he tip to some other SS man, that one would eventually
face the same sort of a task. So, much as it sickened him even to
contemplate it, it now became a _must_! He would have to think of
himself as a soldier in war, and Rellos an enemy.

Outwardly calm, he shrugged indifferently. "Any guy that can't produce
isn't worth keeping," he said. "Any special way you want it done?"

"No ... I think I would like to see how you work. Plan it yourself. But
if it isn't done, you had better not let me or my men see you again."

"Fair enough. If I can't do a simple job like that I sure can't be of
enough value to you to do myself any real good."

They were silent again, but Hanlon's mind was bleak with what was to
come. He wasn't the killer type--he believed in the sacredness of human
life. Yet he knew he would have to steel himself to go through with it.
The job was more important than one man's life. But to kill in cold
blood--a deliberate, planned-out murder!

Just then Panek returned with a slender, middle-aged man.

"Ah, Rellos," the leader greeted him. "I want you to meet a new member
of our group, George Hanlon. He has just come from Terra, and has never
been on Simonides before. I would like you to take him out and show him
New Athens and what it contains in the way of pleasures. You can turn in
an account of your expenses tomorrow."

And _that_, thought Hanlon, was just about as low and slimy a trick as
he had ever heard, and the thought came and would not be denied, that if
it was this leader he was to kill he could do it cheerfully and with a
clear conscience.

He rose, though, and smiled as he held out his hand. "Glad to know you,
Rellos. It'll be fun comparing your amusements with those of Terra."

The man was somewhat sullen, although it was plain he did not dare show
it too much before their boss. Hanlon could read enough from the new
man's mind to know how deathly afraid he was of the leader, and how he
hated him.

"Wonder why he's in this, feeling that way?" Hanlon thought swiftly, and
during the evening tried to find out, but without success--the man
steered clear of any such thoughts.

As the two went outside, the Simonidean asked curtly, "Wine, women or
song?"

"Why not some of all three?" Hanlon laughed lightly. "Anything you think
would be a lively evening, and that you'd enjoy."

The other unbent a little. "We'll go to the Phobos first, then. They
have good liquor and a nice floor show. Good looki