"Can you get me past?"
"Of course, Comrade Colonel—"
Dugan stopped him. "I mean, without a pass."
The man stopped his machine. He looked very unhappy. Dugan had firm possession of two guns, one in his blouse, one in his hand. Dugan did not even let the man get down from the saddle. The soldier tried to look around at him, but Dugan commanded:
"Eyes front!"
The soldier swung his face back to the forward position. "I can't do it, Comrade Colonel. They will shoot."
"Sorry, comrade," said Dugan grimly. "I'm under orders from the N.K.A.R. to make this an effective violation. To test our security all the way up. If you don't get through, I'll shoot you."
The man started to argue, but Dugan repeated his threat and the man saw that he meant it. He was one of the new Communist-reared generation trained in absolute obedience.
Dolefully he pleaded, "Our only chance, Colonel, is to go through fast. But they might hit me. Or you."
"Don't you worry about me," said Dugan. "I'm taking the same chances that you are."