Many times, Dumarest's dream of Earth has almost cost him his life. As he journeys from world to world, restlessly moving outwards towards the edge of the galaxy where his goal lies, Dumarest must be alert, watchful. For there are new dangers - forces more powerful than man - which threaten his dream. On a planet where violence and superstition hold sway, Dumarest forges a bond with the prophetess Kalin. And now, more than ever, he needs her. Kalin. The mutant girl whose mysterious talent for seeing into the future has already saved him from Bloodtime on Logis, from space-disaster, from slavery on desolate Chron. Kalin. Who can foretell the terrors yet to come. (First published 1969)
Release date:
September 29, 2011
Publisher:
Gateway
Print pages:
192
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The Cap Kennedy (F.A.T.E.) Series (E.C. Tubb writing as Gregory Kern)
1: Galaxy of the Lost (1973)
2: Slave Ship from Sergan (1973)
3: Monster of Metelaze (1973)
4: Enemy Within the Skull (1974)
5: Jewel of Jarhen (1974)
6: Seetee Alert! (1974)
7: The Gholan Gate (1974)
8: The Eater of Worlds (1974)
9: Earth Enslaved (1974)
10: Planet of Dread (1974)
11: Spawn of Laban (1974)
12: The Genetic Buccaneer (1974)
13: A World Aflame (1974)
14: The Ghosts of Epidoris (1975)
15: Mimics of Dephene (1975)
16: Beyond the Galactic Lens (1975)
17: The Galactiad (1983)
Alien Dust (1955)
Alien Impact (1952)
Journey Into Terror (originally published as Alien Life (1954, rev. 1998))
Atom War on Mars (1952)
Fear of Strangers (first published as C.O.D. – Mars (1968))
Century of the Manikin (1972)
City of No Return (1954)
Death God’s Doom (1999)
Death is a Dream (1967)
Dead Weight (first published as Death Wears a White Face (1979))
Escape into Space (1969)
Footsteps of Angels (2004) (previously unpublished work written c.1988)
Hell Planet (1954)
Journey to Mars (1954)
Moon Base (1964)
Pandora’s Box (1996) (previously unpublished work written 1954)
Pawn of the Omphalos (1980)
S.T.A.R. Flight (1969)
Stardeath (1983)
Starslave (2010) (previously unpublished work written 1984)
Stellar Assignment (1979)
Temple of Death (1996) (previously unpublished work written 1954)
Fifty Days to Doom (first published as The Extra Man (1954))
The Life-Buyer (1965, 2008)
The Luck Machine (1980)
World in Torment (originally published as The Mutants Rebel (1953))
The Primitive (1977)
The Resurrected Man (1954)
The Sleeping City (1999)
The Space-Born (1956)
The Stellar Legion (1954)
To Dream Again (2011)
Venusian Adventure (1953)
Tide of Death (first published as World at Bay (1954))
E. C. Tubb (writing as Arthur MacLean)
The Possessed (revised version of Touch of Evil (1957))
E. C. Tubb (writing as Brian Shaw)
Argentis (1952)
E. C. Tubb (writing as Carl Maddox)
Menace from the Past (1954)
The Living World (1954)
E. C. Tubb (writing as Charles Grey)
Dynasty of Doom (1953)
The Extra Man (first published as Enterprise 2115 (1954) & then as The Mechanical Monarch (1958))
I Fight for Mars (1953)
Space Hunger (1953)
The Hand of Havoc (1954)
Secret of the Towers (originally published as The Tormented City (1953))
The Wall (1953)
E. C. Tubb (writing as Gill Hunt)
Planetfall (1951)
E. C. Tubb (writing as King Lang)
Saturn Patrol (1951)
E. C. Tubb (writing as Roy Sheldon)
The Metal Eater (1954)
E. C. Tubb (writing as Volsted Gridban)
The Green Helix (originally published as Alien Universe (1952))
Reverse Universe (1952)
Planetoid Disposals Ltd. (1953)
The Freedom Army (originally published as De Bracy’s Drug (1953))
Fugitive of Time (1953)
It was Bloodtime on Logis and the captain was firm. ‘I am sorry,’ he said, ‘but I will take no chances. As passengers you
are free to go or stay as you desire, but I must tell you this: if the perimeter fence should be penetrated I will seal the
ship. And,’ he added significantly, ‘it will remain sealed until all danger is safely past.’
