climax for the first inter-planetary flight in the history of Maroo (Venus)." The two Venerians were not at all the nightmarish conceptions once conceived, but strangely enough, resembled the Earthmen of the twentieth century. The most noticeable difference lay in their height for both were over seven feet. What little sunlight struggled through the bleak atmosphere was reflected from the cylindrical door as it was flung open. The two voyagers stepped out and surveyed their drab surroundings. Then, carrying food and other necessities, they trudged off into the woods for which covered a section of Earth formerly called Flushing. Night had fallen, and after the black clouds had dispersed, the moon shone brilliantly upon two figures sitting beside a flickering fire. Crudely built huts dotted the clearing as far as could be seen. Standing out prominently was a cylinder, pointed at one end, and displaying the pointed tip as it stuck out of the ground for about two feet. Surrounding it, were many small fires in seeming veneration. "When the sun rises over the horizon we will examine this strange metal object," Tain said slowly, "Surely it can not extend excessively deep in the ground?" "You are right, Tain. It is constructed of strange metal, different than anything we have ever seen. It must be quite durable, considering the length of time it must have remained buried. Oh! Here comes the leader of the tribe! We must ask him about it." The leader, an earthman, was built in the proportions necessary to survival. he was tall, lithe and handsome to look upon. Lines of puzzlement creased his high, intelligent forehead. When asked to relate his knowledge of the thing, he readily agreed. The Venerians, unable to understand the language in which he talked, resorted to telepathy at which they were quite adept. Telepathy was not usually used on their home planet, but many Venerians were able to converse mentally. The two most gifted in such a manner, Loor and Tain, had been chosed to embark because with them lay the greatest possibility of communicating with the inhabitants of other planets. After they had landed on Earth, and had st off on an exploration tour as previously related, they had come across several bands of primitive Earthmen whom they escaped only with the greatest difficulty. Sighting the fires lighting up the darkness soon after night had fallen they discovered an inhabited village, one of the few on the continent. The villagers were attacked often by the wanderers, sometimes losing in their grim battles for existence. The village people were intelligent, but their ascent up the ladder of civilization was seriously hampered by their attackers. Some of them, especially the leader who was to tell his version of the cylinder's story, Jack Teldrige, were able to communicate with the visitors through mental Telepathy. Now, Loor and Tain were silent as the leader spoke mentally. "Before the dark age descended upon us, it is said, there was once a great gathering. During
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COSMIC TALES 21 of a once mighty civilization, shattered buildings, debris scattered all over, filled the scene. "It seems this world has met the fate of Woonel (Mars), although in a different way, " Loor spoke up as his nimble fingers guided the ship to the ground in a perfect landing. Yes, and I hope we find some record of their past, unlike Woonel where we found nothing indicative of the degree and type of civilization the inhabitants reached. If only we can return with some record of life on this planet we would be completely successful. A climax for the first inter-planetary flight in the history of Maroo (Venus)." The two Venerians were not at all the nightmarish conceptions once conceived, but strangely enough, resembled the Earthmen of the twentieth century. The most noticeable difference lay in their height for both were over seven feet. What little sunlight struggled through the bleak atmosphere was reflected from the cylindrical door as it was flung open. The two voyagers stepped out and surveyed their drab surroundings. Then, carrying food and other necessities, they trudged off into the woods for which covered a section of Earth formerly called Flushing. Night had fallen, and after the black clouds had dispersed, the moon shone brilliantly upon two figures sitting beside a flickering fire. Crudely built huts dotted the clearing as far as could be seen. Standing out prominently was a cylinder, pointed at one end, and displaying the pointed tip as it stuck out of the ground for about two feet. Surrounding it, were many small fires in seeming veneration. "When the sun rises over the horizon we will examine this strange metal object," Tain said slowly, "Surely it can not extend excessively deep in the ground?" "You are right, Tain. It is constructed of strange metal, different than anything we have ever seen. It must be quite durable, considering the length of time it must have remained buried. Oh! Here comes the leader of the tribe! We must ask him about it." The leader, an earthman, was built in the proportions necessary to survival. he was tall, lithe and handsome to look upon. Lines of puzzlement creased his high, intelligent forehead. When asked to relate his knowledge of the thing, he readily agreed. The Venerians, unable to understand the language in which he talked, resorted to telepathy at which they were quite adept. Telepathy was not usually used on their home planet, but many Venerians were able to converse mentally. The two most gifted in such a manner, Loor and Tain, had been chosed to embark because with them lay the greatest possibility of communicating with the inhabitants of other planets. After they had landed on Earth, and had st off on an exploration tour as previously related, they had come across several bands of primitive Earthmen whom they escaped only with the greatest difficulty. Sighting the fires lighting up the darkness soon after night had fallen they discovered an inhabited village, one of the few on the continent. The villagers were attacked often by the wanderers, sometimes losing in their grim battles for existence. The village people were intelligent, but their ascent up the ladder of civilization was seriously hampered by their attackers. Some of them, especially the leader who was to tell his version of the cylinder's story, Jack Teldrige, were able to communicate with the visitors through mental Telepathy. Now, Loor and Tain were silent as the leader spoke mentally. "Before the dark age descended upon us, it is said, there was once a great gathering. During
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