Absent-mindedly, Teucrete climbed into the suit of protective armor. Ferris helped her zip up the clumsy garments, then clasped her arm impulsively.
"I haven't the skill to say it properly--but thanks."
"I'll expect your skill to improve with experience," she said irritably, fixing the blaster gun securely in its spring clip.
Returning to the console, Teucrete worked out an elaborate composition on the keys. Tubes flared and flickered, flamed and faded. There was the humming and the bell-toned clamor like glass raindrops spattering on a ceramic floor.
"We have arrived," she whispered. It was then Pao Chung acted.
Quick as a striking snake, he moved close beside the girl and snatched the blaster from its clip.
Backing away, he waved the weapon in wide sweeps to menace both Ferris and Angel at once.
Teucrete turned and cried out. Angel froze like a statue. Ferris started a rush, then thought better of it.
"New deal, I think," said Pao Chung brutally. "From here on I'll give the orders."
Angel chuckled ferociously. "You can't get both of us, Pao Chung. If we rush at once, you can kill one, but the other will get to you."
"Don't try it," warned Pao Chung, sweating but deadly.
"You keep talking of deals," continued Angel evenly. "Better make one with me. For the girl, and a third of the loot, I'll talk business with you."
"Neither of you will get me alive," said Teucrete.
Ferris moved a little, and the gun held steadily on him. He hesitated, glancing curiously at Angel. Light glinted from quivering wings. The gargoyle face grinned hideously. Heavy eyelids blinked in remembered signal.
Ferris and Angel leaped, like two moving parts of the same machine. Angel was quicker. His powerful wings wafted him in a long, swift bound.
The blaster swerved, flamed, burst in deafening explosion. A reek of charred, disintegrating flesh and singed feathers filled the air.
Angel shrieked in torment as his legs vanished in crumbling ashes. Wings flailing, his body a maimed and blasted horror, he crashed down upon Pao Chung. The gun jerked from nerveless fingers and clattered on the floor. Its beam cut a tinkling swathe among the crystal shafts. Real droplets of half-molten crystal struck myriad bell-tones in falling.