He dismissed them and they set out in different directions. He didn't want the Dimellian to find out what was up; if the alien saw the strategy and had time to create duplicates of its own the conflict would end in stalemate again.
Harrell waited, while his five duplicates went into action.
Through the mental link with Harrell-five, he listened as his duplicates said, "The time has come to finish you off, alien. I'm glad I found you. That acid trick almost got me but not quite."
"A pity," the alien replied. "I was hoping the ruse would finish you. It's becoming quite irritating, having you in here. You're starting to bore me."
"Just you wait, you overstuffed wart-hog. I'll have those tentacles of yours clipped soon enough."
"Empty words, Earthman. You've run out of strategies; your best course is to get out of my mind and forget this entire silly affair."
"Oh, no. I'll have those secrets pried out of you quicker than you think."
"How?"
"I'm not giving away my secrets, alien. I'm here after yours."
Harrell readied himself. He gave the signal: now.