No one moved. No one spoke.
"Craig...."
The Earthman shifted to his friend's side in one quick movement. "Yes, Bukal."
The Baemae chief's eyes stayed on the crowd, his finger tight on the fire-gun's trigger. Face a bleak, expressionless mask, he said, "I see that I can no longer control my people. But at least you need not suffer for it. Take Narla and go!"
Wordless, Craig nodded. The girl beside him, he backed to the nearest discs.
The Baemae fell back before him. He could feel their eyes on his back as he spun the saucers. Their hate surged over him like the magnetic waves on which the discs lifted.
Into the air again, rising ... passing over palisades and circling hills, racing away northwest towards the barons' barrier.
Where could they go? What would they do?
Bleakly, Craig mulled dark thoughts. He was glad that she kept her own counsel, till he saw her brush at her eyes and knew she was crying.