“Good,” Martin said. “Best of luck.”
“Thanks,” Johnny said. “And by the way,” he added, as Martin started away, “take care of the portfolio you’re carrying. Wouldn’t do to lose it, you know.”
Martin glanced at Johnny with enigmatic eyes but his hands instinctively tightened on the case under his arm.
“Yes,” he said quietly, “I shall be careful.”
He smiled and walked away; but there was a puzzled uncertain look on his normally impassive face.
Johnny turned and entered the wide doors of the ship. A steward glanced at his ticket and directed him forward to a comfortable compartment that was furnished for six passengers. It was empty when Johnny arrived and he settled himself in a chair beside the port window.
He glanced about the compartment. There were six deep lounge chairs, three on each side of the room. A steel door separated the compartment from the aisle that led forward to the ship’s dining- and game-room. Everything looked serene and comfortable.
He tossed his hat onto a rack above his head and lit a cigarette and settled down for the four hour trip to Mars. The black leather portfolio he placed beside him on the chair.
He had been waiting only about five minutes when the door of the compartment opened and two small, smiling Martians entered and seated themselves in two of the lounge chairs opposite him. They were typical specimens of their race; small, effeminate men with a slightly green coloring and pale weird eyes that were constructed without pupils and appeared as opaque discs of gray glass set in the green framework of their faces. These eyes were completely and permanently devoid of any expression; and it was practically impossible to tell at precisely what they were looking.
ONE of the Martians seemed older and stockier than his companion; and that was the only difference that Johnny could notice.
They were both smiling pleasantly at him, displaying small sharp, even teeth. Johnny smiled back with exaggerated friendliness.
The smiles of the Martians broadened.
“I am Arnua,” the older one said, bowing deferentially. He indicated his companion with a slight gesture. “My colleague, Zyn-Tor. As we will be traveling together for the next few hours it is only right that we should know one another. It will help to pass the time.”
There was a silence in the small compartment following the Martians introduction. They both were looking expectantly at him, polite little smiles on their faces, as they waited for him to introduce himself. But Johnny had no intention of gratifying their curiosity. Also he felt that an introduction would be superfluous. Unless he was completely wrong they knew quite well who he was.
“Nice to know you both,” he said smiling affably. “How’re things on Mars these days? I haven’t been there in quite a while.”
An expressionless glance passed between the two Martians. Then Arnua, the stocky one, turned to Johnny with polite interest on his face.
“You have been to our planet then?” he asked softly. “Did you find it pleasant?”
“Oh, very,” Johnny said quickly. “Wonderful place, Mars.”
“I am so glad you think so,” Arnua murmured. “Was your trip one of pleasure or business?”
“Strictly pleasure,” Johnny said. “And your present trip?” Arnua persisted. “Is it also one of pleasure?” Johnny couldn’t control an impulse to grin at the little Martian’s lack of subtlety. His questions were so apparent that it was amusing. These two Martians were obviously on his trail and they seemed determined to advertise the fact.
“Pleasure?” Johnny smiled. “I don’t know—yes. But I’ve got a hunch it’s going to have its pleasant aspects before I’m finished.”
“Pardon,” Arnua said, “but you are in Army Intelligence?”
Johnny’s grin chilled at the edges of his mouth.
He matched the Martian’s bluntness. “What’s it to you?”
Arnua smiled apologetically and spread his thin hands in a placating gesture.
“I mean no offense,” he said. “It is simply that you seem to possess qualities necessary for Intelligence and there is keenness in your face and bearing; my assumption was a natural one, and I am sorry if it disturbed you.”
Johnny relaxed. He had been a fool to show annoyance at the Martian’s question; but this whole set-up was gradually becoming more irritating. All the pussy-footing and conniving that was necessary in these routine assignments disgusted him. He was essentially a man of action. He would have liked to jerk both these little fawning Martians to their feet and pitch them out of the compartment; but that would never do.
HE PUT the brief case under his arm and stood up. He noticed that a flicker of expression under the Martian’s fixed, flat gaze as they stared at the leather portfolio which he held next to his body.
“I’m going up front for a drink,” he said.
Aruna laughed softly and his little teeth gleamed under his thin lips.
“You must have important papers in your portfolio.”
Johnny paused in the doorway.
“Nothing vital,” he said. “Just a few mash notes from a little blonde back on Earth.”
“I see,” Aruna said, laughing again.
“Glad you do,” Johnny said. “I’m a sort of sentimental person, I guess. I’d feel simply terrible if anything happened to those letters. I’d probably forget myself and act pretty nasty if anyone tried to walk off with them. But there’s not much chance of anything like that happening on a nice quiet trip like this.”
He smiled good-naturedly at the bland little Martians and stepped out of the compartment into the aisle that led to the spacious accommodations in the fore sections of the ship.
