Part-3
VII
In a away past, Kingston had once been the of the United States. For a time, when Washington's men were in after the of their in New York City, the government of the United Colonies had session in this Hudson River town. It had been its one moment of glory, and Kingston had into being a minor city on the of the Catskills, New York and Albany.
Of most years, it had one of the two which the Catskill Military Reservation, which in turn was one of the score or so population the where or meet and settle their in combat—given permission of the Military Category Department of the government. And permission was to acquire.
It had slowly evolved, the to trial by to settle corporations, and unions, over jurisdiction. Slowly, but predictably. Since the days of the revolution, these had often into violence, sometimes on a to minor warfare. An early example was the in Colorado when of the Western Federation of Miners it out with "detectives" by the mine owners, and later with the of an State government.
By the middle of the Twentieth-Century, had one of the biggest in the country, and by this time a amount of the had to them for over dues-paying members. Battles on the waterfront, and counter-assassination by gun-toting by gangsters, sabotage, and scabs—all were common occurrences.
But it was the of Telly which such the public eye. Zealous reporters to the the of their viewers, and were their more rewarded.
A upon private is as of a as is Mother Nature. Give a that can be profitably, and the means can somehow be to it.
At one point in the nation's history, the had the economy, later it the of Texas and elsewhere, but toward the end of the Twentieth Century the slowly prominence. Nothing was more in than the of the Telly fan, nothing, ultimately, more profitable.
And increasingly, the Telly the more of the and presented him. Even in the years of the industry, had that and mayhem, and gunfights, took over less subjects. Music was out by gunfire, the replaced by the of and a toward each other, their the of their six-shooters, the comedian's away the of the gangster's gun.
And was demanded. The Telly on the of a police arrest, a murder, a of delinquents, a longshoreman's in which of were hospitalized. When were to such broadcasts, the of of speech and the press up, by to the value of the they so adequately.
The was there, the desire, the need. Bread the had. Trank was available to all. But the need was for the circus, the vicious, circus, and by bit, over the years and decades, the way was to the country's laws and to supply the need.
Aye, a way is always found. The final Universal Disarmament Pact which had totally all since the year 1900 and provided for complete inspection, had not ended the of war. And thus there was to give the would-be soldier, the of the country in some inter-nation conflict, practical experience.
Slowly to allow and to it out, the services of mercenaries. Slowly up to such fracases. Slowly a of government evolved. The Military Category as as the next, and the a valued, idolized, of society. And the the only one in which a socio-economic allowed for in caste.
Joe Mauser and Max Mainz the of Kingston in an of to be enjoyed. Not only was the of a only a period away, but the of an election day as well. The carnival, the Mardi Gras, the fete, the fiesta, of an election. Election Day, when each only a man, and each man an aristocrat, free of all society's conceived, caste-perpetuating and taboos.
Carnival! The day was young, but already the were thick with revelers, with dancers, with drunks. A score of played, in particular ran about in costume, there were and kegs. On the of town were and wheels, fun houses and drive-it-yourself cars. Carnival!
Max said happily, "You drink, Joe? Or maybe you like trank, better." Obviously, he loved to roll the other's name over his tongue.
Joe in how often the little man had occasion to call a Mid-Middle by his name. "No trank," he said. "Alcohol for me. Mankind's old faithful."
"Well," Max debated, "get high on and bingo, a in the morning. But trank? You wake up with a smile."
"And a for more to keep the mood going," Joe said wryly. "Get on and you for it eventually."
"Well, that's one way of looking at it," Max happily. "So let's start off with a of quick ones in this here Upper joint."
Joe looked the place over. He didn't know Kingston well, but by the of the and by the entry, it was the hotel in town. He shrugged. So as he was concerned, he the and the service of his Middle bars, restaurants and over the ones he had when a Lower. However, his wasn't an to push into the of the Uppers; not until he had to their status.
But on this occasion the little wanted to drink at an Upper bar. Very well, it was election day. "Let's go," he said to Max.
In the of a Rank Captain of the Military Category, there was little to level, and the air of nonchalance, Joe Mauser, in uniform, would have been able to go anywhere, without so much as a eyebrow—until he had presented his card, which his caste. But Max was another thing. He was a Lower, and a Low-Lower at that.
But space was for them at a packed with election day celebrants, politicians in the day's speeches and voting, higher officers of the Haer forces, having a day off, and Uppers of in town for the of the to come.
"Beer," Joe said to the bartender.
