The Merchandise Guide
Annual 1977

these men to your hospital . . ?"    It was a full twenty minutes before Commander Koenig and Alan had recovered sufficiently for them to greet the alien who had brought them home. Helena Russell accompanied them to the anteroom where Maya had already been interviewing him.    "His story's quite a shocker, John," said Maya. "He says he was the ruler of a planet called Tal, until he was deposed in a revolution . . ."    "A ruthless and warlike faction took over," said Vamar. "I was sent for trial, and condemned to be sealed in that capsule and cast out into space, to drift for ever in a kind of suspended animation. It was sheer good fortune for me that you found me, Commander - and you have my thanks. My eternal thanks."    Koenig shook his head. "And you have mine, Vamar. If you hadn't taken control of our Eagle, that sonic force might have damaged our minds beyond hope of repair.    Vamar smiled modestly. "You are wondering perhaps, how I cam aboard? Again, it was pure chance that brought my capsule against your airlock entrance and opened it. Otherwise . . ." He shrugged, expressively.    "Yes. That was very lucky," murmured Maya under her breath. And a slow frown gathered for a moment on her forehead . . .    Koenig had given the order for suitable quarters to be made available for their new guest. The alien's friendliness had already made him popular with the command personnel. Only Maya, with her superbly tuned senses, harboured a niggling doubt about him. Something she could neither place nor justify. Was he perhaps too amiable? Too quiet and self-effacing? But she kept her doubts to herself.    Vamar had entered Main Mission. Had asked to see the star-chart of the Moon's present position.    "Yes. I see." He glanced quizzically at Koenig. "Your course will take you to within reach of my planet, Commander," he said. "There are people loyal to me on Tal. Would there be the remotest possibility . . ?"    "You want me to get you back there, Vamar? We have the resources here for the construction of replacement Eagles. I see no reason why I shouldn't provide you with one. However, I must make it clear that I cannot, under any circumstance whatever, in- volve my people in any kind of alien power-struggle. If you return to Tal, you must do so alone."    Vamar looked shocked. "My dear Commander! I would not dream of asking you to give me any sort of military assistance. That would be absolutely un- thinkable!"    Koenig was satisfied. Not so Maya. She had seen a flicker - of amusement, perhaps? A glint deep in Vamar's eyes that gave the hint of treachery. She turned and left Main Mission ahead of him, and went straight to his quarters.    There, alone and unseen, Maya turned her mind to

the astonishing means of transfiguration of which she was capable. She concentrated on a spider - and in the blink of an eye, became one. Tiny and insig- nificant. The perfect means of eavesdropping - of watching Vamar's every movement without the slightest risk of discovery!    She saw the alien return. Noted with satisfaction that the ingratiating smile was gone from his face. That it had been replaced with a look of vicious ugliness! Better still - the man was in the habit of talking to himself!    Muttered undertones. So that Maya had to strain her hearing just to listen. But she heard clearly enough!    "The fools," said Vamar. "They have believed every word I told them! Yes, I shall return to Tal, and deal such a blow that they will tremble at the name of Vamar for ever . . .ifany of them survive to do so! How obliging of Koenig to put an Eagle at my dis- posal! Little does the idiot realise that it will be armed! Armed with one of the chain reaction nuclear bombs that I saw when he was stupid enough to allow me free roam through his Alphan complex!"

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