"Then destroy them some other way," growled an under-officer.
I whirled toward the Dondromogon front. The attackers fell back.
"You still scare any man you look at, Barak," said Harvison. He was a little tottery from loss of blood, but game. "Well, shall we charge?" He managed a grin.
"I've been trying to keep you from doing that," I groaned. "I don't want tragedy here and extermination afterward. Can't this world stand peace—"
"If you can do it," someone said behind me, "I give you full authority."
I knew him. He was Dr. Thorald—high in the Newcomer command. With him were the other leaders, Parkeson and Captain Cross.
"Danger!" I gasped at them. "Don't come through here. Doriza, see that they do not—" I looked for her. She was not there.
"She slipped away while we fought," said Klob. "First setting the glare-lamp to run—"
My heart sank. "Which way did she go? Toward the Newcomers, or toward Dondromogon?"
"Toward Dondromogon," he said, and my heart sank the rest of the way.