After the war, Earth stored away its robot armies or sold them for scrap--because fighting machines were dangerous. But more deadly was-- THE COSMIC JUNKMAN By Rog Phillips [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy December 1953 Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] _Log Report_:-- _Fleet: Alpha Aquilae; 20,080 surviving ships. Flagship ROVER._ _Personnel: human;_ _Fleet Admiral William A. Ford, Vice Admiral Paul G. Belcross robot;_ _2,649,366 (Ids. appended)_ _passenger: (human);_ _Generalissimo Vilbis (prisoner under w.c.a.)_ _Dates May 7, 4765; flight formation arrow, speed 1,700,000 m.p.s._ _Scheduled date of arrival at Earth: June 11, 4766_ _Distance from Earth on Earth-Aquilae axis: ten light years._ "Rummy," Vilbis said, reaching through the hand-hole in the inch thick laminated glass wall of his prison and spreading his cards on the table. His lips formed into the cruel haughty smile that had been his trademark to billions of humans for almost half a century. His wide-set black eyes mocked the other two players. "Well, well," Paul Belcross smirked. "I see now why you lost the war, Vilbis. Isn't that a six of diamonds in your heart sequence?" The black eyes glanced down. The long-fingered hand began to retrieve the cards, then paused. Vilbis' almost classic features darkened with anger. With an effort he became calm. A secret inner amusement made little lights in his eyes as he looked up at his two captors again. "You know," Bill Ford said thoughtfully, "sometimes I think you must have some kind of an ace up your sleeve. You don't seem at all concerned that this is your last trip. The War Crimes Court--then death by hanging." Bill frowned. "Could be you figured the angle I've always worried about. The Federation is always too quick to demobilize the robots after a war. Some day some punk like you is going to take that into consideration. He's going to surrender, but have a reserve space navy waiting until Earth is without defenses, then take over and win." "Too bad I didn't think of that when I could have done something about it," Vilbis said too cheerfully. "Maybe you did think of it," Bill said. "When we get home I'm going to suggest we keep the Aquilae Fleet mobilized for at least ten years." "You know they won't do that," Paul Belcross said. "They're more afraid of the robots than they are of attack. So am I, actually." "We're just afraid of what they could do if they got free," Bill said. "Their potential intelligence is greater than human. If they overcame their built-in instinct for obedience to human command they could--why think of what our two million robots could do!"