The Martian saw his glance and chirped affirmatively, then clamped his thin lips to smother an exclamation of anguish.
"Ask him if the passage through which they brought us up connects with any of the water caverns you mentioned."
She looked at him inquiringly.
"Might as well be killed by the Martians as die of thirst. Ask him."
Sue talked to the Martian, who nodded and began to trace a complicated diagram in the sand with one finger, hesitating before adding each line as though resurrecting old and almost forgotten memories.
Nick watched a while. Then a patrol rocket whistled over heading south, and after it had passed he climbed once more to the rim of the bowl. He watched it settle inside the barrier with a flare of braking jets and a cloud of red dust. And while he watched he thought.
To go below for water was absolutely necessary, but a purely defensive action which could at best only postpone the end. And nothing had ever been won by defensive action alone. Pure defense always meant eventual defeat.
He thought some more, then scrambled hurriedly down the rocks just as Klev completed the diagram.
"Sue," he panted, still out of breath. "Those creatures bred to tunnel and pump water. Are they still alive? Is there any way to make them work? Ask him!"