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They were a peaceful people and somehow
couldn't stand the thought of executing their
only criminal. The answer was to discover a—

HERO FROM YESTERDAY

By Robert Randall

[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
December 1957
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]


The day Lugert's criminals gunned down three citizens in a boldbroad-daylight robbery, Domnas Karson, Third Speaker of the Council,said, "I think I've got the answer."

"Answer? To what?" asked Murgon Darell Fourth Speaker.

"To Lugert," said Karson. "The weapon we can use against that throwbackwho's terrorizing us all."

Darell sighed wearily. "There is no answer to Lugert, I'm afraid.We're peaceful people; he's a throwback to a more violent age. There'sno way to cope with him. Would you want to be the one to shoot himdown?"

Karson shuddered and said, "No, not me. Of course not. I'm no morecapable of violence than anyone else. But Lugert can be stopped. We canget help."

"From where?"

"From the past," said Karson. "From the ugly crime-ridden world we'veevolved out of. Dr. Lorence of the Science Council has developed atime-net which...."

"Of course!" Darell exclaimed. "Bring a man out of the past! A man whowon't be inhibited by our innate hatred of violence, a man who'll beable to deal with Lugert as he deserves!" He rose and strode aroundthe long councilroom in quick, nervous steps. "Call Lorence, Karson.Get him at work on the project at once. We can't waste any more time.There's no telling when Lugert might...."

The visiphone chimed three times. Karson crossed the room and depressedthe receiving stud. On the screen the features of a thick-faced, stockyman appeared.

"Lugert! What do you want?"

"I'm pleased you recognize me so quickly, Speaker Karson," said thestocky man in a slow, deep voice. "My fame must be spreading, then."

"You didn't call to chat with us, Lugert. What is it you want?"

Lugert's face hardened slowly.

"You're right. I didn't call to chat. I called to tell you to get out."

"What's that?"

"I said, get out. Pack up your records and papers and clear out of theGovernment Building, Karson. You and all the rest of you. I'm takingover."

Karson paled. "Taking over—the government? How far do you think youcan go, Lugert?"

Again the confident, cheerful, steel-hard grin that had become theLugert trademark in such an astonishingly brief time. "How far? Why,Karson, I can go as far as I like. There isn't one of you who daressay No to anything I ask. And now I'm asking for the government. Goahead; refuse. Get indignant. Threaten me. All this easy winning boresme, Karson."

Karson stared at the thick-featured face framed by the visiscreen."You've won again," he said after a pause. "We can't fight you, Lugert.How much time do we have to evacuate the Government Building?"

"How much do you need?"

Karson thought for a moment. "A week, at least. Is that all right?"

"One week, no more," Lugert agreed. "My men and I will come up to takeover things at noon on 7 September." He chuckled. "7 September, 2531. Aday to go down in history, eh, Karson?"

He broke the contact.


Karson turned from the dead screen and looked at Speaker Darell. "Well,there's our ultimatum," he said. "One week to get out and then Lugerttakes over."

"That means we'll have to move fast," said Darell. "You'd better callDr. Lorence. Only a week...."

Karson was already busy punching out Lorence's code number on thevisiphone. W

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