Ro squared his shoulders and set his jaw. He wiped a hint of tears from his eyes.
"They shall pay," he murmured, and started off toward the cliffs again.
Na trailed behind him. Her face was grave with concern.
"They are very many," she said.
"Then there will be more to kill," answered Ro without turning.
"They have the weapons of the white ones."
"And the white ones, as well. They probably keep them alive to repair the weapons if they become useless. But when I have slain a few Oan, I will set the white ones free. They will help me to make more weapons. Together we will fight the rat men."
Na smiled. Ro was angry, but anger did not make him blind. He would make a good mate.
The sun was setting when the two Martians reached the cliffs. Below them was the valley in which lay the metal sphere. Ro could see it dimly outlined in the shadows, as Na had said. A distance away, in another clearing, he could see many Oan, flitting ghost-like from place to place.