The Moon is a Harsh Mistress Read Online Free PDF

What you need, what we
all need, is an end to this loss. Embargo, utter and absolute. Luna must be
self-sufficient!”
    A
dozen people shouted to be heard and more were talking, while chairman banged
gavel. So I missed interruption until woman screamed, then I looked around.
    All
doors were now open and I saw three armed men in one nearest—men in
yellow uniform of Warden’s bodyguard. At main door in back one was using
a bull voice; drowned out crowd noise and sound system. “ALL RIGHT, ALL
RIGHT!” it boomed. “STAY WHERE YOU ARE. YOU ARE UNDER ARREST.
DON’T MOVE, KEEP QUIET. FILE OUT ONE AT A TIME, HANDS EMPTY AND STRETCHED
OUT IN FRONT OF YOU.”
    Shorty
picked up man next to him and threw him at guards nearest; two went down, third
fired. Somebody shrieked. Skinny little girl, redhead, eleven or twelve,
launched self at third guard’s knees and hit rolled up in ball; down he
went. Shorty swung hand behind him, pushing Wyoming Knott into shelter of his
big frame, shouted over shoulder, “Take care of Wyoh, Man—stick
close!” as he moved toward door, parting crowd right and left like
children.
    More
screams and I whiffed something—stink I had smelled day I lost arm and
knew with horror were not stun guns but laser beams. Shorty reached door and
grabbed a guard with each big hand. Little redhead was out of sight; guard she
had bowled over was on hands and knees. I swung left arm at his face and felt
jar in shoulder as his jaw broke. Must have hesitated for Shorty pushed me and
yelled, “Move, Man! Get her out of here!”
    I
grabbed Wyoming’s waist with right arm, swung her over guard I had
quieted and through door—with trouble; she didn’t seem to want to
be rescued. She slowed again beyond door; I shoved her hard in buttocks,
forcing her to run rather than fall. I glanced back.
    Shorty
had other two guards each by neck; he grinned as he cracked skulls together.
They popped like eggs and he yelled at me: “Git!”
    I
left, chasing Wyoming. Shorty needed no help, nor ever would again—nor
could I waste his last effort. For I did see that, while killing those guards,
he was standing on one leg. Other was gone at hip.

3
    Wyoh
was halfway up ramp to level six before I caught up. She didn’t slow and
I had to grab door handle to get into pressure lock with her. There I stopped
her, pulled red cap off her curls and stuck it in my pouch. “That’s
better.” Mine was missing.
    She
looked startled. But answered, “Da. It is.”
    “Before
we open door,” I said, “are you running anywhere particular? And do
I stay and hold them off? Or go with?”
    “I
don’t know. We’d better wait for Shorty.”
    “Shorty’s
dead.”
    Eyes
widened, she said nothing. I went on, “Were you staying with him? Or
somebody?”
    “I
was booked for a hotel—
Gostaneetsa Ukraina
. I don’t know
where it is. I got here too late to buy in.”
    “Mmm—That’s
one place you won’t go. Wyoming, I don’t know what’s going
on. First time in months I’ve seen any Warden’s bodyguard in L-City
… and never seen one not escorting vip. Uh, could take you home with
me—but they may be looking for me, too. Anywise, ought to get out of
public corridors.”
    Came
pounding on door from level-six side and a little face peered up through glass
bull’s-eye. “Can’t stay here,” I added, opening door.
Was a little girl no higher than my waist. She looked up scornfully and said,
“Kiss her somewhere else. You’re blocking traffic.” Squeezed
between us as I opened second door for her.
    “Let’s
take her advice,” I said, “and suggest you take my arm and try to
look like I was man you want to be with. We stroll. Slow.”
    So
we did. Was side corridor with little traffic other than children always
underfoot. If Wart’s bodyguards tried to track us, Earthside cop style, a
dozen or ninety kids could tell which way tall blonde went—if any Loonie
child would give stooge of Warden so much as time of day.
    A
boy almost