ied displays of incandescence along the curved surface of contact
of that penetrant cylinder. And through that terrific conduit came
speeding package after package of destruction. Bombs, armor-piercing
shells, gas shells of poisonous and corrosive fluids followed each other
in close succession. The surviving scientists of the planetoid, expert
gunners and ray-men all, destroyed many of the projectiles, but it was
not humanly possible to cope with them all. And the breach could not be
forced shut against the all but irresistible force of Cleveland's
"opener". And with all his power Roger could not shift his vessel's
position in the grip of Triplanetary's tractors sufficiently to bring a
projector to bear upon the super-ship along the now unprotected axis of
that narrow, but deadly tube.

Thus it was that the end came soon. A war-head touched steel plating and
there ensued a space-wracking explosion of atomic iron. Gaping wide,
helpless, with all defenses down, other torpedoes entered the stricken
hulk and completed its destruction even before they could be recalled.
Atomic bombs literally volatilized most of the pirate vessel; vials of
pure corrosion began to dissolve the solid fragments of her substance
into dripping corruption. Reeking gasses filled every cranny of
circumambient space as what was left of Roger's battle cruiser began the
long plunge to the ground. The super-ship followed the wreckage down,
and Rodebush sent out an exploring spy-ray.

"... resistance was such that it was necessary to employ corrosive, and
ship and contents were completely disintegrated," he dictated, a little
later, into his vessel's log. "While there were of course no remains
recognizable as human, it is certain that Roger and his last eleven men
died; since it is clear that the circumstances and conditions were such
that no life could possibly have survived."

* * * * *

It is true that the form of flesh which had been known as Roger was
destroyed. The solids and liquids of its substance were resolved into
their component molecules or atoms. That which had energized that form
of flesh, however, could not be harmed by any physical force, however
applied. Therefore that which made Roger what he was; the essence which
was Gharlane of Eddore; was actually back upon his native planet even
before Rodebush completed his study of what was left of the pirates'
vessel.

The Innermost Circle met, and for a spac