Across the galaxy it went. Guardians from every base in Sector One alerted and took off within a matter of minutes. Guardians from joining sectors moved into Sector One, spreading out through the sector to keep the sector protected; Guardians from outlying sectors moved in, again spreading out. Thinned but active, the Guardians released useful personnel to go out and fight the Black Alarm.
"Charlemagne!"
"Now what?"
"Can I help?"
"Yes," came the cryptic reply; "stay out of our way."
Steve snarled, but he got no reply.
A gout of energy flashed past his viewport, blinding him. Then he realized that he was unprotected, and only a nuisance here.
But—
"Go along with him," said William Wrightwood. "Aid him, and—"
Steve laughed bitterly; swapped ends, and flashed along the line toward Sanaron.