diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:18:07 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:18:07 -0700 |
| commit | aa6552e3539164e7c3bf9c2bcce1f6d6c9192590 (patch) | |
| tree | abe1bb9d6b586b4e3fe20a12ee2c585b7f9473d1 /25627-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '25627-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 25627-h/25627-h.htm | 1679 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 25627-h/images/001.png | bin | 0 -> 43513 bytes |
2 files changed, 1679 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/25627-h/25627-h.htm b/25627-h/25627-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..540ae3a --- /dev/null +++ b/25627-h/25627-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1679 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Hunted Heroes, by Robert Silverberg + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + h1,h2 {text-align: left; clear: both; font-weight: normal;} + hr {width: 45%; margin: 1em auto; visibility: hidden;} + .fx {clear: both; margin: 2em auto;} + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin: 1em 0 1em 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center; width: 331px;} + .trn {border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; padding: 1em; text-align: justify;} + img {border: none;} + p.cap:first-letter {float: left; margin-right: .05em; padding-top: .05em; font-size: 300%; line-height: .8em;} + .dcap {text-transform: uppercase;} + .theend {text-align: right; margin-top: 2em;} + .bk0 {float: left;} + .bk1 {margin: 0; width: 15em; float: right;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hunted Heroes, by Robert Silverberg + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Hunted Heroes + +Author: Robert Silverberg + +Release Date: May 27, 2008 [EBook #25627] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HUNTED HEROES *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="bk0"><h1><big>THE<br /> +HUNTED<br /> +HEROES</big></h1> + +<h2>By ROBERT SILVERBERG</h2></div> + +<div class="bk1"><p><i>The planet itself was tough enough—barren, desolate, +forbidding; enough to stop the most adventurous and +dedicated. But they had to run head-on against a mad +genius who had a motto:</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Death to all Terrans!</i></p></div> + +<hr class="fx" /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">"Let's</span> keep moving," I told +Val. "The surest way to +die out here on Mars is to +give up." I reached over and +turned up the pressure on her +oxymask to make things a +little easier for her. Through +the glassite of the mask, I +could see her face contorted +in an agony of fatigue.</p> + +<p>And she probably thought +the failure of the sandcat was +all my fault, too. Val's usually +about the best wife a guy +could ask for, but when she +wants to be she can be a real +flying bother.</p> + +<p>It was beyond her to see +that some grease monkey back +at the Dome was at fault—whoever +it was who had failed +to fasten down the engine +hood. Nothing but what had +stopped us <i>could</i> stop a sandcat: +sand in the delicate +mechanism of the atomic engine.</p> + +<p>But no; she blamed it all on +me somehow: So we were out +walking on the spongy sand +of the Martian desert. We'd +been walking a good eight +hours.</p> + +<p>"Can't we turn back now, +Ron?" Val pleaded. "Maybe +there isn't any uranium in +this sector at all. I think +we're crazy to keep on searching +out here!"</p> + +<p>I started to tell her that the +UranCo chief had assured me +we'd hit something out this +way, but changed my mind. +When Val's tired and overwrought +there's no sense in +arguing with her.</p> + +<p>I stared ahead at the bleak, +desolate wastes of the Martian +landscape. Behind us +somewhere was the comfort +of the Dome, ahead nothing +but the mazes and gullies of +this dead world.</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/001.png" width="331" height="500" alt="" title="" /> +<b><small>He was a cripple in a wheelchair—helpless as a rattlesnake.