deathworld-第4章

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　4
　 〃Don't　talk　stupidly；〃　Kerk　said　as　he　punched　for　a　duplicate　order　of　steak。　〃There　are　much　simpler　ways　of　mitting　suicide。　Don't　you　realize　that　you're　a　millionaire　now？　With　what　you　have　in　your　pocket；　you　can　relax　the　rest　of　your　life　on　the　pleasure　planets。　Pyrrus　is　a　death　world；　not　a　sightseeing　spot　for　jaded　tourists。　I　cannot　permit　you　to　return　with　me。〃
　 Gamblers　who　lose　their　tempers　don't　last　long。　Jason　was　angry　now。　Yet　it　showed　only　in　a　negative　way。　In　the　lack　of　expression　on　his　face　and　the　calmness　of　his　voice。
　 〃Don't　tell　me　what　I　can　or　cannot　do；　Kerk　Pyrrus。　You're　a　big　man　with　a　fast　gun…but　that　doesn't　make　you　my　keeper。　All　you　can　do　is　stop　me　from　going　back　on　your　ship。　But　I　can　easily　afford　to　get　there　another　way。　And　don't　try　to　tell　me　I　want　to　go　to　Pyrrus　for　sightseeing　when　you　have　no　idea　of　my　real　reasons。〃
　 Jason　didn't　even　try　to　explain　his　reasons；　they　were　only　half　realized　and　too　personal。　The　more　he　traveled；　the　more　things　looked　the　same　to　him。　The　old；　civilized　planets　sank　into　a　drab　similarity。　Frontier　worlds　all　had　the　crude　sameness　of　temporary　camps　in　a　forest。　Not　that　the　galactic　worlds　bored　him。　It　was　just　that　he　had　found　their　limitations…yet　had　never　found　his　own。　Until　he　met　Kerk　he　had　acknowledged　no　man　his　superior；　or　even　his　equal。　This　was　more　than　egotism。　It　was　facing　facts。　Now　he　was　forced　to　face　the　fact　that　there　was　a　whole　world　of　people　who　might　be　superior　to　him。　Jason　could　never　rest　content　until　he　had　been　there　and　seen　for　himself。　Even　if　he　died　in　the　attempt。
　 None　of　this　could　be　told　to　Kerk。　There　were　other　reasons　he　would　understand　better。
　 〃You're　not　thinking　ahead　when　you　prevent　me　from　going　to　Pyrrus；〃　Jason　said。　〃I'll　not　mention　any　moral　debt　you　owe　me　for　winning　that　money　you　needed。　But　what　about　the　next　time？　If　you　needed　that　much　lethal　goods　once；　you'll　probably　need　it　again　some
　day。　Wouldn't　it　be　better　to　have　me　on　hand…old　tried　and　true…　than　dreaming　up　some　new　and　possibly　unreliable　scheme？〃
　 Kerk　chewed　pensively　on　the　second　serving　of　steak。　〃That　makes　sense。　And　I　must　admit　I　hadn't　thought　of　it　before。　One　failing　we　Pyrrans　have　is　a　lack　of　interest　in　the　future。　Staying　alive　day　by　day　is　enough　trouble。　So　we　tend　to　face　emergencies　as　they　arrive　and　let　the　dim　future　take　care　of　itself。　You　can　e。　I　hope　you　will　still　be　alive　when　we　need　you。　As　Pyrran　ambassador　to　a　lot　of　places　I　officially　invite　you　to　our　planet。　All　expenses　paid。　On　the　condition　you　obey　pletely　all　our　instructions　regarding　your　personal　safety。〃
　 〃Conditions　accepted；〃　Jason　said。　And　wondered　why　he　was　so　cheerful　about　signing　his　own　death　warrant。
　 Kerk　was　shoveling　his　way　through　his　third　dessert　when　his　alarm　watch　gave　a　tiny　hum。　He　dropped　his　fork　instantly　and　stood　up。　〃Time　to　go；〃　he　said。　〃We're　on　schedule　now。〃　While　Jason　scrambled　to　his　feet；　he　jammed　coins　into　the　meter　until　the　paid　light　came　on。　Then　they　were　out　the　door　and　walking　fast。
　 Jason　wasn't　at　all　surprised　when　they　came　on　a　public　escalator　just　behind　the　restaurant。　He　was　beginning　to　realize　that　since　leaving　the　casino　their　every　move　had　been　carefully　planned　and　timed。　Without　a　doubt；　the　alarm　was　out　and　the　entire　planet　being　searched　for　them。　Yet　so　far　they　hadn't　noticed　the　slightest　sign　of　pursuit。　This　wasn't　the　first　time　Jason　had　to　move　just　one　jump　ahead　of　the　authorities…but　it　was　the　first　time　he　had　let　someone　else　lead　him　by　the　hand　while　he　did　it。　He　had　to　smile　at　his　own　automatic　agreement。　He　had　been　a　loner　for　so　many　years　that　he　found　a　certain　inverse　pleasure　in　following　someone　else。
