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They had hardly landed before one of Ato's scientists announced that there was good clean air outside. Oxygen and nitrogen with good old water held as moisture within it. The city sat there upon the plain and stared at them. The Nebula looked back. At length a procession of cars moved toward them. Grim Hagen's voice came thundering over the loud-speakers. "A truce, Ato.
Better than the Lorens who are with Grim Hagen. Apparently, he drew his following from the weakest among them." "Aye," Val the Loren agreed. He had fought near Ato's side all through the night, and his lean left hand was rubbing two deep cuts across his chest. "They have already had enough.
Ato's needle-nosed machines began to whine and the metal in the guards' cubicles grew red-hot and melted. Charred bodies came tumbling down. Men came pouring out of the subway entrances. There was a crashing and grinding as hidden elevators brought weapons of death to the surface. The fires in the cressets danced higher. They fought now in mid-day light.
They had learned much from their first defeat, and this time they held it well. "As soon as we could patch up our ships, we came a-following and joined forces with Ato's soldiers. We assaulted the Tower day after day. Until the ground and the walks around it were black with our dried blood. But they held out. Not once did they try a counter-attack.
Her eyes flashed. "Yes, some who are within this room thought that he wasted his time away. He washed beakers in the labs because some of you said that he produced nothing " Ato's face was thin. "Nea, the past is behind us. Why carry your resentment with you? Your father died a hero's death. We have honored him." Again Nea's dark eyes flashed. "Oh, once he was dead you thought very well of him.
So they went to the conference. All of Ato's men and at least fifty of Grim Hagen's were there. Contrary to Gunnar's prediction, Grim Hagen got to the point at once. "Kinsmen," he began mockingly. "You may have wondered why I called a truce when I could just as well have destroyed you " "That I doubt," Ato answered him. "We have defensive weapons.
And as for resentment, isn't this whole trip being made because you resent Grim Hagen " Ato's face was growing darker. "You signed the ship's articles, Nea. We go to rescue our friends and loved ones. We go as a police force to punish one who has done much evil " A grizzled Bron nodded in agreement. "Yes, Nea, this talk serves no purpose. Get along with your invention." "Very well.
It was the time when he had used Ato's belt, and Gunnar had flung him into space as though he had been a minnow at the end of a snapping line. But that experience had been momentary. This built itself up until Odin felt himself expanding and contracting at each pulse beat. His heart seemed to beat slower and slower. Waves of smothering pain struck him when they passed the speed of light.
Life had been there, but what form of life only Grim Hagen might have told them. They were cindered their atmosphere, which had not been oxygen, had burned away. Ato's probing instruments found neither liquid nor gas. His screens found an occasional shattered city, where broken spires reached twisted fingers into the vacant sky. Ato was watching the needles upon another machine.
And would have arrogantly demanded a medal, besides. Oh, well, there was no sense in staying in the doldrums forever. Out there, time was on the side of the stars. If a demon of discord stole in, time could wait They readied themselves for combat. Ato's instruments were probing space for a sign of the Old Ship. The ancient weapons and some new ones were now in place.
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