We were all linked together by the modern Rand system of air phones--the first time it had been given a practical demonstration. For a test we circled that morning above Miami. Dan ordered them to wheel, to loop, to execute a variety of movements which they did with the skilled precision of a regiment on parade ground. The people thronged Miami's streets and roof-tops, and cheered. Biscayne Bay was crowded with boats, as at a holiday festival. People everywhere cheered us to battle. I had just a moment alone with Zetta before we started. How many warriors, in all the ages, of every race and every time, have parted thus upon the eve of battle from the woman they loved! Zetta at first held out her hand timorously. "Be ver' careful, Peter." She had said it like that, back in Garla! "Zetta, aren't you sure now?" I pleaded. "Of what, Peter?" "Your love for me. Our love--Kean said. 'You've chosen a good world, Zetta, and a good man.' Do you think that? Have you--chosen--me?" My arms were outstretched. Oh, it was sweeping me, this love for her, as always it did when I would let it! But I would not force her. "Zetta--haven't you--aren't you sure, now?" She came suddenly drawn into my arms. Unresisting at last; our love sweeping her into my opened arms; her lips seeking mine. And whispering, "Yes, Peter--I am sure now." All my dreams of all my life came into reality with the coming of her love. * * * * * In the sunlight of that morning of August 18, our shining planes left the Miami airport, and, like silver birds soaring with motionless spread of wing, flew southward. It was full night when, out of the star-lit sky, we sighted Graff's barrage. Our four planes with the purple ray were leading, the others were massed behind and below us. Graff had a brief warning no doubt. We were several miles off when one of his red beams swung down. We could see it coming--a broad band of crimson, like a giant searchlight beam. It missed us with its first swing. Dan roared his orders into the Rand-phone. I was at the controls. I headed the ship down, in advance of our line, to protect the planes behind us. Freddie leveled our projector. Its narrow purple beam sprang forward at the barrage. Behind us the planes were strung out. Davis and Robinson were well behind. We were determined not to use the crimson projector in the mêlée of battle. It would confuse our other planes, and be too dangerous to them. We also wanted to protect it, for use in case of last, desperate need. Davis and Robinson were ordered to keep close behind our purple rays. This showing of our purple ray was Graff's first real knowledge that here on earth the Garland weapons were to be used against him. There must have been panic sweeping the Xenephrene camp at that instant!