A Swamja was waddling toward them. Callahan hastily turned into a side
street, making a detour to avoid the monster. For a while they were
safe....
Lysla pressed close to Vanning, and he squeezed her arm reassuringly,
with a confidence he could not feel. Not until now had he realized
the vital importance of environment. On Mars or barren Callisto he
had never felt this helplessness in the face of tremendous, inhuman
powers--against which it was impossible to fight. Hopeless odds!
But luck incredibly favored them. They reached their destination
without an alarm being raised. Crouching in the shadows by the square
where the space-ship lay, they peered at the three guards who paced
about, armed and ready.
"Only three," Lysla said.
Vanning chewed at his lip. "Callahan, you know more about locks than I
do. When we rush, get around to the other side of the ship and unlock
the port. It may not be easy. The rest of us--we'll keep the Swamja
busy."