The Killing Machine
By Jack Vance
Book 2 in the "Demon Prince" Series



From "How the Planets Trade," by Ignace Wodleckt:

Cosmopolis, September, 1509:

In all commercial communities, the prevalence or ab-
sence of counterfeit money, spurious bills of exchange,
forged notes-of-hand, or any of a dozen other artifices to
augment the value of blank paper is a matter of great con-
cern. Across the Oikumene, precise duplication and repro-
ducing machines are readily available; and only meticulous
safeguards preclude the chronic debasement of our cur-
rency. These safeguards are three: first, the single negotia-
ble currency is the Standard Value Unit, or SVU, notes for
which, in various denominations, are issued only by the
Bank of Sol, the Bank of Rigel, and the Bank of Vega. Sec-
ond, each genuine note is characterized by a 'quality of au-
thenticity.' Third, the three banks make widely available the
so-called fake-meter. This is a pocket device that, when a
counterfeit note is passed through a slot, sounds a warning
buzzer. As all small boys know, attempts to disassemble the
fake-meter are futile; as soon as the case is damaged, it
destroys itself.

Regarding the 'quality of authenticity' there is naturally
a good deal of speculation. Apparently in certain key areas,
a particular molecular configuration is introduced, resulting
in a standard reactance of some nature: electrical capacity?
magnetic permeability? photo-absorption or reflectance?
isotopic variation? radioactive doping? a combination of

174 THE DEMON PRINCES

some or all of these qualities? Only a handful of persons
know and they won't tell.

Gersen first encountered Kokor Hekkus at the age of nine.
Crouching behind an old barge, he watched slaughter, pillage, en-
slavement. This was the historic Mount Pleasant Massacre, notable
for the unprecedented cooperation of the five so-called Demon
Princes. Kirth Gersen and his grandfather survived; five names be-
came as familiar to Gersen as his own: Attel Malagate, Vtole Fa-
lushe, Lens Larque, Howard Alan Treesong, Kokor Hekkus. Each
had his distinctive quality. Malagate was insensate and grim, Viole
Falushe gloried in sybaritical refinements, Lens Larque was a meg-
alomaniac, Howard Alan Treesong a chaoticist. Kokor Hekkus was
the most mercurial, fantastic, and inaccessible, the most daring and
inventive. A few folk had reported their impressions: uniformly they
found him affable, restless, unpredictable, and infected with what
might have seemed utter madness, except for his demonstrable con-
trol and strength. As to his appearance, all had different opinions.
He was, by popular repute, immortal.

Gersen's second encounter with Kokor Hekkus occurred in the
course of a routine mission Beyond, and was indecisive-or so it
seemed at the time. In early April of 1525, Ben Zaum, an official
of the IPCC,* arranged a clandestine interview with Gersen and
proposed a stint of "weaseling"-that is to say, an IPCC investi-
gation Beyond. Gersen's own affairs had come to a standstill; he
was bored and restless, and so agreed at least to listen to the prop-
osition.

The job, as Zaum explained it, was simplicity itself. The IPCC
had been commissioned to locate a certain fugitive: "Call him 'Mr.
Hoskins,' " said Zaum. So urgently required was Mr. Hoskins that
at least thirty operatives were being despatched to various sectors
of the Beyond. Gersen's job would be to survey the inhabited lo-
calities of a certain planet: "Call it 'Bad World,' " said Zaum, with
a knowing grin. Gersen must either locate Mr. Hoskins or establish
as a definite certainty7 that he had not set foot on Bad World.

Gersen reflected a moment. Zaum, who reveled in mystifica-

*IPCC-Intemorld Police Coordination Company in theory, a private organization pro-
viding the police systems of the Oikumene specialized consultation, a central information
file, cnminological laboratories, in practice, a supergovernmental agency occasionally func-
tioning as a law in itself

THE KILLING MACHINE

17')

tion, on this occasion seemed to be outdoing himself. Patiently
Gersen began to chip away at the exposed part of the iceberg, hop-
ing to float new areas into view. "Wliy only thirty weasels? To do
the Job right, you'd need a thousand."

Zaum's wise expression gave him the semblance of a large blond
owl. "We've been able to narrow the area of search. I can say this
much, Bad World is one of the likelier spots-which is why I want
you to take it on. I can't overemphasize how important all this is."

Gersen decided he didn't want the job. Zaum had determined-
or was under orders-to maintain as much reticence as possible.
Working in the dark irritated Gersen, distracted him, and so re-
duced his effectiveness-which meant that he might not return
from the Beyond. Gersen wondered how to turn down the job with-
out alienating Ben Zaum and so drying up a pipeline into the IPCC.
"What if I found Mr. Hoskins?" he asked.

"You have four options, which I'll name in order of decreasing
desirability. Bring him to Alphanor alive. Bring him to Alphanor
dead. Infect him with one of your horrible Sarkoy mind-drugs. Kill
him outright."

"I'm no assassin."

"This is more than simple assassination! This is-confound it,
I'm not permitted to explain in detail. But it's truly urgent, I assure
you of this!"

"I don't disbelieve you," said Gersen. "Still, I won't-in fact, I
can't-kill without knowing why. You'd better get someone else."

Under normal circumstances, Zaum would have terminated the
interview, but he persisted. Gersen thereby was given to understand
that either qualified weasels were hard to come by or that Zaum
regarded his services highly.

"If money is any object," said Zaum, "I think I can arrange-"

"I think I'll pass this one up."

Zaum made a half-serious display of beating his forehead with
his fists. "Gersen-you're one of the few men whose competence
I'm sure of. This is a murderously delicate operation-if, of course,
Mr. Hoskins visits Bad World, which I myself think is likely. I'll
tell you this much: Kokor Hekkus is involved. If he and this Mr.
Hoskins make contact-" He flung up his hands.

Gersen maintained his attitude of disinterest, but now all was
changed. "Is Mr. Hoskins a criminal?"

176 THE. DEMON PRINCES

Zaum's bland brow creased in discomfiture. "I can't go into
details."

"In that case, how do you expect me to identify him?"

"You'll get photographs and physical characteristics; this should
suffice. The job is perfectly simple. Find the man: kill him, confuse
him, or bring him back to Alphanor."

Gersen shrugged. "Very well. But since I'm indispensable I
want more money."

Zaum made a peevish complaint or two. "Now as to definite
arrangements: when can you leave?"

"Tomorrow."

"You still keep your spacecraft?"

"If you call the Model 9B Locater a spacecraft."

"It gets you there and back, and it's suitably inconspicuous.
Where is it docked?"

"At Avente Spaceport, Area C, Bay 10."

Zaum made a note. "Tomorrow go to your spaceship, make
departure. The ship will be provisioned and fueled- The monitor
will be coded to Bad World. You will find a folder with information
regarding Mr. Hoskins in your Star Directory. You need only per-
sonal effects-weapons and the like."

"How long am I to search Bad World?"

Zaum heaved a deep sigh. "I wish I could tell you. I wish I
knew what was going on. ... If you don't find him within a month
after arrival, it's probably too late. If we only knew for sure where
he was going, what were his motivations. .. ."

"I gather he's not a known criminal then."

"No. He's lived a long, useful life. Then he was approached by
a man named Seuman Otwal, who we suspect to be an agent of
Kokor Hekkus. Mr. Hoskins, according to his wife, thereupon
seemed to go to pieces."

"Extortion? Blackmail?"

"In these circumstances-impossible."

Gersen was able to elicit no more information.

Arriving at Avente Spaceport somewhat before noon of the fol-
lowing day, Gersen found matters as Zaum had stated. Boarding
the spartan little spacecraft, he went first to the Star Directory,
where he found a manila envelope containing photographs, plus a
printed description. Mr. Hoskins was shown in various costumes,
headgear, and skin-toning. He appeared a man in his late maturity,

THE KILLING MACHINE 177

with a big loose body, affable large eyes, a wide mouth with heavy
teeth, a small rapacious nose. Mr. Hoskins was an Earthman: so
much was clear from his clothes and skin-toning, which were gen-
erally similar but different in detail to those of Alphanor. Gersen
put the folder aside, reluctantly decided against a visit to Earth,
where he probably could identity Mr. Hoskins. Such a detour would
take too much time-and undoubtedly get him into the IPCC's
blackbook. He made a final check of the boat, called Port Control
for departure processing.

Half an hour later, Alphanor was a shining orb astern. Gersen
engaged the monitor, and watched as the nose of the boat swept
across the sky, finally to point in a direction sixty degrees off the
baseline between Rigel and Sol.

The Jarnell Coverdrive now seized the ship, or, more accu-
rately, created conditions where a few pounds of thrust caused near-
instantaneity of transfer.

Time passed. Random photons curling and seeping through the
Jarnell laminae entered the ship, to allow the outside universe to
be seen: stars by the hundreds and thousands, drifting past like
sparks on the wind. Gersen kept a careful astrogational record, fix-
ing on Sol, Canopus, and Rigel. Presently the ship crossed the sep-
aration between the Oikumene and the Beyond, and now law,
order, civilization had no formal existence. Projecting the line of
travel, Gersen finally was able to identify Bad World: Carina LO-
461 IV in the Star Directory, Bissom's End in the terminology of
Beyond. Henry Bissom was seven-hundred-years dead; the world,
or at least the region surrounding the principal town Skouse, was
now the preserve of the Windle family. Bad World was no mis-
nomer, thought Gersen; in fact, should he put down at Skouse with-
out good reason-offhand he could think of none-he would
without fail be picked up by the local platoon of the Deweaseling
Corps.* He would be rigorously questioned. After which, if he were
lucky, he would be allowed ten minutes to leave the planet. Ifwea-
seling were suspected, he would be killed. Gersen thought harsh
thoughts concerning Ben Zaum and his overelaborate secrecy. Had
he known his destination, he might conceivably have set up some
kind of cover.

The single intei-world organization of Be\ond, existing only to identify and destroy un-
dercover agents of the IPCC

17S THE DRMON PRINCES

Ahead a greenish-yellow star of no great luminosity clung to
the crosshairs, waxing brighter and larger. Presently the intersplit
kicked off; ether collapsing in upon the ship sighed and shuddered
through all the atoms of ship and Gersen himself: a sound to set
the teeth on edge, but which perhaps wasn't even real.

The old Model 9B coasted through space. Nearby hung Bis-
som's End-Bad World. It was a smallish planet, cold at the poles,
with a chain of low mountains forming a cincture of the equator,
like a weld joining the two hemispheres. To north and south ran
belts of sea, shallowing somewhere near 50 degrees latitude to bay-
ous and jungles, beyond which were swamps and morasses all the
way to the permafrost.

On a windy plateau sat the town Skouse, an irregular huddle of
dingy stone buildings. Gersen was puzzled. Why would Mr. Hos-
kins want to come to Bissom's End? Far more pleasant refuges
existed- Brinktown was almost gay.. . . But he was taking too much
for granted: Mr. Hoskins might never come near Bissom's End,
with the whole mission a mare's nest; indeed, Zaum had emphasized
as much.

Gersen examined the planet under the macroscope, finding lit-
tle of interest. The equatorial mountains were dusty and barren,
the oceans were gray and mottled with the shadows of low scudding
clouds. He turned his attention back to Skouse, a town of perhaps
three or four thousand population. Nearby was a scorched field
bordered by sheds and warehouses; evidently the spaceport. No-
where were luxurious mansions or castles to be seen, and Gersen
remembered that the Windles inhabited caves in the mountains
behind the town. A hundred miles to east and west, evidences of
habitation finally dwindled to wilderness. There was a single other
town, beside a dock extending into the North Ocean. Nearby was
a metal-processing plant, so Gersen deduced from slag tailings and
several large buildings. Elsewhere the planet showed no signs of
human occupation.

If he could not visit Skouse overtly, he must do so surrepti-
tiously. He picked out an isolated ravine, waited till evening shad-
ows crossed the area, then settled as swiftly as possible.

He spent an hour adjusting to the atmosphere, then stepped
out into the night. The air was cool; like that of almost every planet
it had a distinctive tang, to which the nostrils quickly become
dulled: in this case a bitter chemical exhalation mixed with some-

THE KILLING MACHINE

179

thing like burnt spice, the one apparently derived from the soil, the
other from the native vegetation.

Gersen invested himself with various tools of the weasel trade,
winched down his platform flyer, set forth to the west.

The first night Gersen reconnoitered Skouse. The streets were un-
paved and aimless; there was a commissary, several warehouses, a
garage, three churches, two temples, and a tramway with spindly
tracks leading down toward the ocean. He located the inn; a square
three-story structure built of stone, fiber panels, and timber. Skouse
was a dull town, exuding a sense of boredom, sluggishness, and
ignorance; Gersen assumed the population to have little more status
than serfdom.

He concentrated his attention on the inn, where Mr. Hoskins,
if he were present, would almost certainly take up residence. He
was unable to find a window to look through; the stone walls re-
sisted his eavesdrop microphone. And he dared not speak to any of
the patrons who at various times during the night staggered out
and away through the twisting streets of Skouse.

The second night he had no better success. However, across
from the inn, he found a vacated structure: apparently at one time
a machine-shop or fabricating plant, but now given over to dust
and small white insects unnervtngly like minuscule monkeys. Here
Gersen ensconced himself and through the entirety of the greenish-
yellow day kept watch upon the inn. The life of the town moved
past him; dour men and stolid women wearing dark jackets, loose
flapping trousers of brown or maroon, black hats with upturned
brims, went about their affairs. They spoke in a broad flat dialect
that Gersen could never hope to imitate; so died a tentative plan
to secure native-style garments and enter the inn. In the late after-
noon, strangers came into town: spacemen by their costumes, from
a ship that apparently had only Just landed. Gersen fought off
drowsiness with an antisleep pill. As soon as the sun descended,
bringing a mud-colored twilight, he left his hiding place and hur-
ried through the dim streets to the spaceport. Sure enough, a large
cargo-ship had put in and was now discharging bales and crates
from its hold. Even as Gersen watched, three members of the crew
left the ship, crossed the floodlit fore-area, showed passes to the
guard at the wicket, and turned down the road toward town.

180

THE DEMON PRINCKS

Gersen joined them. He gave them "Good evening," which
they returned with civility, and inquired the name of their ship.
"The Ivan Garfang^ he was told, "out of Chalcedon."
"Chalcedon, Earth?"

"The same."
The youngest of the group asked, "What kind of a town is

Skouse? Any fun to be had?"

"None," said Gersen. "There's an inn, and very little else. It's
a dull town and I'm anxious to depart. Are you carrying passen-
gers?"

"Aye, we've one aboard, and room for four more. Five, should
Mr. Hosey disembark, as I believe is his plan. Though for what
purpose he comes here-" the youth shook his head in incompre-
hension.

So, thought Gersen, it was to be as easy as that. Who could

Mr. Hosey be but Mr. Hoskins? And now, where did Kokor Hekkus
fit into the picture? He led the three spacemen to the inn and
entered with them, by all appearances their shipmate and, so, secure
against deweaseler suspicion.

Gersen cemented the association by calling for a round of
drinks. There was nothing to be had but beer, which was thin and
sour, and a white pungent arrack.

The interior of the inn was cheerful enough, with the tradi-
tional bar, and fire blazing in the fireplace. A barmaid wearing a
limp red smock and straw slippers served the drinks. The youngest
of the spacemen, who called himself Carlo, made overtures, to
which the maid responded with a look of uncomprehending con-
fusion.

"Leave her alone," advised the oldest of the spacemen whose
name was Bude. "She's not all there." He tapped his forehead sig-
nificantly.

"All the way we come, to the back of Beyond," grumbled Carlo,

"and the first woman we spy is a half-wit."

"Leave her for Mr. Hosey," suggested Haivy, the remaining
spaceman. "If he disembarks, he'll have a long, dull time of it."

"Some sort of scientist?" asked Gersen. "Or a journalist? They
sometimes choose to visit odd places."

"Devil knows what he is," said Carlo. "He hasn't spoken more
than two words the entire trip."

The conversation changed. Gersen would have liked to talk

THE KJLIJNG I\'L4CHINE

181

more of Mr. Hosey, but dared not ask questions, which Beyond
almost always implied a sinister aftermath.

A number of locals had entered the inn, and stood before the
fire drinking pints of beer at a gulp, and talking in their flat voices.
Gersen took the bartender aside and inquired regarding accom-
modation.

The bartender shook his head. "It's been so long since we've
housed anyone that our beds are all stale. You'll do better back on
your ship."

Gersen looked across the room to Carlo, Bude, and Halvy.
They showed no disposition for imminent departure. He turned
back to the bartender. "Is there someone to run an errand to the
ship for me?"

"There's a boy in the back who might oblige."

"I'll speak to him."

The boy was duly summoned: a blank-faced youth, the son of
the bartender. Gersen tipped him liberally and made him repeat
three times the message he wished delivered. "I'm to ask for Mr.
Hosey and say he's wanted at the inn immediately."

"Correct. Be quick now, and there may be more money for
you. Remember, give the message to none but Mr. Hosey himself."

The boy departed. Gersen waited a moment, then sauntered
from the inn, and followed the boy to the spaceport, keeping well
to the rear.

The boy was known to the guard at the spaceport, and after a
word or two was allowed onto the field- Gersen approached as close
as he dared, and standing in the shadow of a tall bush watched and
waited.

Several minutes passed. The boy emerged from the ship-
alone. Gersen grunted in disappointment. When the boy came out
into the road, Gersen accosted him. Startled, the boy yelped and
sprang away.

"Come back here," said Gersen. "Did you see Mr. Hosey?"

"Yes sir, so I did."

Gersen brought out a photograph of Mr. Hoskins, flashed a
light. "This gentleman here?"

The bov squinted. "Yes sir. The very same."

"And what did he say?"

The boy glanced sidewise, whites of his eyes gleaming. "He
asked if I knew Billy Windle."

182

THE DEMON PRINCES

"Billy Windle, eh?"

"Yes sir. And of course I don't. Billy Windle's a hormagaunt.
He said to tell you, if you were Billy Windle, to come to the ship.
I said no, vou were a spaceman. And he said he'd deal with none
but Billy Windle himself and in person."

"I see. And what's a hormagaunt?"

"That's what we call them here. Maybe on your world you've
a different name. They're the folk who soak up other folk's lives
and then go off to live on Thamber."

"Billy Windle lives on Thamber?"

The bov nodded earnestly. "It's a real world, never think dif-
ferent. I know, because the hormagaunts live there."

Gersen smiled. "As well as dragons and fairies and ogres and
Underlings."

The boy said dolefully, "You don't believe me."

Gersen brought forth more money. "Return to Mr. Hosey. Tell
him that Billy Windle waits for him in the road, and bring him out
here to me."

The boy's eyes rolled in awe. "Are you Billy Windle?"

"Never mind who I am. Go give Mr. Hosey the message."

The boy returned to the ship. Five minutes later, he came down
the gangramp followed by Mr. Hosey-who was quite definitely
Mr. Hoskms. They set forth across the field.

But now^ floating down through the dark sky came a whirling
disk of red and blue lights, which swooped and settled to the
ground. It was a sumptuous flying car. decorated in the most elab-
orate fashion, with colored lumes, golden scrolls, and fluttering
fronds of green and gold. The rider was a slim, long-legged man
with muscular shoulders, as flamboyantly dressed as his boat. His
face was tinted black-brown; his features were flexible, regular,
youthful; he wore a tight turban of white cloth with a pair of ro-
guish tassels hanging by his right ear. He was charged with nervous
vitality; jumping to the ground, he seemed to bounce.

The boy and Mr. Hoskins had halted; the newcomer walked
swiftly across the field. He spoke to Mr. Hoskins, who seemed sur-
prised and gestured questioningly toward the road. This must be
Billy Windle, thought Gersen, gritting his teeth in frustration. Billy
Windle glanced toward the road, then made an inquiry of Mr. Hos-
kins, who reluctantly seemed to assent, and tapped his pouch. But
in the same motion he produced a weapon, which he displayed to

THE KILLING M.4CHINE

183

Billy Windle in a nervous truculent fashion, as if to emphasize that
he trusted no one. Billy Windle merely laughed.

Where did Kokor Hekkus enter the picture? Was Billy Windle
one of his agents? There was a simple and direct way to find out.
The guard at the gate was watching the confrontation with fasci-
nated attention. He did not hear Gersen come up behind him; he
felt nothing as Gersen struck him a deft blow, which instantly in-
duced unconsciousness. Gersen donned the guard's cap and cape,
marched officiously toward Billy Windle and Mr. Hoskins. They
were engaged in a transfer: each held an envelope. Billy Windle
glanced toward Gersen, waved him back toward the gate, but Ger-
sen continued to approach, trying to appear obsequious. "Back to
your post, guard," snapped Billy Windle. "Leave us to our affairs."
There was something inexpressibly dire in the poise of his head.

"Pardon me, sir," said Gersen. He jumped forward, clubbed at
Billy Windle's gorgeous headgear with his projac. As Billy Windle
staggered and fell, Gersen raked Mr. Hoskins' arm with a low-
charge jolt, jarring loose his weapon.

Mr. Hoskins cried out in pain and astonishment. Gersen
scooped up Billy Windle's envelope, reached for that which Mr.
Hoskins held. Mr. Hoskins staggered back, then as Gersen raised
his projac, halted.

Gersen shoved him toward Billy Windle's air-car. "Quick. Get
aboard. Or I'll punish you."

Mr. Hoskins' legs were rubbery; lurching and tottering, he
moved at a shambling trot to the air-car. As he climbed aboard, he
tried to stuff the envelope into his shirt; Gersen reached, snatched;

the envelope tore; there was a brief struggle and Gersen held half
the envelope, with the other half somewhere on the ground under
the boat. Billy Windle was staggering to his feet. Gersen could
delay no longer. The air-car controls were standard; he thrust the
lift-arm far across. Billy Windle shouted something Gersen could
not hear, then, as the air-car slanted up, brought forth his projac,
fired. The bolt sang past Gersen's ear, cut diagonally across Mr.
Hoskins' head. Gersen fired back as the air-car swung across the
sky, but the range was long and he merely kicked up a blaze of
lambent dust.

High above Skouse, he swerved, flew west, settled beside his
spaceboat. He carried the corpse of Mr. Hoskins aboard, and aban-
doning the bedizened air-car, took the Model 9B into space. He

THE DEMON PRINCES

184

engaged the intersplit and now was safe: no known human effort
could intercept him. Mission accomplished in a workmanlike fash-
ion, without undue exertion: Mr. Moslems killed and en route to
Alphanor, as per instructions. In short, sheer routine. Gersen
should have been pleased, but this was not the case. He had learned
nothing, succeeded with nothing; nothing except the paltry business
for which he had been sent to Bissom's End. Kokor Hekkus had
been involved in the affair; with Mr. Hoskins dead, Gersen would
never know why or how.

The corpse was a problem. Gersen dragged it into the rear
locker, shut the door on it.

He brought forth the envelope he had taken from Billy Windle,
opened it. Within was a sheet of pink paper on which someone had
written in florid purple ink. The message was titled: How to become
a hormagaunt. Gersen raised his eyebrows: Jest? Somehow he did
not think so. Gersen read the instructions with a small frisson of
horror tickling at his neck. They were unpleasant.

Aging is pursuivant to a condition in which the ichors of
youth have been exhausted: so much is inherently obvious.
The hormagaunt will desire to replenish himself with these
invaluable elixirs from the most obvious source: the persons
of those who are young. The process is expensive unless
one has access to a sufficient number of such persons, and
in this case he proceeds in the following fashion:

Instructions followed:

From the bodies of living children, the hormagaunt must
procure certain glands and organs, prepare extracts, from
which a waxy nodule might ultimately be derived. This
nodule implanted in the hormagaunt's pineal gland forfends
age.

Gersen put the letter aside, and inspected the fragment he had
wrenched from Mr. Hoskins. It read:

-crimps, or more properly, bands of density. These ap-
parently occur at random, though in practice they are so
casual as to be imperceptible. The critical spacing is in

THE KILLING MACHINE 185

terms of the square root of the first eleven primes. The
occurrence of six or more such crimps at any of the des-
ignated locations will validate-

Gersen found the reference incomprehensible, but vastly intriguing:

what had Mr. Hoskins known so valuable that it might be traded
on an even basis for the secret of perpetual youth?

He examined again the horrid directions for becoming a hor-
magaunt, and wondered if they were sound. Then he destroyed
both sets of instructions.

At Avente Spaceport, he called Ben Zaum byvisiphone. "I'm back."

Zaum raised his eyebrows. "So soon?"

"There was no reason to delay."

Thirty minutes later Zaum and Gersen met in the vestibule to
the spaceport's waiting room. "Where is Mr. Hoskins?" Along with
the delicate emphasis on the Hoskins, he gave Gersen a look of
narrow inquiry.

"You'll need a hearse. He's been dead for some time. Since
before I left Bad World-as you identified it."

"Did he-what were the circumstances?"

"He and a man called Billy Windle had struck some sort of a
bargain, but they could not come to terms. Windle seemed very
disappointed and killed Mr. Hoskins. I managed to recover the
body."

Zaum gave Gersen a glance of mild suspicion. "Did any papers
change hands? In other words, did Windle derive any information
from Hoskins?"

"No."

"You're sure of this?"

"Absolutely."

Zaum was still not completely at ease. "This is all you have to
report?"

"Isn't it enough? You have Mr. Hoskins, which is what you
wanted."

Zaum licked his lips, glanced at Gersen from the corners of his
eyes. "You found no papers on his body?"

"No. And I want to ask you a question."

Zaum heaved a deep dissatisfied sigh. "Very well. If possible,
I'll answer."

THE DEMON PRINCES

1S6

"You mentioned Kolcor Hekkus. How does he come into the
matter?"

Zaum deliberated a moment, scratching his chin. "Kokor Hek-
kus is a man of many identities. One of them is, or so we have been
informed, Billy Windle."

Gersen nodded sadly. "I feared as much. ... I missed my op-
portunity. It may never come again. . . . Do you know what a hor-
magaunt is?"

"A what?"

"A hormagaunt. It seems to he an immortal creature who lives
on Thamber."

In a measured voice Zaum said, "1 don't know what a horma-
gaunt is and all I know about Thamber is 'set your course by the
old Dog Star till faring past the verge extreme, dead ahead shines
Thamber's gleam'-however the song goes."

"You forgot the line after 'old Dog Star': 'A point to the north

ofAchernar.' "

"No matter," said Zaum. "I never found the Land of Oz ei-
ther." He sighed lugubriously. "I suspect that you're not telling me
the whole story. But-"

"But what?"

"Be discreet."

"Oh indeed."

"And be sure that if you thwarted Kokor Hekkus in one of his
schemes you will meet him again. He never repays a favor and never
forgets a wrong."

From Introduction to The Demon Princes, by Caril Car-
phen (Elucidarian Press, New Wexford, Aloysius,

Vega):

It may well be asked how, from so many thieves, kid-
napers, pirates, slavers, and assassins within- and beyond the
Pale, one can isolate five individuals and identify them as
'Demon Princes.' The author, while conceding to a certain
degree of arbitrariness, can nevertheless in good conscience
define the criteria that in his mind establish the Five as
arch-fiends and overlords of evil.

First: the Demon Princes are typified by grandeur.
Consider the manner in which Kokor Hekkus gained his
cognomen 'The Killing Machine,' or Attel Malagate's
'plantation' on Grabhorne Planet (a civilization of his own
definition), or Lens Larque's astounding monument to him-
self, or Vtole Falushe's Palace of Love. Certainly these are
not the works of ordinary men, nor the results of ordinary
vices (though Viole Falushe is said to be physically vain,
and in certain exploits of Kokor Hekkus there is the
quaintly horrid quality of a small boy's experiments with an
insect).

Second: these men are constructive geniuses, motivated
not by malice, perversity, greed, or misanthropy, but by
violent inner purposes, which are for the most part
shrouded and obscure. Why does Howard Alan Treesong
glory in chaos? What are the goals of the inscrutable Attel
Malagate, or that fascinating flamboyant Kokor Hekkus?

188 THE DEMON PRINCES

Third: each of the Demon Princes is a mystery; each
insists on anonymity and facelessness. Even to close asso-
ciates these men are unknown; each is friendless, loveless
(we can safely discount the self-indulgences of the sybarit-
ical Viole Falushe).

Fourth: and obverse to the aforementioned, is a quality
best to be described as absolute pride, absolute self-
sufficiency. F.ach considers the relationship between himself
and the balance of humanity as no more than a confron-
tation of equals.

Fifth: and ample in itself, I cite the historic conclave of
1500 at Smade's Tavern (to be discussed in Chapter One)
where the five acknowledged themselves, grudgingly per-
haps, as peers, and denned their various areas of interest.
Ipsi dixeunt!

Such was Gersen's second encounter with Kokor Hekkus. The
aftermath was a period of depression, during which Gersen spent
long mornings and afternoons on the Avente Esplanade, gazing out
over the Thaumaturge Ocean. For a period, he had considered a
return to Bissom's End-but the project seemed rash and almost
certainly pointless: Kokor Hekkus would not stay long at Bissom's
End. Gersen must somehow make a new contact.

This was a resolve easier to form than to implement. Hair-
raising anecdotes by the dozen circulated regarding Kokor Hekkus,
but specific information was rare. The reference to Thamber was
new, but Gersen gave it small consideration: it could hardly be
more than the fantasy of an imaginative boy.

Time passed-a week, two weeks. Kokor Hekkus received men-
tion in the news as the presumptive kidnaper of a Copus, Pi Cas-
siopeia VIII, mercantilist. Gersen was mildly surprised; the Demon
Princes seldom kidnaped for ransom.

Two davs later came news of another kidnaping, the scene on
this occasion being the Hakluz Mountains of Orpo, Pi Cassiopeia
VII; the victim a wealthy packer of sour-spore. Again Kokor Hek-
kus was reputedly involved: indeed only the possible participation
of Kokor I lekkus made the not uncommon crimes noteworthy.

Gersen's third encounter with Kokor Hekkus arose directly, if
deviously, as a result of the kidnapings; and indeed the kidnapings

THE KILLING MACHINE 189

themselves followed as a reverse or backhanded consequence to
Gersen's success at Skouse.

The chain of events was expedited by chance. One midmorning
Gersen sat on a bench halfway along the Esplanade; an elderly man,
with the pale blue skin-toning, black jacket, and beige trousers of
middle-class gentility, took a seat on the other end of the bench.
Some minutes later he muttered an expletive, threw aside his news-
paper, and looking toward Gersen expressed indignation in regard
to the lawlessness of the times. "Another kidnaping, another in-
nocent person whisked off to Interchange! Why cannot these
crimes be halted? What is the constabulary about? They warn per-
sons of means to caution. What a sorry condition!"

Gersen expressed whole-hearted agreement, but said that he
knew no effective solution to the problem other than making illegal
the private ownership of spacecraft.

"Wily not?" demanded the old man. "I possess no spaceship,
nor do I feel the need to do so. At best they are instruments of
frivolity and ostentation; at worst they facilitate the commission of
crime, and especially kidnaping. Look you-" he tapped the news-
paper "-ten kidnapings, all made possible by the spaceship!"

"Ten?" asked Gersen in surprise. "So many?"

"Ten in the last two weeks, all persons of extreme wealth and
worth. The ransoms go Beyond, to enrich rascals; it is money dis-
sipated in space, a loss to us all!" He went on to remark that moral
values had deteriorated since his youth; that respect for law and
order had reached an all-time nadir; that only the most inept or
unlucky criminal suffered for his acts. To exemplify his convictions,
he cited a man he had seen only the day previously, a man whom
he recognized as an associate of the notorious Kokor Hekkus, who
almost certainly was responsible for at least one of the kidnapings.

Gersen expressed shock and surprise. Was the old man sure of
his facts?

"Yes indeed! There is no doubt whatever! I never forget a face,
even though, as in this case, it has been eighteen years."

Gersen's interest began to wane; the old man continued re-
gardless. Certainly, thought Gersen-or almost certainly-this old
man could not be a plant by Kokor Hekkus.

"-at Pontefract on Aloystus, where I served as Chief Notator
of the Inquisition. He appeared before the Guldounerie, and, as I

^ HE DEMON PRINCES

190

recall, displayed a remarkably insolent attitude, considering the
gravity of the charges "

"And what were these7" Gersen asked

"Disbursion with intent to suborn ransackment, illicit posses-
sion of antiquities, and revilery His arrogance was justified, for he
evaded all punishment save admonition It was evident that Kokor
Hekkus had intimidated the panel "

"And you saw this man yesterday3"

"Beyond question He passed me on the Route Shdeway, pro-
ceeding north toward Sailmaker Beach. If by sheer chance I notice
this single unregenerate, calculate the number of those I fail to

observe'"

"A serious situation," Gersen declared. "This man should be
placed under observation You do not remember his name5"

"No What if I did3 By all odds it is neither the name he used
then nor the name he uses now."

"He has a distinctive appearance3"

The old man frowned "Not notably His ears are rather large,
as is his nose. His eyes are round and close together He is not so
old as I However I have heard that the folk of the Fomalhaut planet
mature late, owing to the nature of their food, which clabbers the
bile "

"Ah He was a Sandusker "

"He asserted as much, in an extraordinary fashion I can only
describe as vainglory "

Gersen laughed politely. "You have a remarkable memory You
think then that this Sandusk criminal lives in Sailmaker Beach3"

"Why not3 It is where such unorthodox folk tend to collect "

"True enough " After a few further remarks, Gersen rose to
his feet and took his leave

The Route Slideway ran north, paralleling the Esplanade, then
curved through the LoSasso Tunnel to terminate at Mansh Square
in Sailmaker Beach Gersen was moderately well acquainted with
the area, standing in the square and looking up toward Melnoy
Heights, he could almost see the house where Hildemar Dasce at
one time had resided And Gersen's thoughts for a moment became
tinged with melancholy   . He brought himself back to the matter
at hand Tracing down a nameless Sandusker It was a problem
rather different from that of locating Beauty Dasce, who once seen
could never be forgotten

THE KILLING MACHINE

191

Surrounding the square were low thick-walled structures ofco-
quina concrete, color-washed white, lavender, pale-blue, pink In
the Rigel-hght they glowed as if incandescent, emitting tones and
overtones of color, the windows and doorways by contrast showing
the most intense and utter of blacks Along one side of the square
ran an arcade housing shops and booths catering principally to tour-
ists Sailmaker Beach with its enclaves of off-world peoples, each
with its typical shops and restaurants, was like nowhere else in the
Oikumene, with the possible exception of one or two districts on
Earth At a kiosk, Gersen bought a Guide to Sailmaker Beach It
contained no mention of a Sandusker quarter He returned to the
kiosk The proprietress was a short, fat, in fact almost globular,
woman with skin tinted chalk-green perhaps a Krokmole Imp.

Gersen asked, "Where do the Sanduskers quarter themselves3"

The woman considered "Not many Sanduskers that I know of
Down the foot ofArd Street you'll find a few Been requested there
because the wind blows the smell of the victuals out to sea "

"Where is their food-shop3"

"Should you call it food I call it rubbish You're not a San-
dusker3 No. I see not It's there on Ard Street. Turn down through
there-see the two crypt-men in the black cloaks3 Right past where
they stand that's Ard Street Hold your nose "

Gersen returned the Guide to Sailmaker Beach, which at once
was placed back in stock Gersen crossed the square, stepped around
the two pale men in long black cloaks, and entered Ard Street: an
alley rather than a street, running on a slight downhill slant all the
way to the water In the first block were tea houses and curtained
game-rooms exuding a rather pleasant odor of incense Then Ard
Street passed through a drab section infested by small sloe-eyed
children wearing long gold ear chains, red and green shirts to the
navel, and little else Then approaching the waterfront, Ard Street
widened, to become a small court at the sea wall Gersen suddenly
understood the pertinence of the advice given him by the fat woman
of the kiosk The air of Ard Court smelled richly indeed, with a
heavy sweet-sour organic reek that distended the nostrils. Gersen
grimaced and went to the shop from which the odors seemed to
emanate Taking a deep breath and bowing his head, he entered
To right and left were wooden tubs, containing pastes, liquids, and
submerged solids, overhead hung rows of withered blue-green ob-
jects the size of a man's fist At the rear, behind a counter stacked

192

THE, DEMON PRINCES

with limp pink sausages stood a clown-faced youth of twenty, wear-
ing a patterned black and brown smock, a black velvet headkerchief.
He leaned upon the counter without spirit or vitality, and without
expression watched Gersen sidle past the tubs.

"You're a Sandusker?" asked Gersen.

"What else?" This was spoken in a tone Gersen could not iden-
tify, a complex mood of many discords: sad pride, whimsical malice,
insolent humility. The youth asked, "You wish to eat?"

Gersen shook his head. "I am not of your religion."

"Ha ho!" said the youth. "You know Sandusk then?"

"Only at second-hand."

The youth smiled. "You must not believe that old foolish story,
that we Sanduskers are religious fanatics who eat vile food rather
than flagellate ourselves. It is quite incorrect. Come now. Are you
a fair man?"

Gersen considered. "Not unusually so."

The youth went to one of the tubs, dipped up a wad of glisten-
ing black-crusted maroon paste. "Taste! Judge for yourself! Use
your mouth rather than your nose!"

Gersen gave a fatalistic shrug, tasted. The inside of his mouth
seemed first to tingle, then expand. His tongue coiled back in his
throat.

"Well?" asked the youth.

"If anything," said Gersen at last, "it tastes worse than it

smells."

The youth sighed. "Such is the general consensus."

Gersen rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand. "Do you
know all the Sanduskers of the neighborhood?"

"I do."

"I seek a tall man with eyes slightly crossed, who has lost a
finger, with hair leaving the rear of his head like a comet's tail."

The youth smiled placidly. "His name?"

"I do not know."

"That would seem to be Powel Darling. He has returned to
Sandusk."

"I see. Well, no matter. The money will revert to the provincial
treasury."

"Sad. What money is this?"

"A bequest to two Sanduskers who obliged an eccentric old

THE KILLING MACHINE

193

woman. The other is no longer conveniently at hand, or so I am
told."

"And who is the other?"

"I am told that he departed Alphanor last month."

"Indeed?" The youth seemed to ruminate. "Who could it be?"

