Captain Future 12 - Planets in Peril (Fall 1942) by Edmond Hamilton Page A

would take every star-cruiser we have to smash a way through to it."
    Captain Future's eyes flashed.
    "Then we'll gather every Tarast star-cruiser for just such an attempt! We'll assemble a force and make a swift surprise raid across the universe to Thool. Once we overcome its defenses, we can find Zuur's ancient laboratory and search his records."
    The three Tarasts seemed dumfounded by the suggestion.
    "But my people never have dreamed of carrying the attack to our outnumbering enemies!" gasped Gerdek.
    "That's the very reason why the Cold Ones won't be expecting a savage assault on their capital," Curt retorted.
     
    LACQ'S face lit up.
    "Kaffr, only you would have thought of such a daring plan! And it could succeed! Before the Cold Ones could rally their far-flung forces to the point of counter-attack, we would have had a chance to find my ancestor's secret. With it, we could repel all their hordes."
    "But will the Tarasts agree to make such an attack?" Curt Newton asked anxiously.
    "They'll follow Kaffr anywhere!" Shiri told him eagerly.
    "Good!" Curt exclaimed. "Well soon be back in Bebemos. I'll propose the plan to the Council of Suns at once."
    Taut impatience possessed Curt Newton as the Comet flashed through the cluster of dying suns, toward the heart of the shrunken Tarast empire. Curt felt the thrill of the offensive he had planned, the audacious, desperate foray that he would lead across this waning universe to the guarded citadel of the Cold Ones' power.
    The risks would be great, he knew. But they were worth taking, when there was chance of finding the ancient secret that would give them power to destroy the treacherous enemy. For that would mean that the Tarast race could live in safety, until the future day when their universe was reborn and their cosmic empire once more expanded.
    The Comet swept down through red sunlight toward the vast, gleaming dome of Bebemos that lay like a shining bubble on the snow. Day had come again to the Tarast capital, during the adventurers' absence.
    "Land on the spaceport outside the city gate," Gerdek directed Otho. "There, where you see the star-cruisers parked."
    There were a dozen of the Tarast star-cruisers, ancient-looking ships battered by much use. They were of the same general design as the Comet but were somewhat larger.
    "We can assemble a force of about forty star-cruisers from all our worlds," Gerdek told Captain Future. "It is all we have left."
    Curt nodded thoughtfully.
    "It won't be a very strong force, but it should be enough for the surprise raid on Thool.”
    They left their ship at the space-port and hastened through the bitterly cold air to the gate of Bebemos. The warmth of the hothouse city was exceedingly welcome.
    "Now to the Council to tell our plan!" Curt said eagerly.
    A party of Tarast soldiers approached them. Their officer's pale face was masklike as he spoke to Curt Newton.
    "Stranger, you and your comrades, and Gerdek and Shiri also, are commanded to appear before the Council of Suns," he said. "My men will conduct you there."
    "You can't mean that you're arresting Kaffr!" cried Gerdek.
    The officer's voice was stern.
    "Vostol claims that he can prove absolutely that this stranger is not Kaffr. The Council will judge!"
     

     
Chapter 11: Checkmate
     
    CURT felt a shock of dismay at this dire information. He had assumed that his impersonation of the ancient hero would not now meet serious challenge. When he had left Bebemos, the wild cheers of the Tarast people for Kaffr had still been ringing in his ears.
    But it was now evident that Vostol had remained unconvinced. Determined to unmask Kaffr as an impostor, Vostol had apparently used the Futuremen's absence to gather evidence of some kind against them. And this disastrous turn of events came at the very moment when Curt was planning to use the prestige of his position, to lead the Tarasts in an expedition that might mean their eventual salvation!
    "I knew it was unwise to go and leave