Who knew, Tom asked himself, what priceless secrets the “brain” might ultimately yield to earth’s scientific researchers? If the Brungarians were to succeed, this might deter the Swifts’ space friends from ever attempting another visit to our planet!
In despair, Tom turned to his father. “You know how much is at stake, Dad!”
he pleaded. “Isn’t there something we can do?”
Mr. Swift had been silent, thoughtfully drumming his pencil on the workbench. He looked up.
“Tom, I can think of only one thing,” he said. “Perhaps our friends on Planet X can help us.
174 THE VISITOR FROM PLANET X
They said they would have no control over the energy until it was ready to return home. But maybe we can get them to help us transfer the energy back here-not by any means of earth transportation, but by some extraterrestrial means known to their scientists.”
Tom’s eyes kindled with hope. “Dad, that’s a terrific idea!” he exclaimed.
“Let’s try!”
A message was quickly beamed out into space. Minutes went by. Then the machine signaled a reply. It said:
WE WILL ATTEMPT RESCUE IF YOU WILL ARC A POWERFUL RADIO
BEAM FROM POINT OF ORIGINAL EARTH LANDING TO POINT WHERE
ENERGY IS NOW.
Moments later, a further message followed, giving technical instructions on how to project the beam. It ended:
NOTIFY US WHEN SETUP IS READY.
“Yahoo!” Chow whooped. “Brand my space guns, I reckon we’ll get Ole Think Box home safe after all!”
“He’s not home yet, Chow,” Tom cautioned, grinning but still tense with worry. “Glad you said that, though. It reminds me that the first job on our hands is to build a new think box for Exman!”