LITMIR.BIZ

      III

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      The building they stopped at was one of the finer residences in Cassylia. As they had driven, Jason counted the money and separated his share. Almost sixteen million credits. It still didn't seem quite real. When they got out in front of the building he gave Kerk the rest.

      "Here's your three billion, don't think it was easy," he said.

      "It could have been worse," was his only answer.

      The recorded voice scratched in the speaker over the door.

      "Sire Ellus has retired for the night, would you please call again in the morning. All appointments are made in advan — "

      The voice broke off as Kerk pushed the door open. He did it almost effortlessly with the flat of his hand. As they went in Jason looked at the remnants of torn and twisted metal that hung in the lock and wondered again about his companion.

      Strength — more than physical strength — he's like an elemental force. I have the feeling that nothing can stop him.

      It made him angry — and at the same time fascinated him. He didn't want out of the deal until he found out more about Kerk and his planet. And "they" who had died for the money he gambled.

      Sire Ellus was old, balding and angry, not at all used to having his rest disturbed. His complaints stopped suddenly when Kerk threw the money down on the table.

      "Is the ship being loaded yet, Ellus? Here's the balance due." Ellus only fumbled the bills for a moment before he could answer Kerk's question.

      "The ship — but, of course. We began loading when you gave us the deposit. You'll have to excuse my confusion, this is a little irregular. We never handle transactions of this size in cash."

      "That's the way I like to do business," Kerk answered him, "I've canceled the deposit, this is the total sum. Now how about a receipt."

      Ellus had made out the receipt before his senses returned. He held it tightly while he looked uncomfortably at the three billion spread out before him.

      "Wait — I can't take it now, you'll have to return in the morning, to the bank. In normal business fashion," Ellus decided firmly.

      Kerk reached over and gently drew the paper out of Ellus' hand.

      "Thanks for the receipt," he said. "I won't be here in the morning so this will be satisfactory. And if you're worried about the money I suggest you get in touch with some of your plant guards or private police. You'll feel a lot safer."

      When they left through the shattered door Ellus was frantically dialing numbers on his screen. Kerk answered Jason's next question before he could ask it.

      "I imagine you would like to live to spend that money in your pocket, so I've booked two seats on an interplanetary ship," he glanced at the car clock. "It leaves in about two hours so we have plenty of time. I'm hungry, let's find a restaurant. I hope you have nothing at the hotel worth going back for. It would be a little difficult."

      "Nothing worth getting killed for," Jason said. "Now where can we go to eat — there are a few questions I would like to ask you."

      They circled carefully down to the transport levels until they were sure they hadn't been followed. Kerk nosed the car into a darkened loading dock where they abandoned it.

      "We can always get another car," he said, "and they probably have this one spotted. Let's walk back to the freightway, I saw a restaurant there as we came by."

      Dark and looming shapes of overland freight carriers filled the parking lot. They picked their way around the man-high wheels and into the hot and noisy restaurant. The drivers and early morning workers took no notice of them as they found a booth in the back and dialed a meal.

      Kerk chiseled a chunk of meat off the slab in front of him and popped it cheerfully into his mouth. "Ask your questions," he said. "I'm feeling much better already."

      "What's in this ship you arranged for tonight — what kind of a cargo was I risking my neck for?"

      "I thought you were risking your neck for money," Kerk said dryly. "But be assured it was in a good cause. That cargo means the survival of a world. Guns, ammunition, mines, explosives and such."

      Jason choked over a mouthful of food. "Gun-running! What are you doing, financing a private war? And how can you talk about survival with a lethal cargo like that? Don't try and tell me they have a peaceful use. Who are you killing?"

      Most of the big man's humor had vanished, he had that grim look Jason knew well.

      "Yes, peaceful would be the right word. Because that is basically all we want. Just to live in peace. And it is not who are we killing — it is what we are killing."

      Jason pushed his plate away with an angry gesture. "You're talking in riddles," he said. "What you say has no meaning."

      "It has meaning enough," Kerk told him, "but only on one planet in the universe. Just how much do you know about Pyrrus?"

      "Absolutely nothing."

      For a moment Kerk sat wrapped in memory, scowling distantly. Then he went on.

      "Mankind doesn't belong on Pyrrus — yet has been there for almost three hundred years now. The age expectancy of my people is sixteen years. Of course most adults live beyond that, but the high child mortality brings the average down.

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