Kang shrugged. "It was very simple. There was but one man watching these panels when I was brought here: the technician whose garments I wear. He expected no trouble from an elderly slave. And since we two were alone—well, it seemed an elementary precaution to don his clothes before I began the necessary operations."
"And the barrier?" inquired Gary eagerly. "You have lifted it yet?"
"Not yet. I had first to make a few alterations in the Magogean machinery. I wanted to make sure a power failure would not cause the barrier to fall before all our allies had entered. My work is now complete. And so—"
Kang turned to the panels. His hands tugged at a single gigantic switch.
No light glowed. There came no change in the humming sound that permeated the control room. The adventurers looked at Kang and at each other anxiously. Penny spoke for all when she asked, "You are sure, O my father, that the barrier is open?"
Kang said, "See for yourself." And he pressed a stud which lighted a vision screen before them.
What they saw left little doubt as to the effectiveness of Kang's accomplishment. For the screen reflected one segment of the imperial city's surrounding wall, a location which had been a gate in Khundru's defenses. But now that sentry post existed no more. It was a mass of broken kindling trampled under the rushing feet of hordes of Gogeans who had burst from their place of ambush to storm the city.
"This is one spot, Kang," cried Gary excitedly. "And elsewhere?"
"Elsewhere," repeated Kang, "it is the same."