54 THE VISITOR FROM PLANET X
huge radio-telescope antenna mounted atop the communications building.
Bud looked on as Tom signaled:
TOM SWIFT TO SPACE FRIENDS. CONTAINER FOR ENERGY IS NOW
READY. SHOULD IT BE PLACED OUTDOORS?
Stirred by a worrisome afterthought, Tom added: MESSAGES MAY BE INTERCEPTED BY ENEMY WHO WISHES TO
STEAL ENERGY. SUGGEST YOU USE FLIGHT PATH TO LAND EXACTLY
TWO MILES WEST OF FIRST CONTACT WITH US.
“By ‘first contact/ you mean when that black missile landed at Enterprises?”
Bud asked.
Tom nodded. At that time, he reminded Bud, the Brungarians and their conquerors had not yet learned of the Swifts’ communication from another planet.
Hence they would have no idea of the site referred to-which would hamper any plans to kidnap the brain energy.
“I get it,” Bud said. “Smart idea, pal!”
Tensely the two boys waited for a reply from outer space.
CHAPTER VII
WALL OF WATER!
MINUTES went by before the signal bell rang on the electronic brain. Both Tom and Bud dashed over to the machine as it began to spell out the incoming message on tape:
ENERGY WILL COME TO THE SPOT YOU SUGGESTED. WE CAN
CONTROL FLIGHT COURSE BUT WHILE THE ENERGY IS ON EARTH YOU
WILL BE IN CHARGE. WE WILL HAVE NO CONTROL FOR TWENTY-ONE
DAYS. THEN WE WILL RECALL ENERGY TO BRING US IMPRESSIONS AND
DATA OF YOUR WORLD.
The two boys stared at each other excitedly as the transmission ended.
“Wow!” Bud murmured. “If Planet X is a peaceful place, Ole Think Box is sure in for a jolt here on earth!”
55
56 THE VISITOR FROM PLANET X
Tom grinned fleetingly at the reference to Chow’s nickname for the robot creature. Then he became serious, knowing that Bud’s words were all too true.