t is why you stole it for us. We _couldn't_
let you die, not even if it meant all-out war with the city. The
situation was explained to all of our people who could be reached by
screen and they voted to save you. I killed the junkman for his
medicine, then rode two doryms to death to get here in time.

"Now tell us--what does it mean? What is your plan? How will it help
us?"

* * * * *

Guilt leaned on Jason and stifled his mouth. A fragment of an ancient
legend cut across his mind, about the jonah who wrecked the spacer so
all in it died, yet he lived. Was that he? Had he wrecked a world? Could
he dare admit to these people that he had taken the lifeboat only to
save his own life?

The three Pyrrans leaned forward, waiting for his words. Jason closed
his eyes so he wouldn't see their faces. What could he tell them? If he
admitted the truth they would undoubtedly kill him on the spot,
considering it only justice. He wasn't fearful for his own life any
more, but if he died the other deaths would all have been in vain. And
there still was a way to end this planetary war. All the facts were
available now, it was just a matter of putting them together. If only he
wasn't so tired, he could see the solution. It was right there, lurking
around a corner in his brain, waiting to be dragged out.

Whatever he did, he couldn't admit the truth now. If he died all hope
died. He had to lie to gain time, then find the true solution as soon as
he was able. That was all he could do.

"You were right," Jason said haltingly. "The small ship has an
interstellar drive in it. Perhaps it can still be saved. Even if it
can't there is another way. I can't explain now, but I will tell you
when I am rested. Don't worry. The fight is almost over."

They laughed and pounded each other on the back. When they came to shake
his hand as well, he closed his eyes and made believe he was asleep. It
is very hard to be a hypocrite if you aren't trained for it.

Rhes woke him early the next morning. "Do you feel well enough to
travel?" he asked.

"Depends what you mean by travel," Jason told him. "If you mean under my
own power, I doubt if I could get as far as that door."

"You'll be carried," Rhes broke in. "We have a litter swung between two
doryms. Not too comfortable, but you'll get there. But only if you think
you are well enough to move. We called all the people within riding
distance and they are beginning to