As Dan's men careened around a corner they saw two Watchers sprinting toward them. One of the Rebels dropped to his knee, fired twice, and the two Watchers froze, in the typical macabre positions produced by a hypno-ray gun.
The group parted and made separate approaches to the Council Building.
Dan and four others stopped as they came in sight of the building. A group of Watchers stood, guns ready, peering up and down the deserted street.
"Let's go!" Dan yelled, and the Rebels sprang forward, dodging in and out of doorways for protection. The other Rebels appeared at the opposite end of the street. The Watchers, seeing themselves outnumbered, suddenly turned and fled up the steps of the Council Building.
"Stop!" Dan shouted. He fired a warning shot and the fleeing Watchers halted.
"They'll serve as shields," Dan muttered. "No telling what we'll run into inside."
The Rebels moved forward, with the Watchers preceding them at gunpoint. Inside, the hall was silent and they walked cautiously, alert for any sudden action.
"Don't turn around," Dan ordered the men in front of him. "Lead us to the quarters of the Council."
The tense group continued through halls and rooms resplendently furnished and decorated. They stopped several yards from a steel door which faced them across a high ceilinged room.
"Go on!" Dan ordered.