Part 5 (2/2)

The non-com merely sighed, picked up his pad of forms, and began his questions. Astrid answered most of the questions in a monotone. She gave no sign that she had seen or recognized Thane. He noticed that on a few of her questions, her voice went up. He saw why.

The non-com had finished the body of his form and was filling in the ”remarks.” His stylus poised, he asked, ”Why did you go to the priestess?”

Astrid's voice went up as she answered, ”She's all right.” Then her voice went back to a dull monotone. ”I--I was confused. After I'd told them I was in the church I thought she would help me. But she couldn't.”

”What were you trying to do?”

”I've done everything,” she said in that slightly altered tone. ”I don't know what I was going to do. I've been so confused.” She bent her head and began to sob.

”Take her away,” the non-com said. The two guards led her into the cell block. As they left, the intercom buzzed beside the non-com. He answered and gestured to Thane. ”Time for you, Mister. Stand up and wait.”

Two officers of the guard entered. The gold on the uniform of one indicated that he was at least a commander. They took him between them, without a word, and went out.

The wind tore at them as they walked across the palace court. Each sentry snapped to attention as they pa.s.sed. Inside, they were inspected formally by a guard and more efficiently by a battery of detectors. They hurried on. After halls, corridors, steps, grav-wells, and more guards, they reached the door. One final check and they were through.

_Glistered_--that was the word--the whole room glistered. Gold inset in the wall panels. Golden arms on the chairs. Gold plating on the ceiling. A gold s.h.a.gell, wings outstretched, at one corner of Candar's enormous desk. And Candar, in a perfectly plain uniform, staring up at him from behind the desk. His own expensive way, Thane considered, for showing his contempt for the gold fetish of the church.

Candar looked up at him steadily for a moment without speaking. Then: ”I always greet the emissaries from the Allied Systems personally.

They always have so much of interest to tell us in one way or another sooner or later.”

Thane stared back and said, ”You are right. I have information that will save Onzar if I give it to you. Perhaps, using your methods, you could get it eventually. Perhaps not. But eventually is too late, Candar.”

Candar picked up a small gold knife. ”Go on,” he said, ”but do not bluff. I do not like bluffs.”

”There is no question of bluffing,” Thane said impatiently. ”But there are other matters that must be settled before I will go on.”

”Just what would you have us settle, spy?” Candar asked sardonically.

”First, the matter of my own immunity. I'm being hunted throughout the Galaxy. The Allied Systems are searching for me. Darzent agents have attacked me twice. I have disregarded orders and I'm about to commit treason if I'm a.s.sured of safety.”

Candar put down the knife and leaned forward. His voice showed his reluctant interest as well as his habitual suspicion. ”Tell me why, spy. Why should I a.s.sure your safety?”

Thane said scornfully, ”I didn't say that you should a.s.sure it. I said I wanted it a.s.sured. And it will be. If it isn't, you'll be wiped out, and what's left of the Onzar system will be in slavery.”

”You may think, Systems Spy, that you know the kind of death you will die if this is a trick,” Candar said slowly and coldly. ”But you do not. There are specialists here, experts whose life work is the gradual dispatching of men who try to trick Candar.” He paused for a moment. ”If you can prove what you say, I, Candar, will personally guarantee your safety and immunity.”

Thane snorted. ”You'll get your proof, but not on your personal guarantee. You'll transfer me to the custody of the church on the condition that I'll be turned back to you if I can't prove everything I say.”

Candar pushed himself to his feet. Thane could see the veins throbbing in his forehead. ”That's enough!” The harsh voice mounted to a roar.

”You have insulted Onzar and its ruler.” He turned to his officers.

”Take him out. We'll see what he knows, and how much he can stand before his death.”

The room they entered was a spotlessly clean room, an antiseptic room.

Thane wondered how often the blood was scrubbed from the floor as he recognized the instruments.

They pushed him into a chair and strapped him down. ”Now let's see what he'll take,” Candar said. The commander himself applied the fittings and turned on the switches. Then the pain came. In long s.h.i.+vering waves. No body pain. Just pure pain, applied directly to the synapses of his brain. It was unbearable--and then it got worse. It went up and up. Through a dim red haze, Thane saw Candar shove the dial up still another notch. Then he blanked out.

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