The Last Objective

Adventures in time and space, transcribed in future tense. DIMATION, ACCESS! The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with Street and Smith, publishers of a Stounding Science Station, bring you dimension X.

The war had been going on for generations. The sea and air were ruled by guided atomic missiles, radiations, and total destruction drove man underground, and bear the war continued. The great beds of shale and limestone trembled as an underground cruiser chewed its way through the ageless rock.

The ship was squat, ugly, the top of its cutting head 40 feet of off the clattering caterpillar treads. It was windowless and behind but grinding Duraloy blades were ugly lumps that concealed the guns. On the bridge commander Sanderson fought the bucking vibration, one hand tight on a stench.

Colver, I sir, what's wrong with the insulation? It's hotter than oven up here. Court refrigeration unit one hour. Starboard can't carry the load. I've got damage control on it. Go back. I sir. Give me a side, I don't need any.

shock 30 seconds back. Change course to 175 degrees and half speed please sir so I can chart the street. Mr. Culver. Aye sir. 175 half speed. Aye sir. Navigation, Lieutenant Watson. Fridge here. Change course to 175 Watson.

175. Aye sir. Yes, Mr. Watson. New course 175. 175, aye. Half speed. Half speed, aye. What? We hit something. What is it, Mr. Watson? It's lava, probably. Maybe it doesn't mean anything. No, I guess not.

Mr. Watson. Yes, Clark? Who are you ever gonna get outta here? You mean the lava? The whole business. We've been under rock for three months. You better keep quiet, Clark. Psycho officer has rubber heels.