Air Wonder Stories, May 1930 — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

ie unless I miss my guess these Zoldans are the direct descendants from the Teleostomi*—in other words, from common every-day fish!” As the scientist spoke, the woman turned hier eyes tipon him, and.a smile more gentle than the one she had given Ware was flung to him. Later D’Arcy admitted that he had-had the feel- ing that she had tmderstood his every word; and yet, if she had understood, would her smile have been so kindly? Now’ she was looking about. the chamber in which she had been received. Near at hand were the radio and Visual screens, and her eyes lighted brightly as she saw the long shape of the space-flyer of her own people moving ahead, Another screen showed the water that lay below, and beyond:and upon both sides the accompanying spheres of the Earthlings. At a-desk to one side ofthe room sat an officer with an array of instruments be- fore him that he was manipulating as he-gave directions to the ~ engine rooms-and various other parts of the ship. There was no query in-her eyes, but understanding and something like ad- miration too. Ware seemed at a loss what to do with his guests, but D’Arcy, who had taken a liking to the strange woman, managed to con- vey to her that he would enjoy taking her about the flyer on a tour of inspection. She nodded in affirmation to his suggestion and, followed by the other women, they made the trip, D’Arcy pointing out to them whatever he thought would be of interest to women acquainted with. the science of space-flying, Ware sighed with relief when they had left the commandant’s quarters. On Venus HE ‘ship was now nearing what appeared to be a low shoreland,-and for two hours they followed it.. Nothing was moving on the sandy shores, which were colored a deep shade of orange, It was a- desolate-fooking country without a living thing to break its monotony, Far inland could be seen several dark splotches of purplish hue, but whether or not these were vegetation they could not tell: Twice they passed what appeared to be small cities, but different from any they had ever seen, cities that appeared to have been constructed of building blocks such as a child plays with. Each block was of the same black material as the Zoldan space-flyers and was set in geo- metrical arrangements; and in no case were they higher than two levels. Facing the water could be noted a single doorway without another opening to break the smooth walls, And in the cities not a living creature was to be seen, yet the Earthlings had the feeling that they were being watched. The sea coast. was again left behind. To the east appeared another long coast-line, but they did-not follow it but proceeded due south over the water tntil they sighted a large island. Most of the: island was, covered by the black blocks which made a Striking contrast againstthe background: of the orange sand. It was in the exact center of the island that they “saw: a building which differed from the rest of the city. Here, in a:square of tremendots proportions, with a black surfacing, was set a large square building and instead of the conventional black it was a snowy white, Once more the friendly voice was heard in the radio, ordering the ships to descend to the square in front of the white build- ing. Ware directed their descent and one by one the spheres settled to the grotmd in rows of three. The Mentor was the last to land and stood facing the single doorway of the white building. The cylinder. that had guided them hither was no longer in sight. ae CHAPTER IX The Matriarch the Zoldarns, Ware ordered that the women be returned D =: had by this time returned from his tour with to the quarters set aside for them, and turned to the AS See ® A class of fishes with well developed jawbones. _ descend from their cramped quarters. WOMEN WITH WINGS 97 matter-of disembarkment, He and-D’Arcy and the two Japanese were the only ones to leave The Mentor. Reaching the surface of the square they. saw that 4t was of a sleek metal and had been laid in a single strip with no expansion strips; With sur- prise they noted that the building they. were facing was transpar- ent, ard that every article within was clearly visible from the square! The black buildings -also were found to he transparent, but their color_made this feature less apparent, and figures with- in could barely be discerned. There was .a great deal of movement within the Palace of Queen Waltia, where figures moving -back and forth or. stand- ing near the walls peered out upon the strange vessels of the victorious Earthlings. Then from the doorway came-a small band of women precedéd by. one who towered above the others by almost six inches. Weird they were, with their strange scaly covering and their narrow scaled wings. Almost fantastic they seemed to the Earthlings, All. of the. twenty women were, ornamented with girdles of different designs, vying with each other i in splendor, The girdle of the foremost one was an exquisite bit of workmanship entirely covered by jewels of all shapes and colors, many of which were hues never s¢en in precious stones upon Earth; The woman herself was a striking creature, statuesque and beautifully pro- portioned, with a face that appeared chiseled from living stone. Her eyes of emerald, however, were almost.too large for beauty, and her mouth was uncommosily small. She came to.a halt with her party within ten feet of the group awaiting her, and stood there quietly without a word, surveying them as they surveyed her. It was then that the Earthlings per- ceived that-in her retinue there was a familiar figure, one of their own race! Ata motion from the Queen—for she-was indeed Waltia—the Earthling detached himself from the group and, after extend- ing his left arm toward the woman in some'manner of salute, addressed his. fellow-men. “The Matriarch extends her greeting and her good-will to the people of Earth,” he declared. “She wishes to. express her. deep admiration for men who have so bravely attacked her formidable craft, And she observes that it is indeed surprising to her that beings of our sex show great courage as well as such an array of scientific knowledge. She feels that after all, even though. you be men, she need not be shamed. by your victory over her warriors, for you are undoubtedly people of great accomplish- ment!” HE fast was said with a broad smile which the Matriarch, as the interpreter saw fit to call her, did not see, sifice he was facing his fellow-men. Ware could not help. but smile with him. “We of Earth, on-the-other hand,” observed the Commander, “are equally sur- prised to learn-that Oucen Waltia has shch-4 poor opinion of our sex, We are also astounded that the female of the species has_proven such-a worthy foe to the Lords of Creation!” He said this with a little smirk he could not keep from his lips, it had been many centuries since men had used those terms, but he felt that the occasion called for them, Turning to the queen, the interpreter began in a strange hum- miriing tone to explain what the commander had said. They saw the-smile play upon the woman's lips, She, too, recognized the irony of his remarks, Then she took a step forward and: ex- tended her right hand to Ware, The Earthling had no doubt demonstrated to her the Earthly ‘manner of salute. The Com- mander stepped forward and took her hand in-his. If tle had ex- pected to find-her flesh cold to his touch he was mistaken, for it was warm and vibrant with health, and her ‘clasp was hearty. With that done, she turned to the Earthling at her side and the same humming sound that had come to his lips now slipped from hers. He interpreted her words: “Her majesty suggests that perhaps it would be well.for you to permit your men to There is nothing:to fear,