"It will be hard on the kitty."
"Okay," Mike retorted harshly. "My responsibility is getting Doree out of here alive!"
"I'm not arguing," Nicko said. "Let's move."
The H'Lorkan had remained silent the whole time. He had done what was expected of him promptly and efficiently and proven himself a good comrade. But there was no time now to explain the plan to him. If he had remained where he was they would probably have gone off and left him. But when they started across the open country, he ran with them.
Mike momentarily expected the light from the glowing bulbs to pick them out, but luck was with them and they gained the edge of the airfield without being detected. They disappeared in among the craft. There was quite an assortment of these and from the design and variations in size, Mike got the impression they were pleasure craft and not a part of the fighting force. Encrusted jewels were used in profusion and decorations along with both silver and gold. On this planet these precious materials seemed to have little value as no guards were posted over the field.
There were lights in a few of them. These, Mike carefully skirted until the party came at last to the sleek black hull of the ship McKee and Talbott had arrived in.
No sight ever gladdened his heart more than that of the great, competent-looking monster. The ramp was down and all was darkness inside.
"Shall I go ahead and check?" Nicko asked.
"It wouldn't help. If anyone's in there they'd probably nab you."