Rusty stared with a strange fascination at the ghastly vengeance. He was still staring blankly when Lothar came toward him.
"You Earthman! I thought spy! You die, too."
The trance left Rusty. The giant Vulcanian loomed over him.
"No," Rusty said. "No! Lothar, listen—!" He suddenly realized just what was happening. He would be helpless in those powerful hands.
The creature reached for him. Rusty remembered covering a match between Earthman and Vulcanian once for the Tele-news sport section. The Earthian, champion of three worlds, hadn't had a chance.
He retreated slowly as the brute came on, bumped sharply against the wall.
The giant stopped before him, little eyes squinting at him. The stark deadliness of the face filled Rusty with an eery fright. Silently, a massive hand grabbed his arm.
With all the strength of his 170 pounds, Rusty swung at the jutting chin.
His hand smashed. The Vulcanian did not even blink.
He lifted Rusty, swung him around. His hold slipped and Rusty was flung against the opposite wall.