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СКАЧАТЬ the taunt, Andax turned to Davos. "You mean?"

      Davos nodded his head. "The High Council is in session. You and Earani are bound to be summoned almost at once. Your partner in the spheres, Mardon, has already been notified. His speed ship is due almost at any moment."

      Davos, his arm still about Marnia's shoulders, walked with her towards Earani's table where they stood whispering together; Earani turned away gazing through the window at the distant sphere. Andax looked from one to the other with an expression between boredom and amusement.

      Then with a gesture of impatience he barked at Davos. "Perhaps, Davos, you can spare me a moment from the contemplation of the delights of an impending violent death with Marnia to supply me with some official information."

      The three broke into laughter.

      "One thing I admire in your breed," said Earani, "is its unfailing tact and consideration for the feelings of others."

      Davos bowed to him ironically. "Surely there is no information that a Davos can give an Andax?"

      "Spare my humility," snapped Andax. "Perhaps you can tell me if the allocation of the spheres has been decided."

      Davos waved his hand in the direction of the sphere in the window. "Yes, Earani goes to number one, you take number two, and Mardon will have number three."

      "Hump!" Andax turned to Earani. "This means that we will be sealed up almost immediately. The council will take no risks now that the time is so short." Then to Davos, "Have you heard anything?"

      Davos paused before replying and looked speculatively at Earani.

      She understood his hesitation. "Don't worry about my feelings, Davos," she smiled. "I am very interested and not very anxious."

      "Well," replied Davos, "number one will be sealed tomorrow at midday. You go north tomorrow night, and Mardon leaves for number three this evening."

      "Not losing any time now, are they?" commented Andax. Then abruptly to Davos. "What is the estimate of you and your committee of geniuses. Have you finished wrangling and guessing yet?"

      Davos shrugged his shoulders. "The only wrangling in the committee was done by that delightful brother of yours, Andax. I sometimes feel convinced that his manners are worse than yours."

      Andax snorted–"I'm not asking for fulsome flattery, but for information."

      "Well, since you ask so nicely," replied Davos, "the committee is of the opinion after weighing every factor, that at least twenty seven million years must elapse before the planet is fit for intelligent human civilisation again."

      Andax smiled across to the window. "It seems, Earani, that we are about to enjoy quite a long rest."

      "Yes," said the girl quietly, "but if we come through it will be worth it."

      "Yes," Andax murmured. "If!" For the moment he shed his arrogance. "Scientifically, mathematically and theoretically, the plan is perfect."

      "Well," broke in Marnia, "I don't envy either of you even if it does succeed."

      "The only flaw is that the spheres may not stand the strain of the final smash," put in Davos.

      "Stars in heaven," Andax exclaimed, his grey eyes flashing enthusiasm. "It is worth a thousand times the risk. Think of the glory of having a new world to play with, and to mould how we wish."

      Davos laughed as he replied. "Anyway we have one advantage you two will not enjoy. It will be a unique experience to witness the final smash."

      "A pity to miss it," Andax agreed grudgingly. "But we cannot have both."

      From the window Earani spoke. "A flying courier has just landed at the door. The summons, I expect."

      A moment later a courier in tight-fitting flying kit entered. He included the four in a general salute. "By command of the High Council. Andax and Earani will wait on the Council without delay."

      He bowed and retired.

      Earani arose from her seat. "Come with us, Marnia–to the door of the chamber, at least," and the four followed the courier.

      It was a vast majestic hall in which the High Council sat on a raised dais at its further end. Down its centre from the entrance ran a wide carpeted passage. From this passage on either side rose galleries crowded with silent spectators. The President who occupied the central seat on the platform was a tall stately man with a calm and benevolent appearance. The four councillors who sat on either side of him were all advanced in years. Two of them were women.

      There was an atmosphere of strained expectancy over the whole assemblage as the wide doors of the great chamber slowly unfolded. All eyes were turned on the little group they revealed that waited on the threshold.

      The voice of the official rang through the Hall. "Surrendering to the command of the High Council. I have the honour to present Andax, Earani and Mardon."

      From an official at the foot of the dais came the command. "Enter, Andax, Earani and Mardon and learn the will of the most honourable High Council."

      As the three walked slowly down the long passage all of the spectators rose and remained standing until they paused, bowing before the dais. Not until the murmur and rustle of the great gathering ceased after they had resumed their seats, did the President stand and come to the edge of the dais.

      Looking down on the three, he spoke slowly and with profound earnestness. "My children, it has pleased the creator of our planet to permit the destruction of all who dwell upon its surface. That moment, long foretold, is upon us. But in the hope that all of the achievements of our race for the happiness of humanity may not vanish utterly with them, we have resolved on an expedient whereby they may hand down the wisdom of our race to that, which, in the fullness of time, may follow us."

      "On you three, my children, has fallen that grave and terrible trust. It may be, for our eyes are blinded to the outcome, that you face events beside which the death that shadows the planet will be a very small thing. We know none among us fears death. But, what the future holds for you, none may say. Therefore I charge you, if your hearts be not firm in their purpose, you may now retire from it in peace and honour, and with the goodwill of your fellows–none hindering or none blaming.

      "Speak now, each one of you."

      The voice of Andax echoed through the chamber. "I take the trust upon me for the honour of the race."

      Earani's clear sweet voice followed. "And I for the love of humanity."

      From Mardon came. "I gladly and willingly accept the trust with which I am honoured."

      A low whispering murmur that swept over the assembled throng was stilled by a motion of the President's hand.

      Again he spoke. "In the name of our race the High Council commends you and accepts the sacrifice.

      "My children, from this moment you surrender yourselves to the will of the High Council. I charge you in the knowledge that any deviation from the way of honour will call down upon you its own penalty of atonement, that you will carry out in all things the plans of our race in which you have been instructed. In the discharge of the trust you have assumed there must be СКАЧАТЬ