"Again I do not know his name. A man of late middle age with
large ears, a large nose, and eyes closely spaced."

"That might be Dolver Cound. But he is still here."

"W^hat! Are you certain?"

"Oh yes. Go to the sea-wall, knock at the second door to the
left."

"Thank you."

"It is customary to pay for delicacies consumed on the prem-
ises."

Gersen parted with a coin, and left the shop. The air in Ard
Court seemed almost fresh.

The sea-wall ran perpendicular to Ard Street; twenty feet below
the ocean, translucent and shot like a star sapphire with Rigel-rays,
eased up and down. Gersen turned left and halted at the second
door: the entrance to a narrow-fronted cottage of the usual lumpy
coquina concrete.

Gersen rapped at the door. From within came a halting step.
The door slowly opened; Dolver Cound looked forth; a man some-
what older and heavier than Gersen had expected, with a round
flushed face and cyanotic lips. "Yes?"

Gersen stepped forward. "I'll come in, if I may." Cound uttered
a dismal bleat of protest, but gave way. Gersen looked around the
room. They were alone. The furnishings were dingy; a worn purple
and red rug covered the floor, and on the cooker steamed Dolver
Cound's noon meal. Gersen's nostrils twitched involuntarily.

Cound, recovering his poise, took a deep breath and thrust out
his chest. "What is the meaning of this intrusion? What or whom
do you seek?"

Gersen gave him a look of hard contempt. "Dolver Cound-
for eighteen years you have evaded the punishment due your
crimes."

"What's this?"

Gersen brought forth an identification tablet, similar to an
IPCC blazer, with his photograph under a translucent seven-

THE DEMON PRINCES

194

pointed star. He touched it to his forehead; the star flashed into
light. Dolver Cound watched in loose-mouthed fascination.

"I am a member of the Executive Arm of the New Dispensation
at Pontefract, Alovsius, Vega Third. Eighteen years ago you en-
countered a faulty trial before the Guldouncrie. 1 now declare you
under restraint. You must return for a new hearing."

Cound stammered excitedly, and finally in a high-pitched voice
cried, "You have no jurisdiction, no authority' Further I am not
the man you seek!"

"No? Who must I apprehend? Kokor Hekkus?"

Cound licked his purple lips, glanced toward the door. "Go.
Never return. I want nothing to do with you."

"What of Kokor Hekkus?"

"Speak no such names to me!"

"It is either you or he who must settle the score. At the moment
he is unavailable. You must come. I give you ten minutes to pack."

"Ridiculous! Nonsense! Sheer balderdash!"

Gersen shifted his proJac into plain sight, fixed Cound with a
hard stare. Cound, suddenly bluff and hearty, said, "Come now!
Let us consider a moment, to learn where you have made your
mistake. Sit! This is our custom! Wi\\ you drink?"

"Sandusk brew? Thank you: no."

"I can serve less tasty stuff: Sea Province arrack!"

Gersen nodded. "Very well."

Cound went to a shelf, took down a bottle, a tray, a pair of
glasses, poured drinks. Gersen stretched, yawned as if inattentive.
Cound very7 slowly brought forward the tray, took one of the
glasses. Gersen took the other, scrutinized the clear liquid, seeking
the faint roil which w^uld indicate the presence of another liquid,
or grains of undissolved powder. Cound watched slyly. He would
take suspicion for granted, thought Gersen, and would expect a
change of glasses.

"Drink!" said Cound and raised his glass. Gersen watched him
with interest. Cound put clown the glass untouched.

"Do you not care to drink?" Gersen took his glass, mingled the
two drinks, returned the glass to Cound. "Drink first."

"Never before a guest. I would feel shame."

"I cannot drink before my host. But no matter; we will both
drink during the trip to Pontefract. Since you do not care to pack,
let us be off."

THE KILLING MACHINE

195

Cound's face crumpled and sagged with woe. "I will go no-
where with you. You cannot force me. I am an old man; not in the
best of health. Have you no pity?"

"It's either you or Kokor Hekkus; these are my instructions."

Cound looked toward the door. "Do not speak that name!" he
said in an agonized croak.

"Tell me what you know of him."

"Never."

"Then come. Bid Rigel farewell; your sun henceforth will be
Vega."

"I did nothing! Do you know no reason?"

"Tell me what you know of Kokor Hekkus. We would prefer
him to you."

Cound drew a deep breath, closed his eyes. "So be it," he said
at last. "If I tell you all I know, must I still return to Aloysius?"

"I promise nothing."

Cound sighed. "What I know is little enough. . . ." For two
hours he asserted the casual quality of his association with Kokor
Hekkus: "I was falsely accused; even the Guldounerie panel came
to realize this!"

"All surviving members of this panel are under punitive re-
straint: we are taking a cumulative vengeance. Come now: the truth!
I am far from satisfied!"

Cound eventually slumped into a chair and declared himself
ready to talk. First however he professed a need for certain notes
and memoranda. He went to fetch papers from a drawer, but
brought forth a weapon. Gersen, waiting with projac ready, blasted
it from his hand. Cound turned slowly, eyes round and wet. He
swung his numb arm, staggered to a seat, and now spoke without
further evasion. Indeed, he became verbose, almost explosive with
information, as if inhibition had been completely dissolved. Yes,
eighteen years ago he had assisted Kokor Hekkus in certain oper-
ations on Aloysius and elsewhere. Kokor Hekkus had been anxious
to obtain certain antiquities. On Aloysius they had raided Creary
Castle, Bodelsey Abbey, and the Houl Museum. During the latter
operation, Cound had been apprehended by the Sons of Justice; but
Kokor Hekkus made certain arrangements, and the Guldounerie
panel dismissed Cound with an admonition. Thereupon his asso-
ciation with Kokor Hekkus became less active, dissolving ten years
ago.

196 THP; DF.MON PRINCES

Gersen pressed for details. Cound waved his arms helplessly.
"What is his appearance? He is a man, like us all. There is nothing
about him to describe. He is of average size, of good physique, of
unknown age. His voice is soft, though when he is angry, it comes
as if he were talking through a tube from a far world. He is a strange
man: polite when it pleases him, more often indifferent. He is fas-
cinated by beautiful objects, by antiquity, and by intricate machines.
You know how he derived his name?"

"This is a story I have never heard."

"It means 'Killing Machine' in the language of a secret world
far out Beyond. This world had been settled in ancient days, then
lost and forgotten until Kokor Hekkus rediscovered it. To punish
the folk of an enemy town, he built a giant metal executioner, which
split bodies in half with an ax. As dreadful as the ax was the scream
the metal ogre emitted with ever)' stroke. And thereafter Kokor
Hekkus was so known. . . . This is all I know."

"A pity you cannot tell me how to locate him," said Gersen.
"Either you or he must answer to the authorities at Pontefract."

Cound sat back, limp as a broken bladder. "I have told all," he
mumbled. "What can be served by visiting vengeance upon me?
Will the antiques be restored?"

"Justice must be satisfied. Unless you can deliver Kokor Hekkus
into my hands, you must pay for your Joint misdeeds."

"How can I provide Kokor Hekkus?" asked Cound in the drea-
riest of voices. "I hesitate even to speak his name."

"Who are his associates?"

"I don't know. It has been years since last I saw him. In those
days-" Cound paused.
' "Well?"

Cound licked his blue lips. "It could be of no interest to the
Pontefract authorities."

"HI be the judge of that."

Cound heaved a deep sigh. "I cannot tell you."

"Why not?"

Cound made a small, hopeless gesture. "I do not want to be
killed in some horrible fashion."

"What do you think awaits you at Pontefract?"

"No! I cannot talk further."

"You have been able to conquer these apprehensions during
the last hour."

THE KILLING MACHINE 197

"Everything I told you is a matter of public knowledge," said
Cound ingenuously.

Gersen smiled, and rose to his feet. "Come."

Cound made no move. Finally he said in a low voice, "I knew
three men who worked with Kokor Hekkus. There was Ermin
Strank, Rob Castilltgan, and a man they called Hombaro. Strank
was native to the Concourse, which planet I do not know. Castil-
ligan was from Vega's Boniface. I know nothing about Hombaro."

"Have you seen them recently?"

"Certainly not."

"You have photographs?"

Cound would admit to none, and sat watching in limp resent-
ment as Gersen moved here and there around the room, investi-
gating the obvious spots where Cound might keep mementos. After
a moment or two Cound said spitefully, "If you knew anything of
Sandusk, you would expect no photographs. We face the future,
not the past."

Gersen desisted from his search. Cound was squinting at him
reflectively; during Gersen's search he had taken time to think.
"May I ask, what is your rank?"

"Special agent."

"You are no Aloysian. Where is your throat-hole?"

"No matter."

"If you go around asking questions about Kokor Hekkus, even-
tually he will find out about it."

"Tell him yourself, if you have a mind to."

Cound uttered a short bark of a laugh. "No, no, my lad. Even
if I knew where to complain, I would not. I want no more acquain-
tance with terror."

Gersen said thoughtfully, "I shall now take all your money, and
throw your vile food into the sea."

"What?" Cound's face once more became lachrymose.

Gersen went to the door. "You're a miserable lump of abso-
lutely nothing: not even worth the effort of punishing. I go now.
Consider yourself fortunate."

Gersen departed the house, returned up Ard Street to Marish
Square, rode the slideway south to Avente. He was by no means
happy with the results of his day's work. There was further knowl-

THE DEMON PRINCES

198

edge in Dolver Cound, had he either craft or cruelty sufficient to
extract it. What had he learned?

Kokor Hekkus had been so named by the folk of a secret
planet.

Ten years ago, three men named Ermin Strank, Hombaro,
and Rob Castilligan had served Kokor Hekkus.

Kokor Hekkus was fascinated by intricate machines; he
cherished beauty; he valued the works of antiquity.

Gersen had lodgings on a high floor of the Credenze Hotel. On
the day following his interview with Dolver Cound, he arose before
Rigel had cleared the Catiline Hills, stained his skin the currently
fashionable grayed-buff, dressed in somber dark green, departed the
hotel by a side entrance. In the subway system, he voided all pos-
sibility of tracker or stick-tight, then took himself to Cort Tower
Station. An elevator lifted him to the foyer, where he transferred
to a small one-man capsule. As the door slid shut, a voice inquired
his name and destination. Gersen supplied the information and
added his IPCC Clearance Code. There were no further questions;

the car lofted him thirty floors high, moved him laterally, dis-
charged him into the office of Ben Zaum. This was a two-room
suite beside the tower's transparent west wall, with an all-inclusive
view south over the city and down the coast to Remo. Shelves along
another wall held a variety of trophies, curios, weapons, and world-
globes. By the evidence of his office, Zaum was a man high in the
IPCC organization; how high Gersen did not precisely know: the
title "Mandator, Umbria Division" might mean much or little.

Zaum greeted Gersen with cautious cordiality. "You're here
looking for work, I take it. How do you spend all your money?
Women? Hardly a month ago you were paid fifteen thousand
SVU-"

"I need no money. To be candid, I want information."

"Free? Or do you want to commission us?"

"WTiat's information regarding Kokor Hekkus worth?"

Zaum's wide blue eyes narrowed innnitesimally- "To us or from
?"

us

"In both directions."

Zaum reflected. "He's currently on the red list.. . . Officially

THE KILLING MACHINE

199

we don't even know whether he's alive or dead, unless someone
gives us a commission."

Standard whimsy once more, which Gersen acknowledged with
a polite smile. "Yesterday I learned the derivation of his name."

Zaum nodded offhandedly. "I've heard the tale. Rather grisly.
Might well be fact. Incidentally, to keep you from going stale"-
he opened a drawer-"the deweaselers tripped up a man on Palo,
and turned him over to Kokor Hekkus. He was returned to us in
a condition I won't describe. Kokor Hekkus also sent a message."
Zaum read from a slip of paper. " 'A weasel performed an unpar-
donable act at Skouse. The creature you have herewith is fortunate
in comparison with the weasel of Skouse. If he is a brooding man,
let him come Beyond and announce himself. I swear that the next
twenty weasels captured will thereupon go free.' "

Gersen gave a sickly grin. "He is angry."

"Extremely angry, extremely vindictive." Zaum hesitated a mo-
ment. "I wonder-well, if he would keep his promise?"

Gersen raised his eyebrows. "You suggest that I turn myself
over to Kokor Hekkus?"

"Not precisely, not exactly-well, think of it like this: it would
be one man's life for twenty, and weasels are hard to come by-"

"Only the inept are deweaseled," said Gersen. "Your organi-
zation is the sounder for their loss." He reflected a moment. "But
your suggestion has a certain merit. Why not identify yourself as
the man who planned the operation, and ask if he will spare fifty
men for the two of us?"

Zaum winced. "You can't be serious. What is your interest in
Kokor Hekkus?"

"That of an altruistic citizen."

Zaum arranged and rearranged several old striped bits of
bronze on his desk. "I'm another. What's your information?"

There was nothing to be gained by evasiveness, which Zaum
would be certain to sense. "Yesterday I heard three names-men
who worked for Kokor Hekkus ten years ago. They may or may
not be in your files."

"What are the names?"

"Ermin Strank. Rob Castilligan. Hombaro."

"Race? World? Nationality?"

<t! don't know."

Zaum yawned, stretched, looked out across Avente. The day

THE DEMON PRINCES

200

was sunny but full of wind; far out over the Thaumaturge Ocean
hung great tumbles of cumulus. After a moment of placid reflection,
Zaum swung back around to his desk. "I've nothing much better
to do at the moment."

He touched various pads at the console beside his desk. The
wall opposite vibrated with a million flickers of white light, then
flashed to impart a message:

KRMIN STRANK
Item 1 of 5 entries

with a coded set of physical characteristics below. To the left ap-
peared a photograph with a list of aliases; to the right was a resume
of Ermin Strank's (Item 1) life and wwks. A native of Quantique,
sixth planet of Alphard the Lonely, a specialist in smuggling con-
traband drugs into the Wakwana Islands, Ermin Strank (Item 1)
had never left his native planet. "The wrong Strank," said Gersen.

Ermin Strank (Item 2) appeared. Superimposed in dim pink was
the information: Deceased, and the date March 10, l')15.

Ermin Strank (Item 3) had his habitat far across the Oikumene,
on Vadilov, single planet of Sabik, or Eta Ophiuchi. He was cur-
rently active as a receiver of stolen goods. Like Ermin Strank (Item
1) he had never traveled far from his native world, except for two
years at Durban on Earth in the apparently legitimate capacity of
warehouse-worker.

Ermin Strank (Item 4) was a short spindly knob-headed man of
early middle age, red-haired, of truculent mien, incarcerated at Kil-
larney, Vega System's penal satellite, where he had spent the pre-
vious six years.

"That's the man," said Gersen.

Zaum nodded briskly. "An associate of Kokor Hekkus, you
say?"

"So I understand."

Zaum touched pads on his console. Ermin Strank's (Item 4)
resume was augmented by the notation: Reportedly associate of Kokor
Hekkus.

Zaum looked questioninglv at Gersen. "Anything more on
Strank?"

"I think not."

Next on the screen appeared a succession of Hombaros, the

THE KILLING MACHINE 201

most likely of which had disappeared from view eight years previ-
ously and was presumed dead,

The files boasted eight Rob Castilligans. The Rob Castilligan
who had robbed Creary Castle, Bodelsey Abbey and Houl Museum,
among other premises, was deary Item 2. There was a recent no-
tation to the resume that brought Gersen to attention: five days
previously, in the Garreu Province of Scythia, halfway around Al-
phanor, he had been arrested for complicity in a kidnaping.

"A versatile fellow, this Castilligan," remarked Zaum. "You're
interested in the kidnaping?"

Gersen acknowledged as much; Zaum brought details to the
screen. Seized had been the two children of Duschane Audmar, a
Ninety-fourth Degree fellow of the Institute, reputedly of great
wealth. They had been sailing on a lake with their tutor. A surface
glider swooped across the water, halting beside the boat. The chil-
dren were taken, the tutor escaped by diving from the boat and
swimming away under water. He had summoned the constabulary,
which had acted with great efficiency. Rob Castilligan had been
apprehended almost immediately, but two other men had won free
with the children. The father, Duschane Audmar, had remained
aloof, taking no interest in the affair. The children presumably
would be taken to Interchange, where they might be recovered
upon "rescission" of their "fees" (to use the special Jargon of In-
terchange).

Zaum's interest was now fully aroused. He sat back, inspected
Gersen with open curiosity. "I take it that you're acting for Aud-
mar?"

Gersen shook his head. "A fellow of the Institute? You should
know better."

Zaum shrugged. "He's only Ninety-fourth Degree. He might
be waiting for a few more degrees before he goes divine."

"If he were Sixty or Seventy, perhaps. Ninety-four is pretty
high."

Zaum had thought to detect evasiveness in Gersen. "Then
you're not interested in this kidnaping?"

"I'm interested. But this is the first I've heard of it."

Zaum's lips pursed swiftly in and out. "The question comes to
mind, of course... ."

He was speculating, so Gersen realized, upon the possible in-

202 THE DKMON PRINCKS

volvement of Kokor Hekkus in the matter. He turned to the con-
sole pads. "Let's see what Castilligan has to say."

There was a delay of rive minutes while Zaum spoke to various
members of the Garreu Province Constabulary, another two
minutes while Castilligan was brought forward and placed before
the screen. He was a dapper, handsome man, with a smooth easy-
natured face, sleek black hair varnished against his scalp. His skin-
tone had been washed off; his skin was a marmoreal white. His
manner was polite, even cordial, as if he were an honored guest
rather than prisoner at the Garreu Carcery. Zaum introduced him-
self, Gersen remained to the side, beyond the scope of the out-lens.
Castilligan seemed amused at the attention he was receiving.
"Zaum of the Ipsys. All on account of poor little me." He spoke
with the engaging lilt of a Boniface Bogtrotter. "Well then, what
can I do for you, beyond baring my life's secrets?"

"That will suffice," said Zaum drily. "How did you happen to
be caught?"

"Folly. I should have departed Alphanor with the others. But I
chose to remain. The Beyond bores me. I'm a man with a taste for
the niceties."

"You'll be quite nicely taken care of."

Castilligan shook his head, with detached and impersonal re-
gret. "Yes, it's a shame. I could apply for modification, except that
I enjoy myself the way I am, vices and all. I'd be a tiresome fellow
modified."

"Your option, of course," said Zaum. "Still, it's not too bad, if
you happen to enjoy the open air."

"No," said Castilligan earnestly. "I've thought it all out, and
it's too much like death. Dear engaging Rob Castilligan disappears
and with him all joie de tivre, all the light of the world; then in
stumps tiresome honest Robert Meachum Castilligan, dull as dish-
water, who wouldn't steal meat for his starving grandmother. With
any luck I'll be back from the satellite in five years or perhaps less."

"Evidently you plan to cooperate with the authorities?"

Castilligan winced impudently. "As little as I decently can, and
still get my gold star."

"Who were your confederates in the Audmar kidnaping?"

"Come, sir. You can't expect a man to tattle on his cronies.
Have you never heard of honor among thieves?"

THE KILLING MACHINE

203

"Don't talk about honor," said Zaum. "You're no better than
the rest of us."

Castilligan admitted as much. "In fact, I have already bared my
soul to the constabulary."

"The names of your confederates?"

"August Wey, Pyger Symzy."

"Kokor Hekkus did not participate directly?"

Castilligan's mouth indented suddenly at the corners. Once
more he essayed whimsy. "Now then-why ever should you men-
tion a name like that? We're talking reality."

"I thought I heard you mention gold stars for your record."

"Indeed I did!" declared Castilligan. "But not a gold wreath
for my gravestone."

"Suppose," said Zaum casually, "that through your assistance
we laid our hands on Kokor Hekkus. Can you imagine the lovely
gold star? You'd be elected Honorary Director of the IPCC."

Castilligan blinked sidelong, chewed thoughtfully on his
tongue. "You have a commission against Kokor- Hekkus?"

"Even if we don't, we could hold him for the highest bidder
and earn a fortune. There's fifty-five planets wanting the color of
Kokor Hekkus' insides."

Castilligan bared white teeth in a sudden dazzling grin. "Well,
truth to tell, I've nothing to hide, because nothing I know could
offend Kokor Hekkus. He is as you know, and I can't change the
picture."

"Where is he now?"

"Beyond, or so I should think."

"He worked with you on the Audmar kidnaping?"

"He did not, unless he called himself another name. In truth,
I've never seen Kokor Hekkus as a man. It's always been 'Rob, do
this' and 'Rob, do that' by one or another stealthy means. It's a
secretive creature, this Kokor Hekkus."

"In the old days, you plundered museums and the like. WTiy?"

"Because I was paid to do so. He wanted antiquities, and noth-
ing would do but that daring Rob must rob the sources. Long ago,
of course. My salad days, so to speak."

"WTiat of these other kidnapings? How many have you worked
on?"

Castilligan made a delicate face. "I don't care to say. It might
prejudice my record."

204 THE DEMON PRINCES

"Very well. How many do you know of?"

"Recently, about fourteen. By recently I mean in the last
month."

^Fourteen!^

Castilligan smiled his gay smile. "Yes, it's a going concern. I've
asked myself why and wherefore, but"-he shrugged-"who am I
to read the mind of Kokor Hekkus? No doubt he, like everyone
else, needs money."

Zaum turned Gersen a side-glance, stopped the audio pickup.
Gersen said, "What else does he know concerning Kokor Hekkus?"

Zaum relayed the question. The prisoner put on a fretful face.
"You play damnably fast and loose with my health. Suppose I told
you enough that Kokor Hekkus were inconvenienced-be sure I
know nothing of the sort, but assume so-do you think His Horrors
would feel kindly toward me? He would learn the dark side to my
soul, he would ply me with fears and terrors and all the very ills I
dread the most. A man must have some regard for his skin; if he
does not, who will?"

"Needless to say, what you tell us will not be communicated to
Kokor Hekkus," said Zaum smoothly.

"Bah! So you say. A man sits beside you this very instant; I saw
you look at him. For all either of us can say, it is Kokor Hekkus
himself who shares your office."

"You don't seriously believe this,"

Again Castilligan's mood changed. "No. I do not. Kokor Hek-
kus is Beyond, or so I believe, spending the vast sums he has earned
this last month or two."

"Spending how? For what?"

"As to that, I can't say. Kokor Hekkus is old-some say three
hundred years, some four hundred-but he maintains a young
man's energy. There is no lack of enthusiasm to the man."

After a short pause, Zaum asked: "If you are not acquainted
with Kokor Hekkus-how can you know of this?"

"I have heard him speak. I have heard him plan. I have heard
him curse. He is changeable, fickle, elusive as a Bernal flame-
maiden. He is completely generous, completely cruel-in both
cases because he knows no one's mind but his own. He is a terrible
enemy, not a bad master. I talk of him like this because it can do
him no harm and may help me. But I would never risk offending
him. He invents new and special terrors for this very purpose. Yet,

THE KILLING MACHINE

205

should 1 serve him well, he will build me a castle and make me
Robert, Baron Castilligan."

"And where will he perform this romantic fantasy?" sneered
Zaum.

"Beyond."

"Beyond," grumbled Zaum. "Always Beyond. Sornedaywe will
sweep past the Pale and make an end to Beyond."

"You will never succeed. There will always be a Beyond."
"Never mind. What else do you know of Kokor Hekkus?"
"I know he will be kidnaping other rich men's sons and daugh-
ters. He has said as much; he needs a vast sum of money and needs
it at once."

3

From Chapter I, "The Astro-physical Background," in
Peoples of the Concourse, by Streck and Chernitz:

It is Rigel, that magnificent star among stars, whose
prodigious luminosity and spacious Zone of Habitability has
afforded the Concourse its existence. Impossible not to
marvel at the sheer grandeur of the system! Think of it!
Twenty-six salubrious worlds swinging in stately thousand-
year orbits around the dazzling white sun, at a mean radius
of thirteen billion miles, not to mention the six oft-ignored
planets of the incandescent Inner Belt, and Blue Compan-
ion, a fortieth of a light-year to the side!

But the very circumstances that make the Concourse
what it is provide one of the galaxy's most tantalizing mys-
teries. Rigel is deemed by most authorities a young star,
ranging in age from a few million to a billion years. How
then to explain the Concourse, which when Sir Julian Hove
arrived, already displayed twenty-six mature biological
complexes? By the time-scale of terrestrial evolution, Con-
course life is several billion years old-assuming such life
to be autochthonous.

But is such an assumption warranted? While the flora
and fauna of each planet differ markedly, there are at the
same time a number of suggestive similarities-almost as if
Concourse life, long, long ago, had a common origin.

There are as many theories to the situation as theorists.
The dean of modern cosmologists, A. N. der Poulson, has
ingeniously proposed a situation where Rigel, Blue Com-

THE KILLING MACHINE

panion, and planets condensed from a gas already rich in
hydrocarbons, thereby giving life a headstart, so to speak.
Others, indulging in fanciful nights, have wondered if the
planets of the Concourse were not conveyed hither and es-
tablished in these optimum orbits by a now-dead race of
vast scientific achievement. The regularity and spacing of
the orbits, the near-uniform size of the Concourse planets,
as contrasted with the disparities of the Inner Worlds, give
such speculations a measure of plausibility. Why? When?
How? Who? The Hexadelts? Who carved Monument Cliff
on Xi Puppis X? Who left the incomprehensible mecha-
nism in Mystery Grotto of Earth's Moon? Fascinating rid-
dles yet to be answered. . . .

Xaviar Skolcamp, Over-Centennial Fellow of the Insti-
tute, in a discursive mood, discusses Institute attitudes with
a journalist:

"Humanity is old, civilization new: the mesh of cogs is
by no means smooth-and this is as it should be. Never
should a man enter a building of glass or metal, or a space-
ship, or a submarine, without a small shock of astonishment;

never should he avoid an act of passion without a small
sense of effort. ... We of the Institute receive an intensive
historical inculcation; we know the men of the past, and we
have projected dozens of possible future variations, which,
without exception, are repulsive. Man, as he exists now,
with all his faults and vices, a thousand gloriously irrational
compromises between two thousand sterile absolutes-is
optimal. Or so it seems to us who are men."

Farmer hauled before constabulary court after attack
upon the person ofBose Coggindell, Fellow of the Institute,
54th Degree, in self-justification:

"These chaps have it easy. They lean back in their
chairs and say, 'Suffer, you'll love it. Do it the hard way.
Sweat.' They'd like me to hitch my wife to a plow, the way
it used to be done. So I showed him what I thought of what
he calls 'detachment.' "

208 THE DEMON PRINCES

Justice (after fining farmer 75 SVU):

"A detached attitude toward the problems of others is
not illegal."

Of the seven Alphanor continents, Scythia was the largest, the
most sparsely populated, and in the opinion of the folk of Umbria,
Lusitania and Lycia, the most bucolic. Garreu Province, fronting
the Mystic Ocean and backed up into the Morgan Mountains, was
the most isolated region of Scythia.

To Taube, a drowsy sun-struck village on the shores ofJermin
Bay, came Gersen in the bi-weekly air-ship from the provincial
capital Marquari. In the whole town, he found but a single vehicle
to be rented: an ancient glide-car with rumbling bearings and a
tendency to slew sideways downslope. Gersen inquired directions,
climbed aboard the car, and set forth along the inland road. Up a
long slope he climbed, with the shimmering Rigel-light drowning
the landscape in brilliance.

For a space, the road wound back and forth through vineyards,
orchards of gnarled fruit trees, patches of blue-green kale and ar-
tichoke, thickets of native berries. Here and there were farm cot-
tages, each with its parasol roof absorbing Rigel energy. The road
swung up over a low ridge; Gersen halted to take his bearings. To
the south spread the ocean, the foreland sloping up from the bay,
the spatter of dun and pink and white that was Taube. In the blaze
of light, all the colors of the landscape were unreal pastels, shim-
mering and dancing. Ahead the road swung over to a level area,
where Gersen saw the villa of Duschane Audmar, Ninety-fourth
Degree Fellow of the Institute. It was a rambling structure of stone
and sun-bleached timber, shaded by a pair of enormous oaks and a
native ginkgo.

Gersen walked up the driveway, lifted and let fall a huge bronze
knocker in the shape of a lion's paw. After a long wait the door was
opened by a handsome young woman wearing a peasant smock.

"I have come to speak to Duschane Audmar," said Gersen.

The woman surveyed him thoughtfully. "May I inquire your
business?"

"I'll have to take that up with Lord Audmar himself."

She shook her head slowly. "I don't think he'll see you. There
have been domestic difficulties and Duschane Audmar is not re-
ceiving."

THE KILLING MACHINE 209

"My visit concerns these difficulties."

The woman's expression changed to sudden wild hope. "The
children? They have been returned? Oh tell me!"

"I'm sorry-but not to my knowledge." Gersen took a note-
book from his pocket, tore off a leaf, wrote: Kirth Gersen, llth
Degree, to discuss Kokor Hekkns. "Take that to him."

The woman read the note, without a word departed within.

Presently she was back. "Come." Gersen followed her along a
dim hall to a vaulted room with bare white plaster walls. Here sat
Audmar with a pad of white paper, a quill pen, a cut-glass bottle of
mulberry-colored ink. The paper was blank except for a single line
in the looping heavily shaded cursive affected by high fellows of the
Institute. Audmar was a rather short man, square-shouldered, firm-
fleshed. He had crisp well-shaped features: a small straight nose,
narrow black eyes glittering like oil, a compressed mouth over a
cleft chin. He greeted Gersen evenly, put aside paper, pen and ink.
"Where did you come into Eleven?"

"At Amsterdam, on Earth."

"That would be under Carmand's control."

"No. It was von Bleek, just previous to Carmand."

"Hmm. You were young. Why did you not proceed? After
Eleven, there is no great difficulty until the Twenty-seventh."

"I could not submerge my personal goals to those of the Insti-
tute."

"And as to these goals?"

Gersen shrugged. "They are uncomplicated, primitive enough
to satisfy a Centennial, but centripetal."*

Audmar's eyebrows rose into skeptical arcs, but he dropped the
subject. "Why do you wish to discuss Kokor Hekkus?"

"It is a subject in which we both are interested."

Audmar nodded curtly. "An interesting man, agreed."

"Last week he kidnaped your children."

Audmar sat silently for thirty seconds. It was clear that he had
not known the identity of the kidnaper. "WTiat is the basis for this
statement?"

"I have had an admission from the man who was captured: Rob
Castilligan, now in the carcery."

"Centripetal tending toward centralization or codification, by extension, tending to a kind
of fussy officiousness Institute )argon

THE DEMON PRINCES

210

"Your status is official7"

"No I have no status "

"Continue."

"Presumably you desire the safe return of the children "

Audmar smiled thinly "Presumption "

Gersen ignored the ambiguity "Have you received notice of
how to effect their safe return3"

"By ransom. The message came two days ago "

"Will you pay it3"

"No " Audmar's voice was soft and easy

Gersen had expected nothing else Centennials and near-
Centennials were forced to maintain impassivity to any and all ex-
ternal pressures Should Duschane Audmar ransom his children, he
would thereby admit to pliability, he would thus lay himself and
the Institute open to exterior persuasion The policy was well-
known, for the tenth time Gersen wondered why Duschane Audmar
had been molested Had he on some earlier occasion revealed flex-
ibility3 Had the kidnapers merely blundered3

Gersen asked, "You knew that Kokor Hekkus was involved3"

"No "

"Now that you know, will you take steps against him3"

Audmar gave a small petulant shrug, as if Gersen should realize
that punitive measures were as flagrant an instability as paying ran-
som

"To be completely candid," said Gersen, "I have reason to re-
gard Kokor Hekkus as an enemy I am not restricted as you are, I
can implement my feelings "

In Audmar's eyes appeared a quick gleam of something like
envy, but he only gave his head a polite inclination

"I come to you for information," said Gersen, "and, I hope,
whatever cooperation you see fit to provide "

"This will be very little, or none," said Audmar

"Still, you are human and you must love your children Cer-
tainly you do not wish to see them sold into slavery, as they will
be"

Audmar smiled, a bitter tremulous smile "I am human, Kirth
Gersen, probably more savage and primitive in my humanity than
yourself But I am a Ninety-fourth, I have too much strength, I
must be careful how I apply it Hence-" He made a gesture in-
dicating a whole complex of ideas

THE K1LLI\G MAC HIM 211

"Stasis3" suggested Gersen

Audmar forbore to answer the ube He said c\enly, "Regarding
Kokor Hekkus I know nothing-or at least no more than what is
common knowledge "

"Currently," said Gersen, "he seems the most active of the
Demon Princes He creates vast misery "

"He is a vile creature "

"Do }ou know why Kokor Hekkus took your children3"

"I presume to obtain money "

"How much ransom does he ask3"

"A hundred million SVU "

Gersen, startled, had nothing to say Audmar smiled grimly
"Not that my little Daro and Wix aren't worth as much and a great
deal more "

"You could pay this much3"

"If I chose. Money is no problem " Audmar turned back toward
the pad and the quill pen, Gersen sensed that his patience was
wearing thin "In this last month," said Gersen, "Kokor Hekkus
has kidnaped at least twenty persons, perhaps more This was the
last reckoning made by the IPCC before I left Avente The victims
are all people of great wealth and power "

"Kokor Hekkus becomes rash," said Audmar indifferently

"Exactly What are his purposes3 Why, suddenly, does he need
such vast sums of money3"

Audmar's interest was aroused Then, sensing the direction of
the argument, he darted Gersen a sudden sharp glance

Gersen said, "Kokor Hekkus seems to have some large pro)ect
in mind. I don't think he plans to retire "

"Not after two hundred and eighty-two years "

It occurred to Gersen that Audmar knew rather more concern-
ing Kokor Hekkus than he pretended "It seems that Kokor Hekkus
has expenses of two billion SVU-assuming that all the ransoms
run as high as the one assessed against you Why does he need the
money3 Is he building a fleet of warships3 Is he reconstructing a
planet3 Is he founding a university3"

Audmar heaved a deep wistful sigh "You believe he has some
large and possibly dystrophic end in view3"

"Why else would he suddenly require so much money3"

Audmar frowned, shook his head fretfully "It would be a shame

212 THE DEMON PRINCES

to thwart Kokor Hekkus. But from my point of view, and also In-
stitute policy. . ." His voice dwindled to nothing.

"They are at Interchange3"

"Yes."

"Perhaps you are unfamiliar with Interchange procedure. First
travel time is calculated, to which fifteen days is added; during this
period only the so-called party of primary interest may rescind the
fee After this time elapses, anyone who wishes may do so. If I had
a hundred million SVU, I could do so."

Audmar studied him a moment. "Why should you wish to do

"I want to know why Kokor Hekkus needs so much money. I
want to learn many things about Kokor Hekkus."

"Your motives, I take it, are not dispassionate curiosity3"

"My motives are beside the point. What I can do is this. If I
were to come into possession of a hundred million SVU, plus my
expenses, I would proceed to Interchange and, as a free agent, take
custody of your children. Incidentally, how old are they3"

"Daro is nine, Wix is seven."

"Meanwhile I would try to ascertain Kokor Hekkus' motives,
his goals, and his current whereabouts."

"And then?"

"After learning as much as possible, I would bring you your
children and if you were interested, report to you what I had
learned."

Audmar's face was utterly expressionless. "What is your current
address?"

"I am at the Hotel Credenze, in Avente."

Audmar rose to his feet. "Very well. You are an Eleventh. You
know what must be done. Find why Kokor Hekkus needs this large
sum of money. He is an inventive and imaginative man-a constant
source of wonder. The Institute finds him remarkable and regards
certain by-products of his evil rewarding. I can say no more."

Gersen left the room without further ado. In the quiet main
hall, he found the woman who had admitted him. She turned him
a glance of searching inquiry. Gersen asked, "You are the mother
of the children7"

She made no direct answer. "Are they-are they well?"

"I would think so. Will you give me photographs3"

She went to a shelf. The boy was smiling, the girl was grave.

THE KILLING MACHINE 213

The woman could not trust herself to speak aloud, and so spoke in
a half-whisper. "WTiat will happen to them3"

Gersen suddenly realized that she took him to be a represen-
tative of the kidnapers. Hovi did one disclaim such an imputation
before it had been spoken3 He said awkwardly, "I know very little
of the matter; that is, I'm not personally involved. But I hope that
somehow. . .." The only words he could think of were either mean-
ingless or overly explicit.

She went on. "I know how it is, that we must detach ourselves.
. . . But it seems hardly fair to the little ones. If there were some-
thing I could do. . ."

'T don't like to raise your hopes," said Gersen, "but perhaps
your children will be returned."

She said simply, "I will be grateful."

Gersen went from the cool dim house, out into the sudden
blaze of the garden. The afternoon was quiet; when he started the
old slide-car, the rumble of the engine seemed intrusively loud.
Gersen was glad to put the house ofDuschane Audmar behind him.
For all its magnificent prospect, for all the charm of its design, it
was a house of silence and sternly repressed emotion, where anger
and grief must be borne m secret. "WTiich is why I never went into
Twelfth," Gersen told himself.

Three days later, a package was delivered to Gersen at the Cre-
denze Hotel. Opening it he found within eighteen packets of fresh
Bank of Rigel notes, totaling one hundred and one million SVU.
Gersen tested them with his fake-meter: all were genuine.

Gersen immediately checked out of his hotel, rode by subway
to the spaceport, where his battered old 9B Locator awaited him.
An hour later, he had departed Rigel and was in space

4

From The Moral Essence of Civilization, by Calvin V.
Calvert:

In a sense the explosion of man across the galaxy must
be considered a regression of civilization. On Earth, after
many thousand years of effort, men had developed a con-
sensus as to what constituted good and evil. When men
departed Earth, they left behind this consensus as well.. . .

