The Lost Bradbury by Ray Bradbury
Author:Ray Bradbury [BRADBURY, RAY]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: convoy ship, cruiser, asteroids, traitor, battle, soldiers, fear, hate, children, underwater, death of Earth, frame-up, space travel, asteroid belt, asteroid computator, defense mechanism, Martian territory, killer, game, bravery, loneliness, shock, monsters, Jupiter, friendship, time travel, pirates, witchcraft, ancient predators, Mars, curse, coroner, scientists, torpedo, guns, undead, superstition, suicide, innocence, resurrection, celebration, redemption, violence, hypnosis, Moon base, guardians, past life, love, family, aliens, son, killing candle, escape from reality, navigator, trust, ultimate sacrifice, Martians, telephone calls, jealousy, submarine, time machine, war, murder, rocket ships, Martian well, clairvoyant, coward, conspiracy, guilt, lover, weapon, ocean creatures, Moon worship, alcoholic, mermaids, death, morgue spaceship, despair, joblessness, night ritual, betrayal, insanity, vengeance, night creatures, prisoner, magic typewriter, dimensional travel, jungle, time, Earth, greed
ISBN: 9781610130790
Publisher: Wonder eBooks
Published: 2010-10-02T16:00:00+00:00
CHAPTER II
Arriving at the Federation Patrol headquarters on Ceres Base, Skeel eased his solo cruiser into the glassite dome with an expert hand. None of the men spoke to him. They tried not even to look at him. But if Jim Skeel noticed this he gave no indication. He sauntered over to the door marked “Commander” and entered without knocking.
Commander Anders looked up from his desk. At sight of Skeel his leather jaw tightened a little. A look of distaste flashed into his steel gray eyes.
“Reporting, sir,” said Skeel. He carefully, a little too carefully, spread out the identification cards he had taken from the fugitive’s pockets.
Anders rose slowly to his feet. His knuckles were white as he placed his fists on the desk and leaned tautly forward.
“You didn’t capture the man?” Anders’ voice was a monotone, as though he had asked that question more than once.
“Sorry, sir. He’s dead.”
“Dead.” There was not much of surprise in Anders’ voice. Then the voice and the gray eyes became simultaneously harder. “Did you kill him?”
“Kill him, sir?” Skeel’s eyebrows arched. “No sir. I had to chase him clear to Asteroid 78 in the Lanisar Group, and there he fell off a cliff. I only had time to get his identification cards and get away, before the night creatures came swarming out. Sorry….”
Anders kicked his chair back against the wall and came surging around the desk. He was white-faced. “Sorry! You’re not sorry, Skeel! In God’s name, how do you have the ghastly nerve to come back here each and every time? How can you face me—no, more than that, how can you face your conscience? I wonder what goes on inside that riveted skull, behind that papier-mâché expression of yours!” He paused and drew a breath. “What makes you kill, Skeel? How many does this make—eleven? Twelve?”
Skeel sighed, and spread his hands in an exaggerated gesture. “You always were a long winded louse, sir. There are Miller’s papers. And I didn’t kill him. He fell off a cliff. Is that all, sir?”
“No! That’s not all!” Anders came even closer, and glared up at Skeel who towered above him. “You’ve been in the Patrol a long time, Skeel. Luckily, or I should say unluckily, your previous good record and your seniority permits you to get away with this—until we prove something. Some day you’ll slip and we will prove it. I pray that day’ll come soon!”
* * * *
Skeel’s own eyes, which had been amused, now took on a hard glint. He spoke and his voice was different.
“Since you bring up the subject of my seniority, let me remind you that it would permit me to take your place here if I so chose. I do not so choose—yet. As to the other thing you imagine about me, I could tell you a story, sir. A story that—” He stopped abruptly as the fierce rush of blood came to his throbbing temples again.
“Yes, man, go on! You were about to tell me why you kill.
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