Taro shook his head. "I think not. Though I cannot surely say."
"The machines are operating," Shorty said. "Hear them? That means only the Great Mind, or Ratan will be down there in the Cavern?"
"Yes," the young Lei agreed.
"It's most likely not Ratan," I said. "Blaine got him—struck him insensible. Or would he be recovered by now?"
Taro had no way of guessing. With an ordinary Radak the shock would have lasted longer than this. "But Ratan's mind is trained—developed—more powerful as you would say. He could recover more quickly."
"Are there other entrances?" Shorty asked. "They'd have guards at them. If we make any commotion down there, and a bunch of Radaks come rushing us—"
"This is the only entrance."
"Right," Shorty chuckled. "Come on then, let's finish off these fellows." He fingered his knife. "You tackle 'em with that gun, Bob. But if you miss, trust me—I'll slip this knife into them—"
With Taro and Shorty behind me I crept soundlessly forward. In my hand the pot bellied little Radak gun, so unfamiliar, gave me an uneasy feeling. Suppose I should miss. An uproar from these guards might bring dozens of others.
"How close do I have to get?" I whispered to Taro.