Kill me if you can!
In a dystopian future, every five years, the Autarch of Apollyon is assassinated, and a stand-in is chosen to take his place. Bartol, an ordinary citizen, is selected to impersonate the current Autarch due to his physical resemblance. He undergoes hypnosis and surgery to become a near-perfect double, unaware of the true nature of his selection. As Bartol makes a public appearance, an assassination attempt occurs, prompting a chaotic response from the Palace's security. The Commander of the Peace Administration oversees the situation, believing Bartol's life is expendable to protect the real Autarch. Bartol, however, struggles against the hypnotic commands that prevent him from revealing his true identity. The narrative follows Bartol as he navigates the palace, evading the assassin while trying to remember crucial information buried in his subconscious. He realizes that the Galactic League, a powerful coalition, is involved in the political machinations of Apollyon, and he must act quickly to survive. As the assassin wreaks havoc, Bartol uses his wits and the equipment provided to him to escape and confront the real threat. He discovers that the Autarch is actually a puppet controlled by the Commander, who has orchestrated the entire system of assassination and replacement to maintain power. The Commander has manipulated the society into a cycle of violence, using the Benevolent Society of Assassins as a façade for his own control. In a climactic confrontation, Bartol manages to locate the real Autarch, Lavod Quom, and reveals the truth about the oppressive regime. He exposes Quom's schemes of planetary slavery and mass murder, which have been hidden under the guise of governance. Bartol's clever use of technology and his understanding of the system allow him to turn the tables on Quom, who is ultimately subdued. The story concludes with Bartol ensuring that Quom is arrested and that the Galactic League's laws are upheld, bringing an end to the tyrannical rule. Bartol's journey from an unwitting pawn to a key player in the liberation of Apollyon highlights themes of identity, power, and the struggle against oppression.
By Randall Garrett · First published 1974 · Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure · 5,139 words
First lines
Every five years the Autarch in power was murdered. Bartol knew this was why he had been picked as a stand-in for the reigning tyrant!
Bartol stood on the balcony of the Grand Palace and waved, smilingly, at the throngs of people below. He couldn't help it; he struggled silently against the implanted hypnotic commands, but it did no good. He waved and smiled. And the crowd cheered automatically for their Autarch.
What this Textopian page supports
Kill me if you can! is listed on Textopian as a novel by Randall Garrett, dated 1974 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Randall Garrett
- Date: 1974 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure, Dystopian, Political Fiction
- Length: 5,139 words
- Structure: 1 section, 137 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Kill me if you can! by Randall Garrett
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The plot revolves around futuristic technology, androids, and a dystopian society, which are hallmarks of the science fiction genre.
- Thriller — The narrative includes elements of suspense, danger, and a high-stakes assassination plot, typical of thriller literature.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a perilous journey filled with action and conflict, characteristic of adventure stories.
- Dystopian — The setting features a totalitarian regime and societal control, reflecting themes common in dystopian literature.
Tags
Science Fiction · Humor · Adventure · Thriller · Mystery · Satire · Parody · Fantasy · Action · Comedy · Pulp Fiction · Detective Story