From Human Institutions, by Prade (Textbook, tenth
and eleventh grades):

Interchange is another of the strange accommodations
necessary to the functioning of what we have termed "the
total mechanism." It is a fact that kidnaping for ransom is
a common crime, owing to the ease by which escape via
spaceship can be effected. In the past, the system for paying
ransom often broke down, owing to the hatreds and sus-
picions inevitably generated, and many boys and girls were
never returned to their homes. Hence the necessity for In-
terchange, which is to be found on Sasani, a planet in the
near Beyond, and functions as a broker between kidnaper
and those paying ransom. Interchange guarantees good
faith in the transaction. The kidnaper receives his money
minus the Interchange fee; the victim is restored safely to
his home... . Interchange is officially denounced but prac-
tically tolerated; since it is believed that conditions would

THE KILLING MACHINE 215

be far worse in its absence. Occasionally certain groups dis-
cuss the feasibility of commissioning the IPCC to stage a
raid upon Interchange; somehow nothing ever comes of it.

Interchange was a cluster of buildings at the base of a rocky hillock
in the Da'ar-Rizm, a desert of the planet Sasani, Aquila GB 1201;

IV, to use the geocentric nomenclature still favored by the Star
Directory. At one time in the far past, an intelligent race had peopled
at least the two north continents of Sasani, for here were to be
found the crumble of monumental castles and keeps.

Private spacecraft were banned from the Da'ar-Rizm, and a ring
of cannon emplacement enforced the structure. Persons employing
the facilities of Interchange were required to land at Nichae on the
shore of the shallow Calopsid Sea, board an airship for Sul Arsam-
no more than a station in the desert-then ride a jolting surface
car across twenty miles of desert to Interchange.

When Gersen arrived at Sul Arsam, a cold drizzle was damp-
ening the desert soil, and even as he walked from airstrip to depot,
vivid patches of lichen appeared. Halfway along the path, a small
humming object struck his cheek and immediately set to work tear-
ing at his skin. Gersen cursed, slapped, brushed it away. He noticed
his fellow-passengers similarly engaged, and also discerned a sly
smile on the face of the depot attendant, who wore what appeared
to be an ultra-sonic bug-repeller.

With five other passengers, Gersen waited in the depot: no
more than a long shed with screened sides. The drizzle became a
brief drenching downpour, then halted and suddenly sunlight struck
down at the desert, raising wisps of vapor. The lichen erupted
spores in little pink spurts.

The shuttle-bus appeared, a lumbering crude contraption on
four big wheels. It parked an almost purposefully inconvenient two
hundred feet from the depot; flapping hands and running to avoid
the insects, Gersen and the other five took themselves aboard.

For half an hour, the bus bumped and jerked across the barrens;

then in the distance appeared Interchange: low concrete structures
around a tumble of crumbling red sandstone. A grove of feathery
yellow, brown, and red trees covered the top of the hill, where three
or four cottages were visible.

The bus rumbled into a compound, halted; the passengers
alighted and were directed by yellow arrows into a reception room.

216 THE DEMON PRINCES

Behind a counter, making entries in a manual, sat a small sallow
clerk with white hair carefully waxed up around a gray skull-cap,
the front of which displayed the Interchange emblem: a pair of
clasped hands. Waving the group to seats, he continued with his
work. Finally, closing the manual with a snap, he looked up, pointed
a finger.

"You, sir. I will attend to you, if you will come forward."

The individual selected was a saturnine black-haired man wear-
ing the tight black jacket and white breeches of Bernal. The clerk
brought forward a form: "Your name?"

"Rank Olguin 92, File Mettier 6."

"You wish to redeem whom?"

"Rank Sett 44, File Mettier 7."

"The fee to be rescinded?"

"Twelve thousand five hundred SVU."

"You are agent, principal, or noncommitted?'1

"I am agent."

"Very well. Produce the fee, if you please."

The money was brought forward; the clerk counted it with
great care, passed it through the slot of a fake-meter, and so con-
vinced himself of its authenticity. He wrote a receipt, requested a
counter-receipt, which the Bernalese refused to supply until the
redeemed individual was brought before him. The clerk sat back at
this display of waywardness, inspected the Bernalese narrowly. "You
fail to comprehend, sir. The watchword at Interchange is integrity.
The fact that I allow you to produce your money is sufficient guar-
antee that the guest whose fee you are rescinding is at hand, and
in good condition. By your hesitancy and suspicion, you not only
asperse our reputation but also tarnish the luster of your own qual-

ity•"

The Bernalese shrugged, unimpressed by the clerk's peroration.
Nevertheless he signed the counter-receipt. The clerk nodded
stiffly, touched a button, and an attendant in a red jacket came to
conduct the Bernalese to a waiting room.

The clerk shook his head disparagingly, pointed arbitrarily at
another of the visitors: this a stocky scowling man with dark-buff
skin-tone, wearing the more or less standardized spaceman's garb,
such as Gersen's own, which gave no clue as to his place of origin.

The clerk was not impressed by his truculent mien. "Name?"

"None of your affair."

THE KILLING MACHINE

217

The clerk once again leaned back in his chair. "Eh now? What's
this? I require your name, sir."

"Call me Mr. Inconnu."

The clerk glared. "This organization operates without guile or
circumvention and appreciates a similar attitude in our business as-
sociates. Very well, then, Mr. 'Inconnu.' " With a flourish the clerk
wrote. "Who is the guest whose fees you are rescinding?"

"I'm ransoming a prisoner!" roared the stocky man. "Here's
your cursed loot, let's have my nephew back!"

The clerk pursed his lips in prim disapproval. "I will expedite
this affair, because such is our policy. Your nephew is who?"

"Cader, Lord Satterbus. Bring him forth and be quick about
it."

The clerk half-lowered his eyelids, summoned an attendant.
"Lord Satterbus, Suite 14, for this gentleman, please." He made an
airy flourish, as if dispelling a bad odor, and pointed. "You, sir. I
will deal with you next."

The third man was slender and diffident; he wore satin-green
skin-tone, the embroidered jacket, the ruffled gaiters currently fash-
ionable at Mountain Wilds on Image, one of the Concourse planets.
He wanted to conduct his business in a confidential fashion, for he
leaned over the clerk and spoke in a low-pitched mutter-a man-
nerism the clerk would have none of. Drawing himself back, he
exclaimed, "Won't you speak up, sir, I can hardly hear what you
say."

The man's diffidence was of no great durability. He lost his
temper. "There is no reason why this discreditable dealing must be
so public! You should provide booths for those of us with sensibil-
ity!"

"Now then, sir," declared the clerk, "you mistake us. You must
not expect to slink in here as if you were visiting a brothel. Our
service is of the highest respectability. We act as an escrow insti-
tution, completely impartial, representing all interests, in trust and
probity. So now, sir, speak your business openly."

The man flushed, his skin-toning becoming a muddy gray. "In
that case, since you are so open and sincere, tell me this: who owns
this business? Who gets the profits?"

"This subject is not at all relevant to our present business,"
responded the clerk.

218 THE DEMON PRINCES

"Neither is my name and address. Come now, speak up, since
you brim with so much veracity!"

"It is ample to know that this is a corporate body, owned and
managed bv several groups."

"Bah!"'

Eventually the man paid his money and was taken away. Gersen
was selected next. He gave his name, declared himself uncommit-
ted: in other words, an independent entrepreneur who might
choose to "rescind the fee"-the usage seemed a special euphemism
of Interchange-of a guest who had outstayed the fifteen-day pe-
riod of prime redemption, presumably in order to ask a high ransom
and thus turn a profit. The clerk nodded curtly. "These are our
current 'availables.' " He gave Gersen a sheet listing several dozen
names with the corresponding rescission fees. Gersen ran his eye
down the list. Near the top he saw:

Audmar, Daro; 9, male
Wix; 7, female

Rescission: SVU 100,000,000.

A few spaces below he found:

Cromarty, Bella; 15, female

Rescission: SVU 100,000,000.

and further:

Darbassin, Oleg; 4, male

Rescission: SVU 100,000,000.

and then:

Eperje-Tokav, Alusz Iphigenia; 20, female

Rescission: SVU 10,000,000,000.

Gersen read the figures, blinked. A typographical error? Ten billion
SVU? An unheard-of ransom, an impossible sum! A hundred mil-
lion was unprecedented, though here on this list-he glanced
down-were seven or eight guests with fees established at SVU
100,000,000. An enormous amount of money but still only a hun-

THE KILLING MACHINE 219

dredth of ten billion. Something very strange here. Who could be
expected to pay ten billion SVU? It was a figure beyond the budgets
of most planets, let alone individuals. Gersen inspected the list fur-
ther. After the eight guests valued at SVU 100,000,000, there was
only one other valued at more than SVU 100,000. This was:

Patch, Myron; 56, male

Rescission: SVU 427,685.

The clerk who, while Gersen consulted the list, had busied himself
with another customer, now returned. "Do any of our 'availables'
meet your immediate needs?"

"Naturally I want to make a personal inspection," said Gersen,
"but from sheer curiosity, is the figure 'SVU 10,000,000,000' cor-
rect, or is it a misprint?"

"It is correct, sir. At Interchange we dare make no mistakes."
"If I may ask, who sponsors this young lady? On whose behalf
do you act?"

The clerk bridled. "As you must know, unless specifically au-
thorized to do so, we must reserve this information."

"I see. Well, what about the Audmar item for a hundred mil-
lion, the Cromarty, the Darbassin, the Floy, the Helariope, and the
others? WTio sponsors them?"

"We have not been authorized to release this information."
Gersen nodded. "Very well. I'll take a look around."
"One more matter, sir. In connection with the Eperje-Tokay
item, we cannot allow mere gratification of curiosity. Before you
may even inspect this 'available,' you must make a deposit of ten
thousand SVU, said sum to apply to the rescission fee."
"I'm not interested to that extent," said Gersen.
"As you wish." The clerk summoned an attendant, who led
Gersen from the reception room, along a corridor that presently
opened into a courtyard. Here the attendant paused. "Which items
in particular would you like to inspect?"

Gersen considered the man. From his flat intonations he was
an Earthman, or possibly native to one of the worlds Beyond. He
was about Gersen's own age, or perhaps younger, with hulking
stooped shoulders, an affable, heavy-featured face toned pale yel-
low. A cap with the Interchange emblem sat on top a luxuriant crop

THE DEMON PRINCES

220

of waw vellow hair that swooped behind the ears and hack in a
drake's tail.

Gersen said in a thoughtful voice, "As you know I'm uncom-
mitted."

"Yes, sir."

"I have a few SVU to invest where it will do the most good.
You must know what I mean."

The attendant was not quite sure; still he nodded sagely.

"You can help me considerably," said Gersen. "I'm sure you
know more concerning the individual items than you tell the usual
customer. If you direct me along the road to profit, then it is only
fair that I share with you."

The attendant was clearly intrigued by the direction ofGersen's
thinking. "This all seems eminently sensible-provided of course
that company rules are observed. These are strict, and the penalties
are correspondingly rigorous."

"There is no question of anything not completely aboveboard."
Gersen brought forth a pair of hundred-SVU notes. "There will
be several more, depending on how much information you can pro-
vide."

"I can talk for hours; many strange events have occurred at
Interchange. But let us proceed. If I understand you rightly, you
wish to inspect each of the guests who are currently available?"

"Correct."

"Very well. In this direction are the Class E cubicles, for guests
whose friends and loved ones are unable to rescind them, and who
now-to speak frankly-merely await a slaver's offer. Accommo-
dations range upward to the so-called Imperial Gardens on top of
the hill. Guests must keep to their quarters during the morning
inspection hours, hut during the afternoon are allowed recreation
of choice, and in the evening there is the social period. Some of
our guests find the experience relaxing and own to a sense of grat-
itude toward their sponsors."

Guided by the now verbose attendant, Gersen examined the
miserable specimens in the Class E cubicles, then those in Classes
D and C. Before each cubicle hung a placard, with information
regarding the inmate's name, status,, and rescission fee. The atten-
dant, who was named Armand Koshiel, pointed out various bar-
gains, possible profit-makers and long-shot speculations: "-totally
incredible. Look at him, oldest son of Tywald Fitzbittick, the

THE KILLING MACHINE 221

richest quarryman of Boniface. What's forty thousand SVU to him?
He'd go a hundred thousand without demur. If I had the sum, I'd
buy the fellow myself. It's absolute certainty!"

"Why has not Tywald Fitzbittick rescinded the youth for forty
thousand?"

Koshiel shook his head in perplexity. "He's a busy man; perhaps
the thrust of business has distracted him. But sooner or later, mark
my words, he'll be here, and money will flow like water."

"Very likely."

Koshiel pointed out several other guests in similar circum-
stances and expressed puzzlement when Gersen remained detached
and noncommittal. "I tell you, too much deliberation sometimes
leads to disappointment. For instance, there, that very cubicle
housed a handsome young woman whose father was dilatory. The
sponsor lowered the rescission fee to nine thousand SVU and yes-
terday a noncommitted buyer-I believe a Sardanipolitan-ar-
ranged redemption. And-would you believe it-just as the papers
were signed, the father arrived, but was perforce disappointed, since
the buyer declared himself satisfied- An unpleasant scene ensued."

Gersen agreed that procrastination sometimes resulted in in-


convenience.

"In my opinion," declared Koshiel, "the Oikumene Conference
should appropriate a sum ample to meet all rescission expenses.
Why not? Most of the guests are residents of the Oikumene. Such
an arrangement would facilitate the entire program, and there
would be considerably less unpleasantness and deprivation,"

Gersen suggested that kidnapers might thereby be encouraged,
and Koshiel admitted the possibility. "On the other hand, the sit-
uation now existing has aspects that puzzle me."

"Indeed?"

"You are acquainted with the Trans-Galactic Insurance and
Guaranty Company? They have offices in many of the large cities."

"I have heard the name."

"They specialize in kidnap insurance; in fact I believe they sell
perhaps 60 or 70 percent of all such insurance, for the principal
reason that their rates are low. Why are their rates low? Because
their clients are seldom kidnaped, while the clients of their com-
petitors inevitably find their way to Interchange. I have frequently
speculated that either TransGaIactic owns Interchange, or Inter-

THE DEMON PRINCES

222

change owns TransGalactic. An indiscreet thought, perhaps, but
there it is."

"Indiscreet, perhaps, but interesting. . . . And why not? The two
enterprises certainly seem to dovetail."

"Exactly my way of thinking... . Yes, many odd events occur

at Interchange."

They came to a Class B apartment, which housed Daro and
Wix Audmar. "Now here's a jolly little couple," said Armand Ko-
shiel. "The rescission, of course, is far too high: these two are worth
perhaps twenty or thirty thousand, depending on your taste. Their
time of prime rescission is up, they are 'available,' but naturally no
one in his right mind would pay so restrictive a fee."

Gersen watched the two children through the one-way window.
They sat listlessly; Daro reading, Wix jerking at a loop of string.
They were much alike, slender, dark-haired, with the luminous gray
eyes of their father.

Gersen turned away. "Odd. Why should anyone post so high
a rescission fee? And I notice several other guests with similarly
high redemptions. What is the story here?"

Koshiel licked his lips, blinked, looked furtively over his shoul-
der. "I should not impart this information since it concerns the
identity of a sponsor, but I am sure this particular sponsor is quite
indifferent. He is the famous Kokor Hekkus."

Gersen feigned surprise. "What? Kokor Hekkus the Killing
Machine?"

"The same. He has always given us a certain amount of busi-
ness, but at the moment it seems that he dominates the entire en-
terprise. In the last two months, he has brought twenty-six items
to Interchange, and all-save one-he values at a hundred million
SVU. And in most cases he collects. These children are sponsored
by Kokor Hekkus."

"But why?" marveled Gersen. "Does he have some grand pro-
ject in mind?"

Koshiel grinned a cryptic grin. "Yes indeed. Yes, yes, indeed.
'And thereby hangs a tale,' as the monkey said while describing the
cat's rear-quarters." Again Koshiel glanced furtively to all sides.
"You may know something of Kokor Hekkus-"

"Who doesn't?"

"-among his characteristics is devotion to the aesthetic ideal.
It seems that Kokor Hekkus has fallen madly in love with a girl

THE KILLING MACHINE

223

who-I assure you-is the loveliest vision of the universe. She is
nonpareil!"

"How do you know this?"

"Patience. This girl, far from returning the affection of Kokor
Hekkus, finds herself appalled and nauseated by the thought of him.
Where can she flee? How can she hide herself? The galaxy is too
small. Kokor Hekkus is indefatigable; he will seek her no matter
where she takes herself. There is no haven for this delightful crea-
ture-save one. Interchange. Not even Kokor Hekkus dares to vi-
olate the rules of Interchange. First, he would never be allowed the
use of its facilities; second, the Interchange management would
spare no effort in punishing him. Kokor Hekkus perhaps scorns
peril, but he is not rash. So this girl acts as her own sponsor. She
establishes her rescission fee at ten billion SVU; indeed, she wished
to set it higher, at a thousand billion, but this was not allowed.

"So now! We have this ludicrous circumstance, the girl serene
and secure in the Imperial Gardens at Interchange, while Kokor
Hekkus sweats and reeks in the extremity of passion. And indeed,
he will not be denied. He lacks the cash; somewhere he must find
ten billion SVU."

"I begin to understand," said Gersen.

"Kokor Hekkus is by no means baffled," Koshiel declared with
verve. "He fights fire with fire. The girl has used the appointments
of Interchange to thwart him; he will use the same to gain his will.
Ten billion is a large number, but it is only a hundred times a
hundred million. So now Kokor Hekkus ranges the Oikumene, kid-
naping the loved ones of the hundred wealthiest folk alive! On the
day that the hundredth pays the hundred million, Kokor Hekkus
will claim the person of AJusz Iphigenia Eperje-Tokay, for she is
'available.' "

"A highly romantic individual, this Kokor Hekkus-in every
sense of the word," said Gersen.

Koshiel did not notice the siccant quality to Gersen's remark.
"Indeed! Think of it! She must wait, day after day, watching the
figure of ten billion become smaller and smaller. Already he has
collected for twenty of the guests he has sponsored; every day sees
the arrival of more. And meanwhile the girl can do nothing; she is
caught in her own trap."

"Hmmf. A sorry situation-at least from the standpoint of the
young lady. Her home is where?"

II IF DLMON PRINCFS

224

Koshiel shook his head. "As to thdt, I hear onl\ rumor-indeed
the source of all mv information The rumor in this case is beyond
the belief of sensible men like ourselves She is said to have declared
herself a native ofNever-Never land the planet rhamber'"

"Thamber3" Gersen was indeed surprised Thamber, the world
of myth, of witches and sea-serpents, gallant knights, and magic
forests, was the locale of children's fairy' tales. Also, he recalled with
a sudden tingle, the home ofhormagaunts'

"Thamber indeed'" exclaimed Koshie! with a laugh and an ex-
pressive gesture "It now occurs to me that if you have ten billion
SVU and vast courage, here would be an excellent speculation' Ko-
kor Hekkus, if he must kidnap the scions of another hundred
wealthy folk, would certainly pay your price'"

"Just my luck to rescind this nonpareil, then have her sicken
and die on my hands. Kokor Hekkus and I would both be bereft'"

As they spoke, they had been wandering along the row of Class
B and Class A apartments Koshiel paused, pointed in at a middle-
aged man who seemed to be drawing a diagram in a notebook.
"Here," said Koshiel, "is Myron Patch, another guest sponsored by
Kokor Hekkus At a rescission of 427,685 SVU, highly overpriced,
if you ask me. Unlike the girl from Thamber'" He gave Gersen a
lascivious wink and nudge of the elbow.

Gersen frowned in at Myron Patch-an undistinguished fellow
of medium stature, plump, with an easy good-natured countenance
The rescission fee aroused his interest Why 427,685 precisely5 Be-
hind the figure, behind the enforced visit of Myron Patch to Inter-
change was a story He asked Koshiel, "Can I talk to this man?"

"Certainly, he is 'available.' If you think you can mulct Kokor
Hekkus of a sum in extent of-what is it3 427,68> SVU, a ridiculous
figure-by all means go to it."

"The apartments are naturally equipped with spy-cells and mi-
crophones^"

"No," said Koshiel, "and for a very good reason- there is noth-
ing to be gained by listening "

"Nevertheless," said Gersen, "we will take precautions Let me
speak to the man."

Koshiel touched the button that, by ringing a small chime, ap-
prised the guest in question that his attention was required Myron
Patch looked up, came slowly to the front of the apartment Koshiel
inserted a key into a socket, a panel snapped aside, Myron Patch

THE KILLING MACHINE

225

looked forth at Gersen, at first with hope, and then perplexity. Ger-
sen took Koshiel by the shoulders, moved him close to the panel,
turned him so that he faced into the apartment. "Now sing. loudly."

Koshiel grinned foolishly. "I know only lullabies from my
youth."

"Sing lullabies then, but loudly and with legato "

Koshiel began to yelp a discordant song. Gersen motioned to
the even more perplexed Patch. "Stand close."

Patch pressed his face close to the panel. Gersen asked, "Why
are you here5"

Patch's mouth drooped. "It's a long story."

"Tell me in as few words as possible."

Patch sighed mournfully. "I am an engineer and manufacturer.
I undertook a complicated )ob for a certain man-a criminal, I now
know him to be. We disagreed; he seized my person and brought
me here. The ransom represents the money under dispute."

Koshiel started a new song. Gersen asked, "The criminal is
Kokor Hekkus5"

Myron Patch nodded dolefully.

"Do you know him personally?"

Patch said something that Gersen could not understand for the
fervor ofKoshiel's lullaby. Patch repeated: "I said I know his agent,
who comes often to Krokmole,"

"Can you make contact with the agent5"

"On Krokmole, yes Not here,"

"Very well. I will rescind your fee." Gersen tapped Koshiel's
shoulder. "You may stop. We return to the office."

"You are finished3 There are others to see: bargains, true bar-
gains!"

Gersen hesitated. "Can I see the woman whom Kokor Hekkus
is pursuing?"

Koshiel shook his head. "Not unless you pay ten thousand SVU
for the privilege- In essence she refuses to see anyone: even em-
ployees like myself, who would be happy to relieve her tedium and
relax her understandable tensions."

"Very well then." Gersen produced another three hundred
SVU, which Koshiel, bedazzled and dreamy after so much talk of
millions and billions, pocketed with a murmur of unenthusiastic
thanks. "We return to the office."

From Popular Handbook to the Planets, 303rd Edition

(1292);

Krokinole: third largest planet of the Rigel

Concourse, fourteenth in orbital order.
Planetary Constants:

Diameter:  9,450 miles
Mass:       1.23
Mean day: 22 hours, 16 minutes, 48.9

seconds, etc.

General Remarks: Sometimes considered the most
beautiful of all the Concourse planets, Krokinole may with
justice claim to be the most diverse, both geographically
and ethnically. There are two large continents: Borkland
and Sankland; six smaller continents: Cumberland, Layland,
Gardena, Mergenthaler, Hopland, and Skakerland.

Each of these boasts dozens of natural marvels. At ran-
dom may be mentioned the Crystal Pinnacles of Bize Par-
ish, the Card River Falls of Dinker Parish, both in
Cumberland; the 1 lole through the World of North State,
Sankland; the Undersea Forest off the coast of Iksemand,
Skakerland; Mount Jovah in the Highlands of Gardena, the
tallest mountain (42,102 feet above sea level) of all the Con-
course.

The flora and fauna are complex and highly developed.
The near-extinct Super-beasts, once masters of the planet,
display more than a rudimentary intelligence, as evidenced
bv their unique semaphore communicatory system (to call

THE KILLING MACHINE 227

it a "language" is to commit semantic mayhem), their boats,
baskets, ornamental knots, and committee organization.

The human population of Krokinole is as varied as the
topography; again the diversity can only be indicated. Skak-
erland was first settled by a schismatic cult of the Skakers
who went to Olliphane; in the Highlands of Gardena dwell
the remarkable Imps. Cumberland is home to the talented
and industrious Whitelocks; while the Druid Banquers wan-
der the tundras of North Hopland. Other races are the Ar-
cadians, Batthalese, Singhels, Oporto Fishermen, Jansenists,
Ancient Alans, and many more. . . .

Returning from Sasani aboard Gersen's Model 9B Locater, My-
ron Patch explained in greater detail his dealings with Kokor Hek-
kus, and indeed elaborated upon the whole course of his life.
Originally a native of Earth, Patch had been a victim of the Tex-
ahoma Riots, and considered himself lucky to escape with his life.
He arrived on Krokinole penniless, accepted work as a barnacle-
scraper for the Card Estuary Docking Company, presently estab-
lished a small machine shop at Pacris, the Whitelock capital.
Prospering and expanding, in the course of eighteen years, Patch
had become owner and manager of the Patch Engineering Works,
the largest such enterprise of Cumberland. He had also achieved a
reputation for versatility and ingenuity, to such a degree that when
Seuman Otwal brought him a set of bizarre specifications, Patch
was intrigued but not surprised.

Seuman Otwal, as Patch described him, was a man somewhat
younger than himself, with a strikingly ugly face distinguished by a
long down-curving nose that almost seemed to meet a sharp up-
tilted chin.

Seuman Otwal had attempted no subterfuge. He identified him-
self as an agent of Kokor Hekkus, and had appeared content when
Patch declared himself willing to work for the devil himself, pro-
vided his money passed silently through the fake-meter.

With the relationship established on a realistic footing Otwal
produced his plans. He wanted Patch to design and construct a
walking fort in the semblance of a monster centipede, seventy-six
feet long and twelve feet high. The mechanism was to consist of
eighteen segments, each equipped with a pair of legs. The fort, as
Seuman Otwal termed it, must be able to move at a speed of at

22S THE DEMON PRINCES

least forty miles per hour on synchronized, smoothly operating legs.
It must be able to spurt liquid fire from its tongue, exude noxious
gas, and tire energy beams through ports in its head. Patch declared
himself capable of contriving the mechanism, and, with natural in-
terest, inquired its purpose. Seuman Otwal at first seemed dis-
pleased, then explained Kokor Hekkus' fascination with intricate
and macabre machines. Kokor Hekkus, Otwal went on to say, had
recently been victimized by an obstreperous group of savages, and
the fort "would speak to them in a language they understood."

Warming to his subject, Otwal favored Patch with a lengthy
disquisition on his subject of terror. According to Otwal, terror was
of two varieties: the instinctive and the conditioned. To produce a
maximum effect, both types should be excited simultaneously; ei-
ther alone was capable of being contained. Kokor Hekkus' method
was to identify and analyze these factors; then, in his application,
he selected and intensified the factors of maximum potency.

"One cannot frighten a fish with talk of drowning!" declared
Seuman Otwal.

The exposition continued for half an hour, with Patch becom-
ing increasingly uncomfortable. After Otwal had departed, he wres-
tled long and hard with his conscience over the morality of building
the mechanical horror.

Here Gersen inquired, "Did you ever suspect that Seuman
Otwal might be Kokor Hekkus himself?"

"Oh indeed, until one day Kokor Hekkus himself stepped into
the shop. He did not resemble Seuman Otwal in the least."

"Describe him, if you will."

Patch frowned. "This is difficult. He has no remarkable char-
acteristics. He is about your stature, he is agile and nervous, his
head is neither large nor small, his features are regular and well-
spaced. He wears somber skin-tone and garments in the style of
the Whitelock elders. His manner is subdued, almost over-
courteous, but it is not convincing nor is it intended to convince.
All the while, as he speaks softly and listens attentively, his eyes
gleam, and one knows he is thinking of the strange sights he has
seen and the odd deeds he has done."

There was an interruption now from the two children, who
wished to have Rigel pointed out to them. Gersen indicated the
white blaze dead ahead, then returned to Patch who continued with
the description of his mental turmoil. He had suffered, so he de-

THE KILLING MACHINE 229

dared, the mil range of qualms, misgivings and apprehensions, but
at last decided to be guided by two considerations: first, he had
already compromised himself, especially since money had been ad-
vanced to him, to the sum of SVU 427,685; and second, if he did
not build the machine, there were a dozen other shops that would
do so. So work progressed, even though Patch was uneasily aware
that he assisted in the creation of an evil device.

Gersen listened without comment, and in fact felt no great dis-
approbation. Patch seemed an inoffensive individual who had the
misfortune to lack an automatic morality.

Construction continued; the fort neared completion. Kokor
Hekkus now made his appearance, for the purpose of inspection.
Much to Patch's dismay he declared himself profoundly dissatisfied-
He derided the leg action, which he characterized as awkward and
obviously nonorganic. In his opinion, the fort "would not deceive
a child!" Patch, at first appalled, gradually recovered his wits. He
brought forward the specifications and demonstrated that he had
performed to the letter of his instructions. Nowhere and at no time
had he been supplied unambiguous information regarding leg mo-
tion. Kokor Hekkus was unmoved. He declared the object totally
unacceptable and demanded that Patch make suitable changes.
Patch angrily disavowed responsibility: he would gladly make
changes but he must ask more money. Kokor Hekkus drew back in
outrage. He made a harsh cutting gesture with his hand to signify
that Patch had gone too far. Patch, he declared, had not fulfilled
his contract, which was thereby void; he demanded return of all
moneys advanced: namely SVU 427,685. Patch refused, whereupon
Kokor Hekkus bowed and departed-
Patch armed himself but to no avail; four days later he was set
upon by three men, beaten in a thorough but disinterested manner,
hustled into a spaceboat, conveyed to Interchange where his ransom
was set at SVU 427,685. Patch had neither friends, relatives, nor
business associates; owing to certain debts incurred in the process
of expansion, forced sale of his engineering shop would bring no
more than SVU 200,000. He had given up hope of redemption,
and had resigned himself to slavery. Then Gersen had appeared.
Patch hesitantly inquired Gersen's motives. He felt boundless grat-
itude, he recognized Gersen's generosity, but surely there was more
to the situation than this.

Gersen felt no impulse to confide in Patch. "Assume," he said,

230 THE DEMON PRINCES

"that I am acquainted with the Patch Engineering and Construction
Company, that I consider the ransom as constituting payment for
a 51 percent interest in the organization."

Patch rather forlornly declared himself satisfied with the ar-
rangement. "Do you wish formal acknowledgment of partnership?"

"You might write a memorandum to the effect. Essentially I
want control over company policy for an indefinite period, not to
exceed five years. As to profits I have no immediate need of money
and you may apply all such to repayment of the sum advanced."

Patch was not too pleased with the scheme, but had no basis
for argument. A sudden thought came to him, and he rubbed his
face nervously. "By any chance, do you intend to have further deal-
ings with Kokor Hekkus?"

"Since you ask-yes."

Patch licked his lips, "Allow me at once to register a 49 percent
negative vote. If, in your mind, there is even a 2 percent misgiving,
the negative votes will defeat this reckless ambition."

Gersen grinned. "All 51 percent cries out in favor of recovering
from Kokor Hekkus money illegally extorted from company funds."

Patch bowed his head. "So be it."

Rigel flared across the sky. Gersen located Alphanor; Daro and
Wix became effervescent with excitement. Gersen watched them
wryly. As soon as they returned to the dim old house in the sun-
struck hills above Taube, they would rush to the arms of their father
and mother; the kidnaping, the imprisonment, the voyage home
would become vague, Gersen would be forgotten.. . . Gersen
mused upon the vagaries of fate that had molded him into a-
ruefully he supplied the word-a monomaniac. What if, by some
fantastic set of circumstances, he succeeded in avenging the Mount
Pleasant cataclysm upon all five of the Demon Princes-what then?
Would he be able to retire, to buy country land, to woo and wed,
to breed children? Or would the role of nemesis have become such
an ingrained element in his nature that never could he draw back,
never could he know of evil men without wanting to take their lives?
It was all too possible. And, sadly, the impetus would come not
from indignation or moral outrage, but from reflex, a passionless
reaction; and the only satisfaction to be derived would be that of
fulfilling a minor physiological need, such as belching or scratching
an itch.

As always, such reflections drove Gersen into a fit of melan-

THE KILLING MACHINE 231

choly, and during the remainder of the voyage, he was even more
terse and gruff than ever. The children inspected him wonderingly
though without fear, for they had learned at least to trust him.

Down to Alphanor, down to the continent Scythia, down to the
antiquated Garreu Province spaceport at Marquari. Here Gersen
communicated by visiphone with Duschane Audmar, whose face
was vaguely haggard; Gersen guessed that he had given much in-
trospection to Gersen's mission. He inquired briefly as to the health
of his children and accepted Gersen's reassurance with a curt nod.

There was no air-service between Marquari and Taube, and
spaceships were proscribed except at the spaceports. Gersen herded
the eager children aboard the coast dispatch-ship, a broad-beamed
vessel with cargo below and passengers above, which required a day
and a night to make the five-hundred-mile run down the coast to
Taube. Here he hired the ancient glide-car and rumbled up the
long slope to the manse of Duschane Audmar. The children jumped
from the car and ran pell-mell, without a backward glance for Ger-
sen, into the arms of their mother, who stood, waiting in the open
doorway. Her face worked with the effort to hold back tears, and
Gersen was conscious of an emptiness within himself, for he had
come to feel affection for the children. He entered the house, and
now, secure in their home, Daro and Wix ran up, hugged and kissed
him.

Audmar came forth, conducted him to the austere room where
they had first spoken. Gersen made his accounting,

"Kokor Hekkus needs ten billion SVU. He hopes to raise this
amount by extorting a hundred million from a hundred of the
wealthiest folk of the Oikumene. He has attained perhaps a third
of his goal, and money is rapidly coming in. He desires the money
in order to ransom a young woman who to evade him has taken
refuge at Interchange under a rescission fee often billion SVU."

"Hmmf," said Audmar. "This woman must be extravagantly
attractive for Kokor Hekkus to value her at this figure."

"So it would seem-although any object valued at this figure
must be inherently desirable," said Gersen. "I would have inspected
the woman, but she, functioning as her own sponsor, charges ten
thousand SVU a look, presumably in order to discourage the cu-
riosity of such as myself."

Duschane Audmar nodded. "The information may or may not
be worth a hundred million SVU to the Institute, from which the

232 HP DEMON PRINCFS

money naturally comes My children are hack with me, I am of
course grateful for this, but I tear that I have allowed my emotions
to interfere with rm. reason, I fear that I have compromised myself"

Gersen made no comment I Iis private opinion was to the same
effect Still, the Institute had only itself to blame, should it choose,
it undoubtedly could destroy Kokor Hekkus "A second matter of
interest The young woman's name is Alusz Iphigenia Eper)e-
Tokay She is native to the planet Thamber, or so she claims "

"Thamber'" Audmar at last was interested "Is this a serious
avowal or facetiousness^'

"I believe that she makes a serious claim to this effect "

"Interesting Even if all cockalorum " lie looked sidewise at
Gersen "You have something else to tell me^"

"You gave me a certain amount ot expense money I used part
of it in a manner I considered pertinent which is to say, I bought
a controlling interest in the Patch Engineering and Construction
Company ofPatns on Krokmole "

Audmar nodded graciously "It was the obvious thing to do "

"The opportunity occurred at Interchange Myron Patch was
sponsored by Kokor Hekkus, with a rescission of 427,685 SVU
The figure interested me, I made inquiry, and when Patch stated
that he was able to establish contact with Kokor Hekkus, I re-
deemed him, taking the partnership as security "

Audmar rose to his feet, walked to the door, returned with a
tray containing cordials

"1 find," said Gersen, "that Myron Patch has been building a
mechanical monster for Kokor Hekkus a walking fort m the shape
of a centipede of eighteen segments "

Audmar sipped his cordial, held the glass aloft, eyed the rose
and violet glintmgs. "You need not account for the money," he
said "It has paid for a few items of interesting information, and as
an incidental concomitant brought two pleasant children back to
their home " He finished his cordial, set the glass down with a click
Gersen, understanding more from what was left unsaid than what
was said, rose to his feet, took his leave.

Patns, capital of the Cumberland \ssociated Parishes, rambled and
sprawled for miles along the Card River Estuary, with residential
suburbs along the shores of Ock Eake There were many thousand-
year-old structures in the Old Quarter three- and four-story build-

THE KILLING MACHINE 233

mgs of rough black brick, narrow fronted, with tall narrow windows
and high pitched gables. Upnver, in seven-hundred-year-old New
Town, stood the famous River Arches eleven monumental river-
straddling structures of a type unknown elsewhere m the human
universe Eight-hundred-feet high they stood truncated triangles
with two-hundred-foot arches carved from the base Each was iden-
tical save for color, each housed shops, studios, service areas in the
legs, with apartments for the urban elite above Between the arches
of New Town and the black brick structures of Old Quarter spread
a dingy industrial area, and here was Myron Patch's shop In min-
gled eagerness, irresolution, pride, anxiety, and wounded dignity,
he escorted Gersen to the main entrance It was a more imposing
operation than Gersen had expected, occupying an area two-
hundred-feet long by a hundred-feet wide, with parts and material
storage above Patch was depressed to find the shop locked and
silent "It would seem that in a time of stress, one's employees
would pitch in, keep the wheels rolling, so to speak, or even make
some attempt to rescind the fees of their employer. Over a hundred
men and women derived their livelihood from me, and not one so
much as made inquiry from the Interchange representative'"

"Presumably they were all occupied m seeking new employ-
ment," Gersen suggested-

"Be that as it may, I am not gratified " Patch flung the doors
wide, ushered Gersen into the cavernous interior, pointed to the
section that had been walled off from the main plant "Seuman
Otwal insisted on absolute secrecy," Patch explained. "I used only
trusted employees, and then, at Otwal's insistence, I put them
through a hypnotic process m which I ordered them to forget
everything they saw in Workshop B after they passed through the
door Also," he said musingly, "while they were in the hypnotic
condition I added the suggestion that they work with greater zeal
and accuracy, that they feel neither thirst, hunger, loquacity, nor
fatigue during the working hours, and I must say that for a space I
have never seen such an admirable set of workers I was about to
extend the plan to the entire working force when I was kidnaped,
indeed my first thought was that I had encountered bravos from
the Fabricators' Protective Guild " He led Gersen across the shop,
past various forges, cutters, molds, welding ngs, and lathes, to a
door placarded with the universal symbol for KEEP OUT a red

•I'HE DEMON PRINCES

234

palm-print. Patch ran his finders over the code buttons to the lock.
"Since you are a partner, there can be no secrets from you."

"Precisely," said Gersen.

