"I just said I believe in a democratic form of government. It hasn't been long since we were all democrats on Mars."
"The democratic government was corrupt. You won't find many friends."
Shaan knew that was true—both statements. There was no longer any organized democratic movement on Mars. He was completely alone. There was no place for him to go anywhere.
He moved toward MkDowl, with the hypo in his hand. MkDowl watched him closely, not moving. It was when Shaan shifted the gun to his left hand and the hypo to his right that MkDowl moved.
Shaan had been prepared for a desperate attack. But MkDowl leaped head-first out the window, in a single swift motion.
Shaan went after him. MkDowl disappeared around the corner of the house as Shaan jumped through the window.
Shaan regretted it, but he would have to blast MkDowl. Even if he could get away, MkDowl would tell the soldiers which way he had gone.
As Shaan turned the corner of the house, MkDowl was climbing into the groundcar. Shaan let go with the heat beam, but the groundcar's metal and windshield were strong enough to resist it at that distance. MkDowl's head disappeared beneath the dashboard.
With a sputter of smoke, the groundcar's engine started. MkDowl had to have the engine running for power to use the groundcar's swivel-mounted heat-gun. Shaan saw the muzzle of the weapon begin to swing slowly toward him.
As MkDowl's head came in view in the windshield to aim, Shaan's own beam penetrated the glass at full power. Hair aflame, MkDowl slumped forward over the wheel.