"Base, sir," said the operator, holding a radio-menore toward me. I placed the instrument on my head. "John Hanson, Commander of the Special Patrol ship _Ertak_ emanating. Special report for Chief of Command." "Report, Commander Hanson," emanated the Base operator automatically. "Word has just been received at Arpan sub-base that passenger liner _Kabit_ made contact with Hydrot, landing somewhere on the new continent, previously reported by the _Ertak_. Liner _Kabit_ reports itself in serious difficulties, exact nature undetermined, but apparently due to hostile activity from without. Will await instructions." "Confirmed. Commander Hanson's report will be put through to Chief of Command immediately. Stand by." I removed the radio-menore, motioning to the operator to resume his watch. Radio communication in those days was in its infancy. Several persons who have been good enough to comment upon my previous chronicles of the Special Patrol Service, have asked "But, Commander Hanson! Why didn't you just radio for assistance?" forgetting as young persons do, that things have not always been as they are to-day. The _Ertak's_ sending apparatus, for example, could reach out at best no more than a day's journey in any direction, and then only imperfectly. Transmission of thought by radio instead of symbols or words, had been introduced but a few years before I entered the Service. It must be remembered that I am an old, old man, writing of things that happened before most of the present population of the Universe was born--that I am writing of men who, for the larger part, have long since embarked upon the Greatest Adventure. * * * * * "Base, sir," said the operator after a moment, and I hastily slipped on the radio-menore. "Commander John Hanson, standing by," I shot at the operator at Base. "Have you orders?" "Orders for Captain John Hanson, Commander of the Special Patrol ship _Ertak_," emanated the operator in a sort of mental drone. "Chief of Command directs that the _Ertak_ proceed immediately to the scene of the reported difficulty, and take any necessary steps to relieve same. I will repeat the orders," and he droned through them a second time. "Orders are understood. The results of our operations will be reported to Base as soon as possible." I tore off the radio-menore and hurried from the room, explaining to the sub-base commander as I went. Correy was standing beside the _Ertak_, talking to Kincaide, and as I approached, they both looked around quickly and hopefully. "What's up, sir?" asked Correy, reading news in my face. "A change in orders?" "Correct! That big liner, the _Kabit_, landed on Hydrot, and she's in some sort of mysterious trouble. Orders from the Chief himself are to proceed there immediately. Are any men away from the ship on leave?" "If there are, we can do without them!" shouted Correy. "I'll stand a double watch."