The space sailors and blasters, grateful for an opportunity to stretch their legs, came happily from the ship. But none, not even the skipper Hugh Warren himself, wore sidearms, so desirous was Gary of proving to the Jovians his good will. With calm assurance the venturers moved toward the azure-fleshed assembly awaiting them, taking care, however, not to step beyond that imaginary line which Dr. Kang had said was the limit of the force-shield protection. Gary raised both arms aloft in the universal token of greeting. "Peace, men of Jupiter!" he cried. "We come from Earth in friendship and goodwill on a mission of vital importance, and we beg an audience with your leaders." He could not have dreamed what was to happen next. It happened too swiftly and too suddenly for any comprehension. The leader of the Jovians, a member (if one could judge by the elaborateness of his trappings) of the Supreme Council, flung high his arm in a sign which was anything but friendly. His voice rasped forth in strident command. "It is they! The Earthling traitors who would steal the fruits of our knowledge and destroy our noble culture. Seize them and hold them fast!" In that instant the waiting throng coalesced into an angry mob, and as one man surged violently forward to seize their earthly visitors! * * * * * There was but one thing for Gary Lane to do. He spun toward the ship, shouted, "The force-shield, Dr. Kang! Turn it on!" Then, with a sigh of assurance that they were safe from their attackers, to his comrades he said mournfully, "Well, we might as well go back to the ship. They don't seem to believe us. Guess we'll have to talk to them by radio until we can make them understand--" Then the shrill cry of Nora Powell brought his words to an abrupt end. "The barrier, Gary! It's not working! Look! They're breaking through!" And Gary whirled again to see. In truth, there was no invisible shield to stay the advance of the onrushing Jovians. Already the vanguard of the blue-skinned warriors was rushing down upon his band, and already the startled Earthmen were preparing to combat this unexpected threat. They were, or had been, men of the Space Patrol. They had no intention of surrendering meekly to a force of an alien planet, no matter how out-numbered or outarmed. The voice of Herby Hawkins cried in shrill dismay, "Why, the blue blighters! Wot scum! Let 'em 'ave it, boys!" And though guns had been forbidden the landing party, other but still formidable weapons appeared miraculously in space-bronzed fists. Sheath knives and leaded knucks, a Martian _kuugla_, an Erosian _traal_.[8]