The door slid aside, the two passed through an anteroom into
Workshop B. There was the walking fort. Patch's habit of mild
understatement had not prepared Gersen for the ferocious aspect
of the device. The head was equipped with six scythe-like mandibles
and a collar of long barbed prongs. The eye was a single faceted
band; the ingestion orifice was a conical maw at the top of the head
with a pair of jointed arms at each side. Behind were the eighteen
segments, each suspended from a pair of high-rising jointed legs,
these encased in a rugose yellow skin. At the far stern was a nubbin
like a second head, equipped with an eye and another set of barbed
prongs. The torso had not yet been finished and still exhibited a
metallic sheen.

"What do you think of it?" asked Patch anxiously, as if hoping
for vindication or endorsement.

"Highly impressive," said Gersen, and Patch seemed satisfied.
"I'd like to know what he wants it for."

"Watch." Patch mounted the head of the object, using the
prongs as a ladder. He stepped into the maw and disappeared. Ger-
sen was alone in the room with the seventy-six-foot engine of fright.
It could spew poison from its prongs, dart fire from its eyes. A
sweep of the mandible could slash through a tree-trunk. Gersen
looked right and left, then retired into the anteroom. Patch seemed
a good fellow, sincerely grateful, but why put temptation in his way?

He positioned himself in the anteroom where he could not be
seen from the head, and watched. Patch had started the energy
system: the object insensibly had come alive. The head gave a shake,
the prongs rattled, the mandibles clicked. From vents at the side of
the head came a wild wailing scream; Gersen stood quivering. The
scream died. Now the object moved, the legs of alternate segments
rising and swinging ahead while the others thrust back.

Backward and forward moved the device, the jointed legs work-
ing smoothly if a trifle stiffly. Now the metal centipede halted,
pranced sidewise; a step, two steps, three steps. Then the near side
of legs seemed to collapse; the object toppled, fell with a clanging
thud against the wall. Gersen would have been crushed had he re-
mained in the shop. Unavoidable, doubtless-a flaw in the machin-
ery, a clumsiness on the part of the operator. . . . From the topside

THR KILLING MACHINE

235

maw scrambled Patch, round face pale and clammy, eyes big with
consternation. Gersen, watching from the anteroom, would have
sworn that his concern was real, that Patch was horrified by the
thought of what he might see. Patch jumped to the floor, peered
back and forth under the hulk. "Gersen! Gersen!"

"Behind you," said Gersen. Patch jumped around, and if the
relief on his face were not genuine, then, Gersen thought, the mim-
ing-pads had lost a great performer.

Patch gasped his thankfulness that Gersen was safe. The phas-
ing mechanism for the starboard bank of legs had failed; it was a
deficiency that he had not previously recognised. Not that it made
any great difference one way or the other, since now the object
must be scrapped.

He led the way back into the main shop, locked the door behind
them. "Tomorrow," he said, "it's back to work. I don't know what
has happened to my old customers, hut I always satisfied them in
the past and perhaps they will bring their business back to us."

Gersen stood looking across to Workshop B. "Exactly what
faults did Kokor Hekkus find unacceptable?"

Patch made a wry face. "The leg action. He said it did not
produce the effect he desired. The motion was too stiff and rigid.
Only a soft supple looping motion would serve. I pointed out the
difficulties and the expense of such a system; indeed I doubt if a
durable mechanism could be worked out, considering the mass of
the fort and the terrain to be traversed, which I understand is ex-
tremely rugged."

"My idea is this," said Gersen. "Kokor Hekkus extracted almost
half a million SVU from us. I want to get that money back."

Patch smiled a sad tremulous smile. "We should be wiser to
ignore him. We do not need his class of trade. Let bygones be
bygones, that is the wise course. Come! Into the office. We will go
over the accounts."

"No," said Gersen. "I plan to leave these matters entirely in
your hands. In the matter of the walking fort, however, I feel that
we must regain our money. And we can do it in a safe, legitimate
fashion."

"llow^" Patch asked dubiously.

"W^e must modify the fort so that it functions to suit Kokor
Hekkus. Then we will sell it to him for the full original price."

"Possibly. But there are difficulties. He may not now require

236 THE DEMON PRINCES

the fort. Or he may not have the money. Or-even more likely-
we won't be able to modify the device to suit him."

Gersen reflected. "Somewhere I've seen a means to overcome
the difficulty. . . . Across the Oikumene is Vanello, something of a
resort world for the region back of Scorpio. At one of the religious
festivals, a platform supported by a long flexible stem raises a priest-
ess dressed in flower petals. Another similar platform raises a table
supporting certain symbolic objects-as I recall, a book, a beaker,
and a human skull. No matter. The priestess performs rites while
the stems twine about each other. I learned that the stems are built
up of several dozen smaller tubes, each containing a magnetic
slurry: iron powder in a viscous liquid. Reacting to fields from in-
ternal windings, these tubes selectively contract with great force.
By proper circuitry any contortion of the tubes is possible. It seems
to me that this system might be applied to the legs of the walking
fort."

Patch scratched his small round chin. "If what you say is cor-
rect, I am inclined to agree."

"First we will want to consult Seuman Otwal to assure ourselves
that Kokor Hekkus still needs the fort."

Patch heaved a deep sigh, raised his arms, let them flap down
to his sides. "So be it-though I would rather deal with adders."

But when Patch called the hotel that Seuman Otwal was wont
to patronize, he found that Mr. Otwal was not currently in resi-
dence, and the date of his return was indefinite.

Patch heard the news with vast relief. Only at Gersen's prompt-
ing did he leave his name and the request that Mr. Otwal call as
soon as possible.

The hotel clerk's face vanished; Patch became cheerful once
again. "After all we have no need for their filthy money, derived
from the most vicious crimes imaginable! Perhaps we can sell the
monster as a curio, or even mount seats on the back and advertise
it as an eccentric charabanc. Have no fear, Kirth Gersen! Your
money is secure!"

"I'm not interested in the money," said Gersen. "I want Kokor
Hekkus."

Patch evidently considered this an odd or even perverse incli-
nation. "For what purpose?"

"I want to kill him/' said Gersen, then regretted his lapse from
taciturnity.

From "Kokor Hekkus the Killing Machine," Chapter
IV of The Demon Prmces, by Caril Carphen (Elusidarian
Press, New Wexford, Aloysius, Vega):

IfMalagate the Woe can be characterized by the single
word "grim" and Howard Alan Treesong .by "incompre-
hensible," then Lens Larque, Viole Falushe, and Kokor
Hekkus all lay claim to the word "fantastic." Which one
exceeds the other two in "fantasy"? It is an amusing if prof-
itless speculation. Consider Viole Falushe's Palace of Love,
Lens Larque's monument, the vast and incredible outrages
Kokor Hekkus has visited upon humanity: such extrava-
gances are impossible to comprehend, let alone compare. It
is fair to say, however, that Kokor Hekkus has captured the
popular imagination with his grotesque and eerie humor.
Let us listen to what he has to say in an abstract from the
famous telephoned address, The Theory and Practice of Ter-
ror, to the students of Cervantes University:

". . . to produce the maximum effect, one must identify
and intensify those basic dreads already existing within the
subject. It is a mistake to regard the fear of death as the
most extreme fear. I find a dozen other types to be more
poignant, such as:

"The fear of inability to protect a cherished dependent.

"The fear of disesteem.

"The fear of noisome contact.

"The fear of being made afraid.

"My goal is to produce a 'nightmare' quality of fright,

238 THE DEMON PRINCES

and to maintain it over an appreciable duration. A night-
mare is the result of the under-mind exploring its most
sensitive areas, and so serves as an index for the operator.
Once an apparently sensitive area is located, the operator
to the best of his ingenuity employs means to emphasize,
to dramatize this fear, then augment it by orders of mag-
nitude. If the subject fears heights, the operator takes him
to the base of a tall cliff, attaches him to a slender, obviously
fragile or frayed cord, and slowly raises him up the face of
the cliff, not too far and not too close to the face. Scale
must be emphasized, together with the tantalizing but in-
feasible possibility of clinging to the vertical surface. The
lifting mechanism should be arranged to falter and jerk. To
intensify claustrophobic dread, the subject is conveyed into
a pit or excavation, inserted head-foremost into a narrow
and constricted runnel that slants downward, and occasion-
ally changes direction by sharp and cramping angles.
Whereupon the pit or excavation is filled and subject must
proceed ahead, for the most part in a downward direction."

Seuman Otwal made no appearance during the first month, nor
yet the second. During this time. Patch called his employees back
to work, solicited business, and presently the Patch Engineering and
Construction Company was once more in full clangorous swing.

Gersen took upon himself the modification of the walking fort.
He communicated with the local office of the UTCS,* mentioned
the annual Floration Rite at Vanello, described the sinuous supports
to the forty-five sepalic platforms, and minutes later received a port-
folio of tables, graphs, schematics, and material specifications. He
took these to Patch, who scrutinized them, nodded sagely, said,
"Ah, yes. ... Ah yes.... Ah yes. ..." After which he heaved a do-
lorous sigh. "And so at vast expense, we perfect this ridiculous hur-
lothrumbo to find that neither Seuman Otwal nor Kokor Hekkus
nor anyone else will pay for it-what then?"

"We'll sue," said Gersen.

Patch snorted, returned to a study of the data Gersen had set
before him. Finally he said grudgingly, "The system is clearly fea-
sible, and will definitely be more flexible than the jointed legs.

'Universal Technical Consultative Service.

THE KILLING MACHINE 239

However the design of the phasing nodes, the coupling to the mod-
ulators, and the modulators themselves are far beyond my capabili-
ties. . . . There is a highly competent group of cybernetic engineers-
as I see it, this is basically a cybernetic problem-a hundred yards up
the street, and I suggest that we contract the whole matter over to
them."

"As you wish."

Two months later, Seuman Otwal had not appeared. After ve-
hement protest, Patch communicated once more with the Halkshire
Hotel, but Seuman Otwal had not been seen. Gersen began to feel
spasms of uneasiness and cast about for another means to make
contact with Kokor Hekkus. The fort itself-so he reasoned-by
its very nature should provide information. He went to the files and
brought forth the entire set of plans, specifications, and correspon-
dence, spread all before him.

Nowhere appeared any categorical identification of the planet
on which the metal monster was intended to function.

Gersen began all over again, seeking this time for some indirect
indication to Planet X, for information implicit in other data.

There was no mention of air-conditioning equipment; evidently
the atmosphere was standard or near-standard.

In the specifications, a section read:

The vehicle must, under full load, be able to traverse slopes
of up to 40° (assuming adequate footing) at a speed not less
than ten miles per hour; to negotiate easily and certainly
broken ground, such as a field of irregularly-shaped rock
fragments up to six feet in diameter; to pass across cre-
vasses, gaps, or ditches up to twenty feet wide.

Elsewhere a notation stated:

Energy requirements have been calculated on the basts of 75
percent thermodynamic efficiency with an over-performance
factor of 100 percent.

Gersen set to work with slide-rule, calcultte, and integraph. He
knew the mass of the fort, he knew the energy required to propel
the vehicle up a 40° slope at a speed of ten miles an hour. From

THE DEMON PRINCES

240

this information and the over-performance factor, he could calcu-
late the surface gravity of Planet X-which came to a value of 0 84
standard, implying a diameter of between 7,000 and 8,000 miles.

So far, so good, but hardly definitive information Again Gersen
studied the specifications They were extremely exact, and allowed
no elasticity, with fourteen color sketches depicting the fort from
all sides The object was to be enameled m various shades of black,
dark brown, pink, and chalk-blue Even the enamels and pigments
were specified by means of graphs showing wavelength plotted
against reflectance One variable had not been indicated, mused
Gersen the color of the impinging light Thoughtfully, he called
in the plant's color engineer, and requested a set of plaques en-
ameled m accordance with the graph

While he waited Gersen investigated another idea The speci-
fications were so exact as to suggest similarity or identity to an
actual living creature The creature would be awesome indeed, but
this was consistent with the philosophy of Kokor Hekkus. He pre-
pared a precis detailing the characteristics of the fort, which he
submitted to the UTCS Twelve minutes later, he received a report
to the effect that no creature of these taxonomic indexes could be
located in the standard references, bestiaries, monographs, or ex-
ploration notices Many worlds hosted creatures with points of sim-
ilarity: this was a matter of common knowledge- The planet Idora,
Sadal Suud XI, exhibited a segmented water-worm, ranging to
thirty feet in length, on Earth were various miniature species, the
Krokmole Highlands was home to the noxious roof-runner There
was, stated the report, a curiously apt reference m an old volume
of children's tales Legends of Old Thamber-here Gersen bent sud-
denly over the sheet The exerpt read

Easing and squeezing, gliding and sliding, walking and
stalking down the mountain it comes on thirty-six supple
hooks' Dreadful and dire is the creature in its unhurried
haste, as long as the length of twelve dead victims'

"Now we are lost," cried Princess Sozanella, "Shall we
succumb to the monster or give ourselves to the horrid
Taddo trolls^"

"Hope' Hold to hope'" Dantinet whispered. "For this
is the ancient foe of the trolls' It turns its black face away,
to look upon the Taddo' It rears to show its blue belly, the

THE KILLING MACHINE 241

color of putridity The trolls whimper and scream, but too
late' And the monster tosses them into its maw Now we
hasten away, through the glooms and passages, for once the
Dread has performed a benefit'"

Gersen slowly put down the report Thamber' Another reference
to the world of myth'    Xavar Mankinello, the color engineer,
came in with tabs enameled to Kokor Hekkus' specifications Ger-
sen, with as much impatience as he ever allowed himself, arranged
them beside the depicted fort There was an obvious difference
Mankinello bent anxiously over the desk "There's been no mistake,
I took great pains "

Gersen studied the tiles "Assuming that this is so, what color
light will bring the tiles to the same colors as the sketch^""

Mankinello considered "The tiles are unquestionably cooler
than the sketch Let's step into the lab "

In the laboratory, Mankinello put the tiles under a color gen-
erator "Presumably you're interested in standard incandescence "

"Standard starlight I suppose that's close to the same thing "

"Somewhat different, due to the stellar atmospheres But I can
easily code for the stellar progression Let's start with about
4,0000 " He turned a wheel, flicked a switch, checked with a com-
parator "Close " He turned the wheel "There it is 4,350°." He
glanced through a port. "See for yourself"

Gersen peered through the opening The tiles were now iden-
tical to the colors of the sketch "Color temperature 4,350° Class
K?"

"I'll tell you exactly " Mankinello consulted a reference. "Class
G8"

Gersen took sketch, tiles, returned to the room he had pre-
empted for his office. Facts were accumulating. The planet in ques-
tion attended a G8 star, and was characterized by a gravity of
0 84G. References to the legendary world Thamber had occurred
with peculiar frequency    Gersen called UTCS, requested a
search for references to the location-hypothetical, fictional, myth-
ical, hysterical, or otherwise-of the lost world Thamber Half an
hour later, a folder was delivered to him with several dozen extracts
There was little of interest, the most circumstantial information
being contained in a traditional bit of school-yard doggerel

THE DEMON PRINCES

242

Set a course from the old Dog Star
A point to the north of Achernar;

Sleight your ship to the verge extreme
And dead ahead shines Thamber's gleam.

The information contained in the first two lines might be applied,
but thereafter the directions were meaningless. There was no more
information to be derived from a study of the fort. Gersen decided
that he had come to a dead end. Somewhere in space hung a world
where Kokor Hekkus planned to take a metal monster. This world
might be home to Alusz Iphigenia Eperje-Tokay who valued herself
at ten billion SVU. This world might be the Thamber of myth.
But there was no way of knowing,

Myron Patch appeared in the doorway. His round face was taut
and accusing. For a moment he looked at Gersen, then said in a
portentous voice, "Seuman Otwal is here."

From the Preface to A Concise Histofy of the Oikumene,
by Albert B. Hall:

Human evolution . .. has never gone in a smooth flow,
but always in a cyclical pulse, which, as history is scanned,
seems almost convulsive. The tribes mingle and merge to
form a race, then comes a time of expulsion, of migration,
isolation, differentiation into new tribes.

For more than a thousand years, this latter process has
been on the ascendant, as the human race has swept across
space. Isolation, special conditions, inbreeding have created
dozens of new racial subtypes. But now there is stasis in the
Oikumene, with many comings and goings, and it seems
that perhaps the pendulum is about to swing back.

But only in the Oikumene! Folk still fare beyond, ever
outward. Never has isolation been more easy, never has
personal freedom been so cheap!

The eventualities? Anyone's guess is good. The Oiku-
mene may be forced to expand. Other Oikumenes may
come into existence. Conceivably men may collide with the
realm of another race, for there is abundant evidence that
other space-traveling peoples have gone before us, how and
why to disappear no one can say.

"Where is Seuman Otwal?" Gersen asked. "Here in the shop?"

"No. Here in Patris. He wonders why I left the message."
Patch's expression became more accusing than ever. "I didn't know

244 THE DEMON PRINCES

what to say... . Humiliating to deal politely with a man who has
wronged you... . Swallowing ashes. ..."

"What did you say?"

Patch made a helpless gesture. "What could I say? Except the
truth. That we had worked out a means to alter the fort."

<' -W'e'?"

"The reference naturally was to the Patch Engineering and
Construction Company."

"Did he seem interested?"

Patch gave a grudging nod. "He claims to have new instructions
from his superiors. He will be here shortly."

Gersen sat thinking. Seuman Otwal might or might be one of
Kokor Hekkus' various identities; Kokor Hekkus might or might
not be aware that the weasel of Skouse was Kirth Gersen. He rose
to his feet. "WTien Seuman Otwal comes, receive him in your office.
Introduce me as-as Howard Wall, plant manager, or chief engi-
neer, something of the sort. Don't be surprised by anything I say-
or," he added by way of afterthought, "by any change in my ap-
pearance."

Patch gave a stiff assent and turned away. Gersen went to the
main washroom, where a dispenser offered a selection of skin-
tonings. Selecting an exotic duo-tone-purplish-maroon with green
luster-he changed his color, and parting his hair in the middle,
combed it down over his cheeks in the style of the WTiitelock con-
noisseur. He had no change of clothes to complete the transforma-
tion, and so donned a white laboratory smock. Still dissatisfied, he
clipped on a pair of gold filigree elf-shells over his ears, together
with a gold nasal ridge that had been forgotten by one of the more
foppish of the engineers. Bedizened and fashionable, Gersen now
failed to recognize himself in the mirror.

He crossed the corridor to Patch's suite. The receptionist gave
him a wondering look; Gersen walked past her and into Patch's
office. Patch, looking up in startlement, hastily concealed the
weapon he had been inspecting. He rose to his feet, puffed out his
cheeks. "Yes sir? What is your wish?"

"I am Howard Wall," said Gersen.

" 'Howard Wall'?" Patch frowned heavily. "Do I know you?
The name is somehow familiar."

"It should be," said Gersen. "I just mentioned it ten minutes
ago."

THE A7/.U.VG MACHINE

245

"Oh. Gersen. Yes indeed." Patch cleared his throat. "You gave
me quite a start." He resumed his seat. "Why the elaborate rega-
lia?"

"For Seuman Otwal. He doesn't know me, and 1 don't want
him to."

Patch's face became dour. "I dislike catering to the trade of
suspected criminals; it reflects upon the good name of Patch, and
this is our most valuable asset."

Gersen ignored the obvious rejoinder. "Don't forget: I am
Howard W^all, your production manager."

"WTiatever you like," replied Patch with dignity.

Five minutes later, the receptionist announced Seuman Otwal.
Gersen went to the door, slid it open. Seuman Otwal came jauntily
forward. His skin was strikingly two-toned russet and black; he had
a high-bridged hooked nose, a long sharp jaw and prow-like chin,
he wore tall pointed ear-shells of jet and nacre, which gave his head
a narrow jutting bony look. Gersen tried to project upon him the
image of the man he had confronted on Bissom's End. Was there
similarity? Conceivably. Otwal seemed of generally similar phy-
sique, but the facial indexes of the two were at variance. Gersen
had heard reports of malleable flesh, but here was something more
than wadded cheeks or a splayed nose. . .. Seuman Otwal glanced
inquisitively at Gersen, then at Patch who had risen uncertainly to
his feet. "My general manager," said Patch. "Howard Wall."

Otwal nodded politely. "Your custom must be increasing."

"I was forced to it," grumbled Patch. "Somebody had to look
after the business when I was away. I have you to thank for it."

Otwal made an airy gesture. "A matter to be forgotten. My
employer has his foibles; he is by no means unfair, though he wants
fair value for his generous remuneration. Mr. Wall knows whom I
represent?"

"Certainly. He understands the need for discretion."

Gersen nodded with the proper degree of solemnity.

Seuman Otwal gave a slight shrug. "Very well, Mr. Patch. I
accept this. So now?"

Patch jerked his thumb toward Gersen, with rather less suavity
than Gersen liked, and spoke with heavy irony: "Mr. Wall under-
stands the nature of our previous difficulties and has some new
ideas."

246 THE DEMON PRINCES

Otwal seemed not to notice Patch's lack of enthusiasm. "I shall
be glad to listen."

"First a question," said Gersen. "Is the party you represent still
interested in the device as specified in the original contract?"

"Such conceivably might be the case," said Otwal, "if our re-
quirements are satisfied. My employer was appalled by the awkward
motion of the first version. The legs moved stiffly, with an angular
scissor-like effect."

"This was the only difficulty?" inquired Gersen.

"It was certainly the most important one. Presumably the object
is built to the well-known quality standards of Patch Engineering."

"Indeed it is!" declared Patch.

"The difficulty then no longer exists," said Gersen. "Mr. Patch
and I have devised a system by which any required motion can be
programed and enforced upon the legs."

"If so, and if the system meets our standards of reliability, then
this is good news indeed."

"We had best consider the matter of recompense," said Gersen.
"Here I speak for Mr. Patch, of course. He wants the full sum of
the original contract, plus the cost of modifications and the normal
percentage of profit."

Otwal considered a moment. "Minus, of course, those devel-
opmental funds already advanced. SVU 427,685,1 believe to be the

i*

sum.

Patch began to sputter. Otwal could not restrain a faint smile.

"There have been additional expenses," said Gersen. "To a to-
tal of SVU 437,685. This must be included in the total reckoning."
Otwal started to protest, but Gersen held up his hand. "We do not
care to argue this point. We are prepared to deliver the mechanism,
but we insist upon payment, which is as I stated it. Of course, if
your principal wishes to make further representations, we shall be
glad to listen to him in person."

Otwal gave a cool laugh. "No matter: I agree. My principal is
anxious to take delivery."

"Still-and no denigration intended-we would prefer to deal
with your principal, in order to minimize all misunderstanding."

"Impossible. He is involved elsewhere. But why be concerned
over trifles? I have full power to act on his behalf."

Patch began to make restless movements; his prerogatives were
ruthlessly being accroached by this so-called partner, whose only

THE KILLING MACHINE 247

contribution to Patch Engineering and Construction was the re-
scission at Interchange. Gersen kept one eye on Patch and one on
Otwal; neither was predictable.

"We accept this," Gersen told Otwal. "Now we need another
installment of developmental money-approximately half a million
SVU."

"Impossible!" snapped Otwal. "My principal is engaged in an
enterprise where he must concentrate all his resources."

Patch began to fume. "You pay me, then you-"

Gersen said hastily, "Assume that the device is completed and
ready for delivery: how can we feel confident of collecting our
money?"

"You have my personal reassurance," said Otwal.

"Bah!" barked Patch. "That is not enough! You cheated me
before, you'd do it again if you had the chance."

Otwal looked pained and turned to Gersen. "If we fail to meet
our obligations-a ridiculous speculation-you need only withhold
delivery. How simple it all is."

"WTiat would we do then with a thirty-six-legged fort?" asked
Gersen. "No. We must insist on one-third payment now, another
third upon approval of the leg action, and the final third upon de-
livery."

"I think they ought to pay punitive damages," muttered Patch.
"Ten thousand isn't enough. It should be a hundred thousand. Two
hundred thousand. My discomfort, my anxiety, my-"

Wrangling continued. Otwal demanded details as to the new
leg action; Gersen replied in diffuse terms: "We use flexible mem-
bers shaped precisely to specifications. They are actuated by
hydraulic tubes of a special variety, controlled by electrical modu-
lations of infinite range."

Otwal finally gave in. "We could easily take our business to
another concern-but time is of the essence. Wlien will you guar-
antee delivery? There must be a penalty clause in the new contract:

we have already been far too lenient."

Again disputation ensued, and at one point Patch rose to his
feet, leaned forward over his desk to shake his fist; Otwal disdain-
fully drew back apace.

The matter finally was adjusted. Otwal insisted upon seeing the
half-completed fort, and, grumbling, Patch led the way with Gersen
bringing up the rear. As he walked, Gersen studied Otwal's form:

248 THE DEMON PRINCES

a man with the light sure tread of a panther, broad in the shoulder,
narrow of hip-very like Billy Windle, but also like millions of
other active and muscular men.

Otwal was surprised to find technicians already hard at work.
He turned to Gersen with a rueful grin. "You anticipated my agree-
ment?"

"Certainly-after driving the hardest bargain possible."

Otwal laughed. "An accurate appraisal of the situation. You are
a clever man, Mr. Wall. Have you ever been Beyond?"

"Never. I am orthodox and unadventurous."

"Strange," said Seuman Otwal. "There is a certain air, almost
an emanation, that clings to those who have worked Beyond. I
thought I sensed it in you. Of course I am often wrong in my
suppositions." He turned back to the fort. "Well, everything seems
to be correct, except of course for the surface finish."

"To satisfy our curiosity," said Gersen, "perhaps you can de-
scribe its ultimate purpose."

"Certainly. My principal spends a good deal of time on a re-
mote planet beset with barbarians. When he wishes to go abroad,
they harass him severely. He wants security and this the fort will
provide."

"Then the fort is purely defensive in nature?"

"Of course. My principal is a much-maligned man. I find him
quite reasonable. He is daring, enterprising, even reckless, and cer-
tainly the most imaginative man alive-but in all aspects reason-
able."

Gersen nodded thoughtfully. "I understand that he makes an
imaginative use of the force of terror."

"Far better the fear of an act," Otwal stated, "than the brutal
act itself. Do you not agree?"

"Possibly. But it occurs to me that a man so obsessed with the
abstract notion of terror must suffer inordinate terrors on his own
account."

Otwal seemed startled. "I had not considered this," he said. "I
think that I agree. An emphatic man lives a hundred lives; he senses
joys, sorrows, triumphs, despairs and, yes, terrors, beyond the ho-
rizon of the common man. He exults greatly, he suffers greatly, he
fears greatly, but never would he arrange matters differently."

"What would you consider his supreme fear?"

THE KILLING MACHINE 249

"It is no secret; death. He fears nothing else-and in fact has
taken extravagant steps to avoid it."

"You speak with great authority," mused Gersen. "You know
KokorHekkuswell?"

"As well as anyone. And of course I am an imaginative man in
my own right."

"I also," declared Patch, "still I do not conduct my financial
business through Interchange."

Seuman Otwal laughed quietly. "A sad episode that I suggest
we consign to the past, and forget forever."

"Easy for you to say," Patch complained. "You weren't locked
up away from your business for over two months."

They returned to the office where Otwal, rather gloomily, so
it seemed, signed a bank voucher on a numbered account for the
sum of half a million SVU; then, once more gracious, departed.
Gersen immediately took the money to the local branch of the Bank
of Rigel, where the check was verified and the money credited to
the account of Patch Construction.

When he returned to the shop, he found Patch in a belligerent
mood. Patch wanted Gersen to take the advance from Otwal and
relinquish his partnership, but Gersen refused to agree. Patch mut-
tered darkly about agreements negotiated under duress, and spoke
of closing the shop until the law set matters straight. Gersen
laughed at him. "You can't close the shop. I own a controlling
interest."

"I didn't realize I was dealing with thugs and bandits," blurted
Patch. "I didn't realize that the good name of Patch Construction
would be tainted. Monsters' Murderers! Terrorists! Thieves! Rob-
bers! WTiat have I let myself in for?"

"Eventually you'll have your shop back," Gersen consoled him.
"And don't forget-there'll be a handsome profit for Patch Con-
struction."

"Unless I get snatched off to Interchange again," said Patch
bleakly. "I expect nothing better."

Gersen uttered a soft quiet curse, and Patch looked in wonder
to see Gersen evince an overt sign of emotion. "WTiat's the trou-
ble?"

"Something I neglected, something I never considered."

"And what is that?"

250 THE DP MON PRINCES

"I might have put a stick-tight on Seuman Otwal-or followed
him."

"Why bother7 He stays at the Halkshire Hotel Seek him
there."

"Yes, of course." Gersen went to the visiphone, was connected
with the Halkshire front desk. He was informed that Mr. Otwal
was not in residence at the moment, but that a message would
eventually reach him. Gersen turned back to Patch. "Suspicious
rascal. He probably would have ducked my stick-tight"

Patch was now studying Gersen with a new and intent expres-
sion. "I knew it all along."

"What?"

"You're an Ipsy agent."

Gersen laughed, shook his head. "I'm )ust ordinary Kirth Ger-
sen "

"How," asked Patch with a shrewd grin, "can you get the use
of a stick-tight operation if you're not police or Ipsy3"

"No great problem, if you know the right people. Let's get on
with our monster."

On the following day, Seuman Otwal called by visiphone to
state that he was leaving the planet. He would return in perhaps
two months, when he hoped to see substantial progress.

On the day following, there was sensational news. In the course
of one night, five of the wealthiest families of Cumberland had
suffered the kidnaping of one or more of their members. "Such was
Seuman Otwal's business on Krolonole," Gersen told Patch.

The fort progressed with satisfactory rapidity-a fact that pleased
Patch but troubled Gersen. Either Seuman Otwal was Kokor Hek-
kus or he was not If not, how could he be forced to reveal Kokor
Hekkus' whereabouts^ Gersen's best hope was that Kokor Hekkus,
in his own guise, might once more visit the shop If not.  Gersen
toyed with the idea of a secret capsule aboard the fort in which to
stow away, but rejected the idea- the fort was far too small...
Might he arrange to accompany the fort as instructor or expert3 If
the fort were truly bound for Thamber, he might find himself ef-
fectually exiled for life, or enslaved

An idea on a different level occurred to him, which during the
next few days he took steps to implement The control pulses from
the fort's cycling mechanism ran through a dorsal duct, branching

THE KILLING MACHINE 251

off right and left to the relays in each segment WTiere the duct
passed back across the head, Gersen introduced a cutoff switch,
activated by cells on either side of the head. If the gas within these
cells were ionized-say by the impact of a weak projac beam-
electricity flowing across the cell would open the switch, rendering
the fort immobile for at least ten minutes.

Meanwhile the surface enamels had been applied. The engines
and circuits were checked and adjusted, the leg action tested under
various types of cycles and then the fort was adjudged complete.
In the dim hours of early morning, it was shrouded under canvas,
walked out into the street, to be grappled by a freight copter and
conveyed to a wild area at the south of the Bize Parish Barrens for
field trials. Patch proudly sat at the controls, Gersen rode beside
him. The fort rambled smoothly over rough ground and shrubs,
climbed hills without faltering. Certain maladjustments made them-
selves known, and were taken note of. A few minutes before noon,
the fort breasted a low ridge and scuttled down into the camp of a
Natural Life Association party. A hundred nature lovers looked up
from their noon meal, emitted simultaneous gasps of horror and
fled screaming over the hills. "Another success," said Gersen. "We
can now with candor guarantee fnghtfulness to Kokor Hekkus."

Patch halted the fort, turned it about, drove it back over the
ridge At twilight it was once again draped in canvas, and carried
back to the shop.

Almost as if Seuman Otwal were clairvoyant, he called on the
following day to request a progress report Patch assured him that
all went well; that if he so chose he could undertake a test of the
fort on the following day. Otwal agreed and once again the fort
was shrouded, trundled out into the predawn stillness, and conveyed
into the badlands behind the Crystal Pinnacles, with Otwal follow-
ing in a small nondescript air-car.

Gersen, wearing his maroon duo-tone and fashionable ac-
couterments, took the controls, and once again the fort ran smartly
up and down the foothills.

Weaponry, by the terms of the contract, had not been installed,
however the gas sacs and odoriferous glands had been loaded with
smoke-gas and colored water; they spouted and sprayed with pre-
cision and accuracy Otwal alighted, stood while the fort trundled
back and forth, then returned to the head compartment and took
over the controls. He said very little but his attitude indicated ap-

2^2 THE DEMON PRINCES

proval. Patch, likewise silent, was clearly congratulating himself that
the entire odious adventure would soon be at an end.

At dusk, the fort once more was conveyed back to Patris. Otwal,
Patch, and Gersen gathered in Patch's office. Otwal walked back
and forth as if in deep thought. "The fort seems to perform well
enough," he said, "but to be perfectly frank, I consider the price
somewhat high. I shall recommend to my principal that he inspect
the mechanism only if the price is reduced to a reasonable and
rational figure."

Patch reeled back and went red in the face. "What!" he roared.
"Do you dare stand here and say that? After all our suffering, all
we've been through to produce the damnable thing?"

Seuman Otwal inspected Patch coldly. "It serves nothing to
rant. I have explained my-"

"The answer is no! Out of here! Don't come back till you bring
every cursed coin we have owing!" Patch marched forward. "Get
out, or I'll throw you out! Nothing could give me more pleasure.
In fact-" he seized Otwal by the shoulder and hustled him about.
Otwa! swayed, smiled serenely toward Gersen, as if in amusement
for the playful ferocity of a kitten. Patch tugged again; Otwal moved
slightly; Patch was flung across the room, to strike his head against
his desk and lie blinking. Otwal turned to Gersen. "What of you?
Do you care to try your luck?"

Gersen shook his head. "I only want to wind up the contract.
Bring your principal for his final inspection, then if he is satisfied,
take delivery. Under no circumstances will we reduce our price; in
fact, we now must start to charge interest upon the amount owing."

Seuman Otwal laughed, glanced at Patch who was slowly raising
himself to a sitting position. "You take a strong position. Under
the circumstances I might do the same. Very well; I am forced to
agree. When can the fort be delivered?"

"According to the terms of our contract, we must pack it in
foam, crate it, and convey it to the spaceport-a matter of three
days after final acceptance and payment."

Seuman Otwal bowed. "Very well. I will try to make contact
with my principal, after which I will render the requisite notifica-
tion." '

"I believe," said Gersen, "that a second payment is now due."
Patch was rubbing his head, staring in virulent hate toward Seuman
Otwal.

THE KILLING MACHINE 253

"Wliy bother?" said Seuman Otwal carelessly. "Let us handle
these tiresome financial matters later."

Gersen refused to agree. "What good is a contract if the terms
are not intended to be binding?" Patch struggled to his feet, moved
with an air of purpose around behind his desk. Gersen stepped
quickly past, removed the projac from the half-open drawer.

Otwal laughed negligently. "You just saved his life."

"I saved our second payment," said Gersen, "because I would
have been forced to kill you as well."

"No matter, no matter. Let us not talk of death, horrid to con-
sider nonbeing! You want your money: tiresome people. Another
half million, I presume?"

"Correct. And a final payment of-Gersen consulted notes-
"ofSVU 681,490, which will settle accounts in full with Patch Con-
struction."

Otwal walked slowly back and forth. "I will have to make ar-
rangements- . .. Three days to crate and foam,, you say?"

"That seems a reasonable period."

"It is too long. Here is how we shall simplify. Cover the fort
with the tarpaulin; at midnight walk it out into the street. A freight-
carrier will grapple to it, and take it to our cargo ship, which is by
chance convenient."

"There is one difficulty," said Gersen. "The banks will be
closed, and your check cannot be certified."

"I will bring the money in cash, all of it: second and third
payments together."

Essentially Gersen cared not a whit for the money; but suddenly
it seemed important not to let Seuman Otwal hoodwink Patch Con-
struction a second time. He forced himself to consider the situation
from a larger perspective. He asked cautiously, "What of your prin-
cipal?"

Seuman Otwal made an impatient gesture. "I will take my
chances with him. He is occupied elsewhere and has given me full
competence. Come; what do you say?"

Gersen smiled sourly. Was this hawk-faced man Kokor Hek-
kus-or not? Sometimes it seemed indubitably yes, and the next
moment as certainly no. Gersen temporized. "One more matter-
that of service. Do you expect us to provide a technical expert?"

"If it becomes necessary, you will be notified. But after all, our

254 THE DEMON PRINCES

own technical staff is at hand, and indeed is responsible for the
design 1 foresee no need for any such expert "

Patch lurched upright in his chair "Get out," he muttered
thickly. "Get out, both of you Murderers, thugs. You too, Wall,
or Gersen, or whatever your name is I don't know what your game
is, but get out "

Gersen turned him a casual glance, then ignored him. Seuman
Otwal seemed amused. Gersen said, "If you want to take delivery
at midnight, pay into our bank account the full sum due us We
want no cash, to be fake-metered and carried around until the banks
open You and your principal of course are men of probity, but
knaves and scoundrels are known to exist As soon as the deposit is
verified, you can take delivery of the fort."

Seuman Otwal considered gravely Then he acquiesced "It
shall be as you wish " He turned a serpent's flick of a glance at his
watch. "There is time Which is your bank7"

"Bank of Rigel, Patns Old-Town Main "

"In half an hour, more or less, you may make inquiry At mid-
night I will arrange to take delivery "

Gersen, remembering, perhaps belatedly, his ostensible role,
turned to Patch. "Does the arrangement meet your approval, Mr
Patch^"

Patch growled something indistinguishable that Gersen and
Seuman Otwal graciously assumed to be assent, Seuman Otwal
bowed and departed Gersen turned to consider Patch, Patch glared
back Gersen controlled an impulse to rake him over the coals, and
seated himself "We must make plans."

