Science Fiction Page 6

  “They have enough to keep them busy for the moment down there,” he said. “But we’d better pick up the people in the compound right away. And then make a brief pass over the teleportation station.”

  “Do you think that’s necessary?” Dana asked.

  “Do we have a choice?” Alex demanded. “While creatures like him”—he gestured over his shoulder at Horsy—“can roam the galaxy, no civilization is safe. No, we’ll blow it up, and this world, at least, will be in for a long dark age.”

  Below them, the compound swung into view. Dotting its yard, matchstick figures could be seen, trapped in the midst of a holocaust. Alex took the controls and set the ship down gently in front of the long dining hall, while Dana helped the professor open the cargo doors.

  It was only a matter of minutes before the last human survivor was loaded on board. Many had never seen a spaceship, but none had to be persuaded to leave this terrible world and the fire that was enveloping the city. When the last human boarded, Alex motioned Dana to his side and said, “Will you see our hostage safely out the door?”

  “With pleasure,” Dana replied. They exchanged a small smile and she hurried off to perform her duty. Horsy was dropped from the airlock from fifteen feet up. Dana hoped his dignity, if not his person, suffered some bruising.

  With a familiar roar, they were off the ground. In a moment they were circling the teleportation station, and it was rapidly reduced to smoking rubble. They hung above the ruined city for one last look—and then Alex punched a course for the stars.

  It was time to look for a new home.