Rodolph turned and strode to the runway. "Come on Rik," he called.
"Rik Guelf stays," the woman said.
Rodolph turned, said, "He's not like Danold. He—"
"I mean no harm to your friend, Captain. I merely wish to talk with him alone." She smiled slightly.
From nowhere a row of squat robots materialized. Gently they thrust Rodolph onto the runway. "Rik," he called, "I won't leave till she turns you loose. They'll have to kill me to make me go without you...."
Rik somehow had no fear at all, but this emotional display from Rodolph was warming.
"Thanks, Rodolph," he said. "But I am not afraid. I feel sure no harm will come to me." He turned back to the fascinating creature on the throne-like chair.
Rigellians were life-forms, no larger than Earthmen. Vegans were smaller. But this Titan—she was amazing.
Rik Guelf waited. He felt no anger, no sense of antagonism. Rather, he had a sense of relief now that he faced her.
The riddle of Space beyond the perimeter of the Galaxy was beyond his comprehension. But somehow Rik Guelf knew he stood before a Being, not an Enemy.