You have strategically
placed planets for our use. We will use them."

Jon sighed. For 400 years scientists had been preaching preparedness as
Earth flung her ships into the reaches of the solar system, taking the
first long step toward the conquest of space.

There are other races somewhere, they argued. As strong and smart as
man, many of them so transcending man in mental and inventive power that
we must be prepared to strike the minute danger shows.

Now here was the answer to the scientists' warning. Invasion by
extra-terrestrials.

"What did you say?" asked Steel-Blue. "I couldn't understand."

"Just thinking to myself," Jon answered. It was a welcome surprise.
Apparently his thoughts had to be directed outward, rather than inward,
in order for the Steel-Blues to read it.

He followed the Steel-Blue into the gaping lock of the invaders' space
ship wondering how he could warn Earth. The Space Patrol cruiser was due
in for refueling at his service station in 21 days. But by that time he
probably would be mouldering in the rocky dust of the asteroid.

It was pitch dark within the ship but the Steel-Blue seemed to have no
trouble at all maneuvering through the maze of corridors. Jon followed
him, attached to one tentacle.

Finally Jon and his guide entered a circular room, bright with light
streaming from a glass-like, bulging skylight. They apparently were near
topside of the vessel.

A Steel-Blue, more massive than his guide and with four more pair of
tentacles, including two short ones that grew from the top of its head,
spoke out.

"This is the violator?" Jon's Steel-Blue nodded.

"You know the penalty? Carry it out."

"He also is an inhabitant of this system," Jon's guide added.

"Examine him first, then give him the death."

Jon Karyl shrugged as he was led from the lighted room through more
corridors. If it got too bad he still had the stubray pistol.

Anyway, he was curious. He'd taken on the lonely, nerve-wracking job of
service station attendant just to see what it offered.

Here was a part of it, and it was certainly something new.

"This is the examination room," his Steel-Blue said, almost
contemptuously.

A green effulgence surrounded him.

* * * * *

There was a hiss. Simultaneously, as the tiny microphone on the outside
of his suit picked up the hiss, he felt a chill go through his body.
Then it seemed as if a half dozen hands were inside him, ex