As the _Skylark_ approached the planet, Seaton swung number six
visiplate upon it, and directed their flight toward a great army base.
Darting down upon it, he snatched an officer into the airlock, closed
the door, and leaped back into space. He brought the captive into the
control room pinioned by auxiliary attractors, and relieved him of his
weapons. He then rapidly read his mind, encountering no noticeable
resistance, released the attractors, and addressed him in his own
language.

"Please be seated, lieutenant," Seaton said courteously, motioning him
to one of the seats. "We come in peace. Please pardon my discourtesy in
handling you, but it was necessary in order to learn your language and
thus to get in touch with your commanding officer."

The officer, overcome with astonishment that he had not been killed
instantly, sank into the seat indicated, without a reply, and Seaton
went on:

"Please be kind enough to signal your commanding officer that we are
coming down at once, for a peace conference. By the way, I can read your
signals, and will send them myself if necessary."

The stranger worked an instrument attached to his harness briefly, and
the _Skylark_ descended slowly toward the fortress.

"I know, of course, that your vessels will attack," Seaton remarked, as
he noted a crafty gleam in the eyes of the officer. "I intend to let
them use all their power for a time, to prove to them the impotence of
their weapons. After that, I shall tell you what to say to them."

"Do you think this is altogether safe, Dick?" asked Crane as they saw a
fleet of gigantic airships soaring upward to meet them.

"Nothing sure but death and taxes," returned Seaton cheerfully, "but
don't forget that we've got Fenachrone armament now, instead of
Osnomian. I'm betting that they can't begin to drive their rays through
even our outer screen. And even if our outer screen should begin to go
into the violet--I don't think it will even go cherry-red--out goes our
zone of force and we automatically go up where no possible airship can
reach. Since their only space-ships are rocket driven, and of
practically no maneuverability, they stand a big chance of getting to
us. Anyway, we must get in touch with them, to find out if they know
anything we don't, and this is the only way I know of to do it. Besides,
I want to head Dunark off from wrecking this world. They're exactly the
same kind of folks he is, you notice, and I don't like civi