"What," Vulcar said softly, "do you suggest?"
"To begin with," Tharn said, "it would be wise to have three or four more hear my plan. They in turn can pass the details on to the rest of the prisoners. Those across the hall must be included, and I have an idea how that can be arranged. We shall need every man we can get."
Vulcar said, "Let me pick the four."
Soon the former captain was back, his selections close at his heels. Tharn and Katon rose to meet them.
"These are good men," Vulcar said. "I know them all. They are ready to follow your lead.
"This one—" He indicated a short, squat man with heavy features and much coarse hair on chest, legs and head, "—is Brutan. He likes to fight."
Unexpectedly Brutan grinned. "Yes," he said in a deep, harsh voice, "I like to fight. I will fight anybody. I will fight you!"
Tharn grinned back at him. There was something likeable about this rock-like Sepharian.
"This," continued Vulcar, "is Rotark. He is not afraid to die."
Rotark was tall and very thin, with a long, sorrowful face. "Why should I be afraid?" he asked in lugubrious tones. "There is no pleasure in living. Soon we shall all be dead."