"Andrew, you fool," snapped Herkimer. "What do you mean by coming running in like this? They will know…"
"They've found out about the Cradle," Andrew gasped. "They…"
Herkimer came erect in one swift motion. The chair on which he had been sitting tipped over with the violence of his rising and his face was suddenly so white that the identification tattoo on his forehead stood out with a startling clearness.
"They know where…"
Andrew shook his head. "Not where. They just found out about it. Just now. We still have time…"
"We'll call in all the ships," said Herkimer. "We'll have to pull all the guards off the crisis points…"
"But you can't," gasped Eva. "That's exactly what they would want you to do. That is all that is stopping them…"
"We have to," Herkimer said grimly. "There's no choice. If they destroy the Cradle…"
"Herkimer," said Eva, and there was a deadly calm in her unhurried words. "The mark!"
Andrew swung to face her, then took a backward step. Herkimer's hand flashed underneath his coat and Andrew turned to run, heading for the low wall that rimmed the patio.