Joel scrambled to his feet, stood there weaving. His hands were
manacled. His head felt as if it must burst.
Then he drew in his breath sharply.
Just behind him stood a yellow tree and beneath it a deal table with
the shaggy figure of Walt Eriss bending over it!
The ex-surgeon was talking over a portable televisor. A dozen men
surrounded the giant. They were wearing scarlet armbands.
Joel could hear Eriss saying, "Yes, we're pushing on the palace now.
No. I'm using runners." He clicked off the set, looked up, staring
coldly at Joel.
"Where are the Ganelons?" he demanded in a harsh voice.
Joel's eyes widened. There wasn't a Ganelon in sight. Then he caught
their alien unhuman scent. They were all around, invisible to the
mind's eye! What did it mean?
A thrill of alarm rippled up his spine. He shrugged, said, "How would I
know?"
"You're one of their spies," stated Eriss flatly. "I want to know what
they're up to!"
"But I thought they were leading the attack on Eden."
"The Ganelons?" Eriss' voice was sarcastic. "They're a pack of old
women. I directed the attack. I'm in charge."
"But I saw them...."
Eriss leaned forward, said savagely, "They were my eyes and ears.
They telepathed my orders! But they tried to stop the killing. When I
refused to listen to them they deserted." He began to beat the table
with his fist. "I want to know what they're up to!"
All the time Joel was conscious of the Ganelons' scent. He could feel
their eyes on him. He said, "Then you've broken with them?"
"What are they trying to do?" Eriss repeated, purple faced.
Joel's green eyes narrowed. The ex-surgeon was afraid of the Ganelons,
he realized suddenly. Eriss was concentrating his attack on Eden, his
rear unprotected. For all he knew a Ganelon army might be massing
silently in the jungle. Millions upon millions of the natives....
Joel had to reach the Thinkers! He could sense the invisible natives
all about him. He said in desperate ringing tones,
"I'm Joel Hakkyt. I've a message for the Thinkers. Please relay this to
the Thinkers. I'm Joel Hakkyt. I've a message...."