"If they captured ships," said Helena slowly, "then they captured weapons too, and even they can squeeze a trigger."
"Sure. But you didn't see them shooting at us just now, did you? They used all the charges to hunt or duel. So if we can break through and escape—"
"They could still follow us and wreck our engines," said Takahashi.
"Not if we take a small ship, as we'd have to anyway, and mount guard over the vital spots. An Arzunian would have to be close at hand and using all his energies to misdirect atomic flows. He could be killed before any mischief was done. I doubt if they'd even try.
"Besides," went on Donovan, his voice dry and toneless as a lecturing professor's, "they can only do so much at a time. I don't know where they get the power for some of their feats, such as leaving this planet's gravitational well. It can't be from their own metabolisms, it must be some unknown cosmic energy source. They don't know how it works themselves, it's an instinctive ability. But it takes a lot of nervous energy to direct that flow, and I found last time I was here that they have to rest quite a while after some strenuous deed. So if we can get them tired enough—and the fight is likely to wear both sides down—they won't be able to chase us till we're out of their range."
Takahashi looked oddly at him. "You know a lot," he murmured.
"Yeah, maybe I do."
"Well, if the city is close as you say, we'd better march right away before our wounds stiffen, and before the natives get a chance to organize."
"Rig up carrying devices for those too badly hurt to move," said Helena. "The walking wounded can tote them, and the rest of us form a protective square."
"Won't that slow us and handicap us?" asked Donovan.