tures."

Evidently, on this planet, even enemies did not lie to each other.
Katal'halee's eyes turned on the pair with a venom that sent every
drop of blood from their faces. "What did they ask in return?"

"Only seats of power in the city after we conquered it."

* * * * *

Nicko was translating for Mike and the latter whistled softly. "So
that was the idea. The jewels in the ship were only an ace in the
hole."

"But they must figure the battle goes bad for the Baserites," Nicko
said. "They planned to take off."

"The last minute," Mertaan told Katal'halee, "your fine friends turned
milk-white. They had no stomach for the battle they helped arrange."

"A truce between us, Baserite," the Princess said. "Give me these two
and a gun with which to march them off into the darkness. You and I
can settle accounts later."

Mike was astounded when, without hesitation, Mertaan took another
weapon from his person and handed it to the Princess. Mike's flesh
crawled as he stood rigid, expecting a blast from the royal Ptomenite
that would wipe them all out. He wondered at Mertaan's gullibility.

But evidently the word of these fierce people could be taken at face
value. The Princess ignored all but McKee and Talbott. She pointed the
gun at them and motioned. Now they understood what had transpired.
Sweat streamed from their faces.

"No!--please, no!" Talbott screamed. "He lies! He tells you lies!"
They both fell to their knees.

Mertaan smiled coldly at them. "Where are your pictures and persuasive
manners now, scum!" He kicked them cruelly to their feet and they
staggered off into the darkness before Katal'halee's weapon, still
pleading for mercy.

Mertaan appeared to forget about them. He turned to Mike. "Into your
ship. Quick! There is not too much time."

"You're helping us to make our escape?"

"I have a reason. Hurry."

They went up the ramp and inside. Mertaan stopped just outside the
hatch and Mike turned. The Baserite said, "I know not from whence you
came, stranger, but I ask that you go back to your world, wherever it
is. Tell your people of us and plead our cause. Tell of the
generations of cruelty on this planet and bring help for the
oppressed. This I ask of you."

"But this uprising--your attack--"

Mertaan shook his head. "It does not go well. We will fight to the
death as my people have fought before but I fear the result. The
Ptomenites are powerful."

"Thanks