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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2b7513c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #61097 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/61097) diff --git a/old/61097-h.zip b/old/61097-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d129829..0000000 --- a/old/61097-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/61097-h/61097-h.htm b/old/61097-h/61097-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index e03f7d0..0000000 --- a/old/61097-h/61097-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2119 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Frozen Planet, by Keith Laumer. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.caption {font-weight: bold;} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -div.titlepage { - text-align: center; - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; -} - -div.titlepage p { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; - font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; - margin-top: 3em; -} - -.ph1 { text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; } -.ph1 { font-size: medium; margin: .83em auto; } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Frozen Planet, by Keith Laumer - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: The Frozen Planet - -Author: Keith Laumer - -Release Date: January 4, 2020 [EBook #61097] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FROZEN PLANET *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="359" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>THE FROZEN PLANET</h1> - -<h2>By Keith Laumer</h2> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Worlds of If Science Fiction, September 1961.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"It is rather unusual," Magnan said, "to assign an officer of your rank -to courier duty, but this is an unusual mission."</p> - -<p>Retief sat relaxed and said nothing. Just before the silence grew -awkward, Magnan went on.</p> - -<p>"There are four planets in the group," he said. "Two double planets, -all rather close to an unimportant star listed as DRI-G 33987. They're -called Jorgensen's Worlds, and in themselves are of no importance -whatever. However, they lie deep in the sector into which the Soetti -have been penetrating.</p> - -<p>"Now—" Magnan leaned forward and lowered his voice—"we have learned -that the Soetti plan a bold step forward. Since they've met no -opposition so far in their infiltration of Terrestrial space, they -intend to seize Jorgensen's Worlds by force."</p> - -<p>Magnan leaned back, waiting for Retief's reaction. Retief drew -carefully on his cigar and looked at Magnan. Magnan frowned.</p> - -<p>"This is open aggression, Retief," he said, "in case I haven't made -myself clear. Aggression on Terrestrial-occupied territory by an alien -species. Obviously, we can't allow it."</p> - -<p>Magnan drew a large folder from his desk.</p> - -<p>"A show of resistance at this point is necessary. Unfortunately, -Jorgensen's Worlds are technologically undeveloped areas. They're -farmers or traders. Their industry is limited to a minor role in -their economy—enough to support the merchant fleet, no more. The war -potential, by conventional standards, is nil."</p> - -<p>Magnan tapped the folder before him.</p> - -<p>"I have here," he said solemnly, "information which will change that -picture completely." He leaned back and blinked at Retief.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"All right, Mr. Councillor," Retief said. "I'll play along; what's in -the folder?"</p> - -<p>Magnan spread his fingers, folded one down.</p> - -<p>"First," he said. "The Soetti War Plan—in detail. We were fortunate -enough to make contact with a defector from a party of renegade -Terrestrials who've been advising the Soetti." He folded another -finger. "Next, a battle plan for the Jorgensen's people, worked out by -the Theory group." He wrestled a third finger down. "Lastly; an Utter -Top Secret schematic for conversion of a standard anti-acceleration -field into a potent weapon—a development our systems people have been -holding in reserve for just such a situation."</p> - -<p>"Is that all?" Retief said. "You've still got two fingers sticking up."</p> - -<p>Magnan looked at the fingers and put them away.</p> - -<p>"This is no occasion for flippancy, Retief. In the wrong hands, this -information could be catastrophic. You'll memorize it before you leave -this building."</p> - -<p>"I'll carry it, sealed," Retief said. "That way nobody can sweat it out -of me."</p> - -<p>Magnan started to shake his head.</p> - -<p>"Well," he said. "If it's trapped for destruction, I suppose—"</p> - -<p>"I've heard of these Jorgensen's Worlds," Retief said. "I remember an -agent, a big blond fellow, very quick on the uptake. A wizard with -cards and dice. Never played for money, though."</p> - -<p>"Umm," Magnan said. "Don't make the error of personalizing this -situation, Retief. Overall policy calls for a defense of these -backwater worlds. Otherwise the Corps would allow history to follow its -natural course, as always."</p> - -<p>"When does this attack happen?"</p> - -<p>"Less than four weeks."</p> - -<p>"That doesn't leave me much time."</p> - -<p>"I have your itinerary here. Your accommodations are clear as far as -Aldo Cerise. You'll have to rely on your ingenuity to get you the rest -of the way."</p> - -<p>"That's a pretty rough trip, Mr. Councillor. Suppose I don't make it?"</p> - -<p>Magnan looked sour. "Someone at a policy-making level has chosen to put -all our eggs in one basket, Retief. I hope their confidence in you is -not misplaced."</p> - -<p>"This antiac conversion; how long does it take?"</p> - -<p>"A skilled electronics crew can do the job in a matter of minutes. The -Jorgensens can handle it very nicely; every other man is a mechanic of -some sort."</p> - -<p>Retief opened the envelope Magnan handed him and looked at the tickets -inside.</p> - -<p>"Less than four hours to departure time," he said. "I'd better not -start any long books."</p> - -<p>"You'd better waste no time getting over to Indoctrination," Magnan -said.</p> - -<p>Retief stood up. "If I hurry, maybe I can catch the cartoon."</p> - -<p>"The allusion escapes me," Magnan said coldly. "And one last word. The -Soetti are patrolling the trade lanes into Jorgensen's Worlds; don't -get yourself interned."</p> - -<p>"I'll tell you what," Retief said soberly. "In a pinch, I'll mention -your name."</p> - -<p>"You'll be traveling with Class X credentials," Magnan snapped. "There -must be nothing to connect you with the Corps."</p> - -<p>"They'll never guess," Retief said. "I'll pose as a gentleman."</p> - -<p>"You'd better be getting started," Magnan said, shuffling papers.</p> - -<p>"You're right," Retief said. "If I work at it, I might manage a -snootful by takeoff." He went to the door. "No objection to my checking -out a needler, is there?"</p> - -<p>Magnan looked up. "I suppose not. What do you want with it?"</p> - -<p>"Just a feeling I've got."</p> - -<p>"Please yourself."</p> - -<p>"Some day," Retief said, "I may take you up on that."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">II</p> - -<p>Retief put down the heavy travel-battered suitcase and leaned on the -counter, studying the schedules chalked on the board under the legend -"ALDO CERISE—INTERPLANETARY." A thin clerk in a faded sequined blouse -and a plastic snakeskin cummerbund groomed his fingernails, watching -Retief from the corner of his eye.</p> - -<p>Retief glanced at him.</p> - -<p>The clerk nipped off a ragged corner with rabbitlike front teeth and -spat it on the floor.</p> - -<p>"Was there something?" he said.</p> - -<p>"Two twenty-eight, due out today for the Jorgensen group," Retief said. -"Is it on schedule?"</p> - -<p>The clerk sampled the inside of his right cheek, eyed Retief. "Filled -up. Try again in a couple of weeks."</p> - -<p>"What time does it leave?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think—"</p> - -<p>"Let's stick to facts," Retief said. "Don't try to think. What time is -it due out?"</p> - -<p>The clerk smiled pityingly. "It's my lunch hour," he said. "I'll be -open in an hour." He held up a thumb nail, frowned at it.</p> - -<p>"If I have to come around this counter," Retief said, "I'll feed that -thumb to you the hard way."</p> - -<p>The clerk looked up and opened his mouth. Then he caught Retief's eye, -closed his mouth and swallowed.</p> - -<p>"Like it says there," he said, jerking a thumb at the board. "Lifts in -an hour. But you won't be on it," he added.</p> - -<p>Retief looked at him.</p> - -<p>"Some ... ah ... VIP's required accommodation," he said. He hooked -a finger inside the sequined collar. "All tourist reservations were -canceled. You'll have to try to get space on the Four-Planet Line ship -next—"</p> - -<p>"Which gate?" Retief said.</p> - -<p>"For ... ah...?"</p> - -<p>"For the two twenty-eight for Jorgensen's Worlds," Retief said.</p> - -<p>"Well," the clerk said. "Gate 19," he added quickly. "But—"</p> - -<p>Retief picked up his suitcase and walked away toward the glare sign -reading <i>To Gates 16-30</i>.</p> - -<p>"Another smart alec," the clerk said behind him.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Retief followed the signs, threaded his way through crowds, found a -covered ramp with the number 228 posted over it. A heavy-shouldered man -with a scarred jawline and small eyes was slouching there in a rumpled -gray uniform. He put out a hand as Retief started past him.</p> - -<p>"Lessee your boarding pass," he muttered.</p> - -<p>Retief pulled a paper from an inside pocket, handed it over.</p> - -<p>The guard blinked at it.</p> - -<p>"Whassat?"</p> - -<p>"A gram confirming my space," Retief said. "Your boy on the counter -says he's out to lunch."</p> - -<p>The guard crumpled the gram, dropped it on the floor and lounged back -against the handrail.</p> - -<p>"On your way, bub," he said.</p> - -<p>Retief put his suitcase carefully on the floor, took a step and drove a -right into the guard's midriff. He stepped aside as the man doubled and -went to his knees.</p> - -<p>"You were wide open, ugly. I couldn't resist. Tell your boss I sneaked -past while you were resting your eyes." He picked up his bag, stepped -over the man and went up the gangway into the ship.</p> - -<p>A cabin boy in stained whites came along the corridor.</p> - -<p>"Which way to cabin fifty-seven, son?" Retief asked.</p> - -<p>"Up there." The boy jerked his head and hurried on. Retief made his way -along the narrow hall, found signs, followed them to cabin fifty-seven. -The door was open. Inside, baggage was piled in the center of the -floor. It was expensive looking baggage.</p> - -<p>Retief put his bag down. He turned at a sound behind him. A tall, -florid man with an expensive coat belted over a massive paunch stood in -the open door, looking at Retief. Retief looked back. The florid man -clamped his jaws together, turned to speak over his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Somebody in the cabin. Get 'em out." He rolled a cold eye at Retief as -he backed out of the room. A short, thick-necked man appeared.</p> - -<p>"What are you doing in Mr. Tony's room?" he barked. "Never mind! Clear -out of here, fellow! You're keeping Mr. Tony waiting."</p> - -<p>"Too bad," Retief said. "Finders keepers."</p> - -<p>"You nuts?" The thick-necked man stared at Retief. "I said it's Mr. -Tony's room."</p> - -<p>"I don't know Mr. Tony. He'll have to bull his way into other quarters."</p> - -<p>"We'll see about you, mister." The man turned and went out. Retief -sat on the bunk and lit a cigar. There was a sound of voices in -the corridor. Two burly baggage-smashers appeared, straining at an -oversized trunk. They maneuvered it through the door, lowered it, -glanced at Retief and went out. The thick-necked man returned.</p> - -<p>"All right, you. Out," he growled. "Or have I got to have you thrown -out?"</p> - -<p>Retief rose and clamped the cigar between his teeth. He gripped a -handle of the brass-bound trunk in each hand, bent his knees and heaved -the trunk up to chest level, then raised it overhead. He turned to the -door.</p> - -<p>"Catch," he said between clenched teeth. The trunk slammed against the -far wall of the corridor and burst.</p> - -<p>Retief turned to the baggage on the floor, tossed it into the hall. The -face of the thick-necked man appeared cautiously around the door jamb.</p> - -<p>"Mister, you must be—"</p> - -<p>"If you'll excuse me," Retief said, "I want to catch a nap." He flipped -the door shut, pulled off his shoes and stretched out on the bed.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Five minutes passed before the door rattled and burst open.</p> - -<p>Retief looked up. A gaunt leathery-skinned man wearing white ducks, a -blue turtleneck sweater and a peaked cap tilted raffishly over one eye -stared at Retief.</p> - -<p>"Is this the joker?" he grated.</p> - -<p>The thick-necked man edged past him, looked at Retief and snorted, -"That's him, sure."</p> - -<p>"I'm captain of this vessel," the first man said. "You've got two -minutes to haul your freight out of here, buster."</p> - -<p>"When you can spare the time from your other duties," Retief said, -"take a look at Section Three, Paragraph One, of the Uniform Code. -That spells out the law on confirmed space on vessels engaged in -interplanetary commerce."</p> - -<p>"A space lawyer." The captain turned. "Throw him out, boys."</p> - -<p>Two big men edged into the cabin, looking at Retief.</p> - -<p>"Go on, pitch him out," the captain snapped.</p> - -<p>Retief put his cigar in an ashtray, and swung his feet off the bunk.</p> - -<p>"Don't try it," he said softly.</p> - -<p>One of the two wiped his nose on a sleeve, spat on his right palm, and -stepped forward, then hesitated.</p> - -<p>"Hey," he said. "This the guy tossed the trunk off the wall?"</p> - -<p>"That's him," the thick-necked man called. "Spilled Mr. Tony's -possessions right on the deck."</p> - -<p>"Deal me out," the bouncer said. "He can stay put as long as he wants -to. I signed on to move cargo. Let's go, Moe."</p> - -<p>"You'd better be getting back to the bridge, Captain," Retief said. -"We're due to lift in twenty minutes."</p> - -<p>The thick-necked man and the Captain both shouted at once. The -Captain's voice prevailed.</p> - -<p>"—twenty minutes ... uniform Code ... gonna do?"</p> - -<p>"Close the door as you leave," Retief said.</p> - -<p>The thick-necked man paused at the door. "We'll see you when you come -out."</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">III</p> - -<p>Four waiters passed Retief's table without stopping. A fifth leaned -against the wall nearby, a menu under his arm.