The Colors of Space

Hedrick growled, "Why waste time talking? Listen, young Steele, you'll

do as you're told, or else! Who gave you the right to argue?"

"Quiet, both of you." Montano came and laid his arm around Bart's

shoulders, persuasively. "Bart, I know how you feel. But can't you trust

me? You're Rupert Steele's son, and you're here to carry on what your

father left undone, aren't you? If you fail now, there may not be

another chance for years--maybe not in our lifetimes."

Bart dropped his head in his hands. Kill a whole shipload of

Lhari--innocent traders? Bald, funny old Rugel, stern Vorongil, Ringg-"I don't know what to do!" It was a cry of despair. Bart looked

helplessly around at the men.

Montano said, almost tenderly, "You couldn't side with the Lhari against

men, could you? Could a son of Rupert Steele do that?"

Bart shut his eyes, and something seemed to snap within him. His father

had died for this. He might not understand Montano's reasons, but he had

to believe that Montano had them.

"All right," he said, thickly, "you can count on me."

When he left Montano's house, he had the details of the plan, had

memorized the location of the device he was to sabotage, and accepted,

from Montano, a pair of dark contact lenses. "The light's hellish out

there," Montano warned. "I know you're half Mentorian, but they don't

even take their Mentorians out there. They're proud of saying no human

foot has ever touched Lharillis."

When he got back to the Lhari spaceport, Ringg hailed him. "Where have

you been? I hunted the whole port for you! I wouldn't join the party

till you came. What's a pal for?"

Bart brushed by him without speaking, disregarding Ringg's surprised

stare, and went up the ramp. He reached his own cabin and threw himself

down in his bunk, torn in two.

Ringg was his friend! Ringg liked him! And if he did what Montano

wanted, Ringg would die.

Ringg had followed him, and was standing in the cabin door, watching him

in surprise. "Bartol, is something the matter? Is there anything I can

do? Have you had more bad news?"

Bart's torn nerves snapped. He raised his head and yelled at Ringg,

"Yes, there is something! You can quit following me around and just let

me alone for a change!"

Ringg took a step backward. Then he said, very softly, "Suit yourself,

Bartol. Sorry." And noiselessly, his white crest held high, he glided

away.