Sidney Austen

“ Ven said. Panels slid away and Karn could see through the walls of the ship.
Below them was a city. They dropped toward it and its gargoyle-topped towers reached up to meet them. Strange birds winged across an azure sky. They came down over the city and landed gently in a meadow next to the mouth of a great cavern.
“Nobody around,” Ven said. “I don’t understand it.”
“They weren’t expecting us to land at Nobla,” Andra said. “You’re always worrying about something. Come on, let’s get out.”
The ramp came down and the four descended, Harus leading the way. Karn wondered why they moved so warily. ”

“ Compared to the great wolves and the saber-tooths the Green Ones were nothing.
“We will kill the Green Ones,” he decided aloud. “We will fight them and destroy them.”
“Don’t make me laugh,” Andra said. “You’ve seen our men when they were in danger.”
The ship had lifted and was leaving Nobla behind. Watching the horizon ahead, Karn saw another city come into view within a short time. It looked exactly like Nobla. They must be a great people who could build cities like these, who could make ships that flew through the air. ”

“ What sort was it who would not defend his woman? Andra read Karn’s thoughts.
“What kind of men?” she said. “I’ll tell you. They never built the cities of Mahlo. Those have stood for thousands of generations, erected by some forgotten ancestors.
“The men of Mahlo have never had to fight. There was no danger here. So they spent their time in idle chatter, in philosophy, in the invention of luxuries. But they retained control of the government. When the Green Ones came out of the forests of the south and began their conquering march, our men decreed that we must retreat before them. ”

“ Added to their instinct for aggression it is sufficient to destroy us. Wait until you see our Council in session. You won’t wonder then.”
Luma had turned out en masse to welcome Andra and her two companions. Karn had been the center of attraction and interest for a few minutes. But it was the report of the three Mahloans which mattered most.
Andra gave it to them straight. There was no hope elsewhere. The Green Ones were only minor terrors among the blood-lusting creatures the Universe had spawned. Unless the men of Mahlo fought back they were doomed. ”

“ More of the Green Ones came at him as he gained the roof. Snatching up a fallen spear, Karn drove them back. By sheer ferocity of his attack he forced them back through the doorway from which they had emerged. ”

“ Until then he was in danger from the males of Tur’s tribe. Tur the coward, Karn thought. Tur the bully. Tur the leader of the tribe. Tur had never liked Karn. He had liked him even less as he grew into magnificent Cro-Magnon manhood. Karn represented the challenge that must come to every leader sooner or later.
Then the wind shifted and Karn slowed. They’d give him up now. He was certain of that. But what to do next? He was all alone, an outcast from his tribe. For a full-grown man to find another tribe was impossible. ”

“ There’s no reason for you to risk your life. That’s the trouble with—”
“There is only one trouble,” Karn interrupted. “The women of Mahlo have turned their men into women too.”
“You can’t talk to me like that!” Andra flared.
Karn found his men watching him. He had led them to victory over the Green Ones. But with women it was another story. Could he stand up to Andra? They were watching Karn, ready to follow him again. But which way would he go?
“Woman,” Karn said, “hold your tongue!” ”

“ His patience was rewarded. An opening appeared in the ball. There was a puff of air being released from pressure. A figure stepped through the opening and onto the earth. Another figure followed. What were they?
They were men! Clad in strange garments that covered them tightly, they walked upright on two legs. ”