“Get the others together and I’ll tell you. I particularly want to see Naxa and any other talkers who are here.”

They gathered quickly when the word was passed. All of them knew that the junkman had been killed to save this off-worlder, that their hope of salvation lay with him. Jason looked at the crowd of faces turned toward him and reached for the right words to tell them what had to be done. It didn’t help to know that many of them would be killed doing it.

“We all want to see an end to the war here on Pyrrus. There is a way, but it will cost human lives. Some of you may die doing it. I think the price is worth it, because success will bring you everything you have ever wanted.” He looked around at the tense, waiting circle.

‘We are going to invade the city, break through the perimeter. I know how it can be done…

A mutter of sound spread across the crowd. Some of them looked excited, happy with the thought of killing their hereditary enemies. Others stared at Jason as if he were mad. A few were dazed at the magnitude of the thought, this carrying of the battle to the stronghold of the heavily armed enemy. They quieted when Jason raised his hand.

“I know it sounds impossible,” he said. “But let me explain. Something must be done-and now is the time to do it. The situation can only get worse from now on. The city Pyrr… the junkmen can get along without your food, their concentrates taste awful but they sustain life. But they are going to turn against you in every way they can. No more metals for your tools or replacements for your electronic equipment. Their hatred will probably make them seek out your farms and destroy them from the ship. All of this won’t be comfortable-and there will be worse to come. In the city they are losing their war against this planet.

Each year there are less of them, and some day they will all be dead. Knowing how they feel, I am sure they will destroy their ship first, and the entire planet as well, if that is possible.”

“How can we stop them?” someone called out.

“By hitting now,” Jason answered. “I know all the details of the city and I know how the defenses are set up. Their perimeter is designed to protect them from animal life, but we could break through it if we were really determined.”

‘What good would that do?” Rhes snapped. “We crack the perimeter and they draw back-then counterattack in force. How can we stand against their weapons?”