Air Wonder Stories, December 1929 — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

FREEDOM OF THE SKIES His eyes followed her as she tottered to a seat. A great pity filled him, but he’ knew he must go on. She was looking at -him again, and he forced himself to face her. “TI wish they would let me walk into that room and die,” she said. “What room?” he asked, suddenly ignoring the guard’s tug at his arm. Nadia uttered harshly: “Into that room where the guards drove a hundred prisoners of your Order of the Conquerors of the World! Into that room of absolute destruction, from which no one may: return!” “My God, no!” he said, terrified. “Your best friend, Joe Blaine went in. there Jast night!” she said. And then she sighed and slumped, faintingly, to the floor. The guard insistently pushed him through the door and into the aisle. He was blinded in the flood of his bewildering thoughts. His uncertain footsteps faltered. He had stood up under so much that the addition of this terrible news found him unequal to the situation. He, too, fainted, and merciful unconsciousness brought peace to his. soul. CHAPTER V Some Re¢grets HE Grand Master of the Conquerors of the = | World had dismissed his advisers and retired into solitude in his magnificent headquarters. He was, for some reason, in lower spirits than usual. Perhaps he regretted that the laws which he had laid down for Marino had exacted the lives of so many prisoners. Perhaps he felt himself in the power of an organization which he had started and which he ruled, and yet one which he himself could not deter from its course. He may have been reviewing swiftly his youthful idealistic dream of the conquest he was now engaged in. He had killed many in the initial work of building this great submarine and equipping it. Yet he had never wished to kill anyone—even for power. And, although he perhaps had the world already in the palm of his hand, he now felt that he had made a mistake, had gone against his own conscience, in decreeing the death of his prisoners. And in this hour he was nervously upset. In his agony and regret, he thought of ending his own life. But he restored his-firmness in the belief that, once having accomplished his purpose of dominating the world, he might again forget—live down the terrible memory of the evening before when Captain Joseph Blaine had marched before a hundred other pilots and mechanics into that room of extermination, and to an unexpected death. He was still trying to clear his mind of the last compunctions when the door of his office opened, and his first aide came in, “An important message for Your Excellency,” he said, “Proceed,” snapped the Grand Master. “Captain Brettner, whom you ordered to report on his arrival, has collapsed upon hearing of the death of his comrades, Sire.” The Grand Master’s face paled: “Who permitted him to know of this? A most damnably demoralizing thing to tell so valuable a man!” “Miss Deneen, Your Excellency—at luncheon, He acquainted her with his desire to become a servant of Marino; upon which she told him of the disintegration room and what happened there last night.” The Grand Master did not lose control of himself, as.a lesser leader might have done. He had indulged in useless regrets, perhaps, but they must not deter his action, What had happened was now irreparable. “How many planes have we aboard?” demanded the Grand Master. “Three hundred and ninety-eight, Sire.” The Grand Master breathed deeply: “Radio to Gastro ashore ;-he will meet our pilot in Captain Brett- ner’s room in the hotel in Los Angeles. Be sure to send a resourceful man for him. Also, have five hundred of our pilots ready for action upon an hour’s notice; have their planes here and ashore equipped for destruc- tion, Have the Grand Marshal remind them that, if there exists a traitor among them, he will die immediately upon being discovered. Deliver these orders yourself. Now have a guard bring Captain Brettner here.” The Grand. Master's voice fell abruptly. He wished he could simplify matters; but, as they stood, the world must be. conquered: before it could learn of the power which was being massed against. it. Captain Brettner was brought in and placed on a chaise longue before the Grand Master, for he was still too weak to sit up. His audience with the Grand Master came as a relief; but he was determined to keep his lips closed and learn all that was possible. The Grand Master smiled reassuringly upon him: “You have done good work, Captain. You have placed two valuable cargo ships in our hands without being suspected. Their cargoes alone are of great utility to Marino. The planes I will use in the work of re- ducing several important cities along the North and South Pacific coasts. How do you feel about. all this; especially if I offer you, when we have triumphed, the governorship of Argentina?” Fred was thoughtful for a moment: “A most unusual offer—a governorship. Yes, if I can be of such service as to merit:such an office, your slightest wish is a command. My only request is that you relieve Miss Deneen of the mental suffering which came of her belief that I had purposely allied myself with you and was aware of the plans for her abduction before it came about. Tell her what you may, other- wise. However, I prefer that you should release her and retain me to help you.” “She would tell the world of our plans,” objected the Grand Master: “No! With her, matters shall stand as they are until you have carried out the great mission which I have planned for you. If I permitted her re- lease, I might not trust you fully to carry out this mission, Upon your completion of the great task for which I have chosen you, I give you my word of honor, you and the young lady shall_be free citizens of Marino; but not until then.” “What do you wish of me—what is this great task of, which you speak?” asked Brettner, weakly. The Grand Master resumed his seat. His eyes sparkled and his forceful voice was impressive: “I gather from an informant ashore that you are ac- quainted with the great scientist, Metter,” he said. “Slightly,” agreed Fred: “He was a passenger on my plane, on several trips.” New Orders HE Grand Master was apparently pleased with himself. “Professor Ray was right,’ he said, smiling. “Professor Ray!” gasped Fred. ‘ The Grand Master nodded: “One of my worthy allies. A-great scientist of the mind. He claims to have ~ €omicbooks.com