</small></b></div> + +<p>"Try to keep going, Val." +My gloved hand reached out +and clumsily enfolded hers. +"Come on, kid. Remember—we're +doing this for Earth. +We're heroes."</p> + +<p>She glared at me. "Heroes, +hell!" she muttered. "That's +the way it looked back home, +but, out there it doesn't seem +so glorious. And UranCo's +pay is stinking."</p> + +<p>"We didn't come out here +for the pay, Val."</p> + +<p>"I know, I know, but just +the same—"</p> + +<p>It must have been hell for +her. We had wandered fruitlessly +over the red sands all +day, both of us listening for +the clicks of the counter. And +the geigers had been obstinately +hushed all day, except +for their constant undercurrent +of meaningless noises.</p> + +<p>Even though the Martian +gravity was only a fraction of +Earth's, I was starting to +tire, and I knew it must have +been really rough on Val with +her lovely but unrugged legs.</p> + +<p>"Heroes," she said bitterly. +"We're not heroes—we're +suckers! Why did I ever let +you volunteer for the Geig +Corps and drag me along?"</p> + +<p>Which wasn't anywhere +close to the truth. Now I +knew she was at the breaking +point, because Val didn't lie +unless she was so exhausted +she didn't know what she was +doing. She had been just as +much inflamed by the idea of +coming to Mars to help in the +search for uranium as I was. +We knew the pay was poor, +but we had felt it a sort of +obligation, something we +could do as individuals to +keep the industries of radioactives-starved +Earth going. +And we'd always had a roving +foot, both of us.</p> + +<p>No, we had decided together +to come to Mars—the +way we decided together on +everything. Now she was +turning against me.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>I tried to jolly her. "Buck +up, kid," I said. I didn't dare +turn up her oxy pressure any +higher, but it was obvious she +couldn't keep going. She was +almost sleep-walking now.</p> + +<p>We pressed on over the +barren terrain. The geiger +kept up a fairly steady click-pattern, +but never broke into +that sudden explosive tumult +that meant we had found pay-dirt. +I started to feel tired +myself, terribly tired. I longed +to lie down on the soft, +spongy Martian sand and +bury myself.</p> + +<p>I looked at Val. She was +dragging along with her eyes +half-shut. I felt almost guilty +for having dragged her out to +Mars, until I recalled that I +hadn't. In fact, she had come +up with the idea before I did. +I wished there was some way +of turning the weary, bedraggled +girl at my side back into +the Val who had so enthusiastically +suggested we join +the Geigs.</p> + +<p>Twelve steps later, I decided +this was about as far as +we could go.</p> + +<p>I stopped, slipped out of +the geiger harness, and lowered +myself ponderously to +the ground. "What'samatter, +Ron?" Val asked sleepily. +"Something wrong?"</p> + +<p>"No, baby," I said, putting +out a hand and taking hers. +"I think we ought to rest a +little before we go any further. +It's been a long, hard +day."</p> + +<p>It didn't take much to persuade +her. She slid down beside +me, curled up, and in a +moment she was fast asleep, +sprawled out on the sands.</p> + +<p><i>Poor kid</i>, I thought. Maybe +we shouldn't have come to +Mars after all. But, I reminded +myself, <i>someone</i> had to do +the job.</p> + +<p>A second thought appeared, +but I squelched it:</p> + +<p>Why the hell me?</p> + +<p>I looked down at Valerie's +sleeping form, and thought of +our warm, comfortable little +home on Earth. It wasn't +much, but people in love don't +need very fancy surroundings.</p> + +<p>I watched her, sleeping +peacefully, a wayward lock of +her soft blonde hair trailing +down over one eyebrow, and +it seemed hard to believe that +we'd exchanged Earth and all +it held for us for the raw, untamed +struggle that was Mars. +But I knew I'd do it again, if +I had the chance. It's because +we wanted to keep what we +had. Heroes? Hell, no. We +just liked our comforts, and +wanted to keep them. Which +took a little work.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><i>Time to get moving.</i> But +then Val stirred and rolled +over in her sleep, and I didn't +have the heart to wake her. I +sat there, holding her, staring +out over the desert, watching +the wind whip the sand up +into weird shapes.