Joel slid into the doorway. The smoke clouds were spreading. Alpha Centauri A was a blood red ball just above the house tops.
"What's happening?" Joel demanded. The strange quiet felt unnatural.
The guard said, "Our officers are having a talk with the rebels."
"Talk? What for?"
"We're tired of being rayed down. And nothing but paralyzers to fight back with. We're going over to the rebels. Hey! Come back here!"
But Joel was gone, running down the empty street.
Other men shouted at him from doorways, from windows. Suddenly an officer jumped in his path, raised a paralyzer.
"Hold up there!"
Joel skidded to a halt. If the troops were deserting to the Unfit, General Roos' badge would be of no help to him now.
"Where—", the officer began.