They were going to disrobe him, strip him naked, for the sake of his
clothes. Ronson did not in the least doubt that they would do it,
or try to do it. The only law protecting humans on this planet was
what they could make up as individuals and enforce for themselves. He
reached for the gun in the side pocket of the _dothar_ skin coat.
The Martian who had taken his hat reached out and grabbed his arm. The
fellow had steel claws for hands instead of flesh and blood. The claws
clamped over Ronson's arm with a paralyzing grip that seemed to squeeze
the very nerves in their sheaths.
Ronson slugged with his left fist, very hard and very fast, a blow that
landed flush on the jaw of the Martian. The fellow blinked but was
not damaged. He grinned. "Ho! Human wants to fight!" He seemed to find
satisfaction in the idea. He reached out with his other hand, grasping
for Ronson's neck this time.
Ronson had not been in a rough and tumble fight since he was a kid
but he discovered that he had not forgotten how to bring up his knee
and jab his antagonist in the stomach. Only this time it didn't work.
The Martian brought down an elbow and deflected the rising leg. His
groping fingers found Ronson's neck, closed there with a grip that was
as tight as the grip around the human's right arm. The other Martians
drew closer. As soon as Te Hold had subdued this alien, they intended
to have his clothes right down to the skin. Maybe they would take the
skin too, if they could find any value in it. They were so engrossed in
watching Te Hold tame this human that they did not notice the door of
the joint open behind them. Nor did they see the girl come out.
She was not in the least surprised at the fight in the street, nor
was she in any doubt as to what to do about it. In her hand, she had
a spring gun, one of those little weapons that are spring powered and
which throw steel needles coated with the extremely powerful synthetic
narcotic, thormoline. Hardly seeming to take aim, she shot the Martian
who was holding Ronson in the back. Te Hold jumped as the needle stung
him but he did not let go of Ronson. The spring gun pinged again as the
girl put another needle in his back.
Te Hold jumped again. He released his grip on Ronson's throat. The
human gulped air, and slugged Te Hold again, harder this time. The
fast-acting narcotic was already taking effect. Te Hold went over like
a falling tree.
Jim Ronson snatched the zen gun from his pocket, then saw that he did
not need it. The girl had been busy with the needle weapon. Two of the
Martians were also down and the rest were in full flight, except the
leper, who had not moved. Standing in front of the door, the girl was
calmly shooting needles at their legs as they ran.
Not until then did Ronson really see the girl. He blinked startled
eyes at her. Human women were rare on Mars, here in this place near
the south pole they should not exist at all. No woman in her right
mind would come here. But one was here, and a darned attractive one at
that. She was tall, lithe, and full breasted. The hair peeping out from
under the tight fitting-helmet was a shade of red. If she had a fault
in her figure, it was the fact that her hips were too narrow--she was
as slender as a boy--but Ronson was not inclined to criticize her for
that. Not when she had just saved his clothes and maybe his life.
As the last Martian dodged around the corner, she turned her attention
to him. A smile lit her face.
"Dr. Ronson! A privilege to meet you, sir." Hand outstretched, smiling,
she moved around the victims of her needle gun and came toward him.
Ronson stared at her in bewildered consternation. He had not thought
that anyone on Mars would even know his name, he had not wanted
anyone to know his identity. Especially not in this place. He barely
remembered his manners in time to take the hand offered him.
"I'm Jennie Ware," the girl said.
"It's nice to meet you, Miss Ware." Where had he heard or seen this
name before? "I want--ah--to thank you for helping me out of a spot."
"It was nothing," she said smiling. "Always glad to help my fellow men."
"You certainly went into action fast." He glanced at Te Hold, sleeping
in the street. On the sidewalk near the corner, another Martian was
taking a nap. Only the leper was still in sight and awake.
"I had these needles coated with a special narcotic designed to affect
the Martian nervous system. As to my going into action fast, I've
discovered that you have to be firm with these Martians," she answered
smiling.