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Gar only grinned and paced forward faster. The lordlings glanced at one another,
clanked uncertainly, nodded, and stepped forward, snarling. The churls
quickened their pace.
A laser bolt boiled the dust between them.
Gar's head snapped back with a frown, nose wrinkling. Dirk agreed; ozone stinks.
The churls hesitated while Gar thought it over; then his mouth tightened in
disgust, and he relaxed, resting his mailed fists on his hips. The churl ranks
rustled in a sigh, and came to a halt.
The lordlings relaxed, lowering the swords, and the grandstands subsided,
muttering.
"They smell something," Dirk growled. "They're stopping it before it gets out of
hand." "Aye." Hugh grinned like a wolf, right behind him. "Come, Outlander!
Let's get out of hand!" But Gar held up a palm, shaking his head slowly, a slight
smile touching his lips. "There isn't much they can do now except shoot us down;
if they were going to do that, they'd have done it. No, let's see their reason for
stopping the show." A ladder swung out from its recess and telescoped down to
touch the sand.
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Gar's smile widened to a grin. "Oh yes. I was hoping they'd do that."
"Sorry to disagree," Dirk grunted, "but right now, I don't like anything out of the
ordinary." "And you claim to be a liberal?"
A tall, lean figure in plum-colored coat and white waist-coat, breeches, shirt, and
stockings came down the stairs, followed by twenty Soldiers with laser rifles
ready.
"Core!" Dirk hissed.
"I believe we've met," Gar murmured.
CHAPTER 7
As Core came up to them, Dirk could see that the white clothing was sweat-
stained and dusty; Core had had a long, hard 'ride. "What's happened that we
don't know about?"
"Don't worry, he's the soul of politeness." Gar smiled, never taking his eyes off
Core. "I'm sure he'll inform us directly."
Core strode up, glaring, and halted ten feet away, drawing his sword.
Gar tapped his chin with a steel fist and murmured, "Good day, milord."
"I should have been harsher with you," Core spat. "It seems I have once more
been misled by my pity and kindness."
Dirk nearly choked.
But Gar only smiled quizzically. "How so? All that I told you was true."
"Then how do you explain a ship dropping into orbit around this planet early this
morning! A geostationary orbit, over this very spot!"
Gar's smile widened. "Quite simply; it is my ship. I wanted to have it on hand
today; I had a notion I might have need of it."
Dirk's stare swiveled to Gar, unbelieving.
Core glared, seething. "And what of your bribing the freight company to land
you?"
Gar shrugged. "You've caught me-I did tell one lie."
Core set his teeth. "How many men have you on board that ship?"
"None." Gar's smile returned.
"Do not jest, fellow." Core stepped forward, sword coming up to guard. "Your
death in this arena will be quick, but I could make it last for a week."
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"Why?" Gar's smile broke into a grin. "I told you truth; there is no one aboard
that ship." Core's lips writhed back. "Do you take me for a fool? What would
guide it, if there were no one-" He broke off, staring.
Gar nodded. "I told you we make good robots." He laid one steel-clad hand over
his biceps, massaging it. Dirk noticed there was a wide bronze bracelet on the
arm, under the glove.
Core scowled, face thunderous. "A computer? Is that your pilot?"
"Its name is Herkimer," Gar said helpfully. Dirk could've sworn he saw steam
coming from Core's ears. But the Lord held his temper and turned away to look
about the arena, slapping his leg with his sword, considering a decision.
His eyes lit on Dirk.
Dirk suddenly wished devoutly that he had hidden behind Hugh. But too late;
Core's eyes widened, and he lifted a trembling sword, pointing at Dirk. "This--
this--"
Gar glanced at Dirk, frowning, then turned back to Core with a polite smile.
"Well, yes, I apologize for its condition-but you must remember, we weren't fed
excessively well."
"Still your fool's chatter," Core snarled. "This is the man who accompanied you
before you were arrested-the one who you claimed was your hired guide!"
Gar stood still for a moment; then he nodded gravely. "Your Lordship's memory
is good." "Then he is also the man whose dead body I saw!"
Gar nodded judiciously. "Now that you mention it, I do remember something of
the sort."
Core gave him a tight-lipped smile of contempt. "And how do you explain his
sudden resurrection?"
Gar shrugged. "Frankly, I can't. But I'm willing to consider any reasonable
hypothesis."
Core stared at him, frozen.
Dirk glanced at Hugh, Oliver, and Bertrand. Each caught his glance and nodded
almost imperceptibly.
Core smiled abruptly. "Politely said-in return for which, I'll afford you the same
courtesy." He waved his sword, beckoning his guards. "Take him to the castle;
we'll listen to his reasonable hypotheses there."
The laser rifles leveled, centering on Gar. Gar twisted a stud on his armlet.
Dirk threw himself forward and slammed into the backs of Gar's knees. The big
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