Stellar Assignment by E. C. Tubb

Author:E. C. Tubb [Tubb, E. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780575107649
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2011-09-29T07:00:00+00:00

It was held by a five-foot frog neatly dressed in tunic, pants and boots of scaled leather ornamented with abstract designs. A crested helmet covered the domed skull, the long visor shielding the goggling eyes. The wide mouth gave it the appearance of smiling but there was nothing funny about the spear. Kevin recoiled from it, eyes on the wickedly sharp blade.

“Ah,” said the frog. “So you are alive. I was beginning to doubt.”

“I’m alive.” Kevin retreated further and climbed to his feet. Malvern was nowhere to be seen. “Do you mind lowering that spear.”

“Of course, my dear fellow. A neat device, is it not? Collapsible shaft for easy portability, weighed butt and non-corrosive metal for blade and stem. Useful, too.” The spear slammed into the dirt a foot from where Kevin stood. Impaled, a multi-legged creature gnashed at the steel. “Ugly thing, is it not?” boomed the frog and casually flipped the dying insect into the ashes of the fire.

“Thanks,” said Kevin.

“Think nothing of it. We intelligent beings must stick together. How many were in your party?”

“Two. We had four guides.”

“The guides have departed,” said the frog. “They most probably sensed our coming and took evasive action. Your friend, unfortunately, is dead.”

“Dead?”

“Regrettably so. We found him while searching the vicinity of your camp.” The frog gestured to where others of his kind moved among the surrounding bushes. “Do you wish to see him? No? Well each race to their customs.”

“How did he die?” demanded Kevin.

The frog shrugged. “He could have departed in many ways. He could have swallowed some poisonous substance. He could have reached the end of his natural term. He could have been attacked by some venomous creature. In point of fact his head had been severed by some sharp instrument. I suspect the guides. They must have intended to kill and rob you both. As it happened our coming most probably saved your life. I trust that you are grateful?”

“Most grateful,” said Kevin. “If there is anything I can do –”

“There is.” The frog slapped Kevin’s pockets with his free hand, deftly removing all items of value. “Is this all the money you have?”

“Yes.”

“It isn’t much. Are you sure?”

“I’ve had expenses,” said Kevin tightly. “Expeditions don’t come cheap on Illagesh. What you have there is all I own.”

“Too bad,” said the frog.

It was more than that. Despite Ransom’s efforts Tarvainen hadn’t been all that generous, or maybe the agent had taken too large a slice of the cake. The money represented his travelling expenses back to Earth. Without it he would be stranded.

“My dear, fellow,” said the frog blandly when Kevin pointed out the facts. “You really amaze me. You could honestly admit that we have saved your life and yet you fret about a little money. Suppose you had been killed, would money have helped you then? Of course not. Life, surely must be worth all you possess for without life what are possessions. I will go further. As we have saved your life it now, morally, belongs to us.

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