"Wait!" he cried. "Don't wreck all your chances for peace—"
"I'll give you peace," said Torcred, "if you don't get out of the way."
Ladna was behind him, he knew, knife drawn, holding the thunderstruck assistants at bay.
Relez did not move. "I told you we possess some of the ancients' weapons. The decision to use them belongs properly to the High Command of the Fleet—but in this case I will take it on myself."
"You have such weapons here?"
"Yes. A bomb, which in case we were discovered here could have exploded to wipe out this place and protect our secrets. You and the girl can take one of the grounded aeros outside and carry the bomb over Buzzard Base. I'll switch off the anti-ionization field for half an hour, long enough for you to go and return...."
"One bomb?" exclaimed Ladna scornfully. "They have thousands!"
"No more will be needed."
Torcred's black gaze searched Relez' face for long moments. He read utter sincerity there, and lowered the knife.