"What is the needs for plans now^ As soon as the money
reaches the bank, I intend to buy you out of Patch Construction if
it takes every last cent, and then be damned to you "

"You show very little gratitude," said Gersen "But for me
you'd still be sitting in a cell at Interchange "

Patch nodded bitterly "You rescinded my fee-for purposes of
your own I have no idea what these purposes are, but they have
nothing to do with me As soon as the money reaches the bank, I'll
buy you out, I'll pay any additional sum you require-within rea-
son-and I'll say good-bve to you with the utmost )oy "

"As you wish," said Gersen "I do not care to stay where I am
not wanted \s to the additional sum-make the total an even half
million "

THE KILLING MACHINE

255

Patch puffed out his cheeks "That will be eminently satisfac-
tory "

Half an hour later, Patch called the area branch of the Bank of
Rigel, inserted his account tab into the credit card slot Yes, he was
told, the sum of SVU 1,181,490 had been deposited to his account,

"In that case," said Patch, "please open an account in the name
of Kirth Gersen"-he spelled the name-"and deposit to this ac-
count the sum of SVU 500,000 "

The transaction was performed, both Patch and Gersen affixing
signatures and thumbpnnts to tabs Patch then turned to Gersen.
"You will now write me a receipt and destroy the partnership agree-
ment."

Gersen did as requested "Now," said Patch, "you will be good
enough to leave the premises and never return "

"Whatever you say," replied Gersen courteously. "The asso-
ciation has been stimulating I wish you and Patch Construction
prosperity, and I offer you a final word of advice after the fort has
been delivered, try not to be kidnaped again ""

"Have no fears on that score " Patch grinned wolfishly "I'm
not an inventor and an engineer for nothing. I have devised a pro-
tective harness that will blow the hands and face off anyone who
touches me, let the kidnapers beware'"

Favorite dictum of Raffles, the amateur cracksman:

Money lost, little lost.
Honor lost, much lost.
Pluck lost, all lost.

The night of a Concourse planet was seldom completely dark. For
those worlds appropriately placed in orbit, Blue Companion served
as a small intense moon: the night sky of all the worlds sparkled
with at least several sister planets.

Krokinole saw Blue Companion only as an evening star-a state
of affairs that would persist for yet another hundred years or so,
due to the vast circumference of the orbits of all the Concourse
planets and the consequent sluggish annual motion; in the case of
Krokinole 1642 years.

Krokinole midnight was as dark as any of the Concourse. Patris,
still influenced by the old time Whitelock Injunctionary Proce-
dures, had little to offer in the way ofnightHfe; what small nocturnal
revelry there was centered in New Town at the riverside restau-
rants. Old City was dark and damp from the estuary mist, with
Patch Construction a bright island.

Half an hour before midnight, Gersen came quietly along the
empty streets. Blue Companion had long departed the sky; street
illumination consisted of a dim globe at far intervals, surrounded
by a golden halo of mist. The air smelled of damp brick, the estuary
docks, the mud flats across the estuary: a subtle rnoldering reek
unique to Patris Old Town. Opposite Patch Construction stood a
row of the tall high-gabled buildings, each with a deeply recessed

THE KILLING MACHINE 257

areaway filled with shadow. From one to another of these dark
alcoves Gersen slipped, approaching the oblong of light projected
from the open doors of Workshop B. He came as close as he
thought practical, leaned back against the moldering brick, eased
the various clips and straps supporting his weapons and set himself
to wait. He wore black, with black skin-tone, black eye-shells to
conceal the gleam of his eyes; standing quiet he was part of the
misty night; a sinister shape.

Time passed. Inside the shop, the forward end of the canvas-
swathed fort could be seen, and, from time to time, a technician.
On one occasion. Patch's burly form appeared in the opening as he
stepped out to peer up into the sky.

Gersen checked the time: five minutes to midnight. He fitted
a pair of night-glasses to his forehead, slipped them down over his
eyes, and instantly the street seemed bright, though with unreal
shadows and tones, the chiarascuro sometimes reversed, sometimes
not. The glare from the shop was compensated by a mutachrome
filter, appearing as a dark blotch. Gersen scanned the sky, but saw
nothing.

At a minute before midnight, Patch again stepped out into the
street. Two heavy projacs ostentatiously hung in holsters at his
waist and at his throat was clasped a microphone undoubtedly tuned
to the police emergency band. Gersen grinned: Patch was taking
no chances- After a suspicious look around the sky, Patch returned
within. A minute passed; a long dismal hoot from the Mermiana
monument, the female colossus standing knee deep in the sea, sig-
nified midnight. High in the sky appeared the shape of a freight-
carrier. It settled, then halted in mid-air. Gersen squinted up
through the night-glasses, tentatively brought around his grenade
rifle. The carrier was presumably manned by men in the service of
Kokor Hekkus; the galaxy would profit by their deaths. . . . But
where was Kokor Hekkus? And Gersen cursed the uncertainty that
restrained him from pulling the trigger.

A small air-car appeared. It swooped and, ignoring the traffic
laws of Patris, settled into the street, landing less than a hundred
feet from Gersen's hiding place. He pressed far back into the shad-
ows, flipped up the night-glasses, which now would only hinder and
confuse him.

Two men alighted from the air-car. Gersen grunted in disap-
pointment. Neither was Seuman Otwal; neither could possibly be

25S THE DEMON PRINCES

Kokor Hekkus. Both were short, compact, dark-skinned; both wore
tight dark garments and tight black hoods. They walked with quick
steps to the shop, peered into the interior and one made an impe-
rious gesture. Gersen lowered his night-glasses, glanced up to the
freight-carrier. It remained as before. Gersen raised the night-
glasses, returned to the two men from the air-car. Patch came for-
ward, marching with a swagger of unconvincing truculence. He
halted and spoke; the two nodded curtly, and one said a few words
into a microphone.

Patch turned, gestured; the fort walked out into the street, the
canvas bulging and jerking to the motion of the legs. Down from
the sky came the freight-carrier. Gersen watched with the certainty
that here the chain of events that had started on the Avente Espla-
nade was to dwindle and die.

Patch stepped back into the shop, one hand on each of his guns.
The two men in black ignored him; down now- from the air-ship
came a strong-back from which depended ten cables. The two men
clambered up to the top of the fort, shackled the cables to eyebolts
along the dorsal ridge. They jumped to the ground, gave a wave;

the fort was lofted away through the night. The two men went
quickly to their car without a backward glance for Patch, who stood
bristling and glaring defiance at their backs. The air-car swept off
into the dark; Patch and his shop were left, curiously forlorn and
bereft.

The doors to Workshop B closed; the street was dark and va-
cant. Gersen shifted from his cramped position. He felt defeated
and angry. Why, at least, had he not shot down the air-ship and
the fort? Kokor Hekkus might well have been aboard. Even if such
were not the case, the destruction of the fort would have infuriated
him, goaded him to some kind of action.

Gersen knew very well why he had not destroyed the fort. In-
decision had cramped his finger. He ached for the final confron-
tation. Kokor Hekkus must know why he died and who killed him.
To shoot him down in the dark was good, but not good enough.

How and where to win another opportunity? Perhaps through
Seuman Otwal and the Halkshire Hotel. Gersen stepped out into
the street. Three dark shapes sprang back in startlement; one gave
a hoarse order, and a beam of intense white light flooded forth to
blind Gersen. He snatched for his weapons; one of the shapes
scrambled forward, knocked down his arm; another swung a long

THE KJLLWG MACHINE

259

length of black cable; it coiled around Gersen's body almost as if
alive, to constrict his right arm and his thighs. There came another
coiling length of cable, snapping around his legs; Gersen tottered,
fell. His heavy weapons were kicked to the side, his knife and projac
snatched away.

The man holding the light advanced, turned it down at Gersen.
He chuckled. "Good enough. This one's the partner with the
money."

It was the cool easy voice of Seuman Otwal. Gersen said,
"You're wrong. Patch bought me out."

"Excellent. . .. Then you have money."

The light moved closer. "Search him, with care. This man
might well be dangerous."

Cautious fingers probed Gersen's person, found and removed
a throwing dagger, a prickle-sac half-full of anodyne, several other
devices that obviously puzzled the searchers. One said in a voice of
respectful wonder: "This one's a walking arsenal. I'd not like to
face him alone."

"Yes," said Seuman Otwal thoughtfully. "A strange sort to be
frowsting it as an artisan. A strange sort, indeed. . .. Well, no mat-
ter. The universe is full of strange sorts, as well we know. He is
now our guest, and we need not delay for Patch."

Down eased an air-boat. Gersen was hoisted into the hold; the
craft slid off and away through the Krokinole night.

Seuman Otwal presently looked into the hold. "You're a strange
man, Mr. Wall, or whatever your name is. You decked yourself out
with a variety of weapons, almost as if you knew how to use them;

you concealed yourself with such stealthy patience that we, who are
also stealthy and patient, had no inkling of your nearness; and then
without a look over your shoulder, you swagger out into the middle
of the street."

"It was a poor move," Gersen agreed.

"The initial folly was your partnership with Patch-and this is
useless to deny as we have informed ourselves-when it should have
been apparent that never would the bumptious Patch be paid for
the fort. He was forced to disgorge at Interchange; now it is your
turn. If you can tender us our SVU 1,681,490 at once, we will
quickly finalize the matter; if you choose not to do so-then I fear
you must make a space journey."

260 THE DEMON PRINCES

"1 don't have that much money," said Gersen. "Let me explain
the circumstances-"

"No, I cannot reason with you; I have far to go and much to
do. If you have no money, then you must act through the usual
channels."

"Interchange?" asked Gersen with a wintry smile.

"Interchange. I wish you good fortune, Mr. Wall, or whatever
your name; dealing with you has been a pleasure." Seuman Otwal
departed, and Gersen saw no more of him. He was transferred to
another ship, where he found himself in the company of three chil-
dren, two young women, three older women, and a middle-aged
man, presumably members of various wealthy Concourse families.
Time passed, how long Gersen could not know. He ate and slept
many times, but at last the ship became still; there was the familiar
but always unsettling wait as atmospheres equalized, then the pas-
sengers were led out upon the soil of Sasani, ushered into a bus,
and conveyed across the desert to Interchange.

In a small auditorium, one of the Interchange functionaries gave
them a briefing. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are glad to have you
with us, and we hope that during your stay you will try to rest,
relax, and enjoy yourselves. The facilities of Interchange are those
of a sanitarium; we allow a certain degree of social intercourse, so
long as decorum and courtesy is maintained. We encourage the
enjoyment of your special hobbies and certain sports, such as swim-
ming, chess, kalingo, tennis, the use of musical instruments, and the
chromatil. There are no facilities for hiking, gliding, bird-watching,
marathon-running, or exploration of the fascinating Sasani wilder-
ness. We offer six classes of accommodation ranging from
hyper-luxurious Class AA to the standard E, which is plain but by
no means uncomfortable. The cuisine is of eight standard catego-
ries, corresponding to the principal gastronomic habits of the Oik-
umene peoples. For persons who are habituated to other more
specialized diets, there is a special service at extra charge. We natter
ourselves that anyone can eat, if not with relish, at least with nour-
ishment, at Interchange.

"Our regulations are somewhat more firm than those of the
average pleasure resort, and I must warn you that surreptitious and
solitary ventures across the desert can only lead to inconvenience.
In the first place, there are numerous carnivorous insects. Secondly,
there is neither food nor water. Thirdly, the autochthonous inhab-

THE KILLING MACHINE 261

itants of Sasani, who leave their burrows only at night, are anthro-
pophages. Fourthly, we are required to protect the interests of our
clients, and the obstreperous individual (fortunately rare) soon finds
himself deprived of all privileges.

"I will now distribute forms among you. Please indicate your
choice of accommodation and cuisine. You will notice a list of reg-
ulations. Please read these carefully. You will find the personnel
courteous, if somewhat remote. They are well paid, so please do
not attempt to press gratuities upon anyone. We regard this ten-
dency with suspicion, and inquire carefully into the motives of those
who offer such inducements.

"Tomorrow you will be provided with means of communication
with those who might be expected to rescind your fees. That is all,
and thank you."

Gersen examined the form, and selected Class B accommoda-
tions, which allowed him full use of the institution's recreational
activities, as well as a modicum of privacy. He had eaten the food
of all the Oikumene-including Sandusk, he thought wryly, recal-
ling the shopkeeper of Ard Street-and indeed was not over-
fastidious. He checked the category "classic," the cuisine of
Alphanor, West Earth, and perhaps a third of the population of the
Oikumene.

He read the "Regulations," none of which were surprising or
ominous except Item 19: "Those persons who are in residence after
their period of prime rescission and who thereupon fall into the
'Available' category, must keep to their apartments during the
morning period in order to allow inspection by noncommitted vis-
itors who might be interested in paying rescission fees."

In due course, Gersen was taken to his apartment, which
seemed comfortable enough. The parlor contained a desk, a table,
several chairs, a green and black rug, a shelf stacked with periodi-
cals. The walls were mauve spattered with orange, the ceiling a foxy
russet. The bathroom included the usual facilities, with walls, floor,
and ceiling finished in seal-brown tile. The bed was narrow and
austerely padded, the infra-radiator suspended obtrusively from the
ceiling as in old-fashioned country inns.

Gersen bathed, dressed in the fresh garments provided, lay
down on his bed, and considered the possible directions of the fu-
ture. First, it was necessary to rid himself of the depression and
self-deprecation that had been his mood since Seuman Otwal's

262 THE DEMON PRINCES

white light had first flashed into his face. He had all too long con-
sidered himself invulnerable, protected by destiny-merely because
of the force of his motivations. It was perhaps his single supersti-
tion: the solipsistic conviction that, one after another, those five
individuals who had destroyed Mount Pleasant must die at his
hands. Persuaded by his faith, Gersen had neglected the common-
sense act of killing Seuman Otwal-and had suffered the conse-
quences.

He must rearrange his patterns of thinking. He had been com-
placent, doctrinaire, didactic in his approach. He had conducted
himself as if the success of his ambitions were preordained; as if he
were endowed with supernatural capacities. All quite wrong, Gersen
told himself. Seuman Otwal had taken him with ridiculous ease.
Seuman Otwal held him so cheap that he had not even bothered
to question him, but had flung him into a hold with the rest of his
bag. And Gersen's self-esteem was further mortified. He had not
previously appreciated the full extent of his vanity. Very well then,
he told himself: if absolute resourcefulness, absolute indomitability
were the basic elements of his nature, it was now time to put these
attributes to work.

Less angry-indeed, half-amused with his own earnestness-he
took stock of the situation. Tomorrow, if he so chose, he could
notify Patch of his predicament. There was nothing to be gained
by this. Gersen himself had the half-million paid him by Patch-
originally money supplied by Duschane Audmar-and perhaps an-
other seventy or eighty thousand from the money left him by his
grandfather. His rescission fee was a million SVU more than this:

a sum far beyond his ability to raise.

If Kokor Hekkus, or Seuman Otwal-the same man?-could
be convinced that he and Patch had parted company, they might
try to re-kidnap Patch and lower Gersen's fee to the money he had
received from the sale of his partnership. But Patch, if he were wise,
would take himself out of circulation. Gersen might be held at In-
terchange for months, or years. Eventually Interchange fees would
begin to eat into the sponsor's profit; the rescission fee would drop.
As soon as it reached half a million Gersen could buy his own way
out-unless an independent purchaser considered him worth more:

an unlikely circumstance.

In effect, Gersen was confined at Interchange for an indefinite
period.

THE KILLING MACHINE 263

What of escape? Gersen had never heard of escape from Inter-
change. If a person managed to elude the vigilance of the guards
and the careful system of alarms, tattletales, and trigger-beams,
where could he go? The desert was fatal by day, even more so by
night. Automatic weapons barred helpful spacecraft from the area.
No one departed Interchange except through death or the rescis-
sion of their fees. It occurred to Gersen to wonder about Alusz
Iphigenia Eperje-Tokay, the girl from Thamber. Her fee was ten
billion SVU, a fantastic sum: how close had Kokor Hekkus come
to paying it? How gratifying to rescind Alusz Iphigenia out from
under the very nose of Kokor Hekkus! A visionary dream, when he
could not rescind his own comparatively modest fee.

A gong sounded, to announce the evening meal. Gersen went
to his designated dining area along a blank-walled walk topped with
the tight interlacement of glass bands that characterized the avenues
and walkways of Interchange. The dining room was a high-
ceilinged room painted austerely gray. The guests ate at small in-
dividual tables and were served from carts passing back and forth.
There was a penal-colony atmosphere to the dining room that was
more or less absent from the rest of Interchange; Gersen could not
define its source, unless it was the isolation of the diners, the lack
of gossip or banter between the tables. The food was synthetic, of
poor color, not too well prepared, in quantities not too generous.
Even Gersen, who took no great interest in food, found the meal
unappetizing. If this was Class B cuisine, he wondered what Class
E was like. Perhaps not much different.

After dinner came the so-called social hour, in a large com-
pound domed against the dusty Sasani night wind. Here the entire
guest population of Interchange collected after the evening meal,
from boredom and curiosity: who had come, who had gone? At the
central kiosk, Gersen signed a chit for beer, carried the paper con-
tainer to a bench, seated himself. Perhaps two hundred other people
were in view: folk of all ages and races, some walking, a few playing
chess, a few conversing, others like himself drinking morosely on
the benches. There was no great gregariousness; everyone displayed
near-identical expressions: flat dislike for Interchange and every-
thing connected with it, including their fellow guests. Even the
children seemed infected by the general gloom, though they
showed a greater disposition to clot into groups. Perhaps twenty
young women were in evidence, even more aloof, injured, and in-

264 THE. DEMON PRINCES

dignant than the rest. Gersen inspected them with curiosity: which
was Alusz Iphigenia? If Kokor Hekkus were mad to possess her,
she must necessarily be extraordinarily beautiful; none here seemed
to fulfill the requirements. Nearby, a tall girl with striking red hair
gazed broodingly at her long fingers, each joint of which was
banded with a black metal sleeve identifying her as an Eginand of
Copus. Beyond, a small dark-skinned girl sipped wine; she seemed
winsome and appealing, but not one who would think to value her-
self at ten billion SVU.

There were others, but all seemed too old or too young, or of
no particular beauty-such as the young woman at the other end
of his bench who might just conceivably fit the requirements. Her
skin was pale, tinged with dusky ivory; she had clear gray eyes and
regular features; her hair was tawny blonde: in short she was not
unattractive but hardly in the ten billion SVU class. Gersen would
not have considered her a second time had it not been for a certain
insolent poise to her head, a certain cool intelligence of gaze. . . .
But no, for all her clear eyes and regular features, she was too
ordinary, too unexceptional. . . . The attendant who had served
Gersen on his previous visit crossed the compound, looking neither
right nor left. What was his name? Armand Koshiel. And Gersen
became more morose than before. . .. The social period ended; the
guests wandered away to their various suites, apartments, and
rooms.

The morning meal-tea, muffins, and compote-was served di-
rectly in the apartment, after which Gersen was summoned to the
central administration building, where he found himself in the com-
pany of several of the persons with whom he had come to Inter-
change.

Presently his name was called. He entered the office of a har-
ried-looking clerk, who gave him a perfunctory salute, and delivered
a well-rehearsed speech: "Mr. Wall, seat yourself, if you will. From
your point of view your presence here is a misfortune; from ours,
you are a guest to be treated with courtesy and dignity. We are
anxious to improve the light in which we are regarded; we will take
all practical means to that end. Now you are here sponsored by Mr.
Kokor Hekkus. His demand is for the sum of SVU 1,681,490, and
I now inquire how you propose to secure this sum." He waited
expectantly.

"I wish I knew," said Gersen. "It is totally unrealistic."

THE KILLING MACHINE 265

The official nodded. "Many of our guests find their fees exces-
sive. As you know, we have no control over the fees demanded; we
can only advise the sponsor to moderation, and the guest to a co-
operative attitude. Now then-can you raise this sum?"

"No."

"What of your family?"

"Nonexistent."

"Friends?"

"I have no friends."

"Business associates?"

"None."

The clerk sighed. "Then you must remain here until one of
these events occurs: the sponsor may lower his demands to a fea-
sible sum. Fifteen days after the date your associates have first had
opportunity to appear in your behalf you go on an 'available' basis,
and the sponsorship fee may be paid by anyone, who then receives
you into custody. After a certain period, unless board and room
bills are regularly met, we may be forced to release custody to a
noncommitted visitor for the extent of these bills. So then?"

"I can't meet the figure. I have no one to notify."

"We will state as much to your sponsor. Do you care to name
the maximum figure you can pay?"

"About half a million," said Gersen reluctantly.

"I will so inform your sponsor. In the meantime, Mr. Wall, I
trust that you find your visit not too unpleasant."

"Thank you."

Gersen was conducted back to his apartment, and presently re-
leased to the dining room for lunch.

During the afternoon, the recreational facilities of Interchange
were made free to him. There were minor sports, crafts, games; he
could exercise at a gymnasium, swim in a pool. Or he could remain
in his apartment. Visiting the apartment or room of another guest
was forbidden.

Several days passed. Gersen became tense and charged with the
need for activity. There was no scope to release this pressure except
in exercise at the gymnasium. He pondered escape. It seemed im-
possible; there was no place to start.

During the social hour of the third day, Gersen, turning away
from the kiosk with beer, came face to face with Armand Koshiel,
whose schedule apparently brought him through the compound at

THI- DEMON PRINCES

266

about this time Koshiel murmured a polite apology, stepped aside,
then turned a puz/led glance backward

Gersen grinned ruefully "Conditions have altered since our last
meeting "

"So I see," said Koshiel "I remember you well It's Mr Gas-
son3 Mr Gnsson7"

"Wall," said Gersen "Howard Wall "

"Of course Mr Wall " Koshiel shook his head in bemused
wonder "Isn't it strange the way fate works7 But now, sir, I must
be off We aren't allowed to chat with the guests "

"Tell me something Plow close to ten billion SVU has Kokor
Hekkus achieved7"

"He progresses, he approaches, so I understand All of us here
are interested, it's the largest fee ever to be rescinded "

Gersen felt an irrational pang of anger-or perhaps jealousy
"Does the woman come down to the compound7"

"I have seen her here on occasion " Koshiel made tentative
efforts to sidle away

"What does she look like7"

Koshiel knit his brows, glanced furtively over his shoulder
"She's by no means what you might expect Not a clever jolly type,
if you know what I mean Please excuse me, Mr Wall, I must be
off, or face reprimand "

Gersen went to his usual bench, seething with a new set of
dissatisfactions this unknown woman, by all logical processes,
should mean nothing to him.    Such was not the case Gersen
puzzled over himself and his motives How and why had he become
fascinated7 Because ofAlusz Iphigenia's self-appraised value often
billion SVU7 The fact that Kokor Hekkus, in all his egotism and
arrogance, was about to possess her7 (The thought awoke a peculiar
fury in him) Because of her asserted origin, mythical Thamber7
Because of the stirrings of his own sternly repressed romanticism7
Whatever the cause, Gersen scrutinized the compound seeking the
beautiful girl who might be Alusz Iphigema ofThamber She def-
initely was not the small dark girl, nor the red-haired Egmand from
Gopus Fhe taw nv-blonde girl with the withdrawn manner was not
in evidence, but she hardly qualified 1 hough, Gersen reflected, her
eyes were an exceedingly lucent grey and no exception could be
taken to her figure, which was rather slight and delicate, but per-

IHL k!LH\G \1ACHl\h

267

fectly proportioned The gong sounded, he returned to his apart-
ment disappointed and roiling with uneasiness

1 he next day passed, Gersen waited impatiently for the social
period It finally arrived, a new woman was present She was lithe
and supple, with long legs, a long patrician face, a dazzling roll of
bright white hair, intricately coiffed Gersen inspected her carefully
No, he decided with a feeling of relief this could not be Alusz
Iphigema of Thamher, this woman was too intricate, too artificial
She might well value herself at ten billion SVU, and Gersen was
almost willing that Kokor Hekkus should pay such an amount and
take possession The tawny-blonde girl did not appear Gersen re-
turned to his apartment in disgust and vexation WT-ule he was pent
and helpless, Kokor Hekkus was easing in upon his quarry To
distract himself, Gersen read old magazines until midnight.

The following day was like those previous they began to merge,
lose identity At lunch there were two new members to his group
Gersen overheard a comment that identified the newcomers as Fy-
chus Hasselberg, First Chairman of the JarneH Corporation, and
Skerde Vorek, Director of Forestlands, both of Earth, both mil-
lionaires several hundred times over Two steps closer to the goal,
thought Gersen sourly

During the afternoon he exercised in the gymnasium At dinner
the food seemed more than ordinarily tasteless Gersen went to the
"social hour" in a surly mood He provided himself a mug of musty
Sasani wine, and seated himself in expectation of another dreary
evening. Half an hour passed, then at the entrance to the compound
appeared the tawny-blonde girl Tonight she seemed even more
abstracted than on the former occasion Gersen watched her in-
tently actually, he thought, she was really not plain Her features
were so perfect, so perfectly placed as to make her face seem un-
remarkable-but certainly she was not plain He watched her pro-
cure a mug of tea at the central kiosk, then she came to sit on a
bench not far from Gersen He studied her with great interest, his
pulse moving rather swiftly Why7 he asked himself in irritation
Why did this young woman, at best conventional^ attractive, affect
him to such an extent7

He rose, walked to where she sat "May I join you7" he asked

"If you care to," she said after fust sufficient hesitation to in-
dicate that she'd rather sit quietly by herself Her voice had a pleas-
ant archaic swing, and Gersen tried to place her accent "Excuse

268

THE DEMON PRINCES

me for being curious," he said, "but are you Alusz Iphigenia Eperje-

Tokay?"

"I am Alusz Iphigenia Eperje-Tokay," she said, correcting his

pronunciation.

Gersen drew a deep breath. His instinct had been correct! From
close at hand, and looking into her face, her quiet good looks
seemed somewhat less quiet. She might almost be termed hand-
some. It was her eyes, he thought, that gave life to her face. Beauty?
Sufficient to urge Kokor Hekkus to such flamboyant exertions? It
seemed unlikely. "And your home is on the planet Thamber?"
She turned him another brief incurious look. "Yes,"
"Do you know that to most people Thamber is an imaginary

world, a place of legend and ballad?"

"So I have learned, to my surprise. I assure you it is far from
imaginary." She sipped her tea, gave Gersen another swift glance.
Her eyes, large, clear, candid, were her best feature, and these were
undoubtedly beautiful. But now, a subtle shift in her position in-
dicated disinterest in further conversation.

"I wouldn't bother you," said Gersen stiffly, "except for the
fact that your fiance Kokor Hekkus has brought me here, and I

regard him as my enemy."

Alusz Iphigenia reflected a moment. "You act unwisely in re-
garding him as an enemy."

"Suppose he rescinds your fee, what then?"
She shrugged. "It is a matter I do not care to discuss."
Gersen thought, yes, she is beyond doubt handsome; even more
than handsome: when she spoke, even when she thought, her fea-
tures took on a luminosity, a vitality that transfigured even ordinary

features.

Gersen was at a loss for a means to continue the conversation.

Finally he asked, "Do you know Kokor Hekkus well?"

"Not well. He keeps for the most part to Misk, the Land Be-
yond the Mountains. My home is Draszane in Gentilly."

"How were you able to come here? Do many spaceships come

to Thamber?"

"No." She turned him a sudden sharp glance. "Who are you?

Are you one of his spies?"

Gersen shook his head. Looking into her face, he thought with
amazement. Did I ever think this girl plain? She is beautiful, inexpress-
ibly so. He said, "If I were free, I could help you."

THE KILLING A-IACHINE 269

She laughed, rather cruelly. "How can you help me, when you
can't even help yourself?" And Gersen felt an unfamiliar red flush
seep across his face. He rose to his feet. "Good night."

Alusz Iphigenia said nothing; Gersen stalked off to his apart-
ment. He showered and threw himself on his bed. Suppose he com-
municated with Duschane Audmar? Pointless; Audmar would not
even bother to send him a refusal. Myron Patch? More than point-
less. Ben Zaum? He might be able to raise five or ten thousand
SVU, no more. . . . Gersen picked up one of the old magazines,
flicked through the pages. ... A face looked forth, one which he
seemed to recognize. Gersen glanced down at the caption. The
name, Daeniel Trembath, was unknown to him. .. . Strange. Ger-
sen flipped the page. The face was extremely like that of-of
whom? Gersen turned back to the face. He had known this man as
"Mr. Hoskins"; he had brought back his corpse from Bissom's End.
Gersen read the caption in full:

Daeniel Trembath, Arch-Director of the Bank ofRigel,
now retiring. Fifty-one years his Excellency the Director
has served the great bank and the peoples of the Concourse;

last week he announced his retirement. What are his future
plans? "I will rest. I have worked hard and long; perhaps
too hard and too long. Now I will take time to enjoy the
aspects of life denied me by my responsibilities."

Gersen looked at the date of the magazine. It was Cosmopolis
for January, 1525. Three months later Trembath disappeared: a
week or so afterwards he was dead, by the act of Billy Windle-
who might be Kokor Hekkus-on an unpleasant little world Be-
yond. Gersen, now wide awake, thought back across the months.
Why would the retired Arch-Director of the great Bank of Rigel
travel so remotely, so secretly to deal with the man who called
himself Billy Windle? Trembath had wanted perpetual youth: what
did he have to offer in exchange? By the very nature of his career,
it could be nothing but money. The meeting at Skouse had oc-
curred immediately after Alusz Iphigenia had taken sanctuary at
Interchange; the concatenation of places, events, and personalities
was intriguing. Kokor Hekkus wanted money-ten billion SVU.
Daeniel Trembath, Arch-Director (retired) of the Bank of Rigel,
was the very symbol of money-and also conservative respectabil-

THE DEMON PRINCES

270

ity. Why had the IPCC wanted his return, dead or alive? Surely
Trembath had not stolen ten billion SVU? Gersen remembered the
fragment of paper he had taken from Mr. Hoskins at Skouse. He
strove to recall the words, now suddenly so pregnant with possi-
bility:

-crimps, or more properly, bands of density. These ap-
parently occur at random, though in practice they are so
casual as to be imperceptible. The critical spacing is in
terms of the square root of the first eleven primes. The
occurrence of six or more such crimps at any of the des-
ignated locations will validate-

The conclusions to be drawn were staggering. There was likewise
an aspect to the situation that was the very soul of tragicomedy.
Gersen jumped to his feet, paced back and forth across his apart-
ment. If circumstances were as he suspected, how could he take
advantage of his knowledge?

He thought for an hour, formulating and discarding var-
ious schemes. The crafts and hobby shop seemed the key to the
situation. The activities encouraged would be simple and easily
supervised: wood-carving, puppetry, embroidery, shawl-weaving,
water-colors, glass-melting. Possibly photography.. .. The morn-
ing passed with a dismal slowness. Gersen sat sprawled in the most
comfortable of his chairs. A delightful variation to his scheme oc-
curred to him; he laughed aloud-. . . Immediately after lunch, he
visited the hobby room. It was more or less as he had expected: a
large room equipped with looms, pots of modeling clay, paints,
beads, wire, various other paraphernalia. The attendant in charge
was a corpulent man of early middle-age, bald, with small doll-like
features in a round face. He answered Gersen's questions with a
reasonable degree of patience. No; there were no facilities for pho-
tographic work. Several years ago an effort had been made in this
direction, but the project had been abandoned: the equipment re-
quired too much maintenance, had occupied too much of his time.
Gersen put forward a delicately phrased proposal; He, Gersen, was
almost certain to be a guest for a month or perhaps two; prior to
his coming he had been experimenting with certain novel art-forms
involving photography, and he wished to continue his activities-

THE KILLING MACHINE

271

to such an extent that he would be willing to purchase the necessary
equipment.

The attendant considered, with a wet pursing of the mouth.
The project seemed to entail a great deal of trouble-for Gersen,
for himself, for everyone involved. In theory, of course, it was con-
ceivable, but-he gave an eloquent shrug of the shoulders. Gersen
uttered a reassuring laugh: any extra attention on the attendant's
part-what was his name? Funian Lubby-would be adequately, or
even, Gersen amended cautiously, generously rewarded. Lubby
sighed heavily. Interchange policy dictated full cooperation with the
guests, within understandable limits. If Mr. Wall insisted, Lubby
could only do as he required. As to the remuneration Mr. Wall had
suggested, it was against Interchange policy, but Mr. Wall must be
the judge of what was right. How soon could Lubby provide the
proper equipment? asked Gersen. If Mr. Wall provided a list and
the necessary funds, an order could be placed at Sagbad, the largest
nearby trade center: delivery could be expected tomorrow at the
earliest; more likely the day following.

Excellent, said Gersen. He seated himself, wrote out a list. It
was long, and included a number of items intended to obscure Ger-
sen's primary purpose. Lubby pursed his lips hugely, in surprise and
automatic disapprobation. Gersen said hurriedly, "I realize that this
makes enormous inconvenience for you: is a hundred SVU suffi-
cient compensation for your extra effort?"

"You understand," said Lubby sternly, "that regulations forbid
the transfer of funds between guests and personnel. In a case of this
sort, the money involved is merely a means of providing the craft
shop with sorely needed equipment-since I presume you will leave
these items here on your departure?"

Gersen did not wish to seem too eager. "I suppose so. Some of
them at least-those that duplicate my own equipment at home."
All in all, he was highly encouraged. That Lubby could speak so
openly indicated that the craft shop was not under remote surveil-
lance. "What do you think this material and equipment will cost?"
he inquired.

Lubby appraised the list. "Megaphot camera . . . Chago en-
larger and printer. . . Ball microscope. Expensive items all. . . .
Tanglemat duplicator.. . . What would you be needing that for?"

"I prepare kaleidoscopic permutations of natural objects," said

THE DEMON PRINCES

272

Gersen. "Sometimes twenty or thirty copies of a single print are
needed, and I find the duplicator convenient."

"It will cost a fortune," grumbled Funian Lubby, "but if you're
willing to pay for it-"

"Yes, if I must," said Gersen. "I dislike spending money, but I
like two months away from my hobby even less."

"Understandable." Lubby glanced down the list. "This is an
impressive list of chemicals. I hope," he said with a sardonic twist
of the lips, "that you are not planning to blow up the institution,
and thus destroy my livelihood."

Gersen laughed at the joke. "I'm sure you are sufficiently
knowledgeable to forestall anything of this nature. No, there are
no explosives, corrosives, or noxious substances here: only inks,
dyes, photosensitives, and the like."

"So I see. I am by no means uninformed in these matters. I am
an accredited Scientific Academician of Boomaraw College on Lor-
gan, and in fact have done research on the flatfish of the Neuster
Ocean, until my appointment was canceled-another regressive
trick of the Institute, of that I am sure."

"Yes, a sad situation," Gersen agreed. "A person wonders
where it will end. Do they want to make cavemen of us all?"

"Who knows what the wretched malcontents hope for? I have
heard that they are slowly acquiring control of the Jarnel Corpo-
ration, that when they finally secure their 51 percent-then pfai!
no more spaceships, no more travel. What will that do to us?
Where will that leave me? Without a job, if I am so unfortunate as
still to be alive. No, I spit on those people."

Gersen had been inspecting the craft room. "WTiere can I work
to be the least obtrusive? Preferably in some corner where I can
throw up a screen to keep out the light. Naturally any effort on
your part I am willing to pay for: indeed if there were a disused
storeroom, or something of the sort.. . ."

"Yes." Funian Lubby heaved himself to his feet. "Let us look.
The old sculpting studio is no longer in use; guests nowadays care
nothing for serious work."

The studio was octagonal, the walls were native wood varnished
a sour brown; the floor was stained yellow brick, the ceiling rose to
a skylight through which came a grayish, almost mauve, illumina-
tion. "I'll block out the light," said Gersen. "Otherwise the room
is quite suitable." To test the degree of freedom from surveillance

THE KILLING MACHINE

273

he said, "Now I understand that the rules forbid the exchange of
money between guests and personnel, still rules are made to be
broken, and it is not fair that you should go to extra exertion with-
out reimbursement. You agree?"

"I think you have expressed my point of view exactly."

"Good. What goes on in this old studio then concerns no one
but you and me. While I am not a wealthy man, I am not parsi-
monious, and I am willing to pay for my pleasures." He brought
forth his checkbook, wrote a draft for 3,000 SVU upon the Bank
of Rigel. "This should pay for all the items of my list and leave
enough to compensate you."

Lubby puffed out his cheeks. "That should do very nicely. I
will give your order special attention, and who knows? the equip-
ment may be here tomorrow."

Gersen went away well satisfied. His hopes might be based on
a set of false premises-but checking and rechecldng, he felt secure.
How could it be otherwise?

But he needed one more item, the most important of all. This
job he dared not entrust to Funian Lubby, except as a last resort.
He made out another draft for twenty thousand SVU, tucked it
into his pocket.

That night, Alusz Iphigenia made no appearance at the social
hour. Gersen did not care. He walked slowly back and forth, watch-
ing, waiting, and then just as he was about to give up hope, Armand
Koshiel appeared, taking a short cut through the compound. Ger-
sen approached him as casually as possible. "I am going to walk
past the waste-paper bin," he said. "I will drop a scrap of paper.
Come behind me, pick it up. You will find a draft for twenty thou-
sand SVU. Get me a ten thousand SVU note on the Bank of Rigel.
Keep the remaining ten thousand." Without waiting for a reply he
turned away, sauntered toward the kiosk. From the corner of his
eye he saw Koshiel give a slight shrug, then continue the way he
was going.

At the kiosk, Gersen bought a sack of sweets. Pausing at the
waste-paper bin he tossed aside the sack into which he had tucked
the bank draft, and crossing to a bench seated himself.

The crumpled bit of paper beside the bin looked large, white,
and conspicuous. Here came Koshiel back across the compound.
He went to the kiosk, spoke a jocular word to the attendant, se-
lected a bag of sweets for himself, tossed the paper toward the bin.

THF DEMON PRINCES

274

He bent after it, picked up Gersen's bag, seemed to drop them both
into the bin, and walked away.

Gersen went to his apartment, nerves tingling His scheme had
been set into motion Too much optimism would be foolish, but
so far all went well A hidden monitor might have observed Koshiel
pick up the bank draft, Funian Lubby might impose too much su-
pervision upon him, or so much new equipment might attract the
attention of persons less genial than Lubby Still-so far, so good

The following day he looked briefly into the crafts room Lubby
was occupied with a pair of children who in their boredom had
turned to mask-making The equipment would not be delivered
until the morrow, said Lubby, and Gersen departed.

