in forcing themselves on anyone. But a strange
thing happens when people like you are forced to keep company with
them. After a while they begin to love them, especially the females,
and they find bearing their children a joy, even a blessing."
53 "Never!" the Purist Leader screamed, "Never!" His hand went for
something between the side of the couch and the cushion, but North leaped forward literally hauling him
up out of the seat before the man's hand completely closed around the
thermal grenade. It slipped from his fingers and tumbled to the floor.
54 With almost effortless ease North threw the man across the room and
he landed with a crash in the corner. North heard a sharp click beside
him and turned to see the Purist's wife now standing, a thermal grenade
in her hand with the pin pulled.
55 "You have to release the handle," instructed North, "for it to
detonate." He started to step toward the woman and she backed off.
56 "My daughter and I," she screamed, "will never be slaves in a
Hashon's bed!"
57 "I never said you WOULD be!" replied North, "I merely said you will
LIVE with Hashons. Whatever happens will be of your own free will. You
can be a Purist all the days of your life if you want to be, and so can
your daughter. No one will use force on either of you. You have my word
on that. And do even YOUR people question my word?"
58 The girl pushed up against her mother. "Mother," she wept, "I'm
scared! Please don't hurt us!"
59 The woman looked at North. "Damn you!" she cursed, "Damn you!" Then
looked with fear at the grenade in her hand. "What do I do?" she half
whispered.
60 North reached over and carefully slipped his fingers between hers.
"Let go," he said, then screamed to his men, "somebody find the God
damned pin for this!"