Urich said, 'If a man went to all that trouble to escape why should he come back?'
A question Dumarest had heard in a different context-why look for Earth when other worlds had so much to offer? But a man had only one home planet and Urich could only have one people.
A thing Belkner recognized. He said, 'Perhaps because he couldn't help himself. Or, maybe, he thought he could do something to help those he's left behind.'
By marrying into the Quelen and then finding, when the dream approached reality, that the marriage itself offered all he could ever hope to achieve.
'The weakness,' said Dumarest. 'The mistake you made, Leo. Somehow you discovered Urich's secret and held it to use against him when the time was ripe. The ace up your sleeve-and you never imagined the ace could turn into a deuce.'
'What?'
'You misjudged your man. Urich broke the pattern. He escaped and that took guts. He still has them. Guts enough to fight for what he wants.' Something he had discovered almost too late. Dumarest remembered the interview, the talk, the messages broadcast by the set of the lips, the hands, the eyes, the very odor of Urich's body. Signals he had learned to read in the arena when facing a man intent on taking his life. Recognizing the change from desperation to determination. The fatalistic acceptance of no alternative but to fight and kill or die. 'A ship loaded with a proscribed cargo,' he said. 'One lifting to be blasted from the sky. Who would blame him? And who would believe that one of the Ypsheim had destroyed his own?'
And who would dare to make the accusation? Dumarest saw realization dawn in Belkner's eyes. A man fighting to survive and with the added bonus of ridding himself of a rival. Even if Vruya guessed the truth he could do nothing. Or perhaps he knew it already and, with cynical detachment, was waiting for the chosen mate to prove himself.
'A trap,' said Belkner. 'We walked into it-God, what can we do?'
'It's done,' said Dumarest. 'That's why-' He broke off as Ysanne's voice came over the intercom.
'Earl, there's trouble. You'd better get down here!'
Chapter Eight
The officer was the one who had come to check before, but now he was not alone. A half-dozen guards stood at his back, armed, spread in a familiar pattern, Dumarest glanced at them, at the boxes lying around, the laborers who had been ordered away from the port and the line of fire.
To Urich he said, 'Make no mistakes. You know what needs to be done.'
These instructions were given on the way to the port and Urich had no doubt as to what would happen unless he cooperated. He stiffened as the officer approached and returned the man's sharp salute.
'What is this? Why are you here? Who ordered it?'
'Sir!' The officer looked at Urich, at Dumarest standing easily close. 'A routine check, sir. This loading is taking far too long.'
'And you suspect something detrimental to Krantz?' Urich nodded as if pleased at the subordinates attention to duty. 'Your name? Well, Lieutenant Noventes, I shall make a point of mentioning your zeal. But there is nothing to worry about. The restraints-but you know about that, I assume? Good. Then what more is there to say?'
Noventes was stubborn. 'With respect, sir, I must check the vessel.'
'Why?' Steel replaced the casualness in Urich's tone. 'You question my capability?'
'Of course not, sir, but-'
'I am the officer in charge of the field. I give the orders. I make the decisions.'
'Normally, sir, yes, but-'
'You question my authority!'
Dumarest saw the tightening of the officer's jaw and knew the bluff wasn't going to work. Noventes had to be acting under direct orders from the Quelen and wasn't going to be put off.
He said casually, 'There's no need for an argument, Captain. I've no objection if the lieutenant wants to check the ship. The quicker he's satisfied the sooner I can get this stuff loaded.' His gesture embraced the litter of boxes. 'But I would ask him not to disturb the Lady Eunice.'
Urich knew better than to yield too easily. 'I will give the order when to check this vessel. In fact I will deal with it myself.'
'Sir, I-'
'And spoil the lady's pleasure?' Dumarest shook his head. 'Surely not.' He glanced at Noventes. 'She is of the Quelen,' he explained. 'The captain's fiancee-you probably know of the forthcoming marriage. I was fortunate enough to have done her a small service and she has been kind enough to inspect the ship. A small party, you understand? With her affianced, naturally. I'm surprised you weren't informed.'
He saw the doubt grow in Noventes's eyes, the indecision, but the most he could hope to gain was time. The man would head for the gate, make his report, be given fresh instruction and enhanced authority. If he was to act it must be now when suspicion had been lulled.
Dumarest said, with mock irritation, 'This is getting us nowhere. Captain, if I may make a suggestion? It is obvious the lieutenant has doubts as to your lady's presence. Perhaps he thinks it a fabrication and I am holding you prisoner and making you lie under threat of death.' He laughed at the ridiculous concept. 'Well, he can't be blamed for that; a good officer should always be suspicious.'
Urich said coldly, 'Your suggestion?'
'Let your officer go to the gate and check on the Lady Eunice's presence. And, to satisfy his cautious nature, let his guards come aboard so as to make sure I don't run away with a load of proscribed cargo.' Dumarest laughed again. 'I'm sure he thinks the boxes are filled with contraband.'
Irony which offended. Noventes looked at Urich. 'Your orders, sir?'
'Summon your guards.'
They came filing up the ramp, relaxing as they saw Urich, confident that nothing could be wrong. A normal holding operation, one they had done often before, the only difference being in the confused state of the hold. Boxes lay scattered and laborers strained to heave them into position. An unusual scene but the captain was present and Noventes had ordered them aboard.
As the officer headed across the field Dumarest said, 'Now!'
A guard slumped to the impact of the stiffened edge of his palm. Another before the first had reached the floor. As he reached the third the laborers came to life. A flurry of sharp and sudden action and the entire detachment of guards were unconscious.
'Quick! The boxes!'
Briefed, the men needed little urging. Within seconds the guards had been stripped of their weapons, loaded into the boxes, the lids sealed and the weapons spirited away into cabins already filled with escaping Ypsheim.
'Out!'
Men stooped, gripped, lifted the boxes and carried them through the port and down the ramp to be dropped well away from the vessel.
As they ran back Urich said, 'Clever. You had them in the boxes and kept moving them around after they had been unloaded. Dressed as laborers who would notice? And you confused any watchers by having the initial boxes filled with genuine cargo. And now-but what about us? Eunice-'
He slumped as Dumarest closed his hand on his throat, fingers finding the carotids, digging deep to cut the blood supply from the brain. The pressure caused immediate unconsciousness.
'Here!' Dumarest thrust the man toward Belkner as he appeared. 'Lock him in a cabin. Get your people settled.'
'But there are more to come! You can't-'
'There isn't time. Move!'
Dumarest slammed his hand on the ramp-control. As the metal strip began to withdraw into the ship some of the figures outside raced forward to dive through the closing panel. The last of the Ypsheim in the vicinity quick enough to take their chance.
'Andre!' Dumarest shouted into the intercom. 'Go! Lyle! Give us full power!'
