Then Zor Ala told of the sixteen human beings who had not returned from the interviews; told him of the suspicions he had concerning the fate of those humans at the hands of the Kralons. Throughout the long afternoon Randall kept a check on his companions. When Jerome Jackson, the last called, finally returned, Randall spoke up. "Friends," he said. "Twelve of us went to a forced interview with these fantastic creatures of a long-dead Age. Nine of us have returned. Missing are Blake Garnet, Charles McMahon, and his bride, Evelyn McMahon." Randall paused, then said softly, "I am calling for volunteers." Angus McClellan took a step forward which carried him half across the room. Gordon Malherne, the young engineer, wasn't far behind him, and the white-haired Doctor Gerard was surprisingly agile for his sixty-odd years. Jackson, the salesman, was quivering in indecision, when Laura Hanks, the tallest of the teachers, stepped forward. "You can count me in," she said firmly, her angular chin set in determination. The instant protest from the men goaded Jackson, and he stepped sheepishly forward to join the others. "All right," said Randall briskly. "Here's the setup. As soon as it's dark we'll form a human chain and go over the stockade on the side furthest from the gate. I have an automatic and an extra clip of ammunition. Are any of the rest of you armed?" All shook their heads. "No matter," Randall continued. "I'll go over first to cover the rest of you." "But what'll we do then?" protested Jackson. "Why don't we get some of the rest of the people to help?" Randall examined the fat little man coldly. "Circumstances determine the move," he said. "As for enlisting the aid of the rest of the colony, one man in the enemy's castle is worth a thousand storming the ramparts. We'll leave here at an appointed time and proceed by different routes, all meeting directly across the enclosure from the gate. Now we'd all better get some rest." IV That evening when a thin crescent crept wanly into the sky, five figures faded into the ebon night and slunk across the broad field. When the five had met in the dim shadow of the towering stockade, Randall whispered softly: "When I'm over the barrier, I'll let you know if the coast is clear, then step on it! We're going to try to make it as far as the entrance to the big building. Then we'll decide on our next step. Okay, let's go." Gordon Malherne braced his hands against the stockade, motioned Jackson to climb on his shoulders. When the salesman was set, Doctor Gerard clambered to his shoulders, and Randall followed up the human ladder with Angus McClellan close behind.