"Not me," Max crowed. "Champagne. Only the best for Max Mainz. Give me some of that I always been about."
Joe had the bill to his card, and they took their bottles and to a newly table. The place was too packed to have the services of a waiter, although Max would have loved such attention. Lower, and Middle and restaurants were automated, and the waiter or a thing of yesteryear.
Max looked about the room in awe. "This is living," he announced. "I wonder what they'd say if I to the and ordered a room."
Joe Mauser wasn't as as his batman. In fact, he'd often in the larger cities, in as as this, though only of Middle status. Kingston's best was on the side. He said, "They'd tell you they were up."
Max was indignant. "Because I'm a Lower? It's election day."
Joe said mildly, "Because they are up. But for that matter, they might you off. It's not as though an Upper to a Middle or Lower hotel and asked for accommodations. But what do you want, justice?"
Max it. He looked into his glass. "Hey," he complained, "what'd they give me? This tastes like weak hard cider."
Joe laughed. "What did you think it was going to taste like?"
Max took another sip. "I it was to be the best drink you buy. You know, strong. It's just wine."
A voice said, dryly, "Your doesn't to be a of the French vintages, captain."
Joe turned. Balt Haer and two others the table next to them.
Joe and said, "Truthfully, it was my own reaction, the time I wine, sir."
"Indeed," Haer said. "I can imagine." He a hand. "Lieutenant Colonel Paul Warren of Marshal Cogswell's staff, and Colonel Lajos Arpàd, of Budapest—Captain Joseph Mauser."
Joe Mauser came to his and his heels, from the in protocol. The other two didn't to come to their feet, but did to shake hands.
The Sov officer said, disinterestedly, "Ah yes, this is one of your customs, isn't it? On an election day, is to go anywhere. Anywhere at all. And, ah"—he a like a giggle—"associate with anyone at all."
Joe Mauser his seat then looked at him. "That is correct. A going to the early history of the country when all men were equal in such as law and rights. Gentlemen, may I present Rank Private Max Mainz, my orderly."
Balt Haer, who had already had a few, looked at him dourly. "You can these to the point of the ludicrous, captain. For a man with your ambitions, I'm surprised."
The officer the Haer had as Lieutenant Colonel Warren, of Stonewall Cogswell's staff, said idly, "Ambitions? Does the captain have ambitions? How in Zen can a Middle have ambitions, Balt?" He at Joe Mauser superciliously, but then scowled. "Haven't I you before?"
Joe said evenly, "Yes, sir. Five years ago we were with the in a on the Little Big Horn reservation. Your company was on a by a of artillery. The Marshal sent me to your relief. We in, up an arroyo, and were able to most of you out."
"I was wounded," the said, the gone and a in his voice above the there earlier.
Joe Mauser said nothing to that. Max Mainz was now. These officers were talking above his head, as they him. He had a that he was being by Captain Mauser, but he didn't know how, or why.
Balt Haer had been in fresh drinks. Now he to the table. "Well, colonel, it's all very secret, these of Captain Mauser. I he's been an de to Marshal Cogswell in the past, but the will be to learn that on this occasion Captain Mauser has a by which he to your forces. Indeed, yes, the captain is the strategist." Balt Haer laughed abruptly. "And what good will this do the captain? Why on my father's word, if he succeeds, all will be to make the captain a equal of ours. Not just on election day, mind you, but all three hundred sixty-five days of the year."
Joe Mauser was on his feet, his expressionless. He said, "Shall we go, Max? Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure. Colonel Arpàd, a to meet you. Colonel Warren, a to acquaintance." Joe Mauser and, by his orderly, left.
Lieutenant Colonel Warren, pale, was on his too.
Balt Haer was chuckling. "Sit down, Paul. Sit down. Not to be angry about. The man's a clod."
Warren looked at him bleakly. "I wasn't angry, Balt. The last time I saw Captain Mauser I was over his shoulder. He carried, and me some two miles through enemy fire."
Balt Haer it off with a shrug. "Well, that's his profession. Category Military. A for hire. I assume he his pay."
"He have left me. Common that he me."
Balt Haer was annoyed. "Well, then we see what I've all along. The captain doesn't have common sense."
Colonel Paul Warren his head. "You're there. Common Joseph Mauser has. Considerable ability, he has. He's one of the best men in the field. But I'd to under him."
The Hungarian was interested. "But why?"
"Because he doesn't have luck, and in the you need luck." Warren in memory. "Had the Telly been on Joe Mauser, there at the Little Big Horn, he would have been a month long to the Telly buffs, with all that means." He again. "There wasn't a Telly team a mile."
