The "Ground Ships" Threaten

One of our Wyoming girls, on contact guard near Pocono, blundered into a hunting camp of the Bad Bloods, one of the renegade American Gangs, which occupied the Blue Mountain section North of Delaware Water Gap. We had not invited their cooperation in this campaign, for they were under some suspicion of having trafficked with the Hans in past years, but they had offered no objection to our passage through their territory in our advance on Nu-Yok.

One of our Wyoming girls was on contact guard near Pocono when she stumbled into a Bad Bloods hunting camp. The Bad Bloods were one of the renegade American Gangs. They occupied the Blue Mountain section north of Delaware Water Gap. We had not asked them to cooperate in this campaign because they were under some suspicion of having traded with the Hans in past years. But they had not objected to our passage through their territory as we advanced on Nu-Yok.

Fortunately our contact guard had been able to leap into the upper branches of a tree without being discovered by the Bad Bloods, for their discipline was lax and their guard careless. She overheard enough of the conversation of their Bosses around the camp fire beneath her to indicate the general nature of the Han plans.

Fortunately, our contact guard had managed to leap into the upper branches of a tree without the Bad Bloods discovering her. Their discipline was lax, and they kept a careless watch. From the tree, she overheard their Bosses talking around the campfire below. She heard enough to get a general idea of the Han plans.

After several hours she was able to leap away unobserved through the topmost branches of the trees, and after putting several miles between herself and their camp, she ultrophoned a full report to her Contact Boss back in the Wyoming Valley. My own Ultrophone Field Boss picked up the message and brought the graph record of it to me at once.

After several hours, she managed to leap away unseen through the uppermost branches of the trees. Once she was several miles from their camp, she ultrophoned a full report to her Contact Boss in the Wyoming Valley. My own Ultrophone Field Boss picked up the message and immediately brought me its graph record.

Her report was likewise picked up by the Bosses of the various Gang units in our line, and we had called a council to discuss our plans by word of mouth.

The Bosses of the various Gang units in our line also received her report. We had called a council to discuss our plans in person.

We were gathered in a sheltered glade on the eastern slope of First Mountain on a balmy night in May. Far to the east, across the forested slopes of the lowlands, the flat stretches of open meadow and the rocky ridge that once had been Jersey City, the iridescent glow of Nu-Yok's protecting film of annihilation shot upward, gradually fading into a starry sky.

We had gathered in a sheltered clearing on the eastern slope of First Mountain. It was a warm May night. Far to the east, beyond the wooded lowland slopes, open meadows, and rocky ridge that had once been Jersey City, Nu-Yok's protective film of annihilation cast an iridescent glow upward. The glow gradually faded into the starry sky.

In the faint glow of our ultronolamps, I made out the great figure and rugged features of Boss Casaman, commander of the Mifflin unit, and the gray uniform of Boss Warn, who led the Sandsnipers of the Barnegat Beaches, and who had swooped over from his headquarters on Sandy Hook. By his side stood Boss Handan of the Winslows, a Gang from Central Jersee. In the group also were the leaders of the Altoonas, the Camerons, the Lycomings, Susquannas, Harshbargs, Hagersduns, Chesters, Reddings, Delawares, Elmirans, Kiugas, Hudsons and Connedigas.

In the faint glow of our ultronolamps, I saw Boss Casaman’s large figure and rugged features. He commanded the Mifflin unit. I also saw Boss Warn’s gray uniform. He led the Sandsnipers of the Barnegat Beaches and had swooped over from his headquarters on Sandy Hook. Beside him stood Boss Handan of the Winslows, a Gang from Central Jersee. The group also included the leaders of the Altoonas, the Camerons, the Lycomings, Susquannas, Harshbargs, Hagersduns, Chesters, Reddings, Delawares, Elmirans, Kiugas, Hudsons and Connedigas.

Most of them were clad in forest-green uniforms that showed black at night, but each had some distinctive badge or item of uniform or equipment that distinguished his Gang.

Most wore forest-green uniforms that looked black at night. But each had a distinctive badge or piece of uniform or equipment that identified his Gang.

Both the Mifflin and Altoona Bosses, for instance, wore heavy-looking boots with jointed knees. They came from sections that were not only mountainous, but rocky, where "leaping" involves many a slip and bruised limb, unless some protection of this sort is worn. But these boots were not as heavy as they looked, being counter-balanced somewhat with inertron.

Both the Mifflin and Altoona Bosses, for example, wore heavy-looking boots with jointed knees. They came from mountainous, rocky regions, where "leaping" often leads to slips and bruised limbs without such protection. But the boots were not as heavy as they looked, because inertron partly counterbalanced their weight.

