Enemies In Space

by Groff Conklin (Ed. )

  PIERSON: Yes, Mr. Phillips?

  PHILLIPS: Can you tell us the meaning of that scraping noise inside the thing?

  PIERSON: Possibly the unequal cooling of its surface.

  PHILLIPS: Do you still think it’s a meteor, Professor?

  PIERSON: I don’t know what to think. The metal casing is definitely extraterrestrial—not found on this Earth. Friction with the Earth’s atmosphere usually tears holes in a meteorite. This thing is smooth and, as you can see, of cylindrical shape.

  PHILLIPS: Just a minute! Something’s happening! Ladies and gentlemen, this is terrific! This end of the thing is beginning to flake off! The top is beginning to rotate like a screw! The thing must be hollow! voices: She’s a-movin’! Look, the darn thing’s unscrewing! Keep back, there! Keep back, I tell you. Maybe there’s men in it trying to escape! It’s red-hot, they’ll burn to a cinder! Keep back there! Keep those idiots back!

  (Suddenly the clanging sound of a huge piece of falling metal)

  VOICES: She’s off! The top’s loose!

  Look out there! Stand back!

  PHILLIPS: Ladies and gentlemen, this is the most terrifying thing I have ever witnessed—Wait a minute! Someone’s crawling out of the hollow top. Someone or—something. I can see peering out of that black hole two luminous disks—are they eyes? It might be a face. It might be—

  (Shout of awe from the crowd)

  Good heavens, something’s wriggling out of the shadow like a gray snake. Now it’s another one, and another. They look like tentacles to me. There, I can see the thing’s body. It’s large as a bear and glistens like wet leather. But that face. It—it’s indescribable. I can hardly force myself to keep looking at it. The eyes are black and gleam like a serpent. The mouth is V-shaped with saliva dripping from its rimless lips that seem to quiver and pulsate. The monster or whatever it is can hardly move. It seems weighed down by—possibly gravity or something. The thing’s raising up. The crowd falls back. They’ve seen enough. This is the most extraordinary experience. I can’t find words—I’m pulling this microphone with me as I talk. I’ll have to stop the description until I’ve taken a new position. Hold on, will you please, I’ll be back in a minute.

  (Fade into piano)

  ANNOUNCER TWO: We are bringing you an eyewitness account of what’s happening on the Wilmuth farm, Grovers Mill, New Jersey.

  (More piano)

  We now return you to Carl Phillips at Grovers Mill.

  PHILLIPS: Ladies and gentlemen (Am I on?)—ladies and gentlemen, here I am, back of a stone wall that adjoins Mr. Wilmuth’s garden. From here I get a sweep of the whole scene. I’ll give you every detail as long as I can talk. As long as I can see. More State Police have arrived. They’re drawing up a cordon in front of the pit, about thirty of them. No need to push the crowd back now. They’re willing to keep their distance. The captain is conferring with someone. We can’t quite see who. Oh, yes, I believe it’s Professor Pierson. Yes, it is. Now they’ve parted. The professor moves around one side, studying the object, while the captain and two policemen advance with something in their hands. I can see it now. It’s a white handkerchief tied to a pole—a flag of truce. If those creatures know what that means—what anything means! . . . Wait! Something’s happening!

  (Hissing sound followed by a humming that increases in intensity)

  A humped shape is rising out of the pit. I can make out a small beam of light against a mirror. What’s that? There’s a jet of flame springing from that mirror, and it leaps right at the advancing men. It strikes them head on! Good Lord, they’re turning into flame!

  (Screams and unearthly shrieks)

  Now the whole field’s caught fire. (Explosion) The woods—the barns—the gas tanks of automobiles—it’s spreading everywhere. It’s coming this way. About twenty yards to my right—

  (Crash of microphone . . . Then dead silence . . .)

  ANNOUNCER TWO: Ladies and gentlemen, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to continue the broadcast from Grovers Mill. Evidently there’s some difficulty with our field transmission. However, we will return to that point at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, we have a late bulletin from San Diego, California. Professor Indellkoffer, speaking at a dinner of the California Astronomical Society, expressed the opinion that the explosions on Mars are undoubtedly nothing more than severe volcanic disturbances on the surface of the planet. We continue now with our piano interlude.

