The haunting sound of the alegoyle deterrent stuttered twice over two minor notes, faded down a glissando and drifted into silence. Only a little more than half an hour earlier, Klane had watched the creature depart in the aerocopter. Now Ketha had taken the risk and followed his instructions to stop the defensive broadcast. Klane picked up the amplifier and touched two spots on the control face before whistling his own summoning tune. Magnified by the device, the call rang out loudly over the moors. It seemed a long wait but in fact it was only three minutes later that a joyful Suak rejoined his master, circling overhead. The alegoyle had spent the time since Klane entered the crater flying all around the edges of the screened zone. He had found Lyr, free from his tether and wandering riderless and he knew that Klane must be in big trouble to have left his horse for so long, but the creature's deterrent, though only intended to protect it from wild alegoyle was too difficult for Suak to overcome. The blessed quiet followed by the sudden familiar whistle was all he needed to glide swiftly into the base. 

That was the easy part. Now Klane needed to try something which man and alegoyle had practiced only a few times. He pocketed the amplifier, for Suak was close enough to hear his voice directly and he called out his request in the sing-song tone they'd used in training. He had to make the call three times for the position was awkward and Suak needed to circle the specimen jar a few times more to gauge distance and depth but at last the predator understood what was required. Then the alegoyle swooped. His talons grasped Klane firmly at the shoulder blades and wings beating frantically, muscles straining into the sky, he lifted his master almost vertically clear out of the top of the glass cylinder walls. It was just as well that Klane's shoulder protection was thick and well padded for he could feel the harsh grip of the alegoyle's talons even through his armour. He bent his legs as Suak rose and all at once he was clear of the slippery surface he'd been unable to climb. Klane was free! 

Then an alarm sounded again...

However the alarm had been triggered there was now little time to escape. Already the ominous sound of the returning aerocopter was audible below the sirens. Klane needed his weapon! He ran to the base hoping to meet up with Lucalle or Ketha. Where was the klane?

As soon as she heard the alarm Lucalle ran quickly to the shelves where the creature had put the klane. She turned round anxiously as she reached to grab it, for she had also heard the noise of the returning aerocopter and feared the arrival of the creature. After her last experience trying something the 'master' had not permitted she felt a tightness in her stomach. She'd been too scared to risk stealing this thing earlier. She didn't even know what it was but she knew Klane needed it. There was clearly no point in worrying about any more possible alarms now! With only a swift backward glance she grabbed the klane and fled to the exit.

Before Klane and Lucalle had a chance to meet the creature had flown over the perimeter fence and with one well aimed shot, brought Klane crashing to the floor. 

"You are too troubles.. s... ome!" it boomed. "This..s.. camp was working well until you arrived. I cannot afford to keep you. Change of plan. I will dis.. s.. pose of you now!"