The Merchandise Guide
Annual 1976

"It makes no sense at all, Commander!" David Kano spun from the big Main Mission computer and spread his hands helplessly. For long moments, John Koenig looked at him. Then, his knuckles white on the edges of his desk, he stared up in fascination at the huge video screen above.    "He's signalling in gibberish ? Hang it, Kano, what's happened tohim?"    On screen, an Eagle showed head-on, boring back through space towards the Moon, Pilot Jeff Willis at the controls. Willis--sent out to investigate a mysterious radio source that had begun transmitting from somewhere far ahead--a radio source that could not be detected visually. Could not be made to appear in any concrete form, even on the sophisticated equipment of Moonbase Alpha.    And now not even Kano's computer could make head or tail of the verbal garbage Willis was talking. It wasn't English. It bore no resemblance to any Earth language. And yet it was coming through loud and clear as the Eagle made its landing approach!    "Medical and Rescue Teams to Area Five!" Koenig barked the order into his comlock, and the alerted departments of Moonbase burst into action. Koenig was aware of Victor Bergman at his side, plucking nervously at his sleeve. "John--there's something about that Eagle that doesn't look right . . . it's--different. . ."    "What the blazes do you mean, Victor. . ?"    "Can't--figure it out--just an impression I get. . ."

Then, with startling suddenness, the Eagle's retro-jets fired. And even as they did so, the impossible happened! The whole craft turned abruptly on its back, and twin forks of flashing power seemed to encase it in a whirling blast of light! Far from zoning in on one of the Moonbase Alpha launch- pads, the craft hung poised for a brief second, then disintegrated in an almighty flash--and left nothing! Not even a drift of space-dust!    A stunned silence hung over Main Mission. How could it have happened? How could the Eagle have vanished so completely? What had happened to pilot Willis? Why was his voice just an incomprehensible jumble of meaningless sounds?    At last, Victor Bergman spoke. "Whatever this invisible radio source ahead happens to be, John, it clearly presents some kind of terrible danger. We're going to have to re- investigate."  "But the risk, Victor!" Koenig licked his lips. "I can't order anyone else to take another Eagle up! I can't even ask for a volunteer!"    "I agree with you, Commander," said Paul Morrow. He glanced round the others present as if for support, and the answering nods came slowly. Even the indomitable Alan Carter bit his lip and started down at the floor.    "We could send an unmanned craft, sir. Fitted with tele- scanners to report back to us direct. That way, we'd possibly get the picture without having to risk panic or withdrawal by

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