  (Piano . . . Then cut)

  Ladies and gentlemen, I have just been handed a message that came in from Grovers Mill by telephone. Just a moment. At least forty people, including six State Troopers, lie dead in a field east of the village of Grovers Mill, their bodies burned and distorted beyond all possible recognition. The next voice you hear will be that of Brigadier General Montgomery Smith, commander of the State Militia at Trenton, New Jersey.

  SMITH: I have been requested by the Governor of New Jersey to place the counties of Mercer and Middlesex as far west as Princeton, and east to Jamesburg, under martial law. No one will be permitted to enter this area except by special pass issued by state or military authorities. Four companies of State Militia are proceeding from Trenton to Grovers Mill and will aid in the evacuation of homes within the range of military operations. Thank you.

  ANNOUNCER: You have just been listening to General Montgomery Smith, commanding the State Militia at Trenton. In the meantime, further details of the catastrophe at Grovers Mill are coming in. The strange creatures, after unleashing their deadly assault, crawled back in their pit and made no attempt to prevent the efforts of the firemen to recover the bodies and extinguish the fire. Combined fire departments of Mercer County are fighting the flames, which menace the entire countryside.

  We have been unable to establish any contact with our mobile unit at Grovers Mill, but we hope to be able to return you there at the earliest possible moment. In the meantime we take you—uh, just one moment please.

  (Long pause . . . Whisper)

  Ladies and gentlemen, I have just been informed that we have finally established communication with an eyewitness of the tragedy. Professor Pierson has been located at a farmhouse near Grovers Mill, where he has established an emergency observation post. As a scientist, he will give you his explanation of the calamity. The next voice you hear will be that of Professor Pierson, brought to you by direct wire. Professor Pierson.

  PIERSON: Of the creatures in the rocket cylinder at Grovers Mill, I can give you no authoritative information—either as to their nature, their origin, or their purposes here on Earth. Of their destructive instrument I might venture some conjectural explanation. For want of a better term, I shall refer to the mysterious weapon as a heat-ray. It’s all too evident that these creatures have scientific knowledge far in advance of our own. It is my guess that in some way they are able to generate an intense heat in a chamber of practically absolute nonconductivity. This intense heat they project in a parallel beam against any object they choose, by means of a polished parabolic mirror of unknown composition, much as the mirror of a lighthouse projects a beam of light. That is my conjecture of the origin of the heat-ray.

  ANNOUNCER TWO: Thank you, Professor Pierson. Ladies and gentlemen, here is a bulletin from Trenton. It is a brief statement informing us that the charred body of Carl Phillips, the radio commentator, has been identified in a Trenton hospital. Now here’s another bulletin from Washington, D.C.

  Office of the director of the National Red Cross reports ten units of Red Cross emergency workers have been assigned to the headquarters of the State Militia stationed outside of Grovers Mill, New Jersey. Here’s a bulletin from State Police, Princeton Junction: The fires at Grovers Mill and vicinity now under control. Scouts report all quiet in the pit, and no sign of life appearing from the mouth of the cylinder. And now, ladies and gentlemen, we have a special statement from Mr. Harry McDonald, vice-president in charge of operations.

  MCDONALD: We have received a request from the militia
at Trenton to place at their disposal our entire broadcasting facilities. In view of the gravity of the situation, and believing that radio has a definite responsibility to serve in the public interest at all times, we are turning over our facilities to the State Militia at Trenton.

  ANNOUNCER: We take you now to the field headquarters of the State Militia near Grovers Mill, New Jersey.

  CAPTAIN: This is Captain Lansing of the Signal Corps, attached to the State Militia now engaged in military operations in the vicinity of Grovers Mill. Situation arising from the reported presence of certain individuals of unidentified nature is now under complete control.