‘You would leave us outside?’ The woman wore clothes too young for her raddled features, her cracked and aging voice. ‘Leave
us to be killed?’
‘If necessary madam, yes.’
‘Incredible!’ Gem-fire flashed from her hands as they moved in the cone of light streaming from above the open lock. ‘To treat
your passengers so!’
Her companion, a scarred mercenary, growled deep in his throat. ‘The captain has no choice, my dear. His first duty must be
for his ship.’ He looked at the officer. ‘Am I not right?’
‘You are a man of understanding, sir,’ said the captain. ‘As you say, I would have no choice. Blood-time on Logis is not a
gentle period. Usually the field suffers no depredation, but beyond the fence anything can happen.’ His eyes, flat, dull,
indifferent, glanced from one to the other. ‘Those who venture into town do so at their own risk. I would advise you all to restrain your
curiosity.’
A thin-faced vendor of symbiotes stared thoughtfully after the retreating figure. ‘He’s exaggerating,’ he said. ‘Inflating
the potential danger in order to keep us nicely to heel.’
‘Maybe he is, but he wasn’t joking about sealing the vessel.’ A plump trader fingered the charm hanging about his neck, a
good luck symbol from one of the Magic worlds. He looked shrewdly at Dumarest. ‘You’ve travelled, Earl. You’ve seen a lot
of the galaxy. What do you advise?’
Dumarest looked at the trader. ‘About what?’
‘You heard what the captain said. Do you think he was exaggerating? Would it be safe for us to go and see the fun?’
Dumarest made no comment. From the vantage point at the head of the ramp on which they stood he had a good view of the city.
It sprawled, an ill-lit shapeless conglomeration of buildings beyond the high wiremesh of the fence. It was barely night but
already the red glow of fire painted the lowering clouds. The soft breeze carried the echoes of screams, shouts, the savage
baying of a mob.
The woman shivered. ‘Horrible! Like animals. Dogs worrying a bone. Why?’ she demanded. ‘Why in a so-called civilised community
do they do it?’
Her companion shrugged. ‘It is their custom.’
‘Custom!’ She wasn’t satisfied. Her eyes met those of Dumarest, held with dawning interest. ‘A word which explains nothing. Why do they throw aside all law, all restraint?’
‘To cleanse themselves, my lady,’ said Dumarest. ‘At least, that is what they claim. Once, perhaps, the thing had purpose
but now it has become a vicious habit. For three days the population of Logis will hunt and kill, hide and die.’ He looked
at the flames. ‘Burn and be burned.’
But not all of them. Only the weak and helpless, those without friends willing to lend their protection. The old days when
harmful mutations, the insane, the crippled, the physically weak and morally vicious were culled from society were over. Now
old scores would be settled, debts and grudges paid, revenge taken. A few politicians would be hunted down for their lying
promises. Some cheating traders, businessmen, company heads would be sacrificed to appease the mob. But, when it was all over,
those in power would still remain.
The woman shivered again at the echo of a scream. Her hand glittered as she touched the arm of her companion. ‘Let’s go inside,’
she said. ‘We can sit and talk and play cards, maybe. Listen to music, even. Anything but this. I have no love for the sounds
of violence.’
And, thought Dumarest watching, neither had the man. Not now. The mercenary was old and afraid of what the future could bring.
A man who had too often seen the amniotic tanks, suffered the pain of wounds. Now he searched for a haven and the woman could provide it. She too had lived a hard life but, unlike the man, she had something to show for it. Jewels instead of scars.
Together they could find comfort if not happiness.
Dumarest turned, breathing deep of the night air, suddenly conscious of his isolation and a little envious of those who did
not travel alone. Behind him the trader shuffled, restless, his eyes reflecting the glow of mounting fires.
‘Let’s go down to the gate and take a closer look,’ he suggested. ‘That should be safe enough. We could take care and might
see something interesting.’
