Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from an Ace Books paperback, 1973. Extensive researchdid not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publicationwas renewed.
The computer seemed to work as it should. The speedwas within acceptable limits. He gave up trying to seethe ground and was forced to trust the machinery designedfor amateur pilots. The flare bloomed, and heyanked down on the little lever.
It could have been worse. They hit the ground,bounced twice, and turned over. The ship was a messwhen Feldman freed himself from the elastic straps ofthe seat. Chris had shrieked as they hit, but she wasunbuckling herself now.
He threw her her spacesuit and one of the emergencybottles of oxygen from the rack. "Hurry up with that.We've sprung a leak and the pressure's dropping."
Turn this book over for a second complete novel.
[Transcriber's Note: The second novel is not present in this etext.]
BADGE OF
INFAMY
By
LESTER DEL REY
ace books
A Division of Charter Communications Inc.
1120 Avenue of the Americas
New York, N.Y. 10036
BADGE OF INFAMY
Copyright © 1963 by Galaxy Publishing Corp.
Copyright © 1957 by Renown Publications, Inc.
A shorter and earlier version of this story appeared inSatellite Science Fiction for June, 1957.
First Ace printing: January, 1973
THE SKY IS FALLING
Copyright © 1954, 1963 by Galaxy Publishing Corp.
Printed in U.S.A.[Pg 5]
I
Pariah
The air of the city's cheapest flophouse was thick withthe smells of harsh antiseptic and unwashed bodies. Theearly Christmas snowstorm had driven in every bumwho could steal or beg the price of admission, and thelong rows of cots were filled with fully clothed figures.Those who could afford the extra dime were huddledunder thin, grimy blankets.
The pariah who had been Dr. Daniel Feldman enjoyedno such luxury. He tossed fitfully on a bare cot, bringinghis face into the dim light. It had been a handsomeface, but now the black stubble of beard lay over gauntfeatures and sunken cheeks. He looked ten years olderthan his scant thirty-two, and there were the beginningsof a snarl at the corners of his mouth. Clothes that hadonce been expensive were wrinkled and covered withgrime that no amount of cleaning could remove. Histall, thin body was awkwardly curled up in a vain effortto conserve heat and one of his hands instinctivelyclutched at his tiny bag of possessions.
He stirred again, and suddenly jerked upright with aprotest already forming on his lips. The ugly surroundingsregistered on his eyes, and he stared suspiciouslyat the other cots. But there was no sign that anyone hadbeen trying to rob him of his bindle or the preciousbag of cheap tobacco.
He started to relax back onto the couch when a soundcaught his attention, even over the snoring of the others.[Pg 6]It was a low wail, the sound of