The Martian Falcon (Lovecraft & Fort) Read Online Free

spacecraftsmen.’
    ‘Okay, so they went gaga. What’s that got to do with me and that bastard Johnny Sanguine?’
    ‘I’m not sure it’s got anything to do with you. But there have been rumours floating around the scientific community ever since the X-M returned and its crew started to experience mental problems…’
    ‘Rumours?’
    ‘Yes. Some people think that the Falcon might be responsible.’
    Capone sat forward suddenly. ‘How so?’
    ‘No one really knows. The expedition brought a lot of stuff back: artefacts of all kinds. Following analysis, it was all transferred to the newly-established Martian Exhibit Hall at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Falcon was the only artefact to be placed in a lead-lined case, and was only viewable through a small window. The curators explained this as an extra security measure, given the Falcon’s apparent uniqueness and pristine condition – don’t forget, it’s more than five million years old. But…’
    ‘But you think there’s another reason,’ said Capone.
    ‘Possibly.’
    ‘You think that if anyone gets too close to the Falcon, they go nuts.’
    ‘Without adequate shielding… maybe. Chemical analysis revealed it to be made of obsidian, and x-ray photography showed that it has no internal structure to speak of. It’s apparently just a statue, and nothing more. If you ask the NCPE, that’s the answer you’ll get. I know: I’ve asked them. As far as they’re concerned, there’s no correlation between what happened to the crew of the X-M and the Martian Falcon. And they also play down the crew’s psychological problems – at least publically; they say they’re just experiencing the disorientating effects of such a long space flight. I guess that makes sense: after all, they travelled further than any human being has ever travelled. But I can’t help thinking there’s more to it than that…’
    ‘You think the NCPE has swept it under the rug.’
    ‘Precisely. For them, it’s a piece of damned data.’
    ‘A what?’
    Fort smiled. ‘By “damned” I mean excluded . It’s something they can’t explain with current scientific methods, so they exclude it from their consideration. It’s a familiar phenomenon in science, Mr Capone.’
    ‘Yeah, well, I don’t give a fuck about science, Charlie. I want out of the frame for this caper, and I want out quick . That’s where you come in.’
    ‘Me?’
    ‘Yeah, you.’
    ‘I don’t understand,’ said Fort, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. ‘What can I do?’
    ‘Let me explain it to you, Charlie,’ said Capone, in the manner of a teacher addressing a particularly dense student. ‘Normally, I’d take care of somethin’ like this by takin’ out the opposition. Normally, I’d just whack Johnny Sanguine…’
    ‘Whack him?’
    ‘Give him the big toothpick, stake him – you know what I’m talkin’ about.’
    Of course I know what you’re talking about, for Christ’s sake! thought Fort. But whacking a vampire? My God…
    ‘You’re not… by any chance… suggesting that I stake him… are you?’
    Capone laughed long and hard at this. ‘Oh, Charlie boy!’ he said, shaking his head. ‘That’s what I like about you: you got a great sense of humour. No, I ain’t suggesting you stake him. You don’t got what it takes to kill Sanguine.’
    ‘Then what do you want from me?’ Fort asked, deciding that it was way too early to feel relieved.
    Capone leaned forward and placed his angular metal elbows on the desk. ‘I want you to find out if that son of a bitch really has the Martian Falcon. And if he does, I want you to find a way of provin’ it. I’m gettin’ out of the frame for this, Charlie, and you’re gonna help me!’

CHAPTER 3
Memories of Cydonia
    There was a letter waiting for Lovecraft in the dingy lobby of his apartment building. The return address on the envelope was that of Weird Tales . Unable to wait, he thrust his newspaper under his arm and tore the envelope open