“Compliments to the Emperor’s pilots, Commander,” said Carmot honestly. “Some remarkable maneuvering, there.”

“Proper balancing of forces for such a task, on descent . . . yes, very well managed,” said Parquit, adding, “I’m certain Sectorcav supplied the best nye available.”

“I can guess the need for such a complex arrangement,” said Carmot.

Parquit spoke without taking his eyes from the screen.

“Yes. There are no shuttles this side of the Homeworld capable of handling that much bulk. Not only would it take too long to transfer one, but the humanx would be certain to inquire into the need for shuttles of that size. Aphon-class occasionally operate out of the capitol. We manage things too openly for my taste as it is.”

The two shuttles slowed and maneuvered from side to side; a little lower and they were positioned directly over the shaft. A lift pressor at the bottom of the shaft gently locked in and the two shuttles released their hold. A tricky operation. The idea was that the two shuttles would release their hold at the same moment the main pressor took over. Unless timing and power were precisely matched, a catastrophic misalignment of forces could occur.

The two shuttles pulled away, one to the left, one right, and boosted heavenward to rejoin the mother ship somewhere in orbit. If the timing had been exact all around, none of the operation should have been observable from Repler City’s beacons hundreds of kilometers to the north.

Not that the humanx could do anything about it even if they were to detect the movements. The AAnn rights were unassailable where practically everything was concerned. But it was better not to have nosy bureaucrats poking around until many answers had been obtained. So the only humanx within detector range were a few improperly equipped hunters and fishers.

Gently, Engineering lowered the massive container to the bottom of the shaft. A basso grinding from, the big room heralded touchdown. Relays snapped and sliding panels formed a new, permanent roof to the great cage. Outside, automatic work-tugs set about the task of dismantling the camouflaged shaft. Parquit did not permit himself to relax until all four panels of the structure and the accompanying artificial reef had been removed and stored. An unbroken sea flowed over the now-sealed subterranean structure. He smoothed his tail absently.

“Over and done and buried. So. Now the besotten freefliers may flit overhead to their heart’s content!”

“The structure, then, is completely invisible from the air?” asked Carmot.

“Like the rest of our undersea facilities, the containment area appears as normal seabottom when viewed from a height, complete with Pecces and an artificial piscean breeding ground.” The Commander leaned over the railing of the upper observation ramp and yelled into the big room. “Communications!”

From within a maze of screens and dials a slim technic looked up alertly.

“Radar and audor report all negative, Commander.”

“Good!” He turned back to the two scientists. “It only remains to release the creature from its life-support container. Then, Arris, you and your eager subordinates may proceed with the first of your experiments.” He turned to Carmot and began easily. “As a military man, I am of course particularly interested to see for myself proof of your claims as to the thing’s ability to resist powerful laser and other heat . . . .”