The Planet Man! The Planet Man! The Planet Man! This is the fascinating story of Danco the Planet Man. Troubleshooter for the League of Planets organization. The law enforcement body for peace and justice in the celestial world. Whose headquarters and center of operations are situated on the capital of all the planets, Planaria Red. From Mercury to Pluto, wherever danger threatens the universe, you will find Danco the Planet Man fighting for fair play. In a moment, The Planet Man. You will remember that Judge Augustus, forced to accept Marsden's orders, had just revealed to Planet Man a slice of faint hope of a way out. The scientists from Planaria Red have developed the astral drive with which a spaceship can travel to other star systems. They have also discovered that the ancient race which developed the dimension warper had moved to some other system. Flats and Danco are discussing this startling information. I hope you know what this is all about Danco, it sure is a mystery to me. I'm afraid I can't shed much light on it Flats, all I know is what you know. Judge Augustus hopes we'll be able to find a civilization that developed the machine Marsden gained control of. Actually how much chance do you think we've got? I mean there's so many stars and each star was so many planets it strictly hit or miss. From what Judge Augustus said Flats, they've narrowed it down somewhat. Let's not kid ourselves, it's still pretty much of a gamble. There's another thing we haven't thought about. Even if we find this race, how do we know they'll help us? You're right Flats, we don't know. We'll deal with that when we get to it. Right now our biggest problem is to find it. What are we keeping Judge Augustus? I'm sure he'll get here as soon as he can Flats. Meanwhile we better get ready. Once we start to move there'll be no time to lose. Boy this is some stiff watchers Flats. You're right, I'm sorry. I'm trying to remember, a friend might be listening. Come on, let's go somewhere where we can talk. Oh hurry up, I've got a million questions. Follow me. In here. Alright. We can talk now. This cabinet shielded from the spy ray too. Oh boy, this is really some ship. It beats anything I've ever seen. You're not exaggerating Flats, it's years ahead of the old Planeteer. Maybe I missed something, but it doesn't seem to be carrying much by way of weapons. You're right Flats, if we had more time we might possibly give it heavier weapons. But if our guess is right and you find the ancient race, any weapons you have would be useless against them. The thousands of years that have passed since they migrated from Mars, they've probably developed beyond our wildest dreams. That's all very well Judge, but suppose we encounter hostile races. There's nothing we can do about it Dantro. What did Marston want Judge? There was nothing really, just couldn't resist the opportunity to throw his weight around. Sounds just like him. But Judge, when do we take off? Sooner the better Dantro. I don't think Marston suspects what we're up to. If he finds out before you leave, he'll destroy the ship and planarier X with it. He must know we're up to something in this shielded room. He probably doesn't care at this point, if I know Marston he so swelled up with his own importance he can't imagine anyone being in a position to fight against him. Nevertheless, there's no sense wasting time. When can you be ready to leave? At once. How about you Flats? Just say the word. I tell you Marston, you're making a mistake. You better get Planet Man and his friend out of the way. They're up to some trouble. You're a regular old woman Quall. You just don't realize that Marston is all powerful now. I had nothing to fear from the blundering attempt of a thousand Planet Men. Remember Marston, it was Planet Man who thwarted your plans before. Be careful Quall, you push me too far. I'll not be reminded of that episode. Don't be angry with me Marston. I mean no harm. I was worrying only about your safety. Well then stop worrying. I will do the thinking. You have merely to obey my orders without question. Now get fast the Regent of Mars and the communicators. It's about time they prepared suitable quarters on Mars for the ruler of the solar system. We all set then, so do you know how to operate this buggy? Well it's not very different from the Planeteer, but we'd better not talk about it now. Now here we are. You're sitting there next to the duplicate controls while I check the tower. Okay. Hey by the way, what's the name of this job? It's called the Alpha. Hello, this is the Planet Man calling control tower and we take off. Whenever you're ready Planet Man. We're ready now. Here we go, Slet. There they go. The fate of the solar system depends upon their success. If only I could read the future and know what the outcome of their mission would be. It might make it easier to live under the yoke of Mars's insane rules. Oh well, I'd better get back and report to His Majesty before he starts making trouble. Good luck, Dantro. Dantro and Splatzer are off to try and find the ancient lathe. Will they find it? We'll be back in a moment, so level off. When we left Dantro and Splatzer, they had just left for an area wrecked from the new ship Alpha, powered by the fantastic Astral Drive. They hope to find an ancient lathe with whose help they might port Mars's evil plan. We find Dantro and Splatzer as they speed on their way. Hey, what's the score, Dantro? So far this doesn't seem any different to me than from any other space ship. What's what you're saying? Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot. When do we do, you know what? Now, Sletzer, the controls have said all we have to do is pull this lever. Shall I strap myself down? No, just sit tight. Here goes. Wow, that was the strangest thing I've ever been through. Felt like I'd been turned inside out and then right side in again. That's just about what it amounted to, Sletz. We've penetrated another dimension. Nowhere. Hey, now look, quit ribbing me. I may be stupid, but I ain't that dumb. I'm not kidding you, Sletz. Actually, we're between dimensions. This drive operates through folds in space. We're actually between one place and another. Yeah, well, you better not explain it to me. I'm busy enough as I am. Can you tell me now where we're headed? We're headed for Alpha Centuri. Look, how long do we stay in this, what did you call it, this space warp thing? The Astral Drive is set automatically, Sletz. It'll cut out by itself when we attain a proximity to Alpha Centuri. Well, there's no sense sitting around worrying about it. I'm going back in six or seven to eat. Well, now that you mention it, I'm pretty hungry. Wow! Wow, where are you? Right here, Marston. I've just been checking with Sartre to see that your headquarters here on Mars have been prepared. They've refurnished your old palace, and it's completely staffed with servants ready to serve you whenever you desire to move in. Forget it. I have changed my mind. But, but you're not going to stay here, Marston? These cabins are hardly appropriate for the master of the solar system. No, but I've got a better idea. Get Judge Augustus on the communicator. Very well, Marston. Hello? This is Marston calling Judge Augustus on Planaria Rec. What do you want? That's no way to talk to Marston. Can I teach him a little respect, Marston? I worry about that, Qual. Move aside. Judge Augustus, I've decided to make my headquarters on Planaria Rec. See that the entire legal plan of the headquarters building is prepared for my arrival. Clear everyone out of it at once. Yes, Marston. Cut the machine off, Qual. Do you think it's wise to leave the cabin? Dare you question my judgment, Qual? But what about these machines? Without them you will be powerless. The machines will go with us, Qual. I've already arranged with Sartre to supply the necessary equipment and manpower to load them aboard a ship. We and our machines will be transported to Planaria Rec. It's time I receive the homage that is due me. Besides, I want to see Judge Augustus crawl. It's not quite as enjoyable when I see only his image on a screen. Sartre's men will be here immediately. You had better start preparing. Yes, Marston. Hey, this is really a weird deal, Dantro. Have you looked out the port? Yes, Flat. Nothing out there but black. No stars, nothing. Better sit down, Flat. The drive may cut out any moment. You might hurt yourself. Oh, don't worry. I'll be right there. Oh! Who's this? Dantro, what's happening? Hey, Flat. Flat, you all right? Hey, hey, what happened to you? Who hit me? Nobody hit you, Flat. It's just that the drive cut out. You got dizzy and fell. Let me out now. Where are we at? See for yourself. Huh? Oh, I don't see us very startling. Just a lot of stars. Well, it isn't startling unless you know your astronomy. Well, astronomy and me were never even known speaking terms. What do you mean? The ground. You see any familiar constellations? Stop being so mysterious. I wouldn't know one from the other. We are where we were headed for, Flat. That star is Alpha Centauri. Our own system is millions of light years behind us. What do we do now? Now our search only begins. We've got our job laid out for us, Flat. Out there are a thousand suns and ten thousand worlds. On one of them, we have to find the race that left the solar system long ago. What are we waiting for? That's a good question, Flat. Where shall we begin? How about heading for Alpha Centauri itself? It's as good a beginning as any. Here we go. The hunt for the ancients is now on. Can Danto and Flat succeed? What will Marsden do when he arrives at Planaria X? We'll be back in a moment, but first here is a message the Planet Man wants you to hear. Tune in again for more transcribed tales and adventures. Rocket millions of light years into space with Dantro, the Planet Man. Baa, plana, man.