"Harry Harrison - SSR 04 - The Stainlees Steel Rat Wants You" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harrison Harry)

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The Stainless Steel Rat Wants You!

by

Harry Harrison




v1.0 Initial release



ONE


Blodgett is a peaceful planet. The sun shines orangely, gentle breezes cool the brow, while
the silent air is disturbed only slightly by the distant rumble of rockets from the spaceport.
Very relaxing-but too much so for one like myself who must stay on guard, alert and aware at all
times. And I admit that I was doing none of these things when the front door announcer bing-
bonged. Hot water splattered my head and I was drowsy as a comatose cat.

"I'll get that," Angelina called out, loud enough to be heard over the splash of the shower. I
gurgled an answer as I reluctantly turned the thing off and climbed out.

The drier blanketed me with warm air while the lotion mist tickled my nose. I hummed to myself
with sybaritic joy, at peace with the world, naked as the day I was born-except of course for the
few devices that I am never without. Voluntarily, that is. Life had its joys and, as I appreciated
my stalwart body and rugged face in the mirrorthe touch of gray at the temples did add a
distinguished note--I could think of nothing to worry about.

Other than the sudden angst that gripped me, chilling me to the bone. Was this a psi
premonition? No, it was the ticking away of seconds. Angelina had been far too long at the door.
Something was wrong.

I burst out into the hall and down it at a run. The house was empty. Then I was through the
front door and bounding down the path like a pink gazelle, hopping desperately on one leg as I
wrenched the pistol from my ankle holster, my eyes bulging in shock at the sight of my Angelina
being bustled into a black ground car by two burly types. It pulled away and I risked a single
shot at its tires, but could not fire again because there was traffic beyond.

Angelina! I ground my teeth with rage, fired more shots into the air so that the spectators
who had been admiring my nude form now dived for cover. I managed to keep just enough peace of
mind to memorize the numbers on the car.

Back in the house I thought briefly of calling the police, as any good citizen would, but
since I have always been a very bad citizen I instantly dismissed the idea. Mighty is Slippery Jim
diGriz in his wrath. Revenge would be mine. I turned on the compterm, mashed my thumbprint onto