Welcome, Martians!
By S. A. Lombino
Only one question seemed important in this huge space venture:
Who was flying where?
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Worlds of If Science Fiction, May 1952
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
The only sound was the swish of the jets against the sand as the big ship came down. Slowly, nose pointed skyward, a yellow tail streaming out behind the tubes, it settled to the ground like a cat nuzzling its haunches against a velvet pillow.
Dave Langley peered through the viewport.
"I feel kind of funny," he said.
A tremor of excitement flooded through Cal Manners' thin frame. "Mars," he whispered. "We made it."