The Robot Brains [with w_cat] - [17]

"There are always two Watchers on this moon base. Our period of duty lasts twelve months."

Shocked, Christian exclaimed: "So there are only two of you? But of course, you can call for help."

Barbara smiled

"You have no idea, Captain, how great is the distance that separates us from the nearest colony. No. Paul and I must solve this problem alone."

- 37 -

Paul joined them.

"I have studied the time machine," he said, "and now I understand the principle on which it works. The black crystals are the main part of it. They appeared many thousand years ago as a result of the great atomic radiation of the Third World War. They are products of multi-dimentional hyperspace. The Brains discovered and studied them, and learnt to use them for moving through time. But they cannot make new crystals. So when we return all the Brains back into their time, I shall destroy their time machine and crystals, and they won't be able to travel through time and bother you."

"What shall we do now?" asked Christian.

"We shall go into your time and look for the Brains."

"All right, let's go!"

In their spaceship Paul and Barbara had a machine which looked like the robots, but could carry passengers. They got into it and started in the direction of the lift

In the underground jungle and corridors they met some giant women, who looked curiously at them, but no one tried to stop them. In the big hall the two robots were still standing near the time machine. Several Brains were looking down at them from the top of the machine.

Paul raised his voice.

"We are the Watchers. You must return to your cells and remain there till I call you."

One of the Brains raised his decapitator and fired at Paul. But nothing happened.

"There is no danger." said Paul. "I have just erected an invisible energy barrier around us. Nothing can pass through it."

Paul spoke to the Brains again. "You must go at once, before I lose patience," he said. The Brains got down from the top of the time machine and left the hall.

"Well," said Christian, "what shall we do now?"

"Our task is simple," answered Paul. "To bring back the Brains who are now in your time and then to destroy the time machine."

He turned to Barbara.

"I am afraid you must remain here, my dear," he said. "One of us must be here to guard the machine."

Barbara nodded.

Paul took a crystal out of the machine and fastened it to his belt. Then he took another crystal and fastened it to Christian's belt.

Barbara held out her hand.

"I don't think we shall meet again, Captain," she said, "so I wish you good luck" To Paul she said: "Take care of yourself."

Paul took a small metal box. Then he touched the crystals on his and Christian's belts. There was darkness again. Christian wondered what was waiting for him in his own time.

- 38 -

Christian and Paul were sitting at the table in front of the Old Man, head of Military Intelligence.

"Glad to see you, Captain," said the Old Man. "And your friends. I hope you have brought good news. Cigar?"

"Thanks." Christian took a cigar from the wooden box and lighted it. "This is one thing they haven't got in the future," he said with pleasure.

The Old Man was looking at Paul.

"So you are a man from the future?

"One hundred thousand years in the future," said Paul.

Christian told his story. The Old Man listened attentively and did not interrupt him.

You've done well, Captain," he said when Christian finished. "At least we know now who are our enemies." He turned to Paul. "Do you think you cap help us?"

Paul nodded.

"I think so," he said. "It won't be easy, but I think I can do something."

"Good," said the Old Man. "We will give you any help you need. Our situation is desperate," he continued. "We cannot do anything with the Brains because they disappear immediately. And appear in other places, destroy, kill, and disappear again. I have here - " he lifted some papers from the table, "details of murders in all parts of the world - Cuba, Turkey, Russia, other countries. And all the victims were scientists. All our rocket bases have been destroyed. It is clear that they want to stop us from getting into space."

"It will all be different now," said Christian.

"I hope so," said the Old Man. "By the way," he continued, "I have let your friend Fox know that you have come back. He wants to see you. I think he has a surprise for you -"

Christian smiled.

"And I have a surprise for him - Paul"

The Old Man said: "It will be better if Mr. Paul stays with us."

Paul stood up

"I am going with Captain Christian," he said

The Old Man opened his mouth to speak - and changed his mind.

- 39 -

Christian and Paul came to Doctor Fox's house in a taxi. The door opened, and Doctor Fox jumped out and shook Christian's hand.

"Chris! It's good to see you again... come in, come in!"

He ran along the corridor. At the door of the living room he stopped.

"Surprise!" he shouted.

Christian saw a small figure with dark hair.

"Why, Jo!" he exclaimed.

"Mrs. Fox," the doctor said proudly. "We have been married a whole week."

Christian laughed.

"Well, congratulations!"

"Welcome back, Sailor," said Jo.