You Can't Buy Eternity!

by Dwight V. Swain

Cheng again: "You better have that catalyst this time, you chitza! That's what I'm here for. If I don't get it, you won't live to tell it."

Now Astrell looked up, her face a study in unnatural pallor. "The catalyst—he means to take it!"

Ross didn't bother to answer.

Astrell cried, "I won't let him! He can't do it!"

Cheng: "Your woman dies if you try to shoot, Thigpen! Just remember that!"

Astrell: "I'll take it! That's it, I'll take it now! They say even one injection makes you young!"

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She stumbled forward. Claw-like, her fingers tore at the black cube with the catalyst, the injector.

"Stop it, you old fool!" Ross clipped. He reached out to tear the black box from her.

Without warning, Astrell let go the case. It left Ross hanging momentarily off-balance.