His vision blurred as the crushing force of naked speed pasted him against the contour seat. Consciousness began to leave him, but not soon enough. For there, in the tortured imaginings of his pain-constricted brain, came the ugly black bird again, shrieking horribly and perching itself on his chest. Its huge claws raked his ribs, and its dripping beak fastened itself on his throat. Now he recognized the species for what it was: a vulture, a bird of prey, unwilling to be robbed of its Earth victim; trying to pinion him to the planet with the strength of its anger. Its great wings flapped, flapped, flapped, beating against his body, flooding it with unrelieved anguish-- Then Monk gasped. Gone! The bird was gone! A moment's peace, a moment's peace, a moment's freedom from torment-- No! The vulture returned, bent on its evil purpose. It wouldn't be denied; it raked its razor-sharp claws across Monk's shoulder; dug its beak into his chest; flapping, flapping-- Fletcher Monk screamed. * * * * * He opened his eyes, admitted a rush of clean air gratefully into his lungs. "It's a miracle," said Bill Christy. "Nothing more. You were in a bad way, Mr. Wheeler, but you'll be okay now." "Thank you, thank you!" panted Fletcher Monk. "We're well on our way now. We'll reach the Big Bird in a matter of minutes--" "The Big Bird?" said Monk in horror. Christy smiled. "That's what we call the Space Station. We'll pick up some supplies and fuel there, and then we'll take off again. But you won't have to be concerned about the acceleration on the second blast-off. You can take that easily." "Are you sure?" said Monk anxiously. "Positive. There won't be any gravitational pull to overcome this time. You'll be fine." "I appreciate this, Christy. I won't forget your help." "That's okay, Mr. Wheeler. It makes my wife happy." "Yes." Monk felt well enough now to give the pilot a sardonic smile. "She's a wonderful girl, Diana. A wonderful girl." "You're telling me?" said Bill Christy. * * * * * The space suit that Fletcher Monk had been assigned before the descent on Mars was a little tight-fitting for his comfort. He wondered what life would be like in this eternal bulky costume. But he was comforted by the picture of the Mars Colony he had received back on Earth; a labyrinth of airtight interiors, burrowing their way over and into the planet, served by gigantic oxygen tanks. The network of buildings had been expanding every year, until now it covered some hundred miles of the planet's surface. He'd spend most of his time safely indoors, he promised himself, where he wouldn't need the cumbersome trappings of space clothing. His life had been an indoor affair anyway, back on Earth. The passengers were led into the Quarantine Section, where they would spend their first three days on Mars.