Part 23 (1/2)
”Ah, yes, your traveling in time. And now you think that perhaps this poor world of ours has a choice as to which overlords it will welcome? I do not know either, Gordoon, whether the future may be altered nor if it be wise to try. But also ... well, perhaps we should see our enemy before we are set in any path. Now, it is time that we go. Younger brother, how did you plan to leave this place when you accomplished your mission?”
”By the sea gate. I have extra swimming equipment cached under the jetty.”
”And the Rover s.h.i.+ps await you at sea?”
”Yes.”
”Then we shall take your way, since the cutters are sunk.”
”There is only one extra gill-pack--and that Baldy sub is out there, too!”
”So? Then we shall try another road, though it will sap our power temporarily.” Her head inclined slightly to the left as if she listened.
”Good! Our people are now in the pa.s.sage which will take them to safety.
What those outside will find here when they break in will be of little aid to their plans. Secrets of the Foanna remain secrets past others'
prying. Though they shall try, oh, how they shall try to solve them!
There is knowledge that only certain types of minds can hold and use, and to others it remains for all time unlearnable. Now--”
Her hand reached out, flattened against Ross's forehead.
”Think of your Rover s.h.i.+p, younger brother, see it in your mind! And see well and clearly for me.”
Torgul's cruiser was there; he could picture with details he had not thought he knew or remembered. The deck in the dark of the night with only a shaded light at the mast. The deck ...
Ross gave a choked cry. He did not see this in his mind; he saw it with his eyes! His hand swung out in an involuntary gesture of repudiation and struck painfully against wood. He was on the cruiser!
A startled exclamation from behind him--then a shout. Ashe was here and beyond him three cloaked figures, the Foanna. They had their own road indeed and had taken it.
”You ... Rosss--” Vistur fronted them, his face a mixture of bewilderment and awe. ”The Foanna--” said in a half whisper, echoed by crewmen gathering around, but not too close.
”Gordon!” Karara elbowed her way between two of the Hawaikans and ran across the deck. She caught the Agent's both hands as if to a.s.sure herself that he was alive and there before her. Then she turned to the three Foanna.
There was an odd expression on the Polynesian girl's face, first of measurement with some fear, and then of dawning wonder. From beneath the cloak of the middle Foanna came the rod of office with its sparking k.n.o.b. Karara dropped Ashe's hands, took a tentative step forward and then another. The k.n.o.b was directly before her, breast high. She brought up both hands, cupping them about the k.n.o.b, but not touching it directly. The sparks it emitted could have been flas.h.i.+ng against her flesh, but Karara displayed no awareness of that. Instead, she lifted both hands farther, palm up and cupped, as if she carried some invisible bounty, then flattened them, loosing what she held.
There was a sigh from the crewmen; Karara's gesture had been confident, as if she knew just what she was doing and why. And Ross heard Ashe draw a deep breath also as the Terran girl turned, allying herself with the Foanna.
”These Great Ones stand in peace,” she said. ”It is their will that no harm comes to this s.h.i.+p and those who sail in her.”
”What do the Great Ones want of us?” Torgul advanced but not too near.
”To speak concerning those who are your prisoners.”
”So be it.” The Captain bowed. ”The Great Ones' will is our will; let it be as they wish.”
15
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