Nolan peered out the window. Absorbed in self-recrimination, he hadn't
paid attention to their trip. He was surprised to find gleaming metal
all around the skid. They were in a heat lock--they had come to the
domed settlement.
The Martian Vincennes went first. As soon as the pressure gauge showed
he was safely outside the Earthman gestured to Nolan. He wedged himself
wearily into the air chamber, closed the door. He was ready for a break
when the outer portal opened ... but there was no break. Not with
Vincennes and his ready pyro there.
Woller, stumbling and cursing, followed, and the Earthman. Vincennes
opened the main lock and they went into the dome.
There were two great ships inside, dimly lighted by a string of pale
lumes overhead. Nolan looked at the mass of them, at the rodlike
projections clustered around the nose, and knew them for what they were.
Warships!
Scaffolding was still around them. They were not yet ready for
launching, not ready for whatever mission of treason Woller had
planned them for. But by the look of them the day was close. And Nolan
was--awaiting execution.
One look at Woller's iron countenance under the tape showed that.
Vincennes' hand, tight-knuckled around the butt of his gun, was ample
confirmation.