Martin and Henderson returned with the papers. Gingerly they approached her, handed the papers to her, and darted back to their places in the line. She placed the stack on the bar, leafed through it, all the while keeping them covered with the Blaster, and remarked on finishing, "It is exactly what one would expect barbarians to find interesting."
Flandeau, however, remained a scientist to the last.
"We find ourselves unhappily deceived," he said. "We were certain—that you were utterly without defenses. We were told that you did not know how to lie, cheat, dissemble, or fight."
"Only not with each other." she said. "It was, so to speak, a lost art." She glanced at Blunt. Several men squirmed. "But it is one that we have regained," she said.
"And what will you do with us?" Flandeau asked.
"We have decided to let you go," she said. "Now that we possess this weapon,"—she brandished the Blaster—"which we can copy, we think we can prevent more Explorations. At least this is the opinion of the Eleven. So I am instructed to let you leave—at once, of course."
"You are most charming," said Flandeau.
"At once," she repeated.
"Yes, of course. Men! Prepare for blastoff!"
————