The klaxon horns continued to ring out that the rocket fleet of High King Kallos was rapidly approaching the sky city of Archaeopolis. Jet Dixon could only imagine what was going on outside. His girl Dawn Revere was holding the Shyar queen while Dr. Harkov was busily working on the Shield Generator.

"Say, is there a TV in here?" Jet demanded.

"A what?" one of the scientists said, his confusion showing on his slightly avian features.

"A television. You know, a device that lets you see images from somewhere else."

"Ah, a visorscope." The scientist took Jet over to a clunky device that looked more like a washing machine. Adjusting a series of knobs atop the visorscope, the scientist was able to bring an image into view. The screen focused on a large formation of bullet-shaped rocketships. Jet recognized them as being of Kallusian design. He had flown one himself after the trio were attacked along with the Centaurians in the forest. "Man, that's a lot of ships."

A sinister voice then came over the visorscope's speakers. Its cold tone drove a touch of fear into everyone inside of the Science Laboratory. "This is High King Kallos, in command of the Kallusian rocket fleet. My scientists in Kallusia City have noted the fluctuations in the output of the Great Machine. As rightful monarch of all Atla, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of all Atla. Since the Shyar have shown that they cannot be trusted to maintain the Great Machine that protec

"He's mad!" Jara growled. "If he attacks Archaeopolis, he could destroy everything he's claiming to protect!"

"That's a funny thing about monarchs," Jet noted. "They tend to be a little off-kilter with their thinking, present company not excluded."

"You dare!" Jara huffed.

"We dare!" Dawn twisted Jara's arm a little tighter to make her point. Jara resisted for a moment and then relaxed. She could tell that Dawn's strength was returning, and the Earthwoman was not in the mood to be trifled with.

"Doc, I hope you can finish up soon," Jet remarked. "I don't relish the though of having to fight our way through the Shyar and the Kallusians. I'd like to skedaddle before the Kallusians get here."

Dr. Harkov sighed. "I'm a scientist, not a miracle worker. I've deciphered in a few hours a machine that has not revealed its secrets to the Shyar for hundreds if not thousands of years. It's going to take a few more minutes."

"Aw c'mon, Doc," Jet sighed. "I've got confidence in your genius." He looked around the facility, searching for any type of weapon. The barrier might hold for a while against the Wingwomen's staves, but it probably would not withstand a barrage of rayblasts. He addressed the panicked scientists. "Say, can any of these gizmos be used like a weapon? We're gonna be attacked by Shyar or Kallusian troops or maybe both soon."

"Why should we help you, offworlder?" one of the more brazen scientists demanded. "Why should we betray our Queen and our people?"

"Your Queen and your people," Dawn explained, shaking Jara to emphasize her point, "have forced you to labor here without any hope of release." She had picked up this information from her fellow slaves while working in the energy plant. "What do you owe her or them?"

Some of the more perceptive researchers began nodding along with Dawn's argument. They were victims of forced servitude while they served Atla by maintained the Shield Generator.

"Now look," Jet continued. "You help Dr. Harkov out here and we'll make sure that the Queen grants you some concessions - first and foremost your freedom."

"That's not too much to ask, is it?" Dawn said snidely.

"All of this is irrelevant if Kallos captures Archaeopolis. Then we'll all be his slaves," Jara retorted.

A scientist was handing Jet a makeshift device that looked like it was trying to be a rifle. "So this is a zap-gun," the daredevil pilot asked. "I like it." He turned towards Jara. "No confidence in your forces holding off Kallos and his gang?"

"If you'll look at the visorscope, Earthman," Jara said derisively, "you'll see that he's mobilized the entire fleet. Our defense towers won't be able to hold off the Kallusians for long."

"We won't have to hold them off forever, just long enough for Doc to do his thing. After that, as far as we're concerned, we don't care. So I'll help you fight off his fleet, if you promise to give these brainboys their freedom, assuming we win, of course."

Jara looked around at the Shyar scientists working to assist Dr. Harkov in whatever his objective was. Perhaps the scientists would be more productive if they were able to work unfettered. It was somewhat embarrassing to her regal pride that the alien scientist had done more in a few short hours than her people had done in centuries. "All right, I give you my word. However, I must be released to rally my people, and Jet Dixon must fly one of our rockets in defense of Archaeopolis."

"Fine by me, as long as I get to keep the rocket afterwards to take Dawn and Doc far away from here."

Jara twisted her head to look at Dawn. "You heard your lord, we are allies now. Release me."

"Can we trust her, Jet?" Dawn asked as she loosened her grip.

"We gotta. We're caught between a rocket and a hard place." Jet grabbed Jara by the arm while he cradled the energy rifle. "C'mon, let's go deal with those rotten Kallusians." He motioned with his head for some of the idle scientists to disassemble the barricade. Once it was removed, he tentatively opened the great doors. There was a small contingent of Wingwomen outside, pulling triggers on their electrorifles. Streaks of high-powered energy charged at Jet.