The pseudo-Emperor cursed, struggled, begged for his life.
The pseudo-Emperor cursed, struggled, begged for his life.
The pseudo-Emperor cursed, struggled, begged for his life.
Joel's face was a grimace of triumph. He reached the parapet, heaved the pseudo-Emperor over the edge.
A single piercing scream came up to him.
Joel didn't look down. He gripped the railing, staring out over the gutted city. He heard a step behind him, felt Priscilla cover his hand with hers.
"I knew you'd come. But Joel, we mustn't waste time!" Her voice was tremulous. "Please hurry before the alarm is given!"
"No," he said. "We'll wait here."
"Joel! Roos' death won't stop the revolt. There'll be a dozen men to take his place. Maybe the Ganelons will take us in!"
"Look," he said simply, and pointed out over the parapet.
In perplexity the girl glanced down on the city spread out below. Then she gave a little scream, clapped her hand over her mouth.
Slowly, inexorably, the encircling jungle was enveloping the city! Already the outlying districts were submerged beneath a wave of thrashing greenery.
Joel saw a band of ant-like men trying to stem the advance of the nigel trees with ray projectors. Then they broke and ran.
Someone began to pound on the door to Priscilla's suite and shout for the Emperor. Then he went away.
Thorp called, "What is it, Joel?"
"The plants! They're attacking!"
With a shout, the ex-spaceman rushed to the parapet, dragging Tamis with him.
The Ganelon girl's ivory cheeks were flushed and she held tight to Thorp's hand as she leaned over the parapet.
Priscilla's green eyes widened. "The Ganelons! They've set the nigel trees onto the rebels."
Joel nodded.
"Oh, Joel! Then you did get through to the Thinkers!" She threw her arms around his neck. Suddenly she drew back. "But are we safe here?"
Tamis said, "My people are directing the trees. We're safe. So are your father and the other captives."
Priscilla let herself go limp in Joel's arms, nestled her head on his shoulder.
Beneath them the sea of vegetation flooded down the streets, swarmed over the buildings.
"The new Eden," said Joel. He glanced down into Priscilla's upturned face. What he saw there set his pulse racing. He had come a long way, he realized, from the dissatisfied specialist in animal husbandry.
He had come a long way, but it was only the beginning.