`Marvelous, and I'll think it is wonderful when we're back on terra firma,' I said giving Betelgeuse a sly smile this time.
The last few hours before touch-down were quite interesting. The nearer to the Earth the heavier the barrage of missiles. Most of them exploded as they'd been doing before, but there were one or two that nearly made my heart stop. These came up on the radar screen, seemed to veer to one side and then would cut across the front or the back of our craft. Fortunately all missed but there was always the chance that something might happen. Betelgeuse waited tensely for a mishap.
`We're nearly down,' he said, turning on one of the external tele-cine cameras. The Earth was now covering the screen and I recognized the North American continent.
`Where are you going to put down?' I asked.
`England, of course.'
`Well, you'll have to go east or west of your present course.'
Betelgeuse looked hard at the Earth and then back at a chart. He punched the machine. 'I've given our destination as Mildenhall.'
`Good. What's the radioactivity reading?'
`Still well over the danger limit. We'll have to wait a few minutes before we know how serious it is.'
I went over to where Betelgeuse was standing. The radiation count was roughly where I remembered it. As the minutes went by the small needles flickered slightly, but didn't move.
`We'll be down in about five minutes,' Betelgeuse said.
I looked at the picture of the Earth. The screen now showed what looked like China. The picture began moving at a faster rate as we came near to the Earth. Suddenly we were over the Black Sea, something that might have been Germany and then fields, houses, animals.
`Hold tight,' Betelgeuse's voice crackled through the headpiece.
The retro rockets suddenly came in, making the cabin floor lurch up at me. My stomach was now somewhere in my mouth. Then we'd landed.
`I hope we don't have to go through that again,' Betelgeuse said, switching on some more outside cameras. We seemed to be jammed into a small space amongst what looked like the whole war fleet.
`How did you manage that?' I said in wonderment.
`A little bit of luck. The worst thing was the deceleration. The retro rockets didn't function at first and then when they did, instead of coming on to full power gradually, it all came at once.'
I looked at the TV screen. There below us was a group of people standing in the rain. Betelgeuse opened the airlock door. A moment or two later the lift door opened and Ganges, Rhodes, Sir John Fielding and two other heavily braided figures floated from the lift upwards to the ceiling of the cabin. Betelgeuse's voice bellowed with mirth at the sight.
`The counters are just below danger level inside, but on the limit outside,' Betelgeuse said. 'I vote we get out of our armor.'
I struggled hard to get out, but I didn't make the mistake of letting go of the suit. 'Well, shall we let them down?' I smiled.
The punch machine was operated and then I felt weight return to my legs and body. Rhodes landed reasonably sedately, but the others made quite a hash of it.
`Dick, Betelgeuse, why didn't you say it was you coming in?' Rhodes said in exasperation.
`Radio malfunction,' Betelgeuse said, helping the others to their feet.
`How's everything here?' I said.
`Fine, but a little dangerous if you're out and about. It's been raining non-stop with tongues of flame darting through the clouds from time to time.'
`And the radiation level?'
`It's been constantly above danger level, but most of the population is underground somewhere.'
`Let's get back to the main building. The world's top brass will be coming to celebrate,' Sir John Fielding said. We all got into the lift.
`Have there been any messages from my fleet?' Betelgeuse asked.
Not yet,' Rhodes said. 'There is so much interference that messages might not be coming through.'
`My crew will repair this radio equipment and then we might be able to find out what has been happening,' Betelgeuse said, a little disgusted at the thought of no communications with his fleet.
Out in the open the rain came pouring down and the air smelled warm and damp. As we approached the main building, Betelgeuse's crew came rushing up to us. Betelgeuse moved forward to greet them. Great hugging and kissing took place. Alcyone came running over to me and gave me a huge hug and kiss.
`Welcome home, welcome home,' she said with tears in her eyes.
`Rigel,' I heard Betelgeuse say. 'The radio equipment is not working.'
`Right. I'll go and fix it,' Rigel said, motioning one of the crewmen towards the ship.
`When it's ready, let me know and then contact our fleet.'
Rigel smiled, saluted and moved off.
We all made our way out of the rain and into the building. Betelgeuse was being questioned about the evasive action he'd taken over the ground-to-air missiles. His replies were short and curt. I felt as he must. Anxious, wanting news of what had happened out there in space.
`It will not be long now,' Alcyone said, coming over.
Drinks began to appear. It struck me as rather funny. Were they celebrating our safe return, or the destruction we had wrought?
`There's a message from your ship,' said Ganges to Betelgeuse, handing over a micro-earpiece. A message was given. His face didn't alter but I thought I noticed a slight glint in his eye.
`Gentlemen,' said Betelgeuse. 'My second-in-command has signaled to say the enemy has retreated with very heavy losses.'
A cheer of relief went up, even Betelgeuse looked reasonably happy. There was a shaking of hands and the raising of glasses. I made my way over to Betelgeuse.
`I suppose you'll be on your way?' I said.
Hmm. I'm not sure about that,' he said. I realized that his smile was a front.
`What's wrong?'
`This,' he said, giving me the micro-earphone.
For the time being you have won. But I am not defeated so easily,' the message came across in English. I listened to it for several moments. It just repeated itself. Betelgeuse took the micro-earphone out of my hand and smiled at me.
`Smile,' he said. I did and we turned to the rest of the party, who smiled back unknowing and innocent of things to come.
END