He focussed his mental energies and replied: I read you, Klon Darra. What's the problem?
The response was blurred and indistinct, as if the Venusian were laboring under great mental strain. I ... landed on schedule. Fell into hands of ... ruler. In prison. Going to be tortured. I....
Mason struggled to keep his attention on his descending spaceship while picking up the Venusian's fading mental voice. Go ahead, Klon Darra. I hear you.
They're going to torture me. Help me, Mason. Help!
Where are you? Mason asked.
Dungeons of the main palace, Mordarga City. Hurry, Rick. There's not much time!
Mason switched on the fore visi-plate and the mottled grey-and-blue surface of Mordarga became visible ahead of him. The planet Mordarga was one of the universe's potential trouble-spots. That was why the Solar System Government had sent a team of its intelligence agents there.
But they had planned on a leisurely, detailed reconnaissance of the planet, intending to return to home base with a full account of Mordarga's weaknesses and future militaristic plans. Now, that was changed; Klon Darra would have to be rescued at once. The Mordargans probably knew by now that the Solar System had discovered Mordarga's warlike aims.
Rick began setting up his landing orbit. The tiny two-man ship curved sharply downward as his trained fingers played over the control console. The planet of Mordarga sprang up to meet the down-plunging ship.