</p> - -<p>At a table across the room, the Captain, now wearing a dress uniform -and with his thin red hair neatly parted, sat with a table of male -passengers. He talked loudly and laughed frequently, casting occasional -glances Retief's way.</p> - -<p>A panel opened in the wall behind Retief's chair. Bright blue eyes -peered out from under a white chef's cap.</p> - -<p>"Givin' you the cold shoulder, heh, Mister?"</p> - -<p>"Looks like it, old-timer," Retief said. "Maybe I'd better go join the -skipper. His party seems to be having all the fun."</p> - -<p>"Feller has to be mighty careless who he eats with to set over there."</p> - -<p>"I see your point."</p> - -<p>"You set right where you're at, Mister. I'll rustle you up a plate."</p> - -<p>Five minutes later, Retief cut into a thirty-two ounce Delmonico backed -up with mushrooms and garlic butter.</p> - -<p>"I'm Chip," the chef said. "I don't like the Cap'n. You can tell him I -said so. Don't like his friends, either. Don't like them dern Sweaties, -look at a man like he was a worm."</p> - -<p>"You've got the right idea on frying a steak, Chip. And you've got the -right idea on the Soetti, too," Retief said. He poured red wine into a -glass. "Here's to you."</p> - -<p>"Dern right," Chip said. "Dunno who ever thought up broiling 'em. -Steaks, that is. I got a Baked Alaska coming up in here for dessert. -You like brandy in yer coffee?"</p> - -<p>"Chip, you're a genius."</p> - -<p>"Like to see a feller eat," Chip said. "I gotta go now. If you need -anything, holler."</p> - -<p>Retief ate slowly. Time always dragged on shipboard. Four days to -Jorgensen's Worlds. Then, if Magnan's information was correct, -there would be four days to prepare for the Soetti attack. It was a -temptation to scan the tapes built into the handle of his suitcase. It -would be good to know what Jorgensen's Worlds would be up against.</p> - -<p>Retief finished the steak, and the chef passed out the baked Alaska and -coffee. Most of the other passengers had left the dining room. Mr. Tony -and his retainers still sat at the Captain's table.</p> - -<p>As Retief watched, four men arose from the table and sauntered across -the room. The first in line, a stony-faced thug with a broken ear, took -a cigar from his mouth as he reached the table. He dipped the lighted -end in Retief's coffee, looked at it, and dropped it on the tablecloth.</p> - -<p>The others came up, Mr. Tony trailing.</p> - -<p>"You must want to get to Jorgensen's pretty bad," the thug said in a -grating voice. "What's your game, hick?"</p> - -<p>Retief looked at the coffee cup, picked it up.</p> - -<p>"I don't think I want my coffee," he said. He looked at the thug. "You -drink it."</p> - -<p>The thug squinted at Retief. "A wise hick," he began.</p> - -<p>With a flick of the wrist, Retief tossed the coffee into the thug's -face, then stood and slammed a straight right to the chin. The thug -went down.</p> - -<p>Retief looked at Mr. Tony, still standing open-mouthed.</p> - -<p>"You can take your playmates away now, Tony," he said. "And don't -bother to come around yourself. You're not funny enough."</p> - -<p>Mr. Tony found his voice.</p> - -<p>"Take him, Marbles!" he growled.</p> - -<p>The thick-necked man slipped a hand inside his tunic and brought out a -long-bladed knife. He licked his lips and moved in.</p> - -<p>Retief heard the panel open beside him.</p> - -<p>"Here you go, Mister," Chip said. Retief darted a glance; a well-honed -french knife lay on the sill.</p> - -<p>"Thanks, Chip," Retief said. "I won't need it for these punks."</p> - -<p>Thick-neck lunged and Retief hit him square in the face, knocking him -under the table. The other man stepped back, fumbling a power pistol -from his shoulder holster.</p> - -<p>"Aim that at me, and I'll kill you," Retief said.</p> - -<p>"Go on, burn him!" Mr. Tony shouted. Behind him, the captain appeared, -white-faced.</p> - -<p>"Put that away, you!" he yelled. "What kind of—"</p> - -<p>"Shut up," Mr. Tony said. "Put it away, Hoany. We'll fix this bum -later."</p> - -<p>"Not on this vessel, you won't," the captain said shakily. "I got my -charter to consider."</p> - -<p>"Ram your charter," Hoany said harshly. "You won't be needing it long."</p> - -<p>"Button your floppy mouth, damn you!" Mr. Tony snapped. He looked at -the man on the floor. "Get Marbles out of here. I ought to dump the -slob."</p> - -<p>He turned and walked away. The captain signaled and two waiters came -up. Retief watched as they carted the casualty from the dining room.</p> - -<p>The panel opened.</p> - -<p>"I usta be about your size, when I was your age," Chip said. "You -handled them pansies right. I wouldn't give 'em the time o' day."</p> - -<p>"How about a fresh cup of coffee, Chip?" Retief said.</p> - -<p>"Sure, Mister. Anything else?"</p> - -<p>"I'll think of something," Retief said. "This is shaping up into one of -those long days."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"They don't like me bringing yer meals to you in yer cabin," Chip said. -"But the cap'n knows I'm the best cook in the Merchant Service. They -won't mess with me."</p> - -<p>"What has Mr. Tony got on the captain, Chip?" Retief asked.</p> - -<p>"They're in some kind o' crooked business together. You want some more -smoked turkey?"</p> - -<p>"Sure. What have they got against my going to Jorgensen's Worlds?"</p> - -<p>"Dunno. Hasn't been no tourists got in there fer six or eight months. I -sure like a feller that can put it away. I was a big eater when I was -yer age."</p> - -<p>"I'll bet you can still handle it, Old Timer. What are Jorgensen's -Worlds like?"</p> - -<p>"One of 'em's cold as hell and three of 'em's colder. Most o' the -Jorgies live on Svea; that's the least froze up. Man don't enjoy eatin' -his own cookin' like he does somebody else's."</p> - -<p>"That's where I'm lucky, Chip. What kind of cargo's the captain got -aboard for Jorgensen's?"</p> - -<p>"Derned if I know. In and out o' there like a grasshopper, ever few -weeks. Don't never pick up no cargo. No tourists any more, like I says. -Don't know what we even run in there for."</p> - -<p>"Where are the passengers we have aboard headed?"</p> - -<p>"To Alabaster. That's nine days' run in-sector from Jorgensen's. You -ain't got another one of them cigars, have you?"</p> - -<p>"Have one, Chip. I guess I was lucky to get space on this ship."</p> - -<p>"Plenty o' space, Mister. We got a dozen empty cabins." Chip puffed -the cigar alight, then cleared away the dishes, poured out coffee and -brandy.</p> - -<p>"Them Sweaties is what I don't like," he said.</p> - -<p>Retief looked at him questioningly.</p> - -<p>"You never seen a Sweaty? Ugly lookin' devils. Skinny legs, like a -lobster; big chest, shaped like the top of a turnip; rubbery lookin' -head. You can see the pulse beatin' when they get riled."</p> - -<p>"I've never had the pleasure," Retief said.</p> - -<p>"You prob'ly have it perty soon. Them devils board us nigh ever trip -out. Act like they was the Customs Patrol or somethin'."</p> - -<p>There was a distant clang, and a faint tremor ran through the floor.</p> - -<p>"I ain't superstitious ner nothin'," Chip said. "But I'll be -triple-damned if that ain't them boarding us now."</p> - -<p>Ten minutes passed before bootsteps sounded outside the door, -accompanied by a clicking patter. The doorknob rattled, then a heavy -knock shook the door.</p> - -<p>"They got to look you over," Chip whispered. "Nosy damn Sweaties."</p> - -<p>"Unlock it, Chip." The chef opened the door.</p> - -<p>"Come in, damn you," he said.</p> - -<p>A tall and grotesque creature minced into the room, tiny hoof-like -feet tapping on the floor. A flaring metal helmet shaded the deep-set -compound eyes, and a loose mantle flapped around the knobbed knees. -Behind the alien, the captain hovered nervously.</p> - -<p>"Yo' papiss," the alien rasped.</p> - -<p>"Who's your friend, Captain?" Retief said.</p> - -<p>"Never mind; just do like he tells you."</p> - -<p>"Yo' papiss," the alien said again.</p> - -<p>"Okay," Retief said. "I've seen it. You can take it away now."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus.jpg" width="328" height="500" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Don't horse around," the captain said. "This fellow can get mean."</p> - -<p>The alien brought two tiny arms out from the concealment of the mantle, -clicked toothed pincers under Retief's nose.</p> - -<p>"Quick, soft one."</p> - -<p>"Captain, tell your friend to keep its distance. It looks brittle, and -I'm tempted to test it."</p> - -<p>"Don't start anything with Skaw; he can clip through steel with those -snappers."</p> - -<p>"Last chance," Retief said. Skaw stood poised, open pincers an inch -from Retief's eyes.</p> - -<p>"Show him your papers, you damned fool," the captain said hoarsely. "I -got no control over Skaw."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The alien clicked both pincers with a sharp report, and in the same -instant Retief half-turned to the left, leaned away from the alien -and drove his right foot against the slender leg above the bulbous -knee-joint. Skaw screeched and floundered, greenish fluid spattering -from the burst joint.</p> - -<p>"I told you he was brittle," Retief said. "Next time you invite pirates -aboard, don't bother to call."</p> - -<p>"Jesus, what did you do! They'll kill us!" the captain gasped, staring -at the figure flopping on the floor.</p> - -<p>"Cart poor old Skaw back to his boat," Retief said. "Tell him to pass -the word. No more illegal entry and search of Terrestrial vessels in -Terrestrial space."</p> - -<p>"Hey," Chip said. "He's quit kicking."</p> - -<p>The captain bent over Skaw, gingerly rolled him over. He leaned close -and sniffed.</p> - -<p>"He's dead." The captain stared at Retief. "We're all dead men," he -said. "These Soetti got no mercy."</p> - -<p>"They won't need it. Tell 'em to sheer off; their fun is over."</p> - -<p>"They got no more emotions than a blue crab—"</p> - -<p>"You bluff easily, Captain. Show a few guns as you hand the body back. -We know their secret now."</p> - -<p>"What secret? I—"</p> - -<p>"Don't be no dumber than you got to, Cap'n," Chip said. "Sweaties die -easy; that's the secret."</p> - -<p>"Maybe you got a point," the captain said, looking at Retief. "All they -got's a three-man scout. It could work."</p> - -<p>He went out, came back with two crewmen. They hauled the dead alien -gingerly into the hall.</p> - -<p>"Maybe I can run a bluff on the Soetti," the captain said, looking back -from the door. "But I'll be back to see you later."</p> - -<p>"You don't scare us, Cap'n," Chip said. "Him and Mr. Tony and all his -goons. You hit 'em where they live, that time. They're pals o' these -Sweaties. Runnin' some kind o' crooked racket."</p> - -<p>"You'd better take the captain's advice, Chip. There's no point in your -getting involved in my problems."</p> - -<p>"They'd of killed you before now, Mister, if they had any guts. That's -where we got it over these monkeys. They got no guts."</p> - -<p>"They act scared, Chip. Scared men are killers."</p> - -<p>"They don't scare me none." Chip picked up the tray. "I'll scout around -a little and see what's goin' on. If the Sweaties figure to do anything -about that Skaw feller they'll have to move fast; they won't try -nothin' close to port."</p> - -<p>"Don't worry, Chip. I have reason to be pretty sure they won't do -anything to attract a lot of attention in this sector just now."</p> - -<p>Chip looked at Retief. "You ain't no tourist, Mister. I know that much. -You didn't come out here for fun, did you?"</p> - -<p>"That," Retief said, "would be a hard one to answer."</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">IV</p> - -<p>Retief awoke at a tap on his door.</p> - -<p>"It's me, Mister. Chip."</p> - -<p>"Come on in."</p> - -<p>The chef entered the room, locking the door.</p> - -<p>"You shoulda had that door locked." He stood by the door, listening, -then turned to Retief.</p> - -<p>"You want to get to Jorgensen's perty bad, don't you, Mister?"</p> - -<p>"That's right, Chip."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Tony give the captain a real hard time about old Skaw. The -Sweaties didn't say nothin'. Didn't even act surprised, just took the -remains and pushed off. But Mr. Tony and that other crook they call -Marbles, they was fit to be tied. Took the cap'n in his cabin and -talked loud at him fer half a hour. Then the cap'n come out and give -some orders to the Mate."</p> - -<p>Retief sat up and reached for a cigar.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Tony and Skaw were pals, eh?"</p> - -<p>"He hated Skaw's guts. But with him it was business. Mister, you got a -gun?"</p> - -<p>"A 2mm needler. Why?"</p> - -<p>"The orders cap'n give was to change course fer Alabaster. We're -by-passin' Jorgensen's Worlds. We'll feel the course change any minute."</p> - -<p>Retief lit the cigar, reached under the mattress and took out a -short-barreled pistol. He dropped it in his pocket, looked at Chip.</p> - -<p>"Maybe it was a good thought, at that. Which way to the Captain's -cabin?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"This is it," Chip said softly. "You want me to keep an eye on who -comes down the passage?"</p> - -<p>Retief nodded, opened the door and stepped into the cabin. The captain -looked up from his desk, then jumped up.</p> - -<p>"What do you think you're doing, busting in here?"</p> - -<p>"I hear you're planning a course change, Captain."</p> - -<p>"You've got damn big ears."</p> - -<p>"I think we'd better call in at Jorgensen's."</p> - -<p>"You do, huh?" the captain sat down. "I'm in command of this vessel," -he said. "I'm changing course for Alabaster."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't find it convenient to go to Alabaster," Retief said. "So -just hold your course for Jorgensen's."</p> - -<p>"Not bloody likely."</p> - -<p>"Your use of the word 'bloody' is interesting, Captain. Don't try to -change course."</p> - -<p>The captain reached for the mike on his desk, pressed the key.</p> - -<p>"Power Section, this is the captain," he said. Retief reached across -the desk, gripped the captain's wrist.</p> - -<p>"Tell the mate to hold his present course," he said softly.</p> - -<p>"Let go my hand, buster," the captain snarled. Eyes on Retief's, he -eased a drawer open with his left hand, reached in. Retief kneed the -drawer. The captain yelped and dropped the mike.</p> - -<p>"You busted it, you—"</p> - -<p>"And one to go," Retief said. "Tell him."</p> - -<p>"I'm an officer of the Merchant Service!"</p> - -<p>"You're a cheapjack who's sold his bridge to a pack of back-alley -hoods."</p> - -<p>"You can't put it over, hick."</p> - -<p>"Tell him."