</p> + +<p>The Geig Corps preferred +married couples, working in +teams. That's what had finally +decided it for us—we were a +good team. We had no ties on +Earth that couldn't be broken +without much difficulty. So +we volunteered.</p> + +<p><i>And here we are.</i> Heroes. +The wind blasted a mass of +sand into my face, and I felt +it tinkle against the oxymask.</p> + +<p>I glanced at the suit-chronometer. +Getting late. I decided +once again to wake Val. +But she was tired. And I was +tired too, tired from our +wearying journey across the +empty desert.</p> + +<p>I started to shake Val. But +I never finished. It would be +<i>so</i> nice just to lean back and +nuzzle up to her, down in the +sand. So nice. I yawned, and +stretched back.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>I awoke with a sudden startled +shiver, and realized angrily +I had let myself doze off. +"Come on, Val," I said savagely, +and started to rise to +my feet.</p> + +<p>I couldn't.</p> + +<p>I looked down. I was neatly +bound in thin, tough, plastic +tangle-cord, swathed from +chin to boot-bottoms, my +arms imprisoned, my feet +caught. And tangle-cord is +about as easy to get out of as +a spider's web is for a trapped +fly.</p> + +<p>It wasn't Martians that +had done it. There weren't +any Martians, hadn't been for +a million years. It was some +Earthman who had bound us.</p> + +<p>I rolled my eyes toward +Val, and saw that she was +similarly trussed in the sticky +stuff. The tangle-cord was still +fresh, giving off a faint, repugnant +odor like that of drying +fish. It had been spun on +us only a short time ago, I +realized.</p> + +<p>"Ron—"</p> + +<p>"Don't try to move, baby. +This stuff can break your +neck if you twist it wrong." +She continued for a moment +to struggle futilely, and I had +to snap, "Lie still, Val!"</p> + +<p>"A very wise statement," +said a brittle, harsh voice +from above me. I looked up +and saw a helmeted figure +above us. He wasn't wearing +the customary skin-tight pliable +oxysuits we had. He +wore an outmoded, bulky +spacesuit and a fishbowl helmet, +all but the face area +opaque. The oxygen cannisters +weren't attached to his +back as expected, though. +They were strapped to the +back of the wheelchair in +which he sat.</p> + +<p>Through the fishbowl I +could see hard little eyes, a +yellowed, parchment-like face, +a grim-set jaw. I didn't recognize +him, and this struck me +odd. I thought I knew everyone +on sparsely-settled Mars. +Somehow I'd missed him.</p> + +<p>What shocked me most was +that he had no legs. The +spacesuit ended neatly at the +thighs.</p> + +<p>He was holding in his left +hand the tanglegun with +which he had entrapped us, +and a very efficient-looking +blaster was in his right.</p> + +<p>"I didn't want to disturb +your sleep," he said coldly. +"So I've been waiting here +for you to wake up."</p> + +<p>I could just see it. He might +have been sitting there for +hours, complacently waiting +to see how we'd wake up. +That was when I realized he +must be totally insane. I could +feel my stomach-muscles +tighten, my throat constrict +painfully.</p> + +<p>Then anger ripped through +me, washing away the terror. +"What's going on?" I demanded, +staring at the half +of a man who confronted us +from the wheelchair. "Who +are you?"</p> + +<p>"You'll find out soon +enough," he said. "Suppose +now you come with me." He +reached for the tanglegun, +flipped the little switch on its +side to MELT, and shot a +stream of watery fluid over +our legs, keeping the blaster +trained on us all the while. +Our legs were free.</p> + +<p>"You may get up now," he +said. "Slowly, without trying +to make trouble." Val and I +helped each other to our feet +as best we could, considering +our arms were still tightly +bound against the sides of our +oxysuits.</p> + +<p>"Walk," the stranger said, +waving the tanglegun to indicate +the direction. "I'll be +right behind you." He holstered +the tanglegun.