Entities: The Selected Novels of Eric Frank Russell Read Free Page B

him to the mid-cabin.
    “Sleep well?”
    “Not in the last spell,” Mowry admitted. “The propulsors were noisier than usual, the whole ship shuddered and creaked. I spent most of the time lying in my bunk and inventing new cuss-words.”
    The captain gave a wry smile. “You didn’t know it, but we were being chased by four Sirian destroyers. We hit up top speed and lost them.”
    “You sure they aren’t still tracking us?”
    “They’ve fallen behind range of our detectors, therefore we’re beyond range of theirs.”
    “Thank heavens for that,” said Mowry.
    “I’ve opened the orders. Were due to arrive in forty-eight Earth-hours.”
    “Where?”
    “On a planet called Jaimec. Ever heard of it?”
    “Yes, the Sirian news channels used to mention it every once in a while. It’s one of their outpost worlds if I remember right, under-populated and not half developed. I never met anyone from there and so don’t know much about it.” He registered mild annoyance. “This secretiveness is all very well, but it would help a fellow some to let him know where he’s going and give him some useful information about the place before he gets there. Ignorance could prove damn dangerous; it might cost me my neck. Maybe I’m finicky but I value my neck.”
    “You’ll land with all the data we’ve got,” soothed the captain. “They’ve supplied a stack of stuff along with the orders.” He put a wad of papers on the table, also several maps and a number of large photographs. Then he pointed to a cabinet standing against a wall. “That’s the stereoscopic viewer. Use it to search these pics for a suitable landing place. The choice is wholly yours. My job is to put you down safely wherever you choose and get away undetected.”
    “How long have I got?”
    “You must show me the selected spot not later than forty hours from now.”
    “And how long can you allow for dumping me and my equipment?”
    “Twenty minutes maximum. Positively no more. I’m sorry about that but it can’t be helped. If we sit on the ground and take it easy we’ll leave unmistakable signs of our landing, a whacking big rut that can soon be spotted by air patrols and will get the hunt after you in full cry. So we’ll have to use the antigravs and move fast. The antigravs soak up power. Twenty minutes’ output is the most we can afford.”
    “All right. ” Mowry gave a shrug of resignation, took up the papers and started reading them as the captain went out.
    Jaimec, ninety-fourth planet of the Sirian Empire. Mass seven-eighths that of Terra. Land area about half that of Terra’s, the rest being ocean. First settled two and a half centuries ago. Present population estimated at about eighty millions. Jaimec had cities, railroads, spaceports and all the other features of alien civilization. Nevertheless, much of it remained undeveloped, unexplored and in primitive condition.
    He spent a good many hours making close, meticulous study of the planet’s surface as shown in the stereoscopic viewer, meanwhile wondering how the big photos had been obtained. Evidently someone had taken a considerable risk to play close with an aerial camera. War had a hundred unsung heroes for every one praised and draped with medals.
    By the fortieth hour he had made his choice. It had not been easy to reach a decision. Every seemingly suitable dropping-place had some kind of disadvantage, proving yet again that the ideal hideout does not exist. One would be beautifully positioned from the strategic viewpoint but lack adequate cover. Another would have first-class natural concealment but dangerous location.
    The captain came in saying, “I hope you’ve picked a point on the night-side. If it isn’t, we’ll have to dodge around until dark and that’s not good. The best technique is to go in and get out before they’ve time to take alarm and organize a counter-blow.”
    “This is it.” Mowry indicated the place on a photo. “It’s a