</p> - -<p>The captain groaned and picked up the mike. "Captain to Power Section," -he said. "Hold your present course until you hear from me." He dropped -the mike and looked up at Retief.</p> - -<p>"It's eighteen hours yet before we pick up Jorgensen Control. You going -to sit here and bend my arm the whole time?"</p> - -<p>Retief released the captain's wrist and turned to the door.</p> - -<p>"Chip, I'm locking the door. You circulate around, let me know what's -going on. Bring me a pot of coffee every so often. I'm sitting up with -a sick friend."</p> - -<p>"Right, Mister. Keep an eye on that jasper; he's slippery."</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do?" the captain demanded.</p> - -<p>Retief settled himself in a chair.</p> - -<p>"Instead of strangling you, as you deserve," he said, "I'm going to -stay here and help you hold your course for Jorgensen's Worlds."</p> - -<p>The captain looked at Retief. He laughed, a short bark.</p> - -<p>"Then I'll just stretch out and have a little nap, farmer. If you feel -like dozing off sometime during the next eighteen hours, don't mind me."</p> - -<p>Retief took out the needler and put it on the desk before him.</p> - -<p>"If anything happens that I don't like," he said, "I'll wake you up. -With this."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Why don't you let me spell you, Mister?" Chip said. "Four hours to go -yet. You're gonna hafta be on yer toes to handle the landing."</p> - -<p>"I'll be all right, Chip. You get some sleep."</p> - -<p>"Nope. Many's the time I stood four, five watches runnin', back when I -was yer age. I'll make another round."</p> - -<p>Retief stood up, stretched his legs, paced the floor, stared at the -repeater instruments on the wall. Things had gone quietly so far, but -the landing would be another matter. The captain's absence from the -bridge during the highly complex maneuvering would be difficult to -explain....</p> - -<p>The desk speaker crackled.</p> - -<p>"Captain, Officer of the Watch here. Ain't it about time you was -getting up here with the orbit figures?"</p> - -<p>Retief nudged the captain. He awoke with a start, sat up.</p> - -<p>"Whazzat?" He looked wild-eyed at Retief.</p> - -<p>"Watch officer wants orbit figures," Retief said, nodding toward the -speaker.</p> - -<p>The captain rubbed his eyes, shook his head, picked up the mike. Retief -released the safety on the needler with an audible click.</p> - -<p>"Watch Officer, I'll ... ah ... get some figures for you right away. -I'm ... ah ... busy right now."</p> - -<p>"What the hell you talking about, busy?" the speaker blared. "You -ain't got them figures ready, you'll have a hell of a hot time getting -'em up in the next three minutes. You forgot your approach pattern or -something?"</p> - -<p>"I guess I overlooked it," the Captain said, looking sideways at -Retief. "I've been busy."</p> - -<p>"One for your side," Retief said. He reached for the captain.</p> - -<p>"I'll make a deal," the captain squalled. "Your life for—"</p> - -<p>Retief took aim and slammed a hard right to the captain's jaw. He -slumped to the floor.</p> - -<p>Retief glanced around the room, yanked wires loose from a motile lamp, -trussed the man's hands and feet, stuffed his mouth with paper and -taped it.</p> - -<p>Chip tapped at the door. Retief opened it and the chef stepped inside, -looking at the man on the floor.</p> - -<p>"The jasper tried somethin', huh? Figured he would. What we goin' to do -now?"</p> - -<p>"The captain forgot to set up an approach, Chip. He outfoxed me."</p> - -<p>"If we overrun our approach pattern," Chip said, "we can't make orbit -at Jorgensen's on automatic. And a manual approach—"</p> - -<p>"That's out. But there's another possibility."</p> - -<p>Chip blinked. "Only one thing you could mean, Mister. But cuttin' out -in a lifeboat in deep space is no picnic."</p> - -<p>"They're on the port side, aft, right?"</p> - -<p>Chip nodded. "Hot damn," he said. "Who's got the 'tater salad?"</p> - -<p>"We'd better tuck the skipper away out of sight."</p> - -<p>"In the locker."</p> - -<p>The two men carried the limp body to a deep storage chest, dumped it -in, closed the lid.</p> - -<p>"He won't suffercate. Lid's a lousy fit."</p> - -<p>Retief opened the door went into the corridor, Chip behind him.</p> - -<p>"Shouldn't oughta be nobody around now," the chef said. "Everybody's -mannin' approach stations."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>At the D deck companionway, Retief stopped suddenly.</p> - -<p>"Listen."</p> - -<p>Chip cocked his head. "I don't hear nothin'," he whispered.</p> - -<p>"Sounds like a sentry posted on the lifeboat deck," Retief said softly.</p> - -<p>"Let's take him, Mister."</p> - -<p>"I'll go down. Stand by, Chip."</p> - -<p>Retief started down the narrow steps, half stair, half ladder. Halfway, -he paused to listen. There was a sound of slow footsteps, then silence. -Retief palmed the needler, went down the last steps quickly, emerged in -the dim light of a low ceilinged room. The stern of a five-man lifeboat -bulked before him.</p> - -<p>"Freeze, you!" a cold voice snapped.</p> - -<p>Retief dropped, rolled behind the shelter of the lifeboat as the whine -of a power pistol echoed off metal walls. A lunge, and he was under the -boat, on his feet. He jumped, caught the quick-access handle, hauled it -down. The outer port cycled open.</p> - -<p>Feet scrambled at the bow of the boat. Retief whirled and fired. The -guard rounded into sight and fell headlong. Above, an alarm bell -jangled. Retief stepped on a stanchion, hauled himself into the open -port. A yell rang, then the clatter of feet on the stair.</p> - -<p>"Don't shoot, Mister!" Chip shouted.</p> - -<p>"All clear, Chip," Retief called.</p> - -<p>"Hang on. I'm comin' with ya!"</p> - -<p>Retief reached down, lifted the chef bodily through the port, slammed -the lever home. The outer door whooshed, clanged shut.</p> - -<p>"Take number two, tie in! I'll blast her off," Chip said. "Been through -a hundred 'bandon ship drills...."</p> - -<p>Retief watched as the chef flipped levers, pressed a fat red button. -The deck trembled under the lifeboat.</p> - -<p>"Blew the bay doors," Chip said, smiling happily. "That'll cool them -jaspers down." He punched a green button.</p> - -<p>"Look out, Jorgensen's!" With an ear-splitting blast, the stern rockets -fired, a sustained agony of pressure....</p> - -<p>Abruptly, there was silence. Weightlessness. Contracting metal pinged -loudly. Chip's breathing rasped in the stillness.</p> - -<p>"Pulled nine G's there for ten seconds," he gasped. "I gave her full -emergency kick-off."</p> - -<p>"Any armament aboard our late host?"</p> - -<p>"A popgun. Time they get their wind, we'll be clear. Now all we got to -do is set tight till we pick up a R and D from Svea Tower. Maybe four, -five hours."</p> - -<p>"Chip, you're a wonder," Retief said. "This looks like a good time to -catch that nap."</p> - -<p>"Me too," Chip said. "Mighty peaceful here, ain't it?"</p> - -<p>There was a moment's silence.</p> - -<p>"Durn!" Chip said softly.</p> - -<p>Retief opened one eye. "Sorry you came, Chip?"</p> - -<p>"Left my best carvin' knife jammed up 'tween Marbles' ribs," the chef -said. "Comes o' doin' things in a hurry."</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">V</p> - -<p>The blonde girl brushed her hair from her eyes and smiled at Retief.</p> - -<p>"I'm the only one on duty," she said. "I'm Anne-Marie."</p> - -<p>"It's important that I talk to someone in your government, Miss," -Retief said.</p> - -<p>The girl looked at Retief. "The men you want to see are Tove and Bo -Bergman. They will be at the lodge by night-fall."</p> - -<p>"Then it looks like we go to the lodge," Retief said. "Lead on, -Anne-Marie."</p> - -<p>"What about the boat?" Chip asked.</p> - -<p>"I'll send someone to see to it tomorrow," the girl said.</p> - -<p>"You're some gal," Chip said admiringly. "Dern near six feet, ain't ye? -And built, too, what I mean."</p> - -<p>They stepped out of the door into a whipping wind.</p> - -<p>"Let's go across to the equipment shed and get parkas for you," -Anne-Marie said. "It will be cold on the slopes."</p> - -<p>"Yeah," Chip said, shivering. "I've heard you folks don't believe in -ridin' ever time you want to go a few miles uphill in a blizzard."</p> - -<p>"It will make us hungry," Anne-Marie said. "Then Chip will cook a -wonderful meal for us all."</p> - -<p>Chip blinked. "Been cookin' too long," he muttered. "Didn't know it -showed on me that way."</p> - -<p>Behind the sheds across the wind-scoured ramp abrupt peaks rose, -snow-blanketed. A faint trail led across white slopes, disappearing -into low clouds.</p> - -<p>"The lodge is above the cloud layer," Anne-Marie said. "Up there the -sky is always clear."</p> - -<p>It was three hours later, and the sun was burning the peaks red, when -Anne-Marie stopped, pulled off her woolen cap and waved at the vista -below.</p> - -<p>"There you see it," she said. "Our valley."</p> - -<p>"It's a mighty perty sight," Chip gasped. "Anything this tough to get a -look at ought to be."</p> - -<p>Anne-Marie pointed. "There," she said. "The little red house by itself. -Do you see it, Retief? It is my father's home-acre."</p> - -<p>Retief looked across the valley. Gaily painted houses nestled -together, a puddle of color in the bowl of the valley.</p> - -<p>"I think you've led a good life there," he said.</p> - -<p>Anne-Marie smiled brilliantly. "And this day, too, is good."</p> - -<p>Relief smiled back. "Yes," he said. "This day is good."</p> - -<p>"It'll be a durn sight better when I got my feet up to that big fire -you was talking about, Annie," Chip said.</p> - -<p>They climbed on, crossed a shoulder of broken rock, reached the final -slope. Above, the lodge sprawled, a long low structure of heavy logs, -outlined against the deep-blue twilight sky. Smoke billowed from stone -chimneys at either end, and yellow light gleamed from the narrow -windows, reflected on the snow. Men and women stood in groups of three -or four, skis over their shoulders. Their voices and laughter rang in -the icy air.</p> - -<p>Anne-Marie whistled shrilly. Someone waved.</p> - -<p>"Come," she said. "Meet all my friends."</p> - -<p>A man separated himself from the group, walked down the slope to meet -them.</p> - -<p>"Anne-Marie," he called. "Welcome. It was a long day without you." He -came up to them, hugged Anne-Marie, smiled at Retief.</p> - -<p>"Welcome," he said. "Come inside and be warm."</p> - -<p>They crossed the trampled snow to the lodge and pushed through a heavy -door into a vast low-beamed hall, crowded with people, talking, -singing, some sitting at long plank tables, others ringed around an -eight-foot fireplace at the far side of the room. Anne-Marie led the -way to a bench near the fire. She made introductions and found a stool -to prop Chip's feet near the blaze.</p> - -<p>Chip looked around.</p> - -<p>"I never seen so many perty gals before," he said delightedly.</p> - -<p>"Poor Chip," one girl said. "His feet are cold." She knelt to pull off -his boots. "Let me rub them," she said.</p> - -<p>A brunette with blue eyes raked a chestnut from the fire, cracked it -and offered it to Retief. A tall man with arms like oak roots passed -heavy beer tankards to the two guests.</p> - -<p>"Tell us about the places you've seen," someone called. Chip emerged -from a long pull at the mug, heaving a sigh.</p> - -<p>"Well," he said. "I tell you I been in some places...."</p> - -<p>Music started up, rising above the clamor.</p> - -<p>"Come, Retief," Anne-Marie said. "Dance with me."</p> - -<p>Retief looked at her. "My thought exactly," he said.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Chip put down his mug and sighed. "Derned if I ever felt right at home -so quick before," he said. "Just seems like these folks know all about -me." He scratched behind his right ear. "Annie must o' called 'em up -and told 'em our names an' all." He lowered his voice.</p> - -<p>"They's some kind o' trouble in the air, though. Some o' the remarks -they passed sounds like they're lookin' to have some trouble with the -Sweaties. Don't seem to worry 'em none, though."</p> - -<p>"Chip," Retief said, "how much do these people know about the Soetti?"</p> - -<p>"Dunno," Chip said. "We useta touch down here, regler. But I always -jist set in my galley and worked on ship models or somethin'. I hear -the Sweaties been nosin' around here some, though."</p> - -<p>Two girls came up to Chip. "Hey, I gotta go now, Mister," he said. -"These gals got a idea I oughta take a hand in the kitchen."</p> - -<p>"Smart girls," Retief said. He turned as Anne-Marie came up.</p> - -<p>"Bo Bergman and Tove are not back yet," she said. "They stayed to ski -after moonrise."</p> - -<p>"That moon is something," Retief said. "Almost like day-light."</p> - -<p>"They will come soon, now. Shall we go out to see the moonlight on the -snow?"</p> - -<p>Outside, long black shadows fell like ink on silver. The top of the -cloud layer below glared white under the immense moon.</p> - -<p>"Our sister world, Gota," Anne-Marie said. "Nearly as big as Svea. I -would like to visit it someday, although they say it's all stone and -ice."</p> - -<p>"Anne-Marie," Retief said, "how many people live on Jorgensen's Worlds?"</p> - -<p>"About fifteen million, most of us here on Svea. There are mining camps -and ice-fisheries on Gota. No one lives on Vasa and Skone, but there -are always a few hunters there."</p> - -<p>"Have you ever fought a war?"</p> - -<p>Anne-Marie turned to look at Retief.</p> - -<p>"You are afraid for us, Retief," she said. "The Soetti will attack our -worlds, and we will fight them. We have fought before. These planets -were not friendly ones."</p> - -<p>"I thought the Soetti attack would be a surprise to you," Retief said. -"Have you made any preparation for it?"</p> - -<p>"We have ten thousand merchant ships. When the enemy comes, we will -meet them."</p> - -<p>Retief frowned. "Are there any guns on this planet? Any missiles?"</p> - -<p>Anne-Marie shook her head. "Bo Bergman and Tove have a plan of -deployment—"</p> - -<p>"Deployment, hell! Against a modern assault force you need modern -armament."</p> - -<p>"Look!" Anne-Marie touched Retief's arm. "They're coming now."</p> - -<p>Two tall grizzled men came up the slope, skis over their shoulders. -Anne-Marie went forward to meet them, Retief at her side.</p> - -<p>The two came up, embraced the girl, shook hands with Retief, put down -their skis.</p> - -<p>"Welcome to Svea," Tove said. "Let's find a warm corner where we can -talk."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Retief shook his head, smiling, as a tall girl with coppery hair -offered a vast slab of venison.</p> - -<p>"I've caught up," he said, "for every hungry day I ever lived."</p> - -<p>Bo Bergman poured Retief's beer mug full.