After an interminable time-all of three or four seconds — Mordan’s face lighted up the frame. “Oh-hello, Felix.”
“Claude-the time’s come! This is it.”
“Yes, I know. That’s why I’m here.” The background behind him showed his office.
“You-knew?”
“Yes, Felix.”
“But…Never mind. I’m coming over.”
“Yes, certainly.” He cut off.
Hamilton reflected grimly that one more surprise would be just enough to cause him to start picking shadows off the wall. But he had no time to worry about it. He rushed into his friend’s bedchamber, found what he wanted immediately-small pink capsules, Monroe-Alpha’s habitual relief from the peril of sleepless worry. He returned then and examined Monroe-Alpha briefly. He was still out cold.
He picked him up in his arms, went out into the corridor, and sought the lift. He passed one startled citizen on the way. Hamilton looked at him, said, “Sssh-you’ll waken him. Open the lift for me, will you please?”
The citizen looked dubious, shrugged, and did as he was requested.
He found Monroe-Alpha’s little skycar without trouble, removed the key from his friend’s pocket, and opened it. He dumped his burden inside, set the pilot for the roof of the Clinic, and depressed the impeller bar. He had done all he could for the moment; in over-city traffic automatic operation was faster than manual. It would be five minutes, or more, before he reached Mordan, but, even at that, he had saved at least ten minutes over what it would have taken by tube and slideway.
It consoled him somewhat for the time he had wasted on Monroe-Alpha.
The man was beginning to stir. Hamilton took a cup from the cooler, filled it with water, dissolved three of the capsules in it, and went to his side. He slapped him.
Monroe-Alpha sat up. “Whassa matter?” he said. “Stop it. What’s happened?”
“Drink this.” Hamilton put the cup to his lips.
“What happened? My head hurts.”
“It ought to-you had quite a fall. Drink it. You’ll feel better.”
Monroe-Alpha complied docilely. When he had finished, Hamilton watched him narrowly, wondering if he would have to slug him again before the hypnotic took hold. But Monroe-Alpha said nothing more, seemed still dazed, and shortly was sleeping soundly.
The car grounded gently.
Hamilton raised the panel of the communicator, shoved his foot inside, and pushed. There was a satisfying sound of breaking crystal and snapping wires. He set the pilot on due South, without destination, opened the door, and stepped out. He turned, reached inside, sought the impeller bar-but hesitated without depressing it. He stepped back inside and removed the selector key from the pilot. He stepped out again, depressed the impeller-and ducked. As the door slammed shut, the little runabout angled straight up, seeking cruising altitude.
He did not wait for it to go out of sight, but turned and started below.
Monroe-Alpha awoke with a dry mouth, an excruciatingly throbbing head, a nauseous feeling at his midriff, and a sense of impending disaster. He became aware of things in that order.
He knew that he was in the air, in a skycar, and alone, but how had he gotten there, why he was there, escaped him. He had had some dreadful nightmares-they seemed to have some bearing on it. There was something he should be doing.
This was the Day, the Day of the Change! That was it!
But why was he here? He should be with his section. No. No, McFee had said —
What was it he had said? And where was Hamilton? Hamilton was a spy! Hamilton was about to betray them all!
He must inform McFee at once. Where was he? No matter-call him!
It was then that he found the wrecked communicator. And the bright sunlight outside told him it was too late, too late. Whatever had come of Hamilton’s treachery had already happened. Too late.
The pieces were beginning to fall into place. He recalled the ugly interview with Hamilton, the message from McFee, the fight. Apparently he had been knocked out. There was nothing left to do but to go back, turn himself in to his leader, and confess his failure.
No. McFee had given him orders to stay out, to stay away for two days. He must obey. The Whole is greater than the parts.