"Even the gods must die," Zeeth said.
"Yeah.... Well, we've work to do. We'll get food, water, and supplies,
and head south for Venus Landing to get help. A small party will do.
Then we can commandeer troops and swamp-cats to rescue the slaves from
this corner of hell. We can get through to Venus Landing all right--"
"Yes, that will be possible--though difficult. Vanning--" Zeeth's eyes
hooded.
"Yeah?"
"Callahan is not here."
"What?"
The Venusian made a quick gesture. "He awoke when I did. He told me to
say that he had no wish to go to prison--so he was leaving."
"Where to?" Vanning asked quietly.
"Venus landing. He left the ship an hour ago to get food and weapons,
and by this time he is in the southern swamps, well on his way. At the
Landing, he said, he would embark on a space-ship heading--somewhere."
"I see. He'll reach the Landing before we do, then. Before we leave,
we'll have to get things in some sort of order."
* * * * *
Both Hobbs and the girl were moving slightly. Presently they would
awaken--and then the work would begin. With the city emptied of the
Swamja, it would be easy to organize the slaves, get up a party to
march to Venus Landing--
Vanning's mouth twisted in a wry smile. So Callahan was gone. He
wasn't surprised. Callahan would never know that the detective had
awakened from the crash before any of the others--and had shammed
unconsciousness till the fugitive had had time to make good his escape.
Vanning shrugged. Maybe he was a damn fool. Getting soft-hearted....
"Okay," he said to Zeeth. "Let's get busy. We've got a job ahead of us!"