  The cylindrical object which lies in a pit directly below our position is surrounded on all sides by eight battalions of infantry, without heavy fieldpieces, but adequately armed with rifles and machine guns. All cause for alarm, if such cause ever existed, is now entirely unjustified. The things, whatever they are, do not even venture to poke their heads above the pit. I can see their hiding place plainly in the glare of the searchlights here. With all their reported resources, these creatures can scarcely stand up against heavy machine-gun fire. Anyway, it’s an interesting outing for the troops. I can make out their khaki uniforms, crossing back and forth in front of the lights. It looks almost like a real war. There appears to be some slight smoke in the woods bordering the Millstone River. Probably fire started by campers. Well, we ought to see some action soon. One of the companies is deploying on the left flank. A quick thrust and it will all be over. Now wait a minute! I see something on top of the cylinder. No, it’s nothing but a shadow. Now the troops are on the edge of the Wilmuth farm. Seven thousand armed men closing in on an old metal tube. Wait, that wasn’t a shadow! It’s something moving—solid metal—kind of a shieldlike affair rising up out of the cylinder—It’s going higher and higher. Why, it’s standing on legs—actually rearing up on a sort of metal framework. Now it’s reaching above the trees and the searchlights are on it! Hold on!

  (Silence)

  ANNOUNCER TWO: Ladies and gentlemen, I have a grave announcement to make. Incredible as it may seem, both the observations of science and the evidence of our eyes lead to the inescapable assumption that those strange beings who landed in the Jersey farmlands tonight are the vanguard of an invading army from the planet Mars. The battle which took place tonight at Grovers Mill has ended in one of the most startling defeats ever suffered by an army in modern times; seven thousand men armed with rifles and machine guns pitted against a single fighting machine of the invaders from Mars. One hundred and twenty known survivors. The rest strewn over the battle area from Grovers Mill to Plainsboro, crushed and trampled to death under the metal feet of the monster, or burned to cinders by its heat-ray. The monster is now in control of the middle section of New Jersey and has effectively cut the state through its center. Communication lines are down from Pennsylvania to the Atlantic Ocean. Railroad tracks are torn, and service from New York to Philadelphia discontinued except routing some of the trains through Allentown and Phoenixville. Highways to the north, south, and west are clogged with frantic human traffic. Police and Army reserves are unable to control the mad flight. By morning the fugitives will have swelled Philadelphia, Camden, and Trenton, it is estimated, to twice their normal population.

  At this time martial law prevails throughout New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. We take you now to Washington for a special broadcast on the National Emergency . . . The Secretary of the Interior—

  SECRETARY: Citizens of the nation: I shall not try to conceal the gravity of the situation that confronts the country, nor the concern of your government in protecting the lives and property of its people. However, I wish to impress upon you—private citizens and public officials, all of you—the urgent need of calm and resourceful action. Fortunately, this formidable enemy is still confined to a comparatively small area, and we may place our faith in the military forces to keep them there. In the meantime, placing our faith in God, we must continue the performance of our duties each and every one of us, so that we may confront this destructive adversary with a nation united, courageous, and consecrated to the preservation of human supremacy on this earth. I thank you.

  ANNOUNCER: You have just heard the Secretary of the Interior speaking from Washington. Bulletins too numerous to read are piling up in the studio here. We are informed that the central portion of New Jersey is blacked out from radio communication due to the effect of the heat-ray upon power lines and electrical equipment. Here is a special bulletin from New York. Cables received from English, French, German scientific bodies offering assistance. Astronomers report continued gas outbursts at regular intervals on planet Mars. Majority voice opinion that enemy will be reinforced by additional rocket machines. Attempts made to locate Professor Pierson of Princeton, who has observed Martians at close range. It is feared he was lost in recent battle. Langham Field, Virginia: Scouting planes report three Martian machines visible above treetops, moving north toward Somerville with population fleeing ahead of them. Heat-ray not in use; although advancing at express-train speed, invaders pick their way carefully. They seem to be making conscious effort to avoid destruction of cities and countryside. However, they stop to uproot power lines, bridges, and railroad tracks. Their apparent objective is to crush resistance, paralyze communication, and disorganize human society.

