Nobody on Venus knew if the dragonbird
was flesh and blood or a robot. But one thing
was certain--some men would kill to find out!
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
December 1956
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Dan Elliot sat in the muggy gloom of the Vestend Bar on the outskirts
of Venus City, and grinned at his reflection in the mottled mirror.
"Congratulations," he said to himself. "You are now the owner of the
_Space Needle II_."
It had taken him five years, but it was worth it. The insurance money
from the crashed _Space Needle_ had just barely covered the down
payment on the new ship, and it had taken five years to pay for the
rest of it.
But now--the ship was his. And he was celebrating. The only trouble was
the final payment had nearly left him penniless, and the only place he
could afford to bend an elbow was a dive like the Vestend.
Suddenly someone lurched against his back, and the drink in his hand
slopped over the bar.
"Why don't you watch what you're doin' buddy?" a harsh voice said.