Quick, hard-heeled footsteps sounded in the corridor outside. The
guard officer, Dalon, stepped through the doorway and saluted; his
eyes like ice under his pale brows and his uniform seeming to bristle
with weapons.
"The native is here, sir," he said to Y'Nor.
He turned, and made a commanding gesture. The leader of the Saints
appeared; the man whose resistance Y'Nor would have to break.
A frail, white-bearded old man, scuffed uncertainly into the room in
straw sandals, his faded blue eyes peering nearsightedly toward Y'Nor.
"Go to the commander's desk," Dalon ordered in his metallic tones.
The old man obeyed and stopped before Y'Nor's desk, his hands clasped
together as though to hide their trembling.
"You are Brenn," Y'Nor said, "and you hold, I believe, the impressive
titles of Chief Executive of the Council Of Provinces and Supreme
Elder of the Churches Of The Golden Rule?"
"Yes, sir." There was a faint quaver in old Brenn's voice. "I welcome
you to our world, sir, and offer you our friendship."
"I understand you can produce Elusium X fuel?"
"Yes, sir. Our Dr. Larue told me the process is within our ability.
We--" He hesitated. "We know you haven't enough fuel to return to
Vogar."