The Com-tech turned away from the control board, a sneering
half smile on his face.
"They've reached the circuit and cut you off. You're done!"
Dane stared into the cage where the now almost invisible thing sat humped
together. He had done his best--they had all done their best. He felt
nothing but a vast fatigue, an overwhelming weariness, not so much of
body, but of nerve and spirit too.
Rip broke the silence with a question aimed at the tech. "Can you signal
below?"
"Going to give up?" The fellow brightened. "Yes, there's an inter-com I
can cut in."
Rip stood up. He unbuckled the belt about his waist and laid it on the
table--disarming himself. Without words Ali and Dane followed his
example. They had played their hand--to prolong the struggle would mean
nothing. The acting Captain of the Queen gave a last order:
"Tell them we are coming down unarmed--to surrender." He paused in front
of Hovan. "You'd better stay here. If there's any trouble--no reason for
you to be caught in the middle."
Hovan nodded as the three left the room. Dane, remembering the trick he
had pulled with the riser, made a comment:
"We may be marooned here--"
Ali shrugged.
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