"You're referring to the machinery of the little death," rejoined Y. "But I thought you knew. It can't operate until the Nova has attained a certain velocity. That much we've ascertained from Mr. Villanowski." "Then we're trapped!" The factor leaped to his feet. His agility in the increased gravity was amazing. Gavin realized that the long years the factor had spent on Jupiter had trained his muscles as well as wrung every ounce of extra flesh from his spare frame. "I see that you've comprehended our position at last," said Y grimly. "What about the emergency fuel tanks at the cantonment?" "Gone. Your damned shelling exploded them." Y nodded. "Just as I thought. If Murdock drained the Nova's tanks, he must be expecting help. It will have considerable bearing on any course we plan to take, just who these aids are, how many they'll be, and when to expect them." He returned to Gavin. "You'll spare yourself a painful experience, Murdock, if you talk now. You can't gain anything by forcing us to wring the information from you. We won't hesitate to stoop to torture." "No," Gavin agreed. "I suppose not." He hesitated. United Spaceways and Tri-World were the two corporations most likely to want the Nova's space drive. Nadia suspected that he was an agent of United Spaceways. Therefore ... he moistened his lips. "My work's done, anyway. I'm a Tri-World agent." "But that's impossible!" Nadia burst out in sudden protest. "We...." She paused, looking confused as she realized she'd been tricked. Y said, "That was very clever, Murdock. Yes. I'm working for Tri-World. Miss Petrovna and my good friend, the factor, have supplied us with valuable information and help for a price. But the knowledge won't be of any earthly use to you." Gavin felt no triumph at the confirmation of his suspicions. What Y said was true. As soon as they had squeezed him dry, he would be silenced. The door opened. A Terran appeared. "The slaves have all been unloaded and dispersed, sir. The bodies of the crew are buried. We're ship-shape and ready to take off." Y put a forefinger to the chin of his death mask, rubbed the plastic gently. "Establish radio contact with the Comet." "Yes sir," replied the man. "The message, sir?" "Rendezvous cancelled. Emergency. Proceed to us at once prepared to divide fuel." "Yes, sir." The man went out, closing the door softly behind him. IX Gavin's heart sank. Of course the ship that brought Y would be hidden in the neighborhood. It would be simple enough for them to refuel the Nova. Y had taken time to release the slaves and dispose of the bodies of the crew. That, Gavin surmised, was what had delayed the Nova's take-off long enough for him to slip aboard. Now should the Nova be apprehended in space, the Interplanetary patrol would be forced to release her for lack of evidence. Villanowski glanced up. "We're licked, lad. We may as well toss in the towel."