The robot stepped back and Mark kneeled at her side. "Are you hurt, my darling?" Lucero shook her head and tried to smile.
Palanth turned to the robot. "Tell us what occurred in detail," he commanded. Thus it was that from the metal lips they heard the entire story with photographic accuracy, as far as he had seen.
"I might have known they'd have one last counter-check," Mark reproached himself. "I should never have left you!"
"Who could have foreseen this?" Lucero raised herself on an elbow. "Even I had no idea that Verdugo was with us, not to speak of his bringing one of the only two ultra-specialized super-robots in existence. We'll have to work very fast, Mark! There's nothing, literally nothing, that Alcoran cannot accomplish in a scientific way, provided he has the materials—Verdugo may even have him build a Tele-Magnum and communicate with the Council!"
"But where's he going to get materials, my dear? A Tele-Magnum is a tall order!"
"I don't know.... But I do know that Verdugo has the mind of a fiend and the skill of a genius, and Alcoran's a triple-synthetized brain, and under Verdugo's control!"
"We'll deal with the surgeon," Palanth's voice was deadly.
"And we shall deal with Verdugo and his scientists," came the quiet telepathic thought.
Both Mark Lynn and the Martian turned seeking its source, and saw framed in the doorway to the alcove, the silver-furred figure of the Panadur leader.
"That was the agreement," the Panadur added after a pause. "Thousands of my people await without to carry him away."