first one.

When he reached the house, it wasn't necessary to open the door. While the rest of the house was intact, what had once been the living room was only smoking rubble. That meant a controlled oxygen bomb, one of the most deadly weapons known to the civilized galaxy.

And there in the center of the rubble, her dress scorched and in tatters, stood Fanya Sera. She laughed at the sight of Manning's face.

When he was finally convinced that she was unharmed—he'd started to pinch her to make certain but a warning tremor had proved the ultrasonic device was equally indestructible—he relaxed.

"I think that'll be the last attempt," he told her. "I want to make sure that Nadyl knows he's failed again. Then I'm going down to Canopus and clean this up while they're still in a panic." He went into his room and put in a call to Nadyl's office. He left a message with the Canopusian receptionist. Then he rejoined the blonde.

"I'm on my way," he said. He noticed that, if anything, the damaged condition of her dress made her even more appealing. "I don't suppose you'd care to shut that gadget off long enough to give me a kiss for luck?"

"I'd like to, but I won't," she said.

"I thought you wouldn't," he said with a sigh. "Well, by the time I come back it'll all be over."

"I'll be waiting for you in your room," she said. There was even more promise in the quality of her voice than there was in the words.

"With the lights out?" he asked with a grin.

"With the lights out," she said solemnly. "You can turn them on later, if you like, but they'll be out when you arrive."

He pretended to catch the kiss she threw and tuck it in his pocket. Then he went down to his ship.

V

On the way down to Canopus, Manning put in a call to the guide he had used before. He wanted to be able to move fast and he knew that he wouldn't be able to get anywhere without a guide. His call was taken by an answering service, but the girl assured him that Angus McBlla would be at the spaceport by the time Manning was.

He was, too. Manning explained to him the places he wanted to go and they started out in an air-cab.

 Prev. P 30/42 next