Our first opinion was that he would prove an innocuous foe. However, as the tests continued, we began to have some doubts. Physically he was quite powerful. His reflexes were sharp, and he showed an aptness at learning that surprised us. And his intelligence was above average.
The twentieth day I was ordered to report to Srtes' office. I found the other seven members of the council already conferring with Srtes when I entered.
"We have been unable to arrive at any definite conclusion thus far," Srtes was saying. "Therefore it becomes necessary to try him in the Big Run." He paused and frowned in annoyance as I made some slight disturbance. Hurriedly I took my place. I moved among these men only by sufferance.
"One of the crewmen on the space ship that brought him here," Srtes resumed, "a Zade named Ctvar, clashed with the alien several times during the voyage. He was restrained from violence by the captain. This Ctvar should prove an apt instrument for driving our hostage to the proper desperation for the Big Run."
Srtes switched on the large visi-screen that blanketed the front wall of his office. "The alien has been wandering through the streets for the past several hours," he said. "If we are fortunate, Ctvar should put in his appearance soon."
The visi-screen flickered once, cleared, and exposed an outside street. At the far end the alien—John Wilson, as he called himself—walked slowly, with his head down, and his hands in the pockets of the outlandish jacket he had brought with him. He proceeded aimlessly, with a peculiar, jerky, movement of his limbs. Perhaps he was lonesome for his home world, and uncertain of what awaited him.
A party of Zade men left a drinking place just ahead of him. They were quarreling—without any particular rancor—and one of them was loudly keening a verse of hunting song. At their forefront strode a burly Zade with a bush of red-orange hair.
"The big one is the crewman I mentioned," Srtes pointed out.
The burly Zade spied the alien and a pleased burst of laughter rumbled up from his chest. "Our unwinged friend from Earth!" he shouted. It was a deadly insult.