He killed four more guards before they arrived at the Place of Eternal Strength, shooting them in the back without compunction as he stalked ahead of Rex, clearing the way. Upon arrival at their destination, Tommy cried, "Why this is the place where my arm was healed. I had a wound and then it was gone!" * * * * * Maxis laid the body of Fanton on a marble couch under the singing colored rays. "Even greater miracles are achieved here," he said. "It heals all ills--even old age. If a spark of life remains in a body, the fountain greatens and strengthens it." Rex stared in wonder. "Will it revive the dead?" "No. It will preserve a dead body--cause it to remain perfect for centuries but once life is gone it can never be returned." "Then this is what happened to Professor Spencer. He was killed and placed under this ray." Maxis nodded sadly. "Brutally murdered. It was Pandek's signal for his great coup. We were caught completely unawares. He acted very cleverly and told us Fanton had died, refusing rejuvenation, when in truth he had deprived Fanton of the fountain's healing power. Only today did I discover that Fanton still lived." Rex was staring at the body of the ancient ruler. "How long does the process take?" "A matter of minutes. Let's only hope that those minutes are afforded us." "There are still some shots in my gun," Rex said. They waited, while the body of Fanton seemed to visibly recharge itself. Two guards appeared. Rex killed them. "How was this rebellion allowed to get started?" he asked. There was a grim look upon Maxis' face. "Through laxness. Through carelessness. From stopping our ears against the sound of treacherous undercurrents. From feeling that young hotheads were basically sound and would not arrange their own destruction and ours too." "This Pandek you speak of--he planned to move against the Terrans to the south?" "He still plans it. He has vowed to wipe every alien from the planet and establish a new age of Martian resurgence." "The Martians would be annihilated." "Pandek is willing to gamble on that." "He must be insane," Rex said. "It began when Fanton advocated a change in Martian policy. For centuries, ever since the Terrans came, our course has been one of proud isolation. The policy was instituted centuries ago by ill-advised leaders and Fanton carried it on against his better judgment. When he began talking of a reversal, the underground mutiny gained in strength." "Will saving Fanton's life stop the rebellion?" "This thing we do is only a feeble step in the right direction. Even with Fanton strong and healthy, we may not be able to win." "What is this sacrifice business?"