"Parr?" the Advanceship spat back.
"The Oholos have a defense system around their own planets. It won't do you any good to capture this one! You won't be able to get nearer!"
"You are guilty of treason, Parr!"
"You can't get at their inner system! They have a defense ring that can blast your Fleet out of space."
"Lies!"
Parr glanced at Lauri beside him in the darkness. "No!" he said. "They are stronger than you are!"
"They would have attacked us if they were," the Knoug said calmly.
"They don't think like that!"
"A poor bluff, Parr."
"Stop!" Parr said, "Listen...." He looked at Lauri again. "No use. They cut off."