"The ruse worked," the Emperor's son exulted. "They've gone."
"Order the ship cleared!" Standish commanded. "We take off at once."
Quickly the screen of material was torn from the new ship. A vat of necessary water and a case of food concentrate were hastily carried into the storage chamber. The twenty-four chosen Lyrians took their places. In the pilot cuddy, Standish nodded to Ga-Marr and pulled down the microphone of the ship address-system.
"Close stern hatch!" he ordered.
A dial flicked on the panel before him, and from the loudspeaker a voice answered:
"Hatch closed, sir."
"Close midships-tower."
"Midships-tower closed."
"Gunner's mate!" Standish called. "Test all g*n swivels, air locks and automatic loaders."
There was a moment's pause. Then:
"All guns tested, sir."
Stand
