"Not very thick for outer walls," observed Neil, measuring the partitions with his eye. "A Terrestrial disintegrator-ray could easily pierce them." "Of course, but these are only inner walls, after all. The real strong, thick partition is the outside, the tough rind of the fruit. That is too much for the strongest ray or bomb ever made." "There aren't any bolts to hold the sections together." "Have you forgotten what I told you about the artificial gravity? That holds everything in place. But here's the theater. Let's get inside or we'll be late." CHAPTER IV The Great Battle The television drama broadcast from the Martian pleasure city of Pulambar, was one of the cynical tragi-comedies that the men of Mars love so well. As it unfolded certain gases were released in the auditorium. They seemed pungent, even acrid, to Neil, who was not used to Martian luxuries, but those around him sniffed the fumes with every evidence of pleasure. He watched the drama progress and was careful to applaud and laugh whenever Yaxa did. From there they went to an eating-compartment, where a group of young officers first looked askance at the Terrestrial stranger, but crowded around with exclamations of welcome when Yaxa explained his presence in the asteroid. Neil made the best of his limited command of the Martian language. The party seemed to be having a fine time, not the slightest bit worried by the fact that a strong force from Earth was due to attack within a few hours. "We have only to remain inside our defenses," said one. "They can hammer away on our surface forever without effect, while we can bomb them out of existence one by one." "It'll be a way to break the tedium of existence," offered another. "And excellent practice for our coming raid on Earth," added a third. "Will you fight on our side?" the first speaker asked Neil. "No, I'll be a non-combatant," grinned the Terrestrial. "After all, I've some old comrades in those ships. However," he continued, "I'll drink in the fashion of my planet to your success and that of your friends." He was loudly applauded and several raised their glasses in imitation of his courtesy. The gathering broke up late and Neil confessing himself tired, was allowed to go to bed in quarters near those of Yaxa. Yet he did not sleep for hours and, when he dozed off at last, it seemed but a moment before Yaxa knocked at his door to waken him. He dressed and went out into the wide passage that served as a street. The carefree attitude of the Martians was gone now; everywhere he saw bodies of troops drawn up into formation, while here and there sped vehicles laden with munitions and supplies. "The enemy is almost here and we're getting ready," explained Yaxa. "The commander has told me to bring you to him, that he may ask what part you want to take in the action."