</p> + +<p>I glimpsed the bulk of an +outboard atomic rigging behind +him, strapped to the +back of the wheelchair. He +fingered a knob on the arm of +the chair and the two exhaust +ducts behind the wheel-housings +flamed for a moment, +and the chair began to roll.</p> + +<p>Obediently, we started +walking. You don't argue +with a blaster, even if the +man pointing it is in a wheelchair.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>"What's going on, Ron?" +Val asked in a low voice as we +walked. Behind us the wheelchair +hissed steadily.</p> + +<p>"I don't quite know, Val. +I've never seen this guy before, +and I thought I knew +everyone at the Dome."</p> + +<p>"Quiet up there!" our captor +called, and we stopped +talking. We trudged along together, +with him following +behind; I could hear the +<i>crunch-crunch</i> of the wheelchair +as its wheels chewed +into the sand. I wondered +where we were going, and +why. I wondered why we had +ever left Earth.</p> + +<p>The answer to that came to +me quick enough: we had to. +Earth needed radioactives, +and the only way to get them +was to get out and look. The +great atomic wars of the late +20th Century had used up +much of the supply, but the +amount used to blow up half +the great cities of the world +hardly compared with the +amount we needed to put +them back together again.</p> + +<p>In three centuries the shattered +world had been completely +rebuilt. The wreckage +of New York and Shanghai +and London and all the other +ruined cities had been hidden +by a shining new world of +gleaming towers and flying +roadways. We had profited by +our grandparents' mistakes. +They had used their atomics +to make bombs. We used ours +for fuel.</p> + +<p>It was an atomic world. +Everything: power drills, +printing presses, typewriters, +can openers, ocean liners, +powered by the inexhaustible +energy of the dividing atom.</p> + +<p>But though the energy is +inexhaustible, the supply of +nuclei isn't. After three centuries +of heavy consumption, +the supply failed. The mighty +machine that was Earth's industry +had started to slow +down.</p> + +<p>And that started the chain +of events that led Val and me +to end up as a madman's prisoners, +on Mars. With every +source of uranium mined dry +on Earth, we had tried other +possibilities. All sorts of +schemes came forth. Project +Sea-Dredge was trying to get +uranium from the oceans. In +forty or fifty years, they'd +get some results, we hoped. +But there wasn't forty or +fifty years' worth of raw stuff +to tide us over until then. In a +decade or so, our power would +be just about gone. I could +picture the sort of dog-eat-dog +world we'd revert back +to. Millions of starving, freezing +humans tooth-and-clawing +in it in the useless shell of +a great atomic civilization.</p> + +<p>So, Mars. There's not much +uranium on Mars, and it's not +easy to find or any cinch to +mine. But what little is there, +helps. It's a stopgap effort, +just to keep things moving +until Project Sea-Dredge +starts functioning.</p> + +<p>Enter the Geig Corps: volunteers +out on the face of +Mars, combing for its uranium +deposits.</p> + +<p>And here we are, I thought.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>After we walked on a +while, a Dome became visible +up ahead. It slid up over the +crest of a hill, set back between +two hummocks on the +desert. Just out of the way +enough to escape observation.</p> + +<p>For a puzzled moment I +thought it was our Dome, the +settlement where all of UranCo's +Geig Corps were located, +but another look told me that +this was actually quite near +us and fairly small. A one-man +Dome, of all things!</p> + +<p>"Welcome to my home," he +said. "The name is Gregory +Ledman." He herded us off to +one side of the airlock, uttered +a few words keyed to his +voice, and motioned us inside +when the door slid up. When +we were inside he reached up, +clumsily holding the blaster, +and unscrewed the ancient +spacesuit fishbowl.</p> + +<p>His face was a bitter, +dried-up mask. He was a man +who hated.</p> + +<p>The place was spartanly +furnished. No chairs, no tape-player, +no decoration of any +sort. Hard bulkhead walls, +rivet-studded, glared back +at us. He had an automatic +chef, a bed, and a writing-desk, +and no other furniture.