"It's 10:16. Pass the word along to watch for the first sign of the gates opening," Dan directed.
Silence fell as each man in Dan's group waited while the remaining minutes passed. Every eye was fixed on the city gates. 10:19. 10:20.
"Let's go!" Dan yelled at the top of his voice and leaped to his feet. The gigantic gates began to swing outward as the forty five men in Dan's group sprang to their feet and raced, shouting, toward the opening gate.
"This way!" a voice called shrilly.
"It's Ed!" Dan called to Professor Corbett who was running by his side. They reached Ed as the rest of the group entered the gate. Shots were being exchanged between the Rebels and the Watchers now.
"Where's Bill?" Dan yelled above the noise.
"They shot him," Ed answered. "Come on!"
Suddenly, a series of terrific explosions filled the night with screaming sound. The earth shook under their feet.
"The warehouses are gone!" Dan yelled. "I'm heading for the Council!"
The eight men Dan had selected raced after him down the empty street of the city. The sound of firing, announcing the entry of the group at the East gate, met their ears.