Air Wonder Stories, August 1929 — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

aie 0 ew Sa eS BF en 1 ete r t THE PLANET’S AIR MASTER 177 wondered what.his game was, thinking that the wizard would: lead them: off. the trail, “Now the ray is on, watch the greatest demonstra- tion of power ever seen on earth,” the cool boastful voice sounded in his ears. Frank needed no invitation to watch. He sat tensed watching to see the effects of this ray. Suddenly the fleet of planes broke formation and commenced circling one another in a strange and disorderly way. “Looks like I'll have to strengthen the tay,” the wizard was saying. “They have picked men with very strong will-power. But I'll break them with less than a kilowatt increase,” More adjustments were made with some of the many controls under his hands, as Frank glued his eyes. to the scene. Then he gave a quick start and his face paled. The planes were now racing around each other at maximum speed. Then he heard the rat-tat-tat, the untnistakable sound of a machine gun that added its noise to the hum of the motors. There could be no doubt that they were shooting at something. Suddenly the truth of. the situation came to him, and a chill of horror ran through his body. Under the power of the telepathy ray they were shooting each other down like mad-men. Each one undoubtedly saw himself sur- rounded by a flock of savage beasts. The ray was filling their brains with a bestial rage, and each. ship was pouring shells and gas streams into the rest at every opportunity. The Terror pen almost insane himself by the slaughter before his eyes, Frank savagely tore the rigging from his head. He would smash the ray control panels of die in the attempt. Seeing the other was still wear- ing his mask and watching the scene closely, Wallace glanced over at the main control switchboard, on which was mounted most of the control units of the telepathy tay. In one moment he could rip the mess of fine wires behind the panels and put the ray out of com- mission, thus saving the lives of the men who were now butchering each other. Quickly, but quietly, he rose from the chair. But the moment he left the cushions, se seemed seized with pain, and he sank back unable to move a limb. Suddenly as the cramp seized him, it left him again. “I was expecting you to do something contrary to my wishes.” The wizard had removed his head set and was regarding his companion with an amused ex- pression on his face. “I adjusted the paralyzer ray on you. You set it off, when you attempted to leave your chair. But Sin you are mmissing a fine scene,” And donning the head apparatus again the scientist was soon eating over the scene before him on the reflector plate, Wallace, realizing the uselessness of any further attempt to destroy the ray, put on his own head set in. *eThe scene that met his eyes was horrible. There were now only five ships in the air, and there were fighting each other in the most savage and desperate way possible, recklessly spraying streams of bullets around and about them and using the deadly gas guns at every opportunity. Suddenly one broke out in flames, but the two members of the crew stuck to their posts and the blazing craft tore through the group, firing left and right until it shot down like a Haniing meteor, disappearing in a bank of steam as it struc’ the water, The scientist adjusted the controls until they were looking into the interior of one of the ships. The man at the gun was sending streams of shells at every chance, while the pilot with cruel-set face, sent the ship careening around the battle area, The loud Toar of the engines and guns at close range were ring- ing in their ears so loudly that old Jolsen had to re- duce the sound with the volume regulator. One plane, taking a wide circle, left the center of battle and in a moment the wizard had the center of the ray on it. The gunman was looking around desperately for a plane to shoot at. Then, turning to his pilot, he paused a moment while rage and hate registered on his face.. Then, with a savage oath, he sprang on the back of his:companion. Fighting madly like beasts, under the influence of the damnable ray, the two men rolled, clawed, and scrambled among the controls, while the unguided craft sped to its doom. A few moments later, the tortured minds: of the two men were calmed by death, as the sea closed over them. Tearing the mask from his head- again, Wallace leaned back in his chair, weak and pale, “Good God,” he stammered as the other turned to him, “if I ever get a chance to make you pay for this, you'll pay dear. You must have the soul of the devil, for no human could slaughter his fellow man like that.” The wizard merely smiled the -same.cool, maddening smile. “What you have seen is but an infinitesimal part of what: is to come, if this world forces me to declare war on it,” Frank rose wearily from his chair. He was sick, mentally and physically, He had received all that he could:stand for one day, he wanted to rest and forget the nightmare, Entering the little bed-room, he flung himself down on the bed in misery. But the mental strain was too much for him, and he soon fell into a deep sleep. The World Obeys Ba was high in the sky when he awoke the following morning, For a moment, he wondered where he was. Then the events of the previous day returned to his mind. Remembering the threat of the wizard, he was anxious to see if the air cruiser would have the plans, and what the wizard would do if he failed to get them. He had slept all night in his clothes and wasted no time in stepping out into the laboratory. “Good morning. I hope you had a good rest,” was old man Jolsen’s greeting from the table where he was going over some plans. Frank made no reply and the old man, pressing a button, continued his work. A door at the end of the room on Wallace’s right opened and a butler appeared. “Take care of any of this gentleman’s needs,” the wizard ordered. “This way, sir,” the butler politely requested him, leading the way. out through the door. Frank noticed that the bathroom windows were not barred or protected in any visible way, nor those in the small, luxuriously furnished dining room. But he had no idea of attempting to escape. He had no doubt but that the place was well protected, for he knew that a man like the wizard would take no unnecessary chances. He also realized that with such a calamity as the tele- pathy ray threatening the world, he would be of no use on the outside, while he might be able to accomplish something from within. The breakfast that was served was an excellent meal. It was evident that the scientist had no trouble in cComicbooks: SS ee ae ee ee © ne com 5