"We'll have to get that Anolyn off your neck at the first opportunity," he said, turned to Tabak. "This canal leads to the Dra Dur. Is that right?"
"Yes," said Tabak in a queer voice; "but Jupiter—"
"What are our chances of getting through now?" he interrupted.
She shrugged slim white shoulders. "Every second we waste here lessens them."
Without another word, he started along the ledge paralleling the canal.
At regular intervals of about a block ramps led down to the aquaduct from the surface above. They crossed the mouths of other canals on narrow bridges. A perfect labyrinth of underground waterways stretched beneath the city.
At the fifth ramp, Jupiter heard a twang. Something whistled past his head. He almost lost his footing as he glanced up and saw a dozen Nehogans on the ramp leading up to the street.
Lete spun around and tried to run, knocking Reiloc into the water with a splash. Tabak caught her, held the cave girl in spite of her terrified efforts to escape.
Jupiter dropped to one knee, changing the carbine to automatic, sent a burst of shots into the warriors above.
They didn't retreat, but with fierce yells charged straight into his gun. They were possessed, like Moros running amok. The last one was less than a yard away before he brought him down with a shot through the chest.