Debby jumped and Jill followed. Rather hesitated until he saw them bump against the airlock door. The jump looked dangerous. Tide was gentle, but one could fa\\ into the sky. Rather had never been inside the CARM, and he wasn't sure he wanted to be. The starstuff box was like nothing else in or on the tree.

But he had to follow. He caught the edge of the outer door as it passed, pivoted on the strength of his arms, and entered feet first. Can't jump right, can't reach far. What if I'a missed?

It was weird inside the CARM. There were openings in the back wall, and hard round loops sticking out of the dorsal and side walls. Farther toward the front were rows of cradles almost the size of an adult, ten in all, made of nothing like wood or cloth.

Rather made his way forward. The others were in the first row of cradles. "Take a seat and strap yourself in," Jeffer ordered. "Here, like this." He fastened two elastic tethers across Jill's torso. "Lawri showed me how to work these, years ago."

The cradle had a headrest that fitted nicely behind his ears. Jill's and Debby's dug into their shoulders. It's true, Rather thought suddenly. The CARM was built for dwarves! He liked the thought.

"The winged men weren't very close," the Scientist said. "We've got time." His fingers drummed against the flat panel below the window.

There was tide pulling Rather forward, and a whisperroar like a steady wind. The bark receded; the tree backed into the sky. Jill gripped the armrests of her cradle. Her mouth was wide. Debby said, "Clave didn't say take off, Scientist. He said get ready."

"No time. They're headed for the trunk. Also the CARM is mine, Debby. We settled that once."

"Tell it to Clave."

"Clave knows."

The invaders kicked themselves through the air, slowly, in the last stages of exhaustion. Five, it looked like, until Rather realized that the older woman carried a half-grown girl in her arms.

Jeffer nudged the CARM toward them, in along the trunk.

Smoke Ring people came long, longer, or dwarf. These invaders were of the longer persuasion, like jungle giants, born and raised in free-fall. They were quite human: an older man and woman and four girls. The wings were artificial, bound to their shins, made of cloth over splayed ribs. One girl trailed behind, struggling along with only one wing.

They were in sorry shape. Closer now, and Rather could see details. The man's hair was burned, and the loose sheet that covered him was charred. The wingless girl was coughing; she didn't even have the strength to cling to the woman who carried her.

Their legs stopped pumping as, one by one, they saw the CARM.

Debby said, "I don't see anything like bows or harpoons. Can we take them aboard?"