deathworld-第15章

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　fact　he　had。　Grubber　was　a　key…but　to　what？　And　who　did　he　dare　ask　for　more　information？　Kerk　was　the　man　he　had　talked　to　best；　but　not　anymore。　That　left　only　Meta　as　a　possible　source。　He　wanted　to　see　her　at　once；　but　sudden　exhaustion　swept　through　him。　It　took　all　of　his　strength　to　stumble　back　to　the　school　buildings。
　 In　the　morning　he　ate　and　left　early。　There　was　only　a　week　left。　It　was　impossible　to　hurry　and　he　cursed　as　he　dragged　his　double…weight　body　to　the　assignment　center。　Meta　was　on　night　perimeter　duty　and　should　be　back　to　her　quarters　soon。　He　shuffled　over　there　and　was　lying　on　her　bunk　when　she　came　in。
　 〃Get　out；〃　she　said　in　a　flat　voice。　〃Or　do　I　throw　you　out？〃
　 〃Patience；　please；〃　he　said　as　he　sat　up。　〃Just　resting　here　until　you　came　back。　I　have　a　single　question；　and　if　you　will　answer　it　for　me　I'll　go　and　stop　bothering　you。〃
　 〃What　is　it？〃　she　asked；　tapping　her　foot　with　impatience。　But　there　was　also　a　touch　of　curiosity　in　her　voice。　Jason　thought　carefully　before　he　spoke。
　 〃Now　try　not　to　shoot　me。　You　know　I'm　an　off…worlder　with　a　big　mouth；　and　you　have　heard　me　say　some　awful　things　without　taking　a　shot　at　me。　Now　I　have　another　one。　Will　you　please　show　your　superiority　to　the　other　people　of　the　galaxy　by　holding　your　temper　and　not　reducing　me　to　ponent　atoms。〃
　 Her　only　answer　was　a　tap　of　the　foot；　so　he　took　a　deep　breath　and　plunged　in。
　 'What　is　a　'grubber'？〃
　 For　a　long　moment　she　was　quiet；　unmoving。　Then　she　looked　at　him　with　disgust。　〃You　do　find　the　most　repulsive　topics。〃
　 〃That　may　be　so；〃　he　said；　〃but　it　still　doesn't　answer　my　question。〃
　 〃It's。　。　。　well；　the　sort　of　thing　people　just　don't　talk　about。〃
　 〃I　do；〃　he　assured　her。
　 〃Well　I　don't！　It's　the　most　disgusting　thing　in　the　world；　and　that's　all　I'm　going　to　say。　Talk　to　Krannon；　but　not　to　me。〃　She　had　him　by　the　arm　while　she　talked　and　he　was　half　dragged　to　the　hall。　The　door　slammed　behind　him　and　he　muttered　〃Lady…wrestler〃　under　his　voice。　His　anger　ebbed　away　as　he　realized　that　she　had　given　him　a　clue　in　spite　of　herself。　Next　step；　find　out　who　or　what　Krannon　was。
　 Assignment　center　listed　a　man　named　Krannon　and　gave　his　shift　number　and　work　location。　It　was　close　by　and　Jason　walked　there。　A　large；　cubical；　windowless　building；　with　the　single　word　PoOD　next　to　each　of　the　sealed　entrances。　The　small　entrance　he　went　through　was
　a　series　of　automatic　chambers　that　cycled　him　through　ultrasonics；　ultraviolet；　antibio　spray；　rotating　brushes　and　three　final　rinses。　He　was　finally　admitted；　damper　but　much　cleaner；　to　the　central　area。　Men　and　robots　were　stacking　crates　and　he　asked　one　of　the　men　for　Krannon。　The　man　looked　him　up　and　down　coldly　and　spat　on　his　shoes　before　answering。
　 Krannon　worked　in　a　large　storage　bay　by　himself。　He　was　a　stocky　man　in　patched　coveralls　whose　only　expression　was　one　of　intense　gloom。　When　Jason　came　in　he　stopped　hauling　bales　and　sat　down　on　the　nearest　one。　The　lines　of　unhappiness　were　cut　into　his　face　and　seemed　to　grow　deeper　while　Jason　explained　what　he　was　after。　All　the　talk　of　ancient　history　on　Pyrrus　bored　him　as　well　and　he　yawned　openly。　When　Jason　finished；　he　yawned　again　and　didn't　even　bother　to　answer　him。
　 Jason　waited　a　moment；　then　asked　again。　〃I　said　do　you　have　any　old　books；　papers；　records　or　that　sort　of　thing？〃
　 〃You　sure　picked　the　right　guy　to　bother；　off…worlder；〃　was　his　only　answer。　〃After　talking　to　me　you're　going　to　have　nothing　but　trouble。〃
　 〃Why　is　that？〃　Jason　asked。
