"No. It will preserve a dead body--cause it to remain perfect for
centuries but once life is gone it can never be returned."
"Then this is what happened to Professor Spencer. He was killed and
placed under this ray."
Maxis nodded sadly. "Brutally murdered. It was Pandek's signal for his
great coup. We were caught completely unawares. He acted very cleverly
and told us Fanton had died, refusing rejuvenation, when in truth he
had deprived Fanton of the fountain's healing power. Only today did I
discover that Fanton still lived."
Rex was staring at the body of the ancient ruler. "How long does the
process take?"
"A matter of minutes. Let's only hope that those minutes are afforded
us."
"There are still some shots in my gun," Rex said.
They waited, while the body of Fanton seemed to visibly recharge
itself. Two guards appeared. Rex killed them.
"How was this rebellion allowed to get started?" he asked.
There was a grim look upon Maxis' face. "Through laxness. Through
carelessness. From stopping our ears against the sound of treacherous
undercurrents. From feeling that young hotheads were basically sound
and would not arrange their own destruction and ours too."
"This Pandek you speak of--he planned to move against the Terrans to
the south?"
"He still plans it. He has vowed to wipe every alien from the planet
and establish a new age of Martian resurgence."
"The Martians would be annihilated."
"Pandek is willing to gamble on that."
"He must be insane," Rex said.
"It began when Fanton advocated a change in Martian policy. For
centuries, ever since the Terrans came, our course has been one of
proud isolation. The policy was instituted centuries ago by ill-advised
leaders and Fanton carried it on against his better judgment. When
he began talking of a reversal, the underground mutiny gained in
strength."
"Will saving Fanton's life stop the rebellion?"
"This thing we do is only a feeble step in the right direction. Even
with Fanton strong and healthy, we may not be able to win."
"What is this sacrifice business?"
"It is supposed to take place in the public square. An old and barbaric
rite in which a maiden is slain and the people file by and bathe
their hands in her blood. It will be the signal for the final act of
over-throw--when the rebels come into the open and slay all who remain
faithful to Fanton."
A new voice spoke. The two men turned. Fanton was sitting on the edge
of the marble couch. Helen and Tommy were staring at him.
Fanton's words were for Maxis. "You have done well. If I'd known before
where loyalty lay, things might have been different."