"Let's go, then." Woodenly, Jarl walked with them to the heavy door and peered through a crevice into the courtyard.
The personal carrier of rey Gundre, high commissioner of all the asteroids, rose stark and sleek, a shining silver lance against the darkness of the sky. Blue-uniformed Federation guards patrolled in pairs or stood their posts around it, weapons dully gleaming.
The sight of the ship, the fighters, somehow lifted Jarl. Of a sudden he knew that now, of all times, he needed a foe that he could see and strike.
He clipped curt orders: "We'll come out fast and trust to shock to get us through. The first man aboard grabs the controls. The last racks shut the hatch. Blast as soon as the bell rings!"
The raiders drew close, weapons ready. Jarl cut through the bolt on the door.
"Now?" whispered Ungo.
"Now!"
Ungo's bulk struck the gate with a splintering crash. The raiders charged for the ship like ravening zanths that race to reach their prey.
Knife ready, ray-gun ablaze, Jarl Corvett leaped forward in his crewmen's van.