"You're lying," he shouted aloud, forgetting that the white man couldn't understand his words. "You're lying because you are afraid. You refuse to help me avenge my people because you are more of a coward than the Oan."
Grimm climbed to his feet and backed away. Ro advanced on him, his fists clenched.
The old man also rose. He placed a restraining hand on Ro's arm.
"He's lying," said Ro with his thoughts.
"Tell him I'm speaking the truth, professor," said Grimm aloud.
The professor repeated Grimm's words with his thoughts. "It would be impossible to make new guns here," he said. "But there is another way. I have thought about it all night."
Ro turned quickly.
"What is it?" he demanded.
"The space sphere. There are weapons on our ship that are greater than ray guns. With those we could defeat the rat men." The professor shrugged, turned away. "But how could we get into the ship? It is too well guarded."
Ro fell silent. He walked to the mouth of the cave and stared out. When he turned back to the others, his attention was centered on Na.