Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition, December 1955 — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

94 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION Langley threw down his gun, cursing the day of creation. The corpsmen ringed them in, warily. “Sirs, you are all under arrest,” said the leader. “Please accompany us.” Marin wept, quietly and brokenly, as she followed them. Chanthavar was in the plantation office. The walls were ringed with guards, and Brannoch stood gloomily to one side. The Solarian was im- maculate, and his cheerfulness hardly showed at all. *““How do you do, Captain Langley,” he said. ‘““And Goltam Valti, sir, of course. Well, gentlemen, I seem to have arrived in the well-known nick of time.”’ ““Go ahead,” said the spaceman. “Shoot us and get it over with.” Chanthavar raised his brows. ““Why such a flair for drama?’’ he asked. An officer entered, bowed, and reeled off his report. The hideaway was taken, all personnel dead or under arrest, our casualties six killed and ten wounded. Chanthavar gave an order, and Saris was herded into a specially prepared cage and borne outside. “In case you’re wondering, captain,” said the agent, “the way I found ou was—”’ “T know,” said the spaceman. “Oh? Oh . . . yes, of course. Saris would have detected it. I was gambling there; didn’t think he’d realize in time what it was, and apparently he didn’t. There were other tracing procedures in readiness, this happens to be the one which worked.” Chanthavar’s lips curved into his peculiarly engaging smile. ““No grudges, captain. You tried to do what seemed best, I’m sure.” “How about us?” rumbled Brannoch. “Well, my lord, the case clearly calls for deportation.” “All right. Let us go. I have a ship.”’ “Oh, no, my lord. We couldn’t be so discourteous. The Technate will prepare transportation for you. It may take a while—even a few months—” ‘*Till you get a head start on the nullifier research. I see.”’ ‘Meanwhile, you and your staff will kindly remain in your own quarters. I shall post guards to see that you are not . . . disturbed.” “All right.” Brannoch forced his mouth into a sour grin. “I have to thank you for that, I suppose. In your position, I’d have shot me down out of hand.”’ “Some day, my lord, your death may be necessary,”’ said Chanthavar. “At present, though, I owe you something. This affair is going to mean a good deal to my own position, you understand—there are higher offices than my present one, and they will soon be open for me.” He turned: back to Langley. “I’ve already made arrangements for you, captain. Your services won’t be required any longer; we have found a couple of scholars who can talk Old American, and between them and the hypnotic machines Saris can be given a near-perfect command of the modern language in a few days. As for you, a position and an apartment at the university in Lora has been fixed up. The historians, archeologists, and planetographers are quite anxious to consult you. The pay is small, but you'll keep free-born rank.” Conmielooolks. conn