ETERNAL ZEMMD MUST DIE!
By HENRY HASSE
Lancing out of the void at light-speed, it
stabbed deep into the Solar System—and vanished.
Then began corruption ... poison and hate
creeping from world to world. Too late men
learned a death blow had been delivered!
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Planet Stories Spring 1949.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
We have remained indecisive too long! You must understand this! Thefuture, perhaps the very existence of the Federation hangs in thebalance unless we can correlate all that has happened and decide upon acourse of action NOW....
DeHarries, Correlator for Earth, paced alone in his suite far beneaththe Council Room. He held a sheaf of papers—his intended speech tothe Planetary Delegates. Now he crumpled it viciously, flung it tothe floor. What good were speeches? Already he anticipated theirarguments, the protests and questions. He, himself, had a question ortwo.
"Course of action," he muttered grimly, "What sort of action? Actionagainst what?"
He strode to the immense tele-globe, flicked it on. Its radiant surfacereflected the austere Council Chamber above. Already the six delegateswere entering. Soon they'd become restless waiting for him. But stillDeHarries watched.
Aladdian, Empress of Venus, was there, fragile and lovely despite thegrave look on her alabastrine face. She at least was aware of thethreat to the System which had grown apace during the past few years.In Aladdian, DeHarries knew he had an ally to the startling proposal hewas going to make. He would need a majority of four. He couldn't counton Mars. The other two votes must come from Mercury, Jupiter, Perlac,or the Callistan colonies.
Leaving his suite by a secret exit, DeHarries stepped into a lift whichbrought him near the Council Room above.
Six pairs of eyes fastened upon DeHarries, as he stood at the head ofthe table. He was a striking figure, six-feet-two and white haired, yetwith a perpetual tightness of the jaw and a hint of fire in the darkeyes that belied his great age.
"You are wondering why I asked for an Emergency Council, particularlysince our Federation has ridden a crest of peace for the pasthundred years. Our various governments were never more in accord."He paused for effect, watching the puzzlement grow in their eyes."Nevertheless, I am convinced that we face the greatest crisis we haveever known! I ask for your fullest co-operation. Any data you cansubmit—anything—may well be a part of the pattern!"
Kraaj, the Jovian emissary, shifted his huge bulk nervously. "Pattern?Pattern for what? You speak in riddles, DeHarries!"
"A pattern so diabolic it's frightening. A pattern I'm convinced isweaving about us all. For example: Earth's complex civilization,atomic-powered industries and commerce, would be irreparably damaged ifwe were cut off from the Uranium isotope we receive from Mars. You canrealize the seriousness when I point out that the annual shipment whichshould have arrived a month ago—did not arrive."
Jal Tagar of Mars was instantly on his feet, his heavy-lidded eyesblazing. "I submit that my government is blameless! As you well know,the shipment was dispatched as usual! Your own Earth representativeswere aboard—"
DeHarries turned a smiling countenance upon Jal Tagar which left theMartian Overlord abashed.
"No accusation has been made," DeHarries said so