The Fenris Device by Brian Stableford Page A

boat was back subcee, and no doubt wondering what the hell was going on.
    â€œCan I answer it?” I asked Maslax.
    â€œBe my guest,” he said.
    â€œ Hooded Swan ,” I said. “Grainger speaking.”
    â€œWhat happened? We saw the Saberwing blow.”
    â€œThe Saberwing blew all right,” I said. “There was this small matter of a bomb, see. And there’s this small matter of a bomber. He’s planted another egg in my control panel, and he’s holding a gun on me right now. He has a little gimmick in his pocket which I suspect is the trigger for the bomb, but he hasn’t felt disposed to threaten us yet.”
    â€œThis is Pallant port,” said a new voice. “Is the man’s name Maslax?”
    â€œCongratulations, Sherlock,” I said. “The very fellow.”
    â€œWell, be careful,” returned the man on the ground. “He’s already killed two people. He’s dangerous.”
    â€œThanks a lot,” I said. “I won’t say you didn’t warn me.”
    â€œTurn it off now,” said Maslax.
    â€œI think the policeman wants to talk to you,” I said.
    â€œTurn it off,” said Maslax.
    I turned it off.
    â€œNow,” said the little man. “Are you going to fly this ship to Mormyr?”
    â€œIn a word,” I said, “no.”
    His face darkened, and the end of the gun barrel twitched. “You’d better be careful;” he said. “If you take that attitude, people are going to get hurt.”
    â€œI’ve got this terrible suspicion,” I said, deadly serious, although I maintained the tone of casual sarcasm which I’ve always found best for dealing with awkward situations, “that people could well get hurt anyway.”
    â€œNot you,” he said. “Not any of the people on board. Not even the alien. All I want from you is a free ride.”
    â€œTo Mormyr.”
    â€œTo Mormyr,” he confirmed.
    â€œThat’s no free ride,” I said. “It’s not even cheap. But it does remind me. We were talking about Mormyr and the Varsovien when we were so rudely interrupted. Now you’ve invented this thing you call a Fenris device….”
    â€œI didn’t invent it!”
    â€œEcdyon,” I said, “am I right in thinking that the Gallacellans do not use weapons?”
    â€œYes,” he said.
    â€œAm I right in saying that there is not a single Gallacellan ship in the entire galaxy which is armed in any way whatsoever?”
    â€œYes,” he said.
    â€œThere is no such thing as a Fenris device?”
    â€œI know of no such thing.”
    My eyes were fixed on Maslax. The dwarf’s eyes kept flicking back and forth from Ecdyon to me and back again.
    â€œIt’s a lie,” he said. “I know that ship is armed. That ship is armed with the most powerful weapon....”
    â€œOh, God,” I said. “Space opera. A misspent youth.”
    The gun barrel twitched again. I resolved to be more diplomatic in what I said. I allowed a quick margin for thought. Did it matter what I said? Could he really read my mind? There was no proof...if he had intended to hijack the Hooded Swan before stealing the Saberwing , then of course he knew my name and the captain’s name. I thought of trying to jump him, but decided it was no good. I couldn’t afford to lose, and even if he wasn’t a mind reader he might still kill me. Then I’d never know.
    He can’t read minds, said the wind. He’s crazy.
    I thought you’d died in there, I said.
    I’ve been thinking, he said.
    Go do some more. I’m busy.
    Maslax took the gimmick in his pocket between his fingers, but he didn’t draw it out.
    â€œYou were right,” he said. “This is the trigger....”
    I think you ought to know..., began the wind.
    â€œAnd if you don’t do as you’re told...,” Maslax was saying.
    ...that your knowledge