The Merchandise GuideAnnual 1975
The Merchandise Guide
| It had appeared suddenly. As though it had materi- alised from the very blackness of space. An alien ship of majestic proportions, lying right in the path of the Moon Now astronaut Alan Carter, close enough to see the vast, silent mass in full detail, cut the motors of his Eagle and spoke softly, calmly into the com- munications link that bound him to the tense group of watchers in Main Mission of Moonbase Alpha. "No markings of any kind, Commander," he said. "And no activity. I can't make out what kind of power-source it would use, and I'm getting no response to the audio signals I'm sending out. I guess it could be space-junk--but it looks kind of well-kept to be a throwout. In Main Mission, Commander John Koenig, his eyes glued to the tele monitor screen that showed Carter's Eagle as an insignificant dot against the broad hull of the alien, sensed the anxiety of those around them. Doctor Helena Russell--her teeth catching restlessly at her lower lip. Professor Victor Bergman, his long, supple hands twining and clench- ing. Paul Morrow. David Kano. Sandra Benes. "I wouldn't like to order you for an even closer look, Paul . . . It's entirely up to you, of course. But unless that thing moves away, we're going to collide. It could be that the occupants are in some kind of |
suspended animation. You know--like they're on some long-range journey across the universe . . .?" Alan Carter smiled. "I'll do it, Commander. I'm fearless, remember? Besides--it doesn't seem there's any hostile intent." And then it happened! As though Carter's words had deliberately tempted providence, a port on the strange ship opened, and a lancing, searing ray of flickering white light shot out to envelop the Eagle from stem to stern! Carter's shout of surprise echoed briefly in the speakers at Main Mission as the astronaut's right hand shot out to hit the boost button of his engine systems . . . but in that same instant, the whole control panel in front of him blasted apart--torn asunder by some incalculable force! Wildly, his arms flung up to protect himself, he crashed back- wards to the cabin floor and lay still! "Alan! Come in, Alan! What's happening ?" Koenig stood transfixed. Nothing but a violent buzz of static came over the communications link! "Look, John! Look !" Helena Russell's fingers dug deeply into his arm, and her wide, fear-filled eyes reflected the picture on the monitor . . . a picture rapidly going blank! It was as though the alien ship was dissolving like a ghost. Melting into the velvet background as swiftly as it had appeared! And Alan |
