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slowing and they bounced away like tenpins. Then Kerk and Jason were out of the building and walking fast.
    “Into the parking lot,” Kerk said. “I have a car there.”
    When they rounded the corner there was a car bearing down on them. Before Jason could get his gun clear of the holster Kerk was in front of him. His arm came up and his big ugly gun burst through the cloth of his sleeve and jumped into his hand. A single shot killed the driver and the car swerved and crashed. The other two men in the car died coming out of the door, their guns dropping from their hands.
    After that they had no trouble. Kerk drove at top speed away from the Casino, the torn sleeve of his pajamas whipping in the breeze, giving glimpses of the big gun back in the holster.
    “When you get the chance,” Jason said, “you’ll have to show me how that trick holster works.”
    “When we get the chance,” Kerk answered as he dived the car into the city access tube.
     

CHAPTER III
    The building they stopped at was one of the finer residences in Cassylia. As they had driven, Jason counted the money and separated his share. Almost sixteen million credits. It still didn’t seem quite real. When they got out in front of the building he gave Kerk the rest.
    “Here’s your three billion, don’t think it was easy,” he said.
    “It could have been worse,” was his only answer.
    The recorded voice scratched in the speaker over the door.
    “Sire Ellus has retired for the night, would you please call again in the morning. All appointments are made in advan —”
    The voice broke off as Kerk pushed the door open. He did it almost effortlessly with the flat of his hand. As they went in Jason looked at the remnants of torn and twisted metal that hung in the lock and wondered again about his companion.
    Strength — more than physical strength — he’s like an elemental force. I have the feeling that nothing can stop him.
    It made him angry — and at the same time fascinated him. He didn’t want out of the deal until he found out more about Kerk and his planet. And “they” who had died for the money he gambled.
    Sire Ellus was old, balding and angry, not at all used to having his rest disturbed. His complaints stopped suddenly when Kerk threw the money down on the table.
    “Is the ship being loaded yet, Ellus? Here’s the balance due.” Ellus only fumbled the bills for a moment before he could answer Kerk’s question.
    “The ship — but, of course. We began loading when you gave us the deposit. You’ll have to excuse my confusion, this is a little irregular. We never handle transactions of this size in cash.”
    “That’s the way I like to do business,” Kerk answered him. “I’ve canceled the deposit, this is the total sum. Now how about a receipt.”
    Ellus had made out the receipt before his senses returned. He held it tightly while he looked uncomfortably at the three billion spread out before him.
    “Wait — I can’t take it now, you’ll have to return in the morning, to the bank. In normal business fashion,” Ellus decided firmly.
    Kerk reached over and gently drew the paper out of Ellus’ hand.
    “Thanks for the receipt,” he said. “I won’t be here in the morning, so this will be satisfactory. And if you’re worried about the money I suggest you get in touch with some of your plant guards or private police. You’ll feel a lot safer.”
    When they left through the shattered door Ellus was frantically dialing numbers on his screen. Kerk answered Jason’s next question before he could ask it.
    “I imagine you would like to live to spend that money in your pocket, so I’ve booked two seats on an interplanetary ship.” He glanced at the car clock. “It leaves in about two hours, so we have plenty of time. I’m hungry; let’s find a restaurant. I hope you have nothing at the hotel worth going back for. It would be a little difficult.”
    “Nothing worth getting killed for,” Jason said. “Now where