Lazarus Come Forth

Lazarus Come Forth by RAY BRADBURY - The Morgue Ship had gleaned information from space that would end the three hundred year war, knowledge that would defeat the aggressor Martians—if Brandon could carry it to Earth.

Logan's way of laughing was bad. 'There's a new body up in the air-lock, Brandon. Climb the rungs and have a look.'

Logan's eyes had a green shine to them, eager and intent. They were ugly, obscene.

Brandon swore under his breath. This room of the Morgue Ship was crowded with their two personalities. Besides that, there were scores of cold shelves of bodies freezing quietly, and the insistent vibration of the coroner tables, machinery spinning under them. And Logan was like a little machine that never stopped talking.

'Leave me alone.' Brandon rose up, tall and thinned by the years, looking as old as a pocked meteor. 'Just keep quiet.'

Logan sucked his cigarette. 'Scared to go upstairs? Scared it might be your son we just picked up?'

Brandon reached Logan in about one stride, and while the Morgue Ship slipped on through space, he clenched the coroner's blue uniform with the small bones inside it and hung it up against the wall, pressing inward until Logan couldn't breathe. Logan blew air, his eyes looked helpless. He tried to speak and could only grunt like a stuck pig. He waved his short arms, flapping.

Brandon kept him there, crucified on a fist.

'I told you. Let me search for my own son's body in my own way. I don't need your tongue.'