And this story is the story of that pitted metal and the ship from which it came; one of the strangest stories in all my storehouse of memories of days when only the highways of the Universe had been charted, and breathless adventure awaited him who dared the unknown trails of the Special Patrol Service. * * * * * The _Ertak_, as I recall the details now, had just touched at Base upon the completion of a routine patrol--one of those monotonous, fruitless affairs which used to prey so upon Correy's peace of mind. Correy was my first officer on the _Ertak_, and the keenest seeker after trouble I have ever known. "The Chief presents his compliments and requests an immediate audience with Commander Hanson," announced one of the brisk, little attaches of Base, before I'd had time to draw a second breath of fresh air. I glanced at Correy, who was beside me, and winked. That is, I quickly drew down the lid of one eye--a peculiar little gesture common to Earth, which may mean any one of many things. "Sounds like something's in the wind," I commented in a swift aside. "Better give 'no leaves' until I come back." "Right, sir!" chuckled Correy. "It's about time." I made my way swiftly to the Chief's private office, and was promptly admitted. He returned my salute crisply, and wasted no time in getting to the point. "How's your ship, Commander? Good condition?" "Prime, sir." "Supplies?" "What's needed could be taken on in two hours." In the Service, Earth time was an almost universal standard except in official documents. "Good!" The Chief picked up a sheaf of papers, mostly standard charts and position reports, I judged, and frowned at them thoughtfully. "I've some work cut out for you, Commander. "Two passenger ships have recently been reported lost in space. That wouldn't be so alarming if both had not, when last reported, been in about the same position. Perhaps it is no more than a coincidence, but, with space travel still viewed with a certain doubt by so many, the Council feels something should be done to determine the cause of these two losses. "Accordingly, all ships have been rerouted to avoid the area in which it is presumed these losses took place. The locations of the two ships, together with their routes and last reported positions, are given here. There will be no formal orders; you are to cruise until you have determined, and if possible, eliminated the danger, or until you are certain that no further danger exists." * * * * * He slid the papers across his desk, and I picked them up. "Yes, sir!" I said. "That will be all?" "You understand your orders?" "Yes, sir!" "Very well. Good luck, Commander!" I saluted and hurried out of the room, back to my impatient first officer. "What's up, sir?" he asked eagerly.