"The captain didn't that," Balt Haer snorted. "Otherwise his would have been modified."
Warren his and sat down. He said, "Possibly we should discuss the us. If your father is in agreement, the can in three days." He to the of the Sov-world. "You have satisfied yourselves that neither is the Disarmament Pact?"
Lajos Arpàd nodded. "We will wish to have on the field, itself, of course. But has been satisfactory." He had been in the play these two and the officer. He said now, "Pardon me. As you know, this is my visit to the, uh West. I am fascinated. If I what just transpired, our Captain Mauser is a junior officer to in rank and in your society." He looked at Balt Haer. "Why are you to his so rising?"
Young Haer was about the whole matter. "Of what purpose is an Upper if every Tom, Dick and Harry enters it at will?"
Warren looked at the door through which Joe and Max had from the lounge. He opened his mouth to say something, closed it again, and his peace.
The Hungarian said, looking from one of them to the other, "In the Sov-world we out such and their abilities."
Lieutenant Colonel Warren laughed abruptly. "So do we here theoretically. We are free, that means. However," he added sarcastically, "it help to have good schooling, good connections, relatives in positions of prominence, of good stocks, that of thing. And these one is with, in this free world of ours, Colonel Arpàd."
The Sov his tongue. "An of a society."
Balt Haer on him. "And is it any different in your world?" he said sneeringly. "Is it that the best positions in the Sov-world are by Party members, and that it is all but for anyone not of Party to one? Are not the best with the children of Party members? Are not only Party members allowed to keep servants? And isn't it so that—"
Lieutenant Colonel Warren said, "Gentlemen, let us not start World War Three at this spot, at this late occasion."
VIII
Baron Malcolm Haer's were in the of a farm house in a town once as Bearsville. His forces, and those of Marshal Stonewall Cogswell, were on the but as yet their main had not come in contact. Save for units, there had been no action. The farm house had been a of an in this which had in its time more than Belgium, that of Europe.
There was a of on the Baron's and his officers weren't particularly happy about it. Malcolm Haer into a with confidence, an so that it often the day. In past, it had a that Haer's was a thousand men; the energy he was the of his doctors who had been him for a decade. But now, something was missing.
A over the them. "So as we know, Marshal Cogswell has his here in Saugerties. Anybody have any as to why?"
A major grumbled, "It doesn't make much sense, sir. You know the marshal. It's a fake. If we have any at all, it's our artillery."
"And the old wouldn't want to join the issue on the plains, near the river," a added. "It's his game to keep up into the with his and light infantry. He's got Jack Alshuler's cavalry. Most in the field."
"I know who he's got," Haer in irritation. "Stop me. Where in the is Balt?"
"Coming up, sir," Balt Haer said. He had entered only moments ago, a of in his hand. "Why didn't they make that date 1910, of 1900? With radio, we speed up communications—"
His father testily. "Better still, why not make it 1945? Then we speed up to the point where we ourselves off. What have you got?"
Balt Haer said, his in sulk, "Some of my in West Hurley report of Cogswell's and near Ashokan reservoir."
"Nonsense," somebody snapped. "We'd have him."
The Haer his against his leg and kilt. "Possibly it's a feint," he admitted.
"How much were they able to observe?" his father demanded.
"Not much. They were off by a squadron. The Hovercraft are they do with units. I told you we needed more—"
"I don't need your at this point," his father snapped. The older Haer to the map, still. "I don't see what he to do, out of Saugerties."
A voice them said, "Sir, may I have your permission—"
Half of the assembled officers to look at the newcomer.
Balt Haer snapped, "Captain Mauser. Why aren't you with your lads?"
"Turned them over to my second in command, sir," Joe Mauser said. He was to attention, looking at Baron Haer.
The Baron at him. "What is the meaning of this intrusion, captain? Certainly, you must have your orders. Are you under the that you are part of my staff?"
"No, sir," Joe Mauser clipped. "I came to report that I am to put into execution—"
"The great plan!" Balt Haer ejaculated. He laughed brittlely. "The second day of the fracas, and nobody where old Cogswell is, or what he plans to do. And here comes the captain with his plan."
Joe looked at him. He said, evenly, "Yes, sir."
The Baron's had gone dark, as much in anger at his son, as with the captain. He to ominously, "Captain Mauser, your and your orders."
Joe Mauser's that he had this. He his voice level however, under the of his superior, Balt Haer.
