Now the grueling job of installing the Quakelizor began. First the cave was cleared of debris, bats, and other small living creatures. Then a site was marked out on the cave floor. Tom had brought along a midget model of his great atomic earth blaster, which he had invented to drill for iron at the South Pole.
With the blaster, Tom quickly drilled a pit of exact size into the bedrock. Then the Quakelizor
THE CAVE MONSTER 81
was assembled and lowered into place by a portable crane. A power plant and radio antenna were set up and the installation was finally completed.
“I must return to Shopton now,” Tom said. “Art here will stick around and help you operate the setup,” he told the government engineers after radio contact had been made with Washington. “If anything goes wrong, just flash word to Enterprises.”
The Sky Queen and the heliplane sped back across the continent. As Tom landed at Enterprises he was greeted by Bud, who came speeding out on the airfield by jeep.
“Just got back from the space wheel about an hour ago,” Bud said. “Your dad’s really worried about those exploding radio sets, Tom. He has 82 THE VISITOR FROM PLANET X
no clues, but he’s sure the scientists working for the Brungarian rebel setup are responsible. He thinks they may try to ruin all of Enterprises’ communications system by remote control.”
Tom’s face was grave as he listened. The two boys discussed the problem as they drove to the Swifts’ office in the main building.
“Boy, I sure wish I could think of some way to cope with it,” Tom said wearily, flopping down in his desk chair.