‘We might,’ agreed the thin-faced vendor. He sucked in his cheeks. ‘It seems a pity to come all this way and see nothing.
It won’t happen again for another year and who knows where I’ll be then?’ He nodded, deciding. ‘All right. I’ll come with
you. How about you, Earl?’
Dumarest hesitated and then, slowly, followed the others down the ramp.
Guards stood by the gate, armed, armoured and sullen. They were field personnel selected to remain stable during the three
day period. They were carrying weapons which were rare on Logis—automatic rifles. These could fire a spray of shot as effective
if not as lethal as lasers at short range. One of them glared as the three men approached.
‘You going out or staying in?’
‘Staying in,’ said the trader promptly. He squinted past the guards into the town. A wide road, apparently deserted, ran directly from the gate. ‘How bad is it?’
‘Not bad at all,’ said the man. His face was hard, brutal beneath his helmet. ‘Those who asked for it are getting it.’ His
face convulsed in sudden rage. ‘Damn it! I shouldn’t be here at this lousy gate. I should be out there hunting down the bastard
who stole my wife!’
‘Take it easy,’ said one of his companions. He wore the insignia of an officer. ‘That’s no way to talk. You got divorced,
didn’t you?’
‘What’s that got to do with it?’
‘She got married again, didn’t she?’
‘So?’
‘Forget it,’ said the officer. ‘I’m not looking for a quarrel. But you volunteered for gate-duty. You swore that you had no
grudges to settle and that you could use the extra pay. So you’re here and you’re going to stay here for the duration. Get
it?’
‘Go to hell!’
‘This is your last chance, Brad.’
‘—you!’
The officer reached out and snatched the rifle from the guard’s hands. ‘All right,’ he said coldly. ‘That’s enough. Now beat
it.’
‘What?’ The man blinked. ‘Now wait a minute!’ he stormed. ‘I’ve got a right to—’
‘You’re relieved,’ snapped the officer. ‘I don’t want you on this gate. Now get to hell out of here while you’ve still got
the chance.’
Dumarest looked at the officer as the man walked away mouthing threats. ‘He’ll get you for this.’
‘No he won’t,’ said the officer. ‘Brad’s a coward and a bully and that’s a poor survival combination. He’s made too many enemies
and won’t last until dawn.’ He sucked thoughtfully at his teeth. ‘A little insurance wouldn’t hurt though,’ he mused. ‘I know
his ex-wife. She’s a decent woman married to a trained fighter. I’ll tip them off about what has happened. Just in case,’
he explained. ‘Some rats have a lot of luck and Brad might just about make it to their apartment.’
‘But that’s as far as he’ll get,’ said Dumarest.
‘Sure,’ agreed the officer. ‘That’s the whole idea.’ He walked to where a booth stood beside the gate, to a phone and his
warning call.
Dumarest joined his companions where they stood looking down the road. There was little to see. Fires sent drifts of smoke
billowing across the street. The sound of breaking glass came from the business section where shops which had economised on
shutters were providing meat for the looters. A band of men appeared, lurched toward the gate and then disappeared into a
tavern. Light shone from the open door but quickly vanished as the panel slammed. The trader licked his lips.
‘A drink,’ he said. ‘I could do with something to wet the gullet.’ He licked his lips again. ‘How about it, Earl? Shall we
walk down to that tavern and order a bottle? Hell,’ he added, ‘why not? No one can possibly have cause to hate us on this
planet, so where’s the danger?’
It was there: Dumarest could smell it, sense it riding like smoke on the air. The blood-craze of normally decent people suddenly
relieved of all restraint. More. Proving themselves by being the first to accuse, the loudest to complain, the quickest to
act.
Among such people, how long would a stranger last?
The thin-faced vendor moved restlessly. He was getting cold and bored and thought longingly of the comfort waiting in the
ship. Also he should attend to his samples. That symbiote from Een: it was time he wore it. If he put it off too long the
thing would encyst to sporofulate which, if not tragic, would be an inconvenient nuisance.
A shout came from down the road. A man lurched from between two buildin. . .
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