He said, "Sir, I will be able to tell you where Marshal Cogswell is, and every at his command."
For a moment there was silence, all but a silence. Then the major who had the Saugerties were a fake, a laugh.
"This is no time for levity, captain," Balt Haer clipped. "Get to your command."
A said, "Just a moment, sir. I've with Joe Mauser before. He's a good man."
"Not that good," someone else huffed. "Does he to be clairvoyant?"
Joe Mauser said flatly. "Have a man posted here this afternoon. I'll be at that time." He on his and left them.
Balt Haer to the door after him, shouting, "Captain! That's an order! Return—"
But the other was gone. Enraged, the Haer to to a in the way of a pursuit.
His father called wearily, "That's enough, Balt. Mauser has taken of his senses. We the mistake of this idea he had, or he had."
"We?" his son in return. "I had nothing to do with it."
"All right, all right. Let's up, here. Now, what other have your come up with?"
IX
At the Kingston airport, Joe Mauser Max Mainz, his now.
"Everything go all right?" the little man said anxiously.
"I don't know," Joe said. "I still couldn't tell them the story. Old Cogswell is as quick as a coyote. We this little today, and he'll be to meet it tomorrow."
He looked at the two-place which sat on the tarmac. "Everything all set?"
"Far as I know," Max said. He looked at the aircraft. "You sure you been out on these things, captain?"
"Yes," Joe said. "I this particular more than a year ago, and I've put almost a thousand hours in it. Now, where's the pilot of that light plane?"
A single-engined plane was to the by a fifty-foot rope. Even as Joe spoke, a his from the plane's window and at them. "Ready?" he yelled.
"Come on, Max," Joe said. "Let's the off this thing. We don't want it in the way while you're semaphoring."
A was them from the Administration Building. A man, and somehow familiar.
"A moment, Captain Mauser!"
Joe him now. The Sov-world he'd met at Balt Haer's table in the Upper a of days ago. What was his name? Colonel Arpàd. Lajos Arpàd.
The Hungarian approached and looked at the in interest. "As a of my government, a upon possible of the Universal Disarmament Pact, may I what you are about to do, captain?"
Joe Mauser looked at him emptily. "How did you know I was here and what I was doing?"
The Sov gently. "It was by of Marshal Cogswell. He is a great man for detail. It him that an ... what did he call it? ... an old pro like should join with Vacuum Tube Transport, than Continental Hovercraft. He didn't think it and that possibly you had in mind some that would of a post 1900 period in your to success to Baron Haer's forces. So I have investigated, Captain Mauser."
"And the about this sail plane?" Joe Mauser's was blank.
"I didn't say that. So as I know, he doesn't."
"Then, Colonel Arpàd, with your permission, I'll be taking off."
The Hungarian said, "With what end in mind, captain?"
"Using this as a aircraft."
"Captain, I you! Aircraft were not in use in until—"
But Joe Mauser cut him off, briskly. "Aircraft were used in by Pancho Villa's a years previous to World War I. They were also used in the Balkan Wars of about the same period. But those were craft. This is a glider, and in use the year 1900 and hence open to utilization."
The Hungarian clipped, "But the Wright Brothers didn't until—"
Joe looked him full in the face. "But you of the Sov-world do not admit that the Wrights were the to fly, do you?"
The Hungarian closed his mouth, abruptly.
Joe said evenly, "But if Ivan Ivanovitch, or you his name was, didn't of than air craft, the was 1900, Otto Lilienthal in the 1890s, and was designed as as Leonardo da Vinci."
The Sov-world at him for a long moment, then gave an giggle. He and Joe Mauser a salute. "Very well, captain. As a of routine, I shall report this use of an for purposes, and a will meet to the of the departure. Meanwhile, good luck!"
Joe returned the and a leg over the cockpit's side. Max was already in the seat, his flags, and on his lap. He had been in at the Sov officer, now was that Joe had it off.
Joe to the plane ahead. Two had come up to the for the ten or fifteen of the craft's passage over the ground the craft.
Joe said to Max, "did you to the pilot that under no was he to pass over the line of the reservation, that we'd cut we that point?"
"Yes, sir," Max said nervously. He'd before, on the lines, but he'd been in a glider.
They across the field, slowly, then speed. And as the took speed, it took grace. After it had been a hundred or so, Joe the and it into the air, four or five off the ground. The was still taxiing, but with its it up speed quickly. Another two hundred and it, too, was in the air and to climb. The it to a speed of sixty miles or so.
