CHAPTER 4He glanced briefly at the Martian steward who entered a little later bearing a tray of steaming foods. His eyes glittered for a moment as he calculated jumping the attendant, but then he saw the guard outside—ten Martians standing stiffly at attention, all armed. Hopeless.
“High Commander Ru Molo trusts you will enjoy this food,” said the attendant in Solaro. “He conveys his regrets that it will be your last meal.”
“Tell him an Earthman eats as well the moment before death as any other time,” returned Bruce savagely.
The steward grinned briefly. As he came forward, he seemed to stumble a little. His shoulder thrust against the open door, swinging it half-shut, blocking off the view of the outer guards.
“Earth beef-stew,” said the attendant, “with the High Commander’s complimen
