Deathworld

“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?”

Kra

“But that’s after the ship leaves — it’ll be too late. Can’t you go earlier?”

“Don’t tell me your troubles, mister,” Kra

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,” Kra

Lying on his bunk, resting his gravity-weary body, he searched for a way to get Kra

It was morning before he could return to the food warehouse — and one day closer to his deadline. Kra

“Do you want this?” Jason asked, handing the outcast a flat gold case inset with a single large diamond. Kra

“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. Kra

“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 comes 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 Kra

“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,” Kra

XV

The truck rumbled up to the perimeter gate and stopped. Kra

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 wild life swarmed. A fury of sound hurled at them, thuds and scratchings rang on the armor. Kra

It was slow-speed, low-gear work tearing through the jungle. Kra

The motors died and Kra

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. Kra

“Get back in, we’re leaving,” Kra

“You are, I’m staying right here.”

Kra

While the Pyrran talked, Jason’s thoughts had rushed ahead. He hoped that Kra

Jason looked at the trees, let his gaze move up through the thick branches. Though Kra

“There — in the top!” Jason shouted, and fired into the tangle of branches. Kra

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 gu

Then Jason was alone.

Up until that instant he hadn’t realized quite how alone he would be. Surrounded by nothing but death, the truck already vanished from sight. He had to force down an overwhelming desire to run after it. What was done was done.

This was a long chance to take, but it was the only way to contact the grubbers. They were savages, but still they had come from human stock. And they hadn’t sunk so low as to stop the barter with the civilized Pyrrans. He had to contact them, befriend them. Find out how they had managed to live safely on this madhouse world.

If there had been another way to lick the problem, he would have taken it; he didn’t relish the role of martyred hero. But Kerk and his deadline had forced his hand. The contact had to be made fast and this was the only way.

There was no telling where the savages were, or how soon they would arrive. If the woods weren’t too lethal he could hide there, pick his time to approach them. If they found him among the supplies, they might skewer him on the spot with a typical Pyrran reflex.

Walking warily he approached the line of trees. Something moved on a branch, but vanished as he came near. None of the plants near a thick-trunked tree looked poisonous, so he slipped behind it. There was nothing deadly in sight and it surprised him. He let his body relax a bit, leaning against the rough bark.

Something soft and choking fell over his head, his body was seized in a steel grip. The more he struggled the tighter it held him until the blood thundered in his ears and his lungs screamed for air.