d shouts of both consternation and anger in the odd tongue of
these people as they appeared to be girding for battle.

The approaching ship was of radically different design than the one on
which they were trapped. It was completely of metal and had no golden
or jeweled decorations. It was long and slim and completely enclosed
and had the appearance of a true fighting ship. None of its passengers
were visible.

Nicko had been talking to the feathered warrior. The latter had sat
silent during the brush with McKee and Talbott and Mike had almost
forgotten his presence.

* * * * *

Nicko turned in excitement. "He says that's a Baserite raider! He says
it's very seldom they come in so close but that one's planning to
raise general hell with this scow. This isn't one of the Ptomenite's
fighter fleet and we'll have a pretty rough time."

The golden craft was following a two-pronged plan. The Ptomenites were
spraying the sky with their deadly crystal ray and at the same time
kiting for home as fast as the ship would go. Out beyond, the slim
ship did a remarkable roll to avoid the ray and screamed in for the
kill.

The wind was howling around the Ptomenite ship now, and her timbers
groaned under the pressure. Then the Baserite craft attempted a
strike. It appeared to be trying for only a close arc but at the last
moment it nosed down in a breathtaking maneuver and streaked straight
for the exposed deck.

* * * * *

Frantically, the Ptomenites brought their ray gun around to bear on
the death-laden juggernaut. They were partially successful, spitting
forth a deadly barrage just as the prow of the attacker crashed into
the deck.

Had the blow been uncontested, the Baserite ship would have roared on
through and gone its way in triumph. But the crystalline force-field
crashed out with a viciousness of its own. It had no seeming effect
upon the hull of the Baserite raider, but it hurled the craft back
from its position and far out into the sky.

Great damage had already been done, however. A gaping hole left the
bejeweled deck almost split in two. But by lucky chance, the overhead
globes had not been damaged and the speed of the Ptomenite ship did
not diminish.

It was streaking toward the city, now seen clearly from the deck and
as the Baserite ship righted itself, Mike saw similar ships--sleek
metal fighters, rising from a port near the city.

The comma