The Galaxy Builder by Keith Laumer Page A

you,
Slim—security, you know," Roy said apologetically. "Your best bet is
still the old psychical energies. Casper's got the emergency gear in his pack,
which we ain't allowed to use it except in case of what they call a 'dire
emergency'. But don't worry: If we hafta pull the chain, we'll get back to you
ASAP, and whip you outa here. So why don't you just go ahead and give it a try?
It'll be tricky, you being outside your primary range this time and all. But
what the heck: Maybe you can do it. Good luck, and I'll see you back at Ajax
which we'll hoist a few in memory o' this contretemps, which we'll have a good
laugh when it's over."
     
                "Yes, but what about Daphne?"
Lafayette countered.
     
                "One thing at a time, Slim." Roy fell
silent, cocking his head. "On your feet, boys," he ordered quietly.
"You can come too, Slim," he added. "Listen, they're tryna sneak
up on us. Hear that?"
     
                As a twig cracked loudly, the small foursome
shouldered packs and disappeared into the surrounding underbrush. Lafayette
picked up a club dropped during the brief battle with Trog's bodyguard and
waited, watching the spot whence the sounds had emanated, as the twilight
deepened.
     
    -
     
                "Hi, Al," Marv's voice broke the
stillness. He pushed into view, brushing twigs and leaf mold from his tattered
garments.
     
                "I been laying low, waiting for a chanst to
duck in and rescue ya and all," he confided. "I guess now's the time,
huh, while them little devils is out of sight."
     
                Lafayette handed Marv the second can of food.
"Have some lunch," he said. "The little fellows are friends of
mine," he went on. "But that doesn't make your rescue efforts any
less appreciated."
     
                "Oh." Marv looked crestfallen.
"They looked pretty rough and tough," he explained. "And the way
they turned the tables and cleaned up on Fred and Lump-Lump and Omar was what
ya might say impressive."
     
                "A natural mistake," Lafayette agreed.
"But now we have to hurry up and catch up with them. They're my only link
to Artesia and Aphasia One."
     
                "Sure, Chief," Marv acceded, finishing
his can of food. He looked at the label doubtfully before tossing it aside.
     
                "No littering," Lafayette said
severely. "But with the whole kingdom in ruins, I don't suppose it really
matters."
     
                "Sure, boss," Marv said complacently.
"By the way, I never had peaner butter with olives before." He
belched comfortably. "Wondered what it was. Pretty good at that. O'
course, hungry as I was, boiled harness woulda tasted good."
     
                Lafayette led the way down the path, expecting
to catch sight of the pack-laden Ajax crew at the first bend. But rounding the
turn, he saw only more path stretching ahead into deep shade. He accelerated
his pace, his feet slipping on the damp soil underfoot. Marv, at his heels,
complained.
     
                "Fer crine inta yer homemade soup, Chief,
we can't keep up no gallop like this. Take it easy."
     
                Lafayette ignored him, intent on closing the
gap. There were puddles in the path now. Through gaps in the foliage pressing
close on the tunnellike path, Lafayette caught glimpses of moonlight reflected
on water. At the same time, the path underfoot had grown steadily soggier. He
splashed on, Marv trailing at a distance.
     
                An hour later, winded, he sat on a stump to wait
for Marv to catch up, wheezing and holding his short ribs.
     
                "Cripes, Mine Fewher," Marv
complained. "I think I busted sumpin'. I got a side-ache like a mule
kicked me. Okay if we rest awhile, bwana?"
     
                "We've lost them, Marv," Lafayette
said bleakly. "I was a fool not to follow at once. They probably
scattered,