ew shots popped after them, but none
came close.

Driving with one hand, Kerk reached under the dash and pulled out a gun
that was the twin of the monster strapped to his arm. "Use this instead
of your own," he said. "Rocket-propelled explosive slugs. Make a great
bang. Don't bother shooting at anyone--I'll take care of that. Just stir
up a little action and make them keep their distance. Like this."

He fired a single, snap-shot out the side window and passed the gun to
Jason almost before the slug hit. An empty truck blew up with a roar,
raining pieces on the cars around and sending their drivers fleeing in
panic.

After that it was a nightmare ride through a madhouse. Kerk drove with
an apparent contempt for violent death. Other cars followed them and
were lost in wheel-raising turns. They careened almost the full length
of the field, leaving a trail of smoking chaos.

Then the pursuit was all behind them and the only thing ahead was the
slim spire of the _Pride of Darkhan_.

* * * * *

The _Pride_ was surrounded by a strong wire fence as suited the
begrudged status of her planetary origin. The gate was closed and
guarded by soldiers with leveled guns, waiting for a shot at the
approaching car. Kerk made no attempt to come near them. Instead he fed
the last reserves of power to the car and headed for the fence. "Cover
your face," he shouted.

Jason put his arms in front of his head just as they hit.

Torn metal screamed, the fence buckled, wrapped itself around the car,
but did not break. Jason flew off the seat and into the padded dash. By
the time Kerk had the warped door open, he realized that the ride was
over. Kerk must have seen the spin of his eyeballs because he didn't
talk, just pulled Jason out and threw him onto the hood of the ruined
car.

"Climb over the buckled wire and make a run for the ship," he shouted.

If there was any doubt what he meant, he set Jason an example of fine
roadwork. It was inconceivable that someone of his bulk could run so
fast, yet he did. He moved more like a charging tank than a man. Jason
shook the fog from his head and worked up some speed himself.
Nevertheless, he was barely halfway to the ship when Kerk hit the
gangway. It was already unhooked from the ship, but the shocked
attendants stopped rolling it away as the big man bounded up the steps.

[Illustration]

At the top he turned and fired at the soldiers who were charging thro