"I am one of a race pledged to the utter obliteration of your people," snarled Anjers. "Yes. Had you not been blind and trusting fools you should have realized this long since. I did my utmost to prevent this expedition. And even though through fortunate follies on your part my efforts came to naught, now at the end triumph shall be mine!"
Gary said dazedly, "Then—then the marauder in the laboratory, that was you! And the informer whose distorted revelations caused the World Council to reject our pleas—"
"And it was you," challenged Muldoon, "who stumbled and fell at the Space Patrol port, almost ruining our escape? You, too, who suggested we turn back when Venus refused us neurotrope—"
"And it was also you," said Dr. Kang gravely, "who from the engine room tampered with the controls of the force-shield on Jupiter, imperiling all our lives? You who insisted we should set our course toward Proxima Centauri rather than Sirius—"
Boris Anjers, or "Borisu", as he now designated himself, bowed mockingly. But his grip was still firm upon the butt of the Haemholtz pistol, and his eyes carefully guarded against sudden movement by his erstwhile comrades.
"Yes, my friends," he taunted. "It was I who did these things. Your belated recognition of my exploits is amusing ... but not significant. For it was also I who, a short while ago, reset the verniers of the Jovian quadridimensional drive. In a few short moments I shall press the red key which unfolds the space warp. When that happens, success will finally crown my efforts. For in this room are gathered the half dozen Earthmen capable of staying your solar system's destruction. With your passing dies the last hope of saving your universe."
O'Day's eyes were narrowed slits. He rasped dryly, "Haven't you forgotten something else, Dr. Anjers. You are one of our party. When that red stud is depressed you will share our fate."
The Magogean traitor asked proudly, "Do you think, scavenger of the spaceways, that consideration would in any way alter my act? When I was assigned to espionage service in your universe, I knew and accepted the perils of my post. The death of one Magogean is a small price to pay for the complete and final destruction of your hated empire. And now—"
A smile of fanatic triumph touched his lips as he moved toward the banked studs. But Gary, staring beyond him, had been watching with a glimmer of hope the frantic gesturings of Captain Hugh Warren. While the Magogean spy boasted, Warren had been inching toward the Liberty's intercommunicating audio system. He was now but a few feet from the diaphragm over which his voice could be borne to every nook and cranny of the ship. His eyes pled desperately with Gary to stall the small Magogean a while longer.