That shocked Barnard for about one second. But he had no time to be bothered with danger. And the System News Service was all-important.
"I'll take the chance," he said grimly. "Where's Gail?"
Quong Kee's haunted eyes closed momentarily. "She is on the Chicago. She needs somebody now, Ron Barnard. Go to her. I can't help; I'm an old man and afraid for my life. You are young and strong. There is danger, but go to her. Even if only for your scoop."
Something in the old man's voice was hypnotic. Barnard stared at him. "Where is this Chicago?" he asked.
"It's at Main Spaceport, in the public field. If she is not there, use this key and wait for her."
Barnard rose slowly. He tried to shake a lump out of his throat, cursing himself for going soft. Sitting here listening to an old man mouth sentiment—he shook his head angrily and glared at Quong Kee.
"I'll go," he said. "But only for the scoop."
III
Quong Kee's faintly cynical smile didn't make him feel any better. Leaving the place, he glared belligerently at the maniac he had fought with. Marching to the spaceport, his feelings intensified so that he forgot to walk slowly, the first rule on Mars, and had to hold his airpac to his nostrils all the way. By the time he found the Chicago, his fingers were stiff from holding the instrument.