</p> - -<p>"Our captains are the best in space," he said. "Our population is -concentrated in half a hundred small cities all across the planet. We -know where the Soetti must strike us. We will ram their major vessels -with unmanned ships. On the ground, we will hunt them down with -small-arms."</p> - -<p>"An assembly line turning out penetration missiles would have been more -to the point."</p> - -<p>"Yes," Bo Bergman said. "If we had known."</p> - -<p>"How long have you known the Soetti were planning to hit you?"</p> - -<p>Tove raised his eyebrows.</p> - -<p>"Since this afternoon," he said.</p> - -<p>"How did you find out about it? That information is supposed in some -quarters to be a well-guarded secret."</p> - -<p>"Secret?" Tove said.</p> - -<p>Chip pulled at Retief's arm.</p> - -<p>"Mister," he said in Retief's ear. "Come here a minute."</p> - -<p>Retief looked at Anne-Marie, across at Tove and Bo Bergman. He rubbed -the side of his face with his hand.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me," he said. He followed Chip to one side of the room.</p> - -<p>"Listen!" Chip said. "Maybe I'm goin' bats, but I'll swear there's -somethin' funny here. I'm back there mixin' a sauce knowed only to -me and the devil and I be dog if them gals don't pass me ever dang -spice I need, without me sayin' a word. Come to put my souffle in the -oven—she's already set, right on the button at 350. An' just now I'm -settin' lookin' at one of 'em bendin' over a tub o' apples—snazzy -little brunette name of Leila—derned if she don't turn around and -say—" Chip gulped. "Never mind. Point is...." His voice nearly -faltered. "It's almost like these folks was readin' my mind!"</p> - -<p>Retief patted Chip on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Don't worry about your sanity, Old Timer," he said. "That's exactly -what they're doing."</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VI</p> - -<p>"We've never tried to make a secret of it," Tove said. "But we haven't -advertised it, either."</p> - -<p>"It really isn't much," Bo Bergman said. "Not a mutant ability, our -scholars say. Rather, it's a skill we've stumbled on, a closer empathy. -We are few, and far from the old home world. We've had to learn to -break down the walls we had built around our minds."</p> - -<p>"Can you read the Soetti?" Retief asked.</p> - -<p>Tove shook his head. "They're very different from us. It's painful to -touch their minds. We can only sense the sub-vocalized thoughts of a -human mind."</p> - -<p>"We've seen very few of the Soetti," Bo Bergman said. "Their ships have -landed and taken on stores. They say little to us, but we've felt their -contempt. They envy us our worlds. They come from a cold land."</p> - -<p>"Anne-Marie says you have a plan of defense," Retief said. "A sort of -suicide squadron idea, followed by guerrilla warfare."</p> - -<p>"It's the best we can devise, Retief. If there aren't too many of them, -it might work."</p> - -<p>Retief shook his head. "It might delay matters—but not much."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps. But our remote control equipment is excellent. And we have -plenty of ships, albeit unarmed. And our people know how to live on the -slopes—and how to shoot."</p> - -<p>"There are too many of them, Tove," Retief said. "They breed like flies -and, according to some sources, they mature in a matter of months. -They've been feeling their way into the sector for years now. Set up -outposts on a thousand or so minor planets—cold ones, the kind they -like. They want your worlds because they need living space."</p> - -<p>"At least, your warning makes it possible for us to muster some show of -force, Retief," Bo Bergman said. "That is better than death by ambush."</p> - -<p>"Retief must not be trapped here," Anne-Marie said. "His small boat is -useless now. He must have a ship."</p> - -<p>"Of course," Tove said. "And—"</p> - -<p>"My mission here—" Retief said.</p> - -<p>"Retief," a voice called. "A message for you. The operator has phoned -up a gram."</p> - -<p>Retief unfolded the slip of paper. It was short, in verbal code, and -signed by Magnan.</p> - -<p>"You are recalled herewith," he read. "Assignment canceled. Agreement -concluded with Soetti relinquishing all claims so-called Jorgensen -system. Utmost importance that under no repeat no circumstances -classified intelligence regarding Soetti be divulged to locals. Advise -you depart instanter. Soetti occupation imminent."</p> - -<p>Retief looked thoughtfully at the scrap of paper, then crumpled it and -dropped it on the floor. He turned to Bo Bergman, took a tiny reel of -tape from his pocket.</p> - -<p>"This contains information," he said. "The Soetti attack plan, -a defensive plan instructions for the conversion of a standard -anti-acceleration unit into a potent weapon. If you have a screen -handy, we'd better get started. We have about seventy-two hours."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In the Briefing Room at Svea Tower, Tove snapped off the projector.</p> - -<p>"Our plan would have been worthless against that," he said. "We assumed -they'd make their strike from a standard in-line formation. This scheme -of hitting all our settlements simultaneously, in a random order from -all points—we'd have been helpless."</p> - -<p>"It's perfect for this defensive plan," Bo Bergman said. "Assuming this -antiac trick works."</p> - -<p>"It works," Retief said. "I hope you've got plenty of heavy power lead -available."</p> - -<p>"We export copper," Tove said.</p> - -<p>"We'll assign about two hundred vessels to each settlement. Linked up, -they should throw up quite a field."</p> - -<p>"It ought to be effective up to about fifteen miles, I'd estimate," -Tove said. "If it works as it's supposed to."</p> - -<p>A red light flashed on the communications panel. Tove went to it, -flipped a key.</p> - -<p>"Tower, Tove here," he said.</p> - -<p>"I've got a ship on the scope, Tove," a voice said. "There's nothing -scheduled. ACI 228 by-passed at 1600...."</p> - -<p>"Just one?"</p> - -<p>"A lone ship, coming in on a bearing of 291/456/653. On manual, I'd -say."</p> - -<p>"How does this track key in with the idea of ACI 228 making a manual -correction for a missed automatic approach?" Retief asked.</p> - -<p>Tove talked to the tower, got a reply.</p> - -<p>"That's it," he said.</p> - -<p>"How long before he touches down?"</p> - -<p>Tove glanced at a lighted chart. "Perhaps eight minutes."</p> - -<p>"Any guns here?"</p> - -<p>Tove shook his head.</p> - -<p>"If that's old 228, she ain't got but the one 50mm rifle," Chip said. -"She cain't figure on jumpin' the whole planet."</p> - -<p>"Hard to say what she figures on," Retief said. "Mr. Tony will be in a -mood for drastic measures."</p> - -<p>"I wonder what kind o' deal the skunks got with the Sweaties," Chip -said. "Prob'ly he gits to scavenge, after the Sweaties kill off the -Jorgensens."</p> - -<p>"He's upset about our leaving him without saying good-bye, Chip," -Retief said. "And you left the door hanging open, too."</p> - -<p>Chip cackled. "Old Mr. Tony don't look so good to the Sweaties now, -hey, Mister?"</p> - -<p>Retief turned to Bo Bergman.</p> - -<p>"Chip's right," he said. "A Soetti died on the ship, and a tourist got -through the cordon. Tony's out to redeem himself."</p> - -<p>"He's on final now," the tower operator said. "Still no contact."</p> - -<p>"We'll know soon enough what he has in mind," Tove said.</p> - -<p>"Let's take a look."</p> - -<p>Outside, the four men watched the point of fire grow, evolve into a -ship ponderously settling to rest. The drive faded and cut; silence -fell.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Inside the Briefing Room, the speaker called out. Bo Bergman went -inside, talked to the tower, motioned to the others.</p> - -<p>"—over to you," the speaker was saying. There was a crackling moment -of silence; then another voice.</p> - -<p>"—illegal entry. Send the two of them out. I'll see to it they're -dealt with."</p> - -<p>Tove flipped a key. "Switch me direct to the ship," he said.</p> - -<p>"Right."</p> - -<p>"You on ACI 228," Tove said. "Who are you?"</p> - -<p>"What's that to you?"</p> - -<p>"You weren't cleared to berth here. Do you have an emergency aboard?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind that, you," the speaker rumbled. "I tracked the bird in. -I got the lifeboat on the screen now. They haven't gone far in nine -hours. Let's have 'em."</p> - -<p>"You're wasting your time," Tove said.</p> - -<p>There was a momentary silence.</p> - -<p>"You think so, hah?" the speaker blared. "I'll put it to you straight. -I see two guys on their way out in one minute, or I open up."</p> - -<p>"He's bluffin'," Chip said. "The popgun won't bear on us."</p> - -<p>"Take a look out the window," Retief said.</p> - -<p>In the white glare of the moonlight, a loading cover swung open at the -stern of the ship, dropped down and formed a sloping ramp. A squat -and massive shape appeared in the opening, trundled down onto the -snow-swept tarmac.</p> - -<p>Chip whistled. "I told you the Captain was slippery," he muttered. -"Where the devil'd he git that at?"</p> - -<p>"What is it?" Tove asked.</p> - -<p>"A tank," Retief said. "A museum piece, by the look of it."</p> - -<p>"I'll say," Chip said. "That's a Bolo <i>Resartus</i>, Model M. Built mebbe -two hunderd years ago in Concordiat times. Packs a wallop, too, I'll -tell ye."</p> - -<p>The tank wheeled, brought a gun muzzle to bear in the base of the tower.</p> - -<p>"Send 'em out," the speaker growled. "Or I blast 'em out."</p> - -<p>"One round in here, and I've had a wasted trip," Retief said. "I'd -better go out."</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute, Mister," Chip said. "I got the glimmerin's of a idear."</p> - -<p>"I'll stall them," Tove said. He keyed the mike.</p> - -<p>"ACI 228, what's your authority for this demand?"</p> - -<p>"I know that machine," Chip said. "My hobby, old-time fightin' -machines. Built a model of a <i>Resartus</i> once, inch to the foot. A -beauty. Now, lessee...."</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="ph1">VII</p> - -<p>The icy wind blew snow crystals stingingly against Retief's face.</p> - -<p>"Keep your hands in your pockets, Chip," he said. "Numb hands won't -hack the program."</p> - -<p>"Yeah." Chip looked across at the tank. "Useta think that was a perty -thing, that <i>Resartus</i>," he said. "Looks mean, now."</p> - -<p>"You're getting the target's-eye view," Retief said. "Sorry you had to -get mixed up in this, Old Timer."</p> - -<p>"Mixed myself in. Durn good thing, too." Chip sighed. "I like these -folks," he said. "Them boys didn't like lettin' us come out here, but -I'll give 'em credit. They seen it had to be this way, and they didn't -set to moanin' about it."</p> - -<p>"They're tough people, Chip."</p> - -<p>"Funny how it sneaks up on you, ain't it, Mister? Few minutes ago we -was eatin' high on the hog. Now we're right close to bein' dead men."</p> - -<p>"They want us alive, Chip."</p> - -<p>"It'll be a hairy deal, Mister," Chip said. "But t'hell with it. If it -works, it works."</p> - -<p>"That's the spirit."</p> - -<p>"I hope I got them fields o' fire right—"</p> - -<p>"Don't worry. I'll bet a barrel of beer we make it."</p> - -<p>"We'll find out in about ten seconds," Chip said.</p> - -<p>As they reached the tank, the two men broke stride and jumped. Retief -leaped for the gun barrel, swung up astride it, ripped off the -fur-lined leather cap he wore and, leaning forward, jammed it into the -bore of the cannon. The chef sprang for a perch above the fore scanner -antenna. With an angry <i>whuff!</i> anti-personnel charges slammed from -apertures low on the sides of the vehicle. Retief swung around, pulled -himself up on the hull.</p> - -<p>"Okay, Mister," Chip called. "I'm going under." He slipped down the -front of the tank, disappeared between the treads. Retief clambered -up, took a position behind the turret, lay flat as it whirled angrily, -sonar eyes searching for its tormentors. The vehicle shuddered, backed, -stopped, moved forward, pivoted.</p> - -<p>Chip reappeared at the front of the tank.</p> - -<p>"It's stuck," he called. He stopped to breathe hard, clung as the -machine lurched forward, spun to the right, stopped, rocking slightly.</p> - -<p>"Take over here," Retief said. He crawled forward, watched as the chef -pulled himself up, slipped down past him, feeling for the footholds -between the treads. He reached the ground, dropped on his back, -hitched himself under the dark belly of the tank. He groped, found the -handholds, probed with a foot for the tread-jack lever.</p> - -<p>The tank rumbled, backed quickly, turned left and right in a dizzying -sine curve. Retief clung grimly, inches from the clashing treads.</p> - -<p>The machine ground to a halt. Retief found the lever, braced his back, -pushed. The lever seemed to give minutely. He set himself again, put -both feet against the frozen bar and heaved.</p> - -<p>With a dry rasp, it slid back. Immediately two heavy rods extended -themselves, moved down to touch the pavement, grated. The left track -creaked as the weight went off it. Suddenly the tank's drive raced, -and Retief grabbed for a hold as the right tread clashed, heaved the -fifty-ton machine forward. The jacks screeched as they scored the -tarmac, then bit in. The tank pivoted, chips of pavement flying. The -jacks extended, lifted the clattering left track clear of the surface -as the tank spun like a hamstrung buffalo.</p> - -<p>The tank stopped, sat silent, canted now on the extended jacks. -Retief emerged from under the machine, jumped, pulled himself above -the anti-personnel apertures as another charge rocked the tank. He -clambered to the turret, crouched beside Chip. They waited, watching -the entry hatch.</p> - -<p>Five minutes passed.</p> - -<p>"I'll bet Old Tony's givin' the chauffeur hell," Chip said.</p> - -<p>The hatch cycled open. A head came cautiously into view in time to see -the needler in Retief's hand.</p> - -<p>"Come on out," Retief said.</p> - -<p>The head dropped. Chip snaked forward to ram a short section of steel -rod under the hatch near the hinge. The hatch began to cycle shut, -groaned, stopped. There was a sound of metal failing, and the hatch -popped open.</p> - -<p>Retief half rose, aimed the needler. The walls of the tank rang as the -metal splinters ricocheted inside.</p> - -<p>"That's one keg o' beer I owe you, Mister," Chip said. "Now let's git -outa here before the ship lifts and fries us."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"The biggest problem the Jorgensen's people will have is -decontaminating the wreckage," Retief said.</p> - -<p>Magnan leaned forward. "Amazing," he said. "They just keep coming, did -they? Had they no inter-ship communication?"