　 〃Hurry　up；〃　Kerk　growled　after　a　quick　glance　at　his　watch。　He　set　a　steady；　killing　pace　up　the　escalator　steps。　They　went　up　five　levels　that　way…without　seeing　another　person…before　Kerk　relented　and　let　the　escalator　do　the　work。
　 Jason　prided　himself　on　keeping　in　condition。　But　the　sudden　climb；　after　the　sleepless　night；　left　him　panting　heavily　and　soaked　with　sweat。　Kerk；　cool　of　forehead　and　breathing　normally；　didn't　show　the　slightest　sign　that　he　had　been　running。
　 They　were　at　the　second　motor　level　when　Kerk　stepped　off　the　slowly　rising　steps　and　waved　Jason　after　him。　As　they　came　through　the　exit　to　the　street　a　car　pulled　up　to　the　curb　in　front　of　them。　Jason　had　enough　sense　not　to　reach　for　his　gun。　At　the　exact　moment　they　reached　the　car；　the　driver　opened　the　door　and　stepped　out。　Kerk　passed　him　a　slip　of　paper　without　saying　a　word　and　slipped　in　behind
　the　wheel。　There　was　just　time　for　Jason　to　jump　in　before　the　car　pulled　away。　The　entire　transfer　had　taken　less　than　three　seconds。
　 There　had　been　only　a　glimpse　of　the　driver　i~i　the　dim　light；　but　Jason　had　recognized　him。　Of　course　he　had　never　seen　the　man　before；　but　after　knowing　Kerk　he　couldn't　mistake　the　pact　strength　of　a　native　Pyrran。
　 〃That　was　the　receipt　from　Ellus　you　gave　him；〃　Jason　said。
　 〃Of　course。　That　takes　care　of　the　ship　and　the　cargo。　They'll　be　offplanet　and　safely　away　before　the　Casino　check　is　traced　to　Ellus。　So　now　let's　look　after　ourselves。　I'll　explain　the　plan　in　detail　so　there　will　be　no　slip…ups　on　your　part。　I'll　go　through　the　whole　thing　once　and　if　there　are　any　questions　you'll　ask　them　only　when　I'm　finished。〃
　 The　tones　of　mand　were　so　automatic　that　Jason　found　himself　listening　in　quiet　obedience。　Though　one　part　of　his　mind　wanted　him　to　smile　at　the　quick　assumption　of　his　inpetence。
　 Kerk　swung　the　car　into　the　steady　line　of　traffic　heading　out　of　the　city　to　the　spaceport。　He　drove　easily　while　he　talked。
　 〃There　is　a　search　on　in　the　city；　but　we're　well　ahead　of　that。　I'm　sure　the　Cassylians　don't　want　to　advertise　their　bad　sportsmanship；　so　there　won't　be　anything　as　crude　as　a　roadblock。　But　the　port　will　be　crawling　with　every　agent　they　have。　They　know　once　the　money　gets　off…planet；　it　is　gone　forever。　When　we　make　a　break　for　it　they　will　be　sure　we　still　have　the　cash。　So　there　will　be　no　trouble　with　the　munition　ship　getting　clear。〃
　 Jason　sounded　a　little　shocked。　〃You　mean　you're　setting　us　up　as　clay　pigeons　to　cover　the　takeoff　of　the　ship。〃
　 〃You　could　put　it　that　way。　But　since　we　have　to　get　off…planet　anyway；　there　is　no　harm　in　using　our　escape　as　a　smokescreen。　Now　shut　up　until　I've　finished；　like　I　told　you。　One　more　interruption　and　I　dump　you　by　the　road。〃
　 Jason　was　sure　he　would。　He　listened　intently…and　quietly…as　Kerk　repeated　word　for　word　what　he　had　said　before；　then　continued。
　 〃The　official　car　gate　will　probably　be　wide　open　with　the　traffic　through　it。　And　a　lot　of　the　agents　will　be　in　plain　clothes。　We　might　even　get　onto　the　field　without　being　recognized；　though　I　doubt　it。　It　is　of　no　importance。　We　will　drive　through　the　gate　and　to　the　takeoff　pad。　The　Pride　of　Darkhan；　for　which　we　hold　tickets；　will　be　sounding　its　two…minute　siren　and　unhooking　the　gangway。　By　the　time　we　get　to　our　seats；　the　ship　will　take　off。〃
　 〃That's　all　very　fine；〃　Jason　said。　〃But　what　will　the　guards　be　doing　all　this　time？〃
　 〃Shooting　at　us　and　each　other。　We　will　take　advantage　of　the　confusion　to　get　aboard。〃
　 This　answer　did　nothing　to　settle　Jason's　mind；　but　he　let　it　slide　for　the　moment。　〃All　right；　say　we　do　get　aboard。　Why　don't　they　just　prevent　takeoff　until　we　have　been　dragged　out　and　stood　against　a　wall？〃