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he drew the tanglegun +and sprayed our legs +again. We toppled heavily to +the floor. I looked up angrily.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>"I imagine you want to +know the whole story," he +said. "The others did, too."</p> + +<p>Valerie looked at me anxiously. +Her pretty face was a +dead white behind her oxymask. +"What others?"</p> + +<p>"I never bothered to find +out their names," Ledman +said casually. "They were +other Geigs I caught unawares, +like you, out on the +desert. That's the only sport I +have left—Geig-hunting. Look +out there."</p> + +<p>He gestured through the +translucent skin of the Dome, +and I felt sick. There was a +little heap of bones lying +there, looking oddly bright +against the redness of the +sands. They were the dried, +parched skeletons of Earthmen. +Bits of cloth and plastic, +once oxymasks and suits, still +clung to them.</p> + +<p>Suddenly I remembered. +There had been a pattern +there all the time. We didn't +much talk about it; we chalked +it off as occupational hazards. +There had been a pattern +of disappearances on the desert. +I could think of six, eight +names now. None of them +had been particularly close +friends. You don't get time to +make close friends out here. +But we'd vowed it wouldn't +happen to us.</p> + +<p>It had.</p> + +<p>"You've been hunting +Geigs?" I asked. "<i>Why?</i> +What've they ever done to +you?"</p> + +<p>He smiled, as calmly as if +I'd just praised his house-keeping. +"Because I hate +you," he said blandly. "I intend +to wipe every last one of +you out, one by one."</p> + +<p>I stared at him. I'd never +seen a man like this before; I +thought all his kind had died +at the time of the atomic +wars.</p> + +<p>I heard Val sob, "He's a +madman!"</p> + +<p>"No," Ledman said evenly. +"I'm quite sane, believe me. +But I'm determined to drive +the Geigs—and UranCo—off +Mars. Eventually I'll scare +you all away."</p> + +<p>"Just pick us off in the desert?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly," replied Ledman. +"And I have no fears of an +armed attack. This place is +well fortified. I've devoted +years to building it. And I'm +back against those hills. They +couldn't pry me out." He let +his pale hand run up into his +gnarled hair. "I've devoted +years to this. Ever since—ever +since I landed here on +Mars."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>"What are you going to do +with us?" Val finally asked, +after a long silence.</p> + +<p>He didn't smile this time. +"Kill you," he told her. "Not +your husband. I want him as +an envoy, to go back and tell +the others to clear off." He +rocked back and forth in his +wheelchair, toying with the +gleaming, deadly blaster in +his hand.</p> + +<p>We stared in horror. It was +a nightmare—sitting there, +placidly rocking back and +forth, a nightmare.</p> + +<p>I found myself fervently +wishing I was back out there +on the infinitely safer desert.</p> + +<p>"Do I shock you?" he asked. +"I shouldn't—not when +you see my motives."</p> + +<p>"We don't see them," I +snapped.</p> + +<p>"Well, let me show you. +You're on Mars hunting uranium, +right? To mine and +ship the radioactives back to +Earth to keep the atomic engines +going. Right?"</p> + +<p>I nodded over at our geiger +counters.</p> + +<p>"We volunteered to come to +Mars," Val said irrelevantly.</p> + +<p>"Ah—two young heroes," +Ledman said acidly. "How +sad. I could almost feel sorry +for you. Almost."</p> + +<p>"Just what is it you're +after?" I said, stalling, stalling.</p> + +<p>"Atomics cost me my legs," +he said. "You remember the +Sadlerville Blast?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Of course." And I did, too. +I'd never forget it. No one +would. How could I forget +that great accident—killing +hundreds, injuring thousands +more, sterilizing forty miles +of Mississippi land—when +the Sadlerville pile went up?</p> + +<p>"I was there on business at +the time," Ledman said. "I +represented Ledman Atomics. +I was there to sign a new +contract for my company. +You know who I am, now?"</p> + +<p>I nodded.