March 2007 The Night of the Trolls Keith Laumer contents1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 quotThe Night of the Trollsquot copyright ?? 1963 by Galaxy Publishing Corporation 1 ?? It was different this time. There was a dry pain in my lungs and a deep ache in my bones anda fire in my stomach that made me want to curl into a ball and mew like a kitten. My mouthtasted as though mice had nested in it and when I took a deep breath wooden knives twisted inmy chest. I made a mental note to tell Mackenzie a few things about his pet controlled-environment tank—just as soon as I got out of it. I squinted at the over-face panel: airpressure temperature humidity O-level blood sugar pulse and respiration—all okay. Thatwas something. I flipped the intercom key and said quotOkay Mackenzie lets have the story.Youve got problems…quot I had to stop to cough. The exertion made my temples pound. quotHow long have you birds run this damned exercisequot I called. quotI feel lousy. Whats going onaround herequot No answer. This was supposed to be the terminal test series. They couldnt all be out having coffee. Theequipment had more bugs than a two-dollar hotel