"Find that man and gun the traitor down," Nef's voice demanded from the speaker on his suit.
"I am coming out unarmed," Hartford radioed.
"Fire the moment you see him," Nef said. One of the officers had his Dardick-pistol drawn, his eyes traversing the canyon walls.
"No, sir!" Felix's voice snapped from his bitcher. "You can't shoot the man till he's had a chance to speak."
"Go to the rear at once, Private Felix," Nef bellowed.
Felix pointed his handgun toward Nef. "No, sir," he replied. "Hartford was my C.O., and an honest man. I'll hear him before I see him killed. Or by my life, sir, I'll kill you after him."
"This is treason," Nef said.
"Drop your pistol, sir, or I'll have to try to shoot it from your hand. Excuse me, sir," Felix said.
Nef's gun dropped.
"You all hear me?" Felix bitched. "Hear me out there, Miller?" There was a chorus of "Roger!" Felix went on: "I'm going to unclamp my helmet, troopers. I'm going to take off my safety-suit. That's how much I trust Lee Hartford, troopers. The man who tries to stop Hartford better begin with me." Felix opened his helmet, removed it, and placed it on the rocks beside him. He went up to drink from the fountain that sparkled about the head of the Daibutsu, cupping his hands. "It's good water, men," he said. "Come on down, Hartford," he shouted through the clear night air.