"You'll have to go down and kill her," Forential told Walt. "She is a
clever, clever traitor...."

"Give me the focus rod, so I can practice the death radiation with it,"
Walt said eagerly.

Forential answered smoothly, with scarcely an instant's hesitation; but
during that time, he explored the situation and his answer was a
considered one. "No, you'll have to go unarmed. We can't run the risk of
premature exposure."

**Stress that,** the Elder insisted.

"I can kill earthmen, too?"

"Just her," Forential said, knowing Walt would obey him. "Just her," he
repeated for emphasis. "Remember that. Approach her carefully. Do not
let her suspect what you intend to do. Lie to her, Walt, anything to get
close to her, and then...."

**I'll get a ship ready for him,** Lycan thought. **And some suitable
clothes.**

"May I tell my mates goodbye?" Walt asked.

**Don't forget he has seen the one from the other compartment,** the
Elder reminded Forential sharply.

"No," Forential lied. "You haven't the time. You must leave
immediately."

**Tell him much depends on him,** the Elder thought.

"I can't overstress the importance of this," Forential said. He too, was
trembling now as he began to see the possible implications; his
tentacles quivered. His faceted eyes peered deeply into Walt's face. "It
will be a great service to Lyria and to all the people of your race."

**It is a good planet,** Lycan thought. **We can't lose it now!**

**We've already begun to breed for the gravity,** one of the others
thought plaintively.

**By rights it should be ours.**

**The air is so good, so rich....**

**We can't lose it now!** Lycan insisted pathetically.

**Savages: the thought of the natives horrifies me! _Hurry Forential!_**

Forential thought to them with all the conviction he could muster:
**This child of mine is very adept. He will kill her.**

"The ship will have to be destroyed as soon as you land," Forential told
the mutant. "That means you will have to remain until the invasion. Let
me review all this again...."

Walt's hands jerked with nervous anticipation. "I understand,
Forential."

**The ship is ready any time, Forential.**

"Let me review this again...."

As Walt listened, he thought; I wonder if earthmen can prevent
themselves from being teleported? I hope not. I want to teleport them
this way and that way, from all around me, whenever one comes close to
me. It's the easiest way to kill them. It'