"I am not a ruling voice."
"Prevail upon them."
"It is not my place. Besides, you do not understand."
"I understand this!" exploded Hotang Lu. "You are invaded. You will be conquered. You will join the slaves of the Loard-vogh. They will strip you from your homes and make you work for them. You will be driven and killed, for they have no compassion. They have no need of frugality in slaves. Terra will die."
"It is not yet time."
"Your judgment is faulty!" shouted Hotang Lu.
He hurled himself from the house and into his tiny spacecraft. He paused for only an instant to view the grave of Toralen Ki on the broad green lawn, and then he drove upward in superdrive. His size and his speed got him through, and Hotang Lu headed for Tlembo—alone and a beaten man.
Lindoo picked up the communicator and spoke to the operator. The connection beamed across the light-years and found Vorgan.
"Lord of All, it is going well."