CHAPTER XVII
_A Woman of Mars_
"So, Gregg Haljan, you are not as loyal as you pretend!"
Miko was livid with suppressed anger. They had stripped the cloak from me, and flung me back in my cubby. Miko was now confronting me; at the door Moa stood watching. And Anita was behind her. I sat outwardly defiant and sullen on my bunk. But I was alert and tense, fearful still of what Anita"s emotion might betray her into doing.
"Not so loyal," Miko repeated. "And a fool! Do you think I am such a child you can escape me!"
He swung around. "How did he get out of here? Prince, you came in here!"
My heart was wildly thumping. But Anita retorted with a touch of spirit:
"I came to tell him what you commanded. To check Hahn"s latest figures--and to be ready to take the controls when we go into the asteroid"s atmosphere."
"Well, how did he get out?"
"How should I know?" she parried. Little actress! Her spirit helped to allay my fear. She held her cloak close around her in the fashion they had come to expect from the George Prince who had just buried his sister. "How should I know, Miko? I sealed his door."
"But did you?"
"Of course he did," Moa put in.
"Ask your look-outs," said Anita. "They saw me--I waved to them just as I sealed the door."
I ventured, "I have been taught to open doors." I managed a sly, lugubrious smile. "I shall not try it again, Miko."
Nothing had been said about my killing of the steward. I thanked my constellations now that he was dead. "I shall not try it again," I repeated.
A glance pa.s.sed between Miko and his sister. Miko said abruptly, "You seem to realize that it is not my purpose to kill you. And you presume upon it."
"I shall not again." I eyed Moa. She was gazing at me steadily. She said, "Leave me with him, Miko...." She smiled. "Gregg Haljan, we are no more than twenty thousand miles from the asteroid now. The calculations for r.e.t.a.r.ding are now in operation."
It was what had taken Miko below, that and trouble with the ventilating system, which was soon rectified. But the r.e.t.a.r.ding of the ship"s velocity when nearing a destination required accurate manipulation.
These brigands were fearful of their own skill. That was obvious. It gave me confidence. I was really needed. They would not harm me. Except for Miko"s impulsive temper, I was in no danger from them--not now, certainly.
Moa was saying, "I think I may make you understand, Gregg. We have tremendous riches within our grasp."
"I know it," I added with sudden thought. "But there are many with whom to divide this treasure...."
Miko caught my intended implication. "By the infernal, this fellow may have felt he could seize the treasure for himself! Because he is a navigator!"
Moa said vehemently, "Do not be an idiot, Gregg! You could not do it!
There will be fighting with Grantline."
My purpose was accomplished. They seemed to see me a willing outlaw like themselves. As though it were a bond between us. And they could win me.
"Leave me with him," said Moa.
Miko acquiesced. "For a few minutes only." He proffered a heat-ray cylinder, but she refused it.
"I am not afraid of him."
Miko swung on me. "Within an hour we will be nearing the atmosphere.
Will you take the controls?"
"Yes."
He set his heavy jaw. His eyes bored into me. "You"re a strange fellow, Haljan. I can"t make you out. I am not angry now. Do you think, when I am deadly serious, that I mean what I say?"
His calm words set a sudden shiver over me. I checked my smile.
"Yes," I said.
"Well then, I will tell you this: not for all of Prince"s well-meaning interference, or Moa"s liking for you, or my own need of your skill, will I tolerate more trouble from you. The next time--I will kill you.
Do you believe me?"
"Yes."
"That is all I want to say. You kill my men, and my sister says I must not hurt you. I am not a child to be ruled by a woman!"
He held his huge fist before my face. "With these fingers I will twist your neck! Do you believe it?"
"Yes." I did indeed.
He swung on his heel. "If Moa wants to try and put sense into your head--I hope she does. Bring him to the lounge when you are finished, Moa. Come, Prince--Hahn will need us." He chuckled grimly. "Hahn seems to fear we will plunge into this asteroid like a wild comet gone suddenly tangent!"
Anita moved aside to let him through the door. I caught a glimpse of her set white face as she followed him down the deck.
Then Moa"s bulk blocked the doorway. She faced me.
"Sit where you are, Gregg." She turned and closed the door upon us. "I am not afraid of you. Should I be?"
"No," I said.
She came and sat down beside me. "If you should attempt to leave this room, the stern look-out has orders to bore you through."
"I have no intention of leaving the room," I retorted. "I do not want to commit suicide."
"I thought you did. You seem minded in such a fashion. Gregg, why are you so foolish?"