A name to conjure with, _Ktar_ Wassreck. Master of robots, master of raiders. The brain of a genius in a pain-shriveled body. A mind that had fathomed the key to the star-stones; courage to strike even through Oyo's flame-death, staking his soul for Jarl Corvett at Horla. And here were his robots--towering metal monsters, set shoulder to shoulder. He dreamed of them, lived for them. More even than dark Sais, they were his children. _Children of a nightmare_, Jarl thought as he led the way past them. Bleakly, he wondered why Wassreck had made them--what dark, twisted drive had spurred their creation. They came to a door. Jarl faced his raiders. "The hallway's outside. The third ramp to the left leads down to the blowers." He turned to the girl, the commissioner's slim daughter. "Stay with me, Ylana. And forget about running or screaming." She moved closer, not speaking. The grey eyes were unfathomable. He stepped into the passage, the girl close behind him. The crewmen followed. Then, as they came abreast the second ramp, he heard voices--a harsh, angry crackle that rose louder each second. Jarl stopped in his tracks and spun round to the crewmen. "Quick! up the ramp--!" Gripping Ylana's wrist, he half-dragged her with him. Barely in time, they crowded into the entry. Down the hall, by the blowers, someone cursed loudly. More footsteps pounded. Metal banged metal. Big Ungo burst out, "It's that guard, Jarl. They've found him--!" He clutched at his blaster--head down, geared for battle. Now new steps hurried towards them, from the way they had come. Jarl whipped out his light-gun. "We're not done! The commissioner's carrier is out in the courtyard. We'll blast our way to it!" "Which way--?" "Back up this ramp! We'll drop from a window!" * * * * * They sped up the incline to the second level, then down the corridor. But before they could reach a room that opened on the inner court, tumult broke out on this upper floor also. Guards shouted. There was a beat of feet; the clamor of men rushing towards them. Jarl leaped for a doorway. "In here--on the double!" His men crowded past him. Shoving Ylana before him, Jarl followed. Inside, he half-closed the door. Like statues, they waited. The hurrying guard squad came closer. Jarl gripped Ylana tight, her slim body hard against him. He cupped his hand over her mouth. The golden hair brushed his cheek. He could feel her heart pounding. The first of the blue-uniformed Federation fighters ran past the half-open door. Jarl poised his light-gun. In the same instant, lance-sharp pain stabbed through the hand he held over Ylana's mouth. He jerked back by instinct--and knew of a sudden even as he did it that the girl had bitten him. But his flinching left Ylana's mouth clear for an instant. She screamed, shrill and piercing. Jarl cursed. He tried to throw her aside.