On arrival there, eyes dazzled by the ceaseless barrage of exploding rays beyond the diamond formation, they found Kemlo's father and several Elders from the Satellite Belts grouped around Captain Heralgo. In front of the captain as he sat on a portable bench-type control seat set on the master-ship's ramp was a battery of electronic instruments.

  Kemlo's father waved to the boys and Calvin Lester moved from the group to meet them.

  'What's happening, Cal?' Kemlo asked, squinting his eyes against the glare.

  'Plenty.' The pilot's voice was harsh. 'The captain wants you two over here because he thinks he's found a way to isolate the spectrum. You're the only ones who've seen its real shape before we cluttered up the area with the new Belt and all those ships.'

  'But this ray bombardment!' Kerowski protested as he shielded his eyes. 'What's happening out there?'

  'They're trying to break the spectrum by bombarding it with rays from the monitor ships.'

  'We guessed that,' said Kerowski in a disgruntled tone, 'But If the spectrum is strong enough to crush a patrol craft, you won't break it with ray bombardment.'

  'Will you listen to the boy?' said Calvin, his voice sarcastically pitying. 'Perhaps you have a better idea, master brain?'

  Kerowski was unabashed. 'It just seemed sense to me, that's all,' he said airily.

  'Is that how you feel, Kemlo?' Calvin asked.

  'Well...' Kemlo began thoughtfully. 'I think Krow's right in a way.'

  'What way?'

  'Perhaps we shouldn't start giving opinions until we know whether the ray bombardment is having any effect on the spectrum.'

  'Come over here and have a look for yourselves,' said Calvin sharply. As they followed him toward Captain Heralgo, Kemlo nudged Kerowski and whispered:

  'Why don't you shut up? They're doing all they can. If we get cheeky they'll pack us off back to the Belt.'

  'Well, it seems dippy to me,' Kerowski whispered back. 'If a space craft can hit that spectrum at a speed of ten thousand and bounce off it, I don't see how a ray bombardment is even going to dent it.'

  'That's only what we think,' said Kemlo hurriedly as they neared the ramp of the master-ship. 'You know what grown-ups are-—one time they'll listen to you, but another time they don't want to hear what you have to say.'

  'And this is one of those times?'

  'I think so. We've been proved right up to now, but we don't want to start getting big-headed over it.'

  Captain Heralgo raised his gloved hand and beckoned them to come closer. Kemlo was aware of his father's stern gaze and very conscious that the Elders and senior technicians from the various Satellite Belts were watching him and Kerowski with considerable interest. He also noticed that his father and several of the other technicians had portable electronic transmission and receiving sets clamped to the front of their space suits. The green star-shaped light which glowed in the centre of the casing of the set winked like an evil eye as the pulse of the continuous open circuit fed through it. This green light indicated that a constant open circuit was being maintained with Earth, and the knowledge heightened the gravity of the moment.

  'Come round this side, boys,' Captain Heralgo called. 'One of you stand each side of me facing these instruments.'

  When they were in position and looking down at the lighted screen and flickering dials above the remote control switches and press-buttons, Captain Heralgo pointed to the screen.

  'Do you think the spectrum looks any different from when you saw it last?'

  Both boys bent to peer more closely at the screen which reflected a radar-like diamond pattern. The formation of ships and the new Satellite Belt in the centre of the diamond showed as opalescent blobs; but beyond those, a dark purple line extended from top to bottom in a curving arc around each side. At the north and south of the diamond the curves came together like pincer jaws, but in the centre it gave the appearance of jagged teeth.

  'The zigzag is much deeper than when we last saw it,' said Kemlo, and glanced across at his friend.

  Kerowski nodded. 'Very much deeper,' he agreed. 'And judging by the screen, it's moved a lot more than twelve degrees farther in.'

  'It certainly has,' Captain Heralgo replied grimly. 'There's only a ship's gap between the outer wall of our holding rays and the points of the zigzag jaws. We're concentrating all our firepower on the centre section.'

  'Is it having any effect?' Kerowski asked bluntly, and plunged on, ignoring Kemlo's warning look. 'I shouldn't think any ray bombardment would even dent that spectrum.'

  There was a short and, to Kemlo, slightly embarrassing silence before Captain Heralgo looked at him and asked quietly: 'Is that what you think, too, Kemlo?'

  'We're only giving an opinion, sir,' Kemlo replied politely but defensively. 'I'd say that the spectrum could withstand the bombardment, but you arc the best judge of that.'

  'We can't tell,' the captain admitted. 'Since we started the bombardment, the spectrum has not moved at all, and only at the most concentrated part of the fire-power has there been any backward movement. And even that is so slight as not to matter very much.' He paused, then added more slowly and emphatically: 'But what we don't know is whether we are preventing the movement of the spectrum, or whether those who are controlling it have not attempted to move it forward since our bombardment began. The fact that the teeth of the zigzag have become sharper and their line deeper does seem rather significant. If only one had recorded this spectrum we might know more about it.'

  'Why not concentrate your fire-power at one end of the spectrum?' Kerowski suggested. 'Its line doesn't seem as deep and it might not have the strength of the zigzag.'