</p> + +<p>"I was fairly well shielded +when it happened. I never got +the contract, but I got a good +dose of radiation instead. Not +enough to kill me," he said. +"Just enough to necessitate +the removal of—" he indicated +the empty space at his +thighs. "So I got off lightly." +He gestured at the wheelchair +blanket.</p> + +<p>I still didn't understand. +"But why kill us Geigs? <i>We</i> +had nothing to do with it."</p> + +<p>"You're just in this by accident," +he said. "You see, after +the explosion and the amputation, +my fellow-members on +the board of Ledman Atomics +decided that a semi-basket +case like myself was a poor +risk as Head of the Board, +and they took my company +away. All quite legal, I assure +you. They left me almost a +pauper!" Then he snapped +the punchline at me.</p> + +<p>"They renamed Ledman +Atomics. Who did you say you +worked for?"</p> + +<p>I began, "Uran—"</p> + +<p>"Don't bother. A more inventive +title than Ledman +Atomics, but not quite as +much heart, wouldn't you +say?" He grinned. "I saved +for years; then I came to +Mars, lost myself, built this +Dome, and swore to get even. +There's not a great deal of +uranium on this planet, but +enough to keep me in a style +to which, unfortunately, I'm +no longer accustomed."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>He consulted his wrist +watch. "Time for my injection." +He pulled out the tanglegun +and sprayed us again, +just to make doubly certain. +"That's another little souvenir +of Sadlerville. I'm short +on red blood corpuscles."</p> + +<p>He rolled over to a wall +table and fumbled in a container +among a pile of hypodermics. +"There are other injections, +too. Adrenalin, insulin. +Others. The Blast turned +me into a walking pin-cushion. +But I'll pay it all +back," he said. He plunged +the needle into his arm.</p> + +<p>My eyes widened. It was +too nightmarish to be real. I +wasn't seriously worried +about his threat to wipe out +the entire Geig Corps, since +it was unlikely that one man +in a wheelchair could pick us +all off. No, it wasn't the +threat that disturbed me, so +much as the whole concept, so +strange to me, that the human +mind could be as warped +and twisted as Ledman's.</p> + +<p>I saw the horror on Val's +face, and I knew she felt the +same way I did.</p> + +<p>"Do you really think you +can succeed?" I taunted him. +"Really think you can kill +every Earthman on Mars? Of +all the insane, cockeyed—"</p> + +<p>Val's quick, worried head-shake +cut me off. But Ledman +had felt my words, all right.</p> + +<p>"Yes! I'll get even with +every one of you for taking +away my legs! If we hadn't +meddled with the atom in the +first place, I'd be as tall and +powerful as you, today—instead +of a useless cripple in a +wheelchair."</p> + +<p>"You're sick, Gregory Ledman," +Val said quietly. +"You've conceived an impossible +scheme of revenge and +now you're taking it out on +innocent people who've done +nothing, nothing at all to you. +That's not sane!"</p> + +<p>His eyes blazed. "Who are +you to talk of sanity?"</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>Uneasily I caught Val's +glance from a corner of my +eye. Sweat was rolling down +her smooth forehead faster +than the auto-wiper could +swab it away.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you do something? +What are you waiting +for, Ron?"</p> + +<p>"Easy, baby," I said. I +knew what our ace in the hole +was. But I had to get Ledman +within reach of me first.</p> + +<p>"Enough," he said. "I'm going +to turn you loose outside, +right after—"</p> + +<p>"<i>Get sick!</i>" I hissed to Val, +low. She began immediately +to cough violently, emitting +harsh, choking sobs. "Can't +breathe!" She began to yell, +writhing in her bonds.</p> + +<p>That did it. Ledman hadn't +much humanity left in him, +but there was a little. He lowered +the blaster a bit and +wheeled one-hand over to see +what was wrong with Val. +She continued to retch and +moan most horribly. It almost +convinced me. I saw Val's +pale, frightened face turn to +me.</p> + +<p>He approached and peered +down at her. He opened his +mouth to say something, and +at that moment I snapped my +leg up hard, tearing the tangle-cord +with a snicking rasp, +and kicked his wheelchair +over.