"This now—close enough."
One of the Radaks was standing up, lounging with his back to the wall. The other was lying down. To send my flash clinging to the heads of both of them, I would have to shift my aim, and fire twice. My hand trembled a little. Then I pressed the lever.
There was that vaguely visible flash. The gun-hilt in my grip vibrated, and at the muzzle of it there was a faint little hiss. A hit! The Radak on the ground seemed to stiffen. He raised his head, staring blankly. The Radak who was standing noticed it. He started, whirled around toward us. It took all my will power to withhold my second flash for that instant. But I did; and then as the standing figure steadied, I fired again.
"Got him!" Shorty murmured. "Good work, Bob! Come on!"
We ran forward. The standing Radak was motionless, gazing with vacant stare. Shorty dashed up to him. "Lie down, you're asleep! If you're not, you ought to be."
But the Radak did not move, just turned his empty gaze toward the sound of Shorty's voice. I got it. "They don't speak English! Tell them, Taro."
The Lei murmured commandingly in his own language, and in a moment the two guards were lying inert with closed eyes.
"Mighty neat," Shorty whispered. "Come on—here we go."
Beyond the guards an earthen ramp led sleepily downward, winding to a circular spiral. Then presently we emerged upon a little ledge with the great Cavern of Machines spread out before us.
"Crouch down! We will see who is here," Taro whispered. There was awe in his voice. "We must not be seen until we attack."