　 Kerk　spared　him　a　contemptuous　glance　before　he　returned　his　eyes　to　the　road。　〃I　said　the　ship　was　the　Pride　of　Darkhan。　If　you　had　studied　this　system　at　all；　you　would　know　what　that　means。　Cassylia　and　Darkhan　are　sister　planets　and　rivals　in　every　way。　It　has　been　less　than　two　centuries　since　they　fought　an　intrasystem　war　that　almost　destroyed　both　of　them。　Now　they　exist　in　an　armed…to…the…teeth　neutrality　that　neither　dare　violate。　The　moment　we　set　foot　aboard　the　ship　we　are　on　Darkhan　territory。　There　is　no　extradition　agreement　between　the　planets。　Cassylia　may　want　us…but　not　badly　enough　to　start　another　war。〃
　 That　was　all　the　explanation　there　was　time　for。　Kerk　swung　the　car　out　of　the　rush　of　traffic　and　onto　a　bridge　marked　Official　Cars　Only。　Jason　had　a　feeling　of　nakedness　as　they　rolled　under　the　harsh　port　lights　toward　the　guarded　gate　ahead。
　 It　was　dosed。
　 Another　car　approached　the　gate　from　the　inside　and　Kerk　slowed　their　car　to　a　crawl。　One　of　the　guards　talked　to　the　driver　of　the　car　inside　the　port；　then　waved　to　the　gate　attendant。　The　barrier　gate　began　to　swing　inward　and　Kerk　jammed　down　on　the　accelerator。
　 Everything　happened　at　once。　The　turbine　howled；　the　spinning　tires　screeched　on　the　road　and　the　car　crashed　open　the　gate。　Jason　had　a　vanishing　glimpse　of　the　open…mouthed　guards；　then　they　were　skidding　around　the　corner　of　a　building。　A　few　shots　popped　after　them；　but　none　came　close。
　 Driving　with　one　hand；　Kerk　reached　under　the　dash　and　pulled　out　a　gun　that　was　the　twin　of　the　monster　strapped　to　his　arm。　〃Use　this　instead　of　your　own；〃　he　said。　〃Rocket…propelled　explosive　slugs。　Make　a　great　bang。　Don't　bother　shooting　at　anyone…I'll　take　care　of　that。　Just　stir　up　a　little　action　and　make　them　keep　their　distance。　Like　this。〃　~
　 He　fired　a　single；　snap　shot　out　the　side　window　and　passed　the　gun　to　Jason　almost　before　the　slug　hit。　An　empty　truck　blew　up　with　a　roar；　raining　pieces　on　the　cars　around　and　sending　their　drivers　fleeing　in　panic。
　 After　that　it　was　a　nightmare　ride　through　a　madhouse。　Kerk　drove　with　an　apparent　contempt　for　violent　death。　Other　cars　followed　them
　and　were　lost　in　wheel…raising　turns。　They　careened　almost　the　full　length　of　the　field；　leaving　a　trail　of　smoking　chaos。
　 Then　the　pursuit　was　all　behind　them　and　the　oply　thing　ahead　was　the　slim　spire　of　the　Pride　of　Darkhan。
　 The　Pride　was　surrounded　by　a　strong　wire　fence　as　suited　the　begrudged　status　of　her　planetary　origin。　The　gate　was　closed　and　guarded　by　soldiers　with　leveled　guns；　waiting　for　a　shot　at　the　approaching　car。　Kerk　made　no　attempt　to　e　near　them。　Instead　he　fed　the　last　reserves　of　power　to　the　car　and　headed　for　the　fence。　〃Cover　your　face；〃　he　shouted。
　 Jason　put　his　arms　in　front　of　his　head　just　as　they　hit。
　 Torn　metal　screamed；　the　fence　buckled；　wrapped　itself　around　the　car；　but　did　not　break。　Jason　flew　off　the　seat　and　into　the　padded　dash。　By　the　time　Kerk　had　the　warped　door　open；　he　realized　that　the　ride　was　over。　Kerk　must　have　seen　the　spin　of　his　eyeballs　because　he　didn't　talk；　just　pulled　Jason　out　and　threw　him　onto　the　hood　of　the　ruined　car。
　 〃Climb　over　the　buckled　wire　and　make　a　run　for　the　ship；〃　he　shouted。
　 If　there　was　any　doubt　what　he　meant；　he　set　Jason　an　example　of　fine　roadwork。　It　was　inconceivable　that　someone　of　his　bulk　could　run　so　fast；　yet　he　did。　He　moved　more　like　a　charging　tank　than　a　man。　Jason　shook　the　fog　from　his　head　and　worked　up　some　speed　himself。　Nevertheless；　he　was　barely　halfway　to　the　ship　when　Kerk　hit　the　gangway。　It　was　already　unhooked　from　the　ship；　but　the　shocked　attendants　stopped　rolling