At ten thousand feet, the plane off and the pilot's to look at them. Joe Mauser to him and the which the rope from the glider's nose. The plane away, the rope it. Joe that the plane pilot would later it over the where it easily be retrieved.
In the direction of Mount Overlook he see clouds and the dark which meant updraft. He in that direction.
Except for the of wind, there is complete in a glider. Max Mainz to call to his superior, was taken by the volume, and his voice. He said, "Look, captain. What it up?"
Joe grinned. He liked the of flying, the nearest approach of man to the bird, and thus was going well. He told Max, "An through the air currents, a on top of them."
"Yeah, but the is going down?"
"Then we avoid it. This only has a of one to twenty-five, but it's a with a of some four hundred pounds. A high performance can have a of as much as one to forty."
Joe had a where a wind ran up the of a mountain. He banked, into a turn. The they were at the of eight second, nearly fifteen hundred a minute.
Max hadn't got the on the of the glider. That was in his expression.
Joe Mauser, while the ground keenly, into it further. "A wind up against a will give an updraft, clouds will, a newly in a sun. So you go from one of these to the next."
"Yeah, great, but when you're between," Max protested.
"Then, when you have a one to twenty-five ratio, you go twenty-five for each one you drop. If you started a mile high, you go twenty-five miles you touched ground." He cut himself off quickly. "Look, what's that, there? Get your on it."
Max his excitement. His were tight to his eyes. "Sojers. Cavalry. They sure ain't ours. They must be Hovercraft lads. And look, artillery."
Joe Mauser was with his left hand, his right out a on his lap. He growled, "What are they doing there? That's at least a full of cavalry. Here, let me have those glasses."
With his the stick, he into a slow circle, as he at the of men. "Jack Alshuler," he in surprise. "The marshal's cavalry. And of artillery." He the in a scope and the into a of comprehension. "They're doing a complete circle of the reservation. They're going to the Baron from the direction of Phoenicia."
X
Marshal Stonewall Cogswell his old in the direction his of staff indicated.
"What is it?" he grunted.
"It's an airplane, sir."
"Over a with a in progress?"
"Yes, sir." The other put his on the object. "Then what is it, sir? Certainly not a free balloon."
"Balloons," the snorted, as though to himself. "Legal to use. The Union had them toward the end of the Civil War. But in a of movement."
They were the hotel which the marshal's headquarters. Other staff members were from the building, and one of the ever-present Telly were setting up cameras.
The and barked, "Does know what in Zen that thing, up there, is?"
Baron Zwerdling, the Category Transport magnate, of Continental Hovercraft, onto the and with the others. "An airplane," he croaked. "Haer's gone too this time. Too far, too far. This will him. Strip him, understand." Then he added, "Why doesn't it make any noise?"
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Warren next to his officer. "It looks like a glider, sir."
Cogswell at him. "A what?"
"A glider, sir. It's a sport not particularly popular these days."
"What it up, it?"
Paul Warren looked at him. "The same thing that a up, an albatross, a gull—"
"A vulture, you mean," Cogswell snarled. He it for another long moment, his working. He on his of artillery. "Jed, can you that thing down?"
The other had been the through binoculars, his as as the of them. Now he his chief, and the glasses, his head. "Not with the of pre-1900. No, sir."
"What can you do?" Cogswell barked.
The man was his head. "We some Maxim on wheels, or something. Keep him from low."
"He doesn't have to come low," Cogswell unhappily. He on Lieutenant Colonel Warren again. "When were they invented?" He his thumb upward. "Those things."
Warren was his in memory. "Some time about the turn of the century."
"How long can the up?"
Warren took in the countryside. "Indefinitely, sir. A single pilot, as long as he is physically able to operate. If there are two up there to each other, they until food and water ran out."
"How much weight do they carry?"
"I'm not sure. One that size, for two men and any they'd need. Say, five hundred pounds."
Cogswell had his to his again, he under his breath, "Five hundred pounds! They over our horses. Stampede them all over the reservation."
"What's going on?" Baron Zwerdling shrilled. "What's going on Marshal Cogswell?"
Cogswell him. He the circling, for a full five minutes, deeply. Then he his and the assembled officers of his staff with an glare. "Ten Eyck!" he grunted.
An came to attention. "Yes, sir."
Cogswell said heavily, deliberately. "Under a white flag. A to Baron Haer. My and for his terms. While you're at it, my also to Captain Joseph Mauser."