</p> + +<p>The blaster went off, burning +a hole through the Dome +roof. The automatic sealers +glued-in instantly. Ledman +went sprawling helplessly out +into the middle of the floor, +the wheelchair upended next +to him, its wheels slowly revolving +in the air. The blaster +flew from his hands at the +impact of landing and spun +out near me. In one quick motion +I rolled over and covered +it with my body.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>Ledman clawed his way to +me with tremendous effort +and tried wildly to pry the +blaster out from under me, +but without success. I twisted +a bit, reached out with my +free leg, and booted him +across the floor. He fetched +up against the wall of the +Dome and lay there.</p> + +<p>Val rolled over to me.</p> + +<p>"Now if I could get free of +this stuff," I said, "I could get +him covered before he comes +to. But how?"</p> + +<p>"Teamwork," Val said. She +swivelled around on the floor +until her head was near my +boot. "Push my oxymask off +with your foot, if you can."</p> + +<p>I searched for the clamp +and tried to flip it. No luck, +with my heavy, clumsy boot. +I tried again, and this time it +snapped open. I got the tip +of my boot in and pried upward. +The oxymask came off, +slowly, scraping a jagged red +scratch up the side of Val's +neck as it came.</p> + +<p>"There," she breathed. +"That's that."</p> + +<p>I looked uneasily at Ledman. +He was groaning and +beginning to stir.</p> + +<p>Val rolled on the floor and +her face lay near my right +arm. I saw what she had in +mind. She began to nibble the +vile-tasting tangle-cord, running +her teeth up and down +it until it started to give. She +continued unfailingly.</p> + +<p>Finally one strand snapped. +Then another. At last I +had enough use of my hand +to reach out and grasp the +blaster. Then I pulled myself +across the floor to Ledman, +removed the tanglegun, and +melted the remaining tangle-cord +off.</p> + +<p>My muscles were stiff and +bunched, and rising made me +wince. I turned and freed Val. +Then I turned and faced Ledman.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you'll kill me +now," he said.</p> + +<p>"No. That's the difference +between sane people and insane," +I told him. "I'm not +going to kill you at all. I'm +going to see to it that you're +sent back to Earth."</p> + +<p>"<i>No!</i>" he shouted. "No! +Anything but back there. I +don't want to face them again—not +after what they did to +me—"</p> + +<p>"Not so loud," I broke in. +"They'll help you on Earth. +They'll take all the hatred and +sickness out of you, and turn +you into a useful member of +society again."</p> + +<p>"I hate Earthmen," he spat +out. "I hate all of them."</p> + +<p>"I know," I said sarcastically. +"You're just all full of +hate. You hated us so much +that you couldn't bear to hang +around on Earth for as much +as a year after the Sadlerville +Blast. You had to take right +off for Mars without a moment's +delay, didn't you? You +hated Earth so much you <i>had</i> +to leave."</p> + +<p>"Why are you telling all +this to me?"</p> + +<p>"Because if you'd stayed +long enough, you'd have used +some of your pension money +to buy yourself a pair of prosthetic +legs, and then you +wouldn't need this wheelchair."</p> + +<p>Ledman scowled, and then +his face went belligerent +again. "They told me I was +paralyzed below the waist. +That I'd never walk again, +even with prosthetic legs, because +I had no muscles to fit +them to."</p> + +<p>"You left Earth too quickly," +Val said.</p> + +<p>"It was the only way," he +protested. "I had to get off—"</p> + +<p>"She's right," I told him. +"The atom can take away, but +it can give as well. Soon after +you left they developed +<i>atomic-powered</i> prosthetics—amazing +things, virtually robot +legs. All the survivors of +the Sadlerville Blast were +given the necessary replacement +limbs free of charge. All +except you. You were so sick +you had to get away from the +world you despised and come +here."</p> + +<p>"You're lying," he said. +"It's not true!