them ran streets, some straight and orderly, others twisting and capricious.
At the edge of the densely packed buildings there was a small park and a cluster of
tombstones that marked the cemetery. Of course, in addition to the residential sector,
there was everything you’d find in an ordinary village or town—a hospital, a sheriff’s
office, a jail, and a fire station. In the park, live trees swayed with the wind.
Startlingly enough, the base that supported this colossal establishment and was indispensable
in its smooth movement hovered some three feet off the ground. That wasn’t something
just compressed-air jets or rocket engines could manage. No doubt power produced by
the atomic reactor inside the base was run through a subatomic particle-converter
and changed to antigravity energy. Still, to keep the structure a good three feet
off the ground, there had to be some secret to the output of their atomic reactor
or the capacity of their converters.
The base loomed blackly before the two men, and the mechanical whoosh blew closer
and closer. A blinding light flashed down on the trio of travelers from a platform
near the iron inlay on the top edge of the base. A voice boomed over the speakers.
“What do you folks want?”
Pluto VIII pulled the microphone from his bike to his mouth and answered, “We’re travelers.
And we got an injured person here. We’d like to have a doctor take a look at ’er.
Would you let us in?”
There was silence. The searchlight continued to shine on the pair. Well-concealed
guns, no doubt, had them locked in their crosshairs. After a while, there was a reply.
“No can do. We’re not taking on any new blood. The town’s population is already thirty
percent over what our resources can support. Find yourselves another town or village.
The closest one’s twelve and a half miles from here—a place by the name of Hahiko.”
“You’ve gotta be yanking my chain!” Pluto VIII growled, pounding a fist against his
handlebars. “Who the hell’s talking about twelve and a half miles?! Look, this girl
I’ve got on my back’s been doused real bad with radiation. She couldn’t make it another
hundred yards, let alone twelve and a half miles. What are you, the freaking Nobility?!”
“Nothing you can say’s gonna make any difference,” the voice said coldly. “These orders
come from the mayor. On top of that, the girl is part of the Knight family—Lori’s
her name. Two and a half months back they left town, so we’re not about to let one
of them back in now.”
“I don’t give a rat’s ass about that. We got a girl in the prime of her life about
to die. What, don’t any of you have kids?”
The voice fell silent again. When another announcement rang out, it was a different
person’s voice. “We’re set to roll,” the new speaker said, “so clear the way!” And
then, sounding somewhat agitated, he added, “Hey, young fellah—you wouldn’t happen
to be named D, would you?”
The youth nodded slightly.
“Oh, you should’ve said so in the first place. I’m the one who sent for you. Mayor
Ming’s the name. Just a second and we’ll let you on board.”
Machinery groaned, the iron door rose upward, and a boarding ramp started to glide
out.
D said softly, “I’ve got some companions.”
“Companions?!” Mayor Ming’s voice quavered. “I’d always heard you were the most aloof,
independent Hunter on earth. Just when did you get these companions?”
“Earlier.”
“Earlier? You mean those two?”
“Do you see anyone else?” the Hunter asked.
“No—it’s just . . . ”
“I’ve fought side by side with them. That’s the only reason I have. But if you have
no business with me, I’ll be on my way.”
“W . . . wait a minute.” The mayor’s tone shifted from vacillating to determined.
“We can’t afford to lose you. I’ll make a special exception for them. Come