Kang nodded serenely. "They will do it. They are not like _our_ people. They are a race trained through long ages to obedience. But if they don't--" "If they don't--?" "Then," continued Kang soberly, "having given them their chance, we shall destroy them ruthlessly and without mercy." * * * * * All present knew what he meant. For that, too, was part of the plan which had been arranged in conference with the Gogeans. Noticeably absent from those who now stormed the city was Captain Hugh Warren and his crew of Space Patrolmen. They, Gary knew, were even now waiting aboard the _Liberty_ with motors idling, ready to lift at an instant's notice to soar over the capital. With their own fleet grounded, if the Magogeans would not listen to reason the _Liberty's_ guns would bathe Khundru in such a flood of fury and destruction as had never before been witnessed! Thus it was with a sense of increasing triumph the Solarites watched the battle for Khundru turning more and ever more in favor of the invaders. More swiftly with each passing moment the defenders gave way, retreating to the shelter of their palace walls. Walls which, though they did not know it, were a fateful trap for themselves. And at last, save for mopping-up operations carried on by small bands of Gogeans in outlying sections of the city, the first stage of the battle was ended. All surviving soldiers of Magog had taken refuge in the Palace Royal, there to withstand siege. And siege, they now discovered to their horror, it most certainly was! For when, assailed by the weapons of their enemies, they attempted to retaliate by loosing their own destructive ray cannon upon the attackers, their artillery-men learned that the cannon were not in operation! These were not, like the smaller hand weapons, self-charging, but were powered by direct cable from the control tower. And the control tower was in the hands of the adversaries! It was then, with the battle stalled briefly at a deadlock, Dr. Kang nodded. "Now," he said, "is our time. Bring him here." Gary hauled Borisu to his feet, prodded the bleating Magogean forward. Kang addressed him bluntly. "You have heard what you must do?" "Never!" cried Borisu, blustering defiance. "Never will I betray my people!" "It is written," said Kang quietly, "'Only the fool rejects the inevitable.' You are no fool, Borisu. Will you proclaim an armistice? Or for stubborn pride will you witness the destruction of your empire?" Borisu blubbered, "Better to go down fighting than abjectly. If I bid my people lay down their arms, your hordes will sweep in and destroy them." "That," Kang assured him, "they will _not_ do. In conference we have already discussed this with the Gogeans. Much have our two races to hate yours for, Borisu. Theirs for years of life-in-death in the darkling wastes of Magog; ours for impelling upon us centuries of premature death and a dwindling doom.