Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from IF Worlds of Science Fiction January 1953. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
NO SHIELD FROM THE DEAD
By Gordon R. Dickson
No conceivable force could penetrate Terri's shield. Yet hewas defenseless.
t was a nice little party, but a bit obvious. Terri Mac saw throughit before he had taken half a dozen steps into the apartment. A lightflush staining his high cheek-bones. "This is ridiculous," he said.
The light chatter ceased. Cocktail glasses were set down on varioushandy tables and ledges; and all faces in the room turned toward a manin his late fifties who sat propped up invalid-wise on pillows in achair in a corner of the room.
"The Comptroller is perspicacious," said the old man, agreeably,waving one hand in a casual manner. "On your way, children."
And the people present smiled and nodded. Quite as if it were anordinary leave-taking, they pushed past Terri Mac and filed out thedoor. Even the blonde, Terri had picked up at the embassy ball and whohad brought him here, strolled off casually, but in a decidedly lessdrunken fashion than she had exhibited earlier in the evening.
"Sit down," said the old man. Terri Mac did so, gazing searchingly atthe skinny frame and white eyebrows in an unsuccessful effort toconnect him with something in memory. "This is ridiculous," herepeated.
"Really?" The old man smiled benignly. "And why so?"
"Why—" the situation was so obvious that Terri fumbled—a little at aloss for words. "Obviously you intend some form of coercion, or elseyou would have come to me along recognized channels. And any thoughtof coercion is obviously—well, ridiculous."
"Why?"
"Why? You senile old fool, don't you know that I'm shielded? Don't youknow all government officials from the fifth class up wear completepersonal shields that are not only crack-proof but contain all thenecessary elements to support life independently within the shieldfor more than twenty hours? Don't you know that I'll be missed in twohours at the most and tracked down in less than sixty minutes more?Are you crazy?"
The old man chuckled, rubbing dry hands together. He said, "I'mshielded too. You can't get at me. And now the room's shielded. Youcan't get out of it."
Terri stared at him. The initial shock was passing. His own statementsanent the completeness of his protection had brought back confidence,and his natural coolness was returning. "What do you want?" he asked,eyeing the other narrowly.
"Pleasure of your company," said the old man. "There are some verystrong connections between us. Yes, very strong. We must get to knoweach other personally."
t occurred to Terri that he had misinterpreted the situation. Reliefcame, mixed with a certain amount of chagrin at the way in which heallowed himself to show alarm. He had looked ridiculous. He leanedback in the chair and allowed a note of official hauteur and annoyanceto creep into his voice. "I see," he said. "You want something?"
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