Rare Science Fiction by Ivan Howard

Author:Ivan Howard [Howard, Ivan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci-Fi Collection
Publisher: Belmont Books
Published: 1963-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

IV

Srock changed from his Brotherhood brown to the raiment of a civilian, and spent the afternoon in the Heights, a neighborhood bordering the government grounds. He visited the drinking places and talked with barmen and loungers. By evening he had the information he wanted.

Havilland’s smaller sun had followed its companion below the horizon when he drifted into a patch of deep shadow which he had carefully noted earlier. Now he drew tight a leather girdle which he wore about his middle. The action might be rough during the next quarter-hour and he needed the protection the girdle would give his vital organs. He pulled on a pair of metal-knuckled gloves, and was ready for action.

The timing had to be perfect, he reflected, as he stood quietly observing the various guardsmen patrolling the area.

At exactly eighteen-two he slipped across the street and into a clump of shrubbery near the Commerce Minister’s house. A minute later a slow-pacing guardsman approached and Srock’s muscles tightened in preparation. The guardsman walked to the bushes, turned, and started back. Srock leaped, swinging his right arm in the same motion. The guardsman spun on his heel and fell stiffly backward.

Srock removed the insignia and official cap from the fallen man and put them on. He dragged the limp body into the bushes and took the guardsman’s place on patrol. So far so good. With luck he’d pass in the darkness.

Ten minutes later a long official car, spitting blue smoke, drew up to the front of the Commerce Minister’s residence. A girl came out and walked toward the waiting vehicle.

The driver went around the car to open the door on the far side and Srock knew the time had come to make his move. From here in caution must be an abandoned thing.

Sprinting to the car he crouched low against its rear fender.

The driver rounded the back, saw Srock, and halted. “What are you doing…

Srock’s fist stopped the words. He stepped aside to avoid the falling, sprawled body, and sprang into the car, guiding it with one hand as he stepped on the accelerator.

The girl on the seat turned wildly toward him. Srock threw a flashing glance her way and had a glimpse of eyes so wide that white showed clear around the iris. “Who…she began.

With his free hand Srock shoved his short gun against her ribs. Shoved hard enough to hurt. “Shut up,” he said.

The girl subsided immediately, shrinking back into the comer of her seat. Srock drove a few blocks father before he heard a subdued sob. For the first time he had misgivings. Until that moment he had had no doubt but that right was on his side, and he would move heaven and earth to do what he must. But for a moment now that certainty was gone. With surprise he realized that his emotions were swaying his logic. Anger acted as a defense mechanism. “What did you expect?” he growled. “When you run with a pack of yellow dogs you’re bound to find yourself treated like one.

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