"He is directing the operations of his forces from his offices in the Supreme Headquarters Building, your Highness. What are your orders?" "He must be destroyed at any cost," Loong said grimly. "An assault would be indicated." "Screens have been set up to guard the building," Slan said. "The most powerful blaster will not penetrate them." "We must use the _Agreet's_ Atomics then...." "You'd destroy half the city," Savage interrupted. "There's been too much bloodshed already." "What do you suggest, then?" asked Loong. "Have you any men in the building?" Savage asked. "We have not been able to contact any," Slan said. "Well, perhaps this will work. We will make a concentrated attack, using the _Agreet's_ armed scouts and your fighter. During the attack I can take one of the scouts under the screen, land near the building, and force my way in." "That might succeed," agreed Loong. "But once inside you'd never find the Commissioner. You don't know the building. I'll go with you." "I couldn't permit that, your Highness," Slan objected. "Your life is too valuable to risk." "What ..." Loong flashed, but Savage interrupted. "He's right," he said. "You'll have to remain on board the _Agreet_." "I will go in your stead, your Highness," Slan said firmly. "Very well," said Loong unhappily. "I will make the arrangements," said Slan. "We will use number seven scout." He excused himself and left the group, while Loong turned to Savage. "I am beginning to understand why we have not been able to completely subdue your people. Tell me, what is your Terran name?" Savage told him. "I have studied one of the Terran languages a bit--English, I believe it is called--and it seems that your name is also a word. What does it mean?" "Untamed," Savage said. "Aha!" said Loong. At this point Slan returned. "We will be in position to launch the attack shortly," he said. "We had best make ready. I beg your pardon, but the lady seems to have disappeared." "So she has," said Loong after glancing around. "Well, we can't look for her now." They took another car to their scout ship and exchanged their uniforms for more efficient fighting suits; black coveralls, crash helmets, respirator masks and battle packs. They were each provided with a heat gun and a blaster, but Savage strapped the little needle gun to his wrist over the coverall sleeve. "For sniping," he explained. Loong held out his hand. "Good luck," he said, and Savage remembered the General. V The attacking fleet, the medium fighter and twelve scouts, roared in over the city and blaster fire came up to meet them. They passed through the wall of flame with the loss of only one scout and then they opened up with their own weapons. The only effect of their combined fire was to make the invisible force screen protecting their target flash and flare.