Revolt in 2100 Read Online Free PDF Page B

"Lucky for me a real bout does not go on as long. I think I'll let you inspect the corridor." He turned away toward the guardroom, adding cheerfully, "God keep you."
    "God go with you, sir," Zeb responded properly and brought his hilt to his chin in salute.
    As soon as the warden turned the corner Zeb stood by again and I hurried back to the alcove. The women were still there, making themselves small against the back wall. "He's gone," I reassured them. "Nothing to fear for a while."
    Judith had told Sister Magdalene of our dilemma and we discussed it in whispers. She advised us strongly not to try to reach any decisions just then. "I'm in charge of Judith's purification; I can stretch it out for another week, perhaps, before she has to draw lots again."
    I said, "We've got to act before then!"
    Judith seemed over her fears, now that she had laid her troubles in Sister Magdalene's lap. "Don't worry, John," she said softly, "the chances are my lot won't be drawn soon again in any case. We must do what she advises."
    Sister Magdalene sniffed contemptuously. "You're wrong about that, Judy. When you are returned to duty, your lot will be drawn, you can be sure ahead of time. Not," she added, "but what you could live through it-the rest of us have. If it seems safer to-" She stopped suddenly and listened. "Sssh! Quiet as death." She slipped silently out of our circle.
    A thin pencil of light flashed out and splashed on a figure crouching outside the alcove. I dived and was on him before he could get to his feet. Fast as I had been, Sister Magdalene was just as fast; she landed on his shoulders as he went down. He jerked and was still.
    Zebadiah came running in, checked himself at our sides. "John! Maggie!" came his tense whisper. "What is it?"
    "We've caught a spy, Zeb," I answered hurriedly. "What'll we do with him?"
    Zeb flashed his light. "You've knocked him out?"
    "He won't come to," answered Magdalene's calm voice out of the darkness. "I slipped a vibroblade in his ribs."
    "Sheol!"
    "Zeb, I had to do it. Be glad I didn't use steel and mess up the floor with blood. But what do we do now?"
    Zeb cursed her softly, she took it. "Turn him over, John. Let's take a look." I did so and his light flashed again. "Hey, Johnnie-it's Snotty Fassett." He paused and I could almost hear him think. "Well, we'll waste no tears on him. John!"
    "Yeah, Zeb?"
    "Keep the watch outside. If anyone comes, I am inspecting the corridor. I've got to dump this carcass somewhere."
    Judith broke the silence. "There's an incinerator chute on the floor above. I'll help you."
    "Stout girl. Get going, John."
    I wanted to object that it was no work for a woman, but I shut up and turned away. Zeb took his shoulders, the women a leg apiece and managed well enough. They were back in minutes, though it seemed endless to me. No doubt Snotty's body was reduced to atoms before they were back-we might get away with it. It did not seem like murder to me then, and still does not; we did what we had to do, rushed along by events.
    Zeb was curt. "This tears it. Our reliefs will be along in ten minutes; we've got to figure this out in less time than that. Well?"
    Our suggestions were all impractical to the point of being ridiculous, but Zeb let us make them-then spoke straight to the point. "Listen to me, it's no longer just a case of trying to help Judith and you out of your predicament. As soon as Snotty is missed, we-all four of us-are in mortal danger of the Question. Right?"
    "Right," I agreed unwillingly.
    "But nobody has a plan?"
    None of us answered. Zeb went on, "Then we've got to have help . . . and there is only one place we can get it. The Cabal."

3
    "The Cabal?" I repeated stupidly. Judith gave a horrified gasp.
    "Why . . . why, that would mean our immortal souls! They worship Satan!"
    Zeb turned to her. "I don't believe so."
    She stared at him. "Are you a Cabalist?"
    "No."
    "Then how do you know?"
    "And how," I insisted, "can you ask them for help?"
    Magdalene