Crouched, shadow-silent, Craig slipped from the shop and moved through the murk towards the spot where the prisoner had stood, trusting to confusion and the dark to shield him. "Tumek...."
Someone roared, "Look out! It's the Earthman!"
The night turned dazzling green with fire-blasts.
Craig dived through the shop's shattered window, skidding across the floor on one shoulder.
A hand clutched his arm. A cracked voice choked, "Craig Nesom—!"
Craig twisted. Tumek's wrinkled face loomed, a dim blur in the gloom.
"Quick! This way—" The old man wormed towards the rear of the building.
Craig followed.
Only then a dark figure was rising and shouting. A fire-gun blazed, close at hand.
Craig shot back. The looming antagonist fell away.