The disintegrators were simple magnetic mechanisms capable of collapsing atoms of atmosphere and sending the resultant force of energy in a directed stream toward a target. Fire from disintegrators could melt large rocks almost instantly and it could destroy any living creature known to man.
Renzu strapped his weapon at his side and turned to Arlen.
"I'm going outside for a walk with Gheal," he said. "Gheal seems nervous and uneasy. Perhaps his actions are due to his return to his native land. A walk might make him happier, in his own peculiar way."
Arlen nodded and went back to the control room to talk to McFerson. He found the engineer looking out of a porthole.
"Look!" McFerson said, pointing out the porthole.
Trudging along the beach, carrying the case containing the silver rods, were Renzu and Gheal. The Venusian was walking with difficulty, but as he faltered, Renzu would kick him unmercifully and force him on.
"The devil!" Captain Arlen said. "He doesn't dare beat Gheal when he knows I'm watching."
McFerson shook his head.
"Maybe he's right, treating Gheal that way," he said. "After all, Renzu is a scientist and he knows more about Gheal than we do. Maybe he's right in saying beating is the only treatment Gheal understands. Besides, I don't know if I trust Gheal. Since we've landed he's acted like a tiger in a cage. Gheal's a Venusian and Venusians are supposed to have murdered Renzu's partner on the first expedition."
"But even the worst creature on earth—except man, perhaps—doesn't kill without a reason. And even man sometimes has a reason, when apparently he hasn't."