“That’s rich, but I’ll buy it. All I’ve got to lose is my chains...”
“And your memory.”
“Come again?”
Lors sucked on the cigarette. “You can’t talk about this thing to anyone except your wife.”
“Who’d believe me anyhow?”
“It’s bigger than that, Danson. If you talk to anyone, I’ll kill you.”
“You don’t make sense. Why not kill me now?”
Lors sighed. “Look, Commander Imry made a booboo, to use one of your terms, and I got caught in the middle. This whole operation is fouled up because of what he did. If we don’t try [p131] to put things back, it’s going to be in a real tough light.
“For the first time in history, Terra is in possession of a scout ship even though it is wrecked. Not only that, but they know it. They’re hot on the trail of us. And if enough Terrans get wise to us, we’ll be in trouble. You’ve read my diaries and journals. You know what it’s like up here. My planet needs Earth as a trade base, and if you people ever wake up as a race, we’ll be able to help each other a hell of a lot. Maybe that’s why I want to take you back to your wife. Is that good enough for you?”
Danson nodded. “I guess so. I know enough about this situation to tell that you’re either on the level, or you’re a damned convincing liar. What’s the plot?”