From close behind sounded the loud buzzing of a radiation detector. A thin pencil beam flashed at them and splashed wetly over the cavern wall ahead. Rock shattered in a brittle, crunchy explosion. Murderous chips deluged the tunnel.
Torry lunged at the girl, dragging her down in a savage fall. More beams of light licked out, this time from several directions. Continuous thunders roared and reverberated, stunning ears and brains with concussion and sound. Roughly, Torry thrust the girl into a wall niche for shelter.
"The police!" wailed Tharol Sen.
"Looks as if we're trapped. We'd better give ourselves up."
She stared at him with contempt. "You still have your gun. If you're afraid, give it to me."
"One gun against a dozen. No thanks."
Waiting for a lull in the blast uproar, Torry called out. His voice rang hollowly in the cavern, still shuddering with echoes of the explosions.
"Hold your fire. We're coming out."
Grannar's voice answered. "Throw out your gun first."
Torry complied. His gun rattled on the floor of rock.