Page:Amazing Stories Volume 01 Number 06.djvu/51
What Went Before
Alan Macrae, simple, uneducated, yet a skilful radio operator, is sent as operator to a secret radio station, operated by the British Government, known as STATION X, on an island in the Pacific. He accepts the offer because it brings him nearer to the day when he and May Treherne, the heroine, can be married. He goes with peculiar forebodings of impending, intangible dangers. Lieut. Wilson, very well educated and very intolerant of Macrae's educational shortcomings, and Ling, the Chinese cook and caretaker, complete the party to remain on the island, and incidentally the latter serves as the "butt" for Lieut. Wilson's ill-temper. Soon Lieut. Wilson and the Chinaman are found, lying dead, apparently murdered by each other. Macrae falls under the influence of an inhabitant of Venus, who is known in this story as a "Venerian," and whose voice comes to him over the radio, telling all kinds of interesting things about the inhabitants of Venus, giving him a great deal of scientific information, although Macrae understands nothing of the greater part of it.
Beause London has received no answer from Station X for three days, the "Sagitta," with a crew of investigators and relief is despatched to the island and arrives to find Macrae lying on the floor apparently dead, still wearing the ear-set.
The doctor, thinking that Macrae may be suffering from catalepsy rather than that he is dead, takes him back to London on the "Sagitta." Macrae recovers on the boat and tells a weird tale, which, however, coincides perfectly with his shorthand notes of both his report and of the mysterious messages, and with his diary.
When they arrive in London, the government starts an investigation. The plot thickens; a great scientist, Professor Rudge, is called into the consultation; the British cabinet and Navy Department are thrown into utter confusion. Rudge goes to Station X. Hypnotism transmitted from the planet Venus begins to take part in the drama; radio communication with Venus is carried on and the friendly Venerians give warning that Mars intends disaster to the earth. Martians by hypnotism get possession of Macrae's soul and mind and Rudge narrowly escapes the same fate. They even think of killing Macrae, whom they regard now as a Martian, no longer as a human being. He possesses the power of hypnotizing others to be Martians. There is now a personal contest between Macrae and Rudge, and at this point of complication the second instalment ends. The conclusion is here before you and a wonderful climax is reached.
STATION X
By G. McLEOD WINSOR
Part III
The Martian is triumphant. Despite all vigilance, despite all precautions, the Martians have succeeded in capturing a terrestrial warship. The fate of the world now lies in the balance. Panic reigns over the entire world because nothing it impossible to the Martians. Will they take hold of humanity and force it to commit wholesale suicide as they did with the Lunarians? What sort of new and titanic-warfare will they wage on the terrestrials? And can the distant Venerians now be of any assistance? Or will Professor Rudge discover a way to frustrate the plans of the cunning invaders?
All this and more will be told in the concluding chapters of Station X, and we know that you will not lay the story down until you have read the hair-raising conclusion.
Mr. Mansfield Alarmed
The morning after his talk with Professor Rudge Mr. Mansfield was astir before his usual hour, after a bad night. The mystery of Station X would not be banished. He tried to persuade himself that the anxiety he felt was due to the unexplained silence of the station, apart from anything Professor Rudge had told him. He strove to convince himself that the latter's utterances were too wildly extravagant for acceptance.
Long accustomed to listen to extravagant statements, both in the House and elsewhere, he had learnt that, although they may have a certain force for the moment, due to the eloquence with which they have been urged, their effect is brief.
Yet here was a typical example, that, to his surprise, had taken an opposite course. Professor Rudge had spoken with his customary force, so there was nothing surprising if his narrative had for the moment carried his listener with him. The effect ought gradually to have faded, but it had not.
What was then the special quality in this account that caused it to obtrude itself upon his thoughts? Not its lack of extravagance, he told himself. Why, during the night, had it haunted him?
Curiously enough, the more it haunted him the less extravagant it seemed. That characteristic seemed to peel off, and what remained was alarming. It began to dawn upon him that what he had described to himself as extravagant might be better defined as unprecedented, and that the two things are different.
During the hours of darkness Mr. Mansfield made progress toward the truth. He did not, however, make sufficient progress to be prepared to admit it. This morning lie had an appointment with the First Sea Lord at the Admiralty, and he had asked Sir John Sarkby, the Home Secretary and his