The headgear of the Winslows was quite different from the close-fitting helmet of the Wyomings, being large and bushy-looking, for in the Winslow territory there were many stretches of nearly bare land, with occasional scrubby pines, and a Winslow caught in the open, on the approach of a Han airship, would twist himself into a motionless imitation of a scrubby plant, that passed very successfully for the real thing, when viewed from several thousand feet in the air.

The Winslows' headgear was quite different from the Wyomings' close-fitting helmets. It was large and bushy-looking because Winslow territory had many stretches of nearly bare land, dotted with scrubby pines. If a Han airship approached while a Winslow was caught in the open, he would twist himself into the shape of a scrubby plant and stay motionless. From several thousand feet in the air, he looked very much like the real thing.

The Susquannas had a unit that was equipped with inertron shields, that were of the same shape as those of the ancient Romans, but much larger, and capable of concealing their bearers from head to foot when they crouched slightly. These shields, of course, were colored forest green, and were irregularly shaded; they were balanced with inertron, so that their effective weight was only a few ounces. They were curious too, in that they had handles for both hands, and two small reservoir rocket-guns built into them as integral parts.

The Susquannas had a unit equipped with inertron shields. The shields were shaped like those of the ancient Romans, but much larger. They could conceal their bearers from head to foot when they crouched slightly. Of course, the shields were forest green, with irregular shading. They were balanced with inertron, so their effective weight was only a few ounces. They were also unusual because they had handles for both hands and two built-in reservoir rocket-guns.

In going into action, the Susquannas crouched slightly, holding the shields before them with both hands, looking through a narrow vision slit, and working both rocket guns. The shields, however, were a great handicap in leaping, and in advancing through heavy forest growth.

When they went into action, the Susquannas crouched slightly, holding their shields in front of them with both hands. They looked through a narrow viewing slit and operated both rocket guns. But the shields made it much harder to leap or advance through dense forest growth.

The field unit of the Delawares was also heavily armored. It was one of the most efficient bodies of shock troops in our entire line. They carried circular shields, about three feet in diameter, with a vision slit and a small rocket gun. These shields were held at arm's length in the left hand on going into action. In the right hand was carried an ax-gun, an affair not unlike the battle-ax of the Middle Ages. It was about three feet long. The shaft consisted of a rocket gun, with an ax-blade near the muzzle, and a spike at the other end. It was a terrible weapon. Jointed leg-guards protected the ax-gunner below the rim of his shield, and a hemispherical helmet, the front section of which was of transparent ultron reaching down to the chin, completed his equipment.

The Delawares’ field unit was also heavily armored. It was one of the most effective shock troop units in our entire line. They carried circular shields about three feet across, each with a viewing slit and a small rocket gun. Going into action, they held the shields at arm’s length in their left hands. In their right hands, they carried ax-guns, much like the battle-axes of the Middle Ages. Each was about three feet long. The shaft was a rocket gun, with an ax blade near the muzzle and a spike at the other end. It was a terrible weapon. Jointed leg guards protected the ax-gunner below the edge of his shield. A hemispherical helmet completed his equipment. Its front section was made of transparent ultron and reached down to his chin.

The Susquannas also had a long-gun unit in the field.

The Susquannas also had a long-gun unit in the field.

One company of my Wyomings I had equipped with a weapon which I designed myself. It was a long-gun which I had adapted for bayonet tactics such as American troops used in the First World War, in the Twentieth Century. It was about the length of the ancient rifle, and was fitted with a short knife bayonet. The stock, however, was replaced by a narrow ax-blade and a spike. It had two hand-guards also. It was fired from the waist position.

I equipped one company of my Wyomings with a weapon I had designed myself. It was a long gun adapted for bayonet tactics like those used by American troops in the First World War in the Twentieth Century. It was about as long as an ancient rifle and had a short knife bayonet. A narrow ax blade and a spike replaced the stock. It also had two hand guards. It was fired from the waist.

In hand-to-hand work one lunged with the bayonet in a vicious, swinging up-thrust, following through with an up-thrust of the ax-blade as one rushed in on one's opponent, and then a down-thrust of the butt-spike, developing into a down-slice of the bayonet, and a final upward jerk of the bayonet at the throat and chin with a shortened grip on the barrel, which had been allowed to slide through the hands at the completion of the down-slice.

In hand-to-hand combat, you lunged with the bayonet in a vicious, swinging upward thrust. As you rushed at your opponent, you followed with an upward thrust of the ax blade. Then you drove the butt spike downward and sliced downward with the bayonet. At the end of the slice, you let the barrel slide through your hands to shorten your grip. Finally, you jerked the bayonet upward at your opponent's throat and chin.

I almost regretted that we would not find ourselves opposed to the Delaware ax-men in this campaign, so curious was I to compare the efficiency of the two bodies.

I almost regretted that we would not face the Delaware ax-men in this campaign. I was curious to compare how effective the two groups were.