  'It has,' was the sharp retort. 'We are not complete imbeciles, young fella-me-lad, and although I know you mean well—just give us a little credit for thinking of some things!'

  'Sorry, sir,' said Kerowski quickly and sincerely. 'I should have known that would be obvious to you from the start.'

  'Well, at present the bombardment is the only defence we've got, apart from the holding rays,' said Captain Heralgo. 'We're rushing up more equipment from Earth. You boys have been a great help, but I think now that you and your friends will have to be returned to the Satellite Belts. We might have to beat this thing by more drastic methods and, as your Elders point out, the danger is a little too great.'

  'Oh, no, sir!' both Kemlo and Kerowski voiced the protest almost together, and Kemlo continued: 'There might be danger, but if you get beaten by this invisible force on the new Belt, there's nothing to stop the other Satellites getting the same treatment. We'd be in even greater danger then because we wouldn't have all these ships with their holding rays . . .' He stopped speaking as a sudden thought came to him.

  Captain Heralgo glanced up rather impatiently.

  'Well? Go on, boy, go on,' he snapped.

  'I just had a sudden idea, but—'

  'But! No buts, Kemlo. If you have an idea, spill it. I've got plenty of ideas, but I'm limited by the number of men I can call upon.'

  Kemlo's father moved closer to them, for naturally he had been able to overhear this conversation, and placed his hands around Kemlo's shoulders.

  'Take it easy, son,' he said quietly, feeling the boy's body tense beneath his hands. 'This is a difficult time for us all, and if you have a good idea, then explain it quietly and simply. We all understand that you are only trying to help. For the first time in many, many years our instruments are defeated. We cannot trace the source of this thing we call a spectrum for want of a better name. There are many things we can do, but first we must try everything we know so as not to place this new Satellite Belt in jeopardy. Our big problem is to beat this unseen force and save the Belt at the same time. Now tell Captain Heralgo what's in your mind.'

  'May I ask a question or two first?'

  'Go ahead. Make it fast,' Captain Heralgo replied.

  Kemlo glanced around him and was further encouraged when he saw Calvin Lester give him the thumbs-up sign. He drew a deep breath and said:

  'Are you convinced that the spectrum is man-made and not space phenomena?'

  'Of course we are.'

  'But you are not able to trace the sending source?'

  'We are not. There is some neutralising influence which at present is beyond our knowledge and our instruments. This influence blocks off all attempts to trace its source. Our hope is to double the strength of the holding rays with extra equipment from Earth and at least keep the spectrum off the Belt. Come along now, Kemlo—surely that's enough questions? What is this idea of yours?'

  'Complete the Belt so that it can generate its own holding ray protection.'

  'Is that all?' Captain Heralgo snapped in a disappointed tone.

  'No, sir.' Kemlo glanced at Kerowski, who looked anxious and was perspiring freely. 'But I think you'll need the help of all the hoys.'

  'So that's what you're angling for, is it?' the captain roared. 'You don't want to be sent back to your Belts, eh?'

  'No, we don't,' Kemlo admitted frankly. 'But here's my idea.' He rushed on because he realised that Captain Heralgo had got the wrong impression. 'Complete the Belt, then raise it about twenty miles to clear the spectrum before you set it spinning.'

  'Raise it! Raise it and leave it exposed?'

  'Please, sir—I hadn't finished,' Kemlo pleaded. 'Once the Belt is clear, reform the ships, put the monitors in front and open up all holding rays to full power from a spearhead formation. Then start the motors.' He clenched one fist and slammed it hard into the palm of his other hand. 'Then—wham!' he concluded fiercely.

  'Ye gods!' Captain Heralgo exclaimed forcibly. ' "Then— wham!" says the boy! Just like that. Nearly sixty ships— then—wham!'

  'That's it, sir,' said Kemlo cheerfully. 'If you break the spectrum circuit, perhaps you will break this neutralizer gadget as Hi well. Then your instruments will trace the source and—'

  'Whoa!' Captain Heralgo shouted. He beckoned to Kemlo's father. 'We have a problem sir,' he said in a carefully restrained voice. 'Either I'm a fool, or you have a brilliant son.'

  'I don't think either description is true, sir,' Kemlo's father replied with a trace of humour in his tone. 'Could we not agree that youth has vision and age has sense, and strive to obtain the best from both?'

  'You've heard his idea—what do you think of it?' Captain Heralgo spoke gruffly.

  Kemlo's father replied quietly: 'I like the idea of—er— wham! And as our immediate problem is to complete the Belt and at the same time resist the crushing effect of this fantastic spectrum, I think the idea merits full consideration.'

  'You'd better make sure that the Elders agree to our using the boys,' said the captain, and busied himself for a few seconds manipulating the recharging switches which kept the monitor ships firing their rays.

  'You mean that you'll do it, sir?' Kemlo cried.

