Just then Governor Cameron stood up. He'd been in communication with Nuvenice. "They can't spare any troops." His voice was stricken. "The serfs have risen there, too."
Roos began to curse.
Joel felt numb. The Unfit, he realized, were being led by a master strategist. The slave rebellions at Nelsville and Nuvenice had been instigated in order that troops could not be diverted to Eden against which the main assault was being directed.
A voice from one of the audios blared suddenly. "Spaceport calling. The rebels are...." A faint hissing noise burst from the instrument.
At that instant every screen in the televisor bank flickered and went dead!
Joel's ears rang with the silence. It was like the dead spot following an explosion.
Roos turned a blanched face toward them. "They've cut the power!"
In the unnatural silence, Joel could hear that muttering roar again. It was louder. He could even distinguish shouts and screams.
A guard burst suddenly into the disorganized control hall. His features were pale as chalk. "Slaves!" he gasped unsteadily. "Palace slaves—fighting! Ray projectors!"
He sank on a bench. Joel stared at him in horror. The guard was slipping sideways. Then he rolled to the floor. He was dead.