“Two hundred?” someone shouted. “That’s it?”
“Two hundred aboard the Doorthmore!” Byron said, retaliating with his mental voice as well. “Another hundred and twenty aboard the Nacinta. If I can convince High Command to allow just one other flagship to remain, that will be another six hundred plus. And five thousand or more can take refuge in the alien ship as well.”
“How long could we survive in there?” said Enteller, his lips pulled back in a sneer.
“The alien ship is fully functional with its own life support. Sealed from the inside and protected by the mountain, you’ll easily survive a year or more if need be.”
“But what about the others? We just leave them on the surface to die?” an older man asked.
“Your planet has several extensive caverns,” replied Byron, aware it was a poor al