But both the Delawares and my own men were elated at the news that the Hans intended to fight it out on the ground at last, and the prospect that we might in consequence come to close quarters with them.

But both the Delawares and my own men were thrilled by the news that the Hans would finally fight on the ground. They were also excited that we might be able to fight the Hans at close quarters as a result.

Many of the Gang Bosses were dubious about our Wyoming policy of providing our fighters with no inertron armor as protection against the disintegrator ray of the Hans. Some of them even questioned the value of all weapons intended for hand-to-hand fighting.

Many of the Gang Bosses doubted our Wyoming policy of not giving our fighters inertron armor to protect them from the Hans’ disintegrator ray. Some even questioned the value of all weapons meant for hand-to-hand fighting.

As Warn, of the Sandsnipers put it: "You should be in a better position than anyone, Rogers, with your memories of the Twentieth Century, to appreciate that between the superdeadliness of the rocket gun and of the disintegrator ray there will never be any opportunity for hand-to-hand work. Long before the opposing forces could come to grips, one or the other will be wiped out."

As Warn of the Sandsnipers put it: "Rogers, your memories of the Twentieth Century should help you understand this better than anyone. The rocket gun and the disintegrator ray are both so deadly that there will never be a chance for hand-to-hand combat. One side will be wiped out long before the opposing forces can get close enough to fight hand to hand."

But I only smiled, for I remembered how much of this same talk there was five centuries ago, and that it was even predicted in 1914 that no war could last more than six months.

But I only smiled because I remembered hearing so much of the same talk five centuries ago. Back in 1914, people had even predicted that no war could last more than six months.

That there would be hand-to-hand work before we were through, and in plenty, I was convinced, and so every able-bodied youth I could muster was enrolled in my infantry battalion and spent most of his time in vigorous bayonet practice. And for the same reason I had discarded the idea of armor. I felt it would be clumsy, and questioned its value. True, it was an absolute bar against the disintegrator ray, but of what use would that be if a Han ray found a crevice between overlapping plates, or if the ray was used to annihilate the very earth beneath the wearer's feet?

I was convinced that we would face plenty of hand-to-hand fighting before we were through. So I enrolled every able-bodied young man I could gather in my infantry battalion. Each spent most of his time in vigorous bayonet practice. For the same reason, I abandoned the idea of armor. I thought it would be clumsy, and I doubted its value. True, it offered complete protection against the disintegrator ray. But what good would that do if a Han ray found a gap between overlapping plates? Or if the ray destroyed the very ground beneath the wearer’s feet?

The only protective equipment that I thought was worth a whoop was a very peculiar device with which a contingent of five hundred Altoonas was supplied. They called it the "umbra-shield." It was a bell-shaped affair of inertron, counterweighted with ultron, about eight feet high. The gunner, who walked inside it, carried it easily with two shoulder straps. There were handles inside too, by which the gunner might more easily balance it when running, or lift it to clear any obstructions on the ground.

The only protective equipment I thought was worth a damn was a strange device given to a group of five hundred Altoonas. They called it the "umbra-shield." It was a bell-shaped device made of inertron, counterweighted with ultron, and about eight feet high. The gunner walked inside it and carried it easily with two shoulder straps. Handles inside helped the gunner balance it while running or lift it over obstacles on the ground.

In the apex of the affair, above his head, was a small turret, containing an automatic rocket gun. The periscopic gun sight and the controls were on a level with the operator's eyes. In going into action he could, after taking up his position, simply stoop until the rim of the umbra-shield rested on the ground, or else slip off the shoulder straps, and stand there, quite safe from the disintegrator ray, and work his gun.

At the top of the device, above his head, was a small turret containing an automatic rocket gun. The periscopic gun sight and controls were at the operator's eye level. To go into action, he took up his position and simply stooped until the rim of the umbra-shield rested on the ground. Or he could slip off the shoulder straps. He could then stand there, completely safe from the disintegrator ray, and operate his gun.

But again, I could not see what was to prevent the Hans from slicing underneath it, instead of directly at it, with their rays.

But again, I couldn't see what would stop the Hans from using their rays to slice underneath it instead of directly at it.

As I saw it, any American who was unfortunate enough to get in the direct path of a "dis" ray, was almost certain to "go out," unless he was locked up tight in a complete shell of inertron, as for instance, in an inertron swooper. It seemed to me better to concentrate all our efforts on tactics of attack, trusting to our ability to get the Hans before they got us.

As I saw it, any American caught directly in a "dis" ray was almost certain to "go out." The only exception was someone completely enclosed in inertron, as in an inertron swooper. I thought it best to focus all our efforts on attack tactics. We would have to trust our ability to get the Hans before they got us.

I had one other main unit besides my bayonet battalion, a long-gun contingent composed entirely of girls, as were my scout units and most of my auxiliary contingents. These youngsters had been devoting themselves to target practice for months, and had developed a fine technique of range-finding and the various other tactics of Twentieth Century massed artillery, to which was added the scientific perfection of the rocket guns and an average mental alertness that would have put the artilleryman of the First World War to shame.

