Part 1 (2/2)

I believe that the haze is caused by some form of volcanic activity, and perhaps a break in the crust”

Garin frowned at the map He wasn't so sure about that explanation, but Farson was paying the bills The flyer shrugged away his uneasiness

Much could be forgiven a ain

Four days later they set out Helineers, Rawlson, a pilot, and Farson occupied the first plane The other engineer and pilot were in the second and Garin, with the extra supplies, was alone in the third

He was content to be alone as they took off across the blue-white waste

His shi+p, because of its load, was loggy, so he did not atteher lane They were in communication by radio and Garin, as he snapped on his earphones, re:

”The haze affects radio On our trip near it the static was very bad

Alue”

As they roared over the ice Garin wondered if it ht have been speech--from, perhaps, a secret enemy expedition, such as the Kattack one

In his sealed cockpit he did not feel the bite of the frost and the shi+p rode sainst the cushi+ons, keeping to the course set by the planes ahead and above hiht sight of a dark shadow far ahead At the same time Farson's voice chattered in his earphones

”That's it Set course straight ahead”

The shado until it became a wall of purple-blue from earth to sky

The first plane was quite close to it, diving down into the vapor

Suddenly the shi+p rocked violently and swung earthward as if out of control Then it straightened and turned back Garin could hear Farson de to knoas the matter But from the first plane there was no reply

As Farson's plane kept going Garin throttled down The actions of the first shi+p indicated trouble What if that haze were a toxic gas?

”Close up, Featherstone!” barked Farson suddenly

He obediently drew ahead until they fleing to wing The haze was just before them and now Garin could see movement in it, oily, impenetrable billows The y moisture on the s

Abruptly Garin sensed that he was no longer alone Soence, a ainst the very idea of it But, after a long, terrifying moment while it seemed to study him, it took control

His hands and feet still manipulated the shi+p, but _it_ flew!

On the shi+p hurtled through the thickening h he was still fighting against the hich over-rode his, his struggles greeaker Then came the order to dive into the dark heart of the purple mists

Down they whirled Once, as the haze opened, Garin caught a gliray rock seaht: here the ice crust was broken