</p> - -<p>"They had their orders," Retief said. "And their attack plan. They -followed it."</p> - -<p>"What a spectacle," Magnan said. "Over a thousand ships, plunging out -of control one by one as they entered the stress-field."</p> - -<p>"Not much of a spectacle," Retief said. "You couldn't see them. Too far -away. They all crashed back in the mountains."</p> - -<p>"Oh." Magnan's face fell. "But it's as well they did. The bacterial -bombs—"</p> - -<p>"Too cold for bacteria. They won't spread."</p> - -<p>"Nor will the Soetti," Magnan said smugly, "thanks to the promptness -with which I acted in dispatching you with the requisite data." He -looked narrowly at Retief. "By the way, you're sure no ... ah ... -message reached you after your arrival?"</p> - -<p>"I got something," Retief said, looking Magnan in the eye. "It must -have been a garbled transmission. It didn't make sense."</p> - -<p>Magnan coughed, shuffled papers. "This information you've reported," he -said hurriedly. "This rather fantastic story that the Soetti originated -in the Cloud, that they're seeking a foothold in the main Galaxy -because they've literally eaten themselves out of subsistence—how did -you get it? The one or two Soetti we attempted to question, ah...." -Magnan coughed again. "There was an accident," he finished. "We got -nothing from them."</p> - -<p>"The Jorgensens have a rather special method of interrogating -prisoners," Retief said. "They took one from a wreck, still alive but -unconscious. They managed to get the story from him. He died of it."</p> - -<p>"It's immaterial, actually," Magnan said. "Since the Soetti violated -their treaty with us the day after it was signed. Had no intention of -fair play. Far from evacuating the agreed areas, they had actually -occupied half a dozen additional minor bodies in the Whate system."</p> - -<p>Retief clucked sympathetically.</p> - -<p>"You don't know who to trust, these days," he said.</p> - -<p>Magnan looked at him coldly.</p> - -<p>"Spare me your sarcasm, Mr. Retief," he said. He picked up a folder -from his desk, opened it. "By the way, I have another little task for -you, Retief. We haven't had a comprehensive wild-life census report -from Brimstone lately—"</p> - -<p>"Sorry," Retief said. "I'll be tied up. I'm taking a month off. Maybe -more."</p> - -<p>"What's that?" Magnan's head came up. "You seem to forget—"</p> - -<p>"I'm trying, Mr. Councillor," Retief said. "Good-by now." He reached -out and flipped the key. Magnan's face faded from the screen. Retief -stood up.</p> - -<p>"Chip," he said, "we'll crack that keg when I get back." He turned to -Anne-Marie.</p> - -<p>"How long," he said, "do you think it will take you to teach me to ski -by moonlight?"</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Frozen Planet, by Keith Laumer - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FROZEN PLANET *** - -***** This file should be named 61097-h.htm or 61097-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/1/0/9/61097/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: The Frozen Planet - -Author: Keith Laumer - -Release Date: January 4, 2020 [EBook #61097] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FROZEN PLANET *** - - - - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - THE FROZEN PLANET - - By Keith Laumer - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Worlds of If Science Fiction, September 1961. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - -"It is rather unusual," Magnan said, "to assign an officer of your rank -to courier duty, but this is an unusual mission." - -Retief sat relaxed and said nothing. Just before the silence grew -awkward, Magnan went on. - -"There are four planets in the group," he said. "Two double planets, -all rather close to an unimportant star listed as DRI-G 33987. They're -called Jorgensen's Worlds, and in themselves are of no importance -whatever. However, they lie deep in the sector into which the Soetti -have been penetrating. - -"Now--" Magnan leaned forward and lowered his voice--"we have learned -that the Soetti plan a bold step forward. Since they've met no -opposition so far in their infiltration of Terrestrial space, they -intend to seize Jorgensen's Worlds by force." - -Magnan leaned back, waiting for Retief's reaction. Retief drew -carefully on his cigar and looked at Magnan. Magnan frowned. - -"This is open aggression, Retief," he said, "in case I haven't made -myself clear. Aggression on Terrestrial-occupied territory by an alien -species. Obviously, we can't allow it." - -Magnan drew a large folder from his desk. - -"A show of resistance at this point is necessary. Unfortunately, -Jorgensen's Worlds are technologically undeveloped areas. They're -farmers or traders. Their industry is limited to a minor role in -their economy--enough to support the merchant fleet, no more. The war -potential, by conventional standards, is nil." - -Magnan tapped the folder before him. - -"I have here," he said solemnly, "information which will change that -picture completely." He leaned back and blinked at Retief. - - * * * * * - -"All right, Mr. Councillor," Retief said. "I'll play along; what's in -the folder?" - -Magnan spread his fingers, folded one down. - -"First," he said. "The Soetti War Plan--in detail. We were fortunate -enough to make contact with a defector from a party of renegade -Terrestrials who've been advising the Soetti." He folded another -finger. "Next, a battle plan for the Jorgensen's people, worked out by -the Theory group." He wrestled a third finger down. "Lastly; an Utter -Top Secret schematic for conversion of a standard anti-acceleration -field into a potent weapon--a development our systems people have been -holding in reserve for just such a situation." - -"Is that all?" Retief said. "You've still got two fingers sticking up." - -Magnan looked at the fingers and put them away. - -"This is no occasion for flippancy, Retief. In the wrong hands, this -information could be catastrophic. You'll memorize it before you leave -this building." - -"I'll carry it, sealed," Retief said. "That way nobody can sweat it out -of me." - -Magnan started to shake his head. - -"Well," he said. "If it's trapped for destruction, I suppose--" - -"I've heard of these Jorgensen's Worlds," Retief said. "I remember an -agent, a big blond fellow, very quick on the uptake. A wizard with -cards and dice. Never played for money, though." - -"Umm," Magnan said. "Don't make the error of personalizing this -situation, Retief. Overall policy calls for a defense of these -backwater worlds. Otherwise the Corps would allow history to follow its -natural course, as always." - -"When does this attack happen?" - -"Less than four weeks." - -"That doesn't leave me much time." - -"I have your itinerary here. Your accommodations are clear as far as -Aldo Cerise. You'll have to rely on your ingenuity to get you the rest -of the way." - -"That's a pretty rough trip, Mr. Councillor. Suppose I don't make it?" - -Magnan looked sour. "Someone at a policy-making level has chosen to put -all our eggs in one basket, Retief. I hope their confidence in you is -not misplaced." - -"This antiac conversion; how long does it take?" - -"A skilled electronics crew can do the job in a matter of minutes. The -Jorgensens can handle it very nicely; every other man is a mechanic of -some sort." - -Retief opened the envelope Magnan handed him and looked at the tickets -inside. - -"Less than four hours to departure time," he said. "I'd better not -start any long books." - -"You'd better waste no time getting over to Indoctrination," Magnan -said. - -Retief stood up. "If I hurry, maybe I can catch the cartoon." - -"The allusion escapes me," Magnan said coldly. "And one last word. The -Soetti are patrolling the trade lanes into Jorgensen's Worlds; don't -get yourself interned." - -"I'll tell you what," Retief said soberly. "In a pinch, I'll mention -your name." - -"You'll be traveling with Class X credentials," Magnan snapped. "There -must be nothing to connect you with the Corps." - -"They'll never guess," Retief said. "I'll pose as a gentleman." - -"You'd better be getting started," Magnan said, shuffling papers. - -"You're right," Retief said. "If I work at it, I might manage a -snootful by takeoff." He went to the door. "No objection to my checking -out a needler, is there?" - -Magnan looked up. "I suppose not. What do you want with it?" - -"Just a feeling I've got." - -"Please yourself." - -"Some day," Retief said, "I may take you up on that." - - - II - -Retief put down the heavy travel-battered suitcase and leaned on the -counter, studying the schedules chalked on the board under the legend -"ALDO CERISE--INTERPLANETARY." A thin clerk in a faded sequined blouse -and a plastic snakeskin cummerbund groomed his fingernails, watching -Retief from the corner of his eye. - -Retief glanced at him. - -The clerk nipped off a ragged corner with rabbitlike front teeth and -spat it on the floor. - -"Was there something?" he said. - -"Two twenty-eight, due out today for the Jorgensen group," Retief said. -"Is it on schedule?" - -The clerk sampled the inside of his right cheek, eyed Retief. "Filled -up. Try again in a couple of weeks." - -"What time does it leave?" - -"I don't think--" - -"Let's stick to facts," Retief said. "Don't try to think. What time is -it due out?" - -The clerk smiled pityingly. "It's my lunch hour," he said. "I'll be -open in an hour." He held up a thumb nail, frowned at it. - -"If I have to come around this counter," Retief said, "I'll feed that -thumb to you the hard way." - -The clerk looked up and opened his mouth. Then he caught Retief's eye, -closed his mouth and swallowed. - -"Like it says there," he said, jerking a thumb at the board. "Lifts in -an hour. But you won't be on it," he added. - -Retief looked at him. - -"Some ... ah ... VIP's required accommodation," he said. He hooked -a finger inside the sequined collar. "All tourist reservations were -canceled. You'll have to try to get space on the Four-Planet Line ship -next--" - -"Which gate?" Retief said. - -"For ... ah...?" - -"For the two twenty-eight for Jorgensen's Worlds," Retief said. - -"Well," the clerk said. "Gate 19," he added quickly. "But--" - -Retief picked up his suitcase and walked away toward the glare sign -reading _To Gates 16-30_. - -"Another smart alec," the clerk said behind him. - - * * * * * - -Retief followed the signs, threaded his way through crowds, found a -covered ramp with the number 228 posted over it. A heavy-shouldered man -with a scarred jawline and small eyes was slouching there in a rumpled -gray uniform. He put out a hand as Retief started past him. - -"Lessee your boarding pass," he muttered. - -Retief pulled a paper from an inside pocket, handed it over. - -The guard blinked at it. - -"Whassat?" - -"A gram confirming my space," Retief said. "Your boy on the counter -says he's out to lunch." - -The guard crumpled the gram, dropped it on the floor and lounged back -against the handrail. - -"On your way, bub," he said. - -Retief put his suitcase carefully on the floor, took a step and drove a -right into the guard's midriff. He stepped aside as the man doubled and -went to his knees. - -"You were wide open, ugly. I couldn't resist. Tell your boss I sneaked -past while you were resting your eyes." He picked up his bag, stepped -over the man and went up the gangway into the ship. - -A cabin boy in stained whites came along the corridor. - -"Which way to cabin fifty-seven, son?" Retief asked. - -"Up there." The boy jerked his head and hurried on. Retief made his way -along the narrow hall, found signs, followed them to cabin fifty-seven. -The door was open. Inside, baggage was piled in the center of the -floor. It was expensive looking baggage. - -Retief put his bag down. He turned at a sound behind him. A tall, -florid man with an expensive coat belted over a massive paunch stood in -the open door, looking at Retief. Retief looked back. The florid man -clamped his jaws together, turned to speak over his shoulder. - -"Somebody in the cabin. Get 'em out." He rolled a cold eye at Retief as -he backed out of the room. A short, thick-necked man appeared. - -"What are you doing in Mr. Tony's room?" he barked. "Never mind! Clear -out of here, fellow! You're keeping Mr. Tony waiting." - -"Too bad," Retief said. "Finders keepers." - -"You nuts?" The thick-necked man stared at Retief. "I said it's Mr. -Tony's room." - -"I don't know Mr. Tony. He'll have to bull his way into other quarters." - -"We'll see about you, mister." The man turned and went out. Retief -sat on the bunk and lit a cigar. There was a sound of voices in -the corridor. Two burly baggage-smashers appeared, straining at an -oversized trunk. They maneuvered it through the door, lowered it, -glanced at Retief and went out. The thick-necked man returned. - -"All right, you. Out," he growled. "Or have I got to have you thrown -out?" - -Retief rose and clamped the cigar between his teeth. He gripped a -handle of the brass-bound trunk in each hand, bent his knees and heaved -the trunk up to chest level, then raised it overhead. He turned to the -door. - -"Catch," he said between clenched teeth. The trunk slammed against the -far wall of the corridor and burst. - -Retief turned to the baggage on the floor, tossed it into the hall. The -face of the thick-necked man appeared cautiously around the door jamb. - -"Mister, you must be--" - -"If you'll excuse me," Retief said, "I want to catch a nap." He flipped -the door shut, pulled off his shoes and stretched out on the bed. - - * * * * * - -Five minutes passed before the door rattled and burst open. - -Retief looked up. A gaunt leathery-skinned man wearing white ducks, a -blue turtleneck sweater and a peaked cap tilted raffishly over one eye -stared at Retief. - -"Is this the joker?" he grated. - -The thick-necked man edged past him, looked at Retief and snorted, -"That's him, sure." - -"I'm captain of this vessel," the first man said. "You've got two -minutes to haul your freight out of here, buster." - -"When you can spare the time from your other duties," Retief said, -"take a look at Section Three, Paragraph One, of the Uniform Code. -That spells out the law on confirmed space on vessels engaged in -interplanetary commerce." - -"A space lawyer." The captain turned. "Throw him out, boys." - -Two big men edged into the cabin, looking at Retief. - -"Go on, pitch him out," the captain snapped. - -Retief put his cigar in an ashtray, and swung his feet off the bunk. - -"Don't try it," he said softly. - -One of the two wiped his nose on a sleeve, spat on his right palm, and -stepped forward, then hesitated. - -"Hey," he said. "This the guy tossed the trunk off the wall?" - -"That's him," the thick-necked man called. "Spilled Mr. Tony's -possessions