The evening social hour passed with neither Koshiel nor Alusz
Iphigema making an appearance On the following day, when Ger-
sen returned to his apartment after breakfast he found an envelope
on his desk containing a green and pink SVU 10,000 bank note
Gersen tested it with his fake-meter, which, with a few other per-
sonal effects, he had been allowed to keep The meter gave a sat-
isfactory acknowledgment. So far, so good. Gersen dared make no
further experiments; he might even then be under scrutiny. So far,
so good. But his equipment still had not arrived, and Funian Lubby
seemed in a bad mood, Gersen returned to his apartment seething
with impatience Never had a day passed so slowly, though fortu-
nately the Sasani day was only twenty-one hours long

On the afternoon following, Funian Lubby indicated a set of
cartons with an affable wave of his fat hand. "There you are, Mr
Wall. A fine set of equipment, and you can go about your prisms
or kaleidoscopes, whatever it is you do, with all your might."

"Thank you, Mr. Lubby, I'm very pleased," said Gersen. He
earned the cartons into the old sculpting studio, and with Lubby
assisting and crooning m pleasure, unpacked them

"I'm anxious to see your work," said Lubby "One can always
learn, and this is a creative technique I have never observed before "

"It's a very detailed process," said Gersen "Some people even
find it tedious, but I enjoy slow careful work. The first step, I think,
is to close off the skylight and light-seal the door "

With Lubby steadying the ladder, Gersen stapled opaque cloth
across the skylight, then prepared a sign that read Photographic
Darkroom-Knock before Entering, and attached it to the door

THE KILL f\G VI 1CH1\E

27-i

"Now," he said, "I'm ready to begin " He considered. "I think I'll
start with a simple reiteration in green and pink "

With Lubby watching with vast interest, Gersen solemnly pho-
tographed a pin, enlarged it ten diameters, prepared a master copy
from which he printed thirty copies in green and thirty in pink on
the autolith

"What ncxt^" asked Lubby

"Now we come to the painstaking part of the )ob Fach of these
pins must be carefully cut from the background 7 hen \\ith pins
and pin-shaped holes, I create the reiteration If you desire you may
do the cutting while I formulate the correct color of ink "

Lubby looked dubiously at the stack of prints "All these are to
be cut out^"

"Yes, very carefully "

Lubby unenthusiastically set to work Gersen watched closely,
giving advice and stressing the need for absolute accuracy I'hen,
borrowing Lubby's slide-rule, he calculated the square root of the
first eleven prime numbers values ranging from 1 to 4 79 Lubby
meanwhile had cut out three pins, making a single small mistake
Gersen complained aggnevedly Lubby put down the scissors
"This is extremely interesting, but I fear I must look to other mat-
ters "

As soon as he had gone, Gersen compared the 10,000 SVU
bank note with the pink and green pins, adiusted the colors, added
a mordant and a catalyst, and printed further pins

He glanced into the outer studio, Lubby was busy with the
children Gersen took the note to the microscope, and-as so many
of thousands had done before him-examined it with an eye to
discovering the secret of its authenticity Like the thousands before
him, he discovered no such quality Now-the key experiment,
upon which the success of the entire pro)ect depended He selected
paper of density and weight similar to the bank note, cut a rectangle
to the si/e of the note Precisely five by two and quarter inches He
passed the paper through the fake-meter the alarm-light glowed
Now Gersen laid off points along the length of the paper rectangle
corresponding to the square roots he had computed Next he laid
a straight-edge across the paper and at each pair of points scored a
cross mark with the point of a nail-thus, so he hoped "crimping"
and "compressing" the fibers With trembling fingers he lifted the
fake-meter    The door opened, into the room came Funian

I HE DEMON PRINCES

276

Lubby. With one motion Gersen slid fake-meter, bank note, and
paper rectangle into his pocket, with another, he picked up scissors
and prints, simulated intent creativity Lubby was disappointed to
find that with so much equipment so little had been produced He
expressed himself to this effect, Gersen explained that he had been
recalculating certain aesthetic laws a tedious process If Lubby so
desired, he could expedite the process by cutting out more pins,
very carefully Lubby declared himself unable to be of further as-
sistance. Gersen cut out a few of the pins while Lubby watched,
arranged them with extreme care on the tabletop Lubby looked
over the pink and green test panels that Gersen had set under a
lamp "Are these the only two colors you will use^"

"At least for this present composition," said Gersen "Pink and
green, though they might seem somewhat obvious or even naive,
are for my purposes absolutely essential "

Lubby grunted. "They appear particularly bland: even faded."
"True," said Gersen. "I have added certain agents to the pig-
ments, it appears that the light tends to bleach them "

Lubby presently returned to the main room Gersen brought
forth his fake-meter, passed the paper rectangle into the slot. No
red light, but rather the heart-warming buzz of authenticity, the
most musical sound of Gersen's existence

He looked at his watch the period was almost at an end There
was no time for further work

At the social hour, Alusz Iphigema made an appearance, to
stand aloofly at the back of the compound Gersen made no attempt
to approach her, and, so far as he could tell, she seemed indifferent
to his existence   . He had thought her plain' He had considered
her features uninteresting' They were perfect, she was the most
entrancing thing he had ever seen Ten billion SVU3 A pittance'
He could almost applaud Kokor Hekkus' discrimination    Ger-
sen could hardly wait to return to the craft shop

But the following afternoon found Funian Lubby at his most
tiresome There were no other hobbyists present, and for two hours
Lubby sat gaping with eyes protuberant and fascinated as Gersen
cut paper pins, arranged and rearranged them with frowning con-
centration, his whole soul aching with the wish that Lubby depart

The day was wasted Gersen left the shop seething with sup-
pressed fury

The following day he fared better. Lubby was busy. Gersen

THEKILLI\G VMCHI\E

277

photographed the bank note with serial number masked, printed
two hundred copies with carefully prepared inks The day after, on
the pretext of exposing large areas of photo-sensitive paper, he
locked the door Then, contriving a )ig, he crimped the new notes,
and using a to\ printing press, printed new serial numbers The
notes looked about the same as the genuine, they had a somewhat
different feel-but what matter3 They satisfied the fake-meter

As Gersen ate dinner he pondered his final problem how to
rescind his fees without arousing suspicion If he merely presented
himself at the office, the question would be raised as to how the
money had come into his possession    He could think of no prac-
tical or feasible means to have a parcel delivered to him Certainly
he could not trust Koshiel with so much money

He decided that he needed more information During the social
hour, he went to the office of the assistant ordmator, a weasel-faced
man wearing the dark blue Interchange uniform as if it were a
privilege Gersen put on a face of worry "I have something of a
problem," he told the ordinator "It has been reported to me that
an old friend is coming here tomorrow to rescind one of the guests
Can it be arranged that I look into the bureau when the bus arrives
from the spaceport^"

The ordmator frowned. " I his is a somewhat irregular request "

"I realize this," said Gersen, "houever Interchange policy is to
facilitate the rescission of fees, and such is the case here "

"Very well," said the ordinator "Be here at this office tomor-
row immediately after the morning meal, and I will arrange the
matter "

Gersen went to the compound, paced back and forth, drank
quantities of wine to quiet his nerves The night passed, he choked
down a few bites of breakfast, hurried to the office of the ordinator,
who pretended to have forgotten the arrangement. Gersen patiently
restated his case

"Oh, very well," said the ordinator "I suppose we can't expect
every rescission to work through the proper channels " He con-
ducted Gersen to an antechamber or the reception room Here they
waited

'1 he archaic old bus arrived, discharged eight passengers They
filed into the reception room

"WelP" asked the ordmator "Is one of- these your friend^"

"Yes indeed," said Gersen "That short man with the blue skin-

THE DEMON PRINCES

278

tone. I'll just speak a word or two to him and arrange my rescis-
sion." Before the ordinator could object, Gersen went out into the
reception room, approached the man he had designated. "Excuse
me; aren't you Myron Patch ofPatris?"

"No sir. I am no such individual."

"My mistake." Gersen returned to the ordinator, carrying an
envelope. "Everything is well. He has brought my money. I am a
free man."

The ordinator grunted. The event seemed rather peculiar-but
weren't peculiar events part of life? "Your friend came to rescind
you and someone else also?"

"Yes. He is a member of the Institute and doesn't care to dis-
play too much cordiality."

The ordinator grunted again. All was explained-at least, all
seemed to be explained. "Very well," he said, "if you have your
money, go rescind yourself- I'll say a word to the clerk, since the
process is somewhat irregular."

When the bus departed Interchange, Gersen was aboard. At
Nichae he hired an air-car and was taken to the city Sagbad.

Five days later, wearing black skin-tone, black and brown tunic with
black breeches, Gersen returned to Interchange aboard the antique
bus. He went into the now-familiar office, submitted to the offi-
ciousness of the clerk. "And whom do you wish to rescind?"

"Alusz Iphigenia Eperje-Tokay."

The clerk's eyebrows rose. "You, sir, are Kokor Hekkus?" He
spoke with awe.

"No."

The clerk made nervous movements. "The fee is large. Ten

billion SVU."

Gersen opened the flat black case he was carrying, withdrew
packets of bank notes in 100,000 SVU denominations: the largest
in circulation. "Here is the money."

"Yes, ves. . .. But-well, I must inform you that Kokor Hekkus
has already deposited with us over nine billion SVU."

"Here is ten billion. Count it."

The clerk made a flustered sound. "You are within your rights.
The guest is admittedly 'available.' " With trembling fingers he
touched the money. "I will need help to count so much money."

Counting and fake-metering the money occupied six men four

THE KILLING ^lACHINE 279

hours. The clerk signed a receipt with a nervous flourish. "Very
well, sir; here you are. I will send for the guest whose fees you have
rescinded. She will be here at once." And he muttered under his
breath: "Kokor Hekkus will not enjoy this. Someone will suffer."

Ten minutes later Alusz Iphigenia arrived at the office. Her face
was strained and wild; her eyes were bright with fear. She stared at
Gersen without recognizing him; then went to the door as if to run
out across the desert. Gersen restrained her. "Calm yourself," he
told her. "I am not Kokor Hekkus; I have no designs upon you:

consider yourself safe."

She looked at him incredulously, looked again, and now Gersen
thought she recognized him.

"There is another matter," said the clerk. He addressed Alusz
Iphigenia. "Since you are acting in the peculiar capacity of your
own sponsor, the money, minus our 12'/2 percent fee, is yours."

Alusz Iphigenia stared at him apparently without comprehen-
sion. "I suggest," said Gersen, "that you prepare a bank draft, so
that she need not carry around so much negotiable currency."

There was a flurry of consultation, a shrugging of shoulders, a
flutter of hands; finally the bank draft was drawn upon the Planetary
Bank of Sasani at Sagbad, in the sum of SVU 8,749,993,581: ten
billion minus 12 Vi percent, minus charges of SVU 6,419 for special
AA accommodation.

Gersen scrutinized the document with suspicion. "Presumably
this is a valid draft? You have funds to cover?"

"Naturally," declared the official. "Indeed, Kokor Hekkus has
deposited to our account a sum appreciably in excess of this
amount."

"Very well," said Gersen, "this is acceptable." He turned to
Alusz Iphigenia. "Come. The bus is waiting."

Still she hesitated, looking right and left as if again contem-
plating flight across the Da'ar-Rizm. But now one of the flying
black insects struck her, clung to her arm; she brushed it off with
a cry of fear.

"Come," said Gersen once again. "You can have either Kokor
Hekkus, the insects, or me; and I will neither violate you or eat you
alive."

Without further protest, she followed him to the bus. It
lurched, roared, rumbled: Interchange became a white and gray
tumble dimly glimpsed through the dust.

280 THE DEMON PRINCES

They sat side by side in the lurching bus. Then Alusz turned a
puzzled sidelong glance at Gersen. "Who are you?"

"No friend of Kokor Hekkus."

"What are-what are you going to do with me?"

"Nothing discreditable."

"Where are we going then? You don't understand the nature
of Kokor Hekkus; he will track us to the corners of the galaxy."

Gersen had no comment to make; the conversation came to an
end. In truth Gersen felt none too secure; they were still vulnerable
to interception. But the journey across the barrens passed without
incident.

The bus bounced into Sul Arsam; they boarded the waiting air-
ship and presently came down at the Nichae spaceport. To the side
stood the sleek new Armintor Starskip Gersen had bought in Sag-
bad. Alusz Iphigenia hesitated before she went aboard, then gave a
fatalistic shrug.

In Sagbad, there was a further delay at the Planetary Bank.
Interchange provided a hesitant and worried verification, sensing
something incorrect, yet at a loss to discover where. The chairman
of the Planetary Bank reluctantly told Gersen, "Through a set of
extraordinary circumstances, we have the sum in our vaults, rep-
resenting a set of large deposits from Interchange. They are in
notes of various denominations-"

"No matter; we will accept your count," said Gersen.

The money, Kokor Hekkus' laboriously accumulated hoard,
was packed into four cases, carried out into the hired air-car.

Now the Head Cashier came running out into the area. "A
communication from Interchange! For Mr. Wall!"

Gersen controlled his impulse to flee. He returned into the
bank. On the visiphone screen appeared the face of the Director;

behind stood a man Gersen did not recognize.

"Mr. Wall," said the Director, "there have been difficulties: this
is Achill Gogan, representing Kokor Hekkus. He earnestly desires
that you wait at Sagbad until he is able to confer with you."

"Certainly," said Gersen. "He may look for us at the Alamut
Hotel."

Gersen departed the bank, entered the air-car where Alusz Iph-
igenia waited despondently with the money. "To the spaceport,"
he told the pilot.

THE KILLING MACHINE 281

Twenty minutes later Sasani lay behind them; engaging the in-
tersplit, Gersen finally felt secure. The relief was intoxicating. He
sat down on a settee and began to laugh. Alusz Iphigenia, across
the cabin, watched with guarded interest. "Why do you laugh?"

"Because of how we were rescinded."

" 'We'?"

So she had not recognized him after all. Gersen came slowly
across the cabin, and she moved back a distrustful half-inch. "One
evening I spoke to you in the compound," said Gersen.

She studied him. "Now I remember you. The quiet man who
sits in the shadows. How did you find so much money?"

"I printed it myself-and this is what amuses me."

She stared at him in bewilderment. "But they tested it! They
accepted it!"

"Exactly. But here is the greatest joke of all: there is bleach in
the ink. In a week they will have nothing. The money I paid Kokor
Hekkus will be blank paper; the ten billion SVU will be blank pa-
per. I have swindled Kokor Hekkus! I have swindled Interchange!
Look: there is Kokor Hekkus' money!"

Alusz Iphigenia considered him dispassionately, then turned to
look back toward Sasani. She smiled: a pensive smile. "Kokor Hek-
kus will be angry. No man alive has such extravagant emotions as
Kokor Hekkus." She gave Gersen a look of something like wonder.
"He would spend ten billion to gain me-because I chose to make
this my price. And after he bought me"-she shuddered-"he
would derive ten billion SVU worth of use from me, by one means
or another. WTien he gets you what he will do-is unthinkable."

"Unless I kill him first."

"You will find it difficult. Sion Trumble is the cleverest war
chief of Thamber, and he has failed."

Gersen went to the galley, brought back a bottle of wine with
two goblets. Alusz Iphigenia first made a negative motion, then
thought better of it, and accepted the goblet. Gersen asked, "Do
you know why I rescinded you?"

"No." But she fidgeted uncomfortably and a slow pink flush
came into her face. Never, thought Gersen, had she seemed more
beautiful. "Because you can guide me to Thamber, where I will find
Kokor Hekkus and kill him."

The pink flush slowly subsided. She tasted the wine, gazed re-

282

TW DEMON PRINCFS

nectively into the goblet "I do not want to return to Thamber. I
desperately fear Kokor Hekkus. He will now be insane with anger "

"Nevertheless, that is where we must go."

She shook her head pensively "I cannot help you Where
Thamber lies I do not know."

The captured revolutionary Tedoro exhorts his fellow
prisoners

Allow nothing' Yield not so much as a quarter-inch' Eat
the food they give you, concede no more' Who are they
but villains3 Shame them' Defy them' Hesitation is a crack
m the steel, do you want them to bend you this way and
that and snap you in two5 Give nothing, yield nothing' If
the commandant permits that you may sit, prefer to stand'
If he gives you lined paper on which to write, write across
the lines'

Gersen stared at Alusz Iphigema incredulously Then he jumped
up to the control deck, disengaged the mtersplit- The fabric of the
ship exuded its almost human sigh of shock, the skin seemed to
twitch along their bodies.

Motors dead, the Armintor Starskip drifted free in space. Aquila
GB 1202 shone far astern, teetering at the edge of the psychological
distinction between sun and star.

Gersen went into the head, showered away the black skin-tone,
dressed in his usual space-garb shorts, sandals, a light singlet He
returned to the saloon to find Alusz Iphigema sitting where he had
left her, gazing at the floor

Gersen said nothing, but seated himself on the bench opposite,
thoughtfully sipped his wine Finally she spoke "Wliy did you turn
off the engines3"

"There is no point traveling at random Since we have no des-
tination we might as well remain here,"

284 1 HF DEMON PRINCF S

She shrugged, scowled. "Keep the money; take me to Earth. I
have no wish to hang foolishly out here in space."

Gersen shook his head. "I rescinded your fee at great risk to
myself-primarily to learn the whereabouts of Thamber. Second-
arily, I find you attractive as a woman. I agree with Kokor Hekkus
you are worth ten billion SVU "

Alusz Iphigenia said angrily, "You do not believe me' It is a
fact: I could not return to Thamber if it were the dearest wish of
mv life'"

"How did you leave2"

"Sion Trumble captured a small spaceboat in a raid on Omad
Island, which is Kokor Hekkus' spaceport. I read the Operator's
Manual, and it seemed simple enough. When Kokor Hekkus
threatened war on Gentilly unless my father gave me to him, I had
two choices. I could kill myself or I could leave Thamber. I left. In
the ship there was a Handbook of the Planets. It mentioned Sasam
and described Interchange as the only locality m the human uni-
verse safe from criminals."

She turned a scathing glance toward Gersen. "This is inaccu-
rate. Interchange apparently is fair game for counterfeiters."

Gersen acknowledged the fact with a grin and by refilling his
wine glass. He hesitated before drinking it the bottle had been left
alone in the cabin while he showered- not inconceivably the woman
had poisoned it. He put the glass aside. "And who is Sion Trum-
ble?"

"The Prince of Vadrus, on the western border of Misk. We
were to have been betrothed.. . . He is a brave warrior, and has
done many noteworthy deeds."

"I see." Gersen ruminated. "Don't you know the way you came,
from Thamber to Sasam2"

"I set the astrogation dials for Sasam, and left Thamber behind.
I know only this and no more. Kokor Hekkus is the only man of
Thamber to own a spaceship."

"What is the name of your sun3"

"Just'Sun.'"

"Is it somewhat orange7"

"Yes. How did you know2"

"Deduction. WTiat does the night sky look like2 Are there any
unusual objects in the sky2 Any nearby double or triple stars2"

"No. Nothing unusual."

THE KILLING MACHINE 285

"Have there been any recent novae nearby?"

"What are 'novae'?"

"Stars suddenly exploding to give off great amounts of light."

"No, nothing like that."

"What of the Milky Way? Do you see it as a band around the
sky, as a cloud, or how2"

"A ribbon of light streams across the night sky during winter:

is that what you mean2"

"Yes. Apparently you're out toward the fringes."

"That may be." Alusz Iphigenia was unenthusiastic.

"W^hat about tradition2" asked Gersen. "Are there old tales of
Earth, or any of the other worlds2"

"Nothing very definite. ... A few legends, a few old songs." She
regarded him with an expression that seemed faintly derisive. "How
is it that your Star Directory and your Handbook to the Planets can't
tell you what you want to know?"

"Thamber is a lost world. Whoever ruled Thamber in the an-
cient days kept the secret well. There's no information now-ex-
cept a nursery rhyme:

Set a course from the old Dog Star
A point to the north of Achernar;

Sleight your ship to the verge extreme
And dead ahead shines Thamber's gleam."

Alusz Iphigenia smiled faintly. "I know that too: all of it."
"'AlP? There's more?"
"Indeed. You've left out the middle. It goes:

Set a course from the old Dog Star
A point to the north of Achernar;

Fare until, on the starboard beam,

Six red suns toward a blue sun stream.

Sleight your ship to where afar

A cluster hangs like a scimitar.

Under the hilt to the verge extreme

And dead ahead shines Thamber's gleam."

"Well, well," said Gersen. He rose to his feet, )umped up to the
control deck, set dials, threw power back into the Jarnell System.

THE DEMON PRINCF.S

286

"Where are we going?" asked Alusz Iphigenia.

"Sinus-the Dog Star."

"You take the rhyme seriously?"

"I've heard no other directions; I've got to take it seriously or
do nothing whatever."

"Hmm." Alusz Iphigenia sipped the wine. "In that case, since
I've told you all I know, you will put me down at Sinus or perhaps
Earth?"

"No."

"But-I know no more than I've told you!"

"You know the look of Thamber's constellations. Your rhyme,
if it ever gave accurate directions, is a thousand years old or more.
Sinus and Achernar have both shifted. We might arrive somewhere
near Thamber-hopefully within ten or twenty light years. Then
we'd have to use the old trick of lost star-travelers: they scan the
sky until in some quarter they find a familiar constellation. There
will only be one, and this in miniature, for it will be directly behind
their home planet. All other constellations will be distorted; and
even this constellation will have intervening stars superimposed
upon it: notably the home sun. Nevertheless-there is always the
one familiar constellation to search for, and if you find it, you head
for it, and presently, when it grows to its familiar size, your home
world is close at hand."

"What if you can't find a familiar constellation?"

"You can still find your way home. You must fly up or down,
normal to the plane of the galaxy, until you can see the whole
spread of it, and then there are landmarks to be found. This re-
quires much time, much energy, much wear and strain upon the
Jarnell. If anything goes wrong-then you are lost indeed, for there
is nothing more to do and you float in space looking down on the
home galaxy spreading below like a carpet until your energy fails
and then you die." Gersen shrugged. "I have never been lost." He
raised his glass of wine, eyed it warily, then went to the galley and
brought out a new bottle. "Tell me of Thamber."

Alusz Iphigenia spoke for two hours while Gersen leaned back on
the settee sipping wine. It was a pleasant experience, watching and
listening; for a period the realities of his existence were far away.
. . . Alusz Iphigenia mentioned Aglabat, the city behind a wall of
dark brown stone, and Gersen roused himself. Enervation was a

THE KILLING MACHINE

287

danger. His stay at Interchange had done him no good. He had
become pliable, easily distracted. . . . Nevertheless he relaxed again,
sipping wine, listening to Alusz Iphigenia. . . .

Thamber was a wonderful world. No one knew when the first
man had arrived; the time was lost in the past. There were various
continents, subcontinents, peninsulas, and a great archipelago of
tropical islands. Alusz Iphigenia was native to Uraszane in Gentilly,
a principality on the western shore of the smallest continent. To
the east was Vadrus, ruled by Sion Trumble, and beyond the Land
of Misk. The remainder of the continent, except for a number of
feuding states on the east coast, was wilderness inhabited by bar-
barians. Similar conditions prevailed on the other continents. Alusz
Iphigenia mentioned a score of peoples, each of distinctive char-
acter. Certain of these produced great music and pageants of heart-
stopping grandeur; others were fetishists and murderers ruled by
ogres. In the mountains lived bandit chieftains and arrogant lord-
lings, each secure in his castle. Everywhere were wizards and war-
locks, capable of the most astounding feats, and one weird area to
the north of the largest continent was ruled by fiends and demons.
The native flora and fauna were complex, rich and beautiful, and
sometimes dangerous; there were sea-monsters, scaled wolves of the
tundra, the horrid dnazd of the mountains to the north of Misk.

Technology and the ways of modern living were unknown on
Thamber. Even the Brown Bersaglers of Kokor Hekkus carried
only voulgues and daggers, while the knights of Misk were armed
with swords and crossbows. Between Misk and Vadrus there was
intermittent strife, with Gentilly usually allied with Vadrus. Sion
Trumble was a man of heroic valor, but he never had been able to
overcome the Brown Bersaglers. In a tremendous battle, he had
repelled the barbarians of the Skar Sakau, who had thereupon
turned their full fury to the south, upon the Land of Misk, where
they had been raiding villages, destroying outposts, and spreading
devastation.

Gersen listened with wonder. The romantic legends regarding
Thamber had not been exaggerated; if anything they were under-
stated. He said as much to Alusz Iphigenia, who shrugged. "Tham-
ber is a world of romantic deeds, certainly. The castles have great
halls where the bards sing and pavilions where maidens dance to
the music of lutes, but below are dungeons and torture chambers.
The knights are a magnificent sight in their armor and their flags,

THE UK.MON PRINCES

288

and then in the snows of Skava Steppe their legs are hacked off by
the Skodolak nomads, and they lie helpless until the wolves tear
them to pieces. The witches brew philters and the wizards send up
the smoke of dreams, and also infect their enemies with blights. . . .
Two hundred years ago the great heroes lived. Tyier Trumble con-
quered Vadrus and built the city Carrai where Sion Trumble now
rules. Jadask Dousko found Misk a land of herdsmen and Aglabat
a fishing village. In ten years he had created the first Brown Corps,
and there has been war ever since." She sighed. "In Draszane life
is relatively calm; we have four ancient colleges, hundreds of bib-
liotheques. Gentilly is a peaceful old country, but Misk and Vadrus
somehow are different. Sion Trumble wants me for his queen-but
would there ever be peace and happiness? Or would he always be
fighting Skodolaks or the Tadousko-Oi or the Sea-Helms? And
always Kokor Hekkus, who now will be implacable. . . ."

Gersen was silent.

Alusz Iphigenia went on. "At Interchange I read books-of
Earth and the Concourse and Aloysius. I know how you live. And
at first I wondered why Kokor Hekkus stayed so long at Aglabat,
why he fought with swords when he could fit out the Brown Ber-
saglers with energy weapons. But there is no mystery'. He needs
emotion as other men need food. He craves excitement and horror
and hate and lust. He finds it in the Land of Misk. But someday
he will dare too much and Sion Trumble will kill him." She laughed
sadly. "Or someday Sion Trumble will attempt a particularly lu-
dicrous act of valor and Kokor Hekkus will kill him-which will be
a pity."

"Hmmf," said Gersen. "You are fond of this Sion Trumble?"

"Yes. He is kind and generous and brave. He would not think
to rob even Interchange."

Gersen grinned sourly. "I'm more the Kokor Hekkus type. . . .
What of the rest of the planet?"

"Everywhere it is different. In Birzul, the Godmus keeps a
harem often thousand concubines. Every day he enlists ten maidens
and discharges ten, or if he happens to he in a bad humor drowns
them. In Calastang, the Divine Eye rides through the city carried
on a vermilion altar forty yards long and forty yards high. The
Lathcar Gentry keep racing-men-slave runners especially bred
and trained for the Lath Race Meets. The Tadousko-Oi build their
villages on the highest crags and steepest cliffs, and throw down

THE KILLING M4CHINE

289

the crippled and infirm. They are Thamber's fiercest warriors, the
Tadousko-Oi, and they have leagued themselves to raze the walls
of Aglabat. And they will succeed, because the Brown Bersaglers
cannot withstand them."

"Have you ever seen Kokor Hekkus close at hand?"

"Yes."

"What does he look like?"

"Give me paper and pen; I will show you."

Gersen brought her writing materials. She made tentative
marks, then worked more swiftly. Line Joined line, areas became
defined: a face looked forth from the paper. It was an intelligent
alert face; under a tall square forehead the eyes were wide and
inquiring. The hair was rich, dark, lustrous; the nose was short and
straight, the mouth rather small. Alusz Iphigenia sketched in the
torso, the legs, to depict a man somewhat over average height, with
broad shoulders, a narrow waist, long legs. The body might well
have been that of both Billy Windle and Seuman Otwal; the face
in no way resembled the keen jutting countenance of Seuman
Otwal, and Gersen had never distinctly seen Billy Windle.

Alusz Iphigenia watched him as he studied the picture, and gave
a shudder. "I can't understand cruelty-killing-hate. You are al-
most as frightening as Kokor Hekkus."

Gersen put the sketch aside. "When 1 was small, my home was
destroyed, and all my kin-except for my grandfather. Even then I
knew the course of my life was arranged. I knew that I w^uld one
by one kill the five men who had conducted the raid. This has been
my life, I have no other. I am not evil; I am beyond good and evil-
like the killing machine Kokor Hekkus built."

"And I am unlucky enough to be useful to you," said Alusz
Iphigenia.

Gersen grinned. "You probably will prefer being useful to me
than to Kokor Hekkus, since all I ask is that you guide me to Tham-
ber."

"You are gallant," said Alusz Iphigenia, and Gersen could not
decide whether her remark carried a barb or not.

Sirius burnt white ahead, with off to the side the yellow-white star
that had nurtured the human race. Alusz Iphigenia contemplated it
wistfully, turned to Gersen as if to plead with him, then thought
better of it and held her tongue.

290 Till DFMON PRINCES

Gersen pointed to Achernar, at the source of the River Rn-
danus "A point 11 '/4° north is the plane ot galactic north containing
the Sinus-Achernar line But the rhyme must be a thousand years
old, perhaps longer-so first we take ourselves to the position of
Sinus a thousand years ago Not too difficult Then we calculate
Achernar's apparent position of a thousand years ago-again not
too difficult Using these two new points, then we angle north 111/4°
and hope for the best And since I've already made the computa-
tions    " lie carefully ad)usted the verniers, Sinus swung grandly
away to the side

Presently the Jarnell snapped out, the Starskip drifted in un-
fractured ether Gersen turned the bow toward the point Achernar
had occupied a thousand years before, then swung up 1VA° in a
plane parallel to the north-south galactic axis "Here goes " He
engaged the mterspht, the Starskip and its contents, deprived of
inertia and Einstemian constrictions, slid with near-mstantaneity
along the generated fracture "Now we must watch for six red stars
They may or may not he streaming toward a blue star, they may
or may not be on the starboard beam, unless the rhyme intends
that the dorsal-ventral plane of the ship lie parallel to the north-
south galactic axis    "

Time went by Near stars slid across stars more distant, which in
turn slid across the even farther specks of light behind.

Gersen became edgy He expressed doubt that Alus/ Iphigema
had remembered the rhyme correctly She replied with a shrug in-
dicating small concern one way or the other, and presently offered
the con)ecture that Gersen had made a mistake in his computations

"How long was your trip to Interchange^" He had asked her
this before, but always she had given him a vague answer, as now
she did again "I slept a great deal 'lime seemed to go swiftly "

Gersen began to suspect that the rhyme had taken them on a
wild goose chase, that 1 hamber lay in a different quarter of the
galaxy, and that Alus/ Iphigema knew this fact \ery well.

Alusz Iphigema was aware of his dubiousness, and it was with
a note of vindication that she pointed ahead to six beautihil red
giants strung out in a down-curving line toward a great blue star.

Gersen's only comment was a grudging, "Well, they seem to
be on our starboard beam, so rhyme and calculations both aren't

THE KILLING MACHINE

291

too far off." He disengaged the Jarnell; the Starskip drifted. "Now
a cluster shaped like a scimitar, probably a naked-eye ob)ect."

"There." Alusz Iphigema pointed. "Thamber is nearby."

"How do you know^"

"The cluster like the scimitar. In Gentilly we call it the God-
Boat. Though from here it looks different."

Gersen turned the ship toward the "hilt"; once again he cut in
the mterspht; the boat slipped forward. Directly through the cluster
they flew, with stars all around, and then came out into a region
only sparsely populated. "It's a fact," said Gersen, "We're at the
edge of the galaxy: the 'verge extreme.' Somewhere, dead ahead,
should be chamber's gleam.' "

Dead ahead lay a sparse scatter of stars,

"The sun is G8-orange," said Gersen. "Which is the orange
sun3 . .. There. That one."

The orange star appeared something to the side and below.
Gersen cut off the mterspht. He ad)usted the macroscope, which
revealed a single planet. He raised the magnification, continents and
seas swam into focus. "Thamber," said Alusz Iphigenia Eper)e-
Tokay.

10

There is a human quality that cannot be precisely named:

possibly the most nohle of all human qualities. It includes
but is larger than candor, generosity, comprehension, nice-
ness of distinction, intensity, steadiness of purpose, total
commitment. It is participation in all human perceptions,
recollection of all human history. It is characteristic of every
great creative genius and can never be learned: learning in
this regard is bathos-the dissection of a butterfly, a spec-
troscope turned to the sunset, the psychoanalysis of a laugh-
ing girl. The attempt to learn is self-destructive; when
erudition comes in, poetry departs. How common the man
of intellect who cannot feel! How trifling are his judgments
against those of the peasant who derives his strength, like
Antaeus, from the emotional sediment of the race! Essen-
tially the tastes and preferences of the intellectual elite, de-
rived from learning, are false, doctrinaire, artificial, shrill,
shallow, uncertain, eclectic, jejune, and insincere.

. . . Life, Volume IV, by Unspiek, Baron Bodissey

The critics discuss Baron Bodissey's Life:

A monumental work if you like monuments. . . . One is
irresistibly put in mind of the Laocoon group, with the
good baron contorted against the coils of common sense,
and the more earnest of his readers likewise endeavoring to
disengage themselves.

. . . Panct'etic Review, St. Stephen, Boniface

THE KILLING MACHINE 293

Ponderously the great machine ingests its bales of lore;

grinding, groaning, shuddering, it brings forth its product:

small puffs of acrid vari-colored vapor.

. . . Excahbur, Patris, Krokinole

Six volumes of rhodomontade and piffle.

. . . Academia, London, Earth

Egregious, ranting, boorish, unacceptable-

. . . The Rigellian, Avente, Alphanor

Sneers jealously at the careers of better men. ... Im-
possible not to feel honest anger.

. . . Galactic Quarterly, Baltimore, Earth

Tempting to picture Baron Bodissey at work in the Ar-
cadian habitat he promulgates, surrounded by admiring
goatherds.

. . . El Orchide, Serle, Quantique

It was morning over the continent Despaz. Alusz Iphigenia
pointed out the geographical divisions. "To the south, the long strip
under the Skar Sakau Mountains, along the seacoast-that is the
Land of Mtsk. Aglabat is hard to see; it is brown and merges with
the landscape, but it is there, where the coast curves inland." She
pointed.

"And where is your home?"

"To the west. First is Vadrus over that arm of mountains. You
can see the city Carrai: a patch of white and gray. Then there are
more mountains and Gentilly lies beyond. There, where the sun-
light is just touching-Gendlly." She turned away from the macro-
scope. "But naturally you will never go there. Nor to Carrai."

"Why not?"

"Because neither my father nor Sion Trumble would allow me
to be your slave."

Without comment, Gersen bent over the macroscope, studied
the landscape for the better part of an hour, while the planet rolled
over into the sunlight.

"A number of things are clear," he said at last, "and a number
of things aren't so clear. For instance, how I can approach Kokor

294 THE DEMON PRINCES

Hekkus without being killed? He undoubtedly has radar and quite
possibly sky-bolts to protect his city. We must land somewhere
beyond the range of detection devices, and the most convenient
spot seems to be beyond those mountains."

"And after you land-what then?"

"In order to kill Kokor Hekkus, first I find him. To find him,
I'll have to look for him."

"What of me?" complained Alusz Iphigenia woefully. "I left
Thamber to escape Kokor Hekkus; now you bring me back. After
you are killed, which is certain, what then? Must I return to Inter-
change?"

"It seems that our interests coincide," said Gersen. "We both
want Kokor Hekkus dead. Neither wants him aware of our presence
on Thamber. We will stay together."

He turned the Starskip down toward Thamber, standing well
to the north of the mountains called the Skar Sakau. After careful
inspection of the terrain, he found an isolated col under a great
peak and there he landed. To right and left stood other wind-lashed
peaks, laced with glaciers; below and to the south spread a jumble
of ridges, chasms, precipices: as wild a region as any Gersen had
known, W^hile waiting for air pressure to equalize, he lowered the
little air-car from its pod, armed himself with his various weapons,
wrapped himself in a cape, as did Alusz Iphigenia. He opened the
port, Jumped down upon the soil of Thamber. The sun was bright;

the air was cold; the wind mercifully was still. Alusz Iphigenia joined
him, to stand looking around with an air of repressed exhilaration,
as if in spite of her fears she was happy to be home. She turned to
Gersen and spoke impulsively. "You're not an evil man, in spite of
what you say about yourself. You've treated me kindly-more
kindly that I could have expected. Why not give over this fantastic
scheme of yours? Kokor Hekkus is secure behind the walls ofAgla-
bat, not even Sion Trumble can threaten him. What can you do?
To kill him you must bring him forth, you must defeat all his cruel
ruses. And never forget that in all the universe he most wishes to
meet you."

"I'm aware of this," said Gersen.

"And you still persist? You must be a lunatic or a sorcerer."

"No."'

"Then you have made plans?"

"How can I make plans when I have no facts? That's what we're

THE KILLIXG MACHINE 295

going out for now. See this box?" He nudged a black metal case
with his toe. "I can sit at a distance of ten miles and send a spy-
cell into Aglabat, to learn whatever I need to know."

Alusz Iphigenia had no rebuttal to make. Gersen appraised the
Starskip, the surrounding mountains; surely no wandering barbar-
ians would come so high or so far. Divining his thoughts, Alusz
Iphigenia said, "They keep to the south of the Skar, where their
flocks find sustenance, where the granaries ofMisk are near at hand-
If we fly south, we will see their villages. They are the most fero-
cious fighters alive, using only daggers and bare hands."

Gersen packed the black case aboard the air-boat, which, unlike
the flying platform carried by his old Model 9B, was equipped with
a transparent dome and comfortable seats. Alusz Iphigenia stepped
aboard, Gersen joined her, closed down the dome. The boat rose,
skidded off down the col, then south through the soaring juts and
crags. Never had Gersen seen such awesome scenery. Cliffs rose
sheer from crevasse-like valleys in which wound a dim metal tendril
of a river, visible only because the orange sun hung at noon. Chasm
opened into chasm; winds roaring through collided and buffeted
the air-car. Occasionally a waterfall plunged from the lip of a crag,
to fray and wave like a wisp of white silk.