　 〃Why？〃　For　the　first　time；　he　was　animated　with　something　besides　grief。　〃I'll　tell　you　why！　I　made　one　mistake　once；　just　one；　and　I　get　a　life　sentence。　For　life…how　would　you　like　that。　Just　me　alone；　being　by　myself　all　the　time。　Even　taking　orders　from　the　grubbers。〃
　 Jason　controlled　himself；　keeping　the　elation　out　of　his　voice。　〃Grubhers？　What　are　grubbers？〃
　 The　enormity　of　the　question　stopped　Krannon；　it　seemed　impossible　that　there　could　be　a　man　alive　who　had　never　heard　of　grubbers。　Happiness　lifted　some　of　the　gloom　from　his　face　as　he　realized　that　he　had　a　captive　audience　who　would　listen　to　his　troubles。
　 〃Crubbers　are　traitors…that's　what　they　are。　Traitors　to　the　human　race　and　they　ought　to　be　wiped　out。　Living　in　the　jungle。　The　things　they　do　with　the　animals。　。　。　。〃
　 〃You　mean　they're　people…Pyrrans　like　yourself？〃　Jason　broke　in。　〃Not　like　me；　mister。　Don't　make　that　mistake　again　if　you　want　to　go　on　living。　Maybe　I　dozed　off　on　guard　once　so　I　got　stuck　with　this　job。　That　doesn't　mean　I　like　it　or　like　them。　They　stink；　really　stink；　and　if　it　wasn't　for　the　food　we　get　from　them　they'd　all　be　dead　tomorrow。　That's　the　kind　of　killing　job　I　could　really　put　my　heart　into。〃
　 〃If　they　supply　you　with　food；　you　must　give　them　something　in　return？〃
　 〃Trade　goods；　beads；　knives；　the　usual　things。　Supply　sends　them　over　in　cartons　and　I　take　care　of　the　delivery。〃
　 〃How？〃　Jason　asked。
　 〃By　armored　truck　to　the　delivery　site。　Then　I　go　back　later　to　pick　up　the　food　they've　left　in　exchange。〃
　 〃Can　I　go　with　you　on　the　next　delivery？〃
　Krannon　frowned　over　the　idea　for　a　minute。　〃Yeah；　I　suppose　it's　all　right　if　you're　stupid　enough　to　e。　You　can　help　me　load。　They're　between　harvests　now；　so　the　next　trip　won't　be　for　eight　days。　。　。　。〃　〃But　that's　after　the　ship　leaves…it'll　be　too　late。　Can't　you　go　earlier？〃　〃Don't　tell　me　your　troubles；　mister；〃　Krannon　grumbled；　climbing　to　his　feet。　〃That's　when　I　go　and　the　date's　not　changing　for　you。〃　Jason　realized　he　had　got　as　much　out　of　the　…　man　as　was　possible　for　one　session。　He　started　for　the　door；　then　turned。
　 〃One　thing；〃　he　asked。　〃Just　what　do　these　savages…the　grubbers…。　look　like？〃
　 〃How　do　I　know！〃　Krannon　snapped。　〃I　trade　with　them；　I　don't　make　love　to　them。　If　I　ever　saw　one；　I'd　shoot　him　down　on　the　spot。〃　He　flexed　his　fingers　and　his　gun　jumped　in　and　out　of　his　hand　as　he　said　it。　Jason　quietly　let　himself　out。
　 Lying　on　his　bunk；　resting　his　gravity…weary　body；　he　searched　for　a　way　to　get　Krannon　to　change　the　delivery　date。　His　millions　of　credits　were　worthless　on　this　world　without　currency。　If　the　man　couldn't　be　convinced；　he　had　to　be　bribed。　With　what？　Jason's　eyes　touched　the　locker　where　his　off…world　clothing　still　hung；　and　he　had　an　idea。
　 It　was　morning　before　he　could　return　to　the　food　warehouse…~and　one　day　closer　to　his　deadline。　Krannon　didn't　bother　to　look　up　from　his　work　when　Jason　came　in。
　 〃Do　you　want　this？〃　Jason　asked；　handing　the　outcast　a　flat　gold　case　inset　with　a　single　large　diamond。　Krannon　grunted　and　turned　it　over　in　his　hands。
　 〃A　toy；〃　he　said。　〃What　is　it　good　for？〃
　 〃Well；　when　you　press　this　button　you　get　a　light。〃　A　flame　appeared　through　a　hole　in　the　top。　Krannon　started　to　hand　it　back。
　 〃What　do　I　need　a　little　fire　for。　Here；　keep　it。〃
　 〃Wait　a　second；〃　Jason　said。　〃That's　not　all　it　does。　When　you　press　the　jewel　in　the　center；　one　of　these　es　out。〃　A　black　pellet　the　size　of　his　fingernail　dropped　into　his　palm。　〃A　grenade；　made　of　solid　ulranite。　Just　squeeze　it　hard　and　throw。　Three　seconds　later　it　explodes　with　enough　force　to　blast　open　this　building。〃
　 This　time　Krannon　almost　smiled　as　he　reached　for　the　case。　Destructive　and　death…dealing　weapons　are　like　candy　to　a　Pyrran。　While　he　looked　at　it；　Jason　made　his　offer。
