Kerrel’s face appeared on the small screen. There was no need now for the ultra-wave and the ordinary visiphone unit had been cut in. Edri and Joris confronted him. Trehearne stood in the doorway, listening. Behind him were the rescued exiles, and black despair was on them all.
Kerrel regarded Edri and Joris with a weary hatred. He seemed to have learned that being an agent of the Council had its rough side. But there was no slightest hint of leniency in his tone.
“The g*n crew has orders to open fire in exactly fifteen minutes,” he said. “You have that long to clear your ship, bringing with you neither weapons nor personal gear of any sort.” He repeated, “Fifteen minutes precisely.”
Joris looked at him with red and sunken eyes. Twenty years of age had come upon him in the last few minu
