"It isn't only getting the radite that's on my mind,’ Gunner said. His face was deeply troubled, as he added slowly, “Even if we get the radite back safely to Earth to use in Philip Blaine's secret weapon, how do we know that weapon will really save the Alliance from the League attack? What kind of weapon can hope to defeat ten thousand armed cruisers?"
John Thorn felt a chill of foreboding at the big Mercurian's words. Thorn, too, all this time, had been haunted by the very possibility that Gunner had put into words.
"Suppose Blaine's invention fails, after all?” Gunner continued. “Suppose it's sound in theory, but impractical in fact. We don't know a thing about the nature of it, remember!"
"I've thought of that, too,” Sual Av muttered worriedly. “Blaine has the name of one of the greatest physicists in the system. Yet what could he invent that would sweep ten thousand cruisers out of space?"
"Blaine must have something tremendous,” Thorn insisted desperately. “The Chairman has faith in his weapon. We've got to have faith, too, and get the radite that will operate the thing. And we won't get it by delaying here!"
The Planeteers emerged from the Venture, wearing the black, asterium-coated suits and helmets. Stilicho Keene came hastily toward them, holding to the collar of the space dog Ool. The beast reared up against Thorn, its green eyes pleading.
"Ool senses Lana somewhere on this world,” Stilicho said. “Are you going to take him with you?"
"We can't. His unprotected body, non-organic though it is, would be affected by the radiation out there,” Thorn said. He grasped the spacesuited old Martian's hand. “Keep a close watch ever the prisoners, Stilicho. We'll come back with Lana and the radite — or we won't come back at all."
"Good luck to ye,” Stilicho said.
The Planeteers started down the western curved slope of the huge, black meteorite-mountain. Soon they reached the base of the mountain, and stood for a moment, looking out awedly across the uncanny world into which they were to venture.