Zwerdling was bug-eyeing him. "Terms!" he rasped.
The to him. "Yes, sir. Face reality. We're in the dill. I you for terms as of complete as you can make them."
"You call a soldier—!" the transport to shrill.
"Yes, sir," Cogswell snapped. "A soldier, not a of the under me." He called to the Telly who was as much of this as he could. "Mr. Soligen, isn't it?"
The forward, to his for proper coverage. "Yes, sir. Freddy Soligen, marshal. Could you tell the Telly fans what this is all about, Marshal Cogswell? Folks, you all know the famous marshal. Marshal Stonewall Cogswell, who hasn't a in nearly ten years, now the of Continental Hovercraft."
"I'm one now," Cogswell said grimly. "Vacuum Tube Transport has a out of the and have for us. It will be the Military Category Department, of course, and the Sov-world will have to say. But as it now, the as we have it, has been revolutionized."
"Revolutionized?" Even the Telly was flabbergasted. "You by that thing?" He pointed upward, and the of the his finger.
"Yes," Cogswell unhappily. "Do all of you need a blueprint? Do you think I can a with that thing above me, the day hours? Do you the of in warfare?" His glowered. "Do you think Napoleon would have Waterloo if he'd had the of perfect such as that thing can deliver? Do you think Lee would have Gettysburg? Don't be ridiculous." He on Baron Zwerdling, who was his complete confusion.
"As it stands, Baron Haer every I make. All I know of his movements are from my scouts. I repeat, I am no butcher, sir. I will with Baron Haer another day, when I, too, have ... what did you call the things, Paul?"
"Gliders," Lieutenant Colonel Warren said.
XI
Major Joseph Mauser, now in his best off-duty Category Military uniform, spoke his to the receptionist. "I have no appointment, but I am sure the Baron will see me," he said.
"Yes, sir." The did the that do, then looked up at him again. "Right through that door, major."
Joe Mauser gave the door a quick and then entered waiting an answer.
Balt Haer, in mufti, was at a window, a drink in his hand, than his stick. Nadine Haer sat in an easy-chair. The girl Joe Mauser loved had been crying.
Joe Mauser, his frown, with the amenities.
Balt Haer without them, his drink in a and at the newcomer. The old stare, the stare, an looking at an as though what the tick. He said, finally, "I see you have been to Rank Major."
"Yes, sir," Joe said.
"We are occupied, major. What can either my sister or I possibly do for you?"
Joe his voice even. He said, "I wanted to see the Baron."
Nadine Haer looked up, a of pain her face.
"Indeed," Balt Haer said flatly. "You are talking to the Baron, Major Mauser."
Joe Mauser looked at him, then at his sister, who had taken to her again. Consternation up and over him in a flood. He wanted to say something such as, "Oh no," but not that he utter.
Haer was bitter. "I assume I know why you are here, major. You have come for your of flesh, undoubtedly. Even in these hours of our grief—"
"I ... I didn't know. Please ..."
"... You are so that your has no decency. Well, Major Mauser, I can only say that your was with my father. Even if I it a one, I if I would your myself."
Nadine Haer looked up wearily. "Oh, Balt, come off it," she said. "The is, the Haer a to you, major. Unfortunately, it is a we cannot pay." She looked into his face. "First, my father's do not apply to us. Second, six months ago, my father, about his health and attempting to avoid death taxes, transferred the family stocks into Balt's name. And Balt saw fit, the fracas, to sell all Vacuum Tube Transport stocks, and in Hovercraft."
"That's enough, Nadine," her nastily.
"I see," Joe said. He came to attention. "Dr. Haer, my for upon you in your time of bereavement." He to the new Baron. "Baron Haer, my for your bereavement."
Balt Haer at him.
Joe Mauser and for the door which he opened then closed him.
On the street, the New York offices of Vacuum Tube Transport, he and for a moment looked up at the of the building.
Well, at least the common of the had the victory. His rank had been to Major, and old Stonewall Cogswell had offered him a permanent position on his staff in of operations, no small of prestige. The was, he wasn't in the added money that would to him, the higher rank—nor the prestige, for that matter.
He to go to his hotel.
An girl came the steps of the building. She said, "Joe."
He looked at her. "Yes?"
She put a hand on his sleeve. "Let's go and talk, Joe."
"About what?" He was now.
"About goals," she said. "As long as they exist, for individuals, or nations, or a whole species, life is still the living. Things are a right now, but at the of very trite, there's tomorrow."