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, but it is," Val smiled.</p> + +<p>I saw him wilt visibly, and +for a moment I almost felt +sorry for him, a pathetic legless +figure propped up against +the wall of the Dome at +blaster-point. But then I remembered +he'd killed twelve +Geigs—or more—and would +have added Val to the number +had he had the chance.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>"You're a very sick man, +Ledman," I said. "All this +time you could have been +happy, useful on Earth, instead +of being holed up here +nursing your hatred. You +might have been useful, on +Earth. But you decided to +channel everything out as revenge."</p> + +<p>"I still don't believe it—those +legs. I might have walked +again. No—no, it's all a lie. +They told me I'd never walk," +he said, weakly but stubbornly +still.</p> + +<p>I could see his whole structure +of hate starting to topple, +and I decided to give it +the final push.</p> + +<p>"Haven't you wondered +how I managed to break the +tangle-cord when I kicked you +over?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—human legs aren't +strong enough to break tangle-cord +that way."</p> + +<p>"Of course not," I said. I +gave Val the blaster and slipped +out of my oxysuit. +"Look," I said. I pointed to +my smooth, gleaming metal +legs. The almost soundless +purr of their motors was the +only noise in the room. "I was +in the Sadlerville Blast, too," +I said. "But I didn't go crazy +with hate when I lost <i>my</i> +legs."</p> + +<p>Ledman was sobbing.</p> + +<p>"Okay, Ledman," I said. +Val got him into his suit, and +brought him the fishbowl helmet. +"Get your helmet on and +let's go. Between the psychs +and the prosthetics men, +you'll be a new man inside of +a year."</p> + +<p>"But I'm a murderer!"</p> + +<p>"That's right. And you'll be +sentenced to psych adjustment. +When they're finished, +Gregory Ledman the killer +will be as dead as if they'd +electrocuted you, but there'll +be a new—and sane—Gregory +Ledman." I turned to Val.</p> + +<p>"Got the geigers, honey?"</p> + +<p>For the first time since +Ledman had caught us, I remembered +how tired Val had +been out on the desert. I realized +now that I had been driving +her mercilessly—me, with +my chromium legs and atomic-powered +muscles. No wonder +she was ready to fold! +And I'd been too dense to see +how unfair I had been.</p> + +<p>She lifted the geiger harnesses, +and I put Ledman +back in his wheelchair.</p> + +<p>Val slipped her oxymask +back on and fastened it shut.</p> + +<p>"Let's get back to the Dome +in a hurry," I said. "We'll +turn Ledman over to the authorities. +Then we can catch +the next ship for Earth."</p> + +<p>"Go back? <i>Go back?</i> If you +think I'm backing down now +and quitting you can find +yourself another wife! After +we dump this guy I'm sacking +in for twenty hours, and then +we're going back out there to +finish that search-pattern. +Earth needs uranium, honey, +and I know you'd never be +happy quitting in the middle +like that." She smiled. "I +can't wait to get out there +and start listening for those +tell-tale clicks."</p> + +<p>I gave a joyful whoop and +swung her around. When I +put her down, she squeezed +my hand, hard.</p> + +<p>"Let's get moving, fellow +hero," she said.</p> + +<p>I pressed the stud for the +airlock, smiling.</p> + +<p class="theend"><b>THE END</b></p> + +<div class="trn"><b>Transcriber's Note:</b><br /> +This etext was produced from <i>Amazing Stories</i> September 1956. +Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. +copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and +typographical errors have been corrected without note.</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hunted Heroes, by Robert Silverberg + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HUNTED HEROES *** + +***** This file should be named 25627-h.htm or 25627-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/6/2/25627/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/25627-h/images/001.png b/25627-h/images/001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..00b6e12 --- /dev/null +++ b/25627-h/images/001.png |
