Ellaby's heart plunged. He wanted to bolt, to run. She knew. She knew....
He stood there, too weak to move, while the guard reached inside his tunic, found the blaster taped to his chest, wrenched it loose. She took it out, held it up, flipping open the chamber and examined the inside. "All right," she said. "I only wanted to make sure it was loaded."
And she took out a key and opened the door. "He's inside," she said, and strolled on down the hall.
llaby clutched the doorframe for support. He was breathing raggedly now, as if he'd run all the great length of the corridor, sprinting with monsters behind him. He rubbed the shoulder of his tunic against his damp brow and entered the room.
A man Ellaby's own size was sitting there, viewing a 3D. When he heard Ellaby at the door he got up. He looked very unhappy as Ellaby pointed the blaster at him. He said, "So soon?"
"They said you would try wiles, trickery, deceit," Ellaby recited. "You won't fool me."
"You think I'm the Dictator? You're going to kill me? That's very funny. I know, you see. I know."
"Stand back!" Ellaby screamed.