The strange oval ship was even more beautiful at close view. It was evidently incredibly ancient. There was the aura of millennia of existence about it. I looked at it in fascination.

Shizala, tight-lipped, did not welcome me as I entered.

I gave her a slight bow, feeling uncomfortable.

A low thrum of power came from the ship. It looked more like a piece of sculpture in bronze-like substance than a vehicle. The complicated, raised designs spoke of a creative intelligence superior to any in my experience.

A simple rope-ladder led to the entrance. I walked up to this in silence and tested it.

I darted a look of enquiry at Shizala.

At first she refused to meet my glance, but at length she did and said with a gesture at the ship: "Go aboard. Your pilot will join you in a moment."

"There is not much time," I reminded her. "This should be accomplished before nightfall."

"I am aware of that," she replied coldly.

I began to climb the swaying ladder, reached the top and entered the ship.

It was richly furnished, with padded couches of some deep green and gold material. At the far end were controls, as beautifully made and as finely decorated as the rest of the ship, with levers of brass—perhaps even gold—instruments encased in crystal. There was a small screen in a cabinetsome kind of television equipment which gave a wider view of what lay outside the ship than could be obtained through one of the rather small portholes.

After inspecting the interior of the ship I sat on one of the couches to work out my plan of assassination—for that, in essence, was what it was—and wait impatiently for my pilot to join me.

In a while I heard him climbing the rope-ladder. My back was to the entrance so I did not see him as he entered.

"Hurry," I said. "We have very little time!"

"I am aware of that," came Shizala's voice as she walked towards the controls and seated herself at them!

"Shizala! This is dangerous! It is no job for a woman!"

"No? Then who else do you suggest? Only a few pilots exist for the ships—and I am the only one available."

I was not sure that she spoke the truth, but there was no time to waste.

"Then be very careful," I said. "Your people need you more than I do—do not forget your responsibility to them."

"That I could never do," she said. For some reason I thought she spoke bitterly, though I could not determine why at that time.

Now she operated the controls and the ship began to rise, light as a feather, towards the roof. As the roof slid open, I realized how the ships left the hangars. The dark blue sky of late evening was above us. The ship's motors began to murmur with greater intensity.