With that word, a wave, of paralyzing, destroying force swept over Underwood. How it was affecting him, what senses it was attacking, he did not know. He only knew that a flaming agony was burning out life, as if reluctant to give him a speedy, merciful death. He must withdraw to the ship to recover his forces. He could never withstand the attack of twenty-one _abasas_. Underwood relaxed and threw his powers back toward the ship--and failed! Abruptly, the metallic glint of Demarzule's lips parted in a roar of laughter without merriment, but of triumph. "No, my brave Earthling, you cannot retreat. You did not know that. For those who would challenge the Great One there is no retreat. Your decision is made, and you will fail and you will die--but only when I wish, and your fellow Earthmen will find amusement in toying with you as a cat with a mouse before I give the final blow that will destroy your rash, impatient ego." The flaming fire of Demarzule's attack continued while Underwood fought savagely and vainly to retreat. How was he being held there against his efforts to retreat? He did not know that the _abasa_ held such powers and he would not have known how to exert them himself if he had been aware of them. He gave up and turned back, letting the power flow into the absorptive cells of the _dor-abasa_, but it could not be for long, for the organ would disrupt under such stress. Then, as if in keeping with his promise to prolong the agony, the attack ceased, and Demarzule allowed him to rest. "You were brash, were you not?" he taunted. "How could you dare come against the mightiest power of the Universe, the greatest mind ever created, and attack with your puny powers? You blaspheme the Great One by your presumption!" "Once, long ago," said Underwood, "the Sirenian forces were defeated by the Dragbora. Again it is the Dragbora you face, Demarzule. Remember that, and defend yourself!" * * * * * Underwood was startled. Incredibly, it seemed that he had not spoken those words, but rather that the dead Jandro was with him, silently backing him, teaching, advising--. He lashed out, but not at Demarzule. He struck swiftly at the nearest Earthman. Almost instantly, the unfortunate shuddered and fell to the floor, dead. In quick succession Underwood struck at the nerve cells of the next five and they died without sound. In snarling fury and retaliation, Demarzule retaliated. Underwood absorbed the blow--and incredibly hurled it back. It was as if he had suddenly become aware of techniques that he had never dreamed of. He had not known it was possible to absorb the nerve-destroying force with his own _dor-abasa_ and whip it back upon the attacker, like a ball caught and thrown.