The Space Guardian Read Online Free Page A

Lahks said, “Strictly business. Let go of my wrist and I will let you loose. No fall for you and no embarrassing questions, so don’t run. If you do, you will have to pay for the booth. First one out pays, you know.”
    “You sound as if you know,” the boy snarled spitefully.
    Indifferent to the jibe, Lahks slipped her free hand into the pocket of her tunic and brought out a flat spraytainer. With this she coated her pouch, arm, and the boy’s hand. In seconds a faint warmth marked the chemical reaction that neutralized the stickfast. The boy backed away as soon as his hand came free, his sullen eyes on the pouch.
    “I wouldn’t,” Lahks commented. “First of all, there is nothing worthwhile in it. The money was forwarded to my hotel. Secondly, I wouldn’t want to hurt you, and I could. All I want is a recognition signal or a contact with the Guild. I have business on Wumeera. I might need help or transportation off-planet.”
    There was no change in the sullen expression, and Lahks was annoyed. She understood why he was angry; she had trapped him and hurt his pride in his work. Also, he probably guessed she had been amused by his fear when she led him into the Place of Pleasure. But Lahks herself, whether caught in a harmless trap of her own or of someone else’s devising, had far more tendency to laugh than to pout about it. The irritation passed as quickly as it came. Whether or not he gave her what she had asked for, her purpose was accomplished. He would report her to his superiors as someone overinterested in the doings of the Guild. They would watch her, and that in itself would be a lead to them.
    Because Lahks preferred direct dealings in this case, however, she set herself to soothe the boy—she dared not use the drugs available to her because the Guild might detect them—and succeeded insofar as he finally told of a code to call, which, he said, could provide a contact for Wumeera. By now the timepiece on Lahks’ wrist agreed with her inborn sense of time that about half a tu had passed. That was not ample, but it was adequate for two young people in a hurry. She suggested calmly that they leave.
    Just beyond the door they parted. Lahks hurried now back to the day street and to a second hotel where the Bankers’ Exchange had made a reservation and sent her money and a small selection of luggage purchased by an agent. It was a common-enough service. Many people changed identities at transshipment points. The second hotel was smaller, quieter, and rather more elegant than the first. By the time she reached it, Lahks was pleasantly aware that she had been picked up by a Watcher. Having registered, she chatted for a moment with the clerk, then asked him to send a meal to her room and then see that she was not disturbed. She did not space well, she admitted, with a tinge of embarrassed shyness, and was exhausted.
    “Would you like the house physician to come up?” the clerk queried solicitously.
    It was the last thing Lahks desired. She was efficient with external appearance, but her internal organs—either because Changelings were different, or because she did not pay Strict attention to where the organs should be or what they should be doing—were often in a state that made physicians turn pale and check their psych condition. Since it never seemed to cause her any inconvenience, Lahks did not worry except when threatened by examination. She refused politely, saying all she needed was sleep.
    The room was very handsome. Lahks smiled to herself as she stretched on the bed to rest and wait for her meal. Bankers’ Exchange clients were always treated with respect. The fees they charged, Lahks decided, chuckling, deserved it.
    “Dinner,” the door said.
    Lahks opened her eyes and pressed the release. The roboserv trundled in, opened itself, and presented a tasteful, well-arranged meal to which Lahks did complete justice. A touch on the “completed” button caused it to refold and trundle out with