Zurk felt an overwhelming desire for peace creep over him. He knew what that meant.
But he didn't care. His steel body was solidly fused to the ends of the cable. Even in death, his body would continue to hold the connection while Bob Simms rid the city of the demons for all time. Never again would the black ships dare to attack. And the Earthians could rebuild their own spaceship.
His heavy head slumped slowly forward to rest upon his hot arm. The wild, triumphant shouts of the people in the street came but dimly to his ears as he felt himself swimming away into a warm, red mist.
Then came the last vibration of all. It was an infinitely sweet vibration that caressed his tired brain and gave to him the peace he needed.
He knew it was Marene—his Marene—who had set that vibration into motion with her lips as close to his ear as she dared.
"Thank you, Zurk," came that last vibration. "Thank you, Father!"