With only a moment's hesitation the serf followed suit. "Down, you big ox!" he shouted at the Jovian and thwacked him behind the knees with his ray rifle. "Down! That's the Renegade!"
III
Mia MacIver stared at Cosmo in disbelief. "You—you're not the Renegade! I don't believe it."
"It's lucky for you, I am," he said dryly.
She held her hands straight down at her side, small fists clenched. "Lucky? Father thought you were his friend and you killed him. I'd rather be dead than owe you anything."
"Listen, Mia, get this straight. I didn't kill your father."
"Of course, you'd say that." Her chin trembled; she set her jaw stubbornly. "Who'd believe the Renegade?"
Cosmo made a weary gesture, turned back to the runaways who'd been listening with interest.
"Get off your knees," he said. His tone was embarrassed. "The Security Patrol is scouring the countryside for you right now. Take to the forest where the planes can't follow. Make for the mountains. My men...."