And on one upthrust plate, torn and almost obliterated, was the device of the Martian Space Guard!
"Martian!" breathed Guy.
"Right!" agreed Ben.
"Check that wreck!" exploded Guy. "What's running it!"
His order was passed: fifty Terran machines raced forward and encircled the smoking ruin; and seven of the planeted constellation ships blasted a pathway back to safety for the carry-alls.
The ruined Martian ship was dropped in a clear area, opened by brute force, and through the torn plates streamed a group of cautious Terrans. They emerged immediately.
"Martians!"
"The devil! They've made a pact!"
Maynard looked understandingly at the broken ship. "Naturally," he said sourly. "What would you do?"
Williamson looked up and nodded. "Right. Well, does this change anything?"