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.What acommotion there will be when we bring in this group of strange creatures,living proofthat there are other suns possessing planets; planets which are supportingorganic andintelligent life! You may put them in three communicating rooms, say in thefourthsection - they will undoubtedly require light and exercise.Lock all theexits, of course,but it would be best to leave the doors between the rooms unlocked, so thatthey canbe together or apart, as they choose.Since the smallest one, the female,stays so closeto the larger male, it may be that they are mates.But since we know nothingof theirhabits or customs, it will be best to give them all possible freedomcompatible withsafety."Nerado turned back to his instruments and three of the frightful crewcame up tothe human beings.One walked away, waving a couple of arms in an unmistakablesignal that the prisoners were to follow him.The three obediently set outafter him, theother two guards falling behind."Now's our best chance!" Costigan muttered, as they passed through a lowdoorway and entered a narrow corridor."Watch that one ahead of you, Clio -hold himfor a second if you can.Bradley, you and I will take the two behind us -now!"Costigan stooped and whirled.Seizing a cable-like arm, he pulled theoutlandishhead down, the while the full power of his mighty right leg drove a heavyservice bootinto the place where scaly neck and head joined.The Nevian fell, andinstantlyPage 179ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlCostigan leaped at the leader, ahead of the girl.Leaped; but dropped to thefloor, againparalyzed.For the Nevian leader had been alert, his four eyes covering theentire circleof vision, and he had acted rapidly.Not in time to stop Costigan's firstberserk attack -the First Officer's reactions were practically instantaneous and he moved fast- but intime to retain command of the situation.Another Nevian appeared, and whilethestricken guard was recovering, all four arms wrapped tightly around hisconvulsivelylooping, writhing neck, the three helpless Terrestrials were lifted into theair and carriedbodily into the quarters to which Nerado had assigned them.Not until they hadbeenplaced upon cushions in the middle room and the heavy metal doors had beenlockedupon them did they again find themselves able to use arms or legs."Well, that's another round we lose," Costigan commented, cheerfully."Aguycan't mix it very well when he can neither kick, strike, nor bite.I expectedthose lizardsto rough me up then, but they didn't.""They don't want to hurt us.They want to take us home with them,wherever thatis, as curiosities, like wild animals or something," decided the girl,shrewdly."They'repretty bad, of course, but I like them a lot better than I do Roger and hisrobots,anyway.""I think you have the right idea, Miss Marsden," Bradley rumbled."That'sit,exactly.I feel like a bear in a cage.I should think you'd feel worse thanever.Whatchance has an animal of escaping from a menagerie?""These animals, lots.I'm feeling better and better all the time," Cliodeclared, andher serene bearing bore out her words."You two got us out of that horriblePage 180ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlplace ofRoger's, and I'm pretty sure that you will get us away from here, somehow orother.They may think we're stupid animals, but before you two and the TriplanetaryPatroland the Service get done with them they'll have another think coming.""That's the old fight, Clio!" cheered Costigan."I haven't got it figuredout as closeas you have, but I get about the same answer.These four-legged fish carryconsiderably heavier stuff than Roger did., I'm thinking; but they'll be upagainstsomething themselves pretty quick that is no light-weight, believe me!""Do you know something, or are you just whistling in the dark?" Bradleydemanded."I know a little; not much.Engineering and Research have been working onanew ship for a long time; a ship to travel so much faster than light that itcan goanywhere in the Galaxy and back in a month or so.New sub-ether drive, newatomicpower, new armament, new everything.Only bad thing about it is that itdoesn't work sogood yet - it's fuller of bugs than a Venerian's kitchen.It has blown up fivetimes that Iknow of, and has killed twenty-nine men.But when they get it licked they'llhavesomething!""When, or if?" asked Bradley, pessimistically."I said when!" snapped Costigan, his voice cutting."When the Servicegoes afteranything they get it, and when they get it it stays." He broke offabruptly and hisvoice lost its edge."Sorry.Didn't mean to get high, but I think we'll havehelp, if we cankeep our heads up a while.And it looks good - these are first-class cagesthey've givenus.All the comforts of home, even to lookout plates
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