He didn't have to draw a picture. Mars was mobilizing to defend itself against the invaders from Earth. "Ah!" said Spartan. "What you need is an astute leader. Release me. I'll take charge in this emergency and we'll forget these silly things you've been saying--" "Shuddup," said Axel. He turned to me. "What does a good commander do in a case like this, Bill?" Even though I'd been in the Army, the generals had never confided their methods to me. But you do pick up a few military principles, even as a buck private. "Send out a patrol," I said. "What good does that do?" "Well, if we sit here like lame ducks, we won't know when they're coming, how many, and we certainly won't find out what they have in mind," I said. "But if we scout them, and view their potential, maybe we could figure out some way of defending ourselves." "You don't think we could fight a whole planet? Or even a small company of armed soldiers, do you?" Joel asked nervously. "If it looks like they're coming to get us real quick, we can lift off," I said. "Maybe they figure they'll need a pretty big force which will take a couple of weeks to organize. If that's the case, we can do a lot of scientific work before we leave." "Okay, Bill," said Axel. "You're the patrol." "Now?" "The sooner the better," said Axel. I got my helmet. Then I picked up the rifle Spartan had carried on his trip. It was loaded with two rounds of explosive shells and eighteen rounds of ordinary bullets. I slipped a couple of spare clips for my automatic into my pocket. Then I went into the locks. Axel followed me. "Just a minute before you put on your helmet, Bill," he said. I gave him a curious look. "Okay. What's on your mind?" "Take Gail with you," he said. "But this will be a dangerous mission," I told him. "Not half as dangerous for all of us if you leave her behind." "Why?" "I don't trust Joel," said Axel. "If he turned the tables and got the drop on Gail and me, nothing could keep Spartan from blasting off, leaving you behind and probably me, too, if I lived that long. But Spartan has his plans for Gail. He won't leave without her. If she's with you, he won't do anything till you get back." "And if he's in control, what chance would we have?" Axel shrugged. "As long as there's life there's some kind of chance," he replied. "But if Gail were aboard the ship, you wouldn't have any chance. Spartan could go back to earth, report a mutiny and subsequent casualties that occurred in quelling it. Nobody could prove anything different. But with Gail gone, I think Spartan will postpone any moves he might make until she returns." I thought it over. Gail, being one of us, would never live to reach the earth, that was certain. The thought decided me. She would be safer with me, facing all of the Martians on Mars, than in Spartan's hands. "Tell her she's on this patrol, too," I told Axel. "I'll get some grub and water aboard the Mars-car." _Chapter 15_