"But—"
"Only ... one weapon ... against ourobos—crystal."
"Crystal—?"
"Ourobos...." The old man's face was slack now, his words thick and mumbled. It was as if he could no longer hear Craig's questions. "Other planets, too ... not just Lysor. That's ... why I asked help. Zenaor ... dreams of conquest."
"Tumek—!" Craig choked. "Tumek, the crystal—tell me about that!"
But again, he could not know if the other even heard.
"Narla ..." the old man whispered, "see Narla...." And then: "Disc ... on roof ... here...."
The words died in a rattle. Muscles tensed in a small convulsive movement.... The mouth fell open. The old head sagged back.
Tumek died.