tonight," the Senator said. "Right on schedule, with ten thousandcolonists aboard. You're world heroes!"
Max and I played chess the rest of the day. Max won consistently. Heutilizes a fianchetto that is utterly impregnable. If he wins tomorrow,I shall have to kill him.
* * * * *
MAX
_March 13_
It was, of course, necessary for me to destroy Armitage and Bishop. Theywon far too often. But I am sorry about Greta. Yet I had to strangleher.
If she hadn't started that infernal queen's pawn opening it would havebeen different. She beat me six times running, and on the last game Ipulled a superb orang-outang, but it was too late. She saw mate in fourand gave me that serpent smirk I know so well.
How could I have ever been in love with her?
* * * * *
_March 14_
Frightfully boring to be alone. I have a thought. Chess. Right handagainst left. White and black. Jolly good.
* * * * *
_March 16_
I haven't much time.
Left was black this morning and I beat him, four out of five. We're inthe lab now. He's watching me scribble this. His thumb and forefingerare twitching in fury. He looks like some great white spider about tospring.
He sees the scalpel, by the microscope. Now his fingers are inchingtoward it. Treacherous beast. I'm stronger. If he tries to amputate ...
--JAMES CAUSEY
Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from _Galaxy Science Fiction_ May 1955. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and typographical errors have been corrected without note.
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