Beyond This Horizon by Robert Heinlein

Author:Robert Heinlein [Heinlein, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePub Bud (www.epubbud.com)
Published: 2011-02-19T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE "When we die, do we die all over?" AS HE turned his back on the lifting runabout into which he had shanghaied Monroe-Alpha, Hamilton dismissed his friend from his mind-much to do and damned little time. Hurry! He was surprised and not pleased to find that the door giving down into the building from the roof responded at once to the code used by the Clinic staff-a combination Mordan had given him. Nor were there guards beyond that door. Why, the place might as well be wide open! He burst into Mordan's office with the fact on his mind. "This place is as unprotected as a church," he snapped. "What's the idea?" He looked around. In addition to Mordan the room contained Bainbridge Martha, his chief of technical staff, and Longcourt Phyllis. His surprise at her presence was reinforced by annoyance at seeing she was armed. "Good evening, Felix," Mordan answered mildly. "Why should it be protected?" "Good grief! Aren't you going to resist attack?" "But," Mordan pointed out, "there is no reason to expect attack. This is not a strategic point. No doubt they plan to take the Clinic over later but the fighting will be elsewhere." "That's what you think. I know better." "Yes?" "I was assigned to come here to kill you. A section follows me to seize the Clinic." Mordan made no comment. He sat still, face impassive. Hamilton started to speak; Mordan checked him with a raised hand and said, "There are only three other men in the building. None of them are gunmen. How much time have we?" "Ten minutes-or less." "I'll inform the central peace station. They may be able to divert a few reserve monitors. Martha, send the staff home." He turned to the telephone. The lighting flickered sharply, was replaced at once by a lesser illumination. The emergency lighting had cut in. No one needed to be told that Power Central was out. Mordan continued to the phone-it was dead. "The building cannot be held by two guns," he observed, as if thinking aloud. "Nor is it necessary. But there is just one point necessary to protect-the plasm bank. Our friends are not completely stupid. But it is still bad strategy. They forget that a trapped animal will gnaw off a leg. Come, Felix. We must attempt it." The significance of the attack on the Clinic raced through Hamilton's mind. The plasm bank. The one here in the Capital's clinic was repository of the plasm of genius for the past two centuries. If the rebels captured it, even if they did not win, they would have a unique and irreplaceable hostage. At the worst they could exchange it for their lives. "What do you mean, 'two guns'?" demanded Longcourt Phyllis. "What about this?" She slapped her belt. "I daren't risk you." Mordan answered. "You know why." Their eyes locked for a moment. She answered with two words. "Fleming Marjorie." "Hmm... I see your point. Very well." "What is she doing here, anyhow?" demanded Hamilton.

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