As he walked down the gleaming metal-walled aisle there was a tiny frown gathering about his eyes. He was in a rather peculiar spot. He felt quite sure that the two Martians were on his trail; in fact he would have bet his last dollar on it. But he was completely in the dark as to how they were going to proceed. They’d hardly try anything aboard ship, because the Sirius was staffed with officers of the Earth Merchant Marine Corps. They couldn’t risk anything violent until they reached Mars. Even then they would be forced to work rather carefully because Mars and Earth were still technically at peace and both planets were anxious to avoid anything in the nature of an overt act; at least until they were ready.
When he reached the main salon he sat down and ordered a drink of mild liquor from one of the hovering stewards. From the seat he had taken he had a view through the vast side windows of the salon into the infinite pressing blackness of the void. Occasionally asteroids flashed past and they appeared as vivid streaks of gleaming brightness before they flashed out of range to continue their trackless, uncharted circuits.
He had hardly noticed the girl who was seated in the next chair, until she leaned forward and said impulsively to him:
“Isn’t it absolutely thrilling!”
There was such sincere eagerness in her voice that he was surprised. He glanced at her curiously. She was watching the asteroid-streaked immensity of space with wide-eyed eagerness. Her lips were parted slightly and there was a flush of color in her cheeks.
Johnny noticed then that she was an extremely attractive girl. Her hair was lustrous and dark and in her bright eyes and clear skin there was the imprint of eager, buoyant health.
She was wearing a close-fitting tunic and short skirt that revealed slim lines that were as lithe as a young boy’s. But there was complete femininity in the soft column of her throat and roundness of her shoulders.
Johnny experienced a definite quickening of interest.
“Is this your first trip?” he asked as casually as he could.
SHE seemed surprised at his question.
She glanced at him and then seemed to realize for the first time that she had spoken impulsively to him. She blushed slightly.
“Yes, it is,” she said. “I’m afraid I can’t be calm and sophisticated. Everything is so exciting I can hardly believe it.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Johnny grinned. He asked, “What part of Mars are you traveling to?”
“My uncle is in the importing business in Oolano,” the girl answered. “That will be my first stop. I’m going to work for him as a secretary. He travels extensively, so I probably won’t be permanently settled anywhere.”
“Sounds like an interesting job,” Johnny said. “Oolano is the first stop on this trip. It happens to be my destination also. With a little luck we might run into each other there.”
They talked for the rest of the trip; and Johnny never recalled three hours flitting by so rapidly and pleasantly. Her name he discovered was Nada Thomas and she was twenty-four and had dimples in both cheeks when she smiled. Johnny Blake had not developed his powers of observation for nothing.
When the speed of the Sirius was checked by the thundering charges of the fore repulsion rockets Johnny helped Nada to her feet.
“I’m going back to my compartment for a minute,” he said, “I’ll meet you outside on our loading ramp. We can have a bite to eat before you meet your uncle.”
“Sounds wonderful,” Nada said. “Don’t keep me waiting.”
When Johnny reached his compartment he saw that the two Martians had disappeared; but he had the feeling that he would see them both again.
His hands automatically tightened on the portfolio under his arm. He mustn’t let himself forget the job he had to do. He wondered if he were making a mistake in not reporting directly to Commander Forsythe, the head of Intelligence headquarters and delivering the brief case to him.
There was a worried frown on his face as he stood in the center of the compartment considering this. One thing persuaded him not to change his plans. He realized that the Martians would make their play before he got to Intelligence Headquarters, and if he proceeded directly there he would be playing into their hands. If he could shake them now, spend a few hours with Nada in an obscure cafe, his chance of getting to Headquarters would probably be better.
NADA was waiting for him when he reached the loading ramp. A few minutes later, they had passed under the great archway of the vast Space terminal and were walking on one of the upper levels of the Martian metropolis, Oolano.
Oolano was a city of mighty architecture. Buildings soared to immense heights and the transportation of the city streamed through dozens of levels that intersected these structures in even squares. Pneumatic elatubes connected the mile heights between levels, and these tiny cars that carried the human freight of Mars were visible through their transparent tubes, shooting up and down like small bugs on the trellis work of Oolano’s architecture.
Johnny squeezed Nada’s hand as they stood on a balcony that gave them a panoramic view of the vast sprawling city.
“Does it come up to expectations?” he asked.
Nada sighed. “It’s like something from a dream,” she whispered.
“Dreams are fine,” Johnny said, “but let’s try something a little more substantial. Dinner, to be exact.”
As he led the girl toward an elatube car he glanced casually over his shoulder. There were several loitering Martians on the level, but none of them seemed particularly interested in him.
The elatube car dropped swiftly with a plummeting motion that caught at their throats. In five seconds it slid to gentle cushioned stop on a level a quarter mile below the one from which they had started.
This level was in the middle of the metropolitan district and was thronged with hurrying crowds. Shops, cafes and theaters cast their lighted advertisements across the translucent sidewalks; and separated from the walks by a thin wire railing was a broad avenue that accommodated the swift atomic runabouts of the Martian leisure classes.
Johnny led Nada into the first small cafe they encountered and found a seat in a dark corner. He sat so that his back was protected by the angle of the walls. He put the brief case on the floor and rested both feet on it.
The cafe was dimly lighted and smoke-filled. From a space radio in a corner soft music from Earth floated into the tiny room.
