” To fight-?” But Dard didn’t complete that question before Kimber had an answer.
“Killing,” he said, staring thoughtfully down at the full spoon he balanced on its way to his mouth, “is not on the program if we can help it. Even such pests as-Cully! behind you!”
The engineer slowed around just in time to snatch up a small wrench and so baffle the furry thief that tried to seize it.
“Even those pests are safe from us,” Kimber continued before he added to the swearing engineer, “Why don’t you sit on everything, Jorge? That’s what I am doing.” He moved to let them see that all the smaller tools he had been using were now covered by his body. “It may not be comfortable, but they’ll still be here when I need them!
“No,” he returned to his earlier theme, “we’re not going to kill anything if we can help it. To save our lives-for food, if it is absolutely necessary. But not for sport-or because we are unsure!” His lips twisted in a sneer. “Sport! The greatest sport of all is the hunting of man! As man finally discovered, having terrorized all of the rest of the living earth. Our species killed wantonly-now we have a second choice and chance. Maybe we can be saner this time. So-Santee is a crack shot-but that does not mean he is going to use the rifle.”
Dard had only one more question. “When do we go?”
“Tomorrow morning, early. On our last swing around the cliffs two days ago we sighted indications of a road leading eastward from the other side. It could be the guide we want.”
They finished their work upon the sled in mid-afternoon and spent the remaining hours of work time stowing away supplies and equipment. Kimber made preparations for five days’ absence from the valley-flying east to the interior of the land mass on which the star ship had earthed.
“That tube we found pointed in that direction. If it was a freight carrier for some city-and I am of the opinion that it was-that’s where we may find the remains of civilization.” Kimber’s voice came muffled as he checked dials behind the wind screen of the aircraft.
“Yeah.” Santee added a small bag of his own to the supplies. “But-after what we seen at that there farmhouse-they played rough around here once upon a time. Better watch out that we don’t get shot down before we make peace signs.”