The Stainless Steel Rat Goes to Hell by Harry Harrison

at it. “Very interesting,” he said in a distant voice. “I used to study the phenomena, take notes, tried to take notes. Not pigmentation at all. I believe the color change to be due to enhanced capillary growth beneath the skin. Ahh, the tail.” He groped for his and caressed it. “Might be added bones to the coccyx. Not
possible, bone growth though, yes, or cartilage …”
    I left him mumbling there and waved Sybil to one side where we could keep an eye on the others. Not that they appeared to be any threat. Some were still unconscious while the others sat or lay placidly as though drained of energy. One young man dragged himself to his feet and looked at us with obvious fear. When we did nothing he stumbled away, around the bend in the canyon and out of sight.
    â€œI don’t like this at all,” Sybil said.
    â€œI never liked it—and I like it even less the longer we stay here. These people aren’t natives. They’ve been brought here. Dumped in this place for some unfathomable reason. At least we know who is responsible. We’ve got to find our way back—before we end up like these. Am I beginning to turn red yet?”
    â€œNo—but you’re right. We’ve got to resist. But what can we do? Is there any point in going back to Hometown—or to your porcuswine?”
    â€œNone that I can think of at the moment …”
    The sky darkened for an instant and we staggered, suddenly heavy. The phenomenon passed as quickly as it had begun. Gravity waves? I didn’t let my thoughts dwell on it. What could we possibly do to save ourselves?
    â€œCollect as much of the colimicon as we can carry,” I said firmly. “Food and drink will keep us alive, give us a chance to take the next step … .” Inspiration failed me, but Sybil was thinking too.
    â€œGo back to the cave where we woke up. We were in such bad shape we didn’t search it well. Looking for what—I have no idea.”
    â€œBut you have a good idea. Whatever brought us here dumped us on that particular spot. It needs a much closer look.” I pointed to the sprawled, scarlet figures. “What about this lot?”
    â€œThere is nothing we can do for them—not now. Perhaps when we get back, get some answers. Maybe then we can do something. They are alive, so at least they know how to survive. And they did try to kill us.”

    â€œPoint taken. Let’s get moving.”
    We found some more colimicon and pried rubbery chunks from the rock crevasses. They were difficult to carry until Sybil turned her long skirt into a mini by ripping off a great length of the fabric. “And it’s cooler like this,” she said as she neatly knotted our food and drink into a bundle. I took it from her and pointed.
    â€œLead the way.”
    I did not dare think how long the days here were since the sun appeared to be just as high in the sky as it had been when we first saw it. Perhaps the planet did not rotate on its axis at all and this day was a million years long. We plodded on. Back towards the opening in the rocks where this whole depressing action had begun.
    We started up one of the gravel dunes and I stumbled over a largish fragment, fell forward.
    Saw the eruption of fragments from the sudden, small pit, heard the missile ricochet away.
    â€œMove!” I shouted. “Someone’s shooting at us!”
    Sybil was running towards some broken boulders as I did a sideways roll and scrambled to my feet. More shots followed us, but a fast-moving target is hard to hit. I slid, gasping, into the lee of a giant boulder, saw that Sybil had reached shelter as well.
    â€œWhere’s the sniper?” she called out.
    â€œTop of the slope we were climbing. I had a quick glimpse, just something moving.”
    â€œAny particular color?”
    â€œThe local favorite.”
    â€œNext?”
    â€œGet our breath back. Then spread out and hunt the