There was a moment of silence. Strange, rash promises surged upon
the lips of hardened spacemen who thought this was only more of the
illusions of Alayna and hesitated.
"Would you fight for Alayna?" she said. "Would you fight for that green
Earth with the blue skies?"
"Our guns would be yours, if you needed them," someone said fervently.
"I need them--every one of them, spacemen. At this moment, in the
tunnels beyond Starhouse, the Martians are gathered. They are attacking
Earthmen and seek to drive you from this planet. If they can be subdued
quickly, the rebellion may end. If not, we are doomed, and all Earth
with us."
The silence was charged, then a dozen men leaped up at once. "Show us
where they are. We'll kill the dirty--"
"You are fighting men, not a mob," Alayna warned. "Ready your lances
and follow me."
Swiftly, like a wraith of light she ran from the dais to the doorway
where Roal and Shorty waited. "Here are your men, a hundred and more.
I'll show you the chamber of the Thousand Minds."