there is something like a knife in my head
the back
and the bleeds are running onto my shirt and socks
my feet sopping wet with tears
fears
some faint soft music like fields in wind are in my ear
harmonic harmonious
they bring on tears
too
to the sea
i think i met my other the other day
my brother
but something like a rival
a deer too
and as one pants for water
so i
There was a quick movement from under the table to my chair, out of
The Commanders line of sight. The thing must have then climbed the
back of my chair because Aidas voice whispered in my ear.
tones . . .
The word is out that you Stainless Steel Rats are just plain rats.
Troublemakers. Just get going.
took it and looked at it, then turned it around since there was no
indication of which was top or bottom. A twisted hunk of incongruous
angles and forms resembling nothing I had ever seen before.
Yes, Madonette said, and all eyes turned her way. What is the
music that we will be playing?
Good question-and I think I have a good answer. Research into
interrupted meeting. I stripped away the interference of the voice
occulter and now know who the speaker who called himself Alphamega is
. . .
Your sources are correct. Tomorrow is the tenth day and that is
market day. Always on the tenth day because the nomads remember by
marking a finger each day with soot until all fingers are . . .
Although you will not be executed for robbing the Mint you will get a
well-deserved prison sentence for that crime. This fee, which you
extorted from the university, will be returned to them. Along with
The way he flicked a look over his shoulder as he said this strongly
suggested that what he wanted was more bribe than payment.
No way, aged Afatt, I intoned. Those you see before you are not
the Pentagon with the Machmen close by outside it. The Fundamentaloids
could be anywhere here on the plains depending on the season. It is
subtropical most of the year, but rainfall varies. They have herds of
As well as having a generally good time playing soldier and bossing
everybody about.
Your criticism is becoming tiring.
puff of smoke. I drew my attention away from it as the ornate door was
thrown wide. I stepped in and seated myself on the soft cushions.
Floyd and Steengo were ushered reverently into the other vehicle.
chair next to the fireplace. You my boss, boss Svinjar. We bring them
like you say. He swung about and stamped over to me. Now you give
sword.
that nothing had changed for them. The search for the artifact was
still on. Well - why not!
What do we do next? I said. Steengo, now more of an admiral than a
was also tightening on the trigger. What a world of nascent danger <=e
do live in! I tucked the gun into my belt and nodded to the
tempotechs.
been a gangplank-and into the thick-walled Pentagon. To be greeted by
yet another naval officer, grim-faced and gray-haired, wearing dark
glasses.
on the other side.
Very gradually the wall became higher as we walked beside it. In
addition to the symbols we came to LJUDI then MTUWA, HERRER, SIGNORI.
thunder rolled while lightning flared and sizzled. Our fans fell back
into an appreciative half circle while we let fly.
Death and torture and murder and rape
clue now to the whereabouts of the alien artifact. A clue that was
useless until we started looking. And we couldnt look in the
darkness. And I had how many days left before the thirty-day poison
of command. So, like this crook-shut up.
No more orders, Benbow, I broke in. Reluctantly since there is
nothing I enjoy more than a brace of admirals slanging each other off.
from this source.
Iron John had turned and was walking towards Steengo. I ran two
silent steps in his direction and launched myself into a flying kick
Lets go! Floyd said and led the exodus.
A toast, I said when the drinks had arrived. We lifted our glasses.
To The Stainless Steel Rats-long may they play!
I know how you feel-and I feel the same way too. I think that the
blues number, `Im All Alone, is our best piece. You know we have had
a lot of help from the staff here and I think we owe it to them to see
in front of his throat.
If you will cease clawing at the air I will explain, Narcoses said
with an air of weary sophistication. Had he done this kind of thing
are ready to embark. I could only nod agreement.
Wish I could go with you, Zach said.
You set it all up-you have our thanks for that. Now get going.
really think that I would let you get away with this, did you?
It was the package with the three million credits that I had mailed
to Professor Van Diver for safekeeping. My fee for putting my life in
Cheer up, Jim, youve been in worse trouble before, I chirped
smilingly. Then snarled, When?
Back in the pits again. My abortive attempt at escape had only gained
CHAPTER 21
The mutual decision of The Stainless Steel Rats was a simple one: we
had had about enough for one day. We were alive, if not too well. We
Greetings, a stentorian voice bellowed. Welcome, welcome visitors
to Paradise.
Thanks much, I said to the tall and barrel-chested man who was
this is what i have been listening to nonstop for about 2 weeks now.
i cant get enough of it.
and if you want to know what you are listening to, here is the run down:
1. Nadinho da Ilha - Yao
2. Eduardo Gudin - Sem Jeito
3. Martinha da Vila - Batuque na Cozinha
4. Meireles e Sua Orquestra - Tristeza Pe No Chao
5. Adoniran Barbosa - Saudosa Maluca
6. Roberto Silva - O Jornal da Morte
7. Elza Soares - Capoeira
8. Joao So - Samba de Engarrafamento
9. Sandra - A Sandalia da Nega
10. Os Cinco Crioulos - Eu e o Samba
11. Wilson das Neves - Sa Nega
12. Meireles e Sua Orquestra - Arrasta a Sandalia
13. Moreira da Silva - Vara Criminal
12. Adoniran Barbosa - Samba Italiano
13. Lee Jackson - Hard Day's Night
14. Zeca do Trombone & Roberto Sion - Na Passarela
Married? I asked for some incomprehensible reason.
No, stepsiblings. And you-you have a name?
Yes, of course. James diGriz. But everyone calls me Jim.
the scientists out. I didnt find out about the missing artifact until
much later when we were offplanet and they were conscious again and
the excitement had cooled down. By this time the group that had
Doesnt anyone in the Pentagon know more?
Probably. But the information is classified and they arent
talking.
That was quick, I said.
Thank you, Fido said emerging from the undergrowth with a jagged
bit of metal in its jaws. Just follow me if you want to see the
solid girl and quite attractive, she smiled and waved in return.
Good beginning gang. Now you last two guys, youre the rest of this
group, Floyd and Steengo. Floyd is the tall and skinny guy with the
obliged me by clicking the red six to a five when I checked the
elapsed time. Dont worry, Jim-Admiral Steengo is on your side? This
feeble reassurance didnt help and I was sure that I could feel the
them? It could be an execution-death by firing squad. Do something!
Negative. We are in orbit. Short of launching an explosive torpedo,
which is contraindicated at this time, there is nothing we can
ordered her not to reveal her presence to Iron John. The men beyond
the wall have no idea that we watch them closely and I wish it to
remain that way. She aided your escape and you should be grateful.
grimly-and I think he meant it.
We filled our packs, kept the good-bys as brief as possible, loaded
up and followed Fido out without a backward glance. I liked Madonette.
In a without the face of
grew Black mouths, the
swallowed up the sun air was with
suppressed The wind through
the long and sobbed and
the secret
the shoulder. He shrieked, jumped aside, turned, lifted his gun.
Didnt mean to startle you, I said sweetly. Afraid I got separated
from my party. The press group . . .
Youre right. We dont. During the sleepless hours of the night I
worked up a cover story. It goes this way, something close to the
truth. The nomads found this thing in a stream bed after a flash
a friend of mine recently wrote about junk mails that contain several lines of somewhat coherent english. you know these? they are always at the bottom of the email, have nothing to do with the product (which is usually some form of viagra), and are extreamly interesting. i have taken it my duty to post these from all the junk emails i get. i will call this project: "progress 4"
somewhere there is the truth
and stuff
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
