The girl looked perplexed. She looked to Gorla for aid. The young
Priest moved to intervene, but Telis motioned him aside. "No," Telis
spoke sharply. "You may have to fly an air-sled...." He paused. "You
can fly one, can't you?"
The girl nodded. "I have learned to fly one," she said. "But my
mask ... I need it!"
The girl's face looked stricken at the thought of leaving her precious
mask behind. But Telis hardened himself. He could not let this escape
be risked by her unpredictable actions. Besides, he had seen her in the
Temple without the mask, so it was not a matter of life and death for
her.
"The mask stays," Telis said flatly.
For a long moment there was something like sheer terror on the girl's
face. Then, as though by an effort of the will, she composed herself
and nodded her agreement. Telis was forced to admire her courage.
Gorla seemed to realize that any comments that he might make concerning
the mask _or_ the girl Telis would not believe, since for the moment
they found themselves enemies. He decided to maintain a discreet
silence and hope for the best.
"And now, friend Gorla," ordered Telis, "lead us to the landing field
and get us an air-sled. It is a long way back to the capital and I have
no intention of trying to make it on sith-back, not as long as your
Temple Guards are so handy with the aircraft."
Like a bemused sleepwalker, Gorla led the way out of the building and
through the dark streets. No beam of light now penetrated the light
shield surrounding the Temple City, and Telis found the protecting
darkness much to his liking. The drowsy guards at the gate looked
curiously at the trio, but, recognizing Brother Gorla, made no effort
to stop them.
Soon they were at the landing field and Gorla had run out the very
air-sled that had brought Telis to the Temple City. Telis stepped into
the forward cockpit and tested the jet. It came readily to life under
his practised hands, and he motioned Gorla and the girl in beside him.
"Fly low," the girl said almost pleadingly.
He laid the stun-gun within easy reach and turned to Gorla. "Not that I
don't trust you, my old friend," he said with a thin smile, "but I will
feel much more comfortable if you are well-behaved while I am flying."
Gorla made no reply. He merely shrugged and wrapped himself in his
cassock as best he could.
Telis glanced around at the sleeping field. Far across the landing area
lights were flashing on. The sound of the air-sled's jet had awakened
the attendants, and soon they would be giving the alarm. But there
was no chance for anyone to stop them now. Almost disdainfully, Telis
shoved the throttle forward on the quadrant and the jet roared. With a
hissing of runners, the sled moved swiftly across the red sand and into
the air.
Zooming low over the buildings at the far end of the field, the sled
drove out into the blackness. Then with breathtaking suddenness, it
slashed through the light shield and the lights of Dorliss vanished
while the heavens came alive with the early morning stars.
Telis pointed the sled's blunt nose at the hatefully beautiful morning
star that was Terra riding low on the eastern horizon. Presently, he
levelled the craft and reduced his speed to maximum cruising power.
Just skimming the reddish dunes, they sped eastward, into the sudden
glory of the desert dawn....