"Bosh!" snapped Andres, and then that smouldering flame was in his eyes again, something that leaped to the lure of the far places and spoke of the meteoric winds that blow between the worlds. His deep, resonant voice grew strained, lingered on his words:
"I wonder—"
The purring of a bell insinuated itself above the dull droning without. Hunter Frederix arose, switched on the televisorphone.
"Hello, Dave," he addressed the face on the video, "what's up?"
"Plenty, Hunt. Just received a teletype from Kaa. Revolt has broken out all over Botrodus. Captain Adelbert Andres is commanded to report immediately to eleventh division Kaa to command the defense squadrons. Signed by old 'Zipper' Taine himself. And, Hunt, something is screwy in the air over here. The old man's on a hot jet over something or other. Better get over here quick!"
"O.K., brother Cravens! Del will break a speed record getting to Kaa; he has the old battle itch worse than ever. I'll be over to the Station as soon as my gyro'll make it. Sounds like all hell is about to break in the city!"
"So? Well, you'd—So long!" Cravens broke off abruptly, and they could see him whirl away from the transmitter as the videos died.
Snapping off the T V P, Hunter Frederix turned and said slowly, regretfully:
"Well, this is it!"