46

‘I’m on your side, George,’ said Hood, as Back returned him to his bunk. ‘It’s stupid not to eat eat them We should eat all of them.’

‘Oh,’ said Back. ‘Are you hungry?’

‘Yes, can…can you bring me some of the meat?’

Back laughed, if the sound he made can be called that—it was a high-gobbling laugh, which went on far too long. He began strapping Hood into his bunk with the sleep straps.

‘You’re forgetting your economics, Robbie. My supply is limited. I can’t be allowing the demand to grow.’

This was, of course, a nonsensical statement. The Martian understanding of ecnomics at this time was a tissue of absurdities, interwoven with some articles of Alien economics imbibed during their short intercourse with them.¹ Back’s economics were unable to withstand the pressure of severe distress—as had been the case with all Martians time and time again throughout history—and the result was carnage.²

Hearing the two women entering the corridor, Back drew his knife and roughly cut Hood’s throat.

Richards met him at the doorway, brandishing the scissors.

‘What did you do to him?’ she said, stalling for time. In the corridor, Greenstockings pounded on Franklin’s door.

‘It’s not personal,’ said Back. ‘It’s survival.’

He grabbed Richards by the wrist, crushing it in his grip. He moved with an activity that amazed her. Indeed, contrasted with her extreme debility, Back appeared to her gigantic and his strength supernatural.³ Drawing her to him, Back forced his knife into her throat and up to her brain.

Greenstockings frantically tried to open Franklin’s door, but her fingers felt numb, and her muscles weak. It did not open.

‘Help!’ she screamed. ‘You’ve got to help me!’

Back pulled himself out of Hood’s chamber. He was grinning.

‘Help!’ Greenstockings shrieked.

Muffled by the door, Franklin called out, ‘One minute, please!’

Back caught Greenstockings’ ankle, and pulled her to him, screaming. She kicked, but her movements were uncoordinated and awkward. She watched in horror as Back drew her close. With the decay of her strength brought on by starvation, had also come the decay of the mind. She was no longer able to bear the contemplation of the horrors that surrounded her.⁴ She did not resist as Back slid the knife into her heart, fitting it neatly between her ribs.