George Martin - Old Mars

“There is no way to find out, short of landing and exploring it,” said the Martian.

“Merlin will tell us,” said Scorpio. “It would be nice if something was living there—a Martian, a duxbollah, something .”

Quedipai frowned in puzzlement. “Why?”

“I’d like some physical proof that the virus that wiped out the city is gone, or dead, or so weak it can’t harm whatever’s living here.”

“It is safe,” said the Martian. “Its art treasures reside in the museum that is associated with my university. Somebody was able to procure them and bring them back unharmed.”

“For all you know, they were removed before the virus was unleashed, or possibly they were collected by men … well, Martians … in protective suits.”

“Then perhaps we should stay in the Crater, as I originally wanted.”

“We’ll decide when the time comes,” answered Scorpio.

They soon were cruising low over the city, looking for a likely landing spot, and Scorpio found one right in the city center. He set the flyer down gently, killed the lights and motor, sat still for a few moments, and finally turned to Merlin.

Well?

I don’t think —began the Venusian. Then he suddenly tensed. Wait! We’re in luck!

What is it?

Merlin frowned as he concentrated. Three thieves, on the run from the law .

Martians?

Two from Titan, and an Earthman .

How long have they been hiding here?

Six days .

And they’re still healthy? Okay, we can leave the flyer .

“Looks a little like Pompeii, or maybe that deserted city on Mercury’s dark side,” commented Scorpio, staring at their surroundings.

“If you say so,” replied Quedipai. “I have never been off the planet.”

“It’s an interesting solar system,” said Scorpio. “You should try to see some of it.”

“We each have our passions. Mine is—”

“I know,” Scorpio interrupted. “Merlin, how close are they?”

“They?” repeated the Martian uneasily.

“Three outlaws, hiding from the authorities,” answered Scorpio.

“Is it safe?”

“They’ve been here long enough to prove that the city’s probably safe from any virus. Whether we’re safe from them is another matter.”

“Perhaps we should stay in the ship,” suggested Quedipai uneasily.

“They know where we are. I’d like to know where they are too.” He turned to the Venusian. “How about it, Merlin?”

I’m trying to pinpoint them. It’s more difficult with Titanians than with most races .

“I’ve been sitting here long enough,” said Scorpio, opening the hatch and jumping down to the ground. He helped Quedipai down, then stood aside as Merlin leaped out and landed lightly.

I love this gravity , thought the Venusian.

“Avast there!” cried a human voice.

“Avast?” repeated Scorpio, half-smiling. “Do people still say ‘Avast’?”

“Who are you and what’s your business here?” continued the voice.

“Just some travelers looking for a place to rest,” answered Scorpio, still unable to see the man who was speaking.

“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want,” said the voice.

“Thanks.”

“For ten thousand credits a night,” added the voice.

“Does that include running water and kitchen privileges?” asked Scorpio, withdrawing his burner.

The voice laughed. “I like you, fellow Earthman!” it said. “It would be a shame to kill you over something as trivial as a few thousand credits. Put the burner away, pull out your money, and we can all be friends.”

“All?” said Scorpio.

“Did I neglect to mention that you’re surrounded?”

“By two naked monkeys from Titan and an Earthman who hasn’t got the courage to show himself?” replied Scorpio. “I may just faint dead away from fear.”

Where are the other two?

One’s twenty degrees to the left of where you’re facing, the other is thirty degrees to the right .

I don’t know from degrees. Give me a reference point .

One’s in front of the doorway to the crystal building on the left, and if you follow the right wing of the flyer straight out seventy meters you’ll find the other one .

You’d better be right , thought Scorpio, pointing his burner at the crystal building, pressing the firing mechanism, and moving the barrel so that it covered the entire front of the building.

There was an inhuman scream. Scorpio dropped to one knee, fired where the right wing of the flyer was pointing, and was rewarded with a wail of agony an instant later.

“I’ll kill you for that!” cried the human voice.

Stand next to me—quick!

Scorpio grabbed Quedipai and pulled him over to where Merlin was crouching. The ground where they had been standing exploded a second later.

“Nice try,” yelled Scorpio. “But now you’re outnumbered three to one. Maybe you’d like to call it quits. Just put ten thousand credits on the ground and walk away safe and sound.”

He was answered by a curse and another explosion, this one blowing the landing gear off the flyer.

“We’d better do something soon,” said Scorpio softly. “If he hits the ship broadside, we’re hundreds of miles from any transportation.”

“ He must have transport,” offered Quedipai. “He couldn’t have walked here if he’s trying to elude the law. And the natives of Titan are bigger than Earthmen, so clearly his transport can accommodate all three of us.”

“Cutie Pie, you’re getting better at this all the time,” said Scorpio. “Okay, Merlin, we won’t worry about the ship. Let’s just concentrate on taking him out.”

But the Venusian was no longer there.

“Here!” said Scorpio urgently, handing his burner to Quedipai. “Start firing it nonstop, and aim about ten or fifteen feet above the ground.” The Earthman got the sonic blaster and began doing the same.

“I assume there’s a reason for this,” said Quedipai.

“Merlin’s gone,” said Scorpio. “That means he’s after the man, and we don’t want to hit him by accident. We just want the man to be concentrating on us.”

“Will Merlin be able to find him?”

Scorpio nodded as he continued firing. “His eyesight’s none too good, and his sense of smell is no better than mine, but somehow he can home in on thoughts. Any politician would want to shoot him on sight.”

The far side of the flyer took a direct hit and caved in.

“Damn!” muttered Scorpio. “He’s getting close.”

Distract him .

He’d damned well better have come in a flyer , thought Scorpio. Aloud he said: “Cutie Pie, turn the burner on the flyer!”

“What?” said the Martian, confused.

“Just do it!” snapped Scorpio as he aimed the sonic blaster at it and blew out all the windows.

Quedipai followed suit, and a second later the interior to the flyer was ablaze.

And almost instantaneously, they heard a single hideous scream from about ninety yards away in the darkness.

“Okay, you can stop now,” said Scorpio.

“We were creating a distraction, were we not?” asked Quedipai.

“Well, a confusion, anyway,” replied Scorpio.

A moment later, Merlin trotted back to the ship.

“You okay?”

A little bruised, but that will just make dinner taste all the better .

Dinner?

Don’t ask .

What about their weapons?

Old and not very efficient. Ours are better .

I trust you destroyed them?