"So long, Arena," I said. "I don't know why I don't blow your brains
out. Maybe it's that Navy Cross citation in your wallet."
"Listen," Arena said. "Take me with you."
"A swell idea," I said. "I'll pick up a couple of tarantulas, too."
"You're trying for the hack, right?"
"Sure. What else?"
"The roof," he said. "I got six, eight rotos on the roof. One
high-speed job. You'll never make the hack."
"Why tell me?"
"I got eight hundred gun boys in this building alone. They know you're
here. The hack is watched, the whole route. You can't get through."
"What do you care?"
"If the boys bust in here after a while and find me like this....
They'll bury me with the wires still on, Maclamore."
"How do I get to the roof?"
He told me. I went to the right corner, pushed the right spot, and a
panel slid aside. I looked back at Arena.
"I'll make a good sailor, Maclamore," he said.
"Don't crawl, Arena," I said. I went up the short stair, came out onto
a block-square pad.
Arena was right about the rotos. Eight of them. I picked the four-place
Cad, and got Stenn tied in. He was coming to, muttering. He was still
fighting Arena, he thought.
"... I'll hold ... you ... get out...."
"Take it easy, Stenn," I said. "Nothing can touch this bus. Where's the
boat?" I shook him. "Where's the boat, Stenn?"
He came around long enough to tell me. It wasn't far--less than an
hour's run.
"Stand by, Admiral," I said. "I'll be right back."
"Where ... you...."
"We need every good man we can get," I said. "And I think I know a guy
that wants to join the Navy."