Bright Sirius blazed high overhead. It was morning, probably getting toward noon. The Morning After.
Mason? Are you awake?
The soft mental whisper jolted him like a blast of raw energy. He just hadn't expected to hear from the Venusian.
Where are you, Klon Darra? What's going on?
I'm still in the dungeon, the Venusian said. They'll be interrogating me again this afternoon. Why weren't you here last night?
Mason went red with shame. I ran into trouble. I'm sorry, Klon Darra. Damned sorry.
There's no time for feeling sorry now, came Klon Darra's thought. Break our mental linkage and get off Mordarga in a hurry.
And leave you here?
I don't matter. They know you're here, Rick. Leave now, while you can. They've sent orders out to find you and bring you in. Get going!
Mason shook his head obstinately, even though he knew the Venusian could not see the gesture. He got to his feet and leaned against the wall, rubbed his throbbing forehead. I'm not leaving you here, Klon Darra. I'll be there inside the hour and this time I mean it.