[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
December 1957
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
The day Lugert's criminals gunned down three citizens in a bold
broad-daylight robbery, Domnas Karson, Third Speaker of the Council,
said, "I think I've got the answer."
"Answer? To what?" asked Murgon Darell Fourth Speaker.
"To Lugert," said Karson. "The weapon we can use against that throwback
who's terrorizing us all."
Darell sighed wearily. "There _is_ no answer to Lugert, I'm afraid.
We're peaceful people; he's a throwback to a more violent age. There's
no way to cope with him. Would you want to be the one to shoot him
down?"
Karson shuddered and said, "No, not me. Of course not. I'm no more
capable of violence than anyone else. But Lugert can be stopped. We can
get help."
"From where?"
"From the past," said Karson. "From the ugly crime-ridden world we've
evolved out of. Dr. Lorence of the Science Council has developed a
time-net which...."
"Of course!" Darell exclaimed. "Bring a man out of the past! A man who
won't be inhibited by our innate hatred of violence, a man who'll be
able to deal with Lugert as he deserves!" He rose and strode around
the long councilroom in quick, nervous steps. "Call Lorence, Karson.
Get him at work on the project at once. We can't waste any more time.
There's no telling when Lugert might...."
The visiphone chimed three times. Karson crossed the room and depressed
the receiving stud. On the screen the features of a thick-faced, stocky
man appeared.
"Lugert! What do you want?"
"I'm pleased you recognize me so quickly, Speaker Karson," said the
stocky man in a slow, deep voice. "My fame must be spreading, then."
"You didn't call to chat with us, Lugert. What is it you want?"
Lugert's face hardened slowly.
"You're right. I didn't call to chat. I called to tell you to get out."
"What's that?"
"I said, get out. Pack up your records and papers and clear out of the
Government Building, Karson. You and all the rest of you. I'm taking
over."
Karson paled. "Taking over--_the government_? How far do you think you
can go, Lugert?"
Again the confident, cheerful, steel-hard grin that had become the
Lugert trademark in such an astonishingly brief time. "How far? Why,
Karson, I can go as far as I like. There isn't one of you who dares
say _No_ to anything I ask. And now I'm asking for the government. Go
ahead; refuse. Get indignant. Threaten me. All this easy winning bores
me, Karson."
Karson stared at the thick-featured face framed by the visiscreen.
"You've won again," he said after a pause. "We can't fight you, Lugert.
How much time do we have to evacuate the Government Building?"
"How much do you need?"