"My pappy used to tell me about this sort of come-in," he said. "Seems
as how he once knew a gent that had piloted one of the old chemical
rockets that used braking ellipses for landings. That was a heck of
a long time ago, before we had power to burn. But anyway, it wasn't
expected, I gather, because we succeeded."
"Now what?"
Farradyne grinned. "This is going to be a bit wet," he said. He took
the retractible antenna from its stowage and wound it with insulating
tape half way up its length. Then he pulled out the astrodome plug
and ignoring the stream of water that splashed on the control-room
floor, he shoved the antenna into the hole and made it fast. The water
stopped. The upper half of the antenna projected above the surface of
the lake.
Farradyne tuned the radio to a local broadcast station, and waited,
relaxing in his seat, until the music stopped for a station break. "The
latest news flashes on the system-wide hunt for Charles Farradyne.
The search for the notorious hellflower operator still goes on. It
has narrowed down to North America because of several reports, some
official and some unofficial, of activity a-space in this region.
"Farradyne is also charged with complicity in the disappearance of
Howard Clevis, high undercover operative for the SAND Office. It is
believed in some circles that Farradyne may be much higher in the love
lotus ring than a mere handler or distributor. Some officials have
indicated that Farradyne may be _Mr. Big himself_.
"An early interception and arrest is anticipated. Keep tuned to this
station for the latest news."
The music returned.
22
"Very neat," said Brenner.
"I thought so," replied Farradyne coldly.
Brenner's smile was serene and it made Farradyne want to push his face
in. "Glad you made it. I wouldn't want to die in space. Now that we've
landed it's going to be easier to pick you up."
"Stop crowing, Brenner. I'm not licked yet."
"Why don't you give up? You can't begin to realize how isolated you are
from the men who might listen to you--if you could get to them."
"Look, Brenner, I've no doubt that you have your henchmen neatly
planted in many high offices. But you can't cover them all."
"How can you tell which is which?" laughed Brenner. "You can't get
through, Farradyne."
Carolyn stirred and groaned. Farradyne looked at her as she opened her
eyes. "Can't take it?" he sneered. "But how you can dish it out!"
"Where are we?" groaned Carolyn.
"Wouldn't tell you on a bet," he snapped. "You might be telepathic as
well as multitonal. I--"
Farradyne's eye caught a flicker of motion and he whirled. The other
two men were struggling against the tape that bound their wrists and
ankles, and they glared at him over the white sheet of tape beneath
their noses.
"Shut up!" roared Farradyne.