right on the deck." - -"Deal me out," the bouncer said. "He can stay put as long as he wants -to. I signed on to move cargo. Let's go, Moe." - -"You'd better be getting back to the bridge, Captain," Retief said. -"We're due to lift in twenty minutes." - -The thick-necked man and the Captain both shouted at once. The -Captain's voice prevailed. - -"--twenty minutes ... uniform Code ... gonna do?" - -"Close the door as you leave," Retief said. - -The thick-necked man paused at the door. "We'll see you when you come -out." - - - III - -Four waiters passed Retief's table without stopping. A fifth leaned -against the wall nearby, a menu under his arm. - -At a table across the room, the Captain, now wearing a dress uniform -and with his thin red hair neatly parted, sat with a table of male -passengers. He talked loudly and laughed frequently, casting occasional -glances Retief's way. - -A panel opened in the wall behind Retief's chair. Bright blue eyes -peered out from under a white chef's cap. - -"Givin' you the cold shoulder, heh, Mister?" - -"Looks like it, old-timer," Retief said. "Maybe I'd better go join the -skipper. His party seems to be having all the fun." - -"Feller has to be mighty careless who he eats with to set over there." - -"I see your point." - -"You set right where you're at, Mister. I'll rustle you up a plate." - -Five minutes later, Retief cut into a thirty-two ounce Delmonico backed -up with mushrooms and garlic butter. - -"I'm Chip," the chef said. "I don't like the Cap'n. You can tell him I -said so. Don't like his friends, either. Don't like them dern Sweaties, -look at a man like he was a worm." - -"You've got the right idea on frying a steak, Chip. And you've got the -right idea on the Soetti, too," Retief said. He poured red wine into a -glass. "Here's to you." - -"Dern right," Chip said. "Dunno who ever thought up broiling 'em. -Steaks, that is. I got a Baked Alaska coming up in here for dessert. -You like brandy in yer coffee?" - -"Chip, you're a genius." - -"Like to see a feller eat," Chip said. "I gotta go now. If you need -anything, holler." - -Retief ate slowly. Time always dragged on shipboard. Four days to -Jorgensen's Worlds. Then, if Magnan's information was correct, -there would be four days to prepare for the Soetti attack. It was a -temptation to scan the tapes built into the handle of his suitcase. It -would be good to know what Jorgensen's Worlds would be up against. - -Retief finished the steak, and the chef passed out the baked Alaska and -coffee. Most of the other passengers had left the dining room. Mr. Tony -and his retainers still sat at the Captain's table. - -As Retief watched, four men arose from the table and sauntered across -the room. The first in line, a stony-faced thug with a broken ear, took -a cigar from his mouth as he reached the table. He dipped the lighted -end in Retief's coffee, looked at it, and dropped it on the tablecloth. - -The others came up, Mr. Tony trailing. - -"You must want to get to Jorgensen's pretty bad," the thug said in a -grating voice. "What's your game, hick?" - -Retief looked at the coffee cup, picked it up. - -"I don't think I want my coffee," he said. He looked at the thug. "You -drink it." - -The thug squinted at Retief. "A wise hick," he began. - -With a flick of the wrist, Retief tossed the coffee into the thug's -face, then stood and slammed a straight right to the chin. The thug -went down. - -Retief looked at Mr. Tony, still standing open-mouthed. - -"You can take your playmates away now, Tony," he said. "And don't -bother to come around yourself. You're not funny enough." - -Mr. Tony found his voice. - -"Take him, Marbles!" he growled. - -The thick-necked man slipped a hand inside his tunic and brought out a -long-bladed knife. He licked his lips and moved in. - -Retief heard the panel open beside him. - -"Here you go, Mister," Chip said. Retief darted a glance; a well-honed -french knife lay on the sill. - -"Thanks, Chip," Retief said. "I won't need it for these punks." - -Thick-neck lunged and Retief hit him square in the face, knocking him -under the table. The other man stepped back, fumbling a power pistol -from his shoulder holster. - -"Aim that at me, and I'll kill you," Retief said. - -"Go on, burn him!" Mr. Tony shouted. Behind him, the captain appeared, -white-faced. - -"Put that away, you!" he yelled. "What kind of--" - -"Shut up," Mr. Tony said. "Put it away, Hoany. We'll fix this bum -later." - -"Not on this vessel, you won't," the captain said shakily. "I got my -charter to consider." - -"Ram your charter," Hoany said harshly. "You won't be needing it long." - -"Button your floppy mouth, damn you!" Mr. Tony snapped. He looked at -the man on the floor. "Get Marbles out of here. I ought to dump the -slob." - -He turned and walked away. The captain signaled and two waiters came -up. Retief watched as they carted the casualty from the dining room. - -The panel opened. - -"I usta be about your size, when I was your age," Chip said. "You -handled them pansies right. I wouldn't give 'em the time o' day." - -"How about a fresh cup of coffee, Chip?" Retief said. - -"Sure, Mister. Anything else?" - -"I'll think of something," Retief said. "This is shaping up into one of -those long days." - - * * * * * - -"They don't like me bringing yer meals to you in yer cabin," Chip said. -"But the cap'n knows I'm the best cook in the Merchant Service. They -won't mess with me." - -"What has Mr. Tony got on the captain, Chip?" Retief asked. - -"They're in some kind o' crooked business together. You want some more -smoked turkey?" - -"Sure. What have they got against my going to Jorgensen's Worlds?" - -"Dunno. Hasn't been no tourists got in there fer six or eight months. I -sure like a feller that can put it away. I was a big eater when I was -yer age." - -"I'll bet you can still handle it, Old Timer. What are Jorgensen's -Worlds like?" - -"One of 'em's cold as hell and three of 'em's colder. Most o' the -Jorgies live on Svea; that's the least froze up. Man don't enjoy eatin' -his own cookin' like he does somebody else's." - -"That's where I'm lucky, Chip. What kind of cargo's the captain got -aboard for Jorgensen's?" - -"Derned if I know. In and out o' there like a grasshopper, ever few -weeks. Don't never pick up no cargo. No tourists any more, like I says. -Don't know what we even run in there for." - -"Where are the passengers we have aboard headed?" - -"To Alabaster. That's nine days' run in-sector from Jorgensen's. You -ain't got another one of them cigars, have you?" - -"Have one, Chip. I guess I was lucky to get space on this ship." - -"Plenty o' space, Mister. We got a dozen empty cabins." Chip puffed -the cigar alight, then cleared away the dishes, poured out coffee and -brandy. - -"Them Sweaties is what I don't like," he said. - -Retief looked at him questioningly. - -"You never seen a Sweaty? Ugly lookin' devils. Skinny legs, like a -lobster; big chest, shaped like the top of a turnip; rubbery lookin' -head. You can see the pulse beatin' when they get riled." - -"I've never had the pleasure," Retief said. - -"You prob'ly have it perty soon. Them devils board us nigh ever trip -out. Act like they was the Customs Patrol or somethin'." - -There was a distant clang, and a faint tremor ran through the floor. - -"I ain't superstitious ner nothin'," Chip said. "But I'll be -triple-damned if that ain't them boarding us now." - -Ten minutes passed before bootsteps sounded outside the door, -accompanied by a clicking patter. The doorknob rattled, then a heavy -knock shook the door. - -"They got to look you over," Chip whispered. "Nosy damn Sweaties." - -"Unlock it, Chip." The chef opened the door. - -"Come in, damn you," he said. - -A tall and grotesque creature minced into the room, tiny hoof-like -feet tapping on the floor. A flaring metal helmet shaded the deep-set -compound eyes, and a loose mantle flapped around the knobbed knees. -Behind the alien, the captain hovered nervously. - -"Yo' papiss," the alien rasped. - -"Who's your friend, Captain?" Retief said. - -"Never mind; just do like he tells you." - -"Yo' papiss," the alien said again. - -"Okay," Retief said. "I've seen it. You can take it away now." - -"Don't horse around," the captain said. "This fellow can get mean." - -The alien brought two tiny arms out from the concealment of the mantle, -clicked toothed pincers under Retief's nose. - -"Quick, soft one." - -"Captain, tell your friend to keep its distance. It looks brittle, and -I'm tempted to test it." - -"Don't start anything with Skaw; he can clip through steel with those -snappers." - -"Last chance," Retief said. Skaw stood poised, open pincers an inch -from Retief's eyes. - -"Show him your papers, you damned fool," the captain said hoarsely. "I -got no control over Skaw." - - * * * * * - -The alien clicked both pincers with a sharp report, and in the same -instant Retief half-turned to the left, leaned away from the alien -and drove his right foot against the slender leg above the bulbous -knee-joint. Skaw screeched and floundered, greenish fluid spattering -from the burst joint. - -"I told you he was brittle," Retief said. "Next time you invite pirates -aboard, don't bother to call." - -"Jesus, what did you do! They'll kill us!" the captain gasped, staring -at the figure flopping on the floor. - -"Cart poor old Skaw back to his boat," Retief said. "Tell him to pass -the word. No more illegal entry and search of Terrestrial vessels in -Terrestrial space." - -"Hey," Chip said. "He's quit kicking." - -The captain bent over Skaw, gingerly rolled him over. He leaned close -and sniffed. - -"He's dead." The captain stared at Retief. "We're all dead men," he -said. "These Soetti got no mercy." - -"They won't need it. Tell 'em to sheer off; their fun is over." - -"They got no more emotions than a blue crab--" - -"You bluff easily, Captain. Show a few guns as you hand the body back. -We know their secret now." - -"What secret? I--" - -"Don't be no dumber than you got to, Cap'n," Chip said. "Sweaties die -easy; that's the secret." - -"Maybe you got a point," the captain said, looking at Retief. "All they -got's a three-man scout. It could work." - -He went out, came back with two crewmen. They hauled the dead alien -gingerly into the hall. - -"Maybe I can run a bluff on the Soetti," the captain said, looking back -from the door. "But I'll be back to see you later." - -"You don't scare us, Cap'n," Chip said. "Him and Mr. Tony and all his -goons. You hit 'em where they live, that time. They're pals o' these -Sweaties. Runnin' some kind o' crooked racket." - -"You'd better take the captain's advice, Chip. There's no point in your -getting involved in my problems." - -"They'd of killed you before now, Mister, if they had any guts. That's -where we got it over these monkeys. They got no guts." - -"They act scared, Chip. Scared men are killers." - -"They don't scare me none." Chip picked up the tray. "I'll scout around -a little and see what's goin' on. If the Sweaties figure to do anything -about that Skaw feller they'll have to move fast; they won't try -nothin' close to port." - -"Don't worry, Chip. I have reason to be pretty sure they won't do -anything to attract a lot of attention in this sector just now." - -Chip looked at Retief. "You ain't no tourist, Mister. I know that much. -You didn't come out here for fun, did you?" - -"That," Retief said, "would be a hard one to answer." - - - IV - -Retief awoke at a tap on his door. - -"It's me, Mister. Chip." - -"Come on in." - -The chef entered the room, locking the door. - -"You shoulda had that door locked." He stood by the door, listening, -then turned to Retief. - -"You want to get to Jorgensen's perty bad, don't you, Mister?" - -"That's right, Chip." - -"Mr. Tony give the captain a real hard time about old Skaw. The -Sweaties didn't say nothin'. Didn't even act surprised, just took the -remains and pushed off. But Mr. Tony and that other crook they call -Marbles, they was fit to be tied. Took the cap'n in his cabin and -talked loud at him fer half a hour. Then the cap'n come out and give -some orders to the Mate." - -Retief sat up and reached for a cigar. - -"Mr. Tony and Skaw were pals, eh?" - -"He hated Skaw's guts. But with him it was business. Mister, you got a -gun?" - -"A 2mm needler. Why?" - -"The orders cap'n give was to change course fer Alabaster. We're -by-passin' Jorgensen's Worlds. We'll feel the course change any minute." - -Retief lit the cigar, reached under the mattress and took out a -short-barreled pistol. He dropped it in his pocket, looked at Chip. - -"Maybe it was a good thought, at that. Which way to the Captain's -cabin?" - - * * * * * - -"This is it," Chip said softly. "You want me to keep an eye on who -comes down the passage?" - -Retief nodded, opened the door and stepped into the cabin. The captain -looked up from his desk, then jumped up. - -"What do you think you're doing, busting in here?" - -"I hear you're planning a course change, Captain." - -"You've got damn big ears." - -"I think we'd better call in at Jorgensen's." - -"You do, huh?" the captain sat down. "I'm in command of this vessel," -he said. "I'm changing course for Alabaster." - -"I wouldn't find it convenient to go to Alabaster," Retief said. "So -just hold your course for Jorgensen's." - -"Not bloody likely." - -"Your use of the word 'bloody' is interesting, Captain. Don't try to -change course." - -The captain reached for the mike on his desk, pressed the key. - -"Power Section, this is the captain," he said. Retief reached across -the desk, gripped the captain's wrist. - -"Tell the mate to hold his present course," he said softly. - -"Let go my hand, buster," the captain snarled. Eyes on Retief's, he -eased a drawer open with his left hand, reached in. Retief kneed the -drawer. The captain yelped and dropped the mike. - -"You busted it, you--" - -"And one to go," Retief said. "Tell him." - -"I'm an officer of the Merchant Service!" - -"You're a cheapjack who's sold his bridge to a pack of back-alley -hoods." - -"You can't put it over, hick." - -"Tell him." - -The captain groaned and picked up the mike. "Captain to Power Section," -he said. "Hold your present course until you hear from me." He dropped -the mike and looked up at Retief. - -"It's eighteen hours yet before we pick up Jorgensen Control. You going -to sit here and bend my arm the whole time?" - -Retief released the captain's wrist and turned to the door. - -"Chip, I'm locking the door. You circulate around, let me know what's -going on. Bring me a pot of coffee every so often. I'm sitting up with -a sick friend." - -"Right, Mister. Keep an eye on that jasper; he's slippery." - -"What are you going to do?" the captain demanded. - -Retief settled himself in a chair. - -"Instead of strangling you, as you deserve," he said, "I'm