Deepfreeze

Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy January 1953. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
Life and the future belong to the strong—so Dollard laughed as he fled Earth and Mankind's death agony. But the last laugh was yet to come....
dwin Dollard's nervous stubby fingers spilled three precious drops of his fifth Scotch highball, as he veered his head away from the horrors on the telescreen. He was in time to observe Garth enter by the paneled tunnel door.
Two more hours—and the ship will be ready, Garth announced. The men still know nothing. His thin lips cracked into a forced smile. I slipped them the poison at noon mess. There'll be no tales out of those greaseballs.
Dollard's pudgy features relaxed. Just you and I, Garth ... to survive. The others—stupid sheep—let them die! Lust spread his heavy cheeks into a wide grin. As for women, there'll be time enough for them ... on Venus.
I know, said Garth slowly. Plague-untouched women. It'll be like being reborn again. His pained somber eyes lit up. It's right good we understand each other....
Just see that we continue understanding one another, Edwin Dollard snapped. I'm still the boss.
The last of America's industrial tycoons refocussed his attention on the world telecasts. Since breakfast, he had sat glued to the news while a battery of video announcers reported from central strongholds on the progress of the bacterial epidemic that already had swept the Atlantic seaboard.
Any late news? Garth asked, over Dollard's shoulder.
For your information, I picked up a flash from Denver. Just before you came in—
Bad, eh?