Read Online Captain Future 01 - The Space Emperor (Winter 1940) by Edmond Hamilton - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Edmond Hamilton
Tags: Sci Fi & Fantasy
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caused this, I have a suspicion as to his identity, Captain Future,” she said.
She had taken from a pocket a little badge which she showed him. It bore the initials “P.P.”
“I’m a Planet Police secret agent,” the girl explained. “There have been several of us here since this horror began.”
“Whom do you suspect?” Curt demanded quickly.
Before the girl could answer, there came a startling interruption. It was the click of the cell-block door bolt.
“Someone has locked us in!” Joan cried.
Curt sprang toward the door. It was immovable, the bolt having been shot home by the electric control outside.
“It’s a trap!” he declared.
He drew his proton-pistol, aimed it at the door, and released a lightninglike lance of force. But the heavy slab of artificial metal resisted the flash of force. It was scorched but unharmed.
“Is there any other way out of here?” Captain Future demanded.
“No. This was a prison, remember,” Joan answered. “Ventilation is indirect, and the whole place is soundproofed and rayproofed.”
“What the devil is that?” Curt exclaimed.
A loud, simultaneous clicking had sounded, and every cell-door along the corridor had suddenly slid open.
Joan went deathly white.
“The cells have been unlocked!” she cried. “They are controlled from a switch out there, and someone has opened that switch!”
She uttered a little scream.
“Look, they’re coming out —”
With the opening of the cell-doors, the hideous creatures inside the cells were beginning to emerge.
Out into the corridor shuffled a great, hairy ape-thing, then another, then a shambling, blazing-eyed quadrupedal beast, and then one of the shuffling, taloned reptilian monstrosities.
Captain Future felt Joan Randall shrink against him, terrified. The monsters emerging into the corridor, monsters that had once been men, had sensed the presence of the man and girl and were starting down the hall toward them.
Chapter 7: Otho Takes the Trail
BACK at the Street of Space Sailors, Otho the android moved slowly through the crowded, noisy quarter. Perfectly disguised as one of the green, squat Jovians, the synthetic man walked with the shuffling movement characteristic of the planetary natives. He concentrated upon maintaining an appearance of sulky silence.
Inwardly, Otho was intensely alert to everyone about him. The android was absolutely loyal to Captain Future. His devotion to the laughing, red-headed adventurer was the strongest trait of his fierce, unhuman nature, stronger even than his love of action and combat. He was determined to find out what he could for Curt, no matter what the cost.
He kept an eye out for other Jovians. His task was to mix with the planetary natives and find out what they knew about the Space Emperor. Otho had no doubt of success. His supreme, cocky self-confidence was bolstered by his knowledge of the Jovian language and customs, gained on former trips to this planet with Captain Future.
So intently was the android looking out for other Jovians with whom he might strike up acquaintance, that he bumped into a big, hulking Earthman prospector in the crowd.
“Git outa my way, greenie!” roared the angry Earthman, and gave Otho a cuff that sent him spinning aside.
The fierce-natured android’s body tensed for a spring at the other. Then he realized that for a Jovian to attack an Earthman would cause a riot and give him away.
“I did not mean to bump you, Earthman,” Otho said humbly, in the Jovian language.
“Why don’t you greenies stay out in your jungles and keep out of this colony?” the prospector demanded roughly, and then moved on.
Otho had noticed that three Jovians stood at the side of the street, and that they had been watching the incident. In a flash, the android saw how he could make capital of it.
He moved over to the three squat planetary natives, and spoke to them in a voice whose slurred bass tones he kept throbbing with
She had taken from a pocket a little badge which she showed him. It bore the initials “P.P.”
“I’m a Planet Police secret agent,” the girl explained. “There have been several of us here since this horror began.”
“Whom do you suspect?” Curt demanded quickly.
Before the girl could answer, there came a startling interruption. It was the click of the cell-block door bolt.
“Someone has locked us in!” Joan cried.
Curt sprang toward the door. It was immovable, the bolt having been shot home by the electric control outside.
“It’s a trap!” he declared.
He drew his proton-pistol, aimed it at the door, and released a lightninglike lance of force. But the heavy slab of artificial metal resisted the flash of force. It was scorched but unharmed.
“Is there any other way out of here?” Captain Future demanded.
“No. This was a prison, remember,” Joan answered. “Ventilation is indirect, and the whole place is soundproofed and rayproofed.”
“What the devil is that?” Curt exclaimed.
A loud, simultaneous clicking had sounded, and every cell-door along the corridor had suddenly slid open.
Joan went deathly white.
“The cells have been unlocked!” she cried. “They are controlled from a switch out there, and someone has opened that switch!”
She uttered a little scream.
“Look, they’re coming out —”
With the opening of the cell-doors, the hideous creatures inside the cells were beginning to emerge.
Out into the corridor shuffled a great, hairy ape-thing, then another, then a shambling, blazing-eyed quadrupedal beast, and then one of the shuffling, taloned reptilian monstrosities.
Captain Future felt Joan Randall shrink against him, terrified. The monsters emerging into the corridor, monsters that had once been men, had sensed the presence of the man and girl and were starting down the hall toward them.
Chapter 7: Otho Takes the Trail
BACK at the Street of Space Sailors, Otho the android moved slowly through the crowded, noisy quarter. Perfectly disguised as one of the green, squat Jovians, the synthetic man walked with the shuffling movement characteristic of the planetary natives. He concentrated upon maintaining an appearance of sulky silence.
Inwardly, Otho was intensely alert to everyone about him. The android was absolutely loyal to Captain Future. His devotion to the laughing, red-headed adventurer was the strongest trait of his fierce, unhuman nature, stronger even than his love of action and combat. He was determined to find out what he could for Curt, no matter what the cost.
He kept an eye out for other Jovians. His task was to mix with the planetary natives and find out what they knew about the Space Emperor. Otho had no doubt of success. His supreme, cocky self-confidence was bolstered by his knowledge of the Jovian language and customs, gained on former trips to this planet with Captain Future.
So intently was the android looking out for other Jovians with whom he might strike up acquaintance, that he bumped into a big, hulking Earthman prospector in the crowd.
“Git outa my way, greenie!” roared the angry Earthman, and gave Otho a cuff that sent him spinning aside.
The fierce-natured android’s body tensed for a spring at the other. Then he realized that for a Jovian to attack an Earthman would cause a riot and give him away.
“I did not mean to bump you, Earthman,” Otho said humbly, in the Jovian language.
“Why don’t you greenies stay out in your jungles and keep out of this colony?” the prospector demanded roughly, and then moved on.
Otho had noticed that three Jovians stood at the side of the street, and that they had been watching the incident. In a flash, the android saw how he could make capital of it.
He moved over to the three squat planetary natives, and spoke to them in a voice whose slurred bass tones he kept throbbing with
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