Crag after crag, ridge after ridge slipped behind, and the lay of
the valleys was to the south. Far below, forests and meadows could
be seen, and presently Alusz Iphigenia pointed to what seemed a
complicated crumble of rock pasted to an almost sheer crag. "A
village of the Tadousko-Oi. They'll think us a magic bird."

"So long as they don't shoot us down."

"They use only boulders to roll upon their enemies and bows
and catapults for their hunting." Gersen nevertheless gave the vil-
lage a wide berth, swinging across toward the opposite cliff wall,
the surface of which seemed curiously humped and pocked. Only
when within a hundred yards did he realize he was approaching
another village, clinging with incredible precariousness to the bar-
ren rock. He glimpsed a few dark figures; on a roof a man aimed
a weapon. Gersen cursed, swerved; but a short sharp metal dart spat
through the fore-part of the air-boat, which gave a jerk, a lurch,
then sagged.

Alusz Iphigenia cried out, Gersen hissed between his teeth. Not
two hours on Thamber and already faced with disaster! "The front

296 I HP DFMON PRINCES

lift-vanes are gone," he said, trying to speak calmly. "We're in no
danger, don't be frightened We'll return to the ship."

But this was obviously impossible the air-boat hung at an
alarming angle, suspended on the center and rear vanes alone

"We'll have to land," said Gersen "1 may be able to repair the
damage... I thought you said these people had no weapons."

"It must have been a cross-bow captured from Kokor Hekkus.
I can think of no other explanation. . . . I'm truly sorry."

"It's no fault of yours." Gersen gave his full attention to the
plunging air-boat, trying to hold it on a manageable slant as they
settled into the valley. At the last instant, he cut off the rear )ets,
pushed the propulsion hard over, and for an instant held the craft
on an even keel, and so they came down easily on a gravel terrace
fifty feet above the river.

Gersen stiffly alighted, went to inspect the damage. His heart
sank.

"How bad is it^" asked Alusz Iphigema anxiously.

"Very bad. I might be able to get us back to the ship, by sliding
the center vane forward, or something similar. . . . Well, to work."
He brought out such tools as the standard equipment afforded, and
set to work. An hour passed. Noon sunlight left the valley, blue
shadows collected, with them came a dank chill smelling of snow
and wet stone. Alusz Iphigema tugged at Gersen's arm. "Quick'
Hide! The Tadousko-Oi."

Startled, Gersen let himself be dragged into a cleft among the
rocks. A moment later he saw one of the strangest sights of his
lifetime. Down the valley came twenty or thirty large centipedes,
each mounted by five men. The centipedes, Gersen noted, were
similar to the fort built by Patch Construction, but much smaller.
They ran smoothly over the stones, almost flowing. The riders were
an ill-favored lot-massively muscled men whose maroon skins
were burnished like old leather. Their eyes were stony and staring,
their mouths harsh, their noses heavy and hooked They wore
clumsy garments of black leather, helmets of crude iron and black
leather; each carried a lance, an ax, and a heavy dagger.

At the sight of the disabled air-car, the band drew up in sur-
prise. "At least they weren't sent out to pick us up," whispered
Gersen.

Alusz Iphigema said nothing They were pressed close together

THE KILLING MACHINE 297

m the cleft: even in the extremity of the circumstances he felt a
tingling at the contact.

The Tadousko-Oi had surrounded the air-car. A number
alighted, and conversed in a harsh mumble. They began to look up
and down the valley. It was only a matter of seconds before one of
them would investigate the cleft.

Gersen whispered to Alusz Iphigema, "Stay here. I'll distract
them." He stepped forward, stood with thumbs hooked in his
weapon harness. For a moment the warriors stood staring, then one
who wore a helmet more complicated than the others came slowly
forward. He spoke: harsh grumbling words apparently derived from
the ancient universal tongue, but incomprehensible to Gersen. The
slate-colored eyes of the chief-this seemed to be his rank-flicked
past Gersen in new surprise. Alusz Iphigenia had come forward.
She spoke in a rough approximation of the Tadousko-Oi language;

the chief replied. The remaining warriors sat motionless, Gersen
had never seen a tableau more sinister.

Alusz Iphigenia spoke to Gersen. "I have told him that we are
enemies of Kokor Hekkus, that we come from a far world to kill
him. The hetman says that they are embarked on a raid, that they
are to join with other bands, and that they plan to attack Aglabat."

Gersen appraised the hetman once more. "Ask him if he can
provide transportation back to our ship. I'll pay him well."

Alusz Iphigenia spoke; the hetman gave a grunt of grim humor.
He spoke; Alusz Iphigenia translated.

"He refuses. All the company are intent m this great raid. He
says that if we like we can (om the raiding party. I told him that
you preferred to repair the air-boat."

The hetman spoke: Gersen caught the word "dnazd" used sev-
eral times. Alusz Iphigema turned-after a curious hesitation-to
Gersen. "He says that we can't survive the night here, that the
dnazd will kill us."

"What is the'dnazd'?"

"A great beast. This place is called the Valley of the Dnazd."

The hetman spoke again in his dull grumbling voice, Gersen's
ear, accustomed to extracting meaning from the thousand and one
dialects and variants of the universal tongue, began to penetrate the
hoarseness and glottal overtones. The hetman, for all the ominous
sound to his voice, did not seem hostile. Gersen gathered that it
was below the dignity of a war party such as this to prey upon

298 1HF DEMON PRINCES

helpless wanderers. "You say you are enemies of Kokor Hekkus,"
seemed to be the essence of his words "In that case the man will
be anxious to )om the war party-if, that is to say, he is a fighting
man, as he may be in spite of his unhealthy pallor."

Alusz Iphigenia translated. "lie says that this is a war party.
Your pale skin gives him the impression that you are sick. He says
that if we wish to come, it will be in a menial capacity. There will
be much work and much danger "

"Hmm. Is that what he says3"

"Words to that effect."

It was apparent that Alus? Iphigenia had no wish to join the
war party. Gersen said, "Ask the hetman if there is any means by
which we can return to the ship."

Alusz Iphigenia asked the question; the hetman seemed sardon-
ically amused. "If you can escape the dnazd, if you can find your
way over two hundred miles of mountains without food and shel-


ter.

Alusz Iphigenia translated in a hollow voice. "He says he can't
help us: we can try if we like." She looked at the air-boat. "Can we
repair this3"

"I don't think so Not unless I find tools. We had better go
with these people-at least until something better offers."

Alusz Iphigenia reluctantly translated Gersen's words. The
chieftain gave an uninterested assent; he motioned, one of the
mounts that carried only four warriors approached, Gersen climbed
up on the pad that served as saddle, pulled Alusz Iphigenia up into
his lap. This was the closest contact he had ever made with her, it
seemed amazing that he had restrained himself so long. She seemed
to be thinking similar thoughts, and gave him a pensive look. For
a space she held herself as rigid as possible, then gradually relaxed.

The centipedes ran smooth as oil down the valley moved the
war party along an almost invisible trail that led up and down, over
boulders, through gaps, cracks, and crevices. Occasionally when the
valley walls closed tight together, with the Thamber sky a strip of
dark blue ribbon and the water a rushing black syrup, the procession
ascended the clifts. The warriors kept utter silence, the centipede-
mounts made no sound, there was nothing to be heard but sigh of
wind and sound of water. Gersen became ever more conscious of
the warm body leaning against him. He reminded himself wistfully
that indulgences of this sort were not for him, that his life was

THE A/LL/VC, MACHINE 299

predestined to grief and doom-but his cells and nerves and in-
stincts protested, and his arms tightened around Alusz Iphigenia.
She looked around; he saw that her face was abstracted, melancholy,
that her eyes were bright with something like tears. WTly in the
world is she melancholy^ Gersen wondered. The circumstances
were unfortunate, vexatious, but still short of desperate; if anything
the Tadousko-Oi had treated them with courtesy. . . A halt inter-
rupted his thoughts. The hetman was consulting a group of lieu-
tenants; their attention was fixed high above, upon a crag where
Gersen made out another of the dull crumbles he now knew for a
village.

Alusz Iphigenia shifted in his arms. "This is an enemy village,"
she told him. "The Tadousko-Oi feud among themselves."

The hetman gave a signal, three scouts dismounted, ran ahead,
testing the path. A hundred yards ahead, they croaked out in gut-
tural alarm, sprang back, as a slab of rock crashed across the trail.

The warriors stirred no muscle. The scouts continued along
the trail, disappeared. Half an hour later they returned.

The hetman signaled. One after another the mounts surged
forward. From far above, objects like gray peas appeared, falling
with odd slowness, almost floating. But size and speed were illusory;

the objects were boulders that smashed to splinters along the trail.
The warriors, showing no concern, avoided the fall by speeding,
slowing, darting ahead, halting. WTien Gersen and Alusz Iphigenia
were carried past, the fall of boulders had halted.

Beyond the village the valley broadened to a crescent-shaped
meadow with a feathery forest along the river. Mere, the lead mount
stopped short, and for the first time a grumble of words passed
down the line: "Dnazd."

But the dnazd was not in evidence. The party, crouching low
on their mounts, timorously continued across the meadow.

The day had gone dark. High above, a few wisps of cirrus
burned bronze in the dying sunlight. The party presently entered
a cleft in the rocks-hardly more than a crevice-along which the
mounts could squeeze only by folding their legs back At times
Gersen might have touched the walls to either side. The crack wid-
ened, became a circular area floored with sand. All alighted; the
mounts were taken to the side, shackled together. Certain warriors
dipped leather buckets in a nearby pool, fed the mounts buckets of
water and what looked to be powdered blood. Others made small

THE DEMON PRINCES

300

fires, hung pots on tripods, and began to boil up a rank-smelling
stew.

The hetinan and his lieutenants sat together, conferring in un-
dertones. The hetman glanced toward Gersen and Alusz Iphigenia,
made a movement; two of the warriors set up a kind of tent of black
cloth. Alusz Iphigenia exhaled a soft sigh, turned her eyes to the
ground.

The stew was cooked; each warrior took an iron bowl from
inside his helmet, dipped it into the pot, careless to steam and boil-
ing stew. Having no bowls, Gersen and Alusz Iphigenia sat pa-
tiently, while the warriors ate with fingers and slabs of hard bread.
The first to finish polished his bowl with sand, brought it politely
to Gersen, who accepted with thanks, dipped into the stew, brought
the bowl to Alusz Iphigenia, an act which evoked an amused rumble
of comment. Another bowl was forthcoming and now Gersen ate.
The stew was not unpleasant, though salty and seasoned with an
odd peppery spice; the bread was hard, and tasted like burning
weeds. The warriors squatted around the fires without laughing or
horseplay.

The hetman rose, went to the tent. Gersen looked about for a
place for himself and Alusz Iphigenia. It would be a chilly night,
for they had only their cloaks. The Tadousko-Oi, who had even
less, evidently planned to lay themselves down before the fire. . . .
The warriors were looking at Alusz Iphigenia in a puzzled manner.
Gersen looked at her also. She sat staring into the fire, arms
wrapped around knees: nothing to excite perplexity. In the opening
to the tent the hetman appeared, frowning impatiently. He beck-
oned to Alusz Iphigenia.

Gersen slowly rose to his feet. Alusz Iphigenia, without lifting
her eyes from the fire, said in a soft voice: "To the Tadousko-Oi,
women are a lower species. . -. They keep their women in common,
and the highest ranking warrior sleeps with what is available-
first."

Gersen looked toward the hetman. "Explain that this is not our
custom."

Alusz Iphigenia looked slowly up at him. "We can do nothing;

we are-"

"Tell him."

Alusz Iphigenia turned to the hetman, spoke Gersen's words.
The warriors sitting around the fire became still. The hetman

THE KILLING MACHINE 301

seemed startled, and came two paces forward. He spoke: "In your
own land, you are obliged to observe your own customs; but this is
the Skar Sakau, and here our ways must hold. Is this pale man the
highest ranking warrior present? No, of course not. Therefore, you,
the pale woman must come to my tent. This is the way of the Skar
Sakau."

Gersen did not wait for the translation. "Tell him that I am an
extremely high-ranked warrior in my own land; that if you sleep
with anyone it shall be with me."

To this the hetman responded, not discourteously. "Again, this
is the Skar Sakau. I am the hetman, no man can resist me; it is
beyond dispute that I outrank the pale man. So come, woman, let
there be an end to this undignified parley."

Gersen said, "Tell him that I am more highly ranked-that I
am a Space-Admiral, a Ruler, a Lord-anything that he will un-
derstand."

She shook her head, rose to her feet. "I had best obey."

"Tell him."

"You will be killed," said Alusz Iphigenia.

"Tell him."

Alusz Iphigenia spoke. The chieftain came another two steps
forward, pointed to a burly young warrior. "Outrank this man,
trounce him thoroughly to emphasize his lowly condition."

The warrior doffed his upper harness. The hetman spoke, "The
pale man carries coward's weapons. Let him know that he must
fight as a man, either with dagger or his hands. He must remove
his fire-flashers."

Gersen's hand trembled toward his projac. But warriors nearby
would instantly have overpowered him. Slowly he handed his weap-
ons to Alusz Iphigenia, removed his jacket and singlet. His oppo-
nent carried a heavy double-edged dagger; Gersen thereupon
brought forth his own slim-bladed weapon.

An area of sand between three fires was cleared; warriors of the
Tadousko-Oi squatted about in a circle, liver-colored faces grave,
dispassionate, almost insect-like.

Gersen stepped forward, assessed his opponent. He was taller
than himself, with hard muscles and quick motions. He twitched
the heavy dagger as if it were a feather. Gersen held his blade
loosely. The young warrior moved his dagger in a hypnotic circle,
steel glimmering in the firelight.

THE DEMON PRINCES

302

Gersen made a sudden hard motion. His blade flashed through
the air, cut through the warrior's wrist, pinned it to his shoulder.
The dagger fell from limp fingers; he stared in numb wonder at his
helpless hand. Gersen stepped close, picked up the dropped
weapon, ducked a kick, struck the warrior over the ear with the flat
of the blade. The warrior tottered; Gersen struck him again; the
man fell to the ground in a daze.

Gersen recovered his dagger, politely placed the young war-
rior's weapon into its scabbard, returned to Alusz Iphigenia, and
began to dress himself in the clothes he had removed.

For the first time there was a murmur among the spectators:

neither applause, nor disapproval: merely a mild wonder, with a
hint of dissatisfaction.

All looked to the hetman, who now marched forward. He spoke
in a loud voice, in a careful sing-song rhythm: "Pale man, you have
defeated this young warrior. I cannot fault the unconventional
method employed, though we of the Tadousko-Oi hold it the way
of a weakling to stake all on a single cast. Moreover, nothing has
been proved, other than the fact that you outrank the young war-
rior. You must fight again." He searched among the faces, but Ger-
sen spoke. "Tell the hetman," he instructed Alusz Iphigenia, "that
my differences, in connection to where you shall spend the night,
are solely with him, and it is he with whom I choose to fight."

Alusz Iphigenia repeated the message in a low voice, and now
the audience sat stunned. The hetman was obviously surprised.
"Does he so choose? Does he not realize I am champion, the master
of all men I have so far faced? Explain to him that I am hetman,
that since he is not of the clan, such a fight must be to the death."

Alusz Iphigenia explained; Gersen said, "Inform the hetman
that I have no wish to prove my high rank; that I much prefer
sleeping to fighting, so long as he does not insist on your company."

Alusz Iphigenia spoke; the hetman removed his shirt. Then he
spoke. "We shall settle the question of rank quickly, for there may
not be two leaders to a war party. To avoid a coward's cast, we will
fight with bare hands."

Gersen appraised him: tall he stood, heavy but agile, with dark
flesh that seemed as hard as horn. He glanced down at Alusz Iph-
igenia who looked up at him fascinated, then slowly he stepped
forward. Beside the knotted dark body his own seemed pallid and
elastic. To test the hetman Gersen aimed an apparently random

THE KILLWG JVMCHINE 303

blow toward his head; instantly a hard hand seized his wrist, a foot
lashed out. Gersen disengaged his wrist with a jerk; he could have
seized the foot and flung the hetman over, but instead allowed the
toe barely to graze his hip. And he swung another left-handed blow
that landed, almost as if by accident, on the hetman's neck. It felt
like a tree trunk.

The hetman hopped forward, both feet at a time, in a peculiarly
disconcerting manner, both arms wide. Gersen punched at the out-
thrust face. He struck the left eye, but was caught up m an arm
lock, of a sort he had never experienced before, which in seconds
would snap his ulna. Gersen relaxed his knees, then sprang around
in a kind of mad somersault, kicking the hetman in the face and
wrenching his arm free. The hetman was less confident when Ger-
sen faced him next. He slowly raised both arms; Gersen struck at
the left eye. Again the hetman's foot lashed out, Gersen refrained
from seizing the ankle; again it grazed his hip. The hetman's eye
was swollen. As he sprang back after the kick, Gersen took advan-
tage of an instant's respite to scrape a hollow into the sand with his
foot. The hetman circled him. Gersen moved away, feinted; his
wrist was seized; a great hand hacked at the back of his neck. Gersen
dived instantly forward, put his shoulder to the hetman's rock-hard
belly; the blow slid off his shoulder. Gersen thrust forward; the
hetman pulled up a knee battering Gersen's chest. Gersen caught
the knee, shifted his position, caught the ankle, twisted; the hetman
was forced to fall to protect his knee; Gersen kicked him in the
right eye, jumped away from the sweep of the massive red arm. He
stood panting and sobbing, his chest aching; but the hetman's right
eye was closing. Gersen bent, carefully enlarged the hollow in the
sand. Glaring like a boar, the hetman watched him, then, apparently
casting caution aside, he rushed forward: Gersen moved aside; on
occasion he had exercised the same feigned recklessness. He Jabbed
at the hetman's left eye, but a dazzling fast blow of the hetman's
left hand crushed his wrist, causing intense pain and leaving his left
hand limp. This was a serious loss, but the hetman's right eye was
shut and his left eye was swollen. Ignoring the pain, Gersen flapped
his now useless left hand into the red face; again the left hand swung
up to hack; but Gersen caught the left wrist in his right hand, kicked
behind the left knee, butted into the hetman's neck, and the hetman
let himself sag, still perfectly controlled and coordinated. Grunting,
hissing bet-ween his teeth, Gersen hacked into the momentarily ex-

304 THE UFMON PRINCES

posed neck; the hetman, purple in the face, slashed out back-
handed; Gersen, who now was beginning to lose his agility, caught
the blow on his right forearm. It was like the impact of a sledge-
hammer; left and right hands both were useless. The two men stood
back, both sweating and gasping. Both of the hetman's eyes were
almost shut; Gersen strove to conceal the futility of his hands; it
would be fatal to display weakness. Summoning his last resources
he crouched, began to stalk the hetman: his arms held as if ready
to strike. The hetman roared out, made his two-footed )ump; Ger-
sen lurched to meet him, drove his right elbow into the black con-
tusion of the hetman's neck. The hetman's arms surrounded
Gersen, he began banging the side of his head against Gersen's
temple. Gersen sagged low, butted at the hetman's chin, kicked at
his knees. Both toppled, the hetman trying to swing Gersen under.
Gersen acceded to the impulse, augmented it, landed on top,
clenched in the wet maroon arms. He butted at the chin, at the
nose; the hetman tried to counter with snapping teeth, heaving and
lurching to roll to the top, which Gersen prevented with outspread
legs. He butted, the teeth scarred his forehead. He butted at the
nose, it broke. He butted again, battered down at the chin, again
the teeth lacerated his forehead-but the hetman could take no
more. He loosened his grip that he might place a forearm under
Gersen's neck, but Gersen had been waiting. He Jerked himself
free, sat upon the hetman's abdomen, then with his last energy
brought his head down against the bridge of the hetman's nose.

The hetman choked, relaxed, dazed by pain, fatigue, the blows
to neck and head. Gersen staggered to his feet, arms dangling. He
looked down at the great maroon body. Never had he fought so
terrible an antagonist. Was the hetman dead? Lesser blows had
killed lesser men.

Gersen stumbled to where Alusz Iphigenia sat sobbing. In a
slurred voice he said, "Tell the warriors to care for their hetman.
He is a great fighter, and the enemy of my enemy."

Alusz Iphigenia spoke. P'rom the onlookers came a dismal rum-
ble. Several warriors went to look down at the unconscious hetman,
then glanced toward Gersen. He stood swaying. Fires flickered cra-
zily, faces were a nightmare blur. He gasped for air, and looking
high glimpsed a cluster of stars shaped like a scimitar. . ..

Alusz Iphigenia had risen to her feet. "Come," she said, and
led him to the tent. None barred their way.

11

From "Smell Your Best," by Rudi Thumm, article in
Cosmopo/is, January, 1521:

Here is an excerpt from the catalog ofAEMISTHES:

Perfumes, Redolences, Essences, Pamfile, Zaccare, Quantique.
Each category is further amplified in the body of the cata-
log, with the nature and quality of the constituents exactly,
even redolently, defined.

Section I: Odors for Personal Use.

Beguilements:

: For the sorcelment

of a strange

maiden
; To induce a new

gallant
; To announce a

triumph
: To stupefy a noisy

child

: To welcome a lover
: To hint at revulsion

At festivals:

. Promenades
: Revels

: Tarantellas

In Solitude:

At gatherings:

: Small societies

: Occasions of
dignified
circumstance

: While discussing
family secrets

: At the god-yell

-morning

-evening

-rogue

-unpremeditated

et cetera

306 THE DEMON PRINCES

Section II: Ceremonial

Private occasions:

: For the house

-various essences
: For the lich-way
: For the ancient tree
: At water tasting

-morning

-twilight

: At occasions of grief
: At occasions of

remorse
: To celebrate a

murder

Public occasions:

: To lave the feet of

the Zatcoon
: To cast upon an

imminent

battlefield
: To facilitate flight
: To scent the wind
: To welcome good

fortune

et cetera

What you should learn from the foregoing is plain:

when you visit Zaccare, don't wear perfume-you may find
yourself involved in circumstances you didn't bargain for.
The people of this fantastic and beautiful land are as sen-
sitive to odors as the Sirenese are to music, and an appar-
ently insignificant daub of scent affords an astonishing
amount of information. As can be seen, every occasion re-
quires its correct perfume, and a mistake will seem utterly
ludicrous to the folk of Zaccare. Unless advised by a local,
go scentless. Better neutrality than gaucherie!

Perfume manufacture is big business in Zaccare. At
Pamfile, a hundred firms have their headquarters. From all
over the Oikumene, oils, extracts, and essences are im-
ported, with as many more collected in the nearby Tala-
langi Forest.

Here are samples of Zaccare fragrances:

(scented tabs attached to page of magazine).

Before dawn the warriors stirred, blew the coals ablaze, set their

stew a-simmer. The hetman, his head a mass of bruises, sat with
his back to a rock, looking dourly across the area. No one spoke to
him, nor he to anyone. From the tent came Gersen, followed by
Alusz Iphigenia. She had bound his left wrist, massaged his right

THE KILLING MACHINE 307

arm; aside from a thousand bruises, aches, and the sprain ot his left
wrist, he was not in bad condition. He walked to where the hetman
sat, and essayed to speak in the harsh dialect of the Skar Sakau.
"You tought'well."

"You fought better," mumbled the hetman. "Never since boy-
hood have I been beaten. I called you a coward. I was wrong. You
did not kill me; by this token you become a clan-fellow, and het-
man. What are your orders?"

"Suppose I ordered the party to conduct us to our ship?"

"You would not be obeyed. The men would ride off. I was as
you are now-war leader. Beyond this I had only such authority as
I was willing to enforce. And no more have you."

"In that case," said Gersen, "we will consider the events of last
night no more than friendly exercise. You are hetman, we are your
guests. WTien it suits us we shall part company."

The hetman lurched to his feet. "If these are your wishes, so
be it. We proceed against our enemy Kokor Hekkus, Ruler of
Misk."

The party presently was ready to proceed. A scout went to re-
connoiter the valley, but returned hurriedly. "Dnazd!"

"Dnazd!" went the subdued rumble of voices.

An hour passed; the sky brightened. The scout went forth again,
returned to signal that all was clear. Out into the winding valley
moved the procession, and away.

At noon the valley widened and, as the war party rounded a
bend, the notch made by the rocky slopes revealed a far view over
a sunny green land.

Ten minutes later they came to a spot where sixty or seventy
other centipedes stood tethered with warriors squatting nearby.
The hetman rode forward, conferred with others of similar rank;

without delay the entire troop moved off down the valley. An hour
before sunset, they came down out of the foothills into a rolling
savannah. Here grazed herds of small black ruminants, tended by
men and boys riding taller animals of the same general type. At the
sight of the Tadousko-Oi they fled incontinently, then finding no
pursuit, halted to stare in wonder.

Gradually the land became more populated. First there were a
few huts, then round low-walled houses with tall conical roofs, then
villages; everywhere there was flight; none dared face the T a-
dousko-Oi.

308 IHF DFMON PRINCFS

At sunset the city Aglabat appeared, rising from a level green
plain Battlemented walls of brown stone surrounded the city, which
seemed a compact mass of tall round towers At the center, from
the tallest tower of all, flew a brown and black pennon

"Kokor Hekkus is m residence," said Aiusz Iphigenia "When
he is gone, no pennon flies "

Over green sward as neat and green as the turf of a park, the
warriors approached the city

Alusz Iphigenia was disturbed "Best that we part company with
the Tadousko-Oi before they invest the town "

"Why^" asked Gersen

"Do you think Kokor Hekkus is to be caught nappmg? At any
minute the Brown Bersaglers will sally forth. There will be a ter-
rible battle, we may well be killed, or worse, captured, without once
coming anywhere near Kokor Hekkus "

Gersen could not quarrel with her remarks, but by some pe-
culiar circumstance he had attached himself to the war band To
leave now-especially when he shared the views of Alusz Iphigenia
as to the probable destruction of the Tadousko-Oi-seemed like
treachery Still, he had not come to Thamber for chrvalric gestures

With the city two miles distant, the party halted Gersen ap-
proached the hetman "WTiat are your battle-plans^"

"We besiege the city Sooner or later Kokor Hekkus must send
forth his army Before, when this occurred, we were too few and
were forced to flee We still are few, but not too few We will
destroy the Brown Bersaglers, we will grind the knights into dust,
we will drag Kokor Hekkus across the plain to his death, then we
will possess ourselves of the riches of Aglabat "

The plan had the virtue of simplicity, thought Gersen "Sup-
pose the army does not come forth3"

"Sooner or later it must, unless they prefer to starve."

The sun went down into a purple sky lights shone from the
towers of Aglabat Tonight no one offered discourtesy to Alusz
Iphigenia, like the night before they occupied the black, tent

The sense of her nearness finally destroyed Gersen's self-
control, he took her by the shoulders, looked into the dimness of
her face, kissed her, and she seemed to respond But did she7 Her
expression could not be seen through the dark He kissed her again,
and felt moisture on her face: she was weeping Angrily he stood
back 'Why are you crying7"

7//7 hllli\G MACHIM 309

"Pent-up emotions, probably "

"Because I kissed you7"

"Of course"

Suddenly everything was unsatisfactory She was in his power,
sub)ect to his orders He did not want her submission, he wanted
her ardor "Suppose circumstances were different," he said "Sup-
pose we were in Draszane, suppose that you had no worries Sup-
pose I came to you-like this-and kissed you WTiat would you
do="

"I will never see Draszane again," she said sullenly "I have
many worries I am your slave. Do as you like "

Gersen sat down on the floor of the tent "Very well I will go
to sleep "

The following day the Fadousko-Oi moved closer to the city,
camping a mile in front of its main gate On the walls, soldiers
could be seen moving back and forth At noon the gates opened,
out marched six regiments of pike-men wearing brown uniforms
with black armor and black helmets. The Tadousko-Oi gave a
hoarse whoop, sprang to their mounts Gersen and Alusz Iphigenia
watched the battle from the camp It was savage and bloody, waged
without quarter. The Bersaglers fought bravely but without the wild
ferocity of the mountain men, presently the remnants retreated
through the gates, leaving a field strewn with dead

The following day was eventless The brown and black pennon
flew from the spire of the citadel Gersen asked Alusz Iphigenia,
"Where does Kokor Hekkus keep his spaceship^"

"On an island to the south He has an air-car like yours to fly
back and forth Until Sion Trumble attacked the island and cap-
tured the spaceship I thought Kokor Hekkus a great wizard "

Gersen was more dissatisfied than ever It was clear that under
no circumstances could he make contact with Kokor Hekkus
Should the Tadousko-Oi succeed in storming the city, Kokor Hek-
kus would escape m his air-car    It was essential that they return
to the Starskip Then he would take up a position where he could
see but not be seen, where he could intercept the air-car that must
eventually leave Aglabat, no matter what the outcome of the battle

He told ^.lusz Iphigenia of his decision, she approved "We
need only fare to Carrai Sion Trumble will escort you north of the
Skar Sakau, and matters will be as you wish "

"What of you--"

THE DEMON PRINCES

310

She looked away toward the north. "Sion Trumble has long
desired me for his bride. He has professed his love. I am willing."

Gersen made a contemptuous sound. Noble Sion Trumble had
professed his love! Gallant Sion Trumble' Gersen went to speak to
the hetinan. "There were casualties in the battle, and I notice that
now there are extra mounts. If you could spare me one of these, I
will try to return to my spaceship."

"It shall be as you wish. Select the mount of your choice."

"The most docile and easily managed of the group will serve."

Toward evening the mount was brought to the tent; at dawn
Gersen and Alusz Iphigenia would depart for Carrai.

During the night workmen from the city stole forth to erect an
enclosure a hundred feet on a side, shrouded with brown cloth to
a height of twenty feet. The Tadousko-Oi were furious at the in-
solence. They mounted their centipedes and sallied forth, cautiously
however, because the enclosure had not been set out for nothing.

Indeed it had not. When the ranks of the centipede mounts had
drawn close the brown cloth bulged: out ran an enormous centipede
with thirty-six legs, eyes flashing fire.

The Tadousko-Oi recoiled, swung about in confusion.
"Dnazd!" came the cry. "Dnazd!"

"No dnazd," Gersen told Alusz Iphigenia. "That is the product
of Patch Engineering and Construction. And it is time we were on
our way." They mounted the waiting centipede, sent it scurrying
off to the north-west. On the sward before the city the fort ran
back and forth, while the Tadousko-Oi scuttled frantically, finally
fleeing in complete disorder. In pursuit came the fort, running with
a fluid ease that gave Gersen rueful pleasure. Alusz Iphigenia was
not yet convinced. "Are you sure the thing is metal?"

"Absolutely."

Certain of the Tadousko-Oi came the way Gersen and Alusz
Iphigenia had traveled, and the fort followed, darting bolts of pur-
ple-white fire. With every flash, a centipede shriveled and five men
died; presently no more were left except that ridden by Gersen and
Alusz Iphigenia, a half-mile in advance. They made frantically for
the foothills, the fort swerved to cut them off. Up a swell of high
ground, Gersen urged the mount, around a knob of rock; here he
jumped to the ground, lifted down Alusz Iphigenia. The centipede
raced away. Gersen scrambled up to a hiding-place behind an out-
crop of moss-covered sandstone, with Alusz Iphigenia crawling af-

THE KILLING JV1ACH1NE 311

ter. She looked at him, started to speak; then said nothing. She was
dirty and scratched and disheveled; her garments were soiled, her
eyes were wide, the pupils dark with fear. Gersen had no time for
reassurances. He brought forth his projac, waited.

There came a whir, a thud of thirty-six racing feet; over the
rise scrambled the fort, to pause and search the landscape for its
prey.

Gersen fleetingly wondered if long ago in Patch's Workshop B
he had subconsciously envisioned just this sort of confrontation. He
set the projac at low power, took careful aim at a spot along the
fort's dorsal ridge, pulled the trigger. In the cutoff cell a relay threw
a switch. The legs became limber, the segmented body sagged to
the ground. Presently the hatch opened; members of the crew
alighted, to walk about the fort in obvious puzzlement. Gersen
counted them: nine, out of a crew of eleven. Two had remained
inside. All wore brown coveralls, all carried themselves in an in-
definable manner that was not of Thamber. There were two who
might be Seuman Otwal, or Billy Windle, or Kokor Hekkus: from
distance of fifty yards, Gersen could not be sure of their faces. One
turned: his neck was too long: definitely not the man Gersen
sought. The other? But he had gone back into the fort. The ioni-
zation began to dissipate, the legs were recovering their strength.
.. . "Listen!" Alusz Iphigenia breathed into Gersen's ear.

Gersen could hear nothing. "Listen!" she said again. Now Ger-
sen heard a soft click-click click-click-a sound of vast menace. It
seemed to come from behind them. Down the mountainside came
the creature that the fort duplicated: a true dnazd. Gersen found it
hard to understand how anyone could be deceived by the metal
structure. If the Tadousko-Oi had been fooled by the fort, not so
the dnazd. It came scuttling forward, stopped short, apparently
from curiosity and amazement. The crew had scrambled aboard and
clamped the hatch. The legs were still limp; from the eye came
only a weak spatter of fire, to strike the dnazd on its rear segment.
It reared high, emitted a wild whistling scream, flung itself on the
fort. Both toppled to the ground, both rolled and clambered- Man-
dibles chewed at the metal hull, poison-tipped prongs stabbed and
scratched. Within, the crew tumbled and rolled until someone man-
aged to set in motion the automatic righting sequence. Power back
to normal, the fort scrambled to its feet. Once again the dnazd flung
itself high to hurtle down at the metal segments. Fire spat from the

312 THE DEMON PRINCES

eye; the dnazd lost the use of a leg. Again the eye took aim A
central segment was blasted, and the dnazd sagged, legs thrashing
at the ground. The fort moved back; fire flared from both sides of
the eyes; the dnazd became a mound of reeking flesh

Gersen inched forward Once more he turned his projac on the
cutoff cell. As before, the fort swayed to the ground. Presently the
hatch opened, the crew limped down the ladder to the ground.
Gersen counted -nine-ten-eleven. All had come forth. They
conferred, then went to inspect the dead dnazd When they turned
about, Gersen stood nearby, his pro)ac trained on them.

"Face away from me," said Gersen. "Stand in a line with hands
in the air. I'll kill whoever gives me trouble."

There was indecision, tentative swaying and tensing as each
man calculated his chances of becoming a hero. Each decided they
were poor. Gersen underscored the fact with a flash of energy that
scorched the ground at their feet Grudgingly, faces contorted into
masks of hate, they turned their backs. Alusz Iphigenia came to )oin
Gersen, "Look inside," he said. "Make sure all are out."

She returned after a moment to report the fort empty.

"Now," said Gersen to the eleven men. "You must do exactly
as I say, if you value your lives. The first man to the right back up
six steps." He was sullenly obeyed. Gersen took his weapon, a small
but vicious projac of a design Gersen had never seen before. "Lie
down, flat on your face, put your arms to the small of your back."

One by one the eleven moved back, lay flat, were disarmed and
bound with straps from their own garments.

One by one Gersen turned the men over so that they lay on
their backs; one by one he searched their faces None were Seuman
Ocwal.

"Which of you is Kokor Hekkus7" he asked.

There was a pause, then the man who had carried the projac
spoke "He is at Aglabat."

Gersen turned to Alusz Iphigenia "You know Kokor Hekkus:

do any of these men resemble him^"

Alusz Iphigenia looked searchingly at the man who had spoken.
"His face is different-but his manner, his way of carrying himself
is the same."

Gersen considered the man's features. They appeared genuine,
without the subtle demarcations or change of texture that indicated
falseness; nor did he wear a mask. But the eyes were they the eyes

THE KILLING MACHINE 313

of Seuman OtwaP There was an indefinable similarity, a sense of
cynical wisdom. Gersen said no more. He looked over the remain-
der of the crew, then returned to the man who had spoken. "What
is your name7"

"Franz Paderbush." The voice was soft, almost obsequious.

"You are native to where7"

"I am Knight Junior of the Castle Pader, at the east ofMisk.
.. . Do you not believe me7"

"Not with any conviction "

"You need only come to Castle Paderbush," said the captive
with a rather unsuitable flippancy of manner, "and the Knight Sen-
ior, my father, will vouch for me a dozen times over."

"Possibly true," said Gersen. "Still, you resemble Billy Windle
of Skouse and also a certain Seuman Otwal whom I last met near
Krokmole. You others," he said, "get to your feet, start walking."

"WTiere3" asked one.

"Wherever you choose "

"With our arms bound the savages will kill us," grumbled an-
other

"Find a ditch and hide till nightfall "

The ten disconsolately departed. Gersen made another search
of Paderbush, but found no more weapons. "Now, Knight Junior,
to your feet and into the fort."

Paderbush obeyed with a nimble willingness that Gersen found
disquieting. He tied the Knight Junior securely to a bench, then
clamped the port, and went to the familiar controls.

"You know how to operate this horror7" asked Alusz Iphigenia.

"I helped build it."

She gave him a thoughtful, puzzled look, then turned to inspect
Franz Paderbush, who favored her with a witless smirk

Gersen worked the controls, the legs responded, the fort ran
off to the north

"Where are you going3" asked Alusz Iphigenia after a moment.

"To the spaceship, naturally "

"Through the Skar Sakau7"

"Through, or around."

"You must be mad."

Gersen was dampened. "In the fort we should be able to make
it."

"You know nothing of the trails They are difficult and often

314 THE DEMON PRINCES

lead to pitfalls. The Tadousko-Oi will roll down boulders. The
chasms are infested by dnazd. If you avoid these, there are crevasses,
precipices, crags. We have no food."

"What vou say is true. But-"

"Turn west to Carrai. Sion Trumble will honor you, and guide
you north around the Skar."

Gersen, unable to refute the arguments, with poor grace swung
the fort around, descended into the valley.

