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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