"
"But it is still only a machine, Geos."
"To be sure, my lord; only a machine. Anything without the life
principle must remain so."
The Jan Lucar pressed another catch, allowing another plate to
lower and thereby disclose a glazed door, which opened into a cosy
apartment fitted with wicker chairs, and large enough for four
persons. There was some sort of control gear, which the Jan Lucar
explained was not connected directly with the flying and steering
members, but indirectly through the membranes of the web-like
system. It was uncannily similar to the nervous connections of the
cerebellum with the various parts of the anatomy of an insect.
"Does it travel very fast?"
"We think so, my lord. This is the private machine of the Rhamda
Avec. It is rather small, but the swiftest machine in the
Thomahlia."
They entered the compartment, Watson took his seat beside the
Geos, while the soldier sat forward next to the control elements.
He laid his hands on certain levers; next instant, the machine was
gliding noiselessly over the mosaic, on to a short incline and
thence, with ever increasing speed, toward and through the open
side of the room.
The slides had all been thrown back; the compartment was enclosed
only in glass. Watson could get a clear view, and he was amazed at
the speed of the craft. Before he could think they were out in
mid-air and ascending skyward.
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