The story is a futuristic "Most Dangerous Game" variant, but where the game is voluntary on both sides. Protagonist/narrator has signed up to fight another participant to the death. The deal is they both land on a tiny planet and only one leaves. Protagonist's cunning plan is that, instead of using fancy hi-tech weaponry, which is permitted, he'll use a crossbow. [I forget why this is cunning, but I think it was something to do with the fact that the crossbow would not be detected by opponent's sensors; or maybe he just thought it would be cool to go old-school.]
Protagonist lands on planet and creeps through the woods. He sees opponent huddled over a fire, and shoots the figure with a crossbow. Goes to examine the body and it transpires he has in turn been outfoxed in old-school fashion, as it was just a dummy. His opponent was waiting for him to appear. Last line of the story is something like 'I heard "Sorry, [protagonist's name]" as the laser cut me in half'.
The story was part of an anthology from late 70s or early 80s. Perhaps a British anthology. Front cover was what I now recognize as Chris Foss-type art, I think a big spaceship.
Comments
Post a Comment