Pattern For Conquest
By GEORGE O. SMITH
Illustrated by Kildale
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Astounding Science-Fiction March, April, May 1946.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
I.
The signal officer leaped from his position and made a vicious grab at the thin paper tape that was snaking from his typer to the master transmitter. It tore just at the entrance slot. The tape-end slid in; disappeared.
The master transmitter growled as the tape-end passed the scanner. Meters slapped up against the overload stop and two of the big rectifier tubes flashed over. Circuit breakers came open with a crash down in the power room, and up in the master modulator room the bell alarms rang, telling of the destruction of one of the tuning guides from overload peak.
The signal officer paid no attention to the damage his action had caused. He grabbed for the telephone and dialed a number.