"I told you I loved you very much once," she said. He didn't dare turn and look at her. This wasn't any time to go soft. "I haven't changed my mind. This was a very strange love affair, wasn't it?" She didn't wait for his answer, but stumbled on, her voice eager. "I haven't very much time to talk. Blair, I fell in love with you when I saw your picture. When Vestena became hostile, I was declared an orphan. I couldn't see Dad and he couldn't reclaim me. A rich man adopted me. He was a high member of the Space Merchants organization." She sighed. "I used to read about the work you and Dad did. That's why I was so badly hurt and angry when you left him to his death." "I could get away from Vestena when I wished. My foster-father owned three ships. I learned the plan of the Vestena fleet from him. I waited until I knew how and when they would strike. Then I came back to you. I knew you'd be the only one to help." He was silent. Then: "It seems like old times," he said, slowly. "Seems as though Jerry and I are together again." Her fingers touched his neck. She kissed him on the cheek. Her lips were soft and very warm. "Dad is here, I think. I'm a pretty important part of Jerry. We loved each other very much." He was busy now. Busy keeping the Z1000 in one piece. If he kept up the dizzy power rate long, and the blades didn't meet an obstruction, they'd fly off and destroy the ship. "How long do we have?" She sighed. "The fleet will be in the tunnel in two minutes. We should meet them in three." "We'll stop them," he said in a harsh whisper. * * * * * Oil was sloshing and flying over the Cutter's blades. He listened to the unholy roar of the motor, then pushed the power lever down as far as it would go. The Z1000 leaped ahead a little faster. The blades sang a song of destruction. In the cabin the heat became stifling. No longer able to see through the steamed windows, he turned out the lights. In the darkness, the red hot plates over the motor shaft made the place glow like a tiny hell. The extra power from the batteries hummed madly. "Sheila," he turned toward her. In the glow of the hot plates, he could see her face, as pale as glistening shell. Her eyes were moist and her face was close to his. Then he could say no more, because her lips were pressed tightly to his. "Blair, is there a chance ... any chance at all?" "The Z1000 was designed to cut rock and metal," he said. "I don't think the engineers ever planned to stop an army with it." Two minutes. Then fifty seconds. Would the Vestena army be on time? The blades were good for another five minutes at most. After that.... "_Blair._" It was Sheila, her lips parted by a startled cry. Instinctively he grasped her and held her tightly against him in the heavily padded chair.