To The Stars

“… further news of the criminal rebels who attempted to seize the Alpharon. The fighting has ended and the murderers have met the fate they wished for others. Quick justice at the hands of the comrades of those brave men who gave their lives for their home world…”

One glimpse of the torn, twisted and blood-drenched bodies of his friends was enough. Jan looked back at the two men. The announcer’s next words froze him motionless.

“One criminal escaped. His name is Jan Kulozik and the public is warned that he is dangerous. He is wanted alive for questioning concerning details of this mutinous plot. There is a reward of twenty-five thousand dollars for anyone supplying information that might lead to his recapture. All citizens of California and Arizona are warned to be on the lookout for this man…

Jan permitted himself one swift look at the screen. There was his face, full front and profile. Taken years ago before he was shipped from Earth, but instantly recognizable. When he looked back he found that the two men were now looking straight at him.

They both had their hands on the table so they were either very sure of themselves — or very stupid.

“Is all that true, what he said?” The thin man spoke for the first time. Jan did not answer so after awhile he added, “Why do they want you, Kulozik?”

Jan’s answer was to bring the barrel of the gun up over the edge of the table.

“This is a standard issue .65 calibre, rifleless pistol. It fires rocket slugs that can blow a hole through a cow. I want you to stand up and walk out of here ahead of me. Now.”

They obeyed instantly, sliding out of the booth and waiting for him, their backs turned. Then they went out the door with Jan following them. As he walked through after them Jan was barely aware of the figure in the darkness to one side, swinging something. He half turned and was just bringing up the gun when he was struck.

Seven

“I can only repeat what I’ve told you before,” Jan said.

“Then do it.”

It was a different voice — but the questions were the same. Jan was bound so tightly to the hard chair that his arms and legs were numb; his eyes were bandaged. It seemed that he had been tied there for eternity.

“My name is Jan Kulozik. I arrived on the Alpharon. I didn’t know the ship’s name until I heard the broadcast. I was with a group of prisoners who escaped. I was the only one that got away. I killed an officer…”

“His name?”

“Lauca, Sub-Lieutenant Lauca. And it was not murder but self-defense. I’ve told you all this already. I took his uniform and gun, commandeered a truck driven by a man named Eddie Millard. I left the truck behind the garage before going into the restaurant where you jumped me. Now you tell me something. Who are you? You’re Security, aren’t you?”

“Shut up. We ask the questions…”

The man’s voice broke off as someone else entered the room. There were footsteps and muttered voices. They came toward him — and his face burned with pain as the adhesive tape that covered his eyes was torn away. He gasped with shock and kept his eyes shut against the searing light.

“What was the registration number of the last car you owned in England?”

“How the hell do I know? That was a long time ago. He blinked at the three men standing before him. Two of them were the ones from the restaurant. “If you’re Security then you know all about me. So why these games?”

The newcomer, a scrawny man with a head as naturally bald as Jan’s shaved one, answered him. “We’re not Security. But maybe you are. A plant. To find our people. So you should answer our questions. We can help you — if you are what you say you are. If not, we’ll kill you.”

Jan looked at their faces, then nodded slowly.

“I feel the same hesitancy on my own part. You could be Security no matter what you say. So I will tell you only what is in my record. I’ll not compromise others.”

“Agreed.” The bald man looked at a sheaf of printout. “What was your phone number in London?”

Jan closed his eyes, tried to think. It was another age, really another life. He visualized his apartment, the doorman, the lift. Going into his flat, picking up the phone…

“Oh one… two three six… treble one two. That’s it.”

There were more questions like this. He answered them more quickly as memory flooded back That must be his security file they held — but how had they obtained it?

Only Security would have that. Were they just playing with him?

“That’s enough,” the bald man said, throwing aside the accordion-folded paper. “Cut him loose. We’ll just have to take a chance that he’s telling the truth.”

They had to hold Jan up when the ropes were removed. Until feeling — and pain — returned to his numbed body. He rubbed at his sore legs. “Fine,” he said. “You’re satisfied. But as far as I know you are still Security.”