"Then we shall know what fate holds in store for us. We will prepare to the limit of our resources and acquit ourselves honorably."
Stewart watched Vrausot thump his tail on the floor in an expression of displeasure.
"The administration," click-hissed the Chancellor, "will agree to that plan with two modifications: one—that the Tzarean ship we send to contact the aliens will itself be armed so that the lives of our brave men will not be jeopardized; two—that the highest administrative authority be appointed to lead the expedition."
"Dave! Oh, Dave! What's wrong?"
He opened his eyes and stared up into Carol's solicitous face. "I'm all right," he said numbly.
Randall was tinkering with the transceiver, while Mortimer and McAllister were moving about excitedly in the cave entrance.
"Come see what those Hyadeans are doing!" the latter exclaimed.
Stewart went over. In front of the cave, obscuring the formation of outcroppings and boulders beyond, was a pile of shining, metal instruments that looked like—
"The linear intensifiers off their laser guns!" Mortimer revealed. "They've been stripping them off the ship for the past half hour. And look!"