Read Android at Arms for Free Online Page A

attention to their exchange. He was moving around the control cabin testing this lever, pressing that button, as if to assure himself that the ship could be switched from drone to active status. Finally he spoke.
    â€œIt will do. Cramped quarters for all, and no knowing how long a flight. There ought to be E-rations on board. But we had better see to supplies.”
    They went down into the living space again. As the Veep had pointed out, that section was never meant to house more than four at a time. But to get away from their prison was worth any amount of crowding.
    There were stored rations, and the air plant was in action, though if their voyage was too long— Was Naul nearer? Perhaps their best chance lay with one of the strange tapes. Yet why would Naul or Inyanga be stored at all unless they were both within easy cruising distance? Only a First-In Scout or a Patrol cruiser carried tapes on long voyages.
    So reassured, Andas was ready to do battle for his choice as they returned to the prison, this time down the ramp they could lower from within. They found the others waiting eagerly.
    â€œNaul, of course,” Tsiwon said as if there could be no possible question. “We have excellent transshipping from our ports, and you will have no difficulty in reaching your homes. Also we have a Patrol Sector office. This offence must be reported at once. To discover how deeply this conspiracy has taken root needs expert investigation.”
    â€œInyanga’s ports are also Sector centers,” Andas stuck in, determined to hold his ground. “I see no reason for choosing Naul.”
    â€œThe two of you,” Elys said wearily, “can doubtless continue to argue for days. I, for one, have no wish to waste time sitting here listening to you. To my mind, Naul has no advantage over this Inyanga as far as I am concerned, and perhaps that is also true for Chief Councilor Grasty and Lord Yolyos, as well as Veep Turpyn. After all, on my own world I had never heard of either, which means I may have half the galaxy to cover before I reach home. Since we cannot guess where we are at present or in what relation we lie to either of your two worlds, it will be largely a matter of chance as it is.”
    â€œNaul!”
    â€œInyanga!”
    Almost in one voice Andas and Tsiwon answered.
    Yolyos made a sound not far from a growl. “The lady is right. We have two tapes and six of us who may be bound in directly opposite directions. Neither of the ports you urge upon us has any great appeal as far as we are concerned. Therefore, let us let chance decide. Here—” He picked up one of the lidded basins in which their last meal had been delivered. Taking up the cloth that had served as a napkin, he wiped the basin out thoroughly.
    â€œNow”—he offered it to Tsiwon, who held to the Naul tape as tightly as Andas did his—“drop it in, Arch Chief. You, too, Prince. We shall have a drawing—”
    â€œAnd who shall do the drawing?” Tsiwon demanded before Andas could. “The lady has been with you, and you—you have been his constant companion.” He stabbed a finger at the Salariki and then at Andas.
    â€œTrue enough.” Yolyos put the lid back on the basin. “Turpyn, can that robot doing the repairs be activated enough to pick up one of these? We cannot accuse it of any favoritism.”
    â€œYes, it can.” The Veep sounded almost eager, as if he had despaired of their ever coming to a decision. “Come—”
    With all of them watching, Yolyos placed the basin, uncovered once more, where the robot stood. Andas and Tsiwon dropped in the tapes. One of the tentacle arms that had been so long raised in the air dropped the small tool it held and descended to the basin after Turpyn had made the adjustments he thought necessary. It raised jerkily again, one of the tapes gripped fast. The Veep hastened to kill the power, and Yolyos pried the selection