Johnny ordered food and drink from a bland waiter and lighted Nada’s cigarette. Everything seemed perfectly safe and calm.
He was quite sure that he hadn’t been followed to this place.
“Like it?” he asked Nada. “It isn’t the best Mars has to offer but it’s not too bad.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” Nada said. “I’m terribly excited.”
Johnny noticed absently that a party of four Martians had come in and had taken a table next to his. But his nerves did not begin to flicker warningly until the table on the other side filled up with four bland, expressionless Martians. None of them so much as glanced at him; and it was this very fact that set him on guard. There was something unnatural in their studied unconcern, their complete absorption in the small menus they held in their hands.
THE music from Earth had been turned up and its volume completely dominated the murmur of conversation and the clink of glasses. Johnny noticed that while both sides were blocked there was still a narrow avenue leading between the two tables to the main door.
As carefully as possible he bent and picked up the brief case from the floor. He smiled at Nada.
“Smile at me,” he said. “Say something, anything at all and laugh.”
“But—”
“Please do as I say.”
“I don’t understand,” she said, smiling, “but the least a girl can do is smile for her dinner.” She laughed softly.
“Good,” Johnny said. “Listen carefully, Nada. We’re getting out of here. Right now. Don’t ask questions. When I stand up, get to your feet and walk ahead of me to the door leading to the level. Don’t stop or look back. And keep your eyes to the front. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I’ll do just what you say. But I still don’t know what you—”
“Never mind that. I’ll explain everything later. Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go.”
Johnny stood up in one lithe motion and stepped around the table. Nada was already on her feet walking about four feet in front of him, head erect and eyes directly front.
From the corners of his eyes Johnny saw the Martians at the table to either side come to their feet. But the unexpected swiftness of his maneuver had caught them napping. He was between their tables before they gained their feet, heading swiftly for the door, catching up to Nada.
He was within a dozen feet of the door when the tiny overhanging lights suddenly flickered out, plunging the room into Stygian blackness. Instantly an excited clamor broke out. A waiter’s voice called out questioningly and a woman’s tipsy scream cut through the darkness like a gleaming knife.
Johnny hugged the brief case to his side and lunged, stretching out one hand to reach Nada. But he collided instead with a babbling. Martian who gasped in drunken terror as Johnny plowed into him. Johnny shoved him aside and plunged through the surging mass of people who were stampeding toward the door.
“Nada,” he cried out, “where are you?”
He felt a sudden pressure against his back and a hissing, sibilant voice sounded close to his ear. He tried vainly to turn, but he was too late.
Something hard and heavy slugged into the base of his skull; and a thousand red-hot, dancing lights exploded in his brain. He felt himself falling helplessly forward. The strength was draining from his arms and legs as he plummeted to the floor.
A hand tore at the brief case under his arm. He struggled desperately to keep his grip, but the nausea that flooded him robbed his efforts of strength. The case was ripped from his side and a hard fist smashed into the side of his face.
He fell to the floor, a helpless, limp weight.
FOR an eternity it seemed he lay there too weak to move a muscle. He didn’t quite lose consciousness. He could hear the clamor of the crowd clearly; but it seemed to come from a great distance.
Finally he climbed to his knees, then to his feet and lurched through the crowd to
the door. As he broke through to the sidewalk level he saw a huge atomic runabout just drawing away from the curb; and through its transparent metal windows he recognized the smooth expressionless features of Arnua, the Martian he’d met on the Sirius.
There couldn’t be any mistake. And Arnua’s presence could hardly be coincidental. As the runabout flashed away from the curb into the traffic, Johnny’s brain instinctively registered the metal identification disc on the rear of the car.
For an instant he stood watching the swiftly moving car and a helpless feeling of despair flooded him. He had muffed things beautifully! He rubbed the aching lump at the base of his skull and cursed himself mercilessly. The brief case, with its vital contents, was in the hands of Martian Intelligence and he was just another guy who wasn’t big enough to handle his job. If only he hadn’t come here with Nada. The thought of the girl made him wince. He glanced helplessly about as if expecting to find her standing at his side.
What could have happened to her? She had vanished like a wisp of smoke. For several precious seconds Johnny stood irresolutely in the center of the sidewalk. The next move was up to him.
He shook his head and ran both hands through his unruly hair. The fogs of pain were drifting from his head and suddenly he began to feel strength flooding back into his arms and legs. A hard smile that had nothing to do with humor brushed his flat lips; and an unholy light danced fleetingly in the depths of his eyes. Unconsciously his big hands tightened to knuckle-whitened fists.
“All right, my little men,” he said softly, “you asked for it.”
He might never recover the brief case; it might be too late for that now. But he was going to make an almighty destructive nuisance out of himself before he stopped trying.
His first move was to a communications booth where he contacted Earth Intelligence. He identified himself with his private number to the crisp young voice who answered him.
“Get me the address and name of the party corresponding to this disc,” he said, and gave a description of the disc on Arnua’s car.
“Yes, sir.”
Collected Fiction (1940-1963) Page 174
