* * *
Gunner Welk and Sual Av were gathering the atom-guns and other equipment they were to take with them. The Planeteers had already changed into jackets and boots of soft Jovian leather.
"You're sure you understand where you're to wait for us with the Venture?" Thorn asked the old pirate.
Stilicho's white head bobbed. “Out in the ring, in Cassini's division just at the west limb of the planet-shadow. We'll lie there in the ship till you come. But how will you get out there?"
"If we get Lana out safely,” Thorn clipped, “we'll steal a small ship somehow and get there."
They went down to the ship door. It had been opened and the frigid, misty air of Saturn, faintly tainted with ammonia, was pouring into the ship. The motley crew was silently watching as the Planeteers prepared to disembark. And Ool, the big gray space dog, pressed against Thorn's legs and looked up at him with great green eyes that held an almost human expression of anxiety.
"Ool wants to go with you,” said Stilicho. “He senses you're going after Lana."
"We daren't take him — it'd arouse too much attention for poor slith-hunters to own such a rare beast. You hold him, Stilicho,” Thorn said.
"Won't you change your mind and let me go along with you?” asked the old Martian pleadingly.
"We've argued that out,” Thorn reminded him. “One of us four has got to keep the ship waiting at the rendezvous in the ring, and that's the way in which you can best help us."