Assassin of Gor by John Norman

humans," I said.
     
    "Certainly," said Misk. "Eventually humans would be used only as slaves and feed."
     
    "Feed?" I asked.
     
    "The Others," said Misk, "unlike Priest-Kings, are carnivorous."
     
    "But the humans are rational creatures," I said.
     
    "On the ships," said Misk, "humans, and certain other organic creatures, are raised for meat."
     
    I said nothing.
     
    "The Others," said Misk, "see humans, and most other creatures, either as feed or tools."
     
    "They must be stopped," I said.
     
    "If they manage, in time, to turn a sufficient number of men against us and to arm them even primitively, our world is lost."
     
    "How far advanced are they in their project?" I inquired.
     
    "As nearly as we can determine, through our agents, not far."
     
    "Have you discovered the contact points," I asked, "from which they hope to extend their influence in the cities?"
     
    "Only one seems clear," said Misk. "And we do not wish to destroy it immediately. Such would indicate that we are aware of their plan. Further, innocent rational creatures might be destroyed. Further, if we destroy it, and it is a portion of a network, we will have lost valuable information on the degree of their dispersement and penetration."
     
    "You need a spy, Misk."
     
    "I knew," said Misk, "I should not have spoken of this matter with you."
     
    "What is the contact point you have discovered?" I inquired.
     
    "Return to Ko-ro-ba," said Misk. "In that city live and be happy. Take the she with you. Let others concern themselves with the dark business of war."
     
    "Will you not even let me decide the matter for myself?" I asked.
     
    "We asked nothing of you, Tarl Cabot," said Misk. And then Misk set his antennae on my shoulders, gently. "There will be danger for you even in Ko-ro-ba," said he, "for the Others doubtless know of your role in acquiring the egg of Priest-Kings. They may suspect that you still labor, or might again labor, in the service of Priest-Kings, and would wish to slay you. Return to your city, Tarl Cabot, be happy as you can, but guard yourself."
     
    "While the Others threaten," I said, "how can any man rest easy?"
     
    "I have spoken too much to you," said Misk. "I am sorry."
     
    I turned about, and to my surprise, saw that Elizabeth had entered the compartment. How long she had been listening, I did not know.
     
    "Hello," I said, smiling.
     
    Elizabeth did not smile. She seemed afraid. "What will we do?" she asked.
     
    "About what?" I asked, innocently.
     
    "She has been there long," said Misk. "Was it wrong for me to speak before her?"
     
    I looked at Elizabeth. "No," I said, "it was not wrong."
     
    "Thank you," Tarl," said the girl.
     
    "You said that one point of contact seemed clear?" I said to Misk.
     
    "Yes," said Misk, "only one."
     
    "What is it?" I asked.
     
    Misk looked from Elizabeth to myself. Then the words cam forth from the translator, spaced evenly, without expression. "The House of Cernus in Ar," said Misk.
     
    "It is one of the great slave houses," I said, "generations old."
     
    Misk's antennae briefly acknowledged this. "We have an agent in that house," said Misk, "a Scribe, the chief accountant, whose name is Caprus."
     
    "Surely he can find out what you want to know," I said.
     
    "No," said Misk, "as Scribe and Accountant his movements are restricted."
     
    "Then," I said, "you will need another in the House."
     
    "Return to Ko-ro-ba, Tarl Cabot," said Misk.
     
    "I have a stake in these games," I said.
     
    Misk looked down, the great compound eyes luminous. "You have done too much," he said.
     
    "No man," said I, "has done enough until the Others have been met and stopped."
     
    Suddenly Misk's antennae touched my shoulders and trembled there.
     
    "I will go too," said Elizabeth.
     
    I spun about. "You will not," I said. "I am taking you to Ko-ro-ba, and there you will stay!"
     
    "I will not!" she cried.
     
    I stared at her, scarcely believing my ears.
     
    "I will not!" she cried