Astounding British Edition, Volume 8, No. 11 — page 47: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- BLOOD BANK 45 shot out to grasp the Cophian’s shoulders, dragging him close. Roki gripped the Multin automatic in his pocket and struggled to slip free. The Solarian jerked him up toward the bared teeth. His throat about to be crushed, Roki pulled the trigger. There was a dull chug. The Solarian looked surprised. He released Roki and felt of his chest. There was no visible wound. Then, within his chest, the incendiary needle flared to incandescent heat. The Solarian sat down-in the street. He breathed a frying sound. He crumpled. Roki left hastily before the needle burned its way out of the body. He hadn’t meant to kill the man, and it had been in self-defense, but he might have a hard time proving it. He hurried along back alleys toward the spaceport. If only they could leave Tragor immediately! What had happened to. WeJan? Bribed, beaten, or frightened away, Then the Sola- rians did know who he was and where he was and where he was going. There were half a dozen men around the spaceport who knew—and the information would be easy to buy. Pok had known that he was to meet with WeJan, and the Solarian had evidently been sent to watch the captain’s quarters. It wasn’t going to be easy now—getting to Sol liI and landing. What manner of creatures were these, he wondered. Men who supplied mercy cargoes to the galactic nations—as if charity were the theme and purpose of their culture —yet who seemed as arrogant as the war- riors of some primitive culture whose central value was brutal power? What did they really want here? The Solarian had called him “manthing” as if he regarded the Cophian as a member of some lesser species. The Solarians were definitely different. Roki could see it. Their heads were plump and soft like a baby’s, hinting of some new evolutionary trend—a brain that could con- tinue growing, perhaps. But the jaws, the teeth, the quick tempers, and the hypersen- sitive ears—what sort of animal developed such traits? There was only one answer: a nocturnal predator with the instincts of a lion. “You shall get to know us again,” the man had said. It spelled politico-galactic ambitions. And it hinted at something else—something that made the Cophian shiver, and shy away from dark shadows as he hurried shipward. Daleth Incorporated was either asleep or out. He checked at the ship then went to the Administration Building to inquire about her. The clerk seemed embarrassed. “Uh ...E Roki, she departed from the port about five.” “You’ve heard nothing of her since?” “Well . . . there was a call from the police agency, I understand.” He looked apologetic. “I assure you I had nothing to do with the matter.” “Police! What.. what’s wrong,sman?” “| hear she went unescorted and un- veiled. The police are holding her.” “How long will they keep her?” “Until some gentleman signs for her custody.” “You mean I have to sign for her?” “Yes, sir.” Roki smiled thoughtfully. “Tell me, young man—are Tragorian jails particularly uncomfortable?” “I wouldn‘t know, personally,” the clerk said stiffly. “I understand they conform to the intergalactic ‘Code of Humanity’ how- ever.” “Good enough,” Roki grunted “T’ll leave her there till we’re ready to go.” “Not a bad idea,” murmured the clerk, who had evidently encountered the cigar- chewing lady from Daleth. Roki was not amused by the reversal of positions, but it seemed as good a place as any to leave her for safekeeping. If the Solarians became interested in him, they might also notice his pilot. He spent the following day watching the Sol ship, and waiting fatalistically for the police to come and question him about the Solarian’s death. But the police failed to come. A check with the news agencies re- vealed that the man’s body had not even been found. Roki was puzzled, He had left the giant lying in plain sight where he had fallen. At noon, the Solarian crew came bearing several lead cases slung from the centers of carrying poles. They wore metal gauntlets and handled the cases cautiously. Roki knew they contained radioactive materials. So that was what they purchased with their surgibank supplies—nuclear fuels. Toward nightfall, they loaded two large crates aboard. He noted the shape of the crates, and decided that one of them con- tained the body of the man he had killed. Why didn’t they want the police to know? Was it possible that they wanted him free to follow them? The Sol-ship blasted-off during the night. He was surprised to find it gone, and him- Eomichbooksico