"Are they using the machine ... the altar?"
"They were using it when they brought me in. I think it _is_ the
Outsiders. But they don't seem to know it's just a machine--they kneel
in front of it, and chant. It's so strange, in that language of theirs
... those thin, high voices, and the echoes...."
"They're holding you prisoner?"
"Yes. I think they want to hold you off till they can get ready for
their own attack."
"_For their what?_" Rynason stood up, and looked toward the city; he
could see no movement there.
"I know ... it's incredible. Lee, they don't know what they're doing.
Horng said on the interpreter that they were going to drive us off the
planet, and then rebuild their cities, and re-arm. It's something to do
with Kor, or the Outsiders. The orders have changed. They think that if
they can drive us away for awhile they can build themselves up to where
they can repel any further touchdowns here."
"This order came from the machine?"
"Yes. There was a mistake, and Horng realized it after you linked with
him this morning.
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