The barred gate had no controls on this side. Dark operated it psychokinetically. It raised slowly, he pulled his cart through, and he lowered it behind him and went on down the ramp into the underground cavern.
He went straight to Old Beard's hiding place, and awoke him. Old Beard greeted him joyously.
"I was afraid something had happened to you, you were gone so long," said Old Beard.
"I had to walk back," said Dark. "None of the groundcars at Ultra Vires was in operating condition."
"Then there's no chance of the rest of us escaping," said Old Beard disappointedly. "We can't get at the groundcars here, and the marsuits you brought won't help. The oxygen supply of a marsuit isn't adequate to take us from here to the nearest civilization."
"I think we can get to the groundcars," answered Dark confidently. "I brought heatguns, as well as marsuits. Besides, I have a larger plan now than merely escape."
He related to Old Beard all the things that had happened, including the fact that Old Beard was his father.
"I am very happy," said Old Beard simply, tears in his pale eyes. "I liked you very much from the first, Dark, and I'm glad that you can bear the name of Dark Kensington rightfully."
When Dark told him of the plan for the conquest of the farm, Old Beard stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"I'm afraid that the attack from within will depend largely on you and me, although Shadow probably will be able to help effectively," said Old Beard. "The Jellies aren't very aggressive and, even with a few heatguns, I'm afraid they won't be of much use."