* * * * *
He didn't have long to wonder how they'd be sent off; the ship lifted
and simply passed through whatever served as a ceiling.
There was no restraint when Murdoch turned on the gravs and took over.
He moved off toward Ganymede's north pole, gaining altitude slowly,
watching his screens, listening to the various hums and whines as the
ship came alive. The radar would have to stay off until they were away
from Ganymede, but the optical system showed nothing threatening. He
moved farther from the satellite, keeping it between him and Jupiter.
"Hold it here," Waverill said.
Letting the ship move ahead on automatic, Murdoch turned in pretended
surprise. "What...."
Waverill had a heat gun trained steadily on him. "I'll give you the
course."
Murdoch casually reached down beside the pilot's chair. A compartment
opened under his fingers, and he lifted a gun of his own.
Waverill's mouth went tight as he squeezed the trigger. Nothing
happened. Waverill glanced at the weapon. Rage moved across his face.
He hoisted the gun as if to throw it, then stopped as Murdoch lifted
his own gun a little higher.
"You got to them," Waverill said flatly.
"The ones that did the remodeling job on this crate and hid that gun
for you? Of course. Did you think you were playing with an idiot?"
"I could have sworn they were beyond reach."
"I reached them." Murdoch got unstrapped and stood up. He had the
ship's acceleration just as he wanted it. "And naturally I went over
the ship while you were blind. Get into your suit now, Waverill."
"Why?"
"I'm giving you a better break than you were going to give me. I'm
putting you where the Patrol will pick you up."
"You won't make it, you son of a bitch. I've got some cards left."
"I know where you planned to rendezvous. By the time you buy your way
out of jail, I'll be out of your reach."
"You _never_ will."
"Talk hard enough and I may decide to kill you right now."
Waverill studied his face for a moment, then slowly got to his feet.
He went to the suit locker, got out his suit, and squirmed into it.
Murdoch grinned as he saw the disappointment on the other's face. The
weapons were gone from the suit, too.