are not usually so subtle in their method. When they seek information they are more apt to send a dozen inquirers with persuasions of explosive mien. This leaves us where? Back with governments again. Now, I dislike bureaucrats on principle. If so, I dislike you. Anyone who interferes in the business affairs of a simple old man I dislike!
“I especially dislike pretty tourists who can throw a side-kick capable of breaking a man’s leg, from a sitting position, no less. I think if you weren’t tied down you might even try to break mine. Being an old man, I’d crack very easily. My bones are brittle, I’m afraid. Everywhere but my head. Perhaps you represent even more than our local police, umm? The Commonwealth, mayhap? Or even the Church?”
Kitten feigned a long sigh. “Old man, you have a maniac imagination. Or possibly it’s simple senility.”
Rose’s expression did not change. “You’re as feisty as you are lovely. I’d rather not ruin one to modify the other. And you may be right about my imagination. I’m using it right now. I’ll keep on using it until you tell me what I have to know. The same will apply to your short friend.” He gestured in Porsupah’s direction.
“Perhaps you, Tolian, are more inclined to answer a few questions?”
“I vow vengeance!” Porsupah shouted. “Vengeance, when my family learns of this! You will
wish
we were merely government puppets! My great Uncle is the second most powerful metals manufacturer on—!”
Rose was shaking his head slowly. “Such fine acting! Still, there is always the long,
long
chance that you are who you claim to be. That your ease with tobacco was due merely to ignorance all around, or some fantastic bribes in the proper places. In that case, I will later apologize profusely for what I am about to have done. For now, I would rather proceed.”
He pressed a button or switch below Kitten’s line of sight. There was the sound of a door opening. Kitten looked up and to the left to see an opening appear in the side of the room. A tall male figure entered. It was well-muscled and nude to the waist. A black hood pierced with three slots for eyes and mouth covered the man’s head down to the shoulders.
Kitten laughed—not easy, under the circumstances. “Oh . . . oh now,
really!
How terribly, terribly melodramatic!”
“Isn’t it?” said Rose rather fondly. “Please forgive me, my dear. I’m something of a traditionalist.”
The figure walked to a small wheeled cart and pushed it over next to Kitten’s bench. He stopped it close by her head. A large metal case sat on the cart. The man uncoupled four metallic latches and swung the two halves of the case open. The contents gleamed in the soft fluorescent light like faceted gems. They comprised a complete portable surgery.
“Physical torture!” she said contemptuously. “How unutterably crude! If you would persist in this idiocy, I would at least expect a modicum of sophistication!”
Rose smiled for the first time. There was no humor in it.
“The allegation has been made before, my dear. As I’ve indicated, I’m pretty nostalgic about some things. Despite the great advances in human technology, certain basics remain essentially unchanged. Only the methodology is improved. Also, I confess cheerfully that my motives are not wholly practical. The procedure involved provides me with a certain amount of pleasure. I
like
hearing pretty girls scream. We all have our little affectations. Mine is neither new nor unique. It’s a time-honored human pastime. At least you must give me credit for my choice of tools. You’re looking at a complete portable laboratory for organic repair—a very expensive toy, I assure you. Not the slightest danger of infection.”
“How considerate you are!” Kitten rasped. She tried the bonds at one ankle this time, pulling upwards as well as back.
“You won’t break those strappings, my dear. Now, this particular surgery was made by the best thranx
“I especially dislike pretty tourists who can throw a side-kick capable of breaking a man’s leg, from a sitting position, no less. I think if you weren’t tied down you might even try to break mine. Being an old man, I’d crack very easily. My bones are brittle, I’m afraid. Everywhere but my head. Perhaps you represent even more than our local police, umm? The Commonwealth, mayhap? Or even the Church?”
Kitten feigned a long sigh. “Old man, you have a maniac imagination. Or possibly it’s simple senility.”
Rose’s expression did not change. “You’re as feisty as you are lovely. I’d rather not ruin one to modify the other. And you may be right about my imagination. I’m using it right now. I’ll keep on using it until you tell me what I have to know. The same will apply to your short friend.” He gestured in Porsupah’s direction.
“Perhaps you, Tolian, are more inclined to answer a few questions?”
“I vow vengeance!” Porsupah shouted. “Vengeance, when my family learns of this! You will
wish
we were merely government puppets! My great Uncle is the second most powerful metals manufacturer on—!”
Rose was shaking his head slowly. “Such fine acting! Still, there is always the long,
long
chance that you are who you claim to be. That your ease with tobacco was due merely to ignorance all around, or some fantastic bribes in the proper places. In that case, I will later apologize profusely for what I am about to have done. For now, I would rather proceed.”
He pressed a button or switch below Kitten’s line of sight. There was the sound of a door opening. Kitten looked up and to the left to see an opening appear in the side of the room. A tall male figure entered. It was well-muscled and nude to the waist. A black hood pierced with three slots for eyes and mouth covered the man’s head down to the shoulders.
Kitten laughed—not easy, under the circumstances. “Oh . . . oh now,
really!
How terribly, terribly melodramatic!”
“Isn’t it?” said Rose rather fondly. “Please forgive me, my dear. I’m something of a traditionalist.”
The figure walked to a small wheeled cart and pushed it over next to Kitten’s bench. He stopped it close by her head. A large metal case sat on the cart. The man uncoupled four metallic latches and swung the two halves of the case open. The contents gleamed in the soft fluorescent light like faceted gems. They comprised a complete portable surgery.
“Physical torture!” she said contemptuously. “How unutterably crude! If you would persist in this idiocy, I would at least expect a modicum of sophistication!”
Rose smiled for the first time. There was no humor in it.
“The allegation has been made before, my dear. As I’ve indicated, I’m pretty nostalgic about some things. Despite the great advances in human technology, certain basics remain essentially unchanged. Only the methodology is improved. Also, I confess cheerfully that my motives are not wholly practical. The procedure involved provides me with a certain amount of pleasure. I
like
hearing pretty girls scream. We all have our little affectations. Mine is neither new nor unique. It’s a time-honored human pastime. At least you must give me credit for my choice of tools. You’re looking at a complete portable laboratory for organic repair—a very expensive toy, I assure you. Not the slightest danger of infection.”
“How considerate you are!” Kitten rasped. She tried the bonds at one ankle this time, pulling upwards as well as back.
“You won’t break those strappings, my dear. Now, this particular surgery was made by the best thranx
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