d-space, however, the Nevian slowed down.

"What gives?" Rodebush demanded of the group at large. "Not turn-over
time already, is it?"

"No." Cleveland shook his head. "Not for at least a day yet."

"Cooking up something on Nevia, is my guess," Costigan put in. "If I
know that lizard at all, he wired ahead--specifications for the
welcoming committee. We're getting there too fast, so he's stalling.
Check?"

"Check." Rodebush agreed. "But there's no use of us waiting, if you're
sure you know which one of those stars up ahead is Nevia. Do you,
Cleve?"

"Definitely."

"The only other thing is, then, shall we blow them out of the ether
first?"

"You might try," Costigan remarked. "That is, if you're damned sure that
you can run if you have to."

"Huh? _Run_?" demanded Rodebush.

"Just that. It's spelled R-U-N, run. I know those freaks better than you
do. Believe me, Fritz, they've got what it takes."

"Could be, at that," Rodebush admitted. "We'll play it safe."

The _Boise_ leaped upon the Nevian, every weapon aflame. But, as
Costigan had expected, Nerado's vessel was completely ready for any
emergency. And, unlike her sister-ship, she was manned by scientists
well versed in the fundamental theory of the weapons with which they
fought. Beams, rods, and lances of energy flamed and flared; planes and
pencils cut, slashed, and stabbed; defensive screens glowed redly or
flashed suddenly into intensely brilliant, coruscating incandescence.
Crimson opacity struggled sullenly against violet curtain of
annihilation. Material projectiles and torpedoes were launched under
full beam control; only to be exploded harmlessly in mid-space, to be
blasted into nothingness, or to disappear innocuously against
impenetrable polycyclic screens. Even Cleveland's drill was ineffective.
Both vessels were equipped completely with iron-driven mechanisms; both
were manned by scientists capable of wringing the highest possible
measure of power from their installations. Neither could harm the other.

The _Boise_ flashed away; reached Nevia in minutes. Down into the
crimson atmosphere she dropped, down toward the city which Costigan knew
was Nerado's home port.

"Hold up a bit!" Costigan cautioned, sharply. "There's something down
there that I don't like!"

As he spoke there shot upward from the city a multitude of flashing
balls. The Nevians had mastered the secret of the explosive of the
fishes of the greater deeps, and were launchi