The panic that flared in rey Gundre's eyes was a frightful thing to see. His face sagged, grey as lead. "No, Corvett—! Not that! I can't—!"
"Then you can die," Jarl said.
He raised the ray-gun.
The high commissioner's mouth worked. "No, no...." Tottering, he stumbled towards the viziscreen.
Jarl followed him, grim as death.
The clustered pinpoints were closer to Ceres now, slashing through the void like streaks of light.
With trembling fingers, rey Gundre fumbled at the dials.
"Faster!" Jarl clipped. "Your life depends on it, Gundre! If they strike, you die!"
A new voice, behind them, said, "No, Jarl."
By sheer reflex, Jarl whirled.