Ileth Urban was as fetching a bit of scientist-bait as General Atomic could have desired.
All the corporations used these girls. They scoured the Solar System for the cleverest, most beautiful ones to be found. They paid them fantastic wages and trained them to worm secrets from susceptible males. Scientific Mata Hari's.
Government itself used them, Saxon was fully aware. Only by employing even more ruthless measures than the corporations was government able to maintain itself. Government had the finest research department anywhere. And the Terrestial Intelligence Service was the most efficient organization of its kind. Not only that; Government had power, power unbelievable in its Space Navy.
Ileth paused, allowing him to come abreast of her, her hazel-green eyes smiling at him.
Saxon hastily blocked out her thoughts in embarrassment. "You're a pretty little Judas," he thought, then glanced up as a bright glare lit the night sky.
A trail of orange flame streaked above the city and disappeared like a meteor in reverse. The Morning Star, a crack luxury liner, was heading out for Venus. It must be nineteen hours.
"Our last night," said Ileth softly. "Tomorrow we'll be leaving for Alpha Centauri like that ship."
They had reached a door in the glistening plastic face of a building. The door opened automatically, responsive to the girl's personal vibration.
Saxon saw a lambent darkness beyond the entrance. The ceiling of Ileth's apartment was the transparent rind of the city itself. The moon streamed through the crystal plastic, lighting it faintly.
His nerves tightened, his sixth sense of feel exploring the apartment for a trap.