'Does that include your commanding officers?' I shouted at him, my mouth in his ear. He swayed and his hand dropped to his side.
'No, captain.'
'Then you are wrong and you could be shot for disobeying orders. An inspecting officer may try the door to see if it is locked. If an inspecting officer should attempt to go through the door he is to be instantly killed. Is that clear?'
'Very clear, sir.'
'Then wipe the smile from your face. You seem to enjoy that thought too much.'
'Yes, sir. I mean no, sir!'
I growled a bit more and continued my inspection. We had almost circumnavigated the building when we reached a door in the rear. The guard there stood at attention. I shook the locked door and looked at the metal staircase beside it. 'Where does this go to?' I asked. 'Emergency exit.'
'Is there a guard there?'
'Yes, sir.'
Morton followed me up the clanging stairs. I stopped halfway and bent to remove the lockpick from my shoe. Morton opened his mouth but shut it again when I put my finger to my lips. I had to find out what was happening inside.
We stamped upward and when we emerged on the balustraded corridor the guard there had his gun half out of the holster.
'Do you intend to aim that weapon at me?' I asked coldly.
'No, sir, sorry.' He put it away and snapped to attention. I put my face close to his.
'Do you know it is a court-martial offense to point a weapon at an officer?'
'I wasn't, sir, no! I'm alone here, didn't know who was coming…'
'I don't believe you, soldier. There is something wrong here. Stand over there by the lieutenant.'
As he turned about I had the lockpick in the keyhole, delicately, turning it, clicking it. I stepped back away from it as he stopped and about-faced. 'This door is locked?'
'Yes, sir. Of course, it has to be. I am stationed here because of the door …'
His voice wound down as I reached out and opened the door. Then closed it and wheeled to face him.
'You are under arrest, soldier. Lieutenant - take this man to the major. Tell him what has happened. Return with the major at once. Move it!'
As they stamped away I inserted the lockpick yet again, twisted and pressed hard. Something snapped inside the lock. Only then did I put the lockpick away, open the door and slip inside. Closing it silently behind me.
The small entranceway was sealed with dusty curtains. Light trickled between them; I bent forward and separated them a tiny amount.
'… important that security be absolute until blastoff. You have your sealed orders, not to be opened until H hour. Rendezvous points are marked…'
I knew that voice well. Once Garth, now Zennor. I parted the curtains just a bit more to make sure. There he was, almost below me, pointing at the large chart behind him. I looked at the chart, then closed the curtains and stepped back.
I was closing the door behind me when hurried footsteps sounded on the stairs. The major appeared, face red and strained.
'What is happening?'
'I'm not sure, sir. The guard that was stationed here had his weapon drawn, acted suspiciously. I tried this door. It was unlocked. That was when I sent for you, sir.'
'It can't be. I locked it myself.'
It opened at his touch and his face whitened with shock. He pulled it quickly closed. 'You haven't been inside?'
'Of course not, major. I have my orders. Perhaps the lock is defective.'
'Yes, perhaps!' He fumbled out his ring of keys, found the right key and turned it in the lock. Metal grated. 'It won't lock!'
'May I try it, sir?'
I took the keys from his limp fingers and, naturally, had no better luck in sealing the door. When I handed back the keys I spoke in a low voice.
'There will be an investigation, sir, trouble. Not fair to you. I'll see that the guard talks to no one about this. Then I'll get a welder, seal the door. Might be best, major, don't you think so?'
He started to speak, then closed his mouth, and thought instead. Looking from me to the door. Then he noticed the keys still in his hand. He put them in his packet and straightened his shoulders.
'As you say, captain, nothing happened. No point in getting involved in investigations and suchlike. I'll stay here. Send the welder at once.'
'Very good, sir. I'll take care of everything.' Morton was waiting at the foot of the stairs, the frightened MP standing beside him. I walked up to the man and gave him a good glare.
'I am going to be kind to you, soldier, although it goes against the grain. I think it might be wisest if we forgot all about this matter. What is your name?'
'Pip7812, sir.'
'All right. Pip, you can go back to your unit now. But - if I hear any rumors or loose talk about locks or such you will be dead within twenty-four hours. Understand?'
'Locks, captain? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.'
'Very good. Pip. Report to the sergeant. Tell him I need a welder here at once. Move.' He moved. 'What was all that about?' Morton asked.
'That was about warfare, my friend. I know now what they are up to here. I know all about their invasion plans.' Except - what could I possibly do about it?
Chapter 13
When the meeting broke up I saw to it that I was busily occupied away from the theatre entrance. It was a long chance that Zennor would recognize me from his Captain Garth days. But even a long chance is some chance, so I stayed out of sight. The troops formed up and marched away: with the emergency over they were not being coddled with effete transportation. The major had a car at his disposal but I turned down his offer.
'We could have used a lift,' Morton complained as the car moved away.
'To where? Prison? The farther we are from authority the happier we should be.'
'I'm tired.'
'Who isn't? Not to mention hungry. Let's find a place to spend some of Gow's money…'
'Jim… Jim diGriz…'
The sound was high-pitched, barely audible. Was I hearing things? I looked around but Morton was the only person nearby.
'Did you hear anything?'
'No. Should I?'
'Don't know. A sudden ringing in my ears. But I swear I heard something.'
'Maybe it was that moth on your shoulder talking to you. Ha-ha.'
'Ha-ha yourself. What moth?'
'See it there? Sitting on your captain's bars. Should I brush it off?'
'No. Leave it.'
I turned my head and blinked and could just make out the moth. It flapped its wings and took off - and landed on my ear.
'Co… aergropl … now.'
'I can't understand you.'
'That's because I'm not talking.'