They came into a pleasant rolling country. The Skar Sakau
dwindled and faded into the blue haze. All through the warm sum-
mer afternoon the fort ran west, past small farms and granges, with
stone barns and stone cottages with tall roofs, and occasional vil-
lages. At the sight of the fort the inhabitants stood glassy-eyed,
transfixed with terror. They were an ordinary-seeming folk, fair-
skinned with dark hair: the women wearing voluminous skirts and
tight patterned bodices; the men, puffed knee-length bloomers,
bright shirts, and embroidered jackets. From time to time, a manor
house could be seen at the back of a park; occasionally there was a
castle perched high on a bluff. Certain of these manors and castles
appeared to be falling into ruins. "Ghosts," Alusz Iphigenia ex-
plained. "This is ancient country, well haunted!"

Gersen, glancing toward Franz Paderbush, surprised a quiet
smile on his face. Several times he had noted a similar smile on the
face of Seuman Otwal-but these were neither the features nor the
flesh of Seuman Otwal.

The sun sank and twilight fell across the countryside. Gersen
halted the fort at the edge of a lonely water-meadow. Rations in-
tended for the crew constituted an evening meal, after which Pad-
erbush was confined in the stern lazaret.

Gersen and AJusz Iphigenia went outside and watched fireflies.
Overhead hung the constellations of Thamber: plentiful to the
south, sparse to the north where intergalactic space began. A night-
creature sang in a nearby forest, the air was soft with the bosky
odor of vegetation. Gersen could think of nothing to say. Finally
he heaved a sigh, took her hand, which she made no effort to with-
draw.

For hours they sat with their backs to the fort. Fireflies flickered
across the meadow. From a distant village, a sad-voiced bell tolled
the passage of the hours. At last Gersen spread his cloak and they
slept in the soft grass.

THE KILLING MACHINE 315

At dawn they once more set forth to the west. The country
changed; the landscape rolled up into forested hills and valleys, then
became mountains shrouded with tall conifer-like trees. The habi-
tations became fewer, more primitive; the manor houses disap-
peared; only the castles remained to brood over valley and river.
On one occasion, the silently running fort came upon a band of
armed men parading drunkenly down the middle of the road. They
wore ragged garments and carried bows and arrows.

"Outlaws," said Alusz Iphigenia. "The Scum ofMisk and Vad-

rus.

A pair of stone keeps guarded the border; the fort ran past;

behind, bugles blared hurried calls-to-arms.

An hour later the fort came out upon a view over rolling coun-
try to north and west. Alusz Iphigenia pointed: "There is Vadrus.
See, behind the dark forest, the patch of white? That is the city
Carrai. Gentilly is yet to the west, but I am well known at Carrai.
Sion Trumble has often extended hospitality to my family, for in
Gentilly I am princess."

"So now you will become his bride."
Alusz Iphigenia looked ahead toward Carrai in regret and sad-
ness, as at some bittersweet recollection. "No. I am no longer a
child. All does not seem so easy. Before there was Sion Trumble-
and Kokor Hekkus. Sion Trumble is a warrior and no doubt is as
brutal in battle as any. But to the folk of Vadrus he makes an at-
tempt at justice. Kokor Hekkus of course is the definition of evil.
Before I would have taken Sion Trumble. Now I want neither. I
have had too much excitement. ... Indeed," she said wistfully, "I
fear that I have learned too much since leaving Thamber, and I
have lost my youth."

Gersen turned. He caught sight of the prisoner. "And why are
you amused?"

"I recall a similar disillusionment of my youth," said Franz Pad-
erbush.

"Do you care to relate the circumstances?"

"No. It is only just barely relevant to the conversation."

"How long have you served Kokor Hekkus?"

"All my life. He rules Misk, he is my master."

"Perhaps you can tell us something of his plans?"

"I fear not. I doubt if he has many, and these he keeps to

THE DPMON PR1NCFS

himself He is a remarkable man 1 imagine that he will resent the
loss of his tort "

Gersen laughed "Far less than the other harms I have dealt
him \s at Skouse, when I thwarted his bargain with Daemel Trem-
bath As at Interchange, when 1 stole his princess and paid him off
with blank paper " \s Gersen spoke he studied the eyes of Pader-
bush, was it his imagination or did the pupils dilate slightly^ The
uncertainly was exasperating, especially when it seemed so pointless
and ungrounded Billy Windle, Seuman Otwal, Franz Paderbush
none resembled the other save in physical proportion and in a cer-
tain indefinable style. None, according to Alusz Iphigema, could be
Kokor Helckus    The fort slid down from the mountains, passed
through a region of orchards and vines, then a well-watered mead-
ow land dotted with crofts and villages, then it came out on a low
headland to overlook Carrai-a city far different from Aglabat. In-
stead of grim brown walls, here were wide avenues, marble colon-
nades, villas surrounded by trees, palaces in formal gardens as
splendid as any of Earth If there were slums or hovels, they were
remote from the main thoroughfares

At the entrance to the city, a great marble arch supported a ball
of rock crystal Here stood a platoon of guards in purple and green
uniforms At the approach of the fort, a lieutenant bawled orders,
the guards marched forward, pallid but determined, seated their
pikes, and awaited death

Fifty yards from the gate, Gersen halted the fort, opened the
hatch, leapt to the ground The soldiers went limp in astonishment
AJusz Iphigema came forward, the lieutenant seemed to recognize
her in spite of her disheveled appearance "Is it Princess Iphigenia
of Dras/ane, who steps forth from the gullet of the dnazd7"

"The beast belies appearances," said Alusz Iphigenia "It is Ko-
kor Helckus' mechanical toy that we have taken from him Where
is Lord Sion Trumble, is he in residence2"

"No, Princess, he is to the north, but his Chancellor only this
moment has entered Carrai, and stands nearby I will send for him "

A tall white-bearded nobleman in black and purple velvet pres-
ently appeared He came gravely forward, made a gesture of re-
spect Alusz Iphigenia greeted him with relief, as if here at last was
someone in whom she could repose confidence She introduced him
to Gersen "The Baron Fndel Thobalt", then she inquired for Sion
Trumble Baron Thobalt responded in a voice from which irony

THE KILLING MACHINE 517

was not absent Sion Trumble had sallied forth on a raid against
the Grodnedsa corsairs of the North Promeneous Sea He was
expected back in the not-too-distant future Meanwhile the princess
should regard the city as her own this would be Sion Trumble's
desire

Alusz Iphigenia turned to Gersen, a new grace and radiance
shining from her face "I cannot repay you for your services to me,
nor would I try-after all, I suppose you did not regard them as
such Still I offer you the hospitality that I now command whatever
your desire you need only announce it "

Gersen replied that it had been his pleasure to serve her, any
obligation on her part she had more than canceled by guiding him
to Thamber. "But I'll still take advantage of your offer I want
Paderbush confined where he'll be absolutely secure until I decide
what to do with him "

"We will be lodged at the State Palace; in the crypts are suitable
dungeons " She spoke to the lieutenant of the guards, and the un-
fortunate Paderbush was hustled away

Returning to the fort, Gersen disconnected various cables and
connections, thereby disabling the mechanism Meanwhile a car-
riage had appeared, a tall ornate vehicle on golden wheels Gersen
)0ined Alusz Iphigema and Baron Thobalt in the forward compart-
ment, with a feeling of guilt for his soiled garments he seated him-
self on soft red velvet and white fur

The carriage proceeded along the boulevard, men in rich cos-
tumes and tall peaked hats, women in white gowns of many flounces
turned to watch

Ahead lay the State Palace of Sion Trumble This was a square
building at the back of a great garden, the design of which, like the
other palaces of Carrai, was at once ornate and pleasantly naive
there were six tall towers encircled by spiral staircases, a dome of
glass pentagons held in a web of bronze, terraces with balusters in
the shape of nymphs At a marble ramp the carriage halted, here
waited an extremely tall, extremely thin old man in black and gray
robes. He carried a mace terminating in an emerald ellipsoid, ap-
parently an insignia of office. He greeted Alusz Iphigema with mea-
sured respect. Baron Thobalt presented him to Gersen "Uther
Caymon, Seneschal of the State Palace."

The seneschal bowed, at the same time casting a critical eye up
and down Gersen's stained garments, then flicked his mace Foot-

}18 rw DF MON PRINCES

men appeared, escorted Alusz Iphigema and Gersen into the palace
Across a long salon hung with crystal they walked, on a carpet
woven in patterns or lavender, rose, and pale green They parted
in a circular vestibule, each to a side corridor Gersen was taken to
a suite of rooms opening on a walled garden, with blossoming trees
surrounding a fountain After the hardships of the journey, the sud-
den luxury was unreal

Gersen bathed in a warm pool, and a barber appeared to shave
him. From a wardrobe a valet brought fresh garments loose dark
green trousers gathered at the ankle, a dark blue shirt embroidered
in white, green leather slippers with eccentric curled toes, the rakish
peaked cap that seemed an essential part of the masculine attire

In the garden a table had been set with fruit, cakes, and wine
Gersen ate, drank, and wondered why, amid surroundings such as
this, Sion Trumble could bring himself to raid corsairs or indulge
in any hardships whatever

He left the apartment and wandered through the palace, finding
everywhere furnishings, rugs, and hangings of exquisite craftsman-
ship ob)ects of varying styles evidently brought from all the regions
of Thamber

In a drawing room, he came upon the Baron Thobalt who
greeted him with somber courtesy After a moment or two of pon-
dering, Thobalt inquired as to the nature of the outside universe
"-from which, so I understand, you have come "

Gersen admitted as much. He described the Oikumene, its var-
ious worlds and their organizations, the Beyond and its disorgani-
zation, the planet Earth from which had issued all humanity. He
spoke of Thamber and the legend that it had become, to which the
Baron replied that the remainder of humanity was no less a myth
to the folk of Thamber With a trace of melancholy he asked, "No
doubt you intend to return to your native environment5"

"In due course," Gersen said cautiously

"You will then explain that Thamber is after all no myth5"

"I haven't considered the matter," said Gersen "What is your
own feeling5 Perhaps you prefer isolation "

Thobalt shook his head "I am thankful that I need not make
this decision Before today, only a single individual claimed to have
visited the worlds of the stars, and this was Kokor Hekkus-but he
is denounced everywhere as a hormagaunt-a man without a soul,
and not to be trusted "

THE KILLING MACHINE 319

"You are acquainted with Kokor Hekkus5"

"I have seen him across the field of war "

Gersen forbore to ask if the Baron had noted a similarity with
the man Paderbush Thinking of Paderbush, now a prisoner in the
crypts, he felt a twinge of conscience if the man were not Kokor
Hekkus, his only offense was participation m a counterattack upon
the Tadousko-Oi

Gersen signaled a footman "Take me to the crypts where my
prisoner is confined "

"A moment, Sir Knight, I will inform the seneschal, he alone
carries keys to the crypts "

The seneschal presently appeared, considered Gersen's request,
then rather grudgingly, or so it seemed, took Gersen to a great
door of carved wood, unlocked it to reveal a second iron door,
which opened upon a flight of stone steps These led down a long
single flight, into an area paved with granite flags, illuminated by
slits communicating with the outside daylight To one side, iron-
barred doors led into cells, only one of which was occupied The
seneschal gestured "There is your prisoner. If you wish to kill him,
be kind enough to use the chamber beyond, where the necessary
equipment is at hand "

"I plan nothing like that I only wanted to assure myself that
he suffered nothing ill."

"This is not Aglabat, there is nothing of that sort here "

Gersen went to look through the bars, Paderbush, leaning back
in a chair, surveyed him with contemptuous mockery. The cell was
dry and airy, on a table were the remnants of an apparently ade-
quate meal

"You are satisfied5" asked the seneschal.

Gersen turned away with a nod. "A week or two of meditation
can do him no great harm Allow him to see no one but myself."

"As you wish " The seneschal conducted Gersen back to the
drawing-room, where now Alusz Iphigenia had joined the Baron
Present were also other ladies and knights of the palace Alusz Iph-
igenia looked at Gersen with something like surprise "I have
known you only as a spaceman," she told him "I am surprised to
see you a gentleman of Vadrus "

Gersen grinned "I haven't changed, in spite of the finery But
you-" he could not find words to express what he wanted to say.

Alusz Iphigenia said rather hurriedly, "I have had word that

320 HIP 1)1- MON PRINC FS

Sion Trumble returns. He will be with us at this evening's ban-
quet."

Gersen felt an emptiness. He strove to deny it to himself in
spite of his clothes he was no gentleman, of Vadrus or elsewhere,
he was Kirth Gersen, survivor of the Mount Pleasant massacre,
doomed to a lifetime of dark deeds. He said lightly, "This is what
makes you happy-the nearness of your betrothed?"

She shook her head. "He is hardly that, as you well know. I am
happy because-but no' I am not happy. I am all at odds with
myself!" She gave her hands an excited nutter "Look! All this is
mine, should I want it' I can en)ov all the best ofThamber' But-do
I want it3 And then there is Kokor Hekkus, who is unpredictable.
But somehow I do not think of him . . Is it that I prefer the life
of a vagabond-that I have seen enough of the worlds beyond
Thamber to tantalize me7"

Gersen had nothing to say. She sighed, looked at him from the
corner of her eye. "But I have small choice I am here now and
here I must stay. Next -week I return to Draszane-and you will be
gone. .. . You will, won't you^"

Gersen gave the matter sober thought. "Where and how I go
depends on how best I can return to the spaceship "

"And then?"

"And then-I continue with what I came to do."

She sighed. "It seems a bleak prospect. Back to the Skar Sakau.
. . . The crags and chasms once more. Then Aglabat. How will you
find your way through the walls^ And it you are captured-" she
grimaced. "When I first heard of the crypts under Aglabat I did
not sleep for months, I was afraid to sleep, ror fear ot the Aglabat
crypts."

An attendant in pale green livery passed by with a tray; Alusz
Iphigema took two goblets, gave one to Gersen "And if you were
killed or captured-how could I leave Thamber, if I were of a mind
to do so?"

Gersen laughed uncomfortably "If I thought of these matters,
I would fear them. I would be less effective tor my fear and hence
more likely to suffer capture or death. If you wed Sion Trumble,
it appears that you will have the same problems."

Alusz Iphigenia shrugged her slender bare shoulders-she wore
the white flounced sleeveless gown characteristic of the city. "He
is handsome, gentle, just, gallant-and perhaps too good for me. I

THE KILLING MACHINE 321

suddenly find myself thinking thoughts and wishing wishes I never
knew before." She looked around the room, listened a moment to
the murmur of conversation, then turned back to Gersen. "I find
it hard to express myself-but in a period when men and women
fly space almost instantly, when a hundred worlds associate them-
selves in an Oikumene, when anything seems possible to human
reason, this remote little planet with its extremes of virtue and vi-
dousness seems unthinkable."

Gersen, who knew the worlds Beyond and the worlds of the
Oikumene much more intimately than Alusz Iphigema, could not
share her feelings. "It depends," he said, "on how you regard hu-
manity: its past, its present, and what you hope for the future. Most
people of the Oikumene might agree with you. The Institute"-he
laughed hollowly-"probably would prefer more ofThamber in the
daily life of the Oikumene."

"I know nothing of the Institute," said Alusz Iphigenia. "Are
they evil men, or criminals3"

"No," said Gersen. "They are philosophers. . .."

Alusz Iphigema sighed, almost absently, reached forth to take
his hand. "There is so much I don't know." A herald marched into
the room, followed by pages with long clarions. The herald cried,
"Sion Trumble, Grand Prince ofVadrus, enters his palace'"

The room became quiet. A distant measured clanking could be
heard in the hall. The pages raised their clarions, blew a fanfare.
Into the room strode Sion Trumble, wearing stained armor, a mo-
rion dented and smeared with blood. He removed the morion, re-
vealing a mass of blond ringlets, a close-cropped blond beard, a fine
straight nose, and the bluest of blue eyes. He raised his arm in salute
to all, then marched to Alusz Iphigenia, bowed over her hand. "My
princess-you have chosen to return."

Alusz Iphigenia giggled. Sion Trumble looked at her in sur-
prise. "The truth of the matter," said Alusz Iphigema, "is that this
gentleman allowed me no choice."

Sion Trumble turned to inspect Gersen. He and Sion Trumble
would never be friends, thought Gersen. Noble, gallant, gentle, and
just though Sion Grumble might be, he likewise was almost cer-
tainly humorless, self-righteous, and obstinate.

"I have been informed of your coming," Sion Trumble told
Gersen. "I noted the dreadful mechanism in which you came. We
shall have much to discuss. But now, please excuse me. I go to

322 THE DEMON PRINCES

relieve myself of my armor." He turned, departed the room. The
murmur of conversation began again.

Alusz Iphigenia had no more to say, and became almost pensive.
An hour later, the company moved to the banquet hall. At an ele-
vated table sat Sion Trumble in robes of scarlet and white flanked
by nobles of the realm. Below ranged other folk in strict order of
precedence. Gersen found himself near the outer door, and he
noted that Alusz Iphigcnia, for all her ostensible standing as the
betrothed of Sion Trumble, still gave way to at least six ladies of
presumably more elevated rank.

The banquet was long and splendid; the wines were strong.
Gersen ate and drank sparingly, answered questions with courtesy,
unsuccessfully tried to make himself inconspicious, for it appeared
that every eye was on him.

Sion Trumble ate scantily and drank less. Halfway through the
meal he rose, and pleading fatigue, excused himself from the com-
pany.

Somewhat later a page came behind Gersen to whisper in his
ear; "My lord, at your convenience, the prince wishes to speak with
yon."

Gersen rose to his feet; the page led him to the circular vesti-
bule, along a corridor, through a door into a small drawing-room
paneled in green wood. Here sat Sion Trumble, now wearing a
loose gown of pale blue silk. He motioned Gersen to a chair nearby,
indicated a tabouret on which stood goblets and flasks. "Be at ease,"
he said. "You are a man of a far world; please ignore our incom-
prehensible protocol. We will talk as one man to another, with
complete candor. Tell me-why are you here?"

Gersen could see no reason to tell other than the truth. "I came
to kill Kokor Hekkus."

Sion Trumble raised his eyebrows. "Alone? How will you storm
his walls? How will you defeat the Brown Bersaglers?"

"I don't know."

Sion Trumble looked into the fire that burned in a nearby grate.
"As of the moment, truce exists between Misk and Vadrus. There
might well have been war when the Princess Iphigenia chose to cast
her lot with me, but now it seems that she will have neither of us."
He frowned into the fire, gripped the chair handles. "I will provide
no provocation."

THE KILLING MACHINE 323

"Can you help me in any way whatever?" Gersen thought that
he might as well learn the worst.

"Conceivably. What is your quarrel with Kokor Hekkus?"

Gersen described the raid on Mount Pleasant. "Five men de-
stroyed my home, killed all my kin, enslaved my friends. I hope to
bring retribution to these five. Malagate is dead. Kokor Hekkus will
be next."

Sion Trumble frowned and nodded. "You have undertaken
what seems a formidable task. Specifically what do you want of
me?"

"First, your help and guidance in returning to my spaceship,
which I left to the north of the Skar Sakau."

"This I will provide, to the best of my ability. To the north of
the Skar are principalities hostile to me, and the Tadousko-Oi are
implacable."

"There is another aspect to the affair," said Gersen. He hesi-
tated, suddenly aware of another startling possibility that till now
he had not recognized. He continued slowly. "When I took the fort
from Kokor Hekkus, I took also a prisoner who I thought might
be Kokor Hekkus himself. Princess Iphigenia thinks not; but I am
uncertain. It seemed unlikely then, and does so now, that Kokor
Hekkus could resist the first trial of his new toy. . . . And something
about this prisoner reminds me of another man who might also he
Kokor Hekkus."

"I can deal with your uncertainty," said Sion Trumble. "In the
palace is Baron Eri Castiglianu, once intimately leagued with Kokor
Hekkus and now his direct enemy. If anyone will know Kokor Hek-
kus, the Baron Castiglianu is the man, and tomorrow you may make
the test."

"I will be happy to hear his opinion."

Sion Trumble came to a decision. "I cannot help you to any
large extent; for I do not visit war or hardship upon my people
without good cause. So long as Kokor Hekkus keeps to Aglabat I
will not provoke him."

He made a sign: the audience was over. Gersen rose to his feet,
left the room. In the antechamber he found the seneschal who con-
ducted him to his apartments. Gersen went out into the garden,
looked up at the sky, found the scimitar-shaped cluster: the "God-
Boat," and thought of what he must do, and was almost appalled.
Yet-what otherwise? Why had he come to Thamber?

324 7 HE DEMON PRINCFS

He went to bed and slept well Sunlight streaming into his room
awakened him He bathed, dressed in the most somber of the gar-
ments to he found in his wardrobe, ate a breakfast of fruit, pastry,
and tea Clouds rolled in from the west and there was rain in his
garden Gersen watched the drops plash in the pool, and considered
the various factors to the situation Always he returned to the same
idea the identity of Paderbush must be established by one means
or another

A page entered to announce the attendance of Baron Eri Cas-
tiglianu He was a gaunt man of middle age, stern of demeanor,
scarred along both his cheeks "I have been ordered by Prince Sion
Trumble to place my special knowledge at your disposal," he said
"This I shall be pleased to do "

"You are aware of what I require3"

"Not clearly "

"I want you to look closely at a man and tell me whether or
not he is Kokor Hekkus "

The baron grimaced "And what then3"

"You can do this3"

"Assuredly. Notice these scars they were wrought by the orders
of Kokor Hekkus I hung three days on a rod through my cheeks,
living only through hate "

"Come then, let us inspect this man "

"He is here?"

"He is confined below, in the crypts."

The page brought the seneschal, who unlocked the double
doors of timber and metal Into the crypt the three descended.
Paderbush stood in the cell, hands on bars, legs apart, staring forth
into the outer chamber Gersen pointed "This is the man "

The baron advanced, inspected Paderbush closely

"Well3" asked Gersen

"No," said the baron after a moment "This is not Kokor Hek-
kus At least-no, I am sure not .  Although the eyes look at me
with evil wisdom    No, he is a stranger I have never met him at
Aglabat or elsewhere "

"Very well then, it appears I have been wrong " Gersen turned
to the seneschal "Open the door "

"You intend to release the man3"

"Not completely But he need no longer be confined in a dun-
geon."

THE KILLING MACHINE 325

The seneschal unlocked the door "Come forth," said Gersen
"It appears that I have done you an injustice."

Paderbush slowly stepped from the cell, he had not been ex-
pecting release, and he moved warily

Gersen took him by the wrist, using a grip that could instantly
be transposed into an arm-lock "Come along, back up the stairs "

"Where do you take this man3" the seneschal inquired petu-
lantly.

"Prince Sion Trumble and I will jointly make a decision," said
Gersen To Baron Eri Castighanu he said "My thanks for your
cooperation, you have been helpful "

Baron Castighanu hesitated. "This man may be a villain in any
case, he may seek to overpower you "

Gersen displayed the projac he carried in his left hand "I am
prepared for anything."

The baron bowed, walked swiftly away, relieved to be dis-
charged of his obligation. Gersen took Paderbush to his apartments,
closed the door upon the seneschal

Gersen seated himself in a leisurely manner, Paderbush stood
in the center of the room and finally asked "WTiat do you plan
with me now3"

"I am still puzzled," said Gersen. "Possibly you are the man
you say you are; in which case I know nothing to your discredit,
other than the fact that you serve Kokor Hekkus. Still, I would not
have you pent in a dungeon for hypothetical crimes You are soiled,
will you bathe3"

"No."

"You prefer sweat and grime3 Perhaps you would change your
clothes3"

"No "

Gersen shrugged "As you wish."

Paderbush folded his arms, glared down at Gersen "WTiy do
you restrain me here3"

Gersen considered "I suspect that your life is m danger I mean
to protect you "

"I am well able to protect myself."

"Nevertheless, please seat yourself in that chair yonder " Ger-
sen pointed with the tip of his pro)ac "You stand like a wild beast
about to pounce, and this makes me uneasy."

Paderbush gave him a cold grin, seated himself "I have done

326 THE DEMON PRINCES

you no harm," he said presently. "But you have humiliated me,
thrown me into a dungeon, and now you ply me with hints and
innuendos. I tell you, Kokor Hekkus is not a man to overlook pur-
poseful wrongs done to his underlings. If you wish to spare your
host much embarrassment I suggest that you discharge me from
custody, that I may return to Aglabat."

"You know Kokor Hekkus well?" Gersen asked in a tone of
easy conversation.

"Certainly. He is a man like a Khasferug eagle. His eyes glitter
with intelligence. His joy and his anger are both like fire, and sweep
all before them. His imagination is as broad as the sky, everyone
wonders regarding the thoughts that form and pass behind his
brow, and from what source they are derived."

"Interesting," said Gersen. "I am eager to meet him-as I shall
soon do."

Paderbush was incredulous. "You are to meet Kokor Hekkus?"

Gersen nodded. "You and I will return to Aglabat in the fort-
after a week or two of rest here at Carrai."

"I prefer to leave at this moment."

"Impossible. I want no notice of my arrival; I wish to surprise
Kokor Hekkus."

Paderbush sneered. "You are a fool. You are more than a fool.
How can you surprise Kokor Hekkus? He knows more of your
movements than you do yourself."

12

From "The Avatar's Apprentice," in Scroll from the
Ninth Dimension:

There was no cessation to the haze that extended right
and left in gelid layers, and up was as good as down. There
was a sense of comings and goings, of invisible fluttering
messages: all quite beyond Marmaduke's apprehension. He
began to suspect that somehow the Doctrine of Temporal
Stasis had effected a transposition of percepts. Why else, he
wondered, as he groped through the mauve suffusion,
should the word "lachrymose" occur to him again and again
and again?

He found himself at the edge of a bulging limpid win-
dow, beyond which danced anamorphotic visions. Looking
up he spied a fringe of curving rods; below he found a pink
curving shelf, in which were embedded more of these rods.
To the side a lumpy porous object thrust forth like a pro-
digious nose: and he now saw the object to be a nose in all
verity, a most extraordinary object. Marmaduke altered the
trend of his musings. The central problem, so it seemed,
was to learn from whose eye he looked forth. Much, after
all, would depend upon his viewpoint.

The morning passed. Paderbush at times seemed to doze in the
chair, at times seemed vividly alert, on the verge of a sudden attack
upon Gersen. After one of these tense periods Gersen said, "I urge
you to patience. First, as you know, I carry a weapon"-he held

THE. DKMON PRINCF.S

328

the projac up into Paderbush's view-"and second, even without it
you could do nothing against me."

"Are vou so sure?" Paderbush asked with weary insolence. "We
are of a size; let us try a fall or two, and see who is the better man."

"Thank you; not on this occasion. WTly should we exert our-
selves? Presently we will have our noon meal, so let us relax."

"As you wish."

At the door sounded a tap-tap-tap. Gcrsen went to stand by the
thick panel. "Who is there?"

"It is Uther Caymon, seneschal," came the muffled voice.
"Open the door, if you please."

Gersen did so; the seneschal stepped forward. "The Prince
wishes to see you in his chambers at once. He has heard the opinion
of the Baron Eri Castiglianu and he begs that the prisoner be given
his freedom; he wishes to provide Kokor Hekkus no pretext for
contentiousness."

"I definitely intend to relinquish all control over this man, in
due course," said Gersen. "But now he has agreed to accept the
hospitality of Sion Trumble for possibly two weeks."

"That is generous of him," observed the seneschal drily, "in-
asmuch as the Grand Prince has been so remiss as to forget to
proffer this same hospitality. Will you accompany me to the apart-
ments of Prince Sion Trumble?"

Gersen rose to his feet. "With pleasure. What will I do with
our guest? I dare not leave him, nor do I care to go everywhere
arm in arm with him."

"Return him to the dungeon," said the seneschal crossly. "This
is hospitality adequate for his sort."

"The Grand Prince would not agree to this," declared Gersen.
"He has only just requested that I release the man."

The seneschal blinked. "That is so."

"Please convey my apologies, and ask if he will condescend to
meet me here."

The seneschal made a gruff noise, threw up his hands in a help-
less gesture, threw a baleful side-glance toward Paderbush and left
the room.

Gersen and Paderbush sat facing each other. "Tell me," said
Gersen, "are you acquainted with a man named Seurnan Otwal?"

"I have heard his name mentioned."

THE KILLING MACHINE 329

"He is an associate of Kokor Hekkus. You and he have certain
mannerisms in common."

"That may well be true-perhaps because of our association
with Kokor Hekkus. . .. WTiat are these mannerisms?"

"An attitude of the head, a certain set of gesticulations, what I
might call a psychic aura. Very strange indeed."

Paderbush nodded solemnly, but said no more. A few minutes
later Alusz Iphigenia came to the door, and was admitted. She
glanced in surprise from Gersen to Paderbush. "Why is this man
here?"

"He thinks the solitude of the dungeon unjust, since his of-
fenses number only a dozen or so murders."

Paderbush grinned wolfishly. "I am Paderbush, Knight Junior
of Castle Pader; none of my line have shunned taking a life or two,
at the risk of his own."

Alusz Iphigenia turned away, addressed herself to Gersen.
"Carrai is not so gay as before. Something has changed, something
is lacking: perhaps it is in me. ... I want to return to Draszane, to
my home."

"I thought that a great gala was being planned in your honor."

Alusz Iphigenia shrugged. "Perhaps it has already been forgot-
ten. Sion Trumble is angry with me-or at least is not so gallant
as before." She gave Gersen a quick side-glance. "Perhaps he is
jealous,"

" 'Jealous'? Why should he be jealous?"

"After all, you and I spent much time alone. This is enough to
arouse suspicion-and jealousy."

"Ridiculous," said Gersen.

Alusz Iphigenia raised her eyebrows. "Am I so ill-favored? Is
the mere suggestion of such a relationship so absurd?"

"Not at all," said Gersen. "To the contrary. But we must not
let Sion Trumble suffer such a misconception." He summoned a
page, sent him to request audience with Sion Trumble.

The page presently returned, to announce that the prince was
seeing no one.

"Return," said Gersen. "Convey to Sion Trumble this message.
Say that tomorrow I must depart. If necessary I will ride the fort
north of the Skar Sakau and somehow find my spaceship. Also,
inform the prince that Princess Iphigenia plans to accompany me.
Inquire now if he will see us."

1IIEDI MON PRINCFS

Alusz Iphigenia turned to Gersen. "You really mean to take
me?"

"If you care to return to the Oikurnene."

"But what of Kokor Hekkus^ I thought-"

"A detail "

"Then you're not serious," said Alusz Iphigenid sadly.

"Yes Will you come with rne^"

She hesitated, then nodded "Yes. Why not7 Your life is real.
My life-all of Thamber-none of it is real. It is animated myth,
archaic scenes from a diorama. It stifles me."

"Very well. We will leave very soon "

Alusz Iphigema looked at Paderbush "What of him?" she asked
dubiously. "Will you free him, or leave him for Sion Trumble?"

"No He comes with us."

Alus/ Iphigenia turned a puzzled glance at Gersen. "With-
us?"

"Yes. For a brief period "

Paderbush rose to his feet, stretched his arms. "This conver-
sation bores me. I will never go with you "

"Oh? Not even so far as Aglabat, to meet Kokor Hekkus?"

"I go to Aglabat alone-and now." He sprang through the
apartment, fled across the garden, bounded up and over the wall.
He was gone.

Alusz Iphigcma ran to look across the garden, then turned to
Gersen "Gall the attendants' He can't get tar, these gardens are
all part of the inner courtyard. Hurry'"

Gersen seemed in no desperate haste Alusz Iphigema tugged
at his arm. "Do you wish him to escape?"

"No," said Gersen, with sudden energy. "He must not escape.
We will inform Sion Trurnble, who will best know how to recapture
him Come."

In the corridor Gersen ordered the page, "'1 ake us quickly to
Sion Trumble's apartments, on the run'"

The page led them along a corridor, to the circular vestibule,
down another red-carpeted hall to a broad white door Here stood
two guards in white uniforms with black iron morions.

"Open'" said Gersen. "We must see Sion Trumble at once."

"No, my lord. We have orders from the seneschal to admit no

i>

one.

Gersen aimed his profac at the lock There was a blaze of fire

I HE KILLING \UUl!\r

and smoke, the guards cried out in protest Gersen said, "Stand
back, guard the hall; for the safety ofVadrus'"

I'he guards hesitated, half-dazed. Gersen thrust open the door,
entered with /\lus/ Iphigema

They stood m an entry, with white marble statues looking down
from alcoves. Gersen peered along one hall, through an archway,
walked up to a closed door, listened From beyond came the sound
ot movement. He tried the door. it was locked. He used his pro)ac,
burst the door open, charged into the room.

Sion Trumble, half-clad, leapt around in startlement. He
opened his mouth, bawled something incomprehensible. Alusz Iph-
igema gasped "He's wearing the clothes of Paderbush'"

This was true on a frame hung Sion Trumble's green and blue
robes; he had been divesting the stained garments worn by Pader-
bush Now he reached for his sword, Gersen hacked at his wrist,
struck it from his hand. Sion Trumble reached to a shelf where
reposed a hand-weapon, Gersen destroyed it with a blast of his
projac.

Sion Trumble turned slowly, sprang at Gersen like a wild beast
Gersen laughed aloud, stooped, caught his shoulder in Sion Trum-
ble's belly, grabbed the instantly raised knee, tossed him through
the air. He caught at the blond curly hair, and as Sion Trumble
struggled and surged, pulled. Off came the blond hair, off came the
entire face, leaving Gersen holding a warm rubbery sac by the hair,
the fine straight nose tilted askew, the mouth lolled open. The man
on the floor had no face. The scalp, the face muscles showed pink
and red through a film of transparent tissue. The eyes glared lidless
under a bare forehead, above a black nostril gap. The lipless mouth
grimaced, w^ite with its suddenly conspicuous teeth.

"WTw-what is rhat^' asked Alusz Iphigema in a hushed voice.

"That," said Gersen, "is a hormagaunt. It is Kokor Hekkus. Or
Billy Windle. Or Seuman Otwal. Or Paderbush. Or a dozen others
And now his time has come. Kokor Hekkus-recall the raid on
Mount Pleasant? I have come to bring you retribution."

Kokor Hekkus rose slowly to his feet, death's head of a face
staring.

"Once you told me that \ou feared only death," said Gersen.
"Now you are to die "

Kokor Hekkus made a gasping sound

Gersen said, "You have lived the most evil ot lives. I should kill

332 THE DEMON PRINCES

you with the utmost terror and pain-but it is sufficient that you
die." He pointed his projac. Kokor Hekkus gave a wild hoarse
sound, flung forward with arms and legs wide, to be met by a gush
of fire.

The following day Seneschal Uther Caymon was hanged at the
public gallows: the accessory, creature, companion, and confidant
of Kokor Hekkus. Standing on a tall jointed ladder he yelled down
to the awed crowd, "Fools! Fools! Do you realize how long you
have been gulled and milked, and bled? Of your gold, of your war-
riors, of your beautiful women? For two hundred years! I am this
old, Kokor Hekkus was older! Against the Brown Bersaglers he sent
your best and they died in futility; to his bed came your beautiful
girls; some returned to their homes, others did not. You will cry
when you hear of how they fared! At last he died, at last I die, but
fools! fools!-"

The executioner had broken the ladder. The crowd stared hol-
low-eyed at the jerking figure.

Alusz Iphigenia and Gersen walked in the garden at the palace of
Baron Endel Thobalt. She still was pale with horror. "How did you
know? You knew-but how?"

"First I suspected from Sion Trumble's hands. He had the wit
to carry himself differently from Paderbush, but his hands were the
same: long-fingered, a smooth glossy skin, thin thumbs with long
nails. I saw these hands, but was deceived-until once more I saw
Paderbush at close range. Sion Trumble disclosed himself further.
He was aware that you had decided not to wed him: he told me so.
But only three people knew: you, me, and Paderbush, for only in
the fort did you make up your mind. When I heard Sion Trumble
make this statement then I looked at his hands, and I knew."

"What an evil thing. I wonder what planet bore him, who were
his parents. . . ."

"He was a man blessed and cursed with his imagination. A sin-
gle life was insufficient for him; he must drink at every spring, know
every experience, live to all extremes. On Thamber he found a
world to his temperament. In his various entities he created his own
epics. WTien he tired of Thamber, he returned to the other worlds
of man-less amenable to his will, but nonetheless amusing. He is
dead."

THE KILLING MACHINE 333

"And now more than ever 1 must leave Thamber," said Alusz
Iphigenia.

"There is nothing to keep us. Tomorrow we shall leave."

"WT-iy tomorrow? Let us leave now. 1 think-I am sure-that
1 can take us to the spaceship. The way north around the Skar is
not hard; the landmarks are known."

"There is no need to stay," said Gersen. "Let us go."

A small group of Carrai noblemen gathered in the late afternoon
light. Baron Endel Thobalt spoke with sudden anxiety: "You will
send back ships from the Oikumene?"

Gersen nodded. "I have agreed to do so, and I will."

Alusz Iphigenia, heaving a small sigh, looked around the land-
scape. "Someday-I don't know when-I will come back to Tham-
ber too."

"Remember," Gersen told the baron, "that if ships from the
Oikumene arrive your old ways will not last! There will be grum-
bling and nostalgia and dissatisfaction. Perhaps you prefer Thamber
as it is now?"

"I can speak only for myself," said Endel Thobalt. "I say that
we must rejoin humanity, no matter what the cost."

He was echoed by his fellows.

"As you wish," said Gersen. Alusz Iphigenia climbed within,
Gersen followed, clamped the hatch, went to the console, looked
down at the bronze plague:

Patch Engineering and Construction Company

Patris, Krokinole

"Good old Patch," said Gersen. "I'll have to send him a report
on how his machine worked-presuming that it carries us back to
the spaceship."

Alusz Iphigenia, standing beside him, pressed her head lightly
against his shoulder. Looking down into the shining dusty-golden
hair, Gersen remembered how first he had seen her at Interchange,
how first he had thought her unremarkable. He laughed quietly.
Alusz Iphigenia looked up. "W^hy do you laugh?"

"Someday you'll know. But not right now."

Smiling at some private recollection other own, Alusz Iphigenia
said no more.

354                                  THE DEMON PRINCES

Gersen thrust the GO lever ahead. Thirty-six legs rose and fell;

eighteen segments moved forward. The fort slid off to the north-
west, where the long light of the afternoon sun glinted on the white
peaks of the Skar Sakau.