THE RETURN

'You want the reward.'

'As you want to get to Earth,' snapped Chapman. 'That's why you don't want us to collect the reward and salvage. You don't want to use the time. Admit it.'

'Why can't you see the obvious?' Dumarest paced the bridge, fighting to control his anger at the captain's stubbornness. 'Look at what we have. A ship conveniently disabled. A story written in a log and how to tell if it's true? Sweet air in a vessel which has been drifting for years. A casket holding a man thinned almost to a skeleton. Another holding a girl who looks in the prime of health. Why hasn't she lost her fat? How to avoid it if she has been in the box as long as claimed? What really happened to the duenna? Was there ever one at all? Yemm could have waited until the last moment then set the controls and closed the lid on himself. He'd be taking a risk but only a small one.'

'What are you getting at?'

'It could be a trap.'

'Out here? Using a ship as a decoy? That's ridiculous! Who would want to trap us? How would they know we were close?'

The Cyclan, predicting their course or learning of it from an agent. A suspicion Dumarest kept to himself.

'Forget the reward,' he urged. 'There's a world of treasure waiting for us. Why risk losing it for the chance some ruler will be generous? Carry out the task you were commissioned to do. Damn it, captain, if you abandon it now you'll be committing a form of mutiny!' Then, before Chapman could answer, he added, 'Let's play it safe. Put a spare crew on board the Evoy. They can follow us to Earth.'

'To hell with Earth,' snapped Chapman. 'It can wait. I want to make sure of what I have. There will be time later to chase a legend.'

Chapman was adamant, blinded by greed. Badwasi lacked imagination. He said, 'There's nothing out there, commander. I've maintained a scan and the instruments register nothing out of the ordinary.'

Dumarest said, 'What you're really saying is that you can't discern any movement.'

'Well, yes, I guess I am.' Badwasi gestured at the void. 'If a ship was out there I'd have spotted it. The field leaves a trail. Even if drifting the mass would register if it was close. In that case we could even get a visual sighting. There's nothing. Space is clear.'

'What if a vessel was out there? Field down. Drifting. Stationary in relation to us?'

'It would be invisible,' admitted Badwasi. 'Especially if it stayed on aline between us and a star. But why would it do that?' He narrowed his eyes with belated suspicion, examining the screens, the instruments. 'Is there something out there?'

'I don't know,' admitted Dumarest. 'But there could be. Keep watch and if anything should appear make sure you target and track it. Have missiles armed and ready.'

'You expect action?'

'I just don't want to be taken by surprise.'

Zehava's cabin was empty. As was Yemm's. Niall said, 'She went over to the Evoy with the supplies. She must have stayed to make a check. As far as I know she's the only one aboard.'

'What about Yemra?'

'Talking with the captain. Something to do with that woman in the casket, I guess. Maybe he's increasing the reward.'

The air lock was empty, the drifting shape of the Evoy unchanged, the only addition to the original scene the thin line which traversed the gulf between the two vessels. Suited, sealed, a heavy satchel hanging from his shoulder, Dumarest clicked a sliding ring on the line and kicked himself into space. He landed softly, legs flexing to cushion the impact. Freeing himself from the line he moved to the emergency hatch and cycled through the lock.

Opening his faceplate he paused, listening, then hearing nothing moved softly through the vessel. Bales and canisters stood in neat array ready for the repair team and crew who would arrive later. The cabins were vacant, the salon deserted, the engine room empty. A tool locker swallowed the satchel. The hold was open, the bales of cargo stacked and held by broad restraints.

Zehava stood before the casket, hands resting on the controls, body leaning forward. She had removed her suit and was dressed in a blouse and pants of finely decorated fabric. Clothing which enhanced her femininity as did the cosmetics she wore. Her eyes, as she studied the figure the casket contained, were wide, luminous with reflected light.

A woman entranced. Her expression one he remembered.

Dumarest said, quietly, 'Does she remind you of Nigel's sister?'

'Earl!' She spun to face him, then mastered her surprise. 'No,' she said. 'Suarra was blonde and human enough to have had her faults. The Lady Lucia is perfect. Like something from an old legend. Beauty epitomized in a form which belongs to the world of dreams. Beautiful,' she repeated. Dangerous but fragile. A blow could shatter her and maybe it should. I've seen how you look at her. What she must mean to you. I don't want to lose you, Earl! If I thought she could take you from me I'd kill her now! I'd ruin her beauty! I'd watch her die!'

She slumped, quivering, as he gripped her arms.

'Easy, Zehava. Easy.'

'I'm sorry.' She straightened, breathing deeply, filling his nostrils with the scent of her perfume. 'I shouldn't have said that. I didn't mean it. I just want you to prove to me that I have nothing to fear. Wake the woman, see her, hold her -then tell me which of us you love. Do it, Earl! For me!'

'Where's Yemm?'

'What?' She blinked at the change of subject. 'I don't know. I left him in the ship. He wanted to ask Chapman's permission to wake the Lady Lucia. He's been monitoring her progress and is worried about her. What are you doing here?'

'I came to collect you.'

'Were you worried about me, darling?' She smiled her pleasure. 'I must have forgotten the time. After the others left I made another examination of the cabins. We should move over here, Earl. This ship is designed for comfort. We could leave the girl with Chapman and go off to find Earth.'

'You'd like that?'

'To be alone with you? You know I would.' She stepped towards him, arms rising to embrace him, standing close. 'Let's do it, Earl. Once the ship is repaired we'll take it and find a new world.'

Dumarest said, dryly, 'Don't you think Chapman might object to us stealing his salvage?'

'Let him. There'll be nothing he can do about it.'

She moved even closer, rising on her toes, lips pursed as she moved her face towards the open faceplate, warm as they touched his own, her arms tensing around him.

Holding him fast as hands ripped the line and reaction pistol from his belt.

From where he had retreated Yemm said, 'Do nothing foolish, commander. I will not hesitate to cripple you if it becomes necessary.'

He had removed his suit and wore a short, dark robe with wide sleeves bearing scarlet bands. The laser he held lifted as Dumarest broke free of Zehava's grip. His face and eyes were expressionless, his tones devoid of emotion, but there was no doubt he would use the weapon. He had thrown the line and reaction pistol to the deck and, without warning, fired at them both. The line fused into a shapeless lump of plastic. The reaction pistol flared then slumped into ruin.

'Now remove your suit, commander.'

'Do it, Earl!' urged Zehava as Dumarest made no move to obey. 'Just do as he says.'

'And then what? Run away to find that wonderful world you spoke of? Chapman would never let us go.'

'The captain will have no choice.' Yemm made a small gesture with the gun. 'This vessel isn't what it seems. It has a hidden method of propulsion and will be out of sight and range before anyone can realize what has happened.'

'A trap,' said Dumarest. 'This ship, the cargo, the promise of a reward. All designed to appeal to Chapman's greed. You knew how I would react to the woman in the casket. What is she? A clone?'

'A specimen grown to rigorous definitions. One designed to attract and hold your attention. The prediction that you would have wasted no time in opening the casket was in the order of eighty-three percent. Your failure to do so puzzles me. Why did you hesitate?'