smaller compartment help clean the
machinery there every month or so. The air smelled of crisp ozone and
hot oil.

Then as he rested, he saw movement behind one of the huge, softly
purring machines. Although he could not know this, it was a female from
the larger compartment. Muscles knotting, he waited.

He saw her again--the merest glint of flesh. She had not seen him. He
half crouched.

It is impossible, he told himself. Only my compartment-mates and
Forential and others of his race are on the ship.

Walt did not even think of trying for telepathic contact. Blind hatred
overcame him. She's an earthling! he thought instinctively.

She has been left here for a test; that's it, he thought. Forential is
testing me....

He crept cautiously toward her. Still she was unaware of him.

I will break her neck, so....

No, he thought suddenly.

Forential has brought her here for questioning. He would be angry if I
harmed her. He does not intend it for a test after all.

He crouched undecided, trying to think. I better leave her, he thought.

He was motionless, watching. If I killed her, he thought, Forential
might be angry.

He slipped silently toward the ladder.

Perhaps, he thought, Forential will give her to me to dispose of when he
finishes with her.

He remembered seeing Forential dispose of several captured earthlings.
It was a very satisfying thing to watch. Forential promised us some,
Walt thought, but he never gave us any. But I guess I was wrong in
thinking he was too cowardly to risk another trip to Earth for them....

Just as he reached the ladder, he whirled. The female had seen him. She
had started toward him. His eyes sparkled in anticipation.

_She's a Lyrian!_ he thought in amazement.

_Damned earthmen_, she thought.

_No, I...._

For a long moment they were motionless. Then Walt, keeping a suspicious
eye on her until he was above the second ceiling continued to climb.

* * * * *

In the alien compartment, the gravity was so low that Walt almost
floated. He propelled himself toward Forential's cubicle.

"Come in," Forential said, sensing him. Forential looked up when he
entered.

"I saw a female Lyrian in the machinery room!" Walt blurted.

There was a moment of silence. Forential's face grew a shade paler.
"... did she see you?"

_Of course_, Walt thought.

It was an effort for Forential to telepath in English. He preferred
vocalizing. Staring a