Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

113 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION He took his time, making a complete search of the captive’s clothing, and removing equipment and weapons. At last, he drew back, satisfied that the being was harmless. He waited. It wouldn’t be too long before the business could begin. As the paralysis effect wore off, the man on the floor flexed his muscles, then got to his feet. Lanko watched him, his weapon resting on his knees. As the man tensed to spring, Lanko raised the weapon a little. “You are Genro Kir?” “Who are you? What's the idea?” Kir reached for his belt, then dropped his hand again as he found nothing there. “Resident Guardsman. Name’s Lanko. You seem to be a little out of place on this planet.” ‘“T’m not responsible to some native patrolman.” Kir’s face became stubborn. “I’m a Galactic Citizen.” “Possibly. We'll leave that to the Sector authorities.’’ Lanko shrugged, his face expressionless. ““Meantime, you'll have to accept things as they are. Or would you rather be paralyzed again?” Genro Kir tensed again, making an obvious mental effort. Lanko grinned at him in rea! amusement. “I took it. Wouldn’t do you much good anyway. They gave me heavy-duty equipment, you know.”’ He waved toward a chair with his weapon. “Might: as well sit down and talk about it. ’ve been through your tapes, of course.’ Kir looked around unhappily, then sank into a chair. ““What’s there to talk about, then? You know what we were doing.” “In general, yes, we do. A good deal was on your tapes. But we need more detail, and we’ve got to pick up your companions, you know. It would be a lot better if we knew where they were.’ ‘“T don’t know where they are myself. They’re building up their forces, and working for position. This is just the opening, you see. The real game won’t start for quite a while.” Lanko laughed shortly. “Frankly, I don’t think it will start. But it would make it simpler for all concerned if you’d help us find the players.” ‘I told you. I don’t know where they are. They don’t have to tell the referee every move they make, unless they want a consultation as to legality. I was just keeping watch on the general picture, to see that neither of them broke a rule, or took an unfair advantage.” ‘You may not know where they are,’’ Lanko admitted, “but you can certainly contact them.” Genro Kir smiled tightly. “But I won’t.” “They'll be hunted down, you know. We'll have them eventually. Be a lot easier for all concerned if you’d codperate.” ‘‘Codperate with a bunch of half savage natives, against my own friends? Don’t be more stupid than you have to be!” “TI see.”” Lanko glanced away. “All very ethical, of course. Well, in that case, we'll have to go to work.” He pulled a fine chain from a case at his belt, and walked over to his Captive, weapon ready. ‘Just hold still,” he ordered. He slipped the delicate looking necklace over the man’s head, squeezed the pendant, and jumped back. THE PLAYERS | 119 “I don’t know whether you’re familiar with this device,” he said, “‘‘so Pll explain it to you. It’s a type ninety-two gravitic manacle, and is designed to hold any known being. You can move about freely, so long as you don’t make any sudden or violent motion. The device is keyed to my shield, and you'll suffer temporary paralysis if you get within my near zone. You're safe enough a couple of meters from me,” He walked back to the control console. | “Oh, yes,”’ he added, “don’t try to take it off.*It’s designed to prevent that action by positive means. It won’t do you any permanent damage, but it can make you pretty uncomfortable. And, remember, if it becomes neces- sary, I can activate the manacle. It'll put you into full paralysis and send out a strong homing signal.”’ Genro Kir looked at him sourly. “I won’t try to escape,” he promised, “That’s immaterial to me.” Lanko flicked switches and the ship rose from the ground, swung, and started westward. “I was merely describing the capabilities of the manacle.”’ On the way over the sea, Lanko noted the positions of a few of the trading ships, and approached them closely, examining them. As he approached a small archipelago, his communicator screen brightened. “Resident Guardsman to Sportster. Identify yourself. Over.” Lanko picked up the microphone. “It’s all right, Ban. Got one. Two more to go.” “Fair enough. Come on in. ’ve got a beam on you.” Lanko checked the approach scope. The small circle was a trifle out of center. He touched the control bar, and as the circle centered, he snapped a switch and sat back. The sportster dipped over an island, erocced a narrow lagoon, and settled to the ground beside the guard flier. Lanko started pulling tools from his kit. Working carefully, he removed the cover from the control console, examined the terminal blocks, then attached a small cylinder between two terminals. He closed the console again and walked over to the exit port, where he pressed the emergency release, The port swung wide. For an instant, the control console was blurred. Lanko waited, then as the panel returned to focus, he walked back to it. He snapped the drive switch on and pushed the drive to maximum. Nothing happened. He punched the emergency power button, and waited an instant. There was no result, He nodded to his prisoner. “Come on, Genro Kir. We may want you to talk to someone.” He pointed to the port. Kir hesitated, then went through. He managed a sneer as he did so. The port of the flier opened, and Banasel looked out. “Need any help?” ‘“‘No. This spaceship won’t fly till someone from Sector comes out to pull the block.”’ Lanko pointed. ‘‘This is Genro Kir. He was refereeing a sort of battle game between a couple of his companions.” Lanko herded Kir in front of him, and Se his own flier. He ees the equipment kit on a shelf, and sat d- “What kind of a setup did these jone