Besides my bayonet battalion, I had one other main unit: a long-gun contingent made up entirely of girls. My scout units and most of my auxiliary contingents were also made up of girls. These youngsters had spent months practicing their aim. They had developed fine skills in range-finding and the other tactics of Twentieth Century massed artillery. They also had scientifically perfected rocket guns. Their average mental alertness would have put the artillerymen of the First World War to shame.

From the information our contact guard had obtained, it appeared that the Hans had developed a type of "groundship" completely protected by a disintegrator ray "canopy" that was operated from a short mast, and spread down around it as a cone.

Our contact guard’s information suggested that the Hans had developed a type of "groundship" completely protected by a disintegrator ray "canopy". The canopy was operated from a short mast and spread down around the groundship in a cone.

These ships were merely adaptations of their airships, and were designed to travel but a few feet above the ground. Their repeller rays were relatively weak; just strong enough to lift them about ten or twelve feet from the surface. Hence they would draw but lightly upon the power broadcast from the city, and great numbers of them could be used. A special ray at the stern propelled them, and an extra-lift ray in the bow enabled them to nose up over ground obstacles. Their most formidable feature was the cone-shaped "canopy" of short-range disintegrator rays designed to spread down around them from a circular generator at the tip of a twenty-foot mast amidship. This would annihilate any projectile shot at it, for they naturally could not reach the ship without passing through the cone of rays.

These ships were simply adaptations of their airships, designed to travel only a few feet above the ground. Their repeller rays were relatively weak, just strong enough to lift them about ten or twelve feet above the surface. So they drew little power from the broadcast from the city, and large numbers could be used. A special ray at the stern propelled them. An extra-lift ray in the bow let them tilt upward to clear obstacles on the ground. Their most formidable feature was the cone-shaped "canopy" of short-range disintegrator rays. These rays spread down around each ship from a circular generator atop a twenty-foot mast amidship. The rays would destroy any projectile fired at the ship. A projectile could not reach the ship without passing through the cone of rays.

It was instantly obvious that the "ground ships" would prove to be the "tanks" of the Twenty-fifth century, and with due allowance for the fact that they were protected with a sheathing of annihilating rays instead of with steel, that they would have about the same handicaps and advantages as tanks, except that since they would float lightly on short repeller rays, they could hardly resort to the destructive crushing tactics of the tanks of the First World War.

It was immediately obvious that the "ground ships" would be the "tanks" of the twenty-fifth century. They would have roughly the same advantages and disadvantages as tanks, though annihilating rays protected them instead of steel. But because they floated lightly on short repeller rays, they could hardly use the crushing tactics of First World War tanks.

As soon as our first supplies of inertron-sheathed rockets came through, their invulnerability would be at an end, as indeed would be that of the Han cities themselves. But these projectiles were not yet out of the factories.

As soon as our first supplies of inertron-sheathed rockets arrived, they would no longer be invulnerable. Neither would the Han cities themselves. But the rockets had not yet come out of the factories.

In the meantime, however, the groundships would be hard to handle. Each of them we understood would be equipped with a thin long-range "dis" ray, mounted in a turret at the base of the mast.

In the meantime, though, the groundships would be hard to handle. We understood that each would have a thin, long-range "dis" ray mounted in a turret at the base of the mast.

We had no information as to the probable tactics of the Hans in the use of these ships. One sure method of destroying them would be to bury mines in their path, too deep for the penetration of their protecting canopy, which would not, our engineers estimated, cut deeper than about three feet a second. But we couldn't ring Nu-Yok with a continuous mine on a radius of from five to fifteen or twenty miles. Nor could we be certain beforehand of the direction of their attack.

We had no information about how the Hans might use these ships. One sure way to destroy them would be to bury mines in their path. The mines would have to be too deep for the ships' protective canopy to reach. Our engineers estimated that the canopy would not cut more than about three feet deep per second. But we couldn't surround Nu-Yok with a continuous mine at a distance of five to fifteen or twenty miles. Nor could we know in advance which direction they would attack from.

In the end, after several hours' discussion, we agreed on a flexible defense. Rather than risk many lives, we would withdraw before them, test their effectiveness and familiarize ourselves with the tactics they adopted. If possible, we would send engineers in behind them from the flanks, to lay mines in the probable path of their return, providing their first attack proved to be a raid and not an advance to consolidate new positions.

After several hours of discussion, we finally agreed on a flexible defense. Rather than risk many lives, we would retreat before them. We would test how effective they were and learn their tactics. If their first attack proved to be a raid rather than an advance to secure new positions, we would send engineers behind them from the flanks if possible. The engineers would lay mines along their likely return route.