Joel didn't say anything. The ex-surgeon was a shrewd, brutal man. He
didn't think the nigel trees would be able to catch him.
* * * * *
The slave block was located in the principal square of Eden. Joel had
been escorted thither along with the other prisoners, stripped and
chained naked inside a long pavillion like the cattle sheds at a fair.
Streams of planters flowed through the pavillion, studying the
prisoners, discussing their good and bad points before bidding on them.
A good natured holiday air pervaded the throng. Alternately Joel was
white-lipped with fury and red with embarrassment at their pointed
observations.
All at once he stiffened, catching sight of Priscilla Cameron heading
straight for him through the crowd.
Joel flushed darkly. He had never disliked anyone with the passion he
felt for this girl with her defiant green hair, her slim cool arrogance.
Tamis Ravitz was chained in the stall next to Joel. The Ganelon girl
leaned over and said, "Here she comes. Remember!"
"I see her. Who's the fellow with her?"
"General Roos. Fredrik Roos. He's head of the Asgardian Police."
Joel thought the police chief looked young and dashing in the white
Asgardian uniform. A tiny jeweled paralyzer was belted about his waist.
There was a twinkle in Priscilla's green eyes when she paused in front
of Joel's stall.
"Here he is, Freddy. Isn't he lovely?"
Joel stiffened.
"Lord," General Fredrik Roos drawled, "what a big brute!"
"Isn't he, though?"
Despite her light manner, Joel sensed a strain in Priscilla's voice.
She was wearing a diminutive yellow jacket with puffed sleeves and a
matching skirt. The shimmering microweb accentuated the firm youthful
modeling of breast, hip and thigh.
"Did you ever see such shoulders?" he heard her ask Roos. "He's
magnificent!" She turned back to Joel. "Flex your biceps, Joel."
Their eyes locked. Joel didn't move, but an expression of surprise
swept his features.
For a moment, Priscilla's guard had dropped. Fear was mirrored in her
vivid green eyes. Fear and appeal. The girl was in a panic!
"Surly brute," Roos said.
"Oh, I'll tame him," she began gaily. Then she broke off, staring at
Tamis Ravitz with a frozen startled expression.
Tamis was crouched against the wall in fright. Her small breasts rose
and fell rapidly.
Priscilla wheeled suddenly, beckoned a guard. "That girl! Get her out
of those chains and take her to the governor!"
The guard looked startled. He glanced at General Roos for confirmation.