going to -stay here and help you hold your course for Jorgensen's Worlds." - -The captain looked at Retief. He laughed, a short bark. - -"Then I'll just stretch out and have a little nap, farmer. If you feel -like dozing off sometime during the next eighteen hours, don't mind me." - -Retief took out the needler and put it on the desk before him. - -"If anything happens that I don't like," he said, "I'll wake you up. -With this." - - * * * * * - -"Why don't you let me spell you, Mister?" Chip said. "Four hours to go -yet. You're gonna hafta be on yer toes to handle the landing." - -"I'll be all right, Chip. You get some sleep." - -"Nope. Many's the time I stood four, five watches runnin', back when I -was yer age. I'll make another round." - -Retief stood up, stretched his legs, paced the floor, stared at the -repeater instruments on the wall. Things had gone quietly so far, but -the landing would be another matter. The captain's absence from the -bridge during the highly complex maneuvering would be difficult to -explain.... - -The desk speaker crackled. - -"Captain, Officer of the Watch here. Ain't it about time you was -getting up here with the orbit figures?" - -Retief nudged the captain. He awoke with a start, sat up. - -"Whazzat?" He looked wild-eyed at Retief. - -"Watch officer wants orbit figures," Retief said, nodding toward the -speaker. - -The captain rubbed his eyes, shook his head, picked up the mike. Retief -released the safety on the needler with an audible click. - -"Watch Officer, I'll ... ah ... get some figures for you right away. -I'm ... ah ... busy right now." - -"What the hell you talking about, busy?" the speaker blared. "You -ain't got them figures ready, you'll have a hell of a hot time getting -'em up in the next three minutes. You forgot your approach pattern or -something?" - -"I guess I overlooked it," the Captain said, looking sideways at -Retief. "I've been busy." - -"One for your side," Retief said. He reached for the captain. - -"I'll make a deal," the captain squalled. "Your life for--" - -Retief took aim and slammed a hard right to the captain's jaw. He -slumped to the floor. - -Retief glanced around the room, yanked wires loose from a motile lamp, -trussed the man's hands and feet, stuffed his mouth with paper and -taped it. - -Chip tapped at the door. Retief opened it and the chef stepped inside, -looking at the man on the floor. - -"The jasper tried somethin', huh? Figured he would. What we goin' to do -now?" - -"The captain forgot to set up an approach, Chip. He outfoxed me." - -"If we overrun our approach pattern," Chip said, "we can't make orbit -at Jorgensen's on automatic. And a manual approach--" - -"That's out. But there's another possibility." - -Chip blinked. "Only one thing you could mean, Mister. But cuttin' out -in a lifeboat in deep space is no picnic." - -"They're on the port side, aft, right?" - -Chip nodded. "Hot damn," he said. "Who's got the 'tater salad?" - -"We'd better tuck the skipper away out of sight." - -"In the locker." - -The two men carried the limp body to a deep storage chest, dumped it -in, closed the lid. - -"He won't suffercate. Lid's a lousy fit." - -Retief opened the door went into the corridor, Chip behind him. - -"Shouldn't oughta be nobody around now," the chef said. "Everybody's -mannin' approach stations." - - * * * * * - -At the D deck companionway, Retief stopped suddenly. - -"Listen." - -Chip cocked his head. "I don't hear nothin'," he whispered. - -"Sounds like a sentry posted on the lifeboat deck," Retief said softly. - -"Let's take him, Mister." - -"I'll go down. Stand by, Chip." - -Retief started down the narrow steps, half stair, half ladder. Halfway, -he paused to listen. There was a sound of slow footsteps, then silence. -Retief palmed the needler, went down the last steps quickly, emerged in -the dim light of a low ceilinged room. The stern of a five-man lifeboat -bulked before him. - -"Freeze, you!" a cold voice snapped. - -Retief dropped, rolled behind the shelter of the lifeboat as the whine -of a power pistol echoed off metal walls. A lunge, and he was under the -boat, on his feet. He jumped, caught the quick-access handle, hauled it -down. The outer port cycled open. - -Feet scrambled at the bow of the boat. Retief whirled and fired. The -guard rounded into sight and fell headlong. Above, an alarm bell -jangled. Retief stepped on a stanchion, hauled himself into the open -port. A yell rang, then the clatter of feet on the stair. - -"Don't shoot, Mister!" Chip shouted. - -"All clear, Chip," Retief called. - -"Hang on. I'm comin' with ya!" - -Retief reached down, lifted the chef bodily through the port, slammed -the lever home. The outer door whooshed, clanged shut. - -"Take number two, tie in! I'll blast her off," Chip said. "Been through -a hundred 'bandon ship drills...." - -Retief watched as the chef flipped levers, pressed a fat red button. -The deck trembled under the lifeboat. - -"Blew the bay doors," Chip said, smiling happily. "That'll cool them -jaspers down." He punched a green button. - -"Look out, Jorgensen's!" With an ear-splitting blast, the stern rockets -fired, a sustained agony of pressure.... - -Abruptly, there was silence. Weightlessness. Contracting metal pinged -loudly. Chip's breathing rasped in the stillness. - -"Pulled nine G's there for ten seconds," he gasped. "I gave her full -emergency kick-off." - -"Any armament aboard our late host?" - -"A popgun. Time they get their wind, we'll be clear. Now all we got to -do is set tight till we pick up a R and D from Svea Tower. Maybe four, -five hours." - -"Chip, you're a wonder," Retief said. "This looks like a good time to -catch that nap." - -"Me too," Chip said. "Mighty peaceful here, ain't it?" - -There was a moment's silence. - -"Durn!" Chip said softly. - -Retief opened one eye. "Sorry you came, Chip?" - -"Left my best carvin' knife jammed up 'tween Marbles' ribs," the chef -said. "Comes o' doin' things in a hurry." - - - V - -The blonde girl brushed her hair from her eyes and smiled at Retief. - -"I'm the only one on duty," she said. "I'm Anne-Marie." - -"It's important that I talk to someone in your government, Miss," -Retief said. - -The girl looked at Retief. "The men you want to see are Tove and Bo -Bergman. They will be at the lodge by night-fall." - -"Then it looks like we go to the lodge," Retief said. "Lead on, -Anne-Marie." - -"What about the boat?" Chip asked. - -"I'll send someone to see to it tomorrow," the girl said. - -"You're some gal," Chip said admiringly. "Dern near six feet, ain't ye? -And built, too, what I mean." - -They stepped out of the door into a whipping wind. - -"Let's go across to the equipment shed and get parkas for you," -Anne-Marie said. "It will be cold on the slopes." - -"Yeah," Chip said, shivering. "I've heard you folks don't believe in -ridin' ever time you want to go a few miles uphill in a blizzard." - -"It will make us hungry," Anne-Marie said. "Then Chip will cook a -wonderful meal for us all." - -Chip blinked. "Been cookin' too long," he muttered. "Didn't know it -showed on me that way." - -Behind the sheds across the wind-scoured ramp abrupt peaks rose, -snow-blanketed. A faint trail led across white slopes, disappearing -into low clouds. - -"The lodge is above the cloud layer," Anne-Marie said. "Up there the -sky is always clear." - -It was three hours later, and the sun was burning the peaks red, when -Anne-Marie stopped, pulled off her woolen cap and waved at the vista -below. - -"There you see it," she said. "Our valley." - -"It's a mighty perty sight," Chip gasped. "Anything this tough to get a -look at ought to be." - -Anne-Marie pointed. "There," she said. "The little red house by itself. -Do you see it, Retief? It is my father's home-acre." - -Retief looked across the valley. Gaily painted houses nestled -together, a puddle of color in the bowl of the valley. - -"I think you've led a good life there," he said. - -Anne-Marie smiled brilliantly. "And this day, too, is good." - -Relief smiled back. "Yes," he said. "This day is good." - -"It'll be a durn sight better when I got my feet up to that big fire -you was talking about, Annie," Chip said. - -They climbed on, crossed a shoulder of broken rock, reached the final -slope. Above, the lodge sprawled, a long low structure of heavy logs, -outlined against the deep-blue twilight sky. Smoke billowed from stone -chimneys at either end, and yellow light gleamed from the narrow -windows, reflected on the snow. Men and women stood in groups of three -or four, skis over their shoulders. Their voices and laughter rang in -the icy air. - -Anne-Marie whistled shrilly. Someone waved. - -"Come," she said. "Meet all my friends." - -A man separated himself from the group, walked down the slope to meet -them. - -"Anne-Marie," he called. "Welcome. It was a long day without you." He -came up to them, hugged Anne-Marie, smiled at Retief. - -"Welcome," he said. "Come inside and be warm." - -They crossed the trampled snow to the lodge and pushed through a heavy -door into a vast low-beamed hall, crowded with people, talking, -singing, some sitting at long plank tables, others ringed around an -eight-foot fireplace at the far side of the room. Anne-Marie led the -way to a bench near the fire. She made introductions and found a stool -to prop Chip's feet near the blaze. - -Chip looked around. - -"I never seen so many perty gals before," he said delightedly. - -"Poor Chip," one girl said. "His feet are cold." She knelt to pull off -his boots. "Let me rub them," she said. - -A brunette with blue eyes raked a chestnut from the fire, cracked it -and offered it to Retief. A tall man with arms like oak roots passed -heavy beer tankards to the two guests. - -"Tell us about the places you've seen," someone called. Chip emerged -from a long pull at the mug, heaving a sigh. - -"Well," he said. "I tell you I been in some places...." - -Music started up, rising above the clamor. - -"Come, Retief," Anne-Marie said. "Dance with me." - -Retief looked at her. "My thought exactly," he said. - - * * * * * - -Chip put down his mug and sighed. "Derned if I ever felt right at home -so quick before," he said. "Just seems like these folks know all about -me." He scratched behind his right ear. "Annie must o' called 'em up -and told 'em our names an' all." He lowered his voice. - -"They's some kind o' trouble in the air, though. Some o' the remarks -they passed sounds like they're lookin' to have some trouble with the -Sweaties. Don't seem to worry 'em none, though." - -"Chip," Retief said, "how much do these people know about the Soetti?" - -"Dunno," Chip said. "We useta touch down here, regler. But I always -jist set in my galley and worked on ship models or somethin'. I hear -the Sweaties been nosin' around here some, though." - -Two girls came up to Chip. "Hey, I gotta go now, Mister," he said. -"These gals got a idea I oughta take a hand in the kitchen." - -"Smart girls," Retief said. He turned as Anne-Marie came up. - -"Bo Bergman and Tove are not back yet," she said. "They stayed to ski -after moonrise." - -"That moon is something," Retief said. "Almost like day-light." - -"They will come soon, now. Shall we go out to see the moonlight on the -snow?" - -Outside, long black shadows fell like ink on silver. The top of the -cloud layer below glared white under the immense moon. - -"Our sister world, Gota," Anne-Marie said. "Nearly as big as Svea. I -would like to visit it someday, although they say it's all stone and -ice." - -"Anne-Marie," Retief said, "how many people live on Jorgensen's Worlds?" - -"About fifteen million, most of us here on Svea. There are mining camps -and ice-fisheries on Gota. No one lives on Vasa and Skone, but there -are always a few hunters there." - -"Have you ever fought a war?" - -Anne-Marie turned to look at Retief. - -"You are afraid for us, Retief," she said. "The Soetti will attack our -worlds, and we will fight them. We have fought before. These planets -were not friendly ones." - -"I thought the Soetti attack would be a surprise to you," Retief said. -"Have you made any preparation for it?" - -"We have ten thousand merchant ships. When the enemy comes, we will -meet them." - -Retief frowned. "Are there any guns on this planet? Any missiles?" - -Anne-Marie shook her head. "Bo Bergman and Tove have a plan of -deployment--" - -"Deployment, hell! Against a modern assault force you need modern -armament." - -"Look!" Anne-Marie touched Retief's arm. "They're coming now." - -Two tall grizzled men came up the slope, skis over their shoulders. -Anne-Marie went forward to meet them, Retief at her side. - -The two came up, embraced the girl, shook hands with Retief, put down -their skis. - -"Welcome to Svea," Tove said. "Let's find a warm corner where we can -talk." - - * * * * * - -Retief shook his head, smiling, as a tall girl with coppery hair -offered a vast slab of venison. - -"I've caught up," he said, "for every hungry day I ever lived." - -Bo Bergman poured Retief's beer mug full. - -"Our captains are the best in space," he said. "Our population is -concentrated in half a hundred small cities all across the planet. We -know where the Soetti must strike us. We will ram their major vessels -with unmanned ships. On the ground, we will hunt them down with -small-arms." - -"An assembly line turning out penetration missiles would have been more -to the point." - -"Yes," Bo Bergman said. "If we had known." - -"How long have you known the Soetti were planning to hit you?" - -Tove raised his eyebrows. - -"Since this afternoon," he said. - -"How did you find out about it? That information is supposed in some -quarters to be a well-guarded secret." - -"Secret?" Tove said. - -Chip pulled at Retief's arm. - -"Mister," he said in Retief's ear. "Come here a minute." - -Retief looked at Anne-Marie, across at Tove and Bo Bergman. He rubbed -the side of his face with his hand. - -"Excuse me," he said. He followed Chip to one side of the room. - -"Listen!" Chip said. "Maybe I'm goin' bats, but I'll swear there's -somethin' funny here. I'm back there mixin' a sauce knowed only to -me and the devil and I be dog if them gals don't pass me ever dang -spice I need, without me sayin' a word. Come to put my souffle in the -oven--she's already set, right on the button at 350. An' just now I'm -settin' lookin' at one of 'em bendin' over a tub o' apples--snazzy -little brunette name of Leila--derned if she don't turn around and -say--" Chip gulped. "Never mind. Point is...." His voice nearly -faltered. "It's almost like these folks was readin' my mind!" - -Retief patted Chip on the shoulder. - -"Don't worry about your sanity, Old Timer," he said. "That's exactly -what they're doing." - - - VI - -"We've never tried to make a secret of it," Tove said. "But we haven't -advertised it, either." - -"It