READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
Tarzan shrugged, but he was not trying to be nonchalant.
"I must go to Mars," he said.
The very simplicity of the statement was overpowering
and somehow frightening to Jason Gridley. His lips parted,
gaping.
"You mean—actually, you contemplate—"
Tarzan's lips curved in a faint smile. "I have not the
slightest intention of delving into mental science or necromancy,
nor do I harbor any hope of achieving astral projection,
as did John Carter originally. If I am to reach Mars at all
it will have to be by purely physical means— in the flesh and
blood."
Gridley shook his head negatively. "Some day, my friend,
perhaps such a thing may be accomplished, but—"
"Just a moment, " said Tarzan. "Carter has quoted you to
me. You wrote him only last year that—'the physical requirements
for achieving interplanetary flight have already been
reduced to known mathematical quantities...”
"True," said Gridley, "but—"
Tarzan interrupted him, again in that low, dominating
tone. "I want that equation translated into a ship!"
Gridley got to his feet, on the defensive. "Now look here,
Tarzan, you've got to be realistic! The equation you're talking
about also emphasizes many obstacles in actuality which have
not been overcome!"
"Such as?"
The scientist waved his hands in an all inclusive gesture.
"Why, a host of insurmountable engineering—"
Tarzan's face was a white mask. His eyes bored relentlessly
into Gridley's. "What are the obstacles? Name them.
Let's take them apart, one by one."
"Why—such a project would require lighter metals, much
stronger than are available today. Whole subsidiary research
companies would be necessary—"
Tarzan smiled grimly. "You are more orthodox than I had
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