  'Wham!' Captain Heralgo repeated as if to himself. 'As simple as that!' He turned and stared keenly at Kemlo, who now could see his eyes more clearly as the dark protective vizor was lightened by the continual flashes of colour coming from beyond the diamond. They were steady eyes, commanding in their intensity of gaze. 'It isn't quite as simple as that, you know, Kemlo. Not simple—but possible. And to get the Belt lifted I shall have to open the rays wide enough to let in the ships that will be coming up with the extra holding ray equipment. They will be the only ones we can use to lift the Belt. In those moments, the holding ray protection surrounding the diamond will be broken in several places. That could defeat us.'

  'If you'll forgive me for putting in my few words, sir,' said Kerowski apologetically, 'I think Kemlo meant we boys could do that.'

  Captain Heralgo swivelled around to face Kerowski.

  'Did he now? And are you lads going to push the Belt up on your shoulders?'

  'No—on our scooters,' Kerowski retorted. 'There's a whole batch of them already inside the formation. You wouldn't have to release any holding rays.'

  'Kerowski's right,' said Kemlo eagerly. 'Once the Belt is completed, the engineers can set the magnetic shield and the Belt's own holding rays. Then we can position our scooters underneath it; and while you raise the top canopy of rays from the ships, we'll push the Belt up.'

  Captain Heralgo made a gesture with his gloved hands which seemed to indicate that if he had not been wearing space protection he would have torn out a couple of chunks of his hair.

  'Boys!' he exclaimed. 'Oh, well, I was one myself once and, if I remember rightly, my biggest grouse was that grown-ups always underestimated me.' Then his voice became more serious as he added: 'There's no weight problem, of course. Just a question of direction until we set the Belt spinning.'

  He stood up and, raising a gloved hand above the vizor, peered across toward where the boys' space scooters were anchored. 'Twenty odd scooters,' he said slowly. 'With care that ought to do it.' He turned full circle and faced the men assembled behind him. 'Well, gentlemen,' he said, 'I am ready to start planning Operation Kemlo—or should we call it Operation Wham?'

  CHAPTER 15

  Box in the Sky

  When Kemlo and Kerowski awoke the next morning they found that the ray bombardment had ceased and the monitor ships withdrawn into the diamond formation and positioned at the north apex.

  They found also that the news of Operation Kemlo had been released in its entirety.

  ' Tis a noble plan, me darlin's,' Sergeant Cassidy observed. 'Let's hope it works.'

  'It's got a good chance of working,' said Sergeant Sorturo quietly. 'It's bold, and that's what is needed. There's nothing supernatural about this spectrum thing; but our scientists have slipped up somewhere.'

  'Because they didn't discover it themselves?' Kemlo asked.

  'They've no doubt been experimenting with a similar thing,' Sergeant Sorturo replied. 'Both the East and West scientists keep pretty level in their discoveries; but whatever one man devises in the form of an attacking weapon, another man can devise a defence against it. Our International Commission just hasn't been quick enough, that's all.'

  'That's enough,' said Sergeant Cassidy feelingly. 'And we're supposed to have an intelligence service to spy out new ideas and prevent us from being caught like this!'

  'They probably find out a lot of things, and I dare say we have one or two secrets.' Sergeant Sorturo gave Kemlo a gentle push on the shoulder. 'Well, it's your idea, son,' he said. 'Good luck to it and to you, but until the time's ready for it to go into operation we've got work to do. Work is the order—faster than we've ever worked up to now. Let's go to it.'

  Tired men went to work with renewed energy and optimism, everyone realising that they now had reached the last stages in the enormous and intricate task of linking up the sections of this new Satellite Belt. And now that the boys knew they were not to be hustled back to their respective Belts but were to be a part of whatever happened, they worked with an even greater enthusiasm and energy.

  All the work was complicated and had to be done very carefully, checked and double-checked to make sure there were no errors; but the most difficult part of assembling the hub—the nerve centre of the Belt—and the spokes, with their masses of equipment, had been completed. The rim, although the largest portion of the Belt, strangely enough was easier to link up.

  Despite the pressure of events yet to come, a little ceremony was performed when the last section of the rim was fitted. Calvin Lester, senior technicians, Elders from the other Satellite Belts, watched while Captain Heralgo and his senior officers did the work of fitting in this last section. Only one small seam remained to be welded when he beckoned to Kemlo, who stood with the other boys and the crew-men in a circle around the section.

  'You know how to use one of these, son?' Captain Heralgo asked, passing the portable welding knife to him.

  'Yes, sir, I know how to use it.'

  'Then use it.' The captain pointed to the last seam. 'Weld it good and true—that's your honour. You do it on behalf of all the space-born boys who have done their share to help in completing this Belt.'

  At first Kemlo's hands were rather shaky, but he soon manipulated the pressure control on the welding knife and slowly, carefully, sealed the last seam in the last section of the rim.

  The speaker helmets of the assembled space-suited figures gave forth a zestful cheer, but Captain Heralgo held up his hand for silence.

  'A magnificent job done ahead of schedule under difficult conditions,' he announced. 'I thank all of you—Earth-men and space-boys. And now—the ray engineers will enter the hub and set the holding rays generating around this Belt. All others will report back to their crew ships. Pilots of cargo ships will enter their ships, start motors, beam all controls to the master-ship, then abandon ship and report to me. Crew ships and instrument ships will drop back and form a line behind the master-ship, which will be moving up shortly.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14