by Boyd Ellanby
Lanza dreamily."Category Phoenix."
"What did you say, Leader?"
His thoughts wandered. No wonder Magnun's men found no bodies. Theplanes they shot down were roboplanes, after all, and it was easy toplant in an empty seat a man's wristwatch and his bulky leather pencilcase. David and the others were safe now. They were free and had enoughtime to plan for the new free world.
"What did you say, Leader?" the girl repeated, bewildered.
"Nothing. It doesn't matter." He frowned painfully, and then shrugged."On second thought, I may be away longer than a week. If anyone asks forme, say I'm on an Aimless Tramp. I've always hoped that some day I mightearn the right to a Free Choice."
"But you're the Leader," the girl said in astonishment. "You're entitledto all the Free Choices you want!"
He lifted his twitching head, smiling wanly. "It would seem that way,wouldn't it? Well, whether I am or not, I think I've really earned aFree Choice. I wonder," he said in a wistful voice, "whether the climatein the Andes is hospitable."
