Captain Future 20 - The Solar Invasion (Fall 1946) (18 page)

“We were winning then,” she reminded. “It is only now, in the moment of despair, that I know where my loyalty rests. Give me Ul Quorn, and we’ll go away. No civilized world will ever hear of us again.”

“No,” said Captain Future. “No civilized world will ever hear of you again. Don’t look meltingly at me, N’Rala. Even if I were high in the Dimension X government, and able to set you free, I wouldn’t.”

“Thank you, Captain Future,” said Thai Thar. “N’Rala, the Dimension is ours, and the problem is ours. If we should exhibit any mercy toward you, it would be at the expense of justice, and of common sense. You and Ul Quorn will stand trial for a list of crimes as long as the way from here to that newly revived sun of ours. Take her away.”

N’Rala marched out, bowed and trembling. Thai Thar smiled a little.

“Now,” he said. “The reward to the Futuremen. Whatever they ask of us.”

“Nothing but the shake of your hand, Thai Thar,” said Captain Future warmly. “It’s been a great adventure, of profit to all except those who wanted to exploit both our universes. I’m a little sorry that we must head home to make reports, and you leave to work further on your new system of fair government.”

Thai Thar wrung Future’s big hand in both of his.

“As you said once before, on the brink of assaulting our sun, this is not a goodbye. We go now, to work the dimension-shifts that will send your Moon back to the dimension where it belongs.”

The three men of Dimension X filed out.

“Sit still for a moment,” Captain Future bade his comrades.

There was a moment of dizziness for all, and then Captain Future rose.

“This way to the view-ports,” he said. “Look outside.”

Outside was the surface of the Moon they had known, airless rocky plains and towering peaks on the horizon. At zenith stood Old Sol, and rising into view came the disk of Mother Earth.

THE END