The Anglers of Arz

by Roger D. Aycock

thepink fishers for--"

  Farrell swore in astonishment. "Then those poor devils are put out theredeliberately, like worms on a hook--angling in reverse! No wonder Icouldn't spot their motivation!"

  Gibson got up and sealed the port, shutting out the soft morning breeze."Colonization being out of the question, we may as well move on beforethe octopods get curious enough about us to make trouble. Do you feel upto the acceleration, Arthur?"

  Farrell and Stryker looked at each other, grinning. Farrell said: "Youdon't think I want to stick here and be used for bait again, do you?"

  He and Stryker were still grinning over it when Gibson, unamused,blasted the _Marco Four_ free of Arz.