magniplates pulling them back.

As though endowed with some uncanny intelligence, they came; as though aware of the revenge entrusted to them, and the significance of their name.

The first one struck near the pirate ship's prow, letting loose its death. The ship lifted like a proud black stallion rearing in the air. The tough metal hull held—but only for a second. Another Vera struck. The blast hurled the ship directly into a host of others which exploded in a holocaust that ripped the black hull open like a sardine can. The rest of the Veras came speeding into the mass to let loose their death, complete and final.

As Marnay turned from that scene in the panel he felt sick and a little weak; Kennett was pale, but the grim little lines were gone from around his mouth and a bitter look was no longer in his eyes.

"Well, it's all over," he said with startling calmness. "I've done what I swore three years ago I'd do. I think I named my ship well."

He stared long and wistfully into space. "Yes, they're gone now—all the Veras are gone. Except one. This one's left to take us back, so we'd better start sifting through all that mess out there for enough fuel."

Slowly they drifted in, to begin the grim task.

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