to be reviewed." We went into a corridor, and entered one of the purring vehicles. It took us away—toward the fighting sector, I judged—and I dismounted in a great low stretch of subterranean cavern. This was lighted by great glowing bulbs hung to the ceiling, and men were drawn up in triple rows, armed and at attention. An officer was speaking to them, and toward one side stood the two unarmed men, under guard. "Not yet, mighty Yandro," counselled Doriza beside me. "There is—a ceremony." I could hear the officer speaking, though not clearly: "In this moment, the eve of certain triumph over the enemy, two men see fit to circulate lies that calculate to dismay and destroy our plans. For them is only one fate, as judged by the Council. Attention to that fate!" The two unarmed men were marched forward. I stared and scowled. "I've seen them before," I said to Doriza. "The broad face of one—the figure of the other! Aren't they—" "Yes!" Doriza said tonelessly. The officer lifted his hand, with a disintegrator pistol in it. Pale green rays leaped. The two familiar figures gyrated, great parts of them vanished. They fell, and two men carried the bodies away. "They were the two guards I first met!" I cried. "Yes," she agreed softly. "Men who served under Rohbar, and who spoke rebelliously because Yandro killed him. They said that Yandro was not Yandro." I smiled ruefully. "From the first they didn't seem to believe that. Nor did Rohbar. Nor did you, until Sporr identified me." I looked into her blue eyes, calculatingly. "It comes to mind, Doriza, that of all who doubted me you are the only one left alive." "I, too, have thought that," she said, and her voice was quiet but not frightened. "Perhaps my turn is next." I shook my head. "I seem to have power on Dondromogon, and I will not let you be destroyed without more warrant than I see now." "Yandro is kind," she said. "And Doriza is attractive," I rejoined. "Well, that unpleasant little formality seems to be at an end. Shall we inspect the troops?"
Prev.
Back
Top