Amazing Stories, Vol. 3, No. 2 — page 74: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MASTER ANTS magnetism. But you shouldn’t marvel at that so much. Didn’t a German engineer do as much in your day? But whereas he got two crops from sandy soil, we get seven.” So it went. I had noticed no animals of any sort in Science Castle, not even cows, yet there was no lack of eggs, butter, milk or meat. Servus again €X- plained the mystery. “Milk is made from turnips and potatoes,” he explained, “I believed a man named Ford did that in 1926, Eggs and meat are manufactured synthetically.” He went into technical details which there is no need to set down here. Truly a wonderful place, this Science Castle. It was difficult to realize that its brilliant inhabitants were chained to a hill-top by insects which for cen- turies had been man’s hopeless inferiors. But were they so chained! Hadn't Theda rescued the Pro- fessor and me by means of an aircraft? And hadn't Soltano shown us others in the process of being built? And hadn’t we been invited to take trips in them? One night while I sat with her on the parapet in the moonlight, I asked Theda about it. {2Yes= she replied, “we have air vessels; but save for min- ing ore they do not do us much good.” “Why not?” I asked. : “Because outside of Science Castle there is hardly a spot they dare land.” _ “But there is Europe and Asia,” I exclaimed. ‘Perhaps the ants do not control there.” “On the average of once in every ten years,’ she replied, “expeditions have left here for over the seas—and never returned. My father commanded the last aircraft to attempt the flight. That was five years ago,” she added softly. I pressed her hand. “But they seem to be wonderfully well-controlled machines,” I said. ‘What drives them?” | “Radio power. Waves are sent from a controlling center in the Castle here and received by a device incorporated in the airships themselves. Complete control of the machine is invested in the driver by means of a lever which oprates a very simple me- chanical arrangement. For a radius of several hun- dred’ miles, and in fair weather, the aircrafts are ab- solutely safe and easily handled. Many of us use them for pleasure rides. But beyond that—’ She shook her head. ‘Perhaps atmospheric conditions interfere with the waves when sent over too great a distance; perhaps the receiving apparatus fails to operate beyond a certain point, though theoretically they should pick up power waves four thousand miles from the sending station. All we know, however, is that those who venture too far—vanish. Perhaps they fall into the sea and are drowned. Or worse still, on the plains, and the Master Ants... .” Her voice shivered to silence. For comfort against a black spectre which took on the hideous form of an insect, we drew together. _ : VOU 21 Wil-you 2. = In answer she kissed me. The Master Ants Take to the Air Ze shuts away from us the hordes of conquering ants, I am seated, putting the finishing touches [ ae fie (hig nictd soot which eal toot to this manuscript. Of the terrible catastrophe which _ has occurred, I can hardly write. We were standing one day by the parapet when a young Scientian who had gone on a pleasure spin, planed down from the > Sa “Theda,” I said unsteadily. “O Theda! Would "169 sky and landed on the plaza. His face was ashen- grey. “What is it?’ demanded Soltano sharply. “The ants!” gasped the breathless youth. ants have taken to the air!” “To the air! What do you mean?” “That they have mounted the backs of insects, of wasps a yard long, and are flying!” Instantly the Castle was in an uproar. From every direction the Scientians came rushing; from the depths of the Castle, from the gardens and the pool. They assembled irf the plaza and listened to the tale the youth had to tell. Attracted by strange activities among the mounds, he had flown nearer the ground than usual, when great insects had spread gossamer wings and pursued him. Fortunately, the speed of the airship had outdistanced them, though at first it had been a close chase! When he finished speak- ing, Soltano mounted the rostrum and addressed the gathering. “Fellow Scientians,”’ he said, “if what we have just heard be true, then Science Castle is in immedi- ate and grave danger. You will remember that we have often discussed the possibility of an alliance be- tween the Master Ants and other insects. Now it seems they have enslaved or enlisted a winged insect, probably of the bee family. Not only that, they have evidently fed them with special foods until mon- sters, capable of bearing a Master Ant aloft have been produced. Sooner or latet we shall be attacked. The great cone must be manned at once; the chemical pumps made ready. Let everyone hasten to his post, for we are facing the gravest crisis in our history.” I stared at the Professor with fear. He stared back at me grimly. “What do you think?” I asked with dry lips. “That the situation is desperate.” “But the ray cones, the acids !” “My boy,” he said solemnly, “if those insects have really taken to the air, then Gad help us!” I sank nervelessly into a seat; then sprang up again as the remembrance of something sent a thrill of hope through my heart. “The Time Machine!’ I cried. finished it by this time!” The Professor nodded. ready.” “Then we can make our escape by means of it.” He looked at me pityingly. “I’m afraid not.” “What’s the matter with it?” “Nothing. Only you forget something.” “Forget what?” “How we aged when we travelled in it before.” “Well!” “The “Surely you have “Yes,” he said, “it is “Don’t you see? It would have the same effect on us again.” - For a moment I did not understand; then the ap- palling truth staggered me like a bolt from the blue. The Professor read the dawning comprehension on _my face. ; “Ves,” he said slowly, “yes. If age is caused by _ he action of environment, then the same friction -would be encountered by the body whether it traveled forward in time or backward. In returning to 1926, we would be subjected to the same resistance, the same wear and tear, as we were in coming from it. That would mean annihilation for me, death. For could expect to find yourself an old man of eighty - (Continued on pa 78 | comicbooks.com ear 4 yourself and Theda, would it be much better? You —