who'd robbed him of his right to
speak. In the end, as the night spread into day, there were more people
than they felt safe with, and less than they needed.

But later, as he stood beside the dome when night had fallen again,
Gordon wasn't so sure. It was huge. The fabric of it was thin, and even
the webbing straps that gave it added strength were frail things. But it
was strong enough to hold up the pressure of over ten pounds per square
inch, and the webbing was anchored in a metal sleeve that went too high
for cutting. They could rip it, but not ruin it completely; and it had
to be done so that no repair could ever be made.

Under it, and anchoring it, was a concrete wall all around the city.

Izzy came back from a careful exploration. "We can work enough powder
under those webbing supports, and lay the fuse wire beside the plastic
ring that keeps it airtight," he reported. "But God help us, gov'nor, if
any gee spots us."

They worked through the night, while Rusty went back to requisition more
explosives from the dwindling supply, and while the Kid and Izzy took
time off to break into a closed converter plant and find wire enough to
connect the charges. But dawn caught them with less done than they had
hoped. Gordon went to connect a wire and switch from the battery and
coil they had installed, but jerked backwards as he saw a suspicious
guard staring at him.

"Let him think we're just scouting," Randolph advised.

There were suspicious looks as the group came back to the Coop, but
Mother Corey waddled over to meet them. "Did you find them, cobber?" he
asked quickly, and one of his eyelids flickered.

Izzy answered before Gordon could rise to it. "Not yet, Mother. May have
to go back tonight."

Gordon left them discussing the mythical search for certain supplies
that Mother Corey had apparently used as an alibi for their absence from
the building. Sheila started to make coffee, but he shook his head and
headed for the bed. She yawned and nodded, fingering the stitches that
still ran down the blanket to divide it. Then she grimaced faintly and
dropped down beside him on top of the blanket. Her head hit his arm, and
she seemed to be asleep almost at once.

He awoke to find Izzy shaking his shoulder. He looked down for Sheila,
but she was gone. Izzy followed his eyes, and shook his head.

"The princess took off in a car three hours ago," he said. "She said it
was something that had to be done, gov'nor, so