(eng) Mack Reynolds by Once Departed

Author:Once Departed [Departed, Once]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

"Some for the Glories of This World, and some

Yearn for the Prophet's Paradise to come.

Ah, take the Cash, and let the Credit go,

Nor heed the rumble of a distant Drum!"

"Man, you have said it," Quint told him dryly. "So long Marty, thanks for the drink."

Chapter Six

It has been decided by the best authorities that ESP is impossible. That Extra Sensory Perception just doesn't fit into scientific knowledge. That telepathy, clairvoyance, clairaudience, not to speak of telekinesis, psychokinesis and precognition, are beyond the realm of intelligence. However, some of them, at least, work.

Thus it was that when Quint reached for the doorknob of his apartment, he suddenly knew there was somebody inside. Somebody who shouldn't be inside. Not a maid, nor some other building employee. Someone who was there doing something inimical to the interests of Quentin Jones.

He froze for a moment, hand on the knob. The other might be armed and Quint Jones didn't think of himself as a hero, dashing in where angels feared to tread.

But in the past two days he'd had enough in the way of frustration that a pressure had built up within. It was as though he welcomed this opportunity to let it out.

He flung the door open and blurred into movement, dashing into his living room, keeping in motion. There was a figure there, bent over the mess of papers, notes and files that he had strewn over the table whilst working.

The figure whirled, caught in the act, and a hand streaked for what was obviously a weapon.

Quint Jones automatically flung into the Neko achidachin, cat leg position, both fists clenched, knuckles facing down and held slightly by the side at his waist. Without pause, he screamed, "Zut!" exhaling the entire contents of his lungs, and sprung at the other.

Bart Digby—it was Bart Digby—was startled by the yell, but his hand was still emerging with the gun, even as he attempted to step back to avoid Quint's charge.

Quint banged the edge of his left hand against the former C.I.A. man's right wrist, sending the gun a-spinning. He grabbed the outside of the wrist with his left hand, forcing the arm up high. He pulled the other's arm upward as he brought his left foot directly in front of Digby's right, then pivoted on his left foot to the left, slightly turning his body backward to his left. With the edge of his right hand he slugged the other's left kidney, bringing forth a grunt of agony.

He was now behind Bart Digby. With his right foot he stamped the other's left knee pit, then released his left hand grip and allowed the man to drop to the floor.

Quint leaped back, and went into the Shi kodachi, squat position, waiting for the other's action.

Bart Digby looked up at him. "You son of a bitch," he said, "What're you trying to do, kill me?"

Quint relaxed, the heat of the fight leaving him. He twisted his face ruefully. "You shouldn't have grabbed for that gun."

Digby began pushing himself to his feet.

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