Paula was biting her lip. "We can't go back now. We've only three days to go."
"Look," Sampson said grimly, "why in hell should we commit suicide? Suppose we head on for three days. We reach this lost city of yours, or whatever it is. What then? We're in the middle of the Black Forest. Another thirteen days to get out! It's too much of a gamble. We're leaving now, and you can come along or stay here—suit yourself!" He turned away.
Left alone, Paula looked helplessly from the motionless, staring figure of Brown to Garth.
"Carver!"
He didn't move. Garth grinned wryly.
"He'll obey commands, that's all. He won't wake up till tonight."
Paula clenched her hands. "We've got to go on! We've got to! If we go back now—"
"Commander Benson will clap us in the brig, eh?"
She looked at him angrily. "It isn't only that. We'd lose our chance. You were right, Garth—we're after the power-source of the Ancients. The secret's hidden here, in the Black Forest. That cipher from Chahnn proved that—to me, anyway. Earth needs power, more than you can imagine. Without it, civilization will collapse—soon, too."