[CHAPTER 6]
It was nearing dawn on the eastern Continent of Estrella, and high above in the stratosphere, in its spaceship, the strange being that had been studying this planet so carefully, suddenly stiffened to closer attention. Its mind had just contacted a group of beings below whose minds were of a far different texture—finer, somehow—than those of the natives of this world. The language was different, too, which did not make so much difference. But the thought-processes of these newcomers, in many cases, were almost incomprehensible to the alien.
What were they? Was there more than one race here on this planet, after all? The being activated its multiphased scanners, and studied and pondered.
SSM George Hanlon was waiting in the shadows of the great forest enclosing the hidden clearing when the spacer came in. When it had landed, the lock-door opened. Hanlon ran over and, after giving the correct password, was helped inside the ship.
"Hi, fellows," he greeted the two secret servicemen who were assigned as crew of this ship, and went with them into the control room. "How's everything in the great big universe outside of this dump?"
"Not bad," they grinned. "Nothing special going on. Mars just won the interplanet baseball championship...."
"... and there's a new singer on stereo that's a doll, boy, a doll...."
"... We saw Hoop and Manny at our stop on the other side, and they said the admiral was coming here. We got some letters for him, but you'd better take 'em in case he doesn't show before we have to leave."
"Oke, will do. Hey, you fellows got any candy bars? Can't get sweets here, and I'm sugar starved."