He was answered quickly. A low cry came, harsh and oddly familiar. It was the first of many. Garth, hesitating on the threshold, uncertain which way the danger lay, instinctively reached out his arm and dragged Paula close. She came obediently to his side, her eyes seeing nothing. The others—they stood like frozen statues.
Something flashed amid the underbrush. The scarlet tangle of vines and leaves was torn aside, and a figure leaped into view.
A figure, man-like—yet not human!
At first glance it seemed to be a man in armor, more than six feet tall, and proportionately broad. Its body gleamed with reflected light. Neckless, its head was a hairless, shining ball whose only features were two oval, jet-black eyes. They were uncannily menacing.
A statue come to life! For the creature's body was obviously not flesh—it was hard, rough and shiny as translucent glass. Silicate life!
Sprung from a silicon chemical base, as Earth life comes from carbon—but sentient, intelligent, and dangerous!
Others like it raced into view, pausing as they saw Garth and his companions. The first stepped forward. He had no mouth, but a circular diaphragm below and between his eyes vibrated rapidly, forming recognizable words.
"Al-khron ghanro ssel 'ri—"
It was the Ancient Tongue, which Garth had learned five years before, and never forgotten. It came back to him easily now. He was beginning to remember other things, too. These creatures—he had seen them before. The Zarno—
"We come in peace." He raised one hand, his nerves jolting, waiting for the answer. Presently it came.