Pao Chung accepted the warning with bland indifference.
"Father!" called Teucrete. "Leave me your protective suiting."
Khaljean smiled with sad irony. "Are you making a choice?"
"Yes. I'm going with them. I know the way. I can control the maze and guide them safely back. I don't know if I believe in this fabulous machine, or jewels, or whatever. But I think I might learn to believe in ... in him. It's something I'll have to find out."
Smiling, Khaljean stripped off his protective armor and yielded it to the girl. As an afterthought, he handed her his blaster.
"The choice is yours to make. But in such company, the blaster may come in handy."
Khaljean shook hands with Ferris and Angel, though he avoided looking at Pao Chung.
To Ferris, he said, "Come back if you can. And look after my girl. In the meantime, I'll throw some gnawed bones to the police wolves, and we'll manufacture a new identity for you."
Without a farewell, Khaljean strode into the crystalline forest. His lonely figure paused to wave.
"Good hunting, father," Teucrete called after him.