Air Wonder Stories, December 1929 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

seg tainty as any nephew of Uncle Sam. However, I went gladly ; though 1 was somewhat-ill at ease as I entered the council room and gazed upon the grim, gray faces of the nation’s leaders grouped about the long table. I have known Commander Benson for years, and I want to state now here that no braver man ever sat at the controls of a plane; but when he came forward to meet me, and took my hand, there were tears in his honest blue eyes, and for a moment he could not speak. “Clare, for God's sake help us,” he finally said hoarsely: “We are at the end of our rope and unless something is done mighty quick our country will be on the rocks.” “How can I help?” I asked humbly. “T hardly know,” he replied with a gesture of de- spair: “But we have hoped that, as the inventor of the plane, you might be able to suggest something.” _. “One of the inventors,” I corrected sharply: “You forget that there was another associated with me.” We then wetit over to the table where Commander Benson introduced me—really a superfluous proceed- ing, as I was known to nearly every man there. “We earnestly desire your opinion, Mr. Clare,” said the Air Secretary, “with regard to this nameless scourge that has swooped down upon us, We think that you, perhaps, may be able to show us a way out. Please speak frankly.” My Plan GAZED about the room. The heavy shades on the windows were down and the doors were closed. “Have no fear,” said the Secretary divining my thoughts: “We speak behind closed: doors, and the entire building is under guard.” “Gentlemen, I deeply appreciate this confidence,” I said, “though I fear that there is little I can do to un- ravel the net of perplexing citcumstances that sur- rounds us. However, I have arrived at certain con- clusions which I have hitherto thought best to keep fo myself, but which I now frankly make known for what they may-be worth. Allow me to say, then, that it seems to me that we are still psychologically at war with those powers with whom we made a formal peace several years.ago. Our victory over them, as you know, was due to the superiority of our planes. . This bitter fact still rankles in the hearts of our erstwhile foes. Ostensibly at peace with us, I believe they have secretly invented some devilish engine of destruction and en- gaged in this underhanded campaign to destroy our chief arm of defence. When this is accomplished, they will come out into the open, declare war and have us at their mercy. It is clear to me that they must have a base somewhere in the old world, also one here. in America, I would advise that a close watch be kept on all the capitals in the East.” “Our secret service men have been working in those countries since the loss of Colonel Brandon's fleet,” said the Secretary: but they have found nothing.” “As the attacks have all been made on our military planes,” I resumed, “I think it would be wise to remove all such planes from active service, so far as ‘possible, and confine them within their hangars and home fields until we can locate and grapple with this menace which Commander Benson has aptly named the ‘blue demon.’ And, since this destroyer, whatever it is, comes out of the skies we must look for it there, we must battle and overcome it there. “T am convinced that this unknown enemy of ours is using an electromagnetic force,” I went on: “It may come from a great distance, or it may be directed at Eee re 490 AIR WONDER STORIES comparatively close range. But it has occurred to me that we might insulate against it. Of course we do not understand the nature of this ray—if ray it is— for, although invisible, it leaves a blue stain which would indicate that some sort of chemical action forms one‘of its characteristics. Yet, I believe that we can insulate against it. Our secret air patrol should be greatly augmented; but I would suggest that all planes be sent into the air in single units widely scattered.” “Clare, I think your idea of insulating the planes a mighty good one,” spoke up Commander Benson: “Somewhere in the air this deadly thing lurks. But what, inj God's name, are we to look for? No one has reported any suspicious-looking aircraft loitering about, and who among us is astute enough to recognize this blue monster should we meet him?” Of course no one-had an answer to these perplexing questions. Indeed, it seemed an absurd and impossible task, to hunt for and fight an invisible foe. That we had to thank an old enemy for these hellish crimes, there could be no doubt. But what enemy? We could not charge any nation with stich dastardly conduct in times of peace; stich an accusation would be equivalent to a declaration of war. Yet all realized that some- thing must be done, and that soon. The temper of the people demanded drastic action of some sort. War with all its carnage and heartache was preferable to this supine submission to the frightful attacks of an unknown. foe. For several minutes a poignant silence hung over the room; the very atmosphere of the place was eloquent of the uncertainty we-felt. All realized that the life of a mighty nation was at stake; and the thought came to me that here among those grim and silent men about that table must be found a savior. At last General Marshall rose in his place. His face was pale and seamed, his lips set; but his eyes, deny- ing the years of his snow-white hair, blazed with the ardor of youth. General Marshall had been a pioneer in the early days of the air defence ; he had sounded the tocsin of warning and tHe call for an adequate air fleet until he had won his point against immense odds. Now his advice was eagerly sought and followed, even by those who once had been his bitterest opponents, “Mr. Secretary,” he began in clear, firm tones, “I recommend that Mr. Clare’s—” He paused abruptly and stood staring wide-eyed at the loud speaker in the center of the table as the ‘Air Department’s code signal rasped out on the air. “Mr. Secretary,” came the announcet’s hoarse voice from the government airdrome at Annapolis: “TI have the duty to report that three more battle planes have just crashed on this field; and. our hangars are in flames !” We stared at one another in helpless dismay. Slowly, as in a daze, every man got to his feet and waited breathlessly for the next words. This was the most stunning blow that had yet been struck. They were boldly attacking our planes in their home ports! They were burning our hangars before our very eyes, and it seemed that we were helpless to do anything to thwart them. We gazed in awe at the loud speaker, but no further words came. In some manner the announcer had-been cut off. “I recommend that Mr. Clare’s proposal be adopted,” contintied General Marshall at last, his cool, collected voice tending to relieve the tension: “I further recom- mend that he be placed in charge of our air scouts and empowered to act at his own discretion and in his own way ; that all red tape pertaining to his duties be slashed 2: comicbooks } %