"I assure you that these are the most comfortable accommodations to
be found anywhere on Venus," commented Denny sardonically as he gazed
around the dank cell in which the four found themselves imprisoned.
"Speaking from experience, I mean that."
"This is your city, then, of which you spoke?" queried the Martian.
"Yes. I spent very little time in exploring it, however, as I was
due to report back and was in a hurry. I do know that it's mostly
underground, and of almost inconceivable antiquity, however. Of the
nature of its former inhabitants, their language, or the name of the
city, I could learn nothing."
"My guess that the Voornizar's base was in, or somewhere near this city
was correct," asserted Klalmar-lan, dropping his voice. He glanced at
the guard looming outside the heavily barred metal door, and beckoned
them to a far, gloomy corner of the dungeon. The Earth people were
startled to hear a chuckle of fiendish glee. It came from the Martian!
He was swinging his ray pistol by the trigger guard, shaking in nearly
inaudible mirth.
"By the Two Moons! What ego!" he hissed, lapsing into his native
tongue, which the others understood to some extent. "They have such
contempt for my poor Martian brainchild, they do not even take it from
me!"
"Well, it's practically useless, as near as I can see, against any
number of the creatures," shrugged Elene. "I suppose we could knock
out the guard, but the lock on the door is still impossible. The next
Voornizar who comes along would revive him, and we'd only be in for
more restrictions."
"Ah, but you do not understand. Watch." A lizard-like reptile had run
down the slimy wall, paused at the bottom. Klalmar-lan aimed the gun at
it, pressed the trigger. Nothing happened. "That was the choker ray.
Now, observe--I move this little catch here, press the button again."
There was a little frying sound. A puff of vapor rose above the lizard,
and it shrank instantly to a blackened lump. The Earthians stared in
amazement.