Joel felt like a bear attacked by a slashing pack of wolves. He shook his head, shuffled after Roos cautiously. He took three hard punches in the face without faltering, kept closing in.
Roos backed up. Joel crowded him in the corner, letting the police chief hit him with everything he had.
At the last moment Roos guessed Joel's purpose. He tried to duck and slide clear.
Joel grabbed him by the collar and belt. With a grunt, he heaved him over his head.
The police chief kicked, squirmed frantically. The muscles in Joel's shoulders cracked. But he held him aloft, began to walk deliberately toward the crystal doors leading to the terrace.
Roos cursed, wrenched, flailing wildly with arms and legs. Joel kicked the doors aside.
Alpha Centauri A was flooding the terrace with a clear dawn light.
Roos began to beg for his life.
