Rockets in Ursa Major Read Free Page B

so, but what are you driving at?'
    Taking the drill from Sir John, I showed him the cutting edge. 'I thought it might have been used to cut a message on the metal.' I started moving my hands over all metal surfaces. The others did the same.
    It took me about five minutes to find it. The maddening thing was that the engraving was right under where I'd found the instrument.
    `I think this is what we've been looking for.'
    I took my pen and scratched it over the markings. `That's Fanshawe's signature,' said Sir John. 'Ganges, come here a moment.'
    Ganges was already looking over Sir John's shoulder. `Can you remember what Fanshawe's signature looked like?' I said.
    `I think I can,' said Ganges peering hard. 'Yes, that's it. What was he doing?'
    I went on covering the area with the black ink. We all read the message at the same time. I don't know what their reaction was, but I certainly felt very strange.
    IF THIS SHIP RETURNS TO EARTH, THEN MANKIND IS IN DEADLY PERIL.
    GOD HELP YOU.
    FANSHAWE.
     

THREE
     
    It was a macabre situation. No one offered a comment. It was too unreal, uncanny, spine chilling.
    The doctor was the first to move.
    'If I'm wanted I'll be over at control,' he said as he led his men out of the cabin.
    Ganges waited for them to go. 'Can't make it out. What kind of situation could Tubby Fanshawe have got into?'
    'Whatever it was, it's serious and sinister,' Sir John said somberly.
    We all made our way to the lift. Below were a large number of people.
    'Ruddy press,' Ganges mumbled under his breath.
    I wondered how he would handle the battery of TV cameras and reporters.
    The lift came to a halt. The men and women in front of us moved forward. Military police advanced to clear a path.
    'Colonel Ganges. Have you a comment?' said a man holding a microphone close to us.
    'Yes,' Ganges replied. 'Get yourself and your gear back to the main building and wait for a press announcement. Sergeant Major?'
    'Sir.'
    'Cordon off this ship -- top security. Report to me if my of the press crosses the boundary and I'll do the rest.'
    The crowd parted and allowed us through. Everyone was subdued.
    'I'll get on to the Minister of Defense, and see what kind of press release we'll put out,' Ganges said and moved in the direction of the control building. 'I'll be in touch.'
    Sir John and I walked off towards the helicopter. Running footsteps behind us made him increase his pace.
    `Sir John, was there something wrong with the ship's equipment?' came a voice from alongside us.
    'As you heard, you'll have to wait until there's an official press release,' Sir John said, turning on his questioner.
    `But Sir John, if it wasn't the equipment, how did the men die?'
    Flash bulbs popped. Sir John turned on his heel. The press men followed us. I caught hold of the reporter who'd been asking questions. We stopped, allowing Sir John to get to the helicopter.
    Before I could speak the M.P.'s were around us and the reporter moved for an uncomfortable interview with Ganges.
    I climbed into the helicopter.
    `Thank you, Dick. It could be very tricky if they found out that the ship's empty.'
    'Well, Ganges knows his job and they won't be told anything they're not supposed to know.' I slotted the card into the reader. The green light came on and off we went.
    After a very quiet ride back, the helicopter started to home in on Six John's residence. I kept the blip in the middle of the scope and we were soon down.
    'Is there anything I can do?'
    'No, not yet,' Sir John said with a tired smile. 'I'll give you a call if anything comes up.'
    'Fine. I'll just stroll back to college; it looks as though it might be a fine morning.'
    'Hum. By the way, if you should get any press . . 'Don't worry. I don't know anything,' I said, and made my way to the side entrance.
    The summer mist was lying lightly on the river, and the early sun was catching the massive exteriors of the colleges. It was a strange discord that on such a beautiful morning there should be the