really isn't much," Bo Bergman said. "Not a mutant ability, our -scholars say. Rather, it's a skill we've stumbled on, a closer empathy. -We are few, and far from the old home world. We've had to learn to -break down the walls we had built around our minds." - -"Can you read the Soetti?" Retief asked. - -Tove shook his head. "They're very different from us. It's painful to -touch their minds. We can only sense the sub-vocalized thoughts of a -human mind." - -"We've seen very few of the Soetti," Bo Bergman said. "Their ships have -landed and taken on stores. They say little to us, but we've felt their -contempt. They envy us our worlds. They come from a cold land." - -"Anne-Marie says you have a plan of defense," Retief said. "A sort of -suicide squadron idea, followed by guerrilla warfare." - -"It's the best we can devise, Retief. If there aren't too many of them, -it might work." - -Retief shook his head. "It might delay matters--but not much." - -"Perhaps. But our remote control equipment is excellent. And we have -plenty of ships, albeit unarmed. And our people know how to live on the -slopes--and how to shoot." - -"There are too many of them, Tove," Retief said. "They breed like flies -and, according to some sources, they mature in a matter of months. -They've been feeling their way into the sector for years now. Set up -outposts on a thousand or so minor planets--cold ones, the kind they -like. They want your worlds because they need living space." - -"At least, your warning makes it possible for us to muster some show of -force, Retief," Bo Bergman said. "That is better than death by ambush." - -"Retief must not be trapped here," Anne-Marie said. "His small boat is -useless now. He must have a ship." - -"Of course," Tove said. "And--" - -"My mission here--" Retief said. - -"Retief," a voice called. "A message for you. The operator has phoned -up a gram." - -Retief unfolded the slip of paper. It was short, in verbal code, and -signed by Magnan. - -"You are recalled herewith," he read. "Assignment canceled. Agreement -concluded with Soetti relinquishing all claims so-called Jorgensen -system. Utmost importance that under no repeat no circumstances -classified intelligence regarding Soetti be divulged to locals. Advise -you depart instanter. Soetti occupation imminent." - -Retief looked thoughtfully at the scrap of paper, then crumpled it and -dropped it on the floor. He turned to Bo Bergman, took a tiny reel of -tape from his pocket. - -"This contains information," he said. "The Soetti attack plan, -a defensive plan instructions for the conversion of a standard -anti-acceleration unit into a potent weapon. If you have a screen -handy, we'd better get started. We have about seventy-two hours." - - * * * * * - -In the Briefing Room at Svea Tower, Tove snapped off the projector. - -"Our plan would have been worthless against that," he said. "We assumed -they'd make their strike from a standard in-line formation. This scheme -of hitting all our settlements simultaneously, in a random order from -all points--we'd have been helpless." - -"It's perfect for this defensive plan," Bo Bergman said. "Assuming this -antiac trick works." - -"It works," Retief said. "I hope you've got plenty of heavy power lead -available." - -"We export copper," Tove said. - -"We'll assign about two hundred vessels to each settlement. Linked up, -they should throw up quite a field." - -"It ought to be effective up to about fifteen miles, I'd estimate," -Tove said. "If it works as it's supposed to." - -A red light flashed on the communications panel. Tove went to it, -flipped a key. - -"Tower, Tove here," he said. - -"I've got a ship on the scope, Tove," a voice said. "There's nothing -scheduled. ACI 228 by-passed at 1600...." - -"Just one?" - -"A lone ship, coming in on a bearing of 291/456/653. On manual, I'd -say." - -"How does this track key in with the idea of ACI 228 making a manual -correction for a missed automatic approach?" Retief asked. - -Tove talked to the tower, got a reply. - -"That's it," he said. - -"How long before he touches down?" - -Tove glanced at a lighted chart. "Perhaps eight minutes." - -"Any guns here?" - -Tove shook his head. - -"If that's old 228, she ain't got but the one 50mm rifle," Chip said. -"She cain't figure on jumpin' the whole planet." - -"Hard to say what she figures on," Retief said. "Mr. Tony will be in a -mood for drastic measures." - -"I wonder what kind o' deal the skunks got with the Sweaties," Chip -said. "Prob'ly he gits to scavenge, after the Sweaties kill off the -Jorgensens." - -"He's upset about our leaving him without saying good-bye, Chip," -Retief said. "And you left the door hanging open, too." - -Chip cackled. "Old Mr. Tony don't look so good to the Sweaties now, -hey, Mister?" - -Retief turned to Bo Bergman. - -"Chip's right," he said. "A Soetti died on the ship, and a tourist got -through the cordon. Tony's out to redeem himself." - -"He's on final now," the tower operator said. "Still no contact." - -"We'll know soon enough what he has in mind," Tove said. - -"Let's take a look." - -Outside, the four men watched the point of fire grow, evolve into a -ship ponderously settling to rest. The drive faded and cut; silence -fell. - - * * * * * - -Inside the Briefing Room, the speaker called out. Bo Bergman went -inside, talked to the tower, motioned to the others. - -"--over to you," the speaker was saying. There was a crackling moment -of silence; then another voice. - -"--illegal entry. Send the two of them out. I'll see to it they're -dealt with." - -Tove flipped a key. "Switch me direct to the ship," he said. - -"Right." - -"You on ACI 228," Tove said. "Who are you?" - -"What's that to you?" - -"You weren't cleared to berth here. Do you have an emergency aboard?" - -"Never mind that, you," the speaker rumbled. "I tracked the bird in. -I got the lifeboat on the screen now. They haven't gone far in nine -hours. Let's have 'em." - -"You're wasting your time," Tove said. - -There was a momentary silence. - -"You think so, hah?" the speaker blared. "I'll put it to you straight. -I see two guys on their way out in one minute, or I open up." - -"He's bluffin'," Chip said. "The popgun won't bear on us." - -"Take a look out the window," Retief said. - -In the white glare of the moonlight, a loading cover swung open at the -stern of the ship, dropped down and formed a sloping ramp. A squat -and massive shape appeared in the opening, trundled down onto the -snow-swept tarmac. - -Chip whistled. "I told you the Captain was slippery," he muttered. -"Where the devil'd he git that at?" - -"What is it?" Tove asked. - -"A tank," Retief said. "A museum piece, by the look of it." - -"I'll say," Chip said. "That's a Bolo _Resartus_, Model M. Built mebbe -two hunderd years ago in Concordiat times. Packs a wallop, too, I'll -tell ye." - -The tank wheeled, brought a gun muzzle to bear in the base of the tower. - -"Send 'em out," the speaker growled. "Or I blast 'em out." - -"One round in here, and I've had a wasted trip," Retief said. "I'd -better go out." - -"Wait a minute, Mister," Chip said. "I got the glimmerin's of a idear." - -"I'll stall them," Tove said. He keyed the mike. - -"ACI 228, what's your authority for this demand?" - -"I know that machine," Chip said. "My hobby, old-time fightin' -machines. Built a model of a _Resartus_ once, inch to the foot. A -beauty. Now, lessee...." - - - VII - -The icy wind blew snow crystals stingingly against Retief's face. - -"Keep your hands in your pockets, Chip," he said. "Numb hands won't -hack the program." - -"Yeah." Chip looked across at the tank. "Useta think that was a perty -thing, that _Resartus_," he said. "Looks mean, now." - -"You're getting the target's-eye view," Retief said. "Sorry you had to -get mixed up in this, Old Timer." - -"Mixed myself in. Durn good thing, too." Chip sighed. "I like these -folks," he said. "Them boys didn't like lettin' us come out here, but -I'll give 'em credit. They seen it had to be this way, and they didn't -set to moanin' about it." - -"They're tough people, Chip." - -"Funny how it sneaks up on you, ain't it, Mister? Few minutes ago we -was eatin' high on the hog. Now we're right close to bein' dead men." - -"They want us alive, Chip." - -"It'll be a hairy deal, Mister," Chip said. "But t'hell with it. If it -works, it works." - -"That's the spirit." - -"I hope I got them fields o' fire right--" - -"Don't worry. I'll bet a barrel of beer we make it." - -"We'll find out in about ten seconds," Chip said. - -As they reached the tank, the two men broke stride and jumped. Retief -leaped for the gun barrel, swung up astride it, ripped off the -fur-lined leather cap he wore and, leaning forward, jammed it into the -bore of the cannon. The chef sprang for a perch above the fore scanner -antenna. With an angry _whuff!_ anti-personnel charges slammed from -apertures low on the sides of the vehicle. Retief swung around, pulled -himself up on the hull. - -"Okay, Mister," Chip called. "I'm going under." He slipped down the -front of the tank, disappeared between the treads. Retief clambered -up, took a position behind the turret, lay flat as it whirled angrily, -sonar eyes searching for its tormentors. The vehicle shuddered, backed, -stopped, moved forward, pivoted. - -Chip reappeared at the front of the tank. - -"It's stuck," he called. He stopped to breathe hard, clung as the -machine lurched forward, spun to the right, stopped, rocking slightly. - -"Take over here," Retief said. He crawled forward, watched as the chef -pulled himself up, slipped down past him, feeling for the footholds -between the treads. He reached the ground, dropped on his back, -hitched himself under the dark belly of the tank. He groped, found the -handholds, probed with a foot for the tread-jack lever. - -The tank rumbled, backed quickly, turned left and right in a dizzying -sine curve. Retief clung grimly, inches from the clashing treads. - -The machine ground to a halt. Retief found the lever, braced his back, -pushed. The lever seemed to give minutely. He set himself again, put -both feet against the frozen bar and heaved. - -With a dry rasp, it slid back. Immediately two heavy rods extended -themselves, moved down to touch the pavement, grated. The left track -creaked as the weight went off it. Suddenly the tank's drive raced, -and Retief grabbed for a hold as the right tread clashed, heaved the -fifty-ton machine forward. The jacks screeched as they scored the -tarmac, then bit in. The tank pivoted, chips of pavement flying. The -jacks extended, lifted the clattering left track clear of the surface -as the tank spun like a hamstrung buffalo. - -The tank stopped, sat silent, canted now on the extended jacks. -Retief emerged from under the machine, jumped, pulled himself above -the anti-personnel apertures as another charge rocked the tank. He -clambered to the turret, crouched beside Chip. They waited, watching -the entry hatch. - -Five minutes passed. - -"I'll bet Old Tony's givin' the chauffeur hell," Chip said. - -The hatch cycled open. A head came cautiously into view in time to see -the needler in Retief's hand. - -"Come on out," Retief said. - -The head dropped. Chip snaked forward to ram a short section of steel -rod under the hatch near the hinge. The hatch began to cycle shut, -groaned, stopped. There was a sound of metal failing, and the hatch -popped open. - -Retief half rose, aimed the needler. The walls of the tank rang as the -metal splinters ricocheted inside. - -"That's one keg o' beer I owe you, Mister," Chip said. "Now let's git -outa here before the ship lifts and fries us." - - * * * * * - -"The biggest problem the Jorgensen's people will have is -decontaminating the wreckage," Retief said. - -Magnan leaned forward. "Amazing," he said. "They just keep coming, did -they? Had they no inter-ship communication?" - -"They had their orders," Retief said. "And their attack plan. They -followed it." - -"What a spectacle," Magnan said. "Over a thousand ships, plunging out -of control one by one as they entered the stress-field." - -"Not much of a spectacle," Retief said. "You couldn't see them. Too far -away. They all crashed back in the mountains." - -"Oh." Magnan's face fell. "But it's as well they did. The bacterial -bombs--" - -"Too cold for bacteria. They won't spread." - -"Nor will the Soetti," Magnan said smugly, "thanks to the promptness -with which I acted in dispatching you with the requisite data." He -looked narrowly at Retief. "By the way, you're sure no ... ah ... -message reached you after your arrival?" - -"I got something," Retief said, looking Magnan in the eye. "It must -have been a garbled transmission. It didn't make sense." - -Magnan coughed, shuffled papers. "This information you've reported," he -said hurriedly. "This rather fantastic story that the Soetti originated -in the Cloud, that they're seeking a foothold in the main Galaxy -because they've literally eaten themselves out of subsistence--how did -you get it? The one or two Soetti we attempted to question, ah...." -Magnan coughed again. "There was an accident," he finished. "We got -nothing from them." - -"The Jorgensens have a rather special method of interrogating -prisoners," Retief said. "They took one from a wreck, still alive but -unconscious. They managed to get the story from him. He died of it." - -"It's immaterial, actually," Magnan said. "Since the Soetti violated -their treaty with us the day after it was signed. Had no intention of -fair play. Far from evacuating the agreed areas, they had actually -occupied half a dozen additional minor bodies in the Whate system." - -Retief clucked sympathetically. - -"You don't know who to trust, these days," he said. - -Magnan looked at him coldly. - -"Spare me your sarcasm, Mr. Retief," he said. He picked up a folder -from his desk, opened it. "By the way, I have another little task for -you, Retief. We haven't had a comprehensive wild-life census report -from Brimstone lately--" - -"Sorry," Retief said. "I'll be tied up. I'm taking a month off. Maybe -more." - -"What's that?" Magnan's head came up. "You seem to forget--" - -"I'm trying, Mr. Councillor," Retief said. "Good-by now." He reached -out and flipped the key. Magnan's face faded from the screen. Retief -stood up. - -"Chip," he said, "we'll crack that keg when I get back." He turned to -Anne-Marie. - -"How long," he said, "do you think it will take you to teach me to ski -by moonlight?" - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Frozen Planet, by Keith Laumer - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FROZEN PLANET *** - -***** This file should be named 61097.txt or 61097.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/1/0/9/61097/ - -Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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