Kirk had no information about Earth to give away. But there were plenty of other things in his mind, things of military importance to Lyra Sector that Solleremos would be only too glad to get hold of. How long now? Ten minutes more? Too long. Even five minutes would be too long, with that projector pounding his skull. He couldn't get up, but he could roll. He rolled, acting on a split-second reflex that caught even Tauncer by surprise. The projector was only four or five feet away. Brix and the other men were on top of him again almost at once but not quite in time. He fetched the tripod a thrashing kick, with both his feet bound together. It fell over. He could not hope that it was broken, not on this soft carpeted floor, but it would take them time to set it up again. He tried to keep them busy as long as he could, but Tauncer understood perfectly well what he was up to. He pulled his men off and set Brix to adjusting the projector again, and turned to Kirk. "You may as well spare yourself, Commander. I have my mission, and the military have theirs. There are three cruisers standing off and on, just out of radar range--they got word the moment you landed, and they're already on their way." He smiled briefly. "The price you pay for fame, Commander. The Fifth is Ferdias' elite squadron, and nobody gets command of it unless he's in Ferdias' special favor." "Friendship is one thing," said Kirk hotly, "and favor is another. I don't like your choice of words." * * * * * He was just talking, words, sounds with no meaning. Inside he was thinking of Garstang and the _Starsong_, and all the lives of all the men in her. He had led them here. He looked at Tauncer, and he began now to hate him, with a hate as deep and cold as space. "Ferdias will tear your heart out," he said. "Perhaps," said Tauncer. "But he may have other things to occupy his mind." "Earth? He's never been there. None of us have. It's only a name, and a half-forgotten one at that. Why should Earth occupy his mind? Why, Tauncer?" How long is twenty minutes? How long does it take three cruisers to come from Point X beyond radar range to Target Zero? How long does it take a man to realize he's through at last? Brix said again, "All ready." Tauncer nodded. Brix touched a stud on the projector. As though that touch had done it, a dull and mighty roaring echoed from the desert--the full-throated cry of a heavy cruiser taking off. The men looked, startled, toward the door. Desperately, Kirk rolled sideways, out of the force that was already battering at the edges of his mind. "You out there!" he shouted at the doorway. "The men from outside avenge treachery! Call your lord--" One of Tauncer's men kicked him alongside the jaw. Kirk shut up, hanging with blind determination to his consciousness. Fore-thought had provided this one chance. He would not get another. He did not dare to miss it.