Future Glitter by A. E. van Vogt

Author:A. E. van Vogt [Vogt, A. E. van]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci-Fi, Science Fiction
Publisher: Ace Books
Published: 1973-10-16T23:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

Sitting there at his gleaming desk, Orlo made an assumption:

… All the small actions of even a single building complex as large and important as the palace of the dictator are not under continual surveillance. Or, if they are, are not considered significant enough to report to top echelon.

Accordingly, he had Bylol call the scientists’ cafeteria and move up the luncheon time of Table Seven from 1 p.m. to 12.30 p.m. The instruction was to have the table only set by that earlier hour. The food could be served at the usual one o’clock … Be sure to have the men who sit at Seven individually and discreetly advised …

At 12.22, Orlo got up from his desk, and walked to a side entrance of his office. He unlocked the door with a key that Bylol had given him. Stepped through it into a narrow hallway. And locked the door behind him. The little hallway took him several dozen feet to another locked door; which the same key opened.

What it opened to was a main corridor of Communications City.

Quietly and alone, accompanied only by a weapon - a small pistol in his right hand pocket - Orlo walked toward the scientists’ cafeteria.

Orlo was not entirely surprised to see, among the early arrivals inside the commissary, both Gar Yuyu and Sandy Mcintosh, the two murderers of the morning. The time was 12.27 p.m.

There were eight other men already standing around; so no special words could be spoken immediately to the two. But Orlo greeted them warmly.

Yuyu answered cheerfully. But Mcintosh of the lean body, long face, and red hair was subdued and absent-minded. It was almost as if he hadn’t heard Orlo’s words. But he nodded, and turned away, and was thereupon the first to sit down at the table.

Orlo couldn’t help but deduce from the way they and the others acknowledged his presence, sort of vaguely, that they knew nothing of what had happened. Not even Peter Rosten had apparently been advised by his friend. General Armidge. Or if he had, he was a marvel at concealment. For he walked in with Ishkrin on the dot of 12.30, shook hands with Orlo, and said, ‘My friend, Ishkrin, here reported the details of your disappearance last night, and we were all worried.’

Beside Peter, Ishkrin said, ‘How did it all work out?’ He looked relieved. ‘I’m personally glad to see you back.’

Orlo said, T’m going to tell my story to the whole group in a few minutes. Bear with me until then.’

The little man was amazed. ‘Not even a clue for your two best wellwishers - Peter and myself. Not a single hint?’

‘You’ll see why in just a minute,’ apologized Orlo. And repeated, ‘Bear with me.’

More men were arriving. As they sat down it was apparent that the luncheon complement of Table Seven had reported in with no one more than a minute or so late. Everyone went to his place. All except Orlo sat down.

Orlo stood at his plate; and he flicked

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