by E. K. Jarvis
why we had to leave," Andrusco said. "To repopulate elsewhere.We chose the planet Mars, and we were determined to make it our homebefore your world claimed it. Our scientists and technicians have workedon nothing else but this flight since the beginning of the last century.This building--this vessel--was the culmination of our plans. In anotherfew years, we would have been ready. The dream would have beenrealized."
* * * * *
Tom walked to the window of the office, and looked out at a bank ofswift-moving clouds drifting past the spire of the Homelovers Building.
"I'm afraid that's the saddest part," he said. "The atomic engines inthe basement have been examined, Mr. Andrusco. The best opinions saythat they're pitifully inadequate. The men who studied them say that youwould never have made the journey in safety."
"That can't be true! In time--"
"In time, perhaps. But since your landing here, your scientists haveforgotten a great deal about space flight. I'm afraid you would havenever reached that Promised Land ..."
Andrusco said: "Then we must die ..."
"No!" Tom said.
Livia looked at him.
"I said no!" he repeated. "The Antamundans can live. Don't you seethat?"
"No," Andrusco said, shaking his head. "On Earth, we shall die. If Marsis closed to us ..."
"Can't you see? If Mars can be opened for Earth, then it can be openedfor you, too. For all Antamundans! Your people can make the journey,too, once space has been cleared for Earth ships. You can still haveyour new home!"
"Perhaps," Livia said dreamily. "Perhaps that is the only way. But bythen, Tom, it will be already too late. There has been no living childborn to us in the last ten years. By the time the Earth people reachMars and establish regular passageway--we will be too old to keep therace alive."
* * * * *
"Then let's speed it up!" he said. "Let's make _sure_ that the spacelanes open! Let's do everything to make Space the most important projecton Earth!"
"But how?" Andrusco said, bewildered.
Tom went to the visiphone.
"Get me the Lunt Theatre!" he snapped.
Homer Bradshaw's face appeared.
"Mr. Bradshaw?"
"Hi, Tom! How's the boy?"
"Great, Homer, great. Only listen. I got a new angle for you. We'regonna doctor up that show of yours before the opening. Don't worry aboutthe dough-- Homelovers will take care of it with pleasure."
"Sure, Tom! Anything you say!"
"Then take this down. The first thing we're changing is the title. Fromnow on it's _Mars Or Bust_ ..."
THE END
Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from _Amazing Stories_ December 1957. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and typographical errors have been corrected without note.