The Project Gutenberg EBook of Martyr, by Alan Edward Nourse

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Title: Martyr

Author: Alan Edward Nourse

Release Date: February 9, 2010 [EBook #31236]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARTYR ***

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Transcriber's Note:

This etext was produced from Fantastic Universe January 1957.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S.
copyright on this publication was renewed.

_Rejuvenation for the millions--or rejuvenation for the five
hundred lucky ones, the select ones, that can be treated
each year? Tough, independent Senator Dan Fowler fights a
one-man battle against the clique that seeks perpetual power
and perpetual youth, in this hard-hitting novel by Alan E.
Nourse. Why did it have to be his personal fight? The others
fumble it--they'd foul it up, Fowler protested? But
why was he in the fight and what was to happen to Senator
Fowler's fight against this fantastic conspiracy? Who would
win?_

martyr

_by ... ALAN E. NOURSE_

"I can break him, split his Criterion Committee wide open
_now_ while there's still a chance, and open rejuvenation up
to everybody...."

* * * * *

Four and one half hours after Martian sunset, the last light in the
Headquarters Building finally blinked out.

Carl Golden stamped his feet nervously against the cold, cupping his
cigarette in his hand to suck up the tiny spark of warmth. The night
air bit his nostrils and made the smoke tasteless in the darkness.
Atmosphere screens kept the oxygen in, all right--but they never kept
the biting cold out. As the light disappeared he dropped the
cigarette, stamping it sharply into darkness. Boredom vanished, and
warm blood prickled through his shivering legs.

He slid back tight against the coarse black building front, peering
across the road in the gloom.

It was the gi