Cave-Dwellers of Saturn
By JOHN WIGGIN
Across Earth's radiant civilization lay the
death-shot shadows of the hideous globe-headed
dwarfs from Mars. One lone Earth-ship dared
the treachery blockade, risking the planetoid
peril to find Earth's life element on
mysterious Saturn of the ten terrible rings.
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Planet Stories Winter 1939.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
It was a crisp, clear morning in the city of Copia. A cold winter'ssun glinted on the myriad roof tops of the vast spreading metropolis.To the north, snow-covered hills gleamed whitely, but the streetsof Copia were dry and clean. There were not many people stirring atsuch an early hour. The dozen broad avenues which converged like thespokes of a great wheel on Government City in the center of Copia werequite deserted. There was little apparent activity around and about themajestic Government buildings, but the four mammoth gates were open,indicating that Government City was open for business.
At the north gate the sentry, sitting behind his black panel with itsclusters of little lights, switches, and push-buttons, glanced upward.There was a faint humming and a man was circling downward about ahundred feet above him. The rays of the early sun flashed off a helmetand the sentry knew that this man was a soldier. The newcomer droppedrapidly, the stubbed wings on his back a gray blur. Then the hummingceased as the soldier switched off his oscillator and landed lightly onthe ground before the sentry.
The sentry's swift glance took in the immensely tall, broad-shoulderedfigure, covered to the ankles in the green cloak. He took in also thepink, smiling face and merry blue eyes, and the lock of bright red hairwhich showed as the soldier pushed his helmet backward off his forehead.
"Your business?" asked the sentry.
"I have orders to report to the Commander-in-Chief," said the soldier,with a pleasant smile.
"Let's see," said the sentry, glancing at the insignia on the helmet,"you're a decurion of the Eightieth Division. And the name?"
"Dynamon," said the soldier.
"Oh, yes," said the sentry, with a recollective smile, "I remember youas an athlete. Didn't I see you in the Regional Games two years ago?"
"Yes," said the soldier, with pleased surprise. "I was on the team fromNorth Central 4B."
"I thought so," the sentry chuckled. "As I remember you walked awaywith practically everything but the stadium. Hold on a minute now andI'll clear the channels for you."
The sentry bent over the panels, punched some buttons, threw a switch,and recited a few words in a monotone. He listened for a moment, thenthrew the switch back and looked up.
"It seems you're expected," he said, "third building to the right andthey'll take care of you there."
Ten minutes later Dynamon stood in the doorway of a large, beautifulroom and saluted. The salute was answered by a grizzled, dark-skinnedman sitting behind an enormous desk. This man was Argallum,Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the World. He rose and beckoned tothe young soldier.
"This way, Dynamon," said he, opening a small door. "What we have totalk about requires platinum walls."
Dynamon's face was a mask as he followed the Commander-in-Chief intothe little room, but his heart was pounding and his mind working fast.The platinum room! That meant that he was about to learn a secret ofthe most vital importance t