Air Wonder Stories, August 1929 — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

ay lump in my throat more than ever. I had denied Joan nothing in all her life but here was one time when I could not help her obtain her heart’s desire. T could not bring Robert Allison back to her. I would have gladly done so were I capable! “He's like his father! Both are good. men and true! I’m glad, Joan darling, that you feel that way for Bob.” Suddenly the Automaton Service System in the dining salon buzzed. I patted Joan on the shoulder and walked over to the panel and pressed a button over the mail receiving tubes. Instantly the latest edition of the Aero-Chronicle shot out into its recep- tion chamber. I tore it open and read the headlines nervously. “U.S.A F. Annihilator Lost in Terrestrial Storm. Government Reports Ship Located Out of Globe's Orbit. Racing at High Velocity Opposite to Earth's Motion. Hold Little Hope For Its Return To Field of Gravity.” Stunned, I sat down again beside Joan and handed her the paper. I turned my head away to hide hot, stinging tears that had welled up suddenly in my eyes. The reaction left me in a daze and it was with an effort that I rid myself of it. For long, torturotis minutes that seemed like eternal ages, we sat there, Joan reading aloud the Aero- Chronicle’s account of the disaster. The lines, as she read them, were punctuated with deep, long-drawn sobs. Presently she grasped my arm and shook it. “Look, daddy!’ she sobbed. “Read this about Robert!” T winced as I accepted the paper and read a short paragraph in black agate ‘ype. Slowly I read the ragraph again to escape nothing. as ‘semenett Robert Allison, chief pilot of the ctaft, and son of Senator Allison, was seriously. in- jured when the stabilizing control wheel snapped: back and crushed several: of his ribs, according to tadio- telepix reports: received from the Annihilator by the Government station at Washington. Lieutenant Alli- son’s condition is considered serious by attending physiciatis on board the ship as the result of slight Jung puncture caused by a fragment of bone. He is reported to be resting easily, however, in - the Annihilator’s hospital and arrangements have been made for an operation. Physicians are prepared to operate at any moment, the report stated!” T cast the paper aside and stood erect. Joan sat, staring straight ahead-through wet, unseeing eyes. began a ceaseless march back and forth across the living floor. It was impossible for me to sit still in the face of such a sudden and unexpected tragedy. Unable to withstand the torture of imactivity, I walked swiftly over to the television receivers and sat down, What was patriotism anyhow when the son of my dearest friend——our own Bob, lay hovering between life and death beyond hope of ever being seen on this earth again? The government would not know if I switched on the current of the receivers for a glimpse at the Annihilator and her difficulties! ‘What if it did! I could afford to pay the heavy fines exacted for ignoring government commands of this order, and surely I would not interfere with official communica- tion. - = = Decisively I lifted a hand to the circuit switch and AIR WONDER STORIES pressed it up. Instantly the screens glowed, showing two contacts——the government station at Washington and the Annihilator! Nervously 1 watched: the huge ship, now on even keel and racing ‘at terrific velocity across the heavens-at an elevation high above the range of ordinary aircraft. In an instant the ship passed out of the screen——only the Washington station re- mained fixed. I turned the dial gradually to the left and slowly the ship’s rear aileron laterals crept onto the screen. I continued to:‘move the dials’ to maintain the ship’s presence on the screen, From the reproduc- ing coils came the droning voices and I listened intently.’ “Hello, Washington,” an understandable voice was saying. “Are yout still with us?” “Yes, Annihilator, we are with you!” came another voice, louder and more distinct, in answer. I knew it was the» Washington operator speaking. I looked around for Joan. She had disappeared. The Wash- ington man continued. “Senator Allison inquires about his son, Lieutenant Allison. How-is he getting along?” There was a brief pause then——— “Hello, Washington!” the Amnihilator operator called, “Dr. Banksley reports that Lieutenant Allison is doing nicely after a fourth dimensional operation. Atomic Argowmite has been injected into his blood and he’s coming along fine.. But what goo re “That’s fine, Annihilator! Report to Commander Rankin that we are doing all we can to bring you down. What? Your oxygen generators are out of commission? Talk louder, Annihilator!” the Wash- ington voice cut-in. A Ray of Hope M* sudden joy at hearing of Bob’s improving ‘A condition was short lived. I hesitated to call Joan to tell her what I had heard. I continued to listen. The voice of the Annihilator’s operator was be- coming weak. “Oxygen generators are out-of commission’ due to some atmospheric pressure,” he said, weakly. “Com- mander Rankin reports that the electromagnetising units are working perfectly and they are trying to” obtain enough gravitational force fora drop through the natrow pocket over San Diego, California,.latitude - 30, longitude-9dc: We exhausted our reserve driving explosives bucking the up-draft head on: He says if you can ‘get to’ us.about a pound of concentrated nitro- radium we might .be able to force the ship through the atmospheric stream into: the pocket. and bring it down. He believes we can do: it with nitro-radium in the exhaust system. But for the love of God, hurry! We'll be over San Diego at five o'clock: sharp in the morning! Rankin says if you get-it to us through the pocket we'll pick it up in the nets as we pass over it and drop down to earth, if we can, on the next revolu- tion! Tf you fail it’s good-bye!” There was a buzz of conversation in the Washington station as the Annihilator shut off her radio-telepix system. I thought I heard Senator Allison’s voice and was half tempted to make contact with that station but thought better of it. I felt overjoyed at the un- expected developments, although I had a guilty feeling for having deliberately disregarded the stern orders from the government: to. keep. all radio and television currents shut off. But no matter, if my offense. had been detected, my rising hope would be more than worth the cost. I switched off the receivers and looked thes rcomicbooks. byt d hola PO Se ytid / sg