ssiles as well.

From the looks of the destroyed batteries, Hanlon guessed the explosive
bombs had been followed by thermite to complete their destruction.

"We lost many?" Newton asked.

"No totals," Ferguson's voice was gleeful, "except one light cruiser. We
must have caught them napping. If they can't put up any more forces,
it'll all be over in a couple of minutes."

_A couple of minutes!_ Hanlon's thought was a gasp. He glanced at his
chronom, and was amazed. He had been sure this battle had lasted for
hours--but it was less than ten minutes. It didn't seem possible ... but
he quickly remembered what he had learned in school, and knowing
something of those terrific powers unleashed there, the wonder was now
that it had lasted that long.

A speaker near them blared. "Admiral Houghton reporting. Sector Three
taken. Two of our cruisers blasted, and one battleship crippled. One
enemy battleship was fighting us, and had to be destroyed. They've
really got something, sir, that we'll want to study and get for
ourselves."

Another yell of triumph came from the Corpsmen, and Hanlon felt a thrill
of pride in the Service of which he was a part.

Then a moment later Admiral Ferguson called into his mike, "Cease fire,
but stand by on careful watch. _Orion_ and _Athenia_, send your
specialists down in gigs. I'll meet you there."

The landing successfully completed without further activity from the
enemy, Ferguson, a number of designated officer-specialists, Newton and
Hanlon, some technicians, and a company of marines in full armor,
disembarked and marched to the safest part of the ruined, still-burning
spaceyard.

Careful examination of the ships there was ordered. The
officer-technies, who swarmed aboard the enemy ships, soon began
reporting one after another, that none of these partially-built vessels
seemed damaged beyond repair.

"Thank heavens they built what few ground-batteries they had well
outside the field," Ferguson said to Newton and Hanlon. "We'll get crews
in here at once, and complete these ships."

George Hanlon, after his first quick looks about at the damage done, had
been sending his mind out and out, trying to get into telepathic
communication with any of the natives, but had not had any success. Had
they all been killed? Those here at the shipyard, probably yes, he had
to admit sadly. The terrific heat would have burned them. But what about
the others? Why couldn't he contact them?

"Excuse