The Primus Curse
before the tape had gone to work on him. What were Manson and the others thinking now?

"The photo-electric cell is still operating the door," Lerner said. "I don't see anybody around."

The television camera still showed the front of the building. There was no window through which it could scan the inside.

"Look around carefully and don't move until you're sure of yourself," Grimes ordered. "According to the reports, you should be in a lobby surrounded by glass-walled offices. Is that the picture?"

"That is correct, sir. I don't see any signs of anybody. Wait...." The voice stopped for a minute. Captain Grimes leaned forward tensely. Then Lerner began to speak again, hesitantly.

"I see ... I see a costume hanging ... hanging in one of the offices. There might be somebody there ... probably just wearing shorts or something. I don't feel so good...."

"Get out of there quick," Grimes shouted.

"Yes, sir," came the reply, weakly. "There is someone here. He sees me but I don't think he ... I don't know if he's coming down. Yes, I guess he is. He's only wearing shorts. He's ... what did you say, Captain?"

"I said get out of there. Get out of there at once, Lerner."

"I can't make you out, sir. My head hurts. I'm coming out. I feel sick at my stomach. I...."

The voice trailed off and after a moment Lerner stumbled into the field of the TV camera and stood unsteadily before the big UN building. Then his scream of pain came vibrating from the speaker.

"Captain Grimes! Larsen! Somebody, stop it. For God's sake, shoot!"

He pointed his pistol excitedly in all directions, firing wildly with the high-explosive bullets. Grimes turned from the TV screen to the window, grabbing a pair of binoculars. All he could see was the staggering figure of the navigator, stabbing the space around him with his pistol and screaming over the radio.

"Stop it, Lerner. Stop that firing and screaming. There's nothing bothering you. Get back here immediately. On the double."

Even as he shouted the futile orders, Grimes saw the boy slump to the ground writhing and clutching at his insides. In five seconds it was all over. The brutal 
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