"Taking advantage? If you want to put it that way. Two of my men
are down sick. The usual spastic seizures. We've run out of ATG.
We're coming aboard your ship to get some. Article 10b of the Space
Constitution gives us that right."
Unterzuyder brushed Foshag aside.
"I warn you, Mr. Bailes," he said thickly, "if you have any ulterior
motive, such as looting this ship, we will put up a fight! Our
settlers were chosen for their intrepid qualities. We have guns. We
have bombs. We have a flare-cannon. You will not find us easy prey!"
Bailes leaned back easily. "Relax, Unterzuyder. As far as guns
go, we've got our share. And we have got a brace of flare-cannons
embrasured into the bulkheads of the _Space-Queen_ ourselves, if you
want to get tough."
He spread his fat hands. "But who wants to get tough? See you
gentlemen, aboard your ship, twenty-four hours from now." With which
remark he broke contact.
Unterzuyder was at Foshag instantly.
"Not a word about my identity," he breathed. "After all, I did pay you
a thousand credits!"
"And for which I thanked you! Mr. Unterzuyder, I am not a secretive
man. If asked a direct question, I seldom impair my health by lying.
Now permit me to return to my duties."
Fuming, Unterzuyder left the control turret, went straight to the
ballroom. Here, without any hesitation whatever, he cut in on Fayette,
taking her away from the handsomest husband in the lot. No word of
apology.
* * * * *
He held her very close, very tight. He danced with a mathematical
precision. Even the soul of the dance, he reflected grimly, derives
from a mathematical formula. The dummy four-piece band haggered out
its hag-strut very effectively. He was rewarded as Fayette lost her
surprised stiffness, and began to melt into him in perfect rhythm to
the tune. Her blonde head gradually nestled into his shoulder, her eyes
closed, a small, sweet smile on her lips.
At the first opportunity, he swung her without a break to a small
observation lounge, and in the cold green glow of a million stars drew
her to him, letting himself be stunned by the warmth of her and the
drugging quality of her perfume. He kissed her. He was carried away
into a land of intricate enchantment where Love is All, and the Girl in
my Arms is You.
She opened her eyes, looking at him dreamily. "I love you," she
murmured.
"I know," said Unterzuyder.
"I don't know what your intentions are. I don't care what kind of a
sneaky, underhanded person you are, I still love you."
He kissed her again. She was crying. Unterzuyder took out his
handkerchief and wiped away her tears. "Now don't worry, Fayette," he
soothed. "Everything will turn out all right." He took her back to the
dance floor. By luck he found the young husband she'd been dancing
with. He gave her back.
"Sorry!" he said. He gave Fayette a fleeting smile and hurriedly took
off.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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