　 〃The　case　and　bombs　are　yours　if　you　move　the　date　of　your　next　delivery　up　to　tomorrow…and　let　me　go　with　you。〃
　 〃Be　here　at　0500；〃　Krannon　said。　〃We　leave　early。〃
　
　15
　 The　truck　rumbled　up　to　the　perimeter　gate　and　stopped。　Krannon　waved　to　the　guards　through　the　front　window；　then　closed　a　metal　shield　over　it。　When　the　gates　swung　open　the　truck…really　a　giant　armored　tank…ground　slowly　forward。　There　was　a　second　gate　beyond　the　first；　that　did　not　open　until　the　interior　one　was　closed。　Jason　looked　through　the　second　driver's　periscope　as　the　outer　gate　lifted。　Automatic　flamethrowers　flared　through　the　opening；　cutting　off　only　when　the　truck　reached　them。　A　scorched　area　ringed　the　gate；　beyond　that　the　jungle　began。　Unconsciously　Jason　shrank　back　in　his　seat。
　 All　the　plants　and　animals　he　had　seen　only　specimens　of；　existed　here　in　profusion。　Thorn…ringed　branches　and　vines　laced　themselves　into　a　solid　mat；　through　which　the　wildlife　swarmed。　A　fury　of　sound　hurled　at　them；　thuds　and　scratchings　rang　on　the　armor。　Krannon　laughed　and　closed　the　switch　that　electrified　the　outer　grid。　The　scratchings　died　away　as　the　beasts　pleted　the　circuit　to　the　grounded　hull。
　 It　was　slow　speed；　low…gear　work　tearing　through　the　jungle。　Krannon　had　his　face　buried　in　the　periscope　mask　and　silently　fought　the　controls。　With　each　mile；　the　going　seemed　to　get　better；　until　he　finally　swung　up　the　periscope　and　opened　the　window　armor。　The　jungle　was　still　thick　and　deadly；　but　nothing　like　the　area　immediately　around　the　perimeter。　It　appeared　as　if　most　of　the　lethal　powers　of　Pyrrus　were　concentrated　in　the　single　area　around　the　settlement。　Why？　Jason　asked　himself。　Why　this　intense　and　directed　planetary　hatred？
　 The　motors　died　and　Krannon　stood　up；　stretching。　〃We're　here；〃　he　said。　〃Let's　unload。〃
　 There　was　bare　rock　around　the　truck；　a　rounded　hillock　that　projected　from　the　jungle；　too　smooth　and　steep　for　vegetation　to　get　a　hold。　Krannon　opened　the　cargo　hatches　and　they　pushed　out　the　boxes　and　crates。　When　they　fmished　Jason　slumped　down；　exhausted；　onto　the　pile。
　 〃Get　back　in；　we're　leaving；〃　Kxannon　said。
　 〃You　are；　I'm　staying　right　here。〃
　 Krannon　looked　at　him　coldly。　〃Get　in　the　truck　or　I'll　kill　you。　No　one　stays　out　here。　For　one　thing　you　couldn't　live　an　hour　alone。　But　worse　than　that　the　grubbers　would　get　you。　Kill　you　at　once；　of　course；　but　that's　not　important。　But　you　have　equipment　that　we　can't　allow　into　their　hands。　You　want　to　see　a　grubber　with　a　gun？〃
　 While　the　Pyrran　talked；　Jason's　thoughts　had　rushed　ahead。　He　hoped　that　Krannon　was　as　thick　of　head　as　he　was　fast　of　reflex。
　 Jason　looked　at　the　trees；　let　his　gaze　move　up　through　the　thick　branches。　Though　Krannon　was　still　talking；　he　was　automatically　aware　of　Jason's　attention。　When　Jason's　eyes　widened　and　his　gun　jumped　into　his　hand；　Krannon's　own　gun　appeared　and　he　turned　in　the　same　direction。
　 〃There…in　the　top！〃　Jason　shouted　and　fired　into　the　tangle　of　branches。　Krannon　fired　too。　As　soon　as　he　did；　Jason　hurled　himself　backward；　curled　into　a　ball；　roiling　down　the　inclined　rock。　The　shots　had　covered　the　sounds　of　his　movements；　and　before　Krannon　could　turn　back　the　gravity　had　dragged　him　down　the　rock　into　the　thick　foliage。　Crashing　branches　slapped　at　him；　but　slowed　his　fall。　Vhen　he　stopped　moving；　he　was　lost　in　the　tangle。　Krannon's　shots　came　too　late　to　hit　him。
　 Lying　there；　tired　and　bruised；　Jason　heard　the　Pyrran　cursing　him　out。　He　stamped　around　on　the　rock；　fired　a　few　shots；　but　knew　better　than　to　enter　the　trees。　Finally　he　gave　up　and　went　back　to　the　truck。　The　motor　gunned　into　life　and　the　treads　clanked　and　scraped　down　the　rock　and　back　into　the　jungle。　There　were　muted　rumblings　and　crashes　that