he building and walking fast.

"Into the parking lot," Kerk said. "I have a car there."

When they rounded the corner there was a car bearing down on them.
Before Jason could get his gun clear of the holster Kerk was in front of
him. His arm came up and his big ugly gun burst through the cloth of his
sleeve and jumped into his hand. A single shot killed the driver and the
car swerved and crashed. The other two men in the car died coming out of
the door, their guns dropping from their hands.

After that they had no trouble. Kerk drove at top speed away from the
Casino, the torn sleeve of his pajamas whipping in the breeze, giving
glimpses of the big gun back in the holster.

"When you get the chance," Jason said, "you'll have to show me how that
trick holster works."

"When we get the chance," Kerk answered as he dived the car into the
city access tube.

III.

The building they stopped at was one of the finer residences in
Cassylia. As they had driven, Jason counted the money and separated his
share. Almost sixteen million credits. It still didn't seem quite real.
When they got out in front of the building he gave Kerk the rest.

"Here's your three billion, don't think it was easy," he said.

"It could have been worse," was his only answer.

The recorded voice scratched in the speaker over the door.

"Sire Ellus has retired for the night, would you please call again in
the morning. All appointments are made in advan--"

The voice broke off as Kerk pushed the door open. He did it almost
effortlessly with the flat of his hand. As they went in Jason looked at
the remnants of torn and twisted metal that hung in the lock and
wondered again about his companion.

_Strength--more than physical strength--he's like an elemental force. I
have the feeling that nothing can stop him._

It made him angry--and at the same time fascinated him. He didn't want
out of the deal until he found out more about Kerk and his planet. And
"they" who had died for the money he gambled.

Sire Ellus was old, balding and angry, not at all used to having his
rest disturbed. His complaints stopped suddenly when Kerk threw the
money down on the table.

"Is the ship being loaded yet, Ellus? Here's the balance due." Ellus
only fumbled the bills for a moment before he could answer Kerk's
question.

"The ship--but, of course. We began loading when you gave us the
deposit. You'll have to excuse my confusion, this is a little irregul