"It is Praana speaking, the Princess Praana, daughter of Bedril! I order you not to fight, Dar Mihelson! You will not place my people in such peril!" A thousand miles away on the _Valiant's_ huge televise, Praana's face must have been visible. She realized that instantly, and went on. "I am in disguise, Dar Mihelson! It was Bedril's last order, and we planned this well. I must remain as a rallying point for my people in the time of their direst stress. The time is now! Mihelson ... you know my voice, do you not?" "But what are we to do, your Eminence? We cannot return to Mars ... Wessell blocks our way to Earth...." * * * * * After a moment of indecision, Ric whispered, "You're sure he has speed? He could outrace the Earth Fleet?" "Yes! You will see!" "The moon, then. Earth's moon! The crater Tycho...." "Dar Mihelson," she spoke again. "You must get past Earth's fleet. You can do that, with the element of surprise; then head for Earth's moon! Swing around it once and enter Tycho! You will find air-locks there at the abandoned mines, and tunnels leading deep inside. You will be safe for a while! Await further word from me ... I shall contact you again, I promise it!" Already the wave-length was becoming tenuous, but Praana was sure her final words had reached him. Ric snapped off the disc. A voice behind them brought them whirling around. * * * * * Kueelo stood in the doorway, heat gun held ready as always. He laughed mockingly. "So. A handy little gadget that is, Earthman. And you really managed to contact Dar Mihelson with it?" he shrugged. "That is all right--we shall have entertainment now. It will be interesting to see how he out-maneuvers the Earth Fleet! If you three will join me?" They walked ahead of Kueelo, into a room where a visi-panel had already centered the _Valiant_ and was following its slow progress. Naric appeared in the doorway behind them, and remained watchful. Kueelo stepped to the screen and manipulated the magni-lens. The space scene seemed to widen, draw away a little ... then the Earth Fleet could be seen. Even at this distance it appeared formidable. In staggered horizontal tiers, perhaps fifty of Earth's cruisers had arrayed themselves under Wessell's command. Breathlessly they watched, from their own ship which was already speeding far out of range. Ric noticed one thing. The Earth ships were all of the heavy type, built for concentrated power-blasts rather than speed. Mihelson might out-maneuver them, but, if he chose to fight.... The Fleet was almost in range of the _Valiant_ now, and still the Mars ship continued its plodding course. It was unlikely that Wessell suspected anything. He was approaching slowly to make sure of doing a thorough job. It was sheer treachery; worse, it was murder! In that moment Ric felt almost ashamed of being an Earthman.