  Here is a bulletin from Basking Ridge, New Jersey: Coon hunters have stumbled on a second cylinder similar to the first embedded in the great swamp twenty miles south of Morristown. U.S. Army fieldpieces are proceeding from Newark to blow up second invading unit before cylinder can be opened and the fighting machine rigged. They are taking up position in the foothills of Watchung Mountains. Another bulletin from Langham Field, Virginia: Scouting planes report enemy machines now, three in number, increasing speed northward, kicking over houses and trees in their evident haste to form a conjunction with their allies south of Morristown. Machines also sighted by telephone operator east of Middlesex within ten miles of Plainfield. Here’s a bulletin from Winston Field, Long Island: Fleet of army bombers carrying heavy explosives flying north in pursuit of enemy. Scouting planes act as guides. They keep speeding enemy in sight. Just a moment please. Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve run special wires to the artillery line in adjacent villages to give you direct reports in the zone of the advancing enemy. First we take you to the battery of the twenty-second Field Artillery, located in the Watchung Mountains.

  OFFICER: Range—thirty-two meters.

  GUNNER: Thirty-two meters.

  OFFICER: Projection, thirty-nine degrees.

  GUNNER: Thirty-nine degrees.

  OFFICER: Fire!

  (Boom of heavy gun . . . Pause)

  OBSERVER: One hundred and forty yards to the right, sir.

  OFFICER: Shift range—thirty-one meters.

  GUNNER: Thirty-one meters.

  OFFICER: Projection—thirty-seven degrees.

  GUNNER: Thirty-seven degrees.

  OFFICER: Fire!

  (Boom of heavy gun . . . Pause)

  OBSERVER: A hit, sir! We got the tripod of one of them. They’ve stopped. The others are trying to repair it. OFFICER: Quick, get the range! Shift fifty thirty meters.

  GUNNER: Thirty meters.

  OFFICER: Projection—twenty-seven degrees.

  GUNNER: Twenty-seven degrees.

  OFFICER: Fire!

  (Boom of heavy gun . . . Pause)

  OBSERVER: Can’t see the shell land, sir. They’re letting off a smoke.

  OFFICER: What is it?

  OBSERVER: A black smoke, sir. Moving this way. Lying close to the ground. It’s moving fast.

  OFFICER: Put on gas masks. (Pause) Get ready to fire. Shift to twenty-four meters.

  GUNNER: Twenty-four meters.

  OFFICER: Projection, twenty-four degrees.

  GUNNER: Twenty-four degrees.

  OFFICER: Fire! (Boom)

  OBSERVER: I still can’t see, sir. The smoke’s coming nearer.

  OFFICER
: Get the range. (Coughs)

  OBSERVER: Twenty-three meters. (Coughs)

  OFFICER: Twenty-three meters. (Cough)

  OBSERVER: Projection—twenty-two degrees. (Coughing)

  OFFICER: Twenty-two degrees. (Fade in coughing)

  (Fading in . . . sound of airplane motor)

  COMMANDER: Army bombing plane, V-8-43 off Bayonne, New Jersey, Lieutenant Voght, commanding eight bombers. Reporting to Commander Fairfax, Langham Field—This is Voght, reporting to Commander Fairfax, Langham Field—Enemy tripod machines now in sight. Reinforced by three machines from the Morristown cylinder. Six altogether. One machine partially crippled. Believed hit by shell from Army gun in Watchung Mountains. Guns now appear silent. A heavy black fog hanging close to the Earth—of extreme density, nature unknown. No sign of heat-ray. Enemy now turns east, crossing Passaic River into Jersey marshes. Another straddles the Pulaski Skyway. Evident objective is New York City. They’re pushing down a high-tension power station. The machines are close together now, and we’re ready to attack. Planes circling, ready to strike. A thousand yards and we’ll be over the first—eight hundred yards . . . six hundred . . . four hundred . . . two hundred . . . There they go! The giant arm raised—Green flash! They’re spraying us with flame! Two thousand feet. Engines are giving out. No chance to release bombs. Only one thing left—drop on them, plane and all. We’re diving on the first one. Now the engine’s gone! Eight—

  OPERATOR ONE: This is Bayonne, New Jersey, calling Langham Field—This is Bayonne, New Jersey, calling Langham Field—Come in, please—Come in, please—

  OPERATOR TWO: This is Langham Field—go ahead—

  OPERATOR ONE: Eight Army bombers in engagement with enemy tripod machines over Jersey flats. Engines incapacitated by heat-ray. All crashed. One enemy machine destroyed. Enemy now discharging heavy black smoke in direction of—