Trouble On Sun-Side
By S. M. Tenneshaw
Jansen came to Mercury to find one man,
and that seemed an easy enough task; the hitch
was that as a hunter he was also being hunted!
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
October 1956
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Jansen began to sweat as soon as he left the spaceship. The bloated, swollen sun hovering near the horizon here in twilight zone was dazzling even through his protective goggles. Jansen knew he would have to get used to it: Mercury's twilight zone, like it or not, would be his home for the indefinite future.
Stowing his gear in the barracks while sweat streamed from his body, Jansen realized for the first time that his luggage had been examined aboard the spaceship. That was bad; it could mean anything; it certainly meant trouble.
I have to hurry, Jansen thought. In a day or so, they're liable to haul me in for questioning.
"Still time for me to go out and join the work force?" Jansen asked the barracks orderly as the old man came shuffling by.